Legendary Mystic Rangers: Merlin, Morgana Le Fey, Lady of the Lake, and Nike (the winged goddess of victory)
On the road, with the corsets and knighting clothing in the trunk, Joan was driving the 30 MI back to Briarwood. It was about six thirty when Marty turned off the radio so that they could talk. He knew that something was bothering Joan. Not only did he notice the slight change in her character, but Lisa Marie and the other band members as well.
"Does he know?" Marty asked as the speed marker hit 65.
"How could I tell him?"
"You should."
"I know—I just can't. I don't want him to get upset. He already had his ex-girlfriend turn gay. I'd be adding more fuel for him to kill himself. Besides, me and him have been going together for about a month now." Marty kept quiet and began to think of a way for Joan to break the news to Xander.
"You know what?" He finally had the solution.
"What?"
"Tell him when we're leaving the country."
"But that's not until February of next year Marty!"
"You should though. It would buy you some time beforehand. Joan," changing the subject.
"Yeah?"
"I've got a feeling in my bones that the darkness will be with us tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"I looked into Lisa's eyes today." A red light came up ahead. The sign to the left read: BRIARWOOD 25 MI.
"And?" the light turned green. Joan pushed the gas pedal and they were off again into the witching hour.
"She is a slave to the darkness."
"No. She can't be. After all that you two have been through? No. It's just not right!"
"I'm afraid that Koragg is her older brother." NO WAY IN HELL COULD THAT BE TRUE! Joan's inner voice was screeching in her mind.
"Impossible! He can't be! I've known her well before you two had become an 'item.'"
"Listen to me. Tonight we have to be extremely careful. You know that she'll be there—with Udonna's staff."
"She has what!"
"Shh…It's gonna be okay Jo. Pull yourself together." Marty placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You're telling me it's gonna be okay? How can it be? You're girlfriend works for the darkness! God knows how long you've had that secret! Now you're telling me! Arugh!" Another red light came and passed.
"Want me to drive?"
"NO! Marty,"
"What is it Jo?"
"How could you keep this from your best friend who so happened to be an old love?" I don't know my first real love. I just don't know.
"I don't know. I guess I didn't want you to go and blast her to Kingdom Come."
A half hour passed when they reached the outskirts of the suburbs. The moon behind them was rising slowly. When they reached Madison's house, Joan and Marty found Nick's bike in the driveway, and Chip's red Volvo on the other side. Joan parked her car parallel to the mailbox. At least we don't have to make a second stop. Marty thought. He walked up the steps while Joan was unloading.
"Who is it?" Madison asked, walking to the door.
"Curiosity killed the cat my lady." The doors were unlocked and the door swept open. All of the Rangers were there; ready to receive their clothing for tonight. Madison and Vida went outside to say hello.
"Hey Jo. Need some help with that?" Madison asked, picking up two black suitcases. "Vi, could you grab the stuff that's on the floor? I got the rest." Joan said to Vida who did as she was told. Marty was talking to Chip in the kitchen when the girls walked in the door with the very old pieces of clothing among other things.
"Damn, Joan, how much stuff did you bring?" Nick asked shocked to see a makeup kit next to five different suitcases next to that were swords and a bag of shoes, next to that pile were brushes and combs, etc.
"You weren't kidding when you said you'd bring out clothes." Chip said.
"What the hell—" Xander said coming from the hallway. "Jesus Christ Joan! Marty, are you sure we need all this stuff?"
"Yeah."
"Good Lord! Where do we begin?" Vi asked.
"Maddie, where's your room?" Joan asked tossing her and Vida their suitcases, which contrary to popular belief, were light.
"Upstairs, first room to the left."
"Great. Shall we?"
"We shall." The girls left the boys to sort out which suitcase was who's.
"Xander, here's yours—Nick, take this one—Chip, take that one by your foot. Go and change and tell me if they don't fit." This is going to be a long hour and a half…
"Hey, this is a pink corset!" Vida gasped when she saw the old thing that had rose petals sewn on.
"Mine's blue." Maddie said, holding out hers. Joan was already in the bathroom changing into a white medieval gown. Her Celtic Circle scar looked more detailed on her chest rather than the golden ring around her head. Morgana—Joan of Arc—save me. Morgana, be kind. Joan of Arc, we must talk again—I am honored that I will talk to you tonight.
"Hey Jo?" Madison asked. Joan looked in the mirror as she exposed her scarred arms.
"Yeah Maddie?"
"We're dressed." Vida said. Joan had a smirk on her face. St. Joan of Arc—'tis another year old friend. The bathroom door swung open—Joan walked out in a more majestic style. Her short jet-black hair was turning red and getting longer—the same red that was on her mother's head.
"Joan?" Vida asked—looking at the scars and the growing hair.
"I'm still here."
"Mentally or physically?"
"I'm fine Vida."
"Great."
"Why do you have your face decorated with blue, pink, and white vines?" Madison asked, pointing to her face.
"Tis a mark of the old and the new child of the seas." Joan cleaned a thin brush while the face paint remained in the bathroom.
"Wait, you're going to paint my face?"
"Dost thou want to change tradition?"
"Maddie just shut up and let her paint." Vida said, "And why are you talking in old English Jo?"
"Joan isn't here wind goddess. She is elsewhere in the place beyond the land of the living."
