tA/N: A very pleasant Thursday 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. Hope everyone is staying safe in the middle of the coronavirus.
A/N 2: In this chapter, the bad guys have retreated, and the Rangers start to help with the process of rebuilding...while the stage is set for another fight on another planet...
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 33 - Justice Denied
November 16, 2012
Triforian Capital City
Even as he hugged people he didn't even know, the Phoenix Ninjetti glanced momentarily at the smoking ruins of what had once been a beautiful city.
He sighed as one Triforian who had lived through this dark period in their history embraced him, grateful for his and the Rangers role in the destruction of the autocratic regime that had ruled their planet.
'You can undo some of the damage, you know,' Atsila's voice suddenly told him.
Jayden backed away from the latest Triforian he hugged.
"That's literally impossible," he murmured to himself.
'You are the son of the Falcon and Crane. Yours is the most powerful Ranger power in existence. If you wanted, this city could be rebuilt with the snap of your finger,' Atsila told him.
Jayden stood there stunned for a second, then muttered, "The hell with it. Let's see if it works."
"Everybody stand back," he ordered the growing crowd. Instinctively, he knew what he had to do to make the rebuilding begin.
"Phoenix spirit, I command thee," he said as his body suddenly started to roar with power, "reverse this city's destruction immediately!"
Immediately a large crimson bird sprung to life and spewed a wave of fire over the city. When the fire and smoke cleared, Jayden, his father, aunts and uncles, and all the Triforians stood there in shock.
There was the city, good as new. As if nothing had ever happened to it.
Meanwhile, he went down on a knee. The reversal he had just performed, while great, had took a lot out of him.
"You shouldn't make a habit of that, you know," Tommy said, kneeling down next to him.
"Yeah, agree. Atsila told me that those powers are within my grasp, but wow, I'm not going to do that very often," Jayden said. He noticed that the Triforians had departed into the city pretty quick...he figured, and rightly so, that they wanted to celebrate the city's reversal of fortunes.
"That's just the start though," Jayden said. "I'm going to talk to the Triforians later tonight about this...but justice needs to be done for what happened here. What happened here and on other planets should NEVER happen again."
"What do you mean by, justice needs to be done?" Trini said. "I ask because I'm a criminal defense attorney. I see injustice done all the time, but your definition of doing justice and mine might be just a wee bit different."
"Every one of these goons who committed a war crime or who violated rights against any Triforian...I want them in galactical prison if that's possible. I almost regret destroying those Landers now because they all belong in jail," Jayden said. "Forget about bringing Mom home. That doesn't matter so much anymore. What does matter is that nothing like the calamities here or elsewhere can ever happen again. Death is too good for these creeps. I want them to suffer."
What he didn't know was that these comments were being listened to intently.
Power Rangers Chamber of Command, Angel Grove, same time
"Goodness gracious!" Kevin said as he watched the scene from planets away. The Rangers, ecstatic at Triforia's freedom just minutes ago, reeled in shock. "Does Jayden even know what he's asking for?"
"It's bold, but frankly, as a ruler of a former democratic society, many of us wonder the same thing. How can this happen time after time after time," Rhiannon said. "What you Earthlings call the rule of law, or the concept that no one is above the law, is never upheld in universal circles. Criminal mobsters from the M-51 galaxy are tried all the time and get away with fucking crazy stuff."
"Exactly," Delphine said. "These sleazeball thugs have incredibly crafty, slick attorneys that pull the wool over intergalactical courts all the time. It's utterly insane."
"Geez. And to think I've always feared the federal government would try and acquire the Silver Guardians," Wes said. "That's tyrannical but seems like child's play compared to what happens in other places."
"It is. From what I've seen, your law enforcement, the FBI and local police has faults but everything has faults. The justice system throughout the universe at large is fucking awful," Diana said. "If there was such a thing as justice in the universe I would have been prosecuted for my actions as Divatox...seven times over. And Zedd, Rita and Rito would say the same."
"It's like Ninjor said...on other planets but most especially Eltar it's akin to a kangaroo court," Rhiannon said.
"First thing we have to do though is beat these bastards," Taylor said. "And the next time they attack, they're gonna be pissed because Jayden is kicking their ass."
"You're not wrong, Taylor, but they're demoralized enough that when they attack, they're more liable to make mistakes. And we can take advantage of those mistakes," Dimitria said.
Triforian Capital City
Later that night
The joy of being free from a brutal autocracy was evident throughout the revived city; in fact, the coronated-again rulers Oralie and Aurelio were so happy that they'd invited all Rangers present to a dinner in the Great Hall of the main palace. The only one who wasn't present was Cam, who was monitoring things back at the base.
So it was there that the Rangers were, talking with a lot of the natives about past battles, including the brief period where Trey had come to Earth to help the Rangers fight the Machine Empire.
The Rangers were surprised to know that before his arrival on Earth, Trey and Zordon did not know each other; Trey had come to Earth simply because the Machine Empire held a grudge with Triforia over materials produced in their mines, and because the Rangers had a chance to defeat them.
No one could have imagined the friendship that would develop between Trey and Zordon's Rangers in that time period.
"So they didn't try and take over your planet?" Tommy asked a Triforian. "Just wanted your gold, silver and everything else?"
"Yes," the Triforian answered him. This particular Triforian looked like he'd been through about 50 wars; it was obvious he'd been one of Flammia's prisoners. "And nobody prosecuted any of their monsters for any of their actions. They basically had free reign to do whatever they wanted."
"Bastards," a murmur could suddenly be heard. Everyone knew it was Jayden who said it, but everyone in the room was shocked by his language. "Bastards should all be in jail. Machines are dead but that's too good for them."
"You can't seriously believe that, Jayden," Tori said. "Do you even know what you're asking?"
"I know, Tori. But at some point, something's got to be done. These thugs get away with too much. I've been thinking about this since we won earlier today. If I could make anything my life's mission, it's that what happens here never happens again."
"If only," Oralie said. "We have no rule of law in the universe. It's like the Wild West."
"We need to beat them first, obviously, but after that things are going to change if I have my way," Jayden said. "Most of the individuals in this room...I can't imagine how many of you had what we on Earth call civil rights violated."
"Our rights were violated, absolutely," a Triforian said...she was still fairly young, but the wear and tear of the autocracy they had just escaped from was evident. "Thank goodness for you guys."
"There's no doubt in my mind...you Rangers are getting our medals of honor, and as long as we rule, you'll always have a home here," Aurelio said.
November 17, 2012
Triforian Capital City
Their night of celebration was short lived.
Bright and early the next morning, Atsila had woken Jayden up and had summonsed him to the throne room, where already Aurelio and Oralie had by magic set up the arrangement they had in the mountains...and had told him to bring the rest of the Rangers.
None of them liked it any more than Jayden did, but they were there bright and early. And saw Cam at the computers. They knew something was up.
"What do you have, Cam?" Jayden asked.
"It's that same source from yesterday, the one that sent us the intelligence which beat Flammia's Zords," Cam said. "This source says that KO-35 is freeable but we must act swiftly if we are to do it."
'This is correct, Power Rangers,' Atsila suddenly said, appearing before them all. 'It is my sense that Flammia has decided to move a lot of her troops to Planet Earth. It is my sense that she's betting it all on winning that planet and taking back the rest.'
No one missed the tears that pricked from the eyes of Andros. The freedom of his planet, once thought impossible, was now possible and could happen in the near future. In fact, he was starting to believe that it would...with the Phoenix Ranger in charge, anything was possible. Even the big bird that was Jayden's spirit animal looked at Andros, Zhane and Karone with pity. They had suffered through so much.
'I hate to cut your celebration short, but it is my suggestion that the best course of action to free KO-35 is to leave for the planet immediately.'
The bird disappeared and the Rangers looked at each other, before they were addressed by the newly recrowned queen and king.
"We heard it. Go. Take them down. We will handle things here," Oralie said.
"You're sure now?" Tanya asked.
"Positive. Your job is to take these assholes down and then do it again if necessary. That's what you do," Aurelio said.
"Just so you know, we love you guys...always have, and even more for what you have done for us. You are heroes to us forever," Oralie said as she hugged each and every one of them. "And Jayden...that justice you're talking about for these thugs, that's a very noble goal. I hope some day we can reach your vision. May the Power protect you all."
"Goodbye, my friends...for now," Trey said as all the Rangers left, single file, for the Brachiozord Mark I which now waited them outside the Palace.
Minutes later, the Rangers had departed Triforia's orbit, headed to KO-35 to what they hoped would be another freedom.
The ride to KO-35, which would take about a day's time, was silent for the first couple of hours. Jayden was using the time to take a nap, as he had been exhausted by the events of the last 24 hours.
He was suddenly awoken by a knock at the door.
"Unless there's a meeting, leave me alone. I need to sleep as that battle exhausted me," he said, in somewhat of a garbled voice.
He rubbed his eyes, and saw Aisha walk in.
"I'm sorry to wake you, but we just received a hail. It's from the Chamber of Command. I think your boys want to talk to you," Aisha said.
"Thanks Aunt Aisha. Their timing is shitty, but I should answer their call nonetheless. Let's go."
When they got to the main room, it was just as Aisha said. On the screen was Jayden's team, waiting intently for him to answer the hail.
"I'm here, guys," Jayden said. "You caught me in a nap."
"Sorry for the shitty timing," Mike said. "Congrats on the big win, man. That was a tough fight."
"We got lucky. They about had us but we had some late intelligence come in which helped us win that fight. Atsila seems to indicate the source of the intelligence is probably good, but not sure I trust it fully yet," Jayden said.
"So you don't know who sent...whatever intelligence helped you win?" Jen asked.
"No, we don't," Jayden said. "That's the part we are trying to figure out. It doesn't want us to know who it is yet."
"Interesting," Sensei Watanabe said, speaking next. "Honestly I think I may have a hunch on who it may be, but there's no way even I can be sure."
"Hm. I'll have to keep that in mind and maybe I'll probe you when I get back home," Jayden said. "In the meantime, this source of intelligence says KO-35 is takeable, so we're gonna go kick their ass there and then we'll see what happens after. How are things back home?"
"Interestingly, pretty quiet. A few fringe attacks, but not a lot," Emily said.
"I'd be aware though. This source of intelligence indicates that Flammia's moving more of her troops to Earth," Jayden said. "Indicating she's starting to go all in with the Earth fight. I feel confident if the fight is on our turf, but you guys need to be ready."
"We will be," Dana said. "You just keep kicking their asses and we'll see you when we see you."
"One other thing," Rhiannon said as she suddenly stepped into view. "I heard your conversation with the Triforians after the Rangers won last night, young Phoenix. About wanting all of these thugs to go to prison."
"I love that idea, Jayden, but honestly you have no idea what you are asking for. You are asking for radical change, rule of law which does not exist in most of the galaxy except possibly with Earth's law enforcement agencies," Rhiannon said.
"I know. It would take a lot, but Rhiannon, I just saw what those people went through, what they were like after they were freed and it broke my heart. Now that you mention it, I'm just so mad all over again," Jayden said.
"I know. We are pissed off about it too," Rhiannon said. "None of the Rangers know this, but one of the reasons Ninjor was so reluctant to join the fight until your dad, mom, aunts and uncles came along is that he is a big believer in rule of law as well but it doesn't exist in most of the universe."
"Maybe we can change that after we win," Jayden said.
"Maybe. I think we should let you get back to sleep though," Taylor said. "Good luck in your next fight. We of course will be watching and we will hold the home fort."
"I know you guys will. For now, Power Rangers, victory is ours and may the Power protect us all," Jayden said.
Jayden next turned to Aisha, who blushed with surprise.
"What's on your mind?" she said as she knew he was talking to her.
"I've had this in the back of my mind for some time, but I wanted to say thank you. And that honestly, since the Triforia people think we are heroes, aside from Dad, you are my hero," Jayden said.
"Me?" she said as she blinked in surprise. Rocky couldn't hide his surprise either.
"Yes," he said. "Because without you coming forward, I'm not on this journey. I'm not freeing people who have had their rights abused. I'm not taking on a tyrant and winning. That's more important than anything. Our job is to do justice since no one else will."
"You definitely have the spirit of your Mom and Dad," Aisha said.
"Our job has always been to do justice, no matter what form it comes in," Tommy said. "Not all of it is in Ranger form, either, and I am glad you have recognized that so quickly. We're gonna get these guys. I'm confident of it now."
"We're gonna whip their asses, man," Rocky said. "And Aisha a hero...I've never heard her called that by anyone. We're flattered."
"She is, and so are all of you, Uncle Rocky. God willing, these criminals will get what's coming to them," Jayden said.
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