Chapter 3: Never Again
For three strenuous, tense days, the new team of RPM Rangers trained hard with Spencer and Annie. Despite their own determination to do so, they didn't go too hard - none of them knew when Venjix would attack again, and if they were too worn out from training to fight, then it was a wasted effort.
While Spencer and Annie handled the majority of their training, they did get some help from others, including Scott and Dillon. Even some of the former SPD team who had remained in Corinth. After Ravi got over his initial nerves of training with the former B-Squad, he and Blaze enjoyed the training, thriving as they all got to know one another.
To Spencer's dismay, Asher and Blaze got on well - too well, in his opinion. Annie had laughed herself hoarse, and would constantly find ways to pair them together while stopping Spencer from interfering. They worked well, and while Ravi seemed to be the perfect fit as Blaze's second in command, Asher showed that she was just as good as they were.
Jasper and Keeva worked well together too, covering each other's weak points. Jasper was calm and kept a level head no matter what - where he got that from, nobody knew - and it allowed him to keep not only the new Green Ranger, but the entire team, from losing their cool.
Keeva was exceptionally talented at thinking outside of the box, and despite her clumsy, scattered mannerisms, she was one of their stronger fighters after training for years as a Sun Witch. While Jasper could get wrapped up in logic and following a set path, Keeva guided him into methods that seemed ridiculous, but worked well.
Blaze couldn't have asked for a better team. The more he got to know of all of them, the more he got along with all of them. He'd even given Jasper some pointers on carrying some small explosives into battle, and helped Roxy find a fighting style that suited her best.
That said, even with the preparation they had with Dr. K and her strange assistants - one who didn't talk much and the other who talked almost too much - as well as the dedicated training they went through with Spencer and Annie, Blaze couldn't deny his fear when Dr. K called them in to make her grim announcement.
"I've located Venjix," her announcement had all of the Rangers standing taller. Kiana watched them all from beside Dr. K, while Ryne was off to the side wiring up a circuit board to an imposing blaster. "Despite his ever-learning programming, he set up not too far from his original factory," she warned them, her voice oddly calm.
Venjix's original factory was long gone - something that Gem and Gemma had taken great pleasure in blowing up, even more than usual. With the factory beyond repair, it had served as a reminder to the world of what had happened. There were calls to build over it, so they didn't have to look at it again, but the majority wanted it to stay as it was, so they never forgot the struggles they endured.
Within that abandoned area, Venjix had found what he believed to be the perfect hiding place. Unfortunately for him, Dr. K also continued to learn as the years went on, and she had a twenty year head start on him.
"So what's the plan?" Blaze asked her. He'd taken to leadership well; his tone once again reminding Dr. K of Scott. It impressed her, and not for the first time she found herself sure of her choices.
"With help from Kiana," Dr. K looked to Annie's daughter, who gave a thumbs up. As a Moon Ninja and technical genius, she was much more like her father than her hot-headed, fierce Thunder Ninja mother. "I have created an antivirus intended for one thing. Eradicating the Venjix programming. I already have it spreading through the network connections across the world," Dr. K told them, having put her antivirus into play the moment she was sure it would work. Even if Venjix was aware of it, it would take him time to fix his defences enough to traverse the network again.
The doctor continued on with the plan as she studied their faces. "As we've seen with the robots that Venjix unleashed into the city, he's already got access to the materials he needs to craft himself a new body. In order to protect himself from the antivirus, he'll seal himself in it. That's where you come in," she nodded to the team of six Rangers.
"If we destroy Venjix's robotic body, then we destroy Venjix, right?" Keeva asked, tilting her head. "No way for him to escape, game over!" she exclaimed. Dr. K grimaced at how effortlessly confident she sounded - just like Ziggy. But worse, she was right.
"Make no mistake, this will not be an easy fight," Dr. K glossed over it as Ravi hid a smile. Roxy wasn't even trying to hide it, and Jasper had lifted his gaze to the ceiling. Keeva's way of making things seem simple, and how easily she irritated Dr. K were always amusing to the team. "Even when we had him on the ropes, Venjix almost defeated the original Ranger Operators. While he can no longer delete you through the Morphin' Grid, he will use every resource available to make the ultimate body for himself," she warned them, stressing each word.
"We trust your work, Dr. K," Jasper was the one to speak up in that soft voice of his. "With these Ranger suits, and everything we've learned over the last few days, we'll stop him," he said. The others nodded.
"This is why I've been designing this weapon for your team," Dr. K gestured to where Ryne was sliding the last of the wiring into the imposing blaster she had been working on. After sliding the panelling closed, Ryne looked up and pulled her goggles down to rest around her neck.
"The power within this weapon contains the coding for the antivirus. A decisive hit from this should penetrate Venjix's defences and fry him," Ryne told them softly. She looked uncomfortable - never enjoying speaking to large groups, but she kept going. "With this, you should be able to truly defeat Venjix, without a chance of him escaping," she looked down at the blaster that Dr. K had created specifically for this battle.
"Perfect!" Keeva cheered.
"That's a great weapon," Asher said as she pushed her glasses up and studied it from where she stood. The large red and black blaster looked like it would be too big for Ryne to try lifting, dwarfing her as she worked on it.
"There's one downside," Dr. K warned before the Green Ranger could get too eager. They turned back to her curiously. "With such little time to create this, I wasn't able to fully guard it from itself. After one shot, it will fry itself," their eyes widened.
"You mean…we have one chance?" Roxy understood her warning. Dr. K gave a single nod.
"Precisely," she said, and Keeva's shoulders slumped.
"If we use it too early, then it might not break through Venjix's armour," Asher mused, biting her lip. "But if we use it too late…" the new White Ranger trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud.
"We've got this," they all looked at Blaze, who grinned. "Yeah, it's not going to be easy, but we were chosen for a reason. We won't let Dr. K down," he said confidently.
"We won't let anyone down," Ravi agreed, pressing his right fist into his open left palm. "Venjix is just a machine. His strength comes from data and energy, that's it," he said to his team; his friends. In only three days, they had become true allies. "Our strength comes from each other. We're fighting for our friends, our family, and the world. We can beat him as long as we remember that," he told them with a confident smile.
"Well said," Blaze clapped him on the shoulder. Roxy smiled warmly at her boyfriend, and Jasper had a rare smile on his face as Keeva bounced happily on the spot. "Send us the co-ordinates, Dr. K. We'll get this done," he requested. Dr. K nodded once more.
"For what it's worth," she spoke as they headed for the door. "I stand true to my belief that I made the right choice with my previous Ranger Operators. All of them," Dr. K said, lifting her head higher as she smiled very slightly at them. "I believe the same for you," she told them.
"Good luck," Ryne said as the team looked brighter, more determined at Dr. K's words. Asher smiled warmly at her cousin, trying to reassure her with the look. Seeming to sense it, some of the tension eased from her face.
"You'll kick butt," Kiana told them confidently.
"See you on the other side," Blaze gave a light salute, heading out. As they left, using their vehicles that had made the garage part of Dr. K's lab seem full again, she turned back to her computer and squared her shoulders.
"Kiana, contact Scott and let him know they're heading out," Dr. K requested.
"Of course," the young woman agreed, going to one of the nearby computers to contact the Colonel.
"What about the city?" Ryne's question earned Dr. K's attention. Her fingertips were running along the blaster on the workbench in front of her. "Venjix already attacked here once, and of everyone, he'll want his revenge on you," she pointed out.
"Astute observation," Dr. K nodded. "That's why the Colonel will have his troops ready and prepared for the chance of an attack, and the former RPM Rangers are also in the city, ready to defend it," she explained. Ryne still looked worried, and Dr. K didn't blame her. Teddie was amongst those willing to hold the line.
"They'll be fine," Kiana spoke up as she ended the communication with Scott. "Like they always say. Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger. They'll be fine. It's the robots I'm worried about," she grinned, before pausing. Dr. K braced herself, knowing the signs for one of Kiana's tangents well by this point. "Well, I don't really worry about the robots. That would be weird. But they're the ones who are gonna get disassembled. I once saw mum-"
"I think we get your point," Dr. K interrupted her as Ryne stifled her giggle. Kiana just smiled brightly. "But she's right. The city and its protectors will be safe, and the Rangers will succeed," her hands had clenched into tight fists as she spoke.
Never again. The world would never fall to Venjix again.
She wouldn't let it.
The closer the Rangers got to Venjix's lair, the darker the sky got. None of them spoke much; not even Keeva could keep up her chatterbox tendencies. The air grew thicker, making it harder to breathe as the smog emitted from Venjix's new factory as if determined to make up for lost time.
The sight of the previous factory had been chilling enough. None of them had seen it up close until now, none of them able to take their eyes off it as they passed. Even in ruins, it was imposing, and none of them wanted to even begin to imagine what it had been like before Gem and Gemma had blown it up.
Mercifully, with only a handful of days to construct his new lair, Venjix had gone for function in the build, which was nowhere near as fearsome as they had thought it might be. The dark clouds and smoke overhead lent to the aesthetic, but overall the Rangers remained determined above everything.
"Okay guys," Blaze was quiet as he addressed the team once they stood together in front of the factory. "No way Venjix left this place unguarded, so keep an eye out," he warned them, and they nodded. There were no traces of their light hearted banter from training as they all readied themselves for a true fight.
They had only taken one step towards the factory when a blast shot from somewhere within, barely missing them. It exploded as it hit the ground in front of them, and the six were thrown off their feet from the impact.
Pain shot up Blaze's spine as he landed on his back on the hard stone ground, and he groaned as the others did, but they pushed themselves back to their feet quickly enough.
"Is that it? Annie hit harder than that," Roxy said, and they nodded in agreement as a small group of robots that they recognised as Grinders started to rush out of the building towards them.
"We can't waste our time with these guys. It's time to Morph!" Blaze shouted to his team. A wave of anticipation rolled over them all. They had Morphed once already, sealing the Morphers to their DNA, but this was the first time they would be doing so in actual combat.
With that anticipation, the six stood together and raised the Morphers that were strapped to their wrists. With so little time having passed since they got them, the bulky devices still felt foreign.
"Ready?" Blaze shouted as they lifted their Cells from where they hung around their neck.
"Ready!" the others shouted, all in position.
"RPM, GET IN GEAR!" despite the heavy weight of the air around them, their shouts carried far, and there was a flash of bright colours that cut through the darkness. When the lights faded, the six were standing in their Ranger suits.
Designed to look similar to the original RPM suits, the six had different animal motifs than their predecessors. Instead of an Eagle, Blaze had a Cheetah. Summer's Bear motif was swapped for a Jackrabbit for Roxy. A Gorilla image was across Ravi's chest instead of the Lion that Flynn once had. The Swan symbol on Asher's White Ranger suit was a Squirrel. Instead of a Shark, Keeva had a Manta Ray. Instead of a Wolf on Jasper's Black Ranger suit, there was a Crow.
There was no time for the Rangers to admire the differences in their suits to the originals, as the Grinders took one look at them and charged.
"Whoa!" Blaze dodged with speed greater than he expected, but adjusted quickly to the power that the suit gave him. He weaved around the Grinders attacking, and instinctively called on a small blaster that fired powerful charged shots at the robots, smashing through their armour and destroying them.
"Turbo Strikers!" Ravi slammed his fists together as his own weapons appeared on them, and a small pulse of power burst out as they connected. He started delivering punch after punch, shattering any part of the Grinders that he struck.
"Rocket Blade!" Roxy was speedy rather than strong, and had learned to work with that after training with former Rangers. She got in close before the Grinders could strike, and used her yellow sword to cut through them. Roxy then darted away as they shuddered and exploded, allowing her to turn and take on her next opponent.
"Jet Burst!" Jasper took aim with the small crossbow attached to his wrist, but instead of aiming upwards, he pointed towards the sky and fired. Confused, the Grinders stopped and looked up, just in time to see the shot suddenly multiple and rain down on the robots, exploding as they collided. Jasper allowed himself a small, satisfied smile as he turned and kicked another charging at him from behind.
"Zip Slammer!" there was a low rumble as Asher swung the large hammer in her hands. Carried by its momentum, Asher moved as it slammed into one of the Grinders and kept going, smashing through its body with ease. The White Ranger couldn't help but laugh as she kept going, breaking the Grinders apart like they were nothing. "I'm starting to understand why Aunt Teddie likes this weapon so much," she considered.
"Turbo Sabre!" like Asher, Keeva's weapon was much larger than the others. The massive claymore-like weapon cleaved through everything in her path, and Keeva let out a giggle as she did. Despite its size compared to her slight frame, the Green Ranger controlled the Turbo Sabre with ease.
Before long, the Grinders were in pieces around them, and only the six Rangers remained. Despite the fight, they found themselves barely even out of breath, and ready for more.
"Let's go. And keep your guard up," Blaze warned them again, leading the way through the front doors.
Venjix had sensed the approach of six life-forms for a while now. The moment they had passed his former factory, he'd been aware of their approach. It had amused him, or at least had amused him as much as a computer virus was capable of being.
"Is this truly your play, Dr. K? Sending in these so-called heroes again?" he wondered with amusement as he stood looking up at the factory around him. This was only the start. "You think me trapped here, in this body, ready for destruction?" Venjix questioned. He'd detected the antivirus the moment Dr. K had unleashed it on the network - so similar to the work she'd done to sever his connection to the Morphin' Grid once before, it was easy to detect it.
Venjix laughed again, his red eyes flashing. "I will prove you wrong, my creator. I will destroy your precious heroes and have my revenge, then I will resume my plan to eradicate humanity from this miserable planet. You, of course, I'll spare long enough to see my good work completed," he vowed as he held out his massive, bulky arms and cackled.
No matter that the Rangers had already defeated the Grinders he'd recreated. They were just a reminder of the past. Once the Rangers were destroyed, he'd create better, stronger minions. Or maybe have someone make them for him. He had better things to do than create the mindless foot soldiers. Then he would be able to expand on the factory, and make it better than the last one.
Even as the footsteps reached him, Venjix didn't turn around to face his opponents. They were nothing more than insects to be swatted, and he remembered the final battle against them all too well. They had bested him purely by luck. If not for Dr. K's interference, they never would have beaten him.
"Venjix!" the shout was unfamiliar to Venjix, and was what finally made him turn around to face his six opponents. Their suits were altered, and the processing part of Venjix quickly told him that these were not the original RPM Rangers he had once battled.
"Well, well. I suppose one problem with humanity is how quickly you age," he sneered. "I suppose those pathetic heroes left the true fight to those of you who are stronger," he considered.
"Oh great, he's a talker," Asher huffed.
"We aren't going to let you destroy the world, not like you did before," Blaze vowed as he stepped forwards. His Jet Shot was in his hand, lowered but ready to be lifted and fired at a moment's notice. Venjix let out a low rumble - something they assumed was a laugh.
"Oh, you little fool. Dr. K has sent you here to die," his mocking words made them all bristle. "You can't stop me from doing anything! I am Venjix, and I am unbeatable!"
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