Chapter 10: Pink Target
- Hurry up, oil brains! We don't have all day! - egged Digster towards the Quadra-fighters who were drilling the crater's inner zone. - A little more and it will give in. You! – he shouted to some soldiers who walked the top of the crater. - Retire before I place the last explosives or you'll fly into pieces!
- The one that will fly into pieces will be you, Digster! - cried the White Ranger jumping inside the crater.
Rocky, Aisha and Adam jumped right after him.
- Rangers, what a surprise! - exclaimed the mecha. - Came to fetch your pink little friend?
- Don't try to play with us, Digster! - replied the Yellow Ranger.
- We came to stop you, so get ready! – said Rocky, and they charged against him.
The Quadra-fighters came to reinforce the mecha.
- Why, how violent humans are - Digster sighed amid the fight. - Should taught them not to interrupt those who work!
He raised his drill and shoot against the Rangers, making fire. They lied down immediately, avoiding the attack.
- This thing is angering me! - exclaimed Aisha.
- Help me then - called the Red Ranger.
- How?
- Avoiding the crater's destruction, of course.
Rocky got up and invoked a huge fireball. The Yellow Ranger stood behind him before he shot, flames strucking down several enemies in the process, including Digster.
- Power of the Earth! - invoked Aisha, directing her hands to the volcano's insides.
Red, hot rocks sprouted from the boiling lava, merging with the damaged walls.
- Well done guys! - exclaimed the White Ranger.
- Not so fast Rangers - Digster interrupted, and shot with his drill.
- Not getting tired, eh? - said the Black Ranger firing his laser into the remaining enemies, keeping them at bay.
- Don't stop Aisha! - Rocky exclaimed before generating another fireball.
- Don't even dream of it! - assured the Yellow Ranger, more burning rocks coming out of the lava.
...
- The circuits are ready for testing.
I closed the lid of the micro communicator in which I had been working and looked at Billy. He had been at the Command Center panels all the time, working to circumvent both energetic and magnetic barriers around the asteroid occupied by the Machine Empire.
- This is already charged also - I lifted the tiny headphones and microphone in the palm of my hand.
- Try to synchronize - suggested Volgara.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes while Billy was typing again at the control panels. A 3D map of our planet and the asteroid was drawn in the screen and he released the device. As if they were magnets, two floated toward my ears and the last stayed near my mouth.
- The signal is operating at maximum - informed Billy. - Do you detect something?
I put my hands to my ears to better filter the noise.
- Nothing - I answered.
- They are diverting the signal - remarked Billy.
- Let's scan the surrounding area then - I said typing.
Billy joined me at typing in the control panels and I breathed in slowly, trying to control myself. Unless we were quick, who knows what might happen to Cassie...
...
Kaiser Sprock walked the lonely corridor leading to the high security cells, sliding a card through a opening next to the door. But when he peered into the dark inside, he could not see the Pink Ranger.
- Where is she? Can't be outside, all alarms would be off if...
He could not finish the sentence because Cassie, who was behind the door, jumped and knocked him out. She ran towards the exit, where there were only three Quadra-fighters, bypassing them with one of her attacks.
Alarms went off. Cassie, in her Dame dress and limping slightly, managed to leave the corridor before the gates to the nearest area were closed. She concealed herself at an angle from which she saw how various groups of Quadra-fighters rushed hastily to the Machine Empire's prison. Once everything was calm she sighed with relief, slipping to the floor. The Dame dress vanished and her normal clothes reappeared.
- It doesn't look like they put a tracking chip on me – she thought, checking herself. - But how do I move from here if everything is closed?
Another group of Quadra-fighters walked by and the girl remained alert. One of them was far behind, so with a clean hit on his weak point, Cassie destroyed it, not before taking away its access card. When trying to walk, she had to suppress a cry of pain. Her ankle was worse when there was no morphosis phase protecting it, but there was no choice. She had spent almost all her stored energy in the escape.
Anyway, it could be worse. At least all this darkness helps to hide me.
Putting her situation apart, that place was really interesting. Cold and hard like its inhabitants, at first glance it was like a labyrinth. But once Cassie walked around destroying surveillance cameras when needed, she discovered that the corridors tended to curl over each other, and that the main corridors were divided into polygonal rooms of different sizes. The wider the corridor, the lower it was... which meant that if she continued to descend, she might find the exit.
- No one has passed by in a long time - sighed Cassie. - I must continue while I can...
- Cassie?!
The girl opened her eyes wide. Was it an hallucination or had she heard her friend's voice?
- Meijei? Is that you?
...
- I found her! – I exclaimed.
- It's the ZU55 area – said Billy adjusting the controls to convey Cassie's thoughts. - Keep talking, don't lose her.
- Cassie, are you okay? - I asked in a trembling voice.
...
- I've been better - thought the girl looking everywhere. - But at least I think I know how to get out of here.
- I will help you. I can detect the Quadra-fighters, remember?
- Damn emotionless scraps - Cassie thought with a very slight smile.
...
- If you take her far enough from the palace, we can teleport her - Billy told me, typing.
I nodded, trying to remain calm. There were too many presences not far from Cassie.
- First move to the right - I indicated.
...
Lord Gasket unloaded his fist on the nearest table.
- How did she get away, goods for nothing?! And you Sprock! How is it possible that a stupid wounded human mocked us like that?!
- I am the first incensed, brother! - he replied, while some doctors attended his dents.
- We should have removed the crystal before - Lady Archerina said haughtily.
- Gather all the guards and watch the entrances. That Ranger will stay here, even if we have to mobilize our entire army!
...
Cassie narrowed her eyes as best she could as she moved quickly through the palace gloom.
- Hide! - Meijei's voice exclaimed in Cassies' head.
The girl obeyed instantly. Several soldiers ran up.
- I would love to know how much is left - Cassie growled.
- Keep walking - Meijei insisted. - They are gathering not far from where you are... Can you see the exit?
- No, but I want to think that this is the ground floor.
- Billy asks if you think the gates will be blocked. Not by guards, but with barriers and access codes.
- For sure, but we'll see when I get there - she assured.
...
Billy left the controls upon hearing this and turned towards Volgara:
- I will go to the point where the dimensional energies will fluctuate - he informed.
I looked at him with some apprehension. Was he going to reinforce Cassie the moment she teleported back to our planet? What if the Machine Empire attacked them with their army? The others still were in the volcano.
- Very well - Volgara answered.
- I will go once I get Cassie out of there - I said.
Billy smiled slightly and left.
...
Digster and the remaining Quadra-fighters attacked the Rangers without giving them truce.
- Once more, Aisha! - exclaimed the Purple Ranger while shooting.
- It's easy for you to say, they have destroyed the walls of the volcano 3 times!
- Courage Rangers, we must resist until the others arrive! - Tommy exclaimed.
- And better be quick, my creativity to attack is running out - complained Rocky.
...
Cassie raised her head and stared at the gigantic metal door, which looked heavy. Several mechanisms similar to locks crossed it from side to side, and no matter how hard she looked, she could not find a slot to insert the access card she stole.
- A group is descending, Cassie - said Meijei in her mind.
- How many? - she asked, still searching for the slot.
- Over 80.
- You know? I would like to know how they breed worse than rabbits. We spend so much time eliminating them…
- Have you already found out how to get out?
- I'm on that, could you have a bit of patience with me?
- I have all the patience in the world for you, but there's not time. They will soon turn around and you will be visible.
- Can you even notice that? Oh, I found it ...
The girl slipped the card and saw a screen flickering in the door.
- It seems a code is needed. But I have my own style to open - Cassie thought, rising her Zeo Crystal. - Adaland Pink Ranger!
Just at that moment, the Quadra-fighters began to arrive at the spacious entrance hall to the palace:
- There she is!
- Stop her!
Cassie swiped the access card through the opening several times, pressing the buttons like a madwoman. The system overloaded and she gave it the coup de grace with her laser gun, which opened the door just enough for her to pass through. Hundreds of Quadra-fighters and soldiers of the Machine Empire rushed towards the entrance, but the Pink Ranger was still several meters ahead and managed to go outside.
- On!... - Meijei exclaimed.
- On the ground, I know! - Cassie replied throwing herself before a platoon opened fire around the entrance.
That was a real mess. Soldiers fired at point-blank range at those leaving, and Cassie summoned her bow, which deflected the attacks while she crawled.
- Prepare to teleport! - said Meijei.
- Oh no! I won't go home without retaliating! - exclaimed the Pink Ranger raising the bow and directing a powerful expansive attack towards the army of the Machine Empire, which was surrounding her. This happened just as teleportation began, leaving the enemies either destroyed or unconscious. But at the centre of the expansive wave there was no one anymore.
...
- No… NO! - shouted Lord Gasket.
Lady Archerina bent her fan so much in anger that she broke it into two pieces.
...
The Blue Ranger stopped his motorcycle in the middle of the forest, materialized his trident and looked up. His coordinates had not failed. A ray of pink light pierced the sky and headed straight for him. Cassie fell in an unassuming manner at his feet, with a moan more of indignation than of pain.
- Are you fine?! - Billy exclaimed.
- When we defeat that thing at the volcano I will be much better - she assured while the young man helped her to get up. - I won some time, but if we don't leave soon...
Just as the Pink Ranger was saying that, a squadron of Quadra-fighters appeared in the forest.
- Water attack! - Billy exclaimed, making them step back. - Get on the Watercycle, Cassie!
- Wood attack!
A thick stream of branches interposed between the two Rangers and their attackers.
- Meijei! - exclaimed the Pink Ranger when she saw the Woodcycle and its owner.
- The volcano is collapsing! - her friend shouted. - We have to go there now!
Billy rode with Cassie behind him and they left at full speed.
...
- Aisha answer me! Aisha!
Adam was yelling at a half-failing Yellow Ranger as they tried to contain the enemies' attacks.
- What do we do, Tommy? If we retire, the volcano will suffer more damage and Adaland... - said Rocky.
- No! We can't move from here! - Aisha moaned.
The White Ranger continued to fire his laser gun at the Quadra-fighters and Digster. The volcano was increasingly hot despite the efforts of his companions.
- Surrender Rangers! - Digster laughed. - The Machine Empire will take this city.
- Tommy! - Billy yelled.
The youngsters looked up. His three missing companions jumped to join them.
- Cassie! - Rocky exclaimed cheerfully.
- Ouch! - she said, falling half bad because of her ankle. - Hi, I'm sorry for the delay.
- It's great to have you here - said Tommy.
- What happened to Aisha? - Meijei asked, approaching the Ranger in Adam's arms. - Her crystal is...
- Adam, Billy, take care of the volcano - said the White Ranger. - Meijei, stay with Aisha. The rest come with me, we're going to end that junk once and for all.
Everyone agreed. The Green Ranger took Adam's place, who left with the Blue Ranger while the others left to face Digster.
- So we stop hiding at last, huh? - said the red wick mockingly.
- Don't talk, I'm furious with you! - Cassie shouted materializing her bow
And she directed a formidable attack towards them, which eliminated the few remaining Quadra-fighters.
- Wow! I love when girls get angry - said the Red Ranger.
Tommy, Rocky and Cassie attacked Digster as wind and water cooled the exacerbated volcano.
- But what are you doing to my work ?! - screamed the fuse indignant. - Do you know how long it took doing it?!
The Green Ranger and the Yellow Ranger joined the attack.
- Are you okay? - the Red Ranger asked the young woman.
- That was nothing, thanks to Meijei I was replenished in a minute - she said. - And I am also furious!
Billy and Adam met with them.
- Nothing like cooling things down a bit! - Adam exclaimed with enthusiasm.
- Let's get this over with then - said Tommy.
...
Lord Gasket dumped his fist on the balcony railing, from where he was overseeing the battle.
- Good for nothings, do I have to do it all?!
And he directed a beam towards planet Geo.
...
The beam reached Digster, making it grow.
- Damn! Just when we had it - cursed Rocky.
- Won Zord, hawk soul!
- Houou Zord, heron soul!
- Shishi Zord, frog soul!
- Mugen Zord, bear soul!
- Tenma Zord, wolf soul!
- Qirin Zord, deer soul!
- Ryuu Zord, monkey soul!
But when they appeared, they noticed that Houou, Mugen, Qirin and Ryuu were in their previous forms.
- What's going on?! - exclaimed the Yellow Ranger
- Why they didn't change? - Adam asked
- It must be because we are tired - the Green Ranger replied nervously
Digster laughed mockingly.
- So you are not prepared...
And he tried to crush them. The youngsters dispersed.
- To the zords Rangers! - exclaimed Tommy, and everyone jumped. Meijei checked Qirin's controls.
- Try to calm down Meijei. - said the Blue Ranger's voice from the communications panel. - Everything will be fine, just try to calm down.
- Concentrate Rangers, Digster can not beat us! - exclaimed Adam.
- We have to protect Adaland! - exclaimed the White Ranger -. Let's make one last effort, let's do this together!
The zords were moving away from the volcano with Digster on their heels. The girls and Rocky breathed deeply, closing their eyes. Houou was the first to change.
- Yes! - Cassie exclaimed.
Ryuu and Mugen changed soon after, but Qirin remained the same.
- Just a bit more Meijei, you can do it! - Adam exclaimed.
- I have to calm down - the Green Ranger thought frowning. - I must forget my anguish for Cassie, for him... I can not let Adaland get burned. Never!
Qirin roared and became a deer.
- Let's form the Megazord! - Tommy exclaimed.
They did so and the mecha turned to Digster.
- Hurry, all together! - Cassie exclaimed.
- Adaland Power Zord! NOW! - everyone shouted
The red wick did not have time to react against the attack and caught fire in the air, exploding. The Rangers gave shouts of triumph.
- Wait ... look over there - said Billy.
Several pieces of frozen rock were falling off the volcano's top, revealing strange shapes. Virtually the entire crown of the volcano was disappearing, although it was falling apart without a loud crash. Thanks to the ice created by the Rangers, the magma was controlled.
- Let's take a look - said Tommy, and the Megazord prepared to descend.
...
- Well? Have you already understood that it is not so easy to face the Rangers?
Lady Archerina looked at Kaiser Sprock with as much contempt as possible. She pulled a new fan from her belt, opened it and fanned herself.
- I still have not said my last word - ultimated getting up with dignity and leaving the room.
...
The Rangers, with Tommy at the head, were exploring the surroundings of what was left of the volcano. They had removed their helmets and walked nimbly among ice and mud.
- Guys ... is that what I think it is? - Meijei asked, unable to stop watching the scenery.
- Everything indicates that yes... it is... incredible - Tommy said smiling.
- It looks like a new species - observed Billy.
In front of them were some dinosaur ribs and vertebrae, perfectly well preserved.
- I think you are right, Billy - said Tommy.
- We will have to notify the authorities - Adam commented.
- We'll manage so they do not mention us, right? - Aisha smiled.
- We'll have to think very hard about what we'll tell them - Rocky nodded.
- Well, here's your final test, Tommy - Cassie smiled.
The White Ranger turned to her:
- We have to go back to the Command Center to heal you.
- Steady, white leader. If I was in critical condition I would not be around here with you.
- You do not have idea of the fright you gave us - Aisha added in a severe tone, while Meijei was hugging the Pink Ranger.
- I hope that at least it was like the one I gave to those junks - said Cassie with a grimace.
- Surely they will not try to kidnap you for a long time - Rocky said. - At least it worked for me.
Everyone laughed.
... ... ...
Footnotes
This time I did not keep you all waiting too long. We get the end of the kidnapped Cassie arc and a nice discovery for Tommy the dino lover. So, which will be the Machine Empire's next move? Stay tuned!
All kinds of critics are welcome!
Sakura_Moonprincess
Disclaimer: all characters and trademarks belong to their rightful authors, except those created by me.