Chapter 6: Dark Dealings

The Dragon Keeper appeared in the underground pit with nary a word to announce himself. Morticon was sleeping on his throne and Necrolai was reclining against a cave wall in the corner. When the Keeper slammed his staff into the hard stone both creatures awoke and asked who he was. Morticon was angered the most, for his afternoon sleep had been disturbed by this unannounced newcomer.

"Tell me your name, warlock!" Morticon roared.

"I?" replied the dragonmage, "I am the Dragon Keeper. My control lies in the hands of the beasts untamable, and my rule is all that dragons can see. These fearsome creatures inhabit everywhere, and soon everything shall be under my command. But it is a task that one man alone cannot perform, so I came to seek your services. Victory General Branken, Yougen Spy Vancuria, I bow before thee."

"Branken?" asked Moritcon.

"Vancuria?" questioned Necrolai.

"So those are not your names?" asked the Keeper.

"I am Morticon, the most powerful creature in the underworld," said the blue-and-silver general.

"And I am Necrolai," said the vampire, "We are hoping to please The Master."

"Quiet, the lot of you. Leave him to me," spoke a deep voice from the darkness. The Dragon Keeper turned his head and saw behind him a warrior in a purple suit of armor. Two silver wolves were on his shoulders and a gold "W" was on his chest. A sword and shield were in his hand. The Keeper had heard of him and knew him well.

"Madou Knight Wolzard," said the Keeper, "Just who I was looking for."

"There is no Wolzard here," replied the purple-suited warrior, "Just Koragg the Knight Wolf. What do you request of me, dragonmancer?"

"I'm so glad you asked, Koragg." the Dragon Keeper smirked, "If I know you like I think I do, then you must be having problems with the Magicians of the Five Colors."

"The Mystic Rangers do stop our attacks at every opportunity."

"Then allow me to give you the boost you need."

The Keeper pointed the gnarled tip of his staff at Knight Wolf and slowly whispered four words under his breath. "Ryuu Ryu Uthra Uzaara!" A Madou circle traced itself in black light beneath Koragg as a sphere of energy in the same color shot from the tip of the Dragon Keeper's staff. The orb embedded itself in Koragg's chest; the Knight Wolf lifted into the air.

Koragg yelled out in pain as his wolf shoulder pads dropped to the ground with his shield. His arms and legs became covered in a jet-black chain mail-like armor constructed entirely of scales. Golden plates of protection covered his arms, legs and shoulders. From his arm guards there began to burn two searing bright purple flames. Koragg gripped his sword in both of his hands and landed on the ground.

"What have you done to me?" asked the Knight Wolf whilst looking down at his new form, "My shield…it is like I can no longer use it. But my body feels so…powerful. What kind of witchery have you performed on me, Dragon Keeper? Answer or face the consequences!"

"It's simple, Koragg," hissed the Keeper, "I have cast aside your dark magic for my own. Within you is the fury, the heart and the strength of a dragon. All your abilities have been increased tenfold, and there is another secret I'm keeping for…later. What do you think?"

"DRAGON CUT!" Knight Wolf held his sword in the air and let it down to the ground with a mighty blow. The ground shook as purple flame snaked around the Dragon Keeper and transformed into the shape of a dragon itself. The Keeper silenced the flame with a snap of his fingers and walked up to Knight Wolf.

"Well done, Koragg," he said, "As we speak, the Rangers are being confronted with my beasts. Now is when we begin to plan our attack. The surface world shall fall at the hands of our combined power. We seize the moment, and the moment is NOW!" His proclamation echoed across the underworld, and Udonna could swear she heard it aboveground.

The sorceress and her apprentice believed that the ten magicians were still out fighting the Keeper somewhere in the forest. If only they had known the truth…


The forests of Heroes' Mountain were thick, winding and almost maze-like. Makito plucked berries from the ground as he walked along and stored them in a crude satchel he had fashioned from his boots. Xander displayed extreme caution the whole time; he didn't know what could be lurking out there in the forest. His experience in Briarwood had taught him that.

"What are you collecting berries for?"

"Aniki Salad!" Makito exclaimed.

"Aniki…Salad?"

"It's Makito's specialty! Homegrown on Aniki Farms!"

"Yeah…sure…"

The two greens crawled through the jungle until they came upon a clearing. Xander pushed a large shrubbery aside and saw, glimmering in the Marudeyouna World's eternal morning sunlight, what he and Makito had been sent to find. All there was in the forest glade was a tree stump, but it was the item hovering above the stump that made it all too important.

It was a double-bladed axe. The axe's handle was made of a thick, polished, dark wood with a twisted knob at the end. The blades were constructed of leaves bonded together and made to have their edges be razor-sharp. Green energy radiated outward and lifted Makito and Xander's spirits. Makito gasped and leaned aside to his other self.

"I don't believe it," he elatedly spoke, "That's the Axe of Groungel. It's one of the Five Legendary Saint Weapons…and it's ours. This may be what Rin sent us in search of. Go, Xander, go! It's ours for the taking." Xander, unhesitating, walked into the glade and towards the stump.

The closer he neared the weapon the stronger he felt. Seconds before Xander was to close his hand about the grip, he heard a crashing sound nearby. Makito whispered for him to go ahead and take it anyway. Xander extended his arm and felt a cool mist sweep over his body. He looked up, had his eyes shrink in fear, and ran screaming.

"What is it, Xander?" Makito asked.

"That…" Xander replied.

"That" was a dragon that towered over Makito and Xander. It had a growling black face like that of the Minotaur form both Rangers could assume. Two black horns stuck out from the sides of its head, and two red eyes and rows of sharp, silver teeth made it look all the more scarier. Black and silver armored plating covered its legs and tail, and at the end of the tail was a large, green, axe-like extension.

Two drills protruded from its knees, and the rest of its body was covered in green scales. Black debris coated its translucent green wings. The creature's roar sounded like that of bull crossed with a dragon. It was the Minotaurus Dragon, and, while the Heroes' Mountain hadn't been inhabited for years, Makito and Xander had stepped into its territory. Purely on instinct the green warriors drew their golden phones.

"Chou Mahou Henshin! Maaji Maji Maji Majiiro!"

"Magical Source, Mystic Force! Galwit Mysto Ranger!"

Xander and Makito stand on Groungel's island in Magitopia. A Mahou circle and a Mystic circle, both outlined in green, descend from the heavens spinning around rapidly. They cross over Makito and Xander as the two Taurus symbols interlock. Groungel himself rises from the center of the circles and strikes his familiar pose with Xander and Makito. Green energy surges up their bodies and forms the basis of the suit. Xander and Makito have their helmets and capes form as they leap in front of the Taurus symbol and strike a final pose.

Makito's transformation took a second longer than Xander's as he entered into Legend Mode. The Minotaurus Dragon glanced down at the Rangers. A green Legend circle appeared behind the pair as they announced their names and purposes to their enemy.

"Unwavering as the land!" Xander shouted.

"The color of resolution, supporting all!" Makito added.

The two announced together, "GREEN GROUND!"

"We know what we have to do," Makito said, "Get the Axe of Groungel and smash that dragon into nothing. If anything, he's sent by the Keeper to interrupt our quest."

"Or there's Plan Xander," interrupted the Green Mystic Ranger, "I can reason with him."

Xander approached the Minotaurus Dragon and held out his Magi Staff. "Hello, I'm Xander. Minotaurus Dragon, I was wondering if it would be possible for a lizard such as yourself to…" the Dragon raised its foot into the air and kneed for Xander with the drill bit attached. Xander ducked in preparation of his defeat, but quickly realized death would have to wait.

"GOLU MAAJI!" Makito, his chest transformed into solid rock, had borne the brunt of the hit. Makito commanded two nearby boulders to slam into the Minotaurus Dragon's eyes then rolled out of the way. Xander decided now was the time to get serious. His Magi Staff's "M" slid up, changed in shape and grew in size to become…

"Magi Staff, Axe Mode!" Xander slammed the Axe into the ground and sent it at the dragon. His armor plating absorbed the hit. Makito raised his DialRod into the air and sounded his signature spell. "Jiruma Majika!" From the trees vines shot forth and ensnared the Minotaurus Dragon around its legs. The Dragon was bound now, but still incredibly powerful. It flapped its wings and created a storm of debris that reduced visibility to almost nothing.

Makito, while squinting and looking through his helmet's bull-shaped visor could make out something among the flying sand and rocks. It was a green glow that was still visible in the darkness. "The Axe of Groungel…" he strained. "Xander...sway that tree and clear the storm."

"Got it, mate," Xander replied, "Magi Staff…do your thing!"

From the tip of Xander's Magi Staff came a bright green glow. The trees in the forest rocked back and forth and created a gust of wind that cleared the path. Makito crawled through and grasped Groungel's Axe in his hands. His body was overflowing with power now; he could feel the energy of the heavenly world coursing through him. The spell to use the Axe came at once to his mind.

"GOO MAJIKA!" Makito yelled, "Green Ground Destroyer!" He leapt into the air and had an avatar of Groungel materialize behind him. The sharp blades of the Axe of Groungel cut the Minotaurus Dragon's neck from its body, and the creature let out a deafening roar. Makito landed beside Xander as the two did a high-five on their victory.

"Checkmate!" The dust storm died down, but the feeling of unnatural calm had yet to fade from the woodland area. Something was still afoot in the forests of Heroes' Mountain.


Houka and Vida had been teleported to just outside the forest's boundaries where a field of flowers lay. Cherry blossom trees were in full bloom, and a soulfully-calming scent was present in the air. Houka was in something close to paradise while Vida was still moping about her choice of wardrobe.

"It would be cute if it were white or…something other than pink," Vida mused, "I'm digging the 'ninja' thing, but otherwise it's kind of blegh."

"Stop being so pouty," Houka sprightly chimed in, "You're going to be wearing pink as long as you're a Ranger, so you may as well learn to love it. Houka-chan…" Houka stopped in mid-sentence. Her eyes were open in shock; she collapsed to her knees and quickly stepped up again.

"What is it?" Vida scratched her head.

"The…Sai of Wingel!" Houka screamed, "YAHOO!"

Faster than a gale force wind the Magician of the Pink skipped across the flower fields and snatched the Sai from the large flower it lay within. Houka scanned the weapon and squealed with delight. This was her Heavenly Saint Weapon, and the power it granted made her feel as though a simple jump could lift her one hundred feet into the air.

"Houka…" Vida trembled, "Not…good…"

"Smile, Vida!" Houka said happily, "The Sai of Wingel is ours at last!"

"That's not what I was talking about…" the short-haired girl stammered yet again. Houka turned her head upwards towards the sun and saw what Vida had been pointing out to her. Houka gulped and ran to Vida's side.

Vida glared, "I TOLD you!"

What had scared the Pink Magicians was a grotesque, menacing dragon now glaring down at them. The dragon had a pink-scaled body covered in white and silver armoring. Its wings were like that of a fairy's, except one swipe of these could create a hurricane-force wind. Beady yellow eyes were on its face, and the tail had a pink-and-silver dagger-like extension at the end. Its name was the Storm Dragon, and it had come for the pink warriors.

"Houka, NOW!" Vida turned to her counterpart.

"Pose of determination, Houka-chan version up!" she replied.

"Magical Source, Mystic Force! Galwit Mysto Ranger!"

"Chou Mahou Henshin! Maaji Maji Maji Majiiro!"

Houka and Vida stand on the clouds on Wingel's island in Magitopia. A Mahou circle and a Mystic circle, both outlined in pink, descend from the heavens rapidly spinning. They cross over Houka and Vida's bodies as the fairy symbols interlock. Wingel rises from the center and strikes the same pose as Houka and Vida. Pink energy runs up their bodies and forms the basis of their suits. The two pink magicians leap into the air and have their helmet and cape form. They land in front of a glowing fairy symbol and strike a final pose.

When Houka's Legend transformation finished seconds later she and Vida posed in front of a pink Legend circle. While it was unlikely that the Storm Dragon was one for talk, the pinks were to announce their name anyway. They felt the motivation and the will to do so.

"Refreshing as the wind!" announced Vida.

"The color of hope, carrying dreams!" Houka said excitedly.

They declared together, "PINK STORM!"

Vida pulled out her Magi Staff and transformed it to her own special mode. "Magi Staff – Sai Mode!" The sword tip extended about a third of the way, and the "M" moved up to the same position Nick's always did. With a flourish of pink energy and a pose, Vida prepared to combat the Storm Dragon on her own terms. "Galwit Mysto Aerotan!" Vida's Mystic Racer came to her side.

Vida piloted herself into the air and slammed down with her Sai. She thought the Storm Dragon would fall, but one swipe of the creature's claws sent her flying backwards. "MagiBolt!" Houka dialed "1" on her DialRod and created a gust of wind. The Storm Dragon flapped its wings and sent Houka slamming into the trunk of a sakura tree. Vida, the dragon's claw propelling her, hit Houka equally as hard.

"Vida, you may be arrogant…" Houka said hesitantly.

"…and you may be too cutesy," Vida added.

"But…" Houka started.

"What?"

"I think you're the only one who can get the Sai of Wingel. Glide your Mystic Racer underneath the Storm Dragon's belly and retrieve it. I need to stay here and prepare for an attack."

"If it'll get me out of this mess, I'll do it."

Vida jumped on her Racer yet again and climbed high into the sky. The force of the wind itself drove her, and just as Vida reached her apex she turned the nose of the rocket broom down and swooped past the Storm Dragon's head. She plucked the Sai of Wingel from where it stood and narrowly avoided the dragon's tail before landing a safe distance away and reconciling with Houka.

"What's our plan?" Vida asked.

"We both transform," Houka said, "Take both Sais and let me glide you in the right direction. This is the only way we can win."

"You sure?"

"The Sai of Wingel is strong enough to cut its skin. We just need enough force to make it happen. I think it's coming for us…NOW!"

"Right!"

"Changing! Maaji Majiiro!" Houka waved her DialRod around her body and transformed, in a burst of pink light, into a circus-style cannon. "Houka-chan Cannon!" Vida made the same motion with her Magi Staff and watched as her cape spread into a magnificent pink pair of butterfly wings. Vida folded her wings across her body, slid into Houka, and readied her weapons. The Sai of Wingel was in her left hand and the Magi Staff Sai was in her right. Vida gave a thumbs-up.

"Pink Storm Hurricane!" Houka and Vida spoke together. Houka-chan Cannon launched Vida at incredible speeds. Vida's wings spread to their full breadth as she pierced the Storm Dragon through its neck. She blasted out the tail end of the beast and circled around to Houka. Both girls resumed normal form. The Storm Dragon exploded and left an air of pink wind swirling where it had once stood.

"We won!" Houka exclaimed. She did her pose once more. "Pose of determination, Houka-chan version up! Checkmate!"

"…it's not over yet," Vida whispered, "I can tell it isn't."


Madison and Urara were at the edge of the sparkling blue waters of the lake near Heroes' Mountain. This was their destination. They didn't know what waited in the depths, but they were going to take the risk. Urara pointed her MagiPhone at the shoreline and entered the spell code "0-6". "Maji Majiiro," she said. A blue Mahou circle traced itself out on the water's surface.

"What's that for?" Madison inquired.

"We can only breathe underwater for so long," Urara explained, "Step in and see what this spell does. I found it in a book of water-based spells shortly before I was pulled away to your dimension."

"Is it safe?"

"Go ahead, step in."

Madison took off her shoes and placed one foot into the circle. Something warm was surrounding her toes, and Madison was curious to see what it was. She walked a short distance back and jumped into the air. Madison folded her legs inward and fell through the circle where she landed in the deep lake with a splash. She didn't feel any different, but a look down at her body proved otherwise.

Madison's legs had transformed into a turquoise-blue mermaid tail that splashed around in the water. Urara stepped through the Mahou circle and underwent the same transformation. Madison quickly discovered she could now breathe underwater, and tucked her Mystic Morpher under her shoulder. Urara, a bubbly tone now to her voice, ushered Madison to follow her.

Down into the depths the Blue Magicians swam. Madison performed some underwater flips while Urara repeatedly checked her MagiPhone for any signs of unsual energy. A beautiful, multicolored coral reef appeared beneath them, and a dim blue light was seen hovering above a nearby underwater canyon. The two mermaids swam closer. What they saw was exactly what they had been expecting to see.

"The Trident of Splagel," Urara said, "There it is."

The Trident, like all other Heavenly Saint Weapons, was finely crafted and ornately beautiful. It was made of a blue metal with silver and white trim around the edges. The three prongs at the end resembled a fishtail, and the bottom of the trident had a turquoise gemstone embedded within. It was in plain sight, but bubbles were rising from the bottom of the canyon. A low growl could be heard. Madison and Urara drifted silently in the peaceful waters.

Then out from the canyon burst another dragon with a crashing roar. It had iridescent wings like a fish's fins and blue scales. A three-pronged tail and body coated in silver armor only served to make it more fearsome. Its name was the Water Dragon; it was an aquatic-dwelling creature that lived in this lake, and now had two tresspassers in view of its yellow eyes. The dragon sent a blue beam from its mouth. The beam hit just as Madison and Urara transformed.

"Chou Mahou Henshin! Maaji Maji Maji Majiiro!"

"Magical Source, Mystic Force! Galwit Mysto Ranger!"

Madison and Urara stand on top of the waterfall on Splagel's island in Magitopia. A Mahou and Mystic circle, outlined in blue, spin and cross over their bodies. The circles rotate until their mermaid symbols interlock. Splagel rises and strikes a pose with Madison and Urara as blue energy surges up their bodies and forms their suits. The helmets and capes are created. Madison and Urara have the mermaid symbol appear behind them and strike a final pose.

In front of a blue Legend circle, once Urara had gone to Legend Mode, the girls announced themselves. Their fishtail remained on their bodies while their upper halves had taken on their familiar spandex-clad Ranger form.

"Pure as water!" Madison sounded.

"The color of affection, possessing rustic beauty!" Urara continued.

The two finished with a crashing call of "BLUE SPLASH!"

Madison quickly gained control of her tail and darted around to the back of the dragon. She tossed her cape aside and gave herself greater freedom of motion in the depths. Blue light engulfed her Magi Staff as she called out "Magi Staff, Trident Mode!" The "M" slid up, folded upward and increased in size like on Xander's Axe; the sword tip extended about halfway to form the center prong. Urara kept her DialRod at the ready.

"Maaji Golu Gojika!" Urara dialed "1" on her DialRod and aimed it at the Water Dragon, "Fantastic Splash!" A massive underwater wave rose up and swept the dragon off its feet. Madison launched three beams of energy from the prongs of her Magi Staff Trident and watched as the beams united into one and hit the dragon on its spine. Large, white teeth were now snapping in her direction. Madison stabbed the dragon in one of its eyes and told Urara to come up with a plan while she kept the lady dragon at bay.

Urara descended into the canyon, grabbing the Trident of Splagel along the way, and found a pearl rather large in diameter. She touched her hand to the iridescent sphere, and, with the Trident of Splagel, whispered an incantation. "Maji Maji Jijiru. Tell me what the future holds for us on this quest." Urara's mind became as dark as the deepest trench. Then an image appeared.

It was five humanoid figures, each wielding a weapon resembling one of the Heavenly Saint Weapons. Whether they had the Legend Power or not was indecipherable; a malicious laugh could be heard in the background of the vision. Urara snapped from her meditation and called out to Madison. "MADISON! Join with me! I have a plan!"

The Blue Mystic Ranger swum to Urara's side as she activated another spell with her DialRod. "Maji Maji Gojika!" A drill of water shot from the tip of the DialRod and propelled the Water Dragon to the surface where it began to flail about. Urara next pointed the DialRod downwards and recited the spell once more. The feeling was quick and sudden; in less than a second Madison and Urara were jetting to the surface on a high-pressure stream of water.

Madison stabbed the dragon in its other eye with her Magi Staff Trident and gave the thumbs-up to Urara. Urara, hesitating based on her vision, heroically leapt from the top of the geyser-like stream and stabbed through the Water Dragon's body with the Trident of Splagel. "BLUE SPLASH CRUSHER!" Urara and Madison bobbed on the surface, their tails happily splashing about, and high-fived on their victory.

An eerie calm fell over the lake.


Dark clouds, flashing with lightning, hovered over the rocky valley. They were always there. Chip and Tsubasa slowly trod through the sands in their moccasins, looking at the cacti and desert hills that surrounded them. Chip eyed a rocky peak on the distance and started yelling to his counterpart. Tsubasa had been gathering supplies on the long walk and preparing for a potion. He knew he would need it for the upcoming battle.

"TSUBASA!" Chip yelled, "TSUBASA!"

An aggravated Tsubasa replied, "What, Chip?"

"Is…is that a real Garuda?"

"Where?"

"Over there."

Something yellow and bird-like was visible on a peak in the distance. Tsubasa dug a hole into the clay with his hands and told Chip to go ahead and investigate. "I have other things I must attend to," he said, "Report back to me if you find anything. Finally, DON'T. TOUCH. We don't know much about this Marudeyouna World, and anything could be potentially dangerous."

"I'll keep that in mind. Mysto Aerotan!" Chip called for his broomstick and took off across the landscape towards that bird creature on the rock. The skies continued to flash, but there was no sign of rain at any point. When Chip approached the Garuda he found it to be much larger than anticipated…and not really a Garuda at all. In truth, it more resembled a dragon of sorts.

Yellow scales formed armor plating about the creature's body, and its tail ended in a bow-like formation. Silver armor covered its legs, and the head of it much resembled Chip's Titan Zord form. Two large, sharp silver spikes jutted from its shoulders. Bolts of lightning crackled from its wings, and when it saw Chip approaching the Thunder Dragon turned its head and launched a bolt of electricity at the man on the broomstick. Chip almost died of fear, but pressed onward.

He swooped about the skies avoiding bolt after bolt until he neared a peak even higher than the one the Thunder Dragon had been perched atop. Resting on a stalagmite and rotating about with a yellow glow was a shining golden crossbow. A golden metal rod made up the main body, and a "V"-shaped end with golden etchings, rather like a knight's visor, topped it off. Chip sensed it was the Bow of Volgel, and hastily grabbed it in his midair flight.

Chip pointed the weapon at the steady Thunder Dragon and tried to fire, but the power of it was too much for him. He fell off his broom and landed on the ground. "Jinga Majiiro." Tsubasa had just completed his potion and turned to Chip.

"I see you have the bow. Now let's transform."

"I was just about to say that."

"Glad you didn't."

"Chou Mahou Henshin! Maaji Maji Maji Majiiro!"

"Magical Source, Mystic Force! Galwit Mysto Ranger!"

Tsubasa and Chip stand on Volgel's island in Magitopia. A yellow Mahou and Mystic circle descend, rapidly rotating, and cross over the two's bodies. The circles spin until their respective Garuda symbols interlock. Volgel himself rises and strikes a familiar pose alongside Tsubasa and Chip. Yellow energy surges up the two's bodies and forms the basis of their suits. Their helmets materialize and capes billow out to complete the transformation. They land in front of a glowing Garuda symbol and strike a pose.

Once Tsubasa had attained Legend Mode the two posed in front of a yellow Legend circle. The Thunder Dragon was fast approaching and their time was slowly decreasing. They had to take action now.

"Sparking like lightning!" Chip announced enthusiastically.

"The color of intelligence, gifted with wit," added Tsubasa calmly.

With a final sounding off they declared "YELLOW THUNDER!"

"Magi Staff, Crossbow Mode!"

"Goo Majiiro! DialRod Bow Gun!"

Both weapons assumed a familiar crossbow mode while the Bow of Volgel remained embedded in the ground. The Thunder Dragon flapped its wings and sent bolts of lightning down from the sky. Chip and Tsubasa held their weapons to the air and absorbed the bolts to launch them back at the birdlike beast at twice the power. From out of the dark blue sky came another bolt; Tsubasa fell to his knees.

"Tsubasa!" Chip called, "Are you okay?"

"I'm just fine…" Tsubasa's voice was becoming increasingly more impassioned. The Magician of the Yellow dropped his helmet for a brief second and held out his hand. "Luludo!" Tsubasa called. In his hand appeared a small crystal vial containing a sparkling golden-yellow liquid. Tsubasa uncorked the vial and downed the liquid in one gulp before letting his helmet rematerialize.

"What was that?" Chip asked.

"Quickness Elixir," Tsubasa snapped his fingers, "watch." Nearly as fast as lightning itself Tsubasa raced to the top of the rock where the Thunder Dragon had been and called "MagiBolt!" A beam of lighting shot from his DialRod Bow Gun and struck the dragon in the back. Chip fired two beams from his Magi Staff Crossbow and blasted the dragon on the inside of its mouth.

"Potions, I see," Chip nodded.

"You're not bad yourself, newbie," Tsubasa nodded.

"…is the Bow of Volgel supposed to hover on its own?"

"It's doing WHAT?"

The Bow raised itself from the ground and turned upright before aiming itself at the Thunder Dragon; it was as though an invisible pair of hands was holding it. Lightning crackled and a translucent avatar of Volgel himself appeared around the weapon. He nodded to Tsubasa and Chip. Both understood what the golden-armored knight wanted. Three crossbows were aimed at the shocked Thunder Dragon.

"Gonga Majika!" they spoke together, "Yellow Thunder Triple Spark!"

The Bow of Volgel, Magi Staff Crossbow and DialRod Bow Gun ignited at their tips with sparks of lightning. The sparks shot out in three bolts that united into one massive beam of electricity and light. The Thunder Dragon opened its mouth, only to find the beam piercing down its throat and out its back. It collapsed to the ground and exploded in a burst of light and energy.

"We won! Awesome!" Chip exclaimed.

"Like I said, be careful," Tsubasa commented, "It's not over with yet." The Bow of Volgel fell into the sand once more before Tsubasa took it into his hands. He had a feeling he would need its power sooner rather than later.


Kai and Nick's journey had, reasonably, been the longest and most difficult. They hiked up the magnificent mountain on the horizon under their own power. No cycles and no Sky Hokis were involved. When they reached the top they found a stone archway that led into the cave's depths. Further in and further down they went; it became noticeably hotter. Conversation was kept to a minimum, as the two leaders still had animosity over the fight with the Dragon Keeper some time ago.

"Ozu, you're too reckless;" Nick said, "Too hot-headed to be of any use to Briarwood. If we're going into this volcano, we're only doing it because Rin said so. Otherwise I'm here to get in, get out, and never expect to see you again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Still lacking the courage, I see," Kai commented as he stood behind. His knight armor was starting to become swelteringly hot in the volcano, but he persevered. "Nick, you have to learn to be a leader. I know that being with people for long isn't how you work, but if you can't even get along with someone who is, by all means, you, then I'm afraid you're going to be lost forever."

Further down they went. Kai charged ahead and skidded to a halt on a rocky cliff. Debris tumbled into the fiery pit of magma bubbling below him. Nick walked to Kai's side and looked across the circular room's vast expanse. He could just make out something on the other side. It was the last of the Heavenly Saint Weapons. It was…

The Sword of Flagel. A transparent red blade shaped like fire rose from the black, igneous grip. Veins of magma were still visible in the handle, and silver metal trimmed the edges. It was truly a beautiful sight, but sadly, just out of reach of the Red Magicians. Kai nodded to Nick and told him that if they were to use their magic to its fullest they would have to transform.

"Okay, Ozu," Nick said, "but just this once and never again."

"I understand, Nick. Chou Mahou Henshin! Maaji Maji Maji Majiiro!"

"Magical Source, Mystic Force! Galwit Mysto Ranger!"

Kai and Nick stand on the rim of the volcano that makes up Flagel's island in Magitopia. A red Mahou and Mystic circle descend, rapidly spinning, and cross over the two's bodies. The symbols spin until their Phoenix symbols interlock. Flagel himself rises from the center and strikes his pose alongside the red warriors. The basis of their suits, quickly followed by helmets and capes, materialize. Kai and Nick land in front of a glowing phoenix symbol and strike a final stance.

"Spirited as flame!" Nick announced hesitantly.

"The color of passion with a burning heart!" Kai added spiritedly.

The two finished together, "RED FIRE!"

Nick called for his MagiStaff and transformed it to Sword Mode. The blade extended forth and the "M" lifted up. Kai kept his DialRod in tow. He aimed for a row of stalactites on the ceiling and slammed his Rod into the wall. One by one the stalactites fell in puzzle-like formation to create a bridge across the magma gap. But it wasn't a steady bridge; Kai knew how to get around this.

"Stalactites, take the form of a bridge! JIRUMA MAJIIRO!" Kai slammed his DialRod into the ground and watched as red magic rippled outward. The rock spikes took on a metallic sheen one by one, and sturdy metal bars appeared at their edges. It was a bridge that could withstand the heat and was firmly connected to the rocks at either end. Slowly, Kai and Nick started across.

The bridge was still wobbly, but it held up well. Nick, not yet knowing to control his loner, rebellious style of recklessness, charged ahead to the volcanic stone the Sword of Flagel was embedded in. He sheathed his Magi Staff Sword around his belt and grabbed the igneous handle of the Sword of Flagel. He wanted this quest to finish as soon as humanly possible.

"Nick!" Kai screamed, "CAREFUL!"

"I'm just pulling a sword from the stone."

"That's not what I'm warning you about."

Kai had heard the rumbling below him, and his senses told the truth when a mighty scaled creature broke forth and destroyed the other half of the bridge; this left Nick stranded with the Sword of Flagel. The creature in question was the Fury Dragon. Its body was coated in tough, red scales. Gold and silver armored plating covered its legs, tail and wings, and the wings themselves extended forth in red flame. Its head was like a dragonized version of Kai's MagiPhoenix form; its roar pierced the heat of the cave.

"I see now," Nick wielded both swords in hand and wondered what he could do. Kai had an idea, but was unsure if Nick could do it. Nick dodged the Fury Dragon's claws and narrowly escaped having rocks clawed off the wall fall on his head. In a moment of daring heroicness, Nick leapt onto the Fury Dragon's head and ran down its neck. He now stood on its back and was no more than inches away from the wings of searing-hot flame.

"FATAL BLADE!" Kai called.

"What?" Nick yelled back, "What did you say, Ozu?"

"If you want to prove to me you have the courage, the yuuki," Kai responded, "Use Fatal Blade with the Sword of Flagel and your MagiSti…Magi Staff! I…I know you can!"

"What's 'Fatal Blade'?"
"You'll see! Yuuki will bring out the magic in you!"

"Stop babbling and tell me what to do!"

"USE BOTH YOUR SWORDS AT ONCE!"

Nick struggled to keep his hold on the Fury Dragon. He grabbed onto the golden armor on the creature's wings as the dragon flew about the cavern in an attempt to buck him off. The dragon jerked upward and sent Nick sliding towards his tail. Nick plunged his Magi Staff Sword into the scales of the creature. The Fury Dragon roared a painful roar. Nick stuck the Sword of Flagel into the dragon's scales somewhere above, and kept alternating swords until he was firmly on its back again. He heard something spark within him.

"I know what to do," Nick whispered, "Fatal Blade."

He crossed both swords at their blades and struck a pose with his feet. Nick pulled the swords backward and separated them as he swung his right foot outward. With the force of a Magitopian warrior the Red Mystic Ranger leapt into the air and came down with a crash. He stabbed both swords through the Fury Dragon and roared "RED FIRE FATAL BLADE!" As he fell towards the magma he activated the aura of phoenix fire around his body and flew onto the bridge. The flame dissipated. The dragon fell into the pit. Kai congratulated Nick.

"We won!" Kai exclaimed, "Fatal Blade saves the day!"

"Thanks, Ozu," Nick said, "I appreciate it."

One last spurt of flame launched from the magma; a red-hot coal situated itself near the stone where the Sword of Flagel had once been. It exploded into a flame, but the Red Magicians paid it no mind. It appeared as though someone, or something, was in the flame; it may have been human. A golden-toed boot stepped out from the fire and let a column of steam hiss from the floor.

"Red Magicians…don't think I'm finished just yet."