RIR - Mystic Force The Gatekeeper Pt 2

Power Rangers In Retrograde - Mystic Force – Trick 12 The Gatekeeper Part 2

(Based from summaries from mysticforce.powerrangersgateway.com)

"Titan Formation!" Red exclaims.

Quickly the Rangers go titan combining into the Titan Megazord, powering their sword they swing at the gargoyle, in a flash of smoke he is behind them, they swing around only for it to vanish to the side, flanking them with it's spear and sending them careening into the gate.

"Hello Rangers," Morticon gloats, reaching out through a crack in the gate at the Megazord, "your Megazord cracked the gate, enough for me to slip though!"

The Rangers are frozen in fear a moment and Morticon continues, the Gargoyle advanced on them from behind, "Now the who world will know my crushing power! Yes! The time has come, the destruction of the surface world is at hand!"

"Yes, I've done it," pinned between the two the Megazord can do little more then watch as Morticon pulls himself free, blasting them with a dark magical blast from his sword, "I'm free!"

"Oh no!"
"He's out!"
"What now?"
"We've got to fight him?"
"Looks like we have no choice," The Red Ranger says, "Come one guys."

The titan Megazord swings but Morticon easily deflects the blade with his own, hammering the Titan Megazord with his own blade.

Taking to the sky the Ranger try to summon their Titan Spirits for a aerial attack, Morticon blocks that, the Titan Megazord on their back he hammers them with a dark magic strike, demorphing the Rangers.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Clare gasps as she sees Udonna, LeeLee is crouched in a corner, "Udonna, LeeLee....where am I?" as she tries to move she is shocked by the magical barrier around her.

"Your magic was strong enough to raise the gate," Koragg says as Clare comes around. "Now we'll see if you have enough power to open it."

"Don't do it Clare," Udonna warns, "No matter what happens."

"I will never help you Koragg," Clare says firmly.

"I don't intend to ask for your magic," Koragg threatens, "I intend to take it."

Summoning the Eye of the Master a spell seal forms under Clare, causing her to howl in pain as a stone wheel device appears above her.

"Perfect," Koragg gloats, "When the spell wheel is complete the gates will open and our armies will be released."

--------------------------------------------------------------

"He's even stronger then last time," Chip groans in pain.

"He's got more dark magic energy then before," Maddie notes.

"How are we suppose to fight him if we don't have that kind of power," Xander wonders.

Dark clouds gather and the sky turns black, overhead Morticon and the Gargoyle decimate the city.

"Well that's not a good omen at all." a familiar voice says, the Rangers turning to see Blecker offering them a hand.

"No," As they stand Nick looks around, his voice defiant, "This is not the end, Udonna said we were the protectors of the city, and that's exactly what we're going to do."

Blecker moves to Vida patting her back, "Ready to ride together sister?"

Maddie gives Blecker a funny look, Vida just nods, suddenly Blecker's Morpher beeps revealing a anew spell code.

"Is that," Chip comments, "That's the same spell code as our Titan forms!"

"Alright," Xander says patting Blecker's back, "We got someone watching over us."

"Ready?" Nick says as the Rangers line up around him.

"Ready!"

Vida, Maddie, Chip, and Xander transform to dragon formation, quickly dodging the fireballs of the Gargoyle cutting it with their razor sharp wings before coming back around and destroying it with a fire-blast.

Nick Rangers up, summoning his Mystic Racer as he speeds toward the gate, "Don't worry Udonna, Clare, I'm coming!" blasting through any Hidiacs and Styxoids that get in his way.

The moment is short lived however as electricity arcs though the Dragon Megazord, armor turning to scales, it's form turning organic as the dragon roars and flies off. Morticon stops his rampage to gloat, laughing.

"The Rangers have lost their minds, now NOTHING CAN STOP ME!"

"That's up for debate!" It was the familiar voice of female Blecker, as something kicks Morticon making him stumble, as he turns around he sees.

"Catastros?" he says confused, as the horse hammers him with her front hooves. He stumbles again, now taking in the more pinkish color, "No your not Catastros."

The Rose Titan unicorn rears up again, Morticon knocking her over with a slash of his sword.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Another section of the spell wheel complete, Clare howling in pain.

"I beg you Koragg," Udonna pleads, "stop this madness."

"Your please are useless," Koragg argues, "The Master's wishes must be completed to the very end."

Udonna looks to LeeLee then Clare with worry.

"It will soon be over," Koragg muses

"Give me the strength to fight this mother," Clare says breathing heavily.

Udonna looks on worried.

"Silence!" Koragg demands, "It is almost done."

The Spell wheel only one track away from completion, causing another pulse of energy to be drawn out of Clare to wedge open the gate.

"The gate is almost open," Koragg says with pride.

"But the Gatekeeper's energy is almost gone." Udonna pleads, "Clare will not survive."

"It was the only way," Koragg says with a hint of regret.

"I promised you mother to always protect you," Udonna says sadly, "Now I've broken my promise."

Clare looks up to Udonna with all the strength she can muster, "This isn't your fault."

"Koragg!" The Red Ranger says leaping in from out of nothing, his Kick forcing Koragg back some distance, "Let them go!"

"Nick!" Udonna smiles as the spell wheel vanishes and Clare collapses to the ground. "LeeLee is being held here too."

"I'll get you all out," The Red Ranger says drawing his sword, "Koragg!" he demands, "I challenge you to fight, right now!"

"I never say no to a challenge." The Eye of the Master in his shield glowing as the Red Ranger, Koragg, and Clare are transported away.

"W-what's happening," The Red Ranger says confused, looking around to see Clare atop a cliff, still behind a magic barrier.

She calls out his name before Koragg draws his attention, "Your challenge, my battlefield."

"Fine with me," the Red Ranger calls as he summons his Mystic Force Fighter boxing gloves, "Come on!"

"Koragg draws his sword pointing it at the Red Ranger, "I am ready."

The two charge each other, Koragg swings but the Red Ranger rolls under it, the power of the Mystic Force Fighters increasing his footwork as he evade more swings from Koragg. Countering with several punches that Koragg deflects with his sword. Hammering Koragg's shield with a one-two punch with enough force to push Koragg back a few feet. Koragg swings again, the Red Ranger leaping over the attack to attack from behind but Koragg is quick to turn and block each blow knocking the Red Ranger to the ground.
Koragg moves in for the kill, but the Red Ranger flips out of the way and comes back on the offensive with punches and kicks, forcing Koragg on the defensive for the moment. The Red Ranger powers up his gloves going in for a corkscrew fire punch only for Koragg to deflect it and send him sprawling.
The Red Ranger quickly getting to his feet and summoning his sword as he charges back in. Koragg continues to deflect and Counter the Red Rangers moves, getting him once more on the ground but the Red Ranger rolls back to his feet, and the two continue on, neither giving an inch and each quick to press their advantage. Finally The Red Ranger invokes his phoenix fire attack, launching and flipping into the air before coming down like a meteor at Koragg, the attacks devastates Koragg but he remains standing.

"No!" the Red Ranger says in disbelief.

"Your magic is strong," Koragg complements, "But can not compare to that of the Master." Koragg gathers dark energy preparing for his final strike, "Behold his dark power."

The Red Ranger looses his sword and his sent crashing through the stones and earth of the cliff side.

Koragg is quick to close the distance and pin the Red Ranger under his sword, "Now you know the power of dark magic. That kind of power will always triumph."

"Your wrong!" the Red Ranger argues, "There's more power in courage, the kind it takes to keep going even when it looks like there's no hope."  Gripping Koragg's sword he forces it out of his face, "That's why dark magic will never beat us."

"You fool," Koragg counters, "Just surrender." Drawing back his sword ready to finish the deed.

"No!" The Red Ranger howls, suddenly engulfed in fire.

Now free he launches into the air and traps Koragg inside a Mystic Spell Seal the Wolf Warrior howling in defiance as the Red Ranger comes down with his blade.

Koragg tires to block it only for his sword to break in half. "My sword!" he shouts as he stumbles back several paces, his body wracked by explosions before he collapses to the ground.

"Clare!" The barrier around Clare breaks and she collapses to the ground, the Red Ranger rushing to her side, "Are you OK?" he asked helping her to her feet.

"I think so," she answers a bit weakly, "Being a sorceress is tougher then I thought."

Before they can celebrate Koragg rises, a dark seal around him as he stands, "You may have destroyed my weapon but you have not destroyed me."

"No way!" the Red Ranger says in shock, "Koragg!"

He laughs darkly before turning and vanishing.

"This isn't over," The Red Ranger shouts, "Get back here."

Clare stumbles over to the Red Ranger, he catches her as she starts to fall, "The other Rangers," she begins, "Morticon will destroy them."

The Red Ranger stops, pausing a moment, "I hope Blecker is like Catastros, when we combined the power was incredible."

"Believe Nick," Clare offers.

"Right," The Red Ranger says as he runs off.

"And hurry!"

"I raised the gate," Clare says exhausted as she looks skyward, "I'll just have to lower it again." grunting in pain as she focuses her power, sending out a bolt of power before collapsing to the ground and vanishing.

--------------------------------------------------------------

the Rose Unicorn and Morticon pause from trading blows as a energy ray hit the gate and it starts to descend, "No, this is impossible." Morticon howls.

"Nick did it!" Rose exclaims, before quickly spinning around to buck Morticon with her rear hooves.

Necrolai watches in shock as the gate descends, and the sky clears.

"My Dark Magic," Morticon howls, "Who dares interfere."

The Phoenix Titan runs up beside Blecker, patting her back, "You got one more fusion left in you?"

"I'll give it my best shot!"

Like with Catastros the Unicorn zord opens becoming armor for the Phoenix zord. Pressing the battle with their spear Morticon steps back several paces, the Unizord hammering him next with its fire tail before swinging out with their spear again, Morticon blocks the attack.

"My Snow Staff," Now alone in the chamber with just LeeLee and her self Udonna inches closer to her Snow Staff, "Noru Estrava Lox Ra Tu," She begins to chant.

"What are you doing," LeeLee whimpers, backing away from the light.

"Quiet child I need to concentrate."

At Morticon and the Megazord it begins to snow the Unizord stopping, "Where is this energy coming from?" the Rose Ranger's voice says.

"Let's see what it can do," the Red Ranger answers, "Final Strike!"

"Time to end this," Morticon gloats, his blade encased in dark energy as the Megazord charges at him.

As the two blades collide the dark energy wrapped around Morticon blade freezes, the weight of it to much forcing him to stumble backward.

"It's got to be Udonna," Rose and Red say together ans they charge forward, for another final spear attack.

"Now we can't loose," The Red Ranger says as they strike dead on, Morticon stumbling backward, before collapsing. "Checkmate!"

Back in the Pit Udonna continues chanting, her bubble frosting over until it finally shatters and she returns to normal size, she goes for her Snow Staff only to be pounced on by a full on werewolf LeeLee foaming at the mouth. As the roll along the ground they finally vanish together.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Wake up child," Udonna says calmly as Clare rouses from the ground of the mystic wood, it is snowing and a snarling were LeeLee is bound by magical chains. "It's over."

"Udonna," Clare says happily getting to her feet, "Your alive!" the she pauses looking at the werewolf, "A-and you brought a pet?"

"Quick child," Udonna says calmly, "We must hurry back to Rootcore, I will need you assistance to break the spell placed on our newest Ranger."

Clare nods, then glances down at the crown in her hands, "There's a little power left, not much, not enough to become the Gatekeeper again."

"The power of the Gatekeeper will come to you in time, for now save the crown, things are going to get a whole lot worse from hear on out, despite Morticon's destruction."

Clare tilts her head curiously as they walk, "H-How so?"

Udonna sighs, "While I was able to escape with LeeLee I was not able to recover my Snow Staff."

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Where could the others have gone," Nick wonders as he and Blecker, in female form, wander through the Mystic Woods.

Blecker looks distracted a moment as she looks over at Nick, images dancing in her mind of the two kissing, on a date. She quickly pushes those aside and jumps as Nick paces a hand on her shoulder.

"You alright Blecker?"

She nods shakily, "I-I'll be fine....I saw the dragon fly off this way. And the only thing big enough to hid a dragon out here is-"

"The Cave!" Nick says breaking into a run, Blecker trying to keep up as they dash toward a large cave, a oppressive heat coming from the mouth as they move cautiously inside.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking Nick?"

"This has something to do with the Fire Heart?"

Blecker nods, "It was a dragon egg, they became a more organic version of Dragon Formation. Some kind of final defense?"

Moving deeper into the cave Nick and Blecker Morph, Nick using his MagiStaff as a makeshift torch until they reach the main area of the cave and both Rangers gasp, seeing the massive form of the others as one huge dragon. A dragon grunting in pain as she lays another egg adding it to a already small clutch of them.

Blecker looks down and holds her stomach a moment wistfully, then quickly pushes the thoughts away, "Maybe if we both focus our magic we can counter the curse. After all Dragon Formation is also Titan Mode if we can induce the Titan Megazord."

"Right," the Red ranger says and the two go Titan, then start to glow fiercely, the Dragon swinging it's head around and breathing fire at them, the Mystic Phoenix using it's body to protect the unicorn, dropping him to one knee.

"It's working, keep focusing," the Unicorn advises, noticing armor starting to form on the dragon's limbs.

The dragon swipes at them, the unicorn blocking with her body before slumping to the ground just as the Dragon collapses, splits apart, and reforms as the titan Megazord, the Rose Ranger turning to energy and joining them in the cockpit a moment later.

"W-What happened," The Green Ranger says as they quickly split and return to normal ranger form, "It's all kind of fuzzy."

the Pink ranger looks sick as she looks to the clutch of dragon eggs, "did we..."

The Blue Ranger puts a confronting hand on her shoulder, "I think so."

"We can't just leave them here," Yellow comments, "What if Necrolai finds them."

"We also need to get back to Rootcore," Rose says dropping to the floor with a deep breath, "No telling if our spell was permanent or if your change again the next time you go Dragon Formation."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Blecker, still in girl form, rests on a cot as LeeLee sits in a chair nursing some tea, she glances over at Blecker just before Clare rushes in excitedly.

"Udonna, I did it!"

"What is it Clare?"

"I finally perfected my vanishing spell," Clare says as she begins the motions, "Watch."

This time her top half vanishes, Blecker claps, "Very impressive!"

"Ok," Clare laughs nervously, "Maybe not perfected."

"I think it's pretty good," LeeLee comments.

"Yeah just cast it again and get your legs," Blecker adds, "A 2 part vanishing spell is still more then I can pull off."

The Rangers all chuckle as well as Clare, "Thanks everyone." she laughs before stumbling off.

LeeLee returns her attention to Blecker, "So you've been a Ranger all this time and only now got a Titan mode."

Blecker nods, "It's all very long and complicated." She says before laying down.

"And combining with the other Rangers really wears you out?"

Blecker nods again.

"And everytime you transform it takes a few hours before you can return to being a boy."

Blecker nods.

"And you live in San Angels and use the root network to get here when the Rangers call.

Blecker nods once more.

LeeLee whistled, her voice low, "And I thought my home life was rough."

"Nicole's been my best friend since this stated," Vida says sitting next to Blecker, glancing apologetically over at Chip, "Not many guys are willing to give up their manhood for a stranger on a weekly basis and risk their neck saving the world. And when we combine we're unstoppable."

"No offense V," Blecker says yawning, "but I just fought Morticon, and helped defeat him, fused into a new Megazord with Nick,  then fused again with you guys to break Dragon formation, I'm crashing here, can we save the conversations for after have a few good hours sleep and preferably a good meal."

Vida nods, wrapping Blecker in her cloak, "Sleep tight."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Morticon's blade lies abandoned in the sand as Koragg stalks toward it, taking a firm grip of the handle, "Morticon is no more, but his weapon will be of great use to me."

Deep in the pit Necrolai moves about hectically, "Koragg can not be trusted, Who will lead us now that Morticon is gone?"

================================================

"I figured we'd take it easy this game, just get you guys to the Shadow, but save the fight for next time. On account of LeeLee and Nicole's ordeals." Maddie explains.

"Works for me," Chip comments, the others following suite.

"You travel west for most of the day and rest at a clearing for the night."

"Who want's first watch?" Nick wonders.

"Am I away now?" Chip asks.

"You're a little hung over but awake."

"I'll take first watch then," Chip offers, "Do I see anything strange that night?"

"As a matter of fact you do."

Blue smoke rises from the fire causing a mist to gather about it, the Mist coalescing into the image of a young woman.

Crunan readies his sword, Xanril his bow.

"You're still asleep."

"Oh yeah," Xander says embarrassed, Blecker chuckles.

"Who are you! Speak!" Crunan demands. "Or I shall smite thee with my mighty blade."

"Smite thee with your mighty blade?" LeeLee chuckles.

Chip glowers are her.

"Help me," the vision speaks, "Save me. I am imprisoned in the south."

"She wishes us to free her," Norian comments.

"Your still asleep Nick."

"Me too?" Xander asks.

"Yeah."

"Free you!" Crunan wonders. "Where are you mysterious lady? Who holds you prisoner?"

"The Shadow," the image whispers terrified.

"The Shadow."

"The Shadow!"

"The Shadow?"

"fear not noble lady," Loraella announces.

"We shall free you." Norian adds.

"By morning you shall again sup the sweet air of freedom," Xanril inserts.

"Sup the sweet air of freedom?" Blecker jokes.

"Shut up."

"You guys are all asleep," Maddie chuckles.

The party dropping back to the ground.

"Not you Crunan."

"Oh," Chip chuckles, "Sorry."

"To the south, come to the south," the image begs, "Past the river, through the ruins of the ancient castle." as she starts fading away, "Free me. Please."

"You journey southward for several day," Maddie picks up, "You brave dark forest and cross vast plains, you climb steep cliffs and wind you mountain trials, day after day the six of you press forward. After a week's journey you come to a river that blocks your path. The river is shallow enough for you to wade through, Caren made a save roll."

"What?" Blecker asks annoyed, "Why?"

"One of the draw back of the cat costume is a fear of large bodies of water."

Blecker swears once then again after her roll.

"I not going anywhere near that river!" Caren shakes.

"Well we're going to have to knock her out," Loraella muses.

"What?" Caren says in disbelief.

"I agree," Crunan says cracking his knuckles.

"Well this should be interesting," Norian comments.

"G-Guys!" Caren says backing away.

Vicamros pushes to the front, "Guys I got this, I'll just play a lullaby."

"I-I like that idea, let's go with that one!" Caren trembles.

"Roll for it."

"Everyone else plug your ears," Vicamros advises.

"In short order Caren, you load her up on the back of  Norian's dragon and press onward, everything goes smoothly as you follow a forest trail south until you are surrounded by bandits.

"An ambush?" Chip injects, "We have 3 elves in our party, and hey Xander don't you have the Detect ambush skill?"

He nods.

"I rolled for you, you all failed."

"There is no way all 3 of us failed," Blecker adds.

"Hey look I'll roll again," Maddie concedes removing her DM screen and rolling some dice.

Everyone gasps, "Those dice are broken," Nick commenting, "You can't get that many fails, it's just not possible!"

"Can I move on now?" Maddie wonders.

The group all shrug.

"Make way for the Bandit King."
"All hail the Bandit King."
"Hail! Hail!"

A figure in a brown tunic approaches the group resting his hand on his sword confidently, "Good day gentlemen. I am the Bandit King, this road belongs to me and you see there is a toll. You see the Bandit King is in the employ of...The Shadow."

"The Shadow."

"The Shadow!"

"The Shadow?"

"Should you choose to pass peacefully, the toll is merely all your worldly possessions. Should you choose to fight the toll is, your lives. It's your choice but I warn you not to underestimate us."

"Can we fight now?" LeeLee asked bored.

"Well the bandits have a +4 moral bonus, they also have a +2 terrain bonus due to the forest...and the ambush. So I set you to hit rolls at +6." Maddie takes a deep breath, "Now begins the killing...followed by light salad."

Loraella casts a fireball at one of the bandits.

"Your a Cleric now," Maddie corrects.

"Oh...right," LeeLee muses. "I'll attack with my staff."

Vicamros charges forward, attacking with his sword, his slashes have some trouble hitting their mark due to the bandits ambush, only taking a couple nicks while making serious wounds to Vicamros. Crunan charges forward, using his sword to parry and defend his team, beside Norian and Xanril the bandits getting the drop on them and whittling down their numbers.

"Can I wake up now?" Blecker wonders.

"Let me check," Maddie says checking her notes, "Yes."

Awaking with a start Caren growls before leaping from the back of Norian's dragon tearing through the bandits. Giving the others a opening to turn the tide until only the Bandit King remains, he makes a run for it.

"Oh how far away is he," Xander wonders?

"About a hundred yards."

"Oh that's extreme range even for a elf," Blecker comments.

"Yeah," Chip adds disjointedly.

"Um...how much cover does he have?"

"The forest is a little thick around here, it's about nine/tenths."

"Ouch," Blecker sighs.

"Don't forget your -2 wound penalty," Nick adds.

"What's your to hit?" Maddie asks.

Xander looks at his note a moment and looks up with a shrug, "I can only hit on a 20."  The group grumble a bit before Xander shrugs, "Well, I'll take the shot."

Xander rolls his dice the group following it excitedly it bounces all over the table before settling on...a round of cheers from the group.

Xanril lines up his shot, measuring the wind and preparing to let loose a single arrow, it speeds through the air, cuts through the brush seeking a barely seen target, until a lone scream is heard deep in the woods and suddenly goes silent. After celebration and looting the dead for all their worth the party head on. Following brigand's road for a few hours until the forest swallows the path and they are again in the wilderness. They hike for 3 more days and eventually follow a path through Kan Adore, as they exit the hills the land slopes down before them. There on the point below they come to the ruins of a once great castle, sitting sullenly in the shadows.

"The princess must be in that castle," Norian comments.

"Onward," Crunan states, "Our journey is nearing it's end."

"Broken stones and petrified wood litter the grounds outside the castle, you follow the remains of what was ones a great road to the ruins only to find a set of massive iron bars blocking the entrance."

"OK I rip them out of the way," Chip comments, "I have a 95% chance to succeed."

"Roll it."

Crunan bends down taking a firm grip of the rod and pulls...out his back. He limps away.

"Let me try it," Xander offers.

"What's you strength?"

"Six."

"Roll it."

Xanril bends his knees taking a firm grip and wrenches the gates from the wall tossing them aside victoriously. He cheers before looking over at Crunan gloating, "Lift with the legs Crunan not the back."

"And now you need only venture into the castle," Maddie says, "We'll save the climax for next time."