POWER RANGERS MYTHIC KNIGHTS
EPISODE 33: Fracture
WRITTEN BY ZAK KAYES, JOEY TURNER, AND JIMMY MAEHER
(ARCANA'S LAIR)
(While Xavious had been making new foot soldiers and reclaiming his throne in the long six months, Arcana had mysteriously vanished. After his fight with JT and nearly being destroyed, Arcana wasted no time in working to get back his strength. And despite having the clear upper hand with his plan succeeding in destroying Grieger, Centaurion, AND his mind games successfully putting a fracture in the team, there was a newfound and unfamiliar anger inside Arcana as he gathered souls. For months he had scoured the Nether and the Earth, stealing souls to bring himself back to power. And he was nearly finished. Standing in the middle of the room, Arcana watched the fight against Nebulai unfold, his arms crossed with one hand going up to stroke along his new beard. He watched with amusement before turning his head lightly, sensing something. A shadowy figure emerged from the shadows with a Cursed Blade. Arcana quickly summoned his Cursed Blade and blocked the strike with one hand. He smirked, watching the cloaked figure try to deal slash after slash to him with each slash blocked. Arcana sidestepped and spun himself around, clocking the figure in the back of the head with a reverse roundhouse kick.)
?: Urgh… (The figure had a feminine sounding voice, slightly distorted.) So, you're getting your strength back quicker than I thought, master.
ARCANA: One's strength is only measured by their own perception. (He rested the blade on his shoulder.) You are only as strong as you perceive…Ziara.
ZIARA: …Wise words. (She nodded under her hood and stood up straight.) I'll be ready. I tire of just sitting back watching the Knights get stronger and resting when we should be able to strike them down when they are…
ARCANA: Patience, my apprentice. We've been over this. Though amusing it would be to level the playing field, in order to win this war though…we NEED them. And as I recall, even at your strongest, it took only ONE Knight to defeat you, by your former apprentice no less.
ZIARA: THAT WAS… (She growled.) That will not happen again, not in this lifetime.
ARCANA: We shall see. (He turned his head and looked back to Ziara.) …however, we may have company.
(Without warning, maniacal laughter filled the room as a shadowy figure began to materialize. A pair of red eyes appeared at first in a cloud of dark smoke before a familiar evil jester appeared in the room.)
YURANZO (He breathed in the air and exhaled, stretching his arms out): Ugh, being trapped in a statue for almost six months will give you such a crick in the neck! Again, I just wanna thank you for releasing me, Arcana. It feels SOOOOO good to be able to scratch under the belt again! (He cracked his neck and looked to Arcana.) Nice place you got here. I'm digging the whole "forbidden village" hideout.
ARCANA: Let's cut the pleasantries, Yuranzo. I believe, as the humans of this time would say, "you owe me." And what I asked for in in return was information…on Xavious.
YURANZO: Ahhh, right, right…the new "King" who had me fitted for concrete sleeves!
ARCANA: What have you learned?
YURANZO: Well, other than redecorating the place and upping security, not much. He's been creating these all new foot soldiers called Demonoids. (He pouted.) YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE DEMONS DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T HAVE COPYRIGHTING!
ARCANA: And you can't just create more Demonites because…
YURANZO: …oh I still can. But they'd take quite a long time to produce. And time, well, she ain't been too friendly to me. Ya couldn't have broken me out any sooner? Why now? You know what it's like being STUCK FOR SIX MONTHS?!
ARCANA (He just held up his blade): Try years being stuck in a cursed blade, then Sondre's psyche, and THEN come talk to me. (Yuranzo just smiled sheepishly.) And I didn't release you sooner because your role in this game is a lot smaller than you would like to believe. Anything else?
YURANZO: Hmm, let's see. There were the demonites, talk of the Titans, two of the neighboring prisoners were getting frisky… eww, ooh! And apparently the big, bad king is getting help from the outside: a human, to be precise.
ARCANA: And his name?
YURANZO: No idea, all I could make out was one word, repeated over and over: …Spectre.
ARCANA (For once his expression changed from annoyance to intrigue to confusion): Really… it's nothing more than a myth, a dark fable. And even if it were true, why would he be working with Xavious?
YURANZO: Hey, I'm just the messenger here buddy. Now what about the Power Rangers? I hear tell they were FINALLY destroyed!
ARCANA: Well…
YURANZO: FINALLY! Those stupid little brats finally met someone they couldn't stop! And Xavious brought a Titan to destroy them I heard. Well it's about time! I would've used one… if I had the key… and if they took me seriously, but WHO CARES?! The Mythic Knights are out of our hair forever!
ARCANA: They're alive.
YURANZO: …you say what now?
(Arcana smirked and motioned his hand to the crystal ball, replaying the events of the Dragon Knights destroying Nebulai.)
YURANZO: W-WHAT?! Oh COME ON! WHY CAN'T THESE KIDS JUST DIE ALREADY!? (He glared at Arcana.) You PROMISED me no more Mythic Knights!
ARCANA: That IS what was written, Yuranzo. The MYTHIC KNIGHTS were destroyed yet here they stand, stronger than ever before as DRAGON KNIGHTS. (He crossed his arms.) Whatever path they will follow, it will lead to an ending they won't be able to cheat their way out of.
YURANZO: …I hate technicalities, I REALLY do! (He drew his Red Psycho Sword.) Whatever, I'll just have to destroy these new "Dragon Knights" myself.
(Yuranzo was suddenly silenced once he felt the Cursed Blade right near his face.)
ARCANA: …Unless you want to be vanquished like Nebulai, you would do well to remember who the REAL enemy is. Xavious is our enemy, NOT the Knights.
YURANZO: …can't I at least destroy the stupid one?
ARCANA: In due time we shall, make no mistake. But right now, Xavious will waste his time and efforts to destroy the Knights while you, Yuranzo, will be my eyes and ears into the castle.
YURANZO (Groaned): I gotta work for that SNOB? (He pointed to himself.) But I wanna be my OWN snob! I even have my own cult….that's slowly dying.
ARCANA: Yes, but you're also a master spy. Don't think I don't know about how you sneak back into the castle to see what Grieger was up to. So when you're not busy with your cult, tell me if anything new develops.
YURANZO (He moved his sword up and moved Arcana's blade away): You say it like I have options.
ARCANA: How many lives do you possess again?
YURANZO: …touché. Very well then, I'll keep you posted … (Teasingly) BFF!
(Yuranzo looked to Ziara and her hood and stared at her for a second before shivering, then dematerializing into the shadows.)
ZIARA: Please tell me you don't trust that clown, master?
ARCANA: No Ziara, I would not trust that fool unless I knew he was of some value. With someone like Yuranzo however, perhaps defeating Xavious will not be as hard as I thought…
(OPENING CREDITS)
(DRAGON STABLES)
(Down in the dragon's new stables, the five dragons sat in their respective stalls, each one reading one of the books on transportation magic Alexis gave them. They hoped that at least one of these books would provide a key to helping create a portal to their old lair. They each hoped they would be able to bring their father to this new base of theirs, knowing their father could guide them on their new path to victory.)
PRISMIO: Um, anyone find anything useful?
LUCERNA: No, but I think I found a way to fix that whole "Bermuda Triangle" fiasco.
GLACIEM: Leave it to you to read into legends and myths, huh sister?
LUCERNA: Sorry but this sort of thing fascinates me! The unknown, the unreal, the supernatural, haven't any of you wondered? (They all looked at her weirdly.) …or am I the only one who DOES believe in human myths?
ARBUSTO: Perhaps you are, Lucerna. I'm just surprised at all this knowledge! There are so many intricate and fascinating spells. If Alexis has mastered all these spells, her brain must be a gold mine of magical knowledge! Oh WHY couldn't I have been paired with someone more…LOGICAL!?
CALISTO (He smirked): Then we'd be stuck with two Arbusto's who'd suck the fun out of everything?
ARBUSTO (He rolled his eyes): Yes, I'm sure. Perhaps I should find the one who sucked all the humor out of you.
GLACIEM (She giggled): Ooo, would you like some ice for that BURN, dear brother?
CALISTO: Hey! There is NOTHING wrong with my sense of humor! Neither is JT's. What's so bad about him? He's…relatively harmless. Alexis always talks about what a great guy he is.
ARBUSTO: Oh yes I'm sure she finds him FASCINATING! (He scoffed.) Females with their hormones and their… (Lucerna and Glaciem glared at him.) Err, and their WONDEROUS intellect. (He chuckled nervously.) But all I'm saying is why I have to be allied with someone so… ILLOGICAL! Do you know what he tried to do yesterday? He tried to make a pair of, what does he call them, nun chucks out of old chicken bones and a discarded chain! Is there a NAME for his level of dense ignorance!?
LUCERNA: Hey, those were some cool nun chucks! And I helped too, where do you think he got the chicken bones? (She let out a long belch and laughed afterwards.) Whoa, and a thank you to Mr. Mountain Dew!
ARBUSTO: …You disgust me sometimes with your immature manner… (He was silenced once Lucerna belched in his face again, his face tensing up afterwards.) …case and point. (He fanned away the smell.)
CALISTO (to Prismio): What about you, lil' bro? What you think of the muscle head?
PRISMIO: Oh! W-well I really like working with Curtis. He's told me so many stories, like how he used to fight demons even before becoming a Mythic Knight! (He was practically star struck when he talked of Curtis.) He's so awesome! I just hope I don't end up dragging him down.
GLACIEM (She smiled and nuzzled Prismio): Of course not, brother. With you by his side, you can only pull him up. (Prismio smiled hopefully.)As for Vance, he still feels out of his element. His heart matches his fiery and feisty attitude, as if his soul was a blaze with the light of a thousand candles.
CALISTO: See, it's like we were made for each other, he and I! How the heck did I get stuck with the one whose used ice before and you, sis, get stuck with the one who's so used to fire?
GLACIEM: Let's just chalk it up to creative irony. I've noticed though he's able to focus more on his music and the sounds he can make come from his guitar…it's entrancing, to say to the least.
ARBUSTO: His taste in music though shouldn't be so, how do I say it, loud.
LUCERNA: It's right up my alley, that's for sure. How's he adjusting to his new ice powers?
GLACIEM: So far, so good. It is conflicting, but not restricting, with his new ice abilities. It still feels like he is hiding something in his soul, but his heart is still in the right place.
PRISMIO: So what about you, Calisto? How is working with Alexis?
CALISTO: She's something else, I'll give her that. She's pretty happy now that she gets to be the leader of the team. So by extension, that makes me YOUR leader.
GLACIEM: No one is better than the other on this team, dear brother. So erase that thought now before you have four angry dragons ready to disagree with you.
CALISTO: R…right, I was just joking anyway. But so far, Alexis is kicking ass! She's got magic, she's gotten used to controlling fire like THAT, she's got a crazy boyfriend, she's got it all!
LUCERNA: You four seem quite happy with your humans. (The others looked to her.) I on the other hand don't NEED a partner. My skills are already top notch without a full human connection. Besides, even if there WAS someone to bond with, I like fighting alone.
PRISMIO: Uh, but you're only at half power, so wouldn't that mean that we're… (He tensed up under Lucerna's glare.)…m-more powerful than y-y-you?
LUCERNA: …Okay so I'm not at full power, so what?! I've still got at least eight different ways to pound you into the ground! (She demonstrated said fighting skills by performing a swift roundhouse kick; followed by two air jabs. Lucerna's demonstration was suddenly cut short, by the sounds of sad bagpipes, playing 'Amazing Grace' upstairs.) What the hell? Who's playing the bagpipes!?
CALISTO: Hey, what IS going on up there? (He put down his book.) I'll check it out. (He exited the stall, slowly heading upstairs.)
(COMMAND POST)
(Calisto entered the command post to find the source of the noise, and there stood JT, Alexis, and Curtis in front of JT's Mythic Knight tube. Each of the Knights had also switched up their attires. JT now sported a green jacket with a yellow t-shirt underneath and tan pants while Alexis now wore a red halter top with a black tank top underneath and blue jeans. Curtis had majorly changed his attire, now sporting a purple tank top, white vest, blue jeans, black fingerless gloves, and surprisingly enough glasses. Right beside them was a large portrait of JT's axe, and in front of it is a trail of candles. Curtis played the bagpipes, while JT stood up front with his head down. Alexis stood right beside him with her hand on his shoulder.)
JT (Stoic): We're gathered here today to pay our final respects to this beloved axe, Axey. Of all the axes I encountered in my travels, his was the most... (He paused and his lip quivered) …thunder-y!
ALEXIS (She stepped forward and cleared her throat): Um, I did not personally know Axey…but I have always admired his handiwork at bringing forth…the thunder. (JT smiled tearfully and Alexis turned to him, giving him a smile.)And of course Axey's wielder who I believe is a shining example to us all. Although he may be drained, the memories, and electrical problems that he left behind, will live on for the rest of our days.
(JT started bawling comically and hugged Alexis in a tight like a vice.)
JT: AXEY LIKED YOU THE MOST!
CALISTO (He scooted over to Alexis): What the hell is he doing?
ALEXIS (She whispered): Jack wanted to give his weapon a proper send-off.
CALISTO: …a eulogy for an axe? Isn't that a bit…weird?
ALEXIS: I know it's weird, but it's important to Jack. His old thunder powers were a big part of who he was. It's hard for him to give up what made him a Power Ranger.
CALISTO: Well okay, THAT much I can understand, but still! It's just an axe!
(Suddenly the bagpipe music stopped as everyone except JT looked at Calisto awkwardly. JT slowly turned towards Calisto with a grim look on his face. He slowly walked up to Calisto, never breaking eye contact.)
JT (He forced a smile): JUST an axe? I-is that what you think? Just an axe? (He gave a dry chuckle which Calisto awkwardly followed.) IT IS MORE THAN AN AXE IGUANA BOY!
CALISTO: …iguana boy?
JT: IT WAS THE BRINGER OF DA THUNDA! I TOOK DOWN MORE DEMONS THAN YOUR GREAT GRANNY MABLE COULD TELL HER BOOK CLUB BUDDIES ABOUT WITH THAT AXE! …that reminds me, I've gotta go to my Granny's book club tomorrow, we're reading No Country for Old Men, but NEVER THE LESS, A GREAT AXE IT BE! SO SOMEBODY'S gonna be showin' respect to AXEY, or someone's gonna be a Siamese pretzel WITHOUT ANY SALT! CALISTOOOOOOOOOO!
CALISTO (He gently pushed JT away): First off, I suggest you brush your teeth later, second I'm not showing respect for an AXE! It's…
ALEXIS (She stared at Calisto): CALISTO, APOLOGIZE.
CALISTO: ...fine… uh… rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the axe, amen.
JT (He bawled hysterically and hugged Calisto again): THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL! (He recovered and let go of Calisto, making him fall forward.) And now let us have a moment of silence to reflect on Axey's long and luxurious life.
(There was a long pause. JT brightened back to his normal self.)
JT: Okay, funeral over, who wants pizza?!
CURTIS (He dropped the bagpipes): FINALLY!
(Just as they were about to exit, Alexis grunted in annoyance. She already knew Sondre left to find Terretto and Gale, but she didn't know where Vance was. Just as Curtis was about to leave, Alexis pulled him back.)
ALEXIS: Curtis, do you know where… (She noticed Curtis' glasses.) Wait, are you wearing glasses? When did you start needing glasses?
CURTIS: Well, the last battle with Nebulai took a toll on my eyes, so I went to get examined and now I need glasses.
ALEXIS: Oh. Well anyways, do you know where Vance went off to? JT wanted him to be here for the funeral.
CURTIS (He looked guilty): I know, I know. I also know where he is, but you're not gonna like it.
(Alexis' eyes widened, and then she growled in anger, immediately storming off and grabbing JT by his jacket and dragging him off to head to Vance's home.)
JT: I'm being kidnapped! (He called out) ARBUSTO! HOLD MY CALLS!
(THE HOME OF VANCE ARCHER)
(In the past week since returning to active Knight duty, Vance had been dividing his time between spending time with Todd and Rika and spending his time at the base training and fighting leftover demons. And by spending time, he meant barely being around when the Knights needed him. It was hard for the three of them to find a suitable area to practice so they'd often default back to Vance's house. They had converted the basement into a recording studio of sorts so it would have to do. They each took the mini stage in the back with Vance on lead guitar and vocals, Todd on accompanying bass, and Rika on the drums. They had just gone through the first set of three songs, taking a break to rest their chords.)
RIKA: And that makes song 3 out of 11! We're doing pretty good so far.
VANCE (he nodded): They're all coming out good. If we can finish these 11, we'll have something to present Mr. Connors when he comes back this Friday.
TODD: You mean…no way, a FULL CD!?
VANCE: Yep, our very first, and certainly won't be the last, CD available for digital and physical distribution!
RIKA: Now if that isn't progress, I don't know what is! (She got up from her drums and went over to the two of them.)
VANCE: And for the record, you two, this isn't MY success. It's ours. I never wanted to get into this unless I could find a cohesive unit to be a part of. No one is better than the other here.
TODD: Well duh, otherwise you wouldn't have convinced us.
RIKA: It didn't take much to convince you though, Todd. You practically begged and pleaded to be a part of this group.
TODD: S…so!? How come you weren't screaming and jumping at the chance?
RIKA: Because Vance is my best friend. He helped me out in high school, brought out my creative spirit, and formed this whole thing.
TODD: AND got us a graciously, and weirdly generously offered contract.
VANCE: I consider it more luck than anything. Now come on, let's belt out these next three and we'll save the others for tomorrow.
RIKA: Actually before we get to that, there's something I wanted to ask you.
VANCE: Shoot.
RIKA: Why'd you just vanish back in Terranobia after those two cosplayers showed up?
VANCE: …oh.
RIKA: We tried reaching you but we didn't hear from you until an hour later.
TODD: And THEN nearly at midnight that some big "emergency" came up that you needed to be on the first flight back home to.
VANCE: Well it WAS an emergency. I had to get back home to check on my dad. You guys read about the monster attack right?
RIKA: …well yes, we did. But then those Power Rangers showed up, that freaky thing got destroyed, and then we heard back from you and that everything was okay. You worried us to death, Archer.
VANCE: Well I…
TODD: Not to mention, ever since then, you've been showing up late to rehearsals that YOU set up and you've been acting stranger than usual. You're checking your phone a lot more often too.
VANCE (He was about to respond till he felt his phone buzz. He groaned and opened his phone, eyes widening slightly and quickly texting back): Don't worry. Everything is fine you guys. Now let's get back to-
ALEXIS: VANCE ARCHER!
VANCE: …oh you have got to be kidding me.
(There were sounds and muffled conversations upstairs before the door to the basement opened and Alexis and JT came downstairs. Alexis looked about ready to strangle someone and JT just looked concerned.)
JT (He called back upstairs): Great seeing you, Mr. Archer! (Vance just stared at him) …I was kidnapped.
VANCE: Did you not just get my text? I'm busy.
ALEXIS: Busy!? Oh no, not this time, Archer. Ever since you got back home, you've been spending more time here in your little basement then out where you are actually needed-
TODD: Woah woah, time out here! First off: Hello, good to see you two again, but maybe chillax for a second?
RIKA: Aren't you two the same people from the convention center?
ALEXIS: Yes, we are. And we're sorry to interrupt this little get together but Vance is needed elsewhere that is more important.
TODD: More important? (He looked to Vance.)
RIKA: …and what exactly is that supposed to mean? (She also looked to Vance, narrowing her eyes slightly.)
VANCE: U-uh…yeah Alexis, what could possibly be so more important than trying to get OUR first CD put out?
JT: You've got a CD coming out!? DUDE THAT'S—
ALEXIS: NOT important. Now I would appreciate it if both of you leave because I have a private matter to discuss with Vance.
VANCE: (He got up from his seat and looked to Todd and Rika and then smirked.) …you'll have to excuse her. She gets a little pissy when things don't go her way. (Alexis fumed at the statement.)
JT (Muttering): Yeah 'cause you NEVER get pissy when things don't go YOUR way. (Vance glared at him some more.)
RIKA: And who exactly are these two?
VANCE: Members of my sci-fi club. Not the one at West Meadowbrough but at Sundraville, but I'm late for this meeting. And apparently my club mates need me for club business. (He smiled to Todd and Rika.) It's okay. I'll handle this and we'll meet up later tonight okay, 8:00?
TODD: Sounds like a plan!
RIKA: Rock on.
(They both walked past JT and Alexis, giving them both looks before heading up the stairs and closing the door. Vance watched them leave before turning back to Alexis.)
VANCE: …you have a lot of nerve interrupting my rehearsal like that AND for talking like that to my friends.
ALEXIS: They aren't my friends, Vance. YOU have a responsibility to uphold that goes above everything else. Every time I try to reach you, you're busy with those two or you make up some excuse that prioritizes them above us.
VANCE: Maybe because I'm trying to help make a living for my family. It may not be the best job but I have to help take care of this house and provide for it too.
JT: Didn't you have that newspaper gig? What happened to that?
VANCE (Ignoring JT): Now what exactly was so important that you had to crash my rehearsal?
ALEXIS: Jack? (She looked back to him.)
JT: Uh… hey Vance, did you know that your dad makes awesome brownies? 'Cause they smell awesome, I think I should-
ALEXIS: It's okay, Jack. Tell him what he missed.
JT (He looked to Vance): I was uh…holding a funeral for Axey?
VANCE: …a funeral, for your weapon? (JT nodded timidly. Vance slowly looked back to Alexis with a glare.) You crashed my rehearsal because I missed a funeral for a WEAPON!?
ALEXIS: You weren't there to see how much it affected him! He was nearly bawling his eyes out over losing the weapon that helped him become a Knight! Do you have any idea how much that meant to him?
VANCE: I really don't see what the big deal is, Alexis. It's an axe, nothing more. (JT looked about ready to pop a blood vessel. Vance just rolled his eyes.) Oh what? You're seriously getting all worked up and dramatic over this?
ALEXIS: Apologize.
VANCE: ...Excuse me?
ALEXIS: Apologize to JT. This was an important moment for him and he wanted you to be there for him. Now apologize.
VANCE: Yeeaah, pretty sure you can't just boss me around and make me do whatever you want, "Lexi".
JT (He looked to the audience nervously): See right there, THAT was a mistake.
ALEXIS (She growled): Fine. As your new leader, I am asking-
VANCE: Oh! New leader, is that what you're calling yourself now? Just one week in and just because you think you're Red means you got the right to line us up and order us around? Well I got a news flash for you. (He narrowed his eyes.) Nobody crashes my rehearsal, nobody defends JT like a kid, and NOBODY bosses me around. You lost your weapons too and I don't see YOU holding a funeral! You lost your bow, your Master Wand, your Shark Fin Blades. I lost Excalibur, my flame bow…
JT: You barely even used that thing!
Vance: …and my Rapier. I am NOT crying over losing some weapons because I used them to the full advantage when I took out Grieger. Now until you prove that you CAN lead the team, I sure as hell won't be answering to you. It's bad enough I got demoted to Blue.
JT: Oh boy, here it comes again. (He stepped back, knowing there wasn't much he could do at this point.)
ALEXIS: And what, pray tell, is so wrong about being blue?
VANCE: Blue is second in command. I didn't know what power was going to be in those crystals but I guess in some sort of cruel twist of fate yOU are now parading around with fire powers that aren't yours.
ALEXIS: And you're going to get your panties in a twist because you're not the leader? Well cry me a river, Vance. Being blue is NOT the end of the world! There have been plenty of good Blue Rangers out there!
VANCE: Really? Name five.
JT: Tori, Ethan, Theo, Billy, and TJ. You MET TJ dude! And dude, you FOUGHT ALONG with TJ! You saw what he could do as Red AND AS BLUE! (Muttering) Besides if anything he was better off as Blue rather than Red.
VANCE: Yes, thank you for the history lesson. (He turned back to Alexis.) So as far as I'm concerned, Alexis, you may be the Red Knight and the supposed "leader" of this team, but I've been leading this team for almost a full year and when I give you the leadership duties, what's the first thing that happened? You nearly DESTROYED our chance at stopping Nebulai.
ALEXIS: Oh my God, you're STILL going on about that!?
VANCE: You act like I shouldn't!
ALEXIS: For your information, I was the one who FOUND the scroll leading to Divus AND helped set up our new home!
VANCE: And that automatically makes you entitled to boss us around and protect JT like some little two year old?
ALEXIS: I'm not—(She groaned and each of their communicators went off. Curtis had given them wrist watch communicators in case of something happening.) What's up?
CURTIS: We picked up some weird energy disturbance downtown! We'll meet you guys there.
ALEXIS: Got it. (She looked up to Vance.) Listen Vance, I am tired of arguing with you. Now either we work together or you stay out of my way. Am I clear?
VANCE (He looked to JT and then back to Alexis): …transparently.
(JT and Alexis both nodded and pressed a button on their communicators to take them back to base. Vance sighed and headed upstairs, opening the door and seeing Todd and Rika outside. He walked outside and got their attention.)
TODD: Yeah, you were right man. She IS pissy. We didn't want to eavesdrop.
RIKA: He was. So I took him outside. You okay?
VANCE: Yeah. Like I said, I'll see you guys tonight.
(Todd and Rika nodded as Vance turned and ran around the corner, teleporting away with his communicator.)
(DOWNTOWN SUNDRAVILLE)
(The Knights, fully morphed, arrived on an empty street in the middle of the city. Several empty cars were damaged, building walls were cracked, and trash cans and phone booths were turned over. Everyone minus Lucerna wielded their Dragon Bursters in their hands as they searched the street looking for the monster responsible for the destruction. )
ALEXIS: So this is where the distress signal came from?
CURTIS: Yes it did. The radar indicated that an evil entity was destroying the city in this exact location.
LUCERNA: Well I'm not seein' anything down here. Are you sure THIS is where the monster is?
ALEXIS: I admit our new tracking system isn't the best around, but it certainly doesn't make errors.
(Suddenly a loud robotic howl was heard from somewhere along the street. Everyone stopped to hear it.)
JT (He nervously gulped): Was that….a wolf zord? Oh man, HE'S USING OUR OLD ZORDS AGAINST US!
VANCE: No way, the Green Wolf Zord was taken away by Grieger. Xavious wouldn't bother using a weak robot to take us out.
LUCERNA: I wouldn't call a Mythic Beast zord WEAK, Vance.
UNKOWN VOICE (from an alley farther up the street): Your little friend isn't wrong.
(The Knights looked up towards the alley and heard the voice from there. They raced over to the darkened alley and looked to see who was hiding. Through the darkness, they could see two yellow eyes staring right at them. Out from the dark alley emerged a large robotic wolf-like creature. His silvery-metal body had light green streaks along his sides and back and he wore a silvery helmet on his head. He walked on all fours as he approached.)
ALEXIS: Who are you? Identify yourself!
LOBOSTRYKER: The name is Lobostryker, the newest addition to Xavious's army. You may not know me, but you may know my brother. (He stood up on is hind legs, shifting his form to that of a humanoid style.) Does the name Copystryker sound familiar?
CURTIS (pondering for a moment): …oh yeah, he was the shape-shifting demon we took out a long time ago.
JT (Sighed nostalgically): I remember that day, we fought against ourselves, literally, and I wore a skirt. You can't buy memories like that.
CURTIS: Funny, you don't look anything like him.
LOBOSTRYKER: That's because he was mutated into a demon while I was turned into a machine. It's a pity though; he would have been better off becoming something like me. Funny how things like that work out, but I won't need any fancy powers to rip you to shreds. And there's nothing you can do to change it!
VANCE: Oh there's gonna be a change, alright. Your brother faced the Mythic Knights and lost, but you've never faced the Dragon Knights, and if you miss your brother that much, I think we can arrange for you to join him.
LOBOSTRYKER: Let's just see how that plan lasts!
(Lobostryker let out a massive howl that blew the rangers out of the alley and into the middle of the road, knocking them down. Though hit badly, the Knights still picked themselves up.)
ALEXIS (Getting up): Okay guys, we've never fought a robotic general before, but it shouldn't be too different from regular demons.
VANCE (sarcastically): Yeah because obviously robots don't have an upper-hand in battling as opposed to organic monsters or anything.
ALEXIS (agitated): Hey! You think this is gonna be as tough as fighting Nebulai? Compared to a Titan, this being looks more controllable.
CALISTO: Well who cares how strong he is!? You take down one baddie, you can take 'em all! Come on Alexis, we can take this freak no problem!
LOBOSTRYKER: Your little blaster over there has a good point. You freaks will go down like the rest of them. (He chuckled quietly, growing claws on his front paws, and then a knife appeared in each claw.) So who's ready for a fight?
(The Knights got into a battle stance.)
VANCE/ALEXIS: READY!
JT/CURTIS/LUCERNA: READY!
(The five Knights charged in as Lobostryker rushed in as well. Alexis and Curtis slashed into the robot with hard slices with their weapons as Lobostryker slashed back with his claws. Curtis swung his Crusader to hit Lobostyker's head, but the robot ducked and punched the Knight in the chest, shoving him back and into a car.)
CURTIS (painfully): Damn, he's pretty strong for just one robot.
PRISMIO: W-we can do this, right?
CURTIS: Of course.
(Lucerna began a series of rapid-fire kicks to the robot's chest followed by two uppercuts to his head. As she was about to make another jab, Lobostyker grabbed her by her wrist and threw her to the ground. He looked up to see Vance coming down with his Ice Axe preparing to cut him, but the robot unleashed another howl that blew Vance backward through the air and crashing down onto the pavement.)
GLACIEM: You didn't anticipate Lobostryker's howling attack when you were in the air. Next time, I suggest you attack from the ground to avoid another rough landing.
VANCE: I saw an opening and I took it. It's not a big deal, not like it was gonna finish him off for good. He's far from finished.
GLACIEM: I'm just trying to warn you because if you don't think carefully about your enemy's battle strategy, you're going to lose more often than win.
VANCE: That's never stopped me before, so don't try to talk down to me about my fighting, okay?
(JT used his Nature Staff to whack Lobostryker but the latter blocked every swing with his front legs. The robot tried to stab the Knight with his knife, but JT pole-vaulted over him and delivered a swift kick to his stomach immediately followed by a bo-staff jab to the robot's head.)
ARBUSTO: Good use of your bo-staff, Jackson. You're getting better with it every day.
JT: Like a JT do son! ANDSTOP CALLING ME JACKSON! Now watch, as I put this pooch to bed with a little taste of… DA NATE-CHAAAA! (He rose his fist to summon a vine, but the vine sucker punched JT backwards.)
ARBUSTO (groaning): Of course I never said you were an EXPERT…
(Meanwhile, Lobostryker growled as he charged at JT again but as JT was about to strike, Vance called out.)
VANCE: Hey robo-wolf!
(Lobostryker turned around to see Vance coming at him with his axe in blaster mode, firing several shots at the robot. Lobostryker began charging at Vance with his knives extended out. Just as Vance changed his axe back to normal ready to slice, Alexis jumped down in the middle of the two and slashed her falchion against Lobostryker's chest, only to make the robot slash back even harder with his knives. He then punched Alexis across the head, which sent her flying into the side of a building.)
LOBOSTRYKER: Nice try, but a strategy like that will never work.
LUCERNA: Don't get too cocky, robot! You still have the rest of us to deal with. (She took out her Light Bow.) Think your little butter knives can handle my bow?
LOBOSTRYKER: My knives are gonna dice your puny arrows!
(As JT and Lucerna battled Lobostryker, Curtis and Vance rushed over to Alexis.)
CURTIS: Alexis, are you okay?
ALEXIS (painfully getting up): N, not really. I thought for sure my plan would work.
VANCE: Yeah because jumping in the middle of an attack will only work if a fully thought-out strategy is made. I had the chance to make a dent in his body, and you just had to jump in and ruin it.
ALEXIS: At least it was better than trying to attack from the air when you knew he had a howling attack to throw at you. He didn't see me until the last second….
CALISTO: …and you still messed up!
GLACIEM: Now come off it, Calisto. Alexis was making a good strategy, unlike you who would rather rush in to attack no matter how futile it is.
CALISTO: Oh really now? (Alexis's Dragon Burster suddenly floated out of her holster, and it transformed back into Calisto's dragon body.) You wanna say that to my face?
GLACIEM (She turned back into her dragon body too): Yes I would, but this is neither the time nor the place. We got a job to do here and my job at this moment is to help my partner and not lose my temper because of your recklessness and attitude.
CURTIS: I'm with Glaciem. (To Vance and Alexis.) If you two wanna fight, do it on YOUR time, not OURS! We're supposed to work together to fight the bad guy, not each other. You two should know this.
VANCE (Smirked): You hear that Alexis? Seems like Curtis would be the better leader of this team than you, right?
CURTIS: Hold on man, I never said…
ALEXIS: Oh get over it Vance! I'm the leader now and you're just gonna have to deal with it. I didn't complain when you were the original leader, and I had twice the amount of training than you'll ever have.
VANCE: Yet I'm still the one who took down Grieger all by himself. (He turned his axe into its blaster mode) So what are you gonna do about it?
ALEXIS: Don't push me, Vance. I don't like being pushed.
VANCE: Well considered yourself pushed.
CURTIS: You guys, stop it!
(But before Curtis could say anything else, Vance fired an ice beam from his blaster while Alexis launched a fire beam from her sword's blade. The two beams collided and shot up into the air. Curtis, Glaciem, and Calisto jumped out of the way as the beam came back down. It was heading towards the other Knights and Lobostryker. JT turned and saw the beams coming at him)
JT: ...Oh grandmamma!
(The beam made contact with his suit. It caused sparks to fly from his suit and it shot him far down the street.)
LUCERNA: JT!
ALEXIS (She noticed JT, screamed in horror): JACK!
(Seeing his opponent distracted, Lobostryker slashed his knives against Lucerna and using his front legs, smacked her back against a nearby car, forcing her to demorph. On the other end of the street, the blast caused JT to demorph as well and Arbusto turned back to his original form.)
ARBUSTO (In pain): Fire and ice, a most painful combination! (He gasped when he saw JT.) Oh my word, are you okay, dear boy?
JT (He whined delusional): Granny, the frozen turkey's doing the naughty salsa with the chili pepper. (He simply rolled over on his side.)
LOBOSTRYKER (He chuckled menacingly): This was one interesting fight. I've never seen a simple double element attack cause so much damage to one of its own team members.
VANCE (He growled) : Nice going, Alexis!
ALEXIS: Me!? You had just as much to do with this as I did!
VANCE: If you hadn't have been in my way, JT wouldn't have gotten hurt.
ALEXIS: Well maybe you should have been the bigger man and just stop whining about not being a leader, and just do as you're told!
VANCE: You think that was WHINING!?
LOBOSTRYKER: SILENCE! (Everyone turned to look at the robotic wolf) This is by far the most dysfunctional team I've ever seen. You two in the Blue and Red act like you would rather fight each other. I'm not going to waste my time with the likes of you until I can get a real challenge from everyone. (He opened up a portal) I'll be back when that moment happens.
ALEXIS: You're not going anywhere! (She rose up her Falchion.) FIRE FLASH!
(Her sword made the fire snake but as the snake moved towards Lobostryker, the robot leapt into the portal and it closed before snake could wrap around him. Alexis angrily demorphed, as did Vance.)
CURTIS: Damn it, now he got away! I'm going to check on the others.
(Curtis demorphed and rushed off to Lucerna, leaving the Red and Blue knights to angrily glare at each other before going off to check up on JT.)
(KNIGHT RANGER BASE: COMMAND POST)
(Only a short while after the fight with Lobostryker, the Knights quickly returned to their base to recover from the intense fight. While the others went to their respective rooms to recharge for a while, Vance just stayed in the Command Post, looking up at the Red Mythic Knight armor. He sighed quietly, visions of the past adventures flashing through his head.)
VANCE: Maybe it's for the best. Maybe it's time I finally passed the torch.
(The door to the Command Post opened and Alexis stepped through, closing the door behind her. As soon as she did, everyone exited their rooms and crowded around the door.)
VANCE: I'm not here to talk, Alexis. What happened…happened.
ALEXIS: Oh I know. I know WHY it happened and just when I think I can get in your head to try and understand your point of view; all I see is someone not at a hundred percent.
VANCE (He finally made eye contact): And what is that supposed to mean?
ALEXIS: I can see why you didn't want to come back Vance and now I see why you're so distant when it comes to being a Knight. You never wanted to come back from the start. All you care about now is your music and your new friends. So I'm gonna make that easier for you. I'm taking you off the team.
VANCE (His eyes narrowed): What?
(Alexis began to step forward till she was only a few feet away from him.)
ALEXIS: If every fight is going to end up like what just happened today, I don't want you endangering the team or letting demons getting away. This life comes before anything else. When we need you, we NEED you. It is not your call to decide to come and help us when you feel like it. That isn't the Vance Archer I know.
VANCE: I don't have anything to say to you other than you can't make that type of call. I am not here to bicker. Now please, leave me alone.
ALEXIS: You are not sane, Vance! (Vance said nothing as he started to go, heading to the door.) You need help if—YOU GET BACK HERE WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU, ARCHER! (Vance froze.) YOU listen to me when I'm—
VANCE: SHUT UP!
(Alexis stopped dead in her words, completely shocked at what she had heard.)
VANCE: Do yourself and everyone on this team a favor and SHUT, THE HELL, UP! I am sick and tired of you treating this team like we're some kind of army. WE ARE NOT SOLDIERS, ALEXIS! You don't know the first thing about what it means to lead this team nor do you have the slightest idea what to do with all this responsibility. And I don't get why you feel the need to rag on me or shove me around. You finally got what you wanted. It's all yours, you're the RED Knight. You're the leader. So why the hell are you still angry!?
ALEXIS: BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THIS FROM THE START! And I can't even enjoy this satisfaction because you're constantly butting heads with me! I wanted to be the Red Knight so bad and I would have given anything to have us switch spots. But I didn't. I swallowed that bit of happiness so YOU can get your chance. And you had it. Well now it's my turn. And if you don't like the way things are, then deal with it. Go ahead and leave because that's all you ever seem to do.
VANCE: …no.
ALEXIS: What?
VANCE: I'm not leaving. In fact, I'm gonna do the exact opposite. I'm gonna fight.
ALEXIS (She smirked): Good, finally some sense—
VANCE: Against you.
ALEXIS (She blinked): You must REALLY be crazy to try and challenge my authority.
VANCE: What authority? You have no power over me. (He glared and got almost up in her face.) I think someone needs to knock some sense into you. Pretty soon, you might just have the whole team turning on you because of the way you're acting. You may have been GIVEN the Red Knight powers but I don't think you deserve them. You want to be the leader so bad, EARN it. Fight me.
ALEXIS (She laughed nervously): No. I'm not going to fight you.
VANCE: Why? Afraid you'll lose?
ALEXIS (She scoffed): Please, if you can't beat JT then what does that mean for…
VANCE: And you say I'm not in the right head. (He shook his head.) The woods. We settle this NOW. I don't care if you don't think we should. Now's the time to put up or shut up, so what'll it be?
(Before Alexis could answer, Vance turned around and everyone from the outside scattered off as he opened the door, leaving the castle to go to the woods.)
(SOMETIME LATER…DEEP WITHIN THE MEADOWBOROUGH WOODS)
(Glaciem had followed Vance into the woods, far off into the center of the woods nearby the mountains. Vance sat on one of the tree stumps by himself, casually floating around some ice crystals in his open palms. This was a form of meditating that Glaciem had taught him.)
VANCE: …I'm surprised you're still here, Glaciem.
GLACIEM: I see no reason why I shouldn't go. Though I do not approve that you and Alexis have to settle things this way, there is a time for talk and a time for action.
VANCE: Exactly. (He stood up.) I'm not going to destroy her or cripple her. This is only to settle things.
GLACIEM: And I understand that. So…I shall stand by your side.
VANCE: Really? I would have expected you to leave.
GLACIEM: Do you doubt me?
VANCE: No, I don't.
GLACIEM: Then I shall not doubt you.
(Vance smiled and went back to meditating. Not far from them were Alexis and Calisto, making their way through the forest before pausing halfway. Calisto was walking beside her and then paused to look back at her.)
CALISTO (He blinked and turned around): Oh come on. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet!
ALEXIS: I still don't see the point of all this. All this is doing is wasting valuable energy…
CALISTO: Blah blah BLAH. (He crossed his arms.) Listen, Lex. There's one thing you should know about me. I don't make excuses and I never back down from a fight.
ALEXIS: This is different. This is a waste of time.
CALISTO: Really now? (He smirked.) You keep making it sound like you're gonna just walk all over him.
ALEXIS: Well…o-of course I will!
CALISTO: Yeah…kinda not seeing it. Maybe I should have been Vance's partner. He never backs away from HIS challenges.
ALEXIS: Now that's just immature.
CALISTO: Least I'm not a coward.
ALEXIS (She suddenly drew her wand on him and glared): Don't EVER call me a coward. You haven't seen the things I have, Calisto. You've been into my mind and seen my memories but being a part of me and feeling that fire, I am warning you. I am NOT holding back. So are you in?
CALISTO (He smirked): That's the Alexis I sort of know. Let's do this.
(Vance slowly stood up, hearing the sound of footsteps approaching. He looked to Glaciem who nodded before turning around and walking past the stump, stopping a fair distance from Alexis. Alexis, though hesitant, stood in front of Calisto. They each walked forward and met a few feet away from one another like before.)
ALEXIS: Vance, we—
VANCE: No more words… (He got into a stance and narrowed his eyes.) …and no backing down.
(Alexis watched Vance for a moment, still reluctant to make a move. She almost didn't have to when Vance aimed a punch for her face. She quickly caught it in her palm and twisted his arm, hitting a knee into his stomach. Vance grunted as he stepped back but he wasted no time recovering and aiming a kick to her side. Alexis blocked that and the next few kicks before trying to go for a leg sweep. Vance front flipped over this and thrust his palms forward, hitting Alexis with a frost blast against her back. She flinched and felt the blast move her forward. She growled quietly and turned, starting to throw fireballs from both of her hands at Vance. He rolled away from them and ran up one of the nearby trees, back flipping off and shooting ice crystals from his hand that jut narrowly missed Alexis. They both rushed in and tried hitting one another with punches and kicks, both blocking each other's moves and practicing skilled counter after counter against each other. Vance remained on the defensive against Alexis' fierce kicks, waiting for the right moment to strike, unusual for Vance's fighting style.)
ALEXIS (She growled in frustration): Is this all you're going to do!? Afraid to hit a gi—AGH!
(She was silenced once Vance ducked under one of her spinning kicks. When she spun back to face him, Vance clocked her with a hard uppercut. With Alexis stunned, he spun around and drove his foot into her gut, sending her flying into a tree and slumping against it. Vance slowly put his foot down and kept his eyes locked on Alexis as she got to her feet.)
CALISTO: Aww come on, you could have blocked that!
GLACIEM: Calisto, stay out of this! Let them fight.
VANCE: No I'm ready to take this to the next level. (He extended his hand and Glaciem nodded, changing into his Burster.)
ALEXIS: Is that what we're calling it? Good, that was just a warm up! (She extended her hand and Calisto immediately changed into his Burster.)
VANCE/ALEXIS (They both smirked and rose their Bursters to the sky): DRAGON FURY, IGNITE!
(Now with both of them morphed and their weapons summoned, they each stared each other down before charging in. Their Axe and Falchion clashed at blinding speed. Having trained for so long, every day as Mythic Knights, the two seemed to be evenly matched despite their switched elements. Sliding back from a powerful blocked slice, Vance turned his head to notice the lake behind him and smirked. He leapt back and pointed his Frost Axe down at the lake, firing off a beam of ice that quickly turned the lake into a frozen field.)
ALEXIS: Is that the best you have!? FIRE FLASH!
(Alexis immediately summoned the fire snake from her sword and it immediately raced towards Vance, only for it to be smashed into pieces by an ice spike straight through it.)
VANCE: Not that easy, "Lexi".
(Alexis growled, racing onto the field before suddenly being slammed in the face by a sudden wall of ice. It started to pulse red and Vance sliced straight through the ice block to cause a mini explosion, knocking Alexis down hard on the ground. Vance spun the axe in his hand and began to shoot rapid beams of piercing ice crystals. Alexis did her best to block them but some got through and stuck to her armor. She shook them off and suddenly began to glow red, charging up her fists with fire. She dashed as fast as she could, jumping over the ice and hitting direct jabs at Vance. After a couple of good ones, Vance retaliated and grabbed her, throwing her up into the air. He leapt up and dealt a series of blinding fast slices in rhythm before hitting a swift backflip kick that drove her down into the ice. She seethed in anger as Vance landed.)
VANCE: FROZEN TUNDRA STRIKE!
(Vance launched his attack against Alexis, hitting six strikes to freeze her and the seventh straight through. Alexis began to spark and she groaned out in pain, dropping to one knee as she felt her energy being drained.)
CALISTO: CRAP! Come on, stay in this Alexis! You got this!
ALEXIS: Rghh…damn, that hurt…
VANCE: Give up yet?
ALEXIS (She quickly got to her feet and looked at her energy level then to Vance): Not a chance Archer!
(Alexis ran her hand along the Falchion to start charging it up. Vance began to use the ice field to his advantage, sending wave after wave of ice energy at Alexis to try and stun her. To his surprise, Alexis charged and sliced through them with her burning hot Falchion. She moved like a blur, fire trails following her movements while she hit Vance with a flurry of kicks and punches. Vance found he couldn't block any of them as he was assaulted from all sides. Alexis rolled away and charged up her sword for another attack.)
CALISTO: How about that new strike we been working on, eh?
ALEXIS: Got it. FIRA STORM!
(Alexis flipped her Falchion in her hands and pointed it up to the sky, making the sky grow dark. Vance looked up and was suddenly pelted with fireballs coming down like meteors. He did his best to block them with ice shields but while he was distracted, Alexis charged in and hit a deadly cross slice against his chest. Vance screamed out in pain and his armor began to spark more so than usual. He tried to get away but Alexis raced in with a high running knee that sent Vance skidding across the field and tripping, rolling onto the grass. He looked up to see Alexis jump into the air and shot a beam of fire down at the ice, effectively melting it. She landed on the grass by Vance and put the Falchion on her shoulder.)
CALISTO: Awesome! And he's down for the count! Told ya!
ALEXIS: Not yet.
CALISTO: …what?
ALEXIS: I am NOT finished with him.
CALISTO: B-but ya beat him!
(Vance slowly got to his feet and gripped his Frost Axe, realizing his energy meter was almost gone and his options were limited.)
ALEXIS (her voice became that of a dark growl): I'll make an example out of you. Get on your knees and BEG me not to destroy you!
GLACIEM: Vance, I suggest you end this fight now before it gets out of hand, please.
VANCE: I'm not going down so easily!
(He roared out and poured his energy into an ice beam shot directly from his palms. He focused his energy into trying to sustain the beam while Alexis watched. With plenty of energy left, she brought up only one hand and shot a fire beam right against his. The two streams collided. Alexis was pouring as much energy as she could into her beam as was Vance.)
CALISTO: Uhh Alexis, you might want to—
ALEXIS: SHUT UP! HE'S MINE!
VANCE: Wrong answer.
(Vance suddenly rolled away and the beam went straight through a tree, slicing through it.)
ALEXIS: WHAT!?
GLACIEM: NOW!
VANCE: FROSTBITE BLAST!
(Before Alexis could react, Vance had aimed his Frost Axe in the blaster mode straight at her. She had no time to react as a powerful navy blue ice ball zoomed right towards her and through her. She began to spark and Vance swooped in, getting Alexis onto his shoulders. He jumped up and drove Alexis' face down onto his raised knee. She spun down to the ground and slammed onto it. With the adrenaline kicking in, she immediately got back and roared in anger before being met with two more slices and his trademark 540 kick, sealing the deal as she was knocked away, slamming into one of the boulders. Her Burster fell to the ground and Calisto returned to his dragon form. Vance watched Alexis try to get to her feet and even though she made it up to a standing position…she fell over and finally demorphed. Vance demorphed and Glaciem returned to her dragon form as well. Vance panted, trying to get his breath back.)
CALISTO (He tried helping Alexis up to her feet): Alexis?
ALEXIS: DON'T TOUCH ME! (She growled, making Calisto back away. She tried to get up and struggled to do so.) …D-damn it, how did this happen!? This was supposed to be MY victory! How—
VANCE: The Alexis I know wouldn't "want to make an example" out of anyone. You poured your anger and frustration into the fire instead of trying to be ONE with it. You can't have the fire work FOR you. You need it to work WITH you.
ALEXIS: T-then…how did you master the ice so quickly!?
VANCE: I did what you did. After fighting you for so long and seeing how you were trying to dig into my strategies to finish this, I took a page from your book. You made this a lot more personal than it had to be. I had to remain calm because I knew you would be the one to give in to anger because of what had happened, which is why I set it up.
ALEXIS: Y…YOU WHAT!?
VANCE: I set this whole thing up to test you. I was almost ready to pass leadership duties onto you and I thought that this fight would be the way around. Turns out I was wrong though.
ALEXIS: …you set this whole thing up to test me to see if I could be a leader? Well, obviously I failed since I lost. I gave into my anger and I lost because of that.
VANCE: …and that's exactly how I lost to Jack. This battle showed me one thing though. You wouldn't give up. You showed that passion that I had when I was the Red Knight so in a way, it was like I was fighting myself. I honestly didn't care about winning or losing this time. Do you know why?
ALEXIS (She slowly got to her feet and took in a breath): Because you're the leader.
VANCE: No, it's about letting go of that hate and frustration. If you let go of that, you can master your element. That's how I won. I let it go. And I hope you can let it go too because if you can't, I don't want to have a repeat of this fight. (He extended his hand to hers.) …one bridge at a time.
(Alexis looked down at his hand. Calisto looked to her and Glaciem looked to Vance. They both nodded and Alexis slowly took Vance's hand, shaking it.)
ALEXIS: (Looked down) I don't know what came over me. I gave you a hard time, and worst of all Jack got hurt because of me.
VANCE: Please, if I know Jack, he's probably in bed right now, laughing the whole thing off. (Alexis glared at him.) Not like it's a bad thing that is. But anyways, we need to get back to base to recharge.
(Alexis nodded and the two of them, with their dragons, teleported back to base.)
(SUNDRAVILLE FOUNDRY, 2 HOURS LATER)
(While Vance and Alexis were recharging from their fight, Lobostryker decided to invade the local foundry. The workers ran out of the building, scared for their lives. Lobostryker used his mighty howls to blow some workers still inside around the building, smacking them into walls before getting up and leaving the building. Lobostryker surveyed the interior as he paced the main floor. He saw abandoned crane ladles hanging from the chains just above crucibles of molten metal.)
LOBOSTRYKER: This'll do, this'll do just fine. My Master will be pleased to have this place! Now, let me see… (He looked around the building again and saw a lone worker hiding behind a support beam.) YOU! Yeah you with the hard hat! (The man looked around startled.) What are you looking at?
WORKER (scared): N-nothing! Leave me alone!
LOBOSTRYKER: Oh, not very friendly are we? (He summoned his knives.) My master could use a human slave to help with his new robots. Are you going to come quietly, or do I have to do this painful way?
(The worker was still too scared to move as he fell to the ground and backed up towards a wall. Lobostryker snickered evilly as he walked closer and closer to the man with his knives extended. When he was finally toe to toe with the worker, he prepared to stab him but before he could, an energy blast struck the floor next to him. Lobostryker jumped when he saw the blast.)
LOBOSTRYKER: WHAT!? Where did that come from!? Who's here!?
(He turned around and looked up towards the catwalk and saw Vance and Alexis, fully morphed and ready for action, holding their Bursters.)
ALEXIS: The next shot won't miss.
LOBOSTRYKER: You two again!? But…but how!?
VANCE (to the worker): You on the floor, get outta here! (The man nodded, got up, and ran out of the foundry.) You just can't keep a Knight down for long, can you?
LOBOSTRYKER: Where's the rest of your team? Did they just give up and send you two in for sacrifices?
ALEXIS: They won't be joining us this time. Your business is with us, and ONLY us.
VANCE: And if you're not down with it, then you've got one dysfunctional duo ready to send you to the scrap heap!
LOBOSTRYKER: Please, you two, against me? You'll tear each other apart before even getting to me!
ALEXIS: You really think so? That'll be your first mistake.
VANCE: And your last.
(Vance and Alexis jumped down from the catwalk and landed on their feet. Lobostryker went in with his knives while Vance and Alexis went in with their Bursters. They fired several shots at the robot, but Lobostryker sliced through them with his knives. He then charged after Vance with a knife. He raised his arm and it came down, only to be blocked by Vance's arm, who then front kicked the robot in the stomach. Lobostryker was pushed back into Alexis, who used her Burster to shoot the robot in the back. The robot turned around ready to swing his knife, but Alexis back flipped out of the way. Vance summoned his Axe and then, seeing Lobostryker still facing the other way, slashed into him with the weapon. Lobostryker then back-handed Vance back into a support beam. The Knight quickly got back up and stood ready with his Axe.)
VANCE: Come on, really, a simple back hand? Gonna have to do better than that.
LOBOSTRYKER: Oh don't tempt me Blue Knight! (He let out a massive howl but Vance diagonally slashed his axe in front of him, creating a blurry blue strike. This time, he wasn't thrown back.) WHAT!? How come you didn't go flying through the air!?
VANCE: I realized your howls are really nothing more than energy waves. It pushes things back when it comes in contact with anything. So I just struck back with my own attack, cutting your howl in pieces. I should have tried that last time.
GLACIEM: Good thinking Vance, that was very good use of battle analyses.
LOBOSTRYKER: Howls or no howls, you're not leaving this place unless it's inside a metal casting!
VANCE: Not today!
(Vance charged in and struck many blows with his Axe while Lobostryker struck with his knives. They each made direct hits while managing to evade a few them by blocking with their arms. Vance gained the upper hand when he used his Axe to make several large dents in the robot's body, but it stopped once Lobostryker grabbed Vance by the wrist, squeezing it tightly.)
LOBOSTRYKER: Now how about that air ride I promised you?
(Lobostryker threw Vance up in the air and with no time to react, he let out a mighty howl that sent the Blue Knight over the side rail of the catwalk before falling onto its walkway.)
VANCE (He grunted to himself, stumbling to get up): That's right, just keep following the plan.
LOBOSTRYKER: That takes care of him. Now…
(Before he could finish, Lobostryker was stabbed through his back and out his stomach with the flaming blade of Alexis's falchion. Alexis removed her weapon as the robot began to emit small flames and electrical discharge. He started twitching and his speech strained as if he were breaking down.)
CALISTO: You didn't forget about us, did you? What a shame! And here I thought you were gonna give us that real fight you wanted.
ALEXIS (to Calisto): It won't happen now. If I got this right, his body's going to malfunction.
LOBOSTRYKER: You-y-y-y-y-you will regreeeeet that, red kni-i-i-ight!
ALEXIS/CALISTO: Make us!
(Alexis dashed off to stairs leading up to the catwalk. Lobostryker, unable to process correctly, chased after her. She ran up the stairs and joined Vance, who was regaining his composure. Lobostryker began to stumble up the stairs.)
LOBOSTRYKER: You chooooose to die-die-die-die up there!? Your defe-your defe-defeat is near!
ALEXIS (to Vance): You still in this fight?
VANCE: Never said I gave up, did I? (He looked down the walkway and peered over the side of the rail to see a crucible full of motel metal in the end of the catwalk.) I got an idea. Follow me.
(The two ran down the path of the catwalk way until they reached the end corner. When they stopped running, Lobostryker made his way to the top and locked his sights on the Knights in front of him.
LOBOSTRYKER (stammering): You've reached the e-e-e-end of the roooooad, Knights! T-t-t-t-time to say goooooooodbyyyyyye!
(The robot managed to gather enough power to fast walk down the catwalk.)
VANCE (to Alexis): So, you really think this'll work a second time?
ALEXIS: It worked last time, so it has to work now.
GLACIEM: You did lead everyone up here, Vance. The plan is all coming to together.
CALISTO: So let's not waste this moment. He's right where we want them! Do it!
VANCE/ALEXS: RIGHT! (They raised their Axe and Falchion together to form an "X".) FLAMING ICE STREAK!
(The Axe and Falchion emitted a large ice beam surrounded by fiery rings. It made direct contact with Lobostryker, piercing him through his chest and right out back, with blast blowing his helmet off his head. Lobostryker began to spark heavily as the outline of his body was covered in flames while his front and back were coated in ice. The robot leaned on the side of the catwalk rail, but the flames melted the rail away and he fell down into the crucible of motel metal. Vance and Alexis ran over and looked down as Lobostryker howled in pain when his body began to melt. His flailing arms melted off before he sunk under the molten metal. A small explosion was heard from under the metal and a bright light was seen before all silence fell upon the foundry.)
VANCE: Well that's it, he's gone. His entire body's melted away.
ALEXIS: A mega form cannot happen if the entire body is completely gone. You did good, Vance.
VANCE: Well I don't deserve all the credit. After all, it was your idea to stab him and cause a malfunctioning.
ALEXIS: True, but you had the idea of leading him up here just to throw him off the side to melt him.
GLACIEM: In either case, you both worked together and now that's one less problem of Xavious's to deal with.
CALISTO: But uh, what about that helmet thing over there?
VANCE: Helmet? (He turned to see Lobostryker's helmet still on the catwalk.) Oh right, that!
(Vance and Alexis walked over to the helmet and Vance picked it up, looking over its intricate deal and framework.)
ALEXIS: That thing looks extremely advanced for its time. Certainly not anything I've ever seen before.
VANCE: I'm not much of a tech person either… (He raised his communicator.) Curtis, we defeated Lobostryker, but he left behind some helmet thing. I don't know what it does, but you think you can look at this thing to see who, or even what, made it?
CURTIS: You got it, buddy! I'll take a look at it as soon as you two get back to the base.
ALEXIS: Excellent! We'll see you then.
CURTIS: Oh, and guys?
VANCE/ALEXIS: Yeah?
CURTIS: …nice job.
(Vance and Alexis nodded and with the helmet in their possession, they teleported out of the foundry.)
(JT AND ALEXIS' ROOM, LATER THAT NIGHT)
(JT and Alexis' room was not anything fancy, a perfect size for two people to sleep in. It included a large queen-size bed fit for two; on the left side of the room was a dresser with a large stack of dusty tomes and Alexis' wand on top, large carpet bags, and a desk with a framed picture of JT and Alexis' trip to Venice. On the right side of the room, near the exit door and the door to the closet, was another dresser supporting a large amount of Power Ranger action figures, Boxed Set DVD's, and deluxe Megazords; an accordion set aside the dresser, the lamp from A Christmas Story on a lamp table, assorted pizza boxes stacked next to the accordion, and on top of a table was a large pile of miscellaneous comic books. In front of the bed stood a digital television hooked with JT's old PS2 game console. At this moment, JT sat alone in the bed, flipping through the channels, in his tank top with a bandage over his chest. Alexis walked in; exhausted after the day she'd been, wearing her nightgown.)
ALEXIS: Hey Jack, how're you feeling?
JT: I've been WAAAAAAY worse, hon. I may be half frozen, half crispy, but I am still DOMINANT IN THE FACE OF PAIN! Arbusto on the other hand, sensing hostility in the force I am.
ARBUSTO (He called out from downstairs): Oh if I weren't the gentle dragon I am, I'd SHOW you how hostile I am!
JT (He nervously called back): You're upset, I can tell!
ARBUSTO: Oh you cannot fathom how upset I am! If you were to compare my rage to the burning, BLAZING sun turning into a SUPERNOVA, there would be BARELY ANY comparison to…
(A large smacking sound was heard.)
LUCERNA: SHUT UP! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!
JT: …he's fiiiiiine. (Alexis giggled a bit, but then her face returned to a concerned frown.) Lexi, you ok?
ALEXIS: No, not really. I just can't believe I let the heat of the fire get to me… I just lost control of myself…
JT: Babe, relax… (He sat up, grunting in pain.) It wasn't your fault. It's the power/responsibility scenario!
ALEXIS: You mean with great power comes great responsibility?
JT: Daaaaamn straight! You get new powers, ones that you're not used to or are like the polar opposite of what you're used to… your brain gets all fried! I had it myself when I was a wee child! (He inhaled deeply.) I got my very first coupon book, filled with coupons for free pizza. I used five coupons at once and got five free pizzas, and IT WAS PARADISE!
ALEXIS (She cocked an eyebrow, confused): Not exactly relative in this situation, but what happened?
JT (He looked embarrassed): …they came back up later that night.
ALEXIS: …uh-huh. I know it was just a test but, I don't know if I have what it takes to be a leader after that.
JT: …esqueeze me?
ALEXIS: I'm being serious Jack! I mean look at all that I've caused in just a week! It was my "brilliant" idea that got the Mythic Knight powers destroyed, I tried to force Vance back into working with us like he was some kind of tin soldier, I fought against Vance in spite and LOST, and worst of all, you, one of the most important people in my life, got hurt in the crossfire of our stupid little power struggle! (JT looked like he was about to say something.) I never wanted to hurt you, even if it was an accident! (Small tears started forming in Alexis' eyes.) Pfft, some Red Knight I'm making.
(This scene was all too familiar to JT. It brought him back to six months ago. He screwed up just as bad, and came this close to just walking out, leaving Alexis and everything he loved about the Power Rangers behind. But Alexis was right there to talk him out of it and show him that he was still important to the team and her.)
JT: Now hold it right there! NOBODY talks that way about my lady! Especially not….uh, my lady!
ALEXIS: Jack…
JT: Don't interrupt, I am NOT gonna let my lady go around saying she's a horrible Red Ranger, (He pulled a chart from under the bed, showing pictures of Troy from Megaforce, Mack from Operation Overdrive, and Alex from Time Force.) While no one bats an eyelash at THESE THREE!
ALEXIS (She wiped her eyes, then stared confused at the picture of Alex): Wait, who's that?
JT (He threw the chart across the room): No one important. But so what if you made one… or two… or a few mistakes this week, WHO CARES?! It doesn't matter what color you are! You're forgetting all the awesome stuff YOU'VE done! NOT the Red Knight, NOT the Blue Knight, YOU! The girl who knows more spells than I can count. The girl who fought her way out of some creepy goblin's limbo, and KICKED MAJOR DEMON ASS! And more importantly, the girl who actually listens to me when I start missing my parents. (That last example brought a sad smile to Alexis' face, as JT used his hand to wipe her eyes.) Lexi, YOU are an awesome person no matter what suit you wear. We all make minor mistakes. It only means you are HUMAN! Today was more of a life lesson type-dealie. Tomorrow you'll kick major booty, and still be the awesome girl that I love!
ALEXIS (She smiled even wider, sniffled slightly): I've heard something similar to that before.
JT: Hey, you didn't give up on me during the whole Arcana situation, so I won't give up on you. (They stared at each other for a few seconds, and then leaned in for a passionate kiss, Alexis taking care not to injure JT.)
ALEXIS: Thank you Jack.
JT: Anytime babe, it's just the kind of guy I am! (He scooted over, and then fell off the bed landing on his chest. He hollered in agony.) MY PROFOUND MOMENT IS RUINED BY AGONIZING PAIN!
ALEXIS (She cringed): …you want me to get the burn cream and the heater?
JT: PLEASE!
(VANCE'S ROOM , 2:32 AM)
(Despite gaining a high measure of energy for the fight against Lobostryker again, Vance was out cold for the rest of the night in his room...until the nightmares started to kick in. He could only see flashes of Arcana appearing in his mind as well as his laughter ringing in his ear. However, this time there was a vision of a black hole in the middle of the Nether and the castle within in the Nether shattering. He could see a figure moving towards the black hole and there was nothing he could do to save him. He woke up suddenly, not jerking awake, but his eyes shot open. He let out a light exhale, eyes wandering around the room before slowly laying his head back down.)
GLACIEM: ...another nightmare?
VANCE (He turned his head to the source of the noise and sat up slightly.): Glaciem, what are you doing here?
GLACIEM: When dragons bond with their other halves, they can sense everything their partner feels. Every thought, every memory, every bit of pain, it's all connected.
VANCE (He tried to narrow his eyes to make out Glaciem through the darkness): …mind turning on the light then?
(Glaciem nodded and made her way through the open down and walked over to the light switch. When the light came on, Vance was pleasantly shocked to see a human female, almost 20 years old in appearance, with black shoulder-length hair standing by the light switch. She wore a cyan, silk tank top that outlined her slender figure and pajama bottoms with little snowflakes on them. Her skin looked pale against the light and she moved a few blue tipped bangs past her amber eyes to look upon Vance.)
GLACIEM: Something wrong, Vance?
VANCE: No I just thought…
GLACIEM: That I was a dragon? Well, you're right. But we possess human forms. You didn't think we'd spend years on end locked up in a cave do you?
VANCE: Not at all. I just wasn't expecting you to show up. I've kinda gotten used to dealing with these alone.
GLACIEM (She nodded and went over to the side of the bed, sitting gently on the edge of the bed to look at him.): Well maybe you shouldn't have to. You can't necessarily be alone now that you're back with the others.
VANCE: It's a little more complicated than that.
GLACIEM: Is it? I really don't think so. (Vance looked to her.) Your nightmares are…vivid, to say the least. Having looked into your memories, you carry more baggage than anyone else I know. Every time you fight it feels like you have something to prove. Like in today's fight with Alexis.
VANCE (He sighed): I know. Things went overboard, more so than I thought.
GLACIEM: I could sense your drive to win was burning more so than mine. Calisto, he has that same kind of drive to win. What's the term, double or nothing?
VANCE: I used to be like that. (He looked away.) I'm not used to losing. When I did for the first time, I just thought it was a fluke. But then I lost again and it put a chip into my ego. So that gives me the extra motivation I need to not lose again.
GLACIEM: You're thinking I would have thought less of you if you lost, didn't you?
VANCE: How did you—(Glaciem gave him a look.) Right, part of me thought that, yes.
GLACIEM: Win or lose, you were trying to settle things and test Alexis's potential. And I can feel why. However, I don't think the not wanting to lose again was the ONLY motivation you had. (Vance said nothing.) I have been through your mind and seen many of your memories. You've LET me see some very personal things but every once in a while I pass by a door that I cannot open.
VANCE: I know. That door has something I'm…not exactly proud of. And it's not one I can open on my own. I've made a lot of my mistakes in my past that have shaped me into the person I am today. Even today, I regret a lot of them and I can't seem to get rid of them. (He touched his chest lightly, his hand over his scar.) And this is my reminder. These nightmares, they haven't stopped and I don't know WHEN they will stop.
GLACIEM: Maybe they will, maybe they won't. (She sighed lightly.) I think that door is holding in more baggage than you can hold. I know what that does to someone when it festers up. It's like a frozen river. It keeps the water from moving and locks it in place. Your mind, your soul, and your mentality shouldn't be clogged. It must flow without distraction. One day I know you'll let all this go and when you do, you and I shall be fully bonded and we will both be at our full potential.
VANCE: You think so? (He smiled at her.)
GLACIEM (She placed her hand on his and nodded.): I KNOW so. Shall I stay here to keep you company?
VANCE: Don't you have to be downstairs with the others? Like, is there a rule?
GLACIEM (She shook her head): I didn't see any. You get some rest, okay?
(Vance nodded and laid back down, sighing quietly before noticing Glaciem sliding over next to him. He watched her for the moment before slowly drifting off to sleep. Glaciem smiled and laid next to him, watching him fall asleep before falling asleep herself.)
(FADE TO BLACK, END CREDITS)
