Ch. 4 White Light of Hope
[Play Become a Villian - Heart of Darkness on You Tube]
"It's surprising that waste of cosmic dust has been able to hold out for as long as it has." a shadowy figure exclaimed kicking a peddle across the ash-covered ground. "What am I saying? This planet only still stands because our lord allows it. Such a harsh fate to have your very existence brought to an end by the whim of another."She pauses for a moment to allow her partner a chance to speak, however, he remains silent.
"We've already captured Doggie Cruger. This planet has nothing of value to offer the Empire and yet esteemed warriors like us have been sent to take out the trash, how very distastefully."She looks at her partner again hoping he'll say anything so that she can convince herself that they're having a conversation.
"..."
"Nothing." she pauses, "I suppose our illustrious leader is a man of few words. How very droll."
Just then a robot enters the room one of the same make and model as the one Neo and Roy encountered back on Earth. He places his hand on his chest showing his respect and speaks, "Generals."
"You better be here to tell me that last remnants of the resistance has been snuffed out. So we can finally leave this dreadful place." the woman explains.
"Not exactly Ma'am." the machine starts, "The plan worked excellently. We shot the aircraft down just like you ordered then proceeded to follow the person that helped the pilot back to the resistance camp."
"Of course it worked, it was our leader's idea," she smirked.
"However, we've encountered more resistance than we were expecting."
"Oh? Are you saying my fellow General miscalculated?" She walks up to the robot until he was within striking distance.
"Never ma'am. I'm only here to inform you that the one leading their charge... it's a power ranger!"
"Power..." She starts.
"...Ranger." her partner finally speaks.
"My my, guess there's something on this miserable rock finally worth your attention." she smiles. "Isn't that right Psycho Red?"
[Play Go Green Ranger Go instrumental on You Tube]
The battle had made its way to an abandoned city the dust of decay and ash of gunpower were everpresent, the area gave off a lifeless depressing feel. Bits of rubble seeming purposefully placed to provide the resistance with cover as well as tumble on any machine of the empire that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Two robots are sent flying backing into a group of machines behind them, they tumble in an animated fashion. As the Heroic green ranger prepares himself to push back their next assault. Just then three more foot soldiers rush in. Quickly Roy takes out his Galactic Saber and with blinding speed whips pass all of them delivering multiple slashes as he passed. An explosion engulfs their bodies. Quickly drawing his sidearm from its holster he yelled "Heroic Enforcer!" as he sprayed the row of enemies in front of him with laser fire.
"Amazing." Ayala couldn't help but whisper under her breath, she quickly shook the thought from her mind as she continues to fire at the enemy. With Galactic Saber in one hand and Heroic Enforcer in the other, Roy continued his onslaught slashing and blasting the evil machines as they approached. Slashing at another robot he put a bit more force in his swing than necessary causing him to lose his footing, in the split second he took to catch his breath another enemy soldier pounced. Suddenly a beam ripped pass Roy's shoulder striking the robot in the chest. Quickly he glanced only to see it was Ayala that was covering him. In a single motion, she jumped then rolled to his position until the two were standing back to back. She looks down the sights of her rifle as she yells "I'm not carrying your sorry butt back to Kat for a second time you'd better take this seriously."
"Sorry... about... th..." was all he could think to say before catching himself, "What do you think you're doing? You can't be out in the crossfire like this, you'll die!"
"Worried about me? Don't be." she smirked, "You're the closest thing to hope my troops have seen in years. Like hell if I'll let you go down without a fight."
"So stubborn!"Roy Exclaims, "Fine, follow my lead." she nods. They both let off a barrage of lasers into the enemy units until nothing can be seen but sparks and smoke. Roy leaps through the smoke Galactic saber in hand with each stroke and with each flash of green light another enemy falls. Wherever Roy left gaps in his defense Ayala was there to cover him. Landing shots to the head to the arm to the body, Roy could see these were the skills she developed while trying to survive on this wartorn planet.
Suddenly a bolt of energy wizzes pass Roy, and just before he was too late he realized he wasn't the target of that attack without thinking he throws his body in front of Ayala. As the bolt of black and purple consumed him. Causing him to hit the ground.
"Roy!" Ayala yelled running to his side.
Just then the seemingly endless wall of mechanical enemies stopped their advance and opened up in the middle like a pair of automatic doors. Two shadowy figures step into the light, one was a tall man the other a not as tall woman. One in red the other in black in armor that looked all too familiar.
"See Psycho Red it turns out this trip was worth our time after all." Psycho Black smirked, "Looks like we have ourselves a very very rare find. Our Lord will be pleased."
Once Psycho Red's eye sees the green of Roy's suit he takes a step back.
"Having second thoughts are we?"
"Red... Only red rangers are worthy."
"I do remember you saying something about that." Psycho Black smirks, "So then I suppose I can do with this one as I see fit?"
"Do as you like."
"Yes Sir." She smiles.
Roy looks up at the two rangers in front of him as he tries to make his way to his feet. "More Power Rangers? But the morphing grid..."
"Did u think you goody two shoes were the only ones that had uncovered the power of the grid? The empire discovered the secret quite some time ago actually, all thanks to yours truly. Coincidentally around the same time we figured out how to cut the rest of the galaxy off from it, go figure." she pauses allowing Roy ample time to make it to his feet.,"On your feet green ranger. It won't be nearly as fun otherwise." noticing the fire in Ayala's eyes she changes her gaze to her. " or would prefer I cut your friend down first. Maybe that'll give you the motivation you need to stand up and fight."
Roy breaks of Ayala's grasp stumbling to take a step forward. Without a word he raises his arm in front of Ayala as if signaling for all to see that she was under his protection. Knowing that he didn't have much fight left in him he resolved to rush the Psycho Black Ranger and end the fight quickly. He moves Galactic saber in hand and goes for a big overhead swing. Psycho Black blocks his blade with her forearm and proceeds to deliver a quick palm directly to his injured midsection. The pain was so intense that Roy was stunned in place for a moment. Noticing this Psycho Black giggled as she delivered a swift kick to the same location causing Roy to fall back and tumble into Ayala's arms.
"My prey is already badly hurt, how utterly boring."
[Play Tragedy and fate Extended on You Tube]
Catching him Ayala's eyes were fixed on his injured torso. When did he get hurt this badly? She thought to herself before quickly remember the crash. From the crash? That can't be, cause that would mean that this whole time. She softly rests her fist on his helmet, "That's what you get for tryna play hero." she softly yells trying to sound angry. "Just lay here and rest alright."
"No." he says trying to stand, "If die now and we lose planet the empire will be able to advance into Alliance territory. Don't worry I'm okay."
"No, you're not." Ayala snaps, "Don't try to tell me you're okay when you got an injury like that." she grabs his shoulder and forces him back to the ground. "Are you even listening? I mean why'd you have to come here in the first place risking your life for people you don't even know. What kind of person does that?"
"... My sister." Roy finally explains, "I have to keep fighting to make the galaxy a safer place for her."
"Then you shoulda stayed with her, you idiot. At least then you'd be with your loved ones at the very end." she yells, "Then fighting even when you're in so much pain, I mean what's the point!"
"Ya know," Roy says in a calm voice, "You're hurting worse than I am."Ayala eyes grow wide."So let's push em back, once we do that you can snap and yell at me all you want."
Just then a droplet of moisture made its way on to Roy's Visor as tears crept down's Ayala's face one after the other." Wow, a boy actually made me cry." she slowly lowers Roy to the ground then proceeded to move until she is the only thing standing between Roy and the Psycho Black Ranger. She raises her arms signaling to all that he was under her protection much like he did for her.
"Oh, that's so cute." Psycho Black, "Who could say no to a good romance, but I've always been a bigger fan of tragedies. Psycho Spear!" She pulls out a darkly shaded twin head spear and proceeds to sprint at Ayala with savage intensity. Ayala fires, her first two beams in Psycho Black's direction, however, they are easily deflected with her spear. Then just as Psycho Black is within range of her spear a mysterious light rushes forth from behind the resistance's frontline striking Psycho Black in the chest sending her flying back. Psycho Red taking note however still refusing to act.
After striking Psycho black, the light then proceeds to wrap around Ayala she closes her eyes to protect them from the blinding light, faster and faster and faster still until no one could her behind the brilliant light. Slowly she creeps her eyes open only to see a clean-cut tall light-skinned man with a ball hair cut holding her in his arms, his red hair seemingly oddly appropriate. "Who are..?" was all she had time to say.
"You don't recognize me?" the man laughs, "Just how many flying white balls of light do you know?"
"Sam!" Ayala's eyes grew wide.
Sam smiles for a second before finally replying, "I'm sorry, this was never supposed to be your fight. Even tho the last few years have been more bad than good. Watching you grow has been one of the highlights of my life."
"What are you..."
"Being a ranger made me so very happy."Sam smiled, "I can only hope that it gives you as much joy and good memories as it did me."
"Stop that!" she snaps, "Quit talking like I'll never see you again."
Sam is shaken for a second before the smile slowly returns to his face. " That fire you have, never lose it. Something tells me it'll light the path towards a more promising future." as the light around them begins to dim Ayala finds herself on the ground of the battlefield. The light finally disappearing into her wrist replace with the missing Heroic Morpher.
"Sam! Sam!" Ayala's voice can be heard replacing sam's light. "You'd better be alive or I'll kill you myself!"
[Play Power Rangers SPD theme instrumental on You Tube]
"Enough of this!" Psycho Black raged, "No more distractions, no more games! Time to die." only then noticing the Morpher on Ayala's wrist. "What? Where did you get that?"
"In the dirt," Ayala said wiping the tears from her eyes. "The same place your face is gonna be after I beat you down." she motions towards Roy, "How do I use this thing?" he motions towards the button on his own Morpher, she smiles, "Got it!"
"Heroic Force! White Ranger Power!"
It was similar in appearance to the ranger that and came before. Their boots, gauntlets, chest plates, and helmets shimmered a weak white light. her gloves and boots had a single gold line that was wrapped around her wrist and ankles. No doubt paying homage to the Omega Ranger that came before.
"Heroic Force!" she took a fighting stance, "White Omega Ranger! You're going down!"
