Author's Note: For those of you who are reading this story, I hope you leave reviews Rarely ever do any of my story ever get a review. I hope you guys, and gals, enjoy this chapter!
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The Megazord fell into a roll, avoiding the hook shot and landed on its knees. The mighty flaming saber swung over its shoulder and sliced hard across Vertox's back. He stumbled forward, feeling the searing sting of the blade. He could smell his own flesh begin melt and crumble.
Whirling around, he took another brutal slash; cutting straight across the face and quick flick of the wrist brought it slicing across his chest. To Vertox, it was a nightmare coming true. His defeat was to be at the hands of pathetic humans and their tin can toys.
Another slash and he staggered back against the mountain. White spots began to consume his vision and he collapsed to the ground. The fiery-golden blade raced through another path, cleaving him hard across the chest. Pain shot through him like water and he could feel the annoying prickles of the cliff side as they dug into his back and legs.
Blood splashed against the Megazord as the blade followed a second and third path, cutting and slicing at random. A final slash cleaved through Vertox's face and body before he began to fall forward.
Time seemed to stop at the moment and the air seemed stale. The two Rangers, and those at the Command Center, watched on awe-struck as the fallen Vertox raced to the ground. Hearts slammed against chests, palms grew sweaty and everyone seemed to age just a little bit. A blinding red-white flash over powered all and the rangers groaned loudly as they shielded their eyes.
The light seemed to linger too long for all, even though it had only been a few seconds. Breaths were being held as they watched the smoke begin to dissipate slowly; agonizingly slow.
Suddenly a black beam streaked through the air and slammed into the Megazord. The bolts cackled all across its torso and arms, exploding as it moved down the legs. A second bolt collided with the Megazord and tore threw its chest and out the back. A second explosion overtook the Megazord as chunks of metal flew across the land.
"I-I will be back!" Vertox roared, shaking the ground. He staggered to his feet, clutching his chest tightly. "YOU HAVE MY WORD!"
The ground shook again as a thunderbolt descended from the ground. Its sparkling light swallowed Vertox up and in a blink, it was gone…
"Did Vertox just destroy the Zords?" Conner questioned, standing stunned and in disbelief. "They nearly had him!"
"Nearly is not good enough." Trent sighed, looking to the floor. "We truly are without zords, now."
"Don't be so sure." Haley chided and folded his arms. "I've began construction of a new set of zords, except it's going to take me a long time without help." She looked apologetically to Tommy. "Sorry, I couldn't tell you otherwise you might have stopped me."
Tommy rolled his eyes and sighed in defeat. Conner exchanged glances with Ethan and shoved him forward.
"Hey man, don't look at me! I may be a genius but I can't figure out those zords. I barely knew how to even fix them!" Ethan threw his hands up in defense, shaking his head. "Rule me out of this!"
Before Haley could interrupt, the forest entrance swung open and the two lovers staggered in. Kojin sighed, falling into a near by chair as Sierra leaned against the rock wall. Both of them looked just as exhausted as they felt.
"Nice job out there guys," Conner remarked, glancing between the two. "But you really busted the hell out of the last two zords."
Kojin nodded and ran a hand through his wet hair. "Yeah, they're totaled. Those lightning blasts ripped them to shreds."
"You two just don't listen, do you?" Tommy hissed and stood up. "I told you two I DIDN'T want you to use those morphers!"
"Yeah, well, you guys need as much help as you can get. If you haven't noticed, Vertox whooped us all out there." Kojin countered and stood up. He staggered forward a bit but regained balance just as quickly.
Tommy sighed and shook his head. "No more guys." He said fiercely, holding his hand out. "No more jokes, no more games. I want your morphers now. You two are officially grounded."
Kojin met Sierra's gaze and just shrugged. Reaching behind him, the morpher appeared and he tossed into Tommy's hand. Sierra, reluctantly, pulled off the Dino Morpher and tossed it at Tommy.
"I don't ever want you two to use these Morphers ever again." Tommy remarked and opened a wood box. He placed the two morphers into their respective spots and sealed it shut. For a moment, he looked over at the other 4 Dino Thunder Rangers and then sighed as he looked at the box. "Haley, place these in the vault." He said and tossed them into her arms as he walked past.
Kojin locked hands with Sierra and gave a half relieved, half frustrated sigh. "Well, since we're no longer Rangers…all I can say is…we've got a Dojo to run."
Sierra met his gaze for a moment, seeing the pain of loss in his eyes and nodded gently. The two turned away and left the teens standing in awe…
Ethan concentrated intently on the computer screen as the others wrote holes in their papers. Faces glanced from books to paper and back again. It was nearing the end of the year for college and the tests weren't any easier here then in high school.
"Well, well, well! If it isn't the great Conner McKnight, the high school jock and star soccer player, actually studying!" Haley mocked, and set down their usual drinks. Conner laughed mockingly and went back to his books.
Ethan peeked over his laptop, catching sigh of hands working furiously to jot things down. "Studying like two scholars, eh? Ah, such a proud moment." Ethan mocked, faking the tears.
Kira smacked him on the shoulder and growled. "Not funny, Ethan. Getting a degree in business isn't easy. I'm going to need it if I'm to open my own music studio."
Conner grinned, seeing the fire in her eyes and quickly went back to work. Ethan and Kira continued to bicker over their studying when the door opened. They looked over to find Trent carrying in some boxes.
"Here's today's shipment." Trent groaned, heaving the boxer further into his chest. "Where do you want it?"
Haley waved him around the counter, and Tommy followed in behind him.
"Hey Dr. O." Conner said, not taking his eyes off the book.
"Conner…studying?" Tommy gasped and clutched his chest. "Someone call an ambulance, I think my heart just stopped."
Laughs erupted from everyone in the café and Conner turned a deep scarlet. As the laughter died away, Tommy took a seat next to his protégée's and sighed. "High School break is up tomorrow." Tommy said, resting his head in his palm. "With this new guy on the loose, it doesn't make anything easier."
Kira patted him on the shoulder and grinned. "We've gotten through it once and we can do it again. Like all evil, Vertox will go down just like Mesogog before him."
Tommy shrugged, staring blankly at the window. "I don't know, to be honest with you. He gave us a pretty severe beating, if you recall."
Kira winced and set her pen down. "Don't remind me. That's the worst thrashing I've ever had."
Conner growled and waved his hands. "Hey, no ranger-talk today! Can't we focus on something else?"
"Like?" Tommy questioned, raising a brow.
Conner turned red and looked away, thinking of something. "Ah…woman, there we go."
Ethan saw the fiery glare in Kira's eyes as she moved to say something. "Ah yeah, speaking of woman Dr. O, anyone special in your life?" He cursed mentally for such a stop question."
Tommy glared at him. "We've been friend for almost 3 years now and I think you would know if I had a girlfriend, or a wife."
"What about your past life then?" Conner asked, looking up from the paper. He looked just as curious as Ethan had.
Tommy glared and shook his head fractionally at him. "Don't go there, Conner." His voice was serious and stern.
"Aw, come on Dr. O! You had to have someone special in your past life?" Kira pushed, her brows raising.
Tommy sent a threatening glare at her, but she didn't back down. He sighed and stood up, waving a dismissive hand at them. "It's none of your concern." He said casually and walked over to the bar.
Conner leaned forward and whispered, "Somebody is in love." He mocked, grinning widely.
Kira shook her head, picked up the pen and began to write again.
Meanwhile, Tommy sat at the bar, nursing a black cherry frosty. Haley cleaned up the dishes while Trent began to stock the bar and machines. Haley glanced at Tommy and saw the confused and frustrated look on his face. For a moment, Haley just studied him, watching as his face grew darker and turned into worry now.
"So what's eating your shorts?" She asked, scrubbing down a glass.
Tommy startled and looked her way. He blinked a few times, clearing his head and shrugged.
"Ah, just thinking about the old times of being a Power Ranger." He lied, fingering the glass. "Remembering the times when I was the Green Ranger and Red Zeo Ranger. They were the good times, if you even want to call it that."
"Yeah, it sounds like this new foe really gave you a thrashing." She comment and ran the glass under water. "Definitely worse then Mesogog ever did."
Tommy frowned, his shoulders sinking. "That doesn't exactly make me feel any better, Haley." He said and sighed.
"Sorry Tommy, but it's the truth. To be honest, I think Mesogog is going to be a pancake compared to this guy. I watched you guys fight on the screen and he really thrashed you." She slid another glass to him and took the other one away. "Cheer up, Tommy. You'll figure out how to beat him…you always do."
Tommy stared at her for a moment and nodded his head weakly. In the past, the Rangers always came through when needed. Granted, some lost their power in the process, but at least they accomplished their mission. He shook his head again and stared at the counter.
The door jingled as several teens came piling into the café. Tommy winced as one of bumped into him. He glanced over his shoulder at the girl. But he could only see her long, silky brown hair. He rolled his eyes and looked back at his drink.
He looked at Halley, sighed and shook his head. "Punks." He muttered under his breath and looked at the counter again.
"Excuse me?" The woman hissed, glaring at the man's back.
Time stopped at that moment for Tommy. He cringed at the voice, a feeling of fear sinking into his chest. It couldn't be, could it? Was it even possible? He sighed again and stared wide-eyed at Haley. He didn't even risk looking over his shoulder. Haley just shrugged and went back to cleaning the dishes.
"Sorry." Tommy muttered and made a quick escape for the door.
He jammed his palms against the window, flung it open and ran down the street. Conner, Ethan, Kira and Trent watched him pass the window and disappear behind the wall. All exchanged glances and simply shrugged – just another matter they'd have to bring up…