New Guardians: Ranger Style
Chapter 4: The Earth wants to Know
Chief Roberts watched the footage of the Guardians defeating the invading Synaptic Empire forces. He sat as the head of the Heatherfield Colony security within the group. Many of the men around him were military personnel. He wondered why he was among such people.
The video ended. Admiral Tsuji spoke first. He was the head of the planet's naval forces. A man who prized logic. So watching the Guardians must have seemed like a joke to him. "What are we supposed to make of this? I'm supposed to believe that five young girls defeated that expeditionary force?"
"The video matches the reports from the men I had there." Chief Roberts responded. He looked over to the screen. The picture of the five mecha was frozen before them. His thoughts went to the Guardians. Who where they? Where did they come from? How were they able to do the things they do?
"If that really is the case." General McMagnum, the head of the earth's army, crossed his arms. He kept his eyes on the screen. His face was stern. "Then we will need these things to help us defeat this threat to our world."
"Things?" Chief Roberts shouted. He stood up. "Those are girls, young girls."
"Yes," Dr. Marisica spoke up. She reset the glasses on her face. "But they are obviously not human. However, we need to capture one. Then perhaps we can learn how they are and with that knowledge we can hold back these threats."
"I will leave this to you, Roberts." McMagnum spoke and glared at the security chief. His face was still cold and ruthless.
"I-I understand." Chief Roberts grumbled. The meeting concluded and all but the chief left the room. He sat in the dark for a while. He then replayed the footage of last weeks events, pausing it when it showed all five Guardians. "How the hell am I supposed to capture one of them?"
Mizu stood within the gym. School had ended a while ago, along with kendo practice, but she had been missing a lot of it to perform her guardian duties. Whether those be shadow beasts from Psychomi or the mechanization of the Synaptic Empire.
She tightened her grip. Shouting she struck the dummy in front of her. Her training sword making slapping sounds with each hit. She spun at the sound of someone approaching. Her bamboo blade being caught by the person.
"That worried about your title as team captain?" Victor Graves, vice captain of the Heatherfield high kendo team, laughed. He shook his reddening hand and continued to smile. His short hair was designed like that of a movie star.
"I'm sorry," Mizu removed her helmet. Her face glistened with sweat. The two moved to sit on the bleachers. "It's just I haven't been around much. Didn't what my skills to get rusty."
"From that impact," Victor looked at his hand. He clenched it to make sure it wasn't broken. "I'd say you've gotten better."
"Thanks." Mizu scratched the back of her head.
"That's not what I wanted to talk to you about though." Victor looked across the gym. He put his hands together, and took a deep breath. "You don't think you could hook me up with that friend of yours?"
"Umm, sure, but I'm going to need to know who you're referring to?" Mizu smiled.
"Ondo, of course." Victor laughed.
Mizu looked at him. Her eyes wide and her smile gone. She gulped. Ondo was the girl that was hard to get. She said no to anyone and everyone who tried to ask her out. Mizu sighed. She said she try, and, seeing that it was the weekend, she figured she could convince Ondo.
"So its set then." Victor placed a hand on Mizu's shoulder. She had stopped paying attention to him after he mentioned Ondo's name.
"What's set?" Mizu asked. Victor had started to cross the gym to leave.
"You calling me when Ondo says yes." He waved back as he left. "All our plans to attack the Guardians and claim the Shard of Quintessence have failed."
"Her Majesty, angry." Brutus stomped out into the courtyard. His arm was wounded, but the brute looked as though it wasn't even fazed by it.
"Of course she is, you twit." Cassandra angrily growled. She had just finished recovering her wounds from the last battle she had with the Guardians. She walked by him waving that the main gates be opened.
"Where leg girl go?" Brutus grumbled. He placed his club on his shoulder.
"To the Infinite City." Cassandra looked over her shoulder. Her glare making even a powerful man like Brutus back down.
"Why go there?" Brutus took a step back. He did not want to battle the small girl. She knew that the queen would not care if he was killed by her.
"I have a new idea to kill those Guardians." Cassandra smiled, revealing her fangs. "It should be a hit."
"No," Ondo looked away from Mizu. The two were arriving Ray Anne and Eva's. The weekend offered a much needed break.
"Oh, come on, please?" Mizu placed her hands together and closed her blue eyes. The two were let into the mansion by Rodimus, who asked his usual question. Ondo politely declined and the two continued toward the entertainment room.
"I said no." Ondo shouted as they walked into the room. The other three guardians, and Jabari, looked over their shoulders as they entered. The room was dark and the projector was playing.
"Shhhh," Ray Anne shouted. "I found one of the lost series of Power Rangers. I'm trying to watch!"
"Come on. You're a senior in high school, and you haven't once gone on a date." Mizu whispered. The two sat down and watched the poor video quality episode. Ray Anne was up close to the screen. Eva rested and read while listening on her headphones. Amethyst was resting on the couch's back while Jabari intently watched the episode right next to Ray Anne.
"Mizu," Ondo growled under her breath.
"You turn every guy down. At least give Victor a chance. He's a great guy." Mizu continued to try.
"Mizu, I said no!" Ondo shouted. Mizu cringed. The two felt a breeze starting to flow over them. Ray Anne glared over her shoulder. Her eyes issued the command to shut up or get out. Ondo sighed and stood. She left the room. Eva decided to follow, while watching Mizu sulk on the couch.
"So, do I want to know what that was about?" Eva asked, following Ondo out into the hallway.
Ondo put her forehead to the wall. She grumbled. "I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind right now."
"Well, I'm here if you need me." Eva turned and walked back into the viewing room. Ondo turned to leave the house. Then, the both of their phone's received a text from Dr. N. There was something that he wanted to show them in the command center.
"I'll go on ahead." Ondo looked at her phone with saddened eyes. She forced a smile and marched out of the house. Eva shrugged. She figured that Ray Anne wouldn't leave until after the episode was over anyway.
"Your Majesty," Cassandra entered the throne room. A wicked smile played across her face.
Psychomi leaned on her throne. Its golden lined obsidian form made the dark queen's form blend into it. Her eyes narrowed open, as she looked through the gap between her fingers. "What is it Cassandra? I do not have time to your games."
Cassandra bowed to her queen. "I believe that I have a way to claim the Shard of Quintessence for you my queen."
Psychomi perked up. Her dark eyes wishing that this information is actually useful. She sat up in her chair, looking down over her thrown room. Cassandra kept her head down. She produced a skull from behind her back, and placed it on the ground before her.
"You bring me bones, Cassandra!" Psychomi growled. She stood, and her power snapped around her. The floor shifted as though it were about to swallow Cassandra up.
"These are no mere bones your majesty. They belonged to a creature known as the Ryihio. It was sealed in its own skeleton by your ancestor Queen Elyon." Cassandra looked up into her queen's dark gray eyes. "With your power you should be able to break that seal, and thus make the creature in your debt."
The energy around Psychomi calmed. She looked down at the skull. Its four eye holes stared up at her while its fanged smile made her grin. Suddenly, Psychomi lifted her hand. A black swirl of energy formed in her palm, and then fired into the skull.
In a dark explosion, the beast known as the Ryihio stood at a towering twelve feet. Its musculature looking to be composed of pure darkness. Its fingers looked to be made of blades as its four glowing orange eyes surveyed the throne room.
"How do you feel Ryihio?" Psychomi stepped towards the creature. A dark smile crossed her face.
"Who are you?" The beast roared in a whisper. Its head was frilled by spines.
"I am your queen, Psychomi." The small blonde girl told the beast.
The Ryihio laughed and nodded his head. It then tried to backhand Psychomi, but before it realized it was grabbed by vines of gold. The ground shifted under the Ryihio's feet and its black form was launched into one of the walls. The vines then pulled out of the wall and bound the Ryihio's body to the wall.
"As you can see," Psychomi laughed into the back of her hand. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the struggling beast. "You will never be able to harm me. Unfortunately, I need you to kill the Guardians for me. Otherwise, I'd obliterate you now."
"So, therefor, I have no choice." The Ryihio grumbled. "Point me towards these Guardians. They will be good practice for you."
Psychomi smiled and snapped her fingers. A fold opened up in front of the Ryihio, and the beast was thrown into it.
"You wanted to see us Dr. N?" Ondo asked as she entered the room. Dr. Naginata sat in front of a large monitor. The monitor was separated into five windows, each labeled with the names of the five girls. "What's all this?"
"Yes, I've made something to help manage things here." Dr. Naginata turned on his chair. He was happy for some reason. "Are you the only one?"
"Mizu and I are having..." Ondo sighed. "A disagreement. So, I came early. Ray Anne found a new season of Power Rangers."
"So, then we have to wait for them to pull her away; however, we can still test this system." Dr. Naginata laughed a little.
"And this system is?" Ondo crossed her arms and walked towards the screen.
"A way to monitor you girls during battle. The heart is still unstable, and I want to make sure you girls are okay." Dr. Naginata said. He turned back to the monitor. "It would be easier to show you. So if you could morph you'll see what they do."
Ondo took a deep breath. She entered the ready position. The green orb on her morpher shimmered brightly. "Guardian Unite!"
A green light shimmered around her as a small orb slammed into her chest. Her body looked to be made entirely of stone and plant roots. Her arms stretched out to her sides. Then the armor formed onto her arms, legs, and chest. It looked to pressure form around her before solidifying. Her body then returned to normal as her visor formed over her eyes and ears. Roots then erupted from her back and magically formed her wings.
Ondo landed peacefully on the ground. Her wings flicking to a stop. She opened her eyes. The screen marked with her name was lit with color. A graph in the bottom right fluctuated. While a display of her health and physical well being were displayed above of that graph.
"Interesting," Ondo placed a hand on her hip. "But why do we need it?"
"This will let me know if you are ever in danger. So, thus I can send the Guardian Wing when needed." Dr. Naginata informed her. An alarm went off around the command center. Dr. Naginata pressed some button on his chair and activated the view screen to show where in the city the disturbance occurred.
"Whatever it is. It's in the park." Dr. Naginata said. Ondo just nodded and took off on her wings. He then began trying to contact the others.
Ondo had to dodge a flying car to land on the grass of the park. Before her was the dark form of the Ryihio. It turned to look over its shoulder at Ondo. "Are you a Guardian?"
"What if I am?" Ondo stared at it. She kept her guard up. This was something different than just a shadow beast, but what was it. "I don't really have the patience to put up with this."
"Then you may die by my hand." The Ryihio rushed forward, slashing at the earth guardian with its blade like fingers. Ondo hoped away from the attack. Its second swing came. Ondo lifted her hand to block, raising a chunk of Earth into the beast's arm. The attack plowed through her elemental guard, but slowed the attack enough for her to dodge. She hopped back and returned to her readied stance.
"You are an interesting warrior Guardian." The Ryihio moved his arms to the ready. The two watched each other closely, looking for the other to flinch.
"Is that so." Ondo steeled herself. This thing was definitely no Shadow Beast. It knew how to fight. Plus the incredible power it unleashed with its attacks.
"You have wings but do not use them." The Ryihio chuckled. "Do you fear the air?"
"I'm the Guardian of Earth." Ondo commented. "My place is on the ground."
The Ryihio ran forward. Ondo dodged a powerful jab to her right. Ondo spun, swinging a side kick at the Ryihio's ribs. The beast blocked it with its forearm. It pulled its arm back and swung its elbow toward Ondo's head. Ondo caught the beast's elbow. She kicked forward, right into the Ryihio's chest. The two separated again. The Ryihio clutched his chest. It growled in anger. Ondo jumped forward and struck a kick at the side of the beasts head. It blocked and spun, causing Ondo to slam into the ground. The Ryihio swept down and took out Ondo's leg. Ondo dropped to her back, and rolled out of the way of the beast's ax kick.
Ondo stood up. She was breathing heavily, trying to keep up with this thing was hard. She readied herself again. The Ryihio slid back. Its body seeming to lock into place, as though it was just a suit of armor. Ondo watched it. This thing was different than the mindless beasts that Psychomi sent at them. It was skilled, intelligent, and ruthless. She began to wonder about how long it would take for her friends to arrive. Would she be able to hold this thing back until then?
"Are you getting tired Guardian? We've only been in battle for a short while. Not even enough to count as a skirmish." The Ryihio chucked. Black energy seemed to warp off of him, forming swords of shadow in his hands. "After all, now I'm warmed up."
"Guardian Strike Weapons," Ondo shouted as the beast ran at her. He earthen gauntlets formed on her hands. She blocked the first slash of its swords, and hopped with her wings to avoid the second. She landed and sent a kick into the Ryihio's side. It didn't flinch, instead it continued its assault, slashing at Ondo's exposed upper arm. She moved her arm and the clang of metal echoed over the park. Ondo was thrown, rolling on the ground by the creature's immense strength.
"Farewell Guardian!" The Ryihio was above Ondo before she could react. It's blade heading right for her back. Ondo closed her eyes, and readied herself to take the pain. Only she heard the Ryihio shout in anger. She opened her eyes again to see the creature stumble back. His hand clutched a wound on his stomach.
"You okay," Eva shouldered her spear. Electricity hopped around it, and the girl smiled. Ondo looked behind her to see the rest of her friends making it to the park. Ondo nodded to Eva and stood. The creature in front of them was bleeding. Shadow Beast's didn't bleed.
"So, there are more of you." The Ryihio shakes his head. He pulled his hand away from his wound and readied to face the Guardians. "I will shurely enjoy this."
"I think this guy's getting ahead of himself." Mizu said. She pointed her sword at the Ryihio. "But I'll be happy to beat you down."
"Mizu," Ondo said calmly. This creature was fast, and skilled.
"Don't worry," Mizu smiled. "I'll handle him. Just make sure Ondo's okay."
"Mizu," Ondo couldn't tell why her voice was so soft. Her vision was starting to blur too. She noticed Ray Anne and Amethyst grabbing her shoulders. She stumbled and looked down. A small pool of red was beneath her. When did he hit her? Ondo then felt herself black out. "How?"
"You aren't fighting this guy yourself Mizu," Eva pointed the tip of her spear at the shadow swordsman. Mizu just nodded as Ondo was flown away to safety. Eva could tell Mizu was worried. Mizu was the second best fighter of the five of them and she couldn't even land a blow that caused Ondo to block. This thing wounded her.
The beast came at them. Its movements looked slowed because of its injury. Eva shot up into the air, avoiding the beast's first swing. She was thankful for being faster. Mizu blocked the second attack and looked the beast square in the eye.
"I'm gonna make you pay for hurting Ondo." Mizu growled.
"Oh," The Ryihio laughed. The beast kicked off away from the water guardian. "You do not have the strength that she does."
Mizu ran forward, unleashing a flurry of slashes. The Ryihio blocked them all flawlessly. He slammed a palm into Mizu's stomach and sent her flying onto her back. The beast spun and caught Eva's lance on his sword. His eyes widened as electircal current shot forward and plowed him into one of the buildings across the street.
It pulled itself out of the rubble, as the police's mecha squad finally showed. Its armor looked shredded by the blast of energy, revealing nothing but tendrils of shadow holding up bleached white bones. It popped its neck and marched towards the guardians. The police's barrage of bullets filling it with holes, but that didn't stop the creature.
"Okay, now I'm scared." Eva back up. That was her strongest attack, and this thing came marching back.
"Don't be." Mizu said quickly. Water erupted from the sprinkler heads around her. She motioned the water forward in a high paced torrent. The beast raised its blade and blocked the torrent. However, where the water landed on it, the shadows disappeared. "Hit him again!"
Eva nodded and raised her hand at the beast. The bolt of lightning launched toward the creature and sent it once again flying into the building. Again it stood and marched forward, batting the torrents of water aside as swiftly as it could. The gun fire from its sides shattered its bones and the shrapnel was being washed away by the water.
"AGAIN!" Mizu screamed. Eva fired another blast of lightning. This one struck the beast dead in the chest. It roared in agony before its body separated as if it were exploding from the inside. The two guardians waited to make sure that the beast did not stand up again.
"Guardians, you are hereby placed under arrest," The lights of the polices machines turned on them. Mizu and Eva both nodded and flew away before the police could open fire.
Ondo woke up in the sleeping are of the command center. Her stomach was bandaged from the wound to her side. She was lying on a bed. She looked around the room to see Mizu sleeping in a chair not far from her. Ondo smiled at the sleeping girl, a small blush coming into her cheeks. How long had she been there? Were the Guardians able to defeat that monster? What had happened after she blacked out?
"Ondo," Amethyst spoke softly when she entered the room. "You're wake."
"Yeah, what happened?" Ondo asked calmly. Her blush fading.
"Somehow that thing nicked your side." Amethyst laughed a little. "Mizu and Eva beat the thing and came right back here. The police tried to arrest them though."
"Interesting, do you know why?" Ondo asked.
Amethyst shrugged. "Dr. N is looking into that now. But you should probably get some rest and heal up."
"Wait," Ondo spoke right before Amythist left the door. "How long have I been out?"
"Only a couple of hours." Amethyst smiled. "Mizu hasn't left that chair since she got back. Well, I'll go get you something to eat."
Ondo smiled and looked back over to Mizu. She leaned back on the bed and drifted back to sleep.
"I hate doing clean up." One of the officer's at the park grumbled as he put shell cases in a trash bag. He then picked up half of a strange looking skull. "I guess this was part of the thing the guardians killed."
He looked behind him to ask if he could keep it, but that's when he noticed that all of the others working the site were asleep on the ground. There was even a small fire where they had found blood.
"I'll take that skull," a woman's voice spoke. She approached him. Her face and body hidden by a thick black cloak. The officer gulped. Something about this woman made him shiver in fear. He shakily handed her the piece of skull. He couldn't see her face, but he knew she was smiling as she took the bone. The officer then slumped to the ground as though he too succumbed to sleep.
"Now," the woman held the bone up to look at it. "Perhaps I can rebuild you properly." She laughed before teleporting away.