"I wish there were never Mystic Force Power Rangers!"
As the six teens passed through the trees to arrive back outside the record shop, there was a clap of thunder and Novi stiffened as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She sucked in a breath and as the teens watched the sky darkened and the color drained from the world around them and darkness washed over the land. Something had changed and it wasn't good.
"Oh no, the Rock Porium," said Xander.
The rest including Novi stood in stunned silence as they looked around them. Then Maddie spotted Toby struggling to push an old cart up the hill outside the shop.
"Toby?" said Maddie almost relieved
"Hey guys, I was worried about you, I thought that…how are they? "Toby asked looking at Nick and Novi.
Nick and Novi looked to each other and laughed nervously.
"At least he still has his sense of humor," said Nick making the others laugh but the look on Toby's face made the laughter died on their lips.
"No seriously who are they?" he asked again
"Toby, what happened to the Rock Porium? What happened to all the color?" Vida asked changing the subject.
"Are you trying to mess with me? You don't remember how the darkness took over? Four months ago."
"Guys, somethings happened. The world as we knew it has changed. Four months ago, is when Novi and I came to Briarwood and we became…you know who," he finished in a whisper.
"Hey guys, do you hear? I got music. I still have to listen to it, even though it has been banned," said Toby holding a small device in his hands.
"Toby, who banned it?" asked Chip.
Before Toby could answer several hideacs appeared and grabbed Toby by his arms and another grabbed the music device from him, crushing it in its hands.
"Hey, they can't do that!" shouted Nick. "Let's ranger up!"
The six teens fell in line and reached for their morphers only to realize they no longer had their morphers. The hideacs pushed past them as they stood staring, things were worse than they had first thought. Without their morphers they were powerless to help.
"We should go to Rootcore, maybe Udonna can help us," said Novi.
They tried to go through the tree like normal, but the portal was closed.
"I guess we are walking," said Novi.
The six teens started to walk down the road heading for where the road ended, and the forest started. It had been a long-time ices they had to walk through the forest but like last time, the teens walked in total silence, trying to figure out how this could have happened. Imperious must have used Jenji to make a wish, but what exactly. Before too long they arrived at Rootcore but to their horror the dragon head was damaged and scorched. It was clear there had been a fight and Novi was now concerned about if Udonna and Claire were alright. Novi covered her month with her hand as tears threatened to fall, Vida put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"What happened here?" asked Xander.
"The same thing that happened everywhere," said Nick picking up what once was one of the teeth of the dragons head.
"Get away from here, my home! Get away! Go! Go!" shouted a familiar voice
The teens turned to see Udonna shaking a broom at them. She was different though. She was dressed in rags an old holey shawl draped over her hair.
"Udonna, don't you remember us? You taught us everything we know, we are the power rangers, we're the Mystic Force?" explained Maddie as they approached Udonna
"Liars, the legendary ones never came, I waited for them, they never came only the Darkness…only the Darkness."
At this Novi couldn't hold back her tears any longer as they began to spill down her cheeks, Vida wrapped an arm around her shoulders and Novi buried her face in Vida's shoulder.
There was a noise in the forest and Claire came stumbling out, at first, she didn't seem to notice them
"There you are. I've been looking eve—," she trailed off seeing the six teens standing there. "Who are you, you better not try and harm us." She finished wrapping her arms around Udonna protectively.
"Claire, we would never try and harm you," said Xander trying to reassure her, but this only seemed to make her more fearful of them.
"You know my name; you must be one of THEM!" she said as she began to back away.
"I'm not one of Them, none of us are, believe me. Claire, we are your friends," said Novi tearfully.
"Claire it's the truth listen, please tell us what happened. What happened to Briarwood, what happened to Rootcore, what happened to you and Udonna?" Nick asked.
"Don't you know what happened? There is no more good magic in the world," Claire told them.
She could feel Solar's presence pushing closer into her conscience and she could feel herself slipping. She reached inside of shirt and breathed a sigh of relief as she felt the cold metal of the locket she always wore. It had been a present from Daisuke and contained the only photo she had of her father. She couldn't remember ever meeting him, but it was still precious to her.
"You already know that isn't going to work for much longer, and when I do break through…I am going to destroy everything you love, starting with your little girlfriend, Vida." Solar jeered in her head.
"Shut up! I'm in control not you! I will never let you hurt them!" Novi thought gripping the locket so tight she could feel the sharp edge dig into her palm.
"It's so cute that you think you have a choice in this. It is only a matter of time."
~~~xXx~~~
It was clear that Udonna and Claire didn't know who they were so the teens headed off heading back to Briarwood, unsure of what to do next.
"Let's see, we've lost Jenji, we're no longer Power Rangers, we no longer have any magic. In fact, there is no magic and the world is ruled by dark forces. This is official as bad as it gets," said Chip
As if on cue, there was a loud crack of thunder and Koragg appeared before them.
"You had to say it, didn't you Chip," said Novi readying for a fight.
"I've been looking for you," Koragg said raising his sword.
They prepared for an attack but to their surprise Koragg drove his sword into the ground between them and stepped back.
"We need to talk," said Koragg
"We don't talk, not to you," said Nick pushing his way to the front of the group.
He strode forward pulling Koragg's sword out of the ground and raising it to swing. Vida and Chip rushed forward and grabbed him to stop him attacking.
Nick, you know me, I love a battle as much as the next guy, but let's hear what he has to say," said Vida standing in front of Nick, her hands on his shoulders.
"Nick, we are in no position to fight him, not without magic," said Novi positioning herself between Nick and Koragg.
"We have no more magic Nick, It's over," said Maddie as she held out her hands for the sword.
Nick sighed as he handed over the sword. Maddie took it and offered it back to Koragg slowly.
"We'll talk," she said as he took the sword from her hands.
"The world we knew has changed, you must tell me what you know of this," said Koragg sheathing his sword.
"All we know is that our world changed soon after Solaris Knight lost his genie to that bulldog and the Yeti," explained Vida
"Of course, your knight lost his genie and Imperious made him grant a wish the power rangers never existed," exclaimed Koragg.
"Okay, how about the Bulldog and the Yeti?
"Fightoe and 50 Below, they work for Imperious, and they are as much my enemies as they are yours," said Koragg.
"Excuse me, you and that Mummy had been trying to turn us into vapor for months and now you are saying you don't like the new guys because they got rid of us," demanded Chip.
"Not because they did, but how they did it and how they tried to get rid of me, but most of all those two are planning to overthrow the Master," explained Koragg
"So let me get this straight, you want Darkness to rule the world but not if they don't do it nicely," mocked Novi.
"Without honor, victory is meaningless. It is the one thing in this world that no one can take from you. I would battle them myself, but my magical powers have also been taken away. But I can help you get your powers back and defeat Fightoe and 50 Below."
"And you guys took his sword away from me," Nick laughed.
"No, no, no think about this. What choice do we really have? We know the outcome the way things are now. At least Koragg's way, we have a fighting chance," said Xander and the others nodded in agreement.
Koragg led them deeper into the forest, Novi hung to the back of the group, still not ready to fully trust Koragg, after all this could still be a trap. She also knew they didn't have much of a choice but to trust him, because things couldn't continue as they were, even know she could feel Solar stirring within her, gather up the dark magic that surround them, building her strength to take control and if that happened Koragg, Necrolai, and even the Master, they would be nothing compared to Solar's powers. She fiddled with the locket around her neck using it to ground herself.
"That will only work for so long," came Solar's voice inside her mind but Novi ignored her.
"You must go to the Tribunal of Magic and ask them to reverse the wish, it's the only way," said Koragg breaking Novi out of her own thoughts.
"And you're going to take us to them?" asked Vida
"The Tribunal of Magic resides in another dimension. I no longer have the magic to transport you. You will have to go with him," Koragg told them pointing to Fireheart.
The teens moved closer to Fireheart, but he reared up growling and used his ice breathe in their direction, the teens had to jump back to avoid being hit with it.
"He doesn't remember us, we raised him from an egg," said Maddie.
"No, you didn't. You never found the egg, I did. I raised him, he's, my dragon.
Northrex Uthum Sondor
"He will take you know."
"Thanks, said Nick as he pasted Koragg and the other followed him climbing on Fireheart's back.
Fireheart rose high into the air and Novi grabbed on tighter to Vida who was stand in front of her. The watched as the city of Briarwood flew past beneath their feet.
"You have got to admit this is one exciting adventure. Not knowing where we are going, not knowing when we are going to get there…not even knowing if we are going to make it back!" Chip shouted over the wind rushing around them.
"Oh yeah really exciting," replied Nick sarcastically.
Suddenly Fireheart was hit from the side and lurched sharply to the left, avoiding another blast.
"What the…" Novi trailed off as she saw Necrolai to the left of them and she was preparing to fight again. Fireheart flew wildly left and right managing to avoid her blasts.
"Going somewhere," she asked as the others spotted her.
The teens ducked lower of Fireheart's back to make it easier for remain seated on his back as he flew faster as if trying to outrun her.
"There she is," warned Nick.
"Got you now!" Necrolai jeered firing more blasts at the teens, but Fireheart swerved and avoided the blasts.
He did a somersault in the air and ended up flying towards her, swerving at the last second so he clipped her with his wings. He then turned and doubled back blasting her with his breathe attack and she fell back towards the ground.
"Look!" shouted Vida pointing in front of them.
The others turned to see the sky ahead had darkened and lightning flashed but it wasn't normal lightning as it was green. Fireheart breathed in the storm causing a portal to open and he flew inside of it.
"Everybody hang on," warned Nick.
Once through the portal they could see they were in some sort of desert with just dunes of sand as far as the eye could see. Fireheart slowed to a glide before landed on a nearby dune. The six teens slid off his back, Vida reaching up to catch Novi in her arms, making Novi smile at her touch.
"Thanks Fireheart," said Chip.
He roared in return.
"What is this place?" asked Vida nervously.
"Uhm guys, I'm not so sure about this place anymore. I know I said about this being an exciting adventure an all, but I think we'd be better off going back to Briarwood," said Chip but as he finished those words Fireheart rose into the sky leaving them stranded in this unknown desert.
"Hey, come back," called Novi and Vida but he ignored them, flying back through the portal which closed behind him.
"Well, there goes our way out of here," said Nick.
"Yep, but the question still remains, where is here?" asked Novi looking around them at the barren land.
"And which way should we go?" asked Vida.
Nick didn't answer but took off in a direction, leaving the others no choice but to follow him or be left behind. They walked for what seemed to be several hours but the landscape before they never changed just miles of sand dunes. The sun began to beat down on the teens and Novi knew that in this heat it wouldn't be longer for they began to get thirsty and with no water in sight, they would be in serious trouble if they could find the Tribunal of Magic and soon. They continued to walk over the dunes the only sound was the sound of their own breathing as they began to tire.
"You'd think they'd at least have some signs out here," said Xander breaking the silence.
"Sure, something like secret Tribunal of Magic, three miles ahead," snapped Vida
"Hey, at least we'd know we were heading in the right direction," said Maddie
As if on cue a creature rose out of the sand in front of them, sword in its hand and the six teens readied themselves for a possible attack.
"Why have you come here, humans?" it asked cocking its head.
"That's none of your business," said Nick dropping his stance and approaching the being.
It drew its sword ready as Nick got closer but before it could attack, Xander ran forward and grabbed Nick's shoulder stopping him.
"Let me handle this one." He said patting Nick's shoulder.
"Seriously Xander," sighed Novi.
"Hi, the names Xander, we just flew in to this dimension on a dragon, and we are looking for the Tribunal of Magic," he explained.
"Tribunal of Magic?"
"Yeah."
"Then you are headed in the right direction."
"Excellent!" said Xander cheerfully.
Novi starred in disbelief 'plan Xander' never worked before. It usual lead to him being attacked but it appeared to be working.
"Then we'll just be on our way," said Xander turning to the others. "Let's go!"
As he took a step forward the being held up his sword stopping them and blocking the path in front of them
"But to get to the Tribunal of Magic, you have to get by every warrior that's tried to get there and failed," the being said as behind him several more rose up out of the sand.
"Well, if that's the only way," said Vida with a smile.
The other warriors charged at them, and it didn't take long for the two set of people to collide. Novi flipped grabbing a stick to use as a weapon landing on her feet just as one of the undead warriors moved to swing its weapon at her. She blocked it turning to the side slightly and she felt the edge of the blade graze her side, ripping her shirt slightly. She growled and kicked out at the warrior knocking it back to give herself some room to fight. The warrior charged at her its sword raised but she blocked it with the stick as another one charged at her. She turned her stick still locked with the sword of the first and punched the second one in the chest. The first warrior took advantage of her distraction and swept her feet out from under her. She did a handspring kicking out one the second warrior that stood over her and turned to block a blow from the second one. As the first warrior tried to aim a punch, she grabbed it arms and used its momentum to swing him into the second one, knocking them both to the ground and she went to swing at them with the stick but the turned to sand, her stick hitting the ground where they had been moments ago. She looked around to see that apart from Nick and Xander the others had also finished off the warriors they had been fighting. Xander threw his last warrior over his shoulder, and it turned to dust. She watched as Nick grabbed the last warrior and tried to throw him but got thrown instead landing on one knee.
"Well done. You've earned this," said the warrior holding out a gold key.
Nick still holding his stance in case the warrior attacked again took the key and Novi and the others returned to his side.
"Use it wisely," the warrior said with a bow and then he too turned back into sand and was gone.
The six teens continued their trek with a renewed energy heading in the same direction as before.
"I wonder what it could be, a key to a treasure chest or maybe it's a key to a castle or it could be a key to a…" Chip trailed off turning the key in his hands.
"Door," finished Nick, pointing to the two doors ahead of them.
"That's odd," said Maddie as they approached them
"Well, this is interesting. Two doors in the middle of nowhere," said Vida as she walked around the nearest door and headed to the second one. "Leading to nowhere."
Maddie took the key from Chip and walked over to the first door, inserted the key, and opened the door. As she opened it, they could hear Toby talking.
"One at a time, One at a time. Of all the days to be late. Where is my team?"
It was clear he was in the Rock Porium, and it looked to be packed with customers. Maddie turned to them a smile on her face.
"Guys its Briarwood, it's the Rock Porium. Even the color is back. Its home," said Vida excitedly.
"Looks like Toby needs our help. What are we waiting for?" said Chip.
"Wait, I know this sounds weird and weirder coming from me, but that home and safe and I don't think it's the door for us," said Maddie.
"You're right, it doesn't sound like you. Guys the Tribunal of Magic is offering us a way home, I say we take it," said Xander.
"Sorry but something just doesn't feel right. You go through if you want but I'm with Maddie on this," said Novi.
"I say we don't. We can find the tribunal and reverse a wish. We go home now because we are scared or it's an easy way out or it looks like everything is back to normal, then we deserve to live our lives without magic," said Nick.
The other considered this for a moment before Vida spoke up.
"Nick's right. We didn't come all this way to take the easy way out."
Vida nodded at Maddie who then closed the door and as she removed the key, the door vanished.
"Then our only choice is to go through this door," said Chip walking to the remaining door and opening it.
Inside there was a green swirling portal.
"What if it gets worse when we are inside" asked Xander
"Then it's worse," said Nick then he walked through the door closing followed by Novi, Vida, Maddie, Xander and finally Chip.
The teens realized that they were underwater but surprisingly they could breath as they rose up and the six teens found themselves in a field with tall white columns and flags in white, black and red. In front of them was another set of columns with a platform and stairs that led up to it. They stepped off the water and as their feet touched the green a figure dressed completely in white appeared. Followed by a figure in red then black.
"You are the first to get to the Tribunal of Magic in three centuries," said the figure in white.
"You are wasting our time and yours," complained the figure in Black
"They have made it this far; they are entitled to be heard. Speak, "said the figure in Red
"Hi, the names Xander— "
"Enough, we do not care about a name. Why are you here?" said Black interrupting Xander.
"I think you better handle this one Nick," said Xander.
"Well, uh, to cut to the chase there is this bad guy Imperious, who stole our genie and made him grant him a wish. He wished that the Power Rangers never existed," explained Nick.
"You are the Power Rangers? White asked
"Yeah, I'm yellow, he's red, she's— "said Chip pointing to each in turn but Black once again interrupted.
"Enough. Go home! There is nothing we can do for you!"
"Hang on a minute, we were told that you could reverse a genie's wish. Is that correct?" said Novi her temper starting to flare.
"We can— "started White.
"But we won't! GO!" said Black.
"I don't believe this," said Maddie.
"Let's go," said Vida and all of them apart from Novi turned to leave.
"You know what, we didn't go through what we did to get here just for you to tell us to go. You either have no idea what is at stake here or do you not care?" demanded Novi.
"Novi," Vida warned not wanting to anger the beings.
"No, I refuse to accept that you won't even hear us out. I am assuming you have heard of Solar? Well, she is an apart of me and if the wish isn't reversed, she will take control and the world would be in a far worse state then it is not. And I would be forced to watch as she destroys my friends and my home. Now either you hear us out and stop interrupting us or whatever happens when we leave the blood will be on your hands so I hope you can live with that!" said Novi then she turned to leave.
"Wait, why is it that you want this wish reversed?" Red asked.
"Because our magic has been taken away from us and dark magic now rules the world," said Vida.
"So, your world still has magic?" asked Black
"Well yeah, but its dark and evil and icky," said Chip.
"We don't not judge good or evil magic, we just ensure that there is magic," said Black
"OK guys, seriously, you can't say that having dark, evil magic is the same as wondrous good magic," said Xander with a sigh.
"No, it isn't the same," said White.
"I'm curious, just how was your genie stole?" asked Black.
"We had been in battle after battle, we were tired and so we asked Solaris to use his Genie and when he did…Jenji was captured," said Nick.
"And who was responsible for this loss?" asked Black accusingly
"No one was responsible, something these things just happen," said Nick angrily as he strode forward closer to them
"It would serve you best not to raise you voice. We are not the ones responsible for losing your genie," warned Red.
"So, are you saying we are?" demanded Novi.
"I think it best we change the subject," said White seeing the others reaction to this statement. "What would you do if we were to grant the reversal of the wish?"
"We would go back and fight the darkness, restore the world back to the way it was. And there would be color, laughter, and people could be free," said Maddie.
"And Toby would have his store back and we'd all have music" added Nick.
"And Udonna would have Rootcore," Vida chimed in.
"Solar wouldn't be able to get free and destroy the things I hold dear," said Novi grabbing a hold of Vida's hand.
"And we'd have our dragon back," said Xander
"And I have my cape back!" finished Chip.
Novi smiled as the other looked at Chip. Here they were saying how the world would be better and Chip mentioned the cape Chip noticed the looks from the others.
"What? It may not mean much to you, but it does to me," he explained.
"They present a good case," said White and Novi sighed in relief.
"We need to confer," said Red.
They three being huddle close together and the six teens couldn't hear what they were saying. After a few minutes, the three beings turned back to them, and it was Red who spoke to them.
"We admire the ability it took to get here, and we applaud the case your present to us. By the powers entrusted in us we…do not grant your request. Go home."
Before they had a chance to say anything further Red waved their arm and the teens found themselves back in Briarwood.
"All that way…and we failed," said Vida sadly.
"I can't believe it's over," said Xander.
"What are we going to do now?" asked Chip.
To be continued…