Chapter 74 Darkness Falls

Ryan, Zelda and Kimberly are still outside talking about Nakia.

Ryan-She dumped me like I was yesterday's garbage.

Zelda-Ryan, I don't understand this..

Ryan-Then I'll explain it..

He says in a sarcastic tone now.

Ryan-While she supposedly went out shopping with you two, she really snuck off to meet Jacques.. The guy she adores..

Kimberly protests.

Kimberly-That is so wrong.. She was with us!

Ryan-No need to cover up for her..

Zelda-Kimberly is telling the truth.

Ryan thinks for a minute.

Ryan-But she was at the auto shop with Jacques, basically telling me what a loser I am.

Zelda-I don't believe that.. She was with us when you were at the auto shop. She tried to get in contact with you because of Jacques.

Ryan-To tell me what?

Zelda-To tell you about the annoying calls he was making to her.

Ryan-Hmm. Why didn't she say something about it before I went to the auto shop?

Zelda-She didn't want you to worry..

Kimberly-Believe us Ryan, something fishy is going on..

Ryan thinks again and remembers that when he seen Nakia, she was wearing a long yellow dress that he had never seen before. He asks Zelda.

Ryan-Zelda, what time did you all go shopping yesterday?

Zelda-Well we got there around 1.. And Nakia mentioned Jacques to us when we got to the shoe department.. And it was about 2:30 at the time..

Ryan remembers at exactly 2:30 he and Todd took a break. He then looked out and saw Nakia, or something resembling her. He then asks Zelda.

Ryan-Was she wearing a long yellow dress?

Zelda-No.. not at all.

Ryan slams his hand onto the hood of his car..

Zelda-What is it?

Ryan-Damn it! I was tricked then! Come on we have got to find her!

Zelda and Kimberly-Right!

They take off in Ryan's car and drive over to Nakia's house. They all get out of the car when Zelda looks up and sees Lightwing appearing flying by the car. He stops as he continues to flap his wings and says.

Lightwing-Oh Rangers thank goodness I found you! Nakia has been taken to another dimension.

They all gasp.. Zelda asks.

Zelda-What dimension?

Lightwing-The dimension of dark resurrection.

Kimberly-Dark resurrection?

Lightwing-Yes.. It is the dimension of which any evil spirit can return to this physical world..

Ryan-But how?

Lightwing-They can only return if a host is provided.

They all gasp again.

In the dimension a woman's voice is heard as if the entire area is being shielded by it and says.

Woman Voice-Artissimo make sure the Rangers are kept busy! I don't want any interruptions!

Artissimo says.

Artissimo-As you wish..

Back with the others. Two beams of streaked light appear in the sky, one blue and the other green.. The lights land near Ryan and the others and slowly form into Joey and Chet. Joey has on today blue jeans, a white t shirt, a blue jean outer shirt and tennis shoes. Chet is wearing green pants, a turquoise shirt and tennis shoes.

They are told everything.. Ryan then starts to think of Jacques.. He turns on his communicator and speaks to Jeremy.

Ryan-Jeremy do you know where Jacques is?

Jeremy responds.

Jeremy-I can find out.

Ryan-All right do that.. I have a feeling he's majorly involved or at least has a part in all of this.

After a few seconds Jeremy gets an answer from his scanner and says to Ryan.

Jeremy-Hmm he's not around either.. At all.

Ryan-Okay. That's all I needed to know.

Ryan turns off his communicator.. He looks at his friends and says.

Ryan-I have a feeling I know where Jacques is..

Zelda-Do you think he's one of those surges?

Ryan-No doubt in my mind.

Lightwing-Rangers I can open a portal that will take you directly to Nakia.

Ryan-All right..

Lightwing begins to flap his wings even more, but before anything happens.. A large band of demon knights appear from out of the ground under the Rangers.

The Rangers move backward but stay together.. Ryan steps forward and says.

Ryan-We don't have time to deal with these things!

Chet-We'll manage.

Ryan says to the others.

Ryan-Time to morph!

They all agree.

Ryan then says sternly..

Ryan-You guys ready?

They all say together.

Everyone-Ready!

Ryan-Then lets do it!

They stick out their right arms out to their left sides, then they swing them around once to bring them back to their right sides. Now they pull their arms back and push them forward as they all yell out together.

Everyone-STARLIGHT POWER!

Everyone finds themselves in an essence of the Universe. First a red star appears and swirls all around Ryan, it leaves its red power residue all over Ryan's body as it attaches itself to the center of his chest. With the attachment finished a heavy explosion appears and surrounds Ryan completely, and then a transparent red image of Ryan's red dragon appears. The explosion vanishes as the transparent image of the dragon forms itself onto Ryan's body. His body then glows brightly red as he is now transformed into the Red Star Force Power Ranger.

Next, a pink star appears and swirls all around Zelda, it then leaves its pink power residue all over her body as it now attaches itself to the center of her chest. An explosion flares up and covers Zelda completely as an image of her pink panther appears. The explosion dies down as the image forms all onto Zelda's body. Afterwards she starts glowing brightly pink as she has now become the Pink Star Force Power Ranger.

A white star appears and swirls all around Kimberly's body. After leaving its power residue it attaches itself to the center of Kimberly's chest which soon after all of this causes an explosion that soon disappears after a transparent image of Kimberly's white phoenix appears and forms onto her body. Her body then glows brightly white as she has been transformed into the White Star Force Power Ranger.

Next, a blue star appears and swirls around as well as leave its energy all on Joey's body. It attaches itself to the center of his chest and this causes a huge explosion to completely engulf Joey's body. Very soon after an image of Joey's saw shark appears and forms onto his body as the explosion leaves. Joey has finally been transformed into the Blue Star Force Power Ranger and his body glows brightly blue.

And last but not least, a green star appears and swirls around Chet. It leaves it green power residue on his body as it attaches to the center of his chest. Soon the gem causes an explosion that flares up and covers Chet completely. Now as all of this happens an image of a green crocodile appears. The explosion dies down as the image forms all onto his body. A few seconds later, he starts glowing brightly green as he now completely becomes the Green Star Force Power Ranger.

The Power Rangers quickly summon their soul powers.. The demon knights come rushing towards them as the Red Ranger yells out.

Red Ranger-SOUL BLIND FURY!

The Rangers stand together as their bodies superbly glow. Soon the entire area fills with a super burning light that incinerates all of the demon knights. Only thing heard are fading screeches. Soon the burning glowing light fades away.

Lightwing says to the Power Rangers.

Lightwing-Rangers you must hurry.. I fear the Yellow Ranger's life is in great danger..

The Red Ranger steps up and says.

Red Ranger-You just get us there.. And we'll take care of the rest.

Lightwing-Consider it done.

Lightwing flaps his wings faster than ever, and this causes a magical discharge that forms into a glittery power. The power forms right in the middle of the street into a portal. Lightwing says.

Lightwing-Go Rangers, and return safely!

The Power Rangers all nod and one by one they leap into the portal.. When they step out on the other side, they see the entire area covered by dead trees and mist. The Pink Ranger is the first to comment.

Pink Ranger-Eww what an ugly place.

White Ranger-That's an understatement.

Green Ranger-Where do we start looking?

The Blue Ranger takes out his compact computer and begins typing instructions. They wait as he waits for his computer to give him an answer. A few minutes pass and soon it beeps. He looks at the results and tells the others.

Blue Ranger-We've got to go straight.. Just stay north from where we're standing now.

Red Ranger-Right.. So lets go..

They all nod in agreement again.. And so they begin to walk.. Meanwhile within the cavern, Nakia is still in chains as her body lays on a very large stone. The same woman's voice is heard again in the shadows.

Woman Voice-Artissimo you fool! The Power Rangers are here!

Artissimo-But your grandness I thought the knights took care of them.

Woman Voice-BEGIN THE CEREMONY NOW!

Artissimo-Yes, your grandness.

Artissimo uses his powers and zaps Nakia with them. Soon her entire color begins to fade and her body begins to turn gray. She says.

Nakia-Ughh I feel weak..

Artissimo-Of course you do! Your energy is fading and will be given to my master.. And your carcass will form into a door way which will allow her to walk through again! But that's not all.. She will soon take your entire form so that she may be whole again! Hahaha!

The Power Rangers continue their walk through the dark path.. They keep going north till they reach an unfamiliar cavern.. The Blue Ranger looks at his computer as it beeps and says.

Blue Ranger-She's inside of this place.. My computer has her life readings but…

The Red Ranger asks.

Red Ranger-But what?!

Blue Ranger-Her life readings are very low..

Red Ranger-Oh man! Come on, lets get in there!

The Rangers rush into the cavern, soon after going through several rooms, they make it to the main place.. They see Nakia laying on the stone and looking gray. They also notice a picture hovering over her and there on the ground an unconscious Jacques. The White Ranger gasps.

The Red Ranger starts running towards Nakia, that is until an invisible force knocks him back towards the others. He hit's the ground with a hard smack.

Red Ranger-UGH!

The Power Rangers see Artissimo appear right next to Nakia.. He says to them.

Artissimo-I can't let you interfere Power Rangers!

The others help the Red Ranger back on his feet.. He says in a slightly weak tone.

Red Ranger-Let her go, now!

The woman's voice speaks.

Woman Voice-Artissimo finish them now!

Artissimo-As you command your grandness.

Artissimo attempts to blast the Rangers with his power, but they all leap out of the way.. Before he knows it, all of the Rangers have leaped up into the air. First the Red and Green Rangers deliver a flying raging punch.. Then, both the Pink and White Rangers extend their legs out and give him a super kick, and last but not least the Blue Ranger attaches his legs to Artissimo's head.. He gets a firm grip and flips him over. Artissimo grunts angrily as he struggles to get back up on his feet.

Artissimo-Ughhh you'll regret attacking me Power Rangers!

Soon the Power Rangers regroup and see a beam from the picture extend and reach down towards Nakia. The Pink Ranger exclaims.

Pink Ranger-We have to do something!

The Red Ranger comes up with an idea and says.

Red Ranger-Weapons now! Aim for the painting everyone!

They all materialize their weapons.. They hold them up together as he gives another command.

Red Ranger-FIRE!

The Power Rangers fire blasts from their weapons towards the painting. Soon they find out their efforts to stop it are useless. They all gasp at once and stop firing.

Red Ranger-Damn!

Green Ranger-It didn't work!

Pink Ranger-We've got to keep trying!

Blue Ranger-Yeah, blast it again!

Then the White Ranger sees a spot where a stone pole is erected right across from where Nakia is laying, she shouts out.

White Ranger-Wait!

She thinks quickly and says.

White Ranger-I've got an idea!

Green Ranger-What is it?

White Ranger-I'm going to fire a super hot arrow..

She points it at the spot, but the other Rangers make the mistake of thinking she is aiming it at Nakia.

Red Ranger-Hey what are you doing?!

White Ranger-Trust me, I know what I'm doing!

Red Ranger-But..

She fires her arrow and it pass right over Nakia.. Soon the arrow hit's the stone pole and causes the entire cavern to shake.

The Red Ranger quickly rushes over to grab Nakia off of the stone, while the Blue and Green Rangers get Jacques back up on his feet. They hear the same woman's voice.

Woman Voice-Noo! Noo!

Soon they all rush out of the cavern as the inside start to crumble even more.

With the Power Rangers gone.. Artissimo manages to get up, he says in a apologetic tone as the place continues to rumble..

Artissimo-Please forgive me.. Your host is gone..

Woman Voice-No.. only a minor set back. If you had begun earlier, the Rangers would of never succeeded!

Artissimo-I know.. Forgive me.. I will find you another host.

Woman Voice-Oh but I already have a host in mind.

Artissimo-Who?

Woman Voice-YOU!

Artissimo screams out as a drilling multicolored beam emerges from the painting. It drills right into his body and causes it to melt very quickly.

The Rangers make it outside.. Nakia wakes up and soon her color returns to her.. Jacques wakes up too but with no memory of what happened.

They all rest about 30 feet away from the cavern.. Nakia looks up at the Red Ranger and starts to say something, but all he says is.

Red Ranger-We'll talk about it later babe.

She nods and hugs him tightly, when they let go the Red Ranger then turns on his communicator to call Lightwing but soon a humongous explosion gets everyone's attention. And something very evil and hideous and LARGE is about to step out of that same explosion.. The Power Rangers begin to have a fear that they have never had before..