Chapter Seven: Time's March

Death, such a wicked awe inspiring force. Around every corner, it lurks. Ever consuming...unstoppable.

Virgil stood, watching the events that transpired. The demonic, gigantic, skeleton that had crushed Milo and Violet's arrow that sent it staggering back. Before his eyes, Milo had perished. The Red Ranger fell, preserving the life of another. A hero's death.

His teeth ground with rage, his fists clenched, and he was vibrating from the raw emotion. The powerful, fiery, rage that exploded from his heart and flooded every bit of him. He had seen this before. Death, it was so familiar. Too many had fallen around him. He was no native to Angel Grove, these memories he had were a mere illusion. Where he came from, there were other Riders and he had seen them die. There was still fog around his precious memories, he didn't know everything. What Virgil Cross knew was that he would not wield to Death's power any longer. That was enough death, enough pain!

What everyone saw next was indescribable and soon forgotten.

Virgil howled with rage, raising his left arm into the air. As he extended his arm, as far and high as he could, white electricity buzzed in the palm of his hand. The fabrics of space and time were tearing. When the brief disruption had passed, there was a new device in the palm of his hand: the Hyper Zecter.

The power of death was a great and powerful force. By human hands, death was unpreventable. However, all forces in the universe bowed down to one thing: time. Right now, time was on Virgil's side.

Azrael watched from his tree, fascinated by another dimension of Virgil's power and silently cursing the skeleton for taking out the wrong Ranger. Between these Power Rangers and Kamen Riders, he wondered which power was stronger. What was going to come from this latest development? What could this new device that Virgil summoned do?

"No one dies today," growled Virgil, clipping the Hyper Zecter to the left side of his waist. As it clicked upon his belt, he closed his eyes, whispering: "Hyper Cast Off."

"HYPER CAST OFF", boomed the Lespid Zecter at the front of his waistline.

The air became chilled as Virgil stood silently, letting the power of the Hyper Zecter take its hold. It was all happening so swiftly, yet everyone felt as though this moment was dragging on for an eternity. Bolts of white lightning were arcing all over Virgil's Lespid armor while waves of unseen energy were pulsing off of his form. The Kamen Rider now knew, as more of his past memories came flooding in, that his Lespid armor had never fully recovered from his final battle with Rion, the great Lion demon. That battle from one year ago had damaged his Rider system and pushing it to this limit would ultimately destroy his armor forever.

Here he stood, trading his power for the life of Milo while he began to shift into his hyper form.

A white hot line split vertically down the front of his helmet, each half now fanning out in opposite directions to change the face and shape of Lespid's helmet. Every piece of armor received a subtle augmentation and expanded slightly. Steam spewed from the armor pieces as they opened and the changes had taken place. As he lowered his arms and clenched his fists, three twelve inch blades shot, out of his forearm plates, toward his shoulder plates on each side. As the transformation completed, the eyes of his helmet shone brightly with an immense hue of crimson. This was the hyper form, Lespid's final hurrah.

"CHANGE HYPER LESPID BEETLE!"

His eyes dimmed as he tapped the Hyper Zecter with his left hand.

"Hyper Clock Up."

"HYPER CLOCK UP!"

A deafening silence fell upon Virgil as time stood still. His eyes began to flash crimson as everything seemed to move in reverse. The arrow came off of the skeleton's shoulder , the skeleton staggered forward, the hand fell back onto Milo which then raised once more to reveal a morphed (and unscathed) Red Ranger, Violet fell up and back into Milo's grip, Milo released her grip on Violet, and the arrow flew backwards into Violet's hand, poised to fire. This was the moment that he needed to return to, the critical point to change Milo's destiny. Time froze once more, he could already feel the suit nagging at him. It was climbing to its limits and pleading to be spared. Virgil could feel his heart racing and the beads of sweat running along his forehead, tickling him. The young man wasn't even sure if his body would withstand this either.

He stepped forward, he was going to take Milo's place and unleash the last of his power on the giant fiend. The beast that was in the midst of delivering it's crushing, fatal, blow upon Milo.

"Well done, Virgil," laughed Azrael, floating down from his tree branch and touching upon the ground softly.

The Rider stopped, fixing his gaze upon the hooded mystic.

"How are you moving?" demanded Virgil, hiding the strain in his voice. "I just froze time," he hissed, wondering if Azrael would strike at him before Milo could even be saved.

"I am immortal, boy," chuckled Azrael, curling his fingers rhythmically, assessing the fatigued Rider. His time was running short. Some master of time this Rider was, it was borrowed after all. "Being timeless does, after all, imply that I am impervious to your manipulations."

"Damn," confessed Virgil, panting, "I was going to take you down after ripping your pet to shreds."

"I'd imagine that this use of power puts some strain upon the entire universe," said Azrael, completely ignoring Virgil's last statement. "Your suit is too powerful, it drains the universe and shatters the delicate balance of reality itself."

Virgil said nothing, his time was running out. He had to save Milo before it was too late. Otherwise, he'd have sacrificed his Rider system in vain.

"Of course," continued Azrael, looking to the frozen Milo and Violet, "there are limits set in order to prevent the destruction of the universe. For example, nothing can ever match the speed of light. The universe governs all laws of nature and forbids it. Even I must obey these laws."

"What are you saying?" Virgil snapped, his question coming out rather harshly.

"That you must make a payment for the use of this power. The universe will take something from you. Your power, perhaps your life. Your costume looks damaged, it can't protect you from what has been set in motion," said Azrael, finality laced within his tone. "I will allow you to change the destiny of Milo Jenners. Yet, you may ask yourself if you've initiated a new chain of events. You might have even doomed yourself, the team of Rangers around us, and maybe the world as well. The blame will always rest upon your shoulders. It's only going to get worse. More will die now, all because of you. Fate always retaliates cruelly."

A sharp exhalation escaped Virgil as his teeth clenched.

"Don't worry, Virgil," cackled Azrael, vanishing into thin air, "it will be our little secret."

"So be it," declared the Rider, moving to Violet and Milo, grabbing them both and tossing them out of harm's way.

Violet froze in mid-air, releasing the bow and arrow that now pointed into the sky. It was lucky that her arrow wouldn't stray into someone else as it seemed to have quite the kick. Milo was beside her, ceasing her motion in the midst of her trajectory. They were both safe, he smiled. His lungs burned and it felt like fire was licking hungrily at all of his muscles. A white broad sword appeared in his right hand. The hilt was decorative and resembled the Lespid Zecter.

"HYPER CLOCK OVER!"

The flow of time resumed as it was meant to, all oblivious to the future that Virgil prevented. Violet and Milo made impact upon the pavement of the walking path while Violet's arrow shot haphazardly into the sky above. Milo felt disoriented for the moment, wondering what had just happened. How was she alive right now. In the instant that she decided to sacrifice herself for Violet, she was now laying beside her and safe. Who saved her?

Just then, the skeleton's hand came down and there was a loud crash to follow. When the noise and dust subsided, Virgil stood triumphantly, flashing the blade of his sword while the disembodied hand of the skeleton was on the ground beside him. The skeleton felt no pain and it was preparing to strike at Virgil, forgetting the Pink and Red Rangers.

"Something's missing here," muttered Ryan, in his Green Ranger suit, observing calmly as the events unfolded, "I didn't see him move."

"He did not do this before," Naomi added, looking to Ryan, "I'm not sure what he's doing. Is he moving really fast?"

Ceres said nothing and watched on. She was sure that Milo was about to die, she was in mid-stride to try and save them both. Good old Virgil, he was the team's guardian angel. There was no point in interfering now, they'd only get in his way. He seemed intent on finishing off this monster.

It hurt, oh god, it hurt so much. Virgil winced, his armor was getting so hot and smoke began to rise from it. Surges of electricity were crackling all over him. He had saved Milo, yet at what cost? The suit was pushed to its limits and the fight was not over yet. Aside from that, Azrael warned of some cosmic consequence. Saving her was the correct choice, right?

Milo stood up, smiling behind her visor. He saved her, he cared, and she was grateful. What a heroic person. He was so stoic, so strong. Without a doubt, she was definitely attracted to him. He had to know when this was all over. Life was just too short for games.

As Violet stood up, she was crying silently behind the visor. Her selfish and reckless behavior had nearly killed someone. It was so hard being the clumsy and goofy one sometimes. It felt as though no one took her seriously and now, Milo had almost died because of it. She noticed Virgil, he looked like he was in pain. Violet nervously clenched her hands, covered by the white gloves of her suit, the tingles of anxiety taking hold. She hoped for the best, it was in Virgil's hands now.

The skeleton's other hand closed into a fist and hurtled toward Virgil. In his system's weakened state, this blow would most definitely kill him. If he clocked up again, he'd likely die too. Tough choice, he thought as he smirked behind his visor. The other Rangers weren't helping either. Yet, as they were, there was nothing they could do. The choice had been made for him, his left hand reached to the Hyper Zecter perched on the left side of his waist. Time to go out with a bang, he told himself, tapping it one last time.

"HYPER CLOCK UP!"

The fist had ground to a halt as time once again fell under his command, for an exceedingly short period of time anyway. He had to attack now, it had to end. The Lespid Zecter made a whining noise, popping out the lever on his waistline. White electricity jumped all around him as he pulled the lever out further and pushed it back in. His eyes began to take on a furious glow as sparks were firing off of him, more smoke rising out of the white armor. The limit had been reached. This was the point of no return.

"MAXIMUM RIDER POWER!"

If this was the end, then so be it. He'd make it count for something. Virgil drew in a deep breath as silver wings of pure energy came spewing out of his back, almost like a great purge of the Rider system's power. The sword began to shine brightly as he swung it overhead, in circles. A powerful bolt of lightning leapt from his blade and to the skeleton, maintaining its arc and lashing ferociously upon the large beast. For every reactive movement the skeleton made, it froze in time once again. The creature was utterly defenseless against Virgil's malicious assault. The White Rider took to the air, flying past and repeatedly striking the large skeleton with his sword. After a thrashing that consisted of ninety-nine slashes, he suspended himself in the air as he ran his index finger across the top of the Lespid Zecter and pushed the buttons.

"ONE! TWO! THREE!"

"Hyper kick," he whispered, closing his eyes.

"RIDER KICK!"

The last surge of Lespid's power moved from his wings to his feet, casting a silver glow upon them. Virgil began to spin in the air rapidly, turning like a drill bit as he moved right through the skeleton. There was a spectacular explosion that froze as a result of the slowed time. Virgil landed upon the ground and dropped his sword. The pieces of the skeleton were also suspended in mid-air, waiting for time to resume and gravity to take effect.

"HYPER CLOCK OVER!"

As time resumed, everyone was privy to the explosion all around Virgil. It was over, the monster was vaporized. He had won the battle, but Azrael had won the war. He wanted to be rid of him and his Rider system, now the cloaked creep would have his way. Virgil fell to his knees, feeling a tightness in his chest. While he reached his right hand over his breast plate, pieces of his armor dropped from his arm and disintegrated in mid-air. Virgil could see his bare arm through the visor of his Lespid armor. He looked up, facing the Power Rangers as his mask made a vertical crack. Half of it fell away, disintegrating. The horrified Rangers looked on, seeing half of his face and half of Lespid's mask. Virgil was wincing in absolute agony, he was having a heart attack from the sheer strain Lespid's failing system had placed on his body. The use of his power was killing him and he was fully aware of this from the beginning. There would be no regret. Bit by bit, his armor crumbled. His days as a Rider were over and his life was coming to an end as well.

Virgil slammed his fists upon the ground and screamed in agony. This was going to be a painful death, he knew it. As he drew in short, and sharp, breaths, he took no notice of the morpher that rose out of his pocket and casted a black light. With no Rider system to compete with, the Mastodon coin had every intention of making Virgil its vessel.

"Hey, Bug-Boy!" Ryan yelled, pointing at the morpher landing in front of Virgil. "Morph! It heals you."

The young man desperately reached for the morpher, his vision was blurring and he was fading fast. Virgil took hold of it and choked out, "Mas...to..don."

Black fire ignited around him and the tight fabric wrapped over his weakened body, nuzzling him with its healing light. Almost to say that everything would be okay. It was strangely comforting. The helmet formed over him and Virgil stood up, fully healed, seeing through a new visor. From the ashes of Kamen Rider Lespid rose the Black Power Ranger. All six Rangers finally stood together, for the first time in over fifteen years. The threat was gone and more time was bought for the lives of both Virgil and Milo.

"Hey," said Ryan, circling Virgil appraisingly, "it actually worked."

"What?" sputtered Virgil.

"Well, hey," replied Ryan, "you were dying anyway. What did you have to lose?"

"It was a big risk!" exclaimed Naomi, glaring furiously at Ryan behind her visor.

"And it paid off," said Ceres, reluctantly praising the punk of a Green Ranger.

"So, this is the great team chosen by the Power Coins," sighed Ryan, crossing his arms.

"I just noticed," said Naomi, trailing off before regaining the courage to ask Ryan her question, "I researched the Power Rangers before the Green Ranger became the White Ranger. The Green Ranger had a plate of golden armor on his shoulders. Why is it that you've never had that?"

Ryan stammered, not knowing how to answer. "Look, we don't have time for that," he said, reverting back to human form. In the Green Ranger's stead, there was a blonde and wiry teenage boy,

Right on cue, all of the others reverted as well. Milo, Ceres, Virgil, Violet, and Naomi. To Ryan, none of them looked like Power Rangers at all and more like a haphazard group of whiny young adults. They truly weren't much of a step up from teenagers, yet they all judged him for his age. Bastards, all of them. The tawny youth reached into his pocket and drew out a piece of paper, handing it to Naomi.

"My Uncle Tom won't tell me anything about his past until all six Rangers are together," he started, putting his hands back into his pockets, leaving them there, "meet at this address in three hours. He wants to meet all of you."

Violet took a look at the paper and exclaimed, "THAT'S YOUR HOUSE!"

Ryan winced, partially from her annoying voice and mainly by her stupidity. With that, he walked away and left behind the five other people who were somewhat stunned, unsure of what was to come now.

Virgil stood there, looking at his hands that cradled a piece of his former self. It was gone, Lespid was no more. All that remained was a battered remnant of the robotic white beetle that enabled his transformations. In this moment, he was grieving and felt a deep wound that would never heal. Part of him was gone forever and, in exchange, Milo was breathing.

End of Chapter Seven