Chapter 8 - Dirty Works

Dr. Lark Walker paced around in the Lab. She watched as her team mates filed in. Once they were settled, they looked at her expectantly.

"Is this about new Zords?" Gregory Houston asked and glanced between her and Enrique Ramon. Lark was surprised by how much she had come to rely on his presence in the Lab. He seemed to work the Caervinian computer systems much better than she could.

Ram held up his hands. He had no idea what the subject of today's meeting was about.

Lark shook her head. She glanced around. "I'm going to be away from the Base for three days this weekend. My father has acquired a property nearby and my presence is required for a visit," she announced.

"You sound a lot less enthusiastic than I would be about visiting my daddy for a long weekend," Tempest Strong said.

"That's because you haven't had the pleasure," Gore remarked.

"Funny you should say that," Lark said and pulled an envelope out of her pocket. "Your presence is required as well," she said and it handed it to him.

Gore was floored. He tried not to grimace when he saw his name scrawled on the front of envelope in a familiar script. He slipped it into a pocket without opening it.

"Wait a minute," Sinclair Monning said and raised his hand slightly, "I don't have to go, right?" he asked.

"You were not mentioned," Lark answered.

"Yes!" he said quietly and did a minute fist pump.

"Don't rub it in," Gore said and reached over, whacking him on the back of the head.

Tempest watched the three of them and rubbed her forehead. "I've missed something major along the way," she declared.

"I missed it too. Don't worry," Ram assured her.

Taylor Hicks snickered. "So what do we do while you two are off on a fabulous vacation?" he asked.

"I'm putting Sin in charge of security. You'll probably pick up extra shifts while I'm gone," Gore answered.

"Fun," Taylor drawled.

"When do we have to leave?" Gore asked Lark.

"This afternoon. The new property is just outside Starkweather Valley. We won't be unable to join the fight if an alien appears," Lark assured the others.

Gore silently wished there would be an alien attack soon. It may be bad form but he was not looking forward to this trip. "I'll go pack," he said and left the Lab.

"I'll help," Sin said and ran after him.

Lark sighed and gave Taylor, Tempest and Ram a wan smile. "I suppose I'd better go as well," she said awkwardly and hustled out of the Lab.

Once alone, Tempe rounded on Taylor. "Do you know what's going on?" she demanded.

"Particulars? Nope. I just know when people have known each other a long time," Taylor answered. "I'll tell you what, though. I'm not sure I ever want to meet the boss," he added.

"Amen, brother," Ram agreed and got back to work on the computer.

Tempest sighed. She checked the time. "Guess I'd better get to work," she said.

Ram glanced at Taylor. "Don't you have a shift coming up?" he asked.

"Naw, I traded off with Samson. Wanna go to the city and do anything other than work?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Ram agreed.

"Sweet," Tay declared and the two of them crept to the teleporter together.

--/-\--

Devourer

Sylon had thus far resisted holding Kragar's failure over his head. He found he could only be altruistic for so long. "I told you not to underestimate the Rangers," he finally said. Kragar growled and approached Sylon.

"Enough," Drage said. "I am not underestimating them. I found someone within our ranks who will give the matter of dealing the Rangers and destroying the humans due consideration. Sygy is a meticulous researcher. You should appreciate that, Sylon," he said.

Sylon was surprised there was actually a member of the Warstars with a brain larger than a marble. "Color me intrigued. Where can I find this Sygy?" he asked.

"He has taken over a cargo bay on Level V-13," Drage answered.

Sylon nodded. "If you'll excuse me," he said and left the bridge.

Kragar growled. "If he knew how close he was to death--"

"The truth of the matter is that he's correct. You did not succeed," Drage reminded him. Kragar bowed, properly chastened. "I have faith in both of you," Drage assured him. His level-headed shrewdness was what made him such a powerful leader able to control the powerful beings that comprised the Warstars.

--/-\--

Sylon found the Warstar known as Sygy in the appropriate area. He had very sophisticated equipment strewn everywhere. He stood in front of a computer analyzing everything they knew about Earth.

Sygy was a tall mantis-like six-eyed alien. He was also quite meticulous in his research. "So this is Earth," he remarked thoughtfully.

"Yes, it is," Sylon agreed as he approached. "What are your thoughts?" he asked.

Sygy glanced at him. "I need to conduct some firsthand research before formulating a hypothesis," he answered.

"I understand. I wish you luck," Sylon said.

"There is no such thing as luck. You are Sylon, correct? The invention of the Ooze is to your credit. If I could have a sample--"

"Nice try," Sylon said and clapped him on what passed for a shoulder. "Drage and Kragar will never get the formula even from my cold dead body," he remarked as he strode out of the cargo area.

"It was worth a try," Sygy remarked and went back to his analyses.

--/-\--

The newest property acquired by Dr. G. Walker was as ostentatious as Lark had expected. The main house was a glass and steel monstrosity with rolling grounds that abutted against the Starkweather Game Preserve. "I'll leave you to it," Gore said and adjusted his duffel bag. He nodded brusquely and headed away from the main house toward a smaller building that looked somewhat like an oversized doll's house. It was hidden amongst a few trees on the property.

An older man was waiting for him. He had once been a large fit man and still showed traces of it. He was slightly stooped from years of hard work. His near-white hair was cut in a military style. He wore a gray-green coverall and a belt with various garden tools hanging from it. "'Bout time you got here," he said.

"Gramps," Gore greeted.

The old man snorted. "What're you wearing? You expect to be able to work in that? Go change. There's an extra coverall in my closet," he ordered in a tone that expected and used to being obeyed.

Gore didn't bother to argue. He went into the garden house and changed into the coverall. He went back out and was immediately ordered around. It was almost like being back in the army. He didn't argue. Arguing with Private Jedidiah Houston was forever an exercise in futility.

"Dang it, boy, you forget everything I ever taught you? Use your whole body!" the old man snapped while Gore was breaking up new ground for a row of multicolored tulips Dr. Walker wanted around a high wall curving at a downward slope surrounding the large drive of the home.

"What're trying to do? We ain't washing clothes. Gently dunk the bulbs in the water. And don't just plop 'em in the dirt. Place them with care and cover 'em like you're tuckin' in a baby," he ordered.

Closing his eyes for patience, Gore made a big demonstration of doing exactly as he was ordered. Finally, Jed harrumphed and left him to the task.

"Looks like you're having more fun than I am."

Gore glanced up to find Lark sitting on the wall. "Things not going well with your father?" he asked as he plopped a tulip bulb in the dirt and covered it up.

"He hasn't even bothered to show up. How's it going with Jed?" she asked.

"He needs a staff. He's over seventy and intends to garden for your father until he keels over one day planting tulips," he declared.

"You know better than anyone that's how he prefers it," Lark pointed out. "I think he's lonely since Annaleigh passed away. That's probably why he wanted you here," she pointed out.

Gore grunted. "I know that," he said. "Don't need you telling me how much Gramps misses Granny," he said. "How'd you get up there?" he asked. At its highest point, the wall was over fourteen feet, four at its lowest. She sat somewhere near the top.

"I jumped," she beamed.

"What the devil are you doin' to those tulips!" Gore closed his eyes as his Gramps strode up.

"Hi, Jed," Lark called.

"Howdy, Miss Lark. Best you get running along now. Don't need you hearing the chewing out I'm about to deliver to this young’un," Jed said calmly enough.

Their Morphers began to beep. Gore glanced up at Lark.

"If you please, Jed, Gore still works for me and I need to steal him away for a time," Lark said and bounced off the wall.

"Sorry, Gramps. You'll have to chew me a new one later," Gore said as he stood up.

Jed put his arms on bony hips and glared at him, but didn't protest. "I'll be back," his grandson promised as he rounded the wall. Together he and Lark tapped their Morphers.

"There's a Warstar alien the city. Everyone's on their way," Ram told them.

"On our way," Gore said. Another tap activated the teleport.

--/-\--

"You're looking for her, aren't you?" Ram asked finally, watching Taylor scan the people around them for the bajillionth time since they'd been in the city. Wherever they went, his eyes had never been still. A while ago, Tay had even said that Ram could go back in he wanted and he was going to take a walk. Ram had chosen not to go. But he couldn't stand the silence anymore.

It felt like they'd been wondering aimlessly for an hour or more. Taylor stopped in his tracks and sighed. "I can't help it. I know she's in the city somewhere," he said. "This is why I said you should go back," he added. Ever since he'd found out about Rena being possessed by whatever she was possessed by and in Starkweather Valley, he'd spent every moment he could looking for her.

"What will you do when you find her?" Ram dared to asked. "She kinda does this whole, electric sizzle disappearing thing," he said.

"I know. I don't know. I just can't do nothing though," Tay declared, rubbing the bridge of his nose in and gritting his teeth in frustration. He took off his cap and scratched his hand through his hair.

Ram clapped him on the shoulder. "I get it. I'm going to book. Don't drive yourself to crazy. We'll all figure it out. We're in this together,' he said.

"Thanks," Taylor said. "I'll head back soon," he said.

Ram gave him a little salute. Though he didn't have a Morpher, he'd been able to rig up a wrist device that connected to the teleport system. He activated it to leave Taylor to his quest.

Taylor appreciated his friend's support, but somethings were just better done alone. He'd been trying to formulate a plan. But, Ram was right. It wasn't something he was going to be able to do alone. He had some people to contact and plans to make. It would, however, be helpful if he could start keeping tabs on her.

His Morpher began beeping. He tapped it. "Go for Taylor," he said.

"We have great timing. There's a Warstar alien near you. Sending coordinates and back-up," Ram said.

"I'm on it," Taylor said. He began running, eventually leaving a streak of red in his wake.

--/-\--

Sygy appeared in the busiest part of the city. It was Friday afternoon and people were getting off work and preparing for the weekend. It was the perfect mix of people for a thorough researcher such as him. When he appeared, people panicked and began running. He grabbed the suit jacket of some poor Joe Everyman. "Hmm, so these are Earth's rulers, hmm? Humans?" he said as he analyzed the hapless man and the other humans around him.

He picked the man up by the tie. "How absurdly frail," he said dispassionately.

"Warstar! Stop right there!" He whipped around as the five Dynamic Power Rangers arrived on the scene.

Tempe blinked at Gore. "Hon, what are you wearing?" she asked, taking in his scruffy coveralls and dirty hands.

Gore gave a faint smile. "What, it doesn't work on me?" he asked.

Sygy tossed aside the man in the suit. "Ah, finally. The undefined factor has arrived," he said. "I am Sygy and with my research, I will quickly bring ruin to the Earth."

"Yeah, no. That's not going to happen," Taylor denied. He flipped out his Morph Card. The others followed suit. "DynaMorpher!"

"Black Ranger Power!"

"Yellow Ranger Power!"

"Blue Ranger Power!"

"Pink Ranger Power!"

"Red Ranger Power!"

They slid their cards and multicolored energy surrounded them forming their power suits, helmets and side-arms.

Black stepped forward. "I've been dealing with the crotchetiest old man in the world. I've got a bit of pent up stress," he said and pulled a card from his belt. "I think I'll take it out on you. Land Axe!" He swiped his card and his weapon appeared. The others summoned their weapons as well and charged forward.

Unfazed, Sygy stood quietly. "Very well. This will give me a chance at some firsthand research," he agreed.

Blue jumped up from behind the Red and Pink Rangers. "Shark Snipe!" and fired on the alien several times.

Red charged forward next. "Dragon Slash!" he slashed the alien with a streak of red energy. Sygy sparked and stumbled back.

Pink was already in position, coming directly on Red's heels. "Phoenix Shot!" Several pink energy blasts sent up more sparks.

Black and Yellow had held back but now they rushed forward. "Tiger Shock!" Land Claws took crackling swipes at him.

"Snake Bite!" Black slashed him once, then whirled around, gaining momentum to slash him a second time, sending him flying in a shower of sparks and smoke. "Not seeing any ruin yet. I think this guy was all talk," Black declared as the others came up behind him.

"My defeat was not total waste," Sygy said as he got to his feet. Smoke still wafted off of him.

"I don't like the sound of that," Red said.

"Power Rangers, I will use the data I have just gathered to do research. The next time we meet will be your last!" He whirled around, his arms in the air as he faded away.

"Hey, stop!" But it was too late, the alien was gone.

They dropped their morphs. "I want to think that guy was a pushover. Thankfully I'm too cynical for that," Gore said.

"I didn't like all his talk about research. Science can be a dangerous thing in the wrong hands," Lark said. "Unfortunately, this does not mean I get to go back to the Lab to do research of my own," she said, and flattened her lips.

Gore sighed and looked up at the sky. "Back to the tulips," he grumbled.

"Have fun with that. Still glad I didn't have to show up," Sin said. He teleported before either of them could retort.

"We'll be on guard. You guys get back to whatever it was you were having to do," Taylor said.

Lark and Gore nodded. They teleported.

"That's not a happy face. What're you thinking? Tempe asked Taylor when they were alone.

"I'm thinking we'd better get back to base," he said and gave her his usually unconcerned smile. She didn't buy into it for a second but they went back to Sky Base together.

--/-\--

A day of work for the old man, left Gore feeling like he'd pummeled by twenty aliens the next day. But he was up with the sun and back at it. After a while, though, he had to admit, it was somewhat therapeutic. Just him and the dirt in his hands as he planted bulb after bulb of tulips.

It became almost automatic. He was so caught up in this feeling of oneness with the earth, that if he hadn't been quite so connected, he'd have missed the shuffling footsteps of his grandfather coming up behind him. "Take a break, young’un. You been at it for hours. Come on over here and get you some water and a sammich," the old man instructed.

Gore got his feet and stretched his muscles. He marveled at the connected feeling that lingered. He joined his grandfather under the shade of a tree and took a healthy swallow of water and bit into a dry turkey sandwich. Jed's culinary skills left much to be desired. But Gore didn't care he, was ravenous.

Jed was quiet for the longest time. "Tulips was your Granny's favorite, you know," he finally said finally as he gazed over the rows of tulips Gore had planted.

Gore looked over the rows as he chewed. He swallowed and nodded. "Yes, sir. She did love her tulips," he agreed finally.

Jed glanced around for a moment. "Let me ask you, boy. What's with Miss Lark? She's been bouncin' around the main house like a fart in a mitten," he said.

Gore snickered. "Taylor Hicks is what's with Doc. Not like that. More like he's her drill instructor," he answered.

Jed made a thoughtful face. "Sounds like a man to meet if he can make Miss Lark do anything besides lookin' at that glow book without havin' to be there breathing down her neck," he declared and gave a cackle.

"Then I suppose I'll have to take these cookies Cookie baked back if you two aren't doing anything besides talking sass behind my back," Lark declared as she approached them with a plastic container of goodies.

Gore was mildly impressed with her light feet. She almost snuck up on them. "Now, Miss Lark, ain't nobody talkin' sass. Best be a good girl and bring them cookies over here," Jed cajoled. Lark smiled and joined the two of them on the ground and passed over the cookies.

"I haven't paid enough attention to how you've been doing under Hicks. I am impressed with the progress you've made," he said.

Lark's expression was bemused. "I'm not often wrong, but I think we were all wrong about him," she said.

Jed harrumphed. "It's the ones that fly under the radar you gotta keep your eye on," he declared between the cookies he was devouring.

"Slow down Gramps, before you choke," Gore said. "And I'm pretty sure we're the only ones who were wrong though," he said to Lark.

"Bitter medicine, but takes a strong person to take it," Jed interjected.

Lark suppressed a giggle behind her hand. Gore merely took a cookie and munched on it.

--/-\--

Sin was hanging out with Ram for a change. They were settled on the beach where he usually meditated. "So, let me get this straight; I just sit, close my eyes and listen to the sea?" Ram asked. It was his idea. Though he enjoyed his job plundering the Base's computer system for more tech, he was on base as a test subject. He was tired of sitting around doing nothing.

From what they knew of the Green power set, it was a partner set for the Blue power set, and therefore water based. So Ram had asked to join Sin when he did his watery business, if he didn't mind. Sin didn't mind. He thought it was a good idea.

"That's what I do when I meditate," Sin answered.

"When do I get to meet the Water Masters?" Ram asked.

"He hasn't even been able to meet the Water Masters; why would you be any different?" a feminine voice said as Nia came up behind them. She gave Sin a disgruntled expression. "What's with the newb?" she asked.

"Aren't you a Water Master?" Ram asked her.

"Technically," she answered and plopped down in the sand.

Sin grinned. "Ram here is my new pupil," he answered.

Nia snorted. "You're still a Padawan yourself. You can't have pupils," she declared sagely.

Ram grinned. “I think I just met my soul mate," he declared.

"Hey," Sin said and gave him a shove. Ram shoved back.

Nia snorted. "Neither one of you could handle me," she declared. "Didn't you come here to meditate. Stop horse-playing and settled down. Close your eyes and listen to the gentle sound of the waves lapping at the shoreline," she said, settling herself into a cross-legged position.

Sin and Ram stopped goofing around and settled into meditative positions. They listened to the sound of the ocean, the gentle lapping of the waves.

--/-\--

Tempe stuck her face into the Lab and grinned slightly when she saw Taylor standing by himself looking intently at various surveillance scenes from around the city. "Doc will mad if she finds out you hijacked the Lab for your hunt," she said as she sauntered in.

Taylor shrugged. "Doc ain't here at the moment. Ram hooked me up before he and Sin went to play at the beach," he said.

"It's weird to be in here without someone science-y roaming around spouting off stuff I can't half understand," she stated.

Taylor grinned. "I know. It's like playing in your parents' bedroom when they aren't home," he said.

Tempe laughed. "Any sign of her?" she asked, sobering slightly.

Taylor shook his head. "I didn't really expect there to be. I doubt she's walking down the street buying groceries," he answered.

"She means a lot to you, huh?" Tempe asked.

He gave a ghost of a smile. "More than I realized," he answered. Not exactly the answer Tempe was after, but Tay wasn't chatty about that kind of thing. Well, not now anyway. Not when he was this worried, annoyed and angry.

"We'll figure it out, sweetie," she assured him with a smile.

"So everyone keeps saying," Taylor muttered. He turned off the monitors. "I need to change my headspace," he said. "Where's Kane when I need someone to wind crush?" he said himself. His best friend Kane was a powerful Earth Ninja and samurai master; one of the few people Taylor didn't have to hold back with. His new team was coming along nicely, but he didn't any of them where advanced enough to spar with him no holds barred.

"Don't know about wind crushing, but I could use some food," Tempe said.

"Food is always good," he said. He jutted an elbow out. "Fine dining at the mess?" he asked.

Tempe laughed and took his arm. "You can't even jokingly call it fine dining," she said as the two of them left the Lab.

--/-\--

Devourer

Sylon and Drage approached Sygy in his make-shift lab. "How is your research coming along?" Drage asked.

Sylon watched information, data streams and images, fly over various monitors as Sygy took them in with his six red eyes. He turned toward the captain as the screens went blank. "I think you will be pleased with my research," he stated.

"We'll see if this approach of yours works. I have my doubts," Kragar stated as he sauntered in.

"That's because Sygy's approach actually requires thinking. Something you aren't good at," Sylon declared.

Kragar took an aggressive step toward the blue alien. Sylon squared off. "Enough," Drage said in a tone that made both creatures immediately back off from each other. "Sygy, if you are finished, then do your job," he ordered.

"Yes, my captain," Sygy said and faded from view. Kragar gave Sylon one last glare and trudged away. Sylon gave Drage a slight bow and exited the lab as well. Drage was ready to kill everyone for being general nuisances.

--/-\--

Jed got to his feet tiredly, bones creaking and popping with every movement. "Back to work young'un. Tulips ain't gonna plant themselves," he barked at Gore. "You best be getting back to your father, Miss Lark. He's a busy man and he can't see you as much as he'd like," he said to her kindlier.

Lark sighed as Gore helped her to her feet. "So true, Jed. I just brought the cookies from Cookie," she said. Her head suddenly snapped around. "Do you hear that?" she asked Gore.

Gore shook his head and Lark left the shade tree and scanned the sky. "There!" she said, pointing. Gore followed her finger and spotted the alien flying through the sky.

"Gramps, go back inside," he said in a tone that brooked no argument even from the argumentative old man. "I'll finish the rest of the tulips when I get back," he said as he and Lark began running toward the direction the alien was headed. He tapped his communicator on the fly. "Alien's back," he said on the fly.

Sygy zoomed over the game preserve. The trees were green and lush beneath him. "I'll start here," he said and shot a powerful red laser beam from his mandibles. As he landed, several acres of trees and other plant-life turned to dust around him.

"A success," he declared, looking around with pride. "Now to carry through the rest of my plan."

"Warstar! Stop right there!" Gore and Lark caught up to him.

"What's the meaning of destroying these trees?" Lark demanded, trying to make sense of it.

Sygy turned to face them. "Oh, it's really simple you see," he said in conversational tones, "from my research, I have ascertained that the dominant species on this planet need trees in order to breath. Therefore, I easily save a lot of time and energy by destroying all the trees and plants and letting you humans die off naturally," he explained as if discussing the theory of relatively, rather than the mass destruction of an entire planets life.

The others arrived in time to hear his rational explanation.

"Sorry, guy, but your research has a fatal flaw," Gore pointed out.

Sygy reacted. "Impossible. My research is meticulous. What flaw?" he demanded, fisting his hands.

"The part where you think we're just going to let you do that." Gore said and flipped out his Morph Card. "DynaMorpher! Black Ranger Power!"

"Yellow Ranger Power!"

"Blue Ranger Power!"

"Pink Ranger Power!"

"Red Ranger Power!"

The Rangers morphed, but Sygy was waiting for that. His hand lengthened and changed, turning into a broad blade. "Weapon Card!" The Rangers summoned their weapons. "Let's go!" Black Ranger said.

The Rangers began running toward the alien. Sygy stood calmly as they came at him. "See the results of my research for yourselves. There is no flaw," he said menacingly. He rushed forward just as Blue jumped took aim. "First take out the sniper that watched out for the others," he said and slashed him across the chest several times. He cried out and fell to the side, sparking.

He rounded on Pink and Red just as they were coming up behind him. "Them immobilize the fleet footed light weights," he said and slashed Pink. Red put himself more in the way of the attacks to shield her as the alien continued his attack. I was all he could do at the moment. The two of them sparked and stumbled back.

"That just leave the power hitters," Sygy added as Yellow and Black came up on him. He jumped into the sky as they intended to strike him at the same time. They lost balance with their momentum and the effort not to hurt each other. He landed with a smirk. "Flaws?" he scoffed. He rounded on them slashed, sending them to the ground.

Black grit his teeth. "He's moving completely differently from last time," he said. "I knew I shouldn't have underestimated him," he declared.

"You think," Blue said as he regained his feet. The five of them came together again. A little worse for wear.

"I told you guys, science can be dangerous," Pink said.

"Listen to your little pink friend. I researched you all thoroughly," he said. He began throwing powerful energy blasts at them. "In other words, you Power Rangers are no threat at all!" he said as they were knocked off their feet again. "Now that you know your place, I shall continue with my work," he said. He turned his back and his wings folded out and jumped into the sky.

Black got to his feet. "Gramps' tulips are that way," he said. He planted his feet firmly in the ground. He pulled a card out of his belt. "Micro DynaZord! Snake!" He slid the card through the reader. A tiny SnakeZord head appeared and he drew his Blaster and the head bonded to it.

He wasn't the crack shot that Blue was, but he'd had the right kind of training. Besides, the Blaster had a targeting screen on it. He took careful aim. "Snake Bullet!" He pulled the trigger. The Micro disengaged from the Blaster and zoomed toward the flying alien, leaving a trail of energy behind it. It whipped around the alien, the energy forming the body of the snake. The jaws of the Snake but into the alien's wing, causing the alien to fall from the sky.

Black holstered his side-arm and took up his axe as he rushed forward. "I told you, there are flaws in your research! Humans are the most adaptable beings on the planet. Especially when they have something to protect," he stated, thinking of his Gramps and the tulips his Granny had loved so much.

"Fine. I see I'll have to finish you off first," Sygy declared.

"Oh, really. Good luck with that," Black said and charged forward. Sygy began flinging energy blasts at him. He knocked them aside with the Land Axe as he ran forward, the Earth around him seeming to encourage and give him strength. He tossed the Axe into the sky as he dove to the ground. He grabbed Sygy's leg and tossed him backwards into the ground. Dirt rose around him and covered him. Black patted the dirt. "Like tuckin' in a baby," he declared as stood over the confused and resisting alien. He flipped back a few feet and caught the Axe with one hand. Sygy wriggled his way to his feet.

"Now I'll put my whole body into it," he said. He jumped, the earth pushing him to a height he wouldn't have been capable of before. He somersaulted a few times. "Snake Bite!" With his power, his whole body, and his momentum he slashed the alien. Sygy sparked wildly and flew backward in an arc of smoke.

The other Rangers ran to Black. "Gore!" Blue said.

Sygy groaned. "Why?" he demanded and tried to move around to glare at them with his six eyes. "My research was meticulous. It should have gone off without a hitch!"

"You can thank Private Jedidiah Houston and his special training for that," Pink declared.

"Why is he better at it than I am?" Yellow asked, putting a fist on her hip.

Red clapped Black on the shoulder. "You earthy types are stubborn, but sometime, when you have it, you have it," he said.

"That and there was no freaking way I was going to let that thing screw up the tulips I'd been busting my butt planting for the past two days," Black said. Of course not quite the truth, but he wasn't one for emotional speeches. "Do you know how many tulips I had to plant! There's no way in the blackest pits of Tartarus was I starting over!"

A capsule of Ooze splattered over Sygy. "I won't let you interfere any further!" he shouted as he grew to large size.

"Let's do this, guys," Red said.

"Right!" they agreed. They all flipped cards from their belts.

"Dragon DynaZord!" Red slid the Card through his Morpher.

"Phoenix DynaZord!" Pink slid the card through her Morpher.

"Snake DynaZord!" Black slid his Card through his Morpher.

"Tiger DynaZord!" Yellow slid her Card though her Morpher.

"Shark DynaZord!" Blue slid his Card though his Morpher.

The Zords appeared and teleported their pilots aboard.

Sygy was already analyzing them. "So the snake is the legs. If I take that out, they won't be able to combine," he said and tossed several blasts of energy.

Blast banked a hard left, jerking on his steering apparatus hard.

"Gore!" Yellow called.

He was a little too busy to answer. Sygy stomped on the Zord. "You can't get away so easily. I'll crush you like the insect you are," he said. He was no longer dispassionate in his dealings with the Rangers, this one in particular.

The SnakeZord sparked as it thrashed, attempting to get away. "Here's another bit of research you missed," Black declared and pulled a card from his belt. "Macro DynaZords!" He swiped the card. "Summon Core Earth DynaZords!"

The ground rumbled and a large blackish-yellowish-orangey portal formed in the center of the park. Three Zords emerged. One was an orange bear head, one was a black beetle head with antler-like pincers and the other was a yellow rhinoceros head with a long drill for a nose. They sped toward the alien.

"What? How did I miss this in my research!"

"Told you! Core Attack!"

BeetleZord attacked first, opening pincers and snapping around the alien. RhinoZord attacked next, it's horn/drill spinning into the alien's middle. Finally, BearZord opened its jaws and spat several missiles. The attacked landed and the alien stumbled back, freeing the SnakeZord.

"Phew! You pulled that one off, sweetie," Yellow declared.

"Naturally. All right people, let's get this done," he said.

"Right! They agreed, pulling another card from their belts and swiped them. "Core Earth Megazord!"

The MacroZords and Earth Zords combined to form their new Megazord. It walked to where Sygy was getting to his feet, his arm bladed once again.

"If that's how you want it," he seethed and stomped toward them purposefully. He jump-slashed them and they smoked and sparked. The Megazord retaliated with a solid kick. The cockpit sparked slightly from the earlier attack, but they landed another devastating kick.

"It's time to be done this guy and his dangerous science once and for all," he said and pulled a card from his belt.

"He gives researchers a bad name," Pink agreed.

"Victory Charge!" Black swiped his card. The Core Earth Zords powered up. "Core Earth Crush!" They Megazord went into a flying kick. The nose of the Rhino Zord began spinning as it led the jump. It crashed into the alien.

Sygy sparked wildly as energy arced around him. "No. How was my research so flawed?" he said and exploded.

The Megazord landed with its back to the explosion.

--/-\--

Devourer

Kragar gloated quietly. "I had a bad feeling about that one," he said smugly.

"I beg to differ. I think we learned quite a lot from Sygy's research. Well, at least I did. Not sure your brain can do more than fart," he said.

Kragar growled and stepped toward him.

"Enough!" Drage shouted. "Kragar. You almost sound happy we failed once again," he growled, glowering at his second.

Kragar deflated, chastened. "No, my captain. That's not true. I would happily admit my faults if I had been proven wrong," he said.

Drage shook his head. "Just leave the bridge. Both of you. I don't want to see either of you right now," he said.

Sylon and Kragar gave salutes left the bridge, glaring at each other until they parted ways.

--/-\--

An initiative to replant the destroyed forest had been quickly put into place by the now absent Dr. G. Walker. Instead, Lark led the replanting along with her team and local volunteers. She actually let Jedidiah be in charge of supervising the volunteers. Taking a break, they gathered around a table set up with drinks while others worked.

Tempe looked at Gore, then Sin and Lark in turn. The mystery of their origins had been solved, somewhat. "I should have seen it sooner. You two have similar eyes," she declared, pointing two fingers at Sinclair and Lark.

"Walker eyes. The gray runs in the family," Sin answered. In truth, he and Lark were cousins. His father had died when he was young and he and his mother lived with her older brother, Lark's father, from then on. Gore was the grandson of the family gardener and housekeeper. They'd all grown-up together. And truth be told, Jedidiah and his wife Annaleigh had more of hand in raising Sin and Lark than the socialite mother, or busy scientist father.

"I told you they were people who knew each for a long time," Tay said and took a drink of water. "I knew you were meant for Earth; this just proves it. You've been playing in the dirt all your life," he told Gore.

Gore nodded, defeated. "I can't argue with that. I don't think I'd've been cut out for all that twinkle-toes airy-fairy stuff," he said, referring to Tay's Wind Techniques.

Far from offended, Tay grinned. "Though it makes me happy. You get to be my new Kane," he said ominously.

Gore froze with his own cup of water half-way to his mouth. "What does that mean?" he asked.

"That means you're strong with the Earth and the only people who can ever stand to be battered around by his Wind-Fu are Earth Ninjas," a peppy voice spoke up from behind him.

The group turned to see a slight, Asian-featured girl with slightly purple eyes. She had dirt on her clothes, marking her as a volunteer. Tay broke into a grin. "Sissy!" he said and enveloped her in a hug that lifted her feet off the ground.

Sissy Singuji nee Elliot laughed and hugged him back. She kissed his cheek. "Okay, put me down before Kyou gets jealous," she said.

Taylor snickered as he released her. "Kyou should know by now you aren't into lanky white guys," he said. "You two decided to come out of hiding?" he asked.

"Well, this got a little bit too close to home, if you catch my drift," she said.

He nodded. He glanced over his shoulder when Tempe cleared her throat meaningfully. He grinned again. He introduced Sissy to everyone. "Everyone, this is Sissy. We were comrades back in the day. Now she's a Water Master," he explained.

"Speaking of which," Sissy said. "You," she pointed at Sin then glanced at Ram. "You, too. Come with me to meet Kyou," she said.

"Yes!" Sin said quietly. Ram beamed a huge grin as they followed Sissy toward the tall Japanese guy with longish hair, pulled away from his temples.

"Gregory! Get your bum over here. These trees ain't gonna plant themselves!" Jed shouted at his Grandson.

Gore sighed. "Guess my break is over," he said and finished off his water.

"Come on, partner. Let's get a little dirt under our fingernails," she said as she headed back to the fray.

"I have so much dirt under my nails, I don't think it'll ever come out," Gore groused as he followed her.

Lark was smiling, but it slowly faded. "Taylor. Behind you, seven o'clock," she said.

Taylor turned, curiously. That's when he saw her standing among the trees that were still standing. Warm gold eyes met his briefly before fading to paleness again. Disturbed and outraged, Azula disappeared in a bright crack of lightning that had the other volunteers confused. Taylor let out a deep breath. Rena was fighting hard. He had to find a way to free her. He drained his cup. "I need to go play in the dirt for a while," he said and went to join the others. Lark quietly joined him. Her heart went out to him. She couldn't even begin to imagine how he must be feeling.

Shaking off unpleasant thoughts, Tay turned his mind to the task at hand. No matter what was thrown at them, people would always come together to rebuild what was destroyed, regain what was lost. The Warstars didn't stand a chance.

--/-End-\--           

You are not authorized to comment here. Your must be registered and logged in to comment