MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS

PLAGUE

Written by DTM666

Chapter Four

Originally Published On : May 2004 to August 2004

Disclaimer: The author would like to clarify that Power Rangers and its characters is owned by Saban Brands and not the author.

-o-

"Tommy's been captured by the metahuman."

Those were the first words Jason Scott had heard as soon as he materialized in the Command Center, where Alpha was working with some equipment. Jason did sense a bit of disappointment, but decided to set it aside and stay focused. For the moment, he was the only active Ranger left over.

"When did this happen?" Jason asked coolly.

"Around midnight." Alpha said, "The good news is that we've managed to track Tommy down to the old Energy Plant in the outskirts of the abandoned warehouse district, but I can't teleport him out because of the unusual amount of radioactive activity present."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "What about the others?"

"From the skin tissue of the Druurg beast Alpha collected overnight," Zordon said, "I have managed to confirm that this 'disease' is a biogenetic compound developed by Rita many eons ago. The compound was designed to react violently with Gamma-Tri based compounds. In essence, any living being with Gamma-Tri infection would suffer greatly or instantly be killed within a matter of seconds."

"So there's no way to save them." Jason said, defeated.

"Not precisely, Jason," Alpha chimed in, "I've had time to study the behavior of the virus for some time now and learned that it's only in its early stages, which means there's a greater chance that I can cure them and eliminate the virus completely. I have developed a serum overnight that may neutralize the virus by eliminating the Gamma Tri substances from their bloodstream. However, I've only made enough for one Ranger. It'll take me time to create enough for all of them."

"Start with Billy first, Alpha," Jason said instantly as Alpha worked with the controls. "If there's going to be some computer work needed, I need his skills."

With a few button presses, Alpha plucked the floating vial of liquid that had suddenly materialized in front of him and placed in within an energy sprayer. Setting the sprayer to a slow beam, he aimed the device at Billy and fired the beam for ten seconds, then stopped. He popped out the almost-empty vial and placed it on the console. A few more button pressed caused the vial to disappear.

Crossing his fingers that this worked, Jason looked on as Alpha started doing a scan on Billy. Judging by the steadiness of the robot's movements and the lack of his signature cry when something goes wrong, Jason took that as a good sign that the serum was working and that Billy was getting better. His hopes were confirmed when he heard his friend groan in slight pain, so he decided to take a closer look and saw Billy's eyes slowly opening up.

"How are you feeling, Billy?"

Billy scratched his head for a moment. "I have a minor headache, but I appear to be functioning within acceptable parameters." He noticed Jason raising an eyebrow. "I feel fine."

"The serum that Alpha had developed from Plaghe's tissue seems to be working," Zordon said, "If you are fit for action, Billy, we need your assistance formulating a battle plan to rescue Tommy."

Billy rolled his eyes at the mention of 'rescue Tommy'. "Again?" he asked in an amused tone. "Some leader."

Jason smiled. "Yeah, I know. But don't tell Tommy that. You'll hurt his feelings." His smiled quickly faded and his face stiffened. "Anyway, Alpha says that Tommy's being held in the Energy Plant in the abandoned warehouse district."

Billy shook his head. "That can't be. The plant was abandoned months ago because of an irreparable radiation leak." he said as he slowly sat up, "No one should be able to survive that."

"Proceed to the Energy Plant using the Battle Bikes," Zordon suggested, gaining the attention of the two conscious Rangers, "Its stealth shielding and silent humming will enable you to get there undetected."

Both Billy and Jason faced each other and nodded. "Let's do it."

-o-

Barely able to stay awake, Tommy opened his eyes slowly blinking the sleep out of them as he stared at a metallic-looking ceiling. When he sat up, he found himself in a metal chamber. Jumping to his feet, he looked out the sole entrance of the small compact chamber he was in to find another larger room, metal walls and blinking lights making up the surrounding. Tommy began taking a step forward, but stopped when he noticed the faint red glow on the edge of the large entrance.

"Took you long enough to wake up."

Tommy shook his head and found Argo standing him. Tommy took a couple steps forward, but stopped when Argo pulled out a small, rounded rock and tossed it at the Ranger. Before Tommy could react, the rock was soon engulfed in white light and turned into white powder that was also slowly disappearing, leaving behind a trail of bright-blue lights.

"I wouldn't suggest trying to escape if I were you," Argo warned, waving his finger, "that's a fifty terawatt force field keeping you in there. Just so much as a light tap will cause instant incineration and quite frankly, I would prefer if you stayed alive."

Tommy, after careful thought, took a step back and sat down on the wooden chair, much to the approval of Argo.

"I've got a proposition for you, Thomas." he said, "Drop the ridiculous good guy join my organization and I will make you rich beyond your wildest dreams."

"Sorry," Tommy scoffed, "price is too high for me."

"Come on." Argo said, "Think of the opportunities I'm presenting you. A Ranger being part of the biggest crime syndicate in the United States. Do you know the kind of power you'll earn if you accept my offer?"

Tommy shook his head. "Been there, done that, got bored real quick."

Argo's fist suddenly shook quickly and hard enough for Tommy to take notice, but he managed to make it stop. The metahuman grunted and left the White Ranger behind in his prison. Tommy smiled at himself for this moral victory, but that didn't help in finding a way out of here.

-o-

The Battle Bike was a rarely-used ground vehicle that the Rangers knew about but never used, since its functions were never of much use. This time, however, the Battle Bike's quick speed and stealth control, among other gimmicks, were a necessity as Red Ranger (with Billy sitting behind him) guided it through the warehouse district onto the abandoned Energy Plant, which was visibly ahead. From what Jason could see, the plant itself was relatively lifeless, with only a few blinking lights here and there. By the time they reached the front gate, the Rangers got off the Battle Bike and slowly approached the main door, noticing that it was closed and no operating panel was in sight.

"Door's sealed shut," Red Ranger said, "We have to find another way in."

Blue Ranger looked around and noticed a manhole lid close to the nearby tower. He made a quick jog for it, with Red Ranger slowly following. When both reached the lid, both kneeled down and popped the lid off, releasing a small mist of smoke from the inner tunnel.

"If the villain is of Terran origin," Billy said, "there would be a high probability he would establish an base of operations in this underground network of tunnels."

"Would we have a problem keeping contact with Zordon down there?" Jason asked.

"I doubt it," Billy answered, "but nevertheless, I'd recommend caution. There's very little known about the tunnels since the public specs were always so limited."

The Rangers dropped down the open hole into a dark tunnel, conspicuously manmade with the standard construction material, but there was also some metal panels scattered about at random spots along the walls, floor, and ceiling. Dim lighting was a rare object in this place. Both Rangers looked around and saw the tunnel going two ways.

"We'll have to split up," Red Ranger suggested, "You go this way, I'll go that way."

"Right" was Blue Ranger's only answer and so they went their separate ways.

-o-

"I take it your discussion with the White Ranger didn't go so well, did it?"

The words of Ethan Kain were basically ignored by Argo, who entered the room looking like he wanted to break something. Kain shook his head in embarrassment; for a super-powered intellect, the guy has a temper. But nonetheless, Kain decided not to press any further, especially if he needs Argo in furthering his own plans.

"Nothing but a dumb stupid kid," Argo said, "That gives me a good example of who I'm dealing with here. A bunch of dumb stupid kids!"

Kain smiled. "Rita chose this 'dumb stupid kid' to be the Green Ranger because he was an excellent fighter, not because he displayed much common sense. Quite frankly, I haven't a clue as to why he's still a Ranger."

Argo merely grunted, deciding to change the subject, "What about Plaghe? I haven't heard his growls in some time."

"He's prowling around in the tunnels, searching for intruders." Kain said, his voice suddenly void of emotion.

Argo blinked in surprise. "You let him go?"

"Relax," Kain said, "he won't stray too far. Besides, if by some chance he gets downed, we still have plan B to execute."

Before Argo could respond, the warning klaxon buzzed and a red light above Kain's console blinks brightly. Argo walked to the console and studied the readout on the monitor. From the expression of Argo's face, Kain assumed things are going badly, but doesn't press the matter.

"It seems we have unwanted guests." Argo scowled, "I'm going to check it out."

-o-

Tommy sat in his cell looking around for some kind of escape means, but to his dismay, couldn't find any. He had attempted communication, but all he received was static. He had considered morphing, but since he didn't know enough about the force field that held him. In the distance, he saw a figure entering the room and smiled in relief when he recognized the figure as one of his friends.

"Billy!" Tommy called out, "Over here!"

"Tommy!" Blue Ranger called as he stopped and ran to Tommy's chamber.

"Stay back!" Tommy warned, "The force field'll vaporize you if you touch it."

Blue Ranger stopped in his tracks, his left foot narrowly missing the force field. He cocked his head towards a small control panel on the right side of the door and ran to it. He played with several switches before the force field shined a dim red and faded. Blue Ranger picked up a piece of paper on the floor, crumbled it up, and tossed it at Tommy. Instinctively, Tommy caught the paper ball with both hands and promptly stepped out of the chamber.

"Are you alright?" Blue Ranger asked, sounding somewhat relieved.

Tommy nodded. "I thought you were infected."

"I was until a short while ago," Billy answered, "Alpha had developed a serum that neutralized the effects of the disease as well as destroy whatever traces of Gamma-Tri contaminants that remained in my system. It won't bother me again."

The sound of a pair of hands clapping together soon echoed in the room, prompting both Rangers to turn to its source; the metahuman threat responsible for the day's events.

"That was really touching," Argo taunted, "but now you've reached the end of the road."

At a snap of his fingers, five completely-featureless humanoid robots surrounded the two Rangers as Argo suddenly vanished almost at the same time. Blue Ranger immediately summoned his signature Power Lance while Tommy fell into a defensive stance.

"Metal putties," Tommy scoffed, "Just what I needed."

-o-

Red Ranger ventured deeper into the tunnel, looking around the place for anything peculiar. But these tunnels are so mind numbingly similar to each other that if it wasn't for the occasional red-lettered markings, it would be very easy to get lost in these things. Fortunately, Red Ranger had marked his trail by firing low-intensity beams on the floor with his Blade Blaster that caused the spots he shot at to glow red as he went further down. This way, he could find his way back or someone could find him.

Almost suddenly and without warning, three flying spherical droids, each with red optical sensors, sped at the Red Ranger, who managed to roll out of their way. The droids turned around and went for another pass, but were subsequently shot down by Red Ranger's Blade Blaster. Surveying for more droids, Red Ranger pushed onward until he reached the end of the tunnel; a huge blast door the size of the tunnel's circular construction. Red Ranger took a step forward and placed a hand on the door. Almost immediately, the giant doors slowly opened to review a metal-surfaced room.

Red Ranger studied the room before taking a step in. As soon as he was completely inside, the door immediately began to close quickly and slammed closed. Red Ranger approached the door and tried to pry it open, but couldn't.

He turned his head to see the creature Plaghe leaping at him with great speed...

TO BE CONTINUED...