Fandom Power Rangers Divine Knights

Chances' embodiment must have delivered the page of the book himself. Mellany's odd behavior combined with the information in the texts and the encounter with Vioux earlier? Peaking glances her way, Braxton did noticed her inspecting everything as if for the first time. He swore that in the right light or in the blink of an eye something green glinted within her eyes. Under the radar he suspected she was hiding something, or perhaps something else lingers without detection. Testing his theory would take too long. Cunning minds and candid faces make that hard to test, anyhow. Watching her discreetly, Braxton sided with caution around Mellany. What is happening, or what he believes is happening, could be the answer to what's going on with her. The oddities, the blow back from her magic, collapsing in battle. Did he figure it out? No. Not for certain. However Braxton is equipped with the knowledge on how to handle this just in case.
---
Warehouses. It had to be the warehouse district of town. Dark and dreary, secluded from pedestrians. Nothing bad ever happens here! Rogana perched herself atop a crate in the warehouse, umbrella extended over her head to provide shade from one crack in the ceiling. Instead of just moving she chose to be focal. Glancing toward the entry way for the Knights to come in. Four of five seemed fine and normal. But the White one trembled like a pathetic child lost in the wilderness in jaguar territory. "Welcome, Rangers, to your greatest battle yet. Tell me... does the room feel any colder?" Rogana asked with a quaint laugh.
All while coming through the network Braxton senses something wicked would come. But these two Disciples were not it. "Quiet, 16th century harlot," Braxton threw at the Mystery Disciple's face. Not even a full minute seemed to go by before Mellany collapsed again in pain. He looked at her but instead on kneeling or going on the offensive like Vince, he took one step backward and gestured his hands in a casting method. The glow again, appearing for a fraction of a fraction of a second. You read that right. In his mind he attempted latching to Mellany's consciousness but it didn't work. He does not has that level of experience nor does he sense any leeway. Something is blocking him from even trying to get in. It's dark.

"Everybody keep your eyes peeled. This is a trap." Braxton might just be correct, given his hunch. Not to spoil it, but he doesn't need to be a mind-reader to know.

"Geez, the mage is stating the obvious now?" Mellany chuckled. Or maybe not quite Mellany. "That's pathetic." She got up, slapping Chloe aside in the progress. "Almost as pathetic as this creature here." Mellany - or not quite Mellany - gestured to herself. She stepped away from the Knights, walking halfway over between them and the Disciples before glancing over her shoulder. Her eyes now had an unmistakable green glow to them. "Your little friend is gone. Trapped inside her own mind with no escape. Frozen, if I may say so." Again she chuckled. Her voice now had that freaky kind of sound you get when two different voices say the exact same thing at the exact same time. Like an echo or a filter. Then, seethrough like a hologram, Vioux appeared again over Mellany's body. "She's mine now. As are her powers, and as is her medallion." Vioux walked closer to the Disciples and then turned around, facing off against the Knights. "Tell me... you wouldn't want to hurt your friend, would you?" These Knights had no chance against them now. Not against her, anyway. This was, after all, still their friend's body, and she would feel all pain inflicted on it, even through the possession.
---
Deep inside her own mind, Mellany was indeed frozen, as Vioux had so wonderfully described. Though her upper body was still free, she was frozen in place from her hips to her toes, tormented by the visions from the mirrors talking down to her. Each mirror showed a memory, either true, false, or slightly altered. The cold made it increasingly hard to focus on which was which, and the ice still slowly kept creeping up further and further. Mellany didn't want to think of what would happen if she was encased in the ice completely. One of the many mirrors showed the warehouses, dark and foggy like in her dream. The crescent moon that was Vioux' head being the only feature she could discern clearly. Others were blurry shades, but she recognized the general outlines. Vince and Chloe, Braxton and Raijah. She wasn't present. Of course she wasn't. Why would they ever need her? She'd heard them say it. They hated her. She was a leech. She'd only drag them all down. Once more, the ice crept up a little bit further.
---
Raijah stumbled back slightly as Mellany's voice changed and she walked over towards the Shadoji. This was Mellany. But it also wasn't her. The voice wasn't the same, and neither were the eyes. Then she changed. Actually changed. The demon appeared over her. Kind of like an illusion. "You let go," Raijah hissed, almost growling really. So was this why Mellany had been acting so weird? The demons were doing this to her? He quickly glanced to the other three. Vioux was sort of right, wasn't she? They couldn't hurt Mellany, even if it wasn't really her. Because it still was her. Sort of. Now Raijah was confused. It made his head hurt. Oh no, were the demons inside his head too now?

Slapped aside like a toy, Chloe yelped and sat on the ground. Hair covered her eyes but she looked up at Mellany very confused. Her brother looked down and shot a glare to Mellany, too. What's gotten into her? Oh if she only knew how appropriate that phrase was at this time. Dusting herself off she joined the guys and hid behind her brother out of a little bit of that new-to-this fear and caution. Hide behind the big guy, it's a good plan. But suddenly both of them froze. Mellany walked to the Disciples, Urla giggling about it, and her eyes became green. Vioux appeared over her and confirmed the scariest thing to imagine for a mage or anybody with a sound mind. A demon has control over Mellany. She's possessed. All the Knights could do was stare are her. Shock and disbelief took them over instead of an Envy demon. Peter didn't know it for sure like the Rangers do, but he's still asking Deer in the barn about what's going through Mellany's head to try and get an answer out of her. It's as close a shot as he's gonna get to seeing inside.
"Mellany? Can... Can you hear me?" Chloe asked sadly as Vioux/Mellany stood with Rogana, Urla and the Thralls. Urla giggled and blew serious raspberries at them all. Friends have definitely turned their backs on Chloe before but this is a new form of that high school bullshit. "You guys what should we do? Any ideas Braxton? You're the magic guy!" she whispered to all of the guys around her, losing her spunk and instead growing timid.

"History of possession in teams like ours leaves us with one choice..." Vince started. "Leave her body, Vioux. I demand you leave her or you suffer the consequences. Part of being a Knight is being brave even when fighting our friends... " he said. Obviously he doesn't want to. But knowing this monster, only one thing is going to happen now. Slowly he lifted his medallion and morpher up, prompting everyone to do the same. Braxton felt it was a trap and he was right. Vince knows his history. Trust him on this. "We have to, guys. She'd do the same for us. We're a team."
"What she'd try and kill us?" Chloe asked. A long pause followed while her question lingered.
"No. Mellany would knock a demon out of us with a few bruises rather than let it sit. There isn't time for an exorcism. We have to do it the hard way, it's a Shadoji we're talking about. She's one of us. I know she's still in here, We have to get her back." Vince fixed his eyes to look only at Mellany... Vioux... whomever it is, really, now. Chloe sighed but nodded. He's right. Mellany would fight to save any of them, wouldn't she? This is what being a team is all about. Inserting Medallions, hitting #1 and the button, they raised the morphers to the sky. "Divine Change!"
Flashes of light. "Mellany. We're going to get you back. Fight it if you can!" Vince yelled out to her. Chloe ambitiously nodded. Urla waited for Vioux to make the first move. This will be interesting.

"Weak of will and short on bonds. She was an easy target. Say goodbye to her, Rangers, for you will not be getting her back. She's on our side now," Rogana laughed and laughed at them all. Vioux debuting as the taker for Mellany's body in front of her fellow Divine Fools. Mysterious how they never figured it out from the moment this all began. Without that young boys father they are nothing. Pity Dumanax ran that man through with a blade mere moments after meeting them all at their home. It's cute that this mage now belongs to them. Maybe now she can kill the boy after comforting him in mourning.

Furrowing his brow and taking point, iron grip with eyes interlocked on the demons, Braxton saw through Mellany. It's one thing for her to say something to him. But those words uttered are not hers.
"Possession. I knew it. The signs were there, but I couldn't see them coming fast enough... " he murmured to himself but audibly enough for the others to hear. He's the superior mage, yes, so he should have been able to detect this and stop it before it got to this point. Possession from a demon or any foreign force in your mind is the worst kind of metal trauma somebody can endure. Willpower has to be higher than any on Earth to not come back from it a little damaged. Deep down he felt as if this was his fault. He should have watched her carefully. He does not doubt her magical ability so much that she needs to be watched in his eye but every mage ever is susceptible to this. Even him, as talented a mage he is. It would be ignorant to believe otherwise. "She can't hear you, Chloe. Mellany's in there but she's likely locked away like a jewel in a vault." Not to discourage hope but his studies show that to be true. Vioux on't let go so easy, either. Truth be told he had no ideas. This stage of possession is hard to break without exorcising demons out. As Vince stated, there really isn't time for that at the moment.

"I wouldn't normally agree but you're correct. Our predecessors' experiences should teach us to stand against one another if the time calls for it," he said while pulling out his morpher as well. "It may look like her but this is not really Mellany. Vioux has taken her and put her against us. She knows it, too. There's only one way." Ending her life is not the goal. But physically removing a demon can be done, in ways. Forceful ejection is another way to label it.
"Divine Change!" he shouted with the rest of them. "Your willpower has to come through. Hold out long enough for us. We'll get that filth out of your head, I guarantee it." He sounds almost... sympathetic to her. For somebody who bickers with her, he does care. Fun is fun but he wouldn't wish possession on her or anyone. He'll fight like Hell for her, or anybody on the Knights' side. Unbelievable courage, and all.

Deer sighed and shook her head. "She's different from her normal self, that much is very clear. I cannot seem to get through to her mind. Something's keeping me out and it has me very much concerned," the Mount said after a long moment of thought. Her energy felt off, the connection between Knight and Mount seemingly faltering. Such a thing does not normally happen. "But I think, dear boy, that it isn't you who needs the help." Deer sounded sad. "Although something dark is keeping me out of Mellany's mind, I can tell she is suffering."
---
Raijah stepped forward slightly as Chloe hid behind them all. Mellany had been acting strange for a while already, and now they all got to see why. Vioux had taken over control, and they'd have to fight her. Raijah did not like it at all. Mellany was their friend. Friends don't fight their friends... But right now it wasn't exactly Mellany they were facing. It was Vioux and the Disciples. They wouldn't try to kill Mellany, nor seriously harm her... but they'd have to fight and knock the demon out one way or another. "Mellany... Raijah is sorry," he apologized already. They were going to have to hurt her, Not seriously harm or kill her... but they'd still have to hurt her. Raijah like the others inserted the medallion and pressed #1. "Divine Change!"

"She struggled long enough, but ultimately... I'd have to thank you all. The four of you fools made it so much easier than it could've been," Vioux said. "She won't be free again." If only they knew how their recent words and actions played in all to well on the mage's insecurities. Vioux hardly even needed to twist them. Circumstances just made it all so perfect. The Envy demon laughed along with the Disciples, watching them all morph. She then made Mellany do the same thing. "Divine Change!" Vioux would've spat after those words were it not for the fact that the body was wearing a helmet. "Disgusting words. It's going to take an eternity to get that foul taste out of my mouth again." Now Mellany stood, facing the others. Vioux' image still seemed to hover around Mellany, giving her entire suit a green glow. "Now this is going to get interesting."
Wielding the staff and combining the strength of a demon with the power of the mage, Vioux/Mellany cast a full-on blizzard at the other knights.
---
Deep inside Mellany's mind, she herself stood, still frozen solid to the ground, the ice still creeping up further and further as time passed on. The ice had grown past her hips and was not nearly covering her stomach. The words everyone was speaking were blurred. She could hear it, or at least who was talking, but she couldn't make out any words at all. One of the mirrors in her mind was giving her a clearer vision of what was happening. The four others stood, ready to fight... her. While Mellany knew what was going on, it was so hard to follow it all. It's like watching things in a dream.
Kill... Ending her life.... The only words that were really coming through. Or the ones Vioux allowed for to come through. It scared her. Would they seriously try to kill her? Maybe it's for the best. She's not good enough to be a Knight. And she's possessed by a demon, too. She can't keep it together like Vince. She has a hard time making friends and connecting socially to others unlike Chloe. She's constantly worried about so many things unlike Raijah who appears not to have a care in the world. She's the inferior mage and Braxton constantly reminds her of that. What even is her place among this team?
---
And those thoughts inspired Vioux to attack the Knights one by one. Much like she'd done before, but now using Mellany as a vessel rather than the simple man.
"Are you so sad and insecure that you constantly need others to remind you how pretty and nice you are?" Vioux/Mellany asked Chloe before slashing at her with the staff and moving on to the next Knight.
"And you... always acting like there's not a care in the world. Even when fighting demons you still act like it's all fun and games." Raijah's turn to get slashed across the chest. Raijah yelped, both at the words and the sparks coming from his chest.
"You're just an over-glorified jock who thinks he's in charge. Always so calm and keeping it together. What is it? Incapable of feeling anything other than anger when people won't do as you say?" Another slash of the staff against Vince. And last but not least she faced off against Braxton. The one the mage seemed to dislike the most. Mage against mage.
"Does it make you feel better about yourself when you constantly remind others you're better than them? That nobody is good enough to stand in your presence?" Full-on magic blast at the other mage. Remember kids, combining demon-magic and strength with the powers of an upset mage is a dangerous thing!
Mellany's thoughts, although twisted into evil words by the demon. The words weren't her exact thoughts about everyone, but it should give them a pretty clear idea just what bits of Mellany's mind the demon had targeted.

It really scared Chloe how ingrained in Mellany's head Vioux is. It made her really sad that she would have to raise a weapon against her. Friendship isn't about being hit by everyone closer to you. It's about helping each other and understanding. Arguing sometimes but making up and laughing about it later. How are they supposed to laugh about this? Vince isn't thrilled either. Hurting his friend isn't his goal, but something he'll have to do to save her. She won't take it personally. She shouldn't, knowing it's for her own good. Damn, hitting her to save her is something he needs to talk to a therapist about. 'Yeah I hit my friend really hard with a big sword because her head was messed up but I did it to help her. She is kind of better now I think?' Therapy may land him in jail. Stay tuned.

Rogana, unlike the Knights, liked seeing Vioux/Mellany morph. Vince and Chloe gasped, not believing their eyes. White Ranger, green glow, evil possession, messed up in all kinds of ways. Vince wielded his sword and shield combo, Chloe not wielding anything until she had to. She didn't want to hurt her! Even if she is technically a monster now! She won't do it. She won't. "She will be free again, you monster. The only thing that'll take forever is the stink you leave behind after we knock you out of her," Vince grunted to Vioux. The Thralls and Disciples stayed back. Rangers versus Ranger! "You don't deserve to use that power. You're going down!" he yelled at her, running in before the others with sword in one hand and shield in the other. Just how in the hell did any of them make this easy for her? What did they have to do with her possessing Mellany? That manipulation won't work with them. One Knight is enough, demonic garbage. "Hold on, Mel, we're coming for ya," he said and ran into her. Chloe followed into battle.

Vince directly met Mellany/Vioux when she attacked him. Over glorified jock thinking he's in charge? Always together? He blocked the slash with his shield but felt it fully behind it. So much for defense. But what did she mean? The bitterness, the real Mellany voice slipping out... why did she say those things to him?
Chloe with no weapons at all took the hit full force, rolling to the side. Magical weapons hurt more than plain old steel weapons do. "How pretty and nice I am...Is this demon trying to make me say something??" she asked herself, then thinking to the demon's theme. Envy. Envy demon, saying odd things specific to each person. This monster's screwing with them. It won't work! "Mellany reminds everyone of what's good about them. If she were here, I'd tell her I can't compete with her. She's so beautiful. It's gross that a demon like you is in her!" Being hit really set Chloe off, so it made sense when she and Vince double teamed Mellany/Vioux after she attacked everybody easily. "Everyone wants to be friends with Mellany because she's so cool and friendly. I would kill to have that!" Being popular didn't mean people just liked her. Those that did knew she was a nice person. But a lot of people assume she's a bitch so they ignore her. Teenagers.

"I don't know what you're pulling," Vince told her while locking weapons, "but it's bullcrap. What would you know? It tears me up that Mellany's under your control, and if I'm angry at anything here, it's your demonic ass," he said, shoving her back with the shield. Envy demon, it's obvious she's reveaking Mellany's envy here. Big mistake. "You're envious of Mel's power. Without her you're nothing. She's more powerful than you will ever be! Mellany has it together more than any of us!" he said very clearly to Vioux, bashing her against with the shield, Chloe cartwheeling in for an interjection kick! For not wanting to fight her she sure is willing to. But she isn't enjoying it.
"What a jerk. Leeching off of her like this to fuel yourself. You make me sick! Let Mellany go!" Chloe demanded before kicking her again and avoiding another staff swoop. Callback to saying 'leech' unbeknownst to bad context for Mellany earlier.

"I am going to make you eat your words, vile creature," Braxton muttered, scattering around a Vioux transformed with a faint green glow to her--or rather Mellany's--body. Vioux' mind game of trying to get in the Knights' heads would only work if they were all simple in the head and wore dunce caps. Simple being extremely simple. Raijah isn't even so simple in his eyes to be persuaded by evil so easily. Persuasion. That's often been the root of possession in history. Temptation of something great in change for your soul, humanity or becoming a walking vessel for non-corporeal being. Years and years of research combined with immediate studies told him everything he needed to know and then some. Assuming divinity in a Knight's place however is new to him personally. Such pure and just power in the hands of something so twisted and staining on the Earth. Being a Knight and a Ranger is something Shadoji can not conceive of.
Blizzard cast at them all, Braxton deflected Vioux/Mellany's spell with a burst of energy from his staff, mobilizing around to keep himself at a distance from the demon Mellany. He had never quite envisioned battling one of his own like this outside of training but he'll do what has to be done.

One by one this creature sought them out. "Do not listen to her, everyone. Vioux only draws Mellany's insecurities, I'm sure," he warned the others, taking a full blast to the chest from her, knocked back on his ass, his staff used like a crutch. Personally attacking everybody, reminding them of her inner thoughts and feelings but twisting them into hateful attacks. This is the part where all of the prior bickering comes in handy for the mages. Now the others have gone, mages against one another. Rogana watched from afar in great interest. Braxton huffed and whirled his staff around, flinging energy bolts form both ends at it, aiming for every section of Vioux/Mellany's body. Unlucky for her, he is too smart for her nonsense. As are the others it would appear. "Reminding everyone how I'm better? Well, stating the obvious is my nature. Try saying something Mellany doesn't already tell me on a daily basis!" He has a valid point. If anyone calls hum out for pointing out his own skill, it's her. Vioux slipped up.

"You forget. My magic is strong," Braxton said while conjuring a glyph around Vioux/Mellany to hold her in place temporarily, "but her willpower far exceeds mine. Persisting onward she never quits. None of us will ever quit. It isn't me you have to worry about, Vioux," Braxton spat, holding that glyph as long as he possibly could to restrain her.

Words coming through to her mind, even if Vioux' presence tried drowning them out. The demon had spilled the beans, revealed to everyone what Mellany was so insecure and worried about. Never finding her place, not truly belonging among the other Knights... And they just... didn't let the twisted words get to them? Told the demon how the things Mellany was most worried about weren't true at all? Vioux tried pushing Mellany back into her own mind, tried speeding up the freezing. All because the Knights, her friends had told the demon the truth. Vioux, an Envy demon, envious of the mage's power, had latched on to said mage's own envy to gain control over the power she so much desired. But oh had the demon picked a poor target. The others were calling out for her to hold on, to fight back. They weren't fighting her. They were fighting for her, doing what was needed to remove Vioux' presence from her mind and body. And the demon had left her too blind to see it. Mellany wouldn't forgive that so easily. Braxon's glyph kept her/Vioux in place, much as how the ice was keeping her in her mental prison. Just what she needed. No sarcasm involved, really. Mellany took a deep breath. And another. She had just one shot at this.
"Guys!" she called out, pushing Vioux back for just a moment. "I have a plan. Hit me with everything you've got. Trust me!"
And back into her own mind she went, readying and waiting. Time to show the demon who was in charge of this mind and body.

Vioux, though angered by being reminded she was the envious one, and how she needed a vessel to use her powers, laughed. Laughed at the idea of Mellany asking to be hit by her friends. It would likely kill her. Was the mage that desperate to be rid of her? "Well, if the little mage has a death wish, we might as well all grant it, no?" Vioux chuckled, beckoning the Disciples to also strike Mellany with all their power. "The medallion will be ours anyway after she dies. And I will simply find another host."

Raijah, again, hesitated. Hitting her with everything they had? That was really going to hurt her. They only wanted to get the demon out! But Mellany asked them to trust her, and that he did. If Mellany had a plan, they'd have to try and free her. She's smart and strong. Surely she knows how to get rid of the demon messing with her own mind, yes? Raijah grabbed his daggers tight and took a deep breath. What Mellany was basically asking of them was to use whatever finishing moves they'd had. Whatever her plan was, Raijah didn't see it. He looked at the rest of the team. "Should we...?" He took a stance ready to do as Mellany asked, but he didn't want to be the first one to act. Vioux might have said he didn't have a care in the world, but he cared a great deal about his friends and absolutely wouldn't want to hurt them.

Mellany's insecurities are being blasted out of proportion to take control of her. Every demon they have encountered so far plays on an emotion or sin of some kind, but this is by far the most personal of them all. Downright dirty play at work here. Everything Braxton said, everything he preached is correct. The mages argue all of the time but back-to-back they have been the ones to stick up for one another the most. They have an interesting relationship with one another, don't they? Vioux is seriously messing with the wrong one here, as Braxton said before. Vince smirked under his visor and added to that. "Yeah. It's her," he said, implying to the demon it is in fact Mellany she has to fear the most. His faith in her is strong but can it be strong enough? Vince watched the glyph appear, Vioux trying to break out before it was too late. Mellany broke through, asking for them to give her all they had in one blow. Tightly clutched the grip of his sword, Vince inhaled. Chloe shuddered to think what might happened next. They have one shot at this and if they do it wrong...
---
Peter expressed interest in the block between Mellany and Deer. Mount and Knight connections are the most vigilant things about the Knights' personal ties. Teams find strength in their numbered ranks, this is true, but companions such as the Mounts offer a bigger power. Literally speaking in the term of the Mounts of today. Power has always been there but these Mounts now have a larger scale to help the Knights. "Is it dark? The block. Or is it...green?" he asked Deer, honing in on Vioux' green appeal. Darkness is void and simple to correct. But green indicates something worse. If it's green Deer sees, then no matter the solution at hand, the Knights will have to eliminate Vioux completely to save Mellany's mind. He knows it has to be possession at hand, but this demon is more powerful than others. Just knocking her loose isn't going to cut it.
---
Urla laughed and unleashed an agreeing blast from her mace in addition to Thralls' energy shooting out from their hands. The White mage wants to die? So be it! Sooner will she give them her medallion! Shiny for Urla, powerful for Shadoji!

"We should. We take a stand. We trust Mellany in doing as she asks. One shot that can't afford to miss," Vince replied to Raijah, hand on his shoulder, understanding the concern. "Divine Push!" Vince lead a group attack of four in rebellion to Urla and the Shaodji's attack from the opposite direction. He heavily slashed his sword down, red energy beaming to Mellany/Vioux. Chloe fired one heavy arrow glowing in yellow light to merge with it and the others attacks. She hoped they were doing the right thing. But her brother has a point. Mellany would do the same thing for all of them. She's their friend and they WILL get her back!

Entrenching on Mellany's mind, Vioux using her against them all, fighting with every ounce of strength not her own, preying on the weaknesses of others. This is a handful of reasons why demons and monsters alike need to be exterminated like the pests they are. A big can of Raid would be useful. Step by step with every breath, Braxton felt his glyph weakening moments before Mellany came through her own mind to ask them all to strike. Classic tales of possession include victims begging to die either of their own volition or the demon at play. This tale of possession is with no average victim, but a victim with great power if not a lot more naivety. He'll save her but will really want to know how she let this happen. Scolding later, saving now. Vioux is a twisted monster that must be stopped at all costs. If they should put trust in Mellany by attacking, so be it. "Prepare yourself. Begone, bewitchment!" he said. Lightning chained through his staff into his arms in a bright blue glow, thrusting forth a massive bolt of lighting to merge all of the Knights attacks together in Vince's Push move.

"I will oblige that, foolish girl," Rogana laughed. Mellany wishes to die? She wants them to hit her. Begging to die, for mercy, to be free of Vioux' clutches. That medal in her possession would be free of a host, surely, meaning it is theirs for the taking. How perfect. Power of the White Mage fighting for the Shadoji. Something never thought possible until now. Rogana twirled the umbrella, watching almost machine-gun like shots blast from the tip of it while holding it like a modern day firearm. "Goodbye, White Ranger!"

As everyone, and with that it's really everyone villains included, blasted and slashed at her with everything they had in them, Mellany in the depths of her mind chuckled to herself. She took one deep breath, and broke herself free from the ice that had been trapping her. And not just that. Moments before the combined attacks of everyone around her would hit her, she pushed Vioux out of her mind and back into the mortal realm. And Mellany struck her too, ice spell swirling around her staff. Nobody messes with her mind that badly and gets way with it! She didn't care if her insecurities, if the little things she was envious about were spilled by the demon. What she cared about was that the demon had used it against her. Had twisted the words of the others and invaded her mind until Mellany could no longer escape. Well... Not anymore.
"Impossible!" Vioux shouted. "How did you break free from my grasp?"
"It's not Unwavering Willpower for nothing," Mellany said coldly. Pun intended there? Maybe. Maybe not. Mellany is pissed off so who dares to ask?
The whole barrage of attacks hit the Envy demon as she was pushed back into the world and out of the Mage's mind. Granted, the recoil of all attacks did still knock her down and send her rolling over to her teammates. She had some scrapes and bruises, and remained floored for a few seconds, catching her breath and collecting her mind now that it was fully her own again. And Vioux... she was nothing more than a smoldering pile of ashes and demon goo on the ground.

Raijah was quick to move over and kneel down by her side. "Mellany... you okay?" he asked, offering help to get her back to her feet. Help she gladly accepted since the whole ordeal did leave her weakened.
"Considering what's happened... I think I'm doing quite okay," Mellany said. "It's going to take forever to wash that demon stink off though." Raijah was glad to hear that she was okay. He didn't think she smelled bad of demon stink... but it did sound like something Mellany would say. Now their friend was standing (more or less) back with them. And the demon was gone! So it really was Mellany again and she was no longer under the control of Vioux. She was free now, right? Raijah wasn't quite sure anymore. But he was really glad to see that their storm of attacks hadn't seriously harmed or even killed her. And that she sounded like her again as well.

"Well then I will just have to crush you all!" Aaaand... Vioux was back. Of course she was. Mellany groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Oh for fuck's sake I just want this to be over with!" she complained. Give her a break, okay? Demon possession left her sleeping poorly for days, which is part of the reason why it became easier to invade her mind, said demon has been leeching off her insecurities and tried to trap her in an ice prison in her own mind. And now she's back in giant form threatening to stomp on everyone... Need she continue? Mellany is just tired and completely done with this all.
"Then let's call Mounts and beat her again!" Raijah said, full of determination. Demon had hurt his friend, so demon had to go. Even if Vioux hadn't hurt his friend she'd still have to go because she's an evil demon. But that's getting sidetracked real quickly there.
"I couldn't agree more. Let's do this!" Mellany said. She took out her morpher, and pressed the buttons to summon Deer and initiate the combination. Time to stomp on that demon, instead!
---
"It is... green," Deer said after a moment of hesitation. She didn't like to face the idea that her Knight was being possessed by a demon. Getting through to the White Mage's mind was difficult with the demon blocking her out. But over the last few minutes, something appeared to have been changing. Deer got the "call" from the Knights.
"It appears that I am needed. Hope isn't lost yet. In fact I think we might be very close to getting Mellany back."
And so Deer disappeared from the Farm, headed to the scene of the battle, combining with the other Mounts.

That did it! Urla felt the push back from it as well, skidding back a little as the blast landed to separate Vioux and Mellany physically. The Knights overwhelmed her power and freed the White one. Curses! Urla stomped immaturely. The Thralls were blown away by the back blast of the attack. So the Knights took out their forces in addition to severing the connection. "No fair! Let's go Rogana, she's got work to do!" she said, mad at Vioux for losing and being knocked out, stepping back with the other Disciple into their castle once again. Disciples always fled at this moment in a fight. Why stick around when it gets big?
"Did we do it?" Vince asked as the smoke settled, obstructing his vision from the final results. They really put their all into that. Holding back wasn't an option but maybe he did it too hard. Chloe felt the same way. That is until they saw the result. Vioux, already defeated and resorted to a wallowing spark factory by being pushed out and struck down, Mellany rolling over to the Rangers with her normal voice in tact.

Vince helped her up with Raijah. "You okay? I thought we lost you," he said, hand on the mages shoulder as he too caught his breath. A big slash takes the wind out. She may smell like demon but she's gonna be okay. Better than losing her forever. She's standing, she's with them, she sounds like herself, she's free. Vince was full of concern and relief, really. Like a nightmare finally being awoken from.
"Thank goodness!" Chloe reached out to hug her minus the likelihood she's sore as a damn pro wrestler in a training course. Peppiness is blinding like sunlight. Fitting the bright color is the blinding one. She's more than happy that Mellany is okay. It can be heard in her voice. Insecurities be damned.
Then Vioux ruined the reunion by standing up, growing giant and smashing through the warehouse ceiling with her head in the process. Little bit anticlimactic seeing how they didn't get a real fight as a team again on ground. But they'll take it. Mellany's her again, that is what matters here.
---
Peter nodded and vigorously called Vince. Stallion an Wildcat got the call, fading away as well as the others did. But a green block showed trouble. "Guys? Peter here. Deer helped me piece something together. Mellany is and or was definitely possessed." He wasn't on the field so he didn't get the official reveal. "Knocking Vioux out of her isn't gonna be enough. You have to destroy her completely in order to wipe her from Mellany's consciousness."
---
Helpful kid is only a little helpful. Captain of the obvious, it's clear by his voice just how passionate he was about saving Mellany. About saving all of his Knights. "Kinda got the picture already, Pete. We got this," Vince replied, the five giant Mounts charging in, armored up and combining together as one. if Deer wanted to get a personal blow in before combing, nobody would blame her. All of them jumped up into them.
"Grand Knight Megazord!" called the Knights upon combination. Blade at the ready!

"Excellent work," Braxton complimented Mellany when she broke free of Vioux as the blast blew her away. Rough solutions work in lieu of timely cognitive ones. The mental scarring may take a toll but it can be dealt with under therapy of the arcane or in more modern terms: aspirin and lots of fluids. A whole range of attacks hitting both her and the demon needs to be dealt with in due time. Rogana felt no reason to stay, making her exit along with Urla back to Faye Castle. Dumanax may provide punishment for these wicked souls though technically it was not them who faltered, it was a demon getting cocky in the mages head. 'Twould have been interesting to see it all take flight in the long run but maybe another time. Leaving Vioux behind before she grew, Rogana spun the umbrella over her shoulder. Off she goes to her master and fellow Disciples with grace. Pity it didn't work out but no use crying over spilled milk.
Now that his companion has been released and Vioux has grown (or is about to at this second in time), he rested the end of his staff on the ground while Mellany got herself together. Back to normal, swearing, posture the same as always. Her voice is even the same. "What got you through? How'd you do it?" he asked her a split second before Vioux grew. Was it everyone reaffirming positive things? Willpower, a combination of the two? Either way it was remarkable how she pulled through.

Peter telling them what to do. Braxton sighed, bored at the 'new' info. He caught on a little slower than they did but he's doing his job. His part in all of this is to aid them. "Destroy the demon, destroy the hold. Basic stuff," he repeated to himself, eyes up at Vioux hellbent on destroying all of the Rangers now. Wolf promptly showed up with Stallion, Deer, Bear and Wildcat. Grand Knight had been formed and Braxton resided within the cockpit pedestal with Mellany. Having evened the playing field, it was time for this demon to be demolished. "She tried to take your mind. It's up to you to take yourself back, Mel. You have our support," Braxton told her with great confidence and belief.

"Talk later, get rid of this demon first. I'd like to be 100 percent certain I've got control over my mind back, thank you," Mellany said, focused and determined to get rid of the Envy Demon once and for all. Deer went in head first before combining. Literally. Striking the demon with her antlers before forming into the arm of the Grand Knight Megazord.
"Grand Knight Megazord!" she and Raijah called out in unison with the rest. "Let's give this bitch all we've got and blast her straight back to whatever corner of hell she came from." Mellany glared at the demon under her visor and through the cockpit. She was glad to hear everyone got her back in this. Even more so since it was Braxton saying it. What else had she missed them saying about her while the demon controlled her mind? Other than those things she'd heard them say before breaking free, that is.

Mellany spared no power and held nothing back, punching Vioux in the gut with Deer's arm and calling for the Warthog to join them right after everyone had the chance to put an attack of their own in. Raijah had Bear roundhouse kick at Vioux. Warthog came to join before the Grant Knight had hardly even landed!
"Piggy!" Raijah called, happy to see Warthog join the fray as well. They've surely been using her skills a lot lately, haven't they? Also, was it just him or was it particularly chilly in the cockpit today? He carefully glanced over at Mellany, a bit concerned with how focused she was. She was clearly back, alright, but he could swear he saw small snowflakes and particles of ice swirling around her. Something in her entire posture just screamed "murder".

"Vioux, your days of leeching off other people are over! I will make sure you can never harm anyone again!" Mellany shouted. This demon had been around for too long. She had caused too much harm possessing innocent people. And her. She definitely wouldn't forget nor forgive how the demon had taken over her mind and used her insecurities to turn her against her friends. Friends... this may be one of the first time she actually considers the other knights friends without worrying they're talking shit about her behind her back and that they're all secretly hating on her. That's the only thing Vioux had been good for. Providing some new and much needed insight. "It's high time we finish this off once and for all. Rhythm Knight! Victory Chord!" The Megazord struck the chord, sonic blasting Vioux.
"NO!" The demon called. "This is impossible!"
"Nothing's impossible when you're standing with your friends," Mellany responded. And the award for cheesiest comment of the day goes to....! She watched Vioux blow up, going down in a rain of sparks once and for all. She smiled underneath her visor, glad this whole ordeal was finally over with. "Divine Knights, victory is ours," she sighed. Seems like this has become their standard line for when the giants blow up, doesn't it?

"That's what I like to hear. Take 'er down!" Vince encouraged Mellany's justified anger to this demon. Rage can be a powerful demon to face but fueling a fight it makes a nice conductor of power. Nobody hits something harder when they just start crying. Get pissed off and suddenly Mike Tyson is running away from the Cowardly Lion. Piss off a mage with magical abilities at their fingertips and it is a whole other can of worms having been opened. Vioux stood no chance against them all united as one. Chloe went in for a straight kick with Wildcat, Vince slashing down with the saber minutes before Warthog called in, oinking the melodic oink of justice. All of the pain caused by Vioux will soon be at an end. Time isn't going to be wasted since a mind is at stake. Personal motivations aside, Vioux needs to be put down.

Warthog oinked beautifully, and oxymoronically, harmonizing with the Knights into lute and helmet form. Rhythm Knight is complete. She'd been used a lot lately. First with Chloe, then Braxton and now Mellany. The Knights prefer a lute over a blade, it would appear. Ice attacks should be bursting considering Mellany becoming Princess Elsa in the cockpit. It's great that she's back and all but being so mad with murder in her eyes under the visor is worrying. Residual affect of the demon? Better than believing she had just gone berserk. Dangerous for a mage, that is. Up there with possession in a few ways. Peter has to take a look at her back home but first they need to handle this once and for all. "Rhythm Knight Victory Chord!" Vince and Chloe unified with the others, strumming a sonic blast of energy right into Vioux. It could be Chloe's eyes playing a trick on her, but she swore she could see flakes of snow mixed with the attack. Vince just felt cold outside of the chills normally got after a fight like this.

Vioux is gone for good. Explosion to prove it and everything. Lifting the power from Mellany, hopefully? Hearing Mellany utter the line at the end was the cherry on top. Vince reached back and extended his hand to her, Chloe hugging Raijah like a kid does their friend in a fit of joy. Awkward Ranger hug but it's cause for celebration.

"I get your emotion, but please do not use too much anger. It's snowing inside of here, Mellany," Braxton reminded her in not an annoying manner but more helpful. She has every right and then some to be angry with Vioux but her posture screaming murder combined with magical talent is as dangerous as possession. With no pun intended, she has to learn to cool down a bit and keep a level head. He means that from a place of wisdom, but petty arguments. She can't say he's being a dick to her when he's genuinely reminding her of dangers in magic. Warthog joining the fray at the right time has hastily sped things along. Just before combining, Wolf let out a fistful of static charge into Vioux' body, taking lute and strumming along the strings of the giant instrument. This disgusting monster will be reminded she'd chosen the wrong target for her game. The green-eyed monster will fall here today and no minds will be corrupted further.

"Rhythm Knight Victory Chord!" Sonic blast of energy and music pierced the demon, igniting her and demolishing her form for good. Friends... Putting it that way makes this all sound like some Saturday morning super hero show for children. The power of friendship conquers all? Well done. Magic lingered around them. Cold and calm after Vioux' defeat, the monster no longer around to sway them with her false words of envy and malice. Lifting the demon form the Earth should indeed have lifted her form Mellany's mind, no? Instead of cheering like the others, Braxton folded his arms and let out a humble grunt to acknowledge victory but he focused on whether or not the other mages mind is her own again. He believes so but until there's a confirmation he will not rejoice so hard. He's glad Mellany is free of this monster but possession is one of the main things he grew up in fear of.

With the monster finally good for gone, Mellany let out a sigh of relief smiling at everyone under her visor. And Raijah, albeit awkwardly, hugged Chloe back! They're both really happy their friend is no longer a demon. Or being possessed by one. Either way, everything seemed fine again. Mellany was back! So with all of that gone, the Rangers left the cockpit and the Mounts went straight back to the farm. Rangers following closely. Mellany still remained rather silent on the way back through the Mirror Network, but it wasn't the same quiet as before. Now it just seemed Mellany was sorting her thoughts out and giving today's event a place. Who wouldn't feel a bit odd at the end of a period of being possessed by a demon? Her mind was hers again, but Vioux had left some damage. It felt as if a whole weight had been lifted off her shoulders, her mind now unclouded and just her thoughts, her actual thoughts in there.

Once back at the farm, Mellany made everyone a nice cup of tea before settling down on the couch and sipping from her mug. "Guys, I..." she paused. "Thank you for saving me. And I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused." She'd let the demon leech off of her, she let Vioux turn her against her friends as a living weapon. Granted, that last bit wasn't completely her. But still, it had happened. Getting possessed should be, if it isn't already, a mages worst fear. And it had happened to her. She had to consider herself lucky it hadn't taken all that long.
"It okay," Raijah reassured her. "You do same for us. But... how it happen?" the rogue lightly tilted his head. Weren't mages' minds like super fortified against these things? That's what the Elders had always taught him, anyway.
"I'm not entirely sure," Mellany admitted. "But I think I've figured it out. As well as how I pulled myself free from Vioux' grasp." Mellany took a moment to finish her tea, setting the mug back down on the table.

"A while back there was this attack, right? Just the thralls, seemingly attacking at random. No Disciples or other Shadoji in sight. During that attack, I thought I'd spotted something moving in the shadows, but it was gone before I could even blink. Moments after, something struck me in the back. We all thought it was just a Thrall getting cocky, but I'm almost certain it was Vioux in the end." It made sense now that she was actually saying it all out loud. The way she was attacked was identical to how they had seen Vioux do her attacks during their first, or in hindsight second encounter.
"She tried latching on to me that day, but I resisted. Yet this tiny little piece of her did manage to latch on and started messing with my mind and concentration. Mostly just giving me nightmares and slowly mentally draining me. It seems she was just waiting for me to slip up, to be too exhausted to resist any longer. All the while she toyed with my mind, leeching off my insecurities and the things I admire so much in all of you. She turned it against me. Every word, every action, she twisted into something worse. It didn't help that she was impersonating me while in my mind. Everything she wanted me to believe was spoken to me in my own voice." Mellany paused again. Quite the info she was throwing out there. Rather confronting too. "Eventually she took over, locking me away in my own mind, surrounded by ice and mirrors. If it had taken any longer, I would've been an icicle in my own mind and Vioux would completely have taken over. But no matter how hard she tried to keep you all out, those things you guys said during the battle... that did come through. And it was just enough of a push for me to break free from the ice and push Vioux out of my mind when you all attacked."

That had been the riskiest bit, really. If the timing had been off... well, then the chances were big she would indeed have died out there. Sure, the Shadoji still wouldn't have gotten a hold of the Medallion because there'd be four other pissed off knights to take it back, buuuuut.....
"So, you okay now, then?" Raijah wanted to know.
"I think so... I've got a killer headache, just want to sleep and wash off the icky feeling of demon, but other than that... I'm back."

"Evidence shows that to be the case," Peter said. With everybody home and resting, he put the final test on Mellany to see if she's clear. A runic tracing stone waving over her head showed she was fine. He did have Vince stand ready with a big mallet just in case. Attack and a demon will defend itself! But no need for the mallet, so Vince just tucked it away in the corner of the living room. Comical as it would have been to see a big man chase a tiny demon girl around with a hammer, it's great it did not have to happen and she's okay. Extra measures to be certain.
Looking at her in a different like, Vince and Chloe together watched her sip tea like she was a new person. Not intentionally, but knowing she had been possessed and lived to tell the tale is incredible. The look on her face and sound of her voice, though... the guilt and the sadness. None of this is Mellany's fault. Even protected mages re vulnerable to this. Especially them, actually. The leeching monster is gone, but the atmosphere is a bit strained. It has been a very long day.

Mellany's apology touched the siblings, however. Vince leaned against the wall, shaking his head and smirking. "Nothing to be sorry about. Raijah's right, you would have done the same for us," he said. Chloe gently held Mellany's hand like a sister. Too far?
"I want to say I saw it at that battle. Ever since I started training as a rogue I've noticed some things, picked up on more. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner, that I couldn't stop it..." Chloe somehow blamed herself. She's supposed to have everyone's back. What if it is because she didn't see it? One sip up and a demon latched on to her friend. Not to make it about her but she couldn't live with herself if she caused that to happen to anybody. Don't let the manicure and glam face fool you. She cares a lot about people. Listening to Mellany put things into perspective, though. "That's amazing... I mean freezing in your own head. And you just snapped out of it? Just like that?" Chloe asked.

"Monsters like that are tricky shits. But us telling the truth and reminding demons who they're messing with saved the day. We couldn't give up on ya Mel. Never will," Vince said, nudging his sister and nodding at Mellany. What a day this has been. Being trapped in her own head like that, practically screaming to get out and break free but held back by evil power. The strength it must have taken to break from it goes beyond anything he could imagine. Mental fortitude times one hundred. All over things she felt insecure about. Speaking of...
"So those things Vioux said. About you being...envious, or insecure... you're good, right? We set it straight?" Vince asked caringly and a little blunt. "I mean I can show you how to be more together," Vince jokingly boasted.
Chloe nudged him. "What my brother means is are you okay? I know we asked a million times, but we wanna know."

Peter smiled at everybody. His dad when they were finding all of the Knights never pictured this. With how much the mages alone didn't get along. Braxton has been quiet though. But still, progress, given how the Knight as a unit seem okay. "Still feel envious? I can always summon another envy demon if you are," Peter joked with Mellany to lighten it up. Okay, but he didn't sound like a joke. Could he summon demons??? Best not to think about that. No more possession. Mellany's been through a lot today and the past few days even. What must be in her head right now... Clarity? Peace? Regularity?

This endeavor had finally reached its end and the day would be over soon. Disciples serving under Dumanax may be in for punishment as the Knights celebrate the victory at home by putting their feet up and brewing a pot of tea. Now that it's out there, the previous attack had left Mellany a bit off. Subtly she began acting strangely but it was nothing to raise a brow out. So they thought, anyhow. Turns out it was demonic possession. Few spells and massive pushes later, adding on a runic check, and she's demon-free. Wary of her still, Braxton kept more away from her out of caution. Peter checked her and they watched Vioux go down in flames but he has his reasons to be alert. It really is nothing personal, just he wants to be completely sure. Tricksters, demons are, capable of a lot of things. Think you have one down and surprise surprise, it's alive and waiting to come back.
"Amazing indeed that you bounced back as you did," Braxton complimented the other mage.

How silly that Chloe in some retrospective way blames herself for not being keen enough of sight to see this coming. Vince's promise of never letting her go and Raijah being Raijah set the tone that all things for the Knights may continue as normal. "Do not blame yourself. We need to have one anothers backs this is true, but I should have sensed something being off with a direct link to magical oddities. I am sorry Mellany. I will keep a closer watch on you," Braxton said in his own effort of consolation. His tone of voice indicated he's not sly or ill-mannered to her but he will never let something slip in her head again.
"Normally I would give you a hard time on how you could have blocked the demon out but you need rest. I think we should all stop throwing so many questions at her? Let her insecurities remain in the past as we take our experience and move it forward into the next chapter of our lives. Mellany needs rest before her intense additional test tomorrow." He went total parent on everyone. Unless Mellany wants to elaborate and say what's on her mind or share a moment here, he suggests she get rest while he makes dinner. No lecture or anything. But what's that? Additional test? He's going to put her through something of his own making. Judging by his tone and expression it's honestly impossible to see whether or not he is serious or telling a humorous tale.

Mellany smiled at everyone, a small one, but it was genuine. Their reassurance made her feel all warm and fuzzy. Even Braxton managed to compliment her. That's a new one! Nothing like the demon making her feel just cold and numb and irritated. She took Chloe's hand as she held hers. An almost sisterly moment between the girls who were so different, but deep down inside had many similarities. "It wasn't your fault, Chloe. Vioux was a sneaky bitch literally working from the shadows," Mellany said. A demon that was basically a ninja too, working her way into a mage's mind. People may have noticed the tiny changes, but Vioux had kept enough of a low profile until it was already too late. Even Mellany herself hadn't realized what was going on until Vioux struck her that second time, breaking through the mental barriers that had kept her from doing any harm sooner. "And I broke free... but with some help. If it wasn't for you guys..." She didn't really want to think about that. The demon had twisted their words and actions, seemingly only confirming the things Vioux was already using against her. "So yes. After all of this, I'm about as fine as you can expect someone to be in this situation. If it wasn't for you all it would've ended up a lot worse. So thank you, again."

She turned to stare at Peter as he jokingly suggested to summon another demon. It wasn't really a joking matter. And she was just tired after today. Raijah stared too, but more with worry. Could Peter really summon demons? That was dangerous, they'd all seen it! "No more demons!" Raijah stated firmly.
"I agree on that. No more demons. I know they'll be back soon enough with a new plan, but for today I've really had it." Braxton was right. She needed rest. And lots of it too. Not sleeping properly for a while, having a demon leach off of you, and the insane amount of mental strength it had taken to break free... let's just forget about the bruises from the massive attack. Mellany was tired, and all she wanted to do right now was just sleep.

Once the mug of tea was empty and everyone was reassured that Mellany was safe, she got up the stairs and wandered back into her room. In front of the mirror she stopped, getting a close look on herself. She really did look like she'd had a rough day. But there was no more green glow in her eyes, no more crescent moon image around herself. Vioux was gone for good. But even after a long shower Mellany still felt icky. Now it was really time at last to call it a day and go to sleep. And her dreams... were peaceful again. No twisting of words, no moer feeling like she didn't belong. Because now she knew she did. She was one of the Divine Knights, and would be until the battle was over. On their own they might fall prey to demons, but they'd all got each others back, no matter what. And that, in the end, would always save the day.

End of Quest 06

PenBlade1326 marorda

Quest 07: In Reverence We Defend

Fog sets over hazy plains. Dust dances from the ground up into air. Faint hums echo throughout a network, vast but confined. Old magic lingers around a place forgotten by those who once knew it but in use by current day heroes. Of the mirrors in this network one sits shattered and corrupted. Grandest of all, this mirror now lost from its purpose. This may not be a bad thing, for what lies on the other side now poses a greater threat than any force imaginable. Overlays of blue glow in the network. Blue like the mage of unparalleled magic on the Divine Knights but much lighter in color. The mirrors have guided Knights for centuries to their destinations on the quest to battle Shadoji demons. As of today they stand vigilant with a link underneath the farmhome for this generation. Nowhere near as luxurious as the castle they should be living in but it has proven a safe place past the death of the intended Guardian.

Peter escorted the five Knights into the mirror network. They have been using these mirrors just to travel Westfield quickly. These mirrors go to more places than the city.
With the dust cleared from the last epic scaled adventure (that didn't even leave town) regarding Mellany's possession, everyone's been able to get back to normal. Chloe's trained with Raijah on rogue-like skills such as climbing, use of weapons, caltrops, throwing knives and quick tricks for fighting evil. Mages were able to strength barrier skill or honing their elemental powers in combination with general use of their magic. Business as usual for the four of them. Chloe has improved a lot, but she's still learning. Raijah is superior to her in many ways and has to help her. He may get annoyed with her, but she's trying... She never gives up so she's got the right attitude, at least. School can get to her so she likes taking frustrations out through flipping! Arrows penetrating targets across the yard have recently been met with knives. The throwing knives seem to disappear after contact. Power Ranger magic? It's freaky, but training with them has been neat.
Mail from their families comes to them pretty fast. Like insanely fast. Vince receives something with two-day shipping online and sends something out to his mom for her birthday and it gets to her before his packages does to him. She lives in Westfield as well, you could argue that's why, but the postal system has always been slow here.
While outside alone, Vince caught a glimmer of something blue in the sky. Not light or anything, but a blue glint just passing by. Come to think of it he's seen it here and there but this time for sure he knew what he saw. Nobody else, apparently had.

Standing in the network, the Rangers were placed by Peter to stand in front of different mirrors among the many inside. "These mirrors are linked together to travel Westfield. But they remember everywhere they have gone before. Every location of the past they take somebody to is forever saved in their memory. It is how we brought Raijah here," Peter explained a remembered getting the lovable rogue, "and it is how we will get some of our biggest help. They go to one place in particular for an entity living among them to traverse and manage things from its own view." An entity in the network?
The mirrors in front of Chloe, Braxton, Mellany and Raijah glowed faintly and out from them that same blue light almost instantly delivered packages. Small boxes clearly sent by mail from their families. "Open your packages," Peter instructed, He will tell more in a minute.

Inside of Chloe's box was a spherical pendant on a leather chord. Raijah's contained an identical pendant. Braxton and Mellany's boxes both contained a ring bejeweled in fine detail. Vince waited for his mirror to glow and sent his package to him. That blue light again...
"Your heirlooms. Passed down from every generation of knights, these have belonged to your ancestors in the fight against the Shadoji. They have a lot of power and you must never lose them. Protect them wit your life as you would your medals and your morphers." Chloe inspected her necklace. It's beautiful. Old, really old... but beautiful. "So pretty...think it matches my eyes?" she asked.

Raijah might be the superior rogue, but in no way would he ever purposely make Choe feel uncomfortable. And neither did he get annoyed with her. She's trying really hard, and she's learning. He can see her improvement with every new lesson. And he's happy to help her whenever she needs it. He wouldn't mind waiting halfway through an obstacle run to give the fellow rogue a hand or two. They had each other's back. Most recent mail he'd received from the Tribe was a message that Dashya is praying for his safe return every day. And how an important spiritual day for the Tribe is coming soon, with the question whether he and his friends will attend or not. Raijah hopes they can. He'd love to show everyone to his Tribe again, especially now that Chloe and Vince have joined with them. And he'd love to show his friends the way of the Tribe, especially when it came to special days like this. But if the Shadoji attacked and the world was in danger, of course that had priority. Most people would understand. Even Dashya might, though she would be sure to make clear she didn't like his absence. The little ones might not understand, however. They barely understood why he was gone now. Raijah just hoped they didn't think he'd abandoned them. You know how they say it takes a village to raise a child? That's how life in the Tribe is. Sure, the children have their own parents, but everyone in the Tribe is responsible. Which is why Raijah can say he has so many siblings.

Mellany was glad to have gotten her rest. And the encounter with the demon had been good for something, in a way. She'd improved a great deal in her magic. Was it her willpower having strengthened a tenfold, or was it that she was more confident now that she had learned what her place among the Knights was, and that she could always count on them to support her? Whichever the case, the Mage of Unwavering Willpower was stronger now than before, and getting a little better every day. Although she still had a lot to learn, but she wasn't alone in that. Mellany hasn't informed her parents of the demonic possession. They'd never let her hear the end of that. Often enough they'd told her she could't slip up in any way lest she'd bring everyone in trouble. And what bigger slip-up could there be for a mage and Divine Knight than to get possessed by a Shadoji demon?

All that aside, the mage and rogue stood with the others in the mirror network. Raijah nodded as Peter mentioned the mirrors. Yes, he remembered traveling through the mirrors. That was scary! The first few times, that is. Now he was used to it. The mirror on the Island stood in the home of the Chief. Or the Augur. That he couldn't recall at the moment. The home of someone important, anyway. What a day that had been! He'd been out hunting all morning, and when he returned the people from The City were among them, having a chat with the Chief and then telling Raijah it was time to come along with them. Mellany smiled faintly, glancing at Raijah. She remembered that day as well, but from a different perspective. The people of the Tribe had looked at them all so... strangely. Sure, they'd never seen people from the City before, most likely. Alexander, Peter, Braxton and she had been as exotic tot the Tribe as the Tribe had been to them. And one of those people was to come home with them and be a part of their team.

And now they all received a package from their families. Something small and important that had been in the family for many generations, and was now rightfully theirs. Mellany recalled having read something about the Heirlooms during her studies, but she didn't remember an awful lot about it. Mellany took the ring out of the package and inspected it. "It's beautiful," she said, holding it as if it would shatter upon a wrong touch. These precious things were so old, so important. And yet they still looked as brand-new as on the day they were created.
"It pretty," Raijah agreed, inspecting the pendant on the chord. He looked from the pendant to Chloe and thought for a moment before nodding. "Raijah thinks yes."

False claims to power always come from the most disgusting of souls. Honing magic and elemental wrath even more so has been great. It would be a big lie to say he had not been keeping an eye on Mellany following events of a few days ago. False claims of power being the Envy demon's hold over her. Slaying a demon is the first and biggest sign that the demons reign is over but these are no ordinary monsters they face. No offense to his ally but keeping watch gave him peace at mind. Risking things crossing from the other side is no laughing matter. Laughing matters are more suited to big bruisers like Vince doing long division. Holding himself to a promise of protection, Braxton remained vigilant until he was for certain all was well. The present demands his attention now.

The mirror network is a wondrous and puzzling place. Having been told of it his entire life he could only imagine what it looked like moments before entering the first time. Mirrors capable of travel far and wide. Magicks at play here older than any of their ancestors. Unless Braxton is incorrect, which he rarely is, he is sure the magic of the mirrors was not invented by Divine Knights of the past. What peculiar pasts their families have. The magic in these mirrors interested Braxton so much. He would love to come to the network in off time to study. Meditating among them all in peace by himself is rather appealing. Allowed or not he would gladly do so. Peter's words about this place peaked his interest yet again. "I remember going to Raijah's home. I thought it only traveled us there because we willed it to. But the network has a memory of all locations prior to our time as Knights?" he asked, growing more curious by the minute. These mirrors are of great fascination. "An entity in the network. This being how things travel through here other than us I suppose?"

Standing before one mirror, Braxton held his arms out for the package from his family to arrive. Inside, he found a ring similar to Mellany's. His heirloom! He, too has red about these. Only a matter of time for them to belong to this generation. Inspecting his ring, he slipped it on his finger. A perfect fit. "Such old detail. This is an honor." Delicate but powerful.

"Ancient Heirlooms passed on from generations. These in fact belonged to the very first team of Divine Knights. Given to them by King Ascelin himself. Forged by his royal smith in the undercroft of Faye Castle," said Peter while the rogues and mages beheld their precious pendants and rings. "I would have gotten these to you sooner but I had to wait for your families to send them." Such things could not easily be misplaced. The previous generation locked them away in their homes after serving their duty and seeing the King to his slumber once more. Chloe and Raijah's pendants matched their Ranger colors, as did the jewels of Braxton and Mellany's rings. The metal was golden, but it had been weathered over time. The leather of the chords on the necklaces was old and tarnished but remained tough and wearable. Definitely old but back in those times these could pas for brand new. Machinery to keep things pretty did not have the same power and tech as they do now. Faint blue areal glows distressed the color a little, though the power was prominent. Putting them on, the Knights should feel their attributes increase with familial senses flowing through their veins. Gifts of their ancestors would be taken care of.

Vince stood before his mirror, still. Chloe's necklace was sent from the exact same place. How is his Heirloom not here yet? "Problem?" Peter asked him.
"I don't get it. Mine came from the same place as Chloe's. It should be here by now. You think this mirror's just not working?" Vince asked, scratching the back of his head. His eyes searched for that light again but it could not be seen. He's hung up on it but only because it caught his attention before. His gut gave him a connection.
"These mirrors are ancient and run on magic. They do not just 'stop working,' Vince." Peter chuckled at him for blaming the mirror.

Conversing with the others, Chloe walked up to them in a group since Peter's busy with Vince at that mirror. It's chilly in the network. Really chilly since there's a fog around them. Verbally she expressed the temperature. Rubbing her arms quickly up and down, examining the pendant around her neck. Blends in well enough to pass for a vintage necklace from an Etsy story or something. Cute! "This place gives me the creeps. Seriously we never stand in here for prolonged periods of time. I don't like this... " she said to the others. The network is a safe space to be in, though a teenage girl following one too many stereotypes finds the cold and old place spooky. "These mirrors can really go anywhere. Anywhere we tell them... or anywhere they've already been? It's too scary to think about..." Chloe whined slightly. Think about that. Mirrors can go anywhere just about. Not just places on Earth. That entity has to come from somewhere. Who said this network is even on Earth? Perhaps the magically inclined have a comment on that?
---
Faye Castle is under a severe storm. Rain pours onto its walls, lightning crackling in the sky. Urla's tower shakes as Torth's study falls quiet. Rogana's garden watered and Zaken's chamber rattled, Andero's courtyard whistling as Lusa's dungeon stays dark. Dumanax' throne room lies dormant. Empty throne and empty halls, it stays dark as the Disciple's Honor glows from the black water. Bubble bubble toil and trouble. Six sections make themselves known as one dims away in the fluidity. Enter Dumanax and his Disciples for their ritualistic moment. The water--it beckons for a hand to breach it. It calls! But alas, the music does not play so nobody shall dance. Dumanax raises his hand, taking seat on the throne as the six Disciples hover above the glyphs. Envy, Pride, Discord and the Revenant's glyphs blacked out. A glyph raises from the pedestal, entering the water with a splash. But unlike before nothing appears. No demon, no servant of evil. Like Vince's mirror it is simply not working.
"What's this? No pawn of our power?" Torth found himself taken back. This is surprising. It has never happened before!
"Stupid thing! Why isn't it working?" Urla whined.
Dumanax crossed his legs, resting his chin on his arm propped up on the armrest. He grows impatient.

"Blaming an inanimate--if these can be called such--object? Any consciousness in the mirror is likely toying with him. Or this network entity is being picky," Braxton said, shaking his head while getting a feel for the ring on his finger. Visibly his face lit up when wearing it. Passed down from the very first generation of Divine Knights. He's always been a stickler for history and rules but this is his entire life. Such beauty in the bonds of Knighthood and the tales of magicks old and new. It almost brought him to tears how important this ring is. To make fun of Braxton in this moment would be like making fun of an amputee receiving a new robotic limb. It is that important to him to stand here today.

Lower temperatures do seem to be the case in this network. "A bit on the chilly side of things. Is it just the cold that makes you uncomfortable?" Braxton asked Chloe. This is an old area. One that arguably few have ever seen. To stand here is something a literal handful of people can say they have done in this century. Poke around enough and scars of yesterday may show themselves, so much is what Braxton believes. He needs to study this place on his own.
"Traversing this network is one of our finest tools. Unless they have walked directly into the fiery pits of Hell I think we'll be alright. Just think, we can go anywhere. Earth isn't it. I hypothesize we can venture out into other dimensions with this. Encounter lost civilizations, new peoples, discover worlds beyond our wildest dreams, our scariest nightmares. On the other side of any of these mirrors may linger the single eye of a beast staring into it just looking at us, too large to pass through as it waits for us to be its dinner... " Braxton's fascination is remarkable. But that may go against comforting Chloe. In fact it should not do that at all. It possibly made it worse. Grounding in a potential fright for reality. Unintentionally building fear he did explain his theory as to what mystery this place can uncover. Huh. Rogana would like it here.
---
Thunderstorms provide tears of children and destruction of delicate nature. Goes without saying that Andero and Rogana love them. Especially Rogana. Having one too many children for Knights get by her in her day, she has come to appreciate the cries of children as they weep like pathetic ingrates. The skies crying rain and shouting thunder only fuel the fear. The old saying 'nothing to fear but fear itself' going over the heads of stupid children. The storm did force her inside away from the dead garden, as well as Andero away from his troops in the courtyard. He did leave Thralls out in the rain, however. They do not catch cold so easy. At all, actually. Standing in formation in rain should be good for them. If they feel it at all. Entering the main hall and engaging the Honor, no heads did not turn when a rune reached out as their hands hovered. Into the black water. Nothing happens at all. "So mysterious... " Rogana uttered.
Spawning nothing from its water, Andero knocked on the rim of the pedestal as one does a door before entering.