Most of this chapter will focus more on Cinos and Risky. Yeah, I think you may have guessed where they're heading. I really wanted to put more development on Cinos since he's basically an original character, even if his concept is based on Metal Sonic. Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, Ace Attorney, Sonic the Hedgehog, Skies of Arcadia, Shovel Knight, Mega Man, or Shantae.
Chapter 13: Cossack's Lament
Cinos and Risky had successfully infiltrated the Control Tower past the loading dock. Hacking her way into the security mainframe, Risky made an interesting discovery. "Seems this Control Tower's had a recent modification. A small holding cell right near Wily's main office." "Three guesses what he's keeping in there," Cinos said, "And the first two don't count." He briefly considered sneaking through the vents, then decided against it. "There's no way these guys are stupid enough to make the vents large enough to sneak through. What is this, a spy movie?" "We don't have to anyway," Risky noted, "This entire facility is like a beehive, and from this computer I can map out the least dangerous route for us to take."
Back outside, Cossack had shown up in a giant claw catcher machine. 'You will not got past to Dr. Wily,' he declared, 'I will guard this tower with my very life.' "If we can help it," Phoenix said, "He won't have to make good on that." From behind Cossack, a giant mechanical moth flew out. 'Go, Mothraya. Deal with these Rangers.' "Mind if we take first crack at this?," Hugh asked. "By all means," Phoenix said, "Right now, this is all about buying time." Hugh and he and he and his team called out, "Let's go! Turbo Megazord!" The Red Lightning, Mountain Blaster, Desert Thunder, Dune Star, and Wind Chaser arrived.
After a quick stunt show, the Turbo Megazord was formed and stood against Mothraya. The giant moth fired several beams from its eyes which the Megazord dodged, then followed up with a few punches to the glowing gem on Mothraya's thorax. "Rule number one of giant robot fighting," Justin said, "When in doubt, aim for whatever glows." Sure enough, the gem proved to be a weak spot, and Mothraya was blown back. It did a mid-air recovery, and fired its proboscis at the Turbo Megazord. However, the Megazord simply caught it and pulled Mothraya into range for another blow. "Care to try another round?," Hugh declared, "Or are we gonna keep up this dance."
"Why does it look like Cossack isn't even trying?," Bass said, "It's like he wants the Rangers to defeat him." "We never said he had to win," Wily asserted, "Only that he had to fight. Besides, this could provide us with excellent propaganda. Imagine how crushed the planet's population will be when they learn how their 'heroes' have killed a simple human." Bass shook his head. "Who's to say they will kill him? So far the Arcadia Rangers have been far more keen on capturing their foes." Wily smirked and pointed to the Cossack Catcher. "This little beauty is designed to explode when too much damage is taken. The Rangers have no idea, and will wind up killing him without even realizing they were duped."
Bass smirked. "Nice. Place the Rangers in an unwinnable scenario. Either they take out Cossack and suffer the ramifications, or refuse and he defeats them for the sake of his daughter. Though I'm still worried that we haven't seen Cinos anywhere in this exchange. With a variable like this running loose, we have no idea what the Rangers are planning." "If Cinos was doing anything inside the Control Tower, we'd now of it," Wily insisted, "I have the entire security system set up so that it will react to his superior technology and robotic design. After what happened last time, do you really think I'd take chances with him?"
Unbeknownst to Wily, Cinos was simply waiting at the entrance of a hallway for Risky to pass through it. When he heard the whirring of the security system shutting down, he ran through the hall to join her. "Looks like you were right," Risky said, "Wily's set up his security specifically to detect you and prevent you from getting too far in. Too bad for him, my technology, well-crafted as it is, is not advanced enough to snag his attention." "Not to mention," Cinos said, "The scanners are designed for robots, not humans." Risky raised her eyebrow. "Real humans," Cinos said, "I'm artificial." "As much as I'd like to debate this," Risky said, "We do have a hostage to rescue. Let's get going."
The Turbo Megazord had just finished taking down Mothraya. As the robotic moth exploded, a deep rumbling was heard. "I don't think that's anyone's stomach," Aisha said. The Megazord leapt out of the way as three rectangular boxes appeared and merged together. 'Square Machine,' Cossack said, 'Your turn.' "The weakness must be inside that thing," Wocky said, "But we're gonna need some stronger fire power." And with that, the Turbo Rangers summoned the Lightning Fire Tamer, Siren Blaster, Thunder Loader, Star Racer, and Wind Rescue to form the Rescue Megazord.
When the Square Machine separated and tried reforming again, the Rescue Megazord leapt inside the formation. Sure enough, the interior was hollow, and at the top was a glowing red laser turret. "Looks like the Doc is learning," Wocky said, "A weakness that also happens to be its primary weapon." "Doesn't make it any less vulnerable," Justin noted." The Megazord wall jumped off the side of the Square Machine and fired its weapons right at the laser turret, causing serious damage that forced the Square Machine to separate. The pieces of the Square Machine returned for a second try. "Keep trying," Hugh said, "Just makes it easier for us."
Inside the recovery chamber of the Control Tower, the fourth battalion lieutenants were watching the video feed. "Cossack's machines don't seem to be very effective against the Rangers," Pharaohman noted, "Is he even trying?" "Well if he doesn't succeed," Ringman said, "Wily's got plans for that sweet daughter of his. I just hope she doesn't figure out how to unlock that cell. It's brand new and doesn't really have many of the security features the rest of the tower has." "Quiet you morons," Brightman said, "You never know who might be listening." "What's to worry about?," Ringman said, "Wily's got this whole place locked down. There's no way Cinos will bust in to save the day."
Little did the group realize that Cinos and Risky were right outside, having taken advantage of the video feed to see how the battle is going. "Nice to see the other Rangers are drawing this out," Cinos said, "That cell should be just up ahead." Sure enough, the holding cell was in the very next room, where a young girl with blonde hair was sleeping. Risky gently tapped on the outer glass. Kalinka slowly woke up and looked at the duo. "Who are you two?," she asked. "We're your rescuers," Risky said as she opened the door, surprised at how easy it was, not even setting off an alarm, "My name is Risky Boots and this is Cinos Robotnik."
Kalinka took one look at Cinos and smiled widely. "Hey, you're a Power Ranger aren't you?" "That's right," Cinos said, "The Arcadia team's Chrome Metal Ranger. We figured out that Wily was holding you hostage to get your father's cooperation, and came here to get you out. By now, my friends should be getting ready. Let's get you out of here and let your dad know your all right." Kalinka looked puzzled as she stepped out of the cell. "How come no one's noticed you're here up until now?" "Let's not jinx it," Cinos said, "We're getting out of here ASAP." He took hold of Risky and Kalinka and activated his warp system.
The Rescue Megazord burst out of the Square Machine as it exploded. Then, from behind the Cossack Catcher, twin bipedal cannons marched out. 'Cockroach Twins,' Cossack called out, 'Now for your fight.' "Those aren't even real cockroaches," Apollo noted. "Good thing," Vera said, "I hate cockroaches." Just then Phoenix got a call in from Eggman. 'We have Kalinka on board the Egg Carrier. I'm contacting Cossack now. Finish those things off so we can deal with the real threat.' "You got it Eggman," Phoenix said, "All right you guys, Cinos has done his job, now it's our turn. Flagship Zords!"
From the Egg Fortress emerged the Blue Draco, Yellow Cygnus, Green Chameleon, Silver Serpent, Red Lynx, Purple Auriga, Black Monoceros, and Gold Delphinus. Flying in formation, they quickly formed the Swashbuckler Megazord. "We'll draw it out a little longer," Phoenix said, "Give Eggman time to talk to Cossack. Fire Magic Cannon!" The Swashbuckler started launching fire and ice balls at the two cannons, freezing one to the ground and blasting the other back into the tower. The first cannon got free and started firing, but the Swashbuckler retaliated using its torpedoes. "Keep the pressure on guys," Phoenix said, "More the better."
"We've suddenly lost contact with Cossack," Bass said, "What do you think could have happened?" "I see no signs of communication failure from the equipment," Wily said, "Perhaps he needs a reminder of what's at stake. Go and retrieve the girl." Bass nodded and headed for the holding cell, but was shocked to find it empty. "That's not good." He headed back to report this to Wily. "But how?," Wily said, confused, "We had everything set up to look for Cinos." Just then, Cossack contacted him. 'Dr. Wily, I'm afraid our arrangement is mooted, thanks to Cinos and Risky. Now that my daughter is safe, I have no reason to fight for you. Goodbye.' Then the communication went to static.
"He's not in the Cossack Catcher anymore, is he?," Wily asked. Bass shook his head, then said, "I had a feeling Risky would become an asset to the Rangers. Now what?" Wily looked at the screen as the Swashbuckler finished off the Cockroach Twins. "So much for our propaganda idea. But we may still be able to make one final use of Cossack machine. Get me remote access to the Cossack Catcher. I'll use it myself to deal with those Rangers." Bass nodded and started using the system. "We have it Wily. Should I prep any security bots just in case." "Not yet," Wily said, "Let's make sure this plan will succeed first." He started using the remote system.
The Rangers noticed the Cossack Catcher moving. "Eggman," Phoenix said, "Did you get in touch with Cossack." 'I did,' Eggman replied, 'And he's no longer inside the machine. My guess is that Wily's operating it remotely. Good thing too, since it was designed to self-destruct when too much damage was taken.' Miles couldn't help but shudder at the implications of that. "Well, if there's no one inside that thing, let's take it down," he said. The Swashbuckler opened up its central cannon and fired, stopping the Cossack Catcher from snatching them up off the ground. The Turbo Megazord and Rescue Megazord leapt into the air and used their sabers to deal significant damage to the catcher.
The Swashbuckler then formed its own Moonstone Cutlass and leapt into the air itself, its Prototype Cannon still holding the Cassock Catcher at bay. At the last second the cannon was shut down, just in time for the Swashbuckler to slash through the Cossack Catcher. All three Megazords landed, as the catcher began to self-destruct, showering the entire battlefield in scrap metal. "That's one less war machine to be used against humankind," Phoenix noted, "Now we get to the real matter at hand, taking out this Control Tower. Cinos, see if Plague Knight will be willing to join us." 'No problem Nick,' Cinos said, 'He should be willing to lend us his strength. And I'll be down there myself momentarily. Wily's gonna pay for this latest scheme.'
To be continued...
I wonder if this may be my shortest chapter yet for this story. Oh well, the team takes on the Control Tower next time. Read and review.