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The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Chapter Two- The Fumbling of A Ranger

Two SUVs exploded as two energy footballs hurled into them, igniting the gas within the tanks. People ran screaming away, heading for the monster shelters located around the city. Die Fencer laughed as he stood outside of the stadium in the 'G' lot. "ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!" The hideous monster yelled, hurling another football like projectile at a parked security vehicle. It went up in an explosion, causing the windows of a nearby office building to explode inward, sending deadly shards of glass inward.

"You know, the point of throwing a pass is for the receiver to catch it." Turning around, the monster saw the Power Rangers standing before him, ready for some action.

"Oh, I'm scared." Die Fencer signaled the putties to get ready. "But it's not good for the team if your enemies try to pick off your pass." Summoning another missile, Fencer let go. "Hell's Furies!" The Rangers scattered as the missile landed right where they had been standing. Immediately, the putties swarmed on top of them.

Jason and Tommy made their way to the monster as he was about to summon another Hell's Furies. They were shocked when he rushed them. "Quarterback sneak!" Jason yelled out as the monster slammed him in the chest, knocking the air out of him in a whoosh.

"Jase!" Tommy leaned forward, shoulder down and rushed Fencer catching him in the side. The monster flew sideways, landing on the side of an abandoned car. Tommy helped Jason stand up. "Are you alright, bro?"

"Yeah. I'm going to get bruises from that." Jason and Tommy turned to face Fencer.

"I believe that is what they call lay hit." Dencer growled as he climbed back to his feet. He saw the Black Ranger underneath a billboard, too busy in fighting the putties to pay attention to the monster. "I wonder if the Black Ranger is interested in catching a touchdown?" Before any of the Rangers could react, Fencer sent another Hell's Furies toward Zack.

"Zack, duck!" Kim yelled out, struggling with a putty that had its hand around her neck.

Zack instinctively threw himself sideways, the projectile landing at the base of the pole. With a sizzle, the pole melted away, the pole beginning its descent to Earth. Scrambling away as fast as he could, Zack escaped being crushed by the billboard sign. "Hey, I'm not a receiver thank you very much!" He yelled as he summoned his Power Axe.

"Quarterback sneak!" Fencer rushed again, this time aiming for Trini but she was prepared. Crouching, she flipped backward, landing on a raise embankment.

"Somebody has got to do suicides." Trini remarked as Fencer slammed headfirst into the grassy bank.

"Hell's Furies!" Fencer threw a missile at Tommy who was trying to help Kim from the putties that surrounded her. "I'm afraid not, Power Punk!" Lowering its head, Fencer charged Tommy. The Green Ranger sidestepped, summoning his Dragon Dagger and slicing the monster as he moved past. The blade bit deep into the monster's distorted helmet.

"TOMMY!" It was Kim. Turning around, Tommy and the other Rangers could see the Pink Ranger caught between three putties, who were holding her in place. Behind her, they could see the beginning of the portal, the black churning edges swirling like writhing snakes. "Tommy!"

Rita appeared, an evil smile on her face. "There is nothing you can do, Rangers! Your pretty Pink Ranger shall die!" With a flick of her wand, the portal opened completely, the blackness seeming to turn into a deep tunnel. "Throw her in!" The witch screeched.

Without hesitation, the three putties lifted Kim even as she struggled as hard as she could. With a final scream, Kim was thrown in, the blackness reaching for her, wrapping dark tentacles around her petite form. She soon faded from view.

"KIM!" Tommy screamed, forgetting about Fencer for a crucial moment.

With a laugh of hatred, Fencer summoned another Hell's Furies throwing it at the unprotected Green Ranger's back. Tommy fell down, the wound smoking and bleeding profusely. "You have fumbled one of your Rangers, Red Punk. I believe it is end game, Power Brats!" Fencer laughed as he teleported away with Rita and the remaining putties.

"Jase, we need to get Tommy back to the Command Center! He's hurt badly!" Trini yelled as she knelt by her friend's side, checking the wound over.

"Alpha, teleport us back to the Command Center." Jason said into his communicator. In five colored beams, the remaining Rangers left.

(VvVvVvVvV)

Kim groaned as her back ached from where she had landed on it unceremoniously from where the portal had dumped her. "That's going to hurt in the morning." Gingerly picking herself up, she gazed around. The place seemed to be faded; shades of grey and black too dominate in the landscape. "Where the hell am I?"

"You are in the Valley." A broken voice answered her. Spinning around, Kim searched for the source of the voice.

"Anyone there?"

"Yes."

"Show yourself!"

"I'm already in plain sight, you stupid girl." Kim then realized the crow on the branch of a dead tree was looking at her with one eye as the other was missing; the only thing left was an empty eye socket.

"Sorry."

The crow shook its head. "You mortals only concern yourselves with what is already known. I have no idea why your species have lasted this long."

Ignoring the jab, Kim reasked her question. "Where am I?"

"You are in the Valley."

Okay, but what is the Valley, you idiot bird. Of course what she really said was "And what is the Valley?"

The crow looked at her. "The Valley of the Shadow of Death, the domain of the God of Death, of he who rides in the dark of night to search for souls that call out to him." The crow tilted its held, the light catching into its socket. "Or watches over those who are sent to him for the Hunt."

"Hunt?" That seriously didn't sound good.

"Where he watches as his pet hunts a chosen prey until it is captured and killed." The crow flapped its wings once. "No one has ever survived the Hunt, no one ever reaching where the Gate of Mists stands as a bridge from here to the mortal realm." The bird crowed as suddenly the air was filled with the sounds of trumpets.

"What's going on?"

"The Hunt; it has begun!" The bird gave one last squawk before flying off.

"I guess I better start moving." Taking one last look around, she made her way toward the forest, knowing it might provide protection. Just as suddenly, a large black shape moved in front of her, sapphire eyes flashing deep within the darkness of the animal.

You are going the wrong way, young Crane.

"Did anyone talk to me again?" Kim called out, searching for the crow again.

I am. The dark shadow seemed to lighten until turning into a misty timber wolf with a blue tinge of light surrounding it. I am here to help you. I am a friend of all Warriors who walk the path of Light. The way you are heading is the way to the Swamps of Doubt. Head to your left for that is the path toward the Gates of Mist and ultimately the Falcon. The Wolf threw it head to her left, motioning toward the mountains that were shrouded in mists and clouds, a dark grey shape looming on the horizon. From what she could see, a giant forest, a river, and rocky cliffs stood in her way. But that wasn't going to stop her.

Are you speaking to me in my mind?

Yes.

Oh. Who do you mean by the Falcon?

Your mate, Thomas Oliver, the Green Morphin Ranger. The Wolf sounded like he was stating the obvious.

You seem to know a lot about us. I'm afraid I don't know anything about you though.

Do not worry about that. What you rather should worry about is reaching the Gates of Mists. If you tend to keep on chatting, we shall never reach them.

Are you real?

The Wolf seemed to chuckle. I am a real individual but at the moment I am speaking to you from afar. In fact, you rather summoned me. I am far away at the moment but I have begun making my way toward you.

I did. I don't remember doing it.

That's because it was a calling of the unconsciousness. Something that is common in Ninjetti.

Ninjetti?

Before the Wolf could speak any further, its head turned, the sapphire eyes gazing deep into the forest, ears flicked forward. They are coming. You must hurry. The Wolf began to fade.

Hey, what's your name? I can't call you Wolf the whole time can I?

You may call me Araya. Keep strong, young one. The Wolf faded from sight.

With a crazy shake of her head, Kim started her way to the Gates of Mist.

(VvVvVvVvV)

Spyridon- Well, this is Chap Two of VSD. As it's sunday, good luck to all NFL teams. As a note, this isn't going to be last of Die Fencer. If you are curious to where I got his name, it's derived from Defense. Wierd name as the monster is a hideous version of a quarterback. Next chap, we'll see what's going on with Tommy.