Battle Royale
Author's Notes: The contents of Beast Wars: Transformers belong to Mainframe Productions. Used without permission. Also, this series takes place during the second half of the Lightspeed Rescue season and has been crossed with Power Rangers in Space. Power Rangers does not belong to me; it belongs to Saban Productions and I am only writing out of love for the show. I'd tell more, but then I'd spoil everything, but here's more stuff you should know.
This series takes after the events of `Yesterday Again'.
For those of you just joining us, this series is a spin-off of my Beast Wars-Power Rangers crossover series, which can be found at Sphinx's Lair (Sphinx, thanks for beta-reading this) ( http://1freespace.com/sphinx/index.html).
***
The Dark Kingdom was in an uproar. Destroying an entire city was one thing, but to destroy one with Power Rangers defending it was something else. Prince Olympius was furious at the fact that his latest plan to destroy the city was thwarted by those meddlesome humans. "There has to be a way to be rid of those accursed rangers!" Olympius cried. "Surely even they are not invincible!"
"Perhaps we are approaching this the wrong way." Queen Bansherra suggested.
"What do you propose, Mother?" Olympius asked. "Do you have a plan?"
"It seems we can not destroy the city unless we rid ourselves of the Rangers." Bansherra explained. "They are an army, and to stop an army, you must first stop the general."
"But how? Their base is underwater, and water weakens us."
"You'll see, my son. You'll see." Bansherra held out a small card with a monster on it. "Jinxer!"
Jinxer, the royal vizier and conjurer came forward. Bansherra handed him the card. "Attach this to a creature of the sea." She ordered. "Make it so the card turns into a monster the instant it is on dry land."
"Are there any specific orders for this monster, my Queen?" Jinxer asked.
"I want it to capture the leader of the Lightspeed Rangers." Bansherra answered. "Make sure the host creature manages to get it into the Aqua base."
"As you wish, my Queen." Jinxer replied as he bowed and left.
"Soon," Bansherra smiled. "All will be ours."
On the beach, Jinxer and a small group of Batlings soon found a large turtle. "Ah, perfect." Jinxer said as he picked up the turtle and stuffed the monster card into its shell. "All right, now, enter the Aqua Base like a good little turtle." Jinxer put the turtle down, who started to submerge into the ocean. Then, he and the Batlings began to group around, discussing their plan further.
At that moment, two figures were nearby, watching them. One was in a black armor; the other was in the shadows. "Man, what do you think they're up to?" The shadowed figure asked.
"I'm not sure." The armored figure replied. "But I can tell it's not good."
"Maybe we would've gotten to them sooner if you hadn't stopped by to get that armor!"
"I know this place. I'm not sure why, but it all feels familiar to me."
"What kind of demons were those anyway?"
"Batlings, and a creature called Jinxer. I can't explain now. Keep an eye on them."
"And what, may I ask, will you be doing?"
"Trying to see what's so important under the ocean that they would be there."
"Huh?"
"They're from the Dark Kingdom, and those demons are weak against water. I'm following whatever they placed in that turtle." With that, the armored figure teleported in a flash of green light, leaving the shadowed figure to follow Jinxer and the Batlings as they left the beach.
In the Aqua Base, things were going routine as usual when some scientists suddenly found a strange turtle in their waters. As they examined the spectacular strange creature, the monster card stuffed in its shell began to glow. The turtle suddenly turned into a large monster with two cannons on its shell. It attacked the scientists and made its way into the base.
At that moment, the alarms blared. Chaos reigned as the Lightspeed personnel rushed through the base to seek the origin of the emergency. Disaster soon struck as the large turtle monster appeared in the halls. Soon, it spotted its target. "Ah." It said. "Just the man I was looking for."
The monster immediately went towards William Mitchell, the captain of the Lightspeed operation. Despite the captain's attempts to escape, all proved futile. The monster grabbed the captain and teleported out of the base just as the Lightspeed Rangers came onto the scene. They arrived just in time to see their captain carried off.
"How could this have happened?" Dana asked as everyone allowed the shock to subside. "I thought the demons were weak against water."
"Apparently, the monster came in through a turtle we discovered." Ms. Fairweather explained. "It's possible the monster was hidden in its shell and caused a mutation in the turtle, resulting in its present state. Not all demons are affected by water."
"We have to get Captain Mitchell back." Carter said. "Who knows what they'll do to him."
"Agreed." Chad replied. The Lightspeed Rangers then departed the base in their search.
Meanwhile, in an abandoned warehouse, the turtle monster had to drag Captain Mitchell himself, because the Batlings were having problems. "Not bad." Olympius said when he saw the results. With the latest plan a guarantee and after previous failures, Olympius had come to supervise everything himself. "Not bad at all." He continued. "Good job, Torto. Place him with that spy we caught earlier!"
"As you wish, my Prince." Torto replied as he tossed Captain Mitchell into a rough-looking cell.
"I hope you enjoy your stay, Captain." Olympius mocked. "Because you're going to be with us for a long time."
Captain Mitchell stared on as Olympius left. How could he have let himself get caught like that, especially with his experience? "So, uh…what are you in for?" A voice asked. Captain Mitchell turned to see a mechanical rodent of various colors. It also had wheels where his rear legs would be.
"Wonderful." Mitchell replied. "A robot mouse."
"Hey!" The rodent cried. "For your information, I am a rat. The name's Rattrap."
"Captain William Mitchell. Any ideas on getting out of here?"
"Working on it. I got a buddy on the outside these bozos do not want to mess with."
"And if he fails to show?"
"Oh, he'll show. But just in case, how many guards did you see out there?"
"A lot. Not counting Olympius and that monster."
"Oh, boy. This'll be tricky."
"You're not the only one with friends on the outside."
"What do you suppose they're doing?" Rattrap was looking at Olympius, who was talking with Torto.
"Perhaps they're deciding on how to kill us." Mitchell replied.
"I sure hope it's quick." Olympius and Torto soon went towards them. "I knew it! We're all gonna die!"
"How fast can you go?" Mitchell asked.
"Why do you-" Rattrap stared at the door. "Oh, I get it. When I give the signal, hop on."
"Got it."
Soon, Olympius began to open the door. Just as it cracked, Rattrap roared his engines. "Get ready." Rattrap whispered.
"It's past time I put you out of my misery." Olympius said as he swung the door wide.
"Now!" Rattrap cried as Mitchell hopped on and Rattrap raced right past Olympius.
"After them!" Olympius cried as the two rushed out of the warehouse and nearing the city district.
"Rattrap, where in the galaxies are you?!" A voice cried. Rattrap activated his COM link at hearing the voice.
"Nice to hear from you, too." Rattrap replied. "But I'm a little busy at the moment. Those demons I was spying on earlier caught me and I just got out with this soldier guy."
"I've traced your signal. I'll be there in a while."
"Hurry!" No sooner had Rattrap cut off communications than Olympius, Torto and several Batlings appeared and surrounded them.
"It seems you're more trouble than you're worth." Olympius said. "No matter, I shall dispose of you both."
"Oh, yeah? Dispose of this!" Rattrap replied. "Rattrap, Maximize!" Rattrap then turned into a human-sized robot and began firing at the Batlings and Torto. Olympius had deflected every shot that came his way. As the attack progressed, the Lightspeed Rangers arrived on the scene.
"Are you okay?" Dana asked her father.
"Yeah," the captain replied. "I'm all right."
"But not for long!" Olympius cried. "Torto, destroy those Rangers, their captain, and that pesky rodent!"
"With pleasure!" Torto replied.
Suddenly, a laser blast came out of nowhere. The Rangers looked behind them to see a figure cloaked in black armor coming their way. The figure made his way towards the group. "You okay?" The figure asked Rattrap.
"About as fine as I'll ever be!" Rattrap replied.
"Aid the Rangers against that monster." The figure said looking at Torto. "I'll handle the other demon."
"And just what makes you think you have a chance of defeating me?" Olympius bellowed.
"Nothing. I just might be crazy."
"Get Captain Mitchell out of here!" Carter called. Chad and Kelsey took the captain to the Rescue Racer back to the Aqua Base.
As the other Rangers and Rattrap battled Torto and the monster, the figure battled Olympius. The two battled almost as equals, but the evil prince refused to give in. The fighting was so intense that Olympius finally knocked the figure's helmet off, revealing a familiar face. "You." Olympius gasped in shock and disbelief.
"Wow." The figure replied. "I had no idea I'd still be recognized. It's been a long time since I've seen members of the Dark Kingdom."
Olympius stared in shock and disbelief. The face was black, a green grid shaping his crystalline structure. The eyes were blood red. It was he, after all this time. "Indeed," Olympius said. "It has been a long time, Ecliptor."
"Who are you?" Ecliptor asked. "Why is the Dark Kingdom trying to destroy this city?"
"Do you not recognize me?" Olympius said. "Have I so changed even you do not know of me?"
Ecliptor looked Olympius over, his gaze turning to incredulity when he spotted the spot where the Star Power rested. "Impus?" Ecliptor asked. "It can't be! You're just a baby!"
"I've grown up." Olympius replied. "I am now Olympius, holder of the Star Power!"
"Wait a nanosecond!" Rattrap said. He had observed the discussion as the fighting had paused to find out about Ecliptor. "You know this guy, Ecliptor?"
"I think it would pain me," Olympius said. "If Ecliptor would forget his own brother!"
"Brother?" The Red Ranger said.
"You still haven't answered my question." Ecliptor said. "Why does the Dark Kingdom seek the destruction of this city?"
"Much has changed since you left us, Ecliptor." Olympius explained. "After the humans trapped us, they built this city over the palace. Now, we are free, and Mother wants her palace back."
"You mean to tell me that Queen Bansherra is going to all of this trouble just for her blasted palace?! I can't believe this, and I can't believe she gave you the Star Power!"
"Diabolico failed to destroy this city and the Rangers with it. Join us, Brother. Once we are united, these Rangers don't stand a chance."
"I came here to help the Lightspeed Rangers as requested to one who saved my life."
"Queen Bansherra gave you life, or have you forgotten?"
"Don't do this, Impus."
"Silence! It is Olympius now!" Olympius paused for a moment. He can't be hearing this, could he? He knew Ecliptor didn't get along with their mother, hence, the reason for his departure. But helping those Rangers? Things just got worse when he was called by his childhood name. Hasn't Ecliptor realized he's not a child anymore? "Mother will not be pleased with you decision, my Brother." Olympius finally said.
"Like I care about Mother's petty desires." Ecliptor snorted.
"Still as stubborn as ever." Olympius said. "Very well, I shall leave you to your doom. Torto, destroy them!" With that, Olympius disappeared.
"What has Mother done to you, baby brother?" Ecliptor thought as Torto began his attack. Ecliptor placed his helmet back on and aided the Rangers. As Torto was about to make a tackle, Ecliptor rushed at him, blade in hand. After that, Torto fell with a bang. Ecliptor then disintegrated the remains so that he wouldn't come back. "Always take out the remains." He told the Rangers. "It keeps the monster from becoming a big problem."
"Thanks." Carter said. Ecliptor started to leave, Rattrap following him. "Wait. Aren't you going to explain some things? Like your place with the Dark Kingdom?"
"I already told you." Ecliptor said. "I was sent to help you."
"By who?"
"A friend of a friend. Ask your captain of the history of the Earth's Power Rangers."
"But-"
"Good-bye, Red Ranger. We'll meet again." Ecliptor then teleported with Rattrap, leaving Carter to be curious of this new ally.
At the Aqua Base, a lot was said on the latest battle that occurred. "Olympius called him his brother." Carter explained to Captain Mitchell and Ms. Fairweather. "I don't know if Ecliptor's on our side or what."
"Did you say Ecliptor?" Kelsey asked. Carter nodded. "As in the same Ecliptor who attacked Angel Grove by the side of Astronema?"
"I don't know what to think anymore."
"Ms. Fairweather," Captain Mitchell said. "Isn't there a legend about the Dark Kingdom's royal family which includes this prince?"
"There is." Ms. Fairweather replied. "Before giving birth to Olympius, it's said that Queen Bansherra had another son, one who defied her in every way possible. His behavior made him known as the Rebel Prince. It's said that Bansherra became so frustrated with him that she exiled him before she and the other demons were trapped."
"So are you saying it's possible Ecliptor could be the Rebel Prince?" Carter asked.
"From what you've told me," Ms. Fairweather said. "It's pretty possible."
Meanwhile, in a cave near the beach, Ecliptor and Rattrap made their base. Rattrap was a bit peeved at the turn of events. "Okay, let me get this straight." Rattrap said. "That red demon with the star's your brother, you're a prince, and you never told me?!"
"There was nothing to tell." Ecliptor replied. "My past is past."
"Hello! Earth to Ecliptor! Karis sent us to help the Rangers, remember?"
"I swear I had no idea my family was involved, least of all Impus."
"Don't you mean Olympius?"
"I'll admit he looks tough, but still, he's just a baby."
"Why do I get the feeling things just got complicated?"
"When Karis mentioned Mariner Bay, I knew it was the Old Kingdom. My mother, brother and all their court were trapped five millennia ago. I was far from here when I heard. I didn't want to believe it, but they're free now. How can I help the Rangers when it requires me to fight my own brother?"
"Does anyone else know about this?"
"No one knows of my heritage, and I mean no one."
"So, you never told anyone."
"No."
"Oh, this is just great! So, now what do we do?"
"You keep helping the Rangers with the Dark Kingdom. I need to think."
"If I've said it once, I'll say it again. We're all gonna die."
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