Bethany Black is having a tough time. Three days ago, she became the Bronze
Atlantean Power Ranger. Her only true teammate, the Silver Atlantean Power
Ranger, wouldn't even appear around her unmorphed so she had no idea what
his real identity was. Because of this, she had to Morph to keep up with
him in physical ability and learning the use of her various powers.
She became quite proficient with her Bronze Battle Axe, a large double- bladed war axe that was quite handy in battle once she learned how to use it better. Jacolby, the martial arts instructor for the Atlantean Rangers, had given her a battle axe much like her Ranger weapon for her to practice with unmorphed. The Silver Ranger, he said, practiced with a sword almost constantly since he couldn't seem to manage to learn any of the Atlantean forms of self-defense. Even his occasional lesson in magic proved to be useless.
Alex, however, proved to be far different. His skill and ability in magic grew by leaps and bounds. He wasn't an Atlantean Ranger yet. The "yet" was hopeful. It was possible that none of the Atlantean Morphers would come to him.
Bethany brushes a reddish-blonde lock of hair away from her eyes. Currently, she was training herself against a pack of magical automatons set to perform at the same level as Spectrons. The weapons they held would deliver a shock and would leave a residue of pain that, if it would draw blood with a real weapon, would weaken her as if she was reacting to blood loss.
And she hated it. Fighting a single Spectron unmorphed was hard; fighting a dozen unmorphed was among the things she considered suicidal.
"Hi-yah!" Bethany blocks a downward chop from a sword with the haft of her battle axe, then positions her foot into the "Spectrons" solar plexus and flips it over her. Rolling back to her feet, she manages to move her battle axe just in time to block a sword stroke from another "Spectron". Backflipping, she lands a foot in the "Spectrons" chin that sends it flying.
"Wow, this is tough when I'm not morphed," she muses as she launches herself into a fury of slashes and chops mixed with some kicks and a punch or two. She sends the "Spectrons" sprawling.
"Yes, it is tough unmorphed," Silver Ranger says from the position he is, watching her work out. Jacolby and Alex were watching as well. "You lucky Dark Specter doesn't know your identity just yet. He's keeping himself too far away from the Earth to perfectly scan for all sources of teleportation. And what he can scan, he knows that there are a few other teams of Rangers left on Earth with the power to teleport. He might know my identity. He definitely knows my hometown. That's why he attacked Jackson again. I'm sure of it."
"So you live in Jackson?" Bethany asks as she struggles with a "Spectron" over ownership of her axe, "where do you live?"
"Can't tell ya till I decide to give away the rest of my identity," Silver Ranger replies, "and that won't be until you prove yourself to be a worthy ally. The Bronze Morpher may have decided that you are worthy to wield its power, but I have yet to decide if I want you as a teammate."
'I wonder how much of that statement spawns from his dislike of girls?' Alex thinks to himself, 'if it isn't, then it may be a long time before he lets any of the other future Atlantean Rangers learn of his identity.'
"Man, you're a stuck-up prig, aren't you?" Bethany asks as she sends the "Spectron" she was grappling with flying.
"Very good," Jacolby applauds, "you're learning how to summon the innate fighting abilities of the Bronze Atlantean Ranger quite nicely Bethany. A little more training and you'll have mastered as much as the Silver Ranger here."
Silver Ranger snorts at the comment and looks squarely at Bethany, though she couldn't be sure since his helmet hid his face completely.
"Morph and show me exactly what you got," he orders, "your opponent is me."
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Jacolby says, "watch it now. You two could seriously hurt each other if you fight morphed. Silver Ranger, demorph and fight here that way."
"Come up with an outfit that will hide my identity as much as my Ranger armor and I will," replies Silver Ranger.
"Other than a suit of armor, there is no way for us to do that," Jacolby replies.
"Actually, it depends on how much you want to keep your identity secret from Beth," Alex says, "would you settle for a ninja outfit, with only your eyes able to be seen?"
"Now, I'm sure you can come up with something to cover my eyes," Silver Ranger drawls.
"Your serious about this, aren't you?" Alex asks, surprised.
"Dang right," Silver Ranger replies, "anything that could give her a clue to my identity must not be seen. And my eyes would be a dead giveaway."
"He's got a point there," Jacolby muses, "with the enhancements to her senses that holding the Atlantean Power gives her, Bronze Ranger could find out easily who he really is if she ever looks into his eyes when not morphed."
"Though the chances of that are slim," Silver Ranger says, "since we've never met outside of this. Believe me, I'm sure of it."
"And with only a few weeks of school left, the chances are slimmer," Alex says.
"You mean he goes to the same school that we do?" Bethany asks, surprised. Then she hits her forehead with a palm. "Of course! If you were brought here by accident when they summoned him, then you know him. And its not likely that you know anyone outside of school."
"She's smarter than I thought," Silver Ranger chuckles, "but you will not find me accidentally giving off information about myself. I've had enough practice doing that with my friends that you won't even pose a threat."
"He's telling the truth," Alex says, "normally, he loves to boast. But he's been more silent about this than he's ever been with anything else."
"Can you please conjure up that outfit you were talking about?" Silver Ranger says, exasperated.
"Sure thing," Alex says. Green light emerges from his hands and forms into a bundle of clothes in Silver Ranger's arms. The Silver Ranger nods his thanks and heads for the male changing room.
"So, how long have you known Silver Ranger?" Bethany asks.
"He says he doesn't want you to know anything about himself except what he tells you, and I'm not gonna tell," Alex replies.
"Well then, what can you tell me that wouldn't give a clue to his identity?" Bethany asks.
"Not much," Alex says, "other than he is dedicated to protecting Earth and he doesn't like to kill."
"And I have taken an extreme liking to the color silver as of late," Silver Ranger says from behind. He was now wearing two-toed ninja shoes, loose silver-gray pants, a loose silver-gray shirt, and a face-mask with crystalline slots covering his eyes. He has on cloth gloves that appeared to be fairly comfortable.
Bethany raises an eyebrow. "I'd say that is an understatement."
"Well then, shall we give it a go?" Silver Ranger says as he picks up a practice sword from the stand in one corner.
"So we're gonna go at it with weapons?" Bethany asks as she drops into a fighting stance.
"No, we both go all-out," Silver Ranger replies, "we fight until one gives up, is called to be dead by Jacolby, or until there is an obvious winner. Whichever comes first. Care to start us off Jacolby?"
"Ready and fight!" Jacolby says, dropping his arm in a chop to signify the start of the match.
Silver Ranger moves in low and quick, slicing at Bethany's mid-section. She blocks with her axe, but Silver Ranger slides the blade in around the haft and sets the tip of the practice sword against her throat.
"Cheap trick," Jacolby chuckles, "I believe I taught you that."
Silver Ranger drops into an 'at ease' position, moving the sword away from Bethany's throat.
"No bad, eh?" he asks, "eventually you'll be able to do that."
"The two of you should be fairly even once Bethany gets better at using the knowledge and abilities at her disposal," Jacolby says, "right now she's at a disadvantage."
"It's a disadvantage that she'll have to learn to deal with," Silver Ranger snaps, "that last goon of Dark Specter's was far more powerful than Divorx. She was very powerful."
"She wasn't one of Dark Specter's minions," Eleanor says from the doorway that led outside.
"What is it, Lady Eleanor?" Silver Ranger asks.
"Bethany, you said the monster identified itself as Hibikime, correct?" Connerly asks from where he was behind Eleanor.
"Yes, she did," Bethany replies.
"It is as I feared," Eleanor says, "Hibikime is a servant of Lady Voricifa, a powerful enchantress. If Voricifa has teamed up with Dark Specter, then he knows a fair amount about you Silver Ranger."
"What makes you say that?" Silver Ranger asks, his voice puzzled.
"As close as I could put it in terms you would understand, Voricifa is a succubus," Connerly replies, "it appears Dark Specter knows you're a teenage human male, Silver Ranger. Be on your guard against he, um, shall we say feminine wiles."
Silver Ranger laughs, startling Connerly and Eleanor.
"Man, Dark Specter may know that, but its apparent he truly doesn't know me yet," Silver Ranger chortles, "Voricifa will have about as much an effect on me as a gnat would against a Zord."
"How can you say that?" Connerly gasps, "Voricifa is the Mistress of Seduction. No man can ignore her, even those protected by a supernatural power!"
"And I'm not an ordinary man," Silver Ranger retorts, "Voricifa will have no effect on me." With that, he heads back to the changing area.
"How can he say that he will be able to ignore Voricifa?" Eleanor asks Connerly.
"Because he really doesn't like females," Alex replies. The others look at him in surprise.
"I know a lot about him," Alex explains, "he really doesn't like girls. I think most of the reason he won't show you his identity, Beth, is tied to that."
"Why doesn't he like girls?" Bethany asks.
"Why else would a guy not be fond of the opposite sex?" Alex asks.
"You mean he's-?" Bethany asks.
Silver Ranger's voice comes floating in from the changing room rather loudly. "I'M NOT GAY!"
"How did he hear that from the men's changing area?" Jacolby asks in wonder.
"How did he know what I was gonna say?" Bethany wonders.
"He's been accused of being gay for years," Alex replies, "he's very sensitive about it. He's not gay, but he doesn't like girls. He's had almost nothing but bad experiences with females close to his own age. Even within his own family he stays away from his female relatives because of this."
"Poor guy," Bethany says softly, "has he ever had a girlfriend?"
"I'll leave that up to him to answer," Alex replies.
"The answer depends on your definition of a girlfriend," Silver Ranger says as he heads back into the workout room, fully morphed.
"And what do you mean by that?" Bethany inquires.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Silver Ranger replies.
"Easy guys," Alex says, steeping between the two Atlantean Rangers, "save any and all hostility for the Dark Specter and his minions.
Little did Alex realize that that was exactly what they needed to be doing. Dark Specter was looking down at a kneeling Voricifa and Hibikime before him, pondering what course of action he should take. They had failed. Voricifa had called Hibikime back and she had been unable to seduce the Silver Atlantean Ranger.
"Voricifa, explain yourself," Dark Specter rumbles, "how exactly did you fail?"
"I misjudged his sense of duty, my lord," Voricifa replies, "but now, with Hibikime helping, he shall fall to my will."
"Yes, and why did you call Hibikime back?" Dark Specter asks. Something in his voice told Voricifa that she had better have a good reason for pulling her out.
"My lord, the Silver Atlantean Power Ranger is a very difficult catch," Voricifa explains, "even my charms alone were unsuccessful. But against two lovely women, Hibikime and myself, his resistance will crumble like an old building."
"Why Hibikime?" Dark Specter asks.
"Hibikime is my most successful disciple, even if she has yet to acquire abilities equal to my own. She feels the need to spend time training herself to fight when she could be training her skills at seducing men."
"Very well," Dark Specter says, "do not fail me again."
"Yes, my lord," Voricifa says. She turns and leaves, Hibikime trailing behind her quickly.
After they exit the Dark Specter's chamber, Hibikime looks at her mistress.
"Lady Voricifa, why do you pay homage to him?" Hibikime asks, "you've always made it a point to serve whoever is the supreme evil in the galaxy. You served Rita Repulsa out of mutual interest in her battle with Zordon of Eltare. You served Lord Zedd because he was the Lord of Evil. You never served Mondo's Machine Empire for it had no use for your services. And you served the Dark Specter because he was the monarch of all that is evil. And all of them were defeated or destroyed by the Wave. You've made it a point to serve only those who do not fail. So why serve him if he was defeated?"
"He was nearly killed by that traitorous swine, Darkonda," Voricifa corrects, "he made one mistake, and only one in his entire career. That and he underestimated the Power Rangers."
"But he still made a mistake," Hibikime says, "and when someone makes a mistake like that, you never serve them again. Why change now?"
"Because the Dark Specter is power personified," Voricifa replies, "nothing can match his power. It took a Super Torpedo, a weapon used to destroy planets, to even harm him. He survived two such torpedoes. What does that say to you about his power?"
"He is invincible and immortal," Hibikime realizes.
"Yes," Voricifa says huskily, "the Dark Specter is the single most powerful being in the entire galaxy. When he gets his revenge, it will be glorious!"
The two women share an evil laugh.
~On Earth~
"Hey Jesse, come on we gotta go," Alex says to his gray-clad friend.
"Man, do we gotta?" Jesse whines.
"Dude, I know you would much rather stay home and play video games, but we have to go and meet the rest of the MYF," Alex argues, "we need you for this play."
"Man, if I find out who signed me up for this play, I'm gonna do some serious harm to him," Jesse grumbles, "and how in the world did you get assigned to be the one to make sure I showed up?"
"If you would like to recall, you were the first to say that a play wouldn't be such a bad idea," Alex says, "and as for why I've gotta make sure you get there, I volunteered. I knew you'd try and ditch."
"You know me too well," Jesse grumbles as Alex hauls him to the church for play practice.
Across town, Bethany Black, the Bronze Atlantean Power Ranger, was shopping. Her taste in clothes had recently changed and she wasn't sure why. She had noticed that all of her new choices had a decidedly bronze tinge to them, but that was about it.
"I hope the Dark Specter doesn't attack today," she mutters, "the mall is still recovering from the last attack."
Jackson, unlike the other cities that had been attacked by the evil so far, had few large buildings. In fact, the largest buildings were in downtown Jackson and they were nowhere near Zord sized like the other cities skyscrapers. For which Bethany was grateful. They certainly wouldn't get a good rep if they smashed into buildings like the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers had during the early stages of their career.
As if to refute her wishes, a monster appears. He was a gigantic humanoid rock creature. The monster starts firing energy blasts from its eyes at everything that moves. Bethany jumps into the corridor that leads to the ladies room to avoid being hit with a blast.
She knew she had to morph, but the corridor was occupied by another girl. Bethany knew her from school.
"Holly, we gotta get out of her," Bethany urges her friend.
Holly Replogle was slightly taller than Bethany herself was, standing at about 5' 7" and was the envy of quite a few of the girls on the cheerleading squad. She had green-hazel eyes and dark blonde hair worn shoulder length. She was wearing a lavender pastel shirt with denim jeans. She was wearing a belt with a buckle that looked strangely familiar.
"But how?" Holly asks, "there's no way out. That rock creature will blast us if we move."
"And if we stay here, we'll likely get buried alive," Bethany counters.
Holly's belt buckle begins to glow.
"What's going on?" Holly shrieks. The buckle slightly changes shape. It changes into an Atlantean Morpher. The Platinum Morpher.
"What is this?" Holly asks, indicating the Morpher. Suddenly, Bethany's communicator goes off. Bethany sighs and decides to answer it, since it was obvious that another Morpher had chosen someone to wield its powers.
"Go ahead, this is Bethany," she says into the communicator, much to Holly's surprise.
"Bethany, a Morpher has become active in your vicinity," Eleanor says through the communicator.
"Your telling me," Bethany says, "it just activated right in front of my eyes."
"Our spells also indicate that Dark Specter has sent a monster is nearby," Connerly says.
"Your not whistling Dixie," Bethany mutters, "what should I do?"
"Do you know the location of the person the Morpher has chosen?" the Elder asks.
"She is standing right next to me," Bethany says, "should I teleport her to you so you can brief her while I tale care of the monster?"
"Yes, do that," the Elder says, "you say she's standing right next to you?"
"Affirmative," Connerly says, "we'll brief her and see whats comes of it."
"Holly, keep an open mind," Bethany says moments before Holly disappears in a flash of platinum colored light.
"Um, have you contacted Silver Ranger yet?" Bethany asks.
"He's not responding to our hails," Connerly replies, "he is receiving the communications, but he is not responding."
"He may not be in a position to answer," Bethany replies, "such as among a group of friends. He my be trying to get away as we speak."
"Well, right now you are the only one able to fight this monster at the moment," the Elder replies, "I advise you to do so."
"Right," Bethany says, "how's Holly taking everything?"
Eleanor chuckles. "She's pelting us with questions."
"Sounds like her," Bethany says, "now down to business."
Cutting off the communication, Bethany summons the Bronze Morpher.
"It's Morphin time!"
She presses the buttons in the proper sequence, then holds the Morpher out in front of her in her palms.
"Bronze Power of Atlantis!"
Bethany is instantly engulfed in bronze light. When the light fades, the Bronze Atlantean Ranger is in her place.
"Time to kick some rocky behind," she says as she teleports the short distance to be in front of the creature.
"Stop!" she commands, "or be destroyed."
"I am the Rock Ogre," the creature says, "and you die, Ranger."
With that, he comes in swinging.
Bronze Ranger backflips to avoid being hit. She pulls out a Blade Blaster and fires. Several bronze energy bolts fly, hitting the Rock Ogre in various spots, but they do not do much damage.
"Fool," Rock Ogre says as he knocks Bronze Ranger away and into a wall.
"Man, he's tough," she grumbles, "I hope Holly shows up soon or I'm in big trouble."
Holly, for her part, was doing quite well. As soon as she settled down from her first experience teleporting, she starts pelting the Elder, Eleanor, Connerly, and Jacolby with questions.
"Whoa, settle down little girl," Connerly says, "neither the Bronze Ranger or the Silver Ranger made this much of ruckus when they were brought here."
"What is this place?" Holly demands.
"This is Atlantis, home and source of power of the Power Rangers of Atlantis, who have recently started defending your own hometown," Jacolby says.
"How is Bethany connected to this?" Holly demands.
"Your friend Bethany is the Bronze Power Ranger of Atlantis," Eleanor replies. Holly gapes at the elderly woman.
"Of course you wouldn't know," Eleanor says, "we told both the Silver and Bronze Rangers to keep their identities secret. The Silver Ranger has yet to reveal his identity to the Bronze Ranger."
"But how do I fit in this?" Holly asks.
"Because that belt buckle you have is actually the Platinum Morpher of Atlantis," Jacolby says, "you have the chance to become the Platinum Ranger of Atlantis. The only Platinum Ranger in the universe, much like Bethany is the only Bronze Ranger in the universe."
"I could become a Power Ranger?" Holly gasps.
"The Platinum Morpher has found you worthy," the Elder says, "the final choice is yours. Will you help us fight the Dark Specter?"
After thinking a moment, Holly nods her head in agreement. "What do I do?"
"Take the Morpher from your belt and hold it in your right hand," the Elder instructs. Holly does so.
"Now, read the inscription and tell us what it says," Connerly says.
Holly reads the inscription carefully. "If ye be of a sound and intelligent mind and a noble soul with a just cause to defend, then ye shall beg ranted the power of this Morpher. Just press the buttons in sequence: Platinum, Crystal, White, Aqua, Silver, and Bronze. If your cause is not pure, then you shall be cast into oblivion."
She rereads the inscription, then shrieks. "Oblivion!"
"Do not worry, child," Eleanor says, "the Silver and Bronze Rangers survived, and their cuase s the same as yours. You have no worries."
"Now, call out 'It's Morphin time!' and press the buttons in sequence," Jacolby says.
"It's Morphin time!" Holly cries out, then rapidly presses the buttons on the Morpher in the said sequence. A flash of platinum light and in Holly's place is the Platinum Ranger of Atlantis.
Mostly her appearance was the same as the Bronze Atlantean Ranger, only the shield and suit itself were platinum in color. The helmet was widely different from the other two Atlantean Rangers.
The helmet was of a design of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, only a winged unicorn was the animal represented instead of a dinosaur or some other animal like the Wild Force Power Rangers or the Lost Galaxy Power Rangers. She removes her helmet.
"Wow, this is so cool!" Holly cries out as she examines her outfit and helmet, "its impossible to describe the rush of power I'm feeling. Will I feel this every time I morph?"
"Maybe," Connerly says, "Silver Ranger never mentioned much. He likes to keep things himself instead of interacting with others."
"Well, can I go help Bethany?" Holly asks.
"Simply return your helmet to your head and we'll teleport you to the battlefield," Connerly says, "and just follow the instincts. Until you can take care of yourself on your own, the Morpher will guide you in the use of all of your abilities."
"Okay," Holly says and replaces the helmet. In a flash of platinum colored energy, she teleports out.
"Well, at least this one will work with at least one of the other Rangers," Jacolby sighs.
"Jesse will work with these two girls," Eleanor says, "he cares too much for the Earth not to."
"Maybe someday he'll learn to work as a teammate to them," Connerly says, "until then, we can only hope."
Jesse was indeed unable to answer his communicator. And he was unable sneak away.
"Jesse, would you please concentrate on your lines?" the youth groups leader, Ellen, asks.
"Sure thing Miss Ellen," Jesse replies, only half paying attention. He just couldn't concentrate knowing something was going on.
As it turned out, he needn't have worried.
Platinum Ranger leaps into the battle and knocks the Rock Ogre into the parking lot through the mall doors.
"Um, who are you?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Platinum Ranger at your service Beth," Platinum Ranger replies.
"Holly?" Bronze Ranger says, amazed, "guess you decided to help out after all, huh?"
"You got it," Platinum Ranger replies, "what do you say we show this guy some girl power?"
"Your on," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Staff!"
The Bronze Staff appears in the Bronze Ranger's hands, who quickly turns it into the Bronze Battle Axe.
"Platinum Staff!" Platinum Ranger calls out. A staff similar to the Gold Zeo Ranger's Power Staff, but on one end was a piece that looked like an end of the Power Lance wielded by the Blue Mighty Morphin Power Ranger.
"Platinum Partisan!" Platinum Ranger calls out. The Platinum Staff extends until it is twice as long.
"Lets get this shmuck," Platinum Ranger says, then leaps into the battle, swinging the Platinum Partisan.
The Bronze and Platinum Rangers attack the Rock Ogre, stabbing and chopping as valiantly as possible. Platinum Ranger spins her Partisan and jams it into the Rock Ogre's stomach in a shower of rocks.
The Rock Ogre stumbles back, astounded at the strength of the attacks. These Atlantean Rangers were far stronger than they looked.
"You are strong," he mutters, "but I am stronger." To accentuate that statement, he plows one giant fist each into both Rangers. The blows send them flying into a wall, but not through it. He follows it up with energy bolts from his eyes.
From atop the mall, Voricifa and Hibikime watche the battle in anger.
"Drat, the Silver ranger isn't around and this new Platinum Ranger is female," she curses.
"Do not worry, my mistress," Hibikime says, "he will have to reveal himself eventually."
"And when he does, then he will be ours," Voricifa says with a wolfish grin.
"Yes, he will be ours," Hibikime says, licking her lips.
At the youth meeting, Jesse was finally able to get away from the others.
Tapping the communicator button, he speaks. "Go ahead, whats the problem?"
"Jesse?" the Elder asks, "thank goodness. Bronze and Platinum Rangers are facing a rock monster at the mall."
"Bronze and Platinum Rangers?" Jesse asks incredulously, "you found another Morpher?"
"Yes, and it is most fortunate," the Elder replies, "now, can you come and help?"
"Not yet," Jesse says, "give me another ten minutes and I'll be there."
"Please hurry," the Elder says, "I'm not sure how much longer Bronze and Platinum Rangers will be able to hold off the Rock Ogre."
"I will," Jesse says, then cuts the communication. "Now I just hope Miss Ellen doesn't make us stay overtime."
Bronze Ranger and Platinum Ranger could barely dodge the Rock Ogre's punches. But they still had agility and speed on their side.
"Blade Blasters!" Bronze Ranger calls out and pulls out her Blade Blaster as Platinum Ranger follows suit, "fire!" The two Rangers take aim and fire at the Rock Ogre. The bronze and platinum colored beams bounce off the Rock Ogre's thick skin.
"Ooh, that tickles," Rock Ogre says, "shoot again."
"I think we're in trouble," Platinum Ranger says as she and Bronze Ranger back away from the Rock Ogre.
"This guy is way too tough," Bronze Ranger says, "we need the Silver Ranger. We need his firepower."
"Where is he?" Platinum Ranger demands crossly.
The Elder speaks up from their communicators. "Rangers, Silver Ranger says he is tied up at the moment. He says he'll be able to get away without rousing suspicion in ten minutes. Can you hold off the monster long enough to do that?"
"We'll try, Elder," Bronze Ranger says, "but all of our conventional weapons aren't putting a dent in him."
"Try using your weapons in Staff mode," Connerly says, "they pack more projectile firepower then."
"Okay," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Battle Axe, Staff Mode!" The Bronze Battle Axe reverts to its Staff mode.
"Platinum Partisan, Staff Mode!" Platinum Ranger calls out. The platinum colored weapon reverts to its Staff mode.
"Energy beams, fire!" both Rangers call out.
A bronze-hued beam shoots from the jewel on the Bronze Staff and a platinum- hued beam shoots from the tip of the Platinum Staff. The combined energies slam right through the Rock Ogre, sending it flying from the force of the blast.
~On Atlantis~
"We were lucky that the Platinum Morpher was the next Morpher to be found," Eleanor says, "there has always been a bond between the Bronze and Platinum Warriors in the past and their powers and Zords are compatible. And with these two already being friends, then they'll learn their combination abilities a lot faster."
"Indeed," Connerly says, "but remember what Alex said? Jesse isn't fond of females, and his first two teammates are female. In fact, all of his teammates may end up being female."
"He'll have to deal with it if that happens," Jacolby says in a low voice, "but he obviously knows his duty. If we're extremely lucky, maybe one of the next Morphers will choose one of those Zordon chose to be Power Rangers. With the experience such a person would bring, we can quickly raise the Power Rangers of Atlantis into an effective and efficient fighting force that can turn back even the Dark Specter."
"That's wishful thinking," Connerly snorts, "however, of all the people on the Earth the ones first chosen by Zordon would indeed be likely choices for the Morphers."
"Even so, the Morphers have normally chosen people with no other powers to speak of," the Elder says, "people who have never had any other type of power except physical strength to defend themselves with. The Green Morpher would always choose an exceptionally strong wizard or an expert hand to hand combatant to for its use since it could not give a weapon for the Green Warrior."
"Well, the Bronze and Platinum Rangers are doing fine for now," Eleanor says, "and the Green Morpher is lost to us forever."
"If Ninjor hadn't used it to make the Power Coins, then Rita Repulsa would have conquered the universe ten thousand years ago, and even if she hadn't then she likely would have conquered the Earth when she escaped from the dumpster," the Elder says.
"I know that," Eleanor snaps, "but we would possibly have seven Atlantean Warriors eventually instead of six Atlantean Rangers."
"We can't help the past," Connerly says, "but we can work hard to protect the future."
~At the battle~
Bronze and Platinum Rangers were continuously shooting energy blasts from their Staffs, but it wasn't doing much good. The Rock Ogre was still coming.
"Stand still, you little gnats!" he roars, "stand still so I can smash you!"
"Not a chance," Platinum Ranger says, "why don't you stand still so we can turn you into so many pebbles, rocks for brains?"
"I do have rocks for brains," the Rock Ogre says, "now take this!"
Rock Ogre slams his fists into the ground in a double axe handle smash, creating a small quake and causing the two Rangers to lose their footing. He was on them in a flash. He knocks the two Rangers to the ground and stomps on them with all his strength.
Jesse says goodbye to everyone else and runs to the park. Alex jogs after him.
"Whats up dude?" Alex asks.
"There's a new Ranger around, and they and Bronze Ranger are fighting a monster at the mall," Jesse explains hurriedly, "now, I gotta find a place to morph so I can help them."
"Good luck man," Alex says, "turn that monster to dust."
"Right man," Jesse says and runs behind a building and pulls out his Morpher.
"It's Morphin time!" he calls out, then presses the buttons in the correct sequence.
"Silver Power of Atlantis!" he calls out. A brief flash of silver light and the Silver Atlantean Ranger is standing in his place. Hut his outfit is now different. The shield, which before was metallic white with silver trim, was now black with silver trim.
"Wonder what brought about the change?" he wonders, "oh well, no time to ponder such things." With that, he teleports to the battle.
The Rock Ogre was having fun. Stomping on the Rangers was loads of fun and nothing could stop him.
He is about to start stomping on their heads of the downed Rangers when he is struck by a beam of silver light.
"Who dares disturb my fun?" he roars.
"How about me?" Silver Ranger says, holding his Silver Staff.
"Another Ranger?" Rock Ogre chuckles, "more fun to bash!" The Rock Ogre charges at the Silver Ranger, who launches a flying kick into the Rock Ogre's chin, only to have his leg grabbed after it connects and flung into a nearby light post.
"Okay, that wasn't too smart," he mutters, "hey Bronze Ranger, Platinum Ranger, you two okay?"
A definitely female voice comes from the Platinum Ranger. "Yeah, we're fine."
Silver Ranger groans. "Not another female. Oh well, can't be helped." He gets to his feet, only to be knocked about with a rising knee from the Rock Ogre.
"Man this guy is strong," Silver Ranger grumbles as he receives another kick.
"Hey ugly!" Bronze Ranger yells, "get away from our friend!" She punctuates her command with a blast from her Bronze Staff. The blast grazes the Rock Ogre, but does little damage. Platinum Ranger fires an energy beam from her Platinum Staff that hits the Rock Ogre in the shoulder, knocking away a sizable chunk of its shoulder.
"You hurt me, now I kill you!" the Rock Ogre roars and charges at the two female Rangers.
"Man, doesn't this guy have any weak points or weaknesses?" Bronze Ranger demands as she dodges the Rock Ogre's fist.
"Offhand, I'd say no," Platinum Ranger says as she cartwheels out of the way of a kick.
"Back off rockhead!" Silver Ranger says as he dropkicks the Rock Ogre in the back of the head, sending the monster stumbling.
The three Rangers regroup.
"Any ideas, Silver Ranger?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Not really," Silver Ranger replies, "our powers are basically the same, but I've been told that the other Rangers have powers different from mine. You have Blade Blasters and I don't."
"Then what do we do?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"Don't look at me," Silver Ranger says, "the Silver Morpher has been telling me nothing."
"The Silver Morpher?" Silver Ranger asks, perplexed.
"My transformation devise," Silver Ranger explains, "the source of my Ranger powers. You have a Platinum Morpher and Bronze Ranger has a Bronze Morpher."
"What does that have to do with knowledge?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"Haven't you been wondering how you know exactly how to use your weapons?" Silver Ranger asks, "oops, duck!"
Silver Ranger does the splits and Bronze and Platinum Rangers cartwheel out of the way as the Rock Ogre charges them again. Silver Ranger transforms his Silver Staff into the Silver Saber and jams it into the groin area of the Rock Ogre. Surprisingly, the Rock Ogre stumbles back in pain.
Silver Ranger rolls back and gets to his feet.
"Okay, that puts disturbing images into my mind," he mutters before transforming the Silver Saber back into the Silver Staff and fires a beam of silver energy at the Rock Ogre's eyes.
"Instead of trying to find odd weak points," he says as Bronze and Platinum Rangers join in firing their own colored energy beams at the Rock Ogre, "go for the ones you know."
"Is that from the Silver Morpher?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"No, just common sense," Silver Ranger replies, "heads up!" He ducks as the Rock Ogre begins firing energy blasts from his eyes. One of them hits the Bronze Ranger squarely in the chest. Bronze Ranger is sent flying.
"Any ideas, fearless leader?" Platinum Ranger asks Silver Ranger.
"I'm no leader," Silver Ranger replies, "but I do have an idea. What kind of weapons do you have?"
"I have the Blade Blaster, the Platinum Staff, and the Platinum Partisan," Platinum Ranger replies.
"A partisan?" Silver ranger says thoughtfully, "enter single combat with that thing, suing all the innate knowledge of fighting with a partisan that your Morpher gives you. I have an idea that Bronze Ranger and I can implement."
"If your positive," Platinum Ranger says, summoning the Platinum Partisan. She leaps at the Rock Ogre and engages it as she delves deep into the partisan fighting knowledge that the Platinum Morpher held.
Silver ranger hurries over to the Bronze Ranger.
"So, whats the idea chief?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Basically the same as before," Silver Ranger says, "only its Platinum Ranger providing the distraction."
"Think its gonna work?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"If it doesn't, then we're no worse off than before," Silver Ranger replies as he grips the Silver Saber. Bronze Ranger turns the Bronze Staff into the Bronze Battle Axe.
"Wait, the Silver Power is telling me something," Silver Ranger says. He seems to be thinking for a moment, then drops into a stance to leap.
"Change of plans," he says, "you and Platinum Ranger are gonna do a dual attack. You're gonna combine your special attacks to form an extremely powerful attack."
"That's a good idea," Bronze Ranger says.
"I'll distract the Rock Ogre," Silver Ranger says before leaping at the Rock Ogre and slashing it across the chest while Platinum Ranger stabs it in the stomach.
"Go and use your specialty attack with Bronze Ranger," he orders, "your combined attacks will be more effective than mine and Bronze Ranger's attacks."
He spins his blade around, forming a shield. The Rock Ogre begins to pound mercilessly on the shield.
Platinum Ranger backflips and lands beside Bronze Ranger.
"Ready?" she asks.
"You got it," Bronze ranger says.
Platinum Ranger begins twirling the Platinum Partisan over her head. Bronze Ranger whirls the Bronze Battle Axe over her head. Platinum Ranger immediately stops twirling the Platinum Partisan and jabs at the Rock Ogre with the Platinum Partisan. A platinum colored energy stream emerges from the point of the weapon. Bronze Ranger slams the Bronze Battle Axe into the ground, slightly burying the blade in the concrete. Bronze energy streams forth from weapon and slowly emerges from the ground as it streaks towards the Rock Ogre. The two attacks merge mid-air and combine into a platinum- bronze energy burst.
Silver Ranger leaps out of the way and the combined attack slams into the Rock Ogre and blows him apart.
Silver Ranger picks himself up and dusts himself off.
"Wow, I didn't know it would work that well," he murmurs.
"We did that?" Platinum Ranger gapes at the half-melted rock fragments that were blown everywhere.
"Guess so," Bronze Ranger says.
"Guess you ladies do make a good team," Silver Ranger says, "I just hope this wasn't a fluke. If it was, then we're doomed."
"What do you mean, a fluke?!" Platinum Ranger demands, "that was pure skill!"
"It was the Power of your Morphers telling you what to do," Silver Ranger retorts, "most of what you saw me doing was the Silver Morpher guiding me. About the only parts that weren't was when I morphed. That's it."
"How long do you think it'll be before we won't have to rely on the knowledge contained within our Morphers?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"No clue," Silver Ranger replies, "I trained all throughout spring break and had no clue what to do during my next battle without the Silver Morpher guiding me."
~Aboard Dark Specter's fortresss~
"No!" he bellows, "the Rock Ogre was destroyed."
Voricifa's voice speaks up from a small screen. "My lord, if you make him grow, we may have a chance to separate the Silver Ranger from the other two Rangers. Rock Ogre can surely take care of the other two on his own."
"Very well," Dark Specter says. Out of a box, he pulls out one of Lord Zedd's spell grenades to make someone large. He uncorks it and teleports it to the Rock Ogre's location.
~On Earth~
The grenade blows and suddenly Rock Ogre is back, only Zord sized.
"Raaagh!" he roars, "now I can really smash things up!"
"Looks like we need the Zords," Silver ranger says, "um, do you two have Zords?"
"Of course," Bronze Ranger says indignantly, "Bronze Griffin, Zord of Atlantis! Power up!"
"Right," Platinum Ranger says, "Platinum Winged Unicorn, Zord of Atlantis! Power up!"
A bronze-colored Zord with the body of a lion and the front legs, head, and wings of an eagle appears along with a platinum colored Zord that looked like a winged horse with a horn sticking out of its head.
Bronze and Platinum Ranger leap into their respective Zords.
"Winged Unicorn, Zord of Atlantis, ready and able to fight!" Platinum Ranger says.
"Griffin, Zord of Atlantis, ready to kick some behind!" Bronze Ranger says.
"Girls," Silver Ranger mutters, "better call the Silver Dragon.
But before he can summon the Silver Dragon Zord, a dark mist envelops him and swallows him up.
"Where'd he go?" Platinum Ranger demands from her Zord's cockpit.
"Dunno, and we got bigger problems to deal with!" Bronze Ranger says as she dodges an eye blast from the Rock Ogre, "we're definitely gonna have to work as a team to take this sucker out."
"Oh, man, where am I?" Jesse asks, "was all that a dream?"
He opens his eyes and looks around. He was in that same hut he had awakened in once before.
"Hello there," a feminine voice says, "I see you're awake again."
"Man, why do I have such a headache?" Jesse demands. He opens his eyes to see the woman whom he had seen before.
"Hello again," Voricifa, in her human guise, says.
"Hello," Jesse says, then groans. He had such a headache!
"Sister, is our guest awake?" another feminine voice says. Jesse cranes his neck to locate the source of the voice.
His looking around reveals a beautiful young woman with raven-black hair.
"Hello," she says, "how do you do?"
"This is my younger sister, Hilda," Voricifa says.
"It would be a pleasure to meet you if I didn't have such a splitting headache," Jesse says, clutching the side of his head.
Voricifa and 'Hilda', who was actually Hibikime, exchange a glance.
'He's fighting the memory block spell and doesn't even know it,' Voricifa telepathically talks to Hibikime in surprise, 'these Earth humans are truly remarkable.'
'Truly,' Hibikime replies telepathically, 'but this one is young and impetuous. He will be an easy target. Let us proceed with our work.'
"Are you okay dear?" Voricifa asks.
"I think so," Jesse replies, "man, what happened?"
"We found you roaming the forest, obviously hurt," Hibikime replies, "you weren't making any sense at all, so we brought you to our home so you could recuperate."
"Thank you, I think," Jesse replies, "but if your responsible for this headache, then I wish you had left me alone."
"But how could we leave such a handsome man alone?" Voricifa asks in a low husky voice.
"Simple," Jesse replies matter-of-factly, "just ignore them."
'How can he ignore all of this?' Voricifa thinks, 'no man should be able to resist the spells we have placed on him.'
"So, young man, do you have a name?" Hibikime asks.
"Not that I can give," Jesse replies, "may I go now?"
"No, you still have a long way to go to recovery," Voricifa says as she pushes him onto his back.
"But- ah!" Jesse yelps as a sharp pain courses through his head.
'Lady Voricifa, there is a possibility that we haven't considered,' Hibikime says to Coricifa telepathically.
'What is it Hibikime?' Voricifa asks.
'He may not any interest in women,' Hibikime replies.
'So he's gay?' Voricifa asks.
'Maybe,' Hibikime replies, 'or he may just not be interested in women the way we are trying to get him interested in at this stage in his life.'
'Intriguing,' Voricifa comments, 'well, he has to die anyway. He's not handsome enough to keep around, even unpowered.'
'I agree,' Hibikime replies, 'shall I get my scythe?'
'No, lets be creative with his death,' Voricifa says, 'since we can't seduce him, we can't take him before Dark Specter while he still has his Morpher. Dark Specter would destroy us. So we must just kill him. We could possibly take his head to Dark Specter so he could mount it."
"Um, ladies?" Jesse asks hesitantly, "I don't mean to intrude, but there is something I have to tell you."
"What is that?" Voricifa asks.
"I think my headache is gone," he replies.
"That is good to hear," Hibikime purrs in her husky voice as she tries to nuzzle up against Jesse.
"However, I now know why," Jesse says seriously as he pushes away Hibikime. He stands up. "The two of you are evil."
Jesse flips over the startled Voricifa and rushes out of the cottage. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the Silver Morpher.
"It's Morphin time!" In a flash of silver light, Jesse morphs into the Silver Atlantean Ranger.
"So, you shrugged off our confusion spell," Voricifa says from the doorway.
"What?!" Silver Ranger says, stunned.
In twin flashes of dark light, Voricifa changes into her black armor while Hibikime changes into her green dress and her scythe appears.
"You!" Jesse snarls, startled, "this was a trap?"
"You mean, you didn't know that we were your enemies?" Voricifa asks, puzzled.
"No clue," Silver Ranger says as he crouches into a fighting position, "but I do now."
"I don't even want to know why he called us evil then," Hibikime says in a low growl.
"Females are evil by nature," Silver Ranger says, "Silver Staff!" The weapon appears in his hands in a small flash of silvery light.
"Ready to rumble?" Silver Ranger inquires.
Hibikime lunges at Silver Ranger, swinging her scythe. Silver Ranger blocks with the lower portion of the Silver Staff, then twists his wrist and knocks Hibikime's scythe aside. He swings the Silver Staff and cuts across Hibikime's chest. Voricifa blasts Silver Ranger from behind with a bolt of dark lightning.
Silver Ranger is knocked to the ground hard by the attack. He struggles to get up, but Hibikime is on him quickly, slashing him across the chest hard.
"Man, this is not gonna be an easy fight," Silver Ranger mutters as he lays on the ground.
The Bronze and Platinum Rangers were having a tough time fighting the Rock Ogre. For one thing, Platinum Ranger had only really just received her powers. And neither one had ever fought in a Zord battle. Bronze Ranger hadn't even practiced yet. She was supposed to do some practice Saturday, but it looked like she would have to learn on the job.
"Hey Platinum, we got a problem," Bronze Ranger says through the comm. system as she dodges a blast. The two Ranger's were fortunate that their Zords were both flying Zords. If they were ground based then it was likely that they would get creamed.
"Bronze Griffin Zord, convert to Warrior Mode!" Bronze Ranger commands. The Griffin Zord of Atlantis begins to glow a faint bronze. The front legs shift to form humanoid legs. The back legs shift and a pair of fists come from the paws. The body twists around at the legs, making the belly the front torso. The part with the wings flip around so that the wings are set so that they can act like they are supposed to. The wings then drape along the arms and fuse, then shift into a cloth-like substance. The griffin head moves to the shoulders. The lower part of the beak moves and forms a face.
"Bronze Griffin Zord, Warrior Mode power up!" Bronze Ranger says within the Warrior Mode of the Bronze Griffin.
"Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord, convert to Warrior Mode!" Platinum Ranger commands. The Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord of Atlantis begins to glow a faint platinum color. The wings split, with the upper half of each wing twisting around the front legs. The lower half of both wings twist around the back legs. They glow and change into a form of armor, feet, and hands. The back legs shift so that they are humanoid legs. The front legs shift places so that they are now arms. The front half of the unicorn head, not the horn itself though, drops into the chest where parts of the front legs were.
"Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord, Warrior Mode power up!" Platinum Ranger says within the Warrior Mode of the Platinum Winged Unicorn.
"You think you can win?" the giant Rock Ogre laughs, "well, try this!"
With a loud yell, the Rock Ogre charges the two Zords in an attempt to smash them. But the Platinum Warrior Zord flips over the Rock Ogre and the Bronze Warrior Zord takes flight.
"Griffin Axe!" Bronze Ranger calls out, summoning the weapon of the BronzeGriffin Warrior Zord. A giant version of the Bronze Ranger's Battle Axe forms in the Zord's hands, a perfect fit.
"Winged Unicorn Partisan!" Platinum Ranger calls out, summoning the weapon of the Platinum Warrior Zord. A giant version of the Platinum Ranger's Platinum Partisan forms in the Zord's hands, a perfect fit.
"Let's get this joker," Bronze Ranger says. The Griffin Zord Warrior Mode dives down at the Rock Ogre and slashes it with its Griffin Battle Axe as it passes.
Meanwhile, the Platinum Warrior Zord charges at the Rock Ogre and stabs him in the chest with the Winged Unicorn Partisan. The Rock Ogre stumbles under the force of the blows but he doesn't stop. He smashes a fist into the lower torso of the Platinum Warrior Zord, then grabs it by the head and squeezes.
The metal grinds under the pressure, but does not give. Instead, sparks from the defensive shields shower the ground.
"He's too strong!" Platinum Ranger cries out as she tries to figure out how to break the grip, "I need some help!"
"You got it," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Warrior Zord, fire energy cannons!"
On the shoulders of the Bronze Warrior Zord, a pair of spikes extend and energy gathers at the tips. Streams of bronze-colored energy pour from the spikes and hit the Rock Ogre in the back. The Rock Ogre stumbles, but doesn't let go of the Platinum Warrior Zord.
Bronze Ranger curses. She taps her communicator. "Elder? Can't you find Silver Ranger? We need his help? This guy is too strong for just me and Platinum Ranger."
"If you can get him to break his grip on the Platinum Warrior Zord, then you can initiate the Binary Zord 1," Connerly says.
"The what?" Bronze Ranger asks, perplexed.
"It's a combination of the Bronze Griffin Zord and the Platimnum Winged Unicorn Zord," Connerly explains, "you're power is more than tripled over the strength of either Zord. It is also currently the most powerful weapon in our arsenal for fighting two powerful foes."
"Gotcha," Bronze Ranger says, "now, how do I break his hold?"
"Your Zord's Warrior Mode has a special attack," Connerly says, "use it. If it doesn't destroy the Rock Ogre, it'll hurt him enough so that he'll let go of the Platinum Warrior Zord."
"Gotcha," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Ranger out." She closes the communication. "Now to try this attack out."
Summoning the Bronze Griffin Battle Axe, Bronze ranger prepares for the strongest attack of the Bronze Warrior Zord.
"Bronze Griffin Battle Axe!" Bronze Ranger calls out, "Atlantean Axe Slash!"
The Bronze Griffin Battle Axe glows with bronze energy as the Bronze Warrior Zord carves a circle in the air, leaving a faint trail of the bronze energy behind. As soon as it finishes carving the circle, the Bronze Warrior Zord slashes to the down-right followed by a horizontal slash and then a diagonal slash to the up-right. As soon as that third slash was made a wave of bronze energy streams forth and collides with the back of the Rock Ogre.
In a shower of sparks and pebbles, the Rock Ogre bellows in pain and lets go of the Platinum Warrior Zord.
"Thank goodness," Platinum Ranger says, "my shields were just about to give out. So whats the plan now Bronze Ranger?"
"We form the Binary Zord 1," Bronze Ranger says.
"The what?" Platinum Ranger asks dumbly.
"Just enter the command and we can find out together," Bronze Ranger says.
"Initiate Binary Zord 1!" the two female Rangers say in unison.
As one, both the Platinum Warrior Zord and the Bronze Warrior Zord change into their Creature Modes. Then the real change begins.
The Bronze Griffin Zord opens up from the center torso. The back legs come down and cover the front legs like armor. The head shifts and forms a kind of waist armor. The wings move up and fold around to form additional waist armor with the wingtips connecting to the griffin head.
The Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord splits long-length. The front and read flanks become shoulder armor while the front and rear legs merge to become arms. The new chest splits open and the head moves in to reveal a head with a unique design. The chest closes up again as the top part of the Binary Zord 1 connects with the bottom part. The wings of the top part fold over the lower torso to form a glamorous armor.
Inside the new double cockpit, Bronze and Platinum Ranger's are taking everything in as fast as possible.
"Binary Zord 1, ready for battle," the two of them say together.
"Um, Bronze, how do we go about piloting this thing?" Platinum Ranger asks.
A console lights up and Connerly's voice wafts through the cockpit.
"The piloting of the Binary Zords is truly different from any other Zord piloting that any Ranger team before you has faced. To get perfect control, on of you will be in charge of the movement, much like when you are in your own Zord. The other will control the rest of the Zord, including the weapons that are not controlled through movement. I leave it up to you to decide who does what."
"What kind of weapon does this thing have?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"The Binary Halberd," Bronze Ranger says as she scrolls through the weapons systems, "it appears to be a weapon very similar to your partisan weapons. I suggest you take control of movement for now. You can use the partisan fighting knowledge fairly well with a halberd."
"Right," Platinum Ranger says as she assumes the authority of Zord control, "Binary Halberd!"
The a flash of bronze and platinum light, the Binary Halberd appears. The Platinum Winged Unicorn Partisan made up half the weapon, the Bronze Griffin Battle Axe made up the other half. The Winged Unicorn Partisan, with the blade pointing to the ground, made up a majority of the actual part that was held. The Griffin Battle Axe formed the actual halberd blade.
"Bigger Zord won't help you," Rock Ogre says. He rushes over to the Binary Zord and punches it hard in the gut. But Platinum Ranger blocks the strike with the Binary Halberd and flips the Rock Ogre over with a simple move.
"Wow, this thing is strong," Bronze Ranger exclaims.
"It is 50% stronger than our Zords combined," Platinum Ranger replies.
"Making it two and a half times stronger than either of our Zords alone, right?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Yep," Platinum Ranger says, "now try and find out about what weapons we have?"
"Apparently we have much more powerful version of the attack our Zords have," Bronze Ranger offers, "but it appears to be a finishing move. I didn't put much power into my attack. We couldn't hope to get him hurt enough to get an open shot, so I only used a quarter of my full power."
"We have got to get him out of the city," Platinum Ranger says as she quickly surveys the damage simply walking around in the Zords caused, "any ideas?"
"We have a Zord teleportation system," Bronze Ranger says, "we could grab hold of him with the Binary Zord and then teleport somewhere where damage won't be as severe."
"Great idea," Platinum Ranger says, "lets get this ugly hunk of rocks."
The Binary Zord leaps at the Rock Ogre and grabs it. Bronze Ranger hits a button an in two teleportation beams, one bronze and platinum, the other a rocky brown-gray, the two giants disappear.
Silver Ranger wasn't having a much better time fighting off both Hibikime and Voricifa. Hibikime was impossibly fast with her scythe and Voricifa just wouldn't let up trying to seduce him.
'I think I hurt her ego when I didn't succumb to her power,' Silver Ranger thinks, 'that gives me an idea.'
Blocking Hibikime's scythe with the Silver Staff, Silver ranger begins to taunt Voricifa.
"What's the matter, hag? Can't warm my blood with lust? It's no surprise. You look like a shriveled up old prune."
Voricifa turns red with anger. "How DARE you! Kings, princes, emperors, lords, knights, warriors, and priests have all fallen before me in homage to my beauty."
"Beauty?" Silver Ranger scoffs as he blocks another one of Hibikime's strikes, "I've seen dogs that were prettier than you. Then again, you are a kind of dog. A female dog."
Voricifa was now red with fury. "Hibikime! Kill him!"
Hibikime slashes furiously at Silver Ranger in anger for the things he had just said to her mistress. But to no avail. Silver Ranger manages to block every strike.
"And you're no better," Silver Ranger taunts, "you play lackey to an old hag like her? What are you? The person who changes her bedpan?"
Hibikime's slashes begin to become more savage, using less and less finesse and more and more raw power.
"Is that it?" Silver Ranger demands, though he is definitely beginning to be worse for wear, "I thought you were supposed to be tough. You're no better than your mistress. I'm surprised you don't look like the old prune. Instead, you look like a fat ugly cow."
That did it. Hibikime drops her scythe and launches herself at Silver ranger, hands outstretched and ready to scratch him up with her nails. But Silver Ranger was ready for this. Indeed, he had been planning on it.
He backflips and in an instant transforms the Silver Staff into the Silver Saber. He runs the blade into Hibikime's chest. The blade goes right through her battle garb and pierces her heart.
Hibikime screeches in pain. She clutches the blade of the Silver Saber where it enters her chest. Slowly, her eyes close and her body slumps to the ground and the Silver Ranger grimly draws the blood-covered blade from Hibikime's corpse. Voricifa was frozen in shock. He had been planning that whole time. He had insulted them to make them careless and not use their brains. He had tricked them both! And now Hibikime was dead.
"You'll pay for that, whelp!" Voricifa snarls, rage making her hideous.
"My my, how can you get even uglier?" he chuckles.
"You're gonna regret that," Voricifa says as she begins to grow in size. Her growth continues until she is the size of a Megazord.
"I need the power of the Silver Dragon, the Silver Zord of Atlantis!" Silver Ranger calls out.
The Silver Dragon Zord appears and the Silver Ranger leaps into the cockpit.
"Initiate Warrior Mode!" Silver Ranger commands.
The Silver Dragon Zord glows silver briefly, then begins to change. The legs extend slightly and begin to change as if a fluid. The arms extend as well and the draconic claws split and separate to reveal human-like hands. The tail splits into four sections and snakes around the legs and arms, then spread out to form a sort of armor. The neck splits and lowers, covering part of the upper torso. The draconic head splits down the middle and sets about forming a humanoid head quite similar to that of the Red Dragon Thunderzord's Warrior mode. The head then lowers and settles itself properly. The wings folds, split, and somewhat retract and form a cape, the talon of each wing focusing just in front of the face, locked together. The remains of the tail fold and strap across the back, revealing a sword and scabbard.
"Silver Dragon Zord Warrior Mode, power up!" Silver Ranger says.
"I'll tear you limb from limb!" Voricifa screeches as she leaps at the Silver Warrior Zord.
"Initiate mental link-up," Silver Ranger says. A headset lowers and covers his helmet and integrates with it. "Mental link-up established. Activate mental tracers."
The eyes of the Silver Warrior Zord light up, but now there seems to be a human feeling in them.
The Silver Warrior Zord grabs Voricifa mid-air and throws her over it. Voricifa tumbles but quickly regains her footing. The Silver Warrior Zord draws its Silver Dragon Saber and lunges at Voricifa. Voricifa summons a long wand that she had taken from where Rita Repulsa had ceased to exist. She parries the sword thrust and beats the Silver Warrior Zord on the head with it.
"Ouch!" Silver Ranger cries out, "now that was unexpected." The Silver Warrior Zord backs away and then strikes again with the Silver Dragon Saber. Voricifa blocks again and goes for a head beating again. But this time the Silver ranger anticipates such a move and backflips, kicking Voricifa in the chin as the Silver Warrior Zord executes the maneuver.
Voricifa stumbles back, clutching her chin with her left hand. "You'll pay for that," she hisses, "you may have ruined my beautiful face."
"Beautiful?" Silver Ranger snorts, "you're ugly as sin."
"Drop it," Voricifa snaps, "you're comments won't make me mad and lose control."
"Comments?" Silver Ranger chuckles, "I'm just stating my point of view."
"You mean you're not attracted to me?" Voricifa asks, stunned.
"In a pig's eye," Silver Ranger says, "I'm about as attracted to you as I would be to a pile of old gym socks."
Red faced with fury, Voricifa attacks savagely, swinging the wand hard and fast at the Silver Warrior Zord. But the Silver Warrior Zord brings up its Silver Dragon Saber and slices through the wand. The two pieces of the wand fall to the ground and let loose their power.
Voricifa absorbs the magic and forms a sword in her right hand. The blade was double-edged and razor sharp. The hilt looked like it had been part of Rita's staff. The blade was golden yellow and glowed with a bright gold light.
"So its come down to a sword fight?" Silver Ranger chuckles, "witch, you made a big mistake."
The Silver Warrior Zord lunges into an attack, sidestepping and driving its left fist into Voricifa's gut. Voricifa grunts as the air leaves her lungs. The Silver Warrior Zord leaps back, spins midair, and slashes Voricifa across the chest with a brutal cut.
"You're good," Voricifa says with a seductive, evil smile, "but you are young, immature. You cannot win."
"Says you," Silver Ranger snarls. The Silver Warrior Zord lunges in for a savage cut, but Voricifa parries and slashes the Zord across the face and follows up with a kick that knocks the Zord away.
"Using my own tactics against me," Silver Ranger chuckles, "wait, I don't recognize this area."
Silver Ranger quickly scans the area to verify his location. He was in Europe! Greece, to be exact.
"Okay, this is no good," Silver Ranger mutters, "come in Atlantis, do you read me?"
"Silver Ranger!" Connerly cries out, "where have you been? The Bronze and Platinum Ranger's need you're assistance!"
"I may be in need of assistance myself," Silver Ranger replies, "I'm fighting Voricifa in Greece. Whats the situation with the others?"
"They have combined the Winged Unicorn and Griffin Atlantean Zords to form the Binary Zord 1," Connerly replies, "if you show up and help, they can form the Ternary Megazord 1."
"The what?" Silver Ranger asks dumbly.
"The Ternary Megazord 1," Connerly explains, "the Binary Zord 1 is a combination of the Griffin and Winged Unicorn Atlantean Zords. The Ternary Megazord 1 is a combination of those two Zords and the Silver Dragon Zord. The Binary Zord is half again as strong as the Silver Warrior Zord. The Ternary Megazord 1 is three times as strong as the Binary Zord 1."
"So its four and a half times as strong as the Silver Warrior Zord?" Silver Ranger asks.
"They needs its power!" Connerly says, "or at least you and the Silver Warrior Zord. Finish off Voricifa as fast as you can and then teleport with your Zord to their coordinates."
"I got another idea," Silver Ranger says, a grin underneath his helmet. The Silver Warrior Zord launches forward and grabs Voricifa. The two giants teleport out in a flash of silver light and a flash of shadowy light.
"This guy is to tough for us to take on alone!" Bronze Ranger gripes, "where is the Silver Ranger?"
At that moment, Voricifa and the Silver Warrior Zord appear. The Silver Warrior Zord lets go of Voricifa and punches her into the Rock Ogre, sending both giants crashing to the ground.
"Its about time!" Bronze Ranger says hotly, "where were you?"
"Voricifa and Hibikime tied to seduce me," Silver Ranger chuckles, "too bad they didn't know I have no interest in the opposite sex just yet. Hibikime is dead. I drove my Silver Saber through her heart myself. Voricifa, well, you needed my help against the Rock Ogre so I brought her along so we could finish her off along with rocks for brains."
"They tried to seduce you? "Platinum Ranger asks, "how come it didn't work."
"For some reason, he just doesn't have an interest in girls," Bronze Ranger says, "I am curious as to some of the things he told them to make them realize that."
"Some of what I was thinking isn't for mixed company," Silver Ranger replies as he prepares the Silver Dragon Zord for the continued battle, "ready to try the Ternary Megazord 1?"
"The what?" Bronze and Platinum Ranger's ask in unison.
"Ask Connerly," Silver Ranger replies, "though I'm not sure if its needed. Care to try to take on old crone while I take on the pile of rubble?"
"Suit yourself, but the Binary Zord 1 is far stronger than the Silver dragon Zord and we could barely take him to a standstill," Platinum Ranger says.
"You have been using the least experienced Ranger in the universe as the controller for the body movements," Silver Ranger replies, "not to mention neither of you have any experience piloting any kind of Zord. I have fought one Zord battle and the way I have my control system set up it would be like I have loads of battles under my belt."
"So you take on the Rock Ogre while we take on the prune," Platinum Ranger muses, "you got it."
The two enemies get back to their feet.
"You'll pay for that!" Voricifa hisses. She lunges at the Silver Warrior Zord, but Platinum Ranger moves the Binary Zord 1 to intercept the attack. The Binary Zord 1 blocks Voricifa's attack, effectively surprising her.
"What is this?" Voricifa hisses, "little girls fighting? Surely your jesting, Silver Ranger."
"He may be, but we're not, you old crone," Platinum Ranger says.
"Crone!" Voricifa snarls, "I'll show you crone!"
Voricifa slashes the Binary Zord 1 across the upper torso and then stabs it with her nails in the lower torso. The Binary Zord 1 stumbles back in a shower of sparks from its defense shields.
The Silver Warrior Zord is dodging the Rock Ogre with relative ease, using hit and run tactics to cut it down a fair amount. But the Rock Ogre was strong, durable, and more than capable of dealing out more damage in its powerful blows than the Silver Warrior Zord could make up for in its hit and run tactics.
"Gonna have to think of something quick," Silver Ranger mutters, "Binary Zord 1, prepare to jump at my command."
"Got it," Platinum Ranger responds as she maneuvers the Zord into blocking and parrying Voricifa's strikes.
The Silver Warrior Zord strikes several repeated blows against the most painful parts of the Rock Ogre. The Rock Ogre loses control and charges at the Silver Warrior Zord.
"Now!" Silver Ranger commands as he sends the Silver Warrior Zord into the sky with a high jump. The Binary Zord follows suit with a jump of its own. Voricifa and the Rock Ogre collide with each other, sending each other to the ground in a heap.
"Now for the final strikes," Silver Ranger says, "Silver Dragon Saber!"
The Silver Warrior Zord carves a circle in the air as its weapon begins to glow with a silver light.
The Binary Zord 1's Binary Halberd begins to glow with swirling bronze and platinum light. It begins to twirl the Binary Halberd in front of it, its partisan blade carving a circle in the air.
The Silver Warrior Zord slashes diagonal down-right in the circle it had just carved.
The Binary Zord 1 slashes diagonal down-right and begins to spin around.
The Silver Warrior Zord spins to the right and slashes to the right in the circle and follows it up with a diagonal down-left slash.
The Binary Zord 1 slashes horizontally to the right, continues spinning and finishes up with a diagonal up-right slash.
The Silver Warrior Zord thrusts the Silver Dragon Blade through the point where the three slashes it made met and begins to slowly lift the sword up above its head. Once the blade is over its head, the Silver Warrior Zord begins to rotate the blade around until it is nothing more than a blur.
The moment the Binary Zord 1 makes that up-right slash, a wave of razor- edged energy flies forth and strikes Voricifa and the Rock Ogre at once.
The Silver warrior Zord makes a final slash and launches the wave of razor- edged energy at Voricifa and the Rock Ogre. Its attack hits just seconds after the Binary Zord 1's attack. The two enemies erupt in a mass explosion.
"Well, that's it for rockhead and the crone," Silver Ranger says.
"Um, Silver Ranger?" Platinum Ranger says, "you don't have to call her a crone now. She's dead so you don't need to make her mad."
"I'm simply stating what I say," Silver Ranger replies, "now, lets teleport back to Atlantis."
In a flash of silver light and a flash of inter-mixed bronze and platinum light, the two Zords and their pilots disappear.
"Congratulations on another battle well fought, Rangers," the Elder says, "and I welcome Holly Replogle, the new Platinum Ranger to the team. You already know Bethany, the Bronze Ranger, and the Silver Ranger apparently still won't let you know who he is."
"Um, am I too late to meet the new Ranger?" Alex calls out.
"No dude, you're cool," Silver Ranger says as Alex walks in.
"Alex Green, is that you?" Holly asks.
"Holly?" Alex chuckles, "well, look at you. The new Platinum Ranger, right?"
"Yep," Holly confirms, "I'm gonna fight monsters."
"And aliens," Silver Ranger says, "I'm not sure about Voricifa, but Hibikime was a living being. That brings my tally up to two."
With that, Silver Ranger turns and walks off.
"Tally?" Platinum Ranger asks, "what is he talking about?"
"The first of the Dark Specter's henchmen to attack, Divorx, was a living being, an alien," Connerly explains, "he didn't just destroy a monster when he defeated him. He killed a living being."
"And that is eating away at him," Alex says, "he tries to hide it, but even all our friends who see him regularly can see it. Its just that I'm the only one who knows what the cause is. So Hibikime was a living being as well, huh?"
"It appears so," Bethany says, "between the exchange between him and Voricifa I heard something about wiping Hibikime's blood off his sword. So I'm guessing he killed her."
"This is not good," Alex says, "this is gonna eat away at him. He doesn't like hurting anything when he can help it, but killing even in the defense of thousands, maybe millions or even billions of lives will tear him up from inside. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to help him deal with this. First, he won't admit anything. Getting him to admit one of his problems is would be like getting Mr. Gott to teach in a dress. Its just about impossible."
"Mr. Gott?" Holy giggles, "the art teacher? It would be funny. Though I actually wouldn't be surprised if he wore a dress on Halloween."
"Same here, but there's my example," Alex says, "its just way too hard. And the end result may be worse if we force him. We're just gonna have to hope that whoever is the next to get an Atlantean Morpher is a good psychoanalyst. If not, then we may have to let someone in on this secret who can help him."
"Now Holly, you must listen and obey to these following rules," Connerly says, "these are the same rules that the Mighty Morphin Power rangers, Zeo Rangers, Turbo Rangers, and Astro Rangers used. First, you must only use your powers to defend, never to attack. Second, you must keep your identity a secret. No one must know who you are. Not even those attacking Earth, if you can help it. This rule only applies while you are on Earth though. If you must travel into space, you may use your own judgment on revealing your identity as a Ranger of Atlantis. An finally, you must never use your powers for personal gain. Now, there are some different circumstances for the first rule. If something were to attack Atlantis directly, you would be obliged to attack them until they stop attacking Atlantis. And, you must always follow the inherent Code of Honor that you possess that drew the Platinum Morpher to you or you will lose its power and protection, possibly forever."
"Code of Honor?" Bethany asks, "why wasn't I informed of such?"
"It was only through a recent digging through the texts in hopes of finding other powers or abilities that you may access that we found this," Connerly explains, "now, do you accept these rules and promise to abide by them?"
"I will to the best of my ability," Holly says sincerely.
"Good," Jacolby says and he walks up to Holly and hands her a platinum- banded communicator.
"This is a communicator," he explains, "it will allow you to contact us or your teammates. Bethany can explain the rest to you later. Right now, each color button will enable you to contact the ranger who wields that color Morpher. There is no platinum button on yours since you are the Platinum Ranger. The button that would be yours will enable you to contact all active communicators in our network. The dark blue button will enable you to contact Alex. That will change if a Morpher ever accepts him. Pay no attention to the Green Button. The Green Morpher has long since been lost forever and beyond our ability to regain. You can look through our library if you wish to learn more. The same goes to you Bethany. Silver Ranger is constantly in and out of our library at seemingly all hours."
"Um, why is Alex here?" Holly asks.
"I am a friend of Silver ranger," Alex explains, "and I was over at his house when he was brought here. We were both examining the Silver Morpher when the teleportation system brought him, and me because I was also touching the Morpher, here to Atlantis."
"Who is he?" Holly asks, "do we know him?"
"You might, just might, know of him," Alex says, "but I know for a fact that you do not know him personally and have never met him face to face."
"Holly, you and Bethany will have to work on your control of your powers," Jacolby says, "especially you, Holly. This was your first day on the job, after all." Jacolby grins.
"Um, you mean training?" Holly asks.
"He does," Bethany says, "but don't worry Holly. There's a good chance he'll stick us together. We're to fight simulated Spectrons unmorphed. Silver Ranger won't join in because he is morphed so so far I have had to train on my own."
"We shall start your training tomorrow," Jacolby says, "and Connerly can look into a way for you to train with your Zords. He'll probably send you to a desert somewhere."
"Now, you may go and return to your normal lives," the Elder says, "Dark Specter will probably be out of action for a few days, trying to figure out how to deal with three Atlantean Rangers."
"Go and celebrate, dears," Eleanor says, "you've earned it."
In flashes of bronze and platinum light, Holly and Bethany teleport out.
"If Dark Specter is willing to hire Voricifa to try and take out Jesse, who knows what he'll try to take out Bethany and Holly," Alex says, "and from what your records show, the Aqua Morpher and Aqua Golem Zord are both under the ruins of Pompei."
"So in essence we'll only have five Atlantean Rangers if we get lucky," Connerly says.
"Lets just hope that that is all we'll need," the Elder says.
"Yes, we can only hope," Eleanor agrees.
Well, how do you like chapter four? Please review.
She became quite proficient with her Bronze Battle Axe, a large double- bladed war axe that was quite handy in battle once she learned how to use it better. Jacolby, the martial arts instructor for the Atlantean Rangers, had given her a battle axe much like her Ranger weapon for her to practice with unmorphed. The Silver Ranger, he said, practiced with a sword almost constantly since he couldn't seem to manage to learn any of the Atlantean forms of self-defense. Even his occasional lesson in magic proved to be useless.
Alex, however, proved to be far different. His skill and ability in magic grew by leaps and bounds. He wasn't an Atlantean Ranger yet. The "yet" was hopeful. It was possible that none of the Atlantean Morphers would come to him.
Bethany brushes a reddish-blonde lock of hair away from her eyes. Currently, she was training herself against a pack of magical automatons set to perform at the same level as Spectrons. The weapons they held would deliver a shock and would leave a residue of pain that, if it would draw blood with a real weapon, would weaken her as if she was reacting to blood loss.
And she hated it. Fighting a single Spectron unmorphed was hard; fighting a dozen unmorphed was among the things she considered suicidal.
"Hi-yah!" Bethany blocks a downward chop from a sword with the haft of her battle axe, then positions her foot into the "Spectrons" solar plexus and flips it over her. Rolling back to her feet, she manages to move her battle axe just in time to block a sword stroke from another "Spectron". Backflipping, she lands a foot in the "Spectrons" chin that sends it flying.
"Wow, this is tough when I'm not morphed," she muses as she launches herself into a fury of slashes and chops mixed with some kicks and a punch or two. She sends the "Spectrons" sprawling.
"Yes, it is tough unmorphed," Silver Ranger says from the position he is, watching her work out. Jacolby and Alex were watching as well. "You lucky Dark Specter doesn't know your identity just yet. He's keeping himself too far away from the Earth to perfectly scan for all sources of teleportation. And what he can scan, he knows that there are a few other teams of Rangers left on Earth with the power to teleport. He might know my identity. He definitely knows my hometown. That's why he attacked Jackson again. I'm sure of it."
"So you live in Jackson?" Bethany asks as she struggles with a "Spectron" over ownership of her axe, "where do you live?"
"Can't tell ya till I decide to give away the rest of my identity," Silver Ranger replies, "and that won't be until you prove yourself to be a worthy ally. The Bronze Morpher may have decided that you are worthy to wield its power, but I have yet to decide if I want you as a teammate."
'I wonder how much of that statement spawns from his dislike of girls?' Alex thinks to himself, 'if it isn't, then it may be a long time before he lets any of the other future Atlantean Rangers learn of his identity.'
"Man, you're a stuck-up prig, aren't you?" Bethany asks as she sends the "Spectron" she was grappling with flying.
"Very good," Jacolby applauds, "you're learning how to summon the innate fighting abilities of the Bronze Atlantean Ranger quite nicely Bethany. A little more training and you'll have mastered as much as the Silver Ranger here."
Silver Ranger snorts at the comment and looks squarely at Bethany, though she couldn't be sure since his helmet hid his face completely.
"Morph and show me exactly what you got," he orders, "your opponent is me."
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Jacolby says, "watch it now. You two could seriously hurt each other if you fight morphed. Silver Ranger, demorph and fight here that way."
"Come up with an outfit that will hide my identity as much as my Ranger armor and I will," replies Silver Ranger.
"Other than a suit of armor, there is no way for us to do that," Jacolby replies.
"Actually, it depends on how much you want to keep your identity secret from Beth," Alex says, "would you settle for a ninja outfit, with only your eyes able to be seen?"
"Now, I'm sure you can come up with something to cover my eyes," Silver Ranger drawls.
"Your serious about this, aren't you?" Alex asks, surprised.
"Dang right," Silver Ranger replies, "anything that could give her a clue to my identity must not be seen. And my eyes would be a dead giveaway."
"He's got a point there," Jacolby muses, "with the enhancements to her senses that holding the Atlantean Power gives her, Bronze Ranger could find out easily who he really is if she ever looks into his eyes when not morphed."
"Though the chances of that are slim," Silver Ranger says, "since we've never met outside of this. Believe me, I'm sure of it."
"And with only a few weeks of school left, the chances are slimmer," Alex says.
"You mean he goes to the same school that we do?" Bethany asks, surprised. Then she hits her forehead with a palm. "Of course! If you were brought here by accident when they summoned him, then you know him. And its not likely that you know anyone outside of school."
"She's smarter than I thought," Silver Ranger chuckles, "but you will not find me accidentally giving off information about myself. I've had enough practice doing that with my friends that you won't even pose a threat."
"He's telling the truth," Alex says, "normally, he loves to boast. But he's been more silent about this than he's ever been with anything else."
"Can you please conjure up that outfit you were talking about?" Silver Ranger says, exasperated.
"Sure thing," Alex says. Green light emerges from his hands and forms into a bundle of clothes in Silver Ranger's arms. The Silver Ranger nods his thanks and heads for the male changing room.
"So, how long have you known Silver Ranger?" Bethany asks.
"He says he doesn't want you to know anything about himself except what he tells you, and I'm not gonna tell," Alex replies.
"Well then, what can you tell me that wouldn't give a clue to his identity?" Bethany asks.
"Not much," Alex says, "other than he is dedicated to protecting Earth and he doesn't like to kill."
"And I have taken an extreme liking to the color silver as of late," Silver Ranger says from behind. He was now wearing two-toed ninja shoes, loose silver-gray pants, a loose silver-gray shirt, and a face-mask with crystalline slots covering his eyes. He has on cloth gloves that appeared to be fairly comfortable.
Bethany raises an eyebrow. "I'd say that is an understatement."
"Well then, shall we give it a go?" Silver Ranger says as he picks up a practice sword from the stand in one corner.
"So we're gonna go at it with weapons?" Bethany asks as she drops into a fighting stance.
"No, we both go all-out," Silver Ranger replies, "we fight until one gives up, is called to be dead by Jacolby, or until there is an obvious winner. Whichever comes first. Care to start us off Jacolby?"
"Ready and fight!" Jacolby says, dropping his arm in a chop to signify the start of the match.
Silver Ranger moves in low and quick, slicing at Bethany's mid-section. She blocks with her axe, but Silver Ranger slides the blade in around the haft and sets the tip of the practice sword against her throat.
"Cheap trick," Jacolby chuckles, "I believe I taught you that."
Silver Ranger drops into an 'at ease' position, moving the sword away from Bethany's throat.
"No bad, eh?" he asks, "eventually you'll be able to do that."
"The two of you should be fairly even once Bethany gets better at using the knowledge and abilities at her disposal," Jacolby says, "right now she's at a disadvantage."
"It's a disadvantage that she'll have to learn to deal with," Silver Ranger snaps, "that last goon of Dark Specter's was far more powerful than Divorx. She was very powerful."
"She wasn't one of Dark Specter's minions," Eleanor says from the doorway that led outside.
"What is it, Lady Eleanor?" Silver Ranger asks.
"Bethany, you said the monster identified itself as Hibikime, correct?" Connerly asks from where he was behind Eleanor.
"Yes, she did," Bethany replies.
"It is as I feared," Eleanor says, "Hibikime is a servant of Lady Voricifa, a powerful enchantress. If Voricifa has teamed up with Dark Specter, then he knows a fair amount about you Silver Ranger."
"What makes you say that?" Silver Ranger asks, his voice puzzled.
"As close as I could put it in terms you would understand, Voricifa is a succubus," Connerly replies, "it appears Dark Specter knows you're a teenage human male, Silver Ranger. Be on your guard against he, um, shall we say feminine wiles."
Silver Ranger laughs, startling Connerly and Eleanor.
"Man, Dark Specter may know that, but its apparent he truly doesn't know me yet," Silver Ranger chortles, "Voricifa will have about as much an effect on me as a gnat would against a Zord."
"How can you say that?" Connerly gasps, "Voricifa is the Mistress of Seduction. No man can ignore her, even those protected by a supernatural power!"
"And I'm not an ordinary man," Silver Ranger retorts, "Voricifa will have no effect on me." With that, he heads back to the changing area.
"How can he say that he will be able to ignore Voricifa?" Eleanor asks Connerly.
"Because he really doesn't like females," Alex replies. The others look at him in surprise.
"I know a lot about him," Alex explains, "he really doesn't like girls. I think most of the reason he won't show you his identity, Beth, is tied to that."
"Why doesn't he like girls?" Bethany asks.
"Why else would a guy not be fond of the opposite sex?" Alex asks.
"You mean he's-?" Bethany asks.
Silver Ranger's voice comes floating in from the changing room rather loudly. "I'M NOT GAY!"
"How did he hear that from the men's changing area?" Jacolby asks in wonder.
"How did he know what I was gonna say?" Bethany wonders.
"He's been accused of being gay for years," Alex replies, "he's very sensitive about it. He's not gay, but he doesn't like girls. He's had almost nothing but bad experiences with females close to his own age. Even within his own family he stays away from his female relatives because of this."
"Poor guy," Bethany says softly, "has he ever had a girlfriend?"
"I'll leave that up to him to answer," Alex replies.
"The answer depends on your definition of a girlfriend," Silver Ranger says as he heads back into the workout room, fully morphed.
"And what do you mean by that?" Bethany inquires.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Silver Ranger replies.
"Easy guys," Alex says, steeping between the two Atlantean Rangers, "save any and all hostility for the Dark Specter and his minions.
Little did Alex realize that that was exactly what they needed to be doing. Dark Specter was looking down at a kneeling Voricifa and Hibikime before him, pondering what course of action he should take. They had failed. Voricifa had called Hibikime back and she had been unable to seduce the Silver Atlantean Ranger.
"Voricifa, explain yourself," Dark Specter rumbles, "how exactly did you fail?"
"I misjudged his sense of duty, my lord," Voricifa replies, "but now, with Hibikime helping, he shall fall to my will."
"Yes, and why did you call Hibikime back?" Dark Specter asks. Something in his voice told Voricifa that she had better have a good reason for pulling her out.
"My lord, the Silver Atlantean Power Ranger is a very difficult catch," Voricifa explains, "even my charms alone were unsuccessful. But against two lovely women, Hibikime and myself, his resistance will crumble like an old building."
"Why Hibikime?" Dark Specter asks.
"Hibikime is my most successful disciple, even if she has yet to acquire abilities equal to my own. She feels the need to spend time training herself to fight when she could be training her skills at seducing men."
"Very well," Dark Specter says, "do not fail me again."
"Yes, my lord," Voricifa says. She turns and leaves, Hibikime trailing behind her quickly.
After they exit the Dark Specter's chamber, Hibikime looks at her mistress.
"Lady Voricifa, why do you pay homage to him?" Hibikime asks, "you've always made it a point to serve whoever is the supreme evil in the galaxy. You served Rita Repulsa out of mutual interest in her battle with Zordon of Eltare. You served Lord Zedd because he was the Lord of Evil. You never served Mondo's Machine Empire for it had no use for your services. And you served the Dark Specter because he was the monarch of all that is evil. And all of them were defeated or destroyed by the Wave. You've made it a point to serve only those who do not fail. So why serve him if he was defeated?"
"He was nearly killed by that traitorous swine, Darkonda," Voricifa corrects, "he made one mistake, and only one in his entire career. That and he underestimated the Power Rangers."
"But he still made a mistake," Hibikime says, "and when someone makes a mistake like that, you never serve them again. Why change now?"
"Because the Dark Specter is power personified," Voricifa replies, "nothing can match his power. It took a Super Torpedo, a weapon used to destroy planets, to even harm him. He survived two such torpedoes. What does that say to you about his power?"
"He is invincible and immortal," Hibikime realizes.
"Yes," Voricifa says huskily, "the Dark Specter is the single most powerful being in the entire galaxy. When he gets his revenge, it will be glorious!"
The two women share an evil laugh.
~On Earth~
"Hey Jesse, come on we gotta go," Alex says to his gray-clad friend.
"Man, do we gotta?" Jesse whines.
"Dude, I know you would much rather stay home and play video games, but we have to go and meet the rest of the MYF," Alex argues, "we need you for this play."
"Man, if I find out who signed me up for this play, I'm gonna do some serious harm to him," Jesse grumbles, "and how in the world did you get assigned to be the one to make sure I showed up?"
"If you would like to recall, you were the first to say that a play wouldn't be such a bad idea," Alex says, "and as for why I've gotta make sure you get there, I volunteered. I knew you'd try and ditch."
"You know me too well," Jesse grumbles as Alex hauls him to the church for play practice.
Across town, Bethany Black, the Bronze Atlantean Power Ranger, was shopping. Her taste in clothes had recently changed and she wasn't sure why. She had noticed that all of her new choices had a decidedly bronze tinge to them, but that was about it.
"I hope the Dark Specter doesn't attack today," she mutters, "the mall is still recovering from the last attack."
Jackson, unlike the other cities that had been attacked by the evil so far, had few large buildings. In fact, the largest buildings were in downtown Jackson and they were nowhere near Zord sized like the other cities skyscrapers. For which Bethany was grateful. They certainly wouldn't get a good rep if they smashed into buildings like the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers had during the early stages of their career.
As if to refute her wishes, a monster appears. He was a gigantic humanoid rock creature. The monster starts firing energy blasts from its eyes at everything that moves. Bethany jumps into the corridor that leads to the ladies room to avoid being hit with a blast.
She knew she had to morph, but the corridor was occupied by another girl. Bethany knew her from school.
"Holly, we gotta get out of her," Bethany urges her friend.
Holly Replogle was slightly taller than Bethany herself was, standing at about 5' 7" and was the envy of quite a few of the girls on the cheerleading squad. She had green-hazel eyes and dark blonde hair worn shoulder length. She was wearing a lavender pastel shirt with denim jeans. She was wearing a belt with a buckle that looked strangely familiar.
"But how?" Holly asks, "there's no way out. That rock creature will blast us if we move."
"And if we stay here, we'll likely get buried alive," Bethany counters.
Holly's belt buckle begins to glow.
"What's going on?" Holly shrieks. The buckle slightly changes shape. It changes into an Atlantean Morpher. The Platinum Morpher.
"What is this?" Holly asks, indicating the Morpher. Suddenly, Bethany's communicator goes off. Bethany sighs and decides to answer it, since it was obvious that another Morpher had chosen someone to wield its powers.
"Go ahead, this is Bethany," she says into the communicator, much to Holly's surprise.
"Bethany, a Morpher has become active in your vicinity," Eleanor says through the communicator.
"Your telling me," Bethany says, "it just activated right in front of my eyes."
"Our spells also indicate that Dark Specter has sent a monster is nearby," Connerly says.
"Your not whistling Dixie," Bethany mutters, "what should I do?"
"Do you know the location of the person the Morpher has chosen?" the Elder asks.
"She is standing right next to me," Bethany says, "should I teleport her to you so you can brief her while I tale care of the monster?"
"Yes, do that," the Elder says, "you say she's standing right next to you?"
"Affirmative," Connerly says, "we'll brief her and see whats comes of it."
"Holly, keep an open mind," Bethany says moments before Holly disappears in a flash of platinum colored light.
"Um, have you contacted Silver Ranger yet?" Bethany asks.
"He's not responding to our hails," Connerly replies, "he is receiving the communications, but he is not responding."
"He may not be in a position to answer," Bethany replies, "such as among a group of friends. He my be trying to get away as we speak."
"Well, right now you are the only one able to fight this monster at the moment," the Elder replies, "I advise you to do so."
"Right," Bethany says, "how's Holly taking everything?"
Eleanor chuckles. "She's pelting us with questions."
"Sounds like her," Bethany says, "now down to business."
Cutting off the communication, Bethany summons the Bronze Morpher.
"It's Morphin time!"
She presses the buttons in the proper sequence, then holds the Morpher out in front of her in her palms.
"Bronze Power of Atlantis!"
Bethany is instantly engulfed in bronze light. When the light fades, the Bronze Atlantean Ranger is in her place.
"Time to kick some rocky behind," she says as she teleports the short distance to be in front of the creature.
"Stop!" she commands, "or be destroyed."
"I am the Rock Ogre," the creature says, "and you die, Ranger."
With that, he comes in swinging.
Bronze Ranger backflips to avoid being hit. She pulls out a Blade Blaster and fires. Several bronze energy bolts fly, hitting the Rock Ogre in various spots, but they do not do much damage.
"Fool," Rock Ogre says as he knocks Bronze Ranger away and into a wall.
"Man, he's tough," she grumbles, "I hope Holly shows up soon or I'm in big trouble."
Holly, for her part, was doing quite well. As soon as she settled down from her first experience teleporting, she starts pelting the Elder, Eleanor, Connerly, and Jacolby with questions.
"Whoa, settle down little girl," Connerly says, "neither the Bronze Ranger or the Silver Ranger made this much of ruckus when they were brought here."
"What is this place?" Holly demands.
"This is Atlantis, home and source of power of the Power Rangers of Atlantis, who have recently started defending your own hometown," Jacolby says.
"How is Bethany connected to this?" Holly demands.
"Your friend Bethany is the Bronze Power Ranger of Atlantis," Eleanor replies. Holly gapes at the elderly woman.
"Of course you wouldn't know," Eleanor says, "we told both the Silver and Bronze Rangers to keep their identities secret. The Silver Ranger has yet to reveal his identity to the Bronze Ranger."
"But how do I fit in this?" Holly asks.
"Because that belt buckle you have is actually the Platinum Morpher of Atlantis," Jacolby says, "you have the chance to become the Platinum Ranger of Atlantis. The only Platinum Ranger in the universe, much like Bethany is the only Bronze Ranger in the universe."
"I could become a Power Ranger?" Holly gasps.
"The Platinum Morpher has found you worthy," the Elder says, "the final choice is yours. Will you help us fight the Dark Specter?"
After thinking a moment, Holly nods her head in agreement. "What do I do?"
"Take the Morpher from your belt and hold it in your right hand," the Elder instructs. Holly does so.
"Now, read the inscription and tell us what it says," Connerly says.
Holly reads the inscription carefully. "If ye be of a sound and intelligent mind and a noble soul with a just cause to defend, then ye shall beg ranted the power of this Morpher. Just press the buttons in sequence: Platinum, Crystal, White, Aqua, Silver, and Bronze. If your cause is not pure, then you shall be cast into oblivion."
She rereads the inscription, then shrieks. "Oblivion!"
"Do not worry, child," Eleanor says, "the Silver and Bronze Rangers survived, and their cuase s the same as yours. You have no worries."
"Now, call out 'It's Morphin time!' and press the buttons in sequence," Jacolby says.
"It's Morphin time!" Holly cries out, then rapidly presses the buttons on the Morpher in the said sequence. A flash of platinum light and in Holly's place is the Platinum Ranger of Atlantis.
Mostly her appearance was the same as the Bronze Atlantean Ranger, only the shield and suit itself were platinum in color. The helmet was widely different from the other two Atlantean Rangers.
The helmet was of a design of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, only a winged unicorn was the animal represented instead of a dinosaur or some other animal like the Wild Force Power Rangers or the Lost Galaxy Power Rangers. She removes her helmet.
"Wow, this is so cool!" Holly cries out as she examines her outfit and helmet, "its impossible to describe the rush of power I'm feeling. Will I feel this every time I morph?"
"Maybe," Connerly says, "Silver Ranger never mentioned much. He likes to keep things himself instead of interacting with others."
"Well, can I go help Bethany?" Holly asks.
"Simply return your helmet to your head and we'll teleport you to the battlefield," Connerly says, "and just follow the instincts. Until you can take care of yourself on your own, the Morpher will guide you in the use of all of your abilities."
"Okay," Holly says and replaces the helmet. In a flash of platinum colored energy, she teleports out.
"Well, at least this one will work with at least one of the other Rangers," Jacolby sighs.
"Jesse will work with these two girls," Eleanor says, "he cares too much for the Earth not to."
"Maybe someday he'll learn to work as a teammate to them," Connerly says, "until then, we can only hope."
Jesse was indeed unable to answer his communicator. And he was unable sneak away.
"Jesse, would you please concentrate on your lines?" the youth groups leader, Ellen, asks.
"Sure thing Miss Ellen," Jesse replies, only half paying attention. He just couldn't concentrate knowing something was going on.
As it turned out, he needn't have worried.
Platinum Ranger leaps into the battle and knocks the Rock Ogre into the parking lot through the mall doors.
"Um, who are you?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Platinum Ranger at your service Beth," Platinum Ranger replies.
"Holly?" Bronze Ranger says, amazed, "guess you decided to help out after all, huh?"
"You got it," Platinum Ranger replies, "what do you say we show this guy some girl power?"
"Your on," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Staff!"
The Bronze Staff appears in the Bronze Ranger's hands, who quickly turns it into the Bronze Battle Axe.
"Platinum Staff!" Platinum Ranger calls out. A staff similar to the Gold Zeo Ranger's Power Staff, but on one end was a piece that looked like an end of the Power Lance wielded by the Blue Mighty Morphin Power Ranger.
"Platinum Partisan!" Platinum Ranger calls out. The Platinum Staff extends until it is twice as long.
"Lets get this shmuck," Platinum Ranger says, then leaps into the battle, swinging the Platinum Partisan.
The Bronze and Platinum Rangers attack the Rock Ogre, stabbing and chopping as valiantly as possible. Platinum Ranger spins her Partisan and jams it into the Rock Ogre's stomach in a shower of rocks.
The Rock Ogre stumbles back, astounded at the strength of the attacks. These Atlantean Rangers were far stronger than they looked.
"You are strong," he mutters, "but I am stronger." To accentuate that statement, he plows one giant fist each into both Rangers. The blows send them flying into a wall, but not through it. He follows it up with energy bolts from his eyes.
From atop the mall, Voricifa and Hibikime watche the battle in anger.
"Drat, the Silver ranger isn't around and this new Platinum Ranger is female," she curses.
"Do not worry, my mistress," Hibikime says, "he will have to reveal himself eventually."
"And when he does, then he will be ours," Voricifa says with a wolfish grin.
"Yes, he will be ours," Hibikime says, licking her lips.
At the youth meeting, Jesse was finally able to get away from the others.
Tapping the communicator button, he speaks. "Go ahead, whats the problem?"
"Jesse?" the Elder asks, "thank goodness. Bronze and Platinum Rangers are facing a rock monster at the mall."
"Bronze and Platinum Rangers?" Jesse asks incredulously, "you found another Morpher?"
"Yes, and it is most fortunate," the Elder replies, "now, can you come and help?"
"Not yet," Jesse says, "give me another ten minutes and I'll be there."
"Please hurry," the Elder says, "I'm not sure how much longer Bronze and Platinum Rangers will be able to hold off the Rock Ogre."
"I will," Jesse says, then cuts the communication. "Now I just hope Miss Ellen doesn't make us stay overtime."
Bronze Ranger and Platinum Ranger could barely dodge the Rock Ogre's punches. But they still had agility and speed on their side.
"Blade Blasters!" Bronze Ranger calls out and pulls out her Blade Blaster as Platinum Ranger follows suit, "fire!" The two Rangers take aim and fire at the Rock Ogre. The bronze and platinum colored beams bounce off the Rock Ogre's thick skin.
"Ooh, that tickles," Rock Ogre says, "shoot again."
"I think we're in trouble," Platinum Ranger says as she and Bronze Ranger back away from the Rock Ogre.
"This guy is way too tough," Bronze Ranger says, "we need the Silver Ranger. We need his firepower."
"Where is he?" Platinum Ranger demands crossly.
The Elder speaks up from their communicators. "Rangers, Silver Ranger says he is tied up at the moment. He says he'll be able to get away without rousing suspicion in ten minutes. Can you hold off the monster long enough to do that?"
"We'll try, Elder," Bronze Ranger says, "but all of our conventional weapons aren't putting a dent in him."
"Try using your weapons in Staff mode," Connerly says, "they pack more projectile firepower then."
"Okay," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Battle Axe, Staff Mode!" The Bronze Battle Axe reverts to its Staff mode.
"Platinum Partisan, Staff Mode!" Platinum Ranger calls out. The platinum colored weapon reverts to its Staff mode.
"Energy beams, fire!" both Rangers call out.
A bronze-hued beam shoots from the jewel on the Bronze Staff and a platinum- hued beam shoots from the tip of the Platinum Staff. The combined energies slam right through the Rock Ogre, sending it flying from the force of the blast.
~On Atlantis~
"We were lucky that the Platinum Morpher was the next Morpher to be found," Eleanor says, "there has always been a bond between the Bronze and Platinum Warriors in the past and their powers and Zords are compatible. And with these two already being friends, then they'll learn their combination abilities a lot faster."
"Indeed," Connerly says, "but remember what Alex said? Jesse isn't fond of females, and his first two teammates are female. In fact, all of his teammates may end up being female."
"He'll have to deal with it if that happens," Jacolby says in a low voice, "but he obviously knows his duty. If we're extremely lucky, maybe one of the next Morphers will choose one of those Zordon chose to be Power Rangers. With the experience such a person would bring, we can quickly raise the Power Rangers of Atlantis into an effective and efficient fighting force that can turn back even the Dark Specter."
"That's wishful thinking," Connerly snorts, "however, of all the people on the Earth the ones first chosen by Zordon would indeed be likely choices for the Morphers."
"Even so, the Morphers have normally chosen people with no other powers to speak of," the Elder says, "people who have never had any other type of power except physical strength to defend themselves with. The Green Morpher would always choose an exceptionally strong wizard or an expert hand to hand combatant to for its use since it could not give a weapon for the Green Warrior."
"Well, the Bronze and Platinum Rangers are doing fine for now," Eleanor says, "and the Green Morpher is lost to us forever."
"If Ninjor hadn't used it to make the Power Coins, then Rita Repulsa would have conquered the universe ten thousand years ago, and even if she hadn't then she likely would have conquered the Earth when she escaped from the dumpster," the Elder says.
"I know that," Eleanor snaps, "but we would possibly have seven Atlantean Warriors eventually instead of six Atlantean Rangers."
"We can't help the past," Connerly says, "but we can work hard to protect the future."
~At the battle~
Bronze and Platinum Rangers were continuously shooting energy blasts from their Staffs, but it wasn't doing much good. The Rock Ogre was still coming.
"Stand still, you little gnats!" he roars, "stand still so I can smash you!"
"Not a chance," Platinum Ranger says, "why don't you stand still so we can turn you into so many pebbles, rocks for brains?"
"I do have rocks for brains," the Rock Ogre says, "now take this!"
Rock Ogre slams his fists into the ground in a double axe handle smash, creating a small quake and causing the two Rangers to lose their footing. He was on them in a flash. He knocks the two Rangers to the ground and stomps on them with all his strength.
Jesse says goodbye to everyone else and runs to the park. Alex jogs after him.
"Whats up dude?" Alex asks.
"There's a new Ranger around, and they and Bronze Ranger are fighting a monster at the mall," Jesse explains hurriedly, "now, I gotta find a place to morph so I can help them."
"Good luck man," Alex says, "turn that monster to dust."
"Right man," Jesse says and runs behind a building and pulls out his Morpher.
"It's Morphin time!" he calls out, then presses the buttons in the correct sequence.
"Silver Power of Atlantis!" he calls out. A brief flash of silver light and the Silver Atlantean Ranger is standing in his place. Hut his outfit is now different. The shield, which before was metallic white with silver trim, was now black with silver trim.
"Wonder what brought about the change?" he wonders, "oh well, no time to ponder such things." With that, he teleports to the battle.
The Rock Ogre was having fun. Stomping on the Rangers was loads of fun and nothing could stop him.
He is about to start stomping on their heads of the downed Rangers when he is struck by a beam of silver light.
"Who dares disturb my fun?" he roars.
"How about me?" Silver Ranger says, holding his Silver Staff.
"Another Ranger?" Rock Ogre chuckles, "more fun to bash!" The Rock Ogre charges at the Silver Ranger, who launches a flying kick into the Rock Ogre's chin, only to have his leg grabbed after it connects and flung into a nearby light post.
"Okay, that wasn't too smart," he mutters, "hey Bronze Ranger, Platinum Ranger, you two okay?"
A definitely female voice comes from the Platinum Ranger. "Yeah, we're fine."
Silver Ranger groans. "Not another female. Oh well, can't be helped." He gets to his feet, only to be knocked about with a rising knee from the Rock Ogre.
"Man this guy is strong," Silver Ranger grumbles as he receives another kick.
"Hey ugly!" Bronze Ranger yells, "get away from our friend!" She punctuates her command with a blast from her Bronze Staff. The blast grazes the Rock Ogre, but does little damage. Platinum Ranger fires an energy beam from her Platinum Staff that hits the Rock Ogre in the shoulder, knocking away a sizable chunk of its shoulder.
"You hurt me, now I kill you!" the Rock Ogre roars and charges at the two female Rangers.
"Man, doesn't this guy have any weak points or weaknesses?" Bronze Ranger demands as she dodges the Rock Ogre's fist.
"Offhand, I'd say no," Platinum Ranger says as she cartwheels out of the way of a kick.
"Back off rockhead!" Silver Ranger says as he dropkicks the Rock Ogre in the back of the head, sending the monster stumbling.
The three Rangers regroup.
"Any ideas, Silver Ranger?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Not really," Silver Ranger replies, "our powers are basically the same, but I've been told that the other Rangers have powers different from mine. You have Blade Blasters and I don't."
"Then what do we do?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"Don't look at me," Silver Ranger says, "the Silver Morpher has been telling me nothing."
"The Silver Morpher?" Silver Ranger asks, perplexed.
"My transformation devise," Silver Ranger explains, "the source of my Ranger powers. You have a Platinum Morpher and Bronze Ranger has a Bronze Morpher."
"What does that have to do with knowledge?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"Haven't you been wondering how you know exactly how to use your weapons?" Silver Ranger asks, "oops, duck!"
Silver Ranger does the splits and Bronze and Platinum Rangers cartwheel out of the way as the Rock Ogre charges them again. Silver Ranger transforms his Silver Staff into the Silver Saber and jams it into the groin area of the Rock Ogre. Surprisingly, the Rock Ogre stumbles back in pain.
Silver Ranger rolls back and gets to his feet.
"Okay, that puts disturbing images into my mind," he mutters before transforming the Silver Saber back into the Silver Staff and fires a beam of silver energy at the Rock Ogre's eyes.
"Instead of trying to find odd weak points," he says as Bronze and Platinum Rangers join in firing their own colored energy beams at the Rock Ogre, "go for the ones you know."
"Is that from the Silver Morpher?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"No, just common sense," Silver Ranger replies, "heads up!" He ducks as the Rock Ogre begins firing energy blasts from his eyes. One of them hits the Bronze Ranger squarely in the chest. Bronze Ranger is sent flying.
"Any ideas, fearless leader?" Platinum Ranger asks Silver Ranger.
"I'm no leader," Silver Ranger replies, "but I do have an idea. What kind of weapons do you have?"
"I have the Blade Blaster, the Platinum Staff, and the Platinum Partisan," Platinum Ranger replies.
"A partisan?" Silver ranger says thoughtfully, "enter single combat with that thing, suing all the innate knowledge of fighting with a partisan that your Morpher gives you. I have an idea that Bronze Ranger and I can implement."
"If your positive," Platinum Ranger says, summoning the Platinum Partisan. She leaps at the Rock Ogre and engages it as she delves deep into the partisan fighting knowledge that the Platinum Morpher held.
Silver ranger hurries over to the Bronze Ranger.
"So, whats the idea chief?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Basically the same as before," Silver Ranger says, "only its Platinum Ranger providing the distraction."
"Think its gonna work?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"If it doesn't, then we're no worse off than before," Silver Ranger replies as he grips the Silver Saber. Bronze Ranger turns the Bronze Staff into the Bronze Battle Axe.
"Wait, the Silver Power is telling me something," Silver Ranger says. He seems to be thinking for a moment, then drops into a stance to leap.
"Change of plans," he says, "you and Platinum Ranger are gonna do a dual attack. You're gonna combine your special attacks to form an extremely powerful attack."
"That's a good idea," Bronze Ranger says.
"I'll distract the Rock Ogre," Silver Ranger says before leaping at the Rock Ogre and slashing it across the chest while Platinum Ranger stabs it in the stomach.
"Go and use your specialty attack with Bronze Ranger," he orders, "your combined attacks will be more effective than mine and Bronze Ranger's attacks."
He spins his blade around, forming a shield. The Rock Ogre begins to pound mercilessly on the shield.
Platinum Ranger backflips and lands beside Bronze Ranger.
"Ready?" she asks.
"You got it," Bronze ranger says.
Platinum Ranger begins twirling the Platinum Partisan over her head. Bronze Ranger whirls the Bronze Battle Axe over her head. Platinum Ranger immediately stops twirling the Platinum Partisan and jabs at the Rock Ogre with the Platinum Partisan. A platinum colored energy stream emerges from the point of the weapon. Bronze Ranger slams the Bronze Battle Axe into the ground, slightly burying the blade in the concrete. Bronze energy streams forth from weapon and slowly emerges from the ground as it streaks towards the Rock Ogre. The two attacks merge mid-air and combine into a platinum- bronze energy burst.
Silver Ranger leaps out of the way and the combined attack slams into the Rock Ogre and blows him apart.
Silver Ranger picks himself up and dusts himself off.
"Wow, I didn't know it would work that well," he murmurs.
"We did that?" Platinum Ranger gapes at the half-melted rock fragments that were blown everywhere.
"Guess so," Bronze Ranger says.
"Guess you ladies do make a good team," Silver Ranger says, "I just hope this wasn't a fluke. If it was, then we're doomed."
"What do you mean, a fluke?!" Platinum Ranger demands, "that was pure skill!"
"It was the Power of your Morphers telling you what to do," Silver Ranger retorts, "most of what you saw me doing was the Silver Morpher guiding me. About the only parts that weren't was when I morphed. That's it."
"How long do you think it'll be before we won't have to rely on the knowledge contained within our Morphers?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"No clue," Silver Ranger replies, "I trained all throughout spring break and had no clue what to do during my next battle without the Silver Morpher guiding me."
~Aboard Dark Specter's fortresss~
"No!" he bellows, "the Rock Ogre was destroyed."
Voricifa's voice speaks up from a small screen. "My lord, if you make him grow, we may have a chance to separate the Silver Ranger from the other two Rangers. Rock Ogre can surely take care of the other two on his own."
"Very well," Dark Specter says. Out of a box, he pulls out one of Lord Zedd's spell grenades to make someone large. He uncorks it and teleports it to the Rock Ogre's location.
~On Earth~
The grenade blows and suddenly Rock Ogre is back, only Zord sized.
"Raaagh!" he roars, "now I can really smash things up!"
"Looks like we need the Zords," Silver ranger says, "um, do you two have Zords?"
"Of course," Bronze Ranger says indignantly, "Bronze Griffin, Zord of Atlantis! Power up!"
"Right," Platinum Ranger says, "Platinum Winged Unicorn, Zord of Atlantis! Power up!"
A bronze-colored Zord with the body of a lion and the front legs, head, and wings of an eagle appears along with a platinum colored Zord that looked like a winged horse with a horn sticking out of its head.
Bronze and Platinum Ranger leap into their respective Zords.
"Winged Unicorn, Zord of Atlantis, ready and able to fight!" Platinum Ranger says.
"Griffin, Zord of Atlantis, ready to kick some behind!" Bronze Ranger says.
"Girls," Silver Ranger mutters, "better call the Silver Dragon.
But before he can summon the Silver Dragon Zord, a dark mist envelops him and swallows him up.
"Where'd he go?" Platinum Ranger demands from her Zord's cockpit.
"Dunno, and we got bigger problems to deal with!" Bronze Ranger says as she dodges an eye blast from the Rock Ogre, "we're definitely gonna have to work as a team to take this sucker out."
"Oh, man, where am I?" Jesse asks, "was all that a dream?"
He opens his eyes and looks around. He was in that same hut he had awakened in once before.
"Hello there," a feminine voice says, "I see you're awake again."
"Man, why do I have such a headache?" Jesse demands. He opens his eyes to see the woman whom he had seen before.
"Hello again," Voricifa, in her human guise, says.
"Hello," Jesse says, then groans. He had such a headache!
"Sister, is our guest awake?" another feminine voice says. Jesse cranes his neck to locate the source of the voice.
His looking around reveals a beautiful young woman with raven-black hair.
"Hello," she says, "how do you do?"
"This is my younger sister, Hilda," Voricifa says.
"It would be a pleasure to meet you if I didn't have such a splitting headache," Jesse says, clutching the side of his head.
Voricifa and 'Hilda', who was actually Hibikime, exchange a glance.
'He's fighting the memory block spell and doesn't even know it,' Voricifa telepathically talks to Hibikime in surprise, 'these Earth humans are truly remarkable.'
'Truly,' Hibikime replies telepathically, 'but this one is young and impetuous. He will be an easy target. Let us proceed with our work.'
"Are you okay dear?" Voricifa asks.
"I think so," Jesse replies, "man, what happened?"
"We found you roaming the forest, obviously hurt," Hibikime replies, "you weren't making any sense at all, so we brought you to our home so you could recuperate."
"Thank you, I think," Jesse replies, "but if your responsible for this headache, then I wish you had left me alone."
"But how could we leave such a handsome man alone?" Voricifa asks in a low husky voice.
"Simple," Jesse replies matter-of-factly, "just ignore them."
'How can he ignore all of this?' Voricifa thinks, 'no man should be able to resist the spells we have placed on him.'
"So, young man, do you have a name?" Hibikime asks.
"Not that I can give," Jesse replies, "may I go now?"
"No, you still have a long way to go to recovery," Voricifa says as she pushes him onto his back.
"But- ah!" Jesse yelps as a sharp pain courses through his head.
'Lady Voricifa, there is a possibility that we haven't considered,' Hibikime says to Coricifa telepathically.
'What is it Hibikime?' Voricifa asks.
'He may not any interest in women,' Hibikime replies.
'So he's gay?' Voricifa asks.
'Maybe,' Hibikime replies, 'or he may just not be interested in women the way we are trying to get him interested in at this stage in his life.'
'Intriguing,' Voricifa comments, 'well, he has to die anyway. He's not handsome enough to keep around, even unpowered.'
'I agree,' Hibikime replies, 'shall I get my scythe?'
'No, lets be creative with his death,' Voricifa says, 'since we can't seduce him, we can't take him before Dark Specter while he still has his Morpher. Dark Specter would destroy us. So we must just kill him. We could possibly take his head to Dark Specter so he could mount it."
"Um, ladies?" Jesse asks hesitantly, "I don't mean to intrude, but there is something I have to tell you."
"What is that?" Voricifa asks.
"I think my headache is gone," he replies.
"That is good to hear," Hibikime purrs in her husky voice as she tries to nuzzle up against Jesse.
"However, I now know why," Jesse says seriously as he pushes away Hibikime. He stands up. "The two of you are evil."
Jesse flips over the startled Voricifa and rushes out of the cottage. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the Silver Morpher.
"It's Morphin time!" In a flash of silver light, Jesse morphs into the Silver Atlantean Ranger.
"So, you shrugged off our confusion spell," Voricifa says from the doorway.
"What?!" Silver Ranger says, stunned.
In twin flashes of dark light, Voricifa changes into her black armor while Hibikime changes into her green dress and her scythe appears.
"You!" Jesse snarls, startled, "this was a trap?"
"You mean, you didn't know that we were your enemies?" Voricifa asks, puzzled.
"No clue," Silver Ranger says as he crouches into a fighting position, "but I do now."
"I don't even want to know why he called us evil then," Hibikime says in a low growl.
"Females are evil by nature," Silver Ranger says, "Silver Staff!" The weapon appears in his hands in a small flash of silvery light.
"Ready to rumble?" Silver Ranger inquires.
Hibikime lunges at Silver Ranger, swinging her scythe. Silver Ranger blocks with the lower portion of the Silver Staff, then twists his wrist and knocks Hibikime's scythe aside. He swings the Silver Staff and cuts across Hibikime's chest. Voricifa blasts Silver Ranger from behind with a bolt of dark lightning.
Silver Ranger is knocked to the ground hard by the attack. He struggles to get up, but Hibikime is on him quickly, slashing him across the chest hard.
"Man, this is not gonna be an easy fight," Silver Ranger mutters as he lays on the ground.
The Bronze and Platinum Rangers were having a tough time fighting the Rock Ogre. For one thing, Platinum Ranger had only really just received her powers. And neither one had ever fought in a Zord battle. Bronze Ranger hadn't even practiced yet. She was supposed to do some practice Saturday, but it looked like she would have to learn on the job.
"Hey Platinum, we got a problem," Bronze Ranger says through the comm. system as she dodges a blast. The two Ranger's were fortunate that their Zords were both flying Zords. If they were ground based then it was likely that they would get creamed.
"Bronze Griffin Zord, convert to Warrior Mode!" Bronze Ranger commands. The Griffin Zord of Atlantis begins to glow a faint bronze. The front legs shift to form humanoid legs. The back legs shift and a pair of fists come from the paws. The body twists around at the legs, making the belly the front torso. The part with the wings flip around so that the wings are set so that they can act like they are supposed to. The wings then drape along the arms and fuse, then shift into a cloth-like substance. The griffin head moves to the shoulders. The lower part of the beak moves and forms a face.
"Bronze Griffin Zord, Warrior Mode power up!" Bronze Ranger says within the Warrior Mode of the Bronze Griffin.
"Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord, convert to Warrior Mode!" Platinum Ranger commands. The Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord of Atlantis begins to glow a faint platinum color. The wings split, with the upper half of each wing twisting around the front legs. The lower half of both wings twist around the back legs. They glow and change into a form of armor, feet, and hands. The back legs shift so that they are humanoid legs. The front legs shift places so that they are now arms. The front half of the unicorn head, not the horn itself though, drops into the chest where parts of the front legs were.
"Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord, Warrior Mode power up!" Platinum Ranger says within the Warrior Mode of the Platinum Winged Unicorn.
"You think you can win?" the giant Rock Ogre laughs, "well, try this!"
With a loud yell, the Rock Ogre charges the two Zords in an attempt to smash them. But the Platinum Warrior Zord flips over the Rock Ogre and the Bronze Warrior Zord takes flight.
"Griffin Axe!" Bronze Ranger calls out, summoning the weapon of the BronzeGriffin Warrior Zord. A giant version of the Bronze Ranger's Battle Axe forms in the Zord's hands, a perfect fit.
"Winged Unicorn Partisan!" Platinum Ranger calls out, summoning the weapon of the Platinum Warrior Zord. A giant version of the Platinum Ranger's Platinum Partisan forms in the Zord's hands, a perfect fit.
"Let's get this joker," Bronze Ranger says. The Griffin Zord Warrior Mode dives down at the Rock Ogre and slashes it with its Griffin Battle Axe as it passes.
Meanwhile, the Platinum Warrior Zord charges at the Rock Ogre and stabs him in the chest with the Winged Unicorn Partisan. The Rock Ogre stumbles under the force of the blows but he doesn't stop. He smashes a fist into the lower torso of the Platinum Warrior Zord, then grabs it by the head and squeezes.
The metal grinds under the pressure, but does not give. Instead, sparks from the defensive shields shower the ground.
"He's too strong!" Platinum Ranger cries out as she tries to figure out how to break the grip, "I need some help!"
"You got it," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Warrior Zord, fire energy cannons!"
On the shoulders of the Bronze Warrior Zord, a pair of spikes extend and energy gathers at the tips. Streams of bronze-colored energy pour from the spikes and hit the Rock Ogre in the back. The Rock Ogre stumbles, but doesn't let go of the Platinum Warrior Zord.
Bronze Ranger curses. She taps her communicator. "Elder? Can't you find Silver Ranger? We need his help? This guy is too strong for just me and Platinum Ranger."
"If you can get him to break his grip on the Platinum Warrior Zord, then you can initiate the Binary Zord 1," Connerly says.
"The what?" Bronze Ranger asks, perplexed.
"It's a combination of the Bronze Griffin Zord and the Platimnum Winged Unicorn Zord," Connerly explains, "you're power is more than tripled over the strength of either Zord. It is also currently the most powerful weapon in our arsenal for fighting two powerful foes."
"Gotcha," Bronze Ranger says, "now, how do I break his hold?"
"Your Zord's Warrior Mode has a special attack," Connerly says, "use it. If it doesn't destroy the Rock Ogre, it'll hurt him enough so that he'll let go of the Platinum Warrior Zord."
"Gotcha," Bronze Ranger says, "Bronze Ranger out." She closes the communication. "Now to try this attack out."
Summoning the Bronze Griffin Battle Axe, Bronze ranger prepares for the strongest attack of the Bronze Warrior Zord.
"Bronze Griffin Battle Axe!" Bronze Ranger calls out, "Atlantean Axe Slash!"
The Bronze Griffin Battle Axe glows with bronze energy as the Bronze Warrior Zord carves a circle in the air, leaving a faint trail of the bronze energy behind. As soon as it finishes carving the circle, the Bronze Warrior Zord slashes to the down-right followed by a horizontal slash and then a diagonal slash to the up-right. As soon as that third slash was made a wave of bronze energy streams forth and collides with the back of the Rock Ogre.
In a shower of sparks and pebbles, the Rock Ogre bellows in pain and lets go of the Platinum Warrior Zord.
"Thank goodness," Platinum Ranger says, "my shields were just about to give out. So whats the plan now Bronze Ranger?"
"We form the Binary Zord 1," Bronze Ranger says.
"The what?" Platinum Ranger asks dumbly.
"Just enter the command and we can find out together," Bronze Ranger says.
"Initiate Binary Zord 1!" the two female Rangers say in unison.
As one, both the Platinum Warrior Zord and the Bronze Warrior Zord change into their Creature Modes. Then the real change begins.
The Bronze Griffin Zord opens up from the center torso. The back legs come down and cover the front legs like armor. The head shifts and forms a kind of waist armor. The wings move up and fold around to form additional waist armor with the wingtips connecting to the griffin head.
The Platinum Winged Unicorn Zord splits long-length. The front and read flanks become shoulder armor while the front and rear legs merge to become arms. The new chest splits open and the head moves in to reveal a head with a unique design. The chest closes up again as the top part of the Binary Zord 1 connects with the bottom part. The wings of the top part fold over the lower torso to form a glamorous armor.
Inside the new double cockpit, Bronze and Platinum Ranger's are taking everything in as fast as possible.
"Binary Zord 1, ready for battle," the two of them say together.
"Um, Bronze, how do we go about piloting this thing?" Platinum Ranger asks.
A console lights up and Connerly's voice wafts through the cockpit.
"The piloting of the Binary Zords is truly different from any other Zord piloting that any Ranger team before you has faced. To get perfect control, on of you will be in charge of the movement, much like when you are in your own Zord. The other will control the rest of the Zord, including the weapons that are not controlled through movement. I leave it up to you to decide who does what."
"What kind of weapon does this thing have?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"The Binary Halberd," Bronze Ranger says as she scrolls through the weapons systems, "it appears to be a weapon very similar to your partisan weapons. I suggest you take control of movement for now. You can use the partisan fighting knowledge fairly well with a halberd."
"Right," Platinum Ranger says as she assumes the authority of Zord control, "Binary Halberd!"
The a flash of bronze and platinum light, the Binary Halberd appears. The Platinum Winged Unicorn Partisan made up half the weapon, the Bronze Griffin Battle Axe made up the other half. The Winged Unicorn Partisan, with the blade pointing to the ground, made up a majority of the actual part that was held. The Griffin Battle Axe formed the actual halberd blade.
"Bigger Zord won't help you," Rock Ogre says. He rushes over to the Binary Zord and punches it hard in the gut. But Platinum Ranger blocks the strike with the Binary Halberd and flips the Rock Ogre over with a simple move.
"Wow, this thing is strong," Bronze Ranger exclaims.
"It is 50% stronger than our Zords combined," Platinum Ranger replies.
"Making it two and a half times stronger than either of our Zords alone, right?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"Yep," Platinum Ranger says, "now try and find out about what weapons we have?"
"Apparently we have much more powerful version of the attack our Zords have," Bronze Ranger offers, "but it appears to be a finishing move. I didn't put much power into my attack. We couldn't hope to get him hurt enough to get an open shot, so I only used a quarter of my full power."
"We have got to get him out of the city," Platinum Ranger says as she quickly surveys the damage simply walking around in the Zords caused, "any ideas?"
"We have a Zord teleportation system," Bronze Ranger says, "we could grab hold of him with the Binary Zord and then teleport somewhere where damage won't be as severe."
"Great idea," Platinum Ranger says, "lets get this ugly hunk of rocks."
The Binary Zord leaps at the Rock Ogre and grabs it. Bronze Ranger hits a button an in two teleportation beams, one bronze and platinum, the other a rocky brown-gray, the two giants disappear.
Silver Ranger wasn't having a much better time fighting off both Hibikime and Voricifa. Hibikime was impossibly fast with her scythe and Voricifa just wouldn't let up trying to seduce him.
'I think I hurt her ego when I didn't succumb to her power,' Silver Ranger thinks, 'that gives me an idea.'
Blocking Hibikime's scythe with the Silver Staff, Silver ranger begins to taunt Voricifa.
"What's the matter, hag? Can't warm my blood with lust? It's no surprise. You look like a shriveled up old prune."
Voricifa turns red with anger. "How DARE you! Kings, princes, emperors, lords, knights, warriors, and priests have all fallen before me in homage to my beauty."
"Beauty?" Silver Ranger scoffs as he blocks another one of Hibikime's strikes, "I've seen dogs that were prettier than you. Then again, you are a kind of dog. A female dog."
Voricifa was now red with fury. "Hibikime! Kill him!"
Hibikime slashes furiously at Silver Ranger in anger for the things he had just said to her mistress. But to no avail. Silver Ranger manages to block every strike.
"And you're no better," Silver Ranger taunts, "you play lackey to an old hag like her? What are you? The person who changes her bedpan?"
Hibikime's slashes begin to become more savage, using less and less finesse and more and more raw power.
"Is that it?" Silver Ranger demands, though he is definitely beginning to be worse for wear, "I thought you were supposed to be tough. You're no better than your mistress. I'm surprised you don't look like the old prune. Instead, you look like a fat ugly cow."
That did it. Hibikime drops her scythe and launches herself at Silver ranger, hands outstretched and ready to scratch him up with her nails. But Silver Ranger was ready for this. Indeed, he had been planning on it.
He backflips and in an instant transforms the Silver Staff into the Silver Saber. He runs the blade into Hibikime's chest. The blade goes right through her battle garb and pierces her heart.
Hibikime screeches in pain. She clutches the blade of the Silver Saber where it enters her chest. Slowly, her eyes close and her body slumps to the ground and the Silver Ranger grimly draws the blood-covered blade from Hibikime's corpse. Voricifa was frozen in shock. He had been planning that whole time. He had insulted them to make them careless and not use their brains. He had tricked them both! And now Hibikime was dead.
"You'll pay for that, whelp!" Voricifa snarls, rage making her hideous.
"My my, how can you get even uglier?" he chuckles.
"You're gonna regret that," Voricifa says as she begins to grow in size. Her growth continues until she is the size of a Megazord.
"I need the power of the Silver Dragon, the Silver Zord of Atlantis!" Silver Ranger calls out.
The Silver Dragon Zord appears and the Silver Ranger leaps into the cockpit.
"Initiate Warrior Mode!" Silver Ranger commands.
The Silver Dragon Zord glows silver briefly, then begins to change. The legs extend slightly and begin to change as if a fluid. The arms extend as well and the draconic claws split and separate to reveal human-like hands. The tail splits into four sections and snakes around the legs and arms, then spread out to form a sort of armor. The neck splits and lowers, covering part of the upper torso. The draconic head splits down the middle and sets about forming a humanoid head quite similar to that of the Red Dragon Thunderzord's Warrior mode. The head then lowers and settles itself properly. The wings folds, split, and somewhat retract and form a cape, the talon of each wing focusing just in front of the face, locked together. The remains of the tail fold and strap across the back, revealing a sword and scabbard.
"Silver Dragon Zord Warrior Mode, power up!" Silver Ranger says.
"I'll tear you limb from limb!" Voricifa screeches as she leaps at the Silver Warrior Zord.
"Initiate mental link-up," Silver Ranger says. A headset lowers and covers his helmet and integrates with it. "Mental link-up established. Activate mental tracers."
The eyes of the Silver Warrior Zord light up, but now there seems to be a human feeling in them.
The Silver Warrior Zord grabs Voricifa mid-air and throws her over it. Voricifa tumbles but quickly regains her footing. The Silver Warrior Zord draws its Silver Dragon Saber and lunges at Voricifa. Voricifa summons a long wand that she had taken from where Rita Repulsa had ceased to exist. She parries the sword thrust and beats the Silver Warrior Zord on the head with it.
"Ouch!" Silver Ranger cries out, "now that was unexpected." The Silver Warrior Zord backs away and then strikes again with the Silver Dragon Saber. Voricifa blocks again and goes for a head beating again. But this time the Silver ranger anticipates such a move and backflips, kicking Voricifa in the chin as the Silver Warrior Zord executes the maneuver.
Voricifa stumbles back, clutching her chin with her left hand. "You'll pay for that," she hisses, "you may have ruined my beautiful face."
"Beautiful?" Silver Ranger snorts, "you're ugly as sin."
"Drop it," Voricifa snaps, "you're comments won't make me mad and lose control."
"Comments?" Silver Ranger chuckles, "I'm just stating my point of view."
"You mean you're not attracted to me?" Voricifa asks, stunned.
"In a pig's eye," Silver Ranger says, "I'm about as attracted to you as I would be to a pile of old gym socks."
Red faced with fury, Voricifa attacks savagely, swinging the wand hard and fast at the Silver Warrior Zord. But the Silver Warrior Zord brings up its Silver Dragon Saber and slices through the wand. The two pieces of the wand fall to the ground and let loose their power.
Voricifa absorbs the magic and forms a sword in her right hand. The blade was double-edged and razor sharp. The hilt looked like it had been part of Rita's staff. The blade was golden yellow and glowed with a bright gold light.
"So its come down to a sword fight?" Silver Ranger chuckles, "witch, you made a big mistake."
The Silver Warrior Zord lunges into an attack, sidestepping and driving its left fist into Voricifa's gut. Voricifa grunts as the air leaves her lungs. The Silver Warrior Zord leaps back, spins midair, and slashes Voricifa across the chest with a brutal cut.
"You're good," Voricifa says with a seductive, evil smile, "but you are young, immature. You cannot win."
"Says you," Silver Ranger snarls. The Silver Warrior Zord lunges in for a savage cut, but Voricifa parries and slashes the Zord across the face and follows up with a kick that knocks the Zord away.
"Using my own tactics against me," Silver Ranger chuckles, "wait, I don't recognize this area."
Silver Ranger quickly scans the area to verify his location. He was in Europe! Greece, to be exact.
"Okay, this is no good," Silver Ranger mutters, "come in Atlantis, do you read me?"
"Silver Ranger!" Connerly cries out, "where have you been? The Bronze and Platinum Ranger's need you're assistance!"
"I may be in need of assistance myself," Silver Ranger replies, "I'm fighting Voricifa in Greece. Whats the situation with the others?"
"They have combined the Winged Unicorn and Griffin Atlantean Zords to form the Binary Zord 1," Connerly replies, "if you show up and help, they can form the Ternary Megazord 1."
"The what?" Silver Ranger asks dumbly.
"The Ternary Megazord 1," Connerly explains, "the Binary Zord 1 is a combination of the Griffin and Winged Unicorn Atlantean Zords. The Ternary Megazord 1 is a combination of those two Zords and the Silver Dragon Zord. The Binary Zord is half again as strong as the Silver Warrior Zord. The Ternary Megazord 1 is three times as strong as the Binary Zord 1."
"So its four and a half times as strong as the Silver Warrior Zord?" Silver Ranger asks.
"They needs its power!" Connerly says, "or at least you and the Silver Warrior Zord. Finish off Voricifa as fast as you can and then teleport with your Zord to their coordinates."
"I got another idea," Silver Ranger says, a grin underneath his helmet. The Silver Warrior Zord launches forward and grabs Voricifa. The two giants teleport out in a flash of silver light and a flash of shadowy light.
"This guy is to tough for us to take on alone!" Bronze Ranger gripes, "where is the Silver Ranger?"
At that moment, Voricifa and the Silver Warrior Zord appear. The Silver Warrior Zord lets go of Voricifa and punches her into the Rock Ogre, sending both giants crashing to the ground.
"Its about time!" Bronze Ranger says hotly, "where were you?"
"Voricifa and Hibikime tied to seduce me," Silver Ranger chuckles, "too bad they didn't know I have no interest in the opposite sex just yet. Hibikime is dead. I drove my Silver Saber through her heart myself. Voricifa, well, you needed my help against the Rock Ogre so I brought her along so we could finish her off along with rocks for brains."
"They tried to seduce you? "Platinum Ranger asks, "how come it didn't work."
"For some reason, he just doesn't have an interest in girls," Bronze Ranger says, "I am curious as to some of the things he told them to make them realize that."
"Some of what I was thinking isn't for mixed company," Silver Ranger replies as he prepares the Silver Dragon Zord for the continued battle, "ready to try the Ternary Megazord 1?"
"The what?" Bronze and Platinum Ranger's ask in unison.
"Ask Connerly," Silver Ranger replies, "though I'm not sure if its needed. Care to try to take on old crone while I take on the pile of rubble?"
"Suit yourself, but the Binary Zord 1 is far stronger than the Silver dragon Zord and we could barely take him to a standstill," Platinum Ranger says.
"You have been using the least experienced Ranger in the universe as the controller for the body movements," Silver Ranger replies, "not to mention neither of you have any experience piloting any kind of Zord. I have fought one Zord battle and the way I have my control system set up it would be like I have loads of battles under my belt."
"So you take on the Rock Ogre while we take on the prune," Platinum Ranger muses, "you got it."
The two enemies get back to their feet.
"You'll pay for that!" Voricifa hisses. She lunges at the Silver Warrior Zord, but Platinum Ranger moves the Binary Zord 1 to intercept the attack. The Binary Zord 1 blocks Voricifa's attack, effectively surprising her.
"What is this?" Voricifa hisses, "little girls fighting? Surely your jesting, Silver Ranger."
"He may be, but we're not, you old crone," Platinum Ranger says.
"Crone!" Voricifa snarls, "I'll show you crone!"
Voricifa slashes the Binary Zord 1 across the upper torso and then stabs it with her nails in the lower torso. The Binary Zord 1 stumbles back in a shower of sparks from its defense shields.
The Silver Warrior Zord is dodging the Rock Ogre with relative ease, using hit and run tactics to cut it down a fair amount. But the Rock Ogre was strong, durable, and more than capable of dealing out more damage in its powerful blows than the Silver Warrior Zord could make up for in its hit and run tactics.
"Gonna have to think of something quick," Silver Ranger mutters, "Binary Zord 1, prepare to jump at my command."
"Got it," Platinum Ranger responds as she maneuvers the Zord into blocking and parrying Voricifa's strikes.
The Silver Warrior Zord strikes several repeated blows against the most painful parts of the Rock Ogre. The Rock Ogre loses control and charges at the Silver Warrior Zord.
"Now!" Silver Ranger commands as he sends the Silver Warrior Zord into the sky with a high jump. The Binary Zord follows suit with a jump of its own. Voricifa and the Rock Ogre collide with each other, sending each other to the ground in a heap.
"Now for the final strikes," Silver Ranger says, "Silver Dragon Saber!"
The Silver Warrior Zord carves a circle in the air as its weapon begins to glow with a silver light.
The Binary Zord 1's Binary Halberd begins to glow with swirling bronze and platinum light. It begins to twirl the Binary Halberd in front of it, its partisan blade carving a circle in the air.
The Silver Warrior Zord slashes diagonal down-right in the circle it had just carved.
The Binary Zord 1 slashes diagonal down-right and begins to spin around.
The Silver Warrior Zord spins to the right and slashes to the right in the circle and follows it up with a diagonal down-left slash.
The Binary Zord 1 slashes horizontally to the right, continues spinning and finishes up with a diagonal up-right slash.
The Silver Warrior Zord thrusts the Silver Dragon Blade through the point where the three slashes it made met and begins to slowly lift the sword up above its head. Once the blade is over its head, the Silver Warrior Zord begins to rotate the blade around until it is nothing more than a blur.
The moment the Binary Zord 1 makes that up-right slash, a wave of razor- edged energy flies forth and strikes Voricifa and the Rock Ogre at once.
The Silver warrior Zord makes a final slash and launches the wave of razor- edged energy at Voricifa and the Rock Ogre. Its attack hits just seconds after the Binary Zord 1's attack. The two enemies erupt in a mass explosion.
"Well, that's it for rockhead and the crone," Silver Ranger says.
"Um, Silver Ranger?" Platinum Ranger says, "you don't have to call her a crone now. She's dead so you don't need to make her mad."
"I'm simply stating what I say," Silver Ranger replies, "now, lets teleport back to Atlantis."
In a flash of silver light and a flash of inter-mixed bronze and platinum light, the two Zords and their pilots disappear.
"Congratulations on another battle well fought, Rangers," the Elder says, "and I welcome Holly Replogle, the new Platinum Ranger to the team. You already know Bethany, the Bronze Ranger, and the Silver Ranger apparently still won't let you know who he is."
"Um, am I too late to meet the new Ranger?" Alex calls out.
"No dude, you're cool," Silver Ranger says as Alex walks in.
"Alex Green, is that you?" Holly asks.
"Holly?" Alex chuckles, "well, look at you. The new Platinum Ranger, right?"
"Yep," Holly confirms, "I'm gonna fight monsters."
"And aliens," Silver Ranger says, "I'm not sure about Voricifa, but Hibikime was a living being. That brings my tally up to two."
With that, Silver Ranger turns and walks off.
"Tally?" Platinum Ranger asks, "what is he talking about?"
"The first of the Dark Specter's henchmen to attack, Divorx, was a living being, an alien," Connerly explains, "he didn't just destroy a monster when he defeated him. He killed a living being."
"And that is eating away at him," Alex says, "he tries to hide it, but even all our friends who see him regularly can see it. Its just that I'm the only one who knows what the cause is. So Hibikime was a living being as well, huh?"
"It appears so," Bethany says, "between the exchange between him and Voricifa I heard something about wiping Hibikime's blood off his sword. So I'm guessing he killed her."
"This is not good," Alex says, "this is gonna eat away at him. He doesn't like hurting anything when he can help it, but killing even in the defense of thousands, maybe millions or even billions of lives will tear him up from inside. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to help him deal with this. First, he won't admit anything. Getting him to admit one of his problems is would be like getting Mr. Gott to teach in a dress. Its just about impossible."
"Mr. Gott?" Holy giggles, "the art teacher? It would be funny. Though I actually wouldn't be surprised if he wore a dress on Halloween."
"Same here, but there's my example," Alex says, "its just way too hard. And the end result may be worse if we force him. We're just gonna have to hope that whoever is the next to get an Atlantean Morpher is a good psychoanalyst. If not, then we may have to let someone in on this secret who can help him."
"Now Holly, you must listen and obey to these following rules," Connerly says, "these are the same rules that the Mighty Morphin Power rangers, Zeo Rangers, Turbo Rangers, and Astro Rangers used. First, you must only use your powers to defend, never to attack. Second, you must keep your identity a secret. No one must know who you are. Not even those attacking Earth, if you can help it. This rule only applies while you are on Earth though. If you must travel into space, you may use your own judgment on revealing your identity as a Ranger of Atlantis. An finally, you must never use your powers for personal gain. Now, there are some different circumstances for the first rule. If something were to attack Atlantis directly, you would be obliged to attack them until they stop attacking Atlantis. And, you must always follow the inherent Code of Honor that you possess that drew the Platinum Morpher to you or you will lose its power and protection, possibly forever."
"Code of Honor?" Bethany asks, "why wasn't I informed of such?"
"It was only through a recent digging through the texts in hopes of finding other powers or abilities that you may access that we found this," Connerly explains, "now, do you accept these rules and promise to abide by them?"
"I will to the best of my ability," Holly says sincerely.
"Good," Jacolby says and he walks up to Holly and hands her a platinum- banded communicator.
"This is a communicator," he explains, "it will allow you to contact us or your teammates. Bethany can explain the rest to you later. Right now, each color button will enable you to contact the ranger who wields that color Morpher. There is no platinum button on yours since you are the Platinum Ranger. The button that would be yours will enable you to contact all active communicators in our network. The dark blue button will enable you to contact Alex. That will change if a Morpher ever accepts him. Pay no attention to the Green Button. The Green Morpher has long since been lost forever and beyond our ability to regain. You can look through our library if you wish to learn more. The same goes to you Bethany. Silver Ranger is constantly in and out of our library at seemingly all hours."
"Um, why is Alex here?" Holly asks.
"I am a friend of Silver ranger," Alex explains, "and I was over at his house when he was brought here. We were both examining the Silver Morpher when the teleportation system brought him, and me because I was also touching the Morpher, here to Atlantis."
"Who is he?" Holly asks, "do we know him?"
"You might, just might, know of him," Alex says, "but I know for a fact that you do not know him personally and have never met him face to face."
"Holly, you and Bethany will have to work on your control of your powers," Jacolby says, "especially you, Holly. This was your first day on the job, after all." Jacolby grins.
"Um, you mean training?" Holly asks.
"He does," Bethany says, "but don't worry Holly. There's a good chance he'll stick us together. We're to fight simulated Spectrons unmorphed. Silver Ranger won't join in because he is morphed so so far I have had to train on my own."
"We shall start your training tomorrow," Jacolby says, "and Connerly can look into a way for you to train with your Zords. He'll probably send you to a desert somewhere."
"Now, you may go and return to your normal lives," the Elder says, "Dark Specter will probably be out of action for a few days, trying to figure out how to deal with three Atlantean Rangers."
"Go and celebrate, dears," Eleanor says, "you've earned it."
In flashes of bronze and platinum light, Holly and Bethany teleport out.
"If Dark Specter is willing to hire Voricifa to try and take out Jesse, who knows what he'll try to take out Bethany and Holly," Alex says, "and from what your records show, the Aqua Morpher and Aqua Golem Zord are both under the ruins of Pompei."
"So in essence we'll only have five Atlantean Rangers if we get lucky," Connerly says.
"Lets just hope that that is all we'll need," the Elder says.
"Yes, we can only hope," Eleanor agrees.
Well, how do you like chapter four? Please review.