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Chapter 21
Claws of the Dragon, Part 1
"Colossus," Tommy said aloud, repeating the name of the Zord mentioned by Nyx. The Vulcan Ranger pondered the information. "Why is this so important?"
"Colossus is another mobile fortress, much like my Ragnarok and Billy's Ark," Nyx explained. "With Colossus in our possession, we would control a third mobile fortress."
"A third?" Tommy inquired. "Did you just recently discover one?"
Nyx laughed, mocking her knight's lack of knowledge. "The Worldship is also known as Mobile Fortress Nibiru," she explained. "That story about it being developed by the Machine Empire was a clever ruse. They simply rediscovered the ancient vessel and upgraded its systems. They were ignorant as to its true purpose. It is the crossing point between our universe and the Elder Universe. Its Zeo battery is capable of storing an infinite amount of energy, which can be continuously transformed into anything. The only thing stopping me from implementing the S Plan is this damned Seal of Aeon."
"Just how many mobile fortresses are there?" asked Tommy.
"There were seven," said Nyx. "We know of Ark, Ragnarok, Colossus, and Nibiru. Legend speaks of the mobile fortresses Tiamat, Merkabah, and Gungnir. They are relics from a time older than this universe."
"I will get the excavation started immediately," promised the Vulcan Ranger. He grinned beneath his helmet. "Billy and the others won't know what hit them once we catch them by surprise."
"On the contrary, I want you to let Billy come to you," Nyx told him.
Tommy was immediately confused by the Shadow Ranger. "What purpose would that serve?" he inquired. "We should strike quickly. They already have a new Megazord. Colossus combined with Ragnarok would have the power to crush them like bugs."
Nyx's lips formed a cruel smirk. "They are still useful to us," said the Shadow Ranger. "I know you are eager to expend your rage upon the Phantom Ranger, but he will not be a threat to us. His will is starting to assert itself over the Power Ruby, so Billy's compassion for you will be his undoing. He will come for Colossus and you will be able to ensnare him. They still have something I want, so I need you to refrain from playing too roughly with him."
"Then I will take him alive," Tommy told her. "I just can't promise what his condition will be."
Tommy's comment drew melodious laughter from Nyx. "So cruel," she said, her eyes gleaming.
"Always," Tommy said before he closed the connection with Nyx. He sighed loudly before he slumped in his pilot's chair, remembering times long past.
Tommy Oliver slung the green backpack over his right shoulder. The former Green Ranger took one last moment to stare at himself in the mirror in his bedroom. Sadness reigned on his face. He wore his green hoodie and a pair of black jeans. While other students were going to remain in Angel Grove during the break, Tommy did not feel compelled to stay.
His parents barely understood Tommy's need to get away from Angel Grove and spend time with his uncle during the upcoming break. They were ignorant of his status as a Power Ranger, or a former Power Ranger as Tommy liked to remind himself.
Rita Repulsa won. She gave and took away what made Tommy so special. Though there was little reason for him to rejoice over his initial actions as her evil Green Ranger, Tommy found something redeeming in continuing to fight against her when needed. But now he would never be able to do that again.
Tommy walked to his nightstand and lifted his communicator from its resting spot near his lamp. It was given to him by Billy Cranston to welcome the Green Ranger to the Power Rangers. Despite everything he did to them, they still welcomed Tommy with open arms. It never did much to soothe his guilt even though he had no reason to feel guilty for his actions. They were his friends, but being around them any longer would be too painful.
The former Ranger jumped when he heard a knock on his bedroom door. He looked to the door and heard his mom speaking.
"Tommy, Billy is here to see you," his mother said.
"Tell him to come in," Tommy told her. In less than a minute, the Blue Ranger rapped lightly on Tommy's door before he entered. Billy closed the door behind him. He was still dressed like a geek and even though he was a Power Ranger, Billy still occasionally lacked confidence in himself.
"We heard you would be departing soon," Billy said.
"I can't stay, man," Tommy told Billy. He tossed the communicator in Billy's direction. After Billy snagged it from the air, the former Ranger added, "I won't be needing that anymore."
"You could have just returned that to Jason or Kimberly," Billy told him. "Or you could have kept it in your possession. It wasn't necessary for me to reacquire it myself."
"Billy, I couldn't give it to Jason or Kim," Tommy told the Blue Ranger. "Jason would have tried to convince me I was still part of the team and Kim would have tried to make me feel guilty for leaving. Besides, it's yours. I knew you wouldn't object to me leaving for the break."
"I comprehend your situation well," Billy admitted. "You desire solitude."
"My uncle will be there," Tommy admitted before amending, "some of the time. I also wanted to talk to you about something else."
Billy raised an eyebrow. Tommy and Billy were friends, but Tommy did not usually ask for favors unless they were school related. Billy was often the one seeking Tommy's advice on other matters. "About what?" he inquired.
"I need you to watch Kim for me," Tommy told him.
"Jason and Zack would be better choices," Billy volunteered, though he appeared slightly shocked that Tommy would make such a request. "They're stronger and better fighters than I am."
"Jason will watch out for everyone regardless because he's the leader," Tommy told Billy. "Then Zack is too busy trying to get with Angela when he's not dealing with Ranger duties or school. You've gotten to be a pretty good fighter and I know you're one of Kim's oldest friends. I trust you'll do just fine."
"If that is what you wish," Billy said, "I'll do my best."
Tommy smiled at his friend. He walked over to the Blue Ranger and shook his hand. "That's all I ask," he said.
Billy stripped his uniform top away to stare at his bared chest in the mirror of the captain's quarters. He touched the scar on his chest, the point of entry for his Power Ruby. It was growing fainter by the day and soon he would never notice it again. It only seemed like yesterday that his body was failing him and the healing waters of Aquitar were his only hope. With the addition of the Power Ruby, he was stronger and fitter than ever before.
The Phantom Ranger flexed one of his biceps in front of the mirror while noting the appearance of stubble on his face. He needed another shave. He stroked his chin with his right hand, feeling the new hair growth. Wasting little time, Billy walked over to his bathroom to prepare himself for a shave, pulling his hair back in a ponytail as he approached the sink. He considered letting a beard grow, but quickly dismissed the notion as he started running the hot water.
Moments later, Billy emerged from his bathroom cleanly shaven and with a white towel over his right shoulder. He once again dressed in his uniform. The Phantom Ranger moved towards the desk near his worktable and took a seat to scroll through more reports at his terminal. Eltar was requesting aid again, but with Nyx's forces occupying one planet after another, aid would not be forthcoming.
The door to his quarters chimed. "Enter," said Billy.
After the door slid open, Billy could see Zhane standing at the doorway. The Solar Ranger entered his quarters and the door closed behind him.
"What can I do for you, Zhane?" Billy asked, looking up from his terminal.
"We just made contact with the Astro Rangers again," Zhane reported. "They've managed to avoid Nyx's forces, but they're requested a rendezvous with us."
Billy nodded his head. "They're sitting ducks out there right now," he noted. "We could use their experience on this crew. Have you told them where we're headed?"
"Yes," replied Zhane. "They seem pretty hesitant to go there, but said they would join us soon."
"Have they discovered more information about fleet movements?" questioned Billy.
"Andros told me they were present at Triforia when Scorpina attacked, but something there unsettled him greatly," Zhane told him. "They barely escaped with their lives."
"What of Trey?" Billy inquired.
"They lost contact with him during the battle," Zhane informed the Phantom Ranger. "There was no indication of his demise, so he may have returned to Eltar."
"See if you can make contact with the Gold Ranger if at all possible," Billy said to Zhane. "We need to keep him in the loop."
"Yeah," Zhane said before he narrowed his gaze at Billy. "Do you think we have a chance?"
Billy sighed. "You never know until you try," he told the Solar Ranger. "Once we arrive at Saturn, I'll give everyone a briefing."
Billy observed as Zhane departed his quarters before he returned his attention to the terminal. He tapped a few keys to open a secure communications channel. The Command Center may have been long gone on Earth, but Billy had a separate safe house that he maintained over the years. A face appeared on the screen, one very familiar to him.
"Hello, father," Billy said. "It's been a long time."
Jonas Cranston was a balding man approaching 60 years of age and a distinguished physics professor. Billy greatly resembled his father and when Jonas was younger, he could have passed for Billy's brother. At one point in Billy's life, he aspired to follow in his father's footsteps. Zordon changed everything.
"Son," Jonas replied tersely. "When you left for Aquitar, you told me that I might receive this call one day. I assume you did not contact me for a simple chat."
"I'm returning to Earth to stop your emperor from taking control of a zord," said the Phantom Ranger. "I'll need access to my stuff."
"You were on Earth before," said Jonas. "I realized this when I saw someone had accessed the safe house. You left your ship and a motorcycle here."
"I'm sorry that I didn't take time to see you, but your secretary told me you were out of the country for a conference," Billy apologized quickly. Part of him felt guilty for not taking the time to remain connected with his family. "But now really isn't the time to talk about family matters."
"Son, when is it ever the time?" Jonas asked. "I never met this wife of yours and your mother and I have been concerned about you."
Billy winced. He never told his father that he married, so it had to have been one of his friends that relayed the information. "My wife is dead," Billy said. "I'm sorry you were never able to make her acquaintance. She was a wonderful lady."
"My condolences," Jonas told his son. "I'm sure she was. The sooner you return to Earth, the better. The world has gone insane since your friend chased away the invaders."
"Tommy is a puppet for the people who invaded your world," Billy said sadly. "He's not in control of anything."
Jonas sighed. "Then you'd better come home, son," he said. "Your planet needs you to protect it."
Ark remained in orbit around Saturn, having arrived within the last hour. Billy once again stood in the war room, gazing at the assembled party. In addition to his new Ranger team were the Astro Rangers. Though currently powerless, they represented part of the last remaining free forces in the universe. Andros was the first to speak.
"We've lost contact with the Gold Ranger, so it is unlikely that he will be participating in this meeting," said the Red Astro Ranger. "With all that has happened, it's possible that he perished."
"Let us hope that such events did not transpire," said Billy. "I'm still pleased you managed to make it here. Having you here increases the odds of our success. I regrettably do not have much to offer you in the way of support, but recent scans have revealed some other artifact that may be useful to us."
A holographic projection appeared at the center of the war room's long table. It was an unmistakable shape to those that once came into contact with it.
"The Zeo Crystal," observed Zordon. "So Tommy did not destroy it."
"He's probably planning to use it for something else," added Kimberly.
"Where is it?" asked T.J. "I'm pretty sure it's not exactly out in the open where anyone can just take it."
"If it were that simple, we would have been out of a job ages ago," Cassie remarked. "Where's Tommy keeping it?"
"The Zeo Crystal is in Tommy's castle on Earth's moon," Billy revealed. "Unfortunately for us, the area around Earth is heavily defended. It will be difficult to retrieve the Zeo Crystal, but if we can do this, it will be a severe blow to Tommy's ambitions. However, there is a more pressing matter."
The hologram above the table changed, revealing the giant dirigible shaped zord. "Colossus," Billy informed the Astro Rangers. "Like Ark, Colossus is a Mobile Fortress of immense capabilities. We must locate and retrieve Colossus before Tommy is able to have it excavated. I'm afraid I don't need to inform you that we would face an unprecedented crisis if Tommy possessed his own Mobile Fortress."
"What do you want us to do?" Andros asked Billy. "Whatever you need us to do, we'll execute it to the best of our ability."
"Unfortunately for us, we're already in danger at our present location," Billy informed Andros. "Ark will need to retreat beyond the orbit of Neptune while we proceed with our operation."
The holographic projection revealed a web of battlecruisers near Earth, providing an added layer of difficulty for the Rangers. A second projection of Earth's moon appeared, revealing yet even more ships. Carlos, the Black Astro Ranger, whistled nervously at the sight.
"A direct assault on Earth would be ill advised," Billy said. "Though I'm confident in Ark's ability to hold its own against the fleet, we would alert Tommy to our intentions and no doubt bring even more trouble on our heads. Stealth will be of utmost importance in penetrating Earth's atmosphere. Unfortunately, I have yet to develop cloaking devices for us, so I will have to execute this part of the mission alone until I can discover some way to create a workaround for the anti-teleportation field surrounding Earth."
"That's dangerous," objected Ashley. "Going alone? That's not just dangerous. That's suicide."
"Billy's not finished," Zhane told his old comrade. "Trust me. It's about to get even better."
"Once on Earth, I'll have access to my safehouse," Billy told the group. "I should be able to find a way to overcome the anti-teleportation field using my old Portal Com. This still leaves us with the matter that we're likely wanted on Earth. We can't risk travelling in groups, so we will need to go our separate ways. Tommy is building a new capital in Iraq along with a new palace. We will need to rendezvous at different points before we converge on the location of Colossus. At this point, we will need a diversion."
"This is where the Astro Rangers fit into the plan," Billy said to Andros. "I will be placing you in command of Ark, Andros. Once we send you the signal, you should be ready to arrive at Earth's moon and launch an attack against the fleet. Lord Zedd will then travel to the lunar palace and retrieve the Zeo Crystal. By this point, we should have Colossus activated and we will be able to leave Earth on our own."
Lord Zedd frowned. "This plan requires too many assumptions to work," he said. "How do we know that Tommy isn't trying to acquire Colossus already and has a trap set for you?"
"Tommy's already trying to take Colossus for himself," Thorn said, finally voicing his opinion in the meeting. "Knowing my progenitor like I do, I believe he will be attempting to trap us."
"We'll be without zords for this fight too," Kimberly said. "Billy, are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Once Ark is in place, we should be able to access our zords if we need them," Billy said. "I know this appears to be a foolish gamble, but our options are running low."
"I give Billy a full endorsement of his plan," Zordon said. Though he was no longer the mentor of the Power Rangers, his words still carried enormous weight. "With Colossus, our firepower will be significantly higher. We cannot afford to pass on this opportunity."
"It's settled," Billy said with finality. "Operation Shadow Dragon will commence within the hour. Everyone is dismissed."
Tommy observed Earth from the balcony of his lunar palace, his hands clasped behind his back. He sensed the other Rangers when they arrived in the Sol System, but the Terran Emperor did not inform Nyx. He knew they would come for Colossus, but Tommy was prepared to give them a reason to regret they ever decided to come to Earth.
Finster approached Tommy from behind. "Lord Tommy, might I have a word with you?" he asked.
Tommy turned to face his servant. "What is it, Finster?" asked the Vulcan Ranger.
"Our scanners have located a massive energy source near the location where your new capital city is under construction," Finster informed him. "I have been unable to determine its origin. Do you wish to investigate?"
"It is the Mobile Fortress Colossus," Tommy told Finster. "Nyx has already informed me of its location. I'll be sending an excavation crew to begin unearthing it at 800 hours local time."
"A new mobile fortress, you say?" Finster inquired. "That would explain its tremendous power readings. I'm surprised that no one was able to detect it before."
"The existence of the Morphing Grid made it possible to shield the power source from detection," said Tommy. "Now that its power is but a memory, weapons such as this can now be revealed. Even if Lord Zedd could have retrieved Colossus, he would have been unable to use its power due to the seal. No doubt if you've detected the other readings, Billy and his friends will be unable to stay away. Nyx has predicted that they will attempt to seize Colossus."
"If we can excavate Colossus and activate it first, our firepower will increase dramatically," Finster said. "The Rangers won't know what hit them."
Tommy produced a feral grin. "It's the knowledge of this that will draw the Rangers into my trap," said the Vulcan Ranger. "They will come to us."
Billy, dressed in a black flight suit, approached the stealth fighter he kept stored in Ark's hangar. He held a helmet at his side. He turned as he heard rapid footsteps approaching him, smiling as he saw Kimberly. "Kim, weren't you supposed to be with the others?" he asked.
"If you think I'm going to let you take off without saying goodbye, you're an idiot," said the Lunar Ranger with a smile.
The two lovers embraced. "I promise you that I'll be careful," said the Phantom Ranger. "You don't have to worry about me."
"Just because I don't have to worry doesn't mean I won't worry," Kimberly told him. The two released each other.
Billy and Kimberly shared a brief kiss before the Phantom Ranger pulled away. "Everything will be fine," he said. "You'll see." He placed the helmet over his head. "Bye, Kim."
"I hope you're right," Kimberly said as Billy climbed into the fighter. Once he was seated, she waved to him. "Bye, Billy. Stay safe."
Billy waved to her once last time before his canopy closed. Kimberly observed as the repulsorlifts lifted the ship from the hangar floor. When Billy's fighter finally cleared the hangar, Kimberly sighed. "This has to work," she said."
Billy emerged from hyperspace near Earth and immediately sited the fleet guarding the planet and its moon. There was a full battle squadron of six capital ships along with a group of minor support ships. He immediately engaged the cloaking device for his fighter and continued his trek towards Earth. Just as he was approaching the planet, Billy watched as laser fire burst past his fighter.
"You think I can't see through your cloak, Phantom Ranger?" asked Tommy. "My zord's sensors can detect you just fine."
"Tommy!" Billy exclaimed. "Damn. It's too soon. I need to hurry."
Billy pushed his fighter as fast as it could go, hoping it would be enough to get him to Earth before Tommy intercepted him. Hell Hammer flew behind him, matching his every move. Billy knew that trying to outfly the ancient zord was a fool's gesture. Hell Hammer simply had too much power at its disposal.
"Gem change!" Billy exclaimed, morphing into the Phantom Ranger. He was entering Earth's outer atmosphere and Tommy was right on his tail. "I hope this works." He hit the eject button just as Tommy locked on the fighter. Billy burst from the fighter right before it exploded. He could feel the tug of the Earth's gravity pulling on him and Billy did his best to angle his approach.
The Phantom Ranger was protected by his powerful armor, without which he would be dead. Flames jumped around his body as he passed through the atmosphere, falling towards the surface. Sensors on his helmet were warning him of the high heat, but Billy ignored them. He just closed his eyes and continued to plunge past the barrier. Billy shot across the skies of Earth in a streak of flames.
Billy passed through the clouds, hurtling towards the planet's surface at a dangerous speed. He immediately began summoning power from his Power Ruby, trying to slow his descent as much as possible. Even if he could survive impact at terminal velocity, Billy did not want to unnecessarily create problems for the people of Earth by causing a tsunami or something equally disastrous. It would also bring unnecessary attention to himself. Billy's descent slowed as he passed over the ocean and he could make the outline of the cost. He used an uplink with a satellite to determine his location. He was approaching the coast of California.
Billy spread his body and turned in the air so that his feet would hit the ground. He continued to decelerate, but Billy clinched his teeth anyway. Land was growing closer. Billy passed over a forest and burst through the canopy. Branches and leaves struck his armor before his feet touched the surface. Billy fell into a crouch and rolled on the ground. He took a moment to lie on his back and stare at the sky through the trees. He was finally home.