So things go on this chapter that a lot of people will probably have problems with but please read through to the end it'll start to add up. Also realize this chapter is kinda a two parter, it goes hand in hand with the next one.
Now we need to talk about canon, the good the bad and the ugly. In the original Lost Galaxy season Terra Venture didn't find a planet to settle on until the end of the season. The planet they found was Mirinoi, the same planet the ranger's adventure started on. Ok I like a good voyage through space as much as the next guy. But as most of us know that left us with the question of why so many lost and mystical powers (lights of Orion) were on an ARTIFICIALLY constructed station? Also elephant in the room. The lost galaxy the namesake of the season, only appeared in one brief story arc near the end and hardly had anything to do with anything. I'm about to show my nerd here brace yourself's. Now nature themed as Gingaman was, you were always going to have problems turning that into a space opera.
Now let's go over how I've tried to fix at least some of the issues. In this story a wormhole opened up in the solar system (for reasons that have only been half explained for now) leading to the Mirinoi system. Conveniently located in the lost galaxy. Terra Venture landed the domed city on the planet while the engines and command center remained in orbit. Little less Voyager, little bit more DS9. Now this isn't a perfect solution it creates new problems, however I've been leaving breadcrumbs that will pay off much later, and hopefully solve a lot of issues.
Homesick
Percy POV
So I'd just gotten back from smashing Cogs and other bots. And almost as soon as I stepped out of the shuttle, I was ordered more like dragged to Scorpius' chamber. It didn't take long to realize that it wasn't about me coming up empty handed in the search again.
Furio was on his knees, one of Scorpius' tentacles wrapped around his throat.
"Your recent failures will not go unpunished." Scorpius growled.
"Master, please." Furio managed to rasp out.
Trakeena was watching eyes darting back and forth between them as if watching a tennis match. Catching her gaze I asked. "What did I miss?"
"Furio tried to get the Quasar Sabers from the Rangers." She said amusement evident in her voice.
Glancing over to where Scorpius was slowly squeezing the life out the poor general I schooled my features and said. "I'm assuming it didn't go well."
Furio was barely even able to squeak in response.
"Not only did he fail to get the sabers. But the Rangers also took the Transdaggers from Horn." She answered nonchalantly. As if her father choking the life out of one of his minions was an everyday sight. To fair it happened every other day, just not to Furio.
"The Quasar Sabers, the Galactabeasts, and now the Transdaggers!" Snarled Scorpius. "You've allowed all of them to slip through your fingers."
Trying not to show my concern I asked. "How many people got hurt?"
"I know Horn broke into their armory and attacked some of the guards there." Trakeena said taking out her nail file before continuing. "The actual fight left a number blast marks and small craters all over the… industrial part of their little city.
I pretended to think for a few seconds before I looked at Scorpius and said. "Maybe we should leave him alive for now then. Scorpius only reply was to let out a grunt of confusion so I continued. "If things continue to get worse we could hand him over to… I don't know I guess stand trail or something."
"He may be onto something father." Trakeena said ceasing work on her nails. "Besides I don't know what could be a worse punishment for our poor general then to left at the mercy of humans." Her grin widened as she added. "Not to mention, this could place Furio in the perfect position to cripple the humans from the inside out, and win us the Earth."
My heart skipped a beat out of alarm at that last part.
But the argument was apparently enough for Scorpius as he released Furio, who dropped to the floor gasping for air. Though he managed to look in my direction and nod his thanks.
"You will never fail me again." Scorpius intoned. Furio simply nodded his agreement.
"Well…" I started. "I'm not saying we have to do it right now."
"Oh?" Asked Trakeena. "You have another plan?"
"To start with I'll pay a visit to Terra Venture station and try to assess the situation." I said trying not to let them see my anxiety.
"Is that your big plan? Talk?" Rasped Furio.
Not even bothering to glare at him I left the room hurriedly without another word.
The truth was I was desperately trying to come up with a way to get the Quasar Sabers. Although there were plenty of other fighters on board who were more than strong enough to do it easily. Not to mention that I was admittedly itching for a rematch. The Rangers were just regular mortals who'd had misfortune of getting sucked into this mess somehow. They should have the luxury of normal problems, not alien killers hunting them.
The real trick was doing it without massive collateral damage or anyone getting hurt. I didn't like the idea of Scorpius getting his tentacles on something that powerful, and I wanted to get the Quasar sabers to Olympus for safekeeping. Meaning that I'd have to smuggle them to earth somehow. But if I just made a run for it odds were that I'd never see Trakeena again and I just wasn't willing to pay that price.
She was far too loyal to her father for me to be able to convince her to flee to earth, and even if I thought that was possible (I didn't) it wouldn't be fair to ask her to live on earth for the rest of her life away from everything she's ever known.
Not to mention that Scorpius would never not react to that violently .
I looked out the nearby viewport at the wormhole and Earth beyond it. So close and yet so far, it was out of my reach.
"Why does everything have to be so complicated." I sighed and teleported to the station.
My meeting with Stanton was going about as could be expected. He was understandably rather upset about aliens attacking his men and causing major property damage.
Though I internally laughed at what he considered major property damage.
"I told you this would happen the first time we met." I reminded him.
"You need to get your people inline!" He ranted.
"You seem to be overestimating the influence I have." I said flatly. "Or that Furio or Scorpius would even listen to me in the first place.
"From what I've seen it's doubtful that a team of my best could beat just one of yours." Says Stanton deflating.
He can't do anything and he knows it. I thought sadly.
"When I talked Scorpius into the colony idea I never imagined anything like this." I Muttered. Nobody expects people in colored suits running around fighting monsters.
"Wait that was you." Started Stanton. When suddenly the entire station lurched and started backwards.
Throwing my hands up. I exclaimed. "It's not me." With that we rushed to the bridge and ignoring the looks of surprise people had upon seeing me.
The instant we got to the bridge Stanton turned to coms and barked. "Report."
"We've been locked out of the main computer and the control room and the station is headed back towards the rift." One of the crewmen answered.
Stanton turned to another officer. "Call security, find out who has my ship.
A moment later Stanton and I were following after a squad of armed security personnel. I was a little surprised that nobody questioned why a college aged guy in a black leather jacket was here. But mostly I was just hoping that there wasn't an alien behind this.
I watched as Stanton swiped a keycard through the security pad trying to get into navigations. He tried to enter a code on the keypad, still nothing.
Stepping forward I put my hand on his shoulder. "Please allow me." I said. "It will let me make up for recent events in some small way."
Stanton paused obviously thinking hard until to my surprise he nodded his approval.
Smiling I said. "Please after me." Activating the armor just from my hands to my elbows, I forced the talons between the doors and proceeded pry them open revealing the perp to be, a kid!?
We took the kid Matthew he said his name was, to an nearby conference room, though it was about to serve as an impromptu interrogation room. He and Stanton sat there looking at each other.
"You're… Matthew?" Hmm. Stanton muttered in disbelief, deep in thought. Picking up the small computer tablet off the table. "You used this… to break in and take over the whole ship?"
The kid was trying to put on a brave face, but everybody here could see how scared he really was.
"Why?" Stanton continued.
The boy just looked down at his feet clearly nervous and uncomfortable.
After a moment Stanton asked. "where's your ID card?"
"I lost it." The boy muttered.
"Lost it or did you never have one in the first place?" I asked speaking up.
"My staff hasn't been able to find you on the list of colonists." Stanton observed.
Continuing to find the floor fascinating the kid answered. "I'm not supposed to be here."
"A stowaway then." I said. "So then you were just trying to go back to earth right." Slowly the wheels in my head started turning.
Wait! I could run the kid back to earth in a shuttle and Scorpius wouldn't question it. That could be how I'd get the sabers to earth. I'd catch hell for giving the gods the Quasar sabers when I came back but it'd be well worth it.
But getting the sabers, a plan was starting to form in my mind. It was rather cliché and I found the idea so loathsome it made me sick,
Maybe I could? I thought. Yes! it could work.
"Oh Matthew." I heard Stanton saying as I tuned back into the conversation. "We can't just take the ship back for one boy."
"Maybe you can't but I can." I said.
Instantly the depressed boy perked up hope in his eyes.
"Wait you would do that?" Asked Stanton in surprise.
"Well don't get to excited I have other duties. I won't be able to make a trip through the rift for at least a week. But yeah I can take pity on a kid who just wanted to see the majesty of space and got in over his head."
"But for now a space station isn't the best place for a kid." Snapping my fingers again we both disappeared.
3rd POV
Stanton stared at the place where Matthew and Ambassador... actually Stanton realized he didn't know the ambassadors name.
"Sir! We're getting a message from the city that boy just appeared in the middle of the street." Said an aide, a surprised look on her face.
Stanton gave a sigh of relief, somehow he didn't think a alien warship would be a good place for the kid. The bigger problem was telling command back on earth about their impending guests.
Though questions about the alien emissary lingered on his mind. He'd apparently talked his superiors into the idea of this colony and Stanton didn't believe for a second that was done out of the goodness of his heart.
For now though he needed to get in touch with his people on the surface and figure out a temporary guardian for Matthew.
The GSA officials had a moment of panic when Matthew just randomly appeared on the surface. Fortunately the station quickly managed to get in touch with officers on the planet.
"So that's the situation." Said Stanton as he finished explaining to Kai and Kendrix via video call in the
"So what should we do with the kid?" Asked Kai. "
"For now I'm assigning miss Morgan to be his temporary guardian." Said Stanton. "Just do your best to help him fit in."
"If he's as tech savvy as you said we could have him job shadow our engineer Damon." Kendrix responded.
Stanton just nodded his head in agreement. "Yes that would be a good idea."
"Sir?" Kai asked. "Is it really a good idea to let this alien just take one of our own back to earth. For that matter people are going to be asking questions about the kid.
Stanton just sighed and covered his face with his hands. Looking at his subordinates again he finally answered. "It'll be impossible to keep people from finding out but do your best to keep the details to a minimum. As for the ambassador, somehow I don't think we could stop him if we wanted to. With any luck though the UN will get some information from him.
Kai and Kendrix both nodded and said. "Yes sir."
Seeing their response the commander replied. "I leave it in your capable hands people. Stanton signing out."
The pair looked at each other after the screen went black.
"We have to tell the others." Kendrix said.
Kai just nodded his agreement.
Percy POV
Scorpion Stinger
"Lord Scorpius" I said as we enters in the room. The big bug turned his attention on me. "You asked me to come up with a way to take the Quasar sabers to that end I have a plan."
Another insectoid alien came in behind me wearing a brown trench coat he had a black exoskeleton with red claws and feet.
Giving me an inquisitive look out of the corner of his eye Scorpius proceeded to ask. "And you are?"
I'm Bombabeetle. "He exclaimed" Said alien spun in a circle on his heel while showing off the explosive charges in his coat.
"Bombabeetle will plant charges all over the city and force the rangers to surrender their power in exchange for the people's safety." I explain. "All we have to do is move the ship outside of the range of their sensors to maintain the illusion that we aren't involved."
And once Bombabeetle gets the Quasar sabers I'll sneak them aboard a bug fighter to take back to the gods along with the kid.
"Seems little more heavy handed for you then usual." Said Trakeena.
Oh, if I'd only picked up on it then.
"Whenever I try to avoid a fight I inevitably get sucked straight into it." I deadpanned." Besides I'm hoping to get this mess with sabers wrapped up fast."
"Why?" Asked Bombabeetle confused as Trakeena watched us intently.
"I kinda promised a little kid a ride back to earth." I admitted. "And yes before you ask I fully intend to do it." Turning to Scorpius I added. "My job here last I checked, when I'm not looking for lost super weapons and enslaving planets for you, was to make normal humans be okay with aliens. Which is also part of the reason why I don't want the Scorpion Stinger anywhere near here."
"You dare presume to command lord Scorpius." Challenged Furio causing me to roll my eyes at his very Furio response.
Trakeena turned to me and asked. "Do you have any other reason for that."
Scorpius was strangely quiet during our exchange, choosing to ignore us and focus instead on Bombabeetle. "You will have no support once the mission starts you will be on your lonesome." He tells him.
Bombabeetle just cackled in reply. "Don't worry this will be a real blast!"
3rd POV
Several days later
Damon and Matthew pull up to a power station in something that was less an electric car and more a lunch box or at best a golf cart.
"You have to be able to do more than just hack computers for a living." Said Damon as he set to work teaching Matthew to repair the power conduit.
As they worked Damon asked. "So listen you met that alien ambassador guy right?"
"Yeah." Answered Matthew.
"Well what was he like?" Damon continued.
"Why are you asking?" Matthew replied.
"Wouldn't you be curious if I'd met an alien?" Damon countered. Not mentioning that he'd met and fought several.
"Ok good point, he seemed normal I didn't even know he was an alien at first."
Damon mulled over that information he didn't like the idea of aliens disguising themselves as human there was no shortage of damage they could cause that way.
"And you said this guy was going to be taking you back to earth."
Matthew nodded.
Before their conversation could go any further a thunderous BOOM sounded out, a light shockwave buffeted the city spreading out a cloud of dust.
Coughing Damon waved his arms trying to clear the dust and smoke that'd enveloped. "Matthew you alright?" He asked even as sirens sounded in the distance.
"Yeah I'm ok." Matthew managed to cough out, eyes watering and burning. "But what happened?"
The dust around them had finally settled and in the distance they could see a heavy plume of black smoke.
Looking towards the pillar of smoke Damon answered. "Nothing good."
Percy POV
Earlier
"Ok let's go over everything one more time." I said. Me and Bombabeetle were huddled in the corner of a large warehouse.
"What's plan A." I asked.
I plant explosive canisters across the city and hold the entire colony for ransom in exchange for the swords.
There was a time that the thought of potentially putting so many innocent people in harms way would've been incomprehensible to me. Now here I was plotting to do just that, just so I could go home.
"Good and when that inevitably fails." I prompted.
"I've booby trapped the entire warehouse, they won't escape with their lives." The alien cackled gleefully.
I nodded. "Your on your own from here." I told him. "But remember whatever happens nobody can know who you're working for."
"Hah." Bombabeetle said. "This isn't the first time I've done somebody else's dirty work. You don't need to worry, I know how to keep a secret.
I just gave slight nod in response. Soon I'd be back on earth even if it was only for a few hours, I'd be home. I left Bombabeetle to do his job and tried not to think about my homesickness and how I'd let it lead to this. Though that was why I had something else I needed to do.
Trakeena POV
Elsewhere
I looked at the creature that was rightfully kneeling in front of me. Red skin, jet black trench coat lined with red and yellow barbs constantly twitching along with his antenna and mandibles.
Percy belongs to me.
"How may I serve you my lady" Trencher asked.
A grin grew across my face when I heard that. "We're going to destroy the Power Rangers and the problem of the Quasar Sabers once and for all." I said.
Trencher was one of my father's technical officers. Exactly what I needed. I didn't particularly like meeting him here in this dirty alleyway. Seriously this entire city is brand new. How is it so filthy already? Getting him to meet here was also exhausting. But those things were a small price to pay.
I'm not letting you go.
"We?" He asked tilting his head curiously.
Scowling I answered. "Yes, we." Circling him I continued. "Just think of how my father will reward you."
Percy belongs to me.
"So your father has approved of this." He asked tentatively.
Jailer!
"You don't need to worry about my father." I answered trying to keep any possible emotions out of my voice, before asking a question of my own. I could tell he was tempted. "Tell me, do you have any experience with explosives?"
Percy belongs to me.
"I've worked extensively with explosive ordinance in the past." Trencher answered seemingly finding his spine again.
I'll be trapped in a gilded cage again if he leaves.
My smile returned upon hearing that. I'd already known of course, but asking made this hapless goon feel special for a moment. I didn't really care as long as he did what I needed.
Percy belongs to me!
3rd POV
The rangers had gathered in what was quickly becoming their unofficial home base, which was Kendrix's apartment. Damon had brought Matthew with him, honestly not knowing what else to do with the kid. So they had to be a careful of what they said in their discussion.
"Do we know what happened?" Asked Leo.
"We hardly know anything." Says Kai. "All I've heard is that a warehouse near the center of the city exploded."
"Was anybody hurt?" Asked Maya.
"I don't think anybody was there." Said Kai letting out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Said Kendrix relieved.
"We saw lot of people who were shaken up on the way over though." Said Damon concerned.
"Yeah, but nobody knows what happened though." Said Kai. That's what what we need to be worried about. Implications obvious to the other rangers.
"Buildings don't just explode." Said Leo.
"I took a look at the inventory in that warehouse before you guys got here." Said Kendrix. "The only things in there were construction supplies for the space elevator. Nothing in there was even remotely explosive or hazardous."
"So what happened?" Asked Matthew speaking up shyly.
The answer to that question came all too quickly as an electronic screeching tone came from all the electronics in not just room but the whole colony and even the station. A moment later the noise stopped and was replaced with a voice.
"Attention people of Terra Venture." It said. "I am Bombabeetle. As you are no doubt aware. Less than one hour ago I detonated a high explosive in the center of your city."
"Yeah, thanks for the recap." Leo muttered under his breath. Only to be shushed by Kai as the message continued.
"The explosion earlier was only a demonstration. I've hidden identical bombs all over the city and I will detonate them unless my demands are met." The voice gained a sadistic glee as he continued. "If the Quasar Sabers are not delivered to me in six hours, Terra Venture will perish in flames." He finished cackling as the transmission cut off.
Kendrix rapidly shut her laptop as an email notification dinged.
Everyone just looked around at each other stunned faces pale.
Scorpion Stinger
"Furio!" Scorpius yelled.
"Yes sire." The general said entering the room.
"Where is Trakeena?" Scorpius growled.
Furio unconsciously took a step back before he answered. "Uh… I don't know sire." The nervousness evident in his voice.
Scorpius snarled and his tentacles started to twitching. Seeing this Furio prepared to flee should his master turn his anger on him.
"My lord permit me a moment and I'm sure I could locate her and bring her to you." The general spoke quickly.
"Don't bother." Scorpius ground out. "She's not here. She'll be back on Mirinoi, with that boy."
Having long since grown used to Trakeena's unnatural talents at getting what she wanted. Furio simply asked. "Shall I order a course set to return sire?"
The Scorpion Stinger had left Mirinoi yesterday and was now several star systems away.
Scorpius sat there seething. "Yes, reverse course immediately, maximum speed!"
Furio's self preservation instincts kept him from immediately speaking up but a moment later he said. "Sire even at top speed it will take hours even at top speed."
"That boy." Scorpius growled.
Knowing he was indebted to both of the brats at present, against his better judgment Furio pointed out. "He's managed to keep your daughter safe in far worse situations than Mirinoi."
"Very well." Scorpius sighed. "Though if she suffers so much as scratch Perseus will wish he was never born." He said his voice promising a harsh punishment.
They'd left Matthew at GSA headquarters much to Kendrix's ire. The place was being flooded by scared panicking people, hoping it would be a safe place. But it was badly short staffed with everybody desperately trying to find either the bombs, the sabers, or Bombabeetle himself.
The rangers knew where to find all three of those things.
The email earlier had contained Bombabeetle's location. Obviously a trap or a ploy on the alien's part.
The GSA had evacuated the scene and nobody was allowed within several city blocks.
Even the GSA troopers themselves who were manning the barricades to keep people out.
Morphing into their ranger forms, the team leapt rooftop to rooftop in an attempt to avoid being seen.
Faintly hearing a noise a random trooper looks up and catches a glimpse of colorful figures before returning to trying to calm the crowd in front of him.
"Does anyone else think it's dumb to be going towards the things that everyone else is trying to get away from." Asked Damon.
"Probably." Admitted Leo. "But it's a choice between something that's almost certainly a trap." The group jumped down to the ground.
"And something that may not be a trap." Finished Kai.
"I don't want to say it, but like it or not they may have us beat here." Said Kendrix shaking her head. "If we confront Bombabeetle we'll have to either give him the Sabers or try and fight him."
"Odds are he has some way to trigger the bombs automatically if we try and fight him." Sighed Kai.
"And if we do nothing he'll just do that anyway." Said Leo grimacing inside his helmet.
"Besides I would've thought you'd be excited to examine some real alien technology." Said Maya vainly trying to cheer them up.
"Not a weapon." Damon replied.
The device had been found in a juice and exercise bar. Walking in the Rangers immediately saw what they were looking for.
There attached to the far wall in plain view was a metallic device no bigger than a frisbee with an electronic display showing rapidly changing aliens symbols.
"I see how they found it." Damon deadpanned easily popping the device off the off the wall and its display went dark.
"I don't get it." Said Kai. "They can't all be that easy to find."
"They can't be, otherwise there'd have been a lot more people finding these things." Said Kendrix.
"This is too easy." Said Leo uneasily.
As if triggered by his words the device came back to life with alien symbols rapidly flashing and changing, along a loud frantic beeping.
"Now I can't read whatever language that is." Said Damon anxiety evident in his voice. "But I can recognize a countdown."
Maya thinking fast grabbed the device and flung across the room away from the team.
"MOVE!" Shouted Leo even as the Rangers made a mad dash towards the exit. Desperately trying to get out before the blast.
They didn't make it.
BOOM!
Percy POV
I'd been waiting on one of the rooftops to hear from Bombabeetle. So I'd easily seen the explosion.
That shouldn't of been possible. I thought in alarm. Somebody must've triggered the blast.
Immediately I pointed my binoculars at the sight of the blast. A moment later there was movement in the debris. The rangers broke out from the rubble their suits quickly fading.
That explosion must've been an attempt to kill the rangers. The only question was who. Bombabeetle was the most likely suspect. I'd already been planning to kill him at the end of this. Wouldn't be at all surprising if he'd managed to pick up on it. Or maybe he was trying to get the sabers for himself.
Before I could go any further with that thought, out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement on one of the other rooftops overlooking the site. I didn't see much, but that silhouette had looked awfully familiar.
Trakeena? I wondered.
Looking back at the smoldering rubble even scarier thought occurred to me. Could that have been meant for me?
I instantly started running through anybody on the Scorpion Stingwinger who might want me dead. Furio? I'd just saved his life so not likely. Scorpius? He shouldn't want me dead anymore than usual. So that only left…
"Schist!" I shouted. "What did I do this time?!"
Trakeena wanting to kill me was actually nothing new. It was honestly how our relationship started. Me being willing to talk back to her, and princess that she is, she took offense to that and tried to get me killed through various means. Only unlike the people who'd challenged her in the past I had the dubious fortune to survive. Again and again and again and again.
"Ok, don't panic." I told myself trying to calm down. "It's more than likely that it's the pyromaniac behind this." Even if it was Trakeena I saw on the other rooftop it didn't necessarily mean anything. She was better at sneaking around then Annabeth was when she had the invisibility cap.
I was trying not to think about the fact that if Trakeena had snuck out, she'd normally have tried to find and meet up with me. That she hadn't was a cause for concern.
For now though there was a mad bomber I needed to pay a visit to.
3rd POV
"Is everybody alright?" Asked Leo in between coughs.
"Well considering that we just got blown up." Damon answered sarcasm evident in his voice. "I think we're doing pretty well."
Knocked out of morph, the team helped pull one another out of the rubble of the juice bar. The sound of sirens sounding throughout the city again.
"So I guess this was a trap." Grunted Maya.
"You think?" Kai asked sarcastically a deadpanned expression on his face.
"I'll admit this wasn't one of my better ideas." Said Leo.
"Coming here was a group decision Leo." Said Kendrix comfortingly.
"What now?" Asked Maya.
"Now." Said Leo pulling out his transdagger and changing it into it's Magna talon form. "Now I think it's time we give the guy responsible a taste of his own medicine."
Trakeena POV
"You useless wretch!" I snarled at Trencher after making sure we were out of sight.
I was so mad that I could hardly even think or see straight. I knew my temper was likely detracting from my beauty but I didn't even care at the moment.
"My lady!" Stuttered Trencher getting down on his knees and groveling for his pitiful and obviously worthless life.
"The Rangers and their Sabers are still in one piece!" I seethed. "Worse than that, we were almost seen."
"Princess please." The worm squeaked. "Reconnecting that charge should've been more than enough. I was sure of it."
Percy. I thought, I could feel him slipping away from me. He thought that he was so clever but I knew what he was planning.
Snarling I turned around stomped away trying to think of a new plan.
"My lady?" Trencher asked tentatively stepping towards me.
Suddenly inspiration struck and I felt my smile return. It was time to put my foot down. Or better yet, I'd get Bombabeetle to do it for me.
3rd POV
Bombabeetle had holed up in a warehouse near the city limits. Checking his chronometer the alien's face broke into a twisted grin at the deadline drawing near. Pulling out his detonator he rubbed the little red button with his thumb, struggling to wait.
Sighing Bombabeetle put the switch back in his coat and began to idly make his way back to the traps he'd set earlier to double check them. Out of boredom more than anything.
But before he'd even taken three steps nice and slow, the sound of glass shattering came from behind him.
Rushing the bomber and grabbing him by the throat Percy slammed Bombabeetle into the wall holding him by his neck.
"Ok start talking." He said as masonry dust gently floated down. "Did you set off that blast earlier?"
"What no!" He squawked in alarm. "You said to only set off the one blast to get the humans attention.
"Then how did that happen?" Percy asked punctuating every word, and slowly tightening his grip on the alien's throat.
"I don't know!" Bombabeetle rasped desperately clawing at Percy's arm trying to loosen his titanium grip.
With his enhanced senses Percy heard footsteps getting closer. Grimacing under his helm Percy dropped Bombabeetle to the ground gasping for air.
"Just do the job. Seems I have other problems." Percy said pulling out his PAM and teleporting away at the press of a button.
Getting to his feet Bombabeetle pulled out his detonator again and tried to catch his breath
Rushing into the warehouse morphed, the team saw Bombabeetle standing in the center of the room his detonator clutched in his talons.
"Rangers I'm so glad you could make it now hand over the Quasar sabers or your precious colony goes up in flames." He cackled gleefully rubbing the red button.
"That's never gonna happen creep." Shouted Leo jumping and kicking the monster square in the face sending him rolling.
"I was hoping you'd say that." Bombabeetle said rapidly pulling out a remote and hitting the center most button. Several turrets that he'd hidden in the warehouse to pop out from in between the crates.
"Scatter!" Shouted Leo.
"Too late!" Countered Bombabeetle before they could move pressing another button on his remote.
Electrified energy nets shot out from the turrets almost instantly enveloping the rangers.
Rushing over Bombabeetle carefully grabbed the sabers from the rangers through the net, causing their ranger forms to fade as he placed the sabers under his arm.
Getting up and walking towards the exit. Bombabeetle chuckled under his breath and reached into his coat and pulled out a charge identical to to the one from the juice bar.
"Bye bye rangers." He cackled ominously. Throwing the explosive on the ground near where the rangers were trapped.
"Something here is going to end with a bang, namely your lives. Said Bombabeetle laughing as he left.
Leaving behind only the sound of the explosive counting down.
"Come on we have to get free." Said Leo struggling to move through the paralyzing effects of the net.
"If anyone has an idea, now's the time." Grunted Damon.
"Kendrix what are our chances of surviving this." Asked Kai.
"Without our ranger forms, none!" Answered Kendrix trying to move.
"Guys if we don't make it out of this I just want to say- before Maya could finish one of the small service doors to the warehouse flew open with a slam flowed by a single person's hurried footsteps.
"Guys!" A familiar voice yelled running up to them.
"Leo!" Asked Leo struggling to raise his head.
"Valdez?" Echoed Kai.
"How did you find us?" Asked Maya.
"Never mind that! Valdez listen, that bomb is going to go off any second." Said Kendrix managing to nod towards the device.
"I'm not leaving you!" He declared pulling insulated rubber gloves out of his tool belt.
"Let's hope this works." He said grabbing the net and pulling. The rangers hurriedly crawled out from under it as the device started beeping louder.
"Run for it!" Shouted Kai and they bolted for the loading dock door.
Once outside the group only made it a few yards before the entire warehouse exploded, the instant the bomb Leo, "Corbett" made what could only be called a Hollywood action movie leap, ending in a less than nimble landing. Meanwhile the shock wave knocked the others to the ground.
Groaning all six of them slowly sat up, and looked behind them at the mound of burning debris.
"That wasn't nearly as cool as I thought it would be." Said Leo referring to his action hero jump.
"I think it's safe to say this was a bad idea." Said Damon as everybody got to their feet.
"We're just going from one trap to another today." Maya said looking uncharacteristically forlorn.
"Don't feel bad that's how it usually goes." Valdez said trying and largely failing to be comforting.
Turning to to Valdez, Kai asked. "How did you find us?"
"I've been trying to find you guys ever since that guy gave his demands. Calypso looked you guys up and managed to find your addresses." He continued gaining a sheepish look on his face. "I ran all over town checking for you until second to last place I checked a laptop that had been left out and it showed an email with no sender, showing this address." Looking back at the smoldering rubble he added. "What used to be this address. Then I came running here, found you guys, and I think you know the rest." He finished awkwardly.
The rangers just looked at each other not sure how to respond.
"You read my email?" Kendrix accused.
Shrugging Damon said. "Hey at least we're alive."
"Yes that's the important thing." Valdez agreed hurriedly, nodding his head.
"Look I know we didn't part on the best of terms but I am glad to see you." Leo finally said a minute later.
"Yeah, I know you guys don't trust me and I fully realize that I'm largely at fault for that." Said Valdez. "But believe me on your side."
"We'll have to get to that later because we have bigger problems." Said Kai.
"What else is wrong?" Valdez asked deadpanned.
"Bombabeetle took the Quasar Sabers from us." Said Kendrix.
Valdez's face paled. "Yeah that's not good. I assume that this guy works for Scorpius."
The Rangers just looked at each other again.
"Now that you mention it, doesn't this all seem kinda strange." Said Kendrix.
"Seems like everything that happens around here is strange." Replied Damon.
"What I mean is that if Scorpius is behind this, then where's Furio? Where's the Stingwingers swarming us? Questioned Kendrix. "Not mention that he would've just teleported like they usually do."
"Kendrix thats…" Started Leo.
"Actually that's a good point." Said Kai.
"So you think this guy is working on his own"?" Asked Valdez.
"Maybe but there's a problem with that logic." Kendrix continued. "If Scorpius wanted the Quasar Sabers so badly. I'd think he'd have taken pains to keep word of it from getting out."
"I think the only way we're going to gate any answers is to find that guy." Said Leo.
"How are we going to do that we don't have our powers, and we have no idea where he's headed." Said Maya.
"Wait" exclaimed Valdez. "You said that guy left on foot?"
"Yeah, what about it?" Asked Maya.
"Well if that's the case then he'll most likely be heading to outside the city, and trying not to be seen. And since I memorized the schematics for the whole project before I came to space." Valdez explained.
"Ok just skipping over the part where you apparently have access to classified schematics." Said Kai. "How does that help us?"
"Because I know the shortest route with the fewest cameras." Answered Valdez smugly.
"That's great but even if we did find him, we don't have powers anymore." Argued Damon.
"Maybe but we still have our transdaggers." Said Leo. "And I may just have a plan."
Bombabeetle had stopped to catch his breath and wrap the sabers in a chain to make them easier to carry.
Tucking the swords into his coat. He pulled out his detonator again and contemplated setting off the bombs.
Deciding that he was still a little too close to the blast zones. He reluctantly put the remote away.
"Hi." Someone suddenly said.
Turning around startled, Bombabeetle saw the approaching Trakeena and Trencher.
"Huh, what are you doing here?" He challenged.
Smiling Trakeena answered. "Giving you what you need to take care of the rangers."
"I've done my job!" He argued not mentioning the sabers in his coat.
"Take how you speak to the princess." Warned Trencher his fright apparent.
"I only came to give you this." Trakeena said holding out a beaker filled with green fluid. "I want you to destroy the Power Rangers and the quasar sabers"
"What? That wasn't the deal." Bombabeetle exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I'll see to it that your well rewarded for your efforts." Trakeena said sweetly tracing his shoulder as she circled him. "I don't need anymore failures.
Bombabeetle just stood there a moment trying to think and didn't notice them leave. He hadn't survived in this Galaxy as long as he had with being able to tell when people were making power plays.
It's time to lay low for awhile.
He decided was going to deliver quasar sabers as asked. Then bury any evidence of his being under several tons of ash and rubble. After that he was gonna make space tracks.
His choice made he started back towards the city limits again, when.
"BWAHH!" Yelled Bombabeetle as he was hit by an energy blast, the sabers falling to the ground from his coat as he went rolling.
"Surprised to see us again." Asked Leo as he and the others reclaimed their Quasar Sabers.
"What?" Yelled Bombabeetle getting to his feet. "How are you still alive?
"Because we have friends." Retorted Maya.
"Go Galactic!"
Back in ranger form the team stared down Bombabeetle, and he them.
Why are you after the Quasar Sabers? Asked Leo.
"Because they're worth a lot of money to me. I'll take those sabers back. Along with your heads." Said Bombabeetle as a noise started coming from his throat like he was trying to hack up a load of phlegm.
"Rargh." He screamed blasting a stream of burning napalm from his mouth at the rangers, releasing a massive plume of flame.
"Hi yay." Yelled Leo jumping through the flames and bringing his bright red sword down on the alien causing an eruption of more fire.
"Stupid twerps." Growled Bombabeetle. "I'm fire proof.
"But I doubt your immune to this." Said Kai as the rangers put their transdaggers together in a star formation. The Transdaggers all glowing with golden energy.
"Fire!" All the rangers shouted.
"No!" The monster shrieked as an energy blast like a miniature star flew from the center of the rangers weapons and towards him.
"We got him!" Exclaimed Maya.
"Just catch him, and blast him. That was your plan?" Asked Kai turning to Leo.
But before he could answer they heard "It'll take a bigger blast than that, to take me out rangers." Said Bombabeetle stumbling out of the smoke his body smoking and he was breathing heavily but he was otherwise fine.
"He's still alive!" Said Kendrix stunned.
"Guess I'll have to use this after all." Bombabeetle said pulling out a beaker of green fluid. "When I'm hired for a job I always make sure to finish it." He smirked." "And end with a bang. With that he uncorked the bottle and chugged it.
"Uh oh!" Said Maya as they watched the alien grow to thirty stories.
"No way." Said Kendrix.
"Not this again!" Yelled Damon.
Laughing the newly skyscraper sized monster yelled. "Blast warning, your about to be blown away."
The rangers trying to leap to safety as cackling the monster reached down and swiped at the rangers with his talons sending pieces of the asphalt flying, and the team were thrown by the sheer force of the monsters strike and sent flying along the pieces of the road.
"Okay this is a problem." says Kai as rangers got to their feet.
"If anybody has any ideas, now's the time." Said Damon.
"Last time it took a giant fireball from the Lion." Answered Leo.
As if called by the mention of them the Rangers heard a series of familiar roars.
Turning the team saw a familiar but unexpected sight charging down the city streets towards the monster.
"The animals?" Asked Maya in surprise.
"Last we saw of them, they flew off into space." Said Leo stunned. "I never thought we'd see them again. Especially not here."
The Galacta Beast stared down the monster growling even as he towered over them.
In response Bombabeetle reached a hand into his coat. "You beasts are gonna go out with a bang." He said as sirens and alarms started going off throughout the entire colony.
Percy POV
I'd been waiting at the top of the canyon where I'd hidden the shuttle. Just for the record I wasn't hiding! I was just keeping a low profile. Partly for the plan, partly because there may or may not be a price on my head at the moment.
Anyway first I managed to hear some massive booming thuds coming from the city. Looking at the distant city from my vantage point I managed to make out an enormous but familiar shape through the buildings.
"Bombabeetle?!" I questioned stunned. I wasn't sure how he would've grown gigantic but I had a pretty good idea.
Jumping down I dug my fingers into the canyon wall to slow my descent. Once I was about half way down I kicked off the rock face, landing nimbly next to the bug fighter.
I'd just like to mention that a bug fighter doesn't really have a pleasing aesthetic. Imagine a brown cockroach the size of a school bus with a big spear on on each side.
Now most of you are probably asking. "Percy how do you know how to fly a space ship?"
Well honestly, learning to fly a bug fighter wasn't that hard. Instead of a complicated control panel, there were tendrils that would connect to your arm and nervous system letting you basically control it with your mind. The only thing you really had to learn was how they move and maneuver.
Igniting the engines I took the ship up to cloud level and I got my first clear look at what was going on in the city.
Bombabeetle was fighting five giant and brightly colored animals. I watched as they repeatedly Tried to bite and claw at Bombabeetle. Whenever one tried to charge him Bombabeetle would try to grab, throw, or otherwise knock them away.
I jumped in my seat when a series of explosions occurred centered on these creatures.
Somehow Bombabeetle must've planted bombs on them while he was fighting them.
Turning the shuttle I headed straight towards the fight.
As I approached I saw the rangers leap to the top of their respective colored beast and held out their trans daggers which started glowing with energy that spread out enveloping the animals infusing them with more energy transforming them into metallic versions of themselves.
Now as a demigod I lived and breathed weirdness, even before I got shot into space. But this was just insanity, and it was about to get even weirder.
My jaw dropped as I watched the newly metallic creatures combine into a giant robot
The Red Lion formed the chest and head. The Blue Gorilla the legs. The Pink Cat and Yellow Wolf formed the right and left arms respectively. While the Green Condor attached itself to the newly formed warrior's back.
A megazord why did it have to be a megazord? I wondered.
The newly formed war machine marched towards Bombabeetle striking him with a right hook knocking him down to the streets.
Climbing back to his feet the monster reached into his coat again pulling out his detonater.
"I still have one last trick up my sleeve rangers." Said Bombabeetle."Now say goodbye to"
I'd heard enough at that point and knew I needed to step in.
"AARHHG!" The bomber yelled as a laser blaster from the ship struck against his back.
Coming around for another pass this I targeted the bomber's arm, specifically the hand holding the remote.
"WHAT?!" Bombabeetle screamed as the lasers destroyed his detonator.
I smirked under my armor as Bombabeetle freaked out.
Argh! I don't need my bombs to beat you growled the alien. "Rargh!" screamed the overgrown insect as he spewed a stream of burning napalm from his mouth at the megazord
Crossing its arms to brace for the blast the megazord stood its ground. When the smoke cleared it was unscathed.
"What no." Said the monster stumbling back.
Raising its sword the blade started to hum with power the megazord delivered three quick slashes causing the alien to split into pieces and then explode.
I turned off the shuttles view screen and let out a long sigh. "Well there goes that brilliant plan."
I surveyed the area and was surprised to see that despite a giant monster exploding there wasn't that much damage to the surrounding city. I had no idea how that was possible but I was glad and I wasn't about to question it.
My good mood was quickly shattered when I saw that Scorpion Stinger had re-entered the system.
Well this is just great. I thought sarcastically, I'd thought that they wouldn't be back for days. Reluctantly I started to fly the shuttle up into the atmosphere. Maneuvering the shuttle I started to head back to space and the Scorpion Stinger, Scorpius wouldn't be happy, And Furio would have a field day.
"Your plan failed." Growled Scorpius as soon as I walked in the room.
I noted Trakeena in her usual spot we a strangely dower look on his face. Most people likely wouldn't notice anything different but I knew her well enough to tell when she was upset.
Meeting her eyes sent a shiver down my spine, and I knew that to her I was somehow the one at fault. For better or worse though I couldn't focus on that at the moment as Furio continued his verbal assault.
"Not only that but you attacked your own monster." Said Furio.
"I attacked because it was obvious that Bombabeetle was going to lose."
"That's your excuse!" Snapped Furio.
"That pyromaniac was wanted on three planets and I'd made sure ahead of time that his explosives were disabled, had that been revealed it would only have been a matter of time before our part in this mess came out too." I countered. "As things now stand the aliens everybody feared just helped save Terra Venture the renewed trust that gives us is well worth speeding up the destruction of a single criminal."
Again you would think disarming alien explosives would be complicated, but apparently it was as easy as disconnecting a few wires. Didn't make a whole lot of sense, but I wasn't going to complain. I was glad that I could make it so that the colony was never really in that much danger, so what I was doing wasn't that bad. At least that's what I was telling myself.
Raising a tentacle to silence Furio's next retort, Scorpius turned his full attention on me. "I should have known this plan was too vicious for one as soft as you to be the mastermind."
Ouch, thanks Boss. I thought sarcastically
"Since you've been with us boy you have repeatedly claimed not to be a strategist but this scheme of yours" Scorpius stated. "You may fool the others and even perhaps your self, but it's clear to me this was the outcome you'd intended all along."
It really wasn't. But I wasn't going to tell him that.
"Which makes me wonder for what reason my daughter was with you." Said Scorpius accusingly.
That confirmed it that Trakeena had been on Mirinoi and was undoubtedly involved with the mess that had just occurred. But first I had to figure out how to get my self out of this without her help.
Needless to say that wasn't my strong suit and even if it was I doubted it would've mattered. The following few hours were far from pleasant and Trakeena was strangely quiet throughout the ordeal.
Now I won't go into detail here but I was relieved when Scorpius finally said. "Now then I believe that you have an appointment to keep."
I knew that when I got back I'd have to figure how to fix things with Trakeena, for now I was all too happy to go.
Upon my landing on Mirinoi I made sure to activate the armor before I left the shuttle. I didn't want have to explain looking human and I doubted anybody would enjoy looking at my current state under this armor.
I'd landed next to the GSA headquarters thinking that I would be able to explain who I was, ask for Matthew and be on our way back to earth.
Gods was I wrong. The instant I stepped out of the shuttle I was swarmed. Most of the people I was pretty sure were GSA, but I was pretty sure that there were a few news reporters mixed in the crowd.
At one point though in the midst of the confusion I did manage to briefly talk to a GSA guy and discreetly told him how to find and dispose the bombs. If they hadn't gone off by now by then Trakeena obviously hadn't rearmed them, but I would feel a lot better once they were taken care of.
People had a lot of questions about everything that had happened.
I told them Bombabeetle was a wanted criminal. Which he was up until a few hours ago.
"How did he become a giant?" Probably a potion but I didn't tell them that.
"What about the giant robot that had helped protect the city?" I was still trying to process that turn of events myself.
Eventually Matthew appeared along with a group of people who's faces I recognized. The Power Rangers.
How Matthew had found himself in their care I had no idea. But I saw the woman I assumed was the pink ranger put her hand on the kid's shoulder trying to silently comfort and encourage him. Even as the others surrounded her and the kid protectively.
Meeting the gaze of the Red Ranger, Leo, I gave him a brief nod trying to let him know it was okay.
We couldn't speak openly with the crowds. But some sort of understanding must've passed between us, because he nodded to his friends seemingly telling them it was alright.
"Can you take me home?" The kid asked.
I tried to hide the lump of emotions in my throat when I answered. "Yeah."
Matthew oohed and awed at the interior of the ship. I wasn't annoyed I would've done the same at that age. Honestly I probably would've been ten times worse at that age.
As we broke out of the atmosphere I turned the ship towards the wormhole.
Turning to face the kid I tried not to wince as I tweaked or pulled one of the injuries that Scorpius had inflicted earlier.
"So I take it you have family on earth." I asked.
"Just my mom." He answered turning to look at me with a surprised look on his face.
"What about you? Do you have family?" He asked.
"Not on earth." I lied.
"Well yeah. But somewhere?" Matthew asked.
Sighing I replied. "I know what you meant kid. My family is… complicated." Knowing that I'd be seeing them soon.
With that we entered the wormhole and were enveloped by the warp of space. One distracting light show later and we were back in the earth's solar system.
Not something that I thought I'd ever say.
I didn't know were the kid was from originally but I'd decided ahead of time that I was going to New York. The inevitable small army of government officials and reporters that would appear when we landed would get him where he was supposed to be.
As we entered the atmosphere I decided to land on the city streets there was a parking lot nearby but this would seem more alien. At least I hoped.
Stepping out of the shuttle, I set foot on the planet and took a long look at the New York City skyline. Finally after over two years I was finally home.
I'd originally intended for the rangers and Valdez reconcile this chapter. But I decided it made better sense next chapter along with Percy and Trakeena. So what did you guys think of Bombabeetle? My first true original monster. And certainly not the last. Well on that bombshell I'm afraid it's time to end.
Next time, Homecoming.
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.