Chapter 31 - Abandon Hope Here
"Fools," Rita said in a hushed tone. Lord Zedd stood before Rita as his body began to enlarge. He stood face to face with the two opposing Megazords.
"Come rangers, learn why your toys are ineffective against true power!" Lord Zedd twirled his staff into a downwards position. The Astro Zord clashed with Lord Zedd's Staff as it attempted an overhead strike. Lord Zedd pushed the machine backwards. As the Megazord charged forward, Lord Zedd took a swipe at its legs, bringing it to the ground.
"Too bulky and too slow," Lord Zedd growled as he jumped into the air, stomping on the back of the megazord. Brian's Tigerzord attempted to pounce from behind a mountain. Lord Zedd turned, gripping the mechanical beast by the throat before throwing its body against the mountain. Over his shoulder, he felt the presence of the Astro Megazord. As it drew closer, Lord Zedd released the Tigerzord before turning into a slash that clashed with the blade of the Astro Megazord. The clouds darkened before lightning began to strike the ground.
"Uh guys, I may be paranoid and all but I dont think thats Mother Nature doing this." Nc joked in a nervous tone.
"Lord Zedd is too strong in this form," Brian shouted out.
"Then let me have a crack at him!" Space Sheriff Gavan shouted as he flew his Starbeast into battle. The beast landed on the ground, crawling between Zedd's legs and sweeping them from under him as it passed. Zedd rolled to avoid the flames from the beast's mouth. The Astro Megazord slammed its shin into Zedd's side just before the Megazord slashed him across the back. The Tigerzord closed in as well, keeping Zedd cornered.
"Insolence!" Zedd shouted as he stabbed his staff into the ground. He rushed forward, pushing the megazord backwards to create space before landing a spinning heel kick, knocking the bulky machine to the ground.
"Hey Brian, we are down and it will take time to get up, keep him busy!" Aj requested. The Starbeast sprung forward, driving its claws into Lord Zedd. Space Sheriff Gavan road the beast's head as he commanded its attacks. Lord Zedd locked eyes with Gavan and laughed. The Starbeast breathed fire into the face of Zedd only for it to have its jaws shut with the force of his grip and slammed face first into the dirt below. Lord Zedd looked over his shoulder at the cloaked mechanical being. It wielded dual swords and was rushing into the battle at great speeds. Zedd leapt into the air to avoid the strike aimed for his torso. As he landed, grabbing his staff, he blocked the next swing. Agian be deflected another swing with a parry to unveil the Chrono Megazord.
"You're outnumbered Zedd, this all ends here!" Jen yelled as the other Zords rallied to the Chrono Megazord. They charged Lord Zedd, overwhelming him with strikes. For every strike he blocked, another slipped through doing enough damage to slow him down each time. Dropping to a knee, the Megazord commanded by Aj and his team kneed Zedd in his jaw, throwing him back to a standing position. The Astro Megazord used the opening to charge its final attack.
"Fools!" Rita yelled as she stabbed her Lunar Staff into the ground. The sky darkened even more as bolts of lightning struck each Megazord repeatedly.
"She's overloading the systems!" Trip yelled out
"Guys this isn't good!" NC yelled, "if this keeps up our zords will self destruct!"
"Anyone got any ideas!?" Wes asked.
"Abandon all Zords! I can seen Lord Zedd shrinking back down to size. Lets get after him and finish this on the ground!"
"Aright!" All rangers replied as they jumped from the copits of their MegaZords. As they landed on the ground, each Megazord began to glow.
"How is this even possible?" Katrina asked.
"Let's talk science later, run!" Trip yelled. The group of rangers made their way as far as possible from the zords, hoping not to get caught in the blast. The explosions chained together with the forces of what seeming to be a nuclear bomb. The whiplash from the explosions threw the rangers to the ground hard, almost knocking them unconscious.
"This ends here witch!" Chalice yelled as he stood before Rita.
"Oh how mighty you sound," Rita mocked him, "please, show me the extent of your power. Give me a reason to even consider you my equal!" She drew her staff from the ground and lowered her shield. As she rushed forward, she thrusted her staff into Chalice's chest. Sparks flew as his body was thrown to the ground. Garren instantly began to open fire on her. One shot hitting her shoulder but was shrugged off. Garren slid a card into his blaster and pulled the trigger releasing a more powerful energy shot. Rita knocked it away with her staff, causing an explosion to the ground behind her.
"What the hell are you!" Garren yelled as he closed the distance. Rita lowered herself and slapped her palm onto his chest, releasing an explosion of fire. His armor singed and burned as he was thrown backwards. Smoke danced lightly from his chest, his left shoulder padding cracked and half his mask destroyed. G3 and G4 dragged themselves to their feet as Blade rushed forward from her left side. They laid down cover fire with their side blasters, keeping her occupied as she knocked away the blasts with her staff. Blade slashed as her leg only for her to leap into the air, landing on the tip of his blade completely balanced. Blade was taken back by her ability and balance. Without hesitation, Rita slammed her foot into Blade's helmet. As he stumbled backwards, Rita blasted the three of them with her thunderbolts. Their bodies stiffened before they each fell to their knees and ultimately to the ground.
"Foolish humans, your last stand has failed. I have been brought back from my grave and now we will end this filthy planet in the name of Dark Specter!"
"Zordon Zordon!" Alpha shouted frantically as he rushed into the command center.
"I take it you've retrieved the Zeo Crystals?" Zordon said as he turned his attention to the colorful android. He placed the crystals onto the circular table used for plotting out missions. "We must be quick Alpha, I fear even with the help of all the others, our rangers will fall to Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa."
"Have faith Zordon, they are our only hope but with this, we can finally give them the power to put an end to this madness."
"Ah Rangers, all face down in the dirt where you belong!" Lord Zedd boasted as he stood tall. Stabbing his staff into the ground, he crossed his arms over his chest and looked off into the distance. The sun began to set over the horizon as the sky turned a deep orange. "You said our reign of terror would end this day. Well it is almost over and I am still very much alive. Could it be that the power of not one, not two but three teams of the most mighty and righteous heroes in the known galaxy can't defeat me?"
"Shut up." Brian said as he began to struggle.
"What did you say?" Zedd's eyes cut to the White Ranger.
"I said," Brian cut as he stood to his feet, "shut the hell up!"
"So you still have some life to you?" Lord Zedd said.
"You honestly think any of what you say will stop us?" Aj said as he stood to his feet.
"If we still breathe, we will fight!" Katrina said standing with a stumble.
"It may not look like it but we can do this all day." NC said as he rose to a knee.
"You haven't won until we are dead." Neil announced, pulling himself to his feet.
"You will not leave this place!" Donna declared. The six rangers stood tall, facing down Lord Zedd while the others still laid on the ground.
"You are strong warriors with strong spirits," Lord zedd commended. "It is a shame your lives will go to waste here." Lord Zedd took a step forward, setting himself in the middle of the six standing rangers. Donna rushed forward, swinging for zedd's head. He parried her punch and kicked her leg from under her at the bottom of the shin. This forced her body to flip over, landing on her back. Nc was the next up, throwing a round kick low that Zedd leg checked. Neil landed a round kick to the opposite side of Lord zedd's head, causing him to stumble just as Donna made her way to her feet.
"He's still weak from the battle with the Megazords," Brian whispered to aj. With a nod of his head the two entered the fight. Lord Zedd landed a round kick to NC's body before slamming his helmet with his fist, knocking him into a roll on the ground. He threw a thrust kick at Donna but she managed to side step the attack. Rolling under a looping hook Donna blocked a back elbow before pushing Zedd backwards just to make a bit of space. Lord Zedd spun on his heel, landing a spinning wheel kick that threw Donna into a somersault before her back made impact with the hard ground. Neil launched a jab that got parried low. On his cross, zedd caught his fist from the inside and turned his back for another back elbow. Neil blocked the blow with his forearm. Zedd turned again, throwing two knees that Neil blocked with his forearms before Zedd lowered himself, using his legs to flip Neil over. As Neil tried to rush to his feet, he felt the force of Lord Zedd's hell slam into his jaw. Katrina shooked out her arms to still her nerves.
"Hey ugly!" She shouted as Lord zedd responded with a high round kick aimed for her head. She blocked with her forearms before leaning backwards to avoid the spin wheel kick. Katrina jumped forward with a flying knee that Lord Zedd knocked down. Katrina followed her attack with a looping hook that Lord Zedd ducked before slamming his firsts into her ribs. He then struck the temple area of her helmet with his elbow, sending her to the ground.
"Is that all?" Lord Zedd said as his eyes met Brian and Aj. Aj rushed forward with a flying knee, slipping through Lord zedd's guard and catching him on the jaw. Lord Zedd rifled back with a hook that Aj rolled under before landing a rising elbow. With Zedd's head upwards, Aj jumped into a three hundred and sixty degree spin, driving his knee into Lord Zedd's sternum. "Oh, you're finally starting to interest me Red Ranger!" Lord Zedd said with excitement. Lord Zedd threw a low round kick that Aj leg checked. Without putting his leg down he threw a high round kick, forcing Aj to block with his forearm, opening his midsection. Pulling his knee into his stomach before shooting it outwards into a side kick, Lord Zedd landed a heavy side kick forcing aj backwards. Jumping into a sharp turn, Lord Zedd threw a jumping reverse side kick into aj's chest but not before he would feel the force of Brian's boots digging into his stomach as he landed a side kick of his own. Aj dropped to the ground as did Lord Zedd. Aj rolled his way to Brian before standing in a faceoff with Lord Zedd.
"As they always say, two is better than one." Brian said before riffling off a lead leg front kick that Zedd parried down before blocking the high round kick from Aj. Brian threw a round kick to Zedd's body that was caught. Zedd spun landing a back elbow on Brian and thrusted his boot into Aj's chest to create more distance. Lord Zedd no longer relied on the ability of his sight, he focused pure on instinct as he threw a spinning outside crescent kick just before Brian could lunge back into the fray. Brian leaned back, putting his hand on the ground to keep his balance as he avoiding the attack. Aj lunged in with a jumping downwards elbow, landing on the crown of Lord Zedd's head. Aj took the split second Zedd was open to land a lead knee to his side. Zedd took a step back before side stepping Brian's front kick. As he continued to turn his body, he brought both forearms up to block a high kick from Aj before landing a stiff side kick of his own, pushing aj back.
With his attention on Aj, Brian was able to land a spinning outside crescent kick on Lord Zedd. Zedd parried the next thrust kick, blocked the round kick Brian threw without putting his leg down and landed a jab and hook combination. As Aj closed the distance, Lord Zedd turned and launched a superman punch, forcing him back yet again. Brian attacked with another hook that Lord Zedd caught at the shoulder and forearm. He thrusted his knee into Brian's stomach before shoving his foot backwards into Aj to keep him back. With a shift of his hips, Zedd threw Brian's body at Aj. Stopping short, Aj was able to avoid colliding with Brian but wasn't able to put up a steady guard as Lord Zedd used Brian's body as a post to jump from, landing a flying side kick. As Brian stood to his feet, Lord zedd jumped into a backflip, thrusting both his feet into Brian's chest with enough force to crack his shield while throwing him to the ground.
"I guess there really is nothing special about you humans after all." Lord Zedd said with a smugness in his voice. Aj stood to his feet. The blood on his body dried and darkened. He heaved in air as his bare eye was locked onto Lord Zedd. His body shook as his legs struggled to keep him standing. His eyes shifted around the battlefield. His friends tossed and turned in pain and His new found allies each laid face first in the dirt, still unconscious from the blast.
"I'm not done yet!" Aj said, grabbing Lord Zedd's attention.
"Oh?" Lord Zedd turned to face him. "So you're still among the living? I can say you humans are durable at the least." Lord Zedd rifled another side kick but Aj caught his leg while stepping in closer. Aj slammed his first into Lord zedd's visor sending him stumbling backwards. Aj widened his legs taking a deeper stance and hardened his guard.
"Come on you Shredder wannabe, I'll kick your ass myself!" Lord Zedd closed the distance throwing a high round kick that Aj met by smashing his forearm into Lord Zedd's shin. Lord Zedd attempted a jab but again, it was blocked by Aj slamming his forearm into Lord Zedd's forearm. Aj threw a jab cross combo both parried. Zedd responded with a leg kick that Aj leg checked. Aj threw a high round kick that Zedd blocked before throwing a high round kick of his own with so much force it caused his body to rotate fully. Aj threw a front kick but Zedd moved just out of range before shuffling back in with a low kick then a high kick with the opposite leg. Aj was only able to block the second. Lord Zedd went for another punch but his first landed on Aj's elbow. Using the split second from the shock of Zedd's knock and metacarpal breaking, Aj rushed forward pushing Zedd's arm down and landed an elbow on his temple. He used the force of the elbow to turn for a spinning back kick that Zedd shuffled back to avoid again before leaning forward into a front kick that Aj braced himself for by puffing out his chest. Lord Zedd attempted another low kick and high kick combo, both blocked before Aj landed a low thrusting side kick to Lord Zedd's knee. Aj faked the jab causing Lord zedd to shift just enough to open himself up for the high round kick to the head. Lord Zedd lashed out with a jab cross that were parried down before aj landed a low kick at the frustrated fiend. Aj attempted the low kick again but Zedd moved with the momentum and spun to throw a spin side kick that Aj blocked by slamming his elbow down onto the side of Lord Zedd's shin. Lord Zedd locked eye with Aj before throwing another mid level kick. Aj brought his arm to his side to block and mustered the speed to land a middle kick of his own. Aj switched his stance as Zedd stumbled. Anger began to seeth in the monster as he threw another head level kick that was blocked as Aj thrusted his foot into the inside of Lord Zedd's leg. Lord Zedd threw a flicking jab before a high kick that Aj avoided by spinning on its path to land a heavy back elbow on a diagonal angle. Aj then jumped into a full spin, landing another elbow on the crown of Lord zedd's head. Aj thrusted both his fists and left knee into Zedd's torso before jumping into a three hundred and sixty degree spin at a slight angle, driving his heel into Lord Zedd's skull with a heel kick. Aj grabbed the back of Lord Zedd's neck, pulling him forward into a knee strike before turning his body and repeating the action a second time. On the third he dipped Lord Zedd's head down a little lower and landed the knee to his face. As his head shot up, Aj leaned forward landing one last back elbow before leaning into a front flip, Dropping his heel on Zedd's head, sending him to the ground.
"Rita!" Chalice yelled as he pulled himself to his feet. She turned to face the battle scared man. Her smile widened as she knew he still had fight.
"You humans never quit, I've always liked that. It's always meant I can take my time with-" her voice was cut off by an energy arrow. She knocked it away with her staff.
"No words," Chalice said as he dropped his bow and cracked his knuckles. Rita let out another sickening cackle of laughter before stabbing her staff back into the ground. The two circled each other, Chalice shifting his eyes from her to his downed comrades. The two adversaries faced off only feet from each other. Chalice had a malice look in his eyes while Rita smiled as wide as the open sky. With just a shift to her left from Rita, Chalice prepared to block an attack that never came. She instead leaned to her right, placing her hands on the ground to keep balance as she hooked her leg upwards, striking Chalice in the head. As Chalice stumbled, Rita performed a back handspring into a corkscrew as she stayed in a low stance, her body twisting and contorting in an unhuman like manner. Another shift to her left caused Chalice to raise his guard. This time, as Rita rotated to the right, she placed her hands on the ground, whipping her leg around for a spinning wheel kick twice. Both times Chalice managed to avoid the blows by leaning backwards and stepping just out of range. Rita threw a spinning outside crescent kick a she continued her series of rotations, forcing Chalice to lean far enough to be off balance. She took the moment to jump into a spin, throwing a wild round kick that chalice ducked under before rita could take his head off his shoulders. Rita began a new set of spins as she swung for a low sweep, causing Chalice to raise the leg she targeted. This time, Rita stopped her spin mid motion and changed directions. She brought her leg up high, slamming it into Chalice's head at a diagonal angle. Rita didn't stop moving for a second. She cartwheeled around Chalice before spinning on the ground, creating a small circle Chalice knew she wouldn't let him leave if he even attempted to. The moment she stopped, Chalice found the opening to throw a side kick. Rita was just out of range of the attack before she cartwheeled back in forcing Chalice to side step. Another cartwheel into a somersault forced Chalice to step backwards, retreating from her attacks. Rita stopped yet again and without wasted motion, Chalice rifled off a high angle round kick to her head. Rita slid down into a split, avoiding the kick before holding all her weight on her hands as she rose into a handstand before attempting to drop her leg on Chalice's head. She shifted slightly and caught the kick on his shoulder. Rita thrusted her free leg into his chest to free herself. Bringing her legs back down, she twisted before throwing another sweep to back Chalice up. She then rose back into her handstand, kicking at Chalice's head repeatedly and laughing her maniacal cackle as he blocked them. Her last kick slipped throw, slamming into the crown of Chalice's head. Rita span on one hand for multiple rotations before dropping her feet to the ground and standing up.
"You have will but that's not all it takes to survive in this world human." Rita taunted Kamen Rider Chalice, her smile seemingly growing wider as the battle raged on. Chalice threw another head level round kick but Rita lowered herself, sliding under it as she dropped a hand to the ground to keep herself balanced. She swung her leg around for another sweep, stopping its motion before using her opposite leg to aim up for a head level kick as she kept her weight on her posted hand. Chalice blocked the kick with his forearm but her still felt the impact through his gauntlet. As Rita began to stand, Chalice thrusted forward, landing a knee at her side. He continued his forward momentum landing two more knees before Rita posted a leg behind his own and swung her arm to slam into his chest, taking him down over her leg. Chalice rolled away from her on instinct, avoiding the downwards kick. Rita sat on her knee, looking over her shoulder at Chalice, still smiling. Swinging herself up onto her hand with the momentum from her legs thrusting upwards, Rita attempted an axe kick from her hand stand. Chalice spun on his knees to avoid the impact of her leg and was quickly trying to regain his footing. Just as Rita's foot hit the ground, she spun on it again, this time handling her wheel kick to Chalice's jaw. His body followed his head as it violently whipped around as his body came crashing to the dirt.
"Pitiful humans. You try so hard just to fail time and time against," Rita said as she stood tall. Her smile vanishing from her lips. "You will all die and there's not a damn thing you or any other of these weaklings can do about it."
"You know, I guess movies always got it right," Chalice said as he pulled himself to his feet. "The villain talks way too much. It's becoming really annoying." Chalice stood, slapping his legs to stop the shaking. "You call us weak but we have destroyed most of your army and you being brought back from the dead did nothing to stop that. Your time is coming Rita Repulsa, you will pay for the pain you've caused."
"Big words for a man clinging to life by threads. Do you really think you can kill me!" She burst into laughter, closing her eyes as she doubled over. The moment she opened her eyes, Chalice's fist connected with her jaw, throwing her backwards. Rita's lip drew blood as her face twisted into a scowl.
"You know, you're uglier when you smile." Rita closed the distance as Chalice spoke. He raised his right leg in a feint to stop her movement before landing a left head kick. Rita took a step back, taking a full look at Chalice who stood with his knees slightly bent, his fists up and protecting his face and his exposed eye locked onto her. She began to bounce on the balls of her feet as she got closer throwing an outside crescent kick that Chalice swayed away from. Standing on her hand, she attempted another high kick that Chalice blocked. His movements weren't big or wasted. Rita began to wonder if he was adapting. Chalice slid closer, surprising Rita and forcing her to throw a head level kick that he blocked with his elbow as he smashed it into her shin. Rita fell into another backhandspring to create distance. She stopped her movement mid motion and swung her leg towards Chalice's face. He dropped low and threw a sweep. Rita avoided by pressing off her hands to land on her feet. The two stood off again, Rita's scowl deepening. Chalice slid forward again forcing Rita to strike, this time with a mid level round kick that he blocked by slamming his elbow into her shin again. Rita swung into a spin heel kick but Chalice turned and followed her rotation as he threw a high round kick. Rita contorted her spine backwards to avoid his boot by only inches. As she leaned upright, Chalice drove his knee into her sternum, knocking her onto her back. Chalice took the moment of opportunity to jump into a three hundred and sixty degree spin, bringing his leg down. Rita rolled away just before Chalice's leg could slam into her torso. As Chalice landed, he turned for a low sweep that Rtia jumped into the air to avoid. As she flipped backwards, she jumped into a forward flip extending her legs and hoping to slam them into Chalice but he was already out of range. Chalice blocked another kick from a low angle and as Rita went to spring off her hand, Chalice swept it from under her. Rita crashed to the ground. She quickly stood half way before swinging her leg at him again. He avoided her leg without backing up this time. He had a perfect read on her distance and timing now. As she tried to cartwheel to the side, Chalice shoved his foot into her torso with a side kick effectively knocking her to the ground. Chalice jumped into a spinning inside crescent kick that Rita leaned away from. She didn't expect him to repeat the motion, landing the kick to her head and throwing her to the ground. As she stood, Chalice swung with a low sweep that forced her to raise her leg. As he rose, he turned his body and chambered his knee into his stomach before whipping it around, landing a spin hook kick that forced Rita to flip over.
"How is this possible?" Rita asked as she struggled to her feet.
"Humans are good at one thing out of all things we can do," Chalice said as he raised his guard, "and that's adapting to any situation, even if its evil wizards and witches trying to wipe us out."