The morning sun glinted off Nova Crest Institute's glass spires, scattering light across the courtyard where students streamed in carefully measured patterns. Ken adjusted the slim metallic bracelet on his wrist, the faint golden etchings pulsing softly. He and Taro had spent the night at the Aether Command Nexus, but the Academy had granted them a few hours of normalcy before the next mission.
Taro stretched, yawning dramatically. "Seriously, Ken. You survived a fully armed Aberrant yesterday, and now we're just… walking around like students? Feels weird."
Ken smirked, though the weight on his wrist reminded him that weird was permanent now. "It's temporary. For now, we blend in. Gather information, stay alive, make sure nobody else gets hurt."
"Blending in, huh?" Taro waved a hand at a passing group of first-years. "You look like a cyborg superhero. I mean, that bracelet isn't subtle."
Ken ignored the comment, his attention drawn to two girls standing near a holo-panel, gesturing toward readings he hadn't yet seen. One had coppery hair and an open, curious expression. The other had dark hair pulled into a tight braid, eyes scanning data with surgical precision.
"They're new," Ken murmured. "Transfers, I think."
Taro leaned closer, squinting. "They look… interesting."
The copper-haired girl tilted her head, sensing something intangible. Her hand brushed a small tablet, and for an instant, faint arcs of golden energy danced along her fingers. Lyra's breath caught. "Did you feel that?" she asked the braided girl.
"I felt fluctuations," Rin replied, voice clipped. "Unstable Aether. That bracelet—whatever it is—resonates nearby."
Ken's pulse quickened. The bracelet pulsed again, softly this time, a heartbeat in metal. "So it's not just me," he muttered.
"Excuse me," he called, walking toward them. "I… we noticed the readings. Are you two involved in that?"
Lyra blinked, intrigued. "Maybe. Or maybe we just notice things most people don't."
Rin crossed her arms. "And you are?"
"Ken. This is Taro," he said, gesturing to his friend. Taro offered an awkward wave. "We… study anomalies too."
Lyra's fingers tingled again as she glanced at Ken's bracelet. "There's something about your wrist," she said softly. "It's… attuned. I can feel it."
Ken's inner thoughts swirled. Chosen, like the bracelet whispered. Could they be… the next Rangers?
Before they could exchange more words, a sharp pulse of energy tore through the courtyard. Students shrieked and scattered as a small Aberrant emerged, jagged and writhing, eyes molten. The creature's presence warped the air, a ripple of purple energy radiating outward.
"Not again," Taro muttered. Ken's hand brushed the bracelet, feeling it hum in response.
"Aetherlock… Engage!" he called. The slim wristband expanded, unfolding along his forearm. Four cards appeared, spinning in orbit, and the crystal orb materialized in his palm. Red and white armor coalesced around him, etching glowing sigils across every surface.
Taro activated his Morpher, tonfa forming in his hands. Lyra's copper bracelets extended and merged, creating dual energy blades. Rin's belt buckle split, extending into a dual-edged staff that gleamed with precise runes. Each morph sequence had its own rhythm—mechanical clicks and golden light blooming along their forms.
The Aberrant lunged, and chaos erupted. Ken blinked, teleporting a short distance, fire erupting from his gauntlet. Lyra spun, her blades carving arcs of energy through the air. Rin's staff struck with surgical precision, blocking and redirecting the Aberrant's jagged limbs. Taro slammed his tonfa into the creature's flank, staggering it.
"Slot your cards!" Ken shouted. His internal dialogue raced, remembering the gauntlet's instructions. Lyra's hands glowed as she slotted her first card, channeling Air Manipulation into her dual blades. Rin's second card activated Telekinesis, guiding her staff automatically against the Aberrant.
For a moment, the four of them moved as one, instinctive synergy building despite inexperience. The Aberrant shrieked, its energy fracturing into jagged shards. Ken fired a blazing arc from his gauntlet, the crystal orb extending a blade of molten light that struck the creature's core. With a final roar, the Aberrant dissolved, leaving only a faint shimmer in the air.
Breathless, they stood amid the scattered holographic debris of the courtyard, adrenaline humming through their veins. Ken glanced at Taro, and then at Lyra and Rin. "We… we did it. Together."
Lyra smiled, hair sticking to her forehead from exertion. "It feels… right. Weird, but right."
Rin exhaled, still analyzing residual energy readings. "Coordination is… acceptable. But there's much to improve."
A gentle hum filled the air, and before they could react, light enveloped them. The world dissolved into gold and white, pulling them from the courtyard. Moments later, they landed in the familiar vast chamber of the Aether Command Nexus. Towers of etched crystal pulsed with energy. Lysara stood tall, armored robes catching the light, while Korrin hovered anxiously beside her.
"Well done," Lysara said, voice calm and commanding. "You have begun the first steps toward mastery. Learn, grow, and trust each other—only then will the Aetherline truly awaken."
Ken glanced at Taro, Lyra, and Rin. A tentative camaraderie sparkled in their eyes. The team had begun to form.
Korrin floated closer, beeping excitedly. "Yes! Teamwork! Very shiny powers! Oh, yes, this is going to be fun!"
And somewhere, beyond the walls of the Nexus, the Rift pulsed faintly, waiting for the next move.
The Aetherlock Rangers had taken their second step. The journey was only beginning.