Occult Collapse: Fallen
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the author created characters and concepts. Thanks to Ranger Red 2.3, Mistycharming and SA June for their OC's used in this fic.
Rays from the late afternoon peered through the curtains of the clubroom while the rangers and Sera had gathered around and appeared to be debating an important matter. Joe held a letter in his hand and studied it closely while the others talked about it's contents.
"I found the letter in my locker at lunch. I think he managed to slip in and put it there without anyone noticing." Sera explained as Max's eyes narrowed.
"It feels a bit off that he didn't decide to tell you all this in person first off, it'd save a lot of hassle." He commented while shifting in the seat.
"It's pretty absurd what it's asking, after all the last time you encountered them, they were still after you. Even if that letter's true, it's still pretty naive to think they won't be listening at the least." Nyssa argued while the red ranger placed the letter down and looked to them all.
"I get it, but I'm willing to take the chance, Seraphim hasn't managed to beat me yet. The letter said that a Seraphim agent's gone rogue, like you Sera. Since he's your friend, you should make the decision. He only asked that us two meet him, since he said we know, or in my case knew him." He explained to them before he turned himself to the former agent, awaiting an answer.
"Four doesn't like non-humans or people really. I guess he was comfortable with us back then before everything. Before you came back and brought me around, he was the closest thing to a friend I had there. If he's leaving them like me we should help him." She decided, surprising everyone but Nyssa and Joe with her admittance that she was part of the organisation.
"Wait a minute, you were with them!?" Saya asked with a mild tone of anger in her voice as she advanced toward Sera. "You were that girl from before, who showed up after we first morphed and the one what was there when we met Ellie!"
"Saya, calm down. I get why you're angry, I was like that at first too but things are different now. She's different now." Joe interrupted, causing Saya to stop in her tracks. "It's a long story, but I'll explain to you all later, just trust me for now."
"Fine, but you won't be relying on me if anything goes wrong." Saya huffed as she turned away with her arms folded.
"Alright then, Sera and I are gonna go in and talk with him, see if he's telling the truth, the rest of you hang back but be ready in case something goes wrong. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about." Joe finished, rising from his seat as they prepared to disembark for the location the agent had given them.
[Occult Circle]
With haste, Joe and Sera ran through the twisting streets of the city, making their way to the rendezvous point with Seraphim Four with each step. Following around ten metres behind them were the other rangers, who had agreed after some convincing to provide backup should they require aid, not that all of them were happy about the arrangement.
While they ran through the emptied streets, the sun low in the sky, none of them could sense the presence of the three hooded figures sat idly watching them, perched atop a building. One of the figures looked much larger and bulkier than the other two, while another appeared much smaller in size. The third figure cast his gaze down on Joe before setting his eyes on Nyssa. "This looks to be right, there's the Immortal we were told of and right behind him is that traitorous Fallen Angel." The figure spoke with a gruff voice.
In response, the second figure arched their hand other their eyes, revealing a feminine form. "Wait a minute, that's little Nyssie you're talking about, oh it's been so long since I've seen her, can't we get down there already?" The figure pleaded with a careless attitude and a sense of desperation.
"Will you quiet down already you ditz? Lord Skuros asked us to surveil them for now, nothing more." The first figure spoke, the female figure snorting in response.
"Eligor, when will you learn? I'm not all noble like you and I'm not calculating like Amon over here either. Lord dark and scary said he wanted to let me loose on the humans, all you're letting me do is sit by and watch others have fun. Besides, it isn't like I have to listen to either of you." She told the hooded figure known as Eligor with her carefree attitude before standing up on the edge of the high building before taking a step off and plummeting down, much to the surprise of her two companions.
Eligor growled and clenched his fists as he stood up. "I hate it when she goes off on her own to cause chaos, if only she'd listen." He added before stepping off of the edge after her.
Amon finally stood up and gave a passive sigh before stepping off after them. "This was supposed to be a recon mission. Honestly Eligor and Gomory, what am I going to do with you two?" He said mid-fall as each of them extended two pairs of black feathered wings and began their descent to the streets below.
As the rangers ran, oblivious to the trio flying just overhead, Nyssa's features hardened as she felt a headache begin to develop. She gave a quick grunt in reaction to the new pain before speaking up. "Everyone, something's wrong, I think we're in for trouble at any moment." She indicates to them as they continue to them.
"What makes you think that? We haven't heard anything from the cult in a while and I doubt Seraphim could sneak up on us if they're up to something since I have good eyesight." Ellie asked, seemingly cancelling out the two factions from the possibility of them ambushing the rangers.
"If that's the case Ellie, you might want to go get your eyes checked. At the very least I'd look up every once in a while." Max pointed out as his eyes followed the three descending figures with his eyes and they landed with a thud to the pavement, cutting off the rest of the Occult rangers from Joe and Sera.
Saya who had been at the head of the group came to a swift halt as she clenched her fists in preparation for a fight if need be while Max, Ellie and Nyssa lined up at either side of her. Joe and Sera had also heard the sound of the three figures touching down and had stopped, turning around to see the figures blockading the other rangers.
The High demon looked through the new arrivals to Joe. "You and Sera should go, find that agent. I might not like things, but if he's not playing you, then he'll be useful." She shouted over to him, the red ranger firmly nodding as he and Sera left in haste as Saya's eyes lit up with blue light and she transformed into her Supernatural clothing, shortly followed by Nyssa and Ellie. "So, mind telling us who the hell you're supposed to be?"
Simultaneously, each of the hooded figures removed the dark and tattered cloaks concealing them to reveal themselves to the rangers. Eligor appeared to be clad in dull steel plate armour, similar to what a knight of old would wear and had a long and slender blade held at his hip, he had dark tied back hair and a long scar ran from his temple to his cheek. Amon appeared to be far older than his two companions, his hair was a dark grey and he sported a thick grey beard. To match this, every feature on his face appeared wrinkled. He wore a black tunic with a small tome attached to his his waist by a small chain. The weapon he wielded was a simple and long wooden stick with no features of any relevance to it. Gomory in contrast to her comrades had pure white hair held in a high ponytail and appeared to have unblemished skin and a sense of happiness about her as she stood opposing the rangers. Her clothing was also rather unique, having a low cut white shirt accompanied by white lace sleeves around her forearms. She did however wear a long but ragged white skirt that stopped just before her ankles and a pair of flats of the same colour to accompany the theme. Loosely in her hand rested a scythe made of silver.
As Nyssa and the others got a look at the three, the former's mood sank low. "Oh god, why did it have to be her?" She huffed, sounding more annoyed than she did afraid.
"You know, it's impolite to use the lord's name in vain!" Gomory called over to Nyssa before sniggering. "Ha Ha Ha! I'm sorry, that one always cracks me up." She adds as she wipes away a tear after laughing. Without any word of warning, Gomory darted towards Nyssa, the rangers having no clue that she had until their Fallen Angel ally was in her grasp.
Picking her up in the air and swinging Nyssa around in her arms, Gomory gave a delighted laugh, squeezing the ranger tightly. While Nyssa gave a look of displeasure, the other rangers turned and watched with surprise as Gomory gave a seemingly random display of affection to Nyssa that was most definitely unwanted if her reaction was anything to go by.
"Oh Nyssie, I've missed you so much!" Gomory explained as she fussed over Nyssa further.
"Put the girl down now halfwit!" Eligor commanded as he and Amon advanced toward the rangers.
Gomory let go and stepped back while Nyssa shook herself off after being squeezed by the other person. As she did so, the other rangers reformed beside her.
"Care to explain to us who that is and why she tried to squeeze the life out of you, not to mention that nickname, Nyssie." Max asked, causing the black ranger to shudder at the mention of the nickname.
"Please never call me that again. As for who she is, who all of these guys are actually. They're three of the most destructive Generals in the Fallen Angel army, only the Dark Angels have more power than them realistically. Everyone calls them the Fallen Axis, because when they're together with their armies, everything around them falls." She explained calmly, keeping an eye on General Gomory just in case she tried anything again.
"That still doesn't explain why she tried to hug the life out of you, Nyssie." Saya replied, mocking her for her own amusement as she finished speaking.
"I told you to quit it with the Nyssie already!" She exclaimed in a fit of anger at her teammate's use of her embarrassing nickname.
Gommory gave a small laugh and looked to the High demon opposite her. "If you really want to know, it because as kids we were always really close. That's right everyone, I'm Gomory, Nyssie's big sister!" She exclaimed with joy as the jaws of the rangers dropped while the other Fallen Angel generals scowled at her.
"What!?" Cried all the rangers in a state of shock and surprise as Nyssa's face became flat and unamused by what Gomory had just said.
"You've got to be kidding me, you're at this again Gomory?" Nyssa asked as frustration began to build up.
"You never said you had a sister Nyssa, why didn't you tell us about her?" Ellie asked, curious as to the history that Nyssa and Gomory shared.
"For crying out loud she's not my sister!" The young Fallen Angel explained briefly as she let loose an irritated shout.
"If that's not the case, then who is she and why does she have such a fixation with you?" Saya asked, curious as to why exactly Gomory had reacted to seeing Nyssa in such a way if they had no relation.
"She's insane! She always follows me around whenever she can with a complete disregard for personal space! I honestly don't know why she keeps stalking me and I wish it would just end already!" She once more exclaimed as her demon teammate gave a small nod and turned back to face the three Fallen Angel Generals.
"I have to admit, I had no clue we'd encounter the Fallen Axis today, I've heard a little about you, but I had no idea the three of you acted this pathetic. Some Generals you are. One of you is old, another has a screw loose and the last has a short fuse. Since you're with our enemy though, I can't let you leave here, it's better to remove a threat early after all. Leviafang!" Saya called, summoning her demonic cutlass to her hand in succession to mocking them. In an instant her four demonic wings extended from her back as she took to the skies. "Ellie, Nyssa, Max. as soon as I strike, I want you ready to take them too, just in case my attack doesn't get through, which I doubt will happen." She ordered, receiving a nod from each of them after conveying her plan.
Once she was at the correct height, Saya began channeling her fiery blue energy into her blade, which quickly became enveloped in the demonic flames. Giving a small nod to herself, the demon dropped from the sky, folding her wings in as she did so to increase the speed at which she fell. Aiming for the Knightly General she stuck her leg out bringing it down on the foe before leaning forward to deliver her signature move with her blade. "Leviafang kick!" She called out, expecting for a quick dispatch of her target. Instead the sound of steel clashing rang through the area as Saya returned to the ground, eyes wide in surprise. Despite her orders, none of the rangers had expected him to effortlessly deflect the blow and stood frozen in surprise, unable to move in for the attack.
Her opponent was much faster than he appeared to be, especially with the armour plating he wore. Saya stepped back with her guard up as Eligor lowered his agile blade to the floor. "Impressive technique, but that wasn't a kick. There's no reason to continue this conflict. You wouldn't survive five seconds against my blade demon. Despite our appearances, we shouldn't be underestimated. You're fortunate that for now, we are the least of your worries." He vaguely explained as he walked over and grabbed Gomory by the arm before dragging her away and placing his other hand on Amon's shoulder.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing!? I haven't finished playing with Nyssie yet you big bull, let me go!" Gomory yelped while Eligor retained his tight grip on her arm.
"We were here for observation, idiot. You interrupted that task and I had to intervene. I'm taking us back now, whether you like it or not." He explained to her, to which she still protested. He turned his attention to the rangers as a dark coloured aura sigil formed around their feet. "Farewell to you, I will apologise this once while we aren't foes for the behaviour of Gomory, but when next we meet, it won't be so easy for you to get away." He warned as the sigil activated.
"Don't worry Nyssie, I'll come back for you, I'll make sure of that!" Gomory declared with her last words as she disappeared along with the other Fallen Angel Generals.
At those last words however, Nyssa shuddered. "I really hope you don't." She commented as the other rangers turned to her. "Let's never speak of this again." She quickly suggested.
"Agreed." The other three rangers responded in quick succession, wanting to forget the strange encounter and unique personality of the Fallen Angel General Gomory as soon as they could along with how effortlessly Eligor had stopped Saya's strongest attack in it's tracks.
"I wonder how Joe and Sera are doing, hopefully they're having a better time than we are right now. That guy was crazy strong though." Max pondered as they stood there.
"We should get moving then, just in case they need any help right now, though I'd prefer if they didn't" Saya decided, discontent with her performance against Eligor, as she and the other rangers took formation once again and headed to the site Joe and Sera had gone, hoping that they weren't in trouble…
[Occult Circle]
While the other rangers were dealing with the three newly arrived Generals, Joe and Sera quickly approached the location they had been given by the Seraphim agent. Near the outskirts of the city stood an overgrown and abandoned garden center. The point to meet the apparent rogue was in the largest of the greenhouses, much of it's glass panes had been vandalised or smashed and now bright beams of light seeped in through the holes, creating a strangely aesthetic appearance which caught the eye of both Sera and Joe as they entered the deteriorated structure.
Advancing past the overgrown plants blocking their view, the two finally came across a figure dressed in the standard suit of a Seraphim field agent. They couldn't see who it was as the figure had their back to the two, judging by his height and build however, Sera was certain that it was Seraphim Four. Quickly making her way over, much to Joe's surprise, Sera reached out.
"Four, is that you? It's me, Twelve. I got your message, and I'm here to help you." She said calmly to the agent turned away from her without any concern for her safety.
"Sera, wait! We still don't know if he's telling the truth, or if that's even him." Joe warned, but it was to no avail as the teen disregarded his warning to be cautious.
"It's me alright." Seraphim four answered as he began to turn around. "And I'm so glad you've come to me." He added before turning around completely locking eyes with his former comrade. "After all, it'd be hard hunting you down any other way." He finished as his face became sinister and he drew a pistol from a holster on his thigh, pointing it at Sera's chest.
Sera's eyes widened in shock as the feeling of betrayal came over her. She had trusted someone she had considered a friend while in Seraphim and now he had betrayed her without a second thought on the orders of the organisation she had left. "Why Four? Why would you just follow them like sheep and come to kill one of your friends like this?"
"You're not my friend, you're a traitor. To Seraphim, to the human race. Allying yourself with all those monsters and him of all people! You disgust me…" He muttered quietly. "You're getting what you deserve." Joe watched, tense as the situation escalated.
'I have to do something about this. I'm not letting Seraphim take her away again. Not when I've just got her back. But this guy, if I take even one step he might not hesitate to-'
Before Joe could finish his thought however, the sound of a gunshot echoed through the area. The red ranger's face turned pale and his eyes went wide at the realisation at what just happened. Without a second thought, Seraphim Four had pulled the trigger and shot Sera square in the chest. As blood poured slowly from the fatal wound, the young teen collapsed backwards. Before she hit the ground however, Joe had managed to regain some sense managing to catch her in his arms before dropping to his knees, shaking intensely, still in shock from what had just happened.
"This is Seraphim Four. The traitor has been dispatched, I'll return immediately." He confirmed on his communicator without a sense of remorse as he left Sera to bleed out in Joe's arms.
"S..Sera. It-it's gonna be alright… We just need to get out of here alright. After that, we can get away from this crazy life, live a normal one instead. Nobody will hurt us, I-I promise…" He told her as he tried to lift her and carry her away, but he felt all of his strength drain away as he looked upon the fading form of his dear friend as his eyes began to well up with tears.
Sera's eyes were also teary, hurting from the unbearable pain that now coursed through her chest, yet she retained a serene smile as she gazed upon Joe's worried face. "How lucky I am to have someone like you here for me… Someone who makes saying goodbye so hard…" She said happily, despite the intense pain she was in.
"Do-n't say something like that! I'm not gonna lose you again! Promise you're not gonna leave me alone again!" Joe demanded as the tears he built up began falling down his cheeks.
"Thanks for being my friend for all this time Joe, I knew Seraphim would come for me like this soon, it's not your fault, this is how it had to be. Thanks for introducing me to so many new people while I was free and showing me how to live, even if it didn't last that long." She thanked without losing her smile, appearing at peace as her voice began to also fade.
"Don't talk like that! Sera and the others are gonna be here soon, they'll help me save you and after we're safe, at home, I'll throw you a big party for getting better alright? I'll invite everyone we know and we'll all laugh and have a good time. Just hold on, hold on until then!" He exclaimed as he choked up, the tears not stopping as he sobbed, holding the dying girl in his arms as the blood seeping from her wound spread further and her skin became pale.
Sera gave one last content smile as she looked into his eyes once more. "You're crying for me. I couldn't ask anything more from you… I'm so… So happy! Thank… You…" She said to him one final time with her last breath as the light faded completely from her eyes and her body became still.
Joe sobbed further as he held her body close and cried into her shoulder. "Se...ra… Why… Why did you have to die? You were too sweet, too innocent for this horrible, horrible world… No matter what Seraphim did to you, in the end you were a good person, and they just stole your life away from you… From me. It's not right. It's not fair! Is this the curse of my gear? In order to make others happy do I have to suffer like this? Answer me! If that's the case just take my life already will you!? Just don't… Don't take her!" He cried out, pleading to anyone who might listen, yet he was met with only silence as he knelt there, her body still resting in her arms.
Minutes went by with dead silence, Joe clutching the dead girl, hoping for a miracle, each moment bringing more despair and hopelessness. He had given up all hope, when finally, a flying figure touched down on the ground and walked towards the grieving ranger.
It was the Archangel Michael, who lowered his hood and walked up to the Immortal, touching Joe's shoulder before seeing the lifeless body resting in his arms. "Joseph… My condolences. I have been watching and understand how important she was to you. If you need anything." He suggested, Joe's head tilting upwards slightly at the potential hope that had come.
"Bring… Bring her back… Please…" He asked in a low monotone voice, now full of despair.
Michael looked away for a moment and softened his features. "I'm sorry, but I cannot. Her body has ceased to function and her spirit has almost left her body. Even if I can find it again, I don't have the authority to do such a thing, only my lord can do that."
"Then take me to him." Joe demanded, his tone staying the same as he kept his gaze on his fallen friend.
Michael looked with pity at the grieving ranger once more. "Again, you have my condolences. I cannot take you to him. My prayers though, will be with your friend, she had a pure soul and it brings me sorrow to see one such as her be cut down so early in her life."
"Then what good are you?" Joe asked in his monotone voice that harboured a hint of anger at Michael's inability to help as the Archangel turned away and began walking back from where he had come.
At that moment, the other Occult rangers arrived to the overgrown setting. Looks of worry came across their faces as they saw the Archangel Michael standing before them and saw Joe on his knees with no sight of Sera. As golden rays from the setting sun shone down on him and his lifeless friend, Joe shed a final tear. 'Why did you have to go again Sera? Why did you have to leave me alone? How are you gonna come to that party when you're not with me anymore? Can't you just come back to me already? Please?' Joe asked in his head as his he began to reject the thoughts that he had actually lost her, hoping that some way, he would have to go on without her.
While his teammates were about to rush in to support their comrade, Michael held out his hand to halt them, shaking his head, signifying that at least for now, Joe needed to be alone in this hour of mourning…
|Occult Circle|
Fallen Angels - The Fallen Axis - This organisation within the Fallen Angel military consists of the armies of the three strongest Fallen Angel Generals. Forming an unstoppable wave of destruction when the Axis is together, no force has gone against them and lived to tell the tale. The three Generals of this Axis have clashing personalities, which reflect their battlefield strengths. Amon is an ingenious calculator who uses overwhelming tactics and strategies to defeat his foes, it is also known that his soldiers have the highest casualty rate as the General has no interest in the cost as long as he receives results. Eligor models him and his soldiers after the human knights of old and follows a similar code of honour. Despite this setback when facing a less honourable enemy, his soldiers are extremely proficient swordsmen, rivaled by few. Gomory is a loose canon. On the battlefield she is a bloodthirsty savage, leading an army of berserkers that will stop at nothing to kill everything in sight. Which has lead to a few allied casualties from time to time.
That's chapter 15 everyone… Now, I know no one was expecting it to get that dark and emotional at the end. To be honest, I felt bad while writing that last scene, but for the time being you'll just have to trust me where I'm going with this. It might look like I've wasted my time with building up her character so much just to kill Sera off, but there's a good reason for that, but you'll have to wait and see about that. This' probably the darkest and the most gripping thing I've written so far on here. So a fair warning for the future with this, this is one of several times things are gonna get to this level of dark. On another note, I've introduced the Fallen Axis. Make no mistake, despite their personalities, they're second to Skuros himself in strength. Other than that, for now I hope everyone liked the chapter and didn't get too shocked by the direction this went.
Next Chapter: Occult Collapse: Despair
Synopsis: Still grieving from the events of the previous chapter, Joe spends his days locked in his room, an emptiness inside of him as the despair at losing his oldest friend grows. When he finally decides to leave, his down spiral begins to worsen. Will the other rangers be able to save him or will darkness consume his heart? Find out next time on Power Rangers: Occult Circle.
