Chapter 2: Destiny's Play

John was completely amazed at the world he just stepped into.

"Where am I?" He asked.

Zordon answered plainly, "About 50 miles off the coast of Angel Grove, California and 500 ft. down."

"Underwater." John said more as a statement while looking out the view screen.

"Sit in the command chair and all will be explained." John sat down cautiously, not knowing what to expect. "What you see before you is a map of our current location." The map zoomed in on the bright green dot which soon grew into a wire frame shape. "You are presently in the command room of the Dragonzord, a massive battle machine which is as of now still trying to repair itself. Other areas will be shown later, but first:" The screen shifted to show a sight that was familiar to John.

"The Invasion."

"Correct. One year ago, the forces of evil gathered in a massive effort to take over the galaxy. Earth became one of the last holdouts for the forces of good. The only way to stop it was to destroy my energy chamber and release the good energies trapped inside. As a result, my very essence was scattered throughout the galaxy in a wave of energy..."

John's surprise was palpable.

"The wave of light... It was you I felt!"

"Yes. It was my hope that by sacrificing myself, evil would be wiped from this galaxy forever. However, I knew that a backup plan must be in place if evil were to somehow survive as I believe you know it has. Therefore, I decided to copy all my knowledge into the onboard computer of the Dragonzord. What you see of me now is an interactive program that can answer any questions you may have. The power cells on the Dragonzord however are dangerously low so this program can only be available for short periods of time. Your training, which is long overdue, will begin tomorrow morning when you will be teleported to an old friend. Farewell."

"Wait! How do I get this suit..." John was not able to finish before the green glow enveloped him and spirited back to his room. "...off?" When he looked down he was in his regular clothes.

"John, where have you been?" Jessica asked with a worried look.

"Sis, you're not gonna believe it, even after I tell you."

The cavern walls shook with a scream of surprise and fury. "WHAT!" The putties and the Quanton stood before their master, the Quanton standing tall while the putties shook with fear. "That blasted power coin should be worthless, even after the failure of the Wizard of Deception. I let it be lost in time so I could be done with it forever. Instead, you tell me that not only did you fail, but you were defeated by one human with a drained power coin! You," he points at the putties, "get out of my sight! And you," pointing at the Quanton, "tell me EVERYTHING. Every little detail."

The next morning went on as usual for a summer day. Their mother went to work and Jessica was left in his care. John was wondering if last night had only been a dream when the green glow started to form around him.

"Here we go…"

Jessica's eyes went wide, but she grabbed on to him saying, "You are not going without me this time, brother."

"Jess, NO!" John tried to shake her off but the glow took them both before he could do anything. They landed in a desert near a large rock face with an opening large enough to walk through.

"What now."

"Don't know, but there's only one way to find out." John started towards the opening with Jessica close behind.

The walk didn't last long. They came to a large chamber with a double door gate at the front. As they entered, a voice filled their ears, "Why have you disturbed the Temple of the Ninjetti!" The voice was of a man; as if from a stern parent that just discovered their child has done something.

"I was sent here to train under your guidance." John chose his words carefully while looking around to find the source of the voice.

Another voice, female, filled the room. "And what of her? Just a little girl, but still just as firm."

"She is my sister. She has nothing to do with this."

The man answered again, "Ah, but she has everything to do with this. She is at least part of the reason you are here." From the shadows two figures appeared. One clad in blue armor with a sword sheathed on his back. The other was a woman who could've been a supermodel, dressed in a green outfit that showed a lot of who the woman was. They both walked up to either side of John and Jessica, each sizing up their counterpart.

"He is from a line of defenders and warriors; you can see the fire in his eyes."

"She is afraid, yet that fear does not take control. Definite potential."

"You can see how he tries to put himself between his sister and us both."

"However, they both know it is a futile gesture." The woman suddenly appeared behind them and snatched Jessica back with her into the shadows.

"Jessica!"

The man's voice returned, "Such concern for one he cares about."

"Bring her BACK!" John struck out wildly.

"Here is the danger," the woman's voice, "he lets his anger control him."

"His anger hides his fear. Fear that he will lose her just as he lost his father."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY FATHER!?" John is fuming now as he turns and is thrown back by a blunt hit to the chest.

The woman answered, "Enough to know he taught you better than to let your anger overtake you."

That stung John into reality as he got to his feet.

'Concentrate,' John thought, 'remember what Dad taught you: Trust your instincts; don't let your anger cloud them.' John leaped into the darkness and grabs connecting with a hard body. They grapple until John comes up on top and is soon thrown off.

He finds himself in a circle of light opposite the man in blue armor. "Where is my sister?" John moved into a basic defensive stance and prepares himself for anything. The man just stood there.

"You hold your sister in high concern, but what of the others you will be protecting." John answered but didn't let down his guard, "All life is sacred to me. I would protect a total stranger, even a person I don't like, if their life was in danger."

"Brave words, but can you back them up." The woman's voice faded as an opening appeared. John walked through and saw immediately a woman in yellow armor screaming from across a ledge, "Help me! Somebody!"

Without thinking, John broke into a run and leaped across the ledge to the other side.

The woman was hanging from a fraying rope with both hands. "I can't hold on much longer!"

"Hang on, I've got you." As John reached for her hand, she disappeared, along with the rest of the scenery.

"Excellent. He didn't hesitate a moment!" The man in blue was looking extremely pleased. "Come with me." The same door opened up and the man walked through, John trailing behind.

The light opened up into a beautiful garden. As John's eyes adjusted he heard a familiar voice.

"John!"

He looked and saw Jessica rushing toward him from the woman. They hugged quickly and looked back at the two.

The man broke the silence first. "Forgive the aggravation. We had to know if you were worthy of your calling. I am Ninjor, and this is my sister, Dulcea. We are the last of the Ninjetti."

"My brother and I have had our eye on the two of you, especially you, John, after you came into possession of the medallion you wear."

"What is it about this medallion," John asked, "that can change me into that incredible fighter?"

"It is not the medallion that makes you the incredible fighter," Ninjor replied, "that comes from your warrior spirit inside you. The medallion is only an amplification of your spirit, coincidentally enough, the spirit of the dragon."

Dulcea continued, "You are one of the gifted few who have that spirit."

"You will train here with Dulcea and myself instructing, for you must be made ready for the coming battle. You will be able to maintain your identity outside; however, this must be your priority. Your sister will be trained when she is ready."

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" John said, more of a statement than a question.

Dulcea gave John a serious look, "Not when the fate of the world is at stake."

"In the news tonight, attacks on citizens and acts of vandalism have stopped for nearly a week leaving the police and city officials speculating. In a letter from the mayor's office, Mayor Churchill stated that the curfew will remain as is until a full investigation has been completed..."

The television flickered off in a motel room just out of town. "Calm before the storm..." The phone rang once before it was answered. "Hello. You brought it? Good. Meet me in the city park at ten. See you there."

"We did this when we first met." John said "I don't get why we are doing this again."

In the cavern, John in the center spotlighted. Jessica and Dulcea are sitting on the only raised surface in the cavern, a large rock about six feet high with outcroppings used as seats.

"Just proving a point..." Ninjor replied as a blue leg out of nowhere swept John off his feet. "You still have a lot to learn."

Jessica laughed without mercy at her brother.

"Laugh it up, Squirt." John said sarcastically.

"Do not fret." Dulcea remarked with a grin, "Her turn will come."

Jessica stopped laughing and John chuckled.

Ninjor appeared from the shadows and spoke, "You have the heart and the potential, now you need the head."

"Remember, John, you have five senses. In battle you will need to combine them into a sixth sense if you are to triumph."

"Luke saves a galaxy and only has to deal with one Yoda." John said, feigning hurt. "I'm trying to protect a planet and I get two."

Ninjor holds up a blindfold shoulder high. A groan is the only thing that escapes John's mouth. Jessica laughed so hard she almost fell off her perch. Fortunately for her, Dulcea held her steady.

Later...

"Concentrate. Breathe slow and steady. Feel the dragon spirit within you."

John on his knees, sitting on his heels, toes underneath ready to spring him up at a moment's notice. His eyes were closed but he felt Ninjor and Dulcea moving around him, speaking to him. They went on in much the same way as they did before, alternately the speaking, as if testing his concentration. Soon, however, he almost completely tuned them out.

There it is. Feel its power. Anger and rage without hate. Love and charity without prejudice. Humility, honor and courage. Feel the true fire.

John looked in his mind and saw a massive creature he knows but has never seen before, and was awed.

See it, feel it. That is you! Embrace your destiny, grab it now.

John felt himself reaching out in his mind. He embraced the dragon and felt as it becomes a part of him. He opened his eyes. Jessica was there before him. He looked down at himself and found himself dressed in a loose fitting green outfit with a gold belt, gold diamond shapes on his wrists and ankles, and a large gold emblem on his chest that seemed like a larger version of his medallion. On his feet were soft split toe shoes. On his forehead was a headband with diamond shapes. He could feel something like a hood hanging off the back of his neck.

Ninjor and Dulcea came into view.

"Now you will learn grace as well." Dulcea remarked coolly as Ninjor moved towards John. Jessica stepped away warily. In Ninjor's hand was a katana in a green sheath. The end of the hilt was formed into the shape of the Dragonzord's head.

"I never got to incorporate this into the Green Ranger's powers before Rita stole the coin." Ninjor said as he handed John the sword. "Unlike most of your powers, this requires a certain amount of grace, instead of brute force."

Ninjor and John started the next phase of training. Dulcea and Jessica stood in the background watching.

After a few minutes, Dulcea turned to Jessica. "Come with me. You must learn how to protect yourself as well, for you will have your own destiny to face."

John saw them move off out of the corner of his vision. Maybe it's good for her to be taught as well. I might not always be there.

Once out of his sight and earshot, Dulcea spoke to Jessica. "You already know grace. I will help you refine this as well as teach you how to put power and quickness into your movements. Your path and John's path are similar, but his lies down a road that differs from your own."

With that, Dulcea began Jessica's training. Hours, then days pass. They both maintain their 'normal' lives and friendships but they both understood what lay ahead. Though they see less of each other while they train, they grow as close as any brother and sister can.

Once, John asked Ninjor, "I know my power, but what is Jessica's power. Is there another coin?"

Ninjor only shook his head, "You will play a part in the growth of her powers. That is all you need to know for now. Let us continue."

I originally thought the Dragon Dagger was a bit ridiculous, which is why I never wrote about it here. I've wisened up in recent years (fracking nostalgia) and will be including it into the story at some point. I haven't written that far, yet. This was originally two separate chapters, but I realized as I was editing this for FFN, chapter 2 was kind of short. It was only the portion in the Dragonzord's cockpit. Speaking of which, it will be some time before we see the Dragonzord out of the water. I never specified where, but this story takes place on the east coast. Ceasar's got a long walk ahead of him. It would be easier for him just to cross over land, but why draw unnecessary attention.

See you next chapter.