Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter seven of "Running From Here." This chapter contains Ranger action. I am so glad to have finally gotten to this point. Isla Nublar and the dinosaurs will return in the next chapter. Stay tuned for chapter eight.
XXXXX
Chapter 7: Dangerous Duel
Tommy, Kim, Jason, Trini, Billy, Zack, Alan, and Ellie were still watching Michelle, Kiva, and Rebbie ten minutes later. All three rhinos were drinking at the waterhole. John and Tim continued to sit at the first bench, as did Ian and Lex at the second one. They heard their friends laugh as Michelle raised her head and emitted a loud bellow. Tim covered his ears.
"That rhino is loud, Grandpa!" Tim blurted out annoyingly.
"It is, but it is a delightful sound," John said with a smile. He placed both hands on top of his cane. "It helps the rhinos communicate and alert each other when there is danger."
"Healthy adult rhinos have no predators, but young, old, and sick rhinos are very vulnerable to them," Lex said, giving a shrug as she and Ian glanced at the duo.
"The most dangerous animal in the universe is a mother protecting her young," Ian pointed out truthfully.
"You got that right, Ian," John said and cleared his throat.
Suddenly, Michelle, Kiva, and Rebbie rushed away from the waterhole. They raised their heads high. They bellowed in great alarm. They skidded to a halt. They shook their heads while digging their front hooves through the soil. They let out more alarmed bellows. John and Ian stood up and made their way to Ellie's side. Lex and Tim rose to their feet, but they did not move away from the benches.
"What is going on with those rhinos?" Ian wondered.
"I have no idea, Dr. Malcom," Jason admitted as he touched his forehead.
Tommy swallowed hard and shuddered in fear. "They have never acted like this before."
Suddenly, screaming came out of nowhere. The entire group watched a young man run past them with a Putty on his tail. Trini spotted Scorpina chasing three teens past the water fountain. Lex and Tim shrieked when Putties pounced on them from behind. Jason and Tommy rushed toward the Putties. They grabbed them by their arms. They twirled them around five times before letting go of them. The Putties collided with two charging companions. They ended up in a heap on the concrete. The Red and White Rangers shifted their attention toward the children.
"Kids, you, your grandfather, and your friend need to get to safety now!" Tommy shouted.
"We can't just leave you here!" Lex responded frantically.
"Those monsters will hurt you!" Tim exclaimed.
John shook his head in a fast manner. "Lex, Tim, don't argue with Tommy."
Ellie waved her hand toward herself. "We need to go now!"
Alan, Ellie, and Ian began running away. Lex and Tim were close behind them. John brought up the rear. Screeching came out of nowhere, causing them to come to a halt. They saw two Putties pulling zookeepers out of a cart and beating them up. John pressed his lips together.
"I can't move as fast as the rest of you. I can use that cart to move faster," John growled in determination. "Oh, yes."
John yelled when a Putty grabbed him. He smacked it in the head with his cane. He poked it in the chest, causing it to fall apart. Three Putties took hold of Alan, Ellie, and Ian. The trio broke free and kicked them in their stomachs. Lex and Tim opened their cokes and threw it in their faces. The Putties garbled while rubbing at their eyes frantically. John went over to the cart to get in. He put the cane in between his legs.
"Let's go for a drive," John said in much determination. "I will have quite the story to tell to my in-laws."
John drove away quickly as Alan, Ellie, Ian, Lex, and Tim raced after him. Tommy, Kim, Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack watched them until they were gone. They ran to a group of bushes well hidden from view. They looked ahead, their breathing hard and heavy.
"It's Morphin Time! Tigerzord!" Tommy shouted.
"Mastodon!" Zack called.
"Pterodactyl!" Kim summoned.
"Triceratops!" Billy said.
"Saber-toothed tiger!" Trini cried.
"Tyrannosaurus!" Jason yelled.
Tommy, Kim, Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack raced back toward the rhino exhibit. They skidded to a halt when they encountered Goldar and Tigton.
"Surprise, Power Geeks!" Goldar yelled with a laugh.
"Nice to see you and your buddies, Goldar!" Jason retorted sarcastically.
"You're a real piece of work! You attacked innocent visitors and frightened the rhinos!" Trini growled angrily.
"So what if we did?" Goldar taunted.
Tigton chuckled. "It got your attention, didn't it? By the way, my name is Tigton. I am your worst nightmare."
Goldar pointed his sword at his enemies. "Now, it's to meet your maker!"
Goldar and Tigton shot lightning from their fingertips. The Power Rangers dove for the ground, narrowly avoiding being hit. Their enemies attempted another shot, and everyone scattered in different directions. Tommy and Kim found themselves near the left fence. Two Putties came toward them while waving their arms around. They attempted to grab them, but their targets ducked out of the way. The White and Pink Rangers kicked them in their sides before delivering uppercuts to their necks.
The Putties rushed their fists forward, only for their quarry to hold up their arms and block them. Tommy and Kim performed five punches to their stomachs. They jumped over them. They bounced off a lamppost and performed dropkicks to their backs, sending them flying through the air. The Putties landed in the exhibit. They shook their heads rapidly and looked up. They emitted quiet garbles.
The Putties stood up and rubbed their heads. They garbled in fright when Michelle and Rebbie put their horns underneath them and threw them into the air. They went flying, landing near the back of the exhibit. The rhinos looked at them. They dug their front feet through the soil. The Putties stood up, wobbling and garbling. Michelle and Rebbie bellowed and charged toward them. The Putties raced out of the way.
Michelle turned toward the first Putty as it increased its stride. She upped her speed and reached it. She got her horn under it. She threw it into the air, causing it to crash into the first bench. Rebbie chased after the second Putty. She bellowed while reaching it. She ducked her horn underneath it. She threw it upward. It went flying through the air, slamming its head on a tree. It fell down, landing on its head. Tommy and Kim chuckled to themselves.
"I think Michelle and Rebbie had fun playing with the Putties," Tommy said while rubbing the top of his head.
"You're right," Kim said with a nod. "You're right."
Tommy and Kim heard screaming and saw three Putties chasing two zookeepers through the exhibit's right side. They raced to the fence, jumping over it and performing front flips. They kicked the first and second Putties in their heads, knocking them down. The Putties jumped to their feet and tried to grab them. Tommy and Kim ducked, causing them to miss. They grabbed their arms and gave them kicks to their stomachs. They flipped them over on their backs. The third Putty attempted to punch her, only to miss when she moved aside. She kicked it into a post. She slammed it against it, making it groan in pain. It sank to the ground. He joined her side as the zookeepers left, followed by three others. The walkway was clear of any other people.
"I hope you like the taste of wood, claybrain," Kim joked.
"I'll say," Tommy agreed.
The lovebirds spotted a Putty racing toward them. Suddenly, Kiva charged into the scene and knocked it down with a swing of her head. It flew into the air, landing hard on the ground near the fence. She turned toward it and broke into a full-blown charge. She ducked her head, getting it on her horn. She threw it backward. It went upward, landing on its back close behind her. It stood up, wobbling badly.
Kiva walked backward a few steps and kicked dirt into the Putty's face. It garbled in panic and rubbed at its eyes frantically. She walked around as if she were a predator sizing up her prey. She went to it as it turned around. She rammed her horn into its chest. It fell apart almost instantly. She snorted in satisfaction before shaking her head. She dug her front hoof through the soil before bellowing. Tommy and Kim had to laugh.
"Way to go, Kiva!" Tommy shouted.
"You showed that Putty what you were made of!" Kim called. She and her boyfriend saw two Putties charging their way and went to deal with them.
Jason walked backward while fending off punches from a Putty. He found himself next to the right fence. It aimed to slam its fist against his head. He crossed his arms to block it. It jammed its foot into his stomach, which caused him to stumble backward. He nearly lost his footing due to the dirt that had gotten on the walkway.
Jason regained his bearings just as the Putty aimed its fist at his head. He caught it in his hand. He twisted its arm, and it garbled in a panicky way. He twirled it around twice before letting go. It flipped over the second bench. It landed on its head before falling on its back. He raced up to the bench, a big smirk forming on his face.
"I think that flip over the bench was a little too high," Jason said, snickering. He ducked when fire flew his way. He looked up to see Scorpina pointing her sword at him close to the fountain. "You missed, Scorpina!"
"I might have, but you should watch your back!" Scorpina said.
Jason was grabbed from behind by Goldar. He elbowed him in the face, freeing him from his grasp. Goldar stumbled backward, but he regained his footing before he flipped over the left fence. He growled in much anger and backhanded Jason across the face. He punched him with one fist, followed by the other. He alternated between them for twenty seconds before deciding to grab his throat.
"I hope you're ready to be charged at by a rhino, Red Ranger!" Goldar cackled.
"Oh, shit," Jason grumbled.
Goldar lowered his enemy and threw him into the air. Jason landed in the waterhole. He went underwater, but he got to the surface quickly. He came face to face with a horn. He looked at Rebbie, who was on her knees. He grabbed it with a loud grunt. She stood up, pulling him out of the water. He found himself on his knees. He patted her neck as Tommy and Kim leapt raced to his side and help him up.
"Are you okay, Jase?" Tommy asked.
"Yeah," Jason admitted and glanced at Rebbie. "Thanks, Rebbie. You are a real lifesaver."
Rebbie emitted a warning bellow and stomped her front hoof twice. Three Putties grabbed the Rangers from behind. They pulled them away from the waterhole. Tommy, Kim, and Jason broke free of their grasp. They kicked them in their stomachs before punching them in their faces. They jumped over them, landing behind them. They shoved them forward.
The Putties regained their footing before they fell into the water. They sighed in relief. All of a sudden, Michelle charged past them, hitting each of them. She turned in a half-circle and went away. They fell headfirst into the water. They fought their way to the surface and climbed out. They made it to their feet. They shook their heads before gibbering.
The Putties heard snorting and glanced at Michelle, who dug her front hoof through the soil. She lowered her head and broke into a charge. She increased her stride, a fierce bellow leaving her mouth. They raced toward the fence. They jumped over it as they reached it. She stopped next to it, turning her body. She shook her head before snorting loudly. Tommy, Kim, and Jason laughed in great delight.
"Great job, Michelle. You really showed those Putties!" Tommy yelled.
"I have no doubt that you and your buddies will be playing with a lot of clay tonight!" Kim said.
"No denying that," Jason agreed. He and his friends found themselves surrounded by six Putties. They started to fight them.
Zack held up his arm to block one of Scorpina's punches near the right fence. He aimed his fist for her face in which he struck her between the eyes. She screamed ferociously and made a swing for his head. He moved aside, causing her to strike the wood. She turned around and swung her sword at him. She missed when he jumped back. He punched her, causing her to stumble.
Zack uppercutted the scorpion-woman three times in the neck after she regained her footing. He got hold of her arm to knee her in the side. He decided to twist it around and go under it. He rolled over her back before sweeping her off her feet with a swing of his arm. He looked down at her, furrowing his brow. His hands balled into fists.
"A little slow-moving, aren't you, Scorpina?" Zack asked.
Scorpina hissed. "I wouldn't say that!"
Two Putties grabbed Zack and pulled him away from Scorpina, who stood up. He struggled against their grasp, but he could not get free. He watched her approach. She pointed her sword at his throat.
"I'm going to enjoy this," Scorpina said evilly. "Oh, yes."
Scorpina charged her sword with electricity. Trini flipped through the air and kicked her away from Zack. Scorpina managed to regain her footing after stumbling backward. She snarled as the Yellow Ranger stood in front of Zack defensively.
"That's what you think, Scorpina!" Trini hissed in much determination.
Scorpina screeched. "How dare you interfere! Take this!"
Scorpina fired a beam of red energy at her enemy. Trini jumped upward to avoid it. She headed for her, kicking her down. She landed gracefully as her opponent rose to her feet. She raced for her and swung her clasped fists upward to hit her in the chin. She delivered multiple punches to the face. Scorpina snarled in rage and headbutted her very hard. She slammed her fist in the temple, which sent her stumbling off to the side. Trini recovered just in time to knock her down with an elbow to the face.
Goldar ambushed Trini and threw her against the first bench. He wrapped his hand around her throat to choke her. Zack pulled him off her, spinning him around. He performed four punches to the chest before giving him two uppercuts to the chin. Goldar tried to swing his sword at his head. He missed when his opponent dove for the ground. Zack stood up and kicked him in the stomach. This forced him back. Trini came to his side.
"What do you say we take care of this guy?" Zack suggested.
"I say let's do it!" Trini said, giving a thumbs-up. "I am so ready."
Trini took four steps back. She charged and jumped off Zack's back as he got on his knees. She dropkicked Goldar in the chest, sending him flying into two charging Putties. She landed as the group fell into a heap on the ground. He joined her and gave her a high-five.
"Great teamwork," Zack commented happily.
"You said it," Trini agreed. She and Zack went after two Putties as they charged at them.
Billy threw a Putty aside and backflipped as another leapt at him. Two Putties grabbed him from behind. A third delivered punches to his stomach. He pulled himself out of their grasp. He kicked the first Putty in the chest. He elbowed the second Putty in the face. He grabbed their arms and smacked them together. He jumped backward, throwing them into the air. They landed next to the right fence.
Billy held up his arm to block a punch from the third Putty. He grabbed its wrist and smirked at it. It shook its head rapidly. He twirled it around five times before letting go of it. It flipped over the second bench. It landed on its back with its arms and legs spread eagle style. He clapped twice before letting out a delighted laugh.
"Now, that is what I call a flip," Billy said while crossing his arms.
All of a sudden, Tigton punched the Blue Ranger in the back. This knocked him on his stomach. He grabbed his throat and forced him to his feet. He lowered him, throwing him very hard. Billy landed on his back near the fountain. He tried to stand up, but Tigton shoved him on his side with his foot. He gave him two kicks to the stomach, making him groan. He snickered under his breath.
Billy stood up and summoned his Power Lance. He made a swing of it at Tigton, who caught it in his hands. The tiger pulled it away and tossed it over his shoulder. Billy punched him in the face, gasping in horror when he was not fazed. Tigton punched him in the stomach with one fist, followed by the other. He alternated between fists before kicking him in the shoulder. Billy fell on his side with a loud groan.
"Aw," Tigton taunted. "The Blue Ranger has fallen and can't get up."
Jason rushed in and rammed himself into Tigton, who stumbled somewhat. Tigton glared at him. He threw a punch, only for him to deflect it with his hand. Jason held up his arm to block another one. He performed a roundhouse kick on the giant tiger. Unfortunately, Tigton remained standing. He charged his hand with lightning and tossed it at him, scoring a hit on him. Jason sank to his knees. Tigton hissed quietly yet fiercely.
Jason leapt into the air and struck his enemy with a kick to the face. He summoned his Power Sword after landing. He did a swing for his head. Tigton deflected it with a swipe of his hand. He punched him in the forehead. Jason jumped out of the way, as his enemy made another aim for him. He rolled to his feet and attempted another swing at his head.
Tigton caught the Power Sword in his hands and jerked it out of Jason's. He tossed it aside before giving him five punches to the head. He gave him three uppercuts in the neck. He fired an energy beam from his finger. Jason was hit and thrown backward into a post. He ended up on his stomach. Trini felt her eyes go wide with horror underneath her helmet.
"Jason! You won't get away with that!" Trini growled.
"Oh, I'm shaking in my stripes!" Tigton sneered.
Trini summoned her Power Daggers. She rushed them forward while charging at Tigton, who knocked them out of her hands. She attempted a chop to the neck, but she was blocked by his arm. He gave her a hard headbutt. He wrapped his hand around her throat. He proceeded to choke her. He felt a laser beam hit him in the side. He didn't flinch and spotted Zack, who had his Power Axe switched to gun mode.
"You'll have to do better than that, Power Twerp!" Tigton commented as he tossed Trini aside.
"You bet I will!" Zack declared. "Yes, yes, yes."
Zack leapt into the air. He raised his Power Axe high, bringing it downward, as he got closer to Tigton. He hit him in the head. Unfortunately, it did not have much of an effect. Tigton blocked him as he made another swing. He threw his arm down. This knocked the Power Axe out of his opponent's hand. He backhanded him before headbutting him.
Tigton fired his eye beams. They hit Zack and sent him flying into a post. He charged his hand with lightning. He was about to send it toward Zack when Tommy and Kim flipped through the air and dropkicked him in the chest. He wasn't hurt. He glared at them as they landed. They stood in front of Zack defensively.
"You're not touching Zack anymore, rodent!" Tommy yelled.
"You might as well face us!" Kim said fiercely.
Tigton cackled. "Oh, I love a challenge!"
Tommy drew Saba while Kim summoned her Power Bow. They charged at Tigton. Tigton blew fire from his mouth, hitting them. The White and Pink Rangers were sent flying backward. They hit the second bench with loud thuds. Tommy struggled to stand as Tigton approached him. He got to his feet and rushed Saba forward, only for his enemy to knock him aside. Tigton backhanded him, which sent him spiraling to the ground.
Tigton turned his attention to Kim as she stood up. She held up her Power Bow and let an arrow fly. He swung his hand, deflecting it. She charged at him while raising her weapon high. He shot a bolt of lightning from his finger, knocking her on her knees. She recovered quickly and made a swing for his head with it. Unfortunately, he managed to knock it out of her hands.
Tigton charged his hand full of lightning. He sent it into Kim, making her cry out in pain. He allowed a sinister cackle to escape his lips. He spotted Jason and Trini coming for him. He stopped his assault on Kim. He threw the lightning at his enemies. The Red and Yellow Rangers were hit and fell down. Tigton performed the same move on Zack as he charged with his Power Axe held high. He smirked as he watched him fall down. He backhanded Billy, who tried to punch him. He tossed him aside with a snarl. The Rangers struggled to their feet.
"There is nothing better than smoked Rangers for lunch," Tigton said and whistled loudly. Ten Putties gathered around him. "Come on, Putties. Let's leave Goldar and Scorpina to handle the Power Geeks while we get their friends."
Tigton and the Putties rushed off. Goldar and Scorpina forced Tommy and Kim to their feet and gave them backhands to their faces. The Putties made Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack stand up. They proceeded to pound on them with their fists.
