Chapter 10
Back at the base, the Rangers sat, de morphed around the table. Each of them was sitting in a chair whose cushion matched their ranger color. Merlin sat in a white cushioned chair, which was next to Axel's. "You fought valiantly today Rangers," Merlin said. "But be warned, Mordred has powerful magic and he will stop at nothing to attain victory."
"There's one thing, I don't understand though," Maverick stated. "If Mordred was slain over a millennia ago, then how is he attack Mythic Pines today?" His question was poignant and the other rangers stopped and looked toward Merlin for the answer as well.
Merlin cleared his throat. "Well, before the king slew Mordred, a spell was cast. That spell sealed Mordred away in a pocket dimension so that he could come back one day. Mordred's final words were vowing revenge on, and I quote: 'those who bask in the warmth of the sun'."
"Yeah, but why this city?" Gwen asked. "I mean didn't he die in England? Why would he attack here?" She was confused by this, as it seemed very bizarre to her,
"I can't pin down where he is," Merlin replied. "But his magic is too strong to be coming from overseas. He's definitely here in this country. He also may be after me. Everyone else who faced him in that battle way back then is long dead. He may want revenge on me."
Things got quiet at the table. The gravity of what Merlin said was sinking into the rangers like a lead balloon. It is possible that this kind old man could wind up dead at the hands of that evil wizard.
"We won't let that happen," Axel said shortly. Merlin and the other four rangers all turned to look at him. "Merlin is our friend. We won't let him just be killed. I-i've already lost too many who are important to me…" Axel's eyes glanced back to the first two photos on the wall.
Gwen remembered that Axel said that the first photo was of him, his brother, and their biological parents. "So, that middle picture, is that you and your brother?" She asked. Axel nodded in confirmation.
"That photo was us during our time at the orphanarium. It was an event put on by the mayor of the town for all of the kids. There were many little fun events going on in the park. My brother and I won the three-legged race. That was probably the happiest I ever was back then…" Axel trailed off, trying to fight back tears and hiding them from his team. It was at this point that Axel quickly switched gears to try and hide his sorrow.
"But, I don't want to think about that right now. We need to focus on more pressing matters here in the present. Mordred will strike again, and we need to be ready for him when he does." Axel was determined. He did not want to return to that dark place. He pulled out a camera and fixed it on a tripod. He set it up pointing toward the table and had his team and Merlin gather. He set the timer and hurried to his position.
Axel stood in the middle with a smile. Beside him were Luke and Merlin. The next two out were Peter, who was by Merlin, and Gwen who was by Luke. Standing behind Axel and Merlin was Maverick, who was the only one not smiling in the picture.