Wes fought valiantly against the three mutorgs, giving all he had to give. He hardly noticed as Merrick and Eric came to his aid. They were no longer there to him; this had become just one of the many battles that he still had to face. He did for a moment welcome their help, as if a part of him deep inside knew he could not do this alone. No matter how much he wanted to.
While Wes fought against Takach, the leader of the trio, Merrick and Eric took on Rofang and Kired. Merrick was handling himself well, fighting in the old ways as the warriors of his past had fought. Kired was his opponent, he was unlike any mutorg he had ever faced, but he would see to it that he along with his comrades was defeated. He would not stand for the Earth to be taken over by their kind. He would die before that would happen.
No powers: Eric would have to use his human spirit to fight against Rofang. He had been highly trained in hand to hand combat, but his opponents then had been human and had no special abilities. Rofang was a powerful and deadly org, a hideous monster that would stop at nothing to kill him. But at that moment having special powers, his Ranger abilities, didn't matter to Eric. He could fight without them; he might not live to see another day, but until that time he was going to fight, give all he had to give. He tightened his hands around the sword that Merrick had given him, and used it to block against the org's powerful blows.
"You think you can defeat us, ancient one?" Kired circled around Merrick, eyeing him, as if he could see right behind the mask and into the Ranger's eyes. The mutorg knew very well that Merrick was the last of his kind, the last of the greatest of warriors of the old time. "Even your old teachings will not be enough to stop us."
"That is where you are wrong, Kired; you will be defeated. The ancient warriors maybe gone forever, but there are many others like them, that will stop at nothing to defeat you." Merrick wasn't about to let his guard down or let Kired outsmart him. He knew if he did he would be dead where he stood and that couldn't happen.
He might be the last; his friends and family, the life he had once knew was gone, but he couldn't let all they had fought for, died for, be destroyed. It was his duty to protect the Earth and all its wonders. "I will stop at nothing to defeat you."
"Hah!" laughed Kired mockingly. "Humans are worthless, just a waste of space that needs to be exterminated."
"Funny, I could say the same thing about you," commented Eric as he and Rofang passed by, dueling it out.
Merrick circled around Kired until they were moving at the same pace, eye to eye, waiting for the other to make the move. The mutorg tightened his fists together, snarling. "We both know the likelihood of your two friends' survival is slim. You know how powerful we are. You know it's going to take a lot more than Ranger powers to defeat us," Kired mocked. "Face it, ancient warrior of the past, it is futile to attempt what you're doing."
"Do you ever shut-up!" roared Merrick, as he jumped over the mutorg and kicked him hard against the back, causing Kired to go flying and slamming right against a wall.
Kired pushed himself up and growled back at Merrick. "This ends now."
Merrick got into his stance, taking slow and steady breaths, knowing that from here on out both of their lives would be hanging in the balance. "For once we agree on something."
Alex and the others surrounded the motel, keeping their eyes open and ready for any lurking cyclobots. All seemed quiet, too quiet…. "Alright guys, nice and easy." They moved in at a steady pace, not yet wanting to let Ransik and his swarm of cyclobots know they were here.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," announced Lucas, feeling sick to his stomach. Though it had not been too long ago since Alex had contacted Jen, he just had a bad feeling, like he knew that once they stepped foot inside they would be walking right into a massacre.
"You're not the only one," added Max, who wasn't quite ready to come face to face with what he knew was underneath them. The likelihood of finding dead bodies was very high and he wasn't sure how his young eyes would be able to handle that. Though he had seen a lot in his young life, nothing could ever prepare you for something like this.
"Don't worry, Max," Danny gripped his friend's shoulder. "We'll make it through this, you'll see."
Alex took the lead, showing his leadership skills. It had taken him a long way to get to here; he had never been a great leader before, no… That had been Jen and even Wes; they had been the leaders before. Now it was his turn to show that he too could be a leader. Katie was close behind him, blaster in her hand, eyes looking all over as they walked inside the darkened motel.
They looked in every direction, but saw only darkness, empty halls and silence that left an eerie feeling in their gut. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest, fear for Jen and the possibility that they could be too late, fear for what was going on underneath them and fear of what could happen to all of them. "I don't like this Alex, it's too quiet."
No one said a word, as they searched the area around them. It looked as though no cyclobots were on the main floor and that Ransik had taken them all underground, but Alex knew Ransik better. If Ransik thought even for a second that more of them would be coming, he would make sure to have the place heavily guarded, hiding from them, just wanting to make their move when they least suspected it.
Trip and Lucas stuck close together, blasters in hand, just in case, but at that moment it seemed as though they would have no use for them. The blue Ranger leaned over Trip's shoulder. "Now would be a good time to get your psychic visions in working order."
"I told you before. I can't control when they happen, it doesn't work that way,' exclaimed Trip. He hated it every time Lucas would bring up the subject of him using his abilities, when he had no control or say when it would happen.
"Quiet, you two!" hushed Alex. Now wasn't the time for bickering, he needed full corporation from everyone. "We don't want them to know we're here."
"Too late!" announced Taylor; she had been looking down the hall and saw a glimmering dark figure staring right back at her. It was a cyclobot. Their cover had been blown and more than likely it was blown the second they stepped foot inside.
"Everyone, get into position!" ordered Alex. Not a moment later more and more cyclobots began to appear, coming out of the shadows and surrounding them all. They were heavily outnumbered both above and under-ground, it was going to take everything they had to take them out.
Taylor and Alyssa were side by side, in every direction they could see three or more cyclobots headed towards them, arms waving, ready to tear them apart, piece by piece. They had been through battles before, but none like this, not with so many and such tight quarters. "This isn't good, Alex, there's too many," exclaimed Alyssa, knowing that no matter how many they took out, more would keep showing up, and at some point they would all be too exhausted to continue on.
"And what about your friend, Jen? She sounded like she was in trouble," added Taylor; she hated to be the bearer of bad news, but things were already bad as it was.
Alex could feel his heart pounding against his chest. He knew that Jen was in trouble, the sound of her voice had said it all. People were dying down there and if they didn't get to her soon, she too could share the same fate as the others. "Jen's going to have to wait; we need to take these guys out first."
"But Alex…" started Lucas, knowing that every second they spent up here dealing with the cyclobots, meant one second closer for Ransik or someone else taking Jen's life.
"She'll be fine!" Alex roared. He didn't need to be reminded that Jen was in trouble. He knew she was in trouble and that every second counted, but right now the team needed his help in dealing with the cyclobots. Alex grabbed a hold of his sword. "Now let's take these guys!"
And the battle had begun……..
The noise outside was getting worse and more violent sounding. Jen could feel her heart pounding against her chest as she and the two Guardians in the room with her stood their ground protecting the entrance, waiting for when it would be broken into. Her hand was shaking as she got prepared to morph. This was it, this would be the battle of all battles, the one that would really prove she had what it took to be a Ranger.
She briefly turned to Nadira who was holding onto James, trying her best to keep the young child calm, but even her best attempts were not enough. If the cyclobots broke free into the room, it would be all over for James. Jen looked around for a place to hide the boy, find some place safer than out in the open, but there was no place. And even if there was, his cries would be enough to bring him out of hiding. It would be up to her to make sure they didn't get him….or Nadira.
"It won't be much longer!" announced one of the Guardians, as he double-checked and made sure his blaster was loaded and set to full power. All these months he had managed somehow to survive; he just hoped he would be able to survive a little longer, giving time for the other Rangers to show up.
"We are ready when you are, Jen," added the other Guardian. "On your call."
In the past she had never agreed with what the Silver Guardians had been doing. She had thought it was too dangerous, that they didn't know what they were getting themselves into, but today she realized she had been wrong. Many had already died, so many had the chance to turn away from the battle, but none of them had done it. They had all proven that even a non-Ranger had the heart and courage to take on this deadly threat.
Jen took a deep breath and took one last look at Nadira, though they weren't friends, not even close, but they did have an understanding of each other. "Nadira, do whatever you have to, to protect him. Whatever you have to…." She didn't know what that would be, but she knew there was a good chance she would fail. And that it would be up to Nadira to make sure James was safe.
"I will." Nadira bit her lip, holding back her tears, for what she knew was a high possibility. "Just be….be careful…"
The pink Ranger didn't answer, just nodded her head. In any other case she would be careful, but given the situation, being careful didn't seem to be a choice. It would be quick and fast moving, little time to think. Jen morphed and joined the two Guardians, waiting for what might be the last battle she'd ever face. But her mind wasn't on what her last moments of life could be filled with, her mind was on Wes. She wanted to know where he was, if he was all right….if she would ever see him again. He had been through so much, she wanted to be there for him, but now…… Now it seemed that once again fate had found a way to tear them apart.
Wes and Takach were still at it, blasting and slashing at one another. Neither one backing down or showing any signs of growing weary. Wes had been stronger than Takach had thought, he was a worthy opponent, a great fighter among men. He was going to need more than brute strength to defeat him. And he knew just the thing,…. Wes's burst of rage-filled power had begun the moment he had learned that his friends, particularly a pink Ranger, were in trouble.
The mutorg leader knew that humans have strong connections with each other and high emotions. It was very clear to him that the man he was fighting had strong feelings for the pink Ranger that Ransik and the cyclobots had gone after. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage. He laughed, as he began to circle around Wes, his eyes glaring right at him, as if they could see right through his helmet.
"What's so funny?" exclaimed Wes, as he kept up with Takach's movements; he kept his sword close to him, as if expecting the mutorg to change his tactics. But all the mutorg leader was doing was watching him, eyeing him closely, which was beginning to get on Wes's nerves. All he wanted to do was finish him off and get back to Jen, before it was too late.
"Oh nothing, just wondering how your pretty friend is faring." Takach knew he had hit a nerve as he watched as Wes loosed his grip around his sword. Foolish human…. The mutorg decided to take it one step further, knowing that Wes would be the easiest of the three to break. Once he had Wes right where he wanted him, he would pierce him right through the heart and the other two would fall soon after. "Ransik mentioned having some fun with her, before he rips her heart out…"
Eric had caught wind of what was going on and knew it was bad. Takach had found Wes's greatest weakness. The former Quantum Ranger using Merrick's sword forced Rofang back a few feet, causing the mutorg to fall to the ground. It gave him just a few moments to call out to Wes. "Don't listen to him, Wes!"
But it was already too late… Takach had Wes's full attention and was intending to go all the way, until he broke the young human warrior to pieces, beyond repair. "How does it feel to know that your lover will suffer and there isn't a thing you can do about it?"
"Shut up!"
He stepped closer until he was face to face with Wes. His hot breath puffed onto the visor of his helmet, fogging it up. "In fact I bet she's dead already…."
CLANG!! Wes's sword dropped to the ground and in his state of loss of focus and concentration, his mind was distraught, his face full of pain, already he could see Jen crying out in pain, calling out his name, but he was not there for her, just her alone, covered in blood. "Jen…." Takach saw his chance and whacked Wes in the head as hard as he could. Wes's body whirled like a rag doll and he landed flat on his back.
"Fool," hissed Takach as he slammed his foot against Wes's chest, crushing against his ribs.
Wes cried out in pain, his ribs had already injured from past battles and now he could feel them re-breaking all over again. The pain was so intense that, he went into a force dimorph.
"Shit!" Eric had caught glimpses of the whole thing during his attempt to throw Rofang off guard. He would have only a few short moments to get to Wes, as Takach hovered, getting ready to strike and kill the only real friend he had ever had.
Wes was just frozen, he couldn't think, he couldn't move. He just remained still, laying on the ground, with Takach right over him. No matter what he did, someone always ended up hurt. "I'm sorry, Jen…." Hot tears streamed down his face, not because of the crushing and breaking of his ribs, but for everything else, for all the pain he has caused.
"Say goodbye, Ranger," hissed Takach.
"Merrick!" roared Eric, as he shoved Rofang with all his might away from him and struck the mutorg with his sword, as he went running towards Wes as fast as he could.
"Oh no!" In his pit of his stomach Merrick knew if he didn't do something now, Wes was going to die.
Kired turned and looked over at the sight of his leader, getting ready to make his kill, laughing. "There is nothing you can do, ancient warrior. Your friend is as good as dead."
"We'll just see about that!" Before Kired could even react, Merrick round-kicked him hard against the head and ran like he had never run before, towards Wes, but was only able to get a few feet before a powerful force field of bright light prevented both him and Eric from getting any closer to Wes.
"Damnit! We can't get to him," roared Eric.
"It is futile, your friend has chosen his fate," they heard Takach hiss out.
Eric could feel his heart racing, this couldn't be happening. He had just learned that Wes was alive, after all this time. He couldn't just lose him, not like this, not now. "Damnit! Wes! Wes….." But Wes never answered his pleas. There was nothing he could do, he couldn't see beyond the force field. It was hopeless…. Eric turned to Merrick, hoping that he might have a solution. "Merrick…."
Merrick didn't answer, only stared into the powerful field of bright light, trying to sense, to pick up on Wes and the mutorg. He closed his eyes, seconds that felt like endless time passed by, with no answer…. And then, he held out his hand. "My sword……"
Without hesitation Eric handed Merrick his sword back and the moment it was in his hand, Merrick powered it up and spoke in a tongue Eric only recognized to be something similar to the language the mutorgs had been speaking in, before tossing it into the force field. Then all time stood still……..