Chapter Four

Matt slowly walked up the road with his gear back slung over his shoulder, and slight frown upon his face. It had happened again last night. He once again found himself dreaming, about his cousins. He couldn't understand why.

Flash Back

Matt found himself staring at the man across from him, he was strange looking, he wore dark clothes and his skin was a slightly green color.

He looked down at himself for a second and found himself dressed in his uniform, a white v-neck top with white pants, and his red belt with a black stripe tied around his waste. He couldn't understand why he was wearing it.

"Matt run!" said a voice.

Looking up Matt saw Leo and Mike trying to battle the strange being. Before they could touch him though, he had drawn his sword.

"You pitiful fools cannot stop me," the man snarled evilly, with that he brought his blade across Mikes chest. It exploded and blood spirited from the massive wound. Mike collapsed to the ground and lay still.

"No, Mike!" Matt shouted in horror.

Leo then attempted to try and help Mike and met with a similar fate as the sword was driven through his chest. The blade flew out his back and blood exploded from his mouth as well as the wound. He too collapsed.

"Leo!" Matt yelled trying to run forward, but found that his feet seemed stuck to the ground.

"No it is your turn!" snarled the man has he lashed out and kicked Matt square in the gut.

Matt flew backward and landed on his back. As he tried to sit up, a foot planted itself on his chest and forced him back down. The man stood over him and grinned evilly. "Now you die!" he sneered as he lifted his bloody sword, the blade glistened in the light and then came swooping down towards him.

"Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!........"

End Flash Back

Matt snapped himself out of the memory to find that he'd taken a different route to the school. As he began to try and get his bearings again, he was startled by a clap of thunder and looked up to find that the sky had darkened. Suddenly no more than twenty feet away a glow appeared and a sort of vortex began to form.

Matt could faintly see into the vortex and thought he saw what looked like a sort of park on the other side. Before he could understand why, he suddenly found himself walking towards it. He stopped about a foot away and stared at it in wonder. Slowly he reached towards it and before he could utter a cry he was pulled in.

Karone stared at the group of kids in front of her as they played dodge ball. She tried to keep her attention focused on them but instead she kept finding herself focused more on Leo and the day before. She needed to talk to him, but he had called in sick that day. She knew the real reason though. "He's trying to avoid me." The thought made her feel a sudden ounce of sorrow. She wished she could just talk to him.

Her thoughts were suddenly disrupted as a loud clap of thunder snapped her back to attention. She looked up to seek the sky had darkened behind her near a group of trees across the park, then there was a flash. Almost instantly the clouds seemed to vanish and the sky was clear again. "That's odd," she said out loud, "I wonder what that was."

Before she ponder it anymore, Deviot appeared with an army of Stingwingers. The people in the park scream in fright and turned and ran. The children ran to Karone frightened and unsure what to do.

"Run you guys," she said as she pointed in the opposite direction. The children hesitated, then turned and ran.

Karone waited until they were a safe distance away then turned and glared at Deviot. "I thought you were destroyed," she said coldly.

"Not as much as you hoped," Deviot said with an evil metallic laugh, "My Master Skokahn has restored me so that I may have my revenge!"

"Not this time Deviot," Leo said as he and the other Rangers appeared morphed and ready for action.

"Ah Rangers, so nice to see you," Deviot snarled, "Your just in time for your funerals."

Matt stood up and brushed the grass of his clothes and looked around. "Where am I?" he said out loud. Before he had time to think a group of little children came running up towards him.

"Hey mister you better run," said a little boy, "There's an army of monsters attacking and their battling the Power Rangers."

"Power Rangers," Matt said his eyes widening. He looked down at the kids, in front of him. "Thanks for the warning, you kids better stay here where it's safe."

He carefully made his way over to where the trees parted and found himself a witness to the battle going on in front of him. The Rangers were in the midst of fight an almost losing battle with Deviot and his forces. They were out numbered at least four to one. Unsure why, Matt felt himself overcome with an urge to help them, throwing caution to the wind he began to run from the trees towards the fight.

Try as the Rangers did, they found themselves outnumbered by Deviot's forces and soon felt to the blows. As they lay on the ground squirming in pain, they demorphed and were quickly grabbed and held securely by some of the Stingwingers.

"Well Rangers, looks like you've lost this battle," Deviot sneered. "Now to make this victory even more sweet Red Ranger, I think I'll take away something that you value a great deal." He turned as a group of Stingwingers approached from behind with Karone. Her arms were pinned behind her back and she looked at Leo in with fear in her eyes.

"Let her go Deviot," Leo shouted.

"I think not," Deviot said with a metallic laugh. He turned to Karone and drew his sword. He pointed the blade at her and raised it high. "Time to die!"

Karone closed her eyes and a tear ran down her cheek, as she waited for the blow to come.

Suddenly she heard what sounded like running feet and a powerfully loud shout that seemed to come from behind her and travel over her head, it was followed by a loud grunt and cry of surprise and then the sound of someone's body hitting the ground. She opened her eyes to see Deviot lying on the ground twenty feet away gasping for air. Standing fifteen feet in front of her was a young man with his back to her, he was tall, and wore gray sneakers, a pair of slightly faded blue jeans, and a light blue khaki shirt that fluttered in the breeze revealing a white t-shirt underneath, his hair was cut short from what she could see from the back, and he was in a deep fighting stance.

The two Stingwingers that were holding Karone shoved her to the ground and ran towards their leader's attacker. As Karone sat up she watched in awe. As if sensing an attack from behind, the young man yelled and back flipped over the two Stingerwingers. Landing behind them he waited until they had turned and then jumped up and delivered a split-front kick to the two knocking them to the ground. As he looked up, Deviot had struggled to his feet.

"If it's fight you want loser, then your fight's with me," he said coldly.

"Destroy him!" Deviot snarled, turning to Leo Deviot growled: "This isn't over Red Ranger." In a flash he vanished.

As the Stingewingers approached, Matt glared at them and said: "Oh yeah, this is going to be a regular picnic." With a loud kiap he ran towards the swarm. He jumped in the air and brought the first wave down with a flying side kick that sent them tumbling back. Running forward Matt began bringing them down with rapid round house kicks, back kicks, spin kicks, and punching combinations.

Leo watched in amazement at the site in front of him. He'd never seen someone move so fast. Or with such skill. There was also something familiar about the way the young man fought. Leo looked at him but he was too far away to get a good look at him.

Matt flew backward and landed on his back after taking a somewhat hard kick to the gut. Doing a kick-up, he snapped himself upright and was back on his feet in less than ten seconds. "Nice try," he said with a mocking smile, "But no cigar pal." With that he jumped back kicked the Stingwinger sending him flying backwards into another group of the insects knocking them all down. "Strike," Matt said with a grin.

Picking themselves up and nursing their wounds, the Stingwingers saw the look of determination on Matt's face. Looking at one another they nodded their heads and vanished in a flash.

"Party poopers," Matt said as he shook his head. His expression softened and he turned his attention to the young blonde hair woman who was still sitting on the ground staring at him in amazement.

"Are you okay?" he asked offering her his hand. She nodded slowly and took it, and he slowly helped her up.

"Yes," she said, still staring at him, "That was amazing, how'd you do that?"

Matt grinned and said, "Lot's of training."

Before he could say anymore Leo and the others came running up towards them. Mike who had heard the report about the monster attack had joined them. As they approached, the first thing Leo did was throw his arms around Karone and asked: "Are you okay?"

Karone felt a sudden reoccurrence of joy at his touch and hugged him back. "I'm fine."

Matt looked at the two and smiled for a second then suddenly he recognized the young man. "Leo?" he said.

Leo turned and looked at him, then his eyes widened as it suddenly struck him. "Matt?" he said.

"Wow!" they both said as they quickly hugged.

"Matt?" Mike said as well.

"Mike?"

"Wow!"

There was another exchange of hugs.

The others stood their completely dumbfounded. Realizing this, Leo and Mike turned to the others each with a hand on Matt's shoulders. "Guys," Leo said with grin, "Meet our cousin Matt."

Matt managed a nervous grin and said: "Hello. Nice to meet you."

"Hi," was the only response that they could let out.

Leo made the introductions.

"This is Kai Chen, he's the third in command here on Terra Venture."

"Nice to me you sir," Matt said shaking his hand.

"Just call me Kai," the young Asian man replied.

"Okay."

"This is Damon Henderson, one of the best mechanics around."

"Just call me Damon," the young black man said with a grin.

"Okay. Damon," Matt replied grinning.

"This is Maya, she's a native of this planet."

"Welcome to Mirinoi." Maya said smiling.

"Thanks," Matt said, "It's good to finally know where in the universe I am."

"This is Kendrix Morgan, she's one of the prettiest scientists here."

"Nice to meet another member of Leo and Mike's family," Kendrix said with a grin, "You can call me Kendrix."

"Thank you Ma'am -I mean Kendrix," Matt said catching himself.

"And last but not least," Leo said gesturing to the young woman next to him, "This is Karone, she's my girl- um a good friend of ours," Leo said catching himself on the words.

For a second Karone stared at Leo with a hurt expression, her face quickly changed and she looked at Matt and smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Same here," Matt said trying not to show that he'd noticed Leo's slip-up or Karone's pained look.

After the introductions were over, Matt asked: "So your Power Rangers. Cool. I always wondered what that would be like if there were Rangers in the family." Seeing the sudden looks on everyone's faces Matt put their worries at ease. "Don't worry you guys, your secret's safe with me." "I'm also going to have to guess that those losers I sent packing a few minutes ago were the bad guys."

When Leo agreed, Matt shook his head, and said, "Guess that means there's never a dull moment around here."

"Well now that introductions are over," Leo said, "Matt, how's about you telling us what you are doing on Mirinoi."

"I'd love to explain on that one Leo," Matt replied, "But your guess is as good as mine on that one cuz. The last thing I remember was walking towards the school at which I train. I was almost their when some sort of strange vortex appeared in front of me. Before I knew what was going on, I was sucked into it and then found myself in that stand of trees over there."

At hearing about the vortex, a look of concern came across Maya's face, "It's him," she thought. She decided to put the issue aside until a better time was available, and remained silent.

"Oh my gosh, the children," Karone said with worry as it suddenly dawned on her, she turned to run to the stand of trees.

"Don't worry Karone," Matt said putting her worries at ease, "They're okay. I had them stay there until it was safe to come out."

"I guess someone has been keeping up on their Martial Arts training," Leo said to Matt, grinning as they walked towards the trees.

"Didn't see the point in quitting," Matt said, "I felt I was getting better at it with each passing month."

"I can tell," Mike said chuckling, "I've never seen anyone send Deviot flying backwards with such power."

"If you and Leo had ever stayed in training you would be able to kick like that too," Matt replied, laughing.

"Well, you know us," Leo said chuckling.

"Yes, all too well I'm afraid," Matt wisecracked.

They reached the trees and gathered all the children, while Matt retrieved his gear bag. Then they led them back towards the front of the park where their parents had been waiting anxiously for their children's' safe return. Thanking Leo and Karone for watching their kids, the parents left with their children.

After they had left, Leo turned to Matt and said, "Well Matt, looks like you're probably going to be on Mirinoi for a while. Why don't we show you where you're going to live for now."

"Okay," Matt replied.

With that, they left and headed for the guy's quarters. As they were leaving the park, Leo looked over at Karone with a look of hope. She however didn't look at him, instead she looked straight ahead with a sad look on her face. See their expressions Matt leaned over and whispered to Mike: "Is there something going on between Leo and Karone?"

"I'll tell you later," Mike whispered back with a slightly serious tone.

"Okay," Matt replied.

"You failed me again Deviot!" Skokahn snarled as he fired a beam of green light from his hand. It struck Deviot and sent him flying back into one of the walls of the throne room.

"Please Master," Deviot begged, "I didn't mean to fail. I was about to kill that traitor Astronema when that young man interfered."

"What young man?" Skokahn hissed.

"He look to be about twenty Earth years sire," Deviot explained, "But he moved with speed and agility that I've never seen from a human. In fact, he moved faster than the Rangers did."

"So," Skokahn said icily, "It has begun. 'The One' has arrived as the legend has foretold."

"I'm sorry Master, I humbly beg your forgiveness," Deviot cried.

"Spare me your whining Deviot," Skokahn said evilly, "I am not worried, although my accension is less than a year away, I'm going to make sure that the 'The One' knows exactly why it would be foolish to try and challenge me. Begin training the Stingwingers for a small sneak attack soon. I want the Rangers and 'The One' to know I mean business. They are not to be killed, just weakened slightly, the true suffering will come when my appointed time arrives, and I will enjoy crushing them beneath me like they were bugs under my feet!"

"A most evil plan Master," Deviot agreed, "I'll begin training immediately!"

"Indeed," Skokahn replied with an evil laugh.