I own nothing except the OC's! All further credit should be given to Saban and S&W.
Chapter 4: Destiny Calls
10 Years Later
It had been a decade since Ali and Azarand had joined Zordon. Throughout these years the pair had become students of the man, who they soon realized was more like a divine entity than an earthly being. He took them under his wing, and taught them all he knew about evil and the forces they would face, with their teachings complete, their training began. Training was long and hard, physically challenging them, and sometimes, downright painful. The pair was being taught by the three seasoned members of Zordon's clerics,along with two other younglings, the seven individuals comprised all that stood between the Power Rangers and the forces out to destroy them. Both Azarand and Ali were extremely excited to meet the members of the Power Rangers. They first met a group a couple of years after they'd joined with Zordon. Tommy Oliver, Jason Scott, and Kimberly Hart had all grown to bond closely with the pair, quickly becoming good friends. Both Ali and Azarand also formed close friendships with other rangers as well. Ali and Billy Cranston grew especially close, each with a common love of science. Azarand bonded closely with Adam Park, the second black ranger, their love of movies getting the better of them. Zordon informed them that it was crucial that his clerics remain hidden in plain sight, lest their abilities to protect be curtailed if they were to be exposed. Zordon wished all his clerics help the people they protected in some way. The three former cleric's accomplished this through teaching, public safety, or piloting. Ali and Azarand had always wanted to be teachers, they now had their shot. With Zordon's support they began going to public schools like any regular Earthling. Managing schoolwork with their duties as upcoming cleric's was tough, but Zordon told them it was a lesson in organization and priority management. And goodness was he right.
The teams of Power Rangers came and went, each group giving up their powers so that they next generation would bring the fight to evil. This dismayed Ali and Azarand greatly because without their powers, former rangers would make easy pickings for the ever constant enemy. However, Zordon soothed their fears; he revealed to them that a ranger's power never leaves their body. "Simply because they no longer have their morphers," Zordon told the pair, "does not mean they don't have their powers. Indeed, they may no longer be able to look like Power Rangers, but they retain the powers gifted to them, they will remain Power Rangers for the rest of their lives." The comment reassured the pair, who were both, shocked when Zordon revealed that all the morphers gifted to Rangers were carefully secured, stored, and preserved. "For potential future usage," Zordon told them.
After a number of more years training and seeing many groups of Rangers pass by, Ali and Azarand finally got their chance to prove themselves.
When a group of Rangers consisting of T.J Johnson, Ashley Hammond, Cassie Chan, Carlos Vallerte, and Justin Stewart began their mission to fight against the evil Divatox, Ali and Azarand received their first assignment.
"Your primary objective will be to track an asset we have coming in from the unknown regions of the galaxy." The Cleric in Charge, Rex Mudlanya, a young and bashful adult, told the two. "Our ally has a vulnerability, a red ruby that sustains his life; you must monitor him at all times. Understood?"
"Sir, we do. But when do we get into the good stuff?" Azarand asked his superior.
"Patience is a virtue Az. You two will soon, but you are still not fully ready" Rex referred to Azarand with his affectionately given nickname.
With their mission clear, the pair set down for a long time of observation and analysis.
They tracked the Phantom Ranger through his entering of the atmosphere, and eventual landing near a soccer field where Justin Stewart was playing a pickup game.
They watched with satisfaction as the Phantom Ranger dispatched the numerous Piranahatrons, both Ali and Azarand beamed with excitement. They'd never seen something so amazing, so incredible, and so honorable. They then turned their attention back to giving the Power Rangers coordinates to where the Phantom Ranger was, hoping the Rangers could catch a glimpse of their new ally in this fight. It worked, Cassie had caught a fleeting glimpse of the Phantom Ranger, who'd even spoken to her. Both Ali and Azarand were thoroughly pleased at the outcome.
Standing up from their work area, the pair made their way down a flight to steps to the small common area at the Control Center. The area where the clerics resided was below the main building, and kept a closely guarded secret, even from the Power Rangers. However, the Phantom Ranger was a different story, Zordon had informed them that the Phantom Ranger was an old ally of his, and had clearance to be in the area.
No sooner had the pair sat down in chairs that a faint humanoid outline appeared in front of them. The Phantom Ranger had arrived. After a few moments, the Phantom Ranger deactivated his cloak and made himself known.
Both Ali and Azarand were stunned at how close they were to the Phantom Ranger. He, who was so stealthy that he had kept himself from the Power Rangers eyes', had decided to show himself to them, they felt honored to some degree.
"I wanted to meet two of the new ones." The Phantom Ranger said, getting down on a knee in front of Ali and Azarand, putting himself eye level.
"Well we are new, but why didn't you go visit Mulk or Ishmail?" Azarand asked the black suited individual in front of him.
"Because they don't have a story like you two do, a story that is much like mine." The Phantom Ranger told the pair, surprising both of them.
"What do you mean like us? " Ali asked, hesitant and a little insulted that someone would speak of the horror that his family and his planet went through so candidly.
"Like you, my planet was destroyed and I was forced to flee. Because I helped Zordon, he sustained my life through this red ruby. And for millennia I have fought against the evil that destroyed my planet, much like you two will do when the time is right." After he concluded speaking, the Phantom Ranger put his hand on his chest and touched the red ruby embedded there. A brief but comfortable silence followed, broken when the Phantom Ranger stood up. "Evil calls, I must be going." He said before he vanished once more.
That was the first and last time they saw the Phantom Ranger, the being went on to help the Power Rangers a great deal before Earth was eventually saved from Divatoxs' evil plan.
It was only after more arduous work that Ali and Azarand finally succeeded.
"We come here today to recognize two of our newest members, Ali and Azarand, as clerics. Your training is complete, now all that remains is for you to choose your weapons." Zordon spoke in a deep voice, beside him Cleric in Charge Mudlanya stood in silence.
"Weapons? What kind of weapons will we get?" Ali asked surprised.
This time, Cleric Mudlanya responded to the question. "A cleric will receive revolvers and blades to be carried on your person at all times. While our enemy agents carry magazine fed hand blasters, Zordon feels that if a cleric knows he has six or twelve shots, those shots will be made to count. Only, and I mean only, do you use lethal force when you are in mortal danger, which will most likely come from these enemy agents. "
"Who are these supposed agents? I mean, I thought all these monsters have their spies, but from what you're saying, that doesn't sound like it at all." Azarand deadpanned the question at Mudlanya.
The Cleric in Charge looked over towards Zordon, who answered the question. "You are correct in your assessment Azarand. While monsters like Divatox, Lord Zedd, and Scorpius have their spies, there is a far greater evil lurking in the shadows. Just as I represent the light and goodness in the galaxy, when I was a sentient, I too had an arch nemesis. Her name was Kypton, and once she became a spirit like I did, she used her powers for great darkness. Her influence extends far beyond any one star system, and she has a great many number of agents, agents that are equivalent to you clerics. She has thousands of them; it seems that doing evil deeds is easier than following the path of righteousness. I have you seven, and she has at least a thousand. I must caution you, many former clerics have given into the darkness and joined her…. Do not let that happen to you. Keep the goodness that your father and brother fight for alive." Zordon concluded his warning; both Ali and Azarand were fearful, but confident that they would not let Zordon, their father, or their brother down. They would fight against this Kypton.
In front of them, numerous rows of weapons appeared.
"How will we know what to choose?" Ali asked, his gaze swinging over the rows of weaponry.
"Fear not Al, the weapons will choose you." Cleric Rex told him, smiling while mentioning his nickname.
Walking forward Ali felt drawn to a revolver. It had a shiny silver frame, with a beautiful wooden grip. Picking it up, he knew it was for him.
Rex walked up behind him. "Ah, that one's a goodie. Smith and Wesson Model 627 in .357 magnum with a 2 ½ inch barrel. It holds eight rounds and packs a wallop of a punch. While it looks small, don't underestimate its power, it will punch through many a monster's armor."
Ali again felt himself being drawn to another said revolver, this one looking bigger than the Model 627 he held in his hand. Picking it up, the silver frame remained the same, but a jet black rubber grip met his hand instead of wood. He noticed it was quite a bit heavier as well.
"Smith and Wesson Model 629 in .44 magnum. It has a 4 inch barrel with a compensator at the end to reduce the savage kick. It suits you, small but feisty. "Rex laughed at his statement, Ali playfully socking him in the arm.
"Azarand, it is your turn for your weapons to choose you." Zordon spoke, giving the now teenager a playful nudge. Azarand didn't budge, a little fearful about the proposition of carrying such weaponry.
Rex looked at him and smiled. " Azarad, when I first got my weapons, I was afraid of them. I didn't know if I could handle such power. Now look at me," the cleric opened his suit jacket to reveal a used but trusty revolver in its holster on his hip, "I wouldn't part with my six shooter for anything. There is a reason these weapons choose you, maybe on some level, they know you can handle what they will throw at you."
Reassured, Azarand nodded and walked forward, stopping just in front of his brother.
Stepping up to the weapons rack, Azarand was instantly drawn to a jet black colored revolver. Gripping it by its black rubber handle, he examined it. It appear quite a bit larger and beefier than his brothers smaller .357 Model 627, it made him smile, perhaps when I came to defensive carry weapons, he would outmatch his brother.
"Whoa, no one that I can remember has been chosen by that particular piece." Cleric Rex Mudlanya's voice was filled with awe. "What you got there is a Smith and Wesson Governor. It's what I call the shotgun of revolvers, literally. It can chamber .45ACP, .45 Colt, and .410 shotgun shells. You have a miniature armory in there. The .410 shells can take out a great number of enemies with just one shot, and the .45 caliber rounds are small but powerful, they will get the job done."
Feeling no more tugs at his mind, Azarand returned to his spot beside his brother.
Rex and Zordon stepped forward, each clasping hands on their shoulders. "We are both very proud of you. Will this process over, all that remains is for you to get your service belts, which contain your holsters, ammunition, and other defensive weapons such as blades. With this complete, you two are now members of this great group. We are proud to call you Cleric." Rex spoke in a formal tone, although the smile on his face made his formality melt away.
With the process complete, the two new clerics's, Ali and Azarand, were left alone with Zordon, Rex exiting to receive an update on the Power Rangers.
Zordon smiled at them before responding. "It seems that our Power Rangers have protected the planet from destruction. It also seems that Lord Zedd and Rita are no more, as a spell I cast has purified this planet from evil. "Both Ali and Azarand beamed with excitement. " However, this evil is a continuous process. A new monster is coming, Scorpius." Ali and Azarand's happiness turned into fear and dread.
"Fear not, he will have you get through you two." Zordon said, a small grin of confidence upon his face. In front of him, Ali and Azarand gawked at the notion of themselves fighting against Scorpius. "In a short time, an expedition of humans from Earth will be leaving the planet on a giant space station called Terra Venture. This space station is the exemplification of modern human ingenuity, but its leaving the planet behind means that it will be far from our protection here at the Control Center. I need clerics on board to defend the citizens and the Power Rangers."
"What do you mean Power Rangers?" Ali asked, still a bit shaken with the knowledge regarding Scorpius.
"A group of individuals that will come from across the galaxy will end up on Terra Venture. I cannot say how, but it is in their destiny. With it, the Lights of Orion, my ancient creation, have made their presence felt. Additionally, Scorpius' flotilla is on the move, where it is headed I know not, but I can guarantee Terra Venture will be a target."
It took a moment for both Ali and Azarand to take in the information.
"For these reasons, I am assigning you two as the clerics to travel aboard this space station. You will be challenged in this feat, but know that I have to utmost confidence in you two. You have survived far greater odds than this. As was said, be weary of Kypton and her agents. I have foreseen encounters with them, I have confidence you will succeed. " Zordon's face took a somber frown. " There is something I wish to confess, something that I've recently come to know. Your father and brother are still alive."
Both boys gasped at the revelation. "How?!"
Zordon sighed before responding. "I don't know how, but he has survived. During your journey away from this planet, it is in your destines that your three paths will cross. You will see your father and brother again." Seeing the look of excitement and giddiness upon the faces of the two teenagers, Zordon quickly put a hand up. "But I must warn you two, your father has changed." With that he quickly left the room.
Ali and Azarand were left standing in the common area. They were ready to be clerics, to fight against evil, to go on this adventure, but were they ready to face their father? Only time would tell.
Hi all! I'm sitting on the fence about this chapter, particularly the weapons choosing. I may or may not edit that in the future. Well we finally had some ranger appearances! Initally with MMPR, then Power Rangers Turbo, and a brief mention of Power Rangers In Space, and of course the lead in to Lost Galaxy. For In Space you may have noticed that Zordon didn't perish as he did in the original series, as you can tell I changed that. I needed Zordon for future chapters and felt like his "death" would mess up some of the interactions with characters and just make some chapters very confusing. I apologize in advance for any spelling errors, I'm deadbeat tired but i cranked this chapter out. I will reread this chapter in the next day or two and fix any errors.
-LittleP
