Episode 2: Take Flight Part II

"Okay, so it's just like any other party," Logan quipped. "You leave for a while, come back, and the place is jumping."

Scores of Komodoroids swarmed like a poison cloud, making it difficult to see around them. The wall of flying reptiles moved toward them as they stood, although none broke off to try and attack them.

"So do we have weapons we can use against these lizards?" Wendy wondered. No sooner had she finished the sentence when three balls of light—one red, one yellow, and one rose—appeared hovering over them. Jamal reached out and grabbed his, as it melted into the shape of a blade. Shimmering for a few moments, it hardened into a long cutlass, the handle protected by an intricately designed hilt-guard.

Not to be outdone, Logan snatched the yellow ball from the sky. This one broadened and flattened, hardening into the circular, concave shape of a large throwing shield. Etchings of wings inscribed themselves all around the edge.

Wendy's ball of light separated into two smaller identical shapes upon contact. These flattened and broadened as well, but into half-circles with accordion patterns. Twin tassels extruded from the bases of each, creating a pair of war fans.

"Swift Wing Sword, activate," Jamal called out. A corner of his mind wondered how he knew that name.

"Strong Wing Shield, activate."

"Silent Wing Fans, activate."

"Okay," Logan said. "I'll take this third, you take that third, Wendy in the middle, and we should be good to go, right?"

"I don't think it's that simple," Jamal said. "We're going to have to work together to take down this many."

"What is this, Sesame Street?" Logan asked. "Let's just take these guys and then go after Dorem. How tough can a bunch of grunts be?"

"I seem to remember being the leader here," Jamal said. "I'm not trying to pull rank—"

"Well, you're doing a pretty good job of it," Logan said, lifting his shield. "Time to get in there."

With that, Logan jumped forward into the fray, smashing aside Komodoroids left and right. Shaking his head, Jamal glanced at Wendy.

"This isn't good," Wendy said.

Jamal shrugged. "We'd better help him out."

With that, the two hurried after Logan. Although there were numerous Komodoroids surrounding them, the lizards were significantly worse at fighting. Grinning beneath his helmet, Logan grabbed a lizard by the shoulders and pummeled it with a pair of front kicks, sending it into a mass of its comrades. An arc of the reptiles flanked him; spinning with his left arm extended, he battered them back away from him fiercely. Still more Komodoroids attacked; he catapulted himself away with a back-flipping kick from the reptile right in front of him, cracking another lizard warrior on the head as he landed and slamming it with force into the ground.

"These powers are pretty awesome," Logan marveled. "How's that for teamwork?"

Shaking his head, Jamal slashed aside a pair of Komodoroids like lightning. Localizing upon him as the leader, the Komodoroids leapt as one toward him. For a moment, Jamal hesitated; then, with a shout, he braced himself with both hands to the ground, sheathing his sword in one fluid motion. A twist of the wrists allowed him to spin around rapidly, kicking aside the ring of reptiles that were attacking. As he rolled aside, however, a Komodoroid snarled from his left, blades flashing from the wrists. Just in time, Jamal brought up his sword, blocking the strike and coming up into a massive uppercut, sending the lizard warrior flying.

But the most dramatic change came in Wendy. Fans flashing, her shape a blur, the small pink figure barreled through her opponents with ease. Her quickness was only matched by her uncanny silence; the only sounds in her wake were those of the Komodoroids, the rage and pain evident through their beast-like roars. Quicker than thought, the Rose Owl tore through her opponents like a gust of wind whisking through confetti, leaving chaos behind her.

Regrouping, the trio stared down the mass of creatures once more.

"Something's weird here," Wendy said. "Most of them aren't attacking. It seems like groups are breaking off from the main hive to fight us, but they don't leave the group until they're forced to."

"Well then, let's force them to," Logan laughed, swinging his shield. "We can take them."

"Well, that could be true," Jamal said. "But there could be something that we didn't really—"

Suddenly, Jamal stopped.

"What are you—oh." Logan broke off as he looked where Jamal was looking.

Wendy said nothing, but realized the gravity of the situation as well.

Something that looked dangerously similar to a massive cannon pointed at the three of them. Concealed by the mass of Komododroids, it had been unseen until they moved apart, and now floated in midair, being hauled toward them by the flying lizards.

"Okay. That's a really big cannon."

Jamal tried to look away from the cannon to glance at Logan. Tried, and failed. "You think?"

"So, Captain, any suggestions?" Logan replied.

Jamal may have said something, but the cool blue glow that seemed to come from the mouth of the blaster stopped him from saying anything.

"It's charging up," Wendy whispered, somewhat futilely.

"Scatter!" Jamal shouted.

With a flash, Jamal and Wendy leapt to the side, but Logan managed only to raise his shield before the blast went off.

"Logan!" Jamal's arm shot back, grabbing Logan's shoulder as the beam of destruction slashed toward them. The blast ricocheted off of the shield up and to the left, after which it sliced through a building and up into the sky.

Jamal would have been blown back, if not for the hold Logan had on his arm. His feet gouged a pair of furrows in the pavement, but they were only a foot long at the most.

"How's that for teamwork?" Jamal said.

Wendy landed close to the two, panting heavily. "We'll need some real teamwork to take that thing out."

"Okay, we'll do it your way for now," Logan muttered.

"Good," Jamal answered. "I've got a plan."

-S-

"What is this?"

The shrieking demand came from the left, causing the young woman to jump, nearly dropping her bow. But the question wasn't directed at her; the creature being approached was the small skull on the table. A pair of miniature feet poked from the base of the skull; these were the only appendages on the creature. The speaker crossed the expansive room toward the head, her gilded armor glistening by the light of the candles around the occult-looking room. As she stepped over the silver hexagram inset in the ground, the steely expression on her face deepened to a glower.

"Scorpina, we've prepared for this," the young woman said, fumbling nervously with the clasp of her magenta lace hood and cape. "We can make the necessary changes to our plan—"

"We were WORKING under faulty intelligence!" Scorpina hissed back. "Revolto, you told us that the Ranger powers had been deactivated with Zordon's demise!"

"Scorpina," the archer placated, coming over. "After the Phantom Ranger's attack, we could have assumed that the Morphin Grid was still active."

"Phantasm's powers aren't derived from the Morphin Grid, Archerina," Scorpina said, her tone a little softer. "But those…those are most definitely Grid Rangers."

"My intelligence was not faulty."

Both Archerina and Scorpina turned to look at the small creature with glowing red eyes, Scorpina's glare and Archerina's quizzical look regarding the skull.

"I told you," the skull called Revolto snarled. "The rangers active prior to the Z-Wave were deactivated. These have a different conduit to the Morphin Grid than something tied to Zordon. It's possible that the Phantom Ranger used the Ruby in order to open up another channel; whatever the case, we'll have Dorem proceed with his half of the bargain."

"And Dr. Shimazu?"

If Revolto had been something other than a skull, he'd have grinned evilly at that. As it was, his facial expression was already in the form.

"This could be even better than we thought, if we can play it right."

-S-

"Okay, I'm ready," Logan said.

"Me too," Wendy added.

The cannon began to charge once more, glowing and humming with an ominous undertone.

"Alright," Jamal said, hefting his sword. "And…go!"

The blast rocketed toward them, the Komodoroids grinning their wide reptilian smiles as they flew out of the way of the blast that hurtled debris to the sides as it passed—

—but then Logan raised his shield, just as they had planned, deflecting the blast as Jamal and Wendy leapt from behind him. They streaked through the air, flying toward the cannon. Seeing their trajectory, the flying lizard warriors changed course, dashing toward the pair as quickly as possible, but then Wendy became a silent whirling dervish, clearing the path. Her quick, quiet fans blasted aside enough Komodoroids for Jamal to slice forward, dipping his sword into the metal as he soared past easily, his feet a blur as he shot down the metal apparatus. The entire length of the cannon was split in half, uselessly falling apart into two grooves that hung pathetically from the handles.

"Yeah! Take that!" Logan said, thrusting his fist into the air. The remaining Komodoroids were stunned enough by the destruction of their ultimate weapon that they fell easily and were forced to retreat.

"That's all of them," Jamal said some time later when they regrouped. "This doesn't make sense, though."

"What is it?" Logan asked.

"They were prepared for us," Jamal replied. "They had the cannon, but we hadn't even gotten back yet."

"Who knows," Logan said. "Maybe they knew something was up when we got whisked away in the blink of an eye."

Jamal shook his head. "I don't think it's that simple. They couldn't have reacted that quickly; why would they assume that we were coming back?"

Logan shrugged. "Maybe they didn't."

Wendy glanced at Logan. "You might be right. There's always the possibility that it wasn't for us."

"Then who?" Jamal asked. He looked around, thinking. "We're not going to get any answers standing around out here."

"True," Wendy agreed. "Back to the base?"

Jamal nodded. "I've got a couple questions for Phantasm."

In an instant, the Rangers appeared in the base. Unclasping the hooks at the sides of their helmets, they removed the head coverings and walked over to the control station where Cadbury and Phantasm were studying some readouts.

"Hello, Rangers," Cadbury greeted without looking up. "We've been monitoring the fight, and we've been able to analyze the structure that the three of you were luckily able to destroy."

"The energy emitted from that blaster is a focused beam of what we've called 'negatons,'" Phantasm explained, also still studying the readout. "They're similar to antiprotons in mass, volume, and charge, except they tend to cluster in molecular-like structures, allowing them to be focused in a beam form. They're also affected by the Deimos Grid, but luckily, our enemies haven't been granted full access to it just yet. If you'd been hit, it would have shorted out your Ranger forms immediately."

"Hold on," Jamal said. "Why were they using that cannon against us? They didn't know that we were Power Rangers until we got there, but they had the cannon already."

Phantasm hesitated. "They were expecting me, most likely. But like I said, I cannot go into battle."

"So they can use power from the Deimos Grid to fight us, but they can't open it up yet?" Logan asked.

Cadbury nodded. "Precisely, Logan. If they have any other devices similar to that one it will be necessary to destroy them as well."

"Good job on devising a plan to destroy it, by the way," Phantasm commended. "Unfortunately, now that they know your abilities, they'll no doubt compensate for them. We've got a long battle ahead of us, but luckily there are some abilities that you haven't tapped into just yet."

"How exactly did we do that?" Jamal asked. "All of a sudden, I knew that I could move really quickly, and how to use my sword correctly. I've never fenced before, so how'd that happen?"

"The transformation also includes a direct data download for combat techniques," the Phantom explained. "When you morph, you gain those techniques instantly, and they build on top of what you already know and are capable of."

"So that's why Wendy was destroying them left and right," Jamal said, grinning down at Wendy, who beamed in response.

"Well, I've got to say, those NanoBeasts aren't really as tough now that we have these Ranger powers," Logan replied. "If that's what you're warning us about we've got it covered."

"Those were just foot soldiers," Cadbury said. "The true threat has not yet been revealed."

"So should we be finding out what sort of plans Dorem Corp. has in store for us?" Wendy asked. "If they're developing more weapons and stronger NanoBeasts—"

Phantasm held up a hand, silencing the Rose Ranger. "In time, Wendy, in time. We can't afford to show our hand so early."

"So what do we do now?" Logan asked.

"Go back to your lives and wait for further instructions," Cadbury suggested. "If you are needed, we will contact you through your morphing devices. They also work as two-way communicators, so you can contact us or each other if necessary."

"And how do we get back?" Wendy inquired. "I'm not exactly sure where 'here' is."

"Well, how did you get here in the first place?" Phantasm asked.

Wendy glanced around. "I think I just…pictured this place in my mind, and I was being shuttled here just like before."

Jamal nodded. "That's how I did it too. I assume it's the same in reverse?"

Phantasm nodded. "The direct data download works somewhat subconsciously, so you might not even know you have the knowledge of something until it's needed. To tell you the truth, I don't even know all the specifics of your powers."

Wendy nodded, apparently satisfied. "Okay, then, back to campus, I guess."

Logan nodded as well. "I think I need a nap."

With flashes of yellow and rose, they were gone.

"So that's how it looks to others," Jamal noted, looking around. "I guess that sort of thing would need to be done in private."

Cadbury nodded. "If you don't mind, let's keep all of this little operation private."

Jamal shrugged. "I'd figured this wasn't something to go blabbing about; the wrong people might be listening."

"Good," Phantasm said, then paused, spreading his hands in a show of good faith. "If you don't mind my asking…"

"Why am I still here?" Jamal finished.

It was the Phantom's turn to shrug. "Not to suggest that you should or have to leave now, but both of your teammates did."

"Well, there's something of an elephant in the room," Jamal replied. "I'm not really a fan of leaving them lying around."

Phantasm tilted his head quizzically, then looked at Cadbury.

"Er, an issue that, while the people involved know of it due to it being obvious, the difficulty in dealing with it leads them to avoid voicing its existence, sir," Cadbury explained.

"Ah." Phantasm nodded. "And this supposed elephant would be…?"

"It'd be the issue of you not being out there with us." Jamal folded his arms. "I have a hard time just accepting that you didn't know about the danger we were getting into, and the fact that you stayed behind makes me more than a little wary. If there's going to be danger, then whatever, but you still haven't explained why you can't fight the NanoBeasts with us, and you seem more than a little eager to avoid explaining it than necessary. It's not as if you didn't develop the things that we're using; you could have easily only recruited two of us, or made a fourth suit in, I don't know, black or something. You don't look infirm in any way, so it's a little odd."

"Is that what's bothering you?" The Phantom matched Jamal's stance, a humored tone in his voice as he folded his arms. "That's a very insightful, if not bold question."

"It's also a very unanswered one," Jamal replied. "Care to fix that situation?"

"I suppose that it's only fair." Phantasm let his hands drop. "But it's somewhat…not really degrading, or humiliating, but maybe something similar to a combination of the two."

Jamal frowned. "What exactly do you mean?"

Phantasm sighed. "In an espionage mission I had engineered, I was discovered by Archerina, and while trying to escape, I was drugged by her. I haven't yet figured out if the toxins have left my system with time, but in the meantime, I am unable to go into the open against her. That attack was an attempt to force me out and weaken me in order to capture the gem inset in my armor."
He looked down, rubbing the ruby that seemed to glow red as he touched it. "If I were to be exposed, she merely needed to make an appearance and all would be lost."

Jamal's eyes widened. "What kind of toxin did she use that could cause this?"

If a helmet could convey a countenance, Phantasm's would surely be grim. "She used the Arrows of Aphrodite."

"The goddess of love?" Jamal raised an eyebrow. "I'm a little confused."

"Love has nothing to do with it." Phantasm turned away. "It's a persuasion-hypnosis toxin. Had I engaged the enemy, and she appeared on the scene…I would have…would have…"

Cadbury cleared his throat. "My master simply wishes to remain on the side of the 'good guys,' if you will. Going in public could have jeopardized that."

Jamal's eyes widened. "How are you fending it off now?"

"A combination of distance and a low level of poison," Cadbury offered helpfully. "Unfortunately we haven't figured out how to counter the toxin, or whether it gets stronger as time goes on. It's unlikely that the poison's effects will be magnified, but there's no need to take chances."

"Well, I guess it's not a good story without an inner struggle," Jamal said wryly. "If only our enemies were going through something similar."

"If only, indeed," Cadbury agreed.

-S-

Scorpina knelt beside the pulsating blue gem in the shape of a large toad. Her brow was furrowed in concentration; streaks of lightning lanced around the sapphire, causing it to flash with gold sparks. A bead of sweat trickled down just inside her right eye and down the edge of her nose, but she did not even blink, so great was the warrior's focus.

Archerina stood to her right silently, watching the scene with interest. It was clearly not the time to interrupt, but once the ritual was over, she'd need to know what needed to be done to get the Komodoroids back into fighting shape, and how quickly Dorem could upgrade the systems. They had been dispatched to lure out one Ranger, not three, and certainly not these avian attackers that were reminiscent of the teenagers who had caused them so much grief in the past.

However, Scorpina apparently was less concerned with the NanoBeasts, which struck Archerina as odd. Why was building up a team of generals so necessary? She herself had called in a favor, resulting in General Venjix's arrival earlier, but the mechanical commander was not enough to satisfy the golden swordswoman, and of course Archerina was degraded for the suggestion. Could Scorpina truly believe that power would be gained by actually trying to resurrect the Evil Alliance from the dregs that remained? All those who could be reached now were those who had sufficiently shielded themselves from the debilitating and destructive effects of the Z-Wave, and that meant they had run in fear of the coming apocalypse. How could any of them have what it took to bring Scorpina the glory she so coveted?

The archer glanced at Venjix. The general had certainly been more than surprised to see her "sporting skin," as he had said. His scanners had concluded that the change had gone down to the core; as far as he could tell, she was simply a human being with some above average elemental powers over fire and impeccable aim with a bow and arrow. Beyond that, nearly nothing had remained the same about her composition. Though she hadn't said it, the biting criticism of her newfound humanity had affected her negatively, as she feared that he would be prejudiced against her as she had once been against non-mecha. Even now he watched the ritual in a bored manner; summoning yet another biological life-form to assist them was counter-productive by his calculations.

Suddenly, Scorpina stood quickly as the sapphire carving began to shimmer and shake wildly, visibly affected by the tremors. The entire lagoon began to be disturbed as ripples of energy washed over the area. Archerina's hesitant question was silenced by a hand from Scorpina, and Venjix's demeanor changed only slightly to acknowledge the event.

With a burst of energy and a low croaking sound, a large round froglike creature appeared before them. His body was armed with jeweled armor and elaborate necklaces ringed his head and shoulders. In one hand he carried a giant hammer; in the other he held a strangely shaped golden vase with clear gems ringing the base. Archerina eyed the sinister white markings and warts with disgust, and Venjix scoffed at the appearance, but apparently Scorpina was pleased.

"You've freed me," he growled, a wheezing undertone affecting his voice. "Tell me why."

Scorpina clasped her hands together. "Hekatoid. You were once held up as one of the strongest warriors for the forces of darkness. As one of the Ten Terrors of the Underworld, your reputation inspires any who would choose such a path. Your cruelty and effective methodology makes you a force to be reckoned with."

"Enough," Hekatoid snapped, wheezing loudly and coughing to the side, which made Archerina squirm with barely concealed revulsion. "What is it you want? I can't imagine that you don't want something from me, considering that introduction. Who are you?"

"I am the one called Scorpina," Scorpina replied. "I was formerly a warrior in the service of Lord Zedd directly under Rita Repulsa. At this time, I and others are attempting to revive that which was lost during the battle for the universe, and bring The World to its full prophesied fruition."

"The battle has ended?" Hekatoid inquired, piqued. "From your tone I assume the Power Rangers won."

"A pyrrhic victory," Scorpina said dismissively. "Zordon of Eltar was destroyed in the battle."

"And what of the VRV Master?" Hekatoid leaned forward with glee.

Scorpina hesitated, then said, "We are still pursuing him."

Hekatoid said nothing, but instead bowed his rotund head. A glow emanated from his body; the cavern and lagoon started to shake again. Archerina glanced at Scorpina, and then back at the robot, somewhat worried. Scorpina remained determined, while Venjix was motionless and unhurried.

Suddenly, with a burst of laughter, Hekatoid spread his arms wide as everything settled once more. Presently his hysteria cooled into a sinister, wheezing chuckle.

"For a moment I thought you had taken all the fun," the toad-like creature hissed in a low voice, his tongue flitting in and out of his mouth. "I would truly like to be part of the group that creates The World. Lead on, Scorpina, as long as you leave the VRV Master to me."

Venjix's eyes glowed as he started to protest, but a look from Archerina stopped him. Perhaps he did respect her to a certain extent, or perhaps his further analysis of the situation warned him of a 63.79 chance of failure in attempting to defy both Scorpina and Hekatoid. Earlier they had been two, and now they were four…Archerina had doubted, but perhaps Scorpina's vision, with Venjix's practicality and Hekatoid's untapped powers, was what they needed to defeat the VRV Master—the Phantom Ranger—once and for all.