(Author's Notes: Hey everyone here's Chapter 35 & I hope you all continue to keep the reviews coming. The Rangers prepare intense standoff with the Emissary to save the Garrison's last stronghold with the stakes being raised.)
Chapter 35: Consequences Be Damned- Part I
June 24th, 2009
2:30 p.m
Angel Grove, CA
"Tommy!" They all cried. Without any response or reaction, they knew all too well Tommy's way of dealing with another complication at hand. He took a deep breath before his fist made contact with Quinn's face as he decked the once former prince of Treyforia. Quinn just simply let out a slight smirk expecting his former student's reaction wiping the small cut on his lip.
"Obviously, it's always been his response to things especially with matters of the heart." Quinn responded, only to receive death glares from the other Rangers as Jason and Adam held their friend back. Tommy tried to keep a calm demeanor, but it was obvious it was hard to keep his emotions in check. If there was one thing he could ask for it was for his daughter not to somehow be tied into this life. For him, choosing which part of their overall crusade to defeat the Emissary was becoming a challenge, like the checklist of tasks at hand only kept on growing longer and longer. "Your emotions are ramping up, use it and channel it into something constructive kid."
"Hey, why don't you shut up for a minute." Jason growled, trying to keep his best friend calm and collective. However, his hard eyes flashed green and it did not go unnoticed by the others. The Rangers wondered the true potential of their leader's power in his current emotional state if traces of his power from his evil green ranger days were still evident in him. The necklace he wore was suppose to keep his powers in check, but now they suspected otherwise. "Tommy, listen to me you need to calm down and relax please, bro."
"Okay, I seem a bit leveled out and calm for now." Tommy stated taking a breath, and then gave a not so pleasant stare at Quinn. "As for decking you, that's my first reaction to you these days in terms of how I respond to hearing you say something that will flip the script again. Maybe it's also my way of dealing with 19 years worth of memories I recall of you. Don't you remember Quinn? The ones where you kept reminding me of how much of a disappointment I was."
"Looks like the old green dragon still lays dormant in you Tommy." Quinn replied. "The other side of the coin that makes Tommy Oliver."
"Or why don't I rip this necklace off and maybe test out just how much power the so called Bloodline of Power wields." Tommy snapped angrily. "Is that why you guys created my necklace? The same way you created the bracelet for my daughter? Yeah, I know my life hasn't been normal since I was eleven years old. Being a Power Ranger I knew the risk that there will be no sense of normalcy left in my life. I accepted it, Kim accepted it, my friends accepted there is no such thing as normalcy when you're fated to save the world countless times. If there was one thing I could ask the universe it was to at least give Amelia a sense of normalcy in her life. Is that hard to ask on behalf of a seven year old little girl?"
"That kid's fate was already predetermined thanks to mommy and daddy long ago..." Unfortunately, Quinn's recent remark didn't suit well with Tommy again as he was met with another punch in the face. This time, Jason and Adam let their friend go knowing he had a lot of issues to work out and needed time to process the news. They wanted to intervene and stop before Tommy lost control, but Quinn simply just let out a smirk and wiped his busted lip again. "This is just normal Rangers for Tommy to let out all those suppressed emotions he's been bottling up inside for so many years."
"You basically have the worst timing possible don't you?" Adam asked.
"I preferred you as Prince Trey back in the day," Kat commented sarcastically. "Because you as Quinn, you're basically one sarcastic bastard aren't you?"
"Maybe I should have asked my parents to send me to a different summer camp all those years ago instead of going to Algoma Summer Camp." Tommy said sarcastically. "My summer vacation at eleven years of age might have been different. Maybe I didn't sign up for martial arts classes that were secretly being used as training sessions for young recruits into an unknown army. Or maybe I didn't have to find myself five years ago in an abandon factory and hear that the woman I married turn out to be some mythical living weapon of a bunch of frantic organization. Or maybe I'm probably dreaming or stuck in my personal spirit world again and didn't hear you confirm my worst fears for my seven year old daughter. However, I'm trying to keep calm no matter how much bullshit you tell me that can possibly only make my life even shitty as it is right now. We have history Quinn, not the most colorful history but I'm willing to listen even though half the time these days I just want to punch your lights out."
"Tommy, this guy has done more damage than good in your life for the last nineteen years. Despite him being an ally, why put up with it?" Zack asked.
"Because...if it wasn't for him, Kimberly wouldn't have been part of my life." Tommy said reluctantly admitting Quinn's indirect involvement of Kim's impact on his life. No matter how much animosity or resentment he had for Quinn's influence in his life, Tommy couldn't deny fate and destiny especially when it comes to Kimberly and it was for that simple matter he owed his former camp counsellor for it. "Part of me wants to hate you so much, but I can't because you brought me the one person that meant the world to me into my life that day, her. True or false...was meeting Kim also part of your mission long ago?"
"That one, I did out of my own conviction because I saw two kids who would eventually become kindred spirits down the line." Quinn admitted. "As I said many times, you two were always the exceptional ones. Being around for so long, I've trained many who have come and gone, but something about you two always stumped me. It was why the others said I developed a soft spot for the both of you. Do you want to know why I suggested that the two of you talk to each other all those years ago? It's because you both understand one another and the feeling of trying to control both sides of the same coin. Eventually, one little conservation became history from that point on."
"You're one complex guy do you know that?" Aisha commented as Quinn gave a sarcastic smile. "Still wondering till this day what Zordon and Dulcea saw in you as an ally."
"Probably my unwavering dedication and fealty to the Garrison, doing whatever means possible to stay alive throughout the years." Quinn answered with a smirk.
"Well did your unwavering dedication help me out five years ago? You obviously picked one of the worst days of the year to grace us with your presence knowing all too well what happened in Reefside five years ago? I risked everything to save your ass back then because for the life of me I believed you could help me save Kim and our future, but look where that got us. Now, that sense of deja vu all is coming over me again to save your sanctum because of my daughter and the city where our adventures began as Power Rangers. You've been this catalyst in my life that impacted the fate of my family and those around me. I tried getting you out of my life, but I can't because no matter what, at the end of the day you're still there lurking in the distance, doing what you do because of your unwavering fealty."
"I lived for many years without regretting my actions and it's a rarity that there are a few times I feel guilt and regret. What happened five years ago was one of the things I regretted because of what it did to you, Tommy." Quinn reluctantly admitted. "Most people in your position have seen more tragedy and trauma than triumph take the high road and head out of the town kid. I should know that feeling when everything your world revolves around was suddenly snuffed out. However, how you manage to survive the trauma when it left you spent demonstrates your will and spirit to endure what comes your way. The survival of the Monument Valley sanctum will determine the outcome of your daughter's fate, but I'll do what I can to make sure I uphold a promise I should have kept five years ago...only if you and your court will ride with me?"
"And...what promise is that?" Tommy asked warily. "What promise do you intend to uphold you didn't keep to me five years ago?"
"To not make the same mistake twice and make sure I find a way to save your future and that of your daughter's." Quinn replied. "I'm doing this because I owe it to Kimberly for failing to protect her from a fate and destiny worst than death. Maybe, for her little girl there is still hope for her and that spark to ignite the hope that there is still a heartbeat left in the void. So I appeal to you, white falcon, Winged Lord of the Skies, heir apparent of the Bloodline of Power...what say you?"
The others looked at Tommy wondering what his response will be despite just a few moments ago he took two swings at the guy. Dealing with Quinn was like walking on eggshells because the high ranking Garrison elder had a hidden motive. However, the decision came down to Tommy debating whether if he'll let history repeat itself or take a risk and rewrite it. "...If you can correct the mistakes from five years ago, we'll see where we go from here." Tommy informed him reluctantly. "You couldn't steer Kim away from her fate and destiny five years ago, maybe you'll have luck and help me make sure my daughter's fate doesn't follow her mom's path right into the Emissary."
Somewhere near the Arizona-Utah Border
Out in an abandon service centre somewhere in the desert, the seven pillars of the Emissary made the final preparations required to launch their assault. After time and patience, their mystics were able to locate the last Garrison sanctum that eluded them for months. This was going to be their chance to finally dismantle and eliminate their adversary that have plagued them for over four thousand years.
This internal civil conflict between the Garrison and the Emissary have exceed since the far reaches of the galaxy. It was an ironic twist of fate this war has followed them to every corner of the universe from their first confrontation on Phaedos, and expanded their chapter for the last four thousand years on Earth. It was true that both the Garrison and the Emissary originated from the same concepts and origins of the Ninjetti Order on Phaedos, but their ideologies and fundamental beliefs was what caused the divide.
That final decree that exiled the Emissary long ago was the catalyst that brought upon their formation while the Garrison was formed to protect and preserve the legacy and ancient teachings of the Ninjetti and the Great Power. There was a resilience and resistance that ran through their adversaries, one that they complimented their enemies for: to always rebuild from the ashes of destruction and chaos.
However despite their resistance and defiance, the Garrison wasn't prepared to do battle with the Emissary's ultimate weapon, the Scarlet Sovereign. They needed the sovereign's strength and power to demolish the Monument Valley sanctum, but it was more than just about diminishing the Garrison's influence. They studied the ancient teachings of the Ninjetti Order in the past and the sanctums served as sanctuaries to protect the integrity of the Great Power. Each sanctum governed by the basic fundamental elements of balance in the universe: aspects of life itself.
The battle lines were set to strike as final preparations were on the way and the Scarlet Sovereign undergoing last minute battle combat training with Pan. Dalia wanted in on their impending assault on the Garrison sanctum against the objections of Balor and Thea, much to the suspicion of the rest of the pillars. As the last remnants of daylight disappear beyond the desert horizon, Thea felt a shift of aura in the atmosphere, a power and energy unlike anything out of the ordinary from both the light and shadow.
"Thea, what is it?" Dalia asked her sister as the rest of the Emissary looked on. "What do you sense?"
"There is an uncanny aura in the atmosphere: it's very powerful, rare energy; but unyielding and unbounded. This aura holds no allegiance to the shadow and light." Thea said sensing an unexplained feeling. "There are a lot of factors at work here pulling from both sides of the spectrum: from the physical and spiritual plane, but yet it's powerful enough to contain and conceal their signatures, auras and energy."
"What should we expect from the Garrison?" Salazar asked. "They have cloaked this particular sanctum for so long, making it difficult to unbind the power it holds."
"Because we know the sanctum leader of this particular location will not hold back," Dalia stated. "The sooner this sanctum falls, the sooner we can proceed to dismantle this little resistance. They are what stands in between us obtaining the substance and our plans to fulfill our masters' legacies. We have worked for too long not to be set back by a few minor transgression, we are this close to unlocking what we desire."
"Well boss lady our little siege may have be pushed back a day or two," Ashei addressed the group as a few agents of the Emissary dragged one of the unconscious mystics back to their hideout. "Congratulations, we're down a mystic. Somehow he just dropped down on the ground and I can sense a compound mixture of belladonna, hemlock and foxglove in his system. Apparently, the land is tainted surrounding the Garrison sanctum..."
"You're meaning to tell us they poisoned the dirt ground?" Dalia asked utterly in disbelief. "Our mystics work in threes, if one is out of commission, simply get a replacement! We must have a few on standby now don't we people?"
"They contaminated the ground to purposely incapacitate us and our mystics are now becoming inflicted with whatever they sprinkled on the ground." Malo explained. "We need a new tactic to breach ground zero without putting our reserves out of commission."
"We'll think of something," Dalia stated. "This is only a minor setback and it will only be a matter of time before we find an immunization to their defences. They can only prologue their destruction for so long."
"Well they better be ready dear sister," Thea said as she concentrated. "It seems like our favourite lordship is growing in strength and he wants to demonstrate to us his power and they are coming for us. This time...they're going to take things to the next level."
6:00 p.m
Momument Valley
In a matter of couple of hours, the Power Rangers found themselves thrusted into an unknown battlefield, one that they felt foreign to them. They remember in high school learning about the geography of Monument Valley. It was an area part of the Colorado Plateau. The elevation of the valley floor ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 feet (1,500 to 1,800 m) above sea level. The floor is largely siltstone of the Cutler Group, or sand derived from it, deposited by the meandering rivers that carved the valley. The valley's vivid red color comes from iron oxide exposed in the weathered siltstone. The darker, blue-gray rocks in the valley get their color from manganese oxide.
According to Billy the buttes are clearly stratified, with three principal layers. The lowest layer is the Organ Rock Shale, the middle is de Chelly Sandstone, and the top layer is the Moenkopi Formation capped by Shinarump Conglomerate. The valley includes large stone structures including the famed "Eye of the Sun". Back in the day, they used to watch old western movies with Monument Valley in a lot of the backdrop scenes in these movies that depicted fictional life in the wild west.
On the contrary, the Rangers never imagined the moment they first stepped foot in the one of the Garrison's sanctums, they were getting a first hand glimpse of what the Garrison was all about. They didn't know this vast desert region was a secret stronghold that fought to defend the legacy and integrity of the Ninjetti order and the Great Power for over four thousand years. It was like an ancient secret civilization or city hidden deep within the rocky canyon formations and beneath the surface. However, watching them in action and their intensive training was like watching what they assumed was their personal army being prepared for war.
The sight of seeing the Garrison's sanctum hit close to home for Tommy; in particular the fact that for nearly two decades he had been avoiding ever laying eyes on what was supposed to be steered for his future. He was seeing Garrison brigades ranging from young to old; kids; teenagers; young adults; everyone in between willingly and swearing to fealty to fight this war against the Emissary.
Part of Tommy wondered if he was fortunate enough not to be a full fledged member of the Garrison despite being trained in the ways of fighting style long ago. Then his thoughts were about Kimberly wondering if she ever laid eyes on this place in those eight months all those years ago when she fled Florida? Maybe she must have seen this and it was why she deserted Quinn in order to follow her heart's desire back to him.
There was a sense of sympathy Tommy felt for these people who either spent their entire lives; or had previous generations work as members of the Garrison. He thought about all the innocent victims who were agents of the Garrison who sacrificed their lives in order for him and his friends to fulfill their fate and destiny. Did any of these people have their own ambitions; dreams and goals in life? Was it worth it for them to throw their meaning of life away in order for their survival? As the Rangers toured the sanctum with Quinn breaking down how their operation work, Tommy couldn't shake the thought he was giving into the thing that caused the divide between him and Quinn years ago.
"Do you ever think about it?" Jason suddenly asked his best friend. "Maybe...that might been you down there with the rest of those people who dedicated their lives to nothing else but the Garrison? To fighting a war that has long existed across the universe? It's what's going through your mind, bro and you're probably thinking if Kim thought about it."
"If I wanted to, part of me wishes this place never existed, or the truth about the Garrison, the Emissary, all of it remained nothing but campfire tales." Tommy said. "As much as every part of me wanted to despise Quinn, I can't do that because of the impact he had on Kim and me. I kept telling myself over the years his stories were nothing but tales of delusion and he was basically seeking out people who would throw their lives away for nothing and for no meaning except being a soldier of war. I'm looking at all those people down there and it occurred to me they fight for us, they fight so we can live, so we can finish what we started five years ago with the Emissary."
"Maybe it's because for some, complicated reason it's their purpose, it's their need in order to serve a greater cause." Jason replied. "It made me think about Sasha Gideon, one of the senior partners from Billy's old law firm. Her family's legacy revolved around the Garrison and for five generations, that family swore fealty to some sanctum in Galway until the very last living member. Those people down there are here by choice, by a belief and an idea of something greater."
"I always debated that with Quinn for years what this war has come to Jase. Quinn used to tell me I had a gift, the special kind, the kind few people have or deserve. It was the sales pitch he sold me and Kim on years ago when we first met him. Quinn and his fortune-cookie wisdom, cause that's all he needed, 'cause he was training children to fight a war. Do you know what the scary part about all of this was? Kim and I unwillingly were doing the same thing five years ago with the Dino Thunder Rangers. You try to find that line in the sand between being a soldier of war or a defender of justice. Long ago he wanted a soldier, we wanted a parental role model to look up to and I guess we just ended up disappointing one another. Do you want to know why Kim originally came back to Angel Grove eight months after the letter?" Tommy looked at his best friend before he continued. "I never thought this was why she chose me, but maybe if she didn't..."
"Whatever happened in the past it's all in the past." Jason reassured him. "Kim chose her own fate, her own destiny and you are what she saw in her fate and destiny. You shouldn't let the shadows of the past dictate the outcome of how things turned out in the present or possibly the future. Do you honestly think this was in your future?"
"...Well originally Quinn wanted Kim to recruit me into the Garrison all those years ago, but she didn't." Tommy suddenly admitted. "She spent eight months with Quinn, training to be part of the Garrison after the incident in Florida and the letter. He wanted her to use her feelings for me for his benefit to bring me into the fold, for the warfront effort as he called it. Kimberly called those eight months the "darkest time of her life" but she couldn't bring herself to fulfill her mission for Quinn. It was because I showed her there was a life outside of the front lines; outside of being a soldier for someone else's war. Seeing the Garrison up close this was what she wanted to spare me from: a tutelage to fight a war where you moral credo and compass get thrown out the window. Kim...she had that instant to kill by any means, it was this part of herself she tried to contain and conceal for many years, her shadows of the past. Guess that is why we were a match made for each other."
"That you two are and we still believe that the Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies will be reunited once again," Billy replied as he and the others joined the two best friends after hearing their conversation. "We made a promise to protect our falcon and lordship, the Bloodline of Power and despite all that has been thrown at him, he still endures and he prevails."
"Okay, how long have all of you guys been standing there?" Tommy inquired.
"Long enough to let you and my husband have your little bromance moment," Kat slightly chuckled. "We heard every word you said and do not think being here is suppose to give you a wake up call to what life was suppose to be. We don't know what to expect and this is uncharted territory for us, stepping into the Garrison's world."
"Yeah, it is uncharted territory, but I felt like I been part of it without realizing it," Tommy replied. "It was long before they came to Reefside five years ago when the Emissary used Mesogog and his goons to help with their plans; long when they had secret Garrison operatives watching over us; before Algoma Camp; before Amelia's birth. Maybe it was predetermined even before either of us were born. Now I find myself on their turf once again in order to save my daughter's future because apparently some old sanctum is connected to her whatever freaky ancient magical power is emerging from my little girl. I know my future and that of Kimberly's is wavering in uncharted waters and clouded by the second, but I don't want that same prediction for Amelia. She's only seven years old and deserves a carefree childhood, the one kids her age should have."
"And we know that and we know how much you sacrificed and dedicated to your daughter." Rocky said. "I understand what it means to be a parent even though I'm still in the process of navigating that with my own daughter and Robbie. Jason and Kat they know what you're going through to do what you have to do for their own children and the rest of us. You don't want Amelia to pay for any wrongdoings you or Kimberly had in the past at the cost of her future, even if it means putting yourself in the line of fire just to protect her."
"Rocky is right, as much as you tell yourself you wanted out of this life you couldn't do that because of Amelia." Aisha said. "We made the choice as a team to stand by you because you're our friend and we're all family and we protect one another. Long ago we heard this credo and mantra that stayed with us and defined our family because of two people who are very foundation of what makes this family. They are the heart and soul of it and we made a vow to protect it: always and forever."
"Always and forever: our team's credo and mantra," Tommy slightly chuckled. "Well that's Kimberly for you...and her always saying consequences be damned."
"Well that's our other mantra too," Jason said smiling. "So, does our mantra as a team still stand regardless of what comes next?"
"It still does and whatever comes this way, consequences be damned." Tommy said. "I didn't come here because of Quinn's request or that of the Garrison, I came here because I'm not making the same mistake twice. I still walk on eggshells when it comes to him, but he knows things that we don't and if protecting this sanctum is what has to be done, then fine we'll do it, but we aren't doing for his benefit. We're doing this because it's who we are and who we fight for."
9:30 p.m
For the next three and a half hours the Rangers were introduced to the operations of the Garrison in the Monument Valley sanctum. They were reunited with their allies the Ninja Storm and Thunder Rangers of the Wind Ninja Academy. Although it wasn't the ideal place to send their allies for sanctuary, being under the protection of the Garrison had its benefits and provided them a place to retrain their skills and abilities.
The sanctum itself was a crossover between a very old, ancient fallout shelter that reminded them of the Command Center back in the day. It was hidden well inside the geographical terrain of the area which was why it was impossible for the Emissary to find it. There were Garrison members undergoing rigorous training exercises and drills like they were undergoing military combat training. From further examination, these people looked focus orientated and displayed concentration and discipline.
Quinn gave the rundown to the Rangers what has been happening and how he left his sanctum under the protection of the last surviving members of the Garrison for the last couple of months. However, with the immediate threat of the Emissary's impending assault looming it was only a matter of time before their remaining sanctum would be located. The sanctum itself was divided in levels and sections with a series of interconnecting tunnels and stairways that led outside, to hidden chambers or escape routes should they abandon it.
From Quinn's impromptu tour of the sanctum, the Rangers knew he wasn't going to give this place up without a fight. Unfortunately, that resilience and resistance drive that ran through him and the rest of the Garrison meant the possibility of them signing their own death certificates. He led the Rangers to one of the chambers in the sanctum that was an annex and contained many ancient artifacts and also what looked like pods of some sort. There were seven around the area that were empty but their attention was drawn to what looked like an ancient looking torch that constantly changed colors.
It was in a mystical cauldron that was decorated but it brought upon a mesmerizing and mystical atmosphere to it, probably too mystical for Tommy who found himself enthralled by the flames. For some reason it was causing a compulsion, a desire of self-searching into the windows of the past, present and future until the others and Quinn had to snap Tommy back to reality.
"Be careful of that for those who touches its flames will be enthralled by the mysticism," A young girl who looked no more than seventeen years old appeared along with a male roughly close to Quinn's age. "The embers of the past, present and future shine bright but for one to know their own fate must be prepared to be burned."
"Seriously Jade you and your speeches of mysticism," the man replied at the young girl. "These people here are the heir apparent of the Ninjetti Order." He then turned his attention to Tommy and carefully looked at him. "And this one here is the one true Winged Lord of the Skies, the white falcon. He is the Bloodline of Power, heir to the Ninjetti Kingdom and the Great Power, the royal family."
"Okay that is pretty much putting Tommy high up on that pedestal of the Garrison or the rest of us for that matter." Jason stated staring at the two individuals. "Seriously, who the heck are you people?"
"Jade, Roxas...I see that you two have manage to hold the fort down in my absence." Quinn greeted his two comrades. "And of course you bought us a few more days making sure the Emissary's mystic dogs aren't sniffing in our territory. How about the cloaking spell?"
"It will only buy us about two days, three at most but they're a persistent bunch of bastards." Roxas reported. "After that, it's open season so right now we're amplifying the training session and doubling up our efforts in the armory. Does the boss man know what is happening? What about Ari...I mean Dulcea? My apologies she has that tendency to switch between her Garrison name and that of her Master Warrior identity of Phaedos."
"Huh, hello there we're not deaf or blind..." Trini replied a little offended. "Can you tell us who they are?"
"Oh my mistake, forgot the introductions here." Quinn added. "Power Rangers, meet Jade and Roxas, the last remaining sanctum leaders of the Garrison. Jade here may look like your run of the mill typical teenager but trust me, this little strumpet here is a fierce soldier and arcane expert. Don't let her age or her appearance fool you for she has taken a mentor ship role once upon a time in her alternate life, kind of like Zordon. Roxas, he and I have had our fair share of fighting alongside one another over the ages in many chapters of the Garrison's existence. He too was brought into the fold many years ago by Zordon after the Emissary ravaged his home planet in their quest for the substance, once upon a time on Eltar. Jade and Roxas here have significant history here on Earth working alongside the Power Rangers of Earth."
"They know us?" Tommy asked, but then a thought came to him. "It's kind of like the Emissary, that somehow in their previous or alternate lives they were heralds who served the likes of Rita, Zedd, Mondo, Divatox and all the other forms of evil that we battled. You all...knew Zordon in some shape or form and it was why the Garrison was formed for that reason? So if Quinn was Prince Trey in his alternate life and Aria was Dulcea, the Master Warrior and High Priestess of the Ninjetti, then Jade and Roxas must have been known by another form or name we once met?"
"I think I'm going to take a stab at this since they were vaguely dropping hints of their previous identities to us?" Justin said looking at the two Garrison members. First, he turned his attention to Jade. "You always use to have this way of speaking to us, very metaphorically and cryptically, but yet it was a big responsibility for you to fill Zordon's shoes long ago. Wasn't it, Dimitria?" The smile on the young teenager's face and the stunned reaction figuring out Jade's identity by Justin's analysis was nothing more than just speechless.
"Like what Quinn said don't let my appearances fool you Power Rangers," Jade replied smiling. "Though it was a pleasure once again to finally see you all." Justin then turned his attention to Roxas.
"In terms of figuring out Roxas, if Cassie was only here to see this I'm sure she'd be stunned to figure out who were once were." Justin continued sensing Roxas' face react at the mention of the former second pink Turbo Ranger & Space Ranger's name. "You're from Eltar too, like Zordon and you were also a sworn ally to him for many years, and to us because of your fealty and oath to those who fight in Zordon's name. Cassie, she still thinks about you from time to time wondering what became of the mysterious Phantom Ranger."
"So the founders of the Garrison once were sworn allies and comrades to Zordon many eons ago?" Tommy asked. "That's why you kept on saying you all knew us in previous alternate lives and all that? It's still a little weird to wrap our heads around this stuff and to this day we're trying to unravel the mystery of how ancient intergalatic cosmic beings like yourselves can exist in other alternate states or lives throughout the ages. Now that we know who you all really are and your connection to us years ago, what do we call you by? The names we once knew you as or by what you go by in the Garrison?"
"Kid, names or what we were in our current states or alternate lives don't matter here. What matters is that we've existed for a pretty long time to fulfill a fealty and oath that the foundations and mission mandate the Garrison was founded upon." Quinn explained. "To us it doesn't matter what you refer us by, although with you for the last two decades you've known me as Quinn. We're here because of one common goal and mission."
"To fight the Emissary and stop them from fulfilling their Modus Operandi upon Angel Grove." Adam replied. "So you guys...are all that's left as the founders of the Garrison on Earth?"
"Like the seven pillars that formed the Emissary, we too had our beginnings originate on Phaedos after the Elders of the Ninjetti Order banished the heretics and decreed them unworthy of ever obtaining the Great Power." Roxas explained. "Zordon was once one of the Elders of the Ninjetti Order and after word was spread of the heretics defiling the very name and integrity of the Great Power and Ninjetti, he formed the Garrison as a means to protect its sanctity and integrity with the Master Warrior and High Priestess Dulcea being the first. In order to carry out the mission to expand the teachings across the universe, they found six other members that would be the core foundation of the Garrison."
"Yeah and the rest is history according to Quinn's account." Tanya said.
"That pretty much rewrites the definition of ancient beings and everything we know about the Ninjetti Order." Billy said. "So the other six members of the Garrison, you weren't originally part of the Ninjetti Order were you unlike Zordon and Dulcea?"
"The Garrison's purpose is to protect the new generation of initiates into the Ninjetti Order, the council that will in turn swear fealty and oath to the heir apparent of the Ninjetti Kingdom, the Bloodline of Power." Jade replied. "If you hear it from Quinn, long story short, we're basically the army that serves the Ninjetti Order. We fight to protect the very foundation and cornerstones of what this legacy and the Great Power and the Ninjetti is about. Everything the members learned about the Ninjetti is what became the fundamentals of what made the Garrison what it is today. Our tactics and methods may bring upon questionable doubt and debate, but it is what it is."
"An organization in the name of good that uses violence and killing as a means to fight? To do things that questions one's moral compass and ethics?" Kat asked.
"We are what's left of the founding members of the Garrison because the Scarlet Sovereign," Quinn said noticing Tommy's expression at the mention of the Scarlet Sovereign's name. It was an ugly truth for the White Ranger to know what his crane's new lease of her existence has been reduced to. "It was why for many years we kept it hidden away from the Emissary but they knew of their weapon, the one that can bring upon the fire and destruction upon on our organization. This is why the chapter of Earth's Garrison has been going on for over four thousand years. The three other founding members of the Garrison: Hideo, the Osaka sanctum leader; Whistler, the Galaway sanctum leader; and Felix, the Guinea sanctum leader all have lost their lives when their sanctums fell along with their brigades. One by one every sanctum fell and in a means to ensure our survivals, we abandoned the rest of our Garrison sanctums at the cost of losing its power."
"You can imagine the bind we are in right now," Jade replied. "The only last contingency we got left is keeping the Monument Valley sanctum standing and keeping the hidden Ninjetti Kingdom in Reefside as sanctuary grounds. The old guard is on the verge of being burned by the untamed fire of the Emissary's greatest weapon unless we can put a stop to it. However, we never anticipated in our wake that there is a tide of change upon the horizon that will once again rewrite what we know."
"Tell us something we don't know," Zack said sullenly.
"Zack has a point because we already know what's at stake," Tommy said, staring down at the surviving founders of the Garrison. "For nearly two decades, this organization has inadvertently been a constant influence on my life without me knowing it. Long before I ever came to Angel Grove it all began at that summer camp where somehow it led me to a chance meeting of fate and destiny with a girl who eventually become the center of my world. She too, would learn that this organization will also be a constant influence on her life too. Becoming Power Rangers, somehow in the eyes of the powers that be became two of the most powerful Rangers in existence: the falcon and crane, the Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies and the completion of the Bloodline of Power. Over the years I kept asking myself what the hell made me so special and if everything about my life has been predetermined by fate and destiny itself. I know life is complicated and no matter how many times this world tries to bury me under its weight and burden, I have to endure it because it's my nature. Me and my friends have given our lives time and time again for the greater good knowing somewhere along the way we must make sacrifices in the name of victory. It's getting harder to find that line in the sand and whether or not to cross it. However, when it comes to hearts of the matter I say consequences be damned. That tide of change you're talking about is my daughter and that's where I will draw the line for you."
"It seems the power of the balance of light and shadow is understanding the full magnitude of the power being at work here." Roxas said looking at Quinn. "He's very different this one is from the last Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies. No wonder why you considered him and his ladyship the exceptional ones Quinn. The very least you can do is educate them about the source of power of the sanctum starting with the flame."
"What does that multicolored cauldron torch flame have to do with the sanctum?" Jason asked looking at his best friend, however for some reason Tommy found himself entranced by the cauldron in the room. "Tommy? Tommy what is it?"
"That flame...there is something about it like it's a window to all aspects of time: the past, the present and the possible future." Tommy said in awe. "That represents the power of the Garrison sanctum doesn't it? I can remain calm and collective for a moment unless you say something to me that makes me want to punch your lights out. I do suggest you take your comrade's advice and explain to us what makes these cauldrons special and how they're linked to the sanctums? Ultimately, explain to me its overall connection to my daughter's fate?"
"Each flame that once resided in the Garrison sanctum's represented different characteristics of existence that remained prominent throughout the universe. It's the very essence of what makes life itself in general." Quinn said. "It was an ancient story we learned from Zordon and the other elders of Phaedos long ago during the early formations of the Garrison how each aspect of existence reflects one's being and individuality. Our strength came from following each of these aspect in some means of combat as a guide to know the meaning of existence: soul; mind; time; space; reality; power; and knowledge. The flames in the cauldron represent each aspect of existence one sanctum is guided by. When the power of the flames are extinguish, the sanctum's power is extinguish when the last sworn member of that sanctum perishes. The flames from three of the seven sanctums have been extinguished, except for...the flame from the sanctum of Monument Valley. Are you following closely or is the Dragon within you boiling inside?"
"You said three sanctums have been completely destroyed by the Scarlet Sovereign?" Aisha asked. "And with that three of the founding members of the Garrison?"
"That is correct." Roxas confirmed nodding his head. "Myself, Jade and Aria abandoned our sanctums and took with us the members of the Garrison assigned to the respective sanctums in Panama; Thrace and the Cook Islands. They may have destroyed the buildings themselves, but not extinguish the power completely and thanks to some quick witted work from Jade, we formulated a plan to consolidate the remaining powers of the sanctums into one direct area."
"The cauldron torch burning here? This is it isn't it? The last of the Garrison's sanctums power?" Tommy asked. "You said each sanctum represented a different characteristic of existence in the universe? What was extinguish and which are the ones suddenly make up that super multicolored torch burning in Monument Valley?"
"Power, space and reality after the fall of the Osaka, Galway and Guinea sanctums." Quinn continued. "The flames of soul, mind, and knowledge were merged with the flames of time, the source of Monument Valley's sanctum power. I told you earlier that keeping the last Garrison sanctum standing is just about ensuring we keep whatever is contained underneath Angel Grove padlocked. I said to you that the survival of this sanctum is also about containing and cloaking the true nature of your daughter Amelia's power: the true power of the balance of shadow and light. The different characteristics of existence also speaks to the cornerstones of what the Ninjetti is about. It's awakening in her and the spirits of the ancient Ninjetti call in the far reaches to the Bloodline of Power, to the key of the future. There have been serious repercussions every time a Modus Operandi occurred and the powers that be try to find a way to rectify every action and reaction in existence."
"It's like layers and layers of protection these sanctums represent aren't they?" Tommy asked touching his necklace. "And one by one it's all unraveling. Those energy signatures the guys detected in Angel Grove, it's only the beginning isn't it?" His eyes were focused on the flame once again. "There is more to that flame is there? You said I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect the people I love: my daughter and my lost Winged Lady of the Skies. Tell me...what do I need to do in order to find the truth?"
"Quinn, we suggested to provide them knowledge about the flames that are the source of the sanctum's power." Jade argued realizing Tommy's motive. "Wait a minute, no this is not the appropriate approach to this!"
"What are you talking about?" Jason asked looking at the Garrison and then at Tommy. "Oh dear god. Tommy, hey listen to me bro, they said that cauldron torch is mystical and that is powerful, unknown and ancient mystical stuff at play." He turned to Quinn knowing he inadvertently instigated all of this. "Hey, talk him out of it!"
"Tommy stop this is not the way!" the others argued as Tommy stepped forward in front of the cauldron, the power source of the last Garrison sanctum. "Don't do it!"
"Is this your way to rectify the promise you couldn't fulfill five years ago?" Tommy asked directly to Quinn. "Is this your way of making sure you don't make the same mistake twice? So tell me...is this your way to redeem yourself for failing me all those years ago?"
"If you're willing to know the truth, all you need to do..." Quinn said carefully. "...All you need to do is let the embers of the cauldron touch you Tommy. However, be warned and against my judgement don't say I warned you if attempt to go beyond the limitations of the power you wield. However, I gave you my world and you wanted to know what you need to do in order to protect Amelia's future?"
"Consequences be damned as my Beautiful pink princess and crane would say huh?" Tommy replied as he began to reach for the cauldron, much to the protest of the other Rangers and the surviving founders of the Garrison. Once the first bits of ember made contact with him, the next thing he felt was a sudden surge he couldn't explain.