February 24, 2014
Chapter 9: Omen of Red
Weary and stricken with grief at the failure of his mission, the Snow Prince trudged up the steps into one of the large halls. Pillars enclosed all around him, a reflection of his feelings for the predicament he and the Mystic Mother were in. "If I can't read the sky's colors of harmony, I will need to find the Oracle again."
-MF-
"Are you sure, Bane?" he seethed, crossing the portal which had once housed the Master of Eternal Darkness.
"Yes, I overheard it with my own ears, Master." Daemon followed closely after him. He was confounded by his lordship's reluctance to believe him.
Calindor stopped, and quickly turned about face. Almost colliding with his first in command, he narrowed his once deep hazel brown eyes. "You are certain." It was a statement rather than a question, and Daemon caught himself before he could say something asinine. "Then we must work fast; keep one step ahead of those insufferable rangers."
Given Calindor's unmistakable record of failures at defeating the rangers, Daemon was concerned that his ultimate plans would be extinguished before even taking any real form.
"Calindor?" Daemon repeated, as if trying the name out for the first time.
Seeing the perplexed look of his apprentice's face, Sathe elaborated, "I resurrected him, if that helps settle the questions brewing in that mind of yours. You have to learn to think bigger, my prince." Daemon puffed out his chest in pride at the reference he had been given. "I can't extract a power that has been buried. Power and essence grow stronger as the person does. Bring back to life a strong entity and gain a strong essence when taken." Sathe breathed deeply, as if trying to refill his lungs completely. "I need to prepare. This extra time will let him grow," he laughed, his cackling coming in fits.
"Are you listening?" Calindor hissed. Daemon was quickly drawn back to the present with Calindor. Having located the book he desired, Calindor opened it. Its spine, past its expiration date, cracked and fought to show the knowledge within. When Calindor found what he had been looking for, he turned to Daemon. "If Kian has risked such a bold move into order to return his daughter, perhaps an alliance is in order. There is no doubt that Necrolai is looking for her, mortal or not. "
Daemon quickly acknowledged Calindor, bobbing his head up and down before asking his own question. "Master, what are you searching for?"
Calindor waved him off, passing by him as if he was nothing but a figment of his imagination. "You'll have to collect them."
"Collect who?" Daemon was struggling to hold his tongue, frustrated by the ambiguity of it all.
"Villagers! . . . just in case."
-MF-
The Snow Prince was followed steadily by the peevishly tempered Solaris Knight, who was clearly distraught at having been commanded to the Mystic Mother's Palace at Titan's Mountain. Searching for the master sorceress, he spotted her sitting elegantly along one of the many raised ponds filled with koi.
Kneeling, Daggeron spoke, "Mystic Mother, I have come as requested, but I am conflicted." She waited for him to stand, smiling in spite of the tensions between the Snow Prince and Daggeron.
"I understand, you are looking for the kidnapped vampire princess," she filled in. "I heard both of you bickering as you marched through my Garden of Harmony," she continued, arching her eyebrow. Both men bowed their heads, feeling childish. "However, as distressing a situations as it is . . . I require the Oracle."
Daggeron attempted to formulate his words, but all he did was sputter. The Snow Prince crossed his arms, staring down the knight with stern eyes. "I am very grateful to have your well guided wisdom and faith in me, but I am not right for the job."
"How dare –"
"I would not be of any service if I am in two all when I am one." Daggeron put his hand over his heart, pleading with his majesty for some type of compassion .
She was quiet, her eyes roving across the scenery and then the gentleman, finally landing on her guardian. Their eyes flittered between each other and Daggeron. The knight was amazed at how all could be said without any words needed. "Fine, Solaris Knight. I will release you from my council and permit you do as you would." Her voice spoke more of politeness than kindness, but Daggeron would take it all the same.
-MF-
Seeing the knight's outline become a shadow, she sighed deeply. "It is imperative that we find a suitable messenger to beseech the Oracle for his assistance. It would be a blessing to have insight from the cosmos." The Snow Prince was pacing, both body and mind.
"Alas, it seems it will require even more than that." She walked a little ways away, her long gown flowing with the elegance that age and experience sow. "I must now stretch my hopes . . . We must try and find the lost Master of Prophecy. I expect that the Oracle would have the answer, given he is from the Knowing Elf Clan, so dispersed and scarce their secrets that of all of them encompass the whereabouts of the Master of Prophecy."
The Snow Prince nodded fervently. "I will find you that noble soul." He rushed before another pip could be heard.
-MF-
Leelee and Kuba traipsed around the edges of the palace walls. She moved with a carefree ease even though her mind was a stormy sea of different dangerous thoughts. "Why are we circling the walls? Why not go outside?"
Kuba stumbled, feigning interest in an imaginary object he had "tripped" over. So, startled by her finally electing to talk with him, he didn't answer right away. "I . . . thought it best to have you first introduced to your lands."
"Isn't all of Blood Thirst Caves my land?" she innocently inquired, very well knowing she had trapped him in his own lie.
"Your home," he quickly added, understanding she was preparing to contradict him again. "And while all of Blood Thirst Caves is your home, my princess, I mean in which the place you rest your beautiful self." It hadn't taken Leelee long to understand some of the rather bigger differences between Vadeem and Kuba. And eloquence of speech was one of them . . . among other things.
Led back into the inner gates of the palace, she turned to him, conveying with a steely gaze that he was no longer wanted for company. "Next time, I want to see all my home," she called out as he walked away.
They locked eyes, narrowing and harboring all their strength for that few seconds of struggle. He nodded, but even so , the princess had her doubts about the truthfulness in the gesture.
-MF-
"So, are you going to share what's on your mind or not, little lady?" Phineas asked in his most fatherly tone. They were headed toa village of fairies, traipsing through the forest, their road a bed of wet and slick leaves from an afternoon rain.
"I'm just worried by all the attacks that have been happening. I don't want to stir up any more panic than necessary . . . on the other hand, it's imperative we warn the village." Madison was so focused on the ground that Phineas had to steer her around a fairy that was running toward them.
"Wow, he was really moving." Phineas continued to peer over his shoulder as the fairy created more and more distance between them. "What's the matter, kiddo?" Phineas darted in front of her, forcing her to look the wrinkled troblin in the face, his tiny eyes a never-ending pool of long drawn out stories.
Madison looked at him, a crooked grin on her face. "You're rather persistent for a troblin that's quite hard to keep focused . . . on anything." Nonetheless, she sighed, "It's just with all the tension between Vida and Xander . . . and Chip, trying to find Leelee and the pressure to find the Light Source, none of which has been resolved . . . and the whole series of attacks on different villages – which make no sense! I mean, my parents have been acting weird, the whole city, really. It's like everything and everyone are agitated, on some sort of high alert about something."
Phineas waited until she had fallen silent, the blue ranger wringing her hands. "Well, at least you and the red ranger are getting along," he spoke, his eyes saying something Madison didn't really want to talk about right then.
"Oh, yeah, were just splendid," she remarked with a roll of her eyes, but before Phineas could prod any deeper, several screams erupted, a mass of small creatures scurrying away. Moments later, it looked like the whole village of fairies were rushing toward them.
"What's going on?!" Daggeron yelled over the screams of the panicking forest inhabitants. Madison and Phineas, in spite of all the commotion, jumped at the surprise appearance of the Solaris Knight.
The trio stood still, elbows, hands, baskets, knocking into them as the stampede of fairies rushed past in a fury unseen by any of the ranger team.
"What's scaring them? I don't see see anything!" Madison asked aloud. While it occurred to try and wrestle one of the fleeing forest dwellers to a stop and ask, their quickness and agility to outmaneuver them made it impossible.
"Phineas ?" Daggeron called out, having noticed the little troblin was missing.
Sitting up on a high branch, Phineas looked out to where the villagers were running from. His eyebrows drooping, as the answer they had all been searching was finally discovered. "We have company, " he announced. The last of the fairies, elders that were being pushed in wheel barrels by some daring and courageous youth, passed them.
Daggeron unsheathed his sword and called for his suit to protect him. Phineas hopped down and slid behind Madison, spotting her suddenly pale complexion.
Summoning all her focus, Madison called in her loudest voice, "Magical Source, Mystic Force!" Brilliant blues and soft yellows gathered like leaves in the wind, wrapping around her until her suit had completely enveloped her.
The essence of beautiful power was cut short as dozens of hidiacs barreled onto the spot where they stood. Daggeron immediately charged, Phineas providing some distraction so that Madison could regain her bearings.
Soon pushed into fighting, the blue ranger spewed water from her wand, dancing around the hidiacs like the flow of a well seasoned stream. Madison was dotting about in a rhythmic manner when a knight clad in black armor, decorated with rusted gold trim, entered the scene. His cape whipped from side to side, the tail of a rattlesnake warning its prey.
Madison couldn't quite process everything before she found herself toe to toe with the stranger. Catching his heavy sword in the arms of her wand, Madison finally took her first breath. That breath was soon expended as the knight roughly kicked her hard in the stomach. Catapulted into the solid, tall tree behind her, she was hunched over, trying to quickly recover all the air she had lost.
Desperately calling to mind all the fighting lessons her mentor had given her, she changed her wand to a sword and charged. What had been contemplated as a poor choice in attacking was confirmed when he effortlessly disarmed her and deftly struck her in the head with the blunt edge of his weapon. Tossing aside the blue ranger's weapon, he spun on his toes to execute a fierce spin kick. Still disoriented from the blow to her helmet - the power so intense to have cracked her visor - Madison was powerless to stop the kick.
It was as if her mind had taken an old still photo, the flash her eyes, still recovering from the last image taken. Her suit having de-materialized, she was looking up at the dark knight from the ground. Lifting his sword for a one final strike, he was interrupted by Daggeron.
Firing two shots, Daggeron redirected the knight's attention. Phineas bounced over to the blue ranger, a small cut began leaking right above the left brow of the blue ranger. His face scrunched up in disgust and fear, he helped Madison to a sitting position.
-MF-
Daggeron fought valiantly, but soon the mysterious knight of his own accord, left the fight through a magical portal. But, not before relishing in the suffering he had caused. The village was ash, the rangers not only wounded but also humiliated, and the sole purpose of the mission achieved.
Daggeron fell to his knees once he reached Madison, his face painted in dirt and sweat. He too, had expended all his power so that, towards the end, the Solaris Knight had had no choice but to fight unmorphed. "Are you all right?" he asked. Madison nodded, making an effort to stand. Her legs like jelly, she fell back down into a heap, breaking the fall with her not-quite-recovered wrist. She winced, tears pushing the walls of her closed eyelids to open and let them fall.
"I guess we know the idea guy behind all the village attacks," Phineas pointed out without really needing to.
"Which I fear he might have taken some with him," Daggeron lamented, bringing full circle their utter failure to do the very job they had set out to do in the first place. Protect the forest inhabitants.
"Interesting, though," Phineas noted, his musings having never really ceased to begin with.
The knight sighed. "I was only lucky he slowed when drawing back his sword, or I might not have been able to interfere like I had."
The troblin looked at the knight, his eyes seeming to reach even farther than him. "Yes, that was lucky for him to be tired." There was a long pause, the only sound the rangers' heavy breathing. "You two . . . . are . . ." Phineas looked at the two rangers, their dark eyes intensively staring, the smaller troblin fidgeted, ". . . very lucky because you had me to lead this little group. You are very welcome."
Daggeron huffed, not all that pleased with the kidding of Phineas. Helping lift the blue ranger, he escorted her back, proffering himself as an impromptu crutch until she was able to support herself.
-MF-
Ben stood, his curly brown hair slightly hanging in his face. An older man, with the beginning of crows feet sprouting at the corners of his eyes and a stubbly face smiled down at him. Ben's hand reached out to touch the rough tanned skin of the man hovering over him. "Daddy!" his voice echoed, the light spotlighting him and the burly man standing in front of the toddler.
The large, calloused hand extended out, moving to ruffle Ben's hair, but it then transformed. Slowly at first, the fingertips curling. The nails, caked underneath with dirt, became transparent, smoky. The palm expanded and started to become the wall between this gentle giant and the boy. Growing and growing, this ugly hand showed itself to be a cloud. A storm was moving in fast, too fast for Ben. Only three, he was unable to escape.
"Run! Run and forget!" called his father somewhere inside the violet and smoky grey cloud.
Ben's feet moved forward, unsteadily. He was trying to run, but the ground shook, and ahead of him stood a broad figure. His cackle preceding the ugly intent being forced upon the little boy.
"Help!" cried Ben. He could feel the large drops of rain start to pull him down, clinging onto him, he was being dragged, pulled into the darkness.
"No!" Ben breathed, winded from having hit the floor of his bedroom. He groped until he was able to find his phone. Using the brightness of his phone's screen, he examined his room. Outside, the clouds bickered with the taunting burn of lightning. He pushed away the sheen of sweat that blanketed his face, a second skin of fear being torn away.
Managing to find his grounding he moved to the light switch. Flick. Flick. In spite of his repeated attempts, the switch was broken, or more likely than not, the electricity was out. Normally, he would treck downstairs and flip some of the breakers, but leaving his room tonight was too much.
Flash.
His room alight with the lightning's guidance showed a carnage unthinkable. Items tossed off his low bookcase and the smell of smoke, learned later that morning to have been outlets that had fried.
"What happened?" he asked, sitting on his bed. He wanted an answer – to believe the storm had been responsible. The wind howled through the window that had been left open, the curtains reaching out to take hold of its inmate. Things had fallen from all over, one complete and unthinkable mess.
Long forgotten fears of monsters and evil struck Ben so hard he raced to his bed, the thunder booming its starting gunshot. Tucking himself under his sheets, he pulled them completely over him.
His eyes shut, he believed he would be safe. If he tried hard enough, he would fall asleep.
Ben was right. Sleep did come from the persistent trying, but so would so much more.
-MF-
Xander galloped down the spiral wooden steps, reaching the center of their headquarters. He immediately spotted Clare. His first reflex was to wait outside for the red ranger, but hearing her grumble only to be followed up with pitiful whines, he moved into the very bright light of the chamber.
She hadn't even noticed him until he was standing next to her, looking at a map spread out on the large tree stump that served as their "round table". The picture was divided into spheres, almost as if a bunch of ripples from a stone being dropped had been captured. It was mesmerizing as each ring held within it a new dimension, a different magical realm. Clare touched the ripple, the ring taking presence and showing the city plaza where Vida was walking with Vadeem.
Next she touched another part of the ring. The image of the city transformed into the forest with Chip the star, training with Daggeron and Leanbow. She continued to work, identify all the locations of the rangers. She was about to move on to finding the last ranger when Xander's voice stopped her briefly.
"Stalking us?" he pointed out.
His humor was left hanging in the uncomfortable air of his being there. "I'm trying to find you all," she answered with an unexpected bite. Xander stood watching her, hoping for a more elaborate explanation; instead he was left feeling empty. Her nimble, thin fingers moving with much deft skill over the ring, Clare mumbled curses the entire time in languages he had never heard. Finally, she stopped, resting her hands on the table's edge, she hung her head in defeat. Xander opened his mouth to remark that she should relax, when her first sob permeated his ears.
"Hey," he said softly, his hand touching her shoulder. She looked up, her eyes watery. "I'm sorry about the stupid joke."
"It's not that," she replied, taking in a big gulp of air. "I can't find Madison!" she yelled, hitting the table with her fist. "I've tried over and over. I always wind up unable to find her." Clare turned her head away, drying her eyes on her sleeves. "I'm still not strong enough."
"Who said?"
"It's obvious, Xander. Why else would I be unable to find all of you?" She crossed to the couch, plopping down on the worn cushions. The green ranger hesitated to follow, unsure if she still wanted his company. This had been the first time they had spoken alone, just each other, since the prom.
"Why is it so important to find us all? You can always call us on our morphers." He eased himself next to her, very aware of their closeness on the couch.
"I was trying to locate the Light Source, but when I found I couldn't, I wanted to see if . . . if I could at least find you all. I needed to know if I was . . . as weak as I obviously proved." She sighed, her breath coming in little quick tremors. All her focus was on holding herself together, and not falling apart in front of her ex-boyfriend.
Just then, Udonna had entered. Seeing the two sitting there looking dejected, she waltzed over. Even in a situation of turmoil, Udonna had a warm smile on her face. "What's wrong, child?" she asked, crouching down, to even herself with Clare, her hands clasped together.
Xander had quickly explained what was bothering the newly appointed sorceress. When he was all finished, he looked up at the elderly witch like a child does when they expect an adult to fix whatever is wrong. The Aussie knew the redhead had a special way with her niece. He might not have been able to cure her sadness and frustration, but Udonna could.
"Clare, you were blessed by the Mystic Mother. You have proven your worthiness through and through. I am sure that your inability to find Madison has nothing to do with your strength but your feelings." Xander gulped, thinking she was going to try and resolve an issue that was better left buried. "Madison is the water witch, flowing and bringing tranquility to all things she touches. Your frustration and brazen determination may be working against you." She looked at Clare, that same look mothers give when they know they are right.
"Then I'll just calm down. . ." Clare took a deep breath and stood. "Okay, I'll just try again." Before she even moved an inch, Udonna stopped her. Xander cut in, excited to maybe be a part of solving the blonde's problem.
"I think she means that you should have confidence in yourself, but take a break and come back to it later." He tried to smile, but her frown and narrowed eyes caused him to shrink back.
Udonna goodheartedly laughed. "It would not matter either way, Clare. The Light Source has a seal cast on it to protect it from locator spells. You will not find the Light Source so easily."
"What?!" Clare was about to cry, when Nick entered. He was dressed to go out, his face dimmed by the evident depressing mood running about.
"You . . . ready?" he asked, unsure of what he had interrupted.
"Go, have fun!" Udonna answered, gently pushing the red and green rangers out of the chamber. Xander could hear Udonna slowly settle Clare into resting, promising to help after a nice nap. Not much else was said, or maybe he was too far away to hear. The green ranger walked a little prouder, even if his contribution to her semi-happiness had been small. It counted.
-MF-
They had been walking the streets of her neighborhood, careful to avoid her home as she hadn't divulged to her parents that she and Vadeem were in a relationship. Finding a bench in the small park around the block, she basked in the coolness the elderly tree provided under its many large arms.
Vida turned to look at her boyfriend, taking in his more than unusually pale features, his eyes seeming to dim like a light burning out. His lips purpling like he was dying right in front of her eyes. She spotted an ice cream vendor and surprised him with some strawberry scoops on a sugar cone.
Vadeem appreciatively accepted the frozen treat, knowing it wasn't going to alleviate the sun's persistent beating rays, but nonetheless he placated the pink ranger. He started to eat the treat, finding more pleasure in it than initially conceived. The chunks of strawberry were delicious.
"Are you okay? You look . . . are you feeling well?" the pink ranger was drinking the last of her snow cone, eyeing him the entire time.
"I, uh, am fine. I am not very fond of the sun." As if needing to convince her, Vadeem pointed up at the giant yellow circle in the sky. "I will – am to suffer greatly and I am to be feeling the effects of such sunlight later." He watched her tip the cone back, getting the very last drops of the cherry flavoring.
"You didn't put on any sunscreen on?"
Not entirely sure how to answer, he smiled, chuckling at her naïve and yet genuine interest in his well being. "I have never met such a special girl. Spending time with you has made me very happy." In the depths of his stomach it was more than the sun that made his stomach turn. Her downtrodden look, knowing it was about Leelee, was no delicious treat. "Have you found your friend that is missing?" At this, he reached over and grabbed her hand.
"No," she murmured.
He stood, moving to go across the street to the café that catered to a crowd of darker enthusiasts, when he was stopped by a still sitting Vida. "Why are you not coming with me?"
"Xander . . . Xander was looking for clues . . . and he . . . um . . ." Vida took a deep breath, before trying again. "He said that he and his girlfriend had found pieces of her jewelry and stuff, and I know that you had checked that area . . ."
Vadeem slinked back to the bench, looking like a shunned puppy. "You think I have told you a lie? I searched the alleys. I ran all over to help find your friend. You do not believe me? I lo-like you. I care very deeply for you. I promise I did all in my power to find she was safe."
Vida tried, she desperately want to breathe, speak. "I'm so sorry, Vadeem. I just – I'm just frustrated. I'm sorry. I knew Xander was being stupid."
"I would never do something to hurt you, ever." It pained him to say it, the words full of half-truths, like a second sun burning within.
"I'm sorry, Vadeem."
Vadeem forced a smile, leading her to the café. He wanted away from the sun, he wanted a place to retreat.
-MF-
Itasiss and Matumbo looked out onto Titan's Lake. It had been a long time since she and her companion of former evil had taken the trip to see the sight of beautiful serenity. They stood quietly, until what Itassiss had to say could no longer be kept locked within herself. "The wizards are amiss and worried."
"Yes, they lack much focused heart for the impending danger that has loomed and is now raining on them."
Loud sucking sounds that breached into an irrefutable sorrowful howl echoed off the still water of the lake. The sun was setting, the nocturnal animals slowly stirring. As the clouds pushed away the glittery colors of the horizon's reflection on the waters, the Terrors sighed. They listened to the crawling of the forest world.
"The laylard lizards are nesting early," Itasiss observed.
"Hm," Matoombo agreed. "The Red Moon will be arriving this year. It has been a long time . . . since our first reign."
"Yes, and that worries me."
-End Chapter 9