Chapter Nine
"Well that wasn't so bad," said Kira. "At least we landed on our feet this time."
"Speak for yourself," said Ethan. He pushed Conner off of him. "Third time, man."
"Rocky! Aisha! Adam! How very nice and surprising to see you," said Zordon as he saw them.
"We want to help, Zordon," said Adam.
"Of course. You are all welcome to."
Alpha handed them extra communicators.
"So you found the source of the power?" asked Billy.
"Yes, it is located on the planet of Phaedos," answered Alpha.
"Phaedos?" asked Aisha.
"Yes, we believe that it originates there, but there may be a trail around the galaxy to release its entire contents. Or we may be incorrect and the entire power source may be on Phaedos."
"So we're sure it's on Phaedos?" asked Kim.
"Yes, Kimberly," answered Zordon.
"Do we leave anytime soon?" asked Zack.
"A few more seconds should do it," said Alpha.
An alarm sounded.
"Ay-yi-yi-yi-yi," said Alpha. "It seems that there are..."
"Tyrannodrones," said Tommy, looking in the viewing globe. "That's Reefside? It's almost unrecognizable."
"They're destroying the city," said Conner.
"We must hurry, rangers," said Alpha. A beeping noise echoed. "The power extraction is complete. Prepare for teleportation."
"Good luck rangers and may the power protect you," said Zordon.
They nodded and disappeared into beams of light.
The rangers and former rangers landed amongst a heap of bones and in the midst of enormous rocks.
"Ew, gross," said Kira as she looked around.
"Think we could find Dulcea?" asked Kim.
"We don't even know if she's still here," said Tommy. "Where do you think we should start?"
"Maybe we should head to the top of the rock," answered Billy. "Maybe we'll be pointed in the right direction."
Tommy nodded. He looked at Jason.
"Hey, you guys lead us. You've all been here before and we haven't," said Jason.
Tommy nodded again and looked around. "This way, guys." Tommy led the way, followed closely by Kim, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Billy, Conner, Ethan, Kira, Trent, Zack, and Jason.
"Aw, not again." Billy pulled himself up from stepping in the puddle. "I'm fine, guys, thanks." He stopped the others from helping before they reached him.
They stopped for a minute, listening to the different sounds coming from the forest. "And once again, welcome to the beautiful downtown of Phaedos," said Aisha.
"Still incredible," said Rocky. Everyone nodded. They continued to walk.
"I don't think I ever walked so much in my life," said Ethan, walking a bit slower.
"Relax, it hasn't been that long," said Trent behind Kira.
"You're just used to sitting down all the time with that computer of yours," said Kira as she laughed.
"Yeah, keep up!" called Conner over his shoulder, seeing the bit of space between him and Ethan grow.
"Whoa, look at that, Jase," said Zack. He slowed down a bit, pointing to an area over the forest.
"Wow, pretty nice," Jason answered.
"We're almost there, guys," called Tommy. The others in the back barely heard him. "I think I see the platform."
As the group of past and present rangers continued their trek to the top of the rock, the rangers in the back began to lag further and further behind, taking in their whereabouts, filing away every sound and sight in the memory.
"Look how pretty that looks." Kira pointed down to the ocean.
"Yeah," Trent nodded.
"I kinda wish we came on the first trip here," said Jason.
Zack nodded. "Yeah, this place is pretty cool."
A cloaked figure appeared behind Jason. It quietly followed.
Tommy reached the top of the platform. Kim, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, and Billy followed him.
"It looks exactly as if we were here how long ago," said Kim.
"What do we do up here?" asked Conner as he reached the top.
"We wait for a bit, while we figure out what to do," answered Tommy. He looked at Conner. "Where are the others?"
"I don't know, they must have gotten separated," answered Conner. "They began to walk a bit slower than everybody else."
"They should be fine," said Rocky. "It's not like we were that far in front of them and it's a straight shot up here."
Tommy nodded.
"Strangers."
Jason, Zack, Trent, Kira, and Ethan turned. "Oh no," groaned Kira. She looked for the others. "And they left us. I can't believe they left us."
"They probably thought we were right behind them," whispered Trent.
"You're trespassing. State your business."
Jason held up his hands. "We're here with our friends. We're looking for a great power. We need it."
The figure pulled off its cloak. "You have no use for this power," said Dulcea. "I was entrusted to protect it. And I intend to do so."
She made an aggressive move towards Jason.
"No, you don't understand. We don't want it for personal gain. Earth, earth is in danger," he said.
"Look around," said Dulcea. "Different sorts of power have been entrusted to this planet. And the ground is and will continue to be littered by the bones of those who try to take it for themselves." She knocked Jason to his feet.
"Uh, TOMMY!" he yelled. The others simultaneously called out his name also.
Tommy, Kim, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Billy, and Conner looked at each other.
"Did you guys just hear..." started Tommy.
Kim nodded. "Yeah."
"It sounds like they need our help," said Adam. He ran to the end of the platform and saw them. "I think Dulcea's found them!"
All of them ran off the platform to help their friends.
"Dulcea, they're friends of ours," panted Tommy as he ran forward.
Dulcea looked at the new arrivals. She smiled as she recognized them. "Tommy, the Falcon. Agile Kimberly, the Crane. Rocky, the mighty Ape. Adam, the Frog prince. Aisha, the bold Bear. And Billy, the cunning Wolf." She glanced at Conner. "Come, let us make our way up there. We will make proper introductions there."
This time, Dulcea led the way with the others following close behind. Zack and Trent helped Jason up and they hurried to catch up with the rest.
"You know, I don't so much wish that I were here before," said Jason. Zack grinned.
Dulcea stood before the rangers as they made their way onto the platform. Tommy, Kim, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, and Billy walked over to Dulcea and stood behind her. She waited to say anything until the others have all reached the top of the platform. She looked at each of them waiting.
"I'm Jason."
"Zack."
"Trent."
"Kira."
"Ethan."
"Conner."
"Friends of Zordon?" asked Dulcea. They each nodded. She turned around to the other rangers. "What is your purpose? They mentioned something about a power."
Tommy nodded. "We have come once again because of another great power that resides here. The evil beings of earth, past and present, have joined together to form an alliance to take over."
"But how can that be?"
"We don't know. All we do know is that Zordon has returned and with him, the other beings of evil may have returned. We need help. We need the power to protect the earth."
"You should find that power. You were worthy before. I'm sure you are still worthy. I am merely the protector. The guardian of the power. I know not where it resides, only that it was entrusted to this planet. Entrusted to me to protect. You must find it." She turned to the former rangers standing next to him. She walked and stopped in front of Kim. "The Crane maintains its agility through the perfect harmony of mind, body, and spirit." In a flash of pink, Kim transformed into her ninja suit. Dulcea smiled and stood in front of Rocky. "The Ape is strong, yet flexible and free." In a flash of red, Rocky transformed into his ninja suit. Dulcea smiled again and faced Billy. "The Wolf can hear and see what we cannot." In a flash of blue, Billy's ninja suit appeared. Dulcea stopped in front of Adam. "The Frog is still and silent, but can strike an enemy in the blink of an eye." In a flash of black, Adam's ninja suit appeared. Dulcea moved to Aisha. "Nothing can uproot a sturdy Bear." In a flash of yellow, Aisha's ninja suit appeared. Dulcea walked and stopped in front of Tommy. "The Falcon becomes one with air." In a flash of white, Tommy transformed into his ninja suit. Dulcea looked upon the rangers in their ninja suits and smiled. "Still worthy, I see."
She turned around to face the other rangers who stood in awe of the ones in the ninja suits before them. "It is time for you all to learn this great power. The power of the Ninjetti."
Tommy moved forward. "To those who possess the Power, all things are possible."
Aisha moved forward. "This stone was built to store the Power and keep it from the enemies."
Adam moved forward. "Beings from all over the universe have tried to obtain this Power. All--except for the six of us--have perished."
Billy moved forward. "The only way to obtain the Power is to achieve the highest state of being."
Rocky moved forward. "To do so, you must learn the art of the Ninjetti."
Kim moved forward. "It is the perfect union and harmony of the mind, body, and spirit."
Dulcea smiled again. She stood before Jason, Zack, Trent, Kira, Ethan, and Conner. "Are you ready to become Ninjetti? To behold the ancient power?" The six of them nodded. A flash of light passed before them.
Ninjor appeared. "They have passed the test?" Dulcea nodded and stood next to him. "You will now behold the power of the Ninjetti. Stand in a circle and join your hands." The six of them gathered around the stone in the center of the platform. They raised their hands and clapped them to one another.
"Close your eyes," said Dulcea. "And look deep within yourselves." She picked up some ash and blew it. The remnants of the ash circled around the four rangers and the two former ones.
The six in the ninja suits gazed in amazement as they watched the formation of the animal spirits circle among their protectors.
"You have unleashed your animal spirit," said Ninjor. "These will be with you forever. They will guide you through your dark times and will be your protector in times of harm." He looked at Dulcea, who nodded.
She moved in front of Conner. "Conner, you are the speedy Cheetah. Swift and faster than all other animals known." Conner looked down at his light brown ninja suit. Dulcea turned in front of Ethan. "Ethan, you are the strong Gorilla. Thick-skinned and strong-willed."
Ethan looked down at his ninja suit with a smile. From what he could tell, it was just a lighter shade of blue. "Cyan," he said. "I like it."
Dulcea moved in front of Kira. "Sweet Kira, you are the Eagle. Powerful and loud to scare away your enemies." She smiled as she looked down at her purple ninja suit. Dulcea moved in front of Trent. "Trent, you are the reverent Stag. Loyal and true to your allies." He looked down at his silver ninja suit. Dulcea moved in front of Zack. "Zack, you are the courageous Tiger. Graceful and light on your feet." He looked at his orange ninja suit striped with black. He grinned. Dulcea moved in front of Jason. "And Jason, you are the fearless Lion. Lord of the jungle." Jason grinned as he looked down at his gold ninja suit.
"With new powers, you have received new Zords," said Ninjor. He looked toward the sky. The new Ninjetti followed his gaze. There they saw an array of animals. Ninjor bowed his head. "Use these powers, wisely." In another flash of light, he disappeared.
Dulcea smiled at the new Ninjetti.
"Alright, man, congratulations," Tommy said to Jason. "Back to gold, now."
"Hey, at least I already had this color," answered Jason. "Nothing new. Not like orange ranger Zack over there."
"This is just my second color," said Zack. He looked down. "And I think it's pretty hot."
Tommy looked at his students.
"Amazing," said Kira as she explored the ninja suit.
Dulcea turned to the face of the mountain. "Rangers, your journey has just begun. You must find that power to protect your world." The rangers walked up next to her; Jason, Zack, Trent, Kira, Ethan, and Conner on one side and Tommy, Kim, Adam, Aisha, Billy, and Rocky on the other. They gazed at the vast greenlands before them. "You must go. I feel that the earth is in grave danger."
Kira began to walk down the mountain when she stopped and looked back, "Wait, you're not coming with us?"
Dulcea smiled. "If I step off this rock, I will begin to age rapidly. I will not survive out there."
"Oh."
"Be safe, rangers." With that, she disappeared.
Tommy looked at the greenlands before them again. "Well, let's go, guys."
Most of the lines that Dulcea speaks about the original Ninjetti are straight from the movie, as are the lines that the original Ninjetti say when they're explaining it to the others. I completely forgot how I wanted to fit Ninjor in the story, even though I had it in my mind the entire time. I hope this was okay.