Disclaimer: See it in my previous fics.
A/N: The Dryken story revealed at last! Takes place just after Man Of Mercury.
Drawn to the Power – A TinyWarz Rangers Prequel
Prologue: New Place, Unfamiliar Face
Place Unknown
The creature stirred and groaned. It moved its arms in a clockwise direction – cautiously testing its strength. It sensed great power had been unleashed…and that its Master was gone. It noticed that it was also lying down on a metal slab of some sort. Eyelids opened for the first time in a long time, taking in surroundings both familiar and unfamiliar. The equipment around him looked like it had been used recently – but it found itself grasping at straws at the purpose of it. Swallowing, it raised its reptilian head and looked down – exhaling slowly. Nothing had changed – not that it was expecting anything to change. His Master had given him this form as a just reward – something that pleased him immensely.
It stretched out its neck as best as it could – feeling a sick sense of satisfaction in hearing the bones flex and pop. It was reminded of the battles it had been in previously – battling against the forces that had dared to stand before its Master. With some degree of effort, it rose on its legs and took a tottering step forward, its tail counterbalancing it. It groaned – a hollow, unearthly sound that reverberated off the walls of the cavern – and covered its snout with one scaly hand. It sensed lots of activity had gone on around it – but it doubted that his Master's hospitals would be located inside rocky caves. It tried to remember the last time it had set eyes upon his Master…but it couldn't recall. Its Master had always been elusive – but he had treated it well. Almost as if he was afraid of it.
Its mouth opened, showing many small dagger like teeth. A reddish tongue sat in its mouth – unmoving and cold. The armour that it had always worn felt rough and corroded and the trousers itched in places it didn't want to think about. After the self examination was completed, it took a step forward – yellow and red eyes falling on a familiar sight. To the outside, it looked like an ordinary katana, but it knew it wasn't the case. Carefully inlaid in the hardened steel were powerful magics – designed to cut through Grid Powered armour. It was a Ranger Killer. Its Master knew that there was only one thing in the entire Universe that could stand up to it – but it was thankful that it wasn't near its location. Carefully, the creature reached down – grasping the ornate handle with its left hand. It brought up the blade and grinned as best as it could. Yes, the blade would serve it well.
It paused for a moment – its hybrid brain struggling to process a whirlwind of thoughts. Where was it to go? Its Master had long been destroyed by the Light – as had everyone else it had come to know. Only it was spared – for an unknown purpose. The monster cringed as it thought to that day – where the Light had whispered things in its head, urging it to renounce the Dark Path. With a scream of rage, the creature lashed out with its blade – the enchanted katana ripping through the delicate machinery with ease. As the rage slowly left it, it was aware that it was not alone in the cave. Standing at the entrance was a seemingly humanoid figure. It couldn't see his features – just that it was a male and had an air of calm, peace and righteousness. The beast drew in a panicky breath and raised its blade – ready to fight. To its surprise, the figure didn't seem alarmed or even frightened of this – stepping forward, but still enshrouded in shadows. When he spoke, his voice was oddly familiar to the beast.
"Put down your weapon. I am not here to harm you."
The beast narrowed its eyes at the words, but slowly lowered the katana. The figure nodded in approval and spoke once again. This time – the words caught and held the attention of the beast.
"I come bearing your Master's final orders. He says that you have done well in the past – but he showed remorse at not telling you until now. In the nearby city of San Angeles, there is an artefact that can restore your Master to his former glory. It is the Corona Aurora – the Crown of the Gods. You have heard of it, I'm sure."
Slowly, the creature nodded. The fabled Crown of the Gods had been found – but what of the Jewels? The Crown was useless without the Jewels to empower it. And there was the issue of the Crown having protectors. Protectors like the Power Rangers – but they were powered by the Grid. It would have to learn about them first. It nodded to the being and attempted to speak. When it did speak, its voice was raspy and rough – but deep.
"That I have. And what of it?"
The being laughed – but it sensed that the laughter was not mocking. It was amused and drew the mutant in further.
"The Jewels are in the possession of five gifted humans. They are called the Power Rangers, but they should be no match for you – a creature able to change forms and instill treachery into the hearts of many!"
Finally, its memory was returning to it. It was able to do all of what the figure had said – but it only worked in certain conditions. The changing forms was only useful for an extremely limited time – and the treachery would only be instilled if the being embraced deception as a way of life. It brightened at one simple fact – that it would be able to test its skills against a fully committed team of Rangers. Five humans would not pose a problem – it would learn about all of them…even if that meant ripping the information out of their skulls! Inwardly, it cackled gleefully, eager to try his mind ripper magic for the first time. As it contemplated the figure's words, strength flooded its body – making it start in surprise. It was in full control this time. It was doing this for its Master.
It was ready.
The monster nodded at the figure and walked toward the mouth of the cave. Outside, it could see a shimmering city – the buildings gleaming in the mid-morning sun. It threw a glance over its shoulder and spoke to the figure – noticing for the first time that it had four arms.
"For the Master"
As the thing strode towards the city, Spurex laughed to himself and initiated the time portal. Things were now in motion that would end with his Master being released. He felt a pang of pity for the creature disappearing into the mist – he had told it that it was doing this for its Master, but its Master was gone. He only hoped that everything played out as it was supposed to…
And that Dryken was successful.
TBC…
Chapter One: