I don't own Power Rangers or Cross Ange; those belong to their creators. This is for fun, not profit.
Chapter 17: Pink is for Power and Resolve
In their base, the Nexus Rangers and Pixel were watching the footage of their infiltration in Arzenal. It was another feature that Shin had put into their stealth suits.
It was the footage of the Para-mail, some of the rooms and even the Norma themselves. Alisa hummed as she looked at the different types of Para-mail.
"So, those are the Para-mail." Alisa said and Shin nodded.
"Yeah, without a doubt. I even took a moment to scan their parts and I still feel offended that Embryo would create these machines from our work." Shin said and Claire patted him on the back.
"There, there." Claire said, trying to comfort him.
"Hey, at least you didn't design those suits they wear." Aaron said before they saw footage of Hilda, Vivian and Ersha in the training simulation room wearing their rider suits.
"I'm surprised they can even walk around in those much less fly in the sky." Claire said.
"But I guess they don't have to worry about embarrassment since they're mostly just girls." Shin said before they looked at the Norma and saw they were all women, some of them were in their early to late teens and spotted a few in their 20s and only a handful in their mid-30s and 40s.
"Yeah. It's strange that they're all women but no men." Dean said.
"Can that really be considered weird?" Alisa said, getting their attention. "I mean we're living in a world where the entire population is mostly women, and there are only three men in the world with mature bodies."
"Touche." Dean pointed at her before he spoke to Shin. "Any thoughts about that genius?"
"Well…without a clear understanding about their mutation, it's hard to say at the moment." Shin said.
"I should've figured." Dean said. Shin shrugged.
"Hey, I may be a genius but I'm still human at the end." Shin said before he saw footage of Salia when he and Dean first saw her at Arzenal.
The Blue Ranger once again stared into space again in seeing that footage and his friends noticed.
"Shin? Shin!" Dean calls out before he shakes his shoulder and Shin snaps out of it.
"Huh? What is it?" Shin asked and Dean blinked before he answered.
"You spaced out again."
"I did?" Shin asked and Dean nodded.
"Yeah, and it was because of her again." Dean said before he and the others turned to the footage of Salia. "Care to explain about that?"
"Well…I…uhhh…" Shin mutters as he taps his fingers together.
Claire raised an eyebrow as this behavior was new to her and to the others before she looked at the purple-haired on their computer and soon had an idea of his behavior.
"Oh, I see. Someone's in love." Claire said with a teasing smile and tone in her voice.
The others were surprised at first before they turned to the Blue Ranger.
"Is that true?" Aaron asked.
"Was it love at first sight?" Alisa asked.
"What?! No of course not! I don't know anything about her besides her name! Besides, my first and only love is science! Nothing more, nothing less!" Shin told them but his friends weren't convinced by that.
"Yep, he's in love." Dean commented and Pixel nodded in agreement.
"It would appear so." The AI said.
Shin then coughs in his hand to defuse this situation.
"Anyway! Can we just go back on track?" Shin requested.
"Okay. Sorry, I was only teasing you." Claire said as she raised her hands.
"Well, you should save that for Dean." Shin told her.
"Deal."
"Excuse me?!" Dean said.
The others chuckled for a bit before they turned back to the screen and saw footage of a classroom filled with children and heard what the teacher told them.
"We have a very important job as the Norma. To stop all the DRAGONs here at Arzenal and kill them to protect the humans. Exterminating the DRAGONs is the only reason why Norma like you and I are allowed to live in this world. Let's keep that in mind as we do our best on the battlefield, okay?"
Claire was once again saddened to hear that along with her friends.
"I can't believe she would say that to kids." Aaron said.
"Well, it's not like they know about Embryo and the truth about this war they fight." Dean said.
"I could understand that but still…" Aaron said.
"Don't worry, we all feel the same. But this is probably the worst of it." Shin said, getting their attention. "From what I was able to learn from Lizardia, apparently after a Norma reaches twelve years of age, they'll be forced to become Para-mail riders depending on their aptitude. Most of them died during their first sortie."
"Twelve years old. That's still so young though." Alisa said.
"Just what are we going to do, Dean?" Claire asked.
Dean thought about it before he sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"For now, let's just focus on the task in hand. We'll worry about the what-ifs later." Dean said.
"Agreed." Shin said.
Claire was still a bit disheartened before she turned at the many kids in the classroom.
(Play: Believe in Nexus by Masaaki Endoh)
(Instrumental) (As the song starts, two Earths appear one at a time before they collide against each other creating a flash of light which blinded the screen.)
(Sono te nobashi te mabayui ashita o tsukamitore! Mugen no sora hamatake Believe in Nexus!) (Five of the Nexus Zords had appeared as the Racer, Wolf, and Dozer Zords were racing on a large road while the Chopper and Falcon Zords were flying above them before they turned into a flash of light and flew into the vast open sky before the story's title appeared on screen.)
(Araburu kono shoudo daremino tomiranai!) (The Nexus Rangers were standing on a hill as they looked at the town where the Children of Aura resides as some of them in DRAGON form flew above them as they watched them in awe.)
(Hiri asa mi kirikou o taka maru kono Heart Beat!) (Then it changes to a split screen with Salamandinay looking at her Enryugo as it was still incomplete, and Ange who was in her room in Arzenal as she was seated on her bed while looking at her ring, before it changes to Embryo and behind him was Kurt who was holding his Lion Knuckle Morpher.)
(Bi chinai sou o natato sekawaerai!) (Then it changes showing an army of Xedroids and behind them were Prince Crimson, General Swartz, and Cyber.)
(Koko de oarasatakunai Go For It!) (Next the screen changes to the Rangers commencing their Morphin Sequence as they Morph into their suits before their helmets appeared.)
(Tachiagare kodoku ni obiekuru e naide!) (The screen changes showing a fleet of Xe-Fighters and an army of Xe-Bots charging forward to attack, then changes to the Nexus Rangers loading their Zord Cards into their Morphers as they soon appear, and the Rangers jump into them.)
(Nakama ma batte irukoto mou ichido omoidase!) (In his cockpit, the Nexus Red Ranger inserts his Battle Mode Card into his Morpher and his Racer Zord changes into the said mode.)
(Kowaku wa naisa akirame wa shinai donna tsugoi yatsu ni mo make wa shinai itsudatte o kino yuuki de Believe In Nexus!) (Then each of the Nexus Zord launch respective attacks on their enemies before the Kaiser Sphere in the sky. Then the Zords combine forming the Nexus Prime Megazord, and then energy appears around the Megazord before it flies at the Kaiser Sphere to attack and when it collides against the Sphere a large flash of light appears blinding the screen. Then it changes to both Earths before the Nexus Rangers along with the villain leaders appeared as they faced each other.)
In the Kaiser Sphere, Prince Crimson had called upon a new Commander to battle the Rangers. The door opened and the Commander entered the room.
The Commander had a blue body with wind shape pieces and had two yellow tips on the wind shape parts on the sides of his head.
"Hello, everyone~! Commander Windfall at your service!" Windfall greeted the leaders of the Kaiser Sphere.
"It's about time you show up." Prince Crimson said.
"Oh, please pardon my incompetence, Your Highness." Windfall bowed to the prince. "But you called me to deal with the Rangers, right?"
"That is correct." Prince Crimson nodded. "I was convinced that you're the officer for the job. Are you?"
Windfall only chuckled to hear that as he raised his head.
"But of course. The Rangers will be nothing but history with my amazing talents." Windfall stated, and the prince scoffed but accepted it nonetheless.
"I suppose we'll see soon enough. Now go." Prince Crimson told him.
"As you command." Windfall said before he leaves.
Claire was in her room as she was lying on top of her bed with her hand over her eyes. She was deep in thought right now, mostly due to the Norma and those kids on the other Arzenal.
The teacher's words were still in her head, how Norma like her and those kids only exist to hunt down the DRAGONs to protect the peace and prosperity of the humans in Embryo's world.
She then remembers that cemetery she saw, filled with over hundreds to thousands of tombstones. She thought how most of those Norma died fighting against the Children of Aura, rather it was quick and painless or long and agonizing.
She could imagine seeing a young girl facing a DRAGON as it roars at her and ready to devour her alive, and the Norma screams in fear.
Claire's hands flinch before she rubs them on her face.
"Honestly, if only they know the truth." Claire mutters to herself.
That's when the alarms went off, Claire quickly sat up to hear that before she got off her bed and left her room to rush to the command room.
Claire soon arrived and her friends were waiting for her as they turned to the Pink Ranger.
"Claire, are you alright? You've been in your room for a while." Dean said in concern for his cousin.
"I'm fine. Anyway, what's happening?" Claire asked.
"Do you really have to ask?" Alisa said before Pixel showed footage of Windfall attacking the town with a group of Xedroids.
"Yeah, that figures." Claire said before she turned to the transporter. "Let's get this over with."
As they watch her, the other Rangers notice that something was off with Claire.
"Dean…" Alisa said and Dean nodded.
"Yeah. I notice it too. I guess our trip to Arzenal is still on her mind." Dean said.
"We should probably talk about that." Shin suggested and Dean nodded.
"I know, but after the mission." Dean said before Claire called out to them while she was standing on the transporter.
"Hey! Are we going or not?"
The other Rangers soon on top of the transporter to teleport to the town.
During Windfall's attack, most of the citizens were able to get away but it was much to Windfall's disappointment.
"This is boring. I was hoping to have some fun until the Rangers arrived." Windfall said.
Windfall and his Xedroids soon heard a child crying, they looked and spotted on the ground who had injured her ankle and wing from their attack, seeing her got Windfall's interest and the child noticed that as she looked at him in fear.
"Oh…what do we have here?" Windfall said before he approached the child to have some fun with her.
She could only cower in fear, but then a woman rushed to the girl and grabbed onto her to protect her.
She had short red/pink hair and yellow eyes and was wearing blue clothing.
The red-haired woman bravely glares at Windfall while holding the child close, showing she won't yield to him and will risk her life to protect the child.
Windfall was deeply impressed by this woman's brave and noble spirit.
"Oh my…such a brave and daring soul you have. I can't wait to shatter that." Windfall said as he was ready to attack them.
But then, coming to their rescue is Dean as he jumps and kicks Windfall on the head forcing the Commander to stumble back while the Red Ranger lands in front of the woman and the child before he turns to them.
"You two okay?" Dean asked and the woman nodded.
"Yes, thank you." She said.
The rest of the Nexus Rangers had appeared as they rushed to Dean's side, but Aaron then stares at the woman before he blinks as she looks familiar to him somehow.
"Wait…Isn't she…" Aaron said before Shin spoke to them.
"You need to go. Now." The woman nodded before she stood up while carrying the child in her arms and quickly flew away.
Aaron and Shin turn back to face Windfall as he stares at the Nexus Rangers.
"It's about time you Rangers show up. I was starting to get bored." Windfall said.
"Sorry. But we're not here for your entertainment." Dean said and Windfall chuckles to hear that.
"We'll see about that. Xedroids, attack!" Windfall said and the Xedroids charged at the Nexus Rangers, and they did them as both groups battled each other.
Dean dodges one Xedroid's attack before he punches it on the face, he then avoids one's attack that was heading towards his leg and counters by kicking it on the head.
Dean then uses his super-human strength to grab onto two Xedroids and use them to attack the others around him.
Shin avoids one Xedroid's attack and blocks another's attack by blocking his arm against the Xedroid's own arm and kicks to the ground. He then avoids two Xedroids' attacks from behind and lands a sweep kick on their legs to send them to the ground.
As just three Xedroids charge at him to attack, Shin uses his technopathic powers to take control of the Xedroids and make them battle and destroy each other.
Aaron avoids a few laser blasts from some of the Xedroids by rolling on the ground. Just as Aaron stops on his hand, knee and foot the Xedroids were ready to fire at him once again but Aaron smirks before he uses his matter absorption to coat himself with the stone on the ground.
Aaron stood up and charged at the Xedroids, they then fired at him, and his stone armor were able to withstand their laser blasts and Aaron used his stone fists to attack the Xedroids.
Alisa kicks two Xedroids on the head to send them to the ground. She then saw several more had surrounded her, but Alisa just smirks before she turns invisible.
While the Xedroids wonder where she has gone, the invisible Alisa attacks them with well-placed hits as each of them falls to the ground, Alisa then becomes visible and smiles at her handiwork.
Claire dodges one Xedroid's attack by backflipping, she then notices two Xedroids attacking her from behind and Claire avoids their attacks by doing the splits before she spins around and lands a kick on their legs as they fall to the ground.
Just as Claire stood up, she soon saw three Xedroids charging to attack with their blades and Claire blocked their attacks by creating and using an energy shield before she pushed them back.
Not long after that, the Nexus Rangers were able to defeat the Xedroids and faced the lone Windfall.
"Looks like you're alone now." Dean said.
"Please. I'm more than enough to finish you." Windfall said before he brought out a halberd.
"We'll see about that. It's Morphin' Time!" Dean said before he and his team pressed the button to change the forms of their Morphers.
The Nexus Rangers then pulled out their Cards.
"Load Card!"
The Nexus Rangers load the Cards into their Morphers.
"Access the Morphin Grid!"
(Morphing Sequence)
The Nexus Rangers were standing on their respective metal platforms.
The screen on their Morphers turned on showing their Ranger forms and weapons.
They then thrust their hands forward which fired a beam in their respective colors and it soon formed into a holographic screen showing their respective Ranger forms and weapons with the words 'Commencing Morphing Sequence' on the bottom.
The platforms soon opened, and the Nexus Rangers jumped down into the tunnel of Morphin Grid energy.
As the Nexus Rangers fell in the tunnel, digital lines appeared around their bodies which formed their Ranger Suits before they landed on the ground.
Finally, they stood up, digital lines appeared around their heads forming their helmets.
(End of sequence)
"Nexus Rangers…"
"We stand united!" They said as they strike their poses.
"Come on!" Windfall said before he charges at the Rangers.
The Nexus Rangers soon pulled out their Daggers.
"Nexus Daggers!" They said before they charged at Windfall to battle him.
Dean and Shin attacked Windfall first, but he parried their attacks with his halberd before he created a tornado in front of the Red and Blue Rangers which sent them smashing into a wall.
As Dean and Shin fall to the ground, Windfall chuckles before he sees that Aaron, Alisa and Claire had surrounded them.
They then attack Windfall at the same time, but he avoids their attack by moving like a whirlwind.
Seeing that surprised the Rangers as they looked for Windfall.
"What the?" Aaron said.
"Where did he go?" Alisa asked and soon got her answer as Windfall appeared behind the Yellow Ranger.
"I'm over here!" Windfall shouted as he landed a slash on Alisa's back and the Yellow Ranger fell on her hand and knee.
"Alisa!" Aaron said before he charges at Windfall attack, but the Commander dodges it by flying above the Black Ranger with a tornado around his legs and waist.
Windfall then in front of Aaron and lands two slashes on chest followed by a few air bullets which forced the Black Ranger to stumble back.
"Why you!" Claire said before she throws Dagger at Windfall to attack him.
But the Commander easily catches her flying Dagger using a shield made out of wind and sends it back at the Pink Ranger as it lands a slash on her chest and Claire falls to the ground.
Windfall laughs at her while Alisa stands back up and attacks Windfall with her Dagger, and the Commander once again flies into the air.
"You're not the only one who can play that game!" Alisa said before she brings out her wings and flies into the air to chase after Windfall.
Windfall once again fired air bullets at Alisa, and the Yellow Ranger avoided his attacks before she changed to her Dagger's Blaster Mode and used it to fire at him.
Windfall deflected her energy shots by using a whirlwind, he then charges at the Yellow Ranger and moves around her to create a tornado to entrap her.
Alisa was surprised by this before Windfall attacked her several times in all angles and soon appeared above the Yellow Ranger and sent a tornado at her which sent Alisa crashing into the ground below.
"Alisa!" Dean said in worry as he and Shin stood back up while Alisa groaned on the ground.
Windfall then lands gracefully on the ground and soon mock the Rangers.
"Hahaha! I was hoping to have more of a challenge from you but all you did is disappoint me." Windfall said.
But unknown to Windfall, Claire stood back up and picked up her Nexus Dagger, she then charged at the Commander to attack him. Windfall soon notices that as he turns to the Pink Ranger.
"Huh?"
Claire then swung her Dagger at him, just as Windfall braced himself for the incoming attack, an image of one of the children she saw on Arzenal appeared in front of her.
Claire then stops her attack much to the Rangers' confusion along with Windfall.
"Claire, what are you doing?!" Dean calls out to her, and Claire snaps out of her train of thought.
"What?" Claire said.
Windfall chuckles as he uses this chance to summon a tornado beneath the Pink Ranger which sends her flying up and Windfall creates another tornado above Claire to send her crashing to the ground.
"I hope that hurt. Because that's what you get for trying to sneak up on me!" Windfall exclaimed before he stomped on Claire's back, dealing her some damage.
Windfall was about to stomp on her again, he was soon fired upon by the other Rangers using their Nexus Blasters.
Alisa then moves in to check on the Pink Ranger.
"Are you okay?" Alisa asked.
"Not really. But I'll live." Claire said as Alisa helped her stand back up.
"You…!" Windfall growled at the Rangers. "How dare you damage my beautiful body!"
"Trust me, buddy, that should be the least of your problems." Dean said as he and the others were ready to fight him once again.
"Tsk! Well lucky for you, I've lost my mood. I need to head back to the Sphere and do my make-up. But I'll be back!" Windfall said before he teleports to the Kaiser Sphere.
"Now that's just great." Aaron said in some annoyance.
Dean then turns to Claire as he was worried about why the Pink Ranger just froze when she was about to attack.
After returning to the Kaiser Sphere's command room, Commander Windfall was powdering his face while General Swartz berates him of his decision to return simply to do his make-up.
"Honestly…How can you even think about doing your make-up while the Rangers still live?!" General Swartz exclaimed at him, and Windfall just shrugged before he applied lipstick on his blue lips.
"Please, I'll have you know looks are everything to me. Speaking of which, you should do something but that armor of yours, general. I mean have you seen yourself in a mirror lately, that design is just hideous!" Windfall said.
That only angered Swartz as he tightly clenched his hand and his eye lit up.
"Swartz!" Prince Crimson shouted and the general calmed down before he saw the prince was giving him a warning scowl. "I know I have no right to say this, but you should do well to remember your own advice and calm down."
"Yes…Of course, Your Highness." General Swartz said before he bowed to the prince and Windfall clicked his tongue at him while wagging his finger.
"Tsk. Tsk. Truly poor show, general." Windfall said before Prince Crimson looks at him.
"You're not off the hook, Windfall." Prince Crimson stated and the Commander was a bit concerned by that. "I'll admit that your results were indeed promising, but I expect even better the next time you battle the Rangers. Is that understood?"
"Why yes! Of course, Your Highness!" Windfall brought his hands together and bowed to the prince. "I promise you. The Power Rangers will fall from my powerful winds."
"Good. Then you may go." Prince Crimson told him, and Windfall left the room.
"Honestly. How is it possible that most of our Commanders are that undisciplined?" General Swartz said while shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter right now, Swartz." Prince Crimson told him. "Right now, all that matters is the destruction of the Power Rangers. I don't care who does it, just as long as they complete such a task."
"Very well. If that is your wish." General Swartz said.
After Windfall got away, the Rangers returned to their base and headed to the computer.
"Alright. I'll reset the satellite network for any change in weather or wind direction. That should give us a clue where our windy friend will strike." Shin said.
"Then get to work." Dean said and Shin nodded before he began typing on the computer. "In the meantime…"
Dean, Aaron and Alisa turn to Claire.
"We need to talk, Claire." Dean said.
But the Pink Ranger only folded her arms and turned away from them.
"About what?"
"About what just happened. You had the right opening to attack but you just froze. Care to explain about that?" Dean asked.
Claire remained silent but her friends had a good idea what was up with her.
"You're still thinking about the other Arzenal, are you?" Dean questions and Claire slightly flinches. "I figured as much."
"I just…I just can't help but feel that we shouldn't have left them behind. Especially those kids." Claire said.
"Claire…I understand how you feel, and I wasn't happy about it either. But we couldn't afford to draw attention to ourselves, I mean we were in the heart of Embryo's main defense." Dean said.
"I know that!" Claire exclaimed before she calmed down. "I know alright. I just can't help but wonder what we should do about that. I mean let's say we free Aura and defeat Embryo, what would happen after that? Will the Norma's situation change, or will things get worse?"
"Claire…" Dean said.
"I'm sorry. I just need to be alone for now." Claire said before she left the room.
The others watch in leave in concern, Alisa sighed and rubs the back of her head.
"Well…so much for talking things out." The Yellow Ranger said.
"Yeah." Dean said before he sighed in sadness. "Sometimes I wish Grandpa was still here. He always knows what to say to cheer her up."
Aaron then placed a hand on Dean's shoulder.
"Well, he isn't here right now, Dean, we are. Right now, we're partially the only family she has left. Besides, you shouldn't forget you're our leader, you need to step up and hold us together." Aaron told him.
"Yeah. You're right. I'll try talking to her." Dean said as he was about to follow Claire, but Shin stopped him by stepping away from the computer after finishing what he needed to do and spoke to him.
"Actually, why don't you let me handle this." Shin said.
"Are you sure?" Dean asked and the Blue Ranger nodded.
"I am. Besides, I think I know how I can help her." Shin said before he left the room to talk to Claire.
After leaving the command room, Claire returns to her room where she once again lies on her bed. She can't help but think about those kids she saw in Arzenal and those graves in the cemetery.
Claire placed her arm over her eyes before she heard a knock on the door. She then sat up and looked at the door before she heard Shin's voice from outside.
"Claire, it's me. Can I come in?"
Claire sighs while rolling her eyes.
"Honestly. Just when I wanted to be alone." Claire whispers to herself before answering Shin's question. "You may."
The door opens and the Blue Ranger enters the room.
"Pardon me." Shin greeted her.
"Just what do you want, Shin? Because I'm not really in the mood." Claire said.
"Well…I just figured you need a friend to talk to. I mean you were there for me when I was at my lowest, I wanted to return the favor." Shin told her.
"I appreciate the thought, but I'm not sure you can help with what I'm going through." Claire said. "I mean those kids should have a chance to choose their own path, but thanks to Embryo, they're being raised to believe that they're only purpose is to be soldiers just to protect a lie. I can't stop thinking about it."
Shin then took a moment to rub the back of his neck.
"Well…How do you think I feel about it?" Shin questions her.
"How would you…" Claire said before Shin lowered his head some sadness and the Pink Ranger realized what he meant, since he helped create the Ragna-mail that started all of this. "Oh, Shin…I'm so sorry, I didn't…"
"It's fine." Shin said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Even after I woke up, I still can't help but feel that I was responsible for all of this. But you and the others were there to help me to get through the worst of it. I also remember you saying that I'm one of the best people that you know. Well, I could say the same about you."
"Really?" Claire blinked and Shin nodded.
"Of course. I mean let's face it, I may be the brains of this team, but you're the heart and soul that keeps us going. Your compassion and kindness is the glue that keeps us together. That's why to me, you're truly the best out of all of us." Shin told her.
"Shin, I…" Claire mutters as she wasn't sure what to say.
Shin then grabs onto her hand and helps her stand up.
"How about you come with me for a bit?" Shin asked and Claire blinked in confusion.
"What? Why?"
"You'll see. Come on." Shin said before they left the room to head to the destination he had in mind.
Shin had brought Claire to the temple, the Blue and Pink Rangers were walking in the hallway, they soon arrived at a certain room where they met up with Salamandinay and her subordinates as they were standing beside the open door before the Princess of the Freyja noticed them arriving.
"Oh, Shin, Claire. When did you arrive?" Salamandinay asked.
"Just now. We wanted to check on the patient." Shin said and Claire blinked in confusion.
"Patient?"
The Rangers and their allies look in the room, Claire sees it was Gecko's medical room where she is treating the injuries of the child she and her team had saved in Windfall's attack.
Claire blinks to see that.
"How is she?" Shin asked.
"Well thankfully, her injuries weren't too severe. With some rest she'll make a full recovery." Salamandinay told them.
"That's good to hear. Right, Claire?" Shin asked before the girl noticed them and waved at the Rangers.
Claire smiles and waved back at her.
"Yeah. It is." Claire said.
"Oh."
The Rangers and their friends turned and saw the red-haired woman that the Rangers had protected along with the girl who had arrived.
"It's you again." Claire said before Salamandinay greeted her.
"Lamia, I'm glad to see you are well."
The woman, Lamia, bowed her head to the DRAGON Princess.
"And to you as well, Your Highness." Lamia said before she turned to Shin and Claire. "You two are the Power Rangers, correct?"
"Yeah, that's right." Shin nodded and Lamia bowed her head to them.
"Thank you so much for protecting us and our city." She said, and Claire waved her hands.
"Hey, there's no need for that. We were just doing our job." Claire told her before Lamia raised her head.
"Well, either way, I still wanted to thank you for all you have done for us." Lamia said before she entered the room to check on the girl she protected.
"Is she?" Claire asked and Salamandinay shook her head.
"No, she isn't the girl's mother." She told them.
"Huh. But she still had the courage to protect her during the attack. That was something." Shin said.
"Yes. She's been like this after what happened." Salamandinay said.
"What do you mean?" Shin asked.
"Well…Lamia once had a daughter before." Salamandinay told them.
"Had?" Claire said.
"Yes. She went missing many years ago. No one hadn't found any trace of her for some time." Salamandinay said and the two Rangers were left saddened.
"I see." Shin said.
"You don't think she flew into a singularity?" Claire asked.
"It's possible. But we can't be certain either." Salamandinay said before she turned to Lamia. "But despite that, Lamia still wants to hold out hope that her daughter is still alive and will return to her."
"Hope huh?" Claire said.
Claire then turns to Lamia and the girl before they laugh together. She then thought back to the kids she met shortly after she and Shin woke up and arrived in the town, then how they protected this place and the people here.
Shin and Claire then heard their Morphers ringing, they soon pressed the call button and Pixel appeared on the screen.
"Hey, guys, sorry if I was interrupting but there's another attack." Pixel told them.
"Guess we can't be surprised by that." Shin said before he spoke to Claire. "Claire, how about you head back to base and let us handle it?"
But Claire shook her head and smiled at him.
"And let you face the danger by yourselves while I laze around all day? Not a chance." Claire said and Shin smiles to hear that.
"Then let's move." Shin said before he and Claire used their Morphers to teleport to the base.
Windfall and his legion of Xedroids had attacked a village and the villagers ran away from them.
"Hahaha! Yes! Now this is the excitement that I crave for!" Windfall said.
"Stop right there!" Windfall and the Xedroids stopped and turned to who said that.
"Huh?"
Jumping and landing in front of Windfall and the Xedroids were the Nexus Rangers in Ranger form as they faced the Commander.
"Oh goody! I was hoping you should show up! I still owe you payback for the damages that you inflicted upon me!" Windfall exclaimed.
"We'll see about that." Dean said before Claire stepped in and faced the Commander.
"Dean, let me handle this guy." Claire told the Red Ranger.
"Are you sure?" Dean asked and Claire nodded.
"I got this." She told him.
"Alright then. Let's do this!" Dean said before he and the others charge at Windfall and the Xedroids to battle them.
Dean attacks two Xedroids with his Nexus Dagger before he throws the Dagger at three more Xedroids to destroy them and the Dagger flies back into his hand.
Shin attacks several Xedroids with his claws as he moves like a wolf.
Aaron attacks the Xedroids with some punches along with a few kicks.
Alisa flies in the air to attack several Xedroids with her Blaster.
While her friends battle the Xedroids, Claire battles Windfall as she clashes her Nexus Dagger against his halberd.
Windfall then swung his weapon at her legs, Claire dodges it by backslipping. Windfall soon fires air bullets at the Pink Ranger, and she avoids them by flipping to the side.
Windfall soon raised two fingers to summon a tornado beneath Claire's feet which sends her flying up, Windfall then flies at the Pink Ranger to attack her and Claire was able to block most of his attacks with her Dagger before she manages to land a slash on his chest and kicks him to the ground as he falls on his back while Claire lands gracefully on her feet.
"Damn you!" Windfall growled at her as he stood back up.
Claire then changes to her Dagger's Blaster Mode and aims it at Windfall. Windfall smirks as he is ready for it, confident that the Pink Ranger will hesitate in shooting him.
Just as Claire aimed her Blaster at Windfall to attack, an image of the kids from Arzenal appeared in front of her. Claire was hesitant to fire, but soon hardened and tightly held her Blaster and the image of the child disappeared while leaving Windfall in its place.
"Not this time." Claire said before she fired at Windfall which forced him to stumble back.
"How?" Windfall said.
"Simple. Pink is for power and resolve." Claire said before her friends moved to her side after they had defeated the Xedroids.
"Wise words." Shin said.
"And how about we further prove that point?" Dean said and the others nodded.
The Nexus Rangers then pulled out Legendary Pink Ranger Cards.
"Load Legendary Ranger Card! Pink Ranger Power!" The Rangers said before they load the said Cards into their Morphers and transform into legendary Pink Rangers.
Dean, a male version of the Mighty Morphin Pink Ranger armed with the Power Bow.
Shin, a male version of the Pink Space Ranger armed with the Satellite Stunner.
Aaron, a male version of the Pink Time Force Ranger armed with the V5 Vortex Blaster.
Alisa, the Pink Overdrive Ranger armed with the Drive Geyser.
Claire, the Pink Megaforce Ranger armed with the Phoenix Shot.
Windfall growls at them before he creates a tornado around the Rangers, but the Nexus Rangers ride on the wind as they fire their weapons at the Commander.
"Power Bow!"
"Satellite Stunner!"
"Vortex Blaster!"
"Drive Geyser!"
"Phoenix Shot!"
Each of their attacks had dealt Windfall major damage before he was sent rolling on the ground.
As Windfall stood back up, the Nexus Rangers landed back on the ground and changed back to their base forms and were now armed with main weapons.
The Nexus Rangers then brought out their SuperCharge Cards.
"Load SuperCharge Card!" Dean said.
"Load Card!" The others said before they load their Cards into their weapons.
As their weapons glowed with energy, the Nexus Rangers' helmets lit up from their headlights/eyes.
Aaron starts off the attack by slamming his Hammer to the ground sending a shockwave at Windfall as it leaves cracks and sends a wave of large rocks and dirt at him dealing the Commander major damage.
That's when Dean, Shin and Alisa charge at Windfall with Dean moving like a race car with Shin running like a wolf and Alisa flying like a falcon, then the three Rangers land a slash at Windfall with their weapons one at a time starting with Dean then to Shin and Alisa.
Claire soon aimed her Bowgun and fired the finishing attack as it pierces straight through Windfall's chest before he exploded.
The Nexus Rangers then lowered or rested their weapons on their shoulders.
"And that's another win for us." Claire said.
Just like the times before, the Rangers once again defeated one of the Kaiser Sphere's Commander and Prince Crimson was once again displeased by this.
"Once again, the Rangers make a mockery out of me. You better not fail me again, Windfall. Cyber, activate the Kaiser Reanimator!" Prince Crimson ordered.
"Right away, Your Highness." Cyber said as he activated the Renaimator and it soon fired at Windfall's remains.
With that, Windfall revived and had grown into the size of a giant, the giant Commander then looms over the Nexus Rangers as they look up at him.
"You didn't think you'd get rid of me that easily, did you?!" Windfall shouted.
"Maybe! But then again, you're just old fashion that way!" Claire shouted back at him.
"Yeah! Try to be original for a change!" Shin said.
"Hey, Claire." Dean calls out getting the Pink Ranger's attention. "Since pink's a lucky color today, how about we do another special?"
Claire chuckles before she and Dean bring out their Zord Cards.
"You didn't have to ask." Claire said before she and Dean load their Cards into their Morphers.
"Load Card!"
"Deploy, Nexus Racer Zord!"
"Nexus Chopper Zord!"
Their Zords soon appeared, and the Racer Zord changed into its Battle Mode.
"And as an added bonus!" Dean said as he pulled out a Megazord Card which was a combination between the Racer and Chopper Zords. "Load Megazord Card! Initiate, Chopper Formation!"
Then the words 'Initiate Megazord Sequence - Chopper Formation' appeared on their Morphers.
(Megazord Sequence)
The Racer Zord is seen running in a city filled with tail buildings and the Chopper Zord soon joins it as it flies above the Racer Zord.
The Racer Zord then jumps to the tallest building and lands on a helipad.
Then as the Chopper Zord flew towards the Racer Zord, it split in half. Then the Racer Zord's left arm folds to the back to leave room for the Chopper Zord's first half to take its place before the hand appears and its rotor blades formed a bladed ring/shield.
Then the Chopper Zord's tail rotor attaches itself to the right forearm before the blades combine to form a bladed tip and then two pink blades appear from the top and bottom to form a sword known as the Chopper Blade.
Then the Racer Zord's head changes form into a pink helicopter with a pink visor with a white mouthpiece with the sides being black.
The Nexus Rangers then appear in the Megazord's cockpit and attach their Morphers to their platforms.
"Access Controls!"
"Nexus Megazord - Chopper Formation!" The Rangers declared as their Megazord did a slash with the Chopper Tail Blade from its shoulder and down to the side.
(End of sequence)
The Megazord assumed its stance and was ready to fight Windfall. The Commander scoffed at the Nexus Megazord.
"Please! Like I'm scared of a big robot with a tiny sword!" Windfall said before firing a tornado at the Megazord.
"Chopper Shield Wind Strike!" The Nexus Rangers said as they brought their left arms forward.
The Megazord then aimed its Chopper Shield at the incoming tornado, it then began to spin rapidly and fired its own tornado and the two clashed and canceled each other out.
"What?!" Windfall said in shock.
The Nexus Megazord then charges at Windfall and lands a few slashes on it with its Chopper Blade, then the Chopper Shield spins rapidly and lands more slashes on the Commander.
Windfall stumbles back before he glares at the Megazord and fires wind bullets at it, the Nexus Megazord then uses its Chopper Shield to block and cut his wind bullets.
"Chopper Shield - Boomerang Strike!" The Nexus Rangers said as they swung their left arm.
The Nexus Megazord swung its left arm to launch the Shield to attack Windfall several times before it flew back and reattach itself onto the Megazord's arm.
"Super Nexus Blaster!" Dean calls out and the Blaster soon appears as the Red Ranger grabs onto it.
Dean readied and aimed the Super Nexus Blaster at Windfall while the other Rangers assumed their stance.
The Megazord soon assumes its stance as it readies both its Chopper Blade and Shield with the right arm swung to the side and the left arm pointed forward.
The Chopper Shield then begins to spin rapidly as energy appears around it and the Chopper Blade.
"Nexus Megazord, Spinning Blade Attack!" The Rangers said before Dean fired the Blaster and the others spun around.
The Nexus Megazord then flies towards Windfall as it spins rapidly almost like it was a tornado and slashes the Commander with both blades landing several powerful hits before the Megazord moves past Windfall and soon skids on the ground.
"No! Can't I go out in a windy explosion instead of a fiery one!" Windfall said as he fell to the ground and exploded.
The Megazord raised its Tail Rotor Blade while swinging its left arm to the side.
"Never underestimate humans!"
(Later)
After the battle, the Rangers had returned to their base as they walked off the transporter with Claire stretching out arms.
"Have to say, it really felt good to let out some steam." Claire said.
"Well, I'm just glad to see that you're feeling better." Dean said.
"Yeah. I'm sorry for how I was acting, Dean. I just…" Claire said before Dean placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, like I said I understand. So, it's fine. If anything, I should do a better job not only as your leader but as your family." Dean said before the Reilly cousins smiled at each other followed with a hug.
"Thanks, Dean. But it's alright." Claire said before they broke the hug. "I may still worry about those kids on Arzenal, but I'm going to let that hold me down. I don't know what the future has in store for us, but I'm going to continue to move forward and focus on the here and now."
Her friends smile to hear that.
"I'm glad to hear that. But we're not going to give up on those kids and the Norma either. After all, that's who we are." Dean said.
"You got that right." Aaron nodded in agreement.
"Anyway, after a long battle, I think we should reward ourselves with a good meal. What do you say?" Claire said and the others nodded in agreement. "Okay. Then I'll make my mom's famous wheatcakes."
"You know I can never say no to that." Dean said before they head to the kitchen to cook and have some wheatcakes.
To be continued...
There you have it, hope you like it. Review to tell me what you think of the story.
Today's villain
Windfall
Design: Sylphi Phantom from Kamen Rider Wizard
Boom! With that, the Megazord Formations with the primary Zords had each made their debut.
But if you think that's something, wait until you see the next chapter, because it will feature the appearance of a legendary mentor with wild hair.