Chapter 7: Meetings
Author's Note: Sorry that this has been a while, but I have been busy with RL, and fighting scenes are not my forte.
From the point that Zordon calls to Valle until the end of the chapter, the music of choice is "Materialise" from My Otome, one of Yuki Kajiura's works. Also, there won't be any pairings in this story and Namarri isn't going to be paired, so Mary Sue spotters, go elsewhere.
Aquitar
Ontol opened what looked like a tool chest and rummaged around inside of it while the Earth Rangers looked around them. There were a number of Aquatians inside, wearing what looked like clear suits, filled with equally clear fluid.
"What are those suits?" Rocky asked.
"They are to keep us well hydrated while we're working in this mine," he replied, "Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to extract the prisms as well as we are." The mine owner then pulled out three long, silver cylinders and straightened after closing the chest. He then handed one to Tommy and one to Aurico.
"Twist these at the base," Cestro said.
Tommy did so and was surprised by the large, bright beam of light that shone from the other end. Before he could comment, his communicator went off.
Katherine winced and put out a hand. Tommy gave her the light source with a grateful nod, then spoke.
"This is Tommy. We're in one of the mines, getting ready to get those Prisms."
"Good," Zordon replied, "I received a message from Billy. He will be delayed by two hours while the Extraction Fluid is being prepared."
"How's Clairie holding up?"
"Her energy is decreasing, due to last night's attack. Other than that, she is conscious and speaking."
"Oh, man. Tell her she'd better hang in there, for us and for Billy. We'll be back as soon as possible."
"We will. One other thing: the Phoenix herself will be accompanying Billy when he returns."
"This'll get interesting. We'll let you know as soon as we get done here. Out." Tommy then said, "We've gotta hurry."
"I heard," Ontol replied, "Luckily the place that the best Prisms are kept is somewhat close by. Let's go."
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Valle
This is outstanding. The difference is almost like night and day, as my friends would say, Billy thought as he looked around him. He was still in her office, with one window open, enjoying the warm air and the cool breeze. The air and temperature felt just right, and it almost made him forget that he was inside of a city in the sky, with an arid desert below.
After ordering the food, Namarri had excused herself and went into the room adjacent of her office in order to get changed out of her official clothing, which were a blue blouse with alien writing that went down the front, in the center, as well as blue baggy pants that he thought would more suit an Arabian princess.
I'm almost certain the others will be jealous when they hear about this world later.
He stood there staring at the city so intently that he was startled when he heard someone behind him laugh.
"Is Aeria'Eade that interesting?"
Billy quickly turned and saw Namarri behind him, wearing a body-length, emerald green dress and green shoes.
"Yes it is," he admitted, "I've only heard of aerial cities in fictional stories when I was little."
"To be honest, the first time I looked through that window, I stared out of it for hours. Llyra thought it was...funny. Now, let's go down two floors. If you think this view is something, I think you'll like the one from the restaurant's balcony even better."
"I'm ready."
"Good," she said and walked towards the door. After closing the window, Billy followed suit.
After they went down an elevator, the two walked into a corridor, where they could already smell something that made his mouth water.
"So, how is he doing?"
"Who?" Billy asked.
"Zordon. I expect he's probably as busy as ever, pacing around the Earth outpost while his Chosen are out and about."
He looked at her, an unreadable expression on his face. "Actually, Lady Na-"
"Namarri."
"Excuse me?"
"Call me Namarri. Up until the past fortnight, I was an ordinary student in secondary school, planning on going into the university, so I could become a doctor," she explained, "Since then, it's 'Lady Namarri' this, 'Phoenix Namarri' that. It'd be nice if someone addressed me as I used to be, as just another Vallan girl."
"All right...Namarri."
"That's better," she replied with a smile, "Now, about Zordon..."
"Namarri, when was the last time the you or the Phoenix remember seeing him?" He guessed from her previous description that the Phoenix had its own memories, even after each host had died.
"About 11,000 years ago. Why?"
He took a deep breath, feeling nervous. "Zordon's body has been trapped in a time warp."
"What?"
"He does communicate with us, by way of an energy tube in the Power Chamber and the MTS system."
"How long ago was this? Who did it?"
Billy replied, "He told me that Rita Repulsa was the one. As far as how long ago...about 10,004 years ago, if I remember correctly."
She turned pale at this. "No..."
"I'm sorry."
"Doesn't have any living family?"
"He did mention once having twin nieces, named Celia and Frelia. Other than that," he said, then saw that a look of pure horror had crossed her face. "Is something wrong?"
"Hm? Oh...don't worry, it's nothing. I'm going to have a talk with Zordon when we go to Earth."
"I see. So," he said, wanting to change the subject and get rid of her expression, "What kind of cuisine exists here? I mean, with it being an arid desert world and a dual civilization..."
"Well, we grow vegetables in the domed cities, and we raise livestock in most of the aerial towns. Aeria'Eade is no exception. Thanks to our reclamation and irrigation systems, as well as regular rain from the clouds, we have plenty of food and water for everyone." There was a tone of pride in her voice.
It worked.
"For both of us, I've ordered some salad with a tangy dressing, roasted valin meat cooked with spices and a smooth dipping sauce. Also, there'll be some light, fluffy bread and cool, dilma tea to wash it all down."
"That sounds delicious."
"Ohh, it is! It's one of my favorites back before I became Llyra's Successor," she replied with a little laugh.
The two of them remained silent until after they had entered the restaurant and Namarri talked quickly with the person near the front door, who nodded and bowed. He then called out, "Our Lady Namarri and Zordon's Chosen, Billy Cranston!"
Everyone in the restaurant got up from their chairs and bowed in the same manner that Gharme had shown Billy.
Namarri kept her tone level as she spoke, although there was a hint of irritation in her face, "Rise. As you were."
As the patrons rose and returned to their seats, the two of them went out onto the balcony, taking their seats a short distance from the railing.
"Whoa," he said as he looked around him, "I can see why you said the view from two floors down is superior to the one from your office. You can see more of the city from here."
"Yes," she replied, "Not only that, but it helps me to remember that just until the previous fortnight, I was one of them. In the final analysis, I'm not better or worse than they, even if I am Valle's sovereign."
"In the main room, just now...I take it you don't like the constant bowing."
"Not every time I enter a room, no," she admitted, "But then again, I haven't been the Phoenix for very long either. I suppose in time, I'll have to get used to it." She blinked, then said, "In case you didn't notice, the bows in there were also to you."
His eyes widened at this and he looked uncomfortable with this fact.
No wonder she's uncomfortable with the situation.
"Now, tell me about Earth. Has Rita been the only intrusion?"
"I wish I could reply in the affirmative," he replied and told her about the events over the past few years, including the day that he and other had become Power Rangers, or in Namarri's words, Zordon's Chosen. As they talked, her expression changed many times. By the time he finished, a waitress in a red and white uniform was pushing their lunches on a cart.
"Rita Repulsa...Lord Zedd...Master Vile...the first two marrying...and now the Machine Empire?"
"Affirmative."
She groaned and said, "For an infant world, it sounds like Earth's a regular war zone. I had heard that the Machine Empire had seceded from the United Alliance of Evil. Rumor was that they had turned good, but from what you're saying, that's far from the case. All the more reason for me to go to Earth with you when the Extraction Fluid is ready."
At that time, the two of them saw an older Vallan male that was similar in build to Gharme. Instead of armor, though, he wore a brown robe with the same lettering that Billy had seen on Namarri's outfit when he had first seen her. On the left breast, the man had the same insignia, firebird with wings extended, that he had seen on everyone else.
The man brushed his long, red hair aside in a manner that suggested anger as he approached them. The waitress with the meals stood back.
"I've heard the most outrageous tale from one of the receptionists," he said, without preamble, "She said that you are going to an infant world, of all places, before the sun has set."
"Word got out fast," Billy muttered.
"Ah, Alkman," Namarri replied coolly, "It looks like she saved me the trouble of finding you. Yes, she spoke the truth."
"That's ridiculous."
"And why is that?"
"I don't know about your generation, but mine was taught that it's against the laws of the Elder Worlds to interfere with an infant world."
"Yes, it is. However, there's one part of the law you conveniently forgot to quote: That there are two exceptions: the presence of a Sentinel and his Chosen...and the other is if there is direct interference on the side of evil."
"Yes, that is part of the laws as well. Are you saying this applies as one of the exceptions?"
"I am. There has been repeated interference on Earth, caused by the UAE and the Machine Empire. This young man came here on an urgent mission and relayed this information."
Alkman sighed and said in a tone that sounded suspiciously condescending, "I know you haven't been the Phoenix for more than a fortnight, so you would have little to no experience on matters of detecting deceit. It is extremely likely that this young man is being far from truthful. Think about it, why would a native of an infant world come here on such a mission?"
The comment sparked anger in Billy. "What do you know of the situation? I may be from an infant world, but that does not give you any right to-"
"Watch your mouth, boy!"
"You govern your tongue," Namarri cut in with the same icy tone she had used before, "You may be an Advisor, but this young man is a Chosen."
The statement caused gasps of shock from almost everyone in the outdoor balcony.
"A Chosen, are you?" he asked, now looking directly at the younger man, "Look me directly in the eyes, boy, and name your Sentinel."
Billy stood up, stared directly into Alkman's eyes and said, "My Sentinel is Zordon fa Andel la Zeo of Eltar."
The Advisor paled.
"You know, Alkman," Namarri continued in the icy voice, "Earlier I had one of my personal guard punished for disrespecting a Chosen not once, but twice."
He jerked, almost unnaturally, then said, "My most sincere apologies to you, sir."
"It's all right. I apologize as well for my comments," Billy replied.
"I'll let this pass, then. Now that that's out of the way," she continued, tone warming, "I will be going to Earth to investigate the situation and speak with Zordon. After then, I will be speaking with the other Elder Worlds about the matter."
"I assume you will be taking guards with you?"
"No. Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. Plus, there will be Zordon and his Chosen there as well."
"I wish you would at least take your personal guard, but very well. I'll inform the other Advisors about the situation."
"Please do so, at once."
Alkman bowed, then quickly left.
"As one of my friends would put it, I wouldn't want to be on your bad side."
"Don't worry about him. As I said, though they do advise me, my decision is final...and they know it."
"Lady Namarri, Chosen, your meals are here," the waitress spoke up as she delivered each covered dish onto the table, including the glasses of tea.
This does not bode well at all. If the UAE and the Machine Empire are attacking infant worlds, other than just Earth, the Elder Worlds cannot stand idly by, Namarri thought as she and Billy started eating their meal.
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Aquitar
"Somewhat close by, huh?" Rocky asked.
"Well, a lot of the tunnels in the mine extend so far back that it would take closer to a day to reach if you went on foot," Ontol asked.
The group had been walking through the mine for many minutes, closer to an hour and a half when they finally arrived at their current location, the area where the best Essence Prisms were kept.
"Two in perfect condition, correct?" the mine owner asked as he checked the bins.
"Yes," Tommy replied.
The Aquatian picked up two large, diamond-shaped, crystal clear prisms from one of the bins.
"These are absolutely perfect, no flaws, no cracks or scratches. They'll serve you well in saving that child's life."
"Thank you, Ontol," the red Zeo Ranger replied, "For us, Clairie and her brother."
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Machine Empire, Earth Base
King Mondo was on the balcony with his wife when Clank hurried into the room. Again, Prince Sprocket was behind him.
"Your Highness, we've received word from the operatives on Aquitar. The Rangers are on that world to retrieve a type of stone that they call an Essence Prism."
"Essence Prisms?"
"Yes, sire. They also sent a hologram of what one looks like. Here," he continued and then brought out a silver disc. He tapped on the center, which emitted an image of a large, diamond-shaped clear stone.
"My, my! So that's what they call those things," Queen Machina remarked.
"I don't know what the Rangers want with those things, and I don't care," Mondo said, "We use those to replenish our energy supplies, as well as making our soldiers. Listen! Send down three squads of Cogs to that mine!"
"Triple, dear?" Machina asked, "Isn't that much?"
"Not at all. We're going to take over the planet's mines, for the advancement of our Empire! Now do as I say!"
"Yes, sire! Triple the Cogs," Clank replied and hurried off to issue the orders.
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Earth, Power Chamber
As Alpha was about to go into the medical bay to check on Clairie, the sirens went off.
"Ai-yi-yi-yi yi! Now what?"
"Zordon? Alpha? What's going on?"
"I would like to know that myself, Clairie. We have both Valle and Aquitar monitored, in case there are problems. Alpha, check both planets immediately."
"Right away, Zordon," Alpha went back to the console and began tapping at the controls. After a moment, he said, "Planet Valle is just fine...Oh, no! There are Cogs on planet Aquitar, and triple the usual numbers!"
"Where are they?"
"They're at the entrance of a mine, the same one the Rangers are at!"
"This is not good. Contact the Rangers at once."
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Aquitar
Tommy was reaching out to take the Essence Prisms when the communicators went off. He quickly activated it and spoke.
"Rangers, this is an emergency. King Mondo has sent three squads of Cogs to the mine. It seems he intends on taking it for his own."
"Sounds like old fashioned claim jumping to me," Adam said, tone grim.
"Leave the prisms to me," Ontol said, "You stop the Cogs."
Tommy looked at the mine owner, then said, "Zordon, can you teleport Ontol to Earth? He has the Essence Prisms with him."
"Very well. We will teleport you to the mine entrance, then bring him here."
"Thanks a lot," Tommy replied, then saw the nod from Aurico.
"It's Morphin' time!" the Aquitar and Earth Rangers called out at the same time and began morphing.
Once all were morphed and teleported, Tommy, Aurico, Kat and Cestro quickly checked the situation. Just as Zordon had said, there were triple the normal amount of Cogs.
"Time to take out the trash," Tommy said, "No mine for you today, Cogs!"
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Earth, Power Chamber
Zordon and Alpha watched as the two groups of Rangers fought, using combinations of sweeping kicks, punches and the like. Some of the miners were pitching in by getting buckets of water from their supply of pure water to short circuit some of them.
"Those Rangers will make short work of them," Alpha said.
"Don't be so sure, Alpha. Even with the Rangers of Earth and Aquitar in the battle, the Cogs still outnumber them. This could easily turn in either direction."
"Ai-yi-yi! I wish you hadn't said that."
"Alpha, get in contact with Valle and prepare to teleport Billy back to Earth at my command. This takes precedence over the Extraction Fluid."
"Yes, Zordon. Right away!"
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Valle
"I must admit, I did not realize that there were such combinations with meats and vegetables to make such a delectable meal," Billy said as he and Namarri walked back to her office from the restaurant.
"I'll take that as a compliment. I hope the Fluid will be ready soon, you must be really worried about your sister."
"More than I care to admit. Are you certain that you desire to accompany me to Earth?"
"Yes."
The two of them remained quiet until they reached the office. Just outside of it was a short, chubby man with short, red hair and blue eyes. In front of him were five flasks, all on a cart that seemed to float in mid-air, that contained a blue, sparkly liquid. They were sealed and placed in transparent material that Billy was sure was not glass or plastic.
"Lady Namarri, Chosen," he said, bowing his head, "After I got off the line with you, I had the staff work double-time to get the order ready. We managed to get it all done with half an hour to spare."
"Thanks a lot, I mean it," Billy replied with a grateful smile, "Both of you."
"You're welcome." He looked at both of them, then said, "Fly in the Phoenix's Light."
Namarri nodded, then took control of the unusual cart and sent it into her office. As she closed the door, Billy's communicator went off.
"Zordon, this is Billy. We've secured five flasks of the Extraction Fluid."
"Good. That makes what I am about to say to you much easier."
"What's going on?"
"King Mondo has sent three squads of Cogs to the mine in Aquitar in an attempt to seize it for his own."
"Did you say three squads?"
"Precisely. Even with the Aquatian Rangers and the mine workers helping with the fight, they are still outnumbered."
"This is not good..."
Namarri heard an ancient voice in her mind, one she had been hearing ever since Llyra's death and her own Ascension.
You know what you are now, and what you have to do.
She nodded and closed her eyes. A split second later, she opened them and spoke as Billy was about to say something.
"Wait!"
She knew from her urgent tone she had gotten their attention and spoke quickly.
"Zordon, this is the Phoenix of Valle. In accordance with the Eternal Pact and in the name of the forces of goodness, hear me now!"
"Namarri?" Billy asked. There was a slight glow to her eyes, as though fire was within them.
"On my mark, teleport Billy and the anti-grav with Extraction Fluid on it to your base on Earth, then send me to the mine on Aquitar," she continued, "Once the crisis is averted, I will accompany your Chosen to Earth."
"What? You're Valle's-"
"I am a warrior of Good first, and Valle's sovereign second. It's time to send Mondo and his Empire a message he won't soon forget."
"Understood. Alpha, program coordinates for Aquitar."
"Thank you."
She then closed her eyes again and brought up her left hand in front of her, where Billy could easily see it. On the back of her hand was a brand, the same one that he had seen on all the translator emblems on every person he had seen here. Now, though, instead of being black, the brand was changing to a fiery red. Within seconds, a glow burst from the symbol.
Her eyes opened wide, and this time he could see flame within them rather clearly. She clenched her fist and called out in a voice filled with determination and anger, "Phoenix, Arise!"
The same fiery light bathed her as a pair of body-length red wings erupted from her back and flapped once before moving forward, covering her from head to toe. Seconds later, the wings disappeared in an explosion of light that was not bright enough to hurt Billy's eyes. He looked at her, amazed.
As feathers of red light scattered to the floor before disappearing towards her back, Namarri was very much changed. She now wore a headband of red metal, with wings of the same color on each side of her head, as well as a red choker around her neck. The body armor was definitely metallic, going all the way down to the knees, where a pair of metal boots began that were the same color as the rest of the outfit. On her back was a large bow, and the light that had been the red feathers became a quiver of arrows. At her side was a sword, sheathed in a scabbard.
To Billy, it seemed as though her entire outfit engulfed in flames that did not cause harm.
"I-Incredible," was all he could say.
Namarri paid no heed and said, "Zordon, now!"
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Aquitar
"This isn't good," Adam remarked he and Tommy were back to back, as fighting against the Cogs that were surrounding them.
Tommy used a sweeping kick to cause the ones on his side to fall. The miners then used water to short-circuit them.
"Yeah, those miners don't have a lot of water left, and we haven't been able to take out that many," the Red Zeo Ranger agreed.
The other Rangers from both worlds were taking out as many as they could, although in truth, they had managed to destroy one of the three squads. Cestro and Tanya were in the same situation as the two men.
Two of the Cogs were getting ready to attack Katherine and Aurico from behind, which Tommy saw. Before he could call out a warning, something that looked like beams of light with lightning on one end went through the enemies, disintegrating them almost immediately.
"Who was that?" Tommy asked.
Where the Cogs once stood were two arrows with what looked like lightning tips. Within seconds, another one hit two more of the mechanical underlings, destroying them as well. The arrows became beams of light that traveled upwards and towards a large hill.
"Who did that?" One of the enemies asked as the others immediately stopped their actions and looked for the would-be attacker.
Adam pointed towards the top of the hill and shouted, "Up there!"
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Namarri raised her arm into the air. The arrows turned into light and returned to her back, into the quiver. She heard one of the Rangers shout, "Up there!"
It's as bad as I thought.
She glared at the mass of enemies down below, the fire still within her eyes and she spoke, "My, my, my. I leave home for the first time and what do I see? Cogs, where they don't belong. I warn you, if you wish to stay intact long enough to report to your master..." She then pulled back the bowstring, and as she did, two more arrows, this time tipped with water appeared in place, "Leave, now!"
"Who is that?" one Cog asked.
"Doesn't matter. Get her!"
She sighed and said to them, "Your choice," before she let loose the arrows. They found their marks, immediately short-circuiting them. She let go of the bow, which became energy and returned to her back, and drew her sword.
"What are you doing?" she admonished the Rangers that were staring in shock, "Back to action!" She then leaped off of the hill, landing gracefully.
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"R-right!" Aurico agreed and turned his attention back to the Cogs, and just in time. Two of them were about to ambush him, but he took them out with a quick sweeping kick.
Rocky saw that two of the miners were now cornered by the enemy and quickly attacked them with a pair of side kicks.
"You get back into the mine, save the rest of your water."
"Yes, thank you," they replied, them ran back into the entrance, a short distance off.
The newcomer fighter focused for a moment, and her blade quickly became covered with water. She impaled one of the Cogs, then kicked it backwards as she pulled her weapon out. As the enemy unit disappeared, she moved in an arc, taking out the three in front of her.
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Earth
Billy glanced at the Viewing Globe as he and Alpha got the Extraction Fluid off of the anti-grav unit. His eyes widened as he saw Namarri, the Aquatian Rangers and the Zeo Rangers thinning out the Cogs.
"Zordon, is she a Ranger of Valle, by any chance?"
"No. Valle has no Rangers of its own, for obvious reasons. As she likely explained, the planet's sovereign has a symbiotic relationship between a chosen Vallan and an eternal being that is known as the Phoenix. Although she can invoke a metamorphosis, the power does not come from the Morphing Grid."
"I see."
"Is Billy back yet?"
"Yes, I'm back, Clairie. I've got the rest of what we need to save you."
"Ok, I'm glad. Is it safe for my visitor to go home yet?"
"No, not yet."
Billy raised an eyebrow. "Visitor?"
"The owner of the mine on Aquitar brought the Essence Prisms with him and asked to see Clairie."
The mine owner in question walked out of the doorway that lead to the medical wing. He saw the young man and asked, "I wanted to see the child that these things were gathered for. Are you her brother?"
"Yes, I am."
"She's a brave girl to have survived as long as she has like this. She's also very fortunate to have a brother who would go to this extent to save her."
"Thank you," he replied.
"I will help get these flasks into the medical wing while we are waiting."
"Thanks, I'd appreciate it."
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Aquitar
Within minutes, the Rangers and the mysterious woman had thinned the Cogs down to half of one squad. She then looked at the others and asked, "Any of you have any messages for Mondo?"
"What do you mean?" Tommy asked.
"What these Cogs see and hear, their leader receives."
Adam smirked and said, "In that case..." He turned to one of them and said, "Aquitar mine-jumping operation is out of business." He then kicked the enemy unit right towards the woman, who impaled it with her water-covered sword. It disintegrated instantly.
"You don't mess with Power Rangers, of any world," Aurico put in and saw that she was gesturing with her sword. He sent the Cog staggering backwards, where she cut it into two.
Tommy nodded and said, "You've crossed a line you'll regret, King Mondo. Get out of our galaxy," and followed suit, using a side kick to send another Cog in the woman's direction.
There was one remaining. The woman displayed her left hand in front of her, then switched to her bow and arrow, with a lightning tip. She merely said, "Mondo, you're done here," before firing it at the enemy's head. The Cog exploded on contact before the pieces disintegrated.
"You're one amazing woman," Rocky asked, "Are you a Power Ranger too?"
"No, I'm not a Chosen," she replied, "What of the Prisms?"
"They're already on Earth by now," Tommy replied.
"Good. Let's go, then."
"We?"
"Yes. I am accompanying you to Earth."
"Wait a minute-" Tommy started to say when he heard his communicator go off.
"Everyone, excellent work. Rangers, prepare to teleport yourselves and the woman with you to Earth."
"Zordon," Aurico cut in, "May we accompany them?"
"Normally I would agree, but we don't know if King Mondo will make any more claims to your planet. If we wind up needing more help, I will let you know."
"All right, then. Take care of yourselves, and save that child," Cestro said to them.
"We will," Tommy replied. Before anything else could be said, they teleported out.
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Machine Empire Base, Earth's Moon
"All three squads of Cogs, eliminated!" King Mondo roared, making Clank, Orbit and even Prince Sproket cringe, "Not even the two groups of Rangers should have been able to do that!"
"What I would like to know," Queen Machina remarked, "Is who is that woman who came to their rescue."
"From the footage, sires, I saw something," Clank stammered, "The woman had a red brand on her left hand, of a fiery bird."
"Did you say a fiery bird brand?"
"Y-yes, sire."
"That's just great," Mondo roared, "The Phoenix of Valle has joined the fray. That's the last thing we needed!"
"Now dear, calm down," Machina cooed, "It's not good for your oil pressure. How about we watch the situation a little more and find out why the Rangers had to get her involved?"
"All right, fine," he grumbled, "But this had better be good, my dear."
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Earth
In the Power Chamber, Billy saw the Rangers and the woman teleport into the main room. He nodded at them, with a relieved look on his face.
"I'm glad you all made it out of that okay," he said to them, then he added to her, "It's a good thing you went in when you did. I'm grateful."
"It's not a problem, really."
"Zordon, just who is this woman?"
"Billy?"
The young genius smiled and thought, This is one introduction I'm going to enjoy making.
"This is Namarri, the Phoenix of Valle, and the planet's sovereign."