A/N: You're definitely right, Cmar, it is difficult writing episodes---but
it sure makes it easier to have the plot so laid out!
This time, I've changed a few lines . . . added some . . . etc., basically, I've done more with the episode. I hope you enjoy yourselves and thanks again, everyone, for your great reviews :)
***
Alex watched in silence as the others stared at him for a few moments after he had morphed, perhaps taken aback at seeing him as the Red Ranger once again, or hesitant to follow his orders. Either way, no one moved, or made a sound for what seemed like an eternity . . . an awkward eternity.
"Well," he finally said, "what're you waiting for?"
He focused on Jen as she stared at him, suddenly feeling as if she could see right through the protective suit; she squinted her eyes slightly, the wind on the California beach blowing back a few loose strands of hair.
"Come on, guys," she said with an air of leadership and confidence in her young voice. "Ready?"
Alex nodded slowly as they morphed, turning to face the ocean without a word. 'This has to work,' he told himself, barely hearing Jen's voice:
"Now what, Alex?"
"You'll see soon enough," he said, quickly. "Just stay alert." He lifted his morpher: "Circuit, activate the Time Flyers."
"Yes, sir!" he could hear the robot say, "you got it!"
They assembled in the Megazord, as a creature appeared in the ocean and slowly rose up; Alex swallowed nervously, gripping the controls till his hands ached.
"What is that???" Lucas asked, staring at the robot with the others.
"That," Alex said, slowly, "is Frax's super robot . . . Dragontron. It is more powerful than anything you've ever encountered before."
There was a pause. 'They're letting it sink in,' Alex realized, remaining silent and not turning to look at them---focused on Dragontron as it slowly lumbered toward them.
"Can we beat it?" Jen asked.
"It won't be easy," Alex admitted, "it's got more power than any Megazord."
"There's got to be a way!" Trip spoke up, sounding optimistic.
"Does it have a weakness?" Katie questioned.
"It does," Alex replied, "upon studying the robot closer while I was in the future, I discovered that there's one vulnerable spot---the energy core. And that's where we have to focus our attack." He hit a few buttons and a holographic image of Dragontron appeared, a red circle indicating where the energy core was located.
"That doesn't sound so tough!" Lucas scoffed.
Alex gritted his teeth, Lucas always had been an overly-confident boy--- something he remembered clearly from their childhood. "Well, it is!" he insisted, "if we miss it---even by a millimeter---the core will explode. Taking all of us with it."
"It's too risky!" Jen protested.
"Maybe," Katie said, "but it's our only chance."
"All right," Alex said, looking at each Ranger in turn. "Let's do this then . . . Kendall, you're the best shot here. I need you to lock on the target on my order."
"Yes, sir," Lucas said, adjusting a few instruments.
"Don't fire until I tell you to," Alex said, "we have to make sure Dragontron is perfectly still, or we could be off-target."
Although he couldn't see the younger man's expression, Alex heard his uneven breaths and could sense his nervousness. "Steady," he said, "take deep breaths." He looked back at Dragontron, fingering his controls as he waited for the moment . . . finally:
"Lock on target!"
As he spoke, Dragontron whirled around to face them, the energy core at his back becoming impossible to shoot. "Hold your fire!" Alex ordered, quickly, "Frax warned him . . . now he's coming back for us. Brace yourselves."
Dragontron opened it's mouth, charging up the three cannons on it's forehead; it snapped open it's two shoulder gatling missiles and let out a round of missiles. Alex was thrown backward as sparks flew up from his console, bouncing off his visor and suit; he heard the yells of the other Rangers as they, too, were thrown to the ground.
Alex didn't wait to get back on his feet, he scrambled up, reaching out a hand to Jen as she struggled to regain her footing on the swaying Megazord. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Fine," she replied, "what about everyone else?"
"We're okay," Lucas said, " . . . this time."
"We can't afford to miss again," Alex said, looking back at Dragontron. "Get back to your positions . . . quickly!"
"Hey, look!" Katie cried, pointing. "Quantosaurus Rex!"
"Quantum Ranger," Alex said, "right on time."
The Q-Rex lunged at Dragontron, metal clashed against metal before the Eric's zord fired off a round off missiles at the robot; smoke and sparks flew up from Dragontron, but it remained upright. . . unfazed.
"Did you see that!?" Trip gapsed, "those missiles didn't even scratch it!"
"We have to get word to Eric," Alex said, worriedly. "If he fires at the energy core . . . "
"He could destroy us all!" Jen spoke.
Dragontron roared at the two zords, whirling around with it's long tail outstretched and striking both across the chest; the Megazord staggered backward, the Rangers struggled to stay upright.
"Everybody, hang on!" Alex shouted.
"He's just too strong for us!" Jen insisted.
Alex opened his mouth to reply, but Jen hadn't finished yet: "What're we going to do, Wes?" The name slipped out before she could stop herself, and for a moment all of them were silent, then . . .
"What?" Lucas said, quietly.
"Wes???" Katie gasped.
Alex slowly turned, keeping one hand on his control as Jen stuttered uncomfortably, shifting her weight from one foot to another: "I mean . . . Alex."
"Jen, let's just try and stay focused, got it?" Alex said.
"I'm sorry, Alex," Jen said, quickly, "I didn't mean to . . . "
"Just forget about it," Alex said, dismissively as he turned back to see Dragontron lumbering toward them. "Full power to laser. Lock on . . . and fire!"
The Megazord flung out it's saber and fired at Dragontron, but the robot managed to avoid the lasers; in return, it fired at them from the cannon on it's chest. The control room of the Megazord erupted into sparks and shook violently, tossing the Rangers around with ease.
"We're not strong enough!" Jen cried.
Alex pounded on the controls, struggling to get the zord balanced out again; he knitted his brows in concentration, the sounds behind him fading away to a distant murmur. But somehow, through the fog in his mind, he heard Lucas---voicing his thoughts:
"I sure wish that Wes was here to help us!"
Alex shot him a glare from behind his visor as the Q-Rex battled Dragontron; the Q-Rex's jaws clamped down on one of Dragontron's arms, holding it still. "All right," Alex said, "we've got a clear shot at the energy core."
Dragontron fired directly into the Q-Rex's chest, causing a massive explosion that rocked the zord back, and forcing it to release it's grip on the robot. Alex swore softly as Dragontron turned around, apparently taking orders from Frax, who was down below on the beach; the robot disappeared into the ocean before they could fire again.
"Where's it going?" Katie wondered aloud.
"I have no idea," Trip said, "but I'm sure it'll be back."
Alex lowered his head, collecting his thoughts for a few moments before speaking: "Everyone, meet back at the Clock Tower. Take care of any injuries . . . then fall in."
*********
Alex walked in to find the four Rangers standing in a neat line, none of them appearing to have been injured in their battle with Dragontron . . . a relief. Their backs were turned to him, but even though he couldn't see the expressions on their faces, he knew they were just as upset as he was.
'They questioned my every order,' he told himself, 'it's like they don't even trust me anymore.'
He looked at Lucas, having known him longer than any of them, and the visions of the Blue Ranger's horrific fate came flooding back; looking at Trip and Katie, he remembered watching their deaths as well. He circled around them and set his jaw, he had to get it through to them how important it was that they succeed.
"Trust me!" he snapped, "with the kind of performance you gave out there today we don't stand a chance against Dragontron!" He walked along the line slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Do you realize what could happen? Do you care about the future---or have you forgotten about it completely?"
"We haven't forgotten!" Katie spoke up.
Alex turned to her quickly, glaring briefly before she added: "Sir."
"I hope not," Alex said, "because unless this mission succeeds, there won't be any future to remember. Dismissed!"
He turned away too quickly to see their physical responses, but even as he walked briskly out of the room, he heard their voices . . . even Lucas' low tone:
"I'll dismiss you."
He stopped at the top of the stairway, resting one hand on the wall and leaning on it as his head fell; he took the first step slowly, almost unsteadily. Finally, he headed down them quickly, reaching the bottom just as a sharp pain shot down from his neck to his lower back; he stopped abruptly and bent over, breathing hard.
"Alex???"
He straightened as quickly as possible, biting back a small groan as he turned to see Jen standing on the stairs, watching him with concern.
"Are you all right?" she asked, "what's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Alex answered.
"Yes, it is," Jen insisted, "you're in pain. Did you get hurt today?"
"No, I---" Alex shook his head. "Really, Jennifer, it's nothing to worry about."
Jen frowned. "It's from your fight with Ransik, isn't it?" she said, "I should've known. Does Captain Logan know about this?"
"Yes," Alex told her, "and it's not a problem. It just gets sore sometimes."
Jen sighed, wrapping her arms around him---he stiffened, looking away. "Please, be careful," she spoke, softly. "I'm worried about you, there's something wrong and you won't tell me what."
Wes. That man he had seen trying to seduce her that day . . . he knew Wes was in love with Jen, and he had seen how Jen looked at him---even when Alex stood only a few feet away. It was undeniable, the attraction between the two; he finally broke their gaze.
"We'll talk . . . when this is all over," he said, quietly. "We have some things that need to be sorted out."
"Well," Jen said, "it'll take some adjusting . . . you being alive after everything that's happened."
Alex looked at her quickly. "What's changed?" he asked.
"I want to know the same thing, Alex," Jen replied, "you've changed. A lot. I know that fight with Ransik must've been terrible but---"
"It's not about that," Alex said, "I told you, we can't be thinking about us right now. Any distraction . . . could be fatal."
Jen put her head down, then slowly raised it again, her eyes wide. "That's it, isn't it?" she whispered, "are we going to die?"
"No, you're not," Alex said, gripping her shoulders tightly. "Jennifer, I need you to trust me. Now more than ever."
"I trust you," Jen assured him, "I do, Alex. I just wish I felt you trusted me, too."
Alex sighed. "You should get some rest," he said, "we'll be busy tomorrow." He reached over and brushed her soft cheek with his hand, tentatively, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. He felt her begin to pull away, but then relax in his arms and allow the kiss to continue; she didn't fight him, but the kiss she gave back was hesitant and without feeling.
"Good-night, Alex," she said, quietly.
"Good-night, Jennifer."
TBC
This time, I've changed a few lines . . . added some . . . etc., basically, I've done more with the episode. I hope you enjoy yourselves and thanks again, everyone, for your great reviews :)
***
Alex watched in silence as the others stared at him for a few moments after he had morphed, perhaps taken aback at seeing him as the Red Ranger once again, or hesitant to follow his orders. Either way, no one moved, or made a sound for what seemed like an eternity . . . an awkward eternity.
"Well," he finally said, "what're you waiting for?"
He focused on Jen as she stared at him, suddenly feeling as if she could see right through the protective suit; she squinted her eyes slightly, the wind on the California beach blowing back a few loose strands of hair.
"Come on, guys," she said with an air of leadership and confidence in her young voice. "Ready?"
Alex nodded slowly as they morphed, turning to face the ocean without a word. 'This has to work,' he told himself, barely hearing Jen's voice:
"Now what, Alex?"
"You'll see soon enough," he said, quickly. "Just stay alert." He lifted his morpher: "Circuit, activate the Time Flyers."
"Yes, sir!" he could hear the robot say, "you got it!"
They assembled in the Megazord, as a creature appeared in the ocean and slowly rose up; Alex swallowed nervously, gripping the controls till his hands ached.
"What is that???" Lucas asked, staring at the robot with the others.
"That," Alex said, slowly, "is Frax's super robot . . . Dragontron. It is more powerful than anything you've ever encountered before."
There was a pause. 'They're letting it sink in,' Alex realized, remaining silent and not turning to look at them---focused on Dragontron as it slowly lumbered toward them.
"Can we beat it?" Jen asked.
"It won't be easy," Alex admitted, "it's got more power than any Megazord."
"There's got to be a way!" Trip spoke up, sounding optimistic.
"Does it have a weakness?" Katie questioned.
"It does," Alex replied, "upon studying the robot closer while I was in the future, I discovered that there's one vulnerable spot---the energy core. And that's where we have to focus our attack." He hit a few buttons and a holographic image of Dragontron appeared, a red circle indicating where the energy core was located.
"That doesn't sound so tough!" Lucas scoffed.
Alex gritted his teeth, Lucas always had been an overly-confident boy--- something he remembered clearly from their childhood. "Well, it is!" he insisted, "if we miss it---even by a millimeter---the core will explode. Taking all of us with it."
"It's too risky!" Jen protested.
"Maybe," Katie said, "but it's our only chance."
"All right," Alex said, looking at each Ranger in turn. "Let's do this then . . . Kendall, you're the best shot here. I need you to lock on the target on my order."
"Yes, sir," Lucas said, adjusting a few instruments.
"Don't fire until I tell you to," Alex said, "we have to make sure Dragontron is perfectly still, or we could be off-target."
Although he couldn't see the younger man's expression, Alex heard his uneven breaths and could sense his nervousness. "Steady," he said, "take deep breaths." He looked back at Dragontron, fingering his controls as he waited for the moment . . . finally:
"Lock on target!"
As he spoke, Dragontron whirled around to face them, the energy core at his back becoming impossible to shoot. "Hold your fire!" Alex ordered, quickly, "Frax warned him . . . now he's coming back for us. Brace yourselves."
Dragontron opened it's mouth, charging up the three cannons on it's forehead; it snapped open it's two shoulder gatling missiles and let out a round of missiles. Alex was thrown backward as sparks flew up from his console, bouncing off his visor and suit; he heard the yells of the other Rangers as they, too, were thrown to the ground.
Alex didn't wait to get back on his feet, he scrambled up, reaching out a hand to Jen as she struggled to regain her footing on the swaying Megazord. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Fine," she replied, "what about everyone else?"
"We're okay," Lucas said, " . . . this time."
"We can't afford to miss again," Alex said, looking back at Dragontron. "Get back to your positions . . . quickly!"
"Hey, look!" Katie cried, pointing. "Quantosaurus Rex!"
"Quantum Ranger," Alex said, "right on time."
The Q-Rex lunged at Dragontron, metal clashed against metal before the Eric's zord fired off a round off missiles at the robot; smoke and sparks flew up from Dragontron, but it remained upright. . . unfazed.
"Did you see that!?" Trip gapsed, "those missiles didn't even scratch it!"
"We have to get word to Eric," Alex said, worriedly. "If he fires at the energy core . . . "
"He could destroy us all!" Jen spoke.
Dragontron roared at the two zords, whirling around with it's long tail outstretched and striking both across the chest; the Megazord staggered backward, the Rangers struggled to stay upright.
"Everybody, hang on!" Alex shouted.
"He's just too strong for us!" Jen insisted.
Alex opened his mouth to reply, but Jen hadn't finished yet: "What're we going to do, Wes?" The name slipped out before she could stop herself, and for a moment all of them were silent, then . . .
"What?" Lucas said, quietly.
"Wes???" Katie gasped.
Alex slowly turned, keeping one hand on his control as Jen stuttered uncomfortably, shifting her weight from one foot to another: "I mean . . . Alex."
"Jen, let's just try and stay focused, got it?" Alex said.
"I'm sorry, Alex," Jen said, quickly, "I didn't mean to . . . "
"Just forget about it," Alex said, dismissively as he turned back to see Dragontron lumbering toward them. "Full power to laser. Lock on . . . and fire!"
The Megazord flung out it's saber and fired at Dragontron, but the robot managed to avoid the lasers; in return, it fired at them from the cannon on it's chest. The control room of the Megazord erupted into sparks and shook violently, tossing the Rangers around with ease.
"We're not strong enough!" Jen cried.
Alex pounded on the controls, struggling to get the zord balanced out again; he knitted his brows in concentration, the sounds behind him fading away to a distant murmur. But somehow, through the fog in his mind, he heard Lucas---voicing his thoughts:
"I sure wish that Wes was here to help us!"
Alex shot him a glare from behind his visor as the Q-Rex battled Dragontron; the Q-Rex's jaws clamped down on one of Dragontron's arms, holding it still. "All right," Alex said, "we've got a clear shot at the energy core."
Dragontron fired directly into the Q-Rex's chest, causing a massive explosion that rocked the zord back, and forcing it to release it's grip on the robot. Alex swore softly as Dragontron turned around, apparently taking orders from Frax, who was down below on the beach; the robot disappeared into the ocean before they could fire again.
"Where's it going?" Katie wondered aloud.
"I have no idea," Trip said, "but I'm sure it'll be back."
Alex lowered his head, collecting his thoughts for a few moments before speaking: "Everyone, meet back at the Clock Tower. Take care of any injuries . . . then fall in."
*********
Alex walked in to find the four Rangers standing in a neat line, none of them appearing to have been injured in their battle with Dragontron . . . a relief. Their backs were turned to him, but even though he couldn't see the expressions on their faces, he knew they were just as upset as he was.
'They questioned my every order,' he told himself, 'it's like they don't even trust me anymore.'
He looked at Lucas, having known him longer than any of them, and the visions of the Blue Ranger's horrific fate came flooding back; looking at Trip and Katie, he remembered watching their deaths as well. He circled around them and set his jaw, he had to get it through to them how important it was that they succeed.
"Trust me!" he snapped, "with the kind of performance you gave out there today we don't stand a chance against Dragontron!" He walked along the line slowly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Do you realize what could happen? Do you care about the future---or have you forgotten about it completely?"
"We haven't forgotten!" Katie spoke up.
Alex turned to her quickly, glaring briefly before she added: "Sir."
"I hope not," Alex said, "because unless this mission succeeds, there won't be any future to remember. Dismissed!"
He turned away too quickly to see their physical responses, but even as he walked briskly out of the room, he heard their voices . . . even Lucas' low tone:
"I'll dismiss you."
He stopped at the top of the stairway, resting one hand on the wall and leaning on it as his head fell; he took the first step slowly, almost unsteadily. Finally, he headed down them quickly, reaching the bottom just as a sharp pain shot down from his neck to his lower back; he stopped abruptly and bent over, breathing hard.
"Alex???"
He straightened as quickly as possible, biting back a small groan as he turned to see Jen standing on the stairs, watching him with concern.
"Are you all right?" she asked, "what's wrong?"
"It's nothing," Alex answered.
"Yes, it is," Jen insisted, "you're in pain. Did you get hurt today?"
"No, I---" Alex shook his head. "Really, Jennifer, it's nothing to worry about."
Jen frowned. "It's from your fight with Ransik, isn't it?" she said, "I should've known. Does Captain Logan know about this?"
"Yes," Alex told her, "and it's not a problem. It just gets sore sometimes."
Jen sighed, wrapping her arms around him---he stiffened, looking away. "Please, be careful," she spoke, softly. "I'm worried about you, there's something wrong and you won't tell me what."
Wes. That man he had seen trying to seduce her that day . . . he knew Wes was in love with Jen, and he had seen how Jen looked at him---even when Alex stood only a few feet away. It was undeniable, the attraction between the two; he finally broke their gaze.
"We'll talk . . . when this is all over," he said, quietly. "We have some things that need to be sorted out."
"Well," Jen said, "it'll take some adjusting . . . you being alive after everything that's happened."
Alex looked at her quickly. "What's changed?" he asked.
"I want to know the same thing, Alex," Jen replied, "you've changed. A lot. I know that fight with Ransik must've been terrible but---"
"It's not about that," Alex said, "I told you, we can't be thinking about us right now. Any distraction . . . could be fatal."
Jen put her head down, then slowly raised it again, her eyes wide. "That's it, isn't it?" she whispered, "are we going to die?"
"No, you're not," Alex said, gripping her shoulders tightly. "Jennifer, I need you to trust me. Now more than ever."
"I trust you," Jen assured him, "I do, Alex. I just wish I felt you trusted me, too."
Alex sighed. "You should get some rest," he said, "we'll be busy tomorrow." He reached over and brushed her soft cheek with his hand, tentatively, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. He felt her begin to pull away, but then relax in his arms and allow the kiss to continue; she didn't fight him, but the kiss she gave back was hesitant and without feeling.
"Good-night, Alex," she said, quietly.
"Good-night, Jennifer."
TBC