Chapter 24 - Hold the Line!
"Guys, I'm not liking our odds here," NC said as he faced down a charging horde of putty.
"You're not the only one," Garren said as he readied his blaster. There was a line of Zect troopers, many of them breathing heavily with their armor cracking and peeling.
"We can hold them," Brian said, "we have to!" Just as he spoke, he could hear the sound of the portal open long before he heard Alpha screaming into the communications hub.
"Rangers! Behind you!" Alpha shouted into their coms. Brian and Donna turned to see Chromium Gold, Titanium Silver and Platinum Purple enter the battlefield through the portal. Behind them were the many grotesque monsters created by Finster. They snarled and growled as the Beetle Borges slowly inches closer. The Zect Troopers didn't know which way to turn as they continued to struggle on holding the line.
"This is just not fair," NC groaned.
"We aren't out of the fight yet," G4 encouraged as he pointed to the sky. Multiple helicopters carrying more troops along with trucks on the ground. "Reinforcements inbound!"
"Troops, Hold the line, Rangers we have to deal with these higher class monsters!" Brian raised his Sword of Darkness to the sky as Donna and NC gathered to him. The three charged forward with Garren and G4 close behind them.
"Foolish," Chromium Gold said as he halfway raised his arm, flexing his index and middle fingers forward ordering the beasts to attack. The troops opened fire at the horde of putty, struggling to hold them off as the combination of rangers and rider charged the massive force of monsters. NC swung his lance overhead and across his body, slashing a reptilian beast across the chest. It turned, whipping it's tail at him with great force but only for its tail to be severed from its body as Brian blocked the blow with the Sword of Darkness. Donna used Brian's shoulder as a post as she jumped over him, slashing her dagger through the throat of the beast. Its body fell limp as the rangers pushed forward, cutting their way through the battleline of monsters. The reinforcement troops attempted to surround the new portal and attack any fresh forces bleeding from this unworldly entrance.
"Aye, golden bitch!" Aj yelled to grab Goldar's attention. He held Katrina by the throat, almost forcing her to look him in the eyes through her helmet. He threw her body into a nearby wall, causing her to demorph. Neil wasn't far from her position, his body laying in the bent metal of a car, demorphed and unconscious. "You hurts my friends, I don't care what beef you've got with us, but I'm going to kill you right here, right now!" Aj swung his sword at Goldar but his radial nerve was punched with a sharp hook as Goldar slipped to the inside of the attack. Aj dropped the blade before feeling an elbow connect to his jaw. As he stumbled backwards, Goldar rushes forward with a front kick. Aj caught the kick? Elbowed an inch above Goldar's armored knee, forcing Goldar to growl with pain before landing a snapping round kick to Goldar's head.
"I shall not fall!" Goldar yelled as he spun with the force of the blow, landing a spin hook kick to Aj's temple. His body slammed into the ground, bouncing multiple times before slowing into a roll. Aj slowly made his way to a knee as he looked up to see Goldar swipe downward with his claws. The attack was stopped by a blade slash across the back from Chalice.
"You forgot someone," Chalice ducked the wild swing of Goldar's Claw. Chalice swing the blade again but his arm was caught into a lock. Chalice attempted to land a right cross but Goldar head butt his fist before head butting the helmet. The head butt sent a shockwave to the ground before demorphing Chalice. He's slowly slumped to the ground, his head trickling with blood.
"Now, where were we?" Goldar snarled.
"Shit," Aj rushed forward with a looping right hook that was stopped by a straight kick that was then turned into a round kick that slammed Aj's face to the ground. Aj's suit faded as he demorphed.
"You got something boy?" Eric asked as he noticed his dog's ears shoot up. The dog took a smell of the air before darting off. "Come on, if he's hauling ass he has to have found my son!"
"Why are we running towards the gunfire?!" Larry shouted as he followed close behind. The kinds of screams and gunfire were everywhere. They could also hear the strong flaps of the wings of Tenga Warriors. Exiting an alleyway, the two could see a massive sized winged beast holding their sons by their throats.
"Oh hell nah," Eric yelled as he took aim. Tyger charged forward as Eric curled around to the left. Larry quickly followed suit and motioned to the right. They pulled the trigger, doing rounds into the back of the beast. It growled and snarled as the bullets bounces off its armor but also striking the points where the armor is chipped and cracked.
"Drop our boys now you butt ugly son of a bitch!" Larry yelled as he fired a round at the head of the monster. Tyger latched onto the shin guard and bit down. Goldar shook his leg, sending the canine flying into a pole. It helpless as it's body made impact. Goldar dropped Hez and Aj, eyes now trained on the two armed men.
"You will not stop me from achieving my revenge!" He roared. The roar was enough to awaken the two heroes along with the feeling of being dropped. Their vision came into focus as they could see their fathers dodging the attacks of Goldar and firing round after round into his armor.
"What the hell?" Hez said as he slowly made his way to a knee, holding his head. Aj sat up, an elbow keeping him stable as he held his ribs.
"Dad get out of here, that thing will kill you!" Aj yelled.
"Like you can do any better!" Larry replied to his son.
"We gotta do something," Hez said groggily. He willed his body to his feet but upon taking the first step, he collapsed. "Shit!"
"So these two are important to you ranger?" Goldar snarled with a sickening grin on his face. "Then you shall suffer as I have!" Goldar roared before slashing across both men's chests. Their crimson lifeforce spray into the air as the two dropped to the ground.
"No!" The two heroes yelled in unison as their fathers fell seemingly to their deaths.
"Now back to you," Goldar paused for a moment. "So you can stand?" Goldar's grin grow wider as he looked on at the two angry men, still holding their injuries. "What do you hope to do against me? Do you hope to win? You're pathetic. I can smell your fear, I can sense your anxiety. You know you won't win, you know I'll kill you all here and now!"
Goldar's gloating was cut off by the feeling of a thunderous round kick that connected to his lower jaw and neck. The force of the strike forced Goldar's face to turn just before he felt the hell of Aj's foot land a devastating spin hook kick. How is this possible, they should be on the brink of death! Goldar thought to himself.
"You'll did here," Hez said coldly. He saw G3 run into site and motioned for him to take the two downed civilians. "If they die, I'll kill you too. So help me if you leave my dog-"
"I've got it," G3 said as he grabbed the men, slinging them over his shoulder and tucking the dog under his arm.
"You ready?" Aj asked.
"Ready," Hez replied. The two shared a quick glance and smirk, both realizing how cool this moment was. Aj drew his morphed first in a downward position, then bent his arm upwards at a forty five degree angle before fully extending his arms straight then rotating them to show his morpher as he activated it.
"It's morphin time!" He yelled as the silver decorations expanded, showing the flashing red light of the morpher as its powers activated. "Tyrannosaurus!"
Hez held his belt buckle to his waist as the cards wrapped around him. "Henshin!" He yelled before pulling the latch on his buckle to reveal the crimson heart on the buckle. The card shaped gateway opened before him and with a slight forward lean, he dashed through it, the armor of Kamen Rider Chalice forming around him. Aj was close behind, drawing his Blade Blaster and firing to suppress Goldar.
"We can't hold any longer, fall back to the city!" G4 yelled as he pulled a Zect trooper to his feet. "I'll cover you all just go!" G4 stood down the horde of putting, unleashing a storm of bullets into their ranks. He watched as their bodies broke into ruble.
"I think that's a smart idea," Brian said as he sliced through the stomach of a man sized wolf monster. "Everyone fall back to Angel Grove!"
"Shit, this isn't going well," Nc said as he disengaged from his battle followed by multiple Zect troopers. Donna stuck close to Brian using her Blade Blaster to cover everyone. The dirt road gave way to pavement as many troops rushed to the city. The darkened sky casting the city in an ugly hue of blacks and dark purples. The troops stopped and turned to cover those behind them. Brian, Donna and NC each made it behind the battle line. G4 was slowly backing up, still firing into the ranks of the oncoming enemy.
"Am I the only one who feels weird not knowing where the Beetle Borges are?" G4 asked.
"Let's worry about them later, there's still a lot of monsters heading this way." Donna mentioned. The team stood fast until they heard the crashing of a golden armored body through a nearby building. All eyes averted to the beast, struggling to stand. As he places his palms into the rubble of the hole his body now resides, Goldar attempted to push himself to his feet until Chalice landed on his chest, stomping both his boots into the armor. The ground below them cracked again, kicking up rubble and dust as well as the black blood that spray from Goldar's mouth. As Chalice backhand sprung from Goldar's body, the beast slowly made his way to his feet.
"You have yet to win!" The beast roared as he flexed every muscle in his body. His blue skin bruised through the cracks of his armor. Aj and Hez readied themselves for another charge. The ground around Goldar exploded into flames and smoke.
"Guys!" Brian yelled as he ran to their aid alongside Donna, NC and Ren. Zect troopers ran past them to reinforce the forces G4 was leading.
"Hell yea, form up!" They could hear the armored man yell with excitement.
"Where's Katrina and Neil?" NC asked with worry in his voice.
"Zect troopers have them set up in the medic tents." Hez replied coldly. "They will be fine, for now, we have something more pressing to attend to."
"You will all perish here!" The voice howled through the cracklings fire. His armor charred and his eyes glaring. His body heaving with every breath. Each step cracking the earth beneath. Goldar's rage was boiling as he faced off against the very rangers that took his happiness and the two riders standing between himself and vengeance.
"Let's finish this!" Brian shouted as he lead the charge. Donna was close behind to his left and NC on his right. Aj, Hez and Ren followed in the second line of attack. Goldar extended his hand and through the asphalt of the ground, returned his blade. He clashed with the Sword of Darkness before elbowing Brian in the temple and using his massive armored leg to deliver a devastating round kick to his ribs. NC and Donna stood no chance as they lunges for an attack as Goldar took them both out of the sky with one singular swing of his sword. Their bodies cut across the stomachs as sparks flew. They crashed to the ground. Hez motioned to Goldar's left as Aj flanked right. Ren cover d them, firing blasts into Goldar's chest.
"Let's give him a headache he won't forget!" Hez said as he chambered his leg. Aj followed suit, both delivering a side kick to the sides of his Goldar's head. The beast fell to a knee before flapping his powerful wings. The force pushed the trio back, their bodies tumbling along the ground.
"Getting real tired of his shit," Aj said as he made his way to his feet, clutching his ribs. Goldar roared with anger, seething with hate. His ora darkening even more than it already was as his mind filled with the memories of Sporpina. Their life together flashed into his eyes as they seemingly bore into the combination of rangers and riders with an even deeper hue of red.
"You fear me," the beast howled. "I can smell you, you're fear, your anxiety. I can feel the earth as you tremble. Your deaths shall be slow, they shall be painful and I will insure they are remembered long after I fade from this world!" Goldar could hear the air being pierced by a sharp object. He could tell exactly where it was coming from and the angle. Without even looking, he grabbed it. It's energy flickered as he squeezed the energy arrow in his fist before it was destroyed. His eyes locked onto the direction the arrow traveled. He focused the heat of his rage through his eyes, creating a crimson optic blast. The building top was destroyed as a pink figure dropped to the ground.
"So you're awake," Goldar said coldly. The earth shook beneath his feat, catching him off guard. In the moment he turned around, Goldar was struck by the energy wave from Neil's Battle Axe. Goldar only had time to shield his body with his arms, sliding through the asphalt as his boots dig into the ground.
The team of rangers and rider stood together, facing down the battle scared threat.
"It's over Goldar, call off this attack!" Brian urged.
"No one else has to die," Donna said almost sounding like she was pleading. Goldar's face twisted. His lips stretched outward into a sinister smile. His fangs parted as he cackled into a deep laughter.
"You think this is all we had to offer? We came prepared for you." His tone suddenly grew cold and serious. Void of the emotion he was previously emitting. The dark sky opened and seemingly raining down were the stone bodies of putty. Behind them flew more Tenga Warriors, coating the city in a rainfall of monsters.
"That's just not even fair," NC said.
"Full retreat!" They could bear a voice call. The Zect troopers rushed to their vehicles as G3 and G4 struggled to cover them.
"I think we should do the same," Katrina suggested, hand on Brian's shield. Aj and Hez snapped looks at the two.
"I'm staying, Brian may lead you, but I follow my own rules." Hez snapped as he stepped to the forefront.
"Chalice that is nonsense. Get yourself and your men out of here." A voice calmly came through his communicator, void of emotion. He could tell it was the slimeball general. He looked over his shoulder to Ren then off in the distance to G3 and G4. Dammit, he thought to himself as he looked between his friends.
"Ren, cover the troopers. I'll keep Goldar off your asses for as long as I can," Hez said bluntly. The troopers scrambled as the putty began to land. Some blasting them before they can hit the ground and some struggling in hand to hand combat. The random drop of enemy forces created a chaotic brawl.
"Move your asses!" G4 shouted to a Zect trooper as he struggled to get his men moving the injured. The rangers and riders continued their stare down with Goldar untouched. Goldar's blade began to glow as the rangers got an idea.
"Let's go big, out then all together!" Brian shouted. The rangers formed their power blaster as Hez and Ren charged their final attack cards. Hez drew back on his bow, taking a wider stance as Ren held his blaster with two hands, also widening his stance.
"Fools," Goldar said as he took a swipe of his blade, releasing a powerful flaming energy slash. The rangers fired their power blaster as Ren fired his blaster and Hez released his energy arrow. The force of their attack combined, overwhelming the opposition of Goldar's energy. "Impossible!" The beast yelled as the attack caused an explosion. Flames dances in the air as smith clouds began to rise.
"Is he dead?" NC asked.
"Not sticking around to find out, get to the trucks!" Brian yelled as he noticed the Zect troopers creating a convoy. The rangers fought their way through the monster army. Hez and Katrina using their bows to take out and swooping Tenga Warriors as Ren covered them with his blaster. Brian lead the charge with Aj, cutting their way through the many putty. Donna and NC would finish any wounded creatures left behind or anything that got past the two. Neil held up the middle, taking on anything flanking from the sides. G3 and G4 saw the group pushing to the convoy and decided to give them covering fire.
"Come on, we ain't got all day!" G4 yelled. The team made their way to the trucks and loaded themselves in. Hez was about to step on until he saw a lone Zect soldier fighting off four putty without a weapon. He blocked and parried attacks, striking down one putty with a deadly round kick to the head.
"There's still someone out there!" Hez yelled as he dashed towards him. He pulled his bow into the twin blades and cut his way through the stone beasts. "Come on!" Hez yelled as he created a hole. The trooper looked his direction and disengaged from the battle. The two sprinted to the trucks, their retreat covered by arrows, bullets and blasts of all kinds. The trooper jumped onto the hatch as Hez jumped completely into the truck.
"Thank you," the trooper said as he removed his helmet. His hair was sharply cut and wavy. His deep brown eyes were narrow and almost squinting. His jaw was covered in a long of hair that match the hair covering his lip.
"Don't mention it, I'm not too big on leaving people behind." Hez said.
"You idiot, you almost got yourself killed," a voice called out from behind.
"I hope that was meant for the trooper," Hez replied coldly to the deadpanned voice. "I've killed three of my own kind by my own hands. If you think I'll die fighting putty then your insane." His reply was met with silence. Hez could feel a familiar shaped hand on his shoulder. Looking over to see Katrina, he sighed in relief. "What's your name trooper?"
"Enzo, Enzo Bryant."
"Angel Grove has fallen my lord," Goldar said as he kneeled to a knee.
"Stand my old friend, there is no need for you to kneel." Lord Zed replied. "You have suffered greatly and still, you have accomplished what some of my other minions could not." Zed shot a look over to the kneeling Beetle Borges. Lord Zed walked through the rubble of the roof in which they stood. As he stood atop the destroyed edge of the building, his army of monsters roared, snarled, growled and hissed as they laid eyes upon heir powerful master.
"We have taken Angel Grove!" His voice rang into the darkness. This is but one accomplishment in our conquest. Gorge yourself on the bodies of the dead, eat your fill! Tomorrow, we take the entire world!" Zed shouted with his staff raised. His silver linings sparkles in the dying light of the sun as the dark skies even darker clouds slowly formed. The beasts cheered in their own grotesque sounds.
The convoy began to slow down in the sand. "There's no sign of them following sir," a Zect trooper said as he stood besides the general.
"Let me guess, night vision?" NC asked as he took a closer look at the helmets.
"You're quite the observant one Blue Ranger. Yes, our helmets come equipped with different types of sites and vision sensors all at the blink of an eye." The general explained as he looked on at the stone fortress.
"Let's go, Zordon is waiting," Brian said. His voice seemed more distant and cold. As the large numbers of men and women entered the command center, alpha ran out screaming.
"Ai yai yai, Rangers you're safe!" Alpha shouted.
"Yes alpha, we are fine," Katrina assured the mini robot.
"Welcome back Rangers, I am glad you returned safely." Zordon said as he watched his command center fill. "Welcome all, I thank you in your efforts against Lord Zed. I wish for you all to prevail in this struggle-"
"Prevail? We just got our asses kicked and lost Angel Grove!" Aj burst into anger. "So many people died. My dad, Hez's Dad are in the infirmary come where the hell do you see us winning this?!"
"You have saved more than you let perish," the pale skinned man said as he pulled his armored vest from his body. Clasping his arms behind his back, he stepped forward followed by G3 and G4. "We were able to save many but-"
"GAH!" Brian shouted as he dropped to his knees. His power became to fade from his suit as he flashed between ranger form and human form. "Zordon, what do I do?" He said weakly. Donna ran to his aid, grabbing onto his shoulders as he hunched over.
"Help him, help him please!" She shouted. Zordon closed his eyes, his image began to static as the lights of the command center flickered wildly. Brian's suit glowed before forming onto him. He slowly stood to his feet.
"Green Ranger, your power is fading and I have done what I can to ensure you have enough power for one final task. You must choose someone to wield the power of the dragon zord and relinquish your ability to tap into the morphing grid as the Green Power Ranger." Zordon's word's stung. Brian was taken by them as he looked on at his team. He looked at each member long and hard before stopping his gaze on Aj.
"Aj, I want him to have it." He placed his hand on Aj's shoulder. "You're then to lead the team bro, keep them safe and may the power protect you," Brian said as his shield and golden rings glowed in gold before fading. Aj hadn't even gotten a chance to testify against the announcement before the armor formed on him. The Dragon Dagger slowly formed on his belt, opposite of the blade blaster.
"Wait, what will happen to Brian?" Donna asked.
"You needn't worry, he will remain with us," Alpha assured. "We have a way he can still be of help."
"Well spit it out because I'm not the best leader," Aj said.
"There is an island hidden in thick mist. On that island resides the seventh and final power coin. The coin of the white tiger. Brian, it is your mission to find and attain the coin before Zed can think todo so and use it against us. While your time as green may have ended, you may have the chance to return to the Rangers aid as the White Ranger." Brain's eyes flared into Zordon as he wondered if he should.
"If I go, what will happen here?" He asked.
"We will fight," Hez quickly responded.
"We will save lives," Neil added.
"We will win," Katrina said.
"I will go with him," Donna offered but was cut off by the General.
"We need all of your power here. I will send some of my men to accompany him. Even give him some armor and a weapon to give him a fighting chance.
"Didn't you want to kill us not too long ago?" Brian asked.
"Only when you seemed like a threat to my plans. Now, you're important to the survival of this planet and its people." He said coldly, turning his back and rejoining his men.
"He can be a dick," G4 said as he stood beside Ren.
"Rangers and Riders, you must rest and have your wounds tended to. This is only the beginning and tomorrow, there will be more war to wage," Alpha said in an unsuspectingly cold tone before shuffling away into the darkness of the command center. Hez and Katrina sat in the infirmary around his father.
"He's going to be ok," she said breaking the silence. His eyes never left his father. He could see Aj standing beside his own father across the room. He knew without even moving his head that Aj was watching. The two friends could feel the anger brewing across the infirmary as they stood in silence, their fists clenched. Tomorrow we end Goldar! The two made their silent swear as the night continued to coat the lands in darkness.