[[ DISCLAIMER: Due to real-life obligations, this series was put on hold. This chapter is in its 2nd phase, and thus lacking prose-wise in some areas. Nevertheless, my writing partner Anish and I agreed to upload it, in hopes of eventually returning to the final draft.]]
CHAPTER 5 — A Protector's Moral
Nobody knew where king Hanoi was, but everybody knew who he'd once been.
The former king of the Principality of Vaxia, Xybria's most distant neighbour, Atmak Hanoi was an unparalleled strategist and a kinder breed when compared to former rulers. Specializing in defensive warfare, his advanced fortifications had successfully repelled thirteen campaigns from the warring faction of Spinaria. As a result, Vaxia possessed a thriving economy based primarily on its quality textiles, and thus planetary relationships with Xybria were at an all-time high.
The King's Curse, however, persisted.
Stemming from hate-filled rumors spread amongst the lowest Vaxian caste, the King's Curse spoke of an inevitability, a single moment of madness that befell each and every man or woman that sat upon the throne for the first time; a dark blight, waiting for the perfect opportunity to bloom.
On his one hundred and forty-fourth birthday, king Hanoi addressed his people from the Obsidian Square Garden, where he declared the launch of an assault campaign on their long-sworn enemies, the Spinarians. With sudden, yet powerful alliances, including the recruitment of Dracondian Cain, the relentless Galactic Swordsman from the eastern fringes, he crushed the opposition in the short span of three months.
And yet, king Hanoi's thirst was unquenched, so he turned his predatory sights on Xybria.
In this warring era, being carried out to the present day, he is known as Vaxia's Traitor King, who has long abandoned his planet for the head seat of an evil syndicate.
The twin gates ground open. Silencers spilled inside the dimly lit chamber, serving as a circular escort to a mutated alien creature.
"So you have arrived," king Hanoi's gravely voice echoed from the center of the room. As if personally willing it, his visage was separated from the darkness. Sat upon a throne of dark glass, the king regarded his visitor with a penetrative gaze.
"I have been expecting you."
"Finally," the alien croaked, its voice garbled, "you have decided to negotiate."
King Hanoi snorted. "I do not negotiate with maggots," he sneered. "You are here because your rebellious Planet-48 kindred has been causing me trouble."
"We are fighting for what's rightfully ours."
King Hanoi regarded the alien with a quirked brow. It appeared to him that the creature was struggling to speak. With a sadistic elongation of his sinister grin, he indulged his visitor. "And what would that be?"
"You're mocking me!" the alien roared, prompting the surrounding Silencers to raise their weapons, pincer blades directed at its form.
"Choose your next words carefully," king Hanoi advised, "lest your venture was for nothing."
The alien clenched its fists, regaining its volatile composure. "Ten years ago, you came and took everything! We were farmers, not warriors. We had nothing and you took advantage of that weakness!"
"You are highly mistaken," the Traitor King retorted. "I took over your primitive planet and made it stronger." To that, he clenched his armored fist, the metal protesting under the applied pressure.
"Lies! All lies! You took our freedom! But I," the alien paused to draw breath, "I know your secret, Traitor King."
King Hanoi's glare tensed. His grip on the throne's armrest tightened. The mutated alien went on.
"The rebels fight because freedom means everything to us, unlike you, king Hanoi. You're nothing but a pawn of-"
"Enough!" king Hanoi roared and the entire room quaked as he rose from the throne. His crimson armor seething with red, cosmic energy, Hanoi summoned the Sword of Storms, a hulking mass of a blade whose tip was shaped like an arrow. He pointed it at his visitor.
"I've had enough of your theatrics," he growled, low and gravely. "Now, come closer. Let me inspect your form."
The alien was hesitant, but complied nonetheless. It approached king Hanoi with heavy steps.
What the king witnessed was enough to make him recoil with disgust.
"Your Mistress of Pain did this to me," the creature slurred. "My heart, however, is still true and in the right place. I'll use this form, this new power, to strike a deal with you, king Hanoi."
King Hanoi processed the idea. Soon after, his lips pulled back to reveal a row of yellow teeth. "You have my attention."
|| Aquila Hyperion, Planet Xybria
Gahdeni Park was a refreshing spot of green amidst Illumise's towering skyscrapers.
A commission from the newly appointed mayor, the brilliant bachelor Kubu Dirira, Gahdeni Park was meant as a sign of appreciation for the city, as well as a token of gratitude toward his faithful voters from rural Xybria.
Every day Illumise's families would flock to the park to enjoy their evening, its calming nature a testament to the Power Rangers' effort to uphold planetary peace.
The children had formed a loose ring to play in, but one of them remained distant, opting to remain an observer.
"What's that one doing?" Pyre pointed at a young girl that was pressing her index fingers on her temples. A boy stood opposite of her, giggling to himself.
"Trying to read minds, I think," said the boy that sat on the bench next to Pyre. It was the kid she'd rescued at Guta village, a young boy at the cusp of adolescence.
"And that one, Mwana?" Pyre's finger craned to the right, to a boy that sat with crossed legs under a tree shade. Seemingly oblivious to the laughter around him, the boy's eyes were closed, as if he were in some deep trance.
Mwana chuckled. "That's easy. He's a seer."
"How about those two over there?" Pyre said, pointing at twins. One was tossing a rock in the air while the other tried to grasp it with an outstretched, open palm.
"Telekinetics, for sure. They don't seem to be doing a good job, though."
Pyre was smiling to herself. "How come, Mwana?" she asked, turning to her friend.
"None of their gems are glowing." Without realizing it, Mwana's hand hovered over the gem embossed on his forehead. "They're too young, like me."
"It doesn't stop them from trying, that's for sure. Why don't you join them, buddy?"
Mwana pouted. "I find it silly. It won't help me get my powers any sooner."
"Maybe you're a rarer kind." She winked at him with playful mischievousness. "You know the one…"
Mwana's eyes opened wide at the prospect. "Really?" he asked enthusiastically.
"You won't know if you don't try." Pyre nodded at the children running around, playing and laughing. "Go on," she said. "Make some new friends, yeah?"
"Okay!" Mwana beamed and set off.
Almost immediately, he blended with a nearby group of children who welcomed him with open arms. Pyre rested her head on her knuckle, watching with a fixed smile.
"Funny how I can't even feel my own gem," she mused to herself. "I'm not young like them, so why have I not blossomed?" She crossed her legs, sinking into deeper thought.
Gradually, the smile faded from her face.
"I wonder what's taking so long? Am I too weak-willed? No way. I am Xybrian and a Power Ranger. I gotta catch up with the others, somehow. I just gotta..."
"I knew you'd be here," said a voice from behind her.
Pyre gasped, jolting up and away from the bench. "Geez, Star, you scared me!"
Star responded with a nonchalant giggle. "Did I?"
"How long have you been standing there?" Pyre asked, awkward hesitation coating her question.
"Since…" Star paused in order to think. She flashed a bright grin. "Forever. Don't worry. If you're concerned about me hearing your monologue, trust me, you don't have to." She gave a hint by tapping her forehead, a finely filed, painted nail pointing to her pink gem. "I heard all of it."
Star's attempt at humor worked. Pyre had chuckled. She and Star proceeded to share a laugh that helped alleviate the tension.
"Are you all alone?" Star ventured. "Want some company?"
For the first couple of minutes together, Pyre and Star watched the children play, drinking in their carefree enthusiasm in serene silence.
With the kids' laughter shifting into background noise, Star was the first to speak. "You love coming here, don't you?" she asked. "Looking after them in your own, unique way?"
Pyre's smile widened. "They give me hope. Courage to keep going, too. I'd go crazy if I had to be a Power Ranger all day," she laughed.
"Because of this?" Star gestured to Pyre's gem; an amber piece of prismatic stone, planted squarely on her forehead. "You're worried about it." The manner in which Star framed the sentence didn't quite make it come off as a question.
"Yeah, about that…" Pyre shied away from the topic. Her hand hovered over her gem, hiding it under her palm. "I don't need to think about it," she lied through her teeth. "I have been fine all this time without it, anyway. It might as well not be there."
Star tilted her head, her soft features elevated by her smile. "Did you consider my therapy offer?"
Pyre scoffed. "Reliving my worst memories for a shot at awakening? Sorry, Star, but I'll have to say 'no'."
"It's okay," Star shook her head. "You know I'll never force you into doing it. I know it can be tough."
Sensing the awkwardness creeping back into their conversation, Pyre made to stand up. She inhaled, letting the cool, Gahdeni Park air into her lungs, then she released it all back out in a long, refreshing exhale.
"Man, there's no point in hiding things from you, girl," Pyre said. She turned to her fellow ranger. "Especially someone who's like an older sister to me."
To that, Star didn't need words to express her happiness. A big, bright smile was enough.
"Let's walk home," Pyre concluded, nodding at the park exit.
A toy Mover darted towards them.
Pyre caught it one-handed, turned it over and sent it flying back to the kids, who in turn cheered their gratitude . Pyre waved them goodbye and they did the same, Mwana at the front of their gathering. He had the biggest grin carved on his round face.
"You know, it just occurred to me," Star began, "that you don't need to be so concerned about Xybrian powers when you have these," she said and pressed Pyre's bicep, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Star!" Pyre gushed. "Quit it!" Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's teasing.
"Why? I'm sure all the boys are jealous of you. I know I am, because who wouldn't want these babies?" she cooed, giving Pyre's arm another soft press.
"If you put it like that," Pyre countered, flexing the toned muscle and instantly breaking Star's grip. The latter gasped in surprise, prompting Pyre to let out a snort-guffaw.
"See? You got your own kind of strength. Did you know," Star added, "that Ace once told me he had high hopes for you because he sensed that strength in you?"
"Really? He did?"
Star nodded. Pyre huffed, as if she were relieved to hear it.
"Well, you and the chief seem pretty close, so I'll trust you on that one," she replied.
Star was quick to respond. "We're not that close."
Pyre's brow quirked. She had a chance to tease her, - some lighthearted revenge for before - but opted to change the topic. "So how's work on Brute's secret project? Did he share anything with you?"
"Last time I asked, he said the work is half done. Tensou 5.0 said the same for his calibrations."
"That's so lame," Pyre pouted. "Even when he's only sharing it with you guys, he's still this secretive about it?"
"Hey," Star said, suddenly focused on something else entirely. "Do you smell that?"
"Mh? No," Pyre replied nonchalantly, too absorbed in her speculations. "I bet once this new morpher project is done, Ace will be the team's powerhouse. Man, he's gonna kick so much Syndicate butt. Don't you think so, Star?"
Pyre turned to face her, but Star was nowhere to be found. "Star? Star?!" she echoed, louder on the second try.
When she craned her head downward, Pyre watched in stunned horror as her friend lay collapsed to the ground, curled up and quaking uncontrollably.
Star clawed at her hair, her fingers sinking in a sea of coral-pink strands. Pyre could make out the outline of her forehead jem, radiating with vigorous brilliance.
"Star!" Pyre knelt by Star's side, struggling to come up with any manner of consolation. "What's happening?" she stammered.
Star strained her mouth for words. "Too much noise," she managed after great effort. "Too many thoughts. Can't contain..!" and there she stopped, no longer able to withhold an agony-riddled cry.
Baffled and uncertain as to how she should proceed, Pyre's gaze wavered from her friend's suffering to drink in her surroundings. All around her, Xybrians were suffering from sudden panic attacks and collapsing to the pavement mere seconds afterwards. The gem embossed on each and every person in the avenue, Pyre noticed, was glowing with an astoundingly bright light.
"What's happening to everyone," she wondered aloud, "and why is it not happening to me? No," she countered. "I mustn't think of that now. What matters is taking Star to safety."
Pursing her lips, the Yellow Supersonic Ranger reached for her Sonic Morpher. "Voice command. Supersonic Carrier Zord, autopilot mode. Track my location. Deploy!"
The Zord had reached her in minutes. Gently, carefully, Pyre took Star, jumped into the vehicle and drove back to the Volcanic Base.