Gijutsu Sentai Ryumushinger Episode Eight

by Spidey Viewer

Regrets on a Mountain: 8 weeks into their year long journey, both the Ryumushingers and Spydey's forces have caught wind of an ancient power that'll help turn the tide of the war. On their journey there, people on both sides will have to confront their inner demons, past regrets...and try to move past them...lest someone dies.

6. These People Need Therapy

Chapter 6

Ideas and worldbuilding and whatnot are thanks to Ri2.

---

The first thought Azu had when consciousness returned to her was 'wow, this is soft…'

The second was 'wait, what am I even laying on?'

The gynoid blinked, opening her eyes, stretching a bit. She looked around, seeing she was…at the hot springs building?

Oh right.

Wait, where did I get this comfy…pillow…

Azu looked behind her, her cheeks turning pink.

She and Slavi were on a comfy leather-like couch, which was blue in color, and had a bit of an ethereal ice texture, books resting on stands on either side.

Slavi…had her…in her lap, the two having been…sleeping…with each other…after being in a hot spring…all…alone together…

As the disaster gynoid began to go into a panic of the gay variety, she looked down at herself and the snake girl, thankfully finding bathrobes on each of them, calming her down a bit.

"Oh…right…" She whispered, the previous night coming back to her.

She looked to the sleeping snake girl, who looked…at peace, content, then remembered she was in her arms and her blush returned, and she couldn't help but notice, like she had since day one, how…pretty her pink ranger was.

Her bright bubbly energy, her gentle touch, her wonderful, contagious smile that sent her 'heart' fluttering and butterflies in her stomach…

'Holy shit what the hell am I thinking!?' She wondered to herself, looking away, covering her mouth, discovering a goofy smile starting to form on her face, quickly trying to force it away.

She smacked herself to remain focused.

What happened last night…

She and Slavi spent time alone in a hot spring in the village…talked for a bit…

She did not remember doing anything…well, dirty, but she did recall leaning into Slavi's embrace, and…

After a bit, they saw it had gotten late and some admittedly cute worker girl in robes had gifted the two of them their current attire, and Slavi carried her over here…

In her arms…

Those…strong, loving arms and gentle hands…

Azu blushed, laying her head on Slavi's chest, letting herself just…enjoy it-

NO! This is just because I'm tired!

She had decided to do a bit of research on the Draginsects, but more particularly, this mountain, and she had gotten so focused, the pink ranger had to take the books and hold her in her arms until she reluctantly -albeit not so much- decided to just rest in her Slavi's arms-

NO NOT MY SLAVI! JUST SLAVI!

She decided to just let her eyes droop close, preparing to go back to sleep…

When she felt Slavi tighten her hold on her just a tad.

She looked up and saw Slavi wake up and-

Holy moly how could she forget how beautiful her eyes were.

The Pythonian looked and smiled at her, and Azu's stomach was once more filled with those butterflies. "Morning."

"...morning…" Azu murmured, shivering in bliss as Slavi rubbed her back through the robe.

"Did you have a good sleep?"

Azu looked away, and Slavi noticed her gynoid's hand twitching.

"...was it any better than usual?" Slavi amended her statement.

"..." Azu looked at her in surprise at her deduction before nodding after a moment, looking away from her. "M-moderately so…"

Slavi's smile grew and she hugged Azu closer. "Good."

"...th-thank you…" Azu whispered.

Slavi kept her hold on Azu, the red ranger totally reluctantly relaxing into it.

"Thank you for sharing that with me yesterday…I know it was deeply personal and …well yeah." Slavi told her soothingly.

"...thanks for not judging me, even if-"

"If you say you deserve it I release you from this hug right now." Slavi told her, deadpanning.

"..." Azu wisely chose to shut up.

Slavi giggled. "Good girl."

Azu's cheeks turned a bright pink.

"I…I think it's time I told you a bit about me." Slavi said after a moment.

"Slavi, you don't have to-" Azu protested.

"I want to." Slavi told her seriously.

"..." Accepting this answer, Azu nodded. "Alright…go on, then."

"You know how I said I was a criminal during the first episode…of our adventures?" Slavi asked.

"Yeah…?"

"...I was framed."

Azu nodded. "Ah, makes sense."

"Huh?" Slavi looked confused.

"You don't seem the type."

"..." Slavi smiled widely, looking away before clearing her throat. "...thank you."

Azu smiled.

"I…had a girlfriend before all this." Slavi began. "Her name was Silvia. She was…" She took a second to compose herself. "She was…my everything, really. I…stopped hearing from her one day. Days, weeks, months passed, then…so I started doing some digging… I ended up finding her involved with some pretty nasty gang members…then…"

Azu felt Slavi's hands start twitching and, almost instinctively, she gently grabbed them, bringing them in front of her and squeezing gently. Slavi looked at her in surprise, the butterfly dragon ranger looking away, the pink on her cheeks brightening.

Slavi smiled, squeezing back before continuing. "...it was…I…" She shook, memories of gunfire, explosions, rain, and sirens flashing through her mind. "...I…I still remember blood being everywhere…the scent of dead bodies…the feeling of the rain soaking my clothes…" She took a shaky breath. "Next thing I know, I'm on trial for something I didn't do. I spent years in jail after that…I only got out when I did thanks to Amy."

"...why'd you join up?" Azu asked, running her thumbs across Slavi's hands.

"...I literally had nobody to go to…my aunts were supposed to welcome me out, but…they were busy. And my folks…big sis…"

Azu frowned, hands shaking. "They…they didn't…?"

"..." Slavi looked down. "..."

Azu stared in shock before she felt a…fury. A burning fire of…anger.

Who…who would just…leave their kid like that…!?

She…she knew of humanity's evils because of Ark, but…

Azu grit her teeth in anger.

Slavi then squeezed her hands, and the anger was soon replaced by a calming bliss.

"Another reason was because I…felt if I could do something good… if I could do something like being in a Sentai, save the world, I…I'd prove to my family I'm not as worthless as they always thought of me as."

"..I…I'm so sorry…" Azu told her.

"It's ok. Well, it's not, just…you know what I mean." Slavi responded before smiling. "Still, these past several weeks have been some of the best of my life."

"Why's that?" Azu blinked in confusion.

"I got some amazing friends." Slavi answered…before her eyes became half lidded and her voice dropped to a sultry tone. "And some especially amazing ones.~"

Azu's face turned a hot pink as she hid it in her hands.

Slavi giggled. "I do think that of you, y'know."

"..." Azu was silent. "...how do you deal with these fucking annoying things?"

"What?"

"Emotions…like…genuine…feelings towards other people?"

That earned a huge grin from Slavi.

"Doesn't mean it's towards you." Azu denied.

"Sure. Well, I usually just follow my heart and be forward."

"You certainly are that…"

Slavi chuckled. "Heheh. Not apologizing!"

"...thank you…for sharing that." Azu said after a moment.

"Thanks for listening."

Azu smiled a little.

"...is…a peck on the cheek ok?" Slavi asked.

Azu blushed. "...once. J-just to see what it's like."

Azu closed her eyes, Slavi leaning forward, pressing her lips to her left cheek…

And Azu was filled with a pleasant, holy warmth-

Was this what Zeaists experienced when talking to her?

Holy shit-

Oh my-

It was like a wave of that hot springs water except better in every single conceivable way, like multiplying the butterflies in her stomach by over a thousand.

When Slavi pulled away, Azu opened her eyes, remaining silent, her whole face pink.

"...you like that?"

"..." Azu turned away. "It…it was fine…I suppose…" She fibbed.

Slavi smiled, resting Azu's head on her shoulder.

"...hey uh, so…you gonna let me do research now?" Azu asked.

"Mmm…do you wanna right now?"

"..." Azu was silent.

"Rest up a bit more, then we can go. Maybe we can even ask Froska, she seems to know quite a bit."

"Heh…yeah, that sounds good." Azu agreed. "J-just because I just woke up! Need to rest a bit more, yep, just that!"

"Riiiight." Slavi giggled.

…

A bit later, in another room in the building, Froska was reading through some books herself at a round table when she heard a knock on the door. She smiled, sensing who the two presences were and with merely a thought, the doors opened.

In walked Azu and Slavi in their crystalline bathrobes with the hem's texture not unlike the moth woman's fur ruff, wearing slippers also crystalline in color and texture.

"Good morning, you two. You look well rested." Froska greeted. "Please, take a seat, I take it you have questions?"

Slavi pulled out a chair, sitting down before pulling Azu into her lap, wrapping her arms around the gynoid, Azu totally reluctantly leaning back into her.

"Yeah, very well rested." Slavi answered, rubbing her cheek against Azu's, the red ranger blushing.

Froska giggled. "Now, what can I do for the both of you?"

"Well…" Azu cleared her throat. "Uh…well, we have a bit of time to spare, so I thought we could do a bit more research on the Draginsects and whatnot. We've been a bit busy and haven't had the time to do all that much since we joined up."

"Oh, certainly." Froska smiled, setting her book down. "What would you like to know?"

"Well…I guess Dragrealma, what led to the war, and anything else that might be relevant?" Azu suggested.

Froska nodded. "I'd love to help. Now, if you should feel parched or hungry, you may ask Flako."

Both of them blinked. "Flako?"

"Right here." A feminine voice sounded. The two turned to their right and yelped as they saw the cute worker from last night. A human looking woman with a longer than usual neck with geisha makeup, her hair tied into a bun, wearing dark, form fitting, utilitarian -but still high quality- robes, with socks and wooden sandals.

"...oh, we never did get your name." Slavi laughed.

Flako nodded, bowing. "If you should ever need me, simply ask for me."

"We will! Oh, in fact, could we get some drinks here?" Slavi asked before Azu could speak up.

"Of course!" Flako went off, and soon enough the two were handed cups.

"I-uh…don't drink, per se." Azu brought up.

"That won't be an issue." Flako explained.

Azu blinked, looked towards the cup, brought it to her lips and took a sip-

Oh.

Ooooh.

"...same water as the hot springs?" Azu asked, feeling much more refreshed and energized.

Flako nodded. "Essentially."

"...whoa…you guys have everything here." Azu commented.

"All thanks to certain people." Flako smiled towards her mistress, who nodded gratefully, giving a smile that warmed everyone there.

"You may go now, Flako, assuming our guests don't want anything else…?" Froska looked towards the two rangers, who shook their heads.

Flako bowed before exiting.

"...what…is she?" Azu asked. "She looks human but…"

"Oh, she's a Yokai." Froska answered, sipping from her own cup.

Azu and Slavi's eyes widened.

"One of the nice ones!" Froska assured them, relaxing them a bit. "Now, you both comfortable?"

Both nodded.

"Alright then." Froska made some hand symbols before spreading them, energy ice crystals forming sort of runes above the table. "Let's start at the beginning, then."

---

RyuKabuto was sitting back in his seat in the library, having slept there for a bit.

His brother came in, holding two mugs of coffee, chuckling, setting his own down, putting his free hand over the other mug, holding it before his brother's face.

He let his hand uncover it a bit, watching his brother stir before covering it again. Then he uncovered it again, watched him stir more, then covered again. He snickered, uncovering it again before his wrist was grabbed.

"Ha ha. Very funny." RyuKabuto deadpanned, swiping the mug, lifting his mask before taking a sip.

RyuKuuga laughed, sitting down. "Whatcha been up to? Thought you went to bed."

"I uh…I did." RyuKabuto told him. "Woke up a bit early, decided to get some reading in."

"Anything ya found out?" RyuKuuga asked.

"Plenty, actually. Decided to take a look at some history. You in?"

"Why not?" RyuKuuga shrugged.

RyuKabuto took a book from a pile and opened it to a page.

---

From the ice crystals began forming a sort of…depiction of a vast land filled with strange, kind of mythical wildlife, locations, and various different species of people, most notably insects.

"Long ago," Froska began. "The land of Dragrealma was a more peaceful place. It was a realm home to many creatures, wildlife, peoples, and gods, including the Draginsects. During this time, the Moth type Lepisapiens, like myself, were the dominant race and rulers. We created the foundation of civilization as the less advanced races knew it. We possessed boundless wisdom and compassion, magic beyond measure, and life spans which dwarfed those of the already long living populace of Dragrealma, save maybe dragons. However, one day, our own Draginsect, Pladea, disappeared as far as all peoples knew, and we too with her. Most of them went to the land beyond the edge of the world-"

"Wait, so is your world flat?" Slavi asked.

"No, well…it's a big world, we have space and other celestial bodies and whatnot." Froska giggled. "Anyways, while most went to the land beyond the edge of the world, others, like me, went to other places, as I told you all before. My lady felt I'd be better suited eventually helping people like you. Those with a mission and those who are troubled."

Azu stiffened, Slavi hugging her close.

"I haven't read your minds, don't worry." Froska assured them. "But I can sense things."

"Oh." Azu relaxed a little. "What…can you sense?"

"I sense you are a kind, but hurt soul who's suffered more than anyone should." Froska answered. "And you, Pythonian,"

"You…know what I am?" Slavi asked in surprise.

Froska nodded. "You are a bright and cheerful soul who's also suffered a great deal."

Both rangers looked in amazement before frowning a bit.

"This is a place for knowledge, rest, and healing. If you should ever desire it, we will be here."

"But how…? This dimension swings around, and we've only got a few days until the portal closes, and who knows how much time it could take for our friends to get a lock on it again!" Azu questioned.

"I think you'll find we have our ways." Froska smirked. "Anyways, shall I continue?"

Both rangers nodded.

"S-sorry…" They said, sweat dropping.

Froska gave them a smile which sent butterflies into their stomachs before she continued, the crystals transforming the images into models of the Draginsects. "The main guardians of much of Dragrealma are the Draginsects. Ours, Pladea, was, as said before, the first, and she led the way towards the rest. There are tons of other Draginsects, such as the core five, plus the Beetle Brothers. Each Draginsect serves and protects their own insectoid people. Firstly, the Butterfly Lepisapiens."

The images transformed to represent Azu's zord and various humanoid/anthro butterfly people. "Their goddess being the Butterfly Draginsect, Carbunclara-"

"They have names!?" Azu asked in shock.

"What made you think they didn't?" Froska asked, tilting her head.

"It's just…no one ever told us." Azu sweat dropped.

"We've been supremely busy these past several weeks and haven't had much time for research." Slavi explained.

"Ah." Froska giggled. "Shall I continue?"

Both nodded.

"Their society revolves around beauty, though not in a shallow sense. Instead of them being good because they're beautiful, they are beautiful because they are good, and thus are among the most virtuous species in Dragrealma. As befits the chosen race of Carbunclara, leader of the Draginsects. Beauty contests with them are akin to your world's Nobel Prizes or Oscars -we have at least one or two humans here, before you ask-, and a special contest is held to choose Carbunclara's champion, with whoever is the most good, therefore beautiful, chosen to serve…typically. It's the standard process, but sometimes things happen and the champion is found outside of those means, like with you, Azu."

"...whoa…" Azu murmured. "...w-wait you think I'm-"

"Both in soul and in body, yes." Froska smiled, which lit Azu's soul up like a warm divine fire.

Slavi smiled at this, rubbing her cheek against her Azu's.

"Carbunclara was given stewardship of the world in Pladea's stead, and with the butterflies being the closest relatives to the moths, they are seen by many as the inheritors to our legacy, and held in high regard across the realm. It's part of the reason the Empire is wary in dealing with them and hasn't tried too hard to conquer them."

"So I'm guessing they were part of forming the resistance?" Azu asked.

"Indeed."

"Wait…how do you know all this?" Azu asked. "Didn't you and the other Moths fuck off before all that happened?"

"We have our ways. You'll learn soon enough." Froska smiled.

"Azu…" Slavi whispered.

"What, she said it herself. She and the others left and then shit hit the fan."

"I'm getting to that eventually." Froska told her.

"...ok."

"Anyways…"

---

"The Anisoptians, the dragonflies, have never been the most…liked people. On account of being dragonflies in a world where the gods are dragon-insects, far too many dragonflies throughout history had believed themselves superior to all other species, with many forming cults devoted to themselves, and the worst of them committing horrific atrocities to try and become dragons themselves to ascend to the realm of the Draginsects." RyuKabuto read from his book, looking upon its sections about the dragonfly people, which included a depiction of the Anisoptians as well as a drawing of their goddess. "Sappho, the dragonfly Draginsect, tends to not have many rituals to determine her champion, often seeking those who are willing to consider maybe they aren't the master race, or at the very least, willing to help others instead of lording over them."

"Poor woman…" RyuKuuga commented, sipping his coffee. "The people you're supposed to serve are massive dicks."

"Well, considering there are plenty of champions of Sappho, can't be all bad."

"True."

"Heck, apparently Sappho married one of them, according to this list of notable champions." RyuKabuto pointed out.

"Heh. How sweet."

"..." RyuKabuto paused for a moment before regaining his composure.

"You alright, bro?" RyuKuuga asked.

"I'll be fine. Anyways…"

---

The crystals changed to show Ziga's zord, along with people looking a bit like the yellow ranger…little to no males.

"The Mantosapiens are a martial culture of Amazons. Males do exist, but they're usually born from those who have gone out and explored the world and helped sire one with a male from another species." Froska explained. "They make very good ninjas, and most of the species swore allegiance to the empire, viewing them as the strongest force in Dragrealma and therefore can provide them with the best fights. Chrysogladia, their Draginsect, usually chose from the strongest of them, though she does not seek purely physical strength in her champions, but strength of character, strength of spirit, etc."

The crystals changed to show off Andah's zord, as well as grasshopper people, lots of them wearing scarfs, fighting enemies, and...riding…something like…motorcycles!?

"The Cauliferans, the grasshoppers, were the inventors of our versions of what you call motorcycles. They like to participate and hold all kinds of bike races. They're among the most athletic of the insectoid people, and have a rather high tendency to produce warriors who wander the realm, vanquishing evil with powerful kicks."

"Heh, wonder if there's a correlation." Slavi joked to Azu, who held back a snicker.

"Could be. You'll find throughout the multiverse, there are many strange connections." Froska told the two. "Anyways," She cleared her throat. "According to legend, the first person to reach the moon is a grasshopper who jumped really high." Froska went on, the crystals showing said grasshopper hopping all the way to the celestial object. "They often find themselves as village protectors, especially for ants, but unfortunately, there are a few that turn to the dark side for one reason or another, and sometimes even the good ones fight each other for no reason whatsoever."

"...yeah definitely a connection." Azu deadpanned, sweat dropping.

"They also have a penchant for scarves, which I must say, is a fine choice."

Slavi nodded, Azu shrugging and conceding that point.

The crystals, again, changed, this time to reflect Slavi's zord and some firefly people. Quite a few had some…punk rock looks, a few had prosthetics, a lot had scars and burns, though all of them had…passion in their eyes.

"Lampyrsapiens, the fireflies, are defined by passion." Froska began. "They burn brightly, giving their absolute all into everything they do. They love fiercely. They fight fiercely. They play and race and shine and ...others things," She giggled. "with 100% of everything they have, believing that every second of life should be enjoyed to its absolute max."

"My type of people." Slavi giggled, licking her lips, Azu rolling her eyes.

"They have a great affinity for light and fire magic, and many become paladins or holy warriors."

"Huh. Then…why is my element plants?" Slavi asked.

"That, you will have to ask Amestella when the time comes. Champions' elements do tend to sprout partially from their own individual souls, so perhaps something with yours lead to you having chlorokinesis." Froska theorized.

"Aaaah."

"Amestella's champions are usually chosen from whoever can shine the brightest. And not just with their bulb."

"Well you do tend to be the brightest one in the room." Azu quipped.

"Thank you!" Slavi pecked her cheek, causing the gynoid to blush, too flustered to offer a retort or elaborate that that wasn't the type of bright she was referring to.

Froska looked fondly at the two, the red ranger's goofy smile going unnoticed by its wearer, memories going through the Moth's mind…

"Anyways…again…"

---

"Ah, now onto ours!" RyuKabuto stated, reaching a section on his book, which included a picture of two dragonic-insectoid beings with elements from a kabuto beetle and stag beetle respectively, along with depictions of kabuto and stag people.

"..."

"..."

The two blinked.

"..." They looked to each other.

"...nah!" They both scoffed. "Couldn't be!"

…

The two decided to look and read anyway. "The Dynasapiens, AKA the kabutos, and the Lucanapiens, AKA the stags, were…ninja clans…each serving Ganetsu, the kabuto Draginsect…" RyuKabuto read, eyes widening. "...and Spineishin…the stag Draginsect…respectively…"

The two looked to each other again.

"...nah it can't be!" They dismissed it again, though a bit less certain.

"...they were led by their Draginsects, who were friends and disciples of Beyazelli, the ladybug Draginsect, all of whom dealt…in…prophecies…"

…

…

"...brother." RyuKabuto spoke up.

"...yes?"

"...you do recall-"

"Yes."

…

"...a connection."

"Yes. There must be. Read on!"

"The two clans were formerly separate, but allies, due to their gods being siblings, until one day the clans decided to officially join as one, which would start with the marriage of the respective champions at the time, Terri and Gatta, which were the champions of Ganetsu and Spineishin, respectively. After an exasperatingly long adventure in which Terri and Gatta refused to marry because they wanted to continue hating each other and thus ran away to celebrate their forbidden hatred, which ironically united the two clans more, and it was only when the clans gave up that they realized they actually did love each other, and thus they were wed, that the clans became one. However, one day, after Beyazelli disappeared…the clan vanished, but is rumored to reside in an alternate dimension."

The two sat in silence.

"..."

"..."

---

"...Wow." Slavi muttered.

"Whoa…" Azu whispered.

"There's a lot more insectoid people and Draginsects to get into, but that's not relevant right now." Froska told them. "Next is how everything came to be…"

The crystals changed to show…horrific images of some kind of disaster.

"After us Moths vanished, the realm fell into chaos. Many turned to the Butterfly Lepisapiens for guidance, others turned to the spiders."

The crystals changed to show various anthro/humanoid spider people.

"The Aranesapiens, the spiders, were perhaps the greatest spellweavers in the realm. Naturally seeking order, they spin their webs, creating communities revolving around themselves, tending to all ensnared in their grasp with care, or their version of it." As she explained this, the crystals showed various spiders performing magic, embracing people of various species, and even defending them. "After the disaster struck…a good chunk of the realm was devastated, and many lost faith in the Lepisapiens after they failed to help them."

The crystals showed Lepisapiens holding dead bodies, and other species turning away from them and going over to the Aranesapiens.

"Not to say they saved nobody, they did do their best, and they did help start the resistance, just…there are some they simply weren't able to help at the time. The spiders, having suffered grievous losses of their own, did their best to help put things back together."

The crystals changed to show spiders gathering people from various species, and the startings of a castle and community.

"The resulting confederacy was the first phase of the current empire, with the spiders feeling that with the moths gone and the butterflies failing to live up to their promise, SOMEONE needs to maintain order in the world."

The crystals then showed the completed palace and capital of the Empire.

"So, what led to them going all…y'know?" Azu asked. "This doesn't quite sound like bad guys. I…have an idea, but…"

"You are unfortunately right on the money." Froska confirmed, nodding. "Not all who joined their confederacy did so willingly. It was the beginnings of the empire, and there were people and communities that…did not want order, to be generous, and had to be dealt with. This eventually got the idea into some members of the empire that this was needed for most people, which was only further solidified when a lot of negotiations went south…"

The crystals showed the spiders going to battle with various species.

"Though not to say there were none that did so willingly. The Scorpiosapiens, the scorpions, did in fact do so of their own volition, but that's a story for another time." Froska shifted the crystals, which began to show Lepisapiens talking to gathered groups of several different species. "When the empire began to turn towards the militaristic, and start legitimately conquering even those that did not want to join but they saw as valuable, that began the rise of the resistance. Some Lepisapiens gathered various leaders from various peoples to convince them to form an alliance which would one day grow into the resistance. However…the empire's history was not completely filled with strife and conflict." Froska smiled, the crystals showing a…quite a beautiful Lepisapien, talking to an equally beautiful Aranesapien.

"...whoa…" Azu blinked, Slavi licking her lips.

Froska giggled. "These two's story is for another time. But what you need to know is that these two almost achieved peace. In fact, a ladybug prophet foresaw that a union between spider and butterfly would lead to peace. However…" Froska frowned, the crystals showing many people, including the Aranesapien, in mourning. "...said Lepisapien, who was Clara's champion at the time…was killed. Many blamed the Aranesapien queen at the time, accusing her of subterfuge and backstabbing, and thus the conflict resumed and worsened."

"..." Azu and Slavi stared in shock and sadness.

Froska retracted the crystals. "And that leads to today. The empire continues to try to conquer the land, the resistance fights back…"

"...they…the war almost…" Azu put her hand over her mouth.

"The story of the spider and butterfly is one I'd love to tell you at another time. It is…quite beautiful, if I say so myself." Froska smiled sadly.

"...wait a minute, didn't you say you'd explain where you guys went off to?" Azu asked. "Why did you leave? You could've prevented all this!"

"I don't know the full details myself, but my lady, when it was time for us to go, told us it will all make sense in time. Most of us went off to the land beyond the edge of the world."

"And that is…?"

"You'll see in time."

"...and you can't tell us now because…?"

"Why spoil all the surprises?" Froska winked, which sent a divine heavenly fire burning in Azu.

"..."

"You ok there?"

"HUH? WHAT?" Azu looked around, snapping out of her daze. "O-oh, yeah, fine."

Froska giggled. "You have a good one there, champion of Amestella."

Slavi smiled, rubbing her cheek against Azu's. "Yes, I do."

Azu blushed, nearly passing out from that, combined with the lingering effects of the gorgeous blue moth's wink.

---

Over in the inn, in a bedroom lay a lone figure.

This lone figure was Ziga, her top two arms above the covers, with one under the pillow on which her head rested on. She had a content smile on her face, stretching in her sleep until a voice sang in her ear.

"Wakey wakey~"

Ziga's eye shot open as she yelped, tumbling off the bed, the sheets wrapping and tangling around her.

Ziga groaned, rubbing her head as she heard the familiar giggling of her green ranger, looking and noticing Andah standing on the other side of the bed.

"Hiya!" Andah greeted.

"Ugh, Andah…what exactly…" Ziga rubbed her head, eye widening before she looked down at herself, then Andah, blushing upon noticing the distinct lack of clothes on either of them, with Ziga's only covers being the sheets, and Andah's being a shirt, with the addition of the ginger's hair being rather disheveled.

…

…

It all started coming back to her.

"...did uh…did we…?" Ziga asked, staring at her ginger gynoid friend.

Andah grinned and nodded.

Ziga then noticed the color of the shirt Andah was wearing…and the presence of two extra holes along the sides. "...is that my shirt?"

"Yep!"

"..."

Ziga suddenly curled into a ball. "OhfuckohfuckohfuckwhatdidIdowhatdidwedoholyfuckwhatinthehell-"

"Uh…you ok?" Andah asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ok? OK!? Of course I'm ok! I'm Ziga Manitsma! The image of ok!" Ziga frantically answered, cackling nervously.

Andah then cupped her cheeks suddenly. "Ziga." She said firmly.

Ziga immediately stopped, staring nervously. "Y-yes?"

Andah pecked her lips, which sent very warm, very pleasant shudders throughout her body. "Relax and breathe in, and out."

Ziga nodded, taking a moment to breathe in and out.

"Better?"

Ziga nodded dumbly.

Andah beamed. "Good."

"I…I uh…" Ziga muttered.

"You haven't done anything like this in a while, have you?" Andah guessed.

"How did you-"

Andah giggled, winking. "I can tell." With that, Andah helped her back onto the bed, sitting next to her. "You ok to talk now, muscle lady?"

"M-muscle?"

Andah traced Ziga's bare abdomen with her finger, giggling. "I mean…damn, girl."

Ziga shivered in a not unpleasant way at the contact. "...y-yeah, I'm ok."

"Good. What's troubling you?" Andah asked.

"...great Draginsects, it's so stupid…" Ziga muttered.

"What is?"

Ziga rubbed her top right arm. "I-I guess…I was…saving myself for Amy."

Andah blinked before nodding. "Ah. Understandable. Didn't know."

Ziga's eye widened. "No no no, I'm not mad at you, it just wasn't ideal-I mean, not to say you weren't at all great-"

"Breathe."

Ziga paused, breathing in and out. "...it's so stupid…I…it wasn't gonna happen at all, why am I so stupid…"

"You are stupid, I'll give you that, but not for the reasons you think." Andah told her.

"Huh?" Ziga blinked in confusion.

"Why do you think it won't ever happen?"

"...She…she couldn't ever…"

"Why?"

"..." Ziga looked away, squeezing her own arm.

…

"Atlia…"

Andah scooted closer, side hugging her.

"...she…she was her daughter…I…I lived with the both of them for quite some time after the resistance found me…" Ziga began. "I…I was part of the empire…I got left for dead on a mission, but…Amy saved me…let me live with her and Atlia…the empire always taught us the ones we were conquering were just cruel savages, but…what I saw was the opposite…" Ziga shook. "I…I thought the empire merely misunderstood things, and that…surely, if I could contact them, I…I could form peace…but…sometime after that…"

Her hands twitched as she gripped herself tightly. "The town we lived in was attacked…and…" Her lip started quivering. "And Atlia…oh sweet Atlia…" Ziga put her face in her top hands, Andah pulling her in for a full hug.

…

"You think she hates you?" Andah asked after letting Ziga cry her eyes out for a minute.

"Why wouldn't she…" Ziga asked, face in Andah's shoulder.

"Did you do the attack?"

"No, but-"

"Did you kill Atlia yourself?"

"No, but-"

"Then you didn't do it."

"But-"

Andah grabbed Ziga's face gently, but firmly. "You. Didn't. Do it."

"...Andah…"

"Ziga…if she truly did hate you…why…why would she keep you on?"

"Because she needed a trainer and someone to help in combat…?" Ziga guessed.

Andah glared. "Is that truly all you think you're worth!?"

"..." Ziga looked down.

"Ziga. To be perfectly blunt, do you honestly think, in 9,000 years, that no one, NO ONE, more more qualified than you at either of those things was ever even found?"

"I-I…"

"Not to say you're replaceable, but if she truly did need you for just that, she would've replaced you a LONG time ago. You are irreplaceable, but not for your duty. For who you are, and what you are to Amy."

Ziga stared at her in wonder. "Andah…"

"She keeps you around because she fucking loves you, dammit." Andah told her. "Honestly, I know Azu has some serious issues if she's still not convinced Slavi's giving her heart eyes, but dear Zea you two are the most oblivious bunch I've ever seen."

Ziga remained silent, speechless.

"You want my advice?"

"Yes…yes, please."

Andah waved her hand, opening up a holographic screen designed after a chalkboard, going over and suddenly having a scholar's cap on, with a pointing stick, pointing to each word on the screen as she spoke them. "Tell her, the," She swiped down the screen, showing a gigantic word in neon. "TRUUUUUUUUUUUUUTH!"

Ziga put her face in her hands. "But I-"

"No buts!" Andah cut her off, grabbing her hands and pulling them away from her face. "Do you love her?"

"...yes…Oh Draginsects, yes…"

"Tell her…let her know how you really feel…" Andah frowned. "You never know when you can't anymore…"

Ziga blinked in realization. "...I'm sorry."

Andah smiled, cupping her cheek. "We'll worry about my issues some other time. Right now, focus on yours."

Blushing, Ziga cleared her throat. "Ok…I'll…I'll talk…but…I…" She sighed. "I could use some help…"

Andah beamed. "Luckily for you, I'm just the right gal for this!"

Andah hugged, Ziga just now recalling the two's state of dress, her blush increasing even further.

"Thank you…"

"I help people when they need it. And you definitely needed this." Andah smiled.

"Wait, you mean last night or…?" Ziga asked.

"Yes."

Ziga deadpanned.

Andah giggled. "So before we head off to continue our quest, why don't we start practicing the art of expressing our feelings?"

Ziga rolled her eyes.

…

A bit later, after the two had gotten dressed -with Andah keeping Ziga's shirt on because, quote, she "likes the way (she) looks at (her) with it on," and Ziga having to put on a spare- and were at the bar in the inn.

Ziga drank from a glass of water, Andah giggling.

"Sorry for uh…tiring you out." The gynoid apologized.

Ziga blushed before shaking her head, focusing. "So uh…do I…list all the things I like about her?"

"If it helps!" Andah smiled. "But only if she asks. Otherwise, it's best to get straight to the point. Just ask if the two of you can sit down somewhere, and just speak from your heart."

"Easier said than done…" Ziga stares into her water glass.

"C'mon, practice on me."

Ziga took a deep breath, looking at Andah and immediately faltered upon seeing the gorgeous piercing eyes and warm loving smile of her teammate. "...Amy…I…"

Ziga's mouth hangs open as she tries to gather words, Andah smiling encouragingly.

"...I…I love…" Ziga put her face in her hands. "This is childish…"

"Yes and you two are acting like lovestruck teenagers at their first prom." Andah smiled.

Ziga facefaulted. "...touche…"

"Again."

Ziga took a deep breath, staring into Andah's heart fluttering eyes. "Amy…I…"

…

…

Ziga facepalms. Andah giggles, patting Ziga's head.

"..."

"This is gonna take a lotta work." Andah said, sweat dropping after a few more moments of silence.

Ziga groaned.

"Hey hey hey, we'll get through it." Andah told her, lifting her chin up. "Just relax. We'll keep trying until you get it."

Ziga nodded. "Amy, I…I love…"

"There you go, just one more word." Andah encourages, smiling.

"..." Ziga face banged on the table. Andah sighed.

"Can we get some drinks over here?"

The bartender nodded, going back before returning with Ziga's drink, putting it in front of her, the mantis woman eagerly taking a shot.

Andah pecked her cheek. "I'll help however I can, as long as you need me."

"...thank you." Ziga responded. She took a drink, setting her glass down before hugging the gynoid, Andah rubbing her back. "Uh…any uh…particular reason you picked me to uh…'relax' with? I'm sure you could've convinced Slavi or…any other pretty ladies here."

"Cause you needed my help. Besides, going with Slavi would've undermined her progress with Azu."

"...true." Ziga agreed.

"And hey, you were pretty good last night."

Ziga blushed.

"And a bit cute."

"I-I'm not cute." Ziga protested weakly.

Andah pecked her lips. "Yes you are, now stop with the self deprecation or I'm going to lock you and Amy alone in a room together and leave you there for so long you'll both confess if only out of sheer boredom."

"B-both? You talk like you already know how she feels." Ziga blushed.

"Oh I know a few things." Andah giggled, winking.

"..." Ziga blinked cluelessly.

"You'll get what I mean later."

"Uh…so just to be clear…you and I…are we…uh…a…thing?" Ziga asked, blushing.

"Only if that's okay with you, and you're okay with sharing me."

"..." Ziga blushed. "...S-so those uh…times in training…those weren't just uh…joke flirts?"

"I never joke about how I feel." Andah told her.

…

"...I…" Ziga began. "...I don't know what to…to think or feel, I…I mean, you were…you are amazing, I just…"

Andah smiled, taking Ziga's hand and kissing it. "We can talk about it later after you and Amy get things settled. But just so you know…I'm always open~"

Ziga nodded dumbly before shaking her head. "R-right…"

---

Nazu rested on a bench in the gym, drinking a glass of water alongside Matti. The two had been sparring all night with little sleep, Matti having ditched her kimono, wearing black yoga pants with a bandage top, Nazu ditching his shirt, the two covered in bruises, but looking happy.

"You've been keeping your skills high." Nazu commended, gulping down his water.

Matti took a swig of her water. "So have you. I see some new scars."

"Well being a ranger's a tough job. Wouldn't trade it, though." Nazu responded with a genuine smile, drinking.

"So…how's your wife? Still mad at me?"

"Honestly, a bit, but…she does miss you." Nazu told her.

Matti smiles sadly. "I've missed you both. A lot more than I wanna admit."

"I've missed you too." Nazu told her, a hand on her shoulder.

Matti smiled. "...so uh…how're the kids?"

"They're doing good. I mean…their dad was in prison for several years, but…" Nazu frowned. "...they say they're fine, just…I can't help but feel…"

"That you let them down?"

"..." Nazu nodded.

"...you made a mistake. Big one, but…well…" Matti tilted his chin towards her. "This place helped me. Is helping me. If you want…I think it can help you too."

"..." Nazu smiled, nodding. "I'll think about it."

Matti smiled. "Good. Cause a handsome face like that doesn't suit frowns and gloom."

Nazu rolled his eyes. "Ha ha."

Matti giggled.

"...so uh…met anyone here…?" Nazu asked.

"Nah, was thinking of going home, just…wasn't sure if I was gonna be welcomed or slapped."

"...well I'm…sure if we explain things to Shiro we can work something out." Nazu told her. "...if you're serious. You're not joking, right? If this is another of your pranks, I'm going to spray you with water." Nazu joked, elbowing her.

She chuckled. "I'm serious. I…wanna be with both of you."

"..." Nazu smiled, taking her hand in his. "...I'd like that. I think she would too, but we will have to talk about it first."

"I can go to a hotel and wait."

Nazu smiled, the two squeezing each other's hands. "...thanks, by the way. This…sparring, the talks, I…I really needed this."

"I did too."

The two smiled.

"So uh…how did this happen…?" Matti gestured to Nazu's morpher.

"Heh. First day I got out of prison, actually." Nazu explained. "Me and my family were having a party to celebrate my return home, then we got a knock at the door. Thought it might be some associate in the Skydragons or someone coming at me for revenge, but it was just one of the founders of HENSHIN and our boss. She gave me the offer and a general deal about what was going on. I…decided to take the job after she gave some convincing arguments. I…I felt I really let my family down with my life of crime, so I…I thought maybe this way, I could earn the love in their eyes. And…make up for past mistakes. And here I am."

"You deserve this chance."

"Heh…I'm trying to convince myself of that every day." Nazu responded.

"Yeah, well, I know how well you listen to yourself." Matti teased.

"Heheh. Touche. Though did you take that advice yourself when you decided to tease Shiro about 'stealing me'?" Nazu ribbed.

Matti blushed. "Touche."

"And…well, if you ever decide, like me, you feel you need to make up for past stuff…I could see if I could find you a place at HENSHIN."

"Thanks. Not sure I'm ranger material, but I'd be happy to help."

Nazu smiled. "We'd be happy to have you on board as well."

The two smiled at each other.

"...by the way…" Nazu commented. "...damn." He gestured to her abs, the two chuckling.

"You're not so bad yourself." Matti traced Nazu's muscles.

"A bit of weights and pull ups here and there." Nazu joked. "Plus sometimes I have to carry the team because Pink's always flirting with Red, Yellow's facepalming in the background, and Green's trying to seduce her, Red, Pink, or the monster if they catch her eye." He laughs.

"Sounds like baby-sitting, maybe I should reconsider your job offer.~"

"To help with the baby-sitting, or are me and Shiro not enough for you?" Nazu teased.

"Pffft, to help you, goof!" Matti laughed, flicking his forehead. "You two are more than enough."

Nazu pecked her forehead. "Good. Cause then Shiro would REALLY slap you. Maybe. I mean, unless you're into that?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Oh shaddup before I slap you."

"Yes ma'am." Nazu did a mock solute, earning a snicker from his phoenix friend.

"Shouldn't you be meeting with your team?"

"...oh right." Nazu chuckled, sweat dropping. "I should probably change first…after a shower."

"Better hurry~"

"What, not gonna offer to join?" Nazu teased.

"I have restraint, I can wait till if Shiro's ok with us!" Matti pouted, puffing her cheeks.

The two laughed, Nazu getting up and walking off.

---

In the library, the Beetle Bros were going through books and their map, RyuKabuto drinking coffee when one of the mystics, Yukina, came in.

"Greetings, Beetle Brothers." Yukina greeted, bowing.

"Yo!" RyuKabuto raised his cup.

"Are you two feeling alright?" Yukina asked.

RyuKuuga nodded. "No complaints here."

"Same here." RyuKabuto took another sip before holding out his cup. "Coffee?"

Yukina…giggled flirtatiously. "Is there anything you'd like to ask of me?~"

RyuKabuto chuckled. "I dunno, anything you'd like to give us?"

Yukina smiled, sitting down at the table, putting some bags on it. "These'll help you fit more stuff in and carry it around more easily."

"Pocket space?" RyuKabuto guessed.

"Exactly." Yukina nodded, pleased.

"We're a bit familiar with space-time techniques."

"Any other techniques you could show me?" Yukina smirked.

"I dunno, like what?" RyuKabuto asked coyly, sipping his mug, RyuKuuga's eyes widening behind his mask at what was happening but deciding to remain silent, seeing how this would go.

"It can indeed get a bit…cold out here." Yukina fluttered her eyelashes, causing her and RyuKabuto to laugh.

"You have a nice laugh." RyuKabuto told her.

"So do you." Yukina responded.

This…got RyuKabuto pausing, a look of familiarity on what could be seen of his face before an air of sorrow overcame him.

Recognizing this, Froska frowned. "Oh…I'm sorry, I-"

"No no, it's…it's fine." RyuKabuto told her.

"...before you go…are you sure you're willing to do this?" Yukina asked.

"..." RyuKabuto stayed silent.

"...just know…however this goes…it's never too late." Yukina told him, gently sliding her hand on top of his on the table. He recoiled slightly, but didn't entirely reject it.

The two looked at each other for a moment in silence, RyuKuuga deciding to break it by clearing his throat. "Thanks for the bags and the new map."

Yukina nodded, looking at the crimson ranger before walking off.

"..." RyuKabuto remained silent. "Bro…"

"...don't tell me you're having doubts now." RyuKuuga said.

"I'm not. We've come too far…"

The two sat in silence, reassuring themselves before nodding.

"Let's see if the others are awake. It's time to go soon." RyuKabuto told his brother.

RyuKuuga nodded before they packed their things and headed off.

---

Later on, everyone had gathered at the edge of town at the exit to the rest of the mountain.

"Thank you for showing us the hot springs. It was wonderful." Slavi told Froska, arm wrapped around a bashful Azu.

"It was my pleasure to assist." Froska smiled that damn divine smile and Azu was hiding her face against Slavi to hide her blush.

"...b-before we go…" Azu managed to get out. "I…when I first saw you…I…I could've sworn I felt some sort of…resonance between us…" She blushed harder. "N-not that I'm trying to flirt or anything, this has nothing to do with that! Just…I felt something."

Froska giggled. "I am a Moth Lepisapien. We and the Butterflies have always been connected in some way. With you being a champion of Carbunclara, you too now share that connection."

"O-Oh."

"As you advance in your powers, and if you should succeed in your task and eventually gain the true powers of the Champion's Heart…you may find a stronger resonance."

"...I'm not gonna-"

"No you will not turn into a bug." Froska giggled. "It'll just be a result of tapping more into Carbunclara's power, because she's always had the strongest connection to Pladea."

"Oh good."

"You would look adorable as one, though."

Azu blushed.

Andah, meanwhile, kissed the hand of a blushing and very bashful Blizzara. "Thanks for showing us to the inn." She told the dragon woman.

"A-anytime. I am happy to help you champions."

"You. Are. Insatiable." Ziga chuckled.

"Hey I haven't done anything with her!" Andah defended herself. "...yet." She winked at Blizzara.

"D-do not be ridiculous! I am unworthy of such…relations with the champions." Blizzara turned away. "It is improper!"

Andah looked to Ziga. "Think we got 10 minutes so I can prove her wrong?"

Ziga rolled her eye. "Maybe when we get back."

"Awww, hope you can wait, Blizzara." Andah said to the dragon.

Blizzara blushed harder, Andah giggling.

"...she's reminding me of a certain gynoid right now." Ziga giggled, glancing at Azu.

"Yup! Makes me more excited for our return." Andah smiled.

Blizzara turned a shade of pink. "Very well, then."

Nazu and Matti held hands as Nazu stood at the gate. "Well, you might be waiting a few days." Nazu told her, Matti smiling.

"I've waited years. I can do a little longer." She told him.

"I'll be back. I promise."

"I know, so get going so you get back sooner."

Nazu smirked, nodding, barely noticing Matti's own smirk before she pulled him in for a deep kiss.

When she broke she smiled. "For you." She spoke before pulling him in for another one, breaking it after a moment. "Give that one to Shiro when you talk, will ya?"

Nazu blinked, getting over the surprise before nodding.

Yukina nodded at the Beetle Bros. "I wish you both luck on your journey." She told them, sending a glare at her fellow mystics, who giggled. "I hope I see you soon. WE see you soon." She corrected herself, looking at RyuKabuto, who seemed to return her glance before he looked away.

"We wish you all luck," Graybeard told the rangers. "May you be successful on this journey. Again, be wary of the obstacles ahead. Not all of them will be so easily dealt with by punching."

Azu nodded. "We know."

Graybeard nodded, stroking his beard, a bird popping out of it before he petted it.

"Ook." The yeti spoke.

"'Good luck.'" Froska translated to the confused rangers.

"How do you even…?" Azu asked.

"Friends for a long time, my divine status as a moth, take your pick." Froska giggled.

Azu deadpanned.

Snowy hugged the red and pink rangers with her arms and the others with her tails. "Make sure to visit for a bit when you get back before you leave! So much more stuff to see here."

"W-we will." Azu told her, blushing.

Slavi grinned at her reaction, Azu blushing harder.

"A-anyways…we all ready?" Azu asked.

Everyone nodded.

"Alright then." She waved to the town, her fellow rangers joining in. "Bye everyone, see you soon!"

Everyone cheered and waved goodbye as the seven left through the gates.

As they left, walking upon the path, Slavi smiled at Azu.

"...what?" Azu asked.

"Just…feel a bit better?" Slavi asked.

"..." Azu blushed, nodding. "Yeah…"

Slavi smiled, the two of them holding hands as they walked.

Andah looked at the two, and for a second, saw herself and a black poofy haired humagear in white and blue. She smiled, snapping out of it when she felt Ziga squeeze her hand, giving her a concerned look. Andah nodded.

Nazu touched his own lips, the kisses still on his mind, as well as Matti.

Matilda…

"..." He remembered back when he and her were dating…and when she and Shiro dated…

The three of them happy together…

Could they get that back…?

He smiled at the thought, though a bit of nervousness filled him.

What would his kids think…?

He had little doubt Shiro would accept, but…it was still nerve wracking.

Oh my Gaim, I just…my love life's about to get a bit crazier. He thought.

The Beetle Bros looked back on the team, silent before shaking their heads, looking at the map.

"Ok…" RyuKabuto began. "According to the map, there should be a bridge up ahead that's known to house spirits that, should they not like you, will actively push you back towards where you started on the bridge, or off."

The brothers looked to each other before nodding.

"We'll go and find an alternate path. Might find some more useful stuff, and take care of some obstacles ahead." RyuKabuto informed everyone.

Most of the core team nodded, though Slavi raised an eyebrow.

"...you ok?" Azu asked.

"...yeah." Slavi nodded. "It's nothing."

…

Later on, the core five made it to the bridge. It was a standard wood made bridge over…a creepy dark abyss.

"...that's not ominous…" Azu sarcastically said.

The five nodded at each other, slowly and cautiously stepping onto the bridge, looking into the abyss below…before the wind picked up.

As the cyan wind picked up, figures soon formed.

Four anthro/humanoid lookin…wendigos.

All of them had bodies that were an ethereal light blue and white while wearing barbarian clothing, but each had different looks.

The one on the furthest left had grey barbarian clothes with white maze patterns, her hair styled into a bun, with glasses on her face, looking kind of like a barbarian librarian of sorts.

The second most left to her had more shorter and revealing barbarian clothing that was grey in color with pink heart patterns. Her hair was styled into ponytails.

The one on the other side of her had similar clothing, but her top went down to her midriff with her bottoms going down to her knees, her clothing a darker grey with purple heart patterns. Her hair was let down, waist length.

The one furthest to the right had clothes that were black with red shatter lines like the ones you'd find in a crater, with said cracks coming off her outfit as tattoos. She had a ponytail like the other one, but it was more wilder and spikier.

The Ryumushingers could feel some kind of…powerful presence from the four of them.

"Welp…looks like we found the spirits." Azu muttered, clearing her throat before stepping forward. "Uh…Wendigos…? Spirits of the bridge?"

The four nodded.

"I am Labyria." The one with glasses introduced herself with a bow.

"I am Optimista." The one in grey and pink smiled, winking.

"Wendy's the name." The one furthest to the right introduced herself, an excited look on her face, as if she hadn't seen anyone new in years.

"H-hi…I'm Silicia." The one in dark grey and purple greeted timidly.

Ignoring the wink from Optimista and trying not to d'awww along with Slavi and Andah at Silicia, Azu shook her head, remaining focused. "I am champion of Carbunclara and leader of the Gijutsu Sentai Ryumushingers. We're on our way to find the Champion's Heart in order to help win the war against the Hoshuke Empire. We seek only to use it for that purpose, to help people. May we cross?"

Labyria sniffed the air, pushing up her glasses. "Mmm…I don't smell lies."

"But she's so cute, surely we can give her a little bit of a hard time~" Optimista purred, eyeing Azu up, the gynoid turning pink.

"I say we make her take the test anyway!" Wendy argued eagerly.

"Ummm maybe we should just let them go…" Silicia spoke up.

Andah d'awwed at Silicia.

"Well you are right about her being cute." Slavi giggled. "What is this test you speak of?"

"Different for each one." Wendy answered before getting an idea. "TRAUMA! What about trauma!? OR COMBAT! I hope it's combat, trauma's fun too!"

"You test people with combat and trauma?" Nazu questioned, Slavi getting a serious look and standing in front of Azu protectively, which did not go unnoticed by the red ranger, who looked away bashfully.

"Only if we deem them to be holding something back." Labyria responded, glaring at Wendy. "Allow me to make it clear. There are three types of tests we do. First one is combat, where you fight one of us, victory being taken when you manage to beat us or force us to stop holding back. Second one is trauma, basically taking a visit through some of your more traumatic memories, and enduring them."

"There's also the test of whispers!" Optimista piped up.

"A-a-a-and what is that about?" Azu asked. Optimista grinned in excitement, wrapping an arm around her sister Silicia.

"Oh that one's fun! We whisper in your ear till the timer's up. If you resist the urge to… play~ You pass!"

"..." Azu blinked, face pink. "S-so, uh, since you don't sense we're lying, m-may we pass?" She asked, 'heart' racing.

"Mmm… but you don't come here on your own do you? You're under orders from someone not present." The eldest sister stated, looking down at the group from her full, towering height.

"A-and uh…if we are?" Azu questioned, shrinking down, but whether that was from fear or…other things, she wouldn't tell anyone.

"Then you still have to go through the tests. Not lying and being here for pure reasons aren't the same thing, especially when you are working under someone."

Azu sighed, slumping. "Of course…"

"Excuse me!" Andah raised her hand.

"This is not a class, you don't need to raise your hand." Labyria said, holding back her amusement.

"Yeah yeah, just wondering before any of us gets any ideas, what's to stop us from just fighting you all and pushing our way past you?"

Wendy grinned excitedly, Labyria holding up a hand to signal her to stay down.

"The last team that tried that wound up hospitalized." The librarian-looking wendigo answered.

"No getting around this, huh…" Azu muttered. "Fine. Which of us takes which test?"

Nazu shrugs after thinking for a second. "Already trying to work through my trauma. Maybe walking through it'll help."

Ziga and the others looked at him with concern. "...are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm sure."

Ziga looked at him a moment more before nodding.

"I'll be taking fighting." Andah piped up. "Sounds fun!" She winked at Wendy, who got an excited, battle thirsty glee in her eyes.

"I'll be taking trauma too." Slavi said, earning a surprised look from Azu.

"A-are you…sure?"" Slavi smiles reassuringly.

"They're tests, I'm confident in the other two categories, so I'll take the one that'll challenge me."

"What about you, Azu?" Nazu asked.

"...I-I should be able to power through the whispers test, but…" Azu looked to the others. "But…but that's not fair. You all shouldn't have to take the tough ones while I-"

Slavi put a finger to her lips, giving her a warm smile. "You go on ahead. We're tough on our own. We can take it."

"...b-but…"

"Azu. It's ok." Slavi told her soothingly.

The two looked into each other's eyes before Azu looked to the others, who nodded.

"...a-alright…" Azu nodded. "Good luck, everyone."

"You too!"

Azu turned around to look at the Wendigos…only to find herself in an oddly romantic looking garden area, with colorful flowers with odd shapes about, Optimista and Silicia the only Wendigos there, the former having an excited look on her face and Silicia bashful.

"H-huh!?" Azu staggered back in shock at her new surroundings.

"What? Thought we'd do this in public?~"

"N-no, I just…didn't expect…where even are we? What is this place? Is this in my mind? Are we in yet another dimension-"

"The more questions you ask the bigger your headache, trust us." Optimista told her.

"...o-ok." Azu nodded dumbly before yelping as each of her arms was grabbed by one of the Wendigo sisters.

"Ready to start, cutie?~"

Azu nodded dumbly. I can do this…I CAN DO THIS!

Both sisters start whispering... things.

She started turning more pink the longer this went on.

…oh Zea can I do this!?

---

Andah found herself in a coliseum-like area, colored in green with grasshopper attendants/audience members in the seats above. "Whoa…cool!" She grinned.

She looked and saw Wendy on the other side of the arena to her, a glee in her eyes.

"I guess you don't get to fight a lot?" Andah guessed.

"We don't often get visitors…" Wendy pouted. "Most of the ones recently who came to the mountain just went to the village."

"That's fair. So is there a bell or do we just start?"

"We can do a bell if you want!" Wendy offered cheerfully.

"Sure, sounds fun!" Andah grinned.

Wendy grinned, gesturing for a few of the grasshopper people to come out, those few jumping up, a bell materializing just in time for them to hit it and land on the other side of the coliseum in some seats.

"BEGIN!" Wendy yelled, punching her own palm, sending cracks skitting across the ground, Andah dodging.

Andah flipped across the ground and went to kick Wendy. The wendigo grabbed her leg and threw her into the wall, jumping at her, ready to punch.

Andah kicks off the wall under Wendy, kicking her knee, Wendy crying out, dropping to a knee before grabbing Andah by the collar and tossing her into the air. Andah cheered, spinning in the air.

Quite a few of the audience members clapped and cheered at the tricks Andah pulled off in the air. Wendy reared back a fist, ready to punch Andah as soon as she came down.

Andah grabbed the fist on her way down, locking her legs around Wendy's head before she launched her at the wall.

Wendy groaned, grinning excitedly, launching herself at Andah and kicking her in the head.

Andah grunted, stumbling back before launching into a punch.

Wendy punched at her fist, the two clashing.

"You're strong!" Andah complemented.

"Thanks, so are you!" Wendy grinned, kneeing her in the stomach before kicking her into a wall.

Andah grunts, launching off the wall into a series of rapid kicks. Wendy did her best to block each of them before one landed on her face, Wendy grabbing her leg and slamming her into the ground over and over again.

Andah laughed and grunted.

"Something funny?"

"Just having fun!"

"A girl after my own heart!" Wendy laughed, winking. Andah winks back, flipping into a kick, knocking Wendy back.

Wendy sweep kicked Andah's legs as soon as she landed, Andah springing into her face with a double kick, Wendy grabbing her hand and flinging her into the air, jumping after her, bear hugging her to her chest and diving down.

Andah elbowed her in the stomach, kicking away from her, the two entering a punching and kicking contest, Andah bouncing off of her, springing off a wall of the coliseum, kicking her on the way to the other, then again, and again and again like a pinball machine.

Groaning in exasperation, Wendy sprang up and over Andah's next move.

Andah felt Wendy grab her leg, grinning, bending her knee to pull herself close to her, locking her legs around her waist, winking and pecking her lips before clasping her hands together and punching her in the nose.

"Owwwww!"

"...was that too much?" Andah asked, concerned.

"No, it's fine." Wendy grabs her again.

"You sure?" Andah asked. "Want me to kiss it better?~"

"Maybe later~"

Andah grinned, kissing her at the same time as she drove a knee into Wendy's stomach, pulling her down with her while keeping their lips locked until she kicked her over her into a wall.

Wendy grabbed Andah's legs, bringing her with her into the wall. Andah groaned, her face planted into the wall.

"You are…VERY strong…" She commented, voice muffled.

"So are you!"

Andah pulled herself out from the wall, falling onto the ground, little grasshoppers hopping around her head.

Wendy moves to help her up…

Only for Andah to lock her legs around her head, pulling her in, spinning and sending her to the ground, standing up and stepping on her back, laughing maniacally.

"HA HA HA! I'M QUEEN OF THE CASTLE, I'M QUEEN OF THE CASTLE!" She sang, the coliseum audience cheering.

Wendy laughs. Andah stepped off, holding out a hand to help Wendy up. Wendy stands.

"So, that the end?" Andah asked. "Cause I could go for some more if you want!"

"We can keep going, but ya don't have to."

"So, I passed?" Andah grinned.

"Yeah."

"YES!" Andah fist pumped the air. Wendy chuckles at the cute display.

Andah smirked, hands behind her back. "So, I seem to remember you requiring a little something after the battle?"

"Oh do you now?~"

"Oh yes, I think you required me to kiss something better?"

"Oh right~"

Andah stood on her tippy toes, kissing her nose. "That better?~"

"Mmmm, I have other spots that need kissed too.~"

"Like what?"

Wendy grinned, tackling her.

---

Ziga found herself in a room of seemingly endless darkness. "...huh?" She looked around, noticing she was alone. "...Nazu? Anyone?"

"Apologies, Ziga, these journeys are solo."

"...crap."

"Are you ready?"

"First off, uh…h-how is this gonna go?" Ziga asked.

"You walk forward and go through various traumatic scenes from your life."

Ziga stiffened, gripping her arms, uncertain.

"It's just the past. Nothing you have not seen before."

Ziga looked down, taking a deep breath and nodding. "Alright…I'm ready."

"Step forward, Ranger."

Ziga nodded, taking a step forward…

And suddenly she saw herself, a long time ago, in a skin tight black bodysuit with silver bands and pouches and some light armor with a black mask.

"Mantis 1, calling Yuki 2."

"..."

"Mantis 1, repeat, calling Yuki 2-"

"Surprise." A voice whispered in her ear, making her yelp, covering her mouth quickly, searching around the hallways before going back to a Yuki Onna woman in a similar outfit. "What're you doing!?" She whispered shouted incredulously.

"I found this." The Yuki Onna brought out an object in a case.

"...this…" Younger Ziga took the mask. "Where did you…?"

"Found it in this base. Apparently it's connected to some sort of temple." The Yuki Onna reported.

"...Thanks, but…why bring this?"

"...I guess I…" The Yuki blushed. "Wanted to show my appreciation for you while we're here."

Ziga blushed, clearing her throat. "W-we don't have time for this-"

Ziga watched the two bicker adorably while trying to stay quiet, a sad smile on her present self's face.

"Your old squadmate?"

"...Subazerra…" Ziga recalled fondly. "...my second in command…" She looked at the Yuki Onna with loving eyes. "...my best friend…"

"Seems like more than a friend."

Ziga blushed, looking at her younger self and her squad mate as they fussed over each other nervously. "...I…I wish we were…I think we could've been…"

"I'm sorry."

"Look, we'll uh…we'll hash things out after this." Ziga told Subazerra.

Subazerra looked away, ashamed.

"...hey…" Ziga put her hand on her shoulder. "...thank you."

Subazerra looked at her in surprise, blushing before nodding.

Ziga nodded, the two sneaking out from around the corner to continue their mission.

Later on, the two found themselves in the command room of the base in the vents.

Ziga signed to Suba, the Yokai nodding before they each slipped quietly through the vents, silently taking down the people inside.

"Quite advanced, I must say…" Ziga whispered once she had knocked out the last one.

"Indeed…" Suba responded, plugging a drive in and searching through files. "Aha! Got it!"

"You found something?"

"Some new mech designs." Suba grinned beneath her mask. "Just taking a second and….bam!" She pulled the drive out. "Got it!"

"Good. Now let's go!" Ziga nodded before getting a call.

"This is Scorpio 3. Plan's changed." A male voice called.

"What? Who gave the order?" ZIga asked, confused.

"Came from up high. We're blowing this place."

"Ok, how long do we have?"

"3 minutes."

Ziga's eyes widened along with Suba.

"Three-that's-that's not enough time to evacuate everybody!" Ziga protested.

"This is war, Mantis 1, you should know well enough by now."

"But killing these guys isn't necessary! We've only killed when we needed to!"

"Orders are orders, Mantis 1. Now come on."

"..." Suba looked to Ziga. "..."

"..." Ziga put on a determined face.

"...Z…" Suba whispered, awestruck at the look.

"I'm gonna evacuate everyone." Ziga told her.

"I'm helping." Suba told her with no room for retort.

Ziga and her nodded at each other.

Present Ziga smiled. "Suba…she…" She sniffed, the wendigo taking notice. "I…we tried to save everyone there, but…"

Boom!

Ziga found herself on the floor, ringing in her ears, vision blurry, dust kicking up all around her, and she could swear she felt the heat of flames around her. She activated her comm link. "Mantis 1…wh-where…where is everyone…?"

Status, followed by a line dropping as it failed to find any suitable comm.

"...Yuki 2…Scorpio 3…? Hello? Anyone?" She groaned out desperately. "Yuki 2…Suba…S-Suba!?"

More static. More call drops.

"P-Please…is…is anyone there!?" She called out desperately, feeling consciousness fade in and out. "IS ANYONE THERE!?"

Present Ziga frowned, shaking. "...that…that was the first time…in a long time, that I felt…all alone. That…that I began to realize the empire's true horridness…"

"What happened next?"

The scene changed to show a battered and injured Ziga on a bed in a med bay, being tended to by an insectoid woman in a doctor's coat, a human woman with black hair sitting next to the bed.

Present Ziga smiled. "Then…I met her."

Ziga opened her eyes. "Wh…what…?"

"Relax," the Lepisapien doctor told her. "You were caught in an explosion. Are you alright?"

Ziga looked around. "This…this isn't…" Her eyes widened and she quickly shot up, reaching for her weapons before groaning in pain, seeing she was covered in various bandages, the doctor pushing her down gently. "Wh-what…"

Her arm was touched gently by the human looking woman…a younger Amy, who gave her a warm smile…one that, at the time, Ziga was too nervous to admit made her heart flutter a little.

"Glad we reached you! Was worried when the people you saved said you went back in!" The younger Amy told her.

"...wh-why…?" Ziga asked, her voice hoarse. "Why…save…?"

"Hmmm, well why did you do it, eh? Why save strangers?"

"...they…didn't need…to die…couldn't…let them…die…" Ziga answered, every word out of her mouth making her throat feel scratchy.

"Sounds like you need water, Miss Hero." Amy winks, going off to get the water as Ziga blushed.

"As inexperienced and stupid as I was back then…I didn't realize it, but…that day, this one woman from the resistance opposing the empire…my home…she didn't just save me…she captured my heart that day." Ziga smiled fondly as she watched the younger Amy come back and help her younger self drink the water.

"But this isn't the end of your trauma. We must press on."

Ziga frowned, shaking. She could've sworn she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder.

---

Nazu found himself in a similar black emptiness. "...how does this work?" he asked the wendigo.

"Step forward. It will go back to the oldest trauma you have not worked through."

Nazu took a deep breath, stepping forward…

And he found himself in a burning down school.

"Well…you certainly weren't kidding."

A young Nazu, around his early teens or so, had been a constant target of bullying.

Why? Simply because they could.

That was often the reason…

However…he hadn't known real evil…until one day…when his school caught fire.

It was after his resident bullies had shoved him into a locker.

He had resigned himself to his usual fate. Late to class, as usual, or late to home…

But then he started smelling something…and it got warm…

Then through the holes in his locker door, he found the school had caught fire.

He started panicking, banging on the doors. BANG BANG BANG! Rapidly slamming against the door.

He yelled for help that wouldn't come.

He thought he was gonna die, his life flashing before his eyes…

"I had never been so afraid before in my life…" Present Nazu commented. "I thought 'is this how it ends, my asshole bullies leaving me to burn in a locker?' But then…"

He heard explosions. Combat noises. He could barely see colorful costumes through the slits of his locker.

Superheroes on the scene…

And that got the young boy excited. To see some in person…it was a dream of his.

In his stupor, he forgot the fire, until he felt it starting to get closer. He began to bang on the locker more, calling for help…

He thought nobody would come…nobody…

Nazu smiled as the scene showed his younger self jumping as a blade pierced the locker.

The young boy trembled before seeing a gloved hand rip the locker door off, and he could barely make out a silhouette.

"Don't worry." The hero in flames told him. "We're here to help."

The hero offered him a hand…and the boy took it.

"That moment…when I had help…someone to save me…it was an important day in my life…" Nazu smiled…before frowning. "...I only wish…" His fists clenched. "I had help…on that day."

With no further prompting the scene changed.

A high tech bank, several masked people with guns and other weapons, a man in a black full body outfit with a dragon mask, a younger adult Nazu in similar garb.

Several hostages.

The young man was in a brief argument with his boss.

The dragon man told him there could be no witnesses, the job was botched…

The young man tried to stop him…

But then…

Nazu closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as the familiar sounds of gunfire, explosions, and screams echoed.

"I'm sorry, I can't imagine living through that."

"..." Nazu shook his head, hearing his younger self cry out as he cradled the body of a man older than him.

"C'mon! C'mon! Mr. Soryu!" His younger self ripped off what remained of his mask as he cradled the man in his 50s. "Dad! DAD!"

His father wouldn't respond…

Nazu opened his eyes. "...It was stupid of me…I joined that gang to help my family…but in the end I just tore it apart…"

"Mistakes happen, but you improved. Not many do the same."

"That doesn't change the fact I lost my dad…my kids lost their grandfather…"

"It does not change loss, but you are doing right by him now. Can you continue?"

"..." Nazu looked at his right hand. It shook before he clenched it into a fist. "...I can."

The scene moves once more.

---

Slavi found herself in a similar dark void. "...so what do I have to do?"

"Step forward and it'll start."

Slavi stepped forward.

The scene opened up to show Slavi and a Pythonian girl of similar color to her, only a little older looking, the two teenagers at the time.

The two young Pythonians looked at a shattered vase in horror, time seeming to slow down for them as they heard their father approaching from another room.

The younger Slavi looked to her sister, noticing the particular expression of…fear, terror on her face.

"My sister and I…we had been close, once…but…when you grow up in a home like mine…" Slavi frowned. "Despite everything, despite the shitty situation I was in…I still loved my sister…Ameslitha."

The younger Slavi noted her sister's fear…heard the footsteps of their father…

She knew all too well what her father's rage was like…

And when she looked upon her sister's face…her decision was made, before it even registered.

When their father arrived, demanding to know what had happened, just as Ameslitha was about to start talking…Slavi cut her off, telling their father it was her fault. She had been playing around and knocked it off by accident.

Her dad…was not pleased, ushering Ameslitha into another room before he yelled at her, one of the two things Slavi was used to from the man who helped bring her into this world.

Either negligence and indifference…or rage.

She held back the urge to snap back at him, both out of fear of incurring more of his wrath, and to protect her sister.

"I did what I'd do again in a heartbeat." Slavi spoke. "...I protected my sister…" She clenched her fists. "...and how did she repay me?"

The scene showed a montage of her writing letters in prison…only to frown, breaking more and more with each returned letter…

The scene then changed to the warden telling her none of her family had come…and indeed, as she walked out, she saw none of her family.

"...by not being there when I needed her most…" She whispered, her voice dripping with bitterness, looking at the scene, trembling, tears starting to form.

"Sometimes the people we love disappoint us."

Slavi was silent, nodding. "But why…if it was just my father…just my mother…I could push through it as I have all my lifet…but…Ameslitha…why her too…?" Tears fell down her face.

"I cannot speak for her. I've never met her. As painful as it is, you'd have to ask her yourself for the answers you want."

Slavi was silent before nodding again, but the tears didn't stop coming…and coming and coming and coming…

Like the storm…on that night that landed her in prison…

Wrong place at the wrong time…blood dripping onto her form…hands covered in it…

Fires burning…alarms ringing…sirens wailing…

The ringing in her ears…the pounding of her heart…

"Are you sure you can keep going?"

"Will you let me pass if I quit now?" Slavi asked, although the tone of her voice made it clear she knew the answer.

"...I'm sorry."

"It's fine…I can bear through this as long as it gets us past this." Slavi wiped her eyes. "I always wanted to be a Sentai…none of them would give up…so I won't." She said with determination.

And she could've sworn she felt the Wendigo smile. The vision continued onward.

---

The two Beetle Bros were taking a different path, as they said, following their updated map. RyuKabuto was feeling along the walls, looking for any hidden doors or pathways. Sure, the map didn't say anything about it, but could never be too careful, right?

"So how do you think the test is going?" RyuKuuga asked.

"According to the map, it's the bridge of the wendigos… I know for sure Ziga's more than capable." RyuKabuto answered. "The others…they're uh…" He sweat dropped. "...not quite what I expected."

"Kind of… Silly. Capable but… Silly."

"The pink one seems just as focused on getting into Azu's pants as she is the mission, Andah's that but with any pretty thing that catches her eye, plus playing matchmaker. And Azu…" He shook his head. "...not how I expected her."

"Eh, We should've expected not to see the monster. Wouldn't act like that while 'being good' anyways."

"True." RyuKabuto snorted. "Was kind of funny though, if a bit surreal."

"It's just an act, though…it has to be."

RyuKabuto nodded. At some point, he stopped, turning to find a gap in the wall. "Hey, I think I found something!"

The two looked through the gap.

Nothing but a bunch of darkness…but a light shining through a bit.

"Well, it's pretty narrow, but it might lead us further." RyuKuuga commented.

"Indeed. I'll go in first."

"Just be careful." His brother cautioned. "We don't wanna set off any surprises."

RyuKabuto nodded, going in cautiously.

As he slowly made his way through, halfway he heard a growl. He took a stance, looking around, hearing a drop of liquid. He then heard it getting…closer.

It wasn't until it started dripping onto him that he looked up, seeing bared, shining teeth.

He grunts, unimpressed before back flipping away and getting into a stance. The creature dropped down, its shining body patterns letting RyuKabuto see the full size and scale of it…as well as the cannon on its back.

He smirks, beckoning it.

RyuKuuga drew his weapon. RyuKabuto signalled for him to wait as a fight ensued between him and the creature, which, from the brief sparks that flashed when its strikes missed and hit the walls, seemed to be some sort of wolf. RyuKabuto didn't even really hit it that much, just dodging its blows, occasionally landing a hit, almost like he was playing with it.

"Seriously, bro? Toying with it?" RyuKuuga deadpanned.

"Oh come on, I haven't got to have any fun in ages!" RyuKabuto argued.

"Aaah…just don't wear yourself out."

"I promise!" RyuKabuto responded, dodging some more hits.

It went on a bit longer, RyuKuuga watching his brother play with their new foe.

RyuKabuto grinned, taunting it, the wolf swiping its claw at him…before feinting, then swiping with its other claw, knocking him back.

"...so it learns." RyuKabuto noted.

"Yeah. Hate when they do that."

"Think it's time, brother?" RyuKabuto smirked, raising his left wrist.

"Might as well."

"RYUBEETLE CHANGE!" The two called out.

In crimson and navy flashes of light, the two were transformed, and, silhouetted, RyuKabuto proceeded to fight the beast off, landing a few calculated strikes before sending a palm strike towards it, sending it hurling through the path and into the light, the crimson ranger speeding towards it.

The wolf landed at the exit, firing its cannon at its opponent, tripping him up, RyuKuuga speeding by, high fiving RyuKabuto before punching the beast in its gut, RyuKabuto landing perfectly and sending a flying kick at the beast's face.

Landing, RyuKuuga smirked. "Not bad, my turn!" He zoomed at the beast, sending a few well placed kicks and punches at his opponent in navy blurs.

The wolf howled, firing its canon at him.

"Whoa!" He dived out of the way.

It lunged out, aiming to take a bite at the two, the brothers grabbing onto its jaws, headbutting it before double kicking it outside the exit.

The beast was sent rolling, the two jumping after it into the light. The wolf howled and growled at them, the brothers getting into stances before the two sides charged at each other.

The brothers swing their weapons, their sidearms, in unison, deflecting the claw strikes and double kicking the jaw of their opponent, zooming around the wolf and creating a whirlwind of snow.

"Together!"

The two blurs colored the tornado crimson and navy, clusters of crimson kabutos and navy stags swirling around the beast, the two slicing at the wolf's legs with their blades, the beetles covering their weapons for added power.

The wolf howls as it tries to claw at them, RyuKabuto kicking it on the top jaw and bouncing off of its head, RyuKuuga grabbing the head and kneeing it, the wolf roaring and flailing, trying to dislodge him, RyuKuuga stabbing his own sidearm into its jaw before jumping away.

It roars again, firing off shots from its blaster at them both. They dodge and deflect the shots, hiding behind rocks for cover, RyuKuuga's getting pulverized by the shots behind him and sending him flying.

RyuKabuto zoomed over, grabbed his brother's hand, spinned him around and threw him at the beast, the navy ranger performing an axe kick, the beast howling as it connected and stumbling backwards.

The beast, shaking its head, looked around, not seeing the brothers anywhere.

Growling in confusion, it then noticed…beeping.

It looked down, seeing shurikens implanted in the ground, beeping and glowing. It made an attempt to get away, but explosions erupted, making it scream out in pain as it fell to the floor, practically lifeless.

RyuKabuto cautiously went over to it, kneeling down and checking its pulse. "Still alive? Geez, this thing can take punishment."

"Should we Coup de Gras or tie it up somewhere?"

"...nah, this thing…the cybernetics on it…looks very forced. I doubt this one was in total control. Let's tie it up."

"Fair enough." RyuKuuga grabs some rope.

…

A little later, the brothers were continuing their journey, coming across a path under a formation with icicles of various sizes, from snowflake size to the size of a truck.

RyuKabuto gathers up some snow into a larger than normal ball, rolling it across the path to see what happened. The icicles were…surprisingly sturdy, though a few shook as it passed.

"Should be mostly safe as long as we're careful." RyuKabuto commented.

"Would make a good trap for later." RyuKuuga added, keeping his voice low.

"Indeed it would." RyuKabuto agreed, his voice low.

RyuKuuga proceeds carefully through the icey tunnel.

RyuKabuto flicked his wrists, cracking his knuckles as he followed.

---

Back at the entrance to the bridge…

Everyone suddenly appeared back where they were before the tests.

Nazu and Slavi looked miserable, but at the same time relieved, somewhat…

Ziga looked haunted, yet relieved, but a different kind than the other two.

Andah looked extremely satisfied and chipper before noticing her three friends' expressions, rushing over to group hug them, the rangers eagerly accepting.

Azu took notice of this, nervously approaching, opening her mouth to say something, maybe ask if she could…

But nothing came out as she took a step back before Slavi grabbed her hand and pulled her into the hug, the gynoid yelping, but, after a bit…accepting it.

The wendigoes stood there silently, letting them all hug out the pain for a bit.

After a bit, the five broke the hug, turning to the wendigoes.

"So did we uh…did we pass?" Azu asked.

"You are all free to go." Labyria told them before glaring at Optimistia and Silicia. "Even if on technicality."

Optimistia whistled nonchalantly while Silicia tried to keep a straight face.

"Great. I'm sure you've... All given us some things to think about. We will see you on our way back." Azu spoke nervously.

"..." Nazu blinked. "Wait, what happened?"

"What technicality-" Ziga began.

"ALRIGHT, WE PASSED, LET'S GO!" Azu cut her off with a squeal, face pink, grabbing Slavi's hand on instinct and leading the way across the bridge.

Wendy giggles as the others follow, Andah going back and pulling Wendy into a deep kiss. Wendy looked surprised but returned it, Andah soon breaking it and winking. "Thank you."

"Don't be a stranger~" Wendy smiles.

Andah nodded, grinning, rushing off to join the others.

As they crossed the bridge, Azu…let herself smile a little.

Slavi was intrigued by this. "C'mon, what's the technicalityyyyy?~"

Azu was practically glowing pink at this point, down to her modules. "Wh-what's it to you?"

"You were pretty nervous when you went in. Just checking on you."

"With a shit eating grin on your face." Azu pointed out.

"Seeing you not upset makes me excited."

"..." Azu turned away, somehow even pinker.

"Soooo, you gonna spill?"

"Let's just…let's just go!" Azu squeaked adorably.

Slavi decided to drop it, following…

Though she did get in a kiss on the cheek, which nearly made the gynoid swoon and pass out, if not for her pink Pythonian catching her.

Andah would tease Azu endlessly about this.