Disclaimer: Go, go Power Rangers…
Note: I'll go ahead and say I hate this chapter; it's boring, kinda jumpy and genuinely not fun to write and/or read. Though this chapter is kinda necessary to help build on later chapters, sorry again. There is one new addition though, you get to see who the shadowy voice that spoke to the Dark One in an earlier chapter is.
Into The Darkness
"You're a member of the Silver Guardians?" Cole examined the bag closer.
"Well, I was, a long time ago that is," the young man who Cole had approached in the clearing answered as he examined the wound.
"I worked with Wes and Eric once upon a time," Cole responded.
"Small world, anyway I never introduced myself, I'm Jacob Allistor," the man never looked away from the wound as he reached into his bag retrieving a small box, "Betta, see if any of the others care for a bite of food."
"No problem doctor," the brown skinned woman nodded as she disappeared back into the tent.
The other humans who had followed Cole looked uncertainly at one another.
"Trust me, the food is perfectly edible by human standards, I've been in this world several years and it hasn't harmed me yet," Jacob assured the humans. Quickly switching topics, yet never turning his attention from the young girl's wound, Jacob spoke towards Cole again, "so it seems even in this world there are Power Rangers, amazing."
"So it seems…wait a minute you said you've been here several years, but the Guardians have only been around a couple years. How is that possible?" Cole wondered.
"No idea, I just live here now, I have no idea how it works…hmm there's not a lot I can do for the girl here, I've stopped the spread but I'd need to get her back to the village where I have better facilities," Jacob looked up from wound.
The young girl smiled and said thank you, despite the fact that she seemed to be forcing the sentiment.
"You're a tough one aren't you," Jacob looked at the girl, "here comes Betta, eat something you'll feel a lot better, trust me."
Betta emerged from the tent, carrying several small bags, of what was probably food, though it wasn't apparent what type. On the word of Jacob Allistor everyone tore into the bags, devouring the contents. No one seemed to have problems with the food, and in moments they all felt better.
"So you said you need to get to a village," Cole approached the Silver Guardian, "how far is it from here?"
"No too terribly far, Betta and I were just planning on spending a few days camping, but now that our food supply is dwindling, those plans are coming to an end. In fact if you and your friends wouldn't mind giving a hand we could leave quite soon and I assure you, you will all be welcomed in the village, and perhaps learn a thing or two about this world," Jacob stood up completely, dusting himself off, "or you can hang around in the wild and wait for the next attack."
There was a general consensus between the humans who were new to the world, and that consensus was that they would go back to the village. They wasted no time offering aid in collapsing the camp site, the possible notion of a civilization of sorts invigorated them.
Cole reached down to the wounded girl, once again offering to carry her. Within an hour the small party was off.
(Foils Village)
"Well that was educational," Hayley said as she and Trini exited the large building.
"Yeah, looks like I may have to save a world again," Trini joked, "but first I would love to get back into normal clothes and shower. Back in the day all I had to say was, 'Power Down,' and," Trini's body began to glow a deep red as she felt her newly gained strength drain. Moments later she stood in jeans and a t-shirt again, all that remained was the headband around her forehead, "you're kidding me."
Hayley just started laughing.
"Wow, I feel stupid," Trini smiled.
"Red was a good color on you," Hayley smiled at the former Yellow Ranger, "let's see if we can find the others."
Hayley and Trini walked side by side throughout the village looking for any signs of the others, and it didn't take too long before they found them. Sitting inside a building talking with an older man, the three others seemed to be enjoying a meal.
"That wasn't hard was it," Hayley waved for Trini to follow her, "let's go."
Inside the diner Hannah, Harris and Thomas sat alongside an older Foil, engaged in a conversation. Harris was the first to notice the two women walk in.
"Over here," Harris flagged them over, "pull up a chair, this food is awesome."
"I take it we figured out the food was safe," Hayley said as she grabbed two chairs for Trini and herself.
"According to our friend here it is," Thomas answered, "I see you figured out how to de-Ranger."
"Yeah," Trini answered, embarrassed to go into any more detail at the moment, "so how are we paying for this?"
The old man looked up, "I've got this bill covered my dear lady. I take it you are Trini and Hayley, your friends have told me a bit about you both."
"Hopefully nothing bad," Hayley responded.
"Of course not, we wouldn't do that," Hannah replied, she seemed more energetic than she had been in the longest time.
The old man waved over two more house specials, and presented the food to the two human women who had just joined them.
(Archerina's home)
Dustin remained sleeping by the fire, though he seemed to be tossing about quite a bit.
Archerina watched the human as he slept; trying to figure out what was going on in his mind that caused him to toss so much.
Dustin lurched up from his seat, breathing hard, "holy cow, that was a crazy dream," he was still half-asleep.
"Are you okay?" Archerina asked, concern apparent in her tone.
"Okay so the girl robot wasn't a dream, I guess I'd realized that," Dustin shook his head as he woke himself up more so than he'd been.
"What was it?" Archerina had had her fair share of disturbing dreams since she arrived in this world, and was wondering if the same thing had been happening to the human.
"It was crazy, there were these giant people, and they were talking about some weird stone or something, then they were talking about some kind of dark power," Dustin explained, "and then it was like a big metal ship buried in the woods, and there were more of the those weird rock creatures and something else."
"Ship?" Archerina looked towards the human, her head tilting in attention, "Was it black and green?"
"I think so…" Dustin eyed the robot, "are you a mind-reading robot?"
"Not to my knowledge," Archerina answered, "but then again I'm not even sure what my purpose was. The only reason I asked was that I know of a ship not far from here, buried deep in the Earth. I've seen the sentient beings on this planet there."
"Wait, there are other people here?" Dustin got excited, "where are they?"
"They live in a fortified city not far from here, I've never ventures too far there though for fear of what they may try to do to me," Archerina answered honestly.
"Awesome…or potentially awesome unless they're like evil creatures, then the awesomeness factor dies. Maybe my dream was like a vision, telling me to check out this place."
"I can lead you there tomorrow morning if you'd like," Archerina sounded enthused.
"I'd like," Dustin replied, "but I may need to find something more appropriate for exploration than my pajamas. Let's see if this still works." Standing up Dustin grabbed the waist of his pants, "if not this'll be really embarrassing," and with a fierce motion he cast aside his pajama pants and stood there dressed in the familiar black uniform of the Wind Academy, "good deal, Ninja magic still works."
"That was amazing Dustin," Archerina was impressed, "how was that possible?"
"Truthfully, I've never really known," Dustin laughed, "so I guess we'll sleep until morning then."
Archerina told Dustin he was welcome to sleep in the bed she had, and that she was just as comfortable on the chair. It wasn't as if she need it anyway, it was mostly there for appearance. Not one to argue over comfort, Dustin graciously accepted removing his boots and jacket then stretching out over the bed. In moments he was asleep, Archerina was not far behind him, going into a sleep mode as she sat in her chair.
(The Dark Ones Lair)
"Ready yourself Trakeena, I have an assignment for you," the Dark One spoke calmly.
"Anything for you milord, I exist to serve," Trakeena replied, bowing low to her master.
"Suck-up," Thrax whispered towards the insect woman.
Trakeena did not reply to Thrax with words, but instead with a sharp piercing glare.
"There is an ancient ship buried, and in that ship I believe there could be an adequate power source for my return to the surface world," the Dark One continued, "I trust that you can at least complete this mission without fail, take several of Thrax' Pawns with you."
"Yes master, I will not fail," Trakeena continued to bow as she backed away from her master.
Thrax followed the woman, as she lifted her head up and approached the portal that the Dark One had opened.
"I exist to serve," Thrax said sarcastically, "you truly are pathetic."
"If that's what it takes to remain alive, I'm willing to cozy up to the master," Trakeena hissed back.
"Whatever," Thrax scoffed, "underlings aid the bug-lady," Thrax issued the order to several of his pawns, as they arrived on the scene.
In the Dark One's chambers, the master settled.
""Do you think they can succeed milord?" A weaker voice issued from the shadows.
"Do I care?" The Dark One replied, "if they do, all the better for me, if not…well it will merely be another small obstacle that will ultimately be surmounted."
"Very well," the smaller voice replied, "also I have sent forth one of your loyal servants in an attempt to weed out these humans appearing."
"I knew there was a reason I took you under my wing," the Dark One answered, "Goldar my friend, you are quite the beast."
"Thank you master," the voice showed its true form. A winged ape creature stepped into the dim light, dressed in a black chest-plate and black gauntlets, he was no longer in flashing gold armor.
(Archerina's home)
Morning seemed to come quickly. Dustin awoke to the smell of food being cooked.
Archerina had woken before the human and gone into the forest to fetch something that would be suitable for the human's sustenance.
"That smells really good, I'm scared to ask what it is," Dustin said as he stretched his arms before fitting his feet into his boots.
"It's a type bird that is often found around here. I've seen the other life-forms on this planet capture it for food. There is fresh water on the table, as well as a type of fruit juice," Archerina said as she continued cooking the meat. "I have no need to eat, but I do believe that I do possess the proper culinary skills for at least edible food."
"How do I know this stuff won't poison me?" Dustin said as he sat at the table sniffing the fruit juice.
"The others I have witnessed seem to be very close to human physiology, and I'm about 95 sure it won't harm you," Archerina answered as she lay a plate before Dustin.
"Good enough argument for me, I'm famished," Dustin took a deep drink of the fruit juice, "this is…I don't know what it is, but it's really good." Looking towards the meat Dustin took a chance tearing off the meat from what was a leg, "tastes like chicken." After a few moments his body didn't seem to be rejecting the food, and it tasted really good, so he ate more, "for something without taste buds you cooked this awesomely. Slowly yet surely you are becoming possibly my favorite mechanical being ever."
"Thank you," Archerina said with a slight laugh, "I appreciate it. Whenever you are ready we can go."
"Sure thing," Dustin continued eating.