(Author's Notes: Hey everyone here's Chapter 44 & I hope you all continue to keep the reviews coming. The Rangers are force to fight behind enemy lines in order to save Henry & Amelia, but it seems the night will be far from over.)
Chapter 44: When the Clenching Power Breaks Free
July 27th, 2009
11:30 p.m
Underneath Angel Grove City
In the darkest depths beneath the city streets of Angel Grove, Jason can only stare down at the giant hole pondering the next course of action. Yet, with the revelation that their plans of stealth infiltration got thrown a deadly wrench to derail everything, he knew where his priorities were.
This was one of the many tough lessons he learned long ago as a leader back in the day: how to make the tough decisions in a time of crisis. Being a leader requires understanding the choices that are made have both an action and consequence to them. The Rangers could imagine what their Gold Ranger was thinking knowing that their friend had to unwillingly take the reins of leadership at the worst possible time.
The others knew it wasn't only Jason and Kat contemplating the next course of action but also Rocky, Aisha and even Zack. At this point, the Rangers knew they'll be divided by whatever course of action they decide upon next. They were all concerned for the safety of Amelia and Henry and as parents the Rangers feared that their children would be targeted by their enemies. It was that lingering fear and worry after seeing how Tommy was in protecting his daughter knowing that little girl had the biggest target on her back.
What irate Jason about this was the fact his eldest son was suddenly taken by the Emissary for reasons he couldn't figure out. At times Henry would put up this front for his parents of being the protective "older brother" to his younger siblings. However, at the end of the day in the eyes of his parents, he was still their little boy no matter what. Not only he couldn't leave his son and goddaughter at the mercy of the Emissary, but he needed to find out what became of his best friend and brother.
Whatever power or force was stirring or making its presence known, each of the Rangers' wished that somehow Tommy would escape from the depths of the hole. Deep down if there was anything that can trigger or reined in Tommy, it was the concern and wellbeing of his daughter. However, there was that sense of loyalty and comradery the longtime group of friends had towards one another.
They were more than just teammates, they were also family to one another. Regardless of the passing of time, all the ups and downs they have experienced and tested their friendships over the years, they stood by one another through it all. It was what made the decision making as a collective less stressful, but also complicated at the same time.
"We know what you want to do Jason and we'll follow wherever you tell us to go." Trini addressed her longtime friend. "If Tommy was here, he'll go through hell and back just to keep his daughter safe. I know you and Katherine will do the same thing if you were in Tommy's position. It's a big risk knowing full well we're going to expose what we've been up to this evening to the Emissary if we go and rescue Amelia and Henry."
"Yeah things do change once you have kids," Jason said slightly chuckling and looked at Kat before addressing the other. "The group's residential breeder who is the father of four children all under the age of seven. You do everything in your power to keep them safe and protected, even design trackers for them if they go missing like what our fearless leader did with his princess. It would be tough to abandon Tommy not knowing what or who pulled him down to the center of the city. But Tommy is a survivor and he has that fighting spirit. He's faced worst situations he couldn't find a way to escape from."
"But he never forgive us if anything happens to his daughter." Tanya said. "Amelia means the world to him."
"That's how we feel about Henry as well." Kat replied. "We know the truth about Amelia and we can't let that be exposed to the Emissary. I don't care if I have to tap into my dark side but I'll surely welcome it if anyone of those bastards harm my son in any capacity. If they see us coming, fine by me but I'm not leaving Rideau Circle without getting Henry back and Amelia."
"Well we need a game plan if we are stuck behind enemy lines." Rocky said. "And still, part of us want to know if Tommy is alright. If only we can find a way to get some eyes down into the hole to see or a sign our fearless leader is safe."
"Justin and I will work on every backup system we have at our availability to reestablish the drone's connection." Billy confirmed going back to the computers and equipment set up. "The drone is still responsive which is a good sign, but if we can repair the visual and audio on the camera then we can get some eyes down there."
"Okay we can work on that and hopefully get some answers. Still, I hope Tommy is alright down there." Jason instructed the two geniuses of the original group. "Trini, they'll probably need a third pair of hands to help them out."
"Say no more Jase you know that you can count on me." Trini said as the trio went straight to work.
"There's no arguing where the rest of us are heading to are we?" Zack asked looking at the documents they received earlier from Angela during the evening. "When one plan goes out the window, always have a Plan B to fall back on. Since we're right underground, we could probably use the old sewer towers to bypass the security and get inside the main building."
"Though we will risk exposing ourselves once we reach the 30th floor of Rideau Circle." Aisha replied.
"It's most likely they're holding Henry and Amelia," Jason said deep in thought. "We need to use the element of surprise as much as we can until we got no cover or camouflage left to conceal ourselves." He then looked at Adam who let out a slight smile. "Adam? Hey what is it man?"
"We may have one camouflage trick up our sleeves." Adam stared at Rocky, Billy and Aisha and the four knew that the rest of their friends were still trying to understand their status as new initiates into the Ninjetti Order. However, something about being in close proximity to the unknown force beneath the city gave the veteran Ninjetti a sense of understanding. "We believed that whatever lies beneath this city maybe the Great Power itself, or the original remains of the Sacred Animal Spirits of the Ninjetti. We don't know yet. However, what we know is it is power itself and it can come in many forms or be wielded by the desires of one's heart."
"What are you getting at?" Kat asked curiously. "How are we going to use this to help our kids?"
"As Dulcea would always say: to those who are Ninjetti, anything is possible." Adam said confidently. "We have our duty to serve our Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies as their council. We are the legacy of this order that has to protect the Bloodline of Power, the future heir apparent of the last reigning Ninjetti kingdom. In order for us to serve our full fealty we need to tap deep into our hidden Ninjetti powers to reach our full potential. We're all connected as one as a team, can you all feel it?"
"Yeah, it's like being here in this place...there is this clenching power inside that is trying to break free." Jason said calmly. "I don't know what it is but it feels like it will aid us in what we want to achieve. That is for the sake of rescuing our kids." He then paused for a moment breathing in and out and then continued. "If the power in us that we're wielding is trying to break free, then it will surely mean the power inside of Amelia, since she is somehow the living embodiment of the Great Power...it...mean..."
"It means we got no time to waste." Aisha continued as the rest of the Rangers got into position. "Alright, let's do this!"
"NINJA RANGER POWER!" the Rangers morphed into their Ninjetti uniforms while they removed some of the wrapping around their faces to see their eyes and faces. Trini, Justin and Billy resumed their duties back on trying to track Tommy. The others were ready to head up back topside to break into Rideau Circle.
"We'll regroup with you guys inside once we get our falcon out of the hole he is trapped in." Billy confirmed as he handed Jason a tracker. "It will be easy to find Amelia thanks to the little tracking device Tommy built into his little girl's necklace. It should help you guys."
"Thanks Billy and stay safe down here you three." Jason confirmed as the others went up ahead of him while he talked to the trio. "Find Tommy and make sure you get him out of that hole by any means. I can't afford for my goddaughter to lose her father and vice versa for Tommy as well not to lose the thing he loves the most on this planet, his daughter. We believe you guys can get the job done."
Inside Rideau Circle
They didn't know what happened earlier this evening except that someone paid a surprising visit to Adam and Rocky's dojo earlier in the evening. The last thing Amelia Oliver and Henry Scott remembered was their frantic babysitter Angela was looking for Olivia after she hid the other kids safely in the secret panic room the guys had installed. All the two young children recalled was Henry slipping out of the panic room trying to find his younger sister.
Amelia remembered following Henry as they found Olivia in one of the classroom hiding in the equipment closet and remembered hearing footsteps. The eldest Scott child told his younger sister to stay quiet and not make and sound while as the young boy attempted to keep his sister safe. The plan worked except not accounting for the fact that in a matter of seconds someone snatched him and Amelia and muffled their mouths with gags and put some blindfolds over their eyes.
Everything sounded muffled but they swore they heard the screams of panic and terror from Angela as they were forcibly carried out of the dojo and bundled into an unknown moving vehicle. Their kidnappers didn't make any sounds but they heard someone giving their abductors orders. It felt like once they got to their destination they heard what sounded like them riding an elevator in a very tall building and then forcibly pushed and locked inside a room.
As soon as Amelia and Henry removed their blindfolds, they found their hands and feet tied up and sitting on a decorated sofa. They examined the room they were imprisoned in and it looked like a fancy apartment or office of some sort in a tall high rise building. They spotted the security camera in the room. Standing by the entrance of the room looked like a guy dressed in a ninja outfit but he was armed with a Bo staff quietly standing on guard.
"Amelia?! Amelia?!" Henry whispered quietly to his friend. "Where are we? I don't think this looks like a place where mommy and daddy would take me shopping."
"I don't think most shopping malls and business office people would hire people dressed like ninjas," Amelia murmured. "Daddy doesn't like coming to this building because he gets a bad tingling feeling from it. I think these ninja people work for the bad people wearing the fancy suits who work in the building."
"What do you think they want with us?"
"I don't know Henry but I think these people are going to make my daddy and your parents very angry."
"Is it because they took us and kept us here in their big fancy office building?" Henry asked. "Do they know that our parents are the Power Rangers?"
"Most likely and these people are most definitely not very friendly and they're evil." The kids saw on one of the desks business cards of Rideau Circle and they know very well their exact location. After all, their parents have voiced their dislike for the mysterious corporation deeming them "corporate yes men" according to them. "Rideau Circle Financial?! Daddy sees them on the news a lot and says they are people who do not do good things for others."
"Oh yeah, I remember because all of those work cases my dad and Justin work on always involves them." Henry added. "Mom and dad said that people who do business with Rideau Circle get hurt very badly. A lot of my dad's work involves him always finding dirt on them as he puts it. One time I overheard him and mom talking saying that sometimes people even get killed by them which makes them very, very scary people."
"I don't want to be around these people if they want to hurt us. We're going to get out of here Henry." Amelia's statement startled the young boy but she was serious.
"How are we going to do that?!" Henry asked shockingly. "That guy with the wooden staff is guarding the door and he can whack us over the head if we don't behave."
"Do you remember that scene from Star Wars?" Amelia asked only getting a puzzled look from her friend but he nodded his head. "Remember the scene when the Storm Troopers are looking for R2 & C3PO on Tatooine? Then the old guy, Obi-Wan Kenobi waves his hand to the Trooper saying these aren't the droids you're looking for."
"You mean that whole Jedi Mind Trick move?!" Henry replied whispering. "So it's true what mom and dad said about you. Amelia, do you have special powers like those Jedi Knights in Star Wars?"
"I don't know but I do get this tingling feeling inside of me that makes me do funny things." Amelia explained. "It makes me do things I'm not suppose to do like draw pictures that become real or of things that happen; I can fix things or make my daddy wake up his special funny feelings inside just like my mommy too. I also one time made those mean kids give Robbie his beach toys back by making them do it." She stared at the guard in front of the door for a bit and he found it very annoying. However, for a few more minutes it was starting to bothering him the way Amelia looked at him.
"Hey kid, what are you staring at?!" the guard snapped at them. "The way you look at me it creeps me out, freak!"
"You're going to step away from the door and you will come over here to untie us." The guard stares at them, but Amelia's eyes are trained on him.
"What did you say?" The guard asked but Amelia spoke up more with authority repeating her statement once more. "You're going to step away from the door and you will come over here to untie us."
"How about I beat your little heads with my staff, you little punks." The guard said angrily, but Amelia stares intently again at the guard much to Henry's confusion. She calms herself again and then repeats herself again.
"You're going to step away from the door and you will come over here to untie us." To Henry's shock, the guard listens to Amelia's command. Henry watches as the guard steps away from the door and walks over to them to with a blank expression like he is hypnotized untying the ropes.
"I am stepping away from the door and you have been untied from your ropes." He blankly stated to the kids standing still like a statue. Henry and Amelia let out a little chuckle as the young boy referred to his friend as a sort of Jedi. Once the kids were freed from their bondages, Amelia turned around and gave one more command.
"Oh yeah, you're going to turn off the security camera and you're going to leave your staff on the ground." Amelia quickly ordered. "And also, you're going to stand still while Henry knocks you out with the stick and you're not going to remember how we escaped."
"I will turn off the security camera and leave my staff on the floor and stand still." Henry couldn't believe what Amelia did to the guard as he followed all of her instructions. The two looked at each other with mischievous smiles on their faces. Afterwards, Henry picks up the Bo Staff the guard put down on the ground and he knocked him out unconscious with a hard hit to the head.
"I'm telling you that is some Jedi mind trick you pulled out." Henry smiled holding the staff. "I think he'll be sleeping for a little while. We should be careful and make sure we don't get spotted while we get out of here."
"Yeah we should go before he decides to wake up," Amelia said as the two made their way towards the door. They were careful to open the door cautiously to find the hallway empty as they sneaked out of the room hiding behind corridors and vacate offices. They would hide behind the doors to bypass the guards patrolling the hallways on the floor but the two were trying to find their way to an emergency fire exit stairs.
The two finally found the emergency stairs and started making their way down from the 36th floor they were being held on. Amelia felt a strange sensation come over as she started hearing the cries of various animals inside her head. It was as they were trying to find her and Henry and the further down she kept going, the more they echoed trying to reassure her that they will be alright.
However, Amelia felt another presence nearby, one she couldn't explain but felt so familiar. She then heard the faint cries of the crane and that of the red firebird knowing all too well who it was. It was hard enough being trapped in Rideau Circle and feel this collision of energy and power she couldn't understand. Something told Amelia that there is more to Rideau Circle than meets the eye. The longer Amelia remained trapped, it was becoming noticeable that she is about to truly test the full capabilities of her powers.
Meanwhile...
Tommy couldn't understand what or where he was except something called out to him in the far distance. The echoing wouldn't cease and it kept beckoning him to answer back. Soon, he found himself down at the very bottom of the hole underneath Angel Grove after experiencing another unknown power surge coursing through him. He looked at his hands again getting up from the ground and saw another wave of energy radiating through his body: a combination of white, green, pink, red and black running through his body.
It was no surprise the energy radiating represented his and Kimberly's Ranger colors over the years. However, he became distracted when he heard the buzzing noise of what sounded like the missing drone as he navigated his way through the pitch dark abyss planning his next course of action. Part of him should have been afraid being dragged down to the bottom of the abyss by an unknown force but for some reason this felt familiar to Tommy.
Once he found the drone, Tommy examined it hoping that somehow he can get a message to his friends to let them know he was alright and unharmed. He must have guessed his friends are trying to reestablish the connection with the drone trying to get visual of what laid below the bottom of the hole. Quite frankly, it was a mystery to Tommy as to what beckoned him and if there is some way to get the information they all needed to stop the Emissary's plans once and for all.
His thoughts focused on Amelia as he felt his daughter's presence or maybe it was her connection to the Great Power itself. Tommy felt this need to find a way out of his predicament in order to get to his daughter right away and it was a feeling he couldn't ignore. Whatever aura or energy was radiating at the bottom of this dark hole it was stirring and it is restless. With the limited lighting at the bottom of the hole, Tommy picked up the drone attempting to make contact.
"Hello?! Guys, can anyone hear me?! Come in, this is Tommy!" He yelled into the camera attached on the drone. "Hello?! Rangers, do you copy?! Guys, I'm here this is Tommy do you hear me?!" He attempted once again to get a reply on the drone hoping to see the camera rotate or move. The drone still worked but he was at trapped in a hole almost forty feet below the surface and whatever was down here, the power signature must be off the charts.
"Great, I'm stuck in a hole literally forty feet below the surface," Tommy mumbled to himself still holding the drone. "Whatever powers that be dragged me to the center of Angel Grove make yourselves known. There is a reason you yanked me into this hole so here I am! Come on, you know who I am because apparently my name and reputation perceives the powers that be!"
For a few moments, it was nothing but dead air and silence as Tommy came across the manual control panel that Billy and Justin installed on the drone. He must of figured the manual control panel was built in by the guys as a secondary protocol for emergencies. The least he could do is in his current situation was keep himself occupied as he figured out how to work the manual panel and found the scanner to read the energy signatures. He is already up close to the source might as well collect the data needed.
While Tommy continued to use the drone to compile the energy signatures and repair the camera to record video images inside the hole, he continued to inhale deeply and exhale slowly. He increased his concentration and continued to whisper inaudible words trying to control the surge of power radiating as his focus became deeper. Suddenly, he felt himself being pulled between the void of the physical & spiritual world once more. Only this time, this venture felt different.
Tommy knew he was in venturing in the confines of the spirit world again. It may looked like he was still in the bottom of the hole, but he saw what looked like multicolored pyreflies swirling around. To his surprise, he saw an image of what looked like a preteen girl coming towards him. For some reason, the young girl who looked to be about 12 or 13 looked familiar to him: the eerie same brown eyes and hairs and she was wearing a white laced spaghetti strap dress.
"He's doing it again, using the power of waking to reach out beyond the edge of the void. Can't you stop him from using his power again?" the girl replied, as if she was calling out to something in the air. "The Lord with the traversing heart, his spirit is not yielding nor he doesn't listen." He heard a familiar caw and Tommy held up his arm to let Brennan perch himself on his arm as his falcon addressed the young girl.
"It is not our fault if our Lord's spirit doesn't yield to those who commands it. He is our human mate, he has earned his accreditation balancing out both the light and shadow within him." Brennan stated vouching for his human mate. "Our fealty is to him, to his soulmate, the Lady herself and their heir apparent, the key of the future to their reign and kingdom. We are not accountable for his actions and we only answer to the desires held deep within our Winged Lord's heart."
"The one true Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies whose accreditation exceeded beyond our expectations." The young girl spoke. "Their spirits are adjoined with one another as one heartbeat and rhythm. Yet, as strong as that bond and connection is there are limitations when the unified bond of both shadow and light are compromised in your represented human mates. Both the bonds of shadow and light fight to preserve that balance when unforeseen trials and tribulations test your lord and lady beyond comprehension."
Tommy sighed heavily as he heard another screeching cry, this time it was the crane, or Shalimar as he knew. Something about this young girl was puzzling Tommy as she seemed only address both the falcon and crane. Despite standing a few inches away from her, it seemed the girl wasn't acknowledging Tommy's presence.
"Then you know what he is willing to do to restore the heart and soul of his kindred ladyship." Shalimar replied perching herself on Tommy's shoulder.
"Yes I am aware of that nor he does not realize that his actions are having unforeseen consequences on what we have fought to preserve." The girl warned cryptically and then turned her attention to Tommy. "The Great Power has been tampered with time and time again by the whims of those who do not understand the full extent of its essence. We are a power that answers to the desires and will of those whose hearts it reflects upon. The Great Power itself holds no limitations or boundaries and it is the key to the uncharted path of a slate cleaned future."
The young girl looked at Tommy and gave him a small smirk. She was standing a short distance away before she approached Tommy and stopped for a moment. Brennan and Shalimar remained by Tommy's side while the young girl walked around Tommy, inspecting him with a small smile.
"We finally meet, Tommy Oliver." The girl said and stood in front of him.
"You look familiar, and you reminded me of someone I knew once upon a time." Tommy stated looking around. "Am I walking between the void of the physical and spiritual world again? I feel like I know you, the force that beckons in the far distance, the one that calls out to me, to my daughter, to...her."
"It seems our lord liege here still thinks he is seeking answers to questions his heart already knows." The girl said bowing and letting out a small chuckle.
Tommy was in no mood for anymore cryptic conversations letting out a small huff. The girl resembled what may looked like a younger version of Kimberly as a preteen from the pictures he saw of his wife in the past. However, examining the girl thoroughly and confirming with Brennan and Shalimar, Tommy knew who he was speaking to.
"Power works in mysterious ways doesn't it? No matter what shape or form it takes, power is power, even the Great Power itself." Tommy said, giving a nod. "However, despite the walking between the physical and spiritual world or the void of the shadow and light, it still remains constant doesn't it?"
"This one, just like his kindred mate are unlike the other Lord and Lady liege who held the title and claimant." The girl commented. "It's why the Bloodline of Power runs through their geology. It is through them it will all come in full circle should the key of the future rectify the old guard for the new guard to begin anew."
"Then you understand the depth of our fealty and bond with our respective lordship and ladyship." Brennan said. "They have proven their valor and regality as the One True Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies. They are the future of the kingdom of the Ninjetti and it is through their bloodline a new guard will be anew."
"Our fealty and oath is to our chosen mates, the One True Lord and Lady of the Skies. It is through the Great Power their fates and destinies were intertwined and the last kingdom of the Ninjetti stands to preserve the legacy and lineage of the Ninjetti Order." Shalimar stated. "The wheel will soon spin full circle as it has been predestined."
"You're it aren't you? A manifestation of the remnants of the original Ninjetti spirits returned to the Great Power?" Tommy question letting out a small smirk. "The unknown force that beckons in the far distance, the unknown power that calls to my daughter. You look like what would be Amelia's future, her fate. So tell me, did...did my daughter somehow see this too? My daughter is the final piece to write this final chapter which is why I'm here. The Emissary, they'll use her because she's the living embodiment of the union of shadow and light. She is the last remnants of the Great Power itself siphoned for many eons by the Emissary."
"I suggest you be wise and take a deep breath before proceeding through the door, Tommy." The girl warned. "The power waking up inside of you is reaching out to the hearts and souls from beyond the edges of light and shadow. Be mindful for have use this one too many times without you knowing it and yet it has left a trail of whirlwind paths in your endearing heart's quest. You know who we are and our purpose but do not worry. We are simply here because the will and desire of your heart seeks consultation in your hour of need for answers. Even so, you have decided to seek our consultation in your own dominion if you want our precise location."
"The spirit world we're speaking in, this is my personal spirit world you guys are talking to me in?!" Tommy asked surprisingly. "I thought my powers have its limitations."
"Limitations it does have, but yet the heart, soul and spirit of the Winged Lord of the Skies is unbowed, unbent and unbroken. You call to us and we answered just as that same unyielding spirit has called out to the tattered ladyship bound by an everlasting folly chain." The girl said. "We know your plight, we know about your fleet to piece together the shattered heart, soul and spirit of your kindred Winged Lady of the Skies. The fragments of your beloved have endured its survival by concealing itself to keep the beating heartbeat in the void in tact. The spirits and the power itself senses that desired fleet which makes this particular hallow special."
"You speak the truth of what lies beneath this fabled city," Brennan and Shalimar addressed. "It is the last hallow grounds of the resting place of the original spirits of the Ninjetti. This site is where the destined heir apparent must validate their claimant to the last kingdom standing. Either upon this site the chains of bondage will snap to release the tattered ladyship from the confines of an empty void, or for a wheel to be broken to spin it in a new direction by the key that bridges the past, present and future of the bloodline's lineage and liege. Our Lordship understands the burden and weight of the crown he must carry in order to restore the valor of his kingdom and legacy..."
It was no doubt that the girl he's been talking to is a manifestation of the Great Power itself. However, in an ironic twist took the appearance of what maybe Amelia in the future down the unknown road. Soon, in the pyreflies swirled around to illuminate a bit of light in the dark hole to reveal in full form the secret beneath Angel Grove.
Behind the girl materialized a mystical wall with symbols, runes and markings etched in it. But Tommy knew otherwise this is more than just a wall for it was actually a mystical door. Fate and destiny had a way of working its will and manipulate both the shadow and light to its own devices. Tommy felt that there were forces beyond the Garrison and Emissary's control that was at hand that maneuvered certain events and incidents to transpire over the years.
Brennan and Shalimar have become part of him and Kimberly over the years as their bonds with the falcon and crane made them stronger. Literally, the mated animal spirits validated for him what he was facing and he knew time was limited. Unfortunately, he was also given a warning about the power he wields and that he possessed a deeper power that came with a price if he accessed it in his plight.
"The remains of the original Lord and Lady of the Skies?! That is what lies beyond this wall isn't it?" Tommy answered truthfully. "Bren and Shal have validated my plight to you and what I'm willing to do. This is where it will take place is it? The final chapter of this war? Tell me something I don't know already because whatever I have to do to keep my family and friends safe, consequences be damned. There is this power I have spent years training and mastering. In order for me to control it I had to look at things from both the shadow and light. If I have to either break the chains of bondage or for a wheel to spin in a new direction I can do both...whatever the cost."
"You have a strong spirit and will, Tommy Oliver. I admire that." The girl said.
"Then you know how far that spirit and will is going to take me because of my heart's desire. I understand the burden and the weight of the crown I carry but it can't exist without an heir apparent nor its destined ladyship by my side. If you say we are future of the Bloodline of Power then I'm going to write that final chapter. I'm going to make sure I succeed in my mission because there is no limit to what I can do if it involves saving my daughter and my wife from the impending void that wants to take them."
"There is still much you have yet to discover about the true power you wield inside, Winged Lord of the Skies." The girl said gently. "Yet, the bloodline cannot ignore us any longer as we call out to the fated and destined ones in the far distance. The hour of twilight is coming upon us and sooner or later it will reach its climax upon this chosen site where the final chapter will be written. It's waking up inside of you, inside of your tattered ladyship...and inside the bridge of shadow and light's union. Within the midst of chaos and fire, one must "bend the knee" in order to break the cycle. Only then the new order and dominion can begin its reign. The time will come and then you'll understand..."
"It's starting isn't it? I have to go back because I feel it calling to them." Tommy said urgently. "Can you send me back please? I know I'm needed right now."
"Oh silly white falcon, you had the power within you and yet you still have a lot to learn about ruling your kingdom." The girl said gently. She waved her hand and then a portal opened next to them. They looked towards it. "I do believe you are needed to assist a little maiden who is beginning to test the limits to the power she wields. The defiling shadows are descending upon her but an untamed wildcard may bring upon chaos and mayhem in the standoff that you'll walk into. Go now, your defender needs her white knight to be her beckon of light."
Tommy breathed deeply and watched as Brennan and Shalimar fly through the portal. He took one last look at the girl who gave him a nod of approval and he walked through the portal. The girl watched the portal close completely and looked towards the stone wall. She heard the cries and echoes of the restless spirits and whispered in a long forgotten language words of reassurance. The girl was surrounded by hundreds of pyreflies and shut her eyes as the area became shrouded in a blinding light.
Moments later there was a static sound buzzing in the area that caught his attention. Tommy took four deep breaths. He opened his eyes and was greeted with a blurred vision. He blinked them four times to clear them. He looked around the area and found himself emerged in the pitch black abyss once again. He stood up slowly stretching out his arms and legs and rubbed his nose.
The sound of the drone redirected his focus and he found himself back again in the physical world. It was by some miracle that he saw the camera on the drone rotating as if somehow communication was restored. Maybe the camera on the drone caught what was going on in the hole and must have done a scan of the energy readings. By some miracle Tommy hoped his friends would be able to see and he can get in contact with them.
Grabbing the drone, Tommy started speaking into the camera hoping for a response. After speaking into the mic and attempting to get a sign of contact, he breathed a deep sigh of relief when the lens on the camera rotated meaning the others heard him. Being trapped forty feet down a hole, Tommy made a quick escape plan on how to get out right away. Once he was back topside, he would deal with what he encountered down the hole. However, it was imperative he get out because Tommy felt this overwhelming need to bust into Rideau Circle sensing that Amelia was in need of her father's help.
Back inside Rideau Circle
The minute the building initiated a lockdown protocol, the Rangers knew they needed to work fast. By the time they reached the 30th level this was where they had to exercise extreme and discreet caution. However, the higher they were ascending up in the building they felt this overwhelming surge of power coursing through them. It felt that the longer they were on the premises, whatever laid buried within that hole underneath Rideau Circle was unlocking their innermost Ninjetti abilities. That statement came true once they began to glow their respective colors.
It surprised the Rangers to tap into their hidden abilities without realizing who or what was the source of this unknown power surge. Putting their skills of evasion and stealth to the test, it made bypassing the Emissary forces easy to dispatch knocking them out without detection. One by one each of the veterans tapped into their hidden Ninjetti abilities while they continued to search for the kids.
Jason was the first to discover his Ninjetti ability after his eyes flashed gold and his entire arm went on fire in fury when he knocked out a guard blocking the elevator. Kat learned her ability of self-regeneration while Rocky discovered his ability of super strength. Zack learned he can make his skin impenetrable while Tanya learned her ability to unleash powerful sound waves. Aisha's ability of generating force fields and Adam's ability of camouflage prevented them from being detected. The others were hoping to soon find out what abilities Trini, Billy and Justin possessed.
By the time they reached the 31st floor, Adam activated his camouflage ability to hide himself and the others. They blended with the grey colored walls in the halls as another security detail led by Balor who were currently sweeping the entire floor for signs of Amelia and Henry.
"Guys keep quiet!" Adam ordered to the others camouflaging them. "The Emissary are coming!"
"Sweep each floor! Those kids couldn't have gone far!" Balor ordered security and then angrily turned to Ashei. "It was your job to keep an eye on them! Not leave them in the hands of an incompetent underling!"
"What was I suppose to do huh?! I'm not a hired babysitter Balor!" Ashei snapped back. "The guard had no idea those children somehow slipped out!"
"Unfortunately, we have a little situation on our hands here tracking down two little children." Pan reported. "The 35th & 36th floors have been cleared. No sign of the little power brats. So which one of us is going to tell boss lady about our little escapees running amuck in our building?"
"There is no need to tell me since the building's lockdown protocol is blazing like a Christmas Tree throughout the building." Dalia stated approaching the rest of the pillars of the Emissary. "But apparently our little captives are not your mere average children, especially the little lady. There is something stirring inside that little girl. A power that is unyielding, unlimited and untrained. That child is beginning to test out the full potential of the power stirring in her which could be a problem for us."
"Why would that be a concern for us? We can take on a mere little girl she is no threat to us." Pan sneered.
"No, but her father is...and her mother is also becoming a wildcard to deal with." Dalia explained. "There is an uncanny aura inside that little girl and it's emerging the longer she is loose in this building. Whatever is laying in wake beneath us is stirring and it is reacting to the Bloodline of Power. We've seen this before and we know the stories of what happens. They are what stands in the way of our mission but we need to halt their progress. We could...we could probably work on retrieving the boy first. We could use the boy as leverage to get the little lady to yield."
Kat silently gripped Jason's hand feeling her husband's anger boiling but tried to keep him calm while they were incognito. The mention of Henry being used as bait lure their goddaughter was absolutely unforgivable. As the Rangers watched the Emissary disperse, they came out of their hiding spots resuming their search.
"You don't think Amelia maybe the reason why we're suddenly unlocking full access to our Ninjetti abilities is it?" Kat asked curiously.
"She did it once with Tommy and him unlocking that whole personal spirit world thing." Jason explained. "If what they're saying about Amelia is true then we have to get the kids out of this building. Amelia is the embodiment of the Great Power and she has the ability to unlock our innermost powers so her power alone holds no limitations."
"Well forget the Garrison trying to keep a lid on Amelia's powers the longer she is inside Rideau Circle." Adam replied.
"She is seeing what she can do with those powers and she will keep on testing the full potential." Jason continued. "I'm praying to God that Amelia and my son are safe because I will unleash my wrath if anything happens to my son and goddaughter. I'm not holding back my fury and if Amelia is responsible for this, then why don't we test the full potential of our abilities too?"
"That is something we can all agree upon." the others agreed. "The kids need us and I sure like to see what we can do when we have the whole group on hand."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the 31st floor, Amelia and Henry travelled through the air ducts after mind controlling one of the guards to help them up inside and keep their location hidden. Amelia could sense the other veteran Rangers nearby and that somehow her powers must of unlocked the Rangers' innermost Ninjetti abilities. The two kids managed to avoid detection the last few floors down to their current location.
Seeing that the coast was clear, Amelia and Henry jump down out of the air ducts thanks to the array of Amelia's tested abilities she practiced. The two kids ended up in one of the boardrooms looking around hoping to see one of original veterans. Unfortunately, the kids soon found themselves in danger as Amelia turned around to be confronted by Thea and Salazar. To the little girl's horror, she saw that Salazar was holding Henry hostage and they were surrounded by Emissary agents.
"Looks like playtime is over missy," Thea sneered wickedly. "Someone has been a very, very bad girl."
"Don't you dare try to move you little slippery brat or your pal over here gets it." Salazar laughed holding a sword to Henry's blade. "You know you have cause quite the mayhem here tonight."
"Oh just you wait until my mom and dad kick your butt!" Henry snapped threateningly. "The Power Rangers will come for us!"
"I know who you people are!" Amelia replied defiantly. "You're the bad people that brought my mommy back with the bad tingling feeling inside of her. You're the people that took my mommy away from my daddy and made him feel sad because she's not with him. My dad says you people like to hurt good people and that you're evil. You want to hurt me too, just like you want to hurt my parents by keeping them away from each other."
"You're a very smart girl, Amelia Oliver." Thea asked. "Is that what your dad told you about us? There is more to us than you know, little girl. We've been searching for you for many years and your parents and yourself are very, very important individuals. We're not the bad guys here, Amelia. We have a mission and we have a purpose to fulfill and you're the only one who can help us. Do you understand what is happening to you...and to your parents? Do you know about the power you wield inside?"
"You leave her alone!" Henry yelled. "Amelia, don't listen to them! I know your dad, my parents and the other Power Rangers will save us."
"Why don't you mind your own business, boy!" Salazar snapped. "We're having a very, very important talk with your buddy here."
"I know that you are very, very bad people and you did something to my mommy because that tingling feeling inside of her is acting funny." Amelia said. "I know you people are scared of my daddy because the tingling feeling inside of him of the green dragon and white falcon. You'll just make my dad more angry if you do something to me because you know he'll come after all of you. They're here in the building and they found out your little secret."
"You're meaning to tell us that the Power Rangers have been roaming around our neck of the woods?!" They replied angrily.
"You damn right we are and believe us we're the wrong people to mess with!" A voice snapped back and the kids looked up to see Jason and the other Rangers come into the board room after taking out a few of the Emissary agents.
"We knew you come for us!" the kids happily replied but Salazar tightened his hold on Henry.
"If you lay one hand on Henry we'll drop you right on the spot the second you blink." Jason said angrily getting into a fighting stance. "Henry, Amelia are you two alright?"
"Better than ever and happy you're here to save us." Amelia slightly smiled. "I can feel my daddy too coming for me. Boy, you people are in big trouble."
Meanwhile
Tommy fought his way up to the 31st floor of Rideau Circle with Billy, Trini and Justin by his side. At this point he didn't care about the element of surprise and made his presence known by literally knocking out anything or anybody associated with the Emissary. There was a surge of power running through the Rangers and like the others, the longer they were in the building, the others soon tapped into their innermost Ninjetti abilities.
It startled Trini, Justin and Billy at first discovering her newly hidden Ninjetti abilities but it was worth it to get the edge against their enemies. The adrenaline and energy running through them helped each of the remaining original Rangers master their newfound powers. Billy was the first to learn his ability of super-speed once he was glowing blue and moved swiftly taking out any enemies in his way. Trini tried to defend herself from some of the armed Emissary agents until her body started to glow orange and instead of being directly attacked, she learned she was able to phase through her enemies.
"Oh man you're able to phase through those guys!" Billy exclaimed. "That is so awesome you can basically go through walls and stuff!"
"Yeah and you have quick agility like a true wolf!" Trini explained as one of the enemies was about to hit Justin. He quickly raised his arm up and started glowing green as he suddenly pushed the Emissary ninjas away with an invisible force.
"Nothing like a little mind over matter huh?" Justin called out. "Telekinesis, I can move objects with my mind. I need to seriously talk to Andros about how it all works."
Meanwhile, Tommy found himself dealing with the other four pillars of the Emissary trading blow for blow with each one of them. He made quick work of Balor and Ashei before he alternated strikes and hits between Pan and Dalia. The impact of Tommy's attacks were felt as the entire 31st floor of Rideau Circle turned into a battleground from different areas.
Billy, Trini and Justin stayed close to Tommy holding their own with Balor and Ashei as Tommy continued to duel with both Pan and Dalia. Soon, the quartet's battle spilled into the board room where they regrouped with the others fighting Salazar and Thea. However, the moment Tommy saw Amelia and Henry something stirred inside of him as his whole body began to glow both green and white alternately.
"Daddy?! Uncle Tommy?!" Henry and Amelia both called out at the same time.
"Tommy, great timing as usual!" Jason replied fighting the Emissary agents blocking him from getting to Salazar who still held Henry captive. "Great you joined the party!"
"Looks like I haven't missed much," Tommy said as he suddenly pushed back a few ninjas with telekinesis. He saw that Jason's fists were glowing fiery gold and was amazed that somehow his friends discovered their inner Ninjetti abilities. Unfortunately, the Emissary refused to back down despite their forces being overwhelmed by the Rangers as the fight continued on.
Amelia watched as the fight continued on but she felt the power inside of her stirring and making the other Rangers stronger, especially her father. Thea saw the little girl and felt a massive spike of power surging in her. But Thea knew there was a twilight that was about to descend upon them in a matter of moments. The white falcon's power was amassing in tenfold and he was working both Pan and Dalia to their limits.
She made her way towards Amelia but the little girl started using her abilities to keep Thea away from her. The Rangers fought their way to retrieve Henry from Salazar's clutches and just when Jason was clear to get to his son, the boy yelled as he was once again restrained this time by Pan and Balor. It halted the confrontation with Amelia in the center of the board room between the Rangers and the Emissary.
"If I were you child, you should stay your hand and listen to your elders." Dalia addressed the young girl as Tommy and the others felt a wave of fear over them. Kat and Jason saw Henry struggling against his captors and the boy still had that defiant attitude in him. However, the main focus of attention was solely on Amelia and it only made Tommy clench even more with anger and fury. "We know that you don't want to cause any trouble especially when it concerns your loved ones."
"You touch my daughter I'll make sure to drop you right where you're standing." Tommy said darkly, knocking out the last of the Emissary's forces.
"Give us back our son you bastards!" Kat and Jason angrily demanded as Henry tried to wiggle free from Pan and Balor's grip. "If you hurt our boy you'll pay dearly."
"Power Rangers, you impress us every time we meet I must compliment you on that." Dalia said maliciously, addressing them like she was giving a presentation in the board room. "Especially you, Dr. Tommy Oliver. You have exceeded our expectations of your powers, skills and caliber. It's not everyday, the Winged Lord of the Skies displays empathic mimicry but you surprise us at every turn, white falcon. Each of you have validated your power and valor to the Ninjetti Order and we can see why the Garrison have taken such invested interest with the Ninjetti for many eons."
"Yeah and you pretty much impressed us as to how foolish it will be to cross us when you make things very personal with us." Tommy growled. "Your little mission, this goes beyond what you put us through five years ago. Did you honestly think we wouldn't unlock the dirty little secret you guys have buried underneath us?"
"So you have seen what we are seeking have you?" Thea asked looking at the Rangers.
"The secret down that little rabbit hole in that forty foot hole underneath this building? It's not everyday we come across a mystical wall and a giant hole to find out that what you're trying to unlock is the last remnants of the Great Power itself?! The original remains of the Sacred Ninjetti spirits?" Billy spoke up angrily. "You people must be desperate to win your little war against the Garrison at the cost of our town for it."
"It is a necessary sacrifice for the greater good and to serve life itself." Balor stated sneering.
"And yet it took you people four thousand years to finally fulfill your mission huh?" Tommy spat back glaring at them. "You really believe you'll win this never ending war against the Garrison? Your adversaries spent the last four thousand years throwing wrenches in your plans while you people carved one Modus Operandi after another in a bid for immortality and power. So my daughter is the key to ending this war that has been written in blood and violence for four thousand years?"
"Your little girl was the secret that has been concealed from us by our adversaries for four thousand years. Do you ever wonder Tommy why the Garrison have spent years suppressing her true power? Why they have had such an invested interest to those who wield the powers of the falcon and the crane?" Dalia questioned. "You and your pink princess aren't like those before you who wielded the powers of the falcon and crane. You two became something else and that connection you two formed extends beyond what you comprehend. Which is why you're able to make both shadow and light yield to your will and hand. There is more to the Bloodline of Power than meets the eye."
"Which is why we intend to finally close the chapter of this war once and for all." Thea stated looking at Amelia. "And it was what Malo saw. It is you, young Amelia Oliver that can put an end to this war that has ravaged this planet for nearly four thousand years. You have two options young one to ensure the future of those you love. The first option is we'll spare your loved ones in exchange for you and we ensure no harm will come to them. Option two is that the rest of the Emissary will dispose of those who stand in our way should you not comply to our wishes. Either way, it is imperative you fulfill what you were destined for, little one."
Immediately Tommy took a step forward but then Thea made a quick dash to Amelia's side and threateningly pointed a sword to his daughter. He stopped but glared daggers at his enemies as Adam and Rocky were force to restrain their leader back. On the contrary, Thea's actions startled the other Pillars of the Emissary which gave Jason and Kat the opportunity needed to retrieve Henry as the couple managed to pull their son to safety by the Rangers' side.
Amelia remained quiet and relatively calm and focused her eyes to stare at her father. She could feel the conflict brewing inside her dad trying to keep both the falcon and green dragon, Brennan and Dragon within him composed and under control. The spirits inside of him were fueling the power inside of Tommy begging to unleash their wrath and fury. She felt the spirit of the crane, Shalimar making its presence known to her and Tommy sensing its distress over the situation escalating.
"Daddy, don't worry I trust you." Amelia mouthed to her father to give him some reassurance. "I'm not afraid daddy and I know...I know you will trust me."
"Amelia, I love you so much baby girl and you mean everything to me kiddo." Tommy told his daughter. "I promise you that everything will be alright. I know you will trust just as I will always trust my little defender." He then focused his attention on the Emissary angrily addressing them. "Do you think my daughter will yield to you bastards' delusions and grand visions?! I'm not afraid to drop each and every single one of you on this ground if you dare think I'm not leaving here without Amelia!"
"What do you think you're doing Thea?! Are you out of your mind little sister?!" Dalia said in disbelief. "I am speaking to you as your sister to stand down right this minute before you make things worse! That little girl is our key to the future of the Emissary and no harm shall come to her!"
"You sons of bitches better stand down because our patience have run its course with you people!" Jason angrily said as Kat hugged their son protectively. "We swear to God we'll take down this entire building if anything happens to that little girl!"
"I think you have it the other way around, Gold Ranger." Pan said mockingly.
"Over my dead body my daughter's life will be forfeited for your ploy for power and immortality." Tommy growled taking a step forward, but reluctantly being held back by his teammates. He continued to stare daggers at Thea continuing to point her sword at Amelia. "You people made the biggest mistake coming after my family and I vowed that no harm will ever come to them. Congratulations you people single handedly signed your own death warrants."
"Actually on the contrary you apparently are one step ahead of us on that one, Tommy." Thea cryptically warned. "A twilight will descend upon us and believe me this one will be unlike anything you have seen. There are only two options in the matter and if you value your lives then you will yield or..."
There was an eerie silence that fell upon the board room except for the split second sword of a swooshing sound coming from a sharp sword. Suddenly, Thea's blade made a clanking sound as it momentarily dropped on the floor as both sides stared in disbelief.
Thea let out a gasping sound and gave a look of shock at Dalia and the rest of the Emissary before she started coughing up blood. She looked to see a sword ferociously ran through her gut as the sword was withdrawn. The young pillar of the Emissary held her stomach in disbelief to see the swordswoman responsible. Both sides recognized the infamous scarlet cloak figured but she defiantly removed her hood to reveal herself. Behind those familiar doe brown eyes told another story, one that Tommy tried to piece.
"The Scarlet Sovereign..." Thea said weakly in disbelief. "You...you...who are you...who..."
"Always keep in mind of option three and you know damn well who I am." She addressed the fallen pillar as she collapsed on the ground from massive blood loss, but her eyes told another side of her. Watching the fallen woman struggle for air she quietly made her way to Thea with her sword in hand. "You talk about a twilight descending this very evening. Let me tell you this, I am the twilight that has come upon you tonight and will silence those who make power yield."
A rare scream of agony came out of Dalia's mouth and the Rangers looked on in pure disbelief and horror to witness their lost pink crane deal the execution blow to Thea to dispose of another Pillar of the Emissary. Tommy saw into Kimberly's eyes a blank and robotic stare that lacked any humanity as the gory sound of a decapitated head rolling on the ground was heard. Neither side didn't know what to anticipate next and wonder if the shell of the woman was either Kimberly or the Scarlet Sovereign.
Suddenly, with the impromptu execution done she shifted her attention to Amelia who stared in absolute silence at her mother. Something inside quelled that untamed fire inside of her glancing upon the little girl as she quietly held her hand out to her. She didn't bother to acknowledge the Emissary who were filled with shock witnessing their weapon suddenly execute Thea moments ago or the Power Rangers who attempted to get her attention by calling out her name.
"I promise that no one will make you yield the power you wield, Amelia." She told the little girl calmly. "It calls to you doesn't it just like it calls to me." In a trance like manner, Amelia reached out her hand to grab a hold of her mother's hand but this time Tommy broke through to make his way towards his wife and daughter.
"No stop! Don't go! Wait please Kimberly?! Kim!" Tommy yelled frantically not knowing what was going to happen next. For a manner of minutes, his voice caught their attention as she turned to the worried and emotionally distraught man. "Please for the love of god stop! Kimberly?! Is it...is it you Beautiful?"
"I know you value Amelia's life but she is not made to yield to anyone but herself. I give you my word that no harm will come to your little defender, Tommy." She whispered sincerely but with Thea's death she was beginning to feel the after effects of the Everlasting Spell. She came for her own agenda and hers alone and Amelia was essential to her reasons. She felt that familiar stirring sensation again whenever he was in her presence. "You'll always seek me out just like you do and I'll expect you'll find me again."
Tommy sniffled knowing what was about to happen. "Please, don't let anything happen to her I beg of you."
Giving a nod of understanding personally directed towards Tommy, she took hold of Amelia's hand as the young girl looked on at her despondent dad. It was a sickening feeling that part of him knew this would happen and there was nothing to stop it. He and everyone else could only watch as Amelia was mysteriously sprinted away alongside her mom into the unknown long night.