Chapter 10 - War Is Coming
"Rangers," Zordon said as they stepped into the command center in civilian clothing. "When you haven't returned to check in I became worried and watched you. I must explain the severity of your situation."
"What were those things we just fought?" NC asked holding his chest. "They were fast, strong and above all skilled."
"They are known as Kamen Riders," Zordon replied.
"Kamen Rider?" Katrina asked in confusion.
"They are much like you, humans who draw their power from an unnatural source. Their armor and weaponry is strong but not unbeatable." Zordon explained.
"Well we are all ears," Aj said.
"In his conquest to destroy the rangers, Lord Zed also found many warriors to enslave. From the mighty Beetle Borges to the Kamen Rider. To my knowledge, there are six in total but maybe more." Zordon paused for a second. "The being you encountered, Chromium Gold Beetle was a fierce warrior and leader of the Beetle Borges. They fought side by side against the rangers of old until their capture by Lord Zed. He's augmented their brain and now controls them."
"The two you guys faced after were Kamen Rider Blade, A nasty fighter. His blade work is highly skilled and dangerous. He's an up close and personal fighter. The other is Chalice, using his bladed bow to handle long and short ranged combat. He's aggressive, fast and agile. We have no idea the true number of Zed's forces. Be careful rangers and check in with us." Alpha waddled around as he spoke.
"So looks like mobsters aren't the only thing we have to deal with?" Brain said. He noticed NC sitting at a desk in front of a monitor.
"Well guys, let's get to work, we can watch the city from here in our down time between training. I'll take first shift my day is pretty free."
"Good idea little bro, I'll sit with you," Neil said as he sat by another monitor. The rangers nodded and started to monitor the city, searching for Zed and his forces.
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"What the hell was that about?" Chalice asked blade. They heard sirens and before they could react, multiple squad cars surrounded them.
"Angel Grove's finest huh?" Ren said with sarcasm. The cops exited their vehicles with guns drawn.
"Lay down your weapons and get on your knees with your hands up. If you refuse to follow my directions or make a sudden move we will open fire do you understand!?" An officer shouted through a loudspeaker. Chalice looked around him as he stood back to back with Blade.
"Any ideas?" Chalice asked.
"I didn't sign on to hurt our own people," Blade replied. Just as the officer began to speak, the engine of a motorcycle sounded. Over a squad car came a black motorcycle with the same golden pattern as Chalice's skin tight suit. Another came zooming through the officers, all grey with a spike protruding from the dash. Chalice jumped onto the black bike while Blade jumped onto the grey. They road off as cops opened fire on them.
"This is the thanks we get for saving the city?" Chalice asked over the sound of the motors.
"Who were the rainbow face guys?" Blade replied.
"Good question, let's head to the garage and set up shop there." Chalice suggested. The two road through the town at top speed before pulling the bikes into the garage. Their armor faded to light particles along with the belt.
"Now that's just cool!" Ren yelled and he pounded his fist with Hez's. Hez closed the garage behind them and threw a thick tarp over the bikes.
"The cops will probably be on our asses now," Hez said but stopped soon as he heard the computer.
"Yea you could say that again take again look," Ren stepped aside as Hez got closer to see the news report.
"This is Christy King reporting to you live from Downtown Angel Grove. There are the remains of what seems to be body parts but made from rocks. Witnesses say they watched men and women in colored suits battling the newly found rock monsters. Reports also say that men in hard armor showed up. One in gold and black the others in grey and blue and also gold and black again. The armored men are being called 'Masked Riders,' and reporters say they are dangerous. The colored team seems to be the heroes of the day, saving many from the armor Masked Riders and rock monsters. Some of the people have taken to calling them 'Super Sentai' after a pop culture graphic novel made in Japan but very popular here. More on the story later tonight, back to you in the newsroom." Hez's face twisted into a scowl. Ren looked at the screen in shock.
"You've gotta be shitting me!" Hez yelled as he walked off. Ren stayed quiet as he heard a knock on the garage door. Upon opening it, he found Arianna smiling from ear to ear.
"Hey guys!" She shouted excitedly before wrapping her arms around Ren. As she squeezed tighter Ren looked to Hez who was already strapping on his gloves and motioning his index finger to his lips, reminding him to keep quiet. "OMG did you guys hear the news!?"
"Yes," Ren answered while Hez slammed his shin into the heavy bag with a heavy round kick.
"You guys saved me from a Masked Rider like I can not believe it. You two are the bravest guys I know. I woke up with you guys just sitting there." Arianna explained. Hez started putting together combinations. Jab, cross, hook, rear leg round kick. Double jab, side kick. Each blow heavier than the last. He cared not for speed as he poured his frustration into his power attacks. "I bet you guys are apart of the Super Sentai team lol jk jk."
"Who says 'jk' in real life I thought that was just through text," Ren said trying to ignore the sounds of Hez's strikes as they increased in volume.
"I do thank you very much," Arianna said with a smile.
"I oddly find that adorab…" He was cut off by the sound of sand rapidly pouring onto the floor. Ren and Arianna turned to see Hez breathing deeply while hanging his head low and fists clenched. "Bro you good?" Hez could feel the sweat run down his body. His body felt as if it were on fire. His mind wandered. He couldn't even hear Ren or Arianna. He had visions flash in his mind. He could see the green flames and himself as Joker.
"You earth to Hez!" Arianna yelled. Hez's mind snapped back to reality.
"I'm good," He replied in a low tone before slowly backing away in search of duck tape.
"What the heck was that?" Arianna asked.
"Not a clue," Ren said half heartedly, almost gulping the word in his throat.
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The sky darkened on the usually bright city. Angel Grove was falling into a slumber as three men walked its streets. "Heh we got that bastard good yesterday." The round one spoke. His face beaming with confidence.
"No doubt, that will teach him to mess with us." The taller and lengthy Lyteef said. Richard stayed quiet as the other two continued their twenty four hour long bosting. He couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched. If only he knew how right he was. A figure watched them, perched on the ledge of a building. His cloak was black and tattered. It blew in the wind, flowing freely and exposing the armor covering his leg. As they drew closer he leapt from his position and landed, kneeling before them. He rose slowly, letting his presence sink into the minds of the three men before him. Armon and Lyteef began to cower back while Richard stood his ground.
"My lord has need of your presence. You would do wise to follow," the stranger said as he dragged his armored finger through the air, ripping a rift into it. The three winced and slowly inched backwards. Richard felt himself press against something hard. As he looked behind him another cloaked being stood looking down. Its visor flashing red.
"That's not the way you were asked to go, you either follow us or you die." The voice sounded feminine but all the while threatening. The three looked to each other before admitting defeat and entering the rift. As they exited onto the other side they stepped into what seemed like any cave. The ground had any thick coat of fog that gave them a chill crawling up their spine.
"Welcome warriors," a voice said gaining their attention. A golden armored man stood before them
"Oh shit you're a Masked Rider!?" Richard yelled. He was punched in the gut by an armored fist.
"You will not league me with those worthless half wit warriors. I am a special breed. I am Chromium Gold Beetle. Leader of the Beetle Borges." Chromium explained. "My lord has found use of you and offered you a position at the table."
"What kind of position," Lyteef asked in fear.
"As his warriors of course. We saw what you did to the man who beat the one groveling on the ground. We could make use of you. How would you like to become Masked Riders as they have been called?" The three looked at each other before nodding their heads in silence.
"Excellent!"
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Katrina ignored her vibrating phone for the third time since they entered the command center. Sorry babe, I've gotta get the usage of this bow down. She thought to herself. The target darted around her in random directions as she stood in the center. She held her bow and head low. She listened to the movements and in an instant shot three arrows in three different directions, destroying the targets.
"You've been at it for hours," Alpha said as he waddled into the training area.
"We all have," Katrina replied, "we can't afford to loose to the Beetle Borges or the Kamen Riders. Lord Zed is a threat to everything we live for."
"I see, you're the heart of the team," Alpha said.
"Huh?" Katrina said as she pulled off her helmet.
"You're the core heart of the group. You keep everyone together through emotion. You're the key, you would do best to remember that. Always," Alpha waddled off, leaving Katrina in confusion.
Neil roared as he slashed a hard target down the middle, his axe diving into the ground. He stood there breathing heavily. His massive body exhausted as he dropped to a knee, releasing his axe. "Ah Neil, what great power." Alpha spoke as he looked around at the destroyed targets. "May have overdone it don't you think?"
"We are fighting an army of monsters, armored guys and this Lord Zed dude. My job is simple, fight and win or our planet dies." Neil replied.
"As is the strength of the team. You're headstrong with muscle and brawn to match. You'll charge in first. Not always the best idea but good traits no less." Alpha continued to waddle his way through the training grounds. Donna was outnumbered by training bots but continued her fight. She cut through them all by the time Alpha made his way to her. Her daggers were still clutched in her first. She was down on her knees, breathing in quick bursts.
"Ah, the tenacity. You're the groups will. Donna, you play a special role. You fight to the bitter end and even when there's a fraction of a chance of success you take it. You fight well too." Alpha ended his evaluation and continued on. NC battled his bots at a distance. The never touched him due on the length of his lance. He stabbed it into the ground and sighed in relief.
"The tactician. You NC are the brains. Cunning and quick thinking, you can think of any plan on the fly can't you? Yes, yes and your tactics often work too. Most importantly, you take less damage and stay fresh in battles. Helps for the long haul." Alpha's visor flashed and he continued on.
"Ah Aj, the pride," as Alpha spoke Aj stood atop a small his of destroyed training bots. He held his power sword high in victory. "You are the spirit of the group, keeping them in fighting shape and never allowing them to be shamed. A fine lad," Alpha stated before moving on.
Brian stood out of breath. His Dragon Dagger drawn but all enemies eliminated. "And finally," Alpha stepped closer to Brian. "The leader. Smart, headstrong, emotionally strong, willful and most of all, caring of his team. All of these scattered robots are ones who could've blindsided your teammates as they trained. Am I correct?" Brian nodded unable to speak through breaths. "You're the key to the entire system. You cannot falter and cannot fall. You crumble, the others will as well." Alpha turned to face everyone. "I am proud to call each of you rangers. Zordon may not have said yet but so is he. We believe you can defeat any challenge ahead of you. You're unique and willful all of you. Use that power to press forward and win. Save your planet and avenge those before you!"