Chapter Eight
"So you think we'll be seeing Leo anytime today?" Kai asked as he, Mike, and Damon sat at picnic table taking a break from playing football in the park.
It had been a month since Leo and Karone's wedding. They had spent their honeymoon all alone on a deserted beach on the other side of the jungle where they could be left alone for a week until they signaled to be transported back. Since that time, they had moved into their new quarters and no one had seen or heard from them accept once or twice a week.
"I doubt it," Mike replied, "Something tells me that even though they're home, they're still on their honeymoon."
Damon grinned, "Ten bucks says they haven't left the bedroom at all this morning."
"Your on," Kai said laughing.
"Quick question you guys," Mike interrupted, "How exactly do either of you plan to win that bet?"
Kai and Damon stopped grinning as they suddenly realized he was right.
Mike grinned at the looks on their faces. "How's about we get back to the game."
The others nodded. As they got up, Kai looked at Mike and said: "Hey, where's Matt today, I haven't seen him lately."
"He said he had to with Maya to her old village to take with the wiseman Jara," Mike replied, "Apparently Jarod found something interesting in the Galaxy Book."
"I wonder what it was."
"Same here," Mike said.
"Okay Jara," Matt said as he and Maya joined the wiseman in his hut, "What was it that you need to see Maya and I about?"
"This," Jara said handing him the open Galaxy Book.
Matt and Maya stared at if for a second then they looked a each other in with looks of surprise. There was a picture of the Magna Defender standing with Matt. The Magna Defender was holding onto a small stone that looked like it glowed.
"What does all this mean?" Matt asked.
"This part of the book foretells of the return of the Magna Defender," Jara replied, "It says that 'The One' shall travel across the land with the Magna Defender to seek out the Sun Stone and use it to restore his powers."
"What's the Sun Stone?" Maya asked.
"The Sun Stone is an ancient stone that possesses great power," Jara explained, "According to legend it was believe to have belonged to a great and powerful warrior that lived here on Mirinioi over three thousand years ago. He placed the stone in a safe place to protect it from falling into the wrong hands. But if in the event the rangers couldn't fight evil on their own, 'The One' would help the Magna Defender so that he might be able to regain his powers and help the Rangers.
As Matt and Maya sat letting this info sink in they were startled when their communicators beeped.
"Go ahead," Matt said speaking into his.
"We've got trouble," Mike said, "I'm calling you from the Megaship. Deviot has just appeared with a new monster and is attacking. They need Maya in the park."
"I'm on my way," Maya said standing up. "Go Galactic!"
She morphed and vanished in a flash of yellow light.
"Mike have you contacted Leo yet?" Matt asked.
"Not yet," Mike said, "He's probably going to be mad at being disturbed."
"As soon as you contact him, I need you to meet me here in the village, there's something I need your help with."
"I'll be there as soon as I can," Mike replied.
Leo rolled over onto his back and tried to catch his breath. "Wow," he said.
"Mmmm," Karone purred as she kissed his bare chest and then laid her head down on it with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. "So this is what married life is like," she said as her arms wrapped around him. "I wish we could stay like this forever."
"Who says we can't," Leo said smiling as one hand rubbed her back and his other gently caressed her hair.
"I wish I could, but I have to go see Alpha today," Karone said as she lifted her head to look at him.
"What for?" Leo asked.
"I've sort of had a weird feeling the last two weeks, and I want to have Alpha check it out," she replied.
"Do you want me to go with you?"
Before Karone could reply, Leo's communicator beeped.
"Not today," Leo groaned as he reached over and answer it. "Go ahead."
"Leo, this is Mike," came Mike's voice. "Sorry to disturb you little brother, but we got trouble in the downtown district. Deviot's back and he's got some kind of new monster with him."
"I'm on my way," Leo said. He looked over at Karone who managed a weak smile and said: "Looks like duty calls."
"I'll be back as soon as I can," Leo said kissing her on the lips before getting out of bed to get dressed.
"Leo please be careful," Karone said sitting up as he was about to leave.
"I will. I love you," Leo said. "Go Galactic!" In a flash of red light he vanished.
Karone lay back and rubbed her stomach. "I hope Alpha's tests will prove me right," She thought. She sigh and got up out of bed to shower and get dressed.
Matt and Mike stood at what appeared to be the entrance to a cave. After contacting Leo, Mike teleported to Matt's location and together they teleported here.
"According to Alpha and DECA's scans," Mike said, "Whatever that Sun Stone thing is, it should be in there."
"Then let's find out," Matt said as they head for the entrance.
Before they could enter the cave a horde of Stingwingers appeared behind them and began to advance on them menacingly. Sensing them, Matt whirled around and said: "You get the stone Mike, I'll take care of the bug squad."
"Are you sure," Mike said.
"I'm sure," Matt said as he slipped of his blue khaki shirt and leaving him with his white t-shirt. "Now go."
Mike turned and ran into the cave.
"Okay so which one of you guys wants to go first?" Matt said glaring at the bug creatures as he dropped into a fighting stance.
Meanwhile, the Rangers were caught up in their own battle. Deviot had returned and brought with him Titanoid. The monster looked like a giant version of a cockroach with Gladiator armor, and carried a large sword. He stood with Deviot and large group of Stingwingers.
"Sorry to pry you away from Karone, Leo," Kai said, "But as you can see, this guy's going to be a handful."
"No problem Kai, let's just take care of this guy before he tries to level the colony," Leo replied.
"You've proven to be nothing more than a thorn in Skokahn's side Rangers," Deviot said angrily, "Now you will pay for your constant interference with his plans."
"Bring it on," Leo snapped in no mood to debate with him.
At that Deviot and Titanoid charged.
Leo took Deviot, while Kai and Damon took Titanoid. Kendrix and Maya took on the Stingwingers.
"How's that lovely new bride of yours Red Ranger?" Deviot sneered, as he lashed out at Leo with his sword.
"She's none of your concern Deviot," Leo growled as he dodge the blade by inches. He then jumped forward and side kicked Deviot in the gut sending him flying back ten feet. He may not have had as much power as Matt, but he could still deliver a mean kick.
Deviot struggled to his feet furious and fired a barrage of energy blasts at Leo. Leo tried to dodge but didn't move fast enough, and was knocked back by the blasts. He fell to the ground clutching his chest.
Deviot was about to move for in the kill, when suddenly there was what sounded like a clap of thunder, and Deviot cupped his ear to listen to it. "You were lucky this time Red Ranger, but next time you will suffer greatly," Deviot said before he vanished, leaving Leo to struggle to his feet.
Kendrix and Maya easily disposed of the Stingwingers with team-up combo kicks. When the bug creatures retreated, Kendrix and Maya grinned under their helmets and headed to help the others.
Damon and Kai on the other hand had their hands full with Titanoid. The monster proved to an expert swordsman. He blocked most of there strikes before he slashed them across their chests and sent them flying back. As they struggled to their feet, the monster brought his hand across his blade and the sword began to glow. Instantly he aimed it right at the Rangers and a bright beam of energy erupted from it and shot forwards. The area around the rangers exploded and they were sent flying backwards. They hit ground hard with their suits smoking from the blast.
"This guy's going to be tougher than we thought," Kai said as he gasped for air.
"So what do the test results say Alpha?" Karone said as she sat up and swung her legs around so that she was sitting on the medical bed.
Alpha looked up at from the console where he was studying the readouts. "Well Karone, looks like you were right," the robot replied, "The test results came back positive."
Karone closed her eyes as a smile spread across her face, and she sighed happily.
"Have you told Leo?"
"Not yet," Karone replied, "I wanted to wait until I knew for sure. I'm not sure how he's going to take the news."
"I'm sure he'll take the news well," Alpha said.
Karone managed a weak smile before she stood up. "Thanks Alpha," she said leaving the Med Bay and heading for home.
Matt flew backwards as he took the force of sidekick from one of the Stingwingers. He winced in pain, then grunted and said: "Nice kick bug face, but not good enough." With that he delivered a jump back kick that sent the insect flying back and crashing into the rock wall. The bug fell to the ground stunned.
Matt ran forward and somersaulted over the group of Stingwingers and began picking them off one by one kiaping with combinations of roundhouse kicks, axe kicks, back kicks, spin kicks, hooking kicks, autobahn kicks and tornado kicks. "I hope Mike finds that stone soon," Matt thought. "I can't keep this up forever."
Mike meanwhile was still trying to locate the Sun Stone in the cave. He suddenly noticed a faint glow coming from a pile of rocks. He pulled the rocks aside was amazed when he saw the glowing stone. He picked it up and headed for the entrance to the cave. As he stepped out he saw coming flying backwards and landing next to him.
"You find the stone yet?" Matt said wincing in pain.
"Yeah," Mike said, "But nothings happened yet."
"Well, it's called the Sun Stone right?" Matt asked. "Maybe it's activated by the sun."
Mike look down at the stone. As he aimed it at the sun, the stone began to glow, and their was a flash of light. When the light had faded, Mike stood in his Magna Defender suit once more.
Matt looked at him for second then said, "Wow, cool."
At the sight of the Magna Defender, the Stingwingers quickly vanished. Matt stood up and said: "Well that did the trick. Something tells me you better head over and help the others cuz."
"Already on it," Mike said as he vanished in a flash of light.
"Good luck," Matt said to the empty air. He then quickly teleported back to the Megaship.
At the battle site, Titanoid was about to fire, when an energy blast struck him and sent him flying back.
The Rangers looked up as the Magna Defender walked forward with his blaster trained on Titanoid.
"Mike?" Leo said in amazement.
"Thought you guys could use a little help," Mike said.
"All right," Leo said, "Let's do it you guys, Lights of Orion activate!"
In a flash they were in their armor.
Mike converted his weapon to sword mode and slashed the monster causing him to stumble back.
As the Rangers ran forward Leo said: "Power up!" They instantly formed a flaming ball of energy that passed through Titanoid. As they rematerialized, they turned to see Titanoid fall to the ground and explode. As the smoke cleared though, Titanoid stood up and slowly began to grow to city size. "The games not over Rangers!" he snarled.
"Galactibeasts arise!" Leo called.
Instantly the five giant beasts appeared. The Rangers hoped aboard their animals. "Zord transform!" Leo said as in a flash the beasts transformed into robots. They joined together and formed the Galaxy Megazord. "Power up mode now!" Leo ordered. In a final flash, the armor appeared on the Megazord.
"Torozord charge," Mike called. In a flash the mighty beast appeared once more and charged forth. "Defender power." A beam hit him an caused him to grow. "Defender Torozord activate," Mike ordered as he leaped into the air. The zord transformed and opened to let him in. When it had activated, it joined the Megazord.
"You really think your pitiful toys can stop me?" Titanoid said charging forward.
The Defender Torozord charged it's twin bladed sword and began to spin towards the monster, slashing him across the chest and knocking him back.
"Galaxy Megazord Saber," Leo said, "Power up!"
There zord raise it's right arm, and the sword it held began to glow. It slashed Titanoid three times. The monster turned to stone, then exploded. As the pieces hit the ground, the two zords stood triumphant.
After the battle everyone headed to Leo and Karone's quarters.
Karone looked up and smiled as the group entered. "Hey what's all the excitement about?"
"Mike's got his Magna Defender powers back," Kai said.
Karone walked up to Mike and gave her brother-in-law a big hug. "That's wonderful news." She then turned to Leo and said: "Leo can I talk to you for a minute."
"Sure," Leo said as she led him to their bedroom. When they were alone he noticed that Karone seemed to be glowing more than usual. "How did it go with Alpha's scans?"
"That's what I need to talk to you about," Karone said with a nervous smile, "Alpha found something."
Leo stared at her. Then slowly asked: "What did he find?"
"Leo," Karone said, her green eyes sparkling, "I'm three weeks pregnant. We're going to have a baby!"
Leo stared at her for a second in shock, then he swept her up in his arms swinging her around and shouting: "This is happiest day of my life!" He suddenly stopped swinging her and gently set her down afraid he might have hurt her and the baby. "Are you okay?"
Karone giggled then grinning said: "I'm fine, Leo you don't have to worry."
"Your beautiful," he said as he gently pulled her closer and they shared a long and passionate kiss. When they parted he looked at her and said: "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Karone said smiling, "Now we better go tell the others, with all the noise we've been making back here they're probably wondering what we're doing."
Leo laughed. Then they headed out of the room in each others arms.