Title: Always a Ranger
Author: Alexis Steele
Pairings: Multiple
Rating: PG-13 to be safe, for detailed descriptions of the battles and language and a slash pairing
Summary: This idea came to me when I watched C2D on my Ultimate Rangers DVD. I've always wondered where the former Rangers would've been during C2D and this is my version of that idea. WARNING! Ending will complete negate all subsequent PR incarnations. Gratuitous use of dialogue from the episode is used herein, as well
Disclaimer: The following characters herein do not belong to me. All characters are the property of Saban Entertainment and now the Mouse (Disney). The only thing that DOES belong to me is the niggling plot bunny that refused to rest until written. No profit is intended. Please don't sue as I am a full-time college student, meaning all you'll get from me is my ever-growing pile of bills. If you want to pay them, be my guest!
Author's Note: 'italics' dictates a person's thoughts; ((italics)) dictates telepathic speech; / -- \ dictates a computer screen readout
Thanx to: Jeremy Ray Logsdon for the use of Emily's last name; Jacks for keeping on my case about this fic, Rene & Kris for beta'ing; Deb, TG, NB, Conni and Melissa for putting up with this fic, even though it's not a Monkees fic. Please R&R.
Chapter 2: The Battle Begins
May 25, 1999: 9 AM (AGT): Angel Grove, CA: Space Rangers
Down on the surface below, the unsuspecting citizens of Earth go about their daily lives, unaware of the gathering forces preparing to conquer the planet. As the Velocifighters begin their descent, tiny, indescribable blurs begin appearing on the horizon. Those people out on the streets become mesmerized by the rapidly approaching fliers. Soon, the commotion outside brings others out from their jobs, homes, or wherever else their schedules have them ensconced for the time being.
Their curiosities piqued, humanity believes it is standing before the next great evolutionary plateau; never once suspecting anything dangerous from the Velocifighters, ready in position to strike above Earth's most populated cities, awaiting the signal from Astronema to commence with the attack. For nearly a minute, all life on Earth seemingly pauses, awaiting whatever destiny this phenomenon may produce and then... all hell breaks loose!
Without warning, Velocifighters around the globe simultaneously fire red-hot lasers upon the gargantuan skyscrapers that kiss Earth's azure ceiling, obliterating them as easily as if they'd been constructed out of playing cards rather than molten steel and glass. Buildings implode and topple downwards to the streets below, trapping innocent victims under the rubble.
The attacks come hard and fast, causing the most amount of destruction in the least amount of time. Panic ensues as the Velocifighters fire unremorsefully at crowds of people on the ground, instantly killing those unfortunate enough to be caught in the laser's path. As the body count rises, more victims are trampled as seas of humanity wash over them, running for any kind of safety and praying to whatever deities they believe in to deliver them from this travesty.
The carnage continues unerringly for over forty-five minutes before the majority of the Velocifighters withdraw from their attacks, either leaving to decimate yet another section of Earth or to join the battle in progress in Angel Grove. All remaining Velocifighters in the devastated cities cease their barrage of attacks, causing the blind terror the victims are experiencing to dissipate slightly. For five minutes, nothing happens, causing citizens to wonder whether or not the nightmare is over. When ten minutes pass with no further attacks in sight, a peaceful serenity falls over the crowds, and they begin to assess the damage created by the Velocifighters. Their guards lowered, disaster strikes once again, when the second wave of Astronema's forces attack.
In seconds, hordes of every footsoldier utilized by the Moon Powers -- Putties from both Rita and Zedd's stock of footsoldiers, Tengas, Cogs, Piranhatrons, Putrapods and Quantrons -- appear seamlessly out of thin air. Before Astronema's attack, most citizens living outside of California, and the United States in general, believe the reports about the Power Rangers to be merely an elaborate hoax; therefore, most are unfamiliar with these creatures, coming from the seemingly deepest recesses of humanity's nightmares, and what they are capable of.
Shell-shocked by their sudden appearance, many give little-to-no resistance as they are captured and hauled to the epicenters of the demolished cities. Those who offer resistance quickly discover that these footsoldiers are stronger than they appear and are also subdued with very little effort. Their spirits broken, the people of Earth slump in defeat as they realize that by striking their major cities first, most often the central state of government for any powerful nation on the globe, no military assaults will be forthcoming. Only the belief that these so-called Power Rangers exist keeps the barest flicker of hope alive.
The total amount of time it takes to subjugate a city is one hour. However, not all cities are like Angel Grove. In fact, Angel Grove, and its neighbor Stone Canyon, are the only cities remaining on Earth to still offer any sort of resistance. Though the damage to Angel Grove's business district and populated living areas are similar to the rest of the world in large, most Angel Grovites are proving to be quite elusive to the various footsoldiers, for the moment, but many are tiring rapidly, and with their exhaustion, the chance for freedom.
Up in space, the Space Rangers are disheartened by the video feeds displaying the devastation already caused by Astronema's forces, but are preoccupied with the Velocifighters still hovering above Earth's orbit. Time is meaningless as the six teammates work simultaneously to evade the invading fliers, while volleying with their own barrage of laserfire. Together, their synchronized maneuvers, perfected over nearly the past two years, help the Astro-Megaship plow through the Velocifighters like butter. Finally, witnessing enough destruction down on Earth, Zhane takes charge.
"You guys head down to Earth," Zhane suggests. "I'll keep them busy up here."
"You sure?" Andros asks skeptically.
"Yes!" Zhane answers emphatically, taking control of Andros' station on the bridge. "Now GO!"
Bursting out of their seats, the other Rangers race for Cargo Bay One, and teleport down to Earth aboard their Galaxy Gliders.
Two words best describe Angel Grove as the Rangers appear on the scene -- utter chaos. Cars are overturned, trapping drivers and unfortunate bystanders under almost two tons of metal alloy. Some venturous few attempt to rescue the trapped victims as gasoline and oil flow freely down the street, a time bomb waiting to explode. Buildings that had once withstood attacks from Rita, Lord Zedd, the Machine Empire, Divatox and even Astronema herself at one point now lay in ruins. Victims' Memorial, a shrine dedicated to those citizens the Power Rangers couldn't save, is obliterated with one deftly aimed laser beam.
With a nod from Andros, the Rangers break formation. Andros, Carlos and TJ brandish their Astro Blasters while Cassie and Ashley summon their Power Weapons. Spreading out through the remains of downtown Angel Grove, the Rangers start to snipe off the looming Velocifighters in the air and the amassing ground troops below. Cassie, TJ, and Carlos disembark from their Galaxy Gliders and begin mauling through the contingencies of Putties, Cogs, Piranhatrons and Quantrons while Ashley and Andros continue their aerial assaults, flanking the others. The extra seconds give captured Angel Grovites the chance to escape into nearby monster shelters.
Meanwhile, back on the Megaship, Zhane continues his assault upon the Velocifighters remaining in Earth's orbit until a few of the fighters get lucky shots past the Megaship's shields. Deciding the Megaship is too important to lose, Zhane abandons the bridge.
"I need the Mega Winger," Zhane shouts, while racing to Cargo Bay Four where the last remaining auxiliary Zord is stored. "DECA, continue wide dispersal blasts for ten minute increments, then wait ten minutes in between to recharge. I'll cover you, then begin again."
"Understood," DECA complies, beginning the first barrage of counterattacks against the Velocifighters.
Zhane takes the Mega Winger out into space and, leaving the Zord in Ship-Mode, begins his own series of counterattacks after DECA depletes her laser banks. The lasers on both the Mega Winger and the Megaship last approximately ten to fifteen minutes, and take just as long to recharge as well, if fired indefinitely for a constant period of time. By having DECA start the barrage first, this gives her enough time to recharge while Zhane begins his own series of attacks. This allows for a near constant exchange of firepower between the two of them.
During one of Zhane's counterattacks, he manages to strike a crippling blow by gathering massive groups of Velocifighters around him at a time and firing a full barrage of laserfire from all angles of the Mega Winger. The bonus is, as the shot fighters explode, often times several other Velocifighters are caught in the explosion, taking from two to five additional fighters as well. Zhane is able to eliminate ten contingencies, each consisting of twenty Velocifighters, until those left wizen up to the Silver Ranger's strategy. The technique is effective, however, knocking the reinforcement Velocifighters from six to four hundred in number. Along with the one hundred fighters DECA manages to destroy, the two ships are able to create a serious dent in Astronema's army.
Just then, nearly all the remaining Velocifighters break formation and join the battle in Angel Grove. Undaunted, Zhane follows, while barking more orders to DECA and Alpha-Six within the Megaship.
"DECA, continue defense patterns on remaining Velocifighters," Zhane commands. "Use discretion. I'm going in."
"Good luck, Zhane," Alpha's high-pitched voice sounds, then adds softly, "Ayiayiayiayiayi!"
Making his descent towards Angel Grove, Zhane transfers the Mega Winger from Ship to Zord mode and begins to bash the Velocifighters like a futuristic King Kong. Soon, most of the Velocifighters are crowding around the Mega Winger, trying to blast it out of existence. The addition of fighters makes maneuverability almost negligent and Zhane opts to try another approach.
"There's just too many of them," Zhane concludes. ((Andros, I'm going to try to get most, if not all the Velocifighters, to follow me.))
((Be careful, Zhane,)) Andros warns. ((I expect you to return in one piece.))
((I will,)) Zhane vows, then breaks off communication with his long-time friend and brother. "Come on, you big turkeys. Chew on this!"
Reverting back to Ship Mode, Zhane begins pummeling the Velocifighters once more with laserfire. Taking off towards the east, most of the Velocifighters do, indeed, follow the Silver Ranger, enraged at his bait-and-hook tactics, deciding to eliminate the accursed Ranger once and for all. Zhane soars over some of the most devastated cities on Earth, drawing more Velocifighters to him, and away from the citizens below. Some citizens, inspired by seeing the Mega Winger, start to fight back for their freedom, finally given the hope they had lost only hours before.
Making one complete circumvent of the planet, Zhane draws the majority of the remaining Velocifighters to him. After passing over Angel Grove once more, an alert sounds on his panel. He is almost out of power in his laser banks. Thinking quickly, he veers south, knowing that Velocifighters cannot survive long in frigid, atmospheric temperatures. He only has one chance at this. If he fails, he will die in the frigid icecaps of this foreign world.
Back in Angel Grove, the fighting continues, but the Rangers are tiring. They've been fighting for nearly four hours. Though exhausted, determination and the thought of failing their planet spur them forth, even with their muscles and bones aching for rest. With the impossible task of working against tremendous odds, there's not one Ranger who doesn't wish for some help... some miracle...
And, somewhere deep within the cosmos, their wishes are granted... for help would come not from without, but within.
Because, once a Ranger...
ALWAYS a Ranger!
Author's Note: No, I haven't abandoned this story. Real life, coupled with several months of writer's block, has put this story on hold for a bit. I try to dabble with it once in awhile and always end up at the same block point. I'm hoping that by working on this tonight, I can get inspired and past the hurdle that's been daunting me all summer. In the meantime, I went back and looked over the grammar and spelling once more and hopefully changed some of the mistakes for the better and made transitions from one tense to another clearer.
Please be patient and I'll try to get something written soon. Also, the next ten chapters or so are going to require a lot of characters, so if you would like a cameo, please email me at (or leave a review) with what you'd like your character's name to be (only first name will suffice) and which former ranger's chapter you'd like to be in. I'll try to incorporate everyone, but you might not get the chapter you wanted. When I post a new section, I will announce whose cameos are in here.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Alexis Steele