Chapter 22 - Initial Contact
"Rangers! The portal is getting no closer to closing. Oooou ai yi yi, I don't like this." Alpha frantically shouted through the coms.
"Alpha, everything will be alright, we will find a way to close the portal," Brian assured Alpha as he dodged another wild swing from a putty. As he weaved backwards to avoid the swing, he chambered his leg onwards and shot it back out, slamming his heel into the chest of the putty and sending it's broken remains flying. "Guys, what's the situation?!"
"There are monsters everywhere!" NC yelled. He faced a neatly creature. It's upper body humanlike and extremely muscular. It's fur was thick and covered in dirt. It had the head of a bull and lower half of what NC could only think of as a goat. It's piercing red eyes flared into NC through the visor of his helmet. Snorting smoke through its nose the beast picked up its large spiked club. "Shit," NC said under his breath as he lowered himself, holding his lance in a defensive position. NC stood at six feet tall but the beast was easily eight feet in height. Just before it could life for him, it's body was riddled with bullets.
"You guys get out of here! None of that will work on him-" before he could finish his sentence the beast surged forward with its horned head, ramming through the troopers. As he stood up, an embalmed soldier lay slumped over his head.
"I am the Mighty Minotaur, none of you shall stand in my lord's way upon this conquest!" The beast spat. It swung its club, clashing with NC's Lance. Sparks began to fly as NC was forced to one knee.
"Hold on little brother!" Neil yelled as he slammed the blade of his axe into the ground, sending a shockwave ripping through the dirt and putty in its way before slamming into Mighty Minotaur's side. The beast knocked over a tree as it tumbled about. Neil slashed through putty as he made his way to his brother. "Let's take him on together!"
"Could use some help over here!" Katrina shouted into the coms. She chased blade blaster with the staff of a grotesque older woman. Her face was covered in wrinkles and her thin strands of white hairs loosely fell below her headdress. Her thin and seemingly frail body hunched over, her back having a massive bump in it but this did not take away from her speed, power or magic ability.
"I will use your youth to make me young again my dear. You and your friends will die here and then, this planet will belong to our lord! I, Madam Woe declare it!" The woman spat as she spoke, trying to force Katrina back. Katrina broke the stalemate when she noticed putty approaching. She switched her blade blaster to blaster mode and downed the oncoming threat with precision headshots. As their bodies fell, Katrina felt a warmth comparable to the sun on its brightest day as a ball of fire knocked her body into a tree. She slowly slumped down into a kneeling position. Her pink suit charred from the blow but otherwise undamaged. As Katrina looked up, she could see a snake like creature standing besides Madam Woe.
"Thank you my pretty," she said as she pet the scaly beast. It's eyes never left Katrina as it opened it's gaping mouth. "Now come Snizzard, assist me in making this woman's youth my own!" The two charged for Katrina but two energy arrows struck their chests, knocking them back.
"If you thought it would be that easy, you've got another thing coming!" Katrina shouted as she drew back on her bow again.
Aj cut his way through the putty in the front lines, forcing his way through their ranks. Besides him were more of the Zect troopers. "These guys aren't half bad against the putty but we have to do something about here numbers," Aj said into coms. When he found no response, he grew worried. Shit, they all must be stuck in a fight, he thought to himself. Just as he split another putty in half, he could hear the disgusting clicking sound. He turned to see a skeleton classed in Roman armor slash a Zect troopers from his left collarbone to his right hip. The blood sprayed as the trooper fell lifelessly to the ground. The being pointed its sword to AJ.
"Red ranger, you and are shall do battle this day. Your life shall be forfeit to Bones! The eternal warrior!" The clucking became more frequent as Bones charged forward, clashing his broad sword with the power sword. Aj shoved him backwards before slashing at his armor. Sparks flew as the blade clashed with the copper armor but Bones was seemingly unaffected.
"Oh shit," Aj said under his breath. "Welp, come at me bro!" Aj shouted as he surged forward.
Brian and Donna stood back to back as they blasted their way through putty. They moved as a single unit. The troopers came to give support and formed up around the two. "You know, we could've used this so many times before." Donna said jokingly.
"Now, really?" Brian replied.
"Just saying," Donna turned to see a fully armored samurai, "you're not serious."
"What-" Brian was cut off as he narrowly escaped a slash from the long blade. Brian back hand sprung before landing in a kneeling position. He's fast, Brian thought to himself. The samurai stood there motionless. The ghoulish mask and helmet darkening any form of seeable features. Is he even human? Brian continued to think. Donna and Brian locked eyes for a split second before she motioned around to stand with the samurai between them. Donna and Brian charged forward but suddenly stopped as the samurai lowered his stance, gripping the hilt of his katana. Donna's suit began to spark as she flew backwards to the ground.
"Argh!" She shouted as her body crashed against the dirt. She rubbed her chest where the slashes were. "How the hell?" Brian stood motionless as the samurai straightened himself. This won't be easy, Brian thought to himself.
NC slid under a swing of the massive club and stabbed his lance into the ground to propel him up to gain distance. As he came closer to a tree, he brought his knees upward before his feet met with the bark. Extending his legs, he shot his body forward like a missile leading with his lance. Minotaur sidestepped the attack, causing NC to slice through multiple putty before landing on a knee. Dammit! NC shouted in his head.
This is so not good! Katrina thought to herself as she cartwheeled to avoid another ball of fire. Madam Woe pointed a finger as another ball of fire released from her finger. Katrina rolled behind a thick tree, the flames flashing forward around her. While she knew the flames were hot, she felt none of the heat insider her suit. Breath Katrina, you can do this! She shouted in her mind as she stood slowly. Now! She jumped forward and turned in mid air just as Snizzard slashed his claws through the bark. She drew back on her bow and released an energy arrow into his left shoulder then another into his right collarbone. The beast hissed in pain as black sledge dropped from the wounds.
"You dare hurt my pretty!" Madam Woe shouted as she faced her palms outward and blew a blaze of dancing flames.
"Shit he's strong," NC said as he stabbed a blade of his lance into the ground and leaned on it. His suit was torn and blood trickled from his injuries. Behind him stood three troopers holding their sides. Their vests cracked in various places. Neil clashed continuously with Mighty Minotaur. Their blades sending sparks in various directions as the stalemate continued. Think, there's gotta be a weakness. He has to have a weakness. NC thought as he and the troops struggled to stand in a resting position.
I've got it! NC's mind finally focused, his muscles tensed as he drew his lance from the ground and motioned in a half circle. Something this fucking big can't turn quickly can it?! He slipped under a swing that Neil clashed his axe into. Planting his right heel into the dirt and pushing off it as hard as he could, NC drove his lance into Mighty Minotaur's rib cage.
"ARGH!" The beast shouted. He attempted to swipe as NC with his mace but NC had already withdrew and motioned around the side of him to his back. As Minotaur attempted to turn around, Neil came down with an overhead swing, digging his battle axe into the shoulder of Minotaur and ripped it down then out, opening the flash and allowing the blood to spray freely from the wound. Minotaur dropped to a knee as Neil went for another swing. Neil was aiming for a dead in strike to the head but felt his ribs burn like a wildfire. The mace of Minotaur was slammed into his side, sending his body through trees and troops.
"You rangers fight well, to think I would be defeated by mere humans," Minotaur said as he felt NC draw closer. "Finish it," Minotaur shouted before NC raised his lance and drove the blade through the base of Minotaur's skull. The beast's body went limp as it fell to the ground. NC planted his heel into the upper back of the fallen monster before pulled his blade from the fur and flesh.
"Did we get em?" Neil asked as he made his way to his brother gingerly.
"Yea, we got him," Nc said with a smile. Troops crowded around them before raising their weapons in various directions. "We still got a battle to win, come on!" NC yelled.
Brian and Donna stood against a tree, the trunk holding them both up. The two of them were covered in slash marks and bleeding. "Where is he?" Donna asked as she looked into the field of dead men and destroyed putty.
"I can't tell, he's just too fast." Brian said, his voice filled with concern. His eyes scanned the field until he caught a glimpse of the armored man standing there. "I've found him, on three you go high and come down on that tree just easy ya and I'll charge head on."
"Are you insane, his blade is too fast?!" Donna argued.
"But can be really guard and counter two attacks from different angles?" Donna fell silent in agreement. "One, two… three!" Brian charged forward and as he expected, Donna ran up the three and pushed off into the air. He commuted completely to the charge even through the pain of feeling steel slice through his flesh. He could see Donna come down, driving both of her daggers into the samurai's shoulders. He grunted before sending his elbow into her jaw. Donna rolled on the ground as Brian landed a round kick to his head. The space created by the samurai stumbling back was refreshing to Brian. "Time to pull out all the stops!" Brian yelled as he raised his dagger to the sky "I call upon the sword of darkness!" Lightning struck the dagger as it extended into a curved silver long blade with a crimson tassel hanging from the hilt. The samurai readied his blade one final time as the two charged each other. As they passed, they both took full swings as they swiped for vital points. Brian slid past the warrior, his blade extended as did the samurai. A gentle breeze blew between them just as Brian stood to his feet and the samurai toppled over, bursting into flames.
"You did it!" Donna yelled as she rushed to his side.
"But it isn't over, let's go!"
The troopers squirmed as their bodies burned in the fires. Others cling to final breaths with their armor and suits ripped to shrewd. Katrina was covered in cuts and her suit charred in multiple places. She breathed in heavy as she faced down her enemies. She ignored the putty that ran past her as Snizzard and Madam Woe ignored the Zect troopers. The battle raged on as the three faced down. "You're getting tired dearie, why don't you lie down and die!" An extension of her index finger shot a thunderbolt at Katrina who managed to cartwheel out of the way and into cover. She continued to use her speed and agility to her advantage. She counted the seconds it would take for Snizzard to charge her tree before just barely escaping his claws but still able to fire and energy arrow into his lower abdomen. The beast crashed into a sloppy roll.
"Looks like your pet isn't doing too well," Katrina said with confidence as Snizzard rose slowly. His bloody body covered in dirt and it's left eye shut. Madam Woe growled as she continued to fire thunderbolts. Katrina couldn't dodge them all, taking a direct thunderbolt in the chest. Her body slammed into a tree, causing the bark to split and the tree itself to lean. She tried to move but her body began to go numb. Her vision blurred and focused as she noticed Madam Woe and Snizzard loving closer. With her final bit of emerged she rolled to the side to dodge a thunderbolt and released three arrows into Snizzard's head. The beast dropped into the dirt as Madam Woe released a soul piercing cry.
"YOU SILL DIE WHERE YOU STAND PINK RANGER!" Her voice cracking as she shouted. Katrina covered as the fire quickly danced towards her yet she felt no flames. She looked up to see Chalice shielding her with his body. As the flames stopped, Chalice slowly stood to his feet.
"Go back to the others, this one is mine," Hez said coldly. As he helped Katrina up, she could feel the look of intensity on his face as she drew back on her bow, taking out three putty before disappearing into the chaos and trees.
"A Kamen Rider, is this suppose to intimidate me?" Madam Woe's tone was smug as she spoke.
"You're the one responsible for this world's Kamen Riders to fall," Chalice said as he began to circle around her. "Kabuto, The Bee, Punch Hopper, Kick Hopper, Gatack, Drake."
"So you know of the riders? Well then, you should know you haven't the slightest chance."
"Where have you hidden their battle morphers?" Chalice asked.
"You'll have to defeat me to find out!" Madam Woe rose her hands, palms up sprouting roots from the ground. They entangled Chalice who break free before charging forward. Madam Woe wanted to create distance but he was fast, his fist was stopped only by a shield of wind. Madam Woe began to backpedal as Chalice surged forward.
"You're only good as ranged attacks. Let's see how you do up close and personal!" Chalice slipped her wind slice and landed a left hook to the body before following up with an uppercut. Madam Woe staggered as she coughed up the black sledge. Her eyes bore into Chalice.
"Let's see how you fair against the element of air!" She extended both her arms forward and a power gust of wind blew. Bodies that once lay upon the ground flew as Chalice drove both his blades into the ground. He held his ground as her wicked laugh echoed through the wind. "Not strong enough eh? How about this!" She widened her jaw and shrieked a sonic wave. Chalice's armor chipped and cracked at the high pitch tone. His visor cracked and exposed his right eye that was tightly closed shut.
"Dammit… all…" Chalice said as he reached for his card belt and drew a card. "This ends here!" He yelled as multiple cards appeared before Madam Woe. She stopped in shock, giving Chalice time to leap into the air, extending his left leg for a flying side kick as he yelled, "Rider kick!" His attack connected, causing an explosion and the death of Madam Woe. He kneeled in the flames as he headed the heavy footsteps of putty. This just doesn't let up! He thought to himself before he could hear the mass of bullets and bodies drop.
"Well are you gonna sit there looking cool all day or help us win this war?" Garren said as he stepped through the flames.
"You two are idiots," G4 said as he continued firing rounds through the smoke to destroy more putty.
"We got trouble in Angel Grove, let's go!" G3 yelled as he started off back in the direction of the city.
"Garren, you and G4 stay here," Chalice said as he followed after G3.
"Didn't have to tell us twice!" The two said in unison as they stood back to back firing rounds into the hordes of putty.
"Rangers rangers! Aiyaiyai there's an attack on Angel Grove!" Alpha yelled into the communications network.
"Well duh Alpha, we are kind of in the middle of defending it." Aj replied.
"And we could use some back up, might I add," Nc added.
"No rangers, there's another portal, there's a separate attack!" Alpha yelled.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Neil replied as he swung his axe through two putty.
"Alright guys, it's game time! Aj, Katrina, Neil get back to the city. Donna, NC we draw a line at the edge of the woods!" Brian ordered.
"You heard the man, let's get a move on!" NC said as he withdrew from his battle. Donna drew her blade blaster as she slowly backed up while firing. Aj, Katrina and Neil started off towards the city. The clouds began to darken the sky as rain began to lightly cover the ground. The drops began to pick up in speed and number as the water cascaded the city under siege. The sky seemed to burn in purple fire as it was ripped open, exposing a golden armored beast, snarling as he bore his fangs. His red eyes trained on the city, his blade draw and raised to the sky.
"Go fifth and carry out Lord Zed's command!" Gold are yelled. His massive wings flagged strongly to keep him afloat as the feathered warriors soared past him. Their beaks sharp and claws filed and coated in steel. Their bodies massive and armored at the breast, shin and forearm. The darting black eyes zeroed in on the people of Angel Grove as the swooped down, grabbing anyone they could with the talons on their feet and flapping their powerful wings to rise high above the ground. People screamed and cried in pain as they kicked and struggled to no avail. The beasts continued climbing higher and higher before dropping person by person to the ground. Bodies would crash into the concrete and asphalt, bones instantly cracking or breaking and piercing organs. Blood coated the streets as the lifeless bodies lay there, wide eyed and void of breath.
"Yes, yes my Tenga Warriors. Kill and pillage, spill blood and cause chaos, draw it the Power Rangers so they can die by my sword!" Goldar cried at the top of his lungs.