Dr. Charles Merlot, founder of Merlot Industries, known for manufacturing weapons and other technological advancements that made everyone live life easier.

Date:  October 18, 304 A.G.W.

Time:  21:16 hrs.

Location:  Merlot Industries' Nuclear Power Plant and Weapons Factory, Atlas Branch

During an experiment presentation one night, Beacon Academy's Headmaster, Professor Ozpin, was invited to come along with the General of Atlas Military, General James Ironwood by Doctor Merlot himself.

The three are currently inside an observation room next to a test ground facility for the company's newest prototypes.

Merlot was about to present a new method or rather a new weapon to combat the Creatures of Grimm, a 4 meter tall Exo – Suit meant to be piloted by Huntsmen and Atlesian pilots.

(A/N:  If any may ask just what the hell is this mecha. Well this is just the Lego model of the  Amplified Mobility Platform Suit ,or AMP Suit for short, that was featured in the 2009 movie "Avatar" directed by James Cameron. Pic is not mine btw.) 

At first, Ozpin disagrees with this idea but because of Ironwood's theoretical explanation of the benefits of the new tech along with the general's persuasion, Ozpin decided to go along with the idea and see what happens next.

A test run for the Exo – Suit was initiated in the test grounds of the facility. As the test pilot is readies for combat in the mech's cockpit, a captured Ursa Major was released from its cage.

Rome 105 (Test Pilot):  Romeo 105, Proto Exo – Suit 01, eliminating Grimm.

As the test combat between the two begun, the prototype Exo – Suit immediately gains the upper hand due to its fast joint movement and the pilot's skill. The Grimm, however, tried to keep up with the mech's 'initial' speed and shows signs of weakening.

Ironwood:  I'm impressed, Dr. Merlot. This truly is the perfect weapon against the Grimm. Though it's a bit shorter than our Paladin, but it's just as good as it, or even better!

Ozpin:  So you've basically created a machine that replaced the Huntsmen's job in Grimm extermination?

Merlot:  I wouldn't exactly say 'replace' the Huntsmen but rather this mech will give 'assistance' to them in battling bigger Grimm like the Deathstalker and the Nevermore.

Ozpin:  As if this is an answer to a prayer or some sort. I still don't see why we would need this if skilled Huntsmen can take on Grimm like that.

Ironwood:  Ozpin, how can you say no to this? I mean think about it, with these mechs having mass – produced, we will no longer have to lose more and more lives of good Huntsmen. And the Grimm will be wiped out for good.

After Ironwood's statement, the last few moments past Huntsmen dying started flashing through Ozpin's mind. This made the headmaster groan as he pinches the bridge of his nose. Merlot then notices this.

Ozpin: The Grimm won't be wiped out very easily. They'll just keep on coming back.

Merlot:  Is something the matter, Prof. Ozpin?

Ozpin:  *sighs* Nothing. No need to worry, Doctor.

Ironwood:  Still thinking about 'them'?

Ozpin:  How could I not, James? Losing lives are still hard to accept, especially if those lives matter to you most and when you are responsible for it.

Merlot:  Gentlemen, it is fine to think about the past, that's good. But the past is in the past. Let us not linger in the past and move toward the future and face what life has to offer to us.

Ironwood:  Dr. Merlot's right Oz, we - -

Ozpin:  Something's not right.

Ironwood:  What? What do you mean something's not right?

Just then, as the simulated combat between the prototype and the Grimm continues, the Grimm is slowly gaining the upper hand, prompting Merlot to open a transmission line to the pilot.

Merlot:  Oi, what's happening? Why is the Grimm winning?

Romeo 105:  Doctor, the left arm control - -

Merlot:  Disengage the limiters. Increase the suit's over all attributes and stats.

Romeo 105:  What?! But Doc, wouldn't that - - -

Merlot:  Just do it! Disengage the suit's limiters!

Romeo 105:  Roger that!

While battling the Grimm from inside the mech, the pilot flips a succession of switches from the control panel. After doing so, the mech's movements start pick up speed and starts to release a flurry of punches and kicks on the Grimm rendering it unable to fight back.

The fight goes on as the three watch the ongoing battle. Merlot has a wide smile plastered on his face. Ironwood has a shocked expression on his face. And Ozpin, on the other hand, is still had a stoic expression on his face seeing that he is not amazed.

Ironwood:  This is..........

Merlot:  Due to some circumstances, this is a feature built into the Exo – Suit. The pilot must disengage all of the suit's limiters as a last resort.

Ironwood:  Limiters?

Ozpin:  I have a bad feeling about this.

Merlot:  That's right, limiters. Once the limiters are disengaged, the suit's performance in combat maximizes in terms of agility, speed, and fighting strength.

Ironwood:  So in other words, it becomes more agile and fluid, like releasing a wild beast into the wild. This is nothing like our Paladin.

Merlot:  Precisely. *opens transmission line to the pilot* Finish it.

After a few more punches and kicks from the mech to the Grimm, the mech reels its left arm and delivers a powerful punch to the Grimm sending it flying towards the neighboring reactors that are relatively near the test site.

The pilot's eyes widen as he realized his mistake. The mech tried to run towards the Grimm but it was too late. The Grimm has already crashed into one of the 7 reactors causing a huge explosion and sends a powerful shockwave throughout the entire facility causing a chain reaction of events.

As the shockwave hits the observation room to where Merlot, Ironwood and Ozpin are in, they all took cover as the glass shatters.

The power plant's core started to experience a nuclear meltdown.

Nuclear wastes are spilled all over its surrounding areas.

The factories are ignited into flames one – by – one.

Some of the workers trapped inside the factories dying by either of the fire or by immediate nuclear contamination.

Everything is a mess. The entire place is riddled with fire and nuclear wastes.

Ironwood:  What's happening?!

Ozpin:  Fools! I told you something's not right!

Another sequence of explosions can be heard outside. This prompted Merlot to take action. He goes to a control panel and grabs a microphone.

Merlot:  Attention all units! Initiate Emergency Disaster Protocol Stage 5! This is not a drill! I repeat, Initiate Emergency Disaster Protocol Stage 5! Remember to wear full body hazmat suits! Evacuate the facility!

Ironwood:  Are you forgetting something?

Merlot:  Oh right. *clears throat* Romeo 105, use the Exo – Suit to chaperone the Bullheads containing the other personnel, fend off any Grimm in your path. I wish you all the best of safety. Oum speed.

Merlot then faces Ironwood and Ozpin.

Merlot:  Gentlemen, I believe it's time for us to depart from this falling facility.

Ironwood:  You do realize that THIS is a nuclear power plant!

Merlot:  James, I am VERY much aware of that. That's why we are getting the hell out of here this instant!

The three then rush out of the door only to be met by the Ursa Major that rose up from the wreckage of the reactors but it's completely different from before.

The Grimm's body size increased 3 times than the normal size of an Ursa Major and the armor plates have become denser and larger. The same could be said about the Grimm's claws. Upon seeing this, both Merlot and Ozpin's eyes widen at this.

Ironwood:  Dear Oum.......

Ozpin:  Charles what have you done?!

Merlot:  What?! I have done nothing regarding the Grimm!

Ozpin:  That sudden change of the Grimm in general, caused by the exposure and intoxication to nuclear wastes and radiation leading it for the Grimm to mutate genetically, through the actions of YOUR prototype! And THIS place is owned and operated by non-other than you! Your prototype and its actions, your liability! And from the looks of it, the Grimm we are now witnessing has now EVOLVED. I may be no scientist but I know how things work at a different angle.

Ironwood:  You know, Oz is right there.

Merlot:  Oh would you shut up, James?! The important thing is that we get out of this place!

Ozpin:  Grimm evolution was your dream project for this company until I told you not to continue, right? Well, because of the nuclear leak, your 'dream' development has come to a reality, and this will be seen as a living nightmare by the people.

Merlot just stares at the newly evolved Grimm at the crash site with awe until another set of explosions rules out the area.

Ironwood:  You might want to look there.

Ironwood then pointed to the fallen barrier near them as numerous Grimm start to enter the fallen facility. As Ozpin saw the Grimm, his eye once again widen at the predicament that will occur.

Ozpin:  This is bad.

Ironwood:  No shit Captain Obvious. The panic and fear must've attracted the nearby Grimm. And from the looks of it, there are a lot of them.

Ozpin:  Doctor Merlot, General Ironwood, we must leave now.

Merlot:  Right.

The three immediately made their way to the Bullhead hangar and while on the way there, the three had to battle the Grimm that invaded some of the areas, Ozpin with his cane, Ironwood with his revolver, and Merlot with his dual handguns.

Ozpin:  If this keeps up, then most of the Grimm exposed to the material here will become the same with that Ursa Major over there.

Ironwood:  A mass scale of over – sized Grimm?

Ozpin:  It's just as I feared from the beginning of the trial.

Ironwood:  With this disaster, it could change the world's current status quo.

Merlot:  As much as I wanted this to happen the other way around, it seems like there is no turning back now.

Ozpin:  We'll talk about this later.

Ironwood:  Alright, let's go!

As the three reached the hangar, only one Bullhead was left with one Atlesian soldier outside the aircraft shooting down incoming Grimm with a heavy assault rifle. As the Atlesian soldier noticed the three running towards the last Bullhead, he signaled his colleague from the inside to open the door for them to enter.

Atlesian Soldier:  *salutes* General Ironwood sir!

Ironwood:  At ease soldier. Is this everyone?

Atlesian Soldier:  This is everyone we can save sir, the others have left. But sad to say there are others who didn't make it.

Ironwood:  The important thing is that we at least saved a lot of people. Good job soldier. Oz, Dr. Merlot, let's go!

The three entered the Bullhead as it took off while using its chin – mounted machine guns to take down airborne Grimm.

From inside the Bullhead, Merlot can do nothing but watch as the facility collapses due to the explosions and Grimm infestation. He then let out an audible sigh and takes a nearby seat as he buries his face into his hands. Ozpin and Ironwood took their seats next to Merlot.

Merlot:  I messed up, big time. Now what will the council think of this?

Ironwood:  Don't worry, Doctor; I will have my army to take care of the Grimm.

Ozpin:  But don't you think your army will stand a chance against those mutated Grimm? We've seen the drastic change, how are you so sure your army can keep up with Grimm as huge as 18m? I can't say the same thing with the Huntsmen.

Ironwood:  What are trying to imply Oz?

Ozpin:  All I am saying is that what we need is a 'counter – attack', something that could fight the Grimm with that size and strength.

Merlot:  Are you saying that we need a more advanced Exo – Suit?

Ozpin:  Precisely. Though I am against the idea, I guess there is no other way we can put a stop to this. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Ironwood:  Ozpin's right, but, with the technology we have today, I don't think we can make that possible in a short period of time.

Merlot:  And the Grimm back on thefacility could spread the nuclear waste to the others. It's a total infection that lead to genetic mutation. This may be something that I've wanted to happen for along time, but not like this.   

==========Prologue Ends==========