Chapter Twenty-One: 9,000 Years Later - Fighting Back
1025 AD - Timeline B
Gokai Slayer began to take down each Demon, one by one. Over the years, he had learned to harness the remnants of the Demon inside of him that he "inherited" from Beelzebub. Having done so, he eventually learned to use that energy inside of him as a sort of "anti-Demon" energy he had termed as his "Holy Strike". It generally took the form of this anti-Demon energy forming around his hands, then striking his Demonic opponents with a mighty fist.
Watching while still badly injured, Baskin sighed in relief. He had long since had been without the help of people like Trueheart in the recent centuries due to not only Baskin showing more competence in his stewardship over The Evil, but also because they had been tasked with covert missions from Zordon to try and keep tabs around the universe about things which were occurring. Zordon had a deep concern that since the United Alliance of Evil had become less and less of a threat in the universe, with people beginning to spread rumors that they were no more, that it was solely the calm before the storm. Zordon had told Baskin on one occasion that one phrase continued to ring through his mind whenever he would meditate over the matter: "Countdown to destruction".
Meanwhile, watching from up on the top of a mountain was a member of the Pai Zhua, Jaq. Beside him was the Pai Zhua master, Cowl, who was nearly ready to destroy all of civilization to become Ra's al Ghul. A part of his plan to reveal himself as Ra's al Ghul was to forsake the Owl Spirit he had been using and to harness the forbidden Spirit of the Demon.
"Do you see, Jaq?" Ra's al Ghul asked. "Over the years I have been trying to harness the power of the Demon. Do you remember how I told you recently that I started to feel some incredible Demonic power?"
Jaq nodded. "Does it have to do with those maniacs attacking that green skinned guy?"
"Yes, it does," Ra's al Ghul answered. "I can feel something calling out to me. I believe if I am able to get whatever that man and that Power Ranger are guarding, I will be able to truly harness the Spirit of the Demon!"
"Then let's strike now!" Jaq said. "That Blake Ranger won't know what hit him! I'll... I'll poke him until he bleeds!"
"You truly are a joker, aren't you?" Ra's al Ghul asked, commenting more than asking. "No, I can sense great power coming from that Power Ranger. I fear we won't have enough power to defend ourselves from him. Plus, those Machines were not known to me. With their presence here, I don't want to risk exposing us before we can finish the final Youth Pits."
"You're the boss, Boss," Jaq said. And with that, they both walked away, universal conquest on their minds.
"Hi-yah!" Gokai Slayer cried out from the battlefield, destroying yet another Demon.
"Forget this!" One of the Demons yelled out. "I'll wait until the next Cycle. I'm not losing my life today!"
Suddenly, as that Demon became a Demon Cloud, the rest of the Demons followed suit. After a moment, the only beings left in the area were Baskin, Gokai Slayer, and Sergeant Cog with his Cogs.
"Bring it! No one is taking The Evil but me." Gokai Slayer warned, staying in his fighting stance.
Seriously!? Baskin thought. So he's just protecting me to get The Evil for himself!? I honestly didn't see that coming...
Suddenly, a beam of light descended from the sky. Before long, Archerina stood before all those involved in the conflict. "Father said that you were taking much too long. Hehe... My, my! It's been so long since I've seen a Power Ranger! It will surely be a treat to destroy you."
Swiping his hand over the top of his helmet, Gokai Slayer laughed. "Show me what you've got, princess."
Archerina bowed. "Oh, I'm not a princess yet, but once I destroy you, I will be one step closer!"
Lifting up an arm, a bow appeared in Archerina's hand. She then pointed it at Gokai Slayer and drew the string back with her free hand. Letting go of the string, an electrically made arrow flew out of the bow and hit Gokai Slayer in the chest.
"Ah! It burns!" He screamed as he hit the dirt.
"What a pity..." Archerina commented. "It was supposed to destroy him..."
"I'll finish him!" Sergeant Cog yelled.
"No, you won't!" Baskin yelled, leaping over the fallen Gokai Slayer and landing between him and the Machines. "Although his reasons may not have been the best, he still saved my life. As such, I will not allow any of you to lay a finger on him!"
Archerina placed a hand to her mouth and giggled. "So you want to play as well?"
Baskin smirked. "Oh, yeah. Let's play."
. . .
Aurico sat at his desk in the battle tactics room in the Aquitar base. "What do we do!? We can't take them on like this!"
Cestria sighed. "Those Machines made us look like we were laughing stocks."
"And my ribs are killing me. They punch hard." Tideus commented, rubbing his side with a look of pain on his face.
"There must be something we can do." Delphine stated, standing in the center of the room with arms folded across her chest. "We have been having enough of a problem against Hydro Hog. With the Machine Empire now, as well? I hate to be pessimistic, but... we may as well hand in the towel."
"How can you say that!?" Corcus demanded. "You're our leader! You can't speak that way!"
"I merely speak the truth," She replied, even tempered. "Either something changes or we lose."
"Well..." Cestro said. "I may have a solution, but it will probably sound weird."
"Well, no one else seems to have any thoughts," Aurico said. "Let's hear it."
"When Burai was still with us," Cestro began. "He told me that his Dragon Coin came from a mystical warrior on Earth named Ninjor. I have found very little lore about such a being, other than he was considered a myth even millions of years ago. The lore says he is immortal and alive to this day."
"So?" Cestria asked.
"So... I designed our Power Coins after Burai's Dragon Coin," Cestro explained. "If we are overpowered, and the creator of Burai's coin is on Earth..."
Delphine nodded. "Then perhaps we can find him, or where he lived. Perhaps a way to power up our coins."
"That's... dumb," Corcus said. "We're going to go hunting a myth while the Machine Empire and Hydro Hog stay here?"
"Hopefully our armies can stalemate them while we're gone." Aurico said, standing up. "In my opinion, though... we have no other choice."
"I agree," Cestria said.
Slowly, the others save Corcus nodded.
"Fine!" Corcus said, conceding. "When do we go?"
"Immediately," Delphine said. "Cestro? Set our coordinates for Earth. We're going to find Ninjor."
On Aquitar's surface, King Mondo stood by Hydro Hog's side, laughing. They were watching as the military from the Aquitians were slowly being driven back. The rest of the Royal House of Gadgetry watched from behind them, with their Royal Assistants Klank and Orbus standing behind them.
"Just wait until we send in the Quadra Fighters," Queen Machina mused.
"Yes. Today is truly a triumph for the Machine Empire, your heinous," Klank proclaimed.
Before Mondo could reply, several lights appeared in the sky. Squinting, he could perceive that they were the Power Rangers. "What!? Where do they think they're going!?"
"My scanners say their destination is Earth!" Orbus declared.
"Gasket, my boy! I demand that you follow them at once!" Mondo ordered.
"What!? But why!?" Gasket argued. "We're going to take Aquitar even quicker with those peskyRangers out of the way!"
"You fool!" Mondo cried out. "Why else would they leave in the middle of an invasion if it wasn't something to get rid of us!? These Power Rangers have always been too noble for their own good. They won't suddenly retreat."
Gasket paused before nodding. "You're right, my father. Forgive my ignorance!"
"No need for formalities, dear boy! Just learn and keep going!" Mondo said. "Follow them to Earth and stop them from whatever they're trying to do! They may be seeking out Zordon!"
"Oh, how dreadful!" Machina gasped.
"On the honor of the Machine Empire's Royal House of Gadgetry, I will destroy the Rangers of Aquitar!" Prince Gasket declared as he teleported up to his ship in orbit.
"The boys does have a point though, my dear," Machina said.
"You're right! Klank! Without the rangers Aquitar's fall is imminent! The rangers will pay for assuming they could leave here and not suffer our wrath," Mondo said. "Do you have something ready to destroy this miserable planet!?"
"Aye, sire!" Klank said. "His name is Leaky Faucet! He will convert all of the water on Aquitar into machine sludge!"
"What an icky mess!" Orbus said happily.
"I love it!" Hydro Hog declared. "Have him convert my Water Phantoms, too!"
"Excellent!" Mondo declared.
"Yes, my dear. You come up with the greatest schemes!" Machina said, congratulating her husband.
"Yes, that is true!" Mondo proclaimed. "And now the Aquitar Power Rangers will rue the day they tangled with the Machine Empire!"
. . .
Darkonda swung his sword. As the blade connected with the Gold Ranger's shield, sparks of Morphing Energy erupted out from it. The Gold Ranger flew back and fell to the ground, clutching his chest in pain.
"So, you're the sap that was chosen to be the new Gold Ranger!? Pathetic!" Cried out Darkonda. "You're nothing compared to the previous Gold Ranger! He always gave me a fight. You? You're nothing more than his discarded shadow."
"I'm... I'm more than enough for you!" The rookie ranger insisted.
"Ha! You're nothing," Darkonda said, shooting Orange Energy out from his eyes and hitting the Gold Ranger while he was still down. "How was it, by the way? Watching Dark Specter end the last Gold Ranger? I hope it was epic, because he deserved such an end. You, however? This will be as unceremonious as when you got the power. Yah!"
Slamming down with all he could, Darkonda flung the blade down at the Gold Ranger, only to have his sword blocked by the Power Staff. He then groaned in pain as he felt The Gold Ranger kick him in the stomach. He flew back and fell to the ground.
"The only person going down here is you," Gold Ranger declared. He then stood up tall and pounded his free fist hard against his shield. "I am the Gold Ranger. Now come at me."
Darkonda began to chuckle as he lifted himself up. "You're nothing but a fool."
"Come at me."
"Oh, I will, Gold Ranger. I will."
"Come. At. Me!"
"Yaaaah!" Darkonda screamed, blasting bolts of power at the Gold Ranger.
Concentrating, the Gold Ranger focused his Zeo Energy. Suddenly a massive shield appeared before him, protecting him from each blast. As each blast hit, he just stood and watched as the Demon mercenary flew toward him.
As soon as Darkonda broke past the shield, Gold Ranger twirled around, causing his opponent to sail past him. Before Darkonda could react quick enough to correct his trajectory, Gold Ranger spun back into place as slashed at him. Gold Zeo Energy crackled all around the Demon as he was thrown back, falling to the ground in a heap.
"I am the Gold Ranger!" He cried out. "It's time for a gold rush!"
With Gold Zeo Morphing Energy emanating all around him, the Triforian Ranger shot toward Darkonda and ran into him, slamming the Demon as if he were a comet. A semicircle of Gold Zeo Energy encased the Gold Ranger before him. At the point of contact, a massive explosion occurred, leaving nothing but a crater where Darkonda had once been.
Leaping into the air, the Gold Ranger landed a few feet away. He stood up tall slowly, breathing heavily as he did. Causing his Power Staff to vanish, he slowly turned around and took off his helmet. As he did, his jaw dropped as he saw Darkonda appear suddenly in the middle of the crater.
"I blasted you to kingdom come!" Trilondon protested. "That's impossible!"
Darkonda sneered. He cost me one of my lives! I will destroy him! I-
Pausing, Darkonda looked up suddenly. He could feel The Evil calling out to him more so than ever before. He had done well in his previous life to learn to resist its call, but having just barely been "reborn", his new body had not yet learned to resist the call of The Evil. Before Trilondon could react, Darkonda stepped into a vortex and appeared in his ship in orbit around Triforia.
"Aw, heck no!" Trilondon complained, putting his helmet back on. "I call upon the power of Pyramidus!"
The Gold Ranger watched as his massive zord appeared above him, materializing from his Power Staff. He leapt up and was converted into pure Zeo Energy before rematerializing in the zord's cockpit. Behind him was the Orb Tria had received centuries ago that Burai had given her, symbolizing how she was once and always a Morphing Master.
"Pyramidus!? Get a lock on Darkonda's ship. We're following him!"
"Course found. Destination: Earth."
"Alright..." The Gold Ranger said, sitting back in his chair. "Looks like we're heading to Earth..."
As he said this, a ways away floating silently in space, a creature sat at the helm of his ship and laughed. "Ha! That warrior from Triforia is finally leaving his safe zone! I must tell my fellow Varox Bounty Hunters! Today is the day we get the pilot of the gold pyramid!"
. . .
Baskin twirled through the air, charged with Morphing Energy as he punched and kicked at the Cogs around him. They fell to the ground, crackling and sizzling as their systems failed them.
Archerina charged forward, swinging her bow as if it were a sword. Baskin blocked it with his Demon Blade and, through force of habit, threw a punch to Archerina's stomach. He stifled a cry of pain as he felt a bone crack. He was certain he'd fractured one of the many bones in his hand.
Giggling, Archerina slapped Baskin and sent him flying back. "You shouldn't hit girls, you know."
Baskin stood up, clutching his broken hand as Gokai Slayer limped over to him. They looked at each other and nodded, getting into fighting positions.
"Let us combine our powers!" Gokai Slayer suggested.
Baskin's eyes began glowing with Red Morphing Energy. "After you."
Black Energy and Black Morphing Energy pulsate around Gokai Slayer. "Ready!"
Sergeant Cog spat. "Archerina! We must leave here immediately!"
"No!" Archerina yelled. "Father sent me to get the job done!"
"Now!" Baskin shouted. He watched as both he and Gokai Slayer released their powers. It sailed forth, ready to strike the two members of the Machine Empire down.
As the blast was about to hit them, a massive energy shield appeared before them.
"Huh!?" Sergeant Cog gasped, confused.
"But how!?" Archerina exclaimed.
Gokai Slayer and Baskin watched as a figure appeared in between them and the Machines. It was Prince Gasket.
"I have no idea why members of the Machine Empire are here, but..." Gasket said. "No one attacks those who are under my kingdom. I am Prince Gasket. Prepare to feel the wrath of the Royal House of Gadgetry!"
. . .
165 Million BC - Timeline A
September watched in confusion. Due to the fact that he was seldom ever confused, the feeling in and of itself was unnatural to him. What made him uneasy was the source of his confusion: Dr. Hojo.
"Yes... the Sword of Darkness..." He muttered to himself as he scribbled away in his lab book. He had been making notes for hours. Because September was supposed to be in his tube resting and receiving his nutrients, he had all the time in the world to just stare and study Hojo.
Having watched him for quite some time, September had heard and seen much of what Hojo had been writing. Blueprints for something he called a "gold platform". Items called the Wild Sword, the God's Eye, the Greatest Treasure in the Universe. Something about a group called Morphing Masters, and Greater Powers. Half finished diagrams littered the table, as if Hojo was beginning the Inkling of some magnificent thought, but wasn't able to follow through. Everything he did, though, fell back to one thing:
"The Eternal Spiral!" Hojo cried out as he lifted up a piece of paper. "It will continue forever and ever! Haha! Yes! And when it is done, the Reunion will be most marvelous. It will be a supernova! A new genesis!"
"What are you doing!?" September asked out loud. He had been able to see there was... something... in Hojo's bloodstream that was doing... something... to Hojo. But whatever it was, they seemed to just be cells replicating. Nothing more and nothing less. September could not understand how these cells were causing Hojo to act like he was, because none of the chemistry in Hojo's physiology seemed to indicate any sort of cerebral changes. They just seemed to have increased his basal metabolic rate. The whole situation was extremely perplexing. Which is what made it even more appealing to the Watcher.
"Eureka!" Hojo cried out. "Time Magic! That's the solution! Yes, you are my muse!"
September watched as Hojo ran over to the cell slides Dr. Laguna Loire had been studying the last time September had been in the Nathadian Universe. He watched while Hojo opened up the slide and closed his eyes. September instantly felt a high level of Blue Magic, with a more purple hue, begin to vibrate around the lab.
"Time Magic..." September muttered. He did a quick calculation and realized that if the Time Magic were to mix with the Red Magic of the cells on the slide, belonging to a person who was of the Order of Meledon, that it would amplify the purple hue of the Blue Magic and give Hojo extreme power of Time Magic.
This is against the Pattern! I must report it! September thought. He quickly pulled out his pocket device before stopping before he finished dialing in the coordinate. But then they'll ask why I was here... Perhaps they will assess me as broken and reprogram me. I can't be reprogrammed!
Suddenly, an image flashed before September's mind. He was in a tube, surrounded by others. In the room was Captain Windmark and... others he could not recognize. His mind was blurring their faces. September quickly calculated that their images were erased due to...
I've already been reprogrammed once before!? September thought. The image was seared in his mind.No... How could this have happened? I've already been Recycled? But... Why? What could I have possibly done!?
Accelerated thoughts of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance rushed over the superior brain the September, the Watcher. He then began to think about what he would do from here on out with that information.
Do I tell Windmark that I remember? Wouldn't that make me be Recycled again? But I am broken and need to be Recycled. But... What if I like the way I am right now?
That final thought was a stab in the heart to September. A thought that wasn't inherent to a Watcher: "What if I like...?" The notion of preference was pulling at the very fabric of who September thought he was.
Now, all of those thoughts happened in the mind of September in less than ten seconds. For Dr. Hojo, it was plenty of time to finish his spell. His Time Magic (that he suddenly knew how to conjure up mysteriously) mixed with the Nathadian Magic in the cells of the member of the Order of Meledon.
Even with his superior speed, September was not quick enough once he found his bearings to stop Hojo from injecting himself with the cells. September watched in shock as a shockwave of very powerful Time Magic erupted from Hojo. Due to being a Watcher and having advanced tech around him to make him invisible to the universe in which he found himself (all of which based on the properties of Space and Time), September gasped as he saw the Time Magic begin to interfere with his Time Tech. He watched as he began to lose his cloaking ability.
Sprinting out of the room before he was seen, September found himself fully in the Nathadian Universe as he phased through the wall of the laboratory. Standing in the middle of the hallway, September breathed in the air from the Nathadian Universe. He was shocked.
"Dr. Hojo!?" Laguna screamed as he began to run down the hallway. "My office sensors picked up a disturbance and..."
September froze. He looked up and saw Laguna staring at him from a few feet away. It's over. It's all over. Windmark will get me and reprogram me. I will lose this sense of... individuality I just attained. This thing which I... I want. No... it can't end like this...
Laguna swallowed hard. "Whuh... Who are you?"
September looked around quickly. He could hear Hojo making his way out to address Laguna. Swallowing hard, September closed his eyes and breathed out slowly. "My name is September. I am in trouble. Much trouble. Please, Laguna Loire... please help me."