(Author's Notes: Hey guys, here is chapter 23 of the story. As one mystery is unmasked in Angel Grove, the Rangers discover a hidden sanctuary that holds the key to their upcoming battle.)
Chapter 23: The Deleterious Ledger
January 2nd, 2009
Angel Grove, CA
9:00 p.m
What started out as a suspected break-in into the offices of J.S Investigations soon became a mysterious meeting in a disclosed parking garage somewhere downtown. Of course, Jason decided to ignore Kat's warning, along with Trini's warning to Billy that the men were walking into a trap. However, what prompted Billy with going along with Jason's plan was the fact that someone on the inside in Billy's firm has been keeping tabs on their investigation.
For four months, Jason and Justin have been hitting one dead end after another trying to find information about any suspicious business activity between Weyland Co. and Billy's law firm. Unfortunately, the deeper the two partners got into their investigation, the more complex the matter came once they compared notes with an side investigation Tommy conducted independently in Reefside.
By a stroke of pure coincidence, Jason's break-in at his office was not one of suspicious criminal activity. In fact, someone left him a nice care package of everything involving topics of interest relating to Billy's case: Weyland's construction investments; transaction records; transcripts from the Vitale case, the whole works. The suspicion of a third party pulling the strings behind the scenes was evident, the only question was to unmask it.
"This is all certified and legitimate records and documentations," Billy confirmed to his friends. "Transcripts from the Vitale case, financial records of Weyland's construction investments, the dockets of the tenements in Troika. Guys...I didn't realize just how far this thing stretches and how many path needed to be intercepted to connect it all."
"How far back are we looking at?" Jason asked.
"Almost at least a decades worth of work," Billy confirmed as the three of them waited in the disclosed parking lot deep in the heart of the downtown area. "All these documentations were authorized and certified to confirm it's legitimacy. These are official public records and how they were able to obtain the records is beyond me."
"Unless it was someone of higher authority who had clearance to obtain those records." Justin said.
"So someone has been keeping tabs on the investigation for the last four months?" Billy asked. "The only people in my firm who could obtain these records from the district attorney's offices are the senior partners but that's impossible. Who could have known all this time?"
"Maybe it was someone who was trained to carry out a mission on behalf of her brigade. Maybe it's because part of her mission is to make sure the Emissary's ledger is wiped clean of the list of targets that will get caught in the crossfires of this war." A voice emerged from the shadows and stepped out. To Billy's surprise he was standing face to face with one of the senior partners, Sasha Gideon, the same people he's been investigating for the last four months. "Yeah, I get that reaction quite often."
"I don't believe this, you were the one that left this care package at my offices?!" Jason asked in disbelief. "You know you owe me a new window."
"I am now clearly confuse, Sasha Gideon?! One of the firm's senior partners you been the inside person this whole time?!" Billy wasn't sure what to make of this revelation about one of his bosses. It was obvious that she was more than just an average lawyer and he wanted answers.
"Well you haven't made things easy for my other partners: Oliver Reid and Bart Harris and it became exhausting trying to keep them off your trail." Sasha stated. "But gosh those two boys have more dirt on them than anyone and we're talking about dirt that doesn't scrub off easily. Boy, you gentlemen have done a splendid job just rattling the cage and furthermore adding more names to the ledger."
"Makes sense how the records came to be and released upon your request." Justin added. "So what gives Sasha? Why all the secrets? Do you know who we are?"
"Do I know who you are...it's an obvious guess that you know someone who has cross paths with the infestation that has been burrowing beneath the surface for quite sometime. I didn't realize that my sanctum master stuck me right into the hornet's nest and also keeping eyes on wolf boy there." Sasha explained pointing at Billy. "But those collections of shit have been wiping out our brigade left, right and center. I fear our worst nightmares are coming to pass...which is why you need to understand what has been happening all this time and how Angel Grove is being prepped for ground zero."
"Infestation?! No, no, no way you can't be one of them." Jason replied in disbelief coming to realize Sasha Gideon's true identity. "Oh crap you're a member of the Garrison aren't you? Do you work for the Garrison?!"
"Hey it's more than just fighting a physical battle, this one had to deal with a lot of cunning wits and tactics to fly under the radar. Hey, the Emissary aren't the only ones who know how to work behind the scenes and under the radar. However, I'm just a soldier and I only follow orders from the big bosses who call the shots. However, my supervisor as you like to call it has been disposed of and our head offices in Galway left in ruins. Our numbers are dwindling with every headquarter that falls except for the very few left standing. Besides, you can call me the legal aid of the Garrison or a lawyer on their retainer, but this is five generations of the Gideon family legacy."
"Wait a minute, are you saying that this Emissary is in town? They been in town this whole entire time?" Billy asked. "Weyland Co, the Vitale Case, Laura's death in San Angeles, the Troika neighborhood project, the destruction of the Wind Ninja Academy, Andrew Hartford's paper...all of it is connected? Wait, wait, do the senior partners know who you are? Harris and Reid...do they work for..."
"Nothing but pawns and bystanders manipulated by the Emissary." Sasha explained. "Billy I'm sorry about what happened to your associates who got involved. Look, it was them or you and quite frankly you're too important of a figure in this fight at ground zero. I've been deep undercover for the last couple of years and I'm afraid my cover is about to get blown soon."
"So those people, colleagues I worked with just became collateral damage? These people had lives, careers and families they left behind. It made sense as to why the other senior partners didn't terminate my employment it was because of you." Billy said in disdain. "But instead, you had innocent hard working colleagues take the fall for me in order to keep me alive? I'm starting to understand the disdain Tommy has whenever the words Emissary or Garrison are mentioned."
"Yeah something about your methods that are highly questionable." Jason added. "The last time your upper management blew into town he tried putting an arrow through a kid's heart four years ago in Reefside. We know about the Garrison and the Emissary and frankly we're tired of being the middle ground in this ancient, mystical ninja organization war. How many of you nutjobs believe the crap your bosses spew?"
"Believe me you don't know the whole story and the Garrison and the Emissary. Heck, you people the focal centre point in all of this." Without warning, Sasha yelled for the guys to drop to the ground and to the trio's surprise Sasha reached underneath the legs of her pants. She had a pair of batons concealed underneath as the four dodged a barrage of ninja stars and ducked behind a vacant car. "Damnit, looks like I've gotten on their radar. Seems like their clean up crew is finishing off any remnants of the Galway Sanctum and looks like the grim reaper is coming for me."
"This is the Emissary isn't it? All this time...the inside man or woman in your case that has been looking after me..." Billy said in awe seeing Sasha in action taking out members of the Emissary. Billy, Jason and Justin joined the battle as their old battle instincts started kicking in despite the years of inactive duty. "Everything that has been happening these last few years is apart of something more bigger and sinister?"
"Which is why it's been our mission for many years to keep the Emissary at bay. They're looking for something and everything that has occurred these last couple of years is all connected." Sasha replied as she continued to fight. "The portfolio underneath the car...consider it your severance package. Wipe the ledger clean of those who these bastards added as another notch." Justin quickly went to retrieve the portfolio Sasha talked about as the fight continued. The Emissary warriors ceased their attacks and suddenly stopped. The four of them heard footsteps when a mysterious adversary dressed in scarlet colored battle robes emerged.
"Who the hell is that?!" Justin asked staring down the foe. Their face was wrapped up to conceal their identity but staring at the eyes of their foe, they saw something blank, empty and unhinged.
"...The grim reaper..." Sasha said unsteadily but refusing to show any fear or reluctance. Something about the scarlet colored wearing adversary made Jason, Billy and Justin feel uneasy. The figure held a pair of katana swords in her hands measuring up the opposition. "...It's you, you're the reaper that swept across the Garrison's sanctums aren't you? I see...I see you want me to meet my maker don't you, like what you did to Whistler? Hideo? Felix? One by one our brigade has met their makers by your hand..."
"Sasha I think you should stand down and fight to live another day." Jason said as the figure slowly advanced towards the group. "Look, that thing is looking to pull the trigger any minute now on all of us."
"I know it is because this is something beyond anything imaginable...which is why you all need to leave." Sasha ordered sternly. "Billy, I did my job and you have everything you need. The pieces are all coming together and the true Winged Lord of the Skies will need his order at the helm to help restore the last kingdom, the sanctuary. There are some things you have all yet to know about the truth behind it all...and it's your mission to unlock the past. You have the tools you need to fight because the Garrison can no longer keep the Emissary at bay. The war is going to commence which is why...you need to go and live to fight another day, wipe it all clean again."
"Who are they Sasha? Who are the Emissary?" Billy asked as Sasha advanced towards the scarlet clothed figure. "I believe you now and thank you...for all you done. I promise you, I'll...wipe the ledger clean."
Jason wasn't going to stand by and let another bystander become another casualty as he and Sasha attempted to fight off the mysterious figure. Unfortunately, Jason got a sample of her strength and precision at how evenly matched their adversary met his strikes. Sasha Gideon was holding her own against the mysterious foe as the two dodged every sharp strike and attack but there was abnormality in the foe's stamina. Soon, she gained the upper hand and with abnormal super strength gave Jason a powerful roundhouse kick into Sasha's car, right into Justin and Billy's path.
Sasha was momentarily distracted by the test of strength the scarlet clothed foe demonstrated but was caught out guard when she let out a gasp in shock. The guys stopped when they heard a sword pierce through Sasha's gut and out her back, severely wounding the lawyer. The scarlet foe retracted the sword out as Sasha fell back and Billy rushed to Sasha's side and Justin went to help Jason. Their attacker continued to stare down at the group as she wordlessly cleaned off the blood stained sword and put it back in its sheath. There was a sharp and cold piercing atmosphere that bothered Jason about the attacker who continued to stare down at them in a calculating manner.
"Jason, we need to go! We got to get Sasha to the hospital now!" Justin ordered his friend as he dragged Jason back to the car once Billy had a badly injured Sasha bundled into the car. As they drove away from the parking lot and attempted to tend to Sasha's injuries the men knew her condition was critical. However, none of them couldn't shake the feeling about their encounter with what Sasha called the grim reaper.
"Damnit...I guess the last of the Galway Sanctum has fallen," Sasha said straining and the feeling of shock taken over. "...Guess your case is closed now huh Billy? No need to thank me...just doing what I been trained my whole life and that...I did to the end."
"Billy she's losing a lot of a blood," Jason said struggling to keep pressure on Sasha's stab wound in the back seat. "How much further?"
"I'm driving as fast as I can!" Billy said in a panic speeding down the road on route to the hospital. "Come on Sasha, hang on! We're almost there!"
"...Neamhcheaptha...Neamhbhriste, gan bhriseadh. It's the passwords, hid it away from prying eyes." Sasha said with a cough, blood coming from her mouth with a gasp for air in between. "...Sanctuary...yields to the last heir apparent of the bloodline...the true lords...chosen to lead the new order...garrison..."
"She's fading fast Billy!" Justin said worried.
"...The portfolio...a key unlocks two items: safety deposit box, storage locker...everything in there you need..." Sasha gasped for air. "...Hidden where the winged lord reigns...the sanctuary hides...the door still remains sealed. Do not...do not let them defile the legacy for it will lead to destruction..." However, by the time they reached the hospital it was already too late as Sasha succumbed to her wounds before she whispered her last words. "...Wipe the ledger clean...too many lives etched in, but for the greater good..."
January 5th, 2009
4:00 p.m
Reefside, CA
Tommy was seeing just how many coincidences were interconnecting with one another like one spider web. He already survived his first day back to work following the holiday break and dropped Amelia off at Hayley's after picking up his daughter from school. He was thankful that Anton was available to meet with him at Mercer Industries on what Tommy deemed "a confidential matter" between the two former colleagues.
"Okay Tommy I managed to pull up everything from the last six years including all the financial records, ledgers, contracts, investment proposals, anything transactions that were processed by Mercer Industries to Weyland Co, Vitale and that office in Angel Grove your friend Billy works for." Anton explained setting down everything on his desk for Tommy to see. "Also...more of Smitty's research material that was dug out from archives from the expedition."
"Anton thank you, this is well appreciated and I know it's a lot to ask." Tommy said. "Given our history and everything that happened a few years ago."
"You do not need to thank me and still I am in your debt for what you have done for me and Trent. Besides, after the fiasco years ago with some questionable business activities I made it my mission to improve the PR and integrity of Mercer Industries. Heck, one of your former students Ethan is working as one of my senior tech consultants for the R&D department." Anton said. "He even gives me updates about Kira and Trent in San Francisco."
"That's good to hear and I been hearing that Mercer Industries has been keeping Weyland Co out of Reefside the last four years." Tommy explained.
"Read about their so called better community initiative in the Troika district of Angel Grove. As a former employer in the commercial development and real estate industry I seen tactics like that applied in the past." Anton said. "Seeing who their financial backers are for their construction projects, I saw red lights flashing."
"Is it Rideau Circle?" Tommy asked curiously.
"That's why I halted any potential construction investment projects proposed by Weyland Co if their financial backers was connected to Rideau Circle. However, looking carefully into the company's financial records, there were a lot of shell companies that were dissolved in the last few years and their funds being transferred and pooled into one company...Rideau Circle." Anton continued. "Which is why I made sure any investment proposals offered in the future weren't in any way connected to them."
"Yeah if you aware Rideau Circle has set up a new head office in Angel Grove." Tommy added. "Caused a stir because of the neighborhood it was situated in. We were looking into them over four years ago because of their involvement with Mesogog."
"These guys were adamant in doing business in Reefside, looking into historical buildings and landmarks around the city. I had to tighten security in the building after there was some speculations of employees trying to engage in some sort of corporate espionage to extort our company's intel." Anton said. "They apparently worked for Weyland Corp to get information about the tenements leased under Mercer Industries."
"Everything is connected and somehow Rideau Circle is at the epicentre of all of this. How many shell companies were set up to conceal any suspicious activity by these people?" Tommy questioned taking everything Anton gave him. "A lot of their business activities centered primarily around Reefside and Angel Grove. Wait...these land deeds to vacant land lots that's right by my residence. They tried buying off the land there for commercial development?"
"The hiking trails near the area where you lived Weyland attempted to buy it for a development project, but we halted that after a two year legal battle in court." Anton explained. "The area near your place was constituted as a conservation area for tourists so Weyland Co had to back off. Hope all of this will help you Tommy and about Smitty's research material...it's password encrypted."
"Okay thanks for everything Anton and I must warn you things will only heat up the more we dig into all of this." Tommy said with a sigh. "Apparently anyone whose associating with us or aiding us will get caught in the crossfires. If things get intense, for your protection get yourself and Elsa out of the city. I owe you a debt for keeping any suspicious activity out of the city these last couple of years."
"It's the least I can do and Tommy...make sure you and your daughter stay safe." Anton replied as Tommy exited the office. "Out of curiosity...the impending danger you're warning me about, does it have to do with the mysterious friends Mesogog met previously?"
"Believe me, these people aren't the type of people you wouldn't want to cross paths with," Tommy warned as he left. "Which is why I'm going to make sure these bastards disappear from the hype they make themselves out to be."
After exiting Mercer Industries, Tommy made his way back to his car when he saw Billy's car parked outside the bank across the street. It him curious as to why Billy was in Reefside making his way to his old friend. Tommy can tell something was on Billy's mind and notice his friend clutching protectively a professional portfolio briefcase. He watched Billy exiting the bank and putting some confidential contents inside the portfolio.
"Billy? Hey man what are you doing in Reefside?" He replied approaching his friend.
"Oh Tommy, hey I just needed to follow a lead in regards to Jason's investigation about my firm." Billy said with a sigh of regret. "Unfortunately, we ran into some complications that abruptly ended Jason's case but I needed to make sure the source was legitimate."
"Are you alright man? Wait...what do you mean that the case you hired Jason for abruptly ended?" Tommy questioned. "Did Jason and Justin find some information that may tie the senior partners at your firm to any suspicious activity to Weyland Corp? Or...did you dig further into something you guys didn't expect?"
"That was option two." Billy explained leaning against his car. " You're in for another tale spin apparently because Sasha Gideon, one of the senior partners at the firm was my secret inside person giving Jason and Justin the details about activity that has been going in Angel Grove for more than five years. Everything that has been happening the last few years in Angel Grove is part of a bigger plot twist according to her."
"Wait a minute, Sasha Gideon? One of the senior partners has been gathering intel on the firm and forwarded to the guys?" Tommy replied. "Why would she do that?"
"Because she is...well was doing this as part of her mission," Billy replied with a sigh. "Sasha is...well was working for the Garrison."
"We're talking about the same Garrison that has been a looming shadow over my head since I was eleven years old?! Sasha Gideon was a member of the Garrison this whole time? Let me guess, she's was one of Quinn's lost causes he roped in didn't he?" Tommy asked but then caught something he said. "You keep saying the word "was" in a past tense which would mean...oh gosh, Billy?"
"Sasha died three days ago after we met up with her one last time and confessed everything. All this time...she was working for the Garrison and did what she did to keep me out of the line of fire Tommy." Billy continued. "However, in doing so other people became collateral damage unwillingly on my behalf because of it. I understand now Tommy why you have such a disdain for them despite their intentions being just, but also questionable."
"Hey man don't let it get to you Billy. At least, in the end you figured out the truth and knew the truth behind Sasha's motives and actions. Will you feel that disdain about how she carried out her mission for the Garrison? I'm always going to feel some hostility towards Quinn because of everything he did to Kim and me over the years. I know I'll never be alright with the Garrison's methods despite having what they believe are our best intentions. It still gets to me how they condone what they do."
"Yeah but still, she did her mission to make sure we survive another day." Billy said displaying what looked like a ledger. "Sasha's last words to us was to make sure we wipe this ledger clean of everyone whose names have been etched in as notches for these people. The victims that will be nothing but collateral damage. She's right about something: Angel Grove is being prepped to be ground zero for a war coming. There's something else."
"What could make it possibly worst?" Tommy asked.
"We got a slight advantage because whatever the Garrison hid and died protecting it all comes down to us to figure it out Tommy. They hid something in Reefside intentionally and we got the pieces needed to figure out the puzzle. We got the three items from the Ninja Storm team and all of Sasha's information..."
"Also wanted to inform you first hand about the stuff I retrieved from Anton." Tommy finished. "I been working at it non-stop since the incident at the waterfall with Brennan and Shalimar. I can feel it rising, the old power. You feel it too don't you Billy?"
"I know what you're talking about Tommy and it keeps calling to us but we need to know where exactly." Billy said. "The others can feel it: Aisha, Rocky and Adam. However, Jason and the others...it's as if it calls to them too, the Ninjetti but why now? We need to get a move on fast and figure out the truth behind all of this. I fear we got a new player emerging on the field and it looks like they want to pull the trigger on us."
"Then let them come...because this time I'm not running anymore and I will finish the fight that was started nearly five years ago." Tommy said sternly. "I feel it too and it's the looming shadow that has haunted me for years. I'm going to confront it head on and there is nothing anyone can do to stop me from ending those bastards. This time I will make sure I take everything away from me once they show their faces."
Somewhere in Angel Grove
Deep below the depths of the city streets of Angel Grove, a mysterious organization convened in a darken cavern underground. The leaders of the organization stared in awe at what looked like a mysterious ancient looking mythical wall. However, as one of them attempted to make contact with the wall, a mystical and ancient surge of energy ignited repelling the intruder back.
At the helm of the group, Dalia stared mesmerized at the long awaited discovery she and her cohorts have spent many years searching for. For four thousand years since their fall from grace, the seven individuals have searched for the key to their longevity, the resource that has sustained their power and dominion against their enemies, in particular the Garrison. No matter what shape or form they reside in, the war between the Emissary and Garrison rages on over the possession of the core essence of what cause the division: the Great Power and the Ninjetti.
It was true there were successors chosen to wield the power of the Ninjetti and furthermore, the heir apparent destined to govern the new order was rising. This civil brawl wasn't just only for control of the core essence of the Great Power, but the Emissary had one final act of desecration against those who exiled them implemented eons ago.
To preserve their dominion and claim to power, the Emissary created their ultimate weapon in an act of vengeance against the wielders of the Great Power: the Scarlet Sovereign. Ironically, their weapon was found in the form of the very core of the beating heart and soul of the Ninjetti. Unfortunately, due to an lapse error on Mesogog's part nearly five years ago, the Emissary almost lost the Scarlet Sovereign until they manage to procure the vessel that will house the Scarlet Sovereign.
"This is something new," Salazar grunted picking himself up from the floor. "This one is different from the others."
"Because they made sure this one can only be open by the heir apparent destined to rule the last kingdom of their so called fabled order." Dalia replied. "However, the essence that lay behind this wall is extremely powerful: raw power at the very core. You all understand the importance of our mission?"
"We have been reminded many times Dalia and our resources have nearly been depleted," Balor warned. "We are at a crossroads and sooner or later the coils of mortality will catch up with us. It will make us vulnerable to our enemies."
"Which is why we must seek out the essentials necessary to unlock the doorway." Dalia instructed as she turned to Pan. "And what is the status of our valuable asset?"
"She is tying up the loose ends as we speak and unleashing her wrath upon our enemies." Pan smirked wickedly. "She has already behest the best the Garrison has to offer, but we got a discretion on the rise. She has demonstrated her potential to...them, but they do not know the face behind the scarlet veil. I have been keeping a close watch on her, making sure she is careful in making her presence discreet..."
"She is essential to our mission and the Scarlet Sovereign is whom we as the Emissary serve...her and life itself." Dalia stated. "Besides, they have only gotten a small taste of our sovereign's true power. So how is our "current guest" liking his accommodations?"
"Unfortunately, our guest is refusing to talk and he's one stubborn bastard." Thea warned. "No matter what we dish out at him he won't spill his guts out. So dear sister, how do we approach this one?"
"Leave that to me," Dalia stated reassuring her allies. "I'm sure we can convince our guest to provide us with some much needed assistance. Besides, it's very easy to expose the weakness of our enemies for our gain and this one: well let's see he takes a shine to his former pupils."
January 9th, 2009
Black Frog & Red Ape Dojo
Angel Grove, CA
Rocky said his last goodbyes for the night as the last of their students were picked up by their parents. Adam locked the front door for the night and flicked off the open sign hanging on the front window to signify the end of the business day. Aisha finished up closing the register after she finished calculating today's revenue for the school and filed the recent application forms for the new students signing up.
Adam and Rocky shut off the nights once they finished cleaning up the main floor and storing all the equipment away. Aisha went upstairs in their loft apartment to get Robbie and Bianca ready for bed. The group became more accustomed to having Robbie and Bianca around, but the space in the apartment on the top floor of the building was starting to get crowded.
"So we got a court date scheduled for the 15th of this month," Rocky replied. "Shawna's relinquishing her parental rights to the kids and social services reached out to the Hilton family and not one of them wants to apply for guardianship of Robbie and Bianca. We took the kids to see Shawna over the holidays and found out she had Glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer. She was diagnosed for over a year and undergoing treatment but..."
"Oh man, did the kids know about their mom being sick?" Adam asked in shock. "Poor Shawna I feel really bad for her. So she's been estranged from her family for years and they don't want anything to do with her or the kids? So what about Robbie's biological father? What about him?"
"According to Shawna we found out Robbie's biological father was a trucker she was in a relationship with for the last five years. He was originally going to plan to adopt Bianca once she revealed I was Bianca's biological father. He was helping pay for Shawna's medical treatments after her condition worsened and she was force to stop working." Rocky said sighing. "They had the paperwork in process but then six months ago, Robbie's biological father died in a highway pile up while he was making a shipment delivery from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon. Aisha and I reconnected with Shawna when we heard about the news of her partner."
"I know Aisha and Shawna were close back in the day and I guess she sorted her affairs in order for the kids which is why she revealed the truth." Adam replied.
"Part of me is still upset that Shawna kept my daughter away from me for seven years." Rocky sighed. "I'm not going to question why she did it or her reasons because it's sad to know my daughter is going to lose her mother in the next few months. Robbie already lost his dad now has to prepare for life without his mom and Aisha made peace with the fact about what happened with Shawna and me a long time ago was a mistake. We talked to her and she pointed out sooner or later Bianca needs to know."
"The fact that you're her biological father and that her and her little brother will be legally adopted by you and Aisha?" Adam said taking a deep breath. "Look, if there is anything Tanya and I can do for you two to help your case and stuff..."
"You guys have done more than enough for us accommodating to our living situation with the kids here and stuff." Rocky slightly smiled. "Shawna and I were planning on telling Bianca the news about the truth of her paternity and..."
Unfortunately, Rocky and Adam's conversation was interrupted when they heard some commotion outside of the building. The two guys heard voices outside and went to check it out only to see Tanya banging on the door getting the guys' attention.
"Hey babe you're home early what's going on?" Adam asked as Tanya came inside worried. "Who are those guys yelling outside?"
"It's bad, really bad out there." Tanya sighed worried as Aisha came back downstairs.
"What's with all the noise outside of the building?" Aisha asked. "I'm getting Bianca and Robbie ready for bed."
"...You don't understand Zack! I didn't want to be found, you need to understand I'm doing this to protect my wife and my kid from them! God damnit I shouldn't have never taken that contract without realizing those bastards intentions!" By now, the unsuspecting quartet knew who was ranting outside of their building, Zack's cousin Curtis. The others were aware of their friend's concern over his cousin's wellbeing the past couple of weeks. They were seeing Zack attempting to calm down Curtis' anxiety.
"You two spotted him near the building?!" Adam asked concerned over the situation outside escalating. "What happened to Curtis?"
"Zack was suppose to drop me off for the night until we spotted Curtis coming out of an abandon build nearly two blocks from here." Tanya explained. "It looked like Curtis was on the run for days or something we don't know, but he has a gun on him. We followed him trying to calm him down but all he kept saying was he needed to keep on running because there is a hit on his life. He was saying that he already finished the job he needed to do and now they have no use for him."
"Who is "they" Curtis is referring to?" Rocky asked.
"Probably the people he believes might be after him." Aisha said looking outside. "We got to do something to help Zack calm the situation."
"Listen Curtis, your wife is worried about you, your folks, the rest of the family and even me." They heard Zack said in a calming voice. "You keep on saying "they" are after you? Who are they cos? Is it the people you did your last architect contract with? Please, tell me what I can do to help you? Listen, we're in front of Rocky and Adam's karate school, my friends can help you. Please, you have to trust us we won't let anything happen to you." Zack then turned to the guys. "Rocky, Adam I could sure use some backup."
"Rocky, what are we going to do about Robbie and Bianca?" Aisha asked worried. "If the situation gets out of hand..."
"Don't worry girl, we'll get the kids as far away from here and we'll take them to Trini and Billy's place since they're nearby." Tanya reassured and turned to the boys. "You two, do give our fellow original Black Ranger a helping hand. Come on Aisha, we'll tell the kids we're going to take them out for late night ice-cream. We'll use the back alley make our exit. Rocky, Adam good luck out there."
Aisha and Tanya successfully got Bianca and Robbie away from the dojo under the guise of taking the kids out for a late night ice-cream run at the nearby dessert cafe. The guys joined Zack outside trying to help Curtis as the three guys convinced Zack's cousin to go inside the building to try to talk things. However, Curtis refused to relinquish possession of the gun he had on him for his own protection but vowed not to harm his cousin or his friends.
They saw Curtis glancing out the windows every few minutes in an agitated manner as he was being followed. Rocky locked the entrance and the emergency exits on the main floor of the school for security and Adam doubled check the security system for any intruders near the premises of the building. The blinds by the windows were shut and drawn back to avoid the night light outside from shining inside.
"Look you guys don't need to hide me here and quite frankly I maybe more of a liability being here." Curtis said nervously pacing back and forth. "I knew it would only be a matter of time before these bastards starting tying up loose ends. My bosses at my company gave my name because of my work and my architectural creditability. It was a big contract...with a hefty payday. Heck, Angela and I were planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World Resort with Malcolm."
"Ever since the holidays, Angela has been deeply concern for you Curtis." Zack replied as Rocky and Adam listened. "She says you stopped going to your office after it got broken in, changed your cellphone numbers, bank accounts, the whole nine yards. Come on cos, you can tell us...what is happening?"
"My greatest architectural design...turns out that the foundation it was built can have the potential to compromise the integrity of entire city." Curtis confessed reluctantly. "I was given a geological analysis of the ground where my last contract was done. The foundation itself is built on an active fault line that can automatically trigger earthquakes if the foundation underneath is compromised. It's as if...as if there is some sort of geological foundational mass holding the whole of the city of Angel Grove. When the engineers of the building began the first phase of construction on the site...they saw that there may have been a series of unknown networked tunnels being dug underneath."
"Wait...are you saying there maybe some sort of unknown big ass crater hidden underneath our city?" Rocky asked.
"Curtis where was the building located?" Adam asked. "The construction site?"
"Somewhere in the Trokia district of the city," Curtis answered nervously. "It's all I can say but whoever commissioned my firm to do the design...they have a lot of brass. Look, if something happens to me I need to make sure Angela and Malcolm are safe. That is all I am asking for because the last thing I don't want on my conscience is to compromise the integrity of the people of Angel Grove, especially my family. When I knew about the purpose of the entire project, I documented everything but kept it out of prying eyes for the safety of my family. I made sure of one thing if the shit hits the fan..."
"What is it?" Zack asked curiously. "Curtis if we can track down the third party that hired your firm we can protect you. You need to tell us...who are they?"
Before Curtis could answer, the three guys heard one of the back doors on the main floor being kicked open. Zack, Rocky and Adam were startled to see a scarlet robed clothed figure standing in the doorway. Unfortunately, the figure showed no hesitation or fear as they stared down at the three veteran Rangers who were ready to fight. With one hand, the scarlet clothed fighter revealed a sword at her side only to pull it apart to reveal twin swords.
The figure's attention was drawn to Curtis as Zack's cousin knew what was awaiting his grim fate. However, Zack put himself in between the line of fire along with Rocky and Adam between the scarlet clothed fighter and Curtis. Without warning, the figure started unleashing a barrage of attacks on the men as the dojo was now being used as an indoor battleground.
The adversary was responding to each counter attack the combine efforts of Rocky, Adam and Zack were dishing out. There was an abnormal sense in the strength and agility of the scarlet foe the three original Rangers were combating. Unfortunately, to their disdain, their enemy displayed an inhuman show of super strength after Rocky was tossed across the room like a rag doll and Adam was disarmed of a practice kendo stick he had in his possession.
"No, no, oh God no!" Curtis said in a panic as the scarlet clothed enemy made their way towards him. Zack made one last attempt to protect his cousin but to no avail as the enemy simply slammed him against the wall hard, leaving a heavy dent. Curtis knew there was no way out of this and rather let the grim reaper deal him his fate, he looked at the gun in nervously clutched in his hands. "Zack...remember every design always has a fail safe to it. Keep that in mind! Tell Angela and Malcolm that I love them and sorry..."
"Sorry?! What the hell do you mean sorry Curtis?! Curtis?!" Zack yelled and then to his utter horror realized what transpired next.
"I rather decide my own fate then let the grim reaper deal death's scythe on me!" Curtis said as he pointed the gun towards his head and looked at the scarlet foe. "Looks like I decide the terms of my own burial...not you bastards."
Zack shouted in agony and disbelief as suddenly a loud gunshot bang went off in the room and Curtis's body slumped down lifelessly on the ground. The scarlet foe stared emotionless at Curtis' body and at the three downed and battered original Power Rangers. Rocky, Zack and Adam looked on in pure shock and horror witnessing Curtis abruptly committing suicide instead of being dealt what would have been his death at the hands of the malicious scarlet foe. However, it didn't matter at this point except for the deceased and bleeding body that just became another casualty count.
January 16th, 2009
8:30 p.m
Reefside, CA
Although Angel Grove was about a two and a half hour drive away, Tommy felt like he was a miles away and useless to help his friends, in particular Zack. He heard the news of Curtis' suicide at Rocky and Adam's dojo from Jason and how the police in Angel Grove were investigating the case. It was terrible for Rocky and Adam that their school and place of residence was now an active crime scene the past week temporarily cancelling any classes they had plan.
It made Aisha and Rocky worried that Curtis' death came at the eve of their court date for a custody hearing about Robbie and Bianca. However, Tommy couldn't imagine what was going through Zack's mind witnessing Curtis abruptly end his own life right in front of him and their friends. He couldn't attend Curtis' funeral today because Amelia was sick with a cold and spent the entire day at home taking care of his little girl.
However, the mystery surrounding Curtis' death baffled everyone, especially Tommy after hearing the details that led to Curtis' erratic behavior the past few weeks. He was down in the lab and looked over to see Amelia asleep on the sofa surrounded by her pictures she drew earlier with the art supplies. Tommy was working frantically on trying to unlock the cryptex hoping that by opening it that they could make sense of the mayhem that was occurring these past couple of days.
"Hey Dr. O are you here?" Tommy heard Ethan coming downstairs into the lab with Connor and Hayley following. "We thought we let ourselves in."
"Well the door is always open for you guys," Tommy muttered but then pointed to his sleeping daughter. "But do try to keep the noise level down my kid is asleep."
"How is Amelia feeling? I know how badly you wanted to go to Angel Grove today to support Zack for Curtis' funeral." Hayley replied as he watched Tommy pull the blanket up to cover Amelia up a bit. "We could have offered to look after your daughter..."
"Don't worry about it and I talked to the guys earlier today." Tommy said sighing. "Usually when it comes to looking after my sick daughter, Amy usually demands one nurse to take care of her...mainly her dear old dad. However, I talked to the guys earlier and they gave me an update of what is going on in Angel Grove. In the span of two weeks two civilians are dead for some apparent reason."
"What kind of theory are you working on Dr. O?" Connor asked.
"The one that makes me these civilians were targeted casualties apart of something sinister." Tommy explained and then noticed Amelia's drawings again and sighed in disbelief and worry. He feared every time he saw a few of Amelia's drawings that they would indicate something ominous and eerie. It was as if Amelia had a subconscious understanding of what was happening. "And this...this literally scares the crap out of me every time I see this on paper."
"What do you think is happening to Amelia? It's like she has seer like abilities to see into the past, present and future." Hayley added.
"Only she drew this today...what looked like the events at Rocky and Adam's dojo last Friday night." Tommy explained and took a seat down on the couch next to Amelia. His daughter started snuggling her head into her dad's lap as he draped a protective arm over her. He passed the drawings over to Connor, Ethan and Hayley to examine.
"This one looks like what I think might have been Sasha Gideon's death two weeks prior, one of the senior partners from Billy's law firm. She drew what looked like a storage locker and bank deposit box like the one Billy was investigating. She's doing that thing again where she starts drawing things that either took place before whether it be days ago or maybe years, things I dreamed about and everything else in between. Imagine telling Zack that my daughter drew a picture of his cousin's suicide on the day his family is burying Curtis." Tommy continued.
"But your friends need to know because whatever the hell is happening in Angel Grove is causing a ripple effect here in Reefside." Ethan pointed out. "We been keeping Kira and Trent updated and Mr. Mercer is using all of his connections to comb Smitty's old research."
"If I only knew what the hell is inside that damn little word puzzle and apparently it's the only thing that may stop another body from dropping dead." Tommy said with sarcasm. Amelia stirred in her sleep as her eyes fluttered opened and looked at Tommy.
"Hi daddy," Amelia whispered as she sat up on the sofa. "Hi everybody."
"Hey baby girl how are you feeling?" Tommy asked as the others sat down. Amelia noticed everyone looking at her drawings and suddenly the young girl stared at her dad and everybody else with concern. Part of her felt that her dad was going to ask her about her drawings. "Did...the medicine help you with your cold?"
"My nose isn't that runny as much but I think I like some orange juice please?" Amelia replied as Hayley offered to get a cup for the little girl. "Daddy, why are you, Connor, Ethan and Aunt Hayley looking at my drawings? Is something the matter?"
"No, nothing is wrong kiddo but do you think daddy can ask you a question princess?" Tommy asked addressing the topic of the drawings. "Your drawings...they sure are really interesting and very colorful. Amelia, what made you draw stuff like this?"
"I'm not sure daddy, it's just this feeling I get." Amelia said vaguely. "Like I need to see things that happened already or maybe didn't or things I dream about or maybe other people dream about. I'm suppose to write a story but I don't know what the story is about."
"A story? What kind of story?" Ethan asked curiously.
"Something that is suppose to have a big adventure with secret kingdoms and a family that is of royalty. I don't know why I keep on drawing this stuff but there is a hidden treasure buried somewhere that is very powerful with a lot of magic." Amelia explained and then started drawing again but this time it looked like she was drawing the cryptex Tommy was currently trying to open. "That's suppose to be a key that opens the door to the secret kingdom. It needs a password like a secret code. I'm sorry I never told you about my drawings daddy but sometimes, I have to draw them even though a few of them scare me."
"Hey sweetie you don't have to apologize to me about anything." Tommy reassured his daughter. "Amelia...do you know what this is?"
"It's the weird toy on your desk near all your computer stuff you're trying to open." Amelia said continuing to draw. She started what looked like weird words as Hayley came back downstairs with the orange juice. It was three weird words but for some reason she wrote two letters in each word in gold canyon. "Only you can open it because it will show you where to find the secret kingdom like in the story."
"Why is daddy the only one that can open the door?" Tommy asked going along with Amelia as she continued to draw. He stared at the others in confusion wondering if some mystical or mythical force was working itself once again inside his daughter. However, Hayley urged him to go along in order to get answers to find a way to tie everything that has been happening all together. "Who needs me to open the door and why do I have to open it?"
"Because you're the One True Winged Lord of the Skies...the one destined to rule the last kingdom standing. Only when you accept the crown the kingdom has a chance to survive." Amelia said with a slight smile. "But for the kingdom to have its happy, it needs to be restored and an order that was once forgotten must reclaim their fealty and oath to serve the bloodline and heir apparent of the kingdom. The key is the word to unlocking it. That's where you start daddy..."
"The key is the word? There are six letter dials and it's only one shot." Without any time to spare, Tommy grabbed the cryptex off the computer console and looked at the dials very carefully. He had Amelia's drawing on him and notice the letters R, I, O, C, H, and T all written in gold crayon. He remembered back in the day during him and Kimberly's days at ASU the couple jokingly took one elective language course. For some reason, the two of them took Latin and it reminded of the good times with the love of his life. "I think I know it...the key is the word isn't it? The word...it's "riocht" because it's what it's about isn't it?"
Tommy ended up spelling the word "Riocht" on the cryptex and then heard the ancient gears inside the mechanical word puzzle shift. Something was happening as the tumblers inside aligned as the inner compartment of the cryptex opened up. Tommy carefully examined the inner compartment to find a scroll of papyrus paper. However, his eyes were deceived when the papyrus paper transformed into a piece of tapestry and Tommy knew what it was.
"Oh my gosh, Tommy you solved it? So that little word puzzle had some piece of cloth inside?" Hayley asked. "Out of curiosity..."riocht" what does it mean?"
"Ironically it was one of the first words I learned when Kim and I first took Latin at ASU over a decade ago." Tommy slightly smiled as he walked to another container to pull out the rest of the tapestry scroll he had in his possession. He laid it out on the table along with the newly recovered scrap from the cryptex. Amelia got up from the couch clutching her drawing pad staring at the now completed tapestry standing next to her dad. "Riocht...it's means "kingdom" in Latin. This is what the Garrison has kept hidden for so many years. This is more than just a scroll or tapestry...it's a map to the Ninjetti's last kingdom, their temple and something says it's here in Reefside."
"You need to move fast daddy because it's starting," Amelia said worried. "You need to finish what you started because they're already on the move. Not everything is what it seems to be. It's coming...the spirits are appealing to you to fight daddy."
"What is Amelia talking about Dr. O?" Connor asked. "Dr. O since when does our honorary little sister talk in cryptic wording?"
"Amelia...what did you draw this time?" Tommy asked looking at his daughter as she revealed her picture. It was in scribbles but the figure in Amelia's drawing was wearing scarlet red clothing holding what looked like a pair of swords. He knew too well deep down in the core of his subconscious and soul what it represented: the fate and destiny he had to face head on for the war ahead. "I know it because it's haunted my dreams but I can't put a face to it. Yet, it still lingers in the shadows looming over me."
"It's already too late because it's already emerge and already has made it's presence known," Amelia sighed. "...The beating heart in the void. It has risen and now it's going to silence the light with its untamed fire burning. It's coming and now you have to fight with all your heart, body and soul in order to survive because the fate of the world depends on it."