tA/N: A very pleasant Friday from the Great State of Texas. Welcome to the main event of the Project Phoenix series. As a disclaimer, this series is inspired by Kctimes2's The Adoption. Before reading this, you should read The Crane's Destructive Path and its accompanying one shot, Granted Wishes.

A/N 2: In this chapter, the fight for Triforia's freedom rages. Zord fight commences next chapter.

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. Used to be Saban, then Disney, then Saban, now Hasbro owns them.

Chapter 31 - Fight For Your Liberty 3

November 16, 2012, sunrise

Triforian Capital City

As the four different teams of Ninjetti, Ninja Storm, Space and Dino Thunder touched down near the castle where Flammia's forces ruled, they noticed one thing.

It was really, really quiet.

They supposed that a large part of it had to do with the fact that Vida had cut the power source for the planet, but still, it was quiet enough that they were all wary of a possible sneak attack.

"Easy now," Ninjor admonished them. "I am fairly certain a sneak attack is not coming. They probably are either asleep or are just now scrambling in realizing their power source has been cut. We have more important business to attend to."

"Right. Where's your source?" Jason asked.

"He should be right around this corner," Ninjor said, gesturing to the right, nodding as a well built man with sandy colored hair came into view.

"Hey there, Paz," Ninjor said.

"Long time no see, Big Blue," the man known as Paz said. "I see you brought some cavalry."

"Yes, with the intent on freeing this planet from this evil, finally," Ninjor said. "These are four of Earth's Power Ranger teams - Ninjetti, Ninja Storm, Dino Thunder and Space. Led by the Phoenix Ranger here, Jayden, they will beat whatever comes their way."

"I heard that. I like many was under the impression the Phoenix legend was but a myth," Paz said.

"Yeah and to add to that, Jay here, his mother just so happens to have this evil half that's this tyrant now," Jason said as Jayden gave him a death glare.

"She's the worst. Far worse than even the Machines and I didn't think it could possibly be worse than them," Paz said.

"We're going to storm the castle, free the prisoners and end this crap today though," Jayden said. "We need you guys to show us the way to the dungeon and then the throne room. One of our other teams, Mystic Force, is nearby and they cut the power source."

"So that's what that windstorm was. How clever," Paz said. "They are probably stunned right now. Now is a good time to attack. Let's go."

Paz had been right. They approached the castle and the Rangers were stunned to find it was not armed to the teeth. They supposed, as Paz had just put it, that it had a lot to do with the fact that they were scrambling a little bit.

They approached the door, which they supposed would lead into the catacombs of the castle, but saw that a panel was next to it. No doubt, password protected.

"Man, we don't have bloody time for this," Kat groused.

"Easy, Aunt Kat, I got this," Jayden said as two small fireballs formed in his hand. He shot them at the console and the console was immediately fried, allowing the door to swing eerily open.

"Do we Ranger up before we go in?" Tanya asked.

"Not right now," Ninjor said. "I don't want us to morph unless we really need to."

As they entered and began moving through the very lower part of the castle, it was pitch black but fortunately Paz had a flashlight with him which gave them a little bit of light; they were glad they had a guide with them. There were many paths that had a lot of different ways and it would be easy to get lost.

Suddenly, they heard noises and froze and suddenly saw some Tengas in the near distance.

"Wall," Jayden hissed. "Against the wall. If they run into us our cover is blown."

Immediately the Rangers scrambled to the wall. It turned out the Tengas were running a usual security sweep and it took them five minutes to pass, but once they did, the Rangers moved back in line with Paz leading the way and continued on.

Not long after, they came to a set of stairs and Paz nodded.

"Two stories up from here are the dungeons. It will take about six more stories to get to the throne room where the tyrants who run this planet are," Paz said. "I will warn you, the dungeons are heavily guarded. Some of Triforia's top soldiers guard it."

"But we still need people to get to the throne room," Tanya said. Jayden looked at Tommy, who nodded.

"Space, Ninja Storm and Dino Thunder, when we get up the stairs, morph, kick their asses and get the prisoners out. Ninjetti, we're going to storm the throne room unless Mystic Force needs help. My team is the only team with Zords who can beat their Zords if it comes to that," Tommy said, as if to convey Jayden's plan.

"Who told you that?" Paz said.

"Anieirin," Jayden said. "He said the other Zords would be useless."

"I trust him, but he's wrong about this. He got you confused," Paz said. "I believe your Shogunzords would equal her Zords power, and possibly the Ninja Storm and Dino Thunder team as well."

"OK, then we will split the Space Ninja Storm and Dino Thunder teams up. We need equal firepower to free the prisoners and take on her goons ruling the planet. Space and Dino Thunder, free the prisoners and take no mercy on anyone who stands in their way. Ninja Storm, you're with us in the throne room," Jayden said.

"That means we'll have to engage them, fire the first shot?" Trent said.

"Yeah," Justin said. "I don't like it any more than you do but they're in charge. We have to take the attack to them."

"Did everyone load their weapons up with that substance?" Billy asked.

Everyone raised their hands, and Billy nodded, looking at Jayden as he did so.

"Then let's go kick their asses," Jayden said as the teams split up.

The Dungeon

"Man, what is going on?" a Flamer rasped to his cohorts. "Ten minutes ago, there was at least some light in this place, now we can't see!"

"It's those stupid Rangers, moron!" a Tenga squawked back. "They're here for a fight to try and retake this planet! The Mystic Force dweebs cut off our power with a windstorm!"

"The Mystic Force team? Please!" one of the Flamers shot back. "We could crush them with our bare hands!"

He had no time to say anything more there was a loud scream that made the soldiers cover their ears, and then before the end of a staff came down on him, surrounding him in a shower of sparks; because it was pitch black he never saw the attack coming. He fell to the ground and turned to ash instantly; soon enough, the whole place was like that, in about 30 seconds, 20 of Flammia and Draco's soldiers turned to ash also thanks to Cam's new substance.

The Dino Thunder Rangers were shocked to see the rest of the footsoldiers soon retreating; very quickly, they were left all alone in the dungeon.

"Wow. That was way too easy," Ethan said.

"Because they can't see anything," Justin clarified. "You can't fight what you can't see. They retreated to go call their Mistress. We need to get these people out of here before they come back. It was fun to shut that guy up who was talking about the Mystic Force team though."

Immediately, the Rangers went to the cells, which held at least a thousand to two thousand prisoners of the state, and unlocked the cells.

"Where are we going?" one scared citizen asked.

"To freedom," Justin said. "Follow us."

The citizens, deciding these Rangers could be trusted, followed them out.

Meanwhile, the other Rangers who were on their way to the throne room continued on.

Suddenly, Jayden felt a tingling in his senses, and he stood up straight.

"Quiet!" Jayden barked. "She's trying to talk to me!"

The other Rangers murmured among themselves. They knew, all of them, who "she" was.

After a few moments, the conversation was over and Jayden turned back to his team.

"Mom says we got found out, guys," Jayden said. "The soldiers who escaped the dungeon when the prisoners got freed ran back to their leaders who told Flammia. She's about to use her powers to raise the lights again. We can't count on it being pitch black anymore."

Ninjor nodded, as if to say he expected it. On cue, the lights suddenly came back up

"I think an invisibility spell could help still," Ninjor said.

"Good idea," Aisha said.

Jayden nodded and concentrated on the rest of the Rangers and after a few seconds said, "It's done. No one sees us, but us. Let's continue on."

"So what happens when we get to the throne room?" Tori asked.

"All out brawl. We're definitely going to have to morph. This is going to be a battle royale, and is probably going to be a Zord fight before long," Jayden said.

"I take it you expected it we'd get found out at some point?" Jayden asked Ninjor.

"I did," he said, and Paz nodded.

"I knew immediately when you sent your Dino Thunder team to free the prisoners that once it happened, with your secret weapon, that substance Mr. Watanabe has, that they would regroup in the throne room and inform Flammia," Paz said.

They suddenly heard voices coming, and scrambled against the wall. About 20 Flamers passed by, and seeing nothing, they continued on.

"We are near the throne room now," Paz said. "Up two more flights of stairs are a set of double doors that lead into the room."

"You think they're ready for us?" Jason asked.

"I have no doubt," Paz answered.

"Then we just go in there and give them hell," Mia said. "We have no choice."

For whatever reason, that made them all laugh and gave them just that little bit of levity. They expected that from Jayden, but not from his girlfriend, who had been quiet since the day started and throughout their journey through the palace.

They ascended the two sets of steps slowly, constantly looking around to make sure no one was prowling. It was eerily quiet.

"They really have prepared for one last stand in that room," Jayden muttered. "They probably have the doors bolted. Only one way to do it."

They reached the top of the steps, and sure enough, they saw the doors completely locked.

"Kick it down?" Jason murmured.

"No. That's what they want. Mom told me they may be setting up a surprise that's bad," Jayden said. "Stand back and watch. Things are about to get hot."

The teams watched curiously as Jayden willed two fireballs into his hands and concentrated his powers towards them. The fireballs grew and grew until they both were as big as basketballs. Then he flung them at the double doors. The fireballs consumed the doors like they were nothing, incinerating them instantly and flew all the way across the throne room, blowing a hole in the wall.

"Mom tells me that Phoenix fire negates any traps they had set for us in there," Jayden said. "Let's go!"

Both teams then flew into the throne room, beginning an all out melee in which four of Flammia's soldiers were killed in less than two minutes.

Unseen by anyone, Jorus pushed a green button near the throne room. Nothing happened. He pushed it again. Nothing again.

"What is happening?" General Adie, who was currently acting as the ruler of the planet under Flammia's name, roared. "You Rangers should be in cages!"

"Sorry, but we knew you had something planned!" Jayden growled as Flammia's soldiers, under Adie's direction, regrouped. "Mom's spirit still remains."

Every single warrior who served Flammia was in shock. They'd only heard from their Mistress that what was left of Kim could speak to her son. Now he was confirming it in real time.

Despite the warnings from Jorus and Adie, the angry warriors charged the Rangers again. Bad move.

The ensuing fight resulted in about 50 more immediate deaths. Their ranks were thinning out night and day.

Then, Jorus looked out the window. The situation wasn't good for them on that front either.

Not only were the Mystic Force and Dino Thunder teams taking it to their warriors outside the Palace, but the Triforians had come out to join and even more surprising, there were some intelligence officers and military Triforians who they thought were loyal to them but had come out to join the fight.

Jorus and Adie looked at each other. They felt they had no other choice now.

Jorus raised his communication device to his lips.

"Deploy our machines. Now," he ordered. Moments later, the ground shook and the Rangers looked outside. Now it was their turn to be worried.

Two gigantic machines, teeming with power, one in the shape of a dragon and one in the shape of a scorpion (obviously this was a nod to Scorpina) stomped through the capital city and began taking aim at buildings. If allowed to pass the city would be in flames before long.

"Let's have some fun now, Rangers," Jorus smirked before teleporting out.

"Everyone, teleport outside!" Tommy ordered the Rangers. "We need to get civilians out of here and then call the Zords!"

They all stood together and teleported out, moments before members of Flammia's army stormed the throne room to see what was the matter.

Landing outside, the two teams of Rangers began escorting civilians out of the area, and Tommy activated his communicator.

"Justin, you guys need to deploy the Dino Zords! Immediately!"

"On the way," Justin responded; meanwhile, Cam pressed a button on his own communicator.

"Zords, activate!" he called.

Then, Jayden activated his communicator.

"Nick, can you hear me?" he said.

"Loud and clear," came the voice of Nick.

"Return to base. We've got this," Jayden said, although even he wasn't so sure.

Then, the two teams of Ninjetti Rangers lined up.

"We need Ninja Zord power, now!"

Review box is at the bottom. Please review/follow/favorite if you don't mind. Thanks. The battle is in the next chapter.