Power Rangers: The First and Last Hope
Chapter
6: A Choice of Destiny
Young, 15-year-old Michi Kwan walked home from the store humming to herself pleasantly, a bag of canned foods underneath her right arm. The brown-haired, brown-eyed young girl was dressed in a yellow long-sleeved shirt and a black skirt, skipping her way home in her heels. The always upbeat girl wasn't about to let something silly like a permanent power outage get her down- thanks to the relatively out-of-the-way nature of their small rural town, the Zarset Empire had not yet bothered the pleasant Pacific Northwest village. No, it was far too busy getting the cities and more populated areas situated and the construction of its first factories started to care about the rural areas just yet. So for now, this nice town had banded together to survive, rationing off the food it had and hoping they could last long enough to make a difference.
Sometimes, Michi didn't believe they'd make it, but whenever she was down, she just turned to her mother, who always had the answers. Michi looked up to her mother, for both her legacy as the original Yellow Ranger, and her incredible strength for living everyday life. Michi's father died before she was even born, so it was really just herself, her mother, and her older brother Hikaru. A year ago, Hikaru went off to college in Boston, on the other side of the country, and still the two remaining Kwans carried on. Now, without any word of Hikaru's status since the Zarset Empire first took over over three months ago, Michi found herself yet again amazed at her mother's incredible will to carry on.
As Michi walked along the sidewalk, approaching her home but still lost deep in thought, suddenly something was wrong. She fell to her knees, dropping the bag of canned goods to the ground, and held her head in sudden pain. In her mind, she saw things she couldn't believe...
Herself morphing into the Yellow Ranger, just as her mother did...
Facing off with an evil Ranger, much stronger than she was, and being knocked to the ground...
The stronger Ranger approaching her, laughing evilly...
And then, suddenly, just as the images disappeared, a strong voice spoke to her within her mind...
Michi Kwan...I have shown you your future. If you accept the offer the Power Rangers will put before you today, you will eventually die. Deny the offer if you wish to live. It is your choice to make, and yours alone. You can follow the destiny they have unfairly given you, and be the pathway to the light, as your mother chose for you when you were born...or you can make your own destiny. It is your choice, and yours alone. Do not forget that.
Michi continued to hold her head and she screamed as loud as she could as her entire body glowed with yellow energy.
"NO! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" she screamed.
Trini rushed out of her home, having heard Michi's cry, and saw her daughter suffering. She ran forward and leaned over, grabbing her head in her arms and hugging her.
"Everything's going to be okay, Michi, you're not going to die!" Trini said, trying to comfort her.
The yellow glow disappeared from Michi as she collapsed into her mother's arms, sobbing quietly.
"There there, Michi, let's get you inside..." Trini said as she helped her daughter to her feet. "I'll come back out and clean up this mess, don't you worry about it."
Michi nodded weakly as Trini helped her back inside their small cottage, a single tear forming in her eye, as she knew exactly what was about to begin. But she dared not express her fears to her daughter as she helped her lay down on the living room couch. Michi laid there, eyes shut and a worried expression on her face, and Trini watched her from afar, knowing that she couldn't protect her now.
Meanwhile, someone else was watching all of this as well. The Scarlet Ranger viewed a holographic screen in one of the Mothership's hallways, the screen taking over one of the gigantic windows looking down towards the Earth.
"Messing with a little girl's mind? That's low, even for you, Scarlet."
The Scarlet Ranger turned towards the source of the annoyance, Araken, standing there with his arms crossed. She smirked a bit underneath her helmet at the sight of him.
"Is someone a little bored now that they have no mission?" the Scarlet Ranger teased him. "Aww, that's too bad. Maybe you should take up a hobby, like stamp collecting. I'd love to help get your collection started, but I have bigger problems to worry about, like stopping the Yellow Ranger from awakening."
"That can't be much of a problem when you're going in her head and messing with her mind." Araken spat. "I knew you were dishonorable, but I had no idea to what depths you sink!"
"Oh, you thought I was the one who caused the Yellow Ranger's little meltdown?" the Scarlet Ranger mockingly laughed. "I have no psychic powers, Araken. I had nothing to do with that."
"Oh, really?" Araken asked her, arms crossed once more. "If that's true, then who did?"
"How the hell should I know?" the Scarlet Ranger shot back. "All I know is, makes my job a little easier."
"It sure does." Araken replied dryly. "If whoever was behind this revealed to her the Yellow Prophecy, they're seriously breaking the rules."
"I didn't realize such material traveled around to your kind." the Scarlet Ranger remarked, shaking her head. "They let anyone in the loop these days. For shame."
"I'm not just anyone, you bitch." Araken suddenly roared, stepping forward. "I am Araken, conquerer of multiple planets, the ambassador to the Earth, the Zarset Empire's strongest warrior at one-on-one combat, and..."
"...a gigantic bore." the Scarlet Ranger cut him off, mock yawning for added effect. "If you don't mind, I have Power Rangers to fight. Ta-ta, and good luck on that stamp collection."
Araken had to endure her mocking laugh as she disappeared in a flash of scarlet-colored energy.
"You cocky bitch..." Araken muttered after she was gone. But he realized there was really nothing he could do in this situation...that is, for now. Suddenly grinning to himself over the future possibilities, Araken turned and walked off down the hallway, his spirit re-energized by his fantasies.
The Command Center's alarms suddenly went off, alerting the three Power Rangers in attendance.
"We'll have to finish this introduction some other time, Jerrelle." Zordon said. "Everyone, take a look at the Viewing Globe."
The three Power Rangers, as well as Alpha-5, turned around to look at the globe, where they saw Michi, laying on her couch and looking like she was having a very unpleasant nap.
"Who is that?" Tristan asked.
"Doesn't look like she's having too much fun, whoever she is." Ada remarked dryly.
"None of us are having much of that these days." Jerrelle added.
"Boy, between you two, the positivity is just over-flowing." Tristan said, rolling his eyes. "At least you have a valid excuse, Jerrelle."
Ada was about to open her mouth with the abandoned orphan excuse when Zordon suddenly cut her off.
"This is Michi Kwan, daughter of the original Yellow Ranger." Zordon said. "From what I can tell, Michi's powers are close to awakening, but something has gotten into her head and is trying to convince her to hold them back."
"So I guess we have to go there and change her mind." Ada said.
"Whoa, guys, look at what happened when you two charged into my life." said Jerrelle. "Maybe we should take this one slowly and try not to get anyone hurt."
"It's too late for that, Jerrelle." Zordon said. "The Power Rangers do not attract evil to the scene. The Zarset Empire already knows about Michi."
"How do you know that?" Jerrelle asked him.
"I know that they have the same scanning technology that we do, if not more advanced." Zordon replied. "They probably pick up the Ranger energy you kids give off close to your respective awakenings even before we do. I have little doubt that a member of the Zarset Empire is behind Michi's current troubles. And I have no doubt that the reason why you were singled out by the Zarset Empire for a commander position is because of your status as the Black Ranger, Jerrelle."
Jerrelle simply nodded, a few things starting to make more sense to him now.
"Well, then I guess it's up to us to help her through whatever it is they're doing to her." Tristan said.
"But don't just expect to be playing psychiatrist, either." Ada added. "Those Zarset creeps should be spying around there. Expect a fight."
"Oh I'm more than expecting one." Jerrelle said, moving his hand over his morpher attached to his waist. "I'm looking forward to it."
"Do not allow yourself to be motivated entirely by revenge, Jerrelle." Zordon quickly said. "Otherwise, you may become reckless."
Jerrelle had no reply to Zordon, his mind focused on other matters. Tristan looked at Ada, who simply shrugged.
"Well, whatever, let's just get going." Tristan said. "Alpha, can you get us there."
"Of course!" Alpha replied. "Teleporting now!"
The three Rangers soon disappeared in flashes of their respective colors, leaving the Command Center and on their way for Michi's home.
Meanwhile, Michi finally awoke, sitting up suddenly, gasping for breath. A cold washcloth her mother had placed on her forehead fell into her lap, the sensation of it hitting her hands causing her to throw them up in surprise, sending the washcloth flying and smacking into the wall.
"Michi? You alright?" Trini said, sticking her head out from the kitchen. When there was no response from Michi, Trini walked into the dark living room and flipped on a switch, illuminating it with light. Michi responded by throwing her hands over her face, not ready for the sudden intrusion of light.
"I'm the pathway...the pathway...to the light." Michi breathed, barely able to speak her words.
"Michi, what are you talking about?" Trini asked her, leaning over and pressing her hand on her forehead. "Your fever seems to be gone, that's good."
Michi suddenly jerked her head away from her mother's touch, a look of anger suddenly appearing on her face.
"Michi, what's wrong with you!" Trini asked her, her voice raising in both volume and panic.
"They said...they said you chose this...for me." Michi managed to get out before short breaths.
"Chose what for you?"
"Chose...for me...to die."
Trini's eyes suddenly went wide with shock. She stood up, looking down at Michi, a tear forming in her eye.
"Who...where are you getting these crazy ideas from!"
"It's all in here, mother!" Michi screamed, turning around and pointing at her own brain. "They told me everything! You want me to become the Yellow Ranger, and you want me to die! Well I won't do it! I don't want to die!"
Michi stood up and ran out of the room, then out the front door and into the rainy night.
"Wait, Michi!" Trini screamed, calling after her frantic daughter.
She ran out into the rain after her, and watched as Michi stopped in her tracks, faced with Tristan, Ada, and Jerrelle teleporting in right in front of her. The three Rangers seemed just as surprised as she was to see her.
"Whoa, what's she doing out here?" Jerrelle asked. "I thought she was on the couch..."
"It's just like he said!" she screamed. "You're here to try and take me! Well I won't go! Do you hear me! I won't!"
"Michi, wait!" Tristan called out, but she ignored them, turning around and walking back up the steps towards her home. There she saw her mother, standing in the doorway, blocking her from re-entering it.
"Mom, get away from me." Michi spat.
"This isn't like you!" Trini yelled. "What did they do to you!"
"They showed me the truth!" Michi yelled back. "I don't want to die, mom. I just don't want to die!"
Michi was crying, and so was Trini, who embraced Michi and held her tight. Mother and daughter stood there in tears, while the other three Rangers watched silently, not really knowing what to say or do.
Suddenly, however, there was an intrusion on the awkward moment. A flash of blue energy resulted in the metallic Command Beast, Drilliago, appearing behind them! All three Rangers turned to face him, but too late, as he blasted them with electricity out of his rotating drills before they could even reach for their Morphers! All three let out various screams of pain as they hit the ground, hard, Drilliago laughing evilly above them.
"Oh, don't mind me Yellow Ranger, don't let me spoil the moment!" he laughed. "I'll be done with these vermin in just a moment..."
Trini suddenly pushed her daughter aside, looking at Drilliago with a look of pure hate in her eyes. She turned back to her daughter, who was still shaking her head and crying, and knew she wasn't going to be of any help.
"I can't let you do that, Drilliago!" Trini yelled, pointing down at him from the doorway. "Those three are this planet's only hope, and I won't let you defeat them!"
"What can you really do about it, you powerless fool!" Drilliago questioned her, mockingly laughing in his deep, metallic voice. "You're not the Yellow Ranger anymore, Trini. In fact, it doesn't look like there will ever be a Yellow Ranger again!"
Trini turned to face her daughter, still standing there, shaking her head, crying, and muttering to herself. She turned back to Drilliago and nodded.
"That's why it's up to me!"
Michi finally moved her head up and watched as her mother rushed towards Drilliago, taking her familiar Praying Mantis stance. She began to glow yellow once again as she watched it, almost as if it was in slow motion, and the voice made its presence known in her head once again.
You don't have to do this, Michi. Remember, this is YOUR decision and no one else's. You don't have to accept this destiny...
Michi watched as Drilliago only smirked in reply, raising one of his drills, and instantly she knew what was about to happen.
But I do. Michi thought in reply, almost as if she was communicating with the voice. I do have to accept this destiny. That's why...because it's MY destiny. But from the bottom of my heart...thank you for trying to give me a choice. Whoever you are.
You're welcome. Good luck to you...Yellow Ranger.
Drilliago blasted Trini with electricity out of its spinning drill on its left hand, and Trini fell to the sidewalk with the three unmorphed Rangers.
"MOM!" Michi yelled, finally raising her head back up to face Drilliago.
She took the same Praying Mantis stance as the yellow energy glowed brighter.
"Wait a second now, don't do anything rash young woman...you don't have to do this!" Drilliago said.
"But I do." Michi replied. "I have to...because I'm the only one who can!"
The yellow energy glowed even brighter, and Michi Kwan finally morphed into the Yellow Power Ranger. The other three just began to raise themselves off the sidewalk as they watched Michi take out her Blade Blaster and point it at Drilliago.
"Here's what you get for messing with my family!" Michi yelled, and blasted Drilliago.
Drilliago didn't seem to take much damage from the shot, but he knew what his role was. If the Yellow Ranger morphs, he had to retreat...those were his orders.
"You've made your choice then Yellow Ranger...and I promise you you'll regret it!" Drilliago roared as he disappeared in a flash of blue and black.
Michi demorphed and ran to the side of her mother, helping her to her feet.
"Are you alright, mom?" Michi asked her. "I'm so sorry for putting you through that."
"Don't be." Trini managed to get out.
"Don't try to talk, mom, you're hurt!" Michi said as she helped her mother limp inside.
Michi turned back briefly towards the other three Rangers, still pulling their wounded and burned bodies off the sidewalk.
"Come inside." Michi said quietly. "We probably have a lot to discuss."
The three Rangers only nodded, then followed the mother and daughter inside.
"Some band-aids would be nice." Tristan managed to mutter.
The Scarlet Ranger once again found herself facing Command, and looked over to spot Araken smirking to himself in the opposite doorway, watching all of this unfold. Needless to say, she wasn't happy to see him.
"Why did you so blatantly and obviously fail us!" Command demanded. "You barely made an attempt to stop the Yellow Ranger's awakening!"
"I thought the Yellow Ranger was taken care of." the Scarlet Ranger said. "It was a mistake, and I know that now. But under that assumption, I was taking care of other matters."
"Well, consider our curiosity piqued, Scarlet Ranger. What exactly was more important than preventing the awakening of the Yellow Ranger!"
The Scarlet Ranger only moved to the side and, from her helmet, projected a holographic image onto the opposite wall. The image was of a muscular young man in a red shirt and jeans...hanging over a pit of fire, held only by two steel chains.
"Preventing the awakening of the Blue Ranger." the Scarlet Ranger said proudly.
"We...are impressed!" Command remarked.
"What!" Araken roared from the other doorway. "She blatantly disregarded your orders and went off on her own personal vendetta!"
"It does not matter to us if the Yellow Ranger awakens, as long as all five of the Rangers do not awaken." Command snapped. "The Scarlet Ranger has prevented this by acting while the Rangers were busy with other matters. Besides, in our eyes, the Yellow Ranger may not have awakened had you not gone against your orders and sent Drilliago down to attack the other Rangers."
"I saw an opportunity..." Araken began, but now knew where this was going.
"Well, so did she." Command replied. "As far as we are concerned, the only difference between the two of you is that she was successful."
"Well, why leave him tied up?" Araken asked. "Why not just kill him now and end it?"
"I have my reasons." the Scarlet Ranger grinned.
"They had better be good ones." Command boomed.
"Oh they are, I can assure you." the Scarlet Ranger replied. "I'm setting the stage for an early finale for the Power Rangers. And all you have to do, Command...is watch it unfold."
"We will do that. Do not let us down, like so many others have, Scarlet Ranger."
The blue screen of Command suddenly went blank. The Scarlet Ranger took that opportunity to turn and walk out, but was suddenly stopped by Araken's voice.
"Wait!" Araken yelled. "I know you, Scarlet. You wouldn't leave your real mission in the hands of a complete unknown. You had to have known who was behind the breaking of the rules."
The Scarlet Ranger grinned beneath her helmet.
Well, well, well, Araken, you're not as stupid as you look. the Scarlet Ranger thought to herself.
But all she said was, "I guess you don't know me very well, Araken." and continued walking. Araken angrily slammed his fist into the side of the doorway in response, and turned and walked out as well.
The Scarlet Ranger walked down one of the Mothership's gigantic hallways, looking down towards the Earth.
Thank you for trying, my sweet. the Scarlet Ranger thought. For her...and for me. But apparently you can't spare either one of us...from our destiny.