Author's Notes – I suck at writing battle/fight scenes, thus I try to avoid doing it in most all stories, but sigh, that's not really something that can happen here, so I did my best. Sorry if it sucks, promise part 4 will be better…I hope.

Summary – Cole let's Tommy know what he thinks of him. The group arrives on the moon. Let the battle begin.

-o-

The Battle

Tommy

-o-

"We're approaching the moon now. Where do you want me to land?" On the surface? Okay, okay, let's think about this for a second. If we land closer to the base they've set up it'll save us time, but also ruin the element of surprise which I think we desperately need. So give up a few extra minutes and move far enough away so we don't give ourselves away from the get go.

"Land behind that rise near Serpentera. It'll keep the ship out of immediate view but keep it close enough incase we have to go to plan B." I really hope we don't have to do that.

"What's plan B?" You don't want to know Carter. Hey where'd he get a sandwich from? I want a sandwich. I wonder if I have time to dash to the dinning hall and snag one, after all we do have to pass it on our way out.

"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that." Giving Jason a look that I know he understands, I can see he's struggling to not argue it. To not forbid me from doing whatever it is he thinks I'm going to do. Think about your daughter Jason, do you really want me to let her die before she even hits three?

"But what is it? If there's a backup plan I think we should all be informed." Someone tape that kid's mouth shut before I use him as bait. Looking angrily at me, I still don't know what Cole's problem is where I'm concerned. I'm sure it's partly do to me taking position as leader of this mission when he's technically the only active Ranger besides Andros right now, but I'm starting to feel like there's something more to it.

"It doesn't concern you, Tommy's got it under control and will carry it out if it comes down to it, just like Andros said earlier. So don't worry about it, rookie." Being protective again Jase, or just plain scared for me?

"That's just great, so our whole survival comes down to the original Evil Ranger." So that's what it is. Can't say I'm surprised, a lot of Rangers don't trust me fully, don't think I deserve to be a Destined after what I did, I don't blame them. I killed hundreds of people during those weeks under Rita's control. I did horrible things. Nearly destroyed Zordon. Almost killed Jason. The only thing is, it's not up to them to decide who I am. And what's more, it's not up to them to deem me worthy of what I am.

Practically feeling the waves of anger coming off both him and now Jason I think a little order is…well in order here. Stepping between the two, I give Jason a look to hold him back before turning to Cole. "Yes, yes it does. And you are damn lucky it does, because that means that I'm strong enough, tough enough, and cold enough to do what has to be done. I know how evil thinks and operates and because of that I just might get all of you out of this alive. So you are going to shut up, do what I tell you to do, and do it to the best of your ability. Do you understand me?"

Staring him down for less then a few seconds, that's all it takes for him to turn his head, lower his eyes and submit. Damn right I'm the alpha male and you will respect that pup.

"Anyone else have something to say before we all go out there?" Looking to each in turn, I'm pleased and more then a little relieved to see no one else has a problem. Even if they did they know I'm right. That was why Zordon replaced Jason with me as leader, we both know it, even back then we knew. He loved the others too much to put them in danger, to sacrifice one of them to save the rest of the world, and because of that they were eventually going to lose. Me on the other hand, I'll do what I have to for the greater good.

"Alright then." Seeing that the situation is now defused, Andros sets us down where I'd instructed. "Let's move out."

Moving to the head of the ranks with him and Jason I can barely contain a shiver of anticipation. It's been so long since I've gotten to battle and while I know it's serious and dangerous I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about it. "Ready for some fun, bro?"

Slinging an arm around my shoulders, he gives me a smile that unfortunately doesn't quite meet his eyes. "Like you even have to ask."

-ooooo-

Pecking around the corner and swallowing back a curse as I see there are more then I anticipated, I think I need to have a discussion with Andros about what the term 'a few' actually means.

Looking worried about the number of soldiers as well, Jason's hand finds my shoulder and squeezes reassuringly. Just wish I knew which one of us he was trying to reassure. "How do you want to do this, bro?" Take them all out with a bomb? Oh hell that would have been a good idea! Why didn't I think of that before we left Earth? Damn it.

Pausing in my answer as another heavily armored leader moves up to our main target, I don't like this one bit. It looks like there's actually five set leaders. I thought maybe three including Kan, but apparently I was off. "Instillation of the neoplutonium reactors is complete, General Kan." That's bad. Very, very bad.

"Finally, we can avenge the untimely destruction of King Mondo! We shall first test Serpentera on Earth eliminating those who are responsible for our ruler's demise, then we strike the Council of Light and the Dark Alliance! No one will be spared our wrath!" As a cheer goes up, I suddenly realize that they are so far beyond insane that they don't even touch ground with plain simple 'evil' anymore. This is why Dark Spector didn't interfere, didn't send aid to the Machine Empire when we were finishing them off. It's not about good verses evil, these things only care about one goal, wiping out any and everything else in the galaxy.

"Move out." Allowing Wes to shoot the nearest solider to get the attention off all the rest, I direct Eric and TJ to keep them from getting through the hanger doors at all costs. We'll all fight, but those two are the most muscular and have the best chance stopping any who decide to make a run for it.

"What?!" Wiping around, apparently the General wasn't counting on party crashers. What'd he think would happen when Andros got away?

Taking a step forward and shrugging off his jacket to get better movement in the fight to come, Jason's going for General Kan, I can see it in his eyes. "You know if you miss King Mondo that much, I promise we can help you join him." Someone's fired up and rarin to go.

"You think you stand a chance against my superior mind and form? You shall all feel my wrath." Don't think so.

Taking stance I give them all a look. Let's do it. "Alright guys, it's morphin time!"

"Tyrannosaurus!"

"Zeo Ranger Five Red!"

"Shift into turbo!"

"Let's rock it!"

"Go galactic!"

"Lightspeed Rescue!"

"Triforce Time Force!"

"Quantum power!"

"Wild access!"

All of us in uniform now, it's time to get to work. "Power Rangers!"

"Cogs attack!"

"Spread out!" Moving to the side and trying to keep the path clear for Jason so he can reach General Kan I know why he wants him. He doesn't trust the others to take him out and if he can do it he knows Serpentera isn't moving.

Trying to keep an eye on the others, I quickly throw two cogs aside and swiped the legs out from under the third. Little sloppy, but not bad considering how long it's been.

"Wes!" Crap. Looking back at Eric's shout, I see Wes take a nasty hit to the chest, going down as Eric reaches him and knocks back one of the leaders currently going for his throat. Okay Eric's got him and he seems alright, but that's one less on the doors leading to Serpentera, which means-

"TJ down!" –that will happen. Carter thankfully has it covered as he snatches up Wes's lost blaster and shoots the two over TJ. Only he just has to shoot them out the door doesn't he. See we're trying to keep them inside. Inside people!

"You're not getting out of here!" Now what? Pushing past four more cogs and taking a leap over a pile of scrap metal I find Jason battling it out with Kan on the left as Cole gets his butt handed to him on the right. Jason. Cole. Jason…Cole.

"No!" Cole! Pushed up against the wall and slowly being chocked by the leader in yellow I can't help but notice their armor really looks a lot like a bug. Not sure why. Maybe a cockroach or a beetle. S'very shiny considering how old it probably is.

"Tommy!" I got him, I got him, you worry too much Jason.

"Hang on rookie!" Grabbing the machine from behind I manage to pry his hands off Cole long enough to get between them and lay in a sturdy kick. "You alright?" Checking his neck as our opponent stagers back a few feet, I know it's not the smartest move, but I have to make sure his windpipe isn't crushed. Though even if it was I have no clue how to fix that if it was.

Coughing, but giving me a nod, he signals for me to go ahead. Good enough.

Hurrying after his attacker as he has apparently decided I'm not worth the trouble and is now making a dash for the doors, did I really think we'd be okay with just ten Rangers? Two of which aren't even here yet? Hey yeah were the hell is Leo? How long does it take to retrieve a stinking sword from a stone? "TJ stop him!"

"On it!" Looks more like it's on you TJ. Shoved back into a wall by three cogs as TJ tries to pry the green one off him, we aren't doing too good here.

Kicking one of the rejects aside and getting my arm wrenched back by another if anyone wanted to help me I wouldn't protest. As a loud howl is heard behind me I turn just in time to see Jason take a bad blow to the side. "Jason!"

Jumping over my fallen friend, General Kan is taking his leave and taking it fast.

Head coming up as I start to let Kan go to check on him, the original Red Ranger is having none of it. "No, stop him!" Damn it, but you're bleeding!

Torn for a second longer I ultimately let him be seeing as how he's breathing and alive enough to give me orders and join Andros in chase only to find us both on the ground thanks to a rather nasty energy blast. "I really hate when that happens."

"Likewise." Heaving himself up with a groan, we're both joined by the rest of the group all bleeding in one way or another as any remaining cogs retreat further into the compound.

"Give you one job to do..." Oh haha.

Giving Jason a look at his weak attempt at humor, I unconsciously find my gaze drawn down to his cut side. "That'd be funnier if your internal organs weren't threatening to spill out onto the floor."

"If Tristan ever asks I'm gonna tell her I got the scar saving the world…oh wait." You're just a laugh riot today let me tell you. "Let's go." Suddenly off and running, it doesn't take the rest of us much to catch up and see that we're just in time to be too late.

Already boarding Serpentera, General Kan gives us a wave and cackle as the boarding door slides shut. It's okay we can still stop it. He's not in the air yet, we still have a chance.

"Surround it! We can still keep it from taking off!" Making a move for the Zord we're almost there when in an instant everyone is thrown back as a fiery blast hits us dead on. Note to self; flying and making it fire at us are two entirely separate things.

"Remembering why I didn't mind giving this up so much." Yeah definitely some downfalls to being the hero, I'll agree with you there Wes.

"Guys, I think we have a bigger problem than just our burn wounds." Looking up at Eric's concerned voice I see our problem is now taking flight. This wasn't supposed to happen. It wasn't supposed to come down to this. And yet some how I think deep down I knew it would.

Still holding his injured side, Jason's struggling to keep control, I can see it. "Shit. Now what?" By your tone, I think you know what, bro. Now it's time for plan B.

Looking at him as calmly as humanly possible, I know I have to get up there. Have to do what I promised. "Now I go fin-"

"I've got it!" You've got what exactly? And did you not notice I was in the middle of my heartfelt goodbye here? Bursting past us and striking a pose I don't like where this is going one bit. "Wild Force Rider!" Oh you've got to be kidding me.

"Cole no!" Making a grab for him, Andros misses by a fraction of an inch as the newbie is now on his bike…oh excuse me, flying bike. God he's going to die. I mean I know I don't like him very much, but I don't want him to die. If I had a true goal for this mission aside from stopping General Kan it was making sure none of them bought the farm. "Tommy you have to stop him. If he gets killed…" Yeah I know, angry Ranger team and High Council blaming me for it. Big destruction and death of Tommy. I get it, I get it.

"Call it." Taking off in a sprint, I leave it to Andros to order the cargo bay doors to be opened from the top and bottom. Running into the holding zone and up to my prize I hope I can still do this. It's been so long.

Moving up into the Zord and surprisingly remembering which ladders to take, I make it into the cockpit and slide into the chair.

"Okay, I can do this. I can do this. I." Flipping on the main system I check the numbers. "Can." Accelerators on and hydrothrusters set. "Do." Safety off and power level ninety eight percent. "This." Smiling as the wings spread and a fierce screech is released, sounds like someone missed me. "Time to fly."

To be continued………

Come on like anyone didn't see that coming a mile away.