CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

"We're working on it Tommy," Andros' voice echoed through the cockpit of the Red BattleZord. "Just do what you can. We'll try to make it up as soon as we can!"

The Red Zeo Ranger nodded. "Copy that Andros." He replied. "We've got you covered."

Gripping the controls of the Red BattleZord, Tommy was once again leading the pack. "Alright guys," he called in to the com link. "Let's take him down!"

Serpentera stood it's ground as the six Zords proceeded to charge toward their opponent in a thunderous stampede. The BattleZord and Red BattleBorg centered the charge, while the Lion GalactaZord and Lion Wild Zord flanked the sides. The mighty Quantasaurus Rex brought up the rear, as the Red Time Flier strayed from the pack, attempting a broader approach from above. It was as if a mighty wave of virtue was soaring over the surface of the moon, preparing to crash down upon the forces of evil.

But as Serpentera's jaws proceeded to crackle with electricity, it appeared that Venjix was preparing to create a wave of his own.

"Keep moving!" Tommy shouted to his comrades. "He can't have re-charged enough to generate another blast like that yet!"

But mere seconds later, Tommy realized he'd just made the worst mistake a leader could make.

He'd underestimated his opponent.

There was a bright flash of purple light as an explosive wave of energy spread out from Serpentera's morbid jaws. Expanding outward in the blink of an eye, the wave instantly engulfed the bodies of the five attacking Zords. The mighty battle machines flew backward across the moon's rocky terrain, landing with a series of deafening thuds as the steel scratched against the stone. The two Lion Zords howled in pain, as the Red BattleZord did a series of rolls across the ground, taking the brunt of the blow. As it finally came to a stop, Tommy's personalized Zord lay motionless, and helpless.

Hearing a mighty roar of victory emanate from Serpentera, a battered and bruised Tommy was flabbergasted. Never before had he seen such power displayed by a single Zord. Serpentera was evidently just as powerful as he remembered, if not more so.

The butterflies flapped a bit harder in his belly. Did they even have a chance against this monster?

Over the com channel, Tommy heard Wes' voice. "Eric, Aurico, you two okay down there?"

"Y-yes…" the Red Aquitar Ranger replied weakly. "W-we are fine…"

"We've got shelter Wes." the Quantum Ranger chimed in. "Don't worry about us. You worry about staying in the air."

Tommy looked out the side of his viewport, just barely catching sight of the Red Time Flier soaring overhead.

"Just get on your feet guys." the Red Time Force Ranger replied. "I'll try and cover for you.

Pulling up through the oxygen field, Wes made a U-turn, spinning into attack position. Locking his forward laser cannons on the body of the giant mechanical serpent, Wes fired a stream of laser fire through the air. Explosions erupted all about Serpentera's body as the laser blasts bounced off his body.

Under his helmet, Wes' eyes widened. The horrific Zord had not moved an inch His attacks had not even fazed his opponent.

"Oh no…" he muttered to himself. "That's bad."

Bad went to worse as Serpentera raised it's claw tipped arm hand into the air. Wes jerked the controls to the left, swerving out of dodge as the Zord swung it's arm forth.

Pulling up, Wes looked back down at the gargantuan form of Serpentera. The Zord's nostrils spewed smoke into the artificial oxygen as it slowly started to advance on the fallen Red BattleZord.

"Tommy!" Wes called from above. "Watch out!"

Inside his Zord's cockpit, Tommy's mind raced as he fumbled with the controls, desperately trying to get an arm up, or a leg, anything that could move! "Come on…" he mumbled to himself. "Work…work…!"

But it was no use, the Red BattleZord was helpless as the shadow of Serpentera eclipsed the light of the stars.

The mighty serpent let out a furious roar as it stood above it's prey. Tommy shook his head, refusing to believe what he saw. After all these years, all this time, it couldn't end like this…

Then suddenly, a second roar answered Serpentera's battle cry. Tommy nearly hit his head on the top of the cockpit as he leapt out of his seat, watching the ferocious Quantasaurus Rex collide with it's opponent. The mighty serpent wobbled a bit as the Q-Rex, not even tall enough to look the other Zord in the eyes, pushed up against its heavily armored chest. There was a sound resembling nails on a chalkboard as steel grinded against steel. Serpentera backed off with a few thunderous steps, as it's opponent pushed with all it's might.

The Q-Rex let out a fierce growl between its clasped steel teeth as Serpentera's eyes began to glow.

Seconds later, Venjix released two optical laser beams that knocked the Q-Rex down on its side. But using the Quantum Defender, Eric pulled the Zord with its momentum. Within seconds, it was back on it's feet, and charging for the second time.

The Quantasaurus Rex fired the twin laser cannons on it's back. They two laser blasts connected with Serpentera's torso dead on. But like the Red Time Flier, the Q-Rex's artillery power had no effect. Yet despite it's failed attack, the Zord continued to charge forward. But as it grew closer, Serpentera raised its claw tipped arm yet again…

Sparks spewed from the left side of the Q-Rex's metallic skull as the gargantuan serpent swatted it's attacker aside.

Serpentera let out yet another deafening roar, as Venjix seemingly invited his next challenger to step up.

Although the wave attack had knocked the Lion Galactabeast out of Zord mode, Leo, now rushing for cover next to Eric and Aurico, knew that the brave heart of the beast could never be wounded, regardless of the attack. The Galactabeast returned the roar with pride, honor, and integrity.

Then suddenly, the creature was joined at it's side by a second lion. Cole's Red Lion Wild Zord caressed the Galactabeasts mane with it's own golden mane. The two lion stood high, proud, and tall. They each let out fierce growls. They would not be intimidated by the sheer size and power of Serpentera.

Together as one, they charged forward.

Serpentera responded with another raging fire attack. The Wild Zord swerved to the left, dodging the flames. The Galactabeast however, drew strength from the power of fire, and had nothing to fear. Leaping directly through the flames, the Lion pounced up into the face of it's opponent, mounting it's front claws on the serpents shoulders. The Galactabeast did not hesitate a moment to sink it's teeth into the throat of the gargantuan serpent like a blood thirsty vampire.

Seconds later, the evil Zord found itself with another obstacle as the Red Lion Wild Zord pounced for Serpentera's knees. Desperately trying to take the Zord's vertical base away, Cole bit, and clawed at Serpentera's legs, but to no avail.

As the Galactabeast desperately tried to make a dent in Serpentera's seemingly flawless armor, Venjix surprised his attackers by raising the Zord's left leg into the air.

Had Cole reacted just one second earlier, it would have been too late. Showcasing its amazing speed and flexibility, the Red Lion Wild Zord dove into a somersault, narrowly avoiding Serpentera's gigantic foot as it reduced the rocks below to dust.

The Lion Galactabeast remained persistent, knowing furiously on the neck of Serpentera. Yet despite the skin crawling screech of steel grinding against steel, the animal's teeth could not penetrate the Zord's armor.

"Jeez," Eric commented, looking on from the ground. "Talk about the hickey from hell."

The gargantuan serpent placed its claw tipped arms atop the shoulders of its opponent. The Lion Galactabeast let out a determined roar as it felt the uncanny strength of Serpentera pushing it downward. Despite desperate attempts to hold on, the sacred animal began to slowly slide down the armored body of it's opponent.

With it's concentration fixated elsewhere, the Galactabeast failed to notice that Serpentera's jaw was once again crackling with electricity…

The Rangers shielded their visors as a flash of purple energy lit up the Sea of Tranquility. The limp body of the Lion Galactabeast was sent flying through the oxygen field, landing with a sick thunderous thud atop the rocks. Leo could only look on in horror as his sacred Galactabeast let out a moan of agony and despair.

Racing his hands across the controls, Cole positioned the Red Lion Wild Zord in a pouncing stance, preparing to leap atop the shoulders of the mighty serpent. With any luck, he would pick right up from where the Galactabeast left off.

"Cole," Tommy's voice suddenly called through the com. "Pull back." Puzzled, the Red Wild Force Ranger turned to look out the side of his viewport.

It was then that he understood.

For a moment, Cole's mind clicked back to a day when he'd first arrived in the seemingly endless sea of complexities that comprised civilization. He remembered that part of him had been so scared, like a child lost in amongst jungle trees. Noticing his anxiety, Alyssa had shown him a book she one day planned to read to her kindergarten class. In the book, a brave knight traveled to the lair of an evil dragon, to save a beautiful princess from captivity.

And now it seemed that the book was coming to life before his very eyes. The dragon, tall and mighty, smoke drifting from its nostrils, it's distorted in the very essence of evil. And then, standing merely a few feet away from the great beast (though if actually measured, Cole knew it would be nearly one hundred yards), were not one, but two brave knights. Tommy, piloting the Red BattleZord with a fierce tenacity, and an honorable pride. And Aurico, telepathically controlling the Red BattleBorg with bravery, and resilience. Their quest, to save arguably the most beautiful work the Gods had ever created, the Earth.

Cole relinquished the pouncing stance, praying that for just one day, fairy tales could come true…

Holding out it's right hand, a long silver and red staff materialized in the Red BattleBorg's grip. Twirling the weapon into the air, it made the first advance on Serpentera. Breaking into a fierce charge, the Borg swung the staff over its head, and executed a downward slash.

The blow caught Serpentera on its shoulder. Yet the mighty dragon did not move an inch. Shocked, Aurico commanded the Borg to shift it's grip on the staff, and whirled it around for a backhand shot.

Once again, Serpentera was not even phased.

Frustrated, Aurico pulled the Red BattleBorg backward, and proceeded to jab the staff into his opponent's torso.

Serpentera grunted, seemingly mocking it's attacker. Latching one of its massive hands on to the weapon, his five claw tipped digits began to send an electric current flowing through the staff, back into the cybernetic body of the Red BattleBorg.

The giant battle machine shook violently as explosions began to erupt all over its metallic body. Finally, the Borg could stand it no longer. Overcome by the sheer power of Serpentera, the Red BattleBorg collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Leo and Eric managed to catch Aurico as he collapsed along with his telepathic partner. Under his suit, the could feel his gills heaving up and down.

"My god…" Eric exclaimed. "Are you alright?"

"I…" the Red Aquitar Ranger said between desperate, heavy gasps. "I w-will survive…"

Tommy wasted no time. Moving forward with thunderous footsteps, the Red BattleZord threw a punch with it's massive red fist. Serpentera's head jerked to the left with a loud clang.

A chill ran up Tommy's spine as the head of the gargantuan serpent slowly turned back toward him.

But the Red BattleZord had a few surprises in store for it's opponent. Aiming it's left fist at the serpent's torso, Tommy fired the Zord's golden wrist gauntlets. The resulting explosion forced the Red BattleZord to back off a bit, wobbling as it struggled to maintain it's balance.

Though a few small sparks leapt from the spot where Tommy had fired, Serpentera other wise remained unaffected. Under his helmet, Tommy clenched his teeth. This was impossible. No Zord he'd ever encountered had been this powerful. It couldn't possibly be invincible…

Could it?

Tommy's stomach turned as he noticed that Serpentera's jaws were beginning to charge again.

He punched two fingers down on the com. "He's powering up again! Channel all the power you can into your front shields!"

"Tommy!" Wes called. "I'm taking evasive action!"

"Wes, be careful!"

But the Red Time Force Ranger ignored Tommy's warnings, and quickly spun the Red Time Flier out in front of the Red BattleZord, firing four laser blasts directly into the path of the energy flow in Serpentera's jaws.

The serpent Zord's posture seemed to shift a bit upon impact, but the attack ultimately seemed ineffective.

"Damn!" Tommy heard Wes curse over the com as he desperately tried to maneuver out of dodge. Though it seemed that whichever way he moved, Serpentera's satanic face would follow. The Red Zeo Ranger feared the worst. Did Venjix have a lock on him?

"What happened?" Wes demanded.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he absorbed the energy." Leo called to his teammate.

Indeed, Tommy agreed. A Zord of Serpentera's magnitude almost certainly had a method of absorbing, filtering, and channeling outside energy. The MegaZords he'd used in the past' had all had similar abilities. "Hang on guys," Tommy cried. "I've an idea…" Powering up the BattleZord visor blast Tommy realized that it was the only idea he had left…

With the Red BattleZord still in the path of Serpentera's blazing power surge, the giant battle machine created a power surge of it's own. As the star visor on the Zord's cockpit ignited, Tommy aimed directly for the monster's neck, just below the surge in it's jaws.

"Alright you oversized DragonZord wannabe," Tommy hissed under his breath. "It's time you got a taste of stardom!"

With the visor of the Red BattleZord convulsing at it's full potential, Tommy released the beam, firing directly into the throat of Serpentera.

There were loud cries of excitement over the com as the gargantuan serpent dropped to one knee. Though masked by a cloud of smoke, Tommy breathed a sigh of relief, knowing his idea had worked. At least they'd averted one potentially fatal attack.

It was then that the Sea of Tranquility lit up with a horrific purple energy. Tommy shielded his visor as the smoke was pierced by a gigantic energy beam from Serpentera's jaws…