Power Rangers Zeo: Venusian Encounter, Heather Ray [books that read to you .txt] 📗

letter a few months ago. Tommy has even begun to show signs of affection for Katherine, much to her delight. Kat has had a serious crush on Tommy since day one, but she's way to reserved to do anything about it, and she's also too good a friend to approach Tommy while Kim was still in the picture. When Kim dumped him, Tommy was so destroyed that whatever happiness Kat felt about finally having a chance with Tommy was immediately drowned with pity for his broken heart. Many times when Tommy was sitting at the lakeside, skipping stones across the water, Kat wished that Kimberly hadn't left Tommy, since she could tell he still loved her more than anything. Eventually, though, Tommy's young heart seemed to mend, to the point where he and Kat have gone out on a handful of little dates. Of course, they weren't romantic--usually just to a movie or to grab a bite at Ernie's. No candles, no strolls in the moonlight, and absolutely no kissing. Not even close. Still, Kat is completely happy with the pseudo-relationship she and Tommy have. She is willing to be patient -- to let him heal completely. First and foremost, she's Tommy's friend. Whatever else may happen between them will grow from that friendship.

But now, the trip to Florida is bringing Kimberly back into the picture. Kat really isn't sure what kind of effect this will have on Tommy, and on his feelings for Kat. After all, Kat is pretty sure that Tommy still loves Kimberly, and he will either be depressed to see her again, or happy. If they come to terms, then Tommy will feel better being with Kat, since there will no longer be any unfinished business. However, if Tommy and Kim just ignore each other, then Tommy's emotional scars will only deepen, and all the progress he's shown over the past couple months will vanish. But then again, there's always the possibility that Tommy and Kim will get back together. This is probably the scenario that Kat fears most. If Kim apologizes for dumping him, he'll forgive her, since he still loves her, and Katherine will be completely out of the picture.

"Stop it!" she said to herself, slapping her forehead, "If they get back together, then Tommy will be happy. That's all that matters. Now stop thinking about him! You have a test to study for!"

Kat once again began doing the practice exam problems Mr. Weatherspoon handed out in class that day.

"Why don't I understand derivatives? I wish Billy were still here! He's the only one who could guide me through Calculus."

Katherine's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar six-tone signal. She sighed aloud and searched in the pile of loose Calculus worksheets for her communicator. She lifted it to her mouth and pressed the button.

"Katherine here," she said into the receiver, "What is it?"

^KATHERINE, PLEASE REPORT TO THE POWER CHAMBER IMMEDIATELY. THE OTHERS ARE ALREADY HERE.^

"I'm on my way," said Kat, activating her teleporter. In a wash of bright pink light, she was in the Power Chamber with the other Zeo Rangers.

"What's going on?" she asked, "Is Mondo back?"

"NO,"

boomed Zordon, "THE ATTACKER IS NOT MONDO. TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE VIEWING GLOBE."

The rangers all turned to the globe, and there appeared a beautiful woman in golden armor, with long curly red hair and dazzling gray eyes. Rocky couldn't help but whistle, which earned irritated glares from Kat and Tanya. He only shrugged and grinned sheepishly.

"Who is she?" asked Adam, "And why is she wearing armor identical to Scorpina's?"

"HER NAME IS SYREN, AND SHE IS THE PRESENT QUEEN OF THE VENUSIANS. THE VENUSIANS ARE A RACE OF FEMALE WARRIORS AND MAGICIANS, WHO LIVE ATOP MOUNT AMBROSIA ON VENUS ISLAND."

"We didn't see anyone on Venus Island when we went there," said Jason.

"The Venusians didn't show themselves," explained Alpha, "They have been ruled by Syren for millenia, and she is ruled by Lord Zedd."

"So Zedd's back in the picture?" asked Tommy, "If its not one thing, it's another!"

"INDEED."

"So, who are the Venusians?" asked Tanya, "Are they like the Amazons of myth?"

"THEY ARE THE BAND OF WOMEN WHO SPAWNED THE LEGEND OF THE AMAZONS. THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, THE VENUSIANS LIVED IN PEACE ON THE PLANET VENUS. THERE, QUEEN NAYA RULED THE PEOPLE, AND THERE WAS PEACE AND JOY. THEN, ONE OF THE VENUSIANS, CALLED DIVATOX, DECIDED THAT SHE WANTED TO RULE. SHE WAS THE SISTER OF THE QUEEN AND SHE DESIRED THE THRONE. SO SHE AND A BAND OF DISSIDENTS STARTED A CIVIL WAR, WHICH FORTUNATELY WAS QUELLED WITH THE HELP OF THE POWER OF NINJETTI, WHICH WAS GUARDED BY DULCEA, NAYA'S OTHER SISTER. DIVATOX AND HER ARMY WERE DEFEATED, AND AS PUNISHMENT THEY WERE EXILED FROM VENUS TO WANDER THE COSMOS. NAYA COULDN'T BRING HERSELF TO DESTROY HER SISTER. BEFORE SHE LEFT, DIVATOX CAST AN EVIL SPELL ON THE ENTIRE PLANET, CAUSING ALL THE WATER TO EVAPORATE. WITHOUT WATER, VENUS SOON BECAME UNINHABITABLE, SO THE VENUSIANS WERE FORCED TO ABANDON THEIR HOME. NAYA LED HER SUBJECTS TO EARTH, AND CREATED VENUS ISLAND, WHERE THEY ONCE AGAIN LIVED IN PEACE. IT WAS DIFFICULT, BUT AT LEAST THERE WAS WATER THERE, SO THE PEOPLE COULD SURVIVE. THIS WAS MILLENIA BEFORE MANKIND CAME INTO BEING. THEN, SYREN, ANOTHER WOULD-BE DICTATOR, SET HER SIGHTS ON THE THRONE. BUT, SHE KNEW THERE WAS NO WAY SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEAT NAYA AND DULCEA BY HERSELF, SO SHE ALLIED HERSELF WITH LORD ZEDD. TOGETHER, THEY MANAGED TO CONQUER VENUS ISLAND, AND SYREN BECAME QUEEN, WHILE STILL INDEBTED TO ZEDD. MOST OF THE VENUSIANS WERE PERSUADED TO ALLY THEMSELVES WITH SYREN AND PLEDGE LOYALTY TO ZEDD, AND THOSE WHO DID NOT WERE IMPRISONED IN THE CATACOMBS OF THE CASTLE. ZEDD ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE WHICHEVER VENUSIAN HE WANTED TO BE HIS PERSONAL ASSASSIN, AND HE CHOSE SCORPINA. THAT IS HOW SCORPINA CAME INTO ZEDD'S SERVICE."

"But why didn't they kill Naya immediately?" asked Adam.

"BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE VENUSIAN CODE TO NEVER KILL ANOTHER VENUSIAN. SO, EVEN THOUGH SYREN WAS QUEEN, THE MAJORITY OF HER SUBJECTS WOULD HAVE REVOLTED IF SHE KILLED THE FORMER QUEEN IN COLD BLOOD. SO NAYA, DULCEA, AND THE OTHER FAITHFUL VENUSIANS WERE IMPRISONED."

"But we saw Dulcea on Phaedos," said Rocky, "She isn't anyone's prisoner."

"A LITTLE OVER A CENTURY AGO, A SMALL BAND OF VENUSIAN PRISONERS, LED BY NAYA, MANAGED TO ESCAPE VENUS ISLAND. THEY ENTERED THE WORLD OF MANKIND, AND SEPARATED IN ORDER TO HIDE THEMSELVES FROM SYREN. THERE WERE FIVE ALTOGETHER: NAYA, DULCEA, AVAGONE, ERWINA, AND LEILA. DULCEA CAME TO ME IMMEDIATELY, AND ASKED ME TO TRANSPORT HER TO A WORLD FREE OF INDUSTRIALIZATION AND POLUTION, SO SHE COULD KEEP THE SECRET OF THE NINJETTI SAFE. THE POWER RELIES ON THE SPIRITS OF FREE ANIMALS, AND THE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE 19TH CENTURY MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO CULTIVATE THAT POWER ON EARTH. SO, I SENT HER TO PHAEDOS, A PLANET MUCH LIKE EARTH BEFORE HUMANS CAME INTO BEING."

"Are they still alive now?" asked Katherine, "Maybe they can help us!"

"NO, NAYA, AVAGONE, AND ERWINA ARE ALL DEAD. LEILA IS STILL ALIVE, BUT IF I CALL FOR HER HELP, I WILL BE PUTTING HER LIFE IN GREAT JEOPARDY. I MAY BE ABLE TO SUMMON DULCEA, THOUGH. IN THE MEANTIME, RANGERS, YOU MUST STOP SYREN. I DO NOT KNOW WHY SHE HAS DECIDED TO ATTACK YOU NOW, BUT SHE HAS."

"What powers do Venusians have?" asked Tanya.

"VENUSIANS ARE IMMORTAL. ONLY FIRE CAN DESTROY THEM. THEY ARE ALSO SUPREMELY AGILE, AND NATURAL FIGHTERS. THEY ARE ALSO MAGICAL, AND EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL. SOME HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHARM HUMAN MALES, SO BE CAREFUL, RANGERS."

"We can handle it, Zordon," said Tommy, "It's Morphin Time!"

"Zeo Ranger 1 -- PINK!!"

cried Katherine.

"Zeo Ranger 2 -- YELLOW!!"

yelled Tanya.

"Zeo Ranger 3 -- BLUE!!"

shouted Rocky.

"Zeo Ranger 4 -- GREEN!!"

called Adam.

"Zeo Ranger 5 -- RED!!"

bellowed Tommy.

The five Zeo Rangers teleported to the park, where Syren was awaiting them. Jason stood by the Viewing Globe, with a scowl on his face.

"Man, I wish I could help them!" he sighed.

"JASON, THE POWERS OF THE GOLD RANGER WERE SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS FOR A HUMAN TO WIELD."

"I know, but I feel so -- useless

."

"HELP ALPHA FIVE ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WITH PHAEDOS. PERHAPS DULCEA WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND SYREN'S ATTACK."

Jason nodded mutely and got to work.

Chapter Five

The five current Zeo Rangers arrive at the scene, where a beautiful woman in golden armor waits patiently for them, stoking her sharp blade with her gloved hand.

"Okay Syren!" yelled Tommy, stepping forward, "What do you want here?"

"I see you already know who I am, Red Ranger," said Syren with a seductive smile, "If Zordon has informed you of my identity, he no doubt has told you of my abilities. Yet, you bravely come to face me. I am impressed."

"Zordon's told us enough about you," said Katherine, standing beside Tommy, "and we can handle whatever you throw at us!"

With that said, the Zeo Rangers all strike fighting positions. Syren stares curiously at the Pink Zeo Ranger.

"I think I'll start with you, half-breed!" cried Syren, swiftly lunging at Katherine with her sword. Syren moved so quickly that the other Zeo Rangers had no time to stop her before she was already pummeling Kat with the magical sword. Kat barely managed to deflect the sword with her shield, but she never managed to get a hit in. Soon, Syren made contact with Kat's arm, leaving a deep wound on her shoulder. Kat clutched her injury tightly, dropping her shield and looking up at Syren in horror. Syren's expression was only disappointment as she stepped away from Kat and sheathed her sword. Tommy quickly ran between Syren and Kat, holding up his sword towards the enemy.

"Kat," he said quietly, not taking his eyes off Syren, "are you okay?"

"I...I will be," Kat answered weakly, rising to her feet. Tommy stood his ground, making sure Syren didn't again try to attack Katherine. Syren only smiled at shook her head.

"Lord Zedd had said that the Pink Ranger was of Venusian blood," she said with a sigh, "but obviously he was incorrect. You are not a Venusian, Pink Ranger! If you were, you should have been able to defend yourself effectively against my sword."

Tommy swung his sword at the Venusian queen, letting his instinct take over. Syren immediately unsheathed her sword and deflected each thrust expertly. She chuckled at Tommy's attack, and with a mighty swing, disarmed him. She then lifted him by the collar with one hand and smiled up at him.

"Not bad," she mocked, "For a male that is. So, you are the valiant leader of the Power Rangers, eh? So protective of your