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.

8. Who knew a maze was a good therapist?

Disclaimer: A certain scene we didn't notice until partway through writing it was similar to a certain scene from a show. It was not an intentional rip off, though once we realized it, we did decide to take some influence in certain lines and moments.

---

After crossing the bridge, the group had been following the path since, thoughts of the trial still fresh on their minds.

Especially those like Azu's.

Azu kept pace in front of the group, staying silent, just alone with her thoughts.

That is until Slavi walked right up to her. "You ok?"

Azu yelped in surprise before calming down. "...I…I'm fine…you?"

Slavi shrugged, though behind that, there was a hint of tired, worn out pain. "Nothing I don't usually see in my nightmares…"

"Slavi, I…" Azu began.

"Yes, Azu?"

Azu tried to speak, trying to find the words, nothing coming out of her mouth. However, after some encouraging looks from Slavi, she managed to scrounge up something. "...I'm…I'm sorry…"

"About what, darling?" Slavi asked, confused.

"D-darling?" Azu exclaimed in surprise, blushing slightly before shaking her head. "Nevermind. I…" She lowered her head. ""It…you…you shouldn't have…had to go through that in my place…"

"Nonsense. I volunteered."

"Still, I-" Azu was cut off as Slavi put a finger to her lips.

"I will have no more of you blaming yourself."

Azu blushed, shutting up as she was told. Slavi kept moving, smiling.

As they kept going, Slavi leaned into her red ranger gently, causing Azu's face to turn pinker.

"...this doesn't mean anything…" She insisted weakly.

"What doesn't mean anything, precious?" Slavi asked.

"This…whole thing." Azu answered.

"Not even a little thing?"

"...depends on what the little thing is."

Slavi shrugged, beaming. "Just a cute little wholesome thing?"

"...maybe."

Slavi giggled. "I can live with that.~"

"..." Azu found herself leaning into Slavi slightly.

Slavi smiled as the others checked on each other.

"..." Ziga frowned as she looked over to Nazu. "...are you ok…?" She asked, having managed to find the strength to tear her thoughts away from her own trial.

"I'll be fine…I think." Nazu answered.

"You…sure?"

"Yeah. Nothing I haven't seen before."

"..." Ziga looked away, rubbing her top left arm with her top right.

"What about you? You seem upset."

"..." Ziga shook. "...I…I almost didn't pass it."

"Really? You're the last person I'd expect." Nazu said in surprise.

"...I…I thought it was going good when it just went through my days in the empire…then…then I saw…I saw her again and I…" Ziga cut herself off, looking away.

"Ah…I'm sorry."

"...nothing you need to apologize for…"

"You wanna talk about it?"

"..." Ziga shook her head. "Let's just…just keep moving."

Nazu nods.

Ziga's face turned to surprise when she felt a familiar hand grab one of hers, seeing Andah looking at her with a gentle smile.

"How was…your trial?" Ziga asked.

"It was awesome." Andah answered. "Wendy's a great fighter." She smirked lightly. "And a bit more."

Ziga rolled her eye gently.

"What, ya jealous?~"

"Not at all."

Andah giggled. "Hey…" She said soothingly, running her thumb over Ziga's hand. "...we're here for you."

"I…I know."

Andah gave her a smile, a warm, gentle one that made her feel…fluttery inside.

"Mffff... still gonna reprimand you for fraternizing…" Ziga grumbled.

"By all means, then, reprimand me, honey.~" Andah winked.

Ziga sighs audibly. Andah smiled, hugging Ziga.

Ziga chuckles before noticing Andah's eyes sparkling and going wide, pointing behind the two of them, Azu and Slavi having fallen behind a bit, Ziga seeing the two of them leaning against each other.

"Heh. They're cute." Ziga smiled.

The two then noticed they had fallen behind, the gynoid and snake picking up the pace to get to the front again, Andah grinning like a fangirl over her ship sailing.

This earned a glare from Azu. "Not. A. Word."

Andah nodded, making a zipping gesture across her mouth.

Ziga chuckles again.

"I wonder what the brothers are doing…" Nazu muttered. "They've been gone a while."

"Yeah…" Azu muttered. "That is worrying…" She brought up her communicator. "Hello?"

No response.

"...hello?"

Again, nothing.

…

"Sorry!" RyuKabuto suddenly answered, startling the rangers. "We were busy taking care of something. I assume everyone passed their test with flying colors?"

"Y-yeah." Azu answered, blushing as she recalled her…experience with Optimistia and Silicia. "Flying…colors…"

"Good! We think we found the next one!"

Azu sweat dropped. Because of course right after, there's another test. "Alright, what is it?"

"Dunno, door's closed. Assumed there's some hidden way to open it and figured we'd wait for you lot."

"Alright then. Thanks for the heads up."

"As always, Trashu." The crimson ranger hung up.

Does he just…not know my proper name? Azu deadpanned, Slavi taking notice.

"Did he insult you again?"

"It-it's not a problem-" Azu started.

"Yes it is, he's doing it on purpose."

"I-I'm sure he just didn't hear my name right. I haven't exactly been correcting him…"

"Once or twice is fine. But at this point he's trying to rile you up."

"You don't…you don't need to worry about me." Azu tried to argue, cheeks pinkening at how…passionate Slavi was in what she was saying.

"It's disrespectful and I won't stand for it."

"..." Azu turned away, face turning pink, twirling her hair, smiling a bit at Slavi's words and actions.

This did not go unnoticed by her pink pythonian friend.

"Hey." Slavi said softly, playfully bumping her. "People here care about you." She told her with a smile.

"..." Azu hid her face in her scarf to hide her immense blush, which only resulted in Slavi hugging her close.

"D'awww!" Andah cooed at the cute sight.

"Sh-shaddup!" Azu squeaked adorably.

"Nevah." Andah answered with a smile.

"Got their location." Nazu said, checking his communicator. "Let's go."

Everyone nodded, Azu preparing to run before getting scooped into a bridal carry by Slavi, who just gave her a smile, Azu nearly having a bi panic attack right then and there as she was carried.

---

A little later, everyone arrived at the door, Slavi still holding Azu in a princess carry.

"Do you…need to keep holding me like this?" Azu whispered.

"Do you want me to stop?" Slavi asked, smiling.

Azu's silence and blush gave her all the answer she needed.

"Ok, first order of business, opening the door." RyuKabuto stated.

"Right…any luck finding the switch or anything?" Azu asked.

"Found some weird bumps on the wall, but nothing to indicate order."

The rangers went on over, inspecting the bumps.

Strangely…there were seven, each modelled after their respective Draginsects.

"...Ok, I got two ideas." Azu said. "Well, technically three."

"Spill."

"It could go either roll call, or age order." Azu answered. "With the age order being either oldest to youngest, or vice versa."

"Simple enough to test." RyuKabuto went to the stones, pressing them.

Butterfly, dragonfly, mantis, hopper, firefly, kabuto, stag.

The door glows…but then sends him skeeting back a bit.

"Wrong one, apparently…" RyuKabuto muttered.

"Try the next one."

"Alright." RyuKabuto did another order.

Mantis, dragonfly, firefly, kabuto and stag, butterfly, hopper.

This time, the door opens with a bright light.

"Well would you look at that, second time's the charm." RyuKabuto quipped.

"All thanks to our brilliant butterfly." Slavi smiled, Azu blushing.

They walked through it, soon finding themselves in a new area.

It was a…tall area.

The walls had several upon several upon several bookshelves, dens, bookshelves within dens, with various different owl and bear creatures, both humanoid and otherwise, along with a lot of them showing the ability to transform into paper and/or books.

While several of the books were in everyone's native language, a lot of the others were in ones they recognized, and others they didn't.

Slavi also couldn't help but notice…

Some of the symbols on the walls, and writing on the books…seemed familiar.

Up above was a view of a gorgeous night sky.

"That's…a lot of books." Slavi commented, eyes widening.

"...I'm…not sure a bunch of those languages are even in our dimension…" Azu noted, blinking, still in Slavi's arms.

"I think some of these are dead languages…"

"This…is actually kind of soothing." Andah smiled.

"Wonder what kind of test this is…" Azu wondered before everyone heard a sort of…motherly giggle.

"Well I'm glad you are enjoying the sights." The voice joked, the team looking up and seeing a silhouette. The figure jumped down, gracefully landing in front of the team.

In front of them was a humanoid creature woman, with the top half resembling a humanoid owl, and the lower half resembling a humanoid bear. The top half was a lighter shade of brown compared to the more chocolate shaded lower half. Her figure was like her presence, a bit motherly. She had wings growing out of her back that looked big enough to form a sort of cloak.

She wore a lavender robe with purple hemming and obi, her sleeves wide, the hemming and obi having light purple characters in a language unfamiliar to most of the team, the lavender bits embroidered with similar symbols. It was backless to allow for her wings, too.

She wore a purple ankle length skirt with similar symbols, and slits for her legs.

Finally were purple wrappings around her legs and arms with mystical sigils.

"Helloooooo, travelers!" She greeted, spreading her wings happily.

"Holy-" Andah's face broke into a fangirling, nerdgasming glee along with Slavi's.

"AN OWLBEAR!" The two squealed.

The Owlbear chuckles. "Always nice to meet fans~"

Azu blinked. "Are we in Avatar or something?"

"The movie or the non-anime?" Nazu asked.

"Owlbears!" Slavi said again.

"...I don't follow." Azu answered, blinking.

"The DND creature? Half owl, half bear?" Andah asked.

"I have literally never played DND in my life." Azu told her flatly.

"Why not? It's like therapy, only you're spending your money on pretty dice!"

"...that doesn't sound like therapy."

"Nah, that's a pretty solid description of DND." Nazu said.

Azu rolled her eyes.

The Owlbear giggled. "You seem like a fun group. The last ones to come in here were sticks in the mud. Well, aside from Hongba."

"Who's Hongba?" Slavi asked curiously.

"Oh, Hongba, you'd love her, she was the previous-"

"So what's your trial?" Azu cut her off, rolling her eyes.

"Teamwork." Owlbear answered. "You all will team up to try to defeat me. Win conditions are either beating me, or forcing me to stop holding back."

"Oh, that's…less stressful than the last one." Azu sighed in relief.

"Oh? And what was the last one you faced?" The Owlbear asked, tilting her head.

"NOTHING IMPORTANT!" Azu snapped before Optimisia and Silicia's face could flash in her mind, face pink.

"Well, tell me when you all are ready~"

That fucking tone on her voice, Azu thought… Does she know!?

"Ok so uh, a couple questions!" Nazu piped up. "What's your name, and do you want us to do this morphed or unmorphed?"

"Either is fine. I'm Roshina."

Slavi then cleared her throat to Azu.

The gynoid blinked, looking over to Slavi, remembering she was being carried, almost-

Was Slavi hallucinating or was that a disappointed look on Azu's face at having to be let down out of her arms?

That…brought a grin to Slavi's face.

"Sh-shaddup…" Azu muttered, standing on the ground.

"I didn't say anything."

"You were going to."

"You have no proof."

"I see your gigantic grin on your face!"

"That could be from anything!"

"Ladies!" Ziga called out to them. "You can hash out your personal issues later. Ready?" She brought up her morpher.

"Ready!"

Everyone brought up their morphers, taking out their Ryumucards, the Beetle Bros' morphers having some golden accents in place of the silver ones on the core team's. Everyone put in their cards.

"Ooh! Ooh!" Slavi turned to Azu. "Can we do the roll call this time? Please?"

"If I wasn't letting us do it the past several times after the first go, why would I suddenly…" Azu trailed off, catching sight of the look Slavi was giving her.

Puppy eyes.

And…a pout!?

Azu glared at her, pursing her lips, cheeks turning pink as she struggled not to give in…before groaning. "Fine! Just this once!"

"YAY!" Slavi hugged Azu close.

"Ladies!" Ziga called out, holding back a bit of amusement.

"Right!" Both of them said, Slavi letting go of Azu, much to her disappointment.

"RYUMU CHANGE!" The core five yelled out.

"RYUBEETLE CHANGE!" The Bross called out, everyone pressing the lightning bolt buttons on their morphers.

…

Azu stood on a panel with an image of a dragon/butterfly fusion engraved into it, surrounded by red colored flowers, a light red tint to the area around her, even the sky, though it was still oddly pleasant.

Energy clusters of butterflies swarmed her, coalescing onto her form, creating a black bodysuit, her arms and legs having red circuitry data lines. A red energy silhouette of a dragon-butterfly swooped in and engulfed her, forming armor.

Her boots were red with black data lines at the edges, her gloves being black, the edges having circuit lines in red.

Her red chest plate had a dragon's head forming the main part, her collarbone having a red butterfly.

Her shoulder pads were modeled after butterfly wings.

She had a belt that was silver-grey, the clasp being a red butterfly, darker silver dragons on either side of it.

Her back had capes that briefly formed into butterfly wings.

She had a red dragonic looking helmet, her visor being made of a dragon's maw closed in a shape which looked like circle-ovals fused together, butterfly eyes above it, and butterfly antennae above them. Around the bottom of the helmet was a black line with red circuitry patterns in it.

Snapping her fingers with her right hand, she did a jump flip. "The Ruby Light!"

The background behind her shifted to show a giant dark brown tree which looked like it could fit a whole city into it several times over, energy butterflies floating around her, a dragon's roar faintly being heard in the background, Azu striking a pose, one foot in front of the other, arms spread along with extending her capes into wings.

"RyuButterfly!"

…

Nazu stood on a platform with an image of a dragonfly-dragon engraved into it, his surroundings being that of a blue tinted night sky, the area itself being blue-lit, the floor made out of clouds.

Blue energy clusters of dragonflies flew around him before coalescing into the bodysuit. A larger energy silhouette of a dragon-dragonfly swooped in and engulfed him, forming his armor.

Under the armor he had a black bodysuit, circuitry lines running up the legs in blue, leading up to a chest-plate with a dragon's head, just above it, a dragonfly on the collarbone. The shoulder pads were modeled after dragonfly wings, the blue circuitry lines on the arms leading up to 'em.

A silver-grey belt formed on his waist, a blue dragon clasp in the center surrounding by a darker silver dragon on either side.

His helmet was blue and dragonic looking, his visor formed by a dragon maw closed in an upside down trapezoid shape, dragonfly eyes above it. A black line went across the bottom of the helmet, blue data lines in it.

Flexing his fingers, he blew on a finger gun. "The Sapphire Flyer!"

The background shifted to showcase a blue tinted cloud, blue energy clusters of dragonflies flying around it, a faint roar in the distance, Nazu striking a pose, extending his left leg to the side, leaning his right arm on his right knee and making a gun sign with both his hands.

"RyuDragonfly!"

…

Ziga stood on a platform with an image of a mantis-dragon engraved into it, her surroundings that of a village in the rain, the area tinted yellow.

Energy clustered of mantises crawled around and coalesced onto her, forming a black bodysuit with yellow circuitry lines on the arms and legs, a larger yellow energy silhouette of a dragon-mantis engulfing her.

Her yellow chest plate was made of a dragon's head, a yellow mantis on her collarbone. On her back was a yellow mantis back shell.

Her gloves were black with yellow data lines at the edges, her boots yellow with black circuitry lines at their edges.

Her shoulder pads were modeled after mantis blades which led into the circuitry lines on her arms, forming circles that went down her ribs to connect all 4 arms together.

She had a silver-grey belt with a yellow mantis clasp, darker silver dragons on either side.

Her helmet was yellow and dragonic looking, with mantis side fangs, a black line going around the bottom with yellow data lines in it, visor formed from a dragon maw closed in a triangle shape.

The background shifted to showcase the largest house in the village, several names written on the walls like memorial stones, a roar being heard from inside which, oddly enough, didn't strike a sense of terror…but a sense of determination.

Dusting off her hands, she spoke. "The Topaz Slasher!"

She struck a pose, lifting a knee into the air while raising her hands up, energy arm blades extending. "RyuMantis!"

…

Andah stood in what seemed to be a forest/city made of giant grass, the area tinted green, standing on a plate form with an image of a grasshopper-mantis engraved on it.

Green energy clusters of grasshoppers hopped onto her, forming a black bodysuit with green circuitry lines on her arms and legs, a larger green energy silhouette of a grasshopper-dragon engulfing her to form her green armor.

Her collar had a grasshopper, leading down to a dragon head like the others. Her helmet's visor looked like the inside of a dragon's maw, glowing with red grass-hopper eyes inside the V/grasshopper leg shaped visor and grasshopper antenna on top of the helmet. The bottom of her helmet had a black line going around it with green circuitry lines in it.

Her shoulder pads were modeled after grasshopper ends, her black gloves having green data lines at the edges.

Her green boots also had black circuitry lines in them like the others, the ankles of said boots having grasshopper leg-like devices.

She had a silver-grey belt with a green grasshopper clasp, darker silver dragons on either side.

Her back resembled a grasshopper's, to finish it off.

The background shifted to show the entrance to what seemed to be a home of some sorts, the entrance seeming like a grasshopper's home.

She winked with one of her red eyes, leaping high into the sky. "The Emerald Kicker!"

She landed in a 3 point landing before striking a pose, lifting a knee, an image of a grasshopper leg over that leg, extending her right arm forward with her left arm pulled back. "RyuHopper!"

…

Slavi stood on a platform with an image of a firefly-dragon engraved into it, her surroundings behind that of a semi-futuristic small town with many pink lights around it.

Pink energy clusters of fireflies flew around her, glowing before coalescing into a black bodysuit with pink data lines on the arms and legs.

Like the others her chest is a dragon's face, the collar containing a fire-fly. Her visor was a dragon's maw closed in a somewhat heart shape. The bottom of her helmet had a black line going around it with pink data lines in it. Above her visor were firefly eyes and antennae.

Her shoulder pads were modeled after firefly wings which led into the arm's pink circuitry lines.

She had a silver-grey belt like the others, with a pink firefly clasp, dragons on either side in a darker silver color.

She had black gloves with pink data lines at the edges, her boots pink with black circuitry lines at the edges.

On her back were firefly wings with some glowing parts.

Her suit also had glowing circles that got smaller the lower you went.

The background shifted to the largest house in the small town, energy clusters of pink fireflies flying out, a roar heard from inside.

Slavi clapped her hands, running her hands down her body. "The Amethyst Star!"

She spun around, shining light all over before striking a pose, hands raised into the air behind her, crossing one leg over the other, wings expanded. "RyuFirefly!'

…

RyuKabuto stood on a platform with an image of a dragon/kabuto beetle fusion engraved into it, surrounded by statues of previous ninja warriors with a similar motif in the middle of a thunderstorm, flashes of lightning in the clouds being tinted crimson and …sort of resembling moving clocks, going backwards, forwards, and both at the same time, the thunder sounding like normal and warped ticking noises.

The rain showering him turned crimson, revealing the now red shaded rain to be clusters of energy kabutos, which coalesced into the black bodysuit, the arms and legs having circuitry/data lines in crimson. A flash of crimson lightning struck him, briefly flashing into a giant energy silhouette of a dragon-kabuto that engulfed him, forming his armor.

His crimson chest plate had a dragon head as the main part, with the middle of the collar bone having a kabuto beetle, his back becoming armored and resembling the back of a kabuto beetle.

His shoulder pads were made of kabuto wings. His gloves were black with crimson data lines around the edges, crimson trimmed black forearm and forehand armor forming.

His boots were crimson with black circuitry lines around the edges, with crimson, black trimmed shin and boot armor forming.

A belt formed around him, gold in color with a crimson kabuto beetle clasp, as well as darker gold dragons on either side of it.

His helmet was crimson, with a dragonic look to it and kabuto beetle details, notably the horn on his forehead. His visor was formed from a dragon maw and shape-wise appeared to be made of two oval-triangular shapes fused in the middle. The helmet also had a black line around the bottom with crimson circuit patterns along it.

The background shifted as he crossed his arms, turning his head to his right to glance at an audience of ninja, kabuto beetles, dragons, and mixes of the three bowing down. "Garnet Passion…"

He turned around, clapping his hands before raising a pointer finger to the sky, red clock themed lightning striking in the distance. "RyuKabuto!"

…

RyuKuuga stood on a platform with an image of a dragon/stag beetle fusion engraved into it, surrounded by statues of previous ninja warriors with a similar motif in the middle of a thunderstorm, flashes of lightning in the clouds being tinted navy and …sort of resembling wormholes and portals, the thunder sounding like portals and distortions in space.

The rain showering him turned navy, revealing the now blue shaded rain to be clusters of energy stags, which coalesced into the black bodysuit, the arms and legs having circuitry/data lines in navy. A flash of navy lightning struck him, briefly flashing into a giant energy silhouette of a dragon-stag that engulfed him, forming his armor.

His navy chest plate had a dragon head as the main part, with the middle of the collar bone having a stag beetle, his back becoming armored and resembling the back of a stag beetle.

His shoulder pads were made of stag wings. His gloves were black with navy data lines around the edges, navy trimmed black forearm and forehand armor forming.

His boots were navy with black circuitry lines around the edges, with navy, black trimmed shin and boot armor forming.

A belt formed around him, gold in color with a navy stag beetle clasp, as well as darker gold dragons on either side of it.

His helmet was navy, with a dragonic look to it and stag beetle details, notably the horns on his forehead. His visor was formed from a dragon maw and shape-wise appeared to be made of two oval-triangular shapes fused in the middle, more so than his brother's. The helmet also had a black line around the bottom with navy circuit patterns along it.

The background shifted as he crossed his arms, turning his head to his left to glance at an audience of ninja, stag beetles, dragons, and mixes of the three bowing down. "Spinel Spirit…"

He turned around, clapping his hands before bringing his left hand inward, shooting out his right across it. "RyuKuuga!"

…

The core five Ryumushingers jumped forward in front of a sort of junction point with paths leading to each of the locations that served as their backdrops.

"The crystals shining with light!" They called out, clapping their hands. "The power of dragons and insects!"

"Gijutsu Sentai!" Azu started, everyone getting into their team pose, consisting of their individual poses but altered to where the four on Azu's sides were aiming/pointing out from her.

"RYUMUSHINGER!" Everyone called out, explosions in their colors occurring behind them.

…

"Fighting against fate from the shadows…" RyuKabuto began, standing on a rooftop in the location used as the two brothers' backdrops.

"Erasing evil across space-time…" RyuKuuga continued, standing on the opposite side of the rooftop from his brother, their backs turned to each other.

Crimson and navy lightning struck, the two now standing side by side.

"Ninchu Sentai!" The two called out, bumping their wrists before assuming mirroring poses, grabbing their sword holsters with one hand each. "RyuBeetles!"

Lightning struck behind them in their colors.

…

The audience as well as Roshina clapped enthusiastically.

"There. Ya happy?" Azu deadpanned at Slavi.

"A bit."

"Oh Zea, what, did I not pose correctly?"

"You are scowling a bit."

"How did you-I'M WEARING A HELMET!"

"Heheheh."

Azu groaned, facepalming.

Roshina sighed nostalgically at the two.

Azu went beet red, recognizing that expression from Mannequeen. "WE'RE NOT-I-GAAAAAAAAAAAH! Let's just go, everyone!"

Roshina poses, giggling.

The teams charge forward, bringing out their personal weapons.

Azu flew up into the air, slashing down with her Monarch Hilt while Nazu shot with his Emperor's Bow.

Roshina side stepped so Nazu's shot would hit Azu on her way down, the owl bear then spartan kicking the red ranger after she was struck, sending her tumbling.

As Azu stabbed her sword into the ground and swung around to send herself into a flying kick at Roshina, Nazu blasted again at the owl bear with his weapon, Ziga coming from behind to try to hit her with her tonfas.

Roshina smirked, and vines shot up from the ground, launching her three foes away and wrapping around them.

"WHAT THE-" Azu cried out.

"Y'know I didn't think we'd have to deal with plant stuff twice in one weekend but here we are…" Ziga deadpanned.

"How bout some Earth stuff, then?"

"...what do you mean?" Ziga asked, concerned.

"EARTH TREMOR!" Roshina stomps and forms a small crack in the earth, causing it to shake.

"OH SHIT!" Slavi and Andah jumped out of the way, clinging onto some of the ledges.

"Oh, relax~" Roshina pulls them up.

"Don't believe we've seen a power like that yet." Slavi commented, panting.

"Thank you, I try."

Roshina flicked her wrist to summon a vine to block against the shots Azu and Nazu made with their sidearms.

"How do you even…?" Slavi asked.

"You have no idea how many teams before have tried this trial." Roshina giggled. "You seven seem the most fun, though."

"Glad we're entertaining at least." Ziga says, deadpanning, trying to cut the vine holding her with her sidearm in blade mode.

Andah shook as she stared at this all.

"...OH WHAT NOW!?" Azu demanded, trying to free herself.

"...too easy." Andah snickered.

"...what?" Nazu tilted his head.

Andah snorted, holding her stomach, gesturing at the vines.

…

…

"I hate you. So much." Azu told her flatly.

"Please take this seriously…" Nazu requested, sweat dropping.

"Ok, ok, fine, party poopers." Andah rolled her eyes before whipping out her yoyo, sending it at Roshina, who dodged, Azu taking this moment of distraction to light her sword on fire, lighting up the vine that had wrapped around her.

"Much better! Keep going!" Roshina encouraged.

As Azu's vine burned away, she flew straight at Roshina, who got her neck wrapped by Andah's yoyo, Slavi going in for a punch. Roshina…smirked.

Just before their attacks landed, a glow of light appeared…

And Andah's yoyo dropped. "Huh? Where'd she-"

Andah was grabbed and tossed overhead by a bear woman, slamming her head into the ground while an owl woman grabbed Slavi with her talons and flew her into the air, throwing her up into a wall.

"What!?" Azu cried out.

"HHH! A SHSHSSH!" Andah exclaimed, muffled.

The bear woman kindly plucked her out of the ground.

"Oooh! A shapeshifter!" Andah grinned excitedly.

…

Azu deadpanned at Andah.

"I like what I like!" Andah responded to the silent reaction.

"...this is what I deal with…" Azu muttered, facepalming.

"Surprised? This is the Trial of Teamwork." Owl Roshina explained, wearing a blue version of her outfit, the bear one wearing a red version.

"True." Azu answered, spinning her blade before shooting with her sidearm, the Owl blocking it with her wings before Ziga enlarged her helmet's mandibles and bit at her, the bear grabbing her in a bear hug, the owl taking off into the sky.

"Oh no you don't!" Azu exclaimed, taking off after her while the others lunged at the Bear, Nazu shooting with his bow, capturing her attention.

He kept shooting at her as she charged forward, Nazu's eyes widening as she tanked each shot. Just before she could hit him, he was pushed out of the way by a speeding RyuKuuga.

"Whoa, thanks!" Nazu exclaimed, RyuKuuga nodding before zooming around Bear Roshina, forming a navy colored tornado, raising her up into the air, Andah leaping up high into the air, slamming her foot down the center to strike at the bear woman.

The owl woman zoomed around the group, Azu chasing her around and sending fire slashes at her. The red ranger brought out her sidearm and blasted at the owl woman repeatedly, her opponent spinning out of the way of the shots, save for one which forced her to drop Ziga.

"I'm ok!" Ziga called out to the concerned Azu, giving a thumbs up, Azu nodding before continuing her chase after Roshina.

Roshina aimed to swipe at Slavi, only for RyuKabuto to speed her out of the way, Owl Roshina sending a mystical disk of flowers at Azu, who dodged it, only for it to sprout vines which ensnared her, the butterfly dragon ranger yelping as Owl Roshina grabbed her.

"Let's get some private time, shall we?~" Roshina whispered in her ear, Azu blushing at the wording before yelling as Roshina took off with her into the skies.

Meanwhile, the bear Roshina threw boulders at the rest of the rangers.

RyuKabuto sent a flurry of punches at the boulder, ducking so his brother could leap in with a flying kick, sending the debris at their foe, who blocked, which allowed Ziga to rush behind her & slash at her back with her tonfas' energy blades.

The bear roared in pain, the brothers double punching her in the stomach, sending her into a wall.

Slavi slammed her knuckle blades into the ground, vines covered in glowing pink flowers wrapping around the bear woman.

The bear woman grinned as the others rushed her, excitement filling her before she clenched her fists, vines shooting out from the walls and whacking at the rangers, who were forced to dodge, the bear woman breaking out of the vines, stomping the ground, cracks appearing, the Beetle Bros pushing Nazu, Ziga, and Andah out of the way, Slavi grabbing onto the bear's legs and pulling her into the cracks, kicking her into the wall of it, embedding her in a crater, stabbing her knuckles into the opposite wall.

The bear groaned, jumping out and rushing at Slavi. The pink ranger grabbed its head with her legs, throwing her into the air, getting shot by Azu who was still being carried by the owl lady.

The bear, on the ground, roared, balling herself up and charging at Nazu and Ziga.

Nazu took to the skies and shot with his bow, Ziga running away as the balled up bear chased after her.

"She's tanking all my shots, has anyone noticed a weak spot?" Nazu called out.

"Try the Owl!" Ziga called out.

Nazu flew up into the sky to chase after the Owl half.

…

Ziga bounced off the wall, jumping over the balled up Bear Roshina, stabbing the blades of her tonfas into the sides, sparks flying as she tried to stop her spinning.

"GRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAH!"

Ziga grit her teeth, more sparks flying as the balled up Bear spun faster to try to dislodge her. "GUYS, NOW!" She yelled out.

Andah flicked a button on her Viri-yoyo.

[VIRI SPINNING ROAR!]

Slavi pressed buttons on her Photanus knuckles.

[PHOTANUS GLOWING FINISH!]

Andah twirled her yoyo around so fast it became a green energy blur before letting it rip like that one anime based on a toyline, watching as it tore into one side of the Bear, Slavi throwing her fists forward, sending out pink energy dragons which formed horns that looked like plant thorns/holy blades, stabbing into her side of the Bear.

The Bear roars, flailing.

"GREEN, LET HER HAVE IT!" Ziga yelled out.

Andah pressed the finisher button on her morpher, her body glowing green before the energy focused around her right leg as the grasshopper legs on both compressed, Andah launching herself forward with her left leg and connecting with her right foot. "DRAGABATTA KICK!" She yelled, shooting a huge amount of energy through her leg into the Bear, sending her flying.

"Did that…get her?" Slavi asked, panting, the three narrowing their eyes at the cloud of smoke they produced.

"Good job!" The Bear announced, walking out of the smoke, a bit scuffed up.

"So…we won yet?" Slavi asked.

"I think she's still dealing with the owl half, along with Nazu." Ziga answered.

"Yup!"

"Wonder how she's doing…" Ziga wondered.

…

Nazu flew up into the clouds, searching for Azu, and despite the urgency of the situation…

He had to admit, it was a pretty nice looking place.

"Shiro would love it here…" He muttered to himself. "Now where's Azu…"

He looked towards the tree and flew towards it, analyzing it with his eyes and helmet's HUD.

…there! On one of the branches, two figures who seemed low on energy.

He flew over there, and found…

Azu panting, pinned under an also panting Owl Roshina.

"..." Nazu blinked. "Uh…am I interrupting?" He asked.

The two looked over to him, Azu's eyes widening and face becoming a heated mess. "NOTHING! YOU MISSED NOTHING! IT WAS A FIGHT!"

"Yeah, that's why your helmet's over thirty yards behind ya?"

Azu looked and saw her helmet was, indeed, far away. "IT WAS JUST KNOCKED OFF! SHE'S A REALLY TOUGH OPPONENT!"

"Mm hmm, I'mma give you a minute."

Azu scrambled to get up, tripping and falling flat on her face before getting up and running over to grab her helmet, all while Owl Roshina and Nazu calmly waited for her.

After a few minutes, Azu came back, helmet on. "Ok! I'm ready!" She turned to Nazu. "Nothing happened! I SWEAR!"

"Kid, it's not my business even if it did."

"Kid-I'M AN ADULT IN HUMAGEAR TERMS!"

"And yet you act like a teenage girl around whatever new pop star is popular these days."

"...After we're done with her, I'm coming for you."

"If you say so, red."

Owl Roshina giggled, the two facing her. "Oh don't mind me, this is most entertaining."

"You ready to go, kid?" Nazu asked.

"Yeah." Azu twirled her sword.

"Let's do this."

Owl Roshina beckoned them, and they charged forward, trails of fire and water following their attacks.

Nazu stayed behind Azu, lining up shots, Azu deflecting moon slashes from Roshina with her sword, spinning around, expanding her back capes into wings to block and deflect the attacks, much to the approving gaze of her owl opponent.

Roshina beckoned her before diving off the tree, Azu jumping after her, extending her wings to fly after her, the two flying into and out of the clouds.

Nazu, meanwhile, got to a proper perch point, his visor's HUD keeping track of the two as he aimed his crossbow.

Azu kept on firing with her sidearm, grunting as her opponent kept elegantly twirling and dodging out of the way of her blasts. She took out her sword, set it ablaze, then fired her sidearm before sending a fiery slash at it, increasing the energy attacks' power and managing to singe a bit of one of Roshina's wings.

As the owl woman tried to pat it out, Azu pumped her fist. "YES!"

Finally, a hit!

"Impressive!" Roshina grinned.

"...but...?" Azu motioned for her to go on.

"Nothing. I haven't seen that move yet. I thought it was clever."

"...oh...uh..." Azu blushed. "Thank you." She responded, thought she couldn't help but feel that move was familiar.

And elsewhere, a certain band of pirates sneezed.

"You're adorable when you're like that." Roshina told her.

Azu blushed. "L-like what?"

"Just...yourself. Not putting up some kind of front." Roshina told her.

"..." Azu turned pink. "Th-thanks. Oh and, sorry for this."

Roshina blinked. "For wha-"

The owl woman got shot by a powerful blast, sending her flying.

"Nice!" Azu called down to Nazu with a thumbs up, her blue ranger returning the gesture.

The owl woman managed to right herself when she suddenly found herself blinded a bit, looking through squinting eyes and seeing Azu extending her wings in front of the shining moon, and in there, she saw her wings depict...some kind of pattern...

It...looked like a general detailing of her life up to that point, the good and...the not as good, all stylized to resemble what seemed like a mechanical divine eye..

And when the wings lit up...she saw a vague silhouette of Carbunclara...

As well as...wait...what was...

Roshina's eyes widened. It couldn't be...

This kept her distracted long enough for her to get downed to the branch by a powerful blast by Nazu, getting hit by another flaming slash by Azu, the red ranger landing on the branch near Nazu, firing with her sidearm.

Nazu kept firing in tandem with Azu, the red ranger at one point twirling around, igniting her sword, slashing past one of Nazu's shots, the two energies mixing into a steaming purple blast which shot right at Roshina's shoulder, injuring her.

"Ah! Ok, let's…ah, damn, call it there."

Both rangers' eyes widened.

"Wat?" Au asked.

"I said you two pass."

The rangers looked to each other before sweat dropping.

"I uh…guess we're more used to fights ending with more explosions." Azu said.

"What, you wanna keep me in one of your cards?~"

Azu blinked. "Was…was that an innuendo?"

"Maybe~"

Azu blushed brightly enough, the cheeks on her helmet turned pink.

Nazu sighed and went to check on the others.

…

Later on, everyone gathered up, seeing the bear and owl ladies fuse into one again.

"Excellent show, everyone." Roshina congratulated them, bowing.

"Th-thanks…" Azu said, dazed.

"You have shown tremendous teamwork. That is one of the values of the Ryumushingers, and all Sentai." Roshina spoke. "You put up quite a challenge when you worked together. I am glad to see the Draginsects' tastes in champions have not waned." She spoke, eyes on Azu for a slight bit longer than the others.

This did not go unnoticed by Azu, Slavi, or Andah, the latter two grinning at the red ranger, who hid her face in her scarf.

"Now! You may all progress to the next trial. I hope you all find it a-Maze-ing."

"..." Azu's eye twitched. "...you wouldn't happen to be related or are a counterpart of a certain grasshopper themed Kamen Rider from our dimension, would you?"

"I don't think so."

Azu sighed. "Let's just…let's just go, everyone."

As everyone proceeded to the exit, a glowing opened door, Azu was grabbed by the hand and pulled close by Roshina, who leaned into her ear. Whatever she whispered made Azu turn a bright pink. When she pulled away, Roshina winked and ushered her along to the others.

When Azu caught up with the others, Slavi caught wind of Azu's blushing look.

"Anything you wanna share, fearless leader?"

Azu squeaked, face pink, and oh Ouroboros, that was so cute-

Slavi picks her up into a hug. Azu yelped, turning pinker.

"Wh-wha?"

"Cmoooooonnn telllll meeeeeeee!" Slavi begged.

"...I…this whole weekend it's…it's just been one after another, first Mannequeen, then you again, then…some of those people at the village, then the Wendigos, then this one, I…it's all so confusing and I…I dunno what I'm feeling and I don't know how to handle it…" Azu confessed quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is it too much?"

"I-I…I don't know…I-I wish I knew what exactly I'm feeling, just…why do emotions have to be so complicated…"

"Can't answer that. Sorry…"

"..." Azu looked away. "Let's…let's just go focus on the mission."

Slavi frowned. "..."

Did she…did she say the wrong thing?

The Pythonian looked away. "O-Ok…"

That…got Azu feeling horrible.

"N-no no no, Slavi, please-"

"No no, I said the wrong thing, I-"

"It's not your fault-"

"But I-"

"I-"

The two stood there in silence, unsure of what to say.

"...I…" Azu tried to say, her heart breaking at Slavi's upset face. "I…I'm sorry, I…you-you didn't do anything wrong, I just…"

"No, I…I'm sorry…"

"I…I don't know…I wish I did, so I…so I could figure these stupid things out so I could stop feeling like shit for not knowing and I could stop making you sad."

Slavi hugged her close. "You're not making me sad." She told her. "Please stop thinking like that. I'm just sad I dunno how to cheer you up, what to say to make you feel better, how to get you to stop acting like this, you are wonderful, you are beautiful, and I wish you'd just see it…"

Azu sniffled. "I…I don't know if I can…"

"Will you let me help you?"

"H-how…?"

"I don't know yet. But I want to help you."

"...I don't deserve it-" Azu spoke before Slavi put a finger to her lips.

"Hush that right now."

Azu immediately shut up.

Slavi smiled gently. "Do you wish me to carry you to the next test like last time?"

"..." Azu blushed, nodding timidly.

Slavi picks her up with a big grin. Azu blushed, holding onto Slavi as she carried her forward.

"...th-thanks…" Azu muttered.

"My pleasure~"

Azu blushed harder. "Is that flirtatious tone in your voice and the use of the word pleasure in particular intentional?" She squeaked, hiding her face in her scarf.

"Yeah, why?"

"...do you ever stop being horny?"

"I can be flirty and not be horny." Slavi defended. "Do you ever stop being cute?"

Azu squeaked, blushing harder. "I-I'm not cute!"

"Yes you are."

Azu hid her face in Slavi's neck, much to the snake's delight, who held her closer.

Azu didn't exactly have complaints about this.

"A-anyways…" Azu spoke, trying to distract from her current situation. "W-where are the brothers?"

Everyone stopped.

The brothers weren't there.

"...good question…" Nazu spoke. "Did anyone see them leave?"

"They have super speed." Ziga brought up. "Maybe we just didn't see em?"

"..." Andah looked to Slavi, the two sharing a nod.

Azu brought up her communicator. "Hello?"

No answer.

"Oi, you guys there?"

Nothing.

"Guys? RyuKabuto? RyuKuuga?"

"..." Nazu looked on in silence.

"...you think they might've been taken in the trial?"

"Their trackers are still on, hold up." Nazu brought up a holographic version of the map from his morpher. Crimson and navy dots showed up ahead on the path.

"They used super speed to get ahead." Azu noted. "Maybe to scout again?"

"But without telling us…?" Nazu shook his head. "We'll ask when we catch up. Let's move."

Everyone nodded and hurried along.

---

At the icicle location, the brothers were planting devices all over, hiding them in the snow.

"They've all grown exceptionally, combat wise. I'm impressed." RyuKabuto commented.

"They're not super perceptive though. That check-in call was 2 minutes later than we estimated."

"Indeed. Though in fairness, some of them have been rather distracted lately."

"Distractions from the mission lead to unfortunate accidents."

"Yes. Rather…unfortunate." RyuKabuto nodded, finishing placing charges. "My side's done."

"Mine too."

RyuKabuto remains silent, leaning against a wall, taking a deep breath before remembering Yukina's words. RyuKuuga seemed to catch on.

"Brother…"

"I'm not backing down, don't worry." The crimson ranger told him, shaking his head. "I must just be a bit tired."

RyuKuuga chuckles. "You always were a workaholic."

"And you weren't?" His brother smirked.

RyuKuuga facefaulted. "Touche…"

"And now you should understand why I love coffee. While, that and the taste."

"So the next stop after the teamwork one for them is…" RyuKuuga brought up his own map. "Right. That one. Think that'll keep em busy long enough?"

"It should. Judging by the name, they're not gonna be able to simply wrestle their way through it."

RyuKuuga nodded. "In the meantime…"

RyuKabuto nodded, the two heading off.

---

Back with the others, they had arrived at a gate.

"Not just a door?" Azu wondered. "Huh…"

"Do we just…go in?" Nazu asked.

In a puff of glitter, a woman with bright blue-lilac skin with pixie wings, elf ears, and pink markings on her body showed up, wearing a purple dress and shoes, panting.

"Sorry! Didn't know anyone was coming until recently! Roshina told me and I was just so used to nothing happening around here."

"So…you're…what?" Azu asked.

"Oh I'm here to welcome you here, explain the challenge and, should you succeed, congratulate you! I'm Glista, Glista Duxy!"

Slavi wolf whistled along with Andah, Azu hiding her face in embarrassment.

"Forgive my teammates…they're uncontrollable…"

Glista giggled. "Oh I don't mind~" She darts around the group, eyeing the five up, her in particular with approval, making the gynoid blush and groan internally in both irritation and embarrassment.

"Did everyone on this mountain collectively agree to try to pretend to be attracted to me? Is this gonna happen the whole trip…?" Azu muttered quietly to herself.

"No one's pretending, deary." Glitsa assured her.

"Wait, do you think I'm pretending?" Slavi asked.

"No no no!" Azu stammered. "I-I said, everyone on this mountain, I…I know you're genuine…"

"I'm on the mountain~"

"Well yes-but-you-GAH!"

The fairy giggled. "I assure you, no one is pretending."

Azu blushed.

"And to answer your question, most likely." Slavi giggled.

Azu hid her face.

"So what's the trial?" Slavi asked.

"A maze!" Glista announced with a smile.

"Are we gonna have to undergo riddles or fights or anything at certain points or just a straightforward find-the-correct-path thing?" Andah asked.

"No fights, but there'll be surprises along the way~"

"So no back to back fights. Good. I think most of us can handle this." Azu said.

"Most of us?" Slavi asked.

"Most of us can focus on stuff other than our libidos." Azu told her with a pointed look.

"Hey, I can multitask!" Slavi defended herself.

"Can you really?" Azu asked with a teasing eyebrow raise and the tiniest hint of a smirk.

"I've been a big help in fights." Slavi stuck her tongue out at Azu.

"Really? I can only remember you giving either me or the monster of the week bedroom eyes."

"Really?~ Were you jealous?~" Slavi asked with a sultry smirk.

"O-of course not!" Azu blushed. "I just don't think you should be focused on the monster-ON THAT! ON THAT AT ALL!"

"How would you know that if you're not staring at them too?~"

"I'M NOT STARING AT THEM!"

"You guys are fun!" The fairy laughs.

Azu blushed harder, Slavi beaming.

"SO!" Nazu called out, clapping his hands. "Do we start now?"

"Just walk through the gate!"

"Is uh…this gonna separate us?" Azu asked. "I hear mazes often do that."

"You can choose to pair up." Glista told her.

"I call dibs on muscle mantis!" Andah grabbed Ziga's top right hand and squeezed affectionately.

Slavi immediately grabs Azu while Nazu shrugged.

As the red and yellow rangers blushed at their partners' actions, Glista giggled.

"So adorable." She cooed. She opened the gate, gesturing inside.

All three groups walked in simultaneously. Before that, Andah walked over to Glista. "Hey just a quick thing, if you happen to see two people in crimson and navy, do let me and/or the resident ravishing reptilian know, ok?"

Glista nodded.

Andah winked in appreciation before walking in with her partner.

---

As they entered, Azu and Slavi found themselves alone on a path together.

"Well, the walls seem a bit too tall to get any kind of overhead shot…" Azu noted, noting Slavi still holding onto her. "...you're still holding me."

"Yup! Problem?"

"..." Azu blushed, leaning into her hold, much to Slavi's delight. "D-don't think this means anything, just…I…" She paused, trying to find the right words.

"You what?" Slavi asked gently.

"...I…I just…thanks…you…you didn't have to hear me out earlier back at the village…you didn't have to check on me back at HQ…you…you didn't have to take my place with the trial of trauma…and…even after learning who I was and what I did, you…didn't judge me…I suppose I…I just feel more comfortable around you after all that, is all.."

"I'll always be there for you." Slavi said with a smile.

Azu stared at Slavi's smiling face for a few moments, her face pink, turning away and brushing a bang behind her ear.

"And to repeat Andah and the maze spirit's sentiment, no one's pretending to like you." The snake told her.

"..." Azu hid her face in Slavi's shoulder, letting the snake woman hug her. "I wish I didn't have trouble believing that…"

"Well I'll keep helping you until you do."

Azu smiled a little, hugging her back. "W-we should…probably keep going…" Azu stated, a goofy smile on her face as she hid it in Slavi's shoulder.

Slavi smiles, walking with her.

The two kept walking until they found a door, made out of the maze's parts.

"Looks like our first riddle's here."

Words appeared on the door out of mystical energy. "My front and spine are the first things you notice. When you open me up, you can see my entire life. What am I?"

"Oh, looks like we're starting off easy." Azu commented.

"Yeah! Book right?"

"No, it's someone noticing you at a bar and taking you to a motel, of course it's a book." Azu deadpanned.

"You could've just said yes."

"..." Azu turned to the door. "Book."

The mystical energy gathered together, turning green and going onto the door, forming patterns before opening it.

"...sorry." Azu whispered.

"It's ok."

"You sure?"

"You're still learning when to not use sarcasm."

"..." Azu frowned, unsure, before Slavi wrapped her pinky around hers and squeezed gently, smiling at her. Azu looked away bashfully before they passed through.

---

"So uh…" Ziga said after a bit of walking in silence with Andah. "Pretty uh…" She looked around awkwardly. "Pretty maze, huh?"

"It is, but I think you've got a prettier green thing.~" Andah winked.

Ziga rolled her eye, though smiled. "...Yeah, I do…"

Andah smiled, pulling her close as they walked.

Ziga blushed. "So uh…you ever been in a maze before?"

"Like the fun ones on Earth? Not yet."

"Ah."

"Why, you?"

""Well…uh…y'see…eheheh…" She scratched the back of her head, laughing nervously. "It's a…long story."

"We got time."

"Uh…heheh…well, back when I was a trainee in the army, we had a maze we used to do some sessions and team exercises. I…wasn't always THE model student. I wasn't bad, per se, I just…was younger and more prone to…distractions." She blushed, Andah realizing what she meant.

"You got down and dirty with your teammates."

"I WAS YOUNG AND SURROUNDED BY RIPPED FELLOW TRAINEES AND A HOT FAIRY FOR A MAZE MANAGER!" She snapped, her face a blushing mess before she put her face in her hands. "Draginsects, I was a disaster..."

"Hey, I'm not judging." Andah raised her hands.

Ziga looked at her in surprise. "You're not?"

"No. I'm surprised, but not judging." Andah shrugged.

"...I guess it would come as a surprise, huh?" Ziga sweat dropped.

"Especially with how awkward you're being." Andah teased, giggling.

"..."

"What's wrong?" Andah asked.

"...I…I dunno…how I'm feeling…" Ziga confessed. "I spend nine thousand plus years not even knowing I'm attracted to Amy and then you swoop in while I'm feeling down and suddenly I don't even know what I'm feeling."

"You're probably feeling like you should've figured it out on your own. Which is silly, we all need help sometimes, and how Amy will react."

"...uh…" She blushes, looking away. "...I…I did have flings back in the day, but…never anything serious…I…I think you're right….but I…it's just weird, I mean…gah, I dunno what I'm even saying!" She facepalmed.

"One step at a time. First, let's get through the maze."

"..." Ziga nodded. "You're right. Thanks..."

Andah smiled, giving a V sign, her teeth and smile gleaming...or was that an effect of the maze?

Either way she looked like a typical Showa era hero.

Ziga snickered.

"Glad I could put a smile on that face again." Andah said.

"...you're good at that." Ziga smiled.

Andah gave a grin before they arrived at the door, with text reading: "I capture and I collect. My path does not exist, yet every path is my path. Who am I?"

Options formed beneath the question. Blade, and Decade.

"Oh this one's easy. Decade!"

"How'd you come to that conclusion?" Ziga asked.

"Decade hops multiverses, literally traversing all paths."

"True, plus capturing and collecting could, instead of referring to Blade capturing his monsters, refer to Decade capturing things on film, since he is a photographer."

"Yeah!"

The two turned to the door. "Decade!"

The door shined, barcode patterns forming before it opened.

"Let's go!" Andah grinned.

"Right!" Ziga nodded, the two going through the door.

---

As Nazu walked along his path, he was working on his communicator, trying to contact the Beetle Bros.

"...still nothing, damn…" He sighed as he walked along his path. "Sure hope they're alright…" He comes upon a door with a riddle.

"I operate under the stars, but there's one star always below me. Who am I?"

"Is this a trivia question? Feels like a Kamen Rider…"

He went through all the knowledge he had on the motorcycle (for the most part) riding heroes

He thought for a minute, then his mind drifted to Mattie and his face went red.

"...that can't be it, can it?" He wondered to himself. "...Screw it, not like there's a downside to guessing wrong. Mattie."

The door glowed with patterns resembling Matti in her old phoenix vigilante uniform, as well as actual phoenixes, before it opened.

"Okay. That's ummm... good to know the maze knows that."

He stepped through the door, sighing.

---

Azu and Slavi arrived at a door.

"Ok…where's the question?" Azu asked, then suddenly several pink and red crystals appeared in the air, floating gently in front of them.

"A puzzle?"

Azu went to the crystals. "...but…how do we figure out which goes where? Trial and error?"

The crystals glowed, floating a bit too high for the two to reach.

"...ok, guess that's out."

Suddenly, words in pink dust appeared before them.

"To find the answers you seek, go inside your hearts, and take a peak."

Azu blinked. "...And what the fuck does that mean?"

"Personal stories?" Slavi suggested with a shrug.

"Like…what?" Azu asked.

"Umm…doesn't specify, so I guess, share one and see what happens?"

"...I-I uh…don't have a lot of stories…" Azu said. "Not…happy ones, anyway…you?"

"Um, my sister and I used to help mom make pomegranate ice cream?"

"Oh, really? Uh…what does it taste like?"

"Very sweet, but smooth."

Azu mumbled something before stopping herself, blushing at what she caught herself muttering.

"What is it?"

"NOTHING!" Azu squeaked, face pink.

"C'monnnnn tell me~" Slavi begged, fluttering her eyelashes and giving a begging look.

"...K-kinda like you…" Azu repeated, practically glowing pink at this point.

"Awww thx~"

Azu blushed, then a red crystal floated down to her. "Ok, that did something." She grabbed the crystal, placing it on a stand which materialized, the red crystal floating near the corner. "I don't think I can tell what it is that did it, though…"

"Maybe what you said?"

Azu blinked, thinking on it. "But…what was it about what I said that was so important?"

"Mmm…the compliment?"

"...do I have to compliment you to get my pieces down?" Azu tilted her head. "Ok, um…your body's a nice shade of pink?"

Nothing.

"..." Azu blushed slightly. "...I've…always thought you were pretty."

Another red crystal floated down. "Ok, that definitely did something."

"Ok, so, confessions, then! Ummm…I'm pretty up front with my feelings, what haven't I said…"

"...maybe it's…opening up to each other about something?" Azu suggested. "I could uh…keep going?"

"Please do!~"

Azu cleared her throat. "Uh…you're…the brightest among us, I think. What I meant by that was…you're always the most…bubbly of us. You keep our spirits high, you really brighten up the room." She blushed slightly. "You're a bit of an annoying horny snake, but…at the very least you keep us from getting too depressed…you're…like…like this weekend. You…you've helped me so far whenever I was confused, you've done your best to make me feel accepted, understood…"

A few more red crystals floated down to certain places on the stand.

Azu smiled slightly and looked to Slavi. "I can't be doing all the work, can I?"

"..." Slavi smiled. "I was a bit miserable during our first week…my aunts were away, none of my family came to pick me up…I was alone, and…it…it took a bit to really let the fact I wasn't alone anymore settle in. But when I saw you when we all gathered…just…just seeing you felt like a light in my life was brought back. When I saw your face, it was like the world started making sense again after…after Silvia."

A few more pink crystals floated down, some connecting with some red pieces. Slavi smiled at Azu.

Azu brushed her hair back bashfully, blushing. "I-I…I dunno about all that…"

"I do. Just being around you has brought me out of a dark time in my life."

Azu stared in wonder and surprise at her, looking away. "...F-for a long time, the only two people who I knew really cared about me were Aruto and Izu…neither expressed any romantic interest, that I could tell anyways, so when…when you started doing your thing, I…I didn't know how to react…" She gripped herself. "I…then you…you accepted me, you still wanted to be near me, be friends with me, be on the same team as me even after you knew who I was…I…I don't think I can say it enough, but…I'm thankful."

Some more red crystals floated down.

Slavi smiled. "You too. Almost everyone I knew, no matter what I tell them, they…they looked at me and saw a criminal, but…the team…HENSHIN…you… you could tell straight away I wasn't what the courts thought I was…what almost everyone thinks I am…I…I don't know if I said it, a lot's happened, but…thanks."

More pink crystals.

Azu twirled her hair, a slightly goofy grin on her face, turning a brighter pink when she saw Slavi staring lovingly at her. "...I…"

"..." Slavi nodded encouragingly at her, keeping up that sweet smile.

That sweet, loving, genuine smile that made Azu do flips in her stomach that made her radiate joy from every atom in her body.

"...being around you, I…it makes me feel things…things I don't know how to put into words…I…I don't know what these feelings, are but…" She looked into Slavi's eyes with a desperate, begging look. "Are…are these feelings…normal?"

"Yes. Because I feel them too."

"..." Azu shifted on her feet, not even paying much attention anymore as some more red and pink crystals floated down, looking as if she wanted to take the step forward, but…didn't know how to. "...I…Slavi…how…how do you…feel about me?"

Slavi smiled. "Have I not made it obvious?"

"...I…please, go into detail, I…I think…this might help me…put mine into words…"

"...With you, I…you brought a light into my life I lost when Silvia was gone…" Slavi began. "I was chosen to be RyuFirefly, but…I…I didn't feel I was bright enough, so to speak…then I met you and…suddenly I had the confidence to go through with this. I…initially joined just cause it was where I could belong but…when I saw you, I knew I could do this. You…make me feel like a hole in my life was filled, you…you're adorable…you're kind, despite the front you put up…you always make sure to put others ahead of yourself as much as you can…despite being put on the spot, you've been actually a good leader so far. Like that one time against Frogotoa a few weeks ago, and heck, despite it basically being Ziga's plan, you still thought of yours on your own, and it was a good plan against Mannequeen. You make me feel…secure, I guess."

Azu blushed. "I…you…really feel that way about me?"

"With every fiber of my being."

Azu looked at her, eyes wide, 'heart' racing as she saw the absolute confidence and certainty Slavi had as she confirmed all that to the gynoid. She took a moment to think before speaking.

"I... I... I have very few lights in my life. My… sister…" Slavi couldn't help but notice a…tinge of disappointment at the use of that word, but chose not to comment. "is always busy and... well, her boss even more so. I shy away from you but because your light is so... bright and warm, it's almost... worrying, like any second the rug'll be pulled out from under me. I don't know what to call how I feel, but I do care for you and enjoy your company. Silly and innuendo filled as it is. It's like…" She took a deep 'breath', remembering Izu's practices before continuing. "It's like…a…a wall…or I guess a…a shield. You…you tend to help me remember it's not hopeless…you say I'm a great leader but…I only do as well as I do thanks to you guys…you in particular, you…your smile, cheesy as it is…I…I feel warm when I see it and…for a second I don't feel like such a piece of shit…you…help keep bad thoughts away… You…I guess what I'm trying to say is…you…" Azu smiled slightly at her, glowing pink, her modules and eyes flashing that color. "...make me feel safe."

More red crystals floated down, the pieces joining together into a heart shaped both like a butterfly and a firefly, but neither of them noticed, just as they didn't notice the plants of the walls blooming into red and pink heart, butterfly, and firefly shaped flowers, which also let lose those very bugs, the two lost in each other's eyes and smiles.

---

Ziga and Andah found themselves in an area of the maze in front of two blank statues.

"...huh. Ok, so, what's the question?"

No answer.

"..." Ziga blinked.

"Maybe we describe someone?" Andah suggested.

"How could you possibly come to that?"

"Blank statues plus magic maze." Andah deadpanned.

"...true. Ok, so…who do we describe?"

"Gotta admit, was hoping there was a riddle to help us with that."

As if on cue, green-yellow text mystically appeared.

"In order for this room for you to get out, describe the person of a memory you don't wanna think about."

"...Fudge."

"..." Ziga's hands shook, which Andah noticed.

"Ok, I'll start, I guess."

"Andah, wait, you don't have to-"

"Don't sweat it Ziga, we both have to do it, doesn't matter who starts." Andah looked to the statue in front of her. "Poofy black Hair, white receivers made to look like ear-muffs, same clothes as me but white and blue... ummm..." As the statue began to take shape, Ziga noticed a slight twitch of Andah's hands, taking them in her own.

Andah looked to her mantis, who gave her a comforting smile.

The gynoid smiled back, turning to the statue. "She…she had the most beautiful face. Kinda bubbly, a gorgeous smile, she had this quirk where when she was miffed she'd pull back the right side of her bottom lip, these gorgeous light blue eyes that pierce your soul and make you feel like everything's gonna be alright…" Andah continued, a slight shake in her voice. "She... had a little rabbit shaped ring I gave her... Had to... had to get It resized cause her hands were so delicate and cute..." at this point Andah was fighting sobs. Ziga rubbed her back and shoulder with her left hands. "She also had pretty nails. She always wore gloves, but when she took them off, her nails, she…she had, amusingly enough, grasshopper patterns on them. I assumed she was just showing appreciation for Aruto…but she told me I was her ginger grasshopper, since I was always bouncing around the place with my energy."

Ziga held Andah as she finished. She looked upon the statue. "That's her…" She looked at Andah. "...she's gorgeous."

"Thank you…"

Ziga smiled, nodding. "You've been there for me this whole trip…it's only fair. Plus…you're my teammate."

"Thank you…guess you gotta do yours now…"

"..." Ziga looked to the blank statue. "...I dunno if I can do this…"

Andah squeezed her hand. "I'll be here…"

"..." Ziga looked into the green ranger's eyes…and nodded, going to her statue. "...Atlia…she…she looked like, I guess what would be Earth human's equivalent of a teenager…she had light skin, hair like her mother's…she looked a lot like Amy, actually…kind of a bee striped shirt and jacket…the latter is one I gave her…she…she wore baggy black pants with yellow stripes she clumsily painted on…" She giggled somberly at the memory. "Said it was cause she wanted to represent both her moms…" She stifled a sob.

The statue morphed to resemble the teen slowly.

"Black shoes with yellow socks. She also had a…ponytail…" She sniffled. "Innocent lil eyes…despite the horror of war, she…she kept up optimism…that sweet smile was one of the things we fought for for everyone…so that children could grow up safe and happy…"

The smiling, innocent face appeared.

"She had a pin in her hair of a bee…I…I never got what it was meant to symbolize, but…I think now…it was meant to represent us…me and Amy…"

Like Andah before her, Ziga started sobbing. Like Ziga before her, Andah rubbed her back and shoulder.

"T-thank you…"

Andah smiled, nodding, rubbing her shoulder.

The statues began to change, aging.

To the two's surprise…

Atlia's now resembled the young girl as a now adult, gaining a yellow leather coat with black stripes, black fingerless gloves, khaki pants, black boots with stinger toe caps and yellow stripes, a yellow streak in her hair, and a sash of the two colors with a bee clasp.

Orah was updated to the newest model, her modules replaced with the prism ones that allowed her to have normal looking ears. Her collar bow took on the shape of both a rabbit head and grasshopper antennae, her white blouse getting a wave design. She had a wave sort of edging to her skirt. Her thigh high boots were now white along with her gloves, both having wave patterns but also bunny and grasshopper patterns embroidered into them.

"They're…beautiful…" Ziga whispered.

"..." Andah nodded, staring at the Orah of what would've been the present. "..." She looked at Ziga, smiling, holding her hand.

"We should get moving."

Andah nodded, the two walking through the now open door.

---

Nazu found himself in a new area of the maze, with no question appearing. "...ok…?" He looked around, seeing…dummies?

"The heck?" He muttered, then he heard something, turning around to see a portal open up…but no one seemed to come through.

Instead, he felt arms snake around him from behind, and a voice whisper in his ear. "Hey Nazy~"

He turned around, yelping as he saw Matti. "M-Matti?"

"Miss me?"

"What're you doing here? I thought this was rangers only." Nazu asked, though he was incredibly happy to see his old friend/maybe girlfriend again.

"Got asked to come here by a spirit?"

"So uh…what, is our new riddle something to do with us or is this one of the surprises Glista mentioned?"

"The latter."

"So…what do we do?"

"In between every question, there's a sort of personal test. I was summoned to help you in yours."

"Ooook, but what could this mean?"

"No idea. Let's find out, shall we?" Matti grinned.

"...you seem oddly excited about this."

Matti kissed his cheek. "C'mon, a chance to work together again?"

"...true."

"Let's go!"

"Wait, but do you have a blaster?"

In Matti's hand materialized what looked to be a recolor of Nazu's own sidearm.

"...huh. Ok."

The two turned to the dummies.

"To open the door once the trial starts, you must remember what was joyful in your hearts." Words appeared in front of them saying that.

"...in our hearts…?" Nazu repeated.

"Hmmm sounds fun!"

"Wait but what does that mean-" Nazu started before the words transformed into a countdown.

Three, two, one.

The dummies started moving around, Matti immediately shooting one of them, then three, then six.

"Try to keep up." She sent a flirtatious wink towards her maybe boyfriend before leaping forward.

"...do you always have to go ahead of me?" Nazu rolled his eyes, chasing after her, the two shooting together.

"You know you like the view~"

Nazu blushed, snickering. "You know I do." He said, shooting a few behind her.

The two kept on fighting, memories rushing through them.

---

YEARS AGO

"You REALLY can't resist dangerous as hell jobs, can you?" Nazu, covered head to toe in a black and blue padded suit with a black and blue dragon themed mask, asked, twirling his gun as he spun around with his girlfriend, shooting at a few robotic drones.

"Oh c'mon this is nothing compared to last month!" Matti retorted, clad in her own black and red phoenix themed suit, blasting at drones on her side.

"You mean the time you almost got us caught cause you thought doing it in the bank owner's office would be 'exciting?'" Nazu responded flatly, dodging a strike, twirling Matti in a bridal carry, letting his lover kick away their robotic foes.

"Hey it wasn't just my idea! Shiro thought it was fun too!"

"Oh of course!" Nazu rolled his eyes, flipping over Matti's back, letting her high kick another drone.

"What's the deal between you and her anyway?"

"What ya mean?" Nazu asked, kneeling down, allowing Matti to flip off of his back and axe kick two drones.

"You know she likes you, right?"

"...like you and I like each other, to be clear, right?" Nazu asked, Matti having to punch through a drone's head while her boyfriend was distracted.

"Yes. Of course."

Nazu chuckled, sweat dropping. "I uh…"

"You didn't notice, did you?"

Nazu slumped, a lunging drone missing its strike. "I did not."

"Soooo, how'd ya meet her? Y'all never told me."

"Long story." Nazu said, catching a drone's punch and kicking it away. "It was during high school, after…the fire…"

"Go on?"

"..." Nazu took a deep breath, shooting a drone in the head without looking. "Apparently she'd taken notice how I was affected after the fire. She'd tried coming forth to ask about me, but…I never noticed, and therapy took a bunch of my time." He sweep kicked a drone, shooting it in the head. "Then at some point, both of us happened to be visiting the bank with our parents…and a robbery happened."

"Oooooh, what then?"

"I managed to sneak away, I was gonna try and get help, but…then I saw her hiding under a table and cowering in fear…" Nazu continued, his girlfriend keeping some more drones off his back. "I…I couldn't stand by and watch as someone else lay there helpless in danger, like…like I was in the fire…we didn't have a Henshin Hero in that moment to save us so…someone had to be a hero…I ended up being hers. I snuck us both out, and managed to call help in time, and gave the police a way to sneak in and catch the robbers by surprise through our way out." He smiled. "We talked a bit more afterwards and got closer."

"CUUUUTE!" Matti squealed as she got a drone in a headlock before crushing it.

"Heh…why'd you ask anyway?" Nazu asked, shooting a drone behind him.

"We've been friends for a while. Got curious."

"Heh…" Nazu smiled. "You hoping to get her to fall for ya too? I don't exactly recommend hostage situations." He joked.

"She's already fallen for you, can't be that hard~"

"So you're saying she's easy?~" Nazu teased.

"Or you are~"

Nazu shot another drone down behind her at the same time she aimed her gun behind herself. "That a fact?" He asked, smirking behind his mask.

"You tell me. You did end up screwing the job you were on when we first met."

"I ended up getting it in the end eventually!"

"Alstwhile going 'humanahumanahumana' if I remember correctly." Matti giggled.

"You trying to make me mad?" Nazu joked.

"I like angry dragons."

"You're gonna regret that-" The two then picked up something on their masks. "...hate when we get interrupted."

"Don't these people know we tend to get busy during missions?" Matti joked.

"So inconsiderate." Nazu joked back, the two escaping.

---

NOW

Nazu spun around with Matti, back to back, shooting at dummies, the two grinning to each other.

This…this felt good.

It felt…right, the two of them together.

Matti smiles at him as they finish.

"...what? Something ya like?" Nazu teased upon noticing.

"Always~"

"...you sure you're not ranger material?" Nazu smirked, gesturing to the downed targets. "You don't seem to have slowed down a bit."

"Nah, I think I'm gonna retire."

"Suit yourself. But if you do ever change your mind, we'll be happy to have you on the team. Offer also stands to get a different job at HENSHIN."

"I'll think about it."

Nazu nodded. "...either way, this was…this was great. Doing this together again."

"I agree."

The door glowed a mix between blue with dragonic scales and red fiery phoenix feathers before opening.

"Looks like that's my way through." Nazu commented. "So, see you when I get back?"

"Sounds good."

The portal opened back up for Matti. She waved, stepping through.

Nazu smiled, watching as the portal closed.

He looked to the door, remembering moments of him and Matti, him and Shiro, Shiro and Matti, and all three of them…

And he stepped through.

---

Azu and Slavi walked through the door, huge blushes on their faces. Slavi's face was red, Azu's was as pink as her eyes and modules right now, each having gigantic dopey smiles on their faces, their pinkies wrapped around each other.

It had taken the two a little bit to snap out of their trance during the personal trial. It took the gentle nudging of some butterflies and fireflies to get them to finally notice the trial was completed and the door open.

But before then, the two had pressed up against each other slowly.

Their hearts raced as they thought about what almost…happened.

When their faces were just…centimeters apart, as they stared into each other's eyes, their smiles a reflection of the sheer amount of love they were receiving from each other in this beautiful setting.

As they entered the room of the second question, they couldn't look at each other, but they also couldn't get the smiles off their faces, their blushes to calm down, or their fingers to pull away.

Each tried to think of what to say first, all the while thinking over what almost happened.

OhmyZeaohmyZeaohmyZeathatjusthappened! Azu screeched internally. We, we almost-but we-I-I said I wasn't ready for that yesterday but…but she was so pretty, so nice, and her lips looked like they tasted of cherry-wait how would I know what cherry tasted like-oh gosh why did I almost kiss her-why DIDN'T I kiss her- Azu rambled on in her mind.

Meanwhile, Slavi's thoughts…

Holy Ouroboros, that almost happened! Slavi squealed inside. I can't believe it we, we almost, but stupid Slavi, you forgot she said she wasn't ready, but then why was she leaning forward too, oh Coracondamore, she looked so pretty, I want to hold her and love her forever, her lips looked so tasty, her eyes were so entrancing, she looked gorgeous, she's so cute and awesome and-and-fuck, why didn't I kiss her- She ranted in her mind.

The two stood in the room of the second question, fidgeting while racing through their thoughts, occasionally taking a glance at each other before hurriedly looking away, still blushing.

Oh gosh she's so pretty- Both of them squealed in their minds.

Soon they found the next door, the second question forming.

"One searches for it whilst denying it to herself, the other also searches for it and has found it. It is something that comes from within, yet the former doesn't believe she has it, while the other has the biggest one of all. What are these two things?"

Glad to find something to distract themselves with, the two looked to each other again, turning away again, trying to calm down.

"So uh…" Azu cleared her throat, looking over the question again.

…then got a feeling.

"...why do I feel called out? Do you feel called out?" She asked.

"A little bit."

"...ok it's a maze with…judging by the decor, techno-magic properties…uh…" Azu gets nervous. "You think it might…be about…us?"

"Yeah." Slavi said. "If so, that's rude."

"Right!?" Azu agreed, puffing her cheeks out, which Slavi couldn't help d'awwing at, the bashful Azu, turning away, twirling her hair. "If so…what could it be referring to…Something one of us is denying to ourselves that the other has found…I'm having trouble thinking of anything."

"Ummm…hrmmm…" Slavi thought, tearing her eyes from the adorable bashful Azu. "...Assuming it's about us…maybe the first thing is…the L word?"

Azu's face and modules flashed a brighter pink. "...wait but which one of us is denying it and which of us has found it, and with who?"

"I don't knowwwww!"

Azu nods dumbly. "U-u-uh, y-yeah. And with that knowledge, uh…I guess the 'biggest one of all' thing is a heart so…" She turns to the door. "Love and Heart?"

The door glows pink and red, briefly forming a heart shape with its patterns before opening.

"..." Azu blinked. "Did you see that?"

"Yup. I did."

Azu blushed hard. "...what…do you think it was trying to say?" She asked, her pinky tenderly squeezing Slavi's.

"I…maybe you're too hard on yourself?"

Azu was silent. "...I get told that a lot."

"Well maybe it's true."

Azu facefaulted. "...And uh…what do you think…the heart was all about?" She asked.

"...maybe it was trying to tell you something…" Slavi said, squeezing her pinky back. "...Tell us something."

"..." Azu twirled her hair, Slavi turning to face her, gently tilting her chin to her, Azu's eyes sparkling as she gazed into Slavi's.

"...What are we?" Azu asked, confusion, and desperation, and a little bit of hope in her voice.

"...what do you want us to be?" Slavi asked her.

"...I…" Azu took a few 'breaths' and thought. "I…I don't know."

"...are you sure you don't know?" Slavi asked, tilting her head, her kind, beautiful eyes looking into Azu's.

"..." Azu looked at Slavi for what felt like an eternity, an eternity she would've gladly spent if it meant she could get more of this feeling.

This feeling she was denied by him for so long…

This feeling…it was being freely given to her…

"I…"

Azu shook there, Slavi cupping her cheeks, leaning the two's foreheads against each other.

"Ssssh…" Slavi shushed her soothingly. "You don't have to answer right away. You can take as long as you need. I won't demand anything of you."

"..." Azu rested in Slavi's hold, the two standing there for a few moments.

"...you know how I feel about you…" Slavi whispered gently. "...I…I think I know how you feel, but…you can decide for yourself. If you do feel this way…whether or not you wanna pursue it…and when…it's your choice. Nobody's gonna make you do what you don't want."

"..." Azu smiled a little at this, her modules glowing brighter pink, flashes of hearts that also resembled butterfly wings flashing over them. "..."

Slavi smiled, the two deciding to stay there for a bit longer.

---

"Ok, so, next one up…" Ziga commented as they entered the room of the second question. "You think the others are doing ok?"

"I'm sure they're fine, we're a team full of badasses!"

"Good point…one more question."

"Always willing to hear your questions."

"...how long have you been holding my arm like we were going to the movies together?" Ziga asked, noting the fact her and Andah's arms were looped.

"Mmmmm… Since we left those statues."

"And uh…why is it like this?" Ziga asked, trying to keep a straight face.

"Because I'm helping you embrace your emotions."

"...if I had your courage and bluntness, I probably would've talked to Amy a long time ago…" Ziga sweat dropped.

"I know you would've and that's why I'm helping."

"You…sure she feels the same way?"

"110%. Which is impossible so you know I mean it."

"..." Ziga nods. "...uh…when uh…when I do talk to her…do you mind…at least, waiting outside the room for uh…moral support?"

"Of course!~"

Ziga smiled, blushing. "...I don't deserve someone like you."

"Nonsense, if you didn't deserve me you wouldn't have me."

"...thanks." Ziga chuckled as the question formed.

"Two US coins, both add up to 30 cents, one of them isn't a nickel."

Ziga blinked. "Ummm…"

"A quarter and a nickel. The one that isn't a nickel is a quarter."

The door glowed before opening.

Ziga blinked again. "...wat."

"It's a trick. It knows you'll assume neither of the coins are a nickel, but that's not what it said, it said one of them isn't a nickel."

"...ah." Ziga cleared her throat. "Right. Clever, I should say."

"It's more annoying to me, there are better riddles."

"Oh, like what?"

"What walks on 4 legs at dawn, 2 at noon, and 3 in the evening?"

"..." Ziga rubbed her chin, thinking. "I dunno."

"A man. When they're born they crawl, in their prime they walk on two, when they get older they use a cane, a third leg."

"Ooooh. Nice one!" Ziga gave a thumbs up.

"And I didn't try to trick you."

"In fairness, this is a maze designed to test us."

"Yeah I know."

Ziga giggled. "So…shall we head on?"

"Let's!"

---

As Nazu made his way to the second question, he still had his mind on Matti.

Working with her…felt good. Being with her felt good.

He and Matti and Shiro…he recalled fondly the times all three were close.

Then a misunderstanding, and … Matti just vanished.

Sure he now knew where she ended up but…still.

Well, good thing, she was here now, and she was coming home with him to discuss things with Shiro, clear the air…

And maybe, hopefully…start something new.

He smiled as the second question formed.

"I patrol the cosmos, I am the head, the star point of which hope gathers around. A shining silver light adorns my being. Who am I?"

Several options formed under it: Dekaranger, Gokaiger, Kyuranger, Kamen Rider Super-1, Kamen Rider Fourze, Ultraman.

Nazu thinks. "Patrol…Well, Fourze and Super-1 weren't exactly patrollers, or even space explorers. They mostly operated on Earth. Gokaiger do explore the stars, but it's mostly for treasure, not necessarily patrolling…that leaves Dekaranger and Ultraman. Pointed head...Dekaranger has a ranger with a silver body but not a pointed head…much less a star point…"

He looked up. "Ultraman." The door glowed, showing the silhouette of the towering defender before opening. "Heh! Looks like I'm not totally useless in that area after all!" He laughed before walking forward.

---

Azu and Slavi walked through the door, and suddenly found themselves…elsewhere.

"Where…where…!?" Azu looked around, seeing an endless expanse of clouds, and only two platforms, each of which was far from each other, with her standing on one of them.

"Azu, are you ok?" Slavi called out to her from the platform on the other side of the realm.

"There's…h-how…" Azu then got the idea to fly on over, only to realize her morpher was gone. "...shit, how am I gonna get over all that…nothingness!?"

"I can see platforms. I… I think it's a trust test."

"B…but how…?" Azu groaned. "O-ok…w-where's the first one?"

"Short jump, like 5 feet in front of you."

Azu looked in front of her, 'breathing' a few times, looking five feet in front of her.

"..." She focused, closing her eyes, then opened them, jumping…

And landing on a platform. "...whew!"

"Okay, next one is a little longer, ten feet."

Azu looked ahead of herself, sweeping her foot around to gauge how much room she had. Satisfied, she backed up a little, then ran and jumped… Landing squarely on… Something.

"Okay, another short one but aim for your left."

Azu slowly spun to her left till Slavi nodded. She stopped, then did another jump. Landing on another platform.

"Okay, just a few more. Another big one, aim for the right."

Azu nodded, spinning until Slavi nodded, backing up, 'heart' racing as she looked at the distance to where the next platform would be.

She tried to calm herself, Slavi noticing the panicked look on her face.

"Azu, close your eyes." Slavi told her.

"How is that gonna help me?" Azu asked incredulously.

"Do you trust me?" Slavi asked.

Azu paused and thought about that…

She then closed her eyes.

"I want you to imagine where you want to go."

Azu thought about that…she wanted to go where…

Where Slavi was…

Slavi…

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

The image of her pink pythonian flashed in her mind…of those kind eyes…that warm smile…that gorgeous face she…she knew she could trust…

Every instance, every moment the two had since they met flashed through her mind…

She…she didn't know exactly what she was feeling but…

She knew…she wanted to get to her…to…be with her.

"Good." Slavi spoke. "Now…jumping is the only way to get to where you want to go. Think about how badly you want to get to there."

Azu did so.

She…she really wanted to get there…

That…that warmth, that security, that understanding Slavi provided…she…she couldn't get enough of it…

She'd be safe…she'd be alright as long as…as long as she had Slavi…

"How badly do you want to get there?"

"...a lot…"

"Good. Now…again…do you trust me?"

"..." Azu nodded.

"Good. Now…on the count of three. One…two…three!"

Azu focused herself…and jumped…

Falling… Falling… Stopped?

She opened her eyes, and saw Slavi right in front of her. "..."

Slavi flashed a proud smile, causing Azu to turn pink again.

"I-I thought there was at least another platform there…"

"Guess the test found your deep trust just now good enough." Slavi smiled.

"..." Azu looked away bashfully, yelping as Slavi pulled her into a hug.

The two looked at each other, staring into each other's eyes, blushing a tad each, standing in silence, a pleasant warmth of joy in their chests.

"..." Slavi smiled. "We should get going, right?"

Azu nodded dumbly, the two turning around…

And suddenly were in another space, with Azu on the higher platform on one end of the 'room.'

"Ooook, guess it's your turn." Azu commented.

"Alright. Tell me where."

"Uh…3 degrees to your right, 5 feet in front of you."

She jumps with a cheer.

"...no hesitation." Azu blinked in surprise.

"I trust you!" She smiles up at Azu.

Azu stared at her in surprise for a moment. With a nod and gesture from Slavi, Azu was snapped out of her trance. "Ok, um, next one about 5 degrees to your left, 5 feet in front of you."

Once again Slavi did not even hesitate to jump the gap.

"...wow…" Azu whispered. With another smile from Slavi that made Azu weak in the knees, she cleared her throat, continuing to direct her.

As she led Slavi from platform to platform, she couldn't help but be amazed. No hesitation. Just action…trust.

Slavi…trusted her this much…

She…cared for her this much…

She felt her 'heart' race again, eyes and modules turning pink as this all ran through her head as she directed her Slavi-

'HER Slavi?'

She blushed profusely.

She touched her chest. What…was this feeling?

Before she knew it, she felt Slavi grab her free hand gently, putting it to her own chest.

She looked and saw Slavi smiling at her, Azu feeling Slavi's own heart racing.

"Is this what you feel like right now?" She asked.

"..."

The look on Azu's face was all the answer she needed.

Slavi hugs her. Azu hugged her back.

"...d-does uh…do these feelings get any less…troublesome?" Azu asked, and despite herself, she couldn't help the smile on her blushing face.

"If you work with them."

"H-how do I…do that?"

"Hard work, talking with people."

"..." Azu looked up at Slavi. "...y-you uh…after this maze trial…wanna…" She blushed harder. "Talk?"

"Sounds good to me~"

The two smiled warmly at each other, Slavi offering her hand to Azu, the gynoid hesitating, lookin into her Slavi's eyes once more and, finally, took her hand, the snake grinning and walking hand in hand with her out of that trial space.

---

Andah smiled as she and Ziga walked into a new room. What was different about this was the door had a lock on it, with bars leading into it from the ground.

"Ok so…" Ziga looked around. "...how do we…"

Words formed in the air. "In order to pass through, find out how well the other knows you."

"Well… I guess that's pretty straightforward."

"Ok so um…what, do we answer questions from each other or…" Ziga looked along the bars. "Ok there seems to be…about 10 in total, five for each of us." She looked to Andah. "So, settle on five questions we each ask each other?"

"Sounds good!"

"Ok, so…who goes first for the question?"

"You can go!"

"Ok…how bout something simple…what's my favorite food?"

"PANCAKESSSSSSSSSS!"

Ziga stumbled at the sheer force of Andah's yell, trying desperately to regain her balance and not fall onto her ass, a bar on Andah's side filling up.

"...was that necessary?" Ziga blinked.

"Yes." Andah answered.

Ziga waited for her to elaborate. She didn't.

"..." Ziga sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, your favorite is Enetron, of course."

The bar on her side filled up.

"Okay, your turn, favorite color." Andah told her.

"I'd say…" Ziga began. "Green?" A bar filled up on her side.

"Yours is yellow…followed closely by gold and yellow-green." Andah added cheekily, winking, a bar on her side filling up.

Ziga blushed.

"Okay! Now ask me."

"Alright…what is my favorite part of the job and why?"

"Saving people, because… Because you feel like if you save enough eventually… Eventually you'll feel like you've balanced out the harm youu did with the Empire… and your failure to save Atlia."

A bar filled up on her side.

"..." Ziga was silent.

Andah smiled, rubbing her shoulder, Ziga smiling slightly. "Your turn."

"Your favorite part…I guess it'd be the same. Because you wanna make Orah proud, and be an awesome henshin hero like some of your friends."

A bar filled up, Andah smiling sweetly.

"...Ok…who's the most important person to me right now?" Ziga asked.

"Right now?" Andah said coyly. "Could it perhaps be…" She fluttered her eyelashes.

Ziga blushed.

Andah giggled. "Amy, followed very closely, if not tied with the rest of us."

A bar filled up.

Ziga looked in surprise.

Andah smiled. "Amy should be a no brainer, but as someone who was part of a squad, plus surrounded by people who give a shit about you…well…"

"..." Ziga chuckled. "...for you…" Ziga thought about that. "...the team."

Andah raised a brow. "Oh?"

"You have a really big heart. But given what I know about your love life and how you are, I'm pretty sure you'd have given Azu the same offer for…stress relief, that you gave me at the village, and you didn't give it to me because you have any kind of vested interest in getting with me."

"...I do care about you but… Yeah It's on the same level as the others. For now."

Ziga looked surprised. "For now?"

Andah giggled. "I never say never with these things."

Ziga blushed.

"Last question!" She squeaked.

Andah giggled. "Alright…what is my greatest fear?"

"..." Ziga took a moment to think.. "...you're afraid of losing someone again. Especially if you blame yourself, and felt you could've done something, anything."

The bar filled up.

"How could you tell?"

"I'm a soldier." Ziga answered. "I've seen far more people with the look in your eyes I see when talking about this Orah than I ever wanted to. That, plus given how everyone on the team feels guilty about something, I put things together."

"Alright… Yours is failure. Failure to save Atlia. Failure to save your friends. Failure to stop the Empire."

"...Heh…you do know me well." Another bar filled up.

"I do my best. Well, that was the last question."

The lock glowed, and unlocked, the doors opening.

"Shall we?" Ziga asked, smiling.

"Let's go!"

---

Nazu found himself in…some kind of smokey room. "Where…the hell…?"

"Yo, N!" A younger voice greeted. Nazu turned to see a young adult woman, with darker skin, colorful hair, almost like an anime, wearing sports gear, with an athletic build.

"Oura…?" Nazu whispered, surprised.

"Where the hell ya been?"

"...I…" Nazu looked down. "...I've been away…I…I screwed up."

"It can't be that bad. Tell me about it."

"..." Nazu sat down on the ground. "...I…I screwed up, I…it was supposed to be just a quick in and out, but then one of our guys got caught, boss…boss held everyone hostage and...then…then he thought the job was compromised, so he decided he had to…he had to…and I-I tried to stop him, but…"

"... He 'silenced' someone?"

"...No…I…he was gonna kill everyone…I tried stopping him…I…" He clenched his fists. "...I missed."

"Who'd you hit?"

"Not who…what…I…I-I hit a pipe or something, I guess and...and next thing I know, there were…there were explosions everywhere…"

"Fudge…"

"...I-I…I'm sorry…I…I promised I'd be there for you, but…"

"No I get you gotta…" She hugs him.

Nazu hugged her close. "I…I don't even know where you've been…y-your mom, is she ok…?"

"She's fine, she's fine."

"...good…at least…at least you have her…"

Oura frowned, rubbing his back. "Hey…"

"...your dad, I…I promised him…and I promised you I'd help you find a home…"

"It's ok, N. I was a troublemaker myself…I probs don't deserve one…"

"What? No, that's not true at all!" Nazu responded in surprise.

"Isn't it, though? Apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all…"

"Not always!" Nazu grabbed her shoulders. "If anyone doesn't deserve it-"

"You had more of a family to go back to."

"So do you!"

"...why, N…?" Oura asked. "Why go so far for some random kid?"

"You're not just some random kid. Everyone is special to somebody." Nazu told her. "That's why I can't let this go. Why I can't, won't, give up. You're special to your mom. You were special to your dad. I'm not gonna let someone go helpless again!"

…

"..." Oura smiled.

"..." Nazu blinked. "...what?"

"That's what we wanted to hear."

"..." Nazu blinked, looking around. "...oh…" He sweat dropped. "This uh…wasn't real…"

"Nope! Well, technically." Oura grinned cheekily.

"Ok, how the hell do you get even the cheeky nature down pat?"

"I/we/the maze reads your emotions, and your memories help form the personal trials." Oura informed him.

"Ah."

"We never intend to read your mind, don't worry."

"That's uh…that's good. So…I passed?"

"Yup!... For now~"

The smoke cleared a bit.

"Wait, I need to know…is…is the actual Oura ok?"

"I have no idea. I'm sorry."

"..." Nazu sighed, smiling. "Thanks anyway. But…what was this test about?"

"I/We/The maze wanted to see what kind of person you were." Oura answered. "We sensed a lot of self doubt and hatred in you. A bit of…pessimism. That's usually not ideal for a superhero, much less a Sentai, a type of hero which generally always requires a bit of teamwork. But this…this was the confirmation I/we needed. There is another, like you, on your team, who possesses…similar beliefs about herself."

Nazu nodded. Azu.

"Are you willing to give up on her?"

"Hell. No."

Oura smirked. "Good."

The smoke dissipated.

"... I'm gonna have to see if Oura changed her number…"

---

"Should be…right here." RyuKabuto commented, holding up the map as they arrived at a cave.

"Where? All I see is more cave." RyuKuuga asked, gesturing around the two of them.

"Hmm…" RyuKabuto sped around the area a bit before coming to his brother. "A door. Seems someone's come in already."

"That's… Not good right?"

"This adds further complications, but hopefully, all we'll have to do is wait them out, and either we'll get a chance to go in ourselves, or they'll come out and we'll swipe it."

"Fair enough."

"Everything's set up, otherwise." RyuKabuto, from out of nowhere, whipped out two mugs of coffee. "In the meantime, coffee?"

"Yes, So much work."

The two took off their helmets and lifted their covert suit masks to their noses, taking sips of their coffees.

"Coffee, a reflection of the soul, dark and bitter, with varying degrees of light within…such is the way of people." He said deeply, sipping his mug, his brother sweat dropping.

"Must you make everything a philosophy class?"

"Oi, I'll have you know philosophical quotes are good for the soul!" RyuKabuto protested. "My teachers said that anyway…but that was after he'd broken up with his wife and decided to cope with books written by people who thought they were being deep cause they watched a few anime…I'm not helping my case."

"You are not. Goob."

RyuKabuto glared at him. "I'm glaring at you right now, but you can't see it."

"You are correct, I cannot."

The brothers chuckled.

RyuKabuto sat silently for a moment. "I'm beginning to doubt…"

"...this late in the game…we're too far in to turn back now…"

"I'm not saying we should turn back. No I… I feel like I can't anymore. But part of me wonders what it'd be like if this wasn't the path we chose."

"...depends on what ya mean…if you mean if we didn't choose the path of vengeance right now…I'd probably still just be at home wasting away into nothingness…unless by some miracle I found something to get me back into my old job. Back before…well, everything…" RyuKuuga leaned back against the rocky wall.

"Yeah… Back before shit hit the fan."

RyuKuuga was silent for a moment. "...mom and dad have been calling for a bit…dunno if you've gotten the messages…"

"...I got them I just… What do I say? They can't find out about this." His crimson brother responded.

RyuKuuga thought for a moment. "...Perhaps anything could do. Even just a simple, small topic." He shrugged. "I've…said a few words to them. Nothing about our mission, just…told em we're getting through stuff, and we'll be fine. Maybe use that as a starting point?"

"..."

"Up to you." RyuKuuga sipped his coffee. "If I didn't have to be in this suit…maybe…" He chuckles. "Well what good are 'what ifs'? We're in the here and now…whether we like it or not…" He's silent, the both of them sitting quietly for a few seconds before Kuuga decides to lighten up the mood. "So…bets on how long it'll take for Ziga to fess up to Amy?" He says with a light smirk.

"That Andah girl is pushing her pretty hard. Pretty soon I'd say." RyuKabuto chuckled.

"Yeah well… We might delay it ourselves eh?"

"Yeah…" RyuKabuto sipped. "How long have those two been at this? Feels like a couple decades."

"Maybe longer. They were here before us even."

"True."

"Both are several thousand years old and quite dense when it comes to these matters, so who knows?" RyuKuuga chuckles, laughing with his brother. "For gods' sake, I think Shizuka's gotten more progress with Misthia and BeQueya than those two knuckleheads."

"Aren't those three getting married soon?... We'll miss the wedding."

RyuKuuga was silent before nodding. "Yeah…a real shame…"

RyuKabuto was silent. "Well, worst case scenario is we're wrong, ye? Not likely."

"Yeah…" RyuKuuga chuckled bitterly.

"Alright. Let's get this over with."

RyuKuuga nodded solemnly, finishing his mug before putting his mask and helmet back on along with RyuKabuto. The two brothers then went to walk out before-

BOOM!

A massive half-machine wolf creature throws open the door they were sitting next to and runs past them both.

"..." RyuKuuga and RyuKabuto look to each other, shrugging and shaking their heads. "Just another typical Saturday, right?" The navy brother joked.

"Well sometimes it's Sundays."

---

Nazu arrived at the most grand lookin door of the ones he'd been to thus far. Text appeared with the final riddle: "FINAL RIDDLE: I am 10, but I am made up of 7, and a part of me is 8. What am I?"

Multiple options appeared: "October," "February," "11078," "March."

Nazu put his hand to his chin. "Alright…"

"Ok, Nazu, you're skilled…in marksmanship, but that requires some smarts so, I should…I should be able to figure this out." He looked at the riddle. "...10…made up of 7…and part of it is 8…." He looked at the answers. "Hmm…"

"It's gotta be October right? Tenth month, Made of 7s is weeks. Oct is the suffix used when there's 8 of something."

October glowed, and finally…the door glowed a bright blue, a light silhouette of a dragonfly, dragon, dragonfly-dragon, and Nazu in his civilian and ranger forms appeared before it opened.

"Heh, knew I could do it!"

---

Ziga and Andah walked into a new room.

"Ok, judging by the more grandiose design, plus rule of threes, guessing this is the final door." Ziga noted the more grand lookin door.

"Yeah, sounds like it."

The text appeared: "Final Riddle: A heavy heart, a burden carried, lay it down. What must you say?"

Ziga blinked. "I'm lost."

"Hmmmm…" Andah rubbed her chin in thought. "Something we…feel guilty about?"

"Is it…aimed at one or both of us?" Ziga asked, unknowingly twitching her hand.

"...Perhaps both, since it didn't specify one person." Andah answered.

"...so what do you think it wants us to answer? A name, or…or what?" Ziga said, trying to take her mind off of…that day, which this question reminded her more and more of.

"Perhaps. Whatever we're guilty or feel guilty of." Andah shrugged.

"Not uh…not sure what any of that could entail-" Ziga began nervously.

"Ziga." Andah said firmly.

"..." Ziga looked at her for a moment, taking a deep breath before lookin at the door. "Atlia…"

Andah looked at her solemnly, putting a hand on her shoulder and looking at the door. "Orah."

The door began glowing.

"On the right track, at least." Andah muttered.

"What…what else could it want?" Ziga asked.

"First step in grieving…or one of the first steps, at least." Andah whispered.

"What?"

"Allow me." Andah told her, stepping forward. "...deep down…I'll never ... .never stop blaming myself, but…objectively…what happened wasn't of my doing…I simply failed to save her…because I wasn't able to. And that's that."

One half of the door glowed green.

Andah looked at Ziga.

"...but…" Ziga quivered.

Andah lifted her chin, smiling softly.

Ziga took a shaky breath. "I…I dunno if I can do this…" She told Andah. Her gynoid friend cupped her cheek.

"I know it's hard, and sucks, but you got this." The green ranger smiled.

Ziga shook, letting herself remain in Andah's hold for a moment, gathering her strength before going to the door. "...Atlia…I…while I can't…I can't say I don't go to sleep every night wishing it were me…telling myself I was responsible…I…have no way of knowing for certain they arrived because of me…and…and…in the end, it wasn't me who pushed the button on those bombs…it wasn't me who ordered that attack…she…Atlia's blood…is on their hands…not mine." She spoke to it with great difficulty.

The other half glowed yellow, the two lights merging into a yellow-green before the door opened.

"We did it!"

Ziga sighed in relief. "...you ok…?" She asked, looking to Andah. "...twice now in this trial you've been reminded of…y'know…"

"I…. I won't lie, and say I'm fine. But I'll make it."

"...thank you." Ziga told her. "I…dunno if I would've been able to do this without you."

"Thank you too."

Ziga smiled, holding her hand out for Andah. Andah took her hand with her signature smile, the two walking through the door.

---

Azu and Slavi entered the final room.

"Ok," Azu said. "ok…first one was a more general question…second was..a bit personal…what's this last one gonna be…?" She wondered as the two made it to the last door."

"Hopefully not another personal one." Slavi joked.

"Yeah…last one and ...even the trials have been uh…" Azu blushed. "Oddly personal." She noted, flashing back to the various riddles and tests so far…including the first trial…recalling her near kiss with Slavi. And judging by the expression on Slavi's face, she wasn't the only one.

The two glanced at each other, looking away and blushing, wrapping their pinkies together.

"..." Azu cleared her throat -or rather, made the noise since…yeah-, deciding to get off topic. "Oh, uh…yeah…personal trials, oddly personal…heh…" Azu joked, inwardly facepalming.

"Let's check what the door says."

Text appeared on the grand door.

"The building blocks of life dominate me, as I celebrate these series...of adventures, as we wind back time for the main star. What am I?"

Options appeared.

"Decade, Fourze, Build, Zi-O, Zero One, Revice."

"...ok I know a bit about rider, but I'm more of a Sentai fan. You?" Slavi asked.

"I think I might have this." Azu answered, closing her eyes. "Ok…building blocks are too obvious a red herring, so it can't be Build… Building blocks are what DNA's referred to, so maybe Zero One…and despite it saying main star, with the aforementioned data, it couldn't be Fourze…but it says celebrate, so that leaves the anniversary series…of adventures. Decade, Zi-O, and Revice. Wind back seems like it could be referring to either Decade for him visiting AR versions of previous riders, or it could be referring to time, like Zi-O…but on the other hand…Revice also uses DNA…plus winding back for the main star could be referring to how the main rider in that adventure is themed around a T-Rex."

She opens her eyes. "Revice."

The door glowed magnificently before opening.

"WOO! I did it!"

Slavi hugged her off the ground. "Well done!"

Azu chuckled. "Thanks."

…

"You can let me down now."

Slavi: "Do you want me to?"

Azu hesitates, Slavi slowly grinning at this.

Azu wrapped her arms around Slavi, the Pythonian smiling and rubbing their cheeks together.

Azu blushed, returning the gesture.

"Let's go reunite with our team!"

Azu smiled.

A genuine, happy smile.

Slavi grinned at this sight.

"What?" Azu asked.

"...this smile suits you." Slavi told her.

Azu blushed, yelping as Slavi brought her into a bridal carry, but smiling nonetheless, resting her head against Slavi as the pink Pythonian carried her through the doors.

---

A few moments later, everyone arrived on the opposite end of the maze, walking through the gate.

Glista appeared in a puff of sparkles. "Congrats, everyone!" She cheered, blowing party horns with both her mouth and using magic.

Azu chuckled. "Thanks."

"You may all pass onto your next stop, see you!"

"Firstly, a question…" Ziga asked. "...there were a few riddles aimed…personally, at us." That got some looks from the others, surprised at the fact she had gone through it too. "Uh…how did the maze know all that?"

"Oh, it doesn't read minds, don't worry. It just reads what's in your heart, totally different."

"...HOW IS THAT DIFFERENT!?" Ziga asked incredulously.

"Oh, I'm glad you asked!" Glista snapped, and in a puff of sparkles, a stack of papers appeared, the pixie-fairy clearing her throat before beginning to read. "The difference between mind reading and heart reading all comes down to a matter of exacts, with mind reading it gets the full details down, with heart, it's more a general-"

"Look, as much fun as that explanation probably is, we should get going." Nazu pointed out.

Glista willed the papers away. "Right. Ahem. See you all later!"

Everyone nodded and began walking off.

"Excuse me," Glista spoke to Azu and Slavi. "I was wondering if I could speak to Azu real quick?" She asked.

Slavi and Azu looked to each other.

"I…guess I don't see the harm." Azu shrugged. Slavi nodded, setting her down. "I'll meet up with you guys in a minute." Azu told her.

Slavi nodded. "I know." She smiled, walking ahead with the others.

---

A short while later, Azu hurried up to Slavi and the others, face pink. Slavi noticed this, grinning, but not commenting.

"...sh-she...she said some words to me...that's all!" Azu told her, seeing her expression.

Slavi wasn't buying it.

For one, Azu was a terrible liar.

Second, she could see what else the fairy did in addition to whatever talk the two had, in the form of a pink lipstick mark vaguely shaped like fairy wings on her cheek, barely visible behind the scarf.

"Did what she say help you in any way?" Slavi asked.

"...a little..." Azu admitted.

Slavi smiled. That was good.

"Looks like we all made it!" Andah puts on her trademark smile.

Azu nodded. "Y-yeah. Made it."

"Does anyone else feel like it's been forever since we left the village?" Nazu pointed out. "I know it's only been like a day, but, kinda feels like it's been a few months."

"Nah, you're just not used to hiking." Andah told him.

Nazu facefaulted.

"Well, glad we're gonna be able to move onto hopefully uh…less…strenuous trials…" Azu muttered, blushing a bright pink, trying to hide it with her scarf.

"Yeah, hopefully the last trial is gonna be a quick one!" Slavi smiles.

"..." Azu looked up at Slavi, feeling her 'heart' race before she walked up closer to her, almost leaning into her with a smile behind her scarf. Slavi smiled at this, trying to take her hand.

Azu blushed, shivering at the mere touch of Slavi's hand…

And taking it in her own.

Andah and Ziga share a look of "FINALLY."

As they walked on, Azu leaned into Slavi, the two of them smiling together.

Azu…wasn't sure what this quite was yet…

Or maybe she did know…and if so…maybe…it was time she embraced it a little…

This time with Slavi so far…this mission…

It…it felt good…

Maybe…maybe it was time she started…trying to be happy…

END