Okay, we'd gotten all our supplies ready, taught our new tribe members everything we needed to know, and gotten enough tames to take down everything Rockwell could throw at us...hopefully. Now on to actually beating him and getting off this stupid ARK.

Everyone was gathered up at the terminal where we would face Rockwell, with all of their tames nearby as well. Aside from a few understandable bits of tension (namely Team RWBY looking warily at the Grimm that seemed to have an alliance of convenience with us, which had me on edge as well, and Six and Mono having cautious glances at, well, everyone, even if they were a bit more trusting now than they had been when they first got here). We were definitely in one of the weirdest alliances I had ever seen, but I could make due with this. For now.

Once we were off the ARK system, I was sorting things out with every universe I had met someone from in this one. This was getting weird.

So, with nothing else to do, we stuffed our tribute into the Terminal and prepared for battle. Moments later, we were whisked away.

XXXXX

We soon found ourselves in Rockwell's arena. The fact he had an arena just left me a little confused - did he like being viewed as a villain. Did it inflate his ego to be the antagonist like this?

..Fuck it, let's just kill him.

"So," spoke the twisted abomination that was known as Rockwell, "you came all this way to die fighting me?"

"No, we came all this way to kill you, dickwad," was Vivian's response. Also, nice burn.

"How amusing," was his reply, as the colossal form of Rockwell finally emerged from the pit in the center of the arena, tentacles unfurling a moment later. "Well, may the best organism win. I highly doubt it will be you."

Yeah, yeah, shut up and die!

XXXXX

Six tackled Mono to the ground just in time to save both from one of the creature's tentacles, before trying to drag the boy to shelter. She still wasn't sure how to feel about him, but now was not the time to die pointlessly!

The tentacle in question readied for another attack, only for it to come under fire from both bullets nad lighitng, all released by a group of green aliens - some with four arms and tusks, others with claws and too many eyes. A human warrior added a throwing axe to the mix, and after a moment of barrages, the tentacle fell, though not before firing off a ball of lighting, which the assembled suriviors hastily avoided.

Working together, the rest of the tribe was able to take down the other tentacles, causing Rockwell to cry out in pain and collapse, leaving his body - and very obviously exposed heart - vulernable.

The group was disappointed that he got back up before his heart exploded.

Then came the reapers and nameless.

XXXXX

Ruby looked unhappily at her ammo pouch to find that she was almost out of cartridges for Crescent Rose. Somehow, dust-based bullets still worked here, and the group she joined had found an extra stash of compatible ammo before they'd ventured to fight this thing-that-was-once-human, but the intensity of battle had depleted her reserves.

Why were they here? Why was everything so messy here? WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH BLOOD-AGH!

Ruby jsut managed to duck out of the way as a Nameless charged at her, only for it to be tackled aside by the girl known as M4. The creature promptly scratched the girl's arm, and was repaid with a bullet to the brain.

Ruby stared only for a moment before going to try and help M4. Said girl was now focused on Ruby, looking for any signs of injury. "Are you hurt?"

"No, but you are! Let me help with that-"

"It's fine-"

"No it is! If we don't get that treated you could bleed-"

The rest of the words died on Ruby's lips when she looked at M4's arm and found that, beneath the skin, there was metal.

"...Wait, you're a robot?"

"Yes. A tactical doll, to be exact...Do you not have those where you are from?"

"...The only robot-girl I know is named Penny. And she's a lot quirkier than you."

"...Oh."

Further discussion was precluded when an enormous roar turned both girls' attention toward a massive reaper that was practically right next to them. Stunned, both girls tried desperately to run away, only for something massive to slam into the reaper so hard that it exploded into an unrecognizable mass of flesh. A quick examination revealed their savior to be the Grimm that had formed a tenuous alliance with them, and whose body was already healing from the acidic blood the reaper possessed.

The creature snarled at them, before gesturing toward Rockwell.

...Right. They had a battle to win.

XXXXX

Once again, Rockwell's tentacles were killed, allowing the group to blast at his heart. Once again, they were unable to slay him before he healed over. This time, though, when he awakened, he let out a mighty roar, causing the cavern to shake. Then, almost in slow motion, rocks began to fall from above.

Acting quickly, a vortigaunt tackled aside a matoran, saving both from being crushed. Others followed, and soon everyone was racing for safety, occasionally trying to injure Rockwell when an opening appeared. Desperate attacks on tentacles once again managed to fell them, but this time, Rockwell called upon Seekrs to aid him in taking down his assailants. This, however, didn't amount ot much, especially when a group of Le-matoran managed to use traps meant for their native bird creatures to fell the flying abominations.

And with those out of the picture, Rockwell was out of options.

XXXXX

(Flame's POV)

I smiled as the railgun shell bored into Rockwell's chest and finally blew his heart open. Roaring in pain and defeat, Rockwell vanished beneath the ooze in the arena, finally bested. I sent out orders to Fide to purge him from the system now that he was weakened.

Moments later, the ascension process activated, and I was treated to the amazing sight of traveling through Earth's orbit once more before we finally landed on the corrupted surface of Earth.

Alright, time to end this-

"Commander, this is Fide. We have a problem."

"What is it?"

"Rockwell got away...and he did something to whatever system pulls in survivor candidates from other universes."

"...Well, how bad is it?"

A wave of energy suddenly flew across the sky, after which multiple portals started opening up.

"...I'd say that bad," was Vivian's answer. No, I was not surprised she heard our conversation.

Also...FUCK!

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AN: Starting a new job in the morning, getting out one last chapter before I start my new schedule. Read and Review! This is Flamel15k, signing off!