Power Rangers: Spirit Force
by: Shamrock Holmes
Rated: 13+
Day of the Trickster
Disclaimer: Power Rangers and all its related logos are property of Disney Entertainment and/or Saban Entertainment, the X-Men and all its related logos are property of Marvel Entertainment, and both are being used without permission on a non-profit basis. Any original characters belong to me.
A/N: This fic takes place approximately one year after the end of Power Rangers: SPD and around twenty years after Operation Overdrive. Familiarity with both series is recommended but not essential.
Being a junior is a lot less hard work than being a sophomore, thought Danny to himself.
The brown-skinned half-Egyptian was taking advantage of a free morning period to hang out in the dorm with one of his best friends. Both boys were juniors at the prestigious Massachusetts Academy, but though he attended on his own merit, Joe's presence had been arranged by his grandfather so that he could act as an unofficial bodyguard to Danny. Initially, he'd been annoyed with the al Shlomo scion, but he got over it once he'd become friends with the Italian. After all, as good a friend as Tia was, she was a girl, and there were some things that you just didn't share with them.
Just as he was thinking that, the door of his room began to open, and his other best friend slid into the room. As usual, Hestia Gardner – Tia to her friends – wore a bright yellow tank top, a black skirt and modest heeled shoes.
"You do know you're not supposed to be in here, right?" asked Joe from the corner of the room where he was playing a game on Danny's games console.
"Yeah, but it's boring downstairs with the other girls," replied Tia, and joined Danny on his bed. She eyed the book in his hand. "What are you reading?"
"Just a little advance reading for Principal Guthrie's honors computer science course," Danny told her. "It's got from pretty hard core stuff."
"Can I use your netbook to check the news?" Tia asked. "Mine's down in Maintenance with a faulty wireless card."
"No problem," said Danny, and reached over to his nightstand, picked up and passed it to her.
The clamshell-shaped device booted up almost immediately, and she clicked through to an online news site. Danny put down his book and moved beside her so that he could see the screen too,
The female newsreader was one of the usual over-groomed media-darlings that had populated news programs for decades. "In national news, a spokesman for Samuels Clothing Ltd announced that the company will be donating another 40 million dollars to the New Tech reconstruction program. In other news, Commander Cruger, the hero of the city-wide battle a year ago, has been named the new head of SPD, following the retirement of Supreme Commander Birdie. Cadet Commander Schuyler Tate will be assuming his responsibilities as commander of SPD's Earth-based operations."
The two teens were distracted from the news as the windows and floor began to shake.
"What the...?" exclaimed Joe.
"Is that the jet taking off?"
"I don't think so," Joe replied. "There are no training exercises scheduled today. And anything else..."
Before he could continue, the room went dark as the lights cut off.
"Okay, that's not normal," said Danny. Then he glanced at his netbook, the news feed had gone dark. Squinting in the dim light from the window, he opened a couple of programs. "Academy Intranet and external cellular lines are down."
"Looks like the electrical lines are down too," commented Joe, as he tried to switch the lights back on. Danny's television and games console were also dead.
"The phones are down too," reported Tia, after trying the phone on the bedside. "I can't get an internal or external line. There must be trouble going on." She turned to Danny, "What should we do?"
Hearing a commotion outside, Danny strode to the door and opened it slightly. The emergency lighting had activated, giving the corridor a dim red glow. Several students were milling around, talking amongst themselves, but nothing actually happened until three boys – all seniors wearing form-fitting red catsuits of the 'special class' – pushed their way through the crowd. "Everyone, go back to your rooms," ordered one of them, a wiry blond with massive wings pocking out of his back. "There is nothing to be alarmed about, as far as I know it is just a power failure." As the crowd began to disperse, he turned to his friends. "But just in case it isn't... Brimstone, find Savant and Terabyte, get them down to Cerebro. The Principal is probably there already but they can help."
"Da, mein freund," said the blue-skinned German mutant and teleported away.
"Rockslide, find Amazon and May Queen and check the grounds. I'll find Chinook and start aerial patrols just in case. Ms. Kobayashi should be able to co-ordinate inside the school until we're back online."
"Should I ready the jet?"
"No, I want the school secure first," replied Seraph. "Once Savant makes contact, I'll have her check in with Jace and see if the Task Force needs back-up." The gray, pebble-skinned powerhouse nodded and lumbered off. Seraph waited for a moment, then headed off in the opposite direction.
Danny ducked back into his room. The other two looked at him enquiringly. "I think we should sit tight. Principal Guthrie and the staff are trained for this sort of thing, they'll handle it."
Joe didn't seem to be overly keen on this plan, but he was outnumbered so he decided to stick with them. Just as they were settling down to wait, they were whisked away by teleportation beams.
When they reappeared, it was in a dimly lit room. "Where are we?" asked Tia. "And why is it so cold?"
"No idea," said Danny. "Maybe we should..."
"All your questions will be answered shortly," said a voice from the gloom.
"Who was that..?" asked Joe. "Show yourself, man!"
"As you wish," agreed the voice.
Immediately, a number of torches in brackets around the room lit up, as did a fire pit close to Joe, he shrieked and staggered backwards. Tia sniggered at him.
Danny glanced at the source of the voice, which turned out to be an old man with a long mane of hair, a long beard that touched his chest and had an eye-patch over one eye. He wore what appeared to be long floor length robes, a long traveling cloak and carried a rough walking staff. His companion, who had been silent until now, was a tall, statuesque woman with Nordic features in wool leggings, a leather jerkin and a heavy cloak. The belt of the jerkin had a knife and a long sword hung from it. "Welcome to the Hall of Legends."
Danny frowned, but drew closer to the duo, and the fire pit. The other two moved to flank him. "I'm sorry, but I'm still confused."
"That is not surprising," conceded the old man. "However, if you look around yourselves, you may be able to address your confusion personally."
Danny did so, thinking that the old man was both vaguely familiar and seemed to be the sort of person who liked to set riddles as a way of answering problems. His initial examination was unhelpful, tho he was struck by the thought that the room resembled nothing more than the inside of a tree – rather odd considering the amount of fire present. It was until he looked more carefully at some of faces, and outfits, of the dozen or so groups of statues that lined the walls that he began to get an inkling. They were arranged in groups and a large group of statues particularly caught his eye. Mainly because several of them looked rather non-human. He moved closer to get a better look, but that only confirmed it. "That's Nick Russell... and at back of group, the genie Jenji and the Snow Prince," he declared. "These statues are of current and former Power Rangers and their allies!"
"You are correct, Daniyyel al Shlomo," agreed the old man. "And it is unsurprising that you should focus on that particular group. However, it is another group from the past, that in fact is not even present in this Hall, that is the focus of current events."
"Uh, should we be seeing the faces of most of these people?" asked Joe. "I'm not as big a fan of the Power Rangers as Danny is, but I'm pretty sure most teams were secret. In terms of who they were inside the suits anyway."
"Well done, Joe. And you thought of that all by yourself," quipped Tia.
"Bite me!"
"Shut up, both of you!" barked Danny. "Joe does raise a valid point, sir."
"Indeed he does, my young friend. And all will become clear in time."
"Which we don't have much of!" said the woman, who had become increasing restless. "With all due respect, Master."
"Indeed, my dear. you are no doubt correct," conceded the old man. "I shall explain why I brought the three of you here now, so that we may continue."
"Well, before you get with the explaining – not that I mind that – how's about you tell us who you are!" said Joe.
"Very well, I suppose that is as good a place to start as any. I am not a usual man, by any means. I am a Wanderer, a teller of stories, Different people in different places call me by different names, I am most of often called Master Valtam in this time and place. You may use that name if you wish."
"That doesn't answer the question!" said Joe, he looked like he was going to say more, but a glare from Danny silenced him.
"My companion is Lady Mary Othinnsdottir," Valtam added. "There is no need to introduce yourselves. I chose those I chose carefully. I know at least as much about you, as you do."
Joe looked skeptical at this, but said nothing.
"Now that introductions are out of way, I shall explain why I summoned you here."
"We would appreciate that, sir." agreed Danny.
"A dark force has settled over the Earth, concentrated near your school. A ancient sorcerer, the demi-godling Loki, has decided that his usual tricks are no longer enough. He has awakened an evil family of monsters and intends to lose them on your city, and then the rest of the world."
"Why would he do that?" Danny asked. "That doesn't sound very funny."
"It is not." agreed Valtam. "I believe his humiliating defeat by Thor two decades ago in front of the Overdrive Rangers was the final straw. His rejection by the Lady Freya at that time – though Veronica Robinson was unaware of her divinity at that time – may also have been a factor."
"What can we do to help?"
"Only a team of Power Rangers have the necessary power and strength of mind to defeat Loki's forces. Even his foot-soldiers, the Phobiads, are formidable."
"Can't SPD help?" asked Danny. As soon as the words his mouth he wanted to take them back.
"Space Patrol Delta is a powerful force for good. But even if they were not currently struggling to recover from the battle against Grumm, their science-based powers are not strong enough to fight this fight."
"Uh, I don't the way this is going..."
"I have called the three of you here, because I believe you have the strength, the honor, and the warrior's soul needed to defeat Loki's forces."
They were interrupted by sparks flying from the fire. Mary appeared glaze into the flames for a moment, then spoke up. "Master, one of the Zodiac Clan has arrived in Snow Valley. It is Ariex."
"The Ram..." mused Valtam. "He is not the greatest of the Clan, but is not the least either. We must move quickly or innocents will suffer."
"I will get the Rings, Master." said Mary and moved towards one of the alcoves. She returned a few seconds later with a small leather satchel, which she unfolded to expose four rings. They weren't the usual gold or silver color, but instead were the pure-white of ivory. Several runes were etched on the face of the rings and they appeared to glow with an inner light.
"The native people of this land believed that each person has an animal spirit who will guide them in their journey through life. For most, it is that simple.. However, if you wear these rings, then the full power of your Guardian Spirits will be unleashed, transforming you into Power Rangers."
The trio shared a look at this revelation. "Uh, Danny. Your Grandfather is not going to like this..."
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"Why? Joining the battle against a mad immortal sorcerer bent on ruling or destroying the world isn't exactly a new thing for my family is it? We've done it at least three times already."
"Well, true. But..."
"Hey, it wasn't even our fault this time."
"That's another reason why he won't like it."
"Then I suggest you don't tell him, Joe." said Danny, grimly. "We're in." He reached out and took one of the rings, Tia followed his lead. As soon as they slipped the rings onto their left middle finger, the rings' glow increased, spreading out over their entire bodies. When the glow faded, they were wearing outfits similar Mary's and the face of the rings had changed to an animal's head.
"Cool," said Joe, then he sighed. "I know Mr al Shlomo won't like it, But he'll like it even less if I leave you to it." Seconds later, the redhead was also suited up in Norse battle gear.
"Congratulations, my young friends," said Valtam. "Now, it it time for you to face your destiny."
"Ready, guys?" asked Danny, looking at his two friends.
"Ready!"
"Ancient Source..." he declared, then thrust his arms out to his sides, brought his left arm up to his chest as the ring glowed a blinding red-white. Then he thrust both arms out in front of him, right hand cradling his left fist. "Spirit Force!"
"Ancient Source, Spirit Force!" echoed Tia and Joe.
"Swift as the Caribou..." declared Danny. "Red Spirit Ranger!"
"Agile as the Hare..." declared Tia. "Yellow Spirit Ranger!"
"Fierce as the Husky..." declared Joe. "Blue Spirit Ranger!"
As soon as their transformation as complete, the three Rangers teleported away in beams of signature-colored light towards their first battle as a team.
"Go, my Rangers," whispered Valtam. "And may the Power protect you."
The three Rangers reappeared in Snow Valley mere moments later. "Man, someone's done a real number on this place," observed Joe, seeing several collapsed power-lines, and some damaged buildings and vehicles, Thankfully, the population seemed to largely escaped that particular area, as there were only three bodies, two of which wore the black BDUs and vests of the Massachusetts SCTF. "Are they alive?"
"I'm not sure," admitted Tia. "I think they are, but something's not right with them either."
"No time to stop and figure it out..." said Danny, as he dropped into a fighting stance. "We've got company!"
Tia hurried back towards the two guys and almost Immediately, they were surrounded by perhaps a dozen black-robed skeletal creatures. Danny also noticed a tall, muscular creature with a ram's head and cloved feet standing behind the bulk of their foes.
"Fresh victims for the slaughter!" crowed Ariex.
"You wish, Lamb Chop," growled Joe. "We're more than a match for you!"
"What did you call me!!" bellowed the ram-headed monster.
"Make him mad," said Tia. "Brilliant idea, Joe!"
The blue-clad Ranger shrugged, "He was talking about killing us before that."
"Destroy them!!"
"Less talk, more action!" declared Danny, grabbing the first Phobiad and flipping it over his shoulder onto the ground.
The other two nodded, and moved to engage a pair of the creatures that were making their way around their fallen comrade to try and flank them. They weren't that fast so the pair easily knocked them down, Joe with a one-two punch combo and Tia with a kick to the head.
Unfortunately, when they looked back to check on Danny, they realized that the one he'd knocked down already was back up again.
"So much for the glass jaw theory!" quipped Joe. "What now?!"
"Rangers..."
"Who?"
"It is I, Master Valtam." said a voice in their heads. "Concentrate on the Power. Feel it flow through you. Then you can defeat them."
"Whatever that means," Joe said, swinging at another one of the creatures. He connected, knocking it back but not out. "Any ideas!"
"Actually, yes," said Tia, then raised herself onto her toes, spun around for a second or two then struck at an oncoming Phobiad with a glowing foot. "Hare kick!" The strike was a lot more effective than the first and wisps of smoke started to come off the injured creature.
"Oh, I think I can top that," said Danny. "Power of the Caribou!"
Immediately, a semi-transparent 'spirit' emerged from Danny and charged the Phobiads, destroyed most of the team in one go.
The other two copied their leader's motions and deployed their own 'spirits' to finish the job.
"Power of the Hare!"
"Power of the Husky!"
"Okay... so you have some skill," admitted Ariex as the last wisps of smoke from his fallen allies disappeared. "Let's see how you deal with me... LIKE THIS!"
Within seconds, the creature was towering over them.
"Uh, Master... we have a 'small' problem!"
"Call on your Guardian Spirits for aid, they will protect you,"
"Understood, Master!" confirmed Danny. "Guardian Spirits Descend!"
A beam of rainbow energy appeared to curve down from the sky, and three ethereal animals rode it down to the ground. The three Rangers leapt in the air and merged with the animals turning them into the solid forms of the Spirit Rangers' Zords.
"Combine your strength, Rangers. Ariex is too strong for you to defeat singly."
"You heard the man," said Danny from the Caribou Zord. "Guardian Spirits Combine!"
The head and neck of the Caribou separated from the body, then the body shifted, creating a hollow area at the front and allowing the two sets of legs to merge into a larger pair of arms. Then the head split, folding down onto the neck to expose a second humanoid head below. Then it reattached to the front of the Caribou, forming a chest plate. Next, the Husky and Hare Zords crouched down, folding their legs underneath themselves, then their bodies flipped forwards and up, locking into place as a set of legs, which immediately docked with a pair of stumps under the center of the Caribou.
"Soulstrike Megazord!"
"Your little robot won't save you, Rangers!" declared Ariex and charged at the Megazord head first, ramming into it before they could react.
"Okay, that hurt!!" exclaimed Danny as he picked himself up and took the controls again. "You two all right?"
Both his friends nodded. "The Megazord seems a little sluggish," observed Tia.
"Agreed," said Danny. "We need to finish this!"
Before they could react though, another head-butt from Ariex knocked them back again. This time the Megazord staggered a little before righting itself and swinging a massive fist at Ariex when he came in for another attack. The monster rolled with the hit and came back hard, knocking them down this time.
"Rangers, concentrate as you did before, channel your Spirit Power through the Megazord."
"Understood, Master!" said Danny. "Concentrate guys..."
"We're trying!" snapped Tia.
"It's not easy!" agreed Joe, as he hung on to his console to ride through another hit.
The three Rangers began to glow. "Power of the Guardians..." declared Danny. "Mega Punch!"
Red, blue and yellow lights flitted around the glowing fists of Megazord as it struck Ariex several times. The monster fell backwards, then exploded.
"We did it!" cried Tia.
"We have the Power!" declared Joe, pumping his arm up-and-down in celebration.
"Good work, Rangers, well done." said Valtam. "Return to the Hall for debriefing."
Despite the quick resolution of monster attack, it wasn't until nearly dinner time that the students were allowed to leave the secure areas again, and the Principal announced that classes would be canceled for the rest of the week so that the staff could focus on the repairs to the school and the surrounding area. Though many of the students either exulted or bemoaned the extra time off, the three Spirit Teens kept their opinions to themselves, knowing that things were far from over.
A/N: Hope you like the first chapter of my new story. I'm expecting it to be at 12 chapters long, perhaps as many as fifteen. I'm also hoping (tho I'm less sure about this) to get a chapter out every month to six weeks. As always, please review or e-mail with questions.