Chapter 32 - The Power Protects You No More
The sun began to rise over the battlefield. Its light uncovering the hell of the battlefield. The upper torso and head of the Dino Megazord laid against a hill. Its right arm stretched out as if it were reaching for its pilots while the other arm was missing, blown off by the explosion caused by Rita Repulsa's magic powers. Space Sheriff gavan gripped the soil beneath his palm as he pulled himself forward. His suit was covered in ash and partially blackened. He continued to struggle, dragging himself up a hill. As he made his way to the top, he had an overlooking position of the battlefield. To his left, he could see the Red Power Ranger standing over Lord Zedd. To his right, Kamen Rider Chalice stood over Rita Repulsa.
"These crazy bastards might just do it," the space traveler said to himself. Donna, Katrina, Brian, NC and Neil pulled themselves to their feet, rallying around Aj.
"So long as we stand, we will do whatever in our power to defeat you!" Aj declared. Lord Zedd rose slowly to his feet, his head hung low but a red circle glowing in the right side of his visor. In the darkness of his visor it seemed to shine brighter as it locked onto Aj after scanning through the team.
"And what if I were to take those powers from you?" Lord Zedd said in a hushed tone.
"You think because you've knocked me down that you're stronger than before? No human, you're still just as worthless." Rita flipped into a crawling position, her face twisted deeper into a sickening scowl. She shifted her eyes around, watching the Riders as they made their way to their feet. Her staff was far from her, unable to make a move for it without being caught by the now standing Kamen Riders. She had to separate them and put as many of them on the ground as possible if she was to make it. G3 and G4 picked up their weapons, taking their eyes off of Rita for only a second. She crawled towards them at an alarming speed. Just as G3 got a grip of his blaster, Rita was leaping into the air, twisting her body for multiple rotations before landing a round kick on the back of his head that slammed the front of his helmet into the dirt while his legs sailed up into the air.
"Shit," G4 said ignoring his blaster and putting his arms into the shape of an x to block the rising kick Rita threw as she continued rotating while falling. Garren, Blade and Chalice made their moves to close the gap. Garren and Blade looked to each other with a nod before pulling out their King's Form cards. Chalice stopped short, drawing back on his bow to charge a heavy attack. Rita rolled on the ground before posting onto her hand and throwing her leg in a wide arc, slamming her heel into his jaw. G4's body spun before landing on the ground into a roll. A flash of light caught Rita's attention. She was now looking at Garren and Blade as they donned their King's Form. Garren's chest plate turned gold and his back extended what seemed to be a cape. The same was seem with Kamen Rider Blade but the middle decoration of his helmet was also golden. Her eyes then shifted to Kamen Rider Chalice as his shot charged and was released. The energy arrow rushed towards Rita, giving off powerful energy as it drew closer. Rita leaned her body backwards into a bridge to avoid the attack. Her cackle started as she stood to her feet.
"Was the all -" her words were stopped short as she was forced to dodge a swing of Blade's sword. Her eyes widened as she felt the sharp pain followed by the burn of the blast that struck her stomach. She looked down at her robes to see them stained in black with her own blood. She stumbled a bit, giving Blade the chance to swing for her head. Her mind quickly snapped out of her trance as she gripped Blade's arm. He slammed his helmet into her head, backing her up before slamming his boot into her with a side kick. She fell to the ground, rolling off her back to reach her crawling position again. Garren began firing more blasts at Rita, forcing her to move faster. Chalice moved towards the staff to attempt to take it out of play.
"You fools, the power isn't in my staff alone!" Rita shouted as she shot thunder bolts from her fingers. Garren rolled to his left as Blade jumped into the sky. He rose higher as his cape spread into wings.
"Let's finish this!" Blade yelled as he flew downwards into a dive. With Rita's eyes on him, Chalice was able to finish powering another heavy attack, widening his stance to keep control before releasing the energy bow.
"Fade from this planet you fiend!" Garren yelled as he slid a card into his blaster before taking a wide stance and pulling the trigger. Blade's sword began to glow with energy just before he slashed through Rita. He slid on his knee as his sword cleaved through her. Blade quickly took himself back up into the air to avoid the impact of both blasts as they caused a massive explosion. Blade rejoined his fellow riders, The three looked on at the blaze in relief. G3 and G4 stood besides them as the flames danced into the sky.
"Let's go help the others," Chalice said just before two powerful thunderbolts flew from the flames. The bolts stuck G3 and G4 in the chest, burning through flesh and bone, leaving large holes in the center of their chest.
"No!" Blade yelled as G3 and G4's bodies dropped to the ground void of motion and life. The three surviving riders looked on at the corpses of their comrades as the cackles began to rise from the flames.
"It takes much more than that to kill me!" rita yelled. Her robes hug=ng from her body, burned and charred. Her flesh burned to the bone at her shoulder and left half of her face. The smell of her burning flesh reached the riders, turning their stomachs.
"Rangers," Lord Zedd growled. He took a step forward, the red circle of his dark visor shifting between them all. It locked on his staff and burned a brighter tint of red.
"Don't let him-" Donna was cut off my Zedd's fist slamming into her helmet as he made a dash for the staff. NC closed the distance, sliding across the ground and thrusting his heel into Zedd's shin. Sending him into a somersault. As Zedd landed, he scrambled to his feet, blocking a round kick from Aj. He gripped Aj's kicking leg before violently twisting his own body, forcing Aj to spin to the ground. He landed clutching as his aching leg. Brian drove his knee into Zedd's temple as he rushed in alongside Katrina and Neil. Zedd held his hands together in a small ball before bursting fire from his palms, knocking the three away. Before he even had the chance to go for his staff, Donna jumped forwards throwing a front kick at the side of his head. He returned with a wild hook that Donna slipped as she struck his abdomen with a hook of her own before bringing her arm across her body and slamming the side of her fist into his jaw. Zedd used the momentum created from the blow to rotate his hips and slam his shin into her ribs, dropping her to the ground. He crept forward to the staff as Aj kicked the bend of his knee, forcing him down to his knees before applying a choke from the rear.
"Do you really expect this to stop me!" Lord Zedd roared as he gripped onto Aj's bare skin and suit before throwing him overhead. Katrina released and energy arrow into the back of Zedd's shoulder. It seemingly had no effect as he turned to look at her before the thunderbolts of his fingers surged through her body. Zedd stepped closer to his staff before Nc and Neil charged him from his left and right sides. Zedd blocked NC's punch before pulling him closer and slamming his head into NC's visor. Neil swung his great axe down on Zedd only to miss by inches. Lord Zedd closed his fingers together before striking Neil in the shoulder. Neil winced in pain before realizing his feeling in his arm faded. He then felt the flames of Zedd's hatred burn his suit and skin. Zedd grew ever so closer to his Staff before Brian stood between him and his prize.
"Persistent little insect." Lord Zedd growled.
"You'll never defeat me!" Rita shouted as she stood tall. Flesh still burning and clothes tattered. Chalice took one final look at G3 and G4, their corpses sprawled on the battlefield, void of life. Rita's laugh echoed through Chalice's head. He could feel himself slipping into the darkness as a voice called to him.
"Joker," the voice echoed. Blade was the first to rush forward as Garren advanced while giving supporting fire. Chalice was locked in an internal power struggle, standing as still as the strongest oak tree. Rita jumped into a spiral past Blade and rushed for Garren, knocking him onto his back before slashing her claws across his armor repeatedly. Garren attempted to raise his arm for a shot but Rita maneuvered into an armbar. Blade quickly closed the distance, dragging his sword across the ground and flicking dirt into Rita's face to slow her down. Her rise to her feet was a hairline slower than before, allowing Blade to slash her across the shoulder before her roar blew flames into his body. Garren fired directly into Rita's chest twice, knocking her onto her back. She raised herself into a back bridge before galloping away from Garren's next shots. Chalice still stood motionless, his inner self battling the dark side of his power.
"Joker, Joker, Joker!" The voice continued to repeat, louder and more loud and malice. Blade threw a low sweep as Rita jumped into the air, twisting her body as she landed onto her hands and into a roll. Garren closed in, hoping for another point blank shot. She threw her leg upwards, knocking his arm to the sky just as he pulled the trigger before she could spin low on the ground and slam both shins into his ribs. Garren rolled before spreading the wings of his cape and sailing back into the sky.
"Nice try!" Rita rolled until she reached her staff before conjuring the thunder of the sky. Garren flew between the strikes giving Blade a chance to get closer. Rita turned her head around to face Blade. Her chin touching the back of her neck as she opened her jaws releasing a ball of flames. Quickly sliding a card into his sword, his armor changed once more as a flash of light overtook the power of the flames. Hig armor was now a full mix of black and gold. His sword must larger and broad. A powerful war cry escaped his lips as he donned his new King form.
"Chalice! Snap out of it so we can finally end this!" Blade yelled as his eyes stayed locked onto Rita. Chalice's body jerked before a dork ora overtook him. Garren looked to Chalice between dodging thunder bolts before realizing what was to come. The dark ora became flames of black, the twisted power took over Chalice as the flames faded revealing the image of Joker.
"That's not good," Garren thought. The battle now became a stand still as they waited for Joker to make a move.
"Rita!" He roared with venom in his tone. "You'll die for the pain you've caused this world!" Joker's words were followed by his enhanced speed as he rushed towards her, slamming his fist into her face. Her body twisted as it fell to the ground. Immediately as it made impact, Joker kicked her body aside. Rita struggled to her feet before taking another blast, this time in the back. Blade slid a card into his broad sword and it began to glow with power. Garren loaded a card and pulled the trigger, blasting most of Rita's torso to oblivion. Joker rushed through her, the blades on his gauntlets slicing though what was left of her middle body. Blade rushed to deliver the final blow. Cleaving her head from her shoulders as he swung, the only thing any of the three of them could hear was her maniacal laughter. The constant ringing of her dying cackle tortured their ears but they took a breath of freedom as her corpse dropped to the ground. Joker turned to the body, picking up what was left and ripped it in half by the legs.
"Chalice!" Garren yelled out as he landed besides what he hoped was still his friend. Joker looked over his shoulder as he dropped the remains of Rita Repulsa. "Chalice, you still in there?" Blade landed besides Garren, both wary of their ally.
"I'm fine," Joker said as he turned to face the two. "This power won't last forever, we have to end this now!"
"Keep him away from that staff!" Donna yelled as she struggled to her feet. Brian raised Saba in a defensive position as Zedd looked past him to his prize.
"All of this fighting and you've yet to even scratch me mortal. What makes you think you'll stop me?" Brian met his words with action as he leap into a corkscrew, leading with Saba. Zedd bent backwards to avoid the blow as Brian sailed over him. Landing into a roll, Brian held Saba inverters so the tiger face was pointed at Zedd. Saba fires blasts from his eyes, burning through the flesh of Zedd's calves. Zedd dropped to his knees but continued to crawl. Brian gave chase, grabbing the wizard by his shoulder only to feel the pressure of both his heel dug into Brian's chest, cracking his shield even farther.
Donna slid her way to the staff, grabbing it just as Zedd did. The two locked eyes before Zedd launched a round kick that Donna blocked. She pulled the weapon to her, slamming her helmet into the jaw of Zedd. His grip stayed strong as she pulled him closer as she swung her helmet into his jaw again, adding more force. Zedd brought his fist back before thrusting it forward through her helmet and slamming into her jaw, throwing her body into the rocks. "Enough!" Zedd said as he stabbed his staff into the ground. The rangers made their way to their feet, charging once more into battle before thunder bolts struck their morphers simultaneously. Their bodies stiffened and shock before each exploded in balls of flames and energy. Joker, Garren and Blade made it just in time to see the flames fade. As the rangers fell to their knees, their morphers dropped from their belts. Armor and suits faded away like ash blowing in the wind, revealing each battle scarred and tattered clothed being behind them. The morphers laid facing upwards, coins cracked with energy seeping from the very cracks created by Lord Zedd. "Your power is no more rangers. I have severed your connection to your precious Morping Grid. I will end this constant conflict here and now!" Lord Zedd turned his head to Brian. "Starting with your precious leader." As he swung his staff, Kamen Rider Blade blocked the blow with his sword.
"And just who are you?" Zedd asked as the crimson circle in his visor shifted to Blade.
"The guy who killed your wife!" Blade shouted as he swung upwards, throwing Zedd's staff up along with it and slammed his shoulder into Zedd to force him backwards. Over Blade flew the body of Garren as he blasted Zedd in the chest twice. Joker rushed pass Blade, slamming his fist into Zedd's mask before continuing the rotation to slam his heel into it as well. Zedd let his body launch from the ground only to land at the top of a hill. His power began to leak from his body. Dark energy surrounding him as his body flexed, seemingly growing larger.
"This is impossible…" he trailed off. "My Rita is gone again? No, No!" His power dug into the ground behind him, causing putty to form as their fists crashed through the ground, pulling their bodies free of the dirt. The Kamen Rider trio could see the endless waves of putty starting to stand behind Zedd. "I will scorch every inch of this filthy planet!" Zedd's cries were filled with venom and pain. Joker looked over his shoulder to the rangers, looks of defeat on their faces and void of the will to continue. Joker made the mental vow to protect his friends no matter the cost. To protect Katrina with his life. Thunder crashed into the ground as the wails of the putty began to pick up.
"Rangers, rangers come in!" Alpha pleaded through their communication bracelets. "Rangers whatever you do, do not use those morphers! The coins are damaged and if you do, the power may kill you!"
"It's a risk we have to take Alpha," Aj said as he grabbed his morpher and stood to his feet.
"I can die just fine knowing we saved the world," Neil said as he followed suit.
"It looks like the last stand anyway, we might as well go out with a bang." NC said as he rose to his feet.
"No way in hell I will be outshined by the boys." Katrina said as she stood.
"Fighting for the lives of others isn't such a bad reason to go." Donna said.
"You gave us this power, we knew the risks and yet here we are. We can not allow Zedd to get past us here!" Brian yelled with the fire burning in his gut.
"And you won't do it alone!" Jen yelled as she and her Time Force rangers rushed to their aid alongside the Space Rangers.
"We finish this together!" Andros declared as the teams now faced down Zedd and his horde of monsters.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Brian said as he looked from left to right at his team. "It's morphin time!"