Mumei wasn't really sure what she expected. When Omega said to follow them somewhere, Mumei assumed they meant to a physical location. That was only logical, after all. In retrospect, however, that didn't really make a lot of sense. Realistically, there was nowhere in a place like Sydney that a mysterious whatever-they-were like Omega could remain undetected. Someone would find them eventually. Most societies were good at uncovering secrets. That in mind, what place within the city limits could the five companions really go?
Instead of leading them to a secret base, Omega had instead taken them to a place roughly two miles away from the epicenter of their battle. Once there, they waved their hand. A trail of sparkles followed the gesture, even more colorful than the ones that had transformed the girls moments before. They expanded to encompass all six of them. A flash of light, and they no longer were standing in the city street.
And, again, Mumei didn't know what she expected. It certainly was not, however, a sanitary hallway. White walls, ceilings, and tile floors, it looked a lot like a hospital. Indeed, if not for the complete lack of doors anywhere in sight, Mumei would have assumed it was. On either end the corridor stretched on for maybe a hundred feet before giving way to white light. This illumination was not overpowering, though it did obscure whatever lay beyond.
"Teleportation. Great," Kronii snarked.
"Omega, what..." Fauna trailed off.
"Come on, guys. Don't say you didn't see this coming," Sana said.
"I didn't," remarked Mumei.
"That's not surprising," Kronii said.
"Be nice, Kronii," chastised Baelz.
"Are you done?" Omega interrupted. They had crossed their arms, and floated with their stance cocked to one side.
"Don't know. Ask again later," Kronii said.
"Well, you're welcome to stay, if you want," Omega said. "The rest of you, think the word living room and then walk."
Seeming to follow their own instructions, Omega turned around. They didn't walk, and instead floated just above the ground like normal. It had the same effect, though, as after a few feet of movement they emanated a flash of light and then disappeared.
"Freaky," said Baelz. "Kinda cool, though."
"So, if I think home and walk, does that take me out of here?" Kronii took a few steps away, roughly the same amount of space Omega covered, but didn't go anywhere. She paused, looked around, and then paced back to the group. Still, she remained.
"It was worth a shot," Mumei said.
"Something tells me we won't get out of here until Omega says we can," Fauna observed.
"Well, that's just wonderful," Kronii joked.
"I thought you said you were kinda into it, this whole Power Rangers thing," Sana said, quoting her friend.
"That was before we got shunted off into," she looked around, "wherever this is. I don't exactly like being controlled against my will."
"I'm not sure it's exactly against your will. I mean, you followed just like the rest of us did," Fauna said.
"Yeah, but I expected, like, a dark alley or something," Kronii countered.
"Oh my God, thank you. I thought we were going to an actual place, too," Mumei said, relieved someone agreed with her.
"If you want to leave, then that's all the more reason to hear what Omega wants," Sana said.
"Yeah, exactly," echoed Baelz. "I agree with Fauna that we're not getting out of here until Omega lets us. That won't happen until we hear them out."
"I know." Kronii sighed. "I guess I'm just not sure what to feel, right now."
"That's fine. We're all a bit confused," Fauna said.
"As long as we're together, we'll be fine," Sana said.
"Oh yay, the power of friendship. How original." Kronii gave sarcastic jazz hands. The others just smiled at her.
"We're all agreed then?" Sana asked. She received nods all around. "Okay, then. On the count of three."
Sana counted them in slowly. On three, each of them took a step in almost perfect sync. Just as instructed, Mumei thought the word living room in her mind hard as she could, screaming it inside her own head. Whether this was necessary, she couldn't know. Better safe than sorry. After a few steps, a brilliant flash temporarily blinded her. Then, quickly as it came, the light dissipated, leaving her instead in a normal looking room.
It was shocking, honestly, the disparity between where they'd just been and where they ended up. The five of them stood behind a black leather couch, which was part of a set containing recliners on either side, a glass coffee table, and a flatscreen television that hung above a black and silver entertainment center.
Mumei looked around, eyes wide in amazement. Behind them a little step led to, on the left, a small dining area complete with five metal chairs around a rectangular table. On the right side of this raised area was perhaps the most startling addition, a reading space with a low table and beanbag chairs, enough for all of them, color-coded to their Ranger identities. It even had a white bookshelf brimming with tomes. There were other decorations, but none more prominent than these.
"Whoa," was the only commentary Baelz provided.
"If Baelz and Sana were roommates, this is what their house would look like," concluded Kronii as she looked around.
Sana protested. "Hey!" Then, she looked around. "Alright, yeah."
"Ah, there you are," Omega said as they appeared in the middle of the raised section. "I was afraid you'd gotten lost, for a moment."
"I thought we had, too," agreed Fauna. "I never expected something like this."
"Yeah, it's really cozy," said Baelz, "and kinda cute, too."
Omega grimaced and narrowed her eyes at Baelz, but didn't acknowledge her further. "Yes, well, I do have to live here, after all."
"So this is your house, then," Mumei said. "I was wondering about that."
"Yes, welcome to my humble abode," Omega said, surprising Mumei with her sarcasm.
"This is nice, and all, but we're not here to visit. What do you want with us?" Sana said.
"I want you to be my new Power Rangers, of course."
"Don't get smart with us," Kronii threatened. "Why do you want us to be Power Rangers."
"You're the most qualified candidates on this planet." Omega turned to their right and floated a few feet. "But, if I'm being honest, the only reason I came to Earth at all is because I'm desperate."
Mumei did not like the sound of that. This Omega was clearly a being of immense power. Anything that could make them desperate must've been quite the problem, indeed. That they needed the help of five seemingly random girls made the situation, whatever it was, all the more dire. Her heart leapt into her throat. Omega turned to face them again.
"Sana and Kronii. Does the name Solstice Flux mean anything to you?"
"No," Kronii shook her head.
"Yeah, no," echoed Sana. "I would remember a name that dumb."
"I had a feeling you would say that." Omega paused. "Solstice Flux is a warlord from the far future, the ruler of a thousand-thousand planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. With the help of his five Great Generals, he has forged the largest empire in cosmic history. Normally, I wouldn't be too concerned with this, as these things tend to happen, but he has recently developed time travel technology. As we speak, his armies are traveling throughout time and space. I believe he wants to install himself as a sort of eternal emperor, a ruler of everything that ever has been, and ever will be."
"I agree that sounds bad," began Fauna, "but where do we come in? You're obviously very powerful. Why not just go deal with him yourself?"
Baelz added, "Yeah, and why Earth in the first place?"
"Earth is one of the planets he hasn't conquered yet," Omega answered that question simply "As for dealing with him myself, I'm afraid it's not that simple. Solstice Flux is a cyborg, more machine than flesh at this point. He has used his technology to create a hivemind which connects all of his Great Generals to him. They give him power, and he gives them knowledge. The strength of all six of them combined has made Solstice too powerful to bring down, even by the likes of me. That's why I need your help."
"Our help?' Kronii repeated. "I'm sorry, but if you can't handle him, what makes you think we can?"
"I don't think you can. As he is, no one can stop him." Omega hesitated. They took a deep, shuddering breath. "Forgive me. This is... difficult to talk about. Celestial beings like me aren't used to failure."
"Take your time, then," Sana said. "We're literally not going anywhere."
"If it makes you feel better, I'm pretty much on board with stopping this guy," Baelz said. "I just need a little more information, is all."
"Me, too." Mumei agreed before even realizing she had spoken. The sound of her own voice startled her, but it had not given a statement she disagreed with. Solstice Flux was a threat to civilization. It was her sworn duty to stop him. She and Baelz shared a glance, and then a nod.
"Thank you." Omega said. "I... was a fool. I confronted him just as you suggested, Fauna, but I underestimated his power. He defeated me outright and stole my sword, the Dreamweaver. Without it, I am but the merest fraction of my true self. Even this pathetic form you see before you is not how I really look. If I couldn't stop him at my full power, then what chance do I have now? The five of you combined are stronger than I am right now. That's why I need you."
"Omega..." Fauna trailed off. "That's awful. I'm sorry all of that happened to you."
Omega wore a puzzled expression. "I think this is the first time anyone's ever felt sorry for me. I guess that means it's time for another first." They touched the ground for the first time, falling to their knees. "Please. I'm begging you. Stop Solstice Flux. Recover my sword. Do what I could not, and bring peace to the galaxy. You're the only ones left who can."
Mumei was so shocked, she actually took a step back. She knew absolutely nothing about the celestial being before her. The celestial part hadn't even been clear until they admitted it themselves. Yet, to see this person on their knees made her heart skip a beat. Here was Omega, someone obviously of great power, brought so low that they had to grovel at the feet of strangers. They had nowhere else to turn, and no other solutions. It was a lot of trust, and even more responsibility to take on all at once. But still, Mumei felt herself more than willing to do so.
Sana stepped from the group. Wordless, she took Omega's left hand in both of hers. The celestial met her eyes, puzzled. Sana began walking backwards. Omega stood and allowed themselves to be led, so surprised they forgot to float. They stepped down onto the same level as the rest of the girls. In this way, as Sana merged back with the semi-circle formed by her friends, Omega stood with them, not towering above them, but as a member of the group.
Sana began. "I don't know anything about you, and I have no idea what's going on, not really. But, if what you said is true, then this warlord has to be stopped. You made me a Power Ranger, and I don't think that's something you would give to just anyone. So, even though I don't know anything, I'm willing to help."
"Me, too!" Fauna said, stepping forward. "Empires are bad for nature. I can't even imagine the effects something like this could have."
With Fauna's surprisingly gung-ho agreement to join the fight, all eyes turned to the last member to voice her opinion. Kronii swept her gaze twice through each of them, before she settled on Omega and heaved a big sigh.
"A timeless empire does sound pretty bad," she said. "And, these idiots need me to keep them safe. Sure, I'm in."
"Not sure I appreciate the second part of that, but glad to have you, Kronini," Sana said.
"You all," Omega looked at them. "Thank you. I don't... thank you."
"Don't thank us yet. We haven't done anything," Baelz argued.
"But you've stepped up, which is more than most people in the galaxy have done. Together, we can take the fight to Solstice Flux, and put an end to his schemes," determined Omega.
"About that," began Kronii, "I'm all for a good fight or two, but I don't think just rushing is a good idea. Do you have a plan?"
"I do, actually," nodded Omega. "The way I see it, it's pretty simple. Solstice gains the majority of his power from his connection with the five Great Generals. If they're destroyed, then you girls will be more than a match for him."
"Cut the nose from the face. I like it," Fauna said.
"I don't think that's how the phrase goes, Fau-Fau," Sana said.
"What? Of course it is."
Omega interrupted their conversation. "You'll be needing Morphers, if you want to be Power Rangers."
They waved their hand. Mumei looked down at her right wrist as a flash of yellow light materialized into a series of five rings, one for each Power Ranger color. From her hand back they ordered red, blue, green, yellow, white. These rings fed through a black brick carved with silver and gold inlays made to look like a star chart. One of these stars, a gold one, was actually a big button, which Mumei assumed she pressed to morph.
"The activation phrase is Continuum, forever," Omega continued.
Kronii facepalmed. "I guess it could be worse."
"Follow me to the garage, and I'll tell you about phase one of my plan." Omega turned to walk away, not looking to see if the others followed.
They did, of course. As Mumei fell in behind her new mentor, she noticed how they easily assumed the same order as on their morphers: Baelz, Kronii, Fauna, herself, and Sana in the very back. This was probably just coincidence, but kinda neat all the same. They would need that sort of accidental cohesion if they wanted to have any chance of success in this endeavor. Taking down an empire that literally spanned the entirety of space and time? What had Mumei gotten herself into?
AUTHOR'S NOTES: I shoot for a minimum of 2,500 words per chapter. This one clocks in at 2,508. I commend the authors out there who can fill up 5,000+ words using mostly dialogue, but I'm not one of them. I hope the occasional short chapter isn't that big of a deal.
Please remember to leave kudos and a comment if you liked this chapter. What do you think of Omega's house? How do you think the Rangers will go about beating Solstice Flux and his galactic time empire?