Power Rangers Zeo - Venusian Encounters - Heather Ray (good books for 8th graders .TXT) 📗

to leave the planet, never to return. In a blinding rage, Divatox, one of the most skilled enchantresses of the isle, cast a powerful spell, which caused all the water on the lush planet to evaporate completely. Without life-sustaining water, Venus became the dry, hot, uninhabitable planet it is today, and the Venusians were forced to leave their beloved planet. They inhabited a small, magical isle on the neighboring planet Earth, and from then on lived in relative peace. Divatox, however, never lost her lust for power, and even though she is presently feared throughout the galaxy, she isn't satisfied. And she won't be satisfied until she is absolute ruler of the Milky Way.

Presently, Divatox sits upon her captain's chair, leafing through an ancient book, written on paper made of an extremely durable Aquitian seaplant. She continues her search, twirling the end of her purple ponytail on her index finger, while her crew steers the ship.

"We're coming up to Aquitar," said Elgar, the navigator, "ETA... twenty minutes."

"Excellent," said Divatox, looking up from her book, "Soon, we'll be at the planet, with the Tympanus Sword in my hand."

"What's the Tympanus Sword, Auntie D?"

"Its only one of the most powerful weapons in existence! Eons ago, the powerful Eltarian wizard Tympanus created two mighty weapons, the Tympanus Staff and the Tympanus Sword. Both were created by powerful magic, and were given as gifts to the ruling families of Aquitar and Triforia, as part of a treaty which binded the three planets in an alliance of justice. The staff is still being used by the Triforians, and its passed down to the second child generation after generation. The eldest becomes king, while his sibling becomes the Gold Ranger, leader of the Triforian armies. But the Aquitians, being a race of peaceful scholars, had no need for such a devestating weapon. So, it was hidden somewhere on the planet, by the King's first advisor. The secret of the location of the Tympanus Sword is kept within the family line of the King's first advisor, so what we need to do is locate his closest living relative, and find out exactly where the Tympanus Sword is hidden. With that power, the universe will be mine!"

"But, what about the Aquitian Rangers?" asked Porto, the round scientist.

"I have a plan, that'll keep those annoying fish out of my hair! If all goes well, the Aquitian government will surrender the sword without a hassel, to save their pathetic lives!"

"The Aquitian Rangers have allies, Captian," continued Porto, "If you recall your last conversation with Queen Rita Repulsa, there are a team of Power Rangers in command of the legendary Zeo Crystal."

"You mean the Earth Rangers?" laughed Divatox, "Why in the name of evil would the Earth Rangers bother me? They have their own problems, with Rita and that hideous hubbie of hers. What was his name? Ed? Fred?"

"Zedd," said Porto, "He is the ruler of the Venusians, in case you forgot."

"I don't care," snapped Divatox, "If that weak Syren wants to be the pawn of some... creature, then so be it! I have plans for the rest of the universe. She can have that little rock on the Earth. Now, don't talk to me until we've arrived! I'm still searching through the first advisor's family tree!"

Elgar and Porto immediately returned to their stations, allowing the pirate queen to continue her search through her bound book. Fifteen minutes later, she finally locates the lineage she was looking for, and stands up from her throne, to begin pacing around the bridge.

"The family of Filleus," she said aloud, "according to this document, the last relative of the first minister is Ariel of Filleus. But this text is over a century old..."

"Ariel could not still be alive, Captain," said Porto, "Aquitians live to be about fifty Aquitian years, which is pretty comparable to Earth years."

"True. Ah, here we are!"

Divatox sat back down on her captain's chair, smiling as the image of Aquitar appeared on the main screen. She clasped her hands in anticipation, and turned to Elgar.

"Elgar! Bring us to the capital Triton! I have to speak with ruler of Aquitar. Steer for the Azure Mountain range. Its the only land mass above sea level, so it should be simple enough to find. Even for you."

Elgar nodded, and brought the ship down to the shimmering blue sphere.
Chapter Three

A group of nearly twenty Aquitians stand at a rectangular table, each about a foot away from the table itself. Upon the table was an elegant spread of Aquitian delicacies, mostly various kinds of native fish, along with some sea plants, as well as the extremely rare "soil plants"

, which must be grown in dry green houses. At the head of the table is a young Aquitian man, with a royal purple cape and scarf wrapped around his head. To his left and right were empty spots, and beside them were Billy and Cestria, facing each other. Next in line were Delphine and Aurico. Beside Aurico was Tideus. The rest of the table was filled with distinguished aids of the young prince, as well as famed scientists and politicians. The room fell into silence as two figures entered through the large oval opening. One was dressed in a solid blue uniform, with helmet, and white boots and gloves. Beside him was another dressed in an identical black uniform. The two figures stood side by side, and simultaneously greeted the prince first, and then the other diners with the traditional Aquitian hand movements. The prince nodded his recognition, and the others returned the gesture. Then, both colored figures were immersed in blinding light. When the light faded, the colored uniforms were gone, leaving both young men donned in the loose black robes worn by Aquitian warriors. They then took their places beside the prince.

"Now that our guests of honor have arrived," said the prince, stepping towards the table, "we can begin our meal."

The other diners all stepped towards the table, and they immediately began serving themselves. Delphine, who was standing beside Billy, glanced at him curiously.

"You did not bring a seat this time," she noted aloud.

"True," said Billy, "As they say on Earth, 'when in Rome, do as the Romans'."

Delphine looked at Billy strangely, and then nodded.

"I believe I understand the phrase," she said, "Basically, since you are living amongst Aquitians, you feel it best to follow our customs--one of which being to stand at a meal table."

"We can fetch you a seat if you are uncomfortable, Billy," said Cestria. Billy smiled.

"Negative. I'll have to adjust to eating while standing sooner or later."

"So," said the prince, "how did your mission go, Cestro and Corcus?"

"Everything went smoothly, Prince Phaemon," announced Cestro, "We were unable to discover the reason for the recent tremors from the previously believed defunct volcano in the Azure Mountain Range, but we have accumulated a great amount of seismic readings and data. Now that we have returned to Triton, the geologists can study the material, and determine the cause for the recent volcanic activity."

"How long has the volcano been inactive?" asked Billy.

"Centuries," said Corcus, "Until recently, the volcano was so quiet, many young ones didn't even know that it was a volcano. But now, it is beginning to show signs of life. It is indeed peculiar."

"If the volcano does erupt, will that pose a threat to Triton, or any of the city-states?" asked the prince.

"It is uncertain," said Cestro, "Until the data is studied thoroughly, no conclusions can be reached."

Suddenly, the entire room began to quake violently. The startled Aquitians fell to the ground, and braced themselves as objects began falling from the table. Soon, the quaking ended, and the Aquitians rose to their feet.

"What was that?" asked the Prince, "Was it seismic activity, due to the volcano?"

"I... I do not think so, Majesty," said Corcus.

Billy walked over to the large window, and stared out into the vast blue ocean. He looked towards the towering Azure Mountain range, but some large object obstructed his view. He gazed at in intently.

"Cestria," he asked, "is that some kind of gargantuan fish?"

Cestria rose, and followed Billy's gaze towards the large object. She frowned.

"It is like nothing I've ever seen before," she said, "But it doesn't look like an animal. It looks more like... a machine?"

"Its turning towards us!" said Cestro, turning towards Phaemon, "The Prince must be protected at all costs!"

Billy watched in surprise as two narrow golden objects flew towards Triton from the alien craft. It was too late when he realized what they were.

"Everyone!" he cried, "Take cover!!"

Billy grabbed Cestria's arm and ducked beneath the dining table. The Aquitian Rangers surrounded the prince protectively, fearing shattering glass or falling objects would injure the monarch. Soon the two golden cylinders exploded, crushing the glass and allowing tons of water into one of the neighboring domes. Water gushed through the halls, flooding much of the city, and the dining hall itself was automatically sealed by closing doors, to keep those within safe.

"Everything shall be all right," said Aurico, trying to keep the people from panicking.

"Yes," said Delphine, "we are all okay."

"No you're not," said a low female voice. Everyone turned around, and saw a woman appear in mid air behind them. She was wearing a revealing leather dress and black leather boots to her thighs. On her face was a golden mask/crown, and her long black hair, streaked with purple, was tied back from her face in a tight ponytail. She had her hands on her hips, and smiled as she slowly descended to the floor.

"Do I know how to make an entrance, or what?" she said, walking over to the Prince. Delphine stepped in her path.

"Who are you?" she asked. The woman smiled, revealing perfect, pearly white teeth.

"Divatox," she declared, "the Pirate Queen!"

"What do you want here?" Prince Phaemon asked.

"I am looking for the Sword of Tympanus, and you're going to give it to me."

"I don't know where it is," he said, "and even if I did, I would never give such a destructive weapon to the likes of you!"

"Really?" said Divatox, her cold blue eyes beginning to glow silver, "Are you sure?"

Prince Phaemon's eyes began to glow silver as well, and his body stiffened. The rangers turned to him worriedly.

"Your Highness?!" asked Delphine in panic.

"Don't worry, Sweetie," chuckled Divatox, "he's not hurt. No man can fight off the charms of a Venusian enchantress. Not even the fish-folk on this drippy planet."

Divatox pushed Delphine aside, trying to get to the prince. The four remaining rangers moved in front of her.

"You will not lay a