DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Power Rangers, I'm just a fan.
A couple of days passed without any word from Jaelyn. The boys were sitting at a table outside a café, waiting for the girls. They intended to meet and discuss what had happened on the beach, when they met Jaelyn.
"You know, if I didn't have the bracelet as a proof, I'd have thought it was all a dream." Kyle was focusing hard on the bracelet as he spoke, quietly, so nobody around could hear. Chris nodded a bit absentmindedly. Jamie was keeping an eye on nearby corners, in case the girls would miss them when they'd come.
"Should we be glad we're not hearing from Jaelyn or …?" Chris was now also looking at Kyle's bracelet as if expecting it to do something.
"The girls are here." Jamie's voice brought the other two from their thoughts. Ali and Samantha were half jogging to where the boys were sitting.
"Sorry, sorry. We got a bit sidetracked," Ali had a hint of smugness about her smile but Samantha only shook her head.
Before the boys could ask them any questions, Jaelyn's voice sounded out, clear and horribly loud to the very shocked group.
"Rangers! I need you to come to the cave as soon as possible, something has come up." There was a great deal of urgency in her voice.
Nobody moved, unsure of what do to, till Chris stood up. "Let's go." The others all rose and followed him, heading as fast as they could towards the nearest alley.
Once there, they each placed a finger on the teleportation button. Chris glanced at the others, "Ready to try this?" Four hesitating nods later he added, "Ok, here we go," and pressed his button, as did the others.
A line seemed to outline each person, matching the color on their bracelet middle stone, and then they faded fast from sight, leaving the alley deserted.
The group faded back into sight, standing on top of the stair in Moonsilver cave, with the door to their back. Jaelyn was standing next to the pool, watching them.
"It might be better if you gave us a little warning before communicating with us through the bracelet. I'm surprised the whole café didn't hear you." Jamie was trying to sound a bit stern, failing miserably as he staggered towards the pool. Unsteadily, the others made their way to Jaelyn as well.
"I will consider it," Jaelyn was looking at them with a bemused look, "and don't worry. You'll get used to the teleporting effect."
"Why'd you need us to come here? Chris steadied himself, holding the edge of the pool.
Her face became serious again.
"I did tell you that Mother Nature resides in her own dimension, Náttúra. Most dimensions are open for any traveler, enabling even normal humans to travel from one dimension to the next, without them ever noticing. Other dimensions, like Náttúra and Moonsilver cave, are open only to a selective few." She had been looking at the water in the pool but now looked up at them. "Those dimensions are considered to be a safe haven by those who inhabit them." She reached out and placed her flat palm on the surface of the water, breaking the smooth surface with gentle waves. "Neither Oroga nor Xalene have the power to enter Náttúra through teleportation, they would have done so already if they could. But even best guarded dimensions have got backdoors, some loophole that can be utilized."
Her hand seemed to cause a large wave to ripple the pool's surface. When the water calmed, an image of what looked like a four armed star could be seen in the water. Each of the four tips had different color; green, dark blue, sky blue and red. Each color faded and diluted.
"Náttúra is no exception. There must always be a way for those in need to enter, even if they do not possess the power to do so normally." She gestured at the pool with her dry hand.
"This is the Starkey. It grants its possessor the capacity to open a portal to Náttúra, a way in. It was considered too risky to keep the key in one piece so it was broken up, and each fragment hidden in a different dimension." The key in the water split into four identical pieces, that each flew out of sight in the pool.
"A close watch is kept on each fragment, in case someone finds it. There are people like Xalene out there that should not get their hands on the key. But, even though we know where the fragments are, we are not allowed to go and take them. We are not allowed because we already have the ability to travel to Náttúra. That was one of the conditions set when the fragments were first scattered. We can only keep watch." Frustration colored her voice.
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Jamie looked between Jaelyn and the pool.
"Xalene is going after the fragments. With the key, she could get unhindered to Náttúra. You will have to stop her before she gets her hands on them."
"Where is she?" Chris asked with determination.
Another wave emitted from Jaelyn's hand and an image of a rocky land, with the odd tree here and there. A humanoid shape was wandering between the trees, stopping now and then, as if looking for something.
"She is close to the fragment of earth, in the dimension of Alntrak." She removed her hand from the surface of the pool, erasing any images left. She headed towards the side entrance this time, stopping only to beckon them to come with her.
"Follow me." They all hurried after her.
"We cannot risk having guards where the fragments are hidden, because that would make their hideout less …, well, less hidden. By keeping track, we can intervene if it becomes necessary, making sure the fragment does not leave its hiding place in undesirable hands." The side entrance turned out to be a tunnel, not unlike the one outside the door. There was a smaller cave entrance a short distance down, covered with some cloth, blocking what was inside from view. This was most likely Jaelyn's residence. She didn't stop though but continued towards a bend in the tunnel, where the soft daylight illuminated the walls.
"We might be able to travel between dimensions but we wouldn't have any idea where we were, or even how to go about the traveling part." Kyle stated.
"You do not, at least not yet." Jaelyn glanced back at them with a smile before walking around the tunnel bend. "But they do."
The sunshine outside blinded the group when they walked out of the cave, forcing them to use their arms to shield their eyes from the sun. Once they got more used to the bright light, they saw five creatures standing some distance from them. It was hard to make out what sort of creatures they were but something about them stopped the group where they stood.
"There is nothing to be afraid about. They are on our side." Jaelyn turned to face them. "These creatures have agreed to serve as your mounts in your quest for Mother Nature, as they have done for other rangers before you." Turning her face towards the odd creatures, the smile faded from her lips.
"Gusher has aided blue rangers and will serve you, James." When she said the name, one of the creatures started walking towards them. As it came closer, they got a better look at what it was. It was a horse, strongly built and smelling faintly of the sea. Its hair had an odd color of gray, reminding them somehow of waves at stormy seas. The mane and tail had the same color, only slightly lighter. The eyes were sea green. It could have passed for a normal horse, were it not for its hooves. Thought they were not clearly visible through the thick hair, it was very clear that they were turning the wrong way. This caused James to stare continuously at the hooves till Jaelyn spoke up again, and even then, he couldn't help not glancing now and then at those strange hooves.
"Yellow rangers have benefited from Windwalker's help. He will serve you, Alice." Another creature walked towards them. This turned out to be a horse as well. It wasn't as bulky as the first one but still gave the impression of power. Its hair was close to white, with hints of blue, purple and yellow about it, almost like highlights. The mane and tail were closer to gray, but still with the same highlights about it. The eyes were brilliantly yellow. Even though there was no wind blowing where they stood, its hair seemed to move about slightly.
"Kyle, Mauler will serve you, as it has served other green rangers." The next creature came to them. Mauler turned out to be a big bull, dark brown in color. It was very strongly built, giving the impression of a boulder with legs. Its horns were large, pointy and deadly looking. The eyes had a dark green color about them. Kyle took a small step backwards when the bull closed, not quite trusting it.
"Samantha. Blazer will aid you, like other red rangers." Yet another creature came towards them, leaving only one. This creature turned out to be a horse, like the first two. This one most closely resembled a pitch black Arabian stallion, carrying its head and tail high. Although it was unlikely this horse would ever pass for a normal horse. Its mane and tail were smoldering red, as if they were made from fire. The same went for the hair covering the hooves, giving the impression that it was walking in fire. A hint of smoke emitted from its muzzle when it breathed. The eyes also seemed to be on fire, burning in the sockets. Samantha grew very still as the horse closed.
"Flake serves white rangers, Christopher, and will aid you." The last creature walked towards them. This turned out to be a large wolf, larger than existed anywhere in the normal world, equal to the horses in size. Despite its size, it looked very agile and quick. Its fur was snowy white, making it very bright in the sunlight. The only other color visible on it was its black nose, some markings around the white colored eyes and its very large claws.
Each of the creatures was fitted with some sort of saddle and rein.
"They will serve as your mounts as long as you are rangers. They know the dimensions and can make sure you will not get lost somewhere. Go now; prevent Xalene from getting the fragment. Good luck." With that, Jaelyn turned and walked into the cave. Some time later, and very hesitatingly, the rangers mounted.
I just wanted to add where I got the idea for the mounts. Four of the mounts are somewhat based on monsters in d&d. Windwalker is inspiried by a monster called Asperi and Flake is based on Winter wolf. Mauler resembles a Gorgon and Blazer is basically Nightmare. Gusher, on the other hand, is based on an icelandic mythological monster known as Nykur. It does have hooves turning the wrong way around, that is how you are to know it's not a safe horse to ride. It's supposed to live in lakes and runs with anyone that rides it back to a watery grave.