Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Dawn of Primacy: Dark Maelstrom
-4-
"Guys," Red Ranger replied. "It's really me."
"That's impossible," Billy replied. "Jason, the real Jason, is dead."
"I was," Jason replied. "Joshua risked his own life to come pull me back from the other side."
"This is going to take time for them to process," Joshua said to Jason.
"Wait a minute!" Ashley broke in. "Are you telling me this is 'The Jason', the former Red Ranger, the one that was killed?"
Kimberly was feeling light headed, she sat down. Joshua put a hand on her shoulder but she brushed it away.
"Leave me alone," she said; frustration in her tone.
Josh was trying to be understanding. "I know how you must be feeling, I felt the same way when Ninjor first told me about this, and…"
"Who's Ninjor?" Billy interrupted momentarily trying to distract his mind from the impossible.
"He's…" he paused for a moment. "He was the guardian of the power, the morphing grid, whatever you want to call it. He was the one who saved you on the moon when you tried to fight Zedd with your Zords."
"How do you know about that?" Adam asked.
"While I was… out of this realm I had knowledge of what was going on, when I left some of my powers with Kimberly it connected us. Your powers are part of you. Passing part or all of them to another is like leaving a part of yourself with that person. It leaves you connected."
"How long have you known about all this, with Ninjor and Jason?" Kimberly asked, the confusion of the moment driving her to tears.
"Since before I recruited Adam and Ashley," Josh sighed, his eyes fell.
"And you didn't think to tell us!" Kimberly forced through her tears. "Are there anymore secrets, anything you aren't telling us!"
Jason walked over to Kimberly. "Kim, please don't be angry with him." He said placing his hand on her shoulder. Kimberly looked up at Jason tears streaking her face.
"It's just so hard," she tried to talk through her tears. "I mean you were dead, and it was hard and it hurt a lot, and then you just show up here, and, I don't even know what to think anymore." She stood up and hugged Jason, the joy and the pain all a blur in the moment. She buried her head in his chest and began to sob. "It's good to see you again." She whispered through her tears. Jason hugged her trying to comfort her.
Billy had also taken a seat and was trying to wrap his mind around the situation. People didn't come back to life, it simply did not happen, this defied the laws of science and nature. He wanted to accept that this was Jason, that his friend was alive again, he should have been happy, but he simply could not deal with this. Adam and Ashley were feeling uncomfortable with the heightened emotion in the air. They understood what was going on, but never having known Jason in life they weren't able to understand what Billy and Kimberly were going through.
"I know this is hard to accept," Josh said. "I had a hard time accepting it when Ninjor told me that Jason's soul could be recovered from the other side, more importantly he said it was necessary if we were going to survive this war."
"It's just so hard to believe," Billy said his own eyes beginning to tear up. "Is it really you Jason?"
"It's really me Billy," Jason said his smile offering a measure of reassurance.
Billy stood up and walked over to Jason and Kimberly and put his arms around them. They stood there silently for a moment.
"I think they're going to need a little bit." Jason replied.
"I'll wait outside," Josh said. He motioned to Ashley and Adam and the three of them left the Command Center.
Lord Zedd stared down the imposter, waiting for him to make his move. The imposter said nothing, but instead began to shed his skin, his disguise melting off his body. Standing in his place was a creature that appeared to be an amalgamation of flesh and technology, his body a twisted combination of orange and red flesh and metal armor, spikes and teeth appeared throughout his body, an orange vest looking as if it were made from some monster's mouth covered most of his torso. Ecliptor recognized him from a long time ago.
"Darkonda," Ecliptor said; his tone full of disdain.
Darkonda said nothing in response but began to laugh. Zedd was through with this creature; he raised his hand. Streaks of fire burst forth like serpents engulfing Darkonda, the force of the fire stripping his flesh. Yet even as the flesh burned exposing charred bone and mechanical parts Darkonda only continued to laugh as if he were deriving some twisted pleasure from Zedd's actions. As the fire burned through his body the laughter was snuffed out. Zedd closed his hand and the flame ceased. Darkonda's remains fell to the ground a charred pile of armor and bones. Zedd suspected this fiend had no idea that he was already aware of his secret. Zedd turned his attention to Dark Specter, who was now cowering on his knees.
"And you? I will have to think of a fitting punishment for you," Zedd said.
"Master," Astronema interrupted.
"What?" Zedd asked almost sounding annoyed.
"I have something that would be perfect for Dark Specter."
Zedd did not respond but instead reached into her mind to see what this was she had planned. As he looked through her scheme he was content that it would cause Dark Specter to suffer and die very slowly.
"Very good," Zedd replied as he finished looking through her mind. "I will leave him to you. Lokar gather my Tengas! We have a world to conquer!"
Ecliptor stepped forward drawing his sword placing it at Dark Specter's throat.
"Let's go," Astronema commanded.
"You will live to regret this traitor," Dark Specter growled.
Astronema grinned as Ecliptor led Dark Specter from the room.
Josh, Adam, and Ashley were standing out in the cool mountain air enjoying the peace of night. The stars were shinning brightly in this remote region away from the city and the military search lights. Ashley was the first to break the silence.
"How did you bring someone back from the dead?"
"It wasn't easy," Josh replied. "I would not want to do it again."
"What was so hard about it?" Adam asked intrigued by this whole thing.
"Oni," Josh replied.
"What's Oni?" Ashley asked.
"Oni are the warriors of Makai, what we would call Hell. They punish evil-doers and are responsible for guarding the realm and to torture the wicked."
"Are you saying Jason was in Hell?" Adam asked.
"No," Joshua replied. "Jason was still at the border, the realm where the three realms meet. But Oni roam that area as well and for a mortal to trespass into that realm is not permitted."
"So does that mean they'll keep coming after you?" Ashley asked.
"No," Josh replied solemnly. "I killed them, and destroyed all the evidence."
"You sound sad," Ashley replied. "Isn't that a good thing?"
"I don't know," Josh sighed his eyes studying the stars.
"What about the others?" Adam asked. "Zack and Trini?"
Josh was quiet for a moment, "They had already moved on," he replied. "There is no way to bring them back now. I was only able to retrieve Jason because he hadn't moved on to the next world, Ninjor said his task in this world wasn't complete yet, for whatever that's worth."
The Rangers stood in silence, Adam and Ashley both uncertain of what to say. Both had many pressing questions, Ashley did not want to pass on this opportunity to talk to him more, but he seemed resistant to discussing it all at the moment. It seemed he had a long day, and who knew how he was taking the emotional turmoil that Billy and Kimberly seemed to be going through. Adam had to admit it wasn't much of a surprise when he thought about it. The grief process was about closure, and he couldn't imagine accepting someone was gone and then discover they were wrong. It must be like those people who are missing for a long time and their loved ones move on and then one day the person returns, but it must be harder when you see the person die and then cremate them.
The other Rangers emerged from the Command Center. Kimberly's face was still glistening with tears, but she was smiling. Joshua didn't turn to face them, but instead kept watching the sky as if lost in thought. Kimberly didn't say a word, but walked beside Joshua and laced her fingers through his. Josh turned and looked at her.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you," she said.
"I forgive you," Josh replied.
"Thank you for bringing Jason back."
Josh smiled, though she could tell something troubling was on his mind. "You don't need to thank me," he replied. "I was happy to do it."
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"We'll get to that soon enough," Josh replied.
"I think they're ready to hear everything," Jason said.
Josh nodded and the six of them went back into the Command Center. They all took a seat in the main room as Josh prepared to fill everyone in on everything that had been going on from the beginning.
"Well," Josh started. "As half of you will remember, Kimberly found a box while cleaning up the Command Center after I was freed from Zedd's control. This box contained indentations from the Power Coins, but also had a map with it. At the time we couldn't be bothered to look into it as we had more pressing concerns with Lord Zedd and the Machine Empire. And so the map was put into storage to be looked at later. Well, when Billy first asked me to track down new Rangers for the team I saw this as a chance to go investigate the location on the map. I had seen that it was located in a desolate and potentially dangerous place and didn't want to involve the others, but I wanted to discover all I could about the Power Coins and see if I could discover who created them. So I took the map and teleported out to the desert to check it out. While I was there I discovered a cave that contained the Temple entrance…"
Joshua was unsure where this Temple was supposed to be located. He seemed to be at a dead end with no clues as to where the doorway was. He wasn't even sure it was here, maybe it had long since been abandon, or worse. The air was thick with a fog that seemed to hang in the cave, but there was no condensation on the walls. Josh pondered the situation for a moment and then decided to morph; maybe the armor's sensors could detect something. Pulling out his morpher he called on the Dragon's power, his body transforming in a burst of green light. He ran through the full spectrum of visual modes, but nothing seemed to help. He tried using his sonar, but the walls all resonated as solid. Finally he was reduced to running his hands over the walls looking for anything that might provide some answers. After a short period of searching, his hand passed through a section of wall obscuring it up to the wrist. Josh was puzzled by this; all his sensors were indicating that this portion of the wall was solid. He ran his hands over the anomaly getting an idea of how big this apparent opening was. After being convinced it was large enough to fit through he took a deep breath and stepped through the wall.
In a flash Joshua saw a sword coming at his head, he ducked as the blade grazed the top of his helmet. In a second he had pulled his Dragon Dagger out and was faced off against a being in ninja styled ranger armor. In his hands was a large ninja combat sword forged from blue steel, a golden N on the guard matched the emblems on his forehead and chest.
"I will not allow your evil to defile this temple." The ninja replied; his ominous voice echoing in the Temple. "Leave this place and tell your master to never come here again." He attacked Joshua who blocked with his dagger.
Joshua pushed him back trying to put some distance between them. The warrior charged back in with a series of spinning kicks. Josh managed to weave around them, finally jumping backward over the last kick going off a hand spring.
The warrior stepped forward launching a palm strike, Joshua quickly sidestepped his strike grabbing his arm and twisted it behind his back trying to gain control of the situation.
"What master?" Josh asked.
"Zedd." The warrior replied as he jumped from the ground sending both of them backward.
Joshua released him allowing him to sail over his head. The warrior landed the two of them poised to strike again.
"I don't want to fight you," Joshua replied. "And I certainly don't serve Zedd anymore."
"Lies!" he said rushing forward and striking with such force that Joshua was thrown to the ground. "I know what you've done!"
"What are you talking about?"
The warrior's sword was pointed at his throat. Josh knocked the sword away as he launched himself to his feet. Again the warrior swung his sword only to be blocked by the Dragon Dagger. "I'm not under Zedd's power anymore!" Josh said forcefully pushing against the warrior. "The Sword of Darkness has been destroyed."
"Prove it!" the warrior said.
"By letting you kill me?" Josh said as he jammed his foot in the warrior's chest and fell backward sending him flying into a wall. "Why should I trust you?"
The warrior leapt to his feet as Joshua charged in with a series of spin kicks and backhands. But the warrior sprung at him knocking his hands aside and launching a knee into his chest and throwing a double elbow strike to his head with his free arm. Josh's head was wretched back and forth as he fell to the ground. The warrior came down on him landing a knee in his solar plexus. Joshua convulsed as the air was forced out of his body. The warrior leaned forward holding his blade across Josh's neck.
Joshua dropped his dagger and knocked it away from his body. "I don't want to fight you," he coughed. He took a moment to catch his breathe. "I know I've done some horrible things, but right now we are missing three Rangers, Zedd is not going to wait for us to be ready to attack, and the only thing holding him back is the attack by the Machine Empire and I have no idea who to give these coins to. The map that was with the other five coins led to this place, if you won't help then I'll leave, but I refuse to fight you."
"Give me your Coin." The warrior replied.
Joshua complied. He touched the morpher causing it to open and release the coin, as he did so his body demorphed, the dagger disappeared from the floor. Carefully he removed it and handed it to the ninja. Taking it the warrior rose and stepped back sheathing his weapon. Joshua cautiously sat up trying not to make any sudden moves.
"You can relax," the ninja replied. "Without your coin you are no threat to me." He looked down at the coin rotating it in his hand. "I haven't seen this coin for over ten millennia, not since Rita's minions entered the temple and stole it."
Clutching the coin the warrior seemed to go into a trance for a moment as if he were communicating with another presence. He stood motionless for a moment, Joshua watched him not sure what to make of it. Then begging to move again he looked up at Josh, he seemed almost sad.
"Can we please talk? I have a lot of questions that the fate of the world hangs on and I think you're the only one who can answer them."
"You have remarkable determination and courage Green Ranger,"
"Joshua," he replied standing up. "My name's Joshua Raine."
"I am called Ninjor, and I forged the six Coins." He replied.
"Could you tell me what they are?"
"They are a gateway to the Construct, the conduit that leads to the Go-Dai."
"What do you mean?" Josh asked puzzled.
Ninjor crouched on his knees in a meditative posture; Joshua recognized it from Ninjitsu and also knelt. It was obvious this was going to be a long talk.
"What Zordon and others from Eltar have come to call the Morphing Grid is actually what we ancients call the Construct. Regardless of the label it is an arcane gateway so ancient that no origin has yet been found. Think of this gateway as a water pipe which is tapped into a reservoir, which we have come to know as the Go-Dai. What the Coins do is to tap into the Construct, like a pipe and draw out power that is traveling through the Construct from the Go-Dai. Now the Go-Dai is another mystery in itself, it is composed of three beings, Tiamat, the Storm Dragon, comprising the wind and water elements, and the Phoenix, who holds life and death which comprises the fire and earth elements. It is from these two beings that the Coins draw their power from. The Ancient Chinese referred to these as the Long Feng."
"But you said there were three beings, and the Go-Dai has a fifth element, void."
Ninjor was silent for a moment. "The fifth element is void, a darkness that consumes all life."
"So it's like death then?"
"No, death is a natural part of life, a continuous circle that carries on. Void destroys the cycle, it would destroy everything. The two beings Tiamat and Phoenix live in love and harmony, which is essential for good, but void does nothing but consume and destroy, it is powerful in and of itself and so balance is maintained."
"Is void more powerful?"
"Alone, yes, but when the other powers unite the two together are more powerful, but only if they are united. That is why the Power Coins were created, when used together they are the greatest power available. Yet only a select few can actually handle the full power of the elements, so I divided the full power between the six coins to protect the users from the overwhelming power."
"So why are all the Power Coins based on dinosaurs and not the elements?"
"You probably misunderstood me, when I said very few can handle the full power of the elements I meant any one single element. To handle more than one or all would likely kill a human; we're just not strong enough to handle that level of power. As the good side flows through life so these elements are present in all the creatures and beings in existence. The Power Coins you possess are created using aspects that dinosaurs possessed from the elements."
"So does that mean there is a limit on their power?"
"No, not in the sense that you are thinking of limited. It is true that the coins act as regulators to control the flow of energy, but that regulation of energy is based on the individual, not on the coin. However, it is also true that certain elemental aspects are stronger in a given coin than in another. For example, your Dragon Coin is not as strong in the element of Earth as some of the other coins, consequently for you to use strength derived from that element requires more focus and strength of mind than the Tyrannosaurs Coin or the Sabretooth Tiger Coin."
"What did you mean by the person controls the regulation of power; wouldn't that make the person the regulator?"
"No," Ninjor replied. "You do not understand because you rely on your technology." Ninjor pointed at Joshua's morpher. "The Power Coins are psycho-resonant devices which are suppose to work through a disciplined mind and year of meditation. The more disciplined your mind is the more of the power you can unlock. So you see the Coin is the regulator, but it's ability to do so depends on the person. Is everything else clear?"
"Who are you really?" Joshua inquired. "A moment ago you referred to 'we' rather than 'you' when talking about humans. Are you also a human?"
Ninjor chuckled a little, "I was once,"
"How is it then that you are over ten thousand years old?"
"For now let's stay on the subject of the Go-Dai, I may know you told me the truth concerning your loyalties, but that does not mean I know you."
"Fair enough, so what do I do about finding new Rangers?"
"Wait, hold on," Ashley started. "Did you ever find out what the deal was with him?"
"And what about our Morphers?" Billy asked.
"I'll get to that," Joshua replied. "Just be patient," he focused his thoughts, "So I asked him about finding new Rangers, and he told me about Adam and Ashley and that they both had a strong spirit to handle the power. But when it came to finding a leader…" he paused for a moment, "That's when things got really weird."
"The only way that you can give the Rangers the leader they need to help them in this dark time is to recover someone who is lost." Ninjor replied.
"What do you mean?" Josh asked confused. "Who's lost that needs to be recovered?"
"You need to bring Jason Scott back from death."
"What?" Josh replied with an awkward laugh. Ninjor appeared to be serious. "How could I possibly bring back the dead? You said yourself that life and death are a cycle."
"But I did not say it only worked one way."
"Okay, well I'm not sure what this involves, but if I can do that with Jason can't I bring them all back, and even my family?" his voice reflecting a sudden burst of hope.
Ninjor chose his next words carefully, "It's not that simple."
"Whatever I have to do I'll do it, I'll do anything to get them all back."
Ninjor sighed heavily. "Zack and Trini have already moved on and so have your parents."
"What do you mean moved on? Moved on from where?"
"There is a focal point, a merging of the three realms of Joukai, Makai, and Yochi."
"And what are those?" Kimberly asked.
"It's Japanese," Joshua replied. "It means Heaven, Hell, and Earth."
"Oh," she replied.
"So was Ninjor from Japan originally?" Adam asked.
"No, but when nations like Greece and Rome emerged bringing with them a greater reliance on technology and human creation over the achievements on the inner being he left to live in China and later would go on to spend time in Japan for the next two millennia. Then he left there when Japan had its industrial revolution and finally returned to the temple as the world fell more into slavery, as he put it, to their own shortsightedness."
"What does that mean? And how did Ninjor know all these things and yet not know you were free from Zedd's control?" Billy asked
"Science, according to Ninjor, has taken huge steps back by declaring certain things impossible or dismissing them as myth. As to your second question Ninjor gains knowledge through the Go-Dai through meditation, but the Dragon Coin has been in the clutches of evil for so long he said it was still tainted."
"So what does that mean?" Kimberly asked.
"I'm not sure," Josh replied pondering it for a moment. "He never said anything else beyond that."
"You should get back to your story," Jason said.
"Okay, so anyways he goes on to explain these three realms and the focal point."
"This focal point is sometimes referred to as the border between worlds. It is only from this point that you can extract the deceased and bring them back."
"So you're saying that Jason is still there?"
"Yes, and" Ninjor knew this would be hard for him, but he couldn't deceive him. "So is your brother Alex."
"What?!" Joshua exclaimed jumping to his feet. "We have to go right now!"
"There's more." Ninjor said solemnly. "While it is possible to enter this bridging of realms, you need to understand both of them have lost their lives. It isn't a simple matter to just regain a lost life; someone has to give part or all of their life to the individual."
Joshua sank back down, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Couldn't I still bring them both back?"
"If you choose to, yes, however the more you dilute your life energy, your Chi as it were, in the lives of others the weaker their spirit and, consequently, yours will be. If you do this you could bring them both back, but Jason won't be able to use the Power, none of you will be able to."
"So you had to choose?" Billy asked.
"How did you ever decide?" Adam asked.
"Does this mean you gave up your brother to bring Jason back?" Kimberly asked.
"Guys, calm down." Jason replied. "Let him finish."
With the group quieted down Josh began again, "So I asked Ninjor how long I had to decide and he told me that depended on the individual and how long they hung on to this world. He also told me that Jason had a role to play and it was not finished yet and it was likely that until the opportunity to complete his task had past he would not move on. I told him I would think about it and return when I had reached a decision."
"Is this what you were so upset about when I found you out by the memorial after you got back?" Kimberly asked.
"Yeah," Josh replied. "I really wanted to help Jason, and my brother, but I was afraid, giving up part of my life force meant I would have a shorter life. I also struggled with this being my way to redeem myself instead of dealing with my past."
"That explains a lot," Kimberly said under her breath.
"So this is why you've been so withdrawn and vague for so long?" Billy asked.
"Yeah," Joshua replied. "I didn't want to get you involved in all this."
"But why not?" Adam asked. "I'm sure that everyone would have been willing to help, and maybe we could have each given up a part of our lives to help them both."
The other Rangers nodded in agreement.
"I had thought that as well, but before I left I had to ask Ninjor what would be involved to get Jason or my brother back."
"You have to understand," Ninjor said as he returned the Dragon Coin to Joshua. "The only way to reach this realm is located in a Shaolin Temple deep in a forest of Japan; its location is completely hidden from the outside world. It is one of many Go-Dai temples scattered throughout the world, though one of the few still inhabited. There is a gateway there and there is also a sword, the Reitsuken."
"That means soul stealing, or soul taking blade." Josh added.
"The Reitsuken will allow you to enter into the realm, without it your body would perish, but it serves another dual role. It is both a protective weapon and a tool to transfer life from yourself to another."
"Protection from what?" Joshua asked.
"The Oni, the guardians of Makai. They walk among the border of the realms guarding against intrusion and seeking out the wicked dragging them into Makai."
"Why would they attack me? Is it because I use to serve Zedd?"
"No," Ninjor sighed. "To enter this realm is forbidden for a mortal. The powers of the Phoenix and Tiamat are not responsible for creating this world, they are extra-dimensional. The laws which govern the three realms are established by a far more ancient power."
"Who established the three realms?" Joshua asked.
"Even those few of us who are ancients do not know everything. I have spent my existence learning about the Go-Dai, not the origins of existence, such a matter is beyond me."
"So if I understand you then you are saying only a single person can enter and even then that person will face great danger if he is discovered."
"Yes," Ninjor replied. "And only you can decide if this is what you want to do with your life. But Jason is the only one who will be able to lead you to victory against Zedd's forces now that Zordon is gone."
"What did happen to Zordon?" Billy asked. "And who are these other ancients?
"Ninjor didn't know, but he is no longer in our dimension and no one knows how to bring him back." Josh replied. "At least no one I've met. As for the other ancients Ninjor never saw fit to tell me who they were."
"So does all this mean since you brought Jason back that your life has been shortened?" Kimberly asked.
"There is no short answer to that question, but I'll get to it soon." Josh replied.
"How did you end up deciding what to do?" Ashley asked.
"Actually I reached that decision a few months ago. I had been trying to find someone else to take the Tyrannosaurus Coin, but they were either too weak in spirit to handle the power or couldn't handle the responsibility. But as I continued to see the News and the state the world was descending into I couldn't help think this was not the world I wanted to bring my brother back to, and it would be so selfish of me to allow so many to suffer so I could have what I wanted. Things seemed pretty clear after that."
"So Yesterday morning when you said you found a solution to our team problem this is what you were talking about?" Kimberly asked.
"Yes, but I couldn't tell you, I mean how could I have? You would have tried to stop me, it took me months to wrap my mind around the possibility and accept it. I didn't have that kind of time to wait. I also didn't know how long it was going to take or if I'd even make it back, I just had to believe this was something I was meant to do."
"You know," Jason started. "We're going to need to work on being more open in general, we are a team, our strength is in working together."
"I know," Joshua replied. "And I'm sorry I've kept you all in the dark about this, I know it wasn't right, and I'll try to be more open in the future."
"It's not all your fault," Ashley said. "There were times I wanted to ask you about things, but I just didn't know how, so I said nothing."
"It's okay," Joshua replied. "Like Jason said we need to focus now on doing the right thing from this point so we will be a strong team."
"So, in the spirit of openness," Billy began. "Where were you all those times you were out looking for a Red Ranger these last few months?"
"I was training with Ninjor. I was learning the art of Ninjutsu."
"I thought you already knew Ninjitsu?" Adam asked.
"I do know the Ninjitsu fighting style, which is technically called Taijutsu, Ninjutsu is the original, authentic form, plus I was also learning all the other disciplines besides fighting."
"Other disciplines?" Adam asked.
"Like I said I really know Taijutsu, previously that is all I knew, but that is only one of the eighteen disciplines that makes up Ninjutsu."
"So what else did you work on?" Kimberly asked.
"Spiritual strength, various weapons, concealment, espionage, strategy and tactics, learning to understand your environment and how to use it, stuff like that."
"You learned all that in a few months?" Billy asked.
"I'm no expert," Josh replied. "But I had advanced considerably since I began. Ninjor had some very effective training techniques from a time before we had gyms and our modern Dojos."
"Is that where you got the techniques you used when you were working with those stone pillars?" Ashley asked.
"Yes, it's a form of meditation called Zazen. I actually started using trees for practice, but as I learned to work through the pain I needed something more resistant."
"So why all the extra training?" Adam asked.
"Ninjor was training me to be a true Shinobi so I could enter the boarder realm and return undetected."
"From what you told us earlier I guess you weren't totally successful though at avoiding the Oni." Ashley said.
"What do you mean?" Kimberly asked.
"I had to kill a few Oni to cover my tracks. Like I said, I'm no expert," Josh replied. "And I'll get to that part later."
"You looked pretty on top of things when you showed up in that fight earlier." Billy commented.
"Yeah," Josh paused for a moment as if distracted by another thought. "Something else happened while I was gone that was responsible for that, but let me resume my story. So Sunday morning when I told you I needed to leave I was going to meet Ninjor at the Shaolin Temple. So after I arrived I was greeted by a monk and led back into a room where Ninjor was. There was a gateway on the far wall and the sword, the Reitsuken. There was a stone table there too; it had the three realms inscribed on it. Earlier that day I had taken the cylinder that held Jason's ashes, I placed that and Power Coin on the table. I took hold of the sword and the gate opened…"
As the gate opened a bright light began to shine through the portal, mist began to roll out over the floor. Josh tried to peer in, but could not see past the blinding light.
"Remember once you enter this portal it will be as if you were dead, attachments that bind you to this world will be broken." Ninjor said.
"I left some of my Powers with another Ranger." Joshua replied. "Will those be affected?"
"Those powers will become theirs when you enter the portal and will not return to you until you have come back from death yourself."
"So then my Dragon Coin will be useless on the other side?"
"Yes," Ninjor replied.
"How did you stay connected to Kimberly then, if all the ties were broken?" Billy asked.
"I didn't say my ties were broken," Joshua replied. "Attachments were broken."
"What's the difference?" Ashley asked.
"Physical and spiritual is the difference." Josh sighed he could already tell this was going to be a complicated explanation. "I should just explain from the beginning. When you form a relationship with someone a deep bond is formed more than mere physical presence connects you, hence the reason you remain close even when separated by a great distance. When someone dies you do not lose this bond, but because the human mind has the aspect of the unknown when it comes to death it believes that the person is gone and the pain in mourning is created by the individual breaking that bond on their own. If you realize that the person is not really gone for good it is easier to continue on, they still exist, just not on Earth. Attachments however, are based in the realm of Earth, things we possess we can become attached to, and in rare cases, such as the Power Coins things can become attached to us, but that attachment is based on a physical object that has no spirit essence. So when the object is gone so is the attachment. Still the Coins have an aspect of inherent spiritual energy because the Go-Dai is a spiritual force, so while I lost the physical manifestation of those powers, I still carried the spiritual manifestation of my powers."
"So how does that work when you left your powers with Kimberly?" Billy asked. "If the Green Ranger Powers connected you wouldn't they break that connection when you went through the gate?"
"No, because I left my physical powers with Kimberly, they became hers when I went through the gate, but the spiritual connection that was strengthened when I gave her my powers remained. It would be easier to say that the powers forged a stronger bond between us, not that the powers were the bond between us. You have to understand that deep spiritual bonds can be broken by our will, but not by death. Even our life force would be considered a physical attachment, and that force, the Chi, is what the Power Coin's physical attributes bond with. I think that's the best I can explain it."
"I guess that makes more sense." Billy replied. "But I get the sense you've talked more deeply with Ninjor than what you're recounting."
"I'm just giving you the highlights," Josh smiled. "We don't have time to go over everything he and I discussed."
"It's all over my head, "Ashley replied, "But whatever works."
"Well then I'll continue." Joshua said. "So I'm standing in front of the gate…"
"So I'm defenseless essentially?" Joshua asked.
"I will stay here and meditate, so you will be able to draw on my spiritual strength as well as your own, you will be far from defenseless. However, the Dragon Coin must stay here, in this world, should it pass into the other realm it will be lost forever."
Joshua nodded; he took his morpher out and handed it to Ninjor. With a deep breath he stepped through the gate. As he emerged on the other side he was frozen for a moment captivated by the peaceful tranquility of this place. The air was clear, yet the sky was white giving the realm an appearance of having a heavy mist surrounding it. The gentle hills of the valley were covered in grass which appeared to be an off white color, cherry blossom trees were spread across the landscape seeming to be perpetually showering the ground with their petals, yet the trees were not growing bare, and the petals seemed to evaporate as they lay on the ground. The sheer beauty of this place brought a tear to his eye, and he struggled to recapture his breathe.
"You need to find some cover," Ninjor's voice echoed in his mind. "The Oni will have sensed the breach."
"Okay," Josh barely managed to whisper. Slowly he began to move off into the trees to hide his presence.
"No!" Zedd's tone was furious.
Goldar cowered as Zedd brooded. Having reported the news the Hephaestus's defeat, and that both the Green Ranger and the Red Ranger were present had not been taken well by Zedd.
"Forgive my failure master," Goldar said bowing, his face on the ground. "It will not happen again."
"Understand this," Zedd vented, "If you fail me again it will be the last time."
Goldar trembled understanding the weight of Zedd's words. Though terrified he ventured one last piece of news. "It seems that the Pink Ranger had the Green Ranger's powers master."
"What?" Zedd responded, interested by this news. "Explain yourself."
"When the Rangers attacked us the Pink Ranger had the Dragon Shield and Dagger."
Zedd sat down on his throne for a moment collecting his thoughts. This was an interesting development; could the Pink Ranger actually be more involved with this Green Ranger as well? As Zedd perused his thoughts; something came to his mind that filled him with a twisted sense of delight.
"I want all of you to be mindful of the interaction between the Pink Ranger and our own traitor. Do not kill either one of them without my approval."
Zedd's minions looked at one another puzzled, but nodded in compliance. Astronema couldn't help but wonder what it was that Zedd knew and wasn't telling them.
"Lokar, Astronema," Zedd said, "Repair Finster, and improve on his design."
"Yes Master," Lokar replied leaving the room. Astronema followed behind him.
"What is our next move Master?" Ecliptor asked.
"I have a small matter to attend to that may end all our problems with these Power Rangers. But I have a special task for you Ecliptor."
"Of course my Lord," Ecliptor responded.
Josh had climbed up into a tree watching the location where he had entered into this world. His body had changed in appearance, his clothes, and whole body for that matter had become a translucent white as if he were a mist in this world. This helped to conceal him as he sat among the tree's blossoms.
"What are you doing?" Ninjor asked.
"I want to see what these Oni are."
"Be careful," Ninjor said, "Should one of their blades pierce you your soul will be torn from you and cast into Makai."
"I thought Oni had clubs," Josh replied.
"Not all myth is grounded in fact. Oni actually possess flaming swords, and that fire can also be used like a whip."
"Thanks for the warning,"
"Quiet, they're approaching."
Joshua peered out through the blossoms of the tree. But he couldn't see anything. Then, barely perceivable fiery red shadows began to creep over the ground. Though hard to even see Joshua could make out the rough shape of the creatures, human like in stature yet long protrusions, possibly horns, spread out from the sides of their heads, or possibly their backs, it was hard to make out. There appeared to be about seven of them, but with the interactions between the shadows it was hard to tell. After moments the shadows split into two groups and headed off in different directions. Joshua sat motionless until Ninjor's voice broke his silence.
"They've moved on, you're safe for the moment."
"Why couldn't I see them?" Josh asked.
"They're concealed," Ninjor replied. "They only seek the wicked, but operate in stealth to avoid disturbing the other souls in this place."
"With the way they go around they could really sneak up on you,"
"That's the idea," Ninjor said. "You better get going, the longer you tarry the more dangerous your situation will become."
Josh jumped down from the tree; taking a moment to look around he began to proceed toward where Jason and his brother were suppose to be.
"Well," Joshua said. "After spending several hours exploring and avoiding the Oni I finally came to an encampment of souls so to speak…"
Josh was lying on a hill looking down upon a group of souls. They still appeared as they did in life, even down to the clothes they wore. It seemed peculiar to Josh as his body had changed to more of a mist-like state, it must be some effect of the Reitsuken. Josh was about to start his descent when he felt a hot wind blow in from behind him.
"Look out!" Ninjor shouted.
Josh rolled out of the way and onto his feet as darkness swirled around him, the world outside was blotted out. "What's going on?"
"The Oni, they're shrouding you from the eyes of others so no one sees what they're about to do."
Josh drew the Reitsuken, the pale blue-green light doing little to illuminate his surroundings. There was nothing but silence. Then emerging through the darkness, as if breaking the surface of water, the Oni appeared. Four of them surrounded Joshua; their swords in their hands illuminated their fearsome features. Their head and body seemed to lack any discernible neck, yet the head came forward like some fierce lizard, the mouths partially opened revealing several rows of fang-like teeth, a forked tongue flickered from the mouth. Long curved horns extended from the back where the head met the body. A fiery red mane ran down their backs. Their leathery red skin was pierced in several locations around joints by claws that seemed to be moving.
"For trespassing into the domain of the dead you will be thrown into hell." One of the Oni spoke, its voice deep and gravelly, like the roar of fire.
"I have business here. The world will be destroyed if I didn't come, and if I don't finish what I am doing."
"There are many worlds," the Oni replied. "Your mortal concerns are of no consequence to us."
Joshua could see that this was getting him no where. As he stood in the darkness, the Oni surrounding him, Joshua prepared for battle. He focused his mind silencing his thoughts and reached out with his senses, slowly he breathed in the moment. There was a quiet moment as they faced off, Josh was trying to be mindful of the two Oni he had to his back as he could not watch them all at once. A barrier of liquid, like water, began to swirl around Josh.
"This is the best I can do to help protect you." Ninjor said.
The Oni watched for a moment more, assessing him, and then began to move in cautiously. As they moved in Ninjor began to sense something terrible.
"Josh, the veil of darkness, not only is it a barrier, but it is connect to each Oni, you are trapped in the confines of their presence, there is no way to get behind them."
This was even more bad news, Josh was already doubting his Tai Chi would be of any use in this realm, and the Oni did not seem to be producing any aura that he could identify. It seemed he would have a severe handicap in this fight. Josh swung at the Oni in front of him, the first in line blocked with his sword, the other moved in to strike. Josh jumped over his attack, the Reitsuken rolling off the other sword. As he was in mid jump the other Oni released their flame tendrils in a whip attack. Josh brought his sword around to block, the flames tangled around his sword. As he landed he launched a back kick at one of the Oni. The kick landed against its chest and the creature stumbled back, but it did not seem to even be phased by his attack. Josh pulled his sword back hoping to pull the other two Oni near him, but their flaming tendrils were snuffed out severing their grip on him.
There was a sudden flash as another Oni took a swing at him, he turned too late to react, the blade fell, but the barrier rushed into a single place and deflected the attack. Josh swung at the Oni, the Reitsuken grazing the leathery hide. The Oni roared as the blade seared a black gash in its flesh. Even with such a subtle wound the blade began to glow a little brighter as the weapon drank in the Oni's power. This did not escape the Oni's notice. All four Oni charged him; Josh had no choice but to drop flat on the ground. As the swords swung through where he had been he rolled and kicked the butt of one of the hilts forcing the sword into the Oni who held it. The blade sunk in deep, but the Oni did not seem to react. Instead it pulled the weapon from its torso leaving no trace that the sword had pierced it. Josh pushed off the ground landing his feet on the barrier created by the Oni, his hands still on the ground. The Oni on both sides slashed at his mid section. Josh managed to push off the barrier and ground at the same time and flipped over the swords he could feel the fire pass near his back, barely missing him. As he came down he brought his sword around and cut through the top of the Oni's neck. Josh cringed as he felt a sharp pain in his mind. An image flashed in Joshua's mind, he could see a Mega Zord locked in combat with Zedd.
"Joshua," Ninjor called.
"I know, I saw it too," he replied as the blade tore through the Oni, its head falling to the ground. The Reitsuken glowed brilliant as the weapon drank in the power of the Oni, its body evaporating. The other Oni considered their next move for a moment not realizing Josh was temporarily weakened.
"What shall we do?"
"Go," Joshua replied. "I can make it on my own here."
"Are you certain?" Ninjor asked.
"If they die then this was all for nothing." Josh replied as he turned to face the remaining Oni, keeping his back to the new shape of the barrier he could almost see all three at once. He wasn't sure he could do this alone, but he had seen the image in his mind clearly, the Rangers were facing Zedd, and without help they did not have a chance. Josh could feel Ninjor leave, as he did the barrier around him disappeared. The Oni saw this opportunity and took it. As they rushed forward they swung and twirled their sword furiously, the trail of flame arcing from the blades. Josh parried the one in front of him and leapt forward to avoid the other two pushing against the first Oni as he did so forcing him back. This made things awkward for Josh as the dimensions he had for fighting had now been reduced to a narrow triangle. The Oni chose to capitalize on this. The two behind him rushed forward staying close together. The one in front attempted to skewer Josh. However, Josh flipped back going over the attack of the two behind him, as his feet contacted the barrier he launched himself off the wall at the Oni in front of him. As he soared forward the Oni released his flaming tendrils which tangled around Josh's neck. The Oni gave the whip a sharp crack throwing Joshua into the ground. Josh leapt up as the other two Oni were coming down on him, but the other yanked the whip pulling Joshua toward him. Joshua managed to turn and cut the flame, however, still off balance he fell forward; twisting his body he shifted enough to allow the sword to pass between his arm and torso. The fire's heat seared his soul, and his body landed against the Oni causing both to stagger back. The claws on the Oni's body began to tear at Josh. Joshua ignored the pain and took advantage of his position and plunged his sword into the Oni's side just as the Oni was bringing its sword up to slash Josh's throat. As the Oni dissolved Josh was thrown back as the barrier closed in further. Like being slammed between two brick walls he was thrust between the two remaining Oni. The three stood shoulder to shoulder, Josh wasted no time in jumping, launching a split kick. The blows landed against the Oni's shoulders and pushed them back giving Josh a little more room. Joshua noticed that the Reitsuken now had a green flame running along the blade; the sword seemed to be growing in power with each Oni he defeated.
The remaining two Oni contemplated the situation. He had already defeated two of them, but he was now trapped in a corridor and at best would have an Oni on both sides, as facing either one would result in turning his back on the other. It was obvious to Josh that these were not brute beasts without intellect and by their laws he was the intruder. It didn't feel right to be killing them, but he had to get to Jason regardless of the cost.
Both Oni moved in bringing their swords down in an arc. Josh dropped and put his sword up to block, his other hand holding against the back of the blade. As the weapons clashed blinding light radiated from the points of contact. Josh struggled to hold his stance with the force of two Oni bringing their swords down.
"We have you now." The Oni said.
Josh recognized the truth of those words. He was not in a position to do anything, the only direction he could go was up, and the weight of both swords pressing down was requiring all his strength to hold back, but he could only do this so long, he could already feel himself weakening. He kept playing his last move back in his head, there wasn't much else he could have done, but this didn't seem to be working either. What he needed was a way to get out of his situation. As Josh weakened his arms began to move down, the Oni leaning in to bring their weight to bear even more forcefully. Suddenly Joshua's world flashed.
As he looked around he was standing in the Temple of Power where he had first me Ninjor. Ninjor was standing before him, his helmet removed, his face old, and tired, yet his green eyes still held great strength and wisdom. His head was devoid of any hair, save for a small gray beard on the base of his chin, and a scar ran down his left cheek.
"You are human," Josh said in amazement. He had forgotten about his current plight.
"I have only a moment," Ninjor replied. "Your friends are safe, but I was unable to defeat Lord Zedd. I am mortally wounded. I do not have much time left. I am passing my spirit to you Green Ranger. You will be the guardian of the power."
"But…"
Ninjor raised his hand to stop him, "You are a fine warrior Joshua Raine, my time has passed, now you must carry on against Zedd, so I leave you with all the knowledge and power collected over my many millennia to aid you in your own battles, use it well.
With those words Ninjor dissolved into a brilliant light, as it washed over Joshua he could feel all that was Ninjor flowing into him. As the light faded Joshua was once again on his knees holding back the Oni's attacks. His heartbeat became loud like the rumble of thunder with every beat. He pushed back the Oni's weapons; both of them staggered back unsure what to make of the situation. Josh rose to his feet. His chest sprouted an orb glowing with white flame, from the orb a dark green liquid began to flow over his body covering him like a wetsuit. Bones began to form over his body like an exoskeleton, the bones were dragon like extending in claws from his fingers, the dragon skull incasing his head like a helmet. A boney crest formed over his shoulder reminiscent of his Dragon Shield. His eyes opened glowing a fierce orange. He plunged the Reitsuken into the ground generating his own barrier which warped the Oni's barrier. They now stood in a circle, streams of energy radiated from the Reitsuken illuminating these boundaries in strange glyphs. The web of the sword spread though the air creating points of contact between Josh and the Reitsuken throughout the plane. He released his grip on the weapon and faced his opponents. The Oni were not sure what to make of this new development and cautiously moved toward one another to give themselves a united front.
Josh charged them. The Oni swung their swords, but Joshua grabbed them with a single clawed hand, his left hand pressed against one of the Oni which burst forth in flame. The Oni crumbled to ash as the flame consumed it. The last Oni turned to run, Josh knew if he let it go there would be more after him. Reluctantly he launched a tendril from his wrist, the bones raced forward like a dragon's tail. The tendril speared through the Oni's body. As he drew the Oni back Josh summoned the Reitsuken which leapt from the ground into his hand.
"I'm sorry," Joshua said as he cut the Oni's throat. As the Oni dissolved the world around him lightened as the darkness cleared away. Josh's body reverted to what it had been. As he looked around he could see that the ground was blackened where the Oni had fallen, but even now the grass was being washed clean, its white luster being restored. Josh could see the souls below, apparently unaware of the battle that had just taken place above them.
Joshua descended from the hill into the group of souls below. They were sitting on various rocks that were among the trees, some sat on the ground. The interesting thing Joshua noticed was that despite the obvious difference in cultural appearance everyone seemed to be speaking the same language. As Joshua approached closer one of the souls greeted him.
"Welcome friend," the man said. He looked as if he was from an African Tribe, but Josh wasn't sure.
"Greetings," Josh replied. "If you could help me, I'm looking for Jason Scott and Alex Raine?"
The man did not say another word but pointed over toward a stream that was flowing through the valley. Joshua could see several more souls by the edge looking out over its clear, glassy surface.
"Thank you," he replied and headed toward the stream.
As he approached one of the souls stood up and turned toward him. It was his brother Alex. Josh ran to him.
"Alex!" he exclaimed throwing his arms around him, tears began to run down his face.
"Josh, I was worried about you." Alex said embracing him. "I've heard some bad things about you since I've been here."
"Unfortunately what you heard is probably true to a degree." Joshua said. "That thing that attack us, his name is Zedd, a tyrant trying to conquer the universe. He took me to use as his Green Ranger to destroy the Power Rangers, and if it weren't for a last effort by Jason, Billy, and Kimberly," Josh suddenly realized this information did him little good. "The Red, Blue, and Pink Rangers I would have succeeded and still been under Zedd's control."
"Is that so?" another voice spoke up.
Joshua released Alex and looked up to see Jason walking toward him. Josh was uncertain how Jason would react to seeing him, it had been at the back of his mind, but he hadn't given it much thought until now.
"So did you finally get killed?" Jason asked.
"No," Joshua replied. "I'm not dead. I came here to bring you back."
"What?" Jason replied.
"What are talking about?" Alex asked.
"Like I was telling you, after I killed Jason under Zedd's control Billy managed to knock the Sword of Darkness," he paused realizing again that neither of them knew exactly what he was talking about. "The Blue Ranger knocked that curved sword out of my hand and into the volcano, when it was destroyed Zedd's hold was broken. Since then I've been working with the others to rebuild the team and guard against Zedd."
Jason looked conflicted; Alex seemed to be shocked by all of this.
"I don't expect you to trust me outright," Joshua replied. "But I found the creator of our Power Coins and he told me I needed to come to this place and bring you back, that you were our only hope for this war. Jason, we need you."
"How can you just bring someone back from the dead?" Jason asked.
"By using this," Joshua held out the Reitsuken, "I can give you a portion of my life force." He turned to Alex, "And even you too brother. Moments ago I inherited an even greater life force, I'm certain there is enough to give you both your lives back."
Jason was quiet. Alex thought for a moment and then spoke, "Josh, I can't go back."
"Of course you can!" Josh said, his eyes tearing up. "I want you to come back."
"If everything you say is true what kind of life would I have? Mom and Dad are already gone, I would have left with them, but I couldn't until I found out for sure that the rumors I heard weren't true, and that you were okay. But being here for so long has given me a whole new view on everything. It's like you were always saying, there is a balance to life, and my life has ended. It would be greedy to cling to life when my role in it has ended. And I don't want to take life from you Josh, your life is yours to live."
"I agree," Jason said.
"Alex," Josh started.
"Josh, I'm at peace with this now, I have to move on, I can't go back with you." Then he turned to Jason, "You always said you wanted to protect your friends and family, that it was your job to save the world. Here's your chance, if my brother says you are the only chance they have then you need to go. I've been here with you for some time, and I can tell by the way you talk you're not done yet Jason, you know you're not." Jason carefully pondered what he said. Alex turned back to Joshua. "I need to depart now. Now that I know you're okay I need to join Mom and Dad."
"I wish we had more time," Joshua replied trying to hold back his tears.
"When your life is finally done we'll have all the time you could ever want." Alex said.
The two of them embraced. "Tell Mom and Dad I love them." Josh said tears streaking his face. "I love you."
"I love you too," Alex said. "And I'm proud of you, I've always looked up to you, I know you'll find a way to defeat Zedd."
As they spoke Alex began to dissolve into white light, his spirit passing on to Heaven.
"Goodbye brother," Alex said.
"Goodbye," Josh replied. Josh dropped to his knees taking a moment to collect himself. There was a moment of silence as the two stood there dealing with their own thoughts. Josh finally rose, wiping the tears from his eyes he looked at Jason. "I need to know what your decision is, the longer I stay here the greater danger I am in."
"I'll go," Jason replied.
Joshua forced a smiled and held out the Reitsuken toward Jason. "You need to take this and plunge it through my heart."
"What?!" Jason replied in shock. "I'm not going to stab you."
"It's how this thing works," Joshua replied as he gripped the blade and held the tip over his heart. "I don't think it'll hurt, just take the hilt and push in."
Jason reluctantly took hold of the hilt and began to push the sword in. Josh could not even feel the blade going through his body. Jason forced the blade in up to the guard. The blade suddenly began to glow brightly, as did the web of black and white crystal lace. The two of them began to pulsate with each beat of Joshua's heart. The pulse was soft at first, but with each beat it grew in intensity, and as it did the world around them began to fade. Then with a final pulse the world was washed away and the two of them were standing in the room at the Shaolin Temple. Joshua removed the sword from his body and returned it to its stand. As he placed it back the gate closed and the two of them were left standing in the room. Joshua picked up the black bag on the table and opened it. He removed the cylinder that once contained Jason's ashes, but as he opened it he could see it was empty.
"What is that?" Jason asked.
"It was your cremated remains." Joshua replied. He dug into the bag and pulled out a morpher with the Tyrannosaurus Power Coin in it. "I believe this belongs to you." He said handing it to Jason.
Jason took hold of the morpher, a sense of nostalgia filled him; he took a deep breath unaccustomed to even the simple act of breathing.
"I never thought I'd see this again." Jason paused for a moment holding the morpher in his hand.
"I believe this is also yours," Joshua said handing him his communicator.
Jason strapped it to his wrist. As he was doing so Josh noticed his own Morpher lying on the floor where Ninjor had been meditating. He quietly walked over and picked it up. He looked at it for a moment as if contemplating something, but then put it away.
"So what's our next move?" Jason asked.
"First there are two things we need to go take care of, then we'll rejoin the others."
The still silence of the Go-Dai Temple of Power was shattered as a crimson portal opened. Lord Zedd stepped through into the Temple. The gateway closed behind him. It had to be here somewhere, the Source, the relic that tapped into the Morphing Grid and allowed the Power Coins to function. Zedd searched the few rooms of the small Temple, but could find nothing, if it was still here it was hidden. It did not matter, if it was here it would make his task easier, if not he would simply have to kill all the Rangers. Zedd removed a small orb from his armor and cast it on the floor; he turned and stepped back through the portal, the doorway closing behind him leaving the Temple in darkness. Moments later the Temple and everything within a mile was atomized as the sphere expanded dismantling the atomic structure of everything it touched.
"Where are we?" Jason asked.
"This is the Go-Dai Temple of Power, this is where Ninjor took refuge and hid the remaining Power Coins after Rita had discovered one of the other Temples."
Jason looked around. The Temple was small having only the main hall which appeared to be for training purposes, and three rooms, spread around the remaining three sides of the Temple. To the right was a small room with a cot and a mat for meditation, the left had several metal working tools, some that Jason did not recognize. Joshua proceeded to the room directly ahead of the entrance they had come through.
"What are you going to get?" Jason asked.
"The Source," Joshua replied. "It's the device that Ninjor made to tap into the Morphing Grid, or what they called the Construct which allows the power of the Go-Dai to reach our universe."
"They had that kind of technology back then?"
"This is beyond anything we even have today," Josh replied. "This is an advanced form of crystalline metallurgy that works by tapping into the extra-dimensional power of the Go-Dai through the Construct. The Source is like a converter that transforms the energy to a form that we can use and then transmits it to the coins so to speak. Then the coin regulates the power to the body's aura, infusing it into the Chi, this allows us to transform as the energy takes physical form."
"Then what are the morphers for?"
"Quick results," Josh replied as he grabbed a white pyramid shaped object from its pedestal. The surface was smooth and appeared to be made of white crystal; several circles were carved into the sides in various patterns, the groves of which had been filled with another substance that shone with many colors, yet it appeared to be a unified object. He walked back into the main room.
"What do you mean by quick results?" Jason asked.
"The Power Coins were never meant to be used by just anyone. It takes years of training and discipline to use the Power. The Morphers, both those created by Zordon, and the one Rita's minions created to use the Dragon Coin generate an artificial spirit, if you will, that influences the abilities and effect of the power on a person. Basically it gives the power form without the need of years of training to direct it, but it also limits what you can do with the power."
"Hold up," Billy cut in. "If the Morphers were developed separately, why are they so similar?"
"Well," Josh began. "I'm sure you've noticed that the Green Ranger powers are different from yours. I have a shield, the ability to discharge energy in several forms and I can control my Zord without being in it. In effect I use more power when I'm morphed. This also makes the Green Ranger powers more dangerous and limits the individual who can use them. And though I can not be certain, since the Dragon Coin belonged to one of Rita's minions before she was imprisoned by Zordon, and I know that Zordon and those with him fought with the Green Ranger and the Dragon Zord, it is my guess that Zordon used his knowledge of the Green Ranger's Morpher when he discovered the other Power Coins, though it seems that his morphers were more limited to make them safer to use."
"I guess I'll have to wait until those files are decrypted to see if there is any useful information in them," Billy replied.
"I'd be interested in whatever you find," Joshua said. "I have memories of the original Green Ranger, but with so many millennia having passed the memories are really faint."
"So what did you do with the pyramid thing?" Kimberly asked.
"We hid it," Jason replied. "Somewhere Zedd will never find it."
"Can't he track the output, the signal it sends out?" Billy asked.
"I doubt it," Josh replied. "Nothing known to Ninjor can track the energy signature; it doesn't seem to work like anything else we're familiar with."
"So where did you go after that?" Ashley asked. "You said you had two things to do, right?"
"Oh, you're going to love this." Jason said with a smile.
Josh laughed. "Well with all the knowledge I had received from Ninjor I became aware of another Zord, Titanus. It seems Zordon knew about it, it just wasn't needed yet. So we retrieved it."
"What does it do?" Adam asked.
"Well currently it is a mobile gun platform for the other Zords. It combines with the Mega Dragon Zord to form the Ultra Zord. But in this case the Mega Dragon Zord is little more than an added power supply for the massive weapons on the Ultrazord, but I'm sure Billy can come up with some creative modifications to allow us to use it more effectively."
"I'll do my best," Billy replied. "I'll have to look into the specs and then I'll get on that right away. I'll have to put the new weapons I was working on, on hold for a bit though."
"I could use someone who can bring me up to speed." Jason said. "The Command Center is completely different, and Josh mentioned something about a Machine Empire?"
"Come on Jason," Billy said. "You can help me with Titanus, and I'll get you up to caught up."
"Alright," Jason replied. "But I also want to get acquainted with our new Rangers too."
"Why doesn't everyone just come then?" Billy suggested.
"Can you give us a minute," Kimberly said motioning to Josh.
"Yeah," Billy replied, "Just join us in the Tech Center when you're ready."
As the other Rangers left the main chamber to Billy's workshop Kimberly stood quietly, her arms crossed. Josh was already questioning her with his eyes, but he could tell from her look that she wanted to talk privately. As the others left Kimberly walked closer to him.
"So what's on your mind?" he asked.
"Are you okay?" she asked a little awkwardly. "I mean with your brother not choosing to come back? And then Ninjor dying, were you two close?"
"Yeah," he sighed, yet still smiled. "I'm okay. I know I'll see them all again someday. Ninjor is still with me though, and he will be as long as I live."
"Just remember you're not alone, you have us," she said playfully nudging him.
"I know," he replied putting his arm around her shoulder and giving her a gentle squeeze. "Was there anything else?"
"You never did answer my question about what happened to your life energy, I mean how long are you going to live?"
"I don't know," he replied. "I might be immortal now like Ninjor or maybe I still have my original lifespan or maybe less. It's one of those mysteries that I can't directly answer."
"Well I hope it'll be a long time before we find out." she said leaning her head against him. She could feel his heart beating. She wanted to tell him that she missed him, but it seemed so strange that she felt this way, he was only gone a day, maybe it was all the uncertainty and the battles that had her so mixed up. She needed time to sort out these feelings. Still the beating of his heart was soothing to her.
"Was there anything else?" Josh asked.
"Huh? No, that was it," she said with a smile.
"We should rejoin the others then,"
She nodded and the two walked off into the other room to join the rest of their team.
Zedd stood on the Balcony of his Palace Fortress looking down on the Earth below. It sickened him that the conquest of such an insignificant world had been delayed for so long, largely because of a conspiracy in his own Empire. His eyes burned as he thought about it. No world had ever had this long to prepare for his wrath, not that it would slow him down, but it was still going to take more time, and he had already lost too much time. Perhaps he should merely destroy this planet and move on, his Empire had plenty of slave worlds one more wouldn't make a difference. Zedd thought for a moment and then reached out to Astronema.
"Astronema," Zedd beckoned.
"Yes my Master?"
"What is the status on installing the reactor in Serpentera?"
"It is taking longer than we had thought my Lord. The system was not compatible with Serpentera. We are working on it as fast as we can. However, with this project, and working on the Bio-reactor we are spread thin."
"Then forget the Bio-reactor for the moment, his punishment can wait. Get Serpentera operational as soon as possible."
"Yes my Lord."
Something needed to be done to keep the Rangers occupied until he was ready to strike with his full power. He had hoped to save his newest minions for something more important, but it seemed that buying time and keeping the Rangers off balance was needed now.
"Well that should give us a few more options," Billy replied looking over the four new modifications he had made using Titanus.
"It looks good Billy," Jason said.
"Better get the machines working on it right away, no telling when Zedd is going to make his next move." Joshua said.
"Already working on it," Billy replied.
"You don't think he'll be set back by all those Putties he lost and then Hephaestus being lost as well? Not to mention we took down Cyclopsis while you were gone." Adam asked.
"I don't want to discourage anyone, but of Zedd's vast armies, we've only scratched the surface." Joshua replied.
As if it were some ominous sign of his words the alarm sounded in the Command Center.
"That's creepy," Kimberly said.
"I think it's time," Jason said.
The six of them filed out into the main chamber. Beta was already interfacing with the main counsel.
"Beta, bring up visual." Billy said.
"Can not comply, too many visuals present, please specify."
A silence fell among the Rangers; the color leaving their faces. Billy collected his thoughts. "Beta, bring up the deployment of hostile forces on the world map."
"Compliance."
The Rangers were horrified to see multiple large masses on the map covering several square miles each. There were five in all, one, in the area of Chad Africa was growing rapidly. The others were scattered with one on the East Coast of the United States around the capital, the others in Kazakhstan in Asia, Australia, and Bolivia in South America.
"How are we suppose to deal with all that?" Ashley asked sinking into one of the chairs.
"Beta, scan for large power signatures within each army." Joshua said.
"Are you thinking what I am?" Jason asked.
"Cut off the head and the body dies." Josh replied.
"What are you two talking about?" Ashley asked.
"They're talking about taking out the generals, Zedd's leaders." Billy said.
"Do you really think that will be enough?" Adam asked.
"No," Josh replied. "But with the heads of the armies destroyed it gives Earth's militaries a better chance."
"Five signatures detected," Beta said.
"Bring those up on screen," Billy said.
The display brought up the five warriors, Olympius on the East Coast, Vypra in Bolivia, Trakeena in Chad, Diabolico in Kazakhstan, and Loki in Australia. The Rangers stood in shock at the sight of these creatures.
"Josh, who are these guys?" Jason asked.
"I've never seen these guys before," Josh replied his shock the same as the others.
"What are we going to do?" Ashley asked.
"Teams of three," Jason said. "We'll sweep West starting on the East Coast and South America and end in Africa where the largest army is."
"Can I suggest something?" Josh said.
"What is it?" Jason asked.
"Let me go on my own, that army in Africa is expanding fast, if we break into three teams then you can move East after finishing with the East Coast and South America and get to Africa sooner, I can handle the other two and then meet you there."
"No," Kimberly said. "You won't have any support."
"Jason," Josh began, "I don't like it anymore than you, but you've seen me fight, you know I'm right."
"Okay," Jason said. "Josh you'll go West. Kimberly you're with me in D.C., the rest of you are going to Bolivia. Everyone meet up in Africa, and don't waste your time with the whole army, get their leaders and get out, time is everything."
"Why are we saving the biggest force for last?" Billy asked. "At the rate it's growing shouldn't we go after that one first?"
Jason shook his head. "The other four armies are in cities. We may run a risk with this army growing, but for the moment that army is in the middle of nowhere. Either way we face a risk…"
"I understand," Billy said. "I guess your idea makes as much sense as any other plan would in this case. And it is more likely that the military can mount an unrestrained offensive against the force in Africa."
The Rangers looked around. Kimberly didn't like this at all, she knew Josh could probably handle things on his own, but his idea spread them all thin, both plans did. There was no time to argue though, they all knew the war had finally come and it was time to face the storm.
"Alright guys," Jason said looking around, the others nodded. "It's morphin' time."
As the teens transformed, they were teleported to their battle zones around the planet, the morning light was just creeping over the mountains around the Command Center.
Jason and Kimberly rematerialized in D.C. The air was already warming up and the sun was well above the horizon. They had materialized on a rooftop, which they were shocked to find was the Capital Building. Below was the Red Dragon creature they had seen in the Command Center surrounded by ghoulish creatures in black cloaks, in the morning light their translucent features were bleached out, but their twisted black blades were still easily seen. Jason made a quick estimate of about twenty of them in the immediate area. Jason looked over at Kimberly motioning with his head, she nodded in response. Manifesting their weapons they leapt from the roof and into the army below.
Billy, Adam, and Ashley landed in the middle of a large grouping of trees in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Straight ahead they could see the snake-like woman directing her minions, some type of snake-men. Billy recognized the connections to various species on Earth like the Green Viper, Cobra, and Black Mamba. All these species were deadly to humans on their own; there was no telling what they could do now. Behind the woman was the Santa Cruz Cathedral. All around them people were fleeing in terror, abandoning their vehicles. Some were snatched by the snake men as they ran. Suddenly the Rangers saw one of the creatures lift a woman from the ground and forced her down its unhinged jaws, her screams muffled as she was swallowed whole. There was a brief pause as the Rangers stood in mortified shock. Then almost as one the three charged forward, their weapons blazing into existence.
Joshua dropped into an open field in a residential area in Alice Springs of Australia's Northern Territory. It was night here, the sky dark, the temperature was cold, Josh hadn't considered that in the Southern Hemisphere that it was still winter. What disturbed Josh the most though was the lack of any visible presence of the enemy. He activated his communicator.
"Beta is my position right?"
"Please specify parameters for accuracy of location." Beta responded.
"Am I in the same place as the power signature?"
"Affirmative, target is one point three meters south of your position."
Joshua glanced at his display. It was behind him! Josh went for his Dragon Dagger and turned as the giant battle axe fell.
