Chapter Six: A Phantom of a Chance
Suddenly an instant before the blade strikes, the blurry figure of the Red Ranger shoots out of the way. He skids through the dirt as the gigantic sword is driven into the ground, just barely missing him. The Yellow ranger rushes to his side and wraps her arms around his neck. TJ could tell she had cried. "Sssh. I'm ok." he said rubbing her back.
She slowly pulls away from him. "For a second I thought it was over. It got me thinking, TJ what I was going to tell you earlier is..." he place his finger on her mouthpiece.
"I know...me too. We can explore this conversation once we're done here." he said.
"Right, rampaging zords." she said. The Blue Senturion catches up with the two rangers. The Red ranger pats the officer on the back, happy to see him in one piece.
"TJ what I'm about to ask you is difficult, but fall back." Dimitira said over his communication link. The ranger looked up to the sky, the Falcon zord, Ninja megazord, Zeo Megazord and Super Zeo Megazord towered over them. The Turbo zords were badly damage, the Rescue megazord knocked out of commission, and Blue Senturion's zord laid under a pile of rubble. TJ hated leaving the battle field, but there was nothing the rangers could do at the moment. He touch the side of his helmet, "Rangers report to the Power Chamber!"
Hacker's Ship
Divatox walks on to the bridge of ship, before is a large screen which displays an image of the rangers retreating. A huge smiles beams from her. She finds her two nephews next to a table. "I am very impress with you two. Rita, Mondo, and my brother did the whole evil megazord plot before, but you've manage to improve upon the concept. What's next?" she said giddly with excitement. She slink herself across Hacker's chair watching the video feed.
"Even with Shrinkasect's defeat, we still have the advantage. Two megazords down and one at the brink of destruction. They've run out of arsenal because I turned their old weapons against them. " he said holding up a silver round device. "With this device, you have complete control of the megazords. You can hold the city hostage or crush it." Hacker adds handing the device to his aunt.
She sits up looking at the device. "I'll let you guys play a little bit longer, before I have my fun. Boys, don't disappoint Auntie D." she said snapping her fingers. The space pirate vanish in purple smoke.
"My turn." Elgar said grabbing the device from Hacker.
Power Chamber
The teens plus Blue Senturion arrived in the Power Chamber. The Phantom Ranger stood awaiting their return. A happy Cassie removed her helmet. "Phantom Ranger." she said.
"Thought you were off planet." Ashley said removing her helmet as well.
"What I was tracking came to Earth sooner than I expected." he said. He touched his arm sending a video feed to the viewing screen. An image of the Temple of Power appeared. "Not sure how familiar you are with Ranger history, but this site held the location of Ninja zords. A few days ago Pirahntrons were spotted digging around the area. They found the zords. Another nephew of Divatox's has an affinity for machinery. He manage to reprogram the zords to act under his control. " Phantom Ranger said.
"Another family member...Divatox having a reunion." Carlos joked.
"That explains the Ninja and Shogun zords; what about the Zeo Zords?" TJ asked.
"A revived Shrinkasect managed to inflitrate the hangar. He used his power to shrink the zords and bring them to Divatox's nephew." Alpha said.
"Who has reprogrammed them unlike with Turbo zords the device is inside the cockpits." Phantom ranger said.
"Energy shielded cockpits. No radio or teleport frequencies can enter in." Alpha added.
"So we have no choice, but to destroy them." Justin said.
"Not an option. When we inherited the Turbo powers, we also inherited the legacy. We are not Turbo rangers, we are power rangers. We represent the powers before Zeo, Ninja and Dino. Those are our zords out there. We've lost two, not going to lose another. My legacy will not be a zord destroyer." TJ said.
"I agree Red Ranger. There is a remote signal originating from the ship. I will board the ship and destroy the signal." Phantom ranger said.
"Too dangerous to go alone...count me in." TJ said. The Phantom ranger nodded. "The remainder of the team will lure the zords out of the city. Too much damage has occurred." he adds.
"With what the Dragonzord?" Carlos joked. He stop and got excited, "Do we have the Dragonzord?"
"No Carlos, the Rescue Megazord is functional...it needs a surge of power." Alpha said dimissing the rangers comment. Carlos looks disappointed.
"That part of ranger history I know. Tommy told me they expended the command center's power charging the Thunder zords." Justin said.
"Correct, we will use a different power source to energized the Rescue Megazord." Dimitria said.
"What other power source do we have?" Cassie asks, she looks over at the Phantom Ranger. She notices his body language seems uncomfortable. She shook her head, "No it almost killed you."
He touched his ruby, "Since then I've learn to sustain myself when separated from the ruby. With the Red Ranger's help aboard the ship, I will not be a part from it long." He detaches the ruby and hands it to Justin.
Cassie pulls TJ over to the side of the room. "TJ tell him this is crazy...he can't do this." she pleas.
TJ holds up his hand, "Trust him, like his trust us." Cassie frowns realizing her protest has fallen on deaf ears. She slinks back to the gang.
"Good luck rangers." Dimitira said.
Downtown
The Elgar control Falcon zord soars over the skyline dropping blue energy balls from it's beak. Several red laser singe the zord's wings. The zord spins on its back and scans the area for the shooter. Behind the cloud Lightning Cruiser descends firing another barrage of lasers. The aerial zord avoids the attack returning fire from its eyes. The sentient vehicle move left dodging the blast. The Falcon zord turn his body and chase after the the vehicle.
The Zeo megazord attach Zeo Ranger II's battle helmet and line up its shot with the flying car. The megazord fires two yellow energy charges at the car. The vehicle drastically descends and allows the charges to stun the Falcon zord. The zord crash lands into the forest.
Justin opens a hatch door and enters inside the generator room of the Rescue Megazord. He finds a panel box, opens and inserts the ruby inside. The ruby emits an energy restoring power to the megazord. Justin lifts his communicator to his mouth, "Carlos power's restored. Mountain Blaster and I will meet you guys outside the city."
The Blue ranger leaps out of the hatch into his vehicle. The jeep speeds off towards the Super Zeo Megazord, Justin fires the grappling cable around the hilt of the left saber. Throwing the Jeep in reverse, the rangers begins pulling the saber out of the Megazord's hand. The massive machine tightens its grip. Justin presses the accelerator to the floor, his tires spins in place. The Megazord leans to left, the control signal tells the machine to pull back. Justin moves forward and grants the machine slack before he slams on the accelerator in reverse. This action frees the saber from the zord's grip. The megazord chases after its sword.
Carlos, Ashley, and Cassie return to the Rescue megazord cockpit. The megazord stood tall once again. Sensing their foes had return, the Ninja Megazord and Zeo Megazord charges the megazord. The increase power from the Phantom's Ruby allows the megazord to hold its own against the two megazords. The agile Ninja megazord strikes the bulky Rescue megazord several times, before it retaliates. Ninja megazord backs into the Zeo megazord, seeing an opening the rangers escape to the forest. Both megazords follow after.
Hacker's Ship.
"Oops I think I broke them." Elgar said, he tosses the device to his cousin.
Hacker catches it and signs, "Don't fret we have them on the run."
"Don't count on it." a voice said from in the middle of the room. Elgar and Hacker both scan the room for the source of the voice. The Phantom Ranger materializes in the middle of the room. "Boo" Phantom said.
"Don't scare a guy like that." Elgar said holding his chest.
Hacker laughs, "What's to be afraid of, the Phantom ranger."
"And me." TJ yells, he kicks the door to the control room in. He stops and stares at Hacker, the monster he fought the other day. "What is it with monster not staying down?"
"Decoy. Real deal." Hacker said, he leaps forth and grabs the ranger by the throat with an inhuman grip, attempting to squeeze the life out of him.
Phantom steps forward to save his ally, Elgar blocks his path with is card saber. "Don't you usually run away at this part." Phantom said.
Elgar laughs, "Old me, new me is nothing to mess with." Elgar sends a swift kick into Phantom's gut, forcing him against the wall.
TJ chops the inside of Hacker's arm releasing his grip on the ranger. TJ jump front kicks Hacker, knocking the cyborg down. The circle device slides across the floor. The Phantom ranger moves towards the device and is met by Elgar's saber, it slashes his torso. The ranger falls to the ground.
Elgar attempts to retrieve the device, TJ fires his auto blaster at Elgar's hand. Elgar kisses his hand and tries to shake the pain away. Piranahtrons funnel into the room. The ranger struggles to fight them but, with so many targets, he is overpowered. Two piranatrons kick him at once, sending him flying back into a control panel with such force that it busts open and electrical energy goes surging through his suit.
From the ground the Phantom ranger grabs a foot solider by heel and flips him to the ground. He slowly rises, he zeros in on the device. He leaps over the huddle of piranahtrons. He picks up the device; Hacker appears before him firing a blast squarely in his chest. The Phantom sails across the room, his back crashes into a computer screen. Sparks fly everywhere.
TJ pushes himself off the console, he summons both his Turbo and Lightning sword. TJ spins around virgiorously slashing through the remaining henchmen.
"Thus ends Phantom Ranger." Hacker said watching the bruised and battered Phantom Ranger pull himself to his feet.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." TJ yells, his swords glow with intense red energy. Hacker laughs at the ranger as they charge at one another. TJ swipes at Hacker, who manages to dodge the turbo sword, but not the Lightning sword. The energized sword leaves a deep gash in the cyborg's chest. He drops to his knees, the ranger's weapon vanishes. TJ helps the Phantom to his feet.
"Time to go." TJ said, the Phantom nods his head.
Elgar stands in front of the doorway, "Not over yet."
Both rangers side kicks the lackey out of the way, they exit to the Phantom's ship.
Angel Grove Forest
The Rescue megazord fends off a three way attack from Ninja Megazord, Zeo Megazord, and Super Zeo Megazord. "Even with the Phantom Ruby, we're taking heavy damage." Yellow ranger said.
"Well we just have to keep going for as long as we can." Pink Ranger said.
The Zeo Megazord raised its sword ready to slash the Rescue megazord. Suddenly the Phantom Ranger materialize at on top of the megazord's head. He quickly presses a few buttons on the remote device the zord stops. The other two megazords lower their weapons.
TJ enters into the Rescue Megazord cockpit, he trades spots with Carlos. "Back in control, Alpha prepare to teleport the megazords" TJ said.
Hackers ship moved into the forest, it fired several missiles at the zords. "Sorry, not big on sharing" Hacker's voiced echoed.
"Artillery Power!" TJ yells. Two massive cannons appear on the arms of the megazord, they fire laser pellets and a stream of fire at the ship. The collision creates a tremendous explosion of flame and blue energy, causing a chain reaction of destruction that is slowly consuming the entire vessel The entire left half of the ship's bridge explodes. Flames shriek across the room, tossing Hacker through the air, slamming into the far wall amongst the rubble. Hacker's head hits a computer screen. He yells as the panel explodes behind him. The ship bursts into one gigantic explosion.
TJ leans back in his seat and takes a huge breathe. "Great job everyone."
The Pink ranger stands up, "The ruby, the phantom."
Suddenly, a huge fireball shoots from the explosion and crashes in front of the four zords. The fire subsides, the Phantom ranger is the first to realize the fight is far from over. Standing before the group is a huge megazord, with Hacker in its cockpit.
"Apocalypse Megazord Full Power!" Hacker said from his cockpit. The meagazord is comprised of a mixture of old ranger zord parts and Divatox's machinery. The left leg vaguely resembles a modified left leg of the Thunder Megazord. It's right leg is like that of the Shogun Megazor. Both its arms are, complete with arm-blasters, and are like those from the Red Zeo Battlezord. Its torso is a twisted mergence of so many machines; the head of Elgar's battle zord. Completely black and silver, with menacing eyes of glowing red.
"That is one ugly Megazord." Cassie said. The other rangers nod their heads in agreement.
"Aesthetics aside; the fire power it wields. We had a tough time defeating the both megazords; now they're a part of his Lego Megazord." Justin said.
The massive megazord fired an energy wave at the Megazords. Phantom Ranger leaps off the head of the Zeo Megazord, he crotches on the ground as sparks erupt from the Megazord. He presses a button and awakens the Falcon zord, it caws out upon reactivation. The other three remote controlled megazords take a defensive stance. "Rangers shall we give Hacker a taste of his own medicine." Phantom suggested.
"Do it." TJ said.
The Phantom ranger pressed a button. The Falcon zord fires red lasers from its wing, the Super Zeo Megazord, unleashes its twin saber finishing move. The giant gold blade comes swooping down and slamming into the head of the Apocalypse megazord. Hacker howls in anger as sparks burst up all around him in his creation's cockpit and some of his controls are fried. Several explosions burst up from all over the megazord, but it is still not nearly enough.
The Zeo megazord delivers an intensely charged downward slash; the Ninja Megazord jump off the shoulders of the Super Zeo megazord driving its charged fist into Hacker's megazor. Hacker seemed shock at what was happening.
"For Robo Racer and the Turbo Megazord." TJ said.
Artillery power!" the rangers yelled unison
Hesitantly, the Apocalypse Megazord begins to back up, but the attack connects. Hacker teleports from the cockpit in a dance of white light. when it realizes that it is coming dangerously close to the large canyon just behind it. But there is now nowhere to run, as the three glowing robots rush forth, leap up, and tackle the villainous machine right into the canyon.
Suddenly, Hacker seems to teleport from the cockpit in a dance of white light. An incredible explosion bursts up out of the forest.
Power Chamber
Cassie excitedly hands the Phantom ranger his ruby, "You did it."
Phantom Ranger inserts the ruby into his chest, "You rangers did most of the work." Phantom Ranger crushes the remote device.
"Once again we owe you Phantom. TJ said shaking the Phantom's hand.
Phantom nods his head. "Rangers you have done well for yourselves once again. I have no doubts that you would become victorious." Phantom said walking away.
"What are you saying there's more coming?" Green Ranger said.
"I'm afraid so Green Ranger. It's going to get a lot worst before it gets better." Phantom Ranger said vanishing.
Divatox's Space Craft
Hacker appears on the sub craft as his Aunt comes in very upset. "Before you say anything I think you should know this was Elgar's plan from the beginning." Hacker said pushing his cousin up front.
"Wait that was only if we" Elgar was trying to say.
"Is this true?" Divatox said in the face of nephew. Elgar nods his head. A smile comes across her face.
"The fishes Elgar." Elgar said. Two Piranatrons grab Elgar dragging him off to be thrown off the ship.
Divatox returns her attention to her other nephew, "Lucky you're my favorite. Fail one more time and you'll see what I do to my favs."
"Understood."