Typical Hilary, flying straight for the sun. In first attempting a connection to the grid, before perfecting the primary set that she'd given to the trio, Hilary had gone straight for the most potent strands of the spectrum. The results were more than she'd bargained for, and while Hilary had succeeded at forging connections to the two metallic powersets, the Morphers were too powerful to control. The required energy bleed-off was too great, causing them to falter at great pain to the wielder. All because it ate into the wielder's bio-digital field too quickly.
Which was now exactly what they needed.
"Go to her desk," Ray ordered, "there's a panel in the footwell. Now!"
He heard a shuffling, a panicked movement as Jessica hurried back to the terminal and scrounged around on the floor. Moments later, something hissed in the same direction.
"Whoa!" Jess gasped. "There's like a vault or something here. But there's no access panel, just a screen."
"Computer!" Ray announced. "Secondary access override. Recognize proxy input authorization. Access code…" He trailed off, wincing before conceding to his wife's humor. "Hubby Bear."
Another hissing a computerized, feminine voice sounded from the desk. "Recognize."
"Hubby Bear?" Jess asked.
"You can laugh about it with Hilary later," said Ray. "Do you see a number pad?"
"Yeah, it came out as the screen folded back."
"All right, you need to input the code. Do exactly as I say, there's no three tries."
"What happens if I get it wrong?" Jess gulped, and Ray could only assume the color was draining from her face as she guessed the possible answer.
"You'll get a thousand-volt shock through your hand," he said. "Hilary doesn't like it when people touch her stuff."
At that thought, Jess nervously inhaled.
"You ready?" Ray asked.
"I guess…"
"Okay. 0, 1, 0, 2. 4, 2, 5, 0."
Every digit spoken received a beep in reply, the assistant nervously inputting the code at Ray's dictation. Then, as the last one beeped in place, there was another hissing as the door opened.
"Okay, I've got it open," Jess told him before gasping. "Whoa!"
So, Jessica had found the Morphers then. Ray just had to hope that this would still be enough; that they weren't too late. Already he could feel the energy growing in his eyes, turning from a minor itching to a burning beneath his eyelids. Even as Ray focused on remembering the code, the sensation continued to grow, clawing at his skin in a desperate bid for freedom.
Even with the blindfold, it was all Ray could take to keep his eyes closed. And soon that wouldn't even be an option.
It wasn't just Hilary that was running out of time.
"Bring them here," he said. "Both of them. And then go back to the screen and boot up the Ranger's monitoring program."
More shuffling, and seconds later a small device was placed into Ray's hand. On instinct, Ray tried attaching it, blindly fumbling between his hands as he struggled to find each end. Jessica took it moments later, wordlessly turning it around and helping strap it to his wrist. Then, without even waiting for a request, she attached the second one to Hilary.
"This is going to work, right?" she asked.
"I hope so. It's going to be really awkward if it doesn't."
There was a pause, a silence in the shuffling around Hilary's wrist as if Jessica had suddenly reached a morbid thought. "What'll happen if it doesn't?"
For a moment, Ray strongly considered giving a blanket reply of encouragement. But Jessica was in too deep, she needed to know what she may be about to see.
"Best case? Nothing, meaning the bio-digital field around my body will continue to run rampant and cause the laser shielded behind my eyes to blast out uncontrollably."
He could tell from Jess' second pause that she was seriously not inquiring further. But she asked all the same, knowing she'd regret it. "And there's a worst case?"
"Then the enhanced bio-digital field still won't be enough to stabilize the more volatile morphing energies," said Ray. "Directly exposing me and Hilary to the Gold and Silver spectrums of the grid."
Another tentative, pause. "What will happen then?"
"I don't know." It was only then that the blank in Ray's own understanding hit him, bleakly realizing why. "Hilary always went quiet when I'd ask her that."
"…Wonderful."
Ray just had to hope that Hilary's lack of certainty, rather the intimate knowledge, was what had caused to her withhold that description. With the devices strapped down tight, Jessica guided Ray's hand to hold his wife's before stepping away, presumably back to the monitors to begin the sequence.
"Okay, I think I have it open," she said. "Whoa, aren't these levels meant to be higher?"
Not good news. It meant the Rangers were still morphed, but wouldn't be for long. They needed backup, now.
"Don't worry about that," Ray told her, as much for himself as anything. "Open up the panel marking inactive suits, before selecting Gold and Silver. It'll ask for a code, it's the same as before."
"Any reason she picked those numbers?" Jess asked bemusedly as Ray heard the dutiful sound of punching keys.
"It's our first date, in reverse." A date not recorded anywhere, and one that only a handful of people knew.
"Okay, done."
"All set to energize."
Time to shine, and breathing deep for courage, Ray turned to the statue of his wife and gripped her hand tightly. The moment of truth, their one last hope. For them. For their Rangers.
For their city.
"Energizing in 3," Jessica counted down. "2… 1… Engaging now!"
The sensation was instantaneous; like the current of a thousand volts had unleashed upon him all at once, the power surging through Ray's wrist as the full roil of the grid flushed throughout his body. It was like his heart had ignited, exhilarating nostalgia for a time long gone as he reveled in the familiar energy.
But that was where the memorable feeling ceased. The grid poured from the Morpher like water from a bursting dam, unrelenting power grabbing hold and pulling Ray under without even trying to transform him; raw and uncontrolled power flushing inside as he struggled to hold on. Where once the powerful Red strain had emboldened him, filled every ounce with a steerable source of power, the Gold was more than Ray could have ever imagined.
He used to be able to steer; to hold the rudder and guide himself through the flow. But this, this was like being caught in a flood tide, swept along by a primal force that Ray could never hope to control. And still, it kept on surging, pouring into Ray's body without a hint of relenting to the point where he feared he would burst. Because it would never relent. It was endless.
"Ray?" Jessica called to him, and suddenly he realized that he must have been screaming. His eyes were sealed shut, no longer caring about the burning behind them as he felt the digital energy sizzling away at his body. The power of the grid washed over him, mixing with the bio-digital field around him. All Ray could do was hope that he could hold on.
"I've got this!" he urged, hand gripping the table with all his might.
"Are you sure-?"
"I'VE GOT THIS!"
It was endless. The only way to stem the power was not to go with the flow, but to stand his ground and hold against the current. To be the immovable object that met the new unstoppable force. But no matter the force, the strength of the current, Ray began to feel it, inch by inch. He was making progress.
Already the current was softening, calming around him as at last the power settled, engorged on the digital energy surrounding him as the power behind his eyes at last began to recede. The burning shrank to a tingling, then a mere heaviness as at last the swirling energy faded and at last his eyes relaxed. Finally, Ray wheezed and stumbled, the power from the Morpher relenting as the last of the gold spectrum power settled over his body.
It was done.
He'd managed it. Now he just had to find somewhere to look away, just in case…
But all rational thought vanished from Ray's mind as suddenly Hilary let out a gasp beside him. Not even waiting to check, Ray spun around and swept her up into his arms, throwing off the blindfold as he pulled her into a deep and passionate kiss.
"I thought I'd lost you," he breathed.
"I knew you'd figure it out," Hilary smiled back. "Although I think I've got a few new entries for our list of things to never do again."
They allowed themselves a moment, just one, holding each other tightly in elation that the other survived. Then Hilary turned and at last looked over at her assistant. Now slumped in the chair, her messy bun unraveling with every heavy breath, Jessica could only stare into the distance in dazed dishevelment.
"And you," Hilary decided. "You are so getting a raise."
"It worked then?" Jessica asked.
"Seemed to," said Hilary, as she flexed her now metal-free fingers. "We should probably run a few more tests when we get the chance, just to be safe-."
But her idea was cut off as something boomed from the speakers. All three of them whipped around, all of them wincing as they watched the five Rangers tossed around. Their team, out there fighting for their home. Out there because of them, because of their encouragement, and fighting their battle.
Fighting on their own.
Barely that morning, Ray had been wondering to Hilary if the Rangers even needed them anymore. Now they needed them more than ever. Ray turned towards his wife, only to see Hilary's expression of matching resolve. A unanimous agreement was reached without needing to share a word.
"I know we already owe you big time, Jess," Hilary admitted. "But we need to ask one more favor…"
Another blast boomed beneath her feet, sending Erika soaring to the ground and tumbling in a steaming heap. Moments later, Zeke thudded beside her, then Abbey too, smoke sizzling from their suits as Miguel and Lena were tossed beside them as well.
A light was flashing in the corner of Erika's eye, a warning that her suit was nearly at its limit, and every movement was weighed down like a megaton anchor had been tied to her limbs. Her breathing was heavy, every inch of her body was bruised and battered. The surrounds of the radio tower were littered with the shattered remains of Cyberdrones, but it wasn't enough. Not when ArcKnight, Ender, and everyone's least favorite radio DJ were taking cheap shots at every given opportunity. As the Rangers groaned and struggled to their feet, the three amigos converged.
"Well, I've got to tell you," Ender chuckled. "This has got to be the most fun I've had since Jonas Brothers Family Roast!"
"Indeed," ArcKnight nodded. "I have long awaited the day when we will at last destroy the Power Rangers."
"Well don't go away!" cackled Radiowave. "Because if you like what we've got, then we've got more coming up!"
"You know, I almost feel bad for them. Almost," Ender admitted, before looking at the five, barely morphed Rangers and shooting them a sinister grin. "Last chance to walk away, kiddies."
Hunched over and struggling to stand, Erika slowly turned toward her team. Abbey and Miguel were leaning against each other, and Zeke was gripping his arm as Lena limped closer. But as they did, as their visors locked with each other in recognition, none of them budged. None of them moved.
They weren't going anywhere.
"Is that all you've got?" Erika snarled instead. Her breath was wheezing, but her coughing morphed into a chesty chuckle as her posture straightened, and her eyes narrowed as she glared back at them in direct defiance. "Is all of that the best that you can do?"
"Whoa! What do we have here, listeners?" Radiowave demanded. "Looks like the one-hit wonder's looking to make a comeback."
"Fools!" ArcKnight scoffed. "You are defeated. You are lucky to be given this chance to surrender."
With a smile creeping to her lips, Erika shot another look at her team, the four of them moving closer as their resolve steeled beside her own.
"We're lucky alright," Erika agreed. "Before all of this, we were wandering, stumbling in the dark. Adrift and on our own with no way to change the course. But that all changed because we had each other. You say that we should be running, but I say the same to you. Because everything you've ever thrown at us has failed, just like it will here. Because every time, no matter how dark it gets, we always pull through. Because there's always someone to shine a light!"
"On our own, we crumble," Zeke acknowledged. "But united, there's nothing we can't do!"
"It's our loved ones that give us strength," Abbey agreed. "And there's nothing that we won't do to save them!"
"We might falter," Miguel announced. "But we will always fight to be better. Fight for what's right!"
"And it's never too late to start," Lena snarled at Ender and his compadres. "It's never too late to stand against the darkness. And once we do, then there's nothing that can make us back down!"
"So, you're all determined to fall together, eh?" Ender chuckled. "Care so much about your precious friendship that you'll be blown apart for it?"
"That's the thing you don't get," Erika said fiercely, flourishing her axe and pointing it directly at their enemies. "Because a Ranger is never alone. And when they stand together, there's nothing they can't do!"
Hissing in, she braced for what was coming; for the onslaught that was about to unleash. Beside her, the other four Rangers took their fighting positions, standing in solidarity as they readied for the final bout. But as Ender and ArcKnight nodded in agreement, raising their hands to signal the charge, a voice cut out across the air, sounding from the Rangers' Morphers.
"Couldn't have put it better myself!"
The sound of squealing tires screeched through the air as an engine roared in the distance. All heads whipped around to the source, watching for what was coming Erika's eyes snapped wide. She recognized that voice; it was Ray.
Which could only mean…
At the end of the road, a silver sedan thundered up the drive, tires smoking as it skidded to a stop and the doors flung open. The Rangers' jaws dropped as two figures emerged from inside and strode forward to face the writhing horde.
"Ray?" Erika gasped.
"Hilary?" Zeke realized in equal surprise.
"Hey, guys," said Ray. "Sorry for the radio silence. We had a problem that needed handling."
"But now that we're done," Hilary grinned. "We thought we'd come to join in the fun. Are you all set there, Jess?"
For a moment, Erika wondered who Hilary had said that to, only for a nervous voice to respond in the coms. "Uh… yes? I think so…"
Erika could only watch, the other four Rangers equally dumbstruck as Ender, ArcKnight, and Radiowave turned to give the mentors their direct attention.
"Sorry folks!" Radiowave laughed. "Looks like we've got some last-minute callers. Bad news, we're not taking requests."
"That's okay, we'll set our own tune," said Ray with a daring glint in his eyes before looking at his wife. "Are you ready?"
"Oh yeah!"
Both stepped forward, wrists raised to reveal bulky devices strapped to their wrists, and the Rangers could only gawk and gasp as they realized what they were.
No… Could they really be…?
Then, the two veteran rangers moved in synchronous motion, winding back with devices primed.
They were!
"Sever Force!" They called together. "Alpha Access!"
A blaze of gold and silver light erupted around the duo, so bright that even the Rangers had to shield their eyes. Around them, the Cyberdrones cowered back, Ender and his company snarling as Ray and Hilary powered up before them. The power flowing from the duo was immense, the very wind rippling out from them as the most powerful spectrums of the grid surged into their bodies. And into the others.
The light in the visor's corner ceased flashing, the small bar displaying Erika's energy beginning to refill. But it wasn't just suit that was revitalizing, as morphing power emanated from their mentors, Erika's body was beginning to strengthen, reinvigorated by sheer proximity to the other two. And the others were feeling it too. At last, with the five of them restored and ready, the light began to fade, shrinking down to reveal the two figures within.
Two Rangers, one gold and the other a skirted silver, their suits matching the team in pattern with black where there would normally be white. Armored plates sat on their shoulders, both trimmed with deep crimson, and the two visored helms stared at their enemies as each gripped a large double-barreled blaster in their hands.
They lunged into the air, so fast that the enemy warriors barely had time to bark a command as the two of them unloaded with the blasters. The mighty weapons boomed, blasting the Cyberdrones to smithereens as the duo somersaulted and landed beside their teammates.
"It's good to be back!" Ray declared, spinning to stare at the enemy forces. "Server Force Alpha! Gold Ranger!"
"Server Force Omega!" announced Hilary, flicking the skirt at her waist before striking a confident pose. "Silver Ranger!"
"POWER RANGERS!
Watching in amazement at the two new Rangers, the five teammates cheered, leaping for joy as they leaped to their mentors in relief.
They were okay!
They were here!
They were Rangers!
"Whoa!"
"Way to go!"
"You made it," Erika grinned with relief as the newly morphed Ray turned and nodded.
"Yeah, we figured it out."
"Thought we'd come to give you a hand," Hilary grinned. "That is if you don't mind sharing."
"Plenty to go around," Abbey smiled back as the seven Rangers moved to stand side by side.
At the front of the horde, the generals and their monster had regrouped. Ender's face twisted in mocking disbelief, although now Erika could see the façade in the blaster. That they knew the trouble they were suddenly in.
"This is just sad," Ender sneered. "Now we have to deal with the old timers, too?"
"Both of you are far from your prime," ArcKnight agreed. "You cannot hope to defeat the likes of us."
"All that gloating," Hilary chuckled. "It's only going to make this next part more embarrassing. And satisfying."
"I guess this is where we tell you to run," Ray agreed. "And you know, you really should listen to your elders."
Across the battlefield, their three enemies snarled as they stared at the Rangers. With a nod to her two mentors and her gathered teammates, Erika looked to the horde as a grin began to twitch at the corner of her mouth.
"Or, you know," Erika suggested. " 'Get 'em', works too."
"Get them!"
The Cyberdrones surged forward, and the seven united Rangers lunged into the air to meet them. The robotic forces never stood a chance. Lasers blasted down into the masses, a rainbow of searing light that boomed on contact with the ground. All seven moved as one, somersaulting above the enemy leaders to land in the cleared center, lunging out in all directions as they landed to carve through the enemy ranks.
With their energies restored and their numbers reinforced, there was nothing to stand in the Rangers' way, and the Cyberdrones were completely defenseless in the wake of their rejuvenated might.
"This guy's been on the air long enough!" Ray decided, nodding at Radiowave before spinning around to stare down ArcKnight and Ender. "You guys deal with him, we'll keep the freeloaders off your back."
"Good idea," Hilary agreed. "Because we've got some scores to settle!"
"RIGHT!"
Now with the room to move, the five Rangers launched into the air to converge, landing all together with their Power Weapons drawn.
"What's this, listeners?" Radiowave protested. "Looks like we've got five lucky contestants, all calling in for our weekly contest!"
"Actually, we're here to lodge a complaint," said Erika.
"We've got some feedback about the content of your show," Abbey agreed.
"Now I'm afraid that I can only take one call at a time," Radiowave noted. "Who have got as lucky caller, number one?"
"That'd be me!"
With Radiowave's focus on the center, Miguel had taken the flank, rushing in with a Shadow Strike before the monster could see him coming. Radiowave howled as the Dark Saber cleaved against his body, sparks bursting from the rupture as Miguel skidded to a stop. "Did I win anything?"
"Hang on!" Lena declared as she lunged in. "Ain't a contest without competition!"
"Hey, wait!" Radiowave panicked, shrieking as the Power Spear lanced through his armor and the other three Rangers converged. "How'd you even get past my producers?"
His producers, meanwhile, were busy.
Seeing the two Rangers' targets, a horde of Cyberdrones rushed to block their path and barricade the open ground to hold the married couple back. The Gold and Silver Rangers barely broke their strike, shoulders dipping and crashing into the lines like rocks that broke the waves. The first Cyberdrones went flying, hurled off Ray's shoulder as the Gold Ranger dropped and swept the leg. The surrounding Cyberdrones clattered to the ground, helpless before his power, writhing on the ground as the rest of their comrades attempted to clamor over them.
But it was no use.
With their speed slowed, Ray stuck in, first with his fist and then with the large body of his blaster, pummeling back the henchmen like they were balls off a bat. He thought it would be familiar, to fight in Morph again. But this, this was something else. These Gold Ranger powers; they were incredible!
"So, what do you think?" Hilary asked as she too weaved among the drones and smashed them down with every blow.
"This is amazing!" Ray congratulated. The Cyberdrones now struggled to climb over all their fallen comrades, he took a step back, reefing up the blaster in his hands as the power began to prime. "What's say we show these guys a real blast?"
"Excellent suggestion!"
With barely more than a run-up, the Gold and Silver Ranger shot into the air, barrels glowing as they aimed at the henchmen below.
"Mainframe Defender!" They declared. "FIRE!"
Twin pairs of gold and silver erupted from the canons, rocketing down with unmeasurable power. The Cyberdrones could only tremble as the energy seared down, expanding with frightening force to blow the henchmen to pieces. With the intervening forces nothing but steaming parts, the two new Rangers landed gracefully before turning their attention to Ender and ArcKnight.
"So," Hilary snarled as she glared at Ender. "You're the one who keeps trying to mess with my lab."
"Now, now," the blue man urged, stepping back with hands raised defensively. "There's no reason we can't talk about this reasonably."
But his comment only made Hilary smile. "Oh, don't worry. I'm being more than reasonable."
Standing by the monster maker, ArcKnight glared at Ray, the visors of the helms locking in place as the two prepared to duel.
"Thought it was about time for the Round Two I offered," said Ray.
"I believe this bout is the third," ArcKnight corrected snidely. "Although I will take great pleasure in wiping you from this earth, Granger."
Just like his wife, a mischievous smile crept across Ray's lips. "Close: it's Gold Ranger, now."
"God, I love you," Hilary giggled.
"Man, I missed this."
"Now it really does feel like old times."
"Hello?" Ender demanded. "We're still over here!"
"Guys!" Erika suddenly groaned through the coms in agreement. "Fight now, flirt later?"
Both of them grinning from ear to ear, the Gold and Silver Rangers acquiesced to their teammate's request and returned their attention to the two warriors opposite. In unison, they flipped around their large blaster and snapped down the handles.
"Mainframe Defender!" they cried together as a sharp spike snapped out from beneath the two barrels. "Blade Mode!"
With weapons in hand, the two Rangers lunged at the enemy generals, now deadpan as they rushed in for the kill. ArcKnight braced, ready to take Ray's charge head-on, while Ender continued quivering, hoping his pathetic act would cause Hilary to hesitate.
It didn't.
"Nice try!"
Ender's eyes bulged as he barely dodged in time, Hilary's giant sword slicing where he'd just been standing as the Silver Ranger pressed on in her assault. ArcKnight, meanwhile, had parried Ray's blow. The swords collided, a booming shockwave unleashing from the impact as ArcKnight stumbled back from the blow.
"Whoops, sorry!" Ray laughed. "Guess I don't know my own strength."
"Your new power is impressive," ArcKnight conceded. "But it will take more than strength to defeat me."
"Defeat you?" Ray chuckled. "Who said anything about that?"
ArcKnight's head tilted, growling in fury as he spun around to curse at Ender. "Fool! They're just distractions!"
But it was already too late. In the distance, they could hear the rest of the team landing their blows, strike after strike. And it was already time to land the final one.
"Defrag Blaster, Hardwired!" the five of them called. "Fire!"
The full might of the blast was monumental, a spiraling pillar of flame soaring high as a ringed shockwave erupted from the impact point. Over the sound and the fury, Ray could just hear Radiowave's screams as he was blown apart, rendered into smoking fragments by the Rangers' combined cannon.
"No!" Ender screamed. "That's not how it was meant to go! We only just got him back on the air!"
"Maybe you should try some new talent," Hilary taunted. "Instead of going back to some has-been."
"Because you're one to talk," Ender sneered back. "But it won't matter. His show's not over yet. And if we can't take out your Rangers, then we'll settle for taking out you."
"I agree," ArcKnight growled as he returned his focus to Ray. "We can at least take some victory from today."
As the green light pierced the sky, the two warriors lunged. And as the regenerated Radiowave towered over the city, the Gold and Silver Rangers charged to meet them.
"Sorry for the interruption folks!" Radiowave's voice bellowed across the city. "Just some minor technical difficulties!"
"Uh, guys?" said Jessica nervously into the coms. "You know that frequency that made everything go crazy? Well, now it's transmitting across the entire valley, not just Lakeview!"
"That's right folks!" Radiowave cackled. "Coming to you live from Lakeview city, driving home with Radiowave is reaching more of you than ever!"
Erika gritted her teeth as she stared at the monster. He just wouldn't let up, would he?
The last time they'd faced Radiowave, it had taken all five Zords to take him down, and that was before his upgrades. While this time they were up one Megazord, the Cyber Security Zords were still badly damaged from their last battle. They needed more firepower, and they needed it now.
Thankfully, Lena had an answer.
"Hilary?" she asked into the com. "You remember that project you were working on with Ben? You know, once he was done with the Server Cycles?"
"Of course!" came the reply, breathing heavily as Hilary ducked and weaved from Ender's blows. "Jess! Go to the Zord screen and deploy them, then I need you to activate the Unity Protocol underneath it."
Right, it wasn't Hilary on coms. That was going to take some getting used to.
The response was hesitant, nervous in compliance as their new mission operator found her way around the screen. "Give me a sec, hang on. Deploying Zords, and… here we go! Uh, It needs a password."
Hilary's only reply was a groan. "Stupid Ben. Okay, it's BestBigBrother, all one word."
Ray's com wasn't on, but Erika just knew how hard he'd be laughing as the sound of screeching tires sounded in the distance. And as they did, the readouts on her visor lit up, presenting a whole new set of instructions.
And combinations.
"Hilary?" she gasped. "Does this mean…?"
"Do now, ask later!"
It seemed so obvious, something Hilary must have been working on right after she created the extra two Zords. The answer was to do it how they did everything, with the source of all their strength.
They'd do it together.
Ray and Hilary had pulled out everything to get them this far, and now it was their turn to bring it home. Feeling the excitement grow, Erika turned toward her teammates, all of them standing beside her in eager anticipation.
"Alright guys!" she commanded. "Let's bring them together!"
"RIGHT!"
As the five mighty vehicles surged toward them, the Rangers leaped into the cockpits, landing in the seats to immediately input the commands. Gripping the wheel, Erika steered her streetcar to its docking position behind Zeke's truck, giving the all-clear for Lena's racer to pull in behind her. Keeping constant speed, the three converged, locking in place as the truck's brakes slammed and the configuration shot upwards. Erika's seat rocketed back, already entering the elevator shaft as Miguel's cycle hit the air and split to clamp on the edges of the machine.
As the red and white zords unfolded to form a pair of armored arms, it grabbed the two parts of the Cycle and separated them further, locking the metal in place to form a strong pair of gauntlets. Then, just as the head was emerging from the newly combined body, Abbey's jet soared in, jets hissing as the vehicle halted vertically and slammed into the mecha's back. As the last of the docking clamps engaged, the helm formed over the head, and all five Rangers sat in their unified cockpit. From her seat in the middle, Erika had Abbey and Zeke on either side, with Miguel and Lena taking up the ends. The last of the lights on the panels blinked to life, and the five of them cheered as their new combination took a heavy step forward, ready to engage.
"Cyber Crash Megazord!" they announced together. "Online!"
Radiowave spun around, globe-like eyes narrowing at the machine that now stood before it in defiance.
"Well, that's about all we've got time for, folks!" he decided. "But why don't I close out the drive home with a final number? It's gonna be a killer."
"If you're taking requests," Erika taunted. "I'll take 'Video Killed the Radio Star'."
Whatever retort Radiowave had planned was stifled as the Megazord lunged forward, fully empowered by the combined five Zords. In the time she'd been a Ranger, Erika had grown used to piloting the Megazord, but this new form made the Cyber Security feel like a worn-out tractor. It moved with ease, even the ground quaking lightly as it stepped, but when it crossed the gap in what felt like a flash, its punch smashed into Radiowave with the force of a freight train.
The others cheered, delighting in their new combined power as Radiowave stumbled back in horror.
"Oh yeah!" Miguel applauded.
"That totally rocked!" Zeke agreed.
Stumbling from the blow, Radiowave glared back at them, nothing left but bravado as the Ranger squared off with their powerful new mech.
"Is that all you've got?" he yelled at them. "It's going to take more than that to cancel me!"
"Haven't you heard?" Lena replied. "Radio is so last century."
"Time to take back the airways!" Erika decided. "Let's do it!"
Altogether, the Rangers slammed the controls, and a pair of giant cannons materialized on the Megazord's shoulders as the engines on its back began to rumble. The wings of the jet plane shot out, thrusters flaring as the entire Megazord rocketed into the air, taking flight and hovering as the cannons took aim.
Out in the open and with nowhere to go, Radiowave cowered as he saw the end in sight.
"Wait, I take it back!" he pleaded. "You don't have to take me down. I can do something else! Late night maybe? A midday show?"
"Sorry," said Abbey. "But it looks like your career's out of airtime!"
The canons began to glow, energy building in the barrels as power was drawn from within. From her seat in the middle, Erika watched as the priming screen flashed to full, the weapon ready to go.
"CryptoShred HyperCannon!" they called together. "FIRE!"
Blinding beams unleashed from mounted canons, the entire machine rocking back as it was caught by the thrusters. Down below, Radiowave could only scream as he vanished in the energy, merging into a singular column that consumed him completely. Already, sparks were bursting from within, and as the firing stopped and the energy faded, the monster was left stumbling in a stuporous daze. The metal frames of his body were bent and torn, blackened from the scorching rays. And then, as the final ounce of strength left him, he toppled.
"So much for my big come-back!" he bemoaned, as his legs gave way to send him crashing to the ground.
The explosion was vibrant, a ripple emanating out as the towering flames surged in all directions. From the sky, the Rangers had quite the view, taking a moment to admire their good work before turning around and landing.
"You did it!" Jessica cheered into their coms. "The signals gone! Things are going back to normal!"
The ground rumbled as the Megazord landed, the final smoke from Radiowave's demise fading into the air as they stood upon the hill. It hadn't been easy, but they'd done it. Lakeview was safe once again. Because they still stood as its defenders.
Together.
With a roar of frustration, ArcKnight's blade smashed into the earth, Ray gracefully dodging before retaliating with a blow of his own. The blade sheered across the armor, sparks bursting like blood from a wound as the warrior went flying into the radio station's wall.
Beside them, Hilary had let Ender close in, swinging her broadsword defensively to parry his faster, lighter strike. Of course, while Ender lashed in frustration with his cane, Hilary was waiting for an opening. It didn't take long, and as Ender's cane bounced off the blade, Hilary shifted to thrust the enormous weapon in a sharp plunge that sliced against Ender's side.
The monster maker screamed, sparks flourishing from his body as he stumbled back and retreated to the safety of his comrade. Together, ArcKnight and Ender stared back at Ray and Hilary, astounded at the power flowing from them. The two of them shared a look as the husband and wife converged, blades already folding back to prime their twin-barreled canons.
With their henchmen in tatters, the monster destroyed and two new Rangers running rings around them, the writing, it seemed, was on the wall.
"This day may have ended in your victory," ArcKnight growled at them. "But the day will come when you will fall."
"You might think you're all that, with your fancy new suits!" Ender warned. "But you're not!"
They vanished in a flash of green, leaving Rangers Gold and Silver to stand proudly in the open space, reveling in the excitement of their return, and beaming with pride at their protegees' victory.
Yeah, Ray smiled to himself, it's good to be back.
The high school gym carried a tense quiet, barely more than a nervous chitter as the groups of people huddled in the safety of numbers. Large and sheltered, the school had been one of the first places people fled to when the signal went live, paralyzing the city as it was flooded with robotic horrors.
When Scolex's broadcast had gone out, the hall had started to empty, plenty fleeing to where they knew they'd find security. All the while, others had stayed, refusing to brave the streets again while all their communications were silenced.
Sitting in the corner, wrapped in a heavy blanket and wearing a furious scowl like it was the height of fashion, Whitney continued to pout as the water continued to seep through her clothing.
This was just the Worst. Day. Ever.
"I hate them," she growled to the only person that was listening. Bundled up in a similar blanket and snapping back from some vacant space, an equally drenched Deryck turned to her in confusion.
"Yeah," he agreed, somewhat uncertainly. "I mean, they're kind of the worst, the way they just drop in and harass people all the time."
"Not the robots you idiot!" Whitney snapped. "The Power Rangers!"
"Yeah," Deryck agreed, only for his face to narrow as if suddenly catching up and snapping to her in confusion. "Wait… what?"
Her life had been perfect, absolutely perfect, and then suddenly those multi-colored freaks showed up. And now it was just one big disaster after another.
She'd been thrown into dumpsters, covered in muddy water more times than she could count! She'd been turned into a freaking doll! It had taken hours to get off all that marker after Deryck's stupid sister had scrawled it on her face.
She'd been on top of the world, the queen of it all. And now here she was, wrapped in some scruffy, ugly blanket and soaked from head to foot. She was a laughingstock, a joke.
And it was all because of them.
Suddenly a cheer sounded throughout the gym, a victorious hurrah as someone held up their phone!
"A signal! I got a signal! It's working again!"
The room was suddenly abuzz, all the huddled citizens frantically checking their phones to see if it was true. It was; their technology was back to normal.
"Some people saw it!"
"Things went back to normal when the Power Rangers destroyed the giant monster!"
"It was the Rangers! The Power Rangers saved us!"
But as the people cried out in celebration, reveling in the exploits of their saviors, Whitney could only sit in her corner and sneer.
The Power Rangers. They weren't heroes. They were everything wrong with this city.
And then she got an idea. An awful idea. As Whitney turned to Deryck, a wicked grin appearing on her face, she began to explain to him her wonderful, awful idea.
"I'm going to find them," Whitney said, a near maniacal enjoyment chuckling in her voice that caused Deryck to shrink back in nervous fright. "I'm going to find out who these Power Rangers are."
"Uh, Whitney?" Deryck asked tentatively. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
But she ignored him, rising for renewed resolve that she hadn't felt since the first time that milkshake had been plonked on her head. "Oh yes, I'm going unmask them, and I'm going to show the people of this city that they're not so super after all. And then we'll see who's laughing…"
From their viewpoint at Cyberdyne Tower, Ender and ArcKnight kneeled and awaited their master's return. Their failure was going to be costly, but the two were nothing if not accountable. Granger and Hawkins had defeated them both, and the other Rangers had defeated their monster. There was no absolution, nor shifting of the blame.
And they would wear their punishment dutifully.
"Arise," Scolex instructed as he entered, the heels of his dress shoes clicking on the tilted floor as he approached from the elevator doors. "There's plenty of work to do."
"Master?" ArcKnight asked in surprise. "We failed you."
"Not to look a well-mannered, thoroughbred gift horse in the mouth," Ender added. "But shouldn't you be punishing us right now?"
"Punish you?" Scolex asked them with a raised eyebrow. "Why would I do that? The plan worked a treat."
"But, Master," ArcKnight protested. "The Rangers, they survived!"
"True," Scolex conceded. "It's a shame that we couldn't take them off the board today. But our main objective was achieved, and their endurance dealt with another problem. We were always going to have to blow up Radiowave once he'd dealt with the Power Rangers."
"Ahhh," Ender smiled as he began to catch on. "And instead, our technicolored friends have handled that for us."
A sinter grin crept its way to Scolex's lips, darkly humored as he turned to bask in the sun that set upon the recovering city.
"Exactly," he agreed. "No, we'll deal with the Power Rangers in due time. But until then, it's time to move on to the next phase."
And then, at last, he turned to them, his two most trusted minions rising as they realized a new order awaited them. "My press awaits, there's an announcement to be made. Today was a turning point, a historical moment. For now, we are one step closer to creating a perfect world."
There was a fresh buzz inside the lab as the elevator doors dinged open, Abbey being the first to notice Erika's arrival as she moved over to check in.
"How's Valerie?"
"She's safe," Erika said, gratefully tossing back the keys to the borrowed Prius. "We've got a lot to talk about. I mean, obviously. But we're good, I think."
It was a start at least. In many ways, it felt like the beginning of something new.
Speaking of…
"You guys were awesome!" Zeke cheered, beaming at the team's two mentors as they celebrated with Miguel and Lena.
"Bet you'd never end up fighting by my side, huh?" Lena joked.
"Honestly," Ray admitted. "I felt way out of practice. I really need to get back into shape."
"Speak for yourself," said Hilary. "I was on fire."
"Yeah, you were," Ray agreed with her. "You know, Silver suits you really well."
"I could same for you," Hilary added flirtatiously. "I thought I'd miss you in Red, but that Gold's making a case for the top spot."
The five teens around them groaned and rolled their eyes, Erika miming a gagging vomit as they mocked the married couple's flirtation.
"Okay, I'll say it," Zeke conceded. "They're making it weird."
"Yeah, if this is the price of new teammates," Erika joked. "Maybe we should have just stuck with five."
"Oh, come on," Ray laughed. "We're not that bad."
"He's right," Hilary giggled. "You think this is bad. Now imagine us being oblivious to it."
"Urgh!" Lena groaned, clamping her hands to her ears in jest. "Don't remind me! Even I wanted you two to get it over with!"
"So, you're really joining us?" Miguel asked. "Out there?"
"Well," said Hilary, turning her attention to the lab's newest occupant. "I guess that depends on my assistant here. After all, someone's going to need to run mission control while I'm running around in spandex."
Until now, Jessica had been sitting on the sides, still white as a sheet as the day's proceedings finally hit her. But before she could answer, Ray motioned to the monitors, turning up the volume as all of them gathered around.
It was Mayor Fielding, standing before a podium on the steps of City Hall, illuminated by the constant flash of cameras
"Today was a difficult day for our city," he announced. "We experienced a cyber-attack unlike any other. Our entire technological network was crippled, and were it not for the valiant efforts of the Power Rangers, I fear for what would have become of us."
There was a sound of applause, and all in the lab took a moment to accept the anonymous congratulations. The closest they'd ever get to open recognition, and the best they could take without fronting up with their helmets off.
"But this is not just a day for superheroes," Mayor Fielding went on. "It is a day for local ones as well. When our city's light was at its darkest, ordinary people stepped up, ushering others to safety even as evil threatened our streets. And there were none more so than the man beside me, who did all he could to get as many people to safety. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. Davian Scolex."
Again another applause, and all faces in the lab soured as they watched the mayor step aside for the smarmy, suited man who took his place at the podium. Even just looking at him made Erika's stomach churn, seeing his camera-perfect smile fade into a veil of feigned sadness as he played to the crowd.
"Today was a dark day, but also a day of triumph for our city," Scolex declared. "But as we recover from our ordeal, we must not forget the lessons that we have been so brutally taught. That there are those who mean us harm, those who seek to exploit the very foundations of this city for purposes of ill intent. Lakeview is a fine city, a strong city. But it is also a city that has been neglected as some others have thrived around us. And today, that became our Achilles Heel."
Behind her, Erika heard Hilary let out a seething hiss, one of knowing where the speech was going. Knowing who had been responsible for the neglect in the first place.
"But that ends today!" Scolex declared triumphantly. "From this day forth, I am proudly announcing the partnership of Cyberdyne Industries and Lakeview City Hall with our joined rejuvenation project! New energy, new transport. Together, my company and your local council will make Lakeview the city of the future. And we will make sure we will never again be vulnerable to an attack like the one we experienced today. Any questions?"
Hands shot into the air, the monitor's speakers ablaze with journalists asking a thousand different questions, only for the movements to snap into mime as Hilary hit mute in disgust.
"And there it is," she said bitterly. "His masterstroke. Construct a crisis, and then present himself as the savior. I'd be impressed if it wasn't so evil."
"But why?" Miguel wondered. "If he wanted to be the hero so badly, couldn't he just destroy his own monsters?"
"Yeah," Abbey agreed. "There are already so many problems in the world, why can't he be a savior handling one of those?"
"I don't know," Hilary admitted. "But we're going to find out."
Then, standing up firmly as if the others had forgotten she was there, Jessica rose to her feet, face steeled with resolve as she nodded in solidarity. "I'm in."
"Don't get too ready," Zeke warned her bleakly. "We don't even know what we're trying to stop."
"It doesn't matter!"
The words had left Erika's lips before she'd even thought them, and her heart stopped in fright as all heads slowly turned to face her. Her peers, her friends, her mentors.
Her team.
Even Jessica, the newest to their group and most out of her depth; far from her usually immaculately put-together exterior and now practically disheveled as she'd let her hair droop down past her shoulders in exhaustion. All of them were staring at Erika intently, waiting for what she had to say.
"It doesn't matter, because it won't change what we do," Erika insisted. "Xaviax may have got what he wanted today, but his plan also failed. Because we're still here, because we never gave up, and now we're stronger than ever before. Two New Rangers? A new Megazord?"
"And counting," Hilary corrected beneath her breath.
"See?" Erika agreed. "Xavaix hasn't won, because we're still here. Because we're still fighting. And as long we're standing then this city stays safe."
As she looked around the room, it started to hit her how far they'd come. Former strangers, former enemies. An MIT programmer, a high school guidance counselor, and a museum's personal assistant. All united, bound by a common cause. All of them were miles from where they'd once started, and all of them were determined to see their enemy fall.
"Sure, we don't know what Xaviax's endgame is," Erika admitted. "But a wise man once told me that when you're a Ranger, nothing's impossible. Just look at how far we've come already. How far we're going."
One by one, all the Rangers began to look at each other, spirits lifting in resolve. And then Ray, her mentor, and their newest Gold Ranger, shot her a look of his own, one of beaming pride. At where she stood now. And where he'd helped her reach.
Striding forward, Erika looked to the monitor, where Scolex was still smugly answering questions, feigning love for the city that he was constantly putting in danger. One by one, her Rangers filed behind her, standing in agreement as they glared at the face of their enemy.
"It doesn't matter what he's got planned," Erika decided. "Because we'll be ready."
And then she cut the feed.
The Power Rangers will return in…
POWER RANGERS
SERVER FORCE
SEASON 2!
NEXT TIME
With the team now Seven Rangers, the team prepares to uncover the next phase of Xaviax's plan, adjusting to their increase in numbers. But while their arsenal is more powerful than ever, not all is well as the younger Rangers struggle with the presence of their veteran mentors in their ranks. Meanwhile, saddled with the responsibilities of the museum as well as Hilary's secret underground lab, Jessica struggles with the weight of all that's been thrust upon her.
Will Ray and Hilary adjust to their new place within the team? Will the other Rangers be able to accept their old mentors as equal teammates? And will Hilary realize how much her assistant is struggling before it's too late?
Find out next time on:
POWER RANGERS
SERVER FORCE
Learning Curve
Power Rangers: Server Force is a fan-made team of Rangers, and not explicitly based on any other existing Rangers or Sentai property, with artwork character models created through Hero Forge.
Power Rangers- Sever Force updates on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you like what you read, you can always drop a comment to let me know and don't forget to subscribe/ follow to find out the second I update.
A/N: I feel like I always begin one of these posts by saying this, by it's absolutely crazy to me that I'm here. When I first envisaged this series, it was a stray thought, an off-the-cuff idea as I was walking into work. It was an idea that had me digging up old fanfic storylines, reconfiguring them into new characters, and a new setting, and all the while new ideas were beginning to form and join the old ones. It was an idea that caused me to go back to the fic that started it all, revising and then rewriting the original Data Squad. But while it was an absolute thrill to take an old fic and remake it into what I'd always envisaged it to be, it's another to be here, at the halfway point of the brand new series that I'd once never thought I'd ever right. A brand new series that is already just as long as the original, and we've still got so much more to come!
It's been so heartwarming to see people's responses, and a big shoutout to DBZfan45, xXRocketShark216Xx and CodeTranformers for your constant support.
I first wrote and published Data Squad at the tail end of the Disney Era, right as RPM was airing. So much of how I wrote it drew from that era, from its setting, its tone, to its episode length. And now, publishing a new Power Rangers fic in a new (uncharted) Power Rangers era, it felt apt to follow the model used in the years since- two seasons of 20(ish) episodes.
But have no fear, unlike the Neo-Saban and Hasbro eras, you won't have to wait for season 2. Instead, I'm just taking a short break to get the next batch all tidied up and ready to go, and in three weeks time, we'll right be right back to it. In the meantime, if you're hungry for more, I can thoroughly recommend the series that started it all, Power Rangers Data Squad. You can also check out the side adventure set immediately afterward- Operation: Timeline Rescue, where Jen Scotts leads crack teach into Alphabet Soup to change the timeline and stop the deadly Venjix Apocalypse.
And if you're all up to date and have run out of things to read, I'd love to hear what people thought. What did you think of the first half of the series, and what do you think is to come? Now that he's moving onto the next step of the plan, what do you Xaviax's ultimate goal might be? And now that they're united, what fresh problems will the team be forced to face?
The answers to those questions and more will soon be answered.
Same time. Same place.
Join us on July 16 for the premiere of Power Rangers Server Force: Season 2!
And may the Power Protect you all.