Power Rangers Zeo - Venusian Encounters by Heather Ray (mystery books to read txt) 📕

She cringed when she saw the Red Borg knocked back by an exploding torpedo. The force of the blast pushed the Red Borg into the Yellow Borg, causing both to spin uncontrollably towards Aquitar. The White Borg was still a little slow, and it had a gaping hole in its abdomen. But, at least it was still functioning. The Black Borg opened fire on the submarine, and the sub sustained some damage. However, strange metallic tentacles stretched forth from the sub, and wrapped around the Black Borg before it had a chance to move. Cestria could see the bright light of thousands of volts of electricity flow through the tentacles and into the Black Borg. The White Borg tried to break the sub's grip by slashing the bronze tentacles, but it only caused the electicity to also pour into the White Borg through the sword. Both the White and Black Borgs were powerless, and the Red and Yellow Borgs finally regained control, before falling completely through Aquitar's atmosphere. Cestria sighed deeply.

"The rangers cannot keep this up much longer," she decided, "I must bring them back to base."


Chapter Sixteen

Meanwhile a small silver submarine lands on the sea floor in front of the largest mountain in the Azure Mountain Range. Inside this small craft is Billy Mitchell, who is busy strapping on his oxygen tanks. Since Aquitar doesn't have any species who cannot live under water, they have no technology for such ones to breathe underwater. Therefore, simple Earth scuba equipment is his only means of surviving outside Triton itself. Although it is difficult to don the heavy equipment by himself, he manages expertly. After all, he has gone scuba-diving dozens of times with his friends back home before even coming to Aquitar.

"Now, its time for the quest to really begin," he said to himself, putting on his goggles. In one hand, he carries a harpoon gun, which is the only weapon he has that can fire underwater. In the other hand he holds a large, fist-sized pearl. Once all his equipment was in place, Billy closed and sealed the door of the cockpit, preventing flooding. He then put in his mouthpiece, and pressed another button, slowly filling the small chamber he was in with ocean water. Once the chamber was filled, the door opened, and Billy swam out. He turned on the flashlight on his waist, which filled the dark waters with bright white light. He surveyed the slopes of the Azure Mountains with his eyes, and then swam up off the ocean floor, where his sub was parked. He floated in front of the rocks, and held out the small pearl. Once again, a black hole appeared on its surface, and light shone from the hole, pointing to the base of the mountain. Billy followed the light beam, and touched the spot on the rock where the light hit. He traced his fingers along the surface, and found a small crevice, about the size of a penny. He placed his index finger into the crevice, and he felt a jolt of energy. Billy backed away in surprise when the crevice grew larger, until it was about the size of a porthole. Billy tried to squeeze in, but his oxygen tanks made him too large to fit through.

I only have one option, he decided, taking a deep breath, and its certainly a risk!

Billy unstrapped the oxygen tanks, and turned the valve off. He let them sink to the ocean floor, and then squeezed through the hole in the mountain. He found himself in a pool of clear fresh water, with a light source above. Billy followed the light source, and was surprised to break out of the water. He gratefully took a breath, and looked around the strange chamber he found himself in. It was made of stone, which seemed to be covered in a silver metal. The source of light was a large torch, flickering with orange-yellow flames, which was attached to the wall beside a flight of stairs. Billy climbed out of the water, and took off his goggles to get a better look.

"Its strange that the water from outside didn't flow into this chamber and flood it," he mused aloud, "The only possibility is some kind of force-field that let me through, but kept the ocean water out. That would keep this fresh water unpolluted by salt water. Amazing."

Billy walked over to the stair case, and noticed that they led upwards, into an all-consuming darkness. In fact, the only source of light was the bright flames of the silver torch. Billy looked down at his waist, and frowned when he noticed his flashlight wasn't working. He tried to turn it on again, but it wouldn't light.

"I suppose I am to bring the torch with me," he said, glancing at his hands. In one hand he carried the Eye of Tympanus, which served as the compass to find this amazing chamber within the collosal mountain. In the other hand was his harpoon gun, his only source of protection against whatever may be awaiting him. He had to leave one behind to carry the torch.

"The Eye has brought me this far," Billy decided aloud, putting his harpoon gun on the silver floor, "and from the look of things, I'm not meant to be armed while going through this mission."

Billy took the torch in his free hand, and slowly climbed the massive, narrow staircase.

Chapter Seventeen

Cestria slammed her fist against the computer console in exhasperation. The four Battle Borgs were faring miserably against Divatox's heavily armmed submarine, and with the Blue Battle Borg out of the fight, there was no way they'd gain the upper hand. Also, the Power Rangers of Earth, who offered to come to Aquitar's assistance, were still light years away. It would take hours for them to reach Aquitar, even at warp speed. Cestria knew the Aquitian Rangers couldn't hold the fight for that long.

"They entrusted me to teleport them back to Triton if their chances seemed bleak," she recalled out loud, activating the communicator, "Delphine. Tideus. Corcus. Aurico. This is Cestria. Do you read me?"

^Yes,^

answered Delphine.

^Affirmative,^

said Tideus.

^Barely,^

commented Corcus.

^Go ahead, Cestria,^

said Aurico.

"Aquitian Rangers, you cannot last against Divatox's submarine for much longer. The longer you remain in battle, the more serious damage is done to your Battle Borgs. I must insist you return to Aquitar immediately. Prepare for emergency teleport."

Cestria typed in a few commands, and watched the screen. The four Zords vanished from the battle scene, circling Aquitar in outer space. Soon, four bright flashes of light heralded the arrival of the Red, White, Black, and Yellow Aquitian Rangers. The four simultaneously removed their helmets, and joined Cestria at the computer screen.

"Where is Cestro?" asked Delphine.

"He went to insure Prince Phaemon's safety," answered Cestria.

"That is an excellent idea," said Tideus, "however, he is the expert on the Battle Borgs. He must aid in their repair. We must be at full power when the Earth Rangers arrive. They will need our help to defeat Divatox."

"I agree," said Corcus, "but we cannot leave the Prince unguarded. Now that no one is battling Divatox, she may strike Triton. Or the Prince specifically."

"Very well," said Delphine, "Aurico and I shall guard the Prince and the rest of the council. Tideus and Corcus shall assist Cestro in the repair of the Battle Borgs. Cestria --"

"I would like to remain here, Delphine," interrupted the young physician, "The laboratory is the only place on Triton with a communications system advanced enough to reach Zordon as well as the Earth Rangers in transit. Also, I would like to keep an ear out for Billy."

"You should go somewhere safe," said Aurico, "This laboratory is the highest dome in Triton. It is an easy target, if Divatox should attack."

"Then I shall take the chance," said Cestria defiantly, "Someone must remain here. Besides, I am trying to figure out a way to negate the dehydration spell Divatox cast."

"I shall stay with you, then," said Tideus, "I can be of more assistance to you than to Cestro and Corcus."

"Let's be off, then," said Delphine, as the White, Red, and Black Rangers vanished in streaks of bright light.

Chapter Eighteen

Divatox laughs triumphantly, and rises to her feet. "Viva la Diva!" she declares, throwing her hands up, "The Aquitian Rangers have called it quits! Now, no one stands in my way!"

"So, what are ya gonna do now, Auntie D?" asked Elgar.

"Finish casting the second phase of the dehydration spell," she said simply, standing up, "Everyone, remain on standby. Contact me as soon as anything happens."

"Aye, Captain!" all three henchmen said. Divatox nodded her approval, and left the bridge, heading for her bed chamber. Once she reached her room, she looked around in disgust. All her neatly arranged beauty products that lined her vanity were strewn about randomly, and all her clothing and other belongings were in disarray. Divatox growled.

"The fight with the rangers caused the ship to shake, throwing all my stuff around," she snarled, throwing her pillows to the ground, "Where is the spell book --?"

Her eyes widened when she saw the ancient text on the floor, underneath a economy sized bottle of nail polish remover. Her fists tightened when she picked up the bottle, which was now empty. The entire contents of the bottle spilled