*** PROLOGUE ***
The year is 2154.
Much has changed I the world since this millennium began. Gone are the singular Nation-States that once dotted the landscape. Now each continent belongs to government to promote trade and security. The first of such mega- nations was the European Union. While this was not supposed to happen, the world-wide depression of 2012 set the ball in motion. Others followed in suit, with the United States, Canada, and Greenland forming the North American Union next.
With high hopes and a reduction to only a dozen or so world governments, this age was to bring about an increased efficiency in international relations. And that's just was it was - high hopes. Relations still were strained and the bickering still took place at the Counsel of Governments, a "modern-day United Nations of sorts."
With the increases in government, new avenues for corruption and crime developed. As the global C-Net, an optical data stream, permeated the planet, cyber crime increased a million fold. The most dangerous of cyber- criminals were the "Jackers" - those individuals who tapped directly into the C-Net through special data ports embedded into their bodies. When they first came onto the scene, The Jackers weren't focused. They hijacked systems and raided the coffers of many countries. It wasn't long before a vision was created. total world dominance. A group called the Syndicate brought together the most feared and talented criminals in their bid for domination.
To stop these terrorists, several security organizations have devoted hundreds of man hours, thwarting plans to topple governments, wreck commodity markets, and kill innocent people. When comparing the Syndicate to true evil, it makes them look like toddlers.
5000 years ago, the Earth was the last, great battlefield between the forces of good and evil. Through the courageous efforts of the Gosei Sentai QiRangers, Bruch'oda and his minions were banished into the Shadow Realm, never to return. However, through the ages, stories of untold power and riches persisted and those who believed continually searched for the Mystic Doors that would free Bruch'oda and usher in a new Dark Age.
One QiRanger stayed behind, watching and protecting the world should the evil one day return.
*** Episode 1 - The Return
Under the cover of darkness, a yacht glides across the Pacific Ocean. Innocent and unassuming, the boat cascades over each wave as it travels at night. Deep below, in the blackness of the sea bottom, one machine lurks.
Unlike other submersibles, this craft houses no pilots, no crews, not one living being. Operated by telepresence, its commands are transmitted through the C-Net from France. The robotic device isn't bulky or ship-like, but rather humanoid in form. Its torso is broad and well armored. Atop its chest is a simple scanning device, allowing the bot to record and search for its target. At the ends of the machine's legs are twin thrusters, propelling the mechanized creature through the sea bottom, while its arms trail motionless behind.
Various sea creatures inquire about the robot, swimming close to the creature, before turning back. On one occasion, a deep sea manta nudged the robot. On the following pass, the robot charged its metallic skin and gave the manta a fatal shock. Left on its own, the robot continues its trek through the sea.
Thousands of miles away, in France, Gerard LaFleur sits in his chair, plugged into the C-Net, controlling his robotic operative. Eyes closed, he pays close attention to each bit of information that is passed to him. "Where is it?" the 35 year old mutters. "I know it's here."
Gerard continues to focus on the search, when Jeffery rolls next to him. While the name may imply that Jeffery is a bit overweight, he is in fact, Gerard's head robotic servant. Jeffery is of simply design with a round body, pair of serving arms, and a tri-axle design for locomotion. "Sir, it's been seven hours. Don't you think you should take a break and have some food?"
"Not now!" Gerard fires back. "I'm close. I can feel it." A tiny bead of sweat pierces through the skin of Gerard's forehead. "There!" Gerard screams.
Jeffery spins around and looks at his master. "You've found it?"
"Up on the screen. See for yourself," he says, pointing to the large display in the room. The blank image fades and a dark, gloomy image replaces it.
"I don't see anything sir," Jeffery calmly states.
"You will," Gerard assures his metal servant. Slowly objects start coming into view. First several broken columns are seen covered in dirt and sea weed. Then, the hidden treasure is seen. An old ruin barely breaks through the surface. Its old blocks preserved in the coldness of the abyss.
"Just like I thought it would be," Gerard says, almost gloating.
The robotic avatar continues moving towards the ruins. As the beast nears the opening, dirt from the sea bottom is stirred, blocking Gerard's view. "Damn," he says. With a quick switch, Gerard changes the scanning mode to Electromagnetic Imaging. "Much better."
As Gerard maneuvers his robotic slave into the lost ruins on the sea floor, another journey is taking place high atop a mountain in the Pacific Northwest.
In the small mountain town of Griffin, an unassuming house sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Inside the house is sparse. There are no electric devices, only candles to provide lamination once darkness sets in. There are no hard walls, only screens dividing the house into various compartments. In this age of technologically advanced "smart-homes" this is a throw-back to a much simpler time.
Kneeling before an alter, with a single flame burning in an oil lamp, is Master Li -an old, wise sage and last of the QiRangers. Master Li shows some signs of age, but for a man 5000 years old, he barely looks as if he's past 80.
As the flame flickers in the bare room, Master Li's attention is drawn inwards. His focus travels the astral plane, allowing him to leave his body. As his thoughts pass through the world, he feels a strange sensation. It's something he hasn't felt in a long time.
"What is this?" he thinks to himself. "It's strangely familiar, but I just can't put my finger on." Before Master Li can finish his thought, he realizes what's happening - someone has found one of the Mystic Doors.
Focusing his thoughts, Master Li begins searching for the intruder.
***
On the ocean floor, Gerard's robot has cleared the dirt and debris from the ruin's opening. Piloting the vessel into the opening, Gerard is careful not to hit the walls of the catacombs - for the slightest bump could bring the walls tumbling down and put an end to his quest.
Fine silt covers the walls of the hallways in this deep tomb. As the metallic avatar traverses the corridors, Gerard becomes increasingly frustrated. "This is going to take forever."
Sitting at his console, Gerard pauses for a moment. Thousands of miles away, the robot also comes to a halt. "Let's take another approach," Gerard says. With a few commands to the distant robot, it deactivates the EM mode and returns to visual scanning. "And now for a little light."
Out of the torso of the robotic servant, powerful spotlights activate, illuminating the ruin's corridor, as if it was daytime. Now, the once darkened walls are brightly lit and all their detail can be seen. On each wall, intricate drawings depicting ancient battles have been carved into the stone structure.
Sitting at his console in France, Gerard grins. "Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought." Paying close attention to the details engraved on the wall, Gerard begins trying to decipher what the carvings say. Several images showing great battles to what must have been the forces of good and evil permeate the walls. Thrusting his robot forward slowly, Gerard continues looking for clues and where his destination is.
Through the various passageways, Gerard pilots his beast deeper into the ruins. Finally, Gerard sees something that brings him great pleasure - a great door blocking his progress. On this door is the ancient symbol for water - three wavy horizontal lines.
"This is it!" Gerard yells. With beads of perspiration forming on his forehead, Gerard concentrates on breaching the last obstacle in his quest for power.
Standing before the Water Mystic door, the robot extends its arms. A loud hum is heard emanating from the robot's core, and then in a blinding light, it releases a power electric shock. The electricity arcs towards the door and fills the ancient water symbol.
As his robot continues feeding energy to the door, Gerard becomes more and more excited. The anticipation is building faster than he can manage. "Is this it? Is this really it? Hurry up and open!"
After a minute of shocking the door, the Robot's power levels reach critical and its automatic safety measures kick in, discontinuing the electric beam. Now the robot just stands before the door without even-so- much power as to keep its lights on. "Damn!" Gerard yells as he slams his hand on his console.
Then, the door begins to crackle. "What?"
The water symbol begins glowing blue, casting light over the entire corridor. Now it's the door that's humming with power. As the energy wave cascades over the oval door, the blue light engulfs the robot.
Within seconds, the energy from the water symbol has completely taken over the door. The energy pulses with power and begins swirling clockwise, sucking in everything in front of the door.
"Shit!" Gerard proclaims as he tries to keep the robot from hitting the energy mass before it. However, now that it's been drained of power, the remote controlled robot is no match for the power of the Mystic Door. Slowly, as the vortex increases, the robot is drawn closer and closer.
The robot's arms extend out to the sides of the hallway in an effort to prevent it from its impending doom, but the draw is too great. As the robot nears the door, the blue light grows even brighter.
The light becomes blinding as the robot passes into the door. and vanishes.
Back in Griffin, Master Li is brought back to himself. His eyes open and he utters only a single word, "Water."
Li closes his eyes again and concentrates. "Please give me the strength to complete this final mission. I knew this day would come, let the forces of good prevail once more as they did so many years ago."
Li leans forward and blows out the flame burning before him. He takes a large, deep breath before rising to his feet. The old master looks as though he floats effortlessly through the air rather than walking through his humble abode.
Li exits the meditation room and walks into his study. Lined with books from nearly all periods of human history, this collection is an Anthropologist and Historian's dream. In the far corner is an old oak desk. Worn with age, it's a wonder that it's still standing, but then again, Master Li has been around for over 5000 years.
As with all things in Master Li's life, there is a precise order to the room. Each bookcase houses documents from different eras and his desk is in precise order. Li sits in the hand-carved chair behind the desk and lets out a sigh. With careful precision, he opens the top drawer to his left. As the drawer slips past the desk's house, it rubs against the wood and makes a warbling sound.
Inside the drawer is but one object - a golden chest the size of a shoebox. The box's handles are lined with pearl and gold with the chest's body a deep umber. Ancient markings surround the chest on all sides. Li reaches into the drawer and picks it up. He carefully places it on the desktop.
Li stares at the chest for a moment, studying its intricacies. "I thought it would have been longer," he thinks to himself. Li closes his eyes for a second before reaching out and opening the chest.
The inside of the chest is lined with fine red velvet and containing a golden medallion with but a single marking. Etched into the center of the medallion is a circle with three vertical lines. Looking at it briefly takes Li's breath away.
"It's been so long," he thinks to himself as he gazes at his medallion.
Li reaches into the chest and takes hold of his medallion. Feeling the metal touch his skin again was magic. That old familiar feeling once again came over him. Something that had not been experience since the last time the powers were used. So many times he's wanted to don the powers in this box to right the injustices of the world, but it was this moment for which he stayed behind. It was for this moment that he must again fight for the survival of Earth.
Master Li stands up and holds the medallion high overhead. Concentrating on the emblem, the medallion begins glowing red. Glowing ever brighter, the power and light begin filling the room. Even out on the street, the red light can be seen shining through the windows.
The power from the medallion continues to grow and creates a red power sphere around Li. Electricity begins shooting in and out of the sphere and wind blows through the office, swirling papers and books around. As the red light becomes white-hot and about to explode, it falls in on itself and retracts to a single point. In that same instant, Master Li vanishes.
***
It's a crisp, clear day on the roof of the world. A slight wind races through the cold, dry air as the sun shines down from what only appears to be a few hundred meters away. The slopes rocket down towards a small Tibetan village. Several boulders lace the side of Everest, the hardened granite extruding past the snow and ice.
In a small alcove on the southern face of Everest, houses an opening to a cave that no one has set foot in over 5000 years. While the mouth of the cave is nestled between several large boulders and icicles, one would think that the interior of the cave would be dark. This isn't the case. The light from the sun passes the icicles and reflects off the ice lining the cave's walls. It doesn't provide a huge source of illumination, but as one travels deep into the cavern, every little bit helps.
The cavern's walls have been smoothed over the eons from glacial activities, but one key feature remains - ancient markings from a time long forgotten. The wall's hieroglyphics tell of an ancient battle between warriors of good and the forces of evil. Each section of the cavern depicts a new battle between the QiRangers and Shadow Warriors. Great clashes of steel and bone, blood and sweat, life and death.
As the battles depicted travel deeper and deeper into the cave, the light from outside diminishes. As the final rays of light fade into oblivion, one last battle is depicted on the wall. It shows the five QiRangers battling evil alone.
At the top of the cave's wall is an image of one QiRanger fighting amidst volcanoes, while on the lower left is a similar carving of a QiRanger in water. Other battles are depicted in a cavern, in mountains, and forests. In the center of all the battles is a lone figure. It stands isolated from the others. Above this figure is a symbol. three vertical lines enclosed in a circle.
On the opposite wall is a similar image. The lone figure in the center, with the ancient element markings surrounding him. There are no heroes present, no forces of evil, just one lone warrior overlooking the world.
Beyond those markings, the cavern's wall is blank and dark, but the passage continues deeper into the mountain's heart - a sign that more is to come. The corridor finally comes to an end near the heart of Everest. No light makes it this far into the cavern - it is the darkest of nights here. It's almost as if light is sucked into oblivion.
In the blackness, it is hard to make anything out, but it appears that a lone figure stands at the end of the passage. The figure is motionless before the end of the cavern and makes no sound.
Slowly, the being extends his arms out from his sides and opens his palms to the world. The figure begins breathing deeply - each inhalation and exhalation becoming more powerful than the last. As the breathing increases, energy from the cosmos begins circulating around the cavern.
The energy dances around the cave, flashing quick burses of light. The energy beams begin swirling around the figure, casting light on him before entering his body through his head, palms, and feet. Through the flickering light, we realize it is Master Li.
He no longer wears his meditation robes, but his Gi from years ago. It is black with no markings. His belt is red and in its buckle rests his medallion. Red bands also crest the ends of his cuffs and the tops of his black boots.
As Li continues to absorb Qi from the universe, he begins channeling it to his Tan Tien, the center of his power located in his lower abdomen. With each breath, his power increases. Energy continues to circulate throughout the end of the cave. Lightening ricochets off the walls, causing some of the ancient granite to fall to the floor. With each insurgence of power, more lightening and wind races through the cave.
Each new beam of energy also casts more light into the area. Just opposite of Master Li is the Great Vault - a large granite door blockading the passageway. On the door are six symbols arranged as they were earlier in the corridor.
At the top are three vertical lines representing the element of fire. To its right, half-way down the door are three "^" placed on one another, symbolizing earth. Below and to the left are three horizontal lines, the sign of metal. Directly across and to the left of the metal elemental symbol are the horizontal waving lines for water. Above and to the left (and across from the earth symbol) are three waving lines at a 45 degree angle, slanted to the right. This is the symbol for wood. In the center of the door is a sixth symbol- the one that Master Li held in his study and is imprinted on his medallion.
Master Li stops gather Qi from the universe and concentrates and making his body more powerful. Soon, golden energy radiates from his pores and illuminates the cave. Li steps forward with his left leg and lowers himself into a bow stance. He then begins leading Qi from his Tan Tien to his hands and creates a Qi ball between his palms. Li focuses on the Qi ball filling it with more and more energy. The Qi ball grows to the size of a basketball, filled with electric, red energy. In a burst of speed, Li thrusts his arms toward the door, releasing the Qi ball.
The Qi ball hurls across the cave and hits the center of the door. Slowly the Qi is absorbed by the sixth symbol, that for fire. As the symbol absorbs the Qi ball, it begins glowing red. Once completely absorbed, the emblem flashes a bright red, and then it releases a shrieking gush of red energy upwards to other fire symbol.
This blast of energy charges the fire emblem, making it flash red with power as well. A moment later, it releases a blast of red energy towards the earth emblem. Charged, the earth emblem glows yellow and hums with power. The earth element then unleashes a bolt of yellow energy towards the metal symbol.
The metal element begins glowing white. Once at full intensity, it rips out a powerful bolt of white energy towards the water symbol. The metal energy feeds the water emblem, which begins glowing bright blue. Now completely charged, it shoots out a blue energy beam to the wood element's emblem. Absorbing the Qi from the water element brings the wood element's symbol to life. A moment later it releases a green energy wave towards the fire element.
Now all six symbols glow and hum brightly, their respective colors cascading a rainbow of light onto Master Li. Slowly he raises his arms overhead. As he does this, the Great Vault Door begins to rise. It shakes and rumbles the cave as it retracts into the ceiling.
Once clear of the corridor, Li sees a sight he hasn't viewed for some time. A long descending staircase carved into the mountain. Embedded into the cavern's walls are gemstones, glowing bright from the Qi absorbed from the Great Door. Master Li rises from his stance and enters the Great Vault.
At then end of the staircase rests the Great Vault. Five tombs arranged in the traditional elemental formation. Each tomb is made of marble and is engraved with its symbol engraved in gold. Li enters the Vault and walks to the center of the tombs. The gemstones continue to illuminate the room, shining light from up above.
Then, in a thunderous show of force, five colored light beams - red, yellow, white, blue, and green- fall from above and crash into their respective crests. The Vault begins shaking with power as the Qi is sucked into each tomb. The Qi beams descend for almost a minute, causing even more rumbling and lightening to dance through out the room.
Finally it ends, yielding the five emblems glowing. Li begins hearing a new rumbling. This time it isn't from the mountain. it's coming from the tombs themselves.
Multicolored light begins escaping from the tombs, as their lids begin sliding open. One by one, they fall, crashing onto the Vault's floor. Li takes a deep breath, as he finally sees what he came from. From each of the tombs, a decaying skeletal hand reaches up.
Slowly, the inhabitants of the tombs rise and stand before Li. They each wear the remains of a tattered Gi similar to Master Li's, only that their dominant color scheme is that of their element. Around the iliac crests of each QiRanger is a golden belt housing a medallion similar to Li's, only that is has a different element marking.
The skeletons begin glowing their respective colors and manifesting form. Master Jo stands before Li as the Fire QiRanger. In the earth tomb, Master Yee acknowledges his comrade. Standing before Li as the Metal QiRanger is Master Tanaka. Masters Woo and Kahn appear before Li as the Water and Wood QiRangers, respectively.
"Friends, I am glad to see you once more," Li humbly states.
"But the time has come when evil threatens the world once more," Master Jo finishes.
Li looks at his old friend. "Yes. Someone has opened the Water Mystic Door the Shadow Realm. It will only be a matter of time before Bruch'oda realizes the opportunity and sends forth his army."
"Your vigilance shall be rewarded in the next life, my friend," Master Woo states, the Water QiRanger.
"I shall await the return of your successors and monitor the door for the invasion."
The ancient QiRangers bow to Master Li, who does so in kind, as this is the last time they shall meet in this life.
Each of the QiRangers begins glowing brightly as their Qi is focused towards their medallion. Once all their Qi has been absorbed by the medallion, they flash out existence leaving the ancient warriors powerless and their bone fall into their tombs, crashing into oblivion.
"Hurry, my friends."
***
Gerard LaFleur sits connected via C-Net to his robotic avatar. After passing through the Water Mystic Door, the robot was transported to the Shadow Realm. Gerard sits glued to every piece of information relayed to him. He can't believe this is really happening.
In the Shadow Realm, the robot has moved away from an ancient portal, swirling with blue energy. Atop the portal is the symbol for the water element. "So this is it?" Gerard thinks to himself. "This is the source of ultimate power?" Gerard commands the robot to scan the horizon for any sign of weaponry or advanced technology.
Each scan returns the same result. The Shadow Realm is an abomination. Scorched, dry earth extends as far as the eye can see. Up above, the heavens burn blood-red. Electrical storms crackle as they discharge in the sky. Not one structure can be seen. not one scan returned with any sign of hope.
"This was all for not," Gerard thinks to himself. "I've wasted all this time on something."
Before Gerard could complete his thought, a strange energy wave came over him. Something was happening. This was a sensation he'd never felt before. With all the time he'd spent jacked into the C-Net, this was something new. something not natural.
The information transmitted to him began to grow garbled. It started getting snowy. Just as the transmission seemed to fade complete, it was restored, but the robot was no longer outside under the maelstrom of the Shadow Realm - it was now inside some kind of large Throne Room.
The Throne Room was not elegant by any stretch of the imagination. Dark and dreary, the marble-like stones covered the walls and ceiling, encasing the room like a tomb. Sconces posted throughout the room provided minimal light - just enough to make things out, but not really see them in great detail. Between each sconce was a large tapestry, each with different markings on them.
On the far side of the room was a tiered platform with several steps leading to a seat of infinite power. It was on this throne Bruch'oda sat.
Gerard took in all that was around his avatar, as he was not alone on the other side of the looking glass. Surrounding the robot were 30-40 identical dark figures. Each wore black armor with black helmets. The only feature that wasn't black was two red marks where eyes should be.
Each figure remained still, with all their attention focused on the robot. "This can't be good," Gerard mutters to himself. As he continues to examine his new surrounding, Gerard begins to focus on the tiers before him.
From what Gerard sees, the creature before him sits with a look of distain on what appears to be his face. It's hard to really make anything out - hell if you can even call it a face. The "master of the house" wears gold and black armor and is most decidedly not human. If anything, he looks reptilian, but Gerard can't be sure.
If the surrounding army and the looks from above didn't give Gerard enough concern, the creature sitting on the throne wasn't alone. To his immediate left was what must be a female wearing similar armor and on lower tiers, two enforcer-types. Each larger and more powerful than the standing army next to his avatar- and easily more intimidating.
"Qual'och, is this the thing that came through the gate?" the seated figure boomed.
"Yes, my Lord," a high pitched voice coming from behind the robot replied.
Gerard commanded the robot to scan behind it revealing the source of the response. Wearing a purple cloak with gold markings, a lizard-like creature with four claw-like arms approached.
"But it isn't alive. It's some sort of artificial machine," Qual'och continued.
Bruch'oda leans forward in his chair, stroking what would be his chin with his left arm. "Then how did it open the door?" he asks.
Gerard realizes he's been silent then entire time and decides to break the ice. "It was actually quite easy to open the door," Gerard says through his avatar.
Bruch'oda squints at the mechanized visitor, while the female to his side slowly steps forward. Qual'och walks past the machine and takes his place at the foot of the tiers, beneath the enforcers.
"Explain," Bruch'oda simply says. It was not a request, it was an order-one that Gerard knew all too well would either enable him to join forces with the warlord or bring about an end to his attempt to wreak havoc on the Earth.
"My name is Gerard LaFleur from the planet Earth," he begins, but before he could get much more out, Bruch'oda interrupts.
"Don't bore me with pleasantries. Get to the point, thing!" Bruch'oda yells.
Gerard thinks for a moment on how best to present his case before Bruch'oda vaporizes his robot. "This robot houses a powerful energy source based on fusion technology. Using the dischargers embedded into the unit's arms, I was able to send an electrical wave into the door and break the lock."
Bruch'oda looks over the robot, his eyes peering into the tin can. "Is that possible Wizard? I thought only the Qi from the elements could unlock the doors."
Qual'och pauses and gets a quizzical look on his face. "This energy wave you used, can you show it to me?" he asks.
"Yes. It is really quite simple," Gerard responds. "Where would you like me to discharge the beam?"
Qual'och looks around the Throne Room for a suitable target. His eyes rest upon a weapons stand housing swords and axes in the far corner. "Over there," he says pointing to the stand.
The Shadow Warriors in the way step aside, clearing the way for the robot to fire at the stand. Slowly, the machine raises its arms and unleashes a short burst of energy. The energy wave finds its target and destroys the stand and weapons.
"That's it my Lord," Qual'och says.
"That's what?"
"The machine sent pure energy into the gate. Energy in its purest state contains each of the five elements. Given enough power, the door would have accepted the energy wave from the machine as Water Qi."
"No shit," Gerard thinks to himself.
"So now that you've opened the door, answer me one question: Why?" Bruch'oda says as he leans forward in his chair.
"I'm part of an organization that has its fingers in many facets of the world I live in. Unfortunately, those in charge have lost sight their duty and have grown complacent. I'm tired of their inaction," Gerard begins. "I've always been a student of history, so I became intrigued at the legends of the Great Battle 5000 years ago. I knew if I could unearth the power, the world could be conquered. I simply want to be part of the action."
The enforcers look at Bruch'oda for a sign of judgment, but his face is expressionless. After what Gerard feels is an eternity, Bruch'oda sits back in his chair.
"Why?" he says. "Why should I help you? Sure you opened the gate for us to return to Earth, but why should we not include you in our path of destruction."
"Because," Gerard says confidently, "I only know the location of one door. Without the others open, only one of you may cross over. You need me to open the other doors for you."
"So I do," Bruch'oda submits. "What is your name again, Earthling?"
"Gerard."
"Well, Gerard. Your robot and my one General won't be a match for the QiRangers."
Gerard's heart begins racing as he sits in his chair. "This couldn't be going any better!" he thought.
"I've not heard of the QiRangers since the ancient stories. Could they all be dead?" Gerard asked.
Bruch'oda rose from his seat and began walking down the stairs towards the robot. "That I doubt. They'd be waiting for my return. Now that you've opened the door, it will only be a matter of time before they try to close it."
He stops next to Qual'och and places his right hand on the Wizard's shoulder. "Since that thing is from Earth, can you make it strong enough to battle along side on of us until the other doors are open?"
"This robot is powerful enough to take on any threat," Gerard boasts.
Disturbed that his judgment was called into question, Bruch'oda extends his arm towards the robot, unleashing a Dark Qi blast. The energy wave impales on the robot and sends it reeling across the room into the opposite wall.
"If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked," Bruch'oda says coldly as he turns to Qual'och.
"I think I have a solution," he says.
"Good."
Qual'och steps forward into the center of the Throne Room and closes his eyes. He brings the claws of his upper hands together in front of his torso while the lower arms rise above his head. A swirling mass of energy begins forming before Qual'och. At the same time, the robot is lifted into the air and is brought before Qual'och.
In France, Gerard has lost complete control of his creation. Frantically he tries to reset systems to get access to the machine's defense systems - but there's nothing he can do.
Qual'och increases his concentration, allowing the energy ball to grow larger and larger. He then extends all four of his arms towards the robot and the energy ball explodes towards the machine. In a matter of seconds, it completely engulfs the creation.
Gerard shakes violently in his chair, biting his tongue from the intense pain ripping though his body.
A minute later, the energy has been completely absorbed by the robot and it begins changing form. It morphs from a clunky servant, to a sleek and agile metallic soldier. On the machine's breastplate is a black "X". Completely free of the energy wave, the revised creature falls to the ground.
Gerard can't believe the sensation he's experiencing. It's as if he's been infused with enormous power and that every thought and action, no matter how precise can now be copied by his robotic servant. But there's something more. something special.
Bruch'oda looks on at the new robot. "And what have you done?"
Qual'och turns to face his Master. "Until the other doors are opened, your champions will need an army to command. This new warrior has the ability to make copies of itself, each as powerful as the original."
"Well done," he says, smiling, the only way a lizard can as he returns to his throne. "Ready the invasion!" he yells. His troops below erupt in a chorus of cheers, while Gerard sits at home with an enormous grin on his face.
A hot day on the Pacific Ocean finds a lone craft hovering above the water. Closer inspection finds no crew, only an idling engine insuring the vehicle stays in place. The waves crash against the lower extremities of the hull, creating a soothing sound. The boat, if you will, is a long bed carrier with an enclosed control room at the forward station and an open bed taking up the remainder of the ship's body. The vessel's propulsion system is housed at the stern and is divided into thrust and hover components.
The ship's main computer beeps, signaling an incoming remote command. The ship's hydraulic lift begins lowering from the center of the bed into the ocean. As the platform breaks the surface of the water, two figures climb onto the submerged piece of metal: Gerard's improved robot, the X Bot, and Kor'digh, the first of Bruch'oda's warriors to return to Earth. He stands tall with midnight blue armor covering his body and a helmet lined with spikes. His breastplate adorns two bones crossed and the same symbol resides on his belt buckle. Hanging off his belt is a pair of sabers, one on each side.
As the water drips off the pair, the X Bot's eyes flash, signaling the craft to return the platform to the craft. Slowly, it begins rising from the sea. "I hope leaving just one of you behind will be enough," Kor'digh says as the platform completes its merger with the ship's hull.
"I'm sure it will be more than enough. I think you're all worrying too much, "Gerard says." Like I said, I've never heard of any of these QiRangers, except what was in the old literature. I still think they're all dead."
"We'll see soon enough," Kor'digh flatly states.
***
Meanwhile at the Great Vault, Master Li kneels in meditation. His thoughts focused on the Earth, hoping that his friends find their succors soon. But an imbalance in the universe draws his attention. "Could it be?" he thinks to himself. Allowing his body to become one focused source of thought, he pinpoints the discrepancy. Li's eyes flash open, ending his meditation.
Standing, Li gathers his strength and extends his arms out to his side. Li extends his index and middle fingers while clenching the rest of his hand in a fist. He swings his arms together, in front of his heart and his left hand grabs hold of his right's fingers. Li closes his eyes, building his Qi and then extends his right arm into the air and left arm towards the cavern's color. In a burst of red energy, Li teleports out of the Great Vault.
***
On the boat, X Bot and Kor'digh stand at the bow of the craft, the salty wind blowing in their faces. From behind, Kor'digh hears something alien. Slowly he turns around. Gerard, sitting in his chair, sees his comrade turning and commands X Bot to do the same.
As the pair turn around they see an unwelcome visitor on the craft. Standing in the center of the ship's bed is Master Li, his face determined to conquer the evil before him.
"I was wondering who would be the first to show," Kor'digh says over the sound of the waves.
Master Li changes his stance, readying himself for combat. "I hope I'm not disappointing." Li continues to focus on his opponents, as they draw closer to him.
"You see, Gerard, this is what we were speaking of. But it appears there's only one Qi Ranger left," Kor'digh says.
"Then let's not delay his destruction," the X Bot says. Gerard concentrates and activates the X Bot's copy feature again. The robot's eyes and X glow red as ten additional X Bots appear on the ships cargo area with Master Li, the Master X Bot, and Kor'digh.
Now facing 12 foes, Master Li readies himself for battle. Drawing upon his inner flame, fire erupts from his body, completely engulfing the QiRanger. Gerard can't believe what he's seeing and motions the X Bots to attack. The ten move in on Master Li as the flames fade away revealing blood-red armor plating on his shoulders, chest, arms, and legs. The armor conforms to his body, protecting Li's muscles and organs. On the breast plate, engraved in gold is the Second Fire Symbol Li wears. The remaining armor plating on Li hugs his Gi tightly, providing excellent protection.
The X Bots surround Master Li, who stands calm, awaiting the storm about to begin. As he assesses the situation, a robot to his right attacks. The machine is quick, but Master Li is faster. Sidestepping the threat, Master Li focuses his Fire Qi into his left forearm, creating an incredible firestorm of energy. He lashes his arm into the back of the X Bot, causing the robot's metal to melt. When all is said and done, the robot falls to the deck in two pieces.
Gerard looks through the eyes of his avatar, stunned. "You didn't think it was going to be easy, did you?" Kor'digh pipes. Angered, Gerard commands the reaming 9 copies to attack at once. The effort of his new partner pleases Kor'digh, who lets a small smile creep across his face.
Master Li leaps into the air, somersaulting over the attacking robots. As he lands on the deck, he falls to his knees and spins around throwing four fire shurricans. The flaming stars streak across the open deck and find their targets effortlessly. The stars pierce through the metallic chests of the four copies, killing their power supply. The lifeless hulks fall harmlessly to the deck and explode.
Angered, Gerard sends the remaining five Copy Bots against Li. As the robots attempt to punch and grab the QiRanger, he evades them by ducking and leaping out of reach. Once through the gauntlet, Li brings his hands together in front of him. From out of his grip, a saber forms. Li rushes forward, meeting the advancing Copy Bots again. This time, Master Li makes no attempt to bypass the threat and meets each robot head on. With a slash of his blade, Li decapitates each of the remaining robots. Devoid of power, the Copy Bots crumble to their knees and explode.
Before he can turn to face the remaining threats, a dark Qi blast is fired from Kor'digh. The energy hits Master Li squarely between the shoulders and catapults him forward to the rear of the ship. The Qi blast leaves a dark scorched mark on his rear armor plating. Li hangs onto the railing so he doesn't fall off and looks back at Kor'digh.
"I was wondering if you were going to just sit back and watch," Li taunts. He regains his footing and prepares for Kor'digh's forthcoming attack. The pair meets in the center of the craft, swords clashing.
"You've still got a little fire in you, old man," Kor'digh says as he kicks Li's chest. The blow causes the QiRanger to stumble backwards. Seeing an opportunity, Kor'digh unveils a flurry of swipes with his swords. The blades impact Li's armor, throwing electrical sparks into the air, cutting deep into the armor's protection. The attack forces the QiRanger backwards and towards the deck.
Kor'digh stands next to Li, ready to strike with his sword, when Li kicks his legs out from under the Shadow Realm Warrior, knocking him back. Springing up, as if he was an 18 year old, Master Li regains his fighting composure and moves in for the kill.
Realizing that he just can't sit back and watch any longer, Gerard activates X Bot's copy feature once again and 10 new copies appear on deck. In France, a smile appears on Gerard's face, "Let's see him get out of this one."
Kor'digh quickly recovers from his fall and meets Li's attack. The pair slowly rotates in the center of the cargo area. Kor'digh holds his swords crossed in an X as Li presses down with his Qi Saber. As the pair struggle for control, their faces come to only inches apart. Li smells the scent of death on Kor'digh's breath, something he once knew well, but had forgotten over the years.
"Looks like you're out numbered again," Kor'digh hisses as he pushes Li backwards. Now clear of the QiRanger, Kor'digh orders the Copy Bots to attack. "Finish him!" he yells.
Gerard orders the Copy Bots to fire their energy bolts. The beams move too quickly for Li to dodge and hit him. The energy blasts hit the weakened armor time and time again. Electrical sparks shoot into the air, signaling the ever weakening state of the armor. Before the last blast strikes, the armor succumbs to the enormous power of the Copy Bots and shatters, sending him back against the railing once more. Li lies against the railing, bruised and bleeding from the attack.
"Again! Again!" Kor'digh shouts as his eyes fill with passion. "Again!"
The Copy bots unload another round of energy towards Master Li. Hurt, he's not able to move quick enough to evade the blasts and they rip into him. Li's Gi tears as the electrical energy passes through him. Blood oozes from his mouth and wounds erupt on his chest and arms as Li steadies himself on one knee.
"It's over Li," Kor'digh says.
The Copy Bots fire again, but this time Li's able to dodge the blast, unfortunately, the ship's reactor isn't as lucky.
The explosion throws Li far into the sea. "Damn!" Kor'digh yells. "So close," he says with his teeth grated and pounding on what's left of the ships railing. Kor'digh races the ship's edge and looks for the QiRanger. With the smoke and debris consuming most of the immediate area, the Alien Warrior can't find his target.
"We've got to get out of here, the ships going to sink," Gerard says as the X Bot reabsorbs his copies.
"Next time, Li. Next time," Kor'digh growls.
X Bot and Kor'digh teleport off the ship as sinks into the ocean. A few hundred meters away, Master Li floats just under the surface of the water, unconscious.
***
Meanwhile, the sun beats down on a hot summer day in Sedona, Arizona. This small mountain community is one of the last bastions of the simple life long forgotten in this age of technology. Originally settled by artists, the spirit and soul of this mystic place has stood progress in the face and balked.
As the midday sun crests above the high desert, Jayde Yee completes her ascent atop Bell Rock. The 24 year old Asian beauty strides to the bench mark and takes in the awesome beauty of Oak Creek Canyon. Magnificent Cottonwoods and Douglas Firs line the banks of the river making its way through the canyon. Today, the red rocks of Sedona look even more beautiful, as their special flecks seem to dance in the summer light.
With the temperature what it is in midday, Jayde is not surprised to find the summit empty- which is why she decided to make trek at this time. Her soft features and long, flowing black hair seem at home at one of Sedona's Vortices. She carries a small day pack and some water attached to a canteen strap off her belt. As she nears the center of the plateau, she unfastens the canteen and takes a small sip of water before setting the container down on the red rock. She then flicks her hair over her shoulder allowing her to remove her day pack.
Jayde unzips the main compartment and retrieves a small blanket from inside. She carefully unfolds the cloth before her, making sure there are no wrinkles. After removing her Tevas, Jayde sits cross-legged with her hands folded in front of her. As Jayde begins meditating, her body begins glowing brightly with a golden hue. She looks at peace. she looks complete.
***
An hour or so passes and Jayde completes her meditation, drawing her Qi into her Tan Tien. With her eyes open, she peers out over Sedona. "Absolutely beautiful. I can't imagine being anywhere else," she quietly says. But something is not right. Normally after practicing the Golden Light Qigong, she feels refreshed and ready for the rest of the day. But today is different. She feels drawn into the creek. Something is calling her.
Jayde makes her way down Bell Rock and begins hiking along the forest service road to the creek. "The scent of the trees, the sound of the babbling brook, and the serenity we have here. I just don't understand my family. I don't get how they can live in the city and give up all this," she thinks to herself as she hikes into the Canyon.
Before long, Jayde reaches a clearing. The meadow has numerous wild flowers in bloom, but her attention is drawn the banks of the creek. Sunlight pierces through the canopy above and shines brightly on the ground next to the creek's banks. As Jayde inspects the area, she feels a strange sensation in her. Something she's never felt before. It's almost as if she was about to give birth. Jayde drops to one knee.
As Jayde looks at the spot on the ground glowing in sunlight, the ground begins to stir. She concentrates on the area of dirt before her as she sees one little leaf break through the surface of Earth. A sense of joy fills her. She reaches out her hand, welcoming the new sapling into the world and gives it some of her newly collected Qi, so that it may grow strong. The sapling readily accepts the gift of life and an overpowering feeling of warmth fills Jayde.
She thanks the tree for allowing her to be part its birth into world, but she needed to be going back to town. Jayde was pulling the late shift at the spa today and this extra trip may make her a few minutes late, something her manager despised.
She stands up and turns around; ready to head to her Jeep, but something catches her eye. A shimmering golden object reflecting the sun's light flashes in her eyes. "I wonder what that is," she thinks to herself. Knowing that time is short, she jogs over to a nearby Cottonwood and sees the source of the flickering light. Hung on a branch is a golden medallion.
Jayde's eyes widen, as she cannot believe the beauty of such an amulet and that it is simply sitting here in the open. "Hello?" she yells. "Is anyone out here? Hello?" There was no response.
Jayde steps closer to the medallion and studies it. It appears to be made of solid gold with a simple chain attached to the objects side. One side is smooth, but the other has markings Jayde has never seen before. Three curved lines at a 45 degree angle rising towards the right. "It's beautiful," she says aloud.
As Jayde steps closer to the medallion, a faint image of Master Kahn appears behind her. A smile flashes across his face as Jayde takes the Wood Qi Medallion off the tree. As holds the medallion, an insurgence of Green Energy begins swirling about her, creating a vortex. The trees and brush lash about as the energy increases, but in the center of the vortex, it is calm. Jayde simply stands holding the medallion, oblivious as to what's occurring around her.
As Jayde slips the medallion over her neck, it begins glowing green and the Wood Qi fills her body. As her body glows green, she outstretches her arms and is lifted into the air by the vortex. In a blinding flash of light, Jayde vanishes and the energy vortex dissipates.
***
Luís Mendoza sits at the counter of his Café in Mexico City. The 32 year old restaurateur hangs his head as he brings his hands behind his neck. "Another slow day in paradise," he mumbles. Life's been rough for Luís these past few months. The customers just don't seem to be coming like they used to.
He doesn't understand why. Mexico City is the capital of Latin America, the second largest nation of the world and its always teeming with tourists from around the planet coming to see the ancient ruins and "culture" of his people. "Why can't they stop in here for a drink and some food?" he thinks to himself as he bangs his forehead on the solver counter.
He looks up at the bright red Coca-Cola clock staring him in the face: 12:32pm. "Not a soul around," he says. Luís slams his hands onto the countertop, "Screw it! I'm outta here."
Luís pushes himself away from the counter and leaps over it. Taking one last look at his restaurant, he makes his way to the front door and turns off the lights. Before exiting through the door, he takes hold of the "OPEN" sign and slides it to "CLOSED".
Luís steps out of his Café and starts walking down the alley.
A few minutes pass and Luís arrives at home. It's nothing special, hell it really can't be since his restaurant is failing, but he calls it home. Since he has nothing, he doesn't keep it locked, so he walks inside. Luís takes off his T-shirt, revealing rippling muscles and a well defined six- pack.
Luís steps out into the car port, where he's hung a punching bag from the ceiling. As sweat begins to pour out of him, Luís begins dancing in front of the bag before unleashing his frustrations on it.
With each thrust, his problems seem to get farther and farther away. This is where he feels at home- just he and the bag - punch - punch - jab - punch - sidestep - jab - and so it goes for hours.
***
As Luís nears completing his "meditation," he hears muffled screams coming from the alley behind his house. His curiosity peaked; he stops punching the bag and heads out to his yard.
Filled with dirt and weeds, Luís' yard was not something to be proud of. He reaches the chain linked fence marking the edge of his property and saw nothing. Luís looked left and right down the alley, but still nothing. As he turns around, another scream bellows toward him from the neighbor's yard.
Concerned, Luís drops his gloves and runs next door. He busts through the wood door adjacent to the alley and into yard. Luís is disgusted at what he sees: three teenage boys holding a white girl and preparing to rape her.
Filled with anger, Luís charges them. For a man who's spent the past few hours punching a bag, he moved with surprising speed and caught the boys off guard. The youngest of the trio saw the burly man racing towards him and decided it wasn't worth it and took off running.
The other two should have taken their partner's lead. Luís channeled all his failures, all his anger, all his sense of justice into punishing those boys for harming an innocent 16 year old girl.
Luís picked up the first boy and swung as hard as he could. The end result was that the kid lost two teeth and received a broken nose from the impact of Luís' fist. The punch flung the kid to the ground and knocked the wind out of him.
The second kid picks up a 2x4 and holds it like a bat. Luís turns to face him. "I dare you," he says devoid of fear.
Startled, the teen drops the piece of wood and takes off running.
The young woman can't believe that her torment is over and begins crying. Luís kneels down next to her and picks her up. The young lady is so grateful to her rescuer that she hugs him so tightly that she almost ends up choking Luís.
"It's okay little one," he assures her as he begins walking back to his place to call the Police.
***
An hour later, the girl's family and the Police have left Luís alone. The thought that some "thing" could do that to another human disgusts Luís. Feeling his anger burn once more, he grabbed his gloves and headed to the punching bag.
When he reaches the car port, he sees something new - a golden medallion hanging on his bag. "What the." he says. "I told them I didn't want anything."
Luís puts the gloves down on a work bench and steps closer to the medallion. The golden amulet is circular and has three "^" marks resting on top of each other. "I've never seen anything like this before," Luís says.
As Luís reaches for the Earth Qi Medallion, a yellow energy vortex begins swirling about him. His gloves fly across the car port and miscellaneous papers fly about. Luís takes hold of the medallion as Master Yee looks on.
Luís slowly places the medallion around his neck and begins being filled with yellow, Earth Qi. The sensation blows the simple man's mind and all he can do is reach out his arms and scream before the energy vortex takes him away.
***
On the other side of the world, Leslie Chen and her brother Mike sit in their small apartment in Beiging. Leslie is simply stunning at 27. Her petite body and bobbed haircut makes her look more like a schoolgirl than a professor at Beiging University. "You know, the more you watch, the more brain cells you lose, Mike," she says.
Mike turns his head and looks at her squarely in the eyes and quips, "I don't see you coming up with any alternatives." Finishing his statement, the older Chen by 4 years, returns to watching the holographic display in front of them.
"I wish she would just give it a rest," he thinks to himself.
Mike takes his right hand and taps it on his sister's left thigh. "Sorry sis. I didn't mean to snap at you. All these budget cuts at the hospital are starting to get to me. They're really going to start jeopardizing patient care soon. I need something like this to let me unwind."
Leslie leans over and curls up with her brother. "See? This is why you should come teach at the University with me- better hours, less frustration, and no worries about patient care." Leslie places her head on Mike's shoulder. "I really wish you would. You're working so many shifts now, it's like you're not even here."
Mike leans his head on top of hers. "I know. It will only be a few more months before this rotation is complete. After that, I should have a better schedule." Mike pauses and sees there's a break in the program and shifts his weight. "Do you want anything while I'm up?" he says as he rises.
"No thank you," Leslie says as her brother walks into the kitchenette. As she watches him walk away in his t-shirt and boxers, she sees that's he's wearing an old pair that their mother gave him. the one with the hole in the right cheek. Seeing this, Leslie sits up and throws a pillow at her brother.
"I can't believe you're wearing that!" she yells as the pillow hits him in the back.
"What?" mike says innocently, shrugging his shoulders as he looks at his cheek protruding through his shorts.
"You know what," Leslie jokes. "That's disgusting. Mom would kill you if she saw you waking around in that."
"Yeah," Mike says as he sways his shoulders side to side, "but she's not here." A smile erupts on Mike's face, pleased that, at least in this house, he can wear what he wants.
Finished with his sister, he takes a glass out of the cupboard and fills it with water. "Are you sure you don't want anything?" he asks again.
From the other room, his sister confirms, "Really. I'm fine."
"Okay," Mike says and returns to the couch just in time for the match to resume on the holographic display.
The pair settles into the couch to watch the display, when they hear a rumbling sound out side and then start hearing screams from outside their window. Their interest peaked; the siblings ride from the couch and go to the window. Pulling back the drapes, they look down into the alley bellow at the source of the screams.
Down below, a hover car has flipped onto its side and crashed into the building on the other side of the alley. "Call Emergency Services, I'm going down," Mike commands as he races to his bedroom to put on some pants and shoes.
"Be careful," Leslie says as her brother leaves the apartment.
***
Down on the street, Mike tends to the woman who was screaming. She's in her early 60's and really shaken up. She has lots of bruises, nothing too serious - no broken bones, no bleeding wounds - but she's stunned and not talking. The woman's gaze is focused on the car. Mike does his best to comfort her against the building. "Can you tell me your name?" he says to the elder woman.
The woman tries to respond, but the words don't come out, it's as if they just sit in her mouth readied to be freed, if only they could. With enormous concentration, the woman is able to raise her arm and point to the car.
"I know. You were in an accident," Mike replies as he continues to assess his patient.
Running out of their building, Leslie joins her brother, "They're on their way. It should only be a couple of minutes." Something she knew to be true, as the Emergency station was only three blocks away and she could even now hear the sirens coming.
"Ba.", the woman tries to say. "Bab..," she says again as she points to the car.
Both Mike and Leslie look at the car and begin to hear a faint cry and a look of horror comes over their faces.
"No!" Leslie yells as she begins running towards the car.
Mike tries to restrain her, as the fuel cells begin leaking, releasing plasma onto the car's frame. The hot substance immediately ignites the soft metal sending the car into flames. Filled with purpose and a new sense of power, Leslie breaks free of her brother and races to the car.
Leslies reaches the car and begins searching the back seat for the child. A second later, she's joined by Mike. "We've got to get out of here, this things going to blow," he says.
"I'm not leaving the child!" Leslie says frantically.
Mike and Leslie search the car, but find nothing. "Where is it coming from?" Leslie says, popping her head up as the flames piece through the rear compartment.
"I don't know," Mike says looking around. Then his eyes catching something a few meters to his left - the car seat! "Over there!" he shouts and points to his discovery. Mike takes off running to the car seat.
Leslie begins to leave the car, but her attention is drawn to a shimmering golden object on the front seat. As she reaches for the object, the car explodes in a horrendous firestorm. The flames ride up in the night's sky, leaving blackened marks on the building.
Mike's eyes swell with tears as he holds the child in his hands, "Leslie!"
***
Deep in the heart of Mt. Fiji, where its core still boils over with molten magma stands one of the remaining Mystic Doors. In a vaulted chamber resides an island of rock nested in a river of magma. A narrow bridge leads from the surrounding chamber floor to the island. As magma passes under the bridge, it slowly erodes the crossing. Perhaps in several thousand more years the arch will finally succumb to the heat.
A bright flash of white light fills the chamber. When it fades, X-Bot and Kor'digh appear next to the Mystic Door. The pair walks around to the front of the door. "The only way to travel," Gerard says through the X-Bot. "I'm glad you were able to do that so we didn't have to swim back to the mainland.
Kor'digh grunts an approval. "I wish I could have ended this all back there."
Gerard thinks for a moment before continuing, "In any way, he's in a bad spot. The water won't help. He'll have to catch a break to even make it out of that," he says as the X-Bot stumbles walking to a position in front of the Fire Mystic Door.
"Never underestimate them. They will surprise you," barks Kor'digh.
Gerard shakes his head in his seat. "Foolish thug. If these QiRangers were so dangerous, then why was one of them so easily dealt with? I doubt there are any left," he thinks to himself.
"Shall we get to it?" the X-Bot avatar asks.
"Get on with it," Kor'digh replies.
Raising its arms, the X-Bot begins siphoning power to its arms. Unleashing a powerful stream of energy at the door, the beams find the center and begin energizing the Fire Qi symbol.
Within seconds, the fire symbol glows red and flashing and crackling under the power sent forth from X-Bot. Red energy starts moving outwards from the symbol, consuming the rock portal.
"I still can't believe that it works," Kor'digh says dumfounded.
In France, Gerard smiles widely, pushing deeper into his chair. "God, I'm glad that's over with," he thinks.
Red energy begins swirling in the door, discharging bolts of electricity around the pair of onlookers. The stony center begins bursting from within revealing a mass of Fire Qi. The energy storm fades away, revealing a dimensional portal to the Shadow Realm. Waiting for X-Bot and Kor'digh on the other side is Qual'och.
Seeing that the portal is open, the wizard cautiously steps through the gateway. Instantaneously, he's transported to Earth. Qual'och places his hind foot on the rocky ground beneath him and turns to look behind. Qual'och twists his body forward and placed his lower arms behind him. "Let's move on to the next door."
Kor'digh bows, signaling he's ready.
"That will have to wait," Gerard says through the X-Bot.
The comment catches Kor'digh off guard and he jerks his head towards the robot. Not wanting to overstep his bounds, the warrior waits to take his lead from the wizard.
A look of anger flashes before the wizard's face and his eyes glow red. "Explain yourself."
Gerard squirms in his seat. "Maybe I over played my hand," he thinks.
"I've been up for nearly 24 hours piloting this tin can. Staying linked in and firing the energy blasts is exhausting. If I don't get some rest I won't be able to control the X-Bot and open the remaining three doors. I need to unplug and get some sleep."
Qual'och glances at Kor'digh and telepathically implants a message, "We will grant him this request. We need him for now. But as soon as the other doors are opened, we will remove this insignificant pool of matter from our ranks."
Kor'digh's eyes light up with extreme desire.
***
In the Great Vault, the gemstones continue to shine down from above, illuminating what's left of the five QiRanger tombs. In front of the Wood, Earth, and Fire monuments, swirling masses of energy, each in their respective colors form. They grow from the size of a baseball to that of small tree in a matter of seconds. Each sends out thunderous clashes of thunder as energy bolts discharge onto the Vault's walls and floor.
The three sphere's of energy pop out, filling the room with bright multicolored light. When the energy from the vortices abates, Jayde, Luís, and Leslie stand in front of their respective elemental tombs. Each no longer wears what they wore when they took hold of the medallions. Now each dons a black Gi with colored strips at the cuff and boot tops, revealing their element's color. Like Master Li, they also have a golden belt around their waist with the medallion securely fastened to the buckle.
Leslie's eyes star wide with her face full of terror as she realizes she no longer is in Beiging and facing an exploding car. "Michael?" she asks, still not realizing that others are present or that she has been teleported away from her home.
Luís stands dumbfounded, not quite sure what to make out of his teleportation away from Mexico. He slowly looks around, darting his eyes all over the Vault, trying not to move.
Jayde is the first of the three to step forward. Having just come out of the teleport, her footing is off, but she manages to catch herself before falling to the Vault's floor. "I've never experienced anything like that," she says aloud, her voice echoing up the chambers ceiling.
Luís groggily steps forward. "What just happened?" he manages to get out flailing his hands about. "I mean, am I imagining all of this?"
Leslie turns to the others and calmly says, "No." A new sense of confidence comes over her as she looks at her new comrades. Something deep within her knows this is right. Knows that what just happened is for the greater good.
Leslie remembers a simple message imparted by Master Jo as he transferred his powers to her, "You are the warrior of Fire."
Jayde and Luís begin recalling their own experience with their former Masters. First Jayde, and then Luís, realize that they have been endowed with tremendous power to be used as they wish.
"Please tell me if I'm crazy. But do either of you remember some old dude telling you you're now a warrior?" Luís questions.
Jayde and Leslie stare at one another and then smile at Luís. Jayde walks over to her new friend and puts her left hand on his right shoulder. "Yes I do. I'm Jayde, warrior of Wood."
A rush of relief comes over Luís as he closes his eyes and gives a sigh. "Thank. you. Lord!"
Leslie smiles and introduces herself, "I'm Leslie, the Fire Warrior."
The three QiRangers shake hands. "Luís Mendoza," he states, "Earth."
An awkward silence comes over the group as they look around. "So what now?" Luís asks.
Jayde shrugs her shoulders, "Dunno."
"I've got to tell my brother I'm all right," Leslie says as she begins walking towards the hallway out of the chamber.
"I'm sure he knows you are," Luís says while running next to Leslie. Jayde quickly follows.
"No he doesn't. I took the medallion while a car was exploding. I've got to let him know," Leslie asserts.
Luís mouths, "Wow," as the trio continues to walk.
"Didn't you get the impression we were going to meet a guide here?" Jayde asks before she and the others leave the Great Vault.
"Maybe he's down here," Leslie replies as her voice trails down the hallway.
***
Adrift in the Pacific, Master Li slowly regains his consciousness. As he bobs in the ocean, Li tries not to swallow the salty water - battle he's not winning and with each swell he coughs more and more.
Master Li strains to look out over the horizon. "I've got to get back. got to stop them. But I need to." Before Master Li can finish his last thought, he looses consciousness again and begins falling under the surface on a one way trip to the ocean bottom.
Li's body sinks quickly and it would continue to do so, if it weren't for a pair of dolphins that come to his rescue. The pair slides up against the QiRanger and gently nudges him towards the surface. Still unconscious, the dolphins swim with the fallen warrior on their backs.
***
Gerard sits in his chair as Qual'och teleports X-Bot, Kor'digh, and himself to the Frenchman's estate. As soon as the trio materializes, the X-Bot falls to the ground. The sudden action catches Kor'digh off guard.
Exhausted, Gerard unplugs his C-Net connection and wearily stands, setting his true eyes on the alien guests for the first time. "Larger than I thought," he says to himself.
Concentrating, Gerard manages to walk to his guests. "Three hours. Give me three hours and I'll be ready to go."
"As you wish," Qual'och says pressing his claws together.
Gerard manages to fake a smile at the wizard. "Jeffery!" he yells. The distant sound of his servant's electric motor foretells his arrival a moment later.
Placing his arm around his robot, Gerard instructs Jeffery, "What ever they need, give it to them. I'll be in my room sleeping."
"Yes, Master," the robot replies.
"Good," Gerard says, patting Jeffery on the back. He then saunters down the hall, barely able to stand.
Once Gerard is out of earshot, Kor'digh sternly says, "Great. A nursemaid," his attention clearly focused on Jeffery.
As Jeffery tidies the X-Bot, Qual'och walks over to the electronic servant. "So what is your role here?" the wizard inquires.
"I serve," Jeffery replies while hoisting up the X-Bot.
"I see," Qual'och quietly says. "Without question?" he continues.
"Yes," Jeffery states.
"Good," Qual'och thinks as he outstretches his four arms.
***
In a room not far from where he jacks into the C-Net, Gerard lays face- down, disheveled atop a futon. He quickly wandered off to dreamland after taxing his mind in the C-Net. As he reclaims his strength, drool drips from the corner of his mouth onto the mattress.
The room's door slowly opens, squeaking as it's pushed ajar. The noise wakes Gerard, whose eyes are still half closed when he pushes himself up to turn backwards. Propping up on his arms, he squints to see who's intruding on his slumber.
He can't be sure, but Gerard thinks he sees the X-Bot standing in the doorway. "No," he says.
"Yes," a familiar voice says from the X-Bot.
Gerard's eyes widen as he recognizes Jeffery's voice coming from the X-Bot. More so, Gerard now sees that the X-Bot has both its arms pointed at him.
"Please don't!" he pleads as he scurries off the futon.
***
In the foyer, Qual'och and Kor'digh stand next to a fallen hulk of a machine. a machine once called Jeffery and hear the blood curdling screams coming Gerard's room. Kor'digh smiles as the human perishes at the hands of his own creation.
***
As the dolphins continue swimming through the Pacific Ocean, Master Li awakens. In his weakened state, he can't mange word to thank his saviors, but imparts the thought. Dolphins being the creatures they are, sense his thanks and come to a stop.
Master Li wonders why they've done so, but after a minute understands. The dolphins know the energy systems as much as any living creature and floating towards Master Li is a mass of algae. Li smiles as he begins feeling the Wood Qi rekindle his fire. Soon he'll be ready to resume the fight.
***
Hours pass in the Pacific and Master Li slowly recovers from his battle with the Copy Bots and Kor'digh. The blood that once flowed from his wounds has stopped and the caked on scabs begin to fade. Bobbing in the ocean has allowed the last of the original QiRangers to enter into a deep meditation while the dolphins tend to him.
Concentrating on drawing Qi from both the algae surrounding him and the sun, Master Li has been able to recover from most of his injuries. While still a little sore, he now is able to hang on to the dolphins, rather than merely using them for support.
As the sun sets over the horizon, Master Li takes a deep breath. "Thank you. I owe my life to you each," he humble says to the dolphins. Each of his watery companions pipe and click in acknowledgement. Master Li lets go of his dolphin and swims a few meters away before stopping.
Master Li takes a deep breath before falling beneath the surface of the ocean. Closing his eyes he concentrates and brings his hands together. From deep within, his fire burns and consumes his body, teleporting him out of the Pacific in a blinding red light.
***
Luís, Jayde, and Leslie stand outside the Great Vault on their return trip from the cavern's entrance. "I think this is all starting to make sense," Jayde says. "Reading the hieroglyphics makes things a whole lot clearer."
The trio continues walking into the Great Vault, but stop at its entrance. In the center of the tomb stands Master Li, his Gi torn and the remnants of bruises only now starting to fade. The ancient warrior looks up at his new team members and bows. "I'm sorry I was not here to greet you."
The trio runs to the chamber, minds aflutter with questions yearning for answers. As the three newest QiRangers stand before him, Li thinks, "So young. Was I ever that young?"
Leslie is the first to speak. "Master. Li?" she says hesitantly as the old man before her bows again.
"Yes," the gentleman says. "My friends have chosen well," he says with a smile.
Luís still doesn't know what to make out of all that's happened to him today. He stands before Master Li with his hands on his hips shaking his head. "Can you please explain to me what's going on? Why are we here?"
Master Li walks to a stone chair in the chamber and sits. Luís and the ladies follow and rest on the cavern's floor.
"5000 years ago, myself and the other QiRangers fought against an evil Warlord named Bruch'oda."
"We saw the drawings," Jayde says while pointing to the passageway above her, "on the walls."
Master Li nods. "We succeeded in banishing the evil to the Shadow Realm, but knew that one day the doors sealing his imprisonment may be unlocked." Master Li looks at each of the tombs and pauses. "We stood watch for so many years, but after a time each one of us slowly passed onto the next realm."
Luís bobs his head in disbelief, "Are you saying you're 5000 years old?"
"Search your heart for the answer. Yee chose you to wield the power of Earth in the battle we now face," Li replies.
"What do you mean?" asks Leslie.
"The day I feared has come. Someone has begun opening the Mystic Doors. I waited as long as I could for you, but when the first warrior came through, I had to try and stop him."
"Is that how you got hurt," Jayde asks.
"Yes. I was unsuccessful in my effort. Bruch'oda has partnered with someone controlling a series of robots. There were simply too many. I fear that we have lost the upper hand and the remaining three doors will be opened," Li says.
"What will happen then?" Luís asks.
"Until all the doors are opened, only one person may enter this world from the Shadow Realm When all have been unlocked; Bruch'oda's forces will be able to cross over. To send them back, we must close the doors again."
"Can't we just go there and close the doors now?" Jayde says.
"Only the power of the door's element can lock it. While you," Li says pointing to Leslie, "possess the power to seal the Fire Door, we are still missing the Water QiRanger to seal the other door that has been opened."
"Even though we're two members short, is there anything we can do?" Luís offers.
Li smiles at the Earth QiRanger. "It will be dangerous, but we must try to stop the final three doors from being opened."
The trio of new QiRangers nods in agreement. "Tell us what you need us to do," Leslie says.
***
It's late and Abeu's been searching for the last piece of information for two hours jacked into the C-Net in a small apartment near downtown Toronto. "I know you're here," the 17 native from India thinks to himself. Searching for the lat byte of information he needs, Abeu has completely forgotten about the myriad of people surrounding him.
Seth Goldman, an older man with red hair, places a gentle hand on Abeu's shoulder. "Time's running out. Can you do it?" he asks.
Abeu clinches his fists and then rips out the plug tied into his data port. The quick action catches the attention of the dozen or so NASO Security Troops standing in the room. "108 East McClendon. Apartment 220," the youngster says.
Seth taps Abeu on the shoulder, "Great work. Great work." he turns to Robert Dwyer, the task force's commander. "Robert, you're green."
The 35 year old African American nods, "Thanks." He walks to the center of the room where he's joined by Dr. Gary Staal. "Okay, listen up. Gary and I'll make the first pass. When we secure the apartment, come in to begin the search and remove the prisoners," Robert orders.
Robert Dwyer's men nod and Sergeant Quann replies, "We'll be there sir."
Robert taps Quann on the shoulder, "I know you will." Gary and Robert then leave the apartment.
"Come on," Seth says holding up a flack jacket, "just in case they need you too."
Abeu begrudgingly puts the safety device on. "I really hate these things. You know that Rob and Gary never leave anything to pass. I'll be okay."
"Humor me," the boy's handler says while securing the vest on Abeu.
***
On the rooftop, Gary and Robert stand at the building's edge. As the pair overlooks Toronto, they can't help to be inspired by the beauty of its tall buildings and flashing lights. Like an endless row of lanterns stretched across the city, each light illuminates a different corner.
"Are you ready to do this?" Robert asks his partner.
Gary nods in response looking at his ring residing on his right middle finger. "All right," Robert says taking a glance at his matching piece of jewelry.
Both Gary and Robert fold their arms on top of one another. Their left arms swing outwards, reaching a 45 degree angle, as if reaching for the sky, while their right arms swing out and then are drawn into their chests, clenching their fists. As they do this, their right foots take a half-step backwards. The pair then steps forward while moving their right fists towards their left wrists. As the rings near the wrists the pair yell, "Energize!"
A wrist computer terminal uncloaks on their left wrists. On the palm-side of the unit is a small hole for the activation key stored in the pair's rings. Upon inserting the rings into the lock, the device unleashes an army of black nanobots that consume the pair. Once the transformation is complete, Robert and Gary stand atop the roof in black armor with no visible markings.
Inside Gary's display reads: STEALTH ARMOR ACTIVED.
Gary and Robert leap off the building and begin gliding through the air into the night.
***
In the foyer of Gerard's estate, Kor'digh, Qual'och, and X-Bot stand peering into three glowing orbs. In each of the orbs appears an image of the last remaining Mystic Doors. The Earth Door, located deep in the Sahara, has been covered by the eons with sand. Twenty Copy bots excavate the site, attempting to unearth the hidden treasure.
The middle orb depicts the old growth forests. Inside one of the oldest trees rests the Wood Mystic Door. Qual'och and Kor'digh watch as a Copy Bot appears and begins sending energy to the door. "Soon, my Lord," Qual'och says.
Likewise in the third orb, a Copy Bot stands in the depths of a cavern sending energy towards the Metal Mystic Door.
The pair from the Shadow Realm looks on as X-Bot controls his copies from the foyer. Kor'digh notices flashes of green and white light emanating from the Wood and Metal doors. A second later, the rocks sealing the entrances have been eliminated.
"One more," Kor'digh says.
"Let's join our forces as we triumph over the QiRangers," Qual'och says lifting his arms into the air. A swirling mass of black smoke consumes the three standing in the foyer and teleports them to the Sahara.
***
Materializing in the hot sun, the three quickly separate. X-Bot moves towards his Copies to closely supervise the excavation while Qual'och and Kor'digh watch. With the heat baking them, Qual'och is pleased when he sees the outermost markings of the Mystic Door.
"Jeffery, pull the robots back," he yells. Complying, the X-Bot commands his minions to step away from the digging area. Qual'och blows towards the area, summoning a fantastic windstorm. Swirling sand begins flying everywhere and Kor'digh shields his eyes from the flying debris. When Qual'och finishes, the Mystic Door stands free and clear in the African sun.
"Jeffery, if you will do the honors?" Qual'och asks.
"I'm afraid I can't let that happen," a voice from behind the door casts out.
Kor'digh reaches for his sword as Qual'och becomes infuriated. "Who dares oppose me?"
A dark figure leaps over the Mystic Door and lands before the aliens in a defensive posture.
"Li," Kor'digh says angrily. "What makes you think you can stop us this time, old man? I nearly finished you just a few hours ago."
Three more darkened figures leap over the door and land beside Master Li. "This time he has help," Leslie says confidently.
Qual'och points towards the QiRangers and yells, "Destroy them!" The Copy Bots and Kor'digh begin rushing the QiRangers.
Master Li looks at his new comrades and nods.
Li clenches his fists, letting his power grow. He rushes forward as flames streak around his body bringing his QiRanger armor as before. Li has one mission in mind- destroy the X-Bot. Li summons his Qi Saber and begins slashing through the Copy Bots on his way to his destination.
Meanwhile, Leslie, Jayde, and Luís stand before the door, their fear showing. "Okay, let's do this. Luís, nothing gets past you."
Luís swallows his fear and nods in agreement.
The three QiRangers stand fast and clench their fists as Master Li did. Concentrating, each lets their element grow from within.
"Fire!" Leslie shouts and red swirling energy consumes her as blinding light courses through her heart and small intestine meridians. As the energy consumes her, the Gi she wears is transformed into a red suit of armor. Sleek and form fitting, the armored suit covers her entire body. Gloves and boots protect her extremities, while a red helmet forms around her head. Black bands wrap around her wrists and boot tops. A gold belt with her medallion is fashioned around her waist and a similar one is around her forehead above a black visor. Emblazed on her left breast in gold is the fire symbol.
"Earth!" Luís cries out and yellow energy flows around him while energizing his stomach and spleen meridians. Luís' Gi hardens to become a yellow suit of armor with black accents. His suit also has the same golden bands and the earth symbol marks his chest.
"Wood!" Jayde yells as the green energy fills her body. Bright lightening bolts streak through the liver and gall bladder meridians. In a bright flash of green energy, Jayde stands transformed in her green armor.
"Let's go!" Leslie yells and the three join the fight.
***
An upscale neighborhood houses the 100 block of East McClendon. In this high class building of 300 floors, the NASO Tactical Team zeros in on apartment 220. Nestled in an alcove on the building's south side, apartment 220 is everything a terrorist could wish for: convenient access to downtown, a large population base, and a series of rich neighbors that are too involved with their own lives to pay attention to less than reputable tenants.
On the street surrounding the building three armored hovertrucks stopped in front. The sleek vehicles offer much more interior space that is apparent from simply observing them. While the cab section is relatively small and only able to hold the drive and navigator, the domed trailer has been hollowed to make room for a dozen strike solders and tactical monitoring equipment.
Inside the lead truck, Sergeant Quann sits at his monitoring console. Behind him twelve NASO Strike Soldiers stand ready, each wearing black body armor and holstering a blaster. "Alpha Team, we are in position," he says into his Comm-Link.
Quann waits for the reply as the men in his truck become more and more anxious for action. A second later a green light flashes on the main monitor. "All right. Prepare to deploy," he says. The comment brings joy to the men and woman in the truck as they prepare to infiltrate the suspected terrorist den.
***
Inside apartment 220 site four men in their mid-30s. Each rests comfortably on a sofa or recliner watching the latest release from the major studios. Mikel, the group's leader sips a tall glass of chilled tequila. "They keep making this crap. It's a wonder the kids even have any brain cells left," he thinks to himself. To his left sits Rico, the man with the key to the city's destruction. "Two more hours until we contact them. Rico, is everything set?" Mikel asks.
His partner turns to him with a sheepish grin and says, "Yeah. She's all primed and ready to blow if they don't pay up. All I have to do is flip the switch."
Assured that all is ready, Mikel eases back into his chair and tries to relax. "I can't believe they aren't going to transfer the funds. It's a shame to waste the lives of so many innocents," he thinks. "Oh well. I never understood the mindsets of these idiots."
***
In the hallway outside Apartment 220 stands Gary Staal. With his Armor set to Stealth Mode, the nanobots bend the surrounding light around him, creating a cloak of invisibility. Gary sets his display to Thermal Imaging and peers through the walls before him.
"I pick up six signatures," he whispers into his Comm-Link.
"Copy that. Four in the main room and two next to the device," his partner confirms. "On the count of three, let's take them. I've got the quartet and you take the duo."
"Roger," Gary says. "I never thought I'd be in the think of things like this. Just goes to show you, god has a sense of humor," Gary muses while readying his armor to burst through the doorframe.
Three. Two.," comes over the Comm-Link. "One," Gary says in unison with Robert.
Gary pushes off with his legs, signaling the armor to boost his strength, sending him crashing through the apartment's door. As Gary passes through the metal entrance, Robert flies through the apartment's window, sending glass shards in every direction.
The four men sitting in the room are caught off guard as the sweeping back figures enter the room with the speed and agility of jungle cats. With the men still stunned, the two NASO operatives split to conquer their objectives.
In the main room, Mikel throws his glass onto the floor as he jumps out of his seat. Before he can even get a word out, Robert spins around and lands a reverse kick squarely into the man's chest. The overpowering thrust of Robert's boot cracks Mikel's ribs and sends him through the air, over his seat, and into the rear wall of the apartment. The force of the blow not only broke his bones, but renders the man unconscious.
Gary wastes no time in rushing down the hall to meet his two combatants. Entering the room, he sees them standing next to the fusion bomb. Each of the young men holds blasters and begins firing at Gary.
Leaping over the bomb, Gary lands in a crouched position between the two terrorists. Placing his weight on his hands, Gary sweeps his legs in a circle, knocking both men off their feet. Gary springs upright and straddles the man to his left. Focusing his concentration, Gary lets loose a voracious punch that connects with the man's jaw, rendering him unconscious.
The other terrorist is a lot nimbler than his partner was. Rising to his feet again, the man grabs his weapon from the floor and fires at Gary while activating the bomb's timer. As the countdown display begins ticking down from 3 minutes, he his blaster at Gary's back.
The particle beam knocks Gary off his fallen prey, to the floor. Looking up, he sees that the bomb has been activated. "Get the kid up here, now!" he screams into his Comm-Link as he launches towards the terrorist standing in front of him.
***
Down below, the three hover trucks being unloading the NASO troopers inside. Sergeant Quann taps his Comm-link, "Seth, it's ticking. Get him up there. He's our only chance."
The men in black armor begin running into the apartment building and ascending to the second floor to secure the area, hoping to prevent wide spread destruction.
***
Robert easily defeats two more terrorists. Now it's just him and Rico. While Robert normally likes a little sport, hearing Gary's call that the fusion bomb has been activated, he decides to make things short and sweet. Robert focuses his attention on Rico and raises his right arm. "Good night," he says as he unleashes an electrical charge from his arm, rendering Rico unconscious.
The threats averted, Robert runs to help Gary while the NASO troops enter. "Secure the area," the lead trooper shouts as they start passing into the apartment.
***
Gary stands huddled over the fusion bomb, his armor powered down, trying to analyze the device. "Damn!" he shouts.
Robert deactivates his armor and stands next to his friend. "Anything?" he asks.
"No. It's a biolink system. Only way to deactivate it is to jack in and break the cellular contacts. Anything else will fuse the proteins and set it off," Gary responds. Robert looks at the timer, two minutes remaining. "I hope Abeu can do this," he says under his breath as the teen races into the room with Seth.
"Okay, concentrate," the handler says while connecting the computer interface to Abeu's head.
"No problem, chief," the child responds. Double checking the connection between him and the data port on the bomb, Abeu begins the link. "Starting download."
The teen closes his eyes and enters the system. The men in the room see Abeu's eyes dart back and forth as he looks for the protein code to deactivate the bomb.
Each second seems like an eternity to the men in the room. Tick. Tock. seconds pass. One minute. Thirty seconds. Ten.. Nine. Eight.
Abeu opens his eyes. "Got it!" he shouts and the timer stops.
With a sigh of relief, Seth places his hands on Abeu's shoulders. "Good job."
Robert pats Abeu on the back as well. "Great job. You're going to do fine," he says. Robert activates his Comm-link, "Stand down. Simulation complete."
Abeu looks up at Robert smiling, "I guess this means I passed the test?"
The senior agent grins, "With flying colors. You're going to be a great asset to the team." Robert extends a hand to Abeu, who accepts the embrace.
Seth unplugs the cable from Abeu's head and the bomb. "Let's get you to debriefing, Ace."
***
Hours pass and the sun begins rising in the East. Seth and Abeu leave NASO Headquarters, located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Beaten by the pressure he's been under the past forty-eight hours, Abeu is ready to collapse. The pair makes their way through the building's courtyard to the main parking structure.
"I still can't they believe that was all a sim. They really do pull out all the stops," Abeu say wearily.
"They needed to be sure. You're the youngest trainee to be promoted to field service. I knew you could handle the pressure, as did Rob, but Command needed proof," Seth said. "In any case, you now know what can be expected in Field Ops."
Abeu nodded. "Yeah. It beats driving a terminal all day."
Seth laugh as the pair neared his car, Seth says. "Let's get you home for some shut-eye." Pressing his palm on the door scanner, the computer checks his DNA. Approving the molecular sequences, the car's computer unlocks the vehicle's doors.
Seth and Abeu slide into the car, but notice something different. While there's no possible way for someone to gain access to the car, two golden medallions rest on the dashboard before them.
"A gift from Rob?" Abeu asks.
"It really isn't his style," Seth says.
Seth and Abeu reach forward to take hold of the medallions in front of them. As they do, the pair is consumed in a vortex to blue and white energy.
***
The Astral Plane is a sea of energy, where Yin and Yang and all phases of energy unite. Seth and Abeu stand before Masters Tanaka and Woo, the last of the original QiRangers to select their replacements. While Seth stands stunned, Abeu eagerly takes in his surroundings.
"Seth Goldman," Master Woo begins, "your passion and bravery has not gone unnoticed. A higher calling awaits you as my time has passed. You are the Warrior of Water."
"And young Abeu," Master Tanaka says, "your soul has aged you far beyond your flesh. It is because of your skills I choose you as the Warrior of Metal."
Seth and Abeu know in their hearts what they hear is true, but their minds haven't fully registered what's happening.
"Go now," the Masters say in unison, "the others need you."
Master Tanaka and Woo fade out of existence.
Seth and Abeu look at their medallions, clenching them tightly. Seth looks at Abeu, who nods, signaling his readiness.
***
An energy bolt rips across the hot desert floor. As Li slices through another Copy Bot, he catches the bolt coming towards him in his peripheral vision. Extending his arms behind him, Li launches into a back flip, letting the energy pass under his arched back. Li lands amidst several fallen torsos and legs of Copy Bots.
Three Copy Bots rush Li from behind while four attack head on. Two Copy Bots let loose energy bolts aimed at Li. The elder QiRanger cartwheels to the left . The energy beams bypass Li and hit an oncoming Copy Bot. The blast tears through the robot's torso, leaving a gaping hole as the metallic creature falls into the sand.
Li crouches in the sand, targeting his opponents. While he cradles his Qi Saber in his right rand, four fire shurricans materialize his left. In a flurry, he releases the flaming throwing stars. Glimmering in the Sahara sun, the shurricans fly quickly into three Copy Bots, igniting their bodies in firry explosions. The last Copy Bot manages to let off an energy blast, destroying the shurricans in a blinding flash of light.
Li shields his eyes from the blast and moves to his right, slicing the legs of the nearest Copy Bot. The creature falls to the sand, where Li impales the robot's chest with his saber. The blade easily cuts the metal like warm butter, ending its so called life.
The last three attacking Copy Bots surround Li. Taking in his situation, Li jumps onto the shoulders of the center Copy Bot. The Copy Bot to the right fires an energy bolt from its left hand, incinerating the center Copy Bot. Li continues his leap by somersaulting forward. Doing so, Li's saber disappears and is replaced by flaming daggers in each hand.
Li spins the handles so the blades face behind. The flames swirl, leaving behind tracers. Li lands in a kneeling stance and thrusts the blades behind him as he arches his back. Each burning blade finds it mark in chests of the final two Copy Bots. The ensuing explosion blows debris past Li into the sand.
***
Qual'och stands aside from the field of battle, flanked by Kor'digh and X- Bot. As he watches Li dispense with the last of eight Copy Bots, Qual'och begins to lose focus and become enraged. "Is there any way to stop him?" he shouts.
Kor'digh stares at Li, who begins charging their position. He grabs hold of his left sword and begins to unsheathe it. As the metal begins to sing past its scabbard, Qual'och motions him to stop by placing an arm on his chest. "Wait," says the wizard.
Kor'digh grunts, but does as he is ordered and slides the blade back into its holster. His eyes burn with fury at having to sit on the sidelines as smoke floats from his nostrils.
Qual'och looks at X-Bot, "More. Make more," he says.
The X on X-Bot's chest begins glowing bright. Time after time, numerous copies of the original sawn into existence. After each new robot sets foot in the sand, X-Bot sends a signal for it to attack the QiRangers. Step by step, the robots take off racing towards their prey.
***
The Earth Ranger falls the ground under the pressure of three Copy Bots. Luís tries to push himself up, but the pressure from the three robots he just slaughtered. "A little help here!" he shouts.
Jayde looks over her shoulder as she dispatches another Copy Bot with her Qi Saber. She hears Luís call and races to his aid. She's joined by the Fire QiRanger at the mass of metal covering their comrade.
"On three," Leslie shouts. "One. Two. Three!" and the two female QiRangers lift the lifeless hulks off their new friend.
"Thanks," Luís says, but before the trio can regroup energy blasts rain towards them exploding all around. The fireballs throw the QiRangers into the air with several Copy Bot bodies.
Each lands with a loud thud, knocking the wind out of them. Leslie tries to get up, but the force of the explosion was too much. As she makes it to her hands and knees, she collapses down again. "We can't give up. We've got to keep going."
The three try to stand again and barely make it up. What they see through their visors can't even bring words to their mouths. For descending on their position are sixty Copy Bots. Somehow, Jayde manages to sum up the situation, "Shit."
"Yeah," the Earth QiRanger adds.
Leslie feels her new partners' fear as they face the onslaught before them. However, Li installed in each of them the importance of this battle and it was not something they were going to fail.
"Don't forget what we're here for," Leslie says. The Fire QiRanger looks at her yellow counterpart. "Luís, you stay and protect the door. Jayde and I'll try to fend off as many as we can."
"But," Luís begins, but is quickly caught off by Leslie.
"We have no choice. Unless Master Li can stop the X-Bot, then you're our only chance to keep the door closed," she says.
"I know," Luís concedes.
Luís takes off running for the Mystic Door while the ladies stand with swords drawn as the metal army prepares to engage them.
Luís races towards the door, dodging blasts from the oncoming wave of Copy Bots. It's almost as if he is a duck in a shooting gallery, as the energy beams fly in. To ensure his survival, Luís leaps, ducks and falters with each step. Even to his amazement, Luís makes it to the stone edifice. The Earth QiRanger stands tall; his Qi Saber gripped firmly in hands, ready for the oncoming wave of attackers.
Several blasts fall short of Luís' position and explode, kicking sand into the air. The desert wind quickly takes hold of the fine grains and carries them forward, obscuring his vision. As the sand blows past him, Luís begins feeling a strange sensation- something gnawing at him deep in side. It's as if he knows he's in danger, but with all the dust in his face, Luís can't make anything out. "What is it?" he thinks to himself - but then he knows what his heightened senses were attempting to convey. A borage of energy bolts lay into him, exploding in a skyrocketing fireball. If he hadn't been wearing his QiRanger armor, Luís Mendoza would have been vaporized.
The blast was so powerful, it knocked the Mexican into the Mystic Door. The Earth QiRanger's helmet raps several times against the stone door as the force of the explosion keeps him elevated off the ground. As the flames die down, Luís falls to the sand. He looks up to see the Fire and Wood QiRangers battling several Copy Bots, but even more circumnavigating their position and heading straight for him.
"This is it," he says. Knowing that he's the last line of defense, Luís reabsorbs his Qi Saber and calls forth his inner Qi. Standing in a small bow pose, The Earth QiRanger extends his hands and releases a yellow energy dome that encircles the Mystic door. "I just hope I can hold this," he thinks.
***
The Wood QiRanger wields her sword like an expert. Despite being surrounded by immeasurable combatants, Jayde's head is remarkably clear. Her previous Qigong training has allowed her the focus on the moment and let her senses guide her actions, much in the same manner the Zen Warriors known as Samurais did hundreds of years ago.
Jayde effortlessly evades a series of punches and licks from surrounding Copy Bots as she battles back, countering with her fist and sword. In a bust of speed, the young Wood QiRanger manages not only to evade the attack, but is able to dismantle four Copy Bots with a single pass of her blade. Unfortunately this effort was insufficient at eliminating the immediate threat, for as she stands in the middle of the fallen warriors, a Copy Bot sends her reeling in pain after landing a flying kick to her back.
Jayde lands in the sand, her sword flying out of her hand. Pain runs through her mind. Never in her life has she experienced such a focused blow. All she can think is that she's thankful for the armor and helmet - as anything would be better than lying in the scorching sand and tasting it in her mouth.
The Copy Bot knows better than to leave the fallen warrior alone and moves in for the kill. Jayde recovers from her fall, but nagging soreness lingers in her thoracic cage; however that is the least of her worries, as she sees a shining creature charging its blasters leaping at her.
Ducking below the Copy Bot, Jayde is able to use the robot's kinetic energy against it. The Wood QiRanger shortens the firing distance before the Copy Bot can adjust and the energy beam hits the hot sand rather than her. As the Copy Bot passes over her, she grabs old of the machine's torso and adds to its trajectory, sending it tumbling into the ground. Jayde slips her right foot under her blade and flings the Qi Saber into the air, catching it. Before the Copy Bot can recover, Jayde slams her sword into its chest causing the robot to explode.
***
The Fire QiRanger smiles beneath her helmet. For the first time in her life, she feels important. Leslie can't believe how peaceful she feels in the thick of the action. How the burden of saving the world seems so naturally comfortable on her shoulders.
Leaping into the air, Leslie begins kicking Copy Bots and using them for steps in her quest for height. Each impact dents the armored plating on the tow robots flanking her. As she reaches their shoulders, she casts off and spins around, swinging her blade through the two metallic beasts. Her attack completed, the top halves of each machine fall to the sand.
"It's as if this is what I was meant for," Leslie thinks to herself. "This is far more important than teaching," she continues while preparing for the next group of Copy Bots. "This is almost fun," runs through her mind while she takes off running towards a group of Copy Bots. As the Fire QiRanger nears them, she leaps into the air and begins spinning, forming a spiral flame with her sword extending in front.
The attack completely catches the Copy Bots off guard and the flaming strike crushes them. Leslie exits the last Copy Bot and kneels in the sand, sword laid out to her side as the platoon of robots explodes over her shoulders.
***
Kor'digh grows restless standing behind the battle lines. "It should be me!" he thinks. "These robots are no warriors. They have no skill!" Kor'digh begins stepping forward, but Qual'och restrains him once more.
"Wizard, let me do my duty!" he snarls.
Qual'och calmly looks at the distinguished warrior. "Not yet. Once they've been worn down," the wizard states. "This should speed things up," he says with an evil grin.
Raising his arms, the Copy Bots en route to the Mystic Door take flight.
***
Luís stands behind the Qi Shield and sees the Copy Bots ascend into the air as they begin firing energy blasts at him. "You have got to be kidding," he thinks. The flying robots take aim and fire at the Earth QiRanger. Each strike weakens the Qi Shield and pushes Luís further back and into the sand.
Time and time again, the blasts light up the sky as Luís realizes he's now ankle deep in the sand and his strength is weakening. Every attach strains his arms and tests his concentration at holding the shield.
Leslie and Jayde see their fellow QiRanger weakening and converge on his position. As the pair race to his aid, they are fired upon by Copy Bots. Using their Qi Sabers as shields, they're able to absorb the energy into the blades and redirect the force at the flying robots. The ricocheted energy beams find their targets and soon it's raining robots.
Standing before the Qi Shield, the Fire and Wood QiRangers look upon the ever increasing number of Copy Bots. Each knows what their mission is and they hope Master Li can accomplish his. The sense of urgency increases and another wave of 20. 30. 60. Copy Bots begins their assault.
Their newfound power surges in every ounce of their bodies culminating their swords. Jayde's Qi Saber glows a bright green before transforming into a double bladed battle axe. The Wood QiRanger smiles at her new accessory. "This will be fun," she thinks. Leslie's power continues evolving in her sword, causing it burst into flames.
The two QiRangers take their new weapons and race into battle.
***
The Wood and Fire QiRangers clutch their weapons and beginning climbing the small mountain of Copy Bot hulks. Leslie looks over the top of the hill at the oncoming army of Copy Bots. The 60 Copy Bots see the two QiRangers standing atop their fallen brothers and receive messages from the X-Bot to end this battle now.
"Don't they ever stop?" Leslie says to her partner.
The wood QiRangers looks at Leslie through her visor, "We need to take out the original."
"I know. Li's trying but he has problems of his own," Leslie says pointing her free hand at Li. "In any case, it's time to put the hurt on."
The Wood QiRanger nods and the two race down the hill.
Leslie is the first to meet the forthcoming wall of metal and there is no love lost between this batch and the QiRangers. The Fire QiRanger summons her inner fire, causing her flaming sword to grow stronger. Billowing flames streak into the air as Leslie wields her blade.
Four groups of Copy Bots from out of the main assault force. Two head directly for the QiRangers, while the remaining squads flank their position and head towards the Mystic Door. Leslie and Jayde see the diverting groups and shift their strategy and try to take on two groups each.
While this tactic is the only option to them, the Copy Bots' mission is clear: divide and conquer. Increasing their speed, the outside groups quickly circumnavigate the oncoming QiRangers and slip behind the hill of fallen Copy Bots.
"Go back and help Luís," Leslie shouts, but as Jayde turns to retreat, the two groups directly ahead open fire on the pair.
The resulting explosions throw the QiRangers back against the metallic hill. With the wind knocked out of them, the pair barely regains their footing before the Copy Bots surround them.
Looking out the corner of her eye, Jayde knows that she must get back to Luís. The explosions from the energy beams weakening the Qi Shield can be heard over the clank and blasts she faces. Gripping her battle axe, Jayde presses hard into the sand and pushes off into the air.
The Copy Bots track her arc and open fire. The beams fly past her, passing close to her body. Jayde begins tumbling, tucking her body tightly, so that there's less of a target to hit. The Wood QiRanger concentrates on her battle axe and fills it with energy. She rotates her body to orient her for her attack. Gripping her battle axe with both hands, she splits the weapon into two single bladed axes.
A foot off the ground, Jayde takes the axes and swings her arms wide. When she makes contact with the hot Sahara sand, she throws her twin axes towards the Copy Bots. Twirling through the air in an ever increasing arc, the blades spin quickly with green wood energy.
The blades quickly tear through the metal flesh housing the circuitry of the Copy Bots, leaving a path of destruction in the sand. Those not affected by the axes, do not hesitate to further the attack on the lone, green QiRanger and fire energy blasts as they creep in on her position.
Jayde sidesteps and leaps to avoid contact with the deadly energy attacks; however it is not enough. Several blasts find their target and collide with her armor. The resulting explosions force her backwards and burry her into the sand.
Caught winded, she looks up to see two Copy Bots standing over her. Before they can fire to finish her off, the twin axe blades return form their flying arc and pass through the center torso of each metallic death machine and imbed themselves into the ground next to her.
"Lucky me," she thinks to herself. Jayde stands to see that her attack was more effective than she thought. Smoking bodies of Copy Bots litter the sand around her. Not wanting to loose the momentum she's collected, the Wood QiRanger heads back into battle.
***
On the other side of the engagement, X-Bot continues to make copies, sending an endless army to battle the QiRangers.
***
The first wave of Copy Bots reaches the Qi Shield the Earth QiRanger erected around the Mystic Door. Rather than firing one at a time, the robots strategically position themselves around the structure and fire in unison. With enough power to melt a skyscraper, the attack against the shield quickly becomes too much for its lone defender.
Time and time again, the powerful energy beams clash with the Earth Qi. Luís struggles to maintain the protective barrier, but the onslaught is too much. Weakened by continuous attacks, the Earth QiRanger falls to one knee and is barely able to maintain enough concentration to protect the Mystic Door.
The Fire and Wood QiRangers come to his aid and begin systematically destroying the Copy Bots, but they are simply too late. A final wave of energy is released from the Copy Bots. Each particle contacts the Qi Shield causing the barrier to shimmer in the sun. With every ounce of strength depleted, Luís falls to the ground and the Qi Shield dissipates.
"No! I must find.," Luís tries to say, but is simply too weak to do so. Even the mundane task of breathing is a chore at this moment. His body seems to weigh a thousand pounds and each breath feels as if it bites.
The Fire and Wood QiRangers come to his aid. "Luís!" Leslie yells while trying to pick up her partner.
"Need... help.," Luís says through gasping breaths.
Jayde and Leslie stand on either side of the Earth QiRanger looking at an army of Copy Bots ready to open the last Mystic Door. "We need a miracle," Leslies says somberly.
***
Master Li continues his battle towards Qual'och, Kor'digh, and the X-Bot. Sensing that something has gone wrong; he peers out of the corner of his eye to see the Qi Shield down and the army of Copy Bots preparing to kill his new protégés.
Li slices two Copy Bots in half with his flaming daggers and races to out flank his attackers. In pursuit are several Copy Bots, but they cannot keep pace with the elder warrior.
Li continues to monitor the situation at the Mystic Door: Luís fallen, struggling to regain his strength so he can join the fight, Leslie battling fiercely, and Jayde displaying true courage as each attempts to defend the Earth.
Each blast that the Copy Bots fire connects with one of the three new QiRangers, driving them back to the Mystic Dolor. Any moment now, Li realizes, they will fall. Li's fire truly boils with the thought of failing.
Summoning all his fire Qi, Li plans to end this assault now. Between the Master's hands grows a Qi Ball like none other. It swarms with molten fire, as hot as the sun. First the size of a baseball, then a basketball, the ball continues to grow. The burning light from the fireball illuminates the sand and starts melting the silicone within.
"Arhhh!!!!" Master Li screams as the Qi ball approaches the critical mass. The scream is so loud that the three QiRangers look up fro their impending door. The call for power is also heard by Qual'och, Kor'digh, and X-Bot - all of whom turn and face the Triple Fire QiRanger.
"Kizxa," Qual'och mutters.
The display of power is so awesome; X-Bot monetarily looses control of the Copy Bots as it stares at the display.
Master Li struggles to maintain control of the car size Qi Ball of Fire, screaming louder and louder each second with agony as the ball continues to grow.
At the Mystic Door, the three QiRangers receive a message from Master Li - "Move."
The QiRangers focus their attention on Master Li, who releases the molten ball he's created. Throwing it towards the army of Copy Bots, the fireball consumes each piece of metal, causing them to melt and explode.
Li falls to his knees, weakened by the task of creating such a weapon. Breathing heavily, he props himself up with his hands as he watches the powerful energy mass make its way over the desert, leaving a caramelized path of destruction in its wake.
The Earth, Fire, and Wood QiRangers leap out of the way of the Qi Ball with only a moment to spare. The resulting collision of the Qi Ball and Mystic Door sends the QiRangers even further away and a mushroom cloud into the sky as a thunderous roar erupts on the quiet dune.
Looking back over the path of carnage, one sees only charred molten blobs resting on a sea of glass.
Lying on the sand floor, Luís feels a strange sense of power rush over his body. "Somehow, the energy remnants from the blast must be recharging me," Luís thinks to himself. Now fully charged, he feels ready to retake his place on the battlefield.
The Earth QiRanger props himself onto one knee, but before he can lift up the rest of his body, Luís sees something he wasn't prepared for: two armored hands extending towards him, ready to help him up. While he knows that Leslie and Jayde are near, the colors of the arms in front of him are blue and white.
The Metal and Water QiRangers stand with their backs to sun wearing similar armor: Abeu donning the Metal QiRanger armor and Seth in the Water.
"Come on, let us help you up," Abeu says as he and Seth pull the Earth QiRanger to his feet.
"Who are." Luís attempts to say, but cuts himself off as he realizes the final two QiRangers have arrived. Even though he tries, the Mexican can't fight back the feeling of joy or the smile that swells within him. "Good thing they can't see me," he muses to himself.
The trio is joined by Leslie and Jayde and the five QiRangers stand facing one another for the first time. "Looks like the gang's all here," the Wood QiRanger says.
"Introductions will have to wait. We've got a job to do," Leslie summarizes.
The five QiRangers nod and in unison shout, "Right!" and take off heading for the Masters of Evil on the far dune.
***
Qual'och's blood boils with anger with the defeat he's suffered. Standing in disbelief the ancient wizard does nothing but gape at the destruction before him. Both Kor'digh and X-Bot turn to their "leader" and await instructions. Seconds tick by and nothing is uttered by the robe-clad sorcerer, whose gaze is still transfixed on the fading mushroom cloud.
"Enough!" Kor'digh yells stepping forward.
Qual'och realizes that he's lost control and succumbs to Kor'digh's tactical leadership. The setback irritates the wizard, but at this point, he knows his mission will fail unless a new approach is taken.
"I've got Li. You two deal with the others. Don't worry about killing them. Just see to it that the door is opened. Use everything at your disposal - above and below ground," the general says leaping into the air.
"Yes sir," Jeffery says as he begins making copies of himself. The metallic warriors instantly set off towards the QiRangers.
This time, Qual'och takes Kor'digh's suggestion to heart. Raising his arms, the charging Copy Bots split into three groups. One remains on the ground, charging through the sea of glass. The second group takes to the air, while the third burrows underground.
"Annihilate them," Qual'och says to X-Bot.
***
Li looks up from his position and sees Kor'digh streaking towards him. The Triple Fire QiRanger readies for battle, standing and digging his feet into the sand. Li grips his Qi Saber tightly, his perspiration mixing with the weapon's leather grips, knowing that the final battle is about to begin. Li squints in the bright African sun, tracking his target through the air. He channels Qi into his legs and pushes off to meet Kor'digh. The master swordsman draws his saber close to his chest as he approaches Kor'digh.
The Dark Warlord smiles while he approaches his mortal enemy. Pulling his feet forward, Kor'digh assumes a vertical position in the air. Summoning his Dark Qi, Kor'digh sends two energy blasts towards Li.
The QiRanger arches his back in an effort to dodge the oncoming attack. He begins tumbling, sending the first Qi Blast floating under his legs, but the other energy mass hits Li in the middle of the chest, exploding upon impacting his armor and knocking him out of the air.
Master Li lands in sand below with a resounding thud. The blow briefly knocks the wind out of Li as he lets his grip fade on his Saber. He is brought back quickly to the battle arena when he hears the familiar sound of metal slipping past the lips of a scabbard. Opening his eyes, Li sees Kor'digh approaching from above with his swords drawn.
Master Li rolls to his right to avoid Kor'digh from landing on him. The Dark Warlord can't compensate for Li's movement and thrusts his swords into the hot sand. Li regains his Qi Saber and springs to his feet.
Seeing that Kor'digh is still hunched over trying to retrieve his swords from the sand, Li jumps and connects a powerful side kick to Kor'digh's midsection. The strike tosses Kor'digh aside, sending the evil warrior into the sand.
Kor'digh rolls out of the fall and comes to rest on one knee. "You're going to have to do better than that, Li," he says. Kor'digh rushes towards Li and his swords. Calling upon his dark power, Kor'digh fires two Dark Qi Strikes at Master Li.
The red and black Qi Ranger jumps backwards to avoid the hit, freeing Kor'digh to gain access to his swords. The speeding alien manages to retrieve one sword by the time Li sets foot on the sand once more. Kor'digh attempts to finish Li by swinging his blade at the QiRanger, but is countered by the last Master.
Even in his weakened state, the venerable QiRanger has enough power in him to counter Kor'digh's attack. "You're going to have to do a lot better than that to extinguish my flame," he taunts.
Kor'digh takes the opening and falls backwards taking Li with him. As the pair moves in unison, Kor'digh kicks Li off when he hits the sand. Li spins his body around to regain his footing. Once secured, Li calls forth three fire shurricans and throws them.
The flaming stars soar over the hot desert floor towards Kor'digh. The Dark Warrior pushes into the sand to flip himself upright. Kor'digh slashes at the oncoming stars and easily diverts them harmlessly into the sand. "This toying must come to an end," he thinks to himself and rushes Li. The two eternal warriors of good and evil clash in the desert. With each thrust and parry, electrical sparks shoot of from each sword.
No matter what he tries, Li cannot gain the upper hand in his conflict. For every attack, Kor'digh has a capable counter that deprives him of attaining his goal.
***
Atop the Earth Mystic door, the Metal QiRanger stands with his Qi Bow taking aim at the flying Copy Bots. One by one he sends white energy arrows streaking towards the metallic warriors. and one by one they explode and come crashing into the ground. "This isn't too hard," the young Indian thinks to himself.
Just then a blue disk streaks across his position. Abeu tracks it with his eyes and follows it through as it impacts another flying Copy Bot - one that would have gotten the better of him. The arcing disk sweeps down and returns to its rightful owner - the Water QiRanger. "Look sharp, kiddo. They're going to be smatter than a video game," Seth yells over the endless amount of explosions surrounding them.
"Right!" Abeu yells back and continues picking off Copy Bots from his perch.
Seth converts the disk to his Qi Saber and charges two Copy Bots approaching the door. He speeds over the sand, crisscrossing his path to confuse the firing mechanisms on the metal beasts. Two meters in front of the oncoming attackers, Seth jumps into the air. The Water QiRanger lands between the two Copy Bots, who lock onto their target and fire. Seth splits his legs, dropping him to the desert floor and enabling him to avoid the energy beams. The Copy Bots were not as lucky, and each beam connected with the other, sending both to the scrap heap.
***
The Earth QiRanger runs over the hot sand. With each step he increases his speed towards an oncoming row of Copy Bots. The lead metallic warrior takes aim and fires energy bolts from his hands. The beams fly through the air towards the approaching yellow streak.
Before the energy blast can hit him, Luís jumps into the air. Spreading his arms in a swan formation, he gains altitude. The pursuing Copy Bots circle and begin firing up at Luís.
The QiRanger flips back and begins diving towards the Earth. The Copy Bots take aim and fire several blasts at the descending warrior. Shifting his weight ever-so-slightly, he's able to glide between the oncoming beams.
Luís continues falling faster and faster. Drawing his Earth Qi to his right first, the QiRanger's glove glows bright yellow. Completing his descent, the Earth QiRanger thrusts his first into the sand, sending a thundering wave into the earth. The impact sends sand into the air and a rippling undulation along Sahara's surface. Each wave rolls over the Copy Bots destroying them.
Luís looks up to see his wave of destruction and smiles beneath his helmet. Before he can stand to tackle the batch of Copy Bots, he hears more rumbling. "It can't still be going on, can it?" he thinks. "Where is that coming from?"
Luís isn't the only QiRanger wondering where the subterranean rumbles originate from. Looking around the team sees sand sifting away from the area in front of the Mystic Door. Rising from below the hot sand is an army of Copy Bots. Now the metallic warriors are positioned between the QiRangers and the final Mystic Door.
"Yes!" Qual'och yells. "Open the door!" he commands.
"Stop them!" Leslie yells as she takes off racing towards the Mystic Door leaving a trail of fallen Copy Bots in her wake. The other QiRangers do the same, but are now faced with a dozen Copy Bots facing them. The rest of the Copy Bots turn their attention to the Earth Mystic Door.
The lead robot energizes his emitter as the QiRangers meet the opposing wall of Copy Bots. Struggle as they may, the QiRangers can't get through the barrier before the robot unleashes his wave of energy into the Mystic Door. Yellow energy fills the stone door, sending electrical flares from its center.
***
Li and Kor'digh stand atop their dune, swords crossed, and looking deep into each other's eyes. "It's done Li. You've failed," Kor'digh hisses. Li looks at the Mystic Door and sees that Kor'digh speaks the true. His heart sinks that the Earth will now feel the wrath of Bruch'oda.
With his attention distracted, Kor'digh easily shoves Li aside. The QiRanger stumbles backwards a few steps before settling his footing. "Until we meet again Li," Kor'digh shouts as he vanishes in a cloud of darkness. Qual'och, X-Bot, and the Copy Bots also fade out of existence.
The five new QiRangers race to meet Li in the center of the battlefield.
Out of breath and barely able to stand, Leslie is the first to speak, "We're sorry," she says between heaving breaths.
"It's my fault," Luís manages to get out between gasps.
Li extends his arm to the Earth QiRanger and places it on his shoulder. "No. It was an honorable battle with an unfortunate outcome. However, the war is not lost," he says.
The six QiRangers look into the sky above to see dark, luminous clouds thundering through the stratosphere.
***
Sitting atop his throne, Bruch'oda absolutely beams with joy. His eyes glow bright red as he stands from his perch and lifts his first into the air yelling, "Let the chaos reign!"
***
End of Episode 1 - The Return
The year is 2154.
Much has changed I the world since this millennium began. Gone are the singular Nation-States that once dotted the landscape. Now each continent belongs to government to promote trade and security. The first of such mega- nations was the European Union. While this was not supposed to happen, the world-wide depression of 2012 set the ball in motion. Others followed in suit, with the United States, Canada, and Greenland forming the North American Union next.
With high hopes and a reduction to only a dozen or so world governments, this age was to bring about an increased efficiency in international relations. And that's just was it was - high hopes. Relations still were strained and the bickering still took place at the Counsel of Governments, a "modern-day United Nations of sorts."
With the increases in government, new avenues for corruption and crime developed. As the global C-Net, an optical data stream, permeated the planet, cyber crime increased a million fold. The most dangerous of cyber- criminals were the "Jackers" - those individuals who tapped directly into the C-Net through special data ports embedded into their bodies. When they first came onto the scene, The Jackers weren't focused. They hijacked systems and raided the coffers of many countries. It wasn't long before a vision was created. total world dominance. A group called the Syndicate brought together the most feared and talented criminals in their bid for domination.
To stop these terrorists, several security organizations have devoted hundreds of man hours, thwarting plans to topple governments, wreck commodity markets, and kill innocent people. When comparing the Syndicate to true evil, it makes them look like toddlers.
5000 years ago, the Earth was the last, great battlefield between the forces of good and evil. Through the courageous efforts of the Gosei Sentai QiRangers, Bruch'oda and his minions were banished into the Shadow Realm, never to return. However, through the ages, stories of untold power and riches persisted and those who believed continually searched for the Mystic Doors that would free Bruch'oda and usher in a new Dark Age.
One QiRanger stayed behind, watching and protecting the world should the evil one day return.
*** Episode 1 - The Return
Under the cover of darkness, a yacht glides across the Pacific Ocean. Innocent and unassuming, the boat cascades over each wave as it travels at night. Deep below, in the blackness of the sea bottom, one machine lurks.
Unlike other submersibles, this craft houses no pilots, no crews, not one living being. Operated by telepresence, its commands are transmitted through the C-Net from France. The robotic device isn't bulky or ship-like, but rather humanoid in form. Its torso is broad and well armored. Atop its chest is a simple scanning device, allowing the bot to record and search for its target. At the ends of the machine's legs are twin thrusters, propelling the mechanized creature through the sea bottom, while its arms trail motionless behind.
Various sea creatures inquire about the robot, swimming close to the creature, before turning back. On one occasion, a deep sea manta nudged the robot. On the following pass, the robot charged its metallic skin and gave the manta a fatal shock. Left on its own, the robot continues its trek through the sea.
Thousands of miles away, in France, Gerard LaFleur sits in his chair, plugged into the C-Net, controlling his robotic operative. Eyes closed, he pays close attention to each bit of information that is passed to him. "Where is it?" the 35 year old mutters. "I know it's here."
Gerard continues to focus on the search, when Jeffery rolls next to him. While the name may imply that Jeffery is a bit overweight, he is in fact, Gerard's head robotic servant. Jeffery is of simply design with a round body, pair of serving arms, and a tri-axle design for locomotion. "Sir, it's been seven hours. Don't you think you should take a break and have some food?"
"Not now!" Gerard fires back. "I'm close. I can feel it." A tiny bead of sweat pierces through the skin of Gerard's forehead. "There!" Gerard screams.
Jeffery spins around and looks at his master. "You've found it?"
"Up on the screen. See for yourself," he says, pointing to the large display in the room. The blank image fades and a dark, gloomy image replaces it.
"I don't see anything sir," Jeffery calmly states.
"You will," Gerard assures his metal servant. Slowly objects start coming into view. First several broken columns are seen covered in dirt and sea weed. Then, the hidden treasure is seen. An old ruin barely breaks through the surface. Its old blocks preserved in the coldness of the abyss.
"Just like I thought it would be," Gerard says, almost gloating.
The robotic avatar continues moving towards the ruins. As the beast nears the opening, dirt from the sea bottom is stirred, blocking Gerard's view. "Damn," he says. With a quick switch, Gerard changes the scanning mode to Electromagnetic Imaging. "Much better."
As Gerard maneuvers his robotic slave into the lost ruins on the sea floor, another journey is taking place high atop a mountain in the Pacific Northwest.
In the small mountain town of Griffin, an unassuming house sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Inside the house is sparse. There are no electric devices, only candles to provide lamination once darkness sets in. There are no hard walls, only screens dividing the house into various compartments. In this age of technologically advanced "smart-homes" this is a throw-back to a much simpler time.
Kneeling before an alter, with a single flame burning in an oil lamp, is Master Li -an old, wise sage and last of the QiRangers. Master Li shows some signs of age, but for a man 5000 years old, he barely looks as if he's past 80.
As the flame flickers in the bare room, Master Li's attention is drawn inwards. His focus travels the astral plane, allowing him to leave his body. As his thoughts pass through the world, he feels a strange sensation. It's something he hasn't felt in a long time.
"What is this?" he thinks to himself. "It's strangely familiar, but I just can't put my finger on." Before Master Li can finish his thought, he realizes what's happening - someone has found one of the Mystic Doors.
Focusing his thoughts, Master Li begins searching for the intruder.
***
On the ocean floor, Gerard's robot has cleared the dirt and debris from the ruin's opening. Piloting the vessel into the opening, Gerard is careful not to hit the walls of the catacombs - for the slightest bump could bring the walls tumbling down and put an end to his quest.
Fine silt covers the walls of the hallways in this deep tomb. As the metallic avatar traverses the corridors, Gerard becomes increasingly frustrated. "This is going to take forever."
Sitting at his console, Gerard pauses for a moment. Thousands of miles away, the robot also comes to a halt. "Let's take another approach," Gerard says. With a few commands to the distant robot, it deactivates the EM mode and returns to visual scanning. "And now for a little light."
Out of the torso of the robotic servant, powerful spotlights activate, illuminating the ruin's corridor, as if it was daytime. Now, the once darkened walls are brightly lit and all their detail can be seen. On each wall, intricate drawings depicting ancient battles have been carved into the stone structure.
Sitting at his console in France, Gerard grins. "Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought." Paying close attention to the details engraved on the wall, Gerard begins trying to decipher what the carvings say. Several images showing great battles to what must have been the forces of good and evil permeate the walls. Thrusting his robot forward slowly, Gerard continues looking for clues and where his destination is.
Through the various passageways, Gerard pilots his beast deeper into the ruins. Finally, Gerard sees something that brings him great pleasure - a great door blocking his progress. On this door is the ancient symbol for water - three wavy horizontal lines.
"This is it!" Gerard yells. With beads of perspiration forming on his forehead, Gerard concentrates on breaching the last obstacle in his quest for power.
Standing before the Water Mystic door, the robot extends its arms. A loud hum is heard emanating from the robot's core, and then in a blinding light, it releases a power electric shock. The electricity arcs towards the door and fills the ancient water symbol.
As his robot continues feeding energy to the door, Gerard becomes more and more excited. The anticipation is building faster than he can manage. "Is this it? Is this really it? Hurry up and open!"
After a minute of shocking the door, the Robot's power levels reach critical and its automatic safety measures kick in, discontinuing the electric beam. Now the robot just stands before the door without even-so- much power as to keep its lights on. "Damn!" Gerard yells as he slams his hand on his console.
Then, the door begins to crackle. "What?"
The water symbol begins glowing blue, casting light over the entire corridor. Now it's the door that's humming with power. As the energy wave cascades over the oval door, the blue light engulfs the robot.
Within seconds, the energy from the water symbol has completely taken over the door. The energy pulses with power and begins swirling clockwise, sucking in everything in front of the door.
"Shit!" Gerard proclaims as he tries to keep the robot from hitting the energy mass before it. However, now that it's been drained of power, the remote controlled robot is no match for the power of the Mystic Door. Slowly, as the vortex increases, the robot is drawn closer and closer.
The robot's arms extend out to the sides of the hallway in an effort to prevent it from its impending doom, but the draw is too great. As the robot nears the door, the blue light grows even brighter.
The light becomes blinding as the robot passes into the door. and vanishes.
Back in Griffin, Master Li is brought back to himself. His eyes open and he utters only a single word, "Water."
Li closes his eyes again and concentrates. "Please give me the strength to complete this final mission. I knew this day would come, let the forces of good prevail once more as they did so many years ago."
Li leans forward and blows out the flame burning before him. He takes a large, deep breath before rising to his feet. The old master looks as though he floats effortlessly through the air rather than walking through his humble abode.
Li exits the meditation room and walks into his study. Lined with books from nearly all periods of human history, this collection is an Anthropologist and Historian's dream. In the far corner is an old oak desk. Worn with age, it's a wonder that it's still standing, but then again, Master Li has been around for over 5000 years.
As with all things in Master Li's life, there is a precise order to the room. Each bookcase houses documents from different eras and his desk is in precise order. Li sits in the hand-carved chair behind the desk and lets out a sigh. With careful precision, he opens the top drawer to his left. As the drawer slips past the desk's house, it rubs against the wood and makes a warbling sound.
Inside the drawer is but one object - a golden chest the size of a shoebox. The box's handles are lined with pearl and gold with the chest's body a deep umber. Ancient markings surround the chest on all sides. Li reaches into the drawer and picks it up. He carefully places it on the desktop.
Li stares at the chest for a moment, studying its intricacies. "I thought it would have been longer," he thinks to himself. Li closes his eyes for a second before reaching out and opening the chest.
The inside of the chest is lined with fine red velvet and containing a golden medallion with but a single marking. Etched into the center of the medallion is a circle with three vertical lines. Looking at it briefly takes Li's breath away.
"It's been so long," he thinks to himself as he gazes at his medallion.
Li reaches into the chest and takes hold of his medallion. Feeling the metal touch his skin again was magic. That old familiar feeling once again came over him. Something that had not been experience since the last time the powers were used. So many times he's wanted to don the powers in this box to right the injustices of the world, but it was this moment for which he stayed behind. It was for this moment that he must again fight for the survival of Earth.
Master Li stands up and holds the medallion high overhead. Concentrating on the emblem, the medallion begins glowing red. Glowing ever brighter, the power and light begin filling the room. Even out on the street, the red light can be seen shining through the windows.
The power from the medallion continues to grow and creates a red power sphere around Li. Electricity begins shooting in and out of the sphere and wind blows through the office, swirling papers and books around. As the red light becomes white-hot and about to explode, it falls in on itself and retracts to a single point. In that same instant, Master Li vanishes.
***
It's a crisp, clear day on the roof of the world. A slight wind races through the cold, dry air as the sun shines down from what only appears to be a few hundred meters away. The slopes rocket down towards a small Tibetan village. Several boulders lace the side of Everest, the hardened granite extruding past the snow and ice.
In a small alcove on the southern face of Everest, houses an opening to a cave that no one has set foot in over 5000 years. While the mouth of the cave is nestled between several large boulders and icicles, one would think that the interior of the cave would be dark. This isn't the case. The light from the sun passes the icicles and reflects off the ice lining the cave's walls. It doesn't provide a huge source of illumination, but as one travels deep into the cavern, every little bit helps.
The cavern's walls have been smoothed over the eons from glacial activities, but one key feature remains - ancient markings from a time long forgotten. The wall's hieroglyphics tell of an ancient battle between warriors of good and the forces of evil. Each section of the cavern depicts a new battle between the QiRangers and Shadow Warriors. Great clashes of steel and bone, blood and sweat, life and death.
As the battles depicted travel deeper and deeper into the cave, the light from outside diminishes. As the final rays of light fade into oblivion, one last battle is depicted on the wall. It shows the five QiRangers battling evil alone.
At the top of the cave's wall is an image of one QiRanger fighting amidst volcanoes, while on the lower left is a similar carving of a QiRanger in water. Other battles are depicted in a cavern, in mountains, and forests. In the center of all the battles is a lone figure. It stands isolated from the others. Above this figure is a symbol. three vertical lines enclosed in a circle.
On the opposite wall is a similar image. The lone figure in the center, with the ancient element markings surrounding him. There are no heroes present, no forces of evil, just one lone warrior overlooking the world.
Beyond those markings, the cavern's wall is blank and dark, but the passage continues deeper into the mountain's heart - a sign that more is to come. The corridor finally comes to an end near the heart of Everest. No light makes it this far into the cavern - it is the darkest of nights here. It's almost as if light is sucked into oblivion.
In the blackness, it is hard to make anything out, but it appears that a lone figure stands at the end of the passage. The figure is motionless before the end of the cavern and makes no sound.
Slowly, the being extends his arms out from his sides and opens his palms to the world. The figure begins breathing deeply - each inhalation and exhalation becoming more powerful than the last. As the breathing increases, energy from the cosmos begins circulating around the cavern.
The energy dances around the cave, flashing quick burses of light. The energy beams begin swirling around the figure, casting light on him before entering his body through his head, palms, and feet. Through the flickering light, we realize it is Master Li.
He no longer wears his meditation robes, but his Gi from years ago. It is black with no markings. His belt is red and in its buckle rests his medallion. Red bands also crest the ends of his cuffs and the tops of his black boots.
As Li continues to absorb Qi from the universe, he begins channeling it to his Tan Tien, the center of his power located in his lower abdomen. With each breath, his power increases. Energy continues to circulate throughout the end of the cave. Lightening ricochets off the walls, causing some of the ancient granite to fall to the floor. With each insurgence of power, more lightening and wind races through the cave.
Each new beam of energy also casts more light into the area. Just opposite of Master Li is the Great Vault - a large granite door blockading the passageway. On the door are six symbols arranged as they were earlier in the corridor.
At the top are three vertical lines representing the element of fire. To its right, half-way down the door are three "^" placed on one another, symbolizing earth. Below and to the left are three horizontal lines, the sign of metal. Directly across and to the left of the metal elemental symbol are the horizontal waving lines for water. Above and to the left (and across from the earth symbol) are three waving lines at a 45 degree angle, slanted to the right. This is the symbol for wood. In the center of the door is a sixth symbol- the one that Master Li held in his study and is imprinted on his medallion.
Master Li stops gather Qi from the universe and concentrates and making his body more powerful. Soon, golden energy radiates from his pores and illuminates the cave. Li steps forward with his left leg and lowers himself into a bow stance. He then begins leading Qi from his Tan Tien to his hands and creates a Qi ball between his palms. Li focuses on the Qi ball filling it with more and more energy. The Qi ball grows to the size of a basketball, filled with electric, red energy. In a burst of speed, Li thrusts his arms toward the door, releasing the Qi ball.
The Qi ball hurls across the cave and hits the center of the door. Slowly the Qi is absorbed by the sixth symbol, that for fire. As the symbol absorbs the Qi ball, it begins glowing red. Once completely absorbed, the emblem flashes a bright red, and then it releases a shrieking gush of red energy upwards to other fire symbol.
This blast of energy charges the fire emblem, making it flash red with power as well. A moment later, it releases a blast of red energy towards the earth emblem. Charged, the earth emblem glows yellow and hums with power. The earth element then unleashes a bolt of yellow energy towards the metal symbol.
The metal element begins glowing white. Once at full intensity, it rips out a powerful bolt of white energy towards the water symbol. The metal energy feeds the water emblem, which begins glowing bright blue. Now completely charged, it shoots out a blue energy beam to the wood element's emblem. Absorbing the Qi from the water element brings the wood element's symbol to life. A moment later it releases a green energy wave towards the fire element.
Now all six symbols glow and hum brightly, their respective colors cascading a rainbow of light onto Master Li. Slowly he raises his arms overhead. As he does this, the Great Vault Door begins to rise. It shakes and rumbles the cave as it retracts into the ceiling.
Once clear of the corridor, Li sees a sight he hasn't viewed for some time. A long descending staircase carved into the mountain. Embedded into the cavern's walls are gemstones, glowing bright from the Qi absorbed from the Great Door. Master Li rises from his stance and enters the Great Vault.
At then end of the staircase rests the Great Vault. Five tombs arranged in the traditional elemental formation. Each tomb is made of marble and is engraved with its symbol engraved in gold. Li enters the Vault and walks to the center of the tombs. The gemstones continue to illuminate the room, shining light from up above.
Then, in a thunderous show of force, five colored light beams - red, yellow, white, blue, and green- fall from above and crash into their respective crests. The Vault begins shaking with power as the Qi is sucked into each tomb. The Qi beams descend for almost a minute, causing even more rumbling and lightening to dance through out the room.
Finally it ends, yielding the five emblems glowing. Li begins hearing a new rumbling. This time it isn't from the mountain. it's coming from the tombs themselves.
Multicolored light begins escaping from the tombs, as their lids begin sliding open. One by one, they fall, crashing onto the Vault's floor. Li takes a deep breath, as he finally sees what he came from. From each of the tombs, a decaying skeletal hand reaches up.
Slowly, the inhabitants of the tombs rise and stand before Li. They each wear the remains of a tattered Gi similar to Master Li's, only that their dominant color scheme is that of their element. Around the iliac crests of each QiRanger is a golden belt housing a medallion similar to Li's, only that is has a different element marking.
The skeletons begin glowing their respective colors and manifesting form. Master Jo stands before Li as the Fire QiRanger. In the earth tomb, Master Yee acknowledges his comrade. Standing before Li as the Metal QiRanger is Master Tanaka. Masters Woo and Kahn appear before Li as the Water and Wood QiRangers, respectively.
"Friends, I am glad to see you once more," Li humbly states.
"But the time has come when evil threatens the world once more," Master Jo finishes.
Li looks at his old friend. "Yes. Someone has opened the Water Mystic Door the Shadow Realm. It will only be a matter of time before Bruch'oda realizes the opportunity and sends forth his army."
"Your vigilance shall be rewarded in the next life, my friend," Master Woo states, the Water QiRanger.
"I shall await the return of your successors and monitor the door for the invasion."
The ancient QiRangers bow to Master Li, who does so in kind, as this is the last time they shall meet in this life.
Each of the QiRangers begins glowing brightly as their Qi is focused towards their medallion. Once all their Qi has been absorbed by the medallion, they flash out existence leaving the ancient warriors powerless and their bone fall into their tombs, crashing into oblivion.
"Hurry, my friends."
***
Gerard LaFleur sits connected via C-Net to his robotic avatar. After passing through the Water Mystic Door, the robot was transported to the Shadow Realm. Gerard sits glued to every piece of information relayed to him. He can't believe this is really happening.
In the Shadow Realm, the robot has moved away from an ancient portal, swirling with blue energy. Atop the portal is the symbol for the water element. "So this is it?" Gerard thinks to himself. "This is the source of ultimate power?" Gerard commands the robot to scan the horizon for any sign of weaponry or advanced technology.
Each scan returns the same result. The Shadow Realm is an abomination. Scorched, dry earth extends as far as the eye can see. Up above, the heavens burn blood-red. Electrical storms crackle as they discharge in the sky. Not one structure can be seen. not one scan returned with any sign of hope.
"This was all for not," Gerard thinks to himself. "I've wasted all this time on something."
Before Gerard could complete his thought, a strange energy wave came over him. Something was happening. This was a sensation he'd never felt before. With all the time he'd spent jacked into the C-Net, this was something new. something not natural.
The information transmitted to him began to grow garbled. It started getting snowy. Just as the transmission seemed to fade complete, it was restored, but the robot was no longer outside under the maelstrom of the Shadow Realm - it was now inside some kind of large Throne Room.
The Throne Room was not elegant by any stretch of the imagination. Dark and dreary, the marble-like stones covered the walls and ceiling, encasing the room like a tomb. Sconces posted throughout the room provided minimal light - just enough to make things out, but not really see them in great detail. Between each sconce was a large tapestry, each with different markings on them.
On the far side of the room was a tiered platform with several steps leading to a seat of infinite power. It was on this throne Bruch'oda sat.
Gerard took in all that was around his avatar, as he was not alone on the other side of the looking glass. Surrounding the robot were 30-40 identical dark figures. Each wore black armor with black helmets. The only feature that wasn't black was two red marks where eyes should be.
Each figure remained still, with all their attention focused on the robot. "This can't be good," Gerard mutters to himself. As he continues to examine his new surrounding, Gerard begins to focus on the tiers before him.
From what Gerard sees, the creature before him sits with a look of distain on what appears to be his face. It's hard to really make anything out - hell if you can even call it a face. The "master of the house" wears gold and black armor and is most decidedly not human. If anything, he looks reptilian, but Gerard can't be sure.
If the surrounding army and the looks from above didn't give Gerard enough concern, the creature sitting on the throne wasn't alone. To his immediate left was what must be a female wearing similar armor and on lower tiers, two enforcer-types. Each larger and more powerful than the standing army next to his avatar- and easily more intimidating.
"Qual'och, is this the thing that came through the gate?" the seated figure boomed.
"Yes, my Lord," a high pitched voice coming from behind the robot replied.
Gerard commanded the robot to scan behind it revealing the source of the response. Wearing a purple cloak with gold markings, a lizard-like creature with four claw-like arms approached.
"But it isn't alive. It's some sort of artificial machine," Qual'och continued.
Bruch'oda leans forward in his chair, stroking what would be his chin with his left arm. "Then how did it open the door?" he asks.
Gerard realizes he's been silent then entire time and decides to break the ice. "It was actually quite easy to open the door," Gerard says through his avatar.
Bruch'oda squints at the mechanized visitor, while the female to his side slowly steps forward. Qual'och walks past the machine and takes his place at the foot of the tiers, beneath the enforcers.
"Explain," Bruch'oda simply says. It was not a request, it was an order-one that Gerard knew all too well would either enable him to join forces with the warlord or bring about an end to his attempt to wreak havoc on the Earth.
"My name is Gerard LaFleur from the planet Earth," he begins, but before he could get much more out, Bruch'oda interrupts.
"Don't bore me with pleasantries. Get to the point, thing!" Bruch'oda yells.
Gerard thinks for a moment on how best to present his case before Bruch'oda vaporizes his robot. "This robot houses a powerful energy source based on fusion technology. Using the dischargers embedded into the unit's arms, I was able to send an electrical wave into the door and break the lock."
Bruch'oda looks over the robot, his eyes peering into the tin can. "Is that possible Wizard? I thought only the Qi from the elements could unlock the doors."
Qual'och pauses and gets a quizzical look on his face. "This energy wave you used, can you show it to me?" he asks.
"Yes. It is really quite simple," Gerard responds. "Where would you like me to discharge the beam?"
Qual'och looks around the Throne Room for a suitable target. His eyes rest upon a weapons stand housing swords and axes in the far corner. "Over there," he says pointing to the stand.
The Shadow Warriors in the way step aside, clearing the way for the robot to fire at the stand. Slowly, the machine raises its arms and unleashes a short burst of energy. The energy wave finds its target and destroys the stand and weapons.
"That's it my Lord," Qual'och says.
"That's what?"
"The machine sent pure energy into the gate. Energy in its purest state contains each of the five elements. Given enough power, the door would have accepted the energy wave from the machine as Water Qi."
"No shit," Gerard thinks to himself.
"So now that you've opened the door, answer me one question: Why?" Bruch'oda says as he leans forward in his chair.
"I'm part of an organization that has its fingers in many facets of the world I live in. Unfortunately, those in charge have lost sight their duty and have grown complacent. I'm tired of their inaction," Gerard begins. "I've always been a student of history, so I became intrigued at the legends of the Great Battle 5000 years ago. I knew if I could unearth the power, the world could be conquered. I simply want to be part of the action."
The enforcers look at Bruch'oda for a sign of judgment, but his face is expressionless. After what Gerard feels is an eternity, Bruch'oda sits back in his chair.
"Why?" he says. "Why should I help you? Sure you opened the gate for us to return to Earth, but why should we not include you in our path of destruction."
"Because," Gerard says confidently, "I only know the location of one door. Without the others open, only one of you may cross over. You need me to open the other doors for you."
"So I do," Bruch'oda submits. "What is your name again, Earthling?"
"Gerard."
"Well, Gerard. Your robot and my one General won't be a match for the QiRangers."
Gerard's heart begins racing as he sits in his chair. "This couldn't be going any better!" he thought.
"I've not heard of the QiRangers since the ancient stories. Could they all be dead?" Gerard asked.
Bruch'oda rose from his seat and began walking down the stairs towards the robot. "That I doubt. They'd be waiting for my return. Now that you've opened the door, it will only be a matter of time before they try to close it."
He stops next to Qual'och and places his right hand on the Wizard's shoulder. "Since that thing is from Earth, can you make it strong enough to battle along side on of us until the other doors are open?"
"This robot is powerful enough to take on any threat," Gerard boasts.
Disturbed that his judgment was called into question, Bruch'oda extends his arm towards the robot, unleashing a Dark Qi blast. The energy wave impales on the robot and sends it reeling across the room into the opposite wall.
"If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked," Bruch'oda says coldly as he turns to Qual'och.
"I think I have a solution," he says.
"Good."
Qual'och steps forward into the center of the Throne Room and closes his eyes. He brings the claws of his upper hands together in front of his torso while the lower arms rise above his head. A swirling mass of energy begins forming before Qual'och. At the same time, the robot is lifted into the air and is brought before Qual'och.
In France, Gerard has lost complete control of his creation. Frantically he tries to reset systems to get access to the machine's defense systems - but there's nothing he can do.
Qual'och increases his concentration, allowing the energy ball to grow larger and larger. He then extends all four of his arms towards the robot and the energy ball explodes towards the machine. In a matter of seconds, it completely engulfs the creation.
Gerard shakes violently in his chair, biting his tongue from the intense pain ripping though his body.
A minute later, the energy has been completely absorbed by the robot and it begins changing form. It morphs from a clunky servant, to a sleek and agile metallic soldier. On the machine's breastplate is a black "X". Completely free of the energy wave, the revised creature falls to the ground.
Gerard can't believe the sensation he's experiencing. It's as if he's been infused with enormous power and that every thought and action, no matter how precise can now be copied by his robotic servant. But there's something more. something special.
Bruch'oda looks on at the new robot. "And what have you done?"
Qual'och turns to face his Master. "Until the other doors are opened, your champions will need an army to command. This new warrior has the ability to make copies of itself, each as powerful as the original."
"Well done," he says, smiling, the only way a lizard can as he returns to his throne. "Ready the invasion!" he yells. His troops below erupt in a chorus of cheers, while Gerard sits at home with an enormous grin on his face.
A hot day on the Pacific Ocean finds a lone craft hovering above the water. Closer inspection finds no crew, only an idling engine insuring the vehicle stays in place. The waves crash against the lower extremities of the hull, creating a soothing sound. The boat, if you will, is a long bed carrier with an enclosed control room at the forward station and an open bed taking up the remainder of the ship's body. The vessel's propulsion system is housed at the stern and is divided into thrust and hover components.
The ship's main computer beeps, signaling an incoming remote command. The ship's hydraulic lift begins lowering from the center of the bed into the ocean. As the platform breaks the surface of the water, two figures climb onto the submerged piece of metal: Gerard's improved robot, the X Bot, and Kor'digh, the first of Bruch'oda's warriors to return to Earth. He stands tall with midnight blue armor covering his body and a helmet lined with spikes. His breastplate adorns two bones crossed and the same symbol resides on his belt buckle. Hanging off his belt is a pair of sabers, one on each side.
As the water drips off the pair, the X Bot's eyes flash, signaling the craft to return the platform to the craft. Slowly, it begins rising from the sea. "I hope leaving just one of you behind will be enough," Kor'digh says as the platform completes its merger with the ship's hull.
"I'm sure it will be more than enough. I think you're all worrying too much, "Gerard says." Like I said, I've never heard of any of these QiRangers, except what was in the old literature. I still think they're all dead."
"We'll see soon enough," Kor'digh flatly states.
***
Meanwhile at the Great Vault, Master Li kneels in meditation. His thoughts focused on the Earth, hoping that his friends find their succors soon. But an imbalance in the universe draws his attention. "Could it be?" he thinks to himself. Allowing his body to become one focused source of thought, he pinpoints the discrepancy. Li's eyes flash open, ending his meditation.
Standing, Li gathers his strength and extends his arms out to his side. Li extends his index and middle fingers while clenching the rest of his hand in a fist. He swings his arms together, in front of his heart and his left hand grabs hold of his right's fingers. Li closes his eyes, building his Qi and then extends his right arm into the air and left arm towards the cavern's color. In a burst of red energy, Li teleports out of the Great Vault.
***
On the boat, X Bot and Kor'digh stand at the bow of the craft, the salty wind blowing in their faces. From behind, Kor'digh hears something alien. Slowly he turns around. Gerard, sitting in his chair, sees his comrade turning and commands X Bot to do the same.
As the pair turn around they see an unwelcome visitor on the craft. Standing in the center of the ship's bed is Master Li, his face determined to conquer the evil before him.
"I was wondering who would be the first to show," Kor'digh says over the sound of the waves.
Master Li changes his stance, readying himself for combat. "I hope I'm not disappointing." Li continues to focus on his opponents, as they draw closer to him.
"You see, Gerard, this is what we were speaking of. But it appears there's only one Qi Ranger left," Kor'digh says.
"Then let's not delay his destruction," the X Bot says. Gerard concentrates and activates the X Bot's copy feature again. The robot's eyes and X glow red as ten additional X Bots appear on the ships cargo area with Master Li, the Master X Bot, and Kor'digh.
Now facing 12 foes, Master Li readies himself for battle. Drawing upon his inner flame, fire erupts from his body, completely engulfing the QiRanger. Gerard can't believe what he's seeing and motions the X Bots to attack. The ten move in on Master Li as the flames fade away revealing blood-red armor plating on his shoulders, chest, arms, and legs. The armor conforms to his body, protecting Li's muscles and organs. On the breast plate, engraved in gold is the Second Fire Symbol Li wears. The remaining armor plating on Li hugs his Gi tightly, providing excellent protection.
The X Bots surround Master Li, who stands calm, awaiting the storm about to begin. As he assesses the situation, a robot to his right attacks. The machine is quick, but Master Li is faster. Sidestepping the threat, Master Li focuses his Fire Qi into his left forearm, creating an incredible firestorm of energy. He lashes his arm into the back of the X Bot, causing the robot's metal to melt. When all is said and done, the robot falls to the deck in two pieces.
Gerard looks through the eyes of his avatar, stunned. "You didn't think it was going to be easy, did you?" Kor'digh pipes. Angered, Gerard commands the reaming 9 copies to attack at once. The effort of his new partner pleases Kor'digh, who lets a small smile creep across his face.
Master Li leaps into the air, somersaulting over the attacking robots. As he lands on the deck, he falls to his knees and spins around throwing four fire shurricans. The flaming stars streak across the open deck and find their targets effortlessly. The stars pierce through the metallic chests of the four copies, killing their power supply. The lifeless hulks fall harmlessly to the deck and explode.
Angered, Gerard sends the remaining five Copy Bots against Li. As the robots attempt to punch and grab the QiRanger, he evades them by ducking and leaping out of reach. Once through the gauntlet, Li brings his hands together in front of him. From out of his grip, a saber forms. Li rushes forward, meeting the advancing Copy Bots again. This time, Master Li makes no attempt to bypass the threat and meets each robot head on. With a slash of his blade, Li decapitates each of the remaining robots. Devoid of power, the Copy Bots crumble to their knees and explode.
Before he can turn to face the remaining threats, a dark Qi blast is fired from Kor'digh. The energy hits Master Li squarely between the shoulders and catapults him forward to the rear of the ship. The Qi blast leaves a dark scorched mark on his rear armor plating. Li hangs onto the railing so he doesn't fall off and looks back at Kor'digh.
"I was wondering if you were going to just sit back and watch," Li taunts. He regains his footing and prepares for Kor'digh's forthcoming attack. The pair meets in the center of the craft, swords clashing.
"You've still got a little fire in you, old man," Kor'digh says as he kicks Li's chest. The blow causes the QiRanger to stumble backwards. Seeing an opportunity, Kor'digh unveils a flurry of swipes with his swords. The blades impact Li's armor, throwing electrical sparks into the air, cutting deep into the armor's protection. The attack forces the QiRanger backwards and towards the deck.
Kor'digh stands next to Li, ready to strike with his sword, when Li kicks his legs out from under the Shadow Realm Warrior, knocking him back. Springing up, as if he was an 18 year old, Master Li regains his fighting composure and moves in for the kill.
Realizing that he just can't sit back and watch any longer, Gerard activates X Bot's copy feature once again and 10 new copies appear on deck. In France, a smile appears on Gerard's face, "Let's see him get out of this one."
Kor'digh quickly recovers from his fall and meets Li's attack. The pair slowly rotates in the center of the cargo area. Kor'digh holds his swords crossed in an X as Li presses down with his Qi Saber. As the pair struggle for control, their faces come to only inches apart. Li smells the scent of death on Kor'digh's breath, something he once knew well, but had forgotten over the years.
"Looks like you're out numbered again," Kor'digh hisses as he pushes Li backwards. Now clear of the QiRanger, Kor'digh orders the Copy Bots to attack. "Finish him!" he yells.
Gerard orders the Copy Bots to fire their energy bolts. The beams move too quickly for Li to dodge and hit him. The energy blasts hit the weakened armor time and time again. Electrical sparks shoot into the air, signaling the ever weakening state of the armor. Before the last blast strikes, the armor succumbs to the enormous power of the Copy Bots and shatters, sending him back against the railing once more. Li lies against the railing, bruised and bleeding from the attack.
"Again! Again!" Kor'digh shouts as his eyes fill with passion. "Again!"
The Copy bots unload another round of energy towards Master Li. Hurt, he's not able to move quick enough to evade the blasts and they rip into him. Li's Gi tears as the electrical energy passes through him. Blood oozes from his mouth and wounds erupt on his chest and arms as Li steadies himself on one knee.
"It's over Li," Kor'digh says.
The Copy Bots fire again, but this time Li's able to dodge the blast, unfortunately, the ship's reactor isn't as lucky.
The explosion throws Li far into the sea. "Damn!" Kor'digh yells. "So close," he says with his teeth grated and pounding on what's left of the ships railing. Kor'digh races the ship's edge and looks for the QiRanger. With the smoke and debris consuming most of the immediate area, the Alien Warrior can't find his target.
"We've got to get out of here, the ships going to sink," Gerard says as the X Bot reabsorbs his copies.
"Next time, Li. Next time," Kor'digh growls.
X Bot and Kor'digh teleport off the ship as sinks into the ocean. A few hundred meters away, Master Li floats just under the surface of the water, unconscious.
***
Meanwhile, the sun beats down on a hot summer day in Sedona, Arizona. This small mountain community is one of the last bastions of the simple life long forgotten in this age of technology. Originally settled by artists, the spirit and soul of this mystic place has stood progress in the face and balked.
As the midday sun crests above the high desert, Jayde Yee completes her ascent atop Bell Rock. The 24 year old Asian beauty strides to the bench mark and takes in the awesome beauty of Oak Creek Canyon. Magnificent Cottonwoods and Douglas Firs line the banks of the river making its way through the canyon. Today, the red rocks of Sedona look even more beautiful, as their special flecks seem to dance in the summer light.
With the temperature what it is in midday, Jayde is not surprised to find the summit empty- which is why she decided to make trek at this time. Her soft features and long, flowing black hair seem at home at one of Sedona's Vortices. She carries a small day pack and some water attached to a canteen strap off her belt. As she nears the center of the plateau, she unfastens the canteen and takes a small sip of water before setting the container down on the red rock. She then flicks her hair over her shoulder allowing her to remove her day pack.
Jayde unzips the main compartment and retrieves a small blanket from inside. She carefully unfolds the cloth before her, making sure there are no wrinkles. After removing her Tevas, Jayde sits cross-legged with her hands folded in front of her. As Jayde begins meditating, her body begins glowing brightly with a golden hue. She looks at peace. she looks complete.
***
An hour or so passes and Jayde completes her meditation, drawing her Qi into her Tan Tien. With her eyes open, she peers out over Sedona. "Absolutely beautiful. I can't imagine being anywhere else," she quietly says. But something is not right. Normally after practicing the Golden Light Qigong, she feels refreshed and ready for the rest of the day. But today is different. She feels drawn into the creek. Something is calling her.
Jayde makes her way down Bell Rock and begins hiking along the forest service road to the creek. "The scent of the trees, the sound of the babbling brook, and the serenity we have here. I just don't understand my family. I don't get how they can live in the city and give up all this," she thinks to herself as she hikes into the Canyon.
Before long, Jayde reaches a clearing. The meadow has numerous wild flowers in bloom, but her attention is drawn the banks of the creek. Sunlight pierces through the canopy above and shines brightly on the ground next to the creek's banks. As Jayde inspects the area, she feels a strange sensation in her. Something she's never felt before. It's almost as if she was about to give birth. Jayde drops to one knee.
As Jayde looks at the spot on the ground glowing in sunlight, the ground begins to stir. She concentrates on the area of dirt before her as she sees one little leaf break through the surface of Earth. A sense of joy fills her. She reaches out her hand, welcoming the new sapling into the world and gives it some of her newly collected Qi, so that it may grow strong. The sapling readily accepts the gift of life and an overpowering feeling of warmth fills Jayde.
She thanks the tree for allowing her to be part its birth into world, but she needed to be going back to town. Jayde was pulling the late shift at the spa today and this extra trip may make her a few minutes late, something her manager despised.
She stands up and turns around; ready to head to her Jeep, but something catches her eye. A shimmering golden object reflecting the sun's light flashes in her eyes. "I wonder what that is," she thinks to herself. Knowing that time is short, she jogs over to a nearby Cottonwood and sees the source of the flickering light. Hung on a branch is a golden medallion.
Jayde's eyes widen, as she cannot believe the beauty of such an amulet and that it is simply sitting here in the open. "Hello?" she yells. "Is anyone out here? Hello?" There was no response.
Jayde steps closer to the medallion and studies it. It appears to be made of solid gold with a simple chain attached to the objects side. One side is smooth, but the other has markings Jayde has never seen before. Three curved lines at a 45 degree angle rising towards the right. "It's beautiful," she says aloud.
As Jayde steps closer to the medallion, a faint image of Master Kahn appears behind her. A smile flashes across his face as Jayde takes the Wood Qi Medallion off the tree. As holds the medallion, an insurgence of Green Energy begins swirling about her, creating a vortex. The trees and brush lash about as the energy increases, but in the center of the vortex, it is calm. Jayde simply stands holding the medallion, oblivious as to what's occurring around her.
As Jayde slips the medallion over her neck, it begins glowing green and the Wood Qi fills her body. As her body glows green, she outstretches her arms and is lifted into the air by the vortex. In a blinding flash of light, Jayde vanishes and the energy vortex dissipates.
***
Luís Mendoza sits at the counter of his Café in Mexico City. The 32 year old restaurateur hangs his head as he brings his hands behind his neck. "Another slow day in paradise," he mumbles. Life's been rough for Luís these past few months. The customers just don't seem to be coming like they used to.
He doesn't understand why. Mexico City is the capital of Latin America, the second largest nation of the world and its always teeming with tourists from around the planet coming to see the ancient ruins and "culture" of his people. "Why can't they stop in here for a drink and some food?" he thinks to himself as he bangs his forehead on the solver counter.
He looks up at the bright red Coca-Cola clock staring him in the face: 12:32pm. "Not a soul around," he says. Luís slams his hands onto the countertop, "Screw it! I'm outta here."
Luís pushes himself away from the counter and leaps over it. Taking one last look at his restaurant, he makes his way to the front door and turns off the lights. Before exiting through the door, he takes hold of the "OPEN" sign and slides it to "CLOSED".
Luís steps out of his Café and starts walking down the alley.
A few minutes pass and Luís arrives at home. It's nothing special, hell it really can't be since his restaurant is failing, but he calls it home. Since he has nothing, he doesn't keep it locked, so he walks inside. Luís takes off his T-shirt, revealing rippling muscles and a well defined six- pack.
Luís steps out into the car port, where he's hung a punching bag from the ceiling. As sweat begins to pour out of him, Luís begins dancing in front of the bag before unleashing his frustrations on it.
With each thrust, his problems seem to get farther and farther away. This is where he feels at home- just he and the bag - punch - punch - jab - punch - sidestep - jab - and so it goes for hours.
***
As Luís nears completing his "meditation," he hears muffled screams coming from the alley behind his house. His curiosity peaked; he stops punching the bag and heads out to his yard.
Filled with dirt and weeds, Luís' yard was not something to be proud of. He reaches the chain linked fence marking the edge of his property and saw nothing. Luís looked left and right down the alley, but still nothing. As he turns around, another scream bellows toward him from the neighbor's yard.
Concerned, Luís drops his gloves and runs next door. He busts through the wood door adjacent to the alley and into yard. Luís is disgusted at what he sees: three teenage boys holding a white girl and preparing to rape her.
Filled with anger, Luís charges them. For a man who's spent the past few hours punching a bag, he moved with surprising speed and caught the boys off guard. The youngest of the trio saw the burly man racing towards him and decided it wasn't worth it and took off running.
The other two should have taken their partner's lead. Luís channeled all his failures, all his anger, all his sense of justice into punishing those boys for harming an innocent 16 year old girl.
Luís picked up the first boy and swung as hard as he could. The end result was that the kid lost two teeth and received a broken nose from the impact of Luís' fist. The punch flung the kid to the ground and knocked the wind out of him.
The second kid picks up a 2x4 and holds it like a bat. Luís turns to face him. "I dare you," he says devoid of fear.
Startled, the teen drops the piece of wood and takes off running.
The young woman can't believe that her torment is over and begins crying. Luís kneels down next to her and picks her up. The young lady is so grateful to her rescuer that she hugs him so tightly that she almost ends up choking Luís.
"It's okay little one," he assures her as he begins walking back to his place to call the Police.
***
An hour later, the girl's family and the Police have left Luís alone. The thought that some "thing" could do that to another human disgusts Luís. Feeling his anger burn once more, he grabbed his gloves and headed to the punching bag.
When he reaches the car port, he sees something new - a golden medallion hanging on his bag. "What the." he says. "I told them I didn't want anything."
Luís puts the gloves down on a work bench and steps closer to the medallion. The golden amulet is circular and has three "^" marks resting on top of each other. "I've never seen anything like this before," Luís says.
As Luís reaches for the Earth Qi Medallion, a yellow energy vortex begins swirling about him. His gloves fly across the car port and miscellaneous papers fly about. Luís takes hold of the medallion as Master Yee looks on.
Luís slowly places the medallion around his neck and begins being filled with yellow, Earth Qi. The sensation blows the simple man's mind and all he can do is reach out his arms and scream before the energy vortex takes him away.
***
On the other side of the world, Leslie Chen and her brother Mike sit in their small apartment in Beiging. Leslie is simply stunning at 27. Her petite body and bobbed haircut makes her look more like a schoolgirl than a professor at Beiging University. "You know, the more you watch, the more brain cells you lose, Mike," she says.
Mike turns his head and looks at her squarely in the eyes and quips, "I don't see you coming up with any alternatives." Finishing his statement, the older Chen by 4 years, returns to watching the holographic display in front of them.
"I wish she would just give it a rest," he thinks to himself.
Mike takes his right hand and taps it on his sister's left thigh. "Sorry sis. I didn't mean to snap at you. All these budget cuts at the hospital are starting to get to me. They're really going to start jeopardizing patient care soon. I need something like this to let me unwind."
Leslie leans over and curls up with her brother. "See? This is why you should come teach at the University with me- better hours, less frustration, and no worries about patient care." Leslie places her head on Mike's shoulder. "I really wish you would. You're working so many shifts now, it's like you're not even here."
Mike leans his head on top of hers. "I know. It will only be a few more months before this rotation is complete. After that, I should have a better schedule." Mike pauses and sees there's a break in the program and shifts his weight. "Do you want anything while I'm up?" he says as he rises.
"No thank you," Leslie says as her brother walks into the kitchenette. As she watches him walk away in his t-shirt and boxers, she sees that's he's wearing an old pair that their mother gave him. the one with the hole in the right cheek. Seeing this, Leslie sits up and throws a pillow at her brother.
"I can't believe you're wearing that!" she yells as the pillow hits him in the back.
"What?" mike says innocently, shrugging his shoulders as he looks at his cheek protruding through his shorts.
"You know what," Leslie jokes. "That's disgusting. Mom would kill you if she saw you waking around in that."
"Yeah," Mike says as he sways his shoulders side to side, "but she's not here." A smile erupts on Mike's face, pleased that, at least in this house, he can wear what he wants.
Finished with his sister, he takes a glass out of the cupboard and fills it with water. "Are you sure you don't want anything?" he asks again.
From the other room, his sister confirms, "Really. I'm fine."
"Okay," Mike says and returns to the couch just in time for the match to resume on the holographic display.
The pair settles into the couch to watch the display, when they hear a rumbling sound out side and then start hearing screams from outside their window. Their interest peaked; the siblings ride from the couch and go to the window. Pulling back the drapes, they look down into the alley bellow at the source of the screams.
Down below, a hover car has flipped onto its side and crashed into the building on the other side of the alley. "Call Emergency Services, I'm going down," Mike commands as he races to his bedroom to put on some pants and shoes.
"Be careful," Leslie says as her brother leaves the apartment.
***
Down on the street, Mike tends to the woman who was screaming. She's in her early 60's and really shaken up. She has lots of bruises, nothing too serious - no broken bones, no bleeding wounds - but she's stunned and not talking. The woman's gaze is focused on the car. Mike does his best to comfort her against the building. "Can you tell me your name?" he says to the elder woman.
The woman tries to respond, but the words don't come out, it's as if they just sit in her mouth readied to be freed, if only they could. With enormous concentration, the woman is able to raise her arm and point to the car.
"I know. You were in an accident," Mike replies as he continues to assess his patient.
Running out of their building, Leslie joins her brother, "They're on their way. It should only be a couple of minutes." Something she knew to be true, as the Emergency station was only three blocks away and she could even now hear the sirens coming.
"Ba.", the woman tries to say. "Bab..," she says again as she points to the car.
Both Mike and Leslie look at the car and begin to hear a faint cry and a look of horror comes over their faces.
"No!" Leslie yells as she begins running towards the car.
Mike tries to restrain her, as the fuel cells begin leaking, releasing plasma onto the car's frame. The hot substance immediately ignites the soft metal sending the car into flames. Filled with purpose and a new sense of power, Leslie breaks free of her brother and races to the car.
Leslies reaches the car and begins searching the back seat for the child. A second later, she's joined by Mike. "We've got to get out of here, this things going to blow," he says.
"I'm not leaving the child!" Leslie says frantically.
Mike and Leslie search the car, but find nothing. "Where is it coming from?" Leslie says, popping her head up as the flames piece through the rear compartment.
"I don't know," Mike says looking around. Then his eyes catching something a few meters to his left - the car seat! "Over there!" he shouts and points to his discovery. Mike takes off running to the car seat.
Leslie begins to leave the car, but her attention is drawn to a shimmering golden object on the front seat. As she reaches for the object, the car explodes in a horrendous firestorm. The flames ride up in the night's sky, leaving blackened marks on the building.
Mike's eyes swell with tears as he holds the child in his hands, "Leslie!"
***
Deep in the heart of Mt. Fiji, where its core still boils over with molten magma stands one of the remaining Mystic Doors. In a vaulted chamber resides an island of rock nested in a river of magma. A narrow bridge leads from the surrounding chamber floor to the island. As magma passes under the bridge, it slowly erodes the crossing. Perhaps in several thousand more years the arch will finally succumb to the heat.
A bright flash of white light fills the chamber. When it fades, X-Bot and Kor'digh appear next to the Mystic Door. The pair walks around to the front of the door. "The only way to travel," Gerard says through the X-Bot. "I'm glad you were able to do that so we didn't have to swim back to the mainland.
Kor'digh grunts an approval. "I wish I could have ended this all back there."
Gerard thinks for a moment before continuing, "In any way, he's in a bad spot. The water won't help. He'll have to catch a break to even make it out of that," he says as the X-Bot stumbles walking to a position in front of the Fire Mystic Door.
"Never underestimate them. They will surprise you," barks Kor'digh.
Gerard shakes his head in his seat. "Foolish thug. If these QiRangers were so dangerous, then why was one of them so easily dealt with? I doubt there are any left," he thinks to himself.
"Shall we get to it?" the X-Bot avatar asks.
"Get on with it," Kor'digh replies.
Raising its arms, the X-Bot begins siphoning power to its arms. Unleashing a powerful stream of energy at the door, the beams find the center and begin energizing the Fire Qi symbol.
Within seconds, the fire symbol glows red and flashing and crackling under the power sent forth from X-Bot. Red energy starts moving outwards from the symbol, consuming the rock portal.
"I still can't believe that it works," Kor'digh says dumfounded.
In France, Gerard smiles widely, pushing deeper into his chair. "God, I'm glad that's over with," he thinks.
Red energy begins swirling in the door, discharging bolts of electricity around the pair of onlookers. The stony center begins bursting from within revealing a mass of Fire Qi. The energy storm fades away, revealing a dimensional portal to the Shadow Realm. Waiting for X-Bot and Kor'digh on the other side is Qual'och.
Seeing that the portal is open, the wizard cautiously steps through the gateway. Instantaneously, he's transported to Earth. Qual'och places his hind foot on the rocky ground beneath him and turns to look behind. Qual'och twists his body forward and placed his lower arms behind him. "Let's move on to the next door."
Kor'digh bows, signaling he's ready.
"That will have to wait," Gerard says through the X-Bot.
The comment catches Kor'digh off guard and he jerks his head towards the robot. Not wanting to overstep his bounds, the warrior waits to take his lead from the wizard.
A look of anger flashes before the wizard's face and his eyes glow red. "Explain yourself."
Gerard squirms in his seat. "Maybe I over played my hand," he thinks.
"I've been up for nearly 24 hours piloting this tin can. Staying linked in and firing the energy blasts is exhausting. If I don't get some rest I won't be able to control the X-Bot and open the remaining three doors. I need to unplug and get some sleep."
Qual'och glances at Kor'digh and telepathically implants a message, "We will grant him this request. We need him for now. But as soon as the other doors are opened, we will remove this insignificant pool of matter from our ranks."
Kor'digh's eyes light up with extreme desire.
***
In the Great Vault, the gemstones continue to shine down from above, illuminating what's left of the five QiRanger tombs. In front of the Wood, Earth, and Fire monuments, swirling masses of energy, each in their respective colors form. They grow from the size of a baseball to that of small tree in a matter of seconds. Each sends out thunderous clashes of thunder as energy bolts discharge onto the Vault's walls and floor.
The three sphere's of energy pop out, filling the room with bright multicolored light. When the energy from the vortices abates, Jayde, Luís, and Leslie stand in front of their respective elemental tombs. Each no longer wears what they wore when they took hold of the medallions. Now each dons a black Gi with colored strips at the cuff and boot tops, revealing their element's color. Like Master Li, they also have a golden belt around their waist with the medallion securely fastened to the buckle.
Leslie's eyes star wide with her face full of terror as she realizes she no longer is in Beiging and facing an exploding car. "Michael?" she asks, still not realizing that others are present or that she has been teleported away from her home.
Luís stands dumbfounded, not quite sure what to make out of his teleportation away from Mexico. He slowly looks around, darting his eyes all over the Vault, trying not to move.
Jayde is the first of the three to step forward. Having just come out of the teleport, her footing is off, but she manages to catch herself before falling to the Vault's floor. "I've never experienced anything like that," she says aloud, her voice echoing up the chambers ceiling.
Luís groggily steps forward. "What just happened?" he manages to get out flailing his hands about. "I mean, am I imagining all of this?"
Leslie turns to the others and calmly says, "No." A new sense of confidence comes over her as she looks at her new comrades. Something deep within her knows this is right. Knows that what just happened is for the greater good.
Leslie remembers a simple message imparted by Master Jo as he transferred his powers to her, "You are the warrior of Fire."
Jayde and Luís begin recalling their own experience with their former Masters. First Jayde, and then Luís, realize that they have been endowed with tremendous power to be used as they wish.
"Please tell me if I'm crazy. But do either of you remember some old dude telling you you're now a warrior?" Luís questions.
Jayde and Leslie stare at one another and then smile at Luís. Jayde walks over to her new friend and puts her left hand on his right shoulder. "Yes I do. I'm Jayde, warrior of Wood."
A rush of relief comes over Luís as he closes his eyes and gives a sigh. "Thank. you. Lord!"
Leslie smiles and introduces herself, "I'm Leslie, the Fire Warrior."
The three QiRangers shake hands. "Luís Mendoza," he states, "Earth."
An awkward silence comes over the group as they look around. "So what now?" Luís asks.
Jayde shrugs her shoulders, "Dunno."
"I've got to tell my brother I'm all right," Leslie says as she begins walking towards the hallway out of the chamber.
"I'm sure he knows you are," Luís says while running next to Leslie. Jayde quickly follows.
"No he doesn't. I took the medallion while a car was exploding. I've got to let him know," Leslie asserts.
Luís mouths, "Wow," as the trio continues to walk.
"Didn't you get the impression we were going to meet a guide here?" Jayde asks before she and the others leave the Great Vault.
"Maybe he's down here," Leslie replies as her voice trails down the hallway.
***
Adrift in the Pacific, Master Li slowly regains his consciousness. As he bobs in the ocean, Li tries not to swallow the salty water - battle he's not winning and with each swell he coughs more and more.
Master Li strains to look out over the horizon. "I've got to get back. got to stop them. But I need to." Before Master Li can finish his last thought, he looses consciousness again and begins falling under the surface on a one way trip to the ocean bottom.
Li's body sinks quickly and it would continue to do so, if it weren't for a pair of dolphins that come to his rescue. The pair slides up against the QiRanger and gently nudges him towards the surface. Still unconscious, the dolphins swim with the fallen warrior on their backs.
***
Gerard sits in his chair as Qual'och teleports X-Bot, Kor'digh, and himself to the Frenchman's estate. As soon as the trio materializes, the X-Bot falls to the ground. The sudden action catches Kor'digh off guard.
Exhausted, Gerard unplugs his C-Net connection and wearily stands, setting his true eyes on the alien guests for the first time. "Larger than I thought," he says to himself.
Concentrating, Gerard manages to walk to his guests. "Three hours. Give me three hours and I'll be ready to go."
"As you wish," Qual'och says pressing his claws together.
Gerard manages to fake a smile at the wizard. "Jeffery!" he yells. The distant sound of his servant's electric motor foretells his arrival a moment later.
Placing his arm around his robot, Gerard instructs Jeffery, "What ever they need, give it to them. I'll be in my room sleeping."
"Yes, Master," the robot replies.
"Good," Gerard says, patting Jeffery on the back. He then saunters down the hall, barely able to stand.
Once Gerard is out of earshot, Kor'digh sternly says, "Great. A nursemaid," his attention clearly focused on Jeffery.
As Jeffery tidies the X-Bot, Qual'och walks over to the electronic servant. "So what is your role here?" the wizard inquires.
"I serve," Jeffery replies while hoisting up the X-Bot.
"I see," Qual'och quietly says. "Without question?" he continues.
"Yes," Jeffery states.
"Good," Qual'och thinks as he outstretches his four arms.
***
In a room not far from where he jacks into the C-Net, Gerard lays face- down, disheveled atop a futon. He quickly wandered off to dreamland after taxing his mind in the C-Net. As he reclaims his strength, drool drips from the corner of his mouth onto the mattress.
The room's door slowly opens, squeaking as it's pushed ajar. The noise wakes Gerard, whose eyes are still half closed when he pushes himself up to turn backwards. Propping up on his arms, he squints to see who's intruding on his slumber.
He can't be sure, but Gerard thinks he sees the X-Bot standing in the doorway. "No," he says.
"Yes," a familiar voice says from the X-Bot.
Gerard's eyes widen as he recognizes Jeffery's voice coming from the X-Bot. More so, Gerard now sees that the X-Bot has both its arms pointed at him.
"Please don't!" he pleads as he scurries off the futon.
***
In the foyer, Qual'och and Kor'digh stand next to a fallen hulk of a machine. a machine once called Jeffery and hear the blood curdling screams coming Gerard's room. Kor'digh smiles as the human perishes at the hands of his own creation.
***
As the dolphins continue swimming through the Pacific Ocean, Master Li awakens. In his weakened state, he can't mange word to thank his saviors, but imparts the thought. Dolphins being the creatures they are, sense his thanks and come to a stop.
Master Li wonders why they've done so, but after a minute understands. The dolphins know the energy systems as much as any living creature and floating towards Master Li is a mass of algae. Li smiles as he begins feeling the Wood Qi rekindle his fire. Soon he'll be ready to resume the fight.
***
Hours pass in the Pacific and Master Li slowly recovers from his battle with the Copy Bots and Kor'digh. The blood that once flowed from his wounds has stopped and the caked on scabs begin to fade. Bobbing in the ocean has allowed the last of the original QiRangers to enter into a deep meditation while the dolphins tend to him.
Concentrating on drawing Qi from both the algae surrounding him and the sun, Master Li has been able to recover from most of his injuries. While still a little sore, he now is able to hang on to the dolphins, rather than merely using them for support.
As the sun sets over the horizon, Master Li takes a deep breath. "Thank you. I owe my life to you each," he humble says to the dolphins. Each of his watery companions pipe and click in acknowledgement. Master Li lets go of his dolphin and swims a few meters away before stopping.
Master Li takes a deep breath before falling beneath the surface of the ocean. Closing his eyes he concentrates and brings his hands together. From deep within, his fire burns and consumes his body, teleporting him out of the Pacific in a blinding red light.
***
Luís, Jayde, and Leslie stand outside the Great Vault on their return trip from the cavern's entrance. "I think this is all starting to make sense," Jayde says. "Reading the hieroglyphics makes things a whole lot clearer."
The trio continues walking into the Great Vault, but stop at its entrance. In the center of the tomb stands Master Li, his Gi torn and the remnants of bruises only now starting to fade. The ancient warrior looks up at his new team members and bows. "I'm sorry I was not here to greet you."
The trio runs to the chamber, minds aflutter with questions yearning for answers. As the three newest QiRangers stand before him, Li thinks, "So young. Was I ever that young?"
Leslie is the first to speak. "Master. Li?" she says hesitantly as the old man before her bows again.
"Yes," the gentleman says. "My friends have chosen well," he says with a smile.
Luís still doesn't know what to make out of all that's happened to him today. He stands before Master Li with his hands on his hips shaking his head. "Can you please explain to me what's going on? Why are we here?"
Master Li walks to a stone chair in the chamber and sits. Luís and the ladies follow and rest on the cavern's floor.
"5000 years ago, myself and the other QiRangers fought against an evil Warlord named Bruch'oda."
"We saw the drawings," Jayde says while pointing to the passageway above her, "on the walls."
Master Li nods. "We succeeded in banishing the evil to the Shadow Realm, but knew that one day the doors sealing his imprisonment may be unlocked." Master Li looks at each of the tombs and pauses. "We stood watch for so many years, but after a time each one of us slowly passed onto the next realm."
Luís bobs his head in disbelief, "Are you saying you're 5000 years old?"
"Search your heart for the answer. Yee chose you to wield the power of Earth in the battle we now face," Li replies.
"What do you mean?" asks Leslie.
"The day I feared has come. Someone has begun opening the Mystic Doors. I waited as long as I could for you, but when the first warrior came through, I had to try and stop him."
"Is that how you got hurt," Jayde asks.
"Yes. I was unsuccessful in my effort. Bruch'oda has partnered with someone controlling a series of robots. There were simply too many. I fear that we have lost the upper hand and the remaining three doors will be opened," Li says.
"What will happen then?" Luís asks.
"Until all the doors are opened, only one person may enter this world from the Shadow Realm When all have been unlocked; Bruch'oda's forces will be able to cross over. To send them back, we must close the doors again."
"Can't we just go there and close the doors now?" Jayde says.
"Only the power of the door's element can lock it. While you," Li says pointing to Leslie, "possess the power to seal the Fire Door, we are still missing the Water QiRanger to seal the other door that has been opened."
"Even though we're two members short, is there anything we can do?" Luís offers.
Li smiles at the Earth QiRanger. "It will be dangerous, but we must try to stop the final three doors from being opened."
The trio of new QiRangers nods in agreement. "Tell us what you need us to do," Leslie says.
***
It's late and Abeu's been searching for the last piece of information for two hours jacked into the C-Net in a small apartment near downtown Toronto. "I know you're here," the 17 native from India thinks to himself. Searching for the lat byte of information he needs, Abeu has completely forgotten about the myriad of people surrounding him.
Seth Goldman, an older man with red hair, places a gentle hand on Abeu's shoulder. "Time's running out. Can you do it?" he asks.
Abeu clinches his fists and then rips out the plug tied into his data port. The quick action catches the attention of the dozen or so NASO Security Troops standing in the room. "108 East McClendon. Apartment 220," the youngster says.
Seth taps Abeu on the shoulder, "Great work. Great work." he turns to Robert Dwyer, the task force's commander. "Robert, you're green."
The 35 year old African American nods, "Thanks." He walks to the center of the room where he's joined by Dr. Gary Staal. "Okay, listen up. Gary and I'll make the first pass. When we secure the apartment, come in to begin the search and remove the prisoners," Robert orders.
Robert Dwyer's men nod and Sergeant Quann replies, "We'll be there sir."
Robert taps Quann on the shoulder, "I know you will." Gary and Robert then leave the apartment.
"Come on," Seth says holding up a flack jacket, "just in case they need you too."
Abeu begrudgingly puts the safety device on. "I really hate these things. You know that Rob and Gary never leave anything to pass. I'll be okay."
"Humor me," the boy's handler says while securing the vest on Abeu.
***
On the rooftop, Gary and Robert stand at the building's edge. As the pair overlooks Toronto, they can't help to be inspired by the beauty of its tall buildings and flashing lights. Like an endless row of lanterns stretched across the city, each light illuminates a different corner.
"Are you ready to do this?" Robert asks his partner.
Gary nods in response looking at his ring residing on his right middle finger. "All right," Robert says taking a glance at his matching piece of jewelry.
Both Gary and Robert fold their arms on top of one another. Their left arms swing outwards, reaching a 45 degree angle, as if reaching for the sky, while their right arms swing out and then are drawn into their chests, clenching their fists. As they do this, their right foots take a half-step backwards. The pair then steps forward while moving their right fists towards their left wrists. As the rings near the wrists the pair yell, "Energize!"
A wrist computer terminal uncloaks on their left wrists. On the palm-side of the unit is a small hole for the activation key stored in the pair's rings. Upon inserting the rings into the lock, the device unleashes an army of black nanobots that consume the pair. Once the transformation is complete, Robert and Gary stand atop the roof in black armor with no visible markings.
Inside Gary's display reads: STEALTH ARMOR ACTIVED.
Gary and Robert leap off the building and begin gliding through the air into the night.
***
In the foyer of Gerard's estate, Kor'digh, Qual'och, and X-Bot stand peering into three glowing orbs. In each of the orbs appears an image of the last remaining Mystic Doors. The Earth Door, located deep in the Sahara, has been covered by the eons with sand. Twenty Copy bots excavate the site, attempting to unearth the hidden treasure.
The middle orb depicts the old growth forests. Inside one of the oldest trees rests the Wood Mystic Door. Qual'och and Kor'digh watch as a Copy Bot appears and begins sending energy to the door. "Soon, my Lord," Qual'och says.
Likewise in the third orb, a Copy Bot stands in the depths of a cavern sending energy towards the Metal Mystic Door.
The pair from the Shadow Realm looks on as X-Bot controls his copies from the foyer. Kor'digh notices flashes of green and white light emanating from the Wood and Metal doors. A second later, the rocks sealing the entrances have been eliminated.
"One more," Kor'digh says.
"Let's join our forces as we triumph over the QiRangers," Qual'och says lifting his arms into the air. A swirling mass of black smoke consumes the three standing in the foyer and teleports them to the Sahara.
***
Materializing in the hot sun, the three quickly separate. X-Bot moves towards his Copies to closely supervise the excavation while Qual'och and Kor'digh watch. With the heat baking them, Qual'och is pleased when he sees the outermost markings of the Mystic Door.
"Jeffery, pull the robots back," he yells. Complying, the X-Bot commands his minions to step away from the digging area. Qual'och blows towards the area, summoning a fantastic windstorm. Swirling sand begins flying everywhere and Kor'digh shields his eyes from the flying debris. When Qual'och finishes, the Mystic Door stands free and clear in the African sun.
"Jeffery, if you will do the honors?" Qual'och asks.
"I'm afraid I can't let that happen," a voice from behind the door casts out.
Kor'digh reaches for his sword as Qual'och becomes infuriated. "Who dares oppose me?"
A dark figure leaps over the Mystic Door and lands before the aliens in a defensive posture.
"Li," Kor'digh says angrily. "What makes you think you can stop us this time, old man? I nearly finished you just a few hours ago."
Three more darkened figures leap over the door and land beside Master Li. "This time he has help," Leslie says confidently.
Qual'och points towards the QiRangers and yells, "Destroy them!" The Copy Bots and Kor'digh begin rushing the QiRangers.
Master Li looks at his new comrades and nods.
Li clenches his fists, letting his power grow. He rushes forward as flames streak around his body bringing his QiRanger armor as before. Li has one mission in mind- destroy the X-Bot. Li summons his Qi Saber and begins slashing through the Copy Bots on his way to his destination.
Meanwhile, Leslie, Jayde, and Luís stand before the door, their fear showing. "Okay, let's do this. Luís, nothing gets past you."
Luís swallows his fear and nods in agreement.
The three QiRangers stand fast and clench their fists as Master Li did. Concentrating, each lets their element grow from within.
"Fire!" Leslie shouts and red swirling energy consumes her as blinding light courses through her heart and small intestine meridians. As the energy consumes her, the Gi she wears is transformed into a red suit of armor. Sleek and form fitting, the armored suit covers her entire body. Gloves and boots protect her extremities, while a red helmet forms around her head. Black bands wrap around her wrists and boot tops. A gold belt with her medallion is fashioned around her waist and a similar one is around her forehead above a black visor. Emblazed on her left breast in gold is the fire symbol.
"Earth!" Luís cries out and yellow energy flows around him while energizing his stomach and spleen meridians. Luís' Gi hardens to become a yellow suit of armor with black accents. His suit also has the same golden bands and the earth symbol marks his chest.
"Wood!" Jayde yells as the green energy fills her body. Bright lightening bolts streak through the liver and gall bladder meridians. In a bright flash of green energy, Jayde stands transformed in her green armor.
"Let's go!" Leslie yells and the three join the fight.
***
An upscale neighborhood houses the 100 block of East McClendon. In this high class building of 300 floors, the NASO Tactical Team zeros in on apartment 220. Nestled in an alcove on the building's south side, apartment 220 is everything a terrorist could wish for: convenient access to downtown, a large population base, and a series of rich neighbors that are too involved with their own lives to pay attention to less than reputable tenants.
On the street surrounding the building three armored hovertrucks stopped in front. The sleek vehicles offer much more interior space that is apparent from simply observing them. While the cab section is relatively small and only able to hold the drive and navigator, the domed trailer has been hollowed to make room for a dozen strike solders and tactical monitoring equipment.
Inside the lead truck, Sergeant Quann sits at his monitoring console. Behind him twelve NASO Strike Soldiers stand ready, each wearing black body armor and holstering a blaster. "Alpha Team, we are in position," he says into his Comm-Link.
Quann waits for the reply as the men in his truck become more and more anxious for action. A second later a green light flashes on the main monitor. "All right. Prepare to deploy," he says. The comment brings joy to the men and woman in the truck as they prepare to infiltrate the suspected terrorist den.
***
Inside apartment 220 site four men in their mid-30s. Each rests comfortably on a sofa or recliner watching the latest release from the major studios. Mikel, the group's leader sips a tall glass of chilled tequila. "They keep making this crap. It's a wonder the kids even have any brain cells left," he thinks to himself. To his left sits Rico, the man with the key to the city's destruction. "Two more hours until we contact them. Rico, is everything set?" Mikel asks.
His partner turns to him with a sheepish grin and says, "Yeah. She's all primed and ready to blow if they don't pay up. All I have to do is flip the switch."
Assured that all is ready, Mikel eases back into his chair and tries to relax. "I can't believe they aren't going to transfer the funds. It's a shame to waste the lives of so many innocents," he thinks. "Oh well. I never understood the mindsets of these idiots."
***
In the hallway outside Apartment 220 stands Gary Staal. With his Armor set to Stealth Mode, the nanobots bend the surrounding light around him, creating a cloak of invisibility. Gary sets his display to Thermal Imaging and peers through the walls before him.
"I pick up six signatures," he whispers into his Comm-Link.
"Copy that. Four in the main room and two next to the device," his partner confirms. "On the count of three, let's take them. I've got the quartet and you take the duo."
"Roger," Gary says. "I never thought I'd be in the think of things like this. Just goes to show you, god has a sense of humor," Gary muses while readying his armor to burst through the doorframe.
Three. Two.," comes over the Comm-Link. "One," Gary says in unison with Robert.
Gary pushes off with his legs, signaling the armor to boost his strength, sending him crashing through the apartment's door. As Gary passes through the metal entrance, Robert flies through the apartment's window, sending glass shards in every direction.
The four men sitting in the room are caught off guard as the sweeping back figures enter the room with the speed and agility of jungle cats. With the men still stunned, the two NASO operatives split to conquer their objectives.
In the main room, Mikel throws his glass onto the floor as he jumps out of his seat. Before he can even get a word out, Robert spins around and lands a reverse kick squarely into the man's chest. The overpowering thrust of Robert's boot cracks Mikel's ribs and sends him through the air, over his seat, and into the rear wall of the apartment. The force of the blow not only broke his bones, but renders the man unconscious.
Gary wastes no time in rushing down the hall to meet his two combatants. Entering the room, he sees them standing next to the fusion bomb. Each of the young men holds blasters and begins firing at Gary.
Leaping over the bomb, Gary lands in a crouched position between the two terrorists. Placing his weight on his hands, Gary sweeps his legs in a circle, knocking both men off their feet. Gary springs upright and straddles the man to his left. Focusing his concentration, Gary lets loose a voracious punch that connects with the man's jaw, rendering him unconscious.
The other terrorist is a lot nimbler than his partner was. Rising to his feet again, the man grabs his weapon from the floor and fires at Gary while activating the bomb's timer. As the countdown display begins ticking down from 3 minutes, he his blaster at Gary's back.
The particle beam knocks Gary off his fallen prey, to the floor. Looking up, he sees that the bomb has been activated. "Get the kid up here, now!" he screams into his Comm-Link as he launches towards the terrorist standing in front of him.
***
Down below, the three hover trucks being unloading the NASO troopers inside. Sergeant Quann taps his Comm-link, "Seth, it's ticking. Get him up there. He's our only chance."
The men in black armor begin running into the apartment building and ascending to the second floor to secure the area, hoping to prevent wide spread destruction.
***
Robert easily defeats two more terrorists. Now it's just him and Rico. While Robert normally likes a little sport, hearing Gary's call that the fusion bomb has been activated, he decides to make things short and sweet. Robert focuses his attention on Rico and raises his right arm. "Good night," he says as he unleashes an electrical charge from his arm, rendering Rico unconscious.
The threats averted, Robert runs to help Gary while the NASO troops enter. "Secure the area," the lead trooper shouts as they start passing into the apartment.
***
Gary stands huddled over the fusion bomb, his armor powered down, trying to analyze the device. "Damn!" he shouts.
Robert deactivates his armor and stands next to his friend. "Anything?" he asks.
"No. It's a biolink system. Only way to deactivate it is to jack in and break the cellular contacts. Anything else will fuse the proteins and set it off," Gary responds. Robert looks at the timer, two minutes remaining. "I hope Abeu can do this," he says under his breath as the teen races into the room with Seth.
"Okay, concentrate," the handler says while connecting the computer interface to Abeu's head.
"No problem, chief," the child responds. Double checking the connection between him and the data port on the bomb, Abeu begins the link. "Starting download."
The teen closes his eyes and enters the system. The men in the room see Abeu's eyes dart back and forth as he looks for the protein code to deactivate the bomb.
Each second seems like an eternity to the men in the room. Tick. Tock. seconds pass. One minute. Thirty seconds. Ten.. Nine. Eight.
Abeu opens his eyes. "Got it!" he shouts and the timer stops.
With a sigh of relief, Seth places his hands on Abeu's shoulders. "Good job."
Robert pats Abeu on the back as well. "Great job. You're going to do fine," he says. Robert activates his Comm-link, "Stand down. Simulation complete."
Abeu looks up at Robert smiling, "I guess this means I passed the test?"
The senior agent grins, "With flying colors. You're going to be a great asset to the team." Robert extends a hand to Abeu, who accepts the embrace.
Seth unplugs the cable from Abeu's head and the bomb. "Let's get you to debriefing, Ace."
***
Hours pass and the sun begins rising in the East. Seth and Abeu leave NASO Headquarters, located in the heart of downtown Toronto. Beaten by the pressure he's been under the past forty-eight hours, Abeu is ready to collapse. The pair makes their way through the building's courtyard to the main parking structure.
"I still can't they believe that was all a sim. They really do pull out all the stops," Abeu say wearily.
"They needed to be sure. You're the youngest trainee to be promoted to field service. I knew you could handle the pressure, as did Rob, but Command needed proof," Seth said. "In any case, you now know what can be expected in Field Ops."
Abeu nodded. "Yeah. It beats driving a terminal all day."
Seth laugh as the pair neared his car, Seth says. "Let's get you home for some shut-eye." Pressing his palm on the door scanner, the computer checks his DNA. Approving the molecular sequences, the car's computer unlocks the vehicle's doors.
Seth and Abeu slide into the car, but notice something different. While there's no possible way for someone to gain access to the car, two golden medallions rest on the dashboard before them.
"A gift from Rob?" Abeu asks.
"It really isn't his style," Seth says.
Seth and Abeu reach forward to take hold of the medallions in front of them. As they do, the pair is consumed in a vortex to blue and white energy.
***
The Astral Plane is a sea of energy, where Yin and Yang and all phases of energy unite. Seth and Abeu stand before Masters Tanaka and Woo, the last of the original QiRangers to select their replacements. While Seth stands stunned, Abeu eagerly takes in his surroundings.
"Seth Goldman," Master Woo begins, "your passion and bravery has not gone unnoticed. A higher calling awaits you as my time has passed. You are the Warrior of Water."
"And young Abeu," Master Tanaka says, "your soul has aged you far beyond your flesh. It is because of your skills I choose you as the Warrior of Metal."
Seth and Abeu know in their hearts what they hear is true, but their minds haven't fully registered what's happening.
"Go now," the Masters say in unison, "the others need you."
Master Tanaka and Woo fade out of existence.
Seth and Abeu look at their medallions, clenching them tightly. Seth looks at Abeu, who nods, signaling his readiness.
***
An energy bolt rips across the hot desert floor. As Li slices through another Copy Bot, he catches the bolt coming towards him in his peripheral vision. Extending his arms behind him, Li launches into a back flip, letting the energy pass under his arched back. Li lands amidst several fallen torsos and legs of Copy Bots.
Three Copy Bots rush Li from behind while four attack head on. Two Copy Bots let loose energy bolts aimed at Li. The elder QiRanger cartwheels to the left . The energy beams bypass Li and hit an oncoming Copy Bot. The blast tears through the robot's torso, leaving a gaping hole as the metallic creature falls into the sand.
Li crouches in the sand, targeting his opponents. While he cradles his Qi Saber in his right rand, four fire shurricans materialize his left. In a flurry, he releases the flaming throwing stars. Glimmering in the Sahara sun, the shurricans fly quickly into three Copy Bots, igniting their bodies in firry explosions. The last Copy Bot manages to let off an energy blast, destroying the shurricans in a blinding flash of light.
Li shields his eyes from the blast and moves to his right, slicing the legs of the nearest Copy Bot. The creature falls to the sand, where Li impales the robot's chest with his saber. The blade easily cuts the metal like warm butter, ending its so called life.
The last three attacking Copy Bots surround Li. Taking in his situation, Li jumps onto the shoulders of the center Copy Bot. The Copy Bot to the right fires an energy bolt from its left hand, incinerating the center Copy Bot. Li continues his leap by somersaulting forward. Doing so, Li's saber disappears and is replaced by flaming daggers in each hand.
Li spins the handles so the blades face behind. The flames swirl, leaving behind tracers. Li lands in a kneeling stance and thrusts the blades behind him as he arches his back. Each burning blade finds it mark in chests of the final two Copy Bots. The ensuing explosion blows debris past Li into the sand.
***
Qual'och stands aside from the field of battle, flanked by Kor'digh and X- Bot. As he watches Li dispense with the last of eight Copy Bots, Qual'och begins to lose focus and become enraged. "Is there any way to stop him?" he shouts.
Kor'digh stares at Li, who begins charging their position. He grabs hold of his left sword and begins to unsheathe it. As the metal begins to sing past its scabbard, Qual'och motions him to stop by placing an arm on his chest. "Wait," says the wizard.
Kor'digh grunts, but does as he is ordered and slides the blade back into its holster. His eyes burn with fury at having to sit on the sidelines as smoke floats from his nostrils.
Qual'och looks at X-Bot, "More. Make more," he says.
The X on X-Bot's chest begins glowing bright. Time after time, numerous copies of the original sawn into existence. After each new robot sets foot in the sand, X-Bot sends a signal for it to attack the QiRangers. Step by step, the robots take off racing towards their prey.
***
The Earth Ranger falls the ground under the pressure of three Copy Bots. Luís tries to push himself up, but the pressure from the three robots he just slaughtered. "A little help here!" he shouts.
Jayde looks over her shoulder as she dispatches another Copy Bot with her Qi Saber. She hears Luís call and races to his aid. She's joined by the Fire QiRanger at the mass of metal covering their comrade.
"On three," Leslie shouts. "One. Two. Three!" and the two female QiRangers lift the lifeless hulks off their new friend.
"Thanks," Luís says, but before the trio can regroup energy blasts rain towards them exploding all around. The fireballs throw the QiRangers into the air with several Copy Bot bodies.
Each lands with a loud thud, knocking the wind out of them. Leslie tries to get up, but the force of the explosion was too much. As she makes it to her hands and knees, she collapses down again. "We can't give up. We've got to keep going."
The three try to stand again and barely make it up. What they see through their visors can't even bring words to their mouths. For descending on their position are sixty Copy Bots. Somehow, Jayde manages to sum up the situation, "Shit."
"Yeah," the Earth QiRanger adds.
Leslie feels her new partners' fear as they face the onslaught before them. However, Li installed in each of them the importance of this battle and it was not something they were going to fail.
"Don't forget what we're here for," Leslie says. The Fire QiRanger looks at her yellow counterpart. "Luís, you stay and protect the door. Jayde and I'll try to fend off as many as we can."
"But," Luís begins, but is quickly caught off by Leslie.
"We have no choice. Unless Master Li can stop the X-Bot, then you're our only chance to keep the door closed," she says.
"I know," Luís concedes.
Luís takes off running for the Mystic Door while the ladies stand with swords drawn as the metal army prepares to engage them.
Luís races towards the door, dodging blasts from the oncoming wave of Copy Bots. It's almost as if he is a duck in a shooting gallery, as the energy beams fly in. To ensure his survival, Luís leaps, ducks and falters with each step. Even to his amazement, Luís makes it to the stone edifice. The Earth QiRanger stands tall; his Qi Saber gripped firmly in hands, ready for the oncoming wave of attackers.
Several blasts fall short of Luís' position and explode, kicking sand into the air. The desert wind quickly takes hold of the fine grains and carries them forward, obscuring his vision. As the sand blows past him, Luís begins feeling a strange sensation- something gnawing at him deep in side. It's as if he knows he's in danger, but with all the dust in his face, Luís can't make anything out. "What is it?" he thinks to himself - but then he knows what his heightened senses were attempting to convey. A borage of energy bolts lay into him, exploding in a skyrocketing fireball. If he hadn't been wearing his QiRanger armor, Luís Mendoza would have been vaporized.
The blast was so powerful, it knocked the Mexican into the Mystic Door. The Earth QiRanger's helmet raps several times against the stone door as the force of the explosion keeps him elevated off the ground. As the flames die down, Luís falls to the sand. He looks up to see the Fire and Wood QiRangers battling several Copy Bots, but even more circumnavigating their position and heading straight for him.
"This is it," he says. Knowing that he's the last line of defense, Luís reabsorbs his Qi Saber and calls forth his inner Qi. Standing in a small bow pose, The Earth QiRanger extends his hands and releases a yellow energy dome that encircles the Mystic door. "I just hope I can hold this," he thinks.
***
The Wood QiRanger wields her sword like an expert. Despite being surrounded by immeasurable combatants, Jayde's head is remarkably clear. Her previous Qigong training has allowed her the focus on the moment and let her senses guide her actions, much in the same manner the Zen Warriors known as Samurais did hundreds of years ago.
Jayde effortlessly evades a series of punches and licks from surrounding Copy Bots as she battles back, countering with her fist and sword. In a bust of speed, the young Wood QiRanger manages not only to evade the attack, but is able to dismantle four Copy Bots with a single pass of her blade. Unfortunately this effort was insufficient at eliminating the immediate threat, for as she stands in the middle of the fallen warriors, a Copy Bot sends her reeling in pain after landing a flying kick to her back.
Jayde lands in the sand, her sword flying out of her hand. Pain runs through her mind. Never in her life has she experienced such a focused blow. All she can think is that she's thankful for the armor and helmet - as anything would be better than lying in the scorching sand and tasting it in her mouth.
The Copy Bot knows better than to leave the fallen warrior alone and moves in for the kill. Jayde recovers from her fall, but nagging soreness lingers in her thoracic cage; however that is the least of her worries, as she sees a shining creature charging its blasters leaping at her.
Ducking below the Copy Bot, Jayde is able to use the robot's kinetic energy against it. The Wood QiRanger shortens the firing distance before the Copy Bot can adjust and the energy beam hits the hot sand rather than her. As the Copy Bot passes over her, she grabs old of the machine's torso and adds to its trajectory, sending it tumbling into the ground. Jayde slips her right foot under her blade and flings the Qi Saber into the air, catching it. Before the Copy Bot can recover, Jayde slams her sword into its chest causing the robot to explode.
***
The Fire QiRanger smiles beneath her helmet. For the first time in her life, she feels important. Leslie can't believe how peaceful she feels in the thick of the action. How the burden of saving the world seems so naturally comfortable on her shoulders.
Leaping into the air, Leslie begins kicking Copy Bots and using them for steps in her quest for height. Each impact dents the armored plating on the tow robots flanking her. As she reaches their shoulders, she casts off and spins around, swinging her blade through the two metallic beasts. Her attack completed, the top halves of each machine fall to the sand.
"It's as if this is what I was meant for," Leslie thinks to herself. "This is far more important than teaching," she continues while preparing for the next group of Copy Bots. "This is almost fun," runs through her mind while she takes off running towards a group of Copy Bots. As the Fire QiRanger nears them, she leaps into the air and begins spinning, forming a spiral flame with her sword extending in front.
The attack completely catches the Copy Bots off guard and the flaming strike crushes them. Leslie exits the last Copy Bot and kneels in the sand, sword laid out to her side as the platoon of robots explodes over her shoulders.
***
Kor'digh grows restless standing behind the battle lines. "It should be me!" he thinks. "These robots are no warriors. They have no skill!" Kor'digh begins stepping forward, but Qual'och restrains him once more.
"Wizard, let me do my duty!" he snarls.
Qual'och calmly looks at the distinguished warrior. "Not yet. Once they've been worn down," the wizard states. "This should speed things up," he says with an evil grin.
Raising his arms, the Copy Bots en route to the Mystic Door take flight.
***
Luís stands behind the Qi Shield and sees the Copy Bots ascend into the air as they begin firing energy blasts at him. "You have got to be kidding," he thinks. The flying robots take aim and fire at the Earth QiRanger. Each strike weakens the Qi Shield and pushes Luís further back and into the sand.
Time and time again, the blasts light up the sky as Luís realizes he's now ankle deep in the sand and his strength is weakening. Every attach strains his arms and tests his concentration at holding the shield.
Leslie and Jayde see their fellow QiRanger weakening and converge on his position. As the pair race to his aid, they are fired upon by Copy Bots. Using their Qi Sabers as shields, they're able to absorb the energy into the blades and redirect the force at the flying robots. The ricocheted energy beams find their targets and soon it's raining robots.
Standing before the Qi Shield, the Fire and Wood QiRangers look upon the ever increasing number of Copy Bots. Each knows what their mission is and they hope Master Li can accomplish his. The sense of urgency increases and another wave of 20. 30. 60. Copy Bots begins their assault.
Their newfound power surges in every ounce of their bodies culminating their swords. Jayde's Qi Saber glows a bright green before transforming into a double bladed battle axe. The Wood QiRanger smiles at her new accessory. "This will be fun," she thinks. Leslie's power continues evolving in her sword, causing it burst into flames.
The two QiRangers take their new weapons and race into battle.
***
The Wood and Fire QiRangers clutch their weapons and beginning climbing the small mountain of Copy Bot hulks. Leslie looks over the top of the hill at the oncoming army of Copy Bots. The 60 Copy Bots see the two QiRangers standing atop their fallen brothers and receive messages from the X-Bot to end this battle now.
"Don't they ever stop?" Leslie says to her partner.
The wood QiRangers looks at Leslie through her visor, "We need to take out the original."
"I know. Li's trying but he has problems of his own," Leslie says pointing her free hand at Li. "In any case, it's time to put the hurt on."
The Wood QiRanger nods and the two race down the hill.
Leslie is the first to meet the forthcoming wall of metal and there is no love lost between this batch and the QiRangers. The Fire QiRanger summons her inner fire, causing her flaming sword to grow stronger. Billowing flames streak into the air as Leslie wields her blade.
Four groups of Copy Bots from out of the main assault force. Two head directly for the QiRangers, while the remaining squads flank their position and head towards the Mystic Door. Leslie and Jayde see the diverting groups and shift their strategy and try to take on two groups each.
While this tactic is the only option to them, the Copy Bots' mission is clear: divide and conquer. Increasing their speed, the outside groups quickly circumnavigate the oncoming QiRangers and slip behind the hill of fallen Copy Bots.
"Go back and help Luís," Leslie shouts, but as Jayde turns to retreat, the two groups directly ahead open fire on the pair.
The resulting explosions throw the QiRangers back against the metallic hill. With the wind knocked out of them, the pair barely regains their footing before the Copy Bots surround them.
Looking out the corner of her eye, Jayde knows that she must get back to Luís. The explosions from the energy beams weakening the Qi Shield can be heard over the clank and blasts she faces. Gripping her battle axe, Jayde presses hard into the sand and pushes off into the air.
The Copy Bots track her arc and open fire. The beams fly past her, passing close to her body. Jayde begins tumbling, tucking her body tightly, so that there's less of a target to hit. The Wood QiRanger concentrates on her battle axe and fills it with energy. She rotates her body to orient her for her attack. Gripping her battle axe with both hands, she splits the weapon into two single bladed axes.
A foot off the ground, Jayde takes the axes and swings her arms wide. When she makes contact with the hot Sahara sand, she throws her twin axes towards the Copy Bots. Twirling through the air in an ever increasing arc, the blades spin quickly with green wood energy.
The blades quickly tear through the metal flesh housing the circuitry of the Copy Bots, leaving a path of destruction in the sand. Those not affected by the axes, do not hesitate to further the attack on the lone, green QiRanger and fire energy blasts as they creep in on her position.
Jayde sidesteps and leaps to avoid contact with the deadly energy attacks; however it is not enough. Several blasts find their target and collide with her armor. The resulting explosions force her backwards and burry her into the sand.
Caught winded, she looks up to see two Copy Bots standing over her. Before they can fire to finish her off, the twin axe blades return form their flying arc and pass through the center torso of each metallic death machine and imbed themselves into the ground next to her.
"Lucky me," she thinks to herself. Jayde stands to see that her attack was more effective than she thought. Smoking bodies of Copy Bots litter the sand around her. Not wanting to loose the momentum she's collected, the Wood QiRanger heads back into battle.
***
On the other side of the engagement, X-Bot continues to make copies, sending an endless army to battle the QiRangers.
***
The first wave of Copy Bots reaches the Qi Shield the Earth QiRanger erected around the Mystic Door. Rather than firing one at a time, the robots strategically position themselves around the structure and fire in unison. With enough power to melt a skyscraper, the attack against the shield quickly becomes too much for its lone defender.
Time and time again, the powerful energy beams clash with the Earth Qi. Luís struggles to maintain the protective barrier, but the onslaught is too much. Weakened by continuous attacks, the Earth QiRanger falls to one knee and is barely able to maintain enough concentration to protect the Mystic Door.
The Fire and Wood QiRangers come to his aid and begin systematically destroying the Copy Bots, but they are simply too late. A final wave of energy is released from the Copy Bots. Each particle contacts the Qi Shield causing the barrier to shimmer in the sun. With every ounce of strength depleted, Luís falls to the ground and the Qi Shield dissipates.
"No! I must find.," Luís tries to say, but is simply too weak to do so. Even the mundane task of breathing is a chore at this moment. His body seems to weigh a thousand pounds and each breath feels as if it bites.
The Fire and Wood QiRangers come to his aid. "Luís!" Leslie yells while trying to pick up her partner.
"Need... help.," Luís says through gasping breaths.
Jayde and Leslie stand on either side of the Earth QiRanger looking at an army of Copy Bots ready to open the last Mystic Door. "We need a miracle," Leslies says somberly.
***
Master Li continues his battle towards Qual'och, Kor'digh, and the X-Bot. Sensing that something has gone wrong; he peers out of the corner of his eye to see the Qi Shield down and the army of Copy Bots preparing to kill his new protégés.
Li slices two Copy Bots in half with his flaming daggers and races to out flank his attackers. In pursuit are several Copy Bots, but they cannot keep pace with the elder warrior.
Li continues to monitor the situation at the Mystic Door: Luís fallen, struggling to regain his strength so he can join the fight, Leslie battling fiercely, and Jayde displaying true courage as each attempts to defend the Earth.
Each blast that the Copy Bots fire connects with one of the three new QiRangers, driving them back to the Mystic Dolor. Any moment now, Li realizes, they will fall. Li's fire truly boils with the thought of failing.
Summoning all his fire Qi, Li plans to end this assault now. Between the Master's hands grows a Qi Ball like none other. It swarms with molten fire, as hot as the sun. First the size of a baseball, then a basketball, the ball continues to grow. The burning light from the fireball illuminates the sand and starts melting the silicone within.
"Arhhh!!!!" Master Li screams as the Qi ball approaches the critical mass. The scream is so loud that the three QiRangers look up fro their impending door. The call for power is also heard by Qual'och, Kor'digh, and X-Bot - all of whom turn and face the Triple Fire QiRanger.
"Kizxa," Qual'och mutters.
The display of power is so awesome; X-Bot monetarily looses control of the Copy Bots as it stares at the display.
Master Li struggles to maintain control of the car size Qi Ball of Fire, screaming louder and louder each second with agony as the ball continues to grow.
At the Mystic Door, the three QiRangers receive a message from Master Li - "Move."
The QiRangers focus their attention on Master Li, who releases the molten ball he's created. Throwing it towards the army of Copy Bots, the fireball consumes each piece of metal, causing them to melt and explode.
Li falls to his knees, weakened by the task of creating such a weapon. Breathing heavily, he props himself up with his hands as he watches the powerful energy mass make its way over the desert, leaving a caramelized path of destruction in its wake.
The Earth, Fire, and Wood QiRangers leap out of the way of the Qi Ball with only a moment to spare. The resulting collision of the Qi Ball and Mystic Door sends the QiRangers even further away and a mushroom cloud into the sky as a thunderous roar erupts on the quiet dune.
Looking back over the path of carnage, one sees only charred molten blobs resting on a sea of glass.
Lying on the sand floor, Luís feels a strange sense of power rush over his body. "Somehow, the energy remnants from the blast must be recharging me," Luís thinks to himself. Now fully charged, he feels ready to retake his place on the battlefield.
The Earth QiRanger props himself onto one knee, but before he can lift up the rest of his body, Luís sees something he wasn't prepared for: two armored hands extending towards him, ready to help him up. While he knows that Leslie and Jayde are near, the colors of the arms in front of him are blue and white.
The Metal and Water QiRangers stand with their backs to sun wearing similar armor: Abeu donning the Metal QiRanger armor and Seth in the Water.
"Come on, let us help you up," Abeu says as he and Seth pull the Earth QiRanger to his feet.
"Who are." Luís attempts to say, but cuts himself off as he realizes the final two QiRangers have arrived. Even though he tries, the Mexican can't fight back the feeling of joy or the smile that swells within him. "Good thing they can't see me," he muses to himself.
The trio is joined by Leslie and Jayde and the five QiRangers stand facing one another for the first time. "Looks like the gang's all here," the Wood QiRanger says.
"Introductions will have to wait. We've got a job to do," Leslie summarizes.
The five QiRangers nod and in unison shout, "Right!" and take off heading for the Masters of Evil on the far dune.
***
Qual'och's blood boils with anger with the defeat he's suffered. Standing in disbelief the ancient wizard does nothing but gape at the destruction before him. Both Kor'digh and X-Bot turn to their "leader" and await instructions. Seconds tick by and nothing is uttered by the robe-clad sorcerer, whose gaze is still transfixed on the fading mushroom cloud.
"Enough!" Kor'digh yells stepping forward.
Qual'och realizes that he's lost control and succumbs to Kor'digh's tactical leadership. The setback irritates the wizard, but at this point, he knows his mission will fail unless a new approach is taken.
"I've got Li. You two deal with the others. Don't worry about killing them. Just see to it that the door is opened. Use everything at your disposal - above and below ground," the general says leaping into the air.
"Yes sir," Jeffery says as he begins making copies of himself. The metallic warriors instantly set off towards the QiRangers.
This time, Qual'och takes Kor'digh's suggestion to heart. Raising his arms, the charging Copy Bots split into three groups. One remains on the ground, charging through the sea of glass. The second group takes to the air, while the third burrows underground.
"Annihilate them," Qual'och says to X-Bot.
***
Li looks up from his position and sees Kor'digh streaking towards him. The Triple Fire QiRanger readies for battle, standing and digging his feet into the sand. Li grips his Qi Saber tightly, his perspiration mixing with the weapon's leather grips, knowing that the final battle is about to begin. Li squints in the bright African sun, tracking his target through the air. He channels Qi into his legs and pushes off to meet Kor'digh. The master swordsman draws his saber close to his chest as he approaches Kor'digh.
The Dark Warlord smiles while he approaches his mortal enemy. Pulling his feet forward, Kor'digh assumes a vertical position in the air. Summoning his Dark Qi, Kor'digh sends two energy blasts towards Li.
The QiRanger arches his back in an effort to dodge the oncoming attack. He begins tumbling, sending the first Qi Blast floating under his legs, but the other energy mass hits Li in the middle of the chest, exploding upon impacting his armor and knocking him out of the air.
Master Li lands in sand below with a resounding thud. The blow briefly knocks the wind out of Li as he lets his grip fade on his Saber. He is brought back quickly to the battle arena when he hears the familiar sound of metal slipping past the lips of a scabbard. Opening his eyes, Li sees Kor'digh approaching from above with his swords drawn.
Master Li rolls to his right to avoid Kor'digh from landing on him. The Dark Warlord can't compensate for Li's movement and thrusts his swords into the hot sand. Li regains his Qi Saber and springs to his feet.
Seeing that Kor'digh is still hunched over trying to retrieve his swords from the sand, Li jumps and connects a powerful side kick to Kor'digh's midsection. The strike tosses Kor'digh aside, sending the evil warrior into the sand.
Kor'digh rolls out of the fall and comes to rest on one knee. "You're going to have to do better than that, Li," he says. Kor'digh rushes towards Li and his swords. Calling upon his dark power, Kor'digh fires two Dark Qi Strikes at Master Li.
The red and black Qi Ranger jumps backwards to avoid the hit, freeing Kor'digh to gain access to his swords. The speeding alien manages to retrieve one sword by the time Li sets foot on the sand once more. Kor'digh attempts to finish Li by swinging his blade at the QiRanger, but is countered by the last Master.
Even in his weakened state, the venerable QiRanger has enough power in him to counter Kor'digh's attack. "You're going to have to do a lot better than that to extinguish my flame," he taunts.
Kor'digh takes the opening and falls backwards taking Li with him. As the pair moves in unison, Kor'digh kicks Li off when he hits the sand. Li spins his body around to regain his footing. Once secured, Li calls forth three fire shurricans and throws them.
The flaming stars soar over the hot desert floor towards Kor'digh. The Dark Warrior pushes into the sand to flip himself upright. Kor'digh slashes at the oncoming stars and easily diverts them harmlessly into the sand. "This toying must come to an end," he thinks to himself and rushes Li. The two eternal warriors of good and evil clash in the desert. With each thrust and parry, electrical sparks shoot of from each sword.
No matter what he tries, Li cannot gain the upper hand in his conflict. For every attack, Kor'digh has a capable counter that deprives him of attaining his goal.
***
Atop the Earth Mystic door, the Metal QiRanger stands with his Qi Bow taking aim at the flying Copy Bots. One by one he sends white energy arrows streaking towards the metallic warriors. and one by one they explode and come crashing into the ground. "This isn't too hard," the young Indian thinks to himself.
Just then a blue disk streaks across his position. Abeu tracks it with his eyes and follows it through as it impacts another flying Copy Bot - one that would have gotten the better of him. The arcing disk sweeps down and returns to its rightful owner - the Water QiRanger. "Look sharp, kiddo. They're going to be smatter than a video game," Seth yells over the endless amount of explosions surrounding them.
"Right!" Abeu yells back and continues picking off Copy Bots from his perch.
Seth converts the disk to his Qi Saber and charges two Copy Bots approaching the door. He speeds over the sand, crisscrossing his path to confuse the firing mechanisms on the metal beasts. Two meters in front of the oncoming attackers, Seth jumps into the air. The Water QiRanger lands between the two Copy Bots, who lock onto their target and fire. Seth splits his legs, dropping him to the desert floor and enabling him to avoid the energy beams. The Copy Bots were not as lucky, and each beam connected with the other, sending both to the scrap heap.
***
The Earth QiRanger runs over the hot sand. With each step he increases his speed towards an oncoming row of Copy Bots. The lead metallic warrior takes aim and fires energy bolts from his hands. The beams fly through the air towards the approaching yellow streak.
Before the energy blast can hit him, Luís jumps into the air. Spreading his arms in a swan formation, he gains altitude. The pursuing Copy Bots circle and begin firing up at Luís.
The QiRanger flips back and begins diving towards the Earth. The Copy Bots take aim and fire several blasts at the descending warrior. Shifting his weight ever-so-slightly, he's able to glide between the oncoming beams.
Luís continues falling faster and faster. Drawing his Earth Qi to his right first, the QiRanger's glove glows bright yellow. Completing his descent, the Earth QiRanger thrusts his first into the sand, sending a thundering wave into the earth. The impact sends sand into the air and a rippling undulation along Sahara's surface. Each wave rolls over the Copy Bots destroying them.
Luís looks up to see his wave of destruction and smiles beneath his helmet. Before he can stand to tackle the batch of Copy Bots, he hears more rumbling. "It can't still be going on, can it?" he thinks. "Where is that coming from?"
Luís isn't the only QiRanger wondering where the subterranean rumbles originate from. Looking around the team sees sand sifting away from the area in front of the Mystic Door. Rising from below the hot sand is an army of Copy Bots. Now the metallic warriors are positioned between the QiRangers and the final Mystic Door.
"Yes!" Qual'och yells. "Open the door!" he commands.
"Stop them!" Leslie yells as she takes off racing towards the Mystic Door leaving a trail of fallen Copy Bots in her wake. The other QiRangers do the same, but are now faced with a dozen Copy Bots facing them. The rest of the Copy Bots turn their attention to the Earth Mystic Door.
The lead robot energizes his emitter as the QiRangers meet the opposing wall of Copy Bots. Struggle as they may, the QiRangers can't get through the barrier before the robot unleashes his wave of energy into the Mystic Door. Yellow energy fills the stone door, sending electrical flares from its center.
***
Li and Kor'digh stand atop their dune, swords crossed, and looking deep into each other's eyes. "It's done Li. You've failed," Kor'digh hisses. Li looks at the Mystic Door and sees that Kor'digh speaks the true. His heart sinks that the Earth will now feel the wrath of Bruch'oda.
With his attention distracted, Kor'digh easily shoves Li aside. The QiRanger stumbles backwards a few steps before settling his footing. "Until we meet again Li," Kor'digh shouts as he vanishes in a cloud of darkness. Qual'och, X-Bot, and the Copy Bots also fade out of existence.
The five new QiRangers race to meet Li in the center of the battlefield.
Out of breath and barely able to stand, Leslie is the first to speak, "We're sorry," she says between heaving breaths.
"It's my fault," Luís manages to get out between gasps.
Li extends his arm to the Earth QiRanger and places it on his shoulder. "No. It was an honorable battle with an unfortunate outcome. However, the war is not lost," he says.
The six QiRangers look into the sky above to see dark, luminous clouds thundering through the stratosphere.
***
Sitting atop his throne, Bruch'oda absolutely beams with joy. His eyes glow bright red as he stands from his perch and lifts his first into the air yelling, "Let the chaos reign!"
***
End of Episode 1 - The Return
