Thunderstruck
Chapter 30: Homecoming
Nearly two days later…
After a quick stop on Andresia to return their new friends, Altair and Vega, to their home, they finally made it back to Earth. Cam and Leann were the only ones waiting for them, informing them that everyone else was waiting at Storm Chargers. They were setting up for a welcome home party on the beach. Hunter and Tori disembarked from the ship first, running excitedly to meet their friends, who held their baby daughter. Sarah kicked her legs excitedly and held her arms out for him, as Hunter scooped her into his arms. He wrapped his free arm around Tori, as she kissed their daughter too.
Hunter turned to Jared, who stood a safe distance away and gave him a curt nod.
"Thank you for helping Tori come after me," he said. Jared returned his nod.
"You are my son and I have much to make up for. It was the least I could do," he replied, as he and his scientist friend turned and left without another word. Hunter watched him go for a moment and then turned back to his family. Despite overwhelming odds, he was back with his family and he was never letting go.
Jared entered his office that morning, finding that he was not alone. He glanced at Finch, who took the hint and left quickly.
"Admiral Fowler, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Zale asked sarcastically.
"Have you by chance checked any of the Galactic news?" Birdie asked.
"I've been busy and you know I detest intergalactic gossip," Jared retorted.
"Word has spread like wildfire! An unsanctioned rescue mission to the M51 galaxy by non SPD rangers is an embarrassment!" Birdie exclaimed.
"SPD is too cowardly to deal with the Drakonians. I wasn't going to allow those heathens to murder my son," Jared growled. Birdie snorted.
"Since when do you give a damn about that boy? He wants nothing to do with you," Birdie replied.
"Not yet...but he'll soon see me differently. He already does, as I gave his wife and friends the means to save him," Jared said.
"You murdered his Sensei and his mother. You're deluded if you think he'll ever regard you as anything but a murderer," Birdie sneered.
"Funny how you throw that word around. You're as guilty of murder as I am. Don't forget that I know things about you that I bet would make the galactic news reporters salivate," Jared warned. Birdie seethed.
"I'm feeling the pressure from the SPD hierarchy to move in on the Ninja Academy. They want it under SPD control," Birdie stated.
"But you're not that stupid...at least I hope you're not that stupid. Non sanctioned teams would most definitely side with the ninja team. And Billy Cranston will hack SPD earth in a matter of hours. What he finds will destroy us both and squash SPD earth division," Jared warned.
"I know that!" Birdie snapped.
"Fortunately, I have a work-around," Birdie continued. Jared raised an eyebrow.
"We have something on Cranston and his cohorts. Taking down the Academy would expose us...but outlawing the practice of the Ninja arts would not. Cranston will refrain from exposing us if he wants to keep us from exposing what really went down in Mexico. He and his friends would lose their jobs and credibility. The ninjas get to keep their little Academy, but can never use their powers outside the grounds. If they do so, SPD will arrive to arrest them," Birdie stated.
"You really think that the ninja team won't defend their city if Lothor attacks again?" Jared asked.
"Oh, I know they will. And after each victory, SPD will chase them back into their woods. And if Cranston tries anything to disparage SPD, then I will go public with the identity of every living ranger that has ever donned armor. If I go down...so do they," Birdie hissed. Jared smirked.
"Impressive. In the meantime, I'll play the part of the horrified father and offer my words of encouragement to their cause," Jared replied.
"And over time, you'll gain the allegiance of your family and get close to your granddaughter, who will surely possess the amethyst storm powers one day. SPD would be unstoppable with a ranger like that," Birdie said.
"What you're talking about will take years to come to fruition," Jared reminded.
"Anything worth having requires patience, of which I have a wealth of," Birdie replied.
"As do I. Now get out...before I change my mind," Jared spat. Birdie smirked and heeded his words. Jared poured himself a drink and gazed out at the cityscape. If Hunter even had an inkling to his true plans, he would be horrified.
"I'm doing this for us, my son. And in the end, you and your family will have everything. You may not approve of my methods...but you'll eventually thank me," Jared reasoned.
When they arrived at Storm Chargers, the whole place erupted in cheers, as they greeted the returning rescue team. Every former ranger that could make it was there.
Hunter felt a little overwhelmed again that so many had volunteered to go on what could have been a deadly mission, just to rescue him. It was humbling and he felt his wife squeeze his hand. Their little girl imitated the others, as they clapped for them, making her parents chuckle, in which they received a toothless grin from their baby in return.
They quieted and Hunter felt like he should say something. He placed Sarah in Tori's arms and became the center of attention.
"I'm not really good at speeches, but I want to thank everyone for coming here and everyone that risked their lives to bring me home. I'll never be able to repay any of you. Just know that I'll never take my life for granted. Because of you, my daughter doesn't have to grow up without a father and my wife didn't have to lose her husband," Hunter said, as Tori smiled at him.
"I used to be kind of a loner, so having this many friends is humbling and rewarding. Thank you doesn't seem like enough," he said. Tommy raised his glass and everyone joined him.
"Once a ranger, always a ranger," Tommy said.
"When one of us is in trouble, we're always going to do everything we can to help," Adam echoed his sentiment.
"Yeah...cause I never pass up the opportunity to lay the beat down on evil alien assholes," Jason quipped, earning laughter and eye rolls.
"To the Power Rangers family," Rocky toasted.
"And to Zordon's Legacy," Kimberly added, as they all took a drink and the mingling began anew.
Lothor snarled and threw the goblet of wine in his hand at the view screen. It shattered to smithereens, as he angrily watched these damned rangers team up to save the crimson one. Now that his nemesis had gone up against the likes of the Drakonians and won, bounty hunters willing to take them on would be more difficult to find and more expensive.
"Nice tantrum. No wonder you're a joke on most civilized systems," Jared goaded, as he appeared and waltzed onto the bridge of Lothor's ship.
"What the hell are you doing here? Seize him!" Lothor ordered his Kelzacks. But Jared merely raised his hand, the navy electricity spilling from his fingertips and easily subdued his would be attackers.
"You've got your powers back, I see," Lothor noticed.
"Omino's dead, as is my saintly brother-in-law. They stripped me and so they have returned fully upon Omino's death," Jesse responded.
"No matter...my dark prism is more powerful and I'll kill you for helping your brat and his friends!" Lothor snarled.
"He's my blood...and if you kill me now, you'll never get your revenge," Jared stated. calmly.
"What are you blathering about?" Lothor demanded to know.
"About how you're going to hire some new lackeys and I mean decent ones, not from the trash on Onyx. Then you're going to send them to attack Blue Bay Harbor," Jesse replied.
"Even if I were to do that, which I'm not going to. I don't really have those kinds of funds available, especially not to waste on monsters that those blasted whelps will just blow up!" Lothor growled.
"You're going to do it and you'll have the money you need," Jesse replied.
"Why? I thought you were trying to get back in your brat's good graces?" he questioned. "I am. He won't know or suspect I'm connected. He'll be too busy blaming you and SPD," Jesse responded.
"The space police?" Lothor questioned. Jared nodded curtly.
"Explain," Lothor demanded.
"SPD's admiral is as corrupt as they come. If I were to go public with what I know about him, it would not only destroy his career, but there would be a court martial. So he wants all ranger teams under SPD control," Jared said. Lothor snorted.
"Those ninja nuisances will never give up control of their precious Academy," Lothor spat.
"Yes...and Billy Cranston will never allow them access to Zordon's true morphing grid. But SPD has their own dirt on them," Jared explained.
"What do they plan to do?" Lothor asked.
"All non-sanctioned ranger teams will be outlawed by SPD, as will the use of ninja magic," Jared stated. Lothor smirked.
"Those goody-goodies will never leave the protection of Earth in the hands of the space police," Lothor goaded.
"No, they won't. They'll come out to fight your monsters, save the Earth, and then be chased back into the woods like fugitives. And Billy Cranston won't dare to hack SPD unless he wants all their identities and their pasts to go public," Jared stated. Lothor smirked.
"Well, I suppose it's a start to my revenge. But let me guess, you'll be playing the supportive daddy?" Lothor asked.
"He is my son...and he will come to me for help eventually. If for no other reason than to protect his little family. He will understand that everything I am doing is for him and his family," Jared stated.
"Or he'll realize you are exactly what he thinks and turn on you," Lothor goaded.
"No! He will need me. You'll have your revenge and we'll both have the power we desire. And I will get back the family that was stolen from me. My son, his wife...and my granddaughter," Jared said. Lothor smirked.
"There'll be plenty of thugs in the M51 galaxy looking for revenge. Hiring some new lackeys there shouldn't be an issue," Lothor said. Jared nodded.
"Very well...I'll be heading back now," Jared said, as he activated the device on his wrist and teleported away.
"Set course for the M51 galaxy," Lothor ordered.
Two weeks later
Exactly two weeks had passed since they had returned. And nothing terrible had happened. A semblance of normalcy had almost settled in, as they resumed their lives. They should have known that's when Lothor would return, this time, hiring more competent foes.
That morning, training was interrupted by an attack on the city. A particularly angry Drakonian had made his way to Earth with Lothor's assistance, surely, and began a rampage in the town square. Leaving their students with their senior students in charge, the six of them morphed and ninja streaked to the town square.
People screamed, as the Drakonian warrior stormed through town, leaving debris in his wake. The ground shook and buildings crumbled, as he used his weapon to fire energy beams at structures.
He fired another blast, this time at people, who screamed in terror. Thankfully, Shane countered it with his battle blast, landing to face the foe. Dustin and Tori flanked him in a ready stance. The warrior chuckled.
"That's it? Three rangers is all this planet can spare?" He joked.
"Who says there's only three?" Hunter called from behind him. He stood in his usual stance, arms crossed over his chest, with Leann and Cam flanking him.
"You!" He screamed as he fired a blast directly at the crimson ranger.
"Thunder shield!" Hunter and Leann called, as they blocked his beam and their shields absorbed it, while Cam charged him, only to be backhanded away. The warrior was seeing red at that point and charged headlong at Hunter. But he didn't see the trail of ice creeping up behind him, until it was already under his feet and he went colliding with the ground.
"I am never going to get tired of seeing you do that," Hunter mentioned. She smirked beneath her helmet.
"Let's finish this poser," Dustin suggested.
"Good idea…" Shane said, as his hands glowed with red energy. He formed it into a ball and it shot out at their foe, growing into a cyclone. It whipped around him, trapping him inside a vortex.
Dustin was next, as he pushed his yellow energy into the ground. It burrowed beneath the ground and shot up around the monster. Hunter and Tori joined hands and their respective powers combined into a amethyst orb of power. The monster cried out, as the power consumed him and he exploded into nothingness.
"Ha, bet he didn't see that coming," Dustin joked. As they waded through the crowd that had gathered to thank them, they heard sirens and an SPD squad jeep screeched to a halt on the curb near the square.
Five SPD officers, four of whom looked very green behind the ears, exited the vehicle and were led by Commander Tate. Their SPD uniforms were crisp and branded each with a different color, signifying rank and each bore a badge on their hip.
"You're a little late. We've taken care of the menace," Shane said, from one red to another.
"So it would seem, but that's not why we're here. I'm afraid the six of you are under arrest," Commander Tate stated.
"What?" Tori cried.
"We're the good guys," Dustin said.
"Yeah, if you didn't notice, we just pulverized the monster that was destroying the city," Leann snapped.
"You obviously haven't heard the latest decree from SPD then," Tate replied. Hunter crossed his arms over his chest.
"Guess not, so why don't you enlighten us, Commander," he suggested.
"Any non sanctioned ranger teams are to be immediately disbanded. More importantly, the use of the ninja arts is illegal and those caught doing so will be arrested," Tate stated.
"You can't be serious?!" Shane exclaimed.
"Quite," Tate replied tightly.
"Are you seriously going to try and arrest us, because we saved the city?!" Cam shouted.
"You refuse to be a part of SPD and we're charged now with the protection of this planet," Tate said. Hunter snorted.
"Forgive us if we don't trust you to do the job. We've been at this longer and our powers are stronger than yours," the crimson ranger hissed.
"Which makes you far more dangerous. It's not a chance the Admiral is willing to take," Tate replied.
"Should have known. The birdman is jealous of our powers. SPD wants the prisms, don't they?" Shane asked. Tate was silent.
"Thought so," he said, as he and Hunter nodded to each other. The six of them ninja streaked away.
"They're running, Commander," the female officer in blue said.
"We knew they would. The sensors will pick them up on the edge of town and incapacitate them," Tate explained.
"Sir, forgive me, but they did save the city," the young male officer in yellow said.
"They're too dangerous. We can't condone those that operate outside galactic law," Tate snapped, as they got back in the squad car and followed them.
The ninjas streaked toward the woods and as Shane, Leann, and Cam slipped through the barrier at the edge of town, the sensor was tripped. A shield was activated and Dustin, Tori, and Hunter slammed into the invisible barrier. They cried out in pain, as they were tossed to the ground, effectively trapped.
The SPD squad car screeched to a stop and they held their laser pistols on them.
"Billy...this is Shane. SPD is trying to arrest us! They've got three of us trapped inside a barrier!" Shane cried into his communicator.
"Crap...I didn't think they'd really go this far. Hang on, I'm analyzing the shield," Billy answered.
"You're under arrest," Tate said, as his officers approached, now morphed, and attempted to put them in cuffs. The three of them engaged the four SPD rangers, as Tate observed. Knowing that his officers were rookies and they were fighting seasoned fighters, he used his morpher to activate the sensor again, which was situated on the nearest phone tower.
The beam shot out and hit the three rangers inside the barrier. They cried out in pain and were forcibly demorphed.
"You're under arrest," Tate stated again, as he held out his morpher.
"GUYS...DON'T LET HIM HIT YOU WITH THAT BEAM FROM HIS MORPHER. IT WILL DIGITIZE YOU AND I'LL NEVER GET YOU BACK!" Billy cried from Shane's morpher. The three of them rolled away from Tate and huddled together.
"Billy...why isn't the shield down yet?!" Shane cried.
"It's taking too long. But there might be something quicker. Tell Tori to freeze that phone tower that the beam came from! It's the only way out," Billy said.
"Tor...the phone tower!" Shane cried. Icy tendrils shot out from her fingertips and she blasted the tower. The shield dissipated and the three of them escaped with the others. Tate seethed, but wasn't surprised by their escape. At least now they knew the consequences of using their powers outside the Academy grounds. The Admiral's objective was complete.