Chapter One: Staged

"So what realm do you want to visit first?" asked Flame.

"Not really sure." replied Kyle as he and the other rangers looked at the seven portals in front of them.

"I have an idea," said Fiona. "Why don't we decide with eeny-meeny-miny-moe."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea." said Whyatt, nodding his approval. "Let's give it a try, what do we have to lose."

"Eeny-meeny-miny-moe, catch a tiger by the toe, which realm shall we choose to go, eeny-meeny-miny-moe." said the rangers in unison as they stopped and saw they selected the Light Realm.

"Nice!" exclaimed Roxanne. "I've always wanted to know where Illumi is from."

"You take the lead on this one Illumi," said Bolt. "You know the Light Realm better than anyone."

"O.k then." replied Illumi as she began to walk toward the realm portal, but stopped.

"Is something wrong?" asked Roxanne.

"It's nothing Roxie, I'm getting used to being free." replied Illumi as she thought about the two years when she and the other guardians were trapped inside the Geo Stones.

"Yes Illumi, it was a tough time," said Frost as he attempted to comfort her. "But Zakar has been defeated and once more there is peace on Elementia."

"Well said Frost." said Gayle as she pointed toward the Light Realm portal. "Now let's get a move on."

"Thanks you two," said Illumi. "Onward!"

Then the guardians and the rangers entered the portal, and in only a few seconds they arrived, and immediately, they looked in awe at the beauty of the Light Realm, it was bright, warm, and Rinji were everywhere.

"Wow, this place is amazing, but not what I expected." said Krista as she looked over a section of the realm. "But nonetheless, it has a striking resemblance to Earth."

"I agree." added Cyrus. "If it weren't for the Rinji, it'd be difficult to tell the difference."

"Well let's keep on moving," said Illumi as she led the others to an area bustling with Rinji. "This is the Karukan, the shopping area where Rinji buy and sell goods, there's one in every realm."

"That reminds me," said Kyle. "Flame, are all the realms similar to this one?"

"No Kyle," replied Flame. "Each of the seven realms differ from each other in one way or another."

"So, where do you want to go nex…" began Illumi as she was cut off by a loud scream.

"Somebody stop him!" cried the voice from afar.

Soon the rangers and guardians noticed two Rinji, one running after the other, the Rinji chasing the other Rinji was the Rinji who screamed for help, and the Rinji being chased had a purse like object in his hand.

"So, there are purse thieves too." said Fiona.

"What are we just standing here for," said Kyle eagerly. "Let's go help."

"Right." said the rest of the group as they joined Kyle in the chase.

"Wow," said the thief as he mischievously eyed the purse's content. "Not a bad haul, money, keys, and social security numbers."

"Stop right there!" yelled the rangers and guardians.

"Who's there." said the thief as he looked forward, but due to the light, could not make out the faces of the figures in front of him.

"You're going to return that ruze you stole," said Flame as he pointed at the thief's hands, indicating the ruze was the purse like object. "Or we'll make you pay."

"Oh yeah." challenged the thief. "You must not know who I am, because if you did, you wouldn't be making threats."

Then feeling a surge of confidence, the thief began to advance toward the group, but when a nearby building shaded him from the light, he noticed the fourteen figures standing before him, and at once, that confidence left him.

"Forgive me, I didn't know it was you." pleaded the thief as he began to ask for mercy.

"I'm afraid it's too late." said Cyrus and Frost as they used their power to freeze the thief's feet and legs, temporarily disabling him.

"Hey wait, this Rinji looks kind of familiar." said Illumi.

"So, what should we do with hi…" began Gayle as she was cut by a nearby voice.

"Stop right there!" yelled a confident voice as a Rinji descended from the air, then looked around. "Where's Kolchek?"

"He's right here." said Whyatt as the stranger turned to them, revealing his face, which resembled a fox.

"Wait did you say Kolchek," said Illumi as a look of realization dawned on her face. "Now I remember, Kolchek's a wanted criminal."

"So, who are you?" asked Roxanne. "And why are you after Kolchek?"

"Right, allow me to introduce myself," said the stranger. "My name is Riubi, and I was looking for him because I…"

As he began to explain, the owner of the ruze came running over to where everyone was, once she had her ruze back, she went to thank the rangers and guardians.

"Thank you so much." said the Rinji.

"It was our pleasure ma'am." replied Cyrus as the Rinji eyed him.

"Wait, it is you." said the Rinji. "Please, follow me."

"Should I come too?" asked Riubi.

"No, you won't be needed," said the Rinji. "Only those fourteen."

"Oh that's too bad," said Kyle. "Hope we can meet again Riubi."

"Likewise," replied Riubi. "And don't worry, I'll take care of Kolchek."

As the Rinji led the rangers and the guardians through the Karukan, they noticed the crowd around them looked at them with surprise and awe, then the Rinji led them to a pedestal, where from the top, they saw the entire crowd.

"Look everybody!" yelled the Rinji and everyone quieted down. "The legendary Geo Guardians along with the Power Rangers have graced us with their presence, they even captured the infamous Kolchek!"

Then the crowd roared with excitement, first for the capture of Kolchek, one of the most notorious criminals in the entire Light Realm, which has committed crimes of murder, assault, theft, and fraud. Secondly, for the arrival of the Geo Guardians and the Power Rangers, who prevented the destruction of Elementia.

"Wait, I forgot to ask," said Cyrus as he turned to the Rinji. "What's your name?

"Oh yeah," replied the Rinji. "My name's Sayaka."

"Sayaka, I'm confused," said Kyle. "How do you and the Rinji know about the Power Rangers?"

"Well ranger, the seven realms and their inhabitants are quite advanced, so we were able to monitor your fight with Zakar." replied Sayaka.

Then, as the rangers and guardians went to socialize with the Rinji, faraway from the crowd, Riubi led a bound Kolchek to a deserted alleyway.

"That wasn't supposed to happen." said Riubi as he destroyed Kolchek's restraints.

"Relax, I don't see what's the big deal." said Kolchek.

"Don't you get it you fool," said Riubi angrily. "The plan was for you to steal that Rinji's ruze, then I'd come stop you and look like a hero in front of everyone for bringing the infamous Kolchek to justice, but those damned guardians and rangers ruined that plan and took the glory that was meant for me."

"So, what do we do now?" asked Kolchek. "I'm still getting paid...right."

"I don't know." replied Riubi.

"So, it's glory you seek." said an unfamiliar as Riubi and Kolchek turned around to see a figure standing before them.

"Who are you?" asked a startled Kolchek. "You don't look like any Rinji I've seen."

"You can just call me Gryph," said the stranger. "I'm here to help you find what you seek."

"O.k." said Riubi suspiciously. "And how will you do that."

"To obtain glory, my friend, you must obtain power," said Gryph. "Follow me, and I will give you power beyond imagination."

"What reason do we have to trust you?" asked Kolchek.

"Let's just say," began Gryph. "I too have a score to settle with those heroes, so do we have a deal."

"Yes," said Riubi mischievously. "I believe we do."