Destiny
Chronicles 3: The Calm before the Storm
By Mouse.
Phaedos, January 2000.
There were various areas of activity around the Ninjetti Temple. The Rangers had spilt up into small groups, preparing places to camp for the night. They had decided to stay on Phaedos for the evening, and set out on their quests in the morning. So the guys had spilt into two groups. One was busy setting up tents and the other was gathering firewood. The girls had been foraging and had also been able to get Alpha to send some supplies down from the ship. And, at the moment, they were busy cooking supper. All in all it looked more like the average ordinary camping trip taken by a bunch of good friends.
A little later, Jason, Zack and Bill walked back into camp with several pails full of water. That had been their task, given to them by 'head cook', Kimberley. They had accepted the task with a smile. Jason drew Bill and Zack's attention to the group of women.
"Looks like Kim has them all organized." Zack laughed.
"Yeah, brings back memories. Hey Bill, T'Risa looks like she's fitting in well."
"Yeah, she does. I'm glad." T'Risa, with help from Kat and Tanya, was busy cutting up bread and exchanging gossip. "Who wants to bet they're talking about us?" Bill laughed.
"No bet, Bill." They all burst out laughing and cast guilty glances the girls' way. "Come on, let's drop this water off and help with the tents." The three old friends laughed and made their way to the fire. Kai was kneeling down next to the fire pit, feeding the fire and setting up a stand so they could heat the water they had just brought back.
"Thanks Jason."
"Anytime, man." Smiling at the Blue Ninjetti they moved over to see if the remaining guys needed any help setting up the tents. Andros and Tom walked over to talk to Bill and Jason, their expressions serious.
"Hey Jase, Bill. Listen, Andros and I have been talking and wanted to see what you guys thought."
"Sure Tom, about what?"
"Well, in the morning we're all going to set out on the quest for the Great Power, right? And last time, once we succeeded, we got new Zords as well as our powers. What are we going to use for Zords this time? I assume were going to need something to fight in aren't we Bill?"
"Yes, we are. I have some ideas for Zords. I was going to ask Trini, Justin, Carlos and Damon to help me design them. The Triforian Government has also offered their shipyards. And trust me, they are great ship builders. They shouldn't take too long to construct."
"Good idea. That's one problem solved." They all laughed at Andros's remark as they started moving back to the fire. Zack, when he was sure that they were alone, turned to Jason.
"As if all our remaining problems are small ones." They both started laughing again.
* * *
Pryamidis, Great Barrier.
Prince Trey of Triforia watched the read outs with growing concern. The Great Barrier was getting weaker by the hour. Soon He would be able to break through completely. He ran some projections on Pyramidis's great computers and didn't like what he saw. Bill had asked him to keep an eye on the Barrier while he joined his friends in their quest for the Great Power. Trey had been honored to be asked. Not only was Triforia spacialy close to the Great Barrier, it had also been Bill's home for the last year or so. Trey was determined to keep his post as long as possible. He knew what was at stake. Working quickly he sent the findings of his latest scans to the Astro MegaShip which was currently orbiting Phaedos. He knew that Bill would be given the information, and that it would be acted on, quickly.
* * *
Phaedos. January 2000.
After eating a lovely meal prepared by the girls, all the Rangers gathered around the large campfire. Dulcea and Dimitra sat off to one side watching them. They were all gleefully roasting the marshmellow's that Zhane had surprised them all with. Aisha looked around at all of her friends and grinned.
"What we need is a sing-a-long. Any one have any suggestions?"
"The first person who starts singing Kumbya, gets it!" They all laughed at Rocky's remark.
"I have a song." Everyone looked at Kat. The Australian was sitting next to Rocky, blushing slightly at all the attention. She had been quiet all afternoon, still not quite over her jetlag, although she had managed to get some sleep on the trip to Phaedos.
"What is it, Kat?" She smiled gratefully at Aisha.
"It's something I learned as a child in Australia, in Brownies." At the strange looks she was getting, she quickly explained. "It's our version of Girl Scouts." Understanding responses, of various types, greeted her. "It's just a silly little thing we used to sing as a round robin, that's if you want to try it?"
"Of course we do, Kat. Please, sing it." Nodding at Jason she lifted her head and sang, her clear accent ringing across the temple grounds.
Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra.
Gay your life must be.
Kookaburra sits on the telephone wire,
Jumping up and down, his pants on fire.
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra.
Gay your life must be.
Everyone burst out laughing at the last verse. Kat blushed even more and Rocky put his arm around his girlfriend, grinning at her discomfort.
"Oh man, that's funny. Come on, we can do this as a round robin." Aisha quickly organised everyone into four groups and they started singing. They went through the song twice before they couldn't contain their laughter any more; all of them stopping to catch their breaths. Dulcea and Dimitria looked on with smiles on their faces. Leo was the first one to recover.
"Okay, so what will we sing now?" Everyone looked around trying to think of something to sing. Aisha and Tanya were deep in whispered discussion when Tom noticed it. Glancing at the two cousins he spoke out.
"Aisha, Tanya. I'm probably going to regret this but do you have a song we can sing?" They looked up at him, equally wicked grins greeting him.
"Not only do we have a song to sing, but everyone will know this one and can join in."
"What is it Aisha?" Adam looked at his oldest friend, suspicion in his eyes and a grin on his face.
"Oh, you'll know it. Okay, so when I point at you, you sing the next line okay? We'll exclude Andros, Zhane, Karone and Maya. They won't have a clue what we're singing about. Okay?"
"Fine by me. I don't like singing anyway."
"Lair." Zhane grinned at Karone unrepentedly. They were sitting together, hands firmly intertwined, next to Andros. Aisha and Tanya stood, and standing back to back, they started singing.
Aisha: Hakuna Matata. What a wonderful phrase.
Tanya: Hakuna Matata. Ain't no passing craze.
Aisha: It means no worries for the rest of your days.
Tanya: It's a problem-free philosophy.
T&A: Hakuna Matata
Kai: Why, when I was a young warthog.
Damon: When he was a young warthog.
Leo: I found my aroma lacked a certain appeal.
Mike: He could clear the Savannah after every meal.
Kendrix: I'm a sensitive soul, though I seemed think skinned.
Zack: And it hurt when no one ever stood down wind.
Jason: And, oh, the shame
Zack: he was ashamed
Tom: Thoughta changin' my name
Zack: what's in a name
Trini: And I got downhearted
Zack: how did you feel
Kim: Ev'rytime that I..
Justin: Hey Kim, not in front of the kid.
Everyone: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase.
Everyone: Hakuna Matata. Ain't no passing craze.
Bill: It means no worries
Adam: For the rest of your days
Rocky: It's our problem-free philosophy
Everyone: Hakuna Matata!
Everyone: Hakuna Matata!
Justin: Hakuna…it means no worries
Cassie & Ashley: for the rest of your days
Everyone: It's our problem free philosophy
Everyone: Hakuna Matata!
Everyone: Hakuna Matata!
Everyone dissolved into helpless laughter and smiles. The song had been fun and Aisha had pointed at everyone without showing any mercy. She and Tanya sat back down to the laughter of all the Rangers present and their applause. The song had hit just the right note to dispell the worries of the Rangers. Jason recovered his composure and looked at the two cousins, trying to be stern but laughter threatened to overtake him.
"If either one of you start singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", that's it, your outta here!" Fresh gales of laughter surrounded the Rangers. They sang some more, and yes, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" eventually was sung, much to Jason charign.
* * *
The next morning they gathered around the fire again. Much relaxed and refreshed after the night before. The evenings singing and relaxing had strengthened their resolve to succeed. Dulcea and Dimitria stood before them, watching and assessing the various Rangers. Dulcea moved forward and everyone became silent.
"Never before have so many people, at once, quested for the Great Power. Therefore, I am going to divide you up into four teams. These will be your teams when you leave Phaedos and go on to fight Him. We have thought long and hard about these assignments and from what we know of you, Rangers, we have come up with what we hope are the best matches for each of you. There will be some odd numbers, but that can not be helped." The Rangers all murmured, this would be interesting, to say the least.
"Team one is as follows: Jason, Kimberly, Zack, Trini, Bill and T'Risa. You shall all leave now for the quest. Follow that path. Once you are successful, return immediately to the temple." Nodding at their fellow Rangers, the first team left the temple grounds. The others watched them go in silence.
"Team two is the following: Andros, Zhane, Cassie, Ashley, TJ, Carlos and Karone. You will follow this path, and return once you have completed the quest. The jungle is a dangerous place and the trials will be many, as you strive to reach the Great Power, but I have faith in all of you." Andros nodded at her words, then led the others towards the path that Dulcea had pointed out.
"Team three is: Tom, Kat, Tanya, Aisha, Rocky, Adam and Justin. You will take that path there. This will not be like the first time you quested, the trials will be different and harder." Tom signaled his understanding and they moved out. Dulcea turned to the remaining Rangers.
"And you are Team Four: Mike, Leo, Maya, Kendrix, Kai and Damon. You are the newest Rangers and have fought dangerous enemies. But you have the luck of having more experienced Rangers to draw advice from. Use their knowledge to help you. But for now, take this path and watch the jungle, it is a place of many dangers." Mike nodded and led the others down the path. Soon Dulcea and Dimitria lost site of all the Rangers.
"They will make it?"
"I don't know Dimitria. I honestly don't. But I hope for all our sakes, that they do."
* * *
Pryamidis, Great Barrier.
Trey was near frantic with worry. His calls to Phaedos had been answered only by Alpha, who told him that all the Rangers were on the planet and out of communication range while on the quest for the Great Power. The barrier had weakened so much; that Trey knew something was about to come through. He put one final call in and quickly morphed. He didn't know what he could do, but he knew that as the Gold Ranger, he had to try. Suddenly Pryamidis was assaulted from all sides, by forces he couldn't see. He struggled to put up the huge Zords shields, but to no avail. Something was entering the cockpit. He leapt out of his seat and spun around upon sensing an evil presence.
Something or someone was standing there.
"Hmm, don't like this thing. It's not big enough." Whatever it was finally looked at Trey and he felt his blood run cold. "Oh. A Power Ranger. Should have expected one to be here. Oh well. So, you're a Gold one. Haven't seen one of you, my boy, for eons. Of course, back then, Power Rangers were barely known. Hmmm, what manner of Ranger are you, boy? You're not human, are you?" Trey finally found his voice and was secretly pleased when he was able to keep it steady.
"I am Triforian." The being seemed amused.
"Oh yes, them. Three parts of one being, is that right?"
"Yes."
"I've always wondered what that was like. Show me." With a wave of his hand Trey was engulfed in a searing black light. Screaming out in agony he demorphed and the three parts of his being all fell to the floor dazed and confused. Never before had he suffered an assault like the one he just faced. Trey of Courage was the first to his feet.
"Why did you do that?" The being shrugged and smiled. It sent chills up Trey of Courage's spine.
"Because I can. Which part are you?"
"I am Trey of Courage." He nodded and motioned to the other two, still lying on the floor.
"And these two?"
"Trey of Wisdom and Trey of Heart." The being laughed and watched as Trey of Courage helped his other two selves to their feet.
"How sweet. How noble. How sickening." With a wave of his hand, he sent a blast of pure black light toward Trey of Heart. Immediately he was obliterated without uttering a single sound. Trey of Courage and Trey of Wisdom both fell to their knees as they felt a part of themselves die. Trey of Courage looked at the being, and the pain of loss was deep in his eyes.
"Why?"
The being shrugged as he knelt down to look at Trey. It knew that without the third part of a Triforian's soul, Trey was already dead, he just didn't know it yet. The being's eyes were dead and soulless.
"A warning if you will. To the other Power Rangers. Go to Phaedos." He smirked when he saw the shock on Trey's face. "Yes, I know that they are there, getting the Great Power in the hopes of defeating me. But they will fail. They will see you die before their very eyes and know that they will be next. You tell them that. Tell them that Dathan said, if they want to die, I can arrange it quiet easily." With that he was gone. Trey of Courage crawled over to Trey of Wisdom and lifted his head into his lap. Already Trey of Wisdom was looking pale and starting to grow cold.
"We must get to Phaedos, to warn the others."
"But."
"Trey of Courage, do not make our sacrifice in vain. Set the course." Nodding, Trey of Courage picked his remaining self up and carried him gently to his seat. Carefully, placing him down, he returned to his seat and began to set course for Phaedos. Already feeling weak he knew that they did not have much time.
* * *
Pheados, January 2000.
Dulcea gasped and looked at Dimitria. Her spirit cried out in sympathy with the fallen Ranger. She didn't know who had fallen; only that someone had.
"What is it Dulcea?" Dulcea scanned the heavens and reached out with her spirit. She felt that something had happened but didn't know what or to who, and that frightened her. She looked at Dimitra, fear in her eyes.
"Something bad has happened to a Ranger. Something really bad."
End part three..
In part four Trey appears above Phaedos with devastating news. Plans are put in place and ships are built but will it be enough?
ave an¥ N