Disclaimer: The Power Rangers are the property of Saban Entertainment and I lay no claim to them. The character of Mackenzie Dekalb is property of Karilee who can be contacted at kajwr@twcny.rr.com. The character of Cassandra Jensen(the Emerald Ranger) belongs to Helen who can be contacted at helen0724@yahoo.com. Jeffrey Kincaid, Lord Stygian, and all other characters relating to them are mine. Should anyone wish to use my characters contact me at foi72@yahoo.com.
Crowning a Ranger
by John Chubb
Two months had passed.
Two months that Jeffrey Kincaid and the Night Rangers had left with a mysterious entity to fight a battle that the remaining rangers had yet to experience. Two months since Mackenzie Dekalb had announced that she was pregnant with Jeff Kincaid's baby.
Two months since the Nightfighters went back to regular living, or rather what passed for it nowadays. Adam and Cassandra had temporarily moved out to Ohio to help out Mackenzie during her first months of pregnancy She had decided to take some on-line courses with UCLA in hopes of keeping up with her degree.
Cassandra hoped beyond hope that Kincaid would make it home for the birth of his child. Mackenzie and Adam shared that hope.
Bruce and Tanya were still doing their work on Iocaste while Ashley and Andros were still mixing wedded life with their rangering.
As for Justin Stewart. He sat on the lawn of yet another college that was interested in him. Another college that HE however wasn't interested in.
Just another few more quarters in classrooms learning stuff that really gives me no challenge at all., Justin thought. Is this all there is to my life now?
Justin reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his blue Turbo morpher, looking over it with a twinge of nostalgia. Sure he was considered semi-retired, and only did rangering on occasion. But he still missed the thrill of fighting against evil as the Blue Turbo Ranger.
"I wish the powers weren't destroyed.", Justin said remembering the time Divatox destroyed the Power Chamber causing the Powers to dissapear. Only his blue powers survived due to a morpher in Storm Blaster's glove compartment.
It was then that Justin realized. "Why did the Blue powers survive. Why couldn't any of the others have as well?"
A good question that Justin hoped to find a good answer to. "SHIFT INTO TURBO!!!"
"STORM BLASTER TURBO POWER!!!", Justin morphed into Blue Turbo and called forth Storm Blaster. When it arrived in seconds Justin asked, "Hey Storm Blaster! Do you know where Lightning Cruiser is at?",
The jeep blinked its headlights in an affirmative. Justin then asked if he could be taken to him and again Storm Blaster honked 'yes.'
"Cool let's go!" Soon Justin got into his jeep and took to the stars to talk to his vehicle's companion Lightning Cruiser.
At the safehouse on Hades in one of the storage vaults the sleek super sports car Lightning Cruiser sat in the vault. Its headlights dimmed as it was sleeping and dreaming of grand adventures. Adventures with five multicolored heroes. One of which was paired with him while his partner was paired with the one in blue.
The space pirate Divatox tried to claim them for her own, but they had no wish to serve the evil monarch. Even when they were captured the vehicles sought to use every escape that they could devise to escape and rejoin their friends. They found them but there were changes.
The vehicle's driver no longer wore red, but blue renouncing his command of the team. And the new Red Ranger had no use for a Turbo Vehicle since he was primarily a space ranger, as his friends became. All except the young one in blue who still had the jeep.
But the sports car was still used from time to time. There were a few missions with that one in red and black, but even that battle had to end and it was soon alone again.
Until now. Lightning Cruiser was roused from its slumber casting its headlights on the visitor before him. It was the one in blue, but much older.
"Hey Lightning Cruiser.", the young man Justin Stewart said. Lightning Cruiser honked joyfully glad to see one of his old friends again.
"Look Lightning Cruiser. I know we haven't been around all that much with what the rangers have been doing and all but I really need your help with something." Lightning Cruiser perked up as he listened to Justin's query.
"I know Storm Blaster had a submorpher for my Blue Turbo powers on hand. Did you happen to have a red sub morpher in your glove compartment at one time?"
Lighning Cruiser honked an affirmative and the glove compartment opened to reveal a morpher shaped like Justin's turbo morpher but with a red trim. A second morpher., Justin thought. Could there still be more out there? Perhaps the Turbo powers aren't estroyed after all.
"Lightning Cruiser, Storm Blaster, are you up to a road trip?". The cars honked loudly their affirmative.
"Then let's get going.", the young genius said. "To Eltar!"
Dimitria of Inquirus looked over the landscape of Eltar as she stood on the balcony of the Imperial Tower where the council resided. With the death of Zordon the council didn't have the influence it once had, but that didn't stop them from being a strong force for good throughout the cosmos. They had been instrumental in setting up ranger teams throughout many of the planets in the universe. In some cases, the foundation of the ranger teams-the powers themselves.
The practice of leaving powers had been going on for thousands of years as a precaution in case rangers were needed quickly, the Galaxy Rangers were one such team that started with just the powers and added new weaponry as they came across it namely the transdaggars, Galactabeasts, Lights of Orion, and Quasar Launchers. But other times the Eltarian council preferred to have established teams with established members.
Dimitria looked over the city of Edenia that was the capital city of Eltar, and pondered her current responsibilities. She enjoyed planting the seeds of good throughout the cosmos, as well as helping out teams already stationed on planets, but she still yearned to be back in the thick of things. Guiding the teams instead of sitting behind a desk saying which power goes where. But ever since Zordon had been taken and sacrificed for the universe, she was needed to rebuild the structure of Eltar. Surprisingly enough Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa were on the council seeking to redeem themselves for their past evil.
Dimitria's own sister Divatox had become a junior mentor and was preparing to mentor a team on the remote planet Baktor 5 which was under attack from a slave lord seeking to amass his personal slave army. Divatox, even though good now, was well known for unorthadox strategies and behavior. She is going to have fun with that monster, Dimitria thought with a smile.
But still Dimitria thought much about her past. Especially the time when she served as the Turbo Rangers mentor. Sometimes she thought that if she stayed behind the Power Chamber would still be intact, and the Turbo Powers would still be well. She had heard about Justin having a submorpher, and was silently relieved that he still had something to continue the fight with.
"Hello Dimitria.", said a voice behind her. She turned and smiled beneath her veil at the sight of Justin Stewart standing in her doorway. She reached over and hugged her former charge grateful to see him. "What brings you to Eltar?", she asked.
"Well I've come across something that demanded my attention.", Justin said. "I was hoping that maybe I could ask some questions and hope to find some answers."
"Is not asking questions my task?", Dimitria asked with a touch of wit. Justin smiled. "Ha, Ha, very funny Dimitria."
"So what are you looking to know?", Dimitria asked.
"Well.", Justin said. "I know Storm Blaster had an extra submorpher in his glove compartment. But I also found out that Lightning Cruiser had one in his as well. I was wondering if there were any other submorphers out there that had the Turbo powers within them. Preferably the yellow, pink, and green powers."
Dimitria pondered for a moment. "Do you believe that your hypothesis about other morphers is correct?"
"Yeah.", Justin replied. "I mean there was a red and blue morpher as well as a red and blue vehicle T.J. and I used. Why shouldn't there be green, pink and yellow as well? Along with a morpher?"
"Why indeed?", Dimitria asked as she went to a nearby computer terminal and called up a file on the Turbo powers. According to the file the Turbo powers were created to complement five vehicles that were built to be the first zords. But as new zords were built as well as new morphers to house the Turbo powers, the original morphers and vehicles found themselves regulated back to support roles for the newer technologies. Especially since the original zords developed a level of sentience, and the council could not in good conscience destroy sentient life forms.
But for the most part the Turbo powers were always an experiment in motion that constantly evolved as new technology for it developed. And as one set of technology fell by the wayside, it always went back to the original vehicles as they awaited the power to be transferred into the new set of zords.
Justin read the files on the vehicles. In it were Lightning Cruiser as well as his own Storm Blaster. But there were also three other vehicles. A pink sports car named Turbo Striker, a yellow pick-up truck named Pay Loader, and a green 4×4 named Off Roader. Justin looked at the file and wondered where to look for them.
Dimitria read Justin's mind nad asked. "Would it not be a good place to begin searching than in the places where they were last seen?"
"But haven't others tried before in those areas only to find them empty?", Justin queried.
"Would you necessarily come up with the same results as those who preceeded you on the search would have done?", Dimitria asked.
Justin nodded realizing where Dimitria was going. After making a copy of the file he hugged Dimitria goodbye and went over to Storm Blaster to begin the first search. Okay let's start with Turbo Striker., he thought.
The planet Serena 12 was one of majestic royal beauty that almost rivaled Eltar with the crystalline spires that stretched up to the sky. An atmosphere of peace and tranquility spread throughout the planet. And at the center of all the action was the royal palace where King Marcrius reigned with a wise and benevolent will along with his wife Queen Shoshanna and daughter Ivana who was as kind hearted as her parents were, but who was also a spitfire when she had to be.
Ivana always insisted on learning how to fight and protect herself, rather than learning how to be one of those 'Ivory Tower' princesses who only(as Ivana put it), looked pretty, fiddled with their hair and learned enough about diplomacy to bluff the rest of the lesson as diplomats marveled at how beautiful the princesses looked.
Ivana wanted to be nothing like that. Sure she liked looking beautiful and pretty, but not to the point of being a helpless waif. So she went out and learned from many fight instructors various forms of Martial Arts and practicing them whenever she could. Her repitiore consisted of Triforian, Eltarian, Aquatian, as well as many of the diverse styles of Earth that she had picked up on. Ivana of Serena was a force of beauty as well as a force to be reckoned with.
As she stood in the training dojo the sunlight from the stained glass window showed off her light blonde/brown hair that rested on her shoulders. Her body stood erect as the training gi flowed over her graceful form. Facing her were five fighters also battle ready.
"Begin.", she said as the fighters came up the stairs towards Ivana. Ivana stood there and then at the next second jumped up high in the air doing a flip over her sparring partners landing behind them like a cat.
She delivered a series of kicks and volleys knocking them all down in record time. After resuming her ready position she asked the royal ward "Where do you get these guys? It seems like every opponent I have I can eat for breakfast."
"They are the best fighters from across the galaxy your highness.", the ward said. "Highly trained."
"But not as good as you my dear Ivana.", a voice said atop the stairs as a figure in black applauded his niece's fighting skill. Ivana felt a chill when she saw her uncle enter the room. There was always something about Duke Talorus that always made her feel uneasy.
"Practicing for your birthday celebration?", the Duke asked his niece who turned 17. "I hear it's going to be spectacular."
"Yeah, Mom and Dad tell me I'm going to acquire some sort of 'legacy' today. Maybe it will be some sort of broach handed down from generation to generation or something."
"Who knows my dear. Who knows.", Talorus saw Ivana leave to speak to her parents just as his squire came in. "Is everything ready?", Talorus asked.
"Set my lord.", the Squire said. "Your brother and his family will never know what hit them.
"Excellent.", Talorus said with a snicker. "And soon I will take my rightful place as king of Serena 12."
The snicker then became an outright laugh that echoed throughout the royal halls.
Ivana found her parents Marcrius and Shoshanna in the royal garden. "Hey mom, dad. What's the big crisis?"
Marcrius kept his demeaner stern. He didn't think much of his daughter's flippant attitude but he thought that she'd grow out of it. Hopefully in time for her to assume the throne., he thought. But he still loved her anyway as did Shoshanna.
"My daughter. There is something you must know.", Marcrius said. "It is time for you to accept a grand destiny. Marcrius took his daughter's hand and led her down into a hidden passage with Shoshanna following close behind. The narrow hallway looked dark and gloomy unlike the illuminate royal halls Ivana was used to, and she wondered what the big secret was.
Finally the family stopped where a tarp sat over what appeared to be a vehicle of some kind. Shoshanna pulled off the tarp revealing a pink sportscar that would have been the envy of autoshows. Ivana looked at the vehicle and couldn't help going into love at first sight. "Whoa!", she said.
"This is the vehicle Turbo Striker.", Marcrius said. "It is one of the original Turbo Zords of the Power Rangers Turbo. A sacred trust that has fallen to our kindom and family. Only a select few know of it's existance. My wife and I are two, and now my daughter. You are another."
Ivana was stunned by the description. "Turbo zords?"
"Yes", Shoshanna explained. "The zords of the Turbo Rangers before their power was lost to evil. Some embers of the Turbo legacy remain however. This is one."
"Does it have a morpher or something?", Ivana asked her mind filling with possibilities..
"We tried to find one but couldn't.", Marcrius said. "Or maybe it's someplace we have yet to discover."
Damn! Ivana thought but went over to Turbo Striker anyway and sat in the front seat. She gripped the steering wheel with her hands totally in awe of the machine. "This is an amazing machine."
Shoshanna smiled at her daughter. "You haven't even driven it and you are already in love with it.", she said. Ivana then reached over to the glove compartment and tried to open it. The latch wouldn't budge.
"Ungh! Why won't it open?", Ivana asked unaware that the headlights of Turbo Striker were starting to light up.
"For some odd reason that is one compartment on the zord we cannot open.", Marcrius said. "It's as if something is protecting it from…"
An explosion interrupted Marcrius's sentence as all three of the royal family turned to see what the disturbance was. The rumble of footsteps approached coming closer and closer.
"Quick Ivana, there's an exit at the end of the tunnel. Escape while you can.", Marcrius said.
"But father…", at that moment the zord Turbo Striker awakened and started its engine. "What's going on?", Ivana asked.
A honk was the only answer as the zord sped on down the tunnel away from Marcrius and Shoshanna leaving them to fend for themselves against enemies she did not know.
The king and Queen of Serena 12 were not as adept as their daughter was in fighting, but they managed to hold their own against the black uniformed attackers that Marcrius had recognized as members of Talorus's honor guard. However the numbers were too overwhelming for Marcrius and Shoshanna to handle and soon they found themselves beaten down.
When the guards let up the king saw his evil brother, the Duke Talorus come in and look down at the man who had the throne. "Long live the king.", Talorus said with a sneer.
Marcrius let out a wad of spit at Talorus's face which he wiped off. Then Talorus drew back his arm and punched his brother across the jaw dislocating it. Talorus then got back up and looked around the room taking it in. "So my brother. I have just two questions for you. What was in this room? And Where is my wayward niece?"
Shoshanna lunged towards Marcrius but was held back by the honor guard. "You will never get her you treasonous monster."
Talorus opened his eyes with mock surprise. "Treasonous? How can a change in government be considered treasonous?" Smiling at both Marcrius and Shoshanna he let out with an evil venom in his voice. "Especially since both of you will be unable to resume your duties."
Marcrius then turned around and headed back towards the exit door allowing the honor guard to 'prepare' them for what Talorus had in mind.
Talorus and the honor guard walked out of the secret hidaway closing the door. Walking down the marble hallway of the royal palace they both carried on like they were minding their own business. Then the sound of a muffled explosion echoed throughout the palace. And servant who was in the area where the explosion was the loudest went to see what was going on.
"Call forth an investigator.", Talorus ordered his squire. "And if what I suspect is true. Well then, today shall be a day of mourning."
A smile crossed his face as Talorus soon let out an evil laugh that echoed the hallway.
"WHOOOAHHHH!!!", Ivana shouted as Turbo Striker flew through the air at incredible speed. Looking down she saw the green forests and groves that made up Serena 12, and even though Ivana was afraid and confused she could never get enough of her planet's beauty. But in the back of her mind was the realization that a car was carrying her away from her parents and she had to do something.
Grabbing the steering wheel Ivana turned a hard left towards the ground. Turbo Striker tried to fight Ivana but she wouldn't be denied. "Land blast you! LAND!!!"
Giving up the ghost Turbo Striker set down on the ground as Ivana got out and looked at the zord asking "What the shock are you?"
The zord only blinked once as it opened up a glove compartment. Ivana looked inside and saw a metal object with pink trim. Reaching for it she rubbed along the surface of it taking in its design.
The radio then came on with Talorus' voice coming through. "People of Serena. Today is a very dark day." Ivana turned her attention from the morpher to her wicked uncle.
"Our king and queen, the fair and wise Marcrius and Shoshanna, have since passed on to immortality."
Ivana fell to her knees after hearing this news and began to cry letting the tears flow freely.
This is where that contact said the Turbo Striker was at last., Justin thought as he drove Storm Blaster down to the planet Serena 12 with Lightning Cruiser by their side.
"Storm Blaster. Have you picked up anything?", Justin asked the jeep. The jeep beeped an affirmative and relayed the co-ordinates of Turbo Striker's position on Justin's readout. The sensors also found a human life form nearby.
Maybe it's the new Pink Ranger, Justin thought. Already I'm wondering what she's like.
"Well guys let's head on down there.", Justin said as the vehicles went down towards where Storm Blaster said Turbo Striker was.
Talorus stood looking out at the kingdom that now belonged to him…almost. "Have you found my wayward niece yet?"
The squire came in like one who was trained well in grovelling. "Ahh not yet sir, but the sentries are searching."
"NOT YET?!", Talorus bellowed slamming his fist into his desk then grabbing his squire by the scruff of his neck. "That girl is the only one who can stop my claim to the throne. As long as she is alive my claim is threatened."
"But the people think she's dead sir.", the squire said.
"And she had better be for real.", Talorus said then a beep came from the desk. Talorus answered it. "Yes?"
"We have locked onto a source your majesty.", the chief guard said over the comm link. "There's no doubt that it's your niece the princess."
"Then what are you waiting for. KILL HER!!!", Talorus ordered signing off. Looking to the squire he shot him a look and then said. "Get out!"
The squire did so leaving Talorus to look out at his new magnificent kingdom. It's mine. It will all be mine., he thought.
Two vehicles streaked across the sky. One red sports car and one blue jeep. The driver of the jeep looked at his instruments wondering how far the Turbo Striker was until he looked up and saw the vehicle on top of a hill.
"Let's bring them in. Justin said driving Storm Blaster towards Turbo Striker and its driver. Setting down Justin got out and saw a girl sobbing on the ground. Wondering what was wrong Justin went over to her.
"Excuse me.", the blue Turbo said politely. "Is something wrong?"
The girl then looked up. The tears had apparently fallen by the wayside replaced by a look of pure attitude. "Is something wrong? Yeah there's something wrong. My parents are dead. Murdered by my sicko power hungry uncle who has taken the throne of serenity, and you just happened to interrupt me while I am grieving over their death. IS THAT WRONG ENOUGH FOR YOU?!"
Justin then looked wide eyed as he absorbed Ivana's tone of voice. "Forget I asked."
Ivana sighed then looked at Justin who was demorphed in his street clothes. He didn't want to advertise that he was a Turbo Ranger just yet. Ivana looked at Justin and saw him to be quite attractive. Wow he's cute.., she thought.
"You're not from around here are you?", Ivana asked.
Justin then relaxed a little. "No not really. I'm looking for something."
"Oh?", Ivana asked curiously.
"Yeah. And it just so happens that you have it right here with you." he said making reference to the pink vehicle.
"Ohhh I don't think so.", Ivana said getting on the defensive. "You see. This is the only connection I have to my family left. They said it was some part of legacy my family had. But if you want this….", Ivana held out the Pink Turbo morpher. "I don't know what it is."
Justin looked at the morpher in Ivana's hand. "Where did you get that?", he asked.
"It popped out of the glove compartment. Why?" Ivana didn't get the answer as laser bolts streaked by their heads. Both teens turned and saw black robed guards coming at them.
"Talorus's Royal Guards!", Ivana cursed. Justin then did what came naturally as he brought his morpher to bear.
"SHIFT INTO TURBO!!", Justin called out. Ivana followed suit.
"STORM BLASTER TURBO POWER!!"
"TURBO STRIKER TURBO POWER!!!"
The blue and pink Turbo Rangers appeared ready for battle, and charged headlong into the honor guard. Justin used his Karate skill to take down as many as he could hoping that he could allow Ivana time to escape. After sneaking a peek in her direction Justin was surprised to see Ivana not only holding her own against the guard but taking them down as well. But the surprise was later on Justin when an honor guard sucker punched him sending the Blue Ranger sprawling.
Ivana saw this and went into a flying side kick against the guard sending him flying and rolling down a hill. After seeing if Justin was all right the two rangers went back to business and fought the remaining guards.
"Well that was theraputic.", Ivana said with a smile. Justin looked at her in awe. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
"Royal tutors.", Ivana said. "You weren't so bad yourself."
"Thanks. Any ideas who these bozos are?"
Ivana nodded. "Yeah, they're my uncle's flunkies. He must have sent them so I wouldn't come back and steal the throne he had already stolen."
Turbo Striker then honked and both rangers came to her side as her viewer showed a party in progress. The announcer then came forward and said, "Nobles and commoners. In the wake of tragedy we must continue to persevere. As our old leaders have fallen a new leader must emerge."
The royal orchestra sounded and soon Talorus stood all in regal bearing as if expecting the coming moment. "In the wake of the passing of our king and queen, a new king shall arise to take the throne. May I present to you Duke Talorus, soon to be king!"
The assembly roared with approval as Ivana and Justin watched on. Ivana snarled underneath her helmet. "That monster murdered my parents, tried to kill me, and now he's stealing the throne."
Justin looked on with empathy then had an idea cross his mind. Turning to Ivana his lips curved into a smile beneath his helmet but Ivana could tell it was there. "You up to crashing a party?"
Ivana returned the smileI like this guy, she thought. "Let's go.", and both rangers got into their respective vehicles.
The royal orchestra was playing their march as soon-to-be king Talorus approached the throne. The Prime Minister stood ready with the crown in hand. "Duke Talorus, with the passing of your brother and his family you are next in line to assume the throne of Serenity 12. Do you accept the responsibility and honor by which the title holds?"
Talorus smiled. He had dreamed of this day for a long time and it was finally here. His brother and family were gone and the throne was his. Now I will lead Serenity as it should be lead., he thought.
"I….", was all Talorus said as three vehicles came swooping down from the sky heading towards the podium. A red sports car with no driver, a blue jeep with driver and a pink sportscar whose driver had a real axe to grind with her uncle.
"Who disrupts my corination?", Talorus asked with fury. Next second he saw a figure in pink come at him and deliver a flying side kick sending the duke down. The feminine figure in pink stood before Duke Talorus as he asked "Who are you?"
The Pink Turbo Ranger reached behind her helmet and undid the latches revealing the face of his niece Ivana, and the true heir to the throne. "Princess Ivana.", the Prime Minister said.
"Minister Jarreck. My uncle Duke Talorus is hereby under arrest. The charge is treason against the state and the murder of the king and queen of Serenity 12. My parents."
Talorus tried to make a run for it but the Blue Turbo Ranger jumped up high into the air landed in front of the escaping Duke and delivered a side kick into the stomach, sending him sprawling down. Justin gave a thumbs up while Ivana smiled with approval, thanks and…admiration.
"But you have just been annointed your highness.", Prime Minister Jarreck said to Ivana making reference to her coronation as ruler of Serena.
"I know Jarreck but I have to ask that you run things for a while. If what Justin says is true, then I will be needed out there.", she said pointing to space. "There are other worlds that will be in danger as well as Serena if we do not help them stand against coming evils."
"What sort of evils?", Jarreck asked.
Justin then stepped forward. "Evils that may try to rally the Luciferian Empire back together or the United Alliance of Evil. Or maybe just form a new power altogether more terrifying than the other two could ever be."
"Destiny has chosen me to be a Turbo Ranger Prime Minister.", Ivana said. "My parents knew this. I must see this through to the end."
Jarreck sighed. "Very well. I shall attend to state matters in your absence."
"Thank you Jarreck.", Ivana said as she hugged her family's friend goodbye. "I will return."
Jarreck smiled. "You had better young lady." And with that Justin and Ivana turned and left the main hall to the outside where their Turbo Zords were waiting.
"So where to now?", Ivana asked.
After looking at Storm Blaster's instruments Justin said. "We have a lead on the Yellow Turbo Zord."
"Let's go.", Ivana said with a smile as she got into Turbo Striker and Justin into Storm Blaster and they took to the stars for their next adventure. As the two rangers flew away from the planet Ivana thought, This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
END OF PART 17