Once A Ranger, Forever A Hero
Chapter 13 – Twilight
Tommy sighed to camcorder, "Suffice it to say, Kapri and Master Vile were not successful in stopping Lothor. They did hold him off long enough for Kira to make her escape with Marah and Andros. I didn't really press her for details about the fight. She did say her and Vile got knocked out -"
*ORFH*
Kapri groaned as her eyes fluttered open, a scorching pain in her head. She was immediately aware that her hands were pinned on the wall either side of her head. She blearily looked around and found that she was being held in a containment cell aboard the ship. Why had Lothor let her live? A deep breathe hissed beside her and she saw her grandfather coming to, though he was restrained as well. "Grandfather? Grandfather? Are you alright?"
"I seem to be," Vile groaned. "For the moment at least. Lothor wouldn't have spared us if he didn't have plans."
"Welcome to the club," Kapri gingerly pushed herself upright. "The 'Lothor Screwed Us Over' club, you can be the emperor of that if you like."
"I never would've imagined…"
"That he'd backstab our family? I thought the same until I really started to think it over. He betrayed his Earth family in his quest for power, what would make us any different?"
Vile exhaled, "I suppose that would make sense. I truly believe he cared about your aunt though. He wouldn't have done anything to hurt her."
"Maybe, maybe not, auntie is gone. If he did care, it doesn't count for much now that she isn't here anymore."
The old emperor sighed and leant back against the wall, "My family, my shining family, reduced to this… And then you and your sister, taken up with rangers! I don't understand."
"Their names are Hunter and Dustin," Kapri smiled ever so slightly. "And they're wonderful. Hunter, he's… I love him grandfather and he loves me so much. You should see Marah and Dustin together, they're all smiles and laughs. They make us feel safe and powerful and whole. But not like our power, where we constantly must fight our enemies and win. With them we don't have to fight anyone and we're secure. It's so peaceful, unlike anything we've ever felt before."
"Hmmm it does hearten to me know you both are happy. Rangers though… at any rate I suppose they'll be suitable consorts."
"You're still on about that?" Kapri rolled her eyes.
"I have to be. When you take over after I'm gone, I have to be sure the transition of power will go as smoothly as possible."
"Yes but that's going to be in a long while from now." Kapri commented but Vile stayed silent. "Grandfather?"
"Listen starlet," Vile rumbled softly. "We cannot allow Lothor to gain control of the empire. The consequences for us and the galaxy would be dire. But an empire cannot just go unmanned, someone needs to ascend to the throne. You and Marah must take the crown and rule."
"What about you?" Kapri whispered, eyes glossing over. "You sound like you've already decided that you're not going to be there."
"I have very little hope of surviving this starlet," Vile told her simply. "Lothor won't allow it. And though it pains me that I'll never see you and Marah in love and happy, know that you both have my eternal blessing."
"No." Kapri said resolutely. "We are getting out of this and you're going to scare the crap of our boyfriends and everything will be fine."
"If you say so, starlet. If you say so."
*ORFH*
Elsewhere, Lothor trudged around the command centre, "Repair that comm link immediately, I don't want to hear any excuses. They might have torn down communication systems but I can still get the message across. Fire the lasers twice and begin the assault on Earth! The others know where to go."
*ORFH*
The megaship landed on Earth and Kira rushed out into Tommy's arms. Behind her, Marah was being carried in a stretcher by Andros and TJ. Dustin and Carter ran to them and Carter began assessing her injuries. "Looks like a nasty hit to the head," the red Lightspeed ranger reported. "But no other visible injuries. She'll need a few scans to make sure she doesn't have a concussion or anything internal."
"Take my truck," Tommy tossed him the keys. "See if Dana can meet you halfway. I have a feeling things are just getting started."
"I can't go with her," Dustin murmured. He wasn't asking, just accepting the fact. He kissed her head and hand before signalling for Carter to take care. "Keep me updated, if you can."
"Of course, I'll tell Dana," Carter promised and the stretcher was taken away.
"Guys look!" Tori shouted, pointing to the sky. Ships had already begun to descend from the heavens like a hoard of ravens.
"Goddamn," Tommy cursed. "Everyone morph now!" The rangers suited up as the ships came closers and Tengas flocked to the ground. "Andros! TJ! Get back to the Megaship and take those fliers down."
"ON IT!" The red and blue Space rangers sprinted into the ship and took off. The Tengas rushed in and the fight was on.
