Chapter 25 - Journeys
Donna's eyes slowly fluttered open to the sounds of beeps and gadgets working. She could see NC standing with the man she had come to recognize as "paper face" for his pale skin. The two seemed to be deep in conversation while standing over a table of assorted objects. She couldn't make out their words and lost interest when she felt the body leaning against her move. Brian slowly stirred himself awake before opening his eyes. "Someone slept hard," Donna joked. Brian replied with a groan as he slowly sat up.
"Look at the love birds," Neil said as he approached them, stretching his massive muscles for comfort. "Hey, little bro, what you got cooking up?"
"A plan B, in case we have no other options," NC said without looking. Neil shrugged before heading off. He continued on before running into Katrina. She leaned against the wall, her chin cupped in her left hand as her eyes looked glazed over. He could tell her mind just wasn't there.
Looks like this is eating at everyone, Neil thought as he continued down. He found Aj and Hez talking to Brian.
"You ready?" Hez asked.
"I don't really have a choice in the matter. I can't help you guys without this power."
"Then make sure you hurry back. We will spend your time gone saving as many people as possible but we can't keep this contained without you." The three looked to Neil who was joined by Ren.
"How long before you leave?" Neil asked.
"I got another 10 minutes," Brian replied. The two clasped hands together and locked eyes.
"I'll hold them here until you got back, I'll make sure there's enough ass for you to kick too."
"Ha! You, leave behind enemies? Not a chance!" The two laughed.
"You ready?" A voice called out to Brian. He turned to see the familiar sect trooper saved by Hez.
"Yea, let's get going before things get worse." The two departed along with a small team of Zect troopers. As they exited the command center, all fell silent. Donna struggled to keep a strong face in the wake of the situation. Neil and NC both glanced at each other. Ren, Hez And Aj exchanged quick looks before Katrina grabbed Hez's hand ever so gently.
"Alpha, bring up the live feeds from Angel Grove," Aj said in a defeated tone. Alpha brought up the feeds of smoke and fire. Monsters and putty patrolled the streets as a large ripple in the ground stayed open, allowing many more of Zed's forces to pass through. "This is insane."
"We have to stop them," Katrina said.
"How the hell do we stop this?" Neil asked.
"We save as many people as we can, we fight them on every avenue and take back the Zeo Crystals." Hez said. "This fight isn't over, we are not beaten. Look at us, when have we ever sat back in defeat?"
"Oh so you're the big bad leader now?" Donna asked.
"No, I am and he's right. We will not take this loss on our backs." Aj spoke up. "We fought through worse and most of all, we have each other. If we give up now, we lose everything."
"Well then that settles that, what's the first move?" Ren asked.
"We find that golden fur ball and make him pay." Aj's voice grew malicious. His eyes even seemed to burn with a flame none of them could recognize. NC quickly hopped onto the computer and began the search.
"I've got something," he said within minutes. The group crowded around him as he slid to the side. "Goldar is forming his ranks, he's preparing to lead the charge."
"Then we hit him while he's cut off from the main lines," Neil said. "It will take time for him to have support come, an ambush would be perfect."
"We would have to hit him with everything." Katrina said.
"I can live with that," G3 said as he and G4 stood besides each other. The team looked to them as they stood in the command center.
"Well what's the plan?" G4 asked.
"We wait until they are a decent range from their support and we hit them hard and fast but not altogether. Hez, you and Ren need to take a team and scout for anyone taken prisoner. We need as many people as we can save. G3 and G4 I need you guys to be our eyes and ears. Hit anything moving from the ripple in the ground and cripple the forces Zed tries to send to earth."
"Do you really think we can do this?"
"Yes," Zordon's voice cut in. "I have believed in you from the beginning rangers. I chose you because you showed the same qualities the original six did. You're strong, you're brave, you're willing to face down adversity and most importantly, you are kind. I will gladly give my life to aid you in the coming battles." His words reached everyone standing in the room as the general of Zect walked in. His hands stayed behind his back, body y'all and straight. His eyes darted to G3 and G4 and with a nod, the two went off to prepare. Hez and Ren took the gesture as their que to get ready. The rangers dispersed and got ready in their own ways.
Hez and Ren met up with G3 and G4. The two armored beetles were sitting atop their massive motorcycles while doing final checks on gear and then men they were taking with them. "Give em hell," Ren said.
"You too, bring home as many of our captured boys as possible." G3 explained, "also, be careful. There could be a resistance out there and I don't think they would care who's in armor or who's a real monster."
"Then you guys do the same," Hez said as he pounded his fists against G4's. Their relationship building slowly and morals high, the two started their engines. The roars of powerful motors filled the hangar as the doors slowly shifted open. By just extending his index and middle fingers forward, G4 signaled his men to ride out.
"You ready?" Hez said to Ren as he grabbed his tactical bag.
"I never thought this body armor would be this heavy but hell yea," Ren replied. The two were outfitted in tactical pants for flexibility. Their combat boots were steel toed and the instep covered by a steel plate. Their upper bodies had a steel breastplate attached to steel shoulder padding. Their gloves were fingerless but the knuckles padded with steel as well as the gauntlets on their forearms.
"Hey it's heavy but effective. Keep radio silence, I don't need radio chatter while we are deep behind the lines." Ren nodded to Hez's idea and the two started off on foot.
"Anyone see Hez?" NC asked.
"You know those two move like shadows," Katrina added.
"Then let's follow their lead," Aj said as he grabbed his bag. The Rangers were outfitted with the same gear as the two Riders that departed before them. Zordon wished them well.
"May the power protect you," Zordon said before teleporting his team back into the forest.
"This place use to be so beautiful," Donna said as she looked around. The trees were blackened by fire and the ground turned up. The stones of putty and remains of Zect troopers and monsters stay lay on the battlefield. NC could feel himself grow sick to his stomach. Neil simply turned his head, eyes closed tight.
"We don't have time to worry about our last battle. We have to stop Goldar before he can do more damage." Aj said as he began to press forward.
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The transport ship shook as the winds picked up. Brian adjusted his armor to calm his nerves. Enzo seemed to be as calm as ever as he sat back, wiping down his weapon. The troops sat in silence, their eyes covered by the helmet so Brian couldn't get a read on their emotions.
"You're worries about the boys?" Enzo asked him. Their eyes met as Enzo smiled. "My boys will be fine. They know the risks and will fight anyway, right boys?"
"Hoorah!" They replied in unison. The transport suddenly filled with conversation between the troopers. Enzo day back almost pleased by the sounds of their voices. The cabin light turned red, all chatter suddenly stopped. Enzo shot up, grabbing his helmet and placing it on his head.
"Alright boys lets move!" Enzo yelled as he readied his weapon and moved to the sliding door. His troops lined up single file as a confused Brian looked on.
"What the hell is going on?" He asked as the light turned green.
"It's time to jump! Don't think just follow the man in front of you!" Enzo yelled as the troops rushed out of the transport and into the winds of the open sky. Brian's heart skipped a beat but his mind continued to stay steady. Without hesitation he jumped out after the last trooper and was followed by Enzo. The platoon was in free fall, the troopers looking calm while Brian internally freaked out.
"It's ok!" Enzo yelled. "The suits are outfitted with a parachute! It will automatically fire out when we reach-" his voice was cut off by the parachute firing out and jerking his body. It did for all the troops and when Brian's fires he could feel his heart beat faster than he was falling. The landing was rough, Brian's feet hit and he instantly went into. Roll as the suit released the cables attaching the parachute. Brian laid on the ground for a bit, groaning in pain as the troopers gathered around him.
"First drop?" Enzo asked sarcastically as he helped Brian to his feet.
"You guys are insane," Brian said as he stood up.
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"How many you count?" G3 asked with his blaster clutched tightly against his chest.
"I see an entire battalion just over the ridge. If we take them down in the narrow passageway, we will catch them all off guard." G4 replied. The troopers around them nodded as they silently slid down the edge of the dirt surface they each leaned upon. Taking their positions, they trained their blasters on the oncoming convo of putty and captured people. They waited as the horde slowly marched into their trap. They suddenly stopped. It was as if they knew. The men began to fear the worse, their element of surprise lost just as an explosion went off in the back ranks of the putty. Down the other flank of the putty cane people charging in with rifles and grenades. They looked like a well organized militia.
"What do we do sir?" A trooper asked.
"We give them support, suppressing fire!" G4 shouted as he stood up, raining a hellfire of energy blasts into the putty in the front. The putty were cut off from their front and left side flanks. Their captives were seemingly safe in the back. The putty scattered, hopelessly trying to contain the madness but to no use. As the final putty fell, the militia and Zect troops stood face to face.
"So there's still some of you guys left," the leader said. His face was covered by a Japanese demon mask. His gear was mostly Zect armor scavenged from the bodies left behind.
"I see you've been collecting what our dead have left behind," G3 said. Tension started to build as the two locked eyes and to G3's surprise it was G4's glove placed on his breastplate, signaling him to stand down.
"We thank you for the assistance," G4 said. "I hope to be able to work together in the coming battles."
"And I the same, we could use your firepower," the leader said. The two walked to the imprisoned men and women. G4 noticed the cuffs on them were made of pure stone.
"This may take a while," someone said.
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"How the hell are we even going to find the crystals?" Ren asked as he perched in a tree.
"Shh," Hez replies as he kept watch. He could see the moving formations of the putty and monsters. "They move almost like the imperial armies of feudal Japan. The putty are nothing more than foot soldiers in great numbers, mich like the yuri ashigaru."
"How do you even know any of this?"
"I play a lot of total war," Hez zoomed in on his binoculars. H could see the monster generals as they formed up along the ridge. "We will have to fight them all."
"Alone?!"
"If you want to find the crystals, we have to get our hands dirty."
"So you mean to tell me, we will fight those hordes alone?" Ren said with a hint of worry in his voice. "Well, we all die one day right? So what's your master plan?"
"Don't have one, we simply walk in and out of hell." Hez looked to Ren who had a troubled look on his face. Ren could sense Hez wasn't joking, his eyes were void of his usual humourous gleam. Ren feared Hez was on a Suicide mission within himself and made a mental note to keep an eye on his friend. The two dropped from their positions and began the walk into a clearing. They could see the mass of gathered putty and monsters. Ren's heart began to pound as Hez kept his wandering mind steady on the task at hand.
"You," a growling voice said. The army of monsters turned to face the two young men. A pale, bony finger with a longer and sharp fingernail extended, signaling the forces to attack. The putty charged forward in a frantic rage. Their stone bodies seemingly increasing in mass as they drew closer. Ren pauses for a moment, the anxiety of battle gripping him as Hez continued forward. Letting out a powerful roar, he slammed his right shin into the head of the first putty to make contact. Hez was surprised he felt nothing through the armor he wore. His rage started to boil over and soon give way to sensation as his strikes connected one after the other. Ren watched in amazement as Hez seemed to move faster than ever before.
"Oh shit," Ren said as he dropped back, pressing his hands into the ground above his head, throwing his legs over to flip away from a heavy swing. His mind came back to him, he could see the putty closing in as he surged forward meeting the opposition with hand and fist. They battled what seemed to be an endless wave of putty until the ground shook and anhaunting cackle was heard.
"So you think you can just waltz in and destroy our ranks," a beast said. It's lower body was clothed in tathered cotton clothing while the upper body was naked as its fur gently blew in the wind. From the crown of its head running down the middle of its back was a black mane. It's snout was shorter than the beast Hez remembered from Aj's story of the best he encountered. It's fur was grey and eyes a crimson red. His fang bore as he cracked a slight grin.
"I can smell the stench of a Kamen Rider," his mouth began to drool. "I haven't tasted the flesh of one in a while." Hez took a Ready stance before the beast rushed him on all fours, slamming its forehead into his forearms as he just barely crossed them over his head to take the brunt of the blow. Hez was pushed backwards by the force of the attack but quickly dug his heel into the ground to top his movement.
He's strong, Hez thought to himself before pulling the card from a slot on his gauntlet. "Henshin!" He yelled as the gateway to his powers opened. He charged through, instantly drawing his bow and slashing the beast across the body. Without hesitation he turned and struck the temple of the beast with his elbow. It's body slammed into the ground, causing all commotion on the battlefield to stop.
"He beat Fang," voices mumbled amping the ranks. Chalice tilted his head, looking on at the massive horde of monsters in his wake.
"Where are the Zeo Crystals?" Chalice asked taking a step forward. Fear overwhelmed the monsters ranks as they took a step back. Ren could almost feel the murderous intent. Something wasn't right.
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"I've got him!" NC yelled from his desk. The rangers each shot up from their positions.
"Well where is he?" Katrina asked.
"Exiting a portal into Angle Grove," NC said as he grabbed his gear.
"Alright, gear up!" Aj yelled, "we hit them hard and fast, then take Goldar down."
The golden winged beast floated above his army. His wings flapping slowly to keep his level steady. His crimson eyes ever so watching as his forces proceeded forward. A lesser being flew it's way to him. A goblin with its head low and hands clasped together stopped feet away before speaking.
"Goldar, sir, there has been a few problems." Goldar's gaze didn't even meet his underling.
"And what would that be?" He said in a demanding tone.
"Many of our battalions have been hit and destroyed by the humans sir. They're fighting back and most effectively. We are loosing generals." The creature said, its body trembling.
"If they were to fall to lowly humans, then they were of no use to me," Goldar's tone grew deeper. "My only concern is the Power Rang-" He was cut off by an immediate explosion. His eyes met the flames as he recognized the five distinctly colored uniforms.
"Rangers!" He snarled as his wings folded in and he fell to the ground, landing on a knee.
"Forward!" One of the Zect troopers yelled as they followed the path created by the rangers. Ah and Neil were in the front cutting a path through the putty. Their blades slicing through rock like a hot knife through butter. Katrina, NC and Donna were close behind, cutting down anything that got past them while Katrina provided cover fire. The Zect troopers added a blaze of blaster fire to the chaos of battle. The putty were being pushed back until Aj could see Goldar ripping through their ranks. He threw the bodies of his minions to the side and he clawed his way to the Red Ranger. The two came to blows, clashing their blades together with enough force for sparks to fly. Aj parried a forward stab, letting Goldar's momentum carry his massive body past that of the Red Ranger. As the best turned to continue his attack, his back was struck with an energy arrow.
Goldar barely winced as he ignored the pain. His snout began to moisten with drool as his eyes seemingly grew into a deeper tint of red. Neil and Donna closed the distance as they cut through putty. Goldar Side kicked Donna, sending her body crashing through putty and grabbed the blade of Neil's axe on his downward swing. Neil released his grip on his weapon and drew his blade blaster in blaster mode, firing a blast into Goldar's stomach. The beast released his gold and stumbled back. NC and Aj presses the attack, Goldar parried NC's mighty swing of his lance before grabbing the handle and throwing NC to the side.
Ah and Goldar's blades met again. Aj rolled his elbow over Goldar's arms, striking him in the face. Goldar simple snarled as he struck back with a high round kick that Aj blocked and met with a heavy front kick. The two slid a few feet from each other in the dirt before charging back into their battle. Aj blocked a downwards swing but holding his blade above his head but Goldar grabbed him by the throat and whirled him into the bark of a thick tree. Aj's body bounce off the wood before hitting the ground. Goldar sliced his blade across Neil's chest as he got closer then looked towards Katrina. His eyes warmed until they heated as his optic blast created an explosion right under Katrina's feet. Her body was thrown to the sky only to crash back down. NC and Donna presses their attack, NC keeping Goldar busy so Donna could sneak into a closer ranger and strike him at his armor's weak points. Spinning on her knees, she drove her blade into the segment between the plates of armor on Goldar's massive leg. The beast almost howled in pain. In his attempt to strike Donna, his shoulder burned as NC drove the blade of his lance deep into Goldar's skin.
Rushing forward, NC was able to pin Goldar to a tree, his lance blade still deep into his shoulder. The beast gripped the blade and forcibly pushed it out before slashing an energy wave at NC, striking him across the body. Goldar gripped at his shoulder, lowering his guard just before two energy arrows struck him in both shoulders, pinning him down. He could feel the steel of Aj's blade slash across his body before he could react to the pain in his shoulders. He watched as all the rangers drew closer.
"You think this is what it takes to defeat the mighty Goldar!" The beast shouted as his wings destroyed the tree and arrows.
"Where'd he go!" NC asked as the rangers looked around. They could hear his massive wins flag and the sound of his body rocket through the air. Around them Zect Troopers still battles the putty. The rangers got into a loose formation, keeping themselves spread apart. NC's face was gripped by the palm of Goldar's strong hand. He dug the helmet into the dirt and dragged it across the ground.
"NC!" Donna yelled as she pulled her blade blaster from its holster but it was too late. Goldar was already behind her, slamming his forearm into the side of her helmet and knocking her through a tree. Neil slammed the blade of his axe into the ground, sending a shockwave towards Goldar who seemingly disappeared again. The three rangers searched the skies only for Goldar to pull Neil underground. Katrina and Aj stood back to back.
"Stay calm, we can beat him," Aj said.
"I am many things right now and calm is the last thing on that list." Katrina replied. She listened for the faintest if sounds before releasing arrows in the direction of wind changes. Goldar dropped to the ground between them, both evading but creating distance between the two. Goldar blocked more arrows with his blade before swinging it down at Aj. He rolled to avoid the blow. Katrina pointed her bow to the sky to perform her signature arrow rain move.
"Not this time," Goldar closed the distance in a split second, holding Katrina by the throat. "You're good Rangers, but you rely on big and flashy moves. Often simple is the key." Goldar tightened his grip on her throat. Ah charged Goldar but was blown back by the powerful flaps of his wings. He dropped Katrina and flew his way to Aj. As the two continued to clash blades they fell into a stalemate. Goldar grinned as his eyes glowed. His optic blast struck Aj in the chest and pushed him to the ground. Goldar stood over him victorious and proud.
"Gather their bodies!" Goldar yelled to his Putty as they captured the Zect Troopers. "We shall bring them to lord Zed himself."