Episode 10: Part 2

A few days later, the Vanguard Rangers gathered within Professor Bishop's office in the old Rookery Tower late one afternoon. Despite their harrowing experiences from earlier in the week, they were in surprisingly good spirits. To think, they had nearly lost their lives to a powerful monster, scoured the mountains and countryside for an ancient clue, and stumbled across a phenomenal discovery.

After telling their professor about the Blind Seer's trial, their Whitesteel armor, and the stunning victory over Gideon, Bishop could only sit back in his chair with wonderment.

He was their teacher and in some ways, a growing mentor figure. While he worried about them, he couldn't help but be awed at the same time of the fantastical events that were unfolding, as well as the courage and resilience shown by these young students. It made him very proud that he could help them in some way and even more determined to continue doing so.

"The important thing is that you're all safe again," Bishop finally said with a smile. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried."

"We're glad too Professor," Claire chirped sitting on the couch with a calm grin, "Not only did we gain a very important power, but I think we learned quite a bit about ourselves too."

Nick nodded, "In more ways than one. You know, after listening to Remiel talk about the origins of our powers and our bloodlines, it just seemed to put everything into perspective more. Like, this is pretty serious and there's a lot more to lose in these battles now."

For a moment, the Green Ranger turned to Danny who had been the most resistant and reluctant to accept this new discovery. The Blue Ranger gave a gentle nod of understanding before looking to their teacher, "Professor, Remiel mentioned a greater legacy and truth that's still out there. Do you really think we'll be able to find it in time?"

Bishop furrowed his brow in uncertainty before Joe snapped his fingers and reached into his coat pocket, "Oh, right! I almost forgot. Remiel gave us this stone from his pond. He said that we'd be able to look into the future with it."

He removed the blue gem stone and handed it to Bishop, who examined the artifact carefully.

After several moments, Izzy asked tentatively, "Uh, so how do you guys think it works?"

The Rangers remained silent, unable to think of a solution until Professor Bishop put the stone down on his desk and rose from his chair. His students watched as he fetched a bucket from a closet and began to fill it with water from the sink. Setting it down and having the others gather around he began, "You said that Remiel got this stone from his pond. That pond has magic fortune telling waters that flow down from Clarion Heights. If the Great Fall there feeds all the others in the region, then all our water should have some trace of those magic properties. Maybe this stone will react when exposed to those waters."

The five friends watched with curiosity as Bishop dropped the gemstone into the water and it began to glow gently. To their amazement, the water began to swirl slowly and project vague images in the light. After a few moments, all 6 observers jumped as several bright flashes burst from the bucket and the afterimage of thunderclouds and lightning bolts flashed in the water.

When the image faded, the waters gave way to one more vision. Floating in the rippling water was the skyline of an unfamiliar city with magnificent domes and tall spires. It was hard to determine where the place was, but the buildings merged the architecture of ancient cities with the towering magnificence of modern ones.

Moments later, the light of the gemstone faded and the images dissipated leaving an inert stone in sitting in the water. Reaching into the bucket, Danny retrieved the stone and looked at it curiously. "Well, that was... interesting. What do you think that was all about?"

Nick put a hand to his head tiredly, "Honestly, I have no idea anymore. It's been a long week and I'm tired of ancient mysteries."

"Don't worry," Bishop smiled gently as he took the stone, "You five have done enough already. It's probably best I take things from here seeing how ancient mysteries are my specialty. In the mean time, I think you should all go back to your dorm and get some rest. You still look exhausted."

"Thanks Professor," Joe smiled rising to his feet. "I think we will, but first I think we should all decide on what to eat for dinner. After all, I think we all deserve a night out to celebrate kicking the butt of an arch-demon."

"Oh! I vote for noodles and potstickers!" Claire called enthusiastically, "I know a great little Chinese place at the edge of campus town."

"No way chica," Izzy interjected raising her own hand, "We're doing fajitas and enchilladas tonight."

Before anyone else could speak, Nick shook his head dismissing both ideas, "Forget that you two. How about a good old burger and fries?"

The Red Ranger looked in dismay toward Danny who sighed and gave a noncommital shrug. From his chair, Professor Bishop couldn't help but give a genuine laugh, "Even with everyone's Empyrian blood, so much for common heritage after all."

Meanwhile, in the depths of Remiel's cave, the Blind Seer glanced up slowly from his pool of prophetic waters. From one of the tunnels carved into the ceiling that led up to te peak of the mountains, a glowing orb of light slowly descended from its icy hiding place.

As the torches lining the pool lit up, providing more light to te cavern, the orb landed at the edge of the pond and dissipated, leaving a mysterious person standing before the seer.

"You're finally awake," Remiel stated, observing the Keyrune shaped artifact in the figure's hand.

"How long as it been Master Remiel?" the figure asked, still sounding a bit weary and disoriented.

"A few thousand years I would guess," the guardian spirit shrugged, "I said I would awaken you when the time came for you to be of service again."

"And I made a promise I would fulfill that duty."

Remiel nodded, "Gideon and his Cambion armies are rising again. The world will need your help, but it is a very different place. There are others like you, and the first thing I need you to do is to seek them out. After that, whatever you choose to do, will be your decision."

The figure nodded and tucked the Keyrune in their cloak. Giving a bow, the figure silently turned and made its way out from the darkness of the cave into the bright light of a brand new world.

A/N:
Like I said before, this is just a short little coda to close out the Whitesteel plot arc while teasing the introduction of a 6th Ranger. A full Episode 11 should be on its way within a couple days. Thanks again for reading and see you guys then!