Chapter 4: Alpha to the Rescue

Alpha emerged in the canyon, surveying his surroundings.

"Alright, I must work quickly. Zordon and the rangers are counting on me."

"Hurry up, you clay heads!"

"Uh oh."

Hearing Goldar's gravely voice, Alpha ducked into a crevice, barely squeezing in before Goldar marched by with some putties.

"Lord Zedd wants this whole canyon secured so Zordon doesn't get any bright ideas. If even a rat gets in here, you'll experience its power first hand, understood?"

The putties nodded, quivering and muttering in their garbled tongue.

"Good, now get to work!"

The group dispersed, leaving Alpha alone. Once the coast was clear, he emerged from the crevice.

"That was a close one. I must be careful from now on."

As quietly as he could, Alpha made his way through the maze of tunnels and crevices that made the canyon. Hearing voices up ahead, he slowed his approached and inched forward.

Several Z- Putties stood guarding the rock of time, wearing as much protective gear as possible. Behind them sat the rock of time, pulsating as emitting strange glows.

"That must be it. I just need to-"

Alpha accidentally stepped forward, crunching the ground noisily as he did so.

"Oh, crud."

The putties immediately sprung into action, advancing towards him. Unsure of himself, Alpha raised his arms ready to fight.

"Alright, let's hope downloading those karate movies pays off."

Alpha began advancing towards them, swinging his arms to fight and defend. Although his movements were clunky, they were enough to ward off the putties, knocking them into one another. Although their armor offered some protection, it wasn't long before they were all defeated, Alpha standing triumphantly.

"Heh, that was kind of exciting."

"Well, well, well, looks like we have an intruder in our mists."

"Oh, pooh."

Alpha turned to see Goldar and Scoprina standing behind him, swords at the ready.

"Looks like Zordon has let his pet robot off his leash. Too bad he's gone too far from home."

"This rock is property of Lord Zedd, as will this planet be soon. I suggest you leave before we turn you into a toaster."

Although Alpha was scared, he knew he had to tough it out for the rangers. He knew if he was in their shoes, they would do it for him.

"Oh yeah, Golden boy? Try and catch me!"

As fast as he could, Alpha took off, leaving Goldar and Scoprina to take off after him.

Although Alpha wasn't much of a runner, or a fighter, he made good use of his terrain. Whenever Goldar and Scorpina began to gain on him, he would push a rock down, tripping them up and giving him some distance. Eventually, however, he found himself back where he began.

"Oh no, I've gone in a circle. Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi, this is not good."

"There he is!"

"Case in point."

He turned around to find Goldar and Scorpina charging at him. Thinking fast, he opened his chest compartment to pull out a blaster. Quickly, he shot the roof above the entrance, causing rocks to pile down and block it. Goldar couldn't stop in time and charged right into it, smashing his head and giving himself a nasty headache.

"Grr, once we tear open this wall, you're dead meat, tin head!"

Having bought himself some time, Alpha turned around to the rock and brought out his hammer and began to chisel away at the rock of time. It was taking some time, and Goldar and Scorpina were already halfway through.

"Come on, just a little farther… Perfect!"

"Step away from the boulder!"

Alpha turned around to find Goldar and Scorpina seething in fury behind him, panting heavily.

"Sorry, I would love to stay and chat, but I must be going. See ya!"

Goldar lunged at him, but Alpha teleported away just in time, sending Goldar crashing into the wall. Scorpina just rolled her eyes.

"Come on, we better get going. Lord Zedd won't be happy."

Lord Zedd was still celebrating, laughing merrily on his throne. Squatt and Baboo cowered in the entrance.

"Come on, Squatt, I won rock paper scissors fair and square. Its your turn to tell him."

"Ah, come on. Best two out of three?"

"No, now just go and get it over with before…"

"Ah, Squatt and Baboo! Is it not a wonderful day?"

"Erm, yes your ugliness, except, well…"

"What is it, Squatt? Spit it out!"

"Well, uh, Alpha 5 managed to sneak into the Canyon of Youth, and he, uh, well… he managed to steal some of it to make an antidote."

For a second, Lord Zedd remained silent, taking in the information.

"He took that better than I thought he would."

In an instant, he flew into a rage, smacking Squatt across the head for the bad news. Baboo, not wanting to risk his luck, ducked away.

"Better him than me."