*Magnolia Town, Fiore; October 22, 2019; 3:14 PM*

"Hey, Delirious! You have the most points, so open this door!" Vanoss shouted.

The 'Weenie Boys Alpha' group had been tasked with getting as many doors open as possible, with an end-goal of reaching Juggernog. This meant breaking down every door in the city, searching for anything useful, and writing down anything that stood out.

Wildcat stood back, knowing full well what could happen with this situation.

"Diiiiiie!!!!" Delirious charged, barreling down the cobblestone street.

Delirious swiftly turned, kicking the door down and checking the inside of the building for zombies. Upon closer inspection inside the building, it was a store, one of the few magic shops in Magnolia Town.

"There aren't any zombies or those creepy Grimm motherf**kers!" Delirious yelled from inside.

Vanoss and Wildcat stepped inside first, with Twilight, Applebloom, and Scootaloo not far behind.

"Hey, Twilight? You feel anything standing out?" Wildcat asked, thumbing through the shelves of the disheveled shop.

"It's weird.. I feel a magic energy, but I can't quite find it." Twilight mused.

"Well, I'm sure we'll find something. Wildcat, can you watch the door for us and let us know if anything's happening?" Vanoss asked.

"Alright.. But you're on door duty next time, you owl bitch!" Wildcat groaned as he trudged to the front of the store, Pack-A-Punched M1927 in tow.

"I found a f**kin' teddy!" Delirious shouted suddenly.

Vanoss ran over, eyeing the Teddy Bear with interest.

"What's the use of a teddy bear at a time like this?!" Scootaloo rolled her eyes.

"Oh, you might not get it.. Teddy Bears are Easter Eggs in the Zombies games. If you find three of them, a badass song starts playing." Vanoss explained.

"That sounds mighty creepy.." Applebloom shuddered.

"I think I found that source of magic energy!" Twilight realized, trotting over to one of the back rooms.

"What?" Vanoss took off running behind Twilight.

Twilight bucked open the door, looking inside.

Vanoss' eyes lit up as he looked at the back room while Twilight furrowed her brow in confusion.

A red gum ball machine stood at the wall, with what appeared to be a metallic lion at the top as it's dispenser.

"A gumball machine?!" Twilight groaned.

"No, wait! This is Gobblegum!" Vanoss grinned.

"Gobble- what?" Twilight asked, bewildered.

"GOBBLEGUM?! GIMME THAT SHIT!" Delirious charged past Twilight, leaving her completely frustrated and confused.

"What's Gobblegum?" Scootaloo asked.

"They're like the Perks, but they're much more varied in what they do.." Vanoss explained as a glowing orange gumball popped out of the machine.

"What'd you get?" Delirious asked.

"Crate Power. That'll be useful." Vanoss replied neutrally.

"What does that do?" Twilight asked.

"If I buy a gun from the Mystery Box, it'll be pack-a-punched for free." Vanoss answered.

"Oh!! I got the Fire Sale one!!" Delirious shouted.

"Nice!!" Vanoss cheered.

"Fire sale..?" Applebloom wondered.

"Every Box Location's going to have a box, and they all only cost 10 points! It lasts like 30 seconds, but I have three!" Delirious explained.

"We'd better let the Guild know. Scootaloo?" Twilight trotted towards the teenaged filly, giving her the message via her magic.

"You can count on me, Twilight!" Scootaloo promised, flying off into the distance.

"Hold on.. I think I see something on the other end of the... OH SHIT!!! AAAAAAHHH!!!!" Wildcat suddenly screamed in panic.

Vanoss, Delirious, and Twilight ran out of the building, only to find a large horde of Grimm chasing them, led by...

"Who the f**k is that?!" Vanoss gaped.

"DIIIE!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Delirious cackled, firing his Pack-A-Punched Dingo indiscriminately amongst the horde of advancing Grimm.

The figure jumped down, dodging the deadly bullets at a horrifyingly fast pace before charging at them.

"Oh, shit!!" Vanoss ducked, avoiding the figure's fang-like blade.

"We gotta go!!" Wildcat urged, avoiding an Ursa's claws and shooting it in the head.

"I'll teleport us out! Get over here!!" Twilight yelled through the chaos.

The figure then leaped at Twilight, grabbing her by the horn.

"I don't think so."

The figure, a young woman with a deathly white complexion with a vein-like black pattern on her cheeks, piercing red eyes and a face otherwise concealed in a Grimm-like face mask. The armor she was wearing seemed... Oddly familiar.

"That... Isn 't who I think it is... Is it..?" Vanoss backed away, weapon raised as Twilight struggled to squirm free.

The figure only glared at them, scowling at them with an expression of cold, bitter hatred.

"I figured you would recognize me, even with my improvements." The woman glared.

Twilight's eyes widened in realization and horror.

"P-Pyrrha..?"

Pyrrha's expression contorted in anger as she slowly tightened her grip on Twilight's horn.

Twilight screamed in agony as Pyrrha's grip left large cracks on her horn. Pyrrha grinned in satisfaction as she threw Twilight to the curb.

"How the hell..?" Vanoss wondered, terrified, how and what happened to the ex-huntress.

"I don't see the point of telling my origins to the dead, but very well. It all started when this body was taken from-" Pyrrha began coldly.

Twilight's horn suddenly glowed in bright purple light, before it turned orange and grew in intensity.

"What in the..?" Pyrrha gaped, suddenly surprised.

Twilight's horn exploded with magical energy, eclipsing the Grimm-corrupted huntress. With the little time they were given, Vanoss and Wildcat grabbed Twilight, and proceeded to run with Delirious and Applebloom back to the Guild Hall.

"After them!!" Pyrrha ordered angrily, pointing her sword towards the group.

*Meanwhile; Alex's group*

"Where the hell is Ultimus?" Alex asked.

"Why the hell would that asshole be here?" Yang wondered.

"I humiliated his ass in Cairo. If I know the kinda one-track mind Ultimus has, he knows the best time to attack would be now." Alex explained.

"You've.. Thought things through.." Kat observed.

"I've had time to think about this crap.. But stay on guard... Who knows what else might rear it's ugly head?" Alex warned, his weapon ready.

"Clever thinking, Captain." A voice mocked.

"Who the hell?!" Vinyl reared back.

Two figures soon landed in front of their path. One of them, of course, was Ultimus.

"God dammit, Ultimus." Alex shook his head.

"What's the matter, Saigo? Upset that you and your friends might actually die this time? Angry that your luck has finally run out?" Ultimus grinned.

Alex narrowed his eyes.

'Ultimus has definitely gotten stronger since Cairo, no doubt about that... As for that man with him... His energy is even more potent.. No matter what, I'd better stay on the offense as long as I can.. Don't want to risk another 'Battle of Fairy Tail' situation on my hands.' Alex thought.

"Anyways, Ulty. Who's your friend?" Yang lightheartedly inquired.

Ultimus scowled at Yang, even growling a little bit as he reached for his weapon.

"Don't let your anger get the better of you, Ultimus. As for you five, my name is Primis." Primis introduced.

"P-Primis..?" Wendy gaped, backing away.

Primis only grinned at the girl's fear.

"Now, there's the reaction I'm looking for. But I will say this. Practically running away with your tails between your legs won't be enough to save you. Make no mistake, I will show no mercy." Primis grinned.

Alex glared at the stronger of the two.

"Yang, you mind if I take on Primis while you deal with Ultimus?" Alex asked.

"Meh, what the hell?" Yang replied.

Primis himself studied Alex as well.

'Hm.. Definitely strong enough to give Ultimus a real challenge, this man. And he hasn't even transformed yet.' Primis figured.

"As for these other three?" Ultimus asked.

"You guys, out!" Alex shouted.

"Hahahah... Don't think you'll get off so easy!"

A familiar girl landed in front of Kat and the others, carrying a large war hammer with a horn replacing it's head. A similar complexion and mask to Pyrrha's, but this girl was clearly much different.

"It... Can't be..!" Yang recoiled, knowing full well the girl was.

Nora Valkyrie..

Alex's eyes widened as he came to the same realization that Yang had.

Kat stepped towards the corrupted huntress before them.

"I'll deal with her. The rest of you should step in if you feel like we need help." Kat explained, placing her three fingers on the claw mark on her hand, sliding them along as she transformed, gaining the glowing amber aura , the light-claws, and the shimmering outline of a tail.

"So, Ms. Valkyrie.. I should make it very clear that I will claw your eyes out if you take another step." Kat smirked.

"Ooh! Legs to break! I LOVE IT!!" Nora gleefully, yet sadistically cheered.

Alex glared at Primis, raising his weapon as Alex immediately turned Enlightened.

"Now then, Primis. We have other business to attend to." Alex scowled.

Primis merely grinned back, not even bothering to draw the Crux Family Sword from it's scabbard on his back.

"I agree." Primis leaped at Alex as the two began their fight.

Ultimate immediately transformed to his Corrupted Warrior, seething with rage.

"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!" Ultimus charged after them, only to be knocked to the side by Yang.

"I don't think so!" Yang interrupted as she transformed to her own Enlightened Form as well.

"Don't start fights you can't win, XIAO LONG!!!" Ultimus threatened.

"Come on, Ulty! All I ever see out of you is 'kill Saigo ' this and 'kill Saigo' that! I want a good, clean fight as much as you do!" Yang grinned.

Vinyl and Wendy scrambled to the top of one of the buildings, where they would be able to get a full view of whatever transpired.

"What's the plan, kiddo?" Vinyl asked.

"I'll use my magic to help them in their fight.. I need you to keep the Grimm and the Zombies away!" Wendy decided.

"... Wow, you've actually got a pretty good handle on things for your age.." Vinyl shrugged as she leapt off the building and trotted towards the end of the street.

*Meanwhile; Cade's Group*

"She's gotta be around here somewhere..!" Cade figured, weapon raised as he went across the street.

"Hey! Open some doors on the way, will ya? There might be stuff that can help us!" Oreonna yelled, her speech muffled as she chewed something.

"Is that gum?" Cade asked.

"Yeah.. I got it from this gumball machine in the alley." Oreonna replied.

"... God dammit." Cade scowled. He needed that Gobblegum!

"Not to sound rude, but we have bigger problems." Auburn said with the slightest edge of urgency.

A man was grinning down at them from the top of a nearby building, alongside another Grimm version of...

"Wait a second... Lie Ren?!" Cade backed away.

"Ehehehahaha!!! So, you're the little brats causing Cinder so much trouble!!" He jumped down, with the corrupted Ren not far behind.

Cade shook his head, appearing dissatisfied.

"We're just looking for Cinder. We don't have time for either of you." Cade scowled.

"Is that so?" A familiar voice scowled, lowering herself from the skies.

Cade, Oreonna, and Auburn raised their weapons.

"Oh, don't worry. You won't have to fight this fool." Cinder raised her bow, pointing it at Tyrian.

"What is this..? WHAT IS THIS?!" Tyrian screamed in anger.

"Ah yes, Tyrian. Salem sends her regards." Cinder grinned as she released the arrow, letting it fly through the air and slice through Tyrian's throat.

Tyrian spat blood, glaring up at Cinder hatefully.

"Oh, you still haven't died yet.. It'd be a shame to leave you like this. Ren?" Cinder smiled as the Corrupted huntsman charged up to Tyrian and began tearing him limb from limb.

Cade and Oreonna seemed genuinely horrified at the gory spectacle before them, as Auburn carried the uninterested stare she always seemed to have.

"She's... She's pure evil..!" Cade gaped.

"I... I don't know if we can really take her on.." Oreonna confessed.

"Then I guess Alex had the right idea!"

The future warriors looked up, finding Natsu landing to their side as Happy flew down with him.

"N-Natsu?!" Oreonna gasped.

Auburn turned to look at the Fire Dragonslayer, gaze unwavering.

"Father must have sent you, right?" Auburn asked.

"Aye, Sir!" Happy grinned.

Cinder grinned slightly, curious about this new foe.

"Oh.. So you're the famous Salamander I've heard so much about." Cinder asked.

Natsu's expression suddenly hardened.

"And you're Cinder Fall. Alex kinda explained everything a little while back." Natsu scowled.

Cinder laughed slightly.

"Oh, who else but him? I'll be honest with you, Natsu of Fairy Tail. I haven't had a good fight since my timeline's version of Alexander died, so I'll be expecting a decent fight. Don't disappoint me." Cinder scowled.

"I'm all fired up now! You guys better back me up!" Natsu grinned.

"Eh.. I'll take care of Ren. Speaking of, I like the new look!" Oreonna smiled at Ren, who only scowled back at her.

"You're honestly worse than Nora." Ren shook his head as he raised his weapons.

Oreonna suddenly charged at Ren, while Natsu, Happy, Cade, and Auburn ran after Cinder.

With a grin, she separated her bow into twin swords.

"Finally., a real fight..!" Cinder sighed as she charged after them.

*The House, The Aether; October 22, 2019; 3:26 PM*

"Alright... That should be everything.." Monty grinned, satisfied.

"Brilliant as always, Dr. Monty.. Hold on.." Dr. Maxis nodded, turning to face his daughter, Samantha.

"Samantha, I need you and the others to take care of Auburn for us until her parents come. Can you do that for me?" Maxis asked.

"Okay..! C'mon, Auburn!" Samantha grabbed the seemingly uninterested toddler by the arm and ran upstairs with her.

Dr. Monty's expression suddenly grew restless.

"Something wrong, Monty?" Maxis wondered.

"This... 'Earthland'... Continues to perplex me... I've made a system as of late for your assets. Two wall weapons, a Gobblegum machine, and quick revive in the first room... But for some reason, I couldn't get any of those things inside the Guild Hall!" Monty shrugged, perplexed.

"And why would that be?" Maxis wondered.

"Hmm... It's likely something is fiddling around with the residual Divinium wavelength pattern, keeping me from adding changes.." Monty figured.

"The Shadowman, perhaps?" Dr. Maxis asked.

"And that's the weird part! The Shadowman is with Salem right now, and all they're good for is directing the undead and the Grimm! Besides, he's usually given me some leeway..!" Dr. Monty shrugged, clearly exasperated.

".. What could that possibly mean..?" Maxis inquired.

"The only explanation I can find.. Is some third entry is blocking my intervention with the Guild Hall.." Monty answered.

"A third? But.. Who has that kind of power?" Maxis asked.

Author's Notes:

Alright, the combatants are set and the real show's about to begin!

Will our heroes survive against the Crux Family, Cinder Fall and the corrupted Team JNPR? And who is the third entity?

Well.. You'll just have to wait and see..

-The Destoyer