[Sentai]

Fall of a Hero

Jennifer didn't accomplish much in her short life. She was only fifteen, what was she expected to do? And always so shy. She did something with herself though. She volunteered at the local Animal Hospital, that made her happy. And she was a decent enough student. Malory though was the star athlete of the family. Jennifer.. she was just there.
But there was once. There was one time when she stood alone and become something more than herself for someone else. But then...

One Week After Ares
One Day Ago
On the outskirts of the City
Military Blockade

"Any word from inside the zone, Commander?" The grizzled face and graying bears of the commander pulled back into a stern look of stone. "No, Private. So stop asking and keep watching the goddamn line. Those Rangers saved us so far but we ain't taken any damn.. chances.. “ Both men, and every single man and woman holding the perimeter of the lost city, turned their attention towards the skies above. Descending from the skies, piercing the black of the clouds which perpetually blanketed the city day and night revealing the Full Moon and Star Sea behind, came a great tower. Like something broke off an old castle, made of white stone faded over time and overtaken by whisping thorned vines. Like the scraggly fingers of a corpse stretching over the exterior.
“Commander! There’s something on the top! We’ve got visual!” Snatching the Night-Vision from around his neck, the Watch Commander began adjusting the zoom with his right index finger slowly. Though his breath caught in his throat when the figure atop that ivory tower shifted into focus.. The figured was wrapped within torn and tattered cloaks caught in the breeze, the hood covered most his facial features but he could make out the rotting and decaying flesh of his mouth, jawline, and neck beneath. The figure looked emaciated. Unnaturally thin with pale flesh barely clinging to the visible bone beneath. Claw-like boney fingers of it’s right hand wrapped tight around the wooden handle of his staff. No.. Scythe! But.. the Commander’s heart-stopped. From beneath the hood the creature’s piercing yellow eyes opened and narrowed upon him! Turning, mouth opening to warn his soldiers to hold cover, he saw it was far to late. The tower behind him had landed within the center of the ruined City, the scythe had been swung, and every one of his soldiers once holding the line now lay dead and rotting on the streets.
But that was he heard it.. the voice from behind him that could only have come from hell. Quiet, rasping, with a rumbling undertone. Like someone had taken each word and drug it raw and bleeding across limestone before it could be heard. “Watch Commander David Richardson. Born 1960 in Portland, Oregon. Wife, Mary Richardson, died of Cancer one year ago. Now the Commander of the Overwatch of this ruined city. You have lived a good life.” Screaming angrily David turned with gun drawn, holding the service semi-automatic with both hands as he unloaded hot shell after hot shell into this walking corpse! But the Beast just stood there.. Each Bullet becoming rust and decaying before even coming close to piercing his flesh. “You have fought the good fight, but now.. Death has Come to claim you.” A single hand outstretched and touched the chest of the brave soldier. And within seconds he fell before Him, body rotted and decayed, eyes wide, and mouth opened in a silent scream no one would ever hear. And the decayed creature merely turned, and refocused his attention back towards the ruined cityscape laid out before him. “I am Hades. I am Satan. I am Death. And I have come. Arise my Harpies... Arise for your Master.”
From each corpse rose lithe hands of crimson flesh, ripping from their ruined chests and stretching themselves skyward. Pulling themselves into this plane of existence through the dead and decayed forms of those brave men and women who once lined these battlements. Until they stood on raised clawed feet.. Each was female, wearing thin black tops and loin cloth bottoms. With large leather wings outstretched behind them, long raven hair near touching their backsides, and holding various scarred swords and axes. The one which rose from that brave commander mockingly claimed his helmet. Wearing it lopsided as she joined the side of her Master. “My loyal Cassandra.. Go, seek them out, toy with them as you please. But bring one to me. They have taken one of our kin, so I intend to claim one of theirs. Show them the wrath of the Old Ones.” The sultry twisted creature threw back her head and cackled, giving a long thin grin before calling her sisters skyward. Each giving the screech of a hawk as they took for the skies and began their search..

Ruined Neighborhood
Exalted 'Barracks'

"How long has he just been standing there?" Jennifer had been watching Alastair standing on the roof of the Boys' house, like he had been for the past week or so. If she didn't see him do it she'd swear he never even slept. Malory just rolled her shoulders in a soft shrug while looking through what clothes could be saved from their house. Good bet the Old Ones knew their real names, each of their houses were completely razed to the ground. So what they saved.. wasn't much. "Least since he took down that Old One. Why are you staring?"
But then she grinned, and playfully tossed one of Jennifer's saved shirts at the side of her head. "Aw! Jenny has herself a crush!" Giving an annoyed huff, she claimed her crumpled shirt from her lap and just glared. "I do not! Just... He seems lonely, is all." "He is." Both girls turned towards the door to see Melissa returning with more salvaged clothes, these from the neighboring houses. Not much, but it'd be enough. "Alastair's been fighting the Old Ones since this War started. By himself."
"How?" Jennifer asked, but both girls watched for the answer. Laying the box down, Melissa sat on the edge of her bed and folded her arms close against her chest as she went on with her story. "When the Old Ones came it caught everyone by surprise. But not Alastair.. He's been preparing for this since he was born. He forged his bond with Dragon soon as he could walk. But.. The first blitzkrieg came so quick he was cut-off from the rest of the kingdom. So when I was sent here with Malcolm to find ones who could become the Guardians, Alastair went on fighting at home. But then Ares came and.. Well, he knew he was needed more here than on the front line."
Jennifer had hung off every word, all while just continuing to stare off.

Over on the boy's side though, while Dwayne was in the house fixing the chair he busted goofing off, Malcolm climbed onto the roof to join his old friend. The large Exalted Black stood with his arms folded across his broad chest. While Alastair, wearing a simple pair of blue jeans alone, stood with his arms clasped behind the small of his back comfortably. The two men could've been brothers. Malcolm was taller. More broad, and filled in a tank top better. But in the worn and withered eyes, and the features, they were damn near identical. "She's watching you again." Alastair stole a glance from over his shoulder, and gave a tired nod before returning his gaze towards the city. "I know." "So?" "... So what? She's a little young for me, don't you think." Malcolm gave an annoyed grunt. "Not what I meant, Stair, and you damn well know it."
Alastair just shook his head. "No, I haven't talked to Melissa yet." "Not since you barked at her." Malcolm turned himself enough to watch the other house, and even smiled slightly when Jennifer caught he was watching and disappeared inside the house. probably to blush herself to death. “She’s your sister, Stair. I get why you did what you did. But she doesn’t need a Drill Sergeant right now, she needs her big brother. Melissa’s a natural leader. She took kids, damned kids!, and made us an effective team. But inside?” Alastair could only nod along. “I know, Mal. I know. But the less she knows about what happened when she was sent here the better. .. Hold.”
Turning his attention skyward, Alastair turned his head as though listening to some far off voice only he could hear.. “Dragon’s calling. He’s hearing pleas for help in what’s left of the city. Gather everyone, we’re moving now!”

Downtown. Downtown was an empty warzone. Ruined buildings, fires no one was here to put out, least there weren’t many bodies. Jennifer felt horrible for thinking that but.. Each Guardian stepped out of their borrowed military Humvee and took a quick look around. “This used to be Gia Square..” Alastair furrowed his brow. “Odd name.” Jennifer gave a small blush, and a smaller nod. He was right behind her! “It was.. uh.. named after a famous Power Ranger who helped save the world once.. The MegaForce Rangers..” Alastair nodded thoughtfully. “Shame we could not do better. We are splitting up. Malory you will take Dwayne and search down the main road.” Dwayne grinned and threw his arm around her shoulder, right up until Melissa slapped him hard upside the head. “It’s not a date, Dwayne. Someone’s out there hurt.” Rubbing his head he gave a quick nod. “Yea alright... damn...” Eyes rolling, Alastair went on. “Melissa, please take Malory and search the surrounding buildings. Malcolm, you will search alone through the tunnels.” “Subway” Melissa corrected her brother. “Right.. Subway.” Can no one in the Earth Kingdom name something that isn’t confusing? “I will take Jennifer and search the outlaying area. Stay in contact. Do not fight alone.” Each one nodded, Dwayne saluted until Jennifer slapped him, and they all began off for their patrols.

“You have been quiet.” Jennifer stiffened, was it possible for her to blush more? Oh she wished she had worn her Varsity Hoodie.. then atleast she could hide herself in the big plush hood. This flimsy yellow tanktop wasn’t helping anything! “Just thinking..” Alastair had to smile at that. But quickly he was back on business. They’d searched almost seven city blocks and the surrounding ring roads that encircled the square and still nothing. Could Dragon’ve been wrong? “About?” If they weren’t going to find anything he might has well try and learn more about these young people her sister trusted so completely. “Just.. this was my home. And I know we’ll beat the Old Ones, whatever they are, it’s just..” Alastair knew. “You’re wondering how you ever go back to normal. How all of this gets fixed.” Jennifer nodded. “One day at a time, Jennifer. I know why my sister chose you now. You have a good heart.” And there was that blush again. He would’ve gone on but they both turned. There was coughing nearby.. Someone was alive?!
Both of them rushed towards the noise. Alastair took care of the heavy lifting, silently thanking Malcolm for all those training sessions when he was growing up, while Jennifer crawled under the piece of wall to search for the source of the sound. “It’s okay, Shh.. take my hands. Hold it steady, Alastair!” Carefully pulling, Jennifer brought out a small boy. He could’ve only been ten years old but he clung against Jennifer tight as his little hands would let him. “He must’ve been stuck here.”
Alastair let the wall fall back down with a horrible crack, and with a quick pop of his back gave a single nod. “Is he injured?” Jennifer shook her head softly. “I don’t think so.. Just tired and hurt. Is he who we came for?” Alastair canted his head, listening to Dragon’s words. “He is. But be ready.. Dragon has sensed the stench of an Old One.”
The Cackling coming from nearby both forced them to turn. Perched atop a few broken and destroyed cars were strange, scantily clad, red skinned, winged women.. Armed with swords and axes, and was one of them wearing an officer’s helmet? “Alastair..?” He raised his arm. “Protect him.” Reaching behind him, Alastair gripped his Morpher tight. Bringing the device around, slapping it onto his wrists, his hands lowered with his hands clenched tight. “Breath of the Dragon!”

Leaping skyward Alastair clanged the golden bracers together, the chime so loud the harpies each held their ears in horrible agony. A simply backflip and Alastair landed perfectly, covered in a black underarmor one piece that covered all except from his head. From the ground his Dragon rose around him. Growling, snarling angrily as it coiled around Alastair. The tail wrapping around his legs forming his boots, pointed thigh and calve armor. It’s hind legs grasping hold of his waist to form his belt and buckle. The body wrapped and coiled around his chest forming his chest armor and shoulder protectives, while the arms of the beast slid down Alastair’s and held tight. Forming the arm armor and gloves. And the final piece. The head opened wide, roaring out his anger, before snapping his jaws shut around Alastair’s head to form the helmet.

Coming from the skies, thundering through the clouds, the Protector of People has Come.. Exalted Dragon Prince!

The Harpies each cackled in turn when their apparently helmeted leader motioned them forward for the attack. And Dragon Prince just held himself fast. The first Harpy to arrive rose her sword and swung but Dragon just calmly rose his hand and caught her wrist. Wide surprised eyes was the last expression the Harpy made before Alastair’s free hand punched straight through her stomach, sending her lifeless body toppling away before it just rotted into dust.. no ashes. Alastair’s eyes widened this time. He knew where these had come from.. “Run, Jennifer! Hide now!”
Jennifer didn’t need to be told twice. Holding the crying child, cradling his blonde head in her head, she pumped those legs harder than she could ever remember. Malory was the swimming star. Jennifer? She was the prize runner. And she could hurdle over debris without needing to think. “It’s okay..” She whispered softly. “He’s a Power Ranger. Like the MegaForce, like Lightspeed Rescue, like the original Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. You’re going to be safe.” And she believed that. Even when he way was blocked by one of the Harpies that broke off from the main attack. Jennifer skidded to a stop. Staring at the half-naked monster perched on the toppled lamppost like her private roost. Cackling, gripping her axes tight. “Little girl runs.. little girl hides.. but where little girl run to now hmn?” Jennifer just narrowed her eyes. “Not going to.”
Setting the boy down, she gave his forehead a tender kiss. “Stay hidden.” A quick nod and he quickly scrambled behind cover. Leaving Jennifer to stand up, downright glaring towards the Harpy woman.. thing. “I’m not running anywhere.” The Harpy just grinned watching as Jennifer pulled her buckle out from her back pocket, holding it tight.

Guard the Spirit! Hawk of the Open Skies!

Becoming the Guardian Yellow she called down her shield and rose it just in time to deflect away the Harpies first attack with both axes. The Beast was airborne. Circling around, cackling maniacally watching the little Yellow Ranger beneath. “Think this is funny?” In one fluid movement the shield slid down her arm, her body turned, and she hurled the weapon skyward.
The Harpy, cackling louder when she dodged the weapon, was halfway through her dive to sink her axes deep into Yellow’s shoulders.. When the Shield bounced off the nearby building and struck her hard against the back of the head. Sending the ashes of the destroyed beast whisping the breeze as yellow expertly caught her weapon back on her arm. “Well, I thought that was funny. Come on!” Holding out her hand, she waited until the little boy gripped tight, and began running off. Holding him tight against her chest again.
She needed a place to put him. Somewhere safe he could hide. But where? There was just empty road, the ruins of the park, and a whole lot of nothing.. The park! Twisting her body she leaned forward and pressed her legs harder. Praying to whatever God happened to be showing Mercy at the moment that it was still here... Through the woods, sticks and branches whipping her body like small angry hands, she damn near laughed when she saw it!
The Old Clubhouse wasn’t much. Just a bunch of branches and leaves made into a makeshift hut, showing it’s age but it still looked sturdy as ever. Back before all of this Jennifer and Malory used it to hide out and talk. Jennifer had her first kiss here.. Her name was Genesis. And now, Gods willing, it would hide the boy. Setting him softly inside, she carefully took off her helmet. Hoping him seeing her face would help. “Listen. This Clubhouse protected me from alot of storms. I’m just going to go and make sure those evil things don’t find you.. Stay here, stay hidden. I will come back.” The boy nodded and shifted deeper inside, and she smiled warm. Offering him her helmet to hold while she gave his head a soft ruffle of her hand through his hair. And took back off towards the sounds of fighting.
Sadly she didn’t make it far. A few hundred yards out she brought herself to a dead halt, surrounded. One by one Harpies landed on dead and broken trees, lush evergreens, and fallen trunks. Each one cackling, growling, holding their blood soaked weapons tight in their slender fingers. “You killed our sister...” Jennifer smiled.. why was she smiling? Oh right, to hide the fact she was so scared she could barely hear the Harpies over the sound of her own heart thundering inside her chest. “Yup. Killed her dead.” The Harpies all snarled like rabid frothing beasts, and Jennifer just grinned. That’s it.. Piss off the angry demon women things!
Around her the Harpies nearly leapt for her.. But they were stopped. Jennifer stood back upright, watching them all warily.. Why did they stop? And instantly she regretted asking. Stepping out of the shadows of the trees came Death himself. His cloak trailed behind him, revealing glimpses of his decaying body beneath. Wearing armored boots and gauntlets which were far to big for his mealy emaciated arms and legs. The hood, mercifully she thought, keeping his face wrapped in shadows. Except for those diseased yellow eyes watching her with such interest.. “Such bravery.. Bravery unlike I have seen on this plane of existence. So willing are you, Child, to lay down your life to save a child that you do not even know. Such strength in your heart.. Such wasted effort. I am Death, Child. I am the chilled wind which follows you through the graveyard at night. I am the lingering shadow which claims all things..” Raising his hand, Death caught the shield so expertly thrown during his monologue. Watching the frightened expression on Jennifer’s lovely features as her weapon decayed and rusted into dust before her eyes. And Death laughed. An empty completely soulless sound. “Such courage.. Perhaps I shall not kill you so quickly. Not when breaking your strength shall prove so much more rewarding.” Jennifer growled, tears in her eyes, and with all her strength leapt for Death himself..

Alastair had beaten back the Harpies and now took for the woods. He was certain Dragon had told him this was where Jennifer had gone.. But there was no sign. Not until he came across the small makeshift hut and saw the small child within clutching that Yellow helmet. Alastair smiled, retracting his visor so the boy might see he was human. “Greetings, Young Warrior.. My name’s Alastair. Do you know where my friend went?” The boy nodded and pointed towards the north and the thickest part of the Forest. Giving a nod, Alastair gripped his buckle and detached it so he could contact his sister. “Okay. My friends will be for you in a couple minutes. You were very brave. I’m going to look for Jennifer now, alright?” The boy nodded, offered him her helmet, and watched as Alastair took off for the wood.
He couldn’t remember ever running this fast, his heart beating this hard, him praying so frantically. Praying to the Elders which Came Before that he would find Jennifer alive and... safe.. “By the Gods, No!”
Within the clearing stood a Cross made from two skinned Evergreen trees. The Symbol of their Family etched into the top using crude claws. Ropes made from vines lashed her wrists to the crossbar, stretching them taut on either side of her limp frame. As another held her ankles against the main tree of the cross. Keeping her body raised just high enough only her toes rested against the small platform meant to support her weight. His heart sank.. She looked like she’d been beaten. Her lip was swollen and angry red, her right eye was bruised, and her body was covered in scars and wounds. Each one he could see through the torn cloth of her uniform. From the piles of ashes around the cross she took alot of them down with her, that made him proud, but that would come later. Now he needed to get here.. down. No. This was to easy. He stayed firm and clenched his hands into fists so tight he could feel his knuckles become white.
“A wise decision, Prince Alastair.” Emerging from behind the cross came Death himself. Holding his scythe tight as an old man would a walking stick. “So rightfully deducing that I have constructed this trap to lure you closer.. Do not fret, she is very much alive. I find Live Bait draws so many more flies than dead rotting meat.. She is not the one I wished to hurt. She is not the one whom destroyed our Brother. You.. You are the one who’s soul I have come to claim.” That was when Alastair finally saw them glinting in the sunlight. Small wire so thin you’d never see them unless you looked close. Each one pulled tight and wrapped around Jennifer’s body like small razors ready to cut. Trip one, they pull, and she suffers. Following them with his eyes, Alastair growled when he saw each of the ten wires were attached at their ends around each of Death’s fingers..
“Take me then.. Let her go.” His eyes widened. The growl caught him off guard, as did the bounding hulk of Black Ranger leaping over him as though he were two inches tall. Coming down with his Axe Malcolm’s great weapon sliced through each of the strings in one single swing. Death merely watched. Four blue arrows screeched from the treetops, expertly slicing through the vines holding Jennifer but she did not fall. Dwayne rushed her like he was breaking through an entire defensive line to catch the game winning football, in this case Jennifer, who he rushed to safety. Leaving Red. Standing behind death, Sword at his slender neck and glistening in the breaking sunlight. “You hurt one of us, you hurt all of us. You are not alone, Brother! And you Death... your time is over.”
“Is it now?” Before Alastair could warn her Death touched her blade, causing it to rust and break, forcing her to leap backward out of his reach and toss the weapon aside before the rot reached her hand. Death’s yellowed eyes turned themselves towards Malory holding the injured, but recovering, Jennifer. And then towards Alastair alone. “Remember my touch.” “NO!” Rushing him, hoping he was fast enough, he would soon learn he was no where near.. A single movement of his hand and a hidden string pulled taunt, one wrapped tight many times around Jennifer’s slender neck. Her eyes became wide, mouth opened for breath which would not come, Malory screaming. Frantically trying to sever the wire with a nearby rock while Malcolm rushed the string with his Axe pulled up and ready.. But it was to late for them all. A single pull of his hand and Jennifer’s neck snapped. Broke from the spine leaving her lifeless, eyes wide open, and motionless within Malory’s clutching arms. Malcolm roared his anger, turning to throw his sword at Death.. but he was gone. And the large man could only fall to his knees in despair. Melissa collapsed onto her knees. Unable to form words as she watched Malory helplessly clutching her sister’s dead body against her chest and just cried. What else could she do but cry.. Dwayne tried helping, but all he could do was lay his hand on her shoulder and let her cry. And Alastair.. Alastair turned away, in time to see the small boy emerge from the woods still holding Yellow’s helmet. His young unknowing eyes looking up to him, wondering where his friend and savoir had gone.