Chapter 5

Grief

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

"Flashback / Transmissions"

"Magic/Powers/Effects"

Location/Date/Time Change

(Power Rangers Mystic Force Theme)

Surge walks through a destroyed temple, her cabal by her side. Vulcan stares at the Great Flame as Embr is shown in a reflection. The Great Flame shakes before it explodes. Ten multi-colored flames circle around before flying into different directions.

Here come the Power Rangers, Here come the Power Rangers, Here come the Power Rangers

The five Inferno Rangers lock their brackets together before pulling them apart, with their animal spirits consuming them in flames. They then morph into their Ranger forms and pose behind a large explosion.

Alright let's go, it's time to turn it on

Shinra Kusakabe as the Red Inferno Ranger

Set the record straight, We're gonna come through to right the wrong

Rin Okumura as the Blue Inferno Ranger

Fight evil, Ranger's powers standing strong! We got it going on

Ayaka Kagari as the Yellow Inferno Ranger

We got it going on! (Inferno Force! Yeah!)

Shoto Todoroki as the Green Inferno Ranger

Stop! Freeze! Rangers here, there's no need to fret

Shana as the White Inferno Ranger

We're the ones that will make a way, here to make a change.

Vulcan and Embr walk through the base, with various allies of the Rangers flashing before them.

When there's troubles we don't play, We come together to save the day!

Embr stands in front of the Rangers with a serious expression before they all charge forward in their Ranger forms.

Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go!

All five Rangers then begin charging at a swarm of flying enemies before Windstormes swoops down.

Here come the Power Rangers

Shinra hits a school of Tritons before they burst upwards.

Here come the Power Rangers

Rin and Shana stand back to back and swing their blades at Timbus and Tramor.

Here come the Power Rangers!

Ayaka flys overhead and drops Shoto onto the field, fire and ice rolling off his body as he smashed into the ground sending Tritons flying.

(Inferno Force! Yeah!)

Rin pulls his sword back before launching a wave of blue flames forward.

Here come the Power Rangers

Several Zords rush forward as a series of explosions erupt around them.

Here come the Power Rangers

The Rangers gather together as Caliburn is formed before they unleash their attack.

Here come the Power Rangers

Then, the Rangers discard their casual clothing in favor of new suits before their Morph.

(Go! Go! Go! Go!)

In the cockpit of their Megazord, the Rangers all swing their arms in unison.

Here come the Power Rangers

A megazord stands tall before it shows Vulcan and Embr watching the battle through her orb.

Here come the Power Rangers

A large amount of shadowed figures emerge from Voltaire's cloak as Windstorme, Tramor and Timbus stand next to him, Surge over all of them.

Here come the Power Rangers

The five drop into various poses as an explosion of fire goes off behind them.

(Inferno Force, let's go! Yeah!)

The three elementals lowered their eyes and watched as the door to the chamber opened. Pronged fingers gripped the side before something lurched out. Gas gauges acted as eyes while the body was solid steel, tinted in a rusted green. Air tanks hung off the back as a rope dangled off the side.

Heavy metal slabs acted as legs and feet before the chest opened up. Letting out a roar, a harpoon was shown to be its tongue before closing up. "It's alive… it's alive… IT'S ALIVE!" Voltaire cheered as the creature came to a stop.

.

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.

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"Okay, seriously, what the actual hell?" Windstorme questioned.

"What… exactly have you done?" Timbus asked.

"Utilizing the power hidden within this human boy, I've found a way to animate objects into sentient beings." Voltaire answered. "Now, with the supplies we shall receive from our new allies, we can create monsters that will kill the Rangers!"

"Then why not make an army of these things all at once?" The griffin asked.

"Because that might kill our power source over here." Voltaire walked over to a panting Takamiya. "Whatever this power inside this human is is finite. Kill him, and we lose this ability forever." He turned and stared at the new life-form. "Now, what shall we call this new being?"

"An abomination!" Tramor shouted as he charged towards it. "I cannot allow this thing to live!" Swinging the sword, Tramor was shocked that the creature actually caught the blade. The gages spun wildly as gas hissed before it open the mouth. The harpoon now had a charge attached to it before it launched out.

Hooking Tramor's back hand, it flew him back and pin him to the wall of the cave before the charge detonated, blowing off Tramor's hand. Timbus ran over and lead him for medical treatment out as Windstorme laughed. "Oh, man! That was awesome! I'm taking this thing with me now!"

"Agreed." Voltaire chuckled. "Take the Tritons to a world and draw them out. And then we shall let my new pet end them. Then, shall retrieve those five Embers and search for the rest."

"Sounds like fun to me. Let's go, gauge face." Windstorme ordered as the monster slowly walked over.

"Blastshot." It declared, confusing the two. "My name is Blastshot."

"Sentience... BRILLIANT!" Voltaire cackled like a madman, satisfied by the new result.

"You can call yourself whatever you want. Just help me kill these damn Rangers." The griffin replied as they walked away.

2 Hours Later

Tempura

Shinra spun and kicked a dummy with his footwear before hitting a punch to the head. A hand thrust to the chest pushed the dummy back before Shinra flipped, his foot blade notching a chunk of wood out of the head. A back kick hit another dummy and he punched that.

Shoto gripped his spear and thrusted it, puncturing a sandbag in mid air. Loosening his grip, he jabbed the counter end behind and shattered a wooden board. The quirked Ranger spun and slashed another sandbag before flipping it and shattering a stone slab set up.

"Seems the team is finally acting like one." Embr chuckled. "Shinra has been studying almost as much as Ayaka has. And all of them are mastering their weapons."

"I agree." Vulcan nodded, holding a small knife. "Everyone except for…"

In the center of the training room, Rin growled in anger as he charged Shana, wooden swords in both of their hands. Rin swung as hard as he could, but Shana merely dodged to the side and bonked him on the head. "Again." Shana ordered.

Rin spun and tried to slash at her, but Shana pushed the blade away and kicked him in the leg. Forced to a knee, Shana hit him in the head again, angering Rin even more. "Again." Shana jumped back and let Rin stand up.

"You could let him win at least once." Alastor pointed out. "It would be good for his morale."

"It'll make it when he does beat me all the more-" Shana was cut off as Rin swung his sword hard, cracking her bokutō. Rin pulled back and slashed, breaking it in two. Charging again, Shana merely spun to the side and hit him with the butt end, knocking him to the ground. "Satisfying."

Banging on the mat, Rin pushed himself up and charged at Shana again. "Rin, that's enough!" Embr ordered, making him freeze. "Shana beat you fair. If anything, you should be thanking her."

"Thanking her!?" Rin shouted back. "For what!?"

"Showing off your greatest problem." She replied. "You have too much anger inside. That makes you sloppy and unfocused."

"I do not!" He flared up before water was suddenly poured over his head.

"Lighten up, dude." Shinra chuckled, an empty cup in hand. "I know this is a stone temple, but I don't feel like burning to death." He offered Rin a filled cup, a chunk of ice floating in it.

"Thanks." He moved to drink but suddenly froze. "Shoto, this isn't like drinking your sweat, is it?"

"…No. It's just ice." The green ranger replied with a flat tone, wondering why he would ask such a thing.

"Oh, good. That would have been weird." Rin chuckled, taking a sip.

"Glad to see you're all having fun." The group turned to see Ayaka walking into the chamber, a few scrolls in hand. "But we should remain focused. Vulcan, I've come across some-" The scrolls fell to the ground as Ayaka groaned in pain, dropping to a knee.

"Kagari, are you okay?" Shoto questioned as the group surrounded her.

"Some… something is wrong." She gasped out. "Takamiya… is in pain."

"How could you know that?" Shana questioned.

"We are… connected." Ayaka replied, forcing herself up. "We need to find him now."

"I think we have bigger problems." Embr held up her hand and her orb landed in her palm. The sphere slowly showed an image of Windstorme and a strange creature laughing as Tritons snarled at people around them.

"Him again?" Shana asked. "And what is that thing?"

"Looks like a monster." Shoto said, confusing the two girls. "In the show, the bad guys usually have subordinates that go around and wreak havoc for some reason or another. What this one is, I don't know."

"Hold on, I know that place." Rin gripped the orb and looked hard into it. "That's True Cross Academy! That's my home!"

"Give me that!" Embr jumped up and took the orb back. "I don't want you breaking this valuable artifact."

"Send us there now, and I won't touch it again." He replied.

"Done." Embr clapped her hands and the five burst into flames, leaving the elementals alone.

"I thought you were going to be nicer to them." Vulcan reminded, picking up the scrolls.

"I'm… working on it." She mumbled.

Dimension V660

True Cross Academy

Blastshot roared before firing another shot from his mouth. The projectile exploded upon impact, shattering the building and exploding the glass. "That's right!" Windstorme chuckled, slashing his sword as a human in a blue outfit. "Run, you stupid humans!"

"We won't run from demons like you!"

"We aren't demons, stupid!" Windstorme snapped back, cutting a strange corpse-like creature in half. "We're aliens!" Flapping his wings, a typhoon shot out and blasted them all backward, knocking them off the platform. "And we want the Po-"

"Suck it, birdbrain!" A flaming kick to the back of the head sent Windstorme face first into the ground. Swinging his sword, the griffin missed the feet as Shinra jumped back to the other four. "I see you're back to normal."

"Back and ready to kill you." Windstorme declared, Blastshot stomping next to him.

"What is that thing?" Rin asked.

"My name is Blastshot!" The creature shouted back. "And I will kill you all." Opening the chamber, another harpoon was loaded and shot out.

The five Rangers ducked down and the shot hit a small building behind them, exploding the shop. "What the hell was that!?" Shana shouted, dust and debris falling around them.

"I believe that was a harpoon." Shoto declared.

"I know that, genius." She snapped back. "But why did it shoot out of its mouth!?"

"Questions can wait until after we beat it." Rin replied, pushing himself up. "What's the call, boss?"

"It probably can't fight up close too well. You and Shana keep it distracted." The Red Ranger ordered. "Ayaka, see what you can get out of Windstorme. Shoto, you and I will trim the school down to size."

"I agree with this plan." Ayaka said before the five crossed their arms.

"Unleash The Heat!"

Breaking the 'x', five different colored flames covered the team as the creatures looked on.

Shinra erupted into red flames before a wolf howled from somewhere. The ethereal canine raced up behind him before spreading its limbs wide, the wolf enveloped Shinra before his body was coated in a red, white trimmed spandex suit. Firefighter boots covered his feet as thick gloves coated his hands. A belt wrapped around his waist and tightened, keeping his suit constricted. A hood erupted from behind his neck in flames as the wolf head lined up with Shinra's, hardening into a helmet, ears and all. On his belt buckle, a number '8' burned onto it before he dropped into a fighting stance.

Rin burst into blue flames as a cheetah snarled in the background. The phantom feline raced forward and spread wide, enveloping him in a blue, white trim spandex suit. The same boots and gloves adorned him before the belt wrapped around his waist. A hood burned into existence before he gained a cheetah themed helmet. Blue fire burned onto his belt, taking the form of a cross.

Ayaka caught ablaze in yellow fire as an owl hooted around her. The non-corporal bird of prey spread its wings, covering her in a yellow, white trim spandex. Thick heeled boots covered her feet as gloves burned into existence. Her belt wrapped around her before flames erupted around her waist. The embers formed a trailing skirt before the owl merged into a helmet. Yellow fire surrounded her buckle, forming the image of a pentagram.

Shoto ignited into a green blaze as a gorilla boomed in the void. The transparent primate jumped and spread itself wide, coating him a green and white spandex suit. Boots and gloves adorned his limbs as a belt wrapped around his waist. Like the boys before, he gained a hood around his neck before the gorilla head became a helmet. The green flames burned two letters onto the buckle, a 'U' and an 'A'.

Shana became coated in white flames as a deer bellowed. The hoofed animal charged and awkwardly spread itself, coating Shana in a white, ivory trimmed spandex outfit. Taller heels than Kagari coated her feet as ivory gloves covered her hands. The same kind of belt and skirt appeared as the deer head hardened into a helmet. Alistor was lifted from around her neck and placed into her buckle, the whole thing glowing.

Shinra slammed his fists together. "Ember of Speed, Red Inferno Ranger!" He then thrusted his right arm in the air while his left hung his side.

Rin slapped his left hand on his chest. "Ember of Power! Blue Inferno Ranger!" He then threw a few punches before he pulled his right fist back, his left fist brought up in front of him.

Ayaka crossed her hands together before she raised her left hand up, her other hand lowered to her hip. "Ember of Wisdom! Yellow Inferno Ranger!"

Shoto thrusted a hand before before clenching it into a fist. "Ember of Duality! Green Inferno Ranger!" He pulled it back while lowering his other hand under it.

Shana clapped her hands together before turning her back on her enemies, looking over her right shoulder. "Ember of Youth! White Inferno Ranger!"

Fire raged around the five before they spread the arms and their matching flames shot up. "We guard the fire that burns inside all living things!" Shinra declared as the five dropped into various poses.

"POWER RANGERS! INFERNO FORCE!"

Matching fire exploded all around them as the Tritons hissed and charged in. Ayaka shot forward on her broom and tackled Windstorme upwards. Opening his wings, the griffin slowed down and dropped away, getting some space. "We really gonna do this schtick again?"

"Answer me! What have you done with Takamiya!?" She shouted, standing on her broom.

"Like I'm gonna tell you anything about what we do to your little boyfriend." He teased back before dive-bombing the girl. Ayaka flipped under her broom and missed the swords before pushing on her broom. Windstorme blocked with his blades and the two glared at each other before flying apart, clashing in mid air.

Rin and Shana drew their blades before slashing at the monster. The blades hit the legs and they turned to stab, only for the pronged hands to catch the swords. "That hurt." Blastshot declared before throwing the two aside. Reaching into the mouth, he pulled out the harpoon and gripped it, turning it into a bladed staff.

"What the hell is with this thing?" Shana questioned.

"It is fairly disturbing." Alastor added. "I suggest we come up with a plan of attack."

"Here's my plan!" Rin shouted, charging into the creature.

"There's no reasoning with some people." Shana chuckled before running after the Blue Ranger.

Shana swung at the side and forced the creature to block with the staff before jabbing backwards, forcing Rin to the side. Pulling off the rope, Blastshot cracked it like a whip and hooked Rin's sword, pulling it away. The Kurikara clashed against Shana's sword before Rin jumped on the back, punching the tank.

"Give that back!" He shouted, reaching for his sword.

"Get off me!" Blastshot slammed himself backwards and cracked Rin into the wall, forcing him to let go and drop to the ground. Rin looked up and quickly rolled to the side, his sword almost cutting into his head. Pulling the rope, Rin reclaimed his heirloom and charged back in, even angrier than before.

Screaming loud, he swung the blade only for it to be caught by the spiked hand. "You're really, REALLY annoying." Blastshot declared, pulling the sword towards him. Rin looked up and saw Shana pushed back by the staff. "And because of that, everyone here will die."

A flash of his father enveloped in flames crossed his mind. Growling in anger, Rin slashed even harder. Blastshot moved to the side and let the two collide. Shana hit the ground back first while Rin spun and charged back into the fight. Swinging wildly, the blade clashed against the hand before Rin jumped back from a stab. Spinning around, he launched a curve of fire at the monster.

Blastshot fired a harpoon and the two meet, creating an explosion. Rin rushed into the dust and swung wildly, hitting nothing but air and rubble from the blast. "QUIT HIDING!" He roared, looking for the monster. A slash to the back angered him and he swung back, not hitting anything. "FIGHT ME!"

"Rin, calm down!" Shinra shouted from behind. The smoke was soon spun upwards and the team was in front of him. "The thing left." The leader said, coming to a stop.

"Did we!?" A blast of wind shot them into the air before Ayaka crashed into the four, a rope tied around her waist. Blastshot slammed her down, taking the five to the ground. Windstorme landed next to the monster, who retracted his rope to the side. "Kill them." Windstorme ordered. Blastshot opened the maw and five harpoons were loaded to fire, explosive payloads ready for delivery.

"Eins, zwei, drei."

Purple smoke filled the area and blinded the invaders before bindings wrapped around them. "What the hell is this crap!?" Windstorme growled, writhing in the wraps, trying to break free.

"I don't know what you two are, or how you've managed to wrangle control of several of Egyn's subjects." A white hat landed in front of then and in a puff of smoke, transformed into the weirdest looking human they had ever seen. Which wasn't saying much. "But you will NOT threaten my school."

"Screw you, ya freaking-" Windstome was cut off when the bindings were sucked into the hat. "Oh, come on!"

Fully absorbed, the man put on his hat before turning to the five. "Now, what are you doing in that ridiculous get up, Okumura?"

The blue ranger coughed and spoke, doing his best to deepen his voice. "Who is this Okumura you speak of? My name Kurt."

"Don't think you can fool me." The man chuckled. "I know everything that happens in my school. Besides, I saw the five of you change into those things. Now what are you doing with these people?"

The outfits faded as Rin chuckled. "Nothing much, just saving-" Shana punched him hard the arm, shutting him up.

"Young lady, I know all about the various worlds. There's no need is to hit my student, even if classes are temporarily on hold." The man declared.

"Wait, on hold!?" Rin repeated in shock.

"Of course, one of our teachers and a student went missing a few days ago." He said before turning to the other four. "Oh, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself: I am Mephisto Pheles, chairman and headmaster of the True Cross Academy." He took off his hat and bowed with a flourish.

'…Does he really think he's fooling anyone with that name?' Ayaka mumbled.

"How's Shiemi doing? Is she okay?" Rin asked in concern.

"Miss Moriyama is doing much better now that the demon has now left her." Mephisto declared, making Rin sigh in relief. "Well, I would love to meet each and every one of you, but I'm afraid I must stick to business. Young Okumura, I need you to come with me. There is a matter that requires you personally. I will take you with me, alone."

"Not happening." Shinra spoke up, stepping in front of Rin. "We're in this together. Where he goes, we go."

The other Rangers stepped up and nodded, making Mephisto sigh. "So be it." He clanged his cane on the ground and a door appeared in a puff of smoke next to him. "Come along, they can't subdue him forever." He opened the door and walked through it, leaving the Rangers behind.

"Can we really trust this guy?" Shana asked. "He just over powered Windstorme and that thing. Who says he won't trap us too?"

"If he wanted to do so, he would have by now." Shoto pointed out.

Ignoring the others, Rin stepped forward and opened the door, shocking the other four. "My dad trusted him enough to let him take me in. Let's see what he has to say."

"We'll trust you." Shinra said before following him. The other trio followed suit and found themselves at a bridge gate, holding everything from guns to spears. "Okay, what is going on?"

"That." Mephisto pointed his cane forward and the five looked down the bridge to see a massive black cat with two horns and two tails stood down the street, hiss and growling. "Our bridge guardian suddenly snapped and started attacking people."

"LIARS!" Rin flinched at the new voice. "You're all liars!"

"Can't you just kill it?" Shana questioned matter of factly.

"It's not that simple, I'm afraid." Mephisto replied. "You see, that cat sith only went berserk once they mentioned Father Fugimoto's death. His familiar didn't take kindly to it."

"Wait, that thing was my old man's familiar?" Rin asked in surprised.

Mephisto nodded as the cat swung his tail, knocking back anyone who shot or tried to attack him. "What's a familiar?" Shinra whispered to Shoto.

"I think its like a pet." The scarred teen guessed.

"Actually, it's more akin to an assistant." Ayaka spoke up, scaring the two. "In the old days, they were used to run errands for witches and aid us in battle."

"Kuro was once the guardian of a small village of silk makers." Mephisto explained. "But over time, the silk trade dried up, and the people abandoned the village, leaving him alone and isolated. Centuries later, humans returned to tear down his home. Enraged, he started attacking the crew and any humans that came near his home. Eventually, we were called in to deal with it and we sent Father Fujimoto. However, rather than killing the demon, he calmed it down and turned it into his familiar. But like any familiar, if his master is dead, he'll return to a wild beast. We need you to be the one to end him, Okumura."

"LIARS!" Kuro shouted, almost screaming in Rin's ear. "Shirou's the greatest! He'd never die! He'll come back home! I don't believe you!"

"I'll pull the others back enough for you to handle him." Mephisto explained, the other Exorcists falling back. "Good luck, all of you." He walked back as the five Rangers stared at the massive demon.

"Are we really going to kill something that belonged to your father, Okumura?" Shoto asked. Endeavor wasn't perfect, but even Shoto would hesitate to do anything like this.

"If he won't, I will." Shana declared, drawing her sword.

"It's not your decision to make." Alastor reminded her. "It is Rin's."

"I think we should hurry." Shinra warned. "Kuro doesn't look to happy right now."

"HE'LL COME BACK!" Kuro shouted, slamming his tails on the ground, cracking the pavement. "Until then, I can't die either!"

"I'm ending this now." Ayaka declared, pointing her hand forward like a gun.

"Wait!" Rin grabbed her hand and pulled it down, catching her attention. "He's just lonely. You can't kill someone over that."

Everyone stared at him in complete confusion. "How… do you know that?" Shana questioned. "What? Can you hear it talk?"

"Kinda…" He mumbled, shocking everyone. "Maybe since he was my dad's familiar, part of me can hear his voice. Let me talk to him."

"Do we really have time for that?" Ayaka asked. "It would be easier just to kill him."

"Give me a chance! I'll use my head!" Rin snapped back, stepping forward. "HEY!" He shouted, scaring the other four. "My name is Rin Okumura! Father Fujimoto was my father!"

"Shiro's son…" The cat sith looked up in wonder.

"My father is dead." He declared, scaring the five around him.

"Dude, what is wrong with you!?" Shinra asked.

"LIAR!" Kuro shouted. "You're another liar, like all of them!"

"He's dead." Rin repeated.

"You're a liar!" The demon shouted, charging forward. Rin merely pulled his head back and meet the demon head on with his own head.

The force of the impact knocked the demon back and sent a gust of wind outward, forcing everyone to hold onto clothing. 'Did he just head butt him!?' All five around Rin all asked themselves at once.

"Well… he did say he'd use his head." Alastor reminded them. 'I suppose he meant it literally.'

As the wind died, Mephisto's hat flew off his head and rolled on the ground before it started shaking. A clawed hand ripped out of the top as black wind blew out of it. "Oh, that's not good." He mumbled before turning around to the Exorcists. "All of you, pull back. I can handle things from here!"

Reluctantly, the group pulled back as Mephisto turned back to the Rangers. "You four! Let Rin handle this! Your assistance is needed!"

"Crap! They're gonna get out!" Shana cursed before the four raced over to the hat.

"Let… us… OUT!" Windstorme shouted as he ripped the hat apart, freeing him and Blastshot.

"Rin, hurry up!" Shinra shouted, the four transforming into their Ranger suits, weapons at the ready before they charged in.

"I get it. You loved my old man, didn't you?" Rin said to the cat sith, shocking the demon. "So you were just sad, right? I'm the same as you." He raised his hand and offered a shake. "Let's resolve our differences."

"Shirou…" Kuro mumbled as tears filled his eyes. "Can't I see you again… Shirou?" Wailing, the cat sith slowly shrunk before him until finally reaching the size of a normal cat.

"It's okay…" Rin mumbled, petting the cat on the head.

"Pay attention, Blue Ranger!" Windstorme shouted, swinging the back of his blades and knocking Rin to the side of the bridge. Rin started to cross his arms, only for Windstorme to press his talons on the arms. "Maybe in your next life, you won't waste your time playing with a stupid, black-"

A heavy pant caught his attention as a hot breath beamed down his neck. Nervously, he slowly turned around before being forced to look up. Coming face to face with a massive black cat, Windstorme couldn't even say anything before Kuro swing his paw, sending the alien bouncing along the water under the bridge.

Rin looked up at Kuro who nuzzled into his face. "Good boy." He chuckled before standing up. "Listen, find a place to hide for now. I'll be back after this, okay?" The cat sith nodded and raced over to Mephisto as Rin transformed and drew his sword.

Blastshot threw Shinra aside as the Blue Ranger jumped from behind and slashed his blade, cracking an air tank on the back. "You bastard!" The monster huffed and opened his mouth, but the harpoon lazily fell out. "What!? What did you do to me?!"

"Looks like he cut off all your hot air!" Shoto declared before stabbing into the second tank. Ice crept along the monsters feet and trapped him as Shinra launched forward. Slamming both knees into the face, he forced the monster to bend backwards before Ayaka slammed her broom down, cracking the ice and forcing Blastshot to the ground.

"Is it time?" Shana asked, already knowing the answer.

"Let's do this!" Shinra shouted before breaking into a spin. The other four held up their weapons and his rocketed into the air. The other four weapons took off and erupted into fire. The wolf heads joined back to back before they split on the side, creating a guard and handle. The fibers on the broom straightened and slid between them before the spear joined the tip. The katanas slid next to the large pole before the blades caught fire, extending their curve and turned the whole thing into a massive broadsword.

"Caliburn! Ready for action!" Shinra declared, reaching up for the blade. Rin jumped up and caught the broadsword, shocking the Red Ranger. "What are you doing?"

"Don't know. It just feels right." He chuckled as Blastshot pushed itself up. "Not like we have time to argue about it right now." Blastshot finally stood up as Shinra and Ayaka gripped Rin before Shana and Shoto did the same with the latter two.

"BLAZING CROSS!"

Swinging the sword, a flaming arc curved off and launched at the creature. Another swing across gave the attack a cross shape as it split the monster in four. "Damn… You!" Static shot off the parts before they exploded as the Rangers turned around.

Coughing up water, Windstorme pulled himself out of the water just as a harpoon gun landed on the ground, damaged and smoking. "Okay, screw this!" He declared before vanishing into a portal of water.

"Looks like we won't be getting any information about out of him now." Shana huffed.

Ayaka gripped her broom in anger as Shinra patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll get the answers next time." He declared, making her nod.

A slow clap caught their attention and they turned see Mephisto slowly clapping faster. "Bravo, bravo! An excellent show, to be sure." He declared, Kuro coming up from behind his legs.

Aquaton

"That stupid thing couldn't even take out one Ranger!" Windstorme growled, coming out of the portal. "And now it's nothing more than a pile of scrap metal. GREAT idea there, volt-face. Now we're back to square one! This fight is over!"

"Nothing is over yet…" Voltaire chuckled as he flipped a pair of switches before turning a dial. The chamber entrapping Yuji started glowing before the tubes leading out of it glowed blue. Yuji dropped to his knee before falling over, seemingly beginning to vanish from existence. The energy pooled downward before it drained into a satellite dish.

Another series of tubes drained Takamiya of even more white energy before a green light came onto the board. Voltaire flipped the switch on the controls and a beam of both energies upwards. "What did you just do?" Timbus questioned.

"Consider this round two." Voltaire darkly chuckled.

Dimension V660

True Cross Academy

"So, care to finally explain why you're dressed up as Tokosatsu series knock off?" Mephisto questioned.

"It's a long and very weird story." Rin chuckled.

Ayaka dropped to the ground in pain, catching everyone off guard. "What's wrong now?" Shana questioned. A beam of bright energy hit the broken harpoon cannon before it exploded into light. A heavy gust of wind blasted them all back as everyone looked up in shock.

"I'M BACK!" Blastshot shouted, only to look down and found himself hundreds of times bigger and the Rangers beneath him. "I'm huge… alright! Big is good!" He raised his foot and brought it down, ready to crush them like bugs.

"RUN!" Shinra shouted before the six ran as fast as possible. The bridge crumbled and snapped into pieces as the water splashed upwards.

Blastshot stomped through the water and swung his arms, laughing at the wanton destruction he was causing. "How the heck is he back? And why is he giant all of a sudden!?" Shana questioned.

"It's another thing from the show." Rin replied as Kuro shook himself dry. "How they did it this time, I don't know."

"Looks like it time for the Zords." Embr told the team.

"The what?" Ayaka pondered.

"The embodiment of your Embers power." Vulcan explained. "They take the form of the animal that best matches your personality and the traits of the Ember inside of you. Focus on what make you unique, why you were chosen as the Ranger."

"Focus…" Shinra mumbled as all five closed their eyes. Fire matching their suits erupted around the five, Kuro tilting his head in confusion. All five snapped their heads up, entering different poses.

"INFERNO ZORD: TAKE FORM!"

Shinra sprinted forward as a wolf howled behind him. He jumped up and an etherial wolf overtook him, growing in size as it kept running on all fours. The figure hardened and transformed into a red and black mechanical canine.

Rin crouched downward as a cheetah snarled. He launched himself forward and the animal grew around him, coated in blue flames. The beast snarled before breaking into a sprint, turning into a blue and black mechanical feline.

Shoto jumped into the air and reached up as a gorilla bellowed around him. Hanging in the air, the green fire engrossed him before the gorilla over took him. The beast clanged its chest before the third beat hardened it into a green and black mechanical primate.

Ayaka and Shana stood on the ground, flames still raging around them. "What the hell is this crap?" Shana asked, breaking the flames. "Nothing's happening. To either of us."

"What? It should be working…" Embr mumbled. "Regardless, the three summoned should be more than enough. Go help the people get out of the battlefield."

"Understood." Ayaka killed her own circle and the two raced into the city, Kuro and Mephisto following suit.

"This is awesome!" Shinra chuckled from the head of the wolf, bouncing between buildings. He flipped a switch next to him and the zord jumped over a small shop, only for the back foot to knock into it. "Sorry!"

"Hey, watch it. I have to live here when this is done." Rin said back, racing behind the leader.

"Agreed. Let's end this." Shoto declared before the three raced at the giant.

"You again!? I'm getting sick of this!" Blastshot roared before unleashing a shot from his mouth. The three jumped to the side as Shoto piloted the zord forward. He swung his fist and punched the monster in the face before delivering a drop kick to the chest. Blastshot swung his claws and slashed the chest, forcing Shoto back.

"Back off!" Shinra launched himself forward, his zord shooting flames out of the back feet. "Okay, didn't know it could do that." The wolf flipped end over end before tackling the monster to the ground, snarling in his face. He swung the paws and tore into the chest.

"Get off me!" Blastshot fired another round and forced Shinra off him. "Stupid dog!"

"Leave my friends alone!" Rin jumped up from behind and snarled, his zord biting down on the air hose. Ripping one off in the mouth, the cheetah spat it out before moving to the second one.

"Enough games!" Rin was ripped off the back and thrown forward. Twisting in the air, he landed on his feet before his cheetah snarled. Swinging his tail, the appendage caught fire before it launched at the monster. The blue blade hit and sent the creature tumbling backwards.

"We're causing too much damage." Shoto declared. "We need to end this now."

"Any ideas, boss?" Rin asked, turning to the leader.

"One. How nauseous do you get, Rin?" Shinra questioned.

Blastshot stood back and roared before ripping a harpoon out of his mouth. "Die already!" He hurled it as hard as he could as the rangers braced themselves.

"Now!" Rin and Shinra grabbed each other by the tail before Shoto picked them up. Spinning them rapidly, the gorilla flung the duo as they caught fire in their respective colors. The two sliced through the shot and then Blastshot before separating, landing on the ground. The gorilla zord held up its left hand and encoated the monster in ice.

Blastshot sparked within the ice before exploding again. The ice muffled the blast and crumbled into a fine dust as the three zords bellow in victory.

"I see you're coming along nicely, Okumura." Mephisto declared as he stood before the five Rangers, sans their spandex. "Though, I'm not sure this is what your father had in mind when he entrusted you into my care."

"Yeah, well, I don't think anyone did." Rin chuckled.

"Agreed." The chairman replied before turning to the others. "You all performed admirably out there today, but you all still have room to grow. Especially you two." He pointed his staff at the two girls.

"Ha ha." Shana replied with a humorless laugh. "Another crack about my height."

"Not like that." He chuckled, shaking his head before turning to the taller girl. "Young lady, I suggest you find a way to limit yourself from that spells effect." Mephisto told Ayaka.

"What spell?" Shinra questioned.

"Nothing of your concern." The witch curtly replied.

"Ah, stubbornness." Mephisto chuckled, reaching behind him. "Before you go, Rin, a present." He pulled out a large silver vial and tossed it to the Blue Ranger, who fumbled to catch it. "Something Fujimoto gave Yukio for Kuro in case this happened. I think you should have it."

"Thanks." He replied, finally catching it. "Wait, what's going to happen to Kuro?"

"We've registered him as your familiar. We can find another one to guard the bridge. Now, I bid you all fare well for now." Mephisto said with a bow. "The next time you come here, please leave your… acquaintances behind. I'm not sure my school can take it again. Auf Wiedersehen." He vanished in a flash, leaving Kuro behind.

"What are we gonna do with him?" Shana questioned.

"Do we even have a place for him at the base?" Shoto suggested.

"We are not bringing this cat back with us." Ayaka declared. "It'll just be a distraction."

"That's not your call, it's Rin's." Shinra said. "Well, what do you say?"

Rin turned back to the cat sith and gave a small smile. His decision was an easy one. "Come on, Kuro." The cat sith jumped into Rin's arm and nuzzled into him as the five vanished into flames.

High above, Mephisto stared out a window before glancing over his shoulder. "So tell me. What do you think?" He asked.

A man with a spike of hair which is lightly colored compared to the rest of his dark green hair and has long claw-like black fingernails pulled away from the glass, his hands acting as binoculars. He donned a jacket that has cross bones as buttons. He also wears green arm warmers and a black and pink short sleeved shirt (same colour as his spike) under his jacket, with rips at the ends.

"Honestly, not that impressed with him." The man declared. "More interested in the kid who could fly with fire from his feet."

"True, we didn't see him fight at his full potential." Mephisto agreed. "So tell me, you feel like riling him up?"

"Why not? He is family, after all." The vernette chuckled back.

Tempura

The five Rangers and one familiar returned to base, where they were meet with a disappointed Embr. "You know this place isn't for pets, right?" She declared.

"What was I supposed to do? Leave him behind?" Rin asked back. "He belonged to my father, and that means he stays with me."

"It shouldn't be that much trouble." Shinra added. "Rin just has to feed it and take care of it. Doesn't sound that hard."

Kuro wiggled in his arms before knocking the container to the ground, letting it roll to the boot of Shana. He walked over and stared up at the girl. "Hey, this smells like a present from Shiro." Kuro said, pushing the container.

"He said it's a present from the old man." Rin translated, confusing the group.

Shana picked up the container and opened it. Finding a flask with the label 'Holy Water', she twisted the cap off and gave it a sniff. "Smells like some kind of booze." Shana declared.

"Silvervine Sake!" Kuro cheered before jumping up. "It's Shiro's Silvervine Sake! Let me have it! Let me have my present!" Rin chuckled as he placed a small bowl on the ground before pouring the liquor into it. Kuro smiled as he instantly dived at the lid, lapping up the drink. "Yummy!"

"Are you sure you should be giving a cat sake?" Shoto questioned the blue ranger, who only shrugged.

Rin smiled before picking up a wooden sword. "Alright." He jumped into the center of the room and turned to Shana. "Let's try this again."

"Fine with me." She chuckled before following suite.

"Looks like our team just got a little bigger." Shinra chuckled as Shoto petted the cat.

Ayaka stared at the cat and gave a small smile before turning around. "I need to do some research, figure out why Shana and I were unable to access our 'Zords'. Care to assist me, Shinra?"

"Sure." He turned and followed her, as did Shoto, leaving the sparing sword users behind.

"How long until Rin forgets to care for the cat?" Embr questioned as it toppled over, drunk on the sake.

"I don't think he will." Vulcan said, once again holding a small dagger. "Kuro was his fathers. And he won't let something like that slip from his mind…" He stared down at the dagger, his reflection crystal clear.

'I promise, father. I will avenge you.'

Well, took longer than I thought, but here we are with the next chapter. Did I take inspiration from the main story of Blue Exorcist? Yes, but I'd like to think I put enough of my own spin on it. Besides, this was a great moment of growth for Rin. I wasn't about to cut it out of the story.

And yes, this is how the monsters will be made in this story. Take one random object (in this case, a harpoon gun), add a heaping hunk of magic from Takamiya and you've got yourself a monster. As for why they come back and get big, I'll explain more in the next chapter.

As for the big twist… let's just get this out of the way. I put my own spin on things by how I've introduced the Zords. Rather than just give them all five at once and have the Megazord right away, I've split it up so they have to earn it. Now, as for how and why Ayaka and Shana couldn't summon their Zords, that will be revealed at some point to you all.

Hope you all had some fun and I'll ya next time.

Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel & TheExcadrillComics