Misty's house, Cerulean City...
Rick sighed contently as he sat back on the couch, Misty leaning over to rest on his shoulder.
"This is what I needed." he said. "Just a quiet night watching movies, no Ranger drama, you here with me..." He reached out and wrapped an arm around her and Misty smiled.
"Must be nice to get away from it all for a bit." she said. "What have you guys been up to anyway?"
"Not much, really. Just watching Viridian Gym." he said distractedly.
"Viridian?" Misty glanced over at him. "What would you guys want with Viridian's Gym?"
"Just waiting for the leader to come back." Rick said. "Don't worry about it."
"Right." Misty frowned as she looked back at the TV. "But you'll be waiting a long time if you're looking for him."
"What?" Rick glanced her.
"You haven't heard? The Viridian Gym leader's left. Sent his resignation in to the Elite Four." she told him.
"What!?" Rick sat up straight. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Misty nodded. "They're looking for a replacement now. Why? What do you want with him? And who is he anyway? I've never had the chance to meet him."
"Well, his name used to be Giovanni." Rick explained. "We discovered that recently. But being a Gym Leader isn't all he does...he also runs Team Rocket."
"Are you serious?" Misty stared at him in shock. "He's been hiding in one of our own Gyms all these years!?"
"Yeah." Rick nodded. "But if he's left the position now, that means he must know we're onto him." Rick growled. "He's a step ahead of us again." Standing, he began to pace.
"I'm sorry. If I'd known it was so important, I would've said something sooner." Misty sighed. "Now I've gone and ruined the evening..."
"No, it's fine. You had no way of knowing." Rick assured her. "I need to get some air quick, and I should probably call the others and let them know what's up. I'll be right back." He walked to the door and stepped outside. Closing it behind him, he walked to the edge of the porch and raised his Morpher.
"Guys, it's Rick." he called the team. "I've got some news on Mewtwovanni."
"We're all ears." Ryan told him. "What've you found?"
Before Rick could explain, a blast of power struck near him, blasting him off his feet. Pulling himself upright, he turned in time for a hand to grab his throat and lift him up.
Rick grasped at the hand holding him and tried to break its grip, his vision blurring as it only seemed to tightened. He could see some sort of blue figure before him, but he couldn't make out much about it. Kicking out, he thought he missed, but connected with something. The figure hissed in annoyance and tossed him aside.
As Rick staggered to his feet gasping, the figure spun and held out a hand, firing another blast. Rick yelled as it struck his body, pain erupting all over him as he hit the ground. Laughing, the figure turned and vanished.
Rick tried to reach for his Morpher and call for help, but he couldn't muster the strength to get his hand off the ground.
"Rick, I heard...Rick!" He managed to glance over as the shaky image of Misty knelt beside him. "What happened!?"
"Call...the others..." he choked out. "I need..." He couldn't get anything more out before his vision went completely black.
(Theme song inspired by Power Rangers Zeo Opening)
Kanto, go! (Kanto!) (All 6 Rangers show off their Morphers)
Rockets at the door, (Go, Kanto!) (Ryan stands in a Pokémon arena as the Red Ranger & Charizard Zord are shown)
Stronger than before! (Go, Kanto!) (Brent is training with his Pokémon in Pallet Town as the Blue Ranger & Blastoise Zord are shown)
Powered up for war, (Ginger is playing guitar as the Green Ranger & Venusaur Zord are shown)
Kanto, Poké Rangers! (Go, Kanto!) (Allison is healing her Pokémon in the forest as the Yellow Ranger & Pikachu Zord are shown)
Higher they can soar, (Go, Kanto!) (Rick turns to walk away from Pewter Gym as the Black Ranger & Golem Zord are shown)
Even up the score! (Go, Kanto!) (Jessica stands with her arms folded in the lab as the Violet Ranger & Arbok Zord are shown)
Go go, Poké Rangers! (Mewtwovanni, Rhynix, Persia, and Gengron shown)
Go go, Poké Rangers! (Rangers fire Poké Blaster and Legend Bow)
Go go, Poké Rangers! (Pokémon Megazord and Onix Venomzord stand together, Legend Megazord descends to join them)
Kanto Poké Rangers! (All 6 Rangers pose in front of explosion)
At Team Rocket's base...
"A most impressive display, wouldn't you agree?" Rhynix asked his fellow admins. Gengron nodded.
"She took the Black Ranger out of commission with total ease." he agreed.
"She was good." Persia admitted. Even she couldn't deny that the precision and ruthlessness displayed was impressive.
"I'm glad you all approve." Mewtwovanni said as he watched. "I've put quite a bit of effort into this one."
"Would you say she's your ultimate plan?" Gengron asked. Mewtwovanni glanced at him.
"No, but she did contribute a piece to it." he said. "And if she happens to give us victory early, who would I be to complain?"
"I'm back!" The group turned as the door opened and a mutant walked in. She had the head and wings of a Dragonite, but they and her whole body were colored blue like a Dragonair. A tail that looked more like a Dragonair's than a Dragonite's snaked from her back as she walked forward.
"Draconess." Mewtwovanni greeted. "Good work out there."
"Thank you, boss." Draconess bowed.
"I have one question." Persia asked. "Why the Black Ranger of all people? I've never really considered him the most...important of the team."
"That's because you don't understand the full extent of what Draconess is." Mewtwovanni told her. "I used Mew's DNA to give her Dragonite's Ancient Ability: Coldproof."
"It renders me immune to Ice-type attacks." Draconess tapped her cold blue skin. "Removing Dragonite's greatest weakness. The species lost the ability after migrating to warmer environments where there were no Ice-types present to threaten it."
"And with that, the Black Ranger's Rock type abilities are the only threat the Rangers pose to her." Rhynix nodded. "So he had to be taken out quickly, before they could piece together what's happening."
"Exactly." Draconess grinned. "The Rangers do not have a good way to defeat me. I will destroy them all!"
"Do not underestimate them." Mewtwovanni warned. "They have been unusually clever in coming up with ways to stop our plans."
"There's a difference between underestimating somebody and being confident in victory." Draconess said. "Be assured, I am not disregarding caution in this."
"Good." Mewtwovanni nodded. "In that case, go on. Lure the Rangers out and destroy them."
"As you wish." Draconess grinned. "I'm on it." A brief bit of pink lightning shot across Mewtwovanni's body and he grimaced.
"I must meditate." he said. "I've been neglecting it. I'll look forward to hearing about your victory when I return."
"And what should we do in the meantime?" Persia asked curiously. Mewtwovanni glanced at Rhynix.
"Just keep an eye on things here in the base." he said. "Make sure nothing here goes...awry. Draconess will handle the Rangers."
"You bet I will." Draconess nodded. "In fact, I better get moving!" Turning, she teleported away and Mewtwovanni retreated to his room. As Rhynix followed after their boss and Gengron went on his way, Persia glanced around.
"Well, if everyone else is busy..." She grinned. "Maybe now would be a good time to check in on my little project." She laughed deviously as vanished away.
At Fuji's Lab...
"Alright, just what exactly happened?" Ryan asked. The team was all gathered around Rick as Fuji was examining him. Misty sat at his side, holding his hand as she cried.
"I don't know." she sniffed. "He went outside to call you guys, and the next thing I know I'm hearing noises like a fight out there. I went to check it out and found him like this."
"Any idea what he wanted to call us about?" Allison asked.
"Yeah." Misty nodded. "He told me what you guys found out about the Viridian Gym Leader, and I let him know that he had retired. He isn't coming back to the gym."
"So we've been wasting our time staking it out." Ginger sighed. "That's annoying."
"Is he going to be alright?" Misty asked. Fuji sighed.
"I don't know." he admitted. "It's bad, but he's a fighter. I think so...assuming nothing more happens to him, he should be able to pull through this."
"What do you think did it?" Brent asked.
"I think we can safely say it was one of Team Rocket's..." Fuji frowned. "Though I'm picking up traces of draconic energy on him."
"Draconic?" Kuai stepped forward. "Like, the same as a Dragon type Pokémon uses?"
"Very similar." Fuji nodded. "I'd bet Team Rocket has come up with a Dragon-type and mutated it to fight us."
"In that case, I have an idea." Kuai turned. "The clan has a special herbal blend we use on people injured by Pokémon attacks. Its eases pain associated with it and helps the healing process. I'll go make some." He glanced at Misty. "You're welcome to help, if you want."
"Oh...okay." Misty stood and let go of Rick's hand. "I'll be right back, Rick. Don't worry." She followed Kuai downstairs and the other Rangers stepped closer.
"So, doc..." Ginger asked. "When can we expect him to wake up? What's the real story?"
"To be honest, I don't know, Ginger." Fuji told them. "Maybe it will be like I said and he'll pull through, or maybe he'll never come around. It's bad..." He sat down and rubbed his eyes in annoyance. "At this point, I'm crossing my fingers that Kuai's ninja herbs can do something. He needs all the help he can get."
"He'll make it." Ryan said. "He has to."
"I hope you're right, Ryan." Fuji looked at Rick sadly. "I've grown quite attached to all of you in our time working together. I don't want to lose any of you."
"You think it's a possibility?" Jessica asked. "That he'll die?"
"Anything is a possibility, Jessica." Fuji said. "All we can do is hope and fight for him to come through."
"Alert! Alert!" The team all turned to the computer as it brought up an image of Draconess attacking. "Mutated DNA detected in Pallet Town."
"Now they're going after our hometown." Brent growled. "We've got to stop this thing."
"Go for it, Rangers." Fuji nodded. "But be careful. Dragon types are notoriously powerful."
"We're on it." Ryan led the team out the door. "Don't worry."
"I can't help but worry..." Fuji looked back and examined Draconess. "She's already put one of you on death's door."
Soon, in Pallet Town...
"Hey!" Draconess grinned and turned as the Rangers arrived to face her.
"Five Rangers." she laughed as she looked the group over. "You seem to be missing one, don't you?"
"Don't mock us." Ryan growled. "We know it was you."
"Of course it was me." Draconess scoffed. "What, you think I'm going to deny that I was the one to take the Black Ranger down?"
"Well, guess what?" Brent said. "Now the rest of us are going to take you down!"
"I'd like to see you try." She waved for them to come forward. "So try. Morph and fight me!"
"If that's what you want." Ryan raised his Morpher. "Ready?"
"Ready!"
"Poké Power, unleash!"
"Pikachu!"
"Venusaur!"
"Blastoise!"
"Charizard!"
"Arbok!"
Spheres of the Rangers' respective elements surrounded them before bursting away to reveal them in their Ranger Suits. Their helmets formed to complete the transformation.
"Charizard Saber!" Ryan drew his blade and leaped forward. "Wing Attack!"
Draconess dodged aside, ducking as Ryan spun and slashed at her again. Kicking him back, she raised her hands.
"Surf!" Water exploded out in a wave around her body, striking Ryan and flinging him away.
"Thunderbolt!" Aiming her Pikachu Striker, Allison fired a bolt of electricity into Draconess's back. Turning, the Dragonite mutant found Jessica leaping at her.
"Poison Jab!" Jessica stabbed out with her staff's pointed end, but Draconess sidestepped and grabbed the weapon, holding her in place.
"Iron Tail!" Draconess caught Allison's weapon in her other and flipped both Rangers off their feet.
"Earthquake!" Raising a foot as Jessica and Allison stood, Draconess stomped and the shockwave blew both of them back to the ground.
"Blastoise Cannons! Water Pulse!" Draconess turned and leaped through the watery blast towards the Blue Ranger. A whip snaked towards her.
"Sleep Powder!"
As Ginger's Venusaur Whip blasted a spray of green powder, Draconess flapped her wings and flew up above it, soaring over and landing beside the Green Ranger. Lashing out with her wing, she knocked Ginger down before spinning.
"Thunderbolt!" Holding out a hand, she blasted a bolt of lightning at the Blue Ranger.
"Protect!" Brent crossed his cannons and formed a barrier that blocked the lightning in its tracks. Ryan leaped up over his rival.
"Articuno Fan!" Ryan summoned his second weapon and drew it back. "Blizzard!"
Draconess laughed as the icy storm washed over her, to no effect.
"Nice try, Red Ranger." Draconess held out a hand. "But ice has no effect on me! Dragon Pulse!" A pulse of draconic power struck Ryan as he landed, blasting him back to slam into Brent and knocking both of them to the ground.
"Thunder!" Draconess snarled and turned as a bolt of lightning crashed down on her. Allison leaped with her Pikachu Striker outstretched. "Volt Tackle!" Draconess took the attack head-on and grabbed the Yellow Ranger's wrist, twisting. "You give Dragon-types a bad name, you know that?" Allison told her.
"Do I?" Draconess smirked. "Well, then how sad is it that you can't even hope to defeat me?" Pulling, she flung the Yellow Ranger through the air. Flying after, claws extended from her fingertips. "Dragon Claw!" She slashed past and Allison hit the ground, demorphing as she landed.
"Get away from her!" Draconess turned as Ryan swung both his weapons at her. "Twin Air Slash!" Leaping back, she dodged away and into the air. The other Rangers joined their leader as they all stood protectively in front of Allison.
"How cute. You want to protect your friend." Draconess laughed, her mouth starting to glow. "Dragon Breath!" The Rangers yelled as a blast of draconic energy fired from her mouth, blasting them all to the ground.
Landing, Draconess stepped towards them as they struggled to rise, charging up a Dragon Pulse in each hand.
"Don't bother getting up." she grinned. "You'll stay down in the end once I destroy you, after all." As Draconess held her hands out to fire, another blast struck her in the side. Yelling in pain, she was flung away and rolled to stop, growling as she stood back up.
The Rangers turned as a clanking sound filled the air and a figure approached. They were covered in a suit of orange armor, with a helmet shaped like a Dragonite's head, their face hidden behind a visor. A sword hung in a sheath at their waist and an emblem was emblazoned across the suit's chest, a silver Crobat in front of a set of Venomoth wings.
"Who is that?" Brent asked as the figure stepped in front of them and faced off with Draconess.
"I don't know." Allison said. "That's my clan's emblem on their suit, but...I've never heard of anything like this."
"You dare interrupt my destruction of the Rangers?" Draconess growled. "Just who do you think you are?"
Reaching down, the figure drew out a broadsword, the hilt designed with the appearance of a Dragonite's head and wings.
"I am the Dragon Knight." he declared. "Secret warrior of the Crobat Clan." His sword flared with draconic power as he drew it back. "And I have come to destroy you." He leaped towards her. "Dragon Claw!"
Draconess sprung up and into the air, flapping her wings and hovering as the Knight's blade cut the air under her. Looking up, he saw her about to fire down and leaped up after, wings spreading from the back of his suit.
The Dragon Knight slammed into Draconess, knocking her arm aside as her Dragon Pulse blasted past. He slashed her with another Dragon Claw, knocking her to the ground. As he landed, Draconess stood and the Dragon Knight pointed his sword at her.
"Dragon Pulse!" Draconic power blasted out, Draconess leaping aside, but still being sent flipping off her feet by the explosion kicked up. Staggering up, she growled.
"You'll regret this." Turning, she teleported away.
The Dragon Knight turned to face the Rangers as they came running up to him.
"Thanks." Ryan said. "You've sure got some impressive abilities."
"Yeah..." Allison looked at the emblem on him again. "But just who are you?" Before the Knight could answer, lightning crackled along his suit and he fell to a knee with a groan.
"Hey, are you alright?" Ginger crouched beside him.
"I'm fine." the Knight assured them as he drew out a Pokéball. "I just need to end the connection..." he said, holding it out in front of him. "Break link!"
Before the Rangers' eyes, the Dragon Knight's armor glowed and flowed off his body, disappearing into the Pokéball. When it faded, his human form was kneeling before them.
"Dad!?" Allison gasped. Kuai looked up at her and smiled.
"Hey, sweetie." He gasped, sounding exhausted. "We'd better get back to the lab. Misty's managing the blend and I need to make sure she's following my instructions properly." He pulled himself to his feet. "I'll explain everything there, promise."
Soon, back at Fuji's Lab, down in the kitchen...
"Hmm..." Kuai leaned over a pot of boiling herbs and examined them. "Yes, it's going well. Good work."
"Thank you." Misty sighed with relief. "I was worried I was messing it up."
"No, no, you've done well." Glancing at a timer, he picked up a Sitrus Berry and squeezed its juices into the mix, before doing the same to two other pots.
"Can I ask, why so much?" Misty questioned.
"It often takes multiple doses." Kuai said as he leaned over the third pot. "And this last one is a...shall we say, last resort."
"Last resort?" Misty frowned. "What kind of..."
"Don't fret for now." Kuai told her. "Hopefully, we won't need it." Turning, he sighed tiredly and leaned against the counter to look at the Rangers. "I'm sure you all have a lot of questions."
"Maybe one or two." Allison said.
"Yeah." Kuai nodded in understanding. "So, you want to know about the Dragon Knight?"
"Of course." Brent said. "Just what was that?"
"That was an ancient technique pioneered by our clan known as Soul Link." Kuai explained. "Very few people have ever mastered it. I was the first to do so in generations."
"Soul Link?" Allison blinked. "Linked with what?"
"With one of my Pokémon." Kuai glanced down at his Pokéballs, in one of which his Dragonite was resting. "If you're close enough with them, you can learn to bring your soul and body together as one for a time. It's an incredibly powerful technique. In ancient times, battles between entire armies were turned by one warrior using Soul Link."
"So, why now?" Ryan asked. "Why haven't you ever come to help us before?"
"Because it's also incredibly dangerous. You saw what happened, and you see how exhausted I am now. It takes a lot of energy to maintain a Soul Link." He reached up and rubbed his eyes. "If I wasn't needed awake right now, I'd be utterly passed out. Don't expect me up early tomorrow."
"But you came to help with that monster..." Jessica pointed out.
"Because I could see that you guys weren't going to be able to handle her alone." He said. "Once the Articuno Fan's ice proved ineffective, I knew you were facing a losing battle. I couldn't just let my daughter and her friends do that without stepping in."
The timer dinged and Kuai turned to pull the first two pots off the stove, leaving the third and setting the timer for longer. Pulling out some dried leaves of some sort, he crushed them and sprinkled them in before lifting up one of the completed mixes.
"Come. We must apply this to Rick immediately." He said as he carried it towards the stairs.
As they walked upstairs, Misty ran over to Rick's side.
"How is he?" she asked.
"Same as before." Fuji told her. "Stable, for the moment." Kuai set the pot down nearby and dipped a cloth in it, rubbing it on Rick's neck.
"The mixture can be ingested or absorbed through the skin." Kuai explained as he looked Rick over, finding mild scorchlike marks where the energy had hit him directly. "For maximum effectiveness, we'll want to do both." Taking a cup, he handed it to Misty. "Here. Try to get him to drink a cupful."
As she filled the cup and moved up to do so, the Rangers watched nervously.
"And you think this will heal him?" Ryan asked.
"It should help." Kuai nodded. "We'll apply more later, if he doesn't come to in the meantime." He sat back, having finished covering the most critical spots.
"On the topic of this Soul Link, I don't suppose it's something you could teach us?" Allison asked.
"No." Kuai shook his head. "I already told you how hard it is. You have to be able to reach out to your Pokémon's very soul. And even that aside, I wouldn't want you guys doing it anyway." He shook his head. "All the stories of Soul Link warriors end the same. They end up pushing themselves too far, staying in the state too long in an attempt to protect those around them, until it overwhelms their body and they die. I don't want that to happen to you."
"Well, we have to do something." Jessica said. "That woman will be back for another round."
"Yeah..." Kuai nodded. "I'd fight her again if I could, but linking again so soon would almost certainly kill me. But, maybe there is something you guys can do..."
"What?" Ryan asked.
"Ryan, Charizard has some draconic ability." Kuai pointed out. "If anybody can master a Dragon-type move here, it's probably you."
"I can try." Ryan said.
"We'll help you." Kuai nodded towards his daughter. "My Dragonite's out for the count right now, but her Dragonair should be able to show you some moves, give you a feel for it."
"Right." Allison nodded and drew a Pokéball. "Come on, Ryan. Let's step outside and give it a whirl."
"Okay." Ryan glanced at Rick. "You guys keep an eye on him."
"We will." Brent nodded.
"I must go tend to the last mixture." Kuai headed for the stairs. "Call down for me if ANYTHING happens with him, okay?"
"Got it." Misty nodded. "We'll yell for you."
As the others all gathered to watch over Rick, Ryan and Allison stepped outside and she held up a Pokéball.
"Come on out, Nerris!" Her Dragonair appeared and leaned down so she could pet it. "Hey, do you think you could fire off a few Dragon-type moves? Let Ryan watch?"
Nerris glanced at Ryan and nodded, slithering away from the building and towards the trees around them. Ryan summoned his Charizard Saber and watched as Nerris gathered power.
"Try to feel out the energy." Allison advised. "See if you can draw on your powers to replicate it."
"Right." Ryan nodded and watched as the Dragonair fired a Dragon Breath. The energy had a mystical, borderline-ethereal feel to it as it shot into the air. Ryan had never focused on Dragon-type attacks before, but seeing one up close, he could swear he felt the power it exuded from where he stood.
"Try it." Allison nodded and Ryan drew back his saber.
"Dragon Claw!" A brief spark of similar energy went down the weapon, but quickly fizzled out. Nerris leaned down and Allison put a palm against her, a brief glow emanating.
"She says the power has to come from inside." Allison said at last. "You're trying to copy it from her, but it has to come from within yourself."
"You know, I really wish I could talk to my Pokémon like that." Ryan said. "Must be nice, being able to get to know them on that extra level."
"Ryan, please." Allison said. "Focus."
"Right, right." Ryan pulled back his saber once more. "Dragon Claw!" Draconic energy blazed down the length of the blade. Ryan gasped as it waved and blasted off in all directions, the three of them diving for cover.
"What was that?" Allison asked as it ended.
"I don't know." Ryan frowned. "It was like I couldn't control it."
"Nair." Nerris leaned down again and Allison briefly connected with her.
"Not anger." She said. "She says that looked like you drew from your anger, and that's why it went out of control."
"How can I not be angry right now?" Ryan said. "Rick is in a coma, we don't know if he'll even wake up. Team Rocket is trying to take even more from me than they already have, and apparently I'm the only one who can even possibly stop it now." He sighed. "It's all down to me, and I'm glad for that, but...I also don't want it to be."
"I know." Allison nodded. "It isn't right for so much to be on you. Somebody else should be able to do something. But don't worry. I'll be right there by your side. We all will." She reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. "We've all got your backs." Ryan looked over and smiled appreciatively. "Why don't you give it one more try? Try not to think about Team Rocket."
"Okay..." Ryan drew back his saber and draconic power coated it again.
"Guys, Team Rocket's back!" Brent called from the doorway. The three of them jumped as the energy blasted from the sword once more. Brent blinked. "Sorry to interrupt."
"No, it's okay." Ryan glared at his sword in annoyance while Allison recalled Nerris. "Looks like we're out of time. Let's do this."
Soon, in Fuschia City...
"Fuschia City...so this is where that Crobat Clan hails from." Draconess laughed. "Well, I'll enjoy tearing it to the ground!"
"Not while we're here!" Draconess spun as the Rangers came leaping towards her. Spreading her wings, she took off into the sky, firing a Dragon Pulse down that they dove away from.
"Back for more, are you?" Draconess laughed as she landed. "Where's your Dragon Knight friend?"
"We don't need him to beat you." Ryan assured her, pulling back his blade. "Air Slash!"
Draconess jumped over the attack as Ginger and Jessica charged forward.
"Power Whip!"
"Poison Jab!"
Draconess's wing lashed out and smacked the Venusaur Whip aside while she herself grabbed the Arbok Staff, spinning Jessica around and throwing her back into the Green Ranger.
"Hydro Pump!" Brent combined his cannons and fired them at her, but she shrugged off the blow and breathed a Dragon Breath at him, the Blue Ranger narrowly blocking with a Protect.
"Ryan, together." Allison suggested. They held out their weapons side by side.
"Dual Burn: Plasma Storm!" the two called. A sphere of flame formed at the end of Ryan's saber, electricity crackling around it as it fired forward. Draconess crossed her wings and lashed out right before it hit, smacking the attack back at them and blasting both of them to the ground.
"You Rangers are no match for my power." Draconess laughed.
"Zapdos Drill!" Jessica drew her secondary weapon and stabbed out, jabbing Draconess in the midsection. "Discharge!" As electricity flared around it, Draconess smirked and her tail lashed out to smack the Violet Ranger away.
"Dual Growth: Seaweed Strike!" Brent and Ginger joined their weapons and fired a series of green strands, wrapping around Draconess and binding her.
"What?" Draconess looked down and started to break free. The Blue and Green Rangers both leaped at her, Ginger wrapping her whip around the Dragonite mutant as well while Brent pinned her arms with his cannons.
"Ryan, now's your chance." Allison said as the Red and Yellow Rangers rose. "While they've got her trapped."
"I've got it...I hope." Ryan drew back his Charizard Saber as it glowed with power. He could feel it wavering, fighting against him, and did his best to steady it as he charged at Draconess. "Dragon Claw!"
As he swung, the energy flared off, only a small fraction of it hitting Draconess. She and the two Rangers holding her were all blasted off their feet.
"Sorry, guys." Ryan cringed as he helped Brent and Ginger to their feet. He glanced over as Jessica joined them, summoning his Articuno Fan. "Let's combine weapons on her while she's distracted."
"Right." Brent summoned his Moltres Axe and the three of them combined them together.
"Legend Bow, fire!" As the extra-large arrow fired out, Draconess rose and reached out, catching it by the shaft and spinning it around to hurl back at them.
"Watch it!" Jessica yelled. She and Brent managed to dive away, but Ryan was unable to avoid most of the attack. His suit vanished as he demorphed and hit the ground.
"Using Dragon moves now, are we, Red Ranger?" Draconess chuckled as she held out a hand, a ball of draconic power forming in it. "I can't have that. Draco Meteor!"
Ryan watched helplessly as the blast fired up and shot down towards him. At the last second, a yellow figure appeared in front of him and took it head on.
Ryan watched in horror as Allison fell to her knees, her suit vanishing, before hitting the ground facefirst.
Back at Fuji's lab...
"NO!" Kuai slammed a palm on the table as he watched the fight. "I've got to get out there."
"Didn't you say it would probably kill you?" Fuji asked.
"I don't have a choice." Kuai ran for the door. "I can't let this happen!"
"KUAI!" The ninja stopped and whirled at Misty's yell. Rick was convulsing where he was laying, spasming violently. A small bit of foam started to leak from his mouth. Kuai glanced at his daughter laying defeated on the screen. "Kuai, please!"
"Damn it all." Kuai growled, running over to them. "Get the last resort, now!" As she ran over to it, Kuai looked to Fuji. "Hold his head as steady as you can." The scientist nodded and got into position.
"You never did say what was so 'last resort' about this stuff." Misty said as she ran towards them with a cup of it.
"Because it's such a strong dose his body might reject it." Kuai said as he held out a hand. "If it doesn't heal him, then it could end up finishing the job itself." Misty hesistated.
"You mean it could kill him?" she asked fearfully.
"Misty, he's going to die for sure if we don't do something!" Kuai snapped. "At least this gives a chance. Now give it!" Misty reluctantly handed it over and Kuai tilted it into Rick's mouth while Fuji held him steady, Rick spluttering a bit as he choked it down.
"C'mon, Rick." Misty grasped his hand. "You have to pull through this." His body started to still. "You have to."
Back in Fuschia...
"Allison!" Ryan crawled forward and rolled her over. Allison coughed and managed a smile as she looked at him.
"Hey..." she forced out.
"Why did you do that!?" Ryan cried. "You took that attack for me?"
"You would've done the same." She managed to reach up and grasp his hand. "I told you I'd be there for you."
"I didn't want this..." Ryan grit his teeth. "This is all my fault. If I could've just figured out the stupid move..."
"None of that." Allison shook her head slightly. "I made my choice, not you."
Ryan glanced over to where the others were occupied with Draconess. She kicked Ginger in the chest before turning and grabbing Brent's arm, flipping him to the ground as her tail snaked out and yanked Jessica's legs out from under her.
As the three of them rose, Draconess fired a Dragon Breath. Brent could only get a Protect barrier partially up before it hit, the attack demorphing the three of them and sending them to the ground.
"I've gotta help them." Ryan said.
"Hey." Allison pulled him back as he tried to stand, leaning up enough to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. "Be careful, will you? I don't want you joining me down here."
"Yeah, yeah." Ryan gulped. "I got it. I'll be back to help you as soon as I can." Standing, Ryan summoned his Charizard Saber and charged at Draconess.
"That is not careful." Allison sighed as she watched Ryan yell and leap for the mutant, draconic energy flaring off of his blade and exploding all over the place. "Oh Ryan..."
One of her Pokéballs wiggled and she reached down, pressing it and releasing Nerris. The Dragonair looked down at her sadly.
"Nair?" Nerris's tail reached under Allison and helped her up into a sitting position. As she did, another cough wracked her body, a bit of blood spraying from her mouth and leaking down her chin.
"I don't think I'm gonna make it, Nerris." Allison gasped. The two watched as Draconess knocked Ryan's blade from his hands and kicked him down with the others.
"Dragon Pulse!" She fired, but Brent managed to bring his cannons together and raised a Protect in front of the group. Draconess smirked as she continued to fire against it. "I'll break through that barrier sooner or later, Rangers!"
"Dragonair?" Nerris leaned down and bumped her head against Allison's hand. She placed her palm against her Pokémon and used her powers to connect to her.
"You heard that, huh?" Allison frowned. "I definitely won't make it." She glanced over as Brent's barrier started to flicker. "But might as well go out with a bang." She pressed her Morpher. "Poké Power, unleash! Pikachu!" Her Ranger suit surrounded her and she summoned her Pikachu Striker, using it to help herself get up. Nerris leaned down to offer support as she held the weapon out, firing a Thunderbolt into Draconess's back.
Letting up her attack, Draconess turned to look at the Yellow Ranger staggering slowly towards her.
"Allison, no!" Ryan and the others started to run forward, but Draconess's wings swung back and knocked them all down again. Draconess marched forward.
"I won't...let you do this." Allison managed. Draconess laughed.
"The barely standing Yellow Ranger is going to stop me?" She held out a hand charging with Dragon Pulse. "You'll join your Black Ranger friend soon enough."
Nerris fired a Dragon Breath, Draconess growling as it hit her. Withstanding it, she glared as the Dragonair coiled around Allison.
"Foolish Pokémon." she snarled. "You can't defeat me. You can't hide behind him!" she called to Allison.
"I'm not hiding." Allison said. She looked at her Pokémon surrounding her. It had the right moves, but not enough power. Somebody needed to give it more, and she was the only one who might be able to do it. She'd touched Nerris's mind plenty of times...why not her soul? "I'm getting ready to destroy you." A golden glow surrounded her as she reached out to Nerris. "Soul Link!"
The Dragonair turned into energy and flowed towards Allison and into her body. Blue stripes appeared down the legs and arms of her Ranger Suit, the Electric-type symbol on the chest being replaced with a Dragon-type symbol. Her helmet changed to have a Dragonair shape while still maintaining its yellow color, and her Pikachu Striker was replaced with a blue blade shaped like a Dragonair's tail.
To Allison's surprise, she felt way better after they combined. She could actually feel her body repairing itself, snapped ribs and damaged organs patching themselves up. She twirled her new blade.
"Yellow Ranger, Dragon Knight Mode!" she called.
"You think that will save you?" Draconess growled. "Dragon Pulse!"
"Agility!" Allison dodged aside from the blast with swiftness, leaping forward and landing a kick to Draconess's chest. Spinning, she slashed out with her blade, knocking the mutant back.
Draconess sprung up into the air, hovering and firing a Dragon Breath down. Allison dodged back out of the way.
"Double Team!" She multiplied into three and they all leaped up. Two illusions swung their swords and Draconess moved to block, leaving her open for the real deal to land on her chest. Slashing repeated, Allison drove her downward before leaping off.
"Thunder!" Lightning blasted up and down onto Draconess, smashing her into the street. Rising, she found Allison swinging her sword out. "Dragon Tail!" The attack flung Draconess back to slam into the side of a building, bouncing off and to the ground.
"I'm going to destroy you!" Draconess snarled as she rose up, readying another Draco Meteor. Allison held back her blade as draconic energy spread down its length.
"Dragon Rush!" Sliding forward, she slashed past Draconess before she could fire. Skidding to a halt, she turned as sparks flew from the mutant's midsection where she had been struck. Draconess let out a last yell of pain and anger before toppling and exploding. Letting out a sigh of relief, Allison looked down at her altered suit.
"Wow..." she muttered.
"Allison!" Ryan and the others came running up to her. "Are you okay?" Ryan asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. Hold on...break link!" Energy flowed out as Allison's suit returned to normal and Nerris appeared beside her. "Better than ever, in fact." Her injuries were totally gone now, and unlike how Kuai had seemed after using the technique, she felt like she could run a marathon.
"Good." Ryan let out a relieved breath. "I was so worried...I thought..."
"I know." she nodded. "Let's get back. I have some questions for my dad."
Soon, at Fuji's lab...
"Hey, dad?" Allison called as the team walked into the lab. "Are you still awake?"
"What were you thinking!?" Kuai ran over and wrapped his daughter in a hug. "I nearly had a heart attack when I heard you using Soul Link. I thought you'd just gone and killed yourself."
"Hey, I thought I was..." Allison told him. "Glad I didn't."
"Not as glad as we all are." Ryan assured her. He looked over to find the spot where Rick had been laying empty. "Hey, is Rick..."
"Starving." the Black Ranger said through a mouthful of sandwhich as he came up from below, Misty right behind him. "Man, being in a coma really works up an appetite."
"Rick!" The other Rangers all swarmed forward to hug him. "You're okay!"
"Hey, watch it!" Rick held his plate of food back. "You're gonna make me drop my food!" Misty laughed and took it from his hand so he could hug his team back. "Glad to see you all too."
"It was a close one." Kuai said. "But he's not one to give up easy. We were able to pull him through."
"Thank you all for taking care of me." Rick grinned. "I'm lucky I had you all here for me."
"You're lucky you had Misty." Ginger smirked. "She was the one who called us and got you here."
"Hey, I already know I'm lucky to have her." Rick laughed. "You don't have to tell me that one."
"Allison..." Kuai tapped his daughter on the shoulder as the others continued to chat. "Can I speak with you, privately?"
"Sure." Allison let him lead her off to the side, where she leaned against a counter. "I assume this is about..."
"You using Soul Link, yes." Kuai looked her over. "How do you feel?"
"Better than you look." Allison told him.
"Thanks a lot." Kuai chuckled. "You're not tired?"
"Nope." Allison shook her head. "Neither is Nerris. And somehow, my injuries all vanished." She rubbed her chest, remembering the pain from before. "I don't know how."
"I could hazard a guess." Kuai said. "Your healing powers only work on Pokémon, yes?"
"Right..." Allison agreed.
"Well, when you Soul Link, your body and mind become one with a Pokémon." Kuai told her. "So, if I had to guess..."
"I healed myself?" Allison finished for him.
"Only thing I can imagine." Kuai nodded. "And that would explain why you aren't exhausted right now. Your powers kept you topped up on energy." Kuai smiled. "Which might just make you the most effective Soul Link user in history."
"Really?" Allison laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely." Kuai nodded. "With your powers, you seem to be able to maintain the state much easier than anybody I've heard of. It probably has a limit, and I wouldn't advise staying in it longer than you have to, but still..."
"Well, thanks." Allison smiled. "That's something else."
"Yeah..." Kuai crossed his arms and smiled. "And I just want you to know...even though you scared me half to death jumping in to sacrifice yourself like that, and then all over again by Soul Linking...both of them also make me prouder than I ever could've imagined."
"Thanks, dad." Allison grinned and hugged him. Leaning down, Kuai whispered in her ear.
"Oh, and as for that other thing that happened out there..." he said. "I hope you follow up on it."
"What are you talking about?" Allison asked.
"You know." he winked. "Ryan needs somebody like you in his life." Kuai yawned. "Well, I better get off to bed now." Turning, he grinned as he walked off, leaving Allison to look between him and Ryan thoughtfully.
Elsewhere, in Silph Co...
"How is it coming?" Persia demanded as she appeared. The CEO nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Would you not do that?" he growled. "It's coming slowly. What you ask of me isn't easy, you know?"
"Well, work faster." Persia extended her claws and scratched boredly at the table he was working at. "I need it as soon as you possibly can."
"You asked me to build you a device that I don't even understand the science of!" the CEO snapped. "You want it done faster, get me some research on the subject!"
"Mmm." Persia scratched her chin. "Yes...that might not be a bad idea."
Next Time: Gengron continues trying to figure out his dreams and comes up with a new plan. When two of the Rangers fall prey to it, can the others get their teammates back before it's too late? Find out next time in "The Scent of Victory"