Power Rangers A.D.S. - Chapter 7 "Ranger Yellow Part 2"

[drunkenpandaren]

Part 2 of the story continues on. And yes, there's a Part 3.



Ranger Yellow Part 2


“Ranger Yellow, where are you going?”

Aang cringed. The relentless eyes of Doctor T had once again caught him redhanded. “To… the… bathroom?”

“In that case, you may wish to put down your morpher and head upstairs.”

“Yes sir. Ma’am. Whatever.” Dejected, Aang returned his morpher to the proper place and he headed up the stairs. At the top, Katara was waiting for him, dressed in a bathrobe and nightgown. “Come to yell at me too?”

“Not really,” replied Katara. “Look, can we talk a little?”

Sitting down Aang on the sofa in her room, Katara folded her hands in front of her. “Look Aang, I know this must be tough for you but without proper intel on the location, we’d be walking into a slaughter. Azulon forces could have rebuilt it by now.”

“I know that,” replied Aang.

“You know that. So why are you acting like you can’t understand it?” Katara sighed. “As team leader I have to worry about everyone; one can only hope that Sokka ALONE doesn’t mess up the entire world with a stray shot or something. But I worry for everyone, as a friend.”

“Thanks,” said Aang. “I guess I’ve been… kind of stubborn lately.”

“Kind of?” chuckled Katara. “Aang you’ve stolen your morpher three times, tried to sneak out five times and then tried to hijack a PLANE despite it being out of fuel.”

“Y-yeah, it was kinda stupid,” chuckled Aang. “All right. I’ll be getting some rest then.”

“All right. Good night.”

“Night.” As Aang entered his room, Katara turned to a monitor, flicked it on and said, “Doctor T? Lock him in his room.”

“The last few attempts didn’t work. But very well.”


“You locked me in my room last night,” accused Aang that morning when he came down for breakfast.

“No, Doctor T locked you in your room. I just make sure the doors were tight. Waffle?” replied Katara in kind.

Aang glared at both her and the monitor which made a sound that was like a synthesized snicker. “Ignore the doctor behind the monitor.”

“At least she didn’t duct tape you to the floor,” said Sokka. “She did it to me once. Not fun.”

“And to date this is why Sokka has no hair on his arms,” added Katara and Sokka choked out of embarrassment.

“I was WONDERING about that,” mused Zuko, shaking his head.

“Series Yellow,” said Doctor T and Aang looked up. “Due to your constant breaking and entering of the vault, I have decided to give you back your morpher. Also, telemetry has been updated. Displaying on the screen now.”

A image appeared on the screen nearest them as a layout of a towering island in the middle of nowhere appeared. “Well that looks… wonderful,” said Sokka. “Like The Boiling Rock but much more forboding.”

“This is all that remains of the Southern Air Temple,” said Doctor T. “As you can see, since our resident boom-happy prince has blown it up—“

“Guilty,” said Zuko, thinking of the carnage he spread that day.

“—the rest of the facility is indeed empty. The Azulon forces have stripped the remaining technology left behind, withdrawing from the area. It seems that they are unwilling to patrol it from a certain radius.”

“So that means we can go in, and find out what’s going on in that place and why its popping up in Aang’s memories?” inquired Sokka. “I’m game for a little field trip.”

“Negative Ranger Black,” replied Doctor T. “Only Ranger Yellow and Blue will go on this trip. Ranger Black and Red are required to stay behind and prevent an attack from becoming one with casualties.”

“Awwwwwwww!” protested Sokka.

“You know, it might be better for me to go, considering that I know the place,” said Zuko.

“Zuko has a point. And with Sokka, I can manage a two-man combination with the zords,” added Katara. “With Zuko we’d need all three or fight individually.”

“Very well,” said Doctor T finally. “Series Red, you’re with Series Yellow on this mission. See to that you bring the proper necessities. I will contact General Iroh and have him lower the shields long enough for you both to fly your zords out of the immediate area.”

As the group broke after breakfast, Aang looked at Zuko and said, “Thanks.”

“No thanks are needed,” replied Zuko. “Besides, I’ve got my own reasons for investigating that place.”


“Series Yellow, Series Red, you are a go for take off. Be warned once the shield is down, Azulon forces will most likely move in to our position. Defend as much as you can before leaving the confines of the shield.”

“Got it,” said Zuko, already sitting in the cockpit of the Dragon-Hawk Zord.

“One other thing,” added Doctor T. “Due to the radiation, you will be out of contact after a certain distance. Once you reach the outskirts of Omashu, you will unable to reach myself, although I can keep track of you with what remains of our satellites.’

“All right. We’ll stay safe and get back home. Isn’t that right Appa?”

The giant yellow zord rumbled and Aang chuckled. “Lets do this.”

“Opening the shield,” reported General Iroh from his end. “Good luck Rangers.”

“Count on it. Lets go Aang!” Zuko took off into the morning sky with Aang following with a command of YipYip!

After a long moment, one of Iroh’s aids reported “They’re out of the shield zone. Returning it to full power.”

“Detecting intrusion in sector 15,” reported Suki who was manning her own console. “Looks like it’s another Azulon attack bot.”

“Confirmed,” agreed Doctor T. “Series Black and Series Blue, move to intercept.”

“On our way.”


“For a flight across hostile territory, this isn’t so bad,” remarked Aang as he put Appa on autopilot, following the landscape and predetermined route.

“Just keep your heads up active,” replied Zuko, a little tense. “No telling WHAT we might find out here.”

Aang nodded as he leaned back. The zord beneath him rumbled and he patted the console. “It’s okay buddy, nothing’s gonna hurt you there.”

“Hurt him?” scoffed Zuko as he pulled Dragon-Hawk into a climb to gain more altitude. “He’s a 300 ton death machine capable of interlinking with ours to make it even more boom-y. What’s the zord got to worry about?”

“Caves for one,” replied Aang.

Silence. And then Zuko replied, “Since when do zords fear caves? It’s not really ALIVE you know Aang.”

“Appa is to me,” replied Aang and the Red Ranger let out a deep sigh. “Besides, we’re approaching Omashu. Wow, it took shorter than I thought.”

“We’ve been flying at nearly 500 miles per hour for at least 4 hours Aang. Of course we’re going to get here quickly,” replied Zuko. “Engage your cloak. I don’t want the machines down there to notice we’re flying overhead.”

“Right. Engaging cloak now.”

As the pair of zords shifted from their bright spectrums to a clear finish, Aang asked, “Zuko? You think we could look around Omashu for a minute?”

“Why would you want to do that?” inquired Zuko curiously. “It’s nothing but a giant factory now. Take a look.”

Aang did so, toggling his display. What he saw made him scowl under his helmet. Giant smokestacks dotted the once majestic kingdom, dark clusters of moving devices were fusing robots together, and thousands of robotic soldiers were tromping over the landscape.

“That’s all wrong,” he said.

“I know, and sooner or later we’ll retake Omashu and give our world a fighting chance,” replied Zuko.

“No I mean…” Aang squinted at the chutes delivering things. “I… oh forget it.”

“What is it?” pressed Zuko.

“I just get this feeling…. Someone would never let this happen to their city. Someone… who is… very… patient.” Clutching his head, Aang shook it. Appa rumbled in concern and Zuko asked, “Aang?”

“It’s nothing,” said Aang finally as he shook his head. “Maybe a memory though.”

“We’ll get someone to look at that,” replied Zuko, the pair continuing their fight across Omashu. “We’re almost out of range. If there’s anything you want to say to the guys back in Ba Sing Se, now would be a good time.”

“… no. Let’s keep going.”

Silently, the pair of zords continued on their way, undetected by the teeming masses of machines below.


“Who bad? I’m bad. We’re bad!”

“If you mean bad as in getting thrown around the landscape by Azula, then yes, you’re bad.” Retorted Katara. “And really Sokka, do you and Aang have something out for that poor cabbage vendor?”

“He’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not my fault my zord knocked his cabbages down into the lower sector.” Said Sokka with a lazy shrug.

Katara sighed, massaged the bridge of her nose sensing a headache long associated with Sokka being a complete idiot coming on, and wished she has some medicine for it. “Sokka…”

“Sokka!” called out a voice and the pair turned to see Suki running up to them. “Glad I caught up with you two,” she said, puffing. “You Rangers run fast you know?”

“Yeah, but that’s cause we’ve got superpowers,” said Sokka, flexing. Katara elbowed the teen. “What?”

“Something we can do for you Suki?” inquired Katara.

“Yeah. I got to thinking actually about my hometown, Kiyoshi Island. And I was wondering if you could send a message to Aang and Zuko to drop by there and see how everyone was doing,” said Suki. “If they’re not out of range I mean.”

“They shouldn’t be,” mused Katara, pulling out her morpher and keying in Aang’s frequency. “Aang, do you read me?”

“Kinda,” replied Aang, his voice full of static. “Almost out of Omashu. What’s up?”

“Suki wants to know if you can stop by Kiyoshi Island and see if they’re still holding out,” replied Katara.

“And ask if they’ve heard any rumors regarding the Avatar,” put in Suki loudly, enough so that it could be picked up.

“Right, so Avatar and Kiyoshi Island,” replied Zuko. “Hey we’re about to loose you two. Is there any—“

Static.

“They’re out of range now,” said Katara. “Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll be safe. And the Kiyoshi Islanders too.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” sighed Suki, rubbing her arm. “I left them in charge while I made the trip to Ba Sing Se. Was hoping that I could come back but with the attacks picking up and my new job…”

“Hey,” said Sokka, patting the girl on the shoulder. “I’m sure they’re safe. They’re the Kiyoshi Warriors. If they can fight as well as you can, I’m sure they’ll be completely safe.”

Suki nodded and Sokka grinned. “All right! Who’s up for some traditional Water Tribe stew?”


“What was that about?” inquired Aang curiously as the connection terminated, dissolving into static.

“Kiyoshi Island is one of the few last free places in the world outside the dome,” explained Zuko. “It’s somewhere in between the Southern Air Temple, the South Pole itself and the Earth Kingdom Mainland. Sort of a cultural hub and all with its still booming trade. Though I’m sure by now they’ve become a bit reclusive.”

“I get it. So why are they holding out so well?”

“That I don’t know. I never got a chance to visit Kiyoshi Island, and quite frankly, I don’t know how they’d take two zords landing off the coast.” Replied Zuko.

“Oh I see. How far is it?”

“Well we’re in luck. It’s right in between of us and the Southern Air Temple. Adjust your trajectory and follow me in Aang. And stay cloaked too – no telling what sort of crap we’re going to deal with.”

“Right.”

The pair of zords rippled and became clear once more as they pulled downwards towards the island ahead. “We’ll land there, on the coast just to the north of any major towns,” said Zuko. “Get out and then store Appa away. We’ll need to keep a low profile.”

Aang blinked. “I don’t think that bright red and yellow spandex counts as a low profile Zuko.”

Zuko blew out a frustrated groan. “Aang you fool, we’re going to depower once we land. We’ll morph when we need to continue.”

“Oh. Right,” replied Aang lamely.


“Now remember, keep a low profile,” reminded Zuko. He had stolen a pair of clothes in Water Tribe colors while Aang still wore his yellow and tans. “And seriously Aang, you couldn’t have put something else on that doesn’t scream “Classic” or something?”

“I like my clothes,” replied Aang defensively as they made their way into the town proper. “And besides, you look out of place in that blue outfit.”

Zuko tugged at his collar, a little uncomfortable as they rounded into the square. “So far it looks fine,” mused Zuko as he gazed around. True while there were signs of a fresh attack and the pile of grinders that lay in a corner in pieces, the town was bustling with life. People dressed in blue were running around, mixed with the greens and yellows of the Earth Kingdom. “It’s like stepping into the past,” mused Zuko, noting the thatched huts and decorations.

“Feels welcoming,” said Aang. Suddenly, he bumped into a large man who came around the corner, spilling his drink on him. “Oh! S-so sorry!” cried Aang. “Er um…!”

Patting down the man’s clothing and trying to get the liquid out of it, desperation welled up in Aang as he waved his hands at it. Zuko was the first to notice and then everyone did as a gust of air exploded upwards, drying the man’s shirt instantly.

“What… did… you… just… do?” demanded Zuko, grabbing Aang by the front of his shirt.

“I panicked!” cried Aang. “So I accidentally used my Ranger powers!”

“That would be all well and good IF you were morphed!” retorted Zuko, but then the edge of a fan slid next to his neck and he froze.

“Unhand the Avatar,” snapped a female voice and the pair noticed they were surrounded by the local guard. Women dressed in a decorative green and white robe with elaborate hairstyles, all with their faces painted.

Aang was the first to speak. “Avatar wot?”

“So much for a low profile,” grumbled Zuko.


The pair of Rangers had been bodily marched to the main hall where a crowd of people were gathering. The leader of the Kiyoshi Warriors, a mere slip of a girl by Zuko’s standards, stood before them. “I am Hana, leader of the Kiyoshi Warriors in place of Suki our sister who has journeyed to Ba Sing Se.”

“Zuko, and this is Aang,” said Zuko and Aang gave a little wave. “What’s this all about? Why are you making us into a spectacle?”

Hana narrowed her eyes. “You do not know? You travel with the last Airbender, the Avatar himself.”

“Me?” inquired Aang, patting himself down. “I don’t feel like an Avatar.”

“Aang’s a kid I rescued from the Southern Air Temple Azulon facility,” replied Zuko. “He doesn’t even remember his own name, let alone these Avatar duties.”

“So then you admit to him being the Avatar?” pressed Hana.

“I admit nothing,” replied Zuko stubbornly. “I’ve only heard of the Avatar in those old storybooks and legends. There’s no proof that Aang is the Avatar, or would be at any case. Or even the last one.”

“What do you mean?” inquired Hana. “The Air Nomads were wiped out.”

“Not all of them,” replied Zuko. “I met a couple during my travels in the wastes while o my mission. They’re out there, few and scattered, but any one of them could be the Avatar.”

“And what of his Air Nomad Tattoos?” inquired Hana, gesturing to Aang’s bare arms. “And his clothing. If that does not speak of the Air Nomads and the potential he is the Avatar, then what of it?”

“She’s got a point,” replied Aang.

“That doesn’t mean a thing. It’s all coincidence,” denied Zuko. “Look, he can bend because we’re Power Rangers. Nothing more. Some of the power musta seeped into his body or something. We’re just on our way to the Southern Air Temple to get some answers.”

“You can’t simulate bending,” replied Hana and Zuko replied with “Yes you can!” She smirked. “Then prove it. Show us this bending of yours.”

“All right.” Zuko pulled his morpher but then Aang laid a hand on his friend’s arm. “Let me. They want to see Airbending right?”

“Aang your tech doesn’t work properly at times. What if it doesn’t work?” inquired Zuko.

“Then we go to Plan B.”

“He-LOO I can hear you two over here!” The pair turned towards Hana sheepishly. “If you’re too busy debating, maybe we’ll just throw the guy in my uncle’s clothing into a cell for a while.”

“Whoa, no need for that,” replied Zuko but Aang was already loading his morpher.

“A.D.S.! MAX DRIVE!” cried out Aang, throwing his arm and the device forward. In a burst of yellow light, he stood there in his full Ranger outfit. “All right, I’ll show you my bending.”

Hana snickered. Then, another girl did. And then people started laughing. Aang blinked and scratched his helmet. “Something I did?”

“That’s… that’s… that’s the silliest thing I’ve seen!” laughed Hana, doubled over in laughter with most of the crowd. “Imagine…! The Avatar prancing around in that?”

“Hey!” protested Aang. He was certainly pouting under his helmet. “Zuko, you don’t think its weird, right?”

Zuko shook his head. “I don’t get the joke either Aang.”


“All right, prepare to be amazed!” proclaimed Aang as he stood in front of the crowd. “Feast your eyes upon the wonders of Doctor T’s technology, as I attempt to bend the air around you!”

Aang moved his hands, sweeping into the gentle circular motions and then, threw them apart to create a gust of wind.

Nothing. Except for the birds chirping.

Aang blinked, and then threw out his hands again. Then he wiggled them around. Did a funny dance. And then he said, “Um, having some technical difficulties people. One moment.”

Scampering over to Zuko he whispered, “Zuko! It’s not working! Why isn’t it working?”

“I don’t know,” hissed back Zuko. “Just stay calm and try to bend.”

Aang shuffled back into position. “BEHOLD!” he cried, throwing his arms into the air, trying to stir up a small tornado.

Not even a leaf moved. And someone coughed in the crowd.

“I’ve seen enough,” said Hana, clearly unimpressed. “It’s obvious that what we saw was a freak gust of wind.”

Aang wilted. “But I can airbend, I really can!”

“Aang.” Zuko laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Sometimes in the long run, it’s best to stop now. We’ve defended Doctor T’s work. That should be enough.”

“I know,” said Aang, depowering in a flash of yellow light. “I just wanted to…”

Suddenly, a loud bell began to ring and people started to move into their homes. “What’s going on?” asked Zuko as Hana and her girls marched up.

“An attack,” replied Hana before they took off towards the harbour. Zuko and Aang exchanged glances and followed.

Making it to the docks, Zuko peered into the horizon. “Black dots. Black SHIPS,” he said, realizing what they were. “Azulon.”

“I don’t get it, why ships?” inquired Aang, peering out into the water. “Why don’t they just attack from the air like they do in Ba Sing Se?”

“Because Ba Sing Se has the dome,” replied Zuko. “It’s impenetrable from land so they have to attack through the dome, bring it down before they can move an attack bot in. This place is so backwater, I’m surprised it’s held out so long.”

“We’re not backwater,” snapped Hana. “And besides, this happens every 12 hours. Like clockwork and then it stops.”

“Why?” inquired Zuko. “Once the Azulon forces have a directive, nothing short of total annihilation of their forces will—“ He was cut off by one of the ships exploding into a million pieces.

“That’s your answer,” said Hana, gesturing towards the open ocean where a huge monster erupted from the water. “The guardian beast of Kiyoshi Island – the Unagi.”

Without stopping, the Unagi ripped through two more ships and Aang proclaimed, “WHOA!” as waves battered the dock.

“The Unagi’s a blessing from Avatar Kiyoshi,” explained Hana. “So far, it’s been guarding this land, making it safe from harm.”

“There’s still a lot of ships, and Azulon has forces and tactical skills,” reminded Zuko. “What makes you think that it can defend against more advances?”

“Because, we have faith in the Avatar,” replied Hana and Zuko snorted. “Besides, the Unagi is able to—“

Suddenly, a piercing cry from the Unagi was heard and Hana whipped around, staring in horror. “NO!” she yelled as the ships fired red beams that wrapped around the monster, holding it in place while three other ships made their way past the Unagi unmolested.

“You were saying?” said Zuko.

“This can’t be! The Unagi’s our only hope against the invaders!” exclaimed Hana.

“Well, you’ve just got two more pieces of help,” said Zuko. “Aang!”

“Right.” And in tandem, the pair chorused, “A.D.S.! MAX DRIVE!”

“Take to the skies,” commanded Zuko once fully suited up. “Appa has the belly-weapons needed to fire at them so aim for the ships binding the Unagi.”

“What about you?” inquired Aang.

“I’ll deal with whatever makes it past you. Now go!”

“Right. Downmorphing Flying Bison Zord!” In a flash of light, the miniature form of the zord appeared from Aang’s chest as he threw an Engine Cell into the back of it, causing the machine to grow expontentially. Leaping into the cockpit, he toggled the speakers. “Zuko, I’m going now! Lets go Appa, YIP YIP!”

With a loud bellow, the zord launched itself into the air. Hana looked at Zuko and said, “Okay. What’s the plan? Besides you taking on an army?”

“I haven’t quite figured that part out yet,” replied Zuko as the ships closed in.