Author's Note: Welcome to the sequel of 'A Dire Situation'. The sequel takes place in season two of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers and is set two months after the end of last series. I hope you enjoy it.
Rating: T for safety.
Warning: Before continuing, you might wanna have a read of 'A Dire Situation' before you go any further or else some references and storylines may confuse you. Thanks.
I don't own Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. But I do own any original characters that are of my own creation.
Title: Raising the Stakes
Summary: After Lord Zedd arrives on the moon to complete the task that Rita has failed to do, the Rangers must take on new Thunderzords in order to battle him. Unfortunately with three Rangers leaving, a new power source is needed in order to keep the team from collapsing.
"Welcome, citizens of Angel Grove to the Fifth Annual Children's Hospital Charity Motor Marathon." The announcer called out over the race track. Every inch was covered in contestants and spectators, along with judges and coaches. Students of Angel Grove High hunched over their four wheelers and consulted maps along with their partners as a referee made sure that they had everything in hand.
Nuala Archer stood behind her brother and partner, Ciaran, tying his red and black bandana securely. "There, you're all set," she announced, patting his head.
"Thanks," Ciaran said, jumping down from his four wheeler and racing across the track to where Zack and Trini were standing. Trini was tying Zack's bandana securely for him.
"Nice touch, lil' bro," Zack said, high-fiving Ciaran. Since his and Nuala's arrival in Angel Grove, Zack had somewhat taken Ciaran under his wing and treated him like a little brother, as he knew what it was like to be the youngest sibling in the house.
"Thanks," Ciaran said, laughing as Trini tightened Zack's bandana too much causing the black Ranger to wince.
"Oh, sorry, Zack," Trini apologized, chuckling lightly.
"Ah, it's alright," Zack said, waving her off. "I'm glad you find it funny, dude," he added to Ciaran, who merely grinned.
Nuala, meanwhile, had walked away from the four-wheeler that she and Ciaran would be sharing - she didn't trust him on his own four-wheeler, and it clearly stated in the rules that you had to be at least sixteen to ride alone; Ciaran was only fourteen (and a half).
"Hey, how's it going?" Nuala asked Billy as she wandered over towards him and Kim.
"It's coming along nicely," Billy said. "I may have found the first clue."
"Ooh. Really?" Kim asked, peering at the map. "All I see is a bunch of squiggly lines."
"I can't read maps either," Nuala admitted. "It's another part of Maths that I despise."
"But you're a figure skater," Kim pointed out. "Don't they use Maths for that?"
Nuala looked sheepish. "It's mostly physics than Maths," she answered. "I can understand the quad axels, angles and jumps of figure skating, but I don't understand the numbers and formulas of Maths."
"You're weird," Kim said, playfully.
"I know," Nuala replied. "That's why I fit in with you."
Kim gasped and lightly shoved Nuala away as Mr. Caplan and a referee walked over.
"Well, thanks a lot for taking care of all of this," Caplan said.
"Are you kidding?" Trini asked. "This is great - having a good time for a good cause."
"Man, you said it," Zack agreed. "I can't wait to hit those mountain trails."
"Better be prepared to hit the dirt," Bulk said as he and Skull arrived. They were both decked out in gear that consisted mostly of leather and chains, and a Mohawk designed helmet for Bulk. "Cause that's all you're going to hit."
"Yeah. You'll be eating our dust all the way across the finish line," Skull laughed.
"You'll have to find it first," Nuala muttered from behind Billy.
The Rangers and Ciaran laughed, whilst Bulk and Skull frowned at Nuala. The silver Ranger bit her lip and looked back at the map, avoiding both Bulk and Skull's gazes as they passed her, heading for their four-wheelers.
"Besides, this is not about winning," Kim said
Ignoring the friends, Bulk shoved Skull from his bike and knocked him back onto his own. Skull frowned at his best mate, shook his head and revved the engine of his quad.
"You can't blame them," Tommy said. "They certainly don't lack for confidence."
"That's for sure," Jason agreed. He glanced around at the rest of his friends and waved them in. "Guys, we've got work to do."
"Great. Let's take a look at our maps," Billy said, looking up from his and Kim's. He led Nuala around Kim's quad, whilst the pink Ranger dismounted and skipped alongside them towards Jason and Tommy. Ciaran, Zack and Trini followed.
~*Raising the Stakes*~
Meanwhile, up on the moon, Rita and her band of misfit monsters were watching the Rangers prepare for their meet. Rita laughed as she turned her back on her telescope and faced her minions. "They're right there for us, my Prince," she said, pointing at the Earth behind her.
"Yes, my Queen," Chris said, bowing his head. Since his arrival at the moon base, Rita had transformed him not only into the gold Power Ranger but also her prince of Darkness. He, just like Goldar, had the power to be second in command, but Goldar retained more of the title since he had been with Rita for more than 10,000 years.
"This is perfect," Goldar boomed, glaring at Chris. It didn't take a genius to realise that there was tension within the ranks. For Goldar it was more to do with the fact that a pesky human, just like the infernal Power Rangers, was trying to muscle in on a position that had been his for many, many years.
"We'll get them finally," Scorpina added. In the beginning she had shared the same sentiment for Chris as Goldar, but now, after making a brutal enemy out of the silver Ranger, she and Chris seemed to be on the same page. Both wanted Nuala out of the picture, and both were willing to put aside their differences to make ends meet.
Suddenly, and without warning, the ground beneath their feet started to shake violently. Chris quickly caught Rita as she stumbled and braced her against his broad frame to keep her from falling over.
"What's going?!" Rita shrieked.
"This could only mean one thing," Goldar grinned. "Lord Zedd, the true Emperor has returned."
"Oh, my gosh," Rita murmured, her eyes wide and terror reflected within them.
"Lord who -?" Chris asked, confused.
The sky flashed and lightning clashed, lighting up the dark space beyond the Earth's atmosphere.
"Where is he?!" Rita shouted, backing away. "Where is he?!"
"I am Lord Zedd, Emperor of all I see," said an holographic image in the sky above the palace. "You have failed to complete the mission assigned to you. I will now resume command, prepare the palace for my return."
Chris pulled Rita aside as a stream of red light entered the throne room, shot past him and into another room off the hall. He'd never been inside that room, therefore had no idea what was behind the closed door.
"Lord Zedd has returned," Goldar said, raising first. His sword was elevated in front of him and he looked more than excited.
"Oh, he's going to ruin everything," Rita grumbled.
"But where is Lord Zedd?" Baboo asked.
"Where he belongs, his chamber of command," Goldar answered.
"Ohhh! I've got such a headache," Rita complained.
"Deal with it," Goldar snapped. "I'm going to meet my Emperor."
"Groveling teacher's pet," Chris sneered.
"I'll be happy to see the back of you, kid," Goldar said as he passed. "Lord Zedd never works with humans."
Rita put her hand on her Prince's shoulder as he made a lunge for Goldar, the giant golden monkey laughed and disappeared behind the door that the jet of red light had gone through only minutes before. "Calm yourself, my Prince," she said, leading him after Goldar. "We shall see who has the last laugh."
"Come on, Baboo," Squatt said, running after Rita. "We should check this guy out too."
~*Raising the Stakes*~
"Now, remember the only way to reach your final destination is by solving the clues on the map you've all been given," Caplan called over his megaphone as the riders prepared themselves for the start of the race. "So, good luck and drive safely."
The crowd cheered. Ciaran waved to his mother and nephew as they watched from the sidelines, and mounted the quad behind his sister. "Are you sure I can't drive?" he asked, taking his helmet and fitting it over his head.
"Positive," Nuala replied.
"But why not?"
"Because the last time you drove one of these things, you nearly drove us into a ravine," Nuala replied.
"Nearly," Ciaran pointed out.
Nuala rolled her eyes and fitted her own helmet on over her head. "Nearly is one time too many," she said, adjusting her goggles. "Ready?"
"What if I said no?" Ciaran asked.
"Then you can stay here," Nuala said.
Ciaran pouted and adjusted his goggles. "Meanie," he said.
"Love you too," Nuala said, smiling. She revved her engine and glanced to the side at Kim. The pink Ranger nodded and Nuala nodded back, and indication to show that they were both ready.
"Ready, set and GO!" Caplan shouted, waving the flags and signaling the beginning of the race. The air was filled with the sound of roars as the four-wheelers took off down the dirt track, leaving their screaming and cheering spectators behind. Lana held up Ellis' hand and waved his mother and uncle off; she then kissed his head and turned to Ms. Appleby and Ernie beside her.
Less than a mile away from the track, Nuala felt Ciaran's arms tighten around her waist and glanced up briefly as the sky flashed a bright white colour. "What the heck was that?" she asked herself.
"I hope it's not a thunderstorm," Ciaran said.
"Jason," Nuala called to her left. The red Ranger was also looking up to the skies; clearly he had heard and seen the same things she had.
Jason turned to the sound of his name, nodded and motioned to the side of the track. He glanced over his shoulder and motioned for the others to follow his lead. "Hey, guys, pull off," he called over the roar of the engines.
Nuala rolled to a halt and shut down her engine. She and Ciaran were removing their helmets when the others arrived around them. The sky rumbled and clashed again.
"Someone tell me that's not thunder," Ciaran said, looking around at the Rangers.
"I don't think so," Billy said. "The weather is supposed to be fine for the next two months."
"If it's not thunder then what is it?" Nuala asked.
Billy shook his head. "I don't know," he replied.
"We should probably keep an eye on our communicators in case Zordon tries to get in touch," Zack said.
"I agree," Jason said, looking up at the skies. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Let's be sure to stick together," Tommy added, looking around at the others.
They nodded and exchanged looks.
Nuala patted Ciaran's hands and glanced over her shoulder at her brother. "Do you want me to take you back to mum?" she asked.
"No, I wanna stay," Ciaran said. "As long as it's not thunder, I don't care."
"What if it's a lot worse?" Trini asked.
Ciaran shrugged. "I'm not afraid," he said, bravely.
Nuala rolled her eyes and shook her head. "And everyone says I'm the weird one," she said.
The others chuckled whilst Billy checked his map. "According to my calculations the next clue should be behind those formations of rocks over there," he said, pointing a cluster of rocks not that far away.
"Let's go," Jason said, putting on his helmet again. The others followed his lead, jump-started their four-wheelers and headed for their first clue.
~*Raising the Stakes*~
"I am Lord Zedd, identify yourself."
"Surely you remember me, your Excellency; I am Goldar, your most faithful servant."
"Ah, yes, Goldar, the groveling one."
Goldar bowed his head in submission. "I surrender myself to serve and obey you only," he said. "It is good to have you back, Lord Zedd."
"Your spineless, sniveling attitude leads me to believe you will serve me well," the infamous Lord Zedd replied. "For that, I shall restore to you what was once taken away." He held up his silver Z staff and, with a bright flash of red light, two wings sprouted from Goldar's back.
"Lord Zedd, I thank you," Goldar said, bowing before his Emperor. "You will not regret this."
"Oh, he'll regret it," said Chris, entering the room. "You're a spineless pathetic monkey that hasn't had any more luck than the rest of us. Half of Rita's plans would've worked had it not been for your incompetence."
Lord Zedd raised his head at the sound of a new voice, his gaze landed on Chris and he snarled at the human stench coming from the Prince of Darkness. "What is this, a human? What is this Earthling doing in my palace?"
"My name is Chris," Chris said. "I control the Badge of Darkness."
"Rita, this is your doing, no doubt!" Zedd snarled at the Empress.
Rita bowed to her Emperor. "Ah! My brave and powerful Lord Zedd - what a pleasant surprise. Welcome, how can I be of service to you? How about giving me another chance, I swear I will not fail you again."
"Quiet!" Lord Zedd snapped. "Those Power Rangers are mere infants. You were defeated my children. You dare call yourself an Empress of Evil? You are not fit to destroy a cockroach!"
"Hey, now hang on a minute," Chris interrupted. "Rita's plans would've worked had it not been for this overgrown buffoon," he nodded at Goldar.
"Do not interrupt!" Zedd hissed, clenching his hand at Chris. The gold Ranger fell to his knees as he felt the oxygen in his lungs disappear. He gasped and hunched over until he was kneeling in front of Zedd; once he was satisfied Chris had learned his lesson, Zedd released the human.
~*Raising the Stakes*~
With more than two hours having passed since the start of the race, and their first four clues already solved, the Rangers once again pulled over to the side of the track, this time it was due to their communicators and not the thunder that had, somewhat, disappeared now.
Dismounting their quad, Ciaran and Nuala hurried over to Jason, Zack and Tommy as Kim, Trini and Billy arrived behind them.
"We read you, Zordon," Jason said, lifting his communicator to his lips.
"Rangers, teleport to the command centre immediately," Zordon replied. "This is an emergency."
"We're on our way," Jason said.
"What do you think it could be?" Trini asked.
"I don't know," Jason said, looking to Tommy. "Are we clear?"
The green Ranger looked around them and nodded. "Yeah, we're clear," he confirmed.
Touching either side of her communicator, Nuala disappeared in a column of silver as Ciaran followed her in his usual neutral colour of white.
"Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi," Alpha said, as soon as his human friends had arrived.
"What's going on, Zordon?" Jason asked looking up at his mentor as Nuala calmed Alpha down.
"What's the emergency?" Zack asked.
"Power Rangers, the thing I have feared most has happened. Lord Zedd has returned," said Zordon.
The Rangers frowned and exchanged looks.
"Who's Lord Zedd?" Billy asked, speaking the question on everyone's mind.
"Rita and her minions' Lord and master," Zordon explained.
"You mean to say there is someone out there worse than Rita?" Kim asked.
"I'm afraid so," Zordon nodded. "Lord Zedd has been ruling over darker places within another galaxy. Eons ago he left Rita in charge to carry out his orders. Since she has failed to do so..."
"He's come back to finish the job," Trini said, interrupting her mentor but also finishing his sentence.
"Will we be able to defeat him, Zordon?" Tommy asked.
"I do not know, Rangers," said Zordon. "I'm afraid your Zords may not be powerful enough to defeat Lord Zedd's magic."
"Lord Zedd's power is unmatched by anything we've ever seen before," said Alpha, looking away from the super computer.
"That's what that thunder was," said Nuala. "Earlier. It wasn't an incoming thunderstorm as predicted, it was Lord Zedd."
"Yes, Nuala," Zordon confirmed.
Nuala sighed and nudged Ciaran. "Still not afraid?" she asked.
"Nope, that feeling has passed," Ciaran replied. "Now? Now, I'm terrified."
"I think that goes for all of us," Nuala muttered, pulling her younger brother back into her arms and hugging him tightly. Ciaran held onto her wrists and leaned back into her embrace. He knew that while he was with Nuala, she would do everything within her power to protect him.
"Ay-yi-yi-yi, Rangers, come quick," Alpha called from the viewing globe.
"What is it, Alpha?" Ciaran asked, wandering over.
"Look."
"It's Bulk and Skull," Billy said, observing the two comic relief bullies as they were surrounded by Putties, only these patrollers seemed somewhat different to the others.
"They don't look like your normal run-of-the-mill putties," Kim said, looking over her shoulder at Zordon.
"They are Lord Zedd's army of putties," Zordon explained. "I am afraid they will be significantly more difficult to defeat."
"I bet this attack was meant for us," Zack said.
"We've got to get there before they hurt Bulk and Skull," said Trini, exchanging a look with Kim.
Jason nodded in agreement and reached behind him for his morpher. "It's morphin' time," he called out.
"Dragonzord!"
"Mastodon!"
"Pterodactyl!"
"Triceratops!"
"Sabre-toothed Tiger!"
"Dire Wolf!"
"Tyrannosaurus!"
~*Raising the Stakes*~
Jumping over Bulk and Skull, Nuala and Tommy knocked away two of Lord Zedd's putties as they aimed a strike at the two bullies. The putties dropped backwards onto the floor, whilst Bulk and Skull scrambled away from the Rangers.
"Watch you backs and stay alert!" Jason ordered his teammates as they regrouped.
The others nodded and paired off with Nuala pairing off with both Billy and Tommy. Ever since her arrival in Angel Grove, Nuala had been exceptionally close to Billy, and since his first day at Angel Grove, Tommy had grown close to Nuala, despite him crushing on Kim.
Jumping up, Nuala flipped over backwards to avoid the two putties coming towards her. When she landed, Nuala kicked behind her, catching another puttie in the stomach and sending him flying back into a tree. She then latched onto the arms of the two putties in front of her and, tugging with all of her strength, smashed them together.
"Nuala, look out!" Tommy and Billy called. Twirling around, Nuala barely had enough time to duck as her two friends kicked up at her, she squeaked and tumbled forward into a head roll, and tumbling back to her feet as the blue and green Rangers dealt with the putties that had tried to sneak up on her.
"Thanks, guys," Nuala said, breathing a sigh of relief. "But how about a little more warning next time?"
The two chuckled before the usual garbling echoed from their left. Looking around Tommy easily caught Zack as he was shoved in their direction.
"Man! I don't know if I can last much longer," Zack said, rubbing his arm from where the Puttie had kicked him.
"Come on, hang in there," Billy said, patting his friend on the shoulder.
"There's got to be a way," Tommy said.
Nuala grunted as she and Kim fell back-to-back with a circle of putties around them.
"These things have got to have a weak spot," Kim complained.
"They don't even seem to be tiring out," Nuala said, her breathing heavy from fighting. She jumped up and hit a double kick to the incoming putties, she stumbled back towards Billy as another hit her in the stomach. "That didn't go as planned," she coughed.
"Are you OK?" Billy asked her.
"Yeah, just winded," Nuala replied.
"Tommy!"
Looking around, both Nuala and Billy noticed Tommy kneeling on the ground, inches away from an attacking puttie. Kim was fighting nearby, but seemed to have her hands full and was unable to help her friend. Just a strike away from Tommy, the Puttie exploded as Jason jumped over his fallen friend and punched the puttie square in the 'Z' plate on his chest.
"Hey!" Nuala and Billy breathed. Jason had done it. He had found their weak spot.
"It's the Z," Billy said, turning to Nuala. "Aim for the Z."
Nuala nodded and broke away from her friend. She flipped over two putties, grabbed their arms and aimed a kick to their chests, hitting them in the Z's. They exploded, leaving behind nothing but a deserted track.
Once all putties had been destroyed, the Rangers regrouped around Tommy and Jason.
"Are you alright, bro?" Jason asked, helping Tommy to his feet.
"Yeah, thanks," Tommy replied. "My powers... they started to fail."
"We should get back to the command centre," Nuala suggested.
Jason nodded. "Yeah, but first we have to check on Bulk and Skull," he said, looking around for the his classmates. He found them on the hill behind him and the others, hiding behind a bush. "Hey, you two up there, are you OK?"
Bulk and Skull exchanged surprised looks, probably astounded that they were actually being addressed by the Power Rangers of Angel Grove. Unable to form a proper sentence, both Bulk and Skull nodded and offered the team a double thumbs up, indicating that they were OK.
"That's great," said Jason. "All right, guys, let's get back to the command centre."
~*Raising the Stakes*~
Ciaran, who had been watching the fighting on the viewing globe, almost immediately run into his sister's arms the moment she returned to the command centre. Sometimes he hated having to stay behind, and understood more clearly the reasons why Nuala had agreed to become a Ranger - but he also understood her reasons to leave too - the idea of being a Ranger himself had been a dream since he had learned of his sister's secret identity, but he knew that it was a dream that would probably never come true.
"You're OK," Ciaran said, as Nuala removed her helmet and set it on the side above the computer. "Those things were nasty."
"Those things were tough," Nuala said, sighing a breath of relief.
"Yeah," the others nodded in agreement.
"You were right, Zordon," Jason said, looking up at his mentor. "Those putties were a lot stronger than we anticipated."
"My powers failed me," Tommy said again. "If it wasn't for Jason..."
"You were lucky to find their weak spot so quickly," Zordon said. "Apparently the 'Z' on their chest is the source of their power."
"I'm willing to bet Lord Zedd wasn't counting on you discovering it so soon," Ciaran said. "Or if at all."
"I wonder what he's got in store for us next," Kim said, worriedly.
"I'm afraid to find out," Trini admitted.
"Well, I've got a feeling it isn't Pudgy Pig," Zack muttered.
"How do you feel about fish, Zack?" Nuala asked, as her gaze caught sight of the viewing globe. The image within showed a fish monster ascending from a lake not that far from the rally. "What is that thing, Zordon? I have a feeling it's not just any fish."
"Your feelings would be correct, Nuala," Zordon replied. "My systems tell me that the fish was in fact a Piranha, now called 'Priahntis Head.'"
"As in man-eating?" Ciaran asked.
"I'm afraid so," Zordon confirmed.
"Oh, great," Nuala muttered, running a hand through her hair.
"This monster has been sent to find you in Angel Grove. Tommy, you must stay behind temporarily while the others morph. Alpha and I will try to re-energize your powers to make them stronger."
Tommy, despite not liking the idea of having to stay behind, nodded and looked to his friends. "All right, guys, I'll be there as soon as I can," he promised.
"Uh-huh," Trini nodded.
Jason nodded once and grabbed his helmet from the computer; the others followed him and fell into step behind him. "Back to action!" he commanded, disappearing from the command centre along with the others and leaving Tommy in the capable hands of Alpha, and company of Zordon and Ciaran.
~*Raising the Stakes*~
Priahntis Head laughed wickedly as he stood on the rooftop overlooking the his battlefield. The Rangers stood just beneath him, each trying to locate him. "Watch this, Power Rangers!" he shouted. He put his fin to his mouth and shot out a stream of highly energized blue water. The stream hit a building, causing it and those surrounding, to explode.
The Rangers covered themselves as best they could to avoid being flattened.
"Give it up, Power Rangers," Priahntis Head called. "You'll never defeat Lord Zedd!"
"That remains to be seen, fish face!" Jason shouted. "We need Dinozord power, now!"
"I'm afraid this time you're going to be left out in the cold!" Priahntis Head said, blowing an ice cold mist over the Zords.
"He's frozen the Zords!" Trini said, watching with wide eyes as her Sabre-Toothed Tiger stopped moving towards the city.
"That's it," said Kim, shaking her head. "We're done for."
"She's right," said Zack. "Without our Zords..."
"We're history."
Copyrighted ©
Depending on if I manage to get chapter five written up, I will attempt to update tomorrow night. But I make no promises.
Hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Nuala's sequel. Please let me know what you think!
Favourites and Alerts are welcome, and Reviews are rewarded!
Chapter written by xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 19th January, 2015 at 12:58am