THE PROPHECY - A POWER RANGERS TALE
CHAPTER 1 - THE FOG
The day had arrived. Tanya and Kat had arranged everything to the smallest detail. At three o'clock the guests would be arriving, but at the moment the girls still had a lot to do.
Half past one and Tommy walked in carrying the box of cutlery and crockery he had been requested, or rather told to bring.
"Hey guys, where do you you want this stuff?" he asked.
"In here Tommy" Kat replied from the kitchen. Tommy entered and put the box down on a nearby table.
"Hey, I thought the other guys would be here by now" Tanya said to him, concerned.
"I just saw Adam and Jason at the high street store. They're getting a few things for the gathering" Tommy informed her.
"And Rocky?" Tanya quizzed.
"I've got to go and pick him up now. His car's broken down."
"Oh, we're going to be so not ready!" Tanya stressed to Kat.
"We'll be okay" Kat reassured her. "You'd better go Tommy."
Tommy got the hint. "Alright, see you in a bit" he replied.
Tommy pulled up outside Rocky's house and Rocky ran out before he had time to switch the engine off. He opened the passenger door and hopped onto the seat.
"Thanks Tommy" Rocky said appreciatively.
"No sweat man" Tommy replied. "But we'd better move, the girls are a bit worried about being ready on time."
"But they've been there all day" Rocky shrugged.
"I know, but you know what they're like about things being right" Tommy smiled.
Rocky gave a smirk, and as the car pulled away from the kerbside, he looked out of the window at the passing scenery. It was the perfect day. It was warm but not too hot and the sky was a tropical blue and cloudless. As he gazed, something strange in the distance caught his eye. He thought it looked like a sort of purplish haze, but as he strained his eyes to see it, it disappeared totally from view. His concentration was broken by a question.
"So are you ready?" Tommy asked.
Rocky turned and looked at Tommy blankly. "Ready for what?" he asked.
"To meet the Space Rangers. I mean you're the only one of us not to have met any of them."
"Yeh of course...I suppose so" Rocky replied, his mind elsewhere.
Tommy glanced across at him and smiled. "You'll be alright" he said. "I'll introduce you to them."
Rocky did not answer, he was looking out of the window again.
"Of course none of us have met Andros or Zhane" Tommy continued. "They're from KO-35 apparently, but it'll be great getting to know them."
Rocky looked over at Tommy and nodded. "Yeh" he replied distractedly.
They pulled up outside the little hall the girls had booked for the gathering. Jason and Adam were unloading the back of Jason's truck. Tommy wound the window down as Jason approached. They clasped hands.
"How's it going, man?" Jason said with one of his cheeky grins.
"Yeh, great" Tommy replied. "Any of them arrived yet?"
"We just got here ourselves" Jason answered. "Fancy giving us a hand to unload?"
"Course" Tommy smiled. "Gonna help us Rocky?" he asked, turning to the Blue Ranger, and noticing him staring intently out of the passenger window.
"Sorry?" Rocky asked, turning quickly.
Tommy looked out in the same direction but couldn't see what had captured Rocky's attention. "What were you looking at?" he asked, intrigued.
"Uh I don't know" Rocky said dismissively. "Probably nothing" he added, shrugging it off, and he opened the passenger door and got out to help.
In the hall Tanya got the boys working hard, laying out the tables for the food. About half past two, they heard a call from the hall's front door. "Hello!" came the call. It was Kimberley. She walked in carrying a hamper of food, followed by Zack and Trini. The others walked over and greeted them.
"I know you said three" Kimberley said, "but we just couldn't wait to meet up with you all."
"That's fine" Kat assured her. "It's good to see you all. Looks like you bear gifts too."
"Just a little something to help out" Kim continued, placing the hamper on a table.
"Besides, I know how these boys can eat...especially Rocky" she said, giving him a knowing look. Everyone laughed.
Rocky turned red as he felt everyone's gaze upon him."It's just a healthy appetite" he said innocently. Everyone laughed again.
"Well being as you are early" Tanya said "perhaps you can help us finish setting up."
"Glad to" Kim replied, and they all started lending a hand.
Not long after, a knock came at the door. Everyone looked as Aisha popped her head in. "Anyone home?" she said comically.
"Aisha!" Tanya shouted and she and Kim dashed over to see their long lost friend. "I thought you couldn't make it!" Tanya continued after embracing her friend.
"My dad paid for the flight, so I decided to stay for a few days, and I thought I'd surprise you all."
"Well it's the best surprise ever" Tanya cried, with tears in her eyes.
"Yeh, absolutely" Kim echoed, holding onto Aisha's arm. Aisha was led into the group and reunited with the rest of her friends.
At three o'clock on the dot the hall looked fantastic. The tables were set with food, the welcoming banners, decorations and bunting were in place.
"Told you it would be alright" Kat said, smiling at Tanya.
Tanya breathed a sigh of relief. "All we need now is for the guests to arrive" she said flopping down into a chair.
Half past three came and went. Quarter to four and still nobody had arrived.
"Where are they?" Tanya said, starting to stress again.
"I hope they're alright" Kat answered, shaking her head at Rocky, who had started tucking into the snacks.
"I'm starving!" he protested, putting his second piece of cake down with a pained expression.
"Maybe they're stuck in traffic" Trini suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeh, a space jam!" Jason quipped. Zack burst out a laugh, but was hastily quietened by a dig in the ribs from Trini.
At ten past four, they were all about to give up hope when in darted an unfamiliar face. It was Andros the Red Space Ranger, and he looked exhausted and hot.
"Are you...the Power Rangers?" he puffed.
"Yes" replied Tommy seriously, walking up to him.
"Oh at..last" Andros continued. "Sorry but.."
"Have a seat man" Tommy interrupted, grabbing a chair and helping him onto it. "Catch your breath first."
Andros took a few deep breaths and continued. "We were all in Carlos' camper van, and first we got lost and then the stupid thing broke down. Not thinking it would be far, Zhane and I decided to walk here and get help, but then we got split up. I've no idea where he is now."
"Don't worry man" Tommy responded. "I'll help you look."
"I'll go with you Tommy" Jason offered.
"Thank you" Andros said appreciatively. "I'm Andros by the way."
"I'm Tommy" Tommy said shaking his hand and he introduced everyone to him.
"I hope we haven't spoiled the day" Andros continued, noticing the elaborate decorations which embellished the hall.
"Of course not!" cried Tanya. "We just hope you all get here safely."
"Yeh, we'd better get going" Tommy said.
The three of them left the hall. About twenty minutes later Tommy dropped off TJ, Ashley, Cassie and Carlos outside the hall, while he continued the search for Zhane. As the Space Rangers entered a big cheer went up and clapping broke out, all in aid of that momentous day when they had helped to conquer evil. The Zeo Rangers rushed over to their old friends and introduced them to the original Power Rangers.
After tucking into the food, they all settled down to share tales of heroic deeds, narrow escapes and amazing adventures. TJ was perhaps the best storyteller, adding a few extras here and there, which Cassie was quick to pick him up on.
Everyone was having a great time. All except perhaps for Rocky. He was keen to tell about some of the Zeo Ranger's adventures, but he wasn't very good at relating a story, and everytime he started, someone would jump in with an adventure that made them sound like they were the hero.
He got up for another plate of snacks (his fifth) and as he did, Tommy, Jason and Andros entered followed by the elusive Zhane. Another cheer went up from the group and Zhane was quickly ushered in, given food and drink and a chair to sit on. He was a tall, blond and very beautiful lad who looked every bit the hero. As the Space Rangers began to tell of Zhane's heroic deeds that saved them on many occasions, he soon became the centre of attention.
"Great!" Rocky thought to himself. "Another hero! I thought we were all supposed to be a team!"
He endured a little longer, then got up and took his plate into the kitchen. He didn't feel like listening to heroic tales anymore, so noticing the open back door, he wandered outside. The hall had a pretty back garden which afforded a great view over the valley below the town. He sat down on a bench and looked to the horizon, a little fed up.
A while later some of the girls came into the kitchen to start on the washing up. Zhane brought his plate out to the kitchen.
"Where do you want this?" he asked.
"Just on the side there" Kat replied, smiling at him. Zhane smiled in return, and with his attention still on her, he missed to put his plate down on the unit properly. It fell off and hit the floor, smashing into pieces.
Zhane was all apologies. He felt like a fool especially after all the tales of heroic deeds.
"Don't worry, it's just one of my old plates" Kat reassured him, but he still felt foolish. She grabbed a dustpan and started sweeping up the pieces. Zhane quickly followed her down onto his haunches and held the dustpan and brush firm.
"No, let me" he said earnestly. Kat looked up and their eyes met. It was only for a second but to Kat it seemed much longer. As she gazed into his clear blue eyes she began to feel her cheeks burn.
"Okay" she said conceding, suddenly aware of the situation. She got to her feet and quickly started on the washing up. She hoped the whole thing hadn't been too obvious.
Zhane slowly continued the sweeping, his eyes focused on the fractured pieces of white porcelain. He too had felt something in their gaze, but hadn't Tommy told him that he and Kat were going out? Quickly he dismissed the whole thing from his mind. He rose to his feet and handed the dustpan to Tanya.
"I...I'm just going out for some air" he said as inconspicuously as possible, tripping over the back doorstep as he went.
Outside he leaned against the back wall and blew out a sigh. 'That was awkward' he thought to himself.
It wasn't long before his eyes fell on the slumped shape of Rocky, who was still sat on the bench. Zhane wondered what he was doing out here by himself, so he walked up to the back of his bench.
"It's a great view" he commented.
Rocky turned quickly. He hadn't heard Zhane approach and was caught unprepared. He couldn't help showing his frustration on his face. "Yeh" he mumbled dejectedly, looking away. Suddenly realizing his response was rude, he looked back up at The Silver Ranger, hoping he hadn't offended him.
"Are you alright?" Zhane asked concerned, realizing that something was wrong.
"Yeh" Rocky said dismissively, shrugging his shoulders. "I..I'm just not very good company today" he said, looking down.
Zhane came around to the front of the bench and sat by him. He could sense his anguish. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he said kindly.
Rocky began to feel a little ashamed. "I'm okay really..." he said a little agitated, his shoulders tensing up. He knew he was going to have to come clean. "I just..." he blew out a sigh. "I just didn't feel a part of it in there, that's all" he confessed.
Zhane put his hand on Rocky's shoulder and gave him an understanding smile. He thought for a moment. "I hope that wasn't because of me" he said slowly.
Rocky froze for a second. He wanted to say no, but he had always been inclined to tell the absolute truth, no matter the consequence.
"...Well...partly.." he admitted painfully, but not wanting to hurt Zhane's feelings he added quickly "...but it's not your fault, it's mine, I..." he hung his head in shame as he thought of it "...I guess I was jealous" he confessed.
Zhane put his arm around Rocky's shoulder and smiled at him sympathetically. "Don't worry about it" he said kindly. "Andros always makes me out to be some sort of superhero. The truth is, we succeed because we work together as a team. No one is more important than anyone else."
Rocky nodded in agreement.
"It was wrong of us to brag" Zhane continued. "Perhaps all of us were a little jealous."
Rocky's feelings of uneasiness melted away. He realized his new friend's concern was deep and genuine. He gave a shy smile.
Zhane smiled in return, realizing his growing fondness for the Blue Zeo Ranger.
"Listen, shall we go join the others?" he asked.
"Is there any food left?" Rocky replied cheekily. He looked up at Zhane but Zhane was looking out over the valley, and his expression had become much more serious.
Rocky turned to share Zhane's view and saw what had captured his attention. There in front of them was the same purple haze that Rocky had seen earlier, only now it was much thicker and hanging over the entire valley. It seemed to be getting closer fast. For some seconds the lads remained motionless, transfixed. The approaching fog now began to glow strangely and howled like a powerful storm.
Rocky turned to Zhane. "We should tell the others!" he said urgently. Zhane continued to stare at the fog, as if he hadn't heard Rocky at all. In a matter of seconds, the gentle breeze of the day grew strength to become a gale.
Zhane now stood up and took a couple of slow steps towards the storm. "Go inside Rocky!" he said loudly, still facing it.
"What?" Rocky responded incredulously.
"Go inside Rocky!" Zhane repeated, now shouting above the almost unbearable noise, "This fate is mine!"
Rocky looked at Zhane anxiously. He had started heading towards the fog once more and was getting dangerously close.
"No!" Rocky shouted desperately. He ran up to Zhane and grabbed his shoulder, halting him.
Zhane turned to him with a horrified look on his face. "GO! Rocky... PLEASE!" he bellowed and pushed him vigorously away, sending him to the ground. He turned towards the storm once more and stood, arms wide open and head raised as if he was offering himself up as some human sacrifice.
All of a sudden, out from the centre of the storm, came a large purple sphere glowing like the storm itself. It headed rapidly towards the lads.
The others in the hall had all heard the commotion by now and were rushing out of the door. Tommy ran towards the lads to help but was forced back by the strength of the wind. Shielding his eyes, he could just make out Rocky diving onto Zhane to save him from the approaching sphere. He saw the boys hit the ground, then the strange sphere come down right on top of them. He looked in disbelief as it seemed to engulf them both.
"No!" he shouted, as it immediately began to rise back into the fog from where it had come. Within seconds the sphere had disappeared, the deafening noise had subsided and the thick fog had totally dispersed, as if it had never been.
Tommy ran to the scene, but it was too late. Rocky and Zhane had gone. The others ran up behind him, they were all in a daze.
Tanya grabbed his arm and held it tightly. "Tommy" she said in a frightened voice, "Where are they? Where did they go?"
"I don't know" Tommy said helplessly. "I don't know."