Blake did not like sitting at the lab, waiting for news. He wanted to be out there doing something, helping to get Tori back. And he was getting tired of watching Wes pace back and forth. The red Time Force Ranger was wearing a path in the floor. So when the computer dinged, everyone turned to look at Tommy as he answered the call.
"Tommy! We have trouble." Casey's voice was loud and hurried. "A monster infiltrated Team 3 looking like Karone and got most of the guys to drink-" he paused and those in the lab could hear the sounds of battle.
"Will! Danny three o'clock!" Casey yelled. Eric looked at Wes questioningly. Then Casey was back on the communicator. "She got them to drink something and now they're on her side. They're fighting on her side."
"Are you the only unaffected Ranger, Casey?" Tommy asked.
"No. It's me, Ziggy, Rocky and Will against Danny-" he broke off again and now the gang in the lab could hear his Shark Sabers whistling through the air. "Oh, you get the picture! We need help!"
"No way. Too risky." Blake said instantly. "We can't risk the girls."
"But they need our help!" Hunter countered.
"Send Wes!" Casey yelled suddenly, his yell followed by a scream of pain from someone else. "We rescued Jen and could use him now!"
Wes was already running out the door. "He's on his way, Casey." Tommy said.
"One saved." Eric said.
"Yeah, only a bunch more to go." Jason pointed out.
* * *
Wes morphed as he ran through the woods. Once he was morphed, he called his Vector Cycle and sped off towards Casey's location. When he got there, he almost couldn't believe his eyes.
An unmorphed Merrick lay on the ground, his right leg bent at an unnatural angle. Will was fighting Danny and both looked tired. Rocky's left arm hung limp at his side as he tried to hold off both Zack and Adam. Ziggy and RJ were circling each other, neither one scoring a hit. And Casey was fighting for his life against Cam, who was landing hit after hit on the red Tiger Ranger.
Wes wasted no time. He pulled out his Chrono Sabers and charged to Rocky's side, engaging Adam in a brutal sword fight. Adam slashed in at Wes with his Zeo Blade but Wes leapt backwards.
Cam threw a punch at Casey's head but Casey grabbed his wrist, flipping the Samurai Ranger off his feet and landing him flat on his back. Casey dropped to the ground, straddling Cam's body and keeping him on the ground. Then he pulled back his fist and clobbered Cam in the face. Cam groaned but didn't stop fighting. He arched his back and kicked his feet, sending Casey flying off of him.
Just then, Casey's Solar Morpher dinged. He dodged a kick from Cam and answered it.
"What?" he yelled as he ducked under a karate chop.
Connor's voice came through loud and clear. "We need backup. Now."
Casey jogged backwards a few steps and laughed. "We're in over our heads here, Connor! Tell Team two they are clear to go. And go fast! We need those girls out so we can have help here."
"Gotcha." Connor said and cut his transmission, turning back to the battle he was waging on the front lines.
Lucas had returned after passing Jen to Casey but they were still way outnumbered. But maybe that was a good thing. Maybe if the enemy thought they were outnumbered they would get cocky and overconfident and falter. Maybe.
Connor ducked under an attack and spun into a kick that landed on his enemy's backside. He swallowed and found his throat was dry. This was taking more out of them than fighting had in a long time.
Joel couldn't take much more. He'd already lost his Mega Battle when his suit's energies ran too low. Now he fought with just his Rescue Blaster. He dodged a high kick from the monster he was fighting and somersaulted away, spinning around to fire three shots from his Blaster. One clipped the monster in the shoulder but the other two flashed by harmlessly. The monster laughed and charged. Joel raised his hands but was unable to fend off the creature's attacks. Seconds later, Joel crashed to the ground, his morphing suit gone, completely unprotected. His enemy stood over him.
"Go on. Kill me. Or haven't you got the guts?" Joel taunted, gasping. He pressed the 'Morph' button on his morpher again and again, praying he'd find enough juice to morph before the monster got him.
The monster snapped its fingers and a sword suddenly appeared in its hands. It raised the weapon high and Joel closed his eyes involuntarily, waiting for the strike.
It never came. Instead, Joel heard the clang of metal on metal and looked up to see Damon standing over him, his Quasar Saber raised above his head, holding the monster's weapon at bay.
"Clear, Joel! Get clear!" Damon shouted.
Joel scrambled backwards and stood up. "I can fight!" he protested. "I just need more energy!"
Author's Note: Please read and review. It makes me sad that no one reviews…tell me what you think's going to happen or who you think is going to die, just please review. Please.
