Previously, on Power Rangers Cyber V: Anya came to the Prime Reality from her own, one of many realities conquered by Kalask. Along the way, every one of her allies perished. She later avenged them by killing Munch, the monster that had murdered them. Matt found himself helpless to save his girlfriend, Mai Pei, from one of Kalask's schemes; she died as a result. Midnai revealed that Kalask has killed Mai before. Tem-Tar and Thrak have begun plotting behind Kalask's back, unaware that he already knows of their duplicity.
BEGIN MISSION LOG
Location: War Room, Fort Myers
The alarms blare. The Rangers rush down the corridors, barely dodging SPD cadets and military personnel. It only takes seconds for the team to arrive in the War Room, where Supreme Commander Doggie Cruger and General Sauder await them.
Cindy: What is it?
Jake: UFOs? Werewolves?
Anya: Speculation is pointless. Just let him tell us.
Walter: Whatever it is, we're ready for it!
Cruger puts his hands up, signaling the Rangers to calm down.
Cruger: To be perfectly frank, we have no idea what's wrong. A warp-portal just appeared in the city. We have no idea what's come through it.
Jeremy: Then we'll just have to go find out in person.
Cruger: My thoughts exactly. Matt, Wendy, the two of you remain here and scan the city for any other disturbances.
Both: Yes, Sir!
Cruger: And as for the rest of you... SUIT UP!
All: READY!
They all lift their left arms to chest level while they raise and pull back their right arms, palms facing out. As one, they shove their right arms forward, pushing the "disks" into the Cyber Ops.
All: CYBER OP ENERGIZE!
Jeremy finds himself amidst more cascading binary that flows around him. It quickly forms a red battle suit around his body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at his shoulders and meeting at his chest's center. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on him, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around his head, created by data swarming around his head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. His transformation completed, he was now Cyber Red!
Walter finds himself amidst more cascading binary that flows around him. It quickly forms a green battle suit around his body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at his shoulders and meeting at his chest's center. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on him, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around his head, created by data swarming around his head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. His transformation completed, he was now Cyber Green!
Jake finds himself amidst more cascading binary that flows around him. It quickly forms a blue battle suit around his body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at his shoulders and meeting at his chest's center. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on him, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around his head, created by data swarming around his head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. His transformation completed, he was now Cyber Blue!
Anya finds herself amidst more cascading binary that flows around her. It quickly forms a yellow battle suit around her body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at her shoulders and meeting at her chest's center. A short miniskirt appears as well. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on her, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around her head, created by data swarming around her head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. Her transformation completed, she was now Cyber Yellow!
Cindy finds herself amidst more cascading binary that flows around her. It quickly forms a pink battle suit around her body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at her shoulders and meeting at her chest's center. A short miniskirt appears as well. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on her, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around her head, created by data swarming around her head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. Her transformation completed, she was now Cyber Pink!
Location: City Plaza, Horizon
The Rangers teleport in, and are immediately confused. The warp-portal remains open, but there's no activity at all outside several equally confused civilians, all of whom are relieved to not be getting attacked.
Jeremy: Sir, there's nothing here at all except the portal.
The portal suddenly collapses.
Jake: And now we don't even have that.
Sauder (over comm): Do a complete search of the area. We have to make sure. Kalask wouldn't just open a portal for no reason.
Jeremy: Understood. SCANNER BLADE!
Jeremy summons his weapon to enhanse his suit's data processing abilities. Slowly, he turns, letting the Blade's sensors do their work. After several seconds, his Blade beeps. The Rangers all turn in the same direction. Coming towards them is a badly disshelved man long overdue for a shave.
Walter: Hey! Mister! Are you okay?
Anya (softly): No... It can't be...
The man staggers and collapses. To the surprise of the Rangers, Anya runs to his side and sits him up.
Anya: It is! It's really you!
She sends a command code to her suit, and her helmet dematerializes, revealing her face.
Anya: It's me. Anya. You remember me, right?
Man: A-Anya? I... I finally found you.
Anya's eyes tear up.
Anya: How can this be? I saw you die!
Walter: Anya? You know this guy?
Cindy: Who is he?
Anya: It's the man I thought died sending me here... It's Daniel!
The Rangers can only stare at Daniel in complete shock as he lapses into unconsciousness.
Power Rangers Cyber V
Created by Aaron Thall
Chapter 26: Comrades
Written by: Aaron Thall
Location: Infirmary, Fort Myers
Dr. Manx waves a sophisticated scanner over Daniel. Matt looks at the readings, confused.
Matt: Everything we're getting contradicts itself.
Wendy, not really paying attention to the scans, watches as Anya observes from a corner of the room.
Wendy: Anya...
She sighs heavily.
Wendy: God, I'm getting sick of this room. I just got over making Case Closed references from the last time, and now this...
Dr. Manx: That's it. I've run every test I can think of. As far as it goes, no sign of cybernetics, nanites, explosives, altered cellular structure, special abilities... He seems completely human, but the data conflicts.
Matt: Don't worry, Anya. We'll get to the bottom of this.
Anya: I know.
Daniel sits up, recovered from his earlier collapse.
Daniel: Anya... You've grown up. You've become a lovely young woman.
Anya doesn't react.
Daniel: But your eyes... I remember those eyes. You're still haunted by everything you went through. I see those same eyes every time I look in a mirror.
Anya swallows and leaves without saying a word.
Matt: Don't take it personally, Sir. Anya has a tendancy to keep things bottled up. Give her time.
Daniel: Don't I know it...
Dr. Manx: So, how did you get here?
Wendy: Forget THAT... How the hell did you even SURVIVE?
Daniel: I... I don't know... God help me, but I can't remember!
Location: Sauder's office
Sauder's sitting behind his desk. Anya and Matt sit on the opposite side. Cruger stands just to the left, observing everything.
Sauder: Go over it again.
Anya: Very well. Our mission was to infiltrate Kalask's portal hub and deliver a warning to the Prime Reality. Daniel led the team. We thought we were prepared for anything, but we were wrong. In spite of all our preparations, the alarms went off. Munch and the Dreads were on us in an instant. Kevin died to buy us time. Daniel rushed me into the main portal control room where Rick prepared to transport me. After they gave me the data and began charging the portal projectors, Munch rushed in with the Dreads. The last thing I saw was a massive explosion and Munch starting to bite down on Daniel.
She clenches her fists so tightly that her knuckles turn pale. Matt places his hand on her's. Slowly, she regains her composure.
Anya: While it's possible that he could have survived either the explosion or Munch, surviving both at once... It's impossible. He died. He had to have perished. And even if he somehow didn't, he would have been greviously injured at the very least...
Cruger: And yet he's appeared here, none the worst for wear. Curious. This reeks of some kind of trap.
Sauder: True, but what kind? Traps really aren't Kalask's style. They're not sporting enough.
Matt: And we can definitely rule out Alphabet Soup. They'd have no reason to do anything like this. They'd gain nothing.
Anya stands up.
Anya: There is only one way to be certain. Permission to speak with him?
Sauder: Go. But be careful.
Anya nods and salutes before heading out the door.
Cruger: I don't like it. She's too close to this. If there's one thing I know, it's how dangerous survivor's guilt can be.
Matt: On the other hand, if he's genuine, it's a unique opportunity for her. After all, who WOULDN'T want to have a second chance with someone they thought they'd lost forever?
Sauder: We'll need to watch her closely, for her own good.
Location: Infirmary
Dr. Manx is still going over the data. Wendy's keeping Daniel company, filling him in on what occured after he last saw Anya.
Wendy: So then she used the Megazord's fists to punch a hole right through Munch's giant head. The fireball was so big it could've been seen from SPACE.
Daniel: Megazord?
Wendy: Oh, you must not've had Rangers in your reality. Sorry. Giant freaking robots we pilot. Anya's an ace with it.
Anya appears in the doorway.
Anya: Glad to hear it.
Wendy gets up from the chair next to Daniel's bed and walks over to Anya.
Wendy: He's good people.
Anya: Yes, he is. Thank you for staying with him.
Wendy: De nada. Later!
Wendy leaves, and Anya enters, taking over the seat Wendy had vacated.
Daniel: You've done so well, Anya. Better than I'd hoped. Gathering forces to fight Kalask... and good friends as well.
Anya: The Rangers are more than that. They've become my family.
Dr. Manx, studying the data, smiles softly at that, but doesn't respond otherwise.
Daniel: I'm sorry I couldn't have been there for you.
Anya: You're here now. That is all that matters. We cannot change the past.
Daniel: I just wish I could remember mine. The last thing I remember is seeing you vanish into the portal and feeling the explosion. Everything since then's a complete blank.
Anya: We may never know, and it doesn't matter.
Daniel: It matters to me. What if I'm some kind of spy, or the bait for a trap? I could be putting you and your friends in danger!
Anya: We're always in danger. It's nothing new.
Daniel: You should never have been forced into this life. When our resistance movement first found you, you were little more than a baby. Your parents had been killed by the Dreads, but they'd managed to hide you first. It was Kevin that dug you out of the rubble, and he looked after you as if you were his own.
Anya: I was always such a burden to you all...
Daniel: No, Anya, you were HOPE. You reminded us every day what we were fighting for... The future. A future without that monster. A future where we'd know peace and happiness again. You were the only bright spot in our dismal fight, and you should NEVER forget it.
Anya: So... Why did you send me away?
Daniel: After Kalask's forces found our base, it was obvious that our battle was a doomed one... But like I said, you were our hope. We decided among ourselves that even if all of us died, we'd at least save you, so you could then help save everyone else that Kalask hadn't gotten to yet.
Anya: But if I'd only learned to be more useful... Maybe I could have saved you, or Rick, or Kevin...
Daniel: We all knew the risks, Anya. We made our choice. You never had that choice. You were born into this conflict, and not a day has ever gone by where I don't wish I could have done more...
Anya: But you couldn't, could you?
Daniel: No. I did everything I could, and passed the mission to you when I knew it was my time. Your team can do it, Anya. I know it. You'll find the answer we missed.
Anya places a hand on his shoulder.
Anya: I just hope the faith you've placed in me is-
She stops and screams.
Anya: DOCTOR MANX!
Dr. Manx drops what she's doing and rushes to Anya's side. Her eyes go wide. Anya's hand is passing THROUGH Daniel's shoulder.
Anya: ...Daniel...
Location: Shadow Claw, Dimensional Limbo
Tem-Tar chuckles to himself, obviously satisfied with his work thus far. Standing off to the side, obviously impatient, is Thrak.
Thrak: You seem way too happy considering you haven't really done anything yet!
Tem-Tar: Oh, but I have, my ally. By now, dear little Anya should be discovering her comrade's true nature. We merely wait a little bit longer, and then we spring our trap on her and the other Rangers.
Thrak: And then? It'd better be good to justify making this move behind Kalask's back.
Tem-Tar: By the time I'm done, Thrak, the Rangers will be fighting THEMSELVES.
Spirit Drinker: And all it took was one little soul from my collection. Not bad, I'd say.
Spirit Drinker steps from the shadow. His body is a powder-blue, and covered with images of wailing spirits.
Tem-Tar: So very true. Do you see now, Thrak? We will disrupt Kalask's game, and at the same time, set him and the Rangers on a course for mutual destruction.
Thrak: I see... And I like it! Very well, but the gamble had better pay off, Tem-Tar!
Tem-Tar: Oh, it will. It must definitely will...
Location: Infirmary
Dr. Manx is scanning Daniel. Anya's standing by, holding her arm, momentarily traumitized by the experience. The other Rangers rush in. Wendy and Walter rush to Anya's side while the others join Dr. Manx.
Matt: Kat? What is it?
Dr. Manx: I know why our data was so contradictory. Daniel's body is in a state of impermanence... He's a spirit made solid.
Anya: So... So he IS dead.
Walter places a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
Daniel: I... I remember now... When the room exploded, Munch turned away to shield himself... I was in his mouth, impaled on one of his teeth. When the dust settled, Tem-Tar arrived with some monster called the Spirit Drinker. The monster held his hand over me... And suddenly, I was outside my own body... They laughed as Munch finished eating it. The Spirit Drinker then... He absorbed me, and all I knew was darkness... Until a few hours ago, when he suddenly pulled me out of the monster and used his powers to make me solid... He shoved me through a portal... and then you found me.
Jeremy: Why would Tem-Tar do that? Kalask wasn't there?
Daniel: No... Just Tem-Tar, the Spirit-Drinker... And Thrak.
Jake: THAT explains it. Thrak's gone against Kalask's orders before.
Cindy: And if he's got Tem-Tar working with him this time...
Walter: We could be in for a seriously nasty fight. Thrak doesn't play by Kalask's rules.
Matt: We still don't know what he hopes to gain by doing this.
Dr. Manx: I can't answer that, but I can tell you that his body is continuing to destabilize. He has only a couple of hours before he dissipates completely.
Anya: We can't let that happen! I saw him die once... I refuse to let him die again!
Wendy: Anya...
The alarms suddenly blare. A monitor on the infirmary wall activates, revealing Cruger and Sauder.
Cruger: A monster and a platoon of Dreads just appeared on the outskirts of the city!
Sauder: We're patching you an image now.
The image shifts, revealing a rock quarry. The Rangers see the Dreads... and a monster that makes Daniel gasp.
Daniel: THAT'S IT! That's the Spirit Drinker!
The image shifts again, and Lt. Conner comes into frame.
Lt. Conner: We're sending you the data now, Dr. Manx.
Dr. Manx watches as data flows through the screen. The Twins both understand it instantly, as does Kat.
Dr. Manx: There's a direct link between Daniel and the Spirit Drinker. If he doesn't return to the Spirit Drinker, and soon, he'll fade away.
Jeremy: And if we destroy it?
Dr. Manx: I... I don't know.
Jake: Looks like we're gonna find out.
The image shifts back to Cruger and Sauder.
Cruger: We've been listening in to your conversation. If Thrak and Tem-Tar are acting independantly of Kalask, the situation is too dangerous to take any chances. Matt, Wendy...
Both step forward, expecting to be told to hang back again.
Cruger: Go with the other Rangers.
Their eyes widen.
Matt: Of course.
Wendy: YES!
She pumps her fist, but, upon seeing Cruger's disapproving glare, resumes her composed state.
Cruger: Stop the attack at all cost, Rangers.
Jeremy: Count on it!
Daniel sits up.
Daniel: I'm going, too.
He looks at Anya.
Daniel: One last mission would suit me just fine.
Location: Horizon Quarry
The Rangers arrive on their Cyber Cycles in civilian form, Wendy riding with Jake, Matt with Anya. Daniel simply appears next to them. As they dismount and remove their helmets, they look down below into the quarry itself. The Dreads stand still, waiting. Spirit Drinker waits as well.
Anya: They know we are coming.
Daniel: Do what you have to, Anya.
She nods.
Jeremy: SPIRIT DRINKER!
The monster and the Dreads look up and see the Rangers.
Spirit Drinker: Ah, Rangers! Right on time! And I see you've brought that wayward spirit of mine as well! Welcome back, Daniel! I can't wait to have you inside of me again!
Daniel doesn't rise to the bait.
Jake: You've got one chance to turn around and leave!
Walter: I suggest you take it!
Cindy: We know Kalask's not the one who sent you!
Spirit Drinker: Maybe so, but I'm not leaving without Daniel! And if I have to take him by force... So be it!
Jeremy: You've had your chance... Ready?
All: READY!
They all lift their left arms to chest level while they raise and pull back their right arms, palms facing out. As one, they shove their right arms forward, pushing the "disks" into the Cyber Ops.
All: CYBER OP ENERGIZE!
Jeremy finds himself amidst more cascading binary that flows around him. It quickly forms a red battle suit around his body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at his shoulders and meeting at his chest's center. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on him, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around his head, created by data swarming around his head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. His transformation completed, he was now Cyber Red!
Walter finds himself amidst more cascading binary that flows around him. It quickly forms a green battle suit around his body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at his shoulders and meeting at his chest's center. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on him, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around his head, created by data swarming around his head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. His transformation completed, he was now Cyber Green!
Jake finds himself amidst more cascading binary that flows around him. It quickly forms a blue battle suit around his body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at his shoulders and meeting at his chest's center. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on him, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around his head, created by data swarming around his head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. His transformation completed, he was now Cyber Blue!
Anya finds herself amidst more cascading binary that flows around her. It quickly forms a yellow battle suit around her body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at her shoulders and meeting at her chest's center. A short miniskirt appears as well. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on her, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around her head, created by data swarming around her head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. Her transformation completed, she was now Cyber Yellow!
Cindy finds herself amidst more cascading binary that flows around her. It quickly forms a pink battle suit around her body, a 16-bit style triangle forming at her shoulders and meeting at her chest's center. A short miniskirt appears as well. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on her, before a belt with two holsters appear. A Data Ray and a Data Blade materialize in these. Finally, the helmet forms around her head, created by data swarming around her head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. Her transformation completed, she was now Cyber Pink!
Matt slaps the backs of his hands together, then brings both hands up and does so again. As they seperate, he brings each around and punches his fists together. Bringing his left arm back, he thrusts his right hand out, forming a V for victory sign. He pulls this arm back as the other thusts forward, then turns, until his fist points upwards. His other arm shoots out to the side as his victory sign fingers come together. He brings his arm back and those fingers strike a button on his Techno Op.
Wendy slaps the backs of her hands together, then brings both hands up and does so again. As they seperate, she brings each around and punches her fists together. Bringing her right arm back, she thrusts her right hand out, forming a V for victory sign. She pulls this arm back as the other thusts forward, then turns, until her fist points upwards. Her other arm shoots out to the side as her victory sign fingers come together. She brings her arm back and those fingers strike a button on her Techno Op.
Twins: TECHNO OP ACTIVATION!
Matt finds himself amidst more cascading binary that flows around him. It quickly forms a Purple and white battle suit around his body. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on him, before a belt and holster appears. The Techno Grapple appears in it. Finally, the helmet forms around his head, created by data swarming around his head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. His transformation completed, he was now Techno Purple!
Wendy finds herself amidst more cascading binary that flows around her. It quickly forms a grey and white battle suit around her body. A short miniskirt appears as well. White gloves and boots, trimmed with binary at the cuffs, appear on her, before a belt and holster appears. Her Techno Lasher appears in it. Finally, the helmet forms around her head, created by data swarming around her head. Its visor is not unlike a VR goggle set. Her transformation completed, she was now Techno Grey!
The Rangers each strike a pose.
Jeremy: VALIANT LEADER: CYBER RED!
Jake: ROMANTIC LANCER: CYBER BLUE!
Anya: DRIVEN SURVIVOR: CYBER YELLOW!
Walter: LOYAL FRIEND: CYBER GREEN!
Cindy: GENTLE SPIRIT: CYBER PINK!
Matt: STOIC AVENGER: TECHNO PURPLE!
Wendy: BRILLIANT SPITFIRE: TECHNO GREY!
They all flash a V for victory sign.
All: DEFENDERS OF THE MULTIVERSE: POWER RANGERS CYBER V... FOR VICTORY!
Anya turns her handsign into a thumbs down.
Anya: And you're going down!
The Rangers leap down and land feet first at the bottom of the quarry.
Spirit Drinker: DREADS! ATTACK!
The Dreads charge at the Rangers.
Jeremy: Let's do this fast, guys! No telling what this thing's got up his sleeve!
The Rangers split up to thin out the Dreads. Wendy finds herself facing off with seven of the machines.
Wendy: Wow, you guys must be REALLY insecure if you're ganging up on little old me...
She draws her weapon.
Wendy: TECHNO LASHER! HA!
She flicks her wrist, and the energy whip appears. She wastes no times snapping it at the furthest Dread, raising sparks and knocking it to the ground.
Wendy: Of course, if I were fighting me, I'd feel insecure, too! After all, I'm likely to do THIS!
She swings her whip again, and lassos the leg of a Dread. Pulling, she yanks it off it's feet and into the air.
Wendy: WOOHOO! I've roped a good one! But he's a little small... Better throw him back!
She twirls the Lasher over her head (and, by extension, the Dread) and then releases the robot into two of it's brethern. All three go down and don't move.
Wendy: ...Oh darn... I'm mixing up those sporting terms again, aren't I? Oh well...
The remaining three Dreads blast at her with hellfire. Before she can be burned, she snps her whip up, snaring an outcropping.
Wendy: Elevator going up!
She retracts the energy line, and she's lifted into the air, avoiding the blaze. As it does down, she kicks off of the cliff face and swings around, kicking one of the Dreads in the chest and sending it soaring.
Wendy: EAT 'YER HEART OUT, SPIDER-GIRL!
Wendy releases the line and lands between the two remaining Dreads, which charge at her. She casually splits her Techno Lasher in half, flips each end around, and thrusts her arms out to her sides. Her energy daggers slice right through the heads of both Dreads. She pulls her daggers free and the two Dreads collapse.
Wendy: That was fun! Can we do that again?
Cindy finds herself facing off with five Dreads. She immediately sends a command to her suit.
Cindy: PROTECTION SHIELD! KEE-YAH!
Her weapon appears and she throws it. It ricochets off the wall of the quarry and nails two Dreads from behind, then bounces off, strikes the wall again, and heads back towards her.
Cindy: Time for a boost!
She leaps up, lands on her Protection Shield, and shoves off of it. As she rises into the air, she draws her Data Ray and fires, nailing two more. The Protection Shield bounces off of the quarry wall behind her and heads her way again as she flips in midair and rebounds off the wall. Holstering her Ray, she grabs the returning Shield, tumbles downwards, and uses her Shield to bisect the head of the last Dread.
Cindy: ...Wait, was that even physically POSSIBLE?
Jake and Walter summon their Cyber Cycles, which drive themselves down into the Quarry. Leaping onto them, they charge the Dreads, ignoring the flame blasts aimed at them.
Both: FIRE!
The Cyber Cycles let loose a barrage of lasers that pepper the Dreads with energy. As the robots collapse, the two Rangers drive right past them, just in time to avoid an explosion as the fallen robots erupt.
Jake: Too easy!
Walter: Maybe they're called Dreads because Kalask dreads the repair bill...
Jeremy: CYBERRANG!
The gauntlet appears on Jeremy's wrist. He charges at fifteen Dreads, all of whom launch fire at him. Not bothering to avoid it, Jeremy is strick head-on. As the massive fireball fills the area, the Dreads cut their flames... just in time for Jeremy to launch out of the fire unscathed.
Jeremy: SUPERCHARGE MODE!
The V slides forward over his knuckles, even as the top half of it rotates a full 180 degrees, forming an X. The X begins to spin rapidly, becoming a blur.
Jeremy: VICTORY STRIKE!
He thrusts his fist forward, and the spinning X launches in a vortex of energy that slams into and through the Dreads. They erupt behind him as he comes to a stop.
Spirit Drinker: Come on! I'll take on the both of you!
Spirit Drinker thrusts his hands out, firing bolts of ectoplasmic energy that Matt and Anya dodge. As Matt jumps right, he fires his Techno Grapple, catching the monster's wrist.
Matt: I generally prefer to leave the puns to the others, but you simply need more shock value to beat us.
He pulls the trigger, and electricity surges into the monster, creating an explosion that sends it tumbling backwards. Anya takes this as her cue and races in, summoning her Input Staves.
Anya: You're through!
Spirit Drinker frantically waves his arms for her to stop. She ignores the plea, but she cannot ignore the warp-portal that materializes between her and the Spirit Drinker. Tem-Tar steps through and fires a blast from his nanite tube, directly at her feet. She stops, barely avoiding the blast. She glares balefully at Tem-Tar.
Tem-Tar: Ah, Anya... You might want to reconsider attacking Spirit Drinker. True, he's not very strong on his own-
Spirit Drinker: HEY!
Tem-Tar: -BUT, if you finish him off, all the souls he's absorbed will die as well... Including your precious Daniel.
Anya: WHAT?
Spirit Drinker pulls himself up.
Spirit Drinker: Yeah, that's right! You kill me, and you can kiss your old friend goodbye all over again! And this time, it'll be for keeps!
Anya's grip tightens on her Input Staves. Tem-Tar obligingly steps aside, giving her a clear view of Spirit Drinker.
Tem-Tar: You let him die once... Will you do that again? I wonder...
Matt: ANYA! Don't listen to him! This is an obvious trap!
Anya: I... I know...
Riding their Cycles, Jake and Walter charge towards Spirit Drinker. Anya fkicks her wrists and sends her Input Staves out, into the spokes of both Cycles. The Cycles stop violently and throw the two Rangers to the ground. Slowly, Anya turns and faces the others.
Anya: But he's right. I cannot... WILL not... Allow Daniel to die again!
Jeremy, Cindy, and Wendy run to join the others. Walter and Jake pull themselves up as the Staves fly back to Anya.
Jeremy: ANYA! What the hell are you doing?
Anya: Saving a friend! Spirit Drinker, return to Limbo and never return!
Spirit Drinker: Hmmmmm... NAH! I wanna see you fight some more!
Anya growls softly.
Wendy: Anya! Don't you see what they're doing?
She runs up to her surrogate sister and grabs her by the shoulders.
Wendy: This is insane! You can't give a monster a pass! Even if he did go back, there'd be no reason to assume that they'd even let Daniel return to him... Or that Daniel would want to!
Anya pulls free and punches Wendy in the stomach, doubling her over more out of surprise than genuine pain.
Anya: I know, my dear sister... But I do what I must... To save a comrade, I'd take any risk!
Cindy runs to Wendy and steadies her.
Cindy: But you're risking SIX more, and an entire world!
Anya: ...Yes, I suppose I am.
She draws her Data Ray. She fires at the ground.
Anya: Do not cross this line, my friends. If you do, I shall be forced to do something I will very much regret.
Walter: Anya! Don't forget... We helped avenge him! He's important to us, too! He brought you to us! None of us would be here today... None of us would be Rangers... If he hadn't saved you!
Jake: Wake up! You're being played! They're just trying to make us kill each other!
Tem-Tar: True, true...
Jeremy: Anya, we're not going to fight you. You're too important to this team to risk. Rangers... Stand down.
Jake: But we've gotta-
Jeremy: I said STAND DOWN!
Slowly, the Rangers drop their fighting stances. Warily, Anya relaxes slightly.
Jeremy: ...NOW, MATT!
Matt reacts instantly, firing the Techno Grapple again. The cable wraps around Anya's torso, and with a powerful yank, he sends her flying through the air towards him. He leaps up and catches her.
Anya: LET ME GO!
Matt: Not until you come to your senses!
He lands feet first, holding her as she struggles to free herself from the Grapple line. Between it and his hybrid grip, however, she finds she has no leverage.
Spirit Drinker: Ummm... Was THAT a part of your plan?
Tem-Tar: Errr... No. No, it was not. Time to improvise!
Both Tem-Tar and the monster unleash energy blasts at the other Rangers, who take the hits and land hard.
Anya: Please, Matt! You don't understand what it feels like to lose your entire world!
Matt: The hell I don't.
Images of the Twins' parents and Ami flash through Anya's memory. The loss of Matt's original Ranger status. The machinations of Alphabet Soup. Slowly, Anya stops struggling.
Anya: Matt... I...
Daniel appears next to them.
Daniel: Anya, I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but it's wrong. I had my time and my chance... My story's done, girl. You need to let me go and do the right thing. If you let these butchers turn you against your new comrades, everything I and the others sacrificed for will have been for NOTHING! Absolutely NOTHING but ashes and dead dreams of peace!
Anya: Daniel...
Daniel: Do what needs to be done, Anya. My life... It means NOTHING compared to the countless others that you're fighting to save! Deep down, Anya, you know it...
He places a spectral hand on her shoulder to comfort her.
Daniel: And I'll always be with you... In spirit.
Matt releases Anya, and she stands there between the spirit of the man that sent her to a new reality and the surrogate brother that helped give her a new home and family. Tears in her eyes, she nods. Turning, she channels energy into her Staves.
Anya: THIS IS FOR DANIEL!
She charges, Matt following her and changing his weapon to Melee Mode.
Spirit Drinker: Huh? What the?
Matt: ONE SWORD STYLE: CRESCENT SLASH!
He swings his baton, creating an arc of energy that slams into Spirit Drinker. Even as the monster is struck by this, Anya launches forward.
Anya: FEEL THE VENGEANCE OF AN ENTIRE REALITY!
Her staves fully energized, she punches hard, going right through Spirit Drinker. The monster goes flying back and lands at the base of the quarry, erupting instantly.
Anya: You should have left when you had the chance.
The other Rangers get to their feet and rush to join Anya, who sends her Staves away.
Anya: My... apologies. I was... Being selfish.
Walter: We understand.
The Rangers look at the crater made by Spirit Drinker. Slowly, spectral lights flow from the pit. As they surround the Rangers,n they reform... into people and aliens of all shapes and sizes.
Daniel: Now they're free, and so am I. Stay strong, Anya. Watch over her, won't you?
Matt: Always do. Wait... Scanning.
Matt scans the crowd of spirits, and sees a familiar face, over and over again...
Matt: AMI?
Several of the spirits, each identical except for clothing, nod gratefully. They fade away as Matt reaches out to them.
Matt: WAIT! AMI!
Daniel fades away as well.
Jeremy: Was that really a bunch of Amis we just saw?
Tem-Tar: Oh dear... It seems the time has come for the climax of our little drama!
Tem-Tar extends his nanite tube and fires a red one into the crater. It immediately multiplies and resurrects Spirit Drinker before multiplying his height. In seconds, the monster towers over the Rangers.
Tem-Tar: You can try to get answers from him if you like, Matt. After all, I planned for THAT, too!
Laughing to himself, Tem-Tar portals away.
Anya: It looks as though we're not done seeking spirits just yet! COMBAT ZORDS... MOBILIZE!
Matt: ROVERZORD MOBILIZE!
Location: Combat Zord Holding Bay
In the Holding Bay, large metal rods extend from the ceiling and attach to the Combat Zords, locking on magnetically and lifting the battle machines off the ground. As this happens, the back wall of the Bay opens to reveal CV Transport. The Combat Zords are quickly lowered into position by the rods, MortarTread being placed into the alcove, BlastTruck in front of it, LightTank to it's left, and WeatherTrain to it's right. The platform for Razor Bat lowers slowly and latches onto the engines of CV Transport. The roof to the Bay slides down, forming a ramp. CV Transport revs up and rolls up the ramp, quickly reaching the surface. CV Transport begins rolling down the runway, picking up speed rapidly. It reaches the Quarry in seconds.
Jeremy: Let's go!
The Rangers leap up into their respective cockpits.
Jeremy: LOG ON!
Walter: Rock and roll!
Jake: Let's take this creep!
Anya: This time, there's no mercy!
Cindy: Who ya gonna call?
Jeremy: Launching Combat Zords!
Razor Bat detaches from the engines and flies off, while a ramp extends from the front of CV Transport. As it finishes extending, the Combat Zords roll down it and charge forward. Razor Bat, flying through the skies, attacks first, soaring around Kalask, who watches it with amusement, and then almost playfully tries to swat it from the air. Maneuvering it skillfully, Jeremy pulls out of Kalask's reach and then reaches for the transformation lever. He immediately pulls the lever down. The effect is immediate. The transformation begins by extending the engine thrusters out, revealing them to be the feet. They continue extending into legs. Next, the tips of the wings separate, revealing themselves to be hand weapons, which are easily caught by twin arms that come out of the sides of Razor Bat's main body and extend. The wings fold backwards from their midway point, while the Bat head cycles forward, becoming a chestplate. A new head rises from the main body, a odd mix of humanoid robot and bat. The transformation complete, Razor Bat lands on it's legs and stands ready for battle, weapons raised.
Anya: He tried to seperate us, so I say we fight him as one!
Jeremy: All over it! Let's bring 'em together!
The Cyber Rangers all nod and unsheathe their Data Blades as slots open for the weapons. They slide the weapons in, and their helmets all flash with the phrase "Megazord Initialized". Razor Bat flies into the air as it's legs fold in on themselves at the knees. The blade weapons return to the wings as the arms return to the main body of the mecha. The laser weaponry on LightTank retracts into various ports, while WeatherTrain closes it's weapons array as well. Blast Truck splits right down it's middle, forced apart by retrorockets. The two halves continue to race forward. They are joined by LightTank and WeatherTrain, which brace as Razor Bat flies down, back facing the ground, it's legs locking into the backs of the two mecha before they speed up, allowing BlastTruck to meet them at Razor Bat's shoulders. BlastTruck's halves moves in closer, revealing connector ports that lock onto Razor Bat and snap into place. MortarTread splits into two as well, the top half rocketing off and flying in behind Razor Bat as the treads and main body ride up the impromptu ramp created by WeatherTrain and LightTank. As it reaches the top of the ramp, it slams down onto the chest of Razor Bat, locking into place and revealing a stylized Cyber V logo. The other half of MortarTread begins a transformation as well, as the turret extends away from the remainder of the main body and turns around, revealing a helmet. The barrel rotates down the back of the barrel before the helmet snaps into place over Razor Bat's head. Finally, the combined machine takes to the air. The front ends of LightTank and WeatherTrain rotate forward, creating feet. The cab sections of BlastTruck move upwards as well, revealing two large metallic black hands. The missile launchers and missiles rotate and shift as well, forming massive shoulders. The remainder of MortarTread snaps into place on the back. The transformation complete, the new gestalt lands on it's feet and poses dramatically, raising and lowering it's fists as it's eyes light up green.
Cyber Rangers: CYBER COMBAT MEGAZORD... ROLL OUT!
The Cyber Rangers appear in a combined cockpit made of their five Vehicles' individual ones. Jeremy is in front, Walter to his left, and Jake on his right. Behind them are Anya, behind Walter, and Cindy, behind Jake.
A section of ash cliff slides away to reveal a futuristic hangar. Inside, Techno Roverzord waits diligently for activation. As the call is given, consoles within light up, revealing two seats, even as it comes fully to life and begins to roll forward. In seconds, it reaches full speed and blazes towards the park, arriving in seconds.
Matt: GO!
The two of them leap up and land inside the cockpit. They take out their weapons and insert them into the console before them, turning the handles of their weapons into joysticks.
Wendy: Transform!
They both pull the triggers on their weapons/joysticks. Immediately, the back half of Techno Roverzord extends out further back, forming legs, even as the sides extend outwards and the blasters on the sides fold upwards, forming arms and shoulders. The top of Techno Roverzord rotates 180 degrees as it suddenly turns around and drives in reverse. The speed is great enough to lift the mecha upwards onto it's feet as the front end launches it's primary blaster into the sky and fold the rest of its front end onto its back, revealing the robot's massive head, which loosely resembles the helmets of the Cyber Rangers. Finally, the primary blaster lands, pointing upwards, into Techno Artillery Megazord's right hand. Immediately, it emits a shimmering blue energy blade that solidifies into an odd crystal.
Matt: CV TRANSPORT... COMBINE! MODE THREE!
CV Transport revs forward and releases it's engines, which land in the hands of Techno Artillery Megazord. The Megazord leaps up and lands atop CV Transport.
Both: TECHNO ARTILLERY MEGAZORD... BLASTRIDER MODE... ROLL OUT!
Jake: So, you're STILL not done showing off, huh?
Walter: Like anybody's surprised...
Spirit Drinker: You cost me all my souls! You'll pay for that!
The monster thrusts out his hands and unleashes bursts of spectral energy.
Matt: Returning fire!
The cannons fire repeatedly, intercepting the blasts.
Wendy: Time to show this creep how a real fight goes!
She manipulates the controls, and CV Transport rolls forward, adding momentum to the cannon blasts. It doesn't take long for the cannon blasts to overwhelm the monster's own, creating an explosion that knocks Spirit Drinker onto it's ass.
Matt: You're going to tell me about those Amis, and you're going to tell me NOW! MODE FOUR! COMBINE!
CV Transport splits into multiple pieces. The cannons attach to Techno Artillery Megazord's arms, while the two halves of the front become shoulder armor. The back portion becomes foot armor, and the remainder attaches to the Megazord's chest, forming a stylized V.
Matt and Wendy: TECHNO RUSH MEGAZORD... ROLL OUT!
Jeremy: Okay, I'll admit... That's pretty cool. Time we got into this fight!
Cyber Combat Megazord moves to join it's fellow Zord.
Jeremy: Chest laser... FIRE!
Energy blasts from the chestplate of the Megazord, striking Spirit Drinker.
Spirit Drinker: OW! WAIT! If you kill me, you'll never know about the Amis! Think about it!
Anya: You just don't learn, do you? You tried that trick already and failed! LASER FISTS!
The Megazord's fists begin to glow with energy. It moves forward and punches with a right, and then a left. Both attacks land hard, staggering Spirit Drinker.
Matt: Anya's right. Even if you DID answer me, you'd probably lie anyway! I'll find out the truth on my own! It's time you said your final farewell!
Techno Rush Megazord releases it's cannons, which attach end to end. The Megazord slides the Techno Saber into the back of one cannon, and a massive blade of energy ignites out of the other end.
Both: BIG BANG SLASH!
Techno Rush Megazord brings down it's new saber like a hammer. The energy blade slices Spirit Drinker right in half.
Spirit Drinker: ACK! I'M GIVING UP THE GHOST!
He falls backwards and explodes as the two Megazords pose triumphantly.
Anya: Go join the dead you so loved to torment.
Location: Shadow Claw, Dimensional Limbo
Thrak grabs Tem-Tar and lifts him by the scruff of his neck.
Thrak: You failed! All that plotting for NOTHING!
Tem-Tar: As usual, you're short sighted. I accomplished EXACTLY what I wanted to. Now the Rangers know there's more to the murder of dear sweet Ami than they realized, AND I've returned Anya's fire to her... She HAD been getting a tad mellow as of late. Now the Rangers will be more determined than ever to get rid of Kalask! All we need do... is lure him out to the Prime Reality again... And he and the Rangers will annihilate each other!
Thrak sets Tem-Tar down.
Thrak: You'd better be right, or YOU'LL be the one who gets crushed!
Location: Weapons Lab
Matt sits on a bench, discussing the recent events with Dr. Manx.
Matt: It could just have been a coincidence, right?
Dr. Manx: Perhaps but Kalask is a complicated individual. It might be that he specifically targeted Ami from the beginning. The fact that there were several of her inside the Spirit Drinker suggests a pattern, and an ugly one at that.
Matt: He's killing them. I don't know why, but he's after her. And there's nothing we can do to protect the ones that are left...
There's a knock at the door. They turn and see Jake standing there.
Jake: Errr... Listen... I know it's really bad timing and all... But I was hoping you two could help me with a little surprise...
Location: Rooftop of Fort Myers
As the night sky reveals the stars, Anya looks up at a passing comet.
Anya: Goodbye, Daniel. May your soul finally be at rest. I won't let your death be in vain. Someday, Kalask will fall, and the multiverse will have you to thank for it.
She turns and starts heading back inside. She doesn't see Daniel briefly appear and nod approvingly before vanishing for one final time.
END MISSION LOG
Next Time: Alphabet Soup is back! When their latest attempt to eliminate the Twins strikes Jake instead, he gains an entirely new personality... And maybe Wendy's heart! Is it a change for the better, or will it spell the end of his career as Cyber Blue?