//------------------------------// // Episode #1: Power of the Zodiac Spirits, Part 1 of 2: Premier of The Power Rangers // Story: EQG: Power Rangers: Zodiac Crusaders // by Dalek-Galvo //------------------------------// A long time ago, during very ancient times, there existed a world, that was full of wonders, magic, and adventure. And the people that inhabited this world were protected by the great Zodiac spirits, ancient deities that with their combined power, would help to replenish the earth, sea, and sky of the human world. The Great Guardian knew that he could not allow this power to fall into dark hands, so he assigned his two sons to preserve and protect the power of the Zodiac Spirits. Both brothers vowed to protect this great power, however, the youngest brother had been enraptured and manipulated by dark forces, until one day, the Youngest brother's heart was poisoned by darkness and he now wanted the power of the Zodiac Spirits for himself. He demanded the power of the Zodiac, but the Guardian saw the evil in his heart and refused him the power. Enraged, the youngest, used a satanic book's black magic, unleashing demons and spirits of the dead to ravage our world, bringing pestilence and famine to all who stood in his way. The Book's magic also poisoned his body, and mind. Until he was transformed into the Demon King, Lord Skullkor. However, in our darkest hour, the eldest brother, named Adona, set forth to end his brother's reign of darkness and bring peace back to the world. "Agggh," Adona cried as he is sent flying by Skullkor's attack. "This battle is now over brother," Skullkor said triumphantly. "At long last, after many years of waiting, the power of the Zodiac is MINE!!!" But before the hand of evil could prevail, Adona performed a sealing spell. "WHAT, NOOOOOOOO!!!" Skullkor said as he was hit by the spell. Due to Adona's spell, all of the evil creatures Skullkor had unleashed vanished, and Lord Skullkor was then flung into a great pit and banished into the Neither-World. Peace was restored, and humans were saved from the forces of evil. Adona knew that he could not allow the gems to be taken by evil hands. So he hid the Zodiac Gems in key locations, where Skullkor would never hope of finding them. However, Adona knew that his seal would not last forever and that it would only be a matter of time before Lord Skullkor and his forces would return...and return they soon would. (Meanwhile, in Present-Day Earth) Sunset Shimmer was in her mythology class, trying her hardest not to pass out from boredom. "These are what each of the Zodiac Constellations was organized, so that each of them would appear during different seasons," The Mythology Teacher said. "Could today go any slower," Sunset said to herself as she started yawning in utter boredom. Suddenly, the school bell rang, meaning that the school day was over. "Alright everyone, be sure to read pages 113-119 for next Monday's lecture," The Mythology Teacher said. "Everyone, have a great weekend." "Aww finally, the weekend begins," Sunset said with a satisfied smile on her face. Sunset was walking out the doors when she saw Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity Belle waiting for her. "Hey Sunset," Twilight said. "How were your classes today?" "Aww could have been better," Sunset said. "I'm just glad that school is over for the week." "Yeah, couldn't agree with you any less," Twilight said. "Welp, I gotta get home, Spike will get upset if I don't feed him for a long time." "Alright, see you all later," Sunset said as she then got onto her motorcycle and started driving home. However, as Sunset was going into her parking space, a red glow suddenly caught her eye. "Huh," Sunset said as she got off her motorcycle to go get a closer look. Sunset then saw that it was some kind of red Gemstone. Upon seeing it, Sunset first thought that this had something to do with the Dazzlings, worrying that they may have found some way to repair their gemstones and regain their magic. However, with curiosity getting the better of her, she decided to pick up the strange gem. Suddenly, Sunset felt the ground start to shake as she started to lose her balance. "What is this, some kind of Earth-Quake," Sunset said as she scrambled to go look for cover. A Red light then envelops Sunset as she is then transported. Meanwhile, in a far-away cave, a cloaked figure watches. "A crack has appeared on the seal," The Cloaked figure said. "The forces of shadows have returned." Meanwhile, in a dark castle sunken deep below the sea of suffering in the Neither-world, Someone or something is plotting from the shadows. It was then revealed to be some kind of Skeletal Wolf-Man Monster in a black tattered cloak wielding a scepter with a skull on its tip. "Ahh, the locations of the Gems have shifted," Skullkor said. "And yet, the humans still walk in the peace that my brother created, as opposed to mine." "Must I send those who were never supposed to see the light of day," Lord Skullkor said as he put his bony fingers up in the sky, as a purple light emanated from his hand? "Awaken my Shadowlings, my denizens of darkness," Skullkor said as three Zombie creatures rose from the ground. "This is my command, you are to retrieve the Zodiac Gems and destroy those who wield their power," Skullkor said. "Yes master," The Shadowlings said as they then march off into the human world. "Now, arise, my two supreme General's, Famine and Pestilence," Skullkor says as a Skeleton in a suit of armor and a humanoid Cockroach rose from the depths. "You don't have to say anything my Liege, 'cause I've already planted 20 Writher seeds on the Surface World, they'll be fully grown in 15 earth minutes," Famine said. "I've also put down 45 Fright-Fly eggs on the surface world as well, they'll hatch in 10 earth minutes," Pestilence said." "Let's hope that those putrid plants and slimy insects can do the job," Skullkor said. "Yep, those little spirit whatchamacallits we'll be yours in no time," Both Generals said. "The Power of The Zodiac belongs to me," Skullkor said as he sits on his throne. When Sunset woke up, she saw that she was inside some kind of cave system. "Ugh, my head, where the heck am I," Sunset said as she got herself back on her feet. Suddenly, her gem started glowing red almost as if it was trying to lead Sunset through some kind of path. "Alright, you strange little gem," Sunset said. "Light the way." As Sunset continued to explore, she saw that there were a lot of strange markings around the caves, almost like there was some kind of fierce battle taking place. Sunset could also translate the scripture on the cave walls as some sort of greek spelling. "A long time ago, great evil ravaged the world of humans," Sunset read. "But the humans revolted against the demons using their power to vanquish them." "However, the legend says that seven will rise from the others, and become the Zodiac Crusaders," Sunset said to herself. "Wow, this looks like something out of one of the mythology movies we had to watch." "Alright, where were we," Sunset said. "The seven chosen spirits were Leo, Scorpio, Piscis, Virgo, Taurus, Libra, and Cancer." Before Sunset could read anymore, her back bumped into something. She then turned around to face it, which was revealed to be Twilight Sparkle. "Twilight, what are you doing here," Sunset said surprised. "I don't know, all I remember was walking home, finding this purple gem, and then poof, I'm here," Twilight said as she got out a Purple Gem-Stone. "Yeah, same for us too," Another voice said, as Rainbow-Dash and Applejack came out holding blue and black gemstones. Then Rarity Fluttershy and Pinkie-Pie followed, holding white, yellow, and pink gemstones respectively. Suddenly as they came closer together, all of their gemstones lit up as different colored beams of light pointed to an unknown location. "C'mon girls, let's follow the light and see where it takes us," Rainbow said as they all followed the light beams. Eventually, it led them to a strange-looking room that looked almost like some kind of console room. "Welcome children," A voice said in the darkness, which startled all 7 of the girls. A figure then appeared from the darkness, revealed to be some kind of Sheep-Man in white robes. "My name is Adona," Adona said. "And I have a long story to tell all of you." Meanwhile, on the surface, Famine and Pestilence were checking in on their minion's progress. "Hey, Pestilence, are ya sure you put the eggies in right," Famine said with an oafish expression. "YES I DID YOU NUMBSKULL," Pestilence said as he bonked Famine in the cranium. "Now stop acting stupid and help me." "Wha, who'd call meh stupid," Famine said. What does Stupid mean." "Uggh," Pestilence said. "Why did Lord Skullkor partner me up with a moron like you." Suddenly, the seeds and eggs began to wriggle as the Writhers and Fright-Flies began to hatch from them. "Aww, look at them go," Famine said. I guess everything's ready." "Alright, Fright-Flies, you know what to do, soar high in the sky and cause chaos," Pestilence said "That goes for you to Writhers," Famine said as both of their troops descended onto Canterlot City. "Ok, so you introduced us to yourself, so why did you bring us out here, and what do these Gem-Stones have to do with this," Sunset asked Adona. "Those Gem-Stones contain the power of the Zodiac Spirits, each one with its unique properties," Adona said. "For a long Millenia, the Zodiac Animal Spirits have used their powers to protect all life on earth for many years." "Yeah, but what does it have to do with us," Twilight asked. "Perhaps it's not you that found the Gems, but the Gems found you," Adona said. "Each of them chose you in some way shape or form." "Now I will tell you all why you will play key roles in the battles that will soon begin, look into the viewing globe," Adona said as they all looked, only to see a group of monsters wreaking havoc upon the city." "This is the enemy that you will face," Adona said. They are dark denizens ruled by Lord Skullkor." "Skullkor was once a Zodiac Guardian like myself," Adona said. "That was until one day, his heart was corrupted by darkness and he wanted to possess this power for himself." "Before he could gain his prize, I put a sealing spell on him, which not only mutated his body, showing the monster he had become, but the spell banished him for eternity in the Neither-World." "But that was then, and this is now," Adona said. "For if you do not stop him, he will take the powers of the spirits, and cloak the world in eternal darkness." "However, to prevent this, you must use the power of the Zodiac Gems to stop this darkness before they can succeed in their goals," Adona said. "Sunset Shimmer, you have the power of Leo in the Red Zodiac Gem, and with your courage and compassion, The Red-Lion Zord will be at your command," Adona said. "You will lead your team as The Red Ranger." "Twilight Sparkle, intelligent and ambitious, you control the power of Scorpio in the Purple Zodiac Gem and the Purple Scorpion Zord as The Purple Ranger," Adona said. "Rainbow-Dash, Loyal and fearless, you will control the power of Pisces of the Blue Zodiac Gem and the Blue Sword-fish Zord, as The Blue Ranger," Adona said to Rainbow. "Rarity Belle, graceful and elegant, The Power of Virgo in the White-Zodiac Gem and the White Swan Zord are yours to command, as The White Ranger," Adona proclaimed. "Apple-Jack, Head-Strong and Honest, You will be the Black Ranger," Adona said. "With the powers of Taurus in the Black Zodiac Gem, as well as the Black Bull Zord." Adona then turned to Fluttershy, "Fluttershy, Kind and aware, You will have the powers of Libra in the Yellow Zodiac Gem, along with the Yellow Bat Zord, as the Yellow Ranger." "And Pinkie Pie, with your bubbly and carefree attitude, you will have the Powers of Cancer in the Pink Zodiac Gem, the Pink Crab zord is at your command as the Pink Ranger." "Now, to hand you these," Adona said as he handed them each a Talisman, each with their chosen zodiac spirits. The girls then watched in awe as each gem entered Talisman. "These are your Spirit Morphers, when you are ready to morph, point your Spirit Morpher up at the sky and say "Zodiac Revive, Rangers Unite," as loud as you can." "Ok, we'll try," Sunset said as she and the rest of the girls went to practice morphing. "ZODIAC REVIVE, RANGERS UNITE," All the girls said in unison as their bodies began to transform. Then each of them was surrounded by their zodiac spirits as each transformed into a mist-like energy, the spirits' bodies formed the costumes while the heads formed the helmets. As the light cleared, Sunset and the others witnessed their new forms. "Wow, this feels amazing," Sunset said in awe and disbelief. "Yeah, it's like this power is energizing throughout my body," Twilight said. "Now, these will be your weapons," Adona said. "Sunset will have the Leo-Blaster, Twilight will have the Scorpio-Cutter, Rainbow will have the Swordfish-Spear, Rarity will have the Graceful-Bow, Applejack will have the Bull-Hammer, Fluttershy will have the Libra-Buster, and Pinkie will have the Claw-Punchers." "Now go, use the powers of the Zodiac Spirits and stop the evil that is attacking your city," Adona said. "Farewell, and may the spirits protect you." (Will continue in Power of the Zodiac Spirits Part 2 of 2: The Battle Begins, Enter, The Ancient Zodiac-Megazord).