Dino Thunder: Return of the Eclipse- Chapter 26: The Passions of Conner
Disclaimer: Saban owns all Power Ranger lines.
Copyright: All unrecognizable parts and characters are under December's Phoenix's copyright.
Summary: Conner has choices to make.
A week followed Dr. Oliver's return. He came back to his teaching position with a perfectly crafted excuse to make up for the time he lost while he was away. Randall didn't seem pleased, but she took it and walked away. The Rangers were happy Dr. Oliver was teaching their class and not Dr. Mercer, despite Trent's attempts to assure them that his dad was competent at his job.
It also happened to be a week since the Lunar Ranger sustained her concussion and amnesia. The Rangers were baffled that her amnesia was still there, forcing them to accept the idea that she wouldn't remember anything from the last year of her life. But the doctors and Crystal assured them that she would remember, maybe with help from the Rangers.
Currently, the Lunar Guardian stood with a girl she knew from her statistics class—Krista—helping her put up petition posters. She couldn't remember how or why she was friends with Krista, considering that all the girl cared about was saving the 100-year-old tree in the lot behind the school. But she did remember that tree; she carved her name into one of the branches one summer after her sister told her she couldn't climb it. She proceeded to fall out of the tree and break her arm.
"What's so funny?" Krista asked, catching Lucy's lopsided grin. She laughed when the Silver Ranger shook her head, tilting it in response. "You're smiling like an idiot. Is it something that boyfriend of yours did?"
It took nearly three days to convince her she was dating Conner. She vehemently denied it, asking almost all the Rangers if she was really dating him. They all agreed with Crystal, telling her they loved each other. She walked away, not wanting to hear anymore, until she saw photos of the two together, happy.
"No, I fell out of that tree the summer before high school. I broke my forearm in about four places and had to wear a cast until my birthday that year. I was so embarrassed about it." Lucy informed her, handing her another flyer. "Why? What'd you hear?"
Krista shrugged. "Nothing we haven't heard from Brian before."
On the opposite side of the hallway, Conner stood with Ethan and Trent, staring at Lucy and Krista. "There she is. The future Mrs. Conner McKnight." His eyes rested on his girlfriend, who laughed with Krista.
Ethan snorted. "You might want to give yourself a reality check. You do realize she barely remembers being a Ranger?"
It took videos and photos to show Lucy that she wasn't a Ninja Ranger anymore. She still tripped herself up when she thought about it, typically thinking that she needed to go to Ninja Ops, which, according to Crystal, was now defunct.
Conner snorted. "Dude, don't be a hater." He stated. "Crystal's confident she'll remember. I just gotta use the magic."
Trent scoffed. "Yeah, I'd love to see you try to charm Lucy like you used to." He pursed his lips. "Did Crystal really say 'use the magic'?"
The Red Ranger paused. "No…not exactly. She said familiar things might trigger her memories to return."
"So you interpreted Crystal's words into using what you call 'magic'?" Ethan returned, smiling.
"You guys are supposed to back me up." Conner glanced between them. "Where's the love?" He asked, watching the two move near the three. "Now observe." He walked over to the two girls. Krista caught sight of him and walked away from Lucy. "Hey, Luce."
The ninja turned to him, a smile on her lips. "Hey." She held a poster out. "Krista's asking that I hand these out. No idea why, but figured I'd help."
Conner smiled, glancing down at the poster. "So there's a tree that needs saving?"
Lucy nodded. "Yeah, behind the school. Apparently, it's 100 years old, and Randall wants to rip it up to make room for a new parking lot."
"That seems like such an injustice!" Conner stated.
Lucy shot him a confused look, an eyebrow quirked. "Yeah," She spoke slowly, skepticism in her toffee-colored eyes. "The tree's been a part of the ecosystem for a while, so dozens of creatures depend on it." She readjusted her pile of papers. "Krista wanted me at the protest, but I really don't know. I can't remember why I'm friends with her."
"I'm sure you'll remember," Conner assured her. "So, you going to this protest?"
"Maybe. Haven't decided. I'll let you know, though."
"Save the tree! Save the tree!" The protesters chanted, raising large poster board signs on sticks up in the air.
Lucy leaned against the tree, carefully watching the people around. While Krista, her apparent new best friend, stood first directing everyone, Lucy remained in the back, watching everything. Even if she wasn't on the Ninja Storm team, she kept an eye on anything that seemed unusual.
Cassidy and Devin walking to the tree seemed out of the ordinary. "Isn't this exciting? A real protest in our own backyard." Cassidy grinned.
"Yeah. And for such a great cause." Devin agreed.
"Cause schmause! I just wanna make the news." Cassidy stated.
Krista got in front of her. "Come on, guys…"
Cassidy cut her off, shoving her out of the way. "You're blocking my light!"
Krista whipped around. "Cassidy, this is no place for posers. If you're not here for the tree, move on."
"Whatever, I'll just give publicity to someone who appreciates it." Cassidy snarked. "Devin, come on!"
Except Devin stood against the tree, getting tied up to it. "That's it, guys. Tie me in good. This is the symbol of my bond with nature!" He yelled.
"Anything exciting?"
Lucy jumped, spinning around to see Conner and Ethan standing behind her. "Gods, don't do that." She muttered, turning back around. "My nerves are already shot from fighting; I don't need jump scares while I'm at it. But not much." She glanced at him. "Cassidy and Krista nearly bit each other's heads off. Devin tied himself to the tree, and apparently, Brian's dating Katy Wallace, and she's making out with another guy on the other side of the field in the bleachers."
Ethan winced. "I did not need to know that."
"Well, I didn't either until I saw it happen. So you get to suffer with me."
"So what are you doing here and not in the protest?" Conner asked, nodding over to the line of students protesting.
"Like I said earlier, I really don't remember why we're friends, and Krista dragged me out of class for this."
"Out of the way!" Randall snapped, walking through the grass to the cars, ready to demolish the tree. She lifted a giant megaphone. "Get those men working! I have permits."
"Okay, lady." One of the workers climbed into the crane. He sat down, spotting Krista standing before him. He leaned out the window. "Kid, I got my orders."
"I'm not moving!" Krista bit.
"I can't stand teenagers!" The worker muttered.
A locking noise resounded. Conner's eyes flew up, spotting the tether that held a basket to the machine began to release. "Krista! Look out!" He ran, using part of his super speed to reach her in time and tackle her away from the crashing basket. Everyone gasped while the two Rangers ran to them. "You okay?"
"Yeah. How'd you…" Krista trailed off, accepting help from the ninja beside her.
Dr. Oliver appeared behind Randall. "We need to talk… before someone gets hurt."
"We'll have a chat," Randall stated. "There is nothing you can say that'll make me change my mind, but we'll have a chat. Then we'll resume this tomorrow." She lifted her megaphone. "Everybody out of here! Go on, shoo!"
Devin began to struggle against the rope. "Hey, guys, I'm still a little bit tied up over here! Hey! Hey, don't go! Help me over here!" He yelled as everyone cleared out.
"Luce, wait up!"
Lucy turned around, shouldering her backpack, and saw Conner jogging to her. "Hey, what's up?" She turned back around when the Red Ranger caught up with her.
Conner shrugged. "Wanted to see if you wanted to hang out."
"You trying to charm me?"
"Guilty as charged." Conner smiled. "You wanna go to Hayley's?"
"As a… date?"
"If you want."
"Lucy!" Krista called, walking up to the two. "We have to get tomorrow's protest in order. Come on." Lucy glanced at Conner, sadness and frustration mixed in her eyes as Krista pulled her away, heading for Hayley's Cafe.
Devin fell asleep on the tree, tied up and standing straight. But no one came for him. He woke up when he heard crackling and a sucking noise. A snarl had his head turned over his shoulder to see a black-gloved hand on the trunk. A monster rounded the tree. "Tell the Power Rangers Zeltrax has returned." He snarled.
"I would love to, but I don't actually know where they are. We've been looking forever." Zeltrax snarled, causing Devin to nod. "Okay, right. Zeltrax, isn't it? How do you spell that?"
"Go!" Zeltrax snapped.
Devin wiggled out of the rope, ducking and running to the forest's edge beyond the school, hiding behind plant life.
Zeltrax stared at the container of sap. "Just a few more drops!"
"Well, well, well." Zeltrax turned around to find Elsa standing there. "Look what the garbage collector dragged in! Looks like he didn't end up in the scrapheap after all."
"There was a time I would tolerate your insults. That time's past."
"Am I supposed to be scared of you now?"
"You will be!" He pulled something to him, an amber glow radiating from his body as the sap container quickly disappeared. His body got more robust. "Yes, at last! Vengeance!" He threw his hand out, sending a purple blast to Elsa, sending her to the ground. "You're mine!" He pulled his sword out, kicked a barrier down, and ran to her.
The two charged each other, spinning around. Zeltrax swung over Elsa, then tried to sweep her feet, but she jumped, landing and trying to slice at his head. Zeltrax turned around, letting their blades meet in the middle. "You've been stealing the serum from my master's tree." Elsa snarked.
"It's not his tree anymore." Zeltrax returned. He sliced up, aiming low. Elsa caught it with her katana. Elsa pushed up, slicing at his side. Zeltrax dodged, charing her again. Elsa swung up. Zeltrax dodged a swipe at the legs.
However, Elsa caught him in the stomach, pulling him in. Zeltrax sent his elbow back, missing Elsa's head. She yelled, pushing him away and ducking under Zeltrax's swing, then his kick. He kicked her foot, sending her forward, flipping on her back. She rose to her knees, catching Zeltrax's blade and pushing up. She swiped at his legs.
Zeltrax jumped back, flipping in the air and landing across from her. He touched his forehead, shooing his arm out to send a blast to Elsa. She screamed, flying back until her back hit the ground roughly. Zeltrax produced a branch. "Stop wasting my time!" He laughed, turning around and facing the tree. He pointed the branch at the tree. "Deadwood, come forth!"
The energy shot out to the branches, then sucked back in until the tree disappeared, and all that was left was the whole. A purple flash later, a gnarly, dark tree with blue stones stood in front of the tree. "I am at your command."
Devin ran away, racing to Hayley's.
"Excellent!" Zeltrax disappeared with Deadwood.
Elsa rose to her butt. "This is not gonna go over well. Not well at all."
Lucy sat at Hayley's, listening to Krista drone on about the protest tomorrow with Conner by her side, half interested and probably wondering what the girl was thinking being friends with a girl like Krista. The doors burst open, and Devin stumbled around until he found Cassidy standing at the bar. "Where are the Power Rangers? I have to find the Power Rangers!" He told her.
"Hello. Haven't you been paying attention?"
"This is serious!" Devin told her. "I was attacked by that freak Zeltrax." He earned all the Rangers' attention. "He's looking for the Rangers. But it gets worse."
Cassidy stopped. "How could it get worse?"
"He stole the tree!"
Krista shot up, moving to walk out. Lucy stopped her. "Where are you going?"
"Did you hear that? I have to go there."
"Krista, there's a psychopath on the loose; that's not a good idea."
"If you're too afraid…"
Lucy snorted. "I'm not afraid; I'm smart, Krista. You should leave it to the people who know what they are doing."
Krista huffed. "Are you coming with me or not?"
She glanced at Conner, seeing his waiting look. She sighed, biting her lip. "My sister will kill me, but yeah, I'll check it out with her."
Krista looked triumphant, walking out. Conner grabbed Lucy's hand, making her turn to him. "You sure?" He asked, his eyes flicking between hers to see if they had a definitive answer.
She nodded. "She can't defend herself, and I know something of kicking ass."
"I know. Be safe."
"I'll try."
"Zeltrax is back?" Trent asked after the Rangers filled Dr. Oliver, Hayley, and Crystal in. "How's that even possible?"
"More importantly, what does he want with the tree?" Crystal asked. She regretted letting her sister leave the academy a week after her head injury. Still, she was a ninja and, more importantly, a Brewer, and they never let anyone fight alone.
"I think I can answer both those questions." Hayley turned to the screen, bringing up a video of a blue liquor. "The tree must be growing over a life-force spring."
"A fountain of youth? Those are real?" Kira asked.
Crystal nodded. "There's only a few in existence. One of which sits as a reflecting pool in the lower chambers of the Temple of the Moon at the academy." Everyone turned to her. "We found it a few years ago but prohibited anyone from using it for the sole purpose of everlasting life." She turned to Hayley. "That's what kept the tree alive?"
Hayley nodded. "The sap, being nourished for years by the spring's waters, must have amazing powers of its own."
"That's what Zeltrax is after." Trent realized.
Dr. Oliver nodded. "He won't be the only one."
Minutes later, the computer beeped and uploaded the video of Krista and Lucy arriving at the tree site. Crystal muttered under her breath about her sister being an idiot before she turned around in her chair and walked off to not look at the screen.
Conner did the same thing, walking away into an alcove. The Rangers watched after him as Dr. Oliver trailed him. "You okay?" The Black Ranger asked.
"I don't know. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm cut out for this superhero stuff."
Dr. Oliver's brows scrunched together. "Still have doubts?"
"When you see someone like Luce, who believes in what she's doing, even with a brain injury, nothing stops her from protecting people. I don't know if I have that in me."
Dr. Oliver chuckled. "You crack me up."
It was Conner's turn to have scrunched eyebrows. "What did I say?"
"You remind me of myself when I was your age." Dr. Oliver told him. "I had all this ability and raw emotion, but it took a while to believe in myself, what I was capable of. The Guardians have a nature to defend those who can't protect themselves because they were raised that way. Because they are confident in their abilities."
"I've got confidence."
"Cockiness and confidence are different things." Dr. Oliver stated. "There's a whole world you don't know yet. Beyond Triassic power and Super Dino mode, you must believe in it. You'll be blown away by what you can do when you do." The computer beeped. Dr. Oliver and Conner moved back to the main area. "What's up? Is it Zeltrax?"
"No, but his friends are throwing a welcome-back party," Hayley informed the group.
"We can handle the Triptoids," Conner stated.
"Trent, Crystal, stay here in case Zeltrax appears." Dr. Oliver stated.
"You got it." Crystal nodded, moving to the computer with Trent trailing behind her.
The Rangers stopped across from the Triptoids. Elsa stood with the Evil White Ranger above them. "You're so predictable! I knew I could count on you to show up! Attack!" She ordered.
The Rangers took on their pods of Triptoids, but they weren't doing well. They got hit every chance the Triptoids got to strike them, causing sparks. Dr. Oliver ran into the fight, his sword in hand. "Forgot about me?" He asked, diving into the fight.
"What's gotten into these guys?" Conner called, caught between three Triptoids. "They're on fire!"
Dr. Oliver wrapped his arm around the neck of one, spinning them around. "Time to put the fire out." He pressed his hand into the chest of one of the Triptoids, causing yellow lightning to spark.
"What are you doing?" Kira asked, struggling against her pod of Triptoids.
Dr. Oliver let the bright light burn out before she shoved the destroyed Triptoid away. "Use your Dino Gem power." He wrapped his arm around another, creating the same power. "It creates an energy that will deactivate the Triptoids."
Conner pressed his hand against one, watching lightning come from his chest and down his arm into one. "Yeah, it works!"
Ethan tried it. "This is crazy!"
"Shocking, isn't it?" Kira asked.
Dr. Oliver stumbled back after a hit, holding his shoulder. He glanced at the Rangers around him. "Then maximize your Dino Power."
"Okay!" Conner nodded.
The Rangers placed their hands above their helmets. "Full Power!" They called, thinking about it.
The Triptoids screamed, lifting their arms in the air and shaking. The White Ranger looked around. "What's going on?" Then with bright streams of light coming from them, the Triptoids disappeared. "Impossible."
"Rocking!" Conner cheered.
The Rangers fell in a line against Elsa and the White Ranger. "You've been deserted!" Dr. Oliver called.
"You might have beaten the Triptoids, but my master will have eternal life as soon as I get that tree back." Elsa snarled.
"Too late!" A deep, unsettling voice called. Green lightning rained down, hitting both the Rangers and the generals. "You're all too late."
Everyone stood from their crouches. "What now?"
A ball of light appeared between the two groups. Then, it formed…Zeltrax, new and improved. His uniform looked more vine-like, with red spikes coming out of his shoulders and boots. Curved spikes protruded from his gauntlets, and his helmet looked like his old one, but the center sat on the side with streaks of red. His chest piece had a piece of green amber in the middle that matched the color of his eyes.
"Zeltrax!" Elsa muttered.
Zeltrax turned to her. "Yes, I'm back and better than ever! And this time, I am not alone!"
Everyone turned to the monstrous form that began to stretch and grow until it became a 50-foot-tall monster. "The tree!" Conner pointed out.
"Not good!" Kira stumbled back.
"It's over, Rangers!" Zeltrax thundered.
Ethan glanced around. "Whoa! Who's in change here?"
"I am, and no-one will stop me." Zeltrax stated.
Elsa kept her eye on Zeltrax but shifted closer to the Ranger beside her. "I don't have time for this. Destroy them all." Elsa took off in a portal.
"Of course." The White Ranger nodded. "Dragozord!" He stood in his Dragozord seconds later.
"I'll take care of Zeltrax. You know what to do." Dr. Oliver confirmed. He fell into a stance.
The Rangers formed the Thundersaurus Megazord in seconds. Conner pulled his shield out. "Triassic power!" He called, creating the Mezodon to stand with the Thundersaurus.
The two evils charged first. White took on Conner, pushing his axes up and shoving him back. White kicked up, then turned around, striking Conner with the spikes before he fired lasers out of his eyes that sent the Megazord to the ground.
The tree pushed the Ranger's arms out of the way, striking them in the chest. The tree attacked again, snarling and shoving the Megazord to the ground.
Conner climbed to his feet. "That's one tough tree!"
Dr. Oliver lifted his arm to speak to Conner. "Conner…."
Zeltrax grabbed his arm, ripping it away from him and twisting his arm. "I don't think so!"
A laser blast forced Zeltrax back. He turned, finding Trent and Crystal standing there, Trent with his blaster and her blade. "Think again, Zeltrax!" Trent stepped in front of Dr. Oliver with Crystal at his side.
"Thanks, guys." Dr. Oliver breathed.
"Don't mention it." Crystal smiled, then snarled at Zeltrax. "Gods, ugly as ever." She yelled out as she charged, blade by her side.
"Conner, combine all the Zords to form Triceramax Megazord!" Dr. Oliver advised, calling on the auxiliary zords to aid.
"Of course!" Conner nodded. He turned to see the Zords running his way. "Okay. Triceramax Megazord!"
The legs of the Mezodon opened up, allowing the Dimetrozord and the Parasaurzord to lock into place before it closed. The body of the Mezodon clicked into place while the Ankylozord and Cephalazord formed the arms. The wheels became the hands while a helmet locked into place, spinning around and shining.
"All right!" Conner smiled.
"Sweet!" Ethan breathed.
"Now that's a Zord!" Kira nodded.
"You're going down, tree!" Conner challenged. The Triceramax walked forward, using the Ankylozord to punch the Drago Megazord back. It then swung on the tree, causing sparks up its front bark, causing it to fall back. The Drago Megazord stumbled to stand before the downed tree. "Turbo fire!" Conner called, listening to the whirling of both wheels at work, seeing powerful blasts to the two. The Drago Megazord disappeared while the tree exploded.
Down on the ground, Zeltrax struggled to take on three Rangers, stopping to see the crisped bark of the tree hit the ground. "My tree!"
"Oh, yeah!" Conner cheered, letting the two Megazords stand together.
Back on the ground, Zeltrax pushed Trent's slice and Crystal's attack from him, grabbing Crystal by the shoulder and hauling her over him, flipping her on her back. She grunted, rolling to her side.
Trent caught Zeltrax's staff but ended up getting tossed to the ground. Dr. Oliver paired one swing but was struck in the chest by another, sending him rolling toward Trent. Crystal yelled out, but Zeltrax side-stepped her, slicing up and hitting her in the stomach, sending her sprawling near the other downed Rangers.
Zeltrax laughed as the other Rangers appeared in front of them. "You played right into my hands." He stated, picking up the piece of bark that landed near him. "Eternal life is mine!" He sent a blast to the Rangers, then disappeared.
"I can't believe it's gone," Krista muttered as the two stared at the large hole in the ground with bubbling silver water. To the ninja, it looked like the reflecting pool she meditated near, the one that sat under the Temple of the Moon for centuries.
"Gone, but not forgotten." A dark voice stated.
The two turned around, shocked that Zeltrax stood near them. The ninja pushed Krista behind her. "Zeltrax, haven't you done enough damage?" Lucy asked him, eyeing the bark in his hands.
"I'm just getting started. Out of my way." Zeltrax shoved the two away, kicking down the barrier.
The Lunar Guardian pushed Krista further from the pit. "Run." She hissed, watching Krista take off while she managed to trip herself on her own two feet. "Great." She muttered, landing on her stomach and rolling over.
Zeltrax hoisted the bark over his head and threw it into the pool, watching the bark collide with the water, sending sparkles of water around them. Most connected with Zeltrax. "Bring me the power!"
"Stay back, Luce!" Conner called, appearing behind Zeltrax.
Lucy breathlessly smiled. "Conner!" She called.
Zeltrax turned around. "Meddling fool!"
Conner brandished his blade, running at the former general. He spun around, bringing his sword down. Zeltrax paired. Conner jabbed. Zeltrax matched. The Red Ranger swung again. Zeltrax blocked, pushing up, then crouched to avoid Conner's kick. The two spun around, and Zeltrax gained the upper hand, slicing Conner across the chest once. Then twice. Then, a third time before, he pushed him to the ground in a fit of sparks.
Zeltrax marched over to Lucy, who tried to get up, but Zeltrax caught her, hauling her to her feet. "Come with me." He ordered, tightening his grip on Lucy's bicep.
"Let me go, you freak!"
"You will be a lesson to anyone who crosses me." Zeltrax threatened, wrapping his arm around her so she wouldn't escape, and the two disappeared.
"No!" Conner breathed, rising to his feet. "Lucy!"
Lucy had never felt more terrified than at the current moment, held on by her waist halfway up the side of a rocky mountain that seemed like it would fall apart in seconds. She tried to grab onto something, but there was nothing by Zeltrax to hang on to. She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to calm her racing heart.
A jolt from Zeltrax scared her, and she cried out, the gravity of the situation returning to her mind. "That's right. Lead him to me!" Zeltrax continued to climb with one hand.
Conner stumbled into the quarry, having tracked them there with the help of Crystal back at the lab. He held his arm, a dulled pain in his shoulder. "Luce, where are you?" He asked, glancing around. He fell to one knee, the pain getting to him, when he heard a familiar scream. He looked up, finding Lucy being held by Zeltrax on the side of the mountain. "Lucy!" Both looked at him. "Let her go!"
Zeltrax fired green-eye lightning at Conner, sending him sprawling back. The ninja fought against him. "No!" She cried out, pleading that Conner got up.
Conner fought his way to his knees, leaning on his hands.
"Passion doesn't just happen." Dr. Oliver's words swirled in his brain. "You make it grow."
Conner clenched his fist in the dirt. "All right. Now would be a really good time." He yelled out, channeling all of his powers together. "Give me the strength!" His suit flashed through Super Dino to Triassic. "Oh, yeah, battlizer, power up!"
He lifted his arm, watching the fiery spirit of a Mezodon fly above him. It circled him before wrapping around his shoulders, forming shoulder guards and a chest plate. One arm held a mezodon-shaped shield, while the other held a blaster. "Fire kick!" He pushed up, kicking around and forming boot covers. "Super firepower! Oh, yeah!"
Zeltrax snarled. "Nice trick, but you're too late."
"Try me!" Conner challenged, then saw it.
That evil flared in Zeltrax. "With pleasure!" He snarled, throwing the ninja in his arm off the side of the mountain.
The ninja screamed, struggling to find something to do other than fall, but Conner had her. "Super stretch!" He called, his gauntlets extending far enough that they caught Lucy, pulling her to him. "You okay?" He asked, seeing her blink a few times and then nod. "Take cover over there." He motioned behind him.
Lucy nodded. "Okay." She took off, ducking for cover to watch.
Conner turned to the disgraced general. "Zeltrax! Don't go away mad. Just go away!" He yelled at the general, who jumped out to avoid it.
Lucy turned to find the rest of the Rangers around her. "You doing okay?" Crystal asked, kneeling beside her and wrapping her up in a hug, squeezing her tightly.
"I got kidnapped by Zeltrax and thrown off the side of a mountain; how do you think I'm doing?"
Crystal nodded. "Right, bad question."
Zeltrax gathered power into his staff. "I will not be defeated!" He hit the ground, sending rocks toward Conner, who avoided them and landed on the same cliff Zeltrax stood on.
Conner blocked Zeltrax's swing, using force to push him back. "Battle punch!" He called, slamming his fist into the ground, sending sparks to Zeltrax. Zeltrax ran at him with his powered-up staff, but Conner ran up the side of the mountain, avoiding the hits.
Zeltrax turned around, his swing blocked, and then his staff shot out of his hands. Conner pushed his hands up, hitting him in the stomach before turning around and throwing him up. Conner spun, kicking Zeltrax in the chest over the edge.
Conner followed him. "Super stretch kick!" His leg extended out, shoving Zeltrax into the ground with an explosion. Conner landed, turning to face him. "Had enough yet?"
"Never!" Zeltrax snarled.
"You asked for it! Dragon's yo-yo!" Conner called, his gauntlets forming a yo-yo shake. "Fire!" He threw it at the general, hitting him multiple times. "Cannons!" Two cannons formed for his back. "Battle blast! fire!" He called, pushing up and firing blasts at Zeltrax and sending him sparking and crackling to the ground.
The Rangers cheered, moving to him. "Dude, that rocked!" Ethan cheered. Everyone turned when they heard shifting.
Zeltrax stumbled back to his feet. "This is only a small setback." He slid down the rock pile. "You can be sure of that!" He threw his arm up, disappearing in a red portal.
Conner stepped forward. "We'll be ready."
"That was really brave of you."
Conner turned from where he stood at the trunk of his Mustang, loading his backpack into it."What was?"
"You didn't hesitate," Lucy stated, walking to him down the stairs and through the field. "You didn't even know where he was going, and you chased after us."
Conner shrugged, taking her hand in his. "When we started dating, and you told me about your powers, you told me I could leave if I wanted to, and you wouldn't be mad." He watched her nod. "I told you that you were stuck with me; I promised myself I would do what it took to keep you safe, even when I'm not a Ranger."
The ninja smiled up at him, a look of dopey love in her eyes. She reached up, placed her hands on his cheeks, and quickly pulled him down to her, connecting their lips. After a millisecond of surprise, Conner reciprocated, his hands finding her hips and pulling her close as he tried to prolong their kiss.
Lucy Brewer was never good with expressing her thoughts, as evident by Hunter's comments during her month-long stint of avoiding her boyfriend, but she truly wished he knew how much her heart swelled when he told her about his promise to himself. He would put her first if he had to ensure she was safe from the monsters they faced.
"Ah! They're kissing!"
The two pulled away quickly, turning to find Crystal standing on the porch with Hunter; the two laughed as they watched. "Assholes." Lucy playfully bit.
Crystal climbed down the stairs, walking to the two. "Payback's a mean one, huh?" Hunter asked, trailing after his girlfriend. "You were mean to the two of us for a bit."
The Silver Guardian leaned forward, her nose nearly touching Crystal's, her hands resting around Conner's waist while she stared at her sister. "I was trying to think of a threat, but I can't."
Crystal smiled. "That's my sister." She stated and then jerked her chin to her sister. "You remember?"
"If you're talking about the Terrorsaurus, Dr. Olive coming back and figuring out I have three stitches in my head, yeah, I remember." The silver ninja chuckled, leaning against Conner, who squeezed her tightly. "I'm going to have a killer headache tomorrow."
The Solar Guardian leaned over to her sister. "Glad you're back, bug."
Lucy nodded. "Good to be back, bubs." She stepped out of Conner's grasp but intertwined their fingers together. "Kira told me, Krista, from my stats class, would have a tree dedication ceremony. Apparently, she and I were buddy-buddy. When did that happen?"
"While you lost your memory," Conner informed her. "She pretty much dragged you into getting kidnapped."
"Dude, she's a little weird, even for me." Lucy shook her head, pulling away from Conner completely to move to his passenger side. "Hey, you think we'll see Zeltrax again?"
Crystal pointed to her. "That is a question for another day. I'm positive of it."
Two posts in one day? Well, I felt bad I hadn't posted for a while, but as we all know, life gets in the way. So, hopefully, I can get the rest of the episodes out for you all soon!
Next Episode: Isn't It Lava-ly?