CHAPTER 3

Fighting's not a game

Over the next few days, Hestia guided the Rangers through an intensive training program. They spent their days honing their skills in the Unity Dome, reflecting on their progress in the Oasis of Reflection, and pushing themselves to their limits in the Empyrean Arena. As they trained, Hestia emphasized the gravity of their situation. "Fighting is not a game," she warned. "It's a matter of life and death."

Jason, still grappling with the weight of leadership, couldn't shake off the feeling that they were in over their heads. But he knew he had to be strong for his team. The others nodded in agreement, their determination evident in their eyes.

[P.R.M.F]

Meanwhile, in the dark corridors of Titania, General Khaos visited a formidable prisoner - Moloch, a creature forged from dark magic by Malicia's own hand. Moloch's massive frame, sharp claws, and teeth made him a terrifying sight. His red eyes fixed on Khaos as the general opened his cell door.

"What is it, General?" Moloch growled, his voice like thunder.

"Emperor Mordred needs you to eliminate some vermin," Khaos replied, his tone dripping with contempt. "They call themselves Power Rangers. Defeat them, and perhaps the emperor will consider your release."

Moloch's grin was a chilling sight. "Give me names, General."

Khaos turned to leave, dismissing Moloch with a glance. "When you're ready, a portal will await you." Moloch followed the general outside and walked to the human realm through the golden portal on the wall.

[P.R.M.F]

Moloch's roar echoed through the city streets as he rampaged towards the heart of the metropolis. Buildings crumbled beneath his feet, and civilians fled in terror. Hestia's voice rang out in the Rangers' minds, urgent and clear. "Rangers, Moloch has attacked the city! It's time for your first battle. Olympian Power, Unite!"

The Rangers sprang into action, racing towards the battle scene. Matt, ever the hothead, charged forward with a fierce cry, his fists flying. Moloch swatted him aside like a pesky insect, sending Matt crashing to the ground.

"Matt, no!" Jason shouted, rushing to his friend's side.

Hestia's voice guided them. "Rangers, morph and summon your weapons! You must work together to defeat Moloch!"

With a deep breath, the Rangers focused their energy. "Olympian Power, Unite!" they chorused, their bodies glowing with a brilliant light.

MORPHING SEQUENCE

Jason's suit features a bold, muscular design, with a red and gold chest plate adorned with a silver lightning bolt emblem. The helmet has a distinctive fin on top, resembling a Greek helmet, with a gold visor and a silver trim. The suit has a mix of smooth and textured armor pieces, with a silver trim running along the edges. The gloves have a unique, gauntlet-like design, with gold accents and a silver lightning bolt pattern. The boots have a rugged, armored look, with a silver trim and a gold buckle.

Sofia's suit features a sleek, agile design, with a pink and silver chest plate adorned with a gold crescent moon emblem. The helmet has a slender, aerodynamic shape, with a silver visor and a gold trim. The suit has a mix of smooth and textured armor pieces, with a silver trim running along the edges. The gloves have a unique, wing-like design, with gold accents and a silver star pattern. The boots have a lightweight, athletic look, with a silver trim and a gold buckle.

Emily's suit features a sleek, streamlined design, with a blue and silver chest plate adorned with a gold star emblem. The helmet has a curved, aerodynamic shape, with a silver visor and a gold trim. The suit has a mix of smooth and textured armor pieces, with a silver trim running along the edges. The gloves have a unique, fin-like design, with gold accents and a silver wave pattern. The boots have a rugged, armored look, with a silver trim and a gold buckle.

Matt's suit features a rugged, armored design, with a black and dark grey chest plate adorned with a silver crescent moon emblem. The helmet has a sharp, angular shape, with a silver visor and a dark grey trim. The suit has a mix of matte and textured armor pieces, with a silver trim running along the edges. The gloves have a unique, claw-like design, with dark grey accents and a silver stripe pattern. The boots have a heavy, combat-ready look, with a silver trim and a dark grey buckle.

Chris's suit features a sleek, high-tech design, with a yellow and orange chest plate adorned with a silver sun emblem. The helmet has a curved, futuristic shape, with a silver visor and an orange trim. The suit has a mix of smooth and textured armor pieces, with a silver trim running along the edges. The gloves have a unique, gauntlet-like design, with orange accents and a silver circuit pattern. The boots have a lightweight, athletic look, with a silver trim and an orange buckle.

MORPHING SEQUENCE ENDS

Jason drew his sword, its blade shining with a golden aura. Emily summoned her trident, its prongs crackling with electricity. Matt, still dazed, grasped his falchion, its blade etched with fiery runes. Chris twirled his double daggers, their edges glinting with a deadly sheen. Sofia nocked an arrow in her bow, its string humming with tension.

Moloch loomed before them, his red eyes blazing with malevolent glee. The battle had begun.

Moloch sneered at the Rangers, his voice dripping with contempt. "You think you're heroes? You're just children playing dress-up! Your little weapons and powers are no match for me!"

With a swipe of his massive hand, Moloch sent the Rangers flying across the battlefield. Jason struggled to get back to his feet, but Moloch was relentless. He knocked Emily's trident aside with his falchion, sending her stumbling backward. Matt's falchion clashed with Moloch's, but the creature's sheer strength sent Matt crashing to the ground.

Chris's double daggers flashed in the sunlight, but Moloch caught the blades in his claws, twisting them out of Chris's grasp. Sofia's arrows flew straight and true, but Moloch batted them aside like pesky insects.

The Rangers were losing the battle badly. Moloch's power was overwhelming, and their attacks seemed to have little effect. Hestia's voice rang out in their minds, urging them to work together, but Moloch's onslaught left them reeling.

As the creature raised his falchion for the finishing blow, the Rangers knew they had to think fast or face defeat.

Matt, still reeling from his previous defeat, saw his chance and deflected Moloch's falchion with a swift motion. Jason seized the opportunity, striking Moloch with a swift slash that caught the warrior off guard. Moloch stumbled back, giving the Rangers a brief respite.

As they regrouped, Emily turned to Matt, her eyes blazing with frustration. "What were you thinking, Matt? You rushed in blindly and almost got yourself killed!"

Chris nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we need to work together, not go solo."

Sofia added, "We can't take him down alone. We need a plan."

Matt hung his head, knowing his friends were right. "I just wanted to take him down quickly... I wasn't thinking."

Jason placed a hand on Matt's shoulder. "We know, Matt. But we need to be smart about this. Let's come up with a strategy."

Hestia's voice echoed in their minds, "Rangers, use your unique skills and strengths to your advantage. Moloch may be powerful, but together, you can defeat him."

The Rangers nodded, determination etched on their faces. They began to discuss their plan, combining their strengths to take down the formidable Moloch.

Jason's eyes locked onto his teammates, his mind racing with a plan. "Alright, here's what we'll do. Chris, I need you to use your speed to blindside Moloch. Come at him from behind, fast and quiet."

Chris nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Got it, Jason. I'll be like a ghost."

"Matt, Emily, I need you both to bullrush Moloch from the sides, just as Chris gets out of the way. Your combined strength should knock him off balance."

Matt cracked his knuckles, ready for the impact. Emily nodded, her trident at the ready.

"Sofia, I need you to provide cover fire with your bow. Keep Moloch distracted until Chris makes his move."

Sofia nodded, nocking an arrow in her bow.

"Once Moloch is stunned, we'll all come together and finish him off. Let's move, Rangers!"

The team nodded, their faces set with determination. Chris took a deep breath, then sprinted towards Moloch, his speed a blur. Matt and Emily charged forward, ready to strike. Sofia's arrow flew straight and true, striking Moloch's shoulder and drawing his attention.

Moloch snarled, turning to face Sofia, but before he could attack, Chris struck from behind, his double daggers flashing in the sunlight. Moloch stumbled forward, caught off guard, and Chris seized the opportunity to land several swift and precise strikes. The Yellow Ranger's speed and agility left Moloch reeling, his massive body stumbling to keep up.

As Moloch struggled to regain his footing, Matt and Emily charged forward, their weapons at the ready. Matt's falchion sliced through the air, striking Moloch's side, while Emily's trident jabbed into his chest. Moloch roared in pain, his vision blurring from the dual attack.

Jason shouted, "Now, Sofia! Strike your arrow true!"

Sofia drew back her bowstring, waiting for the perfect moment. As Moloch rose, his eyes fixed on Jason, Sofia released her arrow. It soared through the air, striking Moloch with precision, right as Jason leapt forward, his sword shining with a golden light.

The final blow landed with a resounding crash, Moloch's body crashing to the ground, defeated and exploded. The Rangers stood victorious, their combined strength and teamwork proving too much for the mighty warrior.

The Rangers cheered, their bond and camaraderie strengthened by their hard-won victory. As Moloch's dust settled, Hestia's voice rang out, "Rangers, return to the base. We have much to discuss."

Upon their return, Hestia greeted them with a stern expression. "Your forms are sloppy, your movements uncoordinated. You relied on brute force rather than strategy."

Matt spoke up, "But Hestia, we tried our best out there!"

Hestia's gaze turned icy. "Your best won't be enough, Matt. Not if you hope to defeat Emperor Mordred. He will not be swayed by determination alone. You must hone your skills, perfect your teamwork, and anticipate your enemies' moves."

The Rangers nodded, chastened. They knew Hestia spoke the truth.

Jason asked, "What's our next step, Hestia?"

Hestia's expression softened slightly. "We will intensify your training. I will push you to your limits, and beyond. You must be ready for what lies ahead."

The Rangers steeled themselves, knowing the road ahead would be tough. But they were determined to rise to the challenge, to become the heroes the world needed.

Hestia's expression softened, a hint of a smile on her lips. "You've earned your celebration, Rangers. Enjoy your victory, but remember, it's only the beginning."

The Rangers cheered, relieved and exhilarated, as they left the base to celebrate their hard-won triumph.

[P.R.M.F]

Meanwhile, in the dark city of the undead, Emperor Mordred's fury raged like a tempest. "Malicia, your creation was supposed to crush the Rangers, not be defeated by them!" he thundered, his voice echoing off the cold stone walls.

General Malicia trembled, her eyes downcast. "My apologies, Emperor. I underestimated the Rangers' strength."

General Valtor stepped forward, his voice smooth as silk. "Perhaps, Emperor, we should focus on the Rangers' weaknesses rather than Malicia's failures."

General Khaos nodded in agreement. "Yes, Emperor. We can learn from Moloch's defeat and create an even more formidable warrior."

Emperor Mordred's anger slowly gave way to calculation. "Very well. See that it is done. I want the Rangers destroyed, and I want it done now."

The generals bowed, relieved to have escaped their Emperor's wrath. But Malicia's eyes burned with a fierce determination. She would not be blamed for Moloch's defeat. She would create a new warrior, one that would crush the Rangers once and for all.