//------------------------------// // Chosen (Part 3) // Story: Power Rangers, Nature Fury: Beginnings // by Zoom zoom //------------------------------// Once everything had calmed down, Cadence was able to take Shining armor for some bed rest while Rainbow and the Chosen were stood waiting in the audience chamber. Gilda stared daggers at Fluttershy as they waited. Rainbow Dash was the first to notice this and asked what was going on. “Nothing that concerns you,” Gilda replied quickly, blood vessels becoming visable on her hands and she kept her arms crossed. She kept her sight locked on Fluttershy who had done her best to disappear into the wall she was leaning against. Berry, now done with her own burst of energy and still slight out of it, slept with her head on her daughter’s lap. Ruby smiled. Even if the entire experience had been scary she had come to think that she’d do it again to see her mother’s eyes burn like they did. It made her feel safe and yet scared her at the same time. She honestly could not remember the last time her mother looked like that, all she could think was that it was familiar. Lightning was the only one that seemed to be fully alert. “It’s been over an hour,” she thought. “Why would he make us wait this long unless he was waiting for one of the Princesses to show up. Maybe it is someone in the Princess’ employ that gave us this power then.” Silence could only go on for so long though. “Enough of this,” roared Gilda. “I’m not going to just wait around all day for-“ As if in response the gold ball in her hand smacked her in the throat. A voice once again came from the golden balls as Gilda kept coughing. It was the same voice that asked them to gather. “Not very virtuous are you?” “Who,” Gilda coughed hard again causing Berry to jump awake, “are you?” With Gilda and Berry’s balls free to roll on the floor and collect the other two tried to follow suit. It only took a few tugs for Lightning and Fluttershy to get the picture and release them. When the four came together there as a flash of light that filled the room. “Who am I?” said the deep voice coming from the blue ball as it grew three times its size. “Why am the Great and powerful Wizard of-“ The voice paused for a moment. “Oh dang it, what is this place called again? Ah whatever.” The light collected into the form of a silhouette as the male voice went through some stretching movements, ending with rubbing his neck. “Man, a thousand years gives such a crick in the neck.” “Are you done?” asked a female voice of someone in the distance. Everyone besides the man in blue light turned to see the Princess Twilight Sparkle. “Because Discord you are not.” “You wound me your highness,” the man retorted holding a hand to his chest. “I would think being around him for so long would let me do a decent imitation. Then again it has been a thousand years. I’m to assume he was taken out since I even woke up at all then?” “Okay I’m confused,” Rainbow Dash voiced, “Twilight, who is this guy?” Twilight took a deep breath, “His name is Zebb. He came to me and Shining Armor about a week ago.” “The Great Wizard Zebb,” he corrected. “And to answer how I’m as old as Discord and Celestia, well that is actually Discord’s fault. Guy thought it would be fun to have at least one guy to brag to so he imprisoned me. When he turned good three years he let me out a bit but I was still stuck in his little prison since he didn’t want to admit to you-“ he pointed at Fluttershy. “-That he did such a thing.” At this Fluttershy shrank. She really had not thought about Discord for over a year, the chaos god was always trying to do whatever he could to keep himself in a good light to her after she threatened to stop being his friend. But as his friend it didn’t really seem Discord would do such a thing just to cover his tracks. “So,” Zebb continued, “When he was caught by Maladora two years ago his spell on me started to weaken. I still can’t bring myself into a corporal state, but this is serviceable since I’m pretty much the only shot you guys have of fighting back against her.” “And what makes you so sure about that?” Lightning inquired with a raised eyebrow. “Because,” Twilight said seeming to swallow some anger that only Rainbow and Fluttershy noticed was there. “He was the one who sealed Maladora away over a thousand years ago with the Princess’ help.” “Well it was mostly Starswirl actually,” Zebb corrected again. “But since he isn’t around anymore, you’re stuck with me.” “Unfortunately,” Twilight grumbled. “Is something up?” Rainbow asked, “Cause you look like you’re about to pop Twilight.” “Don’t mind her,” said Zebb, “She just found out I was right. Girl was fighting me the entire time on the logistics and only allowed me to finally try my plan because I made it contract based instead of actually getting to pick out my candidates like I wanted. She’s just a sore loser.” “I am not,” insisted Twilight. “I just still don’t trust you is all. Some magician-“ “Wizard,” Zebb corrected. “Wizard,” Twilight repeated angrily, “That shows up out of nowhere with some power he can give to those who are not magically gifted as a way to fight some evil that shows up out of nowhere as well? I still don’t buy it.” “But your big brother does and that is all I need thank you,” Zebb answered. His silhouette tuned to obviously turn his back to Twilight as he addressed the rest of the group. “So I just wanted to meet my Power Rangers.” He said that with such an exited tone, that some could even mistake if as the same way Rainbow would voice getting to meet Daring Do herself. He first came to Fluttershy and looked her up and down. “Well it was unfortunate you had to accept the contract. But I suppose an element of harmony is still an element of harmony. I expect great things out of you Yellow Rabbit Ranger.” “Rabbit?” Fluttershy asked confused. Meanwhile Rainbow seemed to finally understand why Twilight was so upset with this guy. He had just voiced his dislike for Fluttershy, and had not even apologized. “Oh you didn’t know?” Zebb chuckled. “Each suit has an animal I based the helmets on for some fun differences in case one of you was colorblind. You likely didn’t notice since you were in the heat of battle and all. Though I would advise you to cut your hair; I got around it this time, but that much hair will definitely get in your eyes if you morph without my help, which I’m working on so I suggest getting that set ASAP.” “So you really are not going to apologize?” asked Rainbow. “For what?” Zebb replied confused. It was so honest in tone Rainbow wasn’t sure if the guy even knew he had done something wrong. Perhaps he wasn’t too used to being around people anymore if he spent two years alone. “Nothing,” she answered backing up with Fluttershy. “Very well,” Zebb answered. He started to walk toward Gilda, but stopped and turned back to look at Rainbow. “I will say that it is unfortunate you did not become one of the rangers Rainbow Dash. From what Twilight has told me and what I observed turn that last attack you were the best candidate for this. Unfortunately I only had four powers to give.” Rainbow didn’t say anything as he turned to address Gilda. “And now we come to the power hungry spoiled brat. Honestly, I can’t believe there are not one, but two chosen so bad that the Yellow Ranger looks over qualified by comparison. But low and behold the Lion ranger proves me wrong.” The excitement he had before dropped as he said this. Gilda chuckled at that, until she noticed Zebb was addressing her. “Heck your little ball thing stopped in front of me didn’t it?” “That it did,” Zebb replied, “But one who takes up such a power should not relish it so much as you. I’ll count it as your first strike of sorts. I do hope you realize a child was seriously injured because of what you did.” “What,” Gilda replied not believing him. “A young boy,” Twilight confirmed, “he was attacked right after you left. He seems to be okay mentally, but he broke his arm falling down the stairs you jumped trying to escape the changeling that Lightning eventually took down.” Gilda just grumbled at that and turned her head. Zebb walked past her, hoping that would help the white haired woman to see her folly. As he passed over Berry he just muttered, “Should have known I’d end up with you as the Pink Elephant Ranger.” He nodded to both Berry and Ruby but didn’t really give them much attention after that. Not that Berry looked like she could answer at the moment. Finally he came to Lightning Dust. “Not much to say about you either Dolphin ranger, just that you did better than I expected.” “Dolphin?” Lighting asked a little insulted, “They all get powerful mammals and I get a Dolphin?” “If I could face palm well enough to convoy my reaction to that,” Zebb stated, “I’d put myself into a coma. A Dolphin is a sea mammal.” Lightning seemed to shut up at that and Zebb kept walking. “Well you are all not my best choices, but be it fate or luck what is done is done. I expect you all back here tomorrow for a more proper greeting, I just wanted to meet you all first.” He nodded back to Twilight who looked like she really wanted to strike him for all the disrespect he was throwing to everyone. “I assume this can be our command center.” “Sure,” Twilight said taking deep breaths. “Than see ya around.” And with that he was gone, singing some song about a bear and a blue house as he did. Bunbul stumbled back into his bunker as Sombre greeted him, “You survived.” “Yeah,” Bunbul stated. “Guess their emergency dome doesn’t take drilling under into account. “That will be useful,” said Sombre, “any changelings survive?” “Not if Chrysalis has anything to say about it. Keep the secrets of the hive and all.” “Of course.” Elsewhere, said queen was throwing things around her room. “She resists your powers more every day,” commented the guard outside the chamber to an elderly woman. The old woman just nodded. “She’ll do for long enough.” She walked out into the darkness of the castle laughing and humming to the same tune as Zebb’s song.