RWBY Rangers: Remnants of the Grid

by DareDreamer

The Earth is under attack once again: this time from creatures that almost brought another world to its knees! Just when they thought their fight was over, Ruby and her friends must morph into action against a Grimm invasion that threatens to overwhelm Earth! With many more Power Rangers standing by their side, they must unlock hidden powers to defeat this threat... and another.

21. City of War

(A/N: Prepare yourselves. Winning the day will not be easy... if you can even win at all.)

Ruby and her teammates were met with a flurry of activity the moment they teleported into what appeared to be a massive hangar bay. People ranging from technicians to scientists scrambled around, shouting orders to one another, while others conducted last-minute reviews and analyses on tablets and computer consoles. They all bore the same symbol: a visor with the letters "GB" on it. The same symbol was also visible on eight large doors that Ruby spotted further down the bay. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the industrial scene surrounding her as she heard the telltale sounds of crackling electricity and the booming of colorful pillars signaling another Ranger's presence.

"Ah! Excellent!" A stoic voice snapped Ruby out of her daze. "You've all made it." The girl noticed a woman with short hair and a white lab coat marching toward her, her posture almost calculated and precise as she tucked away a tablet. Three people were already rushing to her side, whom Blake recognized as Devon, Ravi, and Zoey. "Your punctuality is much appreciated. We just finished the final touches and are performing a full system evaluation."

Weiss chuckled at the woman's words. "Happy to hear that someone understands the art of precision and proper functionality."

"Seriously?!" Yang moaned. "Not even five minutes after that whole 'perfection is impossible' speech?! You're hopeless, Weiss…"
"Shush!" Ruby hissed, raising a finger to her sister's lips, unable to contain her growing excitement. "If this is what I think it is, and I REALLY hope it is because I am gonna DIE if it's not, then double and triple-checking everything one last time will make all the difference!"

"Thank you," a satisfied Weiss smiled as Billy walked past her to shake another man's hand. "Andrew. I trust you had no difficulties in manufacturing the designs?"
"None at all, Billy," he promised. "Although we had to make a few minor alterations to compensate for the Grid infection. And if not for your decision to transfer the remaining Zords' power supply to boost our efforts…"

"Burkes!" another voice shouted nearby, catching Ruby's attention as she noticed a second woman with glasses and a ponytail marching past a pair of twins who hurried to keep pace. "Are all the power lines and safety locks disengaged?!" The boy immediately nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Miss Morgan! All eight units are fully fueled and ready to go! Stabilized Grid energy from what we could salvage!"

"It'll have to do. What about the pilot interface and compatibility?"

"We're looking at a hundred percent response time, ma'am," the girl replied. "Gyro tests are in the green, sensors are fully calibrated, and power signature identifications are good to go, down to the Rangers' DNA."

"Perfect," the woman dismissed them with a wave and marched up to the one in the lab coat. "K, you get all that?"

"Affirmative," she nodded before turning to the gathered Rangers. "I assume they've been briefed?"

"They know where to go and what to beat, doc," Summer reported. "All that's left is what they'll need to do it."

"I strongly suggest you do so in the next minute," Kat said, gesturing to a grinning and bouncing Nora that even Ren was struggling with. "This one looks like she's gonna pop."

"Dad!" The man Billy spoke with rested his gaze on a blonde young man climbing down a ladder, who shot Andrew a thumbs-up as he gathered near five more people wearing similar jumpsuits. "These four are all set!"

"All clear over here, Commander!" Nate called to Devon from the far side of the hangar, while Steel smiled and waved at the eight teenagers. The Red Ranger nodded in acknowledgment before crossing his arms and glancing at the other three adults. "Alright, robotics club, are you ready to do the honors?"

"Gladly," Kendall smiled at the Remnantians. "You kids wanna see your new toys?"

"Doctor K to Hangar Control," the other woman spoke into her earpiece. "Open the bay doors… and bring the Hunter Zords online."

Ruby… no, everyone froze like statues upon hearing what they both had anticipated and did not. Ruby had to remember how to breathe; her body was fully energized after being drained dry of emotion, and her heartbeat raced when it had once halted from the previous revelations. All eyes were on the slowly rising heavy doors as technicians and engineers abandoned their ladders and scaffolding. Catwalks retracted, and warning lights flashed for workers to stand clear. Ruby autonomously tiptoed to the closest door on the left, her wide eyes slowly beholding what lay beyond.

Once the door was fully raised, Ruby's breath caught as she beheld a massive mechanical wolf adorned with bright red colors and black highlights along the legs. It towered like a house, standing on four powerful legs that ended in paws embellished with black claws, while an artificial tail provided balance from the rear. A pair of pointed ears perked up, and bright red eyes flashed open as a warning to all foes. The mechanical beast hummed to life, shaking off loose wiring and assuming a battle-ready stance. Its mighty metal paws pounded the floor, revealing razor-sharp metallic fangs in an aggressive snarl.

Weiss was baffled by the door to the right, her jaw dropping in amazement as it withdrew. The heiress stood before a mech styled like a great white owl, its eyes a brilliant blue as it unfurled a pair of snow-colored wings and flawless white feathers. A mighty shriek erupted from its glimmering beak. The mech's design was immaculate and astonishing, reminiscent of the well-polished armor found within the halls of Schnee Manor. The machine could easily pass for an ever-watchful gargoyle, observing the denizens and scanning for intruders.

Blake heard what rested beyond the third door before she saw it; a rising growl slowly morphed into a snarl as Blake's amber eyes focused on a fanged maw that emitted such a sound. Unlike this new beast, the girl remained silent and awestruck upon seeing an agile, panther-like machine. Its purple eyes flashed open as it revealed amethyst claws and swished a sleek, dark tail behind it. Its gaze lingered on the small girl beneath it as if Blake were a field mouse seconds away from being devoured… until a steady purple light flashed across her body, drawing Blake's attention as a similar rumble echoed within her very being. When the raven-haired girl turned back to gaze at the machine's head, the visage of her Panther Animal Spirit flashed across her face to meet it in a rallying roar.

Yang stepped back a few paces, craning her neck as high as possible. The shadows surrounding the farthest-right door receded, revealing her astonished expression and the awe-inspiring beast reflected in her lilac eyes. A long serpentine creature, adorned with shimmering yellow colors and orange highlights, came into view, supported by four clawed reptilian legs. Smoke billowed from its nostrils, and its burning orange eyes ignited like twin suns. Proud horns shimmered atop its head, and scale-like armor enveloped its entire body as it slightly opened its maw, sunshine-colored flames flickering from within the dragon's mouth.

Opposite Ruby's position, Nora was trembling all over as the door she stood before finished sliding open, revealing a majestic and noble pink steed in the shape of a giant winged horse. Its hooves pounded the floor like rumbling thunder as pink eyes flashed open. A fluffy, cloud-like tail swayed behind its flank, and mighty wings spread wide, electricity crackling among the artificial feathers that acted as lightning rods. Its mechanical mare's equine head glanced down at the giddy girl below and acknowledged her with a single snort, increasing the girl's excitement.

As the next door finished opening, Ren was met with a steady hissing noise and a slithering green length. The quiet boy was presented with a giant green machine resembling a great predatory snake with emerald eyes, a flickering artificial tongue, and oversized fangs ready to sink into anything. No sound was made from either of them, their eyes locked in a deadly and concentrated stare. Ren finally allowed a small smirk to cross his features, to which the great serpent returned with a hiss of acknowledgement.

Mighty poundings of hooves and a sharp snort caused Jaune's soul to leave his body at the sight of a proud and stalwart machine in the form of a great armored horse adorned all over in shining silver, from its shining chafrons and the crinet atop its nape to a saddle-like piece resting on its back. The mech shook its mane and took a defensive stance, its glimmering eyes unyielding like its resolve. Jaune clasped a hand over his heart in shock and awe, as if the beast before him offered servitude and loyalty to a young man who felt unworthy of such praise. Nevertheless, Jaune broke into a wide grin and a steady chuckle that soon turned into delighted laughter, which put the mighty machine at ease as the horse proudly presented itself to him.

Finally, Pyrrha was astonished to see an object fit for a treasure chamber behind the final door. At first, all she could see was a glimmering gold form that would inspire awe in anyone who caught even a fleeting glimpse of it, followed by a proud and courageous shriek as a magnificent golden eagle spread its shiny, broad wings, showcasing its glory for Pyrrha to behold. Its glazed and flawless talons appeared almost capable of puncturing the metal floor beneath it, greeting the redhead with brilliant yellow eyes while ruffling its golden feathers. It took the Invincible Girl more than a few moments to regain her composure.

None of the eight teenagers knew what to say as they admired and stared at the fleet of powerful beasts and great machines that met them. Eyes blinked in disbelief, breaths were stolen, and hearts struggled to start beating again. They were impossible to look away from as all their systems came fully online, growls, huffs, and chirps escaping their built-in vocal synthesizers. Everyone fought to come up with a proper response…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Nora shrieked at a pitch that made everyone else flinch. "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! WE GOT ROBOTS! WE GOT ROBOTS!" She grabbed Ren by the shoulders and vigorously shook the poor boy with the biggest smile she ever wore, screaming in his face before leaping up and down and punching the air. "YES! YES! WOOOOOOOO! THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVEEEEEERRRRRRR!"

"RWBY Rangers…" Billy proudly proclaimed, as excitement and amazement passed over the rest of the teens. "I present to you… your Hunter Zords, so named to honor the heroic profession you all wish to one day join."

"Aw, look at them," Kat chuckled at the joyous smiles, hands grasping hair, and ecstatic laughter. "It's like they're getting their first cars."

"Well, they technically are," chimed Rocky. "Most of us piloted robot animals before we learned how to drive."

Kat shrugged. "Touche."

"This is… I can't…" Ruby sputtered in sheer delight as her eyes refused to look anywhere other than the giant red wolf robot in front of her. "This… th-this is AMAZING! I-I thought being a Ranger would be the best thing that's ever happened to me, but-"

"But now we get our very own BADASS ANIMAL ROBOTS?!" Yang hollered joyously. "Summer, I'm so sorry about this, but this is officially the best gift anyone's ever given me! Sunburn's in second place!" The veteran Yellow Ranger just smiled and shrugged, indicating that she felt no offense. Doctor K brushed past her with a proud smile, something Ruby thought looked strangely out of place on her.

"Each of your new Zords, like your powers, is perfectly tailored to your strengths and specifications," she reported. "Some of the other Rangers have also made their own adjustments. Weiss, your Owl Hunter Zord's systems have been infused with some of Udonna's magic, which should lend you a boost should the fight ahead prove troublesome."

"I… I am truly honored by her generosity," the heiress uttered while wiping her eye with a finger. "Tell her I said thanks, please."

"And Blake, your Panther Hunter Zord is designed to be fully compatible with your Animal Spirit to strengthen the link between Ranger and Zord. Given how the Jungle Fury Rangers' Spirits acted as their Zords, it was a challenging yet manageable process. I hope you approve."

"I… uh… th-thank you," the dark-haired girl subconsciously clenched her arm with a bashful smile. Pyrrha was right behind her, quick to back up her hesitant statement. "T-truly! W-well, while we are grateful, some of us more than others…"

"I-It's just that this is all… a little much," Jaune begrudgingly admitted, running a hand through his locks… until Nora pounced on him and started shaking him like a ragdoll. "A LITTLE MUCH?! A LITTLE MUCH?! WHAT PART OF 'WE HAVE GIANT ROBOTS NOW' DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!"

"Like Pyrrha said…" Ren repeated. "Some of us more than others…"

Kendall chuckled. "Well, the evidence speaks for itself there."

"I… w-we can't thank you enough…" Ruby squeaked only for Tommy to hold up a hand. "Save it for when you kick that thing's tail in."

"Wait…" Jaune awkwardly spoke up. "If we're gonna use them to fight the Grimm and the dragon… how are we supposed to drive those things?"

"Don't worry about it," Billy dismissed. "Like I always say, you'll find it second nature. Instinctual. Your Grid connection should give you the necessary knowledge."

"And you're going to need it," Vida told them. "The Grid doesn't have much time left, nor do we all. Ruby, Weiss, everyone… this is gonna be the toughest fight of your lives."

"As long as you make each other's backs and stay focused," Jason said. "Then you can come out on top and make your teachers and predecessors proud. Now… are you all ready for this?"

Ruby turned to her friends with a determined and bright smile. "Well? You heard him." One by one, they all smiled and nodded. Yang placed a hand on her sister's shoulder with a proud grin. "You know I'm one to never back down from a fight."

"You made a promise, Ruby," Weiss smiled. And we'll help you fulfill it if you let us." Blake comfortably met Ruby's gaze from beside the heiress. "And you need us as much as we need you, " she added.

"This might not be the destiny our professors said we had," Pyrrha admitted. "But it's one we'll complete nonetheless." Jaune's smile never left his face as he nodded excitedly. "Yeah! We're all ready if you are!"

"We've all come so far," Ren agreed. "So why would you even think of stopping now?" Ruby quietly chuckled at his words… until Nora forcefully shoved him aside. "YEAH YEAH YEAH, WE'RE ALL WITH YOU AND WHATEVER, LET'S JUST DO THIS ALREADY!"

Ruby couldn't blame her friend's ecstatic desperation and laughed to herself. "Okay then! Then that leaves only one question: do you all know what time it is?!"

The eight teens acted as one, pulling out their morphers, proudly displaying the glinting coins within. Their unified voices filled the entire hangar bay. "IT'S MORPHIN TIME!"

"SILVER STALLION!" Jaune bellowed, a dazzling light blasting around him.

"GOLDEN EAGLE!" Pyrrha shrieked, allowing herself to be enveloped in brilliant rays.

"JADE SERPENT!" Ren called, an emerald glow surrounding his being.

"THUNDER PEGASUS!" Nora roared, electric pink light swirling around her.

"BURNING DRAGON!" Yang bellowed, a fiery yellow aura exploding from her morpher and consuming her.

"OBSIDIAN PANTHER!" Blake growled, dark and shadowy energy swallowing her whole.

"BLIZZARD OWL!" Weiss yelled, causing a blinding white glow to envelop her.

"CARMINE WOLF!" Ruby shouted, bathing herself in a brilliant red glow. There was a sudden combined flash of multiple colors… and the eight Huntsmen-turned-Rangers stood ready and willing as the other veterans beamed with pride.

The RWBY Rangers turned to their new battle machines and shot high into the air, twirling and spinning in midair to perfectly land in the robots' exposed cockpits. The head panels slid shut behind them, bathing each of the teens in darkness. Their respective colors met them as instruments and panels flashed to life before them, steady hums and whines filling the cockpit as all systems came online. Behind the teens, the same symbols and insignias on their Power Coins filled the spaces behind them and on their central screens when they paired with their Coins.

At first glance, all of them—especially the ingenious and technically knowledgeable Ruby—were hesitant and overwhelmed, the many controls in front of them appearing far too complicated to wield or understand. But seconds passed as the Rangers examined the instruments before them… and they all started to make sense. A quick overview of their Zords' weapon systems, capabilities, and other features, along with their Grid connection, was relayed to the teens with all they needed to operate their new weapons to their fullest potential.

Ruby adjusted the power levels to her specifications and gripped the control levers tightly as her cockpit glowed a bright crimson. "Wolf Hunter Zord, leading the pack!"

Weiss was amazed at the many runes and glyphs surrounding her instruments, some even around her wrist before she readied herself. "Owl Hunter Zord, spreading wings!"

The moment Blake gripped her controls, the purple aura of her Panther Animal Spirit flowed into her Zord's systems and ignited a violet glow within the darkness of her cockpit. "Panther Hunter Zord, on the prowl!"

Yang twisted some dials and laughed at the telltale roar of flames within her mech, warmth flooding both Ranger and machine. "Dragon Hunter Zord, turning up the heat!"

Nora was abuzz with excitement and cracked her neck before rubbing her palms together and grabbing her controls, lightning trailing along her muscles in anticipation. "Pegasus Hunter Zord, bringing the storm!"

Ren tensed in his seat, his body poised for any move he was willing to make in the blink of an eye. "Serpent Hunter Zord, ready to strike!"

Jaune shifted in his cockpit as he got accustomed to his own machine's controls. "Stallion Hunter Zord, calling in the cavalry!"

Pyrrha flipped the last few switches and checked her propulsion systems. "Eagle Hunter Zord, set to soar!"

The beasts naturally responded to the teens' touch and obeyed like loyal servants, marching out of the bays with heavy metal paws, hydraulic hooves, and razor-sharp talons pounding the floor. Heads-up displays flashed and flickered within the cockpit, relaying all vital systems to the Rangers and establishing links to the other Zords. Although startled initially and jostling in her seat, Ruby broke into elated laughter as she quickly adjusted and became comfortable in her new position.

"Oh, man… I'm SO happy to be in a robot instead of fighting one!"

"I know, right?!" The brunette glanced to the side, where a functional comms system was, and saw yellow sound waves pulsing in sync with her sister's excited voice. "How freaking awesome is this?!"

"It's like… It's like they're a part of us. An extension, like how Ruby describes weapons…"

"Blake, you've had a giant ghost cat inside you. Of course, you'd believe it to be 'part of you'." Weiss chimed in, her eyes rolling behind her helmet. "But I have to agree with Yang for once: this is nothing like the Paladin prototype, and yet…"

"And yet I already feel like I know what to do!" Jaune laughed. "Billy was right, it is second nature!"

"While I do appreciate it," Ren commented. "I still find it a little lazy…"

"There's no time for us to practice anyway," Pyrrha countered. "We must make haste for Salem and go on the attack for once."

"Yeah!" Nora cheered. "I gotta introduce a billion bolts to that freak! Now LEMME AT 'EM ALREADY!"

A sharp beep directed everyone's attention to their comms, where another symbol joined the ensemble of eight: a Triceratops accompanied by sapphire sound waves. "Billy Cranston to all RWBY Rangers. Does everyone read me?"

"Loud and clear, Billy," Weiss reported. "What now?"

"The docs are getting a portal ready for you. Coordinates are locked for Salem, Massachusetts, south of the downtown area. Stand by."

"Guys," The insignia of a triple-clawed talon joined in, partnered by green sound waves. "I probably don't need to say this, but please be careful. You're heading right into enemy territory. The belly of the beast."

"Your concern is appreciated, Tommy," Ren replied. "But trust us; we've got this."

"And Ruby?" A Tyrannosaurus symbol appeared next, with red sound waves pulsing and a headstrong voice. "Remember what Master Red said. A Red Ranger should never be alone. So have faith in your friends, trust one another, and let them in. Got it?"

She took a deep breath. "Got it. Thanks, Jason."

"Anytime, kid."

"ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL," a booming announcement echoed through the hangar bay as all eight Hunter Zords stood at attention. "PREPARE FOR TELEPORTATION MATRIX IN T-MINUS TEN… NINE… EIGHT…"

"This is it," Ruby muttered into her comms, her fingers tight against her controls as the countdown continued. "Rangers… it's go time."

"Roger that, Rubes," Yang answered.

"THREE… TWO… ONE… BREACHING."

Charged lightning shot from an emitter beneath the control center, the colored bolts and electricity coalescing into a turbulent rift swirling with Grid energy. The speck-sized humans down below waved handheld beacons and pointed them at the portal. Ruby nodded in response before taking the controls and shoving them forward…

…and an aggressive growl escaped her Wolf Hunter Zord as it broke into a full charge, bounding for the portal at top speed. The Panther and Stallion pursued at their own sprinting speeds while the Serpent slithered along the floor. The Owl, Dragon, Pegasus, and Eagle all took flight, propulsion systems kicking in and wings spread wide. A cacophony of snarls, hisses, and screeches left the bionic beasts as they vanished into the colorful rift.

A flash of bright light nearly blinded Ruby before she heard - and felt - the telltale sensation of asphalt breaking and shattering beneath her Zord's powerful paws. She immediately pulled the control sticks back, bringing her mount to a full stop. She jerked her helmet up to analyze the situation…

…only to freeze for ten seconds before the helmet flashed away, revealing the girl's horrified expression and pale eyes.

Ruby could only describe her surroundings - a crooked sign read "Lafayette Street" - as something she found incomprehensible: something horrid… something twisted… something wrong. What should have been a normal city filled with people and life had become a barren wasteland devoid of human and other existence. Streets lay bare and empty, trees stood as greenless husks, stoplights were either dead or smashed on the roads below. Cracked and bent telephone poles bled electric sparks. Buildings stood abandoned and decaying, and roads were covered in black blobs of malicious muck. That same goo could be seen on buildings like a deadly infection, intensifying their derelict state and blotting out whatever text rested on the buildings… except for the word "Salem", which the goo surrounded.

Haunting howls drew Ruby's gaze skyward. Flocks of flying Grimm - from Lancers and Griffons to Nevermores and Wyverns - filled a blighted atmosphere, abyssal clouds obscuring any hope of sunlight. At the same time, red lightning flashed through the corrupted skies amid ear-wracking shrieks, as if the very weather had transformed into a monster like its occupants. And off in the distance, Ruby could see gigantic purple crystals that had burst from the ground, obliterating buildings and spreading like a cancerous growth across an entire district.

No, it wasn't just crystals. In some areas, the entire ground had shifted and upheaved in a vile affront to the laws of physics. It was as if a massive quake had struck and annihilated the town's foundations, with smooth roads and sidewalks giving way to treacherous and untraversable rocky terrain.

And if the town's state itself wasn't haunting and eerie enough, there were the Grimm. Dozens… no, hundreds of the creatures were everywhere Ruby looked. Goliaths lumbering down the roads on patrol, Beowolves and Sabyrs prowling the rooftops, Creeps wandering in and out of buildings, Beringels howling into the night while pounding their chests, Ursai and Boarbatusks standing guard… then there were the Manticores perched like gargoyles, Centinels snaking through alleys, the Death Stalkers, the Geists, the Ravagers, the Teryx…

Not even the seas were safe. In the distant bays and harbors, Ruby caught glimpses of Sea Feilongs lurking beneath the murky waters and noticed boats vanishing beneath the surface. Only a few Leviathans roamed in the background near the ruined bridges, their gargantuan forms an ominous sight for everyone.

The town of Salem wasn't just lifeless; it was infected, corrupted, and twisted into something vile and horrifying. Suddenly, Ruby felt fortunate to be in a cockpit, for she feared that breathing the air might drive her mad or worse.

Movement snapped her out of it, and she quickly scanned to remind herself of the others. She spotted the Owl, Eagle, and Dragon Zords perched on crumbling ruins, while the Panther, Pegasus, Serpent, and Stallion gathered around her. None of the Zords moved an inch, and nobody needed to say anything for Ruby to understand what they were all feeling.

But she couldn't take the silence anymore.

"Are…" Ruby's voice came out smaller than she wanted. "Are you all seeing this?" Crimson lightning cracked the sky, and the girl flinched at its terrible noise, equivalent to nails on a chalkboard.

"Seeing?" Blake despondently replied. "Yes."

"But believing?" Yang followed. "Uh…"

"Oh my god…" Jaune shuddered. "What… what is this? Wh-what happened here?!"

Even Nora was rendered speechless. "Wha… I-I-I… what on Remnant…"

"I… I don't believe it," Pyrrha whispered in horror, something Ruby thought she'd never hear from the Invincible Girl. "This… th-this is madness."

"No," Ren ominously finished. "We know what this is… we all do."

He was right, and everyone knew it. Although they had never seen such a thing in person, they had all heard of it. Whispers, warnings, oaths, and vows to never bring such a curse by speaking of it… but here was Remnant's ultimate nightmare right before them. Here was the one thing they were taught to avoid at all costs, lest their souls be damned forever. The one thing that was forbidden beyond forbidden. Their world's greatest fear and terrible stain personified.

"Evernight…"

Ruby felt her body shudder in response to her whispering that dreaded phrase, her soul quivering in tandem. Even as she tried to reason with herself and explain that this was just a replica of the Grimm's homeland on Earth, this imitation still carried all the wickedness and malevolence the real thing had in abundance.

The girl's hand flew to her comm system. "Jason, Tommy… g-guys, it's worse than we thought! Way worse! I-I can't believe what we're looking at, but… but…" Ruby trailed off at what was coming through on the other end… and her body seized up.

There was nothing but static.

"I… I can't get a hold of anyone, either!" Weiss stammered. "Too much interference! I can't get through!"

"Then we're on our own," Pyrrha sighed. "Past the point of no return."

"So…" Nora squeaked. "What do we do now?"

Ruby tried to gather herself, her next breath trembling from terror, and fought to take in the situation despite the atmosphere of despair. She turned to each of her friends' Zords and stared into the corrupted town, resisting the urge to flinch at the lightning while visualizing her friends' reactions to everything around them.

But the stupid static started getting annoying, so Ruby switched off the channel…

…only for the static to remain. The Red Ranger paused in her seat before nervously frowning and pressing the button again. She had no such luck until the static faded to a clear channel. Ruby exhaled a breath of relief and opened her mouth…

"WWWWEEEELLLLCOOOOOMMMEEE HOOOOOOOOMMMEEEE…"

Her body ceased functioning. She stopped breathing, her heart stopped beating, and her blood turned to ice as that deep, dreadful tone sank into her bones. Ruby was whiter than a bedsheet as she stood petrified, her muscles refusing to respond and her voice box devoid of reaction. A new channel on her comm system forced itself into view: a glitching, distorted box with unstable violet energies that could only belong to one thing.

"AT LONG LAST…" her demon whispered in a tone that would have made her namesake shrivel. "YOU HAVE COME… YOU HAVE ALL COME… WE HAVE BEEN WAITING…" That's when Ruby noticed that every single Grimm in the city had their glowing violet eyes trained on the Zords, anxious and hungry. "...FOR THE LITTLE ROSE AND HER BAND OF YOUTHS."

"SHOW YOURSELF!" Yang roared to the hellish heavens, her Dragon Zord snarling in a challenge. "WE'RE NOT AFRAID OF YOU!"

"This all just… caught us by surprise!" Jaune joined her. "That's all!"

There was a low growl that came from everywhere at once. "CONFIDENT… ARRRRREE WEEEEEE?"

"Not confident," Blake growled. "Hopeful. Because this ends right here, right now."

"She's right," Ruby breathed as she forced herself back into focus. "Look… I know the truth. I know everything. I… I know what I did…"

"I DID NOT SUMMON YOU HERE TO REPENT, LITTLE ROSE," it boomed. "I SUMMONED YOU TO SHOW YOU… THAT YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW."

"NO," Ruby seethed through clenched teeth, her eyes glistening with pent-up emotions. "Don't you even DARE. None of this is my fault, you hear me? I'm done being afraid of you, and I'm done running from you. And I may not know your plans for me, but I don't care. You know why? Because you're never gonna get the chance to use them."

Her bones vibrated from a chuckle greater than thunder. "SUCH BRAVADO FOR A SMALL FLOWER… SUCH A DELICATE THING IN NEED OF PROTECTION: THE ONE THING A HERO DOES NOT NEED. HOW EMBARRASING…"

"You're wrong," Yang snarled with a rising fury. "Ruby has never needed protecting. We look out for her, and she looks out for us. That's it."

"That's what defines a team," Weiss declared. "Huntsman or Ranger."

"SO… YOU CLAIM TO HAVE FINISHED YOUR TRAINING AT BEACON EARLY, THEN?"

"Not the words I would choose," Ren responded. "But I'd say we've learned far more than what we'd learn there."

"THEN WELCOME, STUDENTS… TO YOUR FINAL EXAM."

The channel fell silent as the Grimm gathered closely, growling and snarling while they crept and slunk toward the only trace of color in this dark, dreary abode. The Hunter Zords assembled tightly, their mechanical forms standing tall against the surrounding horde of darkness. Ruby's words and her friends' declarations helped to dispel the initial fear in her heart, and her mind raced to come up with a plan, recalling previously shared details and their current situation.

"Okay, guys…" she began. "Alpha said they're holed up at the First Church. If the dragon's gonna be there, then so do we."

"Just tell us where you want us, red," Nora said, her tone tight with anticipation.

"Yang, Weiss, Nora, and Pyrrha," Ruby ordered. "You've got the air. You have my full permission to engage any Grimm you see up there and keep their attention off the rest of us."

"Understood," Weiss answered.

"Jaune and Ren, you're on escort duty. There are far too many Grimm for us to handle in a straight fight, so I need you two to form a perimeter and hold them back. Blake and I are gonna carve a path right for the church."

"You got it," Jaune replied.

"Roger that," Blake added, her Panther Zord slinking into position. "I'm on your right."

"On my signal…" Ruby whispered, her helmet reappearing as the Grimm lurked closer with wide jaws, flashing talons, and frightening skeletal structures amidst their venomous violet orbs. The teens all glared back, refusing to cower before their sworn enemy's numbers and ferocity with all the power in their hearts… until Ruby released the safety on her weapon systems and pressed a button that sent red energies coursing through her robot's systems.

AAAWWWWOOOOOOOOOO! Her Wolf Hunter Zord howled into the dark sky, followed by a unified rallying call from her friends' machines. Weiss' Owl Hunter Zord shrieked with widespread wintry wings; Blake's Panther Hunter Zord roared a dominating threat to the Grimm, and Yang's Dragon Hunter Zord unleashed a fiery bellow, its maw giving off a sunny glow. Jaune's Stallion Hunter Zord reared up on its hind legs with a stalwart neigh, Ren's Serpent Hunter Zord hissed while showcasing its deadly fangs, Nora's Pegasus Hunter Zord unfurled its wings with an energetic whinny, and Pyrrha's Eagle Hunter Zord screeched to the skies while spreading its glimmering golden wings.

"GO GO RWBY RANGERS!" everyone hollered in unison as their respective colored energies vibrantly detonated in a tremendous blast of heat and light behind their still-roaring Zords. The eight colors swirled into a massive cloud of orange flame and dark smoke… and the Zords sprang into action, charging towards the dark masses at full speed while four of the beasts ascended into the skies.

Ruby was reminded of her team's sole advantage over the horde the moment the red wolf lunged at the Grimm like a ravenous dog after a steak. Her Zord's paws swiftly crushed Beowolves into paste, and a squealing Boarbatusk was scooped into the Zord's jaws before it savagely bit down, cleaving the porcine monster in two with a fierce growl. Instinct took over the Red Ranger, and she immediately began swiping at the black beasts beneath her, the Zord's claws ripping through them like paper.

A savage snarl accompanied the wolf's growls as the Panther Hunter Zord pounced into the pack with purple talons extended, landing on all fours amid the dark swarm. Blake paid no mind to the monsters her machine flattened beneath its feline paws, the Zord's deadly talons making short work of the survivors. Like Ruby's wolf, Blake's panther dug its fangs into the horde and tore apart every Grimm in sight, turning their howls and bellows into roars of agony as the great cat ripped a Beringel in half at the waist.

"YEAH! TAKE THAT!" Ruby hollered, her Zord thundering onward and trampling any Grimm caught underfoot. Blake quickly charged down the street to catch up, Ren and Jaune trailing behind them. The Silver Stallion bashed away a charging Creep with a single swing of its armored head while the Jade Serpent slithered through the crowd, drilling right through them and bashing away the black beasts with its lengthy green body.

"Alright, ladies, they're on the move!" Yang reported from above, the Yellow Ranger watching the four Zords barrel through the pack. "Let's give 'em some air support!"

"Uh… Yang?!" Pyrrha suddenly called out. "We have problems! LOTS of problems!" All eyes turned directly ahead, where an immense flock of flying Grimm soared toward the airborne Zords like the dark clouds from which they had emerged. Instead of being taken aback by this turn of events, the four girls merely narrowed their eyes at the approaching swarm.

"All Rangers," Yang hollered. "Pick your targets and engage!" With her Dragon Hunter Zord's jet engines roaring at full power, matching her beast's bellow, the Yellow Ranger rocketed toward the first Grimm she spotted: the large Wyvern commanding the flock. The Owl and Eagle Hunter Zords locked talons with swarms of Griffons and Nevermores, while the whinnying Pegasus Hunter Zord soared toward the buzzing Lancers and their queen. The agile and nimble form of the Dragon Hunter Zord made it a difficult target for the bellowing Wyvern, allowing Yang to hammer a fist on a button and command her machine to unleash a torrent of bright flame on the side of the monster's face.

The Dragon Hunter Zord clawed the Wyvern across the face to ensure effectiveness, while the sunny flames roasted the monster's black skin, forcing it to release Yang's mech. The flying Grimm kept its distance and began bombarding the Dragon Hunter Zord with purple fireballs, which Yang skillfully avoided by steering her Zord in wavy patterns across the sky. Its long body snaked and twisted away from each projectile before the Yellow Ranger flicked some switches, causing side panels to open. A storm of missiles was fired from the Dragon Hunter Zord's body, their homing impacts disorienting the Wyvern and allowing Yang to barrel right into it.

The high-pitched shriek of Weiss' Owl Hunter Zord punctuated its bright body as it darted and weaved through the darkness, swatting Griffons with its wings while rolling away and scratching others with its talons. The White Ranger behind the controls maneuvered her machine as if she were the one in flight rather than the Zord, dancing across the skies and soaring as gracefully as the bird her Zord resembled. Even as a flock of Griffons and Lancers converged on Weiss after exiting her aerial acrobatics, the heiress stilled and concentrated deeply…

…releasing her controls as brilliant white glyphs and sigils surrounded her wrists and hands. Arcane energies swirled from the Zord's systems and surrounded Weiss, who shifted her arms in well-practiced movements before interlocking her fingers and pushing her hands outward.

"MYSTO NIVISI!" Her cry echoed like an angel's song, and her Zord glowed a brilliant white, summoning forth a torrential wind that swept away the closest Griffons with a great howl. The air temperature around the Owl Hunter Zord plummeted by dozens of degrees in just a few seconds, turning the Lancers jabbing at the cockpit into glittering blue sculptures. The winds blew them away and shattered them with gale forces while the sub-zero air solidified into chunks of ice that knocked some Griffons out of the sky. The Owl Hunter Zord flew onward, its screeching cries mixing with the howling blizzard as fresh snow twisted around its features. Weiss never let up from there; her Zord's coolant systems froze any Grimm that approached until the White Ranger spotted movement below.

Purple light charged within Beowolf mouths, Ursa paws, and rolling Boarbatusks, all targeting the red wolf ripping through their ranks. Weiss thought quickly and dove down, her Zord tucking in its wings. It swooped between the Grimm and the crimson-clad Zord just as the barrage commenced. Beowolves unleashed unstable lasers, dark orbs hurled from the Ursai's limbs, and the Boarbatusks rolled toward the Wolf Hunter Zord's position like deadly bowling balls. Weiss concentrated again, her arms moving differently before settling into a defensive pose, magical glyphs and arcane sigils glowing in her palms.

"REFLECTUS TARGO!" A shimmering wall of crystalline ice materialized before her Zord when it flung its wings wide open, deflecting the Grimms' own projectiles back at them and obliterating them where they stood. The Boarbatusks bounced off and landed flat on their backs, leaving them squealing and struggling to stand while the red wolf finally noticed the intervention.

"Whoa! Thanks, Weiss! For… whatever you just did!"

The White Ranger sighed at Ruby's words while staring at her palm. "I honestly thought magic would be difficult to wield. Now, get going!" The Owl Hunter Zord shot back into the sky, prompting the Wolf Hunter Zord to resume its dash through the streets. The machine leapt over upturned roads and weaved between crystals that had burst from the pavement, trampling every Grimm caught underfoot…

…until a Beowolf landed atop the Zord's head, jolting Ruby in her seat as the monster obscured her vision with its menacing violet eyes and snarling maw. It didn't hesitate to slash and swipe at the canopy, while several more thunks echoed across the Zord, the sounds and her scanners alerting Ruby to enemies on all sides. More Beowolves climbed up the Zord's legs, Griffons tried to break through the machine's back with their beaks, and Sabyrs pounced from the roofs to dig in with claws and fangs. The Red Ranger took evasive action, wrenching her controls from side to side, causing her Zord to shake its massive body like a dog drying itself off. Most of the Grimm were sent flying, but just as many immediately took their place and continued assaulting the mech like persistent fleas.

This would have unnerved Ruby if she hadn't had a backup plan. Thinking fast, the Red Ranger twisted a dial to its maximum setting and glared at the Beowolf right outside her cockpit, hoping it could see the fiery look in her eyes behind her helmet before she pressed down on a button. Her wolf growled in irritation as it failed to dislodge the dark swarm, its body emitting a bright red glow as it reared back…

AWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO! A supersonic howl and a scarlet shockwave engulfed the entire block, blasting away the Grimm atop the Wolf Hunter Zord. The sound waves obliterated lesser Grimm on the streets and toppled a bellowing Goliath while leaving a Death Stalker disoriented, allowing Ren's Serpent Hunter Zord to lash out and sink its fangs into the scorpion Grimm's claw. Snapped out of its daze, the Death Stalker seized the Zord's body in its other claw and hurled it away, leaving the jade serpent to slither away. The Death Stalker turned to face its next target with snapping claws and an ominous hiss… only to spy a green substance under its claw and spreading fast.

The serpent's poison spread rapidly, eroding the Death Stalker's defenses and leaving the empowered Grimm a twitching, gurgling mess before disintegrating into nothingness. Jaune whooped triumphantly as his Stallion Hunter Zord thundered past the remains, the steed's hooves pounding the pavement. "WOO! That's how you do it, team!" The Silver Ranger wasn't fazed at all by the lasers fired by the strafing Lancers' stingers, which connected harmlessly with his Zord's heavy armor. Not even the full force of an empowered Goliath could halt Jaune's charge, as a single swing of his mech's head sent it crashing down like a ton of bricks. Jaune brought his Zord to a stop only when his sensors detected a giant Nevermore approaching rapidly, a haunting shriek escaping its beak and dark talons poised to snatch him up.

Rather than feel intimidated as he once had, Jaune smirked and pulled a lever backward, commanding his Zord to spread its forelegs and adopt a stalwart and immovable stance. Steam billowed from the stallion's nostrils as the saddle-shaped armor on its spine slid backward, allowing a silver-coated artillery cannon to rise in its place and immediately begin charging with a brilliant silver light. Jaune felt his body tense as a targeting reticle appeared on his Zord's heads-up display, highlighting the swooping Nevermore and beeping to signal a successful lock…

…and Jaune squeezed the trigger.

BLAM! The Zord shook as the cannon detonated with explosive force, blasting a hole clean through the screeching Grimm's body. The Silver Ranger didn't even look back at the oversized avian as it crashed and dissipated before marching forward, turning the cannon on the largest Grimm in sight. One blast obliterated a Goliath's head, another blew off a Beringel's arm to give Blake's panther the chance to lunge at it, and a third blasted a King Taijutu in half, rescuing Ren from the double-headed snake outnumbering him. All the while, Jaune regulated the weapon's power cells and energy output to ensure he didn't overuse it and allowed the cannon to recharge.

"Ha ha! Man, I'm good!"

GRROOOOWWWWRRR! The Panther Hunter Zord's glowing violet claws slashed through the horde, and powerful paws pinned beasts down, allowing the great cat to tear off heads with its teeth. A wide slash emitted purple energy waves that diced a Death Stalker to bits, and the Zord lunged at a Goliath, sinking its teeth into the vulnerable neck and taking the pachyderm down like a predator in a successful hunt. Blake had her eyes peeled for her next target until she spied a flock of Griffons closing in on her, the flying Grimm moving too fast and out of range for lunges and pounces. The Panther Hunter Zord snarled defensively and took a few steps back.

"Nightshade!" Blake called out. "Keep them off; I need a few seconds!" The ensuing growl echoed through her Zord as her Animal Spirit took full control of the machine, swiping and batting at the closest Griffons to swat them from the sky. With the enemy distracted, Blake scoured her controls for the desired selection and found it easily, a black finger flicking a switch. The Black Ranger grabbed the controls again and pushed them downward, bringing the panther into a low crouch while the ebony tail raised upward…

…and sprayed an amethyst laser at the surrounding flock, scorching dark feathers and severing black wings. The Griffons immediately scattered in a squawking frenzy, the purple beam slicing them into pieces as they fled. The panther snarled and roared at the retreating monsters, ceasing only when a red figure landed on the roof of a nearby house.

"Come on, Blake! Keep pushing!" Ruby called, her wolf bounding across a few more houses before launching down into an intersection and taking off running. Blake urged her Zord into a full sprint, the panther charging after the wolf. "Right behind you, Ruby!"

A crowd of Grimm stormed in from all directions, surrounding the hissing Serpent Hunter Zord, which dangerously flashed its fangs at them. Ren surveyed the area as his Zord's systems picked up hostile signals from everywhere, including from the air as Griffons and Nevermores hovered over him like vultures waiting for the kill. Seeing his limited options, Ren smirked under his helmet as he thought of a solution that the Grimm weren't expecting. The Green Ranger gripped his controls and aimed his Zord's head downward before shoving them forward and plunging the hissing Serpent Hunter Zord through the streets beneath him. The gathered Grimm recoiled in surprise while a Lancer swarm circled the hole, stingers rapidly firing into the breach, but the Serpent Hunter Zord's tail was already out of sight. The ground rumbled and cracked from the force of the burrowing snake, with several pitfalls breaking open that swallowed moaning Goliaths and scrambling-to-escape Death Stalkers.

The disturbed earth and busted pavement marked Ren's subterranean trail. The Green Ranger continued unimpeded and reached a large intersection… until the road suddenly exploded in a shower of concrete and dirt, revealing a massive Centinel erupting from underground with the Serpent Hunter Zord in its insectoid jaws. Although startled from the ambush, Ren whirled his Zord's head around and fought to maintain dominance as the reptile and insect wrapped and twisted around each other. Black and green molded together until the Centinel had a tight grip around the serpent's body, leaving its head vulnerable to its twitching mandibles that dripped with vile purple liquid. Ren remained motionless as he waited for the Grimm to recoil, the corrosive substance building up inside it…

In a flash, he shoved a lever near two green gauges forward. The Serpent Hunter Zord's twin fangs positioned themselves forward and released a sudden stream of corrosive emerald acid right into the Centinel's face, earning a gurgling screech from the Grimm as it released the Zord and staggered away with a burning, sizzling face. The acid ate away at its head, which steamed a jade smoke until Ren lunged at it. His Zord bit down hard and sharply twisted, tearing the head clean off and tossing it away before turning its deadly venom on some nearby Beowolves and Boarbatusks, showering them in viscous green acid that melted the fleeing monsters to nothing. An approaching Goliath suffered no better, as the green poison that flooded the street burned through its massive feet. The pachyderm could only stomp about in a frantic frenzy before its legs boiled and dissolved, its imposing frame shrinking into the goo while Ren's serpent hissed with dripping fangs.

Deadly shrieks and a valiant whinny joined the screeching crimson lightning in the dark skies above, where a flock of Griffons and a giant Nevermore pursued a lone pink pegasus through the abyssal clouds that threatened to zap anything that ventured too close. Inside the Pegasus Hunter Zord's cockpit, a frustrated Nora directed her mount's focus toward some Lancers and Manticores ahead, bolts of pink lightning emitted from the Zord's mouth frying them to a crisp and sending them plummeting from the sky. Her Zord easily responded to each of her commands, executing swift rolls and sharp turns before galloping across rooftops and soaring away from the swooping Nevermore, the Grimm's talons sinking into a building.

The Pink Ranger anxiously turned to her controls, the source of her ire still in front of her face: a slowly-filling progress bar informing her of her Zord's energy conduits reaching full power. "Come on, come on, charge, charge, chargechargecharge!" She bounced in her seat until she suddenly veered off to the left, causing a second oncoming Nevermore to collide with the one behind her, sending both oversized avians crashing to the streets below.

Nora almost destroyed the button after she pounded it the exact second the charging process was complete, causing her Zord's wings to flash and buzz with pink lightning. The Pegasus Hunter Zord shot upward and spun in a brilliant twirl, its electrified wings batting and electrocuting Griffons as it ascended. Upon reaching its peak, the pegasus snapped its wings open with another triumphant neigh, pink lightning flashing behind it before it tucked in its wings and dove for the streets below. Nora pushed her controls as far as she could, accelerating to full speed and redirecting all electrical energy to her Zord's head.

"INCOMIIIIIIING!"

An electric mach cone formed and pulsed around the pink pegasus before erupting outward in a brilliant blast, signaling its flight speed had reached supersonic velocities. Nora flew low over the streets of Salem, a thunderous stream of lightning bursting from her Zord's mouth and incinerating dozens of Grimm converging on Ruby and Blake's position. The lightning surged throughout the bodies of every Grimm it found, leaving them howling and spasming before disintegrating them into sparking ash. "WWWWOOOOOOOOO! I'M THE QUEEN OF THE SKIES, BABAAAAAYYYYY!"

The Pink Ranger's triumphant fanfare was interrupted by a dark and haunting bellow, causing Nora to narrow her eyes and whip her head toward a large Wyvern flying toward her. Her entire body flashed with electricity as she redirected her snorting Pegasus Hunter Zord toward the monster. "I'M SORRY, DID YOU NOT HEAR ME ESTABLISH AIR SUPERIORITY JUST FIVE SECONDS AGO?! RRRAAAAAHHH!" She shot for the Wyvern at full speed, the ensuing electrically charged collision lighting up the sky and knocking the Wyvern off balance before Nora brought her Zord in to re-engage at close quarters, pounding at the monster with fierce headbutts and powerful kicks.

A distant screech emanating from a trail of golden light reminded Nora that she was not alone in maintaining aerial dominance despite her adrenaline-induced proclamation. Bright as a comet in the dark, void-like skies, the Eagle Hunter Zord streaked through the abyssal air with flying devils hellbent on extinguishing its light. Accosted by shrieking Griffons and snarling Manticores, Pyrrha expertly evaded her flying foes with sharp twirls and speedy dives, occasionally swooping low to snatch wingless Grimm in her Zord's gleaming talons and drop them to their doom.

The Gold Ranger pulled up, and her Zord ascended toward the dismal clouds, red lightning ominously flashing within the blackness surrounding Salem. A fearsome yet fearless screech escaped the Eagle Hunter Zord's beak as Pyrrha opened its wings and ushered them into a mighty flap, launching a volley of glowing gold feathers that rained down on her pursuers like an arrow storm cutting through a charging army. The feathers struck eyes, embedded into chests, hit wings, and everywhere else they could, sending the airborne Grimm plummeting from the sky. Only one remained after the initial barrage: a giant Nevermore that emitted a haunting cry capable of reducing the bravest warriors to quivering wrecks as the enormous raven soared toward the Gold Ranger like a dark angel. Pyrrha's only response was to urge her Eagle Hunter Zord onward, the robotic raptor answering with a brave screech of valor.

The two birds of light and darkness converged, their wings spread wide and talons poised, before clashing in the thunderous skies. Their beaks and talons tore at one another as they wrestled in midair. The Nevermore's brutish strength and terrifying speed initially gave it the upper hand until Pyrrha pressed a button that caused the Eagle Hunter Zord to erupt in a dazzling golden light, blinding the Nevermore enough for Pyrrha to drive her Zord's beak into the Grimm's nape and tear out its head, leaving it to fall as she soared away in victory.

The eight Hunter Zords advanced deeper into the devastated city of darkness, battling the hordes that assailed them from all directions. However, as the team progressed, the Grimm concentration they encountered increased. Jaune and Nora confronted a pack of brutish Creeps near a tourist attraction advertising a "witch village." The bipedal monsters pounded and struck their Zords with powerful blows and vicious tail swipes, one even biting the rear leg of the Pegasus Hunter Zord as Nora attempted to take off, sending her crashing to the ground. Jaune was there in an instant to headbutt them away, firing blasts from his Stallion Hunter Zord's cannon to push them back. Nora swiftly added her own firepower to support her equine ally, shocking and electrocuting the Grimm with devastating lightning breath.

A sharp rotation from Ren's Serpent Hunter Zord lashed out its tail, striking a group of rolling Boarbatusks and causing one to crash through a sign that read "Salem Witch Museum". A King Taijutu burst from a nearby cemetery and slid through the streets at a nightmarish speed, tombstone pieces flying in its wake as it weaved away from Ren's acid blasts and closed in with both heads… until a sudden screech from Pyrrha's eagle warned it too late, its talons snatching the double-headed snake and carrying it above the city, where the raptor's clawed feet dug in deep and tore the King Taijutu in half.

The Panther Hunter Zord was ambushed by a pack of Sabyrs near an ominous-looking building calling itself the Chamber of Terrors, forcing Blake on the defensive as her mech snarled at its aggressors in agitation. Ravagers and Griffons descended from the dark skies to add to these overwhelming efforts, leaving the Black Ranger vastly outnumbered… until a white blur flashed by with a sub-zero slipstream, turning several flying Grimm into ice sculptures that shattered on the streets. A rallying cry escaped the Owl Hunter Zord as glyphs materialized on its widespread wings, magic bolts shooting outward and striking scores of Grimm down. Wing flaps sent out blizzard-like gales that froze the Sabyrs on the street, allowing Blake to charge through and smash the petrified beasts under her Zord's mechanical paws.

An Alpha Beowolf lunged from the Old Town Hall's roof and landed atop the Wolf Hunter Zord's nape, its mass bringing the howling mech crashing down in the middle of the nearby plaza. Chairs and tables flew in the clashing canines' wake as more Beowolves rushed over to subdue the red Zord, even as Ruby sank her machine's jaws around the Alpha's forearm and thrashed wildly until a sharp swipe forced her to let go. She jumped away from the pack and leapt to the rooftops, bounding across buildings over incredible distances until Ruby halted atop the Old Town Hall and glared down at the snarling pack that was already converging on her. The Red Ranger narrowed her eyes and flicked another switch, rerouting power as her Zord's eyes began to glow…

ZZZZRRAAAAAAK! A pair of crimson beams burst from the Wolf Hunter Zord's eyes, obliterating the Alpha Beowolf's skull and bisecting its packmates at the waist with each sweep of the Zord's head. An incoming screech alerted Ruby to an approaching Nevermore, prompting the girl to snap her head upward… and inadvertently control her wolf to do the same, its lasers splitting the bird into two smoking halves.

"Uh… oops?" Ruby sheepishly chuckled to herself, hastily powering down her weapons and ceasing the deadly red beams. More Grimm were already converging on the town hall, cornering the lone wolf that dangerously growled at the black beasts, most of them having abandoned attacking her friends to focus solely on the Red Ranger. Even now, Ruby failed to establish a proper reason. Any theories she might have had were unable to make themselves known as bright bursts of yellow fire rained down on the horde, an incendiary stream creating a wall of flame that blocked off the Grimm and roasted those caught in the middle. The monsters wailed and shrieked as the yellow flames consumed their beings before Ruby heard a heavy thump from beside her machine: the bright, lengthy form of the Dragon Hunter Zord.

"Okay… what were we all even worried about?" Yang chuckled. "This is a cinch, sis! I feel like I'm taking on every Grimm in the world and winning!"

"Yeah, same here," Ruby smiled. "But remember why we're here, Yang! We need to find that church and focus on that dragon!"

"Where is that thing, anyway?!" Yang asked, a yellow fireball blasting a Wyvern from the sky. "Is it too scared to face us now that we have these awesome robots that'll kick its big, black-"

KRABOOM! The entire roof exploded in a dark violet blaze that blasted the two Zords off the town hall, both sisters screaming as their machines smashed and tumbled down into the plaza below. The red wolf and yellow dragon slowly staggered to their feet, while the black panther sprinted up to them and the white owl touched down nearby. The silver stallion and green snake barged in from the streets, positioning themselves alongside the other Zords. At the same time, the pink pegasus and golden landed beside them, their wings tucked in.

On top of the smoking historical building, four enormous black talons crushed the bricks beneath them. A pair of foreboding wings with black veins unfurled from the smoke, and ominous violet eyes burned through the dark smoke. A thick tail swayed anxiously behind the growling beast as the smoke faded, revealing a monstrous head with a bone-like face adorned with purple lines, razor-sharp teeth capable of piercing metal, and devilish horns that looked thicker than trees. The imposing Grimm dragon stood dominantly atop its perch, a pair of Wyverns hovering above as its escort. The beast glared down at the Zords that stood frozen in its shadow, one that dwarfed all eight in its darkness.

"WHAT HAVE I TO FEAR…" growled the monster. "...FROM COMPLACENT CHILDREN AND THEIR TOYS?"

None of the Rangers could respond as they stared up at the gargantuan Grimm, their breaths quiet and their bodies coiled with tension. Eyes remained unblinking beneath their visors, and their hands refused to let go of their controls. Silence fell upon the city of Salem, save for the red lightning that painted their enemy in a frightening glow while Grimm of all kinds slunk towards the plaza, surrounding the eight Hunter Zords from all directions and filling their scanners with red dots.

"ROSE…" rumbled the creature. "I ALMOST EXPECTED YOU TO COME HERE ALONE… THAT IS WHAT HEROES DO, ISN'T IT?"

"No," Ruby calmly responded, never taking her eyes off the dragon. "It isn't."

"WELL… YOU SHOULD HAVE," it answered. "BECAUSE NOW, YOU HAVE DRAGGED ALL THOSE YOU HOLD DEAR INTO OUR LITTLE SQUABBLE… AND HAVE SHOWN ME YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS."

"We're not her weakness!" Weiss retorted. "We're her strength!"

"Whatever it is you have against Ruby, you're going to have to take it up with all of us!" Yang joined in. "You mess with my sister, you mess with me!"

"And me," Blake echoed, her teeth gritted in a snarl as her panther did the same.

"Not to mention the rest of us," Jaune added. "Ruby made it clear for us. We're not two teams anymore."

"And even when we were," Ren continued. "We still listened to her and treated her like one of our own,"

"She possesses all the talents of a great leader," Pyrrha said. "But there are some things she can't do alone, despite what Professor Ozpin told her."

"We don't stand behind her! We stand with her!" Nora finished. "You got beef with her?! Then you've got beef with everyone!"

A wicked, unnatural smile crossed the dragon's face. "VERY WELL…"

The monster drew its head back with a deep breath, purple light glowing from within its throat… and a chaotic blast of hellish purple flame burst from its maw, racing for the Rangers until the Dragon Hunter Zord answered with its own bright stream. Light met darkness head-on as the yellow and violet fires connected and struggled against each other in a brilliant lock, both dragons giving everything they had. The dark fire was more intense than the struggling Yang anticipated, prompting the Yellow Ranger to launch another missile volley that streaked towards the Grimm dragon. Weiss, Pyrrha, and Nora shot towards the monster while everyone else faced down the surrounding horde, with Ren circling the perimeter and digging a trench line with his Zord to cut off the initial wave. Jaune's cannon opened fire on distant Grimm as his Zord's armor held strong against close-range attackers, while Blake and Ruby tag-teamed the larger beasts converging on the Red and Black Rangers. The wolf and panther launched themselves at a Megoliath and dug in deep, the pachyderm groaning at the fangs and claws that tore into its mass.

Barely flinching from Yang's missiles, which left burning marks of yellow fire on its body, the Grimm dragon ceased its beam and launched skyward before the Dragon Hunter Zord's fire could close the distance. It bellowed in fury before engaging the owl, eagle, and pegasus single-handedly. One of its claws struck Pyrrha away in a shower of sparks while its other forelimb seized Nora's Zord by the throat, leaving the whinnying pegasus thrashing and lashing out with its legs. The dragon blasted a purple fireball right in Weiss' direction, and not even the White Ranger's hastily risen protective glyph could shield it from the impact that sent it sailing across the sky.

Nora shoved a lever forward with a roar, releasing another lightning breath that struck the dragon in the face… but the monster flinched in annoyance instead of roaring in pain. Regardless, it tossed the pegasus away with incredible strength, causing the Pink Ranger to smash through a goo-infested building and cave in its wall in a shower of debris and rubble. Nora screamed in alarm as she was rattled in her seat, danger lights flashing from the impact and sparks sputtering from her systems. Yang took her eyes off the crumbling building with a low growl and shoved her control forward, her dragon's jet engines flaring online and blasting her towards the giant Grimm that was now contending with Weiss and Pyrrha.

The owl and eagle grasped each of the dragon's wings in their talons, leaving the snarling beast wide open for Yang as she charged at full speed with her Zord's head hung low. The black beast noticed her approach and growled, swinging its body to the side… and allowing Yang's Dragon Hunter Zord to collide with Pyrrha's startled Eagle Hunter Zord instead of the Grimm dragon's torso. Weiss didn't have the chance to respond before the dragon's claw closed around her Zord's head and tossed her away, giving chase before seizing the robotic owl and pinning it to a rooftop. Yang and Pyrrha moved to re-engage, only for the dragon's Wyvern escorts to intercept them and force the Yellow and Gold Rangers to change targets.

Weiss thought fast and threw out a palm, white arcane energies flashing across her hand. "UDFUS BETHUD!" Magic flooded from her Zord's body and struck the dragon head-on… only to meet pure darkness that enshrouded its body, preventing the spell from taking any effect. The White Ranger's breath caught in her throat as the dragon peered at her through her cockpit, her communication systems sparking and glitching with an intruding signal.

"DO NOT DELUDE YOURSELF INTO THINKING YOU ARE SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT, WEISS SCHNEE," The booming voice echoed from everywhere despite the dragon's mouth not moving an inch. "BE IT SORCERER OR SELFLESS. NEITHER OF THEM SUITS YOU. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN - AND ALWAYS WILL BE - ONE PATH FOR YOU."

Weiss growled from behind her controls as she struggled to fight back. "You don't get to decide that!"

"YOU'RE RIGHT… I DON'T. HE DOES."

Weiss froze in her seat, her helmet flashing away to reveal a confused expression. "H…he? What are you…" The Grimm dragon suddenly forced her Owl Hunter Zord deeper into the rooftop, the impact hard enough to crack its surface as its eyes bore deeper into the cockpit. "HE HAS CONTROLLED YOU YOUR WHOLE LIFE. WHAT YOU SAY, WHAT YOU DO, WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE… IT HAS BEEN SO EVER SINCE YOU WERE BORN… SCHNEE."

It wasn't just that word or the chilling tone the voice took that sent a shiver down the White Ranger's spine… but the shock and the realization of what- who it was referring to. "YOU BELIEVE YOURSELF A DAUGHTER? AN HEIRESS? THE FACE OF A PROUD COMPANY THAT HOLDS THE WORLD IN ITS GRIP? NO… YOU ARE A PRETTY LITTLE DOLL WITH STRINGS FOR HIM TO PULL… UNTIL YOU BECOME WHAT HE WANTS: A REINCARNATION OF THE PARASITE THAT WILL ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF THAT TWISTED, MANGLED LEGACY HE HAS INFECTED. AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO ENFORCE IT THAN WITH ONE BEARING HIS TAINTED BLOOD?"

Weiss could feel her veins and muscles constricting, her eyes wide and frantic as she subconsciously shook her head. "N-no… n-n-no, that's not… I'm not-"

The Grimm dragon slowly traced its claw down the right side of the Owl Hunter Zord's face, carving a crude imitation of the scar covering Weiss' face into her mech with a squeal of metal. "BUT YOU ARE, WEISS. YOU ARE HIS SPAWN, HIS NEXT OF KIN. AS IS YOUR SISTER, WHO BELIEVED SHE COULD ESCAPE, AND YOUR BROTHER, WHO IS NEXT IN LINE IF HE DECIDES TO THROW YOU INTO THE TRASH. AND YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN UNDO WHAT HE HAS DONE? WHEN EVERYWHERE YOU GO, PEOPLE TAKE ONE LOOK AT YOU… AND SEE HIM?"

It was becoming difficult for Weiss to breathe, let alone stare at herself and her trembling body. For a moment, all the white around her was blinding: her Zord's cockpit was slowly shifting between the small space tailored to her specifications and the long, stretching halls of the one place where she could have everything but what a child truly longed for.

"No…" her voice dropped to a dangerous whimper like that of a ten-year-old child, arguing ghosts clashing in her mind as the memories broke through the ice and flooded her body. "No, no, nonono…"

"FORGET THE FAUNUS. ALL OF REMNANT HAS HATED YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE… AND THEY ALWAYS WILL. THE SCHNEE NAME HAS BEEN POISONED FOREVER… AND THE CHILL OF DESPAIR WILL BE NOTHING COMPARED TO THE FROZEN HELL AWAITING YOUR KIN."

The Grimm dragon launched itself away from the Owl Hunter Zord… but the force from it shoving off the owl finally caused the rooftop to cave in and collapse on itself, taking a screaming Weiss with it as she plummeted into the dark, cold depths. The building crumbled and cracked like shattered glass as everything fell on top of Weiss, burying her completely as nothing but dust remained.

Ruby had just finished mauling a Creep before something flashed on her Zord's heads-up display, drawing the Red Ranger's attention… and the girl seized up upon seeing the white owl symbol pulsing dangerously. "Oh no… GUYS! Weiss is down!"

"I got her!" Blake responded, her Zord bounding for the wreckage while Yang brought down one of the Wyverns, her dragon's jaws puncturing the monster's neck. The Yellow Ranger kept her teammate covered with blasts of yellow flame, allowing the panther to approach the wreckage and start clearing it away with its paws.

"Weiss?!" Blake's scans showed her that the Owl Hunter Zord was still active, so she hurriedly dug through the rubble as fast as she could. Her Zord's purple claws ripped through wreckage and broke down bricks. "Weiss, can you hear me?! Are you alright?!"

The White Ranger's communication channel flickered, but it was so dangerously quiet for even Blake's enhanced senses. The panther's forelimbs finally cleared away some debris surrounding the Owl Hunter Zord's head, and the great cat finally paused before leaning in. "It's okay, Weiss! I… I…"

Blake trailed off as she peered closer into the owl's cockpit. The Zord was still online, and Weiss was still in her seat… but her helmet was off, and her face was buried in her hands; the heiress's body was gently spasming. Blake's own helmet flashed away in concern, her amber eyes wide in shock before she tapped into the comms again. "W…Weiss? Weiss, it's me… it's Blake… wh-what's going-"

Before she could finish, something grabbed hold of the Panther Hunter Zord and carried it into the sky, cutting Blake off with a startled cry. The streets below shrank and the violet lights of her Zord's systems flickered, forcing the Black Ranger to scramble for a solution until she spotted the Grimm dragon's visage directly above her. Blake moved to scratch the dragon's leg, or fire up her panther's tail laser… but the strong talons released her without warning, sending the Black Ranger's Zord crashing to the street below and nearly ejecting Blake from her seat. Her ears rang as she fought to regain her senses, gripping her controls and slowly forcing the panther to a stand…

…until a great clawed foot smashed down on top of the panther's head, keeping it pinned as the dragon glared into the cockpit. "SHE HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH BECAUSE OF YOU, BLAKE. THEY ALL HAVE."

The ravenette grunted from the impact and turned to meet the dragon with fierce golden orbs. "L-let me go! They need me!"

"YOUR FAMILY NEEDED YOU AS WELL… AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED."

Blake stiffened, and all the color drained from her face. "Wh… what…?"

"THEIR POOR DAUGHTER DECIDED SHE WAS BETTER OFF WITH THEIR LITTLE RIGHTS MOVEMENT. SO OFF SHE WENT TO PLAY REBEL: FREEING PRISONERS, STEALING DUST SHIPMENTS, VANDALIZING SHOPS… AND ANGERING THE HUMANS EVEN MORE."

Blake felt her heartbeat start to slow, and the world around her grew dim; the dark voice echoed from everywhere. "Y… you… h-h-how do you-"

"HOW DID YOU NOT SEE IT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE, BLAKE? WHAT HE WAS TURNING INTO? WHAT HE WAS TURNING YOUR FATHER'S ORGANIZATION INTO? YOU WERE FOLLOWING HIM LIKE A KITTEN, BLISSFULLY IGNORANT OF HIS TRUE SIDE. YOU STOOD BY HIM FOR YEARS, HOLDING ONTO THE LIES HE TOLD YOU BECAUSE YOU KNEW YOU COULDN'T GO BACK TO THEM. JUST LIKE YOU CAN'T GO BACK TO HIM NOW AFTER WHAT YOU'VE DONE."

Fear started spiking within Blake's heart as regret and anxiety forced their way to the surface. "St-stop, stop, stop-"

"BUT YOU CAN'T STOP, OR HE'LL FIND YOU. HE'LL HURT EVERYONE YOU'VE GROWN CLOSE TO, INCLUDING YOUR FRIENDS. YOU KNOW THIS; THAT IS WHY YOU HIDE AND CONCEAL YOURSELF IN THE SAME SHADOWS THAT YOU DROWN IN. BUT YOU'RE A POISON, BLAKE, A POISON THAT WILL KILL EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER. SO YOU MUST RUN."

Blake squeezed her eyes shut and placed her hands over her head, tears slowly leaking from her eyes. "N-no…"

"IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THEM SAFE FROM HIM. FROM YOU."

"No-!"

"BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING."

"NOOOOO!" Blake screamed in despair and commanded her Zord to lunge at the beast with tears staining her face… but the dragon caught her panther's claw in its talon and smashed the Zord into the street. The Black Ranger yelped in panic, shaken and unable to fight back as the dragon smashed its head against the panther, displaying its intimidating horns that Blake's terrified senses perceived as a pair of black horns amidst a mass of red, a sea of blood…

"NO! NO!" she wailed, jolting away from her controls as a shivering wreck. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"

The sudden voice brought the noirette hope, but only for a brief moment as the monster turned its gaze towards the sky, yellow fireballs pounding its form. The quaking Black Ranger shuddered in horror at the sight of a yellow dragon descending like a guardian angel… but this wasn't an angel.

It was a fire seconds away from being snuffed out.

"YANG, NO-!"

Her desperate cry came too late as the Grimm dragon took flight, colliding with the Dragon Hunter Zord in midair and forcing the traumatized Blake to watch it swiftly overpower the Yellow Ranger and wrestle with her Zord like a man wrangling a snake. The Grimm dragon closed its jaws around the mech's head while holding its body in a death grip, finally drawing back after the Dragon Hunter Zord blasted yellow flames down its throat. Enraged, the Grimm dragon swooped low and smashed the Zord into the pavement, dragging it down the street and forcing Yang to endure the ground ripping apart beneath her. The Grimm dragon released the Yellow Ranger after a solid mile, allowing the Zord to crash against a wall.

"PATHETIC…" the battered Yang heard the Grimm dragon growl as it stomped towards her, the blonde desperately reaching for her controls as sparks showered around her. "CHARGING FOR YOUR FOE WITH NO PLAN, YANG? YOUR FATHER SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT YOU BETTER THAN THAT." Yang was so close to reaching the missile switches again, her finger brushing the tip until her Zord was suddenly jolted back as the Grimm dragon grabbed her Zord's tail in its mouth. The monster swung her Zord around like a rope, carelessly smashing the Dragon Hunter Zord into every building in sight and bludgeoning it with a force that left the screaming Yang throwing up her arms futilely. After a few seconds of speeds that threatened to make her hurl and impacts that rattled her brain, the Grimm dragon released Yang again and left her Zord to tumble across the road and make its head slam atop a car, setting off its alarm in the process.

"OR HE WOULD HAVE… IF THAT BEHAVIOR DIDN'T REMIND HIM OF HIS FIRST WIFE SO MUCH."

Yang heard that loud and clear despite the bells ringing in her skull. "W… wait… y-you mean…"

"YES… RAVEN BRANWEN. THE ONE WOMAN YOU WERE SO ADDICTED TO FINDING AFTER DISCOVERING WHO YOUR TRUE MOTHER WAS. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY SHE LEFT YOU."

A still-stunned Yang struggled to respond or even think of her next words. Shock and confusion over how this thing could've possibly known her-

"IT WAS BECAUSE OF YOU."

All that ceased, as did Yang's heart that almost leapt into her throat. "M… m-me…?"

"SUMMER LEFT TO PROTECT YOU," it whispered, the voice flooding her Zord's communication channels as the dragon slowly marched towards her. "SHE LEFT BECAUSE SHE LOVED YOU. RAVEN LEFT… BECAUSE SHE DID NOT. SHE FLED THE FIRST CHANCE SHE HAD."

"Wh-wh-what?" Yang gasped in rising horror. "N-no, you… You can't expect me to-"

"RAVEN NEVER EXPECTED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH TAIYANG. SHE NEVER EXPECTED TO BECOME PREGNANT. AND SHE NEVER EXPECTED TO HAVE A DAUGHTER. THE VERY THOUGHT OF IT DISGUSTED HER, SO SHE CHOSE TO PRETEND THAT WHAT SHE HAD WITH YOUR FATHER NEVER HAPPENED. SHE CHOSE TO BELIEVE YOU DIDN'T EXIST. SHE DIDN'T JUST ABANDON YOU, YANG… SHE DECIDED TO FORGET YOU AND WIPE YOU FROM HER MEMORY SO SHE COULD RETURN TO HER OLD LIFE."

"I… I-I…" Yang shook her head in desperation as if to quell the fears inside her. "N-no! No, that's not true!"

"YOU ARE WHAT IS NOT TRUE, YANG. YOU DROVE RAVEN AWAY SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU EXISTED. YOU WERE THE ONE THING SHE NEVER WANTED, THE ONE THING SHE REFUSED TO HAVE."

Yang gritted her teeth and grasped her forehead, failing to fight back hyperventilation. "Sh-shut up…"

"AND WITHOUT YOU, YOUR FATHER WOULD STILL BE HAPPY. INSTEAD, HE HAS TO LIVE THE REST OF HIS DAYS WITH THE GIRL WHO WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE BORN. THAT HAPPINESS IS THE ONLY REASON WHY RAVEN NEVER ENDED YOUR LIFE THE DAY IT BEGAN."

"Shut up!"

"IT IS YOUR FAULT BOTH RAVEN AND SUMMER ABANDONED YOU. YOUR FAULT TAIYANG SUNK INTO DEPRESSION. YOUR FAULT RUBY WAS RAISED WITH A HOLE IN HER HEART. AND IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT WHEN EVERYONE YOU LOVE DECIDES TO LEAVE YOU BECAUSE THE SOLE PURPOSE OF YOUR EXISTENCE IS TO DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY."

"SHUT UUUUUUUUP!" Yang howled in anguish as her fist smashed a button, her Zord releasing a final stream of yellow flame. The Grimm dragon angled its wing to block the stream and continued to advance, even as Yang screamed her heart out with hot tears in her eyes. The flames were choked out when the dragon viciously stomped on the Zord's throat, leaving an emotionally overburdened Yang vulnerable and with all her strength drained. Slumping over as a sobbing wreck, Yang didn't bother to watch the dragon rear back with open jaws…

…until something jumped atop the dragon's back and ravenously attacked, forcing the dragon to howl in pain and stagger back like the crazed beast it resembled. Yang's moist eyes snapped to attention as the black monster staggered around in a frenzy, the red wolf digging in with its claws as it bit down and tried to rip off chunks of black flesh. The Grimm dragon grabbed a foreleg in its jaws and threw the Wolf Hunter Zord down the street, the canine's claws digging lines in the asphalt. It stood meters away from the monster, its metallic fangs bared amidst a low growl.

Ever since the dragon had abducted Blake, Ruby had struggled to rouse the Black Ranger on comms, meeting only interference. Once she had seen Yang failing to hold her own against the monster, she couldn't contact her either. Instead, she had lain in wait, watching the dragon slowly approach her sister's Zord, staring intensely at the Yellow Ranger within until Yang unleashed that desperate attack. Whatever it had done to her teammates could wait because it now had a furious Red Ranger to deal with.

An equally furious bellow erupted from the Grimm dragon as it lunged for Ruby, who darted away from its pounce and leaped onto the nearest rooftop, her wolf eyes glowing crimson once more. The dragon whirled in her direction just in time to be hit by a barrage of red eye lasers, the creature growling in agitation as Ruby unleashed all her power into the beams. She vanished before a purple fireball obliterated the building, hitting the ground running before spinning her wolf around and firing the lasers again, the rays marking the monster's chest and infuriating the dragon even further as it glared at the Wolf Hunter Zord's eyes.

"RRROOOSSSE!" it bellowed hatefully. "YOU WILL DIE LIKE YOUR ANCES-GRRAAAH!" Ren's serpent lunged out of nowhere and sank its fangs into the dragon's neck while Jaune's stallion charged past Ruby, bright silver blasts from its cannon bombarding the beast. Nora's pegasus and Pyrrha's eagle came in from above, pink lightning and golden feathers raining down.

"Ruby!" the Silver Ranger called out. "We need the others here now!"

"I'm on it! Keep it busy!" The red wolf darted away as the stallion continued to lay down suppressive fire, the Grimm dragon watching helplessly as the wolf scampered away. Its angry growl exploded into a furious bellow as its wings unfurled, shoving away Nora and Pyrrha before closing its jaws around Ren's serpent, smashing the Zord to the street, and stomping on its head before marching over to Jaune, its wings blocking every cannon shot.

"YOU THINK YOU STAND A CHANCE AGAINST ME, JAUNE ARC?!" Its furious voice echoed within the Silver Ranger's cockpit. "YOU, AN INSIGNIFICANT WEAKLING WHO HAD TO CHEAT HIS WAY INTO BEACON ACADEMY IN A DESPERATE ENDEAVOR TO PROVE YOURSELF TO YOUR FAMILY?!"

The blonde boy seized up, and his eyes went wide open. "I… h-how did you-?!" The dragon was on him before he could respond, knocking his stallion to the street before seizing the silver Zord in its talons and taking flight, carrying the neighing mount high into the dark sky while its legions of flyers kept Nora and Pyrrha from giving chase.

"YOU ARE AS OBSESSED WITH STORIES AS RUBY," it privately accused the Silver Ranger with each beat of its wings. "BOTH OF YOU IDOLIZE FICTION AND WORSHIP THE PORTRAYALS OF HEROES SO OFTEN THAT YOU HAVE DELUDED YOURSELVES INTO BELIEVING THEM TO BE REAL. THE TALES OF YOUR LINE, THE DEEDS OF YOUR GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER… AND EVEN THE LEGEND OF THE RUSTED KNIGHT THAT YOU HAVE DARED TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO."

Jaune was fighting a losing battle to keep himself from looking down lest his motion sickness kick in. "Y-Yeah?! Wh-what about him?!"

"ALLOW ME TO TELL YOU THE WORDS THAT ARE NEVER WRITTEN ON THE PAGE. THE RUSTED KNIGHT WAS NOTHING MORE THAN A SAD, FRAIL MAN WHO WAS SLOWLY GOING MAD. HE SPENT DECADES IN THE EVER AFTER PLAGUED BY NIGHTMARES OF A KINGDOM HE FAILED TO SAVE AND A FRIEND HE WAS FORCED TO KILL. HE LOST HIS SENSE OF REALITY, NAMING THE RESIDENTS OF THAT REALM AFTER THE ONES FROM HIS, CLINGING TO THE BELIEF THAT HE COULD STILL SAVE THEM AND KEEPING THEM FROM FULFILLING THEIR DUTIES. AND IN HIS DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO KEEP ANYONE IN THE EVER AFTER FROM 'DYING', HE FAILED TO REALIZE HE WAS DOOMING IT."

"I… wh-what… why would…" None of this was making any sense to Jaune.

"THAT PATHETIC MAN WAS NO HERO, ONLY DESCRIBED AS SUCH BY THE SOUL WHO TOOK PITY ON THE SHELL HE FOUND. THE RUSTED KNIGHT WITHERED, DECAYED, AND FINALLY DIED IN THAT NONSENSICAL WORLD WITH A BROKEN BODY AND A SHATTERED MIND. FAILURE AFTER FAILURE AFTER FAILURE LED HIM TO THAT END, JUST AS YOUR FAILURES WILL LEAD YOU THERE… STARTING WITH THIS ONE."

The Grimm dragon growled hatefully at Jaune before releasing him, sending his wailing Stallion Hunter Zord plummeting several miles to the street below, while Jaune fell into a panic. He could do nothing but scream in horror as the ground rushed to meet him… and he blacked out the moment his Zord crashed into the road in a shower of asphalt and dust.

The Grimm dragon had no time to feel satisfaction as it was immediately bombarded by pink lightning and gold feathers. The Pegasus and Eagle Hunter Zords converged swiftly on its position, prompting the dragon to whirl around and engage the duo. Nora weaved away from its massive claws and soared over its head to spray lightning across its back, while Pyrrha rolled across its enormous wings and scraped its side with her eagle's talons. Their efforts inflicted no lasting damage on the beast as it circled and bellowed into the night… summoning another swarm of Griffons and Nevermores into the fray. The sight took the Gold and Pink Rangers aback, with the former being the first to regain her composure.

"Nora! EJECT!"

Both girls shot out from their Zords and soared into the dark sky before pink electricity and golden light burst from their bodies, creating a pair of lightning wings for Nora and gleaming eagle wings for Pyrrha. The two Rangers flew at full speed towards the ferocious flock, bow and hammer in hand, two small motes against a stormy backdrop until they collided with a flash of red lightning.

"RRRRAAAAAAAH!" Nora brought her charged hammer down on a Nevermore's beak, the impact echoing like thunder before she turned it on several Griffons, bashing and blowing them from the air. The Pink Ranger soared as fast as the lightning she commanded, pink bolts zapping and scorching any flying Grimm that approached her from her free hand's fingers. A roaring Wyvern was sent crashing aside with a single swing of Nora's hammer, stunning it long enough for the Pink Ranger to land atop its neck and lash at its horns with a pair of lightning whips, hollering enthusiastically as she fought to wrangle it into submission and redirect its frantic violet fireballs at several Nevermores.

Pyrrha, the lone light in the darkness, flew as fast and as elegantly as her Zord while releasing golden arrows at her pursuers. Griffons that swooped in to snatch her were bashed away with her shield, while others were slashed and stabbed with her golden spear. A giant Nevermore arose from the darkness beneath the Gold Ranger, who simply dove straight for its open beak and spun with her spear extended. The girl vanished inside the open maw…

…and pierced the abyssal avian front to back, flying from her exit point and shooting off like an angel while the bird fell away. The Gold Ranger soared away, the tip of her spear gleaming like a beacon of hope.

"THE INVINCIBLE GIRL," a sudden voice boomed in her mind, taking the girl by surprise. "REMNANT'S CHAMPION WHO PRAISES DESTINY… BUT WHO ARE YOU TO SPEAK OF IT?"

"How are you-GAAAAH!" The Gold Ranger failed to notice the massive tail until it swatted her from the sky, leaving Pyrrha falling and tumbling until she forced her wings to carry her back up and stabilize her position. The girl gasped for air as her helmet flashed away, and she darted her head around with weapons in hand… but all she saw was Nora's thunderous rampage on what remained of the nearby flying Grimm.

"THEY KNOW THE NAME," the voice echoed. "BUT NOT THE GIRL. NOT THE CHILD WHO COPES WITH THE PRESSURES OF FAME BY SPEAKING OF FATE. YOU WISHED TO BECOME A HUNTRESS… BUT YOU DID NOT WISH FOR THIS. YOU DID NOT WISH TO BE PLACED ON A PODIUM SO THE WORLD COULD CHEER YOUR NAME, YOU WANTED TO EARN SUCH RENOWN."

"I have earned it!" Pyrrha shouted into the nothingness.

"THROUGH VIOLENCE," the voice thundered. "THROUGH SPORT. YOU SPEAK OF DESTINY… BUT I SEE MANIPULATION. STRINGS. A FIGURE TO PLEASE THE MASSES AND NOTHING ELSE. HOW MUCH LONGER WILL YOU BE THEIR TOOL, PYRRHA? AND WHY DO YOU NOT SEEK TO DEVIATE FROM IT?"

"I… this isn't…" She struggled to find the words.

"AND WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN… WHEN THEY NO LONGER NEED YOU?"

Pyrrha said nothing as she floated alone, her golden wings steadily beating while her spear hung low at her side. She lost herself in her thoughts and emotions, plunging deeply into her doubtful subconscious until dark fire engulfed her being and vaporized her golden wings, feathers burning away before her eyes. Pyrrha's breath quickened in panic before gravity took hold, sending the Gold Ranger plummeting at great speed as she screamed in alarm. The world spun around her, and all Pyrrha could hear was the rushing wind, distant screeches of crimson lightning…

…except one of those shrieks was from a bright gold blur.

She righted herself just in time to land in the Eagle Hunter Zord's cockpit, where she finally caught her breath. The dragon's words echoed within her, leaving her feeling empty and hollow inside. Not even the radiant colors of her Gold Ranger suit could calm Pyrrha, only serving to stoke the fires of doubt. The battle was now the furthest thing from her mind as she wandered through memories…

"REMNANT TO PYRRHA!"

The girl let out a very un-Pyrrha-like squeal of surprise, and she jolted away with wide eyes… spotting pink sound waves on her comm systems. "Uh, I mean, Earth to Pyrrha or whatever! You good as gold, girl?"

"N-Nora… I… u-uh…" Pyrrha wanted to reassure her friend and tell her she was alright… but she didn't know what to say anymore, not even as she watched Nora fly up to her awaiting steed and regain manual control of the Pegasus Hunter Zord.

"Okay, you can talk, that means you're alive! Come on!" Nora shot away with a pink trail behind her… but instead of following her, Pyrrha chose to fly low towards something silver lying in a small crater. The Pink Ranger remained unaware of this as she soared back to the city streets, blasting lightning bolts at Grimm that had Ren surrounded. "How're we doin' down here?!"

"Nora, my comms are being all spotty," reported the Green Ranger as an acid spray erased all traces of a Beowolf pack. "I'm having trouble raising anyone, so I have no idea how everyone's holding up."

"Well, that's weird! But hey, at least you can talk to me!"

"True," Ren answered, a swipe from his serpent's tail knocking a Creep skyward so that Nora could zap it to ashes. "We'll have to find the others manually, though. Stay close, Nora."

The Pink Ranger smirked. "Always have, always will."

"YYYEEEESSSS… ALLLLWAAAAYYYYSSSS…"

Both Rangers froze at the sudden glitch-like intrusion into their systems and the deep voice echoing through their cockpits. Curiosity and confusion filled their faces as they stared at the unstable violet lines that had forced their way through.

"Ren? Am I going crazy or-"

"I heard it, too," he answered, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "How are you doing this? What do you want from us?"

"THE TWO OF YOU HAVE BEEN INSEPARABLE FROM THE BEGINNING. YOU HAVE VOWED TO LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER."

"Yeah, ever since we were kids!" Nora called out. "What's your point?!"

"Ignore it, Nora," Ren dismissed. "This has to be a distraction. That thing's not going to do anything to us."

"NO… I'M NOT."

The Green Ranger frowned at the nonsensical words and tried to switch off his comms, but something was blocking him from doing so. "Be silent, beast, or I'll be sure to take your tongue when-"

AAAAAAIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!

The world stood still. Ren's next words died in his throat. That noise… that terrible, awful noise he had heard only in his nightmares…

He heard nothing from Nora, her pegasus as still as his serpent. He could feel something marching down the road ahead, plodding footsteps matching Ren's racing heart. He could feel sweat on his brow and hear his shortened breath escaping in quick bursts…

No… not again…

"BUT SOMETHING WILL… SOMETHING THAT WANTS TO SAY HELLO TO SOME OLD FRIENDS…"

The footsteps halted. Something exhaled black smoke as violet eyes flashed open. Glowing purple lights pulsed within bones and a terrifying shape arose from a broad spine, horned and humanoid in appearance. Its mouth was composed of thin strips of black flesh across an opening with a violet light from beyond them. And two pairs of vile eyes stared down each of the Zords with creepy stares. Ren and Nora could do nothing but take in the sight with eyes full of horror and bodies full of terror…

…until the twitching Nuckelavee unleashed a soul-shredding shriek that shook them to their very spirits.

…

Elsewhere in the city, the Wolf Hunter Zord charged through the streets as the Red Ranger adjusted her comms to specific channels. "Yang! Weiss! Blake! Does anyone read me?! Are you guys there?!" There was no response, which should have made Ruby worried. Concern flashed across her face as she set a course for the closest signature on her sensors: a blinking white dot just ahead. Before long, Ruby recognized the demolished building from earlier and marched up to its remains, where a motionless yet still online mech stylized as a white owl lay covered in debris.

Ruby took a moment to stare pitifully at her friend's Zord before gently switching channels. "Hey… Weiss? Is everything okay?"

Still nothing… so Ruby set her Zord on standby mode and jumped out, hurrying over to the owl's cockpit and peering inside. What she saw made her heart sink: Weiss was slumped over her controls, and her body was faintly heaving. The silver-eyed girl hesitated for more than a brief moment before she slowly raised her fist to the glass and lightly tapped twice…

…and Weiss shot up in her seat, revealing a miserable, tear-stained face that Ruby recognized: the same face she wore not so long ago in that holding cell back at Cranston Tech. The White Ranger blinked in disbelief at what she was seeing, and Ruby felt saddened to see her in such a state. Maybe this was how Weiss felt when she had seen Ruby like this, completely broken and having lost faith in her ability to save the world.

But Ruby still wanted to help. Master Red had a point: her friends did want to help her back then, and she wouldn't let them until it was too late. So… Ruby decided to repay the favor and slowly activated her wrist communicator, never taking her eyes off the dejected White Ranger.

"Weiss…"

"Don't," she heard her friend sob from the other side, and she avoided her gaze. "D-don't look at me…"

"Why not?" Ruby kept her tone calm despite her rising confusion. "Do you not trust me?"

"Nobody trusts me!" Weiss whimpered from inside her Zord, her head still hanging low with fresh tears. "A-all because I'm… I-I'm…" She cut herself off with a wet choke and wiped at her face, her chest heaving in sorrow. "E-everyone… hates me… a-and all I wanted was to fix things… but nobody will let me… b-because I'm like him…"

Ruby couldn't help but smirk. "Now… why does that sound familiar?"

"N-No, Ruby…" Weiss sniffled. "Y-you wouldn't understand…"

"I never thought I would be hated for who I was," Ruby quietly admitted. "Not like you and not like Blake. But here… when I was out of my element… where people had never heard of Aura and Semblances and Grimm… and when I learned that people could be scared of what I could do… and could hate me as a result…"

Ruby paused as she reflected on everything she had experienced and suffered during her time on Earth so far, a small sigh leaving her lips. "I know it's not like what you think, Weiss… but wanting to make things better and being denied the chance because people hate you? That was my worst fear here… and I can't begin to imagine the scorn you must have felt for years because of where you come from."

Ruby moved closer to the canopy. "But not everyone hates you, Weiss. I don't hate you… and you wanna know why?" She didn't go further until she saw a blue orb peek out from underneath the white hair. "Because when I look at you… I don't see Weiss Schnee. I just see Weiss: my best friend and loyal partner. I never see what you represent or where you come from… I see who you can be and where you will go. You're right, Weiss. I don't understand everything you had to go through back then… and I don't want to."

The white-haired girl was quiet and never took her eyes off of Ruby.

"I want to understand what you will go through next with me. You wanted me to trust you before we got here, to listen to you. And now, I'm asking you to trust and listen to me. Because I'm the one person who understands you, the real you, more than the whole world ever will."

Weiss was at a loss for words as she finally turned to face the Red Ranger. Ruby said nothing else as she wore a proud smile, her eyes radiating kindness and trust to the girl who needed a helping hand like the one she tried to offer Ruby back at the Aquabase. Ruby gently pressed a palm against the canopy's glass, looking at Weiss with nothing but patience as she waited for the girl to make her choice: something Ruby guessed she didn't have a lot of.

And before long, a smile split Weiss' face, and another tear streaked down her face before she pressed her palm across Ruby's. "Ruby Rose… y-you're insufferable…"

The Red Ranger smirked. "Guess you're gonna have to deal with it."

Weiss sniffled and wiped at her face one last time. "I wouldn't want anything less… you dolt."

Distant footsteps drew the girls' attention to the nearby road, where something huge and dark limped into view. Ruby once again felt pity and sorrow enter her heart when she spied the damaged Panther Hunter Zord trudge down the road, the machine huffing as if it were diseased with dented metal and a flickering violet eye. Ruby strode out into the open and right into its field of view with a warm, welcoming smile, leaving the great cat to pause, study the girl for a solid few seconds…

…then it spun around and took off running at top speed in the opposite direction.

Appalled but determined rather than offended, Ruby narrowed her eyes and charged forward a few paces before leaping high and vanishing in a red blink. The Red Ranger reappeared right on top of the Zord's head and against the canopy, where she saw Blake's terrified expression as the Black Ranger brought her Zord to a sudden stop and leaned away from Ruby as far as she could possibly go.

"L-leave me alone…"

Ruby narrowed her eyes and responded without hesitation. "No."

"Leave me ALONE!" Blake shrieked at the top of her lungs, thrashing her Zord's head wildly in a desperate attempt to dislodge Ruby, the girl forced to hold on for dear life while the panther howled and moaned like a wounded animal. "LEAVE ME ALONE! LET ME GO!"

"NO!" Ruby roared with a strong resolve. "I'm NOT leaving your side, Blake!"

"Ruby, PLEASE!" the Black Ranger begged with fear in her eyes. "It's for your own good! For everyone's own good! I can't stay with you!"

"Why not?!" Ruby shouted back. "Why would you decide to ditch me, ditch all of us, just like that?! Because you think you can keep us safe that way?!"

"Ruby, please just-"

"BECAUSE YOU WON'T!" She didn't give Blake the chance to respond. "Just look at what I did! I left you because I thought it was the right thing to do, and I wasn't there to help you when you needed it the most! So where will you be, Blake?! Where will you be when I need you?!"

"Y-you're better off without me!" the other girl stammered. "T-trust me, if I stay-"

"LOOK at me, Blake!" Ruby roared. "I get it! Cinder hurt me, and she hurt all of you to do it, so I thought the only way to keep all of you safe was to leave and find a way to stop her alone! But because I was all alone, I had no one to pull me out of the hole I was falling into! I just kept falling and falling until I gave up… and I'm not going to let you do that to yourself!"

"B-But…" Blake whimpered, her voice trembling and eyes watering from the other girl's words. "I-it's not…"

"Blake… please…" Ruby whispered back with sad honesty and slight regret. "Don't hurt yourself like this. Please don't make the same mistake I did. If you push people away, if you tell them you don't need help and say that you're dangerous to be around… then you're going to hurt them far more than whoever or whatever you're running from will. Because… that's what they want in the end. They want you to be afraid forever, and that's how they'll win. It's how Cinder would've won if you and my team didn't help me when I thought I didn't need it."

Blake was slowly calming down now, but the nervousness and anxiety in her amber eyes remained. "I… I-I don't… I don't know what to do… I can't let go of this feeling, Ruby…"

"Neither can I," the Red Ranger admitted. "Ever since Panorama City, I've felt the urge to look over my shoulder and I fought sleep just because of the face I would see in my nightmares. I was even afraid to see all of you stand up for me because Cinder would kill you all in a heartbeat. I don't know what to do about it either, Blake… but trying to find the answer by yourself isn't going to help. Trust me…"

The Black Ranger slumped forward with a weary breath, her stance exhausted and drained. "G-Gods, Ruby… what happened to you…?"

"I want to repay a favor," she answered truthfully. "I needed to let you in… and now you need to let me in. There's still a lot about you I don't know, Blake, and maybe you don't feel comfortable telling me or anyone else… but you don't need to say it. Not when I already know."

Blake needed a moment to collect herself. "You… y-you're right… I'm sorry, Ruby, it's just… that thing… knows us. Even parts of us we haven't talked about, and it-"

"It's happening again," Ruby explained. "The enemy hurting you to hurt me. But it's not working this time."

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm not going to stand around and helplessly watch you all succumb to your darkest fears, whatever they are," Ruby vowed. "I'm lifting you out of them, just as you lifted me out. Because that's what leaders are for… and it's what heroes are for, too."

Blake didn't know what to say now. "I… th-thank you, Ruby…"

Ruby raised a hand to stop her. "Save it for when we finish this." With that, she launched herself off the Panther Hunter Zord's head and flew into her waiting wolf, racing off for the next signature as both Blake and the recovered Weiss hurried after her. A few miles passed until Ruby reached the blinking yellow light that marked the battered Dragon Hunter Zord, the mech's cockpit open and empty…

…and its pilot sitting alone with her back turned to Ruby.

Ruby slowly exhaled, feeling a rising guilt as she opened her canopy and jumped out of her Zord, never taking her eyes off Yang while cautiously approaching her. The once-loud and boisterous blonde was now as still and silent as a statue, her vibrant form dimmed. It was as if Yang had been reduced to a hollow shell, her fire snuffed out, leaving nothing behind.

She didn't even turn to face Ruby as she sat down beside her, both girls ignoring the distant bellows of the demons that now called this place home. Ruby could hardly blame Yang for what she was going through: her sister prided herself on kicking butts and taking names, but now she had lost to Cinder twice, and her Zord hadn't been enough to stagger the dark dragon. But she was still here, and Yang needed someone to help her get back on her feet, no matter how much she would refuse and try to do so on her own.

Accepting help wasn't a weakness. Ruby knew that now, so it was time for her to show Yang something even she couldn't have taught her.

"Hey, sis…" Ruby heard nothing from the motionless blonde, dry tear stains trailing down dim lilacs. "Come on, we've got a monster to beat and we need you with us."

"...why…"

Yang sounded smaller than Ruby had heard from her, making her heart sink again as her sister kept mumbling to herself. "...why does anyone need me…"

"Yang…" Ruby whispered back, restraining herself from touching the Yellow Ranger's shoulder just yet. "What's the problem?"

"...me… I'm the problem…" mumbled her dejected sister. "I was never wanted… never loved… I think… things would be better… if I didn't exist…"

Ruby couldn't stop the dread in her soul from the strongest person she knew confessing such a thing… but she didn't let that stop her and she leaned closer to Yang, listening to every empty whisper that left her sister's lips. "Everyone leaves… without saying goodbye… again and again… and it's my fault… why else would they leave me… wh-why else would they… f-forget me… m-my parents, my friends, everyone… they think they all have better things to do than pay attention to me…"

Ruby felt a pang of sympathy even as she rolled her eyes with a quiet sigh. "Yang… hearing what happened to me… I know it hurt you to hear that I had gone off on my own. First Mom, and then me… it was the one thing you were desperate to avoid, wasn't it? That's why you were so protective of me growing up."

"...I can't go on like this…" Yang squeaked and hid her face in her arms. "I wouldn't be hurt so much if I hadn't known them… or if they hadn't known me."

"If I didn't know you," Ruby gently asked. "Who would I have been? Without a mother, without a father… without a sister? Well, I wouldn't have been happy. I wouldn't have had anyone to tell me stories and inspire me to become a Huntress. So why would I want to forget the person who raised me when no one else would?"

Yang didn't say a word… but slightly opened a moist eye.

"There are a lot of things that come to mind when I think of you, Yang… but abandoning you will never be one of them. Mom left because she wanted to protect you, and I ended up doing the same thing. But you wanna know the difference? I did the one thing that no one else has done: I came back. Mom would've wanted the same thing… but something stopped her. Something tore her away from us that day, Yang… and if we're going to get closure after all these years, we owe it to her to find out what that something is."

The Red Ranger rose to her feet as Yang slowly looked up at her. "And you're just gonna quit when I've never seen you give up your whole life? You'd wanna stop because it all feels like too much? I know what that's like, you've seen what it did to me and it hurt you all over again. I know you're scared you can't protect me from everything, Yang… but that means that you can't protect me from you, when you feel like there's no point in moving forward. It's like Minh and Gia said: that hurts me more than anything."

Yang's breath hitched in realization. "Oh g-gods, Ruby, I-"

"No," Ruby stopped her right there. "No more apologizing, Yang. No more hiding yourself from me and covering up your pain with smiles and jokes. If I need to be honest with you, then you need to be honest with me. And everyone else. Because how are we going to trust and rely on each other if we keep things hidden? If you're going to put on a mask and not be honest with people, then they are going to leave you for good and you'll be left with the one enemy you can't punch in the face: yourself."

"I… u-uh…" Yang looked completely lost and blinked at her sister in disbelief, words failing her.

"You helped me when I thought I didn't need help," Ruby firmly explained. "Now stop being stubborn for once in your life and let me help you… or I probably won't ever wanna be sisters again. Got it?"

She held out her hand and waited, silence washing over the two once again. A bewildered Yang glanced between Ruby's determined expression, her outstretched hand, and back again while blinking in befuddlement.

"Who are you…" Yang finally uttered as a cheeky smile grew on her face. "...and what have you done with Rubes?"

Yellow met red as hands locked together, Yang allowing Ruby to pull her to her feet. The sisters shared a quick embrace before Yang pulled away, her smile still present. "No, seriously, where did this come from? Because that was a damn good speech."

"From you, you idiot," Ruby sneered playfully. "The only thing that's your fault is rubbing off on me and turning me into Yang the Second. Shame on you."

The Yellow Ranger shrugged and flashed a grin. "Guilty as charged."

"Oh," Ruby added. "And I also got it from them." She gestured behind her sister's shoulder, who turned just in time to see the Panther and Owl Hunter Zords standing proudly next to the idle wolf and the downed dragon. Yang chuckled to herself until her features shifted, dead seriousness in her eyes. "Ruby, I know we've all heard this a lot, but that Grimm is different." Ruby only nodded in response. "Yeah, Blake filled me in. Somehow, it knows our greatest fears and used them against us. But I think it had to do so alone, where no one else could help."

"So what are we supposed to do?"

"First," Ruby answered as she jumped back into her Wolf Hunter Zord while Yang entered her dragon. "We knock some sense into the others if it's gotten to them as well. And then, we beat that thing as a team. Now let's go, Rangers!"

The four Zords charged down the street at top speed, rejoining the fray and converging on another intersection where a faint pink figure alternated between dodging debris and spraying something with lightning bolts. Yang was the first to make contact with the flapping pegasus. "Nora! We're coming in!"

"About time! What the heck took you guys so long?!"

"That's… a funny story," Blake answered. "How's-"

A haunting, nightmarish shriek cut her off as the four Zords rounded a corner… where they saw the Serpent Hunter Zord locked in battle with an eerie Grimm that was half-horse and half-humanoid. The green Zord darted in and out, snapping at the Grimm's legs before lunging at the humanoid half's neck, only for an elongated hand to grab the Zord's head and slam it to the street, a clawed forelimb smashing down for good measure.

"Is…" Blake swallowed as another screech tore through her being. "Is that…"

"It is," Yang stoically confirmed. "I watched that thing take down the Wind Ninja Academy."

"The Ghost That Eats…" Weiss breathed. "I can't believe it's actually real…"

"Not for much longer," Ruby growled, her wolf doing the same. "Come on!" She charged forward at the front of the pack, her fellow Zords following with their targeting systems locked on the Nuckelavee. A spinning sweep of the Serpent Hunter Zord's tail knocked the beast back and its head jolted in the Rangers' direction…

…before the synthetic snake released another blast of acid that covered the road, forcing Ruby and Blake to slam on the brakes before their Zords' paws could come into contact with the corrosive liquid that was already melting the asphalt. The Red and Black Rangers froze in surprise and confusion, their eyes wide with shock.

"STAY BACK!" Ren roared over the comms, his voice distressed and pained. "IT'S MINE!"

"What-" Ruby sputtered. "Ren, don't be stupid! You can't take it al-"

"NO!" he roared. "I'm not letting this thing hurt anyone else!"

"Of all the-" Weiss scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Ren! I expected this from Ruby, but you?!"

"Knock it off, green!" Yang shouted. "Let us in already!"

"Ren!" Blake shouted. "You're gonna get yourself killed if you don't let us help you!"

But the Green Ranger wasn't listening, for there was only one voice in his Zord's systems as his anguished eyes remained focused on the Nuckelavee and his fingers had a death grip on the controls. "KILL IT! YOU MUST KILL IT! REMEMBER WHAT IT HAS DONE TO YOU, LIE REN! YOU MUST FINISH THIS FOR GOOD! FOR YOUR FATHER, FOR YOUR MOTHER, FOR YOUR HOME, FOR ALL THOSE IT HAS SLAIN, AND FOR YOURSELF! END IT! END IT NOW!"

"SHUT UP!" He roared in anger as his Zord wrapped its length around the Nuckelavee's legs, biting down on an arm and making it howl in pain: a scream that filled the Green Ranger with pleasure. A sadistic snarl crossed the young man's face as he lunged again, but the arm joined its partner in holding back the serpent's jaws while the horse half struggled against the emerald coils tightening around its neck.

AAAAAIIIIEEEEEGGGGHHHH! The living nightmare screamed in Ren's face, the vile sound waves disrupting his Grid connection in a destabilizing frenzy that left Ren shrieking in agony. His Green Ranger suit flickered dangerously in and out of existence while his Serpent Hunter Zord glitched and spasmed uncontrollably, all systems shorting out and weakening the Zord long enough for the Nuckelavee to seize it in one spindly hand and repeatedly smash it into the street like a child venting its rage on a toy. After several impacts nearly knocked Ren's lights out, the Nuckelavee hurled the Serpent Hunter Zord through the air and let it sail for a few blocks until the green snake landed in a distant plume of dust, the equestrian nightmare shrieking in triumph…

BRRZZAAAAAK! A pair of crimson lasers struck its humanoid face while yellow fireballs pummeled the horse half, letting the Grimm know it wasn't alone. Nora soared overhead only to split off from Weiss and Yang. "Keep it busy! I'll take care of him!"

"You sure, Nora?!" Ruby called out, leaping away from an outstretched black arm that Blake's panther struggled against. The Pink Ranger continued to fly towards the rising dust cloud. "I'm sure! He needs a strict talking-to from the one person who knows him best!"

"I'm not done with you yet, Black Rider!" Yang bellowed, her dragon spraying yellow flames on the beast's back as it steered clear of its lashing arms. Nora paid them no mind as she flew off, her pegasus's wings beating steadily as she navigated a partially collapsing building. The Serpent Hunter Zord was already rising, a winded and breathless Ren still clinging to the controls. The Green Ranger gritted his teeth in rage and lifted his Zord from the ground, ready to race back into the fray…

…until the Pegasus Hunter Zord landed in front of him, its wings spread open and blocking his path. Albeit surprised by this, Ren remained steadfast and glared at his partner. "Nora… MOVE."

The Pink Ranger shook her head defiantly. "I'm not going anywhere until you listen to me."

Ren growled impatiently, his serpent hissing a warning. "Nora, get out of my way! They're going to get hurt if I don't-!"

"I said NO!" Nora snapped back, her pegasus stomping the street with a sharp snort. "They… I am already hurt from watching you throw yourself at that thing over and over! I'm NOT going to let you kill yourself like this, Ren! Not after everything we've been through!"

"I'M the one who needs to end this!" Ren roared. "You didn't have a family to be slaughtered! I need to avenge them, and I need to do it now!"

"Avenge them?!" Nora countered. "Or join them, you reckless idiot?!" Ren paused at her shouting and opened his mouth to retort, but Nora wouldn't let him have it. "You think you're the only one with a score to settle?! I want that monster dead as much as you do, but I'm not gonna have you die along with it! We made a promise, Ren! And you're so close to breaking it and leaving me all alone! AGAIN!"

The Green Ranger stilled. "Nora… I-I…"

"We were always together… that's not going to change. I want you to keep your promise, Ren… because I don't know how to live with myself if you don't," The Pink Ranger's face was pleading with tears in her eyes, a sight all too familiar for Ren. The Green Ranger's breathing slowed as his attention retreated into his mind, good memories replacing the bad as he recalled joy and happiness that countered his calm and stoic demeanor.

Ren finally sighed and slumped forward. "I'm sorry… I just…"

"I know…" Her voice was just as quiet as his, yet those two words carried understanding and sympathy like the caring soul she was. Both teens silently stared at one another as their creatures did the same, unspoken words and renewed vows passing between them.

"Alright…" Ren breathed. "Let's get back to work."

Nora smirked before she took flight and soared over the rooftops, the Serpent Hunter Zord slithering across the roads right beneath her. It took them several seconds to race through the twisted streets and back to the battle, where the Nuckelavee had just thrown the wolf and panther aside. The panther landed on its feet and skidded to a halt, while the wolf tumbled and clumsily rolled to a stop, shaking rubble off its form as it rose. The demonic rider hissed ominously as it searched for its next victim…

"HEY!"

Its humanoid half rotated with a sickening crack and stared down the long stretch of ruined road, where a huffing stallion shining with silver colors stared it down. Jaune glared at the Nuckelavee from inside the Stallion Hunter Zord, his hair tussled and face disheveled while his eyes remained unflinching at the nightmare that turned to face him. Both sets of eyes bore into the boy's soul, who calmed himself with a deep breath as he reached for a lever and pulled it toward him with effort.

The Stallion Hunter Zord's right side slid open, and a small handle emerged until it faced the dreadful devil. A long, gleaming tip shot forward with a sharp, shining noise, revealing a thick silver lance that gave the Nuckelavee pause. Its hesitation was only temporary as it hissed and raised its right arm, which had darkness swirling around it.

…until a malevolent lance of pure malice appeared in its grip, its serrated tip jabbing at the mech that stood dozens of paces away. The silver steed and the haunting horse stared each other down as their riders did the same, Jaune's helmet flashing over his head as the Nuckelavee's nightmarish maw hung open. The Silver Ranger tensed and drove all hesitation from his mind before he finally shoved the controls forward, urging his mech into a furious cavalry charge with the lance extended. A menacing howl escaped the Nuckelavee as it did the same, its dark construct ready to pierce the Zord's head and run the boy through.

Both horses thundered down the road at top speed, their weapons poised for contact. Jaune kept his eyes on the target and did his best to shut out the nightmarish wail that threatened to deafen him, his Zord's pounding footsteps in sync with his racing heart. He braced himself for contact as both combatants drew closer…

…and the Nuckelavee's lance scraped the side of his Zord's armor in a shower of sparks while Jaune's lance impaled it through the chest, the Zord's speed ripping the humanoid half clean off.

At least, it was supposed to. The young Silver Ranger was appalled to see a whole lower half, complete with hideous legs, where there wasn't supposed to be one when the Ghost That Eats was forcibly ripped from its dark steed and left clinging onto the lance that had just drilled a hole through its torso. Wailing in pain and anger alike, it scratched at the Stallion Hunter Zord's head with dreadful spindly fingers, desperate to reach the startled Jaune.

A pair of golden talons sank into its shoulders and pried the wailing Grimm away from the stallion, flinging it into a building and reducing it to rubble. The Eagle Hunter Zord touched down on a distant rooftop, a rallying shriek escaping its beak as it spread its wings. While the Serpent and Pegasus Hunter Zords positioned themselves between their friends and the now-separated halves of the Nuckelavee, the red wolf approached the silver stallion.

"Jaune! Pyrrha! Are you two okay?!" Ruby called out.

"We… we can manage," breathed the Silver Ranger. "Look, Ruby, what Master Red said doesn't just apply to you. You're not Summer… and I'm not the Knight. Not when we can both do things they never could. Our being here proves that, and that stupid dragon couldn't berate me for that even if it tried."

"And it gave me a lot to think about," Pyrrha confessed. "But not here, and not now. Whatever it told me about Remnant's leaders will have to wait."

"Good," Ruby said. "Now let's not waste any more time with this thing." Everyone snapped into action as all eight Zords converged on the outnumbered pair, two teams of four targeting each one. Nora's pegasus steered clear of the horse half's swipes and bites while Yang and Weiss bombarded it with fireballs and magically-charged ice blasts on top of Nora's lightning. Pyrrha swooped past with a rain of golden feathers, the projectiles digging deep into the wailing Grimm that struggled against its flying targets.

Ruby's wolf seized the Nuckelavee's arm and shook it wildly in its grip while Blake grabbed the other one with her panther's paws, both mechs tearing at the arms and leaving the howling Grimm defenseless before the charging silver stallion and a shower of green acid from Ren. Jaune met the sizzling Nuckelavee with a headbutt that hit like a battering ram against a castle gate, a blow from both forehooves, and a point-blank shot from the Stallion Hunter Zord's cannon blasted an even wider hole in the screeching Grimm's torso, tearing off its arms from the force. The monster collapsed onto its back with a weak, choking gurgle while the wolf and panther held its still-twitching arms in their jaws.

Not too far away, the Grimm horse was covered in scorch marks from both pink electricity and crackling yellow flames while patches of it were frozen solid and gold feathers were stuck like arrows. It could only let out a desperate, scornful wheeze at the pink pegasus that touched down before it… and with a sneer on her face, Nora lifted her Zord's foreleg and brought its hoof down on the Grimm's skull with a sickening crunch. The Pink Ranger immediately felt satisfied that she didn't finish it in person as her Zord dragged its hoof along the road, leaving a black smear behind.

The Serpent Hunter Zord slithered up what remained of the Nuckelavee's shriveled, beaten body with its tongue flickering in anticipation and its lengthy body coiling around the Ruler of the Dead. Ren took a moment to savor how pathetic and frail the face from his nightmares looked in that moment, reduced to the twitching, fearful child he had once been on that fateful day… and the Green Ranger made sure to show the Nuckelavee the same mercy it showed his family by closing his Zord's jaws around the monster's head and twisting the serpent's body. The Serpent Hunter Zord ripped off the Nuckelavee's head and crushed it to bits between its jaws, hissing dangerously as the rest of its body vanished into a pillar of black smoke. Ren stood alone in that moment, a breath of relief leaving him as the nightmare was finally over.

Ruby felt relieved as well, but she didn't relax her guard. She wasn't done yet, so her silver eyes turned to the dark lightning-filled sky for any sign of the-

"YOU!"

Before Ruby knew it, something snatched her up and carried her yelping wolf skyward, a bellow of anger drowning her friends' panicked and startled cries. A scream of alarm leapt from Ruby's throat as her abductor climbed higher with each wingbeat… and a pair of monstrous purple eyes glared through her cockpit.

"YOU WOULD DARE?!" roared the dragon with all the hatred and rage in its being. "I BROKE THEM, RUBY! JUST AS I BROKE YOU! I SEE ALL THROUGH YOUR LINK TO THE GRID, GIRL: YOUR DARKEST MOMENTS, YOUR DEEPEST FEARS, THE RECESSES OF YOUR SOUL AND MIND THAT YOU HESITATE TO UNVEIL! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT EACH OF YOUR SO-CALLED FRIENDS HAS EXPERIENCED THAT HAS TRAUMATIZED THEM SO MUCH! WHO ARE YOU TO SPEAK OF UNDERSTANDING AND FIGHT THEIR INNER DEMONS FOR THEM?!"

"Grrrnh!" Ruby cried out with a wince. "You didn't count on one thing… I had others who saved me from my despair… so it was my turn to save them!"

"YOU WILL SAVE NO ONE!" The dragon roared as it tossed the Wolf Hunter Zord into the air and bit down hard against its head, earning a high-pitched yelp from the canine as the puncturing teeth sent sparks shooting through Ruby's cockpit. The Red Ranger screamed and threw up her arms as the world shuddered around her.

"YOU… ARE A SMALL, HELPLESS CHILD," the beast's voice thundered from her comm systems. "NOBODY WANTS TO EXPERIENCE THE HUMILIATION OF BEING SAVED BY A MEEK LITTLE GIRL WITH DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR AND THE FOOLISH DREAM THAT SHE CAN BRING AN ENTIRE WORLD FROM THE BRINK OF ITS INESCAPABLE DEMISE! THE STRUGGLE, THE PRESSURE, THE BURDEN… IT IS CRUSHING YOU…"

The dragon's jaws tightened around the Wolf Hunter Zord, the mech letting out an agonized whine as metal caved inward while its paws thrashed around wildly. Ruby desperately tried everything she could to break free from the monster's grip as everything sparked and burst all around, her mech's squeals and whines blending with the wailing alarms and sputtering systems. What was supposed to be a supersonic howl emerged as a garbled whimper and glowing crimson eyes flickered and sputtered before the charging energy could be released.

"THERE ARE NO GREAT MOMENTS OR FINEST HOUR FOR YOU. THE DAY YOU HAVE WAITED FOR IS A FANTASY THAT WILL NEVER COME TO PASS. THE BRILLIANT LIGHTS OF SCATTERING LEGENDS WILL CEASE TO BURN, AND EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE IN AN UNFORGIVING WORLD THAT SEEKS TO KEEP YOU DOWN AT ANY COST."

"AAAAAAAGH!" Ruby's shields were fading fast, and her Zord's structural integrity was dropping just as fast. She couldn't last much longer, she needed-!

"AND NOW, RUBY ROSE… IT IS LONG PAST TIME YOU SEE YOUR MOTHER ONCE AGAIN. FAREWELL, LITTLE FL-AAAAAAAAAGH!" Something bright and hot struck the Grimm dragon in the face, releasing its grip on the Wolf Hunter Zord and leaving it to plummet to the city below with a panicked, sorrowful whine. Everything spun and rushed past Ruby too fast, and she could only hear her racing breath in her ears as she scrambled to find something to keep her from turning into red paste.

"No. No! NO! AAAAAAA-" She threw her hands up with a terrified scream… before her world lurched and the spinning ceased. Her heart slammed against her ribs, and the beeping alarms continued for several seconds until her Zord's auto-repair functions worked to restore the damage. The Red Ranger slowly cracked open an eye to see the warped, distorted city of Salem approaching her like a runway ready to meet a plane. A few seconds passed and the wounded wolf was set down amongst the other waiting Zords… followed by her savior.

"So," Yang chirped. "I guess this means you're going to have to save me again. Ya know, to make us even."

Ruby cracked a smile as she wound down, trying to catch her breath. "Y… y-yeah… woof…" The Red Ranger leaned back in her seat with a slight laugh of relief, her mind thanking her sister and appreciating gratitude for her friends a million times over.

Only one thing shattered that moment of silence.

"RRRAAAAAAGGGGHHH! BOTHERSOME INSECTS!" A devastating, earth-shaking tremor signaled the Grimm dragon's forceful landing, which cracked the asphalt beneath its feet. Its blazing purple eyes glared at the eight Hunter Zords, half a mile away, with unrelenting fury. "WHAT IS IT WITH YOU?! WHY DO YOU STILL PERSIST?! YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL TRIUMPH SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU PRIDE YOURSELVES ON UNITY?! YOU CANNOT STOP THE DARK AGE THAT IS TO COME! NOT HERE, NOT REMNANT, NOT ANYWHERE! BECAUSE ALL THAT YOU ARE, AND ALL YOU WILL EVER BE, ARE PAWNS TO BE CONTROLLED UNTIL YOUR FINAL MOMENTS!"

"WRONG!" Ruby shouted as fiercely as her voice could allow. "This is gonna end! Right now!"

The Grimm dragon growled so deeply that it made the very air around everyone tremble. "I LOATHE TO AGREE WITH YOU, ROSE… BUT IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE PLAYING THIS FOOLISH GAME… THEN SO BE IT! HRRRRAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!" The dragon tucked itself inward before bursting with corrupted Grid energy that swirled around its form, supercharging it a hundredfold and lighting up all of Salem in a dark, menacing glow that entranced every Grimm that inhabited the infested city. Everyone flinched and shielded their eyes from the storm of darkness that contained an ominous shadow.

And all eight teenagers had their breath stolen from them as they watched that shadow rise, ascending higher and higher until it dwarfed the Hunter Zords in its darkness. The violet maelstrom ceased within seconds, revealing the Grimm dragon standing above the Rangers in a gigantic size, on par with a Leviathan, with several buildings obliterated by its scale alone. The ensuing rumble of a growl felt like an earthquake to the now toy-shaped mechs at its enormous feet.

"HUNTSMEN… POWER RANGERS…" it boomed with a deafening tone. "WHATEVER IMMATURE HOPES YOU WISH TO CALL YOURSELVES… LOOK UPON ME… AND KNOW THAT THE END YOU TRIED TO AVOID IS ALREADY HERE…"

Ruby knew she wasn't the only one intimidated, as most of the Zords took a few steps back. Under normal circumstances, where she had never encountered such massive monsters, she would have been scared stiff and unable to act or move, let alone fight or give orders. And maybe she would have if she didn't turn to her control panel… where a flashing red symbol of the Carmine Wolf appeared on her controls, where no such insignia was previously displayed.

Ruby tuned her comms to everyone within range. "RWBY Rangers… who else wants to get on its level?"

Yang huffed with gritted teeth and fire in her eyes. "Gladly."

"Ready," Blake growled.

"I was honestly hoping you'd ask," Weiss commented with an icy glare.

"I… have been waiting far… too… long for this," hissed Nora.

"I concur," agreed Ren.

"Just say the word, Ruby," Jaune added.

"It's time," finished Pyrrha.

Ruby turned her gaze to the humongous head looming high above her. "You think you've seen us working together? Well… not yet, you haven't." She pressed a palm down on the glowing wolf symbol while everyone else did the same in their respective cockpits. Colors burst and flooded through their howling, roaring, and shrieking machines as eight voices rang out as one.

"ZORDS COMBINE!"

With purple and green colors coursing through their systems, the Panther and Serpent Hunter Zords crouched down as low as they could go, the former's limbs retracting into its body as its rear half shifted and raised upward. The serpent's tail followed suit as the two Zords' heads locked into place and their lower bodies extended outward, resembling a pair of feet and legs rather than lethal predators.

The howling Wolf Hunter Zord - ablaze with bright red colors - shot into the air and immediately began shifting, its tail and limbs folding inwards so that the bent joints of its rear legs connected with the Panther and Serpent Hunter Zords with electric snaps. The wolf's forelegs swiveled outward to reveal two more ports, which were locked on by two more figures glowing a brilliant yellow and a dazzling white.

The Dragon Hunter Zord bit down on the left side while the Owl Hunter Zord connected its talons with the right forelimb, both mechs immediately shifting and transforming upon contact. The dragon's legs folded into its body and its tail split into five digits that clenched into a fist. The Owl Hunter Zord's wings bent unnaturally upwards and connected with its head, which swiveled backward and allowed a shining white hand to unveil itself.

The whinying Pegasus Hunter Zord aglow with pink lights shot for the back of the combination, its head and legs folding inward and slamming into the wolf with a powerful surge of electricity. Its wings repositioned themselves and shifted higher before folding back, locking into place with a metallic clunk.

The Wolf Hunter Zord's head split open at the jaws and pulled away in separate directions, allowing something to rise from what was once the wolf's throat: a massive armored helmet resembling those worn by the ancient heroes of old, bright lights flashing to life through the visor's slits.

The glowing, golden Eagle Hunter Zord screeched as it flew towards the yellow right arm, its talons bending and wings curving to form a perfect circle. As its head retracted inward and its broad body straightened out, its feathers gave way to a smooth, solid metal surface. The yellow arm shot outward to catch the eagle, now a gigantic circular gold shield that connected itself against the limb and tightly fastened itself with golden metal straps.

And finally, the whinnying Stallion Hunter Zord shot skyward and fused its forelimbs, its body growing thinner and longer as the armor pieces and head shifted away. Its front half transformed into a long, glimmering length of pure silver steel that embedded itself in the ground. At the same time, its rear legs angled perpendicularly, and its tail grew longer, forming a gleaming guard and a polished pommel. The white arm that was once the Owl Hunter Zord reached down to grab the handle of a giant silver sword and wrench it from the asphalt, holding it aloft as the bright blade shimmered with valor and hope.

Where there were once eight Zords fashioned after proud and mighty beasts of both reality and fiction, there was now a towering colossus resembling a warrior from a forgotten time, covered in multicolored armor and wielding both a means of stalwart attack and unrelenting defense. Within its crimson helmet rested a huge cockpit composed of eight colored seats with individual control panels… and eight beams of light teleported into those seats.

"HUNTER MEGAZORD ACTIVATED!"

The multicolored combination banged its silver sword against its golden shield, earning a gargantuan bellow from the gigantic Grimm dragon that faced down the knight in a scene that was straight out of a storybook. Distant roars and hellish howls joined the titan, as many more Grimm began converging on the massive mech from both land, sea, and air.

And from inside the cockpit, Ruby and her friends marveled at their new surroundings and the result of their individual strengths coming together to defend each other's weaknesses.

"Oh my gods, this is AWESOME!" Yang whooped as she punched the air, Ruby laughing in delight from beside her as the sisters sat front and center. On their right side were Blake and Weiss, the monochrome duo gasping in awe and facing each other with warm smiles. The former was the first to speak. "Is… is this how all the Rangers felt the first time?!"

"I can see why they take such pride in these moments!"

"WOOOO!" A cheer drew Ruby's gaze to the right, where Nora was whooping like a madwoman next to a cringing-yet-smirking Ren. "I TOTALLY CALLED IT! GIANT ROBOT FOR THE WIN!"

"I-indeed," Ren's reply was lost to his partner's ecstatic cheering.

"This is amazing!" Jaune hollered from behind Ruby, where he and Pyrrha were positioned. "No offense, Weiss, but this beats anything Atlas has or ever will make! By a long shot!"

"I can almost feel the power!" Pyrrha chuckled in tow. "And if it wasn't for all of you, I think it'd be too much for me to take!"

"Then it's time to show the Grimm what that power really means when it's used to fight for what's right!" Ruby rallied everyone. "Rangers, let's finish this!"

"YEEEEAAAAAHHH!" Her friends roared loud enough to match the bellowing dragon as it took flight and soared for the defensive Megazord, sword and shield at the ready. As the hordes of Grimm down below rushed for the titans, the colossal mech stood tall against the massive beast that rushed for it, its silver sword flashing as it connected with the beast's dark talons.

The only thing that matched their cries was the screeching red lightning that illuminated all of Salem: a city lost to darkness once again unless the power within Ruby Rose and her allies could banish it.