Well here we are, after many weeks, the first part of Biostorm is ready for your reading pleasure. I would like to take a moment to explain to you the format of this fic. Each chapter will be part of a smaller story arc with each arc being equivalent to an episode if this was a TV serise. I believe that this will make the fic easier to read and certainly easier for me to write as it will be broken up nicely. The average will probably be three 3000 word + chapters for each arc, but there is a monstrous nine parter that I have planned.
Any way, without further ado, lets get this show on the road.
And remember, all rights to their respective owners. Power Rangers belongs to Saban and Bionicle belongs to Lego. I'm just playing in their worlds.
Three Months Ago- Bara Magna
It was raining in New Metru Nui. A rare occurance these days. It was the middle of summer on Bara Magna, which was of course a desert world. Ezekiel the Swordmaster had not coped with the heat since he had returned home so the rain was a welcome respite. There had been a time when his bio-mechanical body would have allowed him to ignore the heat. But after nineteen years he had learned to cope with his weaker human body.
"Great Spirit." He sighed. "Has it really been nineteen years?"
Nineteen years had passed since the Brotherhood of Makuta had returned. And it had been nineteen years since Teridax's loathsome consort Roodaka had mutated Ezekiel and his sister Ismene into human forms. But at the memory of that atrocity Ezekiel smiled. If it hadn't have happened then he would never have met some of his greatest friends. Tommy Oliver, Adam Park, Taylor Earhardt, Hunter Bradley, Kira Ford, Scott Truman and many others. Each of these individuals had one thing in common.
They were all Power Rangers.
Ezekiel laughed to himself. There had been a time when that name had been just a joke to him. When he had first been shown the footage of the Rangers he had thought them to be inferior to Toa. But then he fought with them and even became a Power Ranger himself. Now his own legend as the "Destiny Ranger" was a part of the Ranger's. He placed his hands on the window sill and stared over the rain soaked city. When the door clicked open he turned and was confronted by his friend and mentor, Turaga Vakama. The aged Turaga's mask had a rare smile on it at the sight of Ezekiel.
"It is good to see you again Ezekiel." He began walking towards the young being. "It is good to see you back home."
"It's good to be home." Ezekiel had not returned to Bara Magna since he had left originally.
"And I think I know why you are here." The Turaga guided Ezekiel over to a sofa in the corner of the dark office. "How go the preparations?"
"They are going well. The base is now fully operational. I had some help from Lightspeed Rescue and Operation Overdrive. The equipment is coming along nicely and I have been informed by the Nyrah Ghosts and by Arthaka that the Zords are almost ready to be awakened."
"Have you seen the zords Ezekiel?" Asked the Turaga.
"Only one. The Muaka. She is much larger than I expected her to be."
"There forms have been created exactly to your specifications…." Ezekiel interrupted Vakama.
"I know, I know. It's just… we have been preparing for so long now. And it is all coming together."
"And the morphers? How are they coming?"
"For all intents and purposes they are complete. I just need a couple of componenets to get the three primary morphers ready." At this Ezekiel handed Vakama a thin stone tablet with a requisition order on it. The Turaga frowned.
"He isn't going to like this one bit. Do you really need them?"
"We need every advantage if we are going to take down the Makuta. And we agreed that we would extend the team every advantage of our world to …" Ezekiel was cut off by Vakama.
"Calm. Calm child. You do not have to convince me. I only asked because it will be difficult to persuade Dume to part with them." The aged Turaga rose from his chair. "But we will discuss that more later. Come and have lunch with me. Toa Jaller and Toa Takanuva will be there, along with your sister and Toa Trayina." Vakama had mentioned Trayina's name in the hopes it would lift Ezekiel's spirits. Instead it brought a scowl to his features.
Vakama sighed. "You still haven't talked to her?" Ezekiel was now in a very dour mood.
"Why should I. She rejected me since I became… this." He said gesturing to his human body.
"It has been nineteen years Ezekiel."
"You know as well as I do Turaga." Said Ezekiel as the pair moved to leave Vakama's office. "For our kind, nineteen years is the blink of an eye."
After lunch, the pair went to meet Turaga Dume in his office. The red and black Turaga of fire was the keeper of the artefact that Ezekiel sought. But when he heard Ezekiel's request, he was not best pleased.
"This is outrageous Ezekiel! How can you make such a request! Those shards are under my protection… I… I…."
Vakama attempted to calm his brother, while Ezekiel stood dumbfounded. Ezekiel knew that the Turaga would be disinclined to oblige him, but he hadn't expect such a strong reaction.
"I don't understand Dume. They are broken, and contain only the barest motes of their former power. Compared to a full Toa stone these shards are nothing." Ezekiel was trying very carefully now to not set the old Turaga of fire off again.
"You don't understand child!" Ezekiel's tact had failed and Dume was just as angry. "Toa gave up their power to create these. Now that they are shattered the least we can do is honour their sacrifice. And what if you failed and the shards were taken. They could do a lot of damage in the wrong hands."
"Brother. You say that you are honouring the sacrifice of the Toa who perished before their stones could be used. Would it not be a better memorial for their legacy to have a hand in ending the threat of the Makuta?" Vakama's speech made Dume pause. He wandered over to the vault which contained the items in question, three shattered Toa stones. They had once belonged to veteren Toa who were about to pass on their powers. But they had been ambushed by a squad of rouge Skrall and killed. The stones were broken in the attack and so the three Toa's legacies could not be passed on.
Dume sighed. He wandered over to the safe which held the shattered stones. Placing his hand on the safe he let out another long sigh. Under his breath he muttered, "Brothers. Sister. May you watch over who ever inherits your power, from where ever you are now." He then straightened up and turned to Ezekiel and Vakama.
"You may take them."
Present Day- Destiny Bay, California
Destiny Bay, California, was a typical small American city. At least, that is what Michael Bowman thought as he and his mother hurtled along the highway to their new home. The city itself was surrounded by a number of quiet suburbs with the usual contents. Good schools, big houses, and plenty of people going about their daily lives. The city itself was situated on the coast, nestled between the blue waters of the bay and a series of hills ranging from small inclines to hills that would be a real challenge to hike up. Michael was looking forward to trying some of them. But he was not looking forward to moving to Destiny Bay.
It was his third move in his almost eighteen years of life. First he and his family had moved from Atlanta to Angel Grove California in 2006. Now they were moving to Destiny Bay in 2012. The only difference was that this time his father hadn't joined them. He had some new Girlfriend and his mother had leapt at a Surgery residency at St Celestine's Hospital.
His Mother turned to him from the Driver's seat. She was only thirty nine and she was still a good looking woman. Her golden curls caught the light as she turned.
"Well there it is. Our new home." She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
Michael sighed. "Yeah looks great." Michael did think it looked good but he wasn't enthused about the move.
His mum turned back to the road. " Look honey I know you're not happy but we have to make the most of it. Just think." She said after a pause. "There will be so many new opportunities and friends for you."
"That's what you said when we left Atlanta." Michael then returned to gazing out the passenger side window.
aaaaaaaa
Like a Lion bringing down a Wildebeest, Calum MacIntyre smashed into his counterpart from Reefside High. The opposing Quarterback went down while Calum kept going. A few seconds later his teammate reached the line, winning his team the game. The stands erupted with cheering students and some teachers while the band started playing and the cheerleaders began dancing. Calum wandered over to his counterpart who was still sitting on the field. Calum offered him a hand up.
"Good game man." He offered the guy a smile to show he wasn't being cocky. His opponent smiled back, tore off his helmet and took the offered hand.
"Yeah it was man. But damn you can tackle. Like getting hit by bull. Or jumped by a wolf. I saw you directing them. You are quite the strategist ain't ya?"
Calum grinned beneath his helmet. "I try. See ya later." Calum then wandered off to the stands. As he went he had some banter with his team mates, a quick chat with the coach and then the plastics caught him. The "plastics" as he reffered to them, were the die-hard popular girl cheerleaders. As usual, after every game they flocked him, trying to get the school's popular, handsome quarter back. He thanked them for the compliments on his play and his looks and skipped straight by, brushing a couple of hands of the red and black football strip. He wandred up to the stands to greet his best friend, Meghan Armstrong.
"Nice one bone head." Was the usual greeting he received from her. And today was no different.
"I aim to please wee one." He said as he patronisingly patted her honey coloured curls. Her green eyes settled into a death glare at him. He removed his helmet and ran a hand through his short blonde hair. It was the general consensus around West Destiny High that Calum was the handsomest guy in the school. His kind, blue eyes and strong jaw inspired confidence and admiration in equal measure. If he noticed the effect his appearance had on the female students, he didn't notice it, or he just didn't care. Three things mattred to Calum and three things only, his family, football and friends, of which Meghan was the oldest. She drew her blue cardigan around herself and walked alongside him. It was only September so there was still some light out at half past eight at night.
"So we still doing that hike on Friday?" Asked Calum. Meghan's head jerked up having been deep in thought.
"Yeah sure. Who else is going?"
"I thought it could just be you and me. It's been ages since we hung out."
"Yeah sure." She paused before continuing with some small talk. "You hear about the new guy moving to town?"
"No. Should I have?"
"He is only a minute's walk from our street. His name is Mike or something. Maybe we should meet him, you know maybe make a new friend?" She said.
"I have plenty of friends Meghan."
"Your dogs don't count. Neither do I, the football team or your mother." She smirked as a scowl briefly crossed his face.
"Fine then. Go and meet him, I'll tag along if you promise not to pester me."
"Thanks Calum. I'll see you round mine tomorrow yeah? We still have that English paper to finish remember. Calum cursed under his breath and Meghan walked off laughing at the Quarterback's misfortune.
aaaaaaaaa
While she helped the Aquarium's Vet prepare medicine for a sick sea lion, Meghan once again thought about why she and Calum had become friends. They were polar opposites. He was the handsome Quarterback who everybody knew, she was the pretty, artsy girl who stayed out of popularity's way. Many had joked that they were going out but that was far from the truth. Not that she hadn't thought about it but every time she did she laughed at the ridiculesness of it. She had known Calum since he shoved Lego up his nose. Not exactly an attractive habit.
The vet thanked her for her help and told her she could go home. Meghan had joined the Aquarium staff over the summer for work experience but they had given her a part-time job afterwards helping out. As was usual she stopped by the Orca pool. The only occupant, a five year old Killer Whale called Artum was lazily swimming laps around his largest pool as he usually did in the afternoon. After watching the Whale, Meghan went to her car and drove home. She was planning to visit the new neighbours today but first she had to go home and have a shower. Showing up stinking of fish would not be a good first impression.
Six Months Ago- Reefside, California
Ezekiel toyed with the small watch like device in his hand as he wandered the halls of Reefside high. He had come to meet an old friend who would hopefully be able to help him out. It was almost the end of the school day so he could hear chairs scraping as Students got ready to leave. As he found the classroom he was looking for however he realised he was not the only one looking for an old friend.
"I see the good Doctor is rather popular these days." The two people he was addressing turned and smiled.
"Ezekiel!" Screamed Kira Ford. She launched herself at the Destiny Ranger and hugged him. Ezekiel just laughed and after getting out of Kira's death grip he greeted the man standing next to her.
"How's it going Trent?"
"Not bad Ezekiel. You here to see Doctor O?" Said the former white Dino Ranger.
"Yeah I need to talk to him about something." Ezekiel finished the sentence by mouthing, "Ranger Business."
"I heard about what happened in Panorama City. Is it true that the monster was a…?" Ezekiel stopped him before he could finish.
"Yes it was, a particularly blood thirsty one called Antroz." He said.
"Is that why you're here?" Asked Kira. "To get Doctor O to help you fight?"
"No Kira. I don't want to put Tommy in harm's way. But he has much more experience building morphers than I. I mean he helped create your morphers." He said gesturing to the two former Dino Rangers. "And he was able to reactivate his Zeoniser for the Moon mission." When Ezekiel had finished talking the bell rang and students streamed out of Tommy Oliver's classroom. Trent and Kira were about to go in when Ezekiel stopped them.
"Wait a second. I want to try something." Ezekiel raised the communicator Tommy had given him all those years ago.
The Earth's most veteran Power Ranger looked up sharply from his desk when he heard a familiar six note alarm. He looked out his door and saw Trent and Kira first.
"Trent! Kira! Oh my god it's so good to see you! And I know it's you hiding round the corner Ezekiel." Ezekiel stepped out from his hiding place and greeted his old friend.
Ezekiel stayed with Tommy and his two former students for a good while. They went back to Tommy's place, had dinner and chatted for hours on end. Eventually the two younger ex-rangers left and it was then that Ezekiel was about to bring up the business concerning morphers. Tommy however beat him to it.
"They both told me you were coming." Said the former Black Dino Ranger.
"Who did?"
"Cameron Watanabe and Mrs Fairweather. They told me you had visited them for advice." Tommy gestured for Ezekiel to follow him down into his old command centre. "I took the liberty of gathering up all that you would need." Tommy gestured to a table and Ezekiel was amazed at what he found. Most of the pile was made up of technical blueprints for the Zeonisers, Turbo Morphers and keys and each of the individual Dino Thunder Morphers. As well as a couple of notebooks.
"The notebooks are from Billy. Its all his research on the Morphing Grid and Morphers. There is even a chapter's worth on your mimicry Morpher." Explained Tommy. Ezekiel smiled as he found the aforementioned section and all the hastily scribbled notes and diagrams from Billy.
"Also." Tommy continued. "I told Hayley what you were up to. She still has a lot of files and equipment from when she made all of Dino Thunder's gear. She is more than willing to help out." Ezekiel clapped him on the shoulder.
"I can't thank you enough… Brother." Tommy raised his eyebrow at Ezekiel's last word.
"Sorry Tommy. It's an old habit from when I fought with Toa." Tommy just smiled and waved it away. But then his face grew somber.
" They are close to attacking aren't they. I you ever need another ranger, I still have my Zeoniser. I'll come running. And I have plenty of friends who would come as well."
"Thanks Tommy. I fear that we may need some help."
"Don't worry big guy. With you training them I'm sure your rangers will be formidable."
Present Day – Destiny Bay, California
Meghan rang the doorbell to the new guy's house. It was one of the typical American suburb homes with a front porch looking out onto a front lawn with a couple of trees. After a few moments the door opened and Meghan was greeted by a kind looking woman with blonde hair.
"Hello." She said, smiling as she did so.
"Hi, I'm Meghan. I live just a couple of houses down and I wanted to say hi."
"Well that lovely." The woman pulled her door open further. "Why don't you come on in? I know my son would love to meet one of the neighbours." Meghan was led into a spacious hallway with stairs leading up to the second floor on the right. Well it would have been a spacious hall if it weren't for the piles of cardboard boxes.
"Sorry about the mess. We are still trying to get settled in. I'm Jean by the way." She then turned to the stairs and spoke up to her son.
"Michael can you come down here please? We have a visitor." There was a mumbled, "okay", in reply and soon after there were footsteps coming down. Meghan then got her first good look at the new guy. He wasn't built the same as Calum, who was exceptionally well built. But he did have an athletic body. She looked up to his face and was pleased with what she saw. But then he noticed his eyes. He was assessing her just as she was assessing him. His brown eyes were calculating, but not unkind. He gave a small smirk and shook his black hair before coming down the last few steps and extending his right hand.
"Hi I'm Michael." Like his mother had, he smiled as he greeted her. Meghan took the offered hand and shook it.
"Meghan. Meghan Armstrong." She smiled back.
"Well it's very nice to meet you Miss Armstrong. Can I have my hand back now?" Meghan blushed as she realised she had been holding his hand a little too long. She recovered quickly and spoke again.
"Do you need any help?" Jean began to protest but Meghan insisted and she relented.
"Okay then. But if you must help I have to insist you stay for dinner. I would be nice to have someone to talk to other than mister strong and silent here." Michael just gave an amused smirk.
Location Unknown
Roodaka stared over the cavern that was serving as one of the Brotherhood's many barracks. The multitude of creatures within reminded her of the Metru Nui Archives. If the Metru Nui Archives had been filled with the worst collection of murderes, traitors, science experiments gone wrong, and other more sinister creatures imaginable. As she looked she saw mindless cloned Shadow Matoran mingle with Zyglak, Alien mercenaries, Visorahk, Hordika and the dregs of all the villains that had failed to capture earth in the almost two decades the Makuta had been here.
A new voice rang out in the observation point, jerking Roodaka out of her thoughts.
"Can I help you Roodaka?" The venom filled question had come from Antroz. The black and red Makuta stepped out of the shadows. His usual, dragon like appearance was tamed down and he had not grown his wings. But his Kanohi Jutlin still bore his fangs and glowing red eyes.
"Yes you can Antroz. Teridax wants you to organise a raid on the city. He wants to see if we can lure Ezekiel out of his hiding hole." She paused before continuing. "He must be close to finishing the morphers."
"Then we shall not allow that to happen." Said the Makuta smiling.
Here is a little competition to keep you guys entertained while I churn out the next chapter. If anyone can tell me the character and scifi universe that Jean Bowman's hospital is named after they will win... something. Maybe internet cookies, more likely they will get to name a minor character.
As always, please review guys. I need to know that people are reading this and what they think.