Bleeding Crimson

Summary: One life can touch many. One death can alter the course of history. The death of Brandon Loksen, Crimson Phoenix Ranger does just that. The sequel toHeart of Crimson. AU for MMPR Season 2 and beyond.

Disclaimer: I do not own, nor do I intend/desire to make any money off the Power Rangers/Super Sentai concepts and characters presented in this story. They are fully the property of their respective owners and are used with loving respect. Furthermore, this story utilizes concepts borrowed/adapted from Chris Claremont's run on X-Men. Certain aspects of the story are also due to my current obsession: Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger.

Chapter 5: Forever Red

Tommy looked over the men assembled in the Megaship's briefing room, a hint of a smile playing at his lips despite the difficult situation. Next to him he could sense Andros trying not to tense up. According to TJ, Andros had loosened up quite a bit since becoming involved with Ashley, but he still tended towards discomfort around large groups of new people. Apparently that extended to fellow Rangers. Glancing to his direct successor, Tommy caught TJ trying to send his former teammate reassuring looks.

TJ had recently returned to his Red Turbo powers through the intervention of the living vehicle Lightening Cruiser. As with its partner Storm Blaster, Lightening Cruiser apparently had a direct connection to the Morphing Grid that was the source of its self-awareness. Justin had been the first to discover that the vehicles had enough extra energy to recreate and power morphers for the two humans they had bonded to. While life on KO-35 had suited the other Space Rangers, TJ had gotten homesick and returned to Earth, making Karone his successor as Blue Ranger not long after she returned from Mirinoi.

Looking around the table Tommy's eyes fell on Leo, the Galactic Ranger had arrived just as they were leaving Earth's atmosphere, Aurico in tow. Tommy wasn't sure how he felt about Leo . . . the stories he had heard about the Mirinoi-based Ranger nearly blowing himself up in order to defeat their enemy brought back too many bad memories. However, both Andros and TJ vouched for him. Aurico was a completely different story. The Aquitarian team had more than proven themselves to be good friends, allies, and Rangers.

Next was Carter. The original Rangers all had a great deal of concern about the government funded Lightspeed project. At least until Trini and Zack revealed the real powers behind Lightspeed: an international consortium of private funders who truly were far more interested in keeping the world safe than in Ranger technology. That eased the other Rangers' fears quite a bit, knowing that Trini and Zack were involved in setting up the funding.

Next were the Silver Guardians, aka Timeforce Rangers Wes and Eric. Eric was technically a sixth, designated the Quantum Ranger, but according to Andros they apparently only came as a package deal. Watching how they interacted raised a few questions in Tommy's mind. Catching Jason's eyes he glanced at the two and raised an eyebrow questioningly. Understanding the unspoken question Jason glanced at Eric and Wes and then nodded slightly at Tommy, indicating that the two were setting off his gaydar. However, he followed that with a subtle shake of the head, indicating he didn't think they were a couple, but the finishing wink conveyed "yet." Tommy smirked; he missed this, the easy way he and Jason could communicate without words. Yes, he and Billy could do it too, but it was special with Jason because he was the first person Tommy had ever connected with that deeply, and because that connection had suffered so much after Brandon's death.

Tommy dragged his mind back to the present, dwelling on the past, especially that past, wasn't a good idea today. Jason seemed to be in a good place and Tommy didn't want reminders of Brandon messing with that. So instead he focused on the rookie, Cole. The young man was nearly bouncing out of his seat and Tommy expected him to twist his own head off at any moment as he tried to look at everything at once. Tommy stifled a sigh, hoping the over-eager rookie wouldn't get anyone killed.

Cole's jaw literally dropped as Alpha entered and told Tommy, "Everything's ready to go Tommy." Tommy smiled at the droid, still somewhat amused that Alpha's 5 and 6 had added a few inches of height when they had recombined their programming and built themselves a new body, upgrading into Alpha 7.

Turning to the assembled Reds, Tommy pointed the remote Andros had given him at the table and began the holo-presentation, "Okay, let's get started. As some of you may know, several years ago Earth was attacked by a race of sentient robots calling themselves the Machine Empire. I and the other Zeo Rangers fought them, eventually defeating them by destroying their leader, King Mondo. A year later, Queen Machina pulled together enough of their forces to join the UAE in their attempt to conquer the near Universe, but she and those forces fell at the end of the war. However, some of their forces survived in a couple of more distant galaxies."

Andros now spoke, "About six Terran months ago I received word that the surviving Machine generals, under the command of one called Venjix, had regrouped and were moving back into this galaxy. I've been hunting them ever since, finally tracking them here, to Earth's moon."

"Do we know what they're after?" Eric asked.

"This," Tommy replied, hitting the button on the remote again, "Serpentera." The image changed to shots of a gigantic, serpentine Zord. "Lord Zedd's personal Zord, one of the most powerful robotic vehicles ever created. When Zedd was forced to flee in the face of the Machines, he left Serpentera hidden on the moon."

Glances were exchanged around the table, the shared question by all those who had never worked directly with Tommy being the same. However, the more veteran Rangers also knew that there had to be a good reason and were all, even Eric, trying to come up with a tactful way to broach the subject. However before they could Cole, showing his rookie status, bluntly asked, "If Serpentera is so powerful why did you just leave it sitting on the moon?"

Everyone glared at him, but he seemed oblivious, until he made eye contact with Jason. Cole shrank back from the glare he was receiving. Jason's voice was even, very obviously controlled as he spoke, "Because we didn't want the Machines to find it, so while they were here, it was better to leave it hidden, which Zedd had done very well with his magic. This didn't really become an issue until his powers were destroyed, and the spells hiding Serpentera started breaking down."

"And," Tommy said, "if it had been anyone else, we weren't too concerned. As powerful as Serpentera is, its threat has always been limited because it consumes huge amounts of power for even its most basic functions. Zedd was never able to find a power source to meet its needs."

"But you're not willing to bet that the Machines can't," Carter commented.

"Exactly," Tommy responded.

The Reds were quiet for a moment before Eric asked, "So, this is a demo mission?"

Tommy shook his head, "No. Our first priority is to take out the Machines and keep Serpentera grounded. If we succeed in that we have plans for hauling it to where it can be safely destroyed."

"Safely?" Wes asked.

Tommy brought up a schematic, "Yes. Serpentera's entire hull is laced with a hyper-dense alloy called Neutradium that makes the plating on any Zord you've ever piloted look like tinfoil. If we try to blow it up in place, the force required would send a chunk of the moon the size of Texas hurtling straight at the Earth."

"So, what's the plan?" TJ asked.

Tommy brought up a lunar map, "The Machines are here, the northern edge of the Mare Crisium, near the former sight of Rita and Zedd's Lunar Palace."

"Sea of Crises, cute," Wes snorted.

Tommy continued, "We've identified a place here near the western edge where the moon's curvature will conceal our landing, and then make our way on foot."

"On foot?" Aurico asked. "I was under the impression that Earth's moon lacked an atmosphere. Do all of us have Ranger armor that is environmentally sealed?"

Several of the other Rangers, especially Cole, began to look concerned when Jason interjected, "Not an issue."

They all looked at him, but it was Leo who picked up, "Yeah, that part of the moon has an atmosphere, not sure how though. The GSA used the Mare as a training ground prior to Terra Venture's launch."

Now Jason filled them in, "When Rita set up shop on the moon she used her magic to establish a perimeter of breathable atmosphere."

Cole realized he was risking Jason's renewed wrath, but couldn't help himself, "I thought you said her powers were destroyed?"

Jason rolled his eye and muttered "rookie" before continuing out loud, "Zedd's powers were destroyed, as they came completely from his staff. Rita always was a sorceress; her staff was just a tool."

"So we have a dome of breathable atmosphere and near Earth gravity covering nearly the entire area," Tommy continued. "Our first goal will be to hit the base they've set up and try to take them out before they can either complete repairing or board Serpentera."

"During my reconnaissance I was able to count at least eighty Cogs, but there may be more," Andros added.

"And expect the generals to throw all of them at us first," Tommy picked up. "Take the Cogs out fast then we go after the generals. There are five of them, so we're going for divide and conquer. Pairs will take on each general. Andros and I have split you up based on the known tactics of each general matched against your strengths and fighting styles."

An image of a white armored, almost feminine looking Machine appeared, "This is Teezla, excellent at hand-to-hand and built for speed. Eric and Aurico, this one's for you guys." The Quantum Ranger and the Aquitarian looked at each other and nodded.

The next image was of a blue Machine, "Next up is Steelon. This one likes weapons and long distance fights. Andros, Carter, you two are the most comfortable in a fire-fight, so he's yours."

"Up next we have Gerrok and Automon," images of a green and a red Machine appeared. "These two are both fond of swords, so that means TJ and Leo, you guys have Automon, Wes and I will take Gerrok."

Tommy refused to meet Jason's gaze, or rather glare, as he brought up the next image, "That just leaves Venjix, who is all about strength."

"So, me and the rookie," Jason made it sound like an accusation. Cole for his part nearly bounced out of his chair.

"Yeah," Tommy responded, his expression apologetic. The rest of the assembled Rangers had the common sense to not make eye contact with Jason.

Silence reigned for a moment until TJ spoke up, "I hate to bring this up but, what's our contingency plan if they manage to get that thing into space?"

"If it comes to that, Andros is in charge," Tommy said as he moved aside for Andros.

"We'll use the Astro Megazord to draw Serpentera away from Earth," Andros began. "The system has been reconfigured so that only one Astro Morpher is needed to initiate the Megazord sequence. Those of you who have flight experience will serve as the Megazord crew."

Andros looked around the table, "TJ, you'll take your old seat at the secondary helm." TJ smiled and nodded. "Tommy will take the weapons station, Jason the defensive systems, and Wes will take telemetry." The named Rangers all nodded. "Everyone else will stay on the Bridge and be prepared to serve as a secondary crew." The remaining Rangers nodded.

Eric now spoke up, "If this Serpentera is as powerful as you say, can this Megazord really do it much damage?"

Andros sighed, "No, but fortunately we have back-up waiting in case Serpentera does get up and running. But our main goal is to try and prevent that.

Tommy took command again, "Okay people, we'll be setting down in three minutes, make any final preparations you have to make. We move out in three and a half."

The Red Rangers met no resistance as they crossed the Mare Crisium and successfully managed to get the drop on the Machines . . . unfortunately just moments after Serpentera had come online. The Rangers fought their way through the Cogs and pursued the generals . . . in true rookie fashion Cole nearly managed to get himself blown up. However, it did cause the generals to pause, giving the Rangers a chance to morph:

"It's Morphin' Time! Red Dragon! Red Morphing Ranger!"

"It's Morphin' Time! Red Aquitar Ranger Power! Red Ranger of Aquitar!"

"It's Morphin' Time! Zeo Ranger 5, Red! Red Zeo Ranger!"

"Shift into Turbo! Red Lightening Turbo Power! Red Turbo Ranger!"

"Let's Rocket! Red Space Ranger!"

"Go Galactic! Red Galaxy Ranger!"

"Lightspeed Rescue! Red Lightspeed Ranger, rescue ready!"

"Time for Timeforce! Red Timeforce Ranger!"

"Quantum Power! Quantum Ranger!"

"Wild Access! Red Wildforce Ranger!"

The ten Red Rangers split up as per the plan and went after their respective targets, Jason and Cole taking on Venjix. Cole yelled "Watch this!" at Jason and went into a spinning heel kick . . . only to have Venjix catch his foot and send him flying with a kick of his own.

Jason muttered another curse about rookies and jumped into battle, battling Venjix back with a series of flying kicks and then knocking the Machine general down with his patented tornado kick. Jason glanced back at Cole, knowing from his experiences as the Gold Ranger that he had done the Machine serious damage . . . so he was shocked when a double blaster bolt slammed into his chest. Cole ran to help Jason only to be knocked back by several more blasts from Venjix.

Jason looked up to see Venjix stalking him, his blaster building up a charge. "Goodbye Ranger," Venjix said in his cold, metallic voice. Jason braced for what was about to come until a dark red blur appeared between him and the Machine general, sending Venjix flying again in a shower of sparks.

Jason looked up; about to lay into Eric for leaving Aurico but stopped upon getting a good look at the armor. It was different, with a lot of black and very streamlined, which is what made Jason think it was Eric. But the Quantum Ranger suit didn't have any gold on it, and the red was far too dark. So dark, that the only thing to call it . . . was crimson.

"Brandon?"