Category: TV Show » Power Rangers

Author: Twix3780

Language: English

Rated: Fiction T

Genre: Fantasy/Family

Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers.

Author's Note: Welcome to my new trilogy. I hope you enjoy it.

A short time ago, there was a dimension filled with wonderful magic.

But then darkness came into power, and the great battle began.

An army of the undead, led by a powerful warrior, swarmed over the land, setting their sights on the human realm and beyond.

All seemed hopeless when a small legion of brave and true wizards came forth.

Against insurmountable odds, they battled heroically. They drove the evil back from the edge of the human world.

And then the bravest wizard of them all cast a spell that sent the armies into the underworld.

He sealed darkness inside giant gates for eternity, and evil disappeared from the surface world.

But with great victory comes great loss.

The human world never knew of the great battle or the sacrifices that were made to save them from destruction.

Even till this day, they live in peace.

Unaware of what is about to awaken.

~X~

"That must be Briarwood."

"Really, what gave you that idea?"

Nick Russell rolled his eyes and shot his companion a sarcastic look. Her name was Kali Briar. She was eighteen years old, had shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, and a sun-kissed complexion.

"Was it the sign that says 'Briarwood - 25 miles'?" Kali asked, her own words dripping with sarcasm.

"You're not funny," Nick said.

Kali laughed and re-adjusted her helmet. She kick-starting her bike and revved the engine. Her leather gloves screeched against the handles and she released the break.

Nick followed Kali down the road.

The pair had known one another their whole lives. They'd been next-door neighbours for as long as they could remember, and even shared similar pasts. Both had been put up for adoption since they were new-borns, and neither one had been able to find their birth parents, and it wasn't from a lack of trying. The only thing the two didn't share was Kali's disregard for the rules and juvie record.

As the drove, the ground started to shake and Kali swerved her bike to prevent it from crashing into Nick's front wheel. She screamed as the bike toppled and she rolled forward onto the side of the road. She rolled onto her stomach and saw Nick come off his bike not that far away.

They were lucky to have swerved onto a patch of grass. They could've easily gone the other way and straight over the side.

As soon as the shaking started, it stopped.

"Kali, you alright?" Nick called.

"I think so," Kali replied. She rolled into a sitting position and checked her legs, waist and torso for injuries. She was thankful to her mother for nagging her to wear padded clothes while she was out riding. If she had been wearing anything less, she could be seeing a hospital room a lot sooner.

Getting back to her feet, Kali pushed her bike upright and turned to look at Nick. He was already back on his bike and adjusting his helmet. He looked alright to her, no noticeable cuts or bruises, but she'd have to wait until they reached Briarwood to be sure.

"You sure you can ride?" Nick asked, leveling out beside her.

Kali nodded and climbed back onto her bike. She re-adjusted her settings and clipped her helmet into place. "Let's go," she said. "Before the aftershocks hit."

For the next 25 miles, neither Nick or Kali spoke. Each one consumed with their thoughts - Nick was concerned about reaching his sister's home on time, while Kali was curious about the earthquake that had just hit. She knew that California was split down the middle by a fault line, but the last Earthquake to have struck was back in 1979.

"Hey, my bike's making a strange noise," Nick's voice came over the headset inside Kali's helmet. "I need to check. I think that quake may have done some damage."

"Alright."

They had already entered Briarwood, passing many shops and homes along the main road, but they didn't stop until at least three-quarters of the way in and parked opposite a record shop - Rock Porium. A battered old black jeep was sitting outside, and four teenagers were messing around near it.

Kali watched the group for a few minutes before turning her attention to Nick. "What's the damage?" she asked.

"The gas tank's ruptured," said Nick. "I'm lucky to not be leaking fluid right now."

"That's going to take more than a few hours work," said Kali. "It also looks like your suspension could go any minute."

Nick glanced over at Kali's bike. "How does yours look fine after a crash like that?" he asked.

"I have a great mechanic," Kali said.

"You know Nate only serviced your bike because he wants to get with you, right?"

Kali leaned forward on her handlebars. "That's why he only charged me half price," she said.

Nick rolled his eyes. Kali's beauty was unmatched by many and had most men she met falling at her feet. While he, himself, found her attractive, he was not head-over-heels for her like others he knew.

"Please, someone! Anyone! I need help."

Kali and Nick looked up as an old man hobbled towards the street. A small crowd, including the kids from across the road, circled around him.

"It's my brother," the man said. "We were walking just up the road, and some creature grabbed him."

A small murmur of uncertainty rippled through the crowd and Kali noticed that a few people were starting to leave.

"I fear the worst," the man continued. "I-It's just out of town. The creature took him into the woods."

More and more people were sharing nervous and even scared looks now, before leaving.

"Won't somebody please help me?" the old man begged.

"I will," Nick said. The crowd parted and those who were left turned to look at him. "I could use a break."

Kali nodded and looked up at the old man. "Count me in," she said.

The old man smiled and hobbled over to them. "Thank you!" he beamed.

"Hey, I'm, uh - - I'm Xander," interrupted one of the kids from across the road. He was taller than his friends, with a mop of short brown hair, brown eyes, and a distinctive Australian accent. "You're both new around here, aren't you? Probably not aware of all the facts."

"If you're talking about the Bermuda-triangle-like curse that's supposedly on these woods, save it," said Kali. "We're aware of the stories."

"Besides, the guy needs help," said Nick, shrugging on his jacket. "No one else in this city seems to care."

Another kid stepped forward. A girl with a short pixie-cropped hairstyle. "I'll go with you," she announced, much to the surprise of her friends. "Not everyone in this city's a coward."

Kali looked the girl over just as a second boy stepped up. He had short red hair and had a child-like demeanour to him.

"I'll go, too," he said. "I've always wanted to go on a dangerous quest." He paused and turned to his friend. "This is a dangerous quest, right?"

"Perilous," the girl answered.

"Sweet!" the boy grinned.

Kali couldn't help but smile. He reminded her of her little sister, Molly.

"Well, let's go," said Nick, turning back to Kali and the old man. They both nodded and walked away, the old man in the lead.

~X~

A Danger! Keep Out! sign hung on a broken fence at the edge of the forest were the old man had lost his brother, and the forest in which he had been dragged looked dark, dismal, and eerie.

The old man stopped short of the tree line and turned to the four teens behind him. "Are you sure you're willing to enter?" he asked. "The woods are a very scary place."

"You ask a lot of questions for someone whose brother's in danger," said Nick.

"Everyone's in danger," the old man said.

"Everyone's in danger?" the kid with red hair repeated. Kali had learned not long ago that his name was Chip and the girl was called Vida.

A loud honking horn broke the dense silence and the group turned to see the battered jeep from earlier rolling down the dirt path towards them. Vida let out an annoyed snarl and stepped into the road.

"Xander, I told you if you ever took my car, I'd rearrange your limbs," Vida said, pointing threateningly at her friend.

"You're going into the woods and never returning," said Xander, patting down the front of the car. "As if you're even going to see it again."

"He's got a point," said Chip.

Kali and Nick shared a look from behind the group. These kids believed the stories about these woods.

"You're my sister. Where you go, I go," said the last female of the group. She looked to be younger than the others, probably sixteen, and a little more nervous about the idea of going into the woods.

"Great, then let's get this over with," said Kali. She turned, walked past the old man, and into the trees. Nick and the others followed her.

Birds squawked as the group passed under the trees, ducking low hanging branches and stepping over upturned roots. It was quiet, save for their feet crunching on grass and kicking up dirt and stones from the earth.

"Eh, it's creepy out here," Maddie said. She was walking at the back of the group.

"You got that right," said Xander.

The search progressed.

Kali paused and looked around as the lighting changed from an early afternoon glow to an almost pale blue. "Did someone dim the lights or something?" she asked.

"Did anyone else feel that?" Maddie asked, pointing behind her. "I felt something - something weird."

"Wait," said Nick, realising they were a person short. "Where's the old man?"

"Ten seconds in the woods and we're already lost. All right!" Chip grinned.

"We're not lost," said Kali. "If there's a way in then there is a way out. We just have to find it."

"Tell that to the countless other people that came in here looking for a way out," said Xander. "They were never seen again."

"Or they just moved town without you realising," said Kali.

Chip interrupted before Xander could retort. "Did you guys know, that it's not just trolls, goblins, and elves that live in these woods, a witch does, too?" he asked excitedly. "I've heard that she is hideous, with green skin and a black tongue with yellow drool that slowly drips from the corner of her mouth as she speaks."

"You've been reading too many fairy tales, friend," said Nick. He and Kali were now walking at the back of the group, with Chip in the lead. Xander and Maddie were frantically looking for an opening in the tree line. One that would hopefully lead them back to Briarwood.

Kali sighed in frustration. "Guys, relax, already, you look like you're about to have a stroke," she said. "This forest cuts between Briarwood and Ridgecrest. If we keep walking, we'll end up in one of the cities."

"In the meantime, there's no such thing as witches," said Nick. He paused as he noted the looks on the others faces. Their eyes were wide and fearful. "Oh. Okay. So now you're playing with me. 'Ooh, someone's behind me. I'm so scared.' Boo!"

Kali scoffed and shook her head.

"There is someone behind you," said Vida.

Noting the fear in Vida's voice, Kali turned and jumped in surprise as a cloaked figure stood a few feet away. Nick backed up instantly, and Kali gripped his arm firmly in her hands. She wasn't exactly afraid, but the idea that this person, whoever they were, had managed to creep up unannounced, nerved her.

"Anyone want to run?" Maddie asked.

"Already tried, but my feet won't move," said Xander.

The bushes parted and hideous creatures burst out, surrounding the group of teens.

"She brought friends!" Vida yelled.

The creatures grew closer, herding the teens into a much tighter circle.

"Dispel Aratan!"

Kali looked up as the cloaked figure yelled out a jumble of words. Above the woman appeared six objects that Kali could only describe as broomsticks, and they zoomed through the air towards the group.

"Look out!" Kali yelled as one of the brooms flew under her legs and zoomed upwards. She caught onto the handle to steady herself and looked down as the ground disappeared beneath her.

Kali wasn't sure how long she was in the air before the broom tipped sideways and she fell off. She screamed before landing with a thud on top of a pile of leaves, the others landed all around her.

"That was awesome!" Chip laughed. He seemed to be the only one pleased with their short trip.

"Okay. So, new guys, now you know why no one goes into these woods," said Xander, turning to look at Kali and Nick.

Kali folded her arms. "Like I said earlier, we knew the stories," she said. "We just didn't put much faith in them because we're realists who don't live in a fantasy world."

"Did any of that look like a fantasy to you?" Maddie asked.

"The only place I have seen a flying broomstick is in Harry Potter," said Kali. "Magic is just an illusion in the real world. That was just smoke and mirrors."

Kali turned away before Maddie or anyone else could retort.

"What is this place?" Vida asked, looking up at the tree. It was shaped like a dragon's head.

"I call it root core."

Kali whipped around and found the cloak figure from before standing a few feet away. She held her hands out towards the group again, causing them to back up into the Dragon's mouth.

It closed, sealing them in.

As the dragon's head closed, a panel opened behind the teens and they stumbled into a spacious room. It looked like an atrium with a round table in the centre of the room, on top of which was a golden globe. A set of steps stood either side of the table, leading up to a podium which housed a large worn and intricate book with a clasp.

"I thought it best you were brought here," said the cloaked figure. This time she was standing on a small landing at the top of more stairs.

Kali looked behind her and then back at the figure. "Where the hell do you keep popping up from?" she asked.

The witch shed the cloak to reveal a tall, slender looking woman with long red hair beneath. She looked a lot more beautiful than the description Chip had given.

"I am the sorceress Udonna," the woman introduced. "Welcome to my home."

Lights started to switch on all over Root core, illuminating different parts of the tree. It showed bookcases, storage boxes for the broomsticks, even computers - although Kali wasn't sure how a computer could be run from inside a tree.

"Woah, this is awesome!" said Chip.

"When the six of you entered the forest," said Udonna. "You stepped into a magical dimension."

"A parallel dimension outside of Briarwood?" Chip asked, grinning. "Do we live in a great city or what?"

"A few years ago, there was a great battle in our world," Udonna continued. "Dark magic conquered our realm and was about to enter your dimension when we finally defeated them and sent them back to the underworld. But at a great cost."

Kali folded her arms as she listened. Udonna's words sparking a dream from the deep recesses of her mind.

"The gate was sealed with a powerful spell," Udonna said. "However, during the recent Earthquake a crack appeared in the gate, and evil has slipped through."

Xander raised his hand. "Hi. I'm Xander," he said. "Well, I'm just wondering. What does that have to do with us?"

"It could mean the end for both our worlds," said Udonna.

"Please," Nick interrupted. "None of us are buying this fairy tale."

Udonna stopped and turned expectantly to Nick. "This is not a fairy tale," she said. "What I tell you is what happened."

Nick looked to the others. "Guys?" he asked.

"Hey. Let's hear what she has to say," said Vida. "We can always leave after that."

With a scoff, Nick turned to Kali. "Tell me you're not falling for this?" he asked.

Kali shook her head. "I can't explain it, Nick," she said. "But, everything she's just said sounds so familiar to me. Like, I've witnessed it before."

"You probably read something similar," said Nick. "They used to read stupid fairy tales to us in the children's home, remember?"

Kali relented. That was true.

"The Xenotome - the book of the unknown," Udonna said, breaking up the conversation and drawing everyone's attention back to her. She was now standing behind the large book on its plinth. "In it is everything we do not know."

Carefully, Maddie climbed the stairs leading to the Xenotome and peered at its pages. "What kind of language is that?" she asked. "I've never seen it before."

"It is the language of the ancients," said Udonna. She smiled at Maddie. "You will soon learn it. It says that when evil rises again, six mystical warriors from the human realm will step forward. You are those warriors. You are the Power Rangers."

Chip squealed with delight.

"Normally I'd say she's been reading to many comic books," Kali whispered to Nick. "But she doesn't strike me as the comic book type."

Nick snorted.

"Um, excuse me," said Xander, raising his hand again. "But there must be some mistake. How are we going to defeat pure evil? Our high school hasn't even won a football game in, like, six years."

Udonna held up a pile of sticks with colourful ornaments on the top. "These are your magic wands," she said, handing them out to each of the teens - Yellow to Chip, Blue to Maddie, Pink to Vida, Green to Xander, Red to Nick, and Black to Kali - "Never go anywhere without them."

Kali looked from her wand to Nick and then back again. She felt stupid holding the thick stick, but it did feel like it belonged to her. The black ornament on the top looked much like a hound. It had short thick legs and a large flank behind a stumpy head. It glowed dimly in her hand.

"Udonna! Udonna!"

The six teens looked around as a bumbling blonde run into the room. She hiked up her skirt and rushed up the three short steps, stopping dead when she realised she had company. "Oh! Hello. Nice to meet you. Uh, excuse me. Udonna?" she leaned in and whispered something in Udonna's ear.

Udonna's face fell and as the young woman pulled back she turned to the six teenagers. "You must stay here until I return," she told them. "Do not go into the woods by yourselves." She stepped back, snapped her fingers and disappeared.

"I wish I could do that," the young blonde muttered, snapping her fingers. "I practice and I practice, but... nothing." She paused and then realising she still wasn't alone, turned to the teens left behind. "Oh, um, hello again. Um, I'm Claire. Sorceress-in-training here at Root core."

Nick looked at Kali and the others. "Okay. That's it. I'm out of here," he said.

"Yeah, me too," Kali agreed.

"Oh! No, you can't go," said Claire, blocking the stairs. "Udonna said you had to stay here until she returned."

Maddie looked around at the others. "They're right," she said. "We all better go."

"Oh, this is not good," Claire said. "I-I know! I will conjure a spell that will freeze you where you stand until Udonna gets back."

Nick felt Kali slip her hand around his arm and tug him back from Claire.

"Um... Corum Oviat Detrob!"

There was a flash of light and Claire disappeared, leaving only a sheep in her place.

"That's it for me," said Kali, tossing the wand onto the book and heading for the second set of stairs. The others followed her down and out through the panel they had come in through.

~X~

Leading the others out of Root core, Kali didn't stop until she reached the edge of a village in the middle of the woods. The occupants were clearing up the mess of broken bowls, plates, jugs, and homes. Kali wondered if the place had been ransacked or was this the result of the morning's earthquake.

"Who are they?" Xander asked.

"I'm guessing they live here," said Kali.

"I should have known you wouldn't stay at Root core," said Udonna, appearing beside the teens.

"What happened here?" Maddie asked.

"This is the Woodland village," said Udonna. "It was destroyed earlier today by dark magic. Tomorrow it will be another village. The darkness destroys everything within their path."

"Those things that attacked us before? Those creatures," said Kali. "Did they do this?

"Yes," said Udonna. "They're called Hidiacs. They are foot soldiers."

Kali swallowed and looked around at the village occupants. Various creatures were living in this one community - fairies, elves, and even goblins.

"Why would they do this?" Maddie asked. "What did these people do to them?"

"They are searching for something," said Udonna. "And nothing is safe until they find it."

"What are they looking for?" Chip asked.

"Me."

Kali looked at Udonna in surprise. "Why you?" she asked.

"Because I stand in their way of dominating both this world and yours," said Udonna. "Once they have taken out me, they will go after you."

Kali noticed Xander, Vida, Maddie and Chip share nervous looks from the corner of her eye. She, too, was scared at the proclamation of the Darkness coming after her, but she wasn't about to show it in front of everyone. She'd always prided herself on being able to hide her emotions and now was no different.

"Hold on just a sec," said Nick, interrupting. "I-I never agreed to be part of this."

"It is them!" a voice cried from the village.

Kali looked around Nick and saw an elven man carrying a pitchfork approach. He was grinning as he looked around at the group and then turned to urge the rest of his community to come meet them.

"It is them! The protectors are here! All hail the Mystic Force!"

The woodland creatures fell to one knee before the teenagers, their heads bowed.

"I always wondered what it would be like to be worshipped," said Xander, grinning. "It's not so bad."

Kali rolled her eyes and gravitated towards Nick. She stopped as a roar echoed around the village and the whole community run in fear of the massive rock monster that had just stormed out of the trees.

"Okay. That's bad!" Xander said, pointing at the creature.

"Holy shit!" Kali breathed, her eyes wide as she looked up at the creature. "What is that thing?"

"Take out your wands," Udonna instructed them.

"Uh, we kind of left them back at the tree," Chip admitted.

Udonna looked around at all of them. "All right," she said, turning her back on then and facing the creature. "Stand back. You leave me no choice." She took out her wand. "Magical Source, Mystic Force!"

The snowflake ornament on top of Udonna's wand glowed brightly. When the light cleared Udonna stood, not in her usual white gown, but a white suit if spandex and a helmet.

"Flurry of snow!" Udonna called, once the transformation had completed. "White Mystic Ranger!"

"Now, that's cool," said Vida, mesmerised.

While Udonna dealt with the giant monster, a swarm of Hidiacs appeared out of the trees and circling up around the teens.

"Guys, we have company," said Nick, spotting them first.

"Well, as I see it, we have two choices," said Chip. "We can surrender and be destroyed."

"Or fight?" Maddie asked.

Kali looked at Nick. "When have you ever known me to surrender?" she asked.

"Nick nodded. "We fight," he said.

"Oh, no, no, no, no," said Xander, pulling Nick back. "There's a third option. Plan Xander - I'll just reason with them." He stepped around Nick and approached the foot soldiers. "Hi. I'm Xander. We're not really from these parts, eh. So, if it's okay with you, we'll just be heading off in another direction."

The soldier closest to Xander cocked his head to the side and then planted a kick in his chest. Xander stumbled backwards and landed with a thud on the ground.

"Something tells me plan Xander never works," said Kali.

Xander glared at her as he got back to his feet. "You just want to fight," he said.

"What's your point?" Kali asked.

The ground exploded beneath their feet and the six teens were propelled into the air. They landed with individual thuds and groaned. But, before they had a chance to recover, the Hidiacs were raining down upon them and dragging them apart.

"Hey, hands off!" Kali yelled, kicking the hidiac to her left in the knee. He released her and collapsed, allowing her the chance to swing her fist around and hit the one on her right in the head. As the second one fell back, a third crept up behind Kali and flipped her over his head.

Taken by surprise, Kali hit the floor and groaned. She took a few quick breaths and rolled over onto her back, blocking the spear that was coming down to meet her. She used it as leverage and jumped back to her feet, tugging the weapon out of its owner's hand and using the blunt end to jab him in the face.

"Just remember - to use magic, all you need to do is believe in magic!" Udonna called.

Kali groaned as she hit the ground again. Asking her to believe in magic was a tall order because she had never believed in magic. If magic had always been a part of her, then all those wishes she made as a child to see her real parents would've come true.

"Guys! The magic works!" Chip called through the fighting. "Just believe!"

As the others defeated their Hidiacs using their belief in magic, Kali looked around for Nick. He, just like her, was getting his ass handed to him by a bunch of rabid foot soldiers. He met her gaze through the chaos and she could see her doubt reflected in his expression.

It was going to take a lot more than a few words to get their magic to work. But they could at least try, right?

Kali sighed and looked back at the advancing Hidiacs. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, searching deep inside her being for the little girl that had once believed in magic. The little girl that used to wish upon a star every night, who made a wish every time she blew out her candles on a birthday cake, the little girl that wanted more than anything to find a family that would keep her for more than few weeks.

Through the dark of disbelief and dismay, Kali saw a small flicker of dying embers. Was that her magic?

"I believe in magic..." Kali whispered.

The ember ignited and a blazing fire erupted inside. Kali felt her whole body grow warm, warmer than she had ever felt it grow before. But it didn't stop there, it kept getting warmer - hotter - until it felt like her entire body was on fire.

Then the heat was gone, and so were the hidiacs.

Kali opened her eyes and looked down at her hands. They seemed to have a sort of glow around them, she squeezed her eyes closed again and shook her head. When she reopened her eyes, the glowing had stopped.

"Uh," Kali murmured, confused.

An explosion re-directed Kali's attention and she spotted Nick get blown through the air. "Nick!" she yelled, jumping up and running forward. She reached him just as Udonna dealt with the Hidiacs that were advancing on him.

"Power down," Udonna said, and she transformed back to her normal state.

Nick groaned and rubbed the back of his neck as Kali helped him stand.

"What happened?" Kali asked.

"I don't know," said Nick.

"Well, well, very nice," Udonna complimented, returning to the edge of the woodland village and addressing the group. "You truly are the ones. Are you up to the task? Are you now ready to accept your legacy?"

"Oh yeah," Chip grinned. "Bring it on!"

"I'm in," Vida agreed. "I kicked some serious evil back there!"

"This is so unlike me, but I'm - I'm sticking with my sister," said Maddie.

"Someone's got to look after these guys, right?" Xander asked, much to the annoyance of the others.

With four out of six teens onboard, Udonna turned to the last remaining two.

"No way," said Nick, brushing off his jacket. "I'm out of here."

"Are you sure this is what you choose?" Udonna asked.

"Look, the 'I believe in magic' thing didn't work for me," said Nick, shaking his head.

"Try believing again," said Maddie. "Maybe it didn't catch on the first time."

Udonna shook her head. "He is a nonbeliever," she said. "I can do nothing for him." She turned her attention to Kali. "And you?"

"I-I don't know what happened back there," said Kali. "And some of your story from Root core made sense to me, but..." she shook her head. "This is just too much, and I'm not even sure if I'm ready for it."

Udonna stared unnervingly at Kali. "Very well," she said. "Claire will see you both out of the woods safely. Claire!"

"Here I a-a-am!" Claire bleated as she trotted into the village. She was still in the form of a sheep.

"Oh, my dear child," Udonna chuckled. "When will you get your spells right? See them safe passage out of the woods."

"Yes, Udo-o-onna," Claire bleated. She nudged Kali's legs and then brushed past her.

Kali turned to follow, pausing briefly to cast a glance back at Udonna. Since entering the woods, she had felt a sense of belonging, like she was meant to come here.

"Come on," said Nick, taking her hand and leading her away.

Tearing her gaze away, Kali sighed and followed.

Thoughts?

~Twix