Chapter 29: Legend War – If I Should Die (Part 5)
The space sheriff opened a comm-line.
“Everyone, if you have mecha…use it. The Rangers need our support.”
He raised his armored hand and called for his ship.
“Dolgiran!”
Nearby, Nova Black and Nova White called for their vessel.
“VR Skybase command, now!”
“VR Bluehawk Command, now!” Shaider activated his battleship.
“Grand Birth!” Sharivan called for his ship.
“Beetle AVs!” The Beetle Borgs summoned their mecha.
“Beetle BVs!” The Beetle Borgs Metallix called for their mecha.
The Striker AV and Platinum BV flew into formation alongside the VR Skybase. The two fighters opened fire with rapid darts of energy, covering the Skybase to move in and attack.
The Skybase fired volleys of missiles, blasting through the shields and armor of several enemy ships.
Dolgarin flew through the explosions, transformed into dragon mode, and opened its jaws; the robotic beast spat a torrent of blue flame, splashing several enemy ships with tidal waves of energy.
A wave of enemy ships changed course to pursue Dolgarin.
But Grand Birth and the VR Bluehawk flanked the battleships. Grand Birth and the Bluehawk opened fire with torpedoes. The first torpedo volley knocked out the enemy ships’ shields, and the second volley exploded through the ships’ engines.
Below, the ground BVs and AVs throttled across the streets towards the Black Cross monster. The mechs opened fire with blasters blazing.
Blue Stinger called for support.
“Gargantis!”
The Beetle Borgs’ main attack vehicle appeared and stomped across the streets.
Gargantis opened fire with a powerful beam cannon that stabbed the Black Cross monster’s body, drilling through armor.
The Beetle Borgs Metallix called on Robo Borg and Boron; the two robos joined alongside the Thunder Megazord and faced the Black Cross monster, engaged in combat with several Megazords and battle vehicles.
Robo Borg and Boron grabbed one of the creature’s giant legs to hold it in place, and the Thunder Megazord slashed the leg with its Spin Blade.
But the Black Cross monster lifted its leg and tossed the robos aside, as easily as flicking off droplets of water.
Another group of Megazords attacked.
The Shogun Megazord swung its sword through a streak of fire. The Samurai Megazord swung its blade through a streak of energy. And the Turbo Megazord charged through a tornado while spinning and swinging its blade.
The Astro Megazord fired its beam cannon, the Delta Squad Megazord fired its blaster, and the Red Battlezord fired its gatling cannons.
The BVs and AVs swarmed around the colossal monster like insects and opened fire with blasts of energy.
Blades slashed, cannons blazed, but the combined might of the champions could not destroy the gargantuan creature.
Ashley kept her eyes on the control console. The number of White Jokers had dropped significantly. And few Armada fissures remained. But the Dark One’s corruption levels remained high. The Rangers needed to stop the Black Cross monster to put a significant dent in the rising levels of True Power.
But how could they? Even with every Megazord, they lacked the power they needed. They would need a universe of power to…
Ashley hesitated.
Evil targeted Angel Grove for its intersection of ley lines, magical energy. And the Earth itself was a nexus of magical energy within the galaxy. Evil wanted to tap this power.
But what if the power was tapped by the forces of good?
Ashley’s fingers danced across the control console. Could she really do this? Could she really harness the magical power of the Earth itself? And the galaxy?
The Command Chamber connected to the Morphing Grid–the One Power, the source of magick. She just needed to use that connection.
“It’ll be like building a zord,” she whispered. “One big, impossibly huge zord…”
She began to tap into the ley lines. And The Power started to hum throughout the planet.
Mavro fired bursts of flame from his shoulders. The blasts exploded against the Ultimate Power Rangers and hurled them through the air.
The Rangers crashed and tumbled, and as they rolled to their feet, the two Royal Guard charged and slashed them, lances sparking on impact.
Mavro swung his sword through a streak of energy, firing a blade of power that thrashed the Rangers and knocked them to the ground.
The Armada leader laughed at the fallen Rangers. “I can’t believe you five runts are the ones who have been giving my forces so much trouble.”
The Red Ranger rolled his hands into fists. “Believe it.”
Mavro scoffed.
The Red Ranger put his hands to the ground and started to push himself up. But he hesitated. He felt something stir within the planet. Magick. Power. Memories flashed through his mind, memories of the Tyler of the Prime Reality. As a boy, that Tyler had gathered enough strength to create an entire Ranger team from the power of imagination.
Tyler had that power too. He could use it. He just needed a boost. And he drew on the magick of the Earth itself, of all creation, to give himself that boost, and kindle it with Phoenix flame.
The Son of the Dragon climbed to his feet, and his teammates joined behind him. Wisps of power and fire circled around the Red Ranger.
“The Armada has conquered universe after universe,” the Red Ranger said. “But that stops here. Up until now you’ve faced the Ranger teams of the multiverse. Now…now you’ll face the Ranger teams that never were, but could have been.”
Mavro tilted his head. “What are you…”
Ranger Keys flashed into the Red Ranger’s hands, and he tossed them to his teammates. They caught the Keys, which shimmered with the One Power in its most raw and potent form. The form of imagination. Potential. Magick.
They armed their morphers.
“Ninja Spin!” They inserted their Keys: “NIIIIIIINJA STEEL!”
Tyler morphed into Ninja Steel Red, Seth morphed into Ninja Steel Blue, Kira morphed into Ninja Steel Yellow, Mat morphed into Ninja Steel White, Kym morphed into Ninja Steel Pink and Orion morphed into Ninja Steel Gold.
“Ninja Flash!” the Red Ranger shouted.
The Rangers dashed through streaks of light and color, slashing Mavro and his Royal Guard with bursts of spark, moving faster than the eyes could see.
The Rangers skid to a halt and armed their next set of keys.
“Beast Instinct! Awaken!” They inserted their Keys into their morphers. “BEEEEEEAST KINGS!”
Kym morphed into White Tiger, Kira morphed into Yellow Lion, Tyler morphed into Red Eagle, Orion morphed into the Tri-Ranger, Seth morphed into Blue Shark, and Mat morphed into Green Elephant.
White Tiger and Blue Shark pounced and slashed a Royal Guard. Green Elephant and Yellow Lion pounced and slashed a second Royal Guard.
Red Eagle and Tri Ranger armed their sabers, somersaulted through the air, and chopped Mavro; blades sparked on impact and staggered the emperor.
The Rangers regrouped and armed another set of Keys.
“Dino Souls, set! Unleash the Fury!” They inserted their Keys into their morphers. “DIIIIIIIINO FURY!”
Seth morphed into Dino Fury Blue, Kym morphed into Dino Fury Pink, Tyler morphed into Dino Fury Red, Orion morphed into Dino Fury Gold, Mat morphed into Dino Fury Green, and Kira morphed into Dino Fury Black.
“Dino Souls, set!” The core five Rangers slid their Dino Souls into their swords, and Dino Fury Gold slid his Dino Soul into his morpher.
“Fury Wave!” They swung their swords through streaks of power, and the Gold Ranger fired a lance of golden energy.
The blasts ripped and tore through the two Royal Guard, shattering their weapons and armor, and tearing their bodies to pieces. They exploded into scrap and ash.
Another set of keys.
“Star Morphers, Charge!” They inserted their Keys into their morphers. “STAAAAAAAR RANGERS!”
Seth, Star Blue. Kira, Star Yellow. Tyler, Star Red. Kym, Star Pink. Orion, Star Black. Mat, Star Green.
They armed their weapons.
“All-Star Impact!”
They shot at Mavro and struck one-by-one; each blow took the emperor off guard. Blades and blasts staggered him; explosions sparked across his body. He tried to hit back. But the Red Ranger slashed his chest and kicked his head.
The Rangers regrouped. Another set of Keys.
“Zeo Gems! Hyper-up!” They inserted their Keys into their morphers: “HYYYYYYYPER ZEO!”
Seth, Gem Blue. Kym, Gem Pink. Tyler, Gem Red. Mat, Gem Green. Kira, Gem Yellow. Orion, Gem Silver.
Gem Red and Gem Green leapt through the air and smashed flying kicks against Mavro’s head. Gem Blue dashed in and swung his sword through streaks of blue energy, striking the villain with bursts of spark. Gem Pink moved in, grabbed Mavro’s arm, and flipped him to the ground.
The villain crashed, tumbled, and staggered back to his feet.
Gem Yellow opened fire with his blaster, triggering discs of power that bashed Mavro like bullets of energy, sparking on impact.
The Rangers regrouped.
“Zeo Gems, Rush Stream!” they shouted.
They combined their swords and blasters into rifles and opened fire with streams of energy. The blasts splashed against Mavro and punctured his body, spearing through his front and exploding out his back.
The villain collapsed to his knees.
The Rangers shifted back into their standard Ultimate Power Rangers armor.
“One last time…” the Ultimate Red Ranger said.
They slid Ranger Keys into their blasters and morphers, which spoke the command: “FIIIIIIIINAL WAAAAAAAVE!”
They triggered bullets of energy and swung their swords, firing blades of power. The blades and bullets combined into waves of energy that tore through Mavro, ripping through his body and armor, tearing the tendrils from his face.
Mavro screamed with fury and rage; he collapsed, and his body exploded into ash.
The Rangers lowered their weapons.
The Green Ranger sighed. “Well…that was fun.”
They heard slow, mocking claps come from behind them. They turned to see the Dark Man, no longer in his armor, but in his human appearance, wearing his black trenchcoat.
“Well done,” Akuma said. “Your father would be proud.”
The Red Ranger sighed. “You’re still here?”
“I am everywhere always.” The Dark Man turned and started to walk away. “This is all ending…quite differently than I had planned.”
“Wait!” the Yellow Ranger said. “We’re not finished with you yet!”
“You were finished with me the moment you accepted your deaths,” he said without turning to face them, just before he vanished into wisps of wind and shadow.
The Silver Ranger tilted his head. “Huh?”
“Our deaths,” the Red Ranger said. Win or lose, Tyler and his teammates would cease to exist. “We’re not done yet.”
Green Ranger sighed. “Almost?”
“Almost,” the Red Ranger said. “Come on…let’s make this showy.”
The Ultimate Power Rangers leapt onto the rooftops, quickly called on their zords, and combined to form the Ultimate Legendary Megazord.
“Do we have a plan?” the Green Ranger asked. “Or are we just charging in?”
“Do you even have to ask at this point?” the Red Ranger asked.
The Megazord shot at the Black Cross monster. The creature’s eyes flashed; invisible energy swatted the Megazord and hurled it backward.
“Tyler,” a voice came through their comms. “It’s Ashley in the Command Chamber.”
“Hey,” the Silver Ranger whispered. “That’s your step-mom! Sorta.”
“I’m sending some major power your way,” Ashley said. “Get ready.”
“How much power are we talking about?” the Yellow Ranger asked.
“Enough for all of you to combine all of your zords,” Ashley said. “It’s the only thing strong enough to stop the Black Cross.”
“Wait…” the Green Ranger said. “Allof our zords?”
“Every single one.”
Ashley had turned the Command Chamber into a beacon to channel the One Power from the Earth, and from the galaxy. The beacon ignited with the light of a supernova and shot through the skies, blasting into Angel Grove through a comet of power.
The power splashed against the Ultimate Legendary Megazord and rained down upon the city, washing across the Megazords and zords gathered from the past. Each zord glowed with power and transformed into light. Energy.
The light combined into a symphony of power that shook the skies.
The Ultimate Legendary Megazord hovered in midair. The light splashed against the zord and started to wrap around it, forming a giant, translucent aura that towered over the Black Cross monster. The aura, transparent, took shape to form a massive, armored figure. Its surface shifted with images of the ainmal-based Megazords. Lion heads flowed over its shoulder pauldrons. Dragon heads flowed over the gauntlets. Images of individual zords and Megazords flowed across the chest plating like reflections in a pool of water.
Sweeping strands of armor, translucent light, wrapped around the shoulder pauldrons, the pauldrons themselves taking a bulky, rounded shape. The chest armor had two thick bolts of lightning that wrapped from front to back. Gauntlets and leg armor glowed with golden light.
Its appearance shifted with each movement, at some points looking Greco-Roman, and at other points looking Egyptian or Medieval, or even techno-modern.
Another aura of energy started to form; translucent, golden, it resembled a battle mech suit of armor that wrapped around the being from behind. Images of the mecha-based zords flowed across its surface. This mech suit of light, like glass, formed shoulder cannons, wrist-mounted blades, and missile ports along the legs.
A V-shaped visor glowed with golden light and slid into place on the head of the aura being.
The Ultimate Legendary Megazord remained visible in the center of the massive aura.
The Rangers shouted from their cockpit: “Legendary Giga-Omnizord!”
The Black Cross monster growled and looked up at the towering spirit. The monster fired twin optic blasts that the Omnizord blocked with its left gauntlet.
The Black Cross monster lunged and stabbed its front legs upward. The Omnizord grabbed the legs, ripped them off, and stabbed them through the creature’s body. The monster howled and collapsed; secondary explosions tore through its body.
The Omnizord kicked the monster backward and floated upward. The being ignited with light that dissipated the clouds above Demon City; the sun touched the ruins of Angel Grove for the first time in years.
“Legendary Omnizord!” the Rangers shouted. “Providence Light!”
The Megazord fired beams of light and darts of energy that smashed the Black Cross monster like a tidal wave. The wave swept across the entire city, tearing off the monster’s limbs and peeling away its armor. The monster’s body burst into flames that vaporized into ash.
Without warning, the Dino Chimera leapt through the explosion, roared, and lunged towards the Omnizord, even as light and power started to strip the monster of its armor and skin.
The Omnizord reached back its arm blade; the weapon glowed with white light.
“Providence Blade!” the Rangers shouted. “Divinity Strike!”
The Omnizord plunged the blade through the dino monstrosity. Explosions erupted from within the monster, bubbling through its skin and body. The creature exploded into pieces of scrap that vaporized into ash.
Beyond all space and time
YOU THINK I WILL RETREAT? The Dark One asked.
The thing that spoke those words was something that Tommy could never truly comprehend. Even seeing the multiverse in its entirety, even the knowledge of the Ultimate Secret, did not allow him to understand Evil itself.
I DON’T EXPECT YOU TO RETREAT, Tommy said. I DON’T THINK YOU’RE CAPABLE OF IT. I WISH YOU COULD SEE, COULD KNOW, WHY YOU KEEP LOSING.
Beneath them, on the battlefield, the Black Cross monster and White Jokers had fallen, beaten by teenagers. Children. The Shadow shouldn’t have lost. It made no sense. The White Jokers had the greater force.
However, the White Jokers fought only because their maker had forced them– on its own, a White Joker would no more fight something stronger than a fox would attempt to kill a lion.
It was one of the most basic rules among predators. Eat that which was weaker than you. Flee from that stronger than you.
The Dark One seethed with a boiling anger that Tommy felt in this place as a physical force.
YOU SHOULDN’T BE SURPRISED, Tommy said. WHEN HAVE YOU EVER INSPIRED THE BEST IN PEOPLE? YOU CAN’T. IT’S OUTSIDE YOUR POWER. YOUR MINIONS WILL NEVER FIGHT ON WHEN HOPE IS LOST. THEY WON’T EVER STAND BECAUSE IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. IT’S NOT STRENGTH THAT BEATS YOU. IT’S NOBILITY.
I WILL DESTROY! the Dark One shouted. I WILL REND AND BURN! I WILL BRING DARKNESS TO ALL, AND DEATH WILL BE THE TRUMPET I SOUND BEFORE MY ARRIVAL! AND YOU, ADVERSARY…OTHERS MAY ESCAPE, BUT YOU WILL DIE. YOU MUST KNOW THIS.
OH, I DO, DARK ONE. Tommy strode forward, speaking louder. BUT DEATH CAN’T KEEP ME AT BAY, AND IT CAN’T RULE ME. IT COMES DOWN TO THIS, FATHER OF LIES. WHEN HAVE YOU INSPIRED A PERSON TO GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR YOU? NOT FOR THE PROMISES YOU GIVE, NOT FOR THE FORTUNE THEY WANT OR THE POWER THEY WANT, BUT FOR YOU? HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED?
The Darkness grew still.
BRING ME MY DEATH, YOU SON-OF-A-BITCH, Tommy growled. BECAUSE I BRING YOURS!