CHAPTER 6

Stepping Up

As the last Darkspawn dissipated, the Rangers let out a collective groan. "Seriously, Mordred, can't you see we're trying to sleep in?" Matt complained, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Tell me about it," Chris chimed in. "I was having the best dream about a giant pile of waffles."

Sofia chuckled. "You and your love for waffles." Chris stuck his tongue out at her with a smirk.

Jason grinned. "Well, at least we got the morning workout out of the way."

As they entered the Sanctum, the aroma of freshly cooked pancakes and hot chocolate wafted out, making their stomachs growl in unison. Hestia greeted them with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Rangers! I figured you could use a hearty breakfast after that early battle."

Emily's eyes widened at the spread before them. "Hestia, you're a lifesaver."

The Rangers dug in, savoring the sweet and fluffy pancakes, accompanied by Hestia's gentle hum of satisfaction. For a brief moment, they forgot about the looming threat of Mordred and simply enjoyed each other's company.

After they finish eating, Matt begins complaining that his team has a practice making Chris groan in exasperation that he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. As both begins to bicker why they should and shouldn't go, Emily mutters to herself, "Boys." She then shook her head.

Matt and Chris's bickering continued, with Sofia and Emily trying to intervene. Jason, however, remained quiet, his eyes fixed on Hestia, who seemed lost in thought.

[P.R.M.F]

Meanwhile, in the city of the undead, Emperor Mordred's calm demeanor belied the tension in the air. His generals, usually eager to please, exchanged nervous glances.

"Two catalysts down, five to go," Mordred mused, his eyes gleaming with intensity as he admired the Erebus Gauntlet. "The Dragon Stones and the Erebus Gauntlet will be the keys to unlocking Ragnarok's true power."

General Khaos, the former alien gladiator, shifted uncomfortably, his scarred face a testament to his brutal past. General Valtor, the technological alien, fidgeted with his cybernetic arm, his eyes darting towards the Erebus Gauntlet. General Malicia, the dark sorceress, smiled sweetly, her eyes gleaming with malevolent intent.

"My lord," General Khaos spoke up, "perhaps we should focus on crushing the Rangers before they become a greater threat."

General Valtor nodded in agreement. "I concur. My intel suggests they're still learning to harness their powers."

General Malicia's smile grew wider. "Oh, but that's where you're wrong, my friends. The Rangers' inexperience is exactly what makes them so... intriguing. And Emperor Mordred's plan relies on their participation."

Mordred's gaze swept across his generals, his expression unreadable. "Enough. I will not be swayed from my course. The Rangers will play their part, and we will reap the rewards."

The generals nodded, their faces tense, as Mordred's attention returned to the Erebus Gauntlet, his mind consumed by the promise of Ragnarok.

Emperor Mordred's eyes gleamed with intensity as he addressed General Malicia. "Create a warrior, one who will crush the Rangers and shatter their spirits. I want them to know true despair.

Malicia's smile grew wider, her eyes flashing with dark energy. "As you wish, my lord. I will create a monster, one that will make the Rangers tremble."

Mordred's gaze swept across his generals. "Soon, I will possess all remaining five catalysts. The gods themselves will be powerless to stop me. Ragnarok will be mine to command!"

[P.R.M.F]

Meanwhile, on the football field, Matt and Jason endured their coach's tirade, their faces expressionless. But as the coach mentioned the previous game, they exchanged a knowing glance, and smiled.

"Yeah, we won that one," Matt said, his voice casual.

Jason nodded, his grin still plastered on his face. "Yeah, we did."

The coach looked puzzled, but continued his rant, unaware of the secret the two friends shared. As they practiced, Matt and Chris stole glances at each other, their minds still on the battle against Mordred's forces.

In the city center, Emily, Chris, and Sofia walked among the bustling crowds, their eyes scanning the rooftops and alleys for any signs of Darkspawn. Meanwhile, in the underworld, Malicia presented her creation to Emperor Mordred.

"Behold, Bhor, the Unyielding!" Malicia declared, her voice dripping with dark pride.

Bhor, a hulking warrior with a twisted, corrupted version of Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, sneered at Mordred. His eyes burned with a fierce, unnatural energy.

Emperor Mordred's smile grew wide as he approached Bhor. "Excellent work, Malicia. Bhor, you will be the instrument of the Rangers' downfall. Crush them, should they dare approach you."

Bhor's laughter was like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the underworld. "I will enjoy watching them beg for mercy!"

With a wave of his hand, Mordred sent Bhor to the mortal realm, to await the Rangers' arrival.

[P.R.M.F]

Bhor's arrival was met with chaos as he unleashed a maelstrom of destruction, his twisted hammer crushing everything in its path. The three Rangers, Emily, Chris, and Sofia, barely had time to react, dodging debris and fleeing for cover.

"Morphin' time!" they shouted in unison, activating their powers.

As they transformed into their Ranger forms, Emily quickly contacted Matt and Jason on their communicator. "Guys, we have a situation in the city center! Another warrior of Emperor Mordred is wreaking havoc!"

Matt and Jason exchanged a knowing glance, already sprinting towards the city center. "We're on our way!"

The first three Rangers charged into battle, their powers blazing as they clashed with Bhor. Chris's Yellow Ranger daggers sliced through the air, while Emily's Blue Ranger energy blasts struck Bhor with precision. Sofia's Pink Ranger agility allowed her to dodge Bhor's crushing blows, striking back with her arrows.

Bhor laughed maniacally, his hammer crushing the ground, sending the Rangers flying. The battle had only just begun.

The Rangers' attacks seemed to bounce right off Bhor's armor, their weapons unable to penetrate the dark metal. Matt's frustration grew with each failed strike, his anger boiling over as he swung his falchion with all his might.

But Bhor was too fast, too strong. With a swift motion, he disarmed Matt, sending the Black Ranger's falchion flying. Then, with a merciless slam, Bhor sent Matt crashing into the nearest wall.

The impact was immense, and Matt's suit couldn't withstand the force. He demorphed, lying dazed and helpless on the ground.

"Take this, you big brute!" Emily shouted, her Trident striking the warrior with renewed urgency.

But Bhor just laughed, his hammer raised high. "You are no match for me, Rangers! I will crush you all!"

Chris, still fighting, stumbled back, his Yellow Ranger powers faltering. Jason and Sofia stood firm, but even their combined strength seemed insufficient against Bhor's might.

As Matt struggled to get back to his feet, he knew they needed a new plan – fast – or risk losing the battle.

Bhor's hammer, Mjolnir, slammed down on Jason with incredible force, unleashing a lightning strike that sent the Red Ranger flying. Jason yelled as he crashed to the ground, his morpher sparking erratically as he struggled to get back up.

The other Rangers were pushed to their limits, their powers waning from the relentless battle. But they refused to give up. With a nod, they combined their weapons in a final, desperate strike.

Sofia's Pink Ranger bow and arrow fired a powerful energy bolt, Chris's Yellow Ranger double daggers flashed in a swift, slashing motion, Matt's Black Ranger falchion sliced through the air with deadly precision, and Emily's Blue Ranger trident shone with a brilliant, aquatic energy.

The combined strike hit Bhor with incredible force, sending him stumbling back. For a moment, his armor glowed with a fierce, orange light, before he turned and fled, vanishing into the shadows.

"I will return!" Bhor's thunderous voice echoed through the city center. "And next time, you will not be so lucky!"

The Rangers stood panting, their powers exhausted. Jason, still injured, leaned on Emily's shoulder, his Red Ranger suit cracked and smoking.

"We need to get back to the Sanctum," Matt said, his voice grim. "And come up with a new plan. Bhor's not going to stop until we're defeated."

As they made their way back, they knew the battle was far from over. Bhor would return, and next time, they had to be ready. The Door of Janus opened and they stepped through into the Sanctum, Jason balanced between Matt and Emily, his hand on their shoulders.

Hestia's gentle hands guided Jason onto the cot, her eyes filled with concern. "I will mend his armor and heal him, but for now, let him rest."

She turned to Emily, her expression serious. "As Blue Ranger and second-in-command, you will lead the battle when Bhor attacks again. You must be prepared."

Emily's eyes widened, her face pale. She looked at her teammates, seeking reassurance, but her voice trembled. "I-I don't know if I can do it. I'm not Jason."

Matt, Chris, and Sofia exchanged worried glances, trying to offer words of encouragement. "You can do it, Emily," Matt said. "We'll be right behind you."

But Emily shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "No, you don't understand. I'm not ready for this. I'm not a leader."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving her teammates and Hestia looking on in concern. The weight of responsibility had finally hit Emily, and she was unsure if she could carry the burden.

A/N

Xoxo