Obstacle

With no stopping at all, the Rangers had soon arrived on Yahven-4, the first planet Tykwa instructed to find the first ingredient for Ashley's cure. It seemed simple enough of a task but the whole reason they were there left the rangers feel uneasy. Normally

Ashley would be the one to cheer up the team when things looked bad, but they couldn't let their concern get in the way of the task at hand.

"Doesn't seem as if there's much on the scanners." Cassie informs the team looking at the screen from her station.

"Well we thought that before, but we were wrong and everything went downhill." Carlos elaborated in response.

"This isn't the best time for sarcasm." TJ stated.

"I know, I'm sorry." He quickly replied taking back what he said.

"Whether or not something is down there or not, we'll need to keep our guard up and stay close to each other." Andros announced. "Let's get out there and come back as soon as we can. We're not gonna have much time."

"Don't have to tell me twice." Zhane replied.

"Yeah, I can already tell this isn't going on my list for top places I want to visit." TJ added on in agreeance.

During the conversation, Karone had just kept herself silenced looking down while on the planet and keeping her thoughts to herself.

"You okay?" Zhane asked as he noticed her gazing off.

Turning back to him, she replied "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little bit of deja vu."

"Well we seem close enough to use the Galaxy Gliders to get down there but once we've hit the ground, we'll need to do the rest of the way on foot." The on foot part sounded a little off but the team knew what they had to do. "Alpha, take

the bridge and let us know if anything weird or dangerous pops up."

"You can count on me Andros." Alpha replied going to the control console.

The planet's ground was similar to a rainforest on Earth. Trees stretching out as far as the eye could see, wet leaves hanging from them which pretty much went layers all around, and fog covering the sky. The Rangers walked slowly through the mud and

with the help of Tykwa's key pad, there was a map of where they needed to go.

"You seem to know your way around all these crazy planets." Carlos commented taking a look around.

"Well I've had my own time and share of experience." Andros replied as they kept moving forward.

"You know this would be a lot easier if we had our Galaxy Gliders." Cassie stated feeling gross since walking through the mud. "Why couldn't we take them all the way there."

Seeing something coming from above, Karone pointed and announced "Probably to avoid that."

As the rest of the team looked up, there was a giant flock of birds coming in their direction. "Get down!" Andros yelled as he grabbed Karone and ducked. The others did the same as the birds flew right above them at fast speed.

Taking a look behind, Zhane could see the birds leaving and got a good look at what they were. "What the heck are those things?!" TJ asked.

"They're called Tengu birds." Andros announced. "Keep your head down in case they come back."

"I thought they were extinct." Zhane questioned. Keeping themselves low, the Rangers kept moving.

"No, they are very much alive and still have large groups." Andros elaborated. Keeping focus, he went ahead and asked Cassie "How much farther Cass?" for she was the one with the map.

Taking a look at her radar to the surrounding area, she answered "We're getting close. Whatever ingredient we need her. It should be straight ahead." There were still Tengu to worry about as Cassie asked "Will they able to see us?"

"If we're careful, I don't think so." Zhane answered. He seemed to have much knowledge of the Tengu as he went onto explain "Their species used to live on one particular planet but that changed when bad guys like Dark Specter, Rita Repulsa

and Lord Zedd were planning their chaos and disrupting the balance. When that happened, the Tengu minds corrupted and they were enslaved by Lord Zedd. Some of the squads made it to Earth but they were defeated by the original team of Power Rangers."

"Their senses are highly sensitive and our morphers and powers give off a heat signature that they'd be able to smell." Andros added on.

"I see, so that's why you said it wasn't a good idea to morph." TJ said realizing what Andros meant before. The Red Ranger nodded in response to TJ being correct.

Seeing a large stone structure ahead, Cassie announced "that's it."

Picking up the paste, the Rangers got out of the forest and arrived at what appeared to be a large temple.

"Look at the size of this thing." TJ commented.

"I wonder how wide it is or how deep it goes." Carlos said.

"Well I would say we should split up but that wouldn't be a good idea." Cassie replied. "And it's not like any of us would know where to start, or what we're looking for."

Taking a good look around, Karone was getting her deja vu feeling again. But it only occurred to her now why it looked familiar. "Actually I think I do know, and I think I've been here before."

The team all looked at her surprised. "What do you mean?"

As Karone looked at the others, the memories started to come back as she explained "yes, I remember now. It was many years ago back when I was becoming Astronema. Dark specter sent me here under Ecliptor's supervision to become stronger. I would

spend days surviving alone in the forest and fighting Tengu."

"So you know what we're looking for?" Cassie asked wanting to be sure.

Turing to her, Karone answers "maybe, Cassie mind I take a look at your pad and radar?"

Cassie replied "sure thing."

Taking a good at it, Karone started to move to the right and take the lead. "This way." The rangers followed as they made their way around the temple.

Getting to one of the pillars had a glowing blue stone shining in the center. Catching the whole team by surprise.

"What is it?" Carlos asked.

It's a rare mineral from this planet." Karone answered.

"Crushing it and with the right amount of heat, it can turn into a liquid." Andros added.

Putting on a glove, TJ reached out the gem to remove it so they can take it back with them.

"Wait a minute" Cassie announced stopping him. "How do we know it's safe or this isn't a trap?"

"Well I don't think Tykwa would send us all the way out here with the possibility of us falling into a booby trap or get killed." Carlos said.

"You can trust her Cassie" Zhane replied to her question. Karone nodded in response.

Looking at Andros, Karone also had his approval. Which was good enough for Cassie to say "okay."

Reaching back for the gem, TJ slowly pulled it out, expecting that something was going to happen. But with an awkward moment of silence. "Huh, well that seemed to be a lot easier than I thought." He said throwing it up in the air then catching

it with his hand.

"Well let's get out of here before-" Andros went on to say before the ground started shaking right below their feet.

"I don't think taking the gem out was such a good idea Teej." Carlos commented.

"Ya think?" He replied sarcastically.

"Let's get out of here" Andros instructed.

Running, the rangers got away from the temple and some parts fell down to the ground, breaking. A cloud of smoke filled the area before starting to settle and clear. Getting up; Andros coughed from the dust and took a look around. He could see the others

and asked "you guys okay?"

Looking up at her brother, Karone answered "yeah, we're okay."

"Well, that could have been a lot worse" Carlos commented standing back up.

"Careful what you wish for." Cassie replied

"The important thing is we're still in one piece." TJ said.

Looking up, Zhane could see that the Tengu were coming back as he announced to the others "I'd hold the celebration if I were you guys, I think we've regained their attention."

The others turned to see the Tengu as well, with an even faster speed. It seemed as if the noose had alerted them of the Rangers presence. "Think they'll just let us go?" Andros asked, it was a rhetorical question as he had a good hint of the

answer.

"Doubt it, looks like they don't even like us having the gem." Cassie stated.

"Well, we're not gonna be able to outrun them. We'll need to take care of these guys head on before we can return to the ship." Andros replied informing the others of their situation is. As they all put of their hand in position, they all yelled

out "LET'S ROCKET!" Using the morphers, the rangers transformed the Astro rangers. Karone turning into the yellow using Ashley's.

Taking out their blasters, Andros yelled "let's light them up." Firing, the rangers tried to take as many of them out as they could before the Tengu could reach the ground. The attack worked for some of them, but the other Tengu got too close

as Andros and the other rangers ducked. As the Tengu were behind them, they landed behind the rangers. They quickly turned around and were ready for the fight.

"Give us the gem." One of the Tengu at the front demanded.

TJ still had it with him secured as he replied "you want it, come get it."

Wrong choice of words again as the Tengu followed his request and charged forward. As the ranger met their opponent, they split up to fight the Tengu individually.

Zhane clenches hit fist and with a hard swing he hits one of the Tengu sending hit flying back into a wall. From the right another came charging towards him throwing a punch, but before it can land Zhane grabs its arm. Zhane then flips the Tengu over

with enough force to send the surrounding dirt flying. While the Tengu down Zhane arcs his arm back, clenches his fist tight and let's lose a hard punch to the head knocking it unconscious. "I think I liked you guys better when I thought you

were extinct" he threatened trying to get one off while he was grabbed from behind. Mustering all of his strength, he flipped it onto its back. Once he was able to stand up, he yelled out "silver silverizer!" Calling his blade into

his hand. Using it, he made waste of the rest of his Tengu.

Carlos was fighting a couple of feet from TJ. Putting his arm in a fist and swinging it forward, Carlos used his arm to punch the Tengu as they moved in. Using his legs, he lifted them up to kick another. Swinging his body around, he kicked a third one.

"It's time to turn up the heat." He thought to himself. "Lunar Lance!" Carlos yelled summoning his weapon. Twirling it around, he used it against the Tengu, whacking them with the end.

Cassie dug her feet in the ground getting ready to strike and with one push she launched herself forward straight at one of the Tengu flinging him to the ground. As the Tengu started to get up Cassie swung her foot around causing it to rip through the

air until she makes contact with the Tengu head knocking it out. "Alright, I've had enough of you birds for an entire lifetime." Cassie mocked. She turned around to see two more Tengu standing right infront of her. "Satellite stunner!"

Cassie called out summoning her weapon. Firing a blast, and used it against two of the Tengu to hold them back.

Karone seemed to be handling herself getting used to her borrowed power from Ashley. Two Tengu surrounded Karone on all sides cornering her in. "Alright, I can do this do this." She thought to herself, knowing she could take on them easy with

the power she has now. With a burst of speed she rushes towards one of them tightly grabbing its arm and slamming it into the ground like it was nothing. Springing to her feet she faces off with the last one. goes to punch her but she dodges as the

arm wisps pass her. She jumps back then runs full speed at it. when she gets a couple of feet away from it she slides on the slick floor grabbing it yanking it to the floor. As soon as the Tengu hits the floor it get knocked out immediately.

With every punch Andros's throw they kept getting harder and harder. Until he gets hit from behind with a surprise attack causing him to come crashing down into the dirt. Andros gets the wind knocked out of him making him gasp for air. "Come on,

pull it together. Need to get back to Ashley as quick possible " he thinks pulling himself off the ground one hand after another. When he finally makes it to his feet he sees two Tengu standing right in front of him. With the determination

in his eye Andros jets forward charging at one of the Tengu landing a hard punch to the stomach causing it to go skidding across the hard dirt floor. "Spiral saber!" he yelled calling out his sword weapon, with more coming, Andros swung

his saber with quick speed to knock them down.

TJ had the gem in one hand and is using the other to fight. One Tengu comes charging at TJ and when it's two feet away it goes for a hard kick towards TJ's chest. TJ grabs the Tengu arm and with one big pull he forces the Tengu to the ground. "Seems

like someone needed more lessons on trying to beat the rangers." Elbowing one from behind, he turned around to kick it. Keeping up his attack, he landed another two more punches. "Power Axe!" he yelled taking out his weapon. Swinging

it at the Tengu, he landed harder attacks. But with each weapon they fought, the rangers knew that they were wasting valuable time. Spin kicking one of the Tengu, he announced "these guys don't know when to quit."

"I know this is getting annoying" Cassie replied. Keeping focused on the fight, she leg sweeped one of the Tengu as she got back up and she high kicked another.

Using his spiral saber to slash through the Tengu, he instructed to the others "I got an idea guys. How about a game of fastball?"

The rangers seemed to know what he meant as they kept fighting for now. As TJ knocked down of the Tengu, with a series of kicks, he yelled out "Cassie!" and threw the gem to her.

Using her satellite stunner to keep the Tengu at bay, Cassie gave herself enough time to catch the orb. With the focus of her weapon being lowered, the monsters could once again begin their charge. But the pink ranger wasn't going to be stopped as she

quickly used her legs to kick the Tengu back. Blocking one of their strikes, she swung around to use the other side of her leg. "Karone, heads, up." she announced passing it to her.

Catching it with her left hand, Karone used her other to uppercut one of the Tengu off of her. Keeping on her feet, she used her leg to kick one of the Tengu's in the beak. Using the same leg, she kicked the second one on her left. "Andros!"

she announced passing the jem to her brother.

As Andros caught it, he informed the others "I got it, now let's get out of here!"

"You got it" TJ replied as the Rangers regrouped.

Raising his free hand to the sky, Andros called out "Galaxy Glider, hang ten!" In the next minute, the red, blue, black, silver and blue gliders arrived.

Turning to his sister, Andros requested "get on with me." She didn't seem to object as she nodded and replied "okay!"

Taking his hands, Karone got onto the glider with Andros. The others getting on theirs as they quickly left to get back to the ship.

K,However, not all of the tengus were down for the count as the remaining few took off and chased after him. Accelerating their speed, they were not aware of their continued pressures. At least not until Cassie turned around. "These guys really

don't know when to quit." she announced to the others.

Taking out his blaster, Andros replied "they won't matter once we get out of atmosphere. Just keep going, and if they get too close for comfort, we light them up."

The others agreed as they took out their blasters as well. With the tengus getting closer, Andros waited with his other hand on Karone's shoulder as she kept her head forward, then open fired as he managed to hit one, sending it crashing down. The others

opened fire as well, until they were all sent crashing down back onto the surface.

Seeing them fall, Andros commented "and stay this time."

"Well that was a lot more complicated than it should have been." Carlos commented.

"The important thing is that it's over and we get a move onto the next one." TJ responded.

"Agreed on that one." Cassie said.

"We're almost at the ship." Zhane stated.

Getting back inside, the rangers demorphed with Cassie and Zhane going to the front. "According to Tykwa's drive, we need to go to Eltar." Cassie informed the team picking up her tablet.

Walking to the back, Andros instructed to Alpha "once I break this open, I need you to keep the temperature at 60 degrees in the room. To sustain the liquid, we can't risk freezing or boiling it."

He understood his instructions as he walked out, walking off. TJ and Carlos were behind Andros as he put the jem down on the table. Not seeing how exactly how he was going to break it open, Carlos asked "don't suppose you have a jack hammer around

her or something do you?"

Pressing number one on his morpher, he replied "don't need one." As Andros' hand glowed, he put it in a fist and slammed it onto the gem. As it shattered, the liquid was pouring out. Moving onto the other side, TJ cleaned up the mess and put

the liquid into a test tube.

Karone was at the front of the ship with Cassie and Zhane as he told her "good work out there."

Letting out a smile, she replied "thank you."

Once the boys in the lab were done, they headed back up to the front. "Well that's one down, four more to go." Andros announced.

"I've already set out our coordinates to get to Eltar." Cassie replied.

"How long will it take us to get there?" TJ asked.

"10 hours." Zhane answered.

"Let's hope everything's okay back on KO-35." TJ commented wondering how Ashley was holding up. Andros was wondering the same, but it was unlikely that was doing any better.

Back at the hospital, they had moved her to a room. The only noises on the inside were the breaking mask over her mouth and the monitors showing her vitals. Tykwa was sitting in a chair in the room with her, until she stood up and looked at the monitor

screens.

The rangers would need to hurry if they wanted to make it back in time. With a second destination, they were on there way.

On the planet Eltar, the phantom ranger was serving as a guardian to protect it from anyone that would mean to cause harm. With Astronema's defeat, all seemed peaceful as there was a breeze in the wind moving the grass. But the phantom ranger was not

alone as he heard an anonymous buzzing. Turning around to see who it was, there were free bugs similar looking to Blyznark landed down to face him.

TO BE CONTINUED …