CHAPTER NINETEEN

Smoke drifted from Venjix's chest as Jason's power sword cut down diagonally across his robotic body. Venjix, whose cracked optical modifier was only getting worse, swung down with his own sword. But the Red Morphin Ranger blocked the shot, and twisted his sword downward, binding Venjix's blade under his own.

Jason nodded to the Red Wild Force Ranger. "Go for it newbie!"

Cole clutched his Crystal Saber in his gloved hand. "Morphenomenal!" Charging forth, Cole leapt into the air, preparing to deliver a crippling blow to the evil general.

Then suddenly, Venjix yanked his weapon free of Jason's hold, and slashed down across his chest, sending him falling backward. The robot was just barely able to slice upward, and take Cole out of the air. The young man hit the ground with a sick thud.

But Venjix was left with little time to regain his composure. Tommy swung his Zeo Five Power Sword down at Venjix's waist, but the robot blocked, and did likewise to a shot to the head. Tommy swung a high kick at Venjix, but it was caught. The Red Zeo Ranger them surprised the evil general by drawing his Zeo Blaster and shooting his opponent in the chest. Venjix staggered backward, just in time to notice the Quantum Ranger targeting him with his Quantum Defender. As Eric fired, Venjix already had his sword charged, and up to deflect the shot. Eric was nearly blasted out of his boots as his own power was used against him. Then, as Tommy blasted at Venjix a second time, the evil general deflected that shot back as well.

However, Venjix was unable to avoid a Hydroblade shot from the Red Aquitar Ranger. Smoke began to emit from the robot's chest, as his inner workings were beginning to overheat. Aurico went for an overhead swing, which Venjix blocked, and shot in a kick to the stomach. The evil general followed up with an elbow to the back of the Red Ranger's head, which sent him crashing to the rocky ground below.

Wes then executed a towering leap over Venjix, Chrono Saber in hand. He tried a cut toward Venjix's lower back, but the robot whirled around, and through the smoke rising from his own mechanical body, executed a horizontal slash. But the Red Time Force Ranger blocked it, and shoved Venjix back. Wes tried a horizontal cut of his own, but the robot hopped backward, and finally slashed his opponent across the chest.

Struggling to keep from overheating, Venjix turned to see five of the ten Red Rangers standing before him, the rebounding Time Force Ranger making six. Then using his remaining optical modifier, the robot caught sight of the remaining four approaching the battle scene rapidly.

General Venjix was all alone. His fellow generals had failed King Mondo, and the grand legacy of the Machine Empire. They were obviously not worthy of sharing the throne with him, nor succeeding their legendary forefather.

But as the evil general looked down at the three stubs that had once been blades on his left wrist, he realized that he too, might fall victim to these humans. These…vermin. Perhaps he had underestimated their abilities, and their strength. He should have known better. After all, they had defeated his legendary emperor of evil.

The evil general turned his head behind him, looking upon the massive instrument of destruction he and his Empire had resurrected. Venjix clenched his mechanical fist. But no, they would not defeat him, not on this day. Not when the fall of the living was so close. He would not fail King Mondo as his fellow generals had.

This battle would belong to him, and the Machine Empire.

As the ten Red Rangers assembled before him, the Red Zeo Ranger pointed a gloved finger at his opponent. "It's over Venjix. The Machine Empire is no more."

"You've been beaten." The Red Morphin Ranger continued. "Your body is failing you."

"So do the right thing Venjix." Cole spoke calmly, trying to reason with his opponent. "Surrender, and don't make us destroy you."

The Red Wild Force Ranger's words sent ripples of rage through the robot's emotion chip. There he was, a simple human trying to reason with a superior being such as himself. As if he had a choice, but to obey his master King Mondo, and conquer the disease of mankind once and for all.

But little did the humans know, that he had one last trick up his cybernetic sleeve.

The evil general kneeled before the Rangers, and bowed his head in a gesture of respect. "Yes human," he spoke. "You are correct."

At the sound of the robot's words, the Rangers were stunned. They all knew that rarely, if ever did a monster or villain voluntarily surrender to the forces of virtue. Let alone one the caliber of General Venjix.

The robot looked up at the humans with his good optical modifier. "I now realize why the great Kind Mondo was beaten. No machine could ever possibly compare to the strength, and determination of the human spirit. And for that, I commend you all."

Venjix stood up, and placed his robotic hand out. "You are the true victors, and for that, I congratulate you."

For a moment, the ten men looked around at one another, none quite sure what to make of this amazing transformation.

Finally, Jason stepped forward, approaching the being who just moments ago, had aimed to destroy him. The Red Morphin Ranger reached out, and accepted the hand. "I'm glad you're finally seeing things our way. Perhaps now, Serpentera can be put to good use, and protect mankind from the forces of evil."

As Jason pulled his hand back, Venjix held on.

An explosion engulfed their surroundings as the evil general tossed a grenade into the group of humans. Their bodies went flying through the air, as Venjix kneed Jason in the stomach and flipped him over by his outstretched hand.

"Foolish vermin…" Venjix growled, looking down at the fallen Red Morphin Ranger. "Though strong and determined, your human heart also possesses a crippling weakness…

"Trust."

With those words, General Venjix turned toward the mighty Serpentera.

"No!!!" Jason called as he struggled to rise to his feet. He made his best attempt at trailing the evil general, but could only manage a clumsy stumble back down to the rocky ground. He gasped for air, desperately trying to overcome the pain engulfing his insides.

But it was too late.

Through his visor, Jason looked up to see the blood red eyes of Serpentera flicker to life, like a sleeping giant awakening from a peaceful slumber. A storm of dust and debris began to surround the mighty Zord as it's engines hummed to life, and its thrusters proceeded to burn with an intense heat.

And then came the roar. That stomach turning, heart stopping, soul freezing roar that he remembered from so long ago. Even after all this time, it nearly turned his spine into jelly.

The tail was the first to move. At first it swiveled ever so slightly. But moments later it began to wave ferociously through the oxygen field, kicking up even more dust and grime, as began to move rhythmically with the monster's slithering body. The ground below them began to rumble and shake as the mighty animal's three clawed arms began to twitch and move, as if attempting to stretch out after being stiff for so long. Then finally, the mighty serpent Zord kicked off its skyscraper sized hind legs, and rocketed into space, letting out yet another monstrous bellow as it left the ground below.

Perhaps a victory cry…

Even as the remaining Rangers pulled Jason to his feet, their eyes remained glued to the stars above, as they watched the mighty Serpentera slither it's way through the air, making it's way toward their home planet of Earth.

The nauseating truth was beginning to sink in. The mission was over. The Power Rangers had failed. Their worst fears had been realized. Within a matter of moments, Serpentera would reach Earth, and slaughter millions, if not billions. Whoever was left, Venjix would then enslave for his own wicked purposes. All the sacrifices, all the blood, sweat, and tears, it had all been for nothing…

"No!!" Eric shouted, pounding his gloved fists into the ground. "It can't be!!"

"This can't be happening," Leo thought out loud to himself. "This has got to be a dream…"

The Red Time Force Ranger grabbed the Red Zeo Ranger by the shoulder. "Tommy, we've got to do something!"

Even Tommy Oliver was speechless. It had all gone so perfectly. He had returned, reclaimed the mantle of the Red Zeo Ranger, and defeated a sinister villain, to defend his home planet from the forces of evil one more time. A youthful energy not seen since his teenage years had returned from the depths of his soul. This wasn't right. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. They were supposed to defeat Venjix here on the moon, and prevent Serpentera from ever awakening. It was as if his dream had gone awry. His fantasy twisted into some sick, psychotic nightmare!

But no, Tommy realized. This wasn't a dream. It was a real as real could be. And within moments, the planet he, his friends, and anyone who'd ever put on a helmet had worked so hard to protect, would be doomed.

"We've got to get back to the Megaship!" Jason proclaimed. "Maybe we can-"

"No," Andros interrupted, shaking his head. "It'll take too long to get back to the ship, disengage the oxygen field, and safely take off. We'd never catch it in time."

"There's got to be something we can do!" Carter demanded. "There has to be a way to stop Serpentera before it reaches the Earth!"

"Indeed," Aurico agreed. "But how? How is it possible?"

Tommy's mind raced for a solution to the problem. He'd used to be so good at things like this. So quick thinking, so sharp witted, so-

"Wait!" Cole suddenly shouted. "I've got an idea! It's a long shot, but it might be our only chance!"

The nine men instantly gathered around the rookie Red Wild Force Ranger. In the back of their minds, they were all a bit stunned to hear he out of all of them speak up. But now was not the time to question his experience. Right now, any idea was a good idea.

Taking a quick glance at Serpentera's progress, Cole looked to his teammates. "Alright guys, here's what we do…"

Suddenly, a loud creaking sound interrupted the Red Wild Force Ranger. The ten men followed their ears back to the moon base.

"Oh no…" T.J. muttered. "Please, not now…"

But indeed, the previously trapped Cogs had managed to break a hole in the steel door that contained them, and were now beginning to file out of the moon base to attack the warriors of virtue. As each Cog pushed it's way through, the hole began to grow larger, making way for further escapees, and a quicker assemblage of what would soon become Venjix's reassembled Cog army.

Jason looked to his old friend. "We don't have time for this Tommy." He said.

"Yeah, tell me something I don't know." The Red Zeo Ranger replied. "We'll have to do our best to fend them off while we try and stop-"

"No!" Cole suddenly interrupted, grabbing Tommy by the shoulder. "There's no time!"

The Red Morphin Ranger shot a glare at his teammate. "Well what the hell do you expect us to do rookie? This isn't exactly the best time for an argument!"

"There's not going to be an argument Jason." Cole replied, shaking his head. He looked to his teammates. "Tommy, T.J., you two come with me! The rest of you, deal with the Cogs. We'll take care of Serpentera!"

With that, the Red Zeo and Turbo Rangers followed the rookie as he rushed from the group, leaving the remaining seven Rangers to do battle with the oncoming army of mechanical soldiers.

"Deal with the Cogs," Jason repeated. "Yeah rookie, easy for you to say…"