Author's note: Thanks to everyone's who read and reviewed my story so far. SpartanCommander thanks for the dedicated revewing of every chapter. Iniora Nackatori glad you like it so far. I hope it stays intresting enough to keep everyone...er...intrested.
Chapter 4
Green Ranger ended up atop a building on the edge of the city. Bullzeye loomed larger than life, dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Buildings that he had decided to destroy while waiting for the Rangers to arrive. There had not been time for him to decimate more than two or three, but the sight was enough to make something inside of Green Ranger clentch painfully. The monster was focused on his task with an almost child like glee, oblivious to his arrival.
"Time to take this bull by the horns." He declared, brandishing his Dragon Dagger.
"Not you again!" The battle cry caught Bullzeye's attention and he seethed at the sight of the Green Ranger, remembering his earlier defeat.
"Afraid so." Green Ranger proclaimed. He wished that he felt even half the amount of confidence feigned in his tone. The city, the lives of everyone in it, and the fate of the Ranger's powers were all in his hands. The stoic visage of his helmet was all that prevented the monster from discovering his oppponent's uncertainty.
Bullzeye was coming towards him now. The monster's footsteps shook the ground violently. His voice boomed out across the city, challenging him. Somehow the song of the Dragon Dagger sounded above it all. Pure and strong, the tune carried it's message to the powerful zord resting in the sea. Dragonzord rose, water cascading off of it's great form, roaring out a challenge of it's own.
A few commands from his dagger sent the Dragonzord into action. It charged, stopping just short of it's opponent. The momentum from the charge powered the attack as the zord spun, slamming it's tail into the monster's stomach. Bullzeye was sent flying backwards and away from the city. He picked himself up almost as soon as he had fallen, but the blow left him unsteady on his feet. When the Dragonzord charged forward again, Bullzeye opted to use the null rays rather than attempt a physical attack.
The rays were fired in what seemed like a wild rage. Green Ranger looked for a way to dodge and was surprised to find that the attack had actually been rather well planned. He was trapped by the ray's fire on both sides. It seemed time to employ some strategy of his own. The morphing grid shimmered around him as the null ray's blasts made contact. At the same time he let loose a volley of missiles. The surprise tactic worked. Bullzeye barely knew what hit him when the missiles exploded against his body and sent him crashing backwards into the ocean.
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"What'd I tell ya?" Swindle said. "Right where I said they'd be."
Starscream and the Combaticons were gathered on top of a tall building on the edge of the city, giving them a grand view of the battle taking place on the beach. They had discussed a plan of action at the Combaticon's base. Onslaught had gotten all of the information he could out of Swindle before they set off. As expected, it wasn't much and more than half of it was likely a lie.
"We wouldn't have to battle this thing if you would just tell us who you sold the weapons to." Starscream said angrily.
"I told you, I don't know where they are." Swindle assured the seeker. "I met with their contact, here on Earth. He gave me the energon, I gave them the weapons."
"And you didn't bother to find out who you were selling my null rays to?"
"Course not. That would have been unprofessional." Swindle crossed his arms, reacting as if Starscream had accused him of some great injustice. "I managed to scan Earth's broadcasts and find out where they were for you, didn't I?"
Everyone present knew that Swindle was lying, but what could they do? It wouldn't be worth the energy to try and get the truth out of him. Not when the null rays were right in front of them.
"We should attack." Onslaught observed.
"Why waste our efforts?" Blast-Off asked, his optics on the battle. "Let's have that mechanical lizard defeat the creature for us."
"Because then we wouldn't get to fight anything!" Brawl reasoned. He punctuated his point by slamming his fist into his open palm.
"Because." Onslaught explained, ignoring Brawl. "We don't know what will happen once one of those two claim victory. The null rays may be destroyed, or the victor may teleport away with them."
"Let's do it then." Starscream decided. "Combaticons, combine and attack."
Onslaught hesitated, studying the battle for another moment. Starscream glared at the Combaticon commander when he failed to obey his order.
"What are you waiting for?" Starscream demanded.
"We should attack as we are." Onslaught decided. "We will form Bruticus if needed, but if we can defeat this creature without combining, we will draw much less attention. And we want to avoid attracting attention. Megatron's and the Autobot's."
"I don't care how you do it, just get my weapons back." Starscream said. He leapt into the air and transformed, flying towards the battle.
Onslaught thought, and not for the first time, that Starscream acted much too rashly and wondered how the seeker had obtained his rank.
"If we surround the creature, we might be able to overwhelm it. Starscream will likely rely on his speed for rapid attacks. Blast-Off and Vortex, I want you to fight along side him. The rest of us will attack from the ground."
Blast-Off and Vortex transformed into their vehicle modes and flew off, the rest of the Combaticons following close behind.
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Green Ranger had another volley of missiles loaded and ready to fire the moment Bullzeye attempted to stand. The monster picked itself up almost as soon as it had fallen. Ocean water poured off of his massive form and soaked his fur. He kicked at the ground, his hoof cutting through the water and kicking waves up in it's wake.
Green Ranger was about to shoot the monster back into the sea when he was surprised by the deafening roar of engines as something zipped right by the Dragonzord and headed towards the monster. He watched the thing in the sky for a moment and found himself immensely relieved that he had held his fire when he realized that the object was a jet. The jet was circling around the monster's head, firing on him each time it came around for another pass.
Had the military decided to try and get involved with the Power Rangers' battles? Or was this some kind of lone fighter who thought himself a hero? He decided that either way, it didn't matter. Whoever they were they could not have picked a worse time to get involved. With the jet flying circles around the monster he could not risk fighting without possibly hitting the jet. If the jet got hit by the null rays, the craft would lose power and plummet to the ground.
He tried to open a channel of communication between himself and the fighter jet. He had no idea if he was capable of communicating with something other than a zord, but it was worth a try.
"Attention. This is the Green Power Ranger. You need to clear the area, it's dangerous for you here."
There was a moment of static, then a high pitched voice responded. "Stay out of the way, fleshling. This battle no longer concerns you."
Green Ranger was about to open the channel again, intending to ask who they were and why they were here when another surprise caught him off guard. A helicopter and...what looked to be a small space shuttle arrived. Following closely behind them were three large humanoid looking robots.
The fliers started to attack together. They moved quickly, increasing and decreasing altitude at random, firing at the monster from all sides. The maneuver did it's job well, keeping Bullzeye distracted and unable to find a clear target. The other robots flew into their positions, opting to attack from the ground. One landed himself to the left of the monster and immediately began to fire. Another landed near him, then ran into position behind the monster and began an attack of his own. The last headed for the far right, diving to the side to avoid laser fire. The robot rolled in the sand, landing in a crouch at the water's edge. Then he folded in on himself, transforming into a tank and began an assault of his own. They had effectively boxed Bullzeye in with their attack. The monster spun in place, trying to acquire a target.
Transformers. He was sure of it. If they were Autobot or Decepticon, he couldn't tell. Green Ranger studied their formation for a moment, trying to see if there was a way he could aid with the attack without the risk of hitting one of the robots. There seemed to be no place for him. So, in a rather unexpected turn of events he resigned to his position as a simple spectator.
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On a planet populated primarily by tiny mammals it was a rare occurrence that a Cybertronion felt small in comparison to any living creature on the planet. The mammoth bull like creature was a very large exception. Blast-Off however was confident that intimidating size was the only thing either the creature or the mechanical lizard had to offer. The creature, however large was still flesh and blood and the lizard seemed to be a lifeless vehicle controlled by the human in the green suit. As far as he was concerned that made them both inferior.
So, as the battle progressed Blast-Off was surprised by how much trouble the strange looking creature was giving him. The thing was an expert shot. Blast-Off managed to fly parallel to Vortex for awhile, letting the other Combaticon shield him while he attacked. The strategy was exhausting after a short time and he was forced to abandon it. He was made for space flight, not executing in atmosphere aerial acrobatics. When one of the blasts from the null ray missed his wing by barely an inch Blast-Off finally had enough. He scanned the battlefield a moment before finding an opening in the ground attack between Onslaught and Swindle. He flew toward it, transforming as he dropped to the ground then renewed his attack with his ionic blasters.
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The beast may have been an expert shot, but Starscream was fast. He did his best to make himself an impossible target, zipping around the creature's oddly shaped head at dizzying speeds and firing in rapid bursts as he made a pass. Despite the entire team of Combaticons shooting at him, the creature seemed to decide that Starscream was the greater threat. Or perhaps the monster was simply tired of diving his attention between six opponents and wanted to try picking them off one at a time.
Whatever the thing's reasoning, the end result was the same. Starscream had to redouble his fancy flying after he became the focus of the creature's attacks. He banked hard to the left before being forced to perform a back flip, his underside inches away from being blasted. The monster began a furious attack while Starscream was in mid flip, turning his precise aim at both of the seeker's wings. Thought gave way to instinct as Starscream dodged the attacks. He barrel rolled and made a sharp change of direction, pointing his nose to the ground. Fire from his own null rays rained down around him. He dodged left, circled right and pulled out of the dive quite suddenly before zipping around behind the creature to fire at it's back. Finally the other combatants drew the bull's attention and Starscream was allowed a small reprieve in the attack.
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Vortex may not have been able to match Starscream's flying, but he could still manage some impressive maneuvers of his own. While Starscream attacked from behind, Vortex concentrated fire on the creature's front. He started at it's stomach and flew upwards before transforming in mid air, hovering around the creature's head while he attacked.
It was too late when he noticed the giant hand swing around, not to fire the null rays, but to bat him out of the sky. The strike sent him flying backwards a considerable distance before he crashed to the ground. His body dug a long trench in the sand before finally coming to a rest with his top half submerged in the water.
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'This isn't working.' Onslaught thought to himself. Their opponent would retreat with the null rays long before they had a chance to wear him down. They would have to take the initiative and end the battle quickly.
"This is taking too long. Combaticons, regroup on my position. Starscream, cover our retreat and see if you can't buy us some time."
"I am your superior, Onslaught. Don't presume to order me. Next time you're so bold, there will be consequences."
Starscream's response was exactly as Onslaught had anticipated. An indigent remark to save his pride while seeing the wisdom in his strategy and following the order.
The Combaticons flew away from the battle, dodging null ray fire as they retreated. Starscream circled around the creature's head, concentrating his attacks on his opponent's eyes. Vortex pulled himself from the ocean and hurried to join the others.
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Green Ranger watched in confusion as all but the fighter jet robot retreated. It was still zipping around at incredible speeds, doing it's best to disorient the monster. He tried to find an opening to rejoin the fight, but it would be impossible to try without risk of hitting it... Or should he be thinking of the robot as 'him'? ...or maybe 'her'. He had no idea.
The rest of the robots had regrouped a little ways down the beach. They waited a moment as the helicopter robot caught up with them. Then, they started to do something that made Green Ranger's eyes widen in disbelief. All at once they transformed. First they shifted into their vehicle modes. A missile trailer, a tank, a helicopter, a jeep, and a space shuttle. Then they shifted further. The tank and jeep became giant legs, the helicopter and shuttle became arms, the missile trailer a torso. Energy crackled between them, pulling the parts together. Hands emerged from the ends of the arms and finally a head rose from inside the torso.
'Megazord' was the first thought that ran through Green Ranger's mind. The Transformers had formed a Megazord.
As he shook off his shock a little he realized that perhaps the comparison was not exactly correct. The robotic giant had formed from Transformers, not zords. Still, the end result was incredibly similar. At least in a visual sense. However, it was not the same thing as piloting zords. The Transformers were alive. They submitted their very bodies to form the giant. If somehow his body had to become the arm of another being...what effect might that have on his sense of individuality? Green Ranger found himself pondering the concept with an uneasy fascination.
The giant Transformer looked about, taking in its surroundings. The battle caught it's attention and it took an uncertain step towards the conflict before aparently changing it's mind and staying put. The fighter jet veered away from it's solo attack and transformed before landing on the giant's shoulder.
"Attack!" The jet Transformer shouted, pointing at Bullzeye. "Get my null rays back."
Now the giant moved with purpose. Withdrawing an enormous gun, it advanced on the monster. Bullzeye backed into the surf to distance himself from the robot and aimed all four of his weapons at his new opponent.
When Bullzeye attacked It dove to the side, sand exploded into the air with the impact of each foot fall as the giant ran a half circle around the bull to avoid the laser and null ray fire. Bullzeye chased the titan with his attack trying to, as far as Green Ranger could tell, herd it towards the water. Just shy of joining the monster in the ocean the robot dropped to one knee, letting Bullzeye's attack fly over it's head. It's gun discharged and the blast caught Bullzeye in the side. He stumbled and his attack ceased for a few seconds. The Transformer seized the opportunity it had created. The unrelenting attack the bull had delivered was returned in kind.
Bullzeye was forced back into deeper water, struggling to reestablish his dominance in the fire fight. He uttered a frustrated sounding 'tarnation' and braced himself against the attack. Then he lowered his head and charged. Green Ranger marveled at the monster's resilience. His tough hide held out against the Transformer's weapon just as it had against the Ranger's attacks.
The Transformer continued to fire until the moment of impact. Both warriors fell to the ground with an explosion of sand and sea so great that it momentarily obscured both combatants from view.
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As Bruticus fell Starscream jumped from his shoulder and hovered in the air above the fight, watching the two titans wrestle on the beach. Being one of the early attempts at combiner technology Bruticus possessed an inherent flaw present in all the early gestalts. What he gained in size and strength was lost in intelligence. Without orders to follow the giant solider was worthless. Starscream was more than wiling to give those orders. Bruticus was his instrument of destruction to wield as he pleased.
He observed from the sky as Bruticus' fist connected with the creature's misshapen head. The thing fell back against the sand, momentarily stunned. Starscream had taken note of the creature's recovery powers earlier and doubted it would remain helpless for very long. Bruticus took full advantage of the monster's position, hitting it's prone body again and again. It's left protruding fang cracked under one of the gestalt's strikes and broke under another, flying several feet away. The thing howled in protest, twisting it's body around in an attempt to free itself. As it tried to crawl away Bruticus took hold of it's left arm and stood. The monster was forced to stand along with him. He took hold of the null ray attached to it's left arm and yanked the weapon free.
"NO! NO! That's mine!" The bull yanked his arm back and made a dive for the weapon. Bruticus tossed the null ray aside. It made a large indention in the sand where it fell before shrinking down to normal size.
Enraged, the monster rammed it's head against Bruticus' chest to try and bring the gestalt to the ground again. Without any running momentum to power the charge he only succeeded in forcing Bruticus to stagger back a few steps. Instead of abandoning the tactic like any sensible creature would have done the monster persisted. It braced itself, dug it's hoofed feet into the ground pushed against Bruticus in an attempt to throw the gestalt off balance.
"Get the other one!" Starscream commanded, returning to his perch.
Bruticus put a hand on each of the bull's shoulders and shoved. The bull was forced back with enough room for Bruticus to ram his elbow into the creature's neck. It made a noise that sounded like something between a grunt and a cough as it stumbled backwards. He grasped both of the creature's horns and, with a roar of effort, heaved it up and swung it in a half circle. The monster screamed as Bruticus released it. Gravity finished the job, landing the monster in the sand with a solid thud.
"Don't let him get up!" Starscream screamed.
The order was unnecessary. Bruticus was already advancing on his downed opponent, weapon ready in case the monster tried to stand. When he neared the thing it suddenly sprung up and launched itself forward. Driven by desperation it slammed it's body into Bruticus' midsection. The two warriors found themselves again stumbling through ocean water.
Bruticus punched the monster in the chest and across the jaw. Then he took hold if it's right arm at the shoulder joint and pulled. The bull cried out in protest and tried to bring it's laser gun around. Bruticus knocked it's hand aside and took hold of the creature's horn with his free hand. The bull struggled fiercely but Bruticus would not be deterred. Gripping the creature's horn to anchor himself, he gave another hard yank on it's arm. The bull managed to maneuver his other arm into a position that allowed him to fire on his opponent. The laser seemed to have no more effect than if a human were throwing rocks at him for all the attention he paid it. One final mighty tug and the monster's arm was ripped from it's body, null ray and all. The monster screamed in outrage and pain and tried to charge the combiner again. Bruticus raised his weapon and blasted it several time. Explosions tore along the bull's body that Starscream was fairly certain Bruticus was not responsible for. At last it fell backwards into the sea and there was a final explosion. Steam drifted up from a section of sea momentarily set to boiling and the monster was no more.
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The giant Transformer tore the null ray from Bullzeye's arm then tossed the unwanted appendage into the sea. Free from the influence of Rita's magic the weapon returned to it's normal size. The jet Transformer took the null ray from the giant then flew over to retrieve the second one. The enormous Transformer broke apart into it's five individual components, then they transformed into their robot modes.
Green Ranger watched from a top his Dragonzord as the group conversed among themselves for a few moments then joined their companion. A few words were exchanged between the jet and the combiner group. Then, just like that, it was over. The jet gathered the weapons and flew away and the combiner group took off in another direction.
Slightly bewildered by what had happened Green Ranger decided that the best thing to do would be to see what Zordon had to say about it all. He sent his Dragonzord back to it's resting place before teleporting back to the Command Center.
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"AAAaahhh!"
Rita Repulsa slammed her fist into the arm of her chair and her face twisted into an ugly mask of rage. At their Empress' outburst Squatt and Baboo simultaneously remembered that they had somewhere else they needed to be.
"Empress?" Goldar questioned, despite the fact that he already knew the cause of her anger had to be because they lost the battle.
"That dirty Decepticon double crossed us." Rita said, slumping down in her chair.
"Allow me to go to Earth." Goldar offered. "I'll make him pay for his betrayal."
"I don't have enough energy. And without growing you wouldn't stand a chance against that giant they turn into." She put a hand to her head and let out an exaggerated sigh of agony. "I have a headache."
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There was a brief moment of static as a connection was made between Earth and Cybertron before Soundwave's face filled the view screen.
"What is it Soundwave?" Megatron had already seen the battle between his forces and that strange creature. Soundwave must have something else that he wished to add to the report.
"A strong source of unknown energy was detected during the battle." Soundwave reported in his usual metallic monotone. "Suggest you return to Earth at once."
Soundwave would not be making such a suggestion if he did not think that this was something of great importance. Perhaps Swindle's mistake had inadvertently opened up some new possibilities.
"I'm on my way."
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"This looks like trouble."
"What is it?"
Blaster swiveled his chair around. Prowl was watching the screens over his shoulder. Teletran 1's satellite was transmitting the end of a battle between Bruticus and some strange monster.
"The only thing I know for certain is that those Decepticon dudes are stirin' up some trouble." Blaster reported.
"Do you know what they were after?" At the mention of the enemy Optimus Prime joined his two solider at the view screen.
"Almost looks like...Starscream's null rays." Blaster responded, rewinding the battle so they could watch.
"Strange." Optimus mused.
After their victory the Decepitcons departed. Teletran 1 lingered on the image of a strange robot and what appeared to be a human dressed in green. Not long after the Decepticons left the human did something that sent the giant machine into the ocean. Then the human seemed to vanish into thin air.
"What was that?" Optimus addressed his query to the computer. Teletran 1 scanned it's data banks for a moment before a still image of humans in colored outfits and helmets replaced the video transmission. It's information was procured primarily from the news reports in Angel Grove.
"Power Rangers. Humanoids. Able to control giant machines called 'zords'." Teletran replaced the image of the humans with that of their robots. A reporter who had braved the danger of being out in a monster battle had filmed the zords as they combined. The image was shoddy and obviously shot from far away.
"Prowl, I want you to investigate. Report any further Decepticon activity in the area, and see if you can't find out more about what went on there."
"Right." Prowl turned to Blaster. "What's the location?"
Blaster hit a few keys on the consule. "You're headed for sunny California, Angel Grove."