Hey there, this is a little story I cooked up based on a whim, a taunt and a challenge. I started the original a few years ago and since then it has exploded into a much bigger story than I originally intended. But reading back, it's clear that the older chapters need a little work and while I am taking it forward, hopefully steering it to an interesting yet satisfying end I'm going to try and smoothen out the rough start. There won't be too many changes so as to disrupt the current timeline but hopefully will strengthen the foundation of the story.

To those who have stuck with me over the years I hope this doesn't cause too much of an inconvenience and I hope you continue to read and enjoy this story. And to those who are chancing upon this for the first time I do hope you enjoy it and stick around for the many more chapters yet to come.

Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers or anything connected with the series. And I fully acknowledge that I have borrowed elements from a variety of other shows as well.

(This holds true for the entire story)

Knights Of Azelia

Summary: The power rangers gave their all as they fought to protect their world from the power of evil time and again. Each team rose to the challenge and defeated their enemies by never giving up, no matter the sacrifices or consequences. They earned their place in history and moved on with their lives, basking in well deserved peace. However, when an evil force unlike any other rises from the ashes of a lost realm and threatens the peace of not just one world but many, the question arises: Will the chosen few pick up their arms and stand in battle to protect the innocent? Or will they forego the battle to live their lives as they deserve to?

Chapter 1

The End

BOOM! A thunderous explosion cut through the air lighting up the battlefield with a blinding flash before dark clouds of dust and debris swelled. In its wake, towers lay crumbled and rubble scattered around heaps of lifeless bodies.

And as the dust settled a lone figure in armour of gold, worn down by the grit of battle and a billowing purple cape, now tattered, stood erect on a high platform gazing below with hollowed dark eyes. His right hand was firmly gripped around the hilt of a curved broadsword engraved with tongues of amethyst fire edging out in opposite directions. He was surrounded by an ominous aura that encased him – sword and all – in a shroud of dark energy.

Across the battlefield that spread out below him muffled sounds of grunts, growls, howls and snarls mixed together as warriors from both sides who had been tossed aside by the explosion slowly rose to their feet. Ferocious beasts and vicious warriors were spread across the remains of the citadel locked in arms with soldiers distinguished by battle worn armour in different colours. When the shock of the explosion wore off the battle resumed and the heavy sounds of weapons clashing and powers surging usurped the quiet that had fallen with the dust.

But the warrior on the platform stood still. His hollow eyes searched the battlefield, his generals stood strong as they continued the battle against his enemies. But his eyes were not concerned with the matters of minions. There were only a chosen few of his enemies he sought with the urge to strike them down with his own blade. Three he spotted fiercely trading blows with his commanders in a final contest to see who would emerge victorious.

As he scanned the field for the others a loud cry cut through the air and he turned just in time. A warrior in black armour complete with a cape descended on him. Their swords met with a heavy clash of metal on metal. The energy that ran through each of their blades pulsed, telling of their familiarity. But their wielders ignored them. They pulled back and swung again meeting with evenly matched strikes. The energy around around him surged. He blocked his opponent's blow and reached out to grab him by the neck before lifting him into the air. He then tossed him to the ground with a ferocious roar.

He whipped his head around with his teeth bared and body engulfed in pulsing energy that extended from his core like eerie tendrils. Another warrior walked into sight stepping up onto the open pass that extended just below him. The warrior's armour of red and gold was far more battle worn than his own and there was no trace of his helm. In his hand, was a sword that looked liked it had seen many a war. Behind him laying face down on the ground was his former opponent. The warrior stepped closer without blinking and when he reached the position he wanted stopped and raised his sword shooting a bolt of fire into the air above him.

With a vicious snarl he raised his sword to strike him down but stopped when he sensed the arrival of others. One-by-one, warriors appeared around him in flashes of light. All of them were without their helmets just like their leader and bore the scars of battle. They were breathing heavily but as they surrounded him in a perfect circle, their eyes were focused and weapons raised, confidently pointed at him.

He lashed out with a wave of energy from his sword but it dissipated as each warrior was enveloped in shrouds of energy of their own, except theirs were bright burning hues in comparison. He tried again but failed. Beyond, the fighting slowed to a stop as forces from both sides were distracted by what was happening. The three commanders grappled to their feet and edged closer to help their leader but the buildup of energy was too much for them to break through.

Anger surged through him and the energy around him flared as she glared into the eyes of the warrior surrounded by ruby red energy. His fury only surged as he watched as an energy link extended from one warrior to the next connecting all twelve and creating a circle around him. He was so consumed he didn't notice his previous opponent rise to his feet. He turned but was struck down by a heavily charged sword. He was knocked off balance giving his opponent the chance to strike his blade into the ground, inches from where he stood.

He growled and raised his sword but before he could swing the others fired beams of energy from their weapons into the crystal embedded in the hilt of his opponent's sword. They converged into the sword before a much stronger beam shot into the sky above. The air rippled as the clouds parted and energy circled creating a vortex. A beam of light shot out of it and surrounded those on the ground. He howled in agony as he felt his power slip away from him. He held his sword tighter and looked up into the light howling as the shroud lifted and a cloud of dark energy rose out of him. It continued to swell until it spread out like a dark cloud enveloping everything in sight.

When the light cleared the warrior in golden armour was gone and the vortex sealed the others relaxed releasing the energy they had built up. When they turned around they were shocked to find that all the soldiers friend and enemy alike had been petrified and remained as statues unmoving.

But before they could do anything the consequences of what they had just done took its toll. They swayed in their steps as their armours dissipated and as one they fell to the ground.

Magic is a powerful thing, an energy that breathes life into realms, protects and destroys, poisons and heals. It spans dimensions and worlds keeping them separate yet always connected maintains balance, order and harmony.
To the chosen it grants the power to do amazing, fascinating and extraordinary feats. Every once in a while an individual rises up with power far greater than ever seen before. Consumed by ambition and fueled by hunger for power he/ she wages havoc throughout the realms tipping the scales of harmony and disrupting the balance of the world's leaving in its wake destruction, despair and discord.
However, when evil rises so does good. Noble warriors entrusted with the safety of all others stand firm and rise to the challenge to do what must be done to restore the balance.

But restoring balance comes at a price. One that must be paid by both sides…

Hope you enjoyed it. Please review and share your thoughts.