Previously on Poké Rangers: Eon Force...
Eusine arrived with a new discovery, one that would take Diggswell, Sam, and David away from Azalea for an indefinite time. In order to have them able to come back whenever needed, Celebi sent the Rangers to Blackthorn City, where he had hidden a secret tool in the Box of Seven. Retrieving it from the Gym Leader, Clair, the Rangers also intervened in an attempt by the Chaos Beast Sir Skarmacro to capture Entei, a Legendary Pokémon on a mysterious rampage, and learned of Suicune's previous ambush of Clair. Returning home, they managed to figure out the box's secret with Professor Diggswell's aid and opened it to retrieve their Spirit Boards, hypersonic sky surfers that they used to take down Skarmacro. Meanwhile, Looker met the psychic Madame Xana and brought her on board to help his investigation, unaware she is actually Xactowl in disguise.
The Underwood Ranch...
"Alicia, come ON!" Emma called up the stairs. "We're going to miss our train if you don't get moving!"
"Just be patient! I don't have as easy a costume as you." Alicia called back down. Emma huffed and moved back to the door, where Sally and Whitney were waiting.
"Your sister will be down one of these hours." she reported. Whitney giggled and shrugged. She was currently wearing her Pink Ranger costume, sans helmet that she held in her hands. Sally and Emma were both morphed into their Ranger Suits, but also currently had their helmets off. Matt stood nearby, unlike them unmorphed.
"You guys are sure it's okay to go like this?" he asked.
"Matt, relax." Whitney told. "Just about everybody at the convention is going to be dressed as a Ranger. Nobody's going to see anything unusual about Sally and Emma being the same."
"Yeah. We'll blend right in." Sally nodded.
"This is just...not my color." Alicia complained as she walked down the stairs. She was dressed in a Ranger costume that was bright purple, with white boots and gloves and a Poison-type symbol on the chest. She carried with her an Arbok-designed helmet. "I would've much rather matched yours, Whitney."
"Well, tough." Whitney shrugged. "You shouldn't have waited so long. That was the only female Ranger costume they had left in stock."
"Come on." Emma glanced at her watch. "We're already running late."
"You sure you don't want to come, Matt?" Sally asked as the Yellow Ranger opened the door and led the way outside.
"Nah. Somebody has to take care of the ranch, and Alicia's had to do it too often. She could use a trip like this." Matt smiled. "You girls have a good time."
"Okay." Sally waved as she chased after the others. "See you when we get back! I'll bring you a souvenir!"
Not too much later, the four of them were on the Magnet Train blazing towards the Kanto Region. They weren't the only ones in Ranger outfits; several other people on the train were also dressed in a variety of costumes. Sally laughed as a young boy in a Red Eon Ranger costume ran by, being chased by another in a Blue Eon Ranger costume.
"They have it all, don't they?" Emma asked. She was currently looking through a brochure for Ranger-Con, the convention that they were heading towards. "Merch for days, exhibition Pokémon matches...ooh, a demo of the Poké Rangers game sequel! The first was awesome!"
"And of course, your favorite girl music duo in the world." Alicia reminded her.
"Don't think I've forgotten!" Emma looked up. "Ginger-Al's presence was the whole reason I asked to tag along. I'm finally gonna see them in person, maybe get an autograph..."
"And I have a special surprise in store for you two." Whitney said, looking from Sally to Alicia.
"What?" Sally looked to her. "What surprise?"
"If I told you that, it wouldn't BE a surprise, now would it?" Whitney laughed. "Don't you two fret. You'll enjoy it."
"If you say so, sis." Alicia glanced out the window, as eager as any of them to arrive. "I hope you haven't signed us up for anything too embarrassing."
"Nah." Whitney waved a hand in a not very reassuring manner.
"The Magnet Train will be arriving in Kanto momentarily." an announcement came through over the compartment's speakers. "Please collect your belongings and prepare to disembark."
"We're just about there..." Sally grinned. "I can't wait."
(Theme Song inspired by Power Rangers: Wild Force Opening)
*beat begins with a strange ethereal pulse (replace all roars with such) before quickly building into a rock beat* (The Eon Crystals awake and float into the air)
Eon Force Poké Rangers! (The original five Rangers enter the Vanishing Shrine...)
Eon Crystals are forever! (...and are bonded with their respective Eon Crystal.)
Eon Force Poké Rangers! (All seven Rangers' helmets appear to complete their morphing sequences)
We'll defend Johto together! (The seven pose together as an explosion bursts behind them.)
Eon Force! Eon Force! (The Rangers soar through the air on their Spirit Boards.)
Ancient powers have awakened; (Go!) (Richard tosses a basketball into a hoop, his Cyndaquil letting off a showy burst as it swishes. Turning to the camera, he flashes a thumbs up as the Red Ranger and Flare are shown.)
Eon Force gonna save them. (Eon Force!) (Sally steps off the bus into Azalea Town with her Mimikyu right behind. Noticing the camera, she waves as the Pink Ranger and Esper are shown.)
Our whole timeline in danger; (Go!) (Phillip reaches out and pulls a plastic bottle from a river, dropping it into a bag his Croconaw is carrying. Seeing the camera, he nods as the Blue Ranger and Vapor are shown.)
We will save (Emma is working on an explosive in a lab with her Voltorb on the table observing. She jumps back from a spark and grins at the camera as the Yellow Ranger and Jolt are shown.)
this world! (Matt looks over the Underwood Ranch as his Tyranitar walks up beside him. Petting her, he sees the camera and smiles as the Black Ranger and Umbre are shown.)
Eon Force Poké Rangers! (Sam and David laugh together with their Meganium and Swinub as the Green and White Rangers are shown with Leaf and Glace.)
Eon Crystals are forever! (Alicia raises a Pokéball and clicks it open/Victoria smiles beside her Arcanine/Professor Diggswell looks up from his notes)
Eon Force Poké Rangers! (The Rangers summon their weapons.)
We'll defend Johto together! (The Rangers aim and fire the Eon Cannon.)
*guitar riff* (Celebi and Hypnotica are talking in the shrine, Xactowl and Ditgle bow to Mask of Ice in his lair/Walter puts on his Terror mask)
Eon Force Poké Rangers! (The Eon Zords join together into the Eon Force Megazord...)
We'll defend Johto together! (...that is then shown using the Eon Spirit Charge.)
Eon...Force! Eon Force! (All seven Rangers pose together as the Eon Zords appear behind them, followed by the logo being shown (use your imagination, cuz I don't have the artistic skill to draw one))
Saffron City, Kanto...
Pulling into a parking lot down the street from the city's center, Alicia stepped out of the driver's seat of their rented car, Sally, Whitney, and Emma emerging from the vehicle as well.
"Packed." Alicia closed the door. "We really should've came earlier. Got better parking."
"It's fine." Whitney grinned and waved the group. "Come on! This way!"
The four quickly ran down the street, where they found the center square had been converted into a sprawling network of booths and crowds, centered around the Silph Co HQ. The towering building's lower floors served as the centerpiece to the masses.
Approaching the ropes that cordoned off the area, the four of them showed their tickets to the man manning the entrance, dressed in a costume of the White Ranger from the Poké Rangers video game. Nodding, he quickly located a stamp and applied it to their hands.
"Excellent." Stepping aside, he allowed them to pass. "Enjoy your time at Ranger-Con!"
The four of them called back thanks as they rushed past, eager to experience what was before them. Stopping, they looked around in awe at the massive crowd, the vast majority decked out in Ranger costumes.
"There must be thousands of people here..." Sally said in awe she looked over them. Most had costumes of Rangers from either the Kanto team or the Eon Force team, but she caught sight of a few others that she recognized from the Others tab of the fanpage. A few Mystic Force Rangers wandered amongst them, as did the occassional Fighting Knight. She even caught sight of a few villains here and there, though they seemed to be extremely scarce.
Sally drew Mimikyu's Pokéball and released him onto her shoulder. According to the convention rules, everyone was allowed to have one Pokémon out, excluding those participating in official show battles. Emma carried her Voltorb in her hands as they walked forward, and Whitney's Miltank and Alicia's Houndoom followed behind them.
"What should we do first?" Alicia asked. Nobody was given a chance to answer before Emma cut them off with a squeal of excitement.
"Look!" She pointed and the others followed where she was indicating. "There they are!"
Directly in front of the Silph HQ, a temporary stage had been erected, and up on it was Ginger-Al themselves.
"In costume just like everybody." Whitney laughed. "Nice to see they got into the spirit of the festival."
Guitarist Ginger Starr was wearing the outfit of the Green Kanto Ranger, while singer Allison Farrow had the Yellow Kanto Ranger's outfit. Helping them set up was another woman in a Violet Kanto Ranger outfit identical to Alicia's. None of them had helmets on at present; they sat nearby on the stage.
"Different roadie." Emma pointed out. "It's usually Allison's boyfriend Ryan."
"Something must've come up." Sally shrugged. "Come on. They won't be playing for a while and we have plenty to do in the meantime."
"Yeah, we've got to get into position!" Whitney said, glancing at her watch. Grabbing Sally's wrist, she pulled her along.
"What...hey!" Sally laughed. "What do you mean in position? Where are we going?"
As they moved away, Emma stared at the new roadie and frowned. Noticing her expression, Alicia tapped her arm.
"Hey...you okay?" she asked.
"There's something really familiar about her..." she said. "I swear I've seen her somewhere before."
"Probably in one of the many things you've read or watched about the band." Alicia laughed. "She must've stood in for the usual guy some other time."
"Yeah..." Emma nodded. "Yeah, you're probably right."
"You go catch up with Sally and my sister." Alicia nudged her in the direction they had gone. "See what those two are up to."
"What are you going to do?" Emma asked curiously.
"Explore!" Alicia laughed. "I'll come join you later, in time for the concert!"
"Alright." Emma and her Voltorb took off after Sally and Whitney while Alicia headed the other direction.
For the next ten minutes, Alicia wandered the area, stopping at booths, chatting with the occassional fellow attendee, and getting a good lay of the land. After a while, her helmet starting getting hot inside, so she pulled it off.
"Whoo..." She sighed in relief at the cooler feel. "Come on, Wuggles. We've got..."
As Alicia rounded a corner, she collided with somebody, both of them dropping helmets onto the ground. Stumbling back, Alicia looked up to see the same girl that had been helping Ginger-Al set up. Up close, she could see that her black hair ended with purple tips.
"Oh, hey there." She knelt and picked their two helmets up, holding out the other girl's. "Sorry about that. I shouldn't turn corners that fast."
"No harm done." The girl took her helmet, an Arbok curling around her feet. "Nice costume."
"Thanks...though I'll admit, I didn't have a lot of options." The girl laughed and Alicia held out a hand. "I'm Alicia, by the way. Alicia Milton."
"Jessica Freeman." The girl shook her hand before her Arbok slid forward, examining Alicia and Wuggles curiously. Houndoom sniffed at it and Arbok pulled back before seeming to grin and sliding forward, pressing his head against Alicia's hand fondly. "Well, you've got Arbok's seal of approval. Good enough for me."
"I'm glad." Alicia rubbed Arbok's head. "He seems friendly."
Wuggles stepped past her and moved up beside Jessica, sitting and holding out his head. Jessica returned the favor and he wagged his tail happily.
"So, you're helping Ginger-Al?" Alicia asked. "I saw you on the stage."
"Yeah." Jessica smiled. "My brother Ryan usually does it, but he wasn't feeling well, so I offered to take his place for today.
"Oh...cool." Alicia nodded. "Well, me and my friends are looking forward to the performance. Especially my friend Emma. She's a huge fan."
"That so?" Jessica grinned. "Tell you what...you stick around after the show, meet me back here, and I'll take you to meet them. Without the autograph line."
"Really?" Alicia asked in amazement. "You'd do that?"
"Consider it a reward for your good fashion choices." Jessica stepped forward and walked passed her. "Involuntary as they may have been." Arbok quickly followed after her as she turned back and offered a wave before vanishing into the crowd.
"Whoa...Emma's gonna freak!" Alicia laughed to herself.
'Attention everyone.' A voice rang out over the convention. From what the brochure had said, this was Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron, making announcements via telepathy. No speakers needed when you had that around. 'The first exhibition Pokémon match will begin shortly. All spectators who wish to view it, please gather at the battle zone to the northeast of the convention area. Thank you.'
'Now this I'm curious about.' Alicia rubbed Wuggles' head. "C'mon. Let's go find the others."
Mask of Ice's lair...
"Sire?" Xactowl hunted through the caverns, searching for his master. To his frustration, he couldn't seem to find him anywhere. "Are you here?"
Just as he was about to give up, he heard gasping from the shrine chamber. Rushing in that direction, he entered to find Mask of Ice on his knees, seeming to struggle for breath.
"Sire!" Kneeling beside him, Xactowl looked him over. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" Mask of Ice gave no answer, simply continuing to gasp and shudder. Frowning, Xactowl reached a wing towards his mask.
"Don't..." Mask of Ice's hand came up and batted his wing aside. "Don't touch..."
"Sorry. I thought you might breathe better without it." Xactowl apologized.
"I'll be fine..." Mask of Ice seemed to at last catch his breath, rising and sighing as he inhaled deeply. "Just give me a minute."
"What is wrong?" Xactowl questioned. "I have not seen you like this." Mask of Ice held up his Ice Staff, looking at it in annoyance.
"The staff's chaotic energies are hard on a mortal body...especially one like mine." he said. "The longer it goes, the more I use it...it continues to take a greater toll. One of these days...it will likely kill me."
"Then we must win this battle against the Rangers as fast as possible!" Xactowl nodded. Mask of Ice glanced at him and frowned.
"Yes, we must beat them quickly." He stepped past his advisor. "And fairly."
"Yes...fairly." Xactowl did his best to not yell in frustration. "Of course."
"Where have you been lately?" Mask of Ice asked. "You've been gone a lot."
"Out scouting, searching for anything we could use to gain an advantage over the Rangers." Xactowl told him. Mask of Ice turned to face him.
"And did you find anything?" he asked. Xactowl shook his head.
"Not yet. But I did come here to tell you something important." Xactowl said. "I sensed the Pink and Yellow Rangers leaving the region."
"They did what!?" Mask of Ice stepped closer. "You're certain?"
"Of course. They went to Kanto, along with the Champion and her sister." Xactowl explained. "I thought it might be a prime opportunity to attack."
"Yes, but which ones?" Mask of Ice tapped his staff contemplatively. "Those two, or the three still in Azalea?"
"I'd remind you the Green and White Rangers are still out there." Xactowl pointed out. "And they're closer to Azalea than they are to the Pink and Yellow."
"Hmm. That is true. Ditgle!" Mask of Ice yelled into the tunnels.
"Yes?" The monster maker quickly appeared on the scene.
"I need something tough." Mask of Ice told him, aiming his staff and firing to create a sizable block of ice. "Right now. I don't care what it is."
"Very interesting." Ditgle twirled his tail in thought. "I know what to do. One tough guy, coming up!"
The two of them watched Ditgle draw until he at last stepped back and nodded in satisfaction. As he moved aside, Mask of Ice fired chaotic energy into the statue until it came to life.
"Hey hey, Wigglytank's ready to slay!" The Chaos Beast stomped forward. He had a massively bulky body that appeared to be a humanoid Miltank, with various Wigglytuff features across him, including its ears and eyes. He carried a massive pink hammer that almost looked like a Wigglytuff on a wooden handle. "Who do I gotta pound, straight into the ground?"
"Ditgle, your creations never cease to annoy me." Xactowl muttered. Mask of Ice closed his eyes under his mask for a moment, sensing for the crystals' specific location, before nodding.
"Wigglytank, I want you to go to Saffron City in Kanto." he commanded. "Find the Pink and Yellow Rangers, and bring me their crystals."
"I do as you command, and go to a victory that's grand!" Bowing quickly, Wigglytank iced over before vanishing from view.
"You sure he's up to the task?" Xactowl asked Ditgle.
"Would I let our leader down?" Ditgle asked incredulously.
"Yes!" Xactowl snapped. "Quite frequently!"
"They're only two Rangers." Mask of Ice held up a viewing sphere. "He will be more than adequate to destroy them."
Ranger-Con, Saffron City...
"Emma, there you are!" Alicia ran up to join her, having found her near the battlegrounds for the upcoming Pokémon battle. Looking around, she could see no sign of the others. "Hey, where's Sally and Whitney?"
"Don't know." Emma shrugged. "They slipped away from me, but they'll be around somewhere."
"Okay. I guess we'll find them after the battle." Alicia shrugged. "Anyway, you know that girl that was helping Ginger-Al?" Emma looked to her in interest and nodded. "Well, I bumped into her. Her name's Jessica, she's the brother of that Ryan guy you said usually works with them. When I told her how much of a fan you were, she wanted to know if you'd like a private meeting with them after the show."
"Would I!?" Emma gaped. "YES! Alicia, you're the best!"
"You don't have to tell me that." Alicia laughed.
'Attention, everyone!' Sabrina stepped out onto the stage, the Saffron Gym Leader broadcasting her voice telepathically to the watching crowd. 'Thank you all for gathering. We have a couple of very special battles planned for today, starting with this one. To start us off, you will get to see a Gym Leader in action.'
"Oh? She herself is battling?" Emma guessed.
'But not one that you usually see here in Kanto.' Sabrina went on. 'Those of you from Johto may recognize her as the rising star of Goldenrod, with a currently undefeated record, Whitney Milton!'
"Wait, what?" Emma watched as Whitney stepped out onto one side of the battlefield, grinning and waving at the crowd.
'And her opponent is a trainer making their way through the Johto Gym Leaders as we speak. She's collected two badges so far, and today she will attempt to go for a third. Originating from the Alola Region, here she is, Sally Estelle!
"I don't know why I'm even surprised." Alicia chuckled as Sally emerged to stand opposite Whitney. "Course, that probably means she's signed me up for a battle too. The only question is, with who?"
Out on the field, Sally looked over her Pokémon as she prepared for battle.
'You're not ready!' Closing her eyes, she growled to herself as her grandfather berated her. 'You haven't had enough time to prepare!'
'Shut the hell up.' Sally thought, drawing a Pokéball. 'I am ready. I will do this.'
She had certainly been surprised when Whitney revealed that they were going to battle here at the convention. Honestly, she would've rather waited, but Whitney was so eager to face her again...it was almost infectious.
'Now you'll lose in front of this entire crowd of people.' her grandfather snarled in her head. 'Some friend she is to put you in this situation.'
"You ready, Sally?" Whitney drew her first Pokéball. "This is your third Gym Battle, so that means it's time to bring in a third Pokémon. This will be three on three."
"Right." Sally smiled and nodded determinedly. Despite the voice's best attempts to make it otherwise, she found herself growing more excited.
'Begin!' Sabrina called out, stepping back.
"Go for it, Furret!" Whitney sent out one of the two Pokémon Sally had fought previously. Nodding, Sally drew back her own Pokéball.
"Up to you, Larvitar!" She sent the Pokémon out and Larvitar grinned as it saw who it was facing. 'You ready for a rematch?' Sally projected to him.
"Larv!" Larvitar stepped forward. 'You bet, Sally! Let's take him down!'
"Rock Throw, Larvitar!" Sally commanded. Larvitar formed a stone and hurled it forward.
"Dodge it with Agility!" Whitney called. Furret dashed to the side, agily avoiding the flying rock as it upped its speed. "Now, Dig!" Furret quickly burrowed under the ground.
Sally ran through some options in her head as quick as she could. She didn't want to counter with Dig herself; it would do more damage to Larvitar with his Rock typing than to Furret. Though she did think Larvitar was tough enough to take at least one hit.
'Catch him when he surfaces!' Sally communicated to him. 'Bite onto him.'
"Tar!" Larvitar tried to jump as Furret emerged beneath him, but he still got caught as the Pokémon slammed into him. Grabbing onto it, he latched down with his fangs.
"Shake him, Furret!" Whitney called. The Normal-type dashed around as fast as it could, zigzagging and shaking aruptly as Larvitar tried to keep clinging to it. Eventually, he lost his grip and flew off, crashing to the ground. "Now, Iron Tail!"
Whipping its tail around, it glowed silver as Furret struck the rising Larvitar, knocking him backwards and off his feet. Larvitar struggled back up as Furret burrowed back into the ground, coming at him with another Dig.
"Lar..." Larvitar called. 'I feel strange, Sally.'
"Hang in there, Larvitar!" Sally called. "You have to avoid him!"
Suddenly, Larvitar began to glow brightly, his body expanding and altering. Sally shielded her eyes, and when she looked back he had changed.
"Larvitar, you evolved!" Sally called in delight. The newly transformed Pupitar turned to look at her proudly. "Quickly, Magnitude before he surfaces!"
"Pupi!" Pupitar smashed himself downward against the ground, sending out a powerful shockwave. There was a surprised cry as Furret found its tunnel collapsing in on itself. After a moment, the Pokémon forced its way back out to the surface, shaking its head dizzily.
"Now, Rock Slide!" Sally called. Pupitar formed a collection of larger stones around him and sent them flying forward.
"Watch it, Furret!" Whitney warned. Furret, still unsteady from the last attack, looked up in time to be buried under the flying stones. Pulling himself out from under the pile, he collapsed and lay unmoving. Whitney held up his Pokéball. "Good work, Furret. You tried your best."
Recalling him, she drew another Pokéball.
"Clefairy, go!" The ball opened and sent her Clefairy onto the field.
"Return, Pupitar." Sally called him back. Pupitar was barely keeping himself up; there was no way he'd make it through another opponent. Pulling another Pokéball, she aimed it forward. "Gloom, you're up!"
In a flash, Gloom appeared out of her ball, landing before Clefairy. Up on Sally's shoulder, Mimikyu stared before spinning to Sally.
"MIMI!?" he demanded. 'You added her to the team!?'
'She wanted to join.' Sally shrugged. 'And she has some surprising skills. Check it out.' Grinning, she pointed to Clefairy. "Acid, Gloom!"
"Gloo!" Opening her mouth, Gloom fired a stream of purplish liquid forward.
"Cosmic Power!" Whitney called in counter. Clefairy held up her hands and called on power from beyond the stars, upping her defenses as the acidic blast pushed her back. "Now, Meteor Mash!" Clefairy's hands turned steel-like as she leaped forward, driving the blow against Gloom's face.
"Poison Powder, quick!" Sally commanded. Gloom let off a burst of purplish dust, covering Clefairy before she was flung back. Clefairy shuddered as it felt the poisoning take effect.
"Wish!" At Whitney's call, Clefairy formed a starburst of energy and flung it into the sky to charge up. "Metronome!" Waggling its finger, an earthen spike appeared around Clefairy's hand, spinning as she struck with a Drill Run.
"Ingrain!" Roots grew from Gloom's feet, digging into the ground and holding her in place while sucking up nutrients to heal her. "Now, Giga Drain!" Gloom lurched forward and latched onto Clefairy, sucking some of her health away and adding it to her own. Clefairy at last pulled free and leaped back.
'...okay, she's not bad.' Mimikyu reluctantly admitted.
"We've got to stop that thing from healing or it'll wear us down." Whitney told Clefairy as its Wish fell back down and healed it up. "You think you can Attract it?" she asked, a slighty desperate edge to her voice from not seeing many options.
Clefairy nodded and hopped forward, winking at Gloom. The Grass-type's eyes glowed pink and a dopey grin spread on her face.
"Oh...that's a problem." Sally frowned. Clefairy leaped forward and struck with another Meteor Mash. "Gloom, snap out of it!"
"Double Slap!" Whitney called. Clefairy drew back a hand and quickly smacked Gloom back and forth across the face. Gloom didn't even react, staring at Clefairy dreamily.
"Crap..." Sally growled. 'There's got to be some way to break her out of this. Gloom, listen to me!' She tried projecting her thoughts to Gloom as she had done to break Mimikyu free previously. 'You have to ignore her!' Her words didn't seem to have much of an effect.
On her shoulder, Mimikyu sighed in annoyance.
"Kyu..." he muttered. 'The things I do...' Leaning forward, he called out. "MImi!" 'Gloom, it's Miss Mimi!'
Gloom's eyes went back to normal as she turned, looking around in confusion. Mimikyu groaned to himself.
'Up here! You have to keep fighting!' he called. Gloom grinned brightly.
"Loom!" She hopped in excitement. 'Miss Mimi's here! She's watching me fight!'
"Try another Metronome!" Whitney called. Clefairy's finger summoned the power to dash forward, pummeling Gloom with an Extreme Speed.
"Venoshock!" Sally called. Gloom withstood the hits and fired a poisonous blast from her flower, striking Clefairy head on in a tingling burst. Increased in power by the poison flowing through Clefairy, it was enough to send her flying back to her trainer unconscious.
As Whitney recalled Clefairy, Sally glanced to Mimikyu.
"Thank you for that." she whispered. "You're an angel, Mimikyu."
'I'm a sucker, that's what I am.' he muttered. 'You owe me one.'
"Well done, Sally." Whitney told her. "You've become an impressive trainer...but I'm not holding back. Miltank, come here!" From where she had been standing behind Whitney, her Miltank jumped forward into battle. "Body Slam!"
Springing into the air, Miltank flew down spread-eagle towards Gloom as she looked up at it in surprise.
"Poison Powder her too!" Sally called. Gloom let off the burst of toxic dust just before being crushed under the cowlike Pokémon. Leaping back, Miltank left Gloom dizzy and paralyzed in place.
"Heal Bell!" Whitney called. Miltank performed a quick dance, somehow creating a ringing bell effect. The poison purged from her system, she leaped forward as Whitney pointed. "Now, Stomp!"
Gloom yelped in surprise as Miltank's foot crushed down on her. As Miltank stepped back, Gloom tried to rise, but found herself unable to.
"That's okay, Gloom. You did great out there." Sally told her, calling her back to her ball before drawing her last Pokémon for the fight. 'Heracross, you ready for this?' she asked telepathically.
'Let me at her.' Heracross responded. 'I won't let you down.'
'I don't doubt that for a second.' Sally raised his ball. "Heracross, go!"
A confused and excited murmur spread across the crowd as they got a look at Sally's Heracross, standing fiercly despite his lack of horn. Raising the Scizorcross Sword, he spun it before pointing it forward.
"Well...that's something you don't see every day." Whitney blinked in surprise before grinning. "But don't think we can't take you down! Body Slam!"
Leaping back into the air, Miltank flopped down towards Heracross, who raised his sword defensively. Catching the blow, Heracross forced her back.
"Cut!" Sally called. Heracross drew back his sword and slashed out, but Miltank rolled quickly back out of the way.
Sally was impressed with Heracross's skill as he warily watched for Miltank's next move. She had been training with him extensively, passing along every lesson that Bugsy taught her. Heracross took to it like a natural, quickly becoming an excellent sparring partner with the blade.
"Headbutt!" Whitney commanded. Miltank shot forward and slammed her head into Heracross's midsection, making him flinch back. Taking the opening, she flipped upwards and smashed down on him with another Body Slam, leaving him struggling to move through the paralysis.
"You okay, Heracross?" Sally asked worriedly. Glancing back her way, he nodded.
'Fine.' he told her. 'Just really...really hate being stuck like this again...' Sally frowned in understanding.
"Defense Curl!" Crouching, Miltank rolled up into a ball. "And Rollout!" A rocky coating appeared over her as she barreled forward towards Heracross.
'You can do it, Heracross!' Sally mentally called to him. 'I know you can!' Focusing all his effort, Heracross drew back his non-sword arm. Adrenaline shot through his body as his Guts kicked into effect, just in time for the Rollout to strike him. "Brick Break!" Sally called. Heracross swung his arm down in a chop, shattering Miltank's stone coating and sending her bouncing back across the ground.
"Milk Drink!" Whitney commanded. Landing on her feet, Miltank absorbed some of the milk stored in her into her own body, restoring health.
"Bulk Up, Heracross." Sally commanded. "Let's take her down!" Nodding, Heracross's muscles swelled as he prepared for further battle.
"Take him down fast!" Whitney called. "Double-Edge!" Head lowering, Miltank raced forward recklessly.
"Now, Heracross!" Sally yelled. "You have to fight through this! Megahorn Slash!"
"Hera...CROSS!" Forcing himself to move, Heracross snapped free of paralysis as buzzing yellow energy spread down the Scizorcross Sword. Leaping forward, he slashed out and struck a devastating blow across Miltank.
Miltank's charge continued on unstopped, smashing Heracross back. Heracross yelled in annoyed struggle as he fell backwards, crashing to the ground at Sally's feet.
"Her..." He looked up at her. 'I'm sorry...I cannot go on.'
"You did great, Heracross!" Sally knelt beside him. "Don't worry about it."
Meanwhile, Whitney's Miltank stumbled to the side, falling over from the recoil of her blow. Sally watched her to see if she would rise, but she stayed down. She grinned in victory.
"You did better than great, you took her down!" Sally laughed. Heracross smiled slightly as she pulled out his ball and recallled him. "Good work out there." As Whitney recalled Miltank, Sabrina stepped out on the battlefield between them.
'It seems there was a double knockout in that showdown.' she announced. 'But since Sally's Pupitar remains up, that makes her the winner.' The crowd cheered as Whitney walked forward.
"Nice work, Sally." She laughed. "You did it. You beat me."
"Barely." Sally smiled. "You're a tough fighter."
"So are you." Whitney drew out a badge and held it out. "This is the Plain Badge. You're the first person to win it from me."
"Thanks..." Sally looked it over with a grin. "Kinda basic, isn't it?"
"Well what did you expect?" Whitney laughed. "It's called the Plain Badge."
As Sally placed it away in her case, she looked out over the crowd, which was already dispersing now that the show was over. Next on the docket was Ginger-Al's concert, so people were heading that direction as Sally and Whitney went to rejoin Alicia and Emma.
"Alright, spit it out." Alicia folded her arms and smirked. "Who am I gonna have to battle?"
"You'll find out, later." Whitney grinned mischieviously. "Don't worry. You'll have fun."
"I bet." Alicia shook her head in wonder. "Who could you possibly have...?"
"Never mind that!" Emma broke in. "Come on! We have a concert to watch!" Grabbing the two by the arms, she pulled them towards the stage as Sally chased after from behind.
Blackthorn City, Johto...
Clair was busy in the back office of her gym when one of the trainers of the gym opened the door.
"Leader Clair?" She looked up at the Dragon Tamer standing before her, holding a package in his hand. "This arrived for you?"
"Just set it on the desk." She pointed with her pen and went back to writing. The Dragon Tamer nodded and placed it quietly before returning to the gym proper.
After Clair finished the form she was on and slipped it into a drawer, she pulled the package closer. Quickly cutting through the tape, she flipped it open, pulling out the first sheet of paper on top.
'Report on Remnant Activity' she read. 'Ah, Pryce must've got it made at last.'
Pulling the rest out, she looked through it. The more she read, the deeper her frown became. The report was...not what she had expected.
She'd thought she'd be reading a summary of Walter and Victoria's activities, maybe some information about the search for them. That was indeed there, but there was so much more. Notes, photos, and more that outlined a surprising conspiracy that, if true, needed to be squashed right now.
Pulling out the last paper, Clair read it over, her eyes widening at the contents and the signature on the bottom. Quickly reassembling the report, she slid it all back in the box and grabbed the phone on her desk, dialing and pressing it to her ear.
After several rings, it was picked up.
"Hello?" A woman's elegant voice came through.
"Karen? It's Clair." She glanced at the troubling report. "I've got big news for you."
Later, Ranger-Con, Saffron City...
"That. Was. AWESOME!" Emma cheered after Ginger-Al had finished their concert. The girl duo waved at the crowd from the stage as they took their leave, and the group of people slowly started to disperse.
"They were really cool." Sally agreed with a grin. "I can see why you're such a fan."
The duo had finished the show with a special song made for the convention, about the Poké Rangers, and the announcement that their sophomore album was in the works and more info would be revealed about it soon.
"Well, come on." Alicia pushed past them and waved for them to follow. "I'll show you where Jessica said she'd meet us."
The three followed behind Alicia as she took them back to the spot where she had bumped into Jessica earlier. By the time they pushed their way through to crowd to get there, Jessica was already waiting for them, her Arbok curled around her.
"Ah, there you are." Jessica grinned and waved in greeting as they approached. "Hi again, Alicia." She looked to the others, her eyes stopping on Emma. "I'm guessing from the fact you seem about to burst with excitement that you're Emma."
"That's me." Emma said cheerfully, practically leaping forward to shake her hand. "So good to meet you!"
"You too..." Jessica frowned. "You seem familiar."
"Yeah? I thought I recognized you too earlier, when I saw you on stage." Emma told her. "Couldn't place where."
"Hmm." Jessica looked to Sally and Whitney and grinned. "And of course, Sally and Whitney. I saw you two battle. Impressive stuff."
"Thanks." Sally smiled happily. "Do you battle too?" Jessica laughed.
"Yeah, yeah I do." she said. "But right now, I think you guys were here for something else." She waved them along. "Follow me. I told Ginger and Allison I'd met some fans; they're eager to meet you guys as well."
Jessica took them around the stage and to the Silph Co HQ, sliding open the doors and letting them file past her inside. Emma quickly caught sight of Ginger and Allison sitting by the massive fountain in the lobby, chatting with each other. Ginger had curly red hair, green eyes, and a splash of freckles on her cheeks, while Allison had long blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Hey, Al. Ginger." Jessica approached and took a seat beside them. "Here they are. This is Emma, Sally, Alicia, and Whitney."
"Good to meet you guys." Ginger grinned and stood up, Allison rising beside her. "Y'all are fans of ours, huh?"
"Her especially." Sally nudged Emma forward. Emma bounced from foot to foot excitedly, looking from one to the other, unsure who to address first. After a moment, Sally nudged her again. "Emma, say something."
"You guy are so COOL!" Emma at last gushed. "Ginger, you're so good with your guitar; I never know what to expect from it. It's like you can do anything! And Allison, your voice is just...WOW. There so much emotion, you get powerful when you need to, quiet when you need to, all at the most perfect moments..." Ginger and Allison exchanged a smile as she went on.
"Did you come here just to hear us?" Allison at last said with a laugh.
"I think she did." Alicia shrugged. "And, you know, we're all fans of the Poké Rangers as well."
"Of course." Jessica smirked from her spot on the fountain's edge. "Who isn't?"
"Speaking of the Rangers, did you guys catch the demo of the second game?" Ginger asked. The group shook their head.
"I think we arrived just too late for that." Whitney said. "Are they showing it again?"
"Not publicly." Allison said. "But it looks cool. It's focused on that new team of Rangers over in Johto."
"It is?" Sally resisted the urge to grin too broadly. "I wish I could've seen that."
"Maybe you still can." Ginger said. "We just happen to know the lead designer...and he may or may not be interested in getting some people to playtest it."
"You'd do that for us?" Emma asked in excited amazement. Ginger threw an arm around her shoulder.
"Anything for our biggest fan." she grinned. "C'mon. He's upstairs now, hard at work as usual."
Before they could make to the elevator, the group's attention was caught by the sound of screaming outside.
"What on Earth?" Allison frowned. "What's going on out there?" Sally and Emma glanced quickly to each other.
"We'd better take a look." Sally said. "C'mon." Emma ran after her she quickly raced to the building's doorway and slid it open, the two running outside. The rest of the group followed behind them as they ran down the street, pushing through fleeing crowds.
As they rounded the corner, they saw Wigglytank raising his hammer into the air.
"Thousands of Rangers, and every one is in danger!" he yelled, swinging down and stiking the ground. The shockwave from the impact flung fleeing civilians in Ranger costumes off their feet. Sally and Emma quickly helped the ones who had landed nearest them upright and guided them on their way.
Wigglytank caught sight of them approaching and turned to face them.
"Why do you not run away? Do you wish to die today?" he demanded.
"Oh good, he rhymes..." Emma groaned.
"Guys, stay back." Sally held out an arm in front of Ginger, Allison, and Jessica.
"Who is this freak?" Jessica demanded.
"I am Wigglytank the Chaos Beast." he introduced himself, overhearing. "And of my worries, you are the least."
"I already hate you." Ginger groaned. "Your rhyming is atrociously annoying."
"You dare insult my talents!?" Wigglytank hefted up his hammer. "Then prepare to lose your balance!" Striking the ground, the shockwave knocked the group over as Wigglytank laughed in satisfaction. "Cryoclopes, I summon thee! Do not let these losers flee!"
All around the area, the frozen minions appeared in bursts of ice, quickly surrounding the group as they rose to their feet. Forming a circle, they looked around at the creatures blocking them in.
"No way out..." Sally frowned. "We have to do something." Emma looked back at her and nodded subtly at the helmet she was still holding. Sally sighed and nodded in agreement. "Not much choice is there?"
"Hey, can you guys keep a secret?" Emma asked. Ginger, Allison, and Jessica all looked to each other in confusion.
"Uh...sure?" Ginger agreed. Nodding, Sally quickly placed her helmet on and held up her hand.
"Psycho Cutter!" Her katana appeared in her hand and she pulled it back, focusing her psychic power into it. "Everybody duck down!" The group hit the deck and she spun in a circle, sending out a slash of telekinetic energy in every direction that took down the Cryoclopes closest to them.
"Whoa..." Allison said as she rose and looked around. "Nice shot." Emma placed her helmet on as well.
"Discharger!" Summoning her weapon as another group of Cryoclopes charged them, she thrust out and channeled power through it, sending out a powerful lightning flurry that took them down before they could reach the girls.
"You three stay with Whitney and Alicia." Sally told them. "C'mon, Emma." Charging forward, the Yellow Ranger followed her. "You take the Cryoclopes. I got pinkie boy."
Leaping through the air, Sally slashed down with her sword, but Wigglytank withstood the hit. Swinging again, he raised a hand and caught the blade.
"You can't mock my hue. You're wearing it too!" he said indignantly, swinging his hammer with his other hand and smacking her away. Flipping midair, Sally landed on her feet and turned to face him.
"Yeah, but I make it look good." she said. "You..." She cringed. "Not so much." Growling, Wigglytank raised his hammer and barreled towards her.
Emma blocked an ice sword swinging at her with her shield, raising a foot to kick another Cryoclops coming at her from the side in the chest. Shoving the blade aside, she rolled past and swung her Discharger into the wielder's back as she rose, smashing him down. Spinning, she forced the Cryoclopes trying to swarm her to leap back.
One extra brave or stupid Cryoclopes charged forward with twin ice daggers and she smacked his slash aside, leaping into the air and planting a foot against his face that she used to spring higher. Lightning sparking around her hands, she fired down, blasting dozens of Cryoclopes off their feet.
Several other Cryoclopes formed ice cannons and aimed, firing up at her. The shots exploded against her suit in cold bursts and she yelled as she was flung back through the air further than expected, hitting the ground and rolling to a stop.
Sally ducked under Wigglytank's swing, slashing him in the leg with her blade. Seeming unbothered, said leg lashed up and slammed into her chest, knocking her back. Swinging lower, he tried to sweep her legs, but she leaped up over the hammer's strike. Stopping faster than she thought he could, he swung upwards and caught Sally in the back, flinging her over to land on top of Emma as she tried to rise.
"Looks like you've been grounded..." Wigglytank stomped towards the pair and hefted his weapon up. "Now prepare to be pounded!"
As he swung down, Jessica's foot slammed into the hammer's handle, knocking his blow aside. He turned to face her and Ginger and Allison drove kicks into his chest hard enough to send him sailing backwards. Landing on his feet, he faced them with a growl.
"You guys okay?" Allison asked as she helped them back to their feet.
"Yeah." Sally nodded. "Thanks...I thought I said to stay back."
"Oh honey, you just don't understand." Jessica grinned. Ginger laughed before glancing at Wigglytank with a look of disdain.
"You guys are Eon Force Rangers, huh?" she said at last. Emma nodded and Ginger shook her head. "Welp...in that case..." Raising her helmet, he quickly put it on. "Venusaur Whip!" A long whip like a Venusaur's vines appeared in her hand and she snapped it readily. Beside her, Allison and Jessica put their helmets on as well.
"Pikachu Striker!" In Allison's hand appeared a jagged blade styled like a Pikachu's tail, lightning sparking around it as she took a practice swing.
"Arbok Staff!" In Jessica's hand, a long staff with an Arbok head appeared, and she spun it testingly. Wigglytank looked between the three of them with an annoyed snarl.
"No...way." Emma stepped up between Ginger and Allison, laughing in disbelief. "It's you! You guys are the Kanto Rangers!"
"Three of them, anyway." Ginger agreed.
"So what do you say?" Jessica asked as Sally stepped up between her and Allison. "You wanna take these losers down together?"
"Yeah..." Sally nodded. "Let's do it!"
"Rangers numbering five, but none will survive!" Wigglytank pointed his hammer forward as the quintet faced him. "Charge, I say! Attack right away!" Heeding his command, the remaining Cryoclopes surged past, forming their own ice weaponry as the Rangers ran to meet them.
Emma slid low under a swinging ice axe, catching the wielder's leg with her shield as she passed and taking it out from under it. Rising, she kicked a Cryoclops back before dodging aside as another jabbed a spear at her. Grabbing the icy weapon, she pulled him forward and slapped a palm to him, discharging lightning around them that took several more down.
Landing beside her, Allison swung her Pikachu Striker, slashing a Cryoclops down. Flipping aside from one swinging an ice club down, she drew the weapon back.
"Iron Tail!" Her Pikachu Striker turned silver and her swing smashed staight through the club, taking the wielder down. Leaping into the air, she struck another across the face with a spinning kick before landing and slamming her Striker to the ground. "Shock Wave!" A blast of electricity traveled along the ground, blasting golems apart along its path. "Hey Ginger, what do you think? More or less fierce than the G-Spliced?"
"Razor Leaf!" Ginger snapped her whip, sending a spray of sharpened leaves to slice through the minions. Ducking under a frozen arrow that sailed over head, she swung her whip out and wrapped it around the archer's leg, pulling it out from under him and sending him shattering to the ground. "Less." One Cryoclopes formed a frozen whip and snapped it at her. Ginger rolled aside and swung out with her own, grabbing him and pulling him towards her, spinning to drive a kick into his chest that shattered him into pieces. "They didn't burst apart like that."
Sally thrust out her hand, forming a telekinetic barrier in front of her that flew forward and smashed Cryoclopes to bits. Raising her Psycho Cutter, she blocked an ice sword and kicked the wielder aside before focusing her power and launching a slash through several more.
"Neat trick." Jessica swung her Arbok Staff and knocked a Cryoclops' legs out before whirling and smashing another down the chest. Running forward, she planted her staff's point to the ground and used it to flip forward, striking a golem in the face with a flying kick that sent its head off its shoulders. Spinning, she pointed her staff at another batch charging for her. "Sludge!" A spray of toxic slime fired from the weapon, spraying across the group and blasting them down.
"You're not bad yourself." Sally held up a hand and a Cryoclopes trying to leap at Jessica from behind found itself floating in the air. Turning to look up at it, Jessica pressed her Morpher.
"Power Booster!" New energy flowed through her and she grabbed its leg. As Sally let up her hold, Jessica spun and flung the Cryoclops into his allies hard enough to shatter them all apart.
"Dual Destruction: Lightning Rod!" Ginger wrapped her whip around Allison's Pikachu Striker and their energies joined, firing green and yellow beams that caused a tall tree to sprout around a group of Cryoclopes before a powerful lightning bolt surged down it, destroying them in an instant.
Leaping and landing behind them, Emma held out her arms as she faced the final set of Cryoclopes.
"Jolt Thunder Trap!" Jolt shot out of her crystal and formed a ring of crackling electricity around the golems. Leaping into the air, Emma charged electric energy into her Discharger before shooting down, slamming the shield down on their heads and smashing them apart as Jolt returned to her crystal.
"Nice work, new girl!" Ginger raised a hand and Emma eagerly slapped her five. "You new Rangers got moves!"
"Ahem, I am interrupting your chat?" Wigglytank stepped forward. "Well don't worry; soon you'll be flat!" Leaping high into the air, he came down with a swing of his hammer, the three leaping aside as he shattered the pavement where they had been standing.
"Stop rhyming!" Ginger snapped her whip and lashed him back. "You're not charming!"
"I'm not trying to be." Catching her whip, he pulled the Green Ranger in and smacked her with his hammer, flipping her and sending her crashing to the ground. "As you'll soon see!"
Whirling, he swung his weapon in time to deflect a swing of Allison's Striker. He swung down at Emma and she held up her shield, forcing his blow back.
While he was trying to overpower her, Sally and Jessica landed on either side of him and slashed past. Wigglytank staggered back, but regained his composure in time to smash both of them aside with his hammer.
"Thunderbolt!" Allison fired a lightning blast from her weapon, but Wigglytank laughed as he shrugged it off.
"I cannot be defeated, no matter how the battle gets heated!" he declared.
"We'll see about that!" Sally leaped and slashed down with her sword. As she did, the other Rangers all charged and struck with their weapons. Standing unmoving, Wigglytank spun with his hammer and knocked them all down.
"Dang...he's tougher than he looks." Allison admitted as she rose.
"The Yellow one has it right!" Wigglytank held out a hand and summoned a sizable sphere with a Miltank paintjob. "Goodbye, Rangers, nighty-night!" Dropping the ball on the ground, he smashed it towards them with his hammer, striking the ground and exploding in a powerful blast that flung the Rangers off their feet. "You'd lost all along. Turns out, I'm just too strong!"
"I wouldn't bet on that." Jessica told him. "Everyone has a limit. We just have to push you to yours."
"No batch of girls can cause my defeat!" Wigglytank summoned another sphere. "Go on now, run and retreat!"
"Like hell!" Sally growled. "Let's get him!" The others cheered and they charged forward, yelling.
Wigglytank dropped the ball and smacked it towards them, but Sally held out a hand and it reversed course, flying back at him. Eyes widening, he smacked it aside with his hammer.
Leaping into the air, Ginger's whip glowed with energy as she drew it back.
"Power Whip!" Lashing out as hard as she could, the weapon struck Wigglytank across the chest and he gave a pained yell, stumbling back. Grabbing his arm with her whip, Ginger pulled him forward as Sally focused all her power into her sword, slashing past him in a burst of sparks.
"Soul Link!" Allison held up a Pokéball and the Electric-type symbol on her chest glowed. Pikachu-like ears extended from her helmet and a second Pikachu Striker appeared in her hand. "Yellow Ranger, Pika Knight Mode!" Spinning, she tossed the second weapon towards Emma. "Catch!" Emma grabbed the Pikachu Striker from the air, feeling it come to life in her hand and spark with power.
"Nice!" The two of them charged and slashed with their weapons, avoiding Wigglytank's attempts to dodge and landing powerful electrified blows. Holding up the Strikers, they crossed them overhead.
"Thunder!" They both called. Two powerful bolts of lightning fired into the sky, quickly crashing down on Wigglytank and covering him in bursts of sparks.
As the Chaos Beast staggered dizzily, Jessica stepped into the middle of the group, raising her Morpher and pressing it.
"Maximum Power!" Intensely boosted energy surged through her and out into her Arbok Staff as she held it forward and its head shifted to point straight ahead.
"No..." Wigglytank tried to raise his hammer as he stumbled forward. "I...cannot fall..."
"Sludge Wave!" Firing a powerful stream of superpowered toxin, the attack blasted Wigglytank head on and he stumbled back as sparks burst around his body.
"OH, damn it all!" Wigglytank cried as he toppled backwards. Ice spread across his body before it finally exploded.
Before the Rangers could celebrate, a chaotic ice cube rose up from his remains, red lightning pulling them back together before increasing in size.
"Look at me! I'm as big as a tree!" Wigglytank laughed as he looked down at them.
"I knew he was gonna say that..." Ginger grumbled.
"Some things never change." Allison shook her head.
"Oh man..." Sally frowned as she looked to Emma. "How are we gonna fight him without the others to form the Megazord?" Glancing their way, Jessica smiled.
"Maybe we can do something about that." She raised her Morpher and pressed it. "Hey, Fuji? It's Jessica. Tell me you've found time to fit Zord reconstruction in amongst your projects."
"Uh, the Legend Zords are up and fully functional." Dr. Fuji reported to her. "Haven't quite got the rest up yet. What's going on? I didn't pick up any mutant signatures."
"Not a mutant." Jessica told him. "The Legend Zords will do. Thanks a bunch, doc." Looking to her teammates, she nodded. "Legend Zords!"
As Wigglytank raised his enormous hammer, a beam of ice struck him in the chest, shoving him back and causing the weapon to slip from his grip. A giant robotic Articuno flew by, followed by a robotic Zapdos with gyros on the bottom of its wings. Spinning, it slammed into Wigglytank with a Drill Peck, smashing the ice and knocking him off his feet.
Before he could rise, a robotic Moltres flew overhead with jets blasting from the back of its wings, breathing a Flamethrower down on him.
"Whoa!" Emma and Sally watched the three Zords in amazement. "They're awesome!"
"I know, right?" Ginger stepped forward. "Let's get up there!" The three Kanto Rangers leaped up into the robotic birds, Jessica taking Zapdos, Allison in Articuno, and Ginger in Moltres.
Soaring over his head, Jessica launched a Thunder down from the Zapdos Zord, blasting several explosions as it landed on Wigglytank.
"Ow!" He snapped. "This is for the birds, and THIS is gonna hurt!" Swinging his hammer down, he almost struck the Moltres Zord, but it managed to sail past just in time.
"Not quite a rhyme." Ginger pointed out as the Moltres Zord gathered sunlight and fired a Solarbeam into his back. Allison flew up and flapped the Articuno Zord's wings, sending a powerful Blizzard to wash over Wigglytank and blow him back.
"You never heard of a slant rhyme?" Wigglytank growled, pulling back his hammer. "It's Wigglytank Tornado time!" Spinning in place with hammer outstretched, he struck all three Zords and sent them sailing away.
"We'd better help them." Sally said, touching her crystal. Emma nodded in agreement and touched hers as well, the two's Eon Spirits emerged and sailing up to transform into their Zord forms. Sally and Emma leaped up onto their back, opening their hatches and entering.
As Wigglytank tried to swing his hammer down on the rising Moltres Zord, a pink barrier hummed to life in front of him it, his blow bouncing off. Ginger looked to the side to find Esper beside her, his eyes glowing as the barrier was shoved forward and flung Wigglytank back. Jolt land on her other side.
"Pin MIssile!" His quills launched out and detonated against Wigglytank's body in a line of explosions. The three Legend Zords gathered and circled in the air over the two Eon Zords.
"Thanks for the assist!" Jessica called down.
"No problem." Esper nodded.
"We're always ready to kick some Chaos Beast tail!" Jolt agreed, eyeing the Zapdos Zord in interest.
"Let's finish him for good." Allison suggested. "Legend Zords, combine!"
The Zapdos Zord's head left its body and its wings folded down under it, forming birdlike feet with gyros pointing down to keep it afloat while its body created the lower of half of a torso. The Articuno Zord's body shifted and widened into an upper torso and connected on top of the Zapdos Zord, wings stretching out to either side. Its head shifted down to the center of the chest, allowing a more humanoid face to rise up from its neck. The Moltres Zord also lost its head and the back of a humanoid head rose from its neck as it attached to the back, its wings folding back so that its jets were pointing down. The two pieces of the Megazord's head clicked together and the Zapdos and Moltres heads connected to either side of the chest next to the Articuno's.
"Legend Megazord, online!" The Kanto Rangers called as they gathered in the newly combined cockpit.
"You don't stand a chance!" Wigglytank held out his hammer. "Come on, Rangers; let's dance!" Spinning, he whirled towards them.
"You asked for it." Ginger retorted. "Hurricane!"
Spinning as well and forming a powerful vortex of wind around it, the Legend Megazord moved forward and pushed against Wigglytank. After a brief struggle, the Hurricane won out and flung Wigglytank back off his feet, his hammer sailing away.
"Psychic!" Sally called. Esper's eyes glowed as he focused his psychic power on the rising Wigglytank, holding him in place. Jolt leaped and landed in front of him.
"Discharge!" Emma commanded. Electricity sparked around Jolt before launching off, blasting Wigglytank back.
"I can't...move..." he groaned as he found himself paralyzed. "But I can't...lose..."
"Full Power!" The Kanto Rangers called. All three bird heads on the Legend Megazord's chest opened and started to charge up in their respective elements. "Tri Attack!"
The Megazord launched beams of ice, fire, and lightning forward at once, all of them striking Wigglytank in a powerful burst. Sparks flew from his body as he fell to a knee.
"I wasn't supposed to be defeated!" he wailed. "Using other Rangers...you so cheated!" Groaning, his body iced over and he hit the ground, finally exploding.
Esper and Jolt looked to each other with a victorious grin as the Legend Megazord descended to hover between them.
"Nice work, everyone." Jessica congratulated. "It was great fighting with you guys."
Meanwhile, Richard's house, Azalea...
"Hold on, what's going on in Cianwood, again?" Richard asked as he held a phone to his ear.
"A sort of...semi-protest?" Phillip's voice came back. "There's been a lot of rumors swirling that the people hired to construct the Safari Zone are being careless about it, potentially polluting the waterway behind them. A batch of Pokémon went missing recently, which has only intensified the idea that things are going sideways."
"So, you're going to try to stop it." Richard guessed.
"The carelessness, yes." Phillip said. "I don't have a problem with the Safari Zone itself, and I don't think anyone else does. We just want it done right."
"Makes sense." Richard sat back. "If anyone asks where you are, I'll let them know."
"Okay..." Richard blinked at the sound of disappointment in his voice. "Thanks."
"You wanted me to come with, didn't you?" Richard guessed.
"I was kind of hoping, yes." Phillip told him.
"Eh...I would, but there's a lot going on right now." Richard said. "Sally and Emma are in Kanto with Whitney and Alicia, Sam and David are off in Ecruteak, Matt's stuck watching the ranch, and now you're going. If I leave, there really won't be any free Rangers in the town."
"It'll just be a few hours." Phillip told him. "I promise, if something comes up, we'll Spirit Board back as fast as possible."
Richard's fingers tapped on the arm of the couch as he thought. On the one hand, he had a bad feeling about today. Had all morning. He wasn't sure why, everything seemed fine, but he just had a feeling that something major was coming.
On the other hand, he hadn't spent any time alone with Phillip recently, not since Phillip had let his crush on Richard slip. He was still trying to sort out his thoughts on that whole idea, but he didn't want Phillip to think he was avoiding him because of it.
"Alright." He finally agreed. "Alright, sure. I"ll come along."
"Thanks, Rich." Phillip sighed in relief. "I hate going to these things alone, necessary as they are sometimes."
"I know, I know." Richard told him. "I'll meet you in..." He frowned as the doorbell to the house went off. "Uh...can I meet you at your place in an hour? Is that good?"
"That should work fine." Phillip agreed. "See you soon."
As Phillip hung up, Richard rose and walked towards the building's door, passing Victoria along the way. He wasn't expecting anybody, so he peeked through the keyhole to see just who it was that had shown up.
Eyes widening, he moved back to Victoria.
"It's Koga." he whispered. "From the Elite Four." Victoria nodded and quickly ran towards the back of the house, ready to stay hidden or flee if it became necessary. Taking a deep breath, Richard opened the door.
"Hello, Koga." Richard put on a smile. "I wasn't expecting the Elite Four to show up today. What brings you here?"
The ninja looked past him into the house, a frown on his face.
"Anybody here with you?" he asked. Richard forced himself to keep a straight face.
"No, my parents are out of town at the moment." he said. "They should be back tomorrow. I could tell them you stopped by."
"No need." Koga sighed and reached behind him. "I didn't come to see them."
"Really...then what are you here for?" he asked, his mind already going over ways to make sure he didn't find Victoria here. To his surprise, Koga drew a pair of handcuffs.
"Richard Franklin, I have orders to place you under arrest." he declared. "For being an active member of the criminal organization known as the Remnants."
"...what!?" Richard gaped in shock. "What on Earth makes you think I'm a member of the Remnants?"
Wordlessly, Koga held up a photo. Richard glanced at it to find that it was a shot of him and Victoria at the Ruins of Alph, when she had loaned him a Remnants uniform to try and disguise himself.
"We know about your childhood friend Victoria, and we have received information that she has been hiding here with you ever since you guys were forced to disband." Koga told him. "Please don't make things more difficult for yourself. Turn yourself and her in now."
Richard resisted the urge to turn and yell for Victoria to get out of there. He had to trust that she was listening and already on the task.
"...okay." Richard held out his hands. "I get a phone call, right?"
"When we get there." Koga agreed. "You'll be allowed to..." Koga paused before cuffing him, eyes narrowing.
Whirling, he struck with a precise kick, striking Victoria's Machamp in the arm as it tried to sneak up behind him. Richard had been so focused on Koga, he hadn't noticed.
"Victoria, no!" he called. "Don't!"
"She IS here?" Koga drove a two-fingered strike into Machamp's ribs and the Pokémon staggered, seeming to find itself half-paralyzed. "Come out and surrender, Victoria. This is just making things worse for yourself."
As Machamp circled around, trying to find an opening, Richard looked for where Victoria was striking from. Soon, he caught sight of her on the building's roof.
Koga drew a Pokéball and Richard realized that he had noticed as well.
"Crobat, A..." As Koga pulled the ball back, Richard lunged forward and struck with a chop to Koga's neck. Caught off-guard, the ninja dropped to the ground, his Pokéball rolling away unopened. Victoria leaped down and her Machamp caught her with its good arms, lowering her to the ground.
"Damn it, Victoria!" Richard snapped. "Why didn't you just leave!?"
"And let you go down for this? Not a chance." she shook her head. "Come on!" Recalling Machamp, she sent out her Arcanine. "Climb on. We've gotta get out of here."
Sighing, Richard stepped over Koga's unconscious form, already regretting his impulsive decision to knock him out. That just...wouldn't look good. Climbing onto Arcanine behind Victoria, she looked back at him.
"Grab on. It's gonna be a fast ride." she warned. Richard wrapped his arms around her waist and held on. "Arcanine, let's go."
Arcanine blazed off away from the scene, taking the two with him. Holding on as best he could with one arm, Richard let go with the other and drew his Morpher, pressing its communicator button.
"Phil, it's Rich. Forget your house; I'll meet you in Cianwood." he said. "There's something we need to talk about."
Next Time on Poké Rangers: Eon Force...
Allison: So...how did you guys become Rangers anyway?
?: I am looking for Ditgle. He has been missing for too long.
?: Can I help you two?
Looker: Well, I'll be. Rock Solid Security themselves.
Phillip: You have to give Walter credit...he is one devious son of a bitch.
Ginger: Mew has a question. She wants to know if you guys have unlocked secondary abilities yet?
?: I thought there was something suspicious about you.
Xactowl: Now that you know the truth, I'm afraid you can't go back!
Chapter 19: Ranger-Con Part 2: Web of Lies