I'm not sure if disclaimers are really necessary for this one. While it is a Super Sentai fanfic, it's merely based off the concept, while the more fine details are original. And while there is some inspiration from Monster Musume, it's only using the monsters as a basis and shares nothing in common from it. Still, to be safe I will say that I don't own Super Sentai.
Epic 1: The Kingdom of Darkness
In a court of glowing white prisms, an elderly man in white robes and carrying a staff spoke to a group of people in similar dress as he gazed into a reflecting pool. "Our world is imperiled by forces beyond most. The Dark Overlord, Zarbor, has sought twelve ancient and powerful crystals. With their power at his disposal, he could easily subjugate all that we hold dear, holding the world in his hands." The man turned to the crowd. "But fear not, for there is a prophecy. Very soon, the Chosen will arrive and liberate us from Zarbor's dark machinations. We need only stand back, and allow destiny to take its course."
At the same time, in a shining kingdom, many people were gathered in a local marketplace, going about their day-to-day business. Just then, a giant capsule landed in the middle of the square, mercifully avoiding hitting anyone. Emerging from the capsule was a rather large warrior covered in black armor. The people looked on in shock as the warrior brandished his sword. "Good people of this kingdom," he said in deep voice, "I am the Black Knight. I am here to retrieve the mystic crystals from your leader. Do not attempt to feign ignorance or try to protect your leader from my righteous judgement."
To prove his point, the Black Knight slammed his sword in the crowd, then twisted it so that it tore up a chunk of the area. Just then, five young adults, three men and two women, rushed in from the crowd. "So you've shown up at last," the man in middle of the group said, "You trespass upon our father's lands. I am Jarrek, the Crown Prince of this kingdom." One by one, each of Jarrek's siblings stepped forward as he approached them. "This is Nathaniel, Aeita, Terrance, and Olivier. Brothers and sisters, let's show this Black Knight what he came for... The hard way."
The got out their swords, each bearing an animal head on the hand guard. Then each of them brought a differently colored crystal. The Black Knight reacted with shock. "The crystals I seek..." Jarrek inserted his red crystal into his Snake Sword, Nathaniel inserted his blue crystal into his Bird Sword, Aeita inserted her yellow crystal into her Horse Sword, Terrance inserted his green crystal into his Sphere Sword, and finally Olivier inserted her pink crystal into her Fish Sword. Together they got out their scabbards, and called out, "Dark Change!" Sheathing their swords, they were surrounded by brilliant energy, causing Black Knight to shield his eyes.
When the light faded, the five siblings were now dressed in multicolored costumes. They were form fitting, and trimmed with chrome armor pieces, the helmets having stylized animal symbols. Jarrek pulled out his Snake Sword and did a quick pose. "Red Lamia!" Nathaniel followed suit. "Blue Harpy!" Aeita was next. "Yellow Centaur!" Then Terrance. "Green Slime!" Finally came Olivier. "Pink Mermaid!" Together they pulled off a group pose. "Kaiju Sentai Darkranger!" The Black Knight scoffed. "So, you are the Darkrangers I have heard so much about from my master. No matter, my sword skills are far superior to yours."
He charged at the Sentai heroes, who proved to be quite skilled at swordplay. Multiple times, the Sentai had to get people out of the way. They pulled some impressive moves that served to throw Black Knight off his guard. Finally, he found himself winded and staggering backwards. "I will retreat for this round. But know this, when next we meet, I will have the those crystals." And with that, he got back in his capsule, which rocketed off. The five siblings untransformed. "So it's finally begun," Terrance said to his older brother, "Should have known they'd be drawn to them."
Jarrek nodded. "We'd best prepare for a long war. Black Knight's masters won't take defeat lightly." Olivier looked around. "We'd best make sure no one was badly injured." The five siblings nodded. As they did, their actions were observed by the very Overlord mentioned at the gathering, Zarbor, through a mystical mirror. "The crystals hold more power than I could have imagined. With that power, all dreams can be made possible." He waved his hand to dispel the image, then settled into his throne, a grin on his face.
At the white court, the people were muttering about the recent battle. An armored warrior stepped up to the reflecting pool and addressed the old man who gave the speech. "Master Auras, with the recent battle... Should we be concerned...?" "There is nothing to worry about," Auras said calmly, "Justice and righteousness are on our side. They are our greatest assets. Trust in the prophecy, for it will guide towards the path of light, and lead this world out of the shadows." He patted the warrior on the shoulder and returned to the reflecting pool. The warrior didn't seem so convinced of Auras' words, but nonetheless walked off.
The next day, the capsule returned, with Black Knight emerging to see the Darkrangers already there to greet him. "We suspected you'd return," Jarrek said with a nod, "Let's go!" The siblings got out their swords and sheathed them, calling out, "Dark Change!" After transforming, they called out their color one-by-one. "Red Lamia!" "Blue Harpy!" "Yellow Centaur!" "Green Slime!" "Pink Mermaid!" Pulling out their swords, they pulled off a group pose. "Kaiju Sentai Darkranger!" "I won't go so easy on you this time!," Black Knight as he crossed swords with Jarrek, only to get pushed back and then double slashed by Aeita and Olivier.
Nathaniel and Terrance then leapt over Jarrek, their brother letting them use his shoulders as springboards. Together, they brought their swords down upon Black Knight. As the Black Knight staggered to his feet, the five siblings lined up and brandished their swords. "Let's go," they said in unison, "Five Point Star Slash!" The siblings each slashed in a different direction, the energy waves creating a five-point star that exploded upon Black Knight, causing him to collapse as energy crackled around him, finally igniting and destroying him. However, a brilliant burst of light shown down upon the fallen warrior, reviving him and enlarging him to gigantic size.
"Oh boy," Aeita said, "We should have seen this coming." "Brother," Nathaniel said, "I think it's time." Jarrek nodded. "Let's show this knight our own power." From within his chamber, Zarbor called out, "Raise the Colosseum!" A massive stone Colosseum emerged from the ground, surrounding a wide area around the Black Knight, which the people flocked into. Meanwhile, the siblings called out, "War Beast Mechs! Arise!" From various doors at the base of the Colosseum, five mechanical animals emerged. The siblings each jumped into one of these Mechs.
"Red Snake!" "Blue Bird!" "Yellow Horse!" "Green Sphere!" "Pink Fish!" The Red Snake coiled around Black Knight, squeezing him hard, while the Blue Bird flew in and scratched the warrior with its talons. Black Knight managed to get free, only to be bucked hard by the Yellow Horse. "Let's bring them together, siblings!," Jarrek said. The five of them called out, "Kaiju Combination!" The Red Snake split into two parts, while the Yellow Horse folded in on itself and attached to the two halves, which folded up into feet. The Blue Bird folded in its wings and tail, and together with the Pink Fish attached to the sides of the Yellow Horse, both Mechs sprouting hands.
Finally, the Green Sphere attached to the top of the Yellow Horse, unfolding in a manner resembling a knight's helmet with a human-like face under the unfolded part. Standing on five platforms inside the giant Mech's cockpit, the siblings called out, "Let's go! Dark-Oh!" The newly formed Dark-Oh pulled out its sword as the crowd that had gathered in the Colosseum cheered and roared, while Black Knight looked around in confusion. Finally noticing the attacking Mech, he quickly blocked with his own sword, but felt it crack under the weight of the Mech's blade combined with its strength.
"Not looking so strong now," Jarrek said, "Let's finish this." The siblings brandished their blades and called out in unison, "Final Strike! Surge Blade!" The Mech's sword glowed with energy from the crystals, and the Mech swung the blade down hard onto Black Knight, effortlessly cleaving through his armor. Once the energy surged through him, the Black Knight fell, and was destroyed once and for all by the energy surging around him. The crowd's cheers rose even higher as the Mech planted its sword in the ground and raised its arms in triumph. "Victory for the kingdom!," Jarrek said, pleased with how the battle went.
The five entered the court of the kingdom's ruler, and knelt. A voice came from behind the throne, which was turned away from them. "You have done well," the voice said, "But Black Knight was only the first. Others will come seeking the power we have obtained. But as long you continue to grow stronger, I have every confidence that you can overcome any enemy." The siblings nodded, Jarrek adding, "Thank you, father." The throne turned around, revealing Zarbor to be sitting there. "You are most welcome, my beloved son." He smiled warmly, confident his children would continue to protect the kingdom he had crafted using the crystals' power.
To be continued...
What!? The Overlord we've heard of is this story's mentor!? Yeah, ain't that a twist. We'll see more in the next chapter. Until then, read and review.