Noir [Archive] - RangerBoard

Einsider

03-19-2008, 12:59 PM

Part One: The Beginning

Chapter 1.

Creation:

By 1955 the United Nations had lost power. The world would soon fall under the control of the super villains, both alien and human, bent on gaining power and ruling over the planet in an evil dictatorship. The only thing that had stopped them this far was their inability to work together, but eventually only the most powerful would remain and the world would fall into terror. Government had crumbled, people lived in terror and only a few countries soldiered on. Knowing soon they would succumb to the evil, the final six leaders of the UN revealed their most heavily guarded secret to the world. A taskforce that had been, as of yet, held back from the public, unknown even to most governments, a force to be used only when Earth was in its darkest hour.

A large room, six storeys underground, only candles lighting up the table where six men ponder their future. A steward leaves the room, shutting and locking the door behind him. A fresh pot of tea steams on a tray. The American complains that he had not brought any coffee.

“We are on the last stretch, the world has no more hope left.”

“I agree, the time has come for a our final solution.”

“No, we left it too late, the base does not have enough energy to run the program, we should conserve what we have until…”

“Until what? Until the DoomLord or the Sythefighter bursts down the door and slaughters us all?! No, I think we should take the risk.”

“I agree also, there is no other way.”

“Then it is unanimous, the program goes ahead. The taskforce will be initiated.”

The First Few:

Somewhere in the distance alarms rang out, he ran as fast as he could, already knowing that he would never get there in time. The alarm was the final call of his home security and he knew that it was only signalling the murder of his sister.

“Deborah!!!” his voice didn’t travel, he could already see red liquid and he was too late. The power cut out plunging him into darkness but the alarms kept going. He tried to find his way to her room, still calling her name, but was only successful in falling out of his bed. His alarm clock was laughing distastefully at him. It was already morning but only 5.30. The knocking on his door was loud and forceful, cautiously he opened the door, concerned at the early hour of the house call, yet already knowing who it would be.

“Time to leave your bunk James, it’s go time.”

* * *
Forty seven, forty eight, forty nine…… fifty

Alison finished her final set of push-ups. She had been up all night, unable to sleep because of the memories. Because of the dreams. For eight years she had been living in the underground facility 'Contingency 1,' waiting for the day she was called to duty. For the day she could avenge her family. Her intercom bleeped.

“Day 2940 Alison, Go time.”

* * *
He was just a simple shop boy; his dad owned a comic book shop before… and now he was awaiting a call from a stranger who claimed he was his dead grandfather. His bunk was nice but in all truth he was scared out of his mind. He didn’t want to die before his 20th birthday. Which was still two years from now. His feet fidgeted on the bed, the covers felt tight. The room was a little cold; the heating hadn’t worked properly since he got here. The telephone rang and a voice he first heard a month ago spoke to him.

“Sorry to keep you waiting Raymond, It’s time we met in person, thank you for being so understanding until now.”

* * *
Early Morning Prayer always calmed him down. Had Thomas not joined the army he would have become a priest. Poles apart. The underground worship room was a nice place to think. Deep in meditation, he was jarred awake by a hand on his shoulder.

“Father?” he asked

“They’ve called for you.”

Another man approached behind him. From his knelt position he saw the man’s black shoe polish shine in the candlelight.

“Go time.”

* * *
The scars from the scorpions he used to handle would never leave his hands; the poison from the snakes would always flow in his blood: Re-routing his senses, honing his mind, reminding him that a human is still only an animal. But even humans wouldn’t commit the atrocities he had seen. Acts committed by those who believed they were human but weren’t even close. There were animals with more compassion. A knock on the door.

“Just a second!” he placed the spider back in its box. He opened the door, a man in a suit passed him the envelope. A letter composed of two words.

Go time

* * *
You are here for a reason. A defender of the good and the free. You have waited for this. You are Jed Exodus. You were chosen to defend the Earth from oppression, to fight for any one that needs to be fought for. You were chosen to represent nobody except those in need. You are the future. You are a fighter. You are waiting. You are Jed Exodus.

Now, it’s Go time.

The team:

The villains never knew what hit them. One taskforce member per continent, each member representing their home sector and overlooked by the United Nations of Earth. Six members working together in their fight against evil, drawing their power from a computer program designed by Marc Zendon, the world’s top most computer scientist and the UN’s resident eccentric. In seven years they ended the lives of virtually every super villain on the planet. Those who were not destroyed by the taskforce fled Earth, spreading the knowledge through the galaxy, and further, that Earth was not defenceless but instead, a powerful colony rebuilding itself. A planet watched over by the taskforce and protected by good.

Thirty years passed, thirty years of peace and protection. Thirty years of the taskforce and of defence. No villain dared rise against them or threatened a country under their guard. The age of the super villain died out. The galaxy was at peace. There was no more need for the force and one by one they retired. Forty years since the taskforce was initiated and only two of the taskforce remained, the others having died from old age and a life of fighting. Short lives, but as Jed always said, only the good die young. This is a sentiment also held by the other remaining member, Thomas Gupo, as he lies on his deathbed, his hand in Jed’s. Tears fall down the face of the sixty-year-old Jed, but Thomas only smiles.

“We had a good run.”

Jed smiles back at him, trying to remain strong. “Yes, we did”

“But the world doesn’t need us anymore, the world is at peace.”

“The world will always need us Thom, we’re all that stops the super villains from coming back, all that stops the monsters from threatening our loved ones.”

“No,” Thomas denied, “There are no more threats, there is no power of evil left.”

“There’s always something to fear Thom.”

Thomas gripped his hand tighter, the heart monitor beeped slightly faster.

“That is what I’m afraid of…” Then the life fell from him and only one member of the taskforce remained. It was only ten seconds since he had spoken to his friend, but he already felt totally alone. There was no one left who knew what he knew, who had felt what he felt. No one left who had worn those suits. He felt weak.

That night he tried to kill himself.

The New Ranger:

The world never really changed. The villains never really left and bad guys are always cowards. The taskforce was gone, believed unneeded, and the only surviving member was ill, suffering depression and bearing the burning scars of a rope around his neck like a permanent bow tie. The world was ripe for the return of evil. And they knew it. They swarmed from the darkness, eager to terrorise once again.

But this time the UN were ready. With only one surviving member of the chosen left, he was the world’s last hope.

Jed Exodus: last surviving member of the taskforce. Now lying in a bed that he hasn’t left for nine months. He is ill and he is dying.

The man with shiny shoes speaks to him at his bedside. “Jed, the world will always need you. And it needs you now more than ever. If you don’t help us… Earth will return to the way it was before.”

Pulling the oxygen mask from his mouth, Jed tries to respond, mumbling his words making him hard to comprehend. “But what… can I do? I am dying, I have no fight left in me.”

“We can change that. If you let us?”

* * *
The DoomLord towered high above his minions, his long arms, a foot longer than his ten-foot skinny frame ending in huge claws and razor sharp talons. His screech sending shivers down the spines of people who thought he died a long time ago. An evil laugh shakes the planet. “The rangers are no more, biding my time, my powers have increased. The reign of Doom is upon you!” Red eyes glowed like searchlights into the sky. But without the lights, he would have found him.

“DoomLord!” the voice bellowed from the fog and thunder that the DoomLord himself had created. “You should never have come back!”

Out of the shadows is a man, dressed in white and gold. The suit glows with light, the visor is dark, contrasting against the helmet. One hand is armed with a sword, thick and sharp, the edge shines; the other hand, held in a weak fist, merely shines with a bright, neon blue light that is pulsating between every step the man takes.

“Who are you?!” DoomLord demands, no fear in his voice, just surprise and anger at the interruption. “You are dressed like a ranger, but like none that I have seen before and all those rangers are dead.”

“No.” The man in white raises his left hand, thunder crashes and the blue light intensifies. The fog and storm disappear and the clouds give way for the sun. “Those rangers are not dead.” He swings the sword around, points it directly at the DoomLord. “They live within me. There power is my power. I am Jed Exodus. I am the Power Ranger.”

“You are the last of your kind, and you shall wither also!”

“I am forever, their power has ensured that. Earth will never remain undefended. You shall never have victory over this land. I will not allow it.”

“The choice is not up to you Ranger!”

“I choose to fight against you, that is the only choice I have made. Leave this planet now, or I shall engage you.”

“You won’t get to fight me.”

The ground shakes and from the cracks that form, DoomLord’s spider minions crawl out. Each one the size of a bear and many eyes, his minions only exist to devour and cocoon. But they had no training in combat. Before the fight had begun the army of spiders was slaughtered and the Power Ranger’s sword was dripping with whatever fluid flowed through the veins of these hellish creatures.

“You have stained my freedom sword with the blood of your minions, that was your doing Doom. You have brought war to my planet! And I am the protector!”

The DoomLord raises his long arms, energy charges inside. A single bolt of fire manages to leave one hand but the arm is knocked aside by the ranger, which sends the bolt flying skywards. The Ranger swings his sword slicing towards the long abdomen of the DoomLord. Sparks fly and the villain flies back, landing on the floor.

“Had enough Doom? I shall end this now! Sword Strike!” He calls out his finishing move as he leaps high into the air and plummets downwards, forcing his entire weight onto the sword as it stabs into the DoomLord. Energy erupts from his weapon and the demon turns to dust. A crater four foot deep is left in the ground. As he kneels in the hole clutching the sword he is sure he hears an explosion behind him.

Slowly, people emerge from the surrounding buildings. Somebody cheers and soon the whole crowd are congratulating the ranger. Thanking him for his help. The other super villains hear of the destruction of the DoomLord by the hands of a single ranger and flee or hide. The taskforce is still needed to keep evil at bay, but it is only one man. The Power Ranger. The defender of Earth. An almighty task.

The world rejoices from his victory and the day forever heralded as an international holiday. Remembered as the day where much evil was destroyed by a greater good and that good was one man who had the power to defend the entire planet. The planet was safe and its people were happy. But the Ranger was disturbed. He had killed a creature, be that an evil one, and slaughtered many others of his following and although he did it in the name of good and because it was the only way to save the innocent...

He liked it.

GreyRanger

03-19-2008, 01:01 PM

Interesting man. Rather than carrying on the continuity that a lot of us do, you've made up your own world and are giving your own take on Power Rangers, a much more realistic and scary perspective. Keep this going, it has been a while, with a few exceptions, since a good fic has been posted.

Beckoner

03-19-2008, 01:15 PM

I like AU fics. That's why my own fic (World Bender) takes place in our own present day world. This should be an interesting series.

Einsider

03-19-2008, 01:17 PM

Thanks Metal Lion, i like darker fics which is why i thought yours was really good.

Beckoner: thanks for the comment, will have to read your fic, title sounds awesome!

Beckoner

03-19-2008, 02:04 PM

Thanks for deciding to check out my fic. I eagerly await your next chapter! You're off to quite a start.

Beckoner

03-19-2008, 02:51 PM

Hey man, sorry for the double post. I'm glad you enjoyed my fic. If you plan to use SARCOS, go for it man. I'd love to see how you'll incorporate it into your story.

Einsider

03-19-2008, 03:47 PM

dude dw about posting, post as much as u need without spamming! those SARCOS things were awesome, maybe standard issue in the army one day! slightly scary but slightly cool at the same time! Thanks man

Einsider

03-23-2008, 11:54 AM

The following chapter mentions a military unit known as SARCOS. These exoskeletons really exist and can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYWd2C3XVIk you dont have to see the video to understand the chapter, but these things are pretty cool and will give you a better idea of what they are. They will be included later on in the fic so if you do take a peek at the link it might help :)

I got the idea for their use in my fic from Beckoner's fic "World Bender" - Which is a good read and a cool take on SPD.

Hope you enjoy the next chapter of Noir.

Chapter 2.

The downfall of the ranger:

Near limitless power and only the whole world to save. The task to some would seem daunting. To most perhaps. But to the Ranger, it was easy. His only problem was the size of the world. Even with the combined power of all the original Rangers he still could not be in two places at once. Despite his increased strength, speed, agility and power, he was still, essentially, human. His limited teleportation ability just not strong enough to get where he needed, when he needed to. It made him feel beatable.

The Zords were designed. Created by the Power Ranger himself as a means of fast travel and a higher level of defence. He could defend the world from an entire invasion if he needed to. Seven Zords. One for each continent, each with the ability to be remote controlled from the Ranger’s personal Zord’s cockpit. Linked through him to the program, the Rangerboard, which gave him his power. He was the most powerful being on the planet. Nothing could beat him now. And he was bored.

The world congratulated him on his victories but he was just tired. He need not be congratulated, because he knew it wasn’t difficult. The enemy never posed him a problem. He needed an enemy that could fight him, an enemy that would cause him some trouble. He needed an enemy that he could enjoy fighting, because the killing alone just wasn’t fun enough anymore. He needed to fight an enemy that was bigger than himself, an enemy who would hurt before the Ranger vaporised him. The Ranger was armed, his power unrivalled and he knew that it was time to go to war. Separate from any government and the UN, the Power Ranger declared war on the universe. And it would start with his control over the planet.

August 2007.

The Ranger’s Zords attacked simultaneously at 14.32 (GMT), attacking each capital city of each country in their continent. The world was under attack by their own defence and the army never stood a chance. A tank against a Zord. It was like fighting a knife with warm butter. An army of SARCOS exoskeleton suits walked on their own, linked through the Rangerboard and controlled directly by the Ranger himself.

In their underground headquarters the UN convene again. Small lamps hang from the ceiling casting minimal light but the desk lamps highlight the faces of five men around the table. The glow highlight’s the woman’s glasses. A steward leaves the room, shutting and locking the door behind him. Hot coffee steams on a tray. The Englishman complains that there was no milk.

The woman speaks: “Gentleman, our parents made a great mistake.”

“He doesn’t know the location of Contingency Two, we will be fine.”

“It wasn’t us I was worried about. The Ranger has got out of hand. So much power should not have been given to a single person. Bring me Marc Zendon.”

His son wheels the old man into the room. An oxygen tank strapped to the back of the chair in case he needs it.

“Hello Zendon.”

The old man nods and his mouth twitches into a second-long smile.

“I am sorry to bring you here now. I know you’re ill, but the Ranger has grown too strong. We must disconnect the Power Ranger from the Rangerboard. We have to cut off his power.”

“It can’t be done.”

A silence fills the room. The woman eventually talks back.

“What do you mean it can’t be done?”

“The Ranger doesn’t draw his power from the Rangerboard.”

“You’re talking nonsense!” one of the six shouts. “Of course he draws his power from the board! That is why it was created!”

“No. That is not why it was created.”

“Explain yourself old man!”

Zendon’s heart rate increased, it felt like his lungs were burning. Grabbing the oxygen mask he breathes deep. The son speaks.
“Please don’t shout at my father! He is old and sick. He hasn’t got long left and needs his strength!”

“Who do you think you are!?” the woman screams.

“I am Art Zendon. I am his son. And he taught me everything I know. Including the Rangerboard. Other than my father, I am the only other person in the universe who knows how the Rangerboard works. So shut up and listen to me!”

The room goes silent and the woman remains standing. “Speak then!”

“Sit down now!” Art commands. They fight with their eyes and the woman eventually backs downs and sits in her seat.

“Please, Art,” one of the six speaks calmly, “please tell us what you know. Why can’t we disconnect the Power Ranger from the Rangerboard?”

“We can disconnect the Ranger from the board but the Rangerboard was not created to give power to the Ranger. The Rangerboard was created by my father to direct power to the Ranger, it was the only way we could work out how to access it.

“Access what?! Where is he getting the power from?!”

Zendon stared the room out. Perhaps building suspense, perhaps afraid that they wouldn’t believe him.

“Well? Where is he getting his power from?!”

“The Morphing Grid.”

“..........What, the hell, is the Morphing Grid?!”

* * *

The most powerful being on the planet. Unequalled by any other. And the people who are supposed to be in control, unable to disconnect him from the Morphing Grid. The Rangerboard, previously the program linking the Ranger to the Grid, now not working. The world was beyond saving. Nothing stood a chance. The reign of the Ranger seemed inevitable. Discussion continued in Contingency Two and Art explained the Morphing Grid to the UN leaders.

“So he draws his power from this Morphing Grid?”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t, in your words, know ‘exactly what it is?’”

Awkward silence.

“No.”

“So, Mr Zendon. Art… What do you know?”

“There are stories, erm…. Legends, that speak of a universal power, trans-universal power I guess, really, that can give certain individuals…. Chosen individuals… power. Power to defeat evil.”

“The power to defeat evil Mr Zendon? Apart from the fact that this sounds like a childish fairy-tale; at this moment this Grid seems to be empowering evil. Are you suggesting that the Ranger was chosen for this power so he could rip our world apart?”

“NO! Not at all.” Zendon was beginning to sweat. “My father created the Rangerboard program to…. Hack into the Morphing Grid. The taskforce…. And the Power Ranger… they… weren’t chosen, we used the program to steal power from the Grid. We took the power and gave it to them. Legend talks of the Grid having nearly unlimited power so we thought it wouldn’t……” Zendon looks at his feet. “…matter.”

Worried glances looked at each other. Finally the woman speaks.

“This Ranger, cannot be disconnected from the Grid then. And is ravaging the world with his power. Then should not a group of… Rangers… those “chosen” by the Grid…… shouldn’t they come to our rescue?”

Art looked up from the ground, his eyes starting to water. “I hope so Madam Utterson. Legends claim that the Rangers will come to fight evil, but everything I thought before, everything my father tried to achieve…. Seems to have been wrong so far. Honestly Madam Utterson, I hope you’re right. I hope we can be saved. I hope the Rangers come for us.”

The lights go out and an alarm goes off briefly before dying.

A voice shouts from the darkness. Booms from the surface. And pronounces every word with slow malevolence.

“I. Am. Coming.”

Einsider

03-23-2008, 11:56 AM

Coming Next: With Part One out of the way and the back story of this universe complete, the real story can now begin. I hope you like it.

Part 2: The Chosen

The Attack of the Power Ranger

GreyRanger

03-24-2008, 06:45 AM

Love the way you explain everything and use Zendon's son like you would use Alpha.
Also the last line is very cool. Keep it up.

Beckoner

03-24-2008, 11:59 AM

This introduction has definitely piqued my interest. An evil Ranger right off the bat eh?

Einsider

03-24-2008, 05:33 PM

yep i wanted a main evil guy to be different from the start: hey presto direct to an evil ranger :) glad you liked it

FlashmanX

03-24-2008, 11:51 PM

(standing ovation)

:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap:eusa_clap

this fic is a pleasent surprise i loved it

the only thing i wasn't fond of was his name is JED

Einsider

03-25-2008, 04:38 AM

thanks for the post, really glad people like it. I really wasn't sure how other people would take to the story so i'm pleased to get such good feedback. I was trying to make an unusual name for him..... hmmm...... i'll think about the name and perhaps look to change it if other people also think his name could do with a re-think. Thanks for the comment though and i'll think about it :)

Einsider

03-25-2008, 02:49 PM

Just want to thank Metal Lion for his help with my logo and other forthcoming visual works

GreyRanger

03-26-2008, 09:02 AM

Mate it's okay. Post the suits soon though, they look good.

Beckoner

03-26-2008, 07:55 PM

Man, don't keep us waiting for too long! :) I'm looking forward to the next chapter!

Einsider

03-27-2008, 01:24 PM

Part 2: The Chosen

Chapter 1.

The Attack of the Power Ranger:

The sun beamed through the window, the gap in the curtains shining a light on his face. The boy woke and thought it was going to be a good day. He had no idea about the six people deep underground, he had no idea about the attack and he had no idea about the Power Ranger’s betrayal.

It had not happened yet.

And today, he thought, was going to be a good day. He brushed his teeth using toothpaste that would help whiten as well as clean. He showered, making sure to scrub the underneath of his feet and between his toes. His deodorant was roll on because his cat sneezed if he ever used spray. Ben wasn’t a genius but he wasn’t failing his college course either, however, he was late today and being that he was already two hours late he decided to take the rest of the day off. If he wasn’t in college all day there would be less questions than if he went in late. He poured the cat food into Dennis’ bowl and the cat purred. His love was easy to buy.

Ready for the day he picked up the phone. Only three rings and a girl answered. The girl of his dreams. Jenna Farrow a pretty blonde with the most gorgeous blue eyes he had ever seen. He wasn’t sure if it was love, but he loved being with her. He hoped she felt the same. She said she did but he wasn’t always sure. Since she dropped out of college a few months earlier and hadn’t gotten herself a job yet, he knew she would be free. “Hey Jenna.”

“Hey,” she replied, drawing out the end of the word.

“So, No college today, I thought I’d take you out for lunch?”

“You have college today.”

“Yeah…… but I kinda….” He coughs, “Kinda slept through...”

“You’re terrible!” she jests.

“Okay, yes, I know, I’m a bad, bad man. Now are we going for lunch or should I hang up and try again?”

“Oh….. I think you’ve convinced me.”

It wasn’t as romantic as the story makes out. Ben doesn’t have a car so he meets Jenna and they take the bus into the city, he’s man enough to pay for her. Rockwood Town Centre is a hub of activity, other students sat around the café in the Rockwood Mall and Ben knew he wasn’t the only one bunking his responsibilities. They sat down at an empty table and a waitress took their drinks order.

“Why don’t you get a job here?” Ben asked her.

“Urmmmm, because then where would we go for fun?” She had a point but he knew she was just avoiding the issue. He didn’t push it. Did she love him? He thinks so. She smiles and sucks her coke through a straw.

The screams started before they got onto pudding. They had ordered a sundae to share but it never arrived on the table. An explosion marked the start of things to come. The big fountain stopped flowing. Before they knew what had happened they were thrown off their feet. The loud bang had deafened him and all he could hear was ringing. If Jenna was shouting his name he couldn’t hear it. An army walked in, a vicious squadron of metal soldiers. He didn’t know it yet, but these were the mentally controlled legion of SARCOS exoskeletons that had only murder in mind. Ben was scared already, but in a few months, he will realise that these units weren’t as dangerous as they could be. Like an echo, he can hear people cry as they are launched fifty feet into the air by a mechanical arm. The sound of cracking bones cuts through him as they hit the ground. The white slates staining pink. Ben stays hidden behind the table. Hoping they wouldn’t find him. Suddenly the world comes back into focus and a scream he recognises fills the air. Jenna is cowering in the corner as three SARCOS units close in on her. He needs to help her but the fear petrifies him. He doesn’t have the strength to fight against these soldiers. How can a human fight against an army of metal? The soldiers are even closer now and her screams are being obscured by the buzz of electricity. He can’t do anything. He doesn’t have the power. He can’t help her. His eyes water and his hands clench into fists. He must do something. He runs to the first SARCOS unit and jumps on its back. It nearly falls off balance but before it can do anything he pulls the wires from the battery pack. Mind-controlled or not, without power it was dead. A swinging arm from another soldier ended his heroic charge and knocked him back twenty feet. His chest hurt. Four soldiers were heading towards him. He couldn’t give up but how could he fight against these things. He didn’t even know what they were. The SARCOS soldiers blocked his view but he heard Jenna scream from where he last saw her. He blinked away the tears. He didn’t have the power to save her. He was useless. He couldn’t even save himself. They were in reaching distance.

A spark inside him. Just for a second.

The SARCOS soldiers lunged for Ben and then three of them were knocked back. Their power packs exploded, destroying the robots for good. Ben couldn’t believe what had just happened. All that power, the strength to destroy these machines, Ben had wanted this power for so long. And he had to admit, he was a little bit jealous that this other person had that power. The man in the green Ranger suit whipped himself around and smashed into the fourth SARCOS soldier. The man posed dynamically, trying to impress Ben as he spoke to him.

“What are you doing on the floor? Stand and fight!” The American accent sounded heroic and boomed from the Ranger’s helmet.

Ben was lost for words. He stared at the Ranger with awe. “You… You’re… the Power Ranger.”

“No! I am not. I am the America Ranger. The Power Ranger has gone rogue. The power went to his head. He is attacking the planet and destroying governments. We must…” a spark explodes off the America Rangers chest and he is knocked back. A SARCOS soldier lowers its arm. A laser attached to the end. SARCOS type II.

The America Ranger clutches his chest, breathing heavy from the laser shot. “Duck!” he shouts. Just in time Ben falls back to the ground. He feels the shot singe his hair. The America Ranger leaps across the room and double punches the type II soldier. Sparks flew and the unit slides back. It wasn’t over yet. Raising its arm the soldier unleashes a barrage of laser fire. The America Ranger dodged two shots but is hit by the third and fourth. Ben begins to get up, to help the Ranger when another scream from Jenna snaps his mind back to her and the remaining two SARCOS soldiers surrounding her. She had been knocked across the floor. Her eye was black and her eye socket looked broken. The soldiers were going in for the kill.

“Green Shield!” The America Ranger’s voice boomed out and the riot shield appeared on his arm, taking the laser fire for him. Ben turned back and raced towards the soldiers about to finish off Jenna. He didn’t have the strength of the Ranger but he had the heart and he aimed for the power packs on their back. The first was easy, as his attack was unexpected and the unit was powered down. Learning from his first attack he dodged the swinging arm of the final SARCOS unit and directed it away from Jenna. The America Ranger deflected a laser back towards the soldier he was fighting against and it exploded, knocking Ben off his feet, the soldier advancing towards him didn’t even slow down. The America Ranger flew in, shield still in hand. Smashing the SARCOS unit and knocking its arm off. Reaching his arm around he pulls the wires from the soldier’s pack and it powered down. The room was clear the America Ranger had saved the day. Maybe the celebrations were too early. Seven more Type II units marched in and raised their guns. Letting loose their lasers, Ben hid behind the America Ranger and his shield. Sparks flew as the shield did its job. Lasers flew passed Ben’s ears; he could hear the air around him sizzle.

“This is no good!” The America Ranger shouted to Ben, “We’ve got to fight back.”

Pushing forward with his shield he deflected laser shots back towards the SARCOS units. Three of them exploded, knocking the others to the ground. In the few seconds they had free from laser fire Ben turned to check on Jenna.

Scorch marks. Burning. Cauterised wounds. White, lifeless eyes. The lasers had ripped through her body. She never stood a chance. She had loved him, he knew it, even if she hardly ever said it, she loved him and he couldn’t save her. He didn’t have the power. Her body lay there judging him, proving to him that he didn’t deserve her. She was dead. And there was nothing he could do. Nothing. Nothing but scream and shout and hit stuff. Nothing but take revenge on what had done this to her. Nothing mattered now. Nothing except making them pay. Whatever these robots were, whatever they were here for, it didn’t matter. He was going to destroy them all. Standing above the crouching America Ranger he started to stride towards the SARCOS soldiers. Hate in his eyes. Lasers flew again and the America Ranger pushed Ben to the floor, covering him once more with the shield.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

“They killed Jenna, Let me go, I’m going to rip them apart!” The hate had turned to murder.

“I admire your passion Ben, but I can’t let you fight them like this, they will kill you, and then you are no use to her at all. Or me.”

“Or you?! What have I got to do with you? How do you know my name?! Get off of me!”

“I know your name, Ben, because I must. I can’t let you fight them like this. I have something for you.”

Lasers continue to fire at them. The America Ranger deflects another beam and destroys one of the SARCOS, given them more time.

“This, Ben, belongs to you.” He holds out a watch with a number of strange symbols on it that Ben had never seen before.
“What is that?!”

“It is yours. But if you do not calm down I can’t give it to you.”

“I don’t understand.”

The SARCOS soldiers get closer, the laser fire more intense.
“Listen, this can give you the power to fight against them. This can give you the power to avenge her, but only if you avenge her in the name of good, not hate. If you go in there to kill, I can’t give this morpher to you.”

“I… I don’t think I can do that.”

“You can.”

Five more SARCOS troops round the fountain behind them and open fire. The America Ranger manages to spin round and block the shots but knows that defence is now no longer an option. Deflecting shots from the previous three soldiers back at them, the America Ranger runs at the five new soldiers. An axe now in his hand as if from nowhere, he cuts at the SARCOS units, sparks fly, but they fight back, knocking him to the ground. He is quickly on his feet and fighting back. His battle is intense, his mind is focused. So focused he doesn’t see more soldiers smash through a shop window and into the mall. They all raise their arms; Ben hears the guns power up.

“Look out!” Ben shouts as he runs at the soldiers. Flying through the air he knocks the arm of the first SARCOS soldier to face the soldier next to it. The laser beam fires, destroying his ally.

“BEN!” the America Ranger shouts and flings something through the air towards him. Automatically Ben grabs the morpher. He takes a hit in the face and back flips onto his feet. He can feel the power already. “Put it on!”

Euphoric. The power is immense. The morpher encloses his body in a suit, dark purple in colour, blood red on the chest and back. A long broadsword is drawn from nowhere and he strikes down the remaining SARCOS soldiers with ease. The battle isn’t memorable. The sword held across his shoulders, he poses enthusiastically as the units explode behind him. His link to the morphing grid should tell him who he is. But all he can hear is a buzzing sound like an un-tuned radio.

The America Ranger removes his helmet and walks over to Ben. His long blond hair waves and his straight white teeth shine as he smiles. Displaying his own awesomeness, rather than smiling at Ben.

“Good work Ben. But there’s a problem.”

“Problem? I feel fine. Great in fact! But who am I? What ranger am I supposed to be?”

“I was hoping you would tell me. The morpher I gave you was for the blue Europe Ranger. That is who you were supposed to be.”

Other than the sounds of fire and the buzzing of the remains of the SARCOS soldiers there was silence.

“Then… who am I?”

Beckoner

03-27-2008, 02:56 PM

Definitely worth the wait. Sucks how Jenna died so early in the story. I really felt sorry for Ben and wanted him to get his revenge. I get the feeling this is going to be a recurring issue for Ben, possibly even making him corruptable.

Einsider

03-27-2008, 03:08 PM

Jenna was always planned to die, there will be more about that in the next chapter. Don't worry, the death of a loved one is always important for a hero. Glad you liked it! also - what did you think of the suits? (they're in the first post) i wanted feedback from people about them cus they're the first suits i've ever done! :) thanks!

Beckoner

03-27-2008, 03:10 PM

You made them yourself? That's pretty cool. I liked the suits quite a bit. Give me a hint though: are there going to be more Rangers making their debut soon or are we going to be with these three for a while?

Einsider

03-27-2008, 03:54 PM

Well i used Acatl's templates but the designs were mine, so thanks! :) I was quite pleased with them but wasn't sure if they were actually good or if i was just being biased! The next chapter will just focus on these rangers (obviously about Ben's morphing problem!) but don't worry there will be more rangers very soon!

The title for the next chapter (coming soon!): "The Europe Zord"

GreyRanger

03-27-2008, 04:34 PM

Awesome if not vivid descritption of Jenna's dead body. And good twist with Ben's suit. Waiting for the next chapter. Dude if u want feedback on the suits, post them here:
http://rangerboard.com/showthread.php?p=2737083#post2737083

Einsider

03-27-2008, 04:39 PM

Thanks ML, will do! :D

GreyRanger

03-27-2008, 04:40 PM

get online

Einsider

03-30-2008, 03:31 PM

Chapter 2.

The Europe Zord

The attack wasn’t over yet. The new rangers may have saved the Rockwood Mall but Jenna was still dead and the rest of the world was in jeopardy. People crept out from their hiding places, thankful that it was over. Many cried for their lost loved ones. Others cried in relief. Ben only felt confused and angry. A dangerous combination. He felt the power, yet he felt weak.
He couldn’t turn back time.
And he didn’t know who he was.
Everything he thought he knew was wrong. He was down the rabbit hole and he knew it, a shameless comparison to Alice in Wonderland. The America Ranger was speaking to him but he seemed in a daze. He pulled off his helmet and stood there, immobilised in body and mind. All of a sudden, he snapped.

“Will you shut up! I’m not listening! I don’t care what you have to say! Jenna is dead and you can’t tell me who I am!”

“Ben, it does not matter who you are, but what you stand for. We have work to do. This attack is not an isolated incident, there are more of these things attacking the entire world! And the Zords… they are also a pawn in the Power Ranger’s scheme. We must…”

Ben cut him off, “WE? We must what?! I never agreed to this! Leave me alone!” Ben threw his morpher, the America Ranger caught it with ease. “And get me out of this suit!”

“You need the morpher for that,” he threw it back to Ben, “Press the button and… you’ll know what to say.”

Ben held the watch morpher in his hand and pressed the button. He didn’t know the words. He tries to think of them, it was like they were on the tip of his tongue, but all he could hear was static. He shook his head.

“I don’t know what to say. All I can hear is static. What’s going on?!”

The America Ranger looks worried and brushes his long hair out of his face.
“You’re supposed to know… You should say, “power down.””

“Power Down!” He presses the button. Nothing happens.

“This isn’t good.”

Ben tried the morpher ten more times, but it wasn’t reacting. He couldn’t power out of his suit no matter how hard he tried. “Can’t we just cut me out? It’s only made of thin material.” Ben asks.

The America Ranger laughs a booming laugh, “Cut you out?! How bad would these suits be at stopping lethal body blows if we could just cut you out?!”

“Then what the fuck am I going to do?! How can I get out of this suit?!”

“I know a man who can help you. And I can take you to him… But not now – I’ve got work to do. And I need you to help me. Please.”

“No! I didn’t ask for this!”

“You were chosen.”

“By who?”

“I..I can’t explain. But the man I will take you to can explain it. I need you now. The world needs you. Come with me.”

Reluctantly Ben placed the helmet back on his head. He wanted to reject this duty, he wanted to be two hours late and give up like his college this morning. But something inside him wouldn’t let him. Something pushed him forward, pushed him into this role. A role that, unbeknownst to him, was always destined to be his. It was what he was born for. He could not fight against destiny. The America Ranger put his helmet on to. “Thank you,” he told him. “You’ll see you made the right choice.”

With one last look back at Jenna’s dead body, Ben stepped after the America Ranger. He would go back for her body; he would go to her funeral; he would place flowers on her grave. But now he had business to attend to. He had a mission set for him by powers unknown. With no idea what he was heading for, with no link to the morphing grid and without question; Ben followed the America Ranger outside. He could be walking to his death. He had put his trust into someone whose real name he didn’t even know. But even with all this stacked against him, it felt right.

* * *
The Europe Zord pounded the building into the ground. As the rubble fell, cries of the dying screamed out louder than the crashing bricks. The unmanned Zord swung around, stamping on a fleeing car, a people carrier full with family, then punched a hole into the roof of the leisure centre. London was under siege from what used to protect it. Three battalions of tanks rode up, the nearest to the scene and the only ones available. Fighter jets were inbound, ETA eight minutes. Raising their turrets the nearest fifty tanks opened fire, the shells exploding harmlessly on the Zords metal body. The Zord crushed them with one movement. Another fifty rolled in but were destroyed just as swiftly. By the time the jets had arrived, all 200 tanks were gone. The lives of over 1000 people destroyed. The six jump jets circled the Zord, none of them wanting to be the first to fire. One rocket left a jet and a second later the other five opened fire with their most powerful explosive. The Zord sparked and crashed to the ground. The force of the rockets knocking it over, crushing more buildings as it fell. Celebrating too early, the first plane was stopped dead by the rising arm of the Zord. Swinging a fist, a second jet was destroyed, then a third. A fourth launched another barrage of rocket fire but the Zord punched through them and the plane burst into flames as it crashed to the ground. The final two jets, in fear, swung about and attempted to make a retreat. The Zord stood to its full height once again and raised an arm. With an explosion, the fist flew from the arm, a weapon bigger than either of the jets it was chasing. The fist punched through the first jet and exploded on the second. Another six families lost somebody special. Quickly, the nanobots inside the Zord got to work and rebuilt the fist. Fully repaired and without further adversary, the Zord turned his attention back to the fleeing civilians and the local architecture. Seven more buildings were fully destroyed before the Rangers appeared in front of it.

Nobody saw them arrive. One minute they were in peril and alone, the next, two Rangers standing there. Were they here to save them? Or to kill them? They didn’t know. But there was no way two men, even Rangers, could possibly defeat this Zord when an entire army was destroyed by it.

“This should be your Zord, Ben,” The America Ranger told him. “With the morpher you should be able to deactivate it… but as it does not seem to be responding to you… there is only one other way we will be able to save all these people.” Holding his arm vertical and his morpher up towards his mouth, his right arm pressed a button on his watch morpher as he spoke the words,

“America Zord Launch!”

A blinding white light and as sudden as the Rangers appeared, there was a Zord. Coloured as the America Ranger was, it crashed to the ground on its feet, already in a fighter stance. The America Ranger was nowhere to be seen but his voice boomed from the Zord, “Europe Ranger! Do not be alarmed!”

The America Zord’s hand opened and a beam of light shot down towards Ben. His molecules separated, he felt light. The world rushed past him and the next thing he knew he was sitting in the Zord’s head next to the America Ranger who sat in front of a board of controls.

“Sorry about that. Normally your morpher would allow you to teleport up into the cockpit yourself, but since yours isn’t working… I thought you needed a hand.”

Ben gave thumbs up to the America Ranger, “Thanks man, But where did you get this from?!”

The America Ranger laughed at him, his usual deep, booming, American scoff, “What? You think the world was under attack and the first place I ran was here? I saved D.C. first and picked up this bad boy! Now let’s knock yours down for the count!”

The America Zord’s arm was suddenly armed with a battle-axe. Double bladed and green. The America Zord throws the axe through the air, spinning as it goes until it connects with the back of the Europe Zord. A huge explosion blasts from the Zord and it falls down. The axe returned back to the hand of the America Zord.

“We will try to keep casualties low and finish this fight quickly, but I’m afraid with two huge machines fighting in the middle of the city…” The America Ranger’s sentence is cut off as he dives out of the way of a fearsome punch from the Europe Zord.

“Is there anything I can do?!” Ben asks the America Ranger as he clings on to his seat.

“Just hold tight!” The Ranger yells as he makes the Zord strike out with his axe. More sparks fly and the Europe Zord is, once again, knocked back. A building crumbles under the feet of the staggering enemy.

This isn’t right! Ben stares helplessly from the cockpit as he sees the building collapse and people running screaming. We must help these people! I must help these people! This can’t happen here!

Suddenly his morpher starts to vibrate and beep. He holds it up to the America Ranger. “What’s going o……”
Before his sentence is finished the America Zord and the Europe Zord vanish in a white light. Ben feels light and free again. The weight of his body gone. Then, as before, he bumps back into his body and is still sitting in the cockpit of the America Zord.

Outside the landscape was countryside. No other person around for miles. As the Zord turned so the people in the cockpit could check out their surroundings they were blown off their feet by an exploding fist. As they struggled to get up another explosion knocked them back down. As holes appeared on the America Zord, the nanobots raced furiously to patch it up. Another explosion rocked the cockpit and once again prevented the Zord from returning to its feet.

“What did you do?!” the America Ranger shouted above the alarms.

“I don’t know!” The Europe Zord attacked again, eager to destroy its prey. Another explosion shaking the entire machine.

“That’s enough!” shouted the America Ranger. “I’ve had all I’m gonna take from this Zord!” From the ground the America Zord threw the battle-axe once again. Hitting the Europe Zord, it gave them enough time to get to their feet. Catching the axe, the American Ranger shouted out, “Axe Cannon!” Holding the blades of the axe like a grip, the end of the handle opened revealing a large barrel. Tubes moved from the Zord and connected to the axe. Three purple lights glowed on the top of the cannon.

“FIRE!”

A mass of purple power launched from the end of the axe cannon. The force of the hit shot the Europe Zord into the air. It crashed down on the ground 90 feet back. It left a crater in the ground. The Europe Zord buzzed and sparks flew from it as it tried to stand again but it fell to the ground once more.

The America Zord posed as the Ranger turned to Ben and told him, “Quick, whilst it’s down you should be able to climb inside!”
Ben was teleported to the ground and ran for the Europe Zord, not knowing what he would do when he got there. This was all moving too fast for Ben. So much had happened but he had no answers. Apart from he was supposed to be the Blue Europe Ranger and he was chosen by someone…. Something.

As he grew close to the cockpit of the Europe Zord his morpher buzzed again and he found himself inside the Zord. Before he could touch anything his morpher vibrated one more time and the controls inside flickered off. The Zord stopped sparking. From an earphone inside his helmet he heard the America Ranger’s voice.

“Well done. The Zord has been powered down. Teleport out and the Zord can return to be repaired. The Power Ranger no longer has control of it.” Ben let out a sigh of relief and his heartbeat slowed to it’s regular pace. “The Zord is yours now, Ben.”

Both Zords disappeared and Ben was standing in a field next to the America Ranger, both of them had removed their helmets.

The America Ranger held out hid hand to Ben and Ben shook it, “Thanks, but what’s your name?”

“I’m Ace Shephard, the green America Ranger.” He smiled again so Ben could see all of his straight, white teeth. “You teleported both Zords out of the city. How did you do that?”

Ben shrugged, “I don’t know… I didn’t intend to. What does it mean?”

“I don’t know… But I think it’s time we find your answers. Before we can save the rest of the world, we must find out what's wrong. Let’s go see him.”

“Who is he?”

“I haven’t met him yet. But I know that he is the man with the answers.”

“How?” Ben asked, not convinced by the America Ranger.

“My link to the Morphing Grid. You should have the link to but for some reason…. Well… we’ll ask him.”

Ben rolled his eyes, “ASK WHO?!”

“Marc Zendon.”

GreyRanger

03-30-2008, 04:37 PM

Awesome premier of the zords man and Ben's probelms get a little deeper. Keep it up.

Beckoner

03-31-2008, 11:56 PM

Hmm, a twist so early in the series? I'm liking this! Looking forward to chapter 3!

Einsider

04-04-2008, 10:35 AM

Thanks man - nearly finished the evil ranger's suit, so will post it and the next chapter as soon as the suit is done.

Einsider

04-06-2008, 03:07 PM

A few Ninja weapons are used in the next chapter. I think they're pretty self-explanatory but this link will just take you to a website showing you the weapons and their uses just incase you were interested

http://www.entertheninja.com/ninja_fact/weapons.php

Chapter 3.

The Man In The Wheelchair

His breathing was fast and he breathed deeply from his oxygen mask.
“It’s ok Dad, we’ll be ok.” Art didn’t believe his own words. Emergency lighting came on and the UN members exchanged worried glances.

“What do we do?” One of them asked.

“He can’t actually get in here can he?” asked another.

“We don’t know what he’s capable of,” answered Utterson. “We’ll just have to wait.”

A voice boomed from the surface once more, “Yes Utterson! Stay there and wait for me! Stay there and wait for death!” A deafening laugh followed.

“That’s it!” one of the UN members stood up, “I’m not staying here! To hell with this!” He ran for the exit and banged on the door. “Hey open up! Let me out!” Screams screeched from the outside. Something pounded back, the sick sound of skull on metal, and the man backed off from the door. “Oh God!”

A clanging sounds and three dents appeared in the door, the metal twisting and bending into grotesque shapes. Marc Zendon breathed harder into his oxygen mask, calm in his eyes. He spoke to his son, “Stay calm Art, it will be ok.”

“If you say so Dad… I’ll believe you.”

“It will be ok.”

The door finally gave and crashed to the floor. A troop of un-manned SARCOS soldiers walked into the room and started spreading out, encircling the eight people in the room. Utterson pulled a six-shooter from her handbag and empties the barrel into one of the soldiers. Naturally, it does nothing.
The Power Ranger’s voice calls out again from the darkness, “Nice try Utterson! But now you die.”
The soldiers raised their arms and Zendon sat upright and strong as the rest of the group cowered.

“STOP!” A voice commanded from the broken doorway. The SARCOS soldiers turned to face the newcomers but before they could react the Rangers were in the room and already cutting them to pieces. The twelve soldiers were destroyed. The Power Ranger’s voice screamed at them, “WHO ARE YOU?!” A rhetorical question.

“Marc Zendon?” The America Ranger asked, “We are the new Rangers. We need your help.”
Utterson interrupted him, “That’s all fine, but we need you to save us first!”
Ace turned his head to face Utterson and said, “Of course.”
“Europe Ranger, let’s go!”

“NO NEED!” A brilliant black light flashed in the room. Purple mist swirled and dissipated. A figure was standing in the room. His suit glowing evil, his black visor bleeding across his face. His helmet spikes and his body covered in vicious looking armour. The bronze under his armour glowed ferociously but reflected a light that wasn’t present in the room and shined only evil. The faces of the dead screaming under the surface.

“I am here for you Rangers! I am the only Ranger! I will destroy you!”

“It’s the Power Ranger!” a man shouts from behind the desk.

“No! I am not the Power Ranger anymore!” A man made a run for the door and the man in the evil power suit threw a weapon, four shuriken ninja stars, each hitting their target in the back. He fell down dead and the stars returned to the Ranger’s hand. “I am the Noir Ranger! I am death!”
“You are nothing! We will beat you!” Ben shouts to the Noir Ranger, a sudden influx of courage. His broadsword appears in his hand and he steps on a chair, launching himself across the room, striking out at the Noir Ranger.

“Ranger Void!”

A Yari appeared in the Noir Ranger’s hand and he parried the attack. As Ben fell the Noir Ranger scratched at his chest with metal fingernails. Sparks flew and Ben dropped to the ground in pain. By the time Ben looked up, the Noir Ranger was already holding a Naginata in his hands, a long staff with a blade attached to one end. As he stuck down, Ben braced himself for a fatal blow but a hand slid into his and the Ace pulled him out from under the blade. As the Noir Ranger let go of the weapon it disappeared.

“How do you do that?!” Ace shouts.

The Noir Ranger laughs at him, “Fool! I am the most powerful ranger, any weapon I choose I can take from the void! The Morphing Grid transcends universes, and from the spaces in between I can draw my weapons!” His hand extends and he draws a sword from nowhere. “Now, you fake Rangers, you shall be punished for defying me!” The Noir Ranger dives into battle, swinging his sword wildly. Ace and Ben duck under his attack and both punch forwards, catching the Noir Ranger in his stomach. Sparks flash and he flies backwards.

“We’re stronger than you Noir Ranger. You’re finished!”

“Not yet Rangers,” he forms another fighter stance, “I may have underestimated you but you shall not defeat me today!” He runs again with the sword and Ace parries his attack and strikes an elbow at his head whilst Ben slides under his feet, tripping him up. The Rangers draw their weapons and pose for the Noir Ranger.

“Had enough?!”

“This isn’t right,” the NoirRanger mutters to himself from the floor. “Why are they so much faster than me?” He jumps to his feet and shouts to the Rangers, “I will be back, make no mistake!” With a black and purple mist, the Noir Ranger disappears. Ace holds up his hand to Ben to high five but Ben steps back and pulls off his helmet.

“What were you thinking?! Why did you bring me here?! You nearly got me killed!”

“Hey buddy, you ran into battle yourself! I didn’t tell you to do that, it was your choice! You know why you did that?! Because you’re a Power Ranger, and that’s what we do!” Ace retorts, taking off his helmet also. Madam Utterson stands up from behind her chair.

“You’re Power Rangers?” Ben and Ace exchange glances.

“Yes,” Ace tells her, “Yes we are.” He strikes a pose and smiles to the room. “I am the America Ran…” Utterson interrupts him.

“Are you the ones here to save us?!

His pose fails, “Yes, we are here to save you.” He smiles and tries again, “I am the America Ra…” he is interrupted again as Art speaks over him.

“Is this it? Aren’t there any more of you?” Ben looks at Ace who just shrugs back to him.

“I’m afraid… we don’t know… we were hoping… We’re looking for Marc Zendon. He has the answers.”

Art steps back revealing his wheelchair bound father, “Does he?”

* * *
The old man smiles, “I knew you’d come, I never doubted it. Ever since I found the Morphing Grid… I always knew that the real Rangers would come one day. The chosen.”

Ben walks over to Zendon and bends down to his level, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I need your help. I didn’t choose this and my morpher isn’t working. Please… can you help me?”

In a strained voice, Zendon replied, “Why don’t you want to be a Ranger?”

“I do! It’s just… I didn’t choose this and… I…”

“You’re scared?” Zendon suggested.

“Who wouldn’t be?”

“A Ranger wouldn’t be scared.”

“Then maybe I’m not a Ranger.” Concluded Ben.

“You looked like a Ranger when you attacked the NoirRanger. You acted like a Hero.” Ben smiled, embarrassed by the compliment.

A light socket sparked and one of the bulbs above them blew. “We should get out of here, get to somewhere safer.” Utterson commanded. “Everyone prepare to move to Contingency 3.”

“No!” Marc Zendon’s voice struggled to be heard by the whole room. “We must go to the Ranger base.”

“What?!” the whole room asked him in surprise.

“What are you talking about Zendon?” Questioned Utterson.

“There was a secret facility I created for the Rangers years ago. It was created for the real Rangers. Its name is Liberty Contingency.”

“How do we get there?” Ben asked.

“Only Rangers can get there, it is accessed through your morphers.”

Art shook his head, “but dad, then surely anybody with a morpher can get in, what is stopping the NoirRanger from getting into this base with his morpher?”

Zendon held out his hand, “please, lend me your morpher.” Ben passed his morpher into Zendon’s hand. “These morphers were not created by me. They are from the morphing grid itself. I modelled mine on these, but these are far superior – only these morphers can access Liberty Contingency. The NoirRanger’s morpher will not be able to get into the base.”

“But if only Rangers can get in there,” Utterson questioned, “How do we get in there?” referring to herself and the other UN leaders.

“I’m afraid you don’t.” Was Zendon’s answer. “Rangers, we must leave.”

Ben stood up. “I can’t come Zendon, I can’t use my morpher. It won’t work for me. What’s wrong?”

Zendon took a breath from his oxygen tank. “I’m not sure. I can run a test from Liberty Contingency. Even if you cannot use your morpher, you should still be able to use it to access the base.”

“But I can’t even power down!” panicked Ben.

“Calm down,” Zendon drew another breath, “it will work. Just say, “Return to Base.””
Ace and Ben stood side by side and pressed the button on their morphers.

“Return to Base!!”

The world fazed out around them and un-focused. When the world righted itself they were standing in a new room. Marc Zendon and Art were there also. Zendon walked over and smiled to the Rangers. He looked younger. “See, Ben, I told you it would work. Come over here and let’s look at your morpher.” The Rangers were confused. The room was huge and lined wall to wall with computer screens and consoles. In the middle of the room was a huge buzzing hub with wires connecting together all the other equipment in the room.

“How are you walking? What’s happened?” Ben asked, confused, as he walked over to the console Zendon had sat down in front of.
“Liberty Contingency exists within the Morphing Grid. That is why only Rangers can get here. It is why I can walk here and I don’t need my oxygen tank.”
Ace walked over to the console, “But you’re not a Ranger, I’d know.”
“No, I’m not a Ranger, but I am connected to the Morphing Grid. Please don’t ask me how, I don’t know, I just am. It is in my genes, which is why Art can get here as well. But we are not Rangers; we don’t have the power of the grid. We are to help you.”

“Then please,” Ben asked, “Start explaining. Tell us about ourselves, and what did Art mean? Are there more of us?”

Zendon nods, “Legend talks of five rangers being sent to defend Earth.”

“But we don’t have any more morphers,” sighed Ace. “I was at work when an explosion knocked me off my seat. I woke up in a dark place and in front of me two morphers glowed in the air. I was drawn to one, the green one. As soon as I touched it I was morphed into my ranger suit and the Grid suddenly filled me with knowledge. And I could sense Ben’s presence. I can’t feel anyone else.”

Zendon shut his eyes in thought and pinched the top of his nose. Opening his eyes he said, “Perhaps the grid has not awakened anybody else yet. Only time will tell at this point. Ben, give me your morpher.” Ben took the morpher off his wrist and passed it to Zendon, “Right, let’s find us some answers!”

Ben’s morpher sits inside a machine, turning like it was in a microwave. Answers were coming for Ben and there was a lot for him to learn. Zendon takes a blood sample from Ben and tests it against the morpher.

“Zendon, when we were fighting the Europe Zord, Ben teleported us and the Zords out of the city – how did he do it? What happened?” Ace asked as they waited for the results.

“Hmmm…” Zendon mused, “We won’t know for definite until we get the results back, but I think it’s to do with Ben’s morph. He was supposed to be the blue Europe Ranger but he hasn’t become that ranger. As far as I can tell he was trying to become a more powerful ranger.”

Zendon holds a scanner up to Ben’s suit and it ticks like a Geiger counter. “It seems that Ben’s suit is emitting bursts of power randomly, if he was angry or emotional, it could have reacted with his morpher to create… possibly random results.”

“But my morpher isn’t working for me!” Ben responded.

“Because you have not become the Europe Ranger.”

“Can somebody please tell me who I have become then?!” exclaimed Ben.

“You are the War Europe Ranger. You were created when you were morphing for murder.”

“But I’m not violent. I don’t want to kill people. It was just for that second… I…” Ben looks downcast. He didn’t want to be a violent ranger; he didn’t want to go down the road Jed took. He wasn’t a bad guy.

“It doesn’t matter, once you became the War Europe Ranger, without a morpher you cannot power down.”

“What can I do?” Ben pleaded.

“Once we get the results of the tests I’ll be able to tell you. But for now you have work to do!”

Art came out from another room, clipboard in hand. “Three more continents to save from the Noir Ranger’s dark Zords; helmets on Rangers!”

“Don’t worry Ben,” Ace grinned, “We’ll get you sorted, and we’ve all got your back.” They slid their helmets on and prepared to return to Earth. “Just, when we’re down there… make sure you’ve got mine.” Ben heard Ace chuckle at his own joke through his earpiece.

(The Noir Ranger's new suit is now in the first post. Hope you like it! Credit to Acatl and Metal Lion)

GreyRanger

04-06-2008, 03:52 PM

Nice chapter, and finally a little explanation. Still can't wait to know about these 'chosen' and what's really going on here.

Beckoner

04-07-2008, 06:13 AM

Didn't expect the Noir Ranger to appear so soon! I'm liking this so far. Keep it up! I'm a bit lost as to who the hell the rest of the Rangers will be, but I wait patiently for em!

FlashmanX

04-07-2008, 01:50 PM

Great work
I'm not really a fan the ranger designs, though they are good (ml does great work)
I love jeds ranger form but I expected more of a blue red for the american ranger because the scene where he appears fighting the sorcos off with his shield i pic capt america as a ranger

Einsider

04-07-2008, 05:37 PM

Yes i must admit i agree. I had already posted "green" though b4 i designed the suits so i just rolled with it .... hmmmm.... I think i will re-design their suits and amend the chapters as necessary. ML does do good work, they were my designs but i got a lot of feedback from him about them.

Thanks for your input, if more people commented like that it would be so much easier for people to improve their work! I will give them a change and put them up in the 1st post again so let me know what you think of the new designs. I'll post again when they're up!

___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________

EDIT: Changed the America Ranger's suit (in first post)- it's still green (as i liked the green) but looks much better! please browse! :)

Angelfox

04-10-2008, 04:58 AM

how very interesting

Einsider

04-10-2008, 02:11 PM

hehe, thanks, glad you approve :)

Einsider

04-20-2008, 11:33 AM

Been offline for a few days because the server here at uni crashed - but now i'm back with the next chapter of Noir. Enjoy :)

Chapter 4.

Saving Asia

With a good feeling despite the situation, Ben materialised on the ground next to Ace, his pose already held. Dynamic was his middle name.

“Come on Ben, we have work to do!”

The America Ranger charged off and Ben followed. He was the War Europe Ranger and something wasn’t right. He didn’t want to be evil; he wasn’t a bad guy. He had a job to do and justice to up hold. His fists tightened. It didn’t matter what his name was. He had the power and he had the will to only use it for good. He was going to make a difference in the world. He was going to save it.

“I’m coming!”

Downtown Tokyo, and another giant monster was attacking the city. Except Godzilla was a baby compared to the carnage the Asia Zord was creating. Towering above everything around it, the Asia Zord stomped on buildings like they were paper. People were just ants.

“Here we go again, I suppose it’s time to bring our Zords in?” Ben asked.

“I think you’re right.” Ace raised his morpher but before he could call in the America Zord a voice spoke to him.

“Hey America! It’s Zendon, I can communicate with you through your morphers! Listen, don’t destroy the Asia Zord! If you capture it we can use it!”

“Do we need it if we have the America and Europe Zord?” Ace questioned.

“Yes, but I don’t have time to explain. You need to find the Asia Ranger.”

Ben and Ace exchanged looks. There was another Ranger?

“But we don’t have a morpher to give him. And I can’t sense him. How would we know who he was?” A petrol station nearby exploded, both Rangers duck out of instinct. “Hurry Zendon!”

“I don’t know! But if you don’t find him you can’t re-take the Zord! Find him!”

The Rangers shared an exasperated sigh, “What the fuck do we do?” Ben asked.

Ace shook his head, “Who knows, finding the Asia Ranger is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack.” The gigantic Zord smashed it’s foot down and the ground rumbled. Buildings fell. “Let’s just sort out this Zord, or more people will die!”

As he prepared to call his Zord again Ben shouted to him, “Ace! Look out!” Seven SARCOS units advanced, preparing to attack the Rangers. As they watched, more units were closing in on groups of civilians. The America Ranger sighed. He’d never be able to use his cool Zord call. He’d even thought up a pose for it as well.

“Look out for these ones! They’re advanced!” Ben shouted to Ace as a SARCOS soldier roared at him. “They have heads for fuck’s sake!”

The SARCOS version III soldiers, struck faster and more fluidly than the models used in Britain. The arms now had fists on the end; the body more robust and the top of the unit had a head with two glowing red eyes. They were less of a suit and more an automatic soldier.

Axe in hand he joined Ben who was already in conflict, his sword spinning and impaling two SARCOS robots with one swift move. “Kebab?”

“Smart Ass!” The America Ranger decapitated a SARCOS head before slicing the legs of another two units. “This is easy!” He jeered. A soldier swung for his head, which he swiftly disabled, not seeing the other unit behind him swinging a fist at the back of his head. Before the hit connected Ben flew out of nowhere and knocked the SARCOS soldier to the ground. He pulled the wires from the power pack and the robot offlined. Without time to pose, albeit the unexplainable explosion behind them, the Rangers ran into their next battle. The safety of the civilians was top priority, and right now, regardless of the giant Zord destroying the city, these people were in direct danger.

The SARCOS soldiers served no problem once again. They were simply a tally for the Ranger’s blades. “Thank Grid they’re not actually alive,” said Ace as he cut a soldier in half, “Otherwise I might actually feel bad doing this!” As the last of the SARCOS robots that were attacking the group fell the civilians thanked the Rangers in a language they didn’t understand. Japanese obviously.

Ace smiled his arrogant grin even though nobody could see it under his helmet. But before the victory had properly settled in an explosion and a scream brought both the Rangers, and Ace’s grin, back to reality with disturbing realism. The explosion was the building crumbling next to them, Ben watched as windows shattered and brick cascaded onto the tarmac below. Ben grabbed a young girl and pulled her out of the way, turning his back on the shower of glass that would have ripped her to pieces but fell harmlessly on his suit.

The scream was from two women, across the street, trapped inside a building by SARCOS soldiers at the door. The building was crumbling like the one across the street. Ace knew he had no time at all. Throwing his Axe ahead of him, it jutted into the power pack of the first soldier. The other two soldiers were knocked down as Ace flew feet first into them. Pulling his axe from the body of the first soldier he swiftly disposed of the downed robots then held out his hand to the first woman.

“Quick! You must run!”

“No!” screamed one of the distressed women.

“The robots are gone now, leave before the building collapses!” Ace urged. “Please!”

They spoke rapidly to him in Japanese but he couldn’t understand them. His morpher bleeped and Zendon spoke, “Don’t worry Ace, I’ve got it.” Suddenly the Japanese voices made sense to him as if they were speaking English.

“Zendon, how did you do that?”

“Later! Go save Tokyo!”

“Please leave before the building collapses!” Ace urged again. “Go!”

They understood him this time. “We can’t leave, there are others of us inside! They ran to get away from these… things! Please, You must save them!” They were getting near hysterical. A lump of brick crashed outside.

Ace spoke into his morpher, “There’s still people in this building, Europe! I am going to rescue them!”

Ben replied.

The two women smiled and thanked Ace, who simply pointed outside.
“Now RUN!” he told them and headed further into the building.

* * *
“It’s okay, trust me, you will be alright.” Ben held the crying girl in his arms. She couldn’t have been older than eight. He wasn’t used to consoling… well, anybody. And certainly not for the grief of a loved one. But this little girl’s father lay dead less than sixty feet away and she needed a hug. Although he told her everything would be okay, he knew it wouldn’t and once again he felt that he wasn’t up to the job. His morpher bleeped and Ace spoke to him.

“Okay America, careful though! The building looks like it’s going to fall any second! Get in and get out!”

Two women ran over to him in streams of tears. As they ran they called to the Europe Ranger. A mixture of helps and thank you’s.

“Everything will be okay,” he said again. These repetitions just making his words seem even more unreal. Each time he said them; the words meant less and were worth nothing. But it made them smile and it gave them hope. It didn’t completely console him to what he thought were lies, but it made him feel a bit better about it. Their reaction making him seem less like a fake.

The Asia Zord grew closer and the ground shook. Chunks of brick vibrated and moved. The women screamed and the little girl cried some more. Ben knelt down and spoke to her,

“I’ll be right back.”

He stood and posed. Even without a Morpher he stood and said, “Europe Zord Launch!” His head felt like it was about to explode. A Zord’s foot landed next to him. As he looked up the sun reflected off the metal. The Asia Zord had missed him by only a few feet. It raised its foot again to finish the job. Ben was frozen like a rabbit in headlights. He should never have left the rabbit hole. As death descended upon him he tried to stand strong but his knees quivered. Then, just before impending nothingness overwhelmed him, the Asia Zord was knocked off balance and fell backwards. Within moments Ben was in the cockpit of a Zord. But it looked different. It was not the blue theme of the Europe Zord, but a mixture of blood red and black. The eyes of the Zord glowing fire and dressed with the emblems of burning flags. The War Europe Zord stood menacingly above the city and his fallen opponent. People ran in fear.

“Ben!” shouted Zendon’s voice through the speakers inside the Zord, “What did you do? You’ve altered the Europe Zord’s construct! I can’t recall it! Ben?!”

Ben looked around the cockpit. There were no controls, but with each of his thoughts the Zord moved. “Awesome.”

But before the feeling had fully set in, horror overwhelmed him.

“Ace?! Ace?!” he screamed. “CAN. YOU. HEAR. ME!?” As he looked out of the cockpit at the downed Asia Zord, which was slowly climbing to its feet, he saw the building it had landed on. It was the building that Ace had just run into moments before.

And Ben felt sick.

* * *
“Now RUN!”

As he headed further into the building, Ace looked over his shoulder one last time before turning the corner. He saw the two women meet up with Ben and knew he had done well. The building rumbled and he saw a crack appear in a wall. Picking up the pace he started jogging. He certainly didn’t want to be in here when this place came crashing down. He opened a pair of double doors and hundreds of books were scattered on the floor, obviously fallen from the shelves. The huge, previously elegant, library was looking somewhat dishevelled from the beating the city had been taking. As he ran between the shelves a rumbling caused one of them to fall and only a quick dive from the America Ranger stopped him from being crushed by the wooden shelving.

Ace whistled, “That was close!”

Another shelf fell towards him and a back-flip narrowly saved him again. But this was not an accident. Behind the falling shelf stood five Mark III SARCOS robots. They raised their guns and fired towards Ace. The Green Shield appeared on his arm, the rectangular riot-shield offering him safety from the lasers. Using the shelves and his shield as cover he circled around the SARCOS and incapacitated one of the units with a swift strike from the sharp lower edge of his shield. The next robot felt the strike of his Axe in its back. The two closest units swung at him. The left cross of the first soldier missing but the right hook of the second connecting with Ace’s helmet. A quick sideways flip back onto his feet allowed Ace to keep his advantage and he struck back with his axe. Sparks flew as the first soldier was cut in half. The Axe disappeared as Ace struck out with his fist, an uppercut right onto the chin of the SARCOS soldier. It raised the body five feet into the air. The final soldier fired its laser at the America Ranger. Calmly he deflected the laser fire with his shield, deflecting the beam into the path of the falling SARCOS soldier. The blast exploded on the robot, dividing it into two parts, the lower part flying backwards and crashing down on top of the laser-firing soldier. The combined impact caused an explosion that shook the library. Ace posed even though there was nobody around to see it. His grin shining brilliantly under his helmet. He was the Captain of Smug.

A clapping sound brought him back to reality. Four girls in their late teens, who must have been cowering under a desk, stood up and were clapping his victory.

“I was just doing my job ladies, no need to thank me!… I’m kidding, want me to sign something?”

A Zord footstep made the floor tremor and cracks appeared suddenly in the mosaic styled floor. A column cracked from the floor to the ceiling. Ace could see it visibly quivering under the weight of the roof.

“We’ve got to leave! NOW...”

The world went in slow motion as the roof caved in. Ace saw the shining metal of the Asia Zord break through the ceiling before everything went dark.

“Ace?! Ace?!…..CAN. YOU. HEAR. ME!?”

GreyRanger

04-20-2008, 11:35 AM

Awesome chapter man, but i can't believe you didn't keep the same title...so disappointed man.
Is Ace alive? And who is this Asia Ranger that they're supposed to be findin?

Einsider

04-20-2008, 11:45 AM

For the answer to those questions you will have to wait - but the title needed to be changed because "Taking Asia" just sounds like a bad porn film!

GreyRanger

04-20-2008, 12:09 PM

Hence the hilarity man

Einsider

04-22-2008, 10:36 AM

Chapter 5.

The Third Ranger

The world was confusing. Ace had never had a fantastic understanding of physics but he was pretty sure he should be dead now. With his reckoning, even with his power suit, the weight of the roof should have pretty much crushed him flat.

It must have been a miracle.

How long was he out?

He wasn’t sure. The implosion of the roof left him feeling dazed and confused. He ached all over. His legs were caught under rubble. He used the last of his strength to pull himself out. Everything seemed to be in working order but he felt drained.

Coming to his sense a bit more he noticed that in his unconscious state he had de-morphed. With his strength gone he couldn’t sustain his power. He tried to raise his arm to morph into the America Ranger again but couldn’t find the energy. The dust made him cough and his eyes water. At least there was no one around to witness his pathetic self.

He must have banged his head hard because above him a person stood in yellow. He must be hallucinating. The figure stood before him holding up the roof. Like Atlas and the sky, this figure was the only thing standing between Ace and the crushing sky above.

“Would you move?! This thing is heavy!”

Ace blinked. He was very confused.

“What?!”

* * *

Dust erupted from the collapsed building. It was hard for Ben to register. It seemed too unreal. Zendon was still screeching in his ear.

“Ben?! What did you do to the Europe Zord?! Ben?! Ben?! Can you hear me?!”

He tried to speak but his throat stuck. He hadn’t even known the guy for a day. He hadn’t even got to know him. He knew nothing about him. And now he was dead. He swallowed but still couldn’t speak. He had been a Ranger for less time than he had spent total on the toilet and his only partner had been killed. And regardless of whether it was Ben’s fault or not, he felt guilty. He hated being a Ranger. All he felt was guilty. All he saw was death. Less than a day but it felt like a lifetime. If it wasn’t for the lunging attack of the new standing Asia Zord and his innate reflex for self survival, he felt like dying right there and then.

The War Europe Zord raised its arms at Ben’s thought and blocked the punch. With a swinging hook the War Europe Zord struck back, knocking the Asia Zord back a few paces. The Asia Zord swayed off balance and with lightning fast speed the War Europe Zord ran forward and stopped it from falling on another building. Ben didn’t want any more deaths.

Not today.

But the Asia Zord cared not for any life. With the essence of the Noir Ranger controlling it, the Asia Zord struck back, this time knocking the War Europe Zord off balance and sending it crashing into another building. The street was decimated; the city had a lot to re-build. And Ben hoped beyond hope that there was nobody left inside that building. He stood again and moved with determined force. Knowing what he was planning to do, the War Europe Zord grabbed the Asia Zord and hurled it towards a park. The swings were destroyed as the Asia Zord landed and several trees wouldn’t flower again, but the wide-open space of the park should prevent any more destruction and death. Jumping high, Ben brought his Zord down hard onto the Asia Zord. Sparks flew as the Asia Zord tried to parry the attack but with little success.

The War Europe Zord posed, ready for battle. Ben let the Asia Zord stand. He wanted a fair fight. As if the Asia Zord had a sense of artistic integrity, it posed also. A stand off of aesthetics.

Ben readied himself, his mind aching with tactics. The Asia Zord stood without thought. As if somebody had shouted go, each Zord lunged for the other.

As Ace climbed out of the rubble he saw the sparks fly.

* * *

Still trapped under the rubble, Ace smiled sheepishly.

“You know, normally I’d kick ass at this job. The ceiling collapsing so suddenly kind of took me by surprise.”

“Don’t worry about it stud.”

“You’re a girl right? I mean, you look like a girl… and I don’t think I’ve ever been called “stud” by a guy before.”

……..

“Well there was this one time but I’d kinda like to forget about that…”

“Yeah, I’m a girl… and you talk way too much,” answered the Asia Ranger.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I think you’ve told me things I really don’t want to know,” she assured him.

“No, I mean… you’re really a girl?”

The Asia Ranger stayed silent but the sound of unimpressed and agitated was deafening. Ace could sense the evils he was getting from behind the visor of the Asia Ranger.

“Okay…. So do you have a name?” he asked.

“Can I tell you later?”

“Over dinner?”

“How about when I’ve put this roof down?”

Ace scrambled out from under the wreckage grabbing the three girls who had been cheering him before the roof caved in. He got them outside and stood back as the Asia Ranger lowered the portion of roof she had caught to the ground. Sparks flew in the distance and Ace watched as the Asia Zord battled a Zord he had never seen before.

“Where’s the fourth one? Wasn’t there one more of you?” he asked the girls. They simple pointed to the yellow Asia Ranger as she walked out from the destroyed building.

“I couldn’t sense you before. But I can feel you now. What changed?” Ace asked the Asia Ranger.

“Anna.”

“What?”

“My name is Anna,” she told Ace, “And I don’t know what happened. One minute the roof began to cave in and then the next I was in darkness and this was… floating in front of me.” She held up her arm, indicating her morpher. “When the world came back I was dressed like this and I knew that if I didn’t catch that roof… you would die.”

She explained a lot but very little at the same time.

“Thanks Anna,” Ace grinned. “Now let’s get your Zord.”

Ace thumped his arm across his chest and punched it forward. He pulled his arm back, holding his morpher near his mouth as he shouted,

“Go Time! America Ranger.”

With the blink of an eye Ace was wearing his green power suit. His armour shined in the sun.

“Don’t worry, you can be impressed.” Ace told her.

Anna’s hand fell to her hip as she asked, “You always like this?”

“Pretty much.”

Side by side they ran towards the park where Ben’s War Europe Zord was still battling the Asia Zord. Ace had no idea what was going on, this wasn’t the Europe Zord but it felt the same. With his connection to the grid he could still feel the Europe Zord, but it seemed different. It felt dirty.

“That’s not how it’s supposed to be is it?” Anna asked Ace.

“No, definitely not. You’ve got to take control of the Asia Zord as quick as you can,” Ace was concerned.

“Right.”

As she got closer to the Zord she felt her link with it stronger. It was her Zord, and some force had usurped it.

A group of SARCOS soldiers surrounded the two Rangers. The came from nowhere and were suddenly attacking the two unsuspecting Rangers. Without asking questions and without breaking stride, Anna’s two Kirpans appeared in her hands and she started striking the soldiers. Ace’s weapon of choice was his shield again, which he found was effective against these laser wielding enemies.

As they fought on the ground, Ben’s fight raged on in his Zord. The Asia Zord refused to go down. He still refused to answer Zendon who hadn’t stopped yelling in his ear since he had entered the War Europe Zord. The fight was all consuming. He wanted to win. This was his fight. And this fight would avenge Ben. Would avenge all those killed in this war against evil.

Zendon gave up and as Ace fought the SARCOS a voice spoke to him.

“Ace, it’s Zendon. Ben isn’t answering me, you have to try and speak to him. He’s altered the Zord’s construct and all I’m reading is anomalous data. What is happening down there?”

Ace struck his shield into two soldiers before answering.

“The Zord looks different, it looks violent. And I’ve found the new Ranger. She’s with me now.”

“That’s fantastic Ace, that must be what these extra readings are… wait a minute, did you say she?!”

“Yea,” Ace smiled, “It’s a chick.”

“Fantastic! Hold on…”

The next moment Zendon’s voice was in Anna’s helmet, putting her off and getting her punched in the face. She landed on the ground on her back, stunned from the attack. A soldier stood over her and raised its gun but Ace’s axe flew through the air and incapacitated the robot.

“Now we’re even,” Ace joked.

“What the fuck was that?!” Anna said.

“I think you mean who was that,” Zendon’s voice replied in her helmet

“Am I going mad?!”

“No, don’t worry, my name is Zendon. I’ll explain everything later. I’m just glad we found you.”

“Yea well,” Anna said as she jumped to her feet and swung her weapons as the nearest SARCOS soldiers, “Thanks, but let’s talk another time. I’m busy.”

Her final blow to her last enemy coincided with Ace’s last attack and the two Rangers posed as the robotic bodies sparked on the floor.

“How am I supposed to take control of the Asia Zord?” Anna asked Ace. “I can sense the connection but I can’t teleport into it, something is blocking my connection.”

“The Noir Ranger has a too strong connection with it. If Ben can weaken it enough you should be able to teleport inside,” Ace explained.

“How much does he have to weaken it?”

“Nearly completely, it’s a fine line. If Ben attacks too much then the Zord will be destroyed, not enough and the Noir Ranger will keep control of it.”

“Can’t we help? Can’t we use your Zord?”

“I don’t want to over do it. Ben’s Zord looks powerful, he should be able to handle it… I just hope he knows when to stop…”

Inside the War Europe Zord Ben attacked without mercy. Ace was dead and he blamed himself and the Asia Zord. Jenna was dead and he blamed himself for not acting. Hundreds of children were orphaned and he blamed the Noir Ranger. And the Noir Ranger must pay for what he had done.

“Ben, can you hear me? I’ve found the Asia Ranger. We can take control of the Zord… Ben?”

But Ben couldn’t hear Ace’s voice above the explosions of battle and the thumping of his own heart in his ears. Blood flowed through his body like poison, each pump that kept him alive felt like bad joke. Life was taunting him, keeping him alive whilst those around him died. He wanted to do good but he only seemed to bring death and if he had to bear death, then he was going to give it to those who deserved it. He rage boiled as he stuck again with his fist.

The Asia Zord buckled under his fist and fell backwards once more and once again it got back onto its feet.

Ace tried again to speak to Ben but he still didn’t respond.

“This isn’t good,” Ace told the Asia Ranger, “He isn’t replying and he isn’t stopping.”

“What can we do?”

“I have to control him… otherwise we’ll lose everything.”

Ace sighed and contacted Ben once more.

“Ben, if you can hear me and can’t reply, then just back down from the Asia Zord…. If you’re just ignoring me then…. I’m sorry.”

Anna and Ace waited but the War Europe Zord kept pounding the Asia Zord, who stood no chance. In a few minutes there would be nothing left but a pile of metal. Ben had lost it. He was distraught. The line between hero and villain is thin. Soon Ben would cross that line, even if he did not mean to. He would blur the distinction between good and bad and the world would not see him as a saviour. And although the Noir Ranger may fear and crumble to this power, evil should never replace evil. Two wrongs do not make a right and the ends never justify the means.

“He isn’t listening to me…I’ve got to do this Anna…”

She nodded.

“America Zord Launch!”

They were brought into shadow for a moment as the America Zord landed next to them and within seconds they were in the cockpit.

“Go careful with him Ace.”

“As careful as I have to be…”

GreyRanger

04-22-2008, 07:32 PM

Pretty sweet chapter man, like how Ace reacted to the Asia ranger being a chick and how he used his swagger attitude. I wonder how Anna will fit into the team.

Beckoner

04-22-2008, 10:12 PM

He releases it at last! It was funny seeing Ace act so "unprofessional" compared to the previous chapters.

Einsider

04-23-2008, 04:48 AM

What can i say? lol - i've been busy! glad you enjoyed the chapter. The next one will be up soon! but you'll have 2 wait until then!

Einsider

04-28-2008, 03:55 PM

Chapter 6.

Out of control

The War Europe Zord wasted no more time. Drawing its sword, Ben swung mercilessly at the downed Asia Zord. Each strike throwing out sparks and making the crater under the Zord that little deeper. Ben’s visor was blacked out, he wasn’t looking anymore, wasn’t thinking anymore. He was feeling. Each motion of the Zord felt like an extension of his body. Each blow an automatic response to the situation.

He felt raw with power.

At what could have been the final blow, the America Zord’s hand shot out and grabbed the War Europe Zord’s arm. Instinctively Ben swung and punched the America Zord away.

“Ben! It’s me!”

But the War Europe Zord simply struck out with its sword, only a quick dodge by Ace stopped the America Zord being skewered. The War Europe Zord struck again causing Ace to parry the attack.

“Dammit Ben!” Ace dodged another attack. “He isn’t listening. We’re going to have to attack…”

Anna’s hands tightened into fists. The Asia Zord was still down but quickly repairing itself. “The Zord is nearly destroyed but I still can’t control it…”

“It’s because of Ben, he’s blocking power around him.”

The Battle Axe appeared in the America Zord’s hand and countered the War Europe Zord’s latest attack. From the counter Ace swung low, catching the Zord in the middle. An explosion knocked Ben’s Zord back but he didn’t stop fighting, swinging at anything in the vicinity. The America Zord advanced and the two giant machines joined weapons, each strike a spark of violence. A quick fist from the War Europe Zord surprised Ace and he felt his head spin. Ben attacked again and more sparks flew from the body of the America Zord.

The attack was relentless and Ace couldn’t defend himself. But in his vicious attack Ben neglected the Asia Zord, which was now standing again, Spear in hand and on his blindside. The Asia Zord struck from behind and Ben felt physical pain, swinging round he made to decapitate the Zord but another strike knocked him to the ground.

“Now’s our chance!” screamed Anna

“Right! Axe Cannon!” Once again the Battle Axe became a huge projectile weapon and the purple light knocked the Asia Zord to the ground. Before there was time for anything else to happen, the America Zord swung its Battle Axe around again and connected with the back of the head of the downed War Europe Zord.

The jolt was enough to disturb Ben’s power and Anna teleported from the cockpit of the America Zord.

“Have you got control of the Asia Zord?!” Ace demanded.

“No!”

“Where are you?”

“With Ben.”

With Ben’s power dampened the Asia Ranger teleported herself into the cockpit of the War Europe Zord. Once inside she confronted Ben.

“Ben, can you hear me? I’m the Asia Ranger.”

Ben karate chopped her across the chest and Anna was winded as she fell back onto the floor of the cockpit. Ben drew his broadsword and Anna responded by equipping her Kirpans.

“I don’t want to fight Ben.”

Ben waved the sword at head height then swung low causing Anna to duck then jump his attack before striking out herself, slicing Ben across the chest. Sparks flew as he in turn was thrown back onto the floor. As he made to get back up, Anna back flipped over him and grabbed his helmet. As she pulled it off the War Europe Zord disappeared and they landed hard on the ground.

“Anna, the Asia Zord is still down, you’ve got to take it now though!”

Ben lay in his power suit, helmetless and dazed on the ground.

“Okay, but come and get Ben.” She teleported into the Asia Zord and soon each Zord had disappeared. The fight was over and the Rangers had taken control of the Asia Zord.

They were worried about Ben but stayed their distance whilst Ben came out of his trance. He looked groggy, his face an unhealthy colour green. He was sick on the ground.

“I’m sorry…” he murmured. “I didn’t realise what I was doing…” He looked up and saw Ace. It still hadn’t registered. He stood clumsily on his feet. Ace took off his helmet and then it hit him.

“Ace… You’re… alive… FUCK! You’re alive man!” The colour returned to his face and he ran and clamped his arms around the America Ranger. “You’re alive!!! Thank Grid! Woohoo!” he punched the air and jumped up and down.

“Man, I thought you were dead! When that building collapsed! FUCK! You’re alive!”

Ace turned his head towards the Asia Ranger who was still wearing her helmet.

“See, he just can’t get enough of me! Hey Ben, glad you’re back with us. What happened back there? What happened to you?”

“I’m not sure. I tried to call my Zord to fight the Asia Zord and then I felt my head hurt and I was inside a different Zord. It was the War Europe Zord. I felt bad things. I thought you were dead. I felt pain and revenge. I only wanted to hurt. I felt powerful but I felt scared…” Ben shuddered thinking about it. “Will Zendon know what is happening to me?”

“He’s known everything so far,” Ace replied.

“Excuse me!” the Asia Ranger piped up as she removed her helmet. Long black hair flowed out, easily reaching the base of her spine. Her eyes were dark and tempting. “I’ve got some questions. First of all, who is this Zendon? He spoke to me when I was fighting and it put me right off.”

Ace made to answer but Anna cut off the beginning of his smarmy reply.

“Two, What’s going on? Why can I feel all of this… stuff? What is the Morphing Grid?!”

“Well that’s easy,” replied Ace, “the Morphing Grid is where we draw our power from. It feeds you information and other stuff so you know it like you know yourself. Like how to fight and how to use the Zords. It’s pretty cool.”

“And we’re fighting the Noir Ranger,” added Ben, “He used to be a Ranger but now…. Well he’s kind of trying to take over the world.”

“Okay,” Anna nodded, “Now one last thing…. I grew up in Japan and never learned English… why can I understand you?”

Ace grinned and raised an eyebrow, “Well that’s because…” his grin faltered, “erm….”

“Yeah I don’t know either,” said Ben, “Let’s go ask Zendon.”

* * *

“We have a cause to celebrate, two causes actually, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves!” smiled Zendon.

The Rangers grinned, “Okay Zendon,” Ace asked, “Other than the finding of Anna and the Asia Zord, what do we have to celebrate?”

“The analysis has finished on Ben’s morpher. Basically…”

“WAIT!” Anna screamed the explanation to a halt. “Okay, how about we bring me up to speed before we start with any of this mumbo jumbo crap. Now, since you seem to understand me, how come you can understand me?! I don’t speak English!”

Zendon chuckled and rolled his eyes at his son who laughed in reply.

“That’s an easy one Anna, the Morphing Grid feeds information straight into your brain, we just made sure you got the language package. Everything you can hear, and everything you can speak, you are automatically translating in your head. We can’t have Rangers with language barriers can we?!” Zendon chuckled again.

Anna nodded, “Okay…. Right…. Now explain the rest.”

Zendon got Anna up to speed, telling her about who she was; about the Morphing Grid; about the Noir Ranger and the rogue Zords; and Ben’s Ranger problem.

“… so we ran Ben’s morpher through an analyser and we received the results whilst you were all mid-combat.”

“Right then,” Ace said, banging his hands together, “Let’s hear it then… What’s wrong with Ben?”

“I think it would be best if we spoke to Ben alone actually. Come on Ben, follow me.”

Although the others had de-morphed Ben still remain clad in his blue and red Power suit. He obeyed and followed Zendon into the next room. The inside reminded Ben of the teachers lounge in his secondary school. There was even a faint smell of stale cigarette smoke. Weird.

“Alright Ben, sit down.” Ben sat on a chair and Zendon went straight into it.

“Basically Ben… there is nothing I can do. You did this to the morpher; there must be some power in you, something that the others don’t have… Only you can change back. The War Europe Morpher gives you a lot of power; it has made you far more powerful than either of the others. But the power is too much for you. The blackout you had today in the War Europe Zord was the power taking over. It feeds on your emotions. If you let it take over you completely then you will cease to be Ben. It will consume you until there is nothing left that makes you human anymore…”

Heavy stuff.

“The power seems to have settled down now, with your morpher you should be able to de-morph and call your Zord… but be careful, every time you use the power it will become stronger. You will feel less and less. You will hurt those around you. No matter who they are. I didn’t say this in front of the others, because I didn’t want them to treat you any differently… but if you want to tell them it’s up to you… but you have to remain in control. ”

Ben didn’t reply, he was the victim of a troubled mind. A razor-sharp thought that pinned his brain and refused to give up. Zendon handed his morpher back and without uttering a word he de-morphed.

“Don’t you have anything to say Ben?”

He thought about it and looked back into the eyes of Zendon.

“Let’s find the next Ranger.”

* * *

“Zendon, do we need to go now?! I’m knackered!”

“Come on Anna!” Ace taunted, “These cities won’t save themselves and you don’t see the enemy resting!”

“But…. Oh fuck it!”

Zendon smiled and pin pointed the next city on the map. Their next destination, their next battle.

“Okay Rangers, you’ll need to be off to Australia, save the capital city and capture the Zord.”

“Alright!” exclaimed Ace, “Off to Sydney!” He raised his fist in the air in a stance of victory.

“Erm…. Canberra”

Ace looked at Anna confused, “What?”

“The capital of Australia,” she explained, “it’s… it’s Canberra.”

“Oh…”

Awkward silence. Ben couldn’t help but giggle.

“Right…” said Zendon, trying to carry on despite the awkwardness. “Off to Australia with you then….”

The Rangers prepared to teleport back to Earth.

“I knew it was Canberra by the way… I was just testing…”

Anna and Ben grinned at each other.

Anna winked at Ace, “Course you did.”

In a flash, they were gone.

GreyRanger

04-28-2008, 04:51 PM

hahahah good chapter man, some good explanation, finally, an Ace is a tool, a cool tool, but a tool all the same

bushwacka666

04-30-2008, 10:47 AM

Well, I finally got some time to skim through the chapters and check this fic out - and what an intriguing fic it is! To see Noir Ranger becoming corrupted by his own seemingly limitless power is a nice start to the fic, although I personally thought it could have perhaps benefited from more exploration of the event from Jed's point of view - but maybe that's something you've already planned to expand on in later chapters.

I like the whole way you deal with the Morphin' Grid in this story: Ben's Ranger powers becoming something which nobody had predicted, the fact that the HQ is inside the Grid itself, Zendon & Son seeming to have some unspoken connection to it... it's all nicely thought out, and one can only wonder where these story elements might go from here. Using it as a device to work around the language barriers is also a nice touch.

I agree with M_L: Ace is a "cool tool". I like the wackyness and the quips he makes - reminds me somewhat of my own character Todd. At the moment I would have to say that Ace is my fave character so far.

A truly interesting start to things here Einsider. Keep up the good work, and I wish you the best of luck with this fic. :023:

Einsider

04-30-2008, 08:25 PM

Thanks man! means a lot that people do actually take the time to read and comment, and such an awesome comment from you makes me proud!

There are a few things that will be found out later about Jed's descent into evil (obviously it happened so quickly that the world doesnt yet know his plans and/or true motives) but i'm glad you liked it so far!

Beckoner

04-30-2008, 08:51 PM

Things have been taking quite an interesting turn. I know you probably explained it already in the fic, but I'm a little confused. Did the War Europe Zord always exist, or was the Europe Zord somehow modified by Ben's emotional state?

Now that you've got a good amount of episodes out, I've seen enough of the Rangers to say a thing or two about em.

I like your characterizations. They all seem believable enough that they don't all seem like the same character. Many authors make the mistake of talking through the characters, without giving a real identity of their own. You've succeeded in giving them identities. Hats off to you.

As for this new Ranger, it should be interesting how all these different people will work together with cultural barriers and such. You've made a fan out of me.

Einsider

04-30-2008, 08:59 PM

Thanks man, glad you like it - won't be long before some new faces arrive. I think i explained the Zord thing in "Saving Asia" or "The Third Ranger" - but no worries, lol - Ben made the War Europe Zord, he changed the construct of the Europe Zord to match his Ranger form.

Will be another chapter out soon, thank you for your continued reading!

Einsider

05-23-2008, 10:07 AM

Finally the next chapter is here - had loads of work to do - coming up to exams and everything!

Chapter 7

The Australian Philosophy

Canberra.

Population…. A lot less than it was twenty four hours ago. The Australian Zord had already destroyed half the city by the time the Rangers appeared. The police was non-existent; each officer at home with their loved ones, although even if there were a police presence there would be little they could do against the Zord.

“Rangers!” Zendon’s voice was already in their ear, prepping them with the information they would need for their mission. “There is an Australian Ranger! But he…”

“Or she!” Anna interrupted.

“…Or she… is NOT the top priority! There are five solar power plants powering the city. They also power the Australian army’s early warning system and missile launch program. If these power plants are shut down the missile system will offline and the firewall defences for their computer system will shutdown also.”

Pause for dramatic effect.

“What does it mean Zendon?!” Ben asked.

“If their defences go down the Noir Ranger will be able to hack into the computer system and will take control of the Australian missiles!”

“We better get going then,” said Anna, “We can stop this Zord!”

“RIGHT!” Ace and Ben shouted in unison.

“Asia Zord Launch!”

The Asia Zord landed next to the Rangers and Anna’s voice called out from her Zord. “So are you coming or what?! We’ve got a city to save!”

Ace nodded and raised his morpher to his mouth, “America Zord Launch!”

The America Zord landed and Ace was in the cockpit in a second. “Come on Europe! You’re slowing us down!”

If he called his Zord… he might do it again… he might snap, he might break, he might go… violent. Filled with the vengeful bloodlust that the power gives him, the power for revenge, the power to hurt. He didn’t want to be taken over by the power; he didn’t want to become the Noir Ranger. But he needed to help…

Explosions rocked the sky and Ben still hadn’t made his decision. Time was racing ahead yet moving in slow motion.

“You get going! I’m going to find the Australian Ranger!”

“BEN!” Ace voiced called to him through his earpiece in his helmet but he was already away. And he wasn’t going to stop.

“Ace, let’s just do this, the least we can do is buy him some time!”

“Right!”

* * *

This was stupid. He was a Ranger who couldn’t use his powers. He was a Ranger who wasn’t right.

Streets were already flattened by the Australia Zord and the SARCOS III soldiers were picking off the people that were left. Ending the lives of anybody who survived the Zord’s destruction. As Ben watched, a group of SARCOS units were firing wildly into the backs of a group of fleeing people. He saw two people fall down dead as lasers shot through their backs, leaving a clean, cauterised hole through their upper torso.

Both their hearts were missing.

Ben jumped in, anger already growing inside him, which he vented as soon as he could. Two units succumbed to his sword and a third one was decommissioned when Ben punched a hole into its power pack.

Pulling its heart from it.

A fitting end.

But the fight wasn’t over. Other units advanced on him, some firing lasers that Ben dodged with lightening fast reflexes and a large quantity of luck, others swung punches at him, hooks and jabs.

A successful dodge of a laser put Ben into the path of a SARCOS fist. Sparks flew and Ben landed on his stomach twenty yards back.

“At least you bastards haven’t worked out how to kick yet!” Ben yelled as he picked himself up. His sword had never left his hand and he was already fighting back, sparks flew as one by one the SARCOS units fell, buying the fleeing civilians more time.

Ben didn’t have a plan. Kill SARCOS soldiers, save civilians, hopefully find the Australian Ranger.

All in a day’s work.
Ben breathed deep as he cut the heads off two more soldiers. Work was hard.

More screams alerted his attention. He turned and saw a group of people cornered by more SARCOS robots. Where was the Noir Ranger getting all these from?! A flying kick into the circle downed one robot but the others were ready for a fight.

Half of Ben’s plan worked, he did manage to save the people surrounded by the soldiers, but there were too many for him and Ben couldn’t fight back. Every dodge or block just put him in the way of another fist. He needed to get into a rhythm but the SARCOS robots were dancing an odd dance and the beat was shit.

Ben swung his sword 360 around him, cutting the legs off most of the surrounding SARCOS units, but the next wave was already on top of him. He wasn’t going anyway. More sparks flew and with each hit he felt weaker.

Ben dodged another punch but saw the robot to late. Point blank range, the SARCOS soldier fired a laser bolt at Ben’s head.

Sparks flew and Ben cried out.

His helmet landed ten feet away.

* * *

Countdown to destruction: 5

Only five power stations keeping the Noir Ranger from gaining control of Australia’s nuclear weapons.

“I didn’t even know Australia HAD any nuclear weapons!” Ace told Anna.

“Course they do! They just keep it more… low key than your lot!”

“Low key…” Ace muttered to himself, “very funny.”

“Now let’s do our job!”

The Asia and the America Zord entered battle; the Australia Zord was one footstep away from destroying the first of the 5 power stations.

“We’re not going to make it in time!” Ace exclaimed.

“Quick!” shouted Anna, “pick me up!”

Ace moved the Zord instinctively; this wasn’t the first time he had picked up a cute Japanese girl. Raising the Asia Zord above his head, the America Zord threw the Asia Zord like a spear. The fists of the Asia Zord smashed into the Australia Zord but it was too late, the force of the impact downed the Australia Zord right on top of the first power station. The Australia Zord sparked violently as the excess power from the solar station was dissipated over its body. The lights in Canberra flickered slightly but the remaining four power stations held.

“Shit, this could turn real bad, real fast!” exclaimed Ace, “Ben better hurry!”

The Australia Zord stood. Blue white flashes of electricity still flashing across its body. The America Zord through a punch and connected a heavy hit on the Australia Zord’s head.

An explosion, and the America Zord was thrown backwards.

“What the fuck?!”

“Look out Ace! That electricity is still coursing through its body, it’s super charged!”

“Great,” relied Ace, his hair already a spiky frizz inside his helmet.

Ace managed to pull the Zord to its feet but was knocked down again by a swift attack from the Australia Zord. Another bolt of electricity shot through his body.

“Anna?! Any help?”

The Asia Zord dived in from behind, its weapon, a huge scythe, already in its hand. Anna struck the back of the Australia Zord, it sparked and was knocked to the ground.

“Anna you ok?”

“The electricity has gone, you can hit it now!”

Ace smiled, this sucker was his. The America Zord’s battle-axe appeared in its hand. The weapon powered up as he swung it, the Zord’s entire strength was in the strike. As the Australia Zord stood back up, the America Zord’s axe connected, more sparks and the Zord was lifted into the air. With lightning fast speed the America Zord swung again, hitting the Australia Zord whilst it was still in mid air.

The Australia Zord crashed back down and more sparks exploded. The second power Station had been crushed.

“Awww crap!”

* * *

His body wanted to power down but he still didn’t have control of the suit. Some other force must still be driving it, because Ben felt like he was dead. His vision shifted back into focus, he wasn’t sure how long he had been out, maybe less than a minute, maybe more. The SARCOS units were already around him, guns raised, just waiting for him to wake up. Without his helmet on, Ben’s suit defence wouldn’t work as efficiently.

He was vulnerable.

He could be killed.

He wasn’t scared.

The SARCOS robots were all ready to fire but Ben fought back anyway. Jumping up he took out the first soldier with his feet, landing on its chest and crushing the power pack on the back. Without stopping Ben swung his body and round kicked the soldier to his left. At the same time he drew his sword and sliced the head off another soldier. A quick back flip helped him dodge any potential laser fire that was bound to be coming his way and he landed behind a robot, slicing the SARCOS robot in half straight down, from top to bottom. Rolling forwards, back into the circle, Ben stood and swung himself 360, slicing any remaining soldier in two. Metallic bodies fell to the ground and Ben posed, waiting for the explosion.

He smiled; they hadn’t even been able to get a shot off.

There still wasn’t an explosion. If he held this pose any longer he’d look like an idiot…

Then a laugh shattered his cool and he dropped his pose.

Turning, he saw a Ranger dressed in Black and coloured with the design of the Australian Flag.

“I’m sorry,” he laughed, nearly falling to his knees, he was clutching his stomach, “I’m sorry I couldn’t resist!” His laugh didn’t stop and he had to put a hand on his leg.

“What the fuck?!”

“I had already…” he was overwhelmed with laughter again, “I’m sorry… I had already destroyed their power packs, but you were lying there all unconscious… I couldn’t help it,” he was laughing again. Ben was getting quite annoyed. “I set up the robots around you just to freak you out, I never thought you’d cut them all up like that!”

He pulled off his helmet so he could wipe away his laughter tears; he had short black hair and green eyes. “Sorry, I’m the Australia Ranger: name’s James.”

* * *

Countdown to destruction: 3

“This really isn’t working,” moaned Ace, after receiving another shock from the electrified Australia Zord.

“Just stop hitting it when it’s charged!” Anna mocked

“That’s easy for you to say it isn’t trying to fight yooooooooouuuuu!” Ace received another shocking punch from the Australia Zord.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Ben your voice can go that high.”

“Cheers,” Ace replied bitterly.

The electricity from the Australia Zord faded and the Rangers re-engaged it. Even without its electric charge, the jolt gave the Australia Zord far greater speed than it should have, much faster than either of the two other Zords. Even with both of them swinging punches, they couldn’t touch the Australia Zord.

Suddenly the Australia Zord pushed Ace back, he tried to steady himself but the America Zord crashed to the ground. Anna took this chance to attack him from behind, swinging her scythe at its head. The Australia Zord was ready. Grabbing her hand as she swung, it stopped the attack and swung her like a hammer throw. Letting go destroyed the third power plant.

Anna felt the electricity run through her Zord. And herself. Had it not been for her power suit, the shock would have killed her. Instead, she felt her heart pumping faster, the controls of the Zord felt lighter and responded to her slightest touch. Her Zord jumped to its feet.

She felt the energy.

The Australia Zord was heading for the fourth power station, mistakenly thinking that the shock would have killed the Asia Ranger. With a speed only equalled by the Australia Zord, Anna grabbed the back of her enemy and held it whilst she pummelled its head. As she punched she felt her charge weakening, her movements becoming heavy again. She needed to buy some time. Picking the Australia Zord up above her head, she shouted to Ace,

“Oi! America!”

Throwing the Zord towards him, Ace swung his battle-axe, the force sparked and the Australia Zord flew through the air. Crashing down at an angle that would have killed a human. The Australia Zord hardly faltered, any injuries it had sustained were being rapidly fixed and by the time it was on its feet it was nearly as good as new.

“Dammit, this isn’t working. Ben better hurry up!”

The America Zord and the Asia Zord stood side by side, ready in a battle pose. The Australia Zord had its Battle Mace ready, sharp spikes pointing out, shining in its hand.

“This could get ugly Anna…”

* * *

“I’m Ben…”

“Interesting…” James muttered to himself, circling Ben, “What Ranger are you supposed to be?”
“I’m the err… Europe Ranger…” Ben looked at his feet.

“No… no your not… who are you really?”

“The… War Europe Ranger…”

“War Europe eh? Ok, well, as long as you’re on are side, I guess it doesn’t matter what we call you.”

“I guess…” Ben muttered

“Look, don’t sweat it, I’m sure you’re where you need to be, you gotta just kick back and relax, and don’t let it get to you.”

“You think so?”

“Hey, it’s my philosophy mate – you can borrow it, unless you’ve got your own already?”

“It isn’t working that well for me at the moment.”

James gave him a wink and put his helmet on, “Then you can have mine until you find a better one.”

Ben nodded, “Right, we’ve got to get to the others. “Follow me!”

“Mate, I think I know where to go,” James pointed to the three fighting Zords in the distance.

“Yeah, but we need to get close enough for you to capture it, and I’ve got a plan.”

Ben started running towards the city, James called after him.

“Hey, brother! Call your Zord, it’ll be quicker!”

“It’s errr…. It’s in the shop!” Ben called back.

GreyRanger

05-23-2008, 12:27 PM

Lol James is even more of a joker than Ace it seems from this chapter. I liked the action but hopefully you're gonna start explaining stuff soon. Keep it up mate:023:

Beckoner

05-29-2008, 12:18 PM

I finally got a chance to sit down and read this chapter. Dude, Ben got owned. Lol. I would've done the same thing if I were James. That was hilarious, he just stood there like an idiot expecting a big payoff for his pose!

Einsider

05-30-2008, 07:32 AM

thanks man - im trying to write but with my exams coming up i havent had a lot of time. Chapters should come out every week after my exams are over! thanks for readin tho!

bushwacka666

05-30-2008, 09:02 AM

Agreed with M_L and Becokner: a highly amusing chapter - those quips make me giggle like a schoolgirl! Nice to see you're slowly putting in things in place for something seemingly bigger. Keep it up. :023:

dragomuseveni

06-01-2008, 09:37 PM

wow nice job it is really good, i cant wait for more

Einsider

06-15-2008, 10:19 AM

hey - been having exams so that's why the next chapter has taken so long! Hope this chapter is enjoyable - im sorting out my house and a job atm (dont ask, lol) so the next chapter might take as long as well! but i do hope u enjoy it!

Chapter 8

Nuclear Power

Countdown to destruction: 2

Swinging its mace above its head, the Australian Zord charged the Rangers. Standing firm they readied themselves for the attack. Ace raised his hand to block the swinging mace but the Australia Zord was ready and a swift moving foot into the America Zords leg made Ace drop his defence and get hit full on with the mace.

Sparks exploded from the America Zords head and it dropped to the ground. The Asia Zord attacked from the side but the mace swung round the Australia Zord’s head from its first attack and knocked the Asia Zord backwards. A flip kept Anna’s Zord on its feet and not lying down next to Ace.

The Australia Zord had no sense of morals or honour and beat Ace’s Zord as he lay helpless on the ground. The America Zord couldn’t move and the pummelling didn’t stop. Ace’s control panel was sparking and smoke was filling the control room. Nanobots rushed all over the Zord, repairing it as fast as possible, but the beating was taking its toll.

“No!” shouted Anna, running her Zord towards the Australia Zord. But it was too late. In a flash of light the America Zord disappeared, dropping Ace, still clad in his power suit, hard on to the ground.

The Australia Zord swung the mace, the chain glistened, and then the ball flew towards the ground. Ace raised his hands, as if they could defend him. But the Asia Zord saved him, Anna’s swift movements knocking the Australia Zord away from Ace, her own foot missing his head by a metre. Her attack knocked the two Zords back into the city.

“Thanks, Anna, try not to make it so close next time?”

“Who said,” Anna told him as she grappled with the Australia Zord, “there would be a next time? What happened anyway?”

“I don’t know, my Zord just…. disappeared!”

“Then call it baa…” The Australia Zord broke the grapple and a double handed punch smashed into the Zord’s middle. The force knocked Anna back but she kept her feet as she stumbled back. Another shock flew up her leg as the fourth power station was destroyed.

The electricity shot through Anna’s body again and she cried out as her skin felt like it was burning. As suddenly as Ace’s Zord, the Asia Zord vanished, dropping Anna onto the ground. She was unmorphed and unconscious. Ace ran to her side.

“Anna?” he shook her, “Anna?”

He looked up at the Zord standing in the middle of the city.

It saw them and swung its mace.

“Oh shit!”

* * *

A blinding flash of light erupted at their target as the America Zord vanished.

“We’re running out of time!” Ben shouted, “run faster!”
“I’m trying!” gasped James.

They arrived at the battlefield minutes later. Just in time to see the second flash of light. Just in time to see the Asia Zord defeated and the swinging mace of the Australia Zord on a collision course with the Asia Ranger and Ace.

“That’s my Zord?”

“Ben!” shouted Ace

“Anna!”

The mace was flying with all the Australia Zords might. The ball and chain gleaming ferociously. But the Zord had not taken into account the city and the ball crashed through a tall building. With an all mighty thunk the mace hit the ground, burying itself half deep in soil. Spikes pointing out of it like pointy teeth.

The building could not stop the mace, but it had done its job. The weapon had crashed to the ground but missed the Asia Ranger. The mace was stuck in the ground and the Australia Zord, being of little mind, was fixated on pulling its weapon free.

“It’s time!” shouted Ben.

“Right!”

Running inside the building that the Australian Zords mace had just torn in two, James threw himself off of the new highest floor, aiming for the back of the Australia Zord. Mid-jump the scenery changed and he landed with a heavy thump in the seat of the control room. The Australia Zord pulled the mace free from the ground and swung it round again, one of its spikes missing Ben by inches. Curving round in a vertical circle, it powered down towards Ace and Anna again.

Before the weapon hit the Zord and its mace fazed out of existence, returning to the morphing grid.

James stood on the ground where the Zord had been, holding his pose, two fingers up in the air making a peace sign.

Canberra was saved. One power station remained, but all power was diverted to the military base.

“Anna!” shouted Ben, running over to his comrades. James followed, de-morphing as he ran. They arrived at the two Rangers as Anna gained consciousness. Ace had also de-morphed and was holding her head. She shook Ace off and stood up.

“Hey, did we win?” Anna was still slightly dazed as she waited for the reply.

“Yeah, we did… this is James, the Australia Ranger. I found him.”

“Well,” James smiled, “technically I found him.”
Anna shook James’ hand. Ace gave him a high five.

A voice stopped their celebrations.

“So there are four of you now?”

The Noir Ranger had appeared from nowhere; fully clad in his armour he mocked their triumph. “If I really wanted this city I could have taken it. Your Zords mean nothing to me!”

“Sounds like your scared to me Noir Ranger,” Ace taunted

“I can assure you that I am of no such thing. Why would a person of my power fear those weaker than myself? With a gesture I could crush each and every one of you. The force I would use would be powerful enough to end the lives of each one of your living family members. I am not scared of you Rangers, no force has existed before me that has had this much power, no force like me shall ever exist. I am forever and I will be your God.”

With his monologue finished the Rangers took their stances. Still unmorphed, save Ben, the Ranger team stood strong.

“We’re not weak!” countered Anna.

“We’re stronger than you think!” warned James

“You are not a God!” Ben shouted.

Oh shit, what do I say… Ace panicked, “And we… won’t give up! We’re the Taskforce Rangers!”

“Taskforce Rangers?” the Noir Ranger questioned.

The other three looked at him, “Taskforce Rangers?” they mouthed at him.

“What?” he whispered to them, “we needed a name…. Come on guys don’t embarrass me in front of him.”

“Actually,” James spoke up, “I quite like it.”

“RANGERS!” The Noir Ranger shouted, rubble vibrated around them. “Stop talking. It’s time for you to prove yourselves!”

The Rangers assumed their stances again, their minds back on the fight.

“It’s go time.” Holding his hands out in front of him, the Noir Ranger assumed his stance, the style was his own.

“With the power of a God, the force of the future, Noir Ranger!”

“You talk big Noir Ranger, but we have already defeated four of your Zords!”

The Taskforce Rangers prepared to fight, pulling their fighting stances as they role-called.

“Taskforce Green, America Ranger!”
“Taskforce Yellow, Asia Ranger!”
“Taskforce Black, Australia Ranger!”
“Consequence of anger, resolved by fighting, War Europe Ranger!”

All together, “Defenders of Earth, Fighting for Liberty and Sanctioned by Justice - Taskforce Rangers!”

The four Rangers stood in their power suits. Posing for the fight, battle stance at the ready.

An explosion in the street behind them.

A broken gas line?

They didn’t know, but a wind blew that set a perfect silence for the battle to come.

Reaching behind his head, the Noir Ranger pulled a katana. The fight still hadn’t started. The Taskforce Ranger’s weapons were in their hands.

Then, suddenly, without an explicit word of beginning, without cause and without warning, it started.

Like lightning the Noir Ranger was among them, his sword spinning, sparks flew from their weapons as each of the four Rangers successfully blocked the Noir Ranger’s first attack. But their success did not deter the Noir Ranger who turned his body back around, the second slash from his katana cutting through their defence. All four Rangers fell back from the attack. Sparks showing the force of the impact.

“Do you see Rangers?! Is this not the power of a God?!”

Ben was up quickly; his large broadsword felt light in his hands. A vertical swing seemed sure to split the Noir Ranger’s head in two, but he was fast and he was agile and the broadsword fell on concrete. A kick to the stomach brought more sparks and pain and the War Europe Ranger was grounded again, clutching his body.

Taskforce Yellow and Green were standing again and both swung in with their weapons, Ace’s axe being parried by the Noir Ranger’s katana as Anna was kicked back. James’ mace was swinging but was easily caught by the Noir Ranger and more sparks flew as he too was beaten down.

With all four Rangers standing again, they attempted another attack. Surrounding the Noir Ranger, he was easily outnumbered, but they couldn’t touch him. Each of their attacks parried or dodged and they were rewarded with pain as the swift blade of his katana cut at them.

Once again they were all on the ground.

Beaten.

“See Rangers?!” the Noir Ranger shouted, believing the fight to be over, “Do you not see my power, that was but a glimpse of what I am capable of!”

Ben beat his hand on the ground. His anger was rising, he could feel a power generating within him. Fuelled by his anger. The power of war.

The other Taskforce Rangers didn’t have the strength to stand but Ben was up and began fighting back, his weapon gone.

“No Noir Ranger!” he yelled, striking wildly yet effectively with his hands and feet. “You have seen a glimpse of our power! Evil will never triumph over good!” As Ben attacked the Noir Ranger had to back step to prevent himself from being hit.

The attack had surprised the Noir Ranger and eventually Ben’s punches started hitting. Composing himself, the Noir Ranger fought back, but his back peddling put him at a disadvantage and his katana blade missed on each swing. A direct punch on the Noir Ranger’s fist caused him to drop his katana, the shock stunning him momentarily.

Ben used this moment. Forcing all his power into his fist he cried out as he thrust all his body weight into the shot. His hand connected with the Noir Ranger’s body, firing him back thirty feet. Ben could feel the power tingling through him, he held the pose he was in as his fist hit the Noir Ranger.

“Ben,” shouted James.

“That was incredible!” added Anna.

Ben’s success gave the Rangers a new strength and they stood and returned to his side.

“Noir Ranger! We are your defeaters! We will protect Earth! It is our duty!” Ben yelled to the grounded body of the Noir Ranger.

An eerie, blood-chilling laughter filled the city and the Noir Ranger stood up. He raised a hand in the air, his palm open.

“You don’t know what you’re up against Rangers. A lucky punch does not denote victory. War Europe Ranger, I admit I underestimated your power; I let my guard down but do not confuse my mistake with your strength.”

As he spoke a light appeared in his hand. Growing brighter, growing larger. It grew to the size of a helmet and made a buzzing sound.

“You have failed Rangers! Your mission is over! Do you know what this is?” he indicated the glowing light in his hand.

Flames and smoke filled the air behind the Noir Ranger as another explosion rocked the city.

“Oh Shit!” James exclaimed.

“Yes! He knows!” laughed the Noir Ranger magnificently and he threw the ball of energy at the Rangers. Hitting the ground near them, the energy exploded, throwing the Rangers back. They cried out in pain as they hit back on the ground.

“What was it?” asked Ace.

“It was electricity…” explained James, “energy drawn from the power station

“… then that explosion…” realised Ben.

“You mean… he…” Anna asked.

“That explosion was the solar station, he just drained all the power from it.”

“How can he… he can’t do that!” Anna panicked.

“He just did!”

Looking up, the Noir Ranger was gone. Zendon’s voice spoke to them.

“Rangers! Canberra is out of power, my scanners show thermal activity nearby, six nuclear missiles are about to launch.”

“Oh shit…” said James again.

“Get out of their Rangers, there is nothing you can do.”

“No!” shouted Ben. “We can stop this!”

“We could never stop them all Ben.” James consoled

“We can stop one!”

“Ben, it’s ok, come back to the grid. I’ll explain…”

“No! I’m going!” Ben was in his zone again, the War Europe Zord landed next to the Rangers.

“Ben! Stop!”

But he had already given into the power again. It was deafening. He needed to save the world; he needed to stop as many of those missiles as he could.

“Ben, please!” Anna shouted. “Ben! Stop!”

The nuclear weapons fired. In the distance, six trails of smoke showed their launch direction.

The War Europe Zord was gone, heading on a collision course with the first weapon, a nuclear missile aimed at the heart of Australia.

Beckoner

06-16-2008, 06:48 PM

The Noir Ranger finally makes his appearance and battles the Rangers! Bravo Einsider, bravo. As for the nukes, I don't see how they're going to get all of them. Unless of course some cities are sacrificed.

GreyRanger

06-17-2008, 06:28 AM

Hey man, you know i liked this chapter, lookign forward to the next one, which i won't have read beforehand, hope the holiday's are good, speak soon :)

Einsider

06-17-2008, 07:06 AM

Thanks guys! the next chapter is going well and will be posted in a few days so stay tuned!

akamaru13

06-22-2008, 08:01 PM

Must say, I really likethis fic. Keep it up man!

Einsider

07-06-2008, 12:18 PM

Thanks Akamaru! Sorry for the delay and everything - been moving and everything so havent had time to post! haven't had access to the internet in over a week! Thank you everyone who is still reading tho! I do appreciate it, especially since i am slow with each chapter! Next one coming.... well, let's post it now!

Chapter Nine

The Dark

One hour earlier:

“It’s done. Took ages but we had the manpower. You have a lot of friends.”

“Yes, but I have lived a long time!” he chuckles, “lets just hope your job was unnecessary.”

* * *

Now:

The War Europe Zord rocketed through the air, able to change direction with the slightest thought with an agility that should have been far beyond its means to obtain. The humanoid shape of the Zord passed cities and desert, both man and beast stood in awe below it. Like a superman, Ben aimed to save the world.

He knew this feat was impossible, he knew that whatever he tried, the world was about to succumb to a nuclear holocaust that it had never before seen.

But he still had to try!

In the distance his target shined against the sun. The nuclear weapon was already on its descent. Directing more power to the feet rockets, he boosted even faster, a bang signified the breaking of the sound barrier.

Ben reached Mach 4. The Zord didn’t even notice.

The weapon was slippery; Ben could feel the heat from the rocket on the back of the nuclear weapon. He felt it as if it were his own hands reaching for it. He reached again and held the weapon as tight as he could without detonating it.

It slipped again.

The Earth came closer.

He was running out of time.

One last chance to get it. Reaching out again, he readied himself. Grabbing the weapon, he held on tighter than before. The outer shell of the nuclear weapon denting under the force of his Zords fingers. He twisted the Zords body just as it hit the Earth, his back taking the force of the blow.

The weapon did not detonate. Ben had stopped it.

But he did not celebrate. The power was still coursing through him, in his veins. Powering his body. He felt indestructible, he felt invincible.

And he was going to stop the rest of those weapons. Without a second of thought, a huge swing of his Zord arm heaved the nuclear weapon into the sky. He didn’t stop to watch it, he knew what would happen. Ben was in tune with the world; he was in tune with himself; he was in tune with his Zord.

Already moving at Mach 4, Ben headed towards the nuclear weapon aimed at Asia.

The Nuclear Weapon headed towards the sun.

Ben knew that it would make it.

He knew less about himself.

A voice struggled into his ear. It might have been Zendon. It might have been the Taskforce Rangers. It might have been static.

For a second he thought he heard himself. But he knew that it was impossible.

With a force just light enough to prevent detonation, just as he arrived over India, the War Europe Zord united with the weapon. As he spun around, another throw shot the second weapon towards the sun.

Africa, the next weapon. He would stop the Europe missile on the way.

It was too far away, he couldn’t make it, or could he?

Pushing the Zord harder, he felt his power drain.

NO! He was invincible! His power couldn’t be waning. Clenching his hands tighter, he felt more fire within him. The Zord sped up.

He arrived over Italy. The weapons rocket still burning strongly. Ben’s hands reached out, the Zord prepared to grab the weapon. Reaching out as he did before he made to grab the third weapon.

And then, it was in his hand.

At such speed, Ben half expected the weapon to explode, but he was successful yet again. He had gained a power he never believed possible, a power he believed he could never achieve without it consuming him, but he was using the power for good, as he always wanted. That he was afraid to try before in fear of what he might do with it instead.

Ben’s hand pulls back, preparing to lob the weapon into the sun like the others. His arm swings.

The direction is perfect.

“NOT THIS TIME!” a voice hisses in his ear.

The War Europe Zord’s hand clenches just before it is released and the nuclear weapon detonates, blowing Ben towards the Earth.

Sixty thousand feet in the air, and only thirty seconds later and the War Europe Zord hits the Mediterranean. Ben blacks out as the Zord begins to sink.

He wakes up underwater. The Zord hadn’t vanished. His power suit was still clad tight to his body. He felt weak again, like his old self.

Static filled his helmet. He heard voices behind the white noise but couldn’t make them out.

“Nice one Ben, you just killed everyone.”

“What? Who is this?” he shouted to the voices.

Only static in response.

Anger wells up inside him, the water around the Zord begins to boil.

Fish die.

Ben directs the Zord skywards and his rockets fired again. He checks the clock as he climbs towards sea level. The nuclear explosion had knocked him unconscious for over three hours. The Zord breaks through the surface of the water and into the sky once more.

There was nothing he could do now.

Three hours….

All the weapons would have landed. Four weapons had exploded. The world would be covered in radioactive matter, millions would be dead.

No rage.

Despair.

Anguish.

Gloom.

Failure.

No rage.

The War Europe Zord shattered. The metallic body fell apart in shards, disappearing as each slice fell off the Zord; Leaving Ben in mid air, still morphed. Slowly, he descended, sliding underwater. He doesn’t even struggle as he sinks back below the surface.

More static in his helmet.

“Yes Ben… it was all you…”

* * *
“Ben?! Ben?!… I’m not getting through,” Zendon tells the other Rangers back at base.

“But we have to speak to him! How can we not contact him?!” Anna cries.

“It’s not possible, he must just be ignoring us…”

“Ignoring… No!” Ace disbelieved, “Why would Ben do that?!”

“He must be in danger!” Anna mumbled, “We’ve got to find him!”

“He isn’t on my system anymore. Just after the War Europe Zord appeared he disappeared from the map,” Zendon gestured, in reference to the holographic world map in the middle of the room.

“Where are we?” James asked.

“The Morphing Grid, it’s a…”

“Yeah, I know where we are; if you know, then I know - but I mean, where are we on the map?”

“When you’re in the morphing grid, you don’t appear on the map James, we’re in a realm that transcends the Earth, transcend the universe the Earth is in actually.” Zendon responded.

“I see…” said James, a face of thinking on his body.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well… if he’s not on the map… then that means he can’t be on Earth, he must be in the Grid, somewhere…. Right?”

Zendon shook his head, “That’s not possible, we’d know if he was in the Grid. And there have been visual sightings of his Zord, even if we don’t know where he is now.”

Zendon thought more, “there’s only one thing to do. You three must go and physically find him. Find him and bring him back. I’ll stay here and see if I can contact him.”

“Right!” they nodded.

* * *

“You couldn’t save the world Ben. You tried and you failed.”

“But… I’m a Power Ranger, I’m a Taskforce Ranger…”

“You are no hero Ben…and if you’re not a hero… you must be…”

“A villain.” Ben finished.

“You said it.”

His visor was dark, he couldn’t see out of it.

A speck of light glowing dim in the distance.

“What will you do now Ben? Do you know?”

“I…I…”

“You don’t know… do you Ben? You’re lost… you’re afraid…”

“I am afraid…”

“Would you like to know what to do?”

“I am afraid…”

“You don’t need to be afraid anymore, you don’t need to worry about morality, about good and evil. I can help…”

“Help? How?”

“Just do what I say…”

“Yes…”

His visor cleared, he could see the world above the water.

“Good…”

* * *

“He’s not anywhere Anna… we should give up, go back to the Grid and wait for him.”

“No! We can find him! We’ve just got to keep looking!”

“Anna… Ace is right… we will never find him like this… we should give up and go back. We’ve got to be ready for the Noir Ranger’s next attack. He isn’t defeated… not yet… and he is only getting stronger.”

Anna sighed. She didn’t want to give up on him. How could she give up on him?

They had known each other for less than a day, but they were Rangers together, and something pushed her, she felt a connection with him, with all the Rangers. Maybe it was because she was the only girl, but she felt the connection between the Rangers far stronger than the others.

She needed to find him.

“Okay, you two go back. I’ll keep looking.”

“It’s a needle in a haystack Anna,” Ace warned, but she wouldn’t change her mind. Taking their Zords, Ace and James teleported back to the Morphing Grid.

With all their technology, the types of technology that people could only dream of, giant fighting robots, teleportation, weaponry from nowhere… they couldn’t find him. T.V. Screens that could see anywhere on Earth without a camera, and they couldn’t find Ben.

* * *

Anna appeared in the Morphing Grid, her eyes were red but everyone was too polite to mention anything.

“You haven’t found him then?” Zendon asked.

She shook her head.

Zendon sighed. “We will have to continue without him for now.”

“But we…” Ace started.

“No! We will find Ben when we can, we don’t know what the bad morph has done to him. He needs our help but we can’t spend all our resources on him! You will be debriefed and then set up in a small town just outside of California.”

“What? Why California?” James demanded.

“It’s obvious isn’t it? America! Best country in the world!” Ace smiled.

“Actually, it’s because it’s easier to have you all in one place and, for some reason, this small town has unusually high amounts of energy. We haven’t been able to work out why yet but along with a few other towns scattered throughout the world, the Grid seems to have an enormous presence in the small town of Angel Grove.”

“Angel Grove?” Anna asked. “I think… I’ve heard of it…”

“Yes, well,” replied Zendon, “That is where you shall be staying for the time being. Now, as far as debriefing is concerned… under my orders, Art was able to assemble a team of… errr… associates, people who owed me… favours – anyway, they managed to disassemble the radioactive components from Australia’s weapons. They were never going to go nuclear. Sorry we didn’t tell you sooner.”

“You mean there never was a threat?!” James yelled

“Of course there was a threat! Art may have not completed his mission in time, and even though he did – there were still six bombs heading to major cities around the world! Unfortunately three of the bombs did reach their target, a sad state of affairs but without their nuclear yield there was little damage. Only forty-three deaths in D.C, Buenos Ares and Cape Town combined."

James shook his head, “That's still too many dead - It’s not the same.”

“I’m sorry Rangers. I’ll let you know sooner next time if we change the plans.”

A silence filled the room.

“There was one good piece of news from this event though!” Zendon exclaimed, breaking the silence, “The Zords in South America and Africa have vanished! The Noir Ranger must have recalled them, or he is losing his power. Either way, the world is safe for the moment.”

“I don’t know Z,” Ace added, “It just sounds like he has something planned, it could get a whole lot worse.”

“True, but it buys us time to prepare ourselves, you Rangers were assembled somewhat… hastily, you haven’t had time to get to know each other and to get used to being Rangers.”

“You’re right - We need answers Z…” Ace asked, “The Grid… it gives me, us, so much information – I mean, I know how to fight, how to draw a weapon, how to access my Zord… but there is so much we don’t know…”

“I don’t know much more than you…” Zendon replied.

“But you know a little more and we need to know it… there’s a darkness, a cloud in my mind… and I don’t know what it is…”

“Yes,” agreed Anna, “It’s like a veil, covering up the things I don’t know, but I know they’re there.”

“I can feel it too, a noise in my head… is it the Grid or…?” worried James

“Rangers… you have… many questions but,” Zendon sighs, “Answers are coming… even for me, I sense the darkness also…”

Another silence.

“What is it?” Anna asked.

“It is the sense of power…”

“Power?”

Zendon nodded, “Power corrupts Rangers, even those pure of heart. That is what the Noir Ranger learnt.”

“So the darkness is… our power… it’s…”

“Our potential for evil within us.” James finished what Ace had started.

“But how do we fight it?” Anna asked, “Is this what is happening to Ben?”

“In truth, to both those questions, I don’t know…” Zendon disappointed.

“I think you need to tell us what happened, all of it…. From the start,” demanded James, “It’s the only way we will know what’s going on, the only way we will be able to help.”

“I think you’re probably right James… But what you’re asking me to tell you… It might not help…”

* * *

The fury and the fight.

It was all that he could think about. The revenge. The hatred.

It had been less than twenty-four hours since the death of Jenna. He hadn’t thought about her once. He had not dwelled on her murder, or the murder of the countless others by the hands of the Noir Ranger. He was too busy worrying about himself. Too busy worrying what he might become.

He thought about them now.

He thought about what the Noir Ranger had done. What the world had done. To the millions who just became a statistic in a history book, or a piece of knowledge in a pub quiz.

This world did not honour its dead. It did not care about peace, just power.

Power was the key to freedom, freedom at price. Freedom under rule. Power was required to rule with an iron will and a firm hand.

Peace under a great ruler or the peace of the graveyard.

Only power permits peace.

Only Power can keep away the darkness.

“And Ben…… you are power……”

Beckoner

07-11-2008, 08:48 AM

So the nukes were duds eh? Wait a second, if the nukes were duds then I wonder how the one that the War Europe Zord was holding went off. And I wonder where the hell that voice is coming from; perhaps the Noir Ranger himself?

Great chapter man! Looking forward to more. I hope your schedule frees up so you can get a little more writing done!

Einsider

07-11-2008, 09:13 AM

oops - i realised the ambiguity there and changed the chapter slightly - the nuclear weapons were explosive but no nuclear components inside anymore :)

Thanks tho man! :D

bushwacka666

07-15-2008, 06:04 AM

The fic continues to chug along at a good pace and remain interesting m8. I'm looking forward to finding out exactly what Ben's going through right now - sounds deliciously ominous! Keep it up. :023:

GreyRanger

07-15-2008, 09:17 AM

Aight man, soz for the no visible to all reply, but it's good so far. However i think there's too much ambiguity about things and too much happening whith little answers (kinda like LOST syndrome lol). The chapter as a whole is good, the ominous, evil voice, i'm thinking the Noir Ranger, but i'm also thinking that you want us to think that and therefore it is someone/thing else! :023:

Einsider

07-16-2008, 01:05 PM

Cheers for support everyone! I think i should just say that there has been a slight alteration to the last chapter as i had a sudden wave of inspiration and needed stuff added to allow for it. It was only a couple of lines about the Zords from S.America and Africa vanishing :)

Right - next chapter!

Chapter 10

The Past

Three Rangers sat around the holographic projection table as Zendon began his explanation. Computers worked tirelessly, calculating data to an end that the Rangers did not know. Completely surprising, giving its location, the control room had a really good kitchen, and a tray, loaded with refreshments, sat to one side of the table.

“The Morphing Grid was discovered many years ago, by accident. I was doing research just after the Second World War on renewable energy sources. Nuclear Power was discovered previously but… with its use for weapons… I gave up on it as a failure… if this power got into the wrong hands… well, I dread to think, we saw what nearly happened when the Noir Ranger had control of nuclear weapons.”

“Anyway, after the world had begun repairing itself… the demons started to appear. Some of them used to be human, we believe something to do with genetic experimentation during the war… others appeared to be alien… and then a few we weren’t sure about… as if they came from…somewhere else entirely.”

Zendon’s mysterious words lingered in the air for a moment then he continued.

“They either wanted to enslave mankind… or destroy us. The world’s forces were unable to defeat these creatures of death. They were too powerful and before long the world was crumbling under the weight of the war between each of these creatures fighting for ownership of Earth.”

Zendon smiled, “But, luckily, I had a plan.”

“Power Rangers,” Art added, with a smile an exact copy of his dad’s.

“After I discovered the Morphing Grid,” Zendon continued, “I invented the Rangerboard, computer controlled software used to hack into the Morphing Grid and harness its power. An individual using a morpher could directly control this power, similar to the wrist morphers you have. The U.N. initiated the Rangers in 1955, just before the world was lost. They had no idea about the Morphing Grid, it was my secret.”

“And what happened?” Ace asked.

“Well they beat the bad guys didn’t they!” James ridiculed.

“Yeah, I know, I just meant… what happened to the Rangers? And why did you keep the Grid secret?” he recovered, questioning Zendon.

“The first Rangers died. One by one, of old age and illness. Without any evil left to fight in the world they had no purpose. Jed Exodus was the last Ranger left. He tried to kill himself one night. The Taskforce wasn’t needed and it broke down.”

“The Taskforce?” Anna questioned.

“Yes I know, it’s a coincidence you picked the same name for your team, but when the Morphing Grid is involved… there seems to be few coincidences.

I didn’t tell the U.N. about the Morphing Grid because I feared what might happen if people new about it.”

“I guess people know now though,” Anna commented.

“Yes… well, that can’t be helped…So - With the world’s defenders gone, a few of our old enemies resurfaced, threatening our world with the evil that it once feared. But the U.N. would never allow it and they directed all the power from the morphers into a single morpher…”

Art finished his fathers sentence, “which they gave to Jed Exodus.”

“Yes… and that darkness you feel inside your mind… imagine it five time more powerful, five times more intense. The power overwhelmed him. With his connection to the Morphin Grid so much more commanding, he was able to control the Zords with his mind, he created them himself after all. And the SARCOS soldier suits, created for our protection, have now become our enemy. The U.N. tried to disconnect the Noir Ranger from the Rangerboard, but he no longer needed it.”

“Zendon!” Ace exclaimed, “We know most of this. We want to know about us.”

“I was getting there Ace, but there’s not much to tell you. We don’t know why the Morphing Grid picked you people, or why you’re all picked to represent a continent, but what we do know is that your morphers are made directly from the Morphing Grid itself, we know that your power has been given to you, not stolen and we know that you were created to defeat evil.”

“The Noir Ranger.” James nodded.

“It seems so, but…

“But what happens if we kill him?” James interrupted, “We won’t have a purpose either. And I can’t go back to my regular life, not now.”

“I can’t tell you any more James.”

“You can’t or you won’t?” he demanded.

“I won’t.”

“Why?”

“That’s another question I can’t answer James, not yet.”

“Dammit Zendon!”

“Please James, just trust me. I have been assigned your mentor, your guidance. But there is stuff you just have to accept. For a while at least.”

Zendon’s reply subdued James, and he accepted Zendon’s decision.

“But what is the Noir Ranger doing? I mean, why is he doing this?”

“Hmmm,” Zendon mused, “the true answer to that, only the Noir Ranger would know, but my best guess would be that it was the darkness inside of him – corrupted by his own power.”

“That seems too simple…” Anna pondered.

“Maybe,” replied Zendon, “but it’s the only explanation I’ve got. Other answers will come in time Rangers. The Dark is inside you all, it is the curse of power, but stay as a team, and hold each other together, and you will all be fine. Together you are strongest.”

“But we’re missing two Rangers,” said Ace.

“And something’s wrong with Ben,” added Anna.

“I fear we must find Ben soon, I can’t help him unless we find him. I’m not going to lie to you, he has more power than any of you – I don’t know why, but he does – and he can’t control it. It took over his morpher and turned him into a War Ranger – each of you has this power within you, but Ben… he’s a fighter. We need to save him from himself.”

“How can we find him?” Anna asked.

“You need to find the next Ranger – I think Ben needs to find himself.”

* * *

Clad in a Powersuit of red, a mysterious figure watches over Ben. Grey spikes protrude from his wrists into a sharp blade that make his punches all the more deadly. People watch but cannot see the mysterious Red Ranger, for a second their eyes catch a glimpse of something but when they look… nothing. He exists only in the spaces between perception. And that is how he wants to be.

For now anyway.

Ben picks himself up out of the water. He must have swum many miles but he could not remember any of it. For the first time since he became a Taskforce Ranger. He de-morphs.

The hot sea air against his skin, the feel of sand against his clothes. The feeling was nearly freedom, but not quite, as even without his powersuit, he was still a Taskforce Ranger and it did not escape him from his destiny.

“Do you know where to go?”

“Angel Grove.”

“Why?”

“Because that it where the other Rangers are heading.”

“But why Angel Grove?”

“There is a lot of… power there.”

“Good… you must take it!”

* * *

Angel Grove.

The most hip ‘n’ happening place this side of Mexico.

Three people appear in town.

Meet Ace Shepherd:

20, all-American male with a dazzling smile a fantastic hair but a bit of a goof. Obsessed with an overwhelming urge to impress people, his fighting style improves when more people are watching him.

Anna Kotohiki:

A nineteen-year-old Japanese girl with killer legs and a fighting style to match. Taught kickboxing at a young age by her step-dad, it quickly became her speciality.

James Darby:

20. Born down-under: he learnt how to care for many animals whilst living on his dad’s ranch. A self-confessed joker but he rarely sees the funny side when innocent people, or animals, are in the firing line.

“Don’t worry,” Zendon had told them, “I’ve set you up at the local college, you’ll fit right in.”

Two days passed without incident. The Rangers went to college like regular students, like regular people once again. Zendon didn’t contact them and the Noir Ranger was quiet. It was slightly ominous and relaxing at the same time. Their brains had felt overloaded with the information relayed to them from the Morphing Grid, and two days off refreshed them. Worry about Ben was still in the forefront of their minds but the weekend was tranquil.

Monday morning and the Rangers prepared of college. Zendon had arranged accommodation for them and the large house they shared had enough rooms to eventually allow six people to live comfortably.

Anna’s dark hair was adequately straight and she felt ready to leave the house. Ace’s toast was burnt but he insisted to James, who was packing his bag, that it was exactly how he liked it.

The doorbell rang.

Ace froze as the toast was half way to his mouth and his eyes flicked from James to Anna.

“Who?”

“Morphing time?” James asked.

“No, I think it’s ok… bad guys don’t ring the bell,” Anna replied, “right?”

“Only one way to find out,” James looked at Ace who still hadn’t moved.

The three Rangers walked to the front door together, the bell rang again.

“Just be ready,” James warned.

Ace unlocked the door and swung it open.

Anna screamed.

* * *

“This is incredible Art, nearly as amazing as when I first discovered the Grid!”

“But is it safe?”

“I can’t imagine it isn’t, as long as you had this at the other end,” Zendon indicated the object in his hand that looked like a television remote control.

“Do we tell the Rangers?”

“Not yet, they don’t need to know and it could just confuse them. No, we will keep it to ourselves for now…. I do need someone to test it though.”

“Maybe one of the Rangers would be best then?” Art suggested.

“No, it has to be you… if the Rangers tried… it could have bad consequences if something went wrong… worse than death.”

“So you really think this will work?”

Zendon smiled, “Absolutely.”

* * *

“Way to deafen us Anna!” Ben smiled at the front door as Anna jumped a hug on him.

“How did you know we were here?!” Ace exclaimed, giving Ben a friendly punch in the arm.

“I’m… not sure to be honest, I somehow knew you were in Angel Grove and just asked around until I found your house.”

“You could have rung you know!” Anna scolded, pointing at his morpher, “They do work you know!”

“Yea, but it wouldn’t have been a surprise!”

“And dude!” said James, “you’ve managed to de-morph, does that mean you’re better?”

“I’m not sure… I feel better… I feel more…focused… definitely more focused - I probably need to speak to Zendon though.”

Ace laughed, “Yep, he’s probably got a bit to tell you! He’ll be pleased we found you!”

They joked and laughed at the door before, suddenly, Anna screamed again, making the boys jump out of their skin.

“I’m going to be late for my first day!!” Running back into the house she grabbed her handbag and her lunch, “come on! Lets move!”

Forcing all three of them out of the door Anna headed off towards campus.

“It’s half way through the year, it’s not like we’re gonna pass anyway!” Ace moaned, “I’m surprised Z managed to get us in anyway.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty well connected,” James agreed, “Oh well, onwards to class!”

“I’ll see you guys later, I better go speak to Zendon – have a good day Ace!” Ben smiled, Ace rolled his eyes and followed James in the direction of campus. Anna was already a spot in the distance.

He could feel the power in the air; he could hear its hum on the breeze like a television left on standby. Ben smiled. Breathing deep he felt his body charge. His morpher vibrated. It could sense the energy.

It was so intense he was nearly blinded by it. His senses felt sharp.

He liked it here.

“You want it… there is only one way you can have it…”

It was time to see Zendon

bushwacka666

07-17-2008, 03:17 AM

Not much else to say about this one, except that Ben's plot thickens. And ooh if Zendon & Art don't have something new up their sleeve - looking forward to finding out what that is.

Einsider

07-17-2008, 12:29 PM

yea, my idea took a completely new direction (been re-reading some of ML's old stuff and beckoners fic and finished watching gekiranger a few weeks ago) and want a completely new style, so i'm setting it up - which is why the boring episode! lol but answers are coming! :)

Einsider

08-12-2008, 03:53 PM

Chapter 11

The meeting with the Intervention Department

Sunlight shined through the translucent skylight in the roof of the lecture theatre. The room must have been over thirty degrees and Anna felt a drop of sweat trace its way down her back.

She was interested in what her lecturer had to say but the room was so stuffy that her earlier excitement for her first day quickly diminished. Her lecturer had a moustache that looked like a dead rat lying on his upper lip. It needed a comb.

Applied Archaeology seemed like a good course at the time…

A finger prodded her in the back of the head and she turned around annoyed, giving an evil stare to the guy behind her who just smiled. She turned back and shuffled her papers, trying to get back into the class.

A finger poked her again.

“Quit it!”

“Can we have silence please!” the lecturer reprimanded.

Anna’s face went red and she muttered “sorry.”

The theatre quickly went back to its comatose state and the lecturer tried to make something about bacteria found in a fossil interesting…

The finger poked the back of her head again but Anna made sure to keep her voice down this time, “What the hell is your problem?”

“Nothing really,” the guy whispered back, “I’m just bored, this lecture blows and it’s too hot in here to care anyway. I was gonna ask you out to lunch but you don’t look like the type to skip class so…”

“Well you’re right, I wouldn’t skip – so leave me alone!”

A few seconds passed and Anna waited for the finger again, her body tense.

“Fine!” she suddenly erupted, still quiet enough to not be heard by the lecturer, “Lets go!”

Keeping low Anna sneaks out the back, the boy follows silently.

Outside the sun shined but the breeze gave a feeling of freedom compared to the hot and humid lecture theatre.

The boy was smiling, a wide, white grin beneath his green eyes and brown hair. It was tied in a ponytail.

“So I’m God.”

“Excuse me?” Anna said, raising an eyebrow. The boy laughed.

“My name’s Godfrey but that name sucks. Seriously. So I prefer just God.”

“That will probably… never happen… and I think you should know, I only left with you because it was too hot in there. So are you going to buy me a drink or not?”

“You’re… not from around here are you?” Godfrey asked

“Why do you think that?”

“Because here it’s customary for the girls to pay for the guys.”

Anna gave him evil eyes but she couldn’t help break into a smile at the length of his grin.

Playfully, she punched him in the chest, “Yeah right! I’m from Japan but I’m not stupid!”

“Japan?! Seriously?! That’s pretty cool, you know any good fighting moves?”

“We don’t all know how to fight…”

“Oh come on… nothing?”

“Okay…” she smiled, “I do know how to do this… swing at me.”
“What?”

“Just swing a punch at me.” Anna insisted.

“Erm… okay…”

Godfrey’s punch swung wildly and quickly Anna grabbed his arm, protecting herself from the amateur punch and flipped the boy over onto his back.

“Ow…” he coughed from the ground, “that’s pretty good…”

Anna helped him back up onto his feet and dusted him off.

“So,” he asked, retying his hair, “now that you’ve beaten me up can we go for a drink?”

“I’m not sure… I mean, there wasn’t anybody around to watch your humiliation so…”

“Oh come on!” he pleaded, “Just one! Half of one?”

“Well…” Anna’s wrist morpher bleeped.

“What’s that?”

“Erm… fancy Japanese… watch… phone… thing… I really have to take this, look I’ll erm…” Anna didn’t finish her sentence as she was already running away, “We can speak later!”

Godfrey stood where he was, slightly stunned by the entire event. His back still hurt.

The strange Japanese girl hadn’t even told him her name, but he felt like he knew her.

* * *

“Chemistry?” James moaned, “Why chemistry?!”

“You told me to pick us a subject, now shut up about it!” Ace sighed, reading through his course material.

“But why chemistry?!”

“Because I like it! Now shut up!”

“You are not a fucking chemist! Let’s do a proper subject, like marine biology or… anything else! Something that doesn’t involve being bored!” James pleaded. “Why the fuck did I say you could choose?!”

“Because you respect my intellect and know that without my help you will never advance to being anywhere near as academic as myself,” Ace smiled.

“What were you doing before this?” James asked.

“What?”

“Before you became a Ranger, what were you doing?”

“Oh,” Ace stalled, “I was working at… this place in…”

“Spit it out!”

“I was running an… automobile… cleaning… facility…” Ace chose his words carefully, “I was in charge of the… computer equipment…”

Ace blazed James with his smile.

“You worked at a car wash?”

“No… we did repairs too… once anyway…”

“We’re picking a new subject,” said James firmly.

“No way, chemistry is sexy, the ladies will love it!” Ace insisted.

“No they won’” James stopped, “… really?”

“Yeah man! I don’t know how it works down under but chicks really dig it over here!”

“…The truth?” James asked once more.

“Totally!”

James thought about it for a moment longer, “Okay, I’m in! Chemistry it is!”

“Awesome!”

Ace could picture it now, seven or eight half naked… maybe completely naked… girls in his room, asking him for help with their chemistry assignments because the summer was just way to hot for them to think. He suggests they go cool off with the hose outside his window… magical…

A simultaneous bleeping from both their morphers snaps him back to reality, he presses a button.

“Anna is already on her way here,” Zendon spoke, “Grab James and get to the Morphing Grid. Remember: nobody can see you!!”

“You got it Z!”

“Time for work?” James asked, smiling.

“You really like this don’t you?” Ace smiled back.

“Oh yes!”

“Hope you can keep up!” Ace winked, flashing his grin again.

“Loser buys the beers?”

“Dude… you’ve gotta be twenty-one to buy drink here.” He starts to run, “Come on, let’s hurry and get back to the house.”

James doesn’t move, “Hey! Hey! What do you mean we have to be twenty-one?” he shouts after him.

* * *

The command centre seemed darker than usual when James and Ace arrived. The same electronic hum still echoed around the room. Zendon was standing over the holographic projection table.

“Thank you for coming quickly Rangers, it was mostly a test to see how quick you could get here… Anna won that…”

Anna smiled.

“Smug?” James sneered. Anna stuck out her tongue.

“Yes… well…” Zendon continued, “there was a real reason I needed to see you. I have been contacted by the U.N. secret committee, the people Ace and Ben saved from Contingency Two a week ago.”

“Wait,” James interrupted, “Who?”

“They’re a sub-group of the U.N. who deal in… quiet matters, usually military. Anyway, they’ve demanded a meeting with us.”

“Why?” Ace asked.

“I think they’re worried about their… eh… lack of control.”

“Oh shit,” Anna cursed. “They want to put us on a chain.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t think that will happen, they mostly want to speak to me, but I think it would be best if you were all there.”

“Woah, wait a moment!” Ace spoke out, holding his hands up, “all of us? Z: Where’s Ben? He said he was coming to see you.”

“Ben did see me… he’s helping me with another matter…”

“What?” James demanded.

“All in good time James… he’s helping Art, that’s all you need to kn…”

“What?! No! Not this again Zendon, what is happening? Tell me or I’m out. Now!”

Zendon sighed, “Okay, lets cut a deal, you stay with me and come to the U.N. meeting, and I’ll explain everything to you when we get back.”

James raised an eyebrow, “Everything?”

“Everything James.”

James looked at the other Rangers, Anna nodded, Ace shrugged his shoulders.

“Good,” Zendon smiled. “Let’s go.”

With those words Zendon pressed a button on the holographic projection table and the group vanished in a flash of light.

The meeting room of Development 1 was much the same as Contingency 2. There were no drinks this time. The Rangers had morphed on teleportation and the three of them stood behind Zendon, who was looking much older again and sitting in his wheelchair. A large clock was ticking on the wall. The time said 3.45 but they didn’t know where in the world they were supposed to be. Four men and one woman sat behind a table.

Zendon looked tired.

“Zendon, thank you for coming. To be honest I expected you not to show.”

Zendon nodded, “Madam Utterson.”

“Welcome Rangers.”

Anna and James nodded, Ace gave a salute.

“Well Rangers…” said Utterson, standing as she spoke, “I assume Zendon told you why we have asked you here?”

“He said you wanted to put us on a tighter chain, is this true Madam Utterson?” Anna asked.

“Yes… but we are aware that this is unlikely to happen. Zendon… has been planning this for a long while… haven’t you Zendon?”

The Rangers all looked at him in surprise – planning this?

“I wouldn’t say I was planning… this, Madam Utterson, but I was prepared…”

“And he didn’t see it fit to let the Intervention Department know, he admits deliberately planning against us.”

“No, I did not plan against you, I planned to protect you…”

“Intervention Department?” James whispered to Anna through her earpiece, who shrugged her shoulders.

“I think,” whispered Ace, “Zendon has never been telling us… anyone… the full truth.”

Madam Utterson sat back down.

“Mr Zendon. You have told us on three separate occasions… this being the third, that you have been planning to protect us… what are you supposed to be protecting us from?”

“The future, Madam Utterson. That is all I can tell you because that is all I know. For now. I messed with the Morphing Grid and nothing good can come of it. The power of the grid…” Zendon paused to take breath from his oxygen tank, he had never seemed older. “The power of the grid should never be in the hands of humans, the grid chooses only those who can handle this power. I messed with the grid… it is my curse, I will protect you, me and my Rangers, but you must trust us.”

Madam Utterson shook her head, “I speak for all of us in the U.N. Intervention Department when I say that that is unacceptable… however, at this present time we seem to have little choice. Protect the Earth from the Noir Ranger, and we shall speak again.”

Zendon sighed, “Alas, Madam Utterson that can never happen.”

“What are you saying Zendon?!” Utterson demanded.

“I am not working against you Madam, but I am ill, I am dying. Just old age, happens to us all. Next time you contact the Rangers… Art, my son, will be in control. I am afraid my time is… far shorter than I anticipated.”

Anna gasped.

“You didn’t tell your Rangers?” Utterson asked.

“I didn’t want to worry them, but do not fear, my plans are all written down, I have taught Art everything I know, he will keep you safe Madam Utterson.”

Zendon nodded to the Rangers, “We must go now.” To the Intervention Department: “Goodbye Madam Utterson, gentlemen. It has been nice knowing you.”

“Zendon wait!”
Utterson’s command was ignored as the Rangers and Zendon disappeared back into the Grid. Ace’s goodbye salute slightly satirical as their after image faded from view.

A man behind the desk spoke, “…Madam Utterson?”

“Yes, Mr Maddocks?”

“I suggest we wait to see what happens, chasing them would be like chasing ghosts, and we need them… for now. The Intervention Department has been active since the U.N.’s creation; we will survive a little longer.”

“Yes.”

A solitary figure in a red power suit stood in the shadows. No one in the room noticed him. The I.D. left the room, Mr. Rogers turned the lights off and thought he caught a glimpse of a figure in the room. His finger remained poised over the light switch but he decided against his curiosity, preferring to believe in tricks of the mind, which it partly was. The metal door shut and locked.

“Not all humans,” the Red suited warrior mused, “Not all of them were stupid.”

* * *

A flash of light and four individuals appeared back in the control room of the Morphing Grid, it was still dark in the control room. All the computers were running slow.

“You’re dying?!” Anna screamed.

“Not here.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us you’re dying!” she continued.

“Well, I am pretty old…”

“What will we do without you?!” she cried more, ignoring his responses.

“Anna, please, listen to me,” Zendon asked, “I’m not dying. Not here.”

“What do you mean?” Ace demanded.

“Here are your answers James,” Zendon smiled, “I hope your listening.”

James nodded and an alarm went off. Red lights flashed and the holographic projection table started up the location program. Zendon pressed a button and the alarms silenced.

“This is an emergency, but I promised you James, so I will be quick. I told Utterson that the Grid is my curse, when I first accessed the Grid it… climbed inside of me, it shocked me. You wonder why I can access the Grid without the use of a morpher? I became linked to the Grid that day, my curse passed onto my son, his mother… my Felicity… died giving birth to him.”

Zendon turned to face Anna, “Anna, I am dying, but only in the physical world. Here, I am… better… not cured but… when we are in the Grid time runs slower, wounds heal faster. And you cannot die in here. If I stay here I can lead you forever, I will still age but I will never die.”

“And that’s why you will never be able to see the Intervention Department again… you can’t leave the Grid without dying…” Ace surmised.

“Exactly.”

“What’s happened to the control room, Zendon, what happened to Art?” James demanded.

“And Ben! We just found him we can’t lose him again!”

“Art, was testing this for me,” Zendon held up the object that looked like a television remote. “It’s a Grid Surfer, designed to allow the user to travel anywhere in the Grid.”

“Why?” Ace asked.

“I told you before… the Grid… is transuniversal… we were hoping to… make contact with… an old friend of mine. You wouldn’t know him, it doesn’t matter. But I lost him. There was an energy spike and he slipped off my monitors. Ben arrived just as it happened, using his Morpher I tried to power up my Surfer Controller to bring his Surfer Receiver back, but it overloaded the system and Ben… disappeared also.”

“You what?!”

“It didn’t go to plan… I know but…” Zendon sighed, “The Grid is full of power but it seems to have been rerouted somewhere else. I need more power to lock on to Ben’s morpher and bring them both back. So I was wondering…”

“Right!” Ace shouted, interrupting Zendon, “so guys, let’s see what that emergency was about!” Hastily looking at the Holographic Projection Table, Ace prepared to teleport, “Africa… South Africa: sweet – never been! Let’s go guys!”

Ace pushed the other Rangers out of their seats.

Moments later the three Rangers appeared back on Earth in their powersuits.

“Dude!” James yelled, “What was all that about?!”

“Oh yeah,” Ace retorted, “like I was going to let him take another morpher and lose another one of us – who would I have to compete with?!”

“Where are we?” Anna asked.

“South Africa apparently…” Ace replied.

“What are we here for again?” James asked.

Ace responded, slowly: “The emergency…”

“Which is?”

“I… errr….” Ace swallowed, “I didn’t… look.”

“Oh… Great.”

GreyRanger

08-12-2008, 05:51 PM

Awesome chapter mate, some good answers by Zendon, although i can guess as to why you added in some of the dialogue...transuniversal is all i'm saying :)
Ace is by faw the best character in this fic, i absolutley love him and his false ideas, almost reminds me of Ken from Geki...ah remember the chistmas ep?
Elehan: "Ken do you speak English?"
Ken: "Yes, i do.."
Elehan: "Why's the white boy upset?"
Ken: "He...is sad because...he is poor...yeah, that's it, he's poor!"

Einsider

08-12-2008, 06:21 PM

the christmas ep was good: "I AM YOUR MOTHER! KISS ME!"

Thanks man, i've nearly got the next chapter completed also so it shouldn't be as long a wait this time and the chapter after that is already all planned out so hold onto your seat dude.

and btw- mythos anytime soon?

GreyRanger

08-13-2008, 03:19 AM

I started to continue writing it yesterday, could only manage 2 paragraphs. Man, this block is a bitch!

bushwacka666

08-14-2008, 07:16 AM

Nice chapter Einsider, glad to hear Zendon explain his connection to the Grid to some degree, and an interesting explanation it is too. I really liked the introduction of Godfrey into the mix - his simple greeting of "So I'm God" make me chuckle - and I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of him. :023: Keep going man, I can tell you're building up to something pretty cool here.

ML: believe me, I feel your pain! But just take your time and persevere - I have faith that the wait will be worth it! ;)

Einsider

12-06-2008, 08:39 PM

4 months! it's been four months since i last posted! I feel such a fool! I've just had so much on and so many new ideas. I've nearly finished the current chapter, should be done (i hope) not before too long. In the mean time i've been writing three other fics, two of which are going to be used in M_L's [oneshot] fic, so i've been busy writing and creating suits!

I promise as soon as the two [oneshot] stories are over I will write the conclusion to the chapter and then continue with my ongoing story (believe it or not i have thought up most of the story, just takes time writing it down!) anyway, loyal or not so loyal readers: watch this space. This is more to come :)

bushwacka666

12-07-2008, 02:57 AM

Whoa, I didn't realise it had been quite that long since the last installment! :o

I understand how these delays can sneak up on you m8, believe me. Like you I've planned out the majority of my fic in advance, but actually getting it written up is not so straightforward. But in any case, just to let you know that I'm still here - looking forward to the continuation of Noir. :)

FlashmanX

12-07-2008, 02:31 PM

I have to tell you I'm not really feeling the story anymore.

The opening was awsome and then it kinda went into left field.
I think you kinda focused on the dark element to much.

Einsider

12-07-2008, 03:10 PM

i kinda got distracted with some of my other work so rushed out chapters - dw it will all come together soon so the rest of the arcs will be easier to understand :)

Einsider

01-28-2009, 06:45 PM

Chapter 12

First World

“Rangers!” Zendon’s voice came through their earpieces, “You teleported so quickly I didn’t have time to brief you! You’re in South Africa, there’s a disturbance – I don’t think it’s the Noir Ranger… directly.”

Ace raised an eyebrow under his helmet.

“You’re enemy,” Zendon continued, “are a para-terrorist group known as First World Africa – they’re a group who want to crash the western economy to level the playing field and turn Africa into the world super-power. They’ve mostly been small fry but they’ve just taken over the capital and are making demands… I fear the Noir Ranger must be involved for them to suddenly have gained so much power.”

Zendon paused for breath.

“Hurry it Zendon!” Ace implored, “I’m baking in this suit and this sun!”

“Right, you’re targets are human, men and women, black and white. Don’t kill them! For Grid’s sake! But you must stop them and find out what’s happened. Remember: anyone, even those who look like civilians, could be part of First World Africa so watch your backs!”

“Thanks Zendon,” said Anna, “we’ll take it from here.”

“Good luck Rangers!” With that Zendon signed off and the Rangers started walking. The early-afternoon sun was hot on their backs and after fifteen minutes walking they still hadn’t reached town.

“Ace!” James panted, “couldn’t you have…” more panting, “teleported us nearer town?”

“Well I…” Ace panted back, “was kind of in a… rush… to be honest.”

“Will you two… quit whining!” Anna scolded, “I think I’m gonna… have to take off my helmet!”

“No wait! We’re nearly there!”

Before them stood Cape Town. Instead of its normal glory, the city stood in fire and smoke.

“We’ve got to hurry!”

Running into the city they found the leaders of First World on a stage, a noose hanging to one side – a body swinging from it - armed with automatic weapons and shouting slogans to the masses.

The crowd parted as the Rangers walked to the stage.

Zendon spoke into their ears, “The man shouting to the crowd on the stage is Moses Hundred, twenty nine, born in France and moved to South Africa to help the cause. He changed his name and became leader two years ago. He has a fondness for explosives.”

“Thanks Z.” Ace replied.

James spoke up, “Moses!” The man stopped speaking and fell silent, staring hard at the Rangers, his eyes attempting to pierce their helmets.

“Who are you?!”

“Who are we?” James responded, “We’re the Taskforce Rangers!” The three of them struck their offensive poses, “and we’re here to stop you.”

“Stop us?” Moses laughed, “You can’t stop us! We’re too powerful to be stopped.”

“Not as powerful as us!” Ace warned him.

“You have no idea!” Moses pulled two grenades from his back pockets and pulled both pins.

“Shit!” yelled Ace.

Anna shouted to the crowd, “Get outta here, run!” She turned to run also and a foot shot out from the mob, hitting her in the head. “What the ?!” Anna got up from the ground and two fists hit her in the chest, throwing her back onto the ground.

“Ace, James – look out!”

Seven people ran in the opposite direction to the fleeing crowd, throwing themselves at the two male Rangers. Dressed all in black with metal face masks, only showing their eyes, they begun their attack.

The grenades had been thrown, one landed in the crowd, “Ace, get rid of them, I’ll stop these guys!”

Backflipping over an advancing enemy Ace made a run for the grenade. Another guard came at Ace, his leg lifted and his flying kick shot at Ace. Throwing himself to the ground, Ace’s momentum slid him under the guard. Ace grabbed the guard’s foot as he slid and flipped the guard down onto his face.

Ace grabbed the grenade and threw it as high as possible. “Nice one Ace!” Shouted James as he parried the attacks of two of the First World Guards. The grenade exploded in the sky and people dived for the ground, nobody was hurt.

Anna had picked herself up off the ground, in front of her stood a family, a mother and two young children. At their feet sat the second grenade. They were too scared to move. Anna could see the fear in their eyes. She would never get to the grenade in time.

Instinctively she drew her Kirpans and, like a boomerang, she threw one of them. Hitting the ground just below the grenade, the force bounced the grenade into the sky.

“Get down!” Anna shouted. The family collapsed as the grenade exploded. Nobody was hurt.

Meanwhile, Ace and James were dealing with the First World guards.

One of the guards swung a punch at Ace who impulsively rolled under the punch and struck out with a strong jab. Ace fist hit the guard straight on the nose but the metal mask he was wearing stopped Ace’s punch dead with a metallic thunk.

“Ouch!” Ace yelled, shaking his hand in pain.

“Try to avoid punching their masks!” James advised.

Forgetting the pain as much as he could, Ace swung his foot low and took out the legs of the metal-faced guard. He stamped his foot down on the guard’s chest.

“Yeah! Thanks!”

James rolled under a punch, blocked a kick then swung his own kick up between the guard’s legs. “DING! Was that a bell I heard?” He chuckled sarcastically as he pushed the guard gently to the floor.

By the time Anna has calmed down the civilians and got back to Ace and James, all the guards were down. All except Moses Hundred, still standing on his soap box.

“Hmmm…” he glared down at them. “Power Rangers…”

“Taskforce Rangers!” Ace countered.

“Whatever, I’ve heard all about you… Don’t think I haven’t prepared myself.” From a box next to his feet he picked up a loaded RPG. Taking aim at Anna he shouted, “Don’t think this is all I’ve prepared!”

Moses pressed the trigger and the weapon fired – it’s explosive projectile heading straight for Anna.

A circular shield appeared from nowhere, intercepting the grenade, which exploded without incident. The shield returned to it’s owner.

“Is that…?” Anna asked.

“Another girl?” Ace grinned.

The Africa Ranger stood proud. “Moses! You’re coup shall come to nothing! Equality is not just for the blacks!”

Moses sneered, “I’m not fighting for equality! When the western economy falls all countries will be on a level once again but this time history will be different. Africa will be number one. The third world shall become the first world and all shall bow to me as it’s benevolent ruler!”

“You’re superiority complex is beyond a joke!” said the Africa Ranger, “You shall fail!”

“Africa Ranger! You are one of us, you are on our side! Help us make Africa great!”

“I am on the side of justice! Your plans will just kill many people! I will stop you!”

“NO!” James shouted, “WE will stop you! Africa Ranger, I don’t know where you came from, and I’m sure as hell glad you arrived, but we’re a team, not individuals! MOSES! The taskforce Rangers are nearly complete! And we’re coming for you! Call off your troops!”

Moses laughed, “Nearly complete? Where is the infamous War Europe Ranger?” Moses could sense their surprise, “Yes I know all about the fallen Europe Ranger – He isn’t here to help you! Where is he now?”

“He has a point,” Ace whispered, “without him… dammit Ben, where are you?”

* * *

“Yes Ben… This is the power you seek… you are part of it now… But it’s not all yours… not yet… there are others who draw from this power…they weaken you…”

“The… The Power Rangers…” Ben whispered.

“Yes, they steal your power… the power that is rightfully yours… only you can save the world Ben…”

“How do I save the world?” Ben asked.

“You must take the power… de-power the other Rangers… any of those connected to the Morphin’ Grid… you must harness their strength… Become the Ultimate Ranger…”

“The Ultimate Ranger?”

“Yes… then you can save all those you love, with that much power… you could even bring back the dead…”

“Jenna…”

“Yes… Jenna… you could even save her… just… take the power… de-power the Rangers. Be a hero Ben… be a Hero…”

* * *

The Africa Ranger jumped up onto the wooden stage. The man hanging was still swinging in the breeze. Using the sharp edge of her shield, the Africa Ranger cut the body down. She pointed at Moses, “You are coming with us, you are under arrest!”

“Can we do that?” James whispered his question to Anna.

“I… erm… I don’t know… apparently.”

“Under arrest?!” Moses exclaimed with a laugh, “Please stop before I die laughing!”

“When you die,” the Africa Ranger threatened, “it won’t be laughing!”

“Shut up!” Moses exclaimed, quickly loading another grenade into the RPG and swinging it towards her. Before he fired the Africa Ranger was next to him. She kicked the weapon right out of his hand and grabbed him around the throat, lifting him half an inch off the ground.

“You are finished!”

“Not yet!” He choked.

They were suddenly surrounded again by metal-faced guards. More than last time, but these ones had scowling faces and golden gloves. Some sort of elite guard.

“We beat them before,” Ace laughed, “Africa is right, you are finished!”

“Let’s do this guys!” shouted Anna, posing aggressively.

“RIGHT!”

In a flash of light their suits vanished. The Africa Ranger lost her strength and she dropped Moses who landed on his feet. He smiled before his fist, armed with a knuckle-duster, broke her nose.

“Too bad Rangers, I think it’s you who are finished.”

From behind Moses, as if he had been hiding in a shadow, the Noir Ranger stepped out. He laughed menacingly before he disappeared again into the sunlight.

“Right… That shouldn’t have happened…” said Ace, “what now?”

James shrugged, “I know a joke?”

* * *

Unlimited, transuniversal power was never made to be in the hands of any one single person. From this position Ben could see every universe, every time, every place, every ranger. Any dimension linked to the grid, which was all of them, was cut off. Any ranger, de-powered.

The human mind was not designed to hold all this power. But Ben, now, was far from human.

“How do you feel Ben?”

“Powerful… but in pain…”

“Yes… the pain… how does it make you feel Ben? Alive?”

“Dead.”

“You must challenge the Noir Ranger, Ben. You must defeat him... To save your friends, of course.”

“Yes.”

* * *

“…and the aardvark said ‘it’s not my spoon.’”

“I thought you said you had a joke?” said Ace.

“What?! That’s funny man!”

Anna interrupted, “This is really not the time guys.”

The Africa Ranger picked herself up holding her broken nose, blood flowed down her face. Moses kicked her hard in the stomach and she fell off the stage.

“Warriors!” Moses yelled, “Attack!!!”

The metal faced elite guard all struck at once. The de-powered rangers tried to defend themselves but they were overwhelmed.

Anna dodged two kicks and blocked a punch, but from behind a guard grabbed her round the throat with a metal chain. Using the guard in front of her, Anna flipped over the guard and punched him in the back of the neck. Before she could enjoy her little victory she was kicked violently in the chest and was thrown to the ground.

James and Ace had each other’s back but were over-powered as easily as Anna. Although they managed to parry a few shots and beat a few of the guards, they, ultimately, ended up on the ground next to Anna. Ace sporting a fat lip, James, a black eye.

But the Africa Ranger was still up fighting. The Africa Ranger countered a punch and sent the guard flying back into four others. Knocking all of them down. Rolling under another punch she hit the guard twice in the stomach and then hit him with an upper cut to the chin. The metal mask hardly fazed her.

Three more guards surrounded her but she used their strength against them. The first guard kicked hard for her chest. She quickly caught his foot and spun him around, knocking the second guard to the floor. The third guard grabbed her from behind but she swiftly threw him over her shoulder, showing remarkable strength for her size.

She went to stamp down hard on her fallen enemy but a strong straight kick sent her falling to the ground herself.

Moses yelled, “Dammit, do I have to do everything myself?!” He kicked the Africa Ranger hard again as she lay on the ground.

The Noir Ranger appeared from the shadows behind Moses.

“Well done,” he whispered to Moses. “You just took out the Taskforce Rangers.”

Moses smiled, “I couldn’t have done it if you hadn’t taken away their powers. Man, that was close.” Moses kicked Africa Ranger again, “Not so tough without your suits are you.”

“Moses Hundred,” Said the Noir Ranger.

“What?”

“I didn’t de-power the Rangers.”

“Then who…”

From nowhere an object crashed hard into the ground, creating a small crater where it landed. The man was crouched down, both fists touching the ground and he slowly stood up.

“I de-powered that Rangers, but it is power I intend to use for good… I intend to destroy you… Noir Ranger…”

“Who are you?” The Noir Ranger sneered.

“I am Ben Richards, I was the War Europe Ranger… and now I am the Ultima Ranger. I took all the power of the morphin’ grid… I took it so I could destroy you.”

The Noir Ranger laughed, “Boy you don’t know what you’re doing. I draw my power from the morphin’ grid also and believe me, I have lost no such power. You are pathetic, any human who absorbed that much power would die.”

“Yet I am not dead. I am here to take your power now. Taking your power will make my power grow stronger. There is no room for you here.”

“Then we should fight.”

The Noir Ranger stood facing the Ultima Ranger. The Ultima Ranger’s white and blue suit shimmered eerily in the sunlight.

They both slowly formed their offensive poses.

“Is that… Ben?” James questioned.

“I think… I think it is…” Anna replied.

Ben held out his palm like a tiger claw, “I will steal your power in five moves, Noir Ranger.”

“I guess I’ll start counting then.”

“Hey now wait!” shouted Moses, putting his hand on the Noir Rangers arm. With a quick flick of his elbow, the Noir Ranger knocked Moses to the ground, “I’m busy.”

“Is this right?” Anna asked James, who shook his head as if to say ‘I don’t know.’

“Yo! Ben!” Ace shouted, “Kick his ass!”

Ben smiled under his helmet, yes – there would definitely be kicking.

* * *

The Noir Ranger didn’t wait for “Go.” Without a pause and under the blue African sky, he charged. Drawing his sword from midair in a swirl of purple, the black flames along its bladed edges hotter than the sun above them. By the time he was within reach, the sword was fully out; its sharp point facing forward, one hand on the handle, the other on the hilt but the unearthly sword never found its target. The Ultima Ranger spun, avoiding the lethal blow and threw a hard backhand into the Noir Ranger’s head. Sparks exploded and the Noir Ranger fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

“One.” Ben said.

The Noir Ranger picked himself up, more angry than injured. More humiliated than defeated. The Noir Ranger prepared to fight again, drawing another black flamed sword from the void. As he went to step towards the Ultima Ranger, he noticed the small glowing green spot on his helmet, a mark left on him from Ben’s attack. The Ultima Ranger held out his hand towards the Noir Ranger, palm face upwards. He closed his hand tight and the green spot exploded. The Noir Ranger’s sword vanished once again as the force back-flipped him into the earth once again.

“Two.” Ben said.

Grimacing but still uninjured, the Noir Ranger returned to his feet. This time he drew a spear. Over six feet long with a pointed end. He held it towards his enemy. “No more,” he told him.

“It’s not up to you,” Ben replied, “Unless you just want to give up?”

“There are none more powerful than me. I have all the power of the original rangers!”

“They’re gone Noir Ranger, I am the future!”

Ben attacked this time, his speed allowing him to duck under the thrusting spear of the defending Noir Ranger. The Ultima Ranger’s helmet connected with the Noir Ranger’s stomach, doubling him over and sending him forty feet back.

“Three.”

Anna and James looked at each other, “Did he say ‘I’?” James asked.

The Noir Ranger picked himself up, a weakened titan. He was not done yet. This time he drew to scimitars from the void and sliced them through the air in front of him.

“And people say I went mad with power,” the Noir Ranger laughed.

“You used your power for evil,” Ben yelled, “I am using it to destroy evil!”

The Noir Ranger laughed again, “To destroy evil? Ultima Ranger; if I am evil then you have failed! I am still standing, it is your friends and your allies who are weakened, who are the ones without power!”

Ben’s fists tightened.

The Noir Ranger attacked again, swinging his scimitars consecutively, forcing the Ultima Ranger to block each attack with his gauntlets. He stepped back as he defended, the Noir Ranger stepped forward into the attack. He believed he was winning.

The Noir Ranger swung both his weapons down and to his surprise the Ultima Ranger caught both of them, the sharp edge of both blades in the palms of his hands. He didn’t even flinch. A single kick to the stomach knocked the Noir Ranger down, his scimitar still in the Ultima Ranger’s hands for a second before they disappeared back into the void.

“Four”

The Noir Ranger stumbled back up, he was just as strong as the Ultima Ranger but he wasn’t ready for the next attack.

“This is five!” The Ultima Ranger shouted as he plunged his open hand into the Noir Ranger’s chest.

The Noir Ranger fell to his knees and screamed. His suit and helmet flickered like white noise; the ground around everybody rumbled and explosions erupted around the Ultima Ranger.

The visor on the Noir Ranger’s suit flickered and died. Through his own visor, Ben looked into the eyes of his nemesis.