A/N: A very pleasant Saturday to all of you from the Lone Star State. Welcome to the main event of the Project Phoenix series. As a disclaimer, this series is inspired by Kctimes2's The Adoption (one of the best stories I've ever read here). Before reading this, you should read The Crane's Destructive Path and its accompanying one shot, Granted Wishes.

A/N 2: This is the story of when Jayden leads Rangers old and new into a fight for Earth's survival...with his corrupted mother. As this chapter suggests, resistance armies start popping up in this chapter, some with surprising success. Also, Jayden achieves another major milestone, and the bad guys continue to plot to draw the Rangers into a trap.

A/N 3: Couples featured are Jayden/Mia, Memily, Lantonio, Jason/Kat, Adam/Tanya and a slew of other old-school pairings. You'll have to read on to see if there is Tommy/Kim at the end...hehe.

A/N 4: Usual disclaimer. Power Rangers doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 22: The Resistance Begins

Sunday, October 7, 2012

8:30 a.m. PDT

The Rangers Chamber of Command

Angel Grove, CA

No one would have blamed Jayden if, 24 hours after he'd just gotten himself out of the mouth of hell, if he took one day off to just rest and recuperate.

But that was not how Jayden was wired.

He had been in the training room early that morning as early as 6:30. A few previous Rangers were in the room at various intervals when he was in the room, and they were completely floored.

Half of the Rangers who had served at one point were in the infirmary, the Lost Galaxy Rangers were near the point of no return, Diana and Dimitria were much the same, and here was the Phoenix Ranger, digging deep, getting right back to work. There was no way he could be even close to 100 percent, yet here he was.

Of course, the word had worked its way back through the ranks. And when word filtered back to the Samurai team, they were beyond shocked.

It may have been reckless, but it sent a huge message to all the Ranger teams; losing was not an option. It was leadership by example; do whatever you needed to do to make yourself better or watch yourself get passed by.

So when Jayden walked into the mess hall at 8:30 for breakfast, everyone was looking at him funny. Even Mentor Ji was concerned.

"You should be taking the day off, Jayden, we all should," were the first words out of Mentor Ji's mouth.

"No Mentor," Jayden said. "Believe me, I would rest if I felt there wasn't an attack coming. But they're up to something, I can feel it."

"What are you talking about?" Rita asked. "You remember last night right? That Flammia had to go to the regeneration chamber?"

"Yeah, but just because she's going to recuperate doesn't mean they won't try and attack us at some point," Jayden said. "They're up to something, I can feel it in the air, I'm just not sure what it is yet."

"That's also why I asked for resistance armies also. We need them distracted elsewhere," Jayden added.

"And I'm happy to report that some of us have started on that," another voice said. Jayden smiled as he saw a familiar face enter the mess hall, Rita smiled as well, although she loved badgering her husband for always being the last out of bed.

"Zedd," Jayden said as he recognized instantly the former Emperor of Evil...and Rita's husband. "You have good news to report?"

"I do indeed," Zedd answered. "Word is already starting to go around like wildfire about you calling for resistance armies. Mine as Rita probably told you is a planet that is one of the few that's spared, but word quickly spread back to our planet of the happenings here and what you're asking for."

"I'm happy to report that our King is not only advocating for the same thing you are, but is willing to lend our armies to any planet that needs it. Some are already on their way to Eltar," Zedd said. "After all, we have little to lose."

"I got my message to King Queary back home. We are going to fight back; how successful we will be is unknown," Diana said.

"Triforia is already gathering to strike at them," Trey said. "We are just waiting for the right opportunity."

"In all seriousness though, Jay, take the day off, man," Mike said. "Half of our combined teams are a M*A*S*H unit right now."

"OK, fine, if you guys insist," Jayden said. "But they're up to something, I can feel it. I just can't put my finger on what it is yet."

"For today, don't worry about it," Tommy said, as he put a hand on his son's shoulder. "I've said this before, but I think you work yourself too much sometimes. We all need a day off. Take it from me. Use it. We can worry about tomorrow tomorrow."

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Lunar Palace

Earth's Moon

The last thing that General Finch had expected when he woke up today was an alert sent to the Palace. He'd made it very clear that Flammia was sleeping, recharging and that only under emergency circumstances should the Palace be contacted.

Yet it was being contacted. He grunted loudly to himself; what could possibly be the problem?

What he was about to see next though completely took him aback as he saw the face of Lieutenant Durrin, who was currently overseeing the armies on Eltar. It looked like there was a skirmish going on nearby too.

"Durrin what the hell is going on over there?" Draco roared.

"Oh God, General, I'm glad I finally got to you. We've got problems!" Durrin said; Finch could feel the concern in his voice, which was exacerbated as in the background, a civilian smashed one of Durrin's footsoldiers with a club. The stress was palpable. "Eltar has started to form some sort of resistance army against us!"

"Crush them like BUGS! There is NO excuse to have any problems with them!" Draco screamed. "We are preparing a surprise for the Phoenix Ranger and we CANNOT afford to have any problems with stupid resistance armies!"

"We are crushing them but they keep coming!" Durrin said. "I don't think they care if they die as long as they give us problems! And speaking of the Phoenix Ranger, my sources tell me apparently resistance armies have formed elsewhere at his behest!"

Draco cursed under his breath. That damned Phoenix was smart indeed. He was going to try to take advantage of Flammia being asleep to try to give her armies problems elsewhere.

"Do what you can," Draco said. "But be informed, I am NOT happy about this, Lieutenant. The last thing we need right now is the Phoenix Ranger giving us any more issues than we need!"

Draco immediately pressed the button that would alert all of the armies at the same time. He was not going to let this thing go on more than they needed to. They had plans for Halloween coming up and they did not need this.

"Armies, hear me NOW!" Draco's voice boomed out. "If you encounter any of these 'resistance' armies that the Phoenix Ranger has requested, KILL THEM ALL! No exceptions!"

"They are under our control and they DO NOT CALL THE SHOTS, YOU DO! Show no mercy!"

Emphatically he pressed the button to end the transmission. Disgusted, he walked back out of the control room.

His armies probably would survive, but he also knew the Phoenix Ranger had in some way achieved his objective. He'd not only caused an unwelcome distraction, he'd literally thrown upcoming plans into at least a little bit of disarray. This whole resistance crap had to stop and fast otherwise their trap they were going to try to set for Halloween may not be as effective.

Stepping out of the control room, he felt a hand go on his shoulder. The monstrous dragon mustered a small smile, seeing that it was Scorpina that had joined him.

"Good job, Draco," she said as the two shared a big hug. "Once again, your exemplary leadership qualities show through."

"I told you back when I joined your army all those years ago that I was going to do everything possible to bring down Zordon's legacy. The Phoenix Ranger is no joke, but I haven't given up hope," Draco said. "Everyone has a weakness. We just have to find it."

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

10:00 a.m. PDT

The Rangers Chamber of Command

Angel Grove, CA

Over the next week or so, things settled down again for the various Ranger teams. Those that were hurt were still spending much of their time rehabbing, but they were slowly but surely getting better.

As expected, there were no attacks to speak of, but that didn't ease Jayden's worry. In fact, as time went on, the anxiousness was growing. Something was coming; he could feel it.

In the meantime, he'd re-started with his GED studies. His capture had put him behind the eight-ball and for the last week he'd been knee deep in his studies.

That said, he was about to have a day he would not soon forget. And as he walked into the main command room, he could feel how happy everyone in the room was. And that made him happy too.

"So, Mr. GED, how are the studies coming today?" Kevin said.

"Very funny, Kevin," Jayden said, snorting as he did so. "Finally, I think I've managed to almost catch up with my work. Damn Flame of Destruction for putting me behind the eight-ball."

"Caught up enough to where you can take a break so we can show you something?" Rhiannon asked.

"Yeah, I suppose. You have something for me?" Jayden asked.

"Oh do we ever," Kat said, Jason nodding his agreement. Kat had been badly hurt in the last fight, but was getting to where she was close to being able to return to action. In about a month, she'd definitely be ready to fight again.

"Then lead the way," Jayden said.

There were several floors that comprised the Chamber of Command, so it took a while to get where they wanted to take him. But after about 10 to 15 minutes, they finally stopped.

Jayden was confused for a moment, but a few moments later he heard several honks.

"No way. Can't be," he thought.

"Jayden, allow us to introduce you to your brand new car," Trini said as he looked to his right. He was in awe. He'd gotten his driver's license about a month ago, but he had no clue that this was in the works.

It was a beautiful 2012 crimson Cadillac CTS. And in the front seat, he saw his father behind the wheel, with Rocky next to him.

"For you, our leader," Jennifer Collins said, "and for everything you've done and will continue to do. Thank you for being everything a Power Ranger should be."

After about 15 to 20 minutes where Rocky, Tommy and the rest of the first Ranger females showed him the various components of the new car, Jayden said, "Tomorrow I'll take it out for a spin and go into Angel Grove with it. Park it in the garage for now."

Then he turned to Mia and whispered, "You're coming with me tomorrow. We're going to do a little reconaissance tomorrow."

"Is this about what you're sensing?" Mia whispered.

"Yes. We're going to have lunch together and then find out exactly what's going on and then if there's anything fishy we're going to come back and report it. Got it?" Jayden said.

"What if they catch us?" Mia said.

"I've got invisibility which can shield the both of us. Not going to happen," Jayden said.

Thursday, October 18, 2012, early afternoon

Downtown Angel Grove, CA

This was the first time he'd actually been on an unofficial date with Mia, but it felt good.

And it had been a long time in coming. They just hadn't had enough time to go do something since they'd gone their separate ways after the Xandred fiasco, and then after they'd put on the spandex again, it had been a busy month fighting Flammia and her forces.

In a way they still were, but they could at least mix in some fun.

So, at the suggestion of Elizabeth Oliver, Jayden and Mia had gone to a nice bistro near downtown, where they'd spent more than enough time talking about their lives and talking about the hope that they'd shared that they'd still have lives to live after this was all over.

Now as they continued to ride downtown, to heaven knew where for Mia, she asked Jayden, "So when are you going to get your name changed?"

"No clue. That's been in the works for a while. Dad said he was going to try to finish that up soon, hopefully before the Halloween holiday," Jayden said. "He had to push it back because of my being captured in the first place."

"That's going to be a huge milestone...I know we're all going to be there for that," Mia said. "I hear through the grapevine that your aunts and uncles, your first ones, are going to bring their kids for that one."

"Thank you for bringing them up, Mia," Jayden said. "At some point, I'm going to have to have a talk with the aunts and uncles. I got a call from Dulcea not long ago that only I know about."

"How does Dulcea relate to the kids?" Mia said.

"You and the others will find out soon enough," Jayden said.

"I don't like that you're holding things back from me, but I'll let it slide for now," Mia said.

"Believe me, I have my reasons," Jayden said.

Suddenly, as he got near a specific building, his senses prickled.

It was a massive JP Morgan-Chase building. Almost as large as you'd see in some major cities. Then he saw why his senses were prickling.

The JP Morgan-Chase building was right next to a place his father had talked to him about before.

The Specter Theatre. That was the place the Rangers had been trapped in when Zedd and Rita got married.

He hadn't put the pieces together, but he knew this was something bad. Really bad. And he could feel the attack would be coming sooner rather than later.

And as he walked up to the front doors of the JP Morgan-Chase building, he got the forebording sense of knowing exactly where he had to go to find out what was going on.

The basement.

Of course. Out of sight of everyone.

Immediately upon entering the building, the first thing he looked for was a map. He found that, but the problem was that the basement wasn't listed anywhere on the map.

Jayden felt deflated, but his hopes quickly rose when he saw a name of one of the employees.

Elizabeth Oliver, Floor Six.

Jayden nodded and went to the front desk.

"Excuse me, may I help you?" a nice lady said.

"Yes. My name is Jayden, this is my girlfriend Mia, and I would like to see Elizabeth Oliver about something. Personal matters," Jayden said.

"OK, let me give her a call," the lady said.

After a few minutes, the lady smiled and said. "She is expecting your arrival. She is on Floor Six."

"Thank you, ma'am. Let's go, Mia," Jayden said.

After a quick meeting with Elizabeth, in which Jayden detailed his reason for coming here and his suspicions, Elizabeth had breathed a sigh of relief, more than happy to help in any way she could. She felt there were creepy things going on in the building that no one noticed too, so she was happy to have some Ranger investigation.

Though she was disappointed to hear that Jayden's suspicions pointed him to the basement, and that the map didn't show a basement, it didn't surprise her. As she told Jayden and Mia, "no one went down there."

That's why there wasn't a map of the basement in the first place.

But for whatever reason, it was still marked in the elevators. Jayden breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Elizabeth and after she wished them good luck, Jayden and Mia were on their way to the elevator that would take them where they needed to go.

After whispering a few instructions to Mia as they went down the elevator, they heard the elevator creak to a stop. As soon as the door opened, Jayden activated his invisibility, which shielded both him and Mia. Then, they both exited the elevator, and carefully, quietly walked into the basement.

Elizabeth hadn't been kidding either. The basement, which was one level below the bank vault, was an absolute ghost town.

By now, Jayden's senses were going haywire. They were getting really, really close.

About ten minutes later, they came to a set of double doors. Jayden knew this was where all the action was taking place because he could hear voices behind there. There were several voices but the primary ones were two males, and a female.

Carefully, he phased himself into a fireball and took Mia and him through the doorway without even opening it. The heat of the fire seared Mia for a moment, but recognizing her as a good holder of the power, then allowed the warmth to course over her without setting her on fire.

What Jayden saw once he got into the room, which looked like a massive amphitheater, it made his blood run cold.

He could see why the activity was down here. The invisiportal network was going crazy. They were working on something.

"Soon, our plan will be ready, Wizard," Draco boomed.

"Indeed it will be," another male voice said. "Those humans like to go trick or treating on Halloween. I wonder how those Rangers would like trick or treating in the Lost Dimension for all eternity?"

Then his blood ran colder. There was his sister...or at least the person he thought was his sister for a moment. No, that couldn't be. Lauren was back at the Chamber of Command.

Then, another piece of history fell in place for Jayden. And he knew why a look-a-like of his sister now existed.

The Wizard of Deception. The being that had almost used a clone of his father to end his father.

"As soon as I infiltrate their ranks, the trap will be snapped shut," the Lauren look-a-like said.

It all fell into place now.

The plan was simple. Have a look-a-like of his sister infiltrate the ranks of the Rangers, then use her to lure the Rangers into a trap...and lure them into the Lost Dimension.

He'd heard it talked about once or twice by his aunts and uncles, but never though it'd be back in play in 2012.

But it was and he'd seen all he'd needed to see.

"Mia, let's go before they notice us. Let's get out of here," Jayden murmured.

Mia nodded. She was too creeped out by everything to take anything more.

The good news though was that they had diagnosed the plan. And they now had the measures to stop it. The mission had been completed without anyone having ever noticed they were there.

"Let's go to the Youth Center and get some stuff," Jayden said. "We're going to surprise everyone back there with smoothies before we give them the bad news."

"I like that idea," Mia said.

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