Lord Drakton's Arc

Chapter 1 of 3

Lord Drakton stood on the cracked steps of Angel Grove's old city hall, his green armor catching the gray morning light. Smoke drifted from fires still burning in the west district. He'd torn down the Power Rangers three weeks ago, and now the city belonged to him. People scattered when they saw him patrol the streets. He smiled at their fear. This was just the beginning. Angel Grove would be his forever, no matter how much chaos he'd unleashed to claim it. He needed more than fear though. He needed followers who believed in his rule. His eyes tracked up to the massive mushroom cloud frozen in the sky above the city, its churning core still glowing orange from the blast he'd triggered. The cloud towered over every building, a reminder of his power. Perfect. He climbed higher on the city hall steps and turned to face the empty square. Soon he'd gather the survivors here. They would stand below while he spoke from these steps, the atomic cloud looming behind him like a crown. They would see what he'd done and understand: he was their only choice now. Angel Grove was his wasteland, and he would rule it supreme. He descended the steps and walked through the broken doors into city hall. Inside, he found what he'd been searching for. A sleek device sat on a desk, its surface covered in buttons and switches. Flashing lights blinked across its face, and a speaker grid promised volume. An alert system. He pressed the power button and a high-pitched tone filled the air. His message would reach every corner of the city now. He lifted the microphone and spoke his command: all survivors were to gather in the square at noon. Those who came would eat. Those who didn't would starve. He clicked off the device and smiled. The device would bring them to him, and the mushroom cloud would keep them there. His rule was just beginning. But he needed more than a temporary throne on city hall steps. He needed a place that matched his power, somewhere that would survive anything. A building that would show everyone he was here to stay. He left city hall and walked through the ruined streets, his black cape dragging through ash and debris. Then he saw it. A doorway that shouldn't exist, built from fractured glass panels that glowed with blue light. The panels shimmered as he approached, casting strange reflections. A portal. He stepped through and found himself in a massive chamber with walls of the same glowing glass. This would be his headquarters. From here, he would control everything. Angel Grove had a new master, and Lord Drakton would reign supreme over the fallout he'd created.