Novi and the others stood each at a different rack of vinyl's reorganizing them and adding new stock and she could barely hide her annoyance and Xander pushed himself on a chair barking orders or 'supervising' as he liked to call it.
"Alrighty, work the beat, work the beat stocking doesn't have to be boring," he said wheeling past them.
He stopped as Toby walked out carrying a life size poster of a man.
"Ugh, its only you, boss," Xander said.
"Nice work Xander, I like the way you have everyone working. You are a born leader," Toby said pointing to him.
"Hear that guys, born leader," Xander said with a grin.
Novi groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Who's the old guy boss?" Xander asked.
"Who's the old guy? Guys! Jake Bone-breaker…the man who put metal in metal head. The lead guitar and vocal on mega metal classic Hairy Hatchet," as Novi and the others shook their heads.
"Never heard of him," said Novi.
"Your lesson, play it, like it. Class dismissed," said Toby.
"Guys, who wants to take care of the King of Metal?" Xander asked turning to them.
"Not me," said Nick from behind her.
"Me either. He is older than my dad," said Maddie.
"I got things to do," said Vida.
"Nope, I hate heavy metal," said Novi.
"Heavy metal makes my nose bleed," chimed in Chip.
"Fine, do it myself like everything else around here," said Xander muttering the last few words. "With a little help of some magic.
He pulled his cellphone out of the pocket and flipped it opening pointing it at the poster.
"Vivacim Erectu"
"Hey ho Cincinnati!" Said Jake Bone-breaker as the spell backfired and brought the poster to life.
"Oops, there was a slight magical malfunction," said Xander.
Just then their morphers chimed.
"Rangers, there is a very strong dark magic presence in your area," come Udonna voice.
"We can't all split on Toby. Novi, V and I will check it out," said Nick. "You guys help with uh heavy metal boy."
"Do you want some metal? Novi heard Bone-breaker ask as the trio left the store.
~~~xXx~~~
The trio raced to the source of the dark magic Udonna had warned the about and found themselves in a parking lot but all they could see was a lone taxi idling in one of the spots.
"Nothing down here but a taxi," said Vida.
As those word left Vida's mouth the taxi suddenly turned in their direction and started to change. The bonnet opened up to reveal glowing eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth, the wheel folding in until a creature stood before them.
"Steady guys," Nick warned as they held their ground.
The monster charged at them, and Vida used her cape to block its view as she and Nick kicked out at the creature. It grabbed Novi and flung her to the ground as she tried to punch it. Before she could get up, Vida was also thrown to the ground beside her. Nick offered a hand to the pair and pulled them to their feet. With just a nod the trio pulled out their morphers.
"Magical Source, Mystic Force!" they called out.
Now morphed the trio attacked the creature again with Vida doing a spinning kick at its chest while Nick punch it from behind. Novi followed Vida with another kick. Vida tried to punch the creature, but it moved and kicked Vida sending her flying back. Nick and Novi rushed to protect her as she stood up. Nick kicked the creature knocking it on its back and the trio charged together at it but before they could reach it, they were blasted from somewhere and were knocked back. As the looked Necrolai landed in front of them.
"Necrolai!" shouted Vida.
"Who else? And I believe you've meet my friend," she said as the creature charged at them again.
The creature dragged Novi and Vida to their feet and raked its claws across their stomach before throwing them back down. Nick tried to get up, but the creature kicked him to the ground again and stood over them laughing cruelly.Just then Chip, Xander and Maddie arrived.
"Hold it!" ordered Xander.
"Time to end this party," said Necrolai. With a whistle the creature turned back into a taxi. "Deliver the map!"
"That's just crazy," said Vida as she they got to their feet.
They watched as the taxi sped off.
"Let's go," said Xander.
"I got it," said Nick at the same time as they started to give chase but before they got close Necrolai blasted them again knocking them to the ground.
"That's nothing compared to the power I'll soon have," she mocked before she flew off and was gone.
"More power?" said Vida.
"Let's go after her," said Nick but Xander grabbed his arm.
"Wait, we've got another problem."
"Smile, looks like were on camera," said Maddie pointing to the security camera in the hidden in the corner of the ceiling.
~~~xXx~~~
"You need to protect your identities at all costs," warned Udonna as the video of Nick, Vida, and Novi clearly morphing playing in Rootcore. "This tape could out us all in danger."
"Wait, what was that?" Maddie asked suddenly flipping open her morpher as it zoomed in to show Necrolai holding an old looking piece of paper with drawing and writing on it.
"It looks like a map," said Nick moving in closer.
"Yes, but there is more to it than that. It is a map written by the ancients," said Udonna.
Let's take a closer look," said Maddie pointing her morpher at the scene and a copy of the map appeared in front of them. Udonna picked it up to examine it.
"Oh, my I thought this was lost. It is a map to the Fireheart," said Udonna reverently.
"A map to the Fireheart? No way!" said Chip excitedly. "What's the Fireheart?"
The ancients believed it to be a source of tremendous power," said Udonna.
"Then we need to find it before Necrolai gets her scaly little hands on it," said Vida.
Of that won't be easy, it says you must traverse the Cimmerian Forest," warned Udonna.
"That's alright, we like forests, right guys?" said Xander.
"This one in unlike any you know. Imagine your worst nightmare," said Udonna.
Novi shuddered at her words; she couldn't even begin to explain hers for fear of what the others would think if she did.
"That's easy. My mom puts the cellphone in the dryer and the next time we morph my uniform is really tiny," said Chip making the others laugh.
"ENOUGH!" shouted Udonna making Novi jump at the harshness of her words. "You are about to begin the most dangerous journey you have ever undertaken. Your path will be filled with unimaginable danger, evil creature, ravenous demons, now go. Returning with the Fireheart won't be your success, your success will be to return at all."
~~~xXx~~~
The six teens left Rootcore and headed deeper into the forest than even Novi had even gone. As they got further in there were warning signs like "Danger Turn Back" and "Beware"
"This isn't so bad," said Chip as they passed another sign.
"I am not looking forward to this," said Maddie nervously.
"Me either," said Nick.
"I am. I'll take the lead on this one. I know how to read maps pretty well," said Xander confidently.
"You sure?" asked Nick.
"Positive. Like Toby said born leader," said Xander.
That didn't fill Novi with much confidence in his leadership skills, but she watched as Nick handed him the map.
"Okay Team Xander onwards," he ordered.
Novi rolled her eyes flicking a look at Vida who did the same.
The forest floor was littered with the bones and half-decomposed remains of creatures and there was the smell of death in the air, Novi shuddered and looked behind them as she had the feeling they were being watched.
"This is my kind of place," said Chip.
"Sure, isn't mine," said Maddie stepping over a skull of an unknown creature.
Novi and Maddie jumped as there was a loud crack somewhere above them.
"Okay what was that?" Maddie asked nervously.
"Let's keep moving," said Nick.
Xander lead them deeper into the forest and the had to walk in single file as the path was narrow. The air around them was humid and the teens quickly began to tire suddenly Novi slammed into the back of Vida as Xander had stopped dead in front of them.
"Whoa!" he ordered raising a hand.
"Next time just say stop. Whoa is for horse and I don't see any horses here, do you?" snapped Vida.
"Okay got it," said Xander not noticing the sarcasm in her voice.
Ahead of them there was a flash of something black that moved around them and a branch snapped to the left of them.
"Did you hear that?" asked Novi.
The other froze and listened for the noise.
"I've had a feeling something has been following us since we started," admitted Chip. "But I didn't want to say anything because I always think something is following us."
Just then Phineas swung down from a tree and hung in front of them.
"It's only Phineas," said Nick sighing with relief.
"Ooh it's only the rangers," said Phineas in a hurt tone.
"Sorry Phineas you scared us is all," said Novi trying to comfort him.
"Sorry Phineas, we are on an important mission. We don't have time for a visit," said Xander.
Phineas swung himself into the air, did a flipped and landed on the ground just beside them.
"I'll tell you what, seeing as you asked so nicely, I'll take you through the forest," he offered.
"Maybe we should let Phineas lead. Sounds like he knows the place," said Nick.
"I agree Nick, Phineas seems to know the way, we'd get there a lot safer," said Novi.
"I like you two, you know what you are talking about," said Phineas. "I know this forest like the back on my…oh lucky me new wart."
"Don't need any help. I know exactly where I'm going. This way team," said Xander urging them forward.
"Okay well no problem. Have a nice day. Just sorry I'll never, ever see you again," said Phineas as they walked away.
Xander continued to lead them through the forest, but Novi got the feeling he was leading them in circles and just to be sure she took a rock a scored a tree near the trail and sure enough they passed the tree again about an hour or so later. The heat had started to get to her as she grabbed Vida's arm pulling her beside her.
"He is leading us in circles," Novi whispered to Vida.
"Are you sure?" Vida asked.
"Yeah, I marked that tree stump a while ago and we just passed it again."
Nick overheard their conversation and called out to Xander.
"Hey, hold up, excuse me leader. We are going in circles passed that tree stump like four times. Admit it, we're lost."
"We are not," said Xander.
"We are too," Nick argued back.
We are not!"
"We are sinking!" said Chip.
"Swamp sand!" warned Maddie.
"Everybody ranger up," suggested Xander.
They pulled out their morphers and tried but nothing happened.
"Oh, great the morphers don't work out here," said Chip.
"Well, that perfect, now what oh great leader," Novi snapped.
They fumbled around trying to find something they could use to pull themselves out and it was Nick who found a strong root to grab a hold of.
"Guys grab on," he called out stretching out a hand. Vida took if first and he helped her to get over to the root and pull herself out. Novi then grabbed his hand and he half dragged her through the mud, and she collapsed on the ground beside Vida. Once all the teens were safely out of the mud Nick turned to Xander.
"Let re-evaluate. Take out the map."
Xander groaned and look back in the swamp sand as the top of the map disappeared below the surface.
"Oh great! "groaned Novi.
"Map who needs a map. I've look at that thing a million times. It's all up here," said Xander pointing to his head.
"And that is supposed to make us feel better?" asked Vida.
"Yeah, if you are so great at reading maps then how are we lost?" demanded Novi.
"We are not lost," said Xander once again.
"You keep telling yourself that," said Novi earning a glare from Xander.
Xander took the lead again and the others slowly followed behind him silently the tension growing heavy in the air. Xander paused as the path ahead split in two directions. He looked at both before choosing the left path.
"It's that way," he said but there was some uncertainty in his voice.
Just then Phineas swung down from up in a tree again.
"I wouldn't go that way," he warned.
The teens watched as he did a flip and once again landed on his feet in front of them.
"Only took me a couple years to learn that landing on my feet was easier than landing on my face," he told them.
"Maybe now is a good time to ask Phineas for his help," said Maddie.
"We don't need anything. We are fine," said Xander.
"You call us nearly being swallowed by swamp sand fine?" snapped Novi.
"Ah he's right," said Phineas holding up his hands. "You don't need anything because very soon you're going to be eaten by a boar beast, but hey once again have a nice day."
"He is just trying to scare us. Come one guys," Xander pleaded.
"Wait a minute, I'm going with Phineas," said Nick as he started off after him.
"Me too," said Vida joining him. "Guys?"
Vida and Nick turned to see if the others would follow. Novi moved to join them quickly followed by Chip and Maddie.
"Guys I know where I'm going," pleaded Xander.
Novi shook her head and took another step towards Nick and Vida.
"Okay, okay. I'll cover your shifts for two weekends at the Rock Porium if you stick with me," Xander offered.
Novi and the other paused considering his offer before Novi spoke up.
"Make it three."
"Deal. Maddie, Chip?"
"Fine," said Maddie with a sigh.
"Deal. I always wanted to see a boar beast anyway," said Chip as he followed Xander down the left path.
Novi looked back at Vida and Nick before following Xander. She felt a sinking feeling in her gut, but she pushed it down as the now trio continued to follow the path.
"Get it off, get it off," Novi shrieked as she frantically brushed at cobwebs on her hair and face.
"It's just a cobweb," Xander called over his shoulder as he cut through some with his arm.
"Cobwebs mean webs and webs mean spiders, I hate spiders," said Novi.
"You know that spiders are typically more scared of you, than you are of them," he called back.
"Yeah, that doesn't help at all," Novi replied.
"Guys, look I think we made me," said Xander as the trees ended and they found themselves in an open field. Xander threw his arms over her and Chips shoulders. "See gang, team Xander comes through safe and sound."
Suddenly the trio were covered in a huge glob of sticky webs that knocked them to the ground. They looked up to see a humongous spider, the size of the ones from Lord of the Rings, slowly crawling down towards them.
"Xander what is your definition of being safe and sound?" asked Chip.
"What were you saying about them being more afraid if us…" Novi threw back at Xander.
"Not helping,"
"Funny that's what I said when you said that."
"I hate to break up your little lover's spat but there is a giant spider that plans to eat us, ring any bells." said Maddie.
"Maybe I can talk to it and try to reason with it," offered Xander.
"NO!" both girls replied.
They could only watch as the spider creeped even closer towards them
"Any bright ideas…anyone," Novi asked her voice shaking.
"Besides screaming…No," said Chip.
"Guys this is all my fault," said Xander as the spider was now only a few feet above them.
"It's a little late for that. It's not like you can make up for it," said Maddie.
"Least you could volunteer to be eaten first," said Chip.
"If that's what you want, I just thought I never everything, I should have listened to Phineas," Xander admitted.
"It's never too late for that," came Phineas voice from behind them.
"Phineas," said Maddie relieved to see him.
"Yoo-hoo uh Spider, come and eat me. You know what they say: once you tasted troblin, other food will be a problem," Phineas said singing the last part. "Sorry guy, I'm not a great rhythmer especially at this time-r. Get it. Back to the spider." Phineas turned his attention to the spider. "Come on, over here. Come try a rare delicacy, Troblin Tartare."
The spider leaped down from its web and chased after Phineas. Novi cranked her head to see Phineas do a series of back flip keeping just ahead of the advancing creature but soon they got too far out of sight, but Novi heard a screech and soon Phineas returned, the spider nowhere in sight. He reached over them, pulling at a few of the strands that held them and helped them to their feet.
"Thanks Phineas, you literally are a lifesaver," said Novi pulling off the remaining bits of the sticky web.
"Phineas, will you lead us?" asked Xander, much to Novi's surprise.
"Of course," Phineas replied.
~~~xXx~~~
They arrived at the quarry just as Taxicab monster knocked Nick and Vida to the ground. Novi noticed that Necrolai was holding a scroll which she assumed was what Nick and Vida have found before they were attacked.
"Let's show this overgrown bat what we're made of," said Vida putting a hand on Nick's shoulder.
Taxicab fired at them, and they ducked to avoid being hit while Nick rolled out of the way and charged at the monster pulling out his Magi Staff, while Novi and the others went after Necrolai.
Novi kicked at her, but she blocked her blow and punched her knocking her back and to the ground. Xander and Chip turned attacking from either side, but Necrolai used her wings as she turned striking them both down. Vida left them and Novi heard her use her tornado power to help Nick.
"That cab is busted," Vida called out as it exploded.
The fight wasn't over yet though as Taxicab reappeared before them and grew big.
"You guys deal with Taxicab, and I'll deal with Necrolai," said Novi.
She turned to see Necrolai holding the scroll in her hands, and she charged at her trying to grab it from her hands, but Necrolai turned and pushed her away. Novi stumbled but managed to stay on her feet.
"That belongs to us," said Novi lunging and grabbing a hold of one end of the scroll.
The pair struggled each refusing to let go of their end of the scroll, twisting and turning when suddenly the parchment started to tear and Novi found herself thrown as it ripped in two and she found herself on the floor holding one half of the scroll.
"What have you done?" cried Necrolai looking at the other half still in her hands. She was about to rush at Novi when the other rangers appeared beside her readied for an attack.
"This isn't over rangers," she shrieked before she took off.
"Well at least we have half of it," said Novi unrolling the parchment
"Whatever it is," said Vida looking over her shoulder.
Novi shuddered as she felt Vida's breath on her neck.
"We better get this to Udonna," said Nick breaking the tension.
"You guys head back to Rock Porium, I'll drop this off to Udonna and be right behind you," said Novi.
The other nodded and headed towards town while Novi disappeared in a column of flame.
"Udonna?" she called out.
Udonna appeared from a back room and a smile spread across her face.
"You have returned."
"Yes, Nick and Vida found the scroll, but Necrolai stole it. I managed to get it back but…" she trailed off holding out the half scroll to Udonna. "At least we got half, right? And hey I managed to use Flame here and not end up stuck in a wall."
"It good to see you are using your powers," said Udonna smiling slightly.
"I'm still a bit scared of using them, but if I don't practice, I'll never learn control. Anyway, I better head back to work, I just wanted to drop that off so nothing else happened to it."
~~~xXx~~~
Xander finished setting up the poster of Jake Bone-Breaker while Novi and the others finished storing the displays.
"I'm really sorry everyone. I guess part of being a born leader is knowing when to follow," Xander said.
"Well, it's not a total loss. You learned from this Xander," said Maddie as she finished folding a shirt.
Xander came over to help finish folding the shirts when a voice come from behind him.
"Hello mates. My tour bus broke down, so I thought I'd kill some time in here while it is getting fixed." He spotted the cardboard poster of himself. "Handsome lad, ain't he?"
The teens turned around to see Jake Bone-Breaker standing in the store.
"Jake, you have got to meet our boss, he is your biggest fan," said Vida excitedly.
"Toby guess who's here?" Nick shouted and the door to the office opened as Toby peered out. From his position he couldn't see Jake. "Jake Bone-Breaker!" Nick finished pointing to where Jake was standing.
"No, I'm not falling for that again," said Toby shaking his head. He pointing to the phone in his hand. "I've got work to do," he finished before disappearing back into the office.
Novi and the others looked at Jake Bone-Breaker and shrugged as they couldn't explained their bosses' disinterest to Jake.