Chapter 52: Fate's Roulette (Part 1)
(The Tide Gale)
As soon as the Tide Gale reached the thunderhead mist cloud barrier the weather began to change quickly. The waves picked up and a storm was brewing as Atticus and his crew started working the sails to maintain the ship's speed and avoid being capsize. Waves started splashing the Rangers and the veterans up on the main deck as the ship's rocking motion became rough and unstable. After using the cannons to puncture a hole through the barrier, the Tide Gale sailed inside the thunderhead towards the Isle of Songs. It was a rough sail once inside the barrier as the weather continued to work against their favor and soon, they could hear loud screeching sounds as Atticus muttered with frustration.
Everyone aboard the ship felt a sensation of creatures knocking onto the side of the ship as they felt it shake. The younger Rangers looked on the side of the ship and were in shock to see weird sea serpents monsters swimming alongside the ship alongside what looked like half human/fish people. Atticus worked frantically to steer the ship away from the creatures but found that they started pursuing the ship.
"Power Rangers, arm yourselves and get ready to do battle!" Atticus yelled. "Crew, steady those sails it is unfortunate that the wards from beyond the veil are displeased with what has been going on!"
"What the hell are those things?" Jason asked as they felt the ship jerk again.
"I swear this wasn't here the last time!" Virgil yelled.
"Apparently given my task to be the Guardian of Twilight it seems like we have a slight mutiny on our hands," Atticus replied steering. "The Gatekeepers know the barrier is weaken and in order to ensure the realm of Twilight its safety, they're dispatching assets to keep the borders safe from interlopers. Basically, my friends the sea is no exception as they dispatch its guards to the Isle of Songs. Those creatures are known as leviathans and those hybrid fish/human creatures are mermaids."
"Is this some kind of joke? Leviathans and mermaids are actually real creatures?" Aisha replied. "And the Gatekeepers released them?"
"Apparently they're stepping up security to patrol the borders but unfortunately they no longer recognize me as their authority! As the Guardian of Twilight I permit who crosses the veil and the Gatekeepers are only tasked to protect whatever resides in the realm of Twilight. However, it seems since this whole mess with the Progeny began, they're declaring what you people will call Marshal Law. By letting those creatures in, I believe it seems they took the law into their own hands."
"Are you serious? This is something out from a Hollywood film!" Zack argued.
"Well they look real and those monsters want to make sure they sink this ship to the bottom of Davy Jones' locker!" Bianca yelled.
"Don't worry I've dealt with these creatures before but I need your cooperation! Load the cannons because one or another, they will let me pass through if I have to ram the haul of the Tide Gale to do so! It will back them away and use the harpoons to ware them down! Whatever we have in our artillery will blast them away! The Isle of Songs is considered concentrated grounds for those of purity and goodness. We will be protected once we reach shore!"
"I'll play lookout from the crow's nest! I got 20/20 vision I can see things clearly!" Quincy said climbing to the top of the crow's nest.
"You better hope this leaky boat makes it in one piece because it seems Marshal Law is in effect!" Jason argued as he started loading the cannons. "If we have to fight to get to sacred grounds, then fine by me! If anyone agrees then I suggest we get those cannons ready, armed and loaded and arm ourselves to the teeth and bone! There is no way I'm planning a burial in between realms at sea!"
(Captain's Cabin)
The rough waves and jerking motion of the ship wasn't suiting well for Kimberly and soon Tommy once again regained consciousness. The tossing sensation sent the couple tumbling as they can hear the storm clouds, rough winds, crashing waves and the pounding sounds of the leviathans and mermaids pounding the ship. It didn't matter to Tommy how much pain he's in from his injury, all he was worried about was his wife's safety as he struggled to get up from the cot.
"Yikes! There's some sort of giant ugly sea creature thing on the side of the ship!" Kimberly yelled looking out the window.
"Get away from the window Beautiful...feels like...something wants to capsize the ship," Tommy said breathing heavily. He staggered to his feet clutching his injured shoulder to the disbelief and surprise of Kimberly as she quickly rushed to her husband's side to support him. "Looks like...we're weathering heavy storms!"
"Fire long range cannons starport right!" they could hear Atticus yelling as the sound of artillery cannons being blasted. "Reload another round! Set to full sail and ready harpoons!"
"Tommy, you shouldn't be up it's way too...woah!" The ship took another hit from the waves causing the couple to topple over on the floor. Everything in the cabin was sliding and leaning over as the weather, the sound of cannons and screeching sounds of monsters filled the air.
"Hey...I got you...not letting go by a long shot," he smiled closing his eyes to block out the pain. The couple staggered towards the window to see what was going on and looked with surprise and disbelief what their friends were trying to repel away from the ship. "Maybe...this was...something Aaron's storybook...left out."
"I think we've seen all there is to see. Those look like leviathans and wait are those mermaids? I thought mermaids were good creatures like the ones in the Little Mermaid who sing and stuff! Maybe, Disney decided to jazz it up and make them look so smiley and jolly Handsome."
Seconds later, a tail from one of the leviathans crashed into the cabin window as Tommy forcibly tackled his wife to the ground and covered her. The shattered glass from the windows spilled into the cabin as he summoned his Ninjetti powers and focused on his bond with Kimberly. In a matter of minutes a barrier surrounded the couple to protect themselves from the shattering glass, but the exhaustion caused Tommy to once again pass out in his wife's arms.
"Haven't done...that...in a long time..." he whispered before losing consciousness as Kimberly became aware of the barrier surrounding them. Tommy started glowing white and as he gripped Kimberly's hands, she could feel her powers emerging her hands started glowing pink. "At least...I...still got it..."
"You still do...you self-righteous martyr," she mumbled cradling Tommy in her arms and to her relief saw no cuts or injuries on their bodies. "Even at your weakest you seem to amaze me as to how far you'll go to keep me safe my white falcon."
(Main Deck)
"What the hell was that glowing light coming from the captain's cabin?" Penny asked as the guys tossed another barrage of spears off the left side of the ship. "Huh hello Rosaline what is happening in the cabin?"
"I'm a little busy right now Penn trying to get the long ugly leviathan off the back of the ship!" Rosaline yelled as she charged up her Celestial Spirit Bow. "Suck on this ugly! Celestial Spirit Arrow!" She shot two arrows into the eyes of one of the leviathans blinding it as it reared its head back in pain.
"Rangers, ready the cannons and aim for the eyes!" Jason ordered as the younger Rangers started loading another round before turning to Atticus. "How far are we from shore? These things are like leeches coming back for more!"
"Quincy, I need a heading! How far are we?" Atticus called.
"The clouds are thinning out within the next two miles this last attack should repel them back!" Quincy said as he felt the mermaids pound the ship. It caused Quincy to fumble out of the crow's nest as he was hanging over fifty feet high above the main deck as he struggled to get his footing to the rope ladder. "Somebody help!"
"Oh gosh Quincy hang on kid we're coming!" Rocky replied but a tidal wave soon splashed the main deck and Quincy as he was still dangling from the rope ladder.
"The tarp! Use it as a net to catch him!" Kat said as her, Zack, Aisha and Adam got the tarp ready. "Quincy, let go of the rope ladder! Trust me, you won't fall!" He did as the veterans instructed him to do as soon he found himself sliding down the rope ladder. However, Kat used a levitation spell to reduce bodily damage as the young genius landed on the tarp.
"Thanks for having my neck out there, we're almost close to shore."
"I see the clearing we're approximately eight hundred yards until we're out of the thunderhead," Atticus informed as the monsters continued in hot pursuit. "We need to draw them off of us right now!" Jason and the guys started to realize that they were running low on ammunition as Atticus continued to steer the ship. Though eight hundred yards seem close, the leviathans and mermaids weren't showing any mercy.
In a last ditch effort, the only cannonballs they had left were ones filled with gunpowder inside. An idea clicked into Desmond's mind as he told Jason his plan. A reluctant Jason had the others load the gunpowder filled cannonballs into the cannons. With the last remaining torches they had left to ignite and fire the cannons, Desmond had to time his attack right without setting the ship on fire. Once the cannons were lit and fired, Desmond used his Pyro Sword to release the attack.
"Fire Blaster!" Desmond yelled out as he ignited his fire attack from his sword that ignited the launched cannonballs. Soon, fire cannonballs struck the leviathan creatures as they started burning and screeching in pain. The others watched the monsters being destroyed as Atticus soon cross the threshold and the weather begin to calm down and the sea settled. The skies cleared up and about five miles away they came upon land.
"Thank goodness for land," Jason replied looking at the island they were heading towards. "So...this is the Isle of Songs?"
"That is correct Jason," Atticus confirmed as the Rangers nodded with approval towards their mentors. "The land that bridges realms in between. We'll be at the docks soon and from there I will explain the next course of action. We're safe here for now as it is one of the only last strongholds left for the forces of good in their fight against evil."
(The Isle of Songs)
Atticus led the group towards the light tower but they could feel that Tommy was weaken by the minute. Once they reach the Light Tower, Kimberly and Rosaline felt Tommy groan in pain as he collapsed on the ground. Atticus knew that time was of the essence as he deferred to Rosaline. "Time is of the essence, Messenger of Twilight. You know the songs now let the shades of the past reignite this dwelling." He said to Rosaline offering the ocarina to her. The veterans listened as Rosaline started playing from the ocarina as the young Rangers felt a sense of deja vu once again.
Various melodies started echoing within the towers as the items started radiating magic causing the torches inside to light up. Suddenly, the ocarina levitated and floated directly into Rosaline's hands. They noticed that the ten treasures they previously brought during their first visit remained on their respective pedestals and soon pyreflies started emerging in the main hall. The Rangers found themselves once again in the clothing of their predecessors and the veterans looked down to find themselves suddenly dressed in their Ninjetti robes.
The Rangers looked at the items they brought to the Isle of Songs as the torches in the area lit up and the objects started glowing. Soon, the objects transformed into torches that had their elemental and Denizen symbols on them. Standing on the ten pedestals in the main hall now stood ten torches that lit up with the Sacred Flames of Power burning red, blue, green, yellow, black, pink, white, gold, orange and purple. The Sacred Flames of Power shined bright and the pyreflies emitting in the area led the group to a hidden corridor that looked like living quarters. The music stopped as the group walked into the newly discovered area.
"Was...was that did those objects we found before suddenly turn into torches?" Penny asked.
"Those colored flames on those torches...no it can't be," Virgil replied with confusion as Atticus slightly chuckled at the young man's bewildered face.
"Once each of you retained the Sacred Flames of Power to restore your powers and the legacy of Twilight to the Morphing Grid," Atticus replied leading the group inside. "It was only a matter of time before they returned to its proper place. Those mere objects you found and offered up as tributes of purity and validation proved likewise. Now, the Sacred Flames of Power will continue to shine brightly in its proper haven and the time has come for you to finish what was started."
"So technically you're saying this place now belongs to us?" Christian asked.
"It will serve to answer the will and call of the Denizens of Twilight. Well, you can also say that your predecessors have now passed down this haven to their successors. The will of the Great Power is in our favor right now. Where you stand served as a home away from home to the original Denizens of Twilight to help them train and prepare themselves against the forces of evil. However, the Isle of Songs also serve its purpose to those who ventured between realms and from beyond the stars. The Isle of Songs is protected within a five mile radius against the wards and banes of evil, but also serves as the anchor for all ports."
"You mean life and death if that is what you're saying?" Kimberly suddenly asked as Atticus led them towards what a rest area. Jason and Zack helped Kimberly lay Tommy down on the cot as she continued to keep vigil over her husband. Unfortunately, the group was as much as worried as Kimberly over Tommy's condition and the more he fought, the further his lifeforce continued to fade. "You brought us here for a reason and Tommy is running out of time. So tell us how do we save him?"
"About half a mile off the coast of the Isle of Songs lies a place called Echo Cave," Atticus explained as he started gathering items into a cauldron as he reached for a scroll off a shelf. "It is the one place in the isle that no one wouldn't dare venture to unless...the purpose involved a bargain of altering a preordained notion of fate. The Echo Cave converses in three steps: a peek into the past, a reflection of the present and a plight towards the future. What I'm conjuring is the cure to Tommy's ailment but the rest of the ingredients are found inside the cave. You must understand, there are rules that have to be followed once inside."
"Okay so what are we waiting for then? If the cure to save Tommy's life resides in some cave we're ready then," Rocky replied.
"As much as you all wish to contribute to your efforts to save the Winged Lord of the Skies, I'm afraid that the task falls upon…them alone." Atticus handed the scroll to Rosaline and Kimberly opening it up but only found it empty. It confused them unsure what is happening. "There is a reason why the Original Denizens of Twilight named it Echo Cave. It is called that because of the echoes of the past, present and future that echo from within. Every individual call forth to answer the call of the Great Power and the call of fate and destiny ignite within them a living flame. It is true of the expression you can make your own fate and change your destiny, but to the three who dwell inside, they'll only grant that amnesty under certain pretenses. "
"It doesn't make sense," Adam replied as they followed Atticus back to Tommy in the rest area. "So the rest of us have to stay here while you send mother and daughter off on some whacked out mission to some unknown cave?"
"Trust me Power Rangers when I say that Echo Cave is a game of roulette designed by fate themselves. You've gambled many times during your tenure as Power Rangers to alter the plans fate and destiny had predetermined for you all. What Rosaline and Kimberly's mission is to obtain what is needed to save Tommy's life because sooner or later death will end up being his fate if they fail. That cave allows access by the Moirae to those who are defiant to rewrite fate's design over and over again. The compass, the mirror and orb, instruments are used to foretell their forecast, but wary that they hold dominion and welcome the challenge of defying their plans. They weave what can prolong mortal life and also mould the mechanics to predetermine one's destiny."
"You're meaning to tell me that Clothos, Lachesis, and Artopros reside in Echo Cave?" Kat asked. "Wow...didn't know that fate themselves actually inhabited the isle and so...these so called living flames you're talking about, is it...does it..."
"A depicted representation of one's life force. This elixir will restore Tommy's life force but you two need to retrieve his flame from within the cave. Tommy is still fighting but sooner or later the Fates themselves will extinguish it and death itself will come to claim him. You're fighting to save Tommy's life and prolong his fate and destiny. Not only will they challenge you to ensure their predetermined destiny for him, but they will challenge you to accept your predetermined destiny, especially you, Rosaline. One must be present in front of the tribunal while the other is task to carry out what is required. That you two must decide."
"You're meaning to tell us…ultimately it's going to be my daughter and I that will go up against the Moirae to change Tommy's fate?" Kimberly asked staring at her daughter and her husband. It was a lot for her to take in and recalling all the times Tommy risked his life for her, Kimberly felt she owed him. But the thing that worried her was what will become of Rosaline. Her abilities to protect her daughter was coming into question. "Why us Atticus? I understand it's us because this is Tommy. I love this man since I was a teenager and he's my soulmate, my white knight, my falcon and my mate. I would go through hell and back for him because I would defy fate themselves so they wouldn't take him away from me. But to throw my kid into the mix of things, ultimately it will come down to choice isn't it? Everything we do…there's a tradeoff and it comes with a price. I lost them once and it broke my heart, but if I go there…"
"Mom it's okay I'll be alright…you have to trust me," Rosaline replied taking a hold of her hand. She could see the tears coming out of her mom's face of worry and fear. She made a promise that despite all the heartache they're feeling, one of them needed to remain strong. "I'll be alright mom. I'll be alright. You're not alone if we have to face the Moirae, to stare fate in the eyes. We're in this together and I made a promise that I will save dad not just for you, but for Hayden, Elena, Gabriel and everyone else who matters to him. It's not going to be his time yet and we're going to stop this. You and me, mother and daughter we're in this together and we're going to face whatever lies waiting for us in Echo Cave. We're not going to let dad down, and most definitely, we will not fail. It's not us."
"So are you up to the task?" Atticus asked as the two nodded. "Well it's settled then, Echo Cave awaits. That scroll will show you what you need to know."
"We'll keep watch over him sis. You're not going to fail because I know how much you two will go through hell and back for Tommy," Jason replied as he gave both Kimberly and Rosaline a hug. "Don't worry, he's not going anywhere and besides, he still has people waiting for him to get home."
"Thanks big brother, please keep him safe for us," Kimberly mumbled hugging back and then turning to her daughter. "We're in this together right?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she replied back. "Dad has risked his lives for us many times, now it's time for us to return the favor to him."
(Echo Cave)
A little while later, Atticus took Kimberly and Rosaline to the entrance of Echo Cave in a small longboat. The cave itself was situated on a small isolated inlet as the boat stopped along a shoreline. There was a small stream that flowed inside the cave indicating the pathway mother and daughter needed to take. It didn't help that Rosaline still remained in the ancient attire wearing a cloak and Kimberly wearing her Ninjetti robes and a cloak too.
"Tell us Atticus," Kimberly said staring into the cave. "What's it like...staring into the faces of fate and destiny? I thought we were the ones in control of our own fate and destiny and everything wasn't all predetermined. Is there anything we should prepare ourselves for when we face up against fate?"
"I cannot answer that question for you, Winged Lady of the Skies," Atticus answered. "However, what I know is that they've been awaiting for your arrival for quite sometime. Those born to carry a torch of fate and destiny, to redefine the laws and rules of universe and balance, you've gained their interest. Many who have ventured into Echo Cave a very long time ago do not come out the same as they first entered. What you'll face in there is an understanding...of the reality you're living in right now. That my dears is all I can say to you."
"It doesn't help to know that we're about to walk into that cave and come face to face with fate themselves," Rosaline added. "I know that no action doesn't come with consequences. If we succeed and save my father...what happens then?"
"That you can figure out once accomplish what you need to do. All I can say is follow the lights...you'll know what they mean." He simply answered as he handed them the scroll and let them off the boat. Atticus watched as mother and daughter walked into Echo Cave and all Atticus can do is simply wait. "Good luck and let the power protect you. Fate is such a fickle thing...time is of the essence."
Rosaline and Kimberly walked further inside the cave and it was pitched dark. The deeper they went it soon became brighter and the area soon illuminated with hundreds of colored candles. The two saw some candles inside of lanterns, some of the lit up candles suspended from the ceiling and some hanging from the cavern walls. They reach the focal area of the cave and saw extinguished candles scattered on the floor, a cauldron with wax inside, hundreds of meters of colored wick rope and a device used to form it. They saw mouldings of new candles being made but not lit. However, the caves echoed with the sound of music playing.
"Can you believe this? There's so many candles inside," Kimberly stared. "I guess they take into literal context the whole burning flame of life. It's so creepy to take something ordinary and turn it into something mysterious and complex. Also it doesn't help hearing mysterious music to heighten up the anxiety."
"I wonder how many of these candles have been lit up," Rosaline replied. "So...all these candles burning are suppose to represent a person's life? I wonder how long these candles have been lit for? Wait a minute…the sound, the music, it's the same tune I heard in my dreams. Don't you recognize it mom?"
"It's kind of like a siren call but it seems very familiar like I heard it before. However, we're warned that the Moirae hold dominion here so we have to keep our eyes open sweetie alright?" The music continued they turned around and notice a few candles get extinguish and then for a moment they heard faints cries and screams as pyreflies soon materialized in the area.
"Another flame extinguish somewhere beyond the veil," they both turned around and found three female figures: one that looked like a child, another who look like an teenager and the last one who was a full grown adult encircling them. The trio of girls were dressed in what looked like togas from ancient Greece but continued to keep speaking in cryptic language. "Another light sniffed out of the day in which the barer must illuminate the path to the other side. A light down the tunnel."
"Look sisters it seems like the lights of righteous fate have stumbled upon our hallow dominion," another said looking directly at Kimberly and Rosaline. "Both blooming with the light of femininity and bright with destiny. The light shines bright within them sisters and their flames still remain in tact. However, it dances rapid and rigid like wildfire, altering the pieces on the chessboard. Redefining the stories and endings of our literary works. The past, present and future colliding into one sphere weaving and intercepting with one another."
"However, the future is still looming and weaving one thread after another," the third one said as they circled around both mother and daughter. "The flames of fate and destiny burn on both ends. For a long time, they have changed the rules of destiny and yet they are here once again to change it again. A new regime will soon step in the spotlight. However, once again they are here standing at a crossroads to once again play roulette with what may pass or what will come to pass. The question is how much control and power can they wield once again to alter the course of action?"
"So you know who we are then," Kimberly said keeping Rosaline behind her. "It's obvious you're the Moirae: Clothos, Lachesis, and Artopros. Either you go by that name or should we say you're the representation of the Fates? Those lanterns that hang and those candles you hold the very essence and life force of those destined for something of a higher purpose, like us?"
"It really doesn't matter who is who because I know Clothos represents the past, Lachesis represents the present and Artopros represents the future. I get the routine because my family and my parents and our friends have been instrumental to fate's games for quite sometime." Rosaline said cutting to the chase. "You been expecting us I get it and you know why we're here and our purpose."
"Like every being who ventured into this hallow dominion you're here to play a game of chance, of roulette and the very life that is bet upon is that of the Winged Lord of the Skies, your white falcon," the one referred to as Lachesis stated. A moment, the child looking being they assumed is Clothos brought out a lantern and inside of it was a multicolored candle mixed with shades of green, white, red and black.
"As you see the lantern and this candle has been touched many times by the actions of fate and destiny. The flame still burns and yet it's lingering at the crossroads of life and death. This candle right here, holds a magnifying torch of destiny. How it will be written and preordained will be determined by your hands." Clothos explained. "Those who are bane by a touch of darkness, malice and ill content wish to extinguish this particular flame but yet it struggles to continue to burn. Tell us Winged Lady of the Skies and young songbird, what are your intentions?"
"I want to save my dad no matter the cost or the price that has to be paid," Rosaline stated sternly. "My parents taught me that fate is what I make it and I can write my own destiny. I know this your dominion and you have to let fate and destiny run its course. I am not focusing on what happened in the past, the future I will leave that to chance. I focus on the now...what needs to be done. I am aware of what is planned for me and what is going to happen soon. But that doesn't matter...he's my father and if I have to trade places with him I will in a heartbeat. You have what we need to save him because that is what the Guardian of Twilight said. Is this true?"
"You're not afraid and yet you display disregard of what you're asking," Artopros stated. "The ailment that has fallen upon the White Falcon is that from beyond the veil of the realm of light. If you wish to save that you both hold dear to your heart, then you must participate in a chance game of roulette in which what you know of fate and destiny will come into play. We, the Moirae will offer what you desire if you look into the mirrors of your past, present and future. How you proceed is entirely up to you, but be mindful that many who leave Echo Cave do not leave how they first entered. Are you willing to once again answer the long lingering question: will you let fate and destiny run its course or will make it your own?"
Kimberly and Rosaline both looked at one another and thought about what was at stake. They thought about Tommy and the many times he risked his life for the sake of the world and the greater good. One thing for certain was both of them were going to come out of Echo Cave changed but they couldn't anticipate how and in what way. With a look at the three mysterious figurative representations of fate and destiny they didn't have to think twice.
"As my daughter said, she will learn how to make fate and destiny what she wants it to be," Kimberly said. "So we repeat ourselves one more time, we'll do whatever it takes to save Tommy even if we have to bet our own lives in a fated game of roulette to do so."
