"SPD, EMERGENCY!"
"It's morphin' time, Triceratops!"
"Activate Beast Power, Unleash the Beast!"
"RPM, GET IN GEAR!"
"Dino Thunder, Power Up!"
"Magical Storm, Ranger Form, Power of Darkness!"
"Samuraizer, Go, Go, Samurai!"
"Overdrive, Accelerate!"
Thrax gasped, his grip tightening around his Z staff. "But how?!" he roared. "I took your powers away!"
"That's what you thought," Dax shouted back, gleefully.
"But Once a Ranger…" Mack started, glancing down the line at the other twelve rangers.
"Always a Ranger!" the others finished.
Thrax growled. "Come, my evil alliance!" he swung his staff around, grasped it with both hands, and thrust it out at the Rangers.
Clenching her fist, Kali met Thrax in the heat of battle. "Mystic Staff! Sword mode!" she called, rolling the blade over in her hands and raising it above her head, blocking Thrax's attack.
"You have been the bane of my existence since your return to the Magical Realm!" Thrax hissed, twisting the Z staff around, he shoved it down, forcing Kali's sword down, too. "After today, there will be only one heir of darkness!"
"I have no problem with that!" Kali snapped. She released her sword as Thrax tugged it from her hands, sending it spiralling across the clearing. Jumping backwards, Kali pushed off from the ground and double kicked Thrax; she hooked her foot beneath his staff and pulled it free from his grasp.
Angrily, Thrax lunged forward. He lifted his left leg and spun around, cracking the heel of his right foot into Kali's chest.
Gritting her teeth, Kali crossed her arms, absorbing the shock of the blow and allowed it to propel her backwards. Veered across the gravel, she twisted at her hips and revolved around, throwing out her arms and shoving an invisible blast at Thrax.
"Defender Vest!" Kali called, pulling her arms down to her hips. The heavy, metallic vest slotted into place around her shoulders and waist. "Bring it!" she goaded.
Thrax sneered and rushed forward. He pulled back his arm, fist clenched, and then lunged forward. Kali met his blow with her own, her fist sinking into the flesh of his chest, while his own cracked against her vest.
Falling to her knees, Kali breathed heavily as the vest sparked and disappeared. She grit her teeth and looked up. Thrax had picked up his fallen staff, and was stood over her, grinning from ear-to-ear.
"It ends here, Hellhound," Thrax said, raising the staff above his head.
"Power of the Phoenix!"
Kali gasped, her eyes widening as she looked around for the familiar red spandex and that came with the Phoenix powers. Her breath caught as she found Aviva instead, standing nearby. The Phoenix flames wrapped around Thrax, lifting him into the air, and depositing him into the side of the cliff-face, while the Phoenix spirit returned to the Scarlet Ranger.
"What?!" Kali shrieked, shooting to her feet. She had had an inkling of Aviva, and that feeling had only grown worse after Tori's teasing, but this… this just confirmed it. Aviva was Nick's daughter.
Aviva met Kaii's gaze from across the quarry. "Stop pulling your punches!" she called. "You know you can beat him. It doesn't matter what you promised the Mystic Mother, he can't leave here."
As Aviva rushed off to help the others, Kali rolled her shoulders and stood. Thrax had extracted himself from the mountain and was half-dragging himself back into the battle. He kicked aside her Magi Staff, his eyes narrowed and locked on hers.
"My worthless Mother?" Thrax sneered. "That's why you're here? To take me back to her!"
"No," said Kali, shaking her head. "Your mother did ask if I could possible spare your life, but you've proven that you are beyond saving. It's over, Thrax! You reign of terror ends here!"
Thrax laughed and lifted his staff. "You cannot hurt me, Hellhound," he said. "You are weak. Just like my mother. There is not a power on this planet that can stop me."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Thrax," said the Sentinel Knight. He appeared in a flash of gold beside Kali. Thanks to the sword Excelsior, his new body made it so he could face Thrax one-on-one, like any other Ranger, however, his appearance in the battle was so that he could help the Hellhound destroy Thrax, once and for all.
Glancing at the Knight, Kali nodded and stepped back. She closed her eyes and held up her hands, palms facing one another. She felt the hilt of a sword appear between her hands and wrapped her fingers firmly around it. The groves felt soft under her fingers, and she took a deep breath, feeling the flames inside her core burn brighter and hotter as the Hellhound spirit synced with the sword.
"I am one with you now, Hellhound," the Sentinel Knight said. "Let us finish this."
"Yes, lets," said Kali. She opened her eyes and looked up, meeting Thrax's gaze from across the quarry. He didn't look menacing anymore, if anything, he looked positively terrified. Swinging the sword back, Kali took a running leap at Thrax. She double kicked him in the chest and stomach, and then flipped over, landing with her feet centimetres apart, as she swung the sword up, down, and then across Thrax's body.
Thrax howled as he pivoted as he toppled backwards. He hit the ground on his stomach and exploded.
"This evil legacy is over," said the Sentinel Knight.
"But we're not!" Moltor roared. Thrax may have been gone, but he and the others were still standing.
Returning to his new form, the Sentinel Knight and Kali re-joined the others, square off against the last of the Evil Alliance.
"That's fine with me," said Kali. "You may think that you and your alliance can survive what's to come, but trust me, you won't."
"Normally around this time Conner would say 'Let's put 'em together'," said Chris. He glanced around at the others. "But something tells me you don't have that?"
"We do on my current team of Ninja Storm," said Kali. "So, now is when Shane calls normally for the Storm Striker."
Bridge nodded. "We had a RIC, remember, V?" he asked, nudging the scarlet Ranger.
Aviva nodded.
Kali shook her head. "Either way, it doesn't matter," she said. "This is much more… exhilarating. Let's hit them with everything we've got!" she said, unsheathing her Magi Staff.
The others followed her lead, each one taking out or calling on their primary, personal weapon, and holding it aloft in front of them.
A fearful gasp rippled through the Evil Alliance.
"Ready?!"
"FIRE!"
The multiple energy balls swooped over one another as they hurtled through the air towards the alliance. They hit the ground, hard,.
"Now that's what I call power," Mack grinned.
"You got that right," said Kali.
~X~
"First, I was glad when you came," said Dax, pacing the REC room. "Then I was mad when you stayed. Now? Now, I'm mad that you're leaving."
Rose patted Dax's arm as he sat beside her. She then looked up at the Retro team. "Yeah, we're really going to miss you," she said.
"Well, we're not technically going anywhere," said Kali. "I mean, I'm only over in Blue Bay Harbour. Besides, you're all a part of the Mystic Realm, so you should have a link to Root Core. If you ever need me, just send a request for assistance and be out here in a flash."
"I thought you were already on a team?" Chris asked, cocking his head to the side.
"I am," said Kali. "Think of the Mystic Realm as a sort of organisation for Power Rangers. Root Core is the base of operations, and each Ranger team is a different branch - you guys are one branch here in San Angeles, Ninja Storm is another branch in Blue Bay Harbour, etc."
"You make it sound like the CIA or something," said Will.
Kali shrugged. "Well, if the myths and legends of Briarwood forest were anything to go by, it practically is," she said. "But, seriously, if there is anything you ever need, give us a call." She produced a business card using her Magi Staff and handed it to Mr. Hartford.
"What number's this?" Hartford asked, pointing at a single ten-digit number at the bottom of the card.
"That's my personal number," said Kali. "That's for proper emergencies only. Like, say, you messaged Root Core and they couldn't get a patrol out to you in time. Call me directly, and I'll be there."
Hartford nodded. "Thank you, Kali, this is very much appreciated," he said.
Maisie nudged Aviva. "This explains so much on how the Hellhound's operations expanded so quickly," she said.
"Your toast, Bridge," said Spencer, walking in from the kitchen.
"Is it…?" Bridge asked, breaking off and wiggling his fingers in front of his mouth.
Spencer smiled. "Oh, the butteriest," he promised.
Bridge grinned, grabbed the top piece, and bit it into it. His eyes closing as he savoured the taste on his tongue.
Aviva rolled her eyes. "Again, with the toast!" she whined, shaking her head. "Please don't tell me you wander the Academy still at 3am looking for buttery toast."
"No," Bridge said, his voice muffled as he crammed as much bread into his mouth as possible.
Aviva shot him a pointed look, and Bridge pouted, turning away to eat in piece.
"I have a question," said Kali, staring at Aviva.
"I know what you're going to say, and -" Aviva started.
Kali shook his head. "I don't care about future consequences," she said. "You don't even need to tell me when. Just, yes or no, is your last name Russell?"
Aviva sighed and nodded.
"Your father is Nick Russell?"
Again, Aviva nodded.
"I knew it," Kali muttered. "There was only one possible way for you to have control over the Phoenix, and, as far as I know, Udonna and Leanbow aren't planning on any more children."
Aviva wrinkled her nose. "Oh, god, don't put that image in my head," she whined, pressing the balls of her hands into her eyes.
"Don't you want to know if you're her mother?" Maisie asked.
Kali stared at Aviva. She had already pushed her luck in getting the youngster to confirm her father's identity, dare she push it for her mothers, too?
"You know what?" Kali said, shaking her head. "I don't need to ask for a confirmation. Nick fought for years to tell me how he really felt. I know that he'd never leave me."
Raising her head, Aviva met Kali's gaze and smiled softly.
"So, Alpha, you ready to head back to Angel Grove?" Billy asked. "I could use your help at the Power Chamber."
Alpha gasped. "The Power Chamber?" he repeated. "It's still functioning?"
"It's taken me a while to get everything repaired, but yes, it's repairing itself nicely," said Billy, smiling. "There are still a few things that need clearing up, but I can't do all alone. What do you say?"
"You bet!" Alpha said, eagerly. "Any where's better than that crate!"
Everyone chuckled.
"When do we leave?" Aviva asked Bridge.
Bridge checked his watch. "Sky should be opening the breach any minute now," he said. "We should adjust our morpher's, just to be sure that we get back to our right time and space."
Aviva nodded.
Rhea turned to Maisie. "Before you go," she said. "I have a few questions. I understand if you can't tell me everything, but -"
"The Moogers no longer exist in my time," said Maisie. "My parents and their team defeat them entirely. If they did still exist then I would be the Yellow Samurai ranger, following my mother. While at Grid Battleforce headquarters, I did go out for the position of Yellow Ranger, but it was given to my friend Roxy, which is how I got the position of Green Ranger, instead."
"That must suck," said Dax. "Going for one position only to be offered another."
Maisie beamed and shook her head. "It's actually not," she said, grinning. "Yellow was my mother's colour, so I would've taken on that mantle of Yellow Ranger. But in Grid Battleforce, I have the chance to take on my father's colour - Green."
"So, who is the Yellow Ranger in your time?" Ronny asked.
"The original Yellow Ranger was supposed to be my friend Roxy, it's now my new best friend, Zoey Oliver," Maisie replied. "She's awesome. Does that answer your questions?" She looked to Rhea, expectantly.
Rhea smiled and nodded.
"Well, this has been fun," said Chris, standing. "But, I should really get going. How does this work?" he turned to the Sentinel Knight. "Do I just step through with this lot," he indicated with his thumb at Bridge, Aviva, and Maisie, "or do you have to drop me off some place?"
Sentinel Knight stood. "The others can adjust their morpher's to make sure they get back to their right time," he said. "You, I have to deliver personally."
"You make me sound like I'm a package," said Chris. "It's been great to meet you all. If I ever come across your counterparts in my world, I'll keep in mind that they may not be exactly the same as you." He turned to Kali. "It's been fun learning that one of my best friends has an equally exciting life in another universe."
"I just wish that I knew more about you in this world to compare you two," said Kali. "Good luck, Chris, safe journey home."
Chris winked and disappeared in a flash of gold, along with the Sentinel knight.
As the pair disappeared, a rip in the fabric of space and time opened in the centre of the REC room. A blazing white light emitted from it, and Kali felt the Hellhound howl inside her core.
"Are you guys coming, or what?" a voice asked, stepping out of the light. It was a young lad, around the age of eighteen, with lightly tanned skin, short brown hair, and dark eyes. He looked almost the spit of Aviva, aside from the obvious changes in gender.
Kali's eyes widened as she met his gaze.
"Holy shit, V, you didn't tell me she would still be here," the lad said, spinning around.
Aviva chuckled and stood, wrapping an arm around the boy. "It's okay, Joe," he said. "She knows."
"Wait, you told her?" Joe exclaimed. "But, future consequences!"
"I didn't actually tell her anything," said Aviva. "She figured it out. Besides, once we leave, she'll forget everything."
Kali and Rhea shared stunned looks.
"We have to preserve the time line," said Bridge. "It's only fair. If you know too much about the future, you could alter it."
"Sounds logical," said Rhea.
Bridge nodded. He turned to Aviva and Maisie. "We should go," he said.
Maisie stood and followed Bridge towards the rip in time. She paused and turned to Rhea. "You shouldn't worry so much about Rune," she said. "She'll fit in with the other Samurai's with no issues. Plus, in the future, she gives me someone who I love more than anyone."
"Oh?" Rhea asked.
"My bestest friend of them all - Blaze," said Maisie, she then turned and stepped through the rip.
Aviva turned to Joe. "You ready?" she asked.
Joe nodded, his gaze still slipping back to Kali. "Can I -?" he whispered to his sister.
Aviva paused and then nudged him forward. "Go on," she said, smiling.
Joe grinned and rushed across the room. "I love you, Mom," he whispered, engulfing Kali in a tight hug. He then pulled away and returned to Aviva's side.
The pair met Kali's gaze and turned toward the rift.
"Good luck!" Kali said.
Aviva stopped, raised her head, and smiled. "I love you," she said, before disappearing.
Bridge nodded around the room and followed them through. The second he disappeared; the rift closed.
The Chris mentioned in this story is based on the Chris from the "Coventry series" written by TheAwesomeWriter on A03. It is with his permission that I am able to use bits and pieces from his story, and in doing so, cross our two parallel universes together.
Ranger Chris does briefly appear in this book, and he shall be back in future stories. However, for all intents and purposes, the Chris that belongs in the Hellhound Universe is civilian.