Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Power Rangers.
Author's Note: I am not fluent in Japanese but have some comprehension of the language. Some of the phrases used in this chapter may be incorrect, I've tried my best to make sure they are as accurate as possible.
Chapter 5: Knight of the Infinite Aurora
The sun shone down upon the woods just outside Angel Grove. The early morning air held a comfortable chill as the sun dried the dew from the grass. The soft light of the rising sun shone through the trees giving the feeling of a new day. Jasmine felt the crisp air biting at her lungs as she inhaled and stopped for a minute to catch her breath. She reached for the bottle of water at her hip, taking a long drink from it and wiping a sheen of sweat from her forehead. Today was perfect for an early morning run.
Even better she was being joined on this run by a couple of her fellow Rangers; Joey, Romi, Lisa, and Ken and their daughter Najera. It reminded her a lot of being back home in Silver Hills, training with her squad. They'd usually start their training off with a nice five mile run every morning. She put her hand on her hip as she turned towards the group catching up to her.
"Looks like a rookie like you is holding up pretty well!" Jasmine said as Joey, caught up to her.
Joey ran his hand through his sweaty hair, before taking a drink from the water-bottle at his hip and holding it to his forehead for a second. Letting the cool condensation forming on the icey bottle cool down his skin. He put his hands on his knees to stretch out his back for a second before flashing a wide grin at Jasmine. "This is nothing. I got through college on a Track and feild scholarship and some local advertisement modeling and local commercial acting." He said with a laugh.
"If being dressed in an red-pig costume and dancing on camera infront of a car-dealership counts as modeling." Romi's voice said as she patted the sweat from her face down with a towel.
"A pig? How cute!" Lisa said with a smile as she pictured the image in her head.
Ken had to supress a laugh as the image came into his head of Joey being dressed in such an absurd costume and dancing popped into his head.
"You played a piggy?! I played a piggy too! Everyone said I was the cutest!" Najera said, from her father's shoulders.
Lisa nodded as she patted her daughter on the head, turning towards Joey, "We put on a performance for the children's hospital a while back. We did a whole fairy-tale story; Najera was one of the three little pigs, and I was Mother Goose." She said.
"Still I can't believe you danced in a pig costume!" Jasmine said trying to supress a giggle which only forced a lopsided grin on her face.
"It wasn't just a pig, it was a Razorback. University of Arkansas mascot. He's kind of a big deal back home. Lot of people in to college sports in Arkansas. I mean since we don't have our own national league team, you kind of have to be into the college or the High-School Leagues." Joey said with a shrug and a smirk on his face as the Blue Ranger approached.
Romi crossed her arms and shook her head and turned her blind gaze towards Jasmine. "However it's not the University team he ran track for." She said with a smirk on her face.
Joey looked over at Romi and put his hands on his hips and shrugged. "Tease me all you want. My resume is publicly available and there isn't a school nor gig I'm embarassed about on it; including dancing Razorback." He said with a laugh.
"Whatever you say, Wonder Boy..." Romi said. However her voice trailed off and she began to look troubled.
"What's wrong?" Jasmine asked looking over at the auburn haired woman who's unseeing gaze was focused on the woods ahead of her.
She held her arm out, a blue aura of energy surrounding her hand. Her eyes glowing blue. She seemed to to into a sort of trance-like state, swaying back and forth on her feet, remaining completely silent.
"Miss Romi?" Najera asked as her father put her down on the ground. She reached out to touch Romi's hip to get her attention. Ken immediately grabbed his daughter's hand, careful not to touch Romi himself.
"She may be astral projecting. We don't want to touch her. it might hurt her." Ken explained to the confused woman in orange.
"Oh. Okay. What's Astral Projecting?" Najera asked.
"Miss Romi has the ability to put her conciousness into other places, without having to physically be there." Ken explained as he knelt down to the young girl.
Najera nodded understanding her father's explaination. "So it's like when I'm at school, but I'm thinking really hard about being at home, it's like I'm actually there, but I'm still at school." She said.
Ken nodded, "One way of thinking about it." He said.
From off in the distance in the woods, Jasmine could see a faint blue glow. She looked over at the other three rangers with her. She had a feeling the blue glow must have been where Romi projected her conciousness to.
"Lisa, Joey the two of you stay here and keep an eye on Romi. Ken, I think Romi's projection is over there, Let's go check it out." She said turning to each of the Rangers as she addressed them.
"Najera, you stay here with Mommy and be a good girl." Ken said as he gave his daughter a pat on the head. The little girl nodded and walked over to her mother grabbing the pink-haired woman's hand.
With a simultaneous nod from the three rangers, Jasmine and Ken departed from the group and headed into the woods. It took them a while to reach Romi's projection, having to push aside some of the over-grown brush between the trees in order to make their way further into the forest.
The two of them found Romi's blue energy projection standing in the middle of a clearing. The destroyed remnants of a camp were set up. There was a knocked over kettle of cold soup laying a few feet from the smoldering remnants of a fire.
"Looks like there was an attack recently. " Ken said, brushing some of the leaves out of his hair and looking around the camp.
Jasmine noticed Romi's projection seemed to be kneeling over a specific spot at the base of the camp. She approached, taking note of the body of a young asian man, probably somewhere in his late teens or early twenties, was laying unconcious. His clothes were torn, and Jasmine could see various bruises and cuts covered his body.
She gently reached forward, and put her hand on the young man's shoulder. His body was still warm, and she could see the gentle, though pained breathing. He seemed to respond to her touch, letting out a groan and whimper of pain as her fingers grazed the bruises gently. However he didn't seem capable of much else. Jasmine slowly reached forward and helpped brush some of the fallen leaves out of his dark hair, the tips of which were dyed light caramel brown.
"It's odd to say, but he smells warm. Like heated leather. His aura...it's familiar." Romi's voice said through the projection.
"The same aura as the Red Rider?" Ken asked, his voice causing the two women to turn towards him. He was kneeling on the ground, examining a red and black helmet and discarded body-suit.
Jasmine glared and immediately turned her attention back to the unconcious man. So this was the true face of the Red Rider? This was the same man whom attacked them time and time again in pursuit of their Zenith Crystals. She couldn't believe someone like him could do any of those things. Then again, if she learned one thing in her training; apperances could be decieving. Never judge a book by its cover.
"No sign of his partner." Jasmine said as she looked around the clearing. She noticed a black helmet was laying discarded a few feet away.
"I sensed cold-aura remnants, strong ones. Similar to Acedia. Two of them. Generals were here..probably about tweleve hours ago. Her aura seems to dissappear around the same time. She went with them. Judging from the bruises and the damage to the camp, he wasn't invited along." Astral-Romi said shaking her head.
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "You can see the bruises?"
Astral Romi nodded. "Weird huh? I only have sight when I'm like this." She said.
"Weird doesn't even begin to describe it." Jasmine said shaking her head and turning her attention back to the unconcious man in red.
"So what are we going to do with him?" Ken asked as he joined the two women.
Jasmine got to her feet and dusted the wet leaves from her pants. "We're going to take him with us back to the base. His injuries don't seem life-threatening at least nothing we can't have a medical team look at. We need to find out what he knows about what happened here last night; and why he and the Black Rider were after our Zenith Crystals." She said.
Ken nodded and held out something in his hand to Jasmine. A decorative lighter device. However the device was crushed and broken. "I'll let you guys handle the interrogation. I'm going to check this out." He said.
Romi turned towards both of them, "I'm heading back. I'll let Lisa and Joey know what's going on." She said, before her image dissappeared like smoke.
Both Jasmine and Ken helped to get the young man to his feet, slinging his arms over their shoulders to support his weight between the two of them. They slowly made their way back through the forest.
Excitement buzzed throughout the Machine Base. Karmelody could feel it in the air of the silent hallways of the castle. A strange energy seemed to tinge the usual heavy air. All of her father's Generals were meeting in the throne room with her father. Apparently General Noh and Invidia had brought a human directly into the castle some times ago.
She found slipping into the throne room unnoticed to be a rather easy task, as everyone present seemed focused on the solo figure standing in the middle of the room. Karmelody pushed her way towards a pillar close to the clearing in the middle of the room in order to get a better look at the human they'd brought back.
"Your Highness!" Invidia's voice said from the opposite side of the room. He and Noh were both kneeling before King Aradon on either side of woman with black hair in a short chin-lenght bob wearing a black motor-cyle outfit.
Karmelody was rather suprised to see this woman seemed so much older than she imagined. She was well up into her mid forties and of mixed euro-asian ethnicity from what Karmelody could make of her scan of the woman. Not exactly the description she was expecting of someone worthy of being presented in such a manner before her father. If they'd captured a Power Ranger, then maybe all this would be nessecary. There was a reason this woman was here, and Karmelody was curious to know why.
"Ugh! What is such a disgusting human doing here?" Archerina asked as she looked down at the woman in black.
Noh bowed his head breifly, ignoring Acherina's words as he addressed his king. "My Lord, this woman carries a crystal with her, which I believe may be of some use and interest to you."he said.
He then looked over at Galexia whom was approaching the group from the shadows. Her metallic high-heels echoed with each footfall on the stone floor as she approached. In her arms was a cannister much like the Soul-Cannisters which she used to power the Cybershades. As she approached she opened the cannister, delicately lifting the black star shaped crystal out.
Aradon leaned forward as he saw the Crystal. "A Nadir Crystal?"
Galexia held the crystal up as she examined it, "The base Nadir-Dark Aether appears to be created of our own realm. Though, considerably younger than our own Nadir Crystals: I'd say the base was created about 20 millenia ago. Given touches of Zenith Aether; I feel I can pinpoint with one hundred percent accuracy when this crystal was created." She said. Her voice seemed to carry a intrigued tone to it.
She then let out a laugh as she shook her head, "My Lord. This crystal was created in the struggle between you and the Zenith Aether Guardian 20 millenia ago. It is neither Nadir Aether nor Zenith Aether, but both. " She said.
With a shake of her head she admired the constantly shifting liquid-like colors on the black surface. "Crystallized Aether as it originally was before our worlds were split apart. Or at least it would be if there wasn't unusual energies in the crystal: namely the presences of a human soul, and an Elsysian soul." She said.
"Elysian soul? Another soul?" Noh asked, as if he were legitmately curious about the presence.
Galexia nodded, "The human soul is fragmented, it's the same one which Acedia failed to extract a few years ago. When the incident happened, the Elysian soul in the Crystal became active and that fragment of human soul Acedia thought he had was drawn into the crystal instead." She explained.
The Black Rider looked over at Galexia, "You assume picking up her soul was an accident." She said. Her voice was cold and stern. The tone of her voice caused Noh, and Galexia to turn towards her, while Aradon and Senphonea were looking down at the scene curiously.
"Ah, so the Crystal has bonded with the human allowing the Elysian to use the connection to take control over the human's body; using her as a vessel in this world." Galexia said crossing her arms.
The Black Rider glared at Galexia. "No different from how you are. Except I didn't find a machine to take over." She said.
"Tell me Elysian. Who are you, and of which side of the barrier did you come from?" Aradon asked.
Kneeling down to Aradon, The Black Rider bowed her head. "I didn't expect you to recognize me in this human's body, but it is I, your General Heket." She said.
Aradon got to his feet and slowly approached. "General Heket. So you have returned to us." He said as she looked at the woman.
The Black Rider nodded, but remained kneeling before Aradon. "I had not been expecting the crystal to absorb my soul. Then I had to wait for this human to find this crystal. The Zenith Aether of the Crystal bonded with her, which I managed to use to my advantage from learning how to manipulate the aether energy in the crystal. Though her resistence was impressively high for a mere human. " She said.
With a small laugh she shook her head as she got to her feet. "I should thank Acedia for trying to come after her soul; if he hadn't, I would never have been able to take complete control and supress her soul inside the crystal." She said.
A sinister smile creapt across Heket's lips. "In any case, I'm here now, and ready to serve you in any way I can. I've even brought you information you may be interested in." She said.
"What sort of information could you possibly bring which would prove useful?" Acedia asked as he approached. His face now sporting a large discolored plate of metal where it had been repaired from being torn open the previous day.
Heket turned towards the machine man. "The identity of the last Zenith Crystal fragment, and I already have a plan on how to get it." She said.
A dull aching pain, and the sound of electric buzzing from an overhead lamp were the first things which greeted the Red Rider as he awoke. The bright white of the over head fluorescent lights nearly blinded him as he opened his eyes slowly. The sounds of a monitor beeping rhytmically and the humming of someone at the other end of the room caught his attention.
Slowly he sat up, rubbing his eyes to help them better adjust to the light and try to remove some of the dirt from his eyes. As his vision began to clear he became aware of his surroundings. He was laying in something of a hospital room. There were people standing at his bedside. The same people he had encountered many times before: The Zenith Rangers. The White, Orange, Green, Blue, and Yellow Rangers specifically.
"Well, good to see you're awake." Liam said with a slight smile on his face. The Red Rider looked at him curiously. He wondered why the White Ranger was being so friendly towards him. Were they just playing nice to make him think he was safe before they killed him or something?
"Look we're not going to hurt you. We just want some information from you." Jasmine said. "The first question is what is your name?"
"My name is Ryo Matsubara. I am twenty-one years old. I am from Tokyo Japan." The Red Rider said slowly. His voice carried a heavy Japanese accent.
Ken nodded as he typed in a few things on the tablet he was carrying. Ryo felt a uneasiness in his stomach, as he waited for the next question to be asked.
"I'm going to get right too it, Mr. Matsubara. Why were you and your friend after the Zenith Crystals?" Jasmine asked.
Ryo opened his mouth to speak but then shook his head. They were expecting him to respond to their question in English. He wanted to tell them the truth, but he was not fluent enough in English to be able to respond to them properly.
"You won't tell us? There is not use in hiding the truth Mr. Matsubara." Jasmine said crossing her arms.
"Eigo ga sukoshi shika hanasemasen." Ryo said. He didn't know what else to say other than the truth. He only knew a little English. An embarassed blush appeared on his face as he looked away from the group.
With an understanding nod, Lianjie put his hand on Ryo's shoulder. "Dai joobu desu. Wakarimasu." He said.
A small thrill of hope shot through Ryo as he looked at the man in green. "Nihongo o hanasemasu ka?"
Lianjie frowned, "Nihongo ga sukoshi shika hanasemasen."
The man only knows a little Japanese, but he understands it; while this was benficial in the long run it would probably get neither of them anywhere. There was no telling how limited the other man's understanding of the Japanese language was.
Jasmine raised an eyebrow as she looked over at the man in Green. "You speak Japanese?" She asked.
"My mother taught English in Japan whenever I was a kid. I grew up around the language. Once I came to America after the accident, I didn't speak it as often. So I'm out of practice." Lianjie explained.
With a nod to himself Ken reached into the pocket of his lab-coat and pulled out a device. He hooked it up to the tablet he was holding for a few seconds before unplugging it and making his way towards Ryo.
"Mr. Matsubara. If it is okay, I'm going to give you a translator. I've programmed it to interpret Japanese into English. You'll find the device capable of mimicking your voice perfectly down to the timing. As well the device will translate our voices into Japanese for the sake of your comprehension." Ken said as he showed Ryo the device.
He nodded, signalling he understood as Ken began hooking the device onto his ear. Ryo was suprised to find the devices seemed to be air-light, as they were placed into his ears like ear-plugs Although they didn't block out noise at all due to their hollowed out cyndrical shape. Even the transmitting device which was placed on his back teeth didn't seem to be noticeable. Ryo found it odd.
" Okay. Do you understand us?" Ken asked.
Ryo blinked as he heard the words being said by the Yellow Ranger in his native language. It seemed so weird. He was still capable of hearing the underlying tones of the man's English words, but primarily he heard his words in Japanese.
"Yes. I can." He said. Again he found himself suprised to hear his own voice leaving his mouth in English though he was speaking in Japanese to them.
"Why were you after our Zenith Crystals?" Jasmine asked.
Looking over Ryo crossed his arms. "Simple answer, I needed it's power. My intent was only to borrow the Crystal. As soon as I was done with it, Ashe and I were going to give it back. I swear. I don't have any use for it's power other than-" He began. He stopped short however, wondering how he could best explain his reasons for needing the Zenith Crystal's power.
Taking a deep breath he shook his head.
"What did you need it for?" Liam asked.
"It's not important. I was going to give it back as soon as I tried what I was going to try. Whether it worked or not." Ryo said, avoiding eye contact with Liam.
"Ask him why he can Summon Eidolons." Tenshii's voice echoed in Liam's head. Liam nodded. He was curious about the young Japanese man's abilities as well. If it had not been for Ryo's abilities to control and create fire from nothing, Liam knew his parents would have died the same night he had become a Ranger. He had to remind himself to thank Ryo for this.
Ryo looked down and got out of bed. He found he was dressed in a pair hospital scrub-pants. His chest was wrapped up in bandages. He crossed his arms as he began pacing the room; trying to figure out the best way to explain.
"We don't call them Eidolons, but I understand what you are asking." He said. He then turned and crossed his arms, pacing back and forth as he explained.
" I am descendant of an ancient lineage of summoners; people who were chosen thousands of years ago to weild the power of the phenomena known as the Infinite Aurora, and given the ability to summon the Celestial warriors whom protected the four divine beings of the elements: They appear in this world as animals. They were known as the Aurora Rangers." He said.
With a shrug he looked over to evaluate the looks on the faces of the Zenith Rangers. They seemed to be listening intently. Given the origin of their own powers, Ryo felt reassured none of his story was being judged to be rediculously stupid and fantastical to the point of disbelief.
"I am the current representative of three summoner families of the Southern Fire Element. I am the last in my line, and I was chosen by the Infinite Aurora to become the Red Aurora Ranger, also known as the South Aurora Ranger. I am the former Leader of the Shokan shi Sentai Aurora Rangers. " He said.
Liam crossed his arms and looked at the man curiously. He'd heard of the Super Sentai teams before; the United Alliance worked along side many of the current and former teams throughout the universe and all the dimensions. Liam had always greatly admired the Sentai Heroes whom he'd heard about and met. It made him curious however how a former leader ended up this far away from his team.
"You mentioned a woman named Ashe, Who is she?" Jasmine asked.
Shaking his head Ryo frowned and heaved a sigh. "Ashe Black. She's an ally of the Aurora Rangers. She rescued me from one of the monsters we fought three years ago. She's the one to told me this was a Zenith Crystal Fragment." He said.
"How did she know about the Zenith Crystal?" Liam asked. His brows were furrowed as he tried to run through the possibility of how the Black Rider could have known about the crystals, when they hadn't even been given their proper name among the United Alliance until he had spoken with Tenshii. None of the other Rangers had known it's correct name until they had become rangers either. How did someone seemingly unrelated to all of this know what the call the Crystals, or even what they were?
He looked over at his companions, who were all sporting troubled looks, similar to his own. They all had the same question on their mind.
Ryo shook his head. "I didn't question it. Not until last night that is. When this huge Wrestler Machine, and this Cyber Ninja attacked us at our camp. They were specifically targeting Ashe."
"What would they want with her? I doubt they were just looking to recruit a swords fighting expert; They've already got General Noh." Liam wondered aloud, hoping to prompt the man in red to speak and elaborate further.
"They wanted a crystal from her. This black crystal which Ashe had. She never explained to me what it was while we were travelling together. They said, it was the first crystal of it's kind in 200 millenia, and something about a human soul being in it. I couldn't really understand them. Then they kidnapped her, and beat me up. " Ryo said. He heaved a sigh and shook his head, offering an appologetic look to the Rangers. He wanted to help them under the situation. Right now, they and this United Alliance were the only hope he had of rescuing Ashe.
Liam felt a curious surge of terror in his heart through empathic transmissions. "What's wrong Tenshii?" he thought.
"I have a bad feeling; Ms. Black may be in far more danger than anticpated. If what I believe about this crystal she was in possession of is true, and it's bonded with her soul; then another of Briezora's Demon Generals may soon be awake if she isn't already. If she is, then we are going to be facing a great challenge." Tenshii said.
Looking over at the others, he felt he should tell them. However, Liam knew Ryo was concerned about his friend. He didn't even have to ask Tenshii what sort of challenge they would be facing with this new General. He already knew. This new General might be using the Black Rider's body to carry out whatever plans she was going to carry out. It was for the best Ryo not be made aware of this situation. They might have to fight against his friend. If worst came to worst they might end up having to kill her. Liam certainly hoped it would never come to it.
"I think we've gotten all the information we need right now. Mr. Matsubara. If you don't mind. We'll need to talk with our superiors, in regards to what needs to be done now; I'll be sure to mention how helpful you've been to us to our Director. Just sit tight here and don't leave this room. Additional questioning may be required." Liam said as he turned towards the others, before offering a polite half-bow to the the Japanese man as the group stepped out of the room with his fellow Rangers.
Ryo sighed and crossed his arms as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Yeah. Sure." He said.
As the Rangers left the room, Ryo suddenly stood up and took a step towards them. "Rangers. Just so you know. I'm...willing to help you in any way I can now. I know Ashe and I were not the kindest of people to you in the past; but if you can save Ashe from those monsters I'll do whatever you ask of me." he said. His dark eyes brimming with emotion.
She means a lot to him. Liam thought as he nodded giving the Japanese man a reassuring nod everything would be fine. With a small uneasy sight the door closed behind him.
"Liam, we could have asked him more questions." Jasmine said as the group stood out in the hallway.
Shaking his head, Liam explained exactly what Tenshii had told him, about the potential of Ashe being possessed by a General of Briezora's army. As he finished the explaination, he noticed the troubled looks on the faces of his companions.
"This means we'll need to find the last Zenith Ranger as soon as possible. If this new General is in possession of a complete Aether Crystal, then there is no telling how much of a boost Aradon and his forces are getting from it." Jasmine said crossing her arms and shaking her head.
"Unfortunately we don't have any leads on the Crystal Fragment, and if we don't want to run the risk of having to kill this Ashe woman-we'll probably need to find a way to get this Heket person out of her body." Lianjie said as he put his hands on his hips.
"I'll head back to my lab to see if I might have any research which may prove useful to us in formulating a plan." Ken said.
"I need to get my homework done first, before I can do anything. I'll let my Grandfather and family know what's going on, so we can get some extra help keeping a look out for the last Zenith Crystal Peice. I'll meet back up with you guys in a bit at the Aether Temple, and we can see what we can come up with." He said as he motioned towards the white and black back-pack he had slung over his shoulder.
"Someone should probably let Joey and Lisa know what's going on. I don't have anything going on at the moment: So I guess I'll do it. I'll try to do some research on Mr. Matsubara's friend Ms. Black while I'm at it." Lianjie said with a shrug.
Romi crossed her arms and rubbed her temples for a breif second before shaking her head. Her astral projection earlier had taken more out of her than she initially thought. She had been fighting against a particularly severe migraine, which was interferring with her mental vision. "I should go back to the Empress to help open up for the dinner hours, but I think I'm going to hang around here for a little bit. I'll see what other information I might be able to read from Ryo. If I can." She said.
Nodding to each other and giving a breif goodbye to each other the group headed out down the hallway in different directions.
Downtown Angel Grove. The sun beginning to set in the sky, casting it's orange glow over the larger glass buildings. Business men and women were just getting off work and on their ways back to their families, or to whatever bar or restaurant they might frequent and spend their hard earned money on.
Hardly anyone was aware of the light silvery mist which rolled in around their ankles. It was only when a woman dressed in a black metallic mask, with a circlet of silver metallic thorn-like spikes. Her hair was silken black, braided into two thick braids which almost reached to the ground and swayed as she walked, stirring up small tornadoes of mist at her feet. On each side of the crown there were smaller face designs in lights crafted into the silvery thorns. Her body was covered in a black body-suit, which was modified with bits of armor, and silver boots. She had a silvery dress remiscent of a greek goddess's dress.
Heket smiled to herself as she watched the citizens of the town realize what was going on, as the Metalliwisps began to appear, and attack them. Yes. This was a perfect spot to lure the rangers out. Nicely populated. A nice place to spread the virus and farm more souls. In only a matter of time the Rangers and their alliance would appear.
Only they wouldn't face her alone: she was accompanied by a cybershade which had the apperance of a female ice-skater.. Her metallic skin was frost-bite black and gimmered with spots of what appeared to be frost but was only small patches of the same silvery goo the Metalliwisps had covering their bodies., her hair a silvery white. Her dress was lined with fur. Though she wore her ice-skates she did not have any trouble gliding down the street, as the ground froze into solid ice at the touch of the blades.
As the humans ran, the ice skater waved her arm causing several of the scurrying individuals to begin slipping and sliding as the ground froze underneath their feet, allowing for the Metalliwisps to attack them better.
Across the street, Joey, Lianjie, and Lisa were leaving the Veil Agency building where Joey worked and were on their way back to the base in order to meet up with the others to begin strategy on what they should do with this new development.
"If we're lucky enough. Tenshii said there may still be time and this General Heket hasn't woken up and taken control of this Ashe's body." Lianjie explained to Joey as they walked down the street.
However Lianjie's voice trailed off as his gaze followed his two fellow Ranger's, beholding the chaos and confusion happening on the street. At first they only saw the thick mist beginning to roll down the street, and the people fleeing from the Metalliwisps as the street began to ice-over. In only a few seconds they saw Heket and her Cybershade approaching.
"So much for luck. Unless Aradon sent down two Cybershades-I'm willing to bet one of those two is General Heket." Lisa said shaking her head and putting her hands on her hips as they saw the two machine-fusion creatures making their way down the street.
The trio jumpped slightly as a blue energy projection appeared beside them as Romi's astral projection appeared. "Guys. Ken and Liam are on their way there with Mr and Mrs. McKenzie and the others. Try to hold off the Cybershade and General Heket as long as you can." She said.
Immediately after she put her hand on her temple and audible winced as pain shot through her head, leaving an electric trail across her projection.
"What about you?" Lisa asked hesitantly reaching out to touch the projection, but stopping herself short.
"I'll be there later. Just promise you guys can manage to hang on until then okay?"She said. In an instant her astral image dissappeared into the air.
Looking at each other for a breif second, they gave a nod to each other. Now was a better time than any to step in and intervene before things got completely out of hand. They rushed out into the street in the way of the approaching Cybershade and Machine General.
"Alright! This is as far as you go!" Lisa shouted taking the lead among the trio.
The Cybershade looked at the group, tilting it's head in curiousity. "Are these the Zenith Rangers, General?" She asked, her voice almost carrying a chilling tone to it.
Heket crossed her arms and looked at the three Rangers in disgust, "Most of them Cryofever. Three seem to be missing." She said.
Lisa put her hands on her hips, "Oh don't worry about them you goth freak of a goddess. They'll be along soon. For now you've got us-and I think we'll be plenty of enough company." She said giving a glance to the two Rangers on either side of her. With a nod the three readied their Crystallizers.
"Crystallize Soul!" They shouted in unison as they went through the quick motions of morphing, and the light from their Crystallizers engulfed their bodies for a second, before clearing and leaving them in their Ranger forms.
With a hollow laugh, Heket's eyes flashed a deep crimson, and she reached for the swords in the sheeths at her hips. " I guess you can amuse us for a little while."She said before she rushed at them.
Ryo stared at the auburn haired woman sitting at his bedside. The two of them had been sitting in silence for the last hour and a half. He was starting to wonder if she had fallen asleep. Especially as she had begun to look dazed for a few seconds after the alarms had gone off and two of her fellow Rangers had ducked in to tell her there was a situation going on down town involving a Metalliwisp and CyberShade attack.
"Look, Miss DeLuca. You guys don't have to lie to me about Ashe's situation. She's being controlled by this Heket spirit." He said as he looked over at the woman in blue.
Romi looked down. "Oh."
"Yeah. I've been travelling with Ashe for more than a couple of years now. I've gotten to know Ashe well enough to know the difference between the two." He said.
"Then you know as long as Heket is using Ashe's body she is an enemy of the Zenith Elysian Order, and the United Alliance. We will have to fight her, and the possibility we may end up having to kill her." Romi said.
Ryo gritted his teeth breifly and shook his head, "I can't do it. I don't expect you to understand why." He muttered under his breath. He clenched his fist, and it ignited in a breif flame.
With a sigh Romi got to her feet and turned towards the wall. She tilted her head for a few seconds before turning towards Ryo. She seemed deeply concerned by something, as if she had been told some disturbing information in the few seconds of silence which fell between them.
"We're a lot more alike than you might think Ryo, and I'm not just talking about the Ranger lineage, or the special powers." Romi said as she sat down in the chair at Ryo's beside again.
Ryo clenched his fist and looked down, "Oh so your brother sacrificed himself becoming one with the Four Celestial Gods, and being trapped within the Holy Summoning Diamonds to ensure the hell dimension the forces of evil you fought remained closed, too? Yeah...I can see how we're coming from the same place."
Crossing her arms Romi bit her lip. "It's closer of a common ground than you think."She muttered under her breath.
"What?"
"I can sense a heavy self-guilt in your aura. You feel this crushing responsibility for what happened to your brother. It's why you ran away from your family, it's why you were after our Crystals." Romi said.
Heaving a long sigh, Ryo rubbed his neck and looked towards the door. "Ashe, or Heket whoever she was when I met her, told me the Zenith Crystal would have tremendous power when it was completed; power which might be able to free my brother. So we came all the way out here in search of the Zenith Crystals." He said.
Taking a few steps towards the door Ryo hung his head and scratched his neck for a few seconds before heaving another sigh and putting his hands on his hips. It had been Ashe's idea to come out here in search of the Zenith Crystals, but he wondered if it was all worth the trouble. Though, he was wondering if getting the Zenith Crystal hadn't been part of Heket's plan.
He had never questioned it before, why exactly Ashe seemed so certain the Zenith Crystal was going to revive his brother.
"Damn." He muttered to himself.
"What?"
Ryo put his hand on his head for a second before putting his hands on his hips. "This was all going to happen regardless. If Invidia and Noh hadn't kidnapped Ashe; Heket would have stabbed me in the back before I'd even had a chance to try to save my brother with the Zenith Crystal or even give it back to you guys." He said.
He pushed his pony-tail back over his shoulder and scratched his chin. "I'm such an idiot. Heket has just been using me this whole time to get what she wanted." He said.
Romi sat up in her chair raising her eybrow curiously.
With a sigh Ryo ignited his fist. In a few seconds the flames condensed into a triangular shaped crystal. Romi felt a strange burst of warmth and an unusual aura appear in the room, similar to the aura of the Zenith Crystals, only this one a red-light vibration. Romi got to her feet in suprise.
"I'm sure you've been wondering how Ashe and I have been able to track your team down, with no affiliation to King Aradon or anyone else. Well, here's your answer. The final peice of the Zenith Crystal."He said.
Ryo looked down tightening his grip around the crystal. "Crystallized Aether acts in a specific way. If the Crystal created from it is shattered, the peices would eventually begin to migrate back together after time: even if having to influence the lives and fates of the people whom may be holding the peices." He said.
With a distressed groan Romi rubbed the temples of her forehead as another stabbing wave of pain from her migraine rose to the surface.
"Miss DeLuca, It's no accident, or coincidence-whatever you want to call it, all of the Zenith Rangers gathered here in Angel Grove, They all were drawn here, you and myself included, by the power of our Zenith Crystals." Ryo said.
"Figured as much. It's the curse of Angel Grove. In fact I'm pretty sure it's in the advertisement brochure. Welcome to Angel Grove a growing metropolis with charm, culture, and a unique Paranomral history. Great location for the forces of evil to start the conquest of Earth, and for unassuming heroes to meet their magical destiny. " Romi said crossing her arms a small smirk appearing on her lips.
A small smile appeared on Ryo's face.
"Look, joking aside, Mr. Matsubara. I don't know if the Zenith Crystal is capable of saving your brother, or if Heket was using you for her own twisted plans. However, I do believe you want to help save Ashe, if not for the simple fact she's your friend, then for the fact she has saved your life on mulitple occassions." Romi said shrugging her shoulders.
She shook her head and faced Ryo. "Call it a premonition or just a feeling or something; but Ashe has a better chance of survival if the Zenith Crystal is at full power and for you to be on our side. You know Ashe better than we know her, and I think this might be a beneficial in saving her." She said.
Ryo opened his mouth to speak, but Romi put her hand on his shoulder, "You couldn't do anything to save your brother from what happened; but you can help Ashe from suffering a similar fate. I think you know this, and I think you know the right thing to do." She said.
Looking down at the crystal in his hand Ryo took a deep breath. He shook his head, "My Aurora Changer was broken by that brute last night-and I can't use the Zenith Crystal without one of the transformation devices you use." He said.
"Well, you can. I've used the Crystal before I got my crystallizer; but I understand what you mean; so, here." Romi said.
Romi reached into her pocket, and pulled out the two wrist devices for the Crystallizer, both with red design on them where the others had their respective colors. She motioned for Ryo to hold out his wrists as she placed the Crystallizer on his wrist.
"Ken's working on your Aurora Changer to get it back and working: You'll be back up and running as the Southern Aurora Ranger in no time. In the mean time though, I think you'll find the Red Zenith Elysian Ranger Suit to fit you nicely." She said with a smile.
"You guys already had this made?" Ryo asked looking down at the devices.
"Liam had a feeling this might be nessecary if and when we found the Eighth Zenith Ranger, so he built this last night. We really didn't expect to find you so soon." Romi said.
She then clasped her hands together. "Come-on now, Give it a try and let's get moving!" She said cheerfully.
Ryo nodded and put the crystal into the device. "Ready?"
Romi nodded and readied her Crystallizers, "Ready."
"Crystallize Soul!"
In unison the two went through the motions of their morphing call, blue and red light bursting from their Crystallizers and engulfing their bodies.
Ken dodged out of the way of the Cryofever's blades, taking advantage of the slippery ice beneath him to attempt to trip the Cybershade, however she only gracefully skated backwards from the Yellow Ranger.
A pain shot through Ken's stomach as another body fell ontop of him, He looked up to see Lisa laying across his stomach, her suit was sporting some burn marks from the sparks created by the absorption of the Metalliwisps attacks which pushed her across the ice and crashing onto her husband.
"Not quite the way I'd have staged a recreation of the highlight of our fourth date going." Lisa joked wincing in pain, as she rolled off of Ken.
"Yeah, the ice-rink wasn't outdoors, and there were a lot fewer people trying to kill us. Otherwise, me sitting flat on my ass on the ice, with you stumbling over me...pretty accurate." Ken said as Lisa helpped him to his feet.
Lisa swiped at the Ice-skater Cybershade with her chained daggers, she caught the Cybershade by her leg, and began to struggle to get the skater off balance.
Meanwhile a few yards away Liam, and Jasmine were tied up in battle with a group of Metalliwisps. They were doing all they could to fend off the swarms of creepy creatures from getting to the citizens whom been incased in ice along the street. Even with the help of Liam's family they found themselves just barely able.
Joey was engaged in battle with Heket. One thing had become obvious to the Violet Ranger; Ashe's sword skills probably came directly from Heket. He found it difficult to land an attack on her with his fan weapons. Most of the battle had been spent on defense against the sharp blades of her sword.
As they fought, Joey's foot found a particularly slippey patch of ice on the road, as Heket kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him crashing into a nearby car. As he tried to get to his feet, and regain his breath, Heket approached him. Her eyes glowing crimson, and a hallow mechanical laugh coming from her mask-like face.
"This is the warrior Marduk chose as his sucessor? He's has none of his predecessors' grace, style, strength, or compassion. Such a weak human soul. He is not even worthy of being called Zenith Aether Ranger Violet." She said as she looked down at Joey, who was clutching his stomach, and struggling to gain his footing on the ice.
Heket laughed as she drew her blade, raising it in the air ready to strike Joey. "Oh well. I suppose you had to make due with who was available to you. " She said swinging the blade downward.
Feeling his heart skip a beat, Joey wanted to let out a scream but found the fear of the impending deathblow kept the air from escaping his throat and producing sounds as he threw up his arms in some feeble attempt at defense. Behind his helmet he squeezed his eyes shut.
A thunderous neighing of a horse broke through the chaos of the battle, causing everyone to stop and turn their attention to the source of the sound. Rushing towards the Cryofever Cybershade a red light cut through the swarm of Metalliwisps and silvery mist. As the light neared it took the shape of a red pegasus. One which the Rangers had seen before wandering around the grounds of the Light Aether Temple.
The Pegasus was followed by another horse, this one a flaming spectral like horse, atop which rode a Ranger in Red. As the flaming horse raced in the same directon of the Cybershade, becoming a blast of fire, the Red Ranger leapt from it's back, his gloved hands igniting as he cartwheeled across the ice, the intense heat of the flames melted the ice upon contact.
Staggered sounds of suprise came from the Rangers as they saw the Red Ranger standing in the clearing on the street.
"Protected by the Holy Light of the Infinite Aurora and the Flameing Fury of the Elysian Pegasus! I am Elysian Zenith Ranger One: Red!" Ryo shouted. As he spoke he motioned through the air, drawing the same triangular shape in the air, the alchemic symbol of fire. As he finished his short roll-call speech he fell into a low striking position, with one fist close to his chest and the other outstretched to the side.
Heket's eyes flashed as she saw the Red Ranger standing before her. "The Zenith Elysian Order is complete, and all the Crystal's peices are together again. " She said as she looked at the Rangers.
"Release Ashe, and return to the abyss you came from you monster or suffer the consequences!" Ryo shouted as he ignited his fists, preparing to strike Heket.
Laughing Heket looked at the Rangers whom had gathered near the Red Ranger. "Heh. You just don't understand. Your dear Ashe is nothing without me. I've been the only thing keeping her alive all these years. Her soul is a feeble light in a sea of darkness, soon to be swallowed up." She said readying her blades.
Ryo put his hand on his chest and shook his head. "She still has the light of hope on her side. As long as I believe in her, as long as I believe in her safety and survival she still has a chance. The light of my hope will add to the light of her soul, as long as I hold hope, it's light will prevail."
Heket shrugged, "Believe what ever foolish thing you wish, but no matter what hope you have for her Ashe's soul belongs to the Nadir Elysian Empire. It is rightfully ours to do with as we wish." She said.
"We can always fight for it, and all Eight of us against you, with the Zenith Crystal stronger than ever. You probably won't fair as well as Acedia did against seven of our Eidolons." Lisa said as she brandished the cuffs on her wrist containing her chained dagger weapons.
Heket's eyes flashed darkly, as the Rangers got into position to launch their full Eidolon strike. She braced herself for the first of several strikes, readying her swords like a samurai ready to strike down her foes.
"Liam. Have them focus their energies on the Guardian Staff. With the combined powers we can form the Crystal Lotus Cannon. It can shoot a concentrated blast of combined Zenith Aether Energies of the Eidolons. It's sure to do some damage." Tenshii said, his voice echoing in Liam's head.
"If you think it will work. Let's give it a try." Liam said. He then looked over at his team mates telling them what Tenshii had told him, as he summoned the Guardian Staff allowing for the Rangers to form up around it to charge up their energies.
"What if it kills Ashe?" Joey asked looking over at Liam.
"It's a risk we might have to take." Ryo said before Liam could respond.
The Rangers nodded in agreement as they transferred the glowing lights of their summoning power into the White Ranger's weapon. The weapon began to glow with a opal-like radience. turning into a ball of pure white light for a split second before it formed into a large glimmering Lotus shaped Crystal much like the Crystal in the temple. The device was surrounded by an eight handel-like leverss which formed an Eight-pointed star around the base of the flower.
The weapon was turned to face towards, Heket. Ken, Lianjie, and Romi held the cannon steady from the bottom edges, while Lisa and Jasmine held it steady directly on either side. Joey and Ryo held the large flower-like weapon steady from the two handels just off to the left and right sides of the very top handle which Liam held with one hand while holding onto the stem-like object coming from the bottom of the crystal with the other.
"Hold it steady and-Fire!" Liam called out. On his command He and the other seven Rangers pushed the levers they were holding into the Crystal Flower-bud. As all the levers joined together, the tear-shaped crystal opened, into a lotus-flower shape seven petals of which had a glowing orb of different colored lights dancing infront of it. surrounding a bright white orb in the center.
In a matter of seconds the Rangers braced themselves for the kick-back of the blast of all Eight lights, as they were fired from the canon. The lights breifly formed into the Eight Eidolons charging towards Heket, before becoming beams of light once more and circling around the white light at the center, before combining with it.
As Heket saw the blast coming towards her, her eyes flashed crimson and a black glow surrounded her body. "A lovely light show, but...no." She said, as she clapped her hands together and then thrust her swords into the air out before her.
A large spectral frog-like creature, almost twice the size of Heket herself appeared before her. It opened it's wide mouth swallowing the blast whole, and holding it in it's mouth for a second, as it began to draw in the mist around it, charging the blast with the collected energy.
Liam felt terror running through his soul. It wasn't just the fear of what would be their strongest attack being turned around and blasted back at them, it was a shared fear with Tenshii over the cause of the situation. Heket had an Eidolon in her possession. This is bad.
Intense heat surrounded the Rangers as the blast was reflected back at them. Tearing at their suits. The force of the blast knocked the rangers down the street several feet, and melted the ice. The reflected blast sent enough energy down the busy street to disperse the remaining Mist and evaporate the Metalliwisps.
As the light cleared, and Liam could feel the relief of colder air over his body, he slowly got to his feet. "Guys...you okay?" He asked as he made his way to his fallen friends. One by one they got to their feet, slowly checking themselves for any signs of serious damage.
"Good thing most of it was our own energy. I think our suits filtered out the Pandora Mist, and absorbed our own energies." Ken said as he helpped Lisa to her feet.
Jasmine grabbed her side and let out a shaky half laugh. "Just like being shot at through kevlar, and falling down a flight of stairs. Brings back a few memories of the Silver Guardians." She said.
Joey pulled himself to his feet and dusted off. "Last time I felt something like this, I was in the fifth grade and fell off a horse at camp." He said.
"Her Eidolon-" Romi said biting her lip as she crossed her arms, bracing herself against the cold-aura remnants of the Eidolon's presence.
From down the street, Heket put her hands on her hips and laughed to herself. The Rangers were fearing her power already. Destroying them and taking their souls and power might be easier than she thought. Their Eidolons combined didn't seem to be a match for hers. As she looked down at the Black Crystal in her hand she gave a slight laugh.
"I told you, you'd owe me a favor one day for keeping you alive. As long as you and I are connected through this crystal I have full control over your Eidolon." She said. The Crystal gave a feeble glimmer as if responding.
One of Heket's long braids, began to move on it's own, forming up into a hand-like shape as it suddenly lashed out towards a streak of green flying through the air, which was about to hit the Demon Machine General in the temple of her forehead. As her hair wrapped around her shoulder, Heket put the crystal back up, and took the object from her hair.
"What a horrible child you are! Dishonorable!" She said as she turned towards the Green Ranger whom was rushing towards her with his bow drawn and firing a barrage of arrows.
"You're one to talk about dishonor and horrible people, when you're the one stealing bodies, and harming innocent people for their souls ." Lianjie shouted as he launched a few more arrows towards Heket, only for her hair to bat a number of the arrows away, while others were deflected by Heket's blades.
The two began to fight as they drew closer to each other. Lianjie using his bow as a something of a sword, deflecting Heket's blades, and landing a couple of hits on her armor. The battle between the two didn't last long as Heket quickly gained the upper hand. She kicked the Green Ranger in the stomach, sending him crashing to the ground, knocking his weapon from his hands and causing it to vanish with a flash of light.
"You must be as big of an idiot as your predecessor," Heket said as she approached the fallen Green Ranger "He tried to attack me too."
Heket held her blade on either side of Lianjie's neck giving him room to do little else than breathe. Her sword was close enough to his neck for him to notice the detail upon her sword. There was an decorative swirling pattern which surrounded an engraving of a five petaled flower, which seemed to have been painted pink. Along the bottom of the flower, framed by a few of the swirling designs there were four flowers similar to the other flower, engraved with sets of numbers.
Lianjie felt his heart beating in his chest, as he stared at the engravings. He waited for the sword to cut across his neck rending his head from his body in one clean cut. This did not happen, as the Demon Machine General's hand suddenly began to shake causing tremors down the blade. Heket retracted the blade from the Green Ranger's throat, allowing him to quickly get to his feet.
"I won't do it! I-can't do it!" Heket said, though it sounded like she was struggling against someone. Her hair seemed to be fighting against her, wrapping itself around her wrist and keeping her from striking. The face design on one side of her crown appeared to be glowing slightly, flickering with the words Heket was saying.
"Don't interfere!" Heket said as she tried to pry her hair from around her wrist.
"I won't harm them!" She responded.
Ryo rushed up beside Lianjie, and stared at the scene going on before the two of them. Ashe is fighting back! He thought. He didn't know how she was able to make her personality present, but he knew it was her. Ashe would never kill an opponent. He knew from experience. He'd fought Ashe as her rival before. Years ago.
"Ashe! Come on! Fight against her! I know you can!" Ryo shouted encouragingly.
Heket turned towards Ryo, "Matsubara-san?" She asked. The face design flashed.
"Shut up, you insolent wretch and go away, or I swear on Briezora's power as the Greatest Demon in the Nadir Elysian realm; I will cut you with your own damn blade!" Heket growled, her eyes flashing crimson.
"I'd rather you harm me than lay your hand on the Rangers, or Matsubara-san." Ashe said, between deep ragged breaths.
The Cryofever Cybershade rushed over to Heket, her head tilted with concern. "General! Are you alright?" She asked as she hesitated to place her hand on Heket's shoulder.
Heket gave a hollow laugh. "It's just an annoying shade of the past. I need to get back to the castle and speak with Galexia to see what can be done." She said. She then reached into the pouch at her hip and withdrew a syringe of sorts filled with silver liquid, concentrated Pandora Mist.
Before anyone could react Heket jammed the syringe into Cryofever's neck, and injected her with the liquid. Cryofever cried out in a sudden pain, as suddenly silverly mist began to pour from the metallic spots on her body, and the silvery ice-like material on her face began to become larger. Spikes of the silvery substance began to poke through Cryofever's back.
"What is happening? What did she do to her?" Joey asked staring in horror as the mist suddenly began to swirl around the Cybershade.
"Just a little invention of Galexia's. Cryofever is becoming a GigaShadow now. The most advanced form of the Metalliwisp soldier. By injecting a concentration of the Pandora Mist into Cryofever, I've flooded the chamber inside her Metal-Heart which contained her soul. As she transforms the process of her soul being devoured is accellerating." Heket said with a sadistic laugh, seeing the looks of terror on the Ranger's face's as Cryofever began to grow in size.
Soon the sky-scrapers which once towered over the Ice-skater monster now only reached her waist. Her appearance seemed to have changed slightly to a more monsterous creature, all the human-aspect of her face seemed to have been warped to that of a scaley creature with silver spikes all over her face and body. Her machine components seemed to have grown with her.
"It makes them grow. Of course! Sure! What the hell, why not?" Romi said, crossing her arms and sighing.
Heket backed away from the Rangers whom were now occupied with the giant monster. She let out a laugh as she tried to back away. "I probably don't need to tell you this Rangers, but if you want to save the human soul inside Cryofever, you're on a pretty strict time limit. I'd say she's probably got about ten minutes left before her soul is consumed." She said, as she vanished into thin air with a burst of black light.
"Damn. This is not good. It'd take too long for our weapons to do any real damage to her!" Ken said, as the rangers watched the tops of some of the buildings freeze over from Cryofever's ice-power.
"The Alliance doesn't have any sort of fire-power against this. Even calling for back-up is going to take too long-and I doubt the Crystal Cannon has enough fire power to take a giant down without killing us in the process." Jasmine said clenching her fist.
"If my Aurora Changer wasn't broken, I could transform and summon the Celestial Fire Mecha, and combine them to the Aurora Light Mech: Minami. It'd have just the power we need. Damn it." Ryo said.
Almost as if responding to the Ranger's worry, their Eidolons appeared before them.
Lathi let out a harmonic ethereal screech, before landing on Liam's shoulder, and gently rubbing against his head. At the bird's touch, Liam felt a surge of confidence and power rush through him. Almost as if the Phoenix was telling him they weren't completely out of luck.
The Eidolons and the Rangers began to glow brightly. In a flash of light they vanished.
Everything seemed to have happened in a flash of color and sound. As Liam opened his eyes he found himself standing on the same water-like substance which the reflecting pool at the temple was made of, white-light darted through the surrounding water like fish. Before him he could see Angel Grove below him. He could feel the breeze on him. It felt so weird. He felt like himself, but at the same time different. Like he was only a conciousness inside of another being. Is this what Lathi and Tenshii felt whenever they joined with his
"Ah! Yes. I almost forgot all about this ability! By merging with Lathi, he and the others have the capability of channeling larger amounts of Aether Energy, and can transform into the Eidolozords! Last time we used the Eidolzords, was when we came to Earth." Tenshii's voice said.
Looking around him Liam noticed the other Eidolons seemed to have taken on their Zord Form, appearing slightly more Machine-like than normal. He wondered if his fellow rangers were as suprised and confused about this as he was.
"This is just freaky. Is this how our Eidolons feel when we morph? " He heard Lisa's voice ask, as he saw a breif pink glow from atop the head of the giant pink scorpion near by him.
"It's worth researching later. We need to stop Cryofever from running a rampage and destroying Angel Grove." Ken said, as the Bear Eidolozord advanced towards the Rampaging Ice-Skater.
The Butterfly Eidolozord, and the Phoenix Eidolozords swooped towards Cryofever, using their blade like wing-edges slicing at Cryofever and leaving a trail of sparks as they made contact with the metal of Cryofever's skin. The Ice-Skater swattered at the two, narrowly missing as they gracefully dodged,
The Sphinx Eidolozord roared from it's perch atop a near by building, furling out it's wings and releasing a barrage of blue laser energy down upon the Ice-skater. At the same the Peacock Eidolozord was doing something of a similar nature, shooting violet lights from the eye designs on it's tailfeathers.
As the blasts ended, the Scorpion, Bear, and Bull Eidolozords, emerged from the smoke. The Scorpion Eidolozord snapping it's front claws at Cryofever, before turning and launching it's tail out towards the Ice-Skater, wrapping it's tail around the monster's legs, holding it still as the Bear and Bull Eidolozords stomped the ground, creating a large ground-shaking tremor, knocking the GigaShadow to the ground.
With a loud growl, Cryofever got to her feet, and shot blasts of ice from her hands as she skated through the group of zords, spinning and kicking at the Phoenix Eidolozord flying towards her. As her bladed foot made contact with the shimmering Phoenix, Liam felt the pain course through his body,as he hit the ground. His vision became blurred temporarily as the Eidolozord made contact with the ground.
"You okay?" Romi's voice asked as Liam struggled to bring the Phoenix Eidolzord back to his feet. He felt something around his neck, as the Sphinx used it's mouth to help the bird get back to it's feet.
"Yeah, hurt like hell though." Liam said with a groan.
Cryofever laughed as she saw the Pegasus Eidolozord standing before her, stamping it's hooves against the pavement, and fluttering it's red wings like a bird. It seemed absurd to the monster a single zord would stand in her way so defiantly.
The Pegasus's body ignited as it charged at the Ice-covered monster, the projection of fire left the winged horse's body, phasing through Cryofever and setting it's body on fire in a magnificent inferno. Light burst from Cryofever's chest as it's body was destroyed, fading into pure silver mist and evaporating into the air.
The Eidolozords dissappeared in a flash of light, leaving the rangers back where they been earlier.
"It looks like Heket got away, but I'm sure she'll be back." Jasmine said as she looked around the empty street, powering down her transformation alongside the others.
"In the mean time, we've liberated another innocent soul being used for the intent of evil." Lisa said as she rubbed her shoulder, stetching her muscles.
As the Rangers left the scene, meeting up with the United Alliance Agents now filtering into the area to conduct scans to make sure the area was safe for citizens to return to, Liam turned and looked down the street. He felt a stab of concern as he saw the damaged buildings and debris left on the street.
Even if the battle had ended quickly, between Heket's Eidolon and Cryofever going giant-sized; damage had been done to the city. More damage than what Liam had ever seen done to the town before. Whenever it was just the Metalliwisps, there was barely any damage; except maybe the occassional exploded vehicle, or burns from a missed blaster hit. While he knew more destruction was likely with the Machine Empire now capable of growing their Cybershades, Liam couldn't help but feel worried about it.
"Don't worry about the destruction. The United Alliance has been backing repair efforts of Angel Grove during monster attacks since before your grandfather was a member and your mom and I were kids." He heard his father say, snapping him out of his wandering thoughts.
Liam sighed as he turned and followed his father back to the black SUV parked down the street to head back to the base. "Yeah. Okay."
Heket stumbled down the hallways of the moon fortress, using the wall for support as she clutched at her chest as it beat rapidly against her human chest. She sank to her knees, almost low enough to be enveloped by the mist hanging thick over the ground like fog. She inhaled deeply, allowing the smoke-like mist to enter into the mouth and lungs of her human body.
She felt a rush of relief run through her body as she inhaled. She leaned her head against the wall, and took a couple of deep breaths, before letting out a dark laugh as she ran her hands against the cold stone of the castle floor beneath her.
What had happened back there? Her human host's soul had never fought back like that before.
The sound of metal against stone caught her attention as she looked over to see the Cyber-Ninja Noh standing near by, with Galexia right next to him. He looked over at the Doctor General and crossed his arms. "The fragment of human soul within her is stronger than we thought. She'll need modifications to her armor to keep her human-body infused with a constant supply of Nadir Aether. Otherwise, the human's soul is going to keep threatening Heket's hold over this human's body." He said.
Heket slowly got to her feet. "I'm perfectly fine. I can handel her." She said.
Galexia examined Heket for a breif second before shaking her head, "Unfortunately, Noh is right. The Ranger's suits and Eidolons contain high levels of Zenith Aether energy, and contact with them-through the connection between you, your Eidolon, and the Crystal, over-powered the Nadir Energies you were drawing from the crystal. When the Mist evaporated, your body couldn't replenish it." She said.
Shaking his head, Noh crossed his arms, "It's to be expected dealing with human hosts. However Galexia can modify your armor well enough to keep your human body and soul supressed even away from concentrated sources of the mist."
Galexia nodded, "Yes. If you'll just come with me we can get those modifications done right away, and next time you face the Rangers you shouldn't face the same complication again." She said, as she walked past Heket and continued down the hall on her way towards her workshop. Heket following close behind after giving Noh a breif glance of annoyance.
As the two dissappeared down the darkened hallway, Noh turned around to see Acedia had appeared beside him. He didn't bother himself with a greeting as he looked at the General as he leaned against his walking-stick.
"Our troubles become more complicated now the Order has reformed, and the Zenith Aether Crystal's peices are together." Acedia said off handedly as the two looked down the hallway. He then looked over at Noh and touched the brim of his hat breifly before turning down a branching hallway, leaving the Ninja by himself.
Noh put his hands on his hips and looked down at the ground, as if he were thinking about something for a few seconds. He then shook his head and vanished into thin air.
Night had fallen on Angel Grove hours ago, and the moon hung in the sky casting it's pale light upon the city. Ryo couldn't help but stare up at it from the small balcony of the tenth floor of an apartment building. He still found it difficult to wrap his head around everything which had happened in the last few hours.
Yesterday, It'd been just him and Ashe in search of the Zenith Crystal Fragments to rescue his brother. They spent weeks camping out doors, doing what they could for food and supplies, and shelter.
It was all different now.
He didn't have Ashe or his brother; but he'd gained new friends. New friends whom barely hesitated to take him in and accept him as part of their team despite the fact he'd viciously attacked them only days before; and giving up part of their living space to share it with him.
Not only had he found amazing new friends here in America, he'd found a new team. As he looked down at the crystallizers on his wrists he heaved a sigh, and looked towards the moon. He ignited his hand, using the flames as something of a mallet space, withdrawing a pendant. The Pendant was metal, and had the Alchemic symbol of fire surrounding a simple Phoenix design In the middle was a brillant red diamond shaped gem. Three smallers circles were decorated outside of the triangle, each contained the smaller image of a different animal: A horse, a snake, and a sheep.
He felt a twinge of regret in his heart as he looked down at the pendant in his hands. He wondered what his brother would say if he could see him now? Ryu would probably be furious with him.
"Why you?" His brother's words from long ago echoed in his head.
He shook his head and looked down at the pendant, remembering the look on his brother's face, and how resentful his brother had been when he'd been presented with their father's Aurora Changer. It'd been only after Ryu's jealousy and resentment had turned him against the Aurora Rangers which the two had finally argued about it, and fully expressed his anger towards Ryo.
"It was supposed to be me! I should have taken father's place as a Fire Summoner! I devoted my life to our heritage, and I trained hard every day! You stole my dream!" the memory of his brother's angry voice shouted, ringing in his head.
Heaving another sigh, Ryo leaned against the stone barrier of the balcony, tracing a star pattern along the rough concrete surface with the tip of his fingers. He shook his head. The Zenith Aether Crystal Fragment had belonged to his brother originally. Ryu had given the fragment to Ryo prior to his containment during the Aurora Ranger's final battle.
A twinge of guilt hit Ryo's heart. If things had gone differntly a few years ago, his brother would be the one standing here, having finally accomplished his dream of becoming a Ranger. Instead, Ryo had taken his brother's dream again. He felt a couple of tears starting to form at the corner of his eyes.
However, a new thought entered into Ryo's mind, and he couldn't help but feel a small smile tug at his lips, and a laugh bubble up in his chest. He knew it was his brother's spirit channeling through their shared summoning power, encouraging him to cheer up.
"I never thought I'd see the day when a twin couldn't tell himself apart from his sibling-outside of photographs." He imagined Ryu's voice saying in his head.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm supposed to be the brooding, angst-driven one not you! You're the up-beat, positive one! This storm-cloud personality you've suddenly adopted doesn't suit you." his brother's voice rang in his head.
"I see your point." Ryo said, pulling himself up on the edge of the balcony's barriers, running his fingers through his hair.
"So show some pride and dignity will you? You're a Red Ranger! Remember; Even if you won't be wearing the Aurora Ranger suit, You're still an Aurora Ranger in Spirit; and you're out here representing us. Try to make us look good."
With a cocky-grin Ryo shrugged and looked back into the apartment through the glass door. He could see the dim reflection of himself in the doorway. He ran his hand through his hair again and rubbed the stubble on his chin. "I think I can say I've got it taken care of." He thought with a slight laugh.
He could hear his brother's laughter in his head, "Not what I meant Ryo."
Heaving a sigh, and letting his smile rest on his lips for a few seconds, Ryo put his hands in his pockets. He looked up towards the moon and rubbed the back of his neck before giving another glance down to pendant.
"Hey-Ryu. Listen; It might be a little longer-" He thought.
"Don't sweat it. I understand. Right now you've got a bigger responsibility to take care of. You don't need to worry about me. "
"Thanks." Ryo thought.
"Yeah. Well. You should probably get some rest. It's getting pretty late."
Ryo yawned and stretched, suddenly realizing how tired he actually was. The idea of sleeping in doors with a comfortable mattress under his back, suddenly became the most appealing thing in the world to him. His back was stiff from the slowly healing bruises upon his back from the fight the other night. A hot shower, and a good night's rest; exactly what he needed.
"Sound like a good idea. I'll talk to you later." He said as he made his way back inside. As he reached the door, he looked over his shoulder back to the sky line of Angel Grove in the distance.
"I know you're going to do great with this team. You've got great people working with you. Even if you don't believe in yourself. Remember I believe in you no matter what." his brother's voice said.
Bowing to the empty air, and clenching his fist tight, causing the pendant to vanish in a quick burst of flames, returning to the space from which he conjured it from.
"Good night, brother." He thought before going into the apartment and closing the door behind him.
"Oyasumi, otootosan. Ja mata."