Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers. The Atlantean Rangers are my idea.
Many of the monsters that appear here either come from my own imagination
or are from either the Yu Gi Oh card game or Magic: The Gathering. Some
monsters will be based off a monster from one of those card games, but the
name will have been changed. I do not own those monsters.
By the way, have you heard the news? Tommy returns in the new Power Rangers Dino Thunder! I can so not wait for tomorrow to come.
~~
~aboard Dark Specter's spaceship~
Dark Specter was simmering. He had yet to conquer Earth, and had had no more success in doing so than any of the other evil forces to have attacked it. In fact, he had not even come as close as any of them had! Master Vile had almost totally wiped out the Power Rangers with his very first attack. So had Lord Zedd. The Machine Empire had brainwashed the Red Zeo Ranger and almost defeated the Power Rangers Zeo. Divatox herself had actually destroyed the Power Chamber and nearly defeated the Turbo Rangers, but only because he had sent Goldgoyle to aid her. And one of Count Dregon's monsters had beaten back the Masked Rider, but then he had called in the Masked Rider Warriors. And Rita Repulsa's Evil Green Ranger was still perhaps the closest anyone had ever come to conquering Earth. He had banished Zordon for a time, defeated the MegaZord and the Rangers, and had terrorized the Power Rangers for nearly a week. No other monster any villain had sent down in a long campaign had lasted that long. Even the other evil forces that were Earth-based, such as the Demon Queen Bansheera, had not done that well. Yes, she had destroyed the base of the Lightspeed Rangers and taken over some of their Zords, but they ahd beaten her still. The mutants that attacked Silver Hills were constantly being beaten and the Orgs that attacked Turtle Cove were not organized at all.
Darkonda had gone off in search of something he said would aid the Dark Specter in his conquests. He had discovered it a century ago, but having lost a few of his nine lives had weakened him too much to get the object. Now he was back at full strength so getting whatever it was would be all too easy. Darkonda had assured him that the item would grant him what he needed to destroy the Atlantean Rangers once and for all.
Dorit, Dark Specter's chief scientist, walks into his masters throne room. Of the same race as Rita Repulsa's monster baker Finster, Dorit was vicious and unscrupulous. In fact, the more unsavory the experiment, the more excited he got about it. His black robes were a contrast to Finster's choice of garb, but it fit his malignant personality. Only a few beings in the galaxy had ever been crueler than Dorit.
"Master, I bring you good news," Dorit says, bowing respectfully, his voice deeper than Finster's and holding more raw confidence.
"Speak, Dorit," Dark Specter rumbles, "tell me what you have invented now."
"Not invented, master, grown," Dorit answers with a sinister chuckle, "of late I have been experimenting with the genetic make-up of various vicious creatures in an attempt to make them tractable for your service, my lord. In the end I gave up, but then the idea came to me to just create an entirely new creature, taking the most admirable traits of my other specimens and implementing them in the new creature. It has taken me a few months, I had in fact started working on this before we had even set a course for Earth, but my work has finally come to fruition. My lord, may I present to you the Driel."
In walks a creature that did not look overly dangerous, but if Dorit called it a success then it was indeed quite dangerous. Standing perhaps six and a half feet tall, at least a good head taller than any of the Atlantean Ranger's, the creature was solid purplish-black except for the blood red circles on its shoulders. Its head had a draconic look, and its eyes were a glowing green. It had claws instead of fingers and a whiplike tail. It looked like a creature bred for combat, if it was as agile as it looked to be. Knowing Dorit's previous handiwork in genetics, it was more agile than it looked, and quite a bit stronger as well. And far, far more dangerous.
"This is your newest creation?" Dark Specter asks, slightly amused.
"Yes, my lord Dark Specter," Dorit answers, "this is the Driel. He is far from mature, but he is more than strong enough tod eal with those pesky Rangers. He is quite strong, almost equaling Darkonda in his strength and surpassing most of your minions in agility and its reflexes are as finely honed as they can get. It is ruled by instinct, but vocal instructions from either you or myself can reprogram its instincts on a genetic level. Your instructions take precedence, of course. The Atlantean Rangers would stand no chance against a fully mature Driel, but I am afraid that it would take two Earth years for this Driel to mature."
"A pity," Dark Specter says, "but it is quite capable of eliminating them now, is it not?"
"Yes, my lord," Dorit answers, "the only problem is that since it is not mature, it cannot be enlarged by any spell or mechanical means. I have been studying the genetic sample of one of the mutants that attack the city known as Silver Hills, trying to isolate the gene that triggers their own rapid growth, but I am afraid that I cannot locate it. Their DNA is quite complex."
"A pity," Dark Specter says, "coupled with a platoon of Spectrons, could it destroy the Atlantean Rangers?"
"I'm afraid that the Driel has strange reactions around the Spectrons, my lord," Dorit apologizes, "the Quantrons as well. It seems to react hostile towards robots."
"So if I sent it down, it would be alone, correct?" Dark Specter asks.
"Unless you wish to send something it won't attack with it, my lord," Dorit says.
Dark Specter's eyes light up with unholy glee. "Get out your Monster Matic and make up several batches of Putties. Three dozen should do fine. Since they are in essence only clay, if the Driel does destroy them then it will be no loss other than the time it took to make them."
"Yes, my lord," Dorit bows, "I shall get on it right away. Shall I use the Super Putty, or the regular clay?"
"The Super Putty, of course," Dark Specter commands, "normal Putties were too weak for even the Morphin Rangers to stop, even if your Monster Matic is far superior to Finster's old relic. Use the Super Putty. We have plenty of it."
"Yes, my lord," Dorit replies, bowing, then leaves the room, taking the Driel with him.
Dark Specter gazes out of the large window of his throne room, gazing at the Earth. "You had best not fail me, Dorit. I will be most displeased if you do."
~the next day~
Matthias, Knight of Atlantis and noble of the Clan Eldryn, was in a pensive mood. He had been promptly told off by his little sister, Eleanor, for his remarks towards to Silver Atlantean Ranger. Ranger. Ha! Atlantis did not need the Atlantean Rangers, it needed the Atlantean Warriors. The Atlantean Rangers were weak, absolutely nothing compared to even a single Atlantean Warrior. A single Atlantean Warrior could easily defeat the entire team of Atlantean Rangers.
As Matthias did his rounds through the largest marketplace in central Atlantis, the ground begins to shake. A crack appears in the middle of the street and a bipedal reptilian monster arises from the hole. The creature's skin was a vivid green. It wore a simple cloth loincloth and sloth gauntlets that were of a light brown color. The gauntlets were held in place, stretched by being attached to the creatures elbow spikes. A set of small spikes on each shoulder gave it the appearance of something not to be trifled with. It also had a spike that extended from its calves up past its kneecaps, making it apparent that a knee to the gut from this monster would be very unpleasant. Its lizardlike tail completed its reptilian appearance. Cords of muscle stressed against its skin, completing the appearance of a creature of raw power, but the intelligent gleam in its eyes kept the idea of this monster being a dumb brute from entering Matthias' mind.
Matthias draws his sword, ready to defend Atlantis from this monster. He did not know how it managed to get into Atlantis, but he would not let it threaten the citizens. With a yell, Matthias charges the monster, ready to lay down his life to stop it.
Bethany Black was in a pensive mood. Summer being constantly on call to save the world kept social gatherings to a minimum. Those few she did have were with the other Atlantean Rangers, save for Jesse who did not want to risk revealing their identities to Dark Specter since he was probably being observed. This meant that she only got to talk to most of her friends over the phone.
Life itself wasn't really bad, she just couldn't enjopy it as much as she wanted to. Being responsible for the safety of the Earth did tend to sap the fun out of life. It was wearing down on her. Dark Specter had taken to casting a spell on an inanimate object, creating many monsters. He kept sending them down, probably in hopes of wearing the Atlantean Ranger's down. That or to keep them off balance.
Bethany's communicator beeps. She brings it to her mouth, talking softly into it. "Bethany here. Go on."
Jesse's voice came from the voicebox of the communicator, making Bethany grimace slightly. The leader of the Atlantean Rangers was barely a leader. He wasn't resourceful, instead relying solely on the abilities he gained from the Silver Morpher to fight and lead.
"Bethany, we've got some problems. Morph and head to downtown Jackson. We've got a situation."
"Right," Bethany grumbles as she closes the communications channel. Summoning her Bronze Morpher, Bethany lets the magical energy flow through her. "It's Morphin Time! Bronze Power of Atlantis!"
She teleports out in a streak of bronze light.
~downtown Jackson~
The streets are overrun by dozens of Putties wreaking havoc. These Putties had not been seen since Lord Zedd had taken over trying to conquer the Earth from Rita Repulsa, but they were still far more formidable than any normal Earth police force.
The Atlantean Rangers teleport in, immediately summoning their weapons. They had long ago decided that they should always try to end a battle as quickly as possible, and since there were so many Putties they would need to destroy them quickly.
Crystal and Aqua Rangers fight back-to-back, Crystal Ranger's Crystal Cutlass and White Ranger's White Warhammer slice and smash any Putty that got close to the duo. Bronze and Platinum Ranger fought back-to-back as well, Bronze Ranger's Bronze Battle Ax and Platinum Ranger's Platinum Partisan cleaving any unfortunate Putty to get hit in half. Silver and Aqua Ranger's fought alone, but they both fought as well as any of the pairs. Aqua Ranger's Aqua Double Dirks blocked and parried any attack the Putties threw at it while at the same time it would deliver a fierce kick to a Putty followed by a double slash from its dirks. The Silver Ranger fought with his Silver Staff, occasionally sending out energy blasts at oncoming Putties. So far, despite the large number of enemies, the Ranger's were doing extremely well.
'What was Dark Specter thinking, sending down such weak creatures?' Bronze Ranger thinks, 'any one of us could take them all down. Any two of us could annihilate them. The six of us combined are far too much for them.'
As if to answer her question, a shadow passes over her head. A rather lage monster comes crashing down between the Crystal and White Rangers, whipping out its arms to hit them each in the lower back with a slash of its sharp claws, sending them rolling to the ground, writhing in pain. The claws had almost penetrated their armor.
Bronze and Platinum Ranger turn to face the monster. It was a head taller than any of the Rangers, and it was a purplish-black with a blood red circle on each shoulder. It had a draconic head and glowing green eyes that seemed to burn with raw evil. A whiplike tail wriggled around behind it. The two female Rangers look at each other and nod. Silver and Aqua Rangers could handle the Putties, they had to stop this beast now.
"So you're the newest monster, eh?" Bronze Ranger asks, "not much to look at, are you?"
"I wonder what Dark Specter used to make you," Platinum Ranger wonders aloud.
The monster just stares at the two Rangers emotionlessly. Its tail twitches, which is all the warning they get before it attacks ruthlessly. Moving almost as fast as the eye can perceive, and father than conscious reflexes, the monster slashes both Rangers across the chest with its claws, knocking them back, their shields sparking from the impact. The two girls recover and counterattack, Platinum Ranger moving in twirling her Platinum Partisan to give it momentum for a powerful blow while Bronze Ranger follows in after her, her Bronze Battle Ax held low for a vicious chop to the side.
The monster grabs the Platinum Partisan and pushes back, knocking the Platinum Ranger into the Bronze Ranger, sending them crumbling to the ground. The monster lets out a low hissing sound, almost like cruel laughter. It dives at the two female Rangers, its claws outstretched for a slash. A pair of energy bolts hit it mid-air and knock it off course. He tumbles to the ground, then rolls back to its feet without even flinching.
"This thing is tough," White Ranger says, "he's strong, and very dangerous."
"And those claws are sharp," Crystal Ranger adds, "it almost cut through our armor."
"It may have done that with raw strength," Platinum Ranger says as she gets back to her feet, "it almost wrenched my arms out of their sockets when it grabbed my partisan and shoved me into Bronze Ranger."
"And all these Putties running around isn't helping is, either," Crystal Ranger says as he delivers a spin kick to an oncoming Putty, sending it flying, "they're weak, but there are a lot of them."
"Now only that, but unless we incinerate them with an energy blast they seem to just regenerate," Platinum Ranger adds.
"Well, Silver and Aqua Rangers can deal with the Putties," White Ranger says, "the rest of us can deal with this monster."
"I'm afraid you're wrong, White Ranger," Connerly's voice comes from their communicator's, "a monster has somehow gotten to Atlantis. It's too strong for the Knights of Atlantis and its mere presence seems to nullify Atlantean magic. Some of you will have to come to Atlantis to hold it off."
"We'll go," White Ranger says, "we have the raw power that'll be needed. This monster will require brains."
Silver Ranger runs up to them. "You got Connerly's message? Good. I'm heading to Altnatis. The rest of you deal with the situation here."
"Crystal Ranger and I are coming with you," White Ranger says firmly, "the monster here shouldn't take more than the Binary Zord One Armor Mode if this becomes a Zord battle. I doubt the fight on Atlantis will be one. Besides, if the rest of us are needed them we can always return and leave you backed up by the Knights of Atlantis."
"Fine then," Silver Ranger says, "Aqua Ranger can deal with the Putties while you ladies deal with the monster. I guess that does work best."
"We'll make a strategist out of you yet," Platinum Ranger teases. Silver Ranger just cocks his head as if sending a glare at her, then teleports out. White and Crystal Rangers soon follow.
"Okay, now how to deal with, tall, dark, and ugly?" Bronze Ranger asks as the two female Rangers turn to face their adversary.
"Well, we could try ranged attacks," Platinum Ranger suggests as she shifts her Platinum Partisan into the Platinum Staff and draws her Blade Blaster. Bronze Ranger does the same.
"Well, lets hope this works," Bronze Ranger says, "or at least works long enough for Aqua Ranger to come and help us."
~Alantis~
Atlantis was in havoc. It had not been attacked for nearly twelve thousand years. The Knights of Atlantis were all untried, and the wizards and mages were useless because of the creature's magic-dampening aura. Several buildings were badly damaged from fighting between the Knights of Atlantis and the monster. The Knights, completely overwhelmed by the creature, had already taken significant losses. There were no fatalities yet, but that was only a matter of time from the looks of things.
Matthias groans in pain as the creature once again slams him against the pillar of one of the numerous libraries. He had yet to be injured badly enough to keep from fighting the monster. He had accumulated some cuts and some bruises, but he had yet to take any injuries that were more serious than that. His sword, an elegant broadsword with a blade as long as his leg, the hilt gilded with gold and the pommel stone made of a single topaz, was chipped and notched from blocking vicious claw strikes. Other Knights had tried using longbows and crossbows, and a few others threw spears at the monster, but they couldn't manage enough force to penetrate the monsters skin with the spears and it dodged the arrows and crossbow bolts sent its way.
Matthias blocks another claw swipe, but the creature whips around and slams its tail into Matthias' side. Matthias is sent crumpling to the ground, his sword knocked far out of his reach. The creature advances on his prone form to finish him off.
The creature is about to strike when a pair of white and light blue beams hit it in the back. Matthias looks past the creature to see the Crystal and White Rangers holding their Blade Blasters. The creature roars and charges the two Rangers, but the Silver Ranger leaps out from behind the two newest Rangers and delivers a spinning dropkick to the monsters chest, sending it flying into a nearby pillar. The three Rangers rush over to Matthias' side.
"You okay?" Silver Ranger asks, "that was a nasty hit you took."
"I'll be fine," Matthias grunts as he gets back to his feet, "I just don't understand how that monster could have gotten here without anyone knowing. But beware. Its very dangerous. Some of your weapons may not work because they are weapons of pure magic."
"Basically my only weapon and the rest of the teams primary weapons," Silver Ranger nods, "you know, that's another thing. Why do I only have the Silver Staff and Silver Saber? I'm not sufficiently armed for all situations! If I lose my grip on my weapon or it becomes unavailable for some reason, I'm defenseless."
"Talk to Wizard Connerly about it," Matthias says, "just do your duty and destroy that monster."
"I hope we have the firepower needed to destroy it," Crystal Ranger says as he summons his Crystal Staff. He charges up a powerful energy blast and tries to release it, but can't. The dampening field prevented it from doing any more than gathering up the energy.
"Curse it," White Ranger mutters, "looks like we'll be going at it with our Blade Blasters. Not a promising thought."
"Perhaps not," Silver Ranger says as he summons his Silver Staff. He tries converting it into the Silver Saber and succeeds. "Looks like I won't be clubbing it with my Staff or banging it with my fists."
"Perhaps the two of us can deliver covering fire while you engage it close range," White Ranger suggests.
"Sure, let me engage the big bad monster while you two are comparatively safe," Silver Ranger mutters darkly, "but fine, I'll do it. Not like we got any better strategies."
The creature has already gotten back to its feet and was barreling down on the three Rangers. Silver Ranger leaps directly into the monsters path and braces himself while the other two Rangers and Matthias leap out of the way. The creature slashes at him with its right arm followed by an uppercut with its left arm. Silver Ranger blocks the first strike, but takes the full brunt of the uppercut. The monster follows up with a brutal spinning tail slash that catches the Silver Ranger in the side of the head, knocking him into the air and slamming him against a pillar. Silver Ranger crumples to the ground, barely conscious.
White and Crystal Rangers open fire with their Blade Blasters on the monster, keeping on the move so it couldn't get ahold of them, hoping to wear it with with a continuous barrage of energy. The monster opens its mouth and hisses. It then leaps at the White Ranger, who promptly peppers its torso with energy bolts from his Blade Blaster. The creature knocks the Blade Blaster out of the White Ranger's hand and delivers a powerful jab to the White Ranger's throat, cuasing the Ranger to collapse to the ground, his windpipe almost crushed.
"No!" Crystal Ranger summons his Crystal Staff and converts it into the Crystal Cutlass. He then leaps at the monster, firing nonstop with his Blade Blaster as he does so. The creature moves in to engage the Ranger close range. The two move in a flurry of sword strikes, energy bolts, claw slashes, tail strikes, and kicks and punches.
~at the other battle~
"This thing is strong!" Bronze Ranger manages as the monster wraps her up in a powerful bear hug. The monster had managed to overcome both of the female Rangers with relative ease, proving to be stronger and far more resilient than they had thought.
Platinum Ranger fires a blast from his Platinum Staff that singes the monsters back, forcing it to drop the Bronze Ranger. The monster turns and attacks, leaping at the Platinum Ranger. Platium Ranger responds by blasting the monster again with her Platinum Staff, this time adding a continuous beam from her Blade Blaster to hurt the monster some more. The monster hits the ground, but quickly gets back to its feet, snarling in anger. An aqua colored blast knocks it down to its knees.
The Aqua Ranger had finished with the Putties and had joined the main battle. With a quick motion of its hands, the Aqua Ranger is once again holding its Aqua Double Dirks and is rushing the monster.
"Use ranged attacks, I'll keep it pinned down!"
"Got it!" Bronze and Platinum Ranger say in unison. Bronze Ranger recovers her Bronze Battle Ax and shifts it into the Bronze Staff, then draws her Blade Blaster. Both women send streams of bronze and platinum colored energy at the monster, knocking it to its feet again, just in time for the Aqua Ranger to deliver a dropkick to its head. The creature stumbles back to its feet, only to receive another bronze and platinum stream of energy and several cuts from the Aqua Ranger.
The monster lashes out at Aqua Ranger, slicing into its shield with relative ease. It follows up with a heavy punch that dents the Aqua Ranger's shield and sends it flying. The Aqua Ranger quickly recovers and re-engages the monster in combat. Using both of its dirks, the Aqua Ranger is able to pin the monster down relatively well, leaving it wide open to energy blasts from the Bronze and Platinum Ranger.
The monster lashes out with its tail at the Aqua Ranger, but it does not catch the small Ranger off guard. Aqua Ranger backflips to avoid the tail lash, then leaps forward to strike the tail with a scissor-like motion with his dirks, severing a good portion of the monsters tail, causing it to yell in pain. Dark purple blood spurts from the severed tip of the tail as it flails around. However, the monster quickly brings its pain under control and glares at the Aqua Ranger, its tail waving behind it. Aqua Ranger watches in mute astonishment as the tip of the monsters tail regenerates before his very eyes.
Aqua Ranger doesn't even have a chance to move as the monster attacks again.
~back at Atlantis~
Matthias watches in awe as the Crystal Ranger valiantly fights the monster on his own. A quick snapping of the Crystal Ranger's wrist would turn the Blade Blaster into its Blade Mode for a swipe at the monsters gut while another, almost instantly after the attempted gutting, would change it back into its Blaster Mode and the Crystal Ranger would shoot the monster in the chest. Realizing that, despite the Crystal Rangers valiant battle, that the Ranger could not win on his own, Matthias rushes over to the Silver Ranger, who is momentarily getting back to his feet.
"You gonna be okay?" Matthias asks.
"I'll be okay as soon as my head stops throbbing and my back stops hurting," was Silver Rangers muttered reply, "I can't believe that thing is so strong. And with me only being able to use just my sword, I'm almost useless in this battle. I think I should head back to the other fight and send Aqua Ranger here. He's deadly with his dirks and he has a Blade Blaster so he can use ranged attacks."
"That might be a good idea," Matthias agrees, "but can three Rangers alone defeat this monstrosity? It dampens all magic in the area."
"Your right," Silver Ranger agrees, "if not for the unique power that the Morphers possess, we would likely be in worse shape than you Knights. Say, how large is this dampening field, anyway?"
"About fifty paces," Matthias replies, "why?"
"Because I gots me an idea," Silver Ranger replies, smirking underneath his helmet. The Silver Ranger breaks off in a run, making it to fifty paces away from the battle fairly quickly, and summons his Silver Staff.
"What good will that do you?" Matthias demands, "you can charge up an attack, but you won't be able to unleash it."
"Oh really?" Silver Ranger asks before sending out a silver energy blast at the monster. The beam continues on, seeming to slightly diminish as it gets closer to the creature. It hits the creature, but does no more than make it stumble.
"How did you do that?" Matthias demands.
"Get the mages and wizards, and tell them to stay at least sixty paces away from that thing," Silver Ranger orders, "have them charge up their most destructive spells and have them launch them from a distance. The attack spells will diminish as they get closer to the monster, but they will do some damage to it when they hit."
"Good plan," Matthias says, "how'd you think up such a plan?"
"I play a lot of video games," was Silver Rangers reply, which Matthias did not understand at all. He runs off to get the mages and wizards and tell them what to do.
~with the Bronze, Platinum, and Aqua Rangers~
All three Rangers are battered, their shields half ripped off and their armor slightly tattered. However, the monster they had been fighting was in roughly the same condition. Several cuts all over its body showed where it had been nicked with the Aqua Double Dirks, and the monster had been forced to regenerate the end of its tail a total of four times. Now the battle had turned even further into the favor of the three Rangers because of one simple fact that they had discovered.
The monster was stupid. Horrendously stupid, in fact. In a fit of desperation when it had been barreling down on her, Bronze Ranger had pointed the other way and yelled "Look over there!" Surprisingly, it worked. Repeatedly.
"Okay, so now we know that this monster is as dumb as a box of rocks," Bronze Ranger says, "any ideas of how to take advantage of that? It's still too strong for us to deliver a finishing blow to it."
"You two try your combination attack," Aqua Ranger says, "I'll distract it. When you launch your attack, I'll power up my own attack and add it to yours. The full power of the three of us should finish it off."
"And if it doesn't?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"Then we'd better hope that that thing gets crippled," Aqua Ranger replies evenly, "and that we can hold it off long enough for the others to join us."
~at Atlantis~
The mages and wizards of Atlantis, all of them at various ranks of mastery and levels of power, were gathered in one place for a single purpose. Such a case had not arisen since the Dark Specter attacked twelve thousand years ago. Now the assorted wizards, mages, and sorcerers of Atlantis were gathered together, powering up battle spells strong enough to do damage to the creature despite its magic dampening field.
Silver Ranger grins underneath his helmet. He knew he could count of the magic users of Atlantis. If they managed to destroy the monster, then the three Rangers in Atlantis would be able to go and help the rest of the team defeat the monster that was attacking their hometown.
Charging up the most powerful attack he could manage, Silver Ranger levels the Silver staff, aiming it directly at the monster, who was currently fighting both the Crystal and White Rangers. The rest of Atlantis' magic users do the same, leveling their scepters and staffs at the monster, or their hands, all depending on how they focused their magic.
"Now!" Silver Ranger yells, letting loose his attack in one big blast. Both the Crystal and White Rangers take their cue and leap high into the air. The monster looks up, confused, but it doesn't remain confused for long as the various magical attacks slam into it. If not for the monsters magic dampening field, it would have already been destroyed. As it was, the combined attacks hurt it badly, but it was far from being destroyed.
"No way!" Silver Ranger gasps, "it survived? That's just not possible!"
"Silver Ranger!" It was Connerly, and he was rushing to the Silver Ranger's side along with Alex.
"Yo dude, that was a mean plan, but everyone spent all of their power in that attack," Alex says, "none of us could even light up a candle. It's down to brute force now."
"And this recepticle of brute force is tapped out," Silver Ranger says, "I can't face that thing hand-to-hand, it's too powerful to take one with no kind of projectile weaponry. And we couldn't muster enough firepower with all of the magic users of Atlantis combining their power into a massive attack. And I'm guessing that that dampening field would even affect the Zords, so we can't use them."
"Then just hold him off until the other Rangers can make it here," Alex says, "I'm sure you can hold it off until then."
"I sure hope so," Silver Ranger says as White and Rangers engage the monster once again, "I sure hope so."
~with the Bronze, Platinum, and Aqua Rangers~
Bronze and Platinum Rangers summon their Bronze Battle Ax and Platinum Partisan and prepare for their most powerful attack. Platinum Ranger begins twirling her weapon over her head, building up energy. Bronze Ranger does the same. Aqua Ranger engages the monster close range, keeping it distracted from what the two female Rangers are doing. As the energy builds up, the two Rangers find it harder and harder to build up more. They were getting close to a full power blast.
"Now!" Aqua Ranger calls out as he leaps into the air, his dirks glowing with aqua energy as he powers up his own attack.
The two female Rangers let loose the energy energy in a combined stream of bronze and platinum light. The two attacks completely mesh and slam into the monster. At the same time of impact, Aqua Ranger slashes downwards with his Aqua Double dirks, launching his own attack. It hits the monster a few seconds after the Bronze and Platinum Rangers' attac and enhances the damage. A few moments later the monster explodes, showering the area with debri.
"Well, that was anti-climactic," Platinum Ranger mutters, "and it looks like it was destroyed too thoroughly for Dark Specter to ressurect it by making it grow."
"Lets head to Atlantis," Aqua Ranger says, "I have a feeling the other Raners need us."
"Right," Bronze and Platinum Rangers say in unison before all three Rangers teleport out in streams of bronze, platinum, and aqua light.
~at Atlantis~
Silver, Crystal, and White Rangers each have their hands full trying to contain the monster. It was too intelligent and too good a fighter for them to gang up on it. It kept dodging their attacks and making them hit each other. One on one with the other two using ranged attacks didn't work either because for the Silver Ranger to use a ranged attack he had to be at least fifty paces away from the monster and he couldn't stand up to the monster one on one long enough to do anything.
A trio of energy blasts, one bronze, another platinum, and the third aqua, strike the monster in the back. Just in time to keep the monster from slashing through the Silver Rangers throat.
"Good timing," Silver Ranger says as he rolls away from the monster, whose attention is now divided between all six Rangers.
"What is that thing?" Bronze Ranger demands.
"It's a Durl," Aqua Ranger says, "I fought one back during Dark Specter's attack one Atlantis. There were supposed to be eight of them, but we never found the eighth one. I guess it burrowed underground in some rural area and was never discovered. It must have slept for twelve thousand years. Durl are fast and highly intelligent. We had to use everything our wits would provide to destroy them one on one. I'm surprised you've done as well as you have with the Atlantean Ranger powers."
"It has a magic dampening field," Crystal Ranger adds, "but it only extends fifty paces from it. Silver Ranger came up with the idea of having every magic user in Atlantis pool their power into one big attack and launch it at it from outside the dampening field. The attacks diminished slowly once inside the field, but they all hit with some degree of strength. That's what has done most of the damage you see it sporting."
"Good idea," Aqua Ranger admits, "on Atlantis, we Rangers do not have to fight alone."
"Yeah, but the Knights just can't handle a monster like we can," Silver Ranger says, "they aren't well enough protected or experienced enough. Nothing against them, they can handle Spectrons quite well as well as any other foot soldier that would appear, but the monsters are out of their league."
"This monster may be as well," Crystal Ranger says, "I don't think the Atlantean Rangers are powerful enough to take it down."
"Have you tried the Endbringers?" Aqua Ranger asks.
"The what?" Silver Ranger demands.
"Guess you haven't," Aqua Ranger muses, "okay, the Endbringers are another forms out Staffs can take. They send out a magical blast of power that any one of us could take down a Zord-sized monster with. But it is extremely draining. As hard as we've been fighting, we'll likely demorph."
"But can they destroy the Durl?" Silver ranger asks.
"All six of us use our Endbringers as the same time, without a doubt," Aqua Ranger says, "even with the dampening field."
"Good," Silver Ranger says, "lets form up team."
"How are we gonna keep the Durl pinned down while the Endbringers charge up their attacks?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"I'll do it," Matthias says, "I'm in the ebst of shape out of all the Knights, and I've been studying that things movements. I can last long enough. Give me a warning before you fire and I'll be all right."
"You sure?" Silver Ranger asks.
"I swore an oath to protect Atlantis, even if it cost me my life," Matthias responds, "I'm sure."
"You're a good man," Silver Ranger says, "good luck."
"Thanks, I'll need it," Matthias says as he draws hiss word and rushes to face the Durl.
"Okay, how do we summon our Endbringers?" Silver Ranger asks Aqua Ranger.
"Like this," Aqua Ranger says as he summons his Aqua Staff, "Aqua Staff, Endbringer Mode!"
The Aqua Staff changes slightly, one end of it opening up into a gun barrel- like shaft. The Aqua Ranger hoists the Aqua Endbringer onto his shoulder like he was holding a rocket launcher. Aqua energy laced with gold begins to gather.
"Okay," Silver Ranger says, "Silver Staff, Endbringer Mode!"
The six points on the Silver Staff change positions until all six are at the end of the staff, forming a six pointed star when looking at them from the proper angle. The orb at the end of the staff opens up as silver energy laced with gold begins to form. Silver Ranger holds the Silver Endbringer like a rocket launcher.
"Bronze Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The points of what formed the ax blades of the Bronze Battle Axe swivel out, forming a dish at the end of the Bronze Staff. Bronze energy laced with gold begins to gather in the dish.
"Platinum Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The blade at the end of the Platinum Staff shifts around, almost like it was semi-liquid, until it forms a disc with a spike at the center of it. Platinum Ranger hoists the Platinum Endbringer onto her shoulder like a rocket launcher. Platinum energy laced with gold begins to gather along the spike.
"Crystal Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The Crystal Staff forms into an Endbringer very much like the Silver Rangers', and the Crystal Ranger holds it onto his shoulder like a rocket launcher as well. Metallic light blue energy laced with gold forms at the business end.
"White Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The end of the White Staff opens up, forming a gun barrel-like opening. White Ranger hoists the White Endbringer onto his shoulder like a rocket launcher, just like the res tof the Rangers. White energy laced with gold begins to form within the barrel of the White Endbringer.
"Matthias, move it!" Silver Ranger calls out. Matthias takes the warning and, after a slash to the Durl's gut, he breaks out into a run away from the monster.
All six Rangers call out in unison "Endbringer, fire!" and energy erupts from their Endbringers. The six streams of energy merged together and form seemingly a solid wall of multi-colored sparkling energy that clams into the Durl. The attack carries through the Durl, not even diminished by the dampening field. The Durl is destroyed by the attack, causing a sight of relief to ripple through those watching the battle.
The Rangers, however, do not sigh. One by one they each demorph and collapse to their knees.
"Well, at least that's over," Jesse mutters as a cheer begins to form within the crowd.
"Yup," Petite agrees, "the thing is, I don't think Dark Specter had this planned. Otherwise, I think both monsters may have shown up here on Atlantis, though in different parts."
"Dark Specter was behind that monster we fought," Bethany says, "I'm sure of it."
"Of that I have no doubt," Petite says, "but another battle like that one and we may be done for."
"Well, I'm going home to take a nap," Jesse says.
"I think I'll do the same," Nathan says as Ben echoes his sentiments, "that monster was brutal."
Jesse, Nathan, and Ben teleport out in streams of silver, white, and light blue light.
"Petite, would three Endbringers have destroyed the Durl?" Holly asks.
"With that magic dampening field, no less than five would have done it," Petite replies, "the Durl is about half as strong as an Atlantean Warrior, but with the magic dampening field an Atlantean Warrior is brought down to about three quarters strength. An Atlantean Ranger is not affected, but we are limited in what we can do against a Durl."
"I hope Dark Specter doesn't have any more Durl," Bethany says as she gets back to her feet, "otherwise, the Earth will be in some serious trouble."
~somewhere else, later tht day~
Six warriors, one in silver Ranger armor with a black shield with silver trim, one in bronze Ranger armor with a metallic bronze shield, one in platinum Ranger armor with a metallic platinum shield, one in a metallic light blue Ranger armor with a metallic light blue shield, one in white Ranger armor with a metallic white shield, and one in aqua Ranger armor with a metallic aqua shield fight a strange looking monster. It was gorilla- like in appearance, with spikes extending from its forearms and was wearing a familiar style of armor. All six of the apparent Rangers attack the monster in unison, driving it back.
A fireball hits the one in silver in the back. They turn around, and the observer turns around with him, as if seeing from the eyes of the one in silver. Standing before him is a being very familiar to the observer. He was wearing gold armor almost identical to the armor worn by the creature the others were fighting. He had large, black-feathered wings and a face that was like that of a gorilla mixed with a pug. In the monster's right hand was a browadsword as long as his leg. The monster laughs, a coarse, evil laugh that sends chills down the observer's spine with familiarity. The Ranger in silver armor charges the new monster, summong a sword of his own. The two fight, swords clashing in a spectacular display of swordsmanship.
The observer watches with interest as the monster known as Goldar fights the Ranger clad in silver, then in horror as Goldar knocks the silver-clad Ranger's sword out of his hand then knees him in the gut, sending the Ranger to his knees. Laughing, Goldar brings his sword above his hand, then delivers a vicious downslice aimed at the downed Rangers' neck. The observer tries to stop Goldar with a cry.
"NO!" A young man in his early twenties sits straight up in his bed, sweat- drenched from the dream he had just had. Getting out of bed, he walks to the bathroom and washes his face with water from the sink. He stares into the mirror, uncertainty reflected in his dark eyes.
"That was a dream of the future," the young man murmurs, "those Rangers I've only seen recently on the news. I've got to go and try to help them."
The young man goes and places in a call to some of his friends, telling them that he has something to take care of. He places in his call to his brother and discusses the dream. His brother agrees with him that he had just ahd a vision of the future, and that he must follow his heart and do what was right.
A day later, the young man is on a bus heading east. Wherever that place in his dream had been, it was east of where he currently was. Of course, that wasn't saying much since he was living on the west coast, in Angel Grove. He had to do what was right, and what was right was stopping Goldar from killing a Power Ranger.
~~
A little short than the lat few chapters, but good. How'd you like the end of this chapter? I'm not saying when the guy at the end of this chapter will appear, or who he is. Actually, I'm not sure when he'll appear, but it will be somewhere ein the next three chapters. As to who he is, he's gonna become one of the four mos timportant people in this entire story, the rest being some villains yet to be fully revealed.
Please tell me what you think. Like it? Hate it? Planning to eviscerate me? Please tell me what you think in a review.
By the way, have you heard the news? Tommy returns in the new Power Rangers Dino Thunder! I can so not wait for tomorrow to come.
~~
~aboard Dark Specter's spaceship~
Dark Specter was simmering. He had yet to conquer Earth, and had had no more success in doing so than any of the other evil forces to have attacked it. In fact, he had not even come as close as any of them had! Master Vile had almost totally wiped out the Power Rangers with his very first attack. So had Lord Zedd. The Machine Empire had brainwashed the Red Zeo Ranger and almost defeated the Power Rangers Zeo. Divatox herself had actually destroyed the Power Chamber and nearly defeated the Turbo Rangers, but only because he had sent Goldgoyle to aid her. And one of Count Dregon's monsters had beaten back the Masked Rider, but then he had called in the Masked Rider Warriors. And Rita Repulsa's Evil Green Ranger was still perhaps the closest anyone had ever come to conquering Earth. He had banished Zordon for a time, defeated the MegaZord and the Rangers, and had terrorized the Power Rangers for nearly a week. No other monster any villain had sent down in a long campaign had lasted that long. Even the other evil forces that were Earth-based, such as the Demon Queen Bansheera, had not done that well. Yes, she had destroyed the base of the Lightspeed Rangers and taken over some of their Zords, but they ahd beaten her still. The mutants that attacked Silver Hills were constantly being beaten and the Orgs that attacked Turtle Cove were not organized at all.
Darkonda had gone off in search of something he said would aid the Dark Specter in his conquests. He had discovered it a century ago, but having lost a few of his nine lives had weakened him too much to get the object. Now he was back at full strength so getting whatever it was would be all too easy. Darkonda had assured him that the item would grant him what he needed to destroy the Atlantean Rangers once and for all.
Dorit, Dark Specter's chief scientist, walks into his masters throne room. Of the same race as Rita Repulsa's monster baker Finster, Dorit was vicious and unscrupulous. In fact, the more unsavory the experiment, the more excited he got about it. His black robes were a contrast to Finster's choice of garb, but it fit his malignant personality. Only a few beings in the galaxy had ever been crueler than Dorit.
"Master, I bring you good news," Dorit says, bowing respectfully, his voice deeper than Finster's and holding more raw confidence.
"Speak, Dorit," Dark Specter rumbles, "tell me what you have invented now."
"Not invented, master, grown," Dorit answers with a sinister chuckle, "of late I have been experimenting with the genetic make-up of various vicious creatures in an attempt to make them tractable for your service, my lord. In the end I gave up, but then the idea came to me to just create an entirely new creature, taking the most admirable traits of my other specimens and implementing them in the new creature. It has taken me a few months, I had in fact started working on this before we had even set a course for Earth, but my work has finally come to fruition. My lord, may I present to you the Driel."
In walks a creature that did not look overly dangerous, but if Dorit called it a success then it was indeed quite dangerous. Standing perhaps six and a half feet tall, at least a good head taller than any of the Atlantean Ranger's, the creature was solid purplish-black except for the blood red circles on its shoulders. Its head had a draconic look, and its eyes were a glowing green. It had claws instead of fingers and a whiplike tail. It looked like a creature bred for combat, if it was as agile as it looked to be. Knowing Dorit's previous handiwork in genetics, it was more agile than it looked, and quite a bit stronger as well. And far, far more dangerous.
"This is your newest creation?" Dark Specter asks, slightly amused.
"Yes, my lord Dark Specter," Dorit answers, "this is the Driel. He is far from mature, but he is more than strong enough tod eal with those pesky Rangers. He is quite strong, almost equaling Darkonda in his strength and surpassing most of your minions in agility and its reflexes are as finely honed as they can get. It is ruled by instinct, but vocal instructions from either you or myself can reprogram its instincts on a genetic level. Your instructions take precedence, of course. The Atlantean Rangers would stand no chance against a fully mature Driel, but I am afraid that it would take two Earth years for this Driel to mature."
"A pity," Dark Specter says, "but it is quite capable of eliminating them now, is it not?"
"Yes, my lord," Dorit answers, "the only problem is that since it is not mature, it cannot be enlarged by any spell or mechanical means. I have been studying the genetic sample of one of the mutants that attack the city known as Silver Hills, trying to isolate the gene that triggers their own rapid growth, but I am afraid that I cannot locate it. Their DNA is quite complex."
"A pity," Dark Specter says, "coupled with a platoon of Spectrons, could it destroy the Atlantean Rangers?"
"I'm afraid that the Driel has strange reactions around the Spectrons, my lord," Dorit apologizes, "the Quantrons as well. It seems to react hostile towards robots."
"So if I sent it down, it would be alone, correct?" Dark Specter asks.
"Unless you wish to send something it won't attack with it, my lord," Dorit says.
Dark Specter's eyes light up with unholy glee. "Get out your Monster Matic and make up several batches of Putties. Three dozen should do fine. Since they are in essence only clay, if the Driel does destroy them then it will be no loss other than the time it took to make them."
"Yes, my lord," Dorit bows, "I shall get on it right away. Shall I use the Super Putty, or the regular clay?"
"The Super Putty, of course," Dark Specter commands, "normal Putties were too weak for even the Morphin Rangers to stop, even if your Monster Matic is far superior to Finster's old relic. Use the Super Putty. We have plenty of it."
"Yes, my lord," Dorit replies, bowing, then leaves the room, taking the Driel with him.
Dark Specter gazes out of the large window of his throne room, gazing at the Earth. "You had best not fail me, Dorit. I will be most displeased if you do."
~the next day~
Matthias, Knight of Atlantis and noble of the Clan Eldryn, was in a pensive mood. He had been promptly told off by his little sister, Eleanor, for his remarks towards to Silver Atlantean Ranger. Ranger. Ha! Atlantis did not need the Atlantean Rangers, it needed the Atlantean Warriors. The Atlantean Rangers were weak, absolutely nothing compared to even a single Atlantean Warrior. A single Atlantean Warrior could easily defeat the entire team of Atlantean Rangers.
As Matthias did his rounds through the largest marketplace in central Atlantis, the ground begins to shake. A crack appears in the middle of the street and a bipedal reptilian monster arises from the hole. The creature's skin was a vivid green. It wore a simple cloth loincloth and sloth gauntlets that were of a light brown color. The gauntlets were held in place, stretched by being attached to the creatures elbow spikes. A set of small spikes on each shoulder gave it the appearance of something not to be trifled with. It also had a spike that extended from its calves up past its kneecaps, making it apparent that a knee to the gut from this monster would be very unpleasant. Its lizardlike tail completed its reptilian appearance. Cords of muscle stressed against its skin, completing the appearance of a creature of raw power, but the intelligent gleam in its eyes kept the idea of this monster being a dumb brute from entering Matthias' mind.
Matthias draws his sword, ready to defend Atlantis from this monster. He did not know how it managed to get into Atlantis, but he would not let it threaten the citizens. With a yell, Matthias charges the monster, ready to lay down his life to stop it.
Bethany Black was in a pensive mood. Summer being constantly on call to save the world kept social gatherings to a minimum. Those few she did have were with the other Atlantean Rangers, save for Jesse who did not want to risk revealing their identities to Dark Specter since he was probably being observed. This meant that she only got to talk to most of her friends over the phone.
Life itself wasn't really bad, she just couldn't enjopy it as much as she wanted to. Being responsible for the safety of the Earth did tend to sap the fun out of life. It was wearing down on her. Dark Specter had taken to casting a spell on an inanimate object, creating many monsters. He kept sending them down, probably in hopes of wearing the Atlantean Ranger's down. That or to keep them off balance.
Bethany's communicator beeps. She brings it to her mouth, talking softly into it. "Bethany here. Go on."
Jesse's voice came from the voicebox of the communicator, making Bethany grimace slightly. The leader of the Atlantean Rangers was barely a leader. He wasn't resourceful, instead relying solely on the abilities he gained from the Silver Morpher to fight and lead.
"Bethany, we've got some problems. Morph and head to downtown Jackson. We've got a situation."
"Right," Bethany grumbles as she closes the communications channel. Summoning her Bronze Morpher, Bethany lets the magical energy flow through her. "It's Morphin Time! Bronze Power of Atlantis!"
She teleports out in a streak of bronze light.
~downtown Jackson~
The streets are overrun by dozens of Putties wreaking havoc. These Putties had not been seen since Lord Zedd had taken over trying to conquer the Earth from Rita Repulsa, but they were still far more formidable than any normal Earth police force.
The Atlantean Rangers teleport in, immediately summoning their weapons. They had long ago decided that they should always try to end a battle as quickly as possible, and since there were so many Putties they would need to destroy them quickly.
Crystal and Aqua Rangers fight back-to-back, Crystal Ranger's Crystal Cutlass and White Ranger's White Warhammer slice and smash any Putty that got close to the duo. Bronze and Platinum Ranger fought back-to-back as well, Bronze Ranger's Bronze Battle Ax and Platinum Ranger's Platinum Partisan cleaving any unfortunate Putty to get hit in half. Silver and Aqua Ranger's fought alone, but they both fought as well as any of the pairs. Aqua Ranger's Aqua Double Dirks blocked and parried any attack the Putties threw at it while at the same time it would deliver a fierce kick to a Putty followed by a double slash from its dirks. The Silver Ranger fought with his Silver Staff, occasionally sending out energy blasts at oncoming Putties. So far, despite the large number of enemies, the Ranger's were doing extremely well.
'What was Dark Specter thinking, sending down such weak creatures?' Bronze Ranger thinks, 'any one of us could take them all down. Any two of us could annihilate them. The six of us combined are far too much for them.'
As if to answer her question, a shadow passes over her head. A rather lage monster comes crashing down between the Crystal and White Rangers, whipping out its arms to hit them each in the lower back with a slash of its sharp claws, sending them rolling to the ground, writhing in pain. The claws had almost penetrated their armor.
Bronze and Platinum Ranger turn to face the monster. It was a head taller than any of the Rangers, and it was a purplish-black with a blood red circle on each shoulder. It had a draconic head and glowing green eyes that seemed to burn with raw evil. A whiplike tail wriggled around behind it. The two female Rangers look at each other and nod. Silver and Aqua Rangers could handle the Putties, they had to stop this beast now.
"So you're the newest monster, eh?" Bronze Ranger asks, "not much to look at, are you?"
"I wonder what Dark Specter used to make you," Platinum Ranger wonders aloud.
The monster just stares at the two Rangers emotionlessly. Its tail twitches, which is all the warning they get before it attacks ruthlessly. Moving almost as fast as the eye can perceive, and father than conscious reflexes, the monster slashes both Rangers across the chest with its claws, knocking them back, their shields sparking from the impact. The two girls recover and counterattack, Platinum Ranger moving in twirling her Platinum Partisan to give it momentum for a powerful blow while Bronze Ranger follows in after her, her Bronze Battle Ax held low for a vicious chop to the side.
The monster grabs the Platinum Partisan and pushes back, knocking the Platinum Ranger into the Bronze Ranger, sending them crumbling to the ground. The monster lets out a low hissing sound, almost like cruel laughter. It dives at the two female Rangers, its claws outstretched for a slash. A pair of energy bolts hit it mid-air and knock it off course. He tumbles to the ground, then rolls back to its feet without even flinching.
"This thing is tough," White Ranger says, "he's strong, and very dangerous."
"And those claws are sharp," Crystal Ranger adds, "it almost cut through our armor."
"It may have done that with raw strength," Platinum Ranger says as she gets back to her feet, "it almost wrenched my arms out of their sockets when it grabbed my partisan and shoved me into Bronze Ranger."
"And all these Putties running around isn't helping is, either," Crystal Ranger says as he delivers a spin kick to an oncoming Putty, sending it flying, "they're weak, but there are a lot of them."
"Now only that, but unless we incinerate them with an energy blast they seem to just regenerate," Platinum Ranger adds.
"Well, Silver and Aqua Rangers can deal with the Putties," White Ranger says, "the rest of us can deal with this monster."
"I'm afraid you're wrong, White Ranger," Connerly's voice comes from their communicator's, "a monster has somehow gotten to Atlantis. It's too strong for the Knights of Atlantis and its mere presence seems to nullify Atlantean magic. Some of you will have to come to Atlantis to hold it off."
"We'll go," White Ranger says, "we have the raw power that'll be needed. This monster will require brains."
Silver Ranger runs up to them. "You got Connerly's message? Good. I'm heading to Altnatis. The rest of you deal with the situation here."
"Crystal Ranger and I are coming with you," White Ranger says firmly, "the monster here shouldn't take more than the Binary Zord One Armor Mode if this becomes a Zord battle. I doubt the fight on Atlantis will be one. Besides, if the rest of us are needed them we can always return and leave you backed up by the Knights of Atlantis."
"Fine then," Silver Ranger says, "Aqua Ranger can deal with the Putties while you ladies deal with the monster. I guess that does work best."
"We'll make a strategist out of you yet," Platinum Ranger teases. Silver Ranger just cocks his head as if sending a glare at her, then teleports out. White and Crystal Rangers soon follow.
"Okay, now how to deal with, tall, dark, and ugly?" Bronze Ranger asks as the two female Rangers turn to face their adversary.
"Well, we could try ranged attacks," Platinum Ranger suggests as she shifts her Platinum Partisan into the Platinum Staff and draws her Blade Blaster. Bronze Ranger does the same.
"Well, lets hope this works," Bronze Ranger says, "or at least works long enough for Aqua Ranger to come and help us."
~Alantis~
Atlantis was in havoc. It had not been attacked for nearly twelve thousand years. The Knights of Atlantis were all untried, and the wizards and mages were useless because of the creature's magic-dampening aura. Several buildings were badly damaged from fighting between the Knights of Atlantis and the monster. The Knights, completely overwhelmed by the creature, had already taken significant losses. There were no fatalities yet, but that was only a matter of time from the looks of things.
Matthias groans in pain as the creature once again slams him against the pillar of one of the numerous libraries. He had yet to be injured badly enough to keep from fighting the monster. He had accumulated some cuts and some bruises, but he had yet to take any injuries that were more serious than that. His sword, an elegant broadsword with a blade as long as his leg, the hilt gilded with gold and the pommel stone made of a single topaz, was chipped and notched from blocking vicious claw strikes. Other Knights had tried using longbows and crossbows, and a few others threw spears at the monster, but they couldn't manage enough force to penetrate the monsters skin with the spears and it dodged the arrows and crossbow bolts sent its way.
Matthias blocks another claw swipe, but the creature whips around and slams its tail into Matthias' side. Matthias is sent crumpling to the ground, his sword knocked far out of his reach. The creature advances on his prone form to finish him off.
The creature is about to strike when a pair of white and light blue beams hit it in the back. Matthias looks past the creature to see the Crystal and White Rangers holding their Blade Blasters. The creature roars and charges the two Rangers, but the Silver Ranger leaps out from behind the two newest Rangers and delivers a spinning dropkick to the monsters chest, sending it flying into a nearby pillar. The three Rangers rush over to Matthias' side.
"You okay?" Silver Ranger asks, "that was a nasty hit you took."
"I'll be fine," Matthias grunts as he gets back to his feet, "I just don't understand how that monster could have gotten here without anyone knowing. But beware. Its very dangerous. Some of your weapons may not work because they are weapons of pure magic."
"Basically my only weapon and the rest of the teams primary weapons," Silver Ranger nods, "you know, that's another thing. Why do I only have the Silver Staff and Silver Saber? I'm not sufficiently armed for all situations! If I lose my grip on my weapon or it becomes unavailable for some reason, I'm defenseless."
"Talk to Wizard Connerly about it," Matthias says, "just do your duty and destroy that monster."
"I hope we have the firepower needed to destroy it," Crystal Ranger says as he summons his Crystal Staff. He charges up a powerful energy blast and tries to release it, but can't. The dampening field prevented it from doing any more than gathering up the energy.
"Curse it," White Ranger mutters, "looks like we'll be going at it with our Blade Blasters. Not a promising thought."
"Perhaps not," Silver Ranger says as he summons his Silver Staff. He tries converting it into the Silver Saber and succeeds. "Looks like I won't be clubbing it with my Staff or banging it with my fists."
"Perhaps the two of us can deliver covering fire while you engage it close range," White Ranger suggests.
"Sure, let me engage the big bad monster while you two are comparatively safe," Silver Ranger mutters darkly, "but fine, I'll do it. Not like we got any better strategies."
The creature has already gotten back to its feet and was barreling down on the three Rangers. Silver Ranger leaps directly into the monsters path and braces himself while the other two Rangers and Matthias leap out of the way. The creature slashes at him with its right arm followed by an uppercut with its left arm. Silver Ranger blocks the first strike, but takes the full brunt of the uppercut. The monster follows up with a brutal spinning tail slash that catches the Silver Ranger in the side of the head, knocking him into the air and slamming him against a pillar. Silver Ranger crumples to the ground, barely conscious.
White and Crystal Rangers open fire with their Blade Blasters on the monster, keeping on the move so it couldn't get ahold of them, hoping to wear it with with a continuous barrage of energy. The monster opens its mouth and hisses. It then leaps at the White Ranger, who promptly peppers its torso with energy bolts from his Blade Blaster. The creature knocks the Blade Blaster out of the White Ranger's hand and delivers a powerful jab to the White Ranger's throat, cuasing the Ranger to collapse to the ground, his windpipe almost crushed.
"No!" Crystal Ranger summons his Crystal Staff and converts it into the Crystal Cutlass. He then leaps at the monster, firing nonstop with his Blade Blaster as he does so. The creature moves in to engage the Ranger close range. The two move in a flurry of sword strikes, energy bolts, claw slashes, tail strikes, and kicks and punches.
~at the other battle~
"This thing is strong!" Bronze Ranger manages as the monster wraps her up in a powerful bear hug. The monster had managed to overcome both of the female Rangers with relative ease, proving to be stronger and far more resilient than they had thought.
Platinum Ranger fires a blast from his Platinum Staff that singes the monsters back, forcing it to drop the Bronze Ranger. The monster turns and attacks, leaping at the Platinum Ranger. Platium Ranger responds by blasting the monster again with her Platinum Staff, this time adding a continuous beam from her Blade Blaster to hurt the monster some more. The monster hits the ground, but quickly gets back to its feet, snarling in anger. An aqua colored blast knocks it down to its knees.
The Aqua Ranger had finished with the Putties and had joined the main battle. With a quick motion of its hands, the Aqua Ranger is once again holding its Aqua Double Dirks and is rushing the monster.
"Use ranged attacks, I'll keep it pinned down!"
"Got it!" Bronze and Platinum Ranger say in unison. Bronze Ranger recovers her Bronze Battle Ax and shifts it into the Bronze Staff, then draws her Blade Blaster. Both women send streams of bronze and platinum colored energy at the monster, knocking it to its feet again, just in time for the Aqua Ranger to deliver a dropkick to its head. The creature stumbles back to its feet, only to receive another bronze and platinum stream of energy and several cuts from the Aqua Ranger.
The monster lashes out at Aqua Ranger, slicing into its shield with relative ease. It follows up with a heavy punch that dents the Aqua Ranger's shield and sends it flying. The Aqua Ranger quickly recovers and re-engages the monster in combat. Using both of its dirks, the Aqua Ranger is able to pin the monster down relatively well, leaving it wide open to energy blasts from the Bronze and Platinum Ranger.
The monster lashes out with its tail at the Aqua Ranger, but it does not catch the small Ranger off guard. Aqua Ranger backflips to avoid the tail lash, then leaps forward to strike the tail with a scissor-like motion with his dirks, severing a good portion of the monsters tail, causing it to yell in pain. Dark purple blood spurts from the severed tip of the tail as it flails around. However, the monster quickly brings its pain under control and glares at the Aqua Ranger, its tail waving behind it. Aqua Ranger watches in mute astonishment as the tip of the monsters tail regenerates before his very eyes.
Aqua Ranger doesn't even have a chance to move as the monster attacks again.
~back at Atlantis~
Matthias watches in awe as the Crystal Ranger valiantly fights the monster on his own. A quick snapping of the Crystal Ranger's wrist would turn the Blade Blaster into its Blade Mode for a swipe at the monsters gut while another, almost instantly after the attempted gutting, would change it back into its Blaster Mode and the Crystal Ranger would shoot the monster in the chest. Realizing that, despite the Crystal Rangers valiant battle, that the Ranger could not win on his own, Matthias rushes over to the Silver Ranger, who is momentarily getting back to his feet.
"You gonna be okay?" Matthias asks.
"I'll be okay as soon as my head stops throbbing and my back stops hurting," was Silver Rangers muttered reply, "I can't believe that thing is so strong. And with me only being able to use just my sword, I'm almost useless in this battle. I think I should head back to the other fight and send Aqua Ranger here. He's deadly with his dirks and he has a Blade Blaster so he can use ranged attacks."
"That might be a good idea," Matthias agrees, "but can three Rangers alone defeat this monstrosity? It dampens all magic in the area."
"Your right," Silver Ranger agrees, "if not for the unique power that the Morphers possess, we would likely be in worse shape than you Knights. Say, how large is this dampening field, anyway?"
"About fifty paces," Matthias replies, "why?"
"Because I gots me an idea," Silver Ranger replies, smirking underneath his helmet. The Silver Ranger breaks off in a run, making it to fifty paces away from the battle fairly quickly, and summons his Silver Staff.
"What good will that do you?" Matthias demands, "you can charge up an attack, but you won't be able to unleash it."
"Oh really?" Silver Ranger asks before sending out a silver energy blast at the monster. The beam continues on, seeming to slightly diminish as it gets closer to the creature. It hits the creature, but does no more than make it stumble.
"How did you do that?" Matthias demands.
"Get the mages and wizards, and tell them to stay at least sixty paces away from that thing," Silver Ranger orders, "have them charge up their most destructive spells and have them launch them from a distance. The attack spells will diminish as they get closer to the monster, but they will do some damage to it when they hit."
"Good plan," Matthias says, "how'd you think up such a plan?"
"I play a lot of video games," was Silver Rangers reply, which Matthias did not understand at all. He runs off to get the mages and wizards and tell them what to do.
~with the Bronze, Platinum, and Aqua Rangers~
All three Rangers are battered, their shields half ripped off and their armor slightly tattered. However, the monster they had been fighting was in roughly the same condition. Several cuts all over its body showed where it had been nicked with the Aqua Double Dirks, and the monster had been forced to regenerate the end of its tail a total of four times. Now the battle had turned even further into the favor of the three Rangers because of one simple fact that they had discovered.
The monster was stupid. Horrendously stupid, in fact. In a fit of desperation when it had been barreling down on her, Bronze Ranger had pointed the other way and yelled "Look over there!" Surprisingly, it worked. Repeatedly.
"Okay, so now we know that this monster is as dumb as a box of rocks," Bronze Ranger says, "any ideas of how to take advantage of that? It's still too strong for us to deliver a finishing blow to it."
"You two try your combination attack," Aqua Ranger says, "I'll distract it. When you launch your attack, I'll power up my own attack and add it to yours. The full power of the three of us should finish it off."
"And if it doesn't?" Platinum Ranger asks.
"Then we'd better hope that that thing gets crippled," Aqua Ranger replies evenly, "and that we can hold it off long enough for the others to join us."
~at Atlantis~
The mages and wizards of Atlantis, all of them at various ranks of mastery and levels of power, were gathered in one place for a single purpose. Such a case had not arisen since the Dark Specter attacked twelve thousand years ago. Now the assorted wizards, mages, and sorcerers of Atlantis were gathered together, powering up battle spells strong enough to do damage to the creature despite its magic dampening field.
Silver Ranger grins underneath his helmet. He knew he could count of the magic users of Atlantis. If they managed to destroy the monster, then the three Rangers in Atlantis would be able to go and help the rest of the team defeat the monster that was attacking their hometown.
Charging up the most powerful attack he could manage, Silver Ranger levels the Silver staff, aiming it directly at the monster, who was currently fighting both the Crystal and White Rangers. The rest of Atlantis' magic users do the same, leveling their scepters and staffs at the monster, or their hands, all depending on how they focused their magic.
"Now!" Silver Ranger yells, letting loose his attack in one big blast. Both the Crystal and White Rangers take their cue and leap high into the air. The monster looks up, confused, but it doesn't remain confused for long as the various magical attacks slam into it. If not for the monsters magic dampening field, it would have already been destroyed. As it was, the combined attacks hurt it badly, but it was far from being destroyed.
"No way!" Silver Ranger gasps, "it survived? That's just not possible!"
"Silver Ranger!" It was Connerly, and he was rushing to the Silver Ranger's side along with Alex.
"Yo dude, that was a mean plan, but everyone spent all of their power in that attack," Alex says, "none of us could even light up a candle. It's down to brute force now."
"And this recepticle of brute force is tapped out," Silver Ranger says, "I can't face that thing hand-to-hand, it's too powerful to take one with no kind of projectile weaponry. And we couldn't muster enough firepower with all of the magic users of Atlantis combining their power into a massive attack. And I'm guessing that that dampening field would even affect the Zords, so we can't use them."
"Then just hold him off until the other Rangers can make it here," Alex says, "I'm sure you can hold it off until then."
"I sure hope so," Silver Ranger says as White and Rangers engage the monster once again, "I sure hope so."
~with the Bronze, Platinum, and Aqua Rangers~
Bronze and Platinum Rangers summon their Bronze Battle Ax and Platinum Partisan and prepare for their most powerful attack. Platinum Ranger begins twirling her weapon over her head, building up energy. Bronze Ranger does the same. Aqua Ranger engages the monster close range, keeping it distracted from what the two female Rangers are doing. As the energy builds up, the two Rangers find it harder and harder to build up more. They were getting close to a full power blast.
"Now!" Aqua Ranger calls out as he leaps into the air, his dirks glowing with aqua energy as he powers up his own attack.
The two female Rangers let loose the energy energy in a combined stream of bronze and platinum light. The two attacks completely mesh and slam into the monster. At the same time of impact, Aqua Ranger slashes downwards with his Aqua Double dirks, launching his own attack. It hits the monster a few seconds after the Bronze and Platinum Rangers' attac and enhances the damage. A few moments later the monster explodes, showering the area with debri.
"Well, that was anti-climactic," Platinum Ranger mutters, "and it looks like it was destroyed too thoroughly for Dark Specter to ressurect it by making it grow."
"Lets head to Atlantis," Aqua Ranger says, "I have a feeling the other Raners need us."
"Right," Bronze and Platinum Rangers say in unison before all three Rangers teleport out in streams of bronze, platinum, and aqua light.
~at Atlantis~
Silver, Crystal, and White Rangers each have their hands full trying to contain the monster. It was too intelligent and too good a fighter for them to gang up on it. It kept dodging their attacks and making them hit each other. One on one with the other two using ranged attacks didn't work either because for the Silver Ranger to use a ranged attack he had to be at least fifty paces away from the monster and he couldn't stand up to the monster one on one long enough to do anything.
A trio of energy blasts, one bronze, another platinum, and the third aqua, strike the monster in the back. Just in time to keep the monster from slashing through the Silver Rangers throat.
"Good timing," Silver Ranger says as he rolls away from the monster, whose attention is now divided between all six Rangers.
"What is that thing?" Bronze Ranger demands.
"It's a Durl," Aqua Ranger says, "I fought one back during Dark Specter's attack one Atlantis. There were supposed to be eight of them, but we never found the eighth one. I guess it burrowed underground in some rural area and was never discovered. It must have slept for twelve thousand years. Durl are fast and highly intelligent. We had to use everything our wits would provide to destroy them one on one. I'm surprised you've done as well as you have with the Atlantean Ranger powers."
"It has a magic dampening field," Crystal Ranger adds, "but it only extends fifty paces from it. Silver Ranger came up with the idea of having every magic user in Atlantis pool their power into one big attack and launch it at it from outside the dampening field. The attacks diminished slowly once inside the field, but they all hit with some degree of strength. That's what has done most of the damage you see it sporting."
"Good idea," Aqua Ranger admits, "on Atlantis, we Rangers do not have to fight alone."
"Yeah, but the Knights just can't handle a monster like we can," Silver Ranger says, "they aren't well enough protected or experienced enough. Nothing against them, they can handle Spectrons quite well as well as any other foot soldier that would appear, but the monsters are out of their league."
"This monster may be as well," Crystal Ranger says, "I don't think the Atlantean Rangers are powerful enough to take it down."
"Have you tried the Endbringers?" Aqua Ranger asks.
"The what?" Silver Ranger demands.
"Guess you haven't," Aqua Ranger muses, "okay, the Endbringers are another forms out Staffs can take. They send out a magical blast of power that any one of us could take down a Zord-sized monster with. But it is extremely draining. As hard as we've been fighting, we'll likely demorph."
"But can they destroy the Durl?" Silver ranger asks.
"All six of us use our Endbringers as the same time, without a doubt," Aqua Ranger says, "even with the dampening field."
"Good," Silver Ranger says, "lets form up team."
"How are we gonna keep the Durl pinned down while the Endbringers charge up their attacks?" Bronze Ranger asks.
"I'll do it," Matthias says, "I'm in the ebst of shape out of all the Knights, and I've been studying that things movements. I can last long enough. Give me a warning before you fire and I'll be all right."
"You sure?" Silver Ranger asks.
"I swore an oath to protect Atlantis, even if it cost me my life," Matthias responds, "I'm sure."
"You're a good man," Silver Ranger says, "good luck."
"Thanks, I'll need it," Matthias says as he draws hiss word and rushes to face the Durl.
"Okay, how do we summon our Endbringers?" Silver Ranger asks Aqua Ranger.
"Like this," Aqua Ranger says as he summons his Aqua Staff, "Aqua Staff, Endbringer Mode!"
The Aqua Staff changes slightly, one end of it opening up into a gun barrel- like shaft. The Aqua Ranger hoists the Aqua Endbringer onto his shoulder like he was holding a rocket launcher. Aqua energy laced with gold begins to gather.
"Okay," Silver Ranger says, "Silver Staff, Endbringer Mode!"
The six points on the Silver Staff change positions until all six are at the end of the staff, forming a six pointed star when looking at them from the proper angle. The orb at the end of the staff opens up as silver energy laced with gold begins to form. Silver Ranger holds the Silver Endbringer like a rocket launcher.
"Bronze Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The points of what formed the ax blades of the Bronze Battle Axe swivel out, forming a dish at the end of the Bronze Staff. Bronze energy laced with gold begins to gather in the dish.
"Platinum Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The blade at the end of the Platinum Staff shifts around, almost like it was semi-liquid, until it forms a disc with a spike at the center of it. Platinum Ranger hoists the Platinum Endbringer onto her shoulder like a rocket launcher. Platinum energy laced with gold begins to gather along the spike.
"Crystal Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The Crystal Staff forms into an Endbringer very much like the Silver Rangers', and the Crystal Ranger holds it onto his shoulder like a rocket launcher as well. Metallic light blue energy laced with gold forms at the business end.
"White Staff, Endbringer Mode!" The end of the White Staff opens up, forming a gun barrel-like opening. White Ranger hoists the White Endbringer onto his shoulder like a rocket launcher, just like the res tof the Rangers. White energy laced with gold begins to form within the barrel of the White Endbringer.
"Matthias, move it!" Silver Ranger calls out. Matthias takes the warning and, after a slash to the Durl's gut, he breaks out into a run away from the monster.
All six Rangers call out in unison "Endbringer, fire!" and energy erupts from their Endbringers. The six streams of energy merged together and form seemingly a solid wall of multi-colored sparkling energy that clams into the Durl. The attack carries through the Durl, not even diminished by the dampening field. The Durl is destroyed by the attack, causing a sight of relief to ripple through those watching the battle.
The Rangers, however, do not sigh. One by one they each demorph and collapse to their knees.
"Well, at least that's over," Jesse mutters as a cheer begins to form within the crowd.
"Yup," Petite agrees, "the thing is, I don't think Dark Specter had this planned. Otherwise, I think both monsters may have shown up here on Atlantis, though in different parts."
"Dark Specter was behind that monster we fought," Bethany says, "I'm sure of it."
"Of that I have no doubt," Petite says, "but another battle like that one and we may be done for."
"Well, I'm going home to take a nap," Jesse says.
"I think I'll do the same," Nathan says as Ben echoes his sentiments, "that monster was brutal."
Jesse, Nathan, and Ben teleport out in streams of silver, white, and light blue light.
"Petite, would three Endbringers have destroyed the Durl?" Holly asks.
"With that magic dampening field, no less than five would have done it," Petite replies, "the Durl is about half as strong as an Atlantean Warrior, but with the magic dampening field an Atlantean Warrior is brought down to about three quarters strength. An Atlantean Ranger is not affected, but we are limited in what we can do against a Durl."
"I hope Dark Specter doesn't have any more Durl," Bethany says as she gets back to her feet, "otherwise, the Earth will be in some serious trouble."
~somewhere else, later tht day~
Six warriors, one in silver Ranger armor with a black shield with silver trim, one in bronze Ranger armor with a metallic bronze shield, one in platinum Ranger armor with a metallic platinum shield, one in a metallic light blue Ranger armor with a metallic light blue shield, one in white Ranger armor with a metallic white shield, and one in aqua Ranger armor with a metallic aqua shield fight a strange looking monster. It was gorilla- like in appearance, with spikes extending from its forearms and was wearing a familiar style of armor. All six of the apparent Rangers attack the monster in unison, driving it back.
A fireball hits the one in silver in the back. They turn around, and the observer turns around with him, as if seeing from the eyes of the one in silver. Standing before him is a being very familiar to the observer. He was wearing gold armor almost identical to the armor worn by the creature the others were fighting. He had large, black-feathered wings and a face that was like that of a gorilla mixed with a pug. In the monster's right hand was a browadsword as long as his leg. The monster laughs, a coarse, evil laugh that sends chills down the observer's spine with familiarity. The Ranger in silver armor charges the new monster, summong a sword of his own. The two fight, swords clashing in a spectacular display of swordsmanship.
The observer watches with interest as the monster known as Goldar fights the Ranger clad in silver, then in horror as Goldar knocks the silver-clad Ranger's sword out of his hand then knees him in the gut, sending the Ranger to his knees. Laughing, Goldar brings his sword above his hand, then delivers a vicious downslice aimed at the downed Rangers' neck. The observer tries to stop Goldar with a cry.
"NO!" A young man in his early twenties sits straight up in his bed, sweat- drenched from the dream he had just had. Getting out of bed, he walks to the bathroom and washes his face with water from the sink. He stares into the mirror, uncertainty reflected in his dark eyes.
"That was a dream of the future," the young man murmurs, "those Rangers I've only seen recently on the news. I've got to go and try to help them."
The young man goes and places in a call to some of his friends, telling them that he has something to take care of. He places in his call to his brother and discusses the dream. His brother agrees with him that he had just ahd a vision of the future, and that he must follow his heart and do what was right.
A day later, the young man is on a bus heading east. Wherever that place in his dream had been, it was east of where he currently was. Of course, that wasn't saying much since he was living on the west coast, in Angel Grove. He had to do what was right, and what was right was stopping Goldar from killing a Power Ranger.
~~
A little short than the lat few chapters, but good. How'd you like the end of this chapter? I'm not saying when the guy at the end of this chapter will appear, or who he is. Actually, I'm not sure when he'll appear, but it will be somewhere ein the next three chapters. As to who he is, he's gonna become one of the four mos timportant people in this entire story, the rest being some villains yet to be fully revealed.
Please tell me what you think. Like it? Hate it? Planning to eviscerate me? Please tell me what you think in a review.