A/N – Thanks to all who's read, but not left a review. Reviews keep authors like me motivated! Flames I'll absorb and add to my power. Again, if you see your name here and you're in my TAFE class – please don't kill me.

Part 4 – Defeat

In front of the Rangers was a grotesque beast. It resembled a Spinosaurus – or at least what one would look like half dead. Chunks of flesh had been ripped away, revealing tight musculature and off-white bones, with veins pulsing thickly. The creature – or whatever it was – was wearing a suit of futuristic armour, which wouldn't have been so bad – if it wasn't pulsating itself with a sickly green light. The skeletal beast took a step forward and arched its back sharply. Immediately, with a sick ripping sound, two ragged wings burst from its back. The reptile pulled what little remained of its lips back into an unearthly smile. The voice that issued from its throat was raspy, but deep and somewhat soothing.

"Ah, you have come. Are you prepared for what lies ahead of you?"

The dinosaur paused, staring at the Rangers with two dead eyes. It rolled its shoulders back, causing spikes of bone to shear through the skin on its sinewy arms and legs. From behind his helmet, Trent swallowed – trying to keep his breakfast down, succeeding for now. The thing in front of him was the most vile creature he had ever seen. Even the mutants Mesogog had created had nothing on the pure revulsion that emanated from this being. The creature spoke again, directing its voice at the Elemental Rangers.

"And you two. You are the new Legacy. The new Rangers. No matter – no matter who you are, I will crush you like…no, I won't."

A surprised pause. Even Weihan, who knew who the animal in front of him was said nothing, slowly raising his Raptor Sabre subtly. The monster continued.

"I won't fall into those old clichés, know only this. I am Death Xonix, the most Powerful and Terrifying of the Minxtras! I no longer associate myself with Lord Zedd, for he is no longer my brother! I am ready for any attack!"

As the word "attack" fell from the undead creature's lips, dozens of teleportation beams appeared, bringing with them countless numbers of Amorphids, Tyrannodrones, Golems and Fiends. Weihan looked over at his small band of Rangers. He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for...

The attack came from all sides. In the space of a few seconds, the Ranger group had dispersed, leaving each one to fight their own battles, occasionally helping a Ranger they were close to. Lightning cracked and Flame roared as Cat and Dani fought back to back, destroying any Amorphids and Tyrannodrones that came close to the whirling vortex of Elemental Energy. A wayward blast from a T-Drone caught Dani off guard and she lost her footing for the briefest of seconds. In an instant, the masses of foot soldiers were all over them, but they were blasted back by an emerald blast of light. Shocked, both Rangers looked up into the black visor of a Green Ranger.

Weihan glanced behind him at the Ranger helping Dani and Cat beat back their assailants. He should have known that Emma would help them – she was one of the more alert Crystal Rangers after all. He brought his eyes forward, just as the rocky fist of a Golem shot towards his face. He ducked, causing the creature to overbalance, and swung his Sabre upwards at a 45-degree angle. He felt the blade slice effortlessly through the torso of the animated statue, causing it to fall in two distinct pieces. Underneath his helmet, he chuckled then blinked as a familiar voice intruded in his head.

Weihan, I am with you.

It wasn't Death Xonix – he was sure of that. While the undead reptile's mental voice was harsh and grating, this new voice was calm and reassuring. It also held a great deal of power and respect – something that the reptile's voice didn't have. Sidestepping a poor attack by a T-Drone, he brought his Sabre down on it, while answering the voice – which was strangely familiar.

Who are you? I feel like I know you, but from where?

He was dimly aware of more and more Drones, Amorphids, Golems and Fiends teleporting in and the muted groans of protest from his team. He flipped over the heads of a group of Golems and Fiends, laser fire shooting from the hilt of his Sabre. Inside his head, the voice laughed, and it all clicked together.

ZORDON?

Yes, Weihan. It is me. I have helped one of your protégés, he should be along shortly. I will talk to you after the battle.

And at that, the voice faded. Weihan rolled his eyes, narrowly avoiding a swipe from an Amorphid that would've taken his head off. Zordon, the great mentor of the Power Rangers had come to his aid. He had only met the morphological being once or twice, but knew that the big, floating head would do everything to ensure success for the Rangers. For the first time since the break up of the Elemental Rangers, he felt relief wash over him. With Zordon on their side, everything would turn out OK. He was sure of it.

But it seemed like nothing would make a dent in the horde of creatures that were slowly surrounding his team of Rangers. Connor cried out in pain as the rocky fist of a Golem broke his defences and struck his chest, forcing the Red Ranger to his knees. Kira and Trent were bodily picked up by four Fiends each and were flung towards each other, their bodies colliding in mid-air. Several explosions were heard as the Ultra Sentinels were blasted back by Jabark. Tommy, Liz – the Ivory Tiger Crystal Ranger – and Ethan were brutally flung away by the rampaging Skulldier – landing in a heap at the front door of the Monster Shelter. The Black/Green, Purple, White and Silver Ultra Rangers were slowly, but surely being defeated by Death Xonix. Weihan lifted his Sabre in defence as a mass of T-Drones rushed towards him. He flung the blade around wildly, only managing to destroy one or two out of the twenty or so that surrounded him. He felt himself being lifted up and then flung at the Rangers who were recovering from their injuries.

He hit them pretty hard.

He looked up through his visor and saw that they were all surrounded and in various stages of pain. He wanted desperately to rush them – even in the state he was in – and destroy them all for good. He knew that that thought was insane, it would get him destroyed and Evil would win. He had multiple teams to look after, plus a half-remembered dream of himself walking somewhere with a girl who looked very familiar. In fact, he had thought that it looked like…but that was impossible, he was sure that she had a boyfriend out there. It was only a fantasy, but it seemed so real. He carefully tucked away the image in the back of his mind. Another time for that, hopefully after the battle, after they had won. Winning this battle, however, seemed more impossible than cleaning every single Zord in the galaxy with a toothpick.

They needed help fast, or the Earth wasn't going to see another day.

TBC...Review Please!