Chapter 36: Shells of Yesterday
(Angel Grove Lake)
Standing at the lake it was like Tommy, Kimberly and Virgil was staring at someone who they loved and cared about. However, inside their conscience what they assumed was the Rosaline Diana Oliver they knew had no trace or recollection of her true self. For Tommy and Kimberly it maybe their daughter standing in front of them, but inside they knew something has occupied her body and it left them speechless.
Staring into the eyes of the young woman before him, Virgil struggled trying to find a sense of recollection of the girl he fell in love with. It was like a cruel joke or a game someone was playing with them to alter their perception. The only thing they know was something is walking around in Rosaline's body and it was here for a reason. Atticus kept the trio at bay while trying to get some answers out of Namine.
"So you have your audience," Tommy said looking in disbelief. "Now state your business. What do you want, Namine?"
"What have you done with Rosaline? Where the hell is our daughter?" Kimberly yelled as Namine remained silent staring at them blankly.
"You've been addressed by the Wings of Fate, Namine," Atticus answered. "Why are you here? Do you not realize what has occurred? The gatekeepers of the Twilight Realm are invading this realm. The travel between inter dimensional realms has been strictly prohibited for eons."
"The Gatekeepers are here to ensure that no more transgressions occur," Namine replied. "I reassure you Wings of Fate that the doppelganger you call your daughter is safe. It was for precaution that I temporary borrow the shell that represents my doppelganger."
"Don't refer to her like that!" Virgil snapped. "She may have resemble you a long time ago physically, but you are not Rosaline. It's an insult for you to possess her against her will!"
"I can see you truly love this girl, Green Ranger. This girl has value and means a lot to those who love and care about her."
"You're here for a reason and something tells us that those temporal rifts and those Gatekeepers crossing over is your responsibility," Kimberly snapped. "So we're on borrowed time so you better tell us what do you want?"
"Spirits of the deceased are suppose to cross over to the other side of the veil unless the wall is collapsing. Those Gatekeepers only yield to those who are in alliance with the Denizens of Twilight. I am Guardian of Twilight...yet they saw me as a hostile threat," Atticus replied. "Tell me Namine, they're here for a reason."
"They follow my words and commands. I ordered them not to strike knowing that I made them realize the Guardian of Twilight, that is you Atticus. How my coming to this side is a mystery but I am here with the purpose of preventing another insurrection from tearing Earth apart. I assure you Wings of Fate, your daughter is safe."
"By letting you walk around in her body," Tommy said sarcastically, "Is that how you're keeping our daughter safe from danger? By possessing her against her will? Rosaline's family and friends will know something is not right and if you think for one second you're riding inside my daughter's body..."
"Well that isn't your choice is it? The circumstances have change and drastic actions had to be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing for everyone for another day. Besides, I cannot leave until my business is concluded. However, it also gives me an opportunity to assess the situation and circumstances we are at. I propose a proposition for you all if the terms and conditions I state are acceptable to Atticus?"
"What do you have in mind, Namine?" Virgil inquired.
"An opportunity to observe and assess the predicament we are in," Namine replied, "I simply request temporary using this host body of the doppelganger to better understand what has transpired. I am too, bewildered by the recent circumstances of why my presence is here but I cannot ignore the reasons behind it. I will say I do like the chance to analyze and study the successors that the original line of Power Rangers chosen by Zordon have selected to succeed in bestowing the powers of Twilight. I like to assess...the new generation that are the new Twilight Power Rangers."
"Your request seems to have no logical implications of discontent behind it," Atticus answered. "However, as we are simply running on borrowed time what can you guarantee in return if what I find your intentions and request what you stated to be?"
"It seems that the Wings of Fate have stumbled upon the mysteries behind the Progeny's scroll that breaks the Curse of Shadow and Light. You're inquiring about the last fetal attempt that the followers of the Progeny, the Acadians attempted before the year 1492 AD. The last known line of the doppelgangers that was documented. You want to know everything: about Valhalla, the curse, the doppelganger, everything that ties your generation and those of your successors to the ones before you. We have common goals and interest I see...that is why I desire an audience with you to answer all your inquiries."
"I know extortion and exploitation when I see it," Kimberly sneered. "Especially when fate and destiny loves to jerk our strings on a regular basis."
"So all you're asking is a free ride around in our daughter's body in exchange you'll give us information we need?" Tommy asked.
"Just give her what she wants," Virgil suddenly answered. "The sooner we get this show over with, the sooner we'll get the real Rosaline back. However, if any harm comes to my friends or the people I care about because of this...you'll regret ever crossing the line with us."
"I understand your concern," Namine simply said. "And you have my word...I'll honor our agreement." Tommy and Kimberly were on edge as they simply walked over to Atticus before they anticipated he'll disappear once again.
"She better honor her agreement because I don't that thing inside Rosaline's body any minute longer," Tommy whispered. "You better consult with Zordon and the Order of Meridian to get us some of our own inquiries that stay off the record. If you're here to protect the Rangers, then get us the answers we need."
"I will consult with the Order about this matter," Atticus answered before turning to Namine, "You know the terms and conditions: honor them and comply to them as I am the Guardian of Twilight tasked with overseeing and watching over this generation of Power Rangers. Namine, no harm shall come to the girl or those who she cares about. Are we in agreement?" Namine nodded in agreement making the trio skeptical and left with the task of explaining to everyone the sudden change in Rosaline's demeanor.
(The Boarding House)
Once they arrived at the boarding house with Rosaline or Namine in tow, the three agreed to let reluctantly tell everyone about the current situation. However, when they reached the house, they saw the twins and Gabriel awaiting for their parents. Namine, in Rosaline's body was curious to know more about the Oliver family but Virgil kept her at a slight distance away questioning how Tommy and Kimberly were going to cover this up.
"Mom, dad when did Rosaline and the others get back from Japan?" Elena asked. "Did they find anything about how to defeat the bad guys?"
"Huh no sweetie, your sister and the others haven't said anything yet," Kimberly reluctantly said. On the walk back to the house Virgil suggested that it would be in the best interest for the twins and Gabriel not to know what happened to their older sister. The hard part was trying to play it off to the children that everything was normal with Rosaline. "But we'll find out everything we need to know."
"Do we have to pack a bag again and stay at grandpa and grandma's house again?" Hayden sighed. "Can we stay home tonight dad? We miss being home and Gabriel gets cranky when he's away from home for more than two nights in a row? We promise we'll be good and not get in the way."
"You know what...that doesn't sound like a bad idea pal," Tommy slightly smiled as his kids gave them a hug. "We're really sorry that we've been sending you three off to your grandparents lately. You understand why we're doing this. Your mom and I can't stand if anything bad happens to you kids. You mean everything to us."
"We know that but we don't like being away from home," Elena replied holding Gabriel's hand.
"And you're worried that those bad people are going to take us away that is why we can't stay home all the time," Hayden said.
"We promise you guys no one is never going to take you guys away from us," Kimberly said. "We're going to do everything in our power to keep the bad guys away and make sure you all stay safe. Even your sister and her friends are doing everything to fight the bad guys and keep our family safe."
"Because they're the Power Rangers and they fight the forces of evil right?" the twins asked.
"That is true," they replied leading the kids inside. "We love you kids so much." Meanwhile, Namine in Rosaline's body watched the interaction from afar with Virgil as she turned to him.
"There is this feeling of protection, love and caring I feel inside for those little children," Namine said. "These feelings aren't of my own, but of the doppelganger. It was a familiar feeling I had long ago...before I answered the call to serve the Great Power. It's this girl's humanity and compassion for others that resides in her."
"If the Power Rangers long ago didn't have to trade their humanity for power, then they wouldn't have been messed up and not die without losing the part that makes them human," Virgil said. "It was a tradeoff many before us have paid for in this fight between good and evil. However, the ones who choose those to take the mantle shouldn't underestimate the power of the human spirit or humanity. True power lies within the heart and soul of mankind...you were an average person once before the power weren't you?"
"I was and like Rosaline also had the capacity to love and feel compassion for others. It is a notion I lost touch with...but long to yearn to feel it."
"You know I find it complex and disturbing to be talking to my girlfriend, but the person I'm talking to you I can't feel the connection with," he added. "The sooner we get this over with, the better and everything will go back to normal. All I want is the woman I love back because she means the world to me. If that is something you're not capable of feeling, then so be it. However, you know you can't deprive Rosaline of her life. She's not a shell as you claim her to be, she's a person."
"She and I are alike in very similar way and it's hard for you to understand that. We're all born with a fate and destiny we must embrace and accept. Why do you think everything that has transpired for months, years, decades, centuries and all roads have led to this place? Sometimes the road to destiny is paved with hardships in which humanity must endure in order to succeed."
"Alright forget about it because I'm having a hard time trying to find some recollection of Rosaline or see some sort of connection. Basically, you're freaking me out every second you're standing here like you're a freaking robot or something! I don't know what you want or why you're here but somehow I have to deal with it because Rosaline's been through a lot in her life." Virgil explain bending his fingers. "While you're here going on your little walkabout and roaming in my girlfriend's body maybe you should take a crash course in human lessons. It will help you figure out things about us."
(Unknown Location)
Meanwhile, in a disclosed location Rita, Zedd and Thrax was viewing the dungeons in their hideout of their captive prisoners laughing in mockery of their futile attempts on destroying them. However, they noticed Satsu standing in front of the cell of their latest captive who surprisingly looked calm and collective and didn't show an ounce of anger or resentment. His face had a stern and sort of lack of expression look on him staring Satsu down like she was nothing.
"Keep looking at me like that you'll feel my wrath hybrid!" Satsu said angrily.
"And that is coming from a silly little power hungry schoolgirl who thinks she can wield the powers of prime evil within," Deker smirked in mockery. "You know back in those woods, I was just bluffing the extent of my true strength and power. Did you like the body count I left for you?"
"You killed eight members of my fraternity! However, for those who fall, more shall rise within the ashes in the name of Lokar, the Source of Evil."
"Silly old wive's tales and I've been walking this Earth for centuries, long before you were born dear Progeny," Deker mocked. "Tell me something little girl, just how far are you willing to go to incur the wrath of those you defy? The road to absolute power and immortality...has its price. "They" know it and "they" are here to crush this injustice."
"What you think the Power Rangers are going to stop me?" Satsu asked.
"I wasn't talking about the Power Rangers, "they" know and judge, jury and executioners are laying in wake to pass final judgment. The winds of change have shaken up the playing field and alter the rules of the game. If I were you I better be watching your back."
Satsu found it irritating that Deker continued to smirk at her with such arrogance and sarcasm as if he found her to be non-threatening. She stormed the main hall of the lair to address the Acadians and the unholy trio.
"Look my boy it seems like our little Progeny has gotten her feathers ruffled," Zedd sneered. "What's the matter? Did the hybrid get under your skin?"
"I need something powerful to complete the massacre of the threes. I need twelve worthy sacrifices for our noble cause so I can complete this first trial! Arrogant bastard thinks he can belittle me? I'm the Progeny of the Source, the one chosen to ascend and bring upon the second coming of the Source! I guarantee you that this generation will do what has never been done before...breaking the Denizen of Twilight's curse of Shadow and Light. I will succeed and obtain immortality!"
(The Boarding House)
Back at the boarding house, the veteran Rangers noticed the younger team spying on what was Rosaline staring in bewilderment at the pictures displayed on the main floor. None of them didn't want to take the risk of approaching her knowing that it was Namine's spirit currently residing inside Rosaline's body. Even Tommy and Kimberly seemed reluctant to engage in any sort of interaction after informing everyone of what transpired today.
"So that person who is staring at the pictures on the main floor with bewilderment is Rosaline?" Desmond asked. "However, there's a spirit inside of her that possessed her body? And that spirit is the original Denizen of Spirit, Namine?"
"Statistically people who are possessed by spirits are believed to experience a chemical imbalance in brain activity and..." Quincy tried to explain as everyone stared at him. "Hypothetically there is a high probability that the entity inside of Rosaline maybe the original doppelganger to have ever existed."
"That thing or whatever is walking around our house isn't my daughter," Kimberly sighed. "I can't sense some recollection of Rosaline in her."
"Why can't we try to exorcise the spirit out of her?" Bianca asked.
"It could be worth a try," Kat added. "However, I think that thing in there has answers we need. Besides, Tanya finished translating the scroll and the symbols from the Hallow. So what do we know and what did we find out?"
"That in order for Satsu to perform the ritual, she needs to pass three trials that will make her invincible until she breaks the curse," Tommy explained. "We found out that the tributes she needs to sacrifice to break the curse are creatures of shadow, supernatural creatures. From what we know she has a few in her possession. She has a werewolf, and from what we understand she was trying to seek a Highlander or Hunter whatever they're called."
"Well she already now added a hybrid to her collection," Penny asked. "That man in Osaka, he used to be a half human/half Niglock for hundreds of years."
"So what else does she need to complete this ritual? What do we know about these trials?" Jason asked.
"What it means is not only those of the living and deceased are in danger, it's everything...including the ones that are considered tainted," Bianca added. "I need to see if my father's old contacts are still out there on hunting jobs. There's like hundreds of small nests that exist of vampires, shifters, witches, werewolves, and occasional spirits here and there. Plus I need to follow up on a bit of old folklores see we can find some sort of evidence or traces of the Acadians."
"That sounds like a good idea," Kimberly replied, "Christian, Shi-Ann and Aidan see if you can help Bianca on a few leads."
"We're right on it," the others replied heading back into the lab.
"I'm not waiting any longer because I want my daughter back," Tommy said suddenly storming the living room with the information at hand. "Alright Namine, we want answers and want them now. We want information and you're the only one who can give it to us. So tell us what we need to know."
"You want to know about the Progeny's trials and the Denizen's Curse of Light and Shadow?" Namine answered. "It's hard to believe that this generation was obvious to the workings of the current Progeny of the Source. However, there are others before her who attempted and yet failed, until coincidence and fate brought them what they needed. It was then when the Order of the Meridian appointed us the impossible task of ensuring humanity's sanctity and claim of their planet."
"Start from the beginning where the story left off," Kimberly answered. "We know there were events that occurred after the first concealment of Lokar beneath the Seal of Talel. You're here for a reason...so at least tell us what your generation did and why it's happening now."
"You are aware that we, the original Denizens of Twilight were selected by the Order of the Meridian to succeed in taking up the mantle following the defeat of Lokar at the hands of the original Power Rangers. We underwent initiation beneath the Hallow the of the Great Power and then were tasked with obtaining the Sacred Flames of Power in order to complete the power transfer. As history shows we succeeded and obtained the mantle. For years, we remained under the tutelage of the Knights of the Meridian after the Order departed from Earth to let humanity reclaim their dominion. However, there is one vital piece of information they left out."
"And what would that be?" Tommy asked. "So we know the true origin story of how the original Denizens of Twilight came to be because we got filled in."
"I'm surprise you're all caught up with our tale. Atticus must have told you about the origins of the curse and why we crated the Twilight Realm. We served and did our duties without any objections and fulfilled our mission to ensure the survival the future line of Power Rangers. However, with us taking the mantle as the Denizens of Twilight we brought life the existence of beings that are beyond human perception. The Shadow Denizen, Kakariko discovered beings who possess characteristics and traits that were uncanny and thus brought an anomaly to humanity, supernatural beings."
"So you discovered that supernatural beings existed?" Jason inquired. "But why create a realm to basically house the deceased entities of the supernatural? What happened to make you people take drastic action on going on a potentially eradicating mission to wipe out an entire evolutionary species?"
"We were instructed by the Knights to monitor and study the behavior of these beings. Over time, we came in contact with small groups of creatures ranging from vampires, to hybrids, shapeshifters, werewolves and so forth. Some of us eventually discovered we started possessing traits and characteristics beyond human perception in terms of heightened senses, magical abilities beyond normal senses thus also bring forth psychics and witches into the fold. We were only warned to only subdued those who posed as potential threats and caused harm to civilians. We discovered that the evolution of the creation of supernatural creatures came upon remnants of Lokar's diminishing power that scattered throughout Earth. It was hard to determine whether these beings were evil or good but each of them had different characteristics to separate themselves from one another." Namine explained.
"As time passed, we continued to study and the question of the evolution and power these creatures possess plagued our minds. However, one of our very own became obsessed with this pursuit of strength and power that they began to systematically hunt down groups and absorb their abilities and harness them. He was once a Denizen of Twilight like us. He went by the name is Cassius until his expulsion and exiled from the line of power he was branded the Dark Denizen. But eventually he found a different calling that took him down a path of evil and darkness as the original Progeny of the Source. The Knights and the Order exposed him for his treason and as a result stripped him of his powers. However, Cassius came upon an Earth unraveling discovery about the origins of supernatural beings and instituted a plan that would bring upon total anarchy and massive unbalance that would threaten all of existence."
"You're meaning to tell us that the original Progeny of the Source used to be a Denizen of Twilight, a Power Ranger?" Tommy asked. "This wasn't something neither Atticus or Zordon shared with us. So the original Progeny, Cassius he was the one that brought forth the Acadians?"
"He was born as one of them, hired mercenaries, assassins, those who only ambitions in life was total power and domination. It was only after Cassius' exile they reformed underground, hoping to seek retribution and revenge against us. However, Cassius discovered his true destiny and calling to be the chosen host to bring forth Lokar's second coming. He stumbled upon Valhalla one day learning that in order for Lokar to walk the Earth in living flesh he needed to sacrifice tributes that were tainted with the essences of the Source of Evil. Cassius learned of the trials he had to endure in order to perform the ritual. When we got word of Cassius' plans we had to stop him for his actions began to cause an imbalance in the natural balance of the nature. We confronted Cassius on Valhalla just when he was about to infuse himself with Lokar himself. The ritual itself was dark magic that if he succeeded would collapse the veil between here and the other side. When the order got whim of this insurrection they tasked us with a mission to ensure Cassius' actions would go unpunished."
The others listened as Namine explained how the Order of Meridian committed an act of genocide that almost wiped out the entire Acadian Fraternity for their insurrection and slaughter of the innocent lives they took for Cassius. Next she explained about the creation of the Twilight Realm to seal away any remnants of the supernatural creatures tainted with remnants of Lokar's power. All the souls of any creature destroyed was sent to that realm and guarded by Gatekeepers to prevent any crossing and travel between realms. The Rangers listened on as Namine went into detail about how they imprisoned Cassius in the Twilight Realm ensuring that he never escape or be released. In a final act of desperation, she went on to tell them about how they cursed Cassius and anyone destined to take the mantle of Progeny of the Source hoping that they can't undo the curse.
"The curse was designed with the implications of balance: the entities of light and darkness. On the day we cursed Cassius and banished him into the Twilight Realm, in one final act of defiance laid his fail safe plan. By our blood we cursed him to never reawaken or bring forth the second coming of Lokar, but he enacted that by blood renewed, it will undo the curse we laid upon him. Knowing that he needed tributes to sacrifice if the ritual came in hand, we reluctantly hunted down supernatural creatures and destroyed them so the Progeny wouldn't attempt it. We imprisoned him in an eternal purgatorial sleep he endured for centuries while we spent years trying to contain the population of supernatural creatures on Earth. Realizing how many times they attempted this, needed to ensure once our tenure was up that our future successors would ensure that the Progeny wouldn't succeed in breaking the curse. This blood feud has carried on for eons and centuries that it won't stop until either the curse is lifted or the powers of Twilight are diminished."
"Great just what we need another blood feud and us basically doing the dirty work," Tommy answered.
"Okay so you answered what we want to know...now live up to your end of the bargain and give us back our daughter," Kimberly said but then she noticed a slight pang of disappointment and confusion on Namine's face. They knew there was something she wasn't disclosing.
"I'm afraid it isn't that simple Wings of Fate," Namine explained with a slight look of regret on her face. "You see, the Progeny of the Source is on the verge of completing the first trial needed to deem herself worthy of breaking the Denizen's curse. The curse was implemented as a means to ensure at any cost the Progeny wouldn't succeed. However, past transactions that occurred over the years that derailed everything we worked for. As long as a doppelganger is in existence...then her life will be in great peril. I'm afraid that as long as she lives, the fate of this planet and the balance of the universe remains in peril. y. It happened once, it can't happen again and I must correct the errors of the past."