(August 23, 2007)
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Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dane's hammer served as the backdrop to Brody practicing his forms on the front lawn. The afternoon sun shone cheerily above, warm enough for Brody to regret wearing his long sleeve gi. He moved through the motions, welcoming the relief a soft breeze offered.
In the week since Dane had pulled out the star from the crystal Brody had lost some of his interest in it. Not that the prism wasn't cool, but nothing new happened since. The throwing star was, at this point, just an ornate artifact. The prism, other than keeping itself upright, hadn't moved or made a sound in days. Aiden didn't share Brody's opinion. He'd remained by Dane's side when working with the metal from the prism, which Dane called ninja steel. Dane's most recent test involved casting throwing stars to test the metal's malleability.
To keep himself busy while the other two worked, Brody had taken to increasing his martial arts training. Nothing overly strenuous, but a nagging feeling inside wouldn't leave him. A feeling that he needed to be better, and soon. Brody shook his head. It never hurt to push himself to be the best he could be.
So focused on his practice Brody didn't hear a low pitched hum come from the trees behind the property. He also didn't notice the three large figures stalking toward him. A loud crunch from behind alerted him that he wasn't alone.
Brody whipped around and for a moment could only gawk. It looked like three cosplayers had gotten lost on their way to a convention. The man (Creature?) closest to him wore a brown tunic overlaid with blue and red armor. Neon yellow eyes sat close together on his elongated face. A blue strip ran from his chin to his forehead accenting the unnatural color. Two horns projected off his head in front of a shock of white hair.
Next to him was a more feminine figure in a large yellow kimono lined with white fur. Shoulder pads shaped like tigers attached to the dress and two long paws jutted out from them to frame her head. Her white face also resembled that of a cat's, complete with ears pointing off the top of her head. Behind them green hair was tied in a high bun.
Most terrifying, however, was the monster that came last. He stood a good head taller than the other two and twice as wide. Covered in gold armor interlaid with navy leather, he walked with a commanding presence. His face reminded Brody of a bull's, and two large antler-like projections coming off his head adding to his already fearsome height. In his hand he held a short staff with a long blade attached. Thanks to Dane's instruction in martial arts history Brody recognized it as a naginata, a weapon used by the samurai of old.
Brody took this all in within the span of several seconds. It took him a few more to realize they were coming straight at him. Brody turned to run but a huge hand grabbed his arm before he could take off.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Brody shouted as he pulled against the creature's grip. Harsh laughter met his demand and the grip on his arm tightened.
"Where is the Ninja Nexus Prism and Star? Our scanners placed it here."
Brody kicked, trying to get him to loosen his grip. Striking at the golden creature's armored legs only served to annoy the brute and bruise Brody's toes.
"No more games, where is the Nexus Star?" He shook Brody.
"I don't know any Nexus anything. Let me go!"
Brody struggled harder. The giant simply pulled Brody flush against himself, restricting Brody's movements. As the roar of adrenaline quickly became replaced with the freezing effects of fear, Brody realized he couldn't hear Dane's hammer.
Gathering in as much air as he could, Brody shouted, "Dad! Aiden!"
The two other attackers immediately flanked the yard, moving toward the barn.
Dane appeared at the door several long seconds later, katana in hand. Even from halfway across the yard Brody could see the tightness in Dane's features and the clenching of his jaw. He walked forward, every deliberate step showing he was a man accustomed to facing battles head on.
"Let Brody go." Dane's voice remained steady but there was a fire in his eyes that Brody had never seen before- and hoped to never see again.
Unexpectedly the giant compiled and let loose his death grip on Brody. Brody wasted no time and ran to his father, clinging to him in a way he hadn't since he was younger.
"It makes no difference, you're surrounded." The smaller monsters closed in from the sides. "We know the Ninja Nexus Prism is here. Give us that and the Nexus Star."
Dane half crouched in a ready stance. "I don't know who you are, but this Nexus Star is not going with you."
The giant laughed humorlessly and stepped forward. "I've been tracking the Prism and Star for too many years to let some human stand in my way."
Dane opened his mouth but before he could respond the air around his left hand thickened and the Nexus Star materialized. Only years of training kept Dane from dropping his guard at the Star's unexpected appearance.
The monster's mouth set in a grim line as he eyed his desired prize. "Give me the Star and I will let you both live."
Dane shifted sideways, blocking Brody from the monster's view. He stayed quiet, mind racing to think through the best way to get out of the situation. Three against one were odds he'd faced before, but that was against human opponents. These things were hardly human. They'd also already shown themselves ruthless enough to use Brody as a hostage. Keeping him out of their reach was his number one priority.
Brody looked up at his Dad then glanced back at the star. Since they'd housed the prism, and by extension the star, it had shown to have otherworldly qualities but nothing so powerful that someone would want to kill for it. There had to be something they hadn't seen yet. Something that would cause this alien to track it to their backyard. This being was obviously dangerous and if he wanted the star so badly there had to be a really good reason. He stepped forward next to Dane.
"You can't give it to him Dad."
Dane's gaze flicked from the monster, to Brody, to the throwing star, then back to the monster. In that moment Brody saw an emotion he didn't recognize in his dad's eyes- fear. Not for himself, but for Brody. Yet there had been another glint too, one of pride.
Before he could respond the monster's patience snapped. "You have no choice!" Lifting his naginata a bolt of lightning shot from its tip towards them.
Dane dropped his katana and shoved Brody down out of the way. Simultaneously he brought up the star as a meager shield between himself and the blast. Bright, pulsing light flared through the yard, blinding everyone. Brody's stomach turned as he wondered if the blast had vaporized Dane.
Blinking hard to get rid of the dots in his vision Brody looked up to see his dad still standing. More than that the star's energy wrapped around Dane transforming his simple work clothes into a flexible red and black suit. A helmet hid his face and a new longsword replaced his fallen katana. Brody gaped in awe.
"So the legends are true." The cat woman's voice was soft, almost reverent. "He's become a power ranger!"
"I don't care what he's become. That star is mine!" The monster raised his naginata again and charged at Dane.
Dane sprang forward, jumping higher and moving faster than he ever had before. Their blades clashed furiously. Dane pulled back and rolled to the side before bringing his blade up to strike the man's side. It found its mark, but the gold armor absorbed most of the blow. The monster retaliated with a devastating swing. Dane flipped backward to avoid being skewered.
Brody watched with awe from where he'd fallen. He'd seen his dad fight before, but this was a whole new level of finesse. Absorbed by the sight, he failed to notice the blue and red monster getting closer. Rough hands grabbed Brody's arm and jerked him to his feet. Brody yelped and thrashed to no avail. Brody watched his father kick the giant in the chest sending him sprawling his blade falling to the side.
"Dad! Dad!" Brody yelled.
Dane turned at the sound of Brody's voice. His posture tightened. "Let go of my son!"
He charged toward them, focusing solely on getting to Brody. With his back turned Dane didn't see his downed opponent grasping the naginata. Brody had no time to shout a warning before a blast hit Dane in the back. The force sent him flying. Just before Dane hit the ground red light flashed, taking the red suit and sword with it. The throwing star manifested again, falling from Dane's hand just out of arm's reach. Winded from the fall, Dane struggled to rise. Golden encased legs barred his vision and a clawed hand grasped the star. Brody redoubled his writhing but the monster's grip held firm.
"At long last the Nexus Star is mine!"
The monster held the star aloft, grinning wickedly. Brody watched in horror as red light crept outward from the star, washing over the giant's hand and up his arm. Where the light passed the armor turned a dark gray- like living stone.
"Invincibility will now be mine!"
Enraptured in his moment of triumph, the monster and his minions missed Dane pulling himself to his knees while reaching for his sword.
"That star came to me so I could protect it. . . from evil like you!" Dane shouted.
Brody watched frozen as his father grasped his katana. Moving almost too quickly for the eye to follow, Dane launched himself at the monster. His aim true, the katana pierced the star.
BOOOM!
Dirt, grass, and rocks exploded outward. Unable to keep their balance against such an onslaught, Brody and the monsters were thrown to the ground. Ears ringing and head spinning, Brody slowly pushed himself upright and away from his captor. The creatures were still down for the count, but that wasn't what drew Brody's eye.
A crater lay where Brody's dad had stood only moments before. Sparkles began to puncture air as the dust slowly settled. There, standing upright in all its glory, was the prism.
"Dad? Dad!" Brody croaked out.
There was no answer. Shakily Brody stood and moved toward the prism. Somehow the throwing star had once again been captured inside the prism's face. Cracks spread throughout the star. In a flash of rainbow-colored light it split into six pieces. Blinking hard against the sudden visual assault, Brody looked back to the prism.
The six shards were no longer broken and misshapen. Shining almost as brilliantly as the crystal prism itself, six individual throwing stars, each a different color, stared back at Brody. Captivated by the sight Brody slowly reached towards the prism.
"Out of my way!" A cold voice, accompanied by a shove that sent Brody sprawling, broke him out of his reverie.
Mentally snapped back to where he was, fear began to course through him. Fear, and the sudden realization that he still didn't see his dad. 'The explosion... Did...did it kill dad?' Unwelcome tears began to pool as he sat in disbelief.
"Arghhh!" The giant monster bellowed, breaking Brody out of his thoughts.
Looking up he saw the monster strike the prism again and again with his naginata. It didn't even scuff the crystal. The monster roared again in frustration.
Huffing he turned to his minions, "Odius grab the Nexus Prsim. We'll figure how to get it out on the ship." His hard gaze landed back on Brody. "Ripcon take the brat to the ship and put him in chains!"
Brody jerked in shock. Scrambling to his feet, fear making his stomach clench, he took a step back as the blue horned figure turned in his direction. Though his adrenaline got him to his feet, fear and grief delayed any further reaction. In two bounds the blue and red monster had Brody by the arms.
"You're Galvanax's now rat bait." He snarled, contempt heavy in his tone.
Panicking, Brody struggled against the monster's grip even though the tiny functioning part of his brain argued that it hadn't done any good earlier. That voice proved to be right as the monster laughed at Brody's efforts. Carelessly he grabbed Brody's torso and slung him over his shoulder.
'No! This can't be happening!' Brody tried to pull himself off, but he had even less leverage from his attempts when standing. Looking up, the barn caught his attention. Remembering his brother for the first time since the attack happened, Brody held on to a tiny pin prick of hope that he'd be able to help.
Gathering in a deep breath he shouted as loud as he could, "Aiden! Aiden!"
"Aiden! Aiden!"
Brody's anguished cry could just be heard through the barn walls serving as Aiden's refuge. Clutching a box containing the prism's steel that Dane had given him to hold, Aiden watched from a side facing window. He had peered out in time to see a red and blue monster sling Brody onto his shoulder and stalk towards the woods. 'Where's dad?! He said he would save Brody.'
The weight of the ninja steel in his arms and his dad's wish for him to stay hidden conflicted with his desire to help his brother. 'But if dad couldn't stop them. . .' Aiden shook his head, he couldn't leave his brother alone.
Tossing the box of ninja steel behind some tools, he tried to calm his heart rate and ran out of the garage. . . just in time to see a bright flash consume the monsters, the prism, and his last remaining family member.
"No!" Aiden's scream pierced the now quiet yard.
He ran into the woods in the direction they'd disappeared. Maybe it had just been a trick of the light to make it look like they were gone. Maybe he could find them and if nothing else he and Brody would be together, even if that meant they were both captives. Maybe he would wake up soon to find this all to be a cruel nightmare.
He ran through the trees calling for Brody until his breath came in sharp gasps and his sides pinched. Slowing to try and catch a breath, the enormity of what just happened slammed into him causing his legs to give out. Knees sinking into the soft mud, Aiden couldn't stop the sobs that racked his body.
How long he crouched there he didn't know, but when his tears were spent the trees' shadows had lengthened considerably. Hugging his arms to his chest Aiden rocked back onto his heels. 'What am I going to do now?'