Chapter 187
Power Ranger Burn Out
Part 1
Inside of the crystal chamber all three energies of goodness provided by Princess Ariel, Myndor and Kastra's forms have slowly dimmed from inside of the pillars and the reason for this is because they are conserving their energies to allow them to get stronger for the time being and I am afraid to say that none of them will be of any help to the Rangers while they are conserving energy but still they have produced enough power to sustain the crystal chamber while they are conserving their own energies. They only have little hope of help if needed and I say this because Lightwing is asleep.
Chet drives up in the nice looking neighborhood Jade lives in. He gets out of his car once he turns it off but not before parking in the driveway. He has on today a white t shirt with a front pocket, black shorts and black sport shoes. He walks up to the house and knocks on the door. He says to himself.
Chet-I hope today will be peaceful and gives me some time to spend with Jade.
No one answers the door so he knocks again but this time he calls out Jade's name.
Chet-Hey Jade you there?
He becomes a little puzzled.
Chet-Hmm she knew I was coming today, wonder where she is. Hmm well I have a few errands to run I'll be back.
He knocks on the door again for a few more minutes before deciding to leave the area all together.
Zelda and Nakia are at the Sunshine Outdoor Café sitting at a table talking a bit. Nakia is wearing a yellow thin blouse with a black vest, a white jean skirt with black buttons lined up from top to bottom and black comforter shoes. Zelda has on today a pink t shirt with a white flower design in the center of it a pair of black jeans and white shoes, she also has her hair up in a ponytail style today. Zelda looks at the menu and asks.
Zelda-Did you order anything yet?
Nakia-No not yet, just enjoying the fresh air for once.
Zelda-I suppose we should wait for Kim and Joey to arrive and besides it is beautiful out today and peaceful.
Nakia-That is probably going to change.
Zelda-I wish I could disagree with you on that.
Nakia-I wish I didn't have to say it.
Zelda-Things are a bit on edge lately.
Nakia-I guess I am just wishing I could live a normal life.
Zelda-But you can.
Nakia-Not yet I can't.
Zelda-Why not?
Nakia-Because we still have our job Zelda as.
She says in a whisper.
Nakia-Rangers and you know it.
Zelda-I know what you mean, I wanted to enroll in a dramatic arts school that just opened up a few weeks ago but I am kind of iffy on doing it.
Nakia-We used to juggle school and fighting evil not too long ago.
Zelda-True but the flyer I was given put an emphasis on dedication and concentration and I would find that really hard to do if I can't be there when I need to be.
Nakia-I totally understand. When should we tell Princess Ariel that we are ready?
Zelda-I don't see what good it would do until Amanda and Vanessa are better and released from the hospital.
Nakia-I realize that. I was kind of hoping to let her know our decision soon.
Zelda-Oh.
Nakia-Like you Zelda, I have been bitten by the bug of life and I want to explore all it has to offer me.
Zelda smiles and says.
Zelda-Well don't forget about us being best friends.
Nakia-Of course I wouldn't forget. Just because we wouldn't be fighting evil anymore doesn't mean we won't hang out sometime and keep in contact.
Zelda-I know but it was something I really wanted to say.
Nakia-Understood. Anyway Ryan is at the garage working on a car with Todd today once again so he is going to be busy.
Zelda-He really enjoys working on cars doesn't he.
Nakia-Like a bear enjoying a handful of honey.
They both giggle. When they stop Nakia adds.
Nakia-I know he said he isn't ready to give up being you know what but I still wanted to talk to him about it. I think he probably feels the same way you and I do deep inside.
Zelda-Well if him working on cars means anything then that feeling will come out.
Nakia-I think so too, in fact he likes working on cars so much that he ended up making me promise not to bother him today unless it was a total emergency.
Zelda-That proves it then.
Nakia-Yeah.
They both notice Kimberly and Joey driving up into the café's parking lot in Joey's car. Zelda says.
Zelda-Kim and Joey are finally here.
Nakia-Good then maybe we can order something.
They both get out of the car, Kimberly is wearing a black chiffon top with the bottom of it being tied therefore revealing her stomach area, white jean shorts with front pockets and bright yellow comforter shoes. Joey is wearing a half white and half black t shirt, a pair of half blue and half white shorts and black tennis shoes.
To the Professor's underwater base, he sits in his chair in his main computer room waiting for something to give him a new idea. He stares at the remains of Kitty's form thinking hard to himself, finally he begins to speak to Cattariaziz the computerized brain responsible for his main computer.
Professor Feliness-I think I have the perfect idea Cattariaziz.
The computer responds.
Cattariaziz-And what idea might that be?
Professor Feliness-Attacking the Rangers head on proves to be nothing more than a burden since they always end up winning. Perhaps I give them a win that would actually prove to be a devastating loss to them.
He chuckles with evil delight as he presents a very familiar item he used once before and that is one of his own creations, a cat DNA cell.
Cattariaziz says after its electronic eye spots the cell.
Cattariaziz-Your greatest creation.
The Professor chuckles even more then says.
Professor Feliness-Yes Cattariaziz! The Rangers will show up once a creation of mine appears before them, the Rangers will also defeat that creation, but the question that lies at hand is how will the Rangers feel once they find out that creation turned out to be one of their own. However if things turn around and they end up being destroyed themselves by my creations hand then all the better!
Cattariaziz-Brilliant idea Professor.
Professor Feliness-Please Cattariaziz stating the obvious is not needed.
Cattariaziz-What if the life force of the infected Power Ranger is detected and they cease any attack against their fellow comrade?
Professor Feliness-If that becomes the case then Psychotia will finish the job!
Cattariaziz-Ahh.
Professor Feliness-Nevertheless those Power Rangers will feel a devastating loss! And that will be the beginning of the end of their so called teamwork. Hahahaha.
Cattariaziz-Have you chosen a Ranger to infect with the cat's DNA cell?
Professor Feliness-Indeed I have. Who else would be a better target than the Red Ranger himself. He leads the team, he is quite powerful and formidable, taking him out is a logical answer to destroying them all!
Cattariaziz-The plan seems very plausible.
Professor Feliness-Of course it does, yet your question does concern me a bit. In fact it concerns me to the extent of creating a new cat DNA cell that will infect the Red Ranger double wise in an attempt to cease any detection of his true life force.
The Professor says with an evil grimace appearing on his face ever so slightly.
Professor Feliness-I want clawers to attack the Red Ranger while I work on my new cat DNA cell.
He says sharply to Cattariaziz.
Professor Feliness-Cattariaziz send word to Psychotia to have her release her clawers without delay! I want the Red Ranger worn down so that my DNA cell will have no problem taking over his entire body.
Cattariaziz-Order acknowledged and sending.
Professor Feliness-Excellent! I must complete my new DNA cell quickly if I am to have any chance at succeeding this time.
At Rocky's Car Repair Shop, Todd and Ryan are about to start working on a really bad looking car that was in a wreck a few days ago. Both guys are wearing long blue mechanic suits with the Rocky's logo imprinted in the center. The storefront and the garage are closed today due to Rocky catching up on some really needed book keeping statistics but he has allowed the two guys to stay to work on the car. Ryan walks into the store area to get the cap he brought, when he finds it behind a counter he notices a hole right outside opening up from the ground, he says in a really worried tone.
Ryan-Oh man what now.
Todd starts calling for him in the garage.
Todd-Hey Ryan come on, we gotta get started now!
Ryan clinches his teeth while watching several clawers leap up out of the hole outside.
Ryan-Today isn't my day.
He rushes outside and quickly attacks the clawers. Todd hears the scuffle and runs to see what is going on, he exclaims.
Todd-What the?! What the hell are those things?!
Ryan grabs one clawer by its shoulder and immediately he pushes it down to give it a hefty knee kick to its chest, it hit's the ground and soon Ryan kicks another one in its face and the impact of that kick knocks it away, he says as he leaps up and over two more clawers.
Ryan-Trouble! That's what they are!
Ryan lands next to Todd where they back up to each other. Todd says.
Todd-I got your back!
Ryan-Thanks!
Todd-Lets finish em!
Ryan-Yeah but I gotta tell ya if they scratch ya it'll hurt like hell.
Todd-Thanks for the pep talk.
Ryan-Anytime!
The guys begin their attack upon the clawers.
Attempting to swipe and bring down Ryan, one clawer ends up kicking him in the stomach not once not twice but three times, he clutches it in pain but that doesn't stop his determination, he ends up triple punching the clawer that just kicked him in the stomach, it is sent off flying in the air due to the intensity of the punch and it crashes directly into the street where it fades away. Ryan then takes ahold of another clawer by its tail and swings it around two times before letting go therefore sending it also crashing into the street. He then takes on another one, he kicks it with his right leg then he turns around so the clawer is facing his back and he ends up delivering a really strong back kick with his left leg but this does not knock down the clawer it only slightly stuns it because of the pain it begins to feel, anyway knowing that the beast will probably attempt to attack him with a swipe of its claws Ryan thinks fast, he quickly executes a back flip and grabs the clawers neck and head with his feet, making sure the hold is secure, Ryan now slings the clawer with his really strong hold onto its back and once it is there Ryan gets on bended knee and he ends up delivering one last hit to the clawer with a super power punch that causes it to fade away.
Todd is fighting two clawers at once, they seem to have gotten the best of him because he is kicked to the ground. Although he is on the ground in pain because he ended up getting scratched twice, he leaps back on his feet and provides a very painful tornado kick to one of the clawers that falls flat on its face with a huge smack to the ground, he then gets down on bended knee when he notices the other clawer about to attack him again and when close enough the clawer feels two punches on both of its lower legs, it roars in pain and wants to attack but its too late, and I say that because Todd back flips very quickly and his feet end up kicking the clawer causing it to do a flip unintentionally, it finally falls on its stomach in even more pain next to its fallen comrade but that is not all, Todd immediately finishes both of the clawers off by leaping off of the ground and landing on both of their backs with a crushing intensity that causes them both to disappear.
With all of the clawers vanquished, the two guys give each other a high five. Todd says.
Todd-Man that was a bit rough but I loved it!
Ryan-Dude you're crazy. You're saying you loved it when they scratched you up.
Todd-I know but oww I'll heal. Good work out though.
Ryan-You are quite the fighter.
Todd-I should be, after helping you and the others fight evil as a Ranger I wanted to always be ready.
Ryan smiles and thinks about asking Todd if he would be interested in replacing him as the Red Ranger so instead of thinking really hard on it, he says.
Ryan-Todd I know what I am about to say might totally catch you off guard but while we are on the subject of evil how would you feel about being the new Red Ranger?
Todd groans out a bit due to the pain that becomes increasing slightly because of the scratches he received on his chest, he still answers.
Todd-What are you for real?
Ryan-Yeah. You don't have to answer me right now. I think we should get you some help for those scratches.
Todd-I'll be alright I think.
Ryan-Can't know that for sure. You don't have Ranger powers to kind of null the pain.
Todd-Ughhhh! You can say that again.
After monitoring the entire battle Cattariaziz reports the news of Psychotia's clawers defeat through a mounted electrical base intercom speaker located in the lab since the Professor is in there working on a new double acting DNA cat's cell. He responds to Cattariaziz after a few minutes of silence.
Professor Feliness-Worthless Idiots! Psychotia should do something to improve her weak warriors! But no matter, I will make the cell absorb itself into the Red Ranger's skin! This time I will succeed!
Cattariaziz says something that will interest the Professor.
Cattariaziz-Sensors indicate the Red Ranger's friend was also a Red Ranger for a short time and a possible future replacement.
Professor Feliness-A replacement? Ha! I didn't think any Ranger would step down from protecting this planet, then again humans do grow tiresome of anything.
Cattariaziz-Perhaps the saying "Killing two birds with one stone" applies.
Professor Feliness responds to that with the most intensified interested tone ever as he smirks at the thought.
Professor-Killing two Rangers with one DNA cell sounds better to my ears.
Cattariaziz-Of course but surely Professor you have to admit this newly discovered information may prove to be quite useful to your goal.
Professor Feliness-Very true Cattariaziz. I could have them both eliminated at once, still it does not rule out the fact I just thought of a second ago that if his friend were to perish as well the side of good would simply find another replacement. However it would still prove to be fun to just go through with my plan.
Cattariaziz-I agree.
Professor Feliness-Now that we have established a new twist to my evil plan, it will take just a few more minutes to demonize my DNA cell, therefore adding quite a kick.
Cattariaziz-Meaning what Professor?
Professor Feliness-You see Cattariaziz and I mean you see in your mind's eye not your actual eye that provides field vision, my newly improved cell when absorbed into either one of those bothersome humans will activate instantly, and the infected human once touched will also infect his friend. Hahahaha.
Cattariaziz-Astounding.
Professor Feliness-I will use a pheromone bomb, hopefully Psychotia's idiotic clawers can do something right for I will need them to take the essence of each Rangers body and infuse those essence' into a crystal essence catcher where I shall throw at the two newly formed beasts and then let the games begin! Ha!
Cattariaziz-Brilliant, simply brilliant.
Professor Feliness-Indeed it is. I will deliver my prize possession to them myself very shortly. And due to my brilliance I have thought of something else in regards to your question about the Red Ranger's life force.
Cattariaziz-And that is Professor?
Professor Feliness-I know I stated I would have Psychotia take care of the rest if the Red Ranger's life force was detected but I have thought and thought and thought in this short span of time so I think stealing the Red Ranger's life force and his friends as well would prove to be a better tactic than just trying to mutate it.
Cattariaziz-Another reason why I exist Professor is to give you something to think about.
Professor Feliness-Your purpose is ever so appreciated my old friend.
Back at Rocky's Car Repair Shop, Todd is still insisting that he is alright, Ryan however is doubting that Todd is alright for he has already begun a heavy breathing pattern, so instead of arguing with him he takes him to the Shop's man office which is a medium sized room and sits him down in a chair located just a couple of feet away from a large desk. Todd says in heavily breathing tone.
Todd-Oh come…on man.. I'll be…ok. I want..to finish our work.
Ryan-There is no way we are working on that car right now Todd, I can assure you of that. I think I'll just call for a bit of magical help to heal you.
Todd-Fine…
Before Ryan has the chance to do anything he suddenly begins hearing a voice inside of his head, a voice he recognizes as his own voice which is quite puzzling to him because it feels as if it's a separate voice yet it is in his own. And that voice keeps telling him to go outside.
Ryan's Voice-Come outside. Come outside. If you want to save your friend bring him along as well.
Trying to fight the urge that is soon overpowering his thoughts and will, he decides the strength of this strange phenomenon is becoming too much so instead of fighting it any further he obeys and he takes Todd with him. Still hearing the voice, he says to himself.
Ryan-What is happening, I can't be saying this, but I can't fight it.
As soon as they get back outside Todd asks in a slight weakened tone.
Todd-Why did you bring me out here? I thought you were going to call for magical help?
Ryan becomes slightly disoriented as the voice fades away and his will returns to his own.
Ryan-Uh, I, I don't know what happened just now.
Todd-What?
With a flash of orange energy a beam strikes the ground and opens it. Ryan looks and so does Todd and the two become worried but there is little they can do after they discover they have been frozen in their tracks.
Ryan-Oh man I can't move!
Todd-Neither can I!
At the Café, Nakia, Zelda, Kimberly and Joey are sitting at the same table talking a bit and about to order something off of the men when without warning the ground opens up from a few feet away. Kimberly says with exclamation.
Kimberly-Oh no! The ground is opening!
Everyone notices a clawer leaping out of the ground, people start screaming and running away and some run into the café.
Nakia-We gotta do something!
Zelda-Right!
Something unexpected happens, the clawer doesn't attack, instead it just throws a multicolored bomb looking device at the four, they leap out of the way but this doesn't matter at all since the bomb explodes into a heavy cloud of multicolored smoke that ends up hitting them all and soon their bodies start to glow with their respected Ranger colors, when they each stop glowing the cloud of smoke is absorbed into a crystal like sphere held by the clawer. It smirks at the four as they regain their breathing capabilities and stop coughing as it leaps back into the ground from once it came.
Joey-Is everybody ok?
They all nod their heads once, Zelda then says.
Zelda-I don't like what just happened.
Kimberly-I wonder what was that all about.
Nakia-Nothing good that's for sure.
Joey-And I thought I'd have at least one worried free day.
They all look at each other but say nothing more for a few seconds. Zelda decides to say.
Zelda-Maybe we should contact the crystal chamber to see if they know anything?
Nakia-Yeah.
While Nakia activates her communicator to get possible answers, Ryan and Todd are still paralyzed outside of Rocky's Car Repair Shop. As soon as the ground stops opening, the evil Professor Feliness leaps out in a field of orange energy that disappears after a few seconds. He says as he presents his brand new cat DNA cell.
Professor Feliness-What marvelous treachery telekinetic powers can provide eh Red Ranger?
Ryan tries to say something and also move, the Professor continues to say with an evil grimace on his face.
Professor Feliness-Oh but of course you can't move. I know this must be all mind boggling to you how rude of me, perhaps an explanation will help clarify things, I was simply stating the helpful affect one has when he has the power to control things with his mind yet fear not you shall be able to move very soon.
The clawer reappears next to the Professor holding the crystal essence catcher, he takes it from the clawer and notices its only flashing with four different colors, yellow, pink, white and blue, immediately he becomes enraged at the clawer.
Professor Feliness-You brainless dimwit! There are supposed to be five colors here, there are only four! You didn't capture the Black Ranger's essence!
Cowering down the clawer hides its face from shame. The Professor calms down a bit and says in a gentler tone.
Professor Feliness-Find the Black Ranger and capture his essence and don't come back till its done! My plan cannot move forward without his essence, do not fail!
The clawer uncovers its face and takes the crystal essence catcher, it then leaps into the ground and disappears and reappears on top of a very high building after sensing Chet's presence in downtown Terra Falls, problem is at least for the clawer Chet gets back in his car after picking up his dry cleaning and drives off, the clawer slams its fist and disappears once again.
Back at the café, Nakia says to her friends after she gets no answer from the crystal chamber.
Nakia-No answer.
Kimberly-I really don't like this.
Zelda-Where could they be?
Joey-Lets teleport to see what's happening.
Zelda-Good Idea.
Nakia-Well lets get moving.
They all rush to the back of the café and soon each of them touch their color coded stars on their communicators which causes them all to sparkle with their respected Ranger colors seconds later they form into beams of light that streak up into the sky and disappear.
The streaking beams of light appear and flow downward into the crystal chamber where they form back into the four as they come in contact with the ground. Zelda looks around and is the first to say about the crystal chamber looking not as quite bright as it did before.
Zelda-Everything looks so dim in here.
Nakia-Maybe they are taking a break.
Joey-A break from what?
Kimberly-Could be they are recharging their powers.
Joey-Lightwing isn't even around.
Zelda-He is probably sleeping again.
Nakia-My thoughts exactly. Well I guess we have to figure this one out on our own.
Zelda-We'll be ok.
Joey-We have done without help for a while anyway.
Kimberly-Yep.
Nakia-Everyone I know this is probably useless to say because we all are anyway but for old times sake I gotta say stay alert.
Zelda-Already ahead of you on that.
Nakia-I should contact Ryan to let him know what's going on.
Kimberly-Why not just go see him?
Nakia-I could do that I just didn't want to bother him much today since he is working with Todd.
Zelda-You're not bothering him you're just warning him about something bad that might happen.
Kimberly-We should warn Chet too.
Zelda-Yeah.
Nakia remembers her promise to Ryan earlier today so she says.
Nakia-Its not a total emergency so I won't bother Ryan. He made me promise.
Zelda-Yeah you told me that earlier.
Kimberly-Oh I see.
Joey-Well guess its nothing to worry about too much unless something big happens.
Back to the Professor. He is watching the two frozen guys when suddenly a thought arises in his head.
Professor Feliness-That foolish clawer is taking too long! Since I know they know their leader is here I have a distinct feeling the other Rangers might want to stop by after being attacked by my pheromone bomb hmm I must not allow them to come here just yet! I must contact Psychotia to keep them temporarily busy!
As he begins to use his telepathy to give Psychotia a new order, everything fades to black.
To Be Continued…