Chapter Four
"Okay what the heck is this?" Rocky wondered aloud.
The second Tommy and Rocky crossed over they were met with the most putrid of smells. It was as if a skunk had slept in a swamp after eating garlic. Tommy took a look around. No it wasn't like a swamp, it was a swamp.
"I think it's the next obstacle," he murmured.
Rocky held his nose.
"What, to see how long before we pass out from the smell?"
It stank so horribly. Tommy couldn't agree more but kept his eyes focused. A swamp could not mean good news.
"Keep your eyes peeled man. Who knows what we'll find out here."
Struggling for breath, Rocky managed a nod.
"What do you think we'll find?"
There could be any number of monsters in a swamp like this. Supernatural and otherwise. A crocodile might be the least of their worries on Hyperion. Tommy took a step around a large puddle of mud.
"Watch out for the mud," he advised his friend.
"It could be quicksand."
Rocky raised an eyebrow.
"Quicksand?"
"You ever saw 'The Never-ending Story'?"
Enough said. Rocky followed his lead around the bog. Here the trees no longer held the yellow tint as the vines before. They were dark, black. Not a green plant was in sight. Again, not a good sign. The rangers were leveling around another pool of dark ooze when they heard the rumbling.
"That wouldn't by chance be your stomach missing breakfast today would it?" Rocky hoped.
When Tommy took a battle stance, he knew that answer was a no. The rumbling continued, growing louder and louder until Tommy felt it vibrating within his legs. He glanced over at Rocky to find that he too was losing his balance. Whatever the challenge was here, it was rising from beneath them. Louder, harder, the rumbling grew until Tommy fell to his knees. The squish of the wet ground greeted his hands as he reached out to break his fall. At that moment the oil sludge before him began to rise. He stared up at the entity as its body molded into the shape of a serpent-like creature. Its height reached at least three stories.
"Intruders of the labyrinth," a rasp-filled screech barked down at him.
"Prepare for naked combat."
Tommy only had a brief second before the slug slammed a fist down at his current location.
"This sure would be a good time to morph!"
He barely escaped the second fist which followed in immediate succession. Rocky was trying to get to his feet to back him up but the ground wouldn't stabilize. Moving quickly, Tommy rolled over to where a thick tree trunk stood. He used its size to block the next attack, dodging behind it. The oily fist stretched around in two pieces.
Talk about flexibility.
Searching for some sort of weapon to combat it, Tommy ducked down into a crouch. What could he fight a liquid swamp monster with? If it could stretch around a tree then surely his fist wouldn't do much damage.
"Hold on, Tommy I'm on my way!"
He spared as look around the tree to see Rocky rushing the creature.
"No, Rocky wait!"
But Rocky had already made contact with a fierce drop-kick. Normally that would have been enough force to knock any monster back but instead of pushing it back, his legs sank into its body. Tommy watched as his friend was swallowed up to his waist by the black sludge.
"Hang on man!"
Rocky attempted to pull himself free only to slip deeper. He yelled out, more aggravated than afraid but Tommy could imagine what he was feeling. This creature was worse than quicksand. Because it didn't just suck you in. It chased you down. As Rocky struggled the monster kept what was likely its eyes trained on Tommy. It hadn't even missed a beat. Again its arms came at him, swinging with a quickness. Tommy managed to duck behind another tree before its arms chased him around.
It doesn't give up! It just wraps itself around anything in its path!
He flinched away from a waiting claw. How could he stop this thing? It would stretch across the planet to get to him. That was when it hit him. Stretch. Wrap around. What if it overstretched itself? That might not destroy it, but it would give Rocky a chance to escape. Tommy made up his mind. He knew what he had to do.
"Hey, you missed me!"
He jumped from behind the tree and did a run around before heading for another. The creature responded with another lunge, just as he'd expected. With its arm still wrapped around the first tree it chased him to the second. Tommy made it, did another loop and made his way to a third before he could hear Rocky's call.
"Tommy lookout!"
But he slid down on one leg in a nick of time to avoid another claw coming his way. A splash of oil grasped his ponytail briefly but lost traction and he was free. Tommy had enough time to whirl around to see that indeed Rocky had made it partially free. His legs were still trapped but he was pulling himself out. The creature it seemed was distracted by the one who was getting away. It didn't notice that it was losing its prey.
Determined, Tommy shot to his feet and made his way back around to continue the process. He'd barely made it before a hand grew up from the swamp and took hold of his ankle. Tommy tumbled face-first into the mud with a splat!
"Your tricks will not gain victory, intruder," the creature hissed at him.
"You must be victorious in combat."
But how could he?
"Okay slime bucket," Tommy remarked, "I'll fight you, but you have to let my friend go."
At that the creature released a disgusting and phlegm-filled laugh. Rocky was cringing in its grasp.
"Foolish intruder. It is not me you must fight. No, I am only the welcome mat. It is my master who takes on trespassers."
His master? Tommy came to his feet.
"And who's your master?"
The creature caught Rocky's free leg.
"Hey!" he grumbled.
"I was just collecting you to take you to him," It stated, "but you keep running away. Tell me Intruder, are you a coward?"
Tommy could be called a few things but a coward wasn't one of them.
"I'm no coward. I'll fight your master. But again let my friend go!"
The creature tilted its head toward Rocky, considering.
"I like the feel of his flesh," it remarked after a while, "And he smells nice."
Rocky gagged.
"I'd like to keep him for my pet."
"Why you snot-faced—"
"Let him go," Tommy repeated, "I won't ask you again."
Another moment passed. Then Rocky fell to the ground, free. He wasted no time scrambling away from the creature, taking his place at Tommy's side.
"Now take me to your master."
"Very well. A deal is a deal."
His master was located down what felt like fifty miles away from the swamp. Though the scenery didn't change, there were still thick black trees and mud everywhere, the ground solidified. Rocky was wiping his hands on his shirt in disgust. It was the only part of him that hadn't been enveloped by the muck monster.
"That thing could very well be the grossest monster that we've ever faced," he griped in Tommy's ear.
"I feel like I was traipsing in a sewer or something."
Tommy watched as the thing slid/walked in front of them.
"I think it has a crush on you."
Rocky didn't appreciate the joke. He was just about to make a retort when the creature announced, "We're here."
The rangers took a look around the dark surroundings. It could be a Kansas farm covered in oil and darkness. The air was so still they could expect a twister.
"Okay then," Tommy noted, "Where's your master?"
The creature turned back toward them, the semblance of a smile on its lack of face.
"Why my master is right behind you."
As if on cue dark laughter bellowed out from the rear. Tommy and Rocky turned to find a horse-like animal coming toward them. Both took a battle stance. The horse (was it a mustang?) rose up on its hind legs to reveal that it was not a horse at all but some type of hybrid between horse and man. Its body was solid armor, sealed with a thin brown coat of fur. Its face was an evil sneer, smoke blowing out of its elongated nose.
"You wanted combat," the horse-man growled as he rounded the two rangers.
"Well trespasser. You've got it!"
Its hoof/fist came at Tommy. Just as Rocky moved to assist, an oil-slicked arm pulled him backward.
"Oh no you don't," the sludge creature hissed. "You belong to me."
Tommy blocked the fist with both arms before issuing a kick to the master's abdomen. Its body felt like full metal.
"You'll have to do better than that Earth boy."
And he intended to. Deciding that the best defense was a good offense, Tommy threw another series of kicks and punches at the beast. His body moved swiftly, his every motion a focused calculation for maximum affect. Though initially the Horseman laughed off the blows one foot to the head seemed to daze him. He stumbled backward and Tommy upped his offense. A double punch, two-kick combo. Another move he'd practiced with Jason at the youth center. He was lightning, moving faster and faster until the master fell backward to the ground. Even then he didn't stop. He couldn't. Not with Rocky and Reggie on the line.
Garnering up an old move from his green ranger days Tommy administered the last blow. The horseman cried out but didn't rise up. Instead its body crumpled up into dust, its last growl of resistance fading along with it. Once it was gone, Tommy turned back to the sludge creature. Rocky was already elbow-deep trying to fight it off.
"Hey."
It looked his way. Noted its master lying as a pile of dust on the ground. And immediately dropped Rocky.
"I was just…admiring his supple human flesh."
Rocky edged away.
"Keep away from me you creepy booger!"
"I see that you have bested my master in combat," the sludge monster recognized.
"For that you shall be granted entry to the next phase of the labyrinth."
It waved an arm and the darkness that was the swamp split into a doorway to their right. Rocky backed into it, keeping his eyes on the creature.
"Take care trespassers. And do come back again. I very much enjoyed your visit."
"I don't like this."
The school day had ended and Jason sat with Adam and Tanya at the youth center discussing their absent friends.
"They've been gone all day. If they don't show up soon I'm going to ask Zordon to send me as back up."
His smoothie sat before him, untouched in his concern. Tanya reached over and pat his hand.
"Hey we're all worried but they'll be okay. You'll see."
Jason sighed.
"You're right. Tommy and Rocky can handle themselves," he acknowledged.
"It's just taking them so long to get back."
"Zordon did say that the labyrinth is both physical and personal challenges," Tanya reminded him, "That's got to take some time right?"
Of course. They were on a serious mission on a strange planet. He couldn't expect it not to take some time. He'd just have to be patient and have faith in his ranger friends. Which he did. If there was anybody Jason had faith in it was Tommy. He'd seen him overcome so much in the years that they'd known each other.
"You're right," Jason gave in, "Maybe I just need to take my mind off of it for a while. Got any distractions?"
Adam had a suggestion.
"We could spar for a bit, burn off some steam."
Jason was game.
"Why not. I could use a good work-out right now. Tanya you'll keep score?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"I'll keep score all right then I think I'll take on the winner," she challenged.
When both Jason and Adam laughed she rested a hand on her hip.
"Hey, what's that for?"
As she was the newest ranger on the team Tanya had the least martial arts experience of them all. In truth everything she knew she'd learned from Adam and Tommy. Though she'd come along great and was definitely a quick study it was still doubtful that she could actually beat either of them. But neither guy wanted to say that out loud.
"Nothing."
Adam leaned over and kissed her cheek.
"We'll go get changed."
He and Jason disappeared in the locker room only to reappear minutes later in workout gear. Jason wore a black tank and gray karate pants. Adam wore green and black. Tanya scooted her chair closer and clasping her smoothie in her hand watched as the two made their way onto the mat. They began by bowing to each other as was custom with marital arts. Then the sparring began.
Despite the time he'd taken off from saving the world to speak at the Peace Conference, Jason found that he'd never quite lost his rhythm when it came to karate. He was still fast and in fact seemed to have improved a bit. That of course he could attribute to the last few battles with the Machine Empire as well as more frequent practices with Tommy. Truth be told he loved sparring with Tommy best of all. He'd always been the one to keep him on his toes. Even still, Adam was talented in his own right. Rocky as well. Both of them had competed in ninja competitions with their now gone comrade Aisha long before they'd become rangers.
After a few rounds the two took a break. By then Tanya had changed into her work out gear of a black leotard and yellow t-shirt. She was slender and feminine in her natural state, her hair pulled back for practicality. In that moment Jason could see what Adam saw in the yellow zeo ranger. Aside from her beauty her face bore a grim determination. She might be newer to martial arts than the other rangers but she was already gaining on them. He could see a first class warrior in the woman before him.
Of course when Reggie woke up she would be the novice on the team.
"Why don't I let you two go at it a bit then I'll take on the winner," he suggested.
Tanya nodded, every bit of her ready.
"Sounds like a plan."
She bowed to Adam who was simultaneously bowing to her.
She's got the fire in her eye, Jason noted as he sat back to watch.
Adam better watch out, she won't be holding back. This ought to be good.
"You said we'd attack the gold ranger next," Orbus reminded his companion as they watched the remaining rangers through the window of the juice bar.
"When are we going to get rid of him?"
After King Mondo's monster had failed to take out the rangers Plank had made up his mind to take on the mission on his own. If the royals would just take the time to listen to one of his plans perhaps the rangers would be gone by now. They'd even given that little brat-bot Prince Sprocket a couple of shots with no success. But alas that was the price one paid for being simply a subject and not an heir to the crown. He would prove to his king that he was worthy of service. He would do the honor of destroying at least one ranger.
"Patience Orbus," Plank admonished him.
"We both know that direct attacks never seem to work out against the rangers. What we need to do is go another route."
"Another route? What are we driving a car?"
Plank ignored his wisecrack.
"Sending cogs or monsters has proven ineffective but when the queen sent the poisoned fruit to the human girl it worked. It also separated the rangers which makes them vulnerable. What we need to do is follow the queen's lead and take to chemical warfare."
Chemical warfare? That sounded like a plan.
"What are we going to do?"
Plank watched Jason spring a back flip out of Adam's reach. Yes, destroying him would bring much favor from the Machine King.
"We're going to strike with a slow and delicate maneuver. By the time he notices anything wrong it will be too late to do anything about it. But remember Orbus, this process will take a while. Weeks possibly months. The end result however will be the end of the gold ranger forever!"