"RJ!" Casey began running back towards the Pai Zhua master, but Lily and Theo held him back.
"Casey, no! If you go back, then you'll both be killed!" Dominic tried to reason with the younger boy. "Fran's already dead. RJ though, still has a chance. His wolf is gonna protect him. But we, we HAVE to go!" Dominic also grabbed a hold of Casey's arms, and the three friends began hauling the former red ranger away.
The four friends pushed past the army of grinders, using whatever stength they had left in them. Their spirit animals made the fighting much easier, however, they were all exhausted. Dominic especially, knew that he would have nightmares for the rest of his life.
Fran screamed as the grinders advanced towards her. Dominic ran as fast as he could to save her, but was held back by another pack of grinders.
"Jungle Beast! Spirit unleashed!" Dominic called upon his Rhinoceros spirit. It managed to take out all the grinders. Sighing in relief, Dominic ran towards the love of his life. He reached her just in time to hear her last words.
"Dominic, I love you." And with that, Fran stopped breathing entirely. Unable to move or believe what had just been taken away from him, Dominic screamed. Hot tears streamed down his cheeks as he comsidered killing himself. There was no point in living any longer.
His heart ached in a sorrow that could not possibly be described in words..
…..
Eric and Wes found themselves back to back in battle once again. They fought with their lives, knowing that even if they died today, they'd be happy.
"Ha! Take that, you grinder!" Wes yelled as he kicked a grinder square in the chest. Over the years, he and Eric had become brothers. Literally. Although they were already adults, Mr. Collins had taken to adopting Eric Myers as his own son, and now Eric was suddenly Eric Myers Collins. As thankful as he was to no longer be an orphan, it freaked him out sometimes to tell other people that he and Wes were brothers. That guy he had once had such a distaste for...Now, he was willing to die for Wes without a single moment's hesitation...
…..
TJ led Tommy to the jungle. The trees were tall beyond measure, and the plants bursting with color. The air was thick and humid, causing both TJ and Tommy to strip their shirts off.
"Where's the stream?" Tommy asked.
"Right over there." TJ pointed at a small stream that carried a steady flow of clear water.
"TJ...Something's not right." For the first time since arriving at the jungle, both Tommy and TJ realized how odd it was for a large jungle to be in the middle of a wasteland. Feeling uncomfortable, Tommy began walking backwards and turned on his heels to begin running, when several other beings blocked his way.
"What the hell..." TJ squinted to make sure he was seeing correctly.
"TJ, get behind me. It's a trap. This, this is all a trap."
"Tommy, you're not my father. I'm staying here, and fighting right next to you."
"TJ, in case you haven't noticed, as of right now, I'm technically your big bad brother, and you're gonna do exactly as I tell you to."
"Damn it, Tommy! I'm fighting!"
"No, you're gonna get the hell outta here while I distract them, and go get Jason and run."
TJ hesitated for a moment before nodding. The former ranger stumbled backwards, and ran towards the only gap left between the strange, armed figures that were slowly beginning to surround him and Tommy...
…...
"Kira, run. I...I'm the son of Mesagog. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this before, but...My, my dad transformed again. He's in alliance with Venjix, so even if I'm caught fighting off the grinders and attempting to escape, I'll be spared. You...You won't." Trent looked tearfully at Kira, who seemed devastated by the news he had just delivered. Seeing that kind of look on her face made Trent want to go mad. He couldn't stand it anymore. All the things he could have done for her, if only Venjix hadn't taken over the world...
"No Trent. We're in this together. We have no idea where the hell Dr. O is, and Ethan's gone insane. Connor's MIA, and Hayley's gone. Even if I die, the only regret I'll have is leaving you. Besides, you'll probably get killed off as well. Trent, I've seen the scars. Your dad, or should I say Mesagog, doesn't care about you at ALL." Kira desperately attempted to keep her voice calm. Despite this, however, Trent frantically began pushing her towards the nearest exit of the building. If they wasted any more time, then a mob of grinders would show up, and all the trouble that they had gone through would become nothing.
"Kira, I found a way for us to escape." Trent had looked at Kira straight in the eyes and lied through his teeth. He wasn't going to go with her. Only she was going to get out of the place they had soon labeled as "hell."
"Trent! You said we would go together!" Tears flooded Kira's eyes as Trent shoved her out the giant door. "You're going to die! You're going to get caught and, and...And I'll never see you again!" Kira was screaming hysterically now. Unfortunately, the door already began closing behind her.
"Goodybye, Kira." That was the last thing Trent ever said to Kira before they were completely separated.
Mesagog had inflicted several serious injuries upon Trent. In fact, Trent had almost even died once. But that was Mesagog. Every so often, Anton Mercer would come back. Trent knew that Mesagog wasn't attempting to take control of his dad. Not this time. No, this time, Mesagog was only the costume-the form-that Anton Mercer would transform himself into whenever he needed to meet with Venjix or other generals. He knew that when his father was in human form, he was loving and caring. When his father was Anton Mercer, he would hug Trent and tell him that everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, the side of his father that was Mesagog was sadistic and cruel.
But Trent wasn't worried. No, not at all. In fact, he was happy. Kira was now free after all, wasn't she?