Disclaimer: The Power Rangers belong to Saban/Disney. Expect a lot of history altering events to happen in about every fic. I do not stay true to canon.
Shaking
Evil Up
By David Knight
In Serpentara, Julian was going through an intricate set of fighting styles and moves. Going through a set of katas and attacks that he had long since been unable to use physically with his body for ages but had always kept up within the prison he had been incased in within his mind.
Off to the side, Goldar and Lamia watched on as Julian went through his moves. Lamia had a smile on her face to know that Julian was at least as good as she remembered him while Goldar was in awe and had a look of shock on his face. Lamia smirked as she enjoyed seeing the look on Goldar's face. "Didn't know he could do this did you?"
"What is he doing?" Goldar asked, "It reminds me similar to Tommy's moves but..." his thoughts were cut off by Lamia's quiet chuckle.
"Please," Lamia scoffed, "Thomas might be good and know a couple Earth martial arts, but Julian is a master of many martial disciplines all over the galaxy. There is no way Thomas could ever beat the master of the Shadow Hawk style."
"Do not underestimate his skills Lamia."
Lamia blinked as she saw Julian finish his kata and turn around to face her. He took a towel and wiped the sweat off of his face. "Despite how good you think I am, Tommy Oliver is far superior a fighter than many of the braggarts that ever challenged me. If he and I were ever in a fight on a purely physical and skill level, it would be a close match," a smile curved on his lips, "I look forward to if and when that day should ever come to pass."
"But you could defeat him with your other powers..." Lamia started but Julian fixed her with a stern glare.
"You know me very well old friend and you know my mentor. I fight on an even playing field as my opponent. I take no short cuts." Julian said with absolute seriousness, "Why else do you think the UAE is where it is now, half dead and rotting from the inside. It is because of men like my father, who believe taking the easy way to victory is the solution. Well that's going to change."
"What do you mean by that?" Goldar asked.
"I placed a call to the Grand Monarch."
"What?!" both Goldar and Lamia shouted as they couldn't believe Julian had done that but also that he had said it so casually.
"We have two hours before we get there. I'm going to need to take another shower to look my best for when we get there." Julian smirked, "You two should also consider taking one." He walked out of the room, leaving the two to look at him and wonder what was going to happen once they did get to Onyx.
* * *
Meanwhile in another part of the galaxy, there was a training session going in a space fortress that belonged to the UAE.
"Is that the best you got?!" A black colored, green grided, robotic warrior was now fighting with his sword. His opponent was a young woman in black leather with orange colored hair done in many braids. She was holding off his sword strikes with a sword.
"I can take anything you can give me!" she cried as she slashed back at him but he dodged and threw her to the ground.
"You are sloppy and not ready for combat." He stated.
Suddenly, she changed her sword to a staff and started shooting purple bolts of energy at him in the back, causing him to fall to his knees. "Take it back." She growled.
The robotic being sighed as he got back up but stood straight and that was when the girl realized her error and why the fight was now over. "I tell you take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses. Not be a coward and strike them from behind, Astronema. There is no honor or true satisfaction if you do what you just did in a fight."
The young woman, Astronema lowered her head in shame when she spoke, "... sorry Ecliptor." She soon felt the machine's hands on her shoulders and she looked up.
"You are improving my princess. Just don't allow your anger to over take you. If you allow your anger to control your actions, your opponent will use it to their advantage and they will be the victor." Ecliptor told her.
"I'll remember Ecliptor," Astronema replied. Her face however came to a bit of puzzlement as she saw Ecliptor take a seat on one of the benches. There was no way he could possibly be tired. But why was he sitting. She had never seen her mentor and many ways surrogate father ever sit. "Ecliptor?"
"Twenty millennia this day... that long since that day..." Ecliptor muttered aloud.
"What?" Astronema asked.
Hearing her say that made Ecliptor stand up and just remain his past visage. "It is nothing."
"Ecliptor what's wrong?" Astronema asked but before she could press the question on any further, Ecliptor became straighter than ever as if he was receiving something. He turned toward Astronema. "Dark Specter requests our presence along with our troops."
Astronema became alert when she heard that but she asked Ecliptor what Dark Specter wanted with them. He had no answer except for them to arrive on Onyx.
Within a few minutes, the Dark Fortress was rushing to Onyx at its best possible speed.
* * *
Back on Serpentara, which was only a little while away from reaching its final destination, Lamia was trying to reason with her old friend, who had came up with a seemingly bizarre plan while he had been in the shower.
"Can I ask you why you plan on doing this now?" Lamia asked as Julian smirked pulling out a black cloak and putting it over himself.
"I want to make sure of a few things. Besides, I want to get some leads on Soul Crusher. At the very least, I can get into a game of zentrat again." He replied.
"By all of the Dark Lords in existence, you are without question the universe's greatest showboat." Lamia shook her head.
"Whatever," Julian shrugged as he saw Goldar come into the cockpit. He flashed a smile as he spoke again, "Play nice you two. I win any zenny I'll give it to you... just don't make a mess in the cockpit, k'?" with that he left with a smirk on his face.
The two beings just stood there for a bit before Lamia realized what he was implying, "Oh give it a rest Julian! As if!"
Hearing that Goldar also realized what he meant as he then asked Lamia, "... I can't believe how much a fool Master Vile was to turn Julian into..."
"Such a moron." Lamia supplied. "Welcome to the club Goldar. I've been trying to figure the logic behind that one for a long time."
* * *
The planet Onyx. Mostly desolate and barren world in the galaxy. Yet it is also considered the main world of the United Alliance of Evil.
If one was to take a look at Onyx firsthand, all they would see is a lot of desert, with the exception of a few underrated settlements that seemed reminiscent of the 'old west' town that existed on Earth a century ago. Old wooden buildings, saloons with revolving doors, even an old-fashioned style jail where the sheriff would deal with troublemakers.
The only differences were that the jail had more advanced security than its appearance gave it credit for, and the sheriff was on the take.
Also, aside from the small towns, was the main structure of power for the planet. It was here that everything on the planet revolved around. Every word, act, and deed revolved around this place. And nothing went down on the planet Onyx without its occupants knowing about it.
The Imperial Palace. Seat of power for Dark Specter and the members of one of the most dangerous coalitions of evil ever devised: The United Alliance of Evil.
Headed by Dark Specter, and seconded by many of the most notorious evil beings throughout the universe, this coalition had brought pain and misery to many planets. Many civilizations. Many of which were under protection of the Council on Eltar.
But right now Julian was not interested in the palace. More or less, he was interested in seeing a place had missed being in.
The Onyx Tavern.
One step into the Tavern and Julian felt not much had changed. Creatures of the underworld still came in, looking to make their futures on what could be found by information or by playing a card game.
Still, he saw things were in motion and when he saw one particular figure walking with some drinks he decides to go and get in front of the small alien. He was a squat being with a wrinkled white face, green round shades, and a partial barrel for the back part of his outfit while his hair was slicked back in wavy stripes on the side. "Hey! Just what do you think you are doing?"
Julian chuckled a little under his cloak. "So tell me Kegler, where can I find your friend?"
"Huh?" Keglar blinked as Julian held his hand up as a sign of peace. "Relax, I wish to play a game of cards. I assume that's why you have drinks now."
"... who are you?" Keglar asked.
"A friend." Julian smirked not yet ready to say anything. He wouldn't plan on it until he was good and ready to, which would be soon. He just followed Keglar to a table where he saw several different creatures around a table but the one that got Julian's attention was a man covered in a black leather-like suit with zipper motifs on him, over his left breast was a large wing shaped pin, and his face covered by a black helmet. Julian took a seat in an empty chair.
One of them, an ugly looking mutant with two horns on his head and a fanged mouth sneered at Julian, "Who do you think you are?"
Julian didn't even look at him as he replied, "Someone you don't want to pick a fight with." He then put down a handful of purple colored crystals on the table. "Rosmerian Amethysts from Caldris 6. Worth quite a lot of zenny wouldn't you say? Enough to prove I can play in this game?"
The dealer, a Salamadarian nodded, "Yes. Let's begin." He then started passing out the cards to every one. Each card player put down one crystal, making a total of six. "Any cards?"
"Two." The mutant asked for. The other three players asked for two more while Villimax only asked for one. Julian however kept all of his cards. The mutant looked at Julian, "That's the lamest bluff that I know boy. You can't possibly have a good hand. Five ventra crystals." He placed his crystals to the pot. Everyone else followed his lead, but Julian smirked as he decided to higher up the stakes. "I see all of your bets... and raise you a hundred ventra crystals."
"WHAT?!" were the words from almost everyone at the table. People around the bar noticed and started to pick up on it. The mutant stared disbelieving that they were real but the dealer knew that they weren't. Julian smirked as he saw two people fold. The mutant wasn't among them. "Alright. Let's call."
Villimax showed his hand and the cards had orange, green, and yellow squares and triangles on them. "Four zanabas."
"Ha! Seven zanabatars!" the mutant shouted in joy. Especially when he saw that the dealer had lost.
However, Julian smirked as he showed his hand. "A zinta."
"WHAT!" the mutant roared. "No!" he pulled out his gun and had aimed it right at Julian's head. "You cheat! You die!"
Those were his only words as before he could even pull the trigger Julian had grabbed his gun hand, snapped it in half, and he blasted the mutant through the kneecaps with his own gun. As he moved on the downed mutant, Julian ripped off the mutant's sleeves, only to reveal a couple of hidden cards.
"Speak for yourself mutant." Julian sneered as he took his winnings from the table. He also saw the dealer and several others were now advancing on the injured mutant. He had a pretty good idea as to what was going to happen to him now. He motioned to Villimax to walk with him as he left the Tavern with his earnings. They walked into an alleyway until Villimax confronted him with Keglar watching from behind.
"There is only one being that I have ever known that knows a Shadow Hawk Fighting Stance," Villimax stated holding his sword, preparing to draw it if need be, "And unless he's come back from the dead, I find it impossible for someone else to know it."
"Not the dead," Julian smirked as he pulled off his cloak's hood so Villimax could see his face, "But how I existed for while was definitely not that far off."
For once in his life, Villimax was completely stunned. "... Julian?"
"The Platinum Shadow casts his gaze upon the universe once more my old sparing partner." Julian smirked. It didn't take long for the two old friends to grip each other's hands. "I feel you've gotten a bit stronger over the last twenty millennia. Good to know you haven't slacked off."
"You old scoundrel!" Villimax mused. "Honestly Julian, where in the names of all gods have you been? You're supposed to be dead."
"Yes, Villimax is correct," Keglar agreed, "I mean you were said to have died at the battle of Jera Tyr."
"I was never there," Julian replied.
"What?" Villimax asked.
"I want to explain this to my uncle first. Which should be very shortly. I am certain that Lamia and Goldar have arrived by now in Serpentara." Julian said as he pulled out something of his own from a place that only he knew about. It could only house small objects but then again the object he had just pulled out was small.
It was a simple gold ring with a red gem embedded in the center. Putting the ring on his right hand, Julian pulled his hood up to cover his face again and looked at the two, "Shall we go walk through the front door now then?"
Villimax and Keglar didn't know everything that was going on, but Julian still acted like his old self. They knew being around Julian meant things were going to pick up.
They definitely wanted to be a part of it.
* * *
Never before in his life had Goldar ever see the Grand Monarch of Evil in person, much less in the same area. He only had seen and heard of the Grand Monarch from others or from pictures.
To actually see the great giant being, which was staring down at him and Lamia right now, with Serpentara behind them and in front of them were Dark Specter's own personal guard was something that made him feel VERY afraid. Looking up at Dark Specter he saw nothing of neutrality. He looked like he was continuously angry at something.
Lamia also sweated as she wished Julian would get here now. If he didn't, Dark Specter could think that she tried to impersonate Julian and then she and Goldar would be dead.
"Well now... where is he?" Dark Specter demanded. Before either of them could say anything the grand monarch continued, "If I find out that this is some sick joke I will do far worse than kill you two! I will make your suffering eternal!"
"Can we dispense with the theatrics please?"
All eyes turned to a dark cloaked figure, which suddenly walked into the room. Villimax and Keglar were right behind him, though they were a bit worry about what could happen.
"How dare you speak to me so insultingly!" Dark Specter challenged.
The man in black simply raised his right hand to show a ring. "Like I said, can we please dispense with the theatrics? I really don't like the one bit plus they are old, boring, and I am not affected by them one single bit."
Dark Specter looked back at the man in black before ordering his honor guard to leave him. Once they were gone, the doors all closed. He looked back at the man in black who was now looking up at him and was less that a foot from him. "Take off your hood."
Julian did so, his face exposed. "Do I have to say this a third time?" he asked as he rolled his eyes at the Grand Monarch.
The answer to that was Dark Specter's giant form shrinking down to the size of only a human slightly taller than Julian, dressed in black and red robes, his hair brown and his eyes blue. "He was always such a showboat."
"Still am," Julian replied. His lips curved into a wicked smile as he punched Dark Specter in the face making him fall to his knees and causing everyone's jaws to drop. For moments, Dark Specter just stood there angry, that is until a faint smile came across his face.
A smile that changed into laughter as he got up and embraced Julian. "By the praise of Darkness, my heir and nephew is still alive!"
"N-N-nephew!?" Goldar's eyes bulged.
"Oh did I forget to mention that Goldar?" Julian smirked. "This is my Uncle, Dark Specter. The leader of the UAE." It was then that Goldar passed out unable to comprehend all this. Julian smiled slyly as he asked, "Was it something I said?"
"You love being the one with surprises too much Julian." Lamia rolled her eyes at him.
Julian shrugged as he looked over his uncle, who was also looking back at him. Deciding to start, Julian spoke first, "Guess you would like to know what happened to me."
"That my nephew is an understatement." Dark Specter stated.
"Lamia, get into Serpentara. Take Goldar, Villimax and Keglar with you and put the shields up." Julian stated.
"Huh? Shields?" Keglar asked before being picked up by Villimax who was already at the entrance ramp to the Zord along with Lamia holding Goldar.
"Trust me, I think we might need them." Lamia said closing the doors.
Dark Specter watched all of this and waited for the shields to come up before looking back at Julian. "I take it I am not going to be happy with what I hear."
"Now that uncle is an understatement." Julian sighed.
* * *
Five minutes later, the entire roof of the landing bay was blown off and almost everything in the landing bay itself was destroyed. All save Serpentara, a few other ships, Julian, and of course the one that made the explosion. Through out the planet one word, spoken loudly and with rage could be heard.
"VILE!!!!!!!!"
* * *
Master Vile froze thinking someone had just called for him but shook his head. It was almost time for a meeting on Onyx, one in which he knew Rita and Zedd wouldn't go to since they were still outrunning the Machine Empire. _That foolish daughter had to loose it to the machines. Well in any event, we'll do something about them for breaking away from the UAE. Soon my house's fame will be as it was. The greatest!_
If he only knew how mistaken he was.
* * *
Julian looked over his uncle standing in the mess that had been made from his 'expression of anger'. "Feel any better?"
"When I sever your father's duplicitous head from his foul sickening body I will." Dark Specter growled.
"You can't do that uncle," Dark Specter looked at Julian incredulously until he saw the smirk, "For Master Vile, death is escape. I want him to suffer for the hell he put me under. Believe me, I will make him pay."
Dark Specter looked upon his nephew and put an arm around his shoulder. "I see the last twenty millennia strapped in the mind of a moron has not dulled your skills."
Julian chuckled at that, "Oh on the contrary, I've spent that time plotting my revenge." He stopped chuckling, looking totally serious as he faced his uncle. "I do have a favor to ask of uncle… I want to have authority to act as I please in Earth space."
Dark Specter blinked as he stared at Julian. "Do my ears deceive me? Julian Cross wants to 'conquer' a planet?"
Julian shook his head, "Not conquer. You know me better than to resort such mundane ways." His lips curved into a smirk, which pleased his uncle, "But I do have such wonderful plans and they are tied to that blue jewel in the universe."
"I'm sure you do Julian." Dark Specter chuckled. "Come. We have a meeting to prepare for and I for one would wish to open up a case of Carmesis Ryz before then. The vintage is of 456 UC."
"Your taste in fine wines never fails uncle," Julian laughed as he vanished in platinum light while his uncle did so in black and red.
* * *
From Serpentara, all of the villains could just stare in shock as they had their jaws dropping. Villimax was never more grateful for wearing a helmet then so that no one could have seen his face. Goldar looked almost ready to faint again as he spoke, "I… I don't believe it… that… that's Dark Specter."
"Well he ain't Ed that's for sure." Lamia smirked using the name Rito had used to call Zedd. She thought about using it from time to time just to annoy the 'Emperor of Evil'. _Heh. Emperor of Evil my ass. Julian could kill Zedd with or without Soul Crusher and his uncle could do it without batting an eye._
"I mean… that's not how I would expect the leader of the UAE to act…" Goldar shook his head, his mind boggling from the emotions that he saw from Dark Specter, one said not to have a heart.
"There is a simple fact that I have learned about Dark Specter, Goldar." Lamia told them all, "That not even to friends will Dark Specter show his feelings… only to those of his blood. Julian is the last of his blood kin. He hasn't assumed his natural form in over twenty millennia. He keeps his mask of Maligore to be fearful and intimidating and its worked like a charm… oh and if any of you ever try to tell anyone what Dark Specter really looks like, he'll kill you all in a heartbeat. He did it to someone else to tried to be stupid and tell the truth. Poor bastard didn't even get really far and when Dark Specter was done with him, there wasn't even ash left."
"Um this may be a pointless question…" Keglar spoke up, "But what exactly is going to happen to Master Vile now that Dark Specter knows about this?"
"Probably kill." Lamia shrugged. "Which suits me fine."
"No." Villimax spoke up, "If that happens Julian will do it personally but I doubt it. He wants to make Vile suffer for the humiliation he felt."
"But how can he do that if he reveals why he's still alive?" Lamia asked putting her hands on her hips. Behind his helmet, she could feel Villimax giving a smirk as he gave her an answer. "Do what people of evil do best: Make something up."
Goldar looked on at a viewing monitor that had been arranged for them to be able to watch what was about to unfold. "I have feeling this will be the most glorious of shows."
* * *
All creatures of darkness gathered into the main council room. The minions and foot soldiers stayed in the back while leaders of empires and their right hands were allowed to sit at the Council Table, but only Dark Specter himself was allowed to sit at the seat that was for only the Grand Monarch of Evil.
Astronema and Ecliptor took their places near the front, as the Princess of Darkness was currently the Grand Monarch's heir. Master Vile was seated not to far from there.
Also arriving was someone who didn't happen to like Astronema very well, along with her mother and brother. Astronema sighed when she saw that woman and swore that she had no idea why they allowed such an irritating woman into the UAE. Ecliptor reminded her that Divatox had done much for the cause of evil, but Astronema still though they would be better off without such an annoying woman.
Suddenly, a burst of flame came from the Throne of Evil, and Dark Specter emerged. Once the Grand Monarch had appeared all of the UAE quieted down. "Be seated all of you." When they did so the Grand Monarch continued, "As all of you know or have been aware of, I have no living blood kin. A fact made possible by our own enemies. It was for that reason why I chose to claim one of my own to mold into that heir."
Everyone knew he was talking about Astronema, Divatox steamed at this, hating how she was being given praise.
"But that is no longer the case..." Dark Specter said suddenly, "For I do have a blood heir."
The entire room went into a frenzy when those words left Dark Specter's mouth. A living heir? One of his own blood? How could this had been they all wondered. Did he have a child and no one knew about it. Astronema herself wondered what did this mean for her, was she to be cast aside now. A hand on her shoulder from Ecliptor put her at ease as she relaxed and waited to see what Dark Specter had to say.
"I present to you all a warrior whose name has unfortunately been almost forgotten by all in this time, an act I am ashamed for allowing to happen by my own feelings needed to be placed aside for the greater evil." Dark Specter stated. "A warrior who was thought to be dead, but at long last as risen like a phoenix and come back to our ranks. I present to you all… the Platinum Shadow!"
"The who?" Divatox asked.
Ecliptor froze completely at the name not believing what was heard. _It... it can't be..._
Those were also the same thoughts Master Vile was having at this time, almost on the verge of having a heart attack. _But... but that's not..._. His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of footsteps. A single figure walked out into the center of the Grand Assembly room, covered by his black cloak. He stared at them all until he was finally facing Master Vile, which was when he took off his hood.
"Hello father." Julian smirked, enjoying every minute of this, "What's wrong? You look as if you have seen a ghost?"
"'Father'?" "Master Vile has another son?" were such comments going around by many of the UAE members.
_Hmm... looks like at least one of Vile's children actually turned out rather well. Considering what Rito and Rita look like not to mention Vile himself._ Divatox mused. _I got to say I'm impressed._ "Mother what do you think… mom?" she turned to see her brother General Havoc trying to wake her up as she was out like a light. "What happened?"
"I don't know. She just fainted once that guy took off his cloak." Havok shook his head. Neither Divatox nor he knew what to make of this.
Astronema was totally lost in mind as she felt her heart racing once she got her first look at Julian. All thought of losing her place as Dark Specter's heir was cast aside as she could only think of the handsome platinum haired stranger that had come. _Oh my... he's absolutely incredible... my god I wonder else is like... I mean am I looking right... by the Darkness what am I thinking?!?_ It was clear to Astronema that she was definitely not thinking straight right now and she didn't know why.
Ecliptor just remained silent now, as he would wait to see things out. Starting with out Master Vile, who was as pale as a ghost, would react to this.
"Julian... but... I thought..." Vile muttered out unable to get over this surprise.
"That I died in battle... almost. However, you should know that Platinum Shadow is never defeated that easily." Julian stated. "I managed to escape from a battle, a battle with people who betrayed who have been dealt with, and managed to place myself into a state of suspended animation to heal from my own life threatening injuries." He stretched his arms out giving off a yawn, "And I have to say, staying a sleep for the last twenty millennia has been a bore." Saying that, Julian went into a small explanation of what had 'happened' at that battle. That how he had been betrayed by those that he had been working with, killed them all before he could be taken, and then placed himself in a cryo status chamber which ended up unfortunately drifting through space and falling into unknown territory. With Dark Specter backing Julian's story, everyone accepted it.
And yet Master Vile knew it was a lie. _I don't understand this... why the lies? Why doesn't say the truth?_
"Now then. To business." Dark Specter stated. "As we know the Machine Empire, who have broken away from us, have now attacked the Earth. The formation of a new team of rangers using the power of the Zeo Crystal is what is stopping them from taking over the planet. Still, the Machine Empire will be watched over and they will learn what the price of defying the laws of the Covenant of Darkness are. To that end, I am sending someone to keep an eye on them and watch for the right moment for us to capitalize on their weakness when it arrives."
_And most likely he will be sending me. I am certainly the most experienced and with Rita and Zedd I should have enough power to..._ Vile mused until he heard what Dark Specter said.
"The Platinum Shadow."
"WHAT?!" Vile got up at that. The beings in the room were also a buzz with this. Sending someone very few people knew or could trust to do a job like.
"Is there a problem in my selection Vile?" Dark Specter growled, the tone of his voice making all of the murmurings quiet down.
"Er… no of course not…" Vile started to say as he wanted to say more but Dark Specter cut him off, "Excellent. Julian, you have your assignment."
"With all due respect my Liege," Julian bowed, "I do not have a ship of my own… and the universe has changed a bit since I was around." His eyes then turned toward Astronema, with a smile on his lips, "I would like it if Astronema were to assist me in my assignment. She seems like a very capable woman and you have spoken highly of her."
_NO! Damn it! Why does the slut always get the best praise! I hate her!!!_ Divatox fumed.
Dark Specter smirked inwardly, "Very well Julian. Astronema."
"My lord?" Astronema bowed in asking.
"You and Julian are to be considered as equals in power. The Dark Fortress will be as much his as it is yours until Julian's own ship is restored. You are both assigned to watch the Machine Empire and their actions on the Earth. Understood?"
"Yes Dark Specter." Astronema nodded. In her mind though she couldn't believe this. _This is definitely NOT a bad thing! This might be a very good thing!_
Julian did not sit down anywhere, he merely walked to where Dark Specter was seated and stood at his side, as if he was his right hand. To walk toward the Grand Monarch without his permission was unheard of and also away to incur his wrath. Yet here this platinum haired youth was, standing right by Dark Specter's right hand side and the Grand Monarch had no problems with it.
He did on the other hand, have problems with the stares that he received with others, "What are you staring at! We all have a meeting to continue! I suggest we get back to it!" Dark Specter ordered.
The tone of his voice brought all of the villains back to their 'normal' state of mind as they resumed what had been scheduled to talk about for this meeting. Julian just sat there, not saying a word but he listened to everything that was being said. After a few hours, the meeting was finally over and Dark Specter called for it to be adjourned.
Julian watched everyone else leave the room except for Master Vile, Dark Specter, Astronema and Ecliptor. Julian then looked up to Dark Specter, "So are all of people out and unable to watch?"
"Yes they are." Dark Specter stated.
"Good." Julian smirked as he suddenly fired out magical blast to hold Master Vile in place.
"WHAT?!" Vile gasped.
"You really think I'm letting go that easily you son of a bitch!" Julian growled. "Twenty millennia as a boneheaded skeleton! I swore to you right before that spell was done that you should have killed me instead of making me into that moron Rito Revolto! You laughed at my face and said there was nothing that I could do… well who's laughing now 'dad'!"
"Rito Revolto? That who he was?" Astronema asked in disbelief. She was about to ask Ecliptor about this but found he was gone from where he was supposed to be.
And less than five feet from Master Vile.
"You traitorous… dishonorable… gutless piece of shit!" Ecliptor spat. "How could you do that to him! Your own son!" He put his hand around Vile's throat and Vile knew he had to do absolutely nothing because if he struck at Ecliptor now, either Julian or Dark Specter would kill him in a heartbeat. "Answer me you bastard! WHY?!"
"It is your fault anyway… you made him into an honorable fool… URK!!!" Vile gasped as Ecliptor tightening his hold around Vile's neck.
"No Vile! It's your own fault for being such a delusional fool!" Ecliptor growled.
"Spoken truthfully Ecliptor!" Dark Specter nodded as he said his own peace. "Do you have any idea of what you did Vile! Of what a hole you made for the UAE for what you did to Julian! Because of your creation of Rito, because of him, we lost ten planets, planets that were integral to my plans! But that's only the surface!" he glared fiercely at Vile as he said this, "You killed my own sister and for that is excusable only because someone my own father who is long since dead pardoned you for it. What you did to me that was unforgivable Vile… was that you took away the last of my family! For twenty millennia! Did you think for a moment that once I learned the truth that I would ever forgive you for it! DID YOU!!!"
Vile couldn't even say anything as Ecliptor still had his hands around Vile's neck.
"Well Julian. What do you intend to do to punish him?" Dark Specter asked.
When Vile saw the glint in Julian's eyes, he became afraid. He now realized that Julian had planned this from the start. He had no intention of making Master Vile die quickly. Julian was going to make him suffer as long as he possibly could.
"Throw the old man into a space pod… let him take the long ride home while we strip his Space Skull down for parts." Julian smirked.
"WHAT?!" Master Vile shouted in disbelief, "YOU CAN'T!!!"
"But I can!" Dark Specter screamed as he teleported vile into the smallest space craft there was, barely enough space for him to move his hands to operate the controls and send him into space.
"JULIAN!!!!!!!!!!" was the cry that could be heard into space.
Ecliptor looked back at Julian, as did Julian himself who faced the machine. To Astronema's own surprise, the two beings hugged each other.
"It's definitely good to see you again... old man." Julian added the last comment with a smirk, which got him a kick from Ecliptor that took his legs off the floor and Julian found himself on the ground.
"You really are out of shape Julian. You should have been able to avoid that kick." Ecliptor shook his head.
"So I take it we will be resuming our regular training sessions ever day at four in the morning." Julian smirked.
"If you are even late for a second I will add extra hour on to your training." Ecliptor told him.
Julian chuckled, "Oh don't worry I won't be late... Hm?" He looked past Ecliptor and saw the Princess of Darkness, "And who is this old man?"
"My current student and my charge for the last ten years." Ecliptor replied.
Julian blinked at his former mentor, "Your charge?" a wicked smirk formed on his lips, "You old dog, I didn't know you had taken to being a father by adopting children."
Ecliptor was taking aback by that comment but got his composure back, "Your Uncle happened to entrust her to me and just for that, I think I'll add on an extra hour of training tomorrow."
Julian shrugged as if that meant nothing to him. He simply walked past Ecliptor and over to Astronema. Once in front of the Princess of Darkness, he took her hand and kissed it like a true gentleman, "Julian Cross at your service, beautiful one." He smirked when he saw Astronema's face was as bright red. She barely had the courage to say her own name, "I'm Astronema. No last name."
"With a name like yours, you have no need of a last name." Julian said. "Come. I think we need to get to know each other a bit before we take our trip.
"I would definitely agree." Astronema smirked as she and Julian exited the room together.
Ecliptor looked up at Dark Specter and decided to ask a question, "Did you allow Julian to pick Astronema, simply because you are hoping he'll chose her?"
Dark Specter shrugged as if to feign innocence, "Should my nephew chose Astronema as a mate, would be such a bad thing?"
Ecliptor chuckled, "No... assuming Julian chooses her. He hasn't found any woman to fall in love with for so many millenniums."
"Who knows what the future holds Ecliptor." Dark Specter said. "Who knows what the future holds indeed."
* * *
As Julian and Astronema walked along the way, Julian froze as he felt someone close by. Turning to the Princess of Darkness with a smile on his face, he asked for her to wait there for one moment. She complied with his wish.
Julian walked down the corridor and saw who he was looking for. He sighed when he saw her, "Divia... what happened to you?"
"My bastard of a husband was the one that did this." Divia told Julian, who put his hands through her snake hair, the snakes calming at his touch not understanding why they were not striking out at this person. "After you had... died... I mourned for you. He didn't like it."
"And he made you repulsive for that?" Julian asked aghast. "Just because we were friends!"
"He found out we had sex... before my husband and I were married."
Though he didn't show it, inside Julian was starting to boil over. The more time he spent in the present, it was more than clear that the people he had known had changed at least in some way. Lamia, his uncle, Ecliptor, and now Divia. All of this was because of what his selfish father wanted to impose his will upon his family. He so wished to have Soul Crusher in hands once more, just so he could have run it through that waste of flesh.
"Don't worry," Divia said with a small sad smile, "I through him to the Vortex of Sorrow and Doom a few thousand years ago."
Julian put his hand over her cheek and felt it. He looked at her seriously, "I will find a way to undo this grotesque visage that has been forced upon you."
"Looking at you here before my eyes, I believe that promise." Divia said to him.
"Mother! Where are you?!"
Julian cringed at the high-pitched voice but looked back at Divia, " 'mother'?"
"I have two children of my own. Its been twenty millennia," Divia replied, "And before you think about it, I wouldn't try to get her to be with you. One, it would feel wrong to me and two, I know you and my daughter is definitely not your type."
"More like my father I assume," Julian muttered. Divia nodded. "Well I have to get going. I don't want to keep my present traveling companion waiting too long." A small bow of grace and a kiss on her hand, Julian left her and walked back to Astronema who hadn't seen much if anything.
They walked onward and moments later Divatox came right behind where Divia was. "Mother what were you doing?"
"Just thinking of the past," Divia/Momma D sighed, "Come my daughter. Let's head on home."
* * *
In the hanger where Serpentara was staying, Goldar, Lamia, Keglar and Villimax were playing a game of zentrat. At present, Lamia was cleaning house and taking much in zenny and crystals.
"You should all be fortunate we didn't decide to play naked zentrat," Lamia smirked, "Other wise I could have seen some very interesting parts of your anatomy."
"I don't understand how you could be this good," Goldar stated, which Lamia chuckled at him. "What's so funny?"
"Well I didn't show everyone all of my hidden talents," Lamia smiled, "I like to keep a few aces under my sleeve."
"Just like me old friend." Julian spoke as he came in with Astronema. "I take it Villimax gave you what I won earlier."
"Well that and the fact that I have almost bankrupted them all." Lamia shrugged.
Astronema just stared at this scene, her stare getting Julian's attention, "Is there a problem princess?"
"It's just... you act so..." Astronema started to say but Julian nodded as if getting her message, "You wonder why I so casual when speaking to my friends and vice versa."
"Friends?" Astronema asked.
"Yes friends," Julian replied. However his smile dropped as he saw the look in her eyes. He sighed sadly, "And yet another sin to lay at the feet my bastard of my father for his putting me into the mind of a moron for twenty millennia."
"Huh?"
"You have no true friends do you?" Julian asked her, "Simply because the atmosphere of the UAE is something where you cannot tell whether or not someone will stab you in the back." Astronema slowly nodded and Julian looked back at her eyes, "Consider me your friend, for I do not stab my friends in the back."
"When you say these things..." Astronema shook her head trying to clear it but felt what he said, "I believe you. I am not sure why, I just do."
Julian smiled when he heard her answer, "It's called faith. It's a good emotion to have." Looking over toward his friends he spoke, "My uncle has decided to send me over to Earth to have a talking to with the Machine Empire. Astronema will be coming with me."
"Do you want us to go with you?" Villimax asked.
"No. I have other jobs for you to do my friends." Julian said, "Lamia, you can Goldar see what you can do with Serpentara and what we get from Vile's Space Skull. Once you can't do anything else, contact me and I'll bring you to the Dark Fortress. Villimax... I need you to see if you can find it for me. You know the underworld better than I do at present."
"It wasn't where you had left it." Villimax asked.
"Either my father found it and has it or sold it or its gone to parts unknown... both of them." Julian said.
"Both?" Lamia blinked.
"What's are you talking about?" Goldar asked. Astronema was also curious but kept silent.
"Yes," Julian told them, "But I want my sword and ship back. Can I trust you to help me find them as well as scout for talent that fits my criteria my old friend?"
"Of course," Villimax nodded as he stood up. He and Julian grasped each other's hands. "I'll contact you when I know something."
"Safe journey my friend," Julian smiled as he and Villimax parted ways and he left with Keglar. As one door closed, another opened and Ecliptor walked in. "My Princess, the Dark Fortress is ready for departure."
"I believe it is time for us to go," Astronema said to Julian, who nodded. He looked over to Goldar and Lamia and said, "Take care of what I asked."
"Of course. Just don't try to blow up too many machines like you did the last time you faced Mondo's forces," Lamia smirked.
"What?!" Goldar gasped. Julian laughed when he saw Goldar's expression and walked out with Ecliptor and Astronema, who was a bit confused at what was just said. When they left, Goldar turned toward Lamia. "What do you mean by that?"
"Oh I think King Mondo will blow a gasket once he finds out Julian's alive," Lamia smiled cruelly, "And I don't know who should be pitied more?"
"Pitied? Why?" Goldar asked.
"Because Julian hates King Mondo almost as much as he hates his own father," Lamia answered him. "Oh I can only imagine the bucket head's face when he finds out." Shrugging, she and Goldar went on to do the task that Julian asked of them. Though Lamia still thought of how Mondo would react to Julian's return.
* * *
Meanwhile, someone had finally returned back to his place of residence in the M-51 galaxy. To be perfectly honest, he crashed right through the roof and into his own throne room, very close to his own personal chambers. His faceless minions who patrolled his castle while he was gone soon opened up the space capsule and he came out of it.
Just as Rita was entering his throne room. She was yelling to Zedd with her back turned, which was bad for her since Zedd saw how Master Vile had returned and had a very good guess who could have done it. Rather than listen to his wife's ravings, he slammed the door in her face.
"Zedd! How dare you! I am talking to you!"
"RITA!!!"
Rita Repulsa turned around in fear when she heard how mad and how angered her father sounded. When she saw the hole in the roof, she knew it could have been only one thing. "Daddy, about Julian I can..."
"Explain!?!" Vile screamed. "Explain what?! I don't even want to hear any of your lame excuses! Dark Specter knows the truth and its only by Julian's hand that I am even still alive! Do you know what you have cost me! DO YOU!!!"
"ME?!" Rita gasped incredulously, "But... but Daddy!"
*ZAP!*
Rita barely got out of the way of that blast of magic that Master Vile sent at her, his face contorted in rage, "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT NOW!!!" Master Vile screamed at his daughter. She left his chambers fearful for her life. When she had had left, Master Vile sat on his throne and growled to himself, _I swear Julian... I swear I'll break you! I am your father and you WILL obey me!_
* * *
Rita was scared witless and was walking back to where she, Zedd and their entourage had set up in the castle when she felt her husband behind her. She felt her old self come back again as she let him have it, "Why didn't you do a single thing!"
"For something that was his fault as well as yours?" Zedd asked. "You brought this down upon yourselves my dear. Had I any children, I would have put a spell on them perhaps... but I would have NEVER altered their appearance. I prefer to let people look how they were meant to be. To tamper with that is an affront to nature."
"We are evil Zedd!" Rita screeched, "We are supposed to be breaking the rules!"
With that said, Zedd hauled his wife against the wall and looked at her very seriously, "Not the laws of natural creation." With that, he left her alone but Rita still fumed.
_Julian... its all Julian's fault! I know it!_ Rita growled, _Well enjoy your little grandstanding while you can little brother, because I swear I'm going to make your life hell! I promise!_
* * *
A few days later, the force that had taken over Rita and Zedd's position as tormenter and enemies of the Power Rangers were now contemplating over their newest loss over the Power Rangers Zeo.
"Curse those humans!" King Mondo hissed, "I can't believe even with Klank and Orbus's modifications to allow for normal sized machines to be raised to giant status that those accursed Rangers still won."
"Darling, you must not assume that we will win so quickly," Queen Machina told him.
"Yeah and don't worry daddy. No one can beat us machines forever!" Prince Sprocket chirped.
Mondo laughed at his son's enthusiasm though knew that even though the Machine Empire was great, they had been defeated. One loss in Mondo's mind stood out among them all though that person was long gone now. He was broken out of his thoughts by Klank and Orbus coming in. "What is it Klank?"
"Sire. The Dark Fortress is approaching Earth space!" Klank cried.
"What?!" Mondo roared.
"Darling, isn't that the ship of Dark Specter's heir Astronema?" Machina asked.
"Heir or not, I will not stand for that human girl to invade my territory. I shall take over the earth!" Mondo declared.
"Sire. We are receiving a signal from the Dark Fortress." Klank spoke.
"Put it on screen," Mondo commanded and suddenly saw Astronema appear on screen, "And what do you think you are doing human! This is my territory!"
"From what I can see, you have yet to defeat the power rangers so this is virtually anyone's planet," Astronema sneered to rub Mondo's failures thus far into his faceplate, "And unlike the rest, I am not afraid of you."
"Really?" Mondo scoffed, seeing what he though she meant by that. He sneered at her when he spoke once more, "And yet you believe that a childling like you scares me? You who have not even lived two standard decades?"
"If she does not, then perhaps I will."
Mondo froze when his audio circuits heard that voice pattern. His visual receivers couldn't believe the image that he saw.
"HA! Are we supposed to be scared of a human! Don't you know who we are!" Sprocket boasted.
"Sprocket be silent!" Mondo snapped his own son. The Machine Prince went to his mother wondering why his daddy was like this now. Mondo looked back at the screen. "How do I know its really you?"
"Oh you know." The figure smirked.
"...you may be the Platinum Shadow but we are no longer part of the UAE." Mondo growled.
"Mondo, I am not here to take away your shot at earth. I came to ask for your clearance to allow myself to be in earth space."
"You have... come again?" Mondo stared.
"There are things that I have to take care of on earth. However, I am not here to attack you... so long as you don't attack me." Julian smiled.
"I don't have many of the details of how you have returned but so long as you don't attack us you may reside here. Remember though if you attack us..."
"Yes, yes, you will respond with deadly force..." Julian responded but narrowed his eyes. "However if you attack me, know I won't hesitate to do what I did on Sygnas Pride over twenty millennia ago and you know they provoked me."
Mondo just nodded and severed the connection. Sprocket looked at his father and asked, "Daddy why did you fold to that human?"
"That is no human my son..." Mondo said coldly. "That is Julian Cross, the Platinum Shadow, nephew and heir to Dark Specter."
"What? But I thought Dark Specter had no living blood kin?" Machina gasped.
"I thought they were all dead... and now I know I was wrong." Mondo replied.
"What happened at Sygnas Pride daddy?" Sprocket asked.
"We were taking over a large part of territory that had been in dispute in the UAE. However Julian was also interested in the culture of the people while we were only interested in the minerals in the planet itself." Mondo said. "We thought by killing the human population by a gas to make it look like a virus would make Julian leave, maybe even kill him...but..."
"But what Daddy?"
"Julian was immune to the toxins, he saw one of our own fighters malfunctioning and found the toxic gas. He was enraged. He attacked our forces."
"So we killed him or thought we did because he's back right?" Sprocket said.
Mondo shook his head. "My son... the Tragedy of Sygnas Pride is one of the few defeats the Machine Empire has ever had. Twenty five million machine soldiers, thousands of ships and even two skybases... they were annihilated... and it was just one person who did it: Julian."
Sprocket looked at his father who said one more thing, "We may not be part of the UAE now my son... but the Platinum Shadow is an enemy no one wants to have. Remember that always."
Sprocket nodded, feeling something very strange for a machine.
If he had emotions, he would have known that it was fear.
* * *
On the Dark Fortress, Astronema looked back at Julian who had a smile on his face. "What did you do to them?"
"Obliterated a lot of their forces when they tried to kill me along with many sentient beings on a very peaceful world." Julian replied to her.
"Do you even fear anything?" Astronema asked Julian who just smirked at her annoyingly, "As if I am going to even give such a powerful piece of information ever leave these lips of mine."
Astronema cracked a smile at that, "You are definitely unlike the rest of the UAE Julian."
"I will take that as a complement," Julian smiled back at her.
Astronema stretched back and stifled a yawn, "I feel tired. Ecliptor put me through the paces today."
"Maybe because you watched us have a work out today," Julian suggested.
"How could you call that a work out?" Astronema asked him.
What Astronema was referring to was an obstacle course that had been designed with hidden mines that exploded whether or not you stepped on one after a certain time had passed, Quantrons appeared out of nowhere, and then at the end Julian and Ecliptor fought each other for two hours no stop with just swords on a platform that was fifty feet high and Julian had to climb that first to get to his mentor. They had ended it when were disarmed.
Julian just looked back to her and said, "It was just a morning jog to us."
Staring at him when he said that, Astronema wondered how much Ecliptor might be holding back in her training. "... I think I'll get some rest."
"You aren't seriously trying to go for that course I went through are you Asty?" Julian questioned her, calling her by the nickname he had thought up for her. It suited her and he liked seeing how she blushed every time he called her that, "I have millenniums of experience and life compared to you and so does Ecliptor. He's taking you to the level he knows you can handle."
"Okay... good night Julian." Astronema said as she left the bridge, leaving Julian alone... or so she thought.
Once she was gone, Julian sighed, "Old man, you aren't going to be doing her any favors when she goes up against Rangers if you hold back on her."
Ecliptor moved from his place within the shadows and walked toward his former protégé. "She is my Princess. I do my best to protect her."
"And you try to shield her too much in some ways," Julian returned.
"So what do you propose? Have her go through the Gauntlets that I made you go through? You do remember it took you five centuries just to master the first one and be able to go through it without so much as breaking a sweat." Ecliptor countered.
"Certainly not, I am certain with the technology present there are easier ways to train," Julian said, "But its time for her to take it to the next level, and if you are not ready to do so, I will." Looking at his old mentor, he saw something his features he had not seen before. It was the closest thing Julian could see to be to true emotion. "... you've grown attached to her."
"She like a daughter to me," Ecliptor nodded, "I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to her." He looked up to see Julian put a hand on his shoulder.
"Nothing will old man," Julian smirked at him, "We both work with her, she will become much more than she is now."
Ecliptor looked at his former pupil and then put his own hands on his shoulders, except he gripped them tightly, "Understand something Julian, if you want her, don't assume that you will get any favors from me. I will not have her heart torn in half, especially since you change women more times than I can remember."
"I know... but I hope to stop doing that with the women," Julian said honestly to Ecliptor. Seeing that, he let go of Julian, who walked over to the virtual glass screen of the Dark Fortress's bridge and was presently cloaked.
After all they didn't want the earth to realize there was another force besides the machines above their heads.
Julian smiled as he looked down at the bright blue gem below him, "So many possibilities, so many chances... this world will not fall into Mondo's hands or my fathers or anyone else's."
Looking at his face, Ecliptor was confused as to what was going on in his head. But then again no one knew what Julian was ever thinking. "What do you intend to do now that we are here?"
"Oh I don't know..." Julian smiled sweetly, "I hear that Miami is particularly beautiful this time of year." His lips curved into a wider smile as he thought of another thing that was just for him and only him. _And so is a certain brunette in pink I have been longing to see again. Kimberly Ann Hart, it will be so good to see you again._
END