Chapter Seven
Orange Park
July 30, 2017
2:30 p.m.
Sparks were flying as Hez's power axe and Scorpina's boomerang sword clashed. Locked in a clash with each one of them pushing for control Katrina slashed Scorpina in the back with her power dagger. Blood stained her back as she lost the battle for control and Hez delivered a powerful punch to her face. Pressing his advantage Hez followed up with another axe slash that Scorpina was able to barely dodge as the blade left a shallow cut on her cheek.
"Black Ranger I am trying to avoid injuring you too severely I wouldn't want my property to be unable to perform" Scorpina said with a hard edge to her voice.
"You can't have him he is staying here with me" Katrina slipped and said out loud.
"Oh so you think you're competition well I will just have to kill the competition" Scorpina said with an evil smirk.
Scorpina charged in with her boomerang sword drawn, metal on metal was once again heard as Karina used her daggers in a X formation to block the overhead strike. Scorpina kept adding more and more pressure as Katrina's arms started to give way. Hez was about to deliver a slash to her back, but ran into a kick as Scorpina was expecting to be blindsided by him.
"Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me" she replied in a twisted sing song like manner.
Katrina was using all of her strength to keep the blade from splitting her down the middle. Scorpina had a sitistic smile on her face before it morphed into pain as she was shot in the back with an arrow courtesy of Jasmine's power bow. Marseano was helping Hez back to his feet as the four rangers regrouped next to one another weapons at the ready.
"Looks like I'm outnumbered be warned rangers your day will come" Scorpina yelled in anger as her body dissolved into flames and vanished.
"Hey wait Hez where is AJ" Jasmine asked.
"Shit that's right he is holding off a monster by himself Hez replied"
"Rangers you must hurry Goldar and Mighty Minotaur are overwhelming AJ" Zordon said through their helmet headsets. Wasting no time the rangers teleported out of there praying they would make it on time.
Outskirts Of Irvington
July 30, 2017
2:35 p.m.
AJ was back on his feet doing all he could to simply survive. Goldar dashed in from his left with his golden sword quickly approaching AJ's head. AJ blocked the blow with his sword and was struggling to push Goldar back when Minotaur charged from the right. With limited options AJ took one hand off this sword to grab his blade blaster and fire multiple time into Minotaur. Unfortunately this left room for Goldar to over power AJ and deliver a vertical slash causing AJ's suit to spark as he was knocked back from the force. Shaking the cobwebs out of his head AJ looked up to see Goldar's sword coming for his head once more. Rolling hard to his left AJ grabbed his dropped sword and fired off more shots at Goldar who blocked them with his sword. Using the momentary distraction AJ delivered two quick slashes to Goldar's face. Goldar touched his face feeling two shallow cuts and seeing the blood became enraged. AJ didn't have time to give a witty remark as Minotaur barreled into him with a vicious shoulder tackle which sent him flying through the concrete wall of a building.
"Did anyone get the number of the bus that hit me" AJ said aloud.
"Red Ranger this is where I am granted redemption and you will be granted DEATH" Goldar yelled preparing to impale AJ with his sword.
Goldar received several arrows to his back from Jasmine's bow as Hez and Marseano slashed at his back with their power weapons.
"Glad you guys could join the party" AJ said wincing from the pain and slowly standing back up.
"Don't you worry we would never let him hurt you that's our job for that completely stupid plan of yours" Jasmine replied anger and concern in her voice.
All AJ could do was look at Hez who shook his head "don't look at me Katrina threatened me and I'm more afraid of her than you."
AJ shook his head smiling under his helmet thankful his team no his friends were by his side. Minotaur's roar echoed through the partially destroyed building as he made his way over to Goldar. With the rangers regrouped each with power weapons drawn they each readied for either Goldar or Minotaur to attack. Minotaur charged into Katrina with his shield knocking her to the ground. Before he could begin bashing her with his spiked club Marseano slashed him with his power lance. Minotaur roared out in pain as Hez delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to it's horned head staggering it long enough for Katrina to get up. Hez, Marseano, and Katrina prepared for Minotaur to charge at them again as he roared and prepared to charge Marseano and Hez pulled out their blade blasters and shot him in his legs causing him to fall. Marseano grabbed Katrina by her waist and threw her towards Minotaur with her power daggers extended Minotaur saved himself by bringing up his shield at the last second. With her blades stuck in it's shield Katrina was forced to backflip away as Minotaur tried to swing at her with his club. Trying to think of ways to damage his armor Marseano came up with an idea.
"Guys I have a plan follow my lead" Marseano said full of surprising confidence.
"I am loving this confident side of you Marsh, but mind filling us in" Katrina asked.
"His weakness is his joints areas, majority of his body is covered in armor except those small areas, also his armor seems strong to slashing attacks, but weak to physical attacks such as when Hez kicked him" Marseano explained.
"This is why you're the smart one my guy now let's tame this bull" Hez responded readying his axe.
"Technically a minotaur is a mythical creature and not at all related to bulls or cows Hez" Marseano began to explain.
"NOT THE POINT" Hez yelled.
"Guys argue later fight ugly now alright" Katrina said ending their argument.
They all braced themselves as Minotaur began making his charge. While those three were dealing with Minotaur AJ and Jasmine were face to face with Goldar who seemed none to please to have been shot in the back.
"I advise you stay out of this Pink Ranger this is between me and the red one" Goldar snarled.
"As if monkey boy you mess with one of us you mess with all of us" Jasmine replied.
"Very well if I need to kill you first to get to him I don't mind" Goldar replied.
Goldar dashed forward and went to cut Jasmine in two, but his sword was stopped by none other than AJ's power sword.
"Your fight is with me Goldar I will not let you touch her" AJ yelled gripping his power sword tighter and tighter and applying more strength.
"I see Red Ranger is this one your mate I can tell the fire is back in your eyes" Goldar said with an evil smirk.
Goldar delivered a thrust kick to AJ's midsection sending him backwards.
"AJ" Jasmine yelled as she watched her crush fly into a parked car leaving a dent.
Full of rage Jasmine began shooting rapid arrows at Goldar who deflected or evaded them while moving in on Jasmine. Jasmine's bow became less effective as Goldar closed the distance between them and she was forced to de summon it and draw her blade blaster. Quickly switching it to blade mode she parried one of Goldar's sword sword swings and tried to put some space between them. Goldar kept pressing the attacking until finally his blade struck true and he slashed Jasmine's suit. Sparks slaying madly as she falls to the ground with Goldar standing over her. AJ now having somewhat recovered from being kicked into a car sees Jasmine in trouble and receives a burst of adrenaline. Moving full speed AJ intercepts Goldar with his sword. AJ blocks the blow and overpowers Goldar and delivers a slash across his golden chest armor. Goldar yells in pain and retaliates by swinging his blade horizontal looking to chop of AJ's head. AJ blocks the blow but those force of the attack knocks him down and his power sword flies out of his hands. Not giving up AJ grabs his blade blaster and rushes forward while opening fire at Goldar. Goldar deflects the blast with ease until the still rushing forward AJ rolls forward and grabs Jasmine's fallen blaster as well. Two blasters in hand the overwhelming fire is enough to take pierce Goldar's defense as he is blasted backwards. Seeing an opportunity Jasmine gets back to get feet and re summons her power bow and shoots off a fully charged arrow. The arrow pierces Goldar's armor and becomes lodged in his shoulder. As Goldar was wailing in pain AJ being the opportunist he is delivers a flying side kick pushing the arrow further into his shoulder. AJ does a series of backflips and lands next to Jasmine with both blasters held at the ready while Jasmine loaded another arrow.
"You win this round rangers, but be warned Red Ranger I now know your weakness" Goldar snarled while staring at Jasmine.
Goldar teleports in a burst of fire retreating. AJ and Jasmine take a moment to relax slightly and catch their breath. They look over to see their friends wrapping up their fight as well. Marseano, Katrina, and Hez had Minotaur surrounded in a triangle formation. Marseano and Katrina slashed at the back of his legs causing him to fall on both of his knees. Hez sprinted full speed purplish energy and lighting crackling around him he proceeded to deliver a running knee to the downed Minotaur causing it to fly backwards into a car.
"Nice job guys glad to see you can handle yourselves without me" AJ joked as he and Jasmine rejoined their friends.
"Gotta thank Marseano on this one it was his plan I was just the muscle" Hez replied.
Rita's Moonbase
July 30, 2017
2:55 p.m.
"Those rangers are slowly growing to be a pain in my side" Rita yelled out.
"My empress I am sorry I have underestimated them" Scorpina said kneeling before Rita.
"Yes you did as I warne dyuo about" Goldar replied with his lone cold eye glaring at his former lover.
"Like you did any better I was outnumbered and made a tactical retreat you got your ass handed to you one eye" Scorpina yelled defending herself.
"ENOUGH OUT OF THE BOTH OF YOU FAILURES" Rita yelled out.
"No more underestimating those pitiful humans MAGIC WAND MAKE MY MONSTER GROW" Rita yelled throwing her magic staff to earth.
Outskirts Of Irvington
July 30, 2017
2:55 p.m
While the rangers were making their way to finish off Minotaur they saw Rita's staff impale the ground and emit a weird energy. They were shocked to see Minotaur not only heal from his injuries but he was growing in size as well until he stood as tall as a skyscraper. The rangers knew what needed to come next during their time off Zordon informed them they could call their zords from anywhere on earth.
"WE NEED DINOZORD POWER NOW" the rangers shouted in unison.
All five zords emerged from the earth with each ranger jumping to the head of their zord and entering the cockpit. Each ranger took their controls and decided to skip the waiting process and jump directly to megazord mode. Each ranger took out their power coin and placed it into its proper slot. With the megazord now combined the rangers joined one another in the central cockpit all ready to fight. The rangers in the megazord were locked in a stare down with Minotaur who readied his spiked club and shield. AJ pushed the megazord controls forward and charged into the fight Minotaur swung his club and using the megazords left arm AJ had it do a forearm block and delivered a counter punch to its face.
"Shields can't take too many hits like that AJ" Marseano said while he was monitoring the shields.
"Power is still above ninety percent" Jasmine added.
Before AJ could plan his next move Minotaur attacked swinging his shield at the megazord. The hit connected hard and the megazord went down. AJ quickly recovered and brought the megazord back up right. Minotaur kept pressing the attack swinging its spiked club at the rangers.
"Shields are dropping" Marseano called out.
"Shit ok Hez bring out the power sword" AJ commanded.
"I will do you one better" Hez said with a smirk.
The familiar power sword fell from the sky and AJ behind the controls grabbed it. What he didn't expect was for a shield to materialize into the megazords right hand. The mastodon head was now acting as a shield for the megazord.
"Hez you are the man you know that" AJ said with a smirk hidden behind his helmet.
"I get that alot" Hez replied back cockily.
With the playing field now even Minotaur went in for another club shot, but it was blocked by the megazords new shield and AJ countered with a horizontal sword slash causing Minotaur to bleed. Not giving him a chance to recover AJ bashed Minotaur with the megazords shield to stun him and cut off his arm.
"HE IS STUNNED HEZ FULL POWER TO WEAPONS" AJ yelled.
With weapons at maximum AJ went for the megazords finishing move. Lightning struck the power sword energizing it the megazord ran forward before delivering the final cut.
"LIGHTNING PLASMA" the rangers yelled out in unison.
They all watched as Minotaur exploded in a ball of energy and fire.
"Looks like another one bites the dust" Katrina said.
"We did it guys what a day let's get back to the command center" Marseano suggested.
Rita's Moonbase
July 30, 2017
3:05 p.m
Rita was furious another one of her creations fell to Zordon's team of Power Rangers. She kept trying to rationalize it again and again, but it wouldn't make sense. Five pitiful humans causing her this much of an issue. In her bout of rage she blasted a nearby squadron of putties with her magical energy as they all crumbled to dust.
"Now now my queen I know you're upset, but please don't destroy the putties I just made them" Finster said slightly in fear.
"Finster your monsters keep failing me make me a winner or you won't have to worry about me destroying just putties" Rita snarled.
"Yes my queen" Finster replied trembling in fear.
Goldar let out a slow breath as he began walking to the last place he thought he would ever go. Knocking on the door and being told to enter Goldar came face to face with his former lover Scorpina.
"What could you possibly have to say to me Goldar" came Scorpina's reply void of any emotion.
"I am here to call a truce between us" Goldar answered.
"A truce really a truce after what you've done you want a fucking truce" Scorpina spat.
"Scorpina I told you what happened that night I couldn't save the both of you" Goldar replied sadly.
"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE SAVED HIM INSTEAD" Scorpina yelled.
"I am not here to bring up painful memories I want use to work together professionally once more together to take care of the rangers, Rita is slowly losing her patience" Goldar calmly replied.
Scorpina stood in her doorway thinking about Goldar's words logically she would have to agree no one wants an angry Rita.
"Fine we will speak shortly to formulate a plan just leave me be for now please" Scorpina said sounding exhausted.
"As you wish" Goldar replied before walking to his room.
Command Center
July 30, 2017
3:20 p.m
After another victory against Rita the rangers went back to debrief with Zordon. After the battle analysis was giving and Zordon gave his feedback the rangers were dismissed to go about their personal business. Jasmine went home to spend some time with her parents, Marseano opted to stay in the command center with Alpha, Hez and Katrina both said they had some things to do and left together suspiciously. AJ stuck around a bit longer to ask Zordon did he make the right call out there in the field.
"AJ I can't tell you how to lead your friends each decision you make is on you whether it is right or wrong is not up to me, but everyone came back alive so I would consider it a good call" Zordon said wisely.
"Thank you Zordon it's hard you know they have so much faith in me, but I have no idea what I'm doing, to be honest I'm scared Zordon what if I fuck up and on of my friends die" AJ replied.
"I know how you feel AJ I was the red ranger before you back when Rita and I worked together I know the kind of stress a leader has to endure"
"Wait was Rita also a ranger" AJ asked now confused.
"I know you have many questions, but I will answer them at a later time go enjoy your day and your victory AJ" Zordon said dismissing AJ.
AJ took the hint and used his communicator to teleport back to his car. Feeling thankful he parked far enough away that his car wouldn't get destroyed AJ drove home before parking his car outside his house. Checking the time he decided he had more than enough time to just walk around and try to relax after all the stress that's been on his mind. While walking around the neighborhood someone catches his attention. He sees Monique walking and some guy is walking up to her. The guy looks to be at least six feet tall with a patchy beard and appeared to be of african american decent. The mysterious new guy proceeds to start flirting with Monique as AJ gets within ear shot.
"Yeah so I see you looking all cute and lonely so how about I join you for a nice walk" the mystery man says.
"Well aren't you just sweet, but I don't really know you" was Monique's reply.
"Oh I'm so sorry my name is Davon Brodus just moved here and wanted to get a lay out of the area and the first thing I see is an angel lucky me" Davon replied.
Davon proceeded to slide forward catching Monique off guard as he lifted her up into a hug and spun her around.
Monique's laugh was cut off very quickly by AJ "PUT MY FUCKING GIRLFRIEND DOWN"
"Oh are you talking to me" Davon said placing Monique behind him.
"Yeah I'm talking to you" came AJ's heated reply.
AJ got to take a look at Davon he was wearing military style BDU pants with a grey flannel shirt.
"AJ calm down I just made a new friend was all" Monique replied.
"A new friend yeah because you looked so cute and lonely right" AJ mocked.
"Hey I'm sorry someone actually is showing me attention instead of running off all the time" came Monique's heated reply.
"I don't always run off what are you talking about" AJ replied confused.
"Why do you think I'm over here we had a date remember I went to your house and your mom said you were out with Hez" Monique yelled.
"Shit" AJ thought to himself.
"It's not like that and you know it" AJ said.
"I could always spend time with you" Davon interjected.
"Stay out of this" AJ hotely replied
"Stay away from him Mo I don't trust him" AJ said trying to calm down.
"Ok I will if you stay away from Jasmine" Monique said with a smirk.
"What that's totally different Jasmine has been my friend of six years and isn't trying to woo me like this jackass is" AJ replied.
"Oh so you want to keep your side piece and try to keep me locked up no thank you" Monique replied.
"I mean if you ever need a new boyfriend I am available" Davon said.
That's when AJ snapped and a right cross connected with Davon's face. AJ felt Davon's nose explode under his knuckles as blood began pouring out of it. Monique quickly stepped in between them.
"AJ what the fuck is wrong with you,you shouldn't let words provoke you unless you don't trust me" Monique said as she began checking on Davon.
"His nose is bleeding pretty bad let me walk you to your house and help clean this up I am so sorry" Monique said helping Davon up.
AJ just stood there in complete shock as his girlfriend just left him to go to another guy's house. Suddenly his relaxing walk wasn't so relaxing anymore. Frustrated beyond all belief AJ headed back to his house and quickly went to his room. Changing his clothes AJ went to the backyard in black MMA shorts with a red muscle shirt and red hand wraps on his hands. AJ began to unwind by punching and kicking his heavy bag that he used to keep himself calm. AJ didn't know how much time went by, but he was broken out of his trance by someone touching his shoulder. AJ spun to his inside preparing to counter attack when he saw Jasmine was behind him.
"Sorry about that paranoid since well the Goldar thing" AJ said.
"I came to check up on you, your mom said you seemed upset so she reached out to me" Jasmine explained.
"I'm all good Jas just training is all" AJ lied.
"AJ you know I can tell when you're lying plus look at your hands your knuckles are bleeding" Jasmine chastised him,
"Oh" was all AJ could say.
"Talk to me AJ" Jasmine begged.
AJ saw those sad eyes and couldn't help it he explained everything that happened with Monique and Davon needles to day Jasmine wasn't happy.
"AJ come come on you know better you shouldn't have punched him: Jasmine said.
"I know Jas I'm just so stressed with everything going on that I guess that set me off, but it's no excuse" AJ replied looking at the grass.
"She also should have said no she has a boyfriend as soon as he approached her" Jasmine added.
"I don't know Jas this whole ranger thing has really strained our relationship I don't know what to do. AJ replied.
"Well here's what we're gonna do we are going to go inside clean your hands off then go get something to eat and hang out like we used to when we were kids remember" Jasmine said with a warm smile.
"Yeah we had so much fun before we had to go and get old and get jobs" AJ joked.
Jasmine lightly punched AJ "who are you calling old I am gorgeous thank you very much." AJ did a double take and realized she was right he never really thought about it, but Jasmine was pretty good looking. Placing those thoughts in the back of his mind AJ got up and lead Jasmine into the house so he could clean up and they could hang out like the good old days before high school, jobs, and giant monsters changed their lives.
