Forever Red 2
Chapter 9 – Flight and Fight
A/N: Hey guys, remember to review and let me know what you think! ENJOY! R&R PLZ!
In The Netherworld…
Master Org leapt to his feet, "I CAN SENSE IT!" he cried. "The animarium is near and with our alien DNA we shall be able to get there before the rangers even glimpse it! OCTOROO! KIRED! Let us leave at once!"
Shiba House…
The gap sensor sent ice water through everyone's veins. Kevin had his samuraizer to his ear in a heartbeat but for some reason it wouldn't connect. "I can't reach him," he exclaimed in pure horror.
On the Astro Megaship…
Jayden hung his suit on the space rangers' old jacket hooks. He stood back and just watched it for a long moment, imagining what would have happened tomorrow had he not come on this mission. Kevin and Antonio would help him dress, joking with him about the ceremony to come. Mike would complain about the suit Emily had picked for him. Ji would look extremely odd in a formal suit but he'd bear it with good grace. Lauren would be there, but she'd stay with Mia to help keep her cool. If so, his sister had her work cut out for her whenever she got in. Mia was probably going to be a bundle of nerves until he got back. Just then Casey came in with Carter who clapped his shoulder, "Nervous?"
Jayden bobbed his head, "Yup."
"Don't worry buddy," Casey reassured him. "We'll get you back there in time."
Jayden simply said, "Thanks guys." The threesome walked out on to the bridge where the others were laying out battle plans on some rough maps Cole and Merrick had drawn up.
"Hey," Shane acknowledged their arrival before going back to what he was saying. "Merrick should use the cliff. It would give him a good view of what's going on and what may be coming his way."
"I like that idea," Merrick agreed. "If I'm protecting the princess I'm going to need as much forewarning as possible. Plus I know a great cave on the side that is perfect for the job, good sightline but very discreet."
"Alright that's settled," Tommy finalized. "Now onto the main targets, I'm thinking good ole fashioned divide and conquer – " The ship lurched and sparks burst from overhead. "What was that? Did something attack us?"
Andros dashed to his seat and pushed the engines to maximum. The rangers felt the ship speed up and braced themselves for the force of the movement. Andros's hands flew over the control panel, "There is something out there guys and it's gaining on us fast. TJ I need your help buddy!"
TJ leapt to his old chair and began tapping the controls rapidly, "I can't get a lock on it!"
"Dammit! Hold on everyone," Andros ordered and there was scramble for chairs and secure spots as the ship began to sway dangerously. They took a hairpin turn causing everything that wasn't tacked down to slide. Then the Megaship pitched like a hit bumper car causing a few people to shout. Andros set the ship on autopilot and got up, gesturing for the others to follow. They came to hatch and Andros produced a number of harasses and guns for those who didn't have. "I had a feeling we'd need these," he said. The ship lurched again, harder than before, making a few of the men nearly lose their balance. They attached the harnesses to a bar in the back of the cargo bay and strapped themselves in. Each one had a laser gun or weapon in hand and stood ready to fire. "DECA lower the cargo door," Andros commanded. The hatch opened and it took them a second to get their footing as the air attempted to pull them out. They could see Master Org in this purple light speeding towards them with Kired and Octoroo following close behind.
"FIRE!" shouted Tommy. They shot at their enemies freely making them scatter in order to dodge the barrage of lasers. But they came back, deftly swerving around the attacks, firing some of their own but the reds held their ground. Finally one of Kired's blasts came dangerously close and they dived out of way. While they struggled to their feet DECA's automated voice announced, 'arrival in five minutes'. "Let's keep it together, we're almost there." Tommy yelled. The reformed the line and sent wave after wave of ammunition until at last, one shot managed to hit Master Org in the chest and he fell back.
"DECA close the cargo door," TJ said loudly with relief. They waited until the door was firmly shut before making their way back to the bridge. They arrived in time to see an aerial view of the Animarium as the ship landed in the clearing near the temple. They disembarked and couldn't help but take a minute to look around. The wild zords even came to greet them.
"Wow," murmured Casey staring at the white tiger.
"This is incredible," Mac cried in wonder.
"It sure ain't the moon," Jason commented lowly to Tommy and Andros who nodded.
"So this is what the earth looked like 3000 years ago," Leo spun around. "Kind of makes you wish you could go back in time."
"You have no idea," Merrick said quietly.
"Come on guys," Cole was already walking towards the temple. "We have to hurry." They ran up the temple steps to main area on the platform. Jayden drew their attention by hitting his samuraizer frustrated.
"It's not working," he said grimly. "Kevin couldn't reach us."
"You couldn't know man," Nick said evenly. "Can you still morph?" Jayden drew his symbol in midair and hit it. Thankfully his red ranger uniform appeared with no problems.
Jayden powered down, "That's a relief."
With that taken care of, they continued slowly into the deserted temple. Half of them kept their eyes on the sky while the rest searched for the princess. "Princess Shayla…" Cole called out tentatively. There was no response. Her pedestal bed was empty, the covers throw aside carelessly. Shane picked up the white blanket, his expression louder than any words.
"Princess where are you?!" Merrick shouted. Cole put a calming hand on his friend's chest. There was tense moment then –
"COLE! MERRICK!" They all breathed a sigh of relief as the princess ran to them. "What are you doing here? Who are you all?"
"Princess there isn't any time, we need our growl phones." Cole all but begged. "Master Org could be here at any minute!"
"Master Org?" Princess Shayla repeated. "How is that possible?"
"Princess our growl phones please," Merrick urged. She nodded and promptly turned into a spark of light and went into the sacred waters. She returned a moment later with the lion and wolf morphers. Cole and Merrick strapped them on. The lunar wolf morphed straightaway and took Shayla's hand.
"Princess come with me," Merrick tugged her gently. "The sacred waters may not be enough to protect you this time and I don't want to leave you cornered." With one last look at the red rangers, the two left in the direction of the cliff. The remaining rangers formed a circle, each one's face set with determination.
"Remember the plan," Tommy said glancing around at them. "Let's do this."