by Neo Edmund
Chapter 7
In the main control room of the Power Rangers’ Command Center, Trini typed a series of commands into one of the many blinking computer consoles. A three-dimensional image of her wrist-communicator came up on-screen, revealing the complex inner workings of the device.
The communicator itself sat upon a metal tray inside a transparent diagnostic chamber. Laser scanners beamed across the metallic surface of the communicator, looking for any defects that might have prevented Trini from teleporting during her battle with the Griffin Pharaoh.
Alpha 5, the Command Center’s cybernetic caretaker, scurried from one blinking computer console to another, flicking switches and pushing buttons. On her console screen, Trini eagerly watched the digitized image of the communicator. After a brief moment, the display flashed green, indicating the device was in perfect working order.
“Very strange,” Alpha 5 said, shrugging. “I can’t find any reason that you were unable to teleport during the battle. Are you sure you were pushing the right button, Trini? You were pretty dizzy after taking that hit that caused you to de-morph.”
Trini pressed a hand to her head, still feeling a little dazed. “I guess anything is possible, but I really think there’s more to it than that.”
Zordon, an ancient galactic sage trapped in a time warp, looked down at Trini from inside a glass energy chamber that served as his link to the Command Center. “During your battle with the Griffin Pharaoh, I detected several bursts of a rare form of power called nanotronic energy. It is possible that this nanotronic energy caused your communicator to malfunction,” he said.
Trini had never heard of nanotronic energy, and had there been more time, she would have asked Zordon for an explanation. At the moment, far more pressing concerns were weighing on her mind. She took her communicator from the diagnostic chamber and strapped it to her wrist. “Well, it seems to be working fine now, so we should start searching for the other Rangers right away,” she said.
Zordon nodded. “Alpha 5 and I have already begun a search. Unfortunately, our scans have yet to reveal the location of the missing urns.”
“Don’t you worry, Trini,” Alpha 5 said, flicking more switches on the console. “I won’t stop working for a second until all the Rangers are located.”
“Thank you, Alpha 5, but I can’t just sit here doing nothing. It’s bad enough that I ran away from the fight,” Trini said shamefully.
“You cannot blame yourself for what was beyond your control,” Zordon said. “Had you not fled when you did, you would have surely been captured as well.”
“That could have been the end of the Power Rangers, forever,” Alpha 5 said.
“I know you’re right,” Trini admitted regretfully. “I just don’t understand how this even happened. Before today, the Griffin Pharaoh was just a character from an old myth. How could two idiots like Squatt and Baboo manage to bring his statue to life?”
“Based on the data we collected during your encounter with the Griffin Pharaoh, I believe they used a rare species of Nanosand found only on a moon in a distant nebula,” Zordon said.
Alpha 5 brought up an image of the Griffin Pharaoh on a computer screen. Millions of the tiny Nanosand grains swarmed around his body. “Nanosand has the unique ability to turn matter into living flesh. The good news is the process of nano-solidification takes several days to complete.”
Trini looked closer at the screen. “So right now the Griffin Pharaoh is still made of stone and gold. What happens after this nano-solidification is done?”
“I’m afraid the Griffin Pharaoh may become indestructible,” Zordon said.
Trini paced nervously. “The Griffin Pharaoh is already too powerful for me to defeat on my own. We have to find the other Rangers to stand a chance against him.”
“Alpha 5 and I will find them as soon as possible,” Zordon said. “In the meantime, you should return to Angel Grove and continue your effort to become a leader of the Angel Scouts.”
Trini shook her head. “How can I leave while the other Rangers are lost?”
“I know you want to help, but until the urns are located, there is little else you can do,” Zordon said. “Never forget that becoming an Angel Scout leader is equally as important as your commitment to the Power Rangers.”
“I’ll contact you as soon as I have any new information,” Alpha 5 said.
“You’re right as always, Zordon. That doesn’t make this any easier,” Trini said. She reluctantly tapped her wrist-communicator and teleported away.
• • •
At the same time, the Griffin Pharaoh sat on Rita’s golden throne in the Moon Palace. “This will make an excellent place for me to rule over the world. Or at least until I have enough slaves to build my new fortress.”
Squatt and Baboo paced in a frantic panic.
“Are you crazy? You can’t sit there,” Baboo said.
“Only Queen Rita can sit on that throne,” said Squatt.
The Griffin Pharaoh laughed. “If this Rita wishes to have it back, she will have to face me in battle. Until that time, you will all serve under my command.” He looked at the Nanosand swarming on his arms. “And these strange creatures are still healing me, so I’m not going anywhere just yet.”
Squatt raised a fist at the Griffin Pharaoh. “That’s not how this is supposed to work. We brought you to life so that you could serve us.”
“We order you to go back to Earth and destroy that meddlesome Yellow Ranger,” said Baboo.
“You dare try to order me around. All will kneel before me, or all will be destroyed,” the Griffin Pharaoh shouted. He raised his cyclone staff and blasted Squatt and Baboo with a gust of wind powerful enough to knock them to their knees.
Finster strutted into the room, carrying one of his clay monsters. He stopped in his tracks when he saw what was taking place. “What in the world is going on here?”
Baboo stumbled to his feet. “I’ll tell you what’s going on. This royal pain in the rump is trying to take over Rita’s palace.”
“And he won’t listen to a thing we tell him,” said Squatt.
Finster fidgeted nervously. “Oh dear, I worried that this could happen.”
Squatt gave Finster a shove. “You better find a way to get the Griffin Pharaoh under control.”
Baboo gave Finster an even harder shove. “And you better make it happen before Rita gets back, or you’ll be in big trouble.”
Finster shook a fist in anger. “Don’t blame me. This plan was your idea, not mine.”
“Yeah, but it was your sand that brought the Griffin Pharaoh to life,” said Baboo.
“Who do you think Rita is going to be madder at? Us or you?” Squatt asked.
The two aliens then strutted away.
Finster smacked a hand to his forehead. “How could I have been so foolish to listen to that pair of idiots?”
Chapter 8
The next morning, Trini rushed into a secluded area of Angel Grove Forest. She had spent the night tossing and turning, dreaming of the Griffin Pharaoh, and had overslept. She made a quick sprint down a dusty path toward the campground. Along the way, she tried to think up a believable excuse to explain to Ms. Gertrude why she was late, but upon reaching the campground, she realized even the best excuse in the world wasn’t going to help. The scouts’ campsite was already set up, a task Ms. Gertrude had put Trini in charge of overseeing.
“Trini!” Silvia called out gleefully and hurried over to greet her. “I was worried you got abducted by aliens or something.”
Trini smiled at her cousin. “I didn’t mean to be late. I just lost track of time.”
“For two hours and twelve minutes,” said Ms. Gertrude, from somewhere nearby. “That is the precise amount of time that you are late.”
Trini looked around, but she couldn’t see Ms. Gertrude. Silvia sighed and pointed upward. Trini looked up and
was surprised to see Ms. Gertrude perched on a tree branch high above them. The woman was dressed in a gray safari outfit and glared down at them through a large pair of binoculars.
“Ms. Gertrude, what are you doing up there?” Trini asked.
“Bird-watching, of course,” Ms. Gertrude said. She began to climb down. “When I was an Angel Scout, I completed the requirements for the Bird-Watching Merit Badge on three occasions. If you wonder why I would do such a thing, it is because I was dissatisfied with my performance on the first two attempts. I suppose that concept wouldn’t make sense to one who takes her responsibilities so lightly.”
Trini wanted to voice her disagreement with Ms. Gertrude, but she decided it was best not to argue. “I promise I won’t be late again.”
“See that you do not,” Ms. Gertrude said, as she reached the ground. “Now without further delay, let us get this campout started. I assume you have an appropriate activity planned for the Artistic Expression Merit Badge,” she said, then blew a whistle.
The scouts hurried over and formed a line.
Trini took a calming breath before starting. “I think we’re all going to have a great time this weekend. For our art project, we’re going to make Maori-style masks, similar to the ones we saw at the museum.”
The scouts looked at one another, uncertain what she was talking about.
“Remember, the exhibit had all sorts of interesting masks from Oceania,” Trini said.
The scouts shrugged again.
Trini fidgeted nervously when she noticed Ms. Gertrude writing another note on her clipboard. “Anyway, for today’s art project, we’re going to be making our own masks. I want you all to give your mask a personality that represents you.”
For the next few hours, Trini and the scouts created a dazzling assortment of colorful masks. Some looked silly and playful, while others were devious and even creepy in style. Trini did her best to oversee the activity with careful attention, and yet somehow she just couldn’t seem to impress Ms. Gertrude.
As the setting sun gave way to night, the scouts built a crackling campfire. They wanted to roast marshmallows and tell spooky stories, but Ms. Gertrude overruled their plan, insisting that marshmallows were too sugary and scary tales would give them bad dreams. When the scouts tried to entertain themselves by singing campfire songs, Ms. Gertrude would only allow them to sing classics such as “Home on the Range,” “Yankee Doodle,” and “America the Beautiful.”
By half past eight o’clock, Ms. Gertrude had fallen asleep and was snoring as loudly as a bear.
Trini tried to keep the scouts in an upbeat mood, but they soon became bored and restless.
“This is so boring,” Silvia grumbled. “I wish we could just tell ghost stories.”
The scouts all mumbled in agreement.
“So do I, but it’s not up to me to decide,” Trini said.
“But Ms. Gertrude is asleep,” Silvia said, waving a hand in front of Ms. Gertrude’s closed eyes. “She’ll never even know.”
“Just because we can get away with breaking a rule doesn’t make it okay,” Trini said. “Angel Scouts must always strive to be honest and true.”
Silvia and the scouts half-heartedly mumbled in agreement.
Suddenly, the sound of crackling footsteps could be heard coming from the nearby bushes. Something was lurking in the shadows just beyond the edge of the campground. For a tense moment, Trini and the scouts listened in breathless silence. Again, they heard footsteps, this time followed by a bellowing growl and a vicious screech.
All at once the scouts screamed in terror.
Chapter 9
A furious growl. A savage grunt. A shrieking scream. The Angel Scouts huddled together in dreadful fear as the terrible sounds continued to come from the nearby shadows. Trini did her best to keep the girls calm, which wasn’t easy because her own heart was racing with fear. As for Ms. Gertrude, she continued to snore like a wild beast.
After several moments had passed and the grunts and groans continued without pause, Trini started to feel suspicious of the source of the sounds. She signaled the girls to remain together and then crept over to a tree. Climbing with catlike agility, she hopped up to a high-hanging branch so she could get a bird’s-eye view of the area. Just as she suspected, Bulk and Skull were hiding in the bushes. They were using an old electronic keyboard to create the terrible sounds.
Trini climbed back down the tree and hurried over to the scouts. “It looks like a couple of wild animals have wandered into our campground. Fortunately, they’re not dangerous, just obnoxious,” she said to the wholehearted relief of the scouts. “I have an idea how we can scare them away.”
As the fake growling and cackling continued, the scouts covered themselves in blankets and put on the masks they had created earlier in the day. They then stealthily made their way over to where Bulk and Skull were hiding.
“When I say go, we’re going to jump out and make as much noise as we can,” Trini whispered. Once the scouts were ready, she shouted, “GO!”
All at once, Trini and the scouts dashed around the tree, roaring and screeching. In the dark, they looked like a pack of wild monsters. Bulk and Skull were so startled that they wailed.
“We are the Were-Beasts of Angel Grove Forest,” Trini said with a shriek.
“What in the heck are Were-Beasts?” Bulk whimpered.
“We come in many forms. Were-Lions! Were-Tigers! Were-Bears!” said Trini.
“Oh my,” Skull whimpered.
“Please don’t eat us,” Bulk begged.
“I’ll give you to the count of three to run away as fast as you can,” Trini said. “1 . . . 2 . . .”
Bulk and Skull screamed again, and this time, the duo took off running into the night.
“And never come back, or we’ll eat you,” Trini shouted.
The scouts gathered together, laughing and exchanging high fives.
The fun then came to a screeching halt when Ms. Gertrude came stomping their way.
“What on earth are you all up to?” Ms. Gertrude barked.
“We were teaching those big jerks a lesson,” Silvia said.
Ms. Gertrude scoffed and shot the scouts a look of disappointment. “Frightening people half to death is hardly what I would call a lesson. That is not proper Angel Scout behavior. I am deeply disappointed in all of you. That goes double for you, Ms. Kwan.”
Trini took off her mask and slumped like a child who had just gotten in trouble with her parents. “Please don’t be angry. We were just trying to have some fun.”
“Fun and mischief all too often go hand in hand,” Ms. Gertrude said, furiously writing notes on her clipboard. “Ms. Kwan, if you are going to be a scout leader, it will do you well to learn this. Now off to bed with all of you. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
Hours later, Trini lay alone in her tent, tossing and turning in her sleeping bag. Far too many worrisome thoughts filled her mind for her to sleep. In the morning, she would be leading the scouts on a wilderness hike. With all the negative marks Ms. Gertrude had already given her, Trini wondered if it was still possible to pass the leadership exam.
Just when she began to nod off, her wrist-communicator chimed. She excitedly leaped upright. “What’s up, Alpha 5?”
“I have good news and bad news,” Alpha 5 said. “The good news is that I’ve located one of the four urns.”
“That’s great,” Trini cheered. “So what’s the bad news?”
“It’s somewhere deep in the Australian Outback,” Alpha 5 said.
Trini shrugged. “That doesn’t sound too bad. I can teleport there right now.”
“You didn’t let me finish,” said Alpha 5. “Aye-yi-yi, the urn is stuck on the side of a rocky cliff over one hundred feet above the ground. If that isn’t bad enough, it’s being guarded by a giant scorpion. The mission will be
perilous.”
Chapter 10
The surface temperature of the Australian outback sweltered at over 120 degrees. The scorched ground cracked beneath Trini’s feet when she teleported into the unforgiving wilderness. Alpha 5 had warned that the outback was one of the most dangerous environments on Earth. The region was inhabited by carnivorous beasts, birds of prey, and venomous reptiles.
Trini picked up a survival pack that Alpha 5 had sent ahead of her arrival. The cliff where the first urn resided was a few miles away. She would have teleported directly to the cliff, but Alpha 5 worried that the energy displacement created by a teleportation field could set off an avalanche.
It took Trini over an hour to hike across the hardened desert. Whenever she thought about stopping to rest, she reminded herself that she had to succeed or the other Rangers would remain trapped for all time. She also needed to get back to Angel Grove before the scouts awoke for breakfast.
A nervous twinge shot down Trini’s spine as she approached the rocky cliff face. Jagged rocks and crumbling cracks lined every inch of its surface. Peering upward, Trini spotted a pink urn entangled in the roots of a long-dead tree poised over one hundred feet above the ground.
“Kimberly,” Trini muttered. She then spoke into her communicator. “Alpha 5, I’m here. Though I don’t see the scorpion you mentioned.”
“Our sensors aren’t picking up anything, either, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still around,” Alpha 5 replied.
Trini placed the backpack on the ground and opened the top flap. Inside she found a grappling hook launcher. She took aim at the cliff wall and pulled the trigger. The hook soared skyward, dragging a climbing cable along behind it. The hook jammed into the cliff wall a few yards above the pink urn.
Trini slipped on a pair of climbing gloves and gave the cable a firm pull. Assured that the cable was secure, she began to traverse her way up the treacherous surface. The trek upward was a slow and daunting process. Rocks cracked and chipped in her hands. The intense heat of the wind felt like fire blasting on her back.