Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
Chapter 48 – It's Morphin' Time!
"Hello Tommy." The voice mocked and Tommy felt nothing but dread as he stared up into the face of the Evil Green Ranger. It had happened. What he had feared above everything else in all this had finally happened, and Tommy had certainly dreaded Tom getting free more then he'd dreaded any other past villain's return.
"Tom." He muttered, using the name Kim had given his evil self all those years ago, as he and Kim stood from where he'd fallen when Thrax, Rita and Zedd's energy had hit him.
"I have to say I'm slightly disappointed that you managed to sever the connection that held us to one body. I was so looking forward to finally being the one in control."
"I seem to remember telling you that that would never happen." Tommy snapped, nothing could make him lose control faster then Tom, then his evil self. It brought back too many memories, and given that they knew the bond between him and Kim existed between Tom and Kim, bad things could happen. "And you should also take it as a hint of my power that even with all that evil energy surging through me, that even fighting against Rita, Zedd, Thrax, and you, all at once, you still couldn't win."
"You didn't win either." Tom was sure to say. "You may have stopped me taking control of you but I'm still free. And I'm going to stay that way. There's only room for one Green Ranger, and it's going to be me."
"Keep the green suit." Tommy shot back. "I much prefer my white one. The Falcon can't lose."
"We shall see, won't we?"
"Bring it."
"Oh I will, never doubt that. And don't doubt that I'll be coming for my wife and children." Tom shot a lingering look down at Kim who was clutching Tommy's arm. She hated that she was scared, but Tom wasn't her Tommy, and the last time she'd been faced with him she'd wound up back in that room in the Moon Palace, chained to the bed, with Tom about to take her by force; she couldn't deny that she had good reason to be scared. Although Tommy gripped Kim tightly in return, feeling her fear, he didn't take his eyes off Tom, and actually allowed a smirk to grace his face.
"Yeah, good luck with that." Tommy mocked this time. "Kira can more then take care of herself, and if you even go anywhere near Eric she'll be coming after you. Actually that might not be a bad idea. I know you'd never hurt them intentionally, but Kira will certainly hurt you if you touch Eric. You'll be met with The Child of Power, and I'll finally be rid of you."
"You'll never be rid of me."
"Nor you of me." Tommy said. "Either you'll be destroyed or neither of us will be, we both know that's how it's going to end, so why don't you save us some time and help us fight the ones who really would hurt our family." He purposefully called them 'our' family and not simply his, but Tom was too far gone in the evil he'd been infused with to grasp the peace offering, no matter how small it was.
"If they try they shall be destroyed." Tom growled, turning to face the villains in question, two of whom cowered under the Evil Green Ranger's glare, knowing exactly what he was capable of. "You may have brought me back, but you should know by now that making me evil doesn't make me your slave. You go near my family I'll destroy you myself!" After issuing his warning, Tom shot one more look at Tommy and Kim before disappearing. Tom's words had the effect of angering Rita and Zedd and Thrax, even though they knew he was by no means bluffing. With Tom gone, their anger could only be unleashed on Tommy and Kim, and it was exactly those two whom the arch-enemies ordered their minions to attack. Luck was on their side though for they'd barely had time to fall into fighting stances before a red blur flipped over their heads and crashed into Goldar.
"Red Ranger!" The metal monkey snarled, seeing his old adversary.
"Back off Goldilocks!" Jason snapped back as he moved to stand by Tommy and Kim. "The others are on their way." He told them. "Alpha called us in when they showed up." Tommy patted his best friend on the shoulder and breathed a sigh of relief.
"With them having a family reunion we could certainly use the help."
-C/K-
Tom knew that his other self was right about him going after Eric and Kira. This wasn't like the last time when Kira was a baby. She was now all grown up, a Ranger in her own right, and had come into herself as The Child of Power. He also completely agreed with Tommy that Kira would not hesitate to kick his ass; a part of her father or not, it was a part that she'd gladly get rid of, and would hear no complaints from anyone. Although he knew all this, Tom wasn't exactly thinking straight, the evil that had been infused in him, making him more evil then before, was making him have a one-track mind to achieve his goal no matter what it took. This is why when he disappeared from Angel Grove Park, he reappeared at the Oliver residence. Kira and Connor were on call with the Jungle Fury team and Ethan and Trent were hanging with Eric while his parents went to fight the Machine Empire, and now their very first enemies as well. Still, he knew he didn't have much time until Kira and Connor returned, some time had already passed and a standard battle never took too long, so he quickly made his way inside the house finding the three boys playing video games.
"Hey." He said, gaining their attention, though only for a split second before they returned to their game.
"Hey dad." Eric said, the older boys grunting their hellos as well.
"Uh, sorry to do this, but I gotta cut your game off." He said. "The Machine Empire returned today, but so did Rita and Zedd. Kim and I need to meet up with the other Originals and we're bringing the kids to the Command Centre just in case." The return of not only the expected villain, but also two more arch-enemies, and two of the most powerful ones at that, immediately saw the game turned off as Trent and Ethan re-focused their attention.
"What can we do?" Trent asked.
"Go home, guard the city. This is just the kind of opportunity Mesogog would take advantage of."
"Why don't we take Eric with us?" Ethan suggested. "I get that the Command Centre's safe and everything, but I doubt they're gonna try to go after your family, especially when they're fighting all six Originals."
"No!" Tom snapped. "Eric's coming with me. Just…go…"
"Alright, chill." Trent said. "We're going."
"Sorry." Tom backpedalled. "It's just, Machine Empire and Rita and Zedd all in one day…it's a bit much."
"We get it. We'll see you later." Ethan and Trent then walked out the front door, Tom waited until he heard the car screech out of the driveway before turning back to Eric who he was surprised to see was eyeing him suspiciously.
"Y-you're wearing green…" Said the nine year old.
"Uh…yeah, one of my original colours you know." Tom said. "And with Rita and Zedd back it seemed appropriate."
"But you never wear green. You said given how important colours are to Rangers that green represented the evil you."
"Look it's just a colour." He snapped once more, before taking a calming breath. He'd thought he'd been doing a pretty good job of keeping things cool, apparently not. "Now come on, we're going." He reached for Eric's arm but quickly found it yanked away, not having expected Eric to fight him.
"You're not my dad." Eric said with near certainty. "Mom and dad told me about his time as the Evil Green Ranger. Green is never just a colour to him." Knowing what little time he'd had was running out, Tom dropped the pretence of being his goody-goody self.
"You're him aren't you?" Eric asked, seeing the cold look in his eyes as they flashed green, a look he'd never seen in his father's eyes, and knew he'd never see directed at him. "You're the Evil Green Ranger."
"I knew you were smart, but I didn't think you'd figure it out that quickly." He replied, taking a step forwards as Eric took one back. "But make no mistake, evil or not I am your father. Tommy and I are exactly the same person except for the small fact of him being good and me evil."
"Except a big part of who dad is is goodness. He worked hard to push you down all these years. How'd you escape?"
"I didn't lie when I said that Rita and Zedd had returned." By now Tom was standing right in front of Eric and once again reached down to grab him, this time preparing to hold tight, but was instead hit by a blast of energy and was knocked back. When he raised his head to see who his attacker was it was to come face to face with the Yellow and Lion Jungle Fury Rangers.
"Kira! Connor!" Eric cried happily, running to them and allowing his sister to step protectively in front of him.
"Stay the hell away from my brother." Kira growled.
"Aren't you supposed to be in battle with Dai Shi?" Tom ground out, not liking the fact that they'd shown up before he'd made off with Eric.
"They were till we called them." Trent said as he and Ethan came up from the Dino Lab.
"But-"
"Your eyes flashed green." Ethan explained. "If there's one thing we learned from Ranger story time it's that that's a sure sign something's not right." Tom sighed as he picked himself up off the floor from where he'd landed.
"I'd hoped to do this the easy way." He muttered.
"Us too." Said Connor. "Though I get the feeling your definition of 'the easy way' and ours is quite different."
"You have five seconds to get the fuck out of this house before I unleash the Cheetah." Kira added, her anger simmering just under the surface. "That's the easy way, the only easy way. You leave, and I won't destroy you."
"She's not joking dude." Connor said.
"You'd destroy your own father?"
"You're not my father. You're just the guy that got my mother pregnant." Those in the know about how Kira was conceived couldn't fault her logic for Tom had been in control during the time Kim spent at Rita's Moon Palace. Tom wanted nothing more then to respond and turn things around and make them go his way, but that wasn't a possibility; The Power was basically radiating off Kira and if he said or did the wrong thing it wouldn't end well for him.
"I'll be back." He said, intending to get out of there and re-group.
"Don't bother." Kira snarled. "After everything you've done it's unlikely I'll be any less pissed off the next time you show up." Tom stared at the visor of Kira's helmet, trying to see through to her eyes, or at least imagine what they'd look like, and only coming up with answers he didn't like. He'd never been this powerless, or powerless at all. He was usually the one with the power, the strongest one in any fight, with only Tommy able to stand up to him, and only when he snapped and tapped into the traces of the Evil Green Ranger power that still resided in him, even if the evil Tom was separated from him. He knew about the prophecy, knew how powerful Kira and Connor were, had witnessed their power through Tommy's eyes, and even expected this reaction from Kira, but for whatever reason he hadn't expected the feeling of powerlessness. With one final look at Kira and Eric, Tom disappeared, needing desperately to regain some control.
"Power down!" Kira and Connor cried before the former pulled her younger brother into a hug.
"It was dad…but it wasn't…" He muttered, never having met Tom before and not having ever known how similar the two were. Kira hadn't truly met him either, only when she'd been too young to remember it.
"I know." She said. "Come on, we're going to the Command Centre. For real." She added. Eric nodded and he, Kira and Connor teleported out, leaving Ethan and Trent to defend Reefside should Mesogog show up.
-C/K-
"Tommy look out!" Kim cried as another powerful blast was sent their way. They were still in the park, still fighting Rita, Zedd and Thrax, along with the other Originals who had shown up not long after Jason.
"This has to end." Tommy muttered as Kim helped him up. The battle had been going on for far too long.
"I'm open to suggestions!" Zack yelled from his spot fighting a group of Putties. "Any suggestion."
"Billy?" Jason asked the resident genius.
"Why am I always the one who has to come up with the brilliant plan?" The Blue Ranger yelled back, truly having nothing to offer at the moment.
"Because you're you." Zack said, throwing a Putty away from Billy and into a group of Tengas.
"Sorry to disappoint but I truly have nothing to contribute at the moment."
"We'll think of something, Billy, don't worry." Said Trini.
"I wouldn't count on it!" Zedd said with glee, seeing that the Rangers were overwhelmed. He raised his staff and a surge of lightning erupted from it, hitting the ground and bringing forth a monster.
"You've got to be kidding me." Jason muttered, moving to engage the new monster, but it was proven unnecessary.
"By the power and force of lightning," They heard the two familiar voices of their arch-enemies cry together, the Rangers turning to face them, seeing that their staffs were crossed. "Make our monsters grow!" more lightning left the two staffs, their combined power hitting not only the new monster, but Rito and Goldar as well and making them grow to epic proportions.
"We need Ninja Zord power now!" The Rangers didn't hesitate in calling on the Zords. Their Animal Spirits welled up inside them and burst forth, growing and solidifying into their Zords before joining together.
"Ninja Falcon Megazord!" The Rangers cried, jumping up and joining with their Zords and they initiated the final docking sequence. Although this particular Megazord was one of the most powerful, being on an equal level with the Jungle Fury teams' Megazords as there was no power greater then the one that came from their Animal Spirits from within, going up against a 'monster-of-the-day' and Rito and Goldar did not put the odds in the Rangers' favour. They felt every hit that came their way, and it wasn't long before they knew they'd lost this battle.
"Shields are at 3.48%!" Said Billy.
"We won't hold out much longer." Trini agreed. "I can feel the Bear weakening."
"We have to retreat." Said Jason. They hated retreating from any battle, especially when it meant that until they regrouped their enemies basically had the run of the city, but the Rangers knew they had no choice. They recalled their Animal Spirits at the same time that they hit the teleportation button to take them back to the Command Centre.
"Dad!" Eric cried seeing his father materialize and remove his helmet. The nine year old ran to him, knowing with certainty that this Tommy was his father.
"Hey…" Tommy said, wrapping his arms around his son though slightly confused as to why Eric was here, though Kira offered an explanation.
"Tom showed up at the house." Kira said.
"What?" Tommy growled, his face going cold at the thought of his evil self getting near his son.
"Kira ran him off." Eric said. "She was gonna unleash the Cheetah but he left before she had to."
"I don't think he's gonna try to go after Eric again." Connor added his two cents. "At least not for awhile. We got the feeling he's not used to not being the one with the upper hand."
"You can say that again." Kim muttered.
"Glad you're safe, bud." Zack said to his godson coming over for his own hug once Eric had released Tommy, Billy not far behind him.
"What do we do now?" Trini asked. "They're on a rampage throughout the city but either we've gotten weaker or they've gotten stronger, cause they were too powerful for us."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up, Tri." Jason said, coming over to his wife and wrapping an arm around her. "We weren't just up against a monster and some Putties or Tengas, Rita, Zedd and Thrax were all there as well. Anytime we go up against the arch-enemies they're always more powerful then us for awhile, but we'll find a way. We always do."
"Billy what's the diagnosis?" Tommy asked, for after ensuring Eric was alright, Billy had immediately gone over to the control panels alongside Alpha and had begun running some tests.
"Our powers are pretty drained." He responded. "We have unlimited access to our Ninjetti powers, as we always do, but our Ranger powers are weak. They won't withstand another battle so soon." Which was what they had feared, for in true villain form, Rita and Zedd and continued their attack on Angel Grove, with no Rangers to hold them off, and with not being able to currently use their powers, things didn't look too good.
"We have to help them." Kim said as they all observed the Viewing Globe, watching as their city was being destroyed piece by piece. "Even if we can't do it as Rangers at the moment."
"Connor and I will provide Ranger back up." Kira said. "You go help the people."
"Alpha, set up a perimeter around the Youth Centre, and Bulkmeiers." Said Tommy. "We'll make them home base for anyone who's caught in immediate danger."
"I shall set up a shield to protect the buildings." The robot responded. "It shall allow no one with any sort of supernatural powers to enter, unless they are also in possession of Ranger powers." Although this restricted a few of their allies, for not all beings with supernatural powers that weren't Rangers were evil, it was better to play it safe at the moment. With words of thanks, and instructions to Eric to remain in the Command Centre, all eight Rangers teleported out, two heading directly into battle while the other six split up, some heading downtown to lead people to the Youth Centre or Bulkmeiers, while others headed to the locations themselves. In true Ranger fashion, they weren't the only Rangers on scene, the other residents of Angel Grove having come out to help when they saw the Originals retreat. As such, Kira and Connor weren't the only Ranger backup.
"Spike!" Was the first thing the Red and Yellow Rangers heard upon entering their family's establishment. Skull was yelling for his son who they saw was determined to help people, being out in the parking lot with the samurai sabre his Uncle Bulk had given him during their training together. Bulk was by no means a samurai, the training having been more about them bonding rather then actually trying to become samurais, and Skull knew that, it was why he was so worried for his son was brandishing his sabre in the parking lot as Tengas advanced on the place, chasing those running towards the building. Cursing his nephew, Jason ran out the side door and up to the miniature Skull, hauling the eight year old up and over his shoulder before rushing back inside.
"Oh thank god!" Skull said, taking his son from Jason. "Don't you ever do that again!" Even all these years later, it was weird to see Skull as a disciplinarian. He was usually the one breaking the rules.
"But I can help!" Spike protested.
"Not in this battle Spike." Trini said gently.
"But Aunt Trini-"
"No buts." She said a bit more forcefully, though still quite gentle, being proud of him to wanting to help even if he didn't stand a chance. "Eric's at the Command Centre. Why don't you go join him?"
"But-"
"I think that's a great idea." Bulk spoke up, having rushed over upon seeing the two Rangers.
"Fine." Spike said, pressing the teleportation button on his own communicator, a piece of equipment that every Ranger, tech expert, mentor, and all their children possessed thanks to Alpha.
"What's going on?" Skull asked once his son was safely away.
"Rita and Zedd have returned and are having a nice little family outing with Thrax as they all try to destroy the city." Jason explained. "Our powers were damaged, they were too strong for us. Alpha's placed a protective shield around Bulkmeiers, we're hoping to get as many people here as we can."
"Of course." Bulk quickly agreed and he and Skull wasted no time in opening their hotel to people in need.
Across the city at the Youth Centre a similar scene was playing out, though Ernie was one step ahead of Bulk and Skull, having already opened up the Youth Centre even before Tommy and Kim informed him it was protected.
"There's so much destruction." The Youth Centre's proprietor murmured as he, Tommy and Kim stopped for a moment as the TV, which was turned to the news station, displayed images of explosions and buildings crumbling while people ran for their lives.
"We'll stop them Ernie." Kim promised.
"I know you will." He said without any hesitation, having absolutely no doubt that they would, he, like everyone else, just hoped it was before too many people lost their lives. Suddenly, the six note chime of Tommy and Kim's communicators sounded. Nodding at Ernie, the two ran off to the locker area, where they'd answered many a call over the years.
"Tommy, Kimberly!" Alpha cried, once they gave the go ahead to speak. "You must return to the Command Centre!"
"What's going on?" Tommy asked.
"You shall see when you get here." Knowing Alpha wouldn't recall them unless it was important, the two looked both ways to ensure no one was watching before teleporting out. They arrived back at the Command Centre to see Alpha standing before Eric and Spike as a ray shield held the Evil Green Ranger in place.
"You!" Tommy growled.
"I don't know how he got in here." Alpha admitted. "He may have a Power Coin but the new security measures should make that irrelevant. He should not have been able to enter here."
"It doesn't matter how he got in." Tommy snarled. "All that matters is that he did, and he's going to pay for coming after my son again." As Tommy approached his evil self he felt those traces of evil well up inside him as it always had whenever Tom went after Kim or Kira, and now Eric. No one went after his wife and children, not even himself. Alpha deactivated the ray shield when Tommy was close enough to grasp the Evil Green Ranger, wasting no time in teleporting back out. He landed in the park, with Kim not far behind him, and the two began to battle it out, this outcome surprising no one. As their battle waged, the influx of Rangers who came to Angel Grove's defense grew from those who lived here like the Zeo, Turbo and Space Rangers, to those like Lightspeed and Time Force who monitored the entire city. With the number of Rangers now quite large, Rita and Zedd didn't like how the tables had turned and ordered their forces to retreat. They'd caused a great amount of destruction for today and would do so again when the Rangers weren't expecting it. As the added Rangers remained to continue to help people and aid in the clean up effort, the Originals returned to the Command Centre, arriving to see that Kira and Connor had already returned and they, along with Eric, Spike and Alpha were glued to the Viewing Globe. It didn't take them long to figure out why when they saw the two Green Rangers fighting each other.
"Déjà vu anyone?" Zack muttered, remembering back to the last time Tom had escaped and Tommy had snapped, the Green Ranger powers that were dormant inside him coming to life and created another Green Ranger.
"Isn't there something we can do?" Kira asked. "Rita and Zedd aren't going to stay away for long and those two are futilely out there trying to kill each other!"
"This happened last time too, hun." Jason said to his goddaughter. "Whenever Tom shows up Tommy snaps."
"Yeah I think we got that part." Connor commented. "How did it end last time? I mean, obviously neither of them destroyed the other, but it had to have ended somehow."
"Tom gave up." Zack said.
"What?!" Came Kira's reply, not having expected that particular answer.
"It was surprising." Said Billy. "But his reasoning was quite sound."
"And that reasoning would be…?" Billy shot a look to Eric. While he had been told about his father's time as the Evil Green Ranger, a lot had been kept from him, things he never needed to ever know. Unlike Kira, who was facing a bond similar to her parents, Eric was not and so Tommy and Kim, and the others in the know, could protect him from it. Kira and Connor caught on pretty fast once they saw that look. They knew Tom didn't desire to hurt Kim or the kids, and the look and lack of response told them that it had to do with what Tom had done to Kim all those years ago.
"Right…" Connor muttered.
"But there's still one thing I don't get." Kira added. "Tom gave up, sure, but was it just that that forced him to give up? I mean did he have a epiphany and went form fighting one moment and giving up the next?"
"No!" Alpha cried. "Aye yai yai of course!" He obviously realized something the others weren't as quick on the uptake on.
"What is it Alpha?" Zack asked.
"Tom did not simply surrender." He said. "Curse my memory banks for not remembering sooner!"
"It's alright Alpha, just tell us." Trini implored.
"The Wizard of Deception used his magic on Tommy, that is what brought Tom out. When the Wizard was destroyed, his magic left Tom and it was then that he surrendered."
"Rita, Zedd, and Thrax all infused Tommy with their power." Jason said, remembering to what he'd seen seconds before he'd left to help his friends.
"So we destroy them and Tom gives up again?" Zack asked. "We can't guarantee things will happen the same way as last time."
"There is also the not insignificant problem of having to destroy Rita, Zedd and Thrax." Billy added. "It's not exactly going to be easy."
"And even if it was easy we can't just destroy them. They're not really evil, we have to bring them back." Trini laid down the law, although no one was in disagreement.
"So we leave them be." Kira said, turning to Connor who sighed seeing her plan through their bond.
"As much as I hate to say it she's right." He said.
"Right about what?" Jason asked.
"We leave the three of them alone and just go after Tom." Kira explained. "Connor and I will remove the traces of their power from within him, it'll have the same effect as if they were destroyed."
"And then we hope that things do work out like last time." Connor added. The Originals sighed, not liking it one bit when Kira and Connor used their power, as they knew they'd have to to destroy Rita, Zedd and Thrax's magic.
"Nothing will happen to you two right?" Trini asked, fully prepared to forbid them from going if she even thought their assurance that nothing was at all fake.
"No, Aunt Trini, we'll be fine." Kira said with complete sincerity. "It's not an insignificant amount of power, but it's nowhere near the level we're used to expending when we use our power."
"Alright then let's go." Said Jason. "I got a feeling today isn't over yet and we're gonna need everyone at the ready, not fighting themselves." No one disagreed and they prepared to teleport out when Eric stopped them.
"I'm coming with you." He said.
"Me too!" Spike added, not going to be left behind.
"No, it's too dangerous." Zack said.
"With them letting their power loose there isn't going to be a safer place then with them." Eric countered. "No one in their right mind is going to try anything."
"Yes, but our enemies are not exactly known to be completely sane." Billy also countered.
"Please…it's my mom and dad." He resorted to begging.
"Let him come." Kira said. "Having him there with me and mom might be the push Tom needs once the added evil energy has left him." She fully acknowledged that Tom was the evil part of her father and so would never be completely free of evil.
"Fine but you're going home!" Zack directed to Spike.
"Aww, Uncle Zack!"
"No whining." He returned. "This isn't just a couple of Putties, or even a standard monster, this is the Evil Green Ranger. I can't tell you how close he came to destroying us all those years ago." Although Spike looked like he wanted to fight his uncle's decision, the others were fully backing Zack up and with all of them against him there was no way he was going to win this one and so let Alpha teleport him back to Bulkmeiers. Once assured that Spike was safe, the others teleported out, allowing Eric to come but only after he promised to do whatever they said, exactly the way they said it, exactly when they said it. Kim, who had at some point during the fight sat down on the grass with her arms crossed to watch the two Green Rangers go at it, jumped up upon seeing them.
"What are you doing here?!" She directed to Eric, pulling him to her side.
"We're gonna release Tom from Rita, Zedd, and Thrax's energy." Her daughter replied.
"They think having the whole family here will help subdue Tom once he's free." Kira shot her brother a look.
"Do you even know what subdue means?" She asked, to which he merely shrugged. The moment was interrupted as one of the Green Rangers went flying after being hit by a powerful blast from the other.
"Tommy!" Kim cried, releasing Eric into his sister's capable hands and rushing to her mate's side, knowing, even through the identical suits, that this was her Tommy. Kim's cry brought the attention of the Evil Green Ranger in their direction, and with everyone looking towards Tommy, Tom took the moment of distraction to rush towards them intent on reaching his children; Kira not being morphed giving him hope that he could succeed.
"I don't think so." A voice growled as a hand clamped around his wrist. Connor always knew when his mate was in potential danger and so had been the first to see Tom's approach, acting swiftly to stop him. The others' attention was switched once again to Tommy's evil counterpart and they all took a step back seeing how close he'd gotten without them realizing, Kira shoving Eric behind her and their aunts and uncles forming a protective circle around the nine year old. Tom yanked his arm from Connor's grasp and faced him dead on, raising the Dragon Dagger menacingly.
"I've been waiting for this." Tom said. "After everything you've done to my daughter you're going to pay. And you're going to stay away from her from now on." Connor laughed at that last bit, a true laugh, not a mocking one.
"That's funny." He said. "There's no way in hell I'm staying away from my mate." While he found Tom's words funny, the Lion wasn't going to dismiss any threat against his mate, or one that would keep him from his mate. Tom then engaged Connor in battle, the Lion morphing into his Jungle Fury Ranger form on the go and making Kira sigh dramatically.
"This wasn't a part of the plan."
"You should know by now that our plans never go off without a hitch." Said Tommy as Kim helped him over to where the group stood.
"You ok?" Kira asked receiving a nod in return. Tommy, still morphed as the Green Ranger, though having removed the helmet, calmly stood there alongside his family as they all waited for Connor to get the upper hand enough for him and Kira to use their power. The fact that he could stand there calmly when his dormant Green Ranger powers had been released was a testament to how much control Tommy had gained over the years; normally there was nothing stopping him once those powers were released. Connor and Tom continued to battle it out, Tom getting in a few good hits as the evil warped reality, as it usually did, and made him see every aspect of Connor and his daughter's relationship as a negative one, thinking of all the non-existent horrible things he'd done to her. Seeing her mate get his ass handed to him, as for whatever reason Connor didn't fight back to his fullest now that Kira wasn't in danger, the Yellow Jungle Fury Ranger quickly decided to end things. She stepped in and knocked Tom back, picking her mate up and immediately getting to work. Connor was half a second behind her, and Tom had barely picked himself up, ready to fight once more, when he stopped upon seeing the power that radiated from the two. Knowing exactly what they wanted to do, and using a fair bit less energy then the last time they'd released their power. It didn't take long for their power to manifest and seemingly took an even shorter amount of time to be released, leaving their bodies and entering Tom's. The Evil Green Ranger fell to the ground when the power hit, grabbing his head as the prophesised power fought the added evil energy inside him.
It all happened in seconds, from the power growing inside Kira and Connor to it disappearing again after having, hopefully, completed its goal. Tom de-morphed when the power had fully left him, and he eventually looked up at the others. The rage they knew him to be filled with earlier seemed to be gone to be replaced by a more docile look. The Rangers were all set to breathe a sigh of relief when Tom jumped up and rushed towards them. They barely had time to hear his cry of "look out!" before he was on them, but he wasn't there to hurt them, but rather to protect them, more specifically Eric, from the blast of energy Rita and Zedd had sent their way when their backs were turned; the two evil villains having appeared sometime during Kira and Connor's light show. No one moved as the dust settled for they knew Tom had taken the hit, but it was the one he'd protected who moved first once it was safe.
"You saved me…" Eric mumbled as he came around to face Tom, confused for all he knew about this guys told him that he was evil, and not in the habit of helping people.
"I won't let anything hurt you." Tom gasped. "Or your sister or mother." Knowing that something had to be done about Tom, whatever it was going to be, four of the Originals went to hold off Rita and Zedd's attacking forces and let the family deal with it.
"That's one thing we can agree on." Tommy said, finally de-morphing out of the Green Ranger suit.
"It's about the only thing we can agree on." Tom added. "Mind if I join with you again?" He changed the subject wanting to get this over with.
"Why? So you can come back out and try and take my family and destroy me the next time you gain a bit of power?"
"Each time I've come out, whether it was to control your body or gain my own, it was because there were external forces at play. You're more then powerful enough to keep me locked away unless I'm needed." Tom said simply. "And you can't deny that when our family's in danger I do come in handy."
"My family." Tommy ground out, still getting pissed whenever Tom called them his family. "And if you know I'm that strong then what was with the whole 'you won't be in control for much longer' shit from the last time we met just before Eric was born?"
"It was just shit, like you said. I'm an evil bastard, we all know that, and yeah I may fight for control, but I'm evil, what do you expect? Just know that without me getting help you are strong enough to stop me."
"If you guys could wrap up the bro bonding moment, your friends could use your help." Connor said, and it was true, the Originals were holding their own, but the Putties and Tengas kept coming.
"Fine, join with me." Tommy ground out. "Just know that I won't hesitate to destroy you if you try anything."
"I wouldn't expect anything less." Tom then closed his eyes and like the last time, turned into energy before joining with Tommy, making his good and evil selves one once more.
"Take Eric back to the Command Centre." Tommy ordered his daughter. "This is our fight." The Ranger determination had set in and both he and Kim were ready to kick ass. With a nod, Kira and Connor each grabbed one of Eric's arms and teleported out, allowing Kim and Tommy to join in the fight, rushing in with a bang and knocking Goldar back as the others, seeing their friends join them, knocked their opponents back and all six regrouped.
"Well? What are we waiting for?" Jason asked, pulling out his Morpher, none of them having morphed yet.
"Nothing." Tommy answered, he and the others all pulling out their Morphers as well, Tommy having let go of his Green Ranger morph just before rushing Goldar.
"It's Morphin' Time!" Jason cried.
"White Ranger Power!"
"Black Ranger Power!"
"Pink Ranger Power!"
"Blue Ranger Power!"
"Yellow Ranger Power!"
"Red Ranger Power!"
Their powers were at full strength, they could all feel it, and every single one of them relished the feeling of The Great Power as it surged through them, there always being a sense of right and belonging when they used the power of their Animal Spirits.
"Spirit of the Falcon! White Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Frog! Black Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Crane! Pink Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Wolf! Blue Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Bear! Yellow Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Ape! Red Ranger!"
"Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers!"
They had adopted their roll call from the Jungle Fury team for they'd never had a standard roll call before, usually having just struck poses while saying something to their enemies instead of it being an actual roll call, but this worked for them.
"Let's do it!" Jason yelled, pulling out his Power Sword and easily falling back into leader mode.
"Right!" The others returned, having pulled out their weapons as well. They all split up, each taking on groups of Putties and Tengas as they made their way to one of the more main villains. Jason and Trini took on Zedd and Rita, the two arch-villains not used to fighting in such close quarters, used to instead using their staffs to fire off large blasts of energy, and the Red and Yellow Rangers took full advantage of it, putting their Power Sword and Power Daggers to good use. Billy and Zack took on the other two more main villains, Billy using his Power Lance to defend against Goldar, and get some hits in himself, while Zack put his Power Axe to use against Rito. Tommy and Kim handled the Putties and Tengas, the two immensely thankful for their friends who anticipated them not being at full strength even if their Ranger powers were, what with having just faced Tom. While they only fought foot soldiers, Rita and Zedd had not brought only a few but seemed to bring battalions and so they were kept quite busy. When the foot solders began to truly dwindle, though the battle seemed far from over, Thrax, having been watching from his parents' Moon Palace after ensuring Mondo knew it wasn't his, decided to come to his parents' aid. His own hoard of modified Putties entered the battle but they weren't the only ones. The 'help' Thrax brought didn't just include him and his forces, but everyone. Cogs and Piranhatrons appeared, as did Quantrons, right alongside the arch-villain they fought for, and if the frantic reports coming through the comm channel from Alpha were to be believed, every arch villain who Thrax had resurrected was attacking all across California, and the couple cities that were located out of state.
"It's an invasion." Tommy said as the Rangers regrouped.
"We can't let this turn into another Countdown!" Jason added, fully agreeing with Tommy's assessment of the situation.
"But how do we stop it from happening?" Zack asked.
"Don't look at me!" Billy cried before any of them could turn to their resident genius.
"Let's get back to the Command Centre." Trini suggested. "There's too many of them. There's nothing we can do right now. We need a plan." They felt useless. The Original Power Rangers, arguably the strongest team of Rangers out there, were retreating for the second time that day, but while none of them liked it, they knew staying and fighting at that moment would be suicide, and then it would be over, they wouldn't be around to fight another day. The six of them teleported to the Command Centre, removing their helmets upon arrival, and being met by their entire family. They all hugged their children and significant others, glad to see that they'd been brought to safety, before the Originals joined the three other most senior teams of Rangers, alongside Kira and Connor, to formulate a plan.
"This is it." Kira said unnecessarily as they all observed the Viewing Globe, seeing the destruction that ravaged the city where any team of Rangers lived, as most of those Rangers fought futilely to stop the forces that had appeared in numbers far greater then Astronema had brought with her back in '98. "We need to contact every team of Rangers and rendezvous with them all, it's going to take all of us to end this. As of right now, the war has officially begun."
A/N - Yes the war has begun! Next chapter is the Legendary War (which is also the title of the chapter, shocker there) and then the final chapter is the aftermath/epilogue.
Tom wasn't nearly as bad this time around. I feel that he was just as evil, and would have been just as kick ass as before if given the chance, but like he said, there was Kira to take into consideration this time around. She's no longer a baby and is the most powerful person in the universe to boot, so any actions taken against Tommy, Kim, Eric or any of her family are gonna be met with a pissed Kira. And as established multiple times Tom does actually want to hurt Kim, Kira or Eric, it just sometimes happens when there's extra evil coursing through him above just that of the Evil Green Ranger.
I hope the chapter turned out ok, I know a lot of you were like "oh crap, shit is about to hit the fan now that Tom's back" only for it not to really happen...
Review please!