QUEST FOR THE LUNATI TREASURE
Episode #25
"Apocalypse Now 2"
"Sooo, let me get this straight," Miko said, as she paced around Dr. Hartford's office. "Evan pretended to double-cross you to trick Tarok. He stole the relics from the basement and gave them to Tarok, but they were actually just fakes?"
"Just like the crown Dark Shadow stole from us back when this all began," Ian added, with a smile.
"And while Evan's distracting Tarok with the fakes, you planned for Chris to steal the real crown and the Lunati shield?" Miko concluded.
"That's it in a nutshell," Ian said, as he glanced up at Zel who was standing at his side behind his desk.
"What about Bishop?" Miko wondered, as she walked up to the desk.
"When Evan told me that Tarok was sending him, I devised a plan to trap him, with Zel's help. Chris is hoping we can make him see the error of his ways, or at least get him to convince Addie to join us," Ian revealed.
"And Evan gave Tarok the jewel and told him about the pendant being Garza's ring?" Miko asked.
"We had to convince Tarok that Evan was serious," Ian said. "It was risky. I'll admit it."
"Why didn't anyone tell me about this plan?" Miko said, annoyed.
"We thought the fewer people that knew, the better," Ian said. "Sorry."
"Well, that just leaves me with only one question," Miko said, appearing curious. "If the plan worked, why haven't Evan & Chris returned with the other relics?"
"I don't know," Ian said. "Maybe they ran into Addie. I want to keep communications silence until I hear from them. I'd hate to blow Evan's cover. With any luck, he & Chris should be arriving soon. They'll take out the Karths hanging around the mansion and it'll all be over."
As Ian spoke, Zel listened. Upon hearing about the Karths, he glanced out the window behind Ian's chair. He moved the curtains a bit with his hand and nodded his head.
"Strange," he said. "The Karths are gone."
Ian gave him a surprised glance.
"That is strange," Ian agreed.
After a moment of silence, Zel walked quickly over to the office door and opened it a few inches. He glanced down the hallway into the foyer, where the front doors were closed and there was no sign of movement. Zel turned his head to face Ian & Miko, who glanced into his green eyes.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Zel said. "It's much too quiet. The Karths wouldn't just retreat unless…"
Zel's voice trailed off, as he remained deep in thought.
"Unless what?" Miko wondered.
"Unless Tarok ordered them to," Zel said.
At that moment, in the distance down the hallway, the double doors that made up the entrance to the Hartford mansion blew directly off their hinges, thanks to Tarok's enhanced electrical energy. Zel saw this occur and quickly slammed the office door, locking it. He turned back to face Ian & Miko.
"We have a major problem," Zel said. "I believe Tarok just entered…but it didn't look like the Tarok we know."
Before he could say more, the door to the office crashed right into his back, knocking the Lunati being to the floor and revealing Tarok and his new monstrous form. Ian & Miko both appeared shocked at the sight of him. Ian activated his wheelchair, moving it from behind the desk, joining Miko at her side.
"What have you done?" Ian said, stunned at Tarok's transformation.
"Made myself stronger!" Tarok shouted. "You sent me fake treasure! I've come for the real thing!"
"You know I won't give them willingly," Ian said, boldly.
"Not even to save your son?" Tarok said, seething.
"Where are they?" Miko shouted, her voice full of fear.
Tarok chuckled at her human concern.
"Give me what I ask for and I will not destroy them. Refuse me and I will take what is mine. Then, I will destroy them…and you!"
After a few moments of silence, Ian stared into the white, evil eyes of the creature.
"No," Ian said, finally. "My son would never want you to have that power."
"Can you be so sure?" Tarok said, as he raised his palms towards them both.
Miko grabbed hold of Ian's chair, showing her fear. Tarok unleashed a wave of energy, just as Zel jumped in front of them, taking the full brunt of the blast. The Lunati warrior struggled under the pressure of Tarok's enhanced powers.
Tarok laughed loudly, as he lifted Zel several feet off the ground with his fist of energy. Tarok opened his palm quickly, sending Zel flying backwards. Ian sped his chair out of the way, as Miko dove away from Ian's desk. Zel crashed right into the piece of furniture, breaking it instantly.
Ian tried to keep his chair going, but he found it wasn't moving. He looked down at the wheels and saw an electrical current had caught hold of the wheels. He looked up to see Tarok laughing, as he stared at him.
"Going somewhere?" Tarok shouted.
He sent a stronger current of energy towards the chair, just as Zel got to his feet, grabbing Tarok's arm, breaking the hold he had on Ian's chair.
"Go!" Zel shouted at Ian. "He will not destroy me. He needs me."
Tarok cried out in frustration, as he yanked his arm from Zel's grip and sent his other fist into the stomach of the Lunati warrior's armor, causing the entire suit to light up with damage. Zel fell to one knee. Tarok picked him up by the neck with both hands, raising him high into the air.
"I do need you!" Tarok shouted. "But not like this!"
A wave of golden energy swirled through Tarok's entire body, traveling through his arms and into his palms. As the currents connected with Zel's neck, the Lunati creature began to spark with damage. Zel screamed, as his systems were so overloaded that he was forced back into his natural state.
Ian directed his chair towards the office door at its highest speed. Miko was right behind him. She went running towards the front of the house when Ian called out to her.
"Miko, this way!" Ian shouted. "We have to get the chalice out of here."
Ian's chair rolled into the study, as Miko followed, closing the door behind them. But seconds after she turned away from the door, it was blown to bits by Tarok's power. Miko fell onto the floor, as Tarok appeared in the doorway. Zel, in his sword form, now levitated behind Tarok, carried by a current of energy flowing from him.
"One down," Tarok said.
"Tarok, stop this!" Ian shouted.
Tarok only laughed, as he raised his right palm, using his energy to grab hold of Ian's wheelchair once again. This time, Tarok lifted the entire chair off the ground, with Ian still in it.
"No," Miko yelled, as she kicked Tarok in the chest, causing no damage to his new exterior.
Tarok shifted his gaze towards her for only a second, as he swatted her away with his left arm. Miko's face went cold. The swipe took no energy on his part, but her body flew threw the air like a rag doll. She crashed into the couch, causing it flip over from the weight of the collision, leaving Miko underneath it. Tarok laughed, as he focused now on Ian.
"Don't do this!" Ian shouted, as he could feel his chair coming apart underneath him.
Within seconds, the chair had broken into a hundred pieces and Ian crashed to the hardwood floor of the study. He landed with a thud from several feet in the air. Tarok chuckled as he calmly walked past Ian's unmoving body and unleashed his power on a new target. He destroyed the bookcase that hid the secret entrance to the Tracking Lab in the basement. The shelves came crashing down, as Tarok started down the staircase.
Seconds later he entered the Tracking Lab, where Bishop Malcolm stood trapped inside the elevator, watching Tarok.
"What the—"
"Hello, Bishop," Tarok greeted him, stunning Bishop with his familiar voice.
"Tarok," Bishop spoke.
Tarok walked over to the compass symbol on the wall of the lab and raised his palms, shooting out bursts of his own electrical energy that caused the entire wall to buckle under his power. Bishop watched in shock as the wall seemed to bend and contort at Tarok's will. Tarok yanked his arms down, as if he were pulling at the wall. The entire panel flew away, leaving behind the hidden containment locker.
Tarok broke through the locker with his bare hand, like a hot knife through butter. When faced with the containment box that hid the remaining treasures, Tarok used his electrical power to lift the box high into the ground. He glared at Bishop behind the force field and then he sent the box flying directly at him.
The morphed Black hunter cowered, as he saw it coming. The pressure of the box hitting the force field caused it to deactivate, freeing him. Bishop turned to see he was no longer trapped and the containment box was completely destroyed. Tarok moved towards him, with his eyes on the Lunati chalice that had been inside. Bishop bent over to pick it up, but Tarok's electrical surge grabbed hold of it first, catching Bishop off-guard.
"Tarok," Bishop said, as he looked into the monster's eyes. "How—"
"You have failed me once again," Tarok spoke, with deadly seriousness.
He turned his back on Bishop in a symbolic gesture that cut more than any knife could at that point.
"It is almost time for my coronation!" Tarok said, proudly.
Back at Tarok's cave, Chris began to stir from his unconscious state.
"Chris, wake up!"
He heard Evan's voice shouting to him. Chris opened his eyes slowly and the first thing he felt was pain, shooting through his body. He looked around and it was then that he realized he was bound to a tree, locked in position by a band of white electrical energy that wouldn't allow him to get free. He glanced down to see he was also several feet off the ground. Chris looked over and saw Evan Yukito was in the exact same position on another tree several feet away from him.
"This is quite a situation you got us into, Yukito," Chris mumbled, still groggy.
"Me!?" Evan said. "This wasn't my bright idea. I did my part. I had Tarok eating out my hand, but you couldn't keep quiet. We have to get back to the house. You know that's where he went."
"I can't reach my tracker," Chris said, as he saw it on the ground.
"No kidding," Evan said, as he saw his own also out of reach below.
Chris sighed.
"What's wrong?" Evan asked. "Out of ideas already?"
"I can think of one," he said, before shouting, "Addie!"
Chris shouted her name over and over, hoping that she could hear him inside the cave. She was tied with rope and he was hoping she could free herself, before Tarok's return.
"Addie!"
There was no response from inside the cave, as Addie remained tied up and unconscious. Although she was unresponsive on the surface, her brain was highly active. As her body recovered from the violation that the evil demon Sutekh had inflicted upon her, Addie's brain was finally free and that led to the return of things she found precious.
Memories.
Addie's eyes popped open and she found herself in a crowded airport, as someone was pulling on her hand. She looked up to see the person was her mother.
"Mama," she gasped, knowing instantly who the woman was.
"Come on, baby, keep up. We don't want to miss our flight," Terry Malcolm said, pulling her daughter through the airport.
As they passed a large mirror on the wall of the building, Addie caught sight of herself. When she noticed her young appearance, she realized where she was.
"Egypt," she said.
"Not if we don't hurry," her mother said, as they began to jog together.
Minutes later, she was strapped into her seat next to her brother. Addie stared at him, although he barely looked at her. Bishop was completely engrossed in the music he listened to on his portable CD player, with his eyes closed. He could, however, feel eyes watching him.
"What?" he said, without opening his own.
"We're going to Egypt," Addie said, as her mind became clearer.
She was reliving memories she thought might be gone forever. She leaned back in her chair, trying to get over her disorientation, but as her eyes closed, she was bombarded with a flood of memories. Addie could suddenly remember her eighth birthday party where she got her first bike. She remembered the current crush she had on senior jock, Corey Markham. Addie remembered listening to her parents talk about the Sutesh Idol and the trip they intended to take to find it, with their children.
Addie opened her eyes and it was then that she found herself inside the cave where all her troubles began. She was moving forward, with her flashlight lighting her way. She could hear the slight chatter of her parents and although she was afraid of what might be ahead, she trudged forward, just as she had on that fateful day. She glanced back and noticed that her brother had still not decided to join them.
When she turned back, she could hear the footsteps of her parents coming towards her. She looked over to see them carrying the wooden idol. Addie's eyes grew wide, as she saw her father twist the statue, opening it and unleashing the horrific demon inside. The demon swirled around the cave, hitting it like a ricocheting bullet, causing tremors all around them. As Addie screamed in fear, her mother did the same. The demon Sutekh shot right into her open mouth and Addie's mind turned to darkness once again, fully exhausted from the flood of memories.
"Jess, I can't believe it's you," Garza said, stunned to see her. "What are you doing here?"
Stephen Garza and Jessica Lorrie remained standing in the middle of the street, completely oblivious to the traffic that maneuvered around them on the street in Carson City, Nevada.
"I'm—I'm looking for Spencer," Jessica said, not taking her eyes off him for a second.
"Spencer?" Garza said, confused. "What would he be doing here?"
"It's a long story," Jessica said, almost excited. She was much more curious about him. "What are you doing here?"
"It's a long story," Garza repeated, with a smirk.
He finally noticed the traffic and pulled her across the street.
"There was something I had to take care of," Garza explained. "A loose end in my life that I couldn't ignore anymore."
"Okay," Jessica said, calmly. "I guess I understand."
"I want you to understand, really I do. Come with me and I'll show you why I left Silver City," Garza offered. "Please."
Jessica took a deep breath.
"Of course," Jessica said, subconsciously rubbing the ring he had given her, which remained on her finger.
Garza led her towards the large mental institution on that side of the street, guiding her by the arm. But as he approached the entrance, Jessica stopped, pulling her arm away from him.
"Isn't this a sanitarium?" she asked.
"It is," Garza said. "There's someone inside you should meet."
Jessica remained surprised and curious as she followed Garza inside. On the other side of the street, Spencer Kingston sat in his booth inside the diner where he had seen Garza & Jessica's reunion. Spencer watched closely, as he saw the two enter the hospital. He took appeared curious.
As Tarok got closer to his camp, Bishop jogged faster to keep up with his pace.
"Tarok, I know I screwed up, again, but you have to understand that there was nothing I could do. It was a trap," Bishop said, referring to his previous fight. "I failed and I'll take the punishment for that."
As they reached a clearing in the trees, Bishop was stunned to see the Red & Blue Rangers unmorphed and restrained against two large trees.
"What is this place?" Bishop asked, as he looked around and saw the cave. "Where's Addie?"
"She's inside the cave, where he left her!" Chris shouted furiously.
Tarok chuckled loudly.
"You should see how I left your loved ones!" Tarok shot back.
Without another word, the Black hunter raced into the cave.
"You're not going to get away with this!" Chris yelled.
Tarok released the hold he had on the Lunati sword and chalice, which both fell to the ground in front of him.
"I am so close to restoring my world and taking my rightful place as the ruler of the Lunati…and the world!" Tarok spoke, his voice booming through the air around them. "Now, tell me where I can find the ring!"
"Never!" Chris yelled. "I wouldn't help you, not even if you begged."
"I don't beg," Tarok said, forcefully, as he glanced over at Evan. "What about you? Care to cooperate?"
"Oh, you know me, Tarok. I'm never one to resist the chance to cause trouble," Evan said, with a smirk.
Tarok let out a grunt of anger that caused their electrical energy bonds to tighten. Both Evan & Chris screamed in pain.
"You'll never find the ring," Chris said, still wincing in pain. "Jessica is long gone."
"I see you are going to need more motivation," Tarok said, as he extended his palms, causing dozens of Karths to materialize from his power. "Go back to the Hartford mansion! Tear it apart until you find my ring…or until nothing is left."
"No!" Chris shouted.
"If you will not tell me what I want to know, perhaps your father will. I hear deathbed confessions are the most truthful for humans," Tarok said, with a chuckle.
The Karths marched off towards their destination and Tarok turned his back on the two trapped Rangers, heading into his cave, where Bishop was kneeling in front of his sister, in stunned silence. He was now unmorphed. Tarok walked over to the altar where the Lunati crown and shield were.
Part of him was surprised that Bishop had not tried to take the shield. He was clearly much more interested in his sister's fate.
"She will live," Tarok said, with no emotion.
"What did you do to her?" Bishop said, not taking his eyes off his sister's limp body.
"I freed her of the demon," Tarok said, defiantly. "Although, now that I can feel him surging through my bones, I wonder why she was so afraid of his immense power!"
Bishop turned and looked at Tarok for the first time. He was furious, as he stood up.
"You did it without the treasure," Bishop said, frustrated. "You could have killed her!"
"It was a possibility," Tarok said, proudly. "But she lives, for now."
"For now?" Bishop said, even angrier. "Why is she tied up?"
"The great Sutekh seeks power, great power," Tarok announced. "I promised him many things to convince him to merge with me."
"What kind of promises?"
"The promise of more energy, to become even stronger," Tarok took his eyes off the treasure, as he spoke. "And that means sacrifices will have to be made!"
Tarok's eyes lit up with golden energy, zapping Bishop. The young man flew backwards, crashing into the cave wall next to where his sister was tied. Tarok raised his hands, unleashing his new power once more. Soon, Bishop was tied to the cave wall at his sister's side.
"You promised to help us!" Bishop said, trying to break free of his restraints.
"I took away what she feared most," Tarok said, defiantly. "You should be thanking me. As for the other terms of our deal, your failures have not left me satisfied. You will have to be sacrifices to the greater power!" Tarok clenched his fist. "And I will have my throne!"
"Miko!" Ian shouted, hoping to get some response from the young woman.
From his position on the floor, he glanced over at the demolished couch and saw no movement. Ian looked around and spotted the destroyed bookcase. It was then that he remembered the emergency signal beacon he kept hidden within the pages of one of those books. If he could activate it, it would send a signal out to all of the trackers. He wasn't sure if Chris & Evan could respond, but he knew Jessica could.
Ian gingerly turned himself to face the right direction, using his upper body strength, his only weapon without his wheelchair. He slowly crawled on his stomach, closer and closer to the shattered bookcase, as his eyes scanned the floor, looking for a specific book.
Then, he heard the crash. He whipped his head around and looked through the open doorway of the study. He saw a horde of Karths entering his home, crushing, crashing and destroying anything they could find, slowly making their way deeper into the house.
Ian turned back to his mission and finally spotted the exact book he was looking for. As he planted his hands firmly on the floor and tried to pull himself closer towards it, he didn't move. He didn't know why until he turned his head, realizing two Karths had grabbed hold of his ankles. They flipped Ian over onto his back, forcefully.
Before they could do any further damage, the first Karth was struck from behind with a wooden chair and crashed to the floor. The other turned to see Miko, looking disheveled. She swung her leg, kicking the creature in the chin and sending it tumbling to the floor. Miko glanced down at Dr. Hartford.
"Are you okay?" she asked, cradling her own hurt stomach.
"I've been better," Ian said. "I need the Red Badge of Courage."
"Yeah, I could use one too," Miko said, not comprehending his meaning. "There's tons more of those things."
"The book!" Ian shouted. "Red Badge of Courage. There's a comm Beacon inside."
"Go for it," Miko shouted, as she grabbed two long pieces of wood from the broken chair and defended herself against the approaching Karths, trying to keep them away from Ian.
Still on his back, Ian sat up, using his hands. He scooted backwards towards the book as fast as he could.
"Your mother?" Jessica said, stunned by Garza's revelation.
She stood outside Anita Garza's room and peered inside the small observation window on the door. She saw the dark-haired woman lying on her bed. The only parts of Anita's body that were moving were her blinking eyes. Jessica turned away from the window to face Garza.
"You said Sienna was your last living relative," Jessica said, cursing her amazing memory.
"I know," Garza said, as he lowered his head. "After my mother's breakdown, it became a lot easier to avoid questions that way. I mean, look at her. The doctors say her mind's just shut down. That's why they moved her here from Texas about five years ago. Her doctor felt like our visits were putting more stress on her, causing her condition to get worse."
Jessica could hear the sorrow in his voice.
"How could seeing her family make her worse?" Jessica asked, sadly.
"I get it now," Garza said, looking up at Jessica. "There were signs of it after my father died. When she gave birth to my sister, they just thought it was post-partum depression, but it kept getting worse and worse. All she could think about was dad, but I realize now it was more than that. We scared her."
"Oh, Stephen," Jessica said, as she walked over to him, hugging him. "I'm sure it's not that."
"She knew about the Ja'Vey. She knew we would be next and she couldn't handle it," Garza said, as he looked over at the window. "I know that's what it was now."
"But it's over," Jessica said, trying to comfort him.
"And that's why I came here," Garza said, as he walked over to the door, leaving Jessica by the far wall in the hallway. "I thought if I could just tell her, convince her that the Ja'Vey were gone for good, she would come out of this. When the doctors found out about Sienna's death, I became Public Enemy #1 on their visitor list."
"They can't keep you from seeing her forever," Jessica said.
Garza looked into her eyes and was humbled by her graciousness.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving," Garza said. "When I was standing there, watching the police station in flames, she just came into my head and I knew I had to come here. The Ja'Vey caused so much destruction. It was like this was the only thing I could actually fix…and I'm not even sure I can do that now."
Jessica sighed.
"Believe it or not, I've come to expect your quiet determination," Jessica said, with a somber smile. "I completely understand. I just wish you had told me so I could do something to help. That's all I've ever wanted—to be there for you. Remember I was the one who told you not to let the Ja'Vey dictate the way you live your life."
"Yeah," Garza said, trying to smile. "But that scared me too, because that's what my mother did. I didn't want to end up like her."
"And you haven't," Jessica said, smiling for him. "We can learn so many lessons from our parents, but I know firsthand that it doesn't mean we have to turn out like them."
Garza grabbed Jessica into another hug.
"I'm glad you're here," he said, finally able to smile.
At that moment, her tracker sounded, as did Garza's. Jessica reached into her jeans pocket and pulled the device out, sliding it open. She frowned as she saw the emergency signal beacon. She activated the device.
"Dr. Hartford?" Jessica called out. "What's going on?"
She got no response.
Back in Silver City, Tarok heard four beeping sounds, each coming from the trackers in his vicinity. He glanced at his captives and saw both Chris & Evan staring at their morphing devices on the ground below them, as they remained bound.
Tarok chuckled.
"Your father must have received his guests!" Tarok said, as he aimed his palm in the direction of the trackers, unleashing a surge of electrical energy.
The devices sizzled as their communications modules were shorted out, along with every other tracker operating on their network. Chris & Evan shared a troubled glance, as they were left with the silence around them, and Tarok's chuckling voice.
Back at the hospital, Jessica dropped her tracker, as it experienced the power surge.
"What happened?" Garza asked.
Jessica knelt down and picked up the device once it safely returned to room temperature. She slid it open and began examining it.
"I think something shorted out the signal node," she said. "I can't call out."
"You think mine can?" Garza said, as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his morpher.
Jessica examined it and noticed the same problem. She shook her head.
"No communications. Something's wrong," Jessica said, as her face went white. "I think the signal was coming from the house. It must have been a comm beacon, but that would mean Dr. Hartford couldn't use two-way communications."
"Maybe he's not near a computer," Garza said.
"Maybe the plan went wrong," Jessica said, under her breath.
"What plan?"
"Dr. Hartford thought he found a way to get the remaining relics from Tarok. I have to go. If something's wrong, they need me," Jessica said.
Garza glanced at her and as he saw the beam of sunlight from the exterior window beaming on her face, he knew he would have to say goodbye.
"What about Spencer?" he asked.
"I'll be back," Jessica said, as she removed the ring from her finger and placed it in Garza's hand. "Take this."
"No. I gave it to you for a reason," Garza said.
"And I'm giving it back for a reason," Jessica said, more worried. "If things are coming to a head at home, then this is safer far, far away. Tarok can't get all of the treasure. If he does the world, as we know it, is done for."
Garza took the ring, with a frustrated sigh.
"I would come with you—"
"I didn't ask you to," Jessica cut him off. "I wouldn't ask you to leave her."
She started trotting off down the hallway, as Garza called after her.
"Jessica, I lo—" he spoke. She turned back to face him and he froze. "Good luck."
"Same to you," she said with a smile, knowing what he stopped himself from saying.
Jessica jogged right past the small waiting area, where a few hospital visitors were seated. One of them lowered the newspaper he had been pretending to read and glanced in her direction, seeing Jessica rush off. Spencer turned his head in the opposite direction and saw Detective Garza staring into the small window of his mother's room. Spencer sighed, as he replayed their conversation, which he had been listening to the entire time.
"I lost the signal," Ian cried out, as he threw the small signal beacon across the room.
He glanced over at Miko, who managed to knock another Karth to the floor, using the wooden sticks she created from breaking a chair.
"There's too many of them!" Miko shouted, as she tried to fend off another two Karths, both wielding their curved sickles.
"I have an idea, but I need to get down to the lab," Ian told her. "I have a spare wheelchair down there."
Miko knocked down the last Karth in the study at the moment. She pushed over a book shelf to block the doorway. She rushed to Ian's side.
"I'm not sure I trust anymore of your plans," she said sarcastically, as she grabbed him under his arms and dragged him towards the elevator, happy that he slid somewhat easily across the hardwood floor.
She let go of him at the door and pressed the button, causing it to open instantly. Ian pulled himself inside and Miko helped him get his legs in.
"Once I have everything in place, we'll need to lure them down there," Ian said, as he tried to catch his breath from the quick movements he was forced to make.
"Okay," Miko said, as she pressed the basement button on the elevator controls and then stepped back out.
"What are you doing?" Ian asked, as he noticed she wasn't inside.
"You said we have to get them down there and I'm the only one who can move that fast. I can give you a couple minutes, maybe," Miko said, a bit frightened at her own bravery.
"Miko, you don't have to do this," Ian said.
"Just be ready when I come running," Miko said, as she released the elevator door, allowing it to close.
She could hear the Karths banging against the book shelf, getting louder with each thrust. In her heart, Miko knew she had to get the attentions of more than just that few. As the book shelf was knocked away from the doorway, she took a deep breath.
"Come and get me, boys!" she shouted, as she took off running towards the door.
Miko gained speed, then took the air, diving over top of the three Karths that had been trying to get in. She curled into a ball and landed on one-knee on the other side of them. She got to her feet and looked around, seeing the army of Karths that still remained all around her, trashing the mansion. Upon seeing her, they all turned their attentions to a living target.
"Uh oh," she mumbled.
Detective Stephen Garza pulled his chair up to the side of his mother's hospital bed. She was laying there in the fetal position, facing him, but Garza still felt so far away. Anita was not looking at him. In fact, she didn't seem to be focused on anything. Her eyes just stared off, as if she were in a completely different place. Garza softly brushed the hair away from the side of her face with his hand.
"I hope it's peaceful there," he said quietly. "Wherever you are."
As he felt his emotions growing stronger, he pushed back the sorrow building inside him.
"The nurse said she thinks you can hear everything happening," Garza said, sadly. "I hope that's true, because there's so much I want to tell you. You don't have to be afraid anymore. The Ja'Vey are gone forever. I made sure of that. I know they took so much from you. You lived for dad and I know he loved you too."
Garza felt a tear stream down his cheek as he spoke and his mother remained unmoving from her position. He moved his hands down to hers, holding them gently, hoping his own strength would transfer to her.
"It's okay to live again, mom," Garza said. "They're never coming back. They took dad and they took Sienna, but we're still here. I'm still here. I need you so much. I know it's hard but there's so much to live for, so much to see. I needed help figuring that out myself. There's someone special in my life and I wish you could meet her. It's the future, mom. There is a future and you can have one too, just let me know you're still in there."
Garza waited, but felt no response from his mother. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying not to get overwhelmed by his feelings.
"Please, mom," Garza said, trying to smile for her. "I'm having trouble telling her how I feel and I know you've got some advice stored up in there. I'd love to hear it."
Garza held her hands a little tighter, but there was still no response. The door to her room opened and he looked up to see her doctor, who appeared shocked to see him.
"What are you doing in here?" the man asked. "We've had this discussion already. You are not authorized to be in here."
"Doctor Scott, please," Garza said, frustrated. "She's my mother."
The doctor grabbed Garza by the arm, pulling him out of the room. Garza could have easily overtaken the thin, balding man, but he didn't want to do anything that might worsen his mother's condition. Once they were in the hallway, he pulled his arm from the doctor's grip.
"You are only going to make her condition deteriorate further. You're undoing all of the work we've done by being here at all," Dr. Scott said.
"How can you say that to me?" Garza said. "She's my mother."
"Her breakdown was caused by severe mental trauma," Dr. Scott explained. "I understand your feelings, but adding anymore stress could cause a full collapse to a point of no return."
"I can't pretend she's not in there," Garza said. "I can't go on like nothing's wrong in my life while she's lying in there lost. I have to do something."
"I'm sorry," Dr. Scott said. "But if you want to help your mother, I suggest you stay away from her. Put your efforts elsewhere. You're a detective. Go out there and do your job and let me do mine. I guarantee you that if there's any part of your mother's mind intact, she knows you love her."
As Garza watched Dr. Scott go back into his mother's room and close the door, his mind continued racing. Part of him wanted to punch the doctor in the nose to take his pain out on him, but another part of Garza was jolted by the doctor's last statement to him. He was clearly trying to get rid of him, but in that moment, Garza realized the doctor was right. There was another danger out there that could use his attention and there was another woman out there. Garza wanted to make sure she knew he loved her as well. Garza headed for the nearest stairwell.
Spencer peeked around the corner and saw Garza's departure. He walked up to Anita Garza's hospital room and looked in the small observation window, seeing the doctor looking over her chart with his back to the door. Spencer sighed, as he saw the woman's condition.
He walked over to the opposite side of the hallway and glanced out the window, seeing Garza mount his motorcycle. Spencer watched closely, as Garza almost put on his helmet, but stopped. Garza got off the motorcycle and began walking back towards the institution, getting Spencer's attention. But then, he saw Garza kneel down by a bed of flowers that decorated the outside of the hospital. Spencer watched as Garza dug his hand into the soil and buried his ring there.
Spencer saw Garza hop back onto his motorcycle, put on his helmet and ride off, headed back to Silver City.
On the outskirts of Silver City, Chris Hartford remained restrained, trying every so often to tug at the electrical bonds Tarok had created to capture him. Deep down, he knew he couldn't free himself. He glanced over at Tarok, who appeared to be staring at the pieces of the Lunati treasure he gathered there. Chris saw the Lunati sword, shield, chalice and crown. The ring was the only missing piece and Chris knew the Karths wouldn't find it at the mansion and he feared that his father might not survive their onslaught. This filled him with a sense of powerlessness and anger.
"You'll never get it all," Chris said, directing his anger at Tarok.
Tarok slowly turned his head to face Chris.
"Shut up, dude," Evan cried out at his teammate. "We've already lost."
"No, we haven't," Chris said, showing his defiance in the face of defeat. "Because he doesn't have the ring and he never will!"
Tarok raised his arm towards Chris, as he slowly walked closer to him.
"You're still the loser, Tarok!" Chris said. "The treasure was never meant for you. It was meant for the true king of the Lunati."
"The true king of the Lunati is dead!" Tarok said, in his dark tone. "And given my extensive knowledge of the Lunati dynasty, I know that I am the only living being still alive who is worthy of being their king."
"Do you really think anyone will follow you?" Chris said, angrily. "Look what you did to Addie! She followed you and you turned on her and I'll bet you did the same thing to Bishop!"
Tarok unleashed a surge of energy from his palm, zapping Chris. His entire body squirmed in pain, as Chris yelled out in pain.
"Stop, just stop!" Evan shouted.
"Tell me where the Pink Ranger is!" Tarok shouted in frustration at the Red Ranger's fighting spirit.
"Nevada!" Evan yelled.
Tarok's energy attack on Chris stopped, as he absorbed Evan's confession. Chris shook his head, as he continued to fight the lingering pain surging through his body.
"Evan, no," Chris mumbled.
"We can make a deal," Evan offered. "It doesn't have to be like this."
"Yes, it does!" Tarok said, angrily. "I will not make deals with you, boy! You will tell me what you know about the Pink Ranger's whereabouts so that I may find that ring!"
"Wait, I was wrong," Evan apologized. "She's not in Nevada."
Tarok grew more annoyed, as he walked closer to the tree where the Blue Ranger was bound. He raised his palm.
"Do not play with me!" Tarok shouted.
Chris raised his head, frowning, wondering what his comrade was up to. When he raised his head and looked in Tarok's direction, he realized.
"She's not there," Evan said, with a smile. "In fact, she's right behind you."
Tarok screamed in fury, as he sent a surge of his electrical energy directly into Evan's body, causing him to scream out in pain.
"I will not tolerate games!" Tarok yelled.
He was so focused on his power that he never heard the truth.
"Looking for me!" Jessica spoke.
Tarok gasped for a second. He turned quickly to see the Pink Ranger had been right behind him. With her Hydro Cannon pointed directly at his chest, Jessica fired the weapon, sending a stream of electrified energy into Tarok's midsection. The creature's entire body lit up with damage from the assault. Tarok stumbled backwards, but he did not fall.
Jessica recharged her weapon for another strike, as she pulled her hand blaster, using the weapons together in unison. This time, however, Tarok was ready. He took to the air, levitating himself up above the blasts before they could strike. From the air, he sent his own energy down on the Pink Ranger.
Jessica flipped away, rolling to the ground and avoiding the first wave. She got to her feet and pushed herself off the ground, firing her weapon at Tarok in the air. The Lunati villain fired defensive blasts of his own power. As the streams of energy met, Tarok's was clearly more powerful. While the Pink Ranger tried to max out the power of her weapons, it still wasn't enough to overtake Tarok's blasts. The electrical energy struck the Pink Ranger's suit, which sparked all over with damage
The Pink Ranger crashed to the ground near the trees that held her teammates.
"Jessica!" Chris shouted, worried for her safety, until he saw she was still moving.
Inside the cave behind this action, Bishop could hear the chaos occurring just outside the cavern. He tried to free himself once again, but was unable to. He screamed in anger.
"Tarok!" he said. "This is not over."
He glanced over at his sister, who still remained motionless. Bishop hoped with every fiber of his being that she was truly okay.
"Addie, wake up," he called out. "You have to wake up."
Outside the cave, Tarok landed and pulled the Pink Ranger off the ground, holding her above his head by the neck, with both his hands.
"Now, give me the ring!" Tarok shouted at her.
Jessica gasped for air, shaking her head.
"I would never give it you," she said, boldly.
"Then you will die!" Tarok said, as he built up the swirling energy from the demon merged with his own soul.
The golden swirl of energy swarmed around his body, as it began to glow brighter and brighter.
"No!" Chris shouted. "Jessica!"
The glowing golden energy traveled through Tarok's arms and began its journey towards the Pink Ranger's throat that he still held within his power grip, several feet off the ground. Jessica began screaming in terror.
Then, Tarok was hit from behind with a barrage of laser strikes. Caught off-guard, Tarok dropped the Pink Ranger, who collapsed onto the ground. Evan & Chris looked over to see the blasts had come from the Silver Ranger. With his Tracking Striker in blast mode, he continued to rain down a plethora of laser strikes, lighting up Tarok's body, as it fell to the ground. Garza moved closer and closer, never stopping to even breathe, as the creature fell to the ground.
Garza continued firing on Tarok, even as he lay motionless on the ground. The Silver Ranger came to a stop, standing right over his body.
Spencer Kingston quietly snuck into the hospital room belonging to Anita Garza. He pocketed the room key he had managed to swipe from the nurse's station and he glanced over at Anita Garza, in the dimness of her room. Spencer sighed, as he sat down in the chair next to her bed.
"I'm sorry to disturb you," Spencer said. "But I really need to talk. You wouldn't believe how hard it's been for me to go a full day without speaking to another living soul for an extended period of time. Even if you won't say anything back, maybe I just need a quiet ear."
There was no response from Anita.
"I've heard your story and it's such a tragedy," Spencer said. "You know I came here hoping to find some piece of my past and I ended up running into my ever-complicated present. Maybe it's a sign—a sign that I shouldn't be trying so hard."
Spencer glanced at Anita Garza. Her eyes were open, but she was not looking in his direction.
"Am I ignoring what's most important because I can't face uncertainty?" Spencer wondered. "Those I care about face uncertain times on a daily basis, but I'm supposed to be the constant. I'm supposed to be there at the end of the day to let them know it will be all right, but how can I do that if I'm not sure it will be all right?"
Spencer glanced at Anita Garza once more, seeing she was still non-responsive. He sighed.
"You and I have some things in common," Spencer said, with a smile. "I lived a life with no past and you're living one that may not have a future. That is the epitome of uncertainty. Perhaps I should be more like Garza and swallow my fear and try to accomplish what's most important."
Spencer glanced at the woman and gently patted her hand with his own. He stood up, prepared to sneak back out and then he felt it. Anita Garza squeezed his hand. Spencer stood shocked, as he looked into her eyes.
"Perhaps the future isn't so uncertain after all," Spencer said.
Inside the Hartford mansion, Miko peeked around from her hiding spot, seeing a handful of Karths tearing apart the furniture in Chris's bedroom. Miko had been hiding inside his closet since she managed to fight her way out of the horde of Karths that had her surrounded downstairs. As she looked out of the plexiglass door that separated Chris's large walk-in closet from the rest of his room, she knew she wouldn't be safe for long.
She gripped the heavy wooden baseball bat she had found in the room and made her move, as she saw two of the Karths spotted her. They broke through the plexiglass and Miko ran towards them, striking the first with an uppercut using the bat. She elbowed the second Karth across the head. As another ran towards her, she ducked its attempted sickle swipe and swung the bat, right into the creature's back, sending it flying into the closet.
Miko turned quickly, scoring a side kick on the next Karth that came at her. Two more emerged from Chris's bedroom and they aimed their weapons at her and fired a dual surge of electrical energy. Miko screamed, as she dove onto the ground, avoiding the blasts. She crawled into the hallway, as three more Karths were racing up the stairs. She turned to see the other two coming out of Chris's room. She threw the baseball bat at the doorway, causing them to back off for a few seconds. Miko ran up to the balcony that looked down on the foyer and the staircase.
She hopped over the third floor balcony, grabbing hold of it in the air and swinging herself onto the second floor balcony, overlooking the foyer, living room and dining room. As she landed on the second floor she took a few breaths, but only for a moment, as Karths seemed to be emerging from every room on the second floor. Even more were coming up the stairs.
Two of the Karths grabbed at her arms. Miko fought back, kicking one of them in the midsection. She yanked her arm away from the second and kicked him into four others. She looked back over the balcony and saw the chandelier overlooking the living room. She jumped onto the balcony railing and jumped into the air, grabbing hold of the old fixture. Miko let go just in time to fall onto the large couch in the living room.
She saw two Karths crushing the plasma television there and she sprung off the couch, diving onto both of them, taking them down to the ground. Two more Karths pulled her off the floor, but she swung herself under their arms and then slammed the two foot soldiers into one another. Miko took off up the steps, only to see the other Karths coming down. She looked back and saw six more had taken a position at the bottom of the steps, all with eyes on her. She looked over the side banister of the steps and saw three there.
She grabbed hold of the wooden railing as tight as she could and sent her feet flying through the banister, sending her feet and the broken shards of wood right into the faces of the three Karths on the side of the steps. Miko landed on her feet and as the other Karths started coming towards her from the steps, she pulled two more pieces of wood from the banister and swung them at them the way she had been taught by Taiyami to wield her wooden kon. The Karths seemed mesmerized by how fast her hands moved.
Once she had their attentions, she stopped.
"I hope Dr. Hartford's ready," she said, under her breath.
She took off running to the study, with the army of Karths chasing her.
Down in the Tracking Lab, Dr. Ian Hartford sat in his fully-functional second wheelchair, typing quickly at his computer terminal, trying as hard as he could to ignore the damage to the lab around him and the missing relics he had sworn to protect. On the terminal next to his, he saw Miko running into the study.
She was coming.
Even though his eyes were diverted, his fingers still pressed each key with precision, as he set up his trap. He finally finished overriding every security protocol he had installed himself. It was a necessary evil. All that was left now was to press the enter key, he thought.
Ian took a deep breath, as he looked around the Tracking Lab, taking in one final glance. At that moment, he saw Miko come running into the lab.
"They're coming!" she shouted.
Ian hit the enter key on the keyboard and sent his chair towards the rear exit.
"Come on," Ian said, as Miko followed.
They reached the vehicle bay and Ian locked the doors after Miko was through them.
"Get inside the Silverhawk," Ian ordered. "It's the safest place."
Ian was somber, as he controlled his chair, rolling in behind Miko. He rolled into the cockpit and activated the surveillance systems. He was greeted with an image of the Tracking Lab and the Karths as they piled in, all coming in their direction, but unable to get past the secured doors.
Miko watched as they began hacking at the steel doors with their sickles.
"They're trying to break through," she said, still catching her breath.
"Not for long," Ian said, as he continued the silent countdown in his head.
His trap was about to spring.
Inside the Tracking Lab, an alarm sounded, as all oxygen was sucked out of the room, replaced with gas. The Karths were scurrying around, destroying the computer terminals and all of the other equipment in the lab. None of them noticed the change in atmosphere. One Karth raised its sickle, striking Ian's flatscreen monitor and with that spark, the entire Tracking Lab ignited, along with the army of Karths. The explosion was so massive that even the Silverhawk began to shake from its landing platform.
"Wow," Miko said, as she saw the results on the surveillance camera.
Ian, however, was more worried. The shaking around them did not stop. He pressed a few buttons on the surveillance cameras and it was then that he remembered Tarok had destroyed the entrance to the lab upstairs. The gas escaped into the main house which was now crumbling under the wake of the explosion.
"It's all coming down," Ian said, as he watched his home on fire and falling apart.
The Silver Ranger knelt at the side of Jessica Lorrie, grabbing the Pink Ranger into his arms.
"Jess, are you all right?" he asked, hoping for good news.
She coughed profusely, as she tried to catch her breath. Jessica looked into his helmet.
"You came back," she spoke.
"When there's trouble, there's only one place I want to be and that's by your side," Garza said, smiling behind his visor.
"Tarok," Jessica muttered.
"He's out cold," Garza said. "Come on."
He helped her up off the ground.
"We need to free Chris & Evan, quick," Jessica said.
"Look out!" Chris shouted.
The two Rangers turned to see Tarok back on his feet, chuckling, as he raised his arms towards them, sending a stream of electrical energy into their suits, which lit up with damage, as the two Rangers both fell to the ground.
"I want my ring!" Tarok shouted.
"Well, you're out of luck," Garza said, as he fought to his feet and extended his hand. "Tracking Striker!"
The long weapon, shaped like a metal-detector, materialized in his hand and he went on the assault. Tarok fired more electrical bursts, but Garza dodged all of them and took to the air, bringing his weapon down on Tarok. He staggered backwards, showing only slight damage to his exterior.
"My turn!" Jessica shouted, as she pulled her hand blaster in sword mode.
She swiped the weapon across Tarok's chest, causing it to light up with even more damage, but he still would not fall.
As the battle continued, inside the cave, Bishop continued trying to wake his sister.
"Addie, please wake up!" Bishop shouted. "We can't stay here. If we do, we'll be dead."
"Bish…"
"Addie!" Bishop called out, noticing her beginning to stir. "Thank goodness. You had me worried you were never going to come around."
Addie felt groggy, as she began to gain her bearings. She closed and opened her eyes slowly, realizing where she was.
"No!" she screamed. "Tarok! He—he…"
"It's okay," Bishop said, trying to calm her. "I know."
"Sutekh…he's gone," Addie said, almost relieved. "But if he's so dangerous. If Tarok's joined forces with him…"
"It's too late," Bishop said, somberly. "It's not your fault."
Addie finally looked over at her brother. She noticed he was tied to the cave wall, just as she was.
"He did this to you," Addie reasoned. "He has to be stopped. He's done so much damage."
"Sutekh or Tarok?" Bishop asked. "They're completely joined as one."
"Together they could destroy everything," Addie said.
Then it hit her.
"I remember everything," she said, shocking even herself.
"What?" Bishop asked, stunned.
"Sutekh—I think my memory was blocked by him when he was inside me," Addie revealed. "He was suppressing my memories. Bishop, you didn't cause mom and dad's deaths!"
"I did," Bishop said, disputing her. "I was hacking on the walls of the ruins and it made them come down."
"No," Addie said. "It wasn't you. It was Sutekh. When they freed him, he just wanted destruction. He brought the ruins down because he knew our parents had the knowledge to trap him again. That's why he came after me and didn't try to use one of them. It was all the demon, Bishop. It wasn't your fault."
"I don't believe this," Bishop said, as he was flooded with emotions.
He hadn't been responsible for the deaths of his mother and father. He had spent years cursing himself for a mistake that wasn't his to bear. In that moment, Bishop didn't know how to feel. All he knew was that there was only one thing he could do.
"We have to get out of here," Bishop said, furiously. "I'm not gonna let him sacrifice us. They've taken too much away already and they're not getting any more!"
"I like the sound of that," a voice called out from the shadows of the cave.
Bishop and Addie both looked over to where they heard the voice. As they saw the figure emerge, they were stunned once again.
"Spencer," Addie muttered.
Spencer untied both of them.
"You have a choice to make," Spencer said to them both. "You can run and save yourselves or you can stand and fight for what you know is right. This is going to be a defining moment and it's up to you to choose your destiny."
Bishop and Addie glanced at one another, locking eyes at the exact same moment. They agreed.
Outside the cave, Tarok chuckled loudly, as he knocked the Silver Ranger to the ground with a thrust so powerful that his suit sparked with damage and dissolved, as he rolled to the ground. The Pink Ranger came from behind, whipping Tarok around. She slashed at him with her hand blaster sword, but Tarok absorbed the damage swiped at her chest with his clawed hand, sending a surge of energy through her suit, causing her to collapse as her suit lit up with damage. Jessica demorphed as well, as she landed near Garza on the ground.
"Stop it, you monster!" Chris shouted from the tree where he remained trapped. "They don't have the ring and you'll never get it!"
"I will find the ring," Tarok said. "Since none of you intend to assist me, it appears it's time for you all to join your father in the afterlife!"
He raised his palms towards the tree where Hartford was trapped, but before he could fire a surge of energy, the trees off to his right parted, as the black and gold Tow Speeder zipped through the foliage and crashed right into Tarok, sending him flying into the exterior of the cave, where he crashed into the rock face. The Black hunter's zord came to a stop near the tree where Evan Yukito was bound.
"I didn't see that coming," Evan shouted.
"Get ready for another one," Addie yelled, as she came running towards the tree where Chris was trapped.
"Addie!" Chris shouted. "You're okay."
"I've never felt better," she said, as she looked over and saw the monstrous Tarok lying on the ground. "Hold on. I'll have you down in a minute."
"You can't touch the beams. Tarok's power is still surging through them," Chris said, as he could feel the pain in his torso.
"I wasn't planning to," Addie said, with a smile, as she slid her tracker open and summoned her own zord.
The Bull Dozer arrived moments later. Under Addie's control, she lifted the front basket and slammed it against the tree, breaking the electrical band that held Chris on the tree. Addie ran to his side, trying to help him up. Addie directed her zord to repeat the action on the tree holding Evan and soon he was back on solid ground as well. Chris & Addie helped Evan get to his feet, but before they could grab their trackers from the ground, they heard the dark chuckle of Tarok once again.
They all looked over and saw that Tarok was back on his feet.
"It will take more than petty zords to defeat me!" Tarok shouted.
"How about this!" Bishop yelled from behind him.
Tarok turned quickly to see Bishop wielding the Lunati sword. Bishop stabbed Tarok in the chest with the weapon, causing his chest to light up with damage. As the sparks flew, Tarok staggered backwards and fell to the ground.
Bishop stood tall over him and he turned to see his sister at the side of Chris & Evan. He walked over to them triumphantly and before he could say anything to Chris, Jessica & Garza joined them.
"He's not gonna stay down for long," Garza said. "We need to end this, now!"
"Then let's do it," Chris said, looking straight at Bishop.
Bishop nodded. Evan had grabbed both his tracker & Chris' from the ground. He handed Hartford the small device that belonged to him.
"Ready?" Chris shouted.
All six of the humans stood side by side. Bishop stabbed the Lunati sword into the ground and raised his tracker, with the others.
"Ready!" they all yelled together.
Chris, Evan, Jessica, Addie & Bishop pressed their activation buttons and slid the devices down their arms. Garza pressed the button on the morpher on his wrist, jump starting his own morph.
"Start Up!"
All six Rangers stood strong and united together, as Tarok got to his feet, seeing the six colored warriors standing before him. He let out a hearty laugh.
"You are still not powerful enough to stop me!" Tarok shouted.
He sent two powerful streams of electrical energy from his palms. The energy blasts landed right at their feet and they all took to the air at the same time, calling upon their individual weapons.
"Tracking Striker!" Garza shouted, as he brought his weapon down upon Tarok, slashing him in the chest, causing him to stagger backwards.
"Hydro Cannon!" Jessica yelled, as she fired her weapon at the exact same point, causing Tarok to grunt in pain.
"Thunder Claws!" Addie called out, as she slammed her yellow bucket-shaped weapons together and then pounded them against the sides of Tarok's long skull.
"Turbine Crusher!" Bishop yelled, as brought the hammer down on Tarok, nailing him in his sparking chest, causing even more damage.
"Hover Strike!" Evan shouted, as he focused his weapon on Tarok, further enhancing the damage of the other weapons, while also sending a flurry of wind energy into his weakest spot.
"Power Staff!" Chris called out, as his weapon materialized in his hands. He landed on the ground right in front of Tarok and stabbed the triple-bladed weapon deep into his chest.
Tarok staggered backwards, as his entire body seemed to explode. As Tarok's arms waved wildly, his entire body imploded, causing a massive explosion of fire. All six Rangers turned away from the flames, holding their weapons proudly.
From just inside the cave, Spencer smiled upon seeing this.
As the roaring flames subsided, the sound of the quaking energy didn't subside. In fact, it wasn't the sound of the explosion. It was the sound of Tarok's vengeful cry of fury. The Red Ranger turned, along with the other Rangers, just in time to see Tarok getting to his feet.
"Impossible," Chris uttered.
"You cannot destroy me!" Tarok shouted, in a deep guttural moan.
As his scream grew louder, he grew stronger, larger, bigger than they could ever have imagined. Tarok grew as tall as some of the highest skyscrapers in Silver City, which could now be seen behind him in the distance.
"Oh no," Addie said. "This is bad."
"I guess I'm up," Garza said, as he stepped forward, pressing on his tracker. "Patrol Triad, Start Up!"
Soon the fire engine and patrol cruisers were joined as one, creating the Triad Megazord. With the Silver Ranger in the cockpit, he controlled the zord, advancing towards the new even-larger monstrous form of Tarok.
He tried to grapple with the monster, but Tarok broke free of the megazord's grip and slashed at its chest, sending sparks of damaging energy throughout the controls. Garza cowered, as his control panel lit up with damage.
"Let's see how you like this," Garza shouted. "Triplicate Bomber!"
He activated his zord's most powerful attack. The laser cannons mounted on the head of the megazord powered up, sending a barrage of lasers directly into different parts of Tarok's body. The creature lit up with damage, but as the smoke cleared he was still standing. Tarok chuckled, as he grabbed hold of the Triad Megazord's neck.
"My turn!" Tarok yelled, as the swirling energy from the demonic spirit within him grew in power.
The surge of power traveled out of Tarok's body and directly into the Triad Megazord, causing the entire megazord to light up with damage. As sparks flew everywhere, the five Rangers on the ground were stumped.
"This can't be happening," Evan said.
"We have to do something!" Chris shouted.
"Our zords are no match for Tarok like this," Addie said.
"But they could be," Jessica said, with a twinge of excitement.
All eyes turned to the Pink Ranger, as she grabbed her tracker.
"Our five zords can combine into a completely different megazord," Jessica exclaimed. "It was never possible before, but now, together, we can."
"Let's do it," Bishop said.
The Black & Yellow Rangers hopped into their zords, sending them into the battle to distract Tarok, as the others called upon their zords, housed back at the Hartford mansion.
Within the confines of the Silverhawk, Ian & Miko saw the zords on the lower level of the vehicle bay, as they activated and began to spin around, to advance towards the hidden exit in the zord bay.
"Look," Miko said. "What's happening?"
"It's the Rangers," Ian said, as he smiled. "They're still alive. They're still fighting."
He activated the Silverhawk. After the Driver Loader, Sub Diver and Helio Zord exited from the bay, the Silverhawk flew through the exit right behind them, following them to their destination. The zord's however, traveled much faster and reached the cave site long before the Silverhawk could catch up.
Chris, Jessica & Evan jumped into their zord's cockpits and prepared them for transformation.
"Let's end this!" Chris shouted, as the zords came together, right in front of Tarok's eyes, shocking him.
As the new megazord stood tall, shielding the Triad Megazord from Tarok's onslaught, the five Rangers found themselves within a joined cockpit, once again all together.
"Megazord power!" they all shouted together, as the Megazord powered up, fully equipped with shovel and pick axe weapons.
Tarok sent a surge of energy from his palms, but they deflected it with the shovel and swiped at his chest with the pick axe, sending a surge of their own energy directly into Tarok's chest, causing him to stagger.
He regained his footing and slashed at the megazord's chest with both palms, causing the giant machine to spark with damage. Inside the cockpit, the Rangers shouted as their consoles lit up as well.
"Come on, guys," Bishop spoke. "Let's see what these weapons can really do!"
The Rangers all grabbed hold of their controls, pushing the Megazord onward. They combined the shovel and pick axe, forming a powerful sword.
"Megazord Saber!" the Rangers shouted from inside the cockpit, as they brought the weapon down on Tarok, slashing him with major damage.
The monster fell to the ground, but was still moving. Tarok shouted furiously.
"You cannot defeat me!"
He raised his palm and sent a powerful surge of energy directly at the Megazord, which lit up with even more damage than the previous attack. The large machine crashed right to the ground, causing a practical earthquake on the ground below.
Spencer emerged from the cave and saw the fight not going well. He gave a deep sigh, as he glanced at the ground near the cave and saw the Lunati relics. He looked back up at the battle raging less than a mile away.
The Triad Megazord pulled the Megazord back to its feet.
"Don't give up," Garza shouted from inside.
The two zords stood together, but Tarok was right there, with both palms raised. He fired a massive wave of electrical energy that caused both megazords to light up with damage. The sparks rained down on the city, as the megazords fell to the ground. With the megazords down, Tarok dropped to one knee, planting his hands on the ground, sending a quaking wave of electrical energy directly at the fallen zords, not allowing them to get back up. Inside the cockpits, the Rangers all screamed in agony, as the electrical energy took hold of their control consoles, sending sparks of damage throughout the megazords.
On the ground below, Spencer quietly picked up the Lunati crown and placed it on his head, feeling the powerful energy of the crown flowing through him. He grabbed the Lunati shield and chalice, as he glanced up to see that Tarok was still going. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring he had unearthed from the flower bed in front of the hospital.
Spencer locked eyes with the Lunati sword near the trees. He walked with determination over to the sword and took it in his hand, pulling it from the ground and raising it high above his head. As he did so, his entire body began to glow, under the power of the joined Lunati treasure. Spencer cried out, as the energy and power overtook his body.
In the distance behind him, the Silverhawk landed. Ian glanced out the front window of the vehicle and he saw what Spencer had done.
"Oh no," Ian said, realizing what Spencer had to be thinking.
As Spencer felt the power surging through his veins, he levitated off the ground, his body glowing brighter than ever before. Tarok could feel the jump in Lunati energy and he glanced to his side and he saw the energy around Spencer getting brighter and brighter, as he came closer towards Tarok.
"No!" Tarok shouted. "My treasure!"
"Spencer!" Jessica called out from inside the Megazord on the ground.
All eyes were on the ball of energy that Spencer turned into, which grew in essence and power, until it appeared almost like the sun had come down to Earth. Spencer lowered the sword from above his head and pointed it directly at Tarok, causing a tremendous wave of power to shoot out of the glowing Spencer's body and enter directly into Tarok's chest, causing the creature to scream out in pain and fear. Spencer continued moving his levitating body forward, injecting Tarok with even more of the Lunati treasure's power.
"Spencer, don't," Ian said, in a whisper.
The large ball of energy that surrounded Spencer shot right through Tarok's monstrous body, coming out on the other side. Tarok screamed out in utter terror, as he ignited into a massive fireball, leaving nothing behind.
Spencer turned back to the fallen megazords and closed his eyes.
"It will be right," he said.
The energy around him grew exponentially, until it burst, sending streams of golden energy all around. Within seconds, the megazords were damage-free, the wave of energy reached all through the city, through the Silverhawk, ending at the Hartford mansion, where the collapsed structure was once again whole.
"Spencer!" Chris shouted, as he saw the burst of light.
There was nothing left behind, except for the pieces of the Lunati treasure, which rained down on the ground where Spencer had taken them. The six Rangers jumped from their cockpits and landed there, in front of the treasure, as the last of the golden Lunati energy disappeared. All six of them demorphed, as they stood in front of the five pieces of the Lunati treasure on the ground.
Garza noticed Ian and Miko exit the Silverhawk. Bishop picked up the shield and noticed he didn't feel a surge of power from it. At his side, Evan picked up the chalice. At his side, Chris picked up the Lunati sword. At his side, Addie picked up the crown. At her side, Jessica picked up the ring. Garza, placed a hand on Jessica's shoulder, smiling at her.
"Spencer," Chris said, as he fell to his knees, overcome with emotion.
Addie placed a hand on his back, allowing him to lean on her. Bishop watched them closely, keeping his distance. Jessica began crying, as Garza pulled her closer to him.
"Chris," Ian called out.
He looked over at his father in his wheelchair outside the Silverhawk, with Miko at his side. Evan walked over to their position, hugging Miko tightly.
"I was worried," he said.
"I watched my back," Miko whispered to him.
"He's gone," Chris said to his father.
Ian activated his wheelchair, rolling closer to his son, when he realized something. Ian stopped the chair.
"Dr. Hartford, what's wrong?" Jessica asked.
Ian grabbed the sides of the chair and slowly stood up. Jessica gasped. Ian walked a few feet, before stumbling and falling in front of Chris. He took his son into his arms, trying to comfort him, as best he could.
Addie glanced over at her brother and Bishop looked to the sky.
"It's all over," he said.
A few days later, the rain was pouring down on Silver City, washing away the past, allowing for new beginnings. Dr. Ian Hartford stood at the window in his office, staring out at the falling drops and listening to the gentle tapping of the rain on his window. Ian took a deep breath and turned away from the window.
As he looked around, he thought back to the destruction that had been caused by Tarok, even in that very room. But it had all been wiped clean as well. Ian walked closer to his desk and opened one of the drawers. He reached inside and pulled out a framed photograph showing him and his wife hugging their four-year old son. Ian smiled as he thought back the day that photo was taken. Spencer was behind the camera that day, as he had been on so many other occasions, Ian thought.
He closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer, as he put the photograph on his desk for the first time in over a year. That was where it belonged, he knew.
In the foyer of the Hartford mansion, Bishop Malcolm dropped his black duffle bag. He took one last look around the house.
"Are you sure about this?" Addie said, as she looked at him somberly. "You don't have to go."
"Yeah, I do," Bishop said, quickly, giving her a big hug.
"You are welcome to stay," Chris Hartford said, as he walked over.
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't belong here. I think you and I both know that," Bishop said, with a smirk.
He extended his hand and Chris shook it proudly.
"Take care of my sister," he said. "Or I will be back!"
"You have nothing to worry about," Chris said, as he smiled at Addie.
Bishop sighed, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his tracker, handing it to Chris.
"This belongs to your dad. Would you return it for me?" he asked.
"You don't have to do that," Chris said, reluctant to take the tracker.
"I won't need it where I'm going," Bishop said, forcing it into his hand.
"Which is where exactly?" Addie wondered.
"I don't know," Bishop said, nonchalantly. "I was thinking of maybe going to Egypt, giving the place a proper look."
"Wouldn't you rather wait to leave until the rain stops?" Addie asked, as she started to cry.
"I'll be fine," Bishop said, attempting to reassure her. "And so will you."
Bishop gave his sister one final hug and never noticed that Chris slipped his tracker into his duffle bag behind his back.
"Good luck, man," Chris said, as he & Addie watched Bishop open the front door.
Bishop looked back and smiled.
"I'll see ya around."
After the door shut, Chris took Addie in his arms, as she sobbed.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I will be," she said. "It's gonna take some getting used to. We've never been apart for too long. It's a big change."
Chris put his arm around her, leading her towards his father's office, where Jessica, Garza, Evan & Miko had joined Ian.
"Detective, I'm glad to report that your mother is settling in at the best institution in Silver City," Ian announced. "I called in a few favors."
"The doctors think she's making real progress," Garza said, with a smile, as he pulled Jessica a bit closer.
"And now you'll be able to visit anytime you want, without crossing state lines," she said with a gentle nudge.
"Well, according to Jimmy, I'm gonna be quite busy," Garza said, surprising Jessica. "He called me yesterday. He wants me back on-duty next week."
"That's great," Jessica said, kissing him.
"Congrats," Chris said, shaking Garza's hand. Chris glanced over at Evan & Miko near Ian's desk. "What about you two? Any plans?"
"Trying to get rid of us, Hartford?" Evan said, with a smirk. "Come on. What would you do without us? There'd be no one left to save your butt."
"No one left to get me into trouble is more like it," Chris said, with a smile.
"We're weighing our options," Evan said, putting his arm around Miko.
"Well, you're all welcome to stay as long as you like," Ian said. "I can't thank you all enough for everything you've done. I've learned so much about myself in these last few months, but I've also learned exactly who I can trust and I can say I trust everyone in this room with my life."
Chris smiled, as his father looked at him directly.
"I guess the quest is really over," Ian said, with a sigh. "The treasure's been safely scattered across the world once again, except for Garza's ring."
Jessica raised her hand, showing it off.
"Hopefully, it'll stay that way this time," Ian said.
"You really have learned your lesson," Chris said, with a chuckle. "Although, I have a slight confession to make. I actually left one other piece of the treasure behind."
Ian frowned for a moment, surprised at his son's revelation. Chris let out a noticeable cough, which cued the entrance of Zel.
"Zel," Ian said.
"Sorry, dad. I just couldn't do it. Zel doesn't deserve to be stuck in his sword form forever," Chris said.
"You'll get no argument from me," Ian said, as he walked over, shaking Zel's hand. "Besides, I can think of no safer place for you than here, my friend."
"Thank you, Dr. Hartford," Zel said. "You are quite a team."
"Except Bishop's gone," Addie said, sadly. "I can't believe he actually gave up his tracker."
"Ohhh," Miko exclaimed. "Can I have it? Please? Pretty please?"
"Sorry, Miko, I gave it back," Chris said. "Bishop just doesn't know it yet."
Miko pretended to pout for only a moment, until Evan embraced her.
"Well, all things considered, I think we should be celebrating. We kept the treasure out of evil hands and with any luck, we won't have to do it again," Ian said.
"Did someone mention a celebration?"
The new voice carried into the room, shocking everyone who heard it. They all turned to the office doorway and saw Spencer Kingston walking in, with a tray of glasses.
"Spencer!" Chris shouted.
"I don't understand," Jessica said, stunned.
"How?" Ian gasped.
Spencer smiled, as he walked over to Ian in the center of the room. The others surrounded him. He was dressed in his normal attire and looked perfectly healthy.
"All I can say is the Lunati treasure isn't a cruel one," Spencer said, happily. "I'm so happy to see you all and to see you on your feet again, sir."
"Thank you, Spencer," Ian said.
Chris grabbed Spencer into a hug, almost causing him to drop his tray of drinks.
"We thought you were gone forever," Chris said.
"Then it truly is a celebration," Spencer said, offering them all glasses.
They all prepared to toast and Spencer smiled.
"To the future," he said.
The others answered his toast in unison.
"To the future."
THE END