This site hosted by Free.ProHosting.com
Google
Disclaimer:  Power Rangers, villains, places, etc. belong to Saban, not me.

The Gathering:02

Devil’s Palace

In the stonewalls of Devil’s Palace, Black Shadow slept soundly in his throne. He was snoring softly, much more softly than one would expect from someone his weight and size.  Dr. Clash entered the room and tapped the dark lord’s shoulder.

        “Sire, I need to speak to you.”
        Black Shadow grumbled as he opened his eyes.  “Ugh.....Dr. Clash?  Is it a week later already?”
        “Oh, were you taking a nap?” Dr. Clash asked.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.  I’ll leave you to continue your rest.”  He began to back out of the room.
        “No, no.....I’m awake now,” Black Shadow grumbled.  “Speak, Doctor.”
        “I was just getting bored,” Dr. Clash said.  “It’s been a while since we’ve attacked Arturus.”
        “We can’t just attack.  An evil scheme requires careful planning and anticipation.  I haven’t thought of any schemes lately.”
        “We have to try harder!”
        “No.....what a waste of energy,” Black Shadow said.  “We have to work smarter, not harder.  I’m hoping to find some inspiration in my dreams.”
        He yawned sleepily.  Dr. Clash looked at him in deep concern.
        “Black Shadow?  You’re not really awake.....are you?”
        Black Shadow shook his head.  “No.....I’m not.  I must continue with my rest.”  He limply signaled to leave.  “Leave me.”
        “Yes, Master.”  Dr. Clash turned and quietly left the room.
   ***

   King Kai’s Planet

        Jenny and Goku were having a wonderful time as they finished their lunch.  During the meal, they learned quite a mouthful about each other.

        “Well, that was good,” Goku said. “Now I’d better get back to my training.”
        “What kind of training do you do here?” Jenny asked.
        “Just martial arts training. I’m only getting stronger, you know.”
        Jenny chuckled.  “Try not to get too strong, or you’ll never be able to find a good challenge.  What a boring life you’d live.”
        “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” Goku said.  “Gregory!”
        A ball of blue light appeared.  Then it disappeared, leaving a greenish brown bug in its place.  It was much larger than most bugs, and strangely enough, it had no wings.  When Jenny saw the bug, she screamed and jumped back.
        “Hey, it’s okay, Jenny,” Goku said.  “It’s only Gregory.”
        “That bug is Gregory??” Jenny gasped.
        “Hey, what’s the matter, girl?” Gregory asked.
        “I’m just scared of bugs!” Jenny told him.  “Oh man, I can’t believe that I’m actually talking to one!”
        “Believe it, kid,” Gregory said.  “So Goku, ready to get back to it?”
        “I sure am,” Goku replied, picking up a metal hammer.  “Let’s go.”
        Gregory engulfed himself in the blue light ball and flew out of sight, and Goku gave chase.  Piccolo leaned against a tree, watching as they ran in every conceivable direction.
        When Spinal was released from Fulgore, he moseyed over to the tree and lay on the ground.  Piccolo looked down at him.
        “Are you sure you want to sleep there?” he asked.  “Something unpleasant could happen to you.”
        “What do you mean?” Spinal asked.  “This is a perfectly good spot.  It’s away from the crowd.”
        “Suit yourself then,” Piccolo said.
        Meanwhile, Goku chased Gregory around the planet, trying to smash him with the hammer.  Instead, he kept pounding the ground as the bug dodged his attacks. Each pound caused the entire planet to shake violently.
        “Goku, be careful out there!” Jeice cried.  “You’ll bring the whole planet down!”
        Goku kept pounding as he came towards the tree when Spinal and Piccolo were staying.  Piccolo moved aside as Goku brought the hammer down right by the tree.  Amazingly, the tree tipped over. Spinal looked up to see the tree fall on top of him, pinning him down!
        “Hey!” he cried. “Hey Piccolo....lend a hand, will ya?”
        Piccolo chuckled.  “Drop me a line if you ever get out of there.”  He began walking towards the house again.
        “Oh, come on!” Spinal cried.  “Piccolo!!!”
        Piccolo leaned against the outside wall as Jenny came out of the house.
        “Jeice has a good point,” she told herself.  “Goku is going to bring the house down.  He’s such a silly man.”
        Then she caught Piccolo glaring at her.  “What’re you staring at, hmm?”
        Piccolo looked away.
        “Ah, screw him!” Spinal muttered.  “I don’t need his help.”
        He placed his hands flat on the tree and released his power, disintegrating it. Then he got up and walked back to the house.
        Pico sat on the ground a few feet away from Piccolo.  He pulled his head into his shell.
        “I wanna go home!” he whined.
        “Sure, why don’t you go home?” Piccolo asked.  “Don’t let these oddballs stop you.”
        Pico popped his head out and looked at him.  “Who asked you?”
        At last, Goku returned to the house laughing while Gregory groaned and held his head.  King Kai stepped out.
        “Oh, Goku, I see that you’re ready for your sparring match,” he said.
        “No!” Piccolo growled.  “I’ll fight first!”
        “Very well, Piccolo,” King Kai said.  “Choose one of the Spice Club members to fight.”
        The Spices stood together.  Hallie raised her hand.
        “Oooh, pick me, pick me!” she cried.
        “I don’t think so,” Piccolo grumbled.  “Hmm.....”
        “Y’know, you can always pick me,” Jenny said.  “I’m far more gorgeous than my little sister.”
        “Hey!” Hallie cried.
        “I’m kidding!” Jenny told her.
        Piccolo looked carefully over the group.  Finally, he came to a decision.
        “I’ll take on the little bonehead.”
        “Huh!?” Spinal gasped.
        “What!?” Fulgore cried, grabbing Spinal.  “You expect me to allow my partner to be torn apart by a pickle with claws and fangs!?”  Then he shoved Spinal out towards Piccolo.  “Sold!”
        Spinal scrambled to his feet.  Piccolo threw his arm out to the side, flapping one end of his cape back.
        “Your move,” he taunted.
        “Go get him, Spinal!” Fulgore called.
        Spinal tightened his fists and charged at Piccolo.  The little skeleton warrior threw a flurry of punches, but Piccolo dodged them all without even blocking!  Then Piccolo disappeared abruptly, reappeared behind Spinal, and kicked him, sending him to the ground.
        “Wow, you’ll have to be quick in order to beat this guy,” Jenny observed.
        “Ah, I can beat him,” Goku boasted.
        “Sure you could,” Jenny said.  “So, what exactly is Piccolo?  He’s not really a pickle, is he?”
        “No, he’s a Namek.  He comes from the planet Namek.”
        “Oh great.  First we have Vegeta from Vegeta, and now a Namek from Namek.”
        Piccolo fired his eye lasers, striking Spinal’s chest.  Spinal staggered back into a tree and dropped to his hands and knees.
        “Get up, Spinal!” Jenny called.  “You can beat him!”
        “Really?” Goku asked.
        “Sure.  Spinal’s a lot tougher than he looks.  He’s just suffering from extreme shyness, that’s all.”
        Spinal stood up and threw a flaming skull at Piccolo.  The Namek warped behind the tree that Spinal leaned against.  He peeked around the tree.
        “Boo.”
        Gasping, Spinal spun around, throwing a fierce roundhouse kick at Piccolo, who grabbed his ankle.  Piccolo pulled back on ankle in preparation to shove him away, but Spinal quickly embraced Piccolo’s neck.  As Piccolo squirmed to break his hold, Spinal grabbed the end of his cape and pulled it over Piccolo’s head.  Spinal then stepped
back to watch him scramble to get the cape off.  As Piccolo fumbled, he staggered away from the tree, lost his balance, and fell to the ground.  He was even more humiliated to hear the Spices laughing hysterically.  Frustrated, Piccolo pulled the entire cape off and slammed it to the ground.  Then he took off his turban and dumped it onto the grass.  He stood there, growling and trembling with anger.
        “Uh-oh, looks like somebody’s gone mad,” Fulgore said.
        “Typical reaction from someone who gets beaten by a harmless-looking opponent,” Jenny said.
        “I’m not beaten yet!” Piccolo growled.  “Not by a long shot!  Let’s see you dodge this one!”
        He placed two fingers on his forehead and concentrated deeply.  Spinal assumed correctly that he was gathering energy for a powerful attack, so he called on his sword and shield.
        “What is he doing?” Jeice asked.
        “Prepare yourself,” Piccolo called.  “Here it comes.  Beam Cannon, FIRE!!!”
        With that, he launched a massive yellow beam from his fingers, with another beam swirling around it.  Spinal gasped and held his shield out in front of him.  The shield glowed red as the beam slammed into it.  Spinal appeared to be absorbing the beam. But it wasn’t easy, as the beam was forcing Spinal backward.  Finally, as the tail of the beam entered the shield, it met with a small explosion, knocking Spinal to the ground.  The Spices gasped and gathered around him, waiting for the smoke to clear.  Spinal lay on the ground, covered with soot, whimpering and trembling.  Piccolo blew across his fingers.
        “You all right, mate?” Jeice asked.
        “I....I think so,” Spinal groaned, coughing weakly.
        “Time’s up!” King Kai called.  “Great job, both of you.  Now, Goku, you pick your sparring partner.”
        Goku was much quicker in making his choice.  “I’ll choose Jenny.”
        “Oooh, she is going to whip your butt,” Fulgore said.
        “We’ll see about that,” Goku replied.
        Jenny stepped out to face Goku.
        “Hey, it’s your move,” Goku said.
        “Oh thanks.”  Jenny knew that the first move wasn’t that big of an honor.  Goku was just waiting for her to make the first mistake.  Jenny planned her first move carefully, looking up and down her opponent.  From out of nowhere, Goku thrust his fist out, striking Jenny squarely in the nose.  She groaned in pain as she covered her face.  The others gasped.
        “Ow, major boo-boo,” Hallie muttered.
        “That one’s gonna leave a mark,” Fulgore added.
        “Jenny, you all right?” Spinal called.
        Jenny looked down at her hands and was surprised and relieved to find no blood.  Then she looked up at Goku.
        “You idiot!” she cried.  “You said it was my move!”
        “Yeah, but you were taking too long,” Goku told her.
        “How could you do that to a lady?” Jeice asked.
        “For real,” Jenny said.  “Something like that would take.....GUTS!!”
        On her final word, she punched Goku in the stomach, then punched his face, knocking him down.  The she gave him a fierce kick to the face while he was down, flipping him over another time.  Then Jenny sighed.
        “Way to go!” Fulgore called.
        “Do it, girl,” Pico thought.  “Sweet revenge.”
        Goku slowly stood up, holding his face and stomach.
        “What’s the matter, Goku?” Piccolo asked.  “Having trouble defeating a woman?”
        “I’m not trying to beat her, Piccolo,” Goku groaned.  “Okay, see if you can dodge this.”
        He put his palms together at his right side.  “Kamehameha!!”  Red energy began to gather at his hands.
        To Jenny’s surprise, Goku split the fireball in half and tossed them both to either side.
        “Huh?” Jenny asked.  She was confused beyond words.  “Okay, what’s the deal here?”
        With a fierce cry, Goku brought his hands together in front of him.  Jenny looked to either side to see the two fireball attacks heading straight for her.  Screaming, she threw her arms out, forming a pink fireball in each hand.  Goku’s fireballs were absorbed into Jenny’s, and she brought them together above her head.
        “Yaaah!!”  She thrust her hands forward, throwing the fireballs at Goku.  He yelped as he leaped aside to avoid it.
        “Yeah, back at ‘cha!” Fulgore called.
        “Time’s up!” King Kai called.  “I’m impressed.”
        “All right!  Whoo!”  Jenny flipped once, then shook her hips from side to side, one of her many sexy victory dances.
        Goku fainted on the spot.
   ***

   Astro Megaship Bridge

        After the Rangers had gone to bed, an intruder appeared on the Astro Megaship.

        “Warning, intruder on the Megaship,” called Deca, the female computer voice.
        “Quiet, you!” the intruder demanded, pressing a button on the control panel to shut her up.
        The intruder entered the Megaship bridge, where Andros had fallen asleep.  The Red Astro Ranger had his head rested on the main computer terminal.  The intruder snuck past him and went to the control panel by the wall.  He pressed a button on it, and a small CD popped out.  Chuckling, the intruder took the disk and vanished from the ship.
***

   Dark Fortress

        In the Dark Fortress, Astronema sat in her throne.  The back of the throne was shaped like an arrowhead.

        Right now, Astronema was bored.  She stared at the Power Ranger action figures that were on the table in front of her.  She picked up the Black Ranger figure by the arm with two fingers and swung it lightly, knocking over the Yellow Ranger figure.  Then she dropped the black figure.
        “Ecliptor, why haven’t you come back yet?” she whispered aloud.  “Oh where, oh where have my daughters gone?  Where, oh where could they be?”
        “I am here,” a deep voice called from the shadows.
        The unexpected response startled Astronema.  She looked up to see Ecliptor entering the room.
        “Ecliptor, my trusted protector,” she gushed.  “You had me worried.  Did you find anything?”
        “I broke into the Astro Megaship bridge and found this.”  Ecliptor held up the small CD.  “I’m sure we’ll gain all the information we need from it.”
        “Put in onscreen,” Astronema ordered.
        “Yes, my princess.”
        Astronema followed Ecliptor into the control room.  Ecliptor inserted the disk into the computer, and an image appeared onscreen.  The monitor displayed the Rangers reading Jenny’s letter.
        “Basically, it says that Black Shadow is a tough enemy, but they’re hanging in there.  Wow, it also says that they have five new members!”
        Astronema paused the video.  Her face brightened.
        “So that’s where they’ve gone!  They’ve gone to fight Black Shadow!  But who is Black Shadow?”
        “If I’ve heard correctly, Black Shadow is Dark Specter’s successor as the Grand Monarch of Evil,” Ecliptor told her.
        “Hmm.....Black Shadow.....” Astronema sighed.  “I hope he lives up to his name.  We should find him and join forces with him.”
        “Astronema, this is a great big universe,” Ecliptor protested.  “Black Shadow could be anywhere.”
        “Then activate the intergalactic scanners.  We’ll trace his dark power level.  Black Shadow replaced Dark Specter as the evil monarch because he’s obviously more powerful than any other evil being in the universe.  We’ll follow the strongest evil power we find.”
        “As you wish.”  Ecliptor pressed some more buttons on the terminal.  “The scanners are now working, but it will take some time.  In the meantime, we should decide how to keep the Rangers from following us.”
        Astronema thought for a moment.  “Oh, I think that Scorpius can take care of that.  Contact him immediately.”
        Ecliptor shook his head.  “I’m afraid that communication links are non-operational during the intergalactic scan.
        “All we can do now is wait.”
        “Oooh, I hate to wait!” Astronema growled.
        She walked back to her throne, sat down, and began fumbling with the Ranger figures again.
        “This is so boring,” she whined.  “When was the last time we sent a monster to Terra Venture?”
        “It’s been precisely four weeks, three days, and six hours ago,” Ecliptor replied.  “The Rangers destroyed it easily.”
        “Hmm.....maybe it’s time to send another one.  What time is it now?”
        “It’s 11:03 p.m. on Terra Venture.”
        “Excellent. The Rangers are probably snoozing as we speak,” Astronema boasted.  “Ecliptor, release another monster!”
***

Astro Megaship Bridge

Andros woke up suddenly. Then he sighed.  “Phew....it was only a dream. Okay, calm down, Andros,” he told himself.

        He rested his head on the terminal to go to sleep, but then sat up again.
        “Wait a minute; something’s not right.  Deca, is everything okay?”
        No response from the female computer voice.  Andros looked over to one of the units, but was surprised to find no little red light.
        “Hmm, I wonder who turned her off?” He pressed the button, putting Deca back online.  “Deca, is everything okay?”
        “Scanning now,” Deca replied. After a moment, she spoke again.  “Terra Venture is under attack.”
        “What? At this hour?”  Andros pressed several buttons to contact the other Rangers. “Guys, Terra Venture’s in trouble again!”
***

 Terra Venture

        The Rangers gathered on the space colony to fight once again. This one was a plant-like monster.  Astronema immediately made it grow in size.

        “You’d better let us take this one,” Andros said to the Galaxy Rangers. “You destroyed the last one.”
        “Whatever you say,” Leo said. “We’ll hold off the Quantrons.”
        The Astro Rangers held their hands in the air. “We need Astro Megazord power!” they called in unison.
        The Astro Megazord answered their call, and the Rangers leaped inside and took their positions. With Carlos gone, the Phantom Ranger took his place.
        “Places, everyone!” Andros called.
        “Quiet on the set!” T.J. added jokingly.
        “Very funny, T.J.,” Cassie grumbled.
        “Let’s show this weed what Power Rangers are all about!” Ashley cried.
        Phantom Ranger nodded. He still hadn’t spoken since the day Jenny resurrected him.
        The Astro Megazord marched towards the monster. Without warning, the monster shot out its vines, wrapping around the Megazord’s neck and wrists.
        “We’ve got to get loose!” T.J. cried.
        “These vines are too strong!” Cassie exclaimed.
        Things weren’t looking so hot for the Galaxy Rangers either. The Quantrons were knocking them all down cold. Suddenly, green energy blasts came from nowhere, striking the metal creatures.
        “Rangers, it looks like you could use some help,” a deep, rasping voice called.
        The Rangers looked up and called out a series of relieved interjections. Entering the battlefield was the Magna Defender and his son Zika.  Zika looked just like his father; gem, cape, horns, and all.
        “Prepare to feel the wrath of Magna Defender!” the caped, horned superhero called.
        “And Zika!” his son added.
        Raising their weapons, they rushed into battle.  Zika used a dagger that was no bigger than a pencil.
        “Astro Megazord Saber!” Andros cried.
        A large sword fell from the sky, slicing the vines that bound the Megazord.  As the monster fell back, the Megazord picked up the saber and swung it around.
        “You think you’ve won?” the monster asked. “The battle’s just begun!”
        He raged as he rushed towards the Megazord.
***

Dark Fortress

        In the control room, the computer terminal began to beep loudly.  Ecliptor went to take a look at it.

        “Astronema, the scanners have picked up a very powerful dark force,” he reported.
        “Where is it?” Astronema asked.
        “Fifteen light years to the southeast,” Ecliptor replied. “Now we should contact Scorpius and tell him of our plan.”
        “Do it now.”
        “As you command.”  Ecliptor pressed some buttons on the terminal until Scorpius appeared on the screen.
        “Astronema, what can I do for you?” the giant insect asked.
        “I’ve found out where Tonfa Spice has gone,” Astronema told him. “She’s gone to fight Black Shadow. I was thinking that we should find him and join forces with him.”
        “But what about the Rangers?” Scorpius asked. “Black Shadow would not appreciate our bringing enemies along.”
        “I was thinking that you could distract them while I take the Dark Fortress and find him.”
        “Yes.....that sounds like an excellent idea. I’ll summon my troops immediately.”  Scorpius closed the transmission.
        “Ecliptor, prepare all the Quantrons,” Astronema ordered. “We’re going on a field trip!”
        Ecliptor bowed, then went to carry out the order.
***

Terra Venture

        “All right, let’s finish this thing!” Andros called. “Power up the Saber!”

        The Megazord Saber gave a yellow glow. It sliced cleanly through the monster, destroying it instantly. Seeing this, the Quantrons retreated. The Astro Rangers hopped out of the Megazord to greet the Galaxy Rangers.
        “Another job well done, guys!” Zhane cried.
        “Thanks for the help back there, Magna Defender,” Leo said.
        “It wasn’t a problem,” Magna Defender replied. “In order to fight for good, we must protect each other as well.”
        “I did good, didn’t I, Father?” Zika asked.
        “You fought bravely, my son.”
        Suddenly, the Rangers’ communicators beeped.
        “Rangers, I need everyone in the Power Chamber immediately,” Zordon said. “This is an emergency.”
        “We’re on our way,” Andros replied.
***

        The Rangers and the remaining Spices teleported to Zordon’s new Power Chamber on his home planet Eltare.

        “Zordon, what’s the emergency?” T.J. asked.
        “Rangers, Spices, the thing I have feared most has happened,” Zordon said.  “Astronema has learned of Black Shadow’s existence, and she wants to join forces with him.”
        “Aw man. “Leo shook his head. “I was hoping that wouldn’t happen.”
        “That’s no problem,” Andros said. “We can easily keep her away from Black Shadow.”
        “While Astronema leaves to find Black Shadow, Scorpius is attacking Terra Venture,” Zordon added.
        “Hold up!” Damon cried. “Now that is a problem.”
        “What can we do?” Kai asked. “We can’t just leave Terra Venture unprotected!”
        “I have an idea,” Earl said. “The Rangers can go after Astronema.  We’ll stay behind and save Terra Venture.”
        “I’m going, too,” Mike said.
        “Man!” Damon whined. “I never thought that we’d actually fight Black Shadow. Just the sound of his name makes me shiver.”
        “Hey, since we’re going after Black Shadow, maybe we’ll meet up with Jenny and the others!” Ashley cried. “If we join them, it won’t be so bad.”
        “I hope you’re right,” T.J. said.
        “From their previous letters, all we have to do is keep our eyes open for a space colony called Arturus,” Kendrix added.
        Zhane sighed. “At least we won’t be completely blind.”
        “We’d better get going before Astronema finds Black Shadow,” Mike suggested. “Earl, you and the others get down to Terra Venture and wipe out those bugs.”
        “Got it,” Earl said.
        “Good luck, Power Rangers,” Zordon said. “And may the power protect you.”
        Everyone teleported away to carry out their plans.