"War Part 5"

New York City. Many considered it the city that most symbolized mans achievement, and all look to it as America's heart. That heart has now had a dagger drove into it, blood pouring from it. That blood is its people, running for their lives. Around them buildings are crumbled to rumble and flame, cars and trains lay upturned and burning upon its streets, the underground subway tunnels collapsed in on themselves claiming yet more lives. The statue of liberty burns from the framework that was once its face, the empire state building has broken in two, its upper half lying upon the streets. A new monument stands now shadowing over the city, a monument to its new leader, the vessel that brought him here. The ship he named Serpentera. Just below this colossal vessel, as screaming citizens run past, some rubble begins to stir. From beneath shards of broken stone and glass reaches a gloved hand, followed by the rising figure of the Red Thunder Ranger. His armor is scorched and penetrated; a large crack down the centre of his helmet now reveals his left eye and upper cheek. He pulls himself from the rubble and tries to stumble to his feet, only managing to reach but a foot before him before crashing head first to the concrete below with a thud. In the crowd of yelling, screaming, running men and women a single woman stops and looks toward him. Noticing his attire and condition she selflessly comes towards him, leaning down so as to place her hand upon his shoulder.

"Are you…?" She begins but is interrupted as behind her comes a thunderous blast.

The blast is followed by a sound not dissimilar to a falling bomb, but instead of a bomb a metallic humanoid head crashes hard into the ground, shrieking cries getting louder as the head sends smoke into the air and shakes the earth hard beneath them. She falls forward holding up her arms to protect herself. When the smoke clears she stands and looks behind her as the large head's slow rolling comes to a stop but only across the street from them. The screams fade as she looks upon the sparking object which finally flickers and dies. She stands back, looking up from where it had come, the body no longer standing but in its place it the benefactor of its demise. The White Tiger Zord moves its left leg and then its right, the ground shaking violently as the massive feet hit the ground, the Zord walking off ahead to its next target.

The women watches this in awe for a moment before finally snapping out of it, turning her head back towards where the fallen Ranger lies still. She comes to life at once, moving in to lift him from the ground and place his hand over her shoulder, helping him to his feet.

"What…" Rocky finally speaks, his voice trailing off.

"It's ok. I got you" the women replies "come on."

With that she uses all her strength to move him, his legs now moving as they disappear from sight.

Not two blocks from this, among more terrified people five shimmers of multi coloured light fade into existence, getting brighter until finally forming the five original 'Power Rangers.'

Jason steps forward, looking up at Serpentera and around at the chaos and destruction. His attention changes as in the distance the group notices the White Tiger Zord doing battle with the other battle suits and looking the worst for the ware for it.

"He can't hold out on his own Jace" Zack calls over the noise.

"Well until Zordon gets us those Zord's he'll have to" Jason replies not turning towards Zack but shifting his attention back to Serpentera, pointing at it "we gotta take the fight right to them."

"And how are we gonna do that Jace?" Zack steps up to him "knock?"

Jason moves his hand down into a fist at his side, in his grasp a beam of red light shoots out forming his long custom red and silver sword.

"Yeah" he lifts it to his face "knock."

Zack shrugs and nods back to the others, each calling for their own custom weapons. Zack moves his Ax in his hands, admiring it before speaking again "ready when you are boss man."

Jason nods and begins moving forward now, crouching and activating his boot's jets "follow my lead."

With that he shoots into the air, towards the summit of Serpentera where their comrades had fallen. One by one the others follow. As they soar now through the air towards the massive ship's peak Billy and Trini move in behind the others, side by side. Billy looks over at his love reaching out his hand. She turns her head and in return gives him her own, clenching it. Even though their faces are hidden from each other by their helmets each know the other is smiling.

The five have now passed higher than any skyscraper the city has or once had, clouds beneath them as the shoot at unimaginable speed towards the large black humanoid formation. From that formation suddenly comes a blast or green light, Jason just able to turn in mid air to avoid it. The blast is followed by several more, each soaring past the Rangers as they are able to evade them.

Upon what could be called a rooftop but is in fact the shoulder area of the giant alerted flag ship Lord Zedd has now turned away from Adam, Aisha and the body of Joseph, walking toward the comfort and safety of Serpentera's interior. He has reached the shadow of the opening from which he came when a feint and familiar sound fills his ears causing him to stop and turn his head. The sound is then joined by more forming a crescendo, getting louder until from the sky drops the five Rangers, touching down just before a grateful Adam. Zedd turns slowly back towards them, his soldiers once again readying for battle as the Ranger's raise their weapons.

"Hey Zedd!" Jason calls out "not leaving now are you? It's just about to get good."

Zedd simply stares back for a moment, not able to comprehend their survival. He soon straightens, knowing he can not show such weakness to his enemies.

"So…you are still alive" Zedd finally speaks.

"Surprised?"

"Pleased. Now I get to witness your destruction in person. How I will relish this" Zedd's muscles move behind his chrome mask.

"Sorry, not today" Jason retorts.

"Pathetic human" Zedd rumbles back "I have just defeated your allies, what makes you think you will be any more successful?"
"Guess we are about to find out" Jason replies confidently.

"Very well" Zedd turns his head slightly as Katherine steps from behind him.

The Rangers hesitate for a moment, but only a moment before finally launching forward with weapons raised.
Zedd's forces, now replenished, also charge forward the lead having his shots deflected by Jason's sword and then meeting it with his Torso as the blade is swung down into him. Another blasts repeatedly at Zack, stopping as the Black Ranger reaches him and swings his Ax, ducking underneath it and bringing the weapon up towards the black helmet but having it cut off. Zack pushes the weapon back and swings again hard, driving the Ax down and slicing the alien's gun in two, then following that up, lifting his Ax high and lodging it hard into the soldiers chest, piecing armor and sending blood droplets flying into the smoke filled air. At that moment Billy brings up both lances, crossed over, deflecting a swing of a Zedorian blade, pushing up and delivering a hard kick to the chest forcing the solider off balance and swinging the right lance in to finish him. One, two, three, four Zedorian's go down as glowing pink arrows drive into their skulls, Kimberly now a master in her craft. Beside her Trini spins a round house kick taking one enemy down and then shooting off into the air, bringing her draggers down hard into the chest of another as she lands. She rises up pulling them out with a spray of blood and then turning, throwing one swiftly into the head of a Zedorian moving in to approach behind her. She rolls forward now, past the body, taking her dagger back and stopping beside Kimberly, standing and bringing her daggers up with a backhand slash that tears a chest before her to ribbons.

"Having fun?" Trini calls over, moving her head to avoid a volley of blasts and slicing the daggers down again at an oncoming solider.

"Oh yeah" Kim loads and fires her bow again "lots of fun."

Kimberly's attention then shifts as before then approaches another, but this one is not a common solider. This one is attired in pink armor and was once a valued ally. Katherine the traitorous Pink Thunder Ranger. Katherine runs forward raising her own Ranger sword up with a cry and bringing it down, slicing Kimberly's bow in half in her hands.

"What you going to do now Kimy?" Katherine taunts as she raises her sword for another strike.

"Watch" Kimberly smiles back.

"What…?" She frowns.

"Hey bitch" comes Trini's voice behind her.

Before she knows what is happening Trini's daggers are swinging down toward her, only just able to bring her sword up and around to block them. Kimberly drops her shattered bow and calls for her standard sword, raising it and moving in. Katherine moves swiftly, blocking blows from both opposing women until Kimberly is able to bring a leg up and kick it hard into her stomach, knocking her back. Katherine holds herself for a moment before lifting the sword up again as Trini charges in, but suddenly falls as two shots connect from the weapon of a soldier. A solider that is promptly disposed of courtesy of Billy's lance. He runs in beside the Yellow Ranger and helps lift her up as she groans.

"Trini!" He yells as he picks her from the ground and rests her against him in a seated position "speak to me!"

Trini voice finally forms from beneath the mask, able to croak out "ow."

Kimberly moves in swinging her sword and bringing it down against Katherine's, Katherine using it to deflect it, swinging it around as Kim does the same. The two duel back and forth, swinging the swords into each other in a kind of violent dance. Katherine brings her sword crashing down now harder into Kimberly's and pushing down it towards her so their faces are only inches away from each other as they struggle.

"Why Katherine?" Kimberly says beneath panted breaths.

"Why not?" comes the reply as Katherine retrieves the sword and swings it again hard into her counterparts.

Meanwhile Jason has fought hard through many aliens, leaving the remaining to Zack as he fights on forth, finally approaching Lord Zedd who has yet to engage in battle. Zedd straightens at the sight of the approaching Red Ranger, raising his staff as Jason lifts his unique sword behind his head and brings it down, smashing it hard into the formed metal.

"You fight well…for a human" Zedd growls at him.

"Let's see if you're still so smug when I chop you head off!" Jason snarls back and swings his sword again and again has it deflected.

Zedd then uses all he might to push off sending Jason stumbling back then lifts the staff, the metal now glowing a bright electrical blue and then discharging it just like he had done to Rocky. Jason takes the blast hard in the chest, flying back through the air and crashing down hard on his back near the edge. Jason feels his back crack and groans and he lifts his aching body up, lifting the sword again. The blast had taken its effect, his chest and the gold Tyrannosaurus upon it was scorched and he felt like he had been struck by lightning. And in effect, he had. Zedd marched forward towards his prey, his red chest rising and lowering as he let out a low growl. From the right comes Zack swinging his Ax for the tyrant but without stopping Zedd deflects it and drives the head of staff hard across the chest of Black Ranger. Zack lets out a cry as his armor gives way and falls to ground as Zedd continues his charge toward Jason. Jason is now on one knee, holding his chest as Zedd comes in swinging the staff high with a cry of thunderous rage and driving it hard down just as Jason is able to bring his sword up and stop it. Zedd's growls grow in intensity as he leans in, pushing against the Sword hard, Jason crying out in strain. It looks as though he is about to buckle when out of nowhere comes a blast that strikes Zedd in the chest and drives him back with a cry of pain. Jason lowers his weapon and turns, looking up with sharp breaths towards where the blast had come from. His vision was somewhat obstructed by the sun but in the white light he makes out a human silhouette standing upon the head of the now still White Tiger Zord.

The White Ranger takes to the air, lifting his own unique sword, that was like non Jason had seen and bringing it down hard into Zedd's staff as he lands. He then turns as Zedd falls back and walks towards Jason, helping him up.

"Thanks" Jason nods as he stands.

"Don't mention it" comes the reply from beneath the gold and silver mouth piece upon the white helmet. Jason frowns, something about that voice…

"Fire Bandora!" They both look up as they hear Zedd's call.

All action stops as everyone upon the surface of the ship look up just in time to see streak of energy heading towards the them.

"Shit! Everyone down!" Billy calls out as he grabs Adam and takes off.

Jason's eye widen as he realizes what is happening, turning towards the sky and only able to take to it for half of a second before the force of blast hits him, sending him flying to the ground far below. He sees the concrete rushing up towards him faster than he can think, he tries his hardest to activate his thrusters but they won't respond! He continues to fall, closing his eyes, almost ready to except death…until a white and gold arm grabs him and levels him out. The ground approaches steadily now, they almost reach it but then Jason feels the burning heat of another blast behind them, hears the White Ranger cry out. The last thing he sees it the ground rushing forward, finally reaching him and with a shot of pain all goes black.

Cries of civilians, various noises from the group fade into existence as the blackness before Jason's eyes fade. He reaches out, able to push off and turn himself over with a groan. Before his eyes his cracked visor flickers and then finally stabilizes. He pushes himself up off the ground into a seated position trying to gain his bearings.

"What…what happened?" He slurs.

"Upper platform weapons. Zedd had the ship fire but I think we got everyone" Kimberly's voice replies as she comes in beside him "you ok?"

"Yeah" Jason nods "but I wouldn't be if it wasn't for…" slowly his head turns as before him he sees the White Ranger's helmet.

Kimberly follows Jason's eye line and comments quietly "must have fell off."

Jason doesn't respond but instead turns his head until his sight finds the head from which it has come. Kimberly also looks over now as the White Ranger pushes himself up off the ground with a groan of his own, reaching for his sword. Upon his shoulders long tied back hair falls as he raises himself up. Finally as his head lifts towards them the face of their ally comes into view.

"Oh….my God" Jason's is able to mummer.

Kimberly cannot speak for a moment as she stares across at the figure before her in the white armor, finally able to form his name on her lips "Tommy?"