Episode 25: Part 2

The next morning, Professor Bishop, Kara, and Claire made their way into the university's Biology labs. To their relief, they found Dr. Feldman there looking over some slides of plant samples under a microscope.

She stopped and looked up in surprise as she put down her lab notes, "Oh! Gabe... girls. This is a surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you here today."

"Hi Maggie," Bishop smiled hesitantly, "I uh... came because my student Claire here was hoping she could get some help from you."

The White Ranger stepped forward with two little plastic bags containing the hair and feather samples from Dr. Dupre's office as well as some from the auditorium yesterday. "That's right Professor. I've got something here for uh... Biology class and I was hoping you could help show me some advanced ways to prep these samples and get more data out of them."

Feldman gave a flattered smile, "Oh... well, of course! I'd be happy to help you Claire. If it's one of Gabriel's students, then I don't mind at all."

"Awesome! Thanks Dr. Feldman," the White Ranger smiled giving a wave to the others, "Ok. I'll take it from here you two. I'll let you know when I get my results."

"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help?" Bishop asked, but Kara took his arm and spun him around toward the door, "I think Claire will be fine here cousin. Let's get going? You still have some papers to grade, right?"

Bishop sighed and let the Gold Ranger drag him out the door, but not before catching one last amused smile and wave from Maggie. "Oh, and don't forget, I'll give you a call later about catching up this week, ok?"

Bishop stopped and gave a neutral shrug before heading out the door with Kara while Claire could only shake her head in the background.

Once out on the quad, Bishop looked to Kara in mild annoyance before saying, "You know, I almost think you Rangers are trying to keep me from being involved in your fight against the demons now."

"We are trying to keep you from unnecessary harm or exertion Professor," Kara replied flatly.

Bishop grumbled, "Kara, I'm not some helpless old man or an invalid. I can still play a role here."

"And you do," Kara answered looking to him directly with her blue eyes, "Professor, the others had already mentioned this the other day, but you are a valuable member of our team. I know you feel a little left out since the Rangers gained their Greater Powers from Atlantis, but you still have a lot to contribute."

The professor shrugged, "Oh really? Like what?"

Kara thought for a long moment, "We recovered quite a few artifacts from the temple in Atlantis. Perhaps there is more valuable knowledge to be found by studying them. You might not have Ranger powers or the ability to stand alongside us in battle, but you help make up for the one thing Archangel Auriel said we Rangers lacked: Wisdom."

Bishop gave a curious look to his adopted cousin as they kept walking. Kara cleared her throat, "Professor, we Rangers look to you for your valuable wisdom and guidance, just like we rely on Nick for his strength, Claire for her intellect, or Joe for his leadership, to name a few examples."

Bishop softened and gave a small nod, "Maybe you're right Kara, but I just feel so helpless sometimes. There are times I wish there was more I could do to help you six. The danger is only growing and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"The rest of us feel the same way toward you," the Gold Ranger said, "I understand how you have developed some paternal feelings toward all of us. A good father is willing to give a lot of himself for his children, as does a good teacher for his students."

"Of course," Bishop replied, "The six of you know that I'm willing to make those sacrifices."

Kara fixed him with a pointed look, "Professor, I think the other Rangers feel that you shouldn't sacrifice too much of yourself or your time without good reason. The others have the same commitment to fighting the Cambion, but they still try to find time to live their lives outside of being Rangers. I think they sometimes want you to live for yourself too. Find something that makes you happy or will make your life more fulfilling."

"Like what?" Bishop asked curiously.

Kara stopped a moment and thought, "Well... for one thing, the other Rangers seem to be of the opinion that you could start by pursuing romantic relationships again... perhaps one with Dr. Feldman?"

Bishop stopped and gave a surprised look before clearing his throat, "Really... they said that?"

Kara gave a hesitant shrug, "Even if I'm sharing a home with you now, it's still not good to be alone so much Professor. You said the same to me when you encouraged me to make friends with the other Rangers."

Turning to the Gold Ranger he gave a careful look, "I did, didn't I?"

After a pause, he said, "Considering you kind of are my adopted cousin now... what do you think?"

She gave a pensive frown for a moment before looking back to him, "I think it would be a good idea to try. Dr. Feldman is a nice woman and a friend of yours too. She seems to genuinely care about you."

Bishop chewed his lip for a moment, keeping his face neutral, "I see. Thanks Kara. I'll keep that in mind. In the mean time, maybe we should start trying to do some research on that thing that attacked campus yesterday, what do you think?"

Later that afternoon, the Rangers reconvened in the Rookery Building to hear about Claire's findings from the lab. As they gathered in Bishop's office, the White Ranger passed the Professor her lab printout. "Well everyone, it looks like we were right. The fur and feather samples we found in Dr. Dupre's office match the same ones from the demon in the auditorium. What's even more curious is the fact that the samples suggest it's some sort of composite creature. There's definitely some DNA of oxen, lion, and bird in that thing."

"Well it was talking about some kind of riddle and challenge," Joe said crossing his arms, "Wouldn't that make it kinda like a sphinx from ancient mythology?"

Bishop smiled and quickly paged through a book, "Except it's not. If Claire is right, then the demon's animal traits more closely align with a Lamassu, a mythical creature of the ancient Assyrians. While they weren't the same as the sphinx we know of today, they were still similar creatures and were often very ancient and wise. Perhaps it helped inspire the later myths."

"Don't forget. It was powerful too," Nick added grimly, "That thing was super strong and seemed to shrug off most of our blows pretty easily."

Izzy sighed, "I'd be more concerned with what that thing is up to. If we assume that's what got those community college professors too, then the victims all have a similar curse placed on them. Both Dr. Dupre and that Math professor from yesterday were put into comas and they seem almost brain drained."

"Maybe that's what the Lamassu is after," Kara chimed in, making everyone stop and look at her, "It's been going around searching for brilliant minds to challenge with its riddles. Maybe it's draining those people's intellectual power to make itself stronger and smarter."

The Blue Ranger gave a thoughtful look, "All right. Let's assume that's true for a minute. Does the key to defeating that thing lie in answering its riddle, and if so, what is it? I seem to remember that the mythological sphinx was defeated when someone answered it correctly."

Bishop shook his head, "No. For you Rangers, it's probably best that you don't risk letting the Lamassu challenge you. Nick was able to injure it, so that means using force is still an option."

Joe pondered it over for long moment before giving a serious nod, "All right. The question becomes, how do we track down the demon and stop it before it attacks another person?"

"Well, we know that the Lamassu has been targeting exceptionally smart people," Claire reasoned, "This university is already a prime hunting ground with plenty of honors students and stuck up professors... um, present company excluded."

Bishop wasn't paying much attention to Claire's last sentence as he looked to his watch and quickly began checking his phone.

"Uh, Professor? Is something wrong?" Izzy asked in confusion.

Bishop frowned at his phone, then looked to the Pink Ranger in growing concern. "I don't know. I had completely lost track of time with our meeting here and just realized Maggie was supposed to give me a call about meeting later this week. She's half an hour late, which is very unlike her."

"Whoah, the Professor's got a date with Dr. Feldman?" Danny smiled.

Nick groaned and gently shoved his friend, "Pay attention preppy. That's not what he's worried about."

Joe pushed past the others and gripped his Keyrune, heading for the door, "Let's get moving Rangers, and stay alert. If Dr. Feldman really is in trouble, then we've got to get ready to take on that monster again."

Bishop watched for a moment as his Rangers hurried out of the office. Screwing up his courage and taking a deep breath, he headed for the door and quickly made his way after them.

Racing back across campus from the air, the morphed Vanguard Rangers swooped in low over a grassy plaza leading from the Biology labs. They were just in time to see the familiar form of the monstrous Cambion Lamassu stalking about over the now fallen form of Dr. Feldman. As they quickly descended onto the lawn, they were relieved that there wasn't any blood or bruises, but the Botany professor seemed to be in some catatonic state.

"Rangers, there you are," it purred, "I was hoping I could get a chance to pay you back from our last skirmish."

"Oh you'll get one," Nick answered angrily as the Rangers drew their weapons, "But first you're going to tell us what you did to Dr. Feldman."

The Lamassu grinned, "The woman? Why, the same thing I did to all my other victims. I drained her mental power when she couldn't answer my riddle. You'd be amazed how valuable all this new knowledge will be to Lord Gideon."

The only riddle I'm interested in, is how fast it will be to destroy a messed up creature like you," Danny retorted.

The demon growled and began to charge its own projectile attack from its eyes.

"If you're a composite monster, then we're gonna take you out with a composite weapon," Joe growled signaling the others with his weapon. In an instant, the Vanguard Rangers grouped up and combined their weapons to form their Radiant Arbalest.

As the six took aim at the Lamassu and braced themselves, they suddenly heard Bishop approach and cry out in alarm, "No! Rangers, don't attack it head on!"

Before he could call out again, the Lamassu unleashed its powerful energy attack from its eyes as the Rangers fired their own weapon. The two beams collided against each other with a thunderous explosion. To the Rangers' horror, the Lamassu's beam weapon overpowered their own Arbalest and swept back over them, scattering them in a second fiery back blast.

As the six stunned Rangers lay on the ground struggling to come to their senses, the demon beast stalked closer with a laugh, "Ignorant humans! Did you really think you could overpower me? Did you really believe I wouldn't be able to out-think you first and prepare for such an attack? Now, I'll finish what all of Lord Gideon's other servants were unable to do."

"Stop right there!" came the loud voice of Professor Bishop. The demon turned its gaze over to the History professor who bravely stepped forward and stood in between the Cambion beast and his downed students. "If you think you're so smart and superior, then you won't be afraid to accept the challenge of a lowly human."

The Lamassu stopped and eyed Bishop curiously, "You wish to take up arms against me too?"

Bishop shook his head, "No. I challenge you to a battle of wits! You've been seeking a worthy human to answer your riddle. Well, then I accept. If you win, you can take my mental energy as well."

"Professor... don't do it!" Joe croaked nearby while feebly trying to rise.

"Silence Ranger!" the demon roared at him. "Very well human. I accept."

Bishop turned to his Rangers with a steady look, "Just hold on Rangers. Now it's my turn to protect all of you."

The Lamassu cocked its head sideways and gave an inquisitive look, "Answer if you dare human.
The beginning of eternity. The end of time and space. The beginning of every end, and the end of every place. What am I?"

Bishop listened carefully and stood in silence, considering the puzzle. The Rangers held their collective breaths as a long minute passed and a haze hung over the battlefield. Finally, the Lamassu growled quietly, "Speak now human. My patience grows thin."

Bishop raised a hand, still thinking. He knew riddles were rarely literal or straightforward, and he knew that the Cambion were fond of playing unfair tricks as well. That was what his own experience and wisdom had taught him, which is why he was suddenly able to come up with an answer.

"I've got it," he said with a confident smile, "You are the Letter E."

As he said that, the Lamassu's eyes went wide and it stared in incredulous shock. Everyone continued to watch as the demon began to tremble and shake violently, "No! This can't be!"

The demon gave a furious roar as it began to glow and motes of bright energy drained away from the creature, zipping off into different directions. Presumably, it was all the mental energy the beast had stolen, now returning to their original owners.

"No! You can't take them from me!" the Lamassu wailed collapsing to its front paws as the last mote of energy returned to Dr. Feldman laying nearby.

"I can, and I did," Professor Bishop said grimly as he slowly lifted the Rangers' fallen Arbalest by himself and began to take aim at the head of the monster. "I'm not going to let you harm any more people I care about. Not Dr. Feldman, my students, or the Power Rangers."

"You intend to finish me all by yourself then?" the demon said with a weak mocking laugh.

"Not by himself," the Red Ranger answered as he and the other Rangers rose up and gathered around Bishop, "He's one of us, so he's never alone."

Bishop looked in surprise as the six Rangers supported him and steadied his aim with the Arbalest. "Everyone… thank you."

"Now's your chance Professor," Kara called loading the weapon and bracing herself. Bishop gave a determined nod and pulled the trigger, firing another powerful bolt of celestial energy at the weakened monster. The Lamassu shrieked as the bolt of white hot light struck its face and burned away its mask, revealing a hideous face before the entire creature was vaporized into smoke and ash.

As the smoke cleared, Bishop dropped the Arbalest and hurried over to Dr. Feldman who was still laying on the ground. The other Rangers watched quietly as Bishop knelt down and gently cradled Feldman's head, hoping to revive her. "Maggie! Maggie? Are you ok?"

The Botany professor stirred a moment before a soft groan escaped her lips and her eyes fluttered open, "Gabe? Is that you?"

The History professor broke into a relieved smile to see his old friend safe again, "Oh thank God! Maggie! I was so worried!"

She sat up and glanced over toward the Rangers who stood quietly off to the side before looking again to Bishop. "Gabriel... you saved me from that monster, and you helped the Power Rangers?"

Bishop nodded with an emotional smile, "Of course Maggie. You've always been such a good friend to me. I know I'm not always good when it comes to these sorts of things and I mess up a lot of times, but I couldn't let you, or my students, or anyone else I care about get hurt."

Dr. Feldman broke into a tearful smile and threw her arms around Bishop's neck, crying into his shoulder while hugging him, "Oh Gabe."

After a long moment, Bishop said quietly, "Maggie, I know this is kind of an unusual time to say this, but seeing what that monster did to you made me feel a lot of things... and I was hoping we could get more of a chance to talk about that over dinner this weekend? Just the two of us?"

Feldman gave him another smile and nodded, hugging him again.

While Professor Bishop sat holding his friend on the remains of the battlefield, the other Vanguard Rangers watched happily from nearby.

"Good for them," Nick grinned as Claire and Izzy exchanged quiet girlish squeals of excitement.

"You know what? I think those crazy kids are gonna be ok after all," Danny chuckled toward Joe, "What do you think boss?"

The Red Ranger simply gave a quiet smile and nodded to the others as he called his wings, "I think we should all clear out now and give our teachers a little privacy. Come on."

While Bishop continued to hold Maggie in his arms, he glanced up to the sky and caught sight of six angelic Rangers departing the battlefield. That was a good sign, he thought to himself and for the first time that day, he couldn't help but give a bright genuine smile.

Later that week, a chilly gust of wind whistled at the window while Professor Gabriel Bishop sat within his small cozy office poring over his research. Despite the cold gray October skies outside, a warm fire crackled in the fireplace to ward off the chill while the professor hunched over an old musty book. After all of the chaotic Ranger battles that past summer and the start of a new school year, Bishop finally had some time to begin studying the artifacts and records he had recovered from the Rangers' jaunt through the City of Atlantis.

Across the room, Kara sat on the couch near the fireplace writing on a notepad to help translate some of the more obscure symbols of the Empyrian language. The Gold Ranger glanced up as she heard a knock at the door and saw her friend and fellow Ranger Joe peek inside.

"Hey Professor," he smiled giving a friendly wave, "I know your office hours are almost over, but I had some questions about that term paper you assigned our class."

"Hi Joe. Come on in," Bishop smiled giving his student a wave, "I'm actually glad you're here. I was looking over our goodies from Atlantis and I came across something you might find interesting."

Joe walked into the office and greeted Kara before approaching the Professor. As he poked at some Atlantean baubles on the desk, Bishop handed him an ornate ceremonial dagger. The sheath was made of gold and the grip was accented with a soft cloth colored a deep red.

"Very cool," Joe smiled admiring the dagger for a moment, "Is this a new Ranger weapon or something?"

Bishop shook his head and pointed at the engravings on the sheath. "No, but take a look at these markings."

The Red Ranger studied it for a moment as Kara walked over to join them. "The shape of this engraving… almost looks like some kind of horn."

"Exactly," Kara smiled, "Professor Bishop and I believe that this may be a clue to Auriel's Trumpet."

"Auriel?" Joe asked in surprise, "The same Archangel who my Keyrune belonged to? The High Commander of Eden's armies himself?"

Bishop nodded and flipped open some of his newest translated notes, "I've been going deeper into the details of the Empyrian records and I came across a soldier's account of a major battle during the war with the Cambion. In it, the record hinted that Commander Auriel had a special edge in battle."

Joe gave a questioning look as Bishop continued, "We know that the other Archangel heroes who fought alongside Auriel were very powerful. We've seen that when you've summoned your powers already. But why do you suppose Auriel was called the greatest of Eden's warriors, and how do you think he was able to strike down Gideon the first time?"

"He ate his angel Wheaties?" Joe chuckled until Kara gave him a sharp punch in the arm and a reproachful frown.

"There had been stories among my people that Commander Auriel possessed a magnificent clarion trumpet," she said, "They say he used it call the Heavenly Hosts to battle and it was guarded by his honorary Herald. With that trumpet Commander Auriel could become a pure force of fiery light so that no demon could ever hope to stand before him."

"Hey, I like the sound of that already," Joe said with an impressed smile, "With something like that in our arsenal, there's no way Gideon will be able to win."

"Remember Joe, you are still only a human and Auriel was a powerful warrior angel." Kara said seriously "I mean no offense by that, but assuming we had the trumpet, its powers might still be too much for you to control."

"Fair enough, but as long as it stays out of the enemy's hands, then that's good enough for me," the Red Ranger nodded, "Where is this trumpet supposed to be anyway?"

"I'm afraid we're still working on that," Bishop sighed pushing aside his research, "But it will give me something to do and I'll be sure to let you know when I find out more. In the mean time, how about we get to work tackling that term paper, hmm?"