Author's Notes: Sorry this is late! Between getting sick, my graphics card biting the dust, 2 crazy weeks online and at work and beta-reading an Ar Tonelico fanfic for someone, I haven't had time to post this! I'm glad to see that folks are really liking this story and "Family"! Just to let you know, after this fic is completed, the next in the AU is "Letters".
Chapter 5: The First Step
The next morning, Alpha left the maintenance alcove and hurried over to to the medical bay, hearing a set of beeps that told him the examination had just completed. As he walked into the room, the lights turned on.
"Hmm, now let's see what the results say," he said to himself as he walked to the console and brought up the test results. "It'd be nice if we knew just what we're dealing wi-" What the little automaton saw made him jerk back a little bit.
I ought to keep my vocal circuits deactivated sometimes!
Alpha quickly went into the main room of the Power Chamber, glad to see that Zordon was already awake and visible in the energy tube.
"Zordon, the examination from last night is completed. I left the results up so you could access them."
"Good." After a pause, the sage frowned. "It's just as I suspected. Alpha, start tracking the locations of what will be needed to counteract this. I'll awaken the Rangers."
Within seconds, an alarm rang throughout the Power Chamber, the same kind that was used whenever monsters were detected, although the pattern to it was two long beats, followed by a short one. Before now, it had never been used.
The first one awake was Billy, who recognized the pattern from his study of the database before the Command Center had been destroyed. He quickly changed clothes, putting his glasses on as he walked out of his assigned quarters. Down the hall, Tommy and Kat were walking out of their own rooms
"What's going on?" Kat asked, "An attack?"
"No," Billy replied, "That alarm's basically a summons. Alpha must have found something. Come on."
The three hurried down the hall, with Rocky, Adam and Tanya close behind them. As soon as they arrived, they saw Alpha and Zordon in the main room.
"Morning, Zordon, Alpha," Tanya said.
"Good morning, Rangers," Zordon replied, "The examination on Clairie finished a few minutes ago and Alpha has shown me the results."
"Was the test positive?"
"Yes, Billy, it was. According to the results, the 'demon', as she refers to it, is a parasitic monster. The entry point was her right arm."
Tommy looked at Billy and saw his eyes narrow and his jaw set. There was no question, the young technician was angry. The Red Zeo Ranger clapped his shoulder reassuringly.
"It seems that the monster inside of Clairie is a spawn of the original, draining life energy and essence, as we discovered yesterday. It will also steal the victim's power signature, then transmit to the original monster."
"And if it transmits, there's no chance of getting the stolen things back. If it succeeds," Billy inserted, "Clairie will die."
"Yes. Alpha has been searching for the location of two things that will be needed in order to save your sister. We will need vials of Extraction Fluid, as well as Essence Prisms."
"Extraction fluid? Essence Prisms?" Rocky asked, puzzled.
"If I'm guessing correctly, the first object is fluid needed to extract the parasite from Clairie's body." Billy replied.
"Yes."
Tommy asked, "Zordon, how come we can't take Clairie to somewhere that can purify her?"
"After the latest attack last night, her condition worsened. Currently, 85% of her energy and essence have been stolen by the parasite. Moving her now would result in disaster."
"I've located both the Extraction Fluid and the Essence Prisms," Alpha spoke up," The Prisms are located on an mountainous island on planet Aquitar, and the Fluid is on planet Valle."
"Alpha, send a transmission to the Rangers of Aquitar about the situation," Zordon ordered, "Rangers, go to Aquitar and secure two prisms. Make sure they are in perfect condition."
"Got it," Tommy replied.
"Billy, shortly you will be going to Valle. When you arrive , ask to see a being known as the Phoenix. You will have on your person a message from me, explaining the situation."
He looked in the direction of the medical bay with a worried look.
"This is the best way for you to help your sister at the moment. Alpha and I will look after her."
"All right, then."
"Zordon, we're receiving a transmission from Aquitar. It's Cestro," Alpha spoke up.
"Put it on the viewing globe."
The globe lit up within seconds, showing a very familiar face.
"Rangers, it is good to hear from you, though we did not expect it to be so soon."
"Good to see you too, but I wish it was under better circumstances," Tommy agreed.
"We have received the information from Alpha 5. A monster that kills children, much less future Power Rangers, is an abomination. We will help you in any way we can to put a stop to this."
"Thanks, Cestro, it means a lot to me," Billy replied, "I'm going to Valle to get Extraction Fluid, but the others will be there soon."
"Give our regards to Phoenix Llyra. Aquitar out."
After the viewing globe went dark, Tommy said, "We'd better hurry. We're running out of time."
"If the Machine Empire starts getting any ideas, we'll inform you immediately. Good luck," Billy said to them, then watched as they teleported out.
"I will begin recording the message immediately."
Billy nodded and quickly walked into the medical bay, standing in the doorway.
"Clairie, are you awake?"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to go get some medicine for you. Be a good girl for Zordon and Alpha, all right?"
"Okay."
The young man waited for a few minutes, then walked back into the main room of the Power Chamber.
"Are you ready?"
"Affirmative."
"Good luck," Alpha said as he worked the controls, changing the coordinates from Aquitar to Valle. He then took a silver disc out of one of the panels and gave it to the young man."This is the message."
"Thanks."
"The Phoenix is my counterpart on Valle, as well as the planet's sovereign. Make sure that you act accordingly."
"I will."
As Billy teleported out, Zordon said, "May the Power protect them all."
"Umm, you two?"
"Yes?"
"You seem like a daddy to the Rangers and Billy."
"I suppose I have come to regard them in that way," Zordon replied in a surprised tone.
"Yeah, they're almost like big brothers and sisters to me after all this time," Alpha agreed.
"Hee hee. I know that feeling."
This is going to be interesting, Zordon thought. He said out loud, "Clairie, did the monster ever mention anything that might reveal who created it?"
"Yeah, actually, it did a couple of times. Never heard anything like it before."
"Who was it?"
0000000000
The Rangers arrived on what looked to be, at first glance, a white sand beach. The wind blew around them with a slight chill. In front of them were palm trees (or the closest equivalent) that swayed gently, and beyond that, they could see a mountain that glittered in the sunlight. With the sounds of the ocean waves crashing behind them, they faintly heard the whoosh of teleporting. Five very familiar beings stood in front of the Rangers of Earth.
After the customary salutes between both groups, Cestro said, "According to what Alpha sent, you will need two Prisms. One is for taking the stolen items from the parasite's body, and the other is to filter out anything bad as it transmits back into the child. If even one of the prisms is clouded or cracked, the essence and energy will be forever lost."
"That explains why Zordon wants them in perfect shape," Rocky replied.
"Where exactly on that mountain are the prisms?" Adam quickly asked.
Aurico answered, "They can be found on the surface as well as in the mines, although the mines are faster."
"Then we'd better get going."
0000000000
Moments later, when Billy arrived, blasts of heat hit him from all directions, making him break out in a sweat within seconds. As he looked around him, the young man understood why.
Around him were not only plateaus of bare rock, but also a seemingly vast he looked around some more, he found, a short distance away, the entrance of what appeared to be a large, clear dome. Inside the dome, he could see tall, metallic buildings that glittered.
That dome must be my destination.
He walked quickly but carefully towards the entrance, not wanting to be out in the heat any longer than necessary.
At the door that led to the inside of the dome, he saw a pair of humanoid beings, wearing light colored clothing that seemed to cover the body, dark goggles and cloth hats that covered the entire scalp. On the clothing there were red and silver emblems that resembled firebirds with the wings fully extended. They saw him and immediately brought out items that resembled laser weapons.
"Zhei! To'ka pearla khimn?" The one on the left spoke. From the tones, Billy guessed that it was a man.
"I'm sorry, I don't speak your language."
"To'ka pearla khimn? Gauta me'te naghira!"
"I'm not from Valle. I'm from the planet Earth."
Both of the natives tapped on the firebird symbols on their chest a few times, speaking as they did so. After five taps, the man spoke again.
"Make no wrong moves or we will open fire."
Now I can understand them! "I'm not an enemy."
The guard on the right spoke, and he could easily tell that it was a woman, "We'll be the judge of that. Identify yourself at once."
"My name is Billy Cranston. I'm from the planet Earth."
"Earth, eh? Isn't that one of the infant worlds?"
"It sure is. What brings you all the way out here to Valle?" the man asked.
"I request an audience with the Phoenix. It's on urgent business."
She snapped, "Earthers aren't supposed to have any knowledge of beings like her! I suggest you start telling the truth right now!"
"Wait, Karin, we better do this inside the guard's area," the male replied, "This boy obviously isn't used to our world, whoever he is."
She nodded and said, "Come with us. Once we get inside, we will get the truth from you. No lies, or you will be dealt with. Understand?"
"Yes, I comprehend."
The male guard tapped at a panel and within seconds, the doorway rolled towards the right until it was open.
"Follow us."
Billy nodded and followed the guards quickly into the entrance of the domed city.