Episode 9: Home Sick
The rangers raced through across the Sahara Desert, desperately trying to reach the horse Talisman before the cobra demon. "These Spirit Cycles are sick!" exclaimed Brandon, as the rangers sped through the desert on the new motorcycles that Alpha had designed for them. In the distance, the cobra demon gained on them on his own motorcycle. He flipped a switch on the cycle, setting off a blaster that fired at the rangers. Their cycles spun out of control, and they crashed into the sand. When the demon caught up, he jumped off his cycle and summoned the shadow-kahn. "You didn't think it'd be that easy, did you, rangers?" "Honestly, I was starting to hope so," said Tyler. The rangers got themselves up, preparing to fight. As the other rangers began to fight the shadow-kahn, Sadie drew her Hydro Ax and charged the cobra demon. "I don't think so, blue ranger," the monster hissed. He blocked the ax, knocking it out of Sadie's hands. Then, he bit her. "Ouch!" said Sadie. She fell to the ground. "That would be my venom, you're feeling. In twenty-four hours, it will destroy you completely!" "Sadie!" the others exclaimed. Maria and Brandon ran over to her, as Matt and Tyler drew their special weapons. "You're gonna pay for that!" said Tyler, handing his Tremor Hammer to Matt, who combined it with his Magma Sword. "Molten Shock, full power!" The weapon, bladed on one end, sliced through the demon. Matt then rotated the weapon, striking the monster with the hammer end. The demon fell to the ground, exploding on impact. "Is she alright?" asked Tyler. "The Talisman," Maria pointed out, "it'll heal her." Tyler ran up to the cactus that they had been told contained the Talisman and pulled out his saber. "Gross!" he exclaimed as the cactus squirted on him. He rummaged around the inside of the cactus, but all he could find was a damp note. It read: If you are seeking the horse Talisman, you are out of luck. I have already claimed it, in an attempt to ensure that Shendu will never rise again. If you believe you are truly worthy of possessing its power of healing, you will find me at these coordinates. I caution you, if you are not worthy and still attempt to claim this prize, YOU WILL PERISH. Matt and Brandon read it over Tyler's shoulder. "What? What does it say? Where's the Talisman?" asked Maria. "Shit," was all they could say.
In the Dark Temple, Flario tried to explain his monster's failure to Shendu. "My lord, they snuck up on the cobra demon. It wasn't my fault," he reasoned. "I've had enough of your excuses, Flario," Shendu hissed. "If I may, my lord," Scurgious began as he entered the scene, "it appears the Talisman was never there in the first place. "How can that be?" Shendu asked, irritated. "I'm not sure, but there's more. The blue ranger was bitten by the cobra demon, and is dying of the poisonous bite. The other rangers have no choice but to locate the Talisman within the next twenty-four hours, or they will lose their friend. All we need do is follow them." Shendu pondered for a moment, then continued. "Good. And when they do find it, take it from them before they use it on the blue ranger!" "Of course, my lord."
The rangers gathered together around Sadie at the Power Chamber, as Alpha ran the coordinates from the note through the computer. "The coordinates read right here," Alpha said, pointing at a blank region on the computer map. "Empty space just outside of a city called Mariner Bay," said Brandon. "Anyone ever heard of it?" "I have some good friends in that city," said Maya. "I'll try to contact one of them and see if they know who might have taken the Talisman." "We can't wait," said Matt. "While Maya contacts her friends, we need to go right now." "Agreed," said Maria. "Hang in there, Sadie." For the first time Sadie had nothing to say. The four rangers teleported to Mariner Bay. Moments later, Alpha had a signal on the computer. "Maya, I've connected with Dana Mitchell at Lightspeed!" "That's great, Alpha!" Maya ran over to the computer and saw the old pink Lightspeed ranger on the screen. "Dana!" "Maya! It's great to see you! How is everything?" Maya frowned. "Unfortunately, not too great," she said, moving out of the way so that her friend could see Sadie. "One of the Spirit Force rangers was bitten by a poisonous demon, and the only object that can heal her has been hidden somewhere outside your city. The other rangers have already gone there to look for it, but I wanted to ask if you knew anything." Dana thought for a moment. "Hmm. As far as I know, all the demons in this area were destroyed years ago, by my team, and we haven't read any demon activity since. Let me double check, though." She disappeared from the screen.
As the rangers arrived on the beach, just outside Mariner Bay, Maya contacted them. "Rangers, my friend, Dana, just informed me that she located one demon in the exact coordinates from the note. Be careful!" "We read you loud and clear, Maya," said Matt. "Alright guys, according to Alpha's directions, it's just a little further that way." They hiked for a while, until they reached some cliffs. "Guess we have to climb," said Tyler. As they climbed the rocks, they started to hear voices. A deep, calm, sinister voice sounded in each of their heads. Go back. Go back. GO BACK! As they neared the top of the cliff, a winged figure appeared before them. It was gold in color, with a pointed, horned head, and green eyes. "I am Diabolico. Who dares attempt to take the horse Talisman from me?" "You?" asked Brandon. "But you're a demon, aren't you? Why don't you want Shendu to return?" "Shendu, is one of the eight, tyrannical, demon emperors. He was a terrible ruler who did not care for his subjects, and that is why I betrayed him, telling the spirits how to defeat him. Who are you?" Matt stepped forward. "We're the keepers of the spirits, now," he said as he and the others morphed. "We're the Power Rangers. If you truly were an ally to the spirits, you know you can trust us with the Talisman." Maria chimed in. "The keeper of the Water Spirit is dying, and she needs the Talisman's powers to save her," she pleaded. "Power Rangers? I've not seen Power Rangers for quite some time. At one time they were my enemies…" The rangers prepared for an attack. "…but now, they are my friends," he finished, as the horse Talisman appeared in his hand. Just as he handed it over to Maria, however, a green bolt struck him, knocking him off the cliff. "Diabolico!" Maria screamed. "Serves you right, traitor," said Scurgious. "Now, the Talisman, if you don't mind." "As a matter of fact, we do mind," said Matt, as he and the rangers prepared to fight. "Always the hard way with you rangers," he said, summoning the jellyfish demon. The demon attacked the rangers. "Tyler! Combine your Tremor Hammer with my Magma sword!" As they did so, creating the double-edged weapon, Brandon and Maria hatched their own plan, combing their special weapons as well. "Molten Shock! Final strike!" Matt and Tyler's weapon incinerated the demon. Then, Maria and Brandon turned their weapon on Scurgious. "Shockwave Blaster! Fire!" The blast sent Scurgious to the sea, after which he disappeared. After the fight the rangers hurried over to Diabolico. "Are you alright?" asked Maria. "You're wasting time," the dying demon said. "It is too late for me, but you must get the Talisman back to the blue ranger." At that, Diabolico dematerialized. Matt helped Maria up. "Hey, we need to get back to Sadie. They teleported back to the Power Chamber. When they got there, Maria touched the Talisman to Sadie, who at this point was very week. She immediately livened up. "That," she said, "could've been bad. They all let out a sigh of relief. "Looks like Sadie's back," said Brandon, rolling his eyes. Sadie elbowed him. "Hey! I never even left," she said. Laughing with her friends.
