Power Rangers: A Legend Retold

"Doomsday" Part 4

Strips of metal tor away from the back of Megazord as the faster of the Zedorian fleets task force moved in behind, firing discharges of energy.

The Rangers braced themselves as the giant construct stepped foot once again on the Earth. The ships flew over, making a pass from all sides and firing, getting in several hits on the giant machine. Zack aimed the shoulder mounted cannons and fired twice destroying one target and seriously damaging another. He then brought the huge metal sword he had dubbed "the power sword" up with both mechanical hands clasped on it. A ship came for another pass, the sword came down hitting right on target, the ship spun out of control and crashed to the ground with a dazzling explosion. Two more targets, a fire of the cannons and a swing of the sword had them join they comrades.

As they focused on the smaller carriers a larger fleet ship brought its weapons to bare as it came from the clouds behind the Zord. Its gun turrets took aim and fired multiple shots, the bolts tore into the back of Megazord sending it crashing forward to the ground.

The Rangers each let out a cry and held on to anything they could as their vehicle hit the ground, the sand below racing toward them until they were amonst it. Behind Billy a panel flashed brightly, sparked and went dead.

"We can't take much more of this" Billy reported.

"Then lets even the score" Jason groaned and reply and reached for the dragon dagger.

His mind raced with images of Tommy as he opened the mouthpiece of his helmet, brought the flute portion up and played the beautiful commanding tune.

By the time several other ships had arrived in the lower atmosphere above them the Dragonzord landed on the horizon and moved in. It was not completely repaired from its previous battle but at this point the Rangers had little choice.

They brought the Megazord to its feet, the Dragonzord now only meters away, as Jason played the other familiar tune. Dragonzord roared in response and fired its first new volley of missiles taking two of the ships from the skies. The two Zords regrouped and while Kim took control Jason commanded the Dragonzord, one by one ships fell from the sky and became burnings hulks around them, however the Zords themselves were also taking crippling hits. Two vessels flew in together and fired hitting the Megazords chest at point blank range, shattering the outer skin of the chest plate, you could now see the bare Tyrannosaurus chest beneath through the holes in the armour.

"Jason several systems are critical, we won't survive another hit!" Billy cried out "I was reading through the scrolls with Alpha several days ago, I practically know how these things..."

"Get to the point Billy" Jason snapped.

"Dragonzord can combine with my, Trini and Zack Zords to form another Megazord like weapon. If we are lucky Zedd has moved all his ships here and away from the CC. Kimberly can take her Zord in for a couple of quick repairs, Tyrannosaur is almost intact. It would just about give us two fresh Zords" Billy told him.

Jason thought it over for a moment as around them weapons fire sounded before nodding his head "lets do it. Kim get down to Pteryadactyl and get some makeshift repairs on that chest armour."
"Right" Kimberly replied and pushed a button beside her.
As the Pink Ranger's chair retracted from its potion and through the automatic doors behind her Jason turned to the Zords computer.

"Computer. Can we combine Dragonzord with the Masterdon, Sabretooth Tiger and Triceratops Zords?" Jason hurriedly spoke.
"Dragonzord battle mode. Affirmative" a single voice responded.

"Execute" Jason ordered.

The four of them held on as their chairs retracted from the Megazord cockpit and came out into their own. Jason, knowing they would be vulnerable whilst changing modes got on the radio to Kimberly.

"Kim. Stay for a moment and help me lay down cover fire while the others come together" he spoke into his radio.

"Understood" came the reply.

As the parts detached away from it the Tyrannosaurus Zord leapt down from the Triceratops and Sabretooth Tiger, retracted its own feet and landed. Jason brought it to life with a mighty roar and moved forward joining the Pteryadactyl as it swung down on the attack. The two Zords fired all the they had, Kim now able to maneuver like a fighter jet as she engaged the starships in combat. The Tyrannosaur swung a full one-eighty, its tail knocking another ship from the sky, behind it the Dragonzord took off and retracted its lower legs. It came down upon the still dormant Sabretooth Tiger and Triceratops, the Masterdon now becoming its arms as the Dragonzord's shoulder blades swung around and formed a engraved chest plate. Finally as the jaw dropped forming a humanoid head the Dragonzord's own tail and chest plate came into the new formations hand as a staff like weapon, the drilling tail of the Dragonzord at its peak.

***

Brach bowed respectfully before Lord Zedd as he approached to give his report.

"Sir, respectfully we should not have engaged the enemy on the planet. Our ships are not designed to work in planetary atmospheres..." He began.

"Well then Commander. Prepare the Zord and transform the ship into humanoid battle mode" Zedd ordered "Goldar get to your Zord. I trust it served you well before."
"That it did my Lord and combined with Serpentera, the Rangers will be annihilated" Goldar growled a response.

"Indeed, I may hate to admit it but the plans recovered from Zordon's base of operations has so far been the tide that had turned our fortunes. At least Bandora got something right" Zedd replied.

"Sir" Brach cut in "we may have made the modifications and built the new 'Zord' weapon based on those ancient designs but we did so hurriedly. We also could not replicate the type of metals described in those plans.."

"Commander if you speak out of turn one more time I will not only have you executed for treason I will have your family lined up back on your home world and have them shot as well" Zedd scowled.

Brach gulped and merely bowed away, he knew he was right but the fool would not listen.

"Prepare to transform the ship, inform Zord drop ship crew General Goldar is on his way" Zedd called out.

***

Wrecks burned all around as one by one Zedd's ships fell to the Zords. Kim had now withdrawn to the Command Centre and it was the Tyrannosaurus and Dragonzord Battle Mode that worked together, brining down the last of the wave.

"You think thats it?" Zack radioed over to Jason.

"I doubt it" Jason frowned beneath his helmet "whats your status?"
"We took some structural damage, but we are intact" Billy replied.

"Right prepare..."
Before Jason could finish his sentence the Zedorian Zord transformed from carrier mode in mid air and landed directly opposite them. Jason was immediately overcome by anger, knowing Tommy's killer was on board.

"Command Centre this is Jason. Is Kimberly ready to return to the battle?" Jason spoke into his com unit as ahead he saw the others engage the enemy.

"We patched it up as best we could Jason" Kimberly's voice came back.

"Then get back here and have begin that Titanus Zord with you" Jason told her.

"On my way."

Jason closed the channel and moved in to attack the enemy Zord. As he did however his proximity alarm sounded. Jason looked up as in the distance he saw a large Dragon like form reshape itself into a black humanoid one. Serpentera.

Jason turned the Tyrannosaurus Zord toward the oncoming enemy craft as it moved in. It fired from cannons all over its outer surface, finally discharging a massive bolt of energy from the red gem like centrepiece on its chest. Alarms sounded and Jason yelled as the Tyrannosaur fell to the ground, its right arm becoming detached and falling to the ground below, its right eye smashing and its chest area almost being entirely destroyed. The lights inside Jason's cabin were dark, the panels that had not burnt out flickered and around him sparks shot out all over.

"Where the hell are you Kim?" He muttered to himself.

Beside him the Zedorian Zord broke the Dragon staff in two with a blow of its fist, brought one arm up and blocked an attack, brought the other up and fired its machine gun like attachment. The repeated shots smashed into the body of the Dragonzord Battle Mode, holes appearing over its head, neck and chest areas as it too fell to the ground. The two enemy weapons circled the fallen Ranger's Zords like vultures, ready to move in and strike the final blow.

Goldar moved forward and brought the Zord gun arm to bare as across from him Serpentera targeted its weapons. At the last moment however bolts of energy came from the distance sending the two giant machines reeling. On the horizon the Pteryadactyl flew in as beneath it Titanus rolled into combat with a roar.

"Computer, you still there?" Jason asked with a groan of pain.

"Af..firmative" the computer crackled.

"Bring all the Zords together with Titanus" Jason commanded.

"Carri...ord com...ation init...ated" the Computer spoke.

Kim came in laying down cover fire with Titanus as the Dragonzord Battle Mode came apart, within moments Jason had brought his damaged Zord upright and once again became the foundation of the Megazord. Pteryadactyl swooped in, firing another volley at Serpentera before swinging around and becoming the breast plate again. The patchwork the droids had done evident as once again the Megazord activated. Serpentera and Goldar fired at it as it took to the air with Dragonzord. Once out of range Dragonzord's head ,shoulders and chest detached from its legs, opened and came down upon those of Megazords. The Masterdon shoulder blades moved down allowing the other parts of Dragonzord to connect to the side. Without warning the Rangers jolted as the new structure descended back to the ground. Titanus's back opened up allowing the legs of Megazord to land on it like a centurion on the back of chariot. Titanus's chest plate then attached on Megazords chest, the chest piece of Dragonzord replacing it at the front of Titanus. Generators powered up as transformation was complete.

"If that was Megazord" said Trini in awe "this is Ultrazord."

All the while the two Zedorian giants had been firing at them, unable to stop the transformation. Now this new "Ultrazord" moved forward like a giant tanker toward its targets.

"Aim for that Zord of theirs" Jason told Zack.

Zack moved the crosshairs on the screen before him like an expert and brought them to rest upon the Zedorian Zord "ready."
"This ones for Tommy you alien bastard" Jason sneered "Fire!"

The Ultrazord fired its main cannons to the side, its mounted shoulder cannons and the five that were now placed on Megazords chest. The multiple discharges shot out toward the enemy Zord.

Goldar tried to move away but it was to late, he looked out, his eyes wide with fear and let out a final cry. The Zedorian Zord took the hits directly on its head and chest, both were gone within seconds. The upper body exploded with a thunderous noise, the rest of it falling to the ground as a lifeless hulk.

The Rangers then brought their weapons to bare on a charging Serpentera. The ship, now the giant humanoid form fired all it had as it charged for the Ultrazord. With the powerful weapons however came a equally powerful defensive shield, the hits bounced of the shield with ease. Serpentera stopped in its tracks.

***

"Some sort of defensive shield has formed around the Zords my Lord" reported Brach "we must withdraw."

"No!" Zedd stood in a fury.

Brach walked over to his Emperor and pleaded.

"Sir, you saw what they did to Goldar's Zord. We can not survive a hit like that without losing at least half the ship!" Brach tried to reason with Zedd.

"No. We can destroy them. Tactical target..." Zedd started.

"My Lord its over! We have lost!" Brach now shouted.

Zedd's body shook with rage as he stood for a moment looking at his executive officer with disgust. Brach for his part looked back, certain he was doing what was right for the fleet and for the Empire. Zedd let out a cry out rage and swung his staff up, the sharp point at the bottom now aimed at Brach. Brach like most species from the galaxy the empire was based in lived for hundreds of Earth years. All of his people did. He had served in the Empire for over three hundred years, on board this ship for two hundred. He widened his eyes with fright as he realised that it was over. Zedd brought the staff down and through the chest of Commander Brach, killing him in seconds. The body fell to the floor lifeless as Zedd breathed heavily in anger. He looked down upon his officers fallen body and then, only then did he realise he was right.

He turned back toward and throne and sat in it as all of the bridge now watched him. The Power Rangers had not fired at them, obviously waiting to see what they would do next.

"Order the remaining fleet to spread out and land around the Earth. Bring us to flight mode. They will act as our recon, they will keep the Rangers and humans busy until we return" Zedd barked at the crew.

Bandora, who had been watching the battle from the far side of the Command Deck now stepped forward, over the body of Brach toward Zedd.

"And where are we going?" She asked.

"Home. We will meet with the noble council and bring back every avaliable ship. I will not rest until this planet has been overrun and wiped from the face of the galaxy" Zedd told her "unless you want to question my orders and join Commander Brach."
Bandora did not respond but merely bowed and walked off of the Command Deck.

"Take us home" Zedd commanded and slammed his fist on the chair arm in frustration.

***

"They're withdrawing!" Trini exclaimed as they watched Serpentera fire its thrusters and head to the skies.

"Do we go after them?" Zack asked.

"We don't have the power" replied Billy "this 'Ultrazord' may pack a punch but firing it has drained our power to below twenty five percent."

"Shit!"cursed Jason "we should have finished them when we had the chance."

"Yeah, but we sent our message Jason" Trini put her hand in his shoulder.

"Yeah we did" Jason replied "but at what cost?"

***

Jason had chosen the bagpipe arrangement for the music, it having been the one played at his grandfathers funeral. It now sounded over the newly installed outer speakers as the Rangers stood outside the Command Centre, a perfectly rectangular hole dug into the red sand. The service droids carried the coffin, a green sheet of silk lay upon it, the Great Dragon symbol at the centre. As the six droids and the coffin past them Kimberly burst into auditable tears and held onto Jason's arm. He himself had a few quiet tears he could no longer stop running down his cheek. He brought his hand up and wiped his eyes, trying to remain strong for the group. The droids lowered the coffin into the hole and stood back, their job done.

Jason stepped forward with a deep breath and cleared his throat to speak.

"We only knew Tommy for a short time as an ally. Over these past two months since we rescued him from Zedd's forces he and I did not exactly get along. However on our mission to bring back the weapon that allows us to stand here today we put all that aside and became friends. I wish I had had chance to get to know him better. However in his final battle he fought until the end like the true hero he was. He is also a big reason why we succeeded in defending this planet. He saved my life back on Titan and without that, without him we would have never brought Titanus back and the human race would be now be enslaved, all of us dead" Jason lowered his head for a moment "he wanted to be one of us so he good put right his wrongs. Well Tommy my friend, you did it."

Jason finished and stepped back over to the others, all smiling at him and telling him how good his words were. But as they walked back from the grave, the droids filling it with sand, he couldn't help put think he could have done more for him.

***

Kimberly sat on Tommy's bed, her tears now silent but still evident as held in her hands a picture of him. She looked up hearing Jason knock.

"You ok?" He asked.

"I will be" she nodded to him.

"Good because I need to get this off my chest" Jason swallowed and got to business "Kim, I know you were upset over Tommy but even so I can't believe you nearly walked out on us."
"Jason, I know. I'm sorry" Kim looked up at him.

"I have to ask. Did you change your mind because you realised it was the right thing? Or because you though the Command Centre would fall and you had no choice?" Jason asked.

"Jason you know..."
"Do I?" He cut her off.

"Look...I am really sorry" Kim said.

"Alright. But if you ever do that again I won't take you back. I have to be able to rely on all of you and if I think I can't do that then you are through. Do I make myself clear?" His tone was now stern.

Kimberly held back tears, wondering why he was doing this now, looking down at Tommy's picture. After a moment she looked back up at him "yes."

"Good. Now come on, lets go home."

***

Adam Park sat in the restaurant awaiting this anonymous contact that had said he would meet him here. He didn't know what to expect, all he knew was that the contact knew about the coin he had found and that was enough. He knew a lot about it in fact, even what the picture was upon it.

He looked at his watch, he had been waiting for over an hour, already eaten and had several drinks. He was about to give it up when a strange middle aged man sat opposite him.

"Adam Park?" The man asked.

He appeared to be Asian too, possibly Chinese.

"Yes" he replied and swallowed hard.

"Good" the man responded "forgive the lateness of my arrival. I am still getting used to way you people travel."
"The way we people travel?" Adam frowned.

"Never mind. The important thing is you have been chosen for a very special destiny" the man told him "you have seen the alien battles, the metal giants on the news?"
"Of course. It's everywhere" Adam replied.

"Good. Then you understand where you are heading."
"Excuse me?" Adam shook his head "what the hell are you talking about? I just want to know what the hell this coin is and why I felt so wierd when I found it"
"The coin my boy is yours now. It will give you much power, power I will guide you to use to help protect this planet."
"What?!"
"You are the Lion Warrior boy and it is time to fulfil your destiny."

END

Next time: The Thunder Rangers are born in "The Others."