St. Seraphin's Academy for Girls buzzed with activity as students moved through the ornate halls, the air filled with chatter, gossip, and the hum of excitement. In one corner of the courtyard, our five heroines—Aria, Lila, Zara, Elena, and Nina—gathered beneath the shade of a large oak tree.
The oldest of the group and pseudo-leader was Aria Waters, a senior with an athletic build, short and tousled chestnut hair, and striking blue eyes was the first to speak when the group sat down. "Hey, guys, we've got that Calculus test tomorrow. Anyone else feeling the pressure?" she said, her confident demeanor contrasting the nervous glances exchanged by her friends.
Lila Diaz, a graceful and petite junior with jet-black hair and emerald green eyes, replied with a smirk, "Aria please, you're practically a walking math textbook. You're gonna ace it." Lila's dance uniform peeked out from her backpack, hinting at her next destination — the dance studio.
Zara Khan, a sophomore of Indian descent, stood out with her keen mind but easy-going livestyle. "I wish my brain could be uploaded to my holographic study guide. That would make this test a piece of cake." she mused, her inquisitive brown eyes focused repairing what Lila called an "overcomplicated mechanical pencil." Zara was heading to the robotics club after school.
Elena Rivera, a warm-hearted junior with wavy chestnut hair and hazel eyes, sat on one of the tree's large branches, strumming her guitar absentmindedly. "Guys, have you seen the new music teacher? She's amazing!" she exclaimed, her artistic spirit evident in her eclectic style. Music class awaited her after the final bell.
The youngest one of the group, Nina Harper, a fiery and confident sophomore, interjected with a grin, "Okay, enough about tests or digital brains or music. Did you see the new guy at the skate park? He attempted a Trè Flip like a pro!" Nina's rebellious spirit was evident in her daring style. She couldn't wait to hit the skate park after school.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. But before the girls dispersed to their respective after-school activities, they agreed to meet Nina at the skate park. Then, Aria headed to the track for Track & Field practice, Lila to the dance studio, Zara to the robotics club, Elena to music class, and Nina to the skate park.
After their respective activities, the girls met up with Nina. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air as they shared stories of their day.
"Zara, you won't believe the piece Ms. Turner is teaching us!" Elena exclaimed, her fingers strumming an imaginary guitar to emphasize her excitement.
"And you should've seen the robot I got work on today. It's almost as cool as my Quad-Pen!" Zara replied, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"You mean your overcomplicated mechanical pencil." Lila said with a chuckle.
"Hey! I've told you it's not overcomplicated! Stop calling it that!" Zara said defensively.
Nina, catching her breath after an exhilarating skate session, chimed in. "Guys, I swear that new guy is my skating soulmate. He was insane!"
The girls all laughed and chatted among themselves, when suddenly, the sky above them suddenly erupted into a blinding, radiant light, catching the attention of the unsuspecting friends. The air crackled with energy, and before they could react, the light enveloped them, transporting them to a place beyond their wildest dreams.
When the light subsided, the girls found themselves in a hidden cavern, bathed in an ethereal glow. 7 cells of sorts on each wall were adorned with ancient symbols, and at the center of the cavern lay the source of the mystical energy — the Ancient Thread.
The Ancient Thread, a single, self-conscious piece of rope, radiated wisdom and power. It spoke to the girls in unison, "Welcome, chosen ones. I am the Ancient Thread, guardian of the Tethered Realm."
Before the girls could question why, or more importantly: how, a piece of rope was talking to them, the Ancient Thread continued on.
"The balance between worlds is at risk, and a new evil known as the Knottress threatens to unleash chaos upon Earth. You are chosen to be the defenders, the Rope Rangers, who will wield the power of the Tethered Realm to thwart this impending darkness."
"To empower you, I present the Gems of Tether. Aria, Lila, Zara, Elena, and Nina, each of you shall receive a necklace reflecting your inner strength and the power you shall wield."
"Please do not hesitate, step forward chosen ones."
Aria was the first to step up. The Ancient Thread bestowed to her a necklace with a shimmering sapphire, Lila's necklace bore an emerald, Zara's necklace featured a vibrant topaz, Elena's necklace held an amethyst, and Nina's necklace glowed with a fiery ruby.
The Ancient Thread concluded, "Hear me, chosen ones. Your destinies are entwined with the fate of both realms. Wear your Gems of Tether with pride, for they are the key to unlocking the extraordinary powers within you. The Knottress must be stopped, and only you have the threads of destiny to weave a new tapestry for Earth and the Tethered Realm."
With a final burst of light, the girls were transported back beneath the courtyard oak tree, each adorned with a gemstone necklace that pulsed with otherworldly energy.
Silence for a few moments, before Nina spoke up.
"Uh, I'm not dreaming, right?" She said. "Because that was definitely a dream."
"I don't know." Zara responded. "These necklaces feel pretty real to me."
Silence once again. This time interrupted by screams and a maniacal laugh.
The friends rushed over to the source to find a woman conjuring ropes made of shadows, ensnaring innocent bystanders and causing chaos. She then turned around and met the gazes of the confused and terrified girls. She licked her lips.
Before she could attack however, the Gems of Tether shone brightly and enveloped the girls. And now stood the 5 Rope Rangers, still confused and terrified, but equipped to fight evil.
"Oh?" The woman said with a hint of surprise. "Are you this planet's pitiful protectors? What are your names?"
The girls remained frozen with fear until Aria stepped forward. "I am Cascade. Blue Rope Ranger and Leader of the Rope Rangers."
The others stared at each other with confusion.
"Just play along, think of a random superhero name." Aria whispered to them.
Next was Nina, "And I am Twistfire, Red Rope Ranger."
Followed by Zara, "Name's Bindbreaker, the Yellow Rope Ranger."
Then Lila and Elena both stated their names. "I'm Serpentine, the Green Rope Ranger." "And I'm Echo Thread, the Purple Rope Ranger."
Aria then pointed at woman. "Now state your name, whatever you are!"
She laughed. "Oh that's cute, you all have hero names." Her tone then switched to a serious one. "My name's Abyssal Braid. I'm one off the 7 Lesser Generals of my mistress: Knottress."
Before any further words could be exchanged, shadow ropes ensnared Aria, coiling around her arms and legs and speeds too fast for the sprinter to react. They quickly restrained her arms behind her back and legs in a frog tie position. One more shadow rope wrapped around her mouth, gagging her speech. Just like that, Cascade was down.
The girls quickly scattered, dodging the shadow ropes that sprouted from the ground.
Echo Thread was the next to fall. The shadows managed to grab one of her legs, causing her to tumble and giving the ropes an opportunity to hogtie and gag her.
Then Bindbreaker was captured. She had simply tired after running away, and the ropes caught up to her. Her arms were tied in a boxtie, and her legs were bound tightly before the shadows curled up over her mouth.
Twistfire and Serpentine were the only ones left standing after a few minutes of combat. Abyssal Braid laughed at how weak they were.
"This is Earth's best? You've got to be joking." She proclaimed.
A sudden onslaught of shadows caught Serpentine by surprise, and she was trapped spread-eagle on the courtyard grass.
"Nin-! I mean, Twistfire! Do something!" She yelled to her friend before she was silenced.
"I agree Twistfire. Do something to save your friends here." Abyssal Braid taunted.
As the shadows closed in on her, Twistfire acted out of desperation. And a single flaming lariat erupted from her hands, striking the Lesser General on the chest, forcing the shadows to retreat.
She had no time to marvel at her new weapon though, and wielding it as a whip, she began to force Braid on the defensive, causing the shadows binding Twistfire's friends to relent.
Now free, they stood alongside each other, now with the knowledge that they have weapons.
Cascade (Aria): Aqua Stream - A gauntlet in her left hand that spewed out seemingly endless amounts of water. She could then use this water to form ropes.
Serpentine (Lila): Snake Cannons - Shoulder mounted rope-launchers. Each rope fired had a mind of its own, moving like snakes as they coiled around their target.
Bindbreaker (Zara): Blade Body - No weapons, the exterior of her suit is armed with hundreds of blades that can be activated at a moment's notice for a variety of purposes.
Echo Thread (Elena): Weaver Harp - A small handheld harp than when played, can cause various effects to the target, such as confusing or disorienting them.
Twistfire (Nina): Inferno Lariat - A flaming lariat made out of a thin metal chain.
"Tch. How annoying." Braid said.
She shot out numerous shadows in another attempt of swift victory, but it didn't happen. Cascade and Twistfire's attacks made quick work of the shadows, while Serpentine's rope snakes were hidden by the Harp's melody. Abyssal Braid soon fell.
The snakes coiled around her ankles and cinched tight, then her legs were tied and she was brought to her knees. Her arms were tied behind her back and her mouth was silenced by one last piece of rope.
"Mrrph!! Gmmph!! Lmm Mm Gmh!" Braid furiously yelled through her gag.
Before another yell got through her gag, she was transported by a bright light off to the Tethered Realm and placed inside one of the 7 cells on the left wall. Her cell read: "LG#7"
The girls all high fived each other, and with a bright flash of light, they were back to normal.
"Oh my goodness." Aria said, collapsing on the ground. "What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?"
"I don't know, but it looks like we're going to have fun!" Nina responded.
The girls burst into a chuckle, and their first day as the Rope Rangers ended.
----- Generals Defeated -----
Lesser Generals: 1/7 - Total Progress: 14%
Greater Generals 0/7 - Total Progress: 0%
Greater Generals 0/7 - Total Progress: 0%
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A.N - Phew, that was a lot of lore. Next part will contain more rope (puns), I promise.
