Asher had long woken up from his small coma. Echoes of his past reverberated in his mind, haunting him with images of grey skies, death and emptiness.
He sat up in the HQ infirmary, his head reeling from the attack. Making sure no one was around, he hoisted himself onto his feet and felt a surge of pain rush through him. He clutched his chest and felt unnatural creases and folds. Pulling his grey shirt down, he could see tender, raw skin between his pecs. It was as if someone burned him with a hot piece of metal.
"Belle... Why are you here?" He whispered as he orbed away...
~Cue Theme~
~Bayview Botanical Gardens~
Inside the center of the Botanical Gardens was a beautiful circle of shining marble pillars surrounding large vases of roses. Between each vase was an equally marble bench.
Orbing onto the center bench in the circle, Asher cringed in pain.
"I thought you'd be here." Shimmering in front of him appeared Belle. Her face was soft and understanding as she sat down next to Asher.
"This is still our place..."
~Memory~
In the very same place, Asher and Belle sat holding hands. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was darker and grayer. The flowers and grass were wilting and the columns were broken.
"No matter what he did, this is our place." Asher smiled, giving Belle a kiss.
"We can save this..." Belle whispered.
"I know... It's gonna be hard."
"Asher, I know what you've been through. You lost your family and friends just trying to make your way to California... isn't that enough reason to go back?"
"Yeah... You're right."
Suddenly, a metal sphere the size of a basketball came flying in from nowhere. It had a purple circle on the front that appeared to be the lens of an internal camera. It sent out bright green scanning rays onto the couple.
"Asher!" Belle stated alarmed, causing Asher to throw the sphere probe into the column with telekinesis.
"Don't worry." Asher reassured. "It didn't have enough time to send the information."
"We should leave anyway." Belle proposed.
~Memory End~
"Still our place." Belle repeated, taking Asher's hand in hers.
"What'd he do to make you turn?" Asher asked as he glared at Belle.
"It doesn't matter. There's a reason why I'm here. He could've sent anyone, but he sent me. He'll let you live if you let me finish what I started and bring you back. If your friends kill me, he'll send more and more hunters after you."
"I'm trying to save the future and I've come too far." With that, he orbed away...
Asher wound up falling on the floor of HQ at the Ranger's feet.
"Asher!" Alicia called out, dropping down to her knees.
"Is he ok?" Liam asked worriedly.
As Alicia rocked the boy in her arms, she heard him whispering, "Belle..." Over and over.
Suddenly, Alicia felt an overwhelming feeling inside her. Her heart felt like it was convulsing and her head swam with waves of sadness and confusion. The rush of emotions made her lose balance a bit.
"What's wrong?" Sonia asked her friend as she helped support her.
"Oh my god..." Alicia whispered. "The Phoenix Witch... Asher's in love with her." Subconsciously, the girl started to run her hands through the young boy's hair. She immediately thought back to when he first came from the future. She wondered how scarred his life was, in that he had a large burden to bear.
"I don't know why..." Alicia spoke with an air of tranquility. "I've always had this feeling when I was around him... This familiar feeling... I can't describe it."
Sonia, Noah, Liam and Chris exchanged glances and nodded. Sonia dropped to her knees next to Alicia and said, "There's a reason... Alicia... Asher is your son... and Jared's son."
~Memory~
A group of tourists from all over the world snapped pictures of the Power Rangers Next Legend HQ.
Leading them on this dreary day was a blonde woman who explained the exposition of them.
"And this is the main room of their Headquarters," She informed with a bubbly voice pointing all around. At that point in time, the main room looked a bit different; it had display cases of recreated models relating to the adventures of the Legend Rangers. There were models of the morphers, spirit crystals, etc.
"As you can all see, these artifacts tell stories of the Legend Rangers. As you are aware, the Legend Rangers became a very famous, powerful and well known team that were constantly called back to action before they themselves were vanquished." At that moment, metallic sphere probes hovered down from above and scanned the crowd with bright blue lights, much to the fear of the tourists.
"Don't worry," The guide continued to smile, "the probes are just scanning for witches. Now, if you follow me, we can look at the archives where the majority of the potions were made..."
Asher and Belle staggered behind the tourists with grim looks on their faces. As the spheres began to scan them, Asher casually moved his right index finger, using his telekinesis to turn the spheres away from them.
"Nicely done..." Belle whispered, taking Asher's hand with her own.
They followed the group into the archives, which was a large area of books, documents and other things. In a circular center in between all the shelves was equipment for potion making.
The group had begun to move on, but Asher and Belle stayed behind to look at the potion table.
After a few minutes, the air shimmered behind them and a security guard warlock crossed his arms.
"Hey, the tour's moving on." However, the two stragglers ignored him. "Hey, I said-" He was cut off by a sickening feeling in his stomach. A twisting pain seared through him as he looked down and realized he had been stabbed with a dagger. Belle was in his face, her own eyes narrowing into a glare. The girl held out her left hand and created a fireball to destroy him.
"That's it for their security." She assured him. "Let's go." She grabbed Asher's hands and led him to an unused back room to hide out.
"Sometimes, I can't recognize you when you kill." Asher whispered weakly. Belle felt her heartstrings pull as she kissed Asher.
"Hey... we have to focus on our mission..."
"You're right..."
~Later On~
With the Museum closed and empty, Asher and Belle emerged from the hiding place and magically disarmed all security systems. The thrill of sneaking around while under an over looming danger swept over the two as they made their way to the Central Room.
On a wooden pedestal was a hologram copy of the Destiny Book.
"It used to be in my house." Asher mused as he grabbed the pedestal.
"When we succeed, it will still be there."
Nodding, Asher pulled a piece of paper from his back pocket and chanted a spell.
"Hear my voice across the sky
Hear my words and arise.
Return what is gone if far or near.
Return to me, and settle here."
Silver spheres of light blinked above him and swirled together. In seconds, the real Destiny Book emerged from it and plopped onto the pedestal.
"Hurry." Belle beckoned. "He'll realize it's gone."
"Right." Asher said flipping open the book to find the proper spell. "Got it." He informed, staring at the time spell.
"Hear these words, hear the rhyme
Heed the hope within my mind
Send me back to where I'll find
What I wish in place and Time."
In response to his words, a swirling blue vortex appeared in the air in front of him.
"Step through Asher." Belle urged.
"Come with me." Asher protested.
"You know why I can't." Suddenly, demons shimmered into the room and began to attack them.
"Go! I can hold them off!" Belle yelled as she launched a fireball at an attacker.
Shaking his head decision, Asher sprinted through the portal.
Even when he crossed the threshold, the boy continued to run as if his life depended on it. All around, he was blinded by silver lights, keeping his mission in mind. The hole at the end of the seemingly infinite tunnel was coming on fast and Asher could see his destination.
A battle between Alviss and the Legend Rangers. That's where he had to be. He knew Liam would die from that battle and he had to stop it. Charging straight through, he emerged to a more peaceful time.
Tracking down Belle wasn't a simple task for the others. While investigating the location where they marked, the Teens had a violent run-in with Belle's Mom, who didn't want to talk. They didn't think they'd see the girl again so soon... until they were called out by a ruckus in town.
Belle swung her arms in circles, swinging magical chains in all directions. She threw cars around, knocked over trees, broke windows or hit the occasional person.
"Stop right there!" Noah called out as he and the remainder of the team stood in a line.
"It's about time." Belle mused. "Where's Asher?"
"Doesn't concern you." Liam shot back.
"Sweetie, I assure you; it does."
"You guys ready?" Alicia asked, taking point.
"Ready!"
"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"
~Morphing Sequence~
"Let's do it!" Sonia called out as she and her friends raised their weapons.
"Don't think you can beat me so easily." Belle replied, summoning her spell book. She cast a quick incantation and summoned a grotesque monster. It stood on all fours and was bigger than most of the cars left on the street. It had a lion's head and body, but its legs were from different animals. It's front left leg was a horse's, front right was a tiger, back left was an elephant while the last leg was a giraffe. Its coloration was a mixture of golden brown and yellow. On its back were bright white wings that flapped with great power, propelling the beast into the air.
"It's a chimera." Chris pointed out.
"Master Legend, Start Up!"
~HQ~
Once again, Asher limped into the main HQ room to check on his friends. He could see the five struggling against Belle's family Chimera. A swelling feeling erupted in his stomach; he had to do something before they got themselves killed. With Jared gone, their power was immensely cut down.
"Asher, you should be resting." Lydia told the boy turning away from her computer.
"I have to convince her somehow." Asher whispered.
"Who? Belle?"
"Yeah, she was good when I left the future. I know she's still good. I have to get down there."
"Asher, if you use your powers again-"
"I won't use my powers, Lydia. Just remote teleport me there... Please..."
Lydia looked into the boy's eyes and saw pain, agony and sorrow. Nodding, she typed in the command and sent him on his way.
"I hope you're right..." She whispered.
~Bayview~
"Belle!" Asher called out limping down the street.
"Asher?!" Alicia exasperated as she sent a wave of telekinesis into the Chimera. "What're you doing here?"
Ignoring Alicia, Asher said, "Belle, you don't have to do this!"
Belle swallowed and spoke with a wavering voice. "Yes, I do... he'll kill us if I don't complete my mission."
"He won't!" Asher reassured. "If you stay here with me, we can fight him together! You're here in the past. We can save our future together!"
Belle called off her Chimera and shimmered to Asher. She nodded and Asher could see the tears beginning to dry. She placed her hand on his chest and reversed what she did to him.
"We'll be fine." Asher promised as he pulled her into a hug.
Suddenly, the clouds began to darken as the winds began to whip up into a wild frenzy.
"What's happening?" Liam asked as he gathered with the others.
A giant Triquetra appeared in the sky and illuminated with a sick purple. A blob of light descended from it and landed in front of the Rangers. When it cleared away, a handsome young man stood up from a kneeling position.
He had vivacious tan skin and piercing brown eyes which were cold and hardened underneath his neat and even brown hair. His physique was lean and muscular under a black T-Shirt over black jeans and boots. Around his neck was a chain with an amber colored stone.
"It's been a while." He told Asher with a calm and steady voice. "Belle, I'm disappointed in you."
"Who is that?" Chris asked unnerved.
"Jonah." Asher stated with a cold tone. "My older brother."
"Brother?" Noah asked in disbelief.
Realization dawned on Sonia and made her speak. "So all this time, we were-"
"Yeah." Asher cut her off. "For the past two years I've been fighting to make sure he doesn't turn evil."
"Good. Evil. It doesn't matter to me anymore, little brother. The only thing that matters is power." Jonah looked between the teens and asked, "Where's Dad? I guess he couldn't make it today." With his eyes falling on Alicia, he grinned showing his perfect teeth. "Hello, Mom. Strange seeing your son here, isn't it? Especially since I'm older than you right now."
"What do you want, Jonah?" Asher demanded.
"I prepared my own time spell in case Belle failed to bring you back. Now, I'm here. Come back with me, Asher."
"I won't."
"You can serve under me. We're brothers. We should be together."
"That's what you think!" Asher threatened throwing his right hand forward, sending a block of cement at his brother.
Jonah tilted his head to the right and stopped the cement with his own telekinesis. "You're still green." The future tyrant nodded his head and rocketed the block back with more force, prompting Liam to raise a powerful barrier.
"I know how your powers work!" Jonah informed with a menacing grin. He raised his right hand in the air and focused. With dark red energy flowing in the air, Jonah created a pure black battering ram. Straining, Liam raised walls of stone to enforce his defense. Flicking his wrist back and forth, Jonah crashed the floating object into Liam's barrier, breaking it in seconds. The force knocked Liam onto his back, making him demorph.
"Liam!" Noah called out in worry. "That's it!" He fumed hyper speeding toward Jonah. In a split second, Noah was behind Jonah to throw a burst of water. However, the Tyrant stepped to his left before Noah could throw his arm forward.
"You're predictable." Jonah laughed as he thrust both hands forward. Noah was bombarded by golden waves of burning energy. The power sent him into a car, utterly denting it, causing him to demorph.
Sonia sent electrified, colorful sound vibrations from her palms. She hit Jonah and was able to make cuts on his arms and chiseled chest. However, he regenerated in seconds. Sonia tried again, but Jonah created a sky blue barrier around Sonia. Her sound waves bounced off the inside and struck her over and over. The pain from her reflected attack demorphed her.
As the remaining Rangers fought, Belle told Asher, "Look at the necklace he's wearing. That's the thing that's keeping him in the past. If we can get to it, we can send him back with no way of returning. It's a one time spell."
"How do we get to him and how do we steal it?"
"Leave that to me."
Chris created his giant armor gauntlets and launched himself high into the air. He wrapped himself in a cloak of darkness and proceeded to punch at Jonah.
"Simple." Jonah raised his left arm and swung it down. As he did, the gravity space around Chris intensified and yanked him to the ground, demorphing him.
"Stop!" Alicia commanded.
"I stopped taking orders from you years ago, Mom." Jonah taunted sending a large surge of telekinetic energy.
Alicia met his force with her own, creating a long lasting clash. Alicia added on a powerful stream of wind, making her son skid back a good distance. After a while, Jonah gained the upper hand and sent his mother skidding back. She stopped herself but she dropped to her knees and demorphed in exhaustion.
Before Jonah could finish the Rangers off, Belle shimmered in behind him and struck his back, sinking her hand into it to paralyze him.
"Asher, hurry!"
Asher orbed in front of Jonah and made a grab for the stone. Jonah broke free and sent golden waves in all directions, sending both spiraling away. However, Jonah fell to one knee as the assault weakened him slightly.
"Belle!" Asher called as he scrambled to her. The boy's eyes widened in horror when he realized what had happened to Belle. Piercing her abdomen was a rusty rebar from the fallen debris.
"Belle..." Asher choked, kneeling down and grabbing her hand. "Stay with me..."
"I can't... You can stop this. Take away his charm... break it... he won't be able to come back or send anyone else. You can still save our future."
"No... No... NO!"
"Asher..." Belle whispered with the last of her strength. "I love you..." Before Asher could reply, Belle closed her eyes and faded away. Asher's hands dropped to his lap as tears streamed down his face. Alicia and the others looked on in shock at what was happening.
"This is for the future of us." Asher whispered as he stood up. "I'm not your wimpy younger brother anymore, Jonah." A silver transformation circled appeared under his feet as he stood up.
"Things have changed. I've grown stronger than you could possibly imagine!" With all his might, Asher telekinetically flung his brother into a car, making it explode.
The Spirit of Light appeared behind him as he held up his morpher.
"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"
"Spirit of Light: Legend Silver!"
"You won't beat me, little brother." Jonah called out as he walked away from the wreckage unharmed.
"This'll be quick." Asher commented with conviction. "Master Legend, Start Up!"
~Jared~
Jared flew through the air and onto his back. Even after all that time, his strength hadn't returned. Now, he was dashing through a maze with tall, shifting walls. He had been stuck in many areas to fend off different foes. He had to fight without his Ranger Powers and with his failing Supernatural Powers.
He had cuts and bruises all over him and his clothes had numerous tears. In the maze, he was running from a black minotaur with a lion's mane and claws. He had barely escaped his first encounter and was on the run when a wall burst open, sending the boy flying.
"You're weak." It taunted in a low and gruff voice. "I can see into your soul, Red Slayer. You have power. But you do not have the substance. You are the only one out of everyone on your team who isn't at their full potential."
"What?" Jared asked, blood boiling.
Suddenly, the Minotaur's voice changed and became that of the Spirit of Fire's.
"You are the weakest. Extinguish your wall of flames around your heart and you will become powerful."
The beast charged forward with full force, but Jared dove away and let the creature crash into the wall.
"Got you." Jared exclaimed as he cut a black rope. Suddenly, numerous maze walls came falling down upon the Minotaur killing it.
~Asher~
Asher and Jonah were in a death battle. Moving at high speeds, the two clashed with ferocity and strength.
Jonah flew into the air and fired golden bolts of light from his palms, but Asher met them with his amplified powers. Using Elder Light-Watcher Lightning, colored bright white, Asher was able to hold his own against his brother. Annoyed, Jonah roared fire from his mouth to his target. However, Asher raised a white shield made of orbs to protect him.
"This is it." Asher whispered as he flew at high speed firing white lightning and white fire from his hands. His combined attacks obscured Jonah's vision and made him lose balance.
"Now!" Asher telekinetically pushed himself forward, grabbed the charm around Jonah's neck and broke it in his hands.
"No!" Jonah shouted as he felt himself be ripped away from the present and back into the future. As Jonah left, all damage in the area was reverted back to how it once was.
Drained of his energy, Asher fell back only to land in Alicia's lap.
~Jared~
"Devon... What was that? Why did I have to do that?" Jared asked, trying to contain his anger. He didn't understand, he was confused and frustrated.
Devon sat down next to Jared. The two were in Earth's Branch of the Council of Light; it was white all around and had a heavenly atmosphere.
"When a Slayer is close to maturity, about a year away, they're given muscle relaxants and other pills to take away their strength and powers. Then they're pitted against powerful supernatural foes to see how much they learned during their time as a Slayer... You passed, Jared..."
The boy did not know how to respond to such a barbaric test. What's more was the Minotaur's words. He was the weakest. He had to extinguish his wall of flames... but what did it mean?
A/N: One more character arc to go! Jared struggles with the truth that he is now the weakest one in the group! What will he do? Drop a review and share the story!
If you have any questions for clarifications, I will definitely help you!
Later Days!
