(We originally were going to publish this chapter once we finished the whole episode. BUT this chapter is too big so we split it into 2 as we work on part 2.)
ESCAPING REALITY 1/2
The trunk of the great tree groaned as it swayed ever so slightly in the breeze. The meeting chamber in the roots was silent as the mystic force shared glances amongst each other. The Snow Prince, a master of the mystic arts, has proposed that he would personally oversee the training of a new team of mystic warriors. This would be quite an honor if one of the said warriors wasn't the progeny of The Light.
With no further rebuttals, the snow prince broke the silence. "I am going to train these young warriors if you allow me to. However, I think it's imperative Bowen, that you inform your daughter of her identity and her connection to magic. I am concerned that the more we train, the greater likelihood that more of her magic will be drawn out. It is highly probable that with proper training and regulation of her magic that she might be able to fend off the ill effect of the curse, but it will take much practice. I understand why you chose to keep such a secret from her. Not only was she sought after prior to her birth, but even within her first two years of life, the servants of darkness vied for her power. In spite of that, now that she's been exposed it's only best that you reveal the whole truth. I would like to do it myself but I think it would be best if it came from you and Madison."
The heart of the ancient mystic was sincere, and given his esteemed reputation in the magical dimension, there was no one else better equipped for the job. Madison, Chip, Xander, Vida, and Daggeron were quick to lend their support, but it was Nick who was the only holdout.
Over the years he's constantly had to pour magic into Vivian in order to keep her from being swallowed by the curse within her. It would be a great relief not to worry about that possibility but at the same time like any major treatment, there were always side effects.
"Yeah, we approve!" Sensing the intense tension in the room Chip spoke up. Vida nodded vigorously hoping to soften Nick's resolve.
"I'm not sure he was asking you Chip," Leanbow said.
"I know, I'm just trying to help a friend out. Decision-making is hard," Chip said.
"You got that right," Vida agreed.
"Not true, making decisions is pretty darn easy if you set your mind to it. " Xander said.
Vida glared daringly at Xander, he couldn't be serious. "Huh is it, if only that were true when we got the scroll to Fire heart."
"...We don't talk about that." Xander shook his head in embarrassment.
The Solaris knight raised his hand to interject. "Those young ones should consider themselves fortunate. Not many have the honor of being taught by one who knew the ancient mystics personally. I would expect that the gravity dimension would be put to great use. I remember you used it to test our endurance under pressure."
"With that being said I will hear no further arguments?" The archaic teacher nodded in agreement, the memories of that training experience still etched in his mind. The snow prince had already begun to concoct how he wished to go about preparing these new practitioners of magic but only if their superiors permitted him to do so.
The other mystic rangers were solid in their beliefs, however, their leader, Nick still remained resolute. He peered at the crystal ball which reflected back to him his daughter.
"...Nick?" Madison was at his side trying to nudge him to respond. She sympathized greatly with how her husband felt but she understood that this was likely what was best for their daughter.
"...Yeah..yeah, go for it. We'll tell her...eventually...soon...very soon." Nick responded in a hesitant manner.
Four weeks following the intense meeting, the Snow Prince stands proudly within the arctic sanctuary, his five students gathered around him. Unbeknownst to his prospects, their session is being secretly observed by the mystic phoenix, the knight wolf, and the mystic mother all through a magical crystal ball. The three have gathered to monitor Vivian's progress, at first, it was her father's desperate attempt to calm his own nerves now its become a family practice. While Vivian has shown great improvement, there are still many concerning signs.
"This spell is very simple but it requires total concentration. Breathe deeply and clear your mind of all distractions. You may begin when ready." This test was to gauge the team's coordination. The Snow Prince wished to evaluate how well the arctics cooperated with one another. Over the past four weeks, he has worked diligently with each of them in discovering how to manifest their power, now it's time to put it all to work.
Brandon exhaled as he pointed his wand, "Leviob-jectus!"
A flower pot rose into the air, it wobbled as Brandon moved it across the room toward Ava. She too spoke the incantation and held out her wand.
The pot plummeted several feet, nearly smashing to the ground just as Ava caught it with her magic. She could feel the strain on her as beads of sweat dotted her head and neck.
Heath was next to take the reigns whilst in his control, the pot was either so high it brushed the ceiling or so low that it scraped the ground.
"Try and level out Black Ancient, keep your mind clear," the Snow Prince coached.
Vivian was the next to acquire the pot. She kept her hand steady as she moved the flower pot across the room. It wobbled slightly as it cruised through the air but her concentration held strong. She was almost through with it when a sudden cooling sensation erupted from within her. Vivian gasped as she let go of the pot sending it hurtling toward the ground.
The brief spurt of flame bred indignation within Nick. His face bore the expression of hopelessness and his parents sensed his pain. His father gripped Nick tightly in the shoulder and his mother kept whispering, soothing words into his ear. Nick exhaled allowing his anger to subside. He knew that Madison would not be too thrilled to hear how training went today.
"I got it!" Genesis called whipping out her wand at a rapid speed. The pot nearly smashed to bits, but Genesis managed to levitate it at the last moment.
The magic flowed naturally through her as she too felt like the pot once before. She could never get over how the wind felt as she soared and the pot reflected her positive emotions as it spun and flipped but Genesis didn't lose control.
"Why is fire coming out of your wand?" Heath asked Vivian.
"I don't know. Maybe because I'm cooler than you?"
Nick couldn't help but snort at Vivian's witty remark. That was something she definitely inherited from him.
Heath thought for a moment and then nodded, "...Yeah, you're right."
The snow prince eyed Vivian with concern. He was informed of Vivian's fainting spells due to the deadly curse in her veins, but he couldn't let on that he knew. For now, he was just grateful that she did not lose control completely.
"Fantastic exercise, I took special awareness of you yellow ancient. It seems you connected on a deeper level and this brought out more of your magic. That should be a lesson for all of you. Find that nexus place, the point of intersection between belief and perceived possibility."
With the conclusion of the remote viewing session, Nick's eyes remained magnetized to the amber-colored crystal ball. The mystic phoenix was far from impressed with what he saw, the same feeling was shared with his father.
The apparent silence was crushing as both the men had hard concerning expressions on their faces.
"So..." the mystic mother began, "It seems that Eirian is doing well. Her magic has certainly come a long way ever since she started training."
"Her magic is still unstable," Nick explained.
"Well that's understandable, she is still young. I can't tell you how many times I accidentally froze my mentor when I was learning to control my magic. I'm sure your father has many tales of his own mishaps while training."
"Bowen has a point darling," Leanbow interjected.
Udonna was perplexed. She had seen many young witches and wizards struggle in maintaining their magic, so why was Vivian any different? Udonna's niece Clare was one of her more troublesome students but like any good teacher, Udonna refused to give up on her.
"Well Vivian still has a few rough edges, all she needs is time and practice."
"Mom," Nick said exasperated, "I don't think Vivian has the luxury to take things as easily as everyone else. She's different and a heck of a lot more powerful than any of us realize. While all of her friends struggle to produce even the slightest bit of magic, for Vivian it's like a broken faucet. It's easy for her to turn it on, but harder for her to shut it off."
"That is concerning," Leanbow said.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that, she was able to conjure the ancient speed spell," Udonna said.
Nick took a deep breath, he understood that his mother meant well but she just wasn't seeing the big picture. He approached her with compassion and sympathy bleeding from him. "Yeah, that's the only one...she struggles with her water magic and her fire magic is all over the place. You can clearly see the effects of the curse poisoning her. Her fingers are always the first to change color and it only worsens the more magic she uses."
Leanbow placed his hand on Nick's shoulder, while the two shared concerns over Vivian's health he wanted Nick to know that he has not given up hope and neither should he. Udonna was touched by the unspoken communication between her two men. It was just starting to click with her how serious they both perceived the situation to be.
"She's going to pull through, Bowen. Grant her some space to learn and understand how her powers work, things are not quite as simple as it was for you and your team. While the rest needed to express their belief, Vivian was expressly born with her belief. Vivian must learn for herself why her magic manifests as easily as it does and she must manage to refine and restrain it on her own. Much like yourself, I'm willing to bet you had many magical excursions while growing up, but you learned how to manage your mystical talents."
Nick then scooted up in his chair. "So what do I tell Madison? She really thinks the fire blood curse is gone."
"She was very excited when Vivian first display some of her water abilities," Udonna said.
"Just be honest with her son," Leanbow said.
"...If only honesty came with happy endings," Nick said with such uncertainty.
"That should be enough training for today, you all are free to do whatever it is you like. Though before you leave, Vivian might I have a word with you?"
Vivian exaggerated a whine as she trudged to meet her mentor. Heath and Ava gave knowing smirks perceiving trouble while Brandon himself was curious. Genesis was wrapped in her own little world not at all noticing that Vivian wasn't with them.
"Why's it always her?" Ava questioned, "it's not like she did anything right."
Genesis passed air through her lips, "It's okay to be jelly Ava, they come in all different flavors."
"I'm not jealous," Ava said following Genesis out of the room.
"Oh of course not, you're totally happy for her," Genesis said.
"...How about next time mind your business," Ava shot back.
Genesis thought for a second, not allowing Ava's insults to bother her, "Affirmative, just make sure not to say it out loud. Then nobody would hear it."
Ava rolled her eyes, from her perspective both Heath and Genesis were battling it out to see who would be the team's mascot.
The moment Ava left the sanctuary Genesis exhaled a large breath of relief. Her tough demeanor crumbled the moment the she-devil was out of sight. "That was scary. I thought she would curse me down."
"You did well. I feel like it going to take a long time for us to get along with her." Brandon said.
"Meh, I don't care." Genesis shrugged.
The Black Ancient, Heath, interjected Brandon and Genesis' conversation. His eyes were drawn like stars as an idea pieced itself together in his mind. "Yo, guys! So I figured out how to get our weapons. Snow prince told us we had to believe in our abilities, whatever that means. But this is just a hunch, all we have to do is believe in magic."
"...We kind of already do that. How do you think we merged with our powers." Brandon said.
"..Right...scratch that then...then it has to be...wait no that's just creepy," Heath said out loud.
Genesis intervenes, "No no, I think you're on to something."
"How? He just said the obvious." Brandon said.
"Well, Vivian must have gotten her sword because she believed she had more of a purpose within the team right? That's just a guess, but maybe in order for us to get our zords we must encounter a great beast and best it in battle. We all must raise our levels if we hope to unlock new powers. Vivian was at the front of the party which is why she got her weapon first, now it's our turn. Like Snow Prince said we have to believe in our abilities."
Brandon shook his head, "It's not a video game Genesis."
"Oh Yeah? Then why did Vivian get a sword, the MC always gets the sword. Vivian basically conquered her own fears but for us to get zords we have to act like it's a video game."
Both Brandon and Heath had confused expressions on their faces. Genesis' analogy wasn't the clearest and seemed to of lacked resolve.
Genesis sighed, "Sorry you guys know what I mean. You know, like in order to get our zords we must be a team...in a multiplayer game..."
"You really want a zord don't you?" Brandon said.
"Well yeah! They just look so awesome. I still remember when I was 5, listening to the red rogue blood ranger's zord, ROGUE BLOOD RED FLY!"
"Aren't those vampire rangers?" Brandon said.
"So what if they are? The zord was cool."
"So were their suits, their suits were fire!" Heath said.
Genesis then continued, "Like every ranger gets a zord. I don't see any ranger having to earn their zord, but it looks like we do."
"Well to work as a team, we need to get along with Ava...I know I do. She and I are amazing friends, ya know." Heath said.
"A lot of wishful thinking," Brandon said.
"A lot." Genesis said, "But to put it mildly I don't have to get along with her, she needs to get along with me and everybody else. That's where cheat codes come in."
"Cheat codes?" Brandon asked.
Heath holds up his arctic Morpher. The design greatly resembled a smartphone. He could see what Genesis might be getting at. If she could find a way of jailbreaking their Morpher then maybe they'll all be able to benefit. "I know these look like regular phones but I don't think they work like that."
"The phones..." Genesis gasped at Heath's brilliant thinking, "that's a good idea, Heath. You're first in your whole lifetime."
"I'll catch up with you guys later." Genesis then ran off as Vivian turned the corner as she greeted the blue and black arctic ancient ranger.
"Hey Viv, what did the snow prince want?" Brandon asked.
Vivian shrugged her shoulders, "He just said not to strain when practicing. I guess I accidentally activate another magic spell or something. Like the sword."
"That sword was super cool, I'm waiting for my weapon. I just hope it's not a horn, I do enough yelling already with that sonic spell...Well, I gotta go." Heath said.
Brandon and Vivian wave as Heath leaves.
Brandon then puts his attention to Vivian, "You coming to my house today?"
"I can't, my aunt Vida is in town."
"Oh yeah, how's your dad doing?" Brandon asked.
"He's okay, to be honest, he doesn't even know I left the house," Vivian said.
"Well, my mom's doing alright, thanks."
Vivian scoffed, "...I was going to ask you that, okay? You didn't give me a chance...dummy."
"Sorry, it's a habit.." Brandon apologized.
"...Genesis is right. You're father figure personality is ugh, I don't need two dads."
"...That's how I am you know that." Brandon snapped.
"You say something, dad?"
Brandon squinted his eyes in embarrassment until the banter was over, Vivian had changed the subject.
"You know I'm still a little freaked out that you guys told me I was talking to myself..."
Brandon thought for a moment, "..You want me to be honest with you?"
"No, I want you to be dishonest with me," Vivian responded.
"Okay, you asked for it..You've always been talking to yourself, and then you phase out for a little bit." Brandon finally confessed.
"And you never told me?" Vivian was shocked.
Brandon immediately tried to retreat into a shell he didn't have. "I-I-I wasn't sure if it was rude or what not, I don't know I got use to it. But what happened last week, that on was on a whole other level."
"...Maybe, I should talk to my mom and dad."
"Why?" Brandon wondered.
"I don't know, you said I was passing out all the time.."
"Phasing out.."
"...Whatever Brandon, I'd at least think they notice, or maybe they did notice...I forgot."
"Forgot what?"
A recent memory tugged at the forefront of Vivian's mind. It was the visage of her mother staring appalled as she and the other new rangers all stood by the lake. It became clear to Vivian that her mother may have noticed something.
"Nothing, I'll text you later."
Just outside the maw of the wooden dragon at the base of the great tree, the supreme sorceress of Rootcore Clare is training two new disciples. The first girl, Poppy is a bright-eyed pupil with pale skin and light brown skin, dyed with a multitude of colors. The second girl is a caramel-toned girl named, Abigail. She is recognized distinctly due to the swift patch of white hair amongst her forest of coarse curls.
"Now in order to execute this next spell girls, you'll need to pay extra special attention. This one is all about focus, you need to clear your mind of any and all distractions." The master sorceress raises a hand above her head and snaps. She instantly disappears in a rain of sparks only to then reappear a few steps away.
"Now this one is a little tricky, your entire body must disappear otherwise you might forget some stuff, and then you'll be walking around with a body and no head." Clare demonstrated the spell once more. She disappeared and reappeared before her student's eyes.
"Now you try," Clare says.
The two students take turns snapping and on the third and fourth try respectively, both Abigail and Poppy vanish just like their mentor.
"Oooohhh," Abigail was amazed.
"Oh, you guys sure pick that up really easy," Clare said.
"Now I could get candy from the market without paying a huge price." Poppy said
"Is that not stealing?" Abigail asked.
"I would not steal! I would just change the price and they would never know." Poppy said.
"You guys did great," Clare smiled then the nostrils of the dragon begin to smoke which signaled to Clare that her special guests had concluded their meeting. Nick emerged first with his parents trailing behind him, the look of the mystic phoenix portrayed a deep sorrow.
"Uh Sorcerous, how do we undo the vanishing spell?" Poppy questioned.
"Are you sure you're going to be fine without us?" Udonna questioned as she and Leanbow followed their son out of Rootcore.
"We'll be okay, mom. You have a lot more to worry about." Nick said.
Clare was pulled from her introspection by a series of snapping and a tug on her robes followed by a disembodied voice.
"Um, can you two give me a moment?" Clare held a finger to her student's query as she approached Nick, Udonna, and Leanbow. She curtseyed respectfully in honor of her aunt's position only to have Udonna wave away the formalities.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Clare asked.
"Better physically, emotionally..I could be better." Nick said.
"..Vida's at the house," Udonna teased.
Nick rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah, that's another thing."
"Is Vivian there?" Clare asked.
Udonna then spoke for Nick, "No, she and the other rangers are training with the Snow Prince."
"Oh...that must be fun. He's probably torturing those kids." Clare smiled.
"Not quite, Clare, he's really calm. Surprisedly patient, but he works a little differently with them. Especially Vivian since her natural magic is steadily being siphoned away. " Leanbow explained.
"I can't help but feel responsible for all of this," Clare lowered her head.
"Clare, we've already been over this. This is all a would of could of should of situation. We never blamed you for what happened. All I could do now is take a breather and tell Vivian, but a month later and my mouth still hasn't opened. Now I have to go home and deliver more bad news to Madison." Nick said.
Invisibly the two disciples approach Clare and Udonna. They bow respectively yet no one could see.
"Forgive our intrusion Mystic Mother, we come bearing a need," the voice of Abigail echoed.
"We sorta...turned ourselves invisible and don't know how to turn back," Poppy confessed.
Udonna could not help but grin.
"Ah, you guys thought you had me." Clare joked.
"Most definitely not! We would never!" Poppy said.
"In all truthfulness, I completely have forgotten," Abigail said.
"Alright snap with the opposite hand as you did to become invisible," Clare said.
"Oh no, I don't remember if I snap my right hand first or my left hand." Poppy said.
"I swear I thought we clapped." Abigail panicked.
There was a commotion of snaps and claps sounding off around Clare. Somehow the magic was triggered and there was a show of sparks. Abigail found that she was able to see the entirety of her upper body, but her legs remained transparent. For Poppy somehow, her legs became visible, yet her upper half was still hidden. Nick, Leanbow, and Udonna couldn't help but smile, the hilarity of the moment eased much of the tension that was brewing.
"Oh no! We just embarrassed ourselves in front of the mystic mother." Poppy said.
"Heh, I see you have a lot of work on your hands..." Nick chuckled a bit, "We'll I gotta head home, take care everyone."
"Wait Nick, I want to introduce you to my two apprentices. This is Poppy and Abigail. Guys this is Nick, a close friend of mine."
Clare whispers in Nick's ear, "I can't tell them you're the light or the red ranger. They'll go wild. They are a big fan of the mystics."
"Ah, got ya." Nick nodded.
"Nice to meet you, sir, I would shake your hand but as you can see I kind of lost them," Poppy said as Clare reversed the invisible spell on her apprentices.
"Poppy and Abigail came from the Lodebar village. After being exiled when their magic awoke I found them wandering just outside Briarwood looking a little worn out and tired. They've been traveling on their own for who knows how long." Clare said.
Nick sucked in his jaw, he knew full what it was like to be surrounded by new and unfamiliar faces. "I'm sorry to hear that, I really am...I am glad you two are safe now and happy with Clare. She's great by the way, she's one of the greatest people you'll ever know.." Nick said to the apprentices. "Well it was nice meeting you, but I have to head home."
"Be safe, son," Leanbow said in a low tone.
With a final brace from his parents, Nick approached a nearby tree and instantly vanished. The two young apprentices look amongst each other as recognition began to stir in their minds.
"Is it just me or does he look familiar?" Abigail said.
With Nick now gone Udonna and Leanbow both decided to take their leaves. A golden spell seal appeared in the air next to them. The two elder wizards embraced Clare in warm hugs before disappearing in the magical seal.
"That's because he's my son," Udonna said as she left with her husband.
"Your son!?"
"You mean the red mystic ranger?"
"The light?"
"Oh no," Clare winched.
The two girls swarmed their master full of excitement, they were told that Clare was close to the mystic mother but to visibly see their relationship in action was truly memorable.
"Sorceress! Sorceress, why did you not tell us!"
The three ghostly visages gather in the blackness of their hiding place. The essences of their spectral forms just barely clinging to this earthly realm. The memory of who they once were in life has long since abandoned them Andy they have come to identify themselves by their roles.
The eyes of the blue specter gloss over as her sight drifted high to the world above. From her vantage point, the world was far too bright and the souls who relished in it were far too happy. This could not be!
"Repulsive! Vile! Disgraced!" The blue specter pronounced.
"Speak Seer, share your vision," the white ghost encouraged. This soul was identified as the caster.
"Death to those who embrace the spirit of light for we are children of darkness. Destruction to all who rejects our way for they know not the mercy of obscurity" the blue specter chanted.
"Agreed, we must bring judgement to those who walk above us." The third astral known as the summoner added.
Raising her arms she once more chanted the spell which called on the powers of the faceless ones, "Salerno Dafkeekis Seretom!"
From every space, the corporeal conglomerates of magma presented themselves to the three ethereals. They all kneeled awaiting commands.
"Raze, my children. Level the upper realms. Bathe those who reject our way in the fires of damnation." The summoner beckoned.
"One must lead, for that is what's been revealed." The seer added.
The white specter gravitated toward one of the faceless a new spell was on her lips. "Pegada!" Her hand passed into the core of the faceless' chest to where its heart would be if it had one.
"I have chosen this one, battle will cause it to awaken," the white specter added. With one last spell, the faceless were dispatched, "Pigaíno Excindo!"
Vida Rocca stretches out on her sister's couch working her way through a hip-hop magazine. A myriad of delicious odors waif in from the kitchen as Madison Russel scurries about checking pots and stirring dishes. Vida glances up from her pages only to see her sister wipe a bead of sweat from her forehead.
"Hey Vida, do you want cheese with your burger?" Madison asked.
Before Vida could give a response Madison cut her off, her excitement was put on clear display. No matter how much Vida insisted her sister just would not sit down, she had convicted herself that today was the day Vivian would be cured.
"Oh never mind, I was going to put it on anyways," Madison then thought to herself. "Oh I forgot the punch, oh wait never mind I'll just give everyone water. Less sugar."
The blue mystic ranger then shuffles through the refrigerator, looking for the right condiments. In one corner was an unsightly blend of sorts. Madison sniffed it and winced this was for sure another chip creation that was modified by Vivian. "Ugh, Vivian. Why would you leave this in here?"
"Okay, I have the ketchup, the mustard. Wait I don't like mustard..wait yes I do. This isn't mustard, what is this?"
Vida could see that Madison wasn't going to willingly take a rest. The pink rose to her feet and tossed her magazine aside. If she couldn't talk Madison down then she'd at least take as much work off as possible.
"Okay, you said you were going to make a small plate, not a ten-course meal."
"I am...for a lot of people." Madison had stopped in her tracks behind the counter. "I don't know, just you, me, Nick, Vivian."
"Hmm, that's only 5 of us, unless you're giving Nick and Vivian 10 extra combos, because I know I'm not going to be able to finish all this," Vida said.
Madison snapped her finger repeatedly she just remembered something important. "Ugh, I made beef burgers. Nick said he wasn't going to eat red meat for a while."
"Who cares what Nick wants. " Vida sat down before the counter island. "If he's hungry you do have a garden out in the back. It's time for that old man to retire and become a farmer."
"...Can you tease him when he's here?" Madison said.
"Why for he could fight back?" Vida shrugged.
Madison sighed.
"What's wrong?" Vida asked.
"You know I'm actually not upset. Just a little too excited." Madison responded.
"Just to think that magic from the cave almost rob nick of his magic, what's to think it didn't take the curse out of Vivian. Watching the rangers train this whole month and I could see a lot of improvement." Madison said.
"Today's the day they come up with the final verdict huh? That Vivian's curse may finally be rid of? Maddie, we don't know yet. You know the old saying goes-don't count your chickens before they hatch." Vida said.
"Well, I'm not counting them..."
"You should have been with Nick instead cooking an early thanksgiving," Vida said.
"We'll I was there for most of the month instead of today, seems like everything is going well. I wanted to prepare for some good news...I'm just thinking positive," Madison then sighed. "I mean that's all I really could do."
For a passing moment, Madison's optimistic demeanor cracked which exposed the soft emotional blob underneath. Vida swiftly took her sister's hand mending the crack. She put on a brave face and smiled at Madison, she realized that her sister's emotional state was at the forefront of Nick's mind which is why he often tried to shield her from the harsh realities.
"Well, let's just see how she does. Nick should be back. I'll be positive with you."
The Rocca sisters embrace in a much-needed hug, amidst their bond, there was the sound of scuffling coming from the upper rooms
"What was that?" The sound startled Vida.
"Vivian just arrived," Madison whispered.
Vida squints her eyes and then widens them, "Don't tell me that was her teleporting?"
Madison nodded her head, holding in her laughter. "Vivian is that you?!"
"Uhuh..." The response Vivian gave was mixed with a groan, like always she could never seem to land right when it came to teleportation.
"You okay, did you fall?"
"No, I'm okay. That was Nyx." Vivian was doing her best to mask her pain, but neither her mother nor aunt bought it.
"Okay!" Madison gave a knowing wink to Vida, they both fought back a chuckle.
"Wow..how often does that happen?" Vida asked.
"A lot...one time I caught her literally teleporting into the living room. I had no choice but to act like I didn't see her." Madison said softly.
Genesis entered her home in a whirlwind, her mother had prepared dinner just as Genesis crossed the threshold but she was in no mood to eat. Her creative juices were flowing and they would not stop until she cracked the case.
"Oh let her be, she has that inventive look in her eye," her grandfather noted looking up from his crossword puzzle.
Once confined to the safety of her room Genesis set to work pulling out all of her tools and equipment. One of her many identities at school is being a whiz when it came to repairing broken technology whether it be cellphones, tablets, or laptops Genesis was the one who knew how to make them work better than before.
Since her Morpher greatly resembled a normal smartphone the first thing she wanted to do was analyze the inner workings. She positioned her lamp and began to work her tools into the nooks and crannies. What Genesis didn't expect was what form the Morpher's defenses would take. As soon as her tools touched the edges they almost immediately began to frost over. Genesis would need to be a bit more creative.
After her fourth tool fail Genesis was about ready to quit. There was only one thin left to try, she thought to herself. Genesis held her breath as she let the Morpher fall off the edge of her desk hoping it would land on a corner.
Vivian couldn't land any harder could she? Vivian groaned as she straightened herself from her fall. She really needed to work on her landings, yet her tuxedo cat, Nyx, stood in the doorway meowing.
"You don't say anything," the red ancient scolded.
The cat meowed once more before walking off. Vivian's fall for sure alerted her parents and aunt who awaited on the floor below her.
Vivian had to have her story straight.
Though before she could make for the stairs which led down toward the family room, Vivian's pocket became a buzz of activity as her cellphone vibrated to life. It was Genesis, the screen showed, she was requesting a video call.
Vivan then answered the call as well as the other rangers.
"Guys! I've figured it out! I'm now a spell master!" Genesis exclaimed once the other rangers answered.
"Figured out what?" Heath asked in the video chat.
"I now know every single spell code we have to earn."
"What? How?" Vivian was in disbelief.
"That's cheating... but how did you do it? Prove it, I don't believe you." Ava demanded.
"Okay then, try swiping this code into your phone." Genesis excitedly held up her Morpher in the view of her phone camera. There was a rather noticeable crack on the screen but it was clear enough for Genesis to demonstrate the lower case E pattern.
"Okay, what spell is that?" Brandon asked.
"Allow me," Genesis then swipes the code, "Antic Silah."
Suddenly the clouds thickened overhead and snowflakes began to fall. Descending from the heavens tumbling like a snowflake was Genesis' three-pointed ninja star-Esque weapon, the Arctic Glaive. It fell until it landed gently in Genesis' grip.
"See!" Genesis showed off her beautiful weapon.
"Dude!" The other rangers were stunned to see that yet another one of them had successfully managed to gain access to their weapon. The bladed edges of the glaive glinted brightly in Genesis' grip to which she was smiling beneath her helmet.
Although graceful in its descent, the weapon itself seemed heavier than Genesis expected it to be. Even if she didn't show it she really had to strain in order to lift it.
Ava, Heath, and Brandon had enough waiting around and tried their hands at summoning their weapons, but there was no change in the atmosphere.
"I think I have one for you, Vivian. Since you already unlocked your weapon why not try this one. The zord spell code." Genesis slowly put her weapon down.
"No, no not a good idea. What it appears and destroys my house?" Vivian waved her hands frantically not wanting any trouble. Her stomach growled which reminded Vivian of what she had meant to do. The video call had distracted her from her primary agenda which was to procure food. "Oh is there a spell for Snacks?"
"I think we have to learn that one but I'll find it. I figured out all the combinations yet."
"What's about a homework spell?" Ava asked.
"Oooh, that's a good one." Heath agreed as the others nodded.
"Oh for sure, that's the first one I used," Genesis said.
The possibilities seemed endless with all of the probable spells to use. Vivian couldn't help but think about how she could possibly exploit the functions of her Morpher. There was then a soft rat-tat-tat at her window.
"Is someone knocking on your door?" Brandon asked.
"No, it's coming from my window," Vivian said.
"Show us who it is." There was a protective tone in Brandon's voice, even though he wasn't physically present he was still trying to protect Vivian. The other rangers groaned loudly, this guy never seemed to quit, "I'm just being concerned okay, not a dad."
"You said it not me. But I'll turn the camera around." Vivian then stood up and slowly pulled the curtain from her window, it was Skebel with her face planted against the window as her fairy, Phoebe lifted her into the air.
"What is that?" Genesis gasped.
"Don't open the window! Could be someone luring their kids to get into your house." Heath suggested.
"Open, it's me." Skekel's breath fogged a small portion of the glass. Vivan unlocked the window permitting her magical guests entry into her room. With the sudden lack of resistance, Skebel fell face first onto Vivian's floor.
"Hi friend, remember me?" Skebel lifted her head with a smile.
"Weeeee." The fairy was overjoyed to be indoors.
"What are you doing here?" Vivian demanded.
"I uh, came to check on ya. Oh is that a phone? Are you video chatting? Hello everyone!" Skebel waved as the other rangers waved back.
"Hiiiii." The fairy said after.
Vivian faced palmed, "Um guys this is Skebel and Phoebe, we met in the forest that other day."
"Are you a lunar elf?" Ava asked.
"Oh my my, you know your history. Yes, I am!" Skebel said.
"Vivian, I don't think you should be harboring kids in your house," Heath's tone carried a degree of mocking, so he did have a comedic side. It was this duality that always managed to get under Vivian's skin. The other rangers didn't help as their ooohs only served to heighten the situation
"She's not a kid, idiot." Vivian shot back.
"Yes! I am much older than all of you combined! How old are they anyways?" Skebel questioned.
Vivian shook her head disregarding Skebel's query for she had a few of her own in need of answers. "How did you find me?"
"You wouldn't believe it! I was wandering through the forest, looking for something to do when I remembered your face and wanted to see you. I tried scouting that cave but it was so cold I almost went into hibernation. Then I got hungry and started searching for something good to eat-"
"Okay get to the point," Vivian ordered.
"Oh uh that's when Phoebe pointed out this giant swirling mass and that's when I saw you."
"Big swirling mass?" Brandon asked as the rangers listened in through the call.
"I think that's called a portal, it was an ugly portal too. I thought I heard, you would find thee of your lost and foundee."
"Oh, I believe that was me. I didn't how to pronounce the spell but I said Please give me the new midnight creed game." Genesis corrected,
Skebel was confused, "How is one able to cast a spell with an enchantment like that?"
"Oh by cheat codes. I hacked into the grid of spells." Genesis said.
"Grid? Are you talking to your other teammates?" Skebel asked Vivian.
"And the kid knows where rangers, great job guys, one month in and our identity has been revealed," Heath was disappointed.
"Isn't that a little dangerous?" Skebel wondered, about Genesis's use of her spells.
"It's fine, everything is working now," Genesis assured.
Vivian shrugged her shoulders, "We'll I gotta go, if I can't get that snack spell to work I'm just going to go grab one."
The call was ended, and Skebel's face became screwed there was something off about the vagrant misuse of magic being talked about.
"...I don't think you should use any spell you haven't earned or learned," Skebel said.
"That's not me, I wasn't going to use it anyways. It didn't work. So now if you don't mind, you need to get out of my room please." Vivian smiled.
"How come?" Skebel scowled.
"Because you already visited me, visitation is over."
"Can I at least get some of that hard-earning thing that you humans consider a 10-course meal?" Skebel pleaded.
"Maybe." Vivian then leaves shutting her room door on Skebel.
"I'll take that as a yes!"
"Yes!" Phoebe was excited.
The front door to the Russell's residence opened, permitting Nick entry into his home. His shoulders hung low as the weight of his stress wore him down. Crossing the threshold of his home, a sensational aroma salivated his mouth. His wife has been busy in the kitchen since he's was gone. Nick heard growling as he stood in the doorway but it might've just been his own stomach.
Hearing Nick at the door Vida reached into her purse and slid Madison a sandwich bag of oddly colored berries.
"Here just put some stickle berries in there. He won't notice." Vida whispered.
"Vida, stop," Madison spoke softly, slightly chuckling.
Madison swiped the stickle berries away with a playful and hopeful smile on her face. Nick entered to see a buffet of food waiting for him.
"Nick." Madison's face lit up once she saw her husband.
"Hi, what's with all the food?" Nick wondered, coming to the counter island in the kitchen.
Madison looks at the counter longingly, "We'll you know today's a good day, the sun is shining, our daughter's safe, my husband's home, and my sister's here."
"Yup I'm here," Vida pursed her lips, leaning over the counter.
"Oh...well, that sucks," Nick mocked as he sat down beside Vida. "No really what's with the food?"
"Well, it's to celebrate the end of the fire blood curse, since I assume you came with good news. I also completely forgot earlier, I accidentally made you red meat. But lucky we had some turkey hidden in the back somewhere." Effused Madison.
Nick felt guilty accepting the plate. It was loaded with cheeseburger sliders, Mac n cheese fresh from the oven, and even a dish Madison learned from her mother. Nick knew his wife was expecting a good report, but he figured it was best to just rip the bandage off quickly.
"Maddie...the curse is not gone," Nick admitted, his emotions humorless.
"The curse is not gone?" Vida rose an eyebrow.
"We'll uh-"
The light seemed to vanish from Madison's eyes. The hope she held on to evaporated instantly left her hollow. Fear and doubt quickly moved to fill the vacancy, a litany of voices whispered in her ears reminding Madison of all the desperate steps she will now have to take.
"Vivian's upstairs," Madison said rather quickly, instantly silencing Nick. Not wanting to discuss their issue as Vivian's footsteps can be heard descending the steps a slight groan in her voice.
"What happened to you?" Vida asked.
"Nothing, I just sprained my back is all," Vivian answered.
"Sleeping the way you do, I wouldn't blame ya," Nick snorted a soft laugh.
"That's not the reason.." Vivian groaned, but her pain suddenly vanished at the sigh of a burger. "Oooh food, who's coming over today?"
"...No one." Madison regretfully said, "It's all for us."
"Okay, I see what I'm going to eat. What about the rest of you guys?" Like the human vacuum cleaner she was, Vivian began inhaling the plate before her. Her father looked at her with a warning glance. He often did that when she was being a bit too expressive.
Vivian gulped, "Sorrrry."
The adults were quiet upon Vivian's arrival. Vivian tried to keep her bites below audible levels. This by far was the most awkward meal she has ever partaken in. Vivian decided that it was time she break the code of silence.
"You know what since you all are here, can I ask you all something?"
"Sure." Madison looked to Nick and Vida and then back to her daughter.
"Do, do I pass out a lot?" Vivian asked.
The silence was deafening, so much so that you could hear a pin drop. The three adults had a war of glances as they tried to determine which of them would be the one to break the news. Nick, unfortunately, drew the short straw.
"Umm well you do, but don't worry. It's just uh."
Vida cut in, "Malnutrition usually does the trick Vivi, you need to eat better. Hey, when I was your age it was hard for me to eat. Then later I found myself in the emergency room, threatening the nurses to dismiss me or else I was going to complain to the district attorney."
"I don't recall it happening that way, Vida, you went to the ER for accidentally drinking dairy." Madison caught Vida in her little white lies.
"You can't force me to believe that I'm lactose intolerant Sis, there was something in that drink that day," Vida shook her head.
"But but I feel like I eat good," Vivian was growing suspicious.
"Uh Vivian, you uh you do past out here and there but right now not a good time. " Nick said regretfully.
Based on her father's reaction, Vivian could see that the information she wanted was certainly there but it came at a cost. The words were stuck in the back of Nick's throat and they refused to go on any further.
"It's not the right time? Then when was it going to be? I just barely figured it out."
"Since when?" Vida asked.
"Since...since...I don't know I thought I knew."
"..It's not..It's not to alert you..." Vivian's words worked like a perfect lure to draw the explanation out of Nick but his resolve was steadfast. He was anchored in his stance not to regurgitate anything.
"Okay, would you tell me tonight?"
"...Sure," Nick surprised but yet grateful Vivian didn't press on any further as he was unsure if he could withstand another round of questioning, at least he had time to weigh his options and to consider whether or not he wanted to tell Vivian the truth.
Satisfied with her parent's agreement Vivian retreated back to her room. The intensity of the situation was too much for Madison, as soon as her daughter was out of sight she left to the solitude of the backyard.
Nick didn't hesitate this time, chasing after Madison.
Striding down the hallway toward her room, the house cat Nyx was waiting patiently. Vivian took the feline into her arms who purred having been enveloped by her master.
Vivian opened the door to her room to see Skebel anxiously trying to pry open the window with Phoebe hovering over her shoulder. Upon seeing the fairy, Nyx hissed as she sprung from Vivian's arms.
The fairy darted away in fear trying to escape the feline predator. The two chased each other under the bed and over dressers destroying much of Vivian's room. Eventually, Phoebe came to rest on the ceiling lamp far outside of Nyx's reach.
Vivian shook her head, "Now look what you've done." She placed her pet outside the door and shut her out. Soft meows can be heard as Nyx begged to be let back in.
"Did you bring Food? You promised." Skebel begged.
"Nope ate it all," Vivian answered curtly as she slowly began to put her room back in order.
"Oh bummer, maybe you should feed that cat of yours, it was trying to eat Pheobe," Skebel said.
Vivian waved it off, "she won't do anything. Nyx's a good cat."
"Good cat? To me all cats are the same, they are bad." Skebel said.
"Oh I know, they always tell me," Vivian said as she sighed. The young Russell crashed on her bed covering her eyes with her arm.
"So uh, why the long face? Did something happen?" Skebel questioned sitting on the edge of the mattress.
Vivian at first was confused as to why a child was asking such personal questions, until Vivian realized once again that Skebel wasn't a child. "Oh, I keep forgetting. You're not a little girl but you look like one."
Vivian sighed, "It's not a big deal. So much not a big deal that I feel like my own family is hiding something from me."
"Ohhh care to share?" Skebel asked curiously.
"Not with you."
"Okay, call your friends and I'll pretend I'm not here. You just uh need to open the window first." Skebel smiled.
"And where are you going to go? Don't you have parents or something?" Vivian sat up to open the window.
"I do in fact but uh they are not around. But one day I will see them."
"..Why for they could hide things from you too? You even know why they left?"
"Uhhh well..WAIT...I'm thinking that's why you're upset. Are your parents lost too?"
"Yeah lost in the head," Vivian said.
"Oh, no need to worry. We all forget things, even I get lost in my thoughts." Skebel responded.
"I didn't mean like that. I don't know why I'm talking to you or why you are still in my room. I don't even know you like that." Vivian crossed her arms.
"Of course, we just met not too long ago. That's the reason why I came here." Skebel said.
"Yeah, why did you come here again?" Things were just starting to get interesting when Vivian's Morpher came to life with an alert of danger. "Uh oh."
Phoebe comes out of her hiding spot and begins circling the room wildly with her hands over her ears, "Danger, danger, danger!"
"I-I uh I gotta go," Vivian says conjuring a portal in the middle of her room.
With the door shut and Vivian gone Skebel was pleased to have the room to herself. The window was open but there was no point in leaving especially when the room itself was very welcoming.
"I guess we're living here," Skebel says.
"YAY! WARM!" Phoebe beams.
Madison leans over the deck banister, her hands nervously fidgeting while she stares off into space. The door behind her slides open as Nick leans beside her.
"Well isn't this ironic? Usually, I'm the one who runs away."
Madison spoke not willing to look into Nick's eyes,"...It's all my fault...I did this to her, I'm responsible for what happened and now I'm paying for it."
"Maddie-"
"I'll be going to San Angeles tomorrow morning," The chains of depression weighed even more heavily on Madison. The news she had to share was far from what she wanted.
"San Angeles? Why?" Nick could hardly believe what his wife just told him, how did she reach the decision so suddenly? He reasoned that she must have been considering it for quite some time.
"I signed up for another film."
"But- but can't you handle that while you're home?"
"I can't...because today was the last day. I'm not supposed to be around our daughter for more than a month or else the curse starts to take in some of my magic, and because our natures are polar opposites, my magic makes her incredibly sick." Madison said as Nick grew silent.
"So really there's nothing else I can do...I'm going to start packing." Madison turned toward the back door hardening her emotions as she's done so many times before. This was supposed to be the last time she promised herself. She was already ankle-deep in sadness now the emotion was up to her neck.
As she brushed past Nick he took hold of her wrist refusing to let go.
"Maddie, don't go. I need you...I want you to stay. We'll figure this out."
Madison turned to Nick, "Nick, you know I can't."
"Yes, you can."
Madison shook her head, looking away from her husband as the tears began to pour.
"Maddie look at me, you had no clue what would have happened back then," Nick tried to reassure his wife.
"And you warned me and I didn't listen," Madison deplored. "You're always telling me."
"And I'm glad you didn't listen. Look at all the good that came out of it. Look at how things are now, our daughter has had 15 amazing years and she's showing no sign of stopping. We made the best out of a rough situation." Nick refused to let Madison go.
"That only means worst things are coming. I saw progress and yet you are telling me she is still the same." Madison felt useless.
"15 years and she still aches in pain. What more is there to do? She's a ranger now and not even the Morphin grid could save her. I don't know what to do anymore." Madison cried.
"...That's why we have to do this together. You told me that. I'm not giving up Maddie and I'm not giving up on you. If we can't fight it on the inside, then we have to fight on the outside. We got this far and as of late, Vivian has shown no signs of stopping...United as one, right?"
Madison didn't fight her husband's grip, no matter how hard she tried he wouldn't let her run away. She relented and he pulled her into a hug. She buried her head in his shoulder and he just held her firmly.
Amidst the sobs both Nick and Madison's Morphers reacted to a sudden call. A part of Nick wanted to ignore it and just live in the moment but more than likely this was important.
"What is it?" Nick answered.
"Dark magic is your area, but it's real bad," Clare said.
"What are you talking about?"
"There's this fire fish monster out and about but we're getting a reading of the sisters...The Black Requiem."
Vida suddenly rushed into the yard.
"You guys heard that too right?" Vida said.
The mystic predecessor along with the ancient mystic force attempted to destroy the Coven of the Black Requiem once yet they managed to survive. To think that even with the combined might of the Egyptian gods they still managed to somehow crawl their way back to the world of the living. This time for sure there was going to be no escape. Nick will personally see that these three witches will no longer threaten the lives of his wife or daughter again.
Madison glanced up with a vengeful fire in her eyes. The time for talk was over now she was ready for action.
The news of the black requiem sisters dropped a heavy weight on Nick's shoulders. He should have guessed that those witches were still alive somehow just lurking in the shadows.
(Thanks to everyone who stopped by! Don't be afraid to comment and let us know what you think would happen next!)