Streaks of Purple Saga Volume Four, Heather Ray [accelerated reader books txt] 📗

didn't even consider the consequences before she replied. "I already know Trini is a Power Ranger."

She felt Zordon's shocked gaze, and felt inclined to explain. "The... the monster called me 'Trini' when we fought. I'm sorry... I wasn't trying to impersonate her, honest! Things just got... out of hand."

She grimaced. "I promise, I won't tell anybody anything about the Rangers. Not my parents, not even my best friends. You have my word."

Aisha waited, agitated by the lengthy silence, as those ageless blue eyes stared at her. It almost felt like he was looking within

her, assessing her inner character. What did this alien being see when he stared at her so intensely?

Finally, Zordon nodded. "YOUR ASSISTANCE IS APPRECIATED, AISHA. I WILL TELEPORT THE PINK RANGER TO THE MEDICAL COT YOU SEE IN THE CORNER. PLEASE TAKE YOUR POSITION THERE."

"Right." Aisha hurried to the med-unit, her entire body tensed like a spring.

Zordon did not wait an instant longer. He immediately triggered the emergency teleport sequence, and watched as a vibrant pink form materialized on the cot.

Even though Aisha had prepared herself for the job ahead, the sight of a Power Ranger lying prone and unconscious was more disconcerting than she could imagine.

"PRESS THE RED CIRCULAR KEY AT THE TOP OF THE PANEL," Zordon instructed.

Aisha complied, and gaped as a flood of pink energy gathered around the heroine. When the light faded, the legend had vanished, and had been replaced by a normal teenaged girl.

"Kimberly!"

Without hesitation she began to assess the victim's injuries.

Pulse is steady,

she realized, checking at the base of Kim's jaw, Breathing is fine. Visible lacerations... none!

While Aisha continued her assessment, Zordon opened a communications channel. "ALPHA FIVE, YOUR PRESENCE IS URGENTLY NEEDED."

^What about the victims?^ Alpha queried.

"YOU CAN RETURN TO YOUR CURRENT ASSIGNMENT SOON. PREPARE FOR EMERGENCY TELEPORT."

A heartbeat later, a small figure took shape in the center of the computer ring.

"Aye yi yi!" Alpha shrieked, hands clutching the sides of his oblong head, "What happened?"

"THE FIREBIRD HAS BEEN DAMAGED, AND KIMBERLY IS INJURED," the sage responded without preamble. "FIRST BEGIN FULL EXAMINATION FOR INTERNAL INJURIES AND BRAIN TRAUMA. THEN SEE THAT THE FIREBIRD IS SENT BACK TO THE HANGAR."

Alpha scampered to the med-unit, and stared at the young woman who had already begun tending to Kimberly. "Aisha! You're awake! And..."

Aisha turned to the childish voice. She blinked in surprise at the diminutive robot, yet considering all the other shocks she'd endured that day, the sight wasn't too jarring. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

She then took a step back, watching in fascination as Zordon's assistant programmed the machine with practiced skill.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Tommy's face was grim as he opened a channel to the Unicorn. "Billy, how much time do we have?"

^Eight minutes, thirty-eight seconds. If we take any longer, we risk harm to Zedd's victims.^

"Have the Misfit's power levels decreased?"

^Yes, though at this point it is impossible to tell if this is a result of our device, or a temporary depletion due to its... exertion against the Firebird.^

Tommy glanced up as a flash of light caught his eye. The Firebird Zord, which had lain half buried in a deep channel of soft earth and shrubbery, had disappeared. And he still

had no word on Kim's condition.

"Tommy?" a cultured voice urged.

The White Ranger ruthlessly banished all concern for his girlfriend from his mind. There was a job to be done. "I'm fine, Saba," he assured his partner, "and we're not out yet."

Taking a breath, he activated the all-call. "We've got less than ten minutes to finish this, and now there's no hope to create a Megazord."

^Then we'll pummel this bastard with what we've got!^ Jason snarled over the comm. It was obvious the former leader was just as outraged by his teammate's injury as the current one.

The Rangers needed no more prodding. Immediately the Unicorn and Griffin Zords opened fire, hammering the dazed Misfit with a flurry of energy bursts. The Lion had also trudged forward, opting for a closer encounter. He cut between the Unicorn and Griffins, and plowed into the Misfit's legs.

With a startled yelp, the creature toppled.

^Rangers,^ Billy reported, ^the energy levels are still

decreasing. It's now down to about seventy percent of the power it displayed at first.^

"Stand back, guys," Tommy advised. He turned, removing a sphere from the back of the cockpit and sliding it into a chute in the console. "White Tiger Thunderbolt!"

The tiger's head on the chest of the Tiger Zord opened, releasing a great sphere of fire that streaked into the monster's chest. The sphere exploded on impact, throwing the creature into a nearby hill.

"Dammit... still not enough!"

^It's steadily weakening!^ Billy reported, ^Now it's down to forty-eight percent.^

Tommy released a frustrated hiss. "Saba, how long until we can fire up another Thunderbolt?"

"The Zord will need at least ten minutes to charge another power burst of that magnitude."

"We don't have time

for this!" White groused, "We need a single attack that can wipe out the Misfit with no more hassle."

^Tommy, I'm gonna try something.^

Tommy turned back to the screen, watching the Red Dragon climb the hill toward the staggering Misfit. The slim Zord twirled a black staff in its hands, and delivered three powerful slashes in rapid succession. Instead of glancing off its impenetrable surface, the Misfit howled as sparks flew from its wounds.

"It's definitely getting weaker, and fast," Tommy realized, "But not fast enough..."

^I need more momentum... then I can cut this thing to pieces.^

"Tommy, I have a suggestion," Saba spoke, "We will shift the Zord into Animal Mode. Perhaps we can lend the Red Dragon the momentum it needs."

The White Ranger blinked. "Will that work?"

"The Tiger Zord was designed to function as a carrier zord."

"Like Titanus?"

"Yes... only it isn't able to support the entire Thunder Megazord. However, it is more than able to coordinate its power with the Red Dragon alone, and augment its attack."

"Then let's do it."

Chapter Fifty-Nine

The Red Ranger was backing away from the Misfit, preparing to get a running start for his next assault, when his communicator activated. ^Bro, we're gonna try something different.^

"I'm all ears," Jason urged.

^Our two Zords have the ability to form a joint Zord. It's not quite like forming a Megazord, but if the Red Dragon Warrior Mode rides the White Tiger Animal Mode, we'll have a combination attack that's stronger than anything we can muster without the Firebird.^

"I'm ready when you are."

Jason watched through his view screen as the White Tiger transformed into a quadruped. He then programmed his Zord for the combination, and directed it on the White Tiger's back.

The White Tiger reared back suddenly, and a stream of new information flooded Jason's computer. "Wow..." was all he could mutter.

^Jase? How's the view from up there?^

He grinned. "From where I'm sitting, things are looking up! Steer us into the Misfit, and I'll handle it from there."

^Steer us into

the Misfit?^

Jason's grin widened. "Into

it."

He watched the world bounce as the Tiger Zord ran along the pot-marked park. As the heroes approached, the black baton of the Red Dragon began to glow.

"Time to go medieval on this thing!" he declared, engaging the final blow. As the two Zords raced toward the Misfit, the Red Dragon held out its pole as if jousting, as radiant energy collected at its tip.

The enhanced pole sliced through the magical creature easily, causing it to explode in a blinding display of released energy.

Chapter Sixty

"Yes!" Aisha cheered, clapping her hands as the Viewing Globe was suffused with white energy. "They did it!"

Zordon nodded, his own smile pronouncing deep pride in his chosen warriors. "NOW THAT THE RANGERS HAVE DISPATCHED OF THE MISFIT, I WILL TELEPORT YOU BACK TO ANGEL GROVE."

"You mean, now?" While she had been eager to return home when she first awoke in the Command Center, for some reason she felt the need to congratulate the Rangers upon their return, and at least remain until the Pink Ranger... Kimberly

... regained consciousness.

"YES. NO DOUBT YOU HAVE BEEN MISSED AT THE YOUTH CENTER, AND THE SOONER YOU RETURN, THE FEWER QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR WHEREABOUTS WILL ARISE."

Aisha suddenly frowned. "Where should I say I've been?"

"YOU MAY RELATE THAT THE POWER RANGERS TOOK YOU AWAY FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT. THAT WILL EXPLAIN WHY YOUR INJURIES HAVE BEEN HEALED WITHOUT SCAR. HOWEVER, REMEMBER YOUR PROMISE NOT TO REVEAL ANY INFORMATION THAT MAY LEAD OTHERS TO BELIEVE YOU KNOW THE IDENTITIES OF THE POWER RANGERS. THEIR IDENTITIES MUST REMAIN A GUARDED SECRET."

She nodded, her face resolute. "You can count on me. And... it was great meeting you, Sir. Thanks for all your help."

Zordon nodded as well. "Alpha, please send Aisha near the Youth Center."

Alpha turned away from the med-unit, and programmed the teleporter. Aisha smiled at him, offering her hand. "I'm glad I met you too, Alpha."

The small robot nodded. "Me too."

He then activated the teleporter, and