Rachel returned to Swanfield Gym after the early morning training session, choosing to avoid public interaction by entering through the rear entrance. She was just about to punch in the access code to the door when it opened inwards. The white ranger jumped back in surprise, "Harley," she cried, catching sight of the black ranger in the door frame. Her surprised look soon turned to a frown when she spotted a large bag slung over his shoulder, "Going somewhere?" she asked coldly.
"Yeah," he shrugged, "got a problem?" he added defensively.
Rachel scowled, "As a matter of fact I do," she began, "you're meant to be on the rota for the rest of the day."
Harley frowned, stunned into silence for a few seconds, "If that was a joke, you need to work on your sense of humour."
"Course it was a joke," Rachel snapped, "just like you running away from your problems is a joke." Harley went to reply but the white ranger stopped him firmly, "No listen to me, I like you," a small smirk flashed across Harley's face before trying to play it cool, "I'm not talking marriage, kids and a house in the suburbs yet," she continued, "more like, we're young consenting adults, lets have some fun and see what happens."
She paused, glancing away from the black ranger, "But this," she gestured towards his bag, "is a big red flag for me. Seems like when things get a little too difficult, you run away." She chewed her lip and shook her head, "How do I know I can rely on you?"
Harley thought for a moment before answering, "Honestly, you probably shouldn't," he sighed, "I'm a grifter who'll sell you a dream and walk away with your money, house and possibly the clothes off your back." He shrugged the bag on his shoulder and pushed past the white ranger, "Y'all better off without me," he grumbled.
"But that's not all you are," Rachel pleaded, making Harley pause, "you're a compassionate man who has fought to protect this city." She took a few paces closer, "I know you've probably done some bad things in the past but I don't care. This is your chance to make a new future but you're too stubborn to take it."
Harley chuckled, "I wish I could see what you do but I can't be the person you want me to be." Without looking around he walked out the loading bay, "For what it's worth, I'm sorry." As he disappeared out of sight, Rachel kicked over pile of boxes, attacking them until they were a crumbled mess. She ran a hand through her hair and let out a loud sob, sinking down into a crouch amongst the cardboard wreckage.
On the Vyglass ship, far away from the human drama on the surface, Count Trivium circled Toxica who was strapped firmly to a table. The Org was barely conscious, a series of wires were connecting her to a device around the egg of Atropheous. He carefully checked the reading, a small grin crossing his cold features. He heard footsteps approaching but didn't take his eyes away from his machine, "Did you finish the job?" he asked the arriving Lena and Kane.
"As you instructed Count Trivium," the cyborg announced, sharing a look with the Princess, "we destroyed all evidence of our presence."
"You actually completed your assignments," Prince Reise chuckled as he entered the room, "this really is turning out to be a momentous day." He looked at the Trivium's latest project, "Have you nearly completed Frankenstein's monster?"
Ignoring the jibes of the young Prince, Trivium made a few inputs to his machine and threw a switch. A surge of electricity passed through Toxica, drawing barely a whimper of pain from the injured Org. The power travelled down the cables into the cradle holding Atropheous. Suddenly there was a cracking noise from its shell as a huge, scaly claw burst out, "At the risk of sounding like a cliché, it's alive," Trivium grinned widely before letting out a triumphant cackle of laughter, drawing a few worried glances from the other members of the Vyglass.
At Aaronsdale bus station, Harley sat alone on a bench waiting the departure of his Greyhound out of town. He barely noticed people walking past him, he was still deep in thought about Rachel's parting words. He was engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice someone sit down on the other end of the bench, "Tough day?" the stranger asked.
Harley glanced at the speaker, he was an older man possibly in his late thirties or early forties. His hair was closely shaved or potentially non-existent at this point in his life. He was definitely in shape, his arms barely contained by his shirt sleeves and the buttons of his black shirt strained across his chest. He wasn't going to respond but decided to humour the stranger, "I've had worse," Harley shrugged.
"Haven't we all," the man's smile was reassuring, his voice soft despite his size, "where you heading?"
"As far as my last pay check will take me," came Harley's blunt response.
"That bad," the man nodded, "want to talk about it?"
Harley snorted, "Not much of a talker, I'd rather just enjoy the view."
"Of a bus station?" the stranger smiled, "boy you must have it rough." There was silence between the pair for several minutes until the older man added, "My friends had a saying that might help," Harley barely twisted his head, enough to side eye the stranger, "never give up," was his simple words of advice.
"That it?" Harley shook his head, "you're no Shakespeare buddy."
Their conversation was interrupted by an announcement over the tannoy, "Customers please be advised that all services have been suspended due to a monster attack." A panicked murmur nearly drowned out the rest of the announcement, " We would advise all customer to seek immediate shelter, all tickets will be valid for future journeys."
"Just great," Harley grumbled, "can't even escape this stupid city."
"Maybe this is a sign from the universe that you're exactly where you need to be," the stranger said sagely. There was a loud crash from the distance, Harley could just see a large red monster over the tops of the buildings. It was completely covered in scaly armour with razor sharp claws, demonic red wings on its back and three horns jutting out from its helmeted head.
Both Harley and the man jumped to their feet, "Everyone get outta here," Harley instinctively called, ushering people away from the bus station. He noticed the stranger doing the same thing, "Maybe you should get goin' too," Harley suggested.
Before he could answer, someone called out to the man, "Hey Danny," a dark skinned man dressed in blue shouted, "time to go."
"Coming Max," Danny called back before turning back to Harley, "think about what I said, something tells me we'll be seeing each other again soon," he joined up with his friend and the pair disappeared into the crowd.
Harley looked up and the monster and something told him this wasn't an ordinary Vyglass beast. Making his choice he dropped his bag and sprinted in the direction of the attack.
A short distance away the Rangers were already on the ground fighting off the Gougers. Their attempts to battle the footsoldiers was hindered by the looming Atropheous above, "Couldn't the Vyglass wait for us to blow their monster up before making it giant," Stevie quipped whilst fending off two Gougers with her blaster.
"Apparently not," Ricky suddenly looked up and saw a giant foot immediately above, "look out," he cried and tackled the blue ranger out the way just as the foot crashed to the ground. The attack crushed two cars along with several Gougers, "Damn, it's even taking out its own guys," he exclaimed.
"Not really helping us," Mark pointed at the dozens of footsoldiers swarming the streets, "they just keep coming." He charged up his Jet Sword with a surge of red energy which he directed at the Gougers with a flourish.
"We can't even call on the Megazord without Harley," Rachel grumbled whilst blasting the next wave of Gougers.
"I'm working on that," Jazz said through the radio, " just gimme five minutes and the Condor Zord will be under remote control."
"Easier said than done," the white ranger sighed. Rachel jumped towards a trio of Gougers, knocked one out with a swipe from her Gauntlet. She turned her attention to the other two but failed to spot another Gouger sneaking up from behind. The creature raked it axe down her back, sending the white ranger crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks.
Rachel rolled over just as the three Gougers loomed over her prone body. Suddenly a large metal box crashed into the footsoldiers, wiping them out instantly. To her surprise Harley was jogging towards her with proud look on his face, "Return to sender, first class delivery," he called, Rachel twisted her head in his direction, "I threw a mail box at them," he grinned but there was no response from the white ranger, "geez tough crowd."
Harley offered his hand to Rachel, after a few awkward seconds the white ranger got to her feet without his assistance, "I thought you'd be out the state by now," she said coolly.
"Tried but they cancelled my bus," the white ranger groaned and shook her head, "I was joking," he added defensively.
"Look around," Rachel hissed, "does anything about this feel funny to you?"
For once Harley was stunned into silence before muttering, "I'm sorry, not just for that terrible joke. I'm sorry for leaving the team and I'm sorry for leaving you behind."
"It'll take more than words to convince me Harley," Rachel sighed. Before she could continue Harley lunged forward and ripped her blaster from its holster and fired a couple of shots over her shoulder. She turned around and spotted two fallen Gougers with blaster holes in their chest's. A smug looking Harley offered her weapon back, "It's a start I guess," she grumbled.
The battle ground fell quiet, the Rangers had repelled the initial wave of Gougers but Atropheous had lumbered towards another part of the city. The others quickly jogged over to Rachel and Harley, "This is a surprise," the red ranger began, "I wasn't expecting to see you again."
"Maybe I realised what I was fighting for," Harley gave Rachel a look and small smile, "just took me a while to work it out."
Mark sighed looking at Harley's morpher in his gloved hand, "If you turn this in again, you won't get it back." He offered the morpher to Harley but as the black ranger went to take it, Mark kept hold for a few seconds, "I mean it, final chance," he said firmly.
Harley strapped the device to his wrist, "I won't let you down again, boss," he replied. Suddenly Stevie stepped over and punched the black ranger firmly on the arm, "Ow, the hell was that for?" he asked, rubbing the sore spot on his upper arm.
"That's for running off in the first place," the blue ranger hissed, "do it again and they'll be plenty more where that came from, understood?"
"Crystal clear," Harley nodded before turning to Ricky, "wanna take a shot too?"
The yellow ranger shrugged, "I prefer to get revenge through non-violent means."
"The hell does that mean?" Harley frowned.
"You'll find out soon," Ricky smirked beneath his helmet, "now are we going to stand around all day or shall we take care of that thing," he pointed at the giant Atropheous disappearing into the distance.
Harley shrugged, "Fair point," she said whilst activating his morpher, "Jet Force, Take Flight."
At the Air Base Major Earhardt and Jazz were watching and listening to the Rangers conversation, "Do you believe him?" the Scot asked the Major, "Wouldn't be the first time Harley's tried to walk away and come back."
"Something tells me he's back for good now," Taylor smiled to herself.
"Which means I've spent the last fifteen minutes programming the Condor Zord for remote combat for nothing," Jazz grumbled. Just then an alarm sounded from another part of the city, "More incoming Gougers, this time by the stadium," she called to the Major.
"That's the other end of town, they're trying to spread our resources thin," Taylor muttered. She opened her desk drawer, "The giant monster is the team's priority," she continued, "launch the zords."
"But what about the Gougers?" Jazz asked.
Taylor smirked, shrugging off her jacket and leaving it on her chair, "Giving them a little back up," she showed Jazz her morpher, "I'll deal with the Gougers, keep an eye on everything and let me know if any more appear in the city."
"Yeah, sure," Jazz sighed as Taylor left the command room, "great, watch the screens Jazz, what other option do I have?"
She tried to split her attention between the two separate battles. Security cameras around the stadium captured the yellow Wild Force Ranger easily dealing the Gougers. Alarm bells were soon ringing from the Megazord monitors though, "That thing packs a punch," Jazz gasped as the power outputs dropped dramatically.
The Scot typed frantically into her console, trying to route power to different areas of the Megazord, "Guys this guy is strong," she called into the radio, "I'm directing all non-essential power reserves to your shields and weapons. That'll mean no radio and no climate control so I hope you all showered today."
"Whatever you can do Jazz," came Mark's strained replied.
"He is uglier than I remember," a voice from behind Jazz startled the Scot, "course, not everyone can be blessed with my good looks."
"Jindrax?" Jazz asked in confusion, "what are you doing here?"
"I really need Taylor's help, is she here?" the Org asked.
Jazz pointed at the monitor, "As you can see we've got our hands full, bit of a crisis if you haven't noticed."
"I know, the Vyglass took Toxica," Jindrax began, "they used her to bring Atropheous to life-"
"Wait, that thing is Atropheous?" Jazz exclaimed, "no wonder the Megazord is taking a beating." She pushed against her headset, "Guys that's no ordinary monster, its Atropheous." There was a silent pause, long enough for Jazz to realise her mistake, "Shit, I've shut down the radio to divert power, they have no idea."
"It won't help, you haven't got enough power to beat Atropheous," Jindrax replied.
"Did you say the Vyglass captured Toxica?" Jazz asked, to which Jindrax nodded, "could she use her magic to boost the Megazord?"
"Depends what condition she's in," Jindrax stated.
"Could you get us there?" once again the Org nodded. Jazz pulled off her headset and dropped it on the desk. She used a keycard to open a cupboard behind Major Earhardt's desk. Inside were half a dozen blasters and ammunition packs, "Well don't just stand there, let's get going," the Scot said whilst loading the weapon.
"No offence but I don't think that would be a good idea," Jindrax began, "do you even know how to use that?"
"I've had basic firearms training," Jazz shrugged, "look you want help and I'm offering and you don't have many other options right now." Jindrax hesitated, "Do you want to save Toxica?"
"Course I do," Jindrax sighed, "fine but for the record in case Taylor tried to kill me in the future, I think this is a very bad idea."
"Noted," Jazz said, "let's get going," with another sigh Jindrax raised his sword and the pair teleported away. Moments after they left, the security cameras spotted four Power Rangers moving through the city.
Inside the Jet Force Megazord, the Rangers were getting thrashed around with each blow from Atropheous. Even blows that they were able to block were severely depleting their power supplies, "Shields down to sixty six percent," Ricky called out, "even with that power boost I don't think we can take too many more hits."
Atropheous swung another mighty blow their way, the Megazord side stepped but still took a blow to the shoulder. Sparks exploded from the console as the lights briefly went dark in the cockpit, "Agreed," Mark responded, frantically manipulating the controls to stablise the Megazord, "maybe we should try and end this quickly."
The Megazord switched configuration and took flight away from Atropheous, "Laying down some covering fire," Harley called out, blasting the giant creature with several turbolaser rounds. Trails of fire licked around the edges of the Zord as it turned into a blazing ball of fire and streaked towards Atropheous.
This attack had finished plenty of Vyglass monsters but Atropheous was no ordinary beast. It casually swatted the fireball away, sending the Megazord into a warehouse building below. Alarms screeched throughout the cockpit as smoke billowed from the overworked consoles, "Damage report," Mark called out to the team.
"I have no idea," Stevie replied, "the console that gives us the damage report has been damaged."
"I would find that irony hilarious if I wasn't bein' cooked inside this tin can," Harley grumbled. He punched his console a couple of times which sparked it back into life.
"Still glad you came back?" Rachel shouted over the blaring alarms.
"Never thought I'd die dressed in spandex," Harley grunted, "but at least I'd be surrounded by my friends."
"We must be in trouble if Harley's calling us his friends," Ricky quipped. He turned a few buttons on his control panel, the lightning in the cockpit turned to a dim red, "I've diverted everything to shields apart from life support, we have nothing else left to give."
"Let's hope its enough," Mark sighed, he pushed forward on the control stick and the Megazord, back in warrior mode, picked itself out the debris, "let's get to it," he said firmly.
On the Vyglass ship, two figures crashed into existence heavily on the floor, "Sorry," Jindrax groaned, "Toxica is much better at teleportation."
"You got us here that's the main thing," Jazz extracted herself from the floor, "why is the floor soft?" she asked, pushing against the firm yet spongy surface.
Jindrax looked around nervously, "Probably best we don't find out the answer to that," his spotted a dimly lit corridor over Jazz's shoulder, "she's that way," he said confidently.
"You sure?" Jazz frowned, "can Orgs sense each other or something?"
"We're not homing pigeons," Jindrax snorted, "when you've known someone for over three thousand years, you form a bond that can't be broken."
"Must be strong if you've come all this way for her," Jazz commented.
"I fished Toxica out of the afterlife, literally," Jindrax replied proudly, "an enemy spaceship is nothing," he added whilst leading the way down the corridor.
"I wish I could find a man like you Jindrax," Jazz sighed, "you've got a lot of heart for a supposed evil monster."
Jindrax looked over his shoulder, smiling broader than usual, "Just don't tell anyone, I've got a reputation to protect."
"What happens on the creepy spaceship and all that," Jazz returned the grin. The pair continued to walk in silence through the seemingly endless corridor, "Why's it so quiet?" she whispered to the Org.
"No idea but I'm not complaining," Jindrax shrugged. He paused at a door, pressing his hand to the surface, "She's here," he stated, "but it's locked."
"Stand back," Jazz said, aiming her blaster at the door lock, "I've always wanted to shoot out a lock." She pulled the trigger but nothing happened, "Strange," she looked at the weapon, "oh, the safety's still on," she added sheepishly.
Jindrax rolled his eyes, "You sure you know how to use that?"
Jazz took aim again, this time the weapon discharged and exploded against the lock. The window swung open limply, "Such little faith," the Scot smiled and shook her head, tucking the weapon into her waistband.
Jindrax stepped past Jazz and into the room, "Remember to put the safety back on, can't have you shooting yourself in the foot." Jazz scoffed but waited until Jazz was out of sight before checking that she had enabled the safety.
Inside the room the pair found Toxica, minus her face scarf and headpiece, attached to an operating table, "Oh Toxica, what have they done to you?" Jindrax sighed, gently caressing her exposed cheek.
"Is she," Jazz hesitated briefly, "you know, alive?"
"Barely," Jindrax replied softly, "we need to disconnect her from these machines and quickly."
Jazz looked over the consoles, "I can't understand any of this," she pointed at a series of symbols and squiggles, "nothing's in English."
"They're aliens from another dimension, what were you expecting?" Jindrax shot back.
"Well we can understand them so I just assumed," Jazz snorted, "I don't want to randomly hit buttons, it wouldn't surprise me if the Vyglass booby trapped their system."
Their attention was suddenly drawn to the door, "Hear that," Jindrax said, "sounds like we're going to have company soon." He pushed the door closed and began to barricade them in, "Whatever you're going to do, better make it quick."
"No pressure then," Jazz let out a calming breath and allowed her hands to hover over the control. She entered a couple of commands and to her surprise, the manacles holding Toxica's limbs snapped open, "Huh, beginners luck maybe," she smiled. Buoyed by her success, she tried something else only this time Toxica's body jerked uncontrollably, "I'm so sorry, she must still be wired in."
"She's had worse," Jindrax cried over a pounding on the door, "but we'll all be in trouble soon, that won't hold forever."
"Fine, maybe it's time to try the nuclear option," she drew her blaster and aimed it at the console only to have Jindrax slap her arm down, "what did you do that for?"
"I don't trust you to use it properly," Jindrax said simply, "that system is more complicated than a door lock."
The door was suddenly pushed slightly ajar and the hands of several Gougers poked through. Jindrax called on a couple of blades, "Just type something in, maybe the system will magically release her."
"Magic," Jazz whispered, suddenly spotting Toxica's discarded staff on the ground. She picked it up and aimed at the console but nothing happened, "what am I doing?" she sighed, "probably my stupidest idea yet."
"They're breaking through," Jindrax cried over a banging from the door.
"Correction, this is my stupidest idea," Jazz swung the staff down against the console where it promptly exploded in a shower of sparks and glass. An electrical charge travelled down the staff and into Jazz's body, throwing her across the room where she crashed into the opposite wall before hitting the ground, twitching uncontrollably from the energy feedback.
"Jazz!" Jindrax cried, "great, Taylor's really gonna kill me now," he swung wildly against the encroaching Gougers, "if these guys don't do it first."
Back on Earth, the Jet Force Megazord was struggling against Atropheous. Count Trivium watched with almost uncontained glee as the Megazord was pummelled with blow after vicious blow, "I don't want to say it but I believe you may have finally defeated the Rangers," Prince Reise sighed.
"I hesitate to agree," Princess Lena added, "the Rangers have a habit of recovering to win at the last minute."
"Not this time," Trivium beamed as Atropheous visibly dented the Megazord's chest, "just one more blow should do it."
Their moment was interrupted by a chiming from Reise's wrist computer, "Someone's broken into the ship," he announced, "trying to rescue the Org from your workshop."
"They can have her," Trivium dismissed his concerns, "she's done her part, soon everyone and everything will be destroyed by the mighty Atropheous."
Inside the Megazord, the cockpit was filling with smoke and alarms were blaring loudly, "That's it, shields done to zero," Ricky called out, "manoeuvring is shot, we're sitting ducks."
"Here's it comes again," Mark cried, "everyone brace for impact." Atropheous swung a mightly fist that impacted the upper body of the Megazord, shattering the cockpit glass and tearing a hole in the body, "Everyone get out, it's coming apart," the red ranger shouted over the sound of collapsing metal.
"Don't need to tell me twice," Stevie left her seat and jumped to safety through the new hole, closely followed by Rachel and Ricky.
"Well, what are you waiting for," Harley said to Mark who was still in his seat.
"The captain goes down with the ship," Mark said simply, "maybe I can bring it down with us."
"Don't be stupid," Harley replied, "nothing we've thrown at that thing has made a dent, doubt a pile of collapsing scrap will."
"I have to try something," Mark fiddled with the controls but they crackled and exploded.
"I didn't come back just to see you blow yourself up," Harley forcibly removed Mark from his seat and they both jumped to safely, just as the Megazord toppled lifelessly to the ground. It fell through another warehouse, it's arms separating from the body followed by the head shortly after contact with the ground, the wreckage smoked as several small fire raged through the battered shell.
A safe distance from the wreckage, the Rangers stood in their civilian forms looking tired and battered. As their stared vacantly at the smouldering debris Stevie voiced what they were all thinking, "well, what now?" No one had a response to the blue ranger.