Disclaimer: Still don't own Power Rangers.
N/A: Thanks again for all the
reviews! Another really long chapter! I completely rewrote this battle
twice, and I'm still not entirely satisfied with it, but I guess that
I need to just suck it up and move on. Let me know what you think.
"Cy...what!?" Tommy asked, watching as the giant Warzord's blades emerged from it's wrists.
"Cyclopsis!" Zack repeated, then realized something. "That's right...you weren't active when we fought that thing."
"It was what attacked Angel Grove when all of it's citizens except us were transported to Rita's dark dimension..." Billy continued.
"Except there's still people here, this time!" Kimberly reminded them. "We have to stop it, now!"
"Jason!" Tommy yelled, turning to the Red Ranger. "There's no time! Leave him for the police! Come on!"
Jason looked back down at the fearful David. Kill him or not. Avenge his brother or not. Stay true to his own morals or not. Jason took a deep breath.
"Alright," Jason said, turning around and walking to the other Rangers. "Tommy, the trick is to keep changing the Megazords. It adapts to our Zords' fighting styles. If we keep mixing things up, it can't keep up with us."
"So, let's start with the Thunder Megazord and White Tigerzord," Tommy said, and the team nodded. He blinked when Jason handed him the Dragon Dagger.
"The coin's destroyed...I don't know how much longer that thing will be around. But I think the old boy can help us out one last time," Jason explained.
"Zordon wanted you to command it," Tommy said, and Jason's eyes raised a bit in interest. Tommy had known that all this time?
"It's your Zord. No one else's. It's only right you take the last battle," Jason said, shaking his head.
"Alright..." Tommy said, with a grin forming on his face. "Rangers! Line it up!"
Kimberly and Billy stepped up next to Tommy while Zack and Trini stepped up beside Jason, putting the Red and White Rangers at the center of the group. Jason turned his head, looking at Tommy for a minute, and Tommy only nodded in return. He was tired of summoning his Zord like an outsider. He was one of them. Jason nodded back, and looked to the approaching monsters and Cyclopsis.
"We need Thunderzord Power, now!!!" the six of them yelled out, raising their hands to the sky.
"Mastodon Lion Thunderzord Power!" Zack yelled to the heavens as he went through his arm motions. They were going up against Cyclopsis and a horde of monsters. A Ranger's worst nightmare. Yet, for some reason, he felt pretty good going into this battle. He felt like the Rangers had all pulled together even closer than before.
"Pterodactyl Firebird Thunderzord Power!" Kimberly cried out as she summoned her own Zord. This battle was going to be a tough one, she knew it. However, the Rangers were back to full power at last, and she was strangely relaxed about this whole situation, despite knowing what would happen if they failed.
"Triceratops Unicorn Thunderzord Power!" Billy called out. Finally, he was going to be back in a Megazord. He was the most at home behind the controls of the Zords, despite the increase in his fighting skills since the beginning. He was getting a bit eager to be in the towering Thunder Megazord, where he could truly assess the threat they had to deal with.
"Saber Tooth Tiger Griffin Thunderzord Power!" Trini called out, a bit ready to be back in her own Zord as well, after all that time in captivity. She couldn't believe it had gone this far. David had really and truly betrayed them. She had hoped so much that it was a mistake in the beginning, because she had really fallen for him. Was he planning this from the beginning? Did something happen they never noticed? Or was he really just insane? She decided she would never know.
"Tyrannosaurus Red Dragon Thunderzord Power!" Jason yelled. It was harder to call upon his Zord now than it had ever been. The one who had caused them so much trouble was right there behind him, but he had turned away. He couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right choice. Sure, killing David when he could be taken prisoner was completely against everything he stood for, but maybe he should have made an exception.
Tommy held the Dragon Dagger up, playing the classic tune and reactivating his old friend once more. As soon as he did, he brought the dagger down to his side, quickly holding up his other hand instead. "White Tiger Thunderzord Power!" he called out, watching as Saba stormed back into the city with the Zord. So, he was taking command of both his Zords this time. One last battle with the Dragonzord. He pretty happy about that, he didn't want his last memory of the Dragonzord to be having to fight against it.
The six Rangers leaped from the rooftops into their arriving Zords. The original five wasted no time linking up theirs into the Thunder Megazord, while Tommy switched the Tigerzord to warrior mode right beside them. As the two Zords finished transforming, the Rangers looked forwards to see a line of monsters coming right at them.
"Don't get too comfortable, everyone!" Jason reminded them, watching as the monsters approached.
"Rangers! I have troubling news!" Alpha's voice came through the radio. "Cyclopsis's adaptation programming has been removed."
"Is that bad?" Zack asked, not understanding the lingo.
"The computer system that allows it to modify its own fighting styles to counteract ours has been withdrawn from the circuitry of the Zord!" Billy attempted explain, only to get blank stares from the left side of the cockpit.
"Is that bad!?" Zack repeated, only this time sounding much more worried.
"They fixed it's only weakness!" Trini screamed, and the other three Rangers turned back to the monsters slowly, understanding now.
"Rangers, you will have to simply overpower it," Zordon explained through the radio. "We can only hope that the Thunderzords are strong enough."
"In that case...get comfortable," Jason said, rolling his eyes. "'Cause this'll take awhile."
"Alright, guys! On my signal, we charge!" Tommy ordered as the monsters were getting closer and closer.
"Come on..." Kimberly whispered as the monsters were almost right on top of them. Jason waited for Tommy's signal, getting a little impatient.
"GO!" Tommy yelled, gunning the Tigerzord forwards. The Tigerzord slammed it's shoulder into the Screaming Squid, knocking it backwards into the Ice Hawk. Right after that, the Thunder Megazord charged forwards, ramming into the Diginator with it's shoulder, throwing that monster into the Encycloeater. The four monsters landed on top of each other in a big pile, while the Demon Fang charged at the two Zords. Tommy quickly played a tune on the Dragon Dagger, and the Dragonzord hit the Demon Fang with all it's missiles, knocking it away as well. The five monsters all got back to their feet, striking battle stances again.
"Not a bad start," Jason told the team, reaching over and turning a few knobs.
"Trini, stabilize the shields a little bit," Billy ordered while Tommy brought both of his Zords on either side of the Megazord. "The shoulder took a bit of damage on that one."
"On it," Trini simply replied, adjusting their shielding. "Let's not do that one again if we don't need to."
"Draw the sword, boys and girls," Tommy said over the radio. "We need to hit them with everything we have."
Jason nodded to Zack, who flipped a few switches. The Thunder Megazord drew it's Thunder Saber, holding it ready. Next to them, the Tigerzord held it's sword ready while the Dragonzord loaded it's missiles.
"Systems at full power, Lord Zedd!" Goldar reported from inside Cyclopsis.
"Excellent!" Zedd replied. "Go now, destroy them!"
Goldar steered his massive Zord forwards, while the monsters charged right in front of it. The Dragonzord opened fire on the line of monsters, slowing them down a little bit. This gave the Thunder Megazord and Tigerzord time to swing their swords, slashing the Diginator and Demon Fang, but the other three monsters landed their shots, and the two Zords stumbled backwards. As they were recovering, Cyclopsis stormed through the crowd, swinging with both blade arms. Jason and Tommy made the Zords block each blade, but Goldar piloted his own Zord forwards, ramming the Tigerzord and knocking it away.
"Tommy! Are you alright!?" Kim called into the radio while Cyclopsis backed up.
"Fine! I'm fine!" Tommy yelled in obvious anger. He played a tune into the Dragon Dagger while Saba got the Tigerzord back on it's feet. The Dragonzord opened fire into the monsters, particularly the Diginator. The Diginator was blasted backwards and hit the ground, exploding into nothing. "One down!"
Cyclopsis charged forwards, crossing both it's blades and attempting to cut at the Thunder Megazord like they were a pair of scissors. Jason steered the Megazord's sword upwards, stopping the blades. The two Zords pushed against each other with all the power they had. Suddenly, Cyclopsis removed it's right arm from the blade lock, and slashed downwards at the Megazord's feet. The Megazord, weakened by the hit, was caught completely off guard when Cyclopsis struck again, this time hitting right outside the cockpit.
"Getting too close!" Zack yelled as the blade struck in front of them, and instantly went to work at the controls.
Tommy, meanwhile, charged forwards with the Tigerzord, locking blades with the Demon Fang. While the two pushed against each other, Tommy called on the Dragonzord. The Dragonzord charged past the Demon Fang, drilling into it's back with it's tail while swinging at the Screaming Squid. The Demon Fang stumbled forwards, and Tommy pulled his sword back. He quickly thrust it forwards again, stabbing into the Demon Fang's chest. With a yell of pain, the monster exploded.
The Thunder Megazord stepped backwards as Cyclopsis came back for another attack, swinging into the Encycloeater as it charged at it's right flank. The book monster fell backwards, but Cyclopsis stabbed into the Thunder Megazord's shoulders with both blades, pinning it to a building.
"Losing power!!!" Billy yelled. "Fast!"
"I'm trying to keep everything in place!" Trini yelled at about the same time.
"I can't break free!" Jason yelled back, struggling with the controls.
"Tommy!!! Help!!!" Kimberly screamed into the radio.
Tommy turned his head to see the scene. He had both of his Zords locked in combat with three monsters, but he knew he needed to help the others now. He quickly played a tune on his flute, causing the Dragonzord to charge into Cyclopsis. Goldar never saw it coming, and his Zord was thrown aside, freeing the Rangers' Megazord. The Encycloeater charged at it, and the Megazord quickly slashed it backwards once again with it's sword.
"Give me full power in the Thunder Saber!" Jason ordered. "I want everything we've got!"
"But then our shields..." Kimberly started to say.
"Just do it! Full offense!" Jason yelled, and the Rangers went to work.
The Thunder Saber started glowing with electricity, and the Thunder Megazord charged forwards, striking across the Ice Hawk. It then quickly spun around, slashing the Encycloeater away. It then raised the sword to the air, spinning in a full circle while holding the sword out, striking both monsters again while they recovered. The two of them burst into flames, vanishing into nothing.
"They're showing us up, Saba!" Tommy said, getting a little into the battle. He took the Tigerzord's controls, and swung a heavy sword slash at the Screaming Squid. The monster wrapped it's arms around the blade, trying to pull it from the Zord's hands. Tommy quickly called for assistance from the Dragonzord, which slammed it's missiles into the giant squid. The monster lost it's grip, and the Tigerzord stepped back, releasing a fireball from the head in it's chest. The blast hit the monster head on, and it exploded like the others before it. "One left!"
Meanwhile, Cyclopsis charged at the Dragonzord, slashing at it with both blades. The Dragonzord swung it's tail in return, striking Goldar's Zord in the head. Goldar roared out it anger, opening up with a flurry of blows on the Dragonzord. The Zord began stumbling backwards, getting weaker and weaker with each shot. The Tigerzord quickly arrived on the scene, punching Cyclopsis and knocking it aside. The Thunder Megazord stepped up beside it soon after.
"Tommy! The Dragonzord is losing power!" Zordon said through the radio. "It is time to get it out of there."
"Right, Zordon," Tommy said, looking at the Dragon Dagger...one last time. He took a deep breath, and played that familiar tune. The Dragonzord acknowledged his orders, turning and heading back out to sea. Tommy watched silently as his first Zord walked away, and he just sighed. "So long, old friend."
"You can't win, Power Rangers!" Goldar taunted over his PA system.
"Shut up, Goldar!" Tommy yelled back, tossing the Dragon Dagger next to Saba.
"How's the shoulders?" Jason asked, not bothering with Goldar right now. Usually he and Tommy got just as excited about a chance to destroy Goldar as he got about them, but he was more worried about the Megazord now.
"We're alright, they should be fine." Zack reported.
"Tommy, watch those blades," Billy said over the radio. "Those things have cut off Megazord's arm and Dragonzord's tail before."
"What did they do to my baby!?" Tommy yelled back over the radio, causing some small laughter among the team. Count on Tommy to keep the mood light.
"Ready over here," Jason said.
"Alright then, Rangers," Tommy said. "Let's do it!"
The two Zords charged forwards, swinging both swords at Cyclopsis. Cyclopsis blocked both attacks with it's arm blades. It then swung back, and the Rangers blocked with their own swords. Jason and Tommy went back on the offensive, striking again and again at Goldar's Zord, but Cyclopsis blocked all the attacks with both blades. The Zords moved from beside each other to each side of Cyclopsis while attacking, trying desperately to break past it's defenses. Cyclopsis just had too much speed, however, and kept blocking effortlessly.
"Dammit!" Tommy yelled into the radio, glancing down to see the Dragon Dagger disappear.
"Keep up the pace! Look for an opening!" Jason yelled, but it was getting hopeless. He didn't know how to get through this defense.
"...Disengage!" Zack suddenly said out loud. Kim, Trini, and Billy turned and just stared at him. "Disengage and hit him with the individual Zords!"
"Zack! They fixed that!" Kimberly reminded him, sounding a bit frustrated.
"Who gives a...?" Zack started to say, and shook his head. "Look, we need numbers right now! Cyclopsis may not be stupid anymore but Goldar sure is. We'll hit him hard from all sides then pick up from the Mega Tigerzord."
Jason sat thought for a minute, keeping up the sword strikes. "What do you think, commander?"
"I like it," Tommy answered over their radio. "It just might work. Do it!"
"On it, then," Jason replied, flipping a few switches. "See you guys when I see you."
The team traded short goodbyes as the Zords disengaged, taking off in separate directions. The Red Dragon remained there in it's battle mode, and Jason kept up the flurry of blows with the staff.
"Fools! You're nothing to Cyclopsis!" Goldar randomly taunted over the PA, but this time they all ignored him. Jason and Tommy piloted their Zords backwards, and Goldar stood there for a minute, wondering who to go after.
While he was doing that, the Firebird dipped down low, firing it's missiles into Cyclopsis from a safe altitude. Afterwards, Trini brought the Griffin up next to the Red Dragon, while Billy stopped the Unicorn beside the Tigerzord. The Blue and Yellow Rangers quickly opened fire with their laser blasters, stunning Cyclopsis. While Goldar was trying to regain control, the Lion hit the back of the Warzord's knees, knocking it over backwards. Zack turned his Zord around, while Jason and Tommy brought theirs to the side a little bit. Billy and Trini didn't move at all, and Kimberly piloted the Firebird at an angle above the battlefield. Cyclopsis was surrounded.
"Hey, Goldar!" Zack called over his PA. "Don't bad guys put self-destruct systems in everything they own? Why don't you just turn it on and go home early?"
"Silence, Black Ranger! I've had enough of you!" Goldar answered, turning on his auxiliary power as he got the Zord back on it's feet.
Goldar charged his Zord forwards, slashing at the Lion, knocking it to the side. The Red Dragon closed in, and Cyclopsis turned around, blocking it's attack with one blade while slashing it with another. The Tigerzord moved in next, and slashed across Cyclopsis's back. Goldar's Zord stumbled over to the Unicorn, and he took a swing at it, too. Billy's Zord was knocked to the side, and Cyclopsis swung upwards at the passing Firebird, however Kimberly piloted it aside in time to avoid the attack.
Goldar turned around and took a wide swing, slashing across the approaching Tigerzord, Griffin, and Lion in one swift motion. The three of them went reeling backwards, but the Unicorn opened fire on Cyclopsis from behind, knocking the Warzord right into the Tigerzord. Tommy wasn't prepared for that, though, and was knocked backwards even further. Goldar brought his Zord to the side, putting all the Rangers in front of him. He then flipped a few switches, and Cyclopsis's shoulder missiles fired into all six of the Zords.
"Heavy damage!" Kimberly reported. "I need to land!"
"You hear that, everyone?" Tommy asked. "She needs a Megazord."
"Which one?" Billy asked, firing his lasers in return while waiting on an answer.
"We'll go with mine! Link up, everyone!" Tommy ordered, and the four Rangers moved in to combine with the Tigerzord.
While they were busy with that, the Red Dragon moved in, only to be slashed to the side by Cyclopsis. Jason tried to throw a punch with his Zord's free hand, but Cyclopsis knocked that aside as well. Goldar moved in and took two more slashes before swinging with both blades at once. Jason had the Red Dragon hold it's staff up, stopping the blades that time.
"I'm looking forward to your end!" Goldar yelled over his PA.
"You should be looking next to you, instead," Jason helpfully informed him.
Goldar didn't understand, but looked over to his flank anyway. To his horror, he saw the Mega Tigerzord's arm come straight down, swinging the Firebird attachment and snapping his blades right off. "No!!!"
Jason quickly threw a strike with his staff, knocking Cyclopsis back a few steps. The Mega Tigerzord stepped forwards, swinging again and knocking Cyclopsis even further back. Finally, the Red Dragon ran forwards at full speed, throwing a jump kick that launched Cyclopsis even more. Goldar was fuming when he steadied his Zord, but when he looked forwards again, he couldn't believe it.
The Mega Tigerzord held up it's right arm, launching the Firebird at full speed. Goldar knew it was over, and quickly teleported out of his Zord. The Firebird ripped through the infamous Warzord, causing it to explode into a fiery heap.
"Great work, everyone! Great work!!!" Zack was yelling, beside himself with excitement.
"Now that's some teamwork," Trini added on.
Tommy just grinned, watching as Jason turned the Red Dragon to face them. He looked at the Red Ranger inside the cockpit of the Zord, and gave a thumbs up. He let out a laugh when Jason gave one back. "Alright Rangers, that's a wrap. Let's get out of here."
Jason watched as the Mega Tigerzord began to disengage, and shot a glance over to the building they had come from. David was gone. He closed his eyes for a minute, but nodded. He had made the right choice. Looking down at the streets, he saw that there were police cars everywhere, and he knew they had got him. It was over. Jason hit the usual buttons and switches, and the Red Dragon began to transform and depart as well, and he teleported away.
"I can't believe you, you imbecile!!!" Lord Zedd was screaming in anger and rage, while pacing back and forth. "All that work...all that time...all those monsters!!!"
"That took quite a deal of programming, I hope you realize," Finster added on, obviously upset that the battle and the plan had been all for nothing.
"They were too strong," Goldar said. "You should have given me more weaponry."
"More weaponry? MORE WEAPONRY!?" Zedd roared, and Goldar stepped back a few feet. "I gave you Cyclopsis! Cyclopsis! CYCLOPSIS!!! How much more weaponry could you want!?"
"I'm sorry, my Lord," Goldar went for the apologizing routine now.
"Get out of my sight! I hate you all!" Lord Zedd yelled, and Goldar slowly turned and left, with Scorpina meeting him at the door. With a sigh, Finster departed behind the two, and Lord Zedd was left alone on the balcony to think about the whole mess.
The six Rangers appeared in the Command Center, taking off their helmets to reveal six huge grins.
"Congratulations, Rangers," Zordon said with a smile. "You have successfully stopped Zedd and David. I believe it is safe to say that the day has been saved."
"You made the right choice, Jason," Billy said, patting Jason on the back. The Red Ranger just nodded with a small smile.
"I'm so glad this is all over!" Kimberly said, and the team all voiced their agreement.
"Rangers, you have come very far in these past weeks. You pulled together like I never imagined possible," Zordon said. "Using your combined teamwork, you were able to board the Dragonzord and force David out, without my guidance at all. Afterwards, you were able to destroy Cyclopsis once and for all. I have never been more proud of you."
"Thanks, Zordon," Tommy said, and the Rangers all nodded.
"Oh! Look, Rangers!" Alpha said, punching a button. They all turned to see the viewing globe activate. David was handcuffed and being put into a police car, screaming the whole time about how this wasn't fair. He had some white bandages wrapped around his chest where he had been slashed, obviously fixed up by the paramedics before being handcuffed.
"Serves him right," Trini said.
"Guess we find out soon if the mayor held true to his word," Billy said.
"Either way," Jason commented, watching the screen as the car drove off. "He's out of the picture."
"Won't that be an interesting court case, though?" Kimberly asked. "I wonder how that'll play out."
"We'll find out soon enough," Trini said with a smile. She was just so happy this whole mess was over with.
"Rangers," Zordon spoke once again. "Go now. Head back to Angel Grove and rest. You've earned it."
The Rangers all smiled while fully demorphing.
"I still owe you a hip hop kido lesson Billy!" Zack suddenly remembered, and the Blue Ranger groaned. He had hoped Zack would forget about that. "Let's go to the youth center and do this!"
"I gotta see this!" Kimberly said, getting excited.
"Well, I'm going too!" Tommy said with a laugh.
"Me too, this'll be awesome!" Jason added on, and Billy looked pleadingly to Trini.
"I'll be cheering for you," Trini said, trying to hold in a laugh.
"Great. Just great," Billy said, rolling his eyes.
"I want to learn hip hop kido!" Alpha interjected, and the Rangers all looked at him. It was silent for a moment while Zack thought.
"Alright, everyone! Out of the middle!" Zack suddenly ordered. "I'm teaching Alpha and Billy my sacred martial art right here, right now!"
The other four Rangers went and stood on the other side of the consoles, watching as Zack began instructing Billy and Alpha in his personal combat style. They spent the next few hours inside the Command Center, with everyone just laughing and occasionally giving out a few pointers to the two students. Even Zordon pitched in some advice, but he was pretty much having fun just watching the scene as well. The eight of them were all enjoying their time together, it put them at ease after such a heavy battle. Besides, it was nice to know things were well on their way back to normal.
A/N: Whew! Still not done yet. One more chapter left!