Previously, on Power Rangers Cyber V: Kalask's quest to conquer the multiverse has caused him to face and defeat many teams of heroes. For some unexplained reason, Kalask seems to actively seek out and kill versions of Mai, the girl Matt loved and lost tragically. Kalask's minions noted that someone was coming closer to the Prime Reality. Love has been in the air among the Rangers, as Jake's finally won Wendy's heart, while Jeremy and Cindy have become engaged.
MISSION LOG CONTINUED...
Location: Horizon Quarry
The Cyber Rangers are running towards the quarry as fast as they can, leaving their Cyber Cycles behind.
Jeremy: Come on!
Matt (over comm): Sensors indicate that the warp-portals appeared about eighty yards ahead, guys. Proceed with extreme caution.
Jake: We're Rangers! We don't DO caution!
The Rangers quickly bridge the distance. Arriving just shy of the coordinates, they screech to a halt. To their shock, they see a horde of Dreads, all looking towards a cliff face. Leading them is Emeralde herself.
Cindy: They're... Just standing there?
Anya: They're waiting for something.
Walter: Whatever it is, it can't be good.
Without turning, Emeralde notes their arrival.
Emeralde: Leave this place, Rangers. My business is not with you this day.
Jake: Okay, how'd she know we were here?
Anya: The same way I would. A warrior's instinct.
Jeremy steps forward.
Jeremy: What are you doing here, Emeralde? What's Kalask's game this time?
Emeralde: There is no game today, Red Ranger. We await the arrival of one who seeks to interfere, and if you wish to survive to see the next round, you will take your friends and go while you still can.
Jake: Yeah, right! If you think we're just gonna let you run around the city, you're-
Jake doesn't get to finish his threat. There is a crack of thunder as the sky begins to turn dark. From out of nowhere, the wind begins to howl like the anguished cry of the mourning.
Emeralde: He's here.
She unsheathes her kitana and stands at the ready. The Rangers can only watch as, to their amazement, energy begins crackling in front of her. Slowly, it forms into an impossible rift in the very air itself.
Cindy: Guys, are you seeing what I'm seeing?
Matt (over comm): I'm registering a massive build-up in inter-dimensional particles. Whatever's causing this is unbelievably powerful. Be on your guard.
Anya: Always.
The rift grows wider, and suddenly expands into a portal. Emeralde braces herself as her quarry steps through. Under their helmets, the Rangers' eyes grow wide. As soon as he steps out of the rift, it seals itself. Holding up an aqua-blue crystal, the man flicks his wrist and sends it away. At least, they assume the being is a man. Wearing aqua and silver armor, adorned with a double motif of a fox and a cyclone, he glares hatefully at Emeralde.
Emeralde: Tornado...
Jeremy: Tornado?
Tornado says nothing, but he takes another step towards Emeralde, his every move full of hate...
Power Rangers Cyber V
Created by Aaron Thall
Chapter 29: The Winds of Change
Written by: Aaron Thall
The mysterious man called Tornado takes another step, then pauses and looks at the horde of Dreads.
Tornado: I see you were expecting me.
Emeralde: And if you've any brains at all, you'll go back where you came from! You had your chance to best my master!
Tornado: Two problems. One, I never had a chance to have my final go at him.
Emeralde: And the second?
Tornado: You need WAY more Dreads than this if you hope to survive the next five minutes.
He sweeps his hand out, and a gale force wind suddenly blasts ten Dreads off the ground and into the air. Tornado closes his hand, and the ten Dreads crash down to Earth and explode.
Walter: WOAH! Did you just see that? What the hell did he just do?
Anya: That sound... He's controlling the wind!
Cindy: Well, he IS called Tornado...
Tornado: Let's go.
He flicks his wrists and kunai appear. He moves quickly, coming at Emeralde so fast that, when he slashes with the kunai, it's all she can do to leap back to avoid the strike. Undaunted, Tornado throws the kunai instead, peppering the Dreads with the blade weapons. Several fall.
Tornado: You've grown SOFT, Emeralde! Your skills have diminished since last we danced!
Emeralde: LIAR! I'm more powerful than ever!
She comes at him with her Katana, swinging down expertly with both hands. Tornado raises his hands up and catches the blade between his palms, then pivots his body and kicks Emeralde in the stomach, staggering her. He releases her kitana and shakes his head, disappointed.
Tornado: Then perhaps I've simply become too powerful for you. I suppose there's only one way to know... BATTLE BOARD!
A metallic item detaches from his armor's back. Vaguely resembling a skateboard without wheels, it flies up and hands in his hand. He leaps up and sets the board underneath him. The wind suddenly picks up, propelling him towards Emeralde, who dives out of the way at the last second.
Emeralde: DREADS! GET HIM!
Several Dreads charge up their hellfire and unleash it at Tornado, who redirects his board and easily evades the strike. Several more power up to fire, but he waves his hand, and the fires suddenly die out before even leaving their faces.
Walter: WOAH! He snuffed the Dreads' flames! How'd he do that?
Anya: It seems he can do far more than simply create air blasts. Interesting.
He swipes out both arms in a crossing motion, and kunai rain out, nailing the Dreads. As they fall and explode, he lands feet first. His Battle Board lands in his hands.
Tornado: Your turn.
He charges at Emeralde, who flings throwing stars at Tornado. In response, he straps his Battle Board to his arm.
Tornado: SHIELD MODE!
Sensing where each throwing star will strike, Tornado moves his shield arm, blocking each one expertly without altering his charge a single step. As he gets into range of Emeralde, he pulls the Battle Board off. A grip on the bottom slides to the back, and he takes a hold of it.
Tornado: BLADE MODE!
Emeralde finds herself forced to fight sword to sword. She slashed vertically, but Tornado blocks her attack with the Battle Board, then shoves back and swings it. Sparks fly as their blades meet.
Emeralde: You should have remained in your own reality, Tornado! Coming after the master is a fool's errand!
Tornado: Even fools are right on occasion, Emeralde!
Their blades meet again and again as they begin a vicious duel. Each time Emeralde strikes, Tornado parries the blow. Likewise, each time he attacks, Emeralde gracefully dances out of the way.
Cindy: Their battle... It's... it's so elegant.
Jake: Bored now. Anybody win yet?
As if hearing Jake's comment, Tornado again parries Emeralde's blade, but this time, he quickly shifts it and smacks Emeralde in the face with it's flat. Emeralde staggers back and raises her kitana to defend herself.
Tornado: This duel is OVER! SPIRAL SLASH!
His Battle Board begins spinning in his hand like a buzzsaw. He swings down and strikes Emeralde's blade. She falls back as it sparks and severs, the end of her kitana flying through the air. Tornado casually opens his free hand and catches it, tip first.
Tornado: I believe this belongs to you.
He tosses the broken blade to Emeralde. It lands at her feet. All she can do is stare at her ruined weapon.
Tornado: That's it for your blade... And now for YOU!
He moves to finish the job, but Emeralde moves too quickly and opens a warp-portal underneath her. She falls through, and it closes before he can think to follow.
Emeralde: THIS IS FAR FROM OVER!
Tornado: How very true.
He returns his Battle Board to his back, and suddenly, his armor vanishes in a flash of aqua-blue light. Seeing that the battle is over, the Rangers make their way over to him. As they reach him, they finally get a good look at the mysterious warrior. A young Japanese man, his only dornments being a blue headband and a sleeveless white shirt with the kanji for "Tornado" upon it. He glances at the Rangers, curious.
Tornado: You must be Kalask's current opponents. How long has he plagued this reality?
Jeremy: He's been attacking us for about seven months now.
Tornado's eyebrow raises.
Tornado: Impressive. I've never heard of anyone lasting that long. But your struggles have ended. I'll finish the battle with Kalask.
Jeremy: It's not that simple!
Walter: At least let us introduce ourselves! I'm-
Tornado: I don't care who you are. Go home. If you interfere with my vengeance, I will not hold back.
He waves his hand, and a dust cloud picks up. The Rangers wave the dust away, but by the time it clears, the mysterious Tornado is already long gone...
Jake: Well, he's a friendly one, isn't he?
Location: Fort Myers
The Rangers, back from the field, enter the war room and see Matt waiting for them.
Walter: Man, you shoulda seen that guy, Matt. He took Emeralde down like it was nothing!
Matt: I'm far more interested in learning about his aerokinesis. Imagine all the applications it could have if we could replicate it.
Jeremy: In any case, we'd better be ready for anything. If we know Kalask, he'll do something pretty drastic to get rid of interference.
Cindy looks around.
Cindy: Hey... Where's Wendy? And Cruger and the General?
Matt: Oh, you didn't know? After she froze during the Futuro battle, Sauder ordered her to see the base's therapist. He's hoping he'll be able to help her get over her mind control phobia before we have to face Alphabet Soup again.
Anya: And Cruger and the General are...?
Matt: Making sure she doesn't try to escape before the session's over.
Jake: And how's it going?
There's suddenly a shrill scream and a crash. The Rangers watch as the base's therapist bolts down the hall in a panic. A few seconds later, Wendy comes strolling in, whistling innocently. Following her are a very irritated Cruger and Sauder.
Cruger: That's the third one this week...
Sauder: You need to take these sessions seriously, Wendy. If you freeze up in the middle of a fight-
Wendy turns to face him, irritated.
Wendy: I know I know I know! Do you think I hadn't thought about that?
Jeremy: Wait, that's the THIRD one? What happened to the first two?
Cruger: Miss Venturas decided to tinker with a Data Ray during the session. The less said about THAT, the better.
Wendy: I said I'd clean up the ashes...
Sauder: And the second one she played straight... I think.
Wendy ticks off the points on her fingers, all in one breath.
Wendy: Like it's my fault I was born a member of a species largely feared and reviled by society, was secretly enslaved by an evil shadow government program for years, lost my first Ranger post as a direct result of said shadow government, learned my parents had been murdered, had to construct an elaborate deception just to get out into the field, got turned into a human puppet by a monster with a music fetish so Tem-Tar could suck out my nanites, couldn't do anything when Kalask went after Matt, got outed in public as a hybrid by the President, and to top it all off, that shadow government from before either wants me dead or mind controlled and intentionally made their system resemble the one thing that freaks me out most in the entire history of the Rangers.
The Rangers blink as Wendy breathes in.
Cruger: ...Well, that explains why the second one thought she was messing with his head.
Sauder: Simms, what happened with the incursion?
Jake: I got this one, Jer. Not much. The usual, really. Dreads, Emeralde, some new Ranger. Y'know, the usual.
Wendy: Oh. I guess I didn't miss mudidyoujustsayNEWRANGER?
She grabs Jake by the collar and pulls him to her face.
Wendy: Details. NOW!
Walter: I thought we agreed to cut back on her sugar.
Matt: She's got hidden stashes all over the base. I'm still trying to locate them all.
Anya massages the bridge of her nose.
Anya: She can be SUCH a Ranger otaku...
Jeremy: We arrived at the quarry and found Emeralde and the Dreads waiting for someone. Next thing we knew, this guy calling himself Tornado shows up in blue and silver armor and begins thrashing them all on his own.
Matt: From what I've recorded, he's aerokinetic and has a serious grudge against Kalask. There's no telling what we're dealing with unless we get more data.
Wendy lets Jake go and heads over to Lt. Conner.
Wendy: Can you cue up the helmet footage for me?
Lt. Conner: Yeah. Just... relax, first?
Lt. Conner puts the footage up on the screen. Cruger, sauder, and Wendy all watch the battle. Wendy practically drools over what she sees.
Wendy: Must... meet... Never met a Ranger from another reality before. Well, other than Anya.
Cindy: Ummm... How long is she going to be like this?
Anya: The first time she met Cruger, they had to pry her off of his leg. With the jaws of life. He limped for a week. She won't cool down until she sees this newcomer for herself.
Anya sighs. Jake, Walter, and Cindy snicker uncontrollably. Jeremy just shakes his head in disbelief.
Anya: However, I can tell you one thing about him already. He's like me. He's lost a great deal to Kalask... Perhaps everything. But whereas I arrived as a child with no power, he's coming here as an adult and with an arsenal we still can't guess the extent of. We need to proceed with caution.
Cruger: In any case, we can't just let him pursue a vendetta. Not with the powers he's displayed. The entire city could be at risk.
Matt: I think I can find him, Sir. That crystal he carried has a specific energy signature. I'll recalibrate the sensors to search for it.
Cruger: Get on it... And someone... turn the screen off before Wendy forgets how to blink...
Lt. Conner hits the button.
Location: Shadow Claw, Dimensional Limbo
Time: Inapplicable
Emeralde screams in abject rage as she looks at the damage done to her kitana.
Emeralde: He's dead, you hear me? I'LL KILL HIM WITH MY BARE HANDS IF I MUST!
Kalask takes it in and sighs.
Kalask: You're lucky he didn't split you in twain, my dear. Your sword can be reforged, stronger than ever. You, on the ther hand, cannot. Be grateful for your life.
He turns to Midnai.
Kalask: Still, Tornado's arrival is most unfortunate. We must deal with him quickly. Have you any thoughts?
Midnai: But of course, Master. If he fights with the element of air, we'll fight him with the remaining three. I suggest summoning the Terrible Trio.
Kalask: Hmmm... A bit extreme, but it should be fun to watch. Very well.
Midnai's hands glow as she weaves a summoning spell.
Midnai: Come forth to do the bidding of the master! WATER! MAGMA! EARTH!
Midnai unleashes her energies and fires them at the floor before Kalask. When the smoke clears, three monsters stand before him. The first is almost translucent with green eyes and tendrils that whip around. The second is made of lava, his eyes burning red. The final one is a golem, pure stone and power. All three kneel before their master.
Aquos: Aquos reporting, Master.
Cinder: As does your loyal Cinder.
Crusher: Crusher stands ready to do your bidding.
Kalask: Excellent. Find Tornado and put an end to his interference. If the Rangers interfere, stop them, but do NOT kill them. I enjoy the sport they provide, and I'd hate to lose it so suddenly.
All three: Yes, master!
All three get up and make their way out of the throneroom. Emeralde looks at her master, confused.
Emeralde: Spare the Rangers? Why?
Kalask: Between the interlopers trying to kill the Techno Rangers and Tornado's appearance, there's too many impure factors at play. Until they are dealt with, it simply wouldn't be sporting to begin a new round in our battle with the Rangers. If all goes well, the game can resume shortly. If not... Then, we shall see.
Location: Collins Tower, Horizon
Tornado stands atop the building, looking down at the city. From this vantage point, he can see for miles in all directions. He holds the crystal in his hand. His Battle Board is strapped to his back.
Tornado: Yes, I know, Kyubi. This city will soon become a battlefield. It's unfortunate... But necessary.
He pauses, listening to something only he can hear.
Tornado: Yes, you'll have plenty of chances to dish out your own vengeance. I wouldn't dream of denying you the satisfaction, old friend.
He notices something, and flicks his wrist. The crystal vanishes.
Tornado: You can come out now. I know you're there.
The Rangers come into view. Tornado turns to face them.
Tornado: I see you brought friends this time.
Wendy: This is the guy? I can kinda see it...
Jeremy: Who are you? What are you doing here?
Tornado: It's rude to demand such information without providing your own.
Walter: And if you hadn't interrupted me earlier...
Jeremy: We're the Cyber V Rangers. I'm Jeremy.
Walter: Walter.
Jake: Jake.
Anya: Anya.
Cindy: Cindy.
Matt: Matt.
Wendy: Wendy. I'm the fun one.
Matt baps her on the head.
Matt: Behave, dear sister.
Tornado: I was once known by the name Takuya Harada. But he's gone, and only Tornado remains. You've done well to defend this world from Kalask. How long?
Jeremy: We've been fighting for about seven months.
Tornado: Most don't even last three. Still, it would be wise for you to stand down now. I won't hold back in my quest to eliminate Kalask and his forces.
Anya: He took something precious from you, didn't he? What was it? Your world? Friends, perhaps? A loved one?
Tornado: Almost everything.
Anya: You should join us. Together, we could put an end to him.
Tornado: I work alone.
Cinder: YOU'LL DIE ALONE, TOO!
Cinder suddenly rises up over the edge of the building. The waves of heat he generates immediately make the Rangers sweat, but Tornado doesn't seem to react to the heat.
Matt: Interesting. He's cooling the air around him by slowing the vibration of it's molecules.
Jake: Less geek speak, more buttkick!
Jeremy: It's go time!
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!
Jeremy: Now let's-
Before the eyes of the astonished Rangers, Cinder's red-hot glow begins to fade. Tornado, his hand held out in front of him, gestures, and the creature begins gasping for air. As he cools faster than before, Cinder drops to his knees. Quietly, Tornado pulls the Battle Board from his back.
Tornado: Die.
Tornado slashes once with his Battle Board, and Cinder's head goes flying. He turns away from the creature in disgust and walks away from it as it's body explodes.
Jake: Well, I feel useless all of a sudden.
Wendy: Wow. Just... Wow. He didn't even morph!
Tornado walks towards the Rangers, and then past them. Once he's behind them, he speaks.
Tornado: I'll warn you again. Stay out of my way.
He suddenly looks to the east.
Tornado: There's an attack in that direction. I trust I WON'T see you there.
He waves his arm, and a dust cloud fills the air. When it fades, he's gone from sight.
Cindy: Well, that was... Dismissive.
The Cyber Ops beep. Jeremy answers.
Jeremy: Sir?
Cruger (over comm): There's an attack at the industrial park. Two monsters. We detected a third, but it's signature vanished as fast as it appeared.
Matt: We know.
Jeremy: We're on our way, Sir.
He looks to the others.
Jeremy: I think it's time we show Tornado that he's not the only hero in town.
Walter: Definitely!
The others nod.
Jeremy: Okay then... BACK TO ACTION!
Location: Horizon Industrial Park
Explosions rock the area as civilians run in justified panic. Crusher punches the pavement, creating earthquakes, while Aquos casually surrounds a man in a bubble of water and watches, amused, as he struggles to breathe.
Aquos: Show yourself, Tornado! We know you're in this city somewhere!
Suddenly, a grapple line shoots out and wraps around the drowning man. It yanks, and pulls the man free. The would-be victim flies forward, and Matt catches him. Setting the man down, Matt releases his grapple line.
Matt: Get out of here!
The man, gasping, simply nods and runs for it. The other Rangers run to join Matt.
Jeremy: Looks like we got here first!
Anya: So let's take them!
Aquos: RANGERS? You're not supposed to be here! We want the interloper, not you!
Walter: Too bad! We're here and we're not going anywhere!
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!
All five Rangers flash a V vor victory handsign.
All: DEFENDERS OF THE MULTIVERSE! POWER RANGERS CYBER V... FOR VICTORY!
Jeremy's handsign becomes a thumbs down.
Jeremy: And you're going DOWN!
Crusher: I'd like to see you try!
Crusher and Aquos charge at the Rangers.
Jeremy: Plan 17, guys!
All: RIGHT!
The Rangers match the charge of the monsters. As they meet in the middle, it becomes absolute chaos. Jeremy's Scanner Blade strikes at Crusher and glances off, and Matt's Meele Mode Techno Grapple fares no better. Crusher punches both of them, forcing them back. Undaunted, Anya moves in, twirling her Input Staves. She strikes with both to the creature's right side. Crusher shrugs off the blow and swats her aside. However, it's just a distraction, allowing Jake a clear shot with the Output Cannon. He lets loose with a barrage that slams into Crusher, sending him flying.
Aquos: CRUSHER!
Walter: I'd worry about yourself, first!
Walter draws his Data Blade and slashes through Aquos, who turns to liquid and allows the blade to pass through him unharmed. However, this proves to be an error. As soon as he does, Wendy charges up the handle of her Techno Lasher and punches right into his liquid body.
Wendy: TECHNO KNUCKLE!
Aquos's body begins to bubble and boil.
Wendy: Doesn't that just make you steam? Cindy, you're up!
Cindy: I'm on it! Protection Shield!
Cindy summons her Cyber Weapon and projects a force field, surrounding the incapacitated Aquos. Wendy pulls her arm free as it seals, trapping the liquid monster inside.
Cindy: Go help the others, guys! I can keep him bottled up for now!
Walter, Wendy: Okay!
They run to join the battle against Crusher. Crusher, now recovered from the blast he took, is already fighting with the others once more. He swings a massive fist, but Matt and Jeremy block with their blades, even as the blow forces them back. Anya flips over Crusher's head nad throws her Input Staves, nailing him in his eyes. Momentarily blinded, he fails to notice as Jake leaps over the heads of Matt and Jeremy with his Data Blade fully charged.
Jake: VICTORY SLASH!
He swings down hard, striking Crusher in the head. The monster staggers back, injured. He doesn't see Walter and Wendy coming up from behind.
Walter: Make that TWO!
He executes his own Victory Slash to the right side of the monster.
Wendy: And I'll add a TWO SWORD STYLE: CROSS SLASH!
Her Techno Lashersplits into energy daggers, and she executes two diagonal slashes along his left side. The two attacks raise powerful sparks and the monster staggers backwards.
Crusher: You... Can't stop me...
Jeremy: Okay, maneuver 26!
Wendy, Matt: RIGHT!
Wendy reconnects her Techno Lasher and extends the energy whip. She swings it and the line ties Crusher up.
Wendy: Bad guy going up!
She swings hard, and manages to fling Crusher into the air. Matt leaps up and charges his weapon.
Matt: And bad guy going DOWN! ONE SWORD STYLE: CRESCENT SLASH!
Matt swings hard, creating an arc of energy that slams into Crusher and rockets him towards the ground. Jeremy leaps up to meet him.
Jeremy: SCANNER SLASH!
He swings up as Crusher passes him, the combined momentum resulting in a much more powerful strike than normal. Crusher crashes to the ground, badly hurt. Wendy moves into position as Matt and Jeremy land by her side. The others rush in and restrain Crusher.
Anya: Do it now!
Crusher: NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I WASN'T EVEN SUPPOSED TO FIGHT YOU!
Jake: Aw shaddap and take your beating like a monster!
Jeremy: CYBERRANG!
The gauntlet appears on his wrist.
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 Crusher, even as the other three Rangers roll clear.
Matt: Form Techno Thrust!
Both Techno Rangers draw their weapons and throw them forward. Self propelling, they rocket forward. The Techno Lasher handle attaches to the top of the Techno Grapple. Combined, it turns upwards and rockets around in a large loop, coming to a stop in Matt's prepared hands. Wendy braces him.
Both: Techno Thrust: FIRE!
The handle of the weapon glows and fires a spiraling beam of purple and gray energy. The energy blast slams into the badly damaged Crusher, and the golem mearly groans as he falls backwards and explodes in a massive fireball. All six Rangers turn away from him as he dies.
Jeremy: One down, one to go!
Cindy: Way to go, guys!
Aquos: CRUSHER! IT CAN'T BE!
Aquos, seeing his partner's demise, begins to struggle against the force shield harder than before, filling it with liquid and increasing the pressure as much as he can.
Cindy: Uh oh... GUYS! HE'S BREAKING FREE!
Her force field begins to crack, and then shatters with surprising force. Cindy's thrown back. As she shakes her head to clear her vision, she's suddenly tangled by Aquos's tendrils, which lift her into the air over the villain's head.
Cindy: HEY! PUT ME DOWN!
Walter: You heard her! Put her down before we get confused for a naughty anime!
Jake smacks him in the head.
Jake: Seriously, ONE of us doing that is bad enough. Don't make it worse!
Aquos tightens the tendrils holding Cindy.
Aquos: Back off, Rangers! I don't want to harm your pink friend here, but if I don't get Tornado right NOW...
One of the tendrils wraps around Cindy's head. Bubbles float from her helmet and she struggles harder.
Aquos: She'll be the first human to drown on dry land.
Jeremy: CINDY!
Tornado: ENOUGH!
The mysterious man suddenly cries out from a rooftop. All eyes turn as he comes into view.
Tornado: Aquos! You've had your fun. Let the girl go now... Or die.
He leaps from the roof of the building and lands feet first, utterly unscathed. Straightening his body, he glares at Aquos.
Aquos: Surrender, Tornado, and I'll spare her!
Tornado: Or I save her and put you down like a dog. I think we'll try it MY way instead.
He flicks his wrist and a strange device with a dial appears on it.
Tornado: KAZE MORPHER!
He grabs a handle at the end of the device.
Tornado: IT'S SPIN DRIVE TIME!
He pulls on the handle, and the dial spins wildly. He's suddenly surrounded by a vortex of mystical elemental energies. He gives himself over to it, and it spirals around his body, forming aqua and silver armor, first on his legs, then his arms and torso. Finally, a spirit fox howls and surrounds his head, forming a helmet. The transformation complete, he swings his Battle Board, ready for the coming struggle.
Tornado: I've travelled the multiverse on a quest for vengeance. Beware, for I am your approaching death! WARRIOR OF THE WIND... TORNADO!
Wendy: Okay, that's just SUPER COOL!
Tornado looks to the right and sees a chemical truck sitting abandoned. Without hesitation, he throws his Battle Board at it, slicing open one of the tanks. He gestures, and pulls the gas free of it.
Tornado: Prepare yourself, Pink Ranger!
He thrusts his hand forward, and his captured gas cloud surrounds Aquos. Almost immediately, he begins to stagger.
Matt: Freon! Of course! He's using that frigid gas to solidify Aquos!
Matt's words prove true as ice crystals form over Aquos's body. He grinds almost to a halt. As his tendrils turn frigid as well, Cindy struggles once more, and this time, shatters the brittle ice. She lands gracefully and gasps, breathing deeply as Jeremy runs to check on her.
Jeremy: CINDY! Are you all right?
Cindy: I... I think so. Thank you.
Tornado: It seems I may have misjudged your team. Taking down Crusher so easily... You might be useful after all.
Jake: Can't ya just FEEL the love in this place?
Tornado retrives his Battle Board. The Rangers regather as Aquos begins moving again.
Tornado: So, what else do you have?
Jeremy: I think it's time we finished this creep off! CYBER ANNIHILATOR!
Anya and Cindy: Phase one!
They kneel down, Anya on her right, Cindy on her left.
Walter and Jake: Phase two!
Walter kneels behind Cindy, while Jake goes behind Anya.
Wendy, Matt, and Jeremy: Phase three!
Jeremy stands right behind the others. Wendy braces him on his left, while Matt braces him on the right. As the three stand behind the others, binary suddenly streams from all of them, forming a massive futuristic bazooka. Resting on the shoulders of the others, the gigantic weapon charges up. Matt and wendy quickly calibrate the controls, as Jeremy takes careful aim. The barrel of the Cyber Annihilator glows with firey energy.
Jeremy: FIRE!
The Cyber V Rangers and Techno Rangers brace themselves as the Cyber Annihilator fires full force, releasing a wave of destructive pulse bolts like machine gun bullets. The blasts hit the still partially solid Aquos, who can't even cry out as his molecules are ripped apart. There is no explosion; he simply drifts apart, transmuted into oxygen and hydrogen. The Rangers send the Cyber Annihilator away.
Tornado: Not bad...
A warp-portal appears, and Tem-Tar materializes within.
Tem-Tar: Oh, this is a disaster! All three of the Trio are down, and Tornado's still alive! Cinder was a waste, and Aquos went against orders and tried to kill one of the Rangers... That leaves you, Crusher! Grow and tear Tornado apart!
Tem-Tar fires a red nanite into the crater left by Crusher. He's immediately revived and rebuit. He grows, becoming a towering giant.
Crusher: TORNADO! PREPARE TO DIE!
Jeremy: Looks like it's time for round two, guys! COMBAT ZORDS-
Tornado puts up his hand, stopping Jeremy.
Tornado: You've carried enough of this fight already. If he wants me, he'll get me...
Tornado flicks his wrist and brings out the aqua crystal.
Tornado: And my good friend, too.
Tornado steps forward and throws the crystal into the air.
Tornado: KYUBIZORD... HOWL!
The crystal glows with aqua energy and expands, filling the sky. Suddenly, a strange form materializes from within it and leaps from the crystal as it fades away. The new Zord lands and growls, giving the Rangers a good look. A massive fox with nine tails, made of aqua and silver metal. It's green eyes look at them with intelligence and understanding that immediately tells them that this isn't technology... it's alive.
Tornado: This is my partner, Kyubizord.
Wendy: A kitsune... A legendary japanese spirit said to hold massive power! Either that, or he's seen too much Naruto.
Kyubizord growls.
Tornado: It's time for you to wreak some vengeance, Kyubi!
Tornado leaps up and phases into the head of the Kyubizord. He reappears amid a swirling mass of mystic energy.
Crusher: Bah! Do your worst, little fox!
Tornado: He couldn't handle your least! Go for it!
Kyubizord dashes forward and leaps, latching onto Crusher's arm with it's jaws. Crusher swings his arm, trying to free himself from it's grip, but it's to no avail. His arm sparks a bit, and Kyubizord lets go and lands on all fours before leaping again and slashing at it with it's claws. Crusher's driven back by the ferocity of the attack, but manages to swing again, knocking Kyubizord away from him.
Crusher: DIE!
He pounds the ground, creating an earthquake. As the shockwave reaches Kyubizord, it leaps into the air and out of range.
Tornado: FOXFIRE... GO!
Still in the air, Kyubizord's nine silver tails glow with firey energy and unleash a torrent of mystical flames that strike Crusher head on. Explosions rock the golem, forcing him back and staggering him. Kyubizord lands before him and howls.
Tornado: It's time we ended this! KYUBI BATTLEZORD... NOW!
Kyubizord howls again. It's middle tail seperates from it's body as it's sides fold out, seperating the remaining tails equally. It's back legs fold in as the front legs move backwards. The Zord stands up on it's former front legs as the halves with the tails move into position, forming arms. The tails fold backwards as hands extend from the arms. A new head, resembling Tornado's helmet, rises up from the body. Finally, the last tail folds in half and forms a crest on the helmet.
Jake: ...Okay, even I'll admit that was pretty boss.
Kyubi Battlezord readies itself as Crusher regains his composure.
Crusher: DIE!
He fires massive boulders from his body at Kyubi Battlezord. The Zord, in response, channels Tornado's powers and summons a massive updraft that catches the boulders and tosses them high into the air. As they come back down, the Battlezord punches several forward, then spinkicks the largest. All the bounders fly right back to their creator, striking him and humiliating him at the same time. Not content to let it end there, Kyubi Battlezord charges forward and punches Crusher, striking him hard enough to crack the monster's body.
Crusher: Kill... you... I must... kill you...
Tornado: You don't have what it takes, Crusher. Kalask sent you to die. And we'll send you to HELL. Let's end this, Kyubi!
The tails on Kyubi Battlezord's arms swing down, forming eight blades. They ignite with fox fire.
Tornado: INARI FIRESTORM!
Kyubi Battlezord slashes diagonally with both arms, crisscrossing eight blade strikes. The eight slashes shatter Crusher's body, and he falls back and erupts into a massive fireball.
Tornado: Vengeance is ours.
Location: Shadow Claw, Dimensional Limbo
Time: Inapplicable
Kalask watches as Kyubi Battlezord finishes the last of the Trio.
Kalask: It is as I feared. Tornado has grown in both power and rage. Put all my forces on high alert, Tem-Tar! Tornado must be dealt with swiftly, before he can interfere with the great game!
Tem-Tar: As you wish, my lord!
Location: Horizon Industrial Park
The Rangers watch as the Kyubi Battlezord vanishes. Tornado lands on the ground, and they all demorph. He walks past them without a word, but Jeremy turns and puts his hand on Tornado's shoulder.
Jeremy: We appreciate the help, but we still need answers.
Anya: You said Kalask took almost everything from you... What did that mean?
Tornado: I was once a part of an amazing team of heroes. When Kalask appeared, we fended him off several times. Then, he launched an attack on Atlantis. Because my powers didn't work under water, I was told by our team's leader to stay behind.
He clenches his fists.
Tornado: She was the only one to make it back. Gravely wounded, she passed on her Infinite Kunai ability and the Kyubi Crystal to me and died in my arms. Kalask considered the game over and ravaged my world. I've hunted him ever since, using the Kyubi Crystal to traverse the multiverse.
Cindy: ...You loved her, didn't you?
Tornado: I did. Takuya Harada died with her.
Matt suddenly has a sick feeling in his gut.
Matt: What... was her name?
Tornado: Mai. Mai Pei.
The Rangers' eyes widen with shock and recognition.
Jeremy: You should join us. Together we could-
Tornado: NO!
He turns to face them, his face a mask of rage.
Tornado: I fight alone, Rangers! And I will not stop until Kalask and all his damed minions lie dead at my feet!
He sweeps his arm, generating another dust cloud. As it fades, it's obvious he's gone again.
Matt: Mai... How many times has that monster killed you?
The Rangers turn to leave. Watching them go from a rooftop, Tornado considers all that has occured this day.
Tornado: This is just the beginning, Kalask. I'll find you, and no matter what the cost... I'll end you!
Kyubizord howls from within the crystal, a mournful, foreboding sound that's carried off by the winds...
END MISSION LOG
Next Time: When Alphabet Soup targets a civilian family, the Rangers discover there's still other hybrids out there. When one of the family is kidnapped, Cruger himself takes charge of the rescue operation. But will the extra power of Shadow Ranger be enough to stop Winters' newest plan?
