"So, you claim you wanna change sides?" The speaker on the inside of a cell spoke, its occupant sitting on a chair, surrounded by paraphernalia of various hunting shows and wrestlers, his own bed having a pillow with an image of Champ, the black Kyuranger.
"That's what I said, is it not?" The occupant said, him being a mechanical black and steel silver humanoid bull with red accents. His horns were shaped like grabbers, his eyes a glowing red, his chest having the symbol of the Hoshuke empire. The bull also looked, figure wise, a bit buff and, were he organic, would most definitely have some muscle on him.
"Why is that, Trapadore?" Trapadore sighed, looking towards the speaker that the other person's voice was coming from, clicking his tongue thoughtfully before returning to looking at the ceiling of his cell.
"That's personal. Why would I tell a faceless voice?"
"You are a soldier created to serve the empire we are currently fighting against. If you wish to convince us you're willing to change, it would help your case to at least give us some idea as to why that is. After all, for all we know, you could be trying to deceive us." The voice answered. "You do not have to go into detail if it truly is deep and personal, but it would help to, again, give some broad idea."
"... I was made with express orders to try and not harm the Rangers. That's likely why my powers are trap-based, I was simply meant to capture them so that my leaders could take over unimpeded. But I had no real choice in the matter."
"...So you never really wished to participate in the invasion?"
"I was born, then not five minutes later shot into your world. I, literally, did not know better yet."
"Your maker did not program you with a desire to help in the invasion…?" The voice said in surprise. Trapadore gave a nod before continuing.
"I was programmed with a desire to combat the rangers, but not to kill them. That is the long and short of it."
"...thank you. This will help your case very much."
"Much appreciated."
"Oh and your Enetron will be arriving in about five minutes. Will you require anything else?"
"Thank you. And no, that will be all."
…
Amy turned off the speaker, sitting back in her chair. "...that…definitely does not sound like previous monster makers to just…give the monster free will…"
"Yet more evidence the empire's changed a bit since before HENSHIN formed…" Shizuka noted, drinking coffee in her hastily thrown-on night clothes.
Amy turned to her, smirking at her attire. "Fiances really tired you out, huh?"
"When you get with Ziga, you're gonna understand, and I'll be the one laughing." Shizuka said, sipping her cup, smirking at the blush on Amy's face.
"... Did the lie detectors tick at all when he spoke…" Amy asked after a moment, taking a moment to compose herself.
"Nope." Shizuka answered. "And we just upgraded and tested em recently."
"This is… Hard to wrap my head around."
"Same here." Shizuka said, leaning against a desk. "Doesn't really sound like what any of us remember of em…"
"Is someone else making them?"
"Could be…" Shizuka said, resting one leg over the other, sipping her coffee. "...how do you feel about this? Like…in general."
"What ya mean?"
"...the empire took from a lot of us…they took one of Ziga's eyes, your village, and…"
The name they both knew went unsaid, Amy gripping her pants at the memory of her daughter…
"...and now apparently they're trying to play nice." Shizuka finished. "...just checking up on you."
"...Trying to do better, is not seeking forgiveness. We stop them."
"..." Shizuka nodded. "...alright." She got off the desk. "By the way, we're making progress on both the morpher plug-ins using the Heart, as well as the new zord."
"That's good… I have a bad feeling…"
"Wanna talk about it?"
"It's just a…. Gut feeling. That we're missing some important info…"
"We'll take a look." Shizuka patted her shoulder. "Coffee?"
"Sounds great."
"Good." Shizuka leaned in and whispered. "Just try not to get pulled into a closet by Andah again." She winked, walking away.
"One. Time." Amy huffed, following Shizuka with a brighter blush. "And I was the one who pulled her into it!"
"..." Shizuka smirked at her.
"NOT WHAT I MEANT AND YOU KNOW IT!" Amy screeched, flustered.
Elsewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo, a man who looked human, with short, slicked to the side black hair, wearing a black top under a grey, green lined vest, with similar colored pants and shoes, with shades, was driving on the road towards his home.
He smirked as he bopped along to some early 2000's rock, getting a beep on his watch. Without looking, he answered the call. "Radar Services, how can I help you?"
"Ha ha. You're hilarious." The sound of Amy's voice came through. "How'd your vacation go?"
"Excellent. Drove a few cars, earned the eyes of a few women, all in the name of style." He answered.
"By that do you mean you flubbed the first time someone talked to you, you slicked your hair back during a panic, and ran away?"
He facefaulted, well, as much as he could while driving. "...why do you have to know me so well…?"
"Because I'm the boss."
"Ha ha." He rolled his eyes. "I'll be back soon enough. Any missions you got for me?"
"Nothing pressing. But we can go over what needs done/what you can do more thoroughly when you get here."
"On my way."
He hung up and sighed.
Why did that Fangire chick have to be so hot, and why couldn't he be as cool as he made himself out to be…?
Oh well, at least there was next vacation…
"..." he narrowed his eyes, seeing a figure move across the road. He pushed on the brakes just before he could hit them, but…
When he stopped, they weren't there.
"...huh…?" He looked around.
…
He shrugged, deciding to drive on forward…
Only to discover his car wouldn't move.
"..." He opened a secret compartment in his car, taking out a highly advanced blaster.
He went to open the door…only to discover it was locked.
No…sealed.
"What the…?" He tried rolling down the window, only to discover it…frozen. "What…?"
He saw a shadow move around him. "..." He kept his cool, looking around for the source. His Sonar wasn't as clear with the ice in the way but he could detect someone circling him.
'Just need to figure out their movements and time this right. Set gun to high enough setting to blast through the window…'
He closed his eyes, letting his other senses do the work.
Even if he couldn't hear as well…there were vibrations, heat signatures…
"There you are…" He growled, blasting in the direction he believed his assailant to be through the window and the ice.
This also allowed him a path of escape, as he got out of his seat, jumping through the window and outside. He immediately aimed in the direction of where he saw the assailant go flying…
Only to see nothing, gritting his teeth as he tried to re-engage his sonar.
…Only to gasp as he felt a blade pierce him in the shoulder, someone kicking him to the ground and slamming their knee into his back, knocking him out with a strike to the head.
Back in the training room, two people were sparring, Nazu and Ziga.
The blue ranger blocked a strike from Ziga with his arm, twisting it behind her before she smirked, flipping over to send him onto the ground, Nazu rolling over to try to pin her down, Ziga elbowing him in the side with a lower arm and causing him to loosen his grip, letting her roll away and kick him away.
"You seem happier." Ziga noted, smiling.
"Had a pretty good week." Nazu answered, sending a flying kick at her, Ziga grabbing his leg and sending him into a wall, Nazu bouncing off and sending a flying aerial kick at her, Ziga ducking under him, the blue ranger landing on the ground and, using the momentum sent himself at Ziga, who sidestepped.
"Things going well at home with Matti living there?" Ziga asked.
"Yeah, The kids like her!" Nazu grinned, having caught himself from flying into the wall.
"That's good." Ziga smiled. "You, Shiro, and her doing alright?"
"Uhh…Y-yeahh we're fine."
"..." Ziga gave him a look.. "Trouble in paradise, or you two spending a bit more time…reuniting, than you thought you would?" She gave an amused smirk.
"... number 2…"
Ziga laughed. "I'm glad you're doing well. Though if you need any tips, I think Andah'll be happy to help." She snorted.
Nazu sighed, rolling his eyes. "You seem a bit chipper yourself. Anything going on?"
"Oh, uh…uh nothing! Nothing at all." Ziga said, suddenly getting flustered.
"..." Nazu raised an eyebrow. "Andah?"
"...Ok, maybe."
Nazu laughed. "Now who's laughing?"
Ziga rolled her eye. "Ok you made your point."
Nazu chuckled. "What about you? You and Amy made any progress?"
Ziga sighed. "It's been… slower, but it's been going."
"Good. Slow progress is still progress." Nazu noted. "You'll get there eventually."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
"So, you up for another round?" Nazu asked, smirking.
"Of course I am!" Ziga grinned.
Nazu stood up, the two getting into stances.
In another room at HENSHIN, Azu was sitting in a chair, the room being full of lots of technology, computers, tools, and whatnot, the chair hovering above the ground, white and covered in screens with scanners.
Maintenance department, specifically a section made for doing maintenance on cybernetic/technological members, such as herself.
As Azu sat there, waiting for this apparent surprise guest to come in, she thought over the past few weeks…
Since that mountain trip…
There were…things, both good and bad, on that trip…
…the Beetle Bros…
She couldn't help but think about them, especially RyuKabuto, ever since that trip…
…Ayame Hikari…
A lawyer that worked for HENSHIN…fiance of RyuKabuto…
No…Robuto Beetleson…
She took to doing a bit of file digging and asking questions to Amy…
He ran a law firm that was a part of HENSHIN, a way of operating in plain sight, plus to also genuinely help people who needed it…
Ayame…she was a new recruit…she and him fell in love…engaged…
Then at some point…she died while he was in a coma…
…all cause of her…
She gripped her arms, frowning.
…And yet…she also thought of…positive things…
Somehow…when she thought of these…a lot of times…her face appeared in her mind…
Slavi…
Her expression turned to a smitten smile as she recalled her experiences with her there…especially in the maze…
And afterwards…
Her thoughts then turned to in the maze…
They…they almost…
She blushed, covering her face at the memory of the two's almost kiss.
"Wow, haven't seen you this flustered since you saw Izu in casual clothes." A…VERY familiar voice to Azu said as she heard someone open the door.
Azu looked and saw…
A ginger straight haired woman wearing a navy blue uniform that was a combo between a suit and a dress, with a white undershirt, and green wave-like highlights that reached down to her knees. She wore white socks with black heeled boots, and dark navy blue gloves with green highlights, some high tech spectacles, and was carrying a whale plush, with the Splashing Whale Progrise Key chained to a bracelet.
She was the very image of adorable, yet stylish.
"...Penelope…!?" Azu exclaimed in shock. "Wh-wh-what're you doing here?"
"Whatcha mean? Aren't I expected?" Penelope tilted her head.
"I-I didn't know HENSHIN had your contacts." Azu said. "I thought you only worked for HIDEN. Not that I'm not glad to see you, I guess I just…expected when I moved here and joined that…I wouldn't really be seeing you again…"
"Well SURPRISE!" Penelope beamed.
"Um," Azu made throat clearing sounds. "How-how-how uh…how are you?" She asked, blushing.
"I've been okay, how about you, hero?~" Penelope asked, walking up to her.
"Fine! Fine, I'm absolutely ok!" Azu put on a fake smile.
"...That was the fakest answer you've ever given me." Penelope told her flatly.
"...am I that bad a liar?"
"No, You're usually better at it, so something must be really bugging ya. Out with it."
"Uh…ok…uh," Azu scratched the back of her head. "... two things just…distracting me lately, one good and one bad."
"Okay, start with bad, end on good." Penelope told her, sitting on a chair.
"...I…" Azu looked away. "...it was four weeks ago…on a trip to a mountain in another dimension to retrieve an item for our power up forms…"
"I'm listening." Penelope leaned forward.
"...There were these two guys…the Beetle Bros. Our crimson and navy rangers." Azu went on.
"Go on?"
"...RyuKabuto, the crimson ranger, he…wasn't…the nicest to me…I'd been told he's just like that for every new recruit, but…I later learned…no…he…" Azu gripped the arm rests. "...his fiance was one of my victims…"
"Oh… heck…" Penelope placed a hand on Azu's shoulder, frowning at her.
"...He tried to kill me…he and RyuKuuga trapped me and Nazu…and tried to kill us. I…at some point I almost let RyuKabuto…" Azu couldn't look at her.
"... What?!" Penelope's eyes widened.
"...I…I felt so worthless…I couldn't argue against him…cause…the things he said…were things I've always said to myself…" Azu admitted.
"Azu… No, don't ever consider that." Penelope grabbed her shoulders.
"I did…but…Nazu spurred me on…and…I dunno why…he mentioned those who…who wanted me to come home…and…those faces stuck in my mind…particularly…three people and…I just felt like I couldn't…I couldn't die yet…"
"Good. You live, Azu." Penelope sighed in relief, leaning back.
"...on that note…there's also…the good thing…one of those three faces…"
"Ohhh, okay this I wanna hear." Penelope put a hand on her knee, leaning with interesting.
Azu tried to hide a goofy smile, blushing. "It's uh…our uh…team's…pink ranger…"
"Ohhhh?~" Penelope smirked.
"She's…she's amazing, she's…she's pretty and I…I…every time I was in a dark place that trip…she pulled me out…and…we…we uh…during a maze trial we…we ended up needing to confess some…feelings to pass and...she was…so pretty and kind and I…I wanted to…I nearly…"
"Yesss?" Penelope asked, invested.
Azu covered her blushing face. "We…we almost…kissed…"
Penelope nearly squeed. "Why didn't youuuu?"
"Little uh…butterflies and fireflies let us know the trial had passed and snapped us out of our moment…"
"Awwwwwww!" Penelope pouted.
Azu turned pink. "I…I just…I don't even know…ever since then I…I constantly question why that happened and, and why I DIDN'T kiss her anyway, and, what these stupid fucking feelings are…and…" She took a moment. "And what I did to deserve her…"
"Azu, just cause you've made mistakes -that I still say were not your fault cause of Ark- does not mean you don't deserve love." Penelope informed her.
"...Penelope…can I…tell you something? And promise you won't tell anyone, even Aruto or Izu." Azu asked.
"Of course you can." Penelope nodded.
"...I…that trip with Slavi…that whole weekend and …the weeks since, I…as I've thought about these feelings…I…a lot of things are making sense now…and…" She sighed. "...back when I first called Izu…before she hung up for the night, she…called me 'baby sis.' That…that really…hurt. I couldn't place why for the longest time, but…I think I figured it out."
"I'm listening."
Azu hugged herself. "...I…ever since Izu saved me, and she and Aruto took me into their care…as I spent more time with them…I…I grew more attached…I…I'd get a bit upset and scared if either of them was late or had to go early…whenever Izu was present, or Aruto…I'd feel…even if not happy, just…closest I'd ever been to it…they…made me feel cared for…even if I did always in the back of my mind have this fear that they didn't mean it…and…when Izu showed me physical affection…I…I never wanted it to end…I…I wanted that too from Aruto…I wanted that from both of them and…." Azu paused, taking a moment, remembering Izu's breathing exercises. "...I…I think I like them…"
"... Wow…" Penelope blinked.
"...is that genuine or is this yet another thing I've been oblivious to and everyone else knew the whole time?" Azu asked flatly.
Penelope shrugged. "I mean everyone could kinda tell the sister thing bugged you, but no, this was unexpected. Not a bad thing, just unexpected."
"...Am I…am I bad? Am I stupid or something, I…I got Izu killed…I helped lead Aruto into becoming Ark One. Zero Two failed to beat Eden cause it was too busy maintaining Izu's backup to operate at 100% efficiency, cause of MY plan…and…and now I'm having these stupid feelings and-"
"Stop it." Penelope said flatly.
"Huh?" Azu looked in surprise.
"Stop that."
"...b-but-"
"Stop. Doing. That." Penelope told her sternly.
Azu shut up.
"If they were here they'd tell you too, don't do that."
"...what do I do…? I…I've tried convincing myself I don't care, it's not a big deal but…I can't stop thinking about it…"
"Obviously you do care, and that's the issue, the solution is not to stop caring, it's to realize you care." Penelope rubbed her shoulder. "You feel bad because deep down you're a good person."
"..." Azu blushed. "...th-thanks…"
"That's better." Penelope smiled.
"I…but what do I do about these feelings for them? What do I do about …about Slavi?" Azu asked sheepishly.
"I…" Penelope sighed. "Only thing you can do is be honest with them and go from there."
"...You're sure that…my friendship with Izu and Aruto wouldn't be damaged?" Azu asked, eyes desperately begging for reassurance.
"Of course not. There might be some awkwardness but nothing beyond family reunion levels."
"..." Azu nodded. "...thanks."
"No problem!" Penelope grinned.
The chair beeped.
"How is it?" Azu asked.
"Nothing wrong with your coding." Penelope informed her. "You're still completely healthy."
"..." Azu sagged in relief.
"...he's gone, Azu." Penelope told her, rubbing her shoulder.
"...I…I know…" Azu said. "...it's just…sometimes…at night, I…I still…I still see Ark…"
"Your mind is modeled after humans and you've been through severe trauma. Hallucinations are not uncommon."
"...yet another curse he put on me…" Azu hugged her knees.
Penelope hugged her, Azu yelping and blushing. "...hey…I'm here…"
"..." Azu accepted her hug, relaxing into it… "...thanks…I…I liked seeing you again…"
"I liked seeing you again too!"
Azu smiled. "So uh…when's the next maintenance check?"
Penelope giggled. "If ya wanna see me, you can just ask me to come over."
"...I'm…not good at…initiative, as we've established…" Azu sweat dropped.
Then the whale plushie nudged her. Azu blinked, looking to it.
"Then why don't you try it right now, Azu-chan?" The whale 'spoke,' Penelope giving a deeper fake voice for it.
"..." Azu blinked before chuckling, Penelope smiling… "...uh…would you uh… like to…"
"Yesssss?~" Penelope gave a teasing, half lidded grin, batting her eyelashes.
"W-w-would you…" Azu blushed upon Penelope's voice and smirk. "...would you…liiiike to…"
"C'monnnn~'
"...w-would you like to…h-hangoutwithme?"
"Of course!" Penelope embraced her.
"...oh gosh that was terrifying." Azu said, blushing pink.
"But you did it!" Penelope hugged her again, the whale plushie nuzzling her.
Azu blushed. "Thanks…"
"No problem!~ See you later!" Penelope rubbed her cheek against Azu's, leaving.
As Penelope walked off, Azu sat alone in the maintenance room.
"..." Azu hugged her knees, blushing, smiling.
In her room, Slavi typed in some buttons on her nightstand's keyboard, a screen appearing, and soon enough, it showed a purple Pythonian in a witch's hat, as well as a blue-purple Pythonian in a lab coat. "Hey, aunts!"
"SLAVI!" The two jumped out of the holo-screen as 3D holograms, hugging her, catching her by surprise, but not by much, Slavi hugging them back.
"Sorry it's been a while, been helping out with some stuff around here with my teammates." Slavi told them.
"It's okay! How are you?!" Abrokobra asked, cuddling her niece close.
"I'm ok, great, actually!" Slavi grinned, returning it.
"You have that look again." Pythoza grinned.
"Oh, what?" Slavi asked, tilting her head.
"Something happen with Azu?~" Pythoza asked.
"...maybe.~" Slavi gave a sly grin.
"TELL US!" Both aunts demanded excitedly.
Slavi chuckled. "Ok, so…you know that mountain trip we took?"
"Yesss?" Both leaned forward.
"Me and Azu…got a bit closer." Slavi smiled. "We opened up to each other a bit and…then there were various trials mountain spirits had us do…during a maze, we paired up…and…during one of the tests there…we almost…kissed."
"Almost?" Pythoza quirked an eyebrow.
"We got snapped out of the moment when it was time to advance through the maze. And we were both a little nervous about what just happened since she's so new to relationships, and that trial had us…confessing a bit about how we each felt."
"Well at least you got confessions out of it." Abrokobra noted.
"So how'd it go? You two a couple?" Pythoza asked eagerly.
"...uh…not quite." Slavi answered to the two's disappointment. "We're…much closer, though. She's fine with hand holding and cuddles in private, but…unfortunately, she ended up fighting the widower of one of her victims from the Eden crisis. That…messed her up and she hasn't really been comfortable thinking about being anything more for right now."
"Well… Some people need more time than others. Just be there for her." Abrokobra told her.
"I know. I just…hate seeing her like this." Slavi said, frowning.
"We know, you have a good heart, but you can't rush."
Slavi nodded. "Thanks."
"No problem, dear." Abrokobra smiled gently.
"By the way, how's…how's Hislava doing?" Slavi asked after a moment.
"She's doing well, dear." Abro told her.
"Good…have…mom and dad…asked about me?"
"..." Both aunts looked to each other, frowning.
"..." Slavi sighed. "Figured…"
"...It's not-" Abrokobra started before being cut off by Slavi.
"'That they don't care.' Right?" Slavi finished with a raised eyebrow.
"..." Abrokobra sighed. "..."
"...it's good seeing you two again." Slavi smiled. "I hope I can introduce you both to my team at some point. Or Azu at least."
"We loved seeing you too!" Her aunts hugged her close, Slavi returning it.
"Start the simulation." Andah said, cracking her knuckles, standing in the middle of a training room. The room began to shift, taking on the signature look of an area in crisis.
A part of Tokyo, being ravaged by Trilobyte Magia.
Late 2019.
She looked, seeing some of the grunts noticing her before charging. She took a stance, punching one in the face, roundhouse kicking another in a fluid motion, jumping and spin-kicking another. She kept ducking and dodging before each strike, only using as little energy as she could.
She made her way through the wave of grunts, searching throughout the area for…her. A larger grunt-like creature ambushes her with a screech.
She turned around to face it, getting pinned to the ground, grunting as she tried to push it off of her. The simulation ends and she groans in frustration. "AGAIN!"
As she got up, the models and images of the city rewinded.
"You do it too, huh?" A familiar voice called out.
"..." Andah raised a hand to pause the simulation, looking towards Ziga. "..." She sighed. "Heh…sorry, I…" She sat down, hugging her knees. "...I talk about moving on and…here I am."
"Hey if anyone gets it, I do."
"Heh, I know. I've been the one comforting you." Andah put on a teasing smirk. Ziga chuckled and moved in closer to Andah.
"... I've been wondering how you could just… know when people are hurting… But I've realized, the best way to see someone else's pain, is when you're in pain too."
"..." Andah nodded, patting next to her, Ziga sitting down there. "...I…try not to do this where everyone can walk in. I guess I just forgot to lock the room this time. I thought if ya…if ya saw me like this…might make all I've said ring hollow."
"No, if anything… it puts more weight behind it." Ziga said, hand moving to Andah's.
Andah looked to her hand, holding Ziga's. "...you doing ok?"
"I'm…. Not great. But Could be worse."
"Any better than back on the mountain?"
"A little bit."
"Good." Andah smiled. "...if you need to talk, or relax or anything, I'm here."
"Same to you."
Suddenly, both got a call on their communicators.
"Attention rangers, this is Amy and Shizuka. Team meeting time."
"Awww, every time~" Andah winks at Ziga, who blushed.
"...maybe after?" Ziga asked with a nervous smile, bashfully scratching the back of her head.
Andah grins. "Maybe I'll drag you into a closet, show you what I did to Amy~" She winks before zipping off for the meeting.
Ziga blushed, getting up and following her with an eager smile, which did not go unnoticed by Andah.
Soon enough, everyone arrived in the meeting, sitting in their respective chairs, which while it still included Azu being brought into Slavi's lap, it also included Ziga and Andah sitting next to each other ever since that mountain trip.
Amy and Shizuka, as always, stood on either side of the holo screen.
Amy couldn't help but notice Ziga and Andah's new seats ever since the trip.
At that, Andah gave her an encouraging smile, which brought a smile to her own face as she nodded.
"So, we've called you today because we've made significant progress on two things." Amy said, Shizuka showing images of a zord blueprint sheet which resembled a fusion between a dragon and a hornet, as well as a blueprint sheet for a plug in item for the morphers.
"Woahhh a new zord?!" Andah gushed. "The second thing looks cool, too!"
"Yes. The hornet Draginsect, Suzesaki. Our newest addition to your arsenal in regards to zords." Shizuka nodded. "Progress on her is 99% complete."
"Sweet, how much longer till she's ready!?" Slavi asked excitedly.
"Well, that's the problem." Shizuka frowned. "We're missing something."
"What are we missing?"
"The Draginsects are protectors, guardians of their people." Amy explained. "However, just as the core five and the Beetle siblings choose their champions…others, such as Suzesaki, choose who wields them. In particular, ones like her require, not necessarily a champion, though they have had those, but someone whose desire and will they respect. To put it simply, the first seven choose based on souls and connections, the auxiliary ones choose based on respect and character."
"So is there a test or something she wants us to do?" Andah asked.
"..." Shizuka shrugged. "Suzesaki, according to legends, tends to watch and observe for potential partners. She's not really one who puts out an obstacle course or anything. If she finds you're worthy of respect, you'll know. We can only hope one of you earns it soon enough."
"I… Well it sounds like it can't be helped then." Andah slumped.
Shizuka nodded. "...well, that's it for the zords, for now. Onto the other thing." She expanded the blueprints for the plug in. "Good news, we're making progress on your team power up items."
"WOOOOO! POWER UPS?! WHAT IS IT?!" Slavi asked, very excited, pulling Azu closer to her.
The blush and smile she tried to hide did not go unnoticed by Amy and Shizuka.
"Chrysalis forms." Shizuka answered, rubbing her ears after Slavi's shouting. "These'll provide you with a more direct link to your Draginsects' power, giving you your power up forms. While there are standard looks and powers for them, they also tend to be shaped by the individual users."
"WOO! Sounds epic!" Slavi grinned.
"Indeed. We're almost done on that. After it's finished, well…it's not a simple matter of pressing the button and boom, you get your power up." Shizuka explained.
"Oh?" Slavi asked.
"Your souls have to synchronize. It's similar, but albeit a bit easier to understand than the auxiliary choosing their partners." Shizuka continued. "Basically, some deep emotional burst, like high determination, or you connecting on a deeper level, that sort of thing."
"Ah, that sounds like the perfect thing to debut during focus episodes of our series…of adventures." Andah piped up.
Slavi looked at her in surprise, Andah winking, getting a wink back by Slavi.
"Yes, yes, we get it, you've both seen the show." Shizuka rolled her eyes.
"So why'd you call us here? Sounds like ya could've just sent a quick message." Azu questioned.
"It's important all of you understand how this all works, and we felt it'd be best explained this way." Shizuka told her. "Especially since we have a few days until the next monster attack, so in the case that's a difficult enough fight, or something else happens, ya might have some options or opportunities to gain Suzesaki's respect, or have that emotional drive for your power ups."
"Ah."
"Any questions?"
"I have a few questions." Ziga raised he rhand.
"Go for it."
"What does the hornet specialize in? What new abilities can we look forward to with its help and this… power up?"
"Drilling, for the hornet." Shizuka told her. "Useful for dealing with particularly tough armor. As for the power up, it normally comes with an enhancement or evolution to your elements, plus with the individual aspect, some abilities derived from you, like your drive or goals or whatnot."
"Thank you, that's all I had." Ziga smiled.
"Good. Now, any more questions?" Shizuka asked the group.
Suddenly the door burst open, a blue colored ant Worm in a henshin uniform looking panicked. "Command, alert!"
"Speak." Amy told him.
"One of the founders…Radar…he's gone missing!"
"WHAT?! I was just on the phone with him!" Amy shouted, standing quickly.
"Wait, wha-" Azu started.
"Where was he last!?" Amy asked.
"On 5th, heading here."
"Right. Dammit…" Amy took a deep breath. "Ok…everyone…I'm sorry, if any of you have plans, I…you can go do them, but…this is an important mission, so if anyone's up for this-"
"I'll go." Azu told her immediately.
"Hey, I'll go too." Slavi said.
"Me too!" Nazu agreed.
"Same here." Ziga said as well.
Andah gave a thumbs up.
"..." Amy smiled, nodding. "Alright, everyone get on your covert suits and to the teleporters."
"On it, boss!" They rush off.
"..." Amy walked off, putting a hand on the Worm's shoulder. "Thank you for telling us."
The Worm saluted, Amy smiling and walking out.