The Terran Ranger Saga - The Preliminaries Volume 3 - Heather Ray (reading tree txt) 📗

about me! How're you? You moved to California three weeks ago. Did you make any friends yet?"

Delighted to change to a more pleasant subject, Alexis told her older sister about her nine good friends. Of course, she left out the Power Ranger business.

"Wow, sounds like you found your niche," said Denise, smiling. "So, you seem to like this Jason fellow."

Alexis turned beet red, and stared at Denise.

"How did you--"

"Well, you mentioned how strong he is, how sweet he is, how smart he is...I don't need to be a detective to figure that out! So, is there anything going on between you two?"

"No! We're just friends."

"Okay," said Denise with a knowing smile. "Let's change the subject. You live in Angel Grove, right? Isn't that the town that the Power Rangers protect? Have you seen them?"

"Uh, briefly," said Alexis, uncomfortably.

"You know, I heard that there's seven rangers now. They recruited a Purple Ranger! I saw on the news last weekend that the Purple Ranger, flying some big bird machine, told the citizens of Angel Grove to evacuate because some dragon monster was attacking."

"Yeah, I remember that."

"Well, she's my favorite Power Ranger."

"Really," said Alexis, turning around in surprise. "Why?"

"She's the only Power Ranger who seems to think about the little people. Usually, the Megazord, or whatever it is they call it, tramples as much of the town as the monsters do. The Purple Ranger actually broadcast a warning. That's the only time I've heard of the Power Rangers warning the people of an oncoming attack. She's really responsible."

Just then, there was a small knock on the door, and Amanda Darling walked in. She looked haggard, but managed a small smile.

"So, what are you two talking about?" she asked, taking a seat beside Alexis.

"Oh, just the Power Rangers," said Alexis with a smile.

"Good. Well, I spoke with Doctor Kusac. You'll be free to go in a few hours. Now, I wanted to know what you're planning on doing now. I mean, you have a son to look after, and you're very ill. I want you to know there's plenty of room in our new house--"

"That's okay, Ma," interrupted Denise, "but I don't plan on moving in with you guys. At least, not until I finish up law school. I'll graduate next May."

"But honey, that's a year and a half! Do you really think you could do it? I mean, there isn't anyone here to take care of you and Johnathan."

"I don't need to be taken care of, Ma," said Denise with a hint of anger, "I'm an adult."

"But you're sick, Denise," said Alexis quietly. "You don't have any relatives anywhere near here. How do you plan on working, going to class, and taking care of Jonny? I mean, I don't know how you handled it before, but now, things'll be gong downhill."

"Look, I plan on becoming a lawyer, okay? What if they discover a cure in a year? Then what do I do? I could live for years with AIDS, and I don't plan on spending the rest of my life being treated like a baby!"

"Denise, you could transfer to Angel Grove University. They have a good law school..."

"No, Ma," said Denise sternly, "I'm staying here at Penn. End of discussion. Now, if you don't mind, I'm really tired."

With that, Denise pulled the blanket over her head. Amanda frowned and got up to leave. Alexis followed her mother quietly.

"She's just as stubborn as your father," muttered Amanda bitterly as the two got into the elevator.
Chapter Five

Meanwhile, in the Command Center, the other six Power Rangers discussed a crisis with their mentor.

"Zordon," said Tommy, "Jason, Trini, and Zack have been selected to go to Switzerland for that Peace Conference."

"I AM AWARE OF THIS, RANGERS,"

boomed Zordon. "LET ME BE AMONG THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE THE THREE OF YOU."

"Its appreciated," said Trini with a smile. "But what about the Power Rangers? We can't just leave, and let Zedd win!"

"Yeah," said Zack, "I mean, anyone can go to the Peace Conference. We'll just have to tell them we said no. After all, they can't force us to go to a peace conference, can they?"

"ZACHARY, YOU, TRINI, AND JASON HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE. WHEN I CHOSE YOU TO BE POWER RANGERS, I HAD NO INTENTION TO LET THAT RESPONSIBILITY STAND IN YOUR WAY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. IF YOU WISH TO GO TO SWITZERLAND, YOU SHOULD. IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO GO, THEN STAY. BUT DON'T LET THE FACT THAT YOU ARE POWER RANGERS BE THE REASON YOU CHOOSE NOT TO GO. IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU."

"What'll happen to the team?" asked Jason.

"I WILL HAVE TO TRANSFER YOUR POWERS INTO THREE NEW TEENAGERS, BUT TO DO THAT, I SHALL NEED THE SWORD OF LIGHT."

"Where is it?" asked Tommy.

"YOU MUST ALL GO ON A MISSION TO THE DESERTED PLANET IN THE FURTHEST GALAXY TO RETRIEVE IT. IT SHALL BE A DANGEROUS JOURNEY. ZACK, JASON, AND TRINI, HAVE YOU MADE YOUR DECISION?"

The three friends look at each other in uncertainty. Finally Trini stepped forward.

"I'd like to go to the conference," she said, "I'll miss all of you, but I have the feeling we could make such a difference."

"Yeah," said Zack. "Me too."

"I guess its unanimous," said Jason with a smile. "But, who's gonna replace us?"

"I SHALL CHOOSE THREE WORTHY TEENAGERS WHILE YOU ARE ON THE MISSION. GO NOW, AND MAY THE POWER PROTECT YOU."

"Zordon," said Kimberly. "What about Alexis? Shouldn't we at least contact her?"

"I SHALL CONTACT HER TO INFORM HER OF THE PRESENT SITUATION AFTER THE SIX OF YOU HAVE LEFT. THERE IS NO WAY SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO SURVIVE THE JOURNEY IN HER PRESENT STATE OF WEAKNESS."

"Okay then," said Tommy. "Its Morphin Time!! TIGERZORD!!"

"MASTADON!!"

"PTERODACTYL!!"

"TRICERATOPS!!"

"SABRE-TOOTHED TIGER!"

"TYRANNOSAUROUS!!"

The six teenagers morphed, and disappeared in streaks of bright light.

"ALPHA FIVE,"

said Zordon. "ESTABLISH A LINK WITH THE PURPLE RANGER."

Chapter Six

In the Sheraton Hotel in West Philadelphia, Alexis Darling slept peacefully in the bed. She had only been awake for about three hours, yet she was tired all the time. Amanda watched her daughter sleep from the door.

I pray nothing is wrong with her,

she thought silently, Alexis is usually so vibrant, so full of life! Now, she can't last a few hours without a nap. This is probably how it started with Denise. I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to Alexis as well. I should get her checked out when I go pick up Denise. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Amanda sighed and went into her adjoining room. She turned on the television, and watched the news. She didn't hear the soft tone that roused Alexis from her sleep.

"Kim?" said Alexis into her communicator. "Is that you?"

^NO ALEXIS,^

came the answer. ^IT'S ZORDON.^

"Did something happen?"

^YES. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO TELEPORT TO THE COMMAND CENTER AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.^

"I'll be right there," she said, standing up. She threw on her shoes and jacket, attached her morpher to her belt, and went to her mother's room.

"Ma, I'm gonna go for a walk, okay?"

"Sure, honey," answered Amanda, smiling at her daughter. "So, you're feeling more energetic?"

"Yeah, Ma, I'm fine."

"Good. Just make sure to be back by seven. That's when we pick up Denise from the hospital. I'm going over to Denise's apartment to pick up Jonothan. Alice has to go out. Just be at the hospital at seven, okay?"

"You got it, Ma," said Alexis, waving to her mother. She stepped out into the hallway, and looked around. When she saw no one, she teleported in a streak of purple light to the Command Center. When she arrived, she was greeted by the sound of various alarms.

"What's going on?" she yelled over the noise.

"Ay, yi, yi!" cried Alpha 5, running from computer console to computer console. "The Power Rangers have been attacked by Serpentera!"

"Serpentera?" asked Alexis.

"LORD ZEDD'S BATTLESHIP ZORD. IT IS INVINCIBLE, AND A GREAT DEAL LARGER THAN THE MEGAZORD."

"Maybe I can help," said Alexis, holding her morpher, "I haven't tried to morph in a few days. I've been feeling better, and--"

"THE RANGERS ARE ON A DISTANT PLANET IN ORDER TO RETRIEVE THE LEGENDARY SWORD OF LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SURVIVE THE TRANSPORT, EVEN IF YOU COULD MORPH."

"The Sword of Light?"

"It's the only way to transfer the morphin' energies from one to another," explained Alpha, "Jason, Zack, and Trini are going to Switzerland for the Peace Conference, and they must transfer their powers to others."

"They're leaving!" said Alexis incredulously. "And they didn't even tell me? So, since they're already gone, and there's no way I'll be able to help, what am I doing here?"

"THE RANGERS AND I HAVE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT YOU, ALEXIS. YOU HAVE CUT YOURSELF OFF FROM THEM, JUST AS TOMMY HAD DONE WHEN HE LOST HIS GREEN RANGER POWERS. IT ISN'T HEALTHY TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS ALONE. WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU."

"No, there's nothing anyone can do," said Alexis quietly. "Nothing at all. Look, Zordon, my sister Denise is really sick, and she needs someone to help her take care of her son. She lives in Philadelphia, and there's no one there for her. She wants to finish up school, so she won't come live with my Mother and I until next summer."

Alexis took off her communicator and left it on a console. She then held her morpher in her hand.

"I've decided to move back to Philly. At least, until she's done with school. I'll transfer back to my old high school, and finish the year there. Here, I won't be needing this."