Disclaimer:I do not own the Power Rangers or DC characters, They belong to someone else. However, I do own the Kikia. Also, I do not own the lullaby, I don't remember who does and if I get the words wrong forgive me. This is sequel to "Upon this Day," and it's part of the True Destines series. Enjoy the story!
A Tragic Beginning
By
Frog
February 14, 1978… Angel Grove National Bank… 2:35 p.m…..
The old lady with cat-like eyes smiled with joy as she helped the child come out of his mother's womb. "It's a boy!" she announced as she handed the infant to his mother. "What is his name?"
"William," weakly replied Mrs. Cranston on the floor of Angel Grove Bank.
"Well, congratulations!" shouted the colorful, yet villainous Trickster. "Now maybe she can tell us where her boss has hidden the African Star!"
An animalistic growl came from the elderly lady as she faced one of the villains that had taken the bank employees and customers hostage two hours earlier. She was sitting in the lobby, waiting until the time was right when she would make an 'offer' of helping Mrs. Cranston to get to the local hospital for the birth of her baby, when two evil lunatics rushed into the bank!
They called themselves the Trickster and Dr. Light, and they wanted money, jewelry, and the African Star Diamond! The president of the bank had already been killed by a blast of lighting from Dr. Light, and then the villains threatened to kill more people if the President's secretary did not give them the African Star. Unfortunately, the secretary was Mrs. Cranston and she was already in labor when the two lunatics threatened her.
Luckily, the old lady was a mid-wife and volunteered to help Mrs. Cranston since no one knew how to deliver a baby. As she stood her ground against the Trickster, she told him, "Mrs. Cranston has lost a great deal of blood, She is in no shape to help you with your…request." Then her golden cat-eyes narrowed in anger. "I suggest you and your companion leave! You're fooling around with something you cannot even possibly imagine!
"You hear that Light! She's telling us to leave!" yelled Trickster as he picked up the crying infant and shoved the child into the old lady's arms, "Here take care of Jimmy…"
"William!" hissed the old lady in fury as she tried to calm the wailing baby.
"Whatever! C'mon Mom!" he bellowed as he roughly picked up the weak, new mother from the floor, "Show us where that diamond is!" Then, he and Mrs. Cranston went into another room as Dr. Light stood guard over the hostages.
"Those foolish mortals!" softly whispered the old lady a.k.a. Kikia, Guardian Spirit of the Power Children. "When you're safe little one, as well as everyone else, those two are…." Suddenly, Kikia felt a very familiar power coming toward the bank. Young William felt it as well and he did not like it one bit!
"Whaaaaaa!" screamed the infant even louder than before, "Can't you shut that kid up?" yelled Dr. Light over the tearful noise.
"I am trying!" bellowed Kikia, then she whispered to the child, "Hush, little one…."
***
Hush little baby,
Don't say a word,
Mama is going to buy you…
A mocking bird…
Green Lantern flew into the bank by using the green power from his ring, "It's over, Light!" he shouted. Then suddenly, he fell to the ground with a loud thump.
"Apparently, it's over for you!" shouted Light as he directed a blast toward the Green Lantern.
He stared in fear as a beam of light came toward him, then something grabbed him the last second before the blast hit him. "Thanks, Flash…about time you got here!" he told his friend as they ducked behind a car, near the bank's entrance.
"You're welcome. What happened Hal?" questioned Barry Allen, a.k.a. the Flash.
"I don't know," answered Hal. "My ring just stopped working, and I just re-charged it before I came here!"
"Is it working now?" he asked with curiosity.
Before Hal could answer, a holographic image of one of the Guardians of Oa came from the ring and spoke directly to him, "Green Lantern of sector 00675, you must depart from this area immediately! You are in great danger, for you are near the Power Rangers or their command facility.
"Power Rangers? Who are the Power Rangers?" questioned Barry to his friend.
Hal Jordan just shrugged his shoulders with ignorance as the message continued. "Power Rangers are the warriors of Light. They have incredible powers and fighting skills." Then the holographic Guardian's face became filled with regret as he stated, "Eons ago…before this universe was formed, in another universe…. We… the Guardians hunted down and killed certain Power Rangers in order to gain their powers. The Rangers that we killed were known as the Green Rangers."
Hal Jordan gasped with astonishment as Barry yelled, "They committed genocide!"
The hologram continued, "As a result of our 'hunting', the universe that we came from was nearly taken over by evil forces in a Great War. Millions upon millions of Rangers were killed because there was only one Green Ranger left…and a witch named Rita Repulsa took this Green Ranger's powers from him near the end of the war. When the war was over, only ten Power Rangers remained alive. Our home world, as well as other worlds became furious! As a result of their anger, they exiled us into this newly born universe. However, their anger was nothing compared to the Powers that Be…or what you would call Green Lantern of Sector 00675, God."
"Oh…boy, I don't like the sound of this…" muttered Jordan.
"The Powers that Be proclaimed that if any of us or our followers came even near a warrior of Light, we would loose our powers and the warrior would not hesitate to kill us," proclaimed the Guardian.
"Great, just what I need…some type of warrior race that has an instinctive need to kill me," sarcastically muttered the Green Lantern.
The Guardian continued, "There is only way to break this curse, when one of our Green Lanterns will rise up from the others and go insane with grief as well as a need for more power. In order to gain this power, this mad Lantern will kill us and the other Green Lanterns in order to gain the power that we had stolen from the Green Rangers."
"I think I am going to be sick," conveyed the Flash. His friend, merely his agreement while he stared in shock at the hologram.
"After this event…one Guardian shall be left alive to recruit the last Green Lantern of the old, yet the first of the new. This Lantern must kill our betrayer and destroy the planet, OA. This is the only way to end the curse, and return the Lantern power to its true owners, the Green Rangers. The only clue that we have on when these events will take place is right after when the Powers that Be breathe new life into an old race. That is all for now, Green Lantern of Sector 00675," finished the hologram, then it disappeared.
"I wonder what race that prophecy talks about," muttered the Green Lantern in amazement.
"I have an idea, it could be…" began Flash, Suddenly cries of distress came toward the two heroes.
*
If that mocking bird don't sing…
Mama is going to buy you a…
Diamond ring…
A few moments earlier… after the Flash saved the Green Lantern's life…
"Hey, Light! We got the diamond!" yelled the Trickster as he threw the dying mother onto the floor and held the brilliant diamond into the air.
"It's about time!" shouted Dr. Light, as Kikia rushed over to Mrs. Cranston with young William in her arms.
"My…baby…" whispered Mrs. Cranston.
"Shhh…child, your son is right here," comforted Kikia, "What will be your child's middle name?"
"James," she softly replied.
"William James Cranston…a suitable name, for a child of Power," she told the dying woman.
"What?" questioned Mrs. Cranston.
Kikia smiled with joy and sadness as she answered, "Your child has a very special destiny," then her eyes narrowed in anger, "Now that I have your child's full name, I can end this nonsense!"
"Well, Trickster…let's get out of here!" proclaimed Dr. Light.
"Right!" he shouted with joy, "Uh…Light… did you make everyone as still as a statue?"
"No, why? Hey! What's that?" questioned the villain as he pointed to large blue light filling one corner of the lobby.
Before the villains' amazed eyes a blue triceratops, unicorn, and wolf appeared in the room. They became even more astonished when the ancient triceratops spoke, "You two are causing the death of this young woman…"
"Who is the mother of our ward…the child of Power, both of you have already killed an innocent man," continued the unicorn.
"And robbed as well as threaten everyone in this room! On top of that…" continued the wolf.
"You foolish mortals have brought a Green Lantern to the baptism of this child into the Light!" finished Kikia as she changed into her true form and still holding the baby in her arms.
The villains stared in fear at the mystical beings as they dropped the cash and jewelry that they stole onto the floor, the African Star rolled near to Mrs. Cranston who was suddenly laying on a silken golden couch with blue pillows. As she feebly watched what was happening, she softly asked, "My child…is what?"
The guardians' harsh expressions softened, and the wolf quietly walked to the dying woman, "Your child is destined to defend life in all of the universes. He will be known as the Blue Power Ranger," she told her as a soft, blue blanket appeared on Mrs. Cranston. As the wolf used her mouth on the blanket in order to tuck the young mother in, the unicorn stated, "We can not save you, I am afraid. Your lifeline is too weak to renew, but you can wish onto your son a gift that will last a lifetime."
"Aww…isn't that sweet, Light? Well, since you guys are busy we'll just be going now," stuttered the Trickster in fear as he and Dr. Light backed away from the beings and toward the door.
"You mortals will be going…into oblivion!" bellowed the triceratops as the wolf and the unicorn moved aggressively toward the villains.
Dr. Light and the Trickster screamed in terror as they raced outside followed by their mystical pursers.
***
Hush, little baby…
Flash, and Green Lantern stared in shock as they watch their foes being chased out of the bank by a blue unicorn and wolf. "Flash! Green Lantern! Save us!" they shouted in fear.
Before the Green Lantern could speak to them, the Flash quickly took each of the villains and left them, tied up, on the stairs of the Angel Grove Precinct. He then came back for his friend, and took him to L.A. As he put Hal Jordan on the ground, he said, "Stay here, Hal. I'll be right back."
"Okay, but be careful!" he shouted as he watched his friend race back to Angel Grove.
**
If that diamond ring…
Don't shine…
Kikia sighed with relief as she laid the young child in a golden cradle, "Finally! This child can be baptized into the Light!" she said with her back toward the door of the bank, "Thank you for getting rid of the rif-raff, Mr. Allen," she told him as she turned around.
Flash stared at her in surprise as he asked, "How did you know I was behind you?"
"I sensed your presence," she replied as a strange bowl of golden liquid appeared in her hands. "Now, let us begin! Upon this day, upon this hour is born a child of the power," she chanted as she dipped a finger into the liquid and drew a cross within a circle on young William's forehead.
"That baby is a Power Ranger?" he questioned in wonder.
"Quiet, mortal! All will be explained later!" shouted the blue triceratops, unicorn, and wolf in unison.
"William James Cranston!" yelled Kikia as she gave a scolding look to the Flash and the mystical animals. "Who will this child three soul guardians be?" she asked.
"I, the Spirit of the Triceratops will be. The wisdom of the ancients, this child shall have!" announced the ghostly dinosaur as he gently brushed one of his horns on the baby's forehead.
"With wisdom, comes patience, my friend. I, the Unicorn of Heart will grant him this and the heart to forgive. I too, will accept the responsibility of being this child's soul guardian," pronounced the unicorn as she lightly brushed her horn on the forehead of the infant.
"But, he will need the swiftness and cunning of the pack to fight the forces of evil, friends. I shall give him this gift, and become his soul guardian as well. I, proclaimed this for I am the wolf of Trickery," concluded the wolf as she licked the child's forehead.
"Very well," addressed Kikia, "Hear ye all! The child's mother, and a heroic mortal have witnessed this baptism, and they too shall bestow a gift unto the child."
Flash blink in confusion, as Mrs. Cranston asked, "How can I give him a gift, while I am dying?"
Kikia smiled with sadness as she replied, "Just make a wish, child…and the Power of the most high shall help you grant it."
"I wish…I could see and help my son grow-up… to have children of his own," she whispered.
"Young one, do you realize what you're asking?" questioned the unicorn, "You're asking to become guardian to your son, and you'll be unable to move on until the birth of your first grandchild."
"I…understand," she softly stated.
"Very well. Your wish will be granted Mrs. Cranston. What about your wish toward the child, Mr. Allen? And please… it must not be the ability to not instinctively kill Green Lanterns," Kikia told him with authority.
"Blast…" muttered the Flash, "Is there any way to destroy the curse, besides the last Green Lantern killing a renegade and destroying the planet?"
"Killing the renegade? Is that what you were told by those murderers?" questioned the triceratops as he tried not to laugh.
The unicorn snorted in disgust, "As usual, the Guardians are far off target! We shall give your answer later. Right now, please make a wish! Mrs. Cranston does not have much time…and we can not keep everyone frozen much longer!" she commanded.
"(Sigh)…I wish that the child …" he stumbled as he tried to think of an appropriate wish, "enjoys eating spinach and drinking prune juice."
The spirits and Mrs. Cranston stared at him in amazement, the Flash shrugged as he muttered, "My mother always made me consume that stuff…hated every minute of it… mothers always want their children to eat spinach and drink prune juice."
Mrs. Cranston gave the Flash a weak smile as she commented, "My husband loves spinach and prune juice…I…always hated it…"
"Granted," whispered Kikia, then speaking louder and bringing the infant closer to his mother, "Upon this day, upon this hour… is born a child of the Power! Extinct no more, born into a race of ancient lore!"
"My son…. William," whispered his mother, then she died.
Before the Flash could blink, a swirl of magic energy surrounded him…
***
Mama will love you for all time…
The next thing the Flash observed was that he was in a graveyard. He was standing under the branches of a tree and it was pouring down rain. As he was trying to figure out why he was there, a voice softly spoke out, "Sad, is it not?"
Startled, he turned around and noticed the strange woman from the bank, "Where are we? And why am I not getting wet?" questioned the Flash.
"We are at the funeral of Mrs. Cranston. It has been a week since the robbery. Everyone believes that you are struck with grief because you could not save the young mother," she answered and then scowled in disgust. "Everyone, but your friend. He is currently waiting for you in L.A. and worried sick."
"What about the wet part, and why did you bring me here?" he sarcastically asked.
"You're not getting wet because I am protecting you. Also no one can see you. As for being here…" Kikia replied, but was interrupted by another feminine voice.
"I did, Mr. Allen," addressed the ghostly voice of Mrs. Cranston. "I wished to thank you, and to send my thanks to your friend through you. Thank you…for attempting to stop those fiends and for being at my son's baptism."
"Your welcome, I think," commented the Flash.
The spirit of Mrs. Cranston smiled at him, "Well…my funeral is ending. I must leave… Farewell," she said and then disappeared into the rainy mist.
"Uhmm," he muttered because he was not sure what to call the guardian beside him.
Sensing his distress, she smiled at him and introduced herself, "My name is Kikia, Mr. Allen. I have a few minutes to spare until the next birth, you had a question about the curse earlier…I shall attempt to answer it."
"Please…" he begged.
"Everything that miserable blue cretin told you is true, but one thing…the renegade Lantern, your friend…must commit an act of self-sacrifice in order to break the curse," she told him.
"Thank-you for telling…hey!" he shouted, "You're not telling me that Hal…"
"Now, Mr. Allen…you above all mortals know better than to interfere in what is meant to be. I trust…on your word of honor…that you will not repeat everything you have learned?" she questioned him with a warning in her voice.
Underneath is mask, Barry Allen turned a deathly shade of white, "I…I promise on my word of honor that no one shall know what I have learned from you or about what William Cranston is destined to be," he avowed to her.
"Good," she told him as she smiled as brightly as the sun, "I'll send you home now, Mr. Allen.
***
Hush little baby…
Don't say a word…
"Uncle Barry! You're back!" yelled ten- year old Wally West a.k.a. Kid Flash.
"Yeah, kid. I'm back," he told him softly as he hugged his nephew tightly.
"Aunt Irene is still working. So what happened in Angel Grove that got you so sad?" questioned the young boy.
Barry Allen turned white, as he answered, "Wally, do not ever ask me or Uncle Hal about what happened in Angel Grove. It's too painful to tell."
"Okay…" he drawled out, "Let me tell you what happened while you were away…"
Barry Allen only partly paid attention to his nephew's description of his adventures. Inside he was silently praying that he would not have to witness his best friend turn into a mad man.
Hush, little baby…
Hush, little baby…
The End