She's gone.
Those words repeated themselves with every thrum of Yang's heart. It didn't sound real. It didn't feel real. Finding Trini passed out while going for a ride on Bumblebee… their first meeting followed by a spar and an Ursa Major encounter… learning everything about herself, her friends, and her world… watching her get impaled and then bounce back… fighting side-by-side as both Huntresses and Yellow Rangers…
Yang had to remember how to breathe. Her soul was no longer one with her body. Everything had gone still and silent as she gazed at the girl before her with shock, disbelief, denial, horror, and everything else in between while the girl- Minh, Trini's freaking daughter- stared with a solemn look with a hint of mourning. The resemblance of her mother- of Yang's friend- was so uncanny it almost hurt; almost like how much Ruby resembled Summer or how Yang herself resembled…
She had to shake those thoughts away and tried to recompose herself, but her breathing was shaky. She attempted to speak, but the words caught in her throat. But even when they were met with silence, Minh and Gia knew exactly what Yang wanted to ask.
"It… it happened last year," Gia murmured. "She took a deadly blast meant for Billy… from Rita."
"From Rita?!" Ruby repeated in shock.
"A resurrected Rita," Minh explained before falling back into a silence that lasted more than a few seconds. "I… All my life, I never knew my mom was a Power Ranger—the original Yellow Ranger, on top of that. I only found out when I heard the news. News that… wasn't meant for me." Ruby and Yang continued to stare at Minh, horror and pity on both faces. "I… didn't take it well, as you probably guessed. I was… hurt and angry about being lied to. I was devastated about it being so sudden. And I… for over a year, I wanted nothing more than… than to get revenge on Rita for killing her."
"It wasn't easy for every other Ranger that knew her well," Gia continued. "Even the Yellows. Trini was the first of us, in a way. And Rangers that fall in the field… it always pains us. Especially if they're legends like Trini… and especially when they sacrifice themselves for the greater good."
"You're gonna have to wait if you want the full story," Minh finished, her eyes glancing at the chaotic streets and snarling monsters locked in combat with fourteen dino-themed Rangers. "But long story short, I'm ensuring her sacrifice isn't in vain." Those words reminded Ruby and Yang of why they were here, their helmets and weapons reappearing. To Yang, it was like looking at Trini all over again when Minh's helmet flashed over her face. Her brain was still aching for details, but it was bound to be overwhelmed with Yang's intense emotions about the revelation.
Fortunately, her favorite form of stress relief was not too far away. Priming her dragon gauntlets, she sprinted after the sight of the wolf-themed scythe that a charging Ruby raised like a flag, a weapon she proceeded to bring down on an unsuspecting Beowolf's head. Quickly launching off the body before the corpse disintegrated, Yang released a furious roar and threw a strong punch at an Ursa's face.
…
Miles away from the skirmish, the howling roar of a motorcycle engine cut through the streets as the vehicle zipped and blazed down the road with a wave of darkness in hot pursuit. The rider only needed an occasional glance at their rearview mirror and the sound of their savage snarls to be reminded of their presence. The rider weaved the bike between wrecked vehicles, debris, and other obstacles while keeping a considerable distance ahead of the pack.
"I'm bringing 'em home, boys! And they're hungry!"
"Roger that! See you at the rendezvous!"
"I don't suppose anyone wants to race there?"
"Ha! I'd have you both beat!"
The rider cut the transmission before their partners could retort, turning their eyes to the road ahead while letting muscle memory and instinct take the wheel. New York became a blur as the yellow bike raced past chaos and destruction, the perpetrators chasing the rider's taillights. A few strays on the road joined the pursuit when the bike shot past them. Most were Beowolves and Griffons, with a few Boarbatusks eating the bike's dust. The engine's high whining was almost enough to drown out the tidal wave of roars and snarls…
…until the blaring roar of a second engine cut through the noise.
The rider jerked their head to the left, where they could make out a shape between the fast-moving buildings and alleys: a red sports car blazed down a parallel road with all four tires burning up the road. The motorcycle rider didn't waste unnecessary time on the other vehicle and focused on an upcoming intersection they were both racing towards. That intersection was home to a massive Ursa Major that hurled abandoned cars at the bike, its driver weaving from side to side and letting the pursuing Grimm take the hits instead. Smashing metal and pained yelps reached the rider's ears for a split second as the bike sped directly for the massive Grimm. The rider narrowly avoided a swipe aimed at their head by sliding the motorcycle under the black forearm, screeching to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection.
The Ursa Major spun with a vicious roar and advanced on the bike, but the incoming roar of the red sports car caught its attention when the vehicle rounded a corner. Rather than slow down, it broke into a sudden drift and circled the intersection, plowing several Beowolves down while its shrieking tires kicked up a cloud of smoke and dust. The giant bear-like beast snarled in sheer annoyance… too occupied to notice a third pair of headlights shining through the smoke.
VRRROOOOOM! A blue four-by-four flew off an overturned car with blue flames spewing from its exhaust pipes, flying at the Grimm like a missile and colliding into it with a loud BANG! The monster howled in pain as it crashed into the road, breaking up asphalt beneath it while the blue truck screeched to a complete stop.
The motorcycle driver removed their helmet, revealing a smiling woman's face with long blonde hair who dismounted the bike and swiftly kicked down a charging Beowolf without breaking her stride. The red sports car's door flung open to smack another in the face, allowing a man with windswept hair and a black-red uniform to step out.
He shot the woman a pleased smile. "Nice moves, Summer."
"You're not bad behind the wheel yourself, Mack," the woman replied, patting him on the shoulder just before the blue truck's door popped open. A man in his late thirties hopped out, his eyes trained on the downed Ursa Major struggling to stand. "Yeah, that's what it feels like to be roadkill! And I've got more than that came from, Smokey!"
"Uh, Justin? Speaking of smoke…" The woman gestured to the now-fading cloud, dozens of red orbs shining from behind it. The man stopped in his tracks and his shock faded into a stern stare. "Right. Time to get down to business…"
The Ursa Major bellowed furiously, a noise echoed by the hellish horde. The three outnumbered humans answered with a unified roar of their own: "IT'S MORPHIN' TIME!" The man in red whipped out a parameter-seeking cell phone, flipped it open and to the side, and finally pressed a button before rolling it down his arm.
"OVERDRIVE, ACCELERATE!"
Sparks flew from the device's wheel, and it projected an image of a red Ranger suit with a corresponding helmet and gear. The image closed and wrapped around the man, donning him in the costume before he struck a pose. "YAH!" Up next was the man in blue, who faced down the nearby horde and prepared a device stylized after a gear shifter and ignition switch.
"SHIFT INTO TURBO!" he roared, rotating his arms and jamming a key into the device with a sapphire glow. "MOUNTAIN BLASTER TURBO POWER!" A blue uniform instantly appeared over his body while a helmet was positioned in place. He snapped into a ready stance with clenched fists. Finally, the blonde woman inserted a chip into another phone-like device and held it in front of her.
"RPM! GET IN GEAR!"
A yellow suit with the number 3 materialized over her body, followed by black seat belts and a round helmet that flashed its headlights at the Grimm. All three Rangers stood ready for action, with the Red Ranger jabbing a finger at the black beasts. "These are our streets! Get out or get wrecked; it's your choice!"
GRRRAAAAAWWWR! The monsters responded with a roar and charged at the trio, who stood firm before sprinting full speed at the creatures' ranks. The three Rangers whipped out blasters and opened fire on the Grimm before they could get too close, staggering the monsters and causing a few to halt their advance. Mack's blaster quickly converted into a sword, the Red Ranger engaging his first targets with rapid slashes and clean cuts. Summer downed a few Griffons and kicked away a Beowolf, shifting her weapon into a baton to jab another in the chest. This left it open for a strong ax kick, making the beast eat pavement.
CHOOM! CHOOM! CHOOM! A volley of powerful sapphire shots obliterated three Beowolves and Summer gave Justin a grateful nod, the latter wielding a pair of big blue blasters. Both Rangers rushed off to find more targets, the Ursa Major roaring in rage as it stomped after the trio. Justin opened fire on several Grimm and Mack skewered a leaping Beowolf with a red lance, leaving Summer to rev up a device on her arm. She released a remote the second her attackers closed in, striking them in rapid succession. The three Rangers held their own against the horde, carving through their numbers even as the darkness surrounded them.
…
"YIII-AAH! That all you got, creeps?!" Tyler vaulted over a charging Beowolf, kicked a Griffon out of the air, and brought his T-Rex Smasher gauntlet down on top of a Boarbatusk's skull, instantly pulverizing it. He then used the weapon to bite a Beowolf's arm and rip it off, allowing Zayto to leap in and decapitate it.
"Nice moves! We could've used you against Goldar Maximus!"
"Perhaps… if I wasn't still hibernating." The Rafkonian never let up with his blade, cutting down any Grimm that rushed at him. His Chromafury Saber sliced through the beasts like a knife through butter, black ichor staining the crimson blade while it pierced the monsters' hides and bony armor. "But I'm grateful to fight alongside you nonetheless!"
"Right back at ya!" Tyler cheered, planting a red boot in a Beowolf's face before bashing it away with the T-Rex Smasher. The two Red Rangers fought side-by-side against the dark army, somersaulting over each other to gain the upper hand and watching their partners' backs. Zayto faced off against two Beowolves, alternating between dodging swipes and landing strikes, unaware of an Ursa digging its claws into the pavement. The bear-like beast tore up a chunk of asphalt and hurled it at the Red Ranger…
"Look out!" Tyler yelled, leaping in with a powerful punch from the T-Rex Smasher. The gauntlet reduced the chunk to pebbles and the weapon crunched down on a piece stuck in its mouth, its visage glaring at the Ursa. Zayto gave Tyler a thankful nod as the two stood back-to-back, ensuring no Grimm would surprise either of the boys. The two Red Rangers held their own against the horde, cutting down their numbers as the Grimm closed on them. Many black beasts threatened to overwhelm them, but Zayto had a trick up his sleeve.
"HYPER DINO KEY, ACTIVATE!" Geared up in white armor, Zayto unleashed a ferocious roar that blasted a hole through the Grimm's ranks: a hole that widened thanks to the Red Ranger's boosted attack power. Tyler let out an excited cheer, his own resolve boosted by the display of force. "Yeah, that's showing 'em!"
They weren't the only ones working in synchronization; two figures in blue and pink were putting up a solid defense that would make the creature they resembled proud. Ollie's blade broke off a Boarbatusk's curved tusk, and he cut off its pained squeal by burying his weapon through its skull while Shelby deflected claws and paws with a one-handed drill weapon. The Pink Ranger managed to cartwheel away from a rolling Boarbatusk only to land directly in an Ursa's waiting claw. The girl yelped as the monster lifted her to its waiting maw, but her panic was short-lived as she wrenched her arm free.
"TRICERA DRILL, POWER CHARGE!" Ramming the spinning drill directly into the monster's mouth, Shelby resisted the urge to flinch as the Ursa's pained roar became an agonized gurgling. It finally dropped the Pink Ranger and stumbled away in a choking fit, collapsing onto its side. Shebly took the opportunity and sprinted forward, her drill spinning up again… and shoved into the monster's torso, wreaking havoc on its insides before yanking it back out to reveal a gaping hole.
"Aww…" Ollie whined. "Now I wish my sword could spin like that!" The best he could do right now was a sharp twirl away from a charging Beowolf and slashed at its leg, severing it and causing the howling demon to crash to the street, sliding to a stop near Shelby's feet. "Nah! You're doing fine, just the way you are!"
Before Ollie could ask what she meant, the deep bellow of an Ursa made him reel around. The marching monster was almost on top of him, massive paws ready to slam down. Ollie thought fast, whipping a key and placing it into his sword before chomping down the guard's jaw.
"SHIELD KEY!"
WHAM! The Ursa's forelimbs came down atop the newly-armored Ollie, a turtle-like gauntlet with a bright sapphire across his arm. The Blue Ranger let out a relieved sigh before pressing his attack, the Grimm's claws having no effect against his new form. Ollie promptly severed off its limb and struck two deep gashes across its chest, causing the monster to vanish into smoke.
"Y'know what? I'll take what I can get!"
"DINO STEEL, ARMOR ON!" As Ollie rushed back into the fray, another Blue Ranger flipped through the air and smashed a spiky shield onto a Beowolf's foot. The Ranger bashed the howling beast backward, where it stumbled right into a red blade that impaled and cut it down. Its wielder- a Black Ranger- gave his partner a thankful salute, which made the Blue Ranger pause before awkwardly attempting to mimic it.
"You are welcome."
"Anytime, Koda!" The Black Ranger rolled under a swiping claw and eliminated that Beowolf with a quick slice. But right behind the monster, a pack of Sabyrs and a Goliath were stalking him to make him their next victim. The Black Ranger jolted back a little. "Uh oh…"
"Javi," Koda said comfortingly. "I will handle this. Take the big one."
"You sure?"
"Of course," he replied. "It will be like hunting back home."
"Alright, man. Knock yourself out."
Koda gave him a look. "No, I knock them out."
Javi shrugged. "Whatever, cave boy. Just go get 'em!" He turned and sprinted for the Goliath, catching the Sabyrs' attention. One of them immediately gave chase with a snarl… but a spinning blue shield lopped off its head and cut through other Grimm like a razor-tipped top. Catching the shield in his hand, Koda brought it up defensively and stared down the monsters that resembled prehistoric predators.
He was ready when they lunged at him. Koda sliced open a Sabyr's neck, grabbed another by the throat, and smashed it into the street with his shield. The Blue Ranger ducked under a pounce and held back another Sabyr before grabbing it with both hands and spinning it around.
"Caveman TOSS!" he roared, hurling that Grimm into the one that botched its pounce, stunning both Sabyrs. A sharp bash deprived another of a fang and he spun in place, throwing his shield out in a circular motion. The spinning shield sliced through the remaining Sabyrs easily, leaving them nothing but a smoky vapor and black liquid that stained the asphalt. Koda looked over himself and sighed reminiscently.
"Maybe not like hunting after all…"
He turned his attention back to Javi, who had just rolled away from a colossal forelimb that smashed the pavement beneath it. The Black Ranger stood ready with his sword drawn while the Goliath roared in a trumpeting fury. Javi only laughed at the massive beast before him. "Oh ho ho, you think you're so strong, big guy? Well, guess what?!" He selected a key from his belt and flipped it open. "I got strength, too! MUSCLE DINO KEY, READY!"
He pumped the trigger three times, encasing his right arm in red armor. "MUSCLE FLEX!" His right hand suddenly grew until it was as large as the Goliath's head, prompting the beast to stagger in alarm before Javi threw an enormous punch. The blow was strong enough to create a shockwave and crack the Grimm's bony faceplate, making the Goliath wail in pain. Koda rushed up to Javi's side, and both stegosaur-themed Rangers nodded before charging up to the wounded beast. Launching Javi high with his shield, Koda went low and threw his shield against the Grimm's legs, slicing at the limbs and causing them to bleed out as the howling monster collapsed. Javi quickly traded out one key for another, charging up his sword with purple light.
"STEGO FURY STRIKE!"
All it took was a hard swing at the Goliath's head, which went up in a dark blast of energy. The boys whooped in triumph as the fire and smoke faded, giving each other a warm hug. Their celebration didn't last long as purple energy bolts whizzed past them, striking down incoming Griffons that collapsed to the road. Both boys turned to another Black Ranger, holding an axe with a black Parasaur head.
"Seriously, you guys?! You know we're not done here!" Chase yelled, swinging his Para Chopper at a Boarbatusk and knocking it aside. Javi and Koda quickly shouted their apologies before taking off down the street, joining him against his attackers. Amelia and James went back and forth, cutting down any Grimm that dared approach them. The Pink and Aqua Rangers turned to an Ursa shambling their way… but rather than charge at the Grimm, they both nodded to each other and sheathed their swords. Once the bear-like beast got close, they drew their fists back and charged them with energy.
"POWER PUNCH!"
BAM! A bone-crunching blow that could have made the mighty Ankylosaurus proud shattered the Ursa's entire rib cage and sent the beast flying, flattening a few Beowolves beneath its bulk as its ruptured body lay twitching on the road. James chuckled as he shook his hand. "Not bad, kid."
"You too, old man," Distant snarls and growls caught Ameila's attention, and she reeled to face down a charging pack of Beowolves and Boarbatusks. James was already by her side. "Do you need a hand with this, too?"
Amelia paused. "Actually, no. But speaking of hands…" She took a key from her belt and flipped it open, inserting it into her Chromafury Saber. "SMASH DINO KEY, READY!" Bits of solid rock formed green armor over the Pink Ranger's shoulders, and strong gauntlets covered her hands. Once she was all suited up, Amelia pounded her fists together and held them up in true brawler fashion.
"SMASH BATTLE ARMOR!"
"Whoa, neat!" James gasped. "I take it you got this, then?"
"Just watch," Amelia said before she sprinted for the Grimm and engaged them head-on. Any monsters that jumped and leaped at her were bashed and battered aside with hard-hitting blows. She spun away from a claw and landed a solid haymaker across a Beowolf's face, shattering half of its face and breaking its neck with a snap. The Pink Ranger never let up as she bombarded the Grimm, pounding a Boarbatusk's head into the ground and sending another sailing with a devastating uppercut. One Beowolf went in for the attack…
"FURY SMASH!" Amelia slammed her fists together to pulverize its head, caking her fists in black goo before she punted its headless body away.
While Amelia hammered the Grimm into a black paste, Riley flipped over a car to kick a Beowolf in the face and drove his Dino Saber into its downed form. "Come on! Is that the best you monsters got?! I can go all day!" His eyes darted around for his next target… but suddenly heard a loud thump from behind. The Green Ranger whirled around, ready to face off against whatever monster awaited him…
…but instead of a wolf, a bear, or a boar, he saw a large and sleek dinosaur-like Grimm with curved claws on its feet and translucent red wings. The creature dwarfed the Ranger easily, who could only stare in shock before he could finally speak.
"What?! H-hey, that's not fair! Raptors aren't that big! And they don't have wings, either!"
SKRRREEEEE! The Teryx roared in his face before biting down, forcing Riley to roll to the side and ready his blaster. "DINO MORPHER BLAST!" Emerald laser shots struck the Grimm in the face and pained snarls echoed in Riley's ears as he bolted down the road. He kept pulling the trigger until he was sure his finger was going to fall off… until a massive weight collapsed on top of him, knocking his blaster out of his grip. Dark claws clenched tight around Riley's shoulders, and the creature lifted him into the air before he knew it. The Teryx let out another screech as it soared off, leaving the yelling Green Ranger flailing in its grip.
"AAAAH! Guys?! A little help, please?!"
Fortunately for Riley, another emerald-clad warrior on the streets below had just kicked a Beowolf aside before whipping her head skyward. The beast was already flying fast… but thankfully, fast was always one of Izzy's best qualities.
"SPRINT DINO KEY, READY!" Her saber's jaw chomped down and energy manifested into golden armor before she got into a runner's stance. "SPRINT STREAK!" She took off at high speeds with a green blur behind her, weaving around the Grimm until she launched herself off a car. Swapping her sword for a jade javelin, Izzy twirled in midair and hurled it at the flying beast with all her might. Her weapon landed true in the Teryx's leg, causing it to shriek in pain and release Riley from its grip.
"OOF!" He landed flat on his face while Izzy touched down perfectly. The Teryx smashed into the street several meters away, its body battered from the impact. Riley took Izzy's outstretched hand and was hoisted to his feet, placing a hand on his helmet as he let out a disoriented groan. "Thanks…"
"Don't mention it," Izzy told him before turning to the Teryx, who wrenched the spear from its leg and tossed it aside. "Let's finish this guy quickly and return to the others."
"He took a lot of punishment," Riley noted, examining the Grimm's injuries as it stood back up and snarled at them. "But I know he can't take this!" He took out a green battery while Izzy retrieved a green key from her belt. "DINO CHARGER, READY!"
"RAPTOR CHARGER, ENGAGE!"
"TIGER FURY KEY, ACTIVATE!"
They inserted them into their weapons while the Teryx charged down the street at frighteningly fast speeds, closing in with claws and jaws wide. The two Green Rangers stood ready, their blades growing a bright emerald…
"POWER SLASH!"
"TIGER FURY STRIKE!"
They struck in a crisscross pattern right as the Teryx approached, overloading the large Grimm with a surge of green power. It tumbled to the road before a massive explosion of emerald energy completely consumed it. None of the Green Rangers dared to look at the rising cloud.
"Monster extinct!" Riley called. "Sorry for taking your line, Ty…"
Izzy turned around to see several red eyes glaring through the smoke, which faded to reveal a pack of Sabyrs charging in their direction. The girl smiled beneath her helmet and sprinted forward to meet them; her Chromfury Saber held high as she proceeded to slash and slice her way through the pack. Riley was right behind her, cutting down two Sabyrs before breaking into a run.
"DINO STEEL, ARMOR ON!" He took the Sabyrs' claws full force and retaliated with savage strikes from his Raptor Claw, tearing and shredding through the pack as the Green Rangers hurried back to the battlefront.
Ruby was a red blur as she dashed through the streets, bisecting Beowolves and cleaving Boarbatusks in half before they knew what hit them. Her blinding speed was matched by Yang's overwhelming strength, a rising uppercut coated in dragon flame knocking out an Ursa's lights while a heavy airborne haymaker smashed it down for good measure. Gia and Minh were just as swift and precise, their claw gauntlet and daggers cutting down any Grimm they saw.
"We need to end this as fast as we can!" Ruby called, taking shots at Griffons swooping around while the looming shape of the giant Nevermore hovered over them. "The faster we take care of the lesser Grimm, the sooner we can get to the big ones!" Yang whirled in the Death Stalker's direction, watching the scorpion Grimm lob cars at the Rangers. "We're working on carving a path, Rubes, but these guys are making it seem like we're digging through rock with a pickaxe!"
"Guys, heads up!" Minh shouted, alerting the sisters to three Boarbatusks rolling their way. Everybody braced for impact while Ruby peppered the black boulders with crimson blasts to no effect…
"PTERA BOLT!"
"MOSA BLAST!"
Golden lasers bombarded the Boarbatusks enough to make them uncurl, another pair of Rangers diving in to bar their path. A flock of Griffons and a pack of Beowolves led by an Alpha rushed in to aid their beastly brethren, who were opposed by two Gold Rangers themed after creatures from the sky and sea. One of them glanced back at the girls with a steadfast tone.
"Do not fear, fair maidens! My colleague and I will send these devils back to whatever vile hell has spawned them! Wouldn't you agree, Sir Aiyon?"
"From one knight to another, Sir Ivan, I do. You four, go help the others!"
"Right!" Ruby and Yang went one way while Gia led Minh down the other, leaving the two Gold Rangers to engage the Grimm with blades swinging and blasters firing. Ivan caught a claw with his blade and fired a Ptera Bolt at a Boarbatusk before breaking the Beowolf's hold and slashing it down the front. His Ptera Saber made short work of Boarbatusks and low-flying Griffons, severing tusks and wings.
Ivan grunted as he stopped a charging Boarbatusk in its tracks and threw the boar-like beast onto its side, skewering it with his Ptera Saber and dragging the blade across its belly to disembowel it. "I am Sir Ivan, Knight of Zandar, and no ghastly gargoyle nor despicable demon shall slay me on this day!"
Aiyon wielded his Mosa Blade in one hand and his Mosa Blaster in the other, slicing and shooting at the Grimm as he maneuvered through the horde. He pulled the trigger when a Beowolf bit down on his blaster, blowing a hole through the back of its head. His blade sliced a Griffon out of the sky and stabbed a Boarbatusk through the skull, the Rafkonian wrenching it out to continue his attack. Both Gold Rangers were a storm of blades and blasters, making short work of the Grimm until only the snarling Alpha Beowolf remained.
"Still think you can take us on after all that?" Aiyon taunted. "You really are as dumb as you look!"
"Have at you, fiend!" Ivan roared, deflecting a swipe with his saber while he and Aiyon peppered it with gold bolts. The alien vaulted over a swinging arm while continuing to fire, his blade striking the Alpha Beowolf across the face. The monster snarled in rage and lashed out, seizing the Ptera Saber to toss Ivan aside before striking Aiyon hard enough to send out sparks. The Alpha Beowolf pounced on both Gold Rangers and furiously roared in their faces. The monster raised its forelimbs with a hellish howl, smashed both knights into the ground, and threw them away, their downed forms rolling to a stop on the road.
"Aw, man…" moaned Aiyon. "That's one mad dog…"
"Might I suggest a means to put that animal down?" Ivan groaned, using his saber as a support to stand. "How would my fellow Rangers say it? An extra charge?" Aiyon was back on his feet in no time, turning to Ivan with a bright hum. "Yeah… why don't we amp it up a little?" Aiyon retrieved a yellow key from his blaster and inserted it into the top, causing the fins to fold upward. "ELECTRO KEY, READY!" He pumped the chamber four times before holding the blaster upward and pulling the trigger, sparking a yellow lightning current coursing over his body. The electricity materialized into bright yellow armor, with one of the shoulders resembling a Spinosaurus head.
"ELECTRO BATTLE ARMOR!"
"Splendid, my good sir!" Ivan cheered, charging for the snarling Alpha Beowolf. "Now, let us put an end to this!"
"With pleasure! ELECTRO FURY BLAST!" A yellow lightning stream erupted from the Mosa Blaster and struck the Alpha Beowolf dead on, frying it long enough for Ivan to slash it across the chest and deliver a series of rapid strikes. Aiyon quickly joined in, charging his blade with a golden light. "MOSA SLASH!" He roared, inflicting a severe wound. At the same time, Ivan landed a critical strike, knocking the Grimm back. The Alpha Beowolf stumbled to stay upright, huffing as golden sparks and smoke wafted off its black body.
After a quick nod to each other, Ivan inserted his Dino Charger into the Ptera Saber and pumped the chamber while Aiyon brought his blade and blaster together. Both weapons hummed with an electric hiss, lightning charging within them as the emotionless monster growled. It readied its claws and started stumbling towards the duo…
"LIGHTNING FINAL STRIKE!"
"ELECTRO FURY BLADE BLAST!"
A lightning chain with a dinosaur head at the end burst from the Ptera Saber while an electric sphere burst from the Blade Blaster, tendrils shooting out of them as they streaked for the Alpha Beowolf at light speed. The head chomped down on the black beast and the sphere connected with overwhelming voltage, consuming the howling monster in a golden thunder and lightning storm. An electric explosion lit up the sky, the two Gold Rangers striking a pose in front of the massive discharge.
"Demon vanquished!" Ivan victoriously announced.
"Yeah, and a lot more to vanquish!" Aiyon added, observing the other Rangers gaining the upper hand on the Grimm. "Come on, let's mop this up and deal with the big guys!"
"Right you are, Sir Aiyon!" Ivan nodded before pointing at a purple-clad Ranger somersaulting away from rushing Boarbatusks and swooping Griffons. "Would you be so kind as to assist Lady Morgan? The rest of my comrades require my aid!"
"On it!" The Gold Rangers hurried away and Aiyon charged through the fray, shooting at any Grimm he encountered. He weaved away from a Beowolf's swipe and slashed it across the throat, shooting the wound for good measure. He sprinted and slid under an incoming Griffon, laying down fire on an incoming Boarbatusk before spearing it through the chin.
Once Aiyon had hopped back to his feet, he spotted Kendall leaping atop a Boarbatusk and riding it like a mad bull, keeping one hand on its tusk while the other gripped her blaster. "RAPID BLAST!" Purple lasers sprayed the surrounding Grimm while her unwilling mount spun around, desperately attempting to buck Kendall off. Its efforts ceased when the Purple Ranger drove her blaster's bayonet into its skull, causing it to drop on the spot.
"Hey, doc! Need a little extra firepower?" Aiyon shouted, already blasting at the Griffons above. Kendall glanced at him momentarily before resuming her own blasts. "Much appreciated!" The Mosasaurus-themed knight and the Plesiosaurus-themed scientist stood back-to-back, covering all angles while gold and purple bolts rapidly struck the scrambling Grimm.
Izzy and Minh tag-teamed an Ursa, the two tigers working together to take down larger prey, their sword and daggers cutting through it with well-timed precision. Ruby blitzed across the battlefield in crimson flashes, appearing when the Grimm least expected and vanishing when they were nothing but sliced, evaporating bits. While she was everywhere at once, Yang and Gia were a force to be reckoned with. Gia conjured rocks from the ground that Yang set alight before Gia propelled them outward, improvising fireballs that demolished any Grimm they hit. Burning Griffons screeched as Yang sprayed the sky with searing flames and Gia whirled to see a bunch of Beowolves and Boarbatusks charging her way.
"MEGA QUAKE!" She pounded the road hard with her Tiger Claw, splitting the street open and creating a massive fissure that swallowed the horde whole. The monsters vanished into the depths, a sight that made Ruby and Yang somewhat uneasy as they peered into the chasm.
"Um… aren't we supposed to be saving this city and not breaking it up some more?" Yang asked, making Gia shrug in response. "Relax. We got something for this. Javi, Chase, you two busy?"
"Just in case those things think about climbing out," The two Black Rangers hurried over, with Javi preparing another key. "FIX-IT DINO KEY, READY!" Much to Chase's surprise, a green armor sleeve stylized after a Parasaurolophus flashed onto Javi's arm and he pointed his sword at the damaged road. "FIX IT QUICK!" A green light surrounded the shattered asphalt and sealed the crack back up, removing any trace of the damage.
"There. That'll give the city council one less thing to worry about."
Ruby gasped. "And just in time to scratch two more things off that list!" Everyone looked around to see dark smoke rising from the streets. Only a few lesser Grimm remained, accompanied by the massive Death Stalker that snapped its claws and the Nevermore that spread its wings open with a high-pitched screech. The Rangers all gathered together, standing firm against the unrelenting monsters.
"This is it, guys!" Tyler called out. "Let's kick these bad apples out of the Big Apple!"
"These things look more powerful than the others," Zayto noted. "Let's get on their level and power up!" Everyone voiced their agreement while Gia nudged Ruby and Yang's shoulders. "Check this out, girls! Some of your new Ranger friends have something to give them a little boost!" She retrieved a new card from her deck, which displayed the words "MIRACLE GOSEI POWER" before she closed her morpher with a bright flash.
"SUMMON ZORD!" The head of a golden tiger with shining yellow eyes appeared, followed by a white blade possessing a translucent dome. Gia placed the head within the dome and closed it before holding the weapon high.
"MEGAFORCE ULTRA MODE, ACTIVATE!"
A beam of light erupted from the dome and came down on top of Gia, decking her in golden armor composed of pauldrons, bracelets, leg guards, and a tiger figurehead on the chest. The Yellow Ranger held her sword readily, her armor gleaming in the sunlight. "ULTRA MODE READY!"
Tyler was up next. "T-REX SUPERCHARGE MORPHER, ACTIVATE!" He tossed it in the air, summoning a red blaster that fell into Tyler's hands. The Red Ranger fired a blast above him, quickly enveloping him as a roar echoed from the energy. Once it faded, Tyler had donned armor resembling a T-Rex's face, its ferocious expression glaring at the Grimm. "T-REX SUPERCHARGE, READY!"
"BLAZING DINO KEY!" Zayto inserted a key and pumped his sword's handle, fiery energy warping around him to form an infernal set of orange armor. "BLAZING BATTLE ARMOR!"
"FREEZE DINO KEY!" Ollie followed his team leader's actions, equipping himself with a light blue, almost crystalline armor sporting a pterosaur's head and a blue cape that separated into sapphire wings. "FREEZE BATTLE ARMOR!"
"HYPER DINO KEY!" Izzy cried, calling forth white sleeve armor and adopting a predator's stance alongside Minh.
"GRAVI DINO KEY!" Amelia summoned sleeve armor with a heavy wrecking ball wrapped around a Brachiosaurus head. Fetching a key from his belt, Aiyon tossed it to Javi… who laughed delightedly.
"I always wanted to try this one! SHADOW DINO KEY, READY!" He pumped the chamber, and dark mist flowed out, equipping the Black Ranger with dark armor and a spiked raptor head. "SHADOW BATTLE ARMOR! Time to give these punks a taste of their own medicine!"
Yang couldn't help but gasp in awe. "Whoa… let me get in on that action! Stand back, sis! I got an idea!" Once Ruby complied, Yang placed her feet apart and clenched her fists inward, growling steadily. She focused her anger, which caused her suit to glow with heat and light. "HRRRRRAAAAAAGH!" Ruby shielded herself from a sudden blast, Yang's roar transitioning into a laugh as an aura of sunny flames surrounded her entire being.
"HA HA! BURNING DRAGON, INFERNO MODE!" Yang's helmet's eyes flared with rage, and Ruby swore she heard a mighty roar erupting from the fires covering her sister. "Who wants to be turned into ash first?!" All these enhancements gave Ruby thoughts about what other powers awaited her in this form, much like how a Semblance evolved with enough experience. She wasn't sure how to unlock or access these powers- if she had even discovered them yet- but she didn't have doubts about their existence. And with the Grimm all over Earth, she'd have another chance to test herself.
But right now, it was go time.
Everyone charged for the giant Grimm, the Death Stalker gnashing its claws as it advanced with its deadly tail held high. The Nevermore squawked and began beating its wings, taking to the sky… but only got a few feet off the ground before Amelia intervened.
"Oh no, you don't! GRAVI BALL!" With a downward swing of her arm, the wrecking ball smashed against the road and created a large circle around the Nevermore, which screeched in alarm as it suddenly dropped face-first into the asphalt and shattered the ground beneath it. Waves of energy crashed down on top of it, heightened gravity keeping the monster pinned. "Sorry, birdy! But you're grounded!"
"And to make sure you stay put," Ollie added, covering his saber in ice and swinging wildly at the downed Nevermore. He circled the shrieking bird in a swift glide, his strikes coating its talons and wings in solid ice. He came to a graceful stop reminiscent of a skater and took a bow in front of Amelia. "Ha ha! Too cool, am I right?" Riley, Minh, Izzy, Koda, Ivan, and Shelby converged on the downed monster, striking at its vulnerable state while everyone else gathered around the Death Stalker.
Ruby swatted aside fast jabs from the tail and tried pinning it to the ground, but the deadly appendage wrenched itself upward and sent the girl flying. Only a last-second teleport made Ruby land on her feet instead of her back and the Red Ranger switched weapons, peppering the scorpion-like Grimm's exoskeleton with laser bolts. Her shots- mixed with various other lasers that connected harmlessly against bony armor- did not affect the beast, but explosive fireballs courtesy of Yang were enough to get its attention on the enflamed Yellow Ranger. Yang quickly broke into dives and rolls when the monster's claws attempted to grab her, her fists pounding at the legs. She flipped away from a double claw smash and sprinted forward again, shooting streams of fire into the giant bug's face to ensure it didn't spot her sliding beneath its mass and wrapping her burning arms around its tail.
The Death Stalker screeched from the singing contact, wrestling with Yang to control the limb. While it was distracted, Gia jumped atop its body with Javi and the two Rangers swung bright and dark slashes at the claws.
"ULTRA STRIKE!"
"SHADOW SLASH!"
The scorpion hissed and thrashed around as the weapons made their marks… but did minor damage to the beast, much to Gia's concern. "What now?!"
"BLAZING FURY BLAST!" An explosive fireball detonated against the Death Stalker's head, causing it to rear up and throw the duo off. Its tail also flung to the side, sending a startled Yang flying into a wall. Zayto stared down the beast as it shook off smoke, pointing his saber at the Grimm. "Who else wants to take a bite out of this thing?"
"Me! SUPERCHARGE KICK!" Tyler soared over Zayto's legs, conjuring a T-Rex head around his feet that chomped down onto the Death Stalker's head. Aiyon fired electric blasts at the beasts while Kendall strafed around to lay down fire. Chase blocked the claws and drove one to the ground, firing his blaster at the Death Stalker's eyes. "Keep wearing it down!"
"Yeah! Even the toughest eggshells crack!" Yang cheered, rushing in to join the assault. Ruby moved to follow… until she heard the sound of shattering ice and an ear-piercing shriek. She shot her gaze skyward and saw the Nevermore taking to the skies, colored lasers connecting against its form. Ollie and Ivan shot after it with widespread wings, but the giant raven spun in midair and beat its wings hard, creating a massive gust of wind that blew the Blue and Gold Rangers out of the sky. They yelled out in alarm as they tumbled through the air…
"HOVER LIFT!" A red aura surrounded Ollie while Koda caught Ivan. Amelia gently placed her friend on the street, and a red bird-themed armor sleeve covered her arm. The Nevermore rained down black feathers on the Rangers, forcing them to scramble for cover while blindly firing shots that merely phased the beast or missed entirely.
"Amelia! Launch me!" Ruby shouted to the Pink Ranger as the Nevermore swooped around for another run at the group. She had no time to argue and pointed her glowing saber at Ruby, flinging it at the giant bird when Ruby leaped off the street. She sailed dozens of feet into the air and flew directly for the Nevermore, holding the glowing Wolf's Claw in a striking position as the incoming Grimm opened its gargantuan beak…
Ruby blinked away at the last second, making the bird clamp down on empty air. The beast screeched in confusion, wondering where its meal had gone, until the Red Ranger reappeared atop its back, sinking her scythe into its nape in a mighty blow. The following shriek and the sudden drop in altitude meant Ruby had to struggle to stay in, using her scythe as a makeshift steer to get control over the Nevermore's descent. It took all of her strength to keep its colossal wings away from skyscrapers until the monster's face finally struck the pavement and slid along the road.
She vaulted off when the Nevermore collided dead-on with the Death Stalker, sending both monsters tumbling to a dazed halt. The two giant Grimm were weakened, struggling to return to their feet yet remaining firm in their desire to destroy everything they saw. The Rangers all gathered together and Zayto glared at the monsters.
"You two have officially overstayed your welcome!"
"Ruby! Let's fry this overgrown vulture!" Yang called out, the two sisters focusing on the stunned Nevermore with Gia's aid. Minh joined them as well, focusing her energy into her twin daggers. Ruby did the same with her scythe while Yang charged up, her fists burning bright. The Nevermore could do nothing but screech at the girls, its wings too battered to function correctly.
"SCARLET SLASH!" Ruby shot forth a crescent moon-shaped arc of crimson energy with an upward swing of her scythe.
"DRAGON PUNCH!" A flaming yellow construct of a serpentine dragon exploded from Yang's fists, the creature roaring furiously as smoke billowed from its nostrils while flying toward the Nevermore.
"ULTRA POWER: DYNAMIC STRIKE!" A beam of light blasted from the dome of Gia's Ultra Sword, swirling around Yang's dragon construct and bathing it in bright light.
"POWER DAGGERS!" Minh launched two small arcs of yellow energy that crossed with Ruby's crimson crescent arc, the tiny yellow blades granting it extra power. All four attacks struck the Nevermore like an arrow hitting a bullseye, overloading the Grimm with red and yellow lightning. Ruby and Yang spun around as the giant raven collapsed, striking victorious poses the moment the beast exploded in a massive cloud of flame and smoke. BRAKOOOOM!
This time, Minh stared at the explosion in awe while Gia applauded the sisters. "There ya go! Now, you're getting the hang of it!"
"WEAPONS COMBINE!" The Dino Charge Rangers' individual weapons came together into a massive spiked javelin with each head lined up perfectly. "DINO SPIKE CHARGER, ENGAGE!"
Tyler's friends launched him into the air and the Red Ranger grabbed the weapon, twirling in midair before hurling it at the wounded Death Stalker. "DINO SPIKE, FINAL STRIKE!" It shot for the massive scorpion, who flinched at the light and brought up its claw defensively. The Dino Spike connected with the Grimm's blocking stance and started drilling through the massive claws in a shower of sparks, earning a pained screech from the Death Stalker as it fought to hold back its impending fate. Zayto and his allies reached into their belts and inserted their respective Dino Keys into their sabers, their blades glowing with various colors.
"T-REX FURY!"
"TRICERA FURY!"
"STEGO FURY!"
"ANKYLO FURY!"
"TIGER FURY!"
"MOSA FURY!"
"STRIKE!" They all swung down as one, colored beams donned with the heads of their respective animals crashing down on top of the Death Stalker. Their attacks and the Dino Spike rang true as the Death Stalker's final defenses were shattered… and the atrocious arthropod let out a dying chitter before a surge of energy detonated across the New York skyline.
"MONSTER EXTINCT!"
"DINO FURY VICTORY!"
"Woo-ha! Nice!" Ollie cheered. "And we didn't even need to break out the Megazord this time!"
"Yeah, this time," Riley sighed. "One city down, but hundreds to go. Don't we deserve a five-minute break or something?"
"Apologies, Sir Riley…" Ivan countered. "But no warrior shall be relieved on a crisis of this scale! We must only pray that we will exterminate these invading vermin with haste!"
Kendall's com suddenly beeped with an incoming message. "Doctor Morgan! Are you receiving this?" The Purple Ranger took the device from her belt before responding. "I copy, Zenowing. What is it?"
"Keeper and I have found evidence of Grimm activity in China. Right now, I'm looking at… what I can only describe as an infestation. There's a cave entrance covered in some ominous black goo… I suspect the creatures are establishing nests of some kind."
"Nests?" James echoed. "Does this mean they're adapting?"
"We've been killing dozens of them ever since they arrived," Izzy explained. "But Tommy said they just wander around aimlessly, right?"
"Normally, yeah," Yang answered. "But from what I learned at Beacon, they're also intelligent. Not as smart as a person, mind you… but older Grimm that are left alive for too long can get enough experience to exercise caution and wait for opportunities to attack."
Gia turned to her. "Can they get smart enough to coordinate together? Like a pack?"
"Fortunately, no," Ruby replied. "Like you guys already know, they just roam and wander. The Grimm you already fought found these cities by chance."
"So, these nests…" Tyler guessed. "Are they finding a place to settle down and rest?"
"No, Grimm don't need to rest," Ruby told him. "I think they're keeping their numbers intact. Back in Angel Grove… uh, well, in Angel Grove thirty years ago, there was this black liquid that the Grimm crawled out of. What if that's what the caves are for? To replenish what you guys have taken out?"
"And making all of our efforts for naught?" Amelia realized. "Oh, that's so not gonna happen! What now, Zayto? Are we taking care of that cave?"
"No," he said. "Tyler and his team can handle that one. Let's check back with Solon… that place may not be the only one they've holed up." The Dino Fury Rangers inputted some coordinates, with Javi shooting a comforting look to the others. "Good hunting, guys! We'll catch ya later!"
And with that, the six vanished in bright-colored streaks of light.
"You guys go ahead and meet up with Zenowing," Tyler told his friends. "I'll catch up as soon as I can." Shelby nodded at her leader. "Right. Don't take too long, Ty." Colored pillars signaled their departure, leaving the five remaining Rangers silent as they examined the battle-scarred city. Minh sighed, her eyes taking in the destruction that reached everywhere she looked.
"What a mess… do cities always get this beat up in Ranger battles?"
"Not always," Gia answered as everyone's helmets faded away. "Monsters of the week don't do much damage… but larger-scale threats like invasions tend to be a little more chaotic. Back when the Armada attacked Harwood County for their staging ground, they almost burned the city to the ground."
"And it took all of the Rangers to destroy their forces," Minh recalled. "Well… almost all of them. This is gonna be the same thing, isn't it?"
Gia sighed. "Probably." Ruby shared the blonde's sentiments as she and her sister looked around the damaged city. Several buildings went untouched, but the roads were an absolute mess. Fires crackled along the sides and vehicles lay abandoned or knocked onto their sides. But Ruby caught something moving through the dust and smoke: a motorcycle still in working condition driving towards them while maneuvering around the debris. The others noticed its approach and watched the bike come to a stop, the driver removing their helmet to reveal an older blonde woman behind the wheel. She brought two fingers to her ear after examining her surroundings.
"Times Square is all clear, Mack. This sector is accounted for."
Gia and Minh approached the newcomer as she dismounted from the bike, the former's eyes wide. "M-M-Miss Landsdown?! What are you… I didn't realize RPM-"
"I ran into her when I heard about New York," Minh told her. "As much as I wanted to get in there and join the fight, Summer told me that the Rangers needed a better plan to keep the Grimm at bay."
Ruby and Yang trailed off, their eyes lost in thought while they shared a glance full of distant memories. But amidst the warm flashes into the past, Ruby thought back to what she saw in the Grid: that same woman defying her parents to save a life everyone believed was doomed. The Summer she knew would be just as selfless, never considering rules and expectations when she set her sights on something more significant than them. And knowing that the ideals she shared also belonged to another, even worlds away, was-
"Hey! Rookies! You might wanna pay attention if you wanna keep the whole planet from looking like this!" Ruby snapped out of her mind-wandering and saw the woman gesturing to the battle-worn city with an unamused expression. "U-uh, sorry! I-it's just… well…"
"Summer…" Yang calmly spoke up with a warm smile. "That was our mom's name."
The woman stilled, taken aback and running a hand through her locks. "Oh… well, that's nice to hear. I mean, I bet I'd be proud of my kids were…" Now it was her turn to trail off as something flickered in her eyes. When she turned back to Ruby and Yang, they were wide and unblinking. "Hold on… did you say 'was'?"
The silent sisters noticed everyone looking upon them in a similar realization… particularly Minh, whose hands slowly covered her mouth. Yang met her gaze momentarily before she and Ruby solemnly nodded at Summer. "Oh…" The response was faint before she awkwardly cleared her throat. "I'm… so sorry for your loss."
"It happened when we were kids," Ruby whispered. "She was the best parent we could ever ask for. But one day, she left on a mission… and never returned. Our whole family fell apart without her…"
A sigh from Tyler made Ruby glance in his direction, the boy glancing between her and the depressed Minh, who took her hand in Yang's for support. "I… I guess I can understand that. My dad went missing when I was only eight years old and I spent so long searching for him."
"And I can't begin to imagine how hurt you two could've been at such a young age," Minh muttered. "And I don't think I can even relate to that… but, hey," She gently touched Yang's shoulder. "If I put my mom's legacy in the right hands, it's safe to say you two did the same." The blonde gave Minh a gentle smile while Ruby cracked a smile. "Heh… yeah… full-fledged heroes just like her. Not quite Huntresses, but good enough, right?"
"Ahem!" Gia audibly cleared her throat and turned back to the older woman. "So! This plan… is it Doctor K's doing, Summer?"
"Actually, it's Captain Mitchell's orders," she explained. "While entire teams are putting up a solid defense, he believed we needed to conserve our numbers. Ranger teams will exhaust their energy if they keep this up for so long, and we're leaving vital areas exposed for the Grimm."
"Hmm… smart move," Tyler commented. "But is it gonna work?"
"It just did," she answered with a satisfied smirk. "Captain Mitchell assigned me with Mack Hartford and Justin Stewart to clear out New York while two teams of Dino Rangers handled high-level threats."
"Turbo, Operation Overdrive, and RPM?" Gia echoed in awe. "Aw, now I wish I could've seen that!"
"The three of us herded as many Grimm as possible into a single location and wiped them out. As always, being outnumbered is barely a problem for Power Rangers… so the captain will be pleased to know his trial run was successful."
"Definitely," Ruby added. "That could get the Grimm away from people and ensure they're dealt with safely! With this, we could get back a semblance of control!"
"Yeah…" Gia chuckled. "The only thing that would make this more of a pain is if the Grimm showed up in your world. Can you imagine?"
Summer playfully rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it."
"Wait…" Yang interrupted, uncertainty in her voice as she and Ruby tried to process what they heard. "Isn't this your world?" Everyone else went dead silent, and their eyes went wide in realization. Gia shrank back after she realized what she had just uttered aloud. "Uh… oops?"
"Wait, you don't know?" Tyler gasped. "Nobody else told you about… about…" His eyes darted to the side. "Uh… how can I put this gently?"
"Will they understand?" Minh asked Summer. "I mean, they're from another world."
"Maybe, maybe not," Summer uttered, the older woman taking a deep breath while Yang and Ruby were out of the loop. "Um… are we missing something here?"
"Okay, fair warning," Minh hurriedly spoke up. "What you're about to hear may either blow your mind or make you question everything you know about reality. Trust me, it took me a long, long time to get used to it."
Ruby didn't like where this was headed. She wondered what word described the feeling of wanting to know or not wanting to know at the same time; maybe Weiss would have an idea. "Um… okay?"
"You know of the Power Rangers and you know of Earth," Summer began. "Every Ranger team in the world knows about other teams, having heard of them or worked alongside them in the past… but until recently, they had no knowledge of RPM and Dino Charge." She gestured to herself and Tyler, making the sisters look confused between them.
"And why's that?" Yang asked, prompting Gia to mumble something about a "moment of truth".
"Both of these teams indeed hail from Earth," Summer continued. "But it was a shock to Rangers everywhere… that each team hailed from a different Earth."
Ruby and Yang's entire beings ceased functioning, silver and lilac orbs incredulously blown wide open. The girl could barely speak. "A… a d-d-different…" She looked over to Yang, who looked like she wanted to scoff at the idea. But given they had learned about worlds beyond their own and traveled through time, this mind-numbing concept sounded almost too far-fetched to be true.
If it weren't for the steadfast and focused expressions on the other Rangers' faces, Ruby and Yang would have dismissed Summer's claims easily.
"Two parallel dimensions, mirror Earths, if you will," Summer kept going. "Existing in planes of reality resting side-by-side with this Earth. At first glance, they're equal in all things. Same people, same places, same events… except for one crucial difference that separates them from the rest."
Ruby and Yang didn't utter a word. Ruby was only this quiet whenever someone was reading her a story she was absolutely engrossed in; like her mom or her sister leaving her captivated with a fairy tale. Back then, she was desperate to discover what happened next… and this time was no exception.
In the back of her mind, she wished what she was hearing was a fairy tale.
"My Earth, the world of the RPM Rangers, started out like this one," Summer said softly. "Until it was decimated and destroyed by a self-aware and self-generating digital virus: Venjix. The remnants of humanity lived in fear as they struggled to survive, and the RPM Rangers were their last hope."
"And mine, the Dino Charge world," Tyler added. "Also pretty much the same… until it got sucked into a black hole."
"What?!" Yang blurted out, seconds away from saying more before the Red Ranger held up a hand. "My team managed to travel back in time to stop my Earth's destruction and defeated our enemy, an intergalactic bounty hunter named Sledge. Buuut in doing so, we ended up changing the timeline so that dinosaurs never went extinct." He expelled a deep breath and rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I should be very lucky Time Force doesn't have jurisdiction outside their timeline…"
"Oh my gods…" Yang breathed. "Entire parallel worlds? That's… it's…"
"Unbelievable, but not in a good way?" Minh finished. "Totally agree."
Ruby's trying-to-recover-from-being-blown mind was wandering again from this revelation, trying to pick up the pieces of her world that had shattered for the third time. Ruby couldn't fathom the thought of Remnant suffering such a fate, be it overrun with Grimm or absolutely annihilated by… by… something nobody in her world could ever hope to comprehend.
"Is that it?" she heard Yang ask. "Just those two?"
Summer sighed. "We don't know. Once this dimension's Rangers learned about ours' existence, the smartest of us pondered the possibility of more parallel Earths: countless worlds with their own Rangers and countless dimensions all touched by the Morphin Grid. But so far, none of us have discovered a dimension outside those three."
"But that didn't stop the Rangers from realizing that if there could be two parallel Earths, there could be more," Tyler finished. "An entire multiverse of Power Rangers."
Ruby felt like she was on the edge of fainting. If there were countless Earths… could that mean there could be countless Remnants, too? Possibilities swirled in her brain as question after question made themselves known.
What if I didn't get into Beacon early?
What if the Grimm didn't exist?
What if Faunus didn't exist?
What if I was born first instead of Yang?
What if Mom chose to stay?
What if Weiss was nice when we first met?
What if Blake didn't hide her Faunus traits?
What if Team RWBY was raised together?
What if Penny was a regular girl?
What if I didn't find that strange woman at the dance?
What if-
Yang's fingers snapped in front of her face, making Ruby jolt as she realized her heart was going a mile a minute. Her chest was also heaving, which slowly dropped back down as she stared into her sister's worried face. It felt like forever before Ruby could talk again.
"Sorry… I… it just felt…"
"Too much," Minh finished. "I get it."
Yang steadied herself as best as she could before looking back at Summer. "You… you said you all met each other, right? That this world learned about you? How did that happen?"
"The first recorded cross-dimensional incident occurred in 2012," Summer told her. "Scott Truman, the RPM Red Ranger and my leader, arrived on this Earth in pursuit of a villain named Professor Cog. Cog aligned himself with Master Xandred, the demonic lord of the Netherworld, as part of a plot to obtain that realm's Senzu River water to use against the human survivors of my dimension. Scott managed to foil them both with the aid of Xandred's enemies, the Samurai Rangers."
"But Cog wasn't done," Gia continued. "Two years later, he lured my team- the Megaforce Rangers- to the RPM dimension through a fake distress signal. I saw that wasteland of a world with my own eyes… and it's not something I can forget easily. A ruined, obliterated Earth…" She sighed and shook her head. "It's a Ranger's- any human's- worst nightmare."
"In the years since, the Rangers of the Prime Dimension have incorporated RPM and Dino Charge into the greater Ranger legacy- namely with Time Force's help- and combatted threats that threaten all dimensions," Tyler continued. "Including a warlord who wanted to conquer the multiverse with a robot Ranger army and Venjix making his way to this world. But it's important to remember that the Morphin Grid touches all these dimensions, uniting us in ways none of us could imagine."
Summer chuckled and a smirk crossed her face. "The Morphin Grid… you know, on my Earth, Doctor K called it the Bio-Field."
"Bio-Field?" Minh repeated with a disappointed scowl. "The woman has no sense of imagination."
"That's…" Yang breathed. "I-I don't know where to start with all this. Different dimensions? Other Earths? And all of them with Power Rangers? How do we know if Remnant has the same thing?"
"Leave those questions to the higher-ups," Gia told her. "You'll be pleased to know that out of all the Earths out there, the Grimm ended up on this one… okay, that doesn't sound good when taken out of context."
"Actually, I sort of get it," Ruby countered. "It's enough to look after one, so… that's what I'm gonna think about from now on. Whew…"
Gia smiled. "Yeah, good choice. And speaking of, why don't we-"
An electronic beeping noise cut the girl off and she glanced down at her morpher before picking it up. "Yello?" Yang's face brightened instantly and she shot Gia a quick finger gun, the latter smiling in response while a voice made itself known from the mask-like device.
"Gia, it's Troy. Tensou's getting some readings that the Grimm are about to hit Harwood. Is New York clear?"
"Yeah, we're all set here."
"Good. I need everyone back home ASAP. I'll see you soon, yeah?"
The blonde smirked and saluted with her free hand. "Aye-aye, Captain Marvelous!"
"Wha- ugh! I thought I told Jake to quit calling me that!"
"Correction," Gia said with a cheeky grin. "You told Jake to quit calling you that."
There was a sigh mixed with a chuckle from the morpher. "Okay, I asked for that. You two are too much sometimes, you know that?"
"You are very much welcome. See ya soon, boss." Gia turned to Yang and shot her a wink. "And I'll catch you some other time. Later, Goldilocks." Her entire body glowed as bright as the sun before she shot away in a yellow light beam, leaving Yang smiling at her departure. "See?! Now, why couldn't Jason's team call me that? She gets it!"
Ruby only rolled her eyes with a smirk. "So what's next for the rest of you? Tyler, you've got something to take care of in China…"
"Already on it," the young man said as he inputted some coordinates. "Nice meeting you, Ruby! Don't be a stranger, Ranger!" He gave her a two-fingered salute before vanishing in a crimson light. Finally, Summer mounted her bike and placed her helmet over her head… but turned to the sisters with a bright smile.
"Hey… your Summer would be so proud of you both. Never forget that." She snapped the visor down and gunned the engine, spinning the bike around and racing down the street. Yang sighed as she watched the veteran Yellow Ranger depart, only to have her attention directed to the latest of the line.
"Why don't we head back to the Command Center?" Minh suggested. "I can let Billy know of the captain's idea and we can get some new assignments."
"Totally," Yang agreed. "And while we're there, let's see if our friends have had any luck with their jobs."
Right before she teleported away alongside the two Yellow Rangers, Ruby had to agree with her sister about how the rest of her teammates were holding up. If all went well, their first counterattack against the Grimm invasion would be no different than their initiation back home…
…
Over in Silver Hills, the small town had gone from the site of a small infestation to a battlefield. A massive Grimm dragon bellowed with widespread wings as its brethren threw themselves at five Rangers. A Beowolf pounced at one of them with jaws ready to bite down on a helmet…
…but the shining tip of a gleaming silver sword burst from its back, black ichor dripping and falling off its stainless surface. Light filled its wound while the owner yanked the weapon out, leaving the beast to collapse and die at his boots. A second Beowolf landed atop an outstretched silver sword before the valiant Silver Ranger tossed it aside. The beast scrambled to stand but was too late when the shining blade cut it down on the spot, leaving a bright mark of light before withering away into nothing.
"HA HA!" Jaune Arc cheered, lifting his arms high with a delighted laugh. "This is amazing! I finally feel like a real hero!" He spun and bashed a Boarbatusk away with a solid kick, enough to make the monster squeal before a sharp slice of his sword instantly vanquished it. "I feel just like the Rusted Knight! Only without the rust!"
He spun to face down another Beowolf that reared its full height… but a glimmering golden spear suddenly gutted it through the back, cutting off its growl. The weapon was yanked back and the beast fell, revealing the radiant figure of a female Gold Ranger behind it.
"I like that you have the chance to live out your dreams, Jaune," Pyrrha said before sweeping another Beowolf off its feet and impaling it between its bony ribs. "But I wouldn't get too carried away if I were you! Remember why we're here!"
"Yeah! Let's get rid of these guys!" Jaune raised his longsword high, its bright silver glow making every Grimm who looked upon it flinch and glance away. "TEAM JNPR, TOGETHER!" He and Pyrrha held fast against the horde, keeping on the defensive while Nora and Ren attacked. The Pink Ranger was a one-woman army that decimated entire groups at a time, thunder blasts and electric pulses claiming several Grimm with each hammer swing.
The Green Ranger was more swift and subtle than his partner. With the Grimm focused on the rest of his team, Ren was free to move about unseen and cut through his targets with precision, leaving them to collapse either without a limb or covered in sickly jade hues. He appeared and disappeared in mere blinks, confusing the Grimm as he picked them off individually.
As for Jaune, he was amazed. Every bit of his body was on autopilot as he seemingly knew what to do before he did it. He was a walking tank, undaunted as claws raked harmlessly off his silver armor and the solid steel of his shield met bone in devastating crunches. His blade was a part of his arm, and every motion and swing he took struck true. Here he was, marching forward into evil itself and being utterly unstoppable: the ultimate symbol of true heroism.
If only his family could see him now. He wasn't that awkward, bumbling boy who screamed in terror at the sight of a Grimm or submitted to defeat when faced with insurmountable odds. Jaune was right where he always wanted to be: a true warrior and a champion on par with a legend like Pyrrha Nikos herself.
And speaking of the Invincible Girl, she was sprinting down the street and vaulting over wrecked cars like a well-trained athlete, her golden armor possessing the same polish and shine as his own. Pyrrha was nigh-untouchable, the armor not slowing her down as her twirling spear sliced through Grimm during perfectly timed acrobatics. Where Jaune excelled in strength and power, she was the same in speed and accuracy. It wasn't much of a struggle for Jaune to keep up with his partner, and soon, the two of them were fighting side-by-side once again.
"HRAH!" Pyrrha's golden boot connected with a Creep's face and she tossed her shield at an incoming Beowolf pack. The golden disc ricocheted between the beasts, but its streak was cut short when a Boarbatusk knocked the shield aside. But instead of collapsing to the street, the shield vanished in a cloud of sparkles…
…and reappeared in Pyrrha's grip, much to the Gold Ranger's surprise.
"Whoa! Neat!" She snapped back into action as if nothing had happened, harpooning a Beowolf through the throat and bisecting it in half with a sharp sweep. Once the monster fell, Pyrrha's eyes turned to a Griffon evading pink lightning blasts that blasted its flockmates out of the sky. She took a stance and drew her arm back, directing her energy into her gleaming spear.
The ensuing throw was only a second long, the spear being shot at lightspeed and piercing the Griffon instantaneously. The weapon rematerialized into her hand long before the Griffon collapsed into a puddle of blackness, just in time to lop off a Beowolf's hand and bash out its legs with her shield. "You may have a point, after all, Jaune! These powers are amazing!"
"I know, right?!" His voice was high with excitement as his sword emitted a blinding glow. A sharp swing of his blade sent an arc of silver light at the forefront of his next attackers, connecting with a bright blast that left nothing but dust behind. The Grimm who witnessed this bellowed in rage and converged on the Silver Ranger. For the briefest of moments, fear and worry coursed through his nerves at the sight of so many Grimm swarming him with insane ferocity.
What he could only describe as muscle memory kicked in, his shield arm pumping and causing the crescent shield to rotate parallel to his arm. The shining armament folded away at the sides and a small cannon barrel rose into place, the shield's sides locking against his arm to give it extra protection. Without even thinking, Jaune drove his fist into a charging Beowolf's chest… and pulled the trigger.
BLAM!
HWWWAAAARRRGG! The Beowolf howled in agony as a silver explosion ruptured it from the inside out, leaving a gaping hole in its back before Jaune tossed it aside and turned his newfound cannon on its fellow creatures of darkness. Beowolves and Boarbatusks scrambled for cover as devastating pulses of silver energy blasted outward, demolishing any Grimm they hit and reducing them of various body parts. Jaune continued to march forward during his assault, his sword slicing down a Boarbatusk that foolishly approached him. Once no more remained to challenge him, his relieved breathing turned into joyful laughter.
"HA HA! WHAT?! IT'S ALSO A… I DIDN'T KNOW… WAIT! HOW DID I KNOW IT COULD DO THAT?!" He was so excited that he failed to notice another Beowolf lunging at him from behind, but two daggers burst from its chest before it was inexplicably diced into two halves at the torso. The Silver Ranger whirled around, shoving his cannon at his enemy…
…only for a green snake-like helmet to materialize right before it.
Jaune gasped and awkwardly stepped back, reverting his extra weapon to its shield mode. "R-Ren! I- so sorry- it's just-"
"Let me tell you something Nora was just told: don't go crazy with these new abilities and weapons. Even Power Rangers have limits."
"I… uh…" His posture slumped. "Sorry for getting carried away. It's just that… I'm finally a hero worthy of legend, Ren! We all are!"
"On the outside," That was all the Green Ranger said before taking off, leaping off a car to bury his daggers into an Ursa's back. Jaune had no clue what he had meant by that, but the time to think about it would come later. He gathered his composure and charged at the next Grimm he saw. Not too far away, a strong spinning kick from Pyrrha floored a Beowolf and a shield bash dislocated a beast's jaw. The Gold Ranger stood firm against the Grimm that surrounded her, waiting for either of them to make the first move while their evil red eyes reflected off the golden disc…
"YYYAAAAAAAHHHH!" Pyrrha jerked her head up and raised her shield just in time for an airborne Nora to come crashing down, her electrified hammer crashing down on the shield. A thunderous blast of pink lightning exploded outward, vaporizing the Grimm to ash and leaving others with no time to react. The two Rangers were all that remained when the last sparkles fizzled out.
"Maybe a little warning next time?" Pyrrha advised.
"I dunno, I think that was enough of a warning," Nora shrugged before smashing a Creep in the face. Now that she had a little extra breathing room, Pyrrha scanned the streets for his next target and found a flock of Griffons about to dive-bomb Jaune. The Silver Ranger was already locked in combat with an Ursa, the massive Grimm pushing against his defensive stance.
Everything slowed down for Pyrrha when she registered the threat, her spear and shield vanishing from her hands. A gleaming and golden bow appeared in their place and she drew back a long gold arrow that materialized during her draw, the tip poised and focused to a point. Her grip instantly released when the Griffons all flew in a line, allowing the sparkling arrow to pierce them all in a single motion. Pyrrha could barely mask her surprise, her mind silently asking how she had just did that while her friend broke the Ursa's guard and made quick work of it.
It was as if Team JNPR were transformed inside as well as out; acting and fighting like different people while their minds were along for the ride. They were just mere students, but now they were behaving like veteran warriors that not even the Grimm could keep up with. Jaune's sword cleaved through the monsters effortlessly, Ren's daggers were lethal with the slightest touch, Nora's hammer broke down the strongest of defenses with devastating blows, and Pyrrha's spear and bow made herself a nigh-unstoppable force as she switched between them in the blink of an eye.
To each of them, the ordeal lasted only a minute more. The Ranger quartet took full control of the battle, succeeding where Kat had struggled. Soon, the streets were empty of all Grimm…
…all but one.
GRRRRR…. The enormous Grimm dragon snarled and took a cautious step back as Team JNPR formed up. Jaune and Pyrrha served as the vanguard while Nora and Ren covered their sides, standing tall against the black beast. The dark dragon spread its wings wide, its mouth aglow with an orange light. The Silver and Gold Rangers readied their shields, bracing for the attack.
Suddenly, the orange light went out. The Grimm dragon went still, its nostrils sniffing the air curiously. Its attention strayed, no longer focused on the Rangers but on something far; something familiar… yet different, a mixture of new and old. The scent was alluring, beckoning the beast towards its source. Without so much as a glance at the Rangers, the Grimm dragon launched itself off the street with a mighty beat of its wings, rising into the air and flying off into the distance.
"Yeah, that's right!" Nora screamed at its shrinking visage. "You better run!"
"It wasn't intimidated, Nora," Ren countered. "Did you see how it acted? Why it stopped so suddenly?"
"Something caught its notice," Pyrrha added. "And if it chooses to pursue that over death and destruction…"
"I think it'll lead to more death and destruction," Jaune finished worriedly before whirling to Nora and Ren as everyone's helmets faded. "Where's Team RWBY? They need to know about this, and fast."
"We can take you to them," Ren promised. "But first…"
"Just where did you get that cool armor?!" Nora squealed. "Everybody's gonna geek out when they see you guys like this! Pyrrha, has anyone ever told you that you look amazing in gold?! I know bronze is normally your deal, but-"
"I… guess that color makes sense, given what I've done," the redhead answered. "But it's kind of a long story."
"Uh, not really," Jaune interrupted. "After that flash of light on Vytal, Pyrrha and I woke up in this strange jungle without our weapons, armor… and Auras, if you can believe that!"
"I can," Ren told him. "Everyone else experienced something similar."
"Huh… okay, so, anyway, we wandered around for a bit until we came across this cave, where we learned so much. First off, it turns out Jason and his friends aren't the only Power Rangers out there!"
"I assure you, Jaune," Ren added. "We are well aware of that. Katherine?"
The older woman walked up to them and Nora quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Guys, this is Kat! She's an amazing Pink Ranger like yours truly, she's got a cool disc she can throw around… oh! And she's also Tommy's wife!"
Pyrrha's jade eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. "His wife?"
"I know, right?! I was shocked, too!"
"Miss Hillard," Ren intervened, gesturing to his friends. "These are our teammates: Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos." The older woman met each of them with a warm smile while admiring their suits. "Nice to meet you both… silver and gold, huh? There aren't many of those around, and few Ranger teams have both at once."
"Thanks," the blonde boy responded. "We had a… very hectic time convincing the guy who gave them to us that we were the good guys… and from another world."
"But convince him we did," Pyrrha added. "He was quite the character, too. A little bit on the goofy side, quick to anger… and called himself Ninjor, of all things."
Kat's jaw dropped. "Ninjor gave you those powers?"
Pyrrha raised a brow. "Of course. Do you know him?"
"Know him?" Kat echoed with a delighted smile. "Everyone knows Ninjor! He's a legend in the Ranger community: he knows many of the Morphin Grid's secrets and forged the original Power Coins!"
"Once we gained his trust and told him our story," Jaune continued. "He told us a great evil came to this world with us: the Grimm. We wanted to join the fight, so here we are!"
"Well… it's gonna be a while before you can see your friends again," Kat said. "They're still out on missions… but in the meantime, I can take you back to the Command Center and get you up to speed on what's happening,"
"And tell the others about that Grimm," Ren reminded her. "There's nothing like it back on Remnant, so we need to keep an eye on that thing."
"Agreed," Kat nodded. "And if my years of experience have taught me anything… we haven't seen the last of that guy. He'll be back."
Kat helped everyone type in the coordinates and they all teleported away from Silver Hills in no time. Jaune and Pyrrha didn't doubt the creature's return… but hoped everyone would be ready when it showed itself again.