So people are probably wandering what nutty feather plucker would be crazy enough to continue this story? Oh right it's me!
Now just for the record I've never really read the comics. I mean, I know who Drakkon is because that guy just permeates. But that's about it besides what I might read on the wiki. As for the identity of the treacherous master, well here's a hint, just think fire and brimstone. His identity won't really mean anything though beyond… oops almost said too much. The stranger on the other hand comes from the PJO fandom.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter Six
3rd POV
Unknown Planet
"You lot, get those chains secured, a-huh." Yelled a red monster waving its blaster.
Stingwingers rushed about desperately trying to follow orders. A long line of the bugs were struggling to hold a massive chain in place as others worked trying to nail it back down. Meanwhile the creature it was meant to restrain continued thrashing in its cage rocking the entire container back and forth.
This same scene continued to play out around the other four cages as well.
Rushing to the center most cage the monster from earlier half jumped half climbed to the bars, looking in he pointed his weapon at the beast inside.
"Let's see how you like this, a-huh." He yelled and pulled the trigger.
Leo Corbett POV
Mirinoi, Terra Venture
The five us had gathered in Damon's apartment.
"So has everyone been okay the last couple days." Asked Maya.
"GSA found the shuttle." Says Kai. "They're at a loss for why it was on planet but they have no idea it was us."
"Hard to believe but go on." Said Damon.
"Hey, let's not look a gift horse in the mouth." I replied.
Has there been any signs from… our other friends upstairs. Asked Maya.
"I've heard rumors that commander Stanton met with an alien emissary aboard the station. "Replied Kendrix.
"Yeah but nobody knows what they talked about, and there's no proof that the rumors are even true." Argued Kai.
"I take it nobody has any answers about these either." I said. Setting my saber in it's closed form on the counter.
Everybody shook their heads no.
"If anybody has any ideas that don't involve us getting into another fight like last time I'm all ears." Said Damon.
"Well." I answer. "There is somebody we haven't talked to yet."
Nearing the city limits I finally caught sight of the sign we'd been looking for L & C's Garage.
Walking in, there was a girl at the front desk. She couldn't of been more than eighteen and could've passed for younger.
"Can I help you?" She asked looking up, eyes scanning all of us carefully.
"Yes we're looking for Leo Valdez." Said Kendrix gesturing to the rest of us behind her.
"He's out. Can I take a message?" She asked sweetly. "If you need something repaired your more than welcome to leave it here."
"Uh Yeah, do you guys have room for a shuttle." Asked Damon slowly.
Damon phrased it like he might of meant a bus, but before anyone could say something else the girl spoke up evidently having gotten the hint. "Oh you must be the ones who he helped steal a ship."
"Yeah guess that's us." Said Kai.
"Who are you." I asked.
"Oh I'm Calypso." She answered.
I guess this is C. I thought.
"So can you tell us where to find Leo." Asked Maya.
"He left early this morning for the wilds. And said he wasn't sure when he'd be back." Said Calypso
I don't suppose he told you why. Said Damon.
"All he said was that he was finishing up his greatest creation." She replied.
"I don't suppose you know what that is do you." Asked Kai.
"If you'd like I can show all of you." A voice called from the door.
Turning I saw the person we'd come here to find.
"Whoa am I glad to see you guys alright. Admittedly I feel like the work I've been doing the last couple days is somewhat mute now but." He trailed off. Wait who's he? He asked pointing at Damon. "And where's the other guy?"
Evidently the looks on our faces was enough to answer his second question because he suddenly became sullen.
"Oh." He said simply.
"This is Damon." Kendrix introduced.
"I more or less got pulled along for the ride." Said Damon.
"Sounds a lot like my life." Valdez deadpanned.
"Look." I said stepping forward holding my closed quasar saber in my hand. "We came for your help I know you've got secrets and we can tackle them later but right now we need to know anything you know about these.
"These are the swords everybody was looking for?" He asked voice oddly devoid of skepticism.
Everyone else followed my lead pulling out their sabers and in unison we flicked them to full size.
"That's almost like." Calypso started to say but was cut off by look from Valdez. But he seemed more tired and depressed then mad.
"I'd be happy to give you what help or advice I can, but I'm gonna need you to tell me everything that's happened." He said
It took a while for us to explain everything that'd happened but the whole time neither Leo or Calypso seemed to question or show any signs of being incredulous except for one point.
"Wait wait wait so you guys managed to pull some magic swords out, and they gave you a costume change that gave you super powers?" He asked.
"Yeah we're still trying to wrap our heads around that part." Admitted Kai.
Show me. Valdez said simply.
Taking us into the back we all brought our sabers out again just like last time only to have nothing happen for a few minutes.
"Uh does anybody know how we do this?" Said Damon finally pointing out the problem.
Last time we were caught up in the fight and didn't give much thought to it. Said Maya
So what now? Asked Valdez.
"It's possible that the emotions we felt at the time were a contributing factor to unlocking the saber's powers." Mused Kendrix.
I looked to the other Leo to see him shrug. "I don't know."
"If that's the case then we just need to focus on what we were feeling at the time and we can suit up." I said.
"Can I make a suggestion?" Asked Calypso.
"Please." Answered Maya
"It's sounding to me like these swords respond to your intent. If you had a way to focus it you'd be able to transform on command." She explained
"And I take you have idea on how to do that?" I asked.
"Well this may sound silly but what about a battle cry?" She said.
"It's worth a try, maybe some kind of activation phrase." Mused Valdez.
"What do you think this is some sort of Saturday morning cartoon?" Asked Kai.
I stopped to think for a moment. This isn't what I expected in a new galaxy. Wait that's it!
"Ok guys I have an idea just follow my lead." I said positioning my saber in both hands again I shouted. "Go Galactic."
This time I was enveloped in a fiery heat and when my vision cleared I was wearing a bright red suit again.
Looking at each other and shrugging the others followed suit and shouted. "Go Galactic"
Everyone was enveloped in their respective color and emerged suited like me.
Walking around us in a circle, Calypso examined each of us critically. Pinching my suit on the shoulder she pulled the material and let it snap back.
"Ow." I muttered rubbing the spot.
"I've studied modern materials for clothing." Said Calypso turning back to Valdez. "I don't know what this is but it's not spandex."
"I'd be surprised if it was." He answered turning his attention back to us. Look I've seen some weird stuff before but I've never seen something like this.
"So does that mean you can't help?" Asked Damon.
"Hey at least we know how to morph now." Said Maya.
"Yeah short of you guys training in here and wrecking my shop." Valdez started.
"Our shop." Said Calypso with a light glare.
"Our shop. He agreed. "I'm afraid that I don't know what to tell you, but you guys showed me what you can do how about I return the favor."
One long and exhausting hike later, we found ourselves in a rocky canyon. Miles from the city the place looked like an abandoned quarry. Valdez stood between what seemed to be a large metal rolling suitcase and a similarly metallic trunk.
"So its finished?" Asked Calypso.
"What's finished?" Asked Kai wearily.
"Only my greatest creation, I've been working on this since shortly after the wormhole opened."Said the other Leo, as he hit a button on the side of the trunk.
The trunk started to unfold like origami in reverse getting bigger and bigger until finally it stopped and resembled a cross between a space shuttle and the Millennium Falcon seemly plated in gold.
"You wouldn't believe what it took to get this past customs." Valdez quipped.
The GSA doesn't have the best security but even they should've noticed something like that. I wondered.
"Wait so you built your own ship?" I asked baffled.
"Obviously and with FTL." Was the reply.
"Wait FTL! As in faster than light. how could you possibly make something like that?" Sputtered Damon.
"And you expect us to believe that you aren't an alien." Questioned Kai.
"Very, Calypso and I were born and raised on earth we're just as normal as you."
"So not very." I thought out loud.
"So you have your own ship. What were you planning on doing with it?" Asked Kendrix.
"Well up until I came back and found you in my shop I'd been envisioning launching a daring rescue mission. Where I single handedly storm the Scorpion Stinger and save everybody and leave Scorpius and his minions in awe of my many talents." Valdez Stated.
"From what you told me about that place it would be a suicide mission." Calypso said lightly chastising her boyfriend before turning to us. "If Leo won't say it I will I'm glad that you're here."
"So does it have a name?" Asked Maya.
"I call it the Argo III." Said Valdez patting the ship's side and proudly puffing out his chest.
"Argo? Is that from Jason and the Argonauts?" Asked Kendrix.
"That's the first Argo yeah. The Argo II well that's-
"Let me guess its A long story." I cut in.
Probably four or five stories honestly." Answered Valdez tiredly but quickly perked up. It's time for her maiden voyage who wants in.
Rapidly huddling up, the rest of us tried to figure out how to respond.
"We're not seriously going anywhere with him in that thing, are we?" Said Damon.
"Where's your sense of adventure?" Argued Maya.
"We still don't know anything about this guy." Hissed Kai.
"Yeah." I said. "And that's why I think we should do it." This could be our best chance to learn more about him.
"Two votes for, two votes against, looks like your the tie breaker Kendrix." Said Maya.
"Yes please Kendrix, tell them that you don't want to walk straight into whatever this is." Said Kai motioning to the ship.
"Actually I agree with Leo." She said.
"What!?" Asked Damon incredulously.
"We need to figure out exactly what he wants and how he can do the things he can. The only way we can do that is to get close to him." She explained.
Before the others could say anything else I yelled out. "We're in!"
3rd POV
"So any suggestions on where we should go from here?" Asked Valdez, with all seven of them clinging tightly to their seats, as the ship broke out of the planet's atmosphere and hung in the vacuum of space.
"Second star to the left and straight on till morning." Said Maya with a smile.
But before anybody could say anything else the console next to Valdez started beeping. Looking at the console his eyes widened in horror. Jumping back to the controls he said. "Uh, I hope there's no objections, because here comes the bad year blimp."
Crowding the nearest view port the rangers peered out into space.
It was a long ways off and couldn't be made out clearly though the glint of metal meant it was obviously artificial and it definitely moving towards the Argo III.
"No objections." Said Damon quickly.
Without another word Valdez swung something that looked suspiciously like a wii remote narrowly missing what looked like a smoothie machine and pointed the remote at the control panel and clicked.
Outside the ship the stars blurred and elongated as the ship jumped into hyperspace.
Scorpion Stinger
"Furio do you recognize that ship." Asked Scorpius.
"No master." The general answered. "But judging by their course whoever they are will soon cease to be an issue they're heading directly towards a system that we've heavily fortified. They'll be torn apart by our defense platforms."
"So be it." Said the old bug.
Argo III
As the Argo III hurtled through space the Rangers huddled and discussed the self declared supreme commander of the Argo III.
"So how is it that guy has cracked FTL. Something the greatest minds on earth have been trying and failing to do for decades." Kai was saying.
"I don't for second think he just invented and built all this stuff in his garage." Agreed Damon.
"If you must know, we actually have Scorpius and Company to thank for that." Said Valdez
All the rangers and Calypso looked to him in surprise.
"So he just gave you the specs to make all this?" Asked Kendrix skeptically.
"Hardly, when we got taken aboard the Scorpion Stinger and met his tentacled majesty." Said Valdez sarcastically referring to Scorpius. "I managed to get a look at the engines, it was wasn't much but it was enough to let me and dad make our own version, eventually."
"Your dad?" Questioned Kendrix.
"That's right. You said that you'd met Scorpius before." Said Maya
He's one of the first people to ever to meet a genuine alien." Confirmed Calypso.
I can safely say that nothing good happened that day. Sighed Valdez as the ship came out of hyperspace.
Seeing an opportunity to fish for info Leo asked. "So how'd that happen? Did Scorpius come to earth with without anyone knowing or what?"
"No but thanks for the nightmares." Replied Valdez.
"So then how did you meet him." Asked Kai.
Before he could answer something on the console started beeping urgently. With barely a glance at it Valdez shouted. "Incoming!" Swiftly grabbing the controls he immediately pulled the ship downward and to port just in time as the projectiles exploded outside.
"What was that?" Asked Leo.
Looking outside the Rangers saw what looked like dozens if not hundreds of giant metal wasps nests. Spread throughout the solar system, each of them were armed with, what looked like some kind of high tech missile launchers and laser turrets.
My guess somebody trying to kill us. Said Valdez shouting to be heard over the growing noise of the engine as they were opened to full throttle. "It looks like there's a small planet here I'm gonna try and land."
"On a planet that's most likely full of people who want us dead." Argued Damon.
"Well I figure our odds are better there than in the vacuum of space." Was the counter.
"It was your idea to come out here." Yelled Kai as a laser blast flew past the cockpit.
"Yeah but how was I supposed to know what was out here let alone that we'd be flying into a death trap." Was the reply as the Argo III was rocked as something exploded against the hull.
As the engines sputtered out, Valdez uttered. "Uh oh." And the ship began to fall to the planet below.
Planet Surface
The beasts had grown quite in the last few hours. While the insects took this much needed time to rest and secure their prison the beasts attentions were elsewhere. After thousands of years they finally sensed those that could be, or rather soon would be their partners and cried out for them.
"Well that maiden voyage went about as well as the Titanic's." Said Leo after everyone was outside. The planet they'd found themselves on fortunately had a breathable atmosphere and was heavily forested looking a lot like Mirinoi.
"Hey it's not that bad. All things considered I've had worse crashes." Said Valdez examining the ship.
"I'm starting to miss the island." Said Calypso absently.
Worse than this? Started Damon not having heard her. "We're trapped on an alien planet with people who want us dead and you think it could be worse."
"We're stuck not trapped." Valdez explained while the Rangers looked at him to explain. "In my experience just about anything that I build, the bad guys will make a point to break at some point. So I made sure to bring most of the supplies to make repairs."
"That's smart, pessimistic but smart." Observed Kendrix.
"I'm sensing a but here." Said Corbett.
"The engines I can fix easily. the problem is the hull took the brunt of the impact and is breached." Explained Valdez. "So unless you're guy's powers include holding your breath all the way back, I'm going to need more raw materials to patch it up."
"And amongst the supplies you packed you didn't bring that?" Challenged Kai.
"I was more worried about the engines." Valdez defended. "I'm prepared to rebuild them from scratch if I had too. I mean it would probably take me six months but I could do it."
"Guys focus!" Said Leo. "What do you need to get us back?"
"Metal." Said Valdez. "Preferably titanium or steel but I'll work with what I can get."
Great and do you have any idea where we're supposed to find that? Asked Damon.
"As we crashed I think I saw a settlement in the direction." Supplied Kendrix pointing.
"Probably an enemy base crawling with hostiles." Said Kai.
"Maya what do you think?" Asked Leo. "Maya?"
Looking around for her they saw standing a little ways from the group with a hand to her ear as though listening for something intently.
"Do you hear that?" she asked turning back to the group a worried look on her face.
"Hear what?" Asked Leo.
"Someone's in trouble." She said breaking into a run in the direction Kendrix had been pointing.
"Maya! Wait up!" Shouted Leo as he chased after her.
"This girl is crazy." Said Damon as he followed.
"Is this one of your guys powers or is this just a her thing?" Asked Valdez. "As the rest of the group tried to catch up."
"Pretty sure it's just her." Answered Kai.
She seems very in tune with nature. Said Calypso. "Do you have any idea why?
"I think I know what your getting at but this isn't the time or place, even if we could talk about it." Replied Valdez.
"Does anyone know where we're going?" Asked Kendrix.
"There!" Exclaimed Kai seeing the others crouched up ahead.
Hearing them approach Leo turned and motioned for them to get down.
Looking over the foliage it was easy to see the problem. Stingwingers hurried about ferrying supplies and crates but most of them were stabbing things that looked suspiciously like twenty foot cattle prods through the bars of massive steel cages. The Rangers couldn't see whatever was inside but they could certainly hear the creatures thrashing and howling.
"Stingwingers? Here?" Asked Kendrix crouching beside Leo.
"Scorpius!" Growled Valdez quietly.
"We have to help them." Said Maya with a determined look on her face.
"We don't even know what they are." Said Kendrix.
"Now let's think about this for a minute." Damon was saying. "They do not sound friendly."
"Maybe, but those cages look like they might be just what I need to patch the hull." Said Valdez as his eyes were rapidly scanning over the camp.
"We need a distraction." Said Corbett Looking around at everyone.
"Have you all lost your minds!" Hissed Kai. "Maya what's gotten into you?"
Looking directly at Kai she answered. "I don't know, but I'm sure that this is the right thing to do." Turning to the others she said. "I'll draw them away, then you guys can cut them loose." Said Maya as she began climbing a nearby tree as if she was part ape. Before jumping to the branch of another tree and disappearing into the leaves.
Valdez and Calypso turned to look at each other silently continuing their conversation from a moment ago.
Looking over the others Leo partly raised his hand grasping his closed saber. "I get feeling that we should get ready for this." He said.
"Hey guys!" Maya called to a working group of stingwingers.
Here we go." Whispered Kendrix fidgeting with her saber nervously.
"Catch me if can." Yelled Maya swinging away on vine Tarzan style
"I guess she's king of the jungle." Valdez quipped in response most of the stingwingers taking flight to chase her
The Rangers all looked to each other briefly and extended their quasar sabers.
"Go Galactic!"
The team emerged from a multicolored flash of light in their ranger forms.
Without hesitation they rushed into action against the remaining stingwingers. They're numbers were more manageable than last time but the bugs made up for that with air superiority.
Swooping down on Kai one tried to swipe at him with its talons. Catching the attack with the flat of his blade. Acting quickly he grabbed the bug's foot pulling it down closer to the ground to slash its chest. Another trio of the stingwingers seeing this closed in from above.
"Hi yay"
Kendrix leapt into the air from Kai's shoulders, upon reaching the zenith of her jump she was left for a split second directly in front of the the flying stingwingers pink light and energy crackling around her and her sword. Swinging her saber in a a wide horizontal arc she managed to cleave all three of the bugs into pieces. While Kendrix landed gracefully on her feet, the remains of the stingwingers unceremoniously hit the ground around her.
Damon on the other hand was having a harder time. Struggling to fend off their attacks, he deflected one stingwinger's swipe he jumped back behind one of the smaller crates and thinking quickly he kicked the container, sending it tumbling threw the air towards a group of nearby stingwingers knocking them over like bowling pins.
Leo was rapidly slicing and slashing at the attacking bugs. As one charged at him, he stuck out his foot tripping it. Standing on top of it he shouted. "I have the high ground!" Quasar Saber gaining a bright red glow he struck out in a wide arc with his saber sending the remaining stingwingers falling to the ground burning.
Regrouping the rangers quickly began trading high fives. Valdez and Calypso walked out from their hiding place wide eyed.
"Wow, that was awesome." Said Valdez smiling widely.
Uh thanks. Said Leo rubbing the back of his neck.
"Guys don't we still need to open up these cages?" Asked Calypso.
"Not so fast a-huh." Coming from somewhere out of sight a rapid series of laser blasts struck where the Rangers were standing causing an explosion that sent the four of them flying.
"Guys!" Valdez shouted staggering back desperately trying place himself between Calypso and where the blasts had come from.
Our ears are ringing but otherwise we're all right. Said Kai getting to his feet.
"Nice try but you cool cats ain't gettin past the super cool, Radster." Said an alien stepping into view, and swiping its lobster claw hand threw his hair. Looking at him the others couldn't help but do a double take.
Uh, why am I looking at a cross between Elvis and a Lobster. Asked Valdez perfectly summing up the monster's appearance as he rapidly looked between Radster and the Rangers.
"I don't know but remind me to avoid his hair dresser." Said Damon as stingwingers landed around Radster.
"But I had it done up just for you." Said the alien pointing at them with what looked like a futuristic sawed off shotgun.
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, Maya in her ranger form, jumped onto Radster from from the tree tops tackling him to the ground.
Quick as a whip Radster leapt back to his feet and grabbed the yellow ranger by her neck with his claw.
Immediately the rangers jumped into action to help their friend.
Kai brought his sword down on the monsters arm. Sparks flew and Maya broke free as Radster stumbled back.
Quickly rushing to her friend's sides fighting the stingwingers. Maya asked. "Who's he?" Nodding towards the alien.
"An alien monster who wants to kill us." Shouted Valdez sarcasm evident in his voice even as he blasted jets at the surrounding bugs.
Raising his blaster again Radster asked. "You wanna dance?"
Just before he could pull the trigger. "You guys free the animals. I'll handle this guy." Shouted Leo rushing at the alien.
With the remaining stingwingers defeated the other rangers without pausing to argue, and putting aside any misgivings they had, each instantly picking one the cages and moving towards it at maximum speed.
Meanwhile Leo was desperately grappling with Radster. Holding the alien by the wrists as the he fired wildly into the air.
Breaking free with a massive yank of his arms Radster leveled his blaster at Leo point blank.
"Say good bye a-huh."
"I don't think so!" Yelled Leo blasting a jet of flame into the alien's face.
"Ahhhh!" He yelled Stumbling back.
A shlink, shlink, shlink, shlink followed by a metallic clatter was heard the other rangers cut through the chains and padlocks keeping the cages sealed.
"Uh oh!"
If you guys want the Quasar Sabers so badly you can have them. Said Leo holding out his saber a red light running up the blade. "Yah!" He Yelled, jumping threw the air and bringing his sword down in a diagonal slash releasing a fiery explosion that blasted Radster backwards into a pile of scrap.
Awkwardly falling flat on the ground Leo got back to his feet shaking his head muttering. "That jump didn't go quite as planned."
"Leo!" Kendrix shouted.
Guys! He shouted in reply before rushing over. Leaping at the center most cage he slashed at the padlock.
Although waiting for this all five cages creaked open simultaneously as they're occupants revealed themselves.
"Whoa." Valdez upon seeing them and everybody had similar thoughts.
The first was a massive blue gorilla that knelt down to look Kai in the eye. Next was a giant yellow wolf that padded over to Maya giving her a big lick causing to her laugh. The several stories tall green condor with arms seemed to find Damon fascinating. The oversized pink wildcat laid down beside Kendrix and started purring. Last but not least was the giant red lion that'd emerged from the center most cage and was staring down at Leo.
"What are they?" Asked Calypso.
"How should I know." Replied Valdez.
"Their friends." Said Maya smiling under her helmet.
The lion let out brief roar seemingly in confirmation.
"Wait the Quasar sabers all have an emblem on the guard look at them." Said Kendrix.
"Wait our sabers they depict." Started Damon.
"These guys." Finished Leo.
"So this really was supposed to happen?" Asked Kai shaking his head.
But before they could discuss it any further the fun ended. The wolf turned to look at the pile of scrap that the alien had landed in and started growling.
"Argh!" yelled Radster as he came to and broke out from a pile of debris, his body still smoking as he stumbled forward. "You rangers think your pretty tough don't ya, but now your gonna have a bigger fish to fry." Said Radster as he pulled out a flask of glowing green liquid. Quickly pulling the cork the alien rapidly downed the contents of the beaker before starting to grow, and grow and grow. Expanding in every direction but especially upwards until the monster was thirty stories tall towering over even the animals. "Oh yeah, oh baby. It's time to play the Regis stomp."
Raising his now massive foot Radster brought it down on the grouped together humans.
"Scatter!" Shouted Leo as the alien's boot cast a shadow overhead.
Everyone took a flying leap as the shoe dropped with a truly titanic force and weight, sending dirt and debris flying.
Yelling to be heard as he stood up on shaky legs Valdez said. "I've seen some big monsters before but this guy is something else."
"Ok, how are we supposed to deal with that?" Asked Kai struggling to keep his voice steady.
The Lion gave a prideful roar and marched forward towards the giant before turning to give Leo a pointed look.
"I think Lion wants you to climb on." Said Maya.
"What? Are you sure?" Leo asked looking between them before Lion gave a growl in the affirmative. A feeling of understanding and pure instinct overcame him as he looked at the Lion and nodded. "Ok." Making a superhuman leap to the top of the animal's head.
"Incredible." Whispered Calypso.
"Alright Lion It's time to take care of this guy once and for all." Said Leo raising his saber and striking what could only be called a sally forth pose.
Roaring in reply the red beast leapt to the outside of the encampment then turned to face Radster again and stomped the ground growling.
"You need some obedience training." Said Radster leveling his upsized blaster at them.
Holding his saber in both hands a fiery red aura began to envelop the sword and spread to Leo and from him to Lion.
Opening its maw the Lion started channeling the into its mouth.
"Take this a-huh!" Shouted Radster as he pulled the trigger on his blaster releasing a massive greenish white laser beam from the muzzle of the weapon. Simultaneously Lion let loose a concentrated beam of pure fire from his mouth.
Between the combatants the two beams met in a brilliant clash even as neither side stopped firing. But slowly but surely the managed to inch forward gaining ground.
"Oh no, oh no!" Said Radster panicking as the energy blasts reached him.
The monster's body partially disintegrated on impact but the blast kept moving and totally vaporized him.
"Guys." Said Leo now demorphed and stumbling back towards the others now also back to normal.
"You all right?" Asked Damon as he and Valdez struggled with a hunk of metal from one of the cages.
"No I'm alright." Leo answered.
"Great then you can help with this." Damon grunted.
The Condor seeing their struggles reached over and grabbed the metal in its talons and then walked off into the woods. Following the Gorilla carried several crates of supplies in its arm.
"What no! Come back with that." Shouted Damon.
"I think their headed towards the ship." Said Calypso pointing in the direction they'd gone.
As the group started heading back towards the Argo III Leo put his arm around Valdez's shoulder. "So look, before everything that happened today, earlier you were gonna explain how you'd met Scorpius before."
Oh right, we were talking about that weren't we. Said Valdez. "I can't really talk about that."
"What?!" Yelled Kai grabbing him by the shoulders. "Before you'd said that youR past was so crazy that we wouldn't believe it. What could possibly be more insane that everything that's just happened today.
"Leo." Yelped Calypso.
Putting a calming hand on Calypso's shoulder Kendrix looked at them and said. "Guys enough, Kai let him go.
Letting out a sigh of frustration Kai did as he was told.
"I assume that you have a reason for not telling us? Kendrix asked Valdez.
"And it'd better be a really good one." Added Damon.
Looking down at the ground he just said. "Look guys if it was up to me I'd tell you, but I made a promise."
"A promise?" Asked Maya.
"A promise that's the reason you can't tell us." Said Kai incredulous.
Nodding he continued. "It's not the kind of promise that can be broken or forgotten easily. I thought I'd outsmarted a similar oath before and well." He took a shaky breath and looked back at the destruction from the fight. "It seems like the fallout from it hasn't stopped yet."
Leo you can't blame your self. You saved me, doesn't that count for anything? Asked Calypso supportively.
Your honestly the only reason I can drag myself out of bed some days. He answered tiredly sinking into a sitting position on the ground. "But the price just seems to keep adding up, and I'm not even the one paying."
So that's it then, your just going to leave us in the dark. Asked Corbett.
"If I could tell you I would but I can't." Answered Valdez.
"Can't or won't?" Challenged Kai.
"I'm sorry but I can't." Valdez answered.
If you don't tell us anything then we're done. Said Corbett firmly.
Wait done? What do you mean done? Asked Kendrix suddenly worried by the shifts in attitudes.
"Look you're our ride back to Mirinoi once you get the ship fixed. But after that we go out separate ways." Leo explained.
"We could turn him into the authorities." Suggested Kai.
"There'd be way too many questions that we'd have to answer. We'd probably wind up in a cell with him." Damon pointed out.
Seeing the frustrations on her teammates faces Maya knelt down in front of Valdez and said. "I think this is your last chance. If there's anything that you can tell us now's the time.
Valdez simply looked at everyone and said. "I can't."
Percy POV
Several hours later
I looked over the site or what was left it really, it was a scene of armageddon. Bodies of dead stingwingers strewn about the place, crates smashed, massive footprints everywhere, and my biggest concern giant metal cages with the doors wide open. Trakeena and I had been coming back from yet another dead end, when I'd been ordered to investigate what'd happened here.
"What a dump."
I turned my attention from the cages and asked . "What exactly did your father keep here?"
"Creatures he captured a few centuries ago. I only know because I overheard him talking to Furio about how they'd gotten aggressive in the last couple of days." She answered.
Moving to a spot in between two giant footprints I spotted a bit of neon green liquid and broken glass on the ground.
Scooping a little bit up on my fingers I brought it closer and examined it more closely and I recognized the substance. Just as I thought it was Scorpius' army version of ambrosia and nectar. The only problem was that power potions had some not so small side effects.
"Do you know who was on duty here." I asked turning to Trakeena.
"Radster."
I searched my memories and had too suppress a grin at the image of such a ridiculous monster. Radster? How was it that trillions of light years away from Earth in the lost galaxy, I run into an Elvis impersonator. I'd almost died laughing when I'd met him much to Radster's and everyone else's confusion.
"Usually nobody would use a power potion unless they're majorly on the back foot." I said regaining my focus.
"Unless you wanted to be thorough." Observed Trakeena.
Shrugging I just nodded in agreement at her point and looked back to the giant Bootprints I had to assume belonged to Radster, taking note of the direction they were facing.
Behind where Radster had been there was a long line of scorched earth wide as a football field and almost a mile long, small fires still smoldering along the length of the trench. Walking back to the cages I took a closer look at the chains and saw that they hadn't been broken but cut clean through.
Causally holding up a massive link of the chain in one hand I showed it to Trakeena. "They didn't escape they were let out." I said.
Glaring she replied. "You know there's only one other group in this part of space."
I nodded as we'd both come to the same conclusion on who'd been here.
The Power Rangers.
Just in case this chapter and previous ones didn't make it abundantly clear, there have been no past teams of rangers or aliens on earth in this timeline. Granted I do have some plans to bring canon in to it later but that's a long, long, long, ways off.
Now given the events of this chapter I'd like to try and get people's opinions. What's everybody's favorite monster growing method. Of course you have your classic, magic wand make my monster grow! Zedd and his grenades improved upon that classic formula, but personally I'm rather fond of, scroll of empowerment descend, or engage the hydro regenerator.
Read and review.
Arc 1 Prologue and Quasar Quest
[Arc 2 New Heroes on the Block]
Arc 3 Magna Defender
Arc 4 Diplomacy
Spoilers past this point.