The only way into truth is through one's own annihilation;
through dwelling a long time in a state of extreme and total humiliation.
Simone Weil, Human Personality
True, Craig Hopwood's sleep had not been normal for several months now since his initiation into his new role, but in the last week he had been unable to sneak in more than one or two hours at a time. More often than not he was wide awake at night, sometimes performing light martial arts exercises, sometimes just sitting around thinking about his responsibilities. First and foremost was the war on Twilight Legion, and its allegedly-diabolical leader Arcanza, a faction planning to overthrow established Earth civilization. Next was Univerouge, a clever and mysterious otherworldly adversary that had already needlessly tricked him once, and was still hiding somewhere in town. Then there was Soleron, his mentor since earlier in the year, who was becoming more detached and apathetic every other day from what his teammates believed to be a reaction to transferring the Red Omni Ranger power to Craig. Additionally there was Amber Donaldson, yet another new face in Ivory Glade whose resemblance to Craig and name similarity to Professor Abner Donaldson he was not taking as mere coincidence.
Almost unconsciously now he reached for the golden worry globe hanging around his neck to ease the tension he was feeling. He had to take action soon or it would be too late.
"...keep this up much longer..."
Craig shot up, fists clenching and eyes examining the entire room swiftly and sharply. The voice was clear and mid-toned, almost as though it was spoken in his own mind, and he instantly recognized who it belonged to. It was Soleron. The silence that followed was filled only with tension. He considered it for a while before deciding he had nothing else demanding urgency and reaching for the Omni Morpher, strapping it around his forearm.
"OmniTech Teleport!"
In a heartbeat he was no in his bedroom but inside the large single-floor circular building called Alpha Complex at the edge of town where the ex-Omni Rangers maintained their outpost, the old home of Professor Donaldson during the Orion Five Projects. "Soleron!" he called out. His voice traveled a distance down the hall but failed to produce a response. "Alpha System!" he tried. This time he was answered by the ceiling above him opening up to reveal the prism-like screen of a computer monitor.
"WELCOME BACK TO ALPHA COMPLEX, PROFESSOR. HOW CAN I SERVE YOU?"
"Hello, Alpha. I need to know the location of Soleron," responded Craig politely.
The computer instantly came to life, displaying a layout of the entire building with a blinking red dot in the sleeping quarters. "LOCATION OF SOLERON DETECTED."
"Thanks," the human recognized the machine. Still no clue as to what was going on. "Has anything unusual taken place tonight, Alpha? Particularly with Soleron."
A brief pause later the robotic voice replied, "NO UNORDINARY HAPPENINGS HAVE BEEN RECORDED WITHIN THE LAST SIX HOURS."
Craig sighed and began walking toward Control Point. He knew it had to have been Soleron, and he was talking about keeping it up much longer, but could his imagination and exhaustion combine to produce something so lifelike? Reaching the entrance to Alpha Complex's main control room he place his hand against the black panel in the center. The two sides of the door glided back to allow him to pass through then shut on their own behind him.
The monitors were all switched off, the usual soft whirring absent, the lights were dimmed to a quarter of their strength, but the room was not empty. In the center stood a figure.
Its complexion was dark and semi-scaled, lifeless eyes focused intently on Craig, with two shorter-than-average legs and two longer-than-average arms. Most of the creature was wrapped in black bandages to allow it better hiding. Slowly it took a single step back and spoke in a hushed, broken voice. "I need your help."
"Who are you?" Craig demanded instantly. "What type of help?"
The creature extended its hand, a powerful one with three fingers each equipped with sharp bone nails. "I am called, by Earth tongue, Univerouge."
Before he knew the teenager had reflexively fallen into a defensive martial arts stance.
Univerouge continued anyway. "My entire life I have been in training to become a powerful general, to become the equal of Sir Vesper, a universally-known master of war. I was chosen not because I have great ambition but because Vesper was attacking my home, the Firmament, and only I possessed the potential to stop him. Recently my people intercepted a transmission from this world demanding Vesper's attendance. I followed, hoping at some point to catch him off guard. But when I observed your power as you battled by Invinci-Clone, I realized you were my greatest hope of defeating Vesper once and for all."
Easing his way back to a calm, rational state, Craig slowed his breathing and tried formulating questions. "Why did you sneak in here? And how?"
"I did not sneak in," the alien answered, confused. "I came in through the tunnels."
"Tunnels?" asked Craig, gaze narrowing. "What tunnels?"
Dead eyes raised in surprise, Univerouge pointed toward one of the walls where a tall and wide panel of monitor had moved to reveal a hidden passageway. "Through that tunnel..."
Suddenly the lights increased to full power and the main door opened to admit the five ex-Rangers, Soleron front and center, his natural caution absorbing the scene instantly. "Restrain him!" their leader ordered and instantly Laurasia, Seraide, Pyrial, and Talyserys had positioned themselves so Univerouge was unable to escape.
"So, our mighty Univerouge is nothing but Firmament slime," laughed Talyserys. Though he looked greatly aged, he was in fact young and a warrior unmatched in strength. It was he would reminded the new generation of what using the OmniTech powers could cost.
Craig exclaimed, "Stop! I was talking with him."
"This race lies through their teeth," Laurasia remarked in a disgusted tone. "They only hold their own best interests at heart."
Inside the circle of captors, Univerouge raised his hands in innocence. "I will not deny my presence is self-serving. I will not deny my people have acquired a reputation for dishonesty. I will go so far as to acknowledge the vile temperament of my ancestors. But I desperately seek your help in defeating Sir Vesper."
"We heard your proposal," announced Soleron in his cold tone of leadership, but it was still a much watered-down version of his original manner. "Here is how it will operate. You help us locate Sir Vesper, we aid you in his destruction, and then you submit yourself to us for your destruction. Unless you agree to these terms, return home or we will eliminate you now."
Univerouge growled, scanning the Control Point intensely. "Uncooperative egotistical Omnis burnouts! How dare you present me with ultimatums? I did not come to Earth for your malicious little bargains. You will be sorry." With movements quick and sharp, Univerouge struck at Seraide's legs, sending her to the floor, and made a dash for the tunnel entrance through the opening in his human cage. He disappeared into the darkness.
Craig took a deep breath and demanded of his predecessor, "You're going to explain this...now." His arm, seemingly on its own, lifted threateningly, the light gleaming off the polished metal of the Omni Morpher.
"The Firmament creatures, as Laurasia already told you and it itself admitted, are tricksome, vicious, degenerate creatures," Soleron explained calmly, the only hint of irritation registering in his cold eyes. "His offer was obviously designed to double-cross you from the start. If he suspected you capable of defeating Sir Vesper—which you are not, but I'll address that later—then it was only logical he would see you as a threat as well and turn on you at some point in the future."
"Really," the younger man replied with a nod. "I think you just interrupted because Univerouge was about to tell me about these 'tunnels' running into Alpha Complex."
Soleron, genuinely enraged now, made a swift grab for a golf ball lying near the control panel and began squeezing it as he stormed through the exit and back into the Complex's halls. Seraide and Laurasia charged after him quickly. Pyrial, taking a seat and making himself comfortable, warned, "You'd better take it easier on Sole. Play it smooth, not sharp. He hasn't been himself lately and all of us are worried about him."
"The tunnels you are so suspicious of," Talyserys explained, "were built by the Professor. Some are just quick routes to the power generators outside, some are escape routes to the mountains, and this one—" He gestured toward the cavern where the alien visitor had unexpectedly fled. "—leads to the edge of Ivory Glade."
"Thanks," sighed Craig. "Sorry I get edgy around Soleron. I'm trying my best to adapt to my role of leadership and it's not easy where there are so many secrets being kept from me. Like what you and Seraide are working on."
A quick flash, apparently so he would not notice, passed between Talyserys and Pyrial, but the former replied simply, "Time will reveal everything you need to know to stop Arcanza and save your world. Never say we never do you favors." On his way out he turned again to speak, even in his serious tone his voice was danger incarnate. "Grace of lineage shine on you, Craig Hopwood."
Pyrial was taken aback, but Craig stared dumbfounded, waiting for the explanation. When it was clear the former Blue Ranger was not intending to speak, he demanded, "What was that about?"
"It's a blessing, in the manner of Omnis, usually reserved for people we acknowledge as our superiors." The youngest of the ex-guardians was genuinely shocked by his ally's final words. "It basically means Talyserys trusts his life to you."
"I suspect that is an uncommon happening," wondered Craig.
Pyrial nodded. "Aside from Lord Taerys, lineage embrace him, Lord Oriquin, lineage embrace him, and Soleron, he gives nobody the honor of a blessing. Tally is usually a quiet spiritual person. A blessing of lineage in the highest compliment, almost a swearing of fealty, you can give a person."
But before Craig could squeeze any more information from his source, Alpha Systems sprang to life, announcing loudly, "DISTURBANCE IN IVORY GLADE. ALIEN SHIP DETECTED." The Control Point monitors now displayed an odd-looking triangular space ship slowly rising off the roof of a building. "ONE LIFE FORM ONBOARD. IDENTIFIED AS UNIVEROUGE."
"A Firmament-built ship!" exclaimed Pyrial. "Those trash may be trouble, but they make fine quality transportation. If we had that at our disposal, our struggle would be a lot easier..."
Craig smiled, adding, "I agree. I bet I could sneak on it and take control."
"Don't even think..." began Pyrial, but was interrupted by the shout.
"It's morphin' time! Omni Titan!" The Omni Morpher flooded the chamber in light.
Now feeling the powers of the Red Omni Ranger coursing through his blood, Craig cried, "OmniTech Teleport!" In moments he was standing on the building roof he had seen on the monitor and above him was hovering the three-sided shape of a spacecraft. It matched the color of the sky in the hours past midnight with an out-of-place golden circle in the very center of its bottom side. "OmniTech Sight Barrier!" he conjured. He looked down at his hands to acknowledge they, along with the remainder of his Ranger armor, had become invisible.
The ship was beginning to move forward now and Craig rushed into action. The craft was about twice his height above him, so he judged a perfectly placed backflip, increased in strength by his OmniTech powers, would launch him directly into the golden circular opening. Seconds before he was about to leap he realized how idiotic it was attempting this on his own, but if successful...
Right on target! He landed absolutely silent inside Univerouge's space ship and the sight of the interior took his breath away. Maps of the infinite galaxies were hung along all walls not equipped with radar or system status or security. It was like a compressed version of Alpha Complex that could travel the heavens. Glancing at the security information, although it displayed alien characters and symbols, he could tell it had not detected his arrival.
Walking around the oddly shaped open space, Craig realized he was feeling an odd sensation: the craft was moving—moving at high speed. He quickly realized that if he did not secure himself soon he would be thrown around and discovered for sure. Noticing a closed door near a corner the Ranger approached carefully. The door opened on its own to reveal an elevator within, and Craig slipped in stealthily.
The door closed just as the ship kicked into higher speeds; he could feel his head get lighter and the rush through his body was almost as intense as the first time he had used the OmniTech. Without warning the elevator began to move up, and the invisible rider with it, to open a floor above and present Univerouge waiting patiently for his ride. The alien stepped into the compartment and smacked directly into Craig. The OmniTech Sight Barrier shattered, revealing the intruder. Alarms began sounding wildly and the entire ship was plunged into flashing colors of lights.
"What are you doing here?" growled Univerouge, attacking with his long arms.
"Battle Shield!" Craig exclaimed, just in time to prevent the attack from doing any serious harm. He had to think of something to say, and quickly. "I came to...accept your offer."
The creature's dead eyes narrowed in rage and the assault became even more deadly. "My offer was already rejected. I swore to see you annihilated!"
Those words echoed in Craig's head, awakening something, but he shook the feeling and focused on the confrontation. "Omni Blaster!" The energy blasts knocked Univerouge back a little but did no permanent damage. "I lead the Omni Rangers, not Soleron," he snarled, trying to seem genuine in anger, grateful that the helmet was hiding his face and acting facial expressions were not needed. "The decision belongs to me. OmniTech Riot Cannon!" The summon weapon appeared in his hands, needed both to support its weight. The artillery discharged a mixed sound-light-energy-heat beam and exploded on Univerouge.
When the alien emerged from the small-scale devastation, its flesh was severely burned and a thin cloud of smoke was encircling him. "You will pay with your life for that," it stated.
"You're the one who's going to pay," Craig retorted. "And the cost is your ship."
Univerouge laughed fiercely. "You want my ship?" He paused, scratching his head for a moment before giving an apathetic shrug. "Take it. Soon Ego will awaken and what you have or do not have will not matter." With that he disappeared in a blinding flash, leaving Craig alone with his new acquisition.
Gathered around the monitors displaying Univerouge's massive Firmament Cruiser, Soleron and his allies wore mixed expressions and masked true feelings as easily as breathing. Something was happening on the ship, something important, and all of them were missing out and left in the dark. Alpha Complex used a unique system of transferring images through the fast-moving far-reaching light waves, but because the waves were being blocked by the Cruiser's incredible shielding they could not see inside.
"Senseless zealous child," grumbled Soleron, tapping the panels in a nervous, irritated rhythm as he stared intensely at the screen. "It was a mistake to give the gift of Omni Powers to these reckless children. If we lose our battle, we know damn well who to blame."
Seraide shook her head. "We will not lose the battle," she affirmed. "Young Craig is seizing an opportunity, just like you would have done. Just like you have done!"
"I have never done anything half as irresponsible as chase and board Firmament-built spacecraft piloted by one of their own!" the former Red Ranger exclaimed. "At the very least, if he ever returns, he should be stripped of the power forever." But though he said it, he knew that was not a possibility considering the circumstances. Something passing between the men at his side caught his attention and he asked absently, "Pyrial, Talyserys, are you sharing something more important?"
Pyrial hesitated while Talyserys turned away from him with a scowl. Something was definitely going on. But Laurasia's shocked cry of, "Look!" lowered the importance of all other matters. Soleron watched, stunned, as the space ship froze in mid-flight and began to move in the opposite direction, back toward Ivory Glade, at a similar-speed pace.
"Lineage shine on us," Soleron gasped.
Seraide breathlessly sighed, "He did it!"
"Incredible," Talyserys agreed.
They watched with faces of disbelief as Univerouge's ship came closer and closer toward Alpha Complex. Suddenly, as it got within twenty-some miles, it began to slow down for the approach. Then, just as instantly, the entire craft exploded, changing from marvel of space age technology to minor supernova in the blink of an eye.
"No!" cried Laurasia, echoed by Seraide.
Pyrial groaned, "This cannot be happening," and whatever Talyserys muttered under his breath was something similar.
Soleron was eerily silent.
The remains of the Firmament ship were scattered across the ground, some still harnessing the flames of the explosion, pieces of things that no longer existed. The Pink and Yellow Rangers sifted uneasily through the rubble of metal and otherworldly material that was most likely mingled with parts of their friend. Green Ranger was apart from the rest, carefully conducting his own private search. In the center of the upheaval, Blue Ranger aimed his OmniTech Blaster carelessly and shattered portions of the ship into even smaller fragments.
Soleron, the only representative here on the suggestion of the teenagers, walked through the remnants of Firmament Cruiser and Craig Hopwood. Some place deep down felt responsible for the tragic end, but a place deep up was enraged at the young Ranger for being so careless. His responsibilities had included leading the Power Rangers to victory while alive, now they had lost both a leader and a source of power. But Soleron had conducted this search to find the indestructible OmniTech Ability Band before someone else—like Arcanza—could.
"Over here!" exclaimed Michael suddenly. He pointed with the end of his Blaster toward something small set atop a pile of rubble. Soleron hurried over and kneeled down to lift up the golden worry globe, a miniature replica of the world of Omnis he had given to Craig after he had become the Red Ranger. "What is it?" the Blue Ranger wanted to know.
"Something I gave to him," answered Soleron, standing slowly. Brittany gasped and covered her mouthpiece and Rebecca's reaction was one of shock. Alex kicked a ship piece laying nearby with the added strength of frustration. "Perhaps we should speed up this search around this area and get back to Alpha Complex quickly."
Michael nodded. "Sounds good," he growled, increasing the frequency of his energy blasts. Soleron had been quiet irritated when he had asked earlier to use the Hail Cannon.
Just then a noise from behind them startled the group. They turned to face seven men and three women, clothed in black and violet or orange, varying in facial features and build but all proudly displaying the setting sun logo on their breast. Each was equipped with a Omnis-like weapon: plasma-pistols, warp-blades, and seize-claws.
"Twilight Legion!" Green Ranger exclaimed.
Blue Ranger charged forward, summoning, "OmniTech Storm Lance!" as he did, and engaged in battle with them instantly. Alex and the Gaia Star followed quickly, along with shots from Rebecca's Shock Bow. Brittany stayed with Soleron and drew her Shine Saber ready to defend him; Seraide must have informed her of the pledge and purpose to protect the Red Ranger and, without Craig and the OmniTech, he supposed he filled that no-longer-existent position.
The Legion members fought fiercely, keeping only one eye on the battle while the other was scanning the ground, undoubtedly searching for the lost OmniTech Band. Three of them found their way to Soleron, but Brittany was quick to act in his defense, the blade of her sword shining as she struck them down one by one in seconds.
As if the situation were not chaotic enough, the ground began to tremble. "I knew Arcanza would send some members of the Twilight Legion to search the wreckage," a familiar voice announced, booming like thunder across the wreck-turned-battlefield. "I figured this would give me a clever opportunity to take out some more enemies."
"Is that...?" Yellow Ranger wondered, straining to look around.
"OmniTech Pulse Wave!" A supersonic boom shattered the air and knocked everyone, Legionnaires, Rangers, and Soleron included. Instants later came the call, "OmniTech Annihilation Surge!" Suddenly the ten villains were encased in ten separate red energy barriers that slowly compressed, growing smaller and smaller, until each of them were crushed from the incredible force.
Stepping through a fire grown tall enough to hide his six feet, the Red Ranger approached his friends will a hello wave. "Craig!" Brittany called, de-morphing and rushing toward him. Rebecca similarly powered down and found her way to his side. Soon the remaining Rangers released their Omni Powers and welcomed the friend they though had perished forever.
"I am glad you survived," Soleron said when he made his way over.
"I knew something was up when Univerouge just handed me the Cruiser," explained Craig, "and I wouldn't survive if I stayed on. So I set a course for Ivory Glade and hoped if Arcanza thought I were dead he would come for the OmniTech Morpher himself. He didn't fall for it this time, but we still reduced his number by ten and made him think twice."
Soleron nodded. "Very impressive," he remarked. "What happened to Univerouge?"
Craig's face changed from relief to bewilderment. "He disappeared in a flash after our battle, laughing about how things would be different when he awakened Ego."
"No!" growled Soleron, running his hand through his long black hair to move it away from his eyes. Noticing the questioning looks, he explained, "Ego is a creature of pure energy that lives in a hiding place on various planets until he is awakened. When that happens, he obliterates everyone on the planet and then goes off to find a new home to sleep. If Ego is on Earth, it could mean disaster for both us and Twilight Legion."
Soleron noticed Michael slink back in thought as the others exchanged worried glances. "If it's not one thing, it's another," muttered Rebecca. "What's one more alien out to destroy us? It's becoming rare not to want us dead."
"Don't worry about that," Craig replied, the leadership qualities Soleron recognizes showing through clear and intense. "We are going to find Univerouge before he awakens Ego. And then he will learn why the Omni Rangers are still the most powerful force in the universe." The burning sensation in the young Ranger's eyes reminding Soleron of the time he first developed the ice that consumed himself. But there was a saying here on Earth that haunted his thoughts like an inescapable shadow: When you play with fire, you get burnt.
Original Publication Date: 13 August 1999
