The Heir of Phaedos

Chapter One

Queen Dulcea, sovereign over the planet of Phaedos, looked over all she ruled. All was peaceful in the wild jungle, the barren desert, and the quiet ocean on this day. Though being peaceful was quiet an oddity, she smiled widely. She knew that nothing bad would happen this day. She could not have asked for any better circumstance on this glorious day. She knew, now, that the time had come.

She turned to the wolf who sat peacefully behind her, as if waiting for the queen to give him instructions. He was a stunning animal with long, white, tan, and gray fur and the most brilliant blue eyes that anyone had ever seen. He looked very regal as he waited patiently for her to speak as he sat with much grace, knowing that it was, indeed, an important day.

His limp ears perked up when she began to speak to him.

“The time has come… Wake her. There is much to do, this day.”

The animal didn’t make a sound as it obliged and quickly ran off.

He ran into the mountainside that was behind the sacred arena, traveling through corridor after corridor of the hidden palace to find his charge.

He found her lying in her bed, sound asleep. He let out a snort and proceeded to paw at her to wake her up.

It didn’t seem to have any effect on her. She only moaned and rolled over, completely ignoring the wolf altogether.

He paid no attention to the girl’s whining, seeing as though he was so used to it, and reared his head back as he let out a loud, spine-chilling howl.

He was satisfied when the girl jumped awake and gave him an angry glare.

“What?” She growled as if expecting him to answer. But, one look into the animal’s eyes told her that she was needed. She quickly climbed out of bed and proceeded to dress herself in her robes.

Dulcea let out an untroubled sigh as she looked at the monolith over the horizon. Soon, all the powers that resided in it would be used to help the greater good of man.

“You wanted to see me, my queen?” The girl asked.

“I expected you to be more prompt on a day like this, child.”

“I don’t understand.” The girl said, her caramel-blond hair blowing in the wind.

“Annalise, child, your time has come.”

The girl’s chocolate brown eyes went wide in shock. “You don’t mean…”

“Oh, but I do.” Dulcea cut in as a large, roaring fire formed in the pit in front of her. “Please, take a seat… There is much for you to hear.” Annalise, the blessed child of Phaedos, nodded and took a seat in front of the fire. Dulcea smiled as she blew a handful of dust into the fire. Images erupted into the flames. “Centuries ago, I, along with a dear friend, Zordon of Eltar, founded a great power that would turn five teenagers into a super-human fighting force. They were to be known as the Power Rangers. While I continued protecting Phaedos, Zordon resided on the planet of Earth, dormant for many years, until a villain known as Rita Repulsa managed to escape her prison. While on Earth, Zordon, with the help of his trusted robot assistant, Alpha-5, formatted the power into five power coins and formed the Power Team out of five teenagers from a city known as Angel Grove.

“Many different rangers have fought for the good that Zordon and I had stood for, and some of the old even returned to help once again. But, a few Earth years ago, Zordon was destroyed, leaving only me to protect those who fight for him. But, as you know, I am not capable of leaving our beloved plateau, let alone this planet.

“You, Annalise, were chosen to assist the Power Rangers and to lead them through whatever perils they may encounter… You have an animal spirit inside you. One that you may call for whenever you seek fit… Also, I have managed to retrieve the rangers’ power source from Earth, allowing me to create a power morpher for you.”

“My queen, if I may ask… why me?” Annalise asked, finally speaking up.

“Because, you have a special gift. You were born for great power. It shall come in handy when you and the other rangers are in the greatest of need.”

“But, how will I know how to use it?”

Dulcea smiled at the girl. She was asking all of the right questions. It proved that she had been right when she chose her. “You will just know. Now, close your eyes. The spirits will commence the transformation.”

Annalise nodded and closed her eyes, taking in a large, nervous breath of air. She’d never been through anything like this before. It was frightening, but, she trusted the queen and her decision. She had no doubt that she had chosen the right person. The only thing she doubted was if she was ready to accept this responsibility.

“Relax, child and take a deep breath.”

Annalise nodded and did as she was told. She took deep breaths as she felt the wind beginning to pick up and heard the fire in front of her whoosh to life. She felt her hair moving about her steady shoulders as she heard Dulcea speaking softly to the spirits.

Then, she felt it. She saw it. Without opening her eyes she saw twinkling lights float out of the flames, which were now an emerald green color. She watched as the lights danced in front of her for only a moment before they flew inside her, making her feel energized and calm.

Dulcea’s words had now died down as had both the wind and the fire that separated the two women.

Annalise opened her eyes to see that Dulcea had also had her eyes closed. When she saw the huge smile on the queen’s face, she knew it had been successful. She was now able to stand up and take a look at herself. She was no longer wearing her robes, but a Power Suit. It was green with silver diamonds that went down the sides and a silver wolf’s paw emblem on her chest. She looked at the morpher that now sat on her wrist. It was silver with green eyes. Yet, it was not a dinosaur, which was what she had expected since Dulcea had been telling her stories about the new Dino Thunder Team. She was confused at this.

“Child, I know what puzzles you. Now that you have taken this power, the Dino Powers will no longer be needed. Each of the present rangers has an animal spirit within them, you must help them find what they are, but you must not give your plan away to them. But, they will need to know in time. One of them already has an animal spirit within him, so you may only need to worry about the other four.

“With all of you having your new powers, the Power Rangers Elemental Force shall be born.”

Annalise nodded as she powered down from her suit with just a single thought. “This power is amazing.”

“Yes, I know it is. And I could not have chosen a better person to wield it.” Dulcea smiled widely as she looked behind the young girl to see the wolf sitting idly by, his ears tucked back, his head lowered, and his tail not wagging. It was a first for him to be so sad. “I see that you’re going to be missed.” She pointed to the animal.

Annalise turned to her friend and slowly walked over to him. She took a seat next to him and slung an arm around his neck as she hugged him. He seemed to do the same with his paw. “Oh, Argo, I am going to miss you too… I wish I could take you with me.” The wolf let out a whimper to tell her that he was thinking the same thing.

“Perhaps you can.”

Annalise and Argo looked up at the queen. They were both giving her the exact same look of interest. “My queen?” Annalise asked.

“Annalise, Argo is your animal spirit, so therefore it is quite obvious that he should go with you.” Annalise let out a cheer. “Unfortunately, he cannot go in that form. The people of Earth might get suspicious when they see a full-grown wolf roaming around their streets.” She waved her hand and Argo was surrounded by a brilliant golden light.

Annalise watched as he faithful friend began to shrink down to the size of a pup. But, he was no longer a wolf, she could tell. He was an Earth dog. A Husky, if she remembered her reading right. She looked up at the queen, her smile reaching her eyes. “Oh, thank you, my queen.”

“Remember, whenever Argo’s true form is needed, the gem in your morpher will be the key.”

“I will.”

Dulcea’s face grew grim as she looked at the girl in front of her. No. She wasn’t a girl. She was a woman. A woman of great power, like she was. She remembered seeing her as a child run around the sacred arena, Argo nipping at her heels. My, how time flies.

She cleared her thoughts as she realized that she was drifting off into her lost memories. She returned her smile and walked toward Annalise. She wrapped the younger woman up in a loving hug. “Never forget where you came from. That shall help you to prevail whenever you need.” She said, as she pulled away.

Annalise only kept smiled as she held the puppy Argo in her arms. She didn’t need to say anything as she looked at the wizened woman in front of her. There was nothing that she could say to her now that she hadn’t already said.

Dulcea’s cheek was now glistening in the sunlight as a tear trickle down. “I shall miss you, child… but, I shall be with you, always.” She waved her hand once more as the air beside her began to swirl and contort. “This is the gateway to Earth… I wish you the best of luck.”

Annalise smiled at her as she approached the portal. “I love you.” She said as she entered and the portal quickly closed behind her.

“I love you too… my daughter.