PHALANX - The series

Episode ten: not your everyday kind of rangers.

 

"Fred, you really should take a look at this." Daphnix said to his friend, calling him over to his station.

"What is it, D?" Frederic asked, walking over to his friend, and looked over his shoulder.

"We put a monitor probe in universe 117 two weeks ago, and since then, two class-3 demons have appeared. They where struck down by an unknown force both times, but a class-three black mage and a class-four black sorceress have been detected on a secured site on their moon."

"It appears that the planet is quite capable of handling itself so far. Why should we interfere?" Frederic asked.

"Because I think that whoever it is that's striking down the demons is unable to defeat the dark magicians. They ARE part of the human race, and whoever is striking at the demons are part of the forces of good. I think we should offer our help to them." Daphnix said.

"I don't know. What if he/she/it/they are not what they seem to be? Jennifer, what do you think? Should we help whoever is striking down the demons?" Frederic righted himself and turned to his wife, working the science and engineering consoles until now.

"Those dark bastards do could use a lesson in manners. And whoever is striking them down time and time again deserves some help. I say, help." She said, after thinking for a couple of seconds.

Frederic nodded. "Very well, lock in a course. Daphnix, run a check on the ship's weapons. I'll go check our gear." The two people nodded, and Frederic left the bridge.

Frederic walked to the storage rooms, and took out three combat packages. He then ordered them transported to the APV, after a thorough check. He walked to a secondary storage room, and gave his personal access code. The room silently slid open, and Frederic retrieved the chest with magical weaponry. He beamed that one to the APV as well.

After checking the APV, he walked back to the bridge. Earth loomed on the viewer, indicating they had already crossed over. Daphnix stood ready at his station as well, indicating the check had come out without problems.

"Ready?" he asked. Both his friends nodded, and they walked to the APV. Once they had retrieved their backpacks, and they where settled inside the car, they transported down to the surface, to a place named Angel Grove.

They drove into the town, checking it out. But nowhere was a trace of the mysterious demons, or the people destroying them, to be found. Finally deciding to give it a rest, they retrieved some money from the bank, and checked into a hotel.

"Now what? No demons, no vampires, no nothing." Frederic asked, after they had all seated themselves back into the APV.

"How about something to drink, and a bite to eat? That youth center looked real nice." Jennifer offered.

"Why not? We're here anyway. Why not enjoy the town?" Daphnix said.

"Great! Let's go." Frederic said, starting the car and driving to the youth center.

They where sitting around a round table, watching the local youth enjoy themselves. They had a coke in front of them. The remains of a hamburger and fries littered the table.

"I don't know about this place. There are frequent demons here, yet no-one seems to be scared, and the people seem to be quite happy." Frederic said.

"I agree. They don't act like people being terrorized by two evil sorcerers. Maybe later we'll find what the matter is. For the moment, everything's quiet, and I want to keep it that way." Jennifer said. Daphnix nodded. Very soon, they where locked in a casual conversation.

After about five minutes, Frederic got up to get them all a refill.

"Two cokes and an orange juice, please." Frederic ordered.

"Sure. I'll bring them to your table later on. The juice has to be pressed first." The nice man behind the counter said.

"Thanks. I appreciate it." Frederic said, nodding and turning to his table.

"Where are the drinks?" Daphnix complained.

"It'll be brought later. The juice has to be pressed first." Frederic said, sitting down. Soon, the conversation resumed. It stopped once the nice bartender brought their drinks.

"I haven't seen you here before. Are you new in town?" the man asked, after Frederic had paid him.

"We are. We're on a trip through the US, staying here and there, just following our noses." Frederic said. The man laughed.

"I'm Ernie. If you ever need to know something about Angel Grove, come see me. I'll help you out." The man offered.

"That's ver nice of you, Ernie. We'll do that. I'm Frederic, and this is my wife Jennifer, and my best friend, Daphnix." Frederic said, introducing them.

"Nice to meet you. Now, excuse me. My bar doesn't run itself." The man joked, and walked back to the bar.

"Nice man. Very friendly. I hope that everyone's as nice as he is." Daphnix said, after Ernie left. His two friends couldn't agree more.

After finishing their drinks, they got up, gathered their trash, put it in the trash can, and walked out after saying goodbye to Ernie. They decided to take a walk, to the park.

The conversation of the lunch table resumed as the walked to the park, enjoying the scenery. After they had crossed about half of it, 10 ugly creatures leaped up from behind a tree. It startled the three Slayers, but they soon recovered.

"Demons! And I didn't bring my sword!" Frederic cursed. Jennifer and Daphnix nodded. "Damn. You two hold them off. They are class 12, not even a match for vampires. I'll get the weapons." Daphnix said, running off.

Frederic and Jennifer stood back to back. The gray man-shaped and sized creatures attacked them. They all where wearing a 'Z' in a circle on their chests.

Frederic took one of the demons, and started clobbering the others with it. Jennifer simply attacked them with a branch she had found on the ground. Frederic kicked a demon trying to blind-corner him in the chest, right on the 'Z'. the mark lit up, the demon shook his head, and broke up in several large pieces and disappeared, leaving no trail.

"Aim for the 'Z'!" Frederic shouted. Jennifer sent an affirmative through the link. Soon she had destroyed three demons, and Frederic had destroyed his five, as six people, dressed in outfits of similar design but of different color appeared.

"Don't come closer! These things mean business.!" Frederic warned them, as both he and Jennifer took out the last two of the demons.

"Cavalry's here!" Daphnix shouted as he ran up to his friends.

"Yeah, you're late too. Those uglies are easier to wax then vampires. Just kick the 'Z', problem solved." Frederic said, catching his sword as Daphnix throws it at him. Jennifer caught her sword as well as she nodded her agreement.

"I hope that whoever it is that sends these things sends some more in the future. I have barely worked up a sweat." She joked.

The six new arrivals, who had remained silent until now, had obviously recovered from their shock. The white on walked up to them, and asked:

"Who are you? How did you defeat those Putties?" the awe was clearly audible in his voice.

"Simple. Know your enemy and know yourself, and you shall always be victorious." Frederic said, quoting Sun Tzu. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a major demon to find. no dark mage is stupid enough to send 10 class twelves without backup."

"You are right, human!" a heavy voice came from behind them.

"Let me guess, you're a class three demon." Frederic said, unsheathing his sword. Both his friends did the same. The colored people looked on in what can only be described as astonishment, as their faces where covered in helmets.

"Doesn't matter what class you are. No single demons can stand against three master Slayers." Jennifer shouted, jumping up, doing a triple back flip, and landed behind the demon. Frederic and Daphnix just turned around, and approached the demon, swords extended towards him.

"Three humans with fancy swords! Oh, am I cared!" the demon taunted. Jennifer stabbed her sword in his back, so it came out on front. The demon sank through his legs. Frederic and Daphnix ran towards him, their swords held horizontally, Frederic's held one meter above Daphnix's.

The demon's head rolled, along with a disemboweling slash to his abdomen. The demon disappeared.

"No challenge. If that's the best that bastard can do, I'm not impressed." Frederic said, cleaning off his sword. His two friends did the same. After sheathing their mystical weapons, they walked up to the six people, still looking on in sheer astonishment.

"None of what you saw today can ever be disclosed." Frederic said, as he walked past them. "Seeing your dress-code, you can surely understand this."

The six people nodded. Frederic nodded, and both him and his friends cloaked.

"I don't understand, Zordon! Those three took out ten putties and a monster, and they didn't even break a sweat! Who are they?" a brown-hared boy, dressed in a white costume, asked the face floating in a vertical tube. His helmet was held under his arm. The rest of the colored people are there as well, as is a whining android.

"Those people are very powerful, Tommy. The one that you described as the leader is a being called the 'Phalanx'. What he is doing here is beyond my knowledge." the face answers.

"How do you mean? What is a Phalanx? A brunette asked.

"It is only a legend. Supposedly, the Phalanx is selected to be the guardian of humanity, defending it against a being called the 'Dark One', with powers equaling his own. The legend says that the Phalanx dies upon his moment of victory. If he loses, humanity is plunged into a millenium of darkness, Kimberly." Zordon replied.

"I don't understand. If he's supposed to die, what is he doing in Angel Grove? And who are those two with him?" another boy, dressed in blue, asked.

"I do not know, Billy."

"Maybe we can ask them, the next time we run into them." A dark-skinned girl offered.

"That's a good idea, Aisha. And get toasted in the process. You saw how easily they took care of Zed's monster." A boy of oriental features snickered.

"Maybe not, Adam. If we disclose our secret identities to them, they might trust us. After all, we ARE on the same side." A boy in red said.

"Rocky has a point. Maybe if we are polite, and respectful, they'll hear us out. They are on our side after all." Tommy ended the debate.

"AIAIAIAIAI, be careful, Tommy." The android whines. Tommy reassures the android, calling him 'Alpha'. The six teenagers disappear in beams that match the color of their costumes.

Frederic and his two friends sit in the APV, the windows blacked out.

"So, these evil sorcerers are no threat. Those six in colored uniforms bother me, though." Frederic said.

"I tend to agree. Unless we are able to find more on them…" Daphnix begins, but is cut off by Linda.

I have checked this world's database. Those people are the 'Power Rangers', and they fight the forces of evil, led by Lord Zed, and Empress Rita. Those must be the evil sorcerers.

"Thanks Linda. That helps." Jennifer said, leaning back in her seat.

"It does. But right now, I need my mystical and mundane weaponry. I feel naked without them, knowing what spooks around here." Frederic said. Both his friends nodded, and they drove to the hotel.

A man, dressed in some kind of body armor, one that completely covers his body, from his toes over his fingertips, to his head, is fuming mad.

"Who are those kids? The Power Rangers are nothing compared to them! They took out our monster in less than a minute! Less than a minute!" he yelled. A woman, dressed in an equally strange dress, walked up to him.

"Calm down, Zeddie. Maybe dad can fix it." she said, taking his arm.

"I am NOT going to call in your father! All he does is put me down!" the man known as Zed said.

"It's too late. Thanks for inviting me, daughter. I see that you have a pest problem." A darker, lower voice said, and an ugly man walked up to the pair. A monster made of some kind of slime was walking behind the man.

"Dad! So, you took a look at our imagery?" Rita asked.

"Hello, master Vile. And? What do you think?" Zed asked the man that is his father-in-law.

"You have a serious infestation, son. The leader of that little pack is a being known as the Phalanx. What he is doing here, and where he came from I don't know. But one thing I can tell you: he IS power incarnated. We'll need an army to counter him. I suggest you begin conjuring up your monsters, and I'll do the same. We'll need everything we can get." At that, the man turned around and strode out of the throne room. Zed and Rita looked at each other, shrugged, and began their incantations.

The next morning, Frederic and his friends had geared up, and where checking out the rest of the town, cloaked of course, for any new monsters.

"I don't like it. Nothing. Not one - what did they call it? Putty? - to be seen. Sure the dark wizards have to be aware that they've failed." Frederic said.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Maybe they'll be a challenge after all. But remember, normally they get one monster a week." Daphnix warned. "We could face a six-day void."

"Or maybe they're scared, packed their bags and ran out of town. Equally unlikely. When a dark mage feels threatened, he pulls out everything and attacks." Jennifer said.

"We have to face one last possibility." Frederic said, closing his eyes. Both his friends looked at him. Then realization hit them as well.

"They can call in help. Shit. We could be facing an army if we're not careful." Daphnix said.

"We have beaten the odds before, but this time it might be challenging, like on Earth 52 , where the odds where 500 to 6." Frederic said, reopening his eyes.

"I wonder if we'd get any help from those Power Rangers. They do seem to be able to handle themselves. Maybe with some training, they could become master Slayers." Jennifer suggested.

"Maybe. But we still don't know whether we can trust them. And if the demon army hits, it'll be too late. We should contact them someway, and talk to them, find out their intentions." Daphnix said.

"I agree. Maybe I can contact them, since their powers appear to be magical. And where there's magic, there's a wizard. And a wizard can be contacted magically." Frederic said. Both his friends nodded in agreement.

Back in their hotel room, Frederic sat down in a couch. He closed his eyes, and let his powers drift. Soon, he found the power signature of a very strong wizard, but his magic was contained!

"That is not him. Maybe I'd better look on." be he found nothing, except three black magic signatures, two not very strong, and one strong.

"I didn't find him." Frederic said, opening his eyes.

After explaining what he had found, the three warriors sank deep in thought. Now what would they do? After an animated debate, they decided to go for a walk in the park. All the people gave them a wide birth, because they really looked impressive in the combat jackets, and the look that could kill on their faces. This time, they didn't care. This was not the time for subtlety.

After dismissing some more possibilities, they closed their eyes and rested their head against the large tree. After maybe 5 minutes, their keen senses alerted them: some one was walking up to them!

The six Rangers walked home from school, through the park. They where babbling about the recent events, especially their encounter with the three warriors.

"I still think we should contact them somehow. They could be a great help in our fight against Zed and Rita." Tommy said.

"I agree, you guys. Those three destroyed that monster without giving it much thought." Kimberly agreed.

"Speak of the devil…" Rocky said, pointing to a large tree, especially to the three people resting under it.

Frederic, Daphnix and Jennifer opened their eyes. Their hands slipped casually to the swords hidden in their combat jackets. Six teens walked up to them, with a mixed look of hope, anxiety and fear on their faces. The hands stayed where they where, ready to fight in a moment's notice.

"Yes?" Frederic asked as the six stopped in front of them, spread out and encircled them.

"You probably don't recognize us. We're the Power Rangers." Tommy said.

"Power Rangers. Ah, yes. This planet's demon squad. Good to meet you. We were trying to contact you, but your power source seems to be cloaked, or contained. I was unable to contact it." Frederic said, slowly getting to his feet. Both his friends did the same.

"Well, here we are. If you don't mind, we should talk about this privately. Our identities have to remain a secret, so…" Tommy began.

"I understand. I hope you understand as well that we have to take precautions. We will go with you, but our weapons will remain where they are: ready to strike." Frederic said.

"I understand. You won't need them, but it won't hurt. We'll teleport to the command center." Tommy said, raising his arm and talking into his watch, which seemed to double for a communicator.

A second later, all nine of them appeared in the command center.

"So, this is your base of operations. Not bad. Ah, and YOU are the cloaked magical power source. Zordon, right?" Frederic said, turning towards the face in the tube.

"I am. How come you know me?" Zordon asked. Jennifer and Daphnix looked strangely at him as well.

"You never told us you knew this guy." Jennifer whispered.

"Patience is a virtue, love. I will explain." Frederic said back. "I had my suspicions. I now know they where true. Zordon, class-2 wizard. Second only to Merlin. Known for banishing an evil presence ten thousand years ago, and had himself enclosed in a space/time vortex to remain alive in case it ever got loose again. It seems that on this planet, it has. You select six teenagers to become your mystical warriors. I take it these are them?" Frederic asked finally.

"That is incredible! Where did you get this info? I thought you had given us everything?" Daphnix shouted.

"Remain calm, my friend. My memory still hasn't fully activated. Most of it, yes. But every now and then, like in the case here, it remains hidden until needed. And right now, it is in the process of opening up even more." Frederic said, closing his eyes, gathering his thoughts.

"The evil presence is the class-4 black sorceress known as Rita. There is more, but that remains closed for the time being." He finally said, opening his eyes. "I take it you know what I am?" Frederic asked Zordon.

"I do. But I would like to know, how come you aren't…"

"Dead? I struck a bargain. I remained alive to rid our universe of an evil race known as the Ketari. And, for destroying the evil Phalanx that ruled them, I bargained the highest price the Gods had to offer: complete and unlimited access and retrieval rights to the sacred vaults located on the island Avalon. Immortality, great power and strength has since then been the reward for those who aid in my fight against evil." Frederic said. "I now know that our mistrust was unjustified. We are amongst similar souls."

"Are you really as strong as Zordon has said? The ultimate warrior of the human race?" Kimberly asked.

"Before I answer your questions: could you first introduce ourselves? I am Frederic, this is my wife Jennifer, and my best friend Daphnix." Frederic said.

"I am Tommy, and these are Kimberly, Billy, Rocky, Aisha and Adam." Tommy introduced his friends.

"And now, for your question, Kimberly: I am far stronger. During the intergalactic war with the Ketari, I found an ancient necklace. The necklace belonging to the phalanx of an ancient race, extinct for 250 million years, known as the Oech-anya. The culminated abilities, knowledge and power of these two have made me second in power only to the Gods themselves." Frederic said.

"Waw! That is major power!" Kimberly said in awe.

Warning. Indication of class-one black mage on moon. The power signature has saturated the dampening field around the moon. During this brief interruption, I scanned over 25 major demons. Lesser demons have not been fully scanned. Shield had returned when the counter reached 75.

"Thanks, Linda. Chance of victory?"

Chance of survival is 85%, but it is unadvised to go into a fully shielded castle, without knowing how many demons you'll be facing.

"Tactical evaluation?" Frederic asked. His mental amplifier projected a hologram of the castle. Daphnix looked at it and began mumbling tactical situations, and contingencies. Zordon, the Rangers, and Alpha looked on in awe as Daphnix conjured up a plan in less than five minutes.

"The castle has two entrances. Recommend to spell-ward the main entrance, and attack through the back. The demons will not notice us until it is too late. The main force is located here, in something that I can only describe as the main hall, and up to half of them can be easily removed with neutron accelerators. We'll need quantum pistols to take on the rest. It is suggested that I break off before the main assault, and proceed here, to a higher balcony, and set up a sniper post with the Golden Bow. After the main force has been disassembled, it should not be too difficult to take on the three evil bastards, located here, in the throne room, with about 10 demons for their protection. Swords and daggers are best."

"Very good, sounds like a plan. But, we'll need more info. Linda, bring the quantum pellet guns on-line. Authorization Phalanx-alpha three-two-nine."

Quantum pellet guns activated.

"Take out the interference shields and get all the info you can. Retreat immediately afterwards."

Plan will be executed. Completion in 25 seconds.

"Who is that? And what exactly is a quantum pellet gun?" Billy asked.

"Linda is our artificial life-form. She's in command of our ship, named the Ortega. The quantum pellet guns are one of three major weapon systems on board. It is the most powerful, able to take out anything we want." Frederic explained.

Completed. Info available. Downloading.

"Thanks." Frederic said, and the hologram appeared back above the mental amplifier. Daphnix looked at it, and said:

"No change of plans. We will need to take out their shield generators upon moment of attack. Our chances are about 95%."

"But we have tipped our hand. They'll be ready. I suggest we use everything at our disposal." Jennifer said.

"Daphnix? What do you say? Does the situation require we suspend the instructions?" Frederic asked.

"I do not think so. They'll expect us to go through the front, not the back. And they'll be expecting one phalanx and two aides, not two Phalanx warriors of class-7, and a normal Phalanx." Daphnix said.

"This time I have to agree with Daphnix. Suspending instructions is not something to be taken lightly. We should get ready for the assault." Frederic decided. The Rangers looked at each other, and then the rest nodded at Tommy.

"Can we help?" he asked.

"Can you use a sword?" Frederic asked. The Rangers shrugged, then nodded.

"Very well. We can use all the help we can get. But beware, you are not immortal like we are. Now, stand close to me, and I'll get you some real weapons." Frederic called transport to Avalon. He and the six Rangers disappeared, leaving Jennifer and Daphnix behind.

The seven people returned not a second later, with the Rangers geared up with swords and rings.

"What did he mean with real weapons?" Zordon asked.

"The Swords of Destiny are located on the island of Avalon. I gave the Rangers rings of protection against Evil and against magic as well." Frederic answered.

"Yeah. These things are way cool! They glow blue when we use them!" Kimberly shouted. The rest of the Rangers expressed their excitement as well.

"I'm glad you like them. Now, we really have to get going. Linda, nine for transport directly to bridge." The nine people disappeared.

"Cool ship!" Aisha said, admiring the look. The rest of the Rangers indulged themselves as well.

"Linda, set course for the moon. Full fusion speed. Remain at level-2 cloak until we're behind the moon." Frederic said, sitting down in the command chair. The holo-crew made space to let the humans take their stations. The massive vessel left Earth Orbit once again, flew at full fusion to the moon, and came to a full stop behind it.

"Good. Drop the level-2 cloak, and prepare for combat transport." Frederic said, standing up. He led the rest of the people of the bridge, letting the holo-crew take over once again. In the transporter room, the nine took up a circle formation, covering a full 360 degrees with the new quantum pistols and neutron accelerators Frederic had given the Rangers, along with the space-suits required for them to breathe. The Slayers didn't need them, since they didn't need to breathe, nor where they hindered by the cold or the heat of open space.

"Energize." Frederic said, after making sure everyone was ready. They were dematerialized, and stored in the computer. The battlecarriers flew at full fusion towards the beam-down site, and beamed them down as the ship blasted over it at near-light speeds.

"Everyone here?" Frederic asked. Everyone reassured him they where all-right. Frederic made a few motions with his hands, while shouting some strange phrases in Latin, and righted himself.

"I've spell-warded the front door. They won't be leaving that way. I also erected a full shield around the complex, making sure they don't transport out." He said, and led them towards the back door. They all readied their quantum pistols.

The battle for the backdoor was short and brutal. The three demons located there where caught off-guard and rapidly reduced to pulp. The nine people made their way to the main hall. Two more demons bit the dust during the short crossing to the main force.

"This is the main hall, located behind these doors. Neutron accelerators." Frederic said, holstering his weapons, and taking the large weapon. The rest followed. Frederic showed three fingers, two, one, and kicked in the door. The nine people rushed inside, the neutron accelerators going on full beam. Over 40 demons perished immediately. 5 more escaped the weapons, now devoid of energy. The nine wasted no time, dropped the accelerators, and wasted the surviving demons before they managed to get to the warriors.

"I'm going to the sniper post. Good luck." Daphnix said, and broke off. Frederic saw Kimberley take out her own bow, and follow Daphnix. Frederic nodded encouragingly at her as she walked past him.

Frederic and the 6 remaining warriors made quick work of the remaining demons, and proceeded to the throne room. Frederic kicked in the large double doors, and found himself confronted by 10 large and 50 lesser demons. The original plan to use sword was quickly abandoned, and the 7 people broke out with the quantum pistols. Before the demons had the chance to attack, two fell down, struck down by arrows. The main attack force used the confusion to obliterating efficiency. Not more than 15 minutes later, the entire force lay dead.

All that remained where the three dark mages. Daphnix jumped down from the high ground, and landed neatly next to his friends.

"Who are you? Nobody can do those things!" one of the men, the ugly one, asked.

"I am Phalanx warrior Frederic Fromthefield. Phalanx of the human and Oech-anya races. This is my wife Jennifer, whose power equals my own." The three dark mages took a step back, gasping.

"This is Daphnix Smith. He has been bestowed with the power of an ordinary Phalanx." Again, they three gasped. "We have been trained in the black and white magical arts by level-one battle mages. We too, are of the same class, thanks to the good teachings."

For a moment, it appeared as if the battle would end right there. The dark ones appeared to get a heart-attack. No such misfortune. They composed themselves, and attacked. Frederic, Jennifer and Daphnix countered the spells.

Frederic spread his arms. He started chanting. Not a second later, a 3rd level fireball spell toasted the man in the armor, the one known as Zed. Jennifer attacked with a first level stone spell, but the ugly man stopped it and laughed maniacally. "Do you really think that master Vile can be stopped by a mere stone spell?" he laughed.

"No, but a third level might." She said, chanted, and the man's face expression changed as he underwent the effects of the transformation. After the statue had been completed, she kicked the statue, breaking it in a few dozen pieces.

Daphnix tormented his opponent with a lot of small-powered, quick spells. When he saw her weakened enough, he cast a spell of destruction on her. She broke apart in atoms.

"Drink, my friends, from the Fountain of Youth, its water contained in the Holy Grail. Kneel, and take the immortality that is your destiny." Frederic stood before the nine people, both hands holding the Grail. Jennifer and Daphnix where smiling broadly.

One by one, the Rangers became Slayers, their power weapons supplemented by the mystical weaponry of a master Slayer.

After some more weeks of vacation, the three original master Slayers had to leave. After a promise to come back and visit, they disappeared back into the depths of space, off to their next adventure.