A/N: Hey guys… So I would like to explain why I suddenly stopped writing more chapters of Knights of Templar. Well simply, I just wasn't feeling motivated to do so. I began to lose interest in Power Rangers in general at the time. Something that happens to me in many cases only for me to have my interest peaked again. And when I came back to this story, I realized how badly written it was. With the grammatical errors and my inability to describe. While my writing isn't perfect, I'm glad to have grown as a writer which each story I've written for fun. So I wanted to return to this story and give it a fresh coat of paint. I've also got a new computer, originally writing this thing on a phone. ( Imagine my struggle ) So I should be able to write more in a shorter amount of time with Summer Break freeing up my schedule. Anyways, I hope you enjoy Power Rangers: Knights Of Templar ( REDUX )
Episode 1: A New Legacy Part 1
He stirred in his sleep, trying to get some rest after a day's training with his father. The boy nearly working himself to death. Although his father insisted that he couldn't keep overworking his body so intensely, he couldn't stop… Not until he was strong enough, strong enough to end this fight. Strong enough to get the nightmares out of his head...
"You will not lay a FINGER on my children."
"Please... spare my children"
"HELP! FATHER!"
"I'm sorry. I'm-I'm sorry."
He had swiftly opened his eyes. As he lifted himself up, he let the pool of sweat drenched down his face and let the distress leave his breath. The only audible sounds were his faint breathes and moaning from beasts in the woods near his home. He grasped his head, bits of his jet black hair in his curled fingers. His chocolate-brown eyes darted around the room, looking at anything that could distract him from that WRETCHED dream.
In the room, there was a wardrobe that stood two inches above his height, 5.6 ft fairly tall for his age. A coat rack that held his favorite red coat that nearly touched the floor. And the most elegant of all, a long crimson red blade that was placed above his queen sized bed. It reflected the moonlight beautifully, it was such a nostalgic sight. The day he got that sword for his birthday, he was practically bouncing all over the place.
It was a comforting sight to see, but not comforting enough to ease his mind. Why did he have to go through that, through the nightmares? Why again? Hasn't he been tortured enough for his mistake? He had to get rid of this feeling.
He had stood up from his bed and stumbled over to their large bathroom. Flicking the faucet to let the water run and repeatedly splashed his face with water in a desperate attempt to wash away the memories and unease.
"Dante? Up so soon?" He turned around, gazing upon a middle aged man supporting himself with the frame of the door. He had the same jet black hair but his was starting to gray, a baggy face that had scars resting on his cheek, forehead, and one that covered his left eye. Leaving only one of his gray eyes untouched.
"Yes... I couldn't find myself being able to sleep properly" The boy, Dante, responded in a voice that was almost too weak to hear as he cocked his head down, letting the drops of water fall to the ground.
"Well then, be sure to go back to your bed. The moon is still above our heads." The man said in a voice groggy and weak. His head slightly spinning his head with his lack of sleep.
"Right, I will dad. It's just..." Dante's voice was caught in his throat, his face turning into a scowl and his teeth began to dig into his lower lip.
"I know, today was the day."
"...Yeah." Dante's voice started to crack. His eyes cast downwards to avoid showing the tears building up. And face struggling not to break into the largest of frowns. After all these years, he still couldn't cope with the guilt.
"Again, it's not your fault what happened. Don't let that bring you down for theirs, mine, and your sake."
"I-I know." The boy whispered out in a stammer, unable to say anything else.
"Good, now be ready when the sun rises over the horizon. For we begin a new chapter of our lives." His father gave a sweet smile to his son before limping back to his bed. But his own eyes began to well up as well, thinking about the day he lost his eldest son and dear wife… Cursing himself for not being able to protect them and having his youngest son deal with the same misery and guilt. But maybe… There would be hope arriving soon.
The force of Templar, a mysterious worldly form of power which he and his ancestors served, had called to him. Telling of new Rangers to take up the mantle of his fallen comrades who he failed to protect.
"Yes, hopefully we found our light in the darkest of times. And may the legacy of the Rangers be kept." He thought to himself out loud as he slipped underneath his sheets before drifting back to sleep.
RING! RING!
The alarm from her phone had caused her to jerk up from her dreams. Unfortunately, it couldn't have wake her up sooner! It was almost time! She had zoomed into the bathroom, putting on deodorant, and quickly washing her hair in the sink. As she looked into the mirror, she realized that the orange dye in her hair had started to fade.
"Guess, I should dye it again... hmm, red? maybe yellow?" Oh why was she thinking about this, she's gonna be late! She snapped out her stupid hair problem, quickly changed out of her pajamas and into the clothes she hung up last night, and ran downstairs to greet her family at downstairs.
She saw her mother next to the sink, presumably just finished up cleaning the dishes after breakfast. And her father watching his favorite cartoon "King Arthur and The Knights of Camelot" alongside her two little brothers. As soon as her feet hit the last step, her mother simply raised up a lunch bag with her back facing her.
"Thanks mom! Bye!" She exclaimed loudly as she sped out the door, there was absolutely no room for stopping at this point. She needed to get to her destination ASAP!
"Good luck on that internship, Izzy!" Her mother had shouted but unfortunately, she was already out of hearing distance. That girl was so energetic… Being able to wake up and rush out the door in a matter of 10 minutes.
RING-RING-CLICK
The girl pulled out her cell phone on the way to the bus stop where her and her three friends agreed to meet at. Her friends Lincoln Vien, Kristina Smith, and Thomas Alfonsi knew each other since sixth grade. Having a small group of four even though they all came from different strokes of life. There was something about them that just clicked with her, they didn't share that many interests but they didn't need to. There was always so comforting to come to something different yet so warm, that was just their friendship.
"Hey guys, where are you?"
"Didn't we say, we would meet up by the bus station?"
"I'm pretty sure we voted on Senior Smoothy."
"No, we aren't stopping for smoothies Tom"
"Aw! C'mon Link! It'll only take a few minutes!"
"Ehehe, I don't think we have enough time thanks to Izzy's slow butt."
"Hey! don't sell me out Kris!"
Luckily for the four, it took about 10 minutes for them to meet up at the bus stop where they could get a few minutes to talk, unfortunately it seemed that they would get less than that. One of them was an asian light-skinned boy with brown hair combed back, dark-rimmed glasses, a blue collared polo and dress pants. Another high school boy with spiked dirty blonde hair and warm ivory skin, a metal chain around his neck, gray jeans, and a black hoodie that said "THRESH" in bold white letters.
Stood beside them was a girl with vanilla fair skin who's auburn hair was tied up in a short high ponytail that stopped at her neck, she was wearing a pink bomber jacket, and denim jean shorts with a floral design on the hips. As for "Izzy" she ran here in an open yellow wool sweater, white bleached jeans, and white t-shirt, and faded orange hair that had looked like a crow's nest.
She was exhausted. DAMN was she exhausted. It's like they INTENTIONALLY picked a spot where she would struggle to get to like they wanted to TORTURE her.
"Well, glad you're here." Said the boy with glasses. "You know, we have been standing here for a while now Isabelle. We could have finished a marathon before you got here"
Oh yeah, they did. They totally meant to torture her. He even threw in her full name in the most obnoxious tone he could have made... like a prick.
"Well, Lincoln. Unlike you, I actually DID run a marathon. Not like you could actually run one yourself... Those twigs you call legs would snap before the first minute." She replied in an obviously exasperated tone. Trying to get the same mocking voice he did when she referred to him in his full name.
Before Lincoln could get a word in. Thomas had to remind everyone the elephant in the room.
"GUYS, WE GOTTA GO!"
"Hey, whats- oH CRAP, HE'S RIGHT! WE HAVE 5 MINUTES TO GET TO THE INTERVIEW!" exclaimed Kristina in a sudden panic.
The four had rushed into the building where their interview for internship would be held. Luckily it was only about a block away from the bus stop. However, it seemed like Lincoln's legs WERE on the verge of snapping. Man is karma such a wonderful thing.
"Ah, ah, ah. Damn, my aching legs..." Link whimpered as he began rubbing his calves. This display left Izzy with a victorious grin that spread from ear to ear. The four were sitting in the lobby of the small one-story building, waiting for their interviews. It had the scent of cinnamon around the room and the color crimson surrounded them that decorated the building in a beautiful display.
"So are we the only ones for the internship?" Kris attempted to change the subject but it was clear she was struggling to keep a straight face seeing her friend's suffering. The four were offered the job of assistants in an email from Aston Tech, an electronic industry which had its main office here in Everhart City.
"Hmm, seems so. Man just look at this guy's lobby. Can't wait to see his what's in his office." While saying this, Tom had begun looking at everything in the lobby. Statues, paintings, a bear rug that looked like it would come alive and actually eat you. But what stood out, as if it drew the four in with it's supernatural aura, was a portrait of 5 people in colored costumes that rose swords that held gems in their hilt to the sky in prideful postures.
"Hey, guys! C'mon over here!" Tom demanded, hustling over to the portrait in break neck speed to admire the details of its contents.
The three had made their way to where Tom stood, at his behest. Though Link had needed to be helped from the girls as his twig legs were still hurt. Izzy and Kris slowly dragging him over to their giddy friend
"What is it? You find anything 'cool'?" Link asked with a face of irritation on it, rubbing his pained legs as he scowled towards his friend.
"Yeah! Check out the photo! This guy has a photo of the Power Rangers!" exclaimed Tom in a
jovial tone as he raised his fist in the air in a theatrical fashion. He always loved the Power Rangers, collecting memorabilia in his room and always unafraid to show his love for the multicolored superheroes.
"Look how cool they are! FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE AND ALL THAT IS GOOD!" Tom had said in a voice akin to those 60's superhero cartoons. This proud full display of fanboyism had brought slight smiles to their faces. However, something stood out.
"Hey, which team is this one?" asked Kris, the girl hiking a finger towards the portrait with a tilt of her head in confusion.
The rangers in the frame had 5 members, the Black, Blue, Yellow, Pink, and of course the Red Ranger. But the design of their outfits was unfamiliar. They had white crucifix shapes around the chest. A white coloration on the arm sleeves. And a visor that resembles medieval knight's helmets.
"Maybe, it's a recent team? I mean like a few weeks recent?" Izzy reasoned, shrugging her shoulders in confusion. Maybe it was a bit of a stretch but it seemed the most reasonable to her.
"No, if we had just gotten another team of rangers the news would be on that like Kris and those Twilight books..." Tom jabbed, his face still stern even after making a joke about his friend. This little jab at her personal taste caused Kristina's face to turn redder than the apple on the cover of said Twilight books.
"Sh-Shut up! We all have our things! Like you and your Power Ranger obsession!" She returned, so what if she liked that series of books? She liked romance and people shouldn't judge her for it!
But before this conversation could spiral further. A bell had rung, signaling them to enter the man in charge's office. The door swinging open on command without anyone pushing them, causing the four to look at each other in confusion before shrugging it off and walking into office.
As they walked into his office, they gazed upon a man who looked to be in his 40's with dark black hair that had bits of gray strands that was slicked back with gel. His bagged face was covered in a thin veil of makeup, making him look almost unrealistic. And the strangest choice to his attire was an eyepatch that laid over his left eye. This guy looked like a Bond Villain...
"Please, take a seat." He said in a strong yet comforting voice. He gestured over to four bean bag chairs. Black, yellow, blue, and pink. Tom, Izzy, Link, and Kris sat in those respective colors. As they were digging their butts into the bags, they started to see more of the decor in his office.
Above their employer, was a shield with two swords at its sides. There was a mounted head of a dragon behind them. It almost looked like it could suddenly breathe a devastating flame over them at anytime. And much like the lobby, the same portrait of the same Rangers had been hung up on the wall. And much like before, it had been the most prominent detail in the room even with the many eye catching decor that surrounded the room.
"So, shall I introduce myself?" inquired the eye patched man, cracking a smile towards the four teens.
"Uh, no need. We know who you are Mr. Aston." Kris responded with a timid voice.
"Then, let's get to the meat of things. Do you know want I'm hiring for?"
"You're looking for interns who can help you with your business," answered Izzy, giving a small shrug as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Yes, that is true. Now I'm going to ask you something, why do you want to work for me?" questioned Mr. Aston with the slightest raise of his brow.
"We heard you could open doors for us... heard that you could lead us places," replied Link as he pushed up his glasses. This man was the most powerful person here in their city. He was rich, he owned several chains of businesses, and working under him could look really good on a resume.
"Well, you've heard right. But I can only lead you to that door, it's your job to open it."
Aston had then gestured the Ranger portrait. When he did, it almost looked as if it started to glow with that same aura from before.
"Do you know of the Power Rangers?"
This little inquiry had caused Tom to stand from his black bag faster than the speed of sound.
"OH HELL YEAH! You ARE a fan of them! See! I'm a fan, you're a fan..." The boy rapidly pointed towards the man and himself, trying to emphasise the point that they are similar in this regard. This little burst of excitement had caused giggles from those in the room. But Tom still stood with the same wide grin that reached his ears, becoming contagious as that grin reached Mr. Aston.
"I wouldn't necessarily say I'm a fan, but I am associated with Power Rangers." The man warmly smiled, placing his chin onto the back of his folded hands.
And just like that, the four had thrown anyway their smiles and held faces of confusion as the man continued his strange proposal.
"Now, I am going to be straightforward. This internship...involves you four to carry on the legacy of the Power Rangers. I need a team of Rangers chosen by the force which my people call 'Templar'. Your people call it… the Morphing Grid, I believe? Soon, there's going to be a threat to the world. And I need you four to help save not only my home, but yours as well. Will you accept?" The man said boldly, his face stern as he straightened his back. Confidant and serious as he asked the four teens.
All that was heard throughout the room was silence... The four teens left in awestruck with what their employer just blurted out. Then suddenly...
"NO WAY!"
"um..."
"That's crazy..."
"Well, this guy's coco for Coco Puffs. I'll be leaving now. See ya..."
"I know it's an odd thing to say here, let me show-" The man pulled out a briefcase, ready to explain a little more into detail until he was cut off.
"Like I said, I'm leaving-"
But as soon as Link stood up, a flash of white light engulfed the room around them. Blinding the four. But as it shined, Mr. Aston called out the four one last time.
"Sorry but I need all four of you! Don't worry you won't be hurt!" His voice echoed past the screams of surprise that arose from the four, the room disappearing as the light engulfed them in it's brilliant glow.
As the light had finally started to fade away, they were no longer in the same office they were in a few seconds ago. Instead, they were stranded in a forest that cast little light from the tree tops. Absolutely no color was present here. The whispers of winds and the chirping of the birds fill their ears. There was a cold breeze that licked their skins and shook their bones.
"Wh-where are we?!" stammered Izzy, shivering at the sudden change of scenery and all around atmosphere of this place.
"So much for that guy being crazy..." retorted Tom with the clearest expression of wonder shown on his face as he looked around their new location.
"Ok, maybe that guy did have something related to the Power Rangers " Link admitted with a shake of his head. "But that doesn't mean that I want anything to do with them..."
As soon as Link's words left his mouth. The tree branches began to rattle and a shadow flew overhead of them.
"You sure about that? C'mon... You're gonna miss out. Not everyone can say that they were a Ranger..." The voice sounded young, cocky, and full of energy as it laughed at the four.
"Huh? Is someone here? Hey, could you help us!?" Kris pleaded to the unknown voice, hoping that they would get them back home.
"Sure... first you gotta prove to me that you mean business." the voice revealed himself, a blur of red jumping out from the trees and landing in front of them.
As his feet hit the ground, the four were able to examine him. He was a ranger… a Red Ranger, looking like the same ranger in the portrait from before. A white cross on his chest, sleeves that were white, a helmet akin to that of a knight, and in his arms were swords that held colored gems in his hilt.
"Heya, guys. Let's see what ya got.." the figure said with the most confident of nods, sending the swords flying towards the four. The four staggered back in surprise as each one pierced deep into the ground in front of them. Leaving the four teens on their backs as they shivered in fear of the danger in front of them.
"W-what the hell!" Izzy squealed out. The girl hugging Kris' arm for comfort as the Ranger had pulled a similar sword that he threw at them, slowly walking towards them as he pointed it towards them. He cocked his head back, almost looking smug as he inched closer and closer.
"Come on… Gonna die without a fight?" He egged them on with a voice lined with contempt. He curled his fingers of his left hand, taunting the four to come at him. He slowed his pace and slightly lowered his sword hand. Probably trying to drink in their fears…
'Like hell you're gonna!' Tom mentally yelled, pulling the sword out of the ground that was in front of him. He wasn't gonna die like this! He was… He was a Power Ranger! And there was no way he was gonna back down to this fake!
Although it looked heroic, seeing him rush forward and pull out a sword out of the ground to defend his friends. It COULD have looked more heroic if he didn't swing the sword around like a hammered old man that couldn't see what was in front of him. The Red Ranger awkwardly parrying his swings without any trouble, almost confused as the blonde didn't bother changing his swing pattern.
"Come on guys! Grab a sword and fight!" Tom roared, still swinging like a blind batter trying desperately hit a tee ball. His friends gave him the most dumbstruck of faces at his suggestion, looking at him like he just sprouted another head.
"A-are you serious?! Come on, let's just run!" Kris shrieked as the three pick themselves up, waiting for Tom to run away with them. But he instead continued to swing around the blade at the Ranger. They shifted in their place, they could run away but… Tom would die. Wouldn't he? Leave their friend to die protecting them... Who could ever do that?
"Damn it!" Link growled in frustration, being the first of the three to grab a blade with the girls not following too far behind. Tom flashing a wide smile as they pushed the Ranger back, frantically hacking away at him only for him to parry it back. Seeing that this same routine was getting too old too quick, he took the hilt of his blade and swept their legs. Sending the four flat on their backs. He inched the tip of his blade closer to their throats, chuckling at their shivers.
"Hm. You guys are pretty bad at this… Come on! Give up and let me end your miserable lives quick!" He cocked his head back and cackled maliciously. Giving a swift kick of the dirt to cover them in it, taunting them even further.
"S-shut the hell up!" Link hissed through his teeth, slowly picking himself up. The other three following his example with intense glares. They weren't gonna die to some stupid interview gone wrong!
"We're not gonna die! Especially not to some random asshole like you!" Izzy bit back, slamming a closed fist into the dirt.
"Yeah! We're not going down so easily!" Kris jumped in, finding a surge of confidence as the four held onto their swords.
"Because… WE'RE POWER RANGERS!" Tom yelled out, his voice being heard from the heavens. And on command, the gems in their swords began to glow in their individual bright colors. Causing their wielders to shield their eyes from it's intensity.
"What the-" The sound thunder boomed throughout the forest, cutting off the Red Ranger mid sentence. But before anyone could speak next, four bolts of lightning rained down on the four in colors that glowed the same color as their gems. The four screaming in pain… only to realize, they weren't in pain? It felt like… they were given strength. The weight on their shoulders began to lighten and their bodies began to feel more energized.
As the light faded from their bodies, the teens from before were no longer there. In Link's place, there was the Blue Knight Ranger. In Tom's place, there was the Black Knight Ranger. In Izzy's place, there was the Yellow Knight Ranger. And in Kris' place, there was the Pink Knight Ranger.
They did it, just like Mr. Aston said. They were Power Rangers. And… It… Was… AWESOME.
"DUDE, DUDE, DUUUDE… we're power rangers..." Tom squealed out as he faced Link, his voice unable to handle his excitement. He began to bounce up and down, his dreams finally coming true!
"Hmm… Izzy! You look great!" Kris bobbed her head as she faced her friend, who was currently awkwardly shifting in the tight spandex outfit they were in.
"I… don't know, I'm not sure if the whole skirt thing suits me." The girl tugged at the end of the yellow skirt that came with her Ranger form, she was never a fan of skirts because she always thought they looked weird and just all around didn't feel right on her. Her friend shaking her head in disagreement at her awkward state.
"Really? I think it looks cute-"
"Guys… Focus on guy trying to kill us." Link pointed towards the Red Ranger, expecting the guy to be cowering in fear with the threat of four rangers and not ready for their power- was he giggling? He was currently trying to suppress himself from breaking out into a giddy fit of laughter. 'Damn cocky son of a bitch!' Link mentally growled at their enemy, burning up at his presumably mocking.
"Alright! This party is getting crazy!" The opposing Ranger pumped a fist up in the air, stretching out his right arm with sword in hand. His opponents flinching back in surprise seeing it suddenly ignite in a large veil of red flames, the four becoming more in shock seeing the flames dissipate only to reveal a larger red claymore in the place of the one handed sword. He gripped the large blade in both of his hands, raising it to the sky with great excitement. "Let's rock!"
The four stood shoulder to shoulder, readying the grip onto their swords with fierce postures which mirrored the Red Ranger's devil may care stance. Holding his large blade over his shoulder and his head cocked back. The four bolted towards the Red Ranger, Tom taking the first swing at him. Aiming for his legs only for his opponent to block it with the tip of his large blade, then retaliating with a swift kick to the ankles that knocked him down to the floor.
Kris followed up with a series of thrusts of her blade, each one being blocked by the flat end of his claymore. Izzy joined in and made an attempt to get behind him at slash at his back while Kris distracted him, however he took notice of her. Kicking Kris in the chest, knocking her down as well and grabbing a hold of Izzy's wrist.
"L-let me go, you bastard!" She aimed her fist into head with great fury, but her fist was caught into his other hand. Izzy made an attempt to kick him with her knees, however he quickly positioned his feet to prevent her from moving her legs. The two Ranger's getting… uncomfortably close to each other. Izzy made an attempt to squirm of her position, only for the Red Ranger to strengthen his hold on her.
"T-this is not something I enjoy either… Sorry, I'll make it up to you guys. I promise." The Red Ranger meekly whispered, catching the girl off guard with how out of character this guy was. She saw him suddenly cocked his head back in surprise, almost like he accidentally let that slip out from his mouth.
"What are you-" She was interrupted when she heard Link's roar as he charged with his sword. The Red Ranger hearing this also, quickly separating from the girl and tossing himself out of the way. The Blue Ranger unable to stop his charge but was able to stop his attack, only crashing into the girl instead of slashing at her with his sword. Leaving the Yellow Ranger grumbling as he slid off of her.
"Ugh… Link…" Izzy growled at the Blue Ranger as the four of them regrouped, still rubbing their bruises as the Red Ranger was completely unharmed. Completely silent as he faced them, his blade lowered and head tilting to the side.
"Guys… Maybe we should start working together? I mean we aren't gonna beat this guy if we just rush at him one and a time." Tom suggested as he gingerly rubbed his shoulder that crashed to the ground.
"Okay... " Link exasperatedly breathed out, raising his weapon towards their opponent. He whispered his plan to the three in the most hushed voice he could make with his exhausted state. He gave a quick bob of his head, signaling Izzy and Kris.
The two girls began hacking at the Red Ranger's left and right sides, forcing him to be on the defense. The Ranger transforming his claymore back into his shorter sword and began parrying the girl's swings. Tom rushed in, sliding underneath the Ranger's legs and began joining in on slashing at their enemy from behind. Link bounced upwards, spiraling down and finally landing a hit on him as he landed back to the ground. Causing him to stagger back, opening the other three to whale on him.
"Gragh! Augh! GRAAUUuuughhh…" Sparks sent flying with each swipe away until the Ranger collapsed to the ground. The four giving small celebrations as they saw him fall to the ground unconscious.
"H-haaa… H-haa… We-we did it!" Kris weakly raised her arms in celebration as the four stumbled backwards, away from their prey.
"First bad guy we ever took down as Rangers! ….And it was another Ranger. Huh, weird." Tom noted, rubbing the chin of his helmet. Kinda ironic that their first enemy wasn't an enemy but another Ranger. A Red Ranger to boot. "But way to go team! We did it!"
"Yeah, yeah okay. But we have a problem on our hands." Link muttered, kicking the dirt a bit in dissatisfaction when he came to the realization of the biggest problem that they had. His friends taking into question with what he meant. His words leaving them completely dumbstruck.
"How are we going to get out of this place?"
"..."
"..."
"... OH GOD, HE'S RIGHT!" Izzy shrieked aloud, her hands clamping onto the sides of her helmet in fear. "HE NEVER TOLD US WHAT TO DO! HE JUST DUMPED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!-"
"Izzy! Calm down! Geez... " Tom clapped the girl's shoulders in reassurance, surprised to see her in a completely terror-stricken state. Shivering and shrieking at the top of her lungs with their situation. Luckily, he had the solution.
"We have someone, whether he would like to or not, to help… us?" Okay, the solution was gone… He turned his head to where they left the Red Ranger's unconscious body. Only to realize that he wasn't as unconscious as they thought, walking away when they weren't looking. Aanndd… Izzy was shivering again with their last hope just disappearing out of thin air. Kris hugging the girl to hopefully calm her down.
"Great… Just great…" Link shook his head with hands on his hips, all he wanted was a small job for a multi-million dollar company and yet this had to happen. Dying in a random forest in the middle of nowhere in a spandex costume. Not exactly how he pictured how he was going out…
While his friends were contemplating the rest of their lives in this place, Tom looked over to the spot where the Red Ranger was. Inspecting the bits of foliage that once held the outline of his body closer. Underneath the leaves and twigs, he saw a piece of brown parchment paper. Pulling it out and brushing off the dirt, he saw a detailed drawing of locations with a black trail curving through them. A large red X being placed onto a drawing of a forest and a red circle that was around a large village.
"Hey guys! I think I found something useful!" Tom gently waved around the map, trying his hardest not to rip the thing as he showed his friends.
"A map? Let's see… Wait! This is where we're at!" Kris gasped, pointing at the large X with a hopeful smile that was underneath her helmet.
"And that means… we head here?" Izzy questionably pointed to the village that was circled in red, but still hopeful in finding a way out of this place.
"Welp, it's the only option we have…" Link shrugged, taking the map from Tom's hands and started walking towards the destination on the map with his friends following close behind. Little did they know, someone else was also following behind them.
"Yo, Dante here…" The boy picked up his communicator as he gingerly rubbed his bruises that his soon-to-be teammates gave him. Man, they weren't exactly good at fighting but they sure did show that they had power.
"Dante, are you alright? Are you wounded?" His father asked with a shaken voice, seeing his son get hacked away at through his monitor.
"Yeah, nothing too big. But man… they really stomped me. But they seemed like nice people, you think they're gonna hate me for this?"
"No, I'll make sure to have any malice directed towards me. You don't need to worry about them not liking you, son."
"That's good… I always wanted friends my age."
"Mm. But let's focus on the mission, you need to stay close behind them and make sure they're on the right path. It's likely that our enemies' forces will find them and you need to be with them when that happens."
"Right, but… Are you sure I'm ready to… to lead a team?" Dante's voice began to croak, his inferiority complex showing itself as he thought back to his role as the Red Ranger. As a leader who would have to be responsible and work with his team.
"I've taught you all I can, my son. But being a leader is not something that can be taught, you must be willing to learn and to fail. And you must have the strength to learn from those failures, and these kids… you must be willing to learn and fail with them."
"R-right…" He had no other way to respond to that, only being able to just affirm his father's words.
"You've given these kids the confidence, now you must give them the chance to give them your trust and you them."
"Got it, bye dad…" He hung up his communicator, giving an anxious sigh before following behind the other four Rangers.
"This might be… my most difficult challenge yet."
A/N: So anyone reading this, thank you for returning to this story and giving me another chance to make a better story. I also have some arcs planned and I want to try to keep a steady pace for them. My plans for this story is more edgier than the actual franchise but not to a point where you'll see blood and gore with each chapter or tormenting characters. It will have some swearing and some blood along with a certain arc which will be filled psychological conflict. But on that note, I'll see you next time.