Streaks of Purple Saga Volume Four - Heather Ray (little red riding hood ebook txt) 📗

"And now, one final question, Miss Kwan. Why do you want to attend the Youth Summit?"

She took a moment to collect her thoughts before answering. "For years I've been trying to save the world. I've put a lot of effort into doing my part: helping clean up litter, planting young trees, organizing students to petition against toxic waste, and... other activities."

She smiled wryly as she considered just how much she had summarized in that catch-all addendum.

"I like to think that I've accomplished some good. But, I can't help but feel like... I'm heading in the wrong direction."

She took a breath as she explained. "The kind of service I participate in now is critical, but I've come to think that it's not me

. I can handle the work, and I feel fulfillment, but I find I'd really like to focus my effort in a new direction."

Trini's dark eyes fell to her hands, which had suddenly begun wringing. It was nearly impossible to explain what had been swimming in her mind of late. In fact, it was impossible to relate her feelings and frustrations to someone who didn't know her secret.

She had served as the Yellow Ranger for over a year. When Zordon first approached her group of friends with the opportunity to save the world, her initial reaction was disbelief. Yet, if nothing else, her service as a Power Ranger proved how much might one person could wield. She embraced her role as one of Earth's champions, defending her planet from evil aliens time and time again.

Yet, she had come to realize that she didn't want

to defend. At least, not with a gargantuan Griffin Zord, a pair of Power Daggers, or whatever other arsenal Zordon would develop.

She wanted to fight, but not with her body. She wanted to fight with words

, convincing mankind to preserve the beautiful planet it has inherited. She wanted to fight with her mind

, developing programs to spread education, medicine, and all the fundamentals of life to those who couldn't access them on their own.

Yes, she was capable of serving as the Yellow Ranger. She had the strength, determination, and intelligence to augment the team. However, she knew she couldn't be satisfied with that career. Her heart tugged her in a different direction... where her own unique talents and vision could be better utilized.

"This summit as the opportunity of a lifetime. Before your presentation, I didn't even know such an initiative existed. And hearing about this effort has planted a seed. I firmly believe that the summit can really make a difference. In time, as the participants spread what they've learned and grow into the leaders of the next generation, a new world can be built."

Her next words resonated with a deep meaning that eluded her interviewer. "I don't want to fight evil. I want to fight ignorance. I'd like to reach people's hearts... that's the only way we can win peace."

She glanced up, watching as Dr. Kuiperi casually wrote notes on his pad. She swallowed, suddenly nervous as she considered the answer she had given.

Then, he glanced up at her. "Miss Kwan, I must commend you. You speak with a sincerity that is rarely heard."

She grinned at the compliment. "Thank you, Sir."

He rose from his seat, shaking her hand. "It has been a pleasure to meet you. If you have any other questions about the program, don't hesitate to ask."

She shook his hand enthusiastically, and then collected her belongings. With a final wave, she left Dr. Kuiperi's temporary office, and made her way to her locker, a visible bounce in her step.

Before she rounded the corner, her communicator sounded.

All excitement immediately died. Trini cast careful eyes down the hall, then dodged into an empty classroom before answering the urgent call.

"Trini here."

^TRINI, REPORT TO THE COMMAND CENTER IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY.^

I wonder what life would be like without the 'emergencies'...

"I'm on my way."

Trini hurried to the corner, staying clear from either the door or windows, before pressing the requisite code. A vibrant yellow carrier wave transferred her to the Command Center.

The Yellow Ranger materialized to an alarming sight. "Aisha??"

She stared, utterly dumbfounded, as Alpha scampered around the unconscious visitor. He typed a few commands, causing a soft blue beam of energy to flow from a lamp hanging over the cot. The light bathed the bloodied cloth that covered her arm.

"What's going on?" Trini demanded, approaching the injured young woman. "Why is she dressed like... me?"

"It's her Halloween costume," Alexis offered, "If I were you, I'd be pretty flattered." Trini turned, her eyes narrowing at the soft white gauze wrapping the Purple Ranger's wrist.

Alexis noticed her attention, and waved her good hand. "I'm fine, Trini. Zedd's new monster thought it was a riot to cut my wrist, but Alpha patched me up with the dermal regenerator. The skin's a little sensitive, but otherwise I'm A-okay."

"Aye yi yi..." the small robot moaned, typing a new sequence to adjust the blue energy beam, "Unfortunately Aisha's injuries aren't so easily repaired. I had to physically reset the bone before knitting it, and now I can mend the surrounding muscle and skin."

Alexis grimaced at the image. "Trust me, it wasn't a pretty sight."

Trini's fists clenched as she turned to Zordon. "What's the situation?"

"LORD ZEDD HAS SENT SIX CREATURES CALLED 'MISFITS' TO ANGEL GROVE," the sage summarized. "OBSERVE THE VIEWING GLOBE."

Both Trini and Alexis hurried to the crystal orb, which displayed the Blue and Black Rangers facing two sleek, manlike creatures decorated with colored streaks.

"THESE MISFITS ARE BASED ON A PUTTY DESIGN, BUT ARE MUCH MORE LETHAL. IT APPEARS THESE CREATURES ARE ABLE TO THINK, AND ARE INDIVIDUALLY A MATCH FOR A MORPHED RANGER. KIMBERLY HAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT THESE CREATURES ARE SOMEHOW A RESULT OF LORD ZEDD'S ATTACK ON ANGEL GROVE TEENAGERS LAST NIGHT, BUT WE HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED THE LINK."

The scene then switched to the Red Ranger, who leapt over two Misfits that had targeted him.

"THEIR CUNNING AND ADAPTABILITY ARE DISTURBING," Zordon continued, "AND THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED ANOTHER DANGEROUS ABILITY."

The Pink and White Rangers appeared, staring up at an exceptionally large, broad Misfit.

"Did you just zoom in or something?" Alexis murmured.

"TWO MISFITS ARE ABLE TO MERGE INTO ONE SUPER MISFIT. ITS STRENGTH IS MAGNIFIED WITH THE TRANSFORMATION, SO THIS NEW MONSTER IS STRONGER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS."

"What's the plan, Zordon?" Trini inquired.

"TRINI, YOU MUST RELIEVE BILLY SO HE CAN CONTINUE HIS ANALYSIS ON THESE CREATURES. ALEXIS, IF YOU ARE ABLE, MORPH INTO BATTLE AND ASSIST JASON."

The Purple Ranger grabbed her Morpher. "I'm more than able, Zordon."

The two women faced each other, cool brown eyes meeting fierce green ones. "It's Morphin' Time!" they stated in unison.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

The urgent voice lanced through the daze of Rocky's senses. With a soft groan, he opened his heavy eyes, his hand absently rubbing the burning pain in his stomach.

When his vision cleared, his jaw hung open. "Purple Ranger?"

He heard an exhalation that almost sounded like a sigh of relief. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but...." His eyes widened. "Where's Alexis? Those freaks had attacked her, and...!"

The Purple Ranger raised her hand. "Don't worry, your friend is fine. She was injured, so we sent her away for medical attention."

Rocky grasped her arm, and she carefully helped him to his feet. "Did you send her to a hospital? Which one? I should check on her..."

He felt the Purple Ranger's eyes on him. "She's fine, Sir," she repeated. "Right now I'm more concerned for you. Can you walk?"

A quizzical frown formed at her evasiveness. "Yeah, but-"

"Then you'd better make tracks." She turned, looking over her shoulder. Rocky followed her gaze, watching as a bright form in red struggled against two shadows. "It's not safe here. The Youth Center has a monster shelter, and it's not far from here."

With that, she stepped away from him. Rocky watched, awed, as shimmering gold wings on her boots began to flap, carrying her into the air.

He then turned in the direction from which he had come. As he moved, a glint of metal caught his eye.

Curious, he stooped down to pick up a small, broken machine in the grass.

"Isn't this Alexis' watch?" he wondered. Dried blood covered much of the band, dulling its luster. "Kinda strange style."

He slipped it into his pocket.

The Purple Ranger called no warning as she rushed through the air, yet the Red