A/N: So, sorry about taking me long to update; real life interfered again, as did attempting to find a nice, non-temporary full-time job. Anyway, here's theme; after this, 7 more to go! Enjoy!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place during "Code Busters")

Theme 53: History

Rootcore, September 8, 2006, 10:30 AM – Briarwood, CA, USA

Udonna's POV

"What are you doing, Chip?" I asked making my way down the stairs from the second floor of Rootcore. While the area was indeed the Mystic Force's headquarters, it was also Clare's and my home; as such, we had our own private rooms on the second level.

The ginger-haired Garuda looked up from one of the computer monitors that I had previously installed on a whim after visiting the human realm a few months previous. "Looking."

"Looking for what?" My tone was light but I was intent on discovering what exactly my Yellow Ranger wished to discover, just in case I found it necessary to guide him away from any and all tomes or collections of Dark Magic.

Chip typed something else in before replying, "The history of the Power Rangers." I was intrigued now.

"You mean that there were other Power Rangers?" I asked, amazed. Chip nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah! There were several, like the Ninja Storm team in Blue Bay Harbor, the Dino Thunders in Reefside, Lightspeed Rescue out of Mariner Bay, Mighty Morphin' in Angel Grove, and so many others!" He was literally jumping in his seat out of excitement. "According to V, Xander's cousin Kat's the Pink Zeo Ranger, first Pink Turbo and second Pink Mighty Morphin', and she's been helping Vida get acclimated to the color Pink." He frowned but it vanished in an instance. "In fact, Kat's been attempting to get us all together with her team for a jam session."

"I see," I responded head tilted. "If you have this Kat's help, then why do you wish to know about the Power Rangers?"

Chip turned around and, realizing his mistake laughed. "Oh, sorry Udonna. Wrong Rangers. I meant the warriors that came before us." I sucked in a breath. "You know, the ones who helped to end the original war between the Underworld and the Mystical Realm like in that tale a few days ago."

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you some items of information," I responded after a moment grief striking me in the chest. "I will warn you, Chip, that what I am about to say may not be repeated to the other Rangers until I give you permission. They are not prepared emotionally or spiritually to know this. You are by way of independent investigations into your history as Mystic Warriors in-training and your strength and determination to fulfill your destiny. Once the others have done the same, they will be rewarded with the same information that I am about to tell you."

"Alright," Chip responded making himself comfortable. "Whenever you're ready, Udonna."

I took a deep breath, commanding myself to calm down. I was the Sorceress of Ice and Snow, after all! I could do this. "Thirty years ago, I was a young sorceress-in-training with my sister Niella to our mother, a powerful sorceress in her own right. I soon discovered to have the power of Ice and Snow while Niella," I looked over at Chip and added without thinking, "Clare's mother, was destined to become something more, of which I shall not mention." I thought for a moment then continued, "During my training, I met many interesting warriors, among them the five who would defeat the encroaching Darkness. The Darkness had been emerging from the depths of Infershia, or the Underworld, for years. Prophecy foretold of five Mystic Warriors who would have the power to defeat the Darkness and save not only the Mystical Realm but that of the Human as well.

"The first warrior was Red," I knew that I couldn't mention Lienbow's name or his relationship to me yet; the pain was still too raw after many years, and information such as that given to rookie Mystics could have horrible consequences, particularly if the warriors' real names were given. "He had the power of fire, such as Nick does now. He was fierce and honorable, a knight to the bitter end." I paused noting that Chip was transfixed to every word coming out of my mouth. "The second warrior was Green and, like Xander, he had control over not only the Earth but trees and flowers. His powers were so strong that he could easily cause an acorn to sprout into a fifty-foot oak tree in a matter of minutes." I smiled gently at the memory of the last time my dear friend had done that. "In fact, he would do this in numerous attempts to impress the Pink Warrior, who often turned her nose up at the acts. Secretly, however, Pink was enamored with Green; this she confided in me a few days before the Final Battle. Pink herself could initiate and end hurricanes with just the snap of her fingers. Yellow was an excellent lightning-wielder, one of the most powerful Sorceresses of Thunder and Lightning in existence." I smiled at Chip. "She was an excellent wielder, and one of my best friends, energetic and optimistic during even the dourest of times. Blue, on the other hand, was a stoic individual, at times prone to bouts of brooding and utter silence. However, like his element, water, he tended to move quickly if angered; one day, he almost caused a tsunami when he lost his temper at Green during a little spat. He and Yellow were married and expecting just before the commencement of the Final Battle."

"Wow," Chip breathed. This was so fascinating! Why couldn't they learn about this kind of history instead of who won the Thirty Years' War?!

I smiled. The grief, though it was still in my heart, it wasn't as strong as it once was. Perhaps talking about the past was a good method of relaxation and healing after all; I would have to thank Clare for mentioning it to me. "Yes, it is. However," my mood turned dark, "during the Final Battle, they were all lost. Yellow was hit in the stomach and she bled to death in Blue's arms, losing the child in the process. Blue died of heartbreak soon after, willingly giving himself up to Morticon and his forces. Pink and Green fought side-by-side and managed to take out many of the Darkness' forces before being brought down. Pink's arm was torn off at the shoulder and Green lost a leg; despite this, they continued to fight and the last that I saw of them was when they were dying, arm-in-arm. I never discovered what happened to Red."

Chip's mouth hung open in shock, but when I finished, he snapped it closed. After a moment, he asked haltingly, "Udonna, do you think that, well, that we'll end up the same way?"

I looked at him before replying softly, "Spirits above, Chip, I hope not. The worlds need their protectors, as I don't think that they can survive otherwise. My friends, as strong as they were, fell because they had not prepared enough. I believe that you, Chip, and your friends will be the ones to fulfill the Ancients' prophecy, despite the odds that are stacked against you."

Chip nodded in acceptance then, thinking of something else to ask her opened his mouth. "Udonna, this is going to sound strange, but do you think that history will repeat itself in regards to romantic relationships?"

I started. "Why in Magitopia would you ask that, Chip?"

Ignoring the weird name "Magitopia" and the feeling that he'd heard the word before Chip continued, "I mean, well, I know that Maddie's infatuated with Nick and Xander and Vida are always out to impress each other. I just want them all to be happy."

I smiled, knowing now the real reason for his question. "As powerful as I am, Chip, even I do not know the fate of teenagers' hearts, even that of my own niece." That would get him wondering; she'd seen the way that her niece looked at Chip and had decided to "help" the process along... without the latter's knowledge, of course. "Now, I do believe that you were meeting Vida for something this afternoon?"

Chip started; shit, he'd forgotten about that! "Yeah, that's right. Bye Udonna!" The Garuda gathered up his bag and threw on his cape, running out of Rootcore.

As I watched one of my protégés leave, I reflected upon his last question. 'I suppose that history has repeated itself at times, and while I hope that they will defeat the Underworld and save both the Mystical and Human Realms, I am almost one hundred sure that one aspect will repeat itself.' I glanced at the computer and, snapping my fingers pulled the memory I wished to watch onto the screen. My new protégés were all gathered outside of the Mystical Forest, just before they had entered the woods to embrace their destinies. Xander had just driven up in Vida's jeep with Madison, and Vida instantly attacked him, accusing him of stealing her jeep just because his was in the shop and un-drivable. 'I am most definitely not an expert in teenage hormones (Clare was an exception as she was easy to read), but even I could sense the sexual tension between the Green and Pink Rangers.'

"The exact same start," I murmured after a moment, feeling the liquid moisture gather at the edges of my eyes. Through blurred eyes, I could see my friends of almost two decades previous, the Green and Pink Mystics arguing over the ownership of a rogue broomstick that both of them had laid claim to at once. "My friends, how I miss you, but perhaps, in your place, they shall thrive."