"The time has come," Slade stalked up and down endless rows of tree roots that glowed with a malicious shade of green. "Eons of planning for this very moment." He mused at the emerging bodies of pale humanoid figures. These figures were all at least six feet tall with defined, muscular bodies and pale green hair.
"And it's all thanks to you two…" Slade looked up and down at Jules Sanchez and Jacob Harris, both suspended and tied to the main branch of the tree. "Are you aware of what this tree is?"
Jacob grit his teeth in pain and replied, "Bite me."
Slade crossed his arms and simply replied, "To the first users or primeval magic, it was known as the 'Tree of Genesis.' It is believed to have been spawned by the two sources of magic in our dimension: The Wellspring and the Seed. The Wellspring represents Mana, half of the energy required to control magic. The Seed represents the physical side of magic, the conduit that channels magical energy. Both came together to create this tree. It is related to multiple Nemetons of Earth - conduits of Magical energy."
Jules then shuddered. "So you're using the power inside the two of us to channel the magic into your… army…"
"Exactly, my dear. It's time for the final phase of my plan to begin." Slade disappeared into thin air, returning to the Earth dimension.
"We've got to let the Rangers know," Jacob told Jules.
"Don't worry, Jacob. I'm working on it." Jules replied with confidence. "I might know a way."
~Cue Theme Song~
"Can you feel it?" Alicia asked Jared. The two, for the first time in a long time, stood in front of the Nemeton.
"Yeah," Jared nodded, feeling the feeble energy of the Sacred Site. "It's so weak now."
"We can't let them break the seal," Alicia reaffirmed. "For our future."
Jared softly grabbed Alicia's hand and smiled. "We got this."
The Rangers had returned to their daily schedule with a sense of unease. Each knew that Slade was still out there, but didn't know what to expect next. In the Dark Void, Scott, Wiseman, Matthew, Phoenix, and Medusa were rallying the citizens to prepare to leave the dimension to settle a new planet.
However, this task would be no easy feat.
"We'll handle it," Scott assured. "Don't worry."
Noah and Jared sat through French class exchanging worried looks. Either one could barely pay attention. Jared, however, couldn't help but think about Asher. Where was he? Was he back in the future? Was the boy's efforts for nothing or did things change?
Jared shook himself out of his thoughts. His resolve stronger, he made sure he would live up his promise to Asher.
Help me… A whisper called out to them. Please… find me…
The two both seemed to have heard it and exchanged subtle glances. Before Jared could reach out with a mind-link spell, the ground shook with a terrible quake. This was followed by explosions and the sound of screaming.
Without warning, the school fell into disarray.
Liam stumbled out of his Lab confused. "What's going on?" He asked himself. However, he felt a familiar chill roll down his spine. The boy was picking up on malicious Twilight Energy. Pale white beings threw themselves at students, teachers, and random objects with no regard to their own well being.
"What the-" Liam was about to get jumped on by one of the creatures, but Chris appeared from around the corner and punched it into a wall with his armored fist.
"What're these things?" Liam asked.
Chris looked around and easily identified them. "Homunculus. Like… a living human doll."
"Great," Liam muttered as he projected a green barrier.
Sonia was able to meet Jared and Noah outside the gymnasium where the three fought off as many Homunculus as they could.
"Where'd they come from?" Jared asked, sending a silver ripple down the hall, destroying a series of attackers.
Sonia focused her powers into her hands and punched forward, sending a ball of sound outward. The ball collided with a group of attackers and exploded with a sonic boom, destroying them.
"They started attacking right after I heard a voice."
Noah blew a few soldiers up and gasped, "You too?"
Jared kicked a Homunculus into a locker and said, "Let's talk about this voice later. Noah, find Alicia! She should be in Culinary Class."
"Got it!" Noah nodded, before speeding off.
He sped along the hallways kicking Homunculus off students. After securing the safety of his brother and the siblings of his friends, he found himself in the basement of the school.
"Alicia!" Noah shouted over the sounds of turmoil. "Where are you?!"
Alicia sent concussive waves of telekinetic energy in all directions, keeping the attackers off of her. She sent a few well placed punches into one that got too close and kicked it away. Movement caught her eye and she threw a punch, but she stopped herself. Her fist was a few inches from Principal Edwin' face.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!"
"Don't worry," Edwin comforted. "You're defending yourself. But, please, get to the quad. A safe zone is there. As principal, I'm here to escort all my pupils to safety." He placed his hand on Alicia's shoulder and said, "Go there now."
That's when she felt it. A strange tingling in the back of her head as soon as she made contact with Edwin. It immediately went away when he ran off in the opposite direction, looking for more students.
"Alicia!" Noah appeared a few moments later. "You okay?'
"I'm fine," she nodded. "This place is clear. Let's go."
The Six met up outside and were surrounded by hundreds of Homunculus. With Tobias and Lydia's help, the Rangers were able to set up talismen around the quad that would protect the student body from the attackers.
Without their Ranger powers, the Six were outmatched in no time. They stood their ground as best they could, protecting each other, but it wasn't quite enough.
"What now?" Liam asked Jared as they all stood back to back. As if their prayers were answered, a portal opened right about them. A silver streak of light zipped down from it and pushed the attackers back a few feet. The streak landed in front of the Rangers and faded away to reveal Asher. However, the boy presented himself differently. Without looking, he extended his left arm out toward the attackers and let loose a barrage of white lightning bolts, which vaporized a good portion of them.
As opposed to before, the boy stood with a straighter, more confident posture. His hair was cut neatly and there was a sense of hope in his eyes. He also had a few tattoos on his neck and hands.
"Asher!" Alicia cried out.
"Mom, Dad. Hey, guys." He came up to the team and exchanged quick greetings. "I came back to help you." He reached into a russack on his back and pulled out a white cube.
"What's this?" Chris asked.
"It's the 'Morphin' Cube.' Made by the Ancient Ones. You all gave me this cube to… well… give to you. Everyone touch their faces and hang on."
Each quickly did so, feeling the rush of power come over again. None had to speak, but they all knew what was happening; they were being reconnected to the Morphing Grid. When the links were reestablished, the cube faded away.
"Looks like we're back." Jared grinned. "Let's do this!"
"Right!"
"Spirit Legend, Awaken!"
~Morphing Sequence~
"Spirit of Fire: Legend Red!"
"Spirit of Water: Legend Blue!"
"Spirit of Wind: Legend Pink!"
"Spirit of Earth: Legend Green!"
"Spirit of Lightning: Legend Yellow!"
"Spirit of Darkness: Legend Black!"
"Spirit of Light: Legend Silver!"
"Ancient Spirits, Unite! Power Rangers: Next Legend, Start Up!"
Summoning their weapons, the Rangers made quick work of the Homunculus. Using their elements and the Legend Burst Cannon, the Rangers were quickly able to finish the fight. Things didn't get much better. With bright green lights, several skyscraper-sized Homunculus rampaged through the city. What's more, more regular Homunculus appeared from the ground.
Chris stepped forward. "Asher and I will take the big ones. You guys stay here."
"Good," Jared nodded, "Execute."
Asher and Chris entered the Lunar Knight and Shadow Strike Megazords respectively and took out a few Homunculus while their team continued the fight on the ground.
Find me… The voice echoed out again. You have to know. You have to see.
However, the Rangers pushed the voice back, focusing on the task at hand.
"Oh no…" Asher groaned, seeing the Homunculus combine into one supergiant. The giant proved impervious to all their attacks, easily swatting the Megazords away.
"Final Strike!" Asher and Chris shouted, pouring all of their power into the attacks. At the same time, the Core Rangers on the ground let loose a final barrage from the Legend Burst Cannon while Jared used his Battlizer to bolster in more power.
Both explosions took place at the same time, sending smoke everywhere. The Five fell to the ground unmorphed, their feeling of dread disappearing. All the Homunculus were gone.
They got up and didn't see the Megazords anywhere.
"Chris! Asher!" Sonia cried out, running in the general direction. The others followed suit. Noah got their first with a burst of speed and found both the Lunar Knight and Shadow Strike Zords in ruins.
"Asher!" Jared cried out. "Chris!"
"You there?!" Liam cupped his mouth. Rubble fell away with a loud crash, causing the Five to turn suddenly. Chris and Asher, supporting each other, limped forward with looks of triumph on their faces. The Seven made direct contact and, when they did, they were hit by a vision.
You guys have to find me… please… The voice was clearer and more powerful. The Seven felt their connection to each other make the voice more potent. That was when it dawned on them.
"Jules!" They gasped as the vision engulfed them. They all hovered over Slade's plant, focusing down on the millions of Homunculus being created with Jules and Jacob at the center.
"Guys…" Jules whispered, "you have to stop him."
"Stop who?" Alicia called out.
Jules stopped talking and only looked forward. Slade walked into the room and crossed his arms. "I don't know if you heard," Slade said, "But the first test run of my army was successful. The Rangers were barely able to hold them off. Which means, my plans can move forward with little resistance. Now's the time to strike them down for good. But not without putting on a worthy show. Because after all…" Slade's armor disappeared for a few fleeting moments, revealing Principal Edwin. "... my pupils deserve nothing but the best."
