Dissida: Power Rangers
Episode 4: Please help protect her! The Lone Wolf joins the pack.
Andros was staggering under the desert heat. He had been walking for over five hours, non stop. His vision was now blurry and unfocused. He stopped sweating more than a half hour ago. Finally, his legs gave up on him, as he collapsed unto the hard, hot sand. Surrounded by rocky formations, had he stopped to rest under their shade, he might have survived. However, his rash decision making has led to this…
Andros finally awoke. His body had been submerged under water, save for his head. On his head, a wet shirt had been carefully placed, to cool him off. He looked around. He was in a cave, a very well lit cavern, with greenish walls, stalagmites, and a large collection of ponds resting on lime shelves. He could hear a river in the distance, a very calm river judging from it's sound. He stood up. The pond he had been lying on was not too deep at all. In fact, the water only barely reached his knees. He was then surprised to hear an unfamiliar voice.
"Oh. You're awake. Thought you were a goner,"-said the voice behind him.
"Huh! Who are you?"-asked Andros.
"My name is Ryan Mitchell. Maya and I had been looking for you. We were quite shocked to find you in the desert, passed out like that. Though, truth be told, from what we were told, we were not too surprised,"-said Ryan coolly.
"And why would you go out of your way to try and find me?"- said Andros, his voice sounding quite harsh.
"Gee Ryan, thank you so much for saving my life'-said Ryan in a mocking tone- "No problem bro, anything for a fellow Ranger!" Ryan now had a stern look on his face. He said- "So, that Dillon guy was right. You ARE an asshole. Guess that explains the corpse Maya and I had found,"
"Corpse? I don't remember seeing a corpse,"-said Andros, his face not so much as suggesting any intention to apologize for his behavior.
"A White Ranger. A girl. Looked like the heat got to her…and someone else did her in. Her head had been cut off,"-Ryan was looking away now. Had he kept his gaze on Andros, he would have seen a slew of emotions, including rage, disbelief, guilt, and regret.
Andros had been replaying that scene in his mind continuously. He and Zhane were defending KO-35. Some Quantrons come up, Zhane takes them on… Next thing Andros knew, his best friend was locked away in cryogenic freeze, slowly recovering. It has been three weeks since that incident. He had sworn, he'd never allow anyone else suffer the same fate. He was going to do this alone.
Maya had entered the cave. Andros allowed himself to appreciate the Mirinoian's natural beauty, as did Ryan. Maya had dipped her hands into one of the lime stone pools. She splashed water all over her face. She then took a drink of water from the same pool.
"Oh, he's awake. Now that he's come to, we can go find that Dillon guy,"-said Maya- 'I'm done burying the corpse. I hope…never to have to do something similar again…" Maya's eyes were starting to tear up.
"Sorry to have asked you to do such a thing. But… this guy needed some help. My sister taught me how to handle a situation such as this one. Don't worry, Maya. You did her a good thing. When I was a kid, after my mom died, my dad taught me that burying the dead was a way to send them to rest. Kind of like tucking a kid into bed, only underground, and the person never wakes up. If we let her out in the Sun…"-Ryan trailed off. He noticed Maya was not at all comforted by his words. A side effect of growing up amongst demons, poor social skills.
Andros replayed that tragic scene in his mind once more. Had he been there for Zhane…had he been able to provide decent backup…had they had more people on their team… would Zhane still be alive? His Lone Wolf attitude has cost a Ranger her life. If he had simply kept her in his company, she'd still be here. When he abandoned her, he sealed her fate. Why? Why did he leave her? He didn't want her involved. But…he should have realized. She wore the Spandex. She already was involved. He left her. The White Ranger's death was in his hands. He decided…
"Look, Maya, was it? People die all the time. Same thing must happen to the Power Rangers, in one moment or another. What happened to her…that was tragic…but…the best thing we could all possibly do, at this moment…is to stick together. This way…we can help make sure…that not one more Ranger shall have to be buried."-were Andros' words. Though he admitted to himself that his choice of words were not the most inspiring, he was at least pleased with the fact that she understood what he said.
"So, that ice man has been killed, by two Rangers none the less. Furthermore, those two Rangers have been joined by two more. What else can you tell us, Necrolai?"-asked Diabolico. Goldar and Zen-Aku were right behind him.
"Oh, well, if you must know. That Machine guy has apparently been killed. I saw Mesogog and that Deviot guy fiddling with his leftover parts. I really don't know much else. That bastard Mesogog keeps me in the dark in regards to his 'master plans'. That Deviot likes to keep mum about whatever's going on too. And that robot girl? She's exactly that, a useless robot,"-said Necrolai.
"Well then, we will need to keep an eye on Mesogog and Deviot. I must admit, I'm more curious than anything regarding his actions. Why, after all, is he so interested in that Red Ranger?'-said Zen-Aku- "And what do Mondo's junk parts have to do with it?"
"Remember, Umbra has told us that, whichever side wins, gets a wish. How much would any of you like to bet that Mesogog is planning on using that wish?'-said Goldar.
"And I am certain that Deviot himself is planning on using that single wish."-said Necrolai- "Too bad, they both forgot the most important rule: Only ONE person may make that wish!"
"I doubt they 'forgot'. I'm willing to bet that there's going to be a double cross, sometime in the future,"- said Zen-Aku.
"Heh, that's why the four of us are sticking together. We all want the same damn thing…"-said Diabolico, a wicked grin on his face- "Ok, Necrolai, stay at your post. Goldar, keep an eye on that Astronema, and Zen-Aku, stay with that fool Lothor. Help them take out as many Rangers as possible. And then… you know what to do,"
'What about you?"-asked Goldar.
"I'm going Ranger Hunting,"-said Diabolico- "I'm picking them off while they are still alone. We have to make sure we have the number advantage,"
Ryan, Andros and Maya were walking southwards in the cavern. Andros was still slightly dazed from his dehydration, Maya was carrying him. A situation he'd be thankful for, if he were still in all his senses.
"So, where are we headed?"-asked Andros.
"We're gonna find Dillon. He's the one who told us to go find you. He said he'd head towards the marshlands, that are a little ways south from here. This cavern will lead us directly to him, and any Rangers he's found,"-responded Ryan.
"Which Ranger team are you two from?"-Inquired Andros.
"I'm from Light Speed rescue. Titanium Ranger. Just joined three days ago. She's the Yellow Galaxy Ranger."-said Ryan.
"I've been a Ranger for about a month or so. Yourself?'-asked Maya. Andros, however, did not respond. Neither Ranger team sounded familiar to him.
Suddenly, Ryan began to wince, and hold his shoulder. Something on his back was causing him pain.
"Hey Maya, fill this cantina with water, would you? We might need it,"-Ryan hands her a cantina. While she was gone, he said unto Andros- "Hey…whatever happens, make sure Maya stays with the other Rangers okay? You can be a lone wolf after that, but ONLY after that, promise?" Andros' eyes bulged out. What was he saying? Is he…?
"Forget it. We'll make it together… If it will put you at ease…yeah, sure,"-said the Karovian. At that moment, Maya had returned. Suddenly, Ryan felt a very dark force.
"Hey, Maya….you and Andros go on ahead. I uh…have some…men business I need to take care of,"-said Ryan. Maya nodded her head, grabbed Andros, and kept on walking.
Andros, however, had a grievous look on his face. Under his breath, ensuring Maya does not hear, he mutters- "We won't see you again, will we, Ryan?"
Five minutes had passed. Ryan was now face to face with Diabolico.
"Hrmmm, you, of all people. I'd say this will be fun, but… I never have fun doing away with traitors,"-said the Demon General- "You will either die by my hand, or by my curse. Either way, your fate is sealed."
"I know. I choose the curse. That way…I can take you with me!!!!"-Ryan morphs, and readies his ax. A dark barrier surrounds the area, entrapping them.
Ryan rushes toward Diabolico, his ax at the ready. He swings at the demon. Diabolico takes a leap backwards. Ryan swings again, upwards to downwards. Diabolico once more dodges, via a sidestep. He, however, fails to dodge the massive twirl kick that Ryan delivered, using the swing of his ax to gain momentum. Diabolico is knocked back a few feet, and suffers an ax slash. This knocks him down.
Ryan prepares to cleave Diabolico, but he rolls out of the way. Diabolico grabs his sword, and parries the ax attack. He swings, and knocks the Ranger back a few feet. He beats his wings to give himself some momentum, and prepares to stab Ryan with his sword.
Ryan leaps into the air, and is now standing behind Diabolico. He kicks him in the back, the force of the kick lifts him off ground and lands him half a yard away. Diabolico beats his wings once more to soften the landing, ensuring that he lands on his feet. He swings his sword, but Ryan stops the attack with his ax.
Ryan and Diabolico take a step backwards. They are both at the defensive, each expecting the other to attack. Eventually, Ryan dashes forward, does a flip, and leaps into the air. Diabolico reacts, turning around, expecting an attack from behind. He swings his sword…
But Ryan parries the attack with his ax, using only one hand! With the other, he punches Diabolico's face. The demon steps back, and roars.
"No more holding back"-says Diabolico. He fires a beam of lasers from his eyes, which hit Ryan dead on. His suit throws off various sparks, and he is knocked unto his back. However, Ryan gets up, and defiantly prepares a stance. He rushes towards the demon, who pelts him with the lasers continuously. They don't miss, but Ryan does not allow that to stop him. He reaches towards Diabolico's eyes, covers them with his hands, and allows the blast to damage them both.
Ryan and Diabolico were both on the floor. The laser blast had caused a mild explosion, which had hurt them both, pretty badly. Diabolico's body was singed noticeably. But Ryan…
"Looks like the curse is now finally taking its toll. You have fought well, Ryan. I am pleased to see that all the effort I spent training you has bared fruit. However, it is with a deep satisfaction that I say…it was not enough to beat me. You have failed, Ryan Mitchell… at EVERYTHING"-said Diabolico, smiling to himself whilst witnessing how the Cobra Curse was slowly destroying Ryan. He smiled at his contorting body, and at his cries of agony. Within moments, Ryan had passed on.
Andros and Maya had finally exited the cavern.
"Look! It looks like a large barrier! What could it mean?"-said Maya.
"I have a feeling…yes! We will find other Rangers in that direction!"-said Andros.
Maya then said- "Let's wait for Ryan. We can't go on without him."
Andros' face fell, though Maya had not noticed. He said- "We should go. I…Ryan… He said he'd meet up with us later,"