Chapter 8

The strength of Rage

A/N

For the Rangers facial recognition, here it is:

Jason Steele- Resembling Thomas Kuc.

Emily Faye- Resembling Lucy Hale

Matthew Burke- Resembling Jace Norman

Christopher Dallas- Resembling a younger Ed Sheeran

Sofia Vergara- Resembling Savannah May

With this settled, trust me, you are all in for a surprise of your lives in the next few chapters but I will keep that to myself. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise yet. Let's carry on.

[P.R.M.F]

The Unity Dome, the Sanctum's main training arena, stood as a testament to the Rangers' unwavering dedication. Its sleek, silver walls and crystal-clear floor seemed to hum with energy, as if echoing the Rangers' unrelenting spirit. On this Saturday morning, the Dome was quiet, except for one figure.

Matthew Burke, the Black Ranger, trained with unbridled ferocity. His falchion sliced through the air, striking true with every blow, as if fueled by a burning rage. Sweat dripped from his brow, but his eyes blazed with an intensity that seemed to drive him forward.

Hestia, the goddess and mentor to the Rangers, entered the Dome, her gaze fixed on Matt with concern. "Matthew, what's driving you?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.

Matt paused, chest heaving, and met her gaze. "I'm fine, Hestia. Just need to blow off some steam."

Hestia's eyes narrowed. "Prove it. Spar with me in your Ranger uniform. Let's see if your control matches your strength."

Matt smirked, accepting the challenge. With a swift motion, he morphed into the Black Ranger.

The air seemed to crackle as Hestia summoned her divine energy. Matt blurred towards her, his falchion aimed for her. In less than a second, she closed the distance and struck Matt with a swift combination, sending him crashing to the floor.

As Matt demorphed, rubbing his sore head, Hestia offered him a hand up. "Your anger makes you predictable, Matthew. A true warrior must balance strength with control."

Matt looked up, a mix of frustration and admiration on his face. "You win this time, Hestia. But I'll master this rage, and next time, it won't be just a sparring match."

Hestia smiled, her eyes gleaming with a knowing light. "I look forward to it, Matthew. Now, let's work on tempering that rage."

Hestia's eyes narrowed, about to impart crucial wisdom on controlling anger, when the monster alert sound pierced the air. Matt's grin returned, and he morphed into the Black Ranger once more.

"Wait, Matthew! Let me contact the others—" Hestia began, but Matt was already gone, teleporting from the Sanctum.

Hestia's expression turned grim. "Matt will be the death of all of us..."

[P.R.M.F]

Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, a warrior resembling a Satyr wreaked havoc with unbridled ferocity. His eyes blazed with a feral intensity as he swung his fists, shattering buildings and uprooting cars.

The Black Ranger materialized, slamming into the Satyr-like warrior with a fierce cry. "Retu, you're going down!"

Retu's eyes flashed with anger, and he hurled Matt into a nearby wall. As the Black Ranger struggled to rise, Retu unsheathed a broadsword, its blade etched with ancient runes.

"You think you can stop me, little Ranger?" Retu sneered, charging towards Matt with a battle cry.

Matt stood, falchion at the ready, but Retu's sheer strength sent him stumbling back. The Black Ranger gritted his teeth, determination burning within. He would hold the line until the others arrived.

Matt stumbled back, falchion trembling with each blow as Retu's broadsword rained down upon him. The Black Ranger's armor cracked and dented, his body screaming in protest. Retu's brute strength overwhelmed him, and he found himself slammed into a building, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs.

Frustration boiled within Matt as he struggled to rise, but Retu's relentless assault kept him pinned. Just as the Satyr-like warrior raised his sword for the finishing blow, a chorus of colors burst onto the scene.

"Hey, back off, Retu!" Jason, the Red Ranger, shouted, his sword flashing in the sunlight.

The other Rangers arrived, their weapons at the ready. Emily's trident glowed with a soothing blue light, while Chris's double daggers shone with a fierce yellow intensity. Sofia's bow sang with a gentle pink glow, her arrow nocked and ready.

Retu snarled, broadsword still clutched in his hand, but he shifted into a defensive stance, his eyes darting between the Rangers. For a moment, the battlefield held its breath, the two sides locked in a silent challenge.

"You may have numbers," Retu growled, "but I will not yield."

The Rangers charged, their weapons weaving a complex dance of color and steel. Retu stood firm, his broadsword slicing through the air, but the Rangers' unity and strategy began to push him back.

Retu's eyes flashed with a cunning light as he unleashed his powers of illusion. The air around him seemed to ripple and distort, creating multiple mirror images of himself. The Rangers found themselves facing a whirlwind of attacks from every direction, each strike landing with precision and force.

"Which one is the real target?" Chris shouted, his daggers clashing with a Retu illusion.

"I don't know, just keep moving!" Jason replied, his sword slicing through a false Retu, only to have the real one strike from behind.

Emily's trident glowed brighter, attempting to dispel the illusions, but Retu's connection to the earth seemed to amplify his powers. The ground itself appeared to rise up, sending the Rangers stumbling as Retu's illusions merged with the terrain.

Sofia's arrows flew true, but they seemed to pass through Retu's illusions, striking the ground or buildings instead. Matt, still recovering from his initial beating, struggled to keep up with the dizzying pace of the battle.

Retu's laughter echoed through the streets, his voice like thunder as he unleashed a devastating combination of real and illusory attacks. The Rangers stumbled, their unity and strategy unraveling in the face of Retu's mastery over earth and illusion.

Matt's eyes blazed with fury as he stood up and charged at Retu, his falchion swinging wildly. But Retu was prepared. With a cunning smile, he conjured an illusion that made Matt see his teammates as enemies.

"NO! YOU'LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" Matt bellowed, attacking his friends with unrelenting ferocity.

"Matt, stop! It's us, your team!" Jason shouted, trying to reason with him.

But Matt wouldn't listen. His anger consumed him, and he fought his friends with a strength that sent them flying.

Retu watched with satisfaction as the Rangers struggled to subdue their own teammate. "Foolish Rangers... your own emotions will be your downfall."

In the end, it was Hestia's intervention that stopped Matt, demorphing him with a gentle touch as as she appeared on the battlefield. As the illusion faded, Matt stumbled back, horror etched on his face.

"What... what have I done?" he stammered, shame and regret washing over him.

Retu vanished into the shadows, his voice echoing through the streets. "This isn't the end, Rangers... I'll return, and next time, your unity will be your downfall."

Matt walked away, his head hung low, his heart heavy with the knowledge of his own weakness.

[P.R.M.F]

BACK AT THE SANCTUM

The Rangers watched as Matt disappeared into the distance, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Emily took a step forward, wanting to comfort her friend, but Hestia's gentle hand on her shoulder held her back.

"Let him go, Emily. He needs time to reflect on his actions."

With a nod, the Rangers followed Hestia back to the Sanctum, their minds buzzing with concern. Matt's erratic behavior had put them all at risk, and they worried about his ability to lead as the Black Mythical Ranger.

Hestia sensed their unease and addressed it directly. "Do not worry about Matt's position. I have sent help his way. He will learn to control his emotions and wield his anger wisely."

"But what about Retu?" Chris asked, his brow furrowed. "He's too powerful, and his illusions... we can't fight what we can't see."

Hestia's eyes sparkled with determination. "I think I know a way to counter his illusions, but it will require all of your strengths combined. We must work together to create a shield against his deceptions."

The Rangers exchanged hopeful glances. If Hestia had a plan, they trusted her to lead them to victory.

"What do we need to do?" Jason asked, his voice firm.

Hestia smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Ah, I think I know what you must all do. Let's begin."