"Guys? I need you at the Big Apple and not for souvenirs..."
"Got it! We'll be there as soon as we can! Hang tight!"
"Will do, Shelbs," Tyler pocketed his communicator before ducking into cover alongside Ruby. "So… I take waiting for them isn't an option?" Gia shook her head. "Nope."
"Definitely not," Yang muttered, her eyes trained on the horde that swarmed New York's streets. "Every second those Grimm are still here, they could hurt somebody or destroy the city piece by piece." Her point was proven when a taxi sailed over their heads, forcing both blondes to duck before the car crashed against the street. Gia stared at the wreck momentarily until she turned back to Tyler with fire in her eyes.
"Alright… let's do this."
The two stood up from hiding and marched into the street with Ruby and Yang behind them. Tyler still held his blaster, yet his free hand retrieved a tiny battery-like device while Gia prepared a small mask-shaped object. While the sisters readied their own morphers with shining Power Coins, everyone shared a ready glance and nodded in unison.
"IT'S MORPHIN' TIME!"
Ruby and Yang immediately thrust their morphers outward, red and yellow energy flowing out of the coins and into their bodies as they called out the names of their respective creatures.
"CARMINE WOLF!"
"BURNING DRAGON!"
Their bodies burst with light as their Ranger suits flashed onto them, the girls taking a firm stance at the horde ahead of them. Gia shot Yang an impressed look and hummed in appreciation before setting to work. She opened the mouth of her device and materialized a card—donned with a Ranger visage and the words "GOSEI YELLOW"—that she promptly inserted into it.
"GO GO MEGAFORCE!" She cried, shutting the device and thrusting it forward as it glowed with sunny light. "HA!" Another blast of yellow light exploded outward, fading to reveal Gia clad in a yellow suit decorated with gold symbols and a fanged tiger's face on both sides of her helmet.
"EARTH'S DEFENDERS NEVER SURRENDER!" She shouted, striking a combat pose alongside Yang.
Smirking at his friend, Tyler turned his attention forward and rolled his head over his shoulders… before thrusting the small battery forward and clicking it.
"DINO CHARGER, READY!"
He placed the battery inside his blaster and snapped it closed as an automatic voice boomed from the weapon. "T-REX CHARGER, ENGAGE!"
"ENERGIZE!" Tyler spun the barrel and prompted crimson energy to spark, powering up the blaster before he raised it to the sky. "UNLEASH THE POWER!" With a pull of the trigger, a construct of a mechanical T-Rex's head shot out from the blaster with a dominating roar as it flew around. The head flew behind Tyler and bit down, adorning him in a fierce-looking Ranger suit, the helmet's faceplate resembling the dinosaur's jaw.
"Hey, Grimm!" Tyler roared, drawing himself into a ready stance while Ruby did the same. "It's about to get wild!" Every pair of evil eyes rounded on the Red and Yellow Rangers quartet, prompting the creatures of darkness to growl and roar in rage. Taking that as their cue, the color-clad heroes broke into a fast charge and clashed with the Grimm head-on, meeting a swarm of Beowolves, Boarbatusks, and Griffons while Ursas shambled forward and Lancers buzzed through the air.
The first wave of Beowolves were significantly larger than the humans, but size didn't help them as mere punches and kicks from the Rangers were enough to knock them off their feet. Yang and Gia threw themselves at the horde with superhuman strength while Ruby and Tyler hung back, beating away any Grimm that got close to them. Ruby swung her cape in a Beowolf's face to disorient it before she landed a swift flurry of punches to its midsection. An overhead somersault kick to its head pounded it against the pavement and she engaged two more monsters at once, hitting them right in the snouts with a perfect split-kick.
"Ha ha! Why didn't anybody tell me fighting this way was so much fun?!"
"Seriously, Rubes?!" Yang called out, breaking a Beowolf's neck in a tight arm lock and hurling it to the ground. "A coin showed you what I've been trying to do? You wound me, sister…" A Boarbatusk charged for Yang like a bulldozer, but the Yellow Ranger sprayed it in the face with her flamethrower without glancing at it, causing the Grimm to squeal in pain and back off.
"She's got a point!" Gia shouted, redirecting a Boarbatusk's momentum before bombarding some Beowolves with bone-shattering blows. "Weapons and blasters are cool and all, but sometimes, there's nothing more satisfying than giving monsters a good old punch in the face! YAH!" She emphasized her point by smashing a fist right between a Beowolf's eyes and cracking its faceplate, earning a yelp of pain from the beast. Tyler was vaulting and rolling off cars to evade strikes, leaping off a vehicle's roof to stomp a running Boarbatusk in the spine hard enough to snap it.
"Yeah, I know that feeling!" He kicked out a Beowolf's legs and pounded a fist into its jaw before landing a hard chop to another monster's throat. The Red Ranger leaped atop the beast and wrestled it to the ground, but his move to finish it off was interrupted by the approach of three more Beowolves. Tyler thought fast and drew his weapon…
"DINO MORPHER BLAST!" Crimson bolts struck the Grimm in the chests, the shots powerful enough to instantly vaporize them. He turned the blaster on his captive Grimm and blasted it in the head, giving himself the freedom to roll back on his feet. More of the pack was making a mad dash toward the team, causing the Yellow Rangers to backtrack on their previous thoughts.
"Uh, then again… having a weapon isn't so bad, either," Gia said, sticking another card into her morpher. Expectantly, she held out her hand as something materialized in her grip.
"SUMMON BATTLE GEAR!"
"TIGER CLAW!" A single clawed gauntlet appeared on her right arm, its blades gleaming as Gia moved to engage the next volley of Grimm. Yang moved to assist her, landing a charging dropkick on a Beowolf that sent it into a truck. The dragon-themed Yellow Ranger combined strong punches with her gauntlet's flamethrowers, packing more heat to her hits while blasting streams of deadly flame at the ashen atrocities.
"Eat Flaming Fists, you freaks!" A quick stream to the skies set a few Griffons alight, filling the air with their shrieks as they were burned alive. One landed in a thrashing, burning heap next to Ruby and Tyler, who stood back-to-back as a circle of Grimm kept them trapped. The Red Rangers called their weapons forth…
"WOLF'S CLAW!"
"DINO SABER!"
…and slashed at the monsters faster than they could react. The scythe and the sword cut through them like knives through butter while powerful strikes pierced bone quickly. The blade of Ruby's scythe pulsed with crimson energy when she vaulted off a car, spinning in midair with a mighty cry before plunging her scythe into the street. The energy discharged in a bright red pulse that blasted nearby Grimm away, yet the blade remained aglow as she sliced up Grimm by the dozen. Tyler picked up the pace, slashing and cutting down any survivors.
"Man, I don't know what's worse," he commented. "A giant monster invading a city, or an army of smaller monsters invading a city!"
"My vote's on the army!" Gia yelled, cutting down some more Grimm with her claw. "I've faced one before, so the big guy is my easier option!"
"Well, unless there's more than one giant monster!" Yang countered, using her gauntlets to blast a hole clean through an Ursa's chest. "I still can't believe Jason's team held out against three Leviathans back home!"
"Three?" Tyler scoffed, decapitating a Boarbatusk as it charged past. "Try having to deal with five attacking major cities at once!" Gia whirled towards him for a moment. "When did that…" She trailed off into silence. "Oh. Right. Never mind!" Before Ruby or Yang could ask her what she meant, the unified bellows of Grimm snapped them back to reality. The sisters tag-teamed a massive Ursa while Tyler and Gia worked on blasting Griffons out of the sky, the former pair overpowering and overwhelming their larger opponent. Ruby went high and slashed at the head; Yang stayed low and bombarded the beast's belly with explosive blows. Finally, a rising uppercut from Yang knocked the Grimm backward, prompting Ruby to teleport underneath it and bisect the Ursa in a clean swipe.
The Red Ranger couldn't help but grow nervous at just how many Grimm remained. "Uh… what's the word on that backup, guys?"
"Not too much longer! I hope…" came Tyler's uneasy reply. "They should be here any second now…"
"Yep," Gia sighed, standing strong against the monsters that surrounded her from all angles. "Aaaany second now…" Ruby and Yang kept their guard up as the creatures converged on the Rangers, each still having enough energy to keep the fight going until reinforcements arrived.
Unbeknownst to the quartet, a figure tucked away in an alley was slipping on gloves and a leather jacket. A distant howl made them uneasily glance at the chaotic streets before the stranger grabbed a cell phone-shaped device, quickly establishing a connection and holding it to their ear. "Are you in position?"
"Yeah… this is crazy! If we don't do something, the whole city's going to be-"
"Not gonna happen. I've… had enough of that for one lifetime."
"Alright… so what's the plan?"
"If you haven't morphed, do so already. There should be four energy signatures in Times Square, and they're not going to last long against that many monsters."
"Uh… and are you certain we can?"
"The two of us? Not really…"
"That's very comforting."
"Yeah, welcome to our line of work. I'm gonna give them a harder target and see if I can draw in more. Once their eyes are on me, you help those Rangers cut them down to size. You got this, kid."
"Okay… do you got this?"
There was a chuckle as the stranger strapped on a helmet and grabbed a leather jacket, heading for a dirt bike parked against a wall. "You heard about my team, rookie?"
"Well… yeah?"
The motorcycle rider slung their jacket onto their body, revealing a yellow number 3 proudly displayed on the back. "Then you know this is nothing for me."
…
At the rate they were going, Weiss wouldn't be surprised if she and her new friend accidentally turned this part of the forest into a wintry landscape. Dozens of Grimm were already ice statues or shattered fragments, yet dozens more seemed to be moments away based on the bloodcurdling howls and hellish shrieks.
"SNOW STAFF!"
"SNOW SABER!"
Weiss and Udonna's weapons emitted a white mist and a blue beam of pure sub-zero energy, reducing the oncoming wave into ice sculptures. These sculptures were quickly smashed and shattered as Grimm continued to shove their way past, their burning gaze locked on the cold-powered Rangers. After freezing another Beowolf, Udonna conjured a mighty wind that flung the frozen Grimm into an Ursa, knocking it down while other Grimm clambered over their fallen comrade.
"Is there no end to these fiends?!"
"There's too many of them!" Weiss shouted, shooting her blaster at any Grimm she could see. "What do we do?! Fall back?"
"Do not fear, Miss Schnee," Udonna reassured her. "Whatever foul pits these monstrosities have crawled out of, they cannot compare with the forces of the Underworld. I will drag them back even if it requires all my magic."
"I…" Weiss couldn't find the words to respond. She now had all this power at her fingertips, but would it be enough?
"We are Power Rangers," Udonna said calmly, even as she blasted Grimm and summoned icicles to impale any who rushed her. "Rangers that command the chilling forces of winter itself. You speak the truth about our predicament, but we do not yield, we do not flee, and we do not surrender."
Weiss holstered her blaster and launched an icy orb from her palm, colliding with a Beowolf in midair. The Grimm froze instantly and shattered upon hitting the ground. "I appreciate those rousing words… but I have doubts we'll be able to destroy all these Grimm on our own."
"Then we do not need to destroy them," Udonna promised. "Only to delay them. Now, with me!" Weiss hummed in thought at that phrase. She had been destroying well so far… but could delay just as efficiently. While Udonna shot magical blasts of ice and snow from her staff, Weiss unequipped her saber and brought her hands together, charging cold energy between her palms. While she did so, Udonna managed to freeze another Ursa and snapped her fingers with a white sparkle, causing the frozen statue to fall apart in seconds.
Once the energy was fully charged, Weiss directed it from her hands and a blue beam struck the forest floor. The ground instantly froze, petrifying any Grimm in the area while Weiss slowly moved her arms up, creating a massive wall of thick ice that stretched as tall as the surrounding trees. Weiss dropped her arms once the last of the energy was gone, leaving the Grimm out of sight. They were undoubtedly already throwing themselves at the wall- scratching and gnawing at the surface- but it would hold while she and Udonna recuperated.
"Excellently done, Weiss," the woman praised. "In another lifetime, you would have made a fine cryomancer."
"Thanks, but I think I prefer this one," Now that she could pause, Weiss contemplated her next move. She and Udonna could lower the forest's temperature… until Weiss remembered that normal weather conditions did not affect the Grimm. From what she knew of Grimm in Solitas, they merely adapted to the cold over time. Perhaps as an alternative, she could enclose the Grimm into an icy cage similar to the wall she just erected, but how much energy would that take?
"The devils are contained… for now," Udonna spoke. "Yet this is no time for relief. We do not know how much of their evil infects this forest. Come with me, I know of-"
Weiss felt it the moment the older woman's words were cut off; the ground was trembling beneath her feet. The Blue Ranger barely had time to react before the earth exploded, launching her and Udonna in separate directions. The older woman landed on her feet while Weiss collapsed onto her back, a menacing hiss rising from the earth. Weiss scrambled back to her feet as a sizeable centipede-like body snaked out from underground, an eyeless head at the forefront of a shelled, multi-legged body decorated with protective obsidian shells and clawed legs.
Weiss knew this Grimm: a Centinel, another Grimm native to Solitas and none of the species found on Vytal. The mystery was growing, but she believed that answers would show themselves soon enough. For now, the Blue Ranger readied her attack…
…until something grabbed her by the waist and hurled Weiss like a ragdoll, smashing her against a tree. Weiss' brain rattled in her skull as she barely glimpsed the Beowolf emerging from the underbrush. More Grimm followed from the shadows: was this a new batch or had they managed to maneuver around the wall? Udonna was just as startled and was locked in combat with the monsters, doing her best to keep them back.
Weiss hurried into a stand and drew her saber, moments away from blasting another freezing beam at the Grimm. Suddenly, a deep growl made her spin around in shock just in time for a massive paw to swat her away. She felt herself flying again and pain wracked her body as Weiss smacked against the ice wall. The solid structure remained resolute, but something else shattered when she made the hard impact.
Like the air escaping her lungs or the last of her Aura breaking into nothingness, Weiss's blue suit and helmet vanished in a shower of sapphire sparks before she collapsed. Her morpher dropped to the dirt while the Ursa Major roared into the air. The Beowolf from earlier prowled towards the unmorphed Weiss, who struggled to control her blurry visions and the ringing in her ears.
The morpher… she needed to get…
Weiss was slowly crawling towards the device, its golden glint beckoning her forth. It was so close to being in arm's reach… until a black clawed hand plucked it from the ground. The girl's blood turned cold and she trained her wide blue eyes on the Beowolf, who curiously eyed the morpher and sniffed at it while its brethren had their interests piqued.
All was quiet. Weiss had lost her voice and the ability to breathe, her mind whispering unheard pleas as the Beowolf stared and sniffed at the morpher…
…before sinking its teeth into it!
"NO!" Weiss shrieked, bounding to her feet and making a break for her morpher. The Ursa Major roared at her approach and batted her aside again, sending Weiss into a tree. Without her suit to protect her, a blast of pain shot through her skull as her head collided with a branch. The pain was so intense he barely felt herself dropping face-first onto the ground, Udonna's sudden shout of her name just as faint.
Her vision became hazy once again, but spurts and sputters of blue sparks drew the remainder of her attention to the Grimm treating her morpher like a chew toy. Fangs punctured and pierced the golden coin, causing the device to burst and shudder like a malfunctioning computer. More Beowolves joined the fray, pushing and shoving at one another so each could take a bite out of the coin.
Weiss swore she could see their eyes start to flicker, but maybe that was just the ringing in her skull.
The Ursa Major lumbered forward, but whether it wanted to join in or break up the fight was anybody's guess. Weiss felt a chill on her skin as her body grew cold, her breathing becoming shaky and labored. Before the massive Grimm could get far, a barrier or sharp icicle barred its path and a white figure landed between the Beowolves. Furious staff strikes, well-placed kicks, and expertly cast snow spells beat the beasts back, giving Udonna enough breathing room to retrieve Weiss' morpher. Weiss could barely distinguish the sorceress's form, but her chest was heaving rapidly.
The woman's examination of the device was cut short as wisps and streams of blue energy started to leak out. Udonna was shaking her head now and pointed her staff at the morpher, shouting words Weiss couldn't understand even if she could hear them properly. But whatever she was trying to do wasn't working, as more blue wisps bled out from the morpher and wafted through the air…
…into the Grimm's nostrils.
The Beowolves, Centinel, and Ursa Major bellowed and howled. At the same time, the streams wafted over the ice wall, resulting in a cacophony of roars that made an alarmed Udonna whirl in all directions. Weiss fought to keep herself conscious, her weary eyes watching a Beowolf shriek as purple lightning coursed throughout its body. Its crimson eyes flickered and pulsed until they became a bright violet, glowing and humming with bright light. Before long, every Grimm had undergone a similar transformation: spikes grew longer, claws became sharper, and purple veins covered their black skin.
The Ursa Major's now-violet orbs looked down upon Udonna, its eyes and mouth aglow with purple light. The sorceress took a hasty step back, her hands tightly gripping her Snow Staff while her helmet glanced in Weiss' direction. She fired a snowy projectile from her staff… which now dissipated harmlessly against the Ursa Major's wicked head. Behind her, the ice wall began to buckle and crack as the Grimm behind it struck harder and more fiercely. Startled at this, Udonna rushed over to Weiss's side just as the heiress felt her eyes losing the battle to stay open.
"MYSTO AEROTAN!"
A gentle exhale left Weiss' lips as the darkness closed in… and the last thing she remembered feeling was Udonna's cold yet warm presence.
…
Blake's sneakers pounded against the dirt, and the jungle rushed around her. Her pace and breathing were in perfect synchronization. Her golden eyes were steeled, her senses were finely focused, and her body seemed to move independently as she vaulted over logs, slid beneath massive roots, and leaped across small ravines. After launching across a river, she hit the ground in a perfectly timed roll, sprinting through the Animarium's wilds at full speed.
Something about this place resonated with her. Blake couldn't place it, but she had theories. The Animarium was a lush paradise with an abundance of plants and animals alike, leading Blake to wonder if there was ever a point in Remnant's history when Menagerie was just as alive. And Alyssa's story about humans and animals living in harmony here… it reminded her far too much about the Faunus.
And everything she had left behind.
Blake had been running and hiding for years because she was stupid enough to believe the White Fang's cause was a just one. What was this feeling, then? It was not a guilty conscience; she knew what one felt all too well. But if the Animarium was making her feel this way… no, she wasn't a Faunus anymore.
She'd abandoned her home, her family, and now she had abandoned herself—her very identity.
Blake swung off a tree branch and landed perfectly on another to catch her breath. A glance at the river below showed a girl's face: amber eyes, dark hair, and fluffy cat ears.
Blake sucked in a breath, blinked… and the ears were gone.
A sad sigh left her this time. No matter how hard she tried, everything she wanted to put behind her refused to stay buried. She was never ashamed to be a Faunus and could never bring herself to hate what made her unique, but it was gone now. She lifted a hand to her face, hoping to rest it against her head to clear her mind. Blake needed to focus; she had a job to do. And the sooner she did it, the sooner she could get off-
"W-wha…" Blake's heart jolted when she caught a mysterious sight. Her arm shimmered with a faint, dim purple light that appeared on the verge of visibility. The dark-clad girl blinked in disbelief and shook her arm a few times… and the light was gone, almost as if it was never there.
And maybe it never was, Blake thought to herself with a huff. Her eyes were playing tricks on her. A frustrated groan escaped her and she shook her head, hoping to dispel other self-loathing and guilty thoughts about her human self. Pressing onward, Blake tiptoed across the branch and hopped to another tree, quickly finding a foothold on the solid bark.
She traversed the treetops with ease, muscle memory guiding her as she roamed the jungle like many of the animals that called this floating island home. Speaking of the locals, none of them were too bothered by her presence except for birds scattering into the skies when she drew near. Time was a blur as Blake stalked through the jungle, almost as if she knew where to go in this kind of terrain.
She couldn't stop herself from leaping off a branch and landing perfectly on her feet with a quiet grunt, pausing to listen to the jungle's ambiance and smell its atmosphere… but something was off. One particular scent didn't belong here: a scent of rot and decay.
A scent of decay. Blake's eyes went low and she knelt to the dirt, her golden orbs resting on a set of animal tracks. From what she had seen, these particular prints weren't a match for any other species.
She was getting close to her prey.
Blake stayed low and crept into the underbrush ahead, vanishing into the shadows they cast. The girl carefully and fluidly weaved around leaves and branches until she nestled against a huge log, peering around it to see a calm clearing… that was anything but calm as an unnatural shape bent over a furry carcass.
Blake fought the urge to hiss as the smell of blood filled her nose, ducking back into cover as the Beowolf reared its ugly head. The Grimm sniffed the air and growled menacingly. A large Sabyr emerged from the underbrush, cautiously growling at the Beowolf as it carefully maneuvered around the beast. Blake noticed neither of the predators was making a move on the dead animal.
They killed this creature for pleasure, just like the Grimm always did. And they wouldn't stop at one. Blake didn't know why, but she felt disgusted at such an act… at such a waste. Her golden eyes glared at the two Grimm, but she didn't linger once her senses flared up. She darted back into cover when the Sabyr turned in her direction.
The Beowolf noticed the Sabyr's tense stature and growled once it realized something wasn't right. Both Grimm slowly prowled and crept towards the log, their snouts sniffing the air as they drew near. The feline-like Grimm bared its fangs, ready to pounce…
…and it charged in a flash, bounding over the log with a vicious snarl. Its claws expected to sink into soft flesh, but they only met solid ground and all aggression instantly ceased. The Beowolf was just as confused, sniffing around the log while the Sabyr peered inside. Both Grimm investigated the scene… utterly unaware of the golden eyes watching from the shadows until the orbs faded away.
Blake was already a mile away when she activated her communicator. "They're here. And they're going to kill everything on the Animarium."
"Not on our watch," Alyssa promised her. "Get back to the temple. We make our stand immediately."
Blake shut off the comm without a second thought and raced through the wilderness, her amber orbs focusing on the path ahead.
…
"RAH!" Nora's hammer effortlessly crushed a Beowolf's skull, making the Pink Ranger laugh triumphantly. "Ha ha! You were right, Kat! That wasn't so hard at all! I don't think I even needed to go all out!"
The older woman's helmet flashed away to reveal her smiling face. "I'm pleased to hear that. You two worked well together, and teamwork is essential to any Ranger team." Ren barely glanced at the dying Grimm that suffered from his poisonous knives. "Not just for Power Rangers, Katherine. Our instructors at Beacon Academy strongly believe unity is a core aspect of Huntsmen. In that sense, I believe we were more than prepared for this lifestyle."
"Not to mention the two of you performed well together," Kat noted with a sigh. Honestly, you remind me of Tommy and me when we were younger. How long has your team been active?"
"Not very long," Nora told her. "Like… two semesters?"
"You're still students?" Kat realized with a chuckle. "Why am I not surprised? Most of us were teens when we started, too." Both Pink Rangers shared smiles until Ren cleared his throat. "I hate to dull the moment, but there's still work we need to do. Are you certain that these were the only Grimm in Silver Hills?"
"That's what the readings showed," Kat answered. "But you're right, break time's over. Let's see if there are any people who-"
GRRROOOAAAAR! A demented bellow amidst a torrent of vile growls shattered the silence on the streets. All three Rangers spun to see a wave of darkness barreling towards them. Beowolves tossed aside stray cars, Boarbatusks charged like wicked cavalry, and a few Goliaths marched down the street while trampling anything- including their fellow Grimm- caught underfoot. Lastly, a swarm of Griffons soared overhead, diving toward the Rangers as a flock of death.
"Are you kidding me?!" Nora moaned. "Where are all these Grimm coming from?!"
"Their presence doesn't bode well," Ren recapped. "Whatever's causing them to grow in number is still at work. The threat to your planet remains the longer it stays active, Katherine."
"Then let's thin the herd!" Kat shouted, equipping her shield and helmet. "Rangers, on me!" She led the charge and sprinted for the monsters while Ren twirled his daggers and charged after her. Nora just held her hammer high, lighting it up with electricity before launching into the sky. She was a pink lightning arc as she soared and smashed directly into the horde like a meteor, kicking up an electric shockwave that vaporized the closest Grimm and sent others flying backward.
Nora proudly stood in the small crater, pink lightning radiating off her body until she charged with a furious cry. Beowolves were battered aside, and Boarbatusks were smashed into the street. None landed a scratch on the Pink Ranger as she plowed through the horde. She narrowly avoided a Griffon that dove at her and grabbed it by the neck, slamming it to the ground and stomping on its head. Briefly turning her gaze skyward, Nora lit up the sky with pink electric streams from her fingers, frying a bunch of the flying Grimm in seconds.
Not too far away from the electric flashes and thunderous booms that eliminated Grimm by the handful, Kat kept her attackers at bay with her shield and blasted others to stagger them, leaving them open to Nora's thunderous fury or Ren's quick strikes. Much like his partner, Ren was already building a body count since one lucky cut from his jade daggers was all he needed. Several Grimm lay convulsing and choking as emerald poison seeped through their bodies, which slowly evaporated similarly to decay. Ren moved fast through the horde, burying one blade in a Beowolf's chin and stabbing a Boarbatusk between its bony armor. More formidable enemies weren't as easy to dispatch, but the Green Ranger's fluid acrobatics kept him clear of stomping legs, swinging tusks, and swiping claws that he swiftly severed.
But he soon learned that Nora wasn't the only one getting carried away. Growls and snarls from around Ren told him he had painted himself into a corner. He found himself backed up against a wall, and a pack of Beowolves had boxed him in. Both Pink Rangers were too occupied to assist, with Kat going airborne and tossing her disc at enemies while Nora- cackling like a madwoman- flew like a bullet and smashed a Goliath in the face hard enough to down the behemoth. His options were slim, but Ren remained steadfast and held up his hands, steeling himself for his enemies' next move…
…but his arms shimmered right before his eyes, the green color fading until Ren could see right past his limbs. He dropped his guard with a silent gasp while the Beowolves jolted in surprise. One started sniffing the air while another growled and lunged at Ren, the Green Ranger quickly rolling away so that the Beowolf's face hit the brick wall. He quickly looked over himself, seeing nothing but the street, abandoned cars, and Nora being a one-woman army while Kat pushed a Boarbatusk shoving against her shield.
Ren could barely believe it. "I'm… invisible?"
All three Beowolves whirled around in his direction, making Ren realize his error too late. "Oh no…" Thankfully, he leaped away from the trio just as they converged, causing the beasts to collide with each other as they hit nothing but thin air. Hoping to salvage this mistake, Ren quickly set to work and sliced off limbs, silencing the monster's roars and screeches of pain. Meanwhile, Kat bashed the Boarbatusk to the ground and ran her disc through its nape, severing the beast's head…
…but caught something out of the corner of her eye: three Beowolves getting their arms inexplicably sliced off and wounds appearing from out of nowhere. They were all dispatched in seconds, and after a glance around the area, the woman realized she couldn't see Ren anywhere.
It didn't take her long to put the pieces together. "Hmm… that's a neat trick."
Meanwhile, Nora raised her hammer over her head and roared triumphantly, the slain Goliath disappearing at her feet. "YEAH! Anyone else?!" she bellowed challengingly. "Who wants a piece of these thunder-"
"OOMPH!" She felt something come into contact with her raised fist and her helmet retracted as she spun around curiously. Much to Nora's confusion, she saw nothing but the street behind her… until a green-clad figure materialized into full view and a helmetless Ren clenched his jaw.
"Okay… I asked for that."
"Ren?! You can turn invisible now?!"
"I suppose so," he muttered, focusing his energy to allow his arm to slip in and out of sight. "I still need to get used to it."
"Aw, that's a bummer…" Nora pouted. "Because I'm already used to THIS!" The Pink Ranger spun in a circle, picking up speed until she conjured an electric whirlwind around her. Once she got it to full strength, Nora shoved a pink lightning-infused tornado outward, allowing it to sweep up and shock some of the smaller Grimm. Nearby Griffons were also snagged and tossed about by the winds while the cyclone sucked up those unfortunate enough to get too close. Their dying groans mixed with the howling winds, the miniature storm Nora had whipped up making short work of their forces.
"WOO HA HA!" The Pink Ranger cheered. "I'm a force of nature!"
It was undeniable that the whirlwind had decimated most of the Grimm invaders, leaving the remainder weakened and ripe for destruction. "Nice job, you two!" Kat congratulated. "Let's wrap this up and-"
RRROOOOAAAAAARRRR!
The elder Pink Ranger froze… and looked up. "Oh no…"
The skies over Silver Hills grew dark as black clouds blotted out the light, shrouding the city in shadow. The world became dim around the Rangers, leaving everything but the bright red eyes of the Grimm faint. Ren took a hasty step back while keeping a firm grip on his daggers. "This thing again?"
"Alpha Nine, come in!" Kat shouted. "I have a visual of the Grimm Cloud in Silver Hills! Repeat, the Grimm Cloud is in Silver Hills!"
A thunderous boom cracked the air, ominous red lightning flickering within the blackened clouds. Nora swore she heard a growl from within, yet she fiercely glared at the malignant meteorological occurrence. Her pink lightning was already buzzing and crackling across her body and she clenched her free hand into a fist.
"Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi! I see it, Katherine, and the dark energy readings are astronomical! This is awful! Terrible! But I know that if Zordon were here, he'd tell us to stay strong! He wouldn't want us to give in!"
Ren froze. "Wait… what do you mean, 'if' he was here?"
There was no response from Alpha… but Ren noticed Kat was looking at him with horrified eyes and a gaping mouth. "Oh my god… we forgot to-"
"Yeah!" Nora roared, focusing solely on the cloud instead of Alpha's words. "And I know just what to do! Watch this!" She harnessed her energy inward and unleashed a small portion of it, which manifested on her back as a pair of broad pegasus wings made of pure pink lightning. Before Ren or Kat could say or do anything to stop her, Nora had already launched herself off the street and flew toward the dark cloud, her helmet flashing over her face while she held her hammer outward in a battle cry.
And within seconds, Nora was surrounded by darkness.
The black clouds were so thick and dense that the Pink Ranger couldn't make heads or tails of where she was, but that was only a concern if she wanted to navigate through them. Red lightning blasted and lit up the darkness with ominous crimson flashes while Nora held her hammer steadily, her electric wings beating harmoniously.
A deep, guttural growl reverberated in her bones… and she caught a colossal shape streaking through the shadows. Nora could feel eyes on her, a predator's gaze watching from afar.
"Yeah, I know you're out there!" she yelled back. "Now show your face so I can crush it in!"
The evil failed to heed her commands. For all Nora knew, it could be anywhere and everywhere. It could even be the clouds itself, but she hoped it wouldn't be that. After all, how is somebody supposed to fight clouds?
Hold on… Nora had an idea as to how.
"Suit yourself, coward! HRRRAAAAAAHHH!" The Pink Ranger charged herself up, sparking with pink electricity until she hit her capacity. Once ready, Nora sent that energy outward in all directions in a massive blast of electricity, sleek bolts, and lightning trails striking every corner of the dark cloud. The growls intensified… but unbeknownst to Nora, they were of irritation instead of pain. And the Pink Ranger was so caught up in her electric display that she failed to notice something glowing and warm in the corner of her eye.
"GAH!" It plowed into her hard enough to knock her out of the cloud and send her plummeting to the street below, where she smashed into the pavement before rolling to a stop beside Ren and Kat. Although she moaned woozily, she quickly gave her friends a thumbs-up. "I'm okay…"
The clouds rumbled again, drawing the attention of Rangers and Grimm alike. The trio expected the monsters to be absorbed into the clouds, like in Angel Grove, or something direct, like red lightning raining down upon them. Instead, a shadowy shape separated from the clouds and flew down to the streets like a black meteor, impacting in a smoky shockwave that washed over the nearby Grimm. The creatures of darkness grew silent as they watched the smoke rise…
…until a massive wicked wing with a blood-red membrane slowly unfurled from the shadowy murk. A second appendage followed, both spreading wide open while a long serpentine tail swished out into the open. Its abyssal surface was coated in white bony spines that ended in a jagged and serrated set of spikes. Four giant legs with sharp talons and spikes jutting out from the knees stomped outward, a pair of crimson lights breaking through the shadows.
The smoke finally faded, revealing an enormous skulled face with red markings, demonic teeth, and sharp horns above two burning red eyes. Rib bones jutted out of its black chest as the creature ominously loomed over the three Rangers, its body the size of a jet airliner that dwarfed the other Grimm beside it.
"By the Masters…" Alpha trembled over the comms. "What kind of monster is that?"
"Billy said you had things like this in your world," Kat muttered. "I think he called them Wyverns?"
"No," Ren answered. "Wyverns have two legs… and this Grimm has four. It's something else."
"Whatever this thing is…" Nora added. "I can already tell it's going to be tough to beat." The winged beast was already drawing itself back, opening its mouth with a deep inhale. Everyone braced themselves for another ear-splitting roar that would shatter the sound barrier…
…until Kat spied an orange glow in its throat.
"TAKE COVER!"
FRRROOOOOOOSSSSHHH! A destructive and devastating wave of orange-red flame erupted from the monster's mouth in a rush of heat, moving fast and consuming everything from buildings to vacated cars in seconds. With barely any time to seek shelter, Nora and Ren threw up their arms while Kat positioned her shield to take the blast full force. Even from here, the heat was so intense the Rangers could feel it bypass their suits. The glow of the fires was almost blinding…
…but not as blinding as another glow that pierced their squeezed eyelids.
"Whuh-huh?" Nora mumbled as she cracked open her eyes, confused about how she wasn't being scorched alive. Ren and Kat were still while Nora turned to what they were looking at: a shiny wall of light holding the raging fire back in an impenetrable barrier. Everyone could make out a lone figure against the roaring flames a few meters ahead of the group.
It was a warrior donned in shiny silver armor and a stalwart knight's helmet, holding a glimmering sword in one hand and a mighty crest shield in another. The defensive armament generated the giant wall of light that held fast against the flames, never losing any ground or buckling under the wave's pressure. The warrior didn't falter, either; the Rangers' rescuer took the firestorm as if it were nothing.
The enormous blaze vanished as the dragon-like Grimm ceased its efforts, its menacing orbs now focused on the blockage's source. The moment it did, the glimmering wall disappeared into the shield, which depicted a bold engraving of a horse's head boldly staring into whatever foe laid eyes upon it. The warrior's blade glimmered as a gauntlet-clad hand tightened its grip and glistening armor pieces shifted as the stranger steadied their breathing. Despite being surrounded by darkness, the warrior's flawless form acted as if it were in broad daylight, the visor above the faceplate staring down the Grimm horde.
Kat was just as astonished as Nora and Ren were. "A… a Silver Ranger?"
Beowolves, Boarbatusks, a single Goliath, and a flock of Griffons all snarled and growled at the new arrival, all of their fury focused on the warrior. The dragon only stared the stranger down, the rumble in its throat deep enough to resemble an earthquake.
The figure's response to the intimidating glare was to bang their sword against their shield and stand in a defensive pose. The Griffons were the first to engage with a terrible shriek, swooping and descending on the warrior as they opened their backs and extended their talons…
…only for something bright, round, and gleaming to smack and bash them out of the air rapidly, ricocheting across their bodies like a shooting star. Everyone but the silver-clad knight whirled to where the attack had come from, where somebody vaulted off a roof and retrieved the object before smashing onto the street in a proud landing.
Another figure- covered in gleaming gold armor and a streamlined helmet with a radiant plume of gold feathers- rose to their feet with a circular shield and a long spear in the other. An eagle with widespread wings rested on the shield, and the armor moved fluidly as the stranger stood side-by-side with the knight.
Nora and Ren's helmets vanished from their faces, exposing their shocked expressions. Judging by the strangers' weapons and somewhat familiar armor, they knew exactly who these new Rangers were. Ren approached the Silver Ranger, his magenta eyes alight with realization.
"Jaune?"
Nora's own eyes were blown wide as she slowly approached the Gold Ranger. "Pyrrha?"
Both helmets flashed away in the blink of an eye, revealing the faces that could only belong to their other two teammates. Jaune had a wide grin while Pyrrha casually smiled at the group, the former spreading his arms. "Surprise!"
Barely able to contain her excitement, Nora burst into delighted laughter and threw herself at the two in a tight hug. "AAAAH HA HA HA! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! WE FINALLY FOUND YOU GUYS!"
"Technically, we found you," Pyrrha chuckled before hugging her friend back. "But we missed you too, Nora." Ren was still in disbelief as he looked over his friend's new forms, yet he couldn't suppress the smile as he locked arms with Jaune. "You… I… how?"
The blonde let out an awkward laugh. "Well, that's-"
"Hey, kids!" Their reunion was brought to a halt when everyone turned at the sudden shout, where Kat blasted a hole through a Beowolf's head and shoved it off her disc. "Am I interrupting anything?!" The dragon bellowed at the team, commanding the Grimm to charge and destroy them all.
Nothing else needed to be said between them as they all shared knowing glances. As their helmets reappeared with their weapons at the ready, the reunited Team JNPR rushed at the horde with newfound vigor and a unified scream.
…
"Okay, I know I can take on a lot of Grimm, either here or at home," Yang commented. "But even this is pushing it."
Ruby had to agree with her sister. Auras could only last so long before being depleted in combat, so she hoped she was right in assuming morphs worked the same way: too much damage, and she'd be depowered… which made her easy to finish off. She'd been lucky to avoid any solid hits so far, but who knew how much longer she could keep it up?
"Tyler…" Gia began.
"It's not up to me, okay?!"
"Uh… I was gonna say that in case they don't get here, what do we do?"
"Oh! Um…" The Red Ranger hastily looked around, noting the Grimm that converged on the group from all sides. Three Goliaths stomped down the street as they accompanied a horde of Beowolves, Boarbatusks, and Ursai while Griffons swooped overhead like a pack of vultures. To make matters worse, two massive shapes lurked in the background: a soaring Nevermore and the deadly stinger of a Death Stalker.
"That… is an excellent question."
Ruby switched on her communicator. "Weiss… if you're not busy now, we could use some help over here!" She awaited a response, but nothing came through on the other end. "Weiss? A-are you there?"
Gia groaned as the Grimm kept closing in. "I didn't want to do this… but we're out of options. Rangers, fall-!"
VRROOOOOM! The distant roar of an engine cut her off and the closest monsters whirled around to peer down an intersection. The ruined street was empty of activity… except for a lone person on a black and yellow motorcycle, a leather glove revving the vehicle's engine while a pair of eyes stared down the Grimm. A sadistic snarl erupted from the horde when several Beowolves, Boarbatusks, and Griffons changed direction and barreled down the road, heading straight for the rider. At the same time, a growling Goliath stampeded after the bike. The driver merely lowered their helmet's visor and gunned the engine, the bike's tires screeching against asphalt before taking off at high speed. The horde's numbers were diminished, but not every Grimm had fallen for the diversion and remained focused on the helmetless quartet, including the remaining two Goliaths, the Nevermore, and the Death Stalker.
Gia's comm suddenly beeped. "You're welcome!"
"Wait, what?! Who-"
"No time for names right now! Listen, I'm leading this bunch to a killzone in the Lower East Side, but you've got more on the way! I'll be back to help out as soon as I can… but in the meantime, my partner's gonna give you a helping hand!"
"More?!" Tyler echoed in surprise. "How are these things spreading so fast?!"
"Jen wasn't kidding when she said things would get worse. Do what you can, Rangers. My friends are throwing a welcome party for these freaks, and I don't wanna make them late!"
The communicator switched off and Yang whistled. "That was a good line…"
KRR-SHOOM! Bright beams rained down from the sky, making the Grimm recoil and retreat. The colorful rays died down in the blink of an eye… and their occupants were immediately startled at the sight of the horde.
"HOLY-!" a boy in green gasped in alarm. "That's… that is a lot of monsters."
A wild-haired boy dressed in blue gazed at the creatures with unease. "They are like if scary cave drawings came to life…"
A dark-skinned girl in pink turned to Tyler. "Sorry about the hold-up, Ty. With everyone spread thin handling these monsters, we've all had our hands full."
"No, Miss Watkins," muttered an older man who glared hatefully at the Grimm. "These are not monsters. These are devils." He spat the word like a curse. "And make no mistake, we shall drag them kicking and screaming back into whatever hell has spawned them!"
"While I wholeheartedly agree," a boy in black continued as he nervously adjusted his cap. "This looks like an overwhelming situation." He pulled out a device from his belt resembling Tyler's. "Kendall, James, if our new friends aren't busy…"
A thunderous boom shook the air as more colored beams immediately crashed onto the road, leaving him unable to finish his sentence. Once they faded to reveal a purple-clad woman in glasses, a man dressed in a light blue plaid jacket, and six more teens, the boy put his communicator away with a smile. "I see we're all in the same boat."
Tyler and Ruby approached the adults, the former's eyes wide. "Miss Morgan? Dad?"
The older man smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, kid."
"What are you guys doing here?"
"There's no sitting on the sidelines for something this big," the woman explained. "Phillip and Zenowing send their regards; both of them are needed elsewhere. Fortunately, we found some willing people to take their place."
Ruby, Yang, Tyler, and Gia looked past the adults, where six teens were seeing a ruined Times Square. A girl in green was shaking her head in disbelief. "This is not how I imagined my first visit to New York."
"It's just our luck," muttered a boy in a black leather jacket. "I know why we have to be back here, but… why?"
"The Masters have promised to keep an eye out for Zedd," said a young man in red with a buzzcut. "In the meantime, they need us here. Whatever these things are, they look evil incarnate."
"Because that's what they are," Ruby confirmed. "And they're all over your world."
"Like an infestation?" cringed a girl in pink. "Gross!"
"How many are in the city?" asked a boy in a blue hoodie. Beside him, a dark-skinned young man dressed in gold was already in a ready stance, his eyes washing over the beasts that hungrily glared at them. "Not sure about an exact number… but when has that ever stopped us?"
"Zayto," Tyler said, catching the other boy's attention. "You ready to do this?"
He nodded. "We should focus on the big raven and the giant scorpion. They could do the most damage if left unchecked."
"Which means we'll also have to handle any monsters that guard it," the green-clad boy added. Gia just shook her head. "Not if we take care of them for you. Yang, wanna help me keep Team Dino clear?" Her fellow Yellow Ranger grinned and pounded her fists together. "You know it!"
"Me too!" Ruby butted in. "I'll set up a perimeter and make sure none of them get away!" Everyone nodded in agreement and Tyler turned to both teams. "Let's get to work, guys!" His friends smiled… and held out tiny battery-like devices.
"DINO CHARGER, READY!" They cried, inserting the batteries into blasters and closing their mouths. "DINO CHARGERS, ENGAGE!"
"ENERGIZE! UNLEASH THE POWER!" The heads of various prehistoric animals flew out from the blasters and swooped in from behind, biting down on the team and donning them in colored suits with a jawline running across their chests. Once the sequence was complete, everyone struck a pose.
"POWER RANGERS DINO CHARGE!"
Ruby turned to Zayto, who tapped his communicator and summoned a morpher stylized after a dinosaur's head on his wrist. His friends followed his lead. Then, each held up what looked like a tiny toy before unfolding it, revealing little knights with swords and shields.
"DINO FURY KEY, ACTIVATE!" They inserted the keys into the devices and turned them counterclockwise, causing them to light up in various colors. "LINK TO MORPHIN GRID!" They then slammed their fists into the ground, causing wisps of pure energy to rise and surround them. This energy manifested into six constructs that reminded Ruby of the Aurazords: a red Tyrannosaurus Rex, a blue Triceratops, a black Stegosaurus, a pink Ankylosaurus, a green Sabertooth Tiger, and a gold Mosasaurus. The teens briefly floated into the air as they absorbed the constructs' energy before they landed back down, now in their full Ranger suits with a black zigzag vertically running down their chests. Ruby noticed that their leader looked vaguely different from the others: while his signature color was red, his suit was dominantly white with a red zigzag pattern while a gold belt and bracelets rested on his arms and legs and a white cape flowed behind him. Everyone drew swords from their holsters and struck combat stances, their voices calling out as one.
"DINO FURY POWER!"
Tyler and Zayto crossed their blades together. "DINOSAUR MIGHT, READY TO FIGHT! POWER RANGERS UNITE!" Rangers on both teams stood side-by-side, facing down the Grimm in powerful stances while the air behind them erupted into a multicolored blast that reached several stories high.
"Okay, how am I not supposed to look at that?!" Yang asked.
"Practice," Gia answered.
"You have no idea what you're in for!" Tyler roared at the snarling beasts before him. "I hope you're all ready because IT'S ABOUT TO GET WILD!" Right on cue, everyone charged towards the Grimm while the Nevermore screeched overhead, diving off the 25-story skyscraper that was nothing but screens of advertisements from top to bottom. The Death Stalker crawled forward, its massive legs puncturing asphalt and empty vehicles. The Grimm in front of the Rangers now had something to deal with, but the remainder focused on Ruby, Yang, and Gia.
"You girls ready for round two?"
"Always," Yang replied, her dragon helmet reappearing in a flash. She and Ruby faced down an Ursa that loomed over them, the bear-like beast bellowing as it raised its forelimbs. The sisters and Gia had their weapons ready, waiting for the perfect moment to engage…
"SABERTOOTH TIGER!"
A bright flash caught the Grimm by surprise, leaving little to respond to a sleek figure dashing through their ranks and slicing them up. None of the Beowolves knew what was hitting them, a sharp blur moving fast and dispatching the smaller Grimm with precise strikes. The last of them was already disintegrating when a familiar figure slid in front of the confused Ursa… but Ruby and Yang's breaths left them when they saw a yellow figure armed with two triple-bladed daggers.
GRRAAARRR! The Ursa moved to smash her into the concrete, but she was faster with a flip kick to the jaw. She was airborne again the second her feet touched the ground, somersaulting atop the Ursa's collapsing form and burying her blades right in the monster's eyes. The huge Grimm hit the street with a thud before slowly vaporizing into nothingness, the original Yellow Ranger yanking her blades out and taking a step back.
"TRINI!" Yang made a beeline for the figure, who jolted and spun in surprise milliseconds before she was the victim of a squeezing embrace. Ruby's smile split her face as she watched her sister laugh joyfully. She looked to Gia… and that smile faded. The other blonde was the only one who wasn't relieved to see one of the original Power Rangers.
She was mortified, frozen to the spot with unblinking eyes and a still face.
Ruby was about to ask what was wrong, but Yang's satisfied sigh returned her attention to her sister. "Oh my gods, Trini, it's so good to see you again! How've you been?! I know it must've been forever since we last saw each other-"
"Y-Yang…" Gia croaked.
"And you're sharp as ever! Literally and figuratively, of course! Did Billy send you here? Or Jason, maybe? Do you know how he is?"
"Yang…"
"Oh! Speaking of, how's Kim? Do they know we're here, or are they busy reliving memories of their trip to Remnant? Time travel's a weird thing, really…"
"Yang!"
"Ah, crap!" Yang immediately pulled away with an awkward grin. "Sorry, G! Forgot we're still in the middle of something here. But now that Trini's here-"
"That's not Trini."
Yang went still, as did Ruby, who stared at the stricken Gia with confused silver eyes. Lilac orbs blinked a few times before Yang finally spoke again. "Wh-what was that…?"
"I said…" Gia wiped a finger under her moist eye. "Th-that's not Trini."
Ruby's face was written all over with confusion, while Yang was stumped to the core. Both sisters turned to the Yellow Ranger, who stared back at them momentarily. Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath… and her hands reached for her helmet, which let out gentle clicks as she removed it.
Ruby and Yang sucked in air as they were met by a young face with long hair, dark eyes staring back at them. There was no sound save for crackling fires, howls of nearby Grimm, and the grunts and cries from the other Rangers as they battled the beasts.
Yang took a cautious step forward, her violet eyes remaining locked on the girl. None of them said a word… until the girl broke the silence.
"My name's Minh," she whispered. "Minh Kwan. I'm… her daughter."
"D… daughter?" Yang managed to say, her mind still reeling from the ordeal. "Buh… but then where…"
The girl closed her eyes, hung her head low, and sighed in what Yang could only describe as a mixture of sadness and regret. The following two words she said after that tense moment made Yang's anxious heart shatter.
"She's gone."
…
Everything was dark and faint.
A tiny moan left her lips and light started to seep through. Someone was speaking, but she couldn't make out what it was. She couldn't tell where she was, either, but there was a natural scent all around. The voices simmered until only one remained, and her head throbbed as everything slowly returned.
"...eiss… Weiss… Weiss? Can you hear me?"
She cracked open an eyelid. The first thing she saw was a blurred and hazy visage of a woman in white. It took a few seconds, but the image came back into focus and Weiss blinked a few times. "U… Udonna…?"
The woman released her breath. "Thank the greatest of all magics… you live."
"Whuh… where…"
"Hush, child. Save your strength. The healing magic should be settling in soon."
Her head felt like a mess. Weiss moaned as she slowly sat up, letting her see she was resting on a wooden bed surrounded by roots and mosaics. The air around her felt surreal… but before she could look around some more, she spied another figure striding into the room, flanked by two others.
"How is she, Udonna?"
"Disoriented… but alive," the woman sighed. "She is lucky to be so."
The speaker was an older man with combed-back locks and facial hair, his eyes alternating between Weiss and Udonna in worry. Behind him were two people dressed in black robes with red and blue colors, both with dark hair.
The woman gently rested a hand on Weiss' shoulder, a solemn and sorrowful look in her eyes. "I am fortunate to see you awake, Weiss… amongst everything else. Recent events have been rather… well, for lack of a better word, grim."
Weiss' mind raced to grasp at memories. There was that battle in the forest; things were going well until…
She remembered fangs sinking into her morpher, blue sparks flying everywhere.
Her blue eyes widened and her breathing ceased. "My morpher… i-is it…"
The man stepped forward. "Miss Schnee, before we progress… I am Leanbow, Udonna's husband and one of the great Mystic Wizards. Or… I was, long ago. This is our son, Bowen… but he prefers to be known as Nick Russell." He gestured to the young man beside him, who greeted Weiss with a short nod.
"And Madison Rocca," Leanbow finished, gesturing to the woman who gave Weiss a little wave. "They are the Red and Blue Mystic Rangers and this is Root Core, our safe haven from dark and malicious forces. Although… its safety is no longer certain."
"Those creatures are starting to overrun the forest," Nick explained. "It won't be long before they find this place… and to make matters worse, Chip, Xander, Vida, and Daggeron are working to clear Briarwood. We're on our own now."
Weiss swung her legs over the bed. "But you have me. I can help you take this place back and-"
"No, child," Udonna whispered. "You cannot."
Weiss was baffled at these words. "Udonna, surely you can't mean… you know I'm capable of this!"
"I do… but that is not what I mean, Weiss. Your morpher… it…" She turned away, unable to continue. A feeling of dread crept into Weiss's heart, and more memories flooded back—blue wisps leaking out, the Grimm seizing up as they inhaled sapphire streams… then howling, roaring, and shrieking as lightning coursed through them while red turned to purple…
Footsteps returned Weiss to reality, where Madison was kneeling down in front of her with a grief-stricken expression. "We… we did everything we could," she began. "Manual repair, restoration magic, but…" With a heavy sigh, she pulled something out from her pocket… and the snow-haired heiress sucked in a deep breath of despair.
"I'm sorry, Weiss…"
Her Power Coin which held the brilliant image of an owl in flight was now in an unrecognizable state, the golden coin shattered like a dropped plate. Weiss' heart was the next thing to break as the sight of it filled her being, her shaky hands taking the morpher as if she was afraid to drop it and damage it further. It was like looking at herself in a cracked mirror, her fractured and broken face staring back at her through the coin's reflective surface… and a tear silently streaked down her pale cheek.
"No…"
She was right back where she started. Without this, she could no longer morph. Her powers were gone for good and she was now nothing more than a weak little child who would be subject to scoldings from her father for misbehaving… or not meeting his expectations.
Weiss' days as a Power Ranger… and perhaps a hero in general… were over.
"There's nothing left," Leanbow solemnly spoke. "Not just of the coin… but of the Morphin Grid energy it once held."
"The Grimm absorbed every last drop," Udonna explained. "And it supercharged them. They're faster and stronger now. Not even my magic could harm them…"
"Just what we needed," Nick moaned. "First, it was evil soulless creatures from another dimension that wanted to destroy everything they saw. Now, it's evil soulless creatures from another dimension that want to destroy everything they see… with Morphin Grid energy."
"What are we going to do now?" Madison asked, worried. "Can we do something?"
"Th-there's gotta be something…" Weiss stuttered, her voice on the verge of shattering next. "I can't just… m-my friends need me. Ruby needs me… I-I don't… I don't wanna be stuck like this forever…" A sob wracked her throat and her body gently quivered, her damp eyes locked on her fractured and shattered Power Coin.
Nobody answered her… and the silence was deafening.
Weiss felt cold and alone—not for the first time. Her quiet sobs and sniffles fell on her ears only, trapped in a prison she thought she had escaped. For a moment, she was surrounded not by wood and roots but by pristine walls and polished floors. Sometimes, she was ignored and dismissed. Other times, others paid attention because of duty and obligation, not interest. They saw her name and status… and nothing else.
"There… may be an option."
She was back in the tree. Udonna was thoughtfully staring at her wand, stroking the magical tool while Nick and Madison were emotionally lost. Leanbow, however, sharply inhaled in shock. "Udonna… you're not possibly referring to…"
His wife looked into his eyes. "I am, husband."
"Mom?" Nick carefully uttered. "Wh-what are you thinking?"
"A feat few Power Rangers have ever done, my son," she answered. "A spell so daunting that even master sorcerers would hesitate to cast it. And yet… I fear this is the only solution."
"Udonna…" Leanbow gasped. "Th-that spell… if you do this, you… you…"
"I am well aware of the risks, my love," she whispered, stroking her husband's cheek. "The consequences that come with either success or failure… but we both have suffered so much during the Great Battle. We have fought a long and grueling war, whether as allies or adversaries. And what any great warrior strives for- Power Ranger, sorceress, or otherwise- is the chance to lay down their weapon at last… and live out the rest of their days in peace."
Leanbow couldn't find the words to reply, so his wife continued: "But they do not wish to leave unknown. They wish to give the world something they carry within them… and what I carry within me is truly something I can give, especially to her."
All eyes turned to a still-confused Weiss. "Her story is sad. Her life is dull. But still, her heart shines. She wishes to be useful to those who would call her a friend. She longs to escape the shackles of an unfit destiny and create her own. Even now, it dims… but it can be bright again. She may not be a Blue Ranger anymore, Leanbow… but this does not mean she is no longer a Power Ranger."
Weiss' face brightened. She could get her powers back after all?
"You're… you're certain you can do this, Udonna?"
Udonna's smiling face held no doubt or concern but absolute confidence and hope. "Trust me, husband… I have never been more certain of anything."
Leanbow and Udonna pressed their foreheads against one another in a silent embrace, the former exhaling his worries calmly. "Very well… as always… I have faith in you." With a gentle kiss to his wife's temple, Leanbow stepped back.
Udonna's wand gave off a bright glow as she readied herself. After a moment of calm preparation, the words rang out throughout the tree: "MAGICAL SOURCE, MYSTIC FORCE!"
FWA-SHAM! Her Ranger suit appeared in a flash, and her Snow Staff tapped against the wooden floor. Root Core grew quiet. Weiss, Leanbow, Nick, and Madison anxiously watched Udonna murmur an incantation under her breath, which caused a white rune circle to appear under her feet.
"With these words," she spoke. "I reach into my heart and soul. With these words, I call upon the legendary White Light of Goodness. With these words, I ask not for restoration or revival but rebirth. As the sun sets at night's beginning and rises at night's end, let this ritual symbolize not my final moments but another's ascension."
A sharp BANG rang through the tree as she slammed her staff into the ground. The rune circle burst with magical energy, coating Udonna's body in a mystical aura. Her Snow Staff shot the side with its tip aglow, causing Weiss' morpher and the shattered Power Coin to glow as well. The device levitated from Weiss' hands and hovered close to Udonna until it, too, rested above the rune circle. A calming exhale left Udonna's lips as she bowed her head… and began to speak again.
"Golau gwyn, llif. Golau gwyn, llwydni. Golau gwyn, disgleirio."
Snowy wisps of energy gently trailed out from her staff and snaked toward the levitating morpher, touching the device in a warm glow. Weiss leaned closer to get a better look, keeping her eyes trained on the Power Coin pieces.
"Golau gwyn, llif. Golau gwyn, llwydni. Golau gwyn, disgleirio."
More tendrils of light emerged from Udonna's body, moving to the morpher and connecting herself with the device. The light began to siphon and flow, pouring itself into the morpher. An awestruck Weiss slowly rose from the bed, amazed at what she saw. She could only imagine what the others would say if they were here…
"Golau gwyn, llif. Golau gwyn, llwydni. Golau gwyn, disgleirio."
The Power Coin's pieces started to quiver, then shudder… and finally slide. Tendril after tendril weaved from Udonna's body to the morpher until dozens of streams drew power from the sorceress. Two golden pieces shifted closer together before they finally came together with a clink, any cracks or damage between them undone while the morpher pulsed and glowed.
Weiss could barely contain her amazement. "She's really doing it."
"Golau gwyn, llif. Golau gwyn, llwydni. Golau gwyn… d-disgleirio."
Wait… why did she stutter? Weiss turned back to Udonna as the sorceress continued to cast her spell. Something was wrong… she could've sworn Udonna was starting to… flicker?
"Golau gwyn, llif. G-Golau gwyn, llwydni. Golau gwyn, disgleirio. Guh!"
The sorceress flinched, her suit flickering and fighting to stay intact as its essence drained. Two more pieces of the coin came together, the sight of it enough to spur Udonna onward as she pushed harder.
"Golau gwyn, llif! Golau gwyn, llwydni! Golau gwyn, disgleirio!"
Weiss took a tiny step forward and reached out her hand. "U-Udonna?"
"Stay back!" She shouted, prompting Weiss to jolt. "Nnngh… Golau gwyn, llif! Golau gwyn, llwydni! Golau gwyn, disgleirio!" Tiny white flicks drifted away from her body while the tendrils continued to siphon energy, the snowflake-like specks drawn to the morpher. The floor beneath Weiss' feet was slightly trembling now and the circle grew brighter in response to transferring more energy.
"Hrrrrgh! G-Golau gwyn, llif! Golau gwyn, l-llwydni! Golau gwyn, disgleirio!" Udonna was visibly struggling now, yet her grip on the staff tightened as the orb blasted a stream of white magic into the Power Coin. Piece after piece fused together, forming talons, feathers, and wings while Udonna's body looked unstable and glitching. Leanbow stepped back while keeping Nick and Madison close, slight concern in his eyes as he watched his wife.
Udonna remained steadfast and her breathing became labored, yet she persisted and continued to chant the words louder. "Golau gwyn, llif! Nnnrrrrgh! Golau gwyn, llwydni! Golau gwyn, disgleirio!" Everything was getting so bright Weiss had to shield her eyes. Udonna's helmet flickered in and out of sight while the rest of her body was uncontrollably spasming in and out of its morphed state, its energy getting sucked away by the second. Beneath her helmet, Weiss could see the sorceress' jaw clenched in determination and her eyes remaining steeled on the partially complete morpher. The coin was halfway forged at this point, and the device shuddered as an abundance of power was driven into it.
Udonna kept shouting the words repeatedly, each with more effort than the last. Furious gales swept through Root Core and blew through Weiss's hair, making her feel like she was caught in the middle of a blizzard. The process appeared to go on forever as more of Udonna's Ranger suit dematerialized, with more pieces of the coin coming together in its place. Weiss grew more anxious—as did everyone else—as the process neared its completion…
…with just one final piece struggling to be reunited with its brethren. Udonna was barely holding on, the last of her suit now pushed to the brink as she gave it her all. But the woman looked tired and weary; Weiss wasn't sure how long she could last.
"GOLAU GWYN, LLIF!" The last Power Coin piece was painstakingly inching towards its position, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats. Udonna's voice was straining, and her suit was nearly gone. The last remnants were on the verge of fizzling out while the streams of light flickered and wavered. The woman powered through and intensified the stream from her staff, crying out at the effort to do so.
"GOLAU GWYN, LLWYDNI!" The piece moved closer and closer as both the morpher and the circle gave off a blinding glow. Weiss saw Udonna's stance drop slightly, and her breathing grew more ragged. The sorceress struggled to hold on while she forced every ounce of her energy outward. Everything flickered and pulsed uncontrollably as her morph was seconds away from giving out completely…. Still, despite the weariness of her form, the exhaustion of her stance, and the weariness Weiss could see all over her, Udonna opened her mouth one more time…
"GOLAU… GWYN… DISGLEIRIO! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
SHRAKOOM! Root Core erupted and Weiss yelped as something indescribably bright seared into her eyes. Light was all she knew for some time; the world around her temporarily ceased to exist. If that ritual felt lengthy to Weiss, this felt even longer. Fortunately, the light began to fade and her sight returned, allowing Weiss to notice two things.
The first was her morpher, now with a repaired Power Coin that looked like it was never damaged at all, and the owl was fully restored.
The second was Udonna… who was still and unmoving on the floor.
"Udonna!" Weiss and Leanbow hurried over to the sorceress' side, worried as they looked over her motionless body. Fearing the worst, Weiss looked between Leanbow and his wife… until she heard a faint groan. Weiss released a quiet gasp and helped the sorcerer get Udonna to her feet.
"It…" she gasped. "It is done…"
"Mom… are you alright?" Nick asked. Leanbow took a moment to check her before letting out a sigh. "Physically, she will be. But… that ritual has drained her of her energy. Her magic will always remain because of her belief…" Leanbow slowly trailed off after that, silence remaining in his wake. Weiss was seconds away from asking him what was wrong, but she noticed the approach of a stunned Madison.
"Udonna… does this mean…"
The older woman only smiled at her. "Do not fret, Madison… this… this was a worthy sacrifice." Her tired eyes turned to Weiss; the orbs shone confidently despite her fatigued body. "Weiss… I have given you the greatest power in this universe: one that darkness cannot steal. This is your second chance… and a new opportunity. All you need to do… is claim it."
Weiss slowly retrieved her morpher from the floor, the owl-inscribed Power Coin glinting as she faced her complete, undamaged reflection on its golden surface. A glance at Udonna and Leanbow gave her the permission she sought. Nick and Madison also wore confident expressions, and Weiss smiled back before staring into the Power Coin one last time… and taking a deep breath before shoving it outward.
"BLIZZARD OWL!"
The morpher flashed open and light surged out, again flooding Root Core. Weiss felt energy and power surge through her… but this time was different. Serenity, warmth, and tranquility touched every cell as light swallowed and consumed her. Something sparked deep within her soul and her body felt lighter than a feather, which made it easier for Weiss to drift away and let the light in…
When she returned to her senses, she found herself transformed. Calm breaths echoed in a confined space, the familiar readout of a heads-up display appearing all around her vision. A distant mirror beckoned Weiss, as did her small audience's amazed and smiling faces.
The owl-themed helmet, mid-length cape, flowing skirt, and high-heeled boots were all there, just as she remembered. But there was a significant difference: Weiss was covered from head to toe in a pristine and radiant white instead of a bright blue. A shining aura—no doubt an aftereffect of the morphing sequence—gave her the aura of an angel until it dissipated. The short saber in her left hand had also changed, now sporting a clean white hilt instead of a sapphire grip while the polished blade provided a gentle sparkle.
She smiled beneath the helmet, imagining her friends' reactions to this makeover. As much as she enjoyed wearing blue now and then… this was more of her color. And the people around her seemed to think so as Udonna beamed with pride.
"Rise against the coming darkness, Weiss Schnee," she proclaimed. "Rise… White Ranger."
