Taylor was struggling against the grip of two Gougers when she heard an explosion. Everyone, including the footsoldiers, were frozen to the spot as the Jet Force Megazord broke apart and crashed out of sight into the city. Underneath her helmet, Taylor gaped open mouthed at the destruction, bringing back memories of Master Org destroying the Wild Zords many years ago.
Something drew her attention back to the present and with an animalistic cry worthy of the eagle, she broke free of the Gougers long enough to retrieve her fallen Crystal Sabre. She slashed through the final remaining creatures, directing her fury into each strike. Even the defeat of the Gougers couldn't quell the fury inside the yellow ranger. She slashed at a nearby lamp post, cutting it in half before it crashed to the ground.
The sight of the smashed lamp post was enough to bring Taylor back to her senses. She dropped her Sabre and clutched her hands against her helmet. Breathing deeply yet raggedly, she sunk into a crouch, "Mark," she called into the radio with a whisper, "talk to me, is everyone alright?"
There was no immediate response and Taylor's chin dipped. Seconds later though came a crackle over the radio, "Major, we're OK," the red ranger said. Taylor let out a loud breath, almost shaking with joy and relief, "the Megazord is gone though, we can't do anything to stop Atropheous." Their conversation was interrupted by a voice in the background but she couldn't make out who it was, "Standby Major, we've got an unidentified incoming assailant."
Almost immediately getting back to her feet, Taylor looked around but couldn't see anyone in her location, "What is it Mark, what do you see?" she asked desperately. Once again the silence filled her with dread, "Will someone talk to me, what do you see?" she cried through the radio.
"You might not believe me Major," Mark replied hesitantly, "but it's a giant lion."
Taylor's head snapped toward Atropheous just in time to see a familiar Zord jumping over the buildings and biting the creature on the arm, "The Red Lion," she gasped almost in disbelief, "but that means-" her thoughts were cut off by a ringing from her Growl Phone, "this better be you Jungle Boy," she said into the device.
"Still with that nickname Taylor," came the surprisingly calm voice of Cole Evans, the red Wild Force ranger.
"Feels good to be back in the saddle," the exuberant voice of Max Cooper added. To emphasise his point, a blue shark appeared in the sky line to bite Atropheous around the neck.
Taylor was speechless, a small tear forming in her eye, "But, how did you know, who sent you?"
"Princess Shayla," Alyssa replied over the communication line, "she called us just in case you needed back up."
"I think we need more than back up," Taylor snorted, "more like a miracle."
"So pessimistic still," Danny Delgardo chipped in, "how about you join us, there's someone eager to join the battle." A familiar screech pierced through the sky as her Eagle Zord shot overhead. A broad smile flashed across Taylor's face, "Well, what are you waiting for?" Danny added.
Taylor shot into the sky and landed in the cockpit of the Eagle Zord, her hands gently caressed the familiar controls, "Alright you know more about this enemy than we do," Cole said through the radio, "why don't you take the lead on this one."
"Taylor in charge, just like the old days," Max joked.
"Less of the old, kid," she teased back.
"I'm not a kid," Max shot back, "I'm thirty three now, I have a wife and three kids at home."
Taylor chuckled loudly, "Still so easy," she said to herself before going back to the radio, "Atropheous is too powerful to fight individually, let's bring them together." She took a deep breath before calling, "Wild Zords, combine."
The Wild Zords came together in their standard formation with the Rangers boarding the Soul Bird during the process. Finally united together, each Wild Force Ranger took a moment, "It's good to see you all again," Taylor began, "I just wish it was under better circumstances."
"Us too Taylor," Cole said, "so honestly, what are our chances against that," he pointed at a confused Atropheous who was eying up the Megazord.
"Well it trashed one Megazord without sustaining any damage," was Taylor blunt assessment, "we'd be lucky to slow it down, let alone destroy it."
"So totally hopeless and unwinnable?" Danny asked, sounding almost a little too pleased, "Sounds like our kind of battle," he added, nudging Max on the shoulder, drawing a disapproving shake from Alyssa.
Taylor smiled at the interaction amongst her old team, "Well then," she gripped the controls, "let get to work."
On the ground, the Jet Force Rangers were stunned by the arrival of this new Megazord, "Now that's something I haven't seen in a long time," Mark smiled, "the Wild Force Megazord."
"No way," Ricky gasped, "Major Earhardt's been holding out on us."
"Seriously isn't it like really old?" Stevie chimed in, "I thought it would be steam powered."
"You're not that much younger than most of us," Harley snorted, "kids these days," added under his breath.
The Wild Force Megazord locked up with Atropheous and it was immediately pushed back against a building. Bricks and metal crashed to the ground not too far from the Ranger's position, "Maybe we should take cover," Mark suggested, "I don't fancy getting squashed."
As the Rangers scrambled for cover, Rachel said to Mark, "Do you think they can win?" the red ranger glanced back at the white ranger but didn't say anything, "yeah, that's what I thought," Rachel sighed, almost visibly deflating.
Inside the Wild Force Megazord, another strong blow from Atropheous rocked the Rangers sending them stumbling in the walls, "They hit harder than I remember," Alyssa commented, "Tiger Punch," she cried as the White Tiger arm of the Megazord cracked the beast across the face. To her horror it barely pushed it back a step, "I think we're in trouble."
Atropheous was more amused by the attack than injured, in response it casually kicked at the Wild Force Megazord, sending it stumbling back and landing in a seated position, "It's playing with us," Cole commented, "like a big cat teasing its prey."
"Maybe we need to show it we're not prey," Taylor replied, "Soul Cannon, online," immediately the Wild Force Rangers engaged their controls, "fire!" A beam of light shot from the Megazord and crashed into Atropheous. It took a few moments for the blinding light and smoke to clear from their finishing attack. For a fraction of second the Soul Cannon appeared to have worked but that brief moment of hope disappeared quickly, "I don't believe it," Taylor gasped.
"It's barely singed him," Max shook his head, "we've hit it with our best attack and it did nothing."
"I wouldn't say that," Danny pointed at an armoured arm flew in their direction, "I think we made it angry."
The blow rocked the Megazord with so much force that it damaged the ability to maintain current formation. In a flash of light the Megazord broke apart into the five constituent animals who lay battered and wounded on the ground, "Eagle Zord," Taylor cried at the sight of her wounded friend.
"It's taken out two Megazord's and doesn't have a scratch," Cole shook his head, "I'm out of ideas." Suddenly a bright light appeared in the sky, even behind their tinted visors the Rangers had to shield their eyes. Once the light dimmed, the Wild Force Rangers immediately recognised the translucent figure in the sky, "Animus?" Cole said in confusion.
The God-like ally of the Wild Force, an representation of the original Wild Force Megazord, turned to face Atropheous and thrust it's open palms in its direction. Before Atropehous could get out the way it was engulfed in a beam of light. Instead of damaging the great beast, it was suddenly encased in a solid crystalline structure, "It's frozen," Alyssa pointed at the stationery monster.
"I have brought you more time," the booming voice of Animus rang out through the deserted streets, "I do not have the power to do any more, I'm sorry," and with that, Animus faded away.
"Helpful yet not," Taylor grumbled and demorphed, "typical Animus."
"He apologised this time, that's something," Danny shrugged.
Just then the Wild Force Rangers were joined by the latest team, "Major," Mark greeted, "what did you do to Atropheous?"
"No idea," Taylor shrugged looking up at the frozen giant, "he's been stopped for now but for how long I have no idea." She waived her hands in the direction of her team, "Wild Force Rangers, meet the Jet Force Rangers," there were a few nods and waves of acknowledgement from both sides, "Formal introductions can wait until we're safely back at the Air Base."
"Hey," Harley pointed towards Danny, "you're the guy from the bus station."
"I see you made your decision," Danny smiled in return.
Taylor cell phone began to ring, interrupting further conversation and introductions, "Major Earhardt," she answered before immediately pulling the cell away from her ear, "slow down Sargeant," she continued, "explain what's happening again." She listened for a few moments before sighing and shaking her head, "Jindrax," she grumbled, "he is dangerous Sargeant but not hostile, keep him under guard until I arrive."
"Did she say Jindrax?" Max whispered to Alyssa, "I thought he disappeared after we defeated Master Org," the white Wild Force Ranger shrugged in response.
Taylor's face suddenly froze and she fumbled the cell. She regained her composure long enough to response, "Take them both to the med wing, I'll be there as soon as I can." She frowned briefly before adding, "Yes, I said both of them Sargeant, that's an order," and jabbed at the screen to end the call, "We need to get back to base now," she said to both teams.
"What's going on," Mark asked.
"Jazz has been injured, she's unconscious and requires emergency medical attention," Taylor stomped off down the street.
"You said Jindrax," Cole called after her, "what does he have to do with it?"
"No idea but if he's responsible in any way, I'll kill him slowly and painfully," she said without breaking stride or looking back.
At the Air Base around an hour later, Taylor hovered over the hospital bed of an unconscious Jazz. The base's doctor noted electrical burns on her hands, indicating the Scot's body had been subjected to a significant electrical discharge. They were running more tests but she wasn't in immediate danger. Taylor barely registered someone entering the room, keeping her eyes focused on Jazz, "How's she doing?" Alyssa asked.
"Brain function is good, no apparent damage to her vital organs," Taylor replied with a shake of her head, "she's breathing on her own which is also a good sign, hopefully she just needs to sleep it off."
"Could've been a lot worse then," Alyssa nodded, "and how are you doing?" she asked, placing a hand on Taylor's shoulder.
Taylor snorted, "I've had better days," she replied dismissively, "one trashed Megazord by one unstoppable monster and my technical support is laying unconscious in a hospital bed. Honestly, I can't think how this day could get any worse."
Almost on cue, a junior Airman opened the door, "Excuse me, Major Earhardt," Taylor's head snapped around so quickly it made the young man jump, "General Harmon is online and requesting your presence."
"Fantastic," Taylor raised her arms and allowed them to drop against her legs with a loud slap, "I had to open my mouth." He turned to Alyssa, "I'll join you in the control room shortly, assuming I haven't been demoted or fired." Alyssa smiled reassuringly but nothing could lift Taylor's mood in that moment.
She followed the junior Airman into a conference room, the face of a grumpy General Harmon filled the large screen, "General," Taylor saluted sharply.
"At ease Major," General Harmon replied, sinking back in his chair, "it's been a difficult few hours."
"That's putting it mildly," Taylor muttered.
The General sat up sharply, "I may have said at ease Major but that doesn't mean speak freely," he rebuked. "I've spent the last hour getting chewed out by the President and the Joint Chiefs, care to explain why a multi-million dollar Megazord is currently being rebuilt?"
"Would you like the short or long version Sir?" she asked, failing to keep the sarcasm out of her tone.
"I would tread carefully Major," General Harmon warned, "the Joint Chief's wanted you removed, it was only because the President overruled them that you've retained your position."
"Still not voting for him next time though," she remarked dryly. The General shot her another glare so she continued before he had a chance to speak, "Truthfully General, the team and the Megazord were hopelessly out matched by a creature of immense power and strength. I'm sure you've also seen that the Wild Force Rangers were defeated by the same creature."
General Harmon sighed, "Mighty convenient that your old team happened to be in the area."
"I'd call it lucky," Taylor shrugged, "a wise man once said that luck is a Power Ranger's best friend." The General looked away from the screen and shook his head, "I don't know what you want me to say General, the Megazord is being repaired and the team will work around the clock but I can't guarantee that it won't get beaten again. I'm working with the wider Ranger community to come up with a solution and will update you when we have something."
"See that you do," General Harmon said sharply, "I will admit that being a former Power Ranger makes you an asset to Project Jet Force but no one is irreplaceable. Especially if reports are to be believed that the Air Base is housing civilians and monsters at the moment." He paused to allow his words to sink in, "Project Neo is nearing completion, if you get your house in order it won't be needed," and with that closing threat, he terminated the video link.
Taylor exhaled loudly, "Pompous wind bag," she groaned, "better start working on that plan," she quickly left the room heading to central operations.
Back in the city, Count Trivium and Prince Reise carefully inspected the crystal cocoon housing Atropheous, "It's still alive," the young Prince read from his wrist computer, "and slowly breaking free."
"How long?" Trivium asked sharply.
"A day," Reise shrugged, "two day at most," he switched off his computer, "I won't say I told you so but I will think it very, very loudly," he added gleefully.
"Atropheous has not been defeated," Trivium boomed, angrily punching its crystal tomb, "when it breaks free make no mistake, it will level this city and destroy every living thing within its borders." Trivium summoned a portal and stomped through with Reise practically skipping behind.
At the Air Base, Taylor shuffled into the control room. Both set of Rangers were present along with two figures that she wasn't happy to see, "Who let you two in?" she said to Jindrax and Toxica, the latter of which was resting in a wheelchair. "Explain why Jazz is current in a coma and make it quick, my patience is extremely thin today."
"Just today?" Jindrax tried to joke but the Major wasn't in a joking mood, only the strong grasp of Cole prevented her from charging across the room, "alright sorry, I came looking for you, I needed your help."
"They took Toxica," Danny added, "Jindrax was only trying to rescue her."
"By conscripting the non-Ranger of the group," Taylor snorted, "brilliant work as usual Jindrax, shame your brain isn't as sharp as your blades."
"Look I don't know the history between you," Mark interjected, "but we need to hear the whole story."
Taylor grumbled but waived her hand for Jindrax to continue, "I told her not to come but she wouldn't listen," the Org added, "said she had to help."
"I warned you something like this would happen," Toxica added hoarsely.
"Not helping," Jindrax said to his partner, "look, I was desperate OK, she's a grown up who knew the risks."
Taylor shook her head and sat down firmly in her chair, "So what did happen?" Rachel asked, "You two got out in one piece but Jazz didn't."
"Hardly call this one piece," Toxica indicated to the chair, "thank you for allowing me to get checked out by the doctors by the way," she said to Taylor who merely glared in response.
"They had Toxica wired into their ship," Jindrax continued their story, "they used her energy to wake up Atropheous and left her to die." Everyone was expecting a comment from Taylor but she remained silent, "Jazz tried to release the controls but couldn't decipher the control so she hit them with Toxica's staff, got blasted for her troubles."
"Probably explains her injuries," Ricky said, "I got electrocuted once, knocked me out for hours."
"Fine," Taylor sighed, rubbing her temples, "I believe you, I'm not happy but Jazz is an adult. She made a choice and this is the consequence."
"So," Jindrax drawled, "are we free to go?"
"Absolutely not," Taylor snapped back, "until Atropheous is defeated I'm not letting either of you out of my sight." She tapped her fingers on her desk, "Take Toxica back to the medical wing, she could do with a rest." Jindrax stood and gripped the wheelchair, "Don't even think of sneaking in somewhere else, the guards have been given shoot to kill orders." The Orgs nodded mutely as Jindrax carefully pushed Toxica out the room.
"Surprisingly restrained," Cole began once they left, "I was certain you were going to blast them."
"Cost me a few dollars that did," Harley added with a chuckle.
"Don't you start," Taylor pointed at the black Jet Force Ranger, "you nearly deserted us, don't come back here and expect a hero's welcome."
"He did come back though," Rachel interjected, "that has to count for something." The black and white ranger's looked at each other, exchanging a quiet smile, "If he was there from the beginning, we still would've lost."
"Yeah what the hell is Atropheous," Max said, "only Master Org was a strong as this guy."
"Honestly we have no idea," Taylor answered, "an evil so powerful that Master Org had Toxica cast him into another dimension," the Wild Force rangers looked surprised at this news, "so, any ideas how to defeat it," she added with a dry chuckle.
After a brief silence it was Harley who spoke first, "Can't we just blow it up? It's trapped so surely one well placed missile should bring him down."
"If only it was that simple," Alyssa replied, "if it was then we wouldn't need Power Rangers, we'd just let the Armed Forces handle it."
"Put it this way, we'd need a really big bomb," Taylor added, "not much of Aaronsdale would be left standing afterwards."
"Didn't Toxica say they took some of her power to awaken Atropheous?" Max began, "could that be used as a weakness?"
"Well the Wild Force Megazord couldn't scratch it," Danny sighed, "maybe if we used all ours Zords like we did against Master Org."
"Speaking of that," Ricky interjected, "isn't there six of you? Where's your silver ranger?"
Taylor was silent for a moment, looking at the other Wild Force Rangers for an answer, "Merrick takes the lone wolf thing very seriously," Cole replied, "supposedly he comes if the wind calls him."
"Hasn't he heard of a cell phone?" Stevie snorted, drawing a chuckle from the room.
"Maybe we'll contact Princess Shayla, see if she has a way of reaching him," Alyssa suggested.
"You can try but I would assume if she could, she would've tried at the same time she called you," Taylor answered. "Did the Princess tell you about the egg on the Animarium?" she added, getting a shake of heads from the Wild Force Rangers, "Apparently there's an egg waiting to be hatched that will help against Atropheous, no idea when it will hatch."
"Probably about the same length of time that Animus trapped Atropheous in rock," Max suggested, "seems like the kind of thing he'd do."
Silence descended on the room again as ten despondent sets of eyes looked around, "So, what do we do until then?" Harley asked.
"Look at you, being proactive for once," Stevie teased, earning herself a hair ruffle from the black ranger, "but seriously, how quickly can the Megazord be fixed?"
"Oh, we have replacements ready to go," Taylor said, getting a confused look from everyone, "the Jet Zords aren't like the Wild Zords, they're machines, we have backup vehicles ready to go."
"Why the hell didn't you say?" Harley stood up, "come on, lets go blast that guy before he can fight back."
Taylor laughed humourlessly, "If only it were that simple, they need to be activated and there's only one person who knows how to do that." No one said anything, they all knew who that person was, "But like I said to General Harmon, even if they come online it's likely Atropheous will just destroy them too."
"So we do nothing then," Rachel summarised their situation.
"We rest and heal," Cole said, "and prepare as best we can," the others nodded, reluctantly in agreement with the red ranger.
"One question though," Ricky began, "how come other Ranger team didn't have a fleet of backup Zords ready?"
"Because they didn't have the backing and budget of the US military behind them," Taylor shrugged, "apart from Lightspeed or course. Even then, they were always prepared with the next Zord fleet if something happened to their operational ones. I guess the designer of our fleet never envisioned Atropheous or something so powerful."
"Did Jazz design the Zords too?" Alyssa asked.
Taylor shook her head, "No but she wrote a lot of their computer code, sadly the original designer was lost in the initial attack. We've been trying to decipher his notes but haven't had any success."
Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of Taylor's desk phone, "If this is General Harmon again," she grumbled, "Earhardt," she answered. Moments later a frown flashed across her face and she began to hit buttons on her keyboard. This caused images on one the screens to change until it stopped on a live feed from the medical wing.
Everyone looked at the images and frowned, it showed Toxica and Jindrax hovering over Jazz's bed side, "The hell are those two doin'?" Harley asked.
"Probably nothing good," Taylor slammed the phone down and raced out the room, closely followed by the other Rangers.
They sprinted through the corridors, apologising to people they crashed into along the way. Eventually they charged into the medical wing where Taylor pushed the doors open with a bang, "What are you playing at?" she shouted to the Orgs.
"I need to fix this," Toxica rasped, "she got hurt rescuing me, I think I can help."
"You think or you know?" Mark asked firmly.
"Healing magic isn't my speciality but I know the principle," Toxica replied.
"Never heard of an Org that could heal before," Max said suspiciously.
Taylor glanced towards Cole, her red ranger always had a knack for knowing if people were speaking the truth. Fortunately he picked up on her thought, "She's telling the truth or at least she believes what she's saying," Cole stated.
There was a stand off between the humans and the Orgs in the room, "If she thinks she can do it then it's worth a try, right?" Rachel said, "anyone disagree with that." The Jet Force Rangers nodded in agreement, the Wild Force team were reluctant but hesitantly agreed too.
"Your call Major," Mark spoke for everyone.
Taylor looked Toxica in the eyes and held her gaze for several moments. She wasn't sure what she felt but something told her the Org wasn't being deliberately dishonest, "Do it," she said quietly.
Toxica nodded, summoned her staff and gingerly rose from her chair. Jindrax went to help her but she brushed him off, "Don't get too close," she warned, "you'll interfere with the spell." She took a deep breath and hovered her staff over Jazz's body, muttering an incantation in a language none of the humans understood.
She was in that position for several minutes barely moving until her body began to shake and a sheen of sweat formed on her brow, "Is that supposed to happen?" Mark asked Jindrax.
"Magic's never been my thing," the Org replied, "but I've never seen her react to a spell this way."
"Perhaps we should stop it then," Rachel said.
"No," Taylor stated firmly, "that could be bad for both of them, we just have to hope Toxica can handle this."
Suddenly there was a flash of white light and Toxica was thrown to the ground. Jindrax was immediately at her side, "I'm alright," she croaked, slowly rising to a seated position, "did it work?"
"It did something alright," Jindrax brushed Toxica's hair to one side, a part of which was now streaked white.
"Hopefully you didn't go to all that effort for a new hair style," Alyssa smiled, "although it does kinda suit you."
The conversation was interrupted by a groan from Jazz's bed, "Urgh, never drinking Buckfast again," she slowly looked around the room, aware there were a dozen pairs of eyes looking at her, "what, am I dying or something?"
"Not today, thanks to Toxica," Taylor began, "you have a few superficial burns but they'll heal in time."
Jazz breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks for the help," she said to the Org, "love the new hairdo by the way." She started to sit up in bed, "So, what's going on and who are the new guys?" she pointed to the Wild Force Rangers.
"There'll be plenty of time for that," Mark began, "why don't you get some rest, let the doctors check you out before we fill you in on everything you've missed."
Begrudgingly Jazz agreed and watched everyone file out the room until only Taylor was left, "You gave us all a scare," the Major began, "what were you thinking, charging onto the Vyglass ship without back up."
"I had Jindrax with me," the Scot replied meekly.
"Yeah cause that's very reassuring," Taylor replied sarcastically, "look, we'll talk about this more when you're feeling better. I know you want to help more but you do a fantastic job behind the scenes, none of this would be possible with you." Jazz gave a half smile in response, lowering her gaze slightly, "Rest up, I'll check on you in a couple of hours."
Jazz sunk a little lower into the bed, looking around for something to do. There was a television attached to the wall opposite her bed, "Maybe there's a Real Housewives on," she muttered, looking around for a remote. She eventually found one inside a cabinet beside the bed but when she pushed the power button, it fizzed and crackled forcing her to drop it, "Must be a loose connection," she frowned.
Letting out an exasperated breath, she grumbled, "Great, how am I going to watch TV now?" The second the words left her mouth, the television cracked and turned itself on. Jazz blinked for a moment in shock, "How did it do that," she looked down at her hands, "I might be in trouble," she muttered.
A/N - Two updates in one month, surely not. One more chapter in the Atropheous arc which is pretty much the half way point in the story.