Chapter 4 – Bridge Over Troubled Waters
March 31 1995 – The Lakehouse
The morning sun beat down into the back garden of the lakehouse and most of the occupants were still in bed. Most of the rangers had spent yesterday either trying out their new ninja abilities or arranging equipment to help them train. Kris had been able to obtain an array of training equipment, including shurikens, training dummies and practice swords. Billy had missing training yesterday to help Trini and Alpha repair the command center and also work out what new powers came with the ninja power coins.
The only ranger that wasn't still asleep was Kim, she had been up since dawn practicing with one of the practice swords. It was a change of pace for her to use a sword in battle instead of a bow and she was determined to get in as much practice as possible. Kim had dragged Xander outside with her as a sparring partner. As one of the few who weren't injured or exhausted, he had drawn the short straw. The sound of wood repeatedly hitting wood rang out across the garden, followed by wood hitting skin.
"Ooh sorry Xander, again", Kim said as he crouched down over Xander's fallen form. Not for the first time that morning he found himself staring up at the sky after being knocked to ground.
"It's fine Kim", Xander replied as he hauled himself off the ground, "it was the same spot as the last couple of times so at least I won't have another bruise". He put the sword on the ground and shook his leg a few time tried to get some feeling back into it. "Why did you pick me to help you? Everyone knows I have no athletic ability at all".
"Come on Xand don't be so hard on yourself", Kim responded. She poked him lightly and playfully with her sword before continuing, "We all said we would help you train and this is part of it. So martial arts isn't coming easily to you, maybe you'll be a natural swordsman".
Xander snorted, "Yeah right, I don't think you know what it's like to be a unsporty nerd like me".
Kim smiled, "Well I kinda do, there was the time Billy and I swapped bodies for a day. That was a totally weird experience".
"That's not really the same and also a little gross".
Kim laughed, "Ok think of it like this, I bet you've pretended you're Jedi Knight and had lightsaber duels against your before". Xander didn't respond but the look of embarrassment told its own story. "Just image you're involved in one of those", Kim continued before slipped into a fighting stance with her sword ready.
Xander sighed and picked his sword up and turned to face Kim. They began sparring again, trying to find a hole in each other's defences. Xander thought he had one and took a mighty swing at Kim but she dodged this by backflipping out of the way. Their fight was gradually stretching across the length and width of the garden and before long they were nearly by the back door. This had been the longest spar between them so far and no quarter was being given.
Eventually Kim had Xander backed up against a garden table and took this opportunity to take Xander's legs from underneath him. She swung at his legs but his time Xander jumped over her swing and stumbled forward into Kim. She was temporarily knocked off balance and dropped her sword down to the side. Sensing his chance Xander swept her legs out with his sword and she fell to the ground. As she looked up, she saw Xander's sword pointed at her face.
"See I said you could do it", Kim said.
"Yay me, I beat someone almost half my size and by total fluke", Xander replied slightly sarcastically.
"Sometimes luck can be your best friend", she replied.
He smiled, "Thank you, Sensei Kim", and he offered his hand to help her up.
"Good moves man", they heard Tommy's voice from the back door. "Don't let her size fool you, not many have taken down Kim in a sparring match".
"And you're not one of them handsome", Kim teased as she gave him a kiss.
"Billy and Trini are back so I've called a meeting in the front room", Tommy continued. The trio walked through the house which still showed signed of the battle that had taken place their a few days ago. Fortunately they still had a week to tidy up before Rocky's uncle returned.
In the front room the rangers, Jason, Trini, and the agents sat around a circular table. Billy started off the conversation, "OK I'll start with the good news firstly, the Command Center is mostly fixed. There are still a few parts that need rewiring but they control non-essential systems so they can wait".
Billy put a box up on the table and opened it. Inside were eight hand held laser guns, six had stripes around the barrel that were coloured to each ranger and the other two were grey around the barrel. "Now the bad news", Trini continued, "the power weapons and blade blasters were tied to the old dino coins so you can't use them anymore. To replace the blade blasters we created these ninja lasers, you can take your own and have a feel".
The rangers grabbed their respective weapons out of the box and held it in their hands. "Hey Billy, why are their eight weapons?" Jason asked.
"Well even though you and Trini aren't rangers anymore, I thought you should have your own protection", Billy responded and gave the remaining pistols to the two former rangers. "More good news I've reconfigured the power cannon to work with our ninja powers", Billy continued, "also I've begun sorting through the wreckage of the Thunder Zords. We may be able to salvage some parts for future use"
"Have you two actually slept since yesterday?" Aisha asked.
"Nope that why we're going straight to bed", Trini yawned and lent her head on Billy's shoulders.
"Aww isn't that cute", Rocky teased, "well we're going to the fair down the road. Don't get up to any funny business when we're out".
"Yeah I second that", Aimi added.
"You guys can leave without me", Kris said, "I've got a call with Major Harmon in half an hour so I'll catch up".
"Actually before we leave I've got someone to say", Tommy began, "firstly I wanted to apologise again to you Rocky for my behaviour at the Command Center a couple of days ago".
"That's ancient history dude", Rocky replied.
"I know but it wasn't behaviour becoming of a leader", Tommy continued. "I guess I've felt a bit threatened by your team's presence", he said indicating towards Kris. "Everyone became such good friends with your team so quickly, I guess I left a bit-"
"Jealous?" Kris jumped in and Tommy nodded in response. "Tommy we're not here to take your team away from you, we're here to help beat Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa. With all eleven of us working together, there's no way they can win".
"Yeah I understand now, we're all in this together". He paused and smiled at everyone and put his arm out directly in front of him, "There's a little something we like to do as a team", Tommy continued and each of the rangers placed their hands on top of his. Jason and Trini joined in and so did Aimi and Xander.
"Come on big guy, you know you want to do", Xander smiled.
Kris hesitated before breaking out into a smirk, "Alright fine, but don't tell anyone I did this" and he too put his hand into the circle.
"To friendships", Kim began.
"New and old", Jason continued.
"And to defeating Rita and Zedd", Aimi added.
"And most importantly, no secrets", Tommy finished looking directly at Kris. The group smiled at each other before jumping into the air.
"Alright now get out here you lot", Kris smiled and pointed at the door, "I need to wash the smell of cheese off me after what we just did".
Moon Palace
The mood in the palace was extremely sour since Rito's destruction and the news that there was no more space clay. This combined with Goldar's insubordinate attitude towards Rita made the atmosphere very tense. It was into this environment that a familiar figure stomped into the throne room for the first time in nearly four months.
Lord Zedd had awoken from his regenerative sleep and he was not happy. Not only had his defeat to the rangers cost him some of his power, it had cost him his right arm and leg. Finster had been able to replace them with new chrome ones but it wasn't the same. It would forever remind him of his defeat at the hands of the Power Rangers.
He had been able to keep track of events since that day, Scorpina's return and death, Goldar's depression at her loss, Rita's return with her brother and his defeat. What annoyed him the most was that Rita had actually succeeded in destroying the rangers powers, perhaps more so than the fact they had been able to gain new powers.
He was pulled from his thoughts by the arrival of Rita, "Ah Zeddy what a surprise to see you up and about".
"Don't call me Zeddy you insufferable woman", Zedd bellowed back, "I'm fully re-energised and ready to take over after your miserable failure".
"Failure", Rita screeched, "I actually destroyed their powers, something you failed to do oh mighty emperor".
Zedd pointed his staff at Rita, "Ooh what a success you were because they went and got them back within a matter of hours". If Lord Zedd could smirk he would have done before his next statement, "And tell me, how is dear old Rito".
Rita pointed her wand at Zedd, "Don't you say anything against my dead brother", she replying angrily.
The argument had drawn the attention of the other's present in the castle. They had now entered the throne room to see what all the commotion was about. "Lord Zedd, welcome back", Goldar said and knelt in front of the emperor of evil.
"Stop sucking up you simpering primate", Rita snarled.
"Don't talk to my loyal general like that", Zedd replied.
"How about you all shut up", a voice called out and the head of a creature appeared in the middle of the throne room.
"Master Vile", Lord Zedd spluttered out, "what a pleasant surprise".
"Can it Zedd", Master Vile responded, "I'm not impressed with you", he then turned to face Rita, "I'm not impressed with you either daughter".
"But Daddy-"
"Save it Rita, not only did you fail to completely destroy the rangers but you let my only son get himself killed".
"But-"
But Master Vile ignored Rita and turned his attention to Lord Zedd, "And as for you, not only to you lose half your body to those pesky rangers, you lost Scorpina as well".
Lord Zedd tried to reply but Master Vile cut him off, "This is why I'm coming to take over personally. As it will take me a while to reach Earth I've decided to help you out".
In a flash of light a collection of figures appeared in the throne room. They had light blue bodies with black boots and gloves and a ghost like face. "Meet the Doros Soldiers, they will be your new foot soldiers. They will be able to counteract the rangers new ninja powers".
The Doros put their hands up to their heads and quickly moved their hands and face in a washing motion before running out of the throne room.
"I'm not completed annoyed with you Zedd", Master Vile continued, "your plan to steal empowered artefacts from Earth was inspired, if poorly executed by you". Zedd grumbled before Vile continued, "I have sensed a number of unclaimed artefacts on Earth, use these to help you defeat the rangers", he paused for a moment, "together".
"What!" Zedd and Rita said in unison.
"I know you don't like each other but the rangers will be unable to cope with your combined magic. Oh and one last thing, don't fail me again, I may not be so forgiving next time".
The image of Master Vile disappeared from the throne room, Rita and Zedd continued to stare at each other with hatred. Goldar looked at the two, "This will be fun", he commented before walking out of the throne room.
NFSA facility – Somewhere in New Mexico
In a giant hangar in the middle of the desert sat a pile of twisted metal and machine parts. Until a few days ago, these components had been part of the Thunder Megazord and the White TIgerzord. In helping the rangers clear Angel Grove, the agency had acquired some parts for themselves.
On a catwalk high above the floor, Major Harmon stared at the debris. He was pulled out of his thoughts by the approach of the agency's deputy director, Captain Richard Jordan. The Captain was a tall, middle aged man with short grey hair. He had a pair of black rimmed glasses perched on top of his head.
"Thought I would find you here Darius", Captain Jordan began.
"Just observing the salvage operation", he replied, "so what have the tech boys told you".
"Well the technology in the zords is far in advance of anything on Earth, we will never be able to duplicate the destroyed zords in our lifetime".
"You know I don't like bad news Rick", Harmon responded without taking his gaze from the wreckage.
"It could be possible to use current technology to make zords of our own, but it will take time and money".
Major Harmon smiled, "I'll have a word with the president, I'm meeting Bill for a game of pool this weekend".
"Very good sir", Captain Jordan replied before turning to leave.
"Oh one more thing Rick, I want you to monitor the Angel Grove team very closely".
"Sir?" Jordan asked, not really understanding the request.
"They become friendly with the rangers, perhaps too friendly", he responded.
"Even Hightower? I thought he was a loyal as they came",
"That's why I chose him for this assignment, never the less I sense that loyalties may be wavering". He paused for a moment before continuing, "Keep an eye on all three of them, if their loyalties have changed then you know what to do", he added ominously. Captain Jordan nodded in acknowledgement and left the Major alone on the catwalk.
A/N – Little bit of filler to set up the rest of the story, also the chapter I found the most fun to write. The Doros Soldiers I've taken from Kakuranger, where they are called the Dorodoros. If you've never seen the closing credits of Kakuranger where the Dorodoros do a group dance number, look it up on YouTube, I guarantee you will left speechless after watching it. Once again thank you for your reviews, I should be able to start updating twice a week now I'm free of my cast and can start typing again.