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Disclaimer: The basic concept belongs to whoever Disney assigned it to but the characters belong to us. Like our previous fic series Viva La Resistance this series requires a lot of work due to differences in Time Zone and Hemispheres.
Author's Note from Mistri: The monster is a Taxxon, courtesy of K.A.A. I am also guilty of being obssessed with Animorphs.
Author's Note from Robert: During the writing of this my paternal grandfather Robert Julius Gutheim passed away at 91. This fic is dedicated in his memory.
A few days after the state dinner Adria had invited the other rangers to a small community center in Unaka City. Xelia, Melalia, and Dek were the first to arrive.
"Hi may I help you?" the person manning the desk asked them.
"Yes we are looking for Adria Ninjao," Dek said.
"OK go down that hall and she is supposed to be by the pool." the clerk said.
"Thanks," Dek said.
They eventually found the pool and saw a tall dark skinned girl working away in the pool with a younger girl. Dek removed his clothes to reveal swimming trunks and he slipped up behind her. At least he tried to but when he got close to her she turned around.
"Hi Adria," Dek said trying to act innocent.
"Dek, you are such a goofball."
Kylara walked in just then.
"S'Up Adria?"
"Just working away," Adria responded.
Fairly soon most of the rangers along with Thala, Cynthea, Hilestra, and Ericon were on hand. Kylara was beginning to worry as Charda was not on hand.
"That goof off promised he would be here. Where is he?" Kylara said as she heard a ring and glanced at her wrist where she had her two wrist phones. She saw that it was her normal one.
"This is Kylara."
"How are you doing?" a voice responded.
"Charda, where are you? You promised you would be here."
"I would have been but well something came up."
"Yeah right Charda," Kylara said.
"Can I help it that my mom went into labor?"
"Nice try Charda," Kylara said before finally digesting what he had said. "Don't take me seriously though it's great news Charda, even if your baby brother or sister is almost young enough to be your own kid. Betcha two Unakan Credits your mom is only in labor another twenty minutes," Kylara joked.
"You're not funny Kylara. As it is I don't even want to think about fatherhood right now. Besides my mom has the worst luck with her pregnancies as you well know."
"I'll be there in five minutes."
Kylara then made her goodbyes and ported in front of the hospital.
"Hi I'm looking for April Pepe she should be in Maternity," Kylara said to the nurse at the front desk.
The nurse gave her directions to the Maternity area. Charda and his dad were in the waiting area.
"Charda, glad you called me. Hi Uncle Danny."
"Kylara, I'm glad you came though it was unnecessary."
"Well as it is Charda and Sita weren't there and Adria is as busy as anything working. She is a swimming instructor at the Unaka City Community Center."
Kylara watched her watch as she waited. Half an hour later a nurse beckoned them in.
"Kylara, this is my second pleasant surprise of the day," Charda's mother commented.
"What was surprise number one Aunt April?"
"This little thing right here. Would you like to hold her?"
"Sure," Kylara said as she reached over and grabbed the 2 and three quarters kilo infant that was laying next to it's mother.
"Mom, what about the baby that you carried for nine months was a pleasant surprise?" Charda wondered.
"Well considering how things have been the fact that Verelin is alive was a pleasant surprise."
"Thank you god," Charda said. "That is absolutely spectacular news. I didn't think it would ever happen. Considering how the last fifteen have turned out."
"Yet I was successful," April said. "Kylara, is there anyway to know if Verelin will have a tendency towards Rangering like you and Charda?"
"I couldn't really tell you April since I don't know of any tests for that kind of thing."
"From what Articula told me one time Kylara and I became rangers because an event at some point in our lives that had to happen so we could become rangers. The scary thing is for me it was my attempt at suicide."
During all this Articula, Alpha, and E-Berg were in the Warroom looking at a monitor. On it was displayed the following passage
The Complete Prophecy.
When the one without a name but a powerful army awakens
A power will also awaken within ten mortals
Who are the descendents of powerful believers in the light
and in truth and justice. These Ten will be empowered with
the powers of the very cosmos itself
White Giant, Green Nova, Black Hole, Pink Comet, Blue Planet,
Yellow Sun, Red Dwarf, Gold Galaxy, Silver Star, Purple Nebula.
On the longest day of the Northern part of the planet near the
slopes of the Mountain of Fire along the shores of the River
that seems endless the Chosen Ten will be endowed with a great
power that will assist in the fight against the one without a name.
Ecx dujwa rllanum junca qcn xynfa rfuu fj twjn wr j qlvjrywx
Qfx rfuu xfta rfqc qcn qlbxwn ncw xc akwrp xmwf qcn nkajan
Ox qcn wxn xqmuwrp qcn xynfa kjnbm wx qcn kxnscl qccj jqb
Xw bnjlny
Wxhu hk xgtawrp bj wxn rfuu qcn wxn rfqcdxc j jwnv nk
Ajdcwamn xc nyyacnjdu ubvdnka
"It isn't a Triforian, Edenite, Eltarian, Kerovian, or Mirinoin language," Alpha said. "I even tried Onyxian, Phaedosian, Guinitien, and every other language I could think of," Alpha said.
"What are you three up to?" Sita wondered as she walked in the Minartic Fox right behind her.
"We are trying to translate part of a very ancient prophecy but we are having no luck."
"It looks Greek to me. I can tell it isn't though. After all it I would recognize it if it was Greek," Sita commented.
"Can you tell what it is?" Articula inquired.
"The symbols are reminiscent of Ancient Windegarnan but Ancient Windegarnan was kind of like Latin on Earth since it evolved into a whole family of languages. Alpha, see if you can develop something from that."
"I'll try Sita, Ai yi yi yi yi," Alpha said. "That could be our problem since we were thinking intergalactic languages not native languages."
Suddenly the Screen changed.
Ecx dujwa rllanum junca qcn xynfa rfuu fj twjn wr j qlvjrywx
Qfx rfuu xfta rfqc qcn qlbxwn ncw xc akwrp xmwf qcn nkajan
Ox qcn wxn xqmuwrp qcn xynfa kjnbm wx qcn kxnscl qccj jqb
Xw bnjlny
Wxhu hk xgtawrp bj wxn rfuu qcn wxn rfqcdxc j jwnv nk
Ajdcwamn xc nyyacnjdu ubvdnka
"Well this is progress. Even if it doesn't translate into anything," E-Berg commented.
"OK I can work with this," Sita said. "Computer try various substitution codes starting with codes used by the ancient Powereons."
"Why Powereons?"
"Some Powereons like Plastica had special codes they used to scramble their communications. Plastica's was one of the hardest because it was a double encryption. I was thinking it could have been written in his code."
After a lot of work another change came on the screen.
Two Lunar Circles later the power will awaken in a champion who
will work with the chosen ten to bring down the bearer of the one
holding the power based on the object that has no escape.
Only by working as one will the one without a name be returned to
perpetual slumber.
"Articula, please let this be a mistake. If it isn't I will be so upset."
"What is wrong Sita?" Articula wondered.
"The part about how this champion will work with the chosen ten to bring down the bearer of the one holding the power based on the object that has no escape."
"Sita, why does it worry you?" E-Berg wondered.
"It is said and has been for Millennia that not even light can escape from a black hole. When I morph I call upon the power of the black hole. The bearer of the one holding the power based on the black hole could refer to the person who gave birth to me since I hold the power based on the black hole."
"So you are worried that your birth mother meaning Dani could end up dying. Sita, we don't know that will happen. An ancient sage known as Zordon died in battle in the year 1998 on Earth. With his death all known villains were either destroyed or made good. For all we know that could be Dani's fate."
"I don't know about you all but I better port. Adria wanted everyone to meet her at some community center in Unaka City and well I'm late as it is."
Sita then ported out only her coordinates were a little off and she landed in the pool. The force of her splash caused a lot of water to splash out.
"Nice entrance Sita but next time could you leave some water for the rest of us," Adria suggested.
"That wasn't part of my plan Adria," Sita informed the others. "Where are Kylara and Charda?"
"Charda's mom had her baby and Kylara went to be with Charda," Valdi explained.
"Adria, what made you decide to work here?" Isidore inquired.
"I have to work somewhere and deep down I enjoy working with kids. Bereto is trying to find a job that will help us afford a hover car down the road. It's hard for him though since he still lacks a port belt. Especially since I have to use mine to get to work."
"I'm sure something can be worked out. After all you lucked out when it came to a house. Maybe Bereto will luck out when it comes to employment."
"I don't see that happening Xelia."
"Attention, the center is going into lock down mode. Everyone is to remain inside during the present situation," came over a loudspeaker right then.
"This is not good," Valdi said. "Adria, any secure areas around here where we can?"
"Well I have my office but it will be a tight fit," Adria commented.
"It will have to do," Valdi said.
The Rangers were soon in the tight quarters of Adria's office.
"Red Eagle Power."
"White Vulture Power."
"Pink Dove Power."
"Green Horse Power."
"Gold Lion Power."
"Silver Hummingbird Power."
"Yellow Owl Power."
"Blue Bat Power."
"Purple Deer Power."
"Ranger Astro Morph," Sita growled.a "Power of the Black Hole."
~*~
"Were you notified?" Valdi asked as he saw Kylara and Charda.
"No... we sensed you morphing. Never had that happen before... not even when Radha morphed before the Balrog," said Charda. "So we morphed, wanting to try these powers out."
"Maybe it's connected in some way to the Ninjetti," theorised Adria, looking around. "Only work when you're not with us."
"We never sensed Sita morphing, though," added Kylara, shooting a Tylai that had come up with her AutoBlaster.
"I didn't morph Ninjetti, though," snapped Sita. Jolik teleported onto the scene, surveying them with a practiced eye. Valdi launched into battle against him, and soon the Rangers were busy dispatching their enemies.
"You know," began Jolik conversationally, "Your Earth literature is quite interesting." Valdi stiffened, and replied.
"Oh, really?"
"Any of you heard of an alien species created by Katherine Applegate, called Taxxons?" asked Jolik. Valdi groaned as Jolik teleported off, leaving a Taxxon in his place. Kylara sighed, and killed it with an arrow.
"If you're going to steal monsters from Earth literature, do some research!!!" she yelled impatiently. In answer, two more arrived. These Taxxons were different. They had hard plated skin rather than the normal soft squigdy skin. Oh, and they were already MegaZord sized.
Calling upon their normal Zords, they formed the MegaZords and began battle. After a quarter of an hour, they got a lucky double strike, which dispatched one Taxxon.
~*~
"Adria, where are you?" cried the student Adria had been working with. Another supervisor went and began to calm her down, while the head supervisor began to search for Adria. Her office was locked, so perhaps she was in there.
"Adria?" George said. When he received no answer, he began to canvass the rest of the building.
~*~
"Any suggestions?" asked Landre, as the lone Taxxon attacked them.
"Let's form the UltraZord!" suggested Adria.
"Retroform command: UltraZord initalize!"
In a spectacular light show, a unicorn appeared. And before the Taxxon could react, it was speared by the horn and killed. Demorphing and teleporting away, they returned to their normal duties, Kylara and Charda obviously going to the hospital.
Later that night, as Adria carried on griping about George's interrogation, the Rangers went to see Charda's new sister.
"Awww... she's so cute!" exulted Sita. She cradled the little girl. "What's her name?"
"Verelin Cerina Pepe," said Charda. "My mother wanted to know if there was a test for tendancies to become Rangers. You know of anything?" The others shook their heads, and were not surprised to see Articula come up.
"I need to see you all. In private." They followed him to a private room, and he began talking.
"In light of the question posed by your mother, Charda, I have decided to inform you of something. None of you would be Rangers unless one significant event in your life had not occurred."
"Go on... " said Valdi.
"Valdi, you were chosen as a member of the Jr. Legislature. Charda, you tried to kill yourself. Kylara, you helped Charda after his attempt at killing himself. Radha, you tell many stories of Lady Radha and Sita. Xelia, your father was elected to the presidency. Isidore, your mother left you. Wildrik, your little sister was born. Landre, you became part of your secure little group, the Three. Adria, you yourself were born. Sita, you were left orphaned because of your 'parent's' deaths," Articula informed them.
They nodded absently, each thinking over what had been said. Adria meanwhile was still griping about George's interrogation.
"Something bugging you?" Articula asked her.
"Big time. My boss at the Community Center that was attacked today yelled at me for half an hour about why I had disappeared during the battle. Apparently my student was scared because she couldn't find me. As it is she is a nice kid. What I think annoyed my boss so much was I couldn't tell him the truth that I'm a Ranger."
"Actually Adria I think you should tell him the truth. For one thing it might make it easier the next time you have to leave work during an attack."
"Thanks Articula."
The next morning Adria went right to her boss's office when she arrived.
"Ah Adria, you ready to explain why you left your student high and dry yesterday? You realize of course that your explanation better satisfy me this time or your job will be history."
"I left her yesterday because of the attack. George, you can decide whether to believe me or not but I can guarantee you yesterday was not a one time thing. It will happen again hopefully not too often but it will."
"It better not," George said.
"George, what do you want me to do when The Nameless One's goons attack say sorry Jolix or sorry Dani but I can't defend my planet from your evil because I have to work? What is more important to you: My being here for my students or my job defending the planet from evil as a Ranger?"
George's mouth flew open
"Very likely story Adria, I suggest you take a few minutes to apologize to the girl you ditched yesterday before you clean out your locker. Unless you can come up with a better explanation, you're fired."
"You are so impossible George. Try this on for size."
Adria then stood off to one side away from the doorway and windows.
"Ranger Astro Morph. Power of the Silver Star," she said in a normal volume.
George was so surprised by seeing her morph he fell back in his chair onto the floor. Adria quickly demorphed and helped him back up.
"Adria, don't forget to apologize to your student before you get going this morning. Oh and try to let me know when duty calls. Discretely if necessary."
"I will George," Adria said before heading for the locker room. Her student from the day before was sitting on a bench with her head down. Adria walked over to her.
"Melody, you ok?"
"Yeah I'm ok. Why did you leave me yesterday when the center went into lockdown?"
"I had to undergo one of my duties as a representative for Silvino. That duty involves helping to protect Unaka from attacks like we had when the center went into lockdown yesterday. Let me quickly get changed and we will start up where we left off yesterday," Adria suggested.
"OK," Melody said.
Adria watched as the energetic six year old scooted off her black hair flapping away against the medium tanned almost brown colored skin.
"She really seems like a nice kid. I bet her parents are proud of her," Adria sighed before going to change.
Adria worked with Melody for a few hours before she saw George approaching.
"Adria, you busy tonight?"
"Why do you ask?"
"It concerns Melody," George told her.
"What about her? She seems to be progressing nicely. In fact I was considering asking her parents if I could work longer hours with her."
"That would be difficult Adria, we don't know who her parents are. She has lived here since she was found abandoned as a baby. A Staff member usually stays the night with her."
"Let me guess you want me to be the Staff member that stays here tonight with her. Sorry George but that won't be happening. What will happen though is I will let her spend the night at my house where I will fix her a home cooked meal. Besides it might be better for her then sleeping here."
"I'm sure the director will approve it but I doubt it will be permanent. She seems attached to the place."
"She should have a family George. Couldn't one of her friends from school help out?"
"What education she has she received here. It's almost noon as it is so maybe you should take a break and get some lunch."
"Probably a good idea," Adria said. "I'll make sure Melody eats."
Adria then threw something on over her swim gear before they left for a restaurant nearby. The sight of a printed menu with all sorts of options amazed the young girl. As Adria was sipping on some tea she failed to notice a figure approaching.
"How are you doing?" he asked her.
Adria glanced up a minute.
"Bereto, this is certainly a surprise. How has your morning been?"
"I start tomorrow. This Afternoon I have some training to go for then around 18:30 or so I figured we could have the crew over for a small house warming. I think Xel, Mel, Dek, and Ericon are the only ones who've been by the house. What about yours?"
"I almost got fired because of yesterday. My boss didn't believe me at first when I told him the truth this morning. I had to morph before he believed me," Adria explained not really caring if Melody was listening.
"I'm surprised Articula allowed you to do that."
"It was his idea for me to tell my boss the truth."
"Who is your friend?" Bereto asked her as he sat down.
"Melody is a student of mine at work. In fact she literally lives there and has since she was a baby. She has no family life whatsoever."
"Does she sleep there as well?"
"Yes she does. In fact my boss tried to talk me into staying on tonight with her. I refused of course but stated she could sleep at our house."
"Just tonight or long term?" he inquired.
"Couldn't tell you."
Melody spent the afternoon outside while Adria worked with a class of younger kids and a couple classes of older kids. About 5 o'clock Adria retrieved her.
"You ready to go home?"
Melody gave her a blank stare. Adria then took ahold of her student and ported home. About 5:50 the first guest arrived.
"Evening Articula," Adria said.
"This is a real nice house you three have. Is there somewhere we can talk before everyone arrives?"
Adria then led him into a small den.
"Articula, why did you say three when only two of us live here. The little girlŸ"
"Could very well be a target of T'Aldr Yl'oka. There is something very special about your little friend. What I'm not sure of at this time. I'd rather you or another ranger was close by her until we figure out why T'Aldr is after her. I think it might be better for her if you were to take her in permanently."
"Articula, are you suggesting that Bereto and I adopt her?"
"No although you probably could. My suggestion is that you consider becoming her foster parents."
"I don't know Articula. It seems to me that you are rushing things when you don't even know the full story."
"I don't think anyone knows the full story about Melody even her mother wherever she is."
"Articula, first we have to know who her mother is and what about her father?"
"Trust me Adria her father is fine. He just wants the best for his child."
"Articula, you act as if you know who her parents are."
"That Adria is something you need not concern yourself with," Articula told her.
The party went well and soon everyone was asleep. Articula ported in and moved some stray hair out of the way of Melody's face.
"Someday Melody I hope you can learn why you have had no family for the last six years. Try and be like a normal child ma oruihvfs."