Spirit Ranger: Baptism by Fire (Repost)

[KingRed]

Okay. Here's a repost of the three part series premiere of Spirit Rangers.

Spiritranger
Baptism by Fire, Part I
(Season One, Episode 01)


The city of Stockton. Is one of the largest cities inside of New Jersey but for the most part, it does not look like any major city like Philadelphia or New York. Stockton has rural areas throughout its borders where farmers raise fruits, vegetables and even livestock. Stockton also holds large areas of suburban communities. Nicely constructed houses that span throughout different parts of the city. Ghettoized apartment complex sprinkle small corners of the town as it shifts into the center of Stockton. Inside Stockton itself are a class of tall buildings, too tall to be a part of a town but too small to be skyscrapers. This area is full of action as a majority of Stockton’s business comes in and out of the area.
The sun begins to set upon the tall buildings within Central Stockton. People hustled along to get back to their homes in order to get away from the cold winter night. A top one of these buildings, a brilliant light began to glow. It is this light that catches the eyes of some citizens but think little of it at first. What the citizens do not know is that this was the beginning of one of the greatest struggles the world will endure.
A top the building, a blade clanks against another sword as a duel begins. A sharp thrust of a double-bladed saber screamed forward at the oddly oval sword. The oval sword slashes upward, pushing away its other weapon. Fire began to burn a top the building, illuminating the battle. Holding the oval- shaped sword was a twin-horned man with skin blacker than night and protected by a demented designed armor. The twin-horned man growled a moment at his adversary.

“You will not win this battle Hariel. Your powers are greatly diminished, fallen one. I will kill you where you stand.”

The wielder of the double-bladed sword stood defensively as he stared down his foe. His eyes were a crystal emerald that this world has rarely known. His long silver mane began to breathe in the wind. Yet, the most notable attribute about him was the wings behind his back. Hariel was an angel, ready to fight the demon in front of him with no pause.

The angel spoke, “Even with my powers diminished, I will still kick your sorry ass, Nergal.”

The demon warrior known as Nergal smirked at his enemy. “ So, an angel curses. That isn’t very heavenly of you.”

“Nergal . . . Since I am fallen, I am no longer bound by perfection. So do me a favor, shut the fuck up and fight.”

Nergal looked past the angel to gaze upon the prize. The thing that the two great avatars of Heaven and Hell were fighting over. A young, light-skinned, Hispanic man. While the night would have made him harder to see with his black hair and dark clothes, the fire that was continuing to rise made it easy for the two combatants to see. The young man stood daunted at the exchange of beings that he believed were myth. Hariel turned his head slightly to check on his care.

“Careful Shawn. It’s you that he wants. Stay behind me and I promise to take care of you.”

Shawn, flabbergasted by the fact that an angel talking to him, nodded for a moment. Nergal growled with a smile at Shawn, indicating that he was going to get him. Nergal jumped high forward, speeding above the angel, with his sword coming down. Hariel twisted around quickly with a sword attack at Nergal but the demon swung around to block the angel’s attack. Nergal kicked the back of Hariel, causing the angelic warrior to stumble forward. Nergal grinned as he charged his sword with black energy. The fire moving closer to the center of the combatants, Nergal slashed downward, causing an explosive attack on Hariel, knocking the fallen angel into the roaring flames. The angel cried out in pain as his wings began to burn and slowly began his decent.
Nergal turned to his prey. His sharp, pointed teeth gleaming at to Shawn. Shawn stepped back, only to run into the cascading flames. Shawn began to fearfully stare at the demon as Nergal stalked towards him with blade in hand.

Nergal mocked, “Tell me boy. Did you ever believe that you would die today?”

Shawn began to stumble back till some fire singed his back. Shawn swallowed a gulp looking at his adversary. “God . . . I really don’t want to die now.”

“Death comes to all mortals, boy. I come to speed that process.”

Shawn cried, “But why me?”

“Did not the angel tell you? You hold power that would prove to be a nuisance to my masters. I am merely seeing it destroyed before you become a true threat,” replied the demon, lifting his sword in the air to prepare for the final strike. “Well . . . now it is time to die.”

Shawn looked around. Hariel was gone. Nergal was about the kill him. And even if the demon did not, he was stuck up top a twenty story building that was burning in a fast-paced inferno. He did not feel that God was justifying all this happening. Yet, as Nergal was bringing his sword down, he knew that he felt something. Somehow, as unfair as this seemed, Shawn felt that justice will prevail in this one point. Shawn knew that he was not supposed to die at that moment. Shawn felt it as the sword inched close at him. Shawn then embraced that feeling. That is when a light began to shine. A red light. As the sword was about to reach his young flesh, the red light bursted out, fanning away flames but Nergal as well. Nergal hit the wall of the stairwell entrance hard, thumping to the ground.
As Nergal began to stand, he watched Shawn stalk forward with the bright, red light. “You know. I hold honor and justice near and dear to me. So much so that I am gonna show you what it means to fuck with that justice.”
Suddenly, the red light centered on his right wrist, forming a small wrist apparatus. It was red, trimmed with gold. Shawn began to smile as he looked at it. Nergal gazed on with shock.

“It’s not possible.”

“Can you stop being too fucking cliché? I had a long day. But, you’re about to know that, up close and personal. Soul Ascension!” Shawn pressed a gold button on his apparatus, being engulfed in a score of ruby lightning. When it was finished, Shawn was covered in a thin armor. Red chest armor with golden trim laid on top of a thin weaved wetsuit-like clothing. He wore red gloves and boots, both trimmed in gold. He hand a thin belt that was crossed his waist with a sigil of justice engraved in a ruby. His head was masked by a red helmet with a black visor and an opening for his mouth but his hair was showing like if it was a headpiece. Shawn confidently crept forward.

“By the way, you’re in deep shit now.”

Nergal exploded forward at Shawn, slashing several times at Shawn. Shawn nimbly jumped around, even over every sword attack that Nergal has thrown at him. Shawn flipped upward over a circling slash from the demon, only to land a kick at Nergal’s back. The crimson warrior landed on his knees then rushed forward at Nergal, throwing a strong right at the demon’s jaw. Nergal stumbled back, for a moment, spinning to get some distance between them. Nergal lifted his sword up as it charged with energy then slashed down, releasing several arcs at Shawn. Shawn ran, dodging each one as it seemed as red electricity was gathering around his hands. Shawn turned at his enemy, clasping his hands together with energy surging around them. Shawn smiled as he took aim at Nergal.

“I am tired of playing. Surging Tempest!” Shawn released a volley of electricity at Nergal, encasing the demon in red lightning. Nergal howled at the energy as he himself was thrown off the top of the building. Shawn sighed briefly at his victory as he heard clapping. Shawn swung around to see Hariel applauding him, seemingly uninjured.

Hariel stated, “Good job, Shawn. Very good job. You defeated Nergal pretty fast.”

“With no help from you, Hariel. When you told me about all this, I was a bit skeptical. After living it, I have to say I was wrong.” Shawn stated to the angel as Hariel joined his side.

“Well, I knew that letting you face Nergal on your own would active the powers within you.”

Shawn looked at Hariel with anger in his eyes. “ You deliberately left me to Nergal along. Are you fuckin’ crazy?! What kind of angel are you?”

“The fallen but I am still here to save the Earth’s ass kind. Don’t worry about it, kid. You beat Nergal. Still, you shouldn’t get over confident. Nergal isn’t a chump and he won’t take that shit for very long.” Hariel calmly stated as the fire began to crumble the structure of the building. Suddenly, sirens were blazing in their ears as fire trucks began to file in front of the building. Shawn looked down with worry as they were beginning to put out the fire.

“Two things. What about Nergal attacking those fire-fighters and what the fuck about this fire?” exclaimed Shawn.

“First, Nergal’s pride has been hurt by his failure. He went back to his master to kiss ass in order to keep it. Second . . .” Hariel stopped as a sudden down-pour shifted their way, making the fire-fighters job a little easier. “God seeming is taking care of this one. Let’s get out of here before we’re spotted, kid.”

“Fine,” agreed Shawn. “ And stop calling me kid.”

[KingRed]

Several months later . . .

Spring kissed the day with sunshine. Walking outside of a three floored-building, Bob Howard High School was a slender, young teen with blonde hair and green eyes. Her bookbag hang on one strap in her left arm as she headed to another section of the building. She smiled as she was joined by a tanned-skinned, Hispanic girl with light brown hair that matched her complexion. The two joyfully laughed as they walked.

The blonde stated, “God, I am so glad it is lunch time. These classes are killing me, Yari.”

Yari, the Hispanic girl, replied, “I know. But it is almost over. In four days, we’ll be done for the week and have a great weekend off. Dana, are we still shopping this weekend for dresses?”

“Of course we are. I am not gonna wait until the last minute for us to get a dress for the prom. Plus, I saved enough cash for the dress that I want to get. Shawn is gonna love it,” Dana said excitedly. “What about you Yari? Are you going out with Jared to the prom?”

Yari shook her head with a grimace. “No. Sam . . . doesn’t want to go.”

Dana looked at her friend, noticing the depressed expression on Yari’s face. Before she could inquire though, another young female slid to them. The African-American teen smiled at both her friends as she greeted them.

“Hey Dana! Hey Yari! What took you two so long?” the teen named Shaneha asked. Yari quickly feign a smile in order to not make too much attention on herself.

Dana replied, “We just had to go to our lockers to grab a few things. So, where are the boys?”

Shaneha stated, “Already sitting down with their food. I swear those two aren’t patient.”

Dana said, “If Frankie is anything like his older brother, I am not surprised.”

The girls began to laugh while they entered another part of Bob Howard High School. Yet, unbeknownst to anyone outside, a raven-haired woman watched the girls enter the school. Her face curved a smile as she walked away.


Inside the school’s cafeteria, young teens were enjoying themselves and the company they kept. Lunch was very sacred to the students of Bob Howard High, as it was their break and the biggest social gathering they had each day. In a fairly large table, two young men sat, eating a sizable lunch. One was eating pizza while the other guy was eating lighter with a salad. As the two guys ate, the three girls joined them at the table.

“ You know . . . you could have waited for us, boys,” playfully stated Dana.

One of the guys, a black-haired, Hispanic teen replied after finishing his food, “Come on! I was starving today. You know I wait for you all the time but I missed breakfast this morning.” The teen flashed the girls a smile as they gazed at him.

The other male teen, a Caucasian male with dirty blonde hair, Sam added, “And I just can’t wait forever for food.”

Yari started, “ You know . . . Sam, I’d expect this from you. But you . . .” pointing at the hispanic male, “Frankie, I can’t believe that you would diss us like that.”

Frankie’s face began to shift into seriousness. “ I’m sorry girls. It is just that I am so hungry.”

Shaneha replied, “Chill, Frankie. It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean to diss us. We’re just kidding.”

Dana said, “ Frankie . . .you are too much like your dad. Shawn was right when he said that you took more after him then he did.”

Sam continued as he chomped on some pizza, “ Well, considering you act like you got a stick up you ass half the time, that explains why you are related to you dad. I swear though that Shawn is more like your mom and it is hard to believe that you two are brothers.”

“Hey!” Frankie’s reply was toned with insult as Yari wrapped her arms around Frankie a moment.

Sam grimaced at the display. “Oh! So you don’t love me any more.” Yari simply replied by swinging over to Sam’s lap, kissing his lips briefly. Yari faced Frankie again while Sam held her with one arm.

“We’re just joking. Don’t take Sam so seriously.” Frankie quietly nodded as the girl began to sit down with the guys. Dana gazed at Frankie.

“Frankie . . . Are you and Shawn still training tonight at eight? I wanted to go to the mall to get a few things for our trip to New York this weekend,” inquired Dana.

Frankie’s face shifts again into confusion. “ What? What do you mean if Shawn and I are training tonight?”

Dana paused for a moment. “ Shawn said that you were gonna workout tonight. You two have been working out for weeks now. How could you forget?”

Frankie raised his eyebrow. “Shawn and I haven’t trained at all this past month. Any training he’s been doing has been on his own.”

Dana stopped for a moment. The girls looked on quizzically as Yari was the first to break the silence. “But Shawn’s been working out a lot. He tells me that you two workout all the time.”

Sam replied, “Sorry. Frankie’s been spending time with Alfredo and me for the last month if he doesn’t hang with you.”

Dana began to pout. “ Okay. Shawn’s been lying to me! That asshole!”

“Come on, Dana,” Frankie defended his brother, “Just cause Shawn’s said something doesn’t make him an asshole.”

Shaneha asked, “ Then what has he been tell you?”

Frankie said slowly, “ That he was hanging out with Booker or you.” Frankie glanced at Dana, who was obviously furious.

Dana exclaimed, “ Then what the hell has he been doing all this time?”


IInside an abandoned mansion in the southern part of Stockton, whispers in the dark could be heard. Twisted cries and demented chants echoed within the boarded up house. In the basement of the house, the woman that has been outside earlier has walked into a dimly orange light room. The room was light by candles, illuminating the occupants of the room. One as a chunky, short demon with pink pimples all over his exposed skin. His ears flopped as his sharp teeth showed with two towering upward from his mouth. The other was the black skinned- demon warrior, Nergal. The third occupant rested in the shadows at the far end of the room, noting disguishing except for a group of sicklingly green glowing eyes .

“I have news, my lord,” stated the woman. Her form was near flawless as her red hair shimmered downward. “We have found the next chosen. And you will find this ironic when I tell you.”

Nergal growled, “Shut up and tell us what you know. I don’t feel like waiting all century.”

The pink demon replied, “I am sure that whatever Malevolenia has to state, it will be worth it.”

“Pigus . . . silence before I rip you tongue out and thrown it in the bowels of Tartarus,” stated Nergal as he folded his arms.

The woman continued as if undaunted or uninterrupted. “It seems that some of the chosen are all friends of Hariel’s charge. One of them is even his girlfriend. I am certain we can make things interesting for him if we struck at his lover.”

Nergal charged forward a few steps towards the darkness. “Allow me to smite the lover of Hariel’s chosen warrior. I have a score to settle.”

Calmly, the woman shook her head. “I don’t believe that your capable of dealing with this correctly. Allow me to strike down the little whore and show those two fools who they are dealing with.”

Nergal angrily stalked up to Malevolenia. “ No. I will have my vengeance against Shawn for what he did all those months ago.”

“I am the embodiment of hate and revenge. If anyone is gonna to take revenge against the chosen, it’s gonna be me.” Malevolenia voice filled with authority and venom as she spoke her words.

Suddenly, a voice like thunder stated, “ Enough! This is not the time for being childish.” Each of the three demons looked at the eyes at the shaded portion of the room. The eyes stared out at this group of warriors. “ We will take the girl and her fellow chosen before they gain the virtues to activate the power within each spirit. I don’t want this to take long.”

Out of the shadows, stepped a human man with no hair but his eyes are a bright green. His face curled in a frown he glanced at his warriors. “ Nergal . . . since you insist on going, you may but you are taking Malevolenia with you. I want no mistakes this time.”

All three bow with one arm to their chests, in unison. “Yes Lord Nero.”

Nero, the demon king, one of the Hell Lords grinned evilly. “Find them. Catch them. Kill them.” There was a pause. “Well . . . keep Shawn ‘s girlfriend alive. I want to have some fun with her.”

[KingRed]

Later that Night . . .

Dana, Yari, Frankie and Sam were walking down a street at night. It was in a suburban neighborhood as they passed some trees and homes on the sidewalk. The spring night was warm and the group was very quiet as they moved. Dana’s face had a look of determination and anger as she took every step. Yari, Sam and Frankie had stayed quiet, knowing the anger that their friend had felt.

“I am going to kill him,” Dana flatly stated. “ I am going to cut off his dick and shove it up his ass for lying to me.”

Sam exclaimed, “ Geez! You don’t have to get that graphic.”

Frankie replied, “ Seriously Dana. As much as Shawn deserves you screaming at him, you don’t have to go that far.”

“I think that punishing Shawn might be a good idea but not that much,” Yari states as she graced her hand threw her short hair. “ Just talk over what is going on. I am sure he’ll have a good explanation.”

“Yari’s right,” Frankie said. “Can’t we just talk to him?”

“And what if Shawn is dealing again,” Dana exclaimed, stopping. She yelled right into Frankie’s face. Her face was a mix of anger and sadness at this point. Her arms were out, expressing her feelings loudly. “What are we going to do he’s out there and back to his dirty tricks?”

Before Frankie can reply, Sam turned around in order to get their attention. Suddenly, Sam’s eyes bulged. He cried out for a moment, getting everyone else to face him. In an instant, horror filled Yari, Dana and Frankie as they looked at a pointed object coming from where Sam’s heart is. Blood began spilling from Sam’s mouth and wound. In a quick motion, the sword slinked out of Sam’s chest as the guy fell forward. Sam landed in the middle of his friends with a thump. Frankie started to open his mouth as Dana and Yari began to scream, mortified.

Frankie cried, “ Sam!”

As blood began to pool at their feet, Dana, Yari and Frankie stepped back. The three looked up to see the source of their horror. The black-skinned demon warrior known as Nergal licked his blade clean of Sam’s blood as he faced the group. Nergal grinned evilly as he stepped forward.

“You will all die next.”

Nergal raised his sword to slash at the group as he was struck by red electricity. Nergal fell back as the group of teens looked to where the attack came from. Shawn ran out from the shadows to find his friends and brother horrified.

Shawn yelled, “You guys get the hell out of here!”

Dana cried, “ Shawn?! Oh God. We can’t stay here.”

“I want you to go to the house now!” Shawn commanded. Dana had rarely seen Shawn sounding so serious. “Get the police!”

“Come on Shawn. I am not leaving you here!” replied Frankie, who while scared by Sam’s death, was determined not to lose his brother.

“Damn it Frankie. I need you to leave. You have to get home. Don’t fuckin’ argue with me. Go!” Shawn cried as he got to a defensive stance as the group watch Nergal begin to stand on his feet.

Yari began to pull Dana and Frankie back as Nergal lifted his sword. “They are not going anywhere but hell, Shawn. You can’t stop me.”

“The fuck I can’t!” Shawn raised his apparatus. “ You won’t touch them cause I am gonna kill you for killing Sam!”

Frankie screaming in fear and confusion. “What the fuck are you doing Shawn?! Get out of there now!”

Dana exclaimed, “He’s insane. Shawn’s gone insane.”

“Let’s just get out of here!” Yari screams as tears roll down her face at the death of Sam. She pulled Dana back further but Frankie did not move. Frankie collapsed to his knees as he cried tears in fear and anguish.

Shawn shook his head, mad at his younger brother for not leaving as the girl stepped away slowly. “Frankie! You and the girls get the fuck out of here!”

Nergal charged with a slash at Shawn. Shawn back-flipped over the sword, landing in front of Frankie. Shawn looked forward as Nergal was about to charge again.

“This is wonderful. Not only will I kill your lover . . . but I will maim your brother’s heart in front of you to top of my revenge.”

Shawn’s eyes sharped in fury. “ You won’t touch a single hair on either of them! I swear to God, I am going kill you. Soul Ascension!”

Shawn transformed once again into his armored form. Shawn was once again in combat armor but this time, a mouth piece covered his lips. Dana, Yari and Frankie were awestruck by Shawn’s transformation. Shawn summoned a sword of his own, a double-bladed sword. Lightning cracked around his weapon as he pointed it at Nergal.

“I am the embodiment of Justice. Striking like lightning, I am the judge of those who try to ravage the innocent. I am a Spirit Ranger and you are fucked!” Shawn stated; changing into an offensive position as the Red Spirit Ranger was ready for battle.

Frankie, Dana and Yari were dumbfounded till they heard another voice. “I wouldn’t be too concerned with them while you still have to worry about me.”

The three turned to face Malevolenia, who was now crimsoned skilled, bat winged and tri-horned. Malevolenia took out a meancing scythe as she stalked her prey. In an instant, Malevolenia jumped at Dana, ready to slice into her flesh. Closing her eyes, Dana began to pray to God that she would be okay. She hoped that something would rescue her again. Suddenly, a pulse of Purple energy stuck Malevolenia, dragging her to the ground. Dana opened her eyes as she glowed with the Purple light that had taken Malevolenia down. Dana suddenly gained a similar changer as Shawn on her right arm. But where it was red on Shawn’s arm, it was Purple on hers. Yari and Frankie stared as Dana was no longer afraid.

“I asked God to for something to save me. To save my friends. To save the one I love. God answered me cause I never gave up hope. And now . . . I understand what I have to do next.” Dana raised her changer to her face as she cried, “ I’ll take a hint from Shawn.”

Shawn and Nergal stopped fighting to looking at Dana. Shawn grimly watched as Dana made a fateful choice. “God . . . I didn’t want her to fight yet,” whispered the Spirit Ranger.

Dana cried, “Soul Ascension!”

In an explosion of violent light, Dana was entangled into her own armor. Similar to Shawn’s but two major differences. First, there was some kind of small dress on her waist and it was all Purple. Second, Dana’s chest armor was thinner, not covering her shoulders compared to the Red Spirit Ranger. Malevolenia and Nergal stood back in anger and fear. Dana had transformed into the Purple Spirit Ranger. Shawn was angry. Yari was daunted. Frankie was shocked. And Dana was now ready for the battle that was to come.


To Be Continued . . .

[KingRed]

Baptism by Fire, Part II
(Season One, Episode 02)

Outside a local gym, Damon Booker David traveled towards his car. Damon, known by many as Booker, has enjoyed a fresh workout to end a long day. He took the keys to his car as he was about to open it, when he heard a snort. Booker turned around, trying to pinpoint where the sound had came from. Yet, a long silence encompassed him. Booker kneeled down to grab his keys when the snort is heard once more. Booker turned around, looking out towards the street. Not a single thing was roaming the streets besides him. Booker gave a sigh as he twisted to his car only to find. . .

“Boo!”

Pigus had appeared behind Booker, standing between him and his car. The pig-humaniod demon chuckled at the fear Booker had displayed during his surprise. His three hoff-like fingers pointed at the young man as he moved backward. Booker fearfully looked at Pigus stalking him.

“Wha. . .what do you want?” Booker’s words stumbled as he did, slowly inching backwards.

Pigus gave a gleeful snort. “Simple. The master wants you dead. And I will see to it that you die.”

“But why?” cried out Booker. Booker had always found himself to be an upstanding citizen. He avoid trouble as much as anyone could. Yet, for the life of him, he could not understand why this . . . pig would want to kill him.

“You are in the way. You pose too large a threat to my lord’s plans. You have to die, it’s that simple,” replied Pigus, snorting afterward in delight. Booker crashed his ass into the ground. Pigus cackled triumphantly over the young African American man. Pigus pounced at Booker. Booker nimbly rolled out of Pigus’s way. Booker stood to his feet, only to be tackled by the pig demon. Pigus rammed the young man against his car doors, shattering some of the glass with the impact. Booker was howling in pain as Pigus speared into him again and again and again. Booker was crying in pain, over and over again till Pigus stopped. Booker slid to the ground with a thump. Pigus, looming over his prey, laughed again in victory.

“Oh. I never believe that getting one of the chosen would be so easy.”

Booker gave a small smirk at that comment. A chuckle threw itself from his lips. Pigus gazed downward at his prey’s face. “What are you so happy about?”

“Whoever said that I was going to be easy prey?”
Booker rocketed into Pigus, mowing down the pig demon into the hard concrete. Booker dashed back, standing over the pig demon. Booker began to glowing in an Yellow light; fire swarming around his right hand to create his own changer, yet in Yellow. Booker stood tall as he approached Pigus.

“I am sorry to disappoint you, but I won’t be playing your prey. Tell your boss that he won’t stop us.” Booker lifted his right arm to his face. Pigus’s eyes widened as Booker took a defensive stance.

“Soul Ascension!”

Yellow flame engulfed Booker till his body was ignited in a blazing inferno. The fire cried upward till it blasted apart. In a blinding light, Booker had disappeared. Pigus covered his eyes merely seconds only to find a vision that would haunt him. Booker had been covered in Spirit Ranger armor. Yellow Spirit Ranger armor. Booker made a boxing stance, staring down his opponent.

“I am the burning wraith of honor. You’re evil will be purified,” Booker, now Spirit Yellow, stated to Pigus. The pig demon gazed on frightfully. He had no idea of the power that Booker had now wielded. Pigus ran at Booker, suddenly looming over the newest Spirit Ranger out of size. Booker quickly reacted with a hard left to Pigus’s jaw then a solid right punch in his face. Pigus was dazed by the quick reactions of the new Spirit Ranger.

“I won’t play around forever. Burning Strike!” Spirit Yellow dashed in the sky. As he decended, Spirit Yellow had summoned a scythe of some kind. The scythe gathered flaming energy till it ripped downward, threw one of the fingers of Pigus. Pigus howled in agony as Spirit Yellow was preparing to follow up. Yet, the pig demons ran into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
As soon as Pigus had left, clapping could be heard. Spirit Yellow turned to the winged-fallen angel known as Hariel. Hariel smiled at his latest charges victory over the demon. Spirit Yellow marched towards the angel, letting loose deep breaths.

“That was close. The pig was about to kill me.”

Hariel smirked. “I doubt that. You have proven yourself to be a difficult opponent. You kicked the pig’s demon ass. You should be proud.”

“Considering that I have the virtue of humility, I think I will pass. I just wondered, when were you going to join in the fight?” inquired Booker, powering out of his Spirit Ranger armor.

Hariel began to walk away. “Who said I was going to join you?”

Booker’s face curled in confession. “What?!”

Yari had fallen on her knees in anguish and surprise. Frankie has stood with his mouth open in utter shock. Nergal growled in disgrace at Malevolenia’s failure. Malevolenia gritted her teeth together in bitter silence. Shawn, in his guise as the Red Spirit Ranger, gazed deeply into the woman he loves as she has made a fateful transformation. Dana Taylor no longer stood. In her place, a Purple armored warrior had emerged. She was seemingly graceful as she emitted a bright, Purple light. She lifted her arms, hands balled into fists as she stared down the crimson-skinned demoness in front of her. She was the incarnation of Hope. She was the Purple Spirit Ranger.

“Okay honey! I just about had it with you.” The Purple Spirit Ranger has pointed at Malevolenia, still slightly pulsing with light. “It’s time to dance, bitch!”

Malevolenia smirked for a moment. Suddenly, the demoness swiftly clawed at the Purple Spirit Ranger with her razor-like nails. Sparks few for a moment against Purple Ranger’s chest, but she spun around in a complete circle to look at her adversary. Malevolenia chuckled mockingly.

“Aw. It seems this whore is all bark and no bite.”

Dana laughed a second till she decked Malevolenia on her jaw. “How’s that for bite?”

Shawn chuckled as Nergal seized the advantage of the Red Spirit Ranger’s distraction. The demon warrior swiped downward with his blade against the Red Spirit Ranger’s armor. The Red Spirit Ranger stumbled back for a moment.

“Don’t think you can ignore me!”

Spirit Red retorted, “ Don’t think you can beat me.”

Spirit Red and Nergal began their battle in earnest. Spirit Red blocked Nergal’s next attack with his curved blade upward. Spirit Red followed up with a spin around, slicing into the side of the demon warrior. Nergal howled, proceeding to kick the gut of his adversary. Nergal sliced downward again, aiming for the explosed head of Spirit Red. Shawn quickly flipped to his left, and then charged with a forward thrust with his sword. Nergal jumped back, discharging black energy at Spirit Red, who was knocked to the ground once again. Spirit Red used his arms to spin around, regaining his footing. Spirit Red twisted around, catapulting off a tree. Spinning downward with his sword out, Spirit Red struck Nergal with a volley of slashes. Nergal then kneed upward at the chin of Spirit Red, forcing him back.

Dana, or Spirit Purple, in the meantime, kicked into the face of the vengeance demon known as Malevolenia. Spirit Purple was performed another punch, aiming for the jaw of Malevolenia but the demoness flipped back, kicking into the chin of the new born Spirit Ranger. Malevolenia concentrated on her hand as a threatening mace appeared in her once empty hands. Malevolenia swung at the head of her enemy. Dana ducked down, thrusting her fist into Malevolenia’s gut. Malevolenia and Spirit Purple both spun around for their next attacks. Spirit Purple connected with a kick while Malevolenia had thrusted with her mace. Both thumped into the ground ungracefully, looking at each other.

Malevolenia’s lip was broken, dripping with black blood. “You little bitch. You will pay for resisting me.”

Spirit Purple stuck up her middle finger. “ Fuck you.”

Spirit Purple ran at Malevolenia but the demoness struck back with a blast of hellfire from her mace. The Purple Spirit Ranger fumbled back with part of her armor scorched. The Red Spirit Ranger dodged another energy attack from Nergal, flipping by his girlfriend and friends.

“These two are a handful,” Spirit Red replied.

Spirit Purple added, “ No shit Sherlock. We need finish kicking their ass but I never thought our dates would be like this.”

Spirit Red said, “Don’t ever tell me our relationship isn’t exciting? Seriously though . . .” with a pause, Shawn looked to his younger brother and friend. “ Frankie, you and Yari get out of here now. Dana . . . you go with them.”

Spirit Purple shook her head. “No way! I am not leaving you alone. You can forget that Shawn. I am not leaving without you.”

“Neither am I,” replied Frankie in determination. Frankie was not about to lose his older brother like he lost one of his best friends.

Shawn growled for a moment, twisting to face his younger brother. “Damn it, Frankie. You and Yari are in danger as long as you stay here. Get out of here! Now!”

Frankie was about to step towards Shawn when Dana held out her arm, creating a barrier between the two brothers. “ Frankie, Shawn’s right. Yari and you are just easy targets to these guys as long as you’re here. You can’t do anything as you are now. You don’t have powers like me and Shawn. You have to go, if just to keep yourself from being used against us.”

Frankie paused for minutes as Nergal and Malevolenia regrouped. As the two demons charged forward, Frankie makes a fateful decision.

“Come home,” began Frankie as he lifted Yari to her feet, “ Just make sure you both come home.”

Shawn nodded. “I promise little brother. See ya soon.”

[KingRed]

Frankie dragged Yari away from the fight as Nergal and Malevolenia took to the air. Both of them have their weapons out, slashing at the armors of both Spirit Rangers. The two Spirit Rangers tumble back and onto their feet. In a quick movement, Spirit Red jumped at his two adversaries, spinning and slicing at them with his sword. The two demons stumbled back in pain as Spirit Purple began to glow with energy. Spirit Purple began to spin around in a circle, her arms extended. The energy spinning around her intensified as she raised her arms above her. The energy she collected shined brightly as Spirit Purple gathered it in her cupped hands.

“Astral Shock!” Spirit Purple exclaimed. She dropped her arms outward at Nergal and Malevolenia as she threw out arcs of astral energy at them. The astral energy struck down both demons in surprise.



Interlude.

Earlier that day . . .

Inside of a motel room, Tommy McMahon has gotten out of bed with nothing but his boxers on. Resting on the bed with a white blanket on top of her, a blonde turned in her sleep. The activities of the last few hours have exhausted her. Tommy reached down for his jeans, sliding them on. As he slipped on his sneakers, Tommy kissed the top of the woman’s head. He grabbed his shirt and began to leave the room. As Tommy crept for the door, the woman began to stir.
Tommy walked down a flight of stairs, heading to the motel’s lobby. Tommy reached the clerk chatting with him that his new wife would like some privacy while he headed to a local restaurant to get him breakfast. Tommy entered his car, leaving the motel. Driving down the streets, Tommy reached a suburban area in Stockton. Tommy pulled in his car in front of another house. As he exited the car, he fumbled with his set of keys. After unlocking the front door, he was welcomed by another woman, a brunette, carrying a small toddler in her arms.
“Hello honey. We’re so glad that you’re back, aren’t we baby,” the brunette, wearing a wedding ring, turned to the young toddler, a boy of three.
“Hi daddy.”
Tommy whisked his son into his arms while giving his “wife” a peck on the cheek. “I missed you. Hon, is everything ready for the big move?”
Tommy’s wife nodded. Before she could say more, the phone rang. Tommy’s “wife” got the phone. As Tommy entered his hallway, a loud crash of thunder roared. For an hour, Tommy’s son began to cry in fear but was quickly soothed by the voice of his father. Tommy stepped into the living room, turning on a rather large television set. Instinctively turning on the news, Tommy and his “wife” looked on. A brisk, middle-aged man spoke:

“Less than an hour ago, the Nadesico Motel in the metropolitan area of Stockton called Davis exploded in a fury of flame and fire. So far, the entire motel has been destroyed as well as a half a square mile. Right now, rescue workers and firefighters are working to stop the blaze but at the moment, there are no survivors.”

Tommy watched on as the news reported that no one at the motel had survived. His “wife” turned to him.

“How was your trip, honey? Less tragic than this,” she said.

Tommy simply replied, “Oh. Uneventful, honey. Nothing really happened while I was there. It was really just uneventful.”

End of Interlude.


Frankie and Yari ran as fast as they could, heading back toward Frankie’s home. Yari started to breathe heavily till she fell on the ground. Frankie ran back, lifting her up off the ground. Yari though laid in somber agony. Her tears streamed down her face. She cupped her hands to her face as that was all she could do to hide her pain. Frankie knelt beside his friend, hoping he could get through to her in order for them to survive this ordeal. Yet, in his heart, the pain had hit him almost as hard. Sam and Frankie had been friends since junior high school. Yari cried again and again as she knew that her world was falling apart.

“Yari . . .please. We need to get going,” Frankie whispered solemnly. “There is no point in mourning Sam if we die too.”

“Frankie . . . I loved him,” she began. Yari could not stop her tears as her cracking voice released her true pain. “Sam and I were just starting out. We were looking forward to our prom, our graduation and even further. Sam and I . . . Sam had . . .a future. And now it is gone.”

Yari continued to cry as Frankie put his arm around her. “It’s okay. Everything is going to be fine. Sam might be gone but we will carry on, as Shawn would say. It is a shame you have to go through this.”

“My life was never that complicated. But Sam just died in front of us. I don’t know if I can get through this,” Yari exclaimed, half screaming, half crying. “All my life . . . even through has always ended up okay. Everything. But what will happen now? How am I supposed to believe that everything is fine?”

At that moment, a white light exploded from Yari. Emitting her pulse of light, it created a bright illumination that knocked away Frankie for sheer wanting to save his own eye sight. The combantants directed their eyes at the bright light that Yari was emitting. Nergal growled in frustration while Malevolenia took her hand, placing it under her chin.

“So, the other has begun to activate her powers. I wonder which virtue is behind this one?” Malevolenia barked at Nergal. “You deal with these two, I will capture the new chosen.”

Malevolenia raced off, while Nergal gritted his teeth. Spirit Red and Spirit Purple immediately jumped forward, ready to strike at Nergal. Nergal swung his sword in an arc, blocking both attacks from the two Spirit Rangers. Dana crashed in a thud on the concrete while Shawn tumbled back. The Red Spirit Ranger dashed with his shoulder out, ramming into the chest of the beastly warrior. Nergal faultered, only to perform a dark energy attack from his sword. Both Spirit Rangers felt the impact of that blow very hard.

“This guy is just a little too much,” Spirit Purple winced as she started to stand on her feet again.

Spirit Red held his left arm with his right for a moment as he composed himself. “Nergal’s a better fighter than I gave him credit for.”

Meanwhile, the white light was swallowing Yari. Frankie frantically raced to get his friend out of their only to get kicked on his chest. Frankie smashed into a tree, landing like a bag of bricks. Frankie was dazed after that considerable blow to his body. Malevolenia stalked over to Yari, whose light had still not faded, raising her mace.

“She will not be allowed to live to curse the master with her power,” Malevolenia proclaimed. The mace slashed down, aiming for the skull of Yari. Yari could not even see yet as Frankie speared into Malevolenia.

With a quick tumble along the sidewalk and road, Frankie stood to his feet. “You got Sam. I won’t let you get Yari.”

“Do you really think that you’re capable of stopping me, little boy?” asked the demoness. Her eyes glowed for a second as she continued. “ I am the demon of vengeance and the embodiment of malevolence. What makes you think that a scrub like you has a chance against me?”

Weakly letting a laugh loose, Frankie gazed at his adversary. “I just know that I will stop you from hurting anyone else. This isn’t the day that we will die. I can feel it. And while Mami told us never to hit girls, you’re a demon. Which means . . .”

Frankie sucker-punched the demon of malevolence and vengeance. Malevolenia turned her face back to Frankie, fire in her eyes. “That . . . was stupid.”

[KingRed]

Malevolenia sliced at his chest and stomach, grazing Frankie with her nails. The demoness spin kicked Frankie in his head, causing him to twist like a log in water till he hit the ground. She quickly kicked Frankie in his gut, and then stepped on his face.

“I don’t have time for you.” Her voice serious, sadistic and cold. Malevolenia turned to find Yari had disappeared. Malevolenia glanced left. She gazed right. No sign of the crying mess that was on her knees a few minutes ago.

“You don’t have a lot of time left.” Malevolenia spun around to see Yari standing. In front of her was the source of her voice, Booker. Booker raised his changer, never leaving Malevolenia out of his sight. Yari helped Frankie to stand as Malevolenia was joined by Nergal at her feet. Nergal raised from the ground again, only to find Malevolenia and he were surrounded.

Malevolenia and Nergal looked around. Spirit Red and Spirit Purple stood with their arms folded. Booker was in a fighting stance while Yari stood. Frankie crawled against a tree, using it to sit and view the next part of this battle.

Shawn, Spirit Red, started first. “While you guys are a challenge, our will is stronger. We will kick your ass, not just because we are the good guys but because you were honoring our relationship. I am the embodiment of Justice. And I will justly sentence your ass to hell for what you did to Sam.”

Spirit Purple started next. “Hope got me to where I am. Hope will save us from doom and treachery going on. I am Hope incarnated. And I hope you got insurance when we bury your asses for everything you did to us.”

Booker stepped forward, speaking next. “Pride will be the downfall of many of your forces. It was for Pigus and it consumes you Nergal. I will see that you burn for that pride. I honor those who lost their hearts. I smite those with evil. Those with shame. Those with pride. In the fires of Heaven, I will take you down. Soul Ascension!”

Booker had transformed once more into the Yellow Spirit Ranger. Eyes shifted to the last, new ascended Spirit Ranger. Yari solemnly spoke. “You took away Sam. You took away something that meant everything to me. It is the purity in my heart that will fight all the evil inside. The pure heart I have for people gave me the strength to keep going. Now, I will embrace that light inside me to purify you demons. Soul Ascension.”

A pulse of white light came from Yari’s changer. Yari had transformed into a white version of Dana’s armor. Yari stepped forward with a full helmet protecting her. Yari Cortez had transformed into the embodiment of Purity, the White Spirit Ranger. Frankie watched in awe of the four Spirit Ranger surrounded the two demons. Malevolenia looked very carefully at the Spirit Rangers before her. This group seemed to be running on anger and hate after the deal of their friend. Nergal winced as he had small cuts and brushes. She looked at her prey with a dark grin. Malevolenia smirked, and then began to cackle.

Shawn growled, “ What are you laughing at?”

Malevolenia reported, “Cause you are now forgetting one major problem has just entered the scene.”

She pointed behind the Yellow and White Spirit Rangers. His bald head was perched with horns adorning his skull till it reached the back of it. His body was structured like an Olympian of old, strong and heavy. His muscles surged has his fingers has been replaced by deadly talons. His back was adorned with scaly wings that seemed to sharpen to the sky. Yet, the most visable trait was his eyes. The sickly, decaying green that brightly shined in the darkness. The man- demon chuckled lightly as he sensed the fear within each of the Spirit Rangers. Frankie’s eyes bulged in disbelief, horrified that a nightmare creature such as this could exist. The man-demon inched forward, revealing a dreaded spear with a menacing blade on the top of it. As the man inched closer, everyone noticed that his legs were replaced by the two hind legs of some kind of horse. With a smile, he gazed at his hated foes, the Spirit Rangers.

“I believe that I am what Malevolenia means. And for those of you that do not know, I am Nero. And I am about to kill you.”

In a quick motion, Nero raced at the Yellow Spirit Ranger. Flying at an incredible speed, Nero sliced his spear upward at Spirit Yellow, before anyone could blink. Spirit Yellow shifted in agony as he began fly upward from the impact. Time seemed to slow down as Spirit Yellow was paralyzed as he descended to the ground. Without the slightest moan of pain, Spirit Yellow slammed into the concrete and grass beneath everyone’s feet. Spirit White, Spirit Purple and Spirit Red were all shocked by the speed and brutality of the attack. Spirit White began to groan in fear. Spirit Purple took to a defensive fighting stance. Spirit Red took his hands out, clenching it with his hands fiercely as electricity rolled through them. He took an offensive position as he was preparing to attack. Nero twisted around, landing gracefully on the other side.

Nero grinned at his adversaries. “So . . . who’s next?”

To be Concluded . . .

[KingRed]

Baptism by Fire, Part III
(Season One, Episode 03)
“When I woke up today, I never thought I would be living one of my hobbies. What do I mean? Well . . . it’s kinda complicated. Tell me if this doesn’t sound like a comic book or anime. You see, right now, I am sitting against a tree cause I think some of my ribs are busted or my back just hurts like all hell. My friend Yari just transformed into a Power Ranger. My brother’s girlfriend, Dana and my brother, Shawn was fighting two human-like demons that are bent on bringing hell on Earth. At least I think they are. This is after me and Dana figured out that my brother had been lying to us for the last month. Well, at least I know he’s a hero. But it doesn’t change a few facts: First, everything that has been happening is real. I pitched myself to be sure. Second, I just watched my best friend Sam die. I know death. My grandmother died some years ago. Dead people are cold. Sam was cold. Like my grandmother. So yeah. In all the years I’ve been collecting comics or watching anime, I never thought I would be living it.”


Nero gripped his spear tightly as he stomped forward. The Hellord was smirking with each step. Malevolenia and Nergal chuckled at the seemingly doomed situation that the four Spirit Rangers were in. Spirit White was kneeling by the now unconscious Spirit Yellow. Spirit Purple and Spirit Red gazed deeply at the true evil behind everything. Sweat was abundant within their helmets. Spirit Purple clenched her fists while tilting slightly to her boyfriend.

“Shawn, tell me what is going on? Who is that guy? Why is this happening?” Spirit Purple voice was mixed with fear, nervousness and wonder.

Spirit Red, without taking his eyes off the Hellord, stated, “Dana . . .first, we are some of the chosen warriors to stop an invasion from Hell. Next, that guy, I believe is the Hellord behind this entire mess and why we are being activated. Nero, a high general and lord in the monarchy of Hell. The last question . . . we don’t have much time for?”

“Oh but you will my red armored friend,” Nero mocked. A quick twirl of the spear showed the skill that was near graceful in the arms of this immortal demon. “ You will have plenty of time together to talk about everything once I send you into the bowels of Hell.”

Spirit White faced Spirit Yellow, carefully examining his wounds. She tried to touch him but stopped herself, frightened for making his wounds worse. Spirit White put her hands to her chest in pain, hoping that not another one of them will die. Malevolenia raised her mace high, glaring down at the Spirit Rangers beneath her.

“I would not worry about him, my dear. You both are about to go to hell.” The demoness was slashing down as Spirit White glanced up. Spirit White threw up her arms, blocking most of the attack. Spirit White then kicked upward, smacking her foot against the gut of Malevolenia. Malevolenia swiftly grabbed the foot of Spirit White, throwing her to the left. Spirit White got up to her feet to be slapped by Malevolenia’s mace. Spirit White stumbled to the ground. Spirit Purple turned around, racing to help her friend. Nero flashed forward in the air, shocking Spirit Red.

Spirit Red screamed, “Dana . . . watch out!”

Spirit Purple hopped to the side, but was still grazed by an assault from Nero. Spirit Purple spun to the ground, banging against the ground. Nero hovered over his prey, his spear pointing at them.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to look away from an enemy when you fight?”

Spirit Red ran at Nero with his arms out. Red electricity surrounded his hands. “Take your own advice you asshole. Surging Tempest!”

Electricity dashed at the hovering Nero. Nero shifted around to his right, avoiding the attack completely. Nero swooped down at Spirit Red, aiming his spear at the first Spirit Ranger. Nero slashed a wide arc against the chest of Spirit Red. Spinning to the ground, the Red Spirit Ranger quickly bounced to his feet again. Yet, Nero circled for another gash against the back of Spirit Red, tearing him into the ground. Nero hovered above them all with his spear ready to strike.

Nero proclaimed, “You don’t have the strength to stop me right now. I will finish you with ease.”

Nergal inquired, “My lord, let me finish them off.”

“No Nergal,” started the Hellord. “They are mine.”

Nero twirled around his spear, collecting vast amounts of Hell energy. Nero swung up his charged blade, looking straight as his first target: Spirit Purple. Nero licked his lips as he pointed out his charged spear blade.

“This will be the death of Hope. And will all hope gone, soon so shall you all.”

Nero drove downward at Spirit Purple with his deathly red charged spear. Spirit Purple stumbled to her feet only to watch as the spear was getting closer to her. Spirit Red watched as his girlfriend was the target of his greatest enemy when Frankie jumped to his feet, tackling Nero to the ground with every bit of energy from his body. Nero landed on the street with Frankie rolling behind him into the middle of the road.

Spirit Red got to his feet, running towards his younger brother when Nergal stood before him. “You will not pass. That boy will die for his insolence.”

“I already told you. You are not harming on hair on my brother,” Spirit Red’s sword appearing once again. “If you think I am gonna let you hurt him, you got to be smoking some crack.”

Spirit Red lunged at Nergal with his sword, only to have it blocked by the demon warrior’s. Nergal was about to come around for a slash when out of nowhere:

“Astral Shock!”

An attack of astral energy hit the demon head on, pushing him to a neighboring tree in a small wooded section on the street. Spirit Purple hooked up with Spirit Red as they ran towards Frankie and Nero. Spirit White watched as she was hammered multiple times by Malevolenia’s mace. Spirit White thumped on the concrete in a stinging pain. Malevolenia stood over Spirit White, readying a finishing blow. Suddenly, Malevolenia got a tap on her shoulder. The demoness turned around to meet face to face with Spirit Yellow.

“I don’t usually hit women but . . .” Spirit Yellow clenched his hand in a fist as Malevolenia was caught off guard. Quickly, Malevolenia jerked back the other way to see Spirit White’s fist slam into her face. Malevolenia tipped back, landing on her butt.

“That was a good one,” Spirit White commented to Spirit Yellow. Spirit Yellow put his thumb up in agreement.

Spirit Yellow winced for a moment as he moved forward. “Ah. You did the work. I merely helped. Let’s go help the others.”

The four Spirit Rangers gathered together as Nero lay in the ground, seemingly knocked out. Frankie was not too far from him, still unconscious. The four rangers glanced carefully at the Hellord. Spirit Yellow held his right arm against his chest, holding the sting wound that resided under the scratched armor. Spirit White and Spirit Purple headed towards Frankie while Spirit Red kneeled to look at Nero. Blindingly fast, Nero dashed up, striking Spirit Red with his spear. The other three Spirit Rangers moved back, escaping the weapons range. Nero laughed at the Spirit Rangers.

“You really think that you are gonna stop me?” Nero shifted himself to face all of them while he spoke. “I have been causing chaos, murder and destruction before zygotes ever existed. I have slaughtered angels and morals alike for time beyond time. You have no chance in *hell* against me. And I certainly will not allow you to live much longer.”

Nero dashed towards Spirit Purple as Spirit White jumped in front of her. Spirit White glowed with an intense light as her arms were flung out. Light swirled at her. Nero inched forward, driving his spear at Spirit White. Spirit White looked on, afraid but gathered a ball of light in her cupped hands.

Inches from her chest, Spirit White calmly stated, “Divine Light.”

Suddenly, an explosion of light occurred right in the face of Hellord and the others. Nero began to howl in agony for the first time. The Spirit Rangers covered their eyes by the intensity of the light. Spirit Purple and Spirit Yellow quickly lifted Frankie onto his feet while the light began to die down. Once the light did though, each of the Spirit Rangers was in shock. Nero stood; his body smoking and some of the flesh of the body had been burnt off. His horns were visibly black while his face crumpled into a scowl.

“Ouch.”

[KingRed]

Nero swung downward with his spear, sparking Spirit White’s armor. Spirit Yellow dashed at Nero, kicking his gut but the blow was useless. Nero swiped the spear against the waist of the Yellow Spirit Ranger. Spirit Red gripped his sword carefully as he charged Nero.

“Dana . . . get Frankie out of here now!” Spirit Red slashed downward, to the legs of Nero. Nero hopped over the attack, striking down at Spirit Red’s helmet. The Red Spirit Ranger spun his blade upward, blocking that strike. Spirit Red kneed the gut of the Hellord, pushing him back. All the while, Spirit Purple was still watching the battle and Frankie began to stir. Spirit Red and Nero crossed their weapons against each other again and again. Slashing away, Spirit Red was holding his own against Nero. Nero blasted hellfire at Spirit Red’s chest from his eyes. Nero followed up with a blow to his face with the staff side of the spear then slashed up with his spear. The Hellord turned to Spirit Purple for a moment. Before she could speak, Nero blasted Spirit Purple with a volley of crimson and black energy from his right hand. Sparks exploded against her armor as Spirit Purple joined her comrades on the ground. Frankie glanced on fearfully as Nero stalked the last standing human.

Nero mocked, “Aw. The precious hope of Heaven has fallen. The chosen are down. And you remain. Mortal, I have to say that you are the dumbest piece of meat I have ever seen to attack me. Unarmed as well.” Nero stalked towards Frankie as he crawled backward. “And now with all the heroes fallen, who will save you?”

Nero twirled his spear in a full circle once then thrusted it at Frankie. Frankie closed his eyes when he heard a sudden clang. Frankie heard a growl of displeasure from Nero. He opened his eyes to see a winged-man holding a sword in front of him. Frankie once again felt surprise. Hariel stood with his sword outstretched, ready for battle.

“Okay, Nero. You faced my kids. But I will be damned if I let you kill any of them,” declared Hariel, pressing his sword forward.

Nero retorted, “Hariel. The fallen angel wishes to stop me from getting my prey. That is dangerous.”

“Fuck that. I don’t think you get it Nero,” replied Hariel. “These kids are under my protection and I won’t have you kill them.”

“Are you planning on stopping me?”

“No. I plan on going to the local strip bar,” mocked the angel.
Nero twirled his spear again. “I will rip your wings apart. Then it will be your “kids” who I will maim.”

“Let’s dance!”


Interlude . . .

Tommy McMahon was playing with his young son of three out in the back of a nice suburban house in Southern Stockton. Tommy was swinging with his son in the air, spiraling around. The boy laughed in content as he extended his arms out. Tommy made him fly like an airplane under the light of his back porch. Tommy’s wife stepped out to the porch, leaning against the wooden rail.

Tommy’s wife asked, “ Boys. It’s pretty dark out now. You should come in.”

The boy replied, “But Mommy, I am having fun with Daddy.”

Tommy’s wife shook her head. “Sorry baby but it is bed time for you. Tom, bring him in inside in a few minutes.”

With that, Tommy’s wife reentered the home. Tommy put down his son as he patted his son’s head. His son looked up at his father, pouting in protest of his mother’s commands.

“But I don’t wanna go inside daddy. Can’t I just stay up longer?” The boy’s eyes were full of disappointment and pleading. He wanted nothing more but to stay outside with his dad. His mother could not understand that. Tommy kneed down to face his son. He sighed for a moment before he spoke.

“You’re mother has a point. It is time for you to get some sleep, little guy.” Tommy’s voice was gentle and comforting to the boy.

“But I want to stay with you. Mommy won’t let me.”

Tommy’s face shifted. Tommy’s son had seemingly felt the displeasure in his father’s face. Tommy, a vigil of seriousness, began to speak softly, in order for his wife not to hear.

“Listen. I understand you want to stay with me. But there is more to it than that. I think . . . I think Mommy has become evil. So evil that she will hurt people.”

The child’s eyes grew with wonder. “Mommy . . . evil? Why?”

“Daddy and Mommy have had some . . . disagreements. Mommy wants to control you. She wants to control you and me. She wants us to hurt other people, so she can be happy. But in order for her to do that, Mommy wants to hurt me first. The best way to do that is by hurting you or making you hurt me.”
The boy began to cry but Tommy hushed his tones for a moment. “Don’t cry. Mommy wants you to cry. She wants to make everyone suffer. Don’t let her see you crying cause she will hurt you then. Hit you. And I won’t let that happen.”

The boy whined then asked, “But what do I do, daddy?”

“Just keep calm. Everything will turn out fine. Just remember . . . one day, we are going to have to fight mommy. When we do, we will be free. Now come on. We’ll make pretend everything is okay that way Mommy will never know that we had this talk. Okay?”

The shaken boy nodded, agreeing to his father’s terms. The boy ran straight into his house, onto his bed, avoiding his mother at all costs. Tommy just stayed outside, smirking at the fact that his own son easily believed what he had just said.

“Soon . . . the real game begins.”

End of Interlude.


Nero stared at his long-time rival from days beyond time. Hariel tightened the grip to his sword, getting into a defensive stance. Hariel and Nero stared down each other while the wind began to blow. The trees in the area began to sway a little as these enemies were measuring each other. Malevolenia and Nergal both came to the side of their master. Frankie just stared at the entire event with awe and terror.

Nergal lifted his weapon, getting into an attack stance. “My lord, we are ready to help you smite down the angel.”

Nero shook his head. “Oh no. You don’t have to. I will handle this myself. The angel and I have an old rivalry to settle.”

Hariel scowled. “Rivalry. More like a war. I am going to take your demonic head and shove it so far up your butt that you’ll make Michael Jackson’s cry sound like a base.”

“I see that you have become accustomed to being with the mortals. That will prove to be your weakness, fallen one,” Nero stated in a matter-of-fact manner. Gripping his spear, he pointed it towards the angel’s chest.

Malevolenia added, “I would give up now. Me and Nergal have demolished your chosen warriors. Nero was ready to kill them. What makes you think that you have a chance against Nero, much less us?”

“Oh. You were kicking my chosen’s asses? Let me think. Wait,” replied Hariel, holding his free hand to his head. “Wasn’t it one of my chosen who, after merely activating her power within minutes, slugged your bitch ass to the ground? Wasn’t it one of my chosen that has defeated you Nergal over and over again? Wasn’t it my chosen that took you both down?” Hariel gripped his sword with two hands. Nero sneered at this display. “Do you know what you know about me and my chosen? Not a damn thing.”

Nero chuckled for a moment. “Hariel, really? Must you be so rude about everything? Do you truly believe you can defeat me, much less kill me?”

Hariel smirked. “If I recall Nero, didn’t Yari just hit you with an attack that melted a lot of your flesh? Don’t underestimate the chosen. As for you and I, put up or shut up cause I don’t have all eternity for this.”

Nero grinned for a moment then growled. Nero charged forward with his spear, aiming for the heart of Hariel. Hariel himself raged forward, his sword primed to strike. The loud clanging of their weapons stormed the air, ringing in the ears of everyone present. Hariel slashed forward with his sword, the doubled-bladed oval saber, rushing towards Nero’s flesh. Nero shifted his spear to the left, throwing off the sword. Hariel turned as Nero thrusted his spear forward. The angel used his sword to tap it away, hitting Nero with a kick against his burnt ribs. Nero stumbled for a moment, but followed with a ramming shot from the staff end of his spear to Hariel’s chest. Nero flipped the blade, hoping to slice into the angel. Yet, Hariel flipped back, dodging the attack completely. Nero charged at the angel again, this time dashing at his from the air like a bullet. Hariel spun back, letting his sword blocking most of Nero’s attack. Yet, Nero twisted in mid-air, circling the blade to graze the angel on his ribs. Hariel jumped back but followed up by shooting in the air with a quick slash, gashing Nero’s already burnt chest. The two looked at each other for a long moment.

“You have gotta better since our last match, Hariel,” mocked Nero. “Even without the true angelic powers, you are still a very formiable enemy.”

Hariel retorted, “I don’t need to full powers of an angel to beat you up. I have too much experience to hard-asses like you. And I am about to break it.”

As the two old enemies charged after each other again, Malevolenia and Nergal stand over Spirit White. The two chuckle at the fact that Nero had rendered the Spirit Rangers unconscious so quickly. Nergal raised his sword in the air, preparing to separate Spirit White’s head from her body.

[KingRed]

“While the master finishes off Hariel, we will deal with the Spirit Rangers. And now that Nero has made them all unconscious, it will be simple to dispatch them.”

Frankie’s eyes widened in fear as Nergal was about to decapitate Yari. With a painful wince, Frankie yelled, “Stop! They are defenseless! Please. Don’t hurt them.”

Malevolenia coldly answered, “They are in the way from us completing our mission. Nergal . . . . kill her.”

Nergal was brought his sword down when out of nowhere, a cry rang in the street. “Howling Winds!”

A strong wind shear cut into Nergal’s sword arm in a dark blue arc. Nergal screamed in pain as his shoulder was partially ripped from him. Both demons looked at Frankie, noticing that he was still leaning against the tree. Malevolenia turned to Nergal.

“Do any of the Spirit Rangers have wind abilities?” inquired Malevolenia, scanning the area for any unseen visitors.

Nergal shook his head. “And it seems that the boy is still down.”

Malevolenia added, “Then that means that we . . .”

Her voice was cut off when another arc of Blue energy raced at them. Both demons tumbled away from the attack. Frankie looked around, trying to find the originator of the attack. Nothing was in sight till seconds after, another figure landed in front of him. His armor was the same as Shawn’s and Booker’s, except it was a Blue color, almost sapphire color. His head was covered by a full helmet. His chest armor was the same, except his shoulder armor was a little more circular. And he had silver trim on everywhere gold was. He stared at his opponents, Malevolenia and Nergal, who were taken aback by the appearance of a new Spirit Ranger.

Nergal growled in anger, “Who are you? How dare you attack me, chosen fool!”

The Blue Spirit Ranger voiced his words in a deep and quiet voice. “I am not one for playing games. You are attacking fellow chosen. I am going to stop you. Here and now.”

Malevolenia spoke. “So, Hariel kept one Spirit Ranger hidden to himself in order to keep the element of surprise. Very sneaky for a divine creation.”

The Blue Spirit Ranger shook his head. “If you are going to just play around, I am just going to shut you up.” His voice was almost as cold and calculating as Malevolenia. The new ranger sprung at the two with his left hand out. His left hand collected dark blue energy, swirling in a whirlpool fashion. He quickly closed his hands together as he ran at the two demons.

“This is a present from the Spirit Rangers. Raging Cyclone!” In a quick manner, the latest Spirit Ranger opened his hands. A rapid cyclone of blue and wind energy raced at Malevolenia and Nergal. The two demon warriors were suddenly caught within the mighty power of the cyclone as it swirl them upwards and away from the fight into the thicket of woods that lied across the street. The dark blue warrior walked over to Frankie, helping the young man up. Frankie winced as he was on his feet once again, blood still dripping from his wound.

“Thank you for saving my friends,” the young Hispanic teen said. The Blue Spirit Ranger just nodded for a moment, then began to help the other Spirit Rangers to their feet.


Nero slapped the back of his fist against Hariel’s face while Hariel retaliated with a kick to his ribs. The two swirled in the sky, giving each other blow after blow in order for one of them to get the other hand. Blood dripped down both faces of the adversaries. Nero let a smirk free.

“I did not know that you were capable of being as sneaky or underhanded like that Hariel. Being a fallen angel has done you some good,” Nero chuckled.

Hariel sighed. “This is a war. I am a mortal angel. And did you really think I would let you be able to strike down the chosen without some insurance? We’ve danced this dance too long and I have decided that I am not going to let you get a chance to hurt the chosen. These are the roles we play Nero and this time, I am going to win, at any cost.”

Nero broke into insane laughter. “You little speech about war is quite entertaining but if you really want to see what I am going to do, just wait till I rip apart your chosen.”

Hariel gritted his teeth. “You’re not touching them again!” Hariel speeded towards Nero, his sword ready to separate flesh from bone. Nero laughed at Hariel as Nero spun around for a moment and slashed downward with his spear, gashing part of Hariel’s wings and back. Hariel plummeted towards the street, bashing the tar hard. Nero turned his attention to the new Spirit Ranger and Frankie.

Nero started, “Hariel is good but I am better. My power grows by the day. Soon, I’ll be able to crush him with ease. But today . . . it is your turn.” Nero’s body was full of gashes and burns. The battle with Hariel had rendered him with less flesh then before. The demon landed in front of the group of downed Spirit Rangers, his arms gripping his spear.

“I will enjoy killing you all. Stopping a prophecy that came from heaven just makes me excited. Don’t mind me if I tear you all into pieces.”

The Blue Spirit Ranger stated, “We’re not here for your entertainment. And I am not afraid of you either Nero. But this guy should be able to leave. He is an innocent bystander.”

Nero shook his head. “No one is innocent boy. No matter what, this is where you all die.”

Blue Spirit Ranger smirked within his helmet. “I don’t think so. Cause I have a feeling that someone has something to say about us living or dying.”

Nero retorted, “I’ll bite. Who is gonna stop me?”

Frankie’s eyes brightened a moment. Nero noticed this and as he turned around, a voice cried out, “ We are.”
Nero gritted his teeth at the sight before him. The other four Spirit Rangers had begun to stand on their feet. Each of them collecting energies of their particular element, readying a final attack. The latest Ranger collected his particular energies as well as the source of the voice, Spirit Red, began to talk.

Frankie’s eyes brightened a moment. Nero noticed this and as he turned around, a voice cried out, “ We are.”
Nero gritted his teeth at the sight before him. The other four Spirit Rangers had begun to stand on their feet. Each of them collecting energies of their particular element, readying a final attack. The latest Ranger collected his particular energies as well as the source of the voice, Spirit Red, began to talk.

“You know, I really hate it when bad guys talk in movies. I mean, it just gives the good guys a chance to recover. And now, we are ready to take you down! Now guys!”

“Astral Shock!”
“Burning Strike!”
“Divine Light!”
“Howling Winds!”
“Surging Tempest!”

All five attacks slammed into the Hellord, consuming the fiend in a blazing light. Nero, for the first time, screamed in agony as the five attacks stripped more and more flesh from his humanoid body. Nero finally collapsed to his knees as his body had mostly dissolved by the onslaught. Nero’s demonic form raged free with his black horns, crimson skin and bat wings.

“You will all pay for this. I will bury you all!” Nero then exploded the area with hellfire, leaving nothing behind but ash and flame. The Spirit Rangers sighed in victory. The fight, at least for now, was over.

[KingRed]

“And that is what I piece together happened. I guess I never realized how much my life and the lives of other meant to me till this past night. That night, we had told Sam’s parents that we were attack by a gang and Sam was killed. It was hard lying to them but I had to. Shawn said that the world isn’t ready to know the truth about the Spirit Rangers. And to be honest, neither do I. If this is what my brother has been up to, then I’m afraid that I am going to lose him. For years, Shawn was my hero. Tonight, he was the hero for all of us. I never truly thought about the concepts of fight something like Hell until tonight. I only read stuff like it in comics or watched it in anime. But this . . . this is something else. And to be honest . . . I am afraid that my part in all this isn’t over yet.”

Later that night . . .

Frankie had been tucked away in his bed after they created some story for Shawn’s and his mother to believe. Frankie’s stomach was not hurt that badly and he was resting off the nights events. That night, the Blue Spirit Ranger had disappeared after the fight. Meantime, the other four had gathered in Shawn’s home, hoping to make sense of it all. Dana, Booker and Yari were sitting in the front porch, almost in vigil, hoping nothing else will happen.

Dana started, “Everything tonight. All of it. It is just crazy. We were chosen to defend the Earth. Sam just died. We were having super-powers and fighting demons. Can anyone please tell me I was dreaming?”

Booker shook his head. “It was a dream. It was a freakin’ nightmare. We are the ones that suppose to save this world. And I am wondering if we are really the right ones for the job.”

“Besides the fact that Sam died and we almost got killed,” Yari added. Her tears were slowly running down her cheeks. “This isn’t a game. We were chosen to save the world. But . . . I didn’t want to be chosen. And it is because we were chosen, Sam died.”

Dana sat next to her friend, hugging her protectively. “Honey, I am so sorry.”

Shawn walked away while the others talked. Keeping himself hidden in the trees, Hariel was wrapping up his wounds. The angel glanced down at the first of his chosen. Shawn Lopez DeVictoria. The First Spirit Ranger. Hariel’s eyes revealed something to Shawn that he never once seen within the fallen angel’s eyes . . .anguish.

Without looking up, Shawn began to speak. “My brother is gonna be fine. The others are scared. There is no sign of Nero. I don’t know where the new guy went and . . .”

“Kid,” softly called Hariel, “it is okay. Losing isn’t easy. Just be glad that it wasn’t when the entire earth was in stake.”

Shawn clenched his fist. “Is that all you have to say? Is that all the great angel has for us mortals that are fighting *your* war?”

“This is as much your war as it is mine,” Hariel snapped.

Shawn finally gazed up at his mentor. “We didn’t ask for it!! My brother’s best friend died tonight. Why? Cause we couldn’t save him.”

“You aren’t meant to save everyone. I already told you that.”

“THAT DOESN”T MAKE IT EASIER!!” exclaimed Shawn, who was nearly shouting at the top of his lungs. “We may have failed in saving Sam, damn it, but don’t you start with me. You could have saved him. You could have been straight with us. You could have told me that you had another Spirit Ranger as back up.”

“I didn’t want to risk . . .”

Shawn interrupted. “FUCK YOUR RISKS! This is about lives. The very thing that is suppose to bring us together. You got some fuckin’ nerve to tell me that you didn’t want to risk us ratting out that we got another Spirit Ranger to cover our asses.”

Hariel’s face bunched in displeasure. “Listen, kid. I ain’t in the mood for this crap. It is bad enough that Nero got the drop on me.”

Shawn let out a disgusted grunt. “This is about your wounded pride?! You got some fuckin’ nerve. Right now, we are at war with Hell’s army. If you aren’t being straight with us, how the fuck are we suppose to save the planet? Huh?!”

An uneasy silence followed. Shawn sighed again before speaking. “I got other people to worry about. This may be our war but stop hiding things we need to know. Cause you know what . . . it’s gonna get one of us killed.”

Shawn was about to walk away. “You have some nerve kid. What about your brother? When do you plan on telling him about his powers?”


Shawn stopped for a moment. His heart began to pump faster. His mind goes back to Sam’s dead body. Shawn remembered the pool of blood that came from it.

“After what happened to Sam, I am going to make sure that my brother’s powers will never be needed. My brother will *not* fight in this war.”

With those words, Shawn returned to the others, hoping to comfort and get comfort among his friends and comrades. Hariel dropped his head for a moment. The angel kept looking down in shame as one tear began to fall from him.


Inside the police station, shadows grew rapidly during the wee hours of the night. Inside the coroner’s room, shadow began to grow and grow. The storage for recently dead suddenly shakes a little as a hand reached up from the shadows. Suddenly, Nero, fully demon self, appeared in the room. His bestial eyes glanced at some of the bodies till he found the one he wants.

“I believe that this will do nicely.” With an insane cackle, Nero slipped back into the shadows, taking a corpse with him.



The End of Baptism by Fire