The Gatekeeper Part One
It was yet another beautiful afternoon at Rootcore with sunshine and clear, blue skies and a warm breeze blowing through the open windows but it was complete contrast to the mood of Clare, who was sitting cross-legged in front of the Fire Heart egg. It had been a few days since the Rangers had acquired the egg and despite round-the-clock care, the baby dragon showed no inclination of hatching any time soon. With each passing day, Clare's patience was running thinner and thinner.
"Hatch!" commanded Clare, unable to keep the whine out of her voice. "Come on, hatch! Hatch!"
Udonna, who was at her desk copying out some notes, shook her head good-naturedly in Clare's direction. "The Fire Heart won't hatch on your command, Clare. It will hatch when the time is right, not before."
"I know, but why can't it hatch now? I've never seen a baby dragon before," complained Clare. That was what was most aggravating about having to wait, knowing that what hatched would be the first of its kind seen in goodness knew how long.
Udonna chuckled. "I understand your eagerness, child, but you must learn to be patient. Haven't you heard the phrase 'a watched pot never boils'?"
"Unfortunately, the same can't be said for this pot if we want any dinner tonight," said Natalia, as she stirred the delicious-smelling meatball soup that was bubbling in the cooking pot on the stove. She had volunteered to make their dinner that evening and had been working tirelessly at it. After putting down her ladle onto a napkin, Natalia scooped some of the soup out onto a small spoon. "Clare, would you mind tasting this for me?"
Clare's face lit up as she eagerly rose up from her seat and took the spoon. At once, she moaned in delight. "That is delicious! What is it?"
Natalia smiled. "It's an old family recipe, handed down through my mother's line for generations. My mother made it every Sunday. She used to say that no matter where we went, no matter how far apart we might one day be, a good family meal would always bring us home." As she spoke, tears glittered in Natalia's eyes, which she furiously wiped away with the back of her hand but one or two still made their way down Natalia's cheeks.
Clare's brow wrinkled in concern. "Are you okay?"
Natalia nodded as she exhaled slowly. "Yes. Yes, I'm fine. It's just…I miss my mom so much." It had been several long months since her adopted parents' deaths, but there were times when Natalia felt the pain from her loss as though it were yesterday. She missed them both terribly and often wished that they were still with her, to see how far Natalia had come and the life she'd built and the love she had found. And although making the dish brought tears to Natalia's eyes, it was also a step forward in the healing process.
Clare's face softened as she took Natalia into a comforting embrace. Grateful for the younger girl's kindness, Natalia did not hesitate to wrap her arms around Clare and she buried her face in Clare's shoulder. After a few moments, Natalia pulled away, sniffling and feeling a bit lighter.
"Thanks, Clare, I needed that," said Natalia.
Clare nodded. "You're welcome. And I don't know if it's any consolation, but…I know how you feel. I lost my mom too, when I was little."
Natalia looked both horrified and sympathetic. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. I miss her, but I know someday I'll see her again. And I've got Aunt Udonna," said Clare, with a small smile on her face.
"What was she like, your mom, I mean?" asked Natalia, as she began dishing up their dinner.
Clare smiled again as she took out a chocolate ice-cream cake, their dessert that evening, from the freezer. "My mom? She was amazing. Kind, always looking out for others and she was a great sorceress. And no matter how busy she was, she always made time for me. I've been trying to follow in her footsteps all my life. Speaking of which—" Clare looked excited. "—I've been practicing my invisibility spell. Want to see?"
Natalia nodded.
Clare waved her hands and there was a shimmer of light, but instead of vanishing completely, only Clare's body from the waist down disappeared, as did her good mood.
"Oh! Why do I even bother?" moaned Clare, disappointedly. Why was it, no matter how hard she tried or how often she practiced, her spell work backfired nine times out of ten? What was the point of all the hard work if it never bore fruit? "At this rate, I will never become a sorceress like my mom or Udonna or you."
Ever since they'd met, Clare had both envied and admired Natalia's natural gift for magic as well as her control. Ever since Natalia had become the Red Mystic Ranger, magic seemed so easy for her and Clare wanted to be that talented as well.
Natalia shook her head as she gently squeezed Clare's shoulder. "Don't say that. You're going to be a great sorceress. You just need to keep at it and believe in yourself like the rest of us do."
Clare looked both skeptical and hopeful. "You really think that I have potential?"
Natalia nodded. "Yeah, I do. Look, for a long time, I really struggled with my powers. I caused more than one fire accident, I'm sorry to say. Sometimes, I hated my powers and I thought that it was always going to be a hopeless mess, but in time and with a lot of help from everyone else, I got through it all. I never dreamed I'd be where I am now, but I managed it. And if I can get this far, so can you. So, don't go quitting on me anytime soon. Okay?"
Feeling considerably cheered up by Natalia's words, Clare smiled once more as she nodded. "Then I'll keep trying."
"Glad to hear it. Now, what say we get down to dinner? I'm starved," said Natalia. When Clare eagerly nodded and sat down at the dinner table, Natalia called out, "Udonna, dinner's ready."
From her desk, Udonna watched the two young women with a smile on her face. Their interactions reminded her so much of when Clare's childhood when the blond girl would spend time with Aurora. And although Natalia had only been in Briarwood for a short time but it seemed as though Natalia had been there forever. Despite the Red Ranger's struggles, she brought something special to Rootcore, something that neither Udonna nor Clare had known was missing until Natalia arrived. What it was, they couldn't say but they were both glad of it. And what was more, Natalia's time in Briarwood was doing the Red Ranger quite a lot of good as well. Though Natalia still had her struggles as anyone would, with each passing day, Udonna saw less of the grieving loner who'd come to town and more of the happy true leader and friend that Udonna had known that Natalia could be. It was all wonderful.
"Coming, Natalia," said Udonna.
With a happy sigh, Udonna rose up from her desk and joined her little makeshift family at the dinner table for what sure to be a wonderful meal.
XXX
Down in the Underworld, Morticon's impatience for freedom had reached a boiling point. He was sick and tired of being trapped down in the forsaken hole that was his prison and his home while everyone else wandered about the surface world to their heart's content. Morticon wanted his freedom and he wanted it now. But how he was to accomplish that, he did not yet know, as all other attempts had failed miserably and he was fresh out of ideas.
"I must escape this horrible pit!" grumbled Morticon.
"And I will do my best to help you, my lord," assured Necrolai. She tapped her chin with her finger as she contemplated what action was best to take next. After a few moments, her face lit up. "What if we were to consult the Oracle?"
For the first time in quite a while, Morticon became quite happy. "Yes! Of course! Why did we not consider it sooner?" The Oracle was a man who not only possessed the power of longevity but through his all-seeing eye, he saw everything that had been, everything that was and everything would be. His powers were great and everyone, regardless of which side they served, respected and heeded him. With the aid of the Oracle, Morticon's freedom would finally be granted. "Find him and bring him to me!"
Necrolai nodded and bowed. "As you wish, my lord."
XXX
The next morning, Toby was unloading boxes from the delivery truck when he caught sight of Mister Delphi and smiled and waved at him. Mister Delphi was kind old Englishman who went around with a cartful of stuffed animals and balloons, visiting hospitals, parks and the like and giving his merchandise to any child who asked for one, free of charge. Everyone in Briarwood liked him a great deal and he was considered a friend to all children.
At that moment, Mister Delphi was kneeling down to the level of a little girl who was sporting a colorful, signed cast on her arm.
"There you go, Princess," said Mister Delphi, kindly as he handed her a stuffed bunny and a bright yellow balloon. "This will make you smile. See?"
The little girl squealed in delight and after happily thanking Mister Delphi, went on her way with her mother.
As soon as the child was out of sight, there was a great cackling noise and then Toby was stunned to see what appeared to be a giant humanoid bat snatch Mister Delphi and carry him off to who knew where.
Convinced that he was seeing things, Toby shook his head. "Okay, I did not just see a giant bat. Man, I really need to stop eating mushroom pizza after midnight."
It didn't make a lick of sense for a bat that big to even exist much less that one would just snatch a random person off the street. He had to have been seeing things, hadn't he?
XXX
Upon her arrival in the Pit, Necrolai dropped Mister Delph on the floor of the pit. She then bowed to Morticon and took a few steps back.
"I have brought him as promised," said Necrolai.
"Excellent work, Necrolai," praised Morticon.
Upon realizing where he was and what was happening, Mister Delphi tried to play the role of an ignorant citizen, hoping that it give him his freedom.
"What is this place? What's going on?"
Morticon's grip on his sword tightened and he gave Mister Delphi a warning look. "Do not test my patience. I know who you are, Oracle!"
Mister Delphi frantically shook his head and shrank onto himself. "I don't know what you're talking about. I've never seen you before. Please, let me go!"
"Enough of your little charade, Oracle! If you do not desist this nonsense, I'll have Necrolai and my Hidiacs pay a visit to the children you're so fond of," threatened Morticon. "What do you say to that?"
Realizing he was trapped between a rock and a hard place, Mister Delphi admitted defeat. "As you wish…Morticon." Mister Delphi held up his hands and closed his eyes. There a brief flash of light and when it faded, his blond hair had grown to his shoulders as had his beard, his green eyes briefly glowed yellow and his clothes had changed to long orange and white robes customary of the Oracle.
"Talk about an extreme makeover," said Lee-Lee.
Lee-Lee was ignored.
"Now, why have you brought me to this forsaken hole?" demanded the Oracle.
Morticon grinned. "You will use your powers to find me a way out of this hole. If you do not, I will send Necrolai and my foot soldiers to attack those you hold most dear. Do not think that I won't!"
The Oracle held up his hands, trying to placate Morticon. "Calm yourself, Morticon. Let me just see if there is a way, first. But the future is difficult to navigate unless I know what to look for. So, I must ask…what is it specifically you wish to know?"
"Very well. What is the location of the Mystic Crystal?" demanded Morticon. Though the Mystic Crystal was believed to be long since lost and the suggestion of finding it had been shot down on more than one occasion, Morticon was growing desperate for freedom ever since his brief reprieve from the pit. If it was possible that the Mystic Crystal could be found, then Morticon was more than ready to do whatever was necessary to acquire the powerful gemstone. The Mystic Crystal's magic would not only destroy the gates that kept forces of darkness imprisoned but would also increase the Master's power beyond measure. "Where can we find it?"
The Oracle extended his hand and a third eye opened on his palm. It glowed yellow for a moment as the Oracle searched for an answer to Morticon's question.
"My vision is cloudy, so I cannot tell you its exact location, for the Mystic Crystal has hidden itself well. But I can tell you that it resides with its rightful owner, the daughter of the Fire Wizard King and the White Sorceress Queen, Princess Aurora," announced the Oracle.
"Oh, very useful information, old man!" jeered Necrolai. "The Princess was slain at the hands of Imperious fifteen years ago. How do you expect us to find a corpse with a stone?"
"I don't, Queen Necrolai, for there is no corpse to speak of," said the Oracle, his tone completely serious. "Princess Aurora is alive."
"WHAT?!" roared Moticon, outraged. The throne room shook from the force of his anger. The Hidiacs and Styxoids hid in the shadows and even Necrolai trembled like a leaf under Morticon's terrible wraith. Lee-Lee looked especially terrified as Morticon continued to shout and rant over this information. "ALIVE?! How?! How has that wretch survived?"
It should have been impossible. When Imperious had attacked Solaris Knight and his charge fifteen years ago, the display of powerful dark magic combined with the lack of survivors had led all to believe that Princess Aurora had been destroyed and the Mystic Crystal lost with her. To know that the greatest living threat, not only to their victory in the current war but also their very existence was not only alive but also in possession of the most powerful magical treasure in existence was not only infuriating but also frightening.
The Oracle ignored Morticon's temper tantrum and proceeded to explain. "The Princess and her family have protected the Mystic Crystal for generations. When Imperious attacked, the favor was returned. The Mystic Crystal reacted to the wishes of its mistress and shielded both the Princess Aurora and her betrothed, the son of the Solaris Knight, from harm."
Morticon's rage was so great that burning hot steam emitted from the pipe on Morticon's head. "Where is the Princess and the Mystic Crystal?"
The Oracle closed his palm after a moment's search. "That, I cannot tell you. The Mystic Crystal is continuing to conceal its mistress from even my vision. I can, however, sense her life force and can tell that both are closer than you think. Should you find one, you will find the other. If you fail to do so, then she will appear when the moment is right."
Morticon growled in anger. The information displeased him to say the least, but he was not fool enough to argue with the Oracle, as the seer's visions never lied.
"Very well. If I cannot use the Mystic Crystal, then I must find another way out of here. What else can I do, Oracle?" demanded Morticon. "Tell me now before I unleash my temper on those you hold most dear!"
Once again, the Oracle reluctantly used his inner eye to search for answer and it was not long before he came up with one.
"The answer is simple. Use the Gatekeeper to open the gate for you," replied the Oracle.
Necrolai's face brightened with excitement. "If the gate was unlocked, your entire army could attack the surface world at once. Give me the Gatekeeper's location and I will—"
"Fool!" roared Morticon, silencing Necrolai. "The Gatekeeper was destroyed in the Great Battle. Her life-force was spent sealing the gate! There is no Gatekeeper!"
"Ah, but what you don't know, Morticon, is that there is another, someone set to inherit the Gatekeeper's legacy," said the Oracle.
Both Morticon and Necrolai were shocked.
"Another Gatekeeper? Who?" demanded Necrolai.
"I do not know, but I can safely tell you that the Gatekeeper you seek is someone close to the Mystic Rangers," said the Oracle.
Necrolai's face lit up. Someone close to the Mystic Rangers? From all her spying on the Rangers, she knew that the Gatekeeper could be only one person. As soon as she announced who it was and her plan to snatch them, Lee-Lee secretly sent out a message to her friends to warn them.
XXX
Outside the Rock Porium, Toby had finished unloading the truck. But he paid it little mind as he kept going over what he thought he'd seen. How was it possible that a giant bat appeared out of nowhere and snatched up a kind old man? It didn't make sense. Ludicrous like that were completely impossible, weren't they?
"A giant bat doesn't just swoop down out of the sky, pick somebody up and carry them away," said Toby, to himself. He looked up to the skies and then his eyes widened in fear as Necrolai appeared and snatched Toby off the street. "AUGH! HELP! HELP!"
After a terrifying journey that seemed to last forever, Necrolai dumped Toby at a drop-off site.
Shakily, Toby rose up and looked at Necrolai with nothing but pure terror on his face. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
"I am Necrolai, Queen of the Vampires. And you, Gatekeeper, are going to use your considerable powers to open the gates to the Underworld or else!" threatened Necrolai.
Toby's terror quickly became replaced with confusion. "Gatekeeper?" he echoed, incredulously. What on earth was the bat-woman talking about? Toby was no keeper of the gate. He was just a music store owner, for crying out loud! "Me? Oh, no, you've got the wrong guy. I'm no Gatekeeper! I can't even find my car keys half the time!"
Necrolai growled in anger and backhanded Toby before tightly grabbing his wrist "Do not lie to me! I know who you are! Now, do as you're told or else, I will—OW!"
Suddenly, a steady stream of white-hot fire struck Necrolai from behind, causing the Vampire Queen to release Toby.
Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Toby took the chance to run for the hills and it was then that he ran into the Red Ranger, whose fists were burning with fire.
"Whoa," gasped Toby, in awe. He'd always heard stories of the Rangers but he'd never dared to dream he would one day be rescued by a Ranger, much less have the chance to meet one. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, one that he would not forget in a hurry. Oh, if only there was time for Toby to snatch up an autograph or ask some questions.
"Hey!" barked the Red Ranger, snapping Toby out of his thoughts. "Get to safety while I handle this old hag!"
Toby quickly nodded. "Yes, ma'am, Miss Ranger, ma'am!"
Without further ado, Toby ran for his life.
XXX
Reinforcements arrived right after Toby left and within moments, Natalia and the others had Necrolai completely surrounded. But in spite of her burns and being outnumbered, Necrolai refused to back down from her mission.
"Back off, Rangers!" screeched Necrolai. She tried to chase after Toby but a quick blast from Chip's crossbow forced the Vampire Queen back and then she found herself bound with vines courtesy of Xander.
"Enough!" commanded Natalia. She grabbed Necrolai by the throat, not tight enough to prevent Necrolai from speaking but enough to get the point across. "What do you want with him, hag?"
"I want the Gatekeeper to open the gates to the Underworld," growled Necrolai. "And he will be mine, I promise you!"
"Gatekeeper?" said Natalia, confused.
Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, not having the slightest clue what Necrolai was talking about.
"What are you talking about?" demanded Mason.
"That man you're so keen to protect doesn't need your help, Rangers!" spat Necrolai. "He possess more power than all of you put together! I'll be back and when I return, the darkness will finally have victory over you!" She cackled once again as she unleashed a tiny packet of herbicide, which destroyed Xander's vines and enabled her to escape.
XXX
When Necrolai returned to the Underworld, Morticon was enraged that she had failed in her mission yet again. This time, he was not going to hold back in punishing her.
"You will pay for losing the Gatekeeper!" roared Morticon. As Necrolai's failure had cost Morticon what he held dear, Morticon decided to punish Necrolai by hurting what the Vampire Queen loved. Namely, Lee-Lee.
With a great yell, Morticon raised his sword and it became alit with dark magic as he swung it down. Lee-Lee raised her arms to shield herself, but there was no need for it.
"NO!" yelled Necrolai, as she stepped in.
Before Lee-Lee knew what was happening, Morticon's sword met Necrolai's body and the Vampire Queen was greatly injured.
"Mom!" cried Lee-Lee. Tears slid down Lee-Lee's cheeks as she took her injured mother into her arms. "Are you okay?"
Necrolai nodded as she gently stroked her daughter's face. "I will survive, dear." No matter what life threw at her, Necrolai was a survivor and she would never allow any harm to befall her only daughter, not while she had the power to stop it.
"Not for long," growled Morticon, as he raised his weapon again. "You worthless hag! How dare you lose the Gatekeeper!"
"She didn't lose the Gatekeeper!" yelled the Oracle, as he rejoined Morticon.
Everyone stared at the Oracle in shock.
"What?"
The Oracle, who had been watching Necrolai's battle with the Rangers, shook his head. "You are all blind fools. Necrolai didn't lose the Gatekeeper because she didn't find the Gatekeeper. That was the wrong person. Had you done your research properly, you would've known that the Gatekeepers are always women not men. Now, that is all the information I have, so if you don't mind, I will be on my way. Don't ever seek after me again."
Without waiting for a reply, the Oracle disappeared.
Morticon growled once more. He could not entirely fault Necrolai for failing to locate whom they sought as even he hadn't known that the Gatekeepers were always women. But still, that did not change the fact that Morticon's leniency for Necrolai's constant failures was no more. This was going to be her last chance and if she failed, she would pay for it with her life.
"One chance," he warned. "If you do not come back with the Gatekeeper, then do not come back at all! Have I made myself clear?"
Necrolai frantically nodded and then with Lee-Lee's help, disappeared into the shadows.
XXX
After Necrolai vanished, Natalia and the other Rangers raced to Rootcore. They needed to find out more about the Gatekeeper from Udonna and consult with the White Sorceress on what action to take next. If the Gatekeeper was that sought-after by the Master's forces, then it was all the more reason for them to locate the Gatekeeper first.
"Udonna, we've got a problem," said Natalia. "We just ran into Necrolai. She was looking for someone called the Gatekeeper."
Udonna turned deathly pale. "The Gatekeeper? Are you quite certain?"
"Positive. She keep shrieking it at the top of her lungs and seemed pretty adamant," said Vida. "Who was Necrolai talking about?"
Udonna nodded and then her fingers twisted together in nervousness as she gestured for the Rangers to sit down. This was going to be quite the tale.
"The last known Gatekeeper was my older sister, Niella," began Udonna.
"Clare's mother?" said Xander.
Udonna nodded. "For more generations than I can count, the women in my family have not only been powerful sorceresses, but the first-borns have also upheld a sacred duty to guard the gates to the Underworld. As the first-born, Niella inherited our mother's power and when her apprenticeship was over, she took up the legacy of the Gatekeeper while I went on to marry Leanbow and became Queen. For many years, we were a happy family but all that was destroyed when the Great Battle occurred. Though we all fought bravely, in the end Niella had no choice but to cast a powerful spell to seal the gate and banish the Master's forces to the Underworld forever. Niella was successful but her victory did not come without a heavy price. In sealing the gates, she used all her life-force to power the spell."
Udonna paused for a moment to wipe her face of the tears that had fallen. Though it had been fifteen years, the pain of losing Niella still felt as fresh as it had been the day Niella had died. The Rangers looked at Udonna with kind looks of sympathy.
"We're so sorry, Udonna," said Mason, gently.
Udonna took a deep breath. "Thank you," she murmured. "I miss Niella greatly but she lives on in my heart and through her heiress. My niece."
"Clare?" said Vida, in stunned disbelief.
It was a bit of a shock, to say the least. Sweet innocent Clare, whose attempts at magic backfired nine times out of ten, had legendary powers that could turn the tides of the battle they were fighting. Who would've guessed such a thing?
Udonna nodded and looked grave. "Though Clare has not yet taken on her mother's legacy, she does possess the potential. In fact, if Clare were to wear Niella's circlet, she would come into her mother's powers quite early. And as Clare is Niella's first-born and sole heiress, I fear that is who Necrolai is seeking. If they were find Clare, they could force her to open the gates of the Underworld."
"And then the real war would start," said Natalia, grimly. It had taken nearly all their strength to send Morticon back to the Underworld the last time he'd escaped. Who knew what it would take if Morticon and all of his armies escaped as well? Not to mention, the odds were great that Morticon's strength had grown since they'd last seen him. And more importantly, Natalia would never be able to forgive herself if anything happened to Clare. "We can't let that happen. We have to keep Clare safe. I think it might be best if she doesn't leave Rootcore any time soon, at least until we've stopped Necrolai. We need to find her and tell her what's going on. Does anyone know where Clare is?"
"Uh…" said Chip, pointing to behind them.
Everyone turned around to see Clare suddenly reappeared. She'd been practicing her invisibility spell and when it had worked, she'd gone looking for Udonna and the Rangers to show it off. But when she'd overheard Udonna and her friends talking about her mother, Clare's curiosity had been piqued and she'd listened to their conversation. Judging from the glistening tears in her eyes, their talk had upset Clare in more ways than one. Before anyone could stop her, Clare turned and ran off.
"Clare, come back!" called Xander. He rose up from his seat, looking worried for his girlfriend. "I should go after her."
"No. I'll find her," said Udonna, firmly. "You should return to your place of employment until you're needed."
Udonna's tone gave no room for argument so with some reluctance, they left Rootcore.
XXX
Back in the Underworld, Koragg was receiving a boost in power courtesy of the Master. With each pulse of dark magic, Koragg's strength grew and when it was done, Koragg felt more than strong enough to take down the Rangers and finally claim his vengeance against the Red Witch.
"Thank you, Master," said Koragg, as he knelt down in respect. "Your dark magic has amplified my strength and I give my word, I shall use it in a manner that honors you."
"Koragg?"
Koragg rose up and turned to see Lee-Lee hesitantly entering Koragg's chambers. Necrolai's arm was wrapped around Lee-Lee's shoulder and Lee-Lee's arm was secured around Necrolai's waist, keeping the Vampire Queen supported and upright.
"You," he hissed. "How dare you enter my chambers without my permission?"
"Calm yourself. My daughter only did so at my bidding, Koragg," said Necrolai, hoarsely. "Morticon seeks the Gatekeeper. I must draw her out before it's too late, but I don't know where to start looking for her. Please, Koragg, I beg of you, help me draw the Gatekeeper out."
Koragg scoffed. Again Necrolai dared to ask for Koragg's help? Foolish hag. There was no reason for the Knight Wolf to lend aid to the hag. Especially after what had happened the last time Koragg have lent aid to the Vampire Queen. Neither one of them had benefited despite all of Necrolai's promises otherwise. And more to the point, Necrolai was still in debt to Koragg for the last favor he'd done for her. What reason was there to help Necrolai?
"Why should I help you, hag?" he demanded. "You owe me, lest you forget."
Lee-Lee helped her mother to sit down before opening her purse and taking out a rare black gem. She then knelt down and extended her hand to Koragg. "This is a black moonstone. When crushed and put in a potion, it's said to increase one's power. I offer it to you to give to the Master, as repayment of my mother's debt. And any one favor you ask of me, henceforth, I shall do my best to grant."
The black moonstone wouldn't increase the Master's power by much but what little it could do would please Koragg and Lee-Lee knew the Knight Wolf would do anything to please the one he served. Still, Lee-Lee closed her eyes and braced herself for the worst but much to her relief, Koragg graciously accepted the gemstone.
"The payment is fair," said Koragg. His tone was remarkably gentle for Koragg. "And to please the Master, I will accept your bargain and bestow the Master's dark magic upon your mother!" He thrust out his shield and when it split open, dark magic shot out. Immediately, Necrolai's wounds healed and her powers were strengthened tenfold. "Use this magic to destroy the Rangers."
"Ohh! It is working! I have never felt such power!" gushed Necrolai, in delight as her fingernails grew into long, sharp claws, her fangs grew in length and her eyes glowed bright with dark magic. For the first time in her life, the Vampire Queen bowed to Koragg in respect. "Thank you, Koragg! I will not forget this!"
"See that you don't," warned Koragg.
With a hearty cackle, Necrolai went off to the surface world.
"Where're you going?" asked Lee-Lee, as Koragg turned to leave.
"While your mother attacks the Rangers, I will attack on another front to draw the Gatekeeper out," said Koragg, as a plan formulated in his mind.
Before Lee-Lee could question Koragg, the Knight Wolf conjured a dark seal and disappeared.
XXX
Back the Rock Porium, Natalia and Mason were chatting and restocking while Xander, Chip and Vida listened to Toby telling his exciting story of how he'd not only met one of the Power Rangers but was also rescued by one as well.
"I still can't believe it," said Mason, he handed Natalia a CD. "Clare has legendary powers that can lock up Morticon and his goons forever."
"Or unlock them," reminded Natalia. She placed the CD on the shelf and began making her way down the ladder she'd been standing on. Natalia was happy that Clare had a chance to be the great sorceress that she longed to be, but at the same time, Natalia was worried about the consequences. It was great to have power one could control, but it was less great when someone else misused that power for their personal gain. "Any word from Udonna yet?"
Mason shook his head. "No. She's still looking for Clare."
Natalia sighed in disappointment. She'd been hoping for better news. She understood why Clare had felt the need to be alone but at the same time, Natalia wished Clare had stayed put at Rootcore where it was safe. Clare meant well but she wasn't ready for the battlefield yet. And if anything happened to her, no one would be able to forgive themselves, especially Xander who had grown very protective of his girlfriend ever since they'd gotten together.
"Don't let Xander know just yet. If we don't hear anything in another twenty minutes, we'll go look for Clare ourselves," said Natalia.
Mason nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Natalia's phone went off. "Hey, Lee-Lee. What's up?"
"Bad news. My mom got really banged up trying to protect me from Morticon. She begged me to take her to Koragg for help. I had to bargain with him, but he did as my mom asked and more," said Lee-Lee.
Natalia's heart sank. She didn't blame Lee-Lee for what happened but the news was still bad. "What did Koragg do, exactly?"
Lee-Lee exhaled sharply. "He not only healed my mom, he also gave her a wicked power boost and she's on the move again, trying to draw the Gatekeeper out."
Natalia cursed under her breath. Necrolai was not only on the move again but her powers were stronger. Could this day get any worse?
"Do you know where she went and is there anything else we should know about?" demanded Natalia. Natalia knew Koragg all too well. He wouldn't have bargained with Necrolai unless he not only got something else in return and he had a plan of his own in the works.
"In that order? I think so. Mom didn't say where exactly she was going, but if I had to guess, she's gone to the city plaza. It's her favorite battleground in the city, big and spacious and chaotic. And Koragg said something about attacking on another front to draw the Gatekeeper out before he left. I don't know what he meant or where he went. I'm sorry," said Lee-Lee, apologetically.
"Don't be, you've done plenty good," assured Natalia. Lee-Lee might not have been able to stop what was happening, but her warnings were doing a great deal of good. "We'll handle things from here, I promise. Just hang in there. Okay? Bye."
"Bad news?" guessed Mason, as Natalia hung up her phone.
Natalia nodded and quickly filled Mason in before alerting the others and leaving a message with Udonna. Without further ado, the Rangers left the Rock Porium, morphed and raced to the city plaza. They arrived just moments before Necrolai, which was a first.
The Vampire Queen looked smugger than usual. "Greetings, Rangers! So glad you could make it to the party!"
"Cut the crap, Necrolai! We know what you're up to!" spat Xander, furiously. "You're not going to find the Gatekeeper! You'll have the Gatekeeper over our dead bodies!"
Necrolai's eyes glinted. "That can easily be arranged." There was a flash of purple light as long, sharp spikes appeared on Necrolai's arms. "But I don't intend to find the Gatekeeper. I'm going to let her find me! Someone so noble would never stand by while the Rangers are being destroyed! Like my new powers?"
Xander's temper flared. "Like this! Magi Staff, Ax Mode!" Xander drew his weapon, changed it into an ax and plunged it into the ground, setting off a great earthquake but Necrolai just easily dodged it before blasting at Xander with dark magic.
"Xander!"
Before anyone could help the fallen Green Ranger, Necrolai blasted them all with devastating dark magic, injuring them.
Necrolai cackled in delight. With her new powers to help her, either she would destroy the Rangers at long last or she would draw the Gatekeeper out and succeed in freeing Morticon. Either way, she was going to win this battle and the Rangers would suffer a humiliating defeat.
XXX
Meanwhile, back in the forest, Clare had been walking all over creation, using one tree after another to transport herself and make it harder to be found. She knew it was dangerous to go off alone but at that moment, Clare hadn't cared one bit. She was feeling really upset and craved the peace that some time alone with her thoughts would give her. When she began to feel tired, Clare made herself comfortable on a log and let the tears she'd been holding back fall.
All this time, Clare had been struggling with her magic and all this time, Udonna had a way for Clare to achieve her dreams and more and had kept it from her. How could Udonna do such a thing? It wasn't fair and it wasn't right. Being the Gatekeeper was Clare's legacy. It was Clare's rightful inheritance and Udonna had no right to keep that from her. But more than that, Udonna had denied Clare the chance to feel close to Niella again through her mother's magic and that hurt most of all. Was all of Udonna's encouragement and advice just one big lie after another? Or was there another, more painful reason for Udonna's actions?
Suddenly, there was a shimmer of light and Udonna appeared on Clare's right-hand side, looking both frantic and relieved.
"Thank goodness I found you!" said Udonna, heaving a sigh in relief. "Clare, what on earth do you think you're doing out in the forest alone unprotected? You shouldn't have left like that. I was worried something might've happened to you."
Clare's heart sank and she felt a pang of guilt. Upset as she was with her aunt, Clare hadn't intended to cause any worry and nor had she fully considered the consequences of being out alone when the forces of darkness were looking for her.
"I'm sorry. I just…I just really wanted some time alone," sniffled Clare.
Udonna's face softened as she gently stroked back a lock of Clare's golden hair. "Sweetheart, I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have kept this from you. I—"
"Yes, you shouldn't have!" said Clare, angrily.
Udonna pulled back in astonishment. Clare never became angry and nor had she ever lost her temper before in such a manner. For Clare to do so now meant serious business.
"Being the Gatekeeper is my legacy and one of the few ways I have left to connect with my mother!" said Clare, as angry tears slid down her cheeks. "It's not right, Udonna! Did you think you could keep that from me forever?"
Udonna quickly shook her head. "No, Clare, that isn't it, I promise you. There are things you don't yet understand."
"I understand," said Clare, bitterly. She understood all too well what Udonna had been thinking. It was nothing Clare hadn't thought herself or had heard from others a thousand times over. "I understand that you don't think I can handle it because I'm incompetent, bumbling and clumsy and—"
"Exactly as your mother was," interrupted Udonna, with a soft smile on her face. "You are so much like her, dear."
Clare's anger began to fade as she stared in Udonna in surprise. Niella had been like Clare? That couldn't have been true. Clare remembered Niella as a powerful sorceress who could do no wrong when it came to magic.
"But I thought she was a great sorceress, like all the other Gatekeepers," said Clare, in confusion.
Udonna nodded. "Oh, she was. But not at first." Udonna chuckled as she recalled days long since past of hers and Niella's childhood. "In fact, she not only blew up our cottage on more than one occasion while trying to get her spells right, she also turned herself into a rabbit."
In spite of her misery, Clare couldn't help but laugh at the idea of Niella turning herself into a fluffy, bucktoothed rabbit. It lightened Clare's sorrows for a moment but then Clare remembered why she was upset. If Clare's skills hadn't been in question, then why had Udonna kept the Gatekeeper legacy from her for so long?
"Then why did you—?"
"I never meant to hurt you, Clare, and nor have I ever planned to keep your legacy from you forever," interrupted Udonna. She sighed and looked sad. "Before the earthquake struck, I planned to give you your mother's legacy on your birthday. But when the Master's armies broke through, I became afraid and decided it was best to postpone it. I don't know how much you remember, but when the Master found out about your cousin, Aurora, what she was and what she could do…they came after her and she was lost to me." Fresh tears glistened in Udonna's eyes and her heart felt heavy with pain as she thought of her lost daughter. "I couldn't bear to let history repeat itself with you. You're all that I have left. And before she died, I promised Niella that I would do my best to keep you from harm."
"And you have protected me," assured Clare. Her anger was forgotten now that she knew the whole story. Clare had been quite young during the Great Battle, but she remembered what it had been like when Aurora had been sent away for her own protection and how much it had hurt to lose her beloved cousin. She couldn't entirely fault Udonna for acting as she had. "I couldn't have asked for a better protector or a better aunt. But Udonna, I'm a grown woman and I can make my own decisions."
Udonna's face softened. "I know," she murmured, as she held Clare in a loving embrace. Whether she liked it or not, Udonna was forced to admit that while Clare was still an apprentice, Clare was also an adult and she had the right to choose her destiny. But even so, Udonna refused to lose her only remaining kin. "But I'm asking you now, not as your queen or your mentor but as your aunt, that unless there's no other choice, you let this go for your own safety. Please, Clare."
Clare was quiet as she contemplated this. She wanted to be like her mother so badly but there was a time and place for everything. Now, perhaps, wasn't the time for the next Gatekeeper.
"Okay," said Clare, sighing. "Let's go home."
Udonna smiled in relief.
Suddenly, a dark seal appeared and from it, emerged Koragg. "We meet again, White Sorceress!"
Thinking that Koragg was after Clare, Udonna immediately rose up and stood protectively in front of her niece. "Leave the child alone, Koragg!"
But a surprise came Udonna's way when Koragg just scoffed. "What use would I have for that silly twit? I've come for you!"
Acting quickly, Udonna powered up her wand and fired it, but Koragg merely redirected the spell back at Udonna, hurting and disarming her.
A mocking laugh emitted from Koragg's throat. "Your magic is weak without the power of your Snow Staff." Without another word, Koragg thrust out his hand and Udonna was shrunk down to six inches in height as she was imprisoned in a floating sphere. "With all the protectors of the human world in our grasp, surely the Gatekeeper will step forward."
Now truly angry and ready for her first ever battle, Clare grabbed Udonna's fallen wand. "Let her go, Koragg!" She tried to blast Koragg with a spell, but the magic was so weak that Koragg didn't even flinch.
"Nice try, apprentice," sneered Koragg, as he then disappeared via a dark seal.
Knowing that she needed help if Udonna was ever going to be rescued, Clare took off like a shot straight back to Rootcore, hoping that Xander and the other Rangers might still be there.
"Xander? Hello, is anyone here?" yelled Clare. "I need help! Udonna's been captured!"
But no one answered and then suddenly, the crystal ball lit up with images of Necrolai's current battle with the Rangers. With Necrolai's powers increased, Necrolai finally had the upper hand on the Rangers and was beating the living daylights out of them. What was even more heartbreaking was witnessing Xander and the other Rangers' unwillingness to give Clare up to Necrolai even though it would mean sparing their own lives.
"What do I do?" whimpered Clare. Her aunt and mentor was captured, her boyfriend and friends were on the verge of destruction. They needed help but how was Clare supposed to give it? She didn't possess the means to help them, but if she didn't do something she was going to lose everyone she loved and worse. "Please, help me."
As if in answer, the heavy box where Udonna kept special, sentimental treasures, opened and Niella's circlet floated up.
Despite how terrified she was, Clare refused to succumb to that fear. She grabbed the circlet and ran for the city plaza where she found Necrolai looming over the Rangers like Death itself.
"You're beat and no one's come to save you. Maybe there is no other Gatekeeper, in which case, I'll just do us all a favor and rid this world of you!" said Necrolai.
She raised her hand to strike at the Rangers but then Necrolai was blasted across the battlefield with powerful bursts of magic.
Clare ran into the plaza, breathless and her heart racing like a train, but she was no less determined. "Wrong, Necrolai! My mother's spirit lives in on in me!" Quickly, Clare placed on her mother's circlet and at once, Clare's hair was covered with a long, dark purple veil and her clothes changed to a long white and purple dress with a moon symbol, the mark of the Gatekeeper. And with the transformation, Clare felt a new sense of confidence and power that she had never known before. "Power of the shining moon, behold…the Gatekeeper!"
Necrolai gasped in amazement. "The Oracle was right! So, there is another and my plan to draw you out has worked perfectly!
Clare glared at Necrolai. "You are going to regret ever meeting me, hag!" Clare thrust out her hand and the Gatekeeper's staff appeared. When Necrolai blasted at Clare with dark magic, a powerful shield arose, keeping Clare from harm. She then swung her staff around and a sphere of magic emerged and latched onto Necrolai. It then proceeded to drain her of her dark magic power boost, rendering her completely helpless before the mercy of her enemies.
"My new powers! They're gone!" exclaimed Necrolai, horrified.
At once, the Rangers joined Clare's side, praising her victory before taking defensive stances, ready to finish off the fight. They then proceeded to blast Necrolai with each of their elemental magic, which caused Necrolai to be blasted across the battlefield as well as injury her.
In spite of it, however, Necrolai shakily rose to her feet. "You will still lose, Rangers! I will return!"
XXX
With the battle against Necrolai won, the Rangers powered down.
Xander immediately swept Clare into a passionate kiss before holding her close. "I'm so proud of you, Clare! You were awesome!"
Clare smiled but her smile didn't last long as she remembered they still had a big problem to deal with. "Thanks, but there's no time to celebrate. Udonna's been captured by Koragg."
"She's what?!" exclaimed Chip. "We've got to rescue her!"
"But how? We can't get to the Underworld!" said Vida.
Right on cue, Natalia clutched her head in agony as Koragg began to contact her.
Hear me, Red Ranger, hear me, said Koragg. You will tell the Gatekeeper to battle me alone at the quarry outside of the city. If she does not come, your sorceress will perish.
I've got it, Koragg. Now GET OUT OF MY HEAD! yelled Natalia, as she forced Koragg out. Regardless of whether or not she was used to Koragg's communication methods, Natalia was really sick and tired of having Koragg in her head. One of those days, she was going to force him out forever.
"Lia, what is it?" asked Mason.
Natalia took a deep breath and turned her gaze to Clare. "Koragg wants to battle you at the quarry alone."
Clare nodded. "I accept."
XXX
In the rock quarry outside of Briarwood, Koragg stood, fully energized from the Master's generosity and ready for his battle against the Gatekeeper. When Clare arrived, looking furious and determined for victory, Koragg had to admit that he was surprised as well as impressed. Never in a thousand years would he have guessed that Udonna's bumbling apprentice was the next Gatekeeper.
"So, it was you all along," said Koragg.
Clare did not reply as she thrust her staff up and attempted to blast Koragg with her magic, but the spell didn't even come close to hitting the Knight Wolf.
Koragg laughed. "I must admit, I would have thought you were nothing more than a mere bumbling servant. But now you have real power!"
Clare growled in anger. She was not in the mood for Koragg's games. "I want Udonna back. NOW! I took down Necrolai. I can take you down too! So, hand Udonna over and I might spare you." Maybe it was cockiness from her newfound strength and powers talking, but in that moment Clare was no longer the struggling apprentice sorceress. Right then and there, she was the Gatekeeper and she wouldn't take nonsense from anyone, least of all Koragg.
Unfortunately, anyone else might've taken Clare's threat more seriously, but Koragg just mockingly laughed. Clare wasn't the least bit intimidating to Koragg. She was only powerful at the moment because she was using her mother's circlet, nothing more. She had no real battle experienced and nor did she know what real power was like. And more to the point, taking down Necrolai was fairly easy but taking down Koragg was another matter entirely.
"You think your pathetic little threats frighten me? Wrong. I will do nothing you ask until I see the power of the legendary Gatekeeper!" said Koragg.
"As you wish," snarled Clare.
Koragg wanted a battle? Fine. He would get what he asked for and more.
Clare let out a battle cry as she charged straight at Koragg just as the Knight Wolf unleashed his Wolf Attack. Clare dodged it by a miracle and then Koragg drew his sword. Clare met Koragg's sword with her staff and the clanging sound of metal hitting metal resounded throughout the quarry. Despite Clare's inexperience on the battlefield, her boost in power seemed to give her a strong set of skills, as she was not only dodging Korgg's blows but meeting them with astounding speed and skill. The two of them dueled up and down the quarry, neither one of them gaining an advantage until Clare managed to deliver a strong kick that nearly knocked down Koragg.
Taking advantage of the situation, Clare leapt into the air and blasted Koragg with her staff, wounding and dazing him in the process. Clare's eyes briefly glowed bright blue as she then proceeded to perform the same energy draining spell she'd performed on Necrolai. The spell did considerable damage to Koragg and it succeeded in draining off some excess dark magic energy, but Koragg was nothing if not resilient and he was able to stand his ground despite it all.
"She is strong," murmured Koragg, under his breath. Was it possible that he had underestimated Clare's powers?
Clare grunted as she plunged her staff into the ground and a powerful blast of magic in the shape of the moon shot out like a bullet across the battlefield. There was a great explosion when it hit Koragg, but when the smoke cleared, Clare was both horrified and shocked to see that Koragg had managed to absorb all that energy into his shield.
"Impossible!" gasped Clare. That blast should've decimated Koragg!
"Quite impressive, I must confess," said Koragg. "But this battle has barely begun! Wolf Attack!"
Clare quickly conjured up a shield to protect herself but Koragg's Wolf Attack broke through the protective barrier, sending her flying across the quarry and injuring her. Refusing to give up, Clare rose to her feet and glared at the Knight Wolf.
"That's it. Now, you've really made me mad," said Clare. She swung her staff around. "Magic of the shining moon warrior!" And with that, Clare transformed into her Ancient Mystic Form and grew several hundred feet in size.
Pleased that the battle was finally going somewhere, Koragg cast the spell that enabled him to grow and he joined with Catastros to form the Centaurus Wolf Megazord.
Koragg and Clare then proceeded to blast each other with their respective magic, but the two spells cancelled each other out. Clare then swung her staff across Koragg's torso, wounding him and leaving him open to her next attack.
"Laser Rope!" Bright, golden rope shot out of Clare's staff and tied up Koragg. "Full Moon Blaze!" Clare swung her staff around in a perfect circle like that of the full moon and sent the magic straight at Koragg. But the Knight Wolf's eyes glowed bright red as he then not only broke his binds, but also held up his sword just long enough for Clare's spell to disperse.
"What?" exclaimed Clare. By now, Clare's heart was pounding with fear and she was beginning to wonder if she'd made a mistake in confronting Koragg alone.
"No more holding back!" growled Koragg. His sword became alight with tendrils of pure, dark magic. "Witness the strength of the Master himself! Dark Magic Strike!"
Clare screamed as the force and trauma from Koragg's attack caused her to power down and within moments, she was lying down on the ground, injured and unable to protect herself.
Koragg landed beside her and drew his sword. "It's over! You're all mine! Now, you will open the gates to the Underworld so that our armies may rise!"
In spite of her injured, weakened state, Clare fiercely shook her head. "Never!" It didn't matter how the battle ended, Clare was never going to allow Morticon and the others to get through. She would sooner see herself destroyed first.
But Koragg did not take kindly to Clare's refusal. "I said DO IT!"
Clare closed her eyes and braced herself for the worst but Koragg was blasted by Xander's earthquake attack followed by Chip's lightning blasts as all five Rangers appeared, ready to aid their friend in the battle against Koragg.
Natalia leapt into the air. "Phoenix Ignem Gladio!" Phoenix fire blazed through Natalia's sword and when she swung it at Koragg, there was a devastating blaze that heavily burnt him and sent him flying across the quarry.
"Leave her alone, you scumbag!" growled Natalia.
Suddenly, Necrolai appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Clare by the throat.
"Clare, no!"
The Rangers ran to help their friend but Koragg swooped in between them and blasted them back with a Wolf Attack.
"By the power of the Gatekeeper, let the gate rise up!" commanded Necrolai.
Unable to prevent what happened next, Clare screamed in agony as her circlet lit up and a powerful beam of magic shot into the sky. Suddenly, the skies darkened and rumbled with thunder and the ground beneath them shook as the gates to the Underworld rose up from the depths of the earth.
Necrolai cackled as she tossed Clare aside like a piece of rubbish as the girl's usefulness was expended. "The gates of the Underworld have risen and now our armies will decimate the surface world!"
What have I done? thought Clare, in dismay. Forgive me, Mother!
To Be Continued