A/N: Welcome to the main event of the Project Phoenix series. As a disclaimer, this series is inspired by Kctimes2's The Adoption (one of the best stories I've ever read here). Before reading this, you should read The Crane's Destructive Path and its accompanying one shot, Granted Wishes.

A/N 2: This is the story of when Jayden leads Rangers old and new into a fight for Earth's survival...with his corrupted mother. In this chapter Jayden earns the right to start on his quest, which takes him to a familiar, dangerous tropical island, and Flammia heads for Tarmac 3 in hopes of getting a key ingredient to invading Earth.

A/N 3: Couples featured are Jayden/Mia, Memily, Lantonio, Jason/Kat, Adam/Tanya and a slew of other old-school pairings. You'll have to read on to see if there is Tommy/Kim at the end...hehe.

A/N 4: Usual disclaimer. Power Rangers doesn't belong to me. Chapter title is derived from the Johnny Cash song of the very same name.

Chapter 10: Ring of Fire Part I

August 13, 2012

Phaedos

She watched intently from the plateau as Jayden continued his training (today he was going against Jason and surprisingly, at least to her, was holding his own very well), and though her stoic, beautiful face wouldn't allow her true feelings to show through, Dulcea the Master Warrior was more than proud of the Phoenix.

He was getting better each day and the day was drawing very close to where she would get to face him, and then would be the true test of how much he'd improved.

Truth be told though, she wasn't so sure he wasn't ready right now. She wasn't about to rush the process, but she wondered if the time was about right, both mentally and physically.

First of all, she was astonished by how fast Jayden was. It wasn't necessarily that he was blinding fast when he attacked, but he was quick on his feet and could move quickly into good fighting positions, faster than a lot of Rangers.

She supposed he got that from his mother. Of the early sets of Rangers, Kimberly Hart was arguably the quickest one there was, and like most gymnasts balance was a strong suit for her.

His supreme physical condition was off the charts as well. No matter what anyone did to him, he kept coming and coming and coming and did so for hours. She supposed the Samurai life helped with that, but at nearly 17 years old he was in the best condition of his life.

And his confidence was growing too. Over the last two weeks or so, he'd proven he could go head to head with his aunts and uncles...even his godfather as today was proving.

Suddenly, she heard a rumble and the ground quaked beneath her feet...everyone's feet for that matter.

It couldn't be...she thought, no, that wasn't it, she couldn't feel any evil spirits near the planet.

Then her eyes shifted to the right, near where Jayden and Jason were sparring, to where she could feel the power coming from. Before she could think any further, the ground gave way and swallowed Jayden as he fell through the ground. Mysteriously, once he fell through the ground, the quake stopped.

The noise had brought Billy out too. He joined Jason in the Temple, and the two had faces that were lined with worry. Where was Jayden and what happened to cause him to just fall through the ground?

As if to answer, Dulcea said, "You'll find out soon enough."

30 minutes later, the two felt a slight breeze emanating from the hole that Jayden had fallen through. A moment later they found out why.

Up through the hole came Jayden...and he was FLYING! With wings extended from his back and everything. This made Dulcea smile.

"He has fully mastered his flight capability," she said. She knew that already, he had worked hard in practicing his ability to fly, but she was simply relaying it to Jason and Billy.

"Not only that...what is that weapon he's got in his hand?" Jason muttered. Before he could say anything else, Jayden suddenly landed in front of his two uncles and Dulcea, weapon in hand.

"Finally, a weapon of great power has been unleashed," Dulcea said. "The one true Sword of Light, known from this day forward as the Phoenix Fire Sword."

"That one we used years ago..." Billy said.

"Was a replica," Dulcea said. "It could do certain things, but couldn't do everything this weapon can. The Phantom Ranger knew that Zedd would come looking for the sword thousands of years ago, so he created a replica and put it on the Deserted Planet. This one has been hidden for thousands of years, waiting for its rightful owner."

"And it chose me?" Jayden said.

"It did indeed," Dulcea said. "This shows me how far you have come, for this weapon to have chosen you. Even if an evil entity wanted to use this weapon, it couldn't. If any evil entity even tried to touch this sword it would not be pretty for them."

"How close am I to facing you?" Jayden asked Dulcea as he sheathed his new weapon.

"Very close indeed," Dulcea said. "We could do it any time but I'd rather not rush things. Just know this; the day will come very soon."

August 24, 2012

Eltarian Capital City

Eltar

The situation she was in these days made Lady Flammia want to release her pent up frustration in full.

Because that what she was...frustrated. Because essentially, she and her army were stuck.

They'd conquered all of the meaningful planets except one...any other conquest before "the big one" as Lady Flammia termed it would simply be overkill at this point. Eltar, conquered. Andresia, no contest. Inquiris, conquered. Edenoi, conquered and Dex was prisoner and on and on it went.

The problem is those blasted Rangers had been smart enough to lock down their planets. Earth was protected by a powerful shield enacted by a former Ranger ally. Gratha was conquered but you couldn't get to Aquitar on pain of death either and Dulcea still had her shield going strong on Phaedos.

Speaking of Phaedos, that concerned her just as much as being stuck in the mud not being about to blow things up and conquer planets.

She'd reread the Phoenix prophecy over and over and over. The chosen one obviously wasn't Nick Russell, the one who had defeated Octomus. He was a Phoenix, but not Ninjetti and had never held a Samurai power before either.

And besides if he was the chosen one then this Phoenix power wouldn't be growing stronger and stronger by the day. Oh, they could all feel it. The fluctuations in the Grid were growing stronger, this Phoenix power was off the charts and the longer Flammia's army sat on their asses and did nothing about it, the tougher it would be to stop this power from growing.

That is, if they weren't far too late already.

That pesky Crane wasn't about to give up her secret either. Kimberly's evil half wanted that secret but it was obvious that what remained of Kim wasn't about to give it up on pain of death.

It was time to press the issue, Flammia thought. And she knew just where to go to do it.

"Scorpina, report!" Flammia bellowed.

Moments later, Scorpina and her daughter were standing before their Mistress.

"Good morning your Majesty," Scorpina said.

"Good morning to you too," Flammia said. By the tone of her voice, Scorpina knew something was up.

"Gather some of our best soldiers," Flammia said. "We're going to Tarmac 3."

"And why, pray tell are we going to conquer that pissant planet?" Scorpina said.

"Because, my dear Scorpina, it is by conquering that planet, and by conquering a certain someone, that we will be able to earn our ticket to invade Earth," Flammia said. "Now gather the army. We leave as soon as you are ready."

Not long after, Flammia's army was gathered and was on its way to Tarmac 3. Because they knew that if they even attempted to conquer this planet their desired target would come. And it was exactly what they wanted.

Their departure, however, did not go unnoticed.

As the Dark Fortress Mark II zoomed towards Tarmac 3, Flammia was happy, but was unnerved that what remained of the Crane seemed relaxed too. None of the taunts worked anymore.

'Even if you get what you want, you're too late to stop what is coming. Sorry, sweetheart, you've already lost,' came the voice of what remained of Kimberly Hart.

"Don't you know that after we're done on Tarmac 3 we're going to conquer Earth and finish our stranglehold on the rest of the Universe? Then, what remains of your pathetic soul will be MINE!"

'Oh you think you've already won. Big mistake, sweetheart. The Chosen One is coming, and you are too late to stop him.'

"We'll see," Flammia snapped.

Aug. 27, 2012

Phaedos

The minute Jayden stepped through the invisiportal via his father's house which brought him to Phaedos, Dulcea could see the difference in expression on his face. This wasn't the carefree, loose Jayden today.

He was all business.

"I take it you know of what's going on, right?" he said as he met Dulcea at the temple. "You know what my mother's evil half wants on Tarmac 3."

"Indeed I do," Dulcea said. "I can feel it in the air as well. We must waste no more time, and you have improved more than enough. Today, you are facing me. And if you are successful, then I will send you on your quest."

As Jayden expected, his test against Dulcea was long and grueling. It came in several various forms. The first part of it, hand to hand combat, forbade Jayden from using any of his magical powers; he could use only his sword and his two bare hands. For a few minutes even, Dulcea used her powers while Jayden couldn't.

This was where his Samurai training came in handy; a lot of hand to hand combat was used in the Samurai life, and he proved he could easily go hand to hand with anyone. As for his opponent's magical powers, he just simply avoided that as best he could. He got hit a few times but nothing severe.

The middle part was the easiest part; anything goes. All powers were in play, and his power level was rapidly ascending. He also learned recently that like his father, he has the power of invisibility on a limited basis. If he could get to his morpher, then he'd be able to use it full time. For right now, he used it once or twice, but not for very long.

Dulcea shook her head when that part of it was over; both had taken a beating but if anything, Dulcea had it a little bit worse. Jayden's power level almost matched hers at this point.

Even before they started their third and final part, she already knew she was sending him out there to claim his powers. He was ready; he still had things to learn, but he was ready. Probably was ready beforehand.

The third and final part was interesting; all powers were in play like the last part, but this was more mental than anything. In this part, she'd try and use her mental capabilities to put him in bad situations similar to what he might see once this battle began. There too though, he exceeded her expectations. He got fooled on some situations, but others he did well. No doubt, she thought, he was using the Phoenix spirit inside him to guide him.

Finally, when it was all over, the young Ninjetti and the age old Master Warrior embraced.

"I almost hate for this to end, Jayden," Dulcea said. "You have improved so much since you came here. Just know that the battles ahead will be tough, but if you believe, anything is possible."

He didn't miss how she looked at him either. If he didn't know better, he'd have thought she wanted to keep him longer because of his good looks. Come to think of it, that was something he'd have to watch out for. Evil villains trying to take advantage of his good looks to seduce him.

"Another of your mental tricks to prepare me for what's to come, Dulcea?" Jayden said. "You know I've already got a girl."

"Believe it or not, no," Dulcea said. "I just think Earth males in general are cute and you're no exception. It's selfishly one of the reasons I wish I could keep you longer."

"But, you are right. You do have a girl. And, you are ready and the time is drawing near to where Earth will be invaded. Just know that I wasn't kidding when I said this quest is long and arduous."

"How bad are we talking here?"

"Not only will you have to pass a physical test when you get to your Morpher, just as your parents did, it will be a bigger challenge than they had to go through. A much bigger challenge," Dulcea said, "And just to get there, your quest takes you through Rita's former Island of Illusions, which is a treacherous place that will test your level of confidence as it did your parents."

Jayden shivered. That didn't sound like fun at all.

"But how can that exist now? Rita is good and that island was destroyed," Jayden said.

"As part of this quest, I have put a temporary spell on Rita which reverted her back to her evil form for just this part of the quest. As soon as you complete that portion of the quest, that spell will fade as will the island and she will become the Mystic Mother again."

Jayden gulped noticeably. He would actually have to come face to face with Rita Repulsa at least once.

"In addition, you will witness all the ups and downs your parents have endured over the years since they became Rangers before, during and after their relationship. And when you get past that your mental state must be able to be in tact enough to face your phsyical challenge at the end."

"I take it there's a lot of dark events that I'll be witnessing?"

"Far more dark events than positive events. A lot more dark events," Dulcea said.

Jayden shivered again, though he wasn't surprised.

"Also know that you'll only be there to view those events. No one will know that you are there and you won't be able to do anything about them. Understood?" Dulcea said.

Jayden nodded bluntly. How he wished that past events could be changed but they couldn't.

"I have one more question that I've been meaning to ask," Jayden said. "Was Deker Cole Evans? I have been meaning to ask that question but I keep forgetting."

"That will be included in your quest, but for your reference yes he was. It was an accident; no fault of his," Dulcea said. Jayden nodded; he wasn't surprised. The resemblance was too uncanny.

"Where's the path that I need to take?" Jayden asked.

"To your right. Look in your heart and seek guidance from the Phoenix, and it will not steer you wrong, just as it never has before. There is one more person I brought here who would like to wish you well on your quest."

Jayden saw a streak of white light touch down, and immediately knew who it was.

"Dad," Jayden said, as father and son embraced one more time.

"I couldn't let you go on this quest without saying goodbye and good luck first," Tommy said.

"The quest that Dulcea laid out is indeed difficult, Jayden. Viewing the things your mother and I have had to go through is not easy for anyone and won't be easy for you either. But you've already overcome a lot and your resilience is unmatched by anyone that I have seen wear a Ranger suit," Tommy said. "Your belief in yourself and the ability to conquer improbable odds is what gives you a chance to claim what is yours. It will not be easy, but I have confidence in you."

"As a reminder though, I don't need to tell you what happens if you come up short. All of us will die should your quest come up empty," Tommy said. "The stakes are high. Keep that in mind."

"Your father and I wish you both the best of luck," Dulcea said. "May the Power protect you and keep you safe on this quest, young Phoenix."

Both of them smiled ruefully as he started down the path...hopefully, they thought, to claim greatness.

A few moments after he left, Dulcea and Tommy went back inside her Temple, where they found Billy waiting for them.

"Jayden is ready and I sent him on his quest. In addition, Flammia is on her way to Tarmac 3...actually she's probably pretty close to there by now," Dulcea said.

Billy gulped. It was only a matter of time before she invaded that planet...and if she got what she wanted, or rather, who she wanted, then Earth wouldn't be safe for much longer.

Several Earth hours later

On Phaedos, days were much shorter than they were on Earth, so when Jayden had started this quest, nightfall had come. He was also quite tired from his match with Dulcea and he knew he'd need all his strength when things really started getting testy.

Therefore, he'd sat down to rest for a while. Much like the path that his aunts, uncles and parents had taken to get their powers, this path took him through the Neola Jungle, although this path was decidedly different from the ones his parents had taken.

When the sun rose again the next Phaedos day, which in reality took off only several hours on Earth, he knew it was time to get moving again. So, he grabbed some fruits and nuts indigenous to the planet because he would need any sort of strength he could get, and then continued down the path.

About an hour after that, he came to the edge of the forest...only to find a massive Phoenix with its beaked mouth open. It didn't look to be alive but it did engulf the road.

It still looked intimidating.

'Step inside, Jayden. This is where your quest truly begins,' came the voice inside his head.

That made sense, Jayden thought. At the end of the forest when his parents went on their quest was the Monolith. It made sense there would be something like this here.

"Here goes nothing," Jayden mumbled as he stepped towards the massive bird and stepped inside. The second he stepped inside, he felt himself falling through space and time.

When he finally got his bearings, he found himself on a tropical island.

It seemed pleasant enough, but his senses were tingling. Something was going to happen any second.

He couldn't have been more right.

"I see the so-called savior of the Earth has come," a raspy female voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard said. "Well, we'll see how good you are all right."

Jayden whipped his head around to see a familiar face etched in the sky, but this one was decidedly different.

Instead of a white robe, and good wisdom that rivaled Zordon's this woman was dressed in a hideous outfit and evi energy dripped off her in waves.

"Rita!" Jayden barked. He tried to sound angry, but really it was a facade. He knew Dulcea had done this to be part of his quest.

"We'll see how your confidence is now, young Phoenix. Welcome to my island, where nothing is ever as it seems. Welcome to my Island of Illusion."

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