Name: Ascendancy
Chapter 28: The Ascendancy of Connefr McKnight
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I am nothing. I am one with the gestalt. Sue him
Archives: Sure, just let me know where
Summary: The world has changed, and the Rangers take the battle to Mesogog.
Shoutout 1: To Jeannine, for writing a fic that stirred in me the desire to write again myself.

Notes: I know it's been a long time between updates, and if anyone is still reading this, thank you. I will have the epilogue up by the end of this week, because leaving people with another multi-month break seemed horribly unfair given how long ago I started this story. I hope you all enjoy.


There's a whole world you haven't even tapped into yet, beyond Triassic power and Super Dino mode, but you got to believe you deserve it. And when you do, you'll be blown away by what you can do.

- Tommy Oliver


Five Rangers stood opposite Mesogog in a warehouse on the edge of Reefside. For almost a year, Mesogog's forces had clashed with the Rangers on a regular basis, with the heroes scraping out victory after victory. The evil dino-mutant had thrown everything he had at them, with no success to show for it and plenty of losses, and all those battles had brought both sides to this point. In a future that would no longer come to pass, Mesogog had won the battle, killing the Rangers, and devastating Reefside, only to find himself fighting even more Rangers supported by the US military and a special project designed specifically to aid the Rangers in their darkest hour. Trent and Hayley, the only survivors of the Reefside team had made their way to the home of the Time-Force Rangers, and had changed history to make sure Mesogog failed.

Mesogog was keenly attuned to the inviso-portal network throughout the city, and even though he had no idea how the hated Rangers had managed to snatch his bomb, and his easy victory away, he did know that whatever the blue vortex had been, it had disrupted the portal network and trapped him in the city until it stabilised. It was the hardest thing he had ever done to retain control, and not let his anger turn him into a wild berserker at the complete failure of his plan to eliminate the Rangers with his bomb. However Mesogog was no weakling, either in body or in spirit, and he held himself under control as he faced the five Rangers, all in their Super-Dino forms. After all, he had one last trump-card to play.

"Very well Rangers," he said as he drew one of the vials of his enhancer drug, and downed it in a single move. "You have me outnumbered, but your current form is no match for my own super mode. And unlike you children and your pretenses at dinosaurs, their blood runs through my veins." Mesogog laughed as he felt the mystical elixir take effect. His countenance changed, his claws changed into the purest obsidian black, and with an inarticulate roar, Mesogog charged the Rangers.

Connefr was bone-tired from the last few days of activity and bad nights, but his mind seemed to be operating on all cylinders as Mesogog leapt towards them, and Conner met him blow for blow. In his Super-Dino mode he was incredibly fast, stronger than almost any Ranger had ever been, and he noticed with satisfaction that the others hadn't hesitated in joining him as he traded punches and kicks with Mesogog. It soon became apparent however, that whatever it was that Mesogog had drunk, it was making him much more powerful as he intercepted blows that should have staggered him, and returned them with even more speed and strength. Conner took a palm-strike to the chest that was powerful enough to have caved in concrete, and only his suit had saved him as he hit the ground with enough force to knock the wind right out of him.

He struggled to his feet only to see that the other Rangers weren't faring any better. Mesogog grabbed Doctor O's arm as he swung high, and then slammed his elbow into the black Ranger, causing Tommy to stagger backwards with a cry of pain. Kira took advantage of the moment to slam into Mesogog with all her strength, only to bounce of what appeared to be an almost impenetrable hide, and she paid for her attack when Mesogog seized her arm, and yanked hard and flung her across the room. Trent tried using his feather-sword but only succeeded in damaging the monster's armour. Conner wasn't a great thinker, but he did have a gift for battlefield tactics, and what they were doing now just wasn't working. They needed something stronger, and he straightened up as he called the Shield of Triumph.

"Guys, fall back," he shouted as he used the shield, and donated energy from his friends to turn into the Triassic Ranger. He had spent enough time with Doctor O's database to know that even though many of the Rangers had gained power-ups over the years, the Triassic powers were amongst the most powerful in the history of the Rangers. It was their ultimate trump card. "Mesogog!" Conner shouted as he leapt forward, even faster than before. 'You're mine."

Ethan helped Kira stagger backwards, the latter holding what was obviously an injured arm as Conner slammed into Mesogog, carrying them both across to the far side of the warehouse. The two warriors exchanged blows that would have broken anyone with less strength, and hit each other with enough force to make the windows rattle.

"He's doing it," Trent said as he tried to regain control of his breathing. "He's going to beat Mesogog."

Tommy shook his head, his eyes intent on the battle raging. "No, he's only just barely keeping up. Mesogog is still faster."

Conner meanwhile had come to the same conclusion, and instead tried to leverage his strength as he grabbed Mesogog's hands and tried to push the Dino-mutant back. The two of them dug in their heels and began to push, and for the first time Conner became aware of the sweat running down his face at the incredible effort he was expending. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be having any effect. Mesogog was matching him, grunt for grunt, push for push.

"Weak," Mesogog snarled into his face. "Is this the limit of your power?" he asked, then growled and took a step forward. Conner struggled to keep himself steady, but it was no use as Mesogog pushed him back one step, then another. He tried to force himself to hold on, but it was no good, as Mesogog was still too strong. The Triassic Ranger staggered as Mesogog twisted free and slammed a fist into his chest, and then went flying backwards as Mesogog smashed into him with all his might.

He was dimly aware of sailing through the room before he crashed to the ground, his morph disappearing around him as he gasped for breath and tried to work through the immense pain of that blow. He was vaguely aware of the other Rangers attacking Mesogog again, but they stood even less chance than he had. As he took in deep lungful's of air, Conner McKnight began to consider for the first time that he might lose.

And in that moment, Conner despaired. He was the Red Ranger, and he couldn't do anything to save his friends. He had thrown his most powerful attacks, his most powerful form at Mesogog and been soundly thrashed. He didn't know what, but he knew there was something he had to be able to do to change things. Never in his entire life, had he been so sure that there was something he could to do turn the tide.

And that was when the world faded into a pure, pristine white.


"Call," the voice told him. Conner looked around, and was surprised to realise that he wasn't in any pain while he was here. The voice of the morphing grid that he had heard in his dreams several times seemed more urgent than ever, but he still didn't understand.

"Call what?" he shouted, his voice disappearing into the pristine, white world the same way a snowflake might disappear under sunlight. "I don't understand what you mean."

"You need strength," the voice reverberated in his head. "Call on others for strength."

When it became obvious that Conner still wasn't understanding, an image appeared of the Triassic Ranger, with the other four rangers beside him. light seemed to flow from them into the Shield of Triumph, and from there into the Red Ranger.

"We've already tried that. I'm not strong enough even as the Triassic Ranger."

"Watch," the voice demanded. "You call on friends for strength. They are the same as you. Call on all of them." The image changed, and suddenly the whole white place vanished as a kaleidoscope of people appeared before Conner. Some wore red, or blue or yellow, others were clad in silver or orange, or even stranger colours and combinations, but Conner immediately recognised all of them. They were all Power Rangers.

And Conner McKnight looked on in disbelief as he finally understood what the voice had meant. He knew what he had to do, and what it would cost him.

--

Kimberly Hart was in the middle of an exercise routine in her gym in Florida when she felt it. Having done well at the pan-globals all those years ago, she had gone into teaching her skills to other people, and her gym was one of the best in Florida. It certainly didn't hurt that after sponsoring Rocky's dojo, TJ had offered to do the same for other Rangers as well. The combined prestige had easily meant she had full classes every day, but today something was different. Something deep inside her recognised the call of the morphing grid, even though she hadn't been a Ranger in over a decade. Something was calling to her, someone needed what strength she had to offer.

--

Andros yawned as he sat in front of the computer in his home in Angel Grove, the same home he shared with Ashley. They didn't have anything planned for the day, but Andros was by nature an early riser, and he always did a check of the computers first thing. He was about to get up and make some breakfast when he stopped. There was trouble, even though he didn't know how he knew that. Something was wrong, and someone was calling out to him to help. He closed his eyes and concentrated, and could feel the surprise from their bedroom as Ashley felt the same call.

--

At Berkeley, Justin was just waking up to take advantage of his free Saturday when he stopped. That same feeling he had all those years ago that lead to him becoming the Blue Turbo Ranger reached out to him now, and he knew he couldn't be anyone he wanted to know if he didn't respond to the call. Ignoring the odd look his room-mate gave him, he walked to the window, and stared out into the sky as he dug deep within and answered.

--

Almost three thousand years in the past, having just laid one of their own to rest in an eternal tomb to save the world from Zen-Aku's evil, the very first Wild Force Power Rangers stopped what they were doing, and looked towards the sky. Even though their names would not be recorded in the eventual history of the Rangers, they too had touched the Morphing grid, and heard the wordless call for help that went out across time and space.

--

Elizabeth Delgado, known to one and all as Z snorted with laughter at the joke Jack had been telling her about the time he had caught Sky preening in a mirror. The two of them were and always would be best friends, even though Jack had resigned as a Power Ranger after Gruum's defeat. Her laughter cut off as suddenly as his did as they both felt a strange sensation. Someone needed their help, and even though they weren't sure how and what they could do to help, both were Rangers and good people besides.

--

In the distant future, Lucas, the Blue Time Force Ranger was busy celebrating his latest win on the racing circuit with Trip and Katie when they all felt the summons. Power was needed, and they had been called upon to serve. Nodding to the others, and with no need for verbal communication the three of them resolved to give what they could, for they were Rangers.

--

Across all of time and space, a call went out. To those who were Rangers, and to those who had been Rangers. To humans who had touched the grid, and to those who wouldn't see their own powers for years to come. From the school where two young children who would one day become Jungle Fury Ranger were just beginning their training, to the distant past when Zordon first created them to stave of Rita Repulsa. From the humans on earth who had touched the Power and seen the wonders and terrors contained in it, to the farthest depths of space where the Shadow Ranger dwelt. It touched the hearts of those who had always been pure such as Jason Scott, and to those who had known evil but found salvation like the former Princess of Evil Karone. From the very dawn of the Power Rangers, to the very end of their line in an unimaginably distant future, the call went out.

The cry for help, from one of their own who was facing an enemy he couldn't beat. Who came to them in a wordless request for power, to give him the strength needed to defend his world, and those he loved like family from a darkness that would swallow them whole. The cry was heard by everyone who had ever touched the Morphing Grid, and they all looked deep within before they sent their answer.

The answer was a unanimous 'Yes'


Tommy Oliver felt his own Morph shatter like glass as Mesogog landed a roundhouse kick against his jaw and he hit the ground hard. He was about to try and get up, when the world around him faded into a pristine white wilderness. His aches and pains vanished, and he looked around in astonishment as Conner appeared before him and offered him a hand to get up.

"Mesogog?" was the first thing Tommy asked, and Conner just shrugged.

"Not an issue for the moment. We've got time."

"Where is this?"

"This is my mind," he responded with a shrug, and Tommy's eyes narrowed as he really looked at his young friend. There had always been an easy confidence to Conner McKnight, but as he looked at his protégé now, Tommy realised that Conner had found something more.

Unsure what to do about this new development he gave the young man a smile. "It's quieter in here than I thought it would be." He was rewarded with a short bark of laughter and a grin that seemed to split Conner's face in half.

"Yeah, well that's what happens when you come to terms with who and what you are."

The smile slipped off Tommy's face as he heard the tone in Conner's voice. "Conner, what's going on."

"I've found a way to stop Mesogog," he explained, but the dark look in his eyes was enough to dissuade Tommy from celebrating yet. "I've found a way to tap into the full powers of the gemstone."

Tommy paled at that, remembering what Hayley had told him about the amount of power that involved, and the danger of trying to channel it. Conner looked up sharply as he thought it, and Tommy realised that inside this pocket dimension, Conner could probably tell what he was thinking.

"No," Tommy said forcefully. "We'll find another way to beat him."

"Sorry Doctor O. This is the time, and this is the place. Mesogog has to go down now, before more people get hurt or killed."

Suddenly Tommy understood what he had seen in Conner's eyes when he first appeared in this strange place. It had been an almost bottomless well of serenity and strength that came from having made a hard decision, but knowing that the decision was the right one. But Tommy couldn't give up without trying. "What about you?"

Conner shrugged again. "You told me that being a Ranger means sometimes making the hard choice."

Tommy shook his head. "I don't accept that." He couldn't accept that, because it meant that Conner was willing to die to save the world, and Tommy wasn't willing to let a Ranger die needlessly. He felt rather than heard the gratitude Conner felt realising what his mentor was feeling, but it was also tinged with sadness and determination.

"You don't have a choice. It's already done. While we've been in here, only a moment or so has passed in the real world, but the energy is already building, and it can't be stopped."

Tommy stepped forward and grabbed Conner by the shoulders. "Dammit Conner, you can't do this." He could feel his own composure cracking. Tommy had always considered and accepted that he might fall in battle, but it was something different when it came to one of his friends falling in battle, especially when there was nothing he could do to affect the outcome. With the Power Rangers, there were always possibilities. It was one of his favorite sayings, and one that he believed in wholeheartedly, but right there and then he couldn't see any other possibilities.

"It's okay Doctor O. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make." The white nothing that surrounded them flickered, and for a brief moment, Tommy saw the warehouse again before the whiteness reasserted itself. "Please listen, I don't have much time. I can't keep this mental construct intact forever. I need you to do something for me." Conner had never begged for anything in his life, but it was imperative that Doctor O not only understand, but accept that this was his choice, his decisions.

It was an unfair fight really. Inside Conner's mind where Tommy could not only hear his thoughts, but feel his sincerity, his love and caring, his acceptance of what he had to do, there was nothing for Tommy to do but accept it. "Anything," he said after a long moment.

"I need you to tell the others goodbye for me, and that I love them, and will miss them."

Silence reigned for a long moment, before Tommy nodded. "Conner," he began to say, but was taken by surprise when the young man stepped towards him, and wrapped his arms around him in a solid hug.

"Thank you, for everything Doctor O. I'm the Ranger I am, because of you."

It took no effort whatsoever for Tommy's arms to come up and grip Conner so hard that it should have hurt. "I'm proud to have fought by your side, and to have been your friend."


The white place faded, and Tommy gasped as all the pain he had been feeling rushed back to him. He ignored it all, and looked towards Conner who was beginning to glow.

Everyone in the room could feel the change in the air as power flowed into the Shield of Triumph that leapt from the ground where it had fallen to hang in front of Conner. The young man, disheveled from his battle, stood with clear eyes as the shield slammed into him, and a light so bright it was painful filled the room. As it faded, Tommy heard a gasp as they beheld what the power had done.

The suit Conner now wore was obviously a Ranger suit, it had the same distinctive lines and design that they all shared, but it was the purest white, with only slight amounts of gold trim. The only substantial colour was on his left arm, where a band of every Ranger colour that had ever been covered his arm almost from shoulder to wrist. On his chest was an imprint of the Shield of Triumph, with dozens of other symbols overlaid inside it. Some Tommy recognised as those of previous teams, some he could only assume were teams that might some day be, but the message was obvious.

Here stands one Ranger, who speaks for all of them. One Ranger to draw a line against the darkness, knowing that he has the support of every other Ranger.

Mesogog finally found his voice. "Who are you?" he demanded, shaken by the sudden change.

"I'm the beginning, the middle and the end. I am all Rangers, who stand against the darkness. I'm the Alpha Ranger, and you're finished."


Conner stood, a blazing white nimbus surrounding him as Mesogog roared and charged at him. Conner let him come, confident in what he was feeling. The power was incredible, intoxicating and very dangerous. Even as he stood there he could feel that the sheer power coursing through him was burning him up from the inside. He didn't have much time, and he had a job to do.

There's a light in the distance, see them coming closer

Mesogog charged forward and swung at Conner, but almost before he begun the swing, Conner had already ducked and rolled behind him, and he slammed both fists into Mesogog's back, causing a huge gout of sparks to erupt from his back as his fists did what even the Shield of Triumph hadn't been able to and injure the Dino-Mutant despite his enhancements.

With the force of ages, of centuries gone by

Mesogog spun around, and seized Conner's hands in his own, attempting to push the youngster back as he had done before. "You can't beat me. I am Mesogog, I am the future of this world."

Protectors of the right, defenders sworn to fight

Conner laughed at Mesogog as he held is ground with ease. Mesogog's mind hadn't been able to process what had happened, how badly the equation had changed. He was supremely powerful, and didn't even understand just how utterly outclassed he really was.

Dino Rangers Roar! Power Rangers Score! Save us from these evil forces

"The future?" Conner said, a snarl creeping into his voice. "No, you're history." His voice rose to a shout as he said it, and the blazing aura that surrounded him became brighter still. He knew his time was up, the energy he was channeling was too powerful and it was consuming his body with white fire. Still, there was time to finish what he had started, and end this battle. Mesogog screamed in anger, then in pain as the light became brighter still, until even the other Rangers had to look away.

Victory is ours forever more!

The light faded away, and Kira Ford looked intently towards where Conner and Mesogog had stood for their final confrontation. Her eyes went wide as the saw nothing there, and she ran forward, fear in her eyes as she saw two small piles of dust, and the Shield of Triumph, bleached of all colour lying next to them.

"No," she breathed heavily as she slid to the ground next to it, even as a gust of wind blew through the warehouse, causing the dust to swirl. "Conner?" she asked, her voice hitching in her throat, even as she felt the comforting hand of her boyfriend on her shoulder. She looked up at him, and saw the tears forming in his eyes, and she knew that her own composure was about to crack. Part of her rebelled, couldn't believe that they had come this far, survived this long only to lose someone in the final moments, but then she Doctor O's face, and saw the truth in his eyes.

Bringing her fists slamming down onto the concrete of the warehouse, ignoring the pain of her injured arm, she let out a cry that spoke for all of them. "Conner!"

To be continued in the epilogue...