School went on as usual; students buzzed around the hallways, announcements would occasionally come on, and the sun's light flowed onto the campus. However, Jared had noticed something different about Liam. He was more withdrawn than usual. The Slayer sat down with the other rangers during their free block.

"Is Liam alright?" Jared asked as he and the others took a seat at a picnic table.

Alicia shook her head, "I don't know, but he seems more distant."

The four looked over, and saw Liam coming toward them with his books.

"Why not just ask him?" Noah proposed.

Liam sat down and opened his textbook, barely acknowledging the presence of his friends.

Sonia cleared her throat. "Hey, Liam... You have a test to study for or..."

Without looking up, Liam cut her off, "Don't ask. Everything's fine. Drop it."

Sonia was taken aback. "Um... Ok then..."

Liam continued to read the text on the page. "I just need to focus..." Despite this, Jared had the feeling that it was something more than mere schoolwork.

She frowned, and closed her eyes, trying to extend her empathic power toward Liam. She felt a desperate need to prove oneself, a sense of duty, dread, and pressure. She eyed her friend with compassion, but he refused to look at her.

~Cue Theme, Link on Profile~

- Dark Void -

Wiseman kneeled before Cepheus with great news. "My liege, I have escalated our research to a greater level."

"Please explain, Wiseman."

The Phantom pulled an orb out from his white robes. The object glowed and projected a cloaked human who, after a few seconds, glowed and turned into a monstrous Phantom.

Roxas was shocked. "What is it?"

"I have taken the first step into creating human-phantom hybrids. It is a human who has given up his heart to a Twilight Spirit."

Phoenix stepped forward. "Is he strong?"

Wiseman nodded. "Oh yes, he is my most promising subject..."

Cepheus was very pleased. "Send him to the surface, and let's see how he does..."

Wiseman bowed his head with gratefulness. "Thank you, my King."

- HQ -

"Where is he?" Rachel asked. "He's never been late for training before."

Noah said, defending his friend, "I'm sure he has his reasons."

Alicia informed, "He was a bit... snappy. I used my Empathy on him. He's feeling a lot of pressure, guys."

"Pressure?" Sonia asked, crossing her arms. "Why?"

Rachel asked, "Devon, can you run a scan and track his Mana signal?"

Devon nodded. "Sure can do."

The techno whiz rapidly typed at his keyboards and within minutes, Liam appeared on the giant monitor.

Noah raised his right eyebrow. "What's he doing?"

Liam was in a field by himself. Standing about ten feet away from him was an automated volleyball launcher aimed at Liam. The launcher fired multiple balls at very high speeds. Liam raised his shields to block them.

"He's practicing," Jared observed.

"Makes sense," Noah nodded, with a small smile on his face. "Liam works harder than anyone I know." To this statement, Sonia and Alicia agreed. However, Dr. Bly was fixated on the Green Ranger's expression. Whenever Liam would throw up a barrier, he would hesitate for a moment. His barrier would erect itself, but it would break almost immediately.

- The Bayview Botanical Gardens -

Bayview has a popular Botanical Garden park people like to visit and enjoy stroll in. It is run by a mother, a father and their sixteen year old daughter. Their house is located right next to the Botanical complex. In the back of this complex, is an area the daughter of the family helped her grandmother nurture ever since she was young.

Behind the complex was a taller building in which Shadowlites were stationed. They were led by the cloaked human-phantom. Jared, Noah, Alicia and Sonia confronted them.

Jared yelled out, "What're you up to, Phantom?!"

The Phantom replied, "Oh, you know... Phantom things... Shadowlites, attack!"

"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"

Jared and Noah withdrew their X-Swords and lashed the front Shadowlites. They were quickly surrounded by the minions. Jared summoned his X-Defender and charged his Mana. Noah latched onto Jared and super spun. The two spinning rangers became a red and blue spinning blur. The Red Ranger pulled the trigger, and a barrage of red spheres launched in all directions, striking the Shadowlites down.

Alicia fired a few arrows into the Shadowlites. One sent a low kick, but she front flipped over it. Sonia came in and slashed that Shadowlite with her X-Sword. A Shadowlite was above Sonia, but Alicia struck it out of the air with an arrow. Sonia kicked a foot soldier away from her, jumped into the air, air kicked another, and punched a third in the gut, then in the face. Alicia blocked a punch from a Shadowlite and flipped it over. She roundhouse kicked another, jumped sideways to avoid a tackle and shot the tackler with an arrow.

In a matter of minutes they were gone. The rangers then charged at the cloaked figure. Noah got there first and sent a high punch. The figure ducked and was about to get kicked in the face by Sonia. However, the attack missed when the figure quickly rolled away from it. Jared and Alicia jumped over him and charged up their attacks.

"Soul Fire, Ignite!"

"Hurricane Wave!"

The swirling fire blast barely missed the figure. In a flash, the being was behind the Red and Pink Rangers. He grabbed the two and threw them down to their teammates.

"You guys okay?" Sonia asked.

"Yeah we're fine." Alicia answered.

The cloaked figure raised his left arm like he was going to attack, but a green energy disc grazed it. Liam ran over to his friends.

"S-sorry I'm late, guys..." He said in a hesitant tone.

"Don't worry about it." Noah said.

The figure stood up and gripped his arm. He was bleeding.

Jared caught this and said, "What?"

"You Rangers... I'll destroy you... and I'll go on and do me-things!"

The injured hybrid screamed, and sent a concentrated sound wave from his mouth. Liam raised a barrier and blocked the attack. However, the shield quickly gave way after a few seconds. The Green Ranger took the attack full on and shouted in pain. The blast sent him off the building.

The last thing Liam saw before blacking out was an open window leading to a green area...

"Liam!" The others shouted. Jared turned back to the enemy, but he had disappeared.

"We have to find him!" Sonia cried, reaching forward.

"We will," Jared assured, grabbing the girl's shoulder.


Liam felt the coolness of a wet cloth wash over his forehead, waking him up.

"What... what happened?" He asked himself. Liam opened his eyes and met those of a young girl. She had green eyes and blonde hair. She had light skin and a petite body.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

"Yeah... Where am I?" Liam asked. Liam recognized the Japanese girl as someone from school.

"The Botanical Gardens. I found you lying in the grass."

Liam lifted himself off the bed he was on and looked around. He was in a cabin looking building.

"What is this building?"

"It's my grandma's cabin. She used to stay here a lot whenever she concentrated on the gardens."

"What's your name?"

"Ayame. What's yours?"

"Liam."

Liam got out of the bed and stepped to the window. He peered out and saw many flowers and bushes that were beautiful.

"It's pretty..." Liam said.

"Thank you! The portion in front of this cabin was my grandma's personal garden, away from the public ones."

"Was?" Liam asked.

This caused Ayame to look down with sorrow. "A few months ago, my grandmother died in an accident in this garden. Afterwords, I took it upon myself to stay here and care for the garden just as she had."

Jared and the others entered the Botanical Gardens and were greeted by Ayame's mother.

"Yes, my daughter left me a note about finding a boy here. I wanted to call 911, but she refused."

"A note?" Sonia asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid we've had a falling out. We haven't talked since her grandmother died..."

Alicia said, "I'm so sorry."

"It's no trouble really. I just wish deep in my heart that things would get better. I come off as a strict person, but I really do care for Ayame..."


The cloaked phantom-human walked under a highway.

"Taking a break?" Came Medusa's voice. She appeared in front of him. "Why don't you go and fight?"

"Well, my power isn't at its greatest. You should know how my powers work."

Wiseman and Phoenix appeared.

Wiseman explained, "He needs to drain the power of a pure soul. The process takes a long time and he must be patient."

Phoenix snorted. "This must be a joke. If it were me, the rangers would be ashes by now!"

Medusa warned, "Cool it, Phoenix... Ok, newcomer. Show us what you can do. Do what you must to fill the Void Key."

"The Void Key?"

"Yes. It is an orb that acts as the key to Twilight Victory. All we need to do, is fill it with negative emotions. Now get to work!"


Jared and the others found Liam helping Ayame with tending to the garden. Jared had noticed that Liam seemed to be more at ease. He made the call to let Liam stay for a while.

Liam admired the garden. "It must've taken years to get this garden to be beautiful."

"Oh it did." Ayame said. "My Grandma taught me everything."

-Flashback-

"Grandma, this plant won't grow!" A young Ayame said.

Her grandmother giggled. "You have to be patient dear."

"For how long?"

"It depends."

"Depends on what?"

"How much love you put into it. All these plants and trees are my treasures. I love them all just as I love you and your parents. I want to protect them as they thrive and live."

-End flashback-

"My grandmother loved this garden. And I grew to love it as well..."

"Can I ask you something else?" Liam asked.

"Sure." Ayame said.

"What happened between you and your parents."

Ayame looked away.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"No, it's just no one's asked me that. I'll be glad to tell you. My grandmother taught me so much everyday. My mom didn't like it because she thought little girls should be out playing in the sunshine with the other kids. That wasn't me. I got into an argument with my mom. She kept babbling about her "precious treasure" which is probably running the botanical gardens, but I wasn't listening. I ran out of the house and fell out with mom and dad."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's ok, really."

Ayame later asked Liam, "So, why were you unconscious?"

Liam felt a pang of guilt inside his stomach. "I let my friends down, and I fell."

"You let them down? How so?"

The Green Ranger sighed and asked, "Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes."

Liam held his hand out and formed a small green ball in it. "I can create force fields."

Ayame's eyes widened. "It's beautiful. So what's wrong?"

"My friends and I were battling an evil creature. I tried to protect them with my barrier, but it shattered and I ended up here. I just don't understand why it won't protect."

Ayame said, "How do I explain? Think of it like me. I love this garden with all my heart just as my Grandma did. So-" A new voice cut her off.

"Hey, Lil!" A handsome blonde boy appeared with a wide smile on his face.

"Oh hi, Donny! Liam this is Donny. He's been coming here for a while now."

"Nice to meet you." Liam said, holding out his hand. Donny met it with his own.

Ayame said, "So what have you been up to?"

"You know, me-things."

The last statement sounded familiar to Liam. "It's getting late." Liam said. "I think I'll go. I'll come by tomorrow."

"Ok, bye-bye Liam!" Ayame called as he left.

-In the woods-

The time was 3 AM and Liam conjured his barrier to protect him from the volleyball launcher. He kept failing time and time again. One last ball broke through his shield and hit him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.

Dr. Bly watched him practicing and approached him.

"Hey, Liam."

"Dr. Bly? How long have you been there?"

"Long enough."

"Ok. So why are you here? I'm trying to practice."

"I'm here to help."

"How so?"

"Just listen."

-The Gardens-

"I'm so glad you became my friend, Donny." Ayame said.

Donny smiled. "So am I."

-Flashback-

"I'm sorry, Grandma. But I promised my friends that I'd be there for their soccer game!"

Ayame's grandmother looked really sad, but then said, "Go on, dear. Have a wonderful time."

Ayame nodded and ran off.

Ayame had gotten back to the gardens and saw an ambulance in front of the gates.

She ran inside and found a caved in grapevine fence that was very big. Under the pile, she saw her grandma's hand sticking out.

"Grandma!" Ayame yelled.

"Ayame..." Her Grandma's voice came. "Please... love this garden... Take care of it..."

"No!"

Time went on, and Ayame spent her time crying and mourning. Suddenly, a small voice said, "Ayame..."

"Who's there?"

A flower sprouted from the ground and said, "I want to help you."

"With... with what?"

"I want to help you keep your Grandma's promise. I want to help you protect this garden."

"Yes! Yes please help me!"

"Good..."

Just then, a boy came in. "Excuse me? Anyone here?"

"Yes?" Ayame asked.

"Hi, I was just admiring this garden. I'm Donny. What's your name?"

-End Flashback-

"I'm glad..." Ayame said again.

Donny stood up with a demonic look in his eyes. "So am I..."

"Donny? What're you.. AHHH!"

-The Woods-

Xander led Liam to a tree and touched the trunk. After a few moments, he spoke. "You know as a Master Sorcerer, I have an affinity for the element of Earth? Just like you."

"Yeah," Liam nodded, "You told us you were a Mystic Force Ranger."

"Good man. Yeah, when I was around your age, I began to learn how to use magic. Do you know how magic works?"

"Um... No not really."

"There are three important factors." As Dr. Bly said these factors he lifted a finger.

Finger One: "Courage. Courage fuels magic to get something done."

Finger Two: "Believing in it. Not in the cheap way, but trusting it. Having faith that it WILL work for you, no doubt."

Finger Three: "And drive. A drive to protect something important. To stand up and hold out for a cause."

"Your powers work the same way. Every time you raise your barrier, you'll show a moment of hesitation. You're afraid."

"I- I..."

"You can't be afraid, though. You shouldn't."

"It's just, it's scary you know?" Liam asked, taking a seat against a tree. "It's so… real… and dangerous. And I just feel like I'm always looking over my shoulder…"

"You have the Earth on your side. The Earth is strong, unyielding and valiant. You must have absolute faith and drive. But not only that… you're not alone, Liam. You have your team with you. Once you accept that, the Phantom will go down. All you have to do is do your own thing."

One word echoed in Liam's head. "Thing."

The Phantom replied, "Oh, you know... Phantom things..."

"You rangers... I'll destroy you... and I'll go on and do me-things!"

"You know, me-things."

Liam's eyes widened. "Oh no... Ayame!" He turned and ran. "Dr. Bly! Get the others to go to the Gardens!"

-Outside the Gardens-

Liam arrived and found Ayame's parents standing there.

"What's wrong?!" Liam asked.

"Ayame's in there! We heard her scream and we can't get inside! These roots are in the way!" Ayame's mom explained. "What am I going to do?"

Ayame's dad tried to comfort her. Liam turned and saw the gate. It was wrapped in giant tree roots and he couldn't see inside.

"Liam!" Noah called.

The others arrived.

Liam said, "We can't get in! There're roots blocking us!"

Sonia said, "Then we make an entrance."

"What?"

A beeping was heard. The rangers looked down at their left wrists. There were silver and blue bands around them that acted as communicators.

Devon's voice came through.

"Sonia's right. I developed something you're all going to like. Just morph, go to battle gear, and use it."

"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"

Ayame's parents were shocked. "The Power Rangers?"

Sonia asked, "Yes, can you keep it a secret?" The two nodded.

Liam twisted his dial to "Battle Gear" and slid the touch menu along. He stopped a new weapon called the "Legend Burst Cannon." He pressed the screen and it appeared in front of him. (The Pic and description is now on the wiki) He grabbed it and aimed it at the ground.

Devon's voice came through. "Now, there are different modes for this cannon. Use the scan mode to find Ayame."

Liam pressed a button and on a screen, heat signatures were recorded. One being Ayame, the other being Donny.

"Now, use portal mode to get there!" Devon instructed. Liam pressed another button and fired the cannon. A green circular portal appeared on the ground in front of him. He could see the destination. Donny's eyes were demonic and Ayame was wrapped in vines, looking really pale.

"Let's go get them!" Liam said. The Rangers and Ayame's parents jumped in.

-Inside the Gardens-

"Ayame!" Liam shouted.

The young girl called out, "Liam!"

"Let her go, Donny!"

Donny laughed. "I don't think so."

Ayame asked, "Donny why are you doing this?"

"In order for me to reach full power I need to absorb the soul of a pure hearted person. You are the one, Ayame."

"Ayame!" Her mother yelled out.

"Your daughter will be gone soon..." Came a voice. Out from the ground came a female figure. She had a visor on her face, but her mouth was visible. Instead of hair, she had vines in the back, and rose petals sticking up in the front. She also wore a red dress that went down to her knees and black high heeled boots.

"Who're you?" Jared asked.

"I am Ivy, a Twilight Specter taken form."

"No way… How?" Noah asked.

Ayame recognized the voice. "You! You were the one who said would help me protect my garden!"

"We need human hosts to give their hearts up to us. Donny is my human. A poor boy he was, always taking care of others. Now, he has all the time in the world to do his own thing. Donny, now's the time!"

"Right, Ivy." Donny said. He lifted his left hand, and the Specter swirled into an orb that collected in his palm. He pressed it to his chest and he transformed as the orb sank into his heart. Within moments, Donny became his Hybrid-Phantom form. (Google VinemanEXE)

"Now, to crush you!"

"Let's do it guys!" Jared said.

"Right!"

The rangers charged forward. Jared sent a punch, but was blocked and flipped over. Noah jumped into the air and quickly kicked Donny away.

"You pest!" Donny sent vines from his hands and whipped Noah into a tree.

"Noah!" Liam shouted. The Green Ranger hand sprung his way forward and materialized his axe. He swung down but Donny caught the weapon.

"Hurricane Wave!" Alicia shouted. She sent her swirl of wind at Donny and blew him away. Jared, Noah and Sonia jumped forward with their X-Swords and slashed away. Donny was barely able to smack the blades away with his hands.

Liam looked up and noticed something. Ayame had a murky green aura around her. She was also growing paler by the second. Donny was growing stronger and stronger as Ayame grew weaker.

"Guys!" Liam shouted. "He's draining power from Ayame!"

"It's too late, Green Ranger!" Donny said. "She will be out of energy in a matter of minutes!" Liam ran over to Ayame's parents. "You have to break her out of it!"

"But, we haven't spoken-"

"It doesn't matter! You love her don't you?! If you didn't then you wouldn't have come! So please! She needs you!"

"Okay." Her father said, his voice quivering.

Her mother nodded as well and ran over to Ayame. "Ayame, please wake up."

Liam jumped back into battle. Donny was above them and sent down exploding seeds. Liam raised his barriers, but they shattered.

"Liam!" Alicia shouted.

Jared clasped his hands together. "Soul Fire, Ignite!" The burst seared Donny, but it did not beat him.

"It'll take more fire than that to destroy me!" Came Ivy's voice.

"Then I'll turn up the heat-" Jared was cut off by Sonia.

"Jared, if you use any more fire, this whole place will go up in flames!"

"You're right."

Noah shook his head. "And my water would only strengthen him."

Ayame's parents were shaking their daughter.

"Please, Ayame. Please wake up!"

Ayame was not responding.

"I'm sorry. Please listen. I'm sorry, Ayame."

The rangers were being beaten up and down. They were thrown back against tree roots.

"Hang tough, guys!" Jared said.

Donny sent more exploding seeds, which sent the rangers flying even more.

"Ayame... I love you." Ayame's mom whispered. "You're my most precious treasure. I love you."

This put some color back on Ayame's face.

"M-mom?" She asked. The aura disappeared and the vines released her into her mother's arms.

"Mommy... I love you too..."

"Ayame..." The three held onto each other with joy.

Liam informed her, "They got Ayame back!"

"No!" Donny yelled in anger. "No matter. I've absorbed enough power to defeat you!"

The Phantom-Human went on a rampage, destroying everything around him. The rangers were blasted back once more.

Ayame couldn't stand to see her Grandmother's garden be destroyed. "No!" The girl ran forward.

"Ayame, wait!" Her parents shouted.

"This is my Grandmother's garden! I will protect it!"

Liam saw the determination in her eyes and realized everything that Dr. Bly had been trying to say.

"Something to protect... The power of Earth... Ayame!" Liam got up and sprinted forward, his friends following. Liam grabbed Ayame and shielded her with his body as Donny launched more attacks. His friends shielded the two right after and were sent flying back behind them.

"This is the end!" Donny laughed. He sent a giant seed bomb at the group.

"I am the Earth. I'll protect everyone!" Liam shouted. He lifted his hands once more and stood his ground. The green barrier appeared. The seed bomb crashed into the shield, and the two entities clashed, neither one breaking first.

Liam was standing strong. "I... will... protect... everything!" The barrier glowed in response to his emotions and sent the bomb right back a Donny.

"Impossible! How?!"

"I found what I need to protect..." Liam gasped. His right fist glowed a thin green aura. A boulder lifted itself from the ground emanating the same green aura.

"Earth Breaker!" Liam punched the rock forward. It flew at a rapid speed and smashed into Donny, sending him flying.

"Now, the finisher." Jared announced. "Legend Burst Cannon!"

Jared pressed a new button. "Mode 3: Final Strike!"

"Fire!" A silver ball of energy collided with Donny, and destroyed his Phantom form.

-Dark Void-

"How could he lose?!" Cepheus yelled. "Wiseman, explain yourself!"

"Do not worry, sir. I have a back up." He waved his hand.

Wiseman sent out millions of tiny black lights to the battle field. The lights surrounded Donny and lifted him away from the gardens and into the city. His Phantom form was now skyscraper sized.

Ivy's voice could only be heard now.

"This power... it feels so great!" Ivy started to attack the city.

"That oversized weed is tearing everything apart! What're we gonna do?" Noah asked.

Devon's voice came through once again. "I have a solution for that. Twist you Legend Brace Dials to 'Mecha.'

The rangers twisted the dials and the female voice announced, "Mecha."

"Now, press the touch screen and summon your Mechazords!" Devon instructed.

"Mechazords, come forth!" The Rangers called.

-HQ-

On the HQ's unknown island, there're hangars for all sorts of vehicles. Submarines, Jets, cars, quads and motorbikes, but there's a bigger and newer hangar. One Devon had built using data from the Morphing Grid, and personal data from the Rangers.

The Hangar overhead doors opened, and five animal shaped zords flew out from the ocean.

-Bayview-

The five big lights landed and revealed themselves.

Jared jumped into the Red Lion Mechazord.

Noah jumped into the Blue Wolf Mechazord.

Alicia jumped into the Pink Phoenix Mechazord.

Liam jumped into the Green Gorilla Mechazord.

Sonia jumped into the Yellow Rabbit Mechazord.

"This is so sick!" Noah commented, clapping his hands.

"Awesome. Let's take them down!" Liam said.

"Right behind you!" The girls said together.

"Come on, guys!" Jared called.

The Lion Zord jumped into the air and clawed Ivy. The Blue wolf sprouted long cylindrical cannons from its back and fired at Ivy's back.

"Why you-" Ivy tried to fight back, but the Phoenix Zord swooped in and struck the Phantom. The Gorilla Zord jumped into the air and slammed Ivy to the ground. The Rabbit Zord leapt over the Phantom and let loose lightning from its legs.

"Now to finish this." Jared said. "Lion Zord, Warrior mode!" The Lion Zord flashed and transformed into a humanoid zord. (The lion's face and mane were on the chest)

"Lion Sword!" A silver and red sword appeared in the Zord's right hand.

"Ok, guys. One charge!"

"Right!"

"Blaze Drive Strike!" The Lion warrior Zord glowed red and charged. The sword caught fire.

"Aqua fall Charge!" The Wolf Zord surrounded itself in blue energy that moved like water.

"Aero Tempest!" The Phoenix Zord spun into a twister.

"Earth Slammer!" The Gorilla Zord's hands glowed a bright green.

"Flash Leap!" The Rabbit Zord was encased in lightning.

Each Zord landed a hit, and just like that, Ivy exploded. A white light rained down on the Phantom and it turned back into Donny. Ivy's spirit rose out of Donny as the rangers approached her.


"Thank you." She said. "You have purified me. Now, I can move on. Thank you again, and keep fighting rangers." Ivy disappeared.

"So, we can free them when we beat them." Alicia concluded.

"Donny, are you ok?" Liam asked.

"Umm. I think so... what happened. One minute I'm talking to Ayame then I... don't remember."

"Liam?" Ayame walked up to him. "Thanks for everything." She hugged him.

"Don't mention it." Liam said, a little embarrassed.

Dr. Bly watched from a roof top and smiled. "Nice job, Liam." Something caught his eye. He turned around and saw a black cat staring at him. The cat gave him a solemn nod and disappeared.


A/N: Thanks for reading! Review! Share!

Who is this black cat? Stick around!