Moaning Logan slowly opened his eyes to the darkened dungeon like room he was in with the door opposite from where he was. After trying to move his arms, he looked over and saw that they were wrapped around a thick steel rod with large weights on both ends and secured with thick chains. With another moan, he closed his eyes he moved his legs a little and the chains that bound them to a second bar with weights shifted.
"Guess they didn't want me to leave. But why…," then he looked down at his legs. And at the pitch-black pit, the he was dangling over. "Oh…that's why," and looking over he saw the others in their armor chinned like him to the far wall.
"Tommy! TOMMY!" Logan barked, and he moaned as he woke up rolling his head back then turned to look at his bound wrists after he tried to move them.
"Red Dragon…," he moaned looking at him. "I guess you must have put up one hell of a fight for them to do that to you. Or they just don't want to take any chances if you got loose."
"Funny Tommy now what happened? How'd you get back?" he demanded.
After looking over at the others next to him. "I don't know, we managed to get out… call our Zords. We were winning but then something happened. It was like somebody pulled the plug on the zords and the next thing we knew we were back at the theatre and they captured us," and he turned back to look at Logan who was deep in thought over what he had been told.
"Have any theory's on what happened?"
"A couple neither of which I like…but what do you think they're going to do to us?"
"Best guess, make an example out of us…," Logan answered looking back at the door.
"Any ideas on how to get out of here?" Tommy asked as the other started to come to.
Looking back at him Logan shook his head. "Not really? I think they got us," but in their minds he thought. 'Okay you guys don't give any sign that I'm doing this just looked whipped and beaten more than likely they're watching. And from now on unless I speak to any of you think your answers, questions, or whatever you want to say if anything at all that they shouldn't hear. Don't worry I will hear anything you have to say!'
For a few seconds Tommy was silent then bowed his head. 'Kim said, you could do this but I didn't actually believe her until now.'
'Diddo,' Rocky muttered.
'Same here,' Aisha admitted.
'Told you so,' Kimberly rubbed in.
'Glad to prove her right though I don't think the gloating is needed. Now I have an idea on how to get you guys out of here…' Logan started.
'What about you?'
'You're going to have to leave me again.'
'No way! We left you behind once not again!' Kimberly snapped.
'We all know that out of all of us I am the strongest so I can keep them distracted long enough for you guys to get away! And when that time comes you take it!'
'And how do you think you might be able to do this?'
'Do what I do best…pick a fight,' Logan said, just as the door to the cell opened and they all looked over to see Dragvox with Rhinoblaster and Eyeguy flanking him.
"What do you want?" Logan snapped.
"Ah now you hurt me when I come here to invite you personally to the wedding of Rita and Zedd," he said, moving closer to the others on the wall.
"I don't suppose we can respectfully decline," Kimberly said, in disgust.
Slowly Dragvox looked at her before backhanding her across the face at the same time giving a signal and at once Logan dropped. Right onto the hatch that slammed closed over the pit.
"I guess not," he moaned in pain from his position on the floor.
A short while later they were each led from the dungeon in the theatre by bound wrists with was chain-linked to collars connected to a chain, which were held in Dragvox's claw as he dragged them along. 'If they start treating us like a dog I'm going to…' Rocky started to think.
'Save your anger Rocky you'll need it with what still lies a head,' Logan snapped in his head as they were pulled into a large room. Looking around Logan saw monster after monster bearing gifts with putties lining the walls. And there sitting on his throne staff in hand sat Zedd.
"Well, Well, Well, the guests of honor have arrived, and led by you Lord Dragvox," he growled climbing to his feet staff in hand.
"I should have known that you two would meet up again. Is it like the old days all over again? Never really picked you to stand down to being second best or a low end lackey Zedd," and both looked monster and Ranger at Logan.
'What are you talking about?' Tommy thought.
Chuckling Logan ignored the flashing red from Zedd. "For those who don't know Zeddy boy here thousands of years ago used to be a wizard and nobody really knows or remembers how but he turned to Dark Magic and became a top general to him!" and he indicating Dragvox. "But when the original Riders locked him away his forces scattered to the four winds! They were either captured and sealed away in tombs or got away!
When the Riders fell Zeddy here tried to take all power and Earth for himself! First by trying to steal the crystals of power, more commonly known as the Zeo Crystals! And we're looking at the results!
But either ways something's don't change no matter how many centuries pass. You're still nothing more than low-end lackey. Destined to be second best," and the room around him went silent.
'What are the Zeo Crystals?' Tommy asked, with the others just a s curious.
'Another time.'
As the red pulsing quickened Zedd stalked closer. "For someone who knows so much and has such a big mouth you're hardly in a position to use it," he growled.
"Well sorry if we don't feel the love, and I see you're still picking Zedd," he muttered, and he received a backhand from Zedd for it knocking him off his feet to land on his side on the hard floor the shackles preventing him from breaking his fall.
"One of these days that mouth of yours is going to get you into more trouble than you can handle," Dragvox gloated as he squatted down.
Glaring back behind his visor he retorted, "and here I was think it was part of my charm that you all liked," before rolling onto his back before leaping to his feet.
'Red Dragon what are you doing?' Tommy snapped at him in his head.
'I'm doing what I said, I would do picking fight! You guys just keep acting subdued,' and he stepped closer.
'And what do you hope to get out of this?' Aisha demanded as they were tugged by the chain forward and forced onto their knees near the alter.
'A chance for you guys to get away.'
'Red Dragon we told you we're not going anywhere without you!' Adam retorted.
'You can and you will! I can take care of myself! Now I'm counting on all of you to get back here and help me!
Now when you get out head straight for the Command Center and find out from either Zordon or Alpha what the hell is going on!' he barked at them.
'And since the only one we've talked to is Alpha he'd better have some good answers but…,' Tommy started after a few seconds silence before Logan interrupted.
'No buts Tommy! You are going to escape from where ever they are keeping you! And you are not going to come back for me until you get everything settled! Or so help me I'll kick all your butts!' as Zedd summoned with a flash of lightning from his staff and Gatorface appeared in its seat from his position in the wedding party then turned as he started a dreary creepy wedding march song began with creepy and dreary tones from the organ.
His insides withering in disgust he watched as Rita wearing a black veil with half-dead flowers walk down a newly formed aisle. Trying not to throw up Logan watched as she walked down the aisle singing a lousy, out of tune, high-pitched version of 'Here Comes the Bride' that she made up as she went down the aisle. Glancing at the others, he saw their helmets turning to watch as she made her way to join Zedd in front of his throne.
In silence they watched the ceremony held by Finster and when the famous question…"and if anybody as any objections why these two should not be wed let him speak now, or forever hold your peace."
"Yeah we're going to be sick!" Logan barked, and was hit again.
As he looked up Finster pronounced them…well husband and wife. 'Boy am I glad that's over. Red Dragon wasn't the only one about to lose his lunch,' Rocky put in.
'Worst wedding I've ever been to, I'm going to need a shower when this is over,' Kimberly thought.
'Well don't tell them that, they'd probably take it as a complement,' Logan put in as his eyes drifted as Rita and Zedd came over.
"Now before we take our leave on our honeymoon it's time we enjoy one of our wedding gifts," Zedd gloated.
"And what would that be?" Tommy demanded.
At that, they looked at Rita as she gave a wicked cackle. "Now that I've been thinking about that for a while. And what I came up with is that one at a time, all of you will fight or monsters while the rest wait at the theatre chained and under guard. And when it is over your heads will make fine ornaments for us," and with another cackle she threw her head back and Logan felt the blood drain from his face as she scanned them. "Now let's start…with her!" and she pointed at Kimberly and at once Flytrap and Rhinoblaster reached for her.
Before Tommy could react, Logan surged to his feet driving the top of his head under Rhino blaster's chin. As Rhinoblaster fell back, he spun around and nailed Fly Trap with a hard kick back on his feet his muscles bulged and with a small grunt of effort broke the chains binding his hands. Turning back around he was hit by a spell and he spun around landing on top of Tommy knocking him over so that they were both sprawled on the ground.
"Well aren't you an eager beaver, very well him first," Zedd said.
'Remember Tommy to hell with me!' he barked, as both monsters grabbed him and dragged him away.
With his arms behind his back and his feet dragging, they took him down a hall and with a flash of light; they weren't in Zedd's palace anymore. Looking around the only way that Logan could describe it was as if coliseum had been rebuilt as he gazed how the thick barred portcullis. At the sound of claws on the sand, he turned and glared behind his visor as both Dragvox and Leviathan approached.
"We've got him so you can go prepare yourselves," Leviathan snapped.
At once, both monsters bowed slapping their fists to their chest murmuring, "yes my lords," and left the three alone as Logan slowly peeled off the manacles and collar before dropping them to the sandy floor.
Walking up to Logan slowly Dragvox smiled at him. "You want the others alive?" he asked running one clawed finger under Logan's chin.
"You touch them and I'll…!" he started to warn him then froze as he felt the tips of his clawed fingers under his chin.
"Then make these simpletons happy…let them punish you all the rounds," he said, slowly as if Logan was deaf and dumb. "…or they all die…very slowly," as he said, this he slowly drew his thumb across his throat before patting the cheek of Logan's helmet as he finished, "you…understand?" and with a final fit of laughter both turned and walked away.
For a few seconds an enraged Logan stood rooted to the spot before with a cry he spun around and drove his fist into the wall behind him cracking it. After taking a couple deep breaths to calm him, glanced at their retreating backs, and sent them a sign that would have made Kimberly ground him when he was a kid. He turned back to the portcullis as it slowly rose.
"And so round one begins," and he slowly walked out onto the sand of the arena.
As he appeared on the arena a roar of boos and insults greeted him and he looked up to Zedd, Rita, Dragvox, Leviathan, and Goldar in what had to be the Roman version of a VIP box. "Monsters and my Lords! Welcome to the Battle Royal! Or first contestant in our little slaughter house you all know him The Red Dragon Ranger!" a booming voice called out and the out raged cries began again with the addition of things being thrown at him as he stood passive his hands at his side.
"And his first opponent is the mighty Grumblebee!" and the crowd roared as Grumblebee came out of the opposite gate with raised arms and the crowd roared louder.
Logan took a deep breath he muttered to himself, "Good thing I'm not allergic to bees, wasps, or hornets," and he shifted into a stance.
For a few seconds they stood facing each other before…"now monsters and my Lords with Lord Zedd's blessing let battle commence!" and as Zedd lightly raised his staff a gong sounded and the two charged each other.
Meeting each other half way Logan leapt forward throwing a flying turning sidekick at half his regular speed that Grumblebee ducked under. Landing on his feet he turned throwing a backhand that Grumblebee caught and grabbed Logan back the back of his neck. As he threw a knee to his chin, Logan slipped from his grasp and spun around him.
As Grumblebee turned to face him, Logan rolled his neck and rubbed it where the monster had gripped him. For a few seconds they looked at each other before Logan threw a punch and grabbing it Grumblebee locked out his arm. Again grabbing Logan back the back of the head Grumblebee forced him down to drive his knee into his chest before driving his knee into Logan's side sending him moaning to the ground.
With a moan he pushed himself up to look at Grumblebee raising its arms in victory to the cheering crowd before turning back to and leaping into the air. Before he could drive his knees into him, Logan rolled away and back to his feet. Before he could do, anything spinning around Grumblebee slashed him across the gut with his claws with a shower of sparks.
Leaping back he clutched his gut where he had been slashed then threw a hard roundhouse kick that Grumblebee ducked under. Spinning back he tried follow up with an uppercut his arm was locked his up and Grumblebee started driving his fist into Logan's gut repeatedly before nailing him with an uppercut and slashed one clawed hand across his face. Then just as the gong rang again he released Logan's arm and drawing both claws close slashed him on both sides of his helmet send him hard onto the back.
Rolling onto one side, he watched Grumblebee walked back through the portcullis. "Come on guys hurry," he muttered climbing to his feet and walked away with a slight limp clutching his abdomen where he had been struck as he made his way to a side wall where he could rest before the next round.
Dropping down he moaned as he held his side in pain and his eyes closed.
He was twelve years old in uniform now studying at the Thunder Ninja Academy. At the time, he was having trouble with a technique. And he wasn't quitting until he got it right. At the time, Sensei Oliver was watching him from the door leaning against the frame arms crossed of the main training area as Logan tried repeatedly to form a perfect Crimson Thunder Technique.
At a sound Sensei Oliver turned at the sound of feet and saw Rachel come down the hallway pausing when she saw him. "Sensei Oliver I'm sorry I'm…"
"…seeing if Logan was still training, he is, over and over again just trying to create the Crimson Thunder. I've never heard of a beginner training this hard let alone attempting such an advanced technique like this," Sensei Oliver finished for her and after a few seconds she nodded.
"He was like that at the Wind Ninja Academy. First one in last one out…he pushes himself so hard…I love him like a brother and I don't why he is…it's almost like he's afraid to fail or something," she said coming up beside him.
For a few seconds they just watched Logan continue to attempt the technique before Sensei Oliver leaned close. "It's getting late why don't you return to the dorms I'll see that he gets to bed," he said and she nodded before bowing and leaving.
For another hour, Sensei Oliver watched as Logan tried repeatedly then turned as a voice called to him. "Hunter!" and smiling as his adopted father came down the hall towards him and they met half way and embraced warmly.
"Dad what are you doing here?" and he put an arm over his shoulder as they walked back.
"Does a father need a reason to see one of his boys? I have Blake and your Aunt with me so I thought we'd all have dinner…who's that?" and he paused when he saw Logan training.
Looking over Hunter eyed Logan again. "That is one of my new students just came over with a couple from the Wind Ninja Academy. Can't get him to stop training," he explained and his father nodded.
"Let me try," and Hunter watched his father approach Logan. "Hay there son," and turning Logan looked at the man eyeing his short spiked hair and thin goatee as he walked over and squatted down. "My name is Tommy Oliver I'm Hunter's father what's yours?"
At that he had frowned looking back at Sensei Oliver and the age difference before remembering how old Kira was. "Logan," and he looked back at Tommy.
Smiling Tommy nodded. "That's a pretty advanced technique you're practicing there."
Looking back at the target, he was supposed hit with technique. "I can handle it I learned similar techniques at the Wind Ninja Academy I can do this," he had insisted then moved to try again and Tommy put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
For a few seconds the two looked at each other. "It's good that you never surrender to a problem but it helps when you approach a hard problem with a clear head," Tommy said and Logan was going to object when he gave a huge yawn and Tommy smiled. "You're tired son, now why don't you go get some rest and try again tomorrow, I'm sure you'll do it then, you got the heart...and the spirit, if you keep this up there's not a doubt in my mind that you'll be doing it in no time," and after a few seconds Logan nodded and left with him.
"I sure could use some of your encouragement now Tommy," Logan muttered opening his eyes.
Meanwhile…
The others had been taken back to the theatre and once more secured to a wall. After eyeing the thick metal door where two monsters stood guard. Rocky looked back at the others while Tommy struggled with his restraints. "Come on guys we can't let them beat us! So does anyone have a plan? Because that opportunity that Red Dragon was going to give us is coming up fast!" he barked, trying to rouse their spirits.
After looking at him, the others slumped. "Face it Rocky not even he could stop them from taking him. And he is the most powerful of all of us. What makes you think we can when he can't…there isn't a way," Kimberly muttered before lowering her face.
For a few seconds Rocky looked at her before he to lowered his gaze. "Were there's a will there's a way for us to escape." At once, Rocky's head snapped up and he stared at an unbound Tommy kneeling in front of Kimberly lifting her head.
"Tommy! How the…?" she started then stopped when he held up the key that Logan had picked during the fight then slipped him before he had been taken.
"I had a little help. Now let's get out of here and deal out some payback!" he snapped quietly
Looking at the key a smile spread from ear to ear on Kimberly's face. 'Red Dragon you sly fox!' she thought as Tommy released her before he moved on to the others.
"Now everybody get ready I think I have a plan to get us out of here!" he said quietly as he moved down the line setting him or her all free.
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