Hey guys, thanks for all your messages.

This chapter marks the beginning of a new story arc of sorts but is basically a continuation. Also I've decided to knock out the subtitle as someone pointed out that it is a little misleading. The story's still the same though.

Enjoy!

Chapter 53

Aftermath

"Hey you want to grab some dinner?"

Taylor looked up from the paperwork she was keying in on her laptop to see Jen standing in the doorway of their shared office.

"Boys still working?" she smirked as she saved her work and filed away the rest.

Jen sighed as she walked into the room and leaned against her desk across from Taylor.

"This case really has them stumped. They're holed up in Eric's office going over everything SHPD's given them. They're supposed to be consulting not working overtime," she complained.

"Are you forgetting who you're talking about? Those two aren't going to give it a rest until they find out what happened to all those missing people"

"Shouldn't the cops be handling this though?"

"Jen, the guys are just covering their bases especially after that monster attack two weeks ago," Taylor assured her friend calmly as she left her seat to put away some files in a cabinet.

"Yeah, that was definitely weird. And let's not forget those guys who stopped them."

"So monsters attacking the city and people it suits or armour in this case is weird now?" Taylor asked with an amused grin.

"Very funny," said Jen with a half-smile. "But you know what I mean. We don't know who these guys are or where they came from. Two weeks ago these monsters appeared out of nowhere to attack Silver Hills and Blue Bay Harbour. There was even something on the news about a lone creature wandering around Briarwood. These 'mysterious knights' that everyone's calling them show up and save the day and poof no one's seed hide or hair of them since then."

"And that's a bad thing because…?" Taylor trailed off

"You and I both know these things are not a onetime occurrence. Something fishy's going on, that's for sure."

Taylor sighed as she shut the cabinet and walked up to her own desk, it was time to do some damage control.

"Jen, everything you just said, that's probably what people thought when we were running around saving the day. You do have a point about it not being a onetime occurrence but until we know more there's nothing we can do about it. We're just going to have to deal with it as it comes."

"I think you've been hanging around Wes too much, you're sounding awfully optimistic," Jen smiled.

"I think it's more a combination of Wes, Cole and Alyssa."

Jen laughed before looking down at her feet and fiddling with her thumbs.

"I just wish I had all my memories I would know if these guys were some kind of rangers or not," she voiced.

"If you did you wouldn't be here," Taylor reminded her.

"Point"

"So, I have to meet Alyssa for dinner, you want in? We can pick her brains on these 'mysterious knights'," Taylor asked as she grabbed her wallet and keys.

"Sure, why not? It's not like I have plans with my husband or anything."


Meanwhile in Azelia Pryce stood in his father's office - or rather his office now that his father had passed away - looking down into the shadows of Lower Town. Azelia's sun had begun to set beyond the horizon but the City of Thunder came alive with lights so bright they drove away the darkness of the encroaching night. Lower Town however, remained in the shadows as always.

He pulled the white coat he was wearing closer feeling far too small for it even though it was perfectly tailored to suit him, his mother made sure of that. He wasn't afraid of the responsibilities that his new position held, he had filled in for this father long enough to have a good handle on things but he still had an odd feeling.

"Gin said I would find you here"

He didn't need to turn around to see who had spoken.

"What do you want Maya?" he asked listlessly

"Pryce," the intruder spoke softly not daring to move away from the door.

With a sigh he turned away from the window to see his friend standing by the office door dressed in a high-collared, long-sleeved cream dress that fell to her knees and was fastened with a platinum belt. A pair of matching boots rose up to her knees while her long brown locks were woven into a braid with platinum ribbons.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly still not daring to move.

"You can come in you know," he sighed as he sank into the chair behind the desk. "You don't have to stand there like an idiot."

"Is that how you talk to your subordinates?" she asked as her shy countenance gave way to a teasing one.

"Not funny Maya. And don't use that word."

"Subordinate? Why?" she asked as she walked over to the gilded wooden desk in the middle of the room. "Your mother sure seems to love it"

He narrowed his eyes in a glare although there was no malice behind it which made her smile. With another sigh he let his head sink into his arms with the desk acting as his support.

"Wow, Gin wasn't lying when he said you were moping"

"I'm not moping," he growled

"Really? You definitely have me fooled," she remarked. "Come on Pryce, this isn't like you. I half expected you to march into Lower Town and start fixing things."

"It's not that easy," he mumbled

"You don't say. But then again you knew that the first time you snuck down there. So are you going to tell me what the real problem is, or not?"

"Fixing the problems with Lower Town on my terms was fine, hard but fine. But now…" Pryce broke into a rant shattering the silence that followed Maya's words.

"But now what?" she urged determined to find out what was bothering her friend.

"But now we need to come together more than anything," he answered rising from his chair to once again take up his post by the window. "You should have seen everyone at that meeting at the palace. Everyone talking about how they were going to rally their forces to protect their cities, to support their knights in this battle against Groudon and to work towards regaining what we once had…"

"And that's a good thing….right?"

"It's a wonderful thing," he exclaimed. "It hasn't been all that long since these new knights showed up and they haven't even done all that much but yet they've inspired change. For years we've ignored each other for reasons hardly anyone ever remembers and while it will take time for us to truly trust each other and unite like Princess Amerith wants us to, we've finally taken a step towards something big."

"I still don't see what the problem is," said Maya growing increasingly confused.

"Maya look at us we're not like the other cities. They drew into themselves yes but we didn't just do that we divided ourselves. For generations we lived as three different cities and we've only just been able to merge with Mid Town. Lower Town is a mess, if Groudon were to attack us we'd have no defenses whatsoever."

"Pryce," she said in understanding. "We've become this way because our leaders have always thought the worst of Lower Town. It was only a matter of time before things became the way they did. We abandoned them. But you're not like that, you've been down there, you've lived them, have friends there. You've been trying to change things for years and now you have the power to do it."

"I know that Maya but whatever I can do won't be fast enough. We could very likely be heading towards a war and we can't survive on our own. Before we can hope to re-forge our alliances with the others we have to be united ourselves. Groudon has become nothing more than a legend I can't even use that to scare people into listening."

"Unity forged from fear is not one that will last," Maya chanted with a frown. "That's what Lord Zeplin used to say. It's probably why the cities fell out after Groudon left."

"You spend way too much time in the library, you know that?"

"And you don't spend enough," she retaliated.

"Okay Miss know-it-all what should I do? How can I make this city great again?"

"You can't"

He deadpanned

"You can't do it alone," she corrected herself

"Maya, I've been at it with ministers and officials for two years no one believes Lower Town can change. Hell my own father didn't believe it. I am on my own," he exclaimed.

"No you're not. You have me and Gin who will do anything to support you and most importantly you have a knight who I am sure will gladly help you to not just restore our city to what it was but make it far greater."

"Where do you get your faith from?" he asked with a smile looking into her eyes for the first time since she entered his office.

"From you," she replied clearly. "You may have more responsibilities now but you're still the boy I once knew who wanted to change the world and I believe you can."


Across the Drarian mountains which surrounded the City of Thunder within the safety of the castle walls Princess Amerith gazed into the pool that stood in the centre of the courtyard. It had been a long day, the news of Groudon's return had shook the castle and it's people but none more so that her royal advisors.

For days after the council members had left they constantly plagued her for not informing them of such important matters. This was quickly followed by a succession of lectures on properly introducing the new Knights of Azelia to the people with several questions about their trustworthiness sandwiched in between.

She ignored them for the most part. Whatever damage had been done during the drizzards' attack was under repair and near completion. Life within the confines of the castle's walled city was progressing smoothly and she maintained a regular correspondence with the council members. So far everything was on track and she was able to devote her energies to helping the knights.

After their first attack in Earth a restless silence had settled on both worlds. The enemy was present of that they were sure but for now all they could do was wait until they made the next move. It had been a while since she had seen the knights but she prayed that they were doing well and settling in to their lives with their new powers.

"Your highness, there you are. I have been looking all over for you."

The princess sighed and slowly turned around preparing herself for the sight of an aging man dressed in flowing white and gold dress robes with his beard hanging loosely beneath his chin and balding head that glinted in the light of the orbs that lit up the courtyard once the sun began to set.

"Lord Aro," she addressed him with a curtsey.

Remembering himself the old man bowed before he continued with what he had to say.

"Your Highness, it is imperative that we speak"

"What is this about?" she asked wearily. She had been avoiding him for three days now, always making excuses and hurrying off to the other end of the palace but it seemed he had finally caught up with her.

"It is about you taking a consort"

It was only her royal upbringing and the stern lessons drilled into her by her governess that kept Amerith from rolling her eyes at the man. Ever since she had come of age the royal advisors with Lord Aro in the lead would bring up the subject of her marriage. When he was alive her father would laugh it off saying that his daughter would only marry someone she deemed worthy and even only after the young lad had proven to him that he was indeed worthy of his precious princess. The matter would then be laid to rest.

However after her father passed she ascended the throne but as Princess for Azelain law declared that the heir to the throne would be crowned King or Queen only once they were wed. Lord Aro insisted that she could not rule as Princess and should take a consort immediately. But she defied his suggestions and rejected all the men of court that had been presented to her and ruled over her kingdom the best way she knew how.

"Forgive me Lord Aro but we have been over this…"

"The tide has changed Princess," he interrupted her. "First you fail to inform us of a looming threat that could possibly threaten everything we have built since the Great War and fail to enlighten us about the emergence of a new order of knights to whom you opened up the pathway to the weapons of the Knights of old. But all of that can be overlooked. However the castle was attacked the soldiers and the people are afraid. What they need is a Queen to reassure them that all will be fine not a Princess who eludes her duties to run amuck with strangers from another world."

"That is enough brother."

They both looked up to see a beautiful woman dressed in a white and gold toga-styled gown with her greying hair pulled back in a bun as a thin golden wreath adorned her hair.

"Lady Arista," the princess acknowledged.

The woman stepped up the two of them and bowed her head to the Princess. She was Lord Aro's twin sister and had been a guardian to the young Princess ever since she was a child.

"It would do you well to remember who you are speaking to," she addressed her brother sternly while placing a comforting hand on the young girl's shoulder.

"Sister!" he exclaimed extremely unhappy about being reprimanded in front of the Princess.

"It has been a long day brother, the Princess is exhausted. She has heard your piece and will consider your suggestion but perhaps any further discussion on the matter can wait until tomorrow."

"Very well," Lord Aro conceded and left the two women alone, he knew better than anyone else there was no arguing with his sister.

"Thank you Lady Arista," the Princess sighed as she sat down at the edge of the pool. "I do not know what I would have said to him."

"My brother only has yours and Azelia's best interests at heart, however he can be unreasonable when others do not see eye-to-eye with him," she said gently as she joined the girl.

"Although what he said is true."

Amerith looked up shock etched into her face, this was last thing she expected the woman before her to say. Lady Arista however smiled and gently placed her hand beneath the young girls chin.

"From what you have told us, our new knights are not of this world. As it is in the present they will not always be here to raise the morale of the Azelain people. That task thus falls onto their leader. What the people need is a strong leader who can inspire and reassure them. They do not need a Queen who adheres to the will of others, what they need is strong Princess who believes in herself and in her people."

Amerith smiled softly as tears crept into her eyes. The older woman smiled down on her and took the girl's hands in her own.

"One day my dear you will find your soul mate and live out your fairy tale with the one you love. That day you will finally be crowned Queen and will have the power to dissolve this distasteful law that you despise so much so that your heirs shall never have to face what you have. But until that day the only thing you can do is be the best ruler you can be. That is all your parents ever wanted of you. There are dark clouds on the horizon you need to believe in yourself and your power if we are to shine through and survive this."

With tear filled eyes the Princess nodded and hugged the woman before her who in turn wrapped comforting arms around the girl.


Deep in the confinements of Groudon's dark lair Galatea paced about in her chambers, her long white hair flailing along behind her. Her fists were clenched in anger as were her teeth. She was beyond upset. The twits Brazier had chosen to begin their plan with had failed and failed miserably. Not only did they fail to collect Landfor's precious samples they also alerted the accursed knights to their whereabouts.

She disliked this plan right from the start. It was too slow and kept her from wringing the neck of Aurora's successor. But this little hiccup had slowed them down even more. Landfor had found a way for their warriors to escape detection but it slowed everything else down.

To top things off it was Marsed who was sent to Earth to lead in the field. Marsed who was far too inexperienced and incapable of leading a team. In turn she was under orders to stay in her room to regain her strength.

"How much longer is this going to take?" she growled knowing full well that Brazier was standing outside her door.

"We cannot say, things are progressing as best they can given the circumstances," he replied calmly.

"Let me go to Earth Brazier," she pleaded. "We both know I am capable of moving things along much faster."

"And what if you were to come across the Knight of Quintessence?"

He nodded his head in understanding when she didn't reply. It was unlike her to make false promises.

"Marsed has grown up since you've been gone. She is handling both herself and her mission rather well."

Galatea didn't respond. Instead she folded her arms and turned away.

"We will not be able to evade a confrontation with the knights. You should use this time to hone your skills."

"My skills are as sharp as they always were, I am ready for battle."

"Marsed was able to revive you with the life force of a fairy. Do not think for even a moment that it will not affect you. Fairies maybe small in size but their powers are great, you should consider that."

As she watched Brazier leave she ground her teeth fiercely as a dark blue energy surrounded her fist. With a fierce cry she swung hand towards the wall releasing the blast of energy. As expected it hit wall and blast right through it. But almost immediately a ring of golden energy spun where the gaping hole lay and rebuilt it.

"What?"

Brazier heard his sister's exclamation and shook his head. He was right in fearing that she would be different when she returned. He barely saw anything of the old Galatea and could only wonder about how this change in the once calm, collected and confident warrior would bring to their impending battle.

Lost in thought he wandered through the winding corridors until he came to their master's door. He knocked and entered the room. As always Groudon sat in his chair facing away from the warrior.

"My Lord," he bowed

"Ahh Brazier," came the cold voice. "I was wondering when you would come to report to me."

"We had a slight disruption from the knights in our original plan. However Landfor produced a solution that has allowed us to secure the first batch of samples. He is studying them as we speak."

"But there is something that troubles you"

"The knights arrived far too quickly to thwart our first attempt. And while our alternative solution appears to be working I fear they will catch on to our plan."

"Ahh Brazier, I can always count on you to never underestimate the knights. Yes they might as you said 'catch on' to our proceedings. Brave things aren't they, always risking their lives to save innocents. Well why don't you give them something to fight. Distract them and allow their need to save others cloud their sight."

"I understand My Lord, it shall be done instantly," he replied as he rose to leave stopping short when he heard his name being called out again.

"Brazier"

"My Lord?"

"Allow Marsed to choose the manner of distraction. My dear girl has conducted herself beautifully she deserves a reward."

"As you command, My Leige."


Back on Earth Taylor waved goodbye to Jen after dropping her off at the Collins mansion. As she doubled back to the Silver Guardians' Headquarters in pursuit of her workaholic beau she thought back to what Alyssa had told her at dinner.

The three girls had been having a good time swapping stories about their guys and discussing the appearance of the 'mysterious knights'. As much as she found it difficult to engage in a full-fledged discussion about the knights – especially since she was technically talking about herself – Taylor didn't discourage it but subtly tried to change the topic.

She had realized that as former rangers their friends would be curious about these newcomers and it was only natural that they should be too. Avoiding the subject would only arouse more suspicion.

It was only when Jen excused herself to use the ladies room that Alyssa revealed to Taylor the real reason for asking her to come to dinner with her.

"Hey Taylor, thanks for coming tonight, I really needed this"

"Don't mention it. So spill what's eating at you?"

"Huh?"

"C'mon Lyssa, we both know this isn't a social dinner. Although if you'd just told me in the first place I wouldn't have dragged Jen along"

"Don't worry about it," said Alyssa as she played with her fork.

"Lyssa…"

"Okay…okay…the thing is I just wanted to know if you thought Cole was acting a little…you know weird?" she asked hesitantly.

Taylor's eyes went wide for a moment but she quickly composed herself

"Weirder that normal you mean?" she asked with a smirk

"Taylor!"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Why do you think jungle boy's acting weird?"

"You know we saved the world together, don't you think it's time you stopped calling him that?" it was Alyssa's turn to smirk.

"Answer the question Lyssa," Taylor countered as she watched her friend's expression drop.

"Two weeks ago after he went on that trip with you he came back exhausted and wouldn't tell me anything other than that you went to the beach…"

"Alyssa…"

"I'm not doubting either of you it's just that he's usually like this hyperactive kid who tells me each and every detail about his day whether I want to hear it or not."

"You're boy's growing up," Taylor smirked only to receive a look from her friend that clearly said that this was not a laughing matter.

"The other day I walked into the kitchen and he was talking to the plants. I'm used to him having a conversation with animals but plants…"

"A lot of people talk to plants Lyssa. They think it will help them grow and this is Cole we're talking about."

"I know but I think there's something wrong with me," she said exasperatedly. "Because I thought I saw them respond. And to add to it he keeps staring at his watch, which I don't know where he got from but he says he's always had it…I just…I dunno."

"Alyssa," Taylor said softly placing a comforting hand over her friend's. "You married jungle boy, of course there's something wrong with you."

"Taylor!"

Taylor winced at the screech but smiled at her friend before continuing.

"Listen Lyssa, I know it's been a while since Cole first came here and we saved the world and all of that. But remember he came from the Amazon and moved onto a floating island. He's still adjusting to the city. No other girl would have had the patience to teach him and help him along like you did and it's paid off. He's got a job, is studying on the side and doing things he never would have if he stayed in the forest. Just give him some time, he's still in transition and as much as I hate to admit it his quirks are what make him Cole."

"Thanks Tay, I needed to hear that."

"No problem, just relax a little. And if jungle boy's still bothering you let me know I'd me happy to punch him in the gut for you."

Their conversation took her back to the first time she had knocked Cole unconscious so that they could take to the Animarium.

"Those were the good old days," she laughed as she pulled into her parking spot.

The boys' truck was gone that meant Wes was done for the night but the light in the window told her that her boy was still hard at work.

"Hey there Sherlock, where's Watson?"

Eric looked up from the files he was going through to see Taylor standing in his doorway.

"Hey there," he smirked. "You just missed him."

"I see," she smiled as she walked over to his desk and sat down in front of him leaning her elbows against the desk.

"And when do you plan on calling it a night?"

"In a bit," he replied turning back to the files in front of him. "I just want to go through these once again."

"This missing persons' case is really getting to you, isn't it?"

"It's just…I don't know…something about this doesn't seem right. It just feels like there's more to it but…I'm missing something," he sighed

"Not to mention that our whole monster situation is driving you nuts," she smirked as she leaned back in the chair.

"Huh?"

"The lack of monster sightings these passed to weeks is getting to you," she specified.

"Oh and you don't find it disturbing? Please don't tell me you agree with Wes about this being a good thing"

"Course not, we both know this is far from over and when they attack again it will be twice as hard. That being said since we cannot take the battle to them we just have to wait. They show up we stop them. End of story."

"Who are you and what have you done to my girlfriend?" he smirked

"Very funny," she retaliated with a scowl

His smirked widened as he locked away the files in his drawer and shutting down his computer. He the rose and walked around the desk to offer her his hand which she gladly took. He pulled her close and gently pressed his lips to hers before saying

"Although it doesn't sound like you at all, you're right. I'm worrying too much about something I can't control. I should focus more on this case. But that can wait till tomorrow," he added before she could protest.

She smiled and brushed her lips against his before pulling away completely and walking towards the door.

"What are you waiting for?" she asked stopping in the doorway.

Shaking his head with a smirk on his face he grabbed his stuff and followed her turning out the light on his way.


I hope this wasn't too confusing. JadenRulz I hope this answers some of your questions. The rest will play out in future chapters. Please Review and let me know what you think.