Author's Notes – Finally finished the piles of work I had to do. Go me! Anyways so back to having some spare time to write.
Summary – Let the battle and drama end the way it should have.
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The End
Jason
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"I can't believe him." Continuing to curse at the now cornered rookie, Andros looks about ten seconds away from calling his own ride and going up there.
"He's going to be killed." Is he actually trying to fire at Serpentera's head? I think I can hear Kan laughing from here.
"We have to do som-" Cut off by an ear piercing screech, we all turn just in time to see a streak of white and gold burst from the ship. The Falcon Zord. I've never actually gotten to see him pilot that particular one before, but if he's half as good as Kat says he is, he just might pull it off.
Torn between laughter and concern when he zips past us letting out another fierce screech, I can tell he's distracted by having his favorite toy back. "Come on Tom, stop playing and focus."
Raising his communicator, Andros seems to be following my train of thought. "Stop playing, we see you, it's very impressive, now get to work before Cole becomes a chew toy."
The response is one that, I hate to admit, I expected. "No fun."
Despite his small protest though the bird is quick to gain altitude and move into the fight. Dive-bombing the much larger Zord perhaps in hopes of diverting its attention from Cole, he for the most part doesn't succeed as Kan seems perfectly content to continue toying with the rookie.
"You think he'd be tired of playing with him now that Tommy's digging his talons into the neck of- oh wait there he goes." Attention drawn from Tommy back to Cole, I see Eric's right. Kan's gotten sick of the red nuisance now that he has a large bird scratching and shredding the metal on the dragon's neck, and after a fast swipe of the massive claw the boy is going down and going down fast.
"Tommy!" Head darting between the two, Andros is as close to being panicked as I've ever seen him.
"I got him I got him." It may just be the connection but it almost sounds like he's bored with the matter.
Removing the talons from the other Zord, the falcon quickly rolls into a dive. He's not gonna make it. Cole's falling too fast, and now that I get a better look, way too close to us.
"Scatter!" As we run I catch a flash of gold and red out of the corner of my eye followed by another loud cry of triumph from the bird. He caught him. It's very likely he also impaled him with the claws, but he did catch him.
Looking between me and the Zord that's now safely dropped its captive to the ground, Eric shakes his head. "He's your friend, right?" When I nod, he goes on. "He always cut it so close?"
"Every time."
"He alive?"
Running over to find out if we can still kill the kid ourselves, I'm not sure if I should be relieved or furious as Cole stands up looking for the most part unscathed. Grabbing Andros' wrist I deliver the news. "He's fine…for now."
Apparently appeased he takes the Zord back up, zipping past Serpentera and from the looks of it trying to get at the underbelly, which Kan is having none of.
"Come on Tom." Cringing as Kan catches one of his wings with the whip like tail, I know that size wise he doesn't stand a chance, his only bet is speed and taking damage to a wing is going to hinder that big time.
"He can't line up a shot." What? Shaking his head, Andros clearly knows something I don't. "He has to be allowed at least fifteen seconds to bring the wings forward and line up his shot before firing the missiles held in the tips of the wings." What?! You mean he can't fire from the mouth? He has to actually be still and hold his position like a sitting duck to fire? What kind of idiotic design flaw is that?
Looking annoyed, Eric shakes his head. "Well that's the stupidest design flaw in the history of Zords."
Taking another hit, I don't think Tommy is going to last too long. He's fast, but Kan's got so much power in Serpentera it's not even close to a fair fight.
"If he could just get under it and to the belly, he could maybe even dig the talons in and gut it." Right, so all we need for that to work is Kan to remain still, the Falcon Zord to be able to hold a position on its back, and…wait.
"Give me your communicator. I have a really bad idea." Which means Tommy will love it.
Handing it over, Andros refuses to take his eyes off the battle raging over head.
I really hope this works. Raising the bracelet to my mouth, please let me have read the blueprints right. "Tommy make him chase you straight up and then circle off backwards. He's too heavy to follow such a stunt, but if he tries you'll have enough time to line up a shot and his belly'll be exposed."
"How do you know Kan will follow?" I don't.
"Getting creative in your old age I see, very impressive, bro." I'll be more impressed if it works. "Let's give it a shot." Looping around the dragon before pulling ahead and gaining altitude at an amazing speed, he barely dodges another fireball spit at his tail feathers. Come on Tom you can do it. Make it work.
Letting loose a fierce roar and finally giving chase, Kan's decided to do just what I'd hoped; find Tommy such an aggravating threat he's willing to ignore all logic in favor of killing him. Happened with Zedd, Gasket, and Divatox, knew Kan wouldn't be the exception.
"I can't believe it, he's actually following him." Don't be so surprised, Andros, Tommy's very good at convincing evil rulers to try and eradicate him.
Just a little higher Tom, just a little higher and- "He did it." Breaking off in his ascent, the bird falls back and circles around as the larger Zord tries to follow and stales.
"Come on Tommy line it up."
Bringing the wing tips forward and aiming straight at the belly of the beast the rockets are fired and hit with incredible accuracy.
Momentarily blinded by the explosion and fire works, we all have to shield our eyes, even with the helmet visors. Well Tommy never was one to do anything on a small scale. Speaking of which why isn't he screeching out a victory cry?
Risking retinal damage, I glance back up and feel my heart stop. Where is he? I see a ton of scrap metal, half of Serpentera, and no Falcon Zord. "Tommy? Tom where are you?" Shaking the communicator when all I get is static, I swear to god he better be okay. He has to be okay. "Tom answer me!"
"Jason-" Wrenching my arm away from Andros hand, I am not going to let him finish that sentence. He doesn't know Tom, the man has escaped death more times than Houdini! He is not going out like this.
Trying the communicator again, I know my voice is desperate and pleading. "Tom, Tommy please respond. Say something, say anything."
"You owe me twenty bucks."
Whipping around to see our still alive friend limping up to us, I don't know whether to hug him or kill him. Going for the first, I ignore his protests and proceed to squeeze the life out of him. "If you ever pull another stunt like that again I swear I'll kill you before anything evil even has the chance."
"Don't tell me you were worried. You think I'd be taken out by some grand evil wannabe, please."
"You did give us a bit of a scare, we look up and you're gone." A bit of a scare? No Wes Cole being up there was a bit of a scare, looking up after that explosion and seeing Tommy no where in sight, that was heart stopping.
"The explosion and earlier damage to the wing was too much, had to take her down quickly or else risk crashing." Pulling away and gesturing towards a large cavern in the distance, I guess we're digging the bird out. "Where's Cole, he can dig it out and wash it off before we go." Sounds fair.
-oooooooooo-
(Dagrach, Arizona)
Leaning against the black jeep that he's had since he was sixteen, I don't know why he doesn't just get a new car. He can afford it now, but every time I ask he always responds with the same thing 'It has sentimental value'. Personally I think he just likes it because he believes it makes him look cool. "Heading out?"
Sliding his Ray-bans on and looking as calm as they come, you'd never know the better portion of his left leg is bruised up, or better yet that he and nearly everyone on the planet came close to dying just a few hours ago. "Yeah, have to get back."
"Me too." Getting off his jeep and meeting him halfway for a hug, I wish he didn't have to head off so soon. Kat and Tristan would no doubt be thrilled to see him. Still though, he's got his own stuff to do now. "Take care of yourself, bro."
"Don't I always?"
About to respond, I'm cut off as Wes jogs over to us. "Hey you guys aren't leaving yet are you?" Was sorta the plan. If anything I need to call Kat and let her know I'm still alive.
Giving him a shrug, Tommy moves to open the door and climb in. "We sort of have-"
"Have to nothing." Snagging the sleeve of his leather jacket before the Red Zeo Ranger can escape, Wes is quick to pull him away from the vehicle. "You can hold off for a few more hours. It's time to celebrate." Celebrate huh? I have to say that is mildly tempting.
Giving me a look and silently asking my thoughts on it, Tommy seems to cave when I give him a shrug. "Well we did save the world."
"And I guess Kat wouldn't mind as long as I call and tell we're safe and it's all taken care of." Well she might mind a little, but I doubt she'll protest.
"Alright we're in." Throwing an arm around my shoulders, we head back to the rest of the group. "After all what kind of party would it be without the greatest Ranger in history?" Nice to see his self esteem is still well intact.
"Right, you're the greatest Ranger. Um, excuse me but do I have to remind you who was doing all the work while you were in the juice bar kissin on Kimberly?" Let's just leave out the little fact that you were doing the same thing while I was there flirting with Emily later on shall we.
Looking mock angry, Wes is next to voice his opinion. "Hey I changed the future." Ew big whoop, I was the original leader, of the original team. Hello, Zordon's first chosen here.
"Well aren't you special." Rolling his eyes, Tommy pulls up an old card. "I so outrank you for best Ranger. Besides I had the coolest Zords, so that just proves it." I have to admit his Zords really were the best. The Dragonzord, Flacon, Tiger, and Phoenix, sort of hard to top that.
"Please my T-Rex would eat your Dragonzord for lunch." Making a growling noise, Eric pounces, wrestling with the scoffing Tommy, before finally realizing we're not waiting on them and running to catch up.
"Hey I saved two worlds, what about that?" You also blew your identity as a Ranger to the people of one of those planets. See that sorta counteracts it there Andros.
"Did I ever tell you guys about the time I got baked into a giant pizza?" Oh lord.
All of us giving a loud cry of 'Yes!' the guy needs to get some new stories.
"See so then it's settled, I am the greatest, all bow before me."
Giving him a bright smile, I stop Eric's next protest. "You know something you're right, you are the greatest and as such I think it's only fair that you pay for the drinks tonight." Grinning as the others agree, we leave him rooted in place, no doubt wondering how that had happened as we continue to walk.
"Hey, wait a minute! I change my mind, Jason's the greatest he should pay! Or, um Cole, yeah new rule rookies have to pay for the drinks. Guys? Aw come on guys. Guys!"
The End