Dino Thunder: Return of the Eclipse- Chapter 11: White Thunder: Part III
Disclaimer: Saban owns all Power Ranger lines.
Copyright: All unrecognizable parts and characters are under December's Phoenix's copyright.
Summary: Friend or Foe?
"What the hell?"
Crystal couldn't describe the immeasurable amount of fury boiling under her skin. Her eyes never left the large bird-like zord, crowing loudly over the city. But all Crystal felt at that moment was white rage edging her view. Oh, how she wanted to ensure the White Ranger never fled another fight.
"Dragozord!" The White Ranger hollered down to his beast. "Show these fools what you can do." He dove off the beak, landing on the closest building.
The Dragozord began to crow, flapping its mighty wings. Powerful puffs of air sent cars flying, buildings shaking, and the Rangers stumbling back. Windows shattered. The wind continued. Then, finally, the Dragozord took off, screeching. It flew faster than lightning, striking the Megazord repeatedly.
"They need help!" Dr. Oliver told the sisters. "Stegozord, activate."
The Brachiozord appeared, releasing the stegozord from its compartment. It stomped; happily, spikes shifting up and down its back, but then a flash of red appeared, making the blue eyes flash and stomp faster. The grounded Rangers watched the Dragozord lift the Stegozord and form a Megazord.
"He stole the Stego!" Conner pointed out.
The Drago Megazord stood against the Thundersaurus Megazord. "Not bad for the new guys, eh?" The White Ranger asked.
"Aw man, now he has a Megazord?" Dr. Oliver sighed.
"Why are you doing this?" Kira requested. "You're losing it."
"No," The White Ranger returned. "You're the one losing it and losing it to me."
The White Ranger swung down, striking the Rangers. He tried again, but the Parasaurzord arm caught the blade between the blades. They spun around, slamming their tricera-arm at the White Ranger, shoving him back. The Parasaurzord disengaged, disappearing. The T-rex drill appeared and started to turn rapidly. "Tyranno-drill!" Conner called out.
"Dino stegozord stinger, intercept." The White Ranger called, sending his blade at the Rangers in a burst of navy lightning. It slammed into the Rangers, forcing the Megazord apart and spitting the Rangers onto the ground. The zords landed in piles around each other.
"Guys!" The three grounded Rangers ran over to the downed ones, each helping someone up. Dr. Oliver had Ethan. Crystal supported Kira, and Lucy had Conner. "You guys okay?" Dr. Oliver asked.
"Yeah, but our zords are seriously tweaked," Conner responded. At that moment, the zords rumbled in response.
"That was just low." Dr. Oliver fumed.
"Since when do they have bad Power Rangers?" Ethan questioned.
"Now, I will take the rest of the zords." The White Ranger declared.
"Not going to happen." Dr. Oliver turned to his morpher, beginning to mess with it.
Kira leaned around the team. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to break the stegozord away." Dr. Oliver fiddled with his morpher more. Suddenly, the blue eyes of the Stegozord flashed. Purple lightning surrounded the Megazord. The two broke apart, and the stegozord toddled away.
"You'll pay for that." The White Ranger snarled; the Dragozord stalked after the Stegozord, disappearing from the Rangers.
The Rangers cheered. "Nice one, Dr. O!" Ethan smiled.
"I doubt that it will last. The White Ranger's power over the Stegozord is too strong." Dr. Oliver sighed.
"Well, that was, like, the worst day ever." Conner scowled, sitting down with the rest of the team around him.
Ethan nodded. "Brutal."
Dr. Oliver came up to the five. "There's gonna be a lot of days like this."
Hunter nodded from where he sat near the Rangers. "There were too many like that."
Crystal grunted from beside him. "Says the Ranger that tried to kill us." She grunted when Hunter shoved her away. "Don't even deny it." She pointed at him.
"I'm not!" Hunter chuckled.
"I don't think you have any room, considering you were the evil one most of the time." Crystal fought. "Blake has experience fighting evil Rangers, but you don't have a leg to stand on."
"Wait." Kira expressed. "What about the glass is half full?"
"Sometimes it's not." Dr. Oliver replied. "Sometimes, it's empty, but that's when you got to dig deep. That's when the qualities that made you guys Rangers most important."
Conner sighed, shaking his head. "You're right. What can we do?"
"Go have a little bit of fun." Dr. Oliver answered. "Ethan, isn't there a new video game you wanted to check out?"
"I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I have no desire to go near a computer," Ethan told him.
"I know what you mean; I haven't picked up my guitar in days," Kira added.
"Go, teacher's orders." Dr. Oliver declared, then watched as none of the Rangers rose to move. "Go." He watched the Rangers stand, following one another up and out of the lab.
Crystal and Hunter found themselves at the Motocross track in Blue Bay, only an hour from Reefside. The two stood decked in their old gear, laughing. They strapped themselves in before checking on their bikes in the back of Hunter's truck. They managed to keep their bikes in good shape if they ever wanted to ride again, but the first time Crystal wanted to ride more than heading back to the academy.
"You think we're gonna be able to beat him?" Crystal questioned, helping Hunter unload his bike from the bed of his truck.
The former Crimson Ranger grunted, taking the back weight while Crystal heaved the front. Once the two had gotten his bike down, he placed his hands on his hips, squinting up at his girlfriend, who overlooked him. "I know you guys will." He stated, motioning to Crystal's bike. They followed the same routine with her bike. "You've done it once with Blake and me, so I know you'll get him."
Crystal hummed, setting the bike down carefully before Hunter offered his hand to help her down. She accepted, taking his hand and jumping from the bed, allowing him to pull her to him. "I'm just worried that something's going happen, and it won't be good."
"Is that what you describe as your spidey sense?"
Crystal rolled her eyes. "You've been reading too many comic books, bug boy."
"I read just the right amount, sunspot." Hunter crookedly grinned at her.
"Please never call me that." Crystal scowled, shuttering. "I'm having too many flashbacks of Shimazu."
Hunter glanced at the track, then down at their bikes. "Loser buys dinner?" He proposed, turning to see Crystal fiddling with her gloves.
Crystal glanced at him. "I'm game. As long as you're prepped to lose."
Hunter leaned into Crystal's personal space. "I would like to see you try, sunshine."
"You're on, Bradley." Crystal moved to tie back her hair when she noticed Hunter hadn't left her space. "I'm not kissing you. If you win, you get one."
Hunter laughed. "Whatever,"
Moving to the start line, careful of other riders on the track, Crystal and Hunter glanced at each other. They revved their bikes before nodding to each other and taking off, leaving dirt in their wake.
"Man, I am out of practice." Hunter breathed once he stopped next to Crystal. He tore his helmet off, watching his girlfriend quirk an eyebrow from where she sat on the tail of his truck, granola bar in hand.
"Man, you need some lessons before gettin' back out there, old man," Crystal mumbled through her bar. She yelled out when Hunter threw his glove at her.
"I remember when I was a few steps below you."
"Yeah, and now Blake beats both of us." Crystal slid off the truck, still munching on her bar. She moved to him. "So, we're both out of practice."
Hunter snagged her bar, taking a bite before returning it to her hand, laughing at her distressed look. "I'm hungry, and I'm buying."
"Yes, you are." Crystal grinned. "I am also hungry, so why don't we load up and go eat?"
Hunter leaned over, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You read my mind, sunshine."
Lucy breathed in the salty air, unlocking the tailgate of her jeep. She smiled to herself, glancing at the waves before her. Since Dr. Oliver pushed for a bit of fun, Lucy opted to head down to the beach to see if she could catch a few waves. Tugging out her wetsuit, the ninja slid it on, zipping it up, while a blue van rolled beside her. "Tori?" Lucy questioned, laughing when the former Blue Ranger climbed out. "What are you doing here?"
"Hunter called me and mentioned that you would be down here." Tori smiled, opening the back of her van to pull her wetsuit out. "Didn't say why, but he thought you might need a friend."
Lucy nodded, chuckling. "How thoughtful of him." She joked, carefully sliding the pale purple surfboard from the top of her car. The silver detailing caught the sun briefly before she readjusted her grip.
Tori clutched her own blue and navy board. "So, anything, in particular, you wanna catch me up on?"
"Not really." Lucy pursed her lips. "Hunter did mention that Blake might be in Briarwood in a few days for an invitational. Thought that you might want to go see him."
"Maybe."
"Just maybe?" Lucy turned to her friend, planting her board in the sand and staring at her. "If I remember correctly, you were drooling over him for months when we were Rangers. What happened?"
Tori shrugged. "I don't know." She sighed, planting her board. "I think the distance made me realize Blake's dream is to be a pro, and mine's teaching."
"Doesn't mean you don't try," Lucy advised her. "Look, you will only know for certain if you ask Blake. Plus, I think the two of you would be cute together. And we can be sisters if you all end up getting married."
"So, Crystal and Hunter still going strong?"
"I think she realized that he's helped her more than she was willing to admit after the battle." Lucy lifted her board, heading down to the swell picking up. "You ready to ride the waves?"
"Totally."
Conner felt great. Even after the disastrous fight earlier today, getting back out of the pitch and playing with his friend and teammates was a reward he looked forward to earning. It had been a week or two since Conner stepped onto the field, ready to clear his head while kicking a soccer ball around. When he stepped off the last time, his brain twisted in various ways; mainly, his thoughts were about the brunette Silver Ranger he hung around.
Shaking his head, clearing his thoughts of Lucy, he ran forward, the ball still in his possession as he raced to the net. But just as he was about to kick it in, someone slide-tackled him, sending the Red Ranger nearly sprawled out on the grass, had he not caught himself and remained standing. He whipped around, finding Brian Albright dusting his uniform off, sending Conner a mischievous smile. "Sorry, McKnight, didn't see you there."
"Yeah, no doubt." Conner turned around, not wanting to be anywhere near him after Lucy admitted a few things the last time the two were on the soccer field. He reached into his bag, pulling his water bottle out. He eyed Brian stopping near him. Breathing deeply after a large gulp, Conner scowled at him. "What?"
Brian shrugged. "Heard you were hanging around Lucy." He mentioned, his blue eyes out on the field filled with club and school players. "Thought I should let you know she's a loser."
Conner's blood started to boil ever so. Even if Lucy wasn't someone he thought about or hung around, Brian talking crap about her wasn't something Conner would let go of. He snorted to hide everything, rolling his eyes. "So?"
"Come on, man. She's not that pretty, and she's lame." Brian fought. "And she believes anything anyone tells her. I told her I liked her once, and she said the same thing, except…I really didn't like her. Katy Wallace thought it was the funniest thing when she saw it happen."
Conner smirked, his brain now picturing what it would be like to knock the lights out of this guy. Of course, he managed to get one of the most popular girls, and quite frankly, most annoying, girls in school to tag-team Lucy. "She can't be that gullible." He snorted.
"She believes everyone's nice. Who the hell thinks like that?"
"Most people."
"McKnight, she's crazy." Brian turned to him. "Why not just take my word for it?"
"I'm not taking the word of someone who broke her heart for a freakin' laugh, Albright," Conner told him. "Despite everything you think, she's not that gullible."
"You prepared to make a bet on that one?"
Conner only stared at him, rolling his eyes. "I don't make bets with losers like you, Albright." He returned, shocking Brian. The boy stepped back for a moment. "Get out of here before you really regret coming."
Brian snorted, trying to play cool. "Didn't know you had feelings for the nerd."
"Didn't realize that you were still trying to chat."
Crystal grumbled, quickly changing from her riding gear to a pair of shorts and a t-shirt Lucy stuck in the back of the jeep while she heard her sister laughing from the driver's side. She slammed the back gate closed, stalking to the passenger's side, and climbed up and in. "Why am I here?" She asked, brushing her feet' soles off before pulling on a pair of sneakers.
Lucy pulled from the curb. "Conner called me while I was surfing to tell me he found Trent and he wasn't looking so good and said he needed some backup just in case, and asked that I call you to join." She sat with a towel thrown over the seat since she was still soaked from the ocean. Finally, she found a figure that looked like him, slowing down. "Conner!" She called from the now rolled-down passengers window
Conner turned to see her rolling to a stop, moving to her car door to find both sisters in the front. "Hey."
"Hop in." Crystal motioned to the back
Conner tugged the door open, sliding into the back and buckling up in the middle seat. Lucy took off. "Thanks for coming. Sorry about ruining your date, Crystal."
"No, it's fine." Crystal sarcastically returned. "I love when my dates get cut short because of Ranger problems."
Lucy glanced in the rearview mirror. "She's mad because it happened last year too often." She turned down a road leading out of the soccer fields parking lot. "You said you needed help; what's up?"
Conner turned to see the back of her head, staring at her while she drove. Her wet hair sat gathered in a bun at the crown of her head. Water soaked her t-shirt collar, and she sported athletic shorts and sneakers. He shook his head, catching her attention before it went back to the road. "I saw Trent while I was with the team playing soccer today." He told her. "He didn't look good. And he got angry with me and took off."
Lucy pursed her lips in thought. "He has seemed off for a few days." She remarked. "Where'd you see him?"
"He took off in that direction." Conner pointed to the direction of the quarry.
Crystal glanced up from tying to her shoe to see where Conner pointed. She snorted. "Fantastic, as long as it isn't monster-con down there, I'll be peachy keen."
"Monster-con?" Conner asked.
"For two solid months, the only battles we had last year were in the quarry. Then they just kept popping up there every once in a while." Lucy presented. She turned the car to head to the quarry. "You win?" She asked, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror
"Huh?" Conner asked, then realized her question. "Yeah, scored a couple of goals. We weren't really playing a game, just practicing. You go swimming or something?"
"Surfing," Lucy replied, shifting around in her seat. "The swells between Reefside and Blue Bay are the best ones I've found. Tori showed up to surf with me."
"The former Blue Ranger, right?" Conner questioned.
Lucy nodded. "Impressive…for an airhead." She laughed, trying to escape Conner's hand on her shoulder. "I'm driving, dingus."
Crystal turned around in her seat; her eyebrows lowered over her eyes. "Hey! Don't bully the driver. I like living." She returned to her seat. "I kicked Hunter's ass racing today, thanks for asking." She playfully snarked, picking her thumbnail.
"Sorry, bubs." Lucy laughed, reaching over to pat her sister's raised knee. "But we kinda knew that." She rolled her eyes at her sister's mock disgusted expression that disappeared a second later.
"Hey, Brian tried to talk to me today, by the way," Conner added, leaning back in his seat and watching Lucy's face morph from shock to annoyance. Crystal merely grunted and continued to tear into the hangnail on her thumb, now biting at it.
"What did the dirtbag want?" Lucy grumbled, readjusting in her seat as she pulled to a stop sign.
Conner paused momentarily, then sighed. "Wanted to warn me that you were gullible."
Lucy rolled her eyes, grunting, while Crystal started quietly laughing. "Great, just want I needed." She muttered. "More rumors." She turned her head to her sister. "Stop laughing. I know when you get out of the car, you're going to hunt him down, so quit that plan already."
Crystal flicked her eyes to her sister, the green of her irises a little darker. After a minute staring contest between the sisters at a stoplight, Crystal relented, turning to the road. "Fine." She muttered. "I won't serious maim your ex-boyfriend."
"Can I ask what really happened?" Conner asked from between the front seats.
Lucy shifted around. "Really don't wanna talk about it. Sorry."
Lucy barely had time to park the jeep before Conner and Crystal jumped out, rocks crunching under their shoes. "Where'd he go?" Crystal asked, shutting the door behind her and walking forward, lifting a hand to shade her eyes from the sun.
"I know he went this way." Conner breathed, glancing around.
A white blur slammed into the three, sending them off the cliff's edge. Conner morphed instantly, but the sisters hit the ground, their morphers not working fast enough. They rolled roughly, stopping at their knees. "You okay?" Crystal asked, coughing roughly while she rose.
Conner moved to them, helping Crystal pull Lucy to her feet, the Silver Guardian nearly hacking up a lung. "Peachy." Lucy answered, her voice raw as she leaned heavily on her knees. "Why didn't we morph?"
Crystal glanced around the quarry. "We haven't slept since the last battle, have we?"
"Which one?" Lucy asked, wiping her mouth with her hand. "The first battle or your warehouse duel?"
"Both." Crystal answered, her green eyes still searching the quarry. "Exhaustion seems to wear the powers down." Her eyes locked onto the White Ranger, slowly approaching them. "Great. Been wanting to go another round." She lifted her morpher, breathing deeply and pressing the button.
Lucy followed her lead, also pressing the button on her morpher. In flashes of light, the two stood morphed, armed and all. "Should be ready to go."
Conner nodded. "Good." He shuffled in front of the Guardians while he glared under his helmet at the slowly-approaching White Ranger. "Oh, great, it's you again."
The White Ranger drew his sword. "Tell you what. I'll give you a sporting chance this time." He flung his blade, letting it sink into the ground feet from the two.
"You're going down." Conner expressed, putting his fists up.
"Oh really?" The White Ranger requested, taking off towards Conner. He sped past him, striking him twice and making him fall to the ground. He landed on the opposite side of the Red Ranger, turning around to face him. "Looks like it's you that's down."
Conner climbed back up to his feet. "That's it." He practically growled, pulling his blaster free.
"Can't fight me without a weapon, huh?"
That appeared to get through to Conner. He lifted his blaster from where he had it pointed at the White Ranger. "All right." He tossed it over somewhere from the two of them and the ninja. "Why do we have to fight at all? We're all Rangers."
"You're good. I'm evil." The White Ranger answered. "It's a pretty simple concept." He ran at Conner, missing his yell and punching him until he crashed into the dirt. Then, he turned to the Brewers…only they weren't there. He glanced around, not finding a gold or silver helmet anywhere. "Seems your Guardians disappeared."
A blur collided with the White Ranger, sending him flying from the downed Red Ranger. Conner turned up to find Crystal standing near him, broadsword on her shoulder. "Right here… ugly." She taunted, falling into a fighting stance. "Looks like I'm going to kick your ass." She and the White Ranger charged each other.
"You guys couldn't really enjoy the day either, huh?" Hunter asked when he saw Ethan and Kira walk in; glum looks on their faces. He sat with Hayley and Dr. Oliver, the three chatting about Hunter and Dr. Oliver's times as Rangers when the Blue and Yellow Rangers walked in.
Ethan and Kira turned to him, nodding. "Kinda tough when the world's fate hangs in the balance," The Blue Ranger stated.
"Should've known you guys were gonna have a tough time with that." Dr. Oliver commented, turning around in his chair.
"Crystal couldn't enjoy her time off, then Lucy called her. She took off like a bat outta hell after we loaded up." Hunter leaned back in his chair.
Dr. Oliver nodded. "It's hard to sit on the sidelines while a loved one races to battle."
Hunter huffed a breath, nodding. "Yeah, always afraid she won't come back."
"Crystal and Lucy are two of the most capable and kick-ass people I know." Ethan told him, eyebrows scrunching together. "Why wouldn't they come back?"
"During our final battle with Lothor, the Rangers and I were worried that if Zira consumed Lucy, Crystal would have no choice but to destroy her sister, every piece of her. Crystal protected what is hers fiercely, so even suggesting that idea would have made her lose a piece of herself."
"But the Guardians would never destroy each other." Kira fought.
"We really don't know what would have happened until we are put in a situation like that." Hunter stated, shrugging. "I totally did not mean to bring the conversation down like that."
Dr. Oliver waved him off. "It's a conversation that all Rangers must be prepared to have." The computer beeped at that moment. "What's this?"
"I'm bigger and badder and meaner than ever." The 50-foot monster snarled. He towered above the city. "Hope you're ready, Rangers."
"Good timing, guys." Dr. Oliver sighed. "Hope Conner and the Guardians aren't having too much fun."
The computer beeped again. This time, Lucy's voice broke through. "Dr. O? You there?"
"Yeah, Lucy, what's up?"
"Conner, Crystal and I found the White Ranger. Unfortunately, Crystal's about to serious maim him and Crystal and I could barely morph." Lucy reported.
Hunter leaned closer. "What do you mean you barely could morph?"
"We think that since we haven't slept since the earlier battles, the power we typically have when we morph isn't there. It's basically the long-winded way of saying that we've depleted a chuck of the powers we have… we think."
"You and Crystal need to be careful of fighting him. You don't know how long your morph will last." Dr. Oliver advised.
"I mean, I'll try but I gotta do something. I don't know how long Crystal and Conner will be able to hold him off."
Ethan turned to Hunter. "I'm on it." He watched the blond nod.
"Thanks."
"All right, let's do it." Dr. Oliver spoke up, moving to morph.
Dino Thunder, Power Up!
Dino Power!
Crystal hit the ground roughly; the wind knocked out of her with a single hit. She rolled on her side, coughing before she turned her attention to the White Ranger. He walked to her, feathered blade on his shoulder.
"Hey!" Conner yelled out, punching the White Ranger in the chest. "Back off." He bit, charging again. He went for another hit, but the White Ranger sent him back, walking to him. He hauled Conner up to his feet by his wrist, turning him around and hitting him with a range of punches before slamming his forearm into his stomach. Conner tried to go for the punch, but the White Ranger caught it. He then kicked Conner's feet from under him.
"Look what I found." The White Ranger spoke up, lifting Conner's thundermax saber.
Conner rolled to his feet. "You're out of your mind."
"Now, let's not judge, especially since I have the sword." The White Ranger took off charging again. She swung down, striking Conner. He then swung across before turning around, following that pattern again. The last time the White Ranger swung, Conner caught it. Again, he turned them around while struggling to get the blade from him. "This is getting old. Let's finish this once and for all." Another few strikes had Conner rolling to the ground before he managed to get up to his feet. "Also comes as a handy laser. Later bro." He fired shots, sending Conner to the ground.
"Guys!" Lucy shouted, appearing between Crystal and Conner. She glanced at them both, then finally landed on her sister. "You okay?"
"No." Crystal answered through gritted teeth, her morpher breaking seconds later. "I'm out."
"Don't even bother." The White Ranger uttered, holding the blaster up. "It's over."
Lucy turned to him, her eyebrows dipping, eyes narrowing. She rose to stand in front of him, unsheathing her broadsword. "I don't think you understand." She articulated carefully, a lethal sort of calm in her voice. "You will lose. You always will, no matter what."
The White Ranger chuckled, shouldering the blade. "You're on." The two charged each other.
Lucy roughly landed on the ground, her shoulder smashing into the rocks. He blade skittered on the ground near her while the White Ranger laughed, advancing on her. Her morpher shattered, the little moons disappearing in seconds.
The White Ranger towered over her, laughing while holding Conner's saber at her throat. She vaguely heard Conner a few feet away, but her eyes were wholly trained on the sword before her. "What was that about me losing?" He jested, pushing the blade further into Lucy's space. The Silver Guardian struggled, but with the blade so close, only so much she could do. "It's over."
"Lucy!" Crystal called, pushing herself to her feet with Conner's help.
All three Rangers turned their attention when Conner yelled out, clenching his hands into fists. He stared at the White Ranger under his helmet. "It is so not over!" He called, a red flash of power surrounding his suit.
One minute he stood there, and the next, his suit looked different. The white triangles on his arms formed spikes, the longer ones closer to his wrist. The white on the back of his boots turned into spikes, and the white on his legs extended further like scales. "Dino Power!" He called out, charging the now terrified White Ranger.
Crystal raced to Lucy, hoisting her up while they watched. "Holy gods." Crystal muttered lowly.
"Stay back!" The White Ranger called, firing shots that barely grazed Conner as he backed away from Lucy
The Red Ranger tackled the White Ranger in a fit of lightning. The two went down. Conner's suit smoked from the energy while the White Ranger landed after his suit sparked. Conner stood back up, gasping. He looked at his own hands. "Whoa, looks like I tapped into a whole new level of power." He turned to the Guardians, moving to them. "You okay?"
"I should be asking you that," Lucy muttered. She surprised both of them by wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him. She felt her body nearly ignite, goosebumps erupting under her t-shirt, when Conner wound his arm around her back, keeping her close to him. Seeing an extension of Conner's powers scared her. Losing her morph in the middle of a fight freaked her out. Lucy pulled away, her brown eyes finding Conner's helmeted head trained on the White Ranger across the quarry. "That was terrifying."
Conner nodded, turning to her. "Sorry."
Crystal chuckled. "Dude, don't be." She argued. "I guess both of us are really glad you tapped into whatever that was."
"You beat me at my own game." The White Ranger called to the two, startling them. They turned to face him, Conner's arms still around Lucy. "Congratulations. You won't have to worry about the White Ranger anymore." He dropped the blaster in his hands, falling back until he hit the ground in a fit of smoke.
"Oh, man." Conner ran over to him, his gloved hand leaving Lucy's waist, despite her hands nearly grabbing his wrist to stop him. He went to check on the White Ranger. "Hey, wait a minute, I didn't mean to…. Are you all right?"
The White Ranger snagged the blaster, firing. Conner dodged. "Am now." The White Ranger stood up, turning around and swinging. Conner kicked the blaster away from him before he could. The White Ranger kicked him back.
"I can't believe I fell for that," Conner grumbled.
"And here's what you get for your stupidity." The White Ranger fired at Conner.
Only Crystal blocked them. Landing in front of Conner, the Golden Guardian held her rapier in her hand. She really didn't know how it appeared in its scabbard on her back, but she was thankful for it. The shots scattered around her. Crystal stood straight. He shot another few rounds, one that Crystal blocked until one hit her shoulder, causing her to stumble back. A kick to her stomach sent her sprawling on the ground.
Lucy moved to her, supporting her older sister. "Gods, that had to hurt." She muttered
The White Ranger grabbed his blade, pointing it at the there. "You three put up a good fight, but now, it's over." He stomped to them.
Green lightning and a whirling sound brought all four attention to Zeltrax and …Mesogog. Crystal snarled, struggling to sit up, but her entire body screamed from the recent fight and the one in the warehouse that morning. "Don't let me interrupt," Mesogog articulated, his ghastly voice making the White Ranger turn from the three, with Conner standing before the two downed Guardians.
"Who are you?" The White Ranger asked.
"I am Mesogog."
"I can't believe you two haven't met." Conner snarked. "You have so much in common."
"Silence!" Zeltrax demanded, blasting Conner in the chest and sending him back near the two.
Lucy grunted. "Don't provoke the lizard." She whispered to him.
"Do not speak unless spoken to," Mesogog ordered. "Now, we have some business."
"I have no business with you." The White Ranger told him.
"I'll make you a deal. I'll help you defeat the rest of the Power Rangers, and you can be one of my subjects when I rule the planet." Mesogog proposed.
The White Ranger tipped his head. "I'll take a pass on that." He answered. "Dragozord, online." He called his zord, who appeared in seconds. "I'm outta here." He jumped up, disappearing into zord and taking off.
Crystal pushed herself to her knees, her body screaming as she stared Mesogog down. Zeltrax spoke first. "Shall I finish them, master?"
"No," Mesogog answered. "Our new friend seems to have a fascination with the red one. I will let him live, hoping he will lead us to him again."
"Very well, my lord." The two turned.
"You will lose." Lucy called, making the two stop short, turning to the standing Silver Guardian. She remained standing while Crystal and Conner lay on the ground. "No matter how many monsters or plans you have, you are going to fail. It's in a villain's nature to fail. Lothor couldn't do it, so what makes you so sure you're going to be able to?"
"I'm not Lothor." Mesogog answered. "And I will be the one to destroy the Power Rangers."
"Oh, how wrong you are."
Zeltrax snarled, but Mesogog threw a hand out, stopping him. "You will be defeated, Guardian." Mesogog turned around, and the two disappeared after that.
Lucy breathed out, falling to one knee. "Gods, I thought he was going to blast me." She turned to Crystal, the solar ninja now lying flat on the ground. "You okay?"
"Does it look like I'm okay?" Crystal questioned. "My entire body hurts, and I just wanna nap."
Conner's morph disappeared a second later. He laid down on the ground, resting his head on Lucy's now folded leg after she sat on the ground. "Man, that was an ass whopping." Conner shook his head.
"You're telling me," Lucy muttered, watching him pat her knee. She reached over to stop him from continuing. "That was like nine fights in one day. That has to be a new record."
Conner chuckled. "Feels like a record."
"Conner! Lucy! Crystal!" Lucy squinted up when Ethan came into view. "You guys okay?" Ethan asked, helping Conner up first.
"Yeah, and just so you know," Conner spoke up. "Good guys do not wear white."
"Already knew that one, dingus." Lucy returned, groaning when Ethan and Conner helped her up.
"He just…destroyed the monster?" Lucy questioned, pacing the lab length, a hand under her chin while the other tucked under that. "That doesn't make sense."
The Rangers had regrouped at the lab after they watched the White Ranger turn on the monster Mesogog sent and destroy him in seconds. Crystal hummed from her spot on the floor, her eyes closed and her arm over her eyes. "It does when you think about it as a statement to Mesogog." She said. "He's telling Mesogog that he works for no one."
"Yeah, but you would think an evil Ranger and a psychopath would want to team up," Kira added from where she stood with Ethan and Conner.
Hunter sucked on a tooth for a second, siting next to Crystal on the floor. "No." He answered. "The White Ranger's goal is the destruction of the Rangers. Mesogog's goal is to rule over the world. So for him, destroying you is a plus, not a mission."
"Whatever, he could use an anger management course." Ethan shook his head.
Conner shook his head. "So, Dr. O, what was with the whole super dino power thing?"
Dr. Oliver strolled down the stairs where Hayley sat. "Look, you guys only began to access your full potential."
"I like the sound of that." Ethan nodded to Kira, who returned it.
Crystal perked up quickly. "The fossil finder!" She yelled. Everyone turned to her. "I dropped it when we morphed in the warehouse. I should go get it."
"No, Crystal." Dr. Oliver shook his head. "You guys head home and get some rest. I'll get the fossil finder."
"Thanks." Conner turned around, spotting Lucy's hands in the air. "Really?"
"I took a five-minute nap and didn't want to get up." Lucy sheepishly answered, chuckling. Conner helped her up to her feet.
"Come on, Sleepy McGee, time to go to bed." Crystal laughed. She pushed Lucy out of the lab. "Night, Hayley! Night, Dr. O!"
"Night, guys!"
Next Episode: Truth and Consequence