Chapter Twenty-Six: Earth - Return of an Old Friend
Risp rubbed the bridge of her nose. She was trying to figure out the logistics of the situation. She couldn't find a clear cut solution to how she would execute their plan.
"Could you show me one more time where the trail is?" She asked, looking at Reon.
"But of course!" He said happily. He was very excited with his discovery. "If you overlay the energy signature Commander Lovel found, allowing us to track the Demons' ship up to the point our ship crashed from that weird energy surge, with this faint 'anomaly' our techs found when they were trying to catch any communication signals to call for a mechanic to fix our ship, you see they are a match. I have gone through and scoured this galaxy we are in for similar frequencies and have, by zooming in and using some algorithms to attempt to restore these trails, found several paths that lead directly... here." He pointed to a spot on the hologram as he concluded demonstrating his findings.
Rahp nodded. "So you believe right there is the base for the Demons?"
"Yes, I do. Every single trail leads back to this one point."
"But there is no planet there." Filcar pointed out.
"It could always be some sort of floating base. I mean, it's not like they need a planet to sustain them... they're Demons. They don't need to eat or drink or anything... right?" Priscilla theorized.
"Our megazord is seventy percent fixed. Since Burai is gone for now, we don't have anyone to finish the repairs." Risp said to the team. "The reason I bring this up is because, for now, this ship is out of commission. We are going to have to drive the megazord to the Demons' base. I'm sure that once we get there, we will find out whoever this "queen" we keep hearing about is. My guess is if we can destroy their queen, the whole hive will fall apart and make it easier for us to destroy the rest of the Demons."
Filcar furrowed his brow. "Generally speaking... when you destroy a hive's queen, the members of the hive tend to go crazy, chaotic, and will destroy anything and everything in their paths. Shouldn't we at least capture this queen?"
Rahp shook his head. "I'm with Claire on this. We get to her and destroy her. Even if her followers get aggressive, they won't be thinking and will be careless. The short time following her destruction may get chaotic, but over the course of time it will be better than letting her continue her conquest of the universe, like she has been doing successfully up to this point."
"So does this mean we ranger up?" Reon asked, stepping away from the hologram.
Risp nodded. "Ranger up, everyone. We're heading to The Queen's base."
. . .
Darkonda laughed as he landed on Earth. The most recent sighting of a ranger team had been on the planet, so he had arrived, ready to challenge them.
"I call upon the Power Rangers! I wish to challenge you!" Darkonda yelled out. He looked around, waiting for someone to appear. According to his scanners, some sort of interdimensional rift was near the location in which he found himself. He knew the rangers, or those close to them, would have to be involved in such a phenomenon. As he predicted, someone answered his call, stepping out from the Magic Realm portal.
"What do you want, Demon?" Master Lope asked, sneering.
"I want the Power Rangers. Call them here and I will leave your planet alone." Darkonda replied.
Lope laughed. "What would you say if I told you I'm more than you could handle?"
"I'd call you delusional. Now, allow me to fight the Power Rangers, or I will lay this planet to waste!" Darkonda threatened.
Another being emerged from the Magic Realm, taking his side next to Master Lope. "Need some help there, friend?" The newcomer, Master Rilla asked.
"The more the merrier, my friend." Lope said, smirking.
"I'll take it from here." Necrolai shrieked, descending from the skies.
"Ah, the princess of the Vampires. You know, your mother is quite upset with you for breaking your people's treaty with us." Rilla said, stepping forward.
"What I do is my own business. Now, my Master has demanded me to destroy you Masters as soon as you surface. Well, if all it took was to call you out, I would've done this long ago!"
"Okay, Batgirl. Listen: You do what you will with these magicians. I want the Power Rangers!" Darkonda said, turning around and beginning to walk away.
"Let's get after him!" Lope said, rushing forward. To this, Necrolai expanded her wings and shook her head.
"Nuh-uh. I told you I have been waiting for you. If you want the Demon, you will have to get through me."
Rilla frowned. "Gladly, hag. Attack!"
As the Order of the Claw masters began fighting Necrolai, Gosei and Dimitria monitored from their base in the Magic Realm. Gosei shook his head.
"What is wrong, Gosei?" Dimitria asked, sensing Gosei's frustration.
"All of the Magic Realm's forces are being split. Master Guin is leading some knights against a large platoon of Hidiacs. Master Mao and some other wizards are battling against some Rinshi. That young buck Finn is guarding the Ancient City with another Order fighter, Swoop... We're overloaded. Now that we have a Demon here on Earth, I don't have anyone to send to fight him."
"He said he's looking for Power Rangers. Why don't you give him what he wants?" Zordon asked, walking into the room.
"Zordon!" Dimitria said happily.
"Oh, boy. Am I glad to see you. Are the others here?" Gosei asked.
"We are here and ready to help. We noticed a Demon energy frequency from the moon and we decided to come down to see what we could do to help." Zordon replied.
"Fantastic. Let me tell you... where... uh... where the Demon... oh, shoot..." Gosei said, trying to get his monitors to run properly. Zordon smiled. He walked over, typed in a couple of keys on Gosei's makeshift keyboard, and focused in on Darkonda.
"Oh, no... It's Novact."
"He's a Demon now!?" Dimitria cried out in shock.
"There's a lot I need to fill you guys in on. But not now. Send the coordinates to the Ragnarok so they meet me out there. Can you teleport me to Novact?"
Gosei nodded. He typed in an algorithm and, locking on Zordon's bio signature, teleported him out of his small base room in the mountain the Magic Realm resistance had closed themselves off in. He then began sending the coordinates to the Ragnarok.
As Zordon appeared on the main plane of Earth's existence from the teleportation, he fell onto his back. Pulling himself up, he shook his head.
"Gosei's going to need some tutoring on how to properly program a teleportation..." Zordon muttered under his breath. As he looked up, he saw Darkonda walking toward him from a few yards away.
"Graceful entrance. I hope you don't fight that way." Darkonda said, laughing. The Yellow Energy was dancing wildly in his eyes.
"I'm going to end you here, Novact." Zordon said, getting into a fighting stance. He looked around, waiting to hear the Ragnarok coming in for a landing. He couldn't see or hear anything similar to that approaching any time soon.
"What? Waiting for someone? Don't worry... I'll keep you company!" Darkonda said, rushing forward. As he did, he summoned the Sword of Darkness into his hands and tried slashing as Zordon.
Zordon flipped backward, narrowly missing the blade's cut. Focusing on his Nathadian Magic, he did a quick scan of the sword. He could only make out snippets of the blade's past. It involved, like so many other things, the Nathadians. It had been used in a war long ago, forged from dark powers Zordon could not understand. It was the final piece of the puzzle to what eventually was the last war the Nathadians had fought in as a nation. Even without analyzing it, Zordon could feel its immense power.
"Okay, so you've escalated the battle, Novact. I appreciate that. Ancient source: Meledon force!"
Suddenly, as the morph began, Zordon heard a voice he had never heard before. It said, "Galwit mysto ranger!"
"Huh?" Meledon Ranger asked, confused. He looked around and saw no one.
Darkonda leapt forward, attempting to slash at Meledon. Meledon easily moved out of the way, able to fully sense what Darkonda was to do. He had never felt at one with his powers, not like he currently was. He felt as if he could fully tap into both the Morphing Grid, and the Nathadian powers. He turned and kicked Darkonda as hard as he could, sending him flying. He then produced his red saber and shot White Energy from the blade to Darkonda. This caused the powerful Demon to fall to a knee. He was clutching his chest.
"It is so good to have our chosen warrior so close to us." A voice said in Meledon's head. The red ranger looked around, trying to see from where it was coming.
"I'm glad at least something is working out." Another voice said.
"Zordon Zoltar of Eltar... We are the Tribunal of Magic. We would like to let you know we are aware of you, and the closer you are to us, the more power you will have. May the Power protect you, young warrior."
And with that, the voices were gone. Zordon shook his head, confused. He looked at Darkonda, who was standing again. He pointed the Sword of Darkness at Meledon Ranger.
"You have extraordinary powers. I must have them for myself!" Darkonda declared, Yellow Energy crackling from his eyes.
"Not if I have anything to do about it!" Gold Ranger announced, leaping onto the scene. Following her was Amaradon Ranger and the Green Dragon Ranger.
"What took you guys so long?" Meledon Ranger said, laughing. He suddenly heard Trinity's voice come online over his communicator.
"Gosei gave us the wrong coordinates. It took me a while to try and fix them. Sorry."
"I'm just glad to see you all. Ready?" Meledon said.
"Always." Gold Ranger replied, rushing forward to fight Darkonda.
Darkonda slashed viciously. He connected a blow to Amaradon Ranger successfully. He fell to the ground in pain.
"Argh!" Amaradon screamed, clutching his chest. He demorphed at that moment.
"Geez, Zordon! You're weakening me!" Yoral screamed in anger.
Darkonda laughed. "Bickering amongst the ranks? How... unheroic!" He dodged a strike from Gold Ranger's Power Staff, slashing her on the back. She, too, screamed out in pain. She fell to her knees.
"I'm getting massive energy readings from that blade. Be careful, Burai and Zordon!" Trinity informed. Then, she added, "Tria... are you okay?"
Gold Ranger nodded, getting to her feet. "I'll be fine. It's this guy who has it coming to him. Watsaw!"
Green Ranger pulled out his Dragon Dagger. He turned to Meledon and said, "Let me handle this guy."
Meledon shook his head. "I can take him on. No need for that."
Darkonda laughed as he ran to Yoral and picked him up. "No one is going to be doing anything to me, understood? One wrong move and he's destroyed!"
"Let him go, Novact." Meledon Ranger warned.
"Novact!? I don't believe it..." Green Ranger said, shaking his head.
Green, Gold, and Meledon Rangers encircled the Demon. They walked around, ensuring the circle wasn't broken. They stared at Darkonda with intent.
"What? You think you can stop me!?" Darkonda asked, laughing. "You haven't seen anything yet!" At that, Green Ranger noticed Darkonda's grip begin to tighten on Yoral's neck. Without thinking he shot an energy orb at the Demon, releasing his grip on Yoral. At the same time, Meledon Ranger pointed the lion head on his saber at Darkonda and shot bursts out at him, sending him flying into the air. As he was midair, Gold Ranger got into Shadow Mode and pummelled Darkonda. Every hit had sort of a juggling effect. Everytime Darkonda began to fall to the ground, Gold Ranger would hit him and bounce him up again. After about ten hits or so, Gold Ranger ceased her onslaught, fearing it would weaken her too much.
Darkonda smashed into the ground, grunting in pain. He could see the Sword of Darkness close to him. He tried crawling to it, but was stopped by Green Ranger. The Green Ranger picked it up himself and pointed it at Darkonda. He then, feeling the power the sword was capable of, planted the sword into the ground and caused power to emanate from it. The attack burrowed underground and tunnelled its way to Darkonda. The Demon flew through the air upon contact.
"My... sword!" Darkonda yelled in frustration.
"I think I'll be keeping this." Green Ranger said, laughing.
Meledon Ranger landed next to him, putting his red saber in a fighting position. Gold Ranger did similarly with her Power Staff.
Darkonda limped up to a knee. "You haven't seen the last of me!" And with that, he vanished.
Meledon Ranger turned to Green Ranger. "Is it wise for you to use that? Its powers are strictly evil."
Green Ranger shrugged. "I can feel it has an evil energy to it, but I don't feel it attaching to me at all."
Gold Ranger looked at the two and said, "Well, Zordon... you have the ability to analyze things. Maybe you can check to see if it is dangerous?"
Meledon nodded and scanned both Green Ranger and the sword. He was surprised to find a second energy flowing through Green Ranger, separate from the Morphing Grid. The words "Dino Energy" floated through his mind. Focusing on the sword, Meledon got the answer he was looking for.
"Apparently the sword feeds off of negative energy. You, frankly... don't have any, Burai. It seems as if you can use it without any side effects."
Gold Ranger turned to see Yoral awakening. As Meledon and Green Ranger continued discussing the sword, she ran to him.
"Are you okay?"
"No! Zordon's stupid powers are weakening me. I almost died because of him!"
"It's not Zordon's fault..."
"Then whose is it!? Are you saying it's my fault!?"
"No, it's not anyone's fault!" Gold Ranger said angrily. "I'm getting sick and tired of your bad attitude!"
"My attitude!? I've been with you for half a year now! I've been your sister's bodyguard through all of that time, and I did all of this for free! All I have been trying to do is be a great warrior for the universe and be a team player. All of a sudden, though, Zordon comes waltzing in, back from the dead, and everyone's praising him and giving him powers. He comes in, ruins my relationships, and now when I finally have some power, it's him who's taking it away from me! Now, you're sick of my attitude!? Forget this! I don't need any of this! ARGH! Zocato POWER!" After Yoral's long stream of anger, he unleashed what Zocato power he had left, blasting Gold Ranger away from him and teleporting to the temple under the Earth. The temple where the Ghost of Darknesslay hidden from the rest of the world.
"Tria!" Trinity yelled over the communicator. Meledon and Green Ranger ran to her.
"Speak to me, Tria..." Zordon said as he demorped. Burai followed suit.
"I'm... okay..." Tria said as she voluntarily demorphed herself. With the two male rangers' help, she was back on her feet.
"Let's get you back to the Ragnarok..." Burai said. They nodded as the Ragnarok appeared from up high in the clouds. It landed near them and let them in. In the Hangar Bay, Trinity rushed in to see her sister.
"How could Yoral do something like this!? He's our friend!" Trinity demanded, crying as she hugged her sister.
Zordon shook his head. "Power can do that to a person... It's an awful shame to see someone with so much talent head down that road..."
Tria stood up and looked at Burai. "Burai... I know you are a Commanding General for the Alliance Rangers, but... without Dulcea, Yoral apparently wanting to go rogue, and the ever growing gallery of villains... I want to ask you if you would be willing to join us, even if only temporarily. We need at least three active rangers."
Burai nodded. He didn't have to give it any thought. Although he loved his position with the Alliance Rangers, he had never felt more at home or useful in his entire life. "Of course, I will. I'll try to send a message to them letting them know of my intentions. Of course, they still have General Risp, so they should be just fine."
Tria looked to Trinity. "I'm sorry about Yoral... We'll do everything we can to get him back."
Trinity looked at her teammates as Burai left the room to compose his "letter of resignation". She had a solemn appearance. "I hope we can find him before it's too late..."
A mere five miles away, Yoral stood before the Ghost of Darkness. The Ghost laughed as he heard Yoral's predicament.
"Why are you laughing at me!?" Yoral demanded, pulling out his gunblade and pointing it at the skull.
"I'm not laughing at you, my child. I'm laughing at the situation. This is what has happened, all throughout history, when one has trusted a Nathadian. Zordon may as well be one himself, being their chosen warrior." The Ghost said casually. "He is jealous of you, Yoral. Stay here, with me, and I will teach you how to truly harness your Zocato power. Then you can get your life back from Zordon. Is this what you want me to do for you?"
Both Red and Yellow Energy swirled around Yoral. He clenched his fist and nodded. "Yes, my master." He fell to a knee. "I will learn your ways. Then, I will get my revenge on Zordon!"
"Good, good... Your first order of business is to find for me an old artifact. It belonged to me many, many years ago before it was stolen by a wicked man named Lothor. The artifact is called the God Eye."
"How will I find it?" Yoral asked, standing up tall.
"Have your wand guide you. If you focus on the task I have given you, you will feel it guide you in the right direction."
The wand appeared in Yoral's hand as the young warrior summoned it forth. Yoral smiled. "Consider it done." And with that, he teleported out of the temple. As he disappeared, Grizzaka stepped out from the shadows. He approached the Ghost of Darkness calmly.
"God Eye? What is this?"
"Oh, it's nothing important. It's an old family heirloom that was stolen from me. I'm merely sending the boy away for now, to learn to use the wand properly, and to keep him out of our way while I continue to train you, my apprentice." The Ghost of Darkness said. He could feel that Grizzaka did not believe him, but he did not care.
"Yes, I understand how sentimentally one can grow over time..." Grizzaka lied. "So, finishing our conversation from before, you said something about a force that I could use for my advantage?"
The Ghost laughed. "Oh, yes... that..." Focusing, he summoned forth two warriors he had kept in "storage". The two fighters appeared, flanking the Ghost on each side. They had their backs turned to the Ghost, staring on at Grizzaka.
"What in the world are they?" Grizzaka asked, staring at them intently. One was white and one was black. They were covered in feathers. Each had one single wing.
"Meet Bai Lai and Carden. They are the results of an experiment I tried long ago. I hope they can help you in... whatever you are planning." The Ghost said.
"The more help, the merrier. Why are you helping me with my troubles here on my planet, though? How does this help my training?" Grizzaka asked suspiciously.
The Ghost laughed. "A bit of skepticism is always healthy. You see... I believe if your mind is preoccupied with other matters, you cannot fully embrace the Zocato power. If you have helpers to which you can delegate tasks to, however..."
"I see your point. Well, I must be heading off then. I'll take these two with me and see what I can have them do for me. Bai Lai? Carden? Let us head off!" Grizzaka said. He used his Earth power and teleported himself and his two new warriors away.
The Ghost of Darkness laughed as Grizzaka left. I knew the time would come when I would be able to fully realize my plans... Soon, the Reunion will come to pass and all life will belong to me! The Weapon will be mine and I will finish what Lothor tried to do...
Red Energy began to crackle around the Ghost as he thought of Lothor. I was so close! That non-scientific fool ruined my plans! He didn't know the true power behind my methods! No matter... Soon I will find a way to get everything back... I will be able to summon the Weapon to do my bidding, and use those precious cells to conquer each planet. Then I will transcend this universe and find out where that fisherman is hiding who altered the timeline. I will take his power with me to my next goal. Then... my Spiral will be complete!
As the Ghost finished his mental planning, he summoned more warriors to him in his temple. The four fighters, completely loyal to the Ghost, stood before him. Their armor shined against the light being provided by the Crystal in front of the Ghost. The powerful armor made of foreign metal covered the warrior's entire torsos, from their waists to the tops of their single wings, which each of them sported. The all wores armored boots as well.
"Ah, my one winged fighters. How grand it is to see you all here again. I hope you are all ready to start the Reunion! Shadow Guard White, Shadow Guard Black, Red Shadow Guard I, and Red Shadow Guard II... Get ready for our glorious return!"
. . .
Necrolai limped into Octomus' chambers. Dai Shi was standing with him, planning. Dai Shi had told Octomus of his new alliance with the Overlords of Earth, and how they would need to plan a slower approach than they had been up to that point. Octomus was sold by Dai Shi's sales pitch, thinking it would be good to be able to ensure a victory against the United Alliance, along with the various forces clamoring for the Zeo Crystal. The only point that they still needed to iron out was how they were going to ensure their plan of a slower conquest wouldn't be interrupted by Beelzebub reigniting the Holy War before they had the chance to gain Earth for themselves.
Octomus turned to Necrolai. "What do you have to offer me, Vampire?"
Necrolai looked down in shame. "Master... I have been defeated by members of the Order of the Claw. I barely escaped with my life!"
Dai Shi walked to her. He punched her in the stomach, then slapped her face. She fell to the floor. He growled at her, saying, "How dare you enter our chambers with news of failure!"
"There... there's more... a Demon... There was a Demon here..." Necrolai sputtered out.
Octomus narrowed his eyes to Dai Shi. Both instantly forgot Necrolai was even in the room, going back to their planning. Dai Shi walked back to Octomus to speak with him.
"So, Dai Shi, it has begun..."
"So it seems. The Demons have landed here on Earth."
"It will only be a matter of time before the Holy War is begun anew. We need to speed up the process of gaining Earth. Then we can gain the Greatest Treasure."
"But we put ourselves in risk of being eliminated by other factions. There must be a way we can stop the Demons while allowing the Overlords to fulfill their plan..."
"Well, Beelzebub is working on his own, certainly. Perhaps we can help him focus his efforts on that fool Bansheera?"
"How would we do such a thing?" Dai Shi asked.
"Simple. We give him her coordinates. I have been in contact with Estro while he helped me bring Ticon back to life. Through those communications, I knowexactly where Bansheera is." Octomus replied.
"Then it is settled. But how do we get the message to Beelzebub?" Dai Shi asked.
"Ticon seems to have gained full motor control of his cybernetics. I can have him go out to another planet and use a goblet of blood to summon him. Then he won't be drawn here to Earth."
"Perfect. Call upon him, then, my friend."
"Ticon! My loyal servant. Come to me!"
The resurrected warrior marched into the room with purpose just as Necrolai left. He sneered at her as he approached his masters.
"Yes, Master? What do you wish me to do?"
"I will give you some coordinates. I want you to use a goblet of blood to summon the Alpha Demon Beelzebub. Give him those coordinates and tell him that is where Bansheera is. Then I wish for you to return to me. That is all, Ticon."
"Yes, Master. Oh, and I no longer go by the name Ticon. You may now call me Morticon."
. . .
Bansheera laughed as she saw Neo Maligore forming on the platform. For the past few hours, she had been pouring her powers into the creation of her new loyal servant. Unbeknownst to her, Novact's Yellow Energy swirled in the platform as well. That and a piece of his lingering will remained on the platform, mixing and churning with the ingredients creating the new lava beast. As the final piece fell into place, Bansheera shot a bolt of Black Energy into Neo Maligore, bringing him to life.
As she did this, Darkonda limped into the room. Deviot followed quickly behind him. Hearing them, Bansheera turned to see why they had approached her.
"My, Darkonda... you seem to not be doing well." Bansheera said, mocking him.
"My Queen... please forgive me... I... I have lost the Sword of Darkness!" Darkonda choked out, falling to a knee.
Bansheera's eyes grew wild with anger. "What!? I entrusted that artifact to you, and within a few hours you lose it! Say goodbye to your existence, you miserable-"
As Bansheera began charging a killing blow, Deviot stepped in the way. "My Queen... Our forces are dwindling. It would be best, perhaps, to let this Demon live. We need all the help we can get..."
Bansheera lowered her arms and stared at Deviot. "Why are you here, anyway, Changeling?"
Deviot bowed. "I am simply here to inform you I am working on restoring the Psycho Rangers."
Bansheera smiled. "Perfect. Nothing better than having my own set of rangers. You are dismissed."
Bowing again, Deviot turned to leave. He knelt down and whispered to Darkonda, saying, "You owe me one, Demon."
Bansheera turned to Neo Maligore, pointing to Darkonda. "I received a report that the War Star Armada ship belonging to the Alliance Power Rangers is crippled. I want you to take this weakling, along with Diabolico and Loki to that ship and destroy it immediately. Understood?"
Neo Maligore stared at Bansheera. Hmm... So because she is my creator she thinks she has the right to push me around? Am I not a living being myself, capable of great power? Am I not a being with the ability to choose? Interesting... She seems to believe if she orders something to happen, I will do so without a second thought. She seems to place great trust in me. I will see if I can use this to my advantage...
"Hmm... did I do something wrong? It's not responding..." Bansheera thought aloud, beginning to approach the lava golem. As she did, Neo Maligore moved, startling her.
"Yes, my Queen. I will do... whatever you command." Neo Maligore said, walking forward to Darkonda. He picked the Demon up by the neck and forced him to stand upright. "Get on your feet, soldier. You are coming with me... now!"
Bansheera smiled and place her right hand to her neck. Her other arm was across her abdominal region, touching her left hand to her right elbow. "Ooo... I like the attitude. You will do quite nicely!"
As she turned to head back into her private chamber, Neo Maligore laughed. Yes... I will do quite nicely...
Unseen and unnoticed by anyone on the floating base, Beelzebub landed on one of its outer platforms. He smiled.
Time for some much needed personal time with my old friend... He thought, slipping into one of the ventilation shafts as he reverted to his red cloud form. He was ready for a confrontation with the woman who stole two hundred million years of his life.
. . .
"So... They attacked you here... on our base!?" Rita asked angrily.
"That's right, my empress." Goldar said. "I had returned from Earth to grab some more footsoldiers to finish my conquest, and then, suddenly, I was attacked from behind by Zordon and his gang of thugs! I was injured so badly I had to come back here. There was no way I could finish anything after that!"
Rita frowned. "How dare he do such a thing! Those goodie goods speak of honor, but they wouldn't know it if it bit them in the face! Scorpina? What happened to you?"
"Something similar. I was battling some wizards when I was suddenly blasted from the Ragnarok in the sky." She lied, following Goldar's advice. She wanted to ensure she had an ally within Rita's ranks, so no one would know her secret alliance with Dai Shi to get Earth for himself.
"So... they like fighting dirty, huh? Hmm... I know! Goldar! Gather our strongest generals. I'm going to hit one of those Power Rangers where it hurts the most! Then they'll see who they're dealing with. Next time they'll think twice before messing with Rita Repulsa!"
"Where are we going, my empress?" Scorpina asked, fighting the urge to flinch as she called Rita her "empress".
"Triforia, my dearie. We are heading to Triforia."