Chapter 32 - Siren's Song
Despite everything that had gone on that day, the Rangers weren't able to relax. After sitting down to eat - Arianna's orders now that she had recovered - they were all hard at work clearing the base. With Vivix and Spikeballs still running around town, they had all wanted to get back out and help out, but Tyzonn and Xander refused to let them, assuring them that it was under control.
While Ari slept, recovering the strength she'd used when healing Arianna, the Rangers cleared away the rubble and righted the shelves that had fallen over to start repairing their base. As they did, Kendall, Heckyl and Riley were working on repairing enough of their computer systems to at least contact SPD for assistance.
Teddie swept up the broken glass, trying to separate any fossils that looked as if they were relatively undamaged. She had managed to find one that hadn't been crushed or shattered, and was setting it aside when Chase approached her with a sheepish expression.
"Hey," he greeted, and she looked up. Teddie then straightened up, wondering just what was on her brother's mind. "I didn't realise it until Oli pointed it out, but…I never told you I could glow," Chase said, and Teddie's eyes widened.
"Oh, right," she couldn't think of what to say. She'd completely forgotten that he hadn't told her. His eyes narrowed as he caught how thrown she sounded. Teddie might have been different to how she was before, but he still knew her.
"Ted…" he spoke slowly. She sighed.
"No, I knew. Heckyl told me," Chase instantly started to turn towards Heckyl, his face burning, but Teddie grabbed his arm. "He only told me because I was conflicted about my own powers," Teddie defended quickly. She knew she should tell him the whole truth, but the moment she tried to, the words failed her. She couldn't admit it, not after what happened with Arianna.
"What about your powers?" Chase asked her, not understanding.
"When I was Thana, I used dark magic, and it makes me sick to think how easy it was. There was only one instance where I was able to use my Dino Power, and it was after I started to remember things," Teddie whispered. Chase was quiet as he listened to what she was saying. "When I was split from Mab and I remembered who I was, my Dino Power became easier to use, but even the idea of magic had me…stuck," Teddie admitted quietly.
"Stuck?" Chase repeated, not understanding.
"It was like…I knew how to use my magic, but I just couldn't. Light or Dark magic, I just couldn't use the power," Teddie struggled to put how she felt into words. "I guess because the leftover energy of the Dark Energem is still there, I felt like good magic wouldn't respond. And because that darkness isn't me, some instinctive part of me just refused to try it," she said. Teddie then huffed. "That doesn't make sense," she muttered.
"No, I get it," Chase shook his head. "But you're okay now, right? I mean, you used magic out there against Mab like one of the Mystics," he grinned. Teddie blushed at his praise, but looked away regardless.
"Not like it was much use here," she muttered, and his smile fell.
"Hey," Chase grasped her shoulders, making her look up at him. "You don't have to do everything, you know. From what I heard, you're the reason Arianna was safe when Mab found the base to begin with. We wouldn't have beaten her without you," he told her firmly.
"I guess," Teddie muttered, and Chase gave an almost comical groan in response.
"So stubborn. Can't half tell we're related," he complained, and his words won a smile from Teddie. His own smile returned at that. "That's better. Don't doubt yourself now, Ted. You're my twin, so you're bound to be awesome," Chase said. This time she laughed.
"Alright, hotshot," she punched his shoulder lightly. "I see that ego hasn't been kept in check while I was gone," she said, a little louder this time.
"Not from a lack of trying, I assure you," Olivia called over. The others nodded. Chase went red as he rolled his eyes, but he didn't lose his smile. After everything, it was good to hear Teddie laugh.
It was exactly as Ryan predicted. By some miracle, Fury managed to obtain the Dark Energem and managed to escape from the Rangers unscathed. He raced through town, somehow managing to avoid the areas where Rangers and Ninjas alike were patrolling to clear out the last of the Vivix and Spikeballs.
Ryan spotted the cat-like alien a mile off from his elevated vantage point. He watched as Fury headed back to where he assumed the monster had abandoned the pod he'd taken to get from Sledge's ship. Even when Fury vanished from view, Ryan could almost detect exactly where he was, thanks to the Dark Energem he carried.
A smirk spread across his face as he felt the power of the Dark Energem call out to him. It echoed through his body, which felt almost like it was being pulled right to it. He wanted that power back; the power he'd unlocked in his fight against the Rangers. The Dark Ranger powers that allowed him to steal their new Zord and almost destroy them.
Of course, he'd held back just a fraction; enough to be sure that they would live and recover in time for another battle. It would have been far too easy for him to just wipe them out. He wanted to have some fun with the new power.
Especially before Sledge decided that he no longer needed Ryan. He wasn't a fool; there wasn't enough room in the universe for both of their egos. The moment the Rangers were out of the way and the Energems of Light were in their possession, Sledge would do whatever it took to get Ryan out of the way.
"Let him try," Ryan breathed, and leapt from the building he was standing on as the dark energy started to swirl around him.
Fury couldn't believe that his plan had worked so well. He'd managed to find the Ranger base by following the energy reading from the destroyed Greenzilla egg - knowing that was where Mab had been sent to when she'd stolen the Dark Energem.
He hadn't expected it to be the Ranger base, but it worked out in his favour. The only ones there were Arianna and Keeper - and the latter was still injured. Neither were much of a fight for the powerful monster, and he'd managed to use them to his advantage to get the Dark Energem back from the Rangers.
He would forever savour their expressions when he cut Arianna down. It hadn't been necessary, of course, but at least now they would be distracted long enough for him to escape their miserable planet and return to Sledge with the Dark Energem.
Fury's sharp ears twitched, and he veered quickly to turn right down another street when he heard people nearby. He'd kept an eye on the invasion, and he'd seen Rangers from other teams helping out to clear the city and protect the civilians while the Dino Charge Rangers took out the Greenzilla monsters.
It was taking him longer than he'd hoped to get back to his pod because of it. While he held the Dark Energem, he didn't want to challenge Rangers from former teams; all of whom were infamous throughout the universe for the enemies they'd defeated. So he took detours around where he could hear anyone moving, slowly getting closer to where he'd stashed his pod.
When a familiar scent caught Fury's attention, he stopped abruptly and let out a quiet growl as he looked around.
"What's the rush?" Ryan asked innocently, walking towards him with a pleasant smile on his face. Fury gave another low growl in warning.
"What are you doing here? Master Sledge told you to stay on the ship!" he growled, wary of the young man. He'd seen the amount of power he had when he'd destroyed Arcanon's two powerful minions in one hit. Granted, they hadn't been in the best of shape after their fight with the Rangers, but Ryan had vaporised them with one blast of dark energy before the strain had knocked him out.
"I don't take orders well," Ryan said. He started walking again, and Fury raised his sword quickly. "So defensive, little kitty," he taunted, and Fury growled again at the mocking words.
"Get out of here, boy. I'm bringing the Dark Energem to Master Sledge," he warned. Ryan shook his head.
"No, you're not. There's been a change in plans," dark energy gathered around Ryan's hands as he spoke. "I'm taking the Dark Energem," he declared.
"Traitor!" Fury yelled, launching himself at Ryan. The young man rolled his eyes and let out a powerful scream. The power of the Pterodactyl that he'd inherited from his mother slammed into Fury, reversing his trajectory so he flew backwards and slammed against a wall.
"I know that your name is literally Fury, but you could really stand to keep a level head now and again," Ryan told him as Fury's ears rang from the loud sound that was even louder to his sensitive ears. "You call me a traitor? I don't recall ever agreeing to serve that idiot. I didn't even agree to work with him," he told the monster. Fury got back to his feet, lifting his sword as he got ready to fight again.
"Then you're a fool. Master Sledge won't let you live after this," Fury warned. Ryan just laughed loudly, entertained by the threat.
"Give me the Dark Energem, and I'll let you limp back to your Master with your tail between your legs," he said, and cocked his head. "Actually, do you have a tail? You're some kind of cat, I get that, but are you hiding a tail under that weird skirt of yours?" Ryan asked him, making Fury's temper grow even more.
"Shut up!" he roared, launching himself at Ryan again. As he swung his sword down, Ryan suddenly vanished, his body rippling out of view, and the sword hit nothing but air before colliding with the ground. Ryan's laughter echoed as Fury gave an angry yell.
"I told you, a level head would really help you out here. Getting all angry and snarly like a cat taking a bath is just going to waste your energy," Ryan taunted him, and Fury swung out. This time, laughter didn't follow, as the tip of the sword managed to catch him across his chest. The monster had sharper senses and reflexes than he'd expected.
"What, no more mockery?" Fury called as his ears twitched. "I smell the blood, brat. You're not as untouchable as you like to think!" he shouted. He then whirled around, swinging his sword seemingly at random. At the last moment, Ryan materialised exactly where Fury was aiming, but darkness flew from his outstretched hands and caught Fury in the face.
The strike wasn't too powerful, but it was enough to disorientate Fury and make him stagger backwards. Ryan followed him, kicking him in the arm before grabbing the sword. There was a brief struggle, before the sword was thrown to the side.
"You're better than I expected," Ryan admitted, and threw a punch. It connected with Fury's chest, and was powered up by dark energy that threw Fury across the street. "But you still don't even compare with me, Fury," he told him. His mocking smile was gone, and the long, thin cut across his chest stung enough that it annoyed him.
Fury snarled and got back up. He was badly hurt, but he refused to give up. Not while he had the Dark Energem. He had to get it back to Sledge. He owed his Master too much to fail now, especially after he'd failed so spectacularly to retrieve the Energems from Keeper all those centuries ago.
"You'll pay for this, brat," he promised, glaring at Ryan. He rolled his eyes.
"I told you, furbag. I just want the Dark Energem," he snapped. His own impatience was starting to win out the longer Fury dragged out the fight. Ryan could feel the power of the Dark Energem right there, begging for Ryan to take it. The siren song was unbearable.
"Master Sledge-"
"Master Sledge this, Master Sledge that, who the hell cares?!" Ryan snapped as he cut Fury off. "Why would I ever give my loyalty to him? The only reason he partnered with Mab was because she gave him insider info to Arcanon. The moment she outlived her usefulness, he betrayed her. She wasn't even worth the energy of the Magna Beam! He was only interested once he realised she had the Dark Energem!" Ryan shouted at Fury.
"Mab was a traitor too! She was never worth the effort!" Fury snapped, and Ryan rolled his eyes.
"Of course she wasn't. But I'm not an idiot. I know the same would go for me when Sledge felt I was no longer useful. Why would I ever let him have the Dark Energem, when I can use that power myself?" he asked. Fury gave a growl filled with rage.
"Stop right there!" both paused at the shout, and turned to see the Rangers racing towards them. Fury spat out a curse. Ryan had delayed him too long.
"Great," Ryan, on the other hand, blamed Fury. He shook his head and turned away from the Rangers, giving Fury his attention instead. After all, he'd already sent them running once, they weren't that big a threat to him. "This wouldn't have been a problem if you had just listened to me!" he snapped at Fury.
"It wouldn't have been a problem if you hadn't attacked me!" Fury snarled back at him.
"We can keep going in circles about this, but I'm not leaving without the Dark Energem," Ryan warned him. Dark energy was gathered at his fingertips, begging to be released as his own anger grew with every second Fury resisted.
"Ryan, don't do this!" Jeremy shouted, and he hissed under his breath.
"Shut it, Jeremy," Ryan snapped as he turned his head to acknowledge the Rangers. "Stay out of this. I don't care if you've got a familiar face as backup this time," he barely even looked at Teddie before turning away from them.
Teddie couldn't help but feel guilty as she saw what Ryan had become. She'd seen him being attacked by Arcanon, but in that moment, she'd been too scared to move. The power of the Dark Energem had rooted her to the spot, and all she'd been able to do was watch as Ryan took the Dark Energem and destroyed Conductro and Screech.
"You?" Fury was surprised to see Teddie there too, having wondered just what had happened to her after she and Mab had split. The last he'd heard, she'd escaped and had vanished into the forest. He hadn't expected to see her standing with the Rangers now.
"We aren't about to let you take the Dark Energem," Chase spoke before Ryan could resume his fight with Fury. The young man groaned.
"I said stay out of this!" he swung his arm out and sent a wave of darkness towards the team. Teddie instantly grabbed her hammer and swung down, creating a haze of good magic that blocked most of the attack, but the backlash of the two energies was enough to knock them off their feet.
"I don't understand what's going on," Teddie groaned as she pushed herself back up. "He's reacting to the power of the Dark Energem in a completely different way to me," she said as she helped Riley to his feet.
"I don't get it either, but right now we can't focus on that. We have to stop him from getting the Dark Energem," Tyler said as he watched Ryan and Fury carefully. He wasn't sure who they should go for first, knowing that whoever they did attack, the other would go after them too.
"I welcome you to try and stop me," Ryan snapped as he heard Tyler's directions to his team. "Fury, I'll ask one more time. Give me. The damn. Dark Energem," he ordered in slow, sharp words. Fury, once again, refused to be intimidated by him, and shook his head.
"Master Sledge gives the orders, not you! Get out of my way!" he shouted. He was ready to keep fighting, even if it meant fighting the Rangers as well. Ryan was quiet for a moment, before the anger almost seemed to vanish. However, Fury could see it there, simmering and ready to boil over, as Ryan gave a heavy sigh.
"Fine. If that's what you want, then you've brought this on yourself," the air grew heavy, making it hard for anyone to breathe as a chill covered everyone. The Rangers, and Teddie, all stepped back out of reflex as they felt the dark power that Ryan was calling on.
Sensing the sheer power as dark energy started to swirl around Ryan like thick smoke, Fury knew there was only one way to stop it from killing him outright. He threw himself to the side, trying to get to his sword in time to use his own powers, but Ryan was faster. Fury's claws just scratched the edge of his sword when the darkness caught him.
Their spectators watched, terrified, as the darkness swallowed Fury, and his screams echoed so loudly they were all sure they would still be hearing them long after they stopped. A sick smile had spread across Ryan's face as he listened.
The screaming was cut off by an explosion so powerful that it rocked the buildings around them, destroying some of the constructions closest to them. Chase had raised a shield as Teddie called on her own magic as a protective barrier, and they barely managed to hold against the power. They watched as the flames and smoke faded, and the jar containing the Dark Energem clattered to the ground beside Fury's sword.
"He destroyed Fury…" Riley was the first to be able to find the words as they stared at the sword, which was all that remained of their enemy.
"After all this time, my captor is…defeated," Ivan murmured, feeling almost sick at the barbaric way that Ryan had destroyed Fury. Even if he'd held Ivan captive for 600 years, he still hated to see just how cruel it had been.
"Yeah, yeah, he's gone, whatever," Ryan was dismissive as he lifted the jar on the ground. "He brought it on himself. All he had to do was hand over the Dark Energem," he opened the jar, and after tipping the Dark Energem into his hand, he tossed it aside for it to shatter on the ground.
Ryan laughed to himself as that pull was finally answered, the moment that the Dark Energem touched his hand. Eerie light started to spill from the Energem and wrapped around him. Ryan closed his eyes, and the Dark Ranger suit appeared around him.
"Ryan, stop this!" Teddie shouted as she called on the Avis Knight armour. "What you're feeling is the evil of the Dark Energem. You can't-"
"Can't what, Teddie?" Ryan asked as he looked over lazily at her. He was almost amused by her armour. "Listen to its call? Use its power to do what I want?" he laughed, and turned to them. The Rangers fell into fighting stances. "Oh, don't look so scared. I'm not going to kill you. Not yet, anyway," he told them. Ryan then laughed. "The end has only just begun, after all."
Before they could question Ryan's ominous warning, he threw out a hand. A blast of dark energy exploded out and created a cover of thick smoke. When it cleared, Ryan was gone, taking the Dark Energem with him.
I had meant to update earlier, but have had a hell of a week travelling to see family and stuff so today was the first day I had the mental capacity to do so.
Hope you liked it!
Please review!