Episode 12: Part 2

The last traces of twilight sunk below the trees as the dark blues of evening set in outside of the Rookery Building's windows. Within Professor Bishop's office, the five Vanguard Rangers gathered along with their newest guest, a Gold Ranger calling herself Karaphriel. As the other Rangers sat and rested, she remained standing at rigid attention. Professor Bishop reclined behind his desk in quiet thought, appraising the newcomer after hearing their account of the battle earlier that day.

"It seems you intervened at just the right time," Bishop commented, "For what it's worth, thank you."

"I didn't do it for anyone's thanks," the young blonde haired woman said firmly, "I am only here to eradicate the Cambion demons that threaten this land. If I had to guess, that minotaur was looking for something... and was likely a servant of General Abaddon too."

Claire gave a questioning look to the new Ranger and said, "You seem to know an awful lot about the demons and our powers... maybe even more than us."

"I would hope so," Karaphriel retorted, "Otherwise, I wouldn't have been trained to fight them since I was young."

Bishop nodded, "Yes. You mentioned that you were a guardian of the Blind Seer Remiel. If you don't mind my asking, how is it that you're here?"

The Gold Ranger carefully scanned the silent room before speaking, "I had been kept frozen in stasis by the magic of Master Remiel until the next time I was needed."

At that, Nick gave an incredulous look, "Wait! You mean to tell me that you're probably a few thousand years old? That you're not even from this time period?"

Karaphriel regarded the Green Ranger with an imperious glance before turning back to Bishop, "I'm more amazed the big green ox over there actually comprehends language."

The professor held his hand up to restrain any further outburst from Nick, "Perhaps it's best you start from the beginning."

"Very well," the Gold Ranger began, "You can choose to believe me or not, but ages ago, I was born on the continent of Eden shortly before the great Cataclysm occurred. I had lived among the race of ancient people you now call the Empyrians."

"I don't understand," Izzy cut in as she sat next to an exhausted looking Danny on the couch, "If you came from Eden, wouldn't that make you an Empyrian too? What happened to your wings?"

Karaphriel's lips tightened slightly before answering, "I do not have Empyrian wings because I am not of that race… not entirely."

The other Rangers' eyes widened in surprise, but they remained silent as she continued, "You may be under the impression that the Empyrians were a wise and benevolent race... and they were for the most part. But for all their majesty, there was a great deal of pride and elitism within their culture… particularly regarding the purity of their blood. I would know. One of my parents was a human."

"And I'm guessing the Powers-That-Be didn't look too kindly on that?" Joe remarked quietly.

The Gold Ranger nodded, "While the rare offspring of such pairings wasn't forbidden, that didn't stop people like me from being treated like second class citizens either."

"That sounds awful," Izzy said gently, "What did you do?"

Karaphriel clenched her fists at the memory, "I did the only thing I could to try and find acceptance. I trained to be a warrior."

"And then the civil war broke out with Gideon and the Cambion Legions?" Professor Bishop prompted folding his hands together on his desk.

"Yes," the blonde young woman replied, "except I was not able to participate in any of the actual fighting. During the siege of Eden, I was given a Keyrune and posted here to defend the prophet Remiel and the Fountain Aurum. Only by watching its waters did I learn that the five greatest warriors among our ranks... the ones whose Keyrunes you now hold, had struck down Gideon.

"But you said you were put to sleep," Danny finally said in a weak voice, "Why would that happen if the Empyrians had won the battle?"

The Gold Ranger shook her head, "When the Cambion were defeated the first time, Eden began to fall from the sky and no one knew what would happen. We thought the entire world would be destroyed. In return for my service, Master Remiel offered to protect me with his magic and said he would awaken me should trouble ever arise... so that I could continue to fulfill the oaths I took. And now I have returned."

"I see," Bishop said, "then you know the Rangers had consulted the Blind Seer not long ago. You're still in his service?"

Karaphriel shook her head and turned to the assembled Rangers, "Master Remiel told me to seek the five of you out. He said that you were like me… except human. After that, I was free to decide what path to take."

"Well, I guess it would make the most sense if you were to join us... right?" Claire asked with a thoughtful look, "After all, we both have a common enemy and can help you adjust to this new time."

At that moment, Nick frowned and interrupted, "Hold on a second Claire, are you even sure we can trust her? How do we know she's willing to fight for the same cause and not just for herself? You saw how reckless she was in battle and how she almost deep fried Danny out there."

"Nick! That's enough," Izzy scolded sharply, "I'm sure Kara didn't mean it."

"Kara?" Joe asked raising an eyebrow.

The Pink Ranger simply shrugged, "What? It's easier to say."

From where she stood, Kara cleared her throat, "I'm afraid the ox is right. You can't trust me."

Everyone turned to her in surprise but the Gold Ranger remained impassive. Finally Professor Bishop broke the silence, "I don't understand… are you saying that you're not willing to at least work with us?"

"We may have a similar goal Professor, but until these new holders of the Keyrunes are able to demonstrate their prowess in combat, they're only going to get in the way."

"You've got to be kidding me! How can you say we can't fight?" Nick growled, "We've gotten this far, haven't we? Hell, we even one upped Gideon himself in a recent battle."

Kara fixed a sharp glare at him, "Do you really think Gideon will be any easier to defeat the next time around? He's merely testing you. I've observed you Rangers in battle, and frankly, I'm amazed you haven't all been killed yet."

"You'll have to forgive us," Joe said patiently restraining his own irritation, "The five of us weren't exactly born with weapons in our hands. We're doing the best we can right now."

"And I'm here to tell you that the best you can is not good enough," Kara retorted walking up to face the Red Ranger, "I can remember Auriel, the former holder of your Keyrune. He was perhaps the greatest warrior among all of Eden's guardians… a fearless and brilliant commander who could rally entire armies to fight under his banner. You'll forgive me, but all I see is a pale shadow of that glorious commander… a naïve little boy trying to play hero."

The Red Ranger tightened his features at the insult but continued to stare her down, "You know, for only being half Empyrian, you sound just as conceited as one of them."

The room fell silent for a moment before a small smirk crossed Kara's lips and she snorted in amusement, "Perhaps you're right, but that doesn't change anything. Until you prove yourself worthy of Auriel's Keyrune, I will not follow you in battle. You Rangers are still not ready to confront the true might of the Cambion legions. Until you are, I'd suggest you five stay out of my way."

Turning toward Professor Bishop, she gave a slight bow of the head as a courtesy, before calmly heading out of the room.

"Wow… what a bitch," Claire muttered, "I thought she'd be happy to have some new allies."

"I'm with Claire on this. She may be a great fighter, but where does she get off treating everyone like that?" Nick added with a nod beside the White Ranger.

"Kara is right about some things though," Danny sighed leaning back in his seat, "For one thing, we might not be ready after all."

"So we'll just have to ask her to help teach us," Izzy said with a determined look, "You saw how she was treated by the Empyrians. Maybe Kara just needs to see that we can be her friends first. That's why we need to try and reach out to her, don't you think?"

"Even if we did, I'm not sure she wants our help... or needs it," Nick argued, "You saw how dangerous she could be by herself. If she's not going to be a team player and cooperate in battle, then one of us could get hurt again… or worse."

"Well it's not exactly fair to judge her so quickly either," Izzy retorted, "Are you telling me you're just going to throw up your hands and give up without trying at all?"

After a pause, Danny spoke, "Izzy does have a point everyone. If the battles are only going to get tougher, then we're going to need all the allies and help we can get, right?"

The Pink Ranger turned to him in surprise and gave a grateful nod for the support.

Standing aside near the edge of Bishop's desk, Joe crossed his arms pensively, "Regardless, there's still a demon running around out there and we don't even know what it's up to either. For now, talking Kara into joining us might have to wait."

The Pink Ranger rose from her chair addressing her friends one more time, "Please, everyone! We can't just drag our feet about this. You saw how strong that last demon was. For all we know Kara might not be able to stop it on her own either. We need to battle that monster together… and by that, I mean all six of us. What do you say?"

Claire and Nick both frowned slightly in disagreement while Joe and Professor Bishop glanced away in silent reluctance.

"Fine then," the Pink Ranger huffed toward her friends as she turned and headed out the door, "I'll go try to talk to Kara myself."

"Wait Iz, I'll go with you…" Danny groaned trying to rise, but the Red Ranger gently restrained him and eased him back down on the couch.

"Slow down there buddy. You're in no shape to go running around just yet."

Claire moved from her spot and put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, "He's right Danny. You need to rest now. Besides, if anyone can win someone over with her charm and personality, it's Izzy."

Looking to Claire a moment, Danny gave a reluctant sigh and reclined back while Professor Bishop reached into his desk and pulled out the prophetic stone that the Blind Seer had given the Rangers. Turning it over thoughtfully in his hand, he said, "It seems the visions from this clue-stone were right after all. We saw an image of lighting and Kara's made herself a player in this struggle."

"But what about that ancient cityscape, Professor?" Nick asked running a tired hand through his hair, "Have you gotten any closer to figuring that part out yet?"

"I'm afraid not Nick," Bishop replied shaking his head with discouragement. "I'm still putting together a list of possible databases I can go through, and then I'll have to ask a favor from the architecture department to..."

"Err, Professor?" Nick gently interrupted trying to be as respectful as he could, "I know it's important to figure that out as quickly as possible and all, but maybe it's best if you take a little break sometimes... you know, so that you don't burn yourself out."

Bishop stopped and gave a confused look as the Green Ranger continued, "I was talking with your friend... my teacher Dr. Feldman. She said she was a little worried about you since you started obsessing over all our Keyrunes and stuff."

The young professor looked to him for a moment and furrowed his brow in deep thought before giving a sigh, "You may have a little point about that Nick, though you have to understand, this work is exciting to me. It proves everything I've been saying all along... and it's important toward helping you five win this fight against the demons."

At that, Joe chimed in, "We get it Professor, and we're very grateful. But I think what Nick is getting at is that you shouldn't completely lose sight of the other important things around you while pursuing your goal... like your health, or your own friends."

Professor Bishop couldn't help but chuckle, "Wisdom from the lips of my own students. I must be rubbing off you five."

"We just had a good teacher," Claire chimed in with a smile, "We just figured we should help him out from time to time too."

Rising from his chair, Professor Bishop nodded, "Right then. For now, let's leave Kara to Izzy. In the mean time, I think you four should go home to rest and eat some dinner. Right now, I should probably make a phone call to one of my old friends."