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Return of the Dragon
Chapter 2: Dark Ambition
A green teleportation stream blasted towards a habitable planet. The stream passed through the atmosphere and crashed against the rocky seashore. Tommy Oliver appeared on the alien world of Phaedos and took a breath of fresh air. The Green Ranger surveyed his surroundings, hearing the crash of the waves against the rocks and inhaling the salty air. The water licked near his feet. Tommy observed the rising plateau to his front and a person in a brown robe making a descent.
Tommy was ready for anything, but was unwilling to utilize his powers for fear of draining them prematurely. "Hello!" he yelled as he approached the plateau.
Suddenly, the person in the brown robe leapt from the ledge and landed before Tommy. The being wielded a long metal staff that was pointed at the Green Ranger. The being spoke, "Trespasser." A feminine voice emerged from its mouth. "All who have sought the power of this world have failed. You are trespassing on holy ground. As the guardian, I have been charged with protecting the secrets of this world. Leave at once."
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Tommy said. "You see…"
The woman whacked Tommy hard in the abdomen with the staff, immediately knocking the wind from him. The Green Ranger crumpled to the ground just as a wave crashed over the rocks and onto him. Tommy coughed after he was drenched.
"I see yet another tainted soul trying to seek the Great Power for selfish reasons," she told Tommy. "Leave at once."
"I am looking for someone named Dulcea," Tommy said as he held up his arm. "Erebus told me I could find her here."
"Erebus?" the woman asked. "Did you say Erebus?"
"Yes," Tommy said. "Zordon sent me here after Erebus told me that Dulcea could help me reverse the effects of a spell put on me by Rita Repulsa."
The brown robed woman held out her hand. "Why didn't you say so?" she asked. "Get up."
Tommy accepted the woman's hand and she helped the Green Ranger return to his feet. Tommy observed as she pulled the hood back from her cloak, revealing a beautiful fair skinned woman with a mane of curly golden hair.
"I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of Phaedos," Dulcea introduced herself. "Who are you and what happened to you?"
"I'm Tommy Oliver of Earth," he told her. "I'm the Green Ranger. Rita Repulsa used the Green Candle to steal my powers, but Zordon was later able to recharge my power coin enough for me to be able to use my powers again. But now Lord Zedd is attacking Earth and it has put a strain on my powers. I don't have much time left."
Tommy reached into his now soaked backpack and removed the remains of the Green Candle and the new power coin provided to him by Erebus. "Erebus told me you could break the seal and allow me to transfer my full power to this new coin," said the Green Ranger.
Dulcea gazed at the candle with her blue eyes. "Indeed I am knowledgeable of such magic, but I am unable to perform it," she told him. "A curse as placed on me long ago that forbids me to leave this plateau. I would age quickly and die. I cannot approach the Temple of Cleansing. It is much too far for me. Only the Green Ranger powers, which were responsible for the curse placed upon me, can break my curse." A look of sadness appeared on her face. "I'm afraid your powers are far too weak to break the curse. Even if you used the last of your power, it would not be enough. I'm sorry, Tommy."
"Then let me go to the Temple of Power," Tommy pleaded. "Erebus told me that my powers could receive a boost there."
"It would be possible, but the way there is treacherous," Dulcea warned. "You would be all alone."
"I'm prepared to take that risk, Dulcea," said the Green Ranger. "I have a duty to protect my world. If I cower in fear, Lord Zedd will destroy my friends. I can't let that happen."
"You are indeed brave, Tommy Oliver," Dulcea told him. "Come with me to the summit. I must prepare you for your journey."
Tommy smiled broadly, feeling hope for the first time in many weeks.
Once at the summit, Tommy sat before a campfire. Night was beginning to fall. Dulcea sat on the other side of the campfire. The night was cold and Tommy was grateful for the fire. He was finally dry, though he felt the need to bathe. Dulcea gazed at Tommy and the Green Ranger felt she was peering beneath the surface.
"Yes," Dulcea told him. "I sense the darkness in you. You were once under the control of evil, were you not?"
"When Rita selected me to be the Green Ranger, she had to place me under an evil spell," Tommy confirmed. "The spell was broken, but Rita was determined to have the last laugh."
"We will undo the damage," Dulcea promised. "But you must understand that the Temple of Power is more than just a place where you can boost your powers. It contains the Great Power, the home of six spirit animals. Your power is different, though it is compatible with the energies flowing from it. Those seeking the Great Power would face the tests of the temple, but this is not your goal. The spirits guarding the temple sense intent. It is fortunate because I would not permit you to go there if that was not the case. As it stands, I can give your powers a slight boost."
Dulcea stood and let the cloak fall from her body. Underneath it, she wore a very revealing suit of green armor and armored green boots. She raised her staff. "Stand, Tommy," she commanded.
Tommy stood and kept his gaze locked on Dulcea's eyes. White energy flowed from the staff and impacted Tommy. His clothing was replaced with a green gi with the three-clawed Dragonzord emblem emblazoned in gold on the chest. His body was instantly clean and his once messy hair returned to a ponytail. A green headband surrounded his head.
"Woah!" Tommy said as he touched his new clothes. "I feel more powerful already."
"I can only give you so much," Dulcea told him. "This should help sustain you and you should be able to morph. However, before you reach the Temple of Power, try to conserve your energy. I recommend leaving at dawn, so you should get some rest."
"I understand," Tommy said. "Man is Zedd going to get it once we're done."
Lord Zedd fumed. He continued to cast his glowing gaze into outer space, looking for the one who would help him track down the Green Ranger on Phaedos. "Where is she?" he growled. Finally, his senses detected her. "Scorpina!"
Lord Zedd could see Scorpina alone in a spaceship that was fortunately within the vicinity of Phaedos. Scorpina looked obviously annoyed to be disturbed by Lord Zedd. Zedd made note of her insolent look, but he was willing to tolerate her for the time being. She apparently did not remember who her true master was.
"What is it, Lord Zedd?" she asked.
"Scorpina, the Green Ranger is on Phaedos," he told Scorpina. "I want you to find him and make sure he loses his powers. Once that is accomplished, you will return him to me. I have my own plans for the Green Ranger."
"If that is your command," Scorpina said. "I will bring him before you."
"Excellent," Zedd said before he recalled his glowing gaze. Goldar approached him from behind, prompting Zedd to turn to face his minion.
"Scorpina is going to take care of Tommy for us, Goldar," Zedd told him. "Now all we have to do is wait. Soon the Green Ranger will be finished and then, the Earth!" He laughed evilly, prompting Goldar to do the same.
Jason and Zack were playing one on one basketball outside the Youth Center the following morning while Kimberly and Trini watched them. Billy had yet to arrive, but would be joining them soon. It was Saturday and with the weekend ahead of them, Kim hoped that Zedd would not attack Earth while Tommy was away. However, the Pink Ranger knew that was a fool's hope. Lord Zedd likely already knew that Tommy was gone. Kimberly just hoped her boyfriend could return with his powers so everyone could put this crisis behind them.
"I wonder how Tommy is doing," Trini said, knowing Kim had to be worried about the Green Ranger.
"I'm sure he's fine," Kim said nervously. "I mean, he's a great fighter and all." She sighed. "Who am I kidding? I'm worried sick."
"I'm worried about him too," Trini admitted. "We all are."
"I'm just waiting for Zedd to try something," stated Kim. "Oh God. He's all alone out there. If Zedd sends someone after him, we won't be there to help him."
"Tommy knew the risk," Jason said as he approached the girls. He squired water into his mouth from his water bottle. "I don't like it any more than you do."
"Yeah," Zack said. "Tommy can take care of himself. He has a strong will, so I have no doubt that he'll succeed."
"I hope you're right," Kim said.
Watching from his Chamber of Command, Zedd stood on the balcony and gazed towards Earth. He observed the scene outside the Youth Center. "Aw," Zedd said. "They're worried about their friend the Green Ranger. They really should have more pressing concerns."
Zedd turned to Goldar and commanded, "Send down the Putty Patrol to soften them up. The final battle is about to begin."
"Yes, oh evil one," Goldar said.
Suddenly, Zedd's Putty Patrollers appeared outside the Youth Center and began approaching the Rangers. Jason immediately tensed and said, "Putties!"
"Great!" Kim said. "This is not what we needed right now."
The Rangers rushed to engage the Putties. Jason reached two Putties first and began attacking with a flurry of punches and kicks, trying to reach the Z on their chests to end the fight quickly. The Putties did their best to counter his attacks and keep him occupied. Zack joined the fray with Jason, taking one of the Putties separately. He leaped over one of the Putties to try to draw its attention from Jason.
Kimberly and Trini teamed up against a couple of Putties. Trini kicked one, gaining a quick hit on the Z. The first Putty disintegrated, leaving the Pink and Yellow Rangers time to concentrate their attention on one Putty.
Jason ducked under a kick from the Putty he was facing and quickly rose again. With a hard elbow, he connected with its head. Then he performed a spin kick, hitting the Z on its chest. The Putty backed away before it flew apart, disintegrating before his eyes. Jason gazed the battlefield, watching as more Putties approached.
Zack said, "Come on, clay brain," to the Putty he was facing. The Putty went for a punch, but Zack was quick to dodge. A hard jab connected with the Z on its chest, ending its existence. He looked to Jason as more Putties came in the Red Ranger's direction.
Kimberly and Trini ducked under a punch from a Putty before they sent their fists flying into the Z on its chest. The Putty immediately flew apart. They then rushed to engage a second wave of Putties converging on the Red Ranger.
Jason found himself facing five Putties at once. He began exchanging blows with one just as Zack reached him. The Black Ranger threw the basketball at one, scoring a direct hit on the chest. The ball bounced back in his direction and Zack caught it just as the Putty flew apart.
Jason used the distraction to grab the Putty he was engaging and hurl it over his head. Kimberly and Trini each joined the fray and engaged a Putty. Jason engaged a new Putty while Zack fought against the Putty that Jason threw.
Zack dodged a kick from the Putty before he bounced the basketball of its head. The Putty wobbled, giving Zack enough time to crash his fist into the Z. The Putty broke apart without a problem. Jason and the others quickly finished off the rest of the Putties, leaving the four alone on the battlefield.
"Zedd has to be up to something," said Trini. "We need to find Billy."
"Master, they've defeated the Putties," Goldar said to Lord Zedd. "What will we do now?"
"Silence!" Zedd growled as he gazed from the balcony, searching for materials to construct a new monster. Finally, by the beach, he saw a conk shell. "That's it!" He aimed his staff at the conk shell and commanded, "Arise, Turbanshell! Destroy the Power Rangers!"
The white energy flew from his staff towards the beach by Angel Grove. The conk shell glowed before it transformed into a bipedal orange mollusk creature wearing the conk shell.
"Come out, come out wherever you are, Rangers!" exclaimed Turbanshell before he immediately grew into a giant on his own power.
The alarms at the Command Center wailed, prompting Alpha 5 to say, "Ay yi yi yi! What could it be?"
"Lord Zedd has created a new powerful monster," Zordon told Alpha. "You must contact the Rangers immediately."
"Right away, Zordon," Alpha said before depressing a series of buttons on a console.
Jason and the others heard their communicators beep. Looking to see if anyone was around first, Jason answered his communicator. "We read you, Zordon," he said.
"Jason, you and the others must teleport to the Command Center immediately," Zordon told them. "We'll contact Billy."
"Right away, Zordon," Jason said. The four Rangers then teleported to the Command Center.
Tommy journeyed through an ancient forest, taking the trail towards the Temple of Power. The remains of old creatures littered the woods. They were once great beasts if the size of their skeletal remains indicated anything. Tommy was making great time as the sun was climbing higher in the sky. He took a moment to stop and look at his map. There was a stone marker near the trail, which Tommy used to discern he was near the temple.
"Almost there, Tommy," he said. "I'm going to get there and put this whole nightmare behind me."
"Not so fast!" yelled a familiar voice, prompting Tommy to turn around. Dread filled him as he gazed at Scorpina. The gold armored warrior had an evil grin on her face.
"Scorpina!" Tommy said. "What are you doing here?"
"Lord Zedd asked me to take care of your powers, Green Ranger," she said. "I may not like him, but he is my boss. Of course, if you surrender to me, I promise to go easy on you."
"You know I'd never do that, Scorpina!" Tommy growled. He reached behind his back. "It's Morphin Time!" He removed his Power Morpher and initiated his transformation. "Dragonzord!" he cried.
The Green Ranger stood fully morphed before Scorpina. "I won't let Zedd win," Tommy said, wielding the Dragon Dagger.
"You don't have a choice, Green Ranger," taunted Scorpina. "Your powers are fading fast. Even that boost of power from Dulcea won't last long."
Beneath the helmet, Tommy clenched his teeth, knowing that Scorpina was right. He needed to find a way to quickly overpower her and flee along the trail. Then, throwing caution to the wind, Tommy yelled and charged at Scorpina.
Five multicolored streams appeared in the Command Center. Jason walked forward first. "Zordon, what is it?" asked the leader of the Power Rangers.
"Rangers, behold the Viewing Globe," Zordon stated. "Lord Zedd has unleashed another monster."
The Rangers turned to the Viewing Globe and observed Turbanshell for the first time. Kimberly cringed. "Ew," she said. "That thing looks gross."
"That is Turbanshell," Zordon said. "It is the most powerful of Zedd's creations to date. I fear that the five of you alone will not be enough to stop him."
The Command Center alarms wailed again.
Zack groaned, "What is it now?"
"Ay yi yi yi!" Alpha said. "Tommy is fighting Scorpina!"
"What?" Kimberly exclaimed as she saw the display on the Viewing Globe change to Tommy's battle with Scorpina. "We have to do something!"
"Rangers, I'm afraid we would not be able to get you there in time to help Tommy," Zordon told them. "If you leave now, Turbanshell will have free reign to attack Angel Grove and the rest of the world. I'm sorry, but Tommy is now on his own."
"Damn," Jason said. "Let's try to finish this quickly or else Tommy is going to be finished. It's Morphin time!"
"Mastodon!" Zack summoned.
"Pterodactyl!" cried Kimberly.
"Triceratops!" called Billy.
"Saber-Toothed Tiger!" Trini said.
"Tyrannosaurus!" Jason summoned.
The five Rangers emerged in downtown Angel Grove just as Turbanshell was beginning his attack. Buildings were being destroyed with a wave of its hand.
"Oh no!" Billy exclaimed. "He's already giant."
"We need Thunderzord power, now!" exclaimed the Rangers.
"Mastodon – Lion Thunderzord power!" commanded Zack, prompting the transformation of his Mastodon Dinozord into the Lion Thunderzord.
"Pterodactyl – Firebird Thunderzord power!" Kimberly called, initiating the Firebird transformation.
"Triceratops – Unicorn Thunderzord power!" summoned Billy, bringing his Unicorn Thunderzord to life.
"Saber-Toothed Tiger – Griffin Thunderzord power!" called Trini. Her Griffin Thunderzord soon responded to her call.
"Tyrannosaurus – Red Dragon Thunderzord power!" Jason summoned. His Tyrannosaurus was transformed into the brilliant Red Dragon. The Rangers leapt into the cockpits of their zords and began configuring for the Thunder Megazord. Jason transformed the Red Dragon into warrior mode before it leapt into the air. Its legs slid into the transforming Unicorn and Griffin Thunderzords while the parts of the Lion formed a breastplate and arms for the Megazord. The Firebird folded around its waist and a helmet landed atop the head, completing the Thunder Megazord.
"Thunder Megazord, power up!" cried the Rangers.
"Oh!" shouted Turbanshell. "Give me your best shot, you silly Rangers!" It aimed its shell topped staff and fired a concentrated blast of energy at the Thunder Megazord.
Sparks flew from the Megazord as the Rangers struggled to keep it upright. The Thunder Megazord marched forward and launched a punch at Turbanshell. Turbanshell turned the fist away with its staff. Another fist flew through the air and connected with the creature's skull. Sparks flew as it backed away.
"Ouch!" cried Turbanshell. "You're going to pay for that, Rangers!" The creature retreated into its shell, which floated in the air. Suddenly, it began flying towards the Thunder Megazord.
"Look out!" Zack exclaimed before the shell crashed against the Thunder Megazord. A shower of sparks erupted and the Thunder Megazord toppled to the ground.
Turbanshell emerged from its shell again and began laughing. "That'll teach you!" It fired blasts of energy from its eyes, causing further damage to the Thunder Megazord.
"If he keeps assaulting us with that intensity, the Megazord will lose structural integrity," Billy warned.
"We have to get back in this fight," Jason told Billy.
"Guys, what about Tommy?" Kimberly asked.
Tommy traded blows with Scorpina, countering movements from her sword with the Dragon Dagger. The two warriors each tried to gain the upper hand, but Tommy was at the disadvantage. Scorpina was fighting him defensively and forcing Tommy to use more and more of his power. The Green Ranger tried to knock her down with a spinning kick, but Scorpina dodged and slashed across his armor with her sword. Sparks showered and Tommy fell to the ground.
"You're through, Green Ranger!" Scorpina growled as she ran her hand along the length of her sword, transforming it into a bolt of energy.
The Green Ranger stood slowly just as Scorpina threw her energy sword at him. The sword spun and cut across him, throwing him to the ground. Scorpina called her sword back to her, which regained its normal form.
Tommy tried to stand, but immediately felt weak. "No!" he screamed. "Don't fail me now!"
Scorpina laughed. "Soon your powers will be but a memory, Tommy," she taunted. "This is your last stand."
"Not if I can help it!" Tommy yelled, recovering some of his strength. "Catch me if you can!" He then darted into the woods, running as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Coward!" Scorpina shouted before she charged after him. She channeled energy along her sword again and hurled it at the Green Ranger.
Tommy was not fast enough to avoid the sword. He yelled as sparks flew from his armor. Weakness caused him to crumple to the ground. He could feel his powers failing him. If he tried to engage her, Tommy did not believe he would have enough power left to sustain his morph. But if he did not defend himself, Scorpina would finish him. He groaned as he tried to push himself to his feet.
The Thunder Megazord stood again and drew its sword. "Thunder Saber, battle ready," cried the Rangers.
"You think your puny sword will be enough to stop me?" asked Turbanshell. It aimed its staff at the Thunder Megazord and fired a high power blast. The Thunder Megazord was rocked heavily enough to throw Kimberly, Trini, Billy and Zack from the cockpit. Their Zords were broken into their component parts, leaving the Red Dragon Thunderzord alone to face Turbanshell.
"Your time is up, Red Ranger!" yelled Turbanshell. It retreated into its shell and flew towards the Red Dragon. Jason tried to bat it away with the Red Dragon's staff and was successful. However, Jason was not quick enough to stop the second attack as Turbanshell flew in from behind. Jason was thrown from the cockpit and landed near the other Rangers.
"Oh man!" Jason yelled.
"Are you okay?" Trini asked him.
"I'm fine," said the Red Ranger. "He's too strong."
Turbanshell looked down at the Rangers. "That was fun," he said. "But I have other things to destroy! See you later!" The monster then faded from view, leaving the Rangers stunned as they looked at the devastation in silence.
Tommy rolled over in time for Scorpina to press her boot to his armored chest. She held the tip of her sword centimeters from his helmet.
"It's over, Green Ranger," she said.
Tommy struggled underneath her, but his suit began glowing. Then, in a flash of green electricity, his morph failed, leaving Tommy alone against Scorpina in a green gi.
Scorpina laughed. "Zedd asked me to take you back to him alive, Tommy," she said. "Why he wants you, I don't know. But I do plan to have all sorts of fun with you on our way back to Earth."
Tommy strained to push Scorpina's boot from his chest, unwilling to surrender so easily. He felt the loss of his powers much worse than he felt the armored boot of Scorpina. Despair crept into his mind. He failed to reach the Temple of Power in time.
"You won't get away with this, Scorpina," Tommy said.
Sitting on his throne, Zedd observed as the last of the Green Ranger's powers left him and flowed into the Green Crystal in his left hand. "Yes!" he exclaimed as he lifted the crystal. "At last the Green Ranger is no more! You failed, Zordon! Your desperation shall be your undoing!"
"Your plan worked perfectly, milord," Goldar brown nosed.
"Of course it did," Zedd said as he stood from his throne and walked towards the balcony. He aimed the Green Crystal at the Earth. "Now the Rangers will soon join their friend Tommy!" Green electricity blasted towards the Earth.
"Where did he go?" Billy asked. "He could have finished us at any time."
"I don't know, Billy," Jason told the Blue Ranger. "Let's contact Zordon." Jason lifted his wrist to his helmet. "Zordon, do you read?"
A beep registered from his communicator, indicating signal interruption. "My communicator isn't working," Jason said.
"Mine isn't either," Trini said as he attempted to contact Zordon.
"What's happening?" Jason asked before Lord Zedd and Goldar appeared before the Rangers. Zedd held a green crystal in his left hand and his staff in his right.
"Tommy lost his powers," Zedd told him. "And thanks to Zordon's prior desperation, I've used Tommy's energy to imprison Zordon and Alpha in the Command Center. You can't reach them."
"Let them go, Zedd!" Jason demanded.
Zedd laughed. "You're in no position to make demands, Jason," Zedd told him. "You're about to have one thing in common with your friend Tommy." He aimed the Green Crystal at the Rangers and blasted them with green energy.
The Rangers screamed as they fell to the ground and demorphed. They quickly discerned their new situation.
"Oh no!" Kimberly said. "What are we gonna do now?"
"Nothing!" Zedd taunted. "You are now powerless to stop my plans. But don't worry, Powerless Rangers. I'm going to let you live long enough to watch the destruction of Angel Grove and soon, the world." The evil emperor then began laughing along with Goldar as Jason and the others looked at their enemies in horror.