Armada Units 7 and 9 stood guard diligently waiting for someone to attack. As they waited they noticed two humans crossing over and standing before them. These humans however were no ordinary humans. They were Zelda and Hilda.
“Uhhh hello boys. New in town? Hilda asked. Zelda rolled her eyes in disbelief that her sister would use so lame a line, but it seemed to catch the Destron’s interest. Long enough for Endora to send two bolts of power into the two Armada Units knocking them down for the count.
“Nice work Endora.” Zelda said very grateful for her witch sister’s intervention, but Endora was in no mood to take gratitude. “Come on it may already be too late.” she said as she made ready to lead her sisters down the cavern. But something appeared and the witches had no time to act.
“SURPRISE!!!” Rito shouted as he shot firebolts out of his sword sending the witches down. Armada units 7 and 9 were recovering quickly as Rito went over to the unconscious witches. “Don’t worry boys. No need to thank me. Just doing my job.” Rito then took the witches and teleported out leaving two very confused Armada Units behind.
The journey into the cave seemed uneventful for the Ranger team. “I can’t believe it’s going so easy. No booby traps. No hidden riddles. No nothing!” Arcon said.
Maya immediately glared at Arcon. “Never say that! If you do then you might as well jinx this whole thing!”
Arcon just scoffed at Maya. “Oh please. Like I believe any of that superstition!”
Sure enough waiting for them was the Matrix everyone was looking for. Its luminescence shining the entire cave, and the Matrix team stood bathed in all its radiance.
“Wow!” Kendrix said awestruck.
“I know what you mean.” Leo added. “Can you feel the power?”
“And the goodness too. It feels like a light is washing over everything about me.” Jessica said as she felt as if goodness was touching every cell in her body then going into her soul illuminating the good aspects of her personality that had seemed like they had been dormant for so long. For her she was reminded of her father and brother whom she was very close to. The happy times together, her first love, and the friendships she had over time. Not once did a dark impulse wash over her.
The same was for all the Rangers present. Leo was reminded of the closeness he had with his brother Mike as they grew up together as well as the love he felt for all his Galaxy Ranger friends: Kendrix, Maya, Kai and Damon. He also remembered the first time they had arrived on Mirinoi, and even though Terra Venture was destroyed by Unicron everyone on the colony was happy the day they found the new world.
Ryan remembered all the happy times as a child, before Diabolico had taken him. And even after Diabolico had taken him all Ryan could think of was when Diabolico treated him like a father instead of teaching him that his own father and sister had abandoned him. He remembered the times love had been shown to him as only a parent could have. Whether it be demon or human.
Joel remembered flying at the air shows as if he was the Sky Cowboy of old. Performing death defying stunts, autograph lines miles long, and pretty girls all waiting for him. One in particular… Angela Fairweather. Joel saw her as the Matrix had seen her and knew that she was the one for him, and that he would get her someday.
Kendrix remembered her parent’s encouragement, to focus on the talents she had possessed. Whether it be beauty or brains the Morgans let it be known to their daughter that Kendrix was special. And when she had met Leo Corbett the day she had stowed away, he knew she was special too. And it was only proven further when she had pulled the Quasar Saber from the stone that fateful day on Mirinoi.
Maya remembered all her times on Mirinoi growing up as a child. Listening to the stories Jara had told the tribal children of when the chosen ones would free the Quasar Sabers and save Mirinoi. She remembered her friendships with Shondra as well as those with the rest of her people, and on Terra Venture.
Zack and Jazz both remembered their respective lives. Zack as the hip hop Power Ranger and Jazz as the stylin fighter fighting for freedom and goodness throughout the universe. Zack also remembered when Evil Q brought back the monsters to kill him and his friends, and was grateful that the Higher Powers gave him and his friends a chance to return to the world of the living.
Aisha felt the same way as she relived both hers and Chromedome’s memories. The bonds of brotherhood between his fellow Cybertrons, and Aisha with her fellow Rangers brought great senses of joy between the two. Aisha also remembered her time helping the animals of Africa and was grateful for all the good she was able to do.
Arcon Despayre remembered his times before he was a Rogue. A life of luxury, of fine foods, beautiful women. Then it was all taken from him one day by an invading Pirate Force and he vowed revenge. Even though he never stopped being a snob, Arcon was grateful to Ravage for allowing him a chance at revenge. All the enemies he fought were for those who died in the attack on his home, even though he would never admit that to anyone. And he only hoped that they were looking down from where they were in the afterlife proud of the actions he was doing for them.
Whiplash remembered all the thrill seeking adventures he had before joining the Rogues, as well as those afterwards. It seemed like he was never happy unless he was getting an adrenaline rush from somewhere.
Bretta remembered the fun times she had as a Blunder Ranger. Ever since that first day on the miniature golf course life had been one adventure after another. It seemed like no matter how bleak the fight against evil would seem the Blunder Rangers would stand tall and have a good time doing it.
But good memories was not all the Matrix granted, for a flash seemed to emanate from it that hit all the Rangers opening their minds to a whole new world. A world that was outside of the here and now that they were in and opened them up to other possibilities. Other realms. Other worlds.
Ryan became aware of a world where his father never knew he was still alive, nor his sister either, for the Lightspeed Rangers were all destroyed by Diabolico, and he was never freed from his upbringing. He helped the Demons destroy Mariner Bay, conquer Earth, and spread their terror throughout the universe. Ryan was both shocked and saddened that he could have accomplished such an evil act.
Joel saw himself alone for the rest of his life. Never catching the girl of his dreams. Always spurning him every time he advanced, chasing after her so much that it seemed pathetic. Up to the point where it was pathetic and Ms. Fairweather decided to take out a restraining order against him. Never getting the girl, and never getting the happiness he so badly wanted.
Leo was shown what would have happened had he not stowed away on Terra Venture. A sad, dismal existence of him always looking skyward always wondering what could have been. No Kendrix, no friends, no way to save Mike, and more importantly-no way to know his brother was dead. Leo spent his life alone and bitter.
Arcon saw a world where he was in poverty. Instead of looking down on the world, he was looking up on his knees begging for food scraps and chump change. It seemed like in one reality at least his ego had caught up with him
Whiplash saw no real change in his life. Just that instead of a pilot he was a video game player. Every day seemed to be just like the next, make money and splurge on games at the arcade. The same vicious circle that never ended.
Kendrix and Maya really saw no alternate future for themselves, nor for any of the Galaxy Rangers or the people of Mirinoi. It seemed like in one reality they were caught up in the power wave Furio used to turn Mirinoi to stone. The Galaxy Rangers, and the people of Mirinoi were statues forever. Terra Venture, not finding the new world that was Mirinoi, went off to drift aimlessly through space never to find a lush green planet to settle on.
Zack and Aisha saw two different worlds. One where they wouldn’t have died, and another where they had never been resurrected. Had they never been killed their lives would have continued and prospered. But had they not been resurrected then the Order would have indeed run roughshod over their universe and plenty of others where they had counterparts. Finally the Matrix ended its show leaving the Matrix team stunned.
Bretta found a new life for her to lead. A life that was more dark and depressing than anything. Bretta saw herself dressed more as a goth, full of doom and gloom. No one wanted to be close to her since she was little more than a thug hanging around other thugs. Then Bretta was raped by a boy who seemed to fancy her, but he had managed to get off scott free and no justice was done.
Jessica looked and saw herself in a Luciferian prison camp where the guards seemed to have their fun with her day in and day out. So much so that she could not bear it anymore and took her own life in the prison. Jessica looked on at the reality presented to her and felt a tear fall down her face. Finally the Matrix finished its show and went back to showing its normal emanations of power.
“What was that? Ryan asked.
“I don’t know.” Jessica said. “First it shows us how good our lives can be, then it goes and shows us how crappy they turn out. I must say I didn’t like how the last images came out.”
“I don’t think any of us did.” Aisha added. “But we’ll think about it later. Right now let’s grab the Matrix and be gone.”
“Amen to that.” Joel said. I got to make sure a depressing life doesn’t happen to me.”
“Don’t we all Joel. Don’t we all.” Aisha said as she maneuvered Chromedome to pick up the Matrix when everyone heard a click of laser rifles behind them.
“Not so fast.” Bansheera said with her army behind her. Skullcruncher and the Armada units were ready to tear into Jazz and Chromedome while Olympius, King Sphinx and Scorpina looked ready to fight Ryan, Leo, Arcon and Whiplash. Black Annie looked at Jessica and Bretta and wondered how much of a fight they would put up. Epyon looked at Kendrix and Maya and couldn’t resist drooling about the sick ideas that he had for them.
“At last Titanium Ranger you shall fall before my mother’s feet and I shall bring your head to my mother as a trophy.” Olympius declared.
“Never.” Ryan stated. He then got into a fighting stance just as Olympius brought his weapon to bear. “TITANIUM POWER!” Ryan called out as he activated his Titanium Morpher, and soon the Titanium Ranger stood ready for battle.
The other Rangers made ready to activate their own morphing calls. Leo Kendrix and Maya called out “GO GALACTIC!” transforming into the Red, Yellow and Pink Galaxy Rangers.
“LIGHTSPEED RESCUE!” Joel then said transforming into Green Lightspeed.
“WOLFNIGHT!” Jessica said transforming into Blue Night.
“POW RANGER POWER!” Bretta P said becoming the Pow Blunder Ranger.
“All right Olympius. Time for you act your age.” Titanium Ranger then delivered a wheel kick which Olympius dodged. Titanium Ranger then quickly followed up with a side kick that was on the mark, followed up by a series of punches to the mid section. Olympius was thrown back but he wasn’t down for the count yet.
“Not bad Titanium Ranger. But I can do better!” Olympius then shot a stream of power in Ryan’s direction which he dodged with an aerial backflip. He then brought his feet onto a rock face and jumped off of it. As he spun in the air he used his feet to jump off the next one. Olympius followed Ryan’s acrobatics until Ryan was in position and had launched himself into a flying double punch which sent the demon prince doubling over. Olympius fell to his knees in pain as Titanium Ranger picked up his staff and broke it over his knee.
“It’s done!” Ryan said as he delivered a kick to Olympius’s chin knocking him back and out of the fight. Ryan then stood over the sprawled form of Olympius and turned his attention towards where Kendrix and Maya were getting ready to face Epyon. “Ohhhh two more pretties!” Epyon said practically drooling at Kendrix and Maya. “Ohh the plans I have for you.”
“Sorry, but we’re busy for the next couple of decades.” Kendrix answered. “If you leave your number we’ll get back to you in say never!”
“Awww that’s too bad.” Epyon said. “I was really hoping you two would be my trophies after this battle.” This set Maya and Kendrix off as they were reminded of when Motor Mantis turned the two Ranger girls into trophies. They were helpless, unable to move and Maya had an idea of what it must have been like for the people of her planet when Furio turned the planet into stone. Trapped in their own minds. No way to escape. She would not have wanted to wish that helplessness onto anyone, and Maya knew Kendrix wasn’t either.
Plus, with the fact that Epyon was looking forward to doing that to the two girls again well both Kendrix and Maya hoped that Epyon WASN”T medically covered.
Both drew out their Quasar Sabres and quickly delivered simultaneous strikes across Epyon’s mid section. The Rat fell quickly. Putting their swords away Kendrix then said “Sorry we’re not in any mood to party.”
Black Annie and Jessica stared each other down with Bretta standing off to the side. “So, we shall soon see who is the dominant power here.” Black Annie said. She then brought out a gold medallion and began an incantation.
“Anal Knathrak. Donde’ diende. Rashim. Anal Knathrak. Donde’ diende.” As Black Annie spoke her tongues storm clouds seemed to revolve around Jessica and Bretta swooping them in a storming tornado full of water and lightning. Jessica and Bretta spun around and around unable to get their bearings until she called out for her motorcycle.
The bike transformed into her armor and Jessica was able to concentrate using the power the bike had to provide. The storm started to dissipate and turned into a little rain storm that Jessica was able to will towards Black Annie. Black Annie stood drenched under a tiny little rain cloud that she then willed away, but Jessica was not yet done.
Jessica cast a glance at Bretta and seemed to get the message. An underground spring then erupted from the ground and covered Black Annie with gallons of water. Black Annie however was not impressed.
“What? Do you expect me to say ‘I’m melting’ like in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ or something?” Black Annie sneered.
“No.” Jessica said. “Something better.” Next thing Black Annie knew a mallet came down on her head and Black Annie felt herself seeing stars. Jessica turned to see Bretta looking down at Black Annie with a cartoon mallet in her hand.
“I guess the dominant power isn’t you.” Bretta said. “It’s teamwork.”
“Got that right.” Jessica said as she and Bretta high fived and turned to watch the Cybertrons fight.
Jazz and Chromedome were staring at the six Armada units they were confronted with. Their expressions rigid and stone like. “Wow. You guys must be great at parties.” Jazz said.
The Armada units however didn’t say anything. They let their weapons do all the talking as they locked on and fired at Jazz and Chromedome. The two ducked and transformed into their car modes and rolled straight towards the Armada Units taking two out by collision then when they transformed the remaining four were taken out by Cybertron weapons fire.
“Oh yeah we are lean mean transforming machines.” Jazz said as he went into a victory dance. Chromedome just rolled his sensors as the Aisha part of his psyche chuckled to herself. ~ I guess Zack is being a real influence on Jazz. ~ she thought.
~ Not really. Jazz has always been into the more popular aspects of Earth culture. ~ Chromedome thought to his partner. Both of them wondered whether or not that was a good thing as they watched Skullcruncher face the two Rogues.
Arcon and Whiplash looked at the sight of Porto standing on top of his transector wondering how they were going to beat the mutant and his Destron. Porto danced like someone on top of the world and saying ‘Nah nah nah nah nah’ to the rogues below.
“You can’t stop me. I’m riding the most powerful machine ever built in the universe. How can you stop me?” Porto sneered. He then launched Skullcruncher towards the two rogues hoping that it would be able to eat them and be processed into the Destron’s energy converter.
Arcon and Whiplash were dodging Skullcruncher’s attacks and wondered what else they could do to bring the monster down. Whiplash then had an idea and called Bretta for help. “Do you have any bombs on hand?”
“No but I have a package you can give him.” Bretta then threw a package in Whiplash’s direction then threw it at Porto who caught it. As the marshmallow mutant looked over the package he said “But I don’t know a ‘Tim E. Bomb'” It was only then that Porto got the joke and the package blew up in his face. Porto looked like a campfire roasted marshmallow and fell off Skullcruncher to the ground below.
Skullcruncher however wasn’t about to let the two rogues get away with taking out his binary bond partner so it attacked Whiplash by pouncing on him and trying to capture the rogue in its massive jaws. Arcon then decided to ask Bretta to toss him another bomb, and wondered if she had a cricket bat on hand.
“What’s cricket?” Bretta asked. After a brief explanation from Arcon Bretta pulled out the bat and the bomb, then gave them to Arcon. He readied his shot as Bretta called out “FORE!”
“That’s golf you nitwit.” Arcon said as he took his shot. Fortunately it landed right in Skullcruncher’s mouth and exploded in his stomach. The Destron had a nasty case of heartburn soon after. But that didn’t save Arcon from Bretta’s wrath.
“Who’re you calling a nitwit tight ass?” she asked as she reared back her fist and slugged Arcon. The impact of the fist sent him flying into the wall and little bluebirds circled around his head. Whiplash went to his fellow Rogue’s side and tried to shake him awake. Which worked since Arcon shouted “Get your hands off me you ruffian.” Whiplash then backed away glad that his partner was okay, despite being annoying.
That left Leo to face King Sphinx. Rita and Bansheera stood off to the side ready to watch all the festivities about to take place.
King Sphinx seemed to be a simian like Goldar, except King Sphinx seemed to have a more regal bearing and was more skilled than Goldar was. Not that Goldar didn’t have skills, but those skills seemed to go with Goldar’s more savage animalistic style. King Sphinx however was more refined and his skill with his sword was that of a true master.
“So Red Ranger, I guess it is you and me.” Sphinx said drawing his blade. Leo had his own Quasar saber at the ready as the two faced each other down.
“Not so fast.” Scorpina said joining King Sphinx. “I haven’t gotten in some combat time. I’d hate to feel left out.”
“Two on one. Isn’t that a little unfair?” Leo asked sarcastically.
King Sphinx and Scorpina both rolled their eyes. “Well duh why else would we do it?”
“How about two on two.” Green Lightspeed said entering the fray standing by Red Galaxy. “Shall we?”
“Why not?” Red Galaxy said as he got off to a running start and ducked between King Sphinx’s legs. He then delivered a low blow which sent him down to the ground. Scorpina watched the fall of her comrade and made ready to face Green Lightspeed herself, only to be on the receiving end of an incoming running clothesline straight into her chest. The impact knocked the wind out of her and sent her flat on her back as well.
Red Galaxy then looked up at Bansheera and Rita. “Is that all you’ve got?” Red Galaxy asked. “These guys were just too easy.” Arcon then added.
“You didn’t think it would be that easy Rangers?” Bansheera shrieked.
“Think again!” Rita added as both Bansheera and Rita threw magical energies at their downed forces. The energy seemed to revive the fallen dark warriors and soon Sphinx, Olympius, the Armada Units, Skullcruncher, Porto, Black Annie, Scorpina and Epyon all stood at the ready. Ready for round two.
“This doesn’t look good.” Jazz said.
“Well look on the bright side. Things can’t get any worse.” Arcon added. It was then that Scorpina made her presence known by using her long range stinger sending the Matrix team back down to the ground sprawling. When they got back up they all saw the Order moving in on them and the Rangers all turned to glare at Arcon.
“Nice going Arcon!” Leo cursed. “Can you say something else so we can be jinxed further?”
Arcon looked startled. “What you think this is all because of something I say?” All the Matrix team and Whiplash said “YES!!!”
“Next time look into superstition more. There’s a lot more to it than people let on.” Maya said.
“Hey, it may have been rough against Bansheera’s forces but we managed to keep hold of the Matrix didn’t we? Count your blessings.” Arcon then got back up as the rest of the team looked at him clearly annoyed. “Let’s go… onward!” Arcon shouted like he was a scout leader on a 50’s T. V. show and ran towards an opening that led to outside the caves.
“Where did you find this guy?” Jessica asked Whiplash.
“Don’t know and don’t care.” Whiplash answered. “All we know, or care to know is that he’s a snob, and a damn good pilot.” The rest of the team followed Arcon towards the mouth of the cave where the promise of freedom awaited.
“See I told you. Clear sailing all the way.” Arcon said until he stopped short at the sight he saw. The rest of the team stopping short with him.
The Matrix team had made it out of the cave, only to find themselves surrounded by the Order of Destruction’s forces coming at them from the cave. The Dark Rangers stood on the ridge looking down on them, with their zords on the rock face ready to fire, and the Matrix team found themselves caught in the middle. “Way to go Arcon.” Whiplash said.
“Yeah next time you want to say something…” Kendrix started to say.
“Don’t say it!” Maya finished. Arcon looked at the two girls skeptically. “You sure you two… ?”
“… are not going to be guests on the Howard Stern show? Yes I am!” Jessica interrupted. Dark Red then took the forefront along with Dark Black and said her peace.
“You geeks have something we want. With the Matrix in our possession. No one can stop us.”
Red Galaxy took the lead and said. “You’re insane. You’re supposed to be Rangers. You’re supposed to fight for what’s good and pure.”
“Pure?” Dark Red said as if she heard a joke. “Let me tell you what is ‘pure’. Pure is a word used by hate mongers who see things that are different from them and try to destroy them. Whether it be a thing, a place or even a whole race. Hey some people consider ideology to be impure if its not even theirs.”
“So why not destroy evil by destroying all that’s pure. Ha ha!” Dark Green said laughing. Everyone realized that what Skull said had made no sense. But one thing was perfectly clear. The power of the Dinosaurs was lost to evil. The Power Rangers had permanently turned evil.
It was then that Rita, Bansheera and her forces had run out and saw the Matrix team and the Dark Rangers standing over them. “All right you goody goods. Give us the Matrix now!”
“No chance!” Jazz said. “It’s going nowhere with you.”
“Correct.” Bansheera’s voice said from behind. “It’s instead going with us.” The Matrix team all turned and saw Rita’s forces and the Order of Destruction’s team coming out of the cave boxing the heroes in.
“The Matrix belongs to us.” Bansheera said. “You will not have it.”
“Yeah right lady. Ha ha haaaa!” Dark Green laughed. “We’re going to have it. Not you.”
Rita looked wild eyed at the Dark Rangers. “You think I’ll let you monsters get that Matrix after all you have done? I’ll see you destroyed first!”
“Well that suits us fine!” Dark Pink said. “In fact why don’t we take you and those goody goods all at the same time!” All the Dark Rangers seemed to go along with that. And even the Matrix team seemed to get the idea.
“Three way battle” Red Galaxy said. “A triple threat.”
“You said it geek.” Dark Black said. “If you are going to get that Matrix out of here, then you’ve got to got through them. And you’ve gotta get through us.”
Blue Night then stepped forward. “Well that suits me fine.”
“Yeah, but there’s just one thing to take care of.” Dark Red said. Soon all the Dark Rangers raised their hands in the air and called forth their zords. “We need Dino Zord power now!”
Soon all six of the Dark Rangers Zords, the Mastodon, Pterodactyl, Triceratops, Sabertoothed Tiger, Tyranosaurus and Dragonzord came out of their hiding places and appeared behind their Dark Rangers. A smile seemed to form beneath the Dark Ranger’s helmets as the massive size of the Dino Zords seemed double of the Cybertrons, Skullcruncher and Bansheera’s Armada Units. “You didn’t think we’d be doing this without our zords did you? How fair would that be?” Dark Blue gloated.
“Not very.” Blue Night admitted. “But neither are you WITH your zords.” Deciding to even the odds a bit she called forth her zord. “Winged Wolf Rock and Roll.” She called. Coming out of the sky the winged wolf set down beside Jazz and Chromedome ready for battle.
“Ahhh! This isn’t fair!” Rita shrieked. “Everyone has a Zord but us!”
“Not necessarily Empress.” Scorpina said. “Remember Cyclopsis?”
Rita nodded as she remembered the combat zord she was to present to Goldar should the need have arised and called forth the one eyed white zord. Soon the Armored form of Cyclopsis stood alongside the Armada units which were half its size. “King Sphinx. I entrust this zord to your care. Use it to destroy our enemies!”
“Yes my empress.” Sphinx bowed as he jumped up to Cyclposis’s controls. The weapons primed and ready for battle.
“And now you shall truly feel the power of Rita Repulsa” King Sphinx said as he fired his missiles at the Dino zords. The Winged Wolf was able to jump out of the way while the Dinos took the punishment. Winged Wolf rebounded and came in for a missile strike and fired it’s Copperhead missiles into Cyclopsis. Missiles that struck dead on in the chest. Blue Night however thought she could rest easy, but she unfortunately made one mistake, the Pterodactyl could fly too.
And Dark Pink capitalized on the error by firing a missile of her own which the Winged Wolf barely dodged. It hit well enough however to knock out a stabilizer that sent the Blue Night Zord down to the ground and out of the way. Pterodactyl then flew over the ground forces then let loose volley after volley of laser fire as she did a strafing run at the Order and Matrix team below.
“Ha ha! This is so cool.” Dark Pink said as she saw all her targets scurrying about like door mice looking for a crack to hide in. Rita and Bansheera however were not about to let the humiliation go unforgiven.
“Armada units 2 and 6! ATTACK!!!” Bansheera ordered. Two of Destron jets then transformed and took on Dark Pink and her Pterodactyl. Dark Pink learned how to fly pretty well, but the Armada Units were skilled aerial fighters, and like sweeps they were dangerous in pairs and in packs. This was proven as they locked onto Natalie’s Zord and hit a stabilizer of her own.
The Pterodactyl was sent spinning down to the ground where the Dark Rangers were ready to engage their next move. All four with the exception of Dark Green initialized the Dino Megazord transformation and soon the Megazord stood. Natalie in her spinout was able to barely reach her own transformation control and pull down the lever so the sequence could be completed. The Dino Megazord was standing ready for battle. Cyclopsis also stood with the two Armada Units by his side. Winged Wolf stayed by the side injured as the self repair program continued to do its work.
Rita however saw an opportunity. “The Wolf Zord is down. Now would be a good time to send your Armada Units to finish it off!” Bansheera considered Rita’s words and found merit to them. “Armada Units 1, 3, 4, and 5, attack the Winged Wolf!”
Following Bansheera’s order the four Jet troopers headed towards the Winged Wolf with weapons ready to blast it to hell and high water. “Weapons ready!” Armada one ordered. “Commence…”
Armada 1 never got the chance to finish that order as laser bolts seemed to blow him and two of his brethren out of the sky. Armada 5 was able to roll out of the way as Jazz and Chromedome fired their weapons giving the downed Zord cover fire. “That should take care of them.” Jazz said so sure of the outcome of victory, unaware that Skullcruncher was attacking from behind transformed into his crocodile mode and ready to take a bite out of Jazz.
“Jazz!” Chromedome shouted but an attack by Armada 5 knocked the balance out of his gyros. Chromedome managed to sneak a shot off sending the Armada Unit crashing into Cyclopsis who was confronting the Dino Megazord. “Thanks dweebs! We needed that!” Dark Black said in a condescending manner.
The Dino Megazord capitalized on the situation by throwing punches into Cyclopsis’s damaged area, but Rita would not let the Rangers get the victory. “SCORPINA AND OLYMPIUS!!! GROW!!!” Rita aimed her staff at them both and soon Scorpina and Olympius stood at giant size ready to aide Cyclopsis who was down for the count.
“Shut down Sphinx. Let the Self-repair spell take over for a while. We’ll take care of these Ranger pukes.” Scorpina ordered. In her monster form she was monstrous compared to her human form which was quite attractive, but whatever form Scorpina was in she was deadly in both. Her blade was drawn as was her stinger visible to strike. Olympius had his staff weapon available, and the Star Power guided him as well.
The Megazord however wasn’t bothered much. They seemed to welcome the incoming attack the monsters were ready to give. Scorpina was happy to oblige as she gave a sword strike to the Megazord which it dodged. But it allowed Olympius to jab the tip of his staff into the Megazord’s lower chest damaging it slightly. Then Olympius rebounded with a slash to the upper chest sending it back further. Scorpina also wanted to get in a shot and brought her blade down as well as her stinger. It seemed like the Megazord was almost finished, or so the monsters thought.
Instead the Rangers were waiting until they were in place, ready to give the final strike as soon as Olypius and Scorpina were in place. “That’s it steady steady NOW! WE NEED THE POWER SWORD!!!”
The Power Sword fell from the sky impaling Olympius in his shoulder. “AHHHHH!!!!” he screamed as the pain from impalement ran through his body. Scorpina tried to pull the weapon out, but in the process turned her back on the Dark Rangers. It was a fatal mistake that the Dark Rangers were all too happy to capitalize on.
Raising the Megazord’s fists up in the air the Dark Rangers delivered several blows to Scorpina’s back sending her down to the ground. More blows came until Jazz looked up and saw what the Megazord was doing. The Zack part of Chromedome felt sickened that his zord was being used in that way. When he and his friends were original Rangers they defeated monsters, they never beat them down like garbage.
“Oh man kid this must be terrible for you.” Jazz ‘said’ to his binary bond partner.
“It is.” Zack thought as he looked up at the Megazord beat down Scorpina. She was at the point that she couldn’t take it anymore and then shrunk back to her normal height and form, but the Meagzord still didn’t stop.
The Dark Rangers then decided to stomp on her like a bug. The Megazord’s foot was brought down hard at places Scorpina was running towards. The Dark Rangers looked down at the sight of the scurrying Scorpina and couldn’t resist laughing. “Ha Ha! Look at her run!” Dark Blue said. “It’s like watching a mouse in my mouse maze.”
“Yeah, when did you ever have so much fun.” Dark Black said. Jazz however looked ap and didn’t see all that much fun to be had. ~ Where’s the honor? Where’s the need to fight the good fight?~ the ‘Zack’ part wondered.
“It’s not there.” Jazz openly said. “These guys are bullies and nothing more. They love to make people run around in circles and laugh as they do.”
~ Well maybe it’s time they learned. TRANSFORM!~ Jazz did so and then roared his engine towards the Megazord. As he came to a ledge he performed a roaring jump and flew towards the Megazord, then in mid air transformed into Robot mode, then into Zack who landed safely at the entrance hatch of the Megazord’s cockpit. “If Tommy could do it then so can I.” he said as he opened the door.
The Dark Rangers however were still watching Scorpina scurry like a mouse when they heard a door open behind them. “It’s over for you guys!” Zack said as he entered the Megazord’s cockpit. He fired his blaster at the controls and drove out the Dark Rangers.
“AHHHH!” they all screamed until they landed hard on the ground and were suddenly surrounded by foes from both the Matrix team as well as the order, ready to take their heads off. Looking back they saw the Dino Megazord fall down to the ground.
The Zords were out of commission. It was now down to hand to hand combat and face to face with their enemies. Each one saw two enemies, or teams of enemies, they had to defeat. But whether it have been one team to beat, or two, or one hundred they knew only one could be the victor.
Each team planned to be that victor.
“You guys go on ahead.” Dark Blue said. “I’m going to see if I can get the controls working.”
“No problem!” Dark Black said. In the meantime he was looking at Zack and Aisha who had transformed back from being Chromedome’s head. He was ready to deliver some payback to the two ‘dweebs’. But then so was Scorpina who was looking to get in her shots at Bulk.
Dark Red looked at Red Galaxy and Green Lightspeed wanted to make the men across from her say more than ‘uncle’ he wanted Leo Corbett and Joel Rawlings to scream for mercy. But King Sphinx also had shown up looking for combat with Dark Red, and if two of the Matrix team went down too, then so be it.
Dark Pink glared at Pink and Yellow Galaxy both. She could imagine them being very attractive underneath their helmets, and she couldn’t stand to have someone prettier than her walking around. But Epyon had also appeared, and as far as he was concerned if all three were pretty, then he could have his ‘fun’.
The Two Rogues were standing off facing Dark Green and Porto. They didn’t know much about Eugene Skullovitch but if what they saw with the Megazord and Scorpina was any indication, then they dared not turn their back on him. Porto wasn’t known for being much of a fighter, but ever since he bonded with the Masterforce, who was to say what the armored marshmallow was capable of now.
Titanium Ranger was facing Olympius again ready to renew their old rivalry. Only Dark Yellow also moved in to increase the odds in Darkness’s favor. That only left Jessica and Bretta without opponents, but they wouldn’t have to wait long. Rita and Bansheera were more than willing to fill that void, especially when they had Black Annie on their side. Very rarely did an evil leader come down for combat against a Ranger team, but in the cases of the Night Ranger and Blunder Ranger being threats to their power, they decided to make an exception.
“I’m going to enjoy this you… men” Dark Red sneered beneath her helmet. Green Lightspeed responded by saying “You make that sound like it’s a bad thing.”
“It is. For you!” King Sphinx answered as he drew his sword and he and Red Galaxy were soon crossing their blades while Green Lightspeed called forth his V lancer to block off attacks with her using her Power Sword. Green Lightspeed was having trouble though since her attacks came off very aggressively.
“Hey lady! Don’t you want to turn down the volume?” Green Lightspeed said hoping that Dark Red would listen. It was a fool’s wish.
“Against a man? In your dreams!” Dark Red then brought down her sword as Green Lightspeed tried to block it with the V-Lancer. But the force of the weapon strike knocked the V-lancer from Green Lightspeed’s hands as Dark Red did a follow up strike to the chest which sent Joel flying.
“JOEL!” Red Galaxy shouted concerned for his teammate despite being locked in mortal combat with King Sphinx. Sadly this allowed King Sphinx to capitalize as he brought his own sword across Red Galaxy and sent him flying. Soon both Rangers were on the Ground which left only Dark Red and King Sphinx to fight together.
“All right now. Where were we?” King Sphinx asked as Dark Red did a spinning heel kick to the back of Sphinx’s knee.
“You were losing.” Dark Red said as Sphinx struggled to get back up so they could continue their fight. Their fight allowed Red Galaxy and Green Lightspeed time to recover, but not much.
“You know something Leo? I don’t think she likes us.” Green Lightspeed said in jest. Red Galaxy couldn’t resist chuckling at Joel’s remark.
The only thing Dark Pink, Pink Galaxy and Yellow Galaxy had in common was that Epyon made them all very, VERY uncomfortable. And Epyon relished the thought of having three ‘beauties’ to ‘play with. ‘
“Ohhh this guy is so gross.” Dark Pink said. In a way he reminded her of the boy Bretta tried to get her to stay away from, only this rat had reflected his outer beauty as well as his inner beauty with his looks-like those of a rat.
“Ohhh the fun I am going to have with you three.” Epyon said as he drew out a dart gun and tried to fire on the three girls, but all three dodged and the shots never hit the marks. Maya then decided to go after Epyon and drew out her Quasar Sabre which knocked the dart gun out of his hand. When Maya looked down she saw green liquid spilling out of the weapon.
“What was that stuff?” Yellow Galaxy asked. “Was that a nerve toxin of some sort?”
“Maybe.” Epyon said slightly. “It always is disturbing to the artist when his work never stays still.” This set Yellow Galaxy off to no end. Sure Mirinoian women wore skins that showed off their beauty, but never had the men there taken advantage of them the way Epyon was intending. To do so was in violation of one of the Mirinoian Code of Nature which led to banishment to the underworld beneath the forests where no light shone, after a severe ‘punishment’, which Maya had shown no shame in dishing out.
Maya had grabbed Epyon by the fur and had thrown him into the rock face nearby. She then renewed her beating not giving the monster any quarter, nor any mercy. And Dark Pink and Pink Galaxy had shown no interest in giving Epyon any aide whatsoever.
“Well it looks like Maya has got that guy well in hand.” Pink Galaxy said when she felt a blow to the back of her neck sending her sprawling on the ground. Trying to get back up Pink Galaxy felt a boot slam down on her back and a voice saying “And I’ve got you.” Kendrix sighed realizing that it was Dark Pink who snuck in behind her and got in a shot from behind.
Turning around Dark Pink saw Yellow Galaxy coming to aide her comrade. Drawing out her Power Blaster she aimed it at Pink Galaxy’s head as if holding her hostage. “Don’t move cutie. I’ll blow her brains out if I have to.” This gave Yellow Galaxy cause to pause, and allowed Epyon to take advantage with a shot to her back. Yellow Galaxy fell down and Dark Pink slammed her fist to the back of Pink Galaxy knocking her unconscious as well.
“I must thank you.” Epyon said coming up to Dark Pink, who decided to return the overture of thanks with a blaster shot to the gut. “Anytime.” she said as she stood over her victories.
Rita, Bansheera and Black Annie all stood together like evil witches at a coven staring down Pow Ranger and Blue Night getting a spell ready to use against the two.
“Got any ideas?” Blue Night asked.”
“I’m fresh out.” Pow Ranger said then inspiration hit. Running up to the three sorceresses Pow Ranger held up her hands like they were camera lenses and acted like a big Hollywood movie director.
“Ohhh… darling. I can tell. The camera is so much in love with you. I can tell you are so photogenic, you all should be on the covers of Sorceress Weekly!” Black Annie seemed to be rolling her eyes at the overacting of Pow Ranger but Rita seemed to be taken in by the Blunder Ranger’s overacting while Bansheera wondered what was going on.
“But first we need make up. MAKE UP!!!” Soon a putty started running across the ground with a giant make up pad and bopped all three villainesses with the pad. Make up spread all over the air causing the three to try to brush the stuff away, and allowing Blue Night to make her move.
The storm clouds swirled around causing the rain to fall hard blinding the sorceresses, and allowing Jessica to get in every shot that she could against them. When Blue Night was all finished Rita, Bansheera and Black Annie had many black and blue marks. Most couldn’t be seen due to heavy clothing they all wore, but that didn’t meat they weren’t there.
“Looks like they need more make up. MAKE UP!!!” Bretta P shouted as the make up puttie ran through the rain and bopped the villainesses again sending them down to the ground again. Blue Night and Pow Ranger were about to claim their victories when Scorpina and King Sphinx attacked from behind. When Blue Night went down the rain cloud dissipated a little allowing Rita and Bansheera to get some visibility in. Sadly Scorpina and Sphinx couldn’t accept Rita, Annie and Bansheera’s gratitude since Red Galaxy sent them on down the hillside with a flying double clothesline. But it allowed Rita, Bansheera and Black Annie time to recover and get the upper hand even briefly.
But briefly was all they had time for since Pow Ranger charged at them like a running bull and delivered double clothes lines to Rita and Bansheera, and delivered a spear to Black Annie. Jessica looked on amused. “Isn’t hard core moves my cup of tea?”
“Usually is, but I was wondering if you could deliver these packages to them?” Jessica picked up three packages and handed them off to Rita, Bansheera and Black Annie. “But I don’t know a Dinah Mite.” Rita said when she suddenly got it. “Uh oh!” the three said in unison before going boom.
“Dinah Mite?” Pow Ranger asked.
“Tim E. Bomb was getting old.” Blue Night said as she then looked at all the combatants fighting. Everyone was involved in a fight. Opponents everywhere, and no end was in sight.
It was the same everywhere. Both sides moved in closer and then ganged up on the Rangers, but instead of a beatdown of the forces of good the Order and the Dark Rangers were also fighting against each other making it into one drawn out brawl. But some semblances of Order could be seen as one looked at another corner in the battle as two opponents looked ready to go at it again.
Titanium Ranger and Olympius were ready to face off one another, even if Greenwell was going to be a wildcard in their confrontation. Titanium Ranger called forth his Titanium Laser while Olympius had his staff ready. Dark Yellow had his Rapier knives in hand which had long since replaced the old power daggers.
“And now Titanium Ranger. You shall feel my power.” Olympius fired a bolt at T-Ranger, who reared his Laser Axe like a baseball bat and swung at the incoming power bolt which went a different direction instead of towards Olympius. Rather the magic bolt hit Grenwell and sent him flying back a good couple of feet. When he landed Grenwell tried to shake the cobwebs out of his head, but was then distracted by someone calling for him. Well, at least someone calling for ‘Hey You’ but Grenwell was closer so he thought it must have been for him.
“Psst Over here!” Grenwell heard a voice calling for him. Turning he saw a skeleton looking mutant motioning him behind a rock. Grenwell looked at the mutant and felt a sense of familiarity from him.
“Come back here!” Olympius ordered. “We’ve got the Titanium Ranger where we want him. Greenwell didn’t hear him, and the momentary distraction allowed Titanium Ranger to capitalize on it. With a swipe of the Titanium Axe Olympius was knocked down, but it wasn’t long before the demon prince was back on his feet again, and charging. But right now that wasn’t Greenwell’s concern, for the skeleton creature before him had his complete and undivided attention.
“Hey have I got a secret for you. Oh by the way my name is Rito Revolto. Pleased to meet you.” Grenwell took the outstretched hand and wondered what secret Rito had to tell him. Soon Grenwell left his teammates behind in the sea of humanity and inhumanity they were fighting in.
Inside the battle Grenwell saw that the fight was pandemonium, and he found it to be very hard to tell who was winning.
“Alpha what are the power readings?” Zordon asked as Alpha looked over the still form on the biobed.
“Holding steady Zordon.” Alpha replied.
“Continue gradual feeding of power Alpha. I do not wish to overload the power by giving too much at one time.”
“You got it Zordon.” Alpha said eager for the new project to be completed, yet knowing that everything had to be done exactly right for Project: White Ranger to be a success. Even though they had made the Right decision in selecting their Ranger this time, the creation of these ranger powers had to go with little to no distractions.
And Alpha especially wanted Project: White Ranger to succeed, if for no other reason than to go after those Dark Rangers that scared the willies out of him every time they stepped into the Command Center. However Alpha was unaware that there was someone else looking at the procedure with great interest.
Regex watched as the White Ranger neared completion. He was amazed by what he saw of the process, yet disappointed that he was not chosen to be the White Ranger. ~ Why was I not selected?~ Regex thought. ~ I mean, I’m good looking, I’m captain of the football team, chicks dig me. I mean why am I not the White Ranger. How did this loser get chosen?~ Regex was momentarily distracted by the sound of a compartment opening, and from it a sword handle revealed itself.
It looked like a tiger head all draped in white. The handle was curved and reminded Regex of the curved swords that one would see in stories like Ali Baba and the Forty thieves. On the hilt was a gold symbol.
Regex however wasn’t interested in just the symbol. He wanted the whole sword, and he intended to have it. Reaching out to the hilt he sought to grab it and pull it out of its mooring, but that was not what had truly happened.
As Regex grabbed the hilt of the sword he tried to pull it out of the mooring but it wouldn’t budge. He continued to try, but again nothing was happening. And despite all his effort Regex tried for too long, since he was caught in the eye of Zordon.
“Alpha, our patient is trying to steal the Saba Sword. Stop him!!” Alpha quickly pressed a set of controls and a wave of energy went through Regex sending him back across the room into the nearby wall. Once again Regex fell unconscious as Alpha looked him over.
“Ai yi, yi! What did he want with the Saba Sword Zordon?” Alpha asked.
“I never thought I’d say this Alpha, but it seems the Rangers may have been right on this one occasion.” Alpha looked up at Zordon as if he had grown a second head as Zordon quickly explained what he meant. “He clearly wanted the Saba Sword, however I sensed no noble intent from the thief, only a self serving one. And moving towards the Saba Sword had proved his motivations, at least to me.”
“So you’re saying that this boy maybe the monster the Rangers made him out to be?” Alpha asked.
“Perhaps.” Zordon said. “For right now we’ll put him in a force field in the main chamber. We’ll deal with him once the current crisis is over.” Alpha nodded and teleported Regex out of the research chamber before getting back to work on the White Ranger.
Inside the palace dungeon on the Moon Rito looked over the three ‘guests’ that he had. The chains they were bound in neutralized their magic so they couldn’t fight back in any way magically. All they could do was thrash about while Rito looked the witches over.
“Well, well, well! What have we here?” Rito asked rubbing his bony hands together. “Three witches. No waiting.”
“Please!” Hilda shouted hoping Rito would listen to reason. “You must let us go. We must stop someone before he does any harm.”
“Oh… you mean my nephew? The one you’ve put memory spell after memory spell on him for so long he’s starting to get brain damage?” Rito said. The three witches looked at Rito with surprise. “Your nephew?” Hilda asked.
“Yep. My sister’s boy Randolar. Even if she won’t admit it. It will be so good to have him back in the family again.” Rito then turned around ready to walk out the dungeon door when he turned back around and charged into Endora knocking the wind out of her. Zelda and Hilda could only watch helplessly.
“That’s for my nephew.” Rito said. “Who the blazes do you think you are blocking out my nephew’s memory, forcing him down a path he may not have wanted?”
Endora struggled to keep her breath. “But the universe…”
“Universe schmuniverse. There are plenty of universes out there. Why worry about just one? Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to say hello to my nephew.” Rito then left the dungeon with the witches pondering what Rito meant. “Other Universes?” Hilda asked.
“We’ll worry about that later.” Zelda said. “Right now we need to get out of here.” Soon all three witches thrashed about in their chains hoping that they might loosen. No such luck.
On Rita’s Balcony Grenwell looked around the strange palace that overlooked the Earth which Rito Revolto teleported him to. Looking around Grenwell felt something familiar about the place. He could feel power here. He could feel it calling to him.
Looking around he poked at Rita’s telescope, which gave a flash of light that went from the scope to Grenwell. The flash caused him to black out momentarily. When he came to he focused on the view of Earth in front of him. ~ Earth. Where Zordon is plotting against my friends!~ Grenwell thought. He vowed the floating head would never take away his powers, nor those of his friends.
In the background Rito watched. He knew something about this kid, something that his sister didn’t know herself. Everyone accused him of being stupid, and they were mostly right. But Rito was very observant, much more than people gave him credit for. He could figure out things, if given enough time. And when Rita’s telescope responded to the kid, Rito was satisfied.
Rito then walked up to Grenwell, wondering how to bring this up tactfully. This was going to be tricky… How was he going to tell Grenwell about his past, and even worse, how was he going to tell his sister about it? Rito walked up to Grenwell, and tapped him on the shoulder. Grenwell whirled around and instinctively fired a psi bolt at Rito, which sent him through a wall.
As Rito recovered he picked up his head which had fallen off. “Ow…” He muttered. Meanwhile, Grenwell was looking at his hands and gibbering madly. He’d never done anything like that before… or had he?
~ It feels so wrong, yet it feels so easy so natural~ Rito then walked up to Grenwell, who seemed to be in kind of a daze. Rito shook Greenwell as lightly as a monster could shake him hoping to snap Grenwell out of it. Grenwell staggered back and forth, and his nose started bleeding. Rito then shrugged back and forth and slapped him. ~ Well now is as good a time as any. ~ he thought.
“Hey kid.” Rito said to Grenwell’s face. “There’s something I gotta tell you. You’re going to be invited to the family reunions from now on. I’m your uncle, and my sis is your mom! Welcome to the family kid! Uhm, whatever your name is “
Grenwell looked up at Rito as if he had heard him say that the world was flat, and that it was the truth. After staring at Rito long enough, he felt a jab of pain strike him as if an unused portion of his mind had opened up. A portion that revealed events that he never knew existed.
A portion that revealed his past.
M-51 Galaxy
Master Vile’s lair.
One a dark and dismal world the ruler of M-51 was in a quandary. A quandary that was not about the slave rotations on his supply worlds, or the increased military might he ordered on his galaxy’s border. It was not even about the presence of an empire named the Swarm that seemed to be forming on the outermost territories.
No this quandary had to do more with family than anything else. It had to do with his rebellious daughter. “RITA COME FORTH!” Master Vile bellowed. The clatter of footsteps indicated that his daughter was indeed on his way.
Rita Repulsa entered her father’s main chamber. At only two thousand years(twenty in Earth years) she was quite the looker. She had fair completion, shoulder length brown hair, and a soft soothing voice. She was the envy of all the creatures of the twenty eight known galaxies and Master Vile knew it.
Which was why she was an embarrassment to him.
Rita seemed to reject every lesson that was taught to her on how to be a queen of evil. She had a major rebellious streak in her that wasn’t going away anytime soon. When her instructors tried to teach her looting and pillaging she only took scraps no one wanted leaving enough for civilizations to rebuild. Master Vile practically shouted at her about why she didn’t gut the civilization dry. Rita’s answer was ‘so she could loot it again later’ but Vile knew it was a half hearted answer.
Vile saw so much dark potential in Rita, that it was a shame that she was wasting it. Her brother Rito was next in line to inherit the Dark Empire, but Rito seemed like he was in a world of his own and wanted to stay there.
~ No Rita is the heir. She has to be. ~ he thought to himself. He then looked at his daughter who stood before her, again not dressed in the customary garb of a Princess of Evil. Instead she was dressed in a black leather jacket with brown skirt that came just below her hips. She wore white ankle length boots and a charm of a moon with a circle around her neck. Her own personal symbol.
“You wished to see me father?” Rita asked.
“Yes daughter.” Vile said. “I had heard some things about you from your tutors. You’re not taking to the lessons being presented to you like you should.”
Rita stood with her arms crossed. “And how should I take them?” she said defiantly. As Vile looked at Rita’s defiant pose he thought of how much Rita looked like her mother. She too was defiant and headstrong much like Rita was now. It was the reason Rita’s mother was put to death as soon as Rita was born. Rito had come from Vile’s tryst with a female mutant 2, 000 years later.
“You should take them like a Queen of Evil should take them. With grace and ferocity. You are supposed to enjoy the work that you do?” Vile stated. Rita still kept her defiant pose and said “Since when is looting and pillaging work?”
Vile was really starting to lose his temper with his daughter but he held his power in check. If he struck out at his daughter it could only make things worse. “Go out to the courtyard for right now. We’ll have this conversation later.”
Rita was never more glad to hear those words like she had heard them now. Making off like a shot she left her father’s main hall leaving Vile to wonder how he was going to groom his daughter a little better so she could assume his role someday, as well as add some territories of her own. He continued to ponder when his eye fell on a book nearby.
A book of spells that dealt with mind control.
~ No I will not resort to that tactic. She is still my daughter. ~ he thought to himself. He went back to thinking what to do about Rita going through every tactic in his mind.
But his eye continued to fall on the book of spells that lay before him.
After ducking away into a dark secluded corner Rita took out a ring and concentrated on another place. Somewhere green and lush with a lake nearby and a cottage by the lake. The ring then emitted a form of energy that enveloped her and she disappeared from her surroundings only to find herself at the lush cottage she thought about earlier.
~ Wow the teleport ring really works. ~ Rita thought as she looked around at her surroundings. As she scanned the scenery she wondered if anyone else was there. Anyone she was expecting. Then suddenly a voice called her name and she turned back to the cottage.
Standing on the porch was a blonde haired young man who looked the same age as Rita. He wore a blue uniform that looked as if he had regal bearing. A sword was by his side and his smile seemed to light up Rita’s heart as she looked from afar.
Upon seeing the young man Rita charged as far as her boots could take her. She ran right into the young man’s arms and they kissed ever so passionately as the man swung her around like in an old romance vid. Clearly the two were very much in love, even when the man stopped swinging Rita they were still kissing with love and passion, until finally they had broken away. Both looked into the other’s eyes longingly.
“Oh Arianas I’ve missed you.” Rita said with a smile. “I wish we didn’t have to sneak around like this.”
“I do too.” Arianas, Duke of Zarakin said. “But our empires are at war and for us to be seen together would be disastrous for both of us.”
The M-51 Galaxy and the Empire of Zarakin were at war over territories. Mainly Master Vile wanting to add them to his realms, and the Zarakin not wanting the territories added on to Vile’s empire preferring the life of freedom the Zarakin offered. The Empire of Zarakin quit bothering with negotiation with Vile, especially since any delegation that was sent was immediately imprisoned or executed.
Arianas’s delegation was one of the few to return. While there he was taken in by the daughter of Master Vile, and with the way she was flirting with him it was clear that she was taken with him as well. The two began to see each other in secret, and it wasn’t long before they were starting to have secret rendezvous so to speak.
This was one such rendezvous. Rita and Arianas adjourned inside the house and immediately made their way to the bedroom where they went about with their reunion. A reunion both of them were enjoying.
“Come with me Rita!” Duke Arianas said staring across from his love who lay beside him. “Leave M-51 and start a life as my new bride.” Rita thought about it greatly. Life as a Zarakin lady, and the merging of the two royal kingdoms into a mighty empire. Surely father would be proud of her.
“That would sound so sweet.” Rita said. “And it would make daddy happy too. He’d have a foothold into Zarakin space and not have to fire a shot.”
“I hope you were putting a spin on things there.” Arianas said. “There are some government hardliners who wouldn’t frown on us getting married.”
“You too?” Rita said sadly. “Maybe we should find our own kingdom. Rule it together you and I. We’d be wise and noble rulers, and our subjects would love and revere us.” Arianas couldn’t help but smile at Rita’s optimism.
“Did I recently tell you that I love you?” Arianas said to Rita. Rita smiled and answered “Only a couple hundred times.” She then looked around and asked “Is anyone else here?”
“Just the servants. They’re just doing their job.” Arianas then kissed Rita again and the two resumed what they had been doing before. What lovers had been doing since the beginning of time.
But as Rita and Arianas went about their ‘business’ a spy was peeking in on them. A maid who quickly revealed her knowledge to Master Vile.
In his own Royal Study Vile was looking through the volumes upon volumes of child behavior books before him when a transmission from one of his spies came on line. “Report.” Vile said.
The spy quickly revealed her findings about Rita and Arianas. The way Vile statret to glare and steam indicated that he was not pleased about hearing this news. Quickly he ordered his guard assembled and he teleported to the spy’s co-ordinates.
Back at the Zarakin home Rita was positively glowing. She put on her jacket and looked at the form of Arianas still laying on the bed inviting her to come back in.
Rita couldn’t help but smile at her lover’s invitation, but she knew she had to get back home. “I’m sorry Arianas. If daddy ever found out…” Rita didn’t have a chance to complete that sentence since the door to their bedroom had blasted apart. Not long after that armies of mutants came into the room and sezed Arianas. Not long after that Master Vile strode into the room.
He stood across from the Zarakin Duke and glared at him. “So you’re the one corrupting my daughter eh? Well I shall make a lesson out of you.”
“Daddy no!” Rita shouted. Master Vile quickly silenced her.
“SILENCE DAUGHTER!” Vile said. “I wondered why his delegation wasn’t among the imprisoned, now I know. You used my daughter to escape, and continued to take advantage of her feminine wiles!”
“No!” Arianas screamed. “It’s not…”
“SILENCE!!!” Vile shouted. “Take him away!” The guards dragged Arianas from the bed and never even gave him the chance to be clothed. He looked at Rita, as she shock on her face became evident.
“I’ll find you! I will find you!” Arianas said as the Dark Guards were taking him away. Tears filled Rita’s eyes as her love was being taken from her by her father’s orders. She then turned to glare at her father.
“I’ll never forgive you for this daddy! NEVER!!!” Rita then stormed off leaving Vile flabbergasted, but only briefly. A plan started to form in his mind. A plan that didn’t bode well for Rita.
~ It’s practically unheard of for an evil spell to be used against one’s own family. But if that’s what it takes.
The trip back to M-51 was not a pleasant one. Rita was sulking the whole time.
For the longest time she sequestered herself in her bedchambers not allowing anyone to see her. Not her tutors, not her father, nobody. It wasn’t until she had gotten sick that she called for the royal physician.
Master Vile quickly stood by his daughter’s side showing concern for Rita. Well, as much concern as he could show. His main interest remained in grooming her to be the ruler of his empire.
Finally after hours of examination the physician, Dr. Atrus, looked at Rita, and Rita had a look of concern in her eyes. “All right doc. Give it to me straight.”
The royal doctor looked at Rita and said the words straight out. “You’re pregnant.” Rita’s eyes went open in shock. Master Vile’s jaw had also dropped.
“PREGNANT?!” Vile boomed.
Atrus then got very nervous. “Y. . y… yes… Master Vile.” Vile then grabbed Atrus by the wrist and glared at the doctor. “How could this happen?”
“Hmmmm let’s see. Boy meets girl. Boy sleeps with girl. You do the math daddy.” Rita said with sarcasm. Yet the reality of her being pregnant was sinking into her.
“It was that Zarakin boy wasn’t it?” Vile seethed. “He defiled my daughter. He shall pay with his life!”
“No daddy!” Rita said trying to calm him down, but just then her stomach started to hurt and she fell back down to the bed. “Ohhhh!” Rita said holding her stomach.
It was then Dr. Atrus pulled something out of his pocket and injected Rita with it. Vile backed away and asked “What is that you are injecting my daughter with?”
“It’s a stabilizing agent.” Atrus said. “It will keep the course of the pregnancy running smoothly.” Atrus threw a quick wink in Vile’s direction then looked back at Rita.
“You shall need regular injections throughout the course of the pregnancy. They will serve to keep the infant’s genetics stable.” Rita nodded but found herself falling asleep. Atrus and Vile then left the room leaving her and her unborn child to their slumber. It was then when Vile decided to bring up a very important point. “What will the compound’s effect be on the infant?” he asked.
Dr. Atrus pondered the question then answered. “Well it would stand to be that the compound may infuse with the baby’s genetic structure increasing the inherent magical potential that would result in a union between your daughter and the Zarakin. Plus it would do as I said it would. It would keep your daughter stable while she undergoes the pregnancy.”
“As well as do what it intends to do?” Vile then asked. Atrus then nodded. “Yes, the compound will also work on your daughter’s brainwaves altering them to a more pleasing frame that you might be able to use.” Vile nodded grateful, but there was still one more concern to be addressed.
“I can’t believe it. I have the evil compound ready, and it turns out that it will be for two instead of one.” Vile then turned to Atrus then asked “Would the child be evil?”
Vile did not really caring about the child. Atrus pondered the question nonetheless. It would be almost certain that the child would have great evil potential, but there would still be a lingering spark of good within it. He would also have the power of Rita’s bloodline and the energy absorption and reflection powers inherent in the Zarakin as well. But Vile wanted to hear if the child would be evil or not, and he had an answer.
“Yes Master Vile.” Dr. Atrus said holding his syringe. “After nine cycles when the baby is born both the mother and child shall belong to you.” Vile then turned back down the hall and walked away from his daughter’s bedchamber as his plans started to form. His most fiendish centering around Arianas.
~ I shall look forward to when the nine cycles pass. ~ Vile said with a smile. Then his laughter echoed throughout the hall.
Nine cycles later.
He lost track of how much time he had spent in the dungeon he was in. For all he knew one minute was equal to one hour.
The only thing that kept him alive, the only thing that he was sure of was the image he had of his love Rita. Her radiant beauty, her aura of innocence, and her voice of beauty. He longed to see her again, but Master Vile had kept her away, until now.
The door to the prison opened and Vile stepped through. Staring at Arianas he kept his speech brief. “I was told that you wished to see my daughter. I shall consider it a last request.”
“Last request?” Arianas asked.
“Yes. You are to be executed soon.” Ariana nodded as if resigned to his fate. He knew it would have to happen sooner or later. But it didn’t matter, as long as he got to see her again.
“And now. My daughter.” Vile said as he stepped out of the way. Arianas looked at the doorway hoping to see the love of his life. Instead he saw something else, and was saddened by what he saw.
Gone was the radiant beauty. Gone was the sweet innocence he fell in love with. And gone was the beautiful voice he so loved. In her place was a shrill sounding hag drowned in make-up. The child she had was little more than a trophy that she held in her arms as if taunting Arianas. Her laughter filled the room as she saw Arianas in tears as he saw Rita and his son.
“What’s the matter lover boy, aren’t you glad to see me? Ha ha ha!!!” Rita shrieked gleefully. That only caused more tears to fall down Arianas’s cheeks.
“My love. What has your father done to you?” Arianas asked.
“Oh you mean ‘Daddy Meanest?'” Rita said with an evil chuckle. “Nothing much, just how to have fun with victims. Just Like I’m going to have fun with you! Ha ha ha!!!” The Tenga Warriors then grabbed the limp Arianas and were ready to carry him out of the dungeon to whatever Rita had in her now evil mind.
“Take him away!” Rita shrieked. “It’s showtime!” Vile looked at his daughter and smiled. Finally she was starting to get it.
The royal courtyard was soon filled with the evilest of creatures. Practically all the royalty of M-51 was in attendance. And in the royal box Master Vile and Rita Repulsa, princess of evil, stood taking in the praises of the masses.
Rita raked in the approval, and Vile looked on proud. ~ I see the magical injections have been successful. They have changed her completely into a daughter I can be proud of. But what to do about the child is another matter I will have to deal with soon. But for now… ~ Vile then turned as Rita ordered the prisoner brought before her. And at her orders the Tengas escorted Arianas to the main floor.
Much like Rita had been changed, so had Arianas. His clothes were all torn and tattered, his hair was unkept, and a beard decorated his clean shaven face. He no longer had the regal bearing he used to as a Duke of Zarakin. But Rita didn’t care anymore. All she cared about was being evil and loving it, thanks to her father.
“It’s the guillotine for you Ari!” Rita shrieked as the Tenga’s ‘escorted’ him to the device which would spell his death. When strapped in securely Vile then asked “Any last requests?”
Arianas then looked up at Rita, the love of his life, buried under the make up, dress and evil that Vile and Atrus had infused her with. Hoping a trace of the ‘old Rita’ existed Arianas said “I love you always.”
Rita then turned and looked down at Arianas. “You love me?” she said with surprise. For the briefest moment her features tended to soften, as if Arianas seemed to get through to the old Rita. Vile looked at his daughter’s face and wondered if perhaps the injections were not complete, that perhaps his spell was wavering.
Arianas also looked at Rita, only with more of a sense of hope than anything. He had thought he was getting through to the Rita he knew, the Rita he loved. The Tengas however continued to bind him to the device as Rita still looked floored. She then went down to the guillotine and went to where the rope to drop the blade stood. After relieving the executioner she stood in front of Ariana’s face as he looked up at her with a sense of hope. That he was getting through to the woman he loved. But the next few seconds proved him wrong, as an evil sneer appeared across Rita’s face, and Arianas knew his love was beyond hope.
“SUCKER!!!” Rita said with an evil chuckle as the pulled down the rope which released the blade from its moorings sending it falling fast towards Ariana’s own death.
The guillotine fell severing Arianas’s head from his body. The head did a tumble and fell into the basket below with ease. . Rita looked on with glee as if she was watching a show and only getting to the best part. Any part of the old Rita was buried deep inside her with no way to get out. Even if Arianas was still alive no one would have seen a trace of the old Rite inside the crone she was now.
But if the old Rita could have done anything, she would have surely wept.
After the execution Rita and Vile adjourned to a separate room. A room where Dr. Atrus stood with a baby in his hands. A baby that was Rita’s son.
“What is that thing doing here?” Rita asked shrilly.
“But daughter. Do you not recognize your own son? Do you not recognize Randolar?” Vile asked.
“Son? SON?!” Rita then gave a shrill laugh again. “What do I need a son for? I have a universe to conquer. Send him down to the slave pits and be done with it.” Vile turned to Atrus and nodded his agreement. Since birth Randolar knew no other life than that of the slave quarters under the palace.
Over the years Randolar was little more than a servant, doing the menial tasks Rita, Rito and Vile asked of him. Rito however took a liking to young Randolar and talked with him more while Rita and Vile dismissed him like a common slave.
Rito however dropped in on Randolar from time to time and saw him perform many tricks however. Tricks of one who was developing great magical powers. Powers that could even rival Vile himself one day.
But Rito wasn’t the only one looking in on Randolar since his birth. Every now and then four shadows would look after the boy watching him grow in the harsh environment. Watch him grow into a force that could benefit their master.
They were Brachian and the Triad. And they looked at Randolar as a potential member of the Order of Destruction.