CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

At the sight of its newest challenger, Serpentera's nostrils burst with smoke as it turned to advance on the Crimson MegaZord…

But the Astro MegaZord, even in it's fatigued state, remained resilient. Reaching to latch on to Serpentera's left arm, Andros and T.J. attempted to whirl the Zord around, as the giant battle machine swung a powerful punch.

There was a loud banging sound as the blow connected with the back of the serpent Zords head. Yet even so, Serpentera was not even fazed. Stopping dead in its gigantic tracks, the serpent Zord twisted around, and landed an explosive upward swipe with its razor sharp claws across the torso of the Astro MegaZord Mark II.

In the cockpit, control panels burst with sparks as the MegaZord finally crumbled to the moon floor. As he jerked from side to side in his restraints, Andros could only close his eyes under the helmet of the Red Space Ranger.

As his helmet crashed against the controls once again, he let a tear of frustration drop on to his visor.

"Ashley…"

As the Astro MegaZord lay motionless at its feet, Serpentera turned back to the Crimson MegaZord…

"Sheilds up!" Tommy called out to his co-pilots, as he reached out to the controls. "Lets get this baby movin'…"

Jason nodded. "Lets show him some MegaZord power!"

In that moment, the entire universe seemed to abruptly move into slow motion as the Crimson MegaZord and the satanic Serpentera closed in on one another. The stars became eyes, blazing down upon them with a look that reminded each combatant that the fate of billions depended on the outcome of this duel.

The end was near.

Venjix surprised the Rangers as he brought Serpentera to a sudden halt, and whirled the Zord around in a ninety-degree turn. The momentum brought the tail of the gargantuan serpent into the air. The Crimson MegaZord reached its mighty metallic arms up to block the blow.

Even the MegaZords six pilots were flabbergasted as the giant battle machine caught the tail in its grasp with a thunderous clang. Serpentera squirmed in the firm grip of its opponent. Wagging its tremendous tail back and forth, up and down, Venjix tried desperately to break the MegaZord's grip. But it was to no avail.

Then, twisting its head backward, the gargantuan serpent released a scorching breath of fire into the face of the Crimson MegaZord! The giant battle machines fierce grip was immediately broken, as it staggered backward, wobbling on its massive feet.

Tommy let out a grunt as the off balance MegaZord sent him twisting and turning in his restraints. "Give me a status report!" he called. "What did that take out of us?!?"

Under it could not be seen, the Red Wild Force Ranger looked back at his teammate with a pleasantly surprised expression on his face. "Uhhh, nothing. We look fine!"

At his left, Carter nodded in affirmation. "He's right, all systems are green! What's going on?"

Leo whirled around in his chair. "The Lion GalactaZord!" he cried. "It must be sharing its invulnerability to fire with the entire MegaZord!"

Though still a bit confused, the Red Zeo Ranger gave Leo a comprehending nod. "Alright then, that might just come in handy! Now lets-"

"Watch it!" Wes cried.

Sparks erupted from the Crimson MegaZord's torso as Serpentera brought a claw tipped hand down upon it. Taking a few more steps back, the giant battle machine swayed a bit, but maintained its vertical base.

The Red Morphin Ranger looked to his partner. "We've got to respond with something!"

"I can't argue that," Tommy replied as his gloved hands raced across the controls. His visor rose to the Red Galaxy Ranger. "Leo! Give me some power in the star visor. Let's turn on the Crimson Light!"

Moments later, under the jagged teeth of the Q-Rex, the Red BattleZord's star visor began to illuminate with a dark red glow. As it crackled with red electricity, even the Rangers weren't quite sure what to think as the light spread up the visor, into the eyes of the Q-Rex.

"Alright then…" Tommy said nervously to himself. "Lock on…fire!"

At the Red Zeo Ranger's command, three bright red beams burst from the MegaZord's star visor, and the eyes perched atop it's helmet. Serpentera let out a high-pitched cry as the three laser blasts connected with its torso. The eyes of the six Rangers widened as the colossal serpent Zord was forced backward from the sheer power of the blast.

To his right, Tommy felt Jason's eyes on him. He knew it too.

They had a chance.

Tommy felt a newfound wave of adrenaline rush over the team. "Let's hit him again!" he ordered. "Leo, power up the-"

Just then, they noticed Serpentera's jaws were beginning to crackle with electricity…

"Wait!" he called. "Carter! Give us maximum speed! We need to get out of the way!"

The Crimson MegaZords footsteps echoed across the Sea of Tranquility as it stomped as fast as it could out of firing range. Yet even as it moved, Serpentera's neck swiveled to follow them. As the beam forming between the morbid jaws of the serpent Zord grew brighter, the Rangers were unable to shake their opponents spine-numbing gaze.

Finally, the Red Zeo Ranger pounded his gloved fist on the controls. "Wes! Divert all power to the shield generator!"

Almost in sync, Tommy's five teammates turned to look at him.

Carter got the first word in. "You want us to take that shot?"

"That's insane!" Wes cried. "What about what happened to the Red-"

"We're a lot bigger than the Red BattleBorg was!" Tommy cried back at the Red Time Force Ranger. "And I guarantee you we can take a lot more than it could!"

He let out a sigh, his mind suddenly with Aurico and Eric. "Besides…it looks like it's unavoidable at this point. Serpentera's targeting computer must have some sort of homing signal on it. But either way, we've got to take what's coming."

Cole touched Wes on the shoulder. "He's right, we can't avoid it. But think of the psychological advantage we'll have  if we survive! That's got to be the toughest thing Serpentera can throw at us! If we get up…"

Suddenly, the Sea of Tranquility glowed bright purple.

"Sheilds at maximum!" Wes shouted.

There was an ear splitting explosion as the ray of light connected directly with the Crimson MegaZord's torso. The giant battle machine flew backward, piercing the oxygen field with its metallic body.

There was a split second of dead silence before the Crimson MegaZord bounced off the moon's rocky surface. A series of loud screeches could be heard as the Zord's metallic body scratched and scraped against the coarse ground. It's once spotless mechanical body rolling repeatedly over jagged stones, as a thick fog of dust and grime hovered around it, eclipsing even its bright, luminous form.

And then, the silence returned.

The Astro MegaZord creaked and squeaked as it desperately tried to push itself to its feet. But alas, the gargantuan serpent refused to even acknowledge its presence as its metallic hands slipped, and crumbled once again.

Serpentera let out a thunderous roar as it stood above its adversaries, tall, proud, alone, and victorious. Despite the burns, and scratches on its once spotless body, the gargantuan serpent had proven itself to be just what Venjix had said it was. Serpentera was in fact, the ultimate weapon, and the most powerful Zord ever built. No challenger would dare oppose him now, with a victory over ten Red Rangers under his belt.

General Venjix would rule the universe within his cold, mechanical fist…

Just then, the ground began to shake, as a series of thunderous footsteps echoed across the Sea of Tranquility.

Impossible…

Serpentera's eyes were lifeless and cold. But as the Crimson MegaZord emerged from the fog created by its crash, for a brief moment, the morbid face of the serpent Zord almost looked as  shocked.

Its mechanical body was now covered in filth and debris from the fall. Yet that was far from the MegaZords most notable wound. In the center of its torso, expanding across both the Falcon, and Gorilla Wild Zords, was a deep, circular gash where the blast had made contact. The wound was charred, burned, and pitch black. It stood out quite awkwardly on the otherwise red, silver, and green body of the battle machine.

But regardless, the Crimson MegaZord was still standing.

Chuckling to himself, Jason turned to Tommy. "I wonder if it's possible for a robot to wet its pants?"

The Red Zeo Ranger gave no visual response, but simply said: "Only the scrap heap knows for sure."

Just then, the Q-Rex's two rear blaster cannons rose atop the shoulders of the Crimson MegaZord. Turning to his left, Tommy watched Carter call up his targeting computer. Moments later, he flashed a quick thumbs up. "We've got a lock!"

Tommy nodded. "Then open fire!"

The most obvious difference in the blaster cannons on the MegaZord's shoulders, and the blaster cannons that had been on the back of the Q-Rex, was their sheer power. As the twin guns simultaneously fired, the Crimson MegaZord rocked backward. The barrels of the two blaster cannons erupted in laser fire, sending two tremendous bolts of energy directly into the path of Serpentera.

The two gigantic laser blasts bounced against the serpent Zord's torso. The evil serpent was once again forced to back away a bit. But General Venjix remained persistent, as Serpentera proceeded to close in on its opponent, like a famished predator eyeing a helpless prey.

But the Crimson MegaZord was hardly helpless. Carter looked to the Red Zeo Ranger. "Tommy, take a look at your monitor. I've found something pretty interesting."

The Red Zeo Ranger did as he was instructed, with the Red Morphin Ranger looking over his shoulder. Seconds later, a new set of blue prints illuminated from the screen. Jason instantly recognized what he saw. "That's the Q-Rex's tail."

The Red Lightspeed Ranger shook his head. "Nope.  That's our Crimson MegaZord Saber."

Upon second analysis, the two veteran Rangers noticed that the tail was now perched atop a grip and handle, forming a mighty sword for the Crimson MegaZord.

Under his helmet, Tommy grinned. "Good work Carter." he said, complimenting his partner. "Let's try this baby out…"

Punching in the ignition command, the massive hand of the Crimson MegaZord stretched out to receive its signature weapon. Upon first glance, the Rangers were surprised by the sheer size and mass of the Zord. Considering the length of the Q-Rex's tail, it looked as if it would be top heavy, or off scale. For a moment, they had reason to believe that Project Crimson had made a mistake.

But as the MegaZord wielded the sword back and forth, getting a feel for it, its swiftness and maneuverability were illustrated. Indeed, the Crimson MegaZord Saber was not to be scoffed at.

Rotating the sword forward at Serpentera, the MegaZord charged forward to challenge its adversary, as Andros and T.J. remained helpless within the fallen Astro MegaZord.

When the two colossal battle machines reached attack range, the MegaZord pulled the saber in towards its torso, and executed a horizontal slash across Serpentera's belly. The serpent Zord twisted to the side, yet the opposing momentum could not stop the creature's morbid claws from digging into its opponent's upper torso. Sparks erupted from the metallic skin of both Zords, as they stood back to back for a split second.

"Brace yourself!!" Tommy called, as he whirled the Crimson MegaZord around, its Saber raised level with the cockpit. The abrupt movement shoved the Rangers to the left, their restraints pulling hard against their bodies as they clutched the controls, hanging on for dear life.

Their hearts sank at the sound of a thunderous clang, as the serpent Zord caught the saber with two upraised hands. The Rangers were suddenly vulnerable as Serpentera shoved the sword downward with its two vigorous limbs.

The lives of the six men flashed before their eyes as the blood red eyes of Serpentera looked straight into the cockpit of the Crimson MegaZord. They could only shield their visors as an overpowering red glow flooded the cockpit…

His mind racing, Tommy twisted the right arm of the Crimson MegaZord. The saber swung for Serpentera's neck just as the optical blasts connected with the Zord's torso. The team flew backward in their seats as the force of the blow knocked the MegaZord off balance, and down toward the moon's rocky surface.

And then, abruptly, they stopped.

Wes' restraint snapped, sending him face first into the control panel.  Sparks erupted inside the cockpit, as the Rangers heard their monstrous opponent let out a thunderous bellow. Frantically trying to figure out what was happening, the Red Zeo Ranger twisted the MegaZord's head around…

It was truly a sight to see. Ironically, the team almost let out a series of hardy laughs at what they saw through the viewport. The blade of the Crimson MegaZord Saber had contorted, wrapping itself around the tremendously thick neck of Serpentera. The gargantuan serpent desperately gripped the saber with its monstrous hands, trying to somehow break the grip. Yet it was no use. The weight of the Crimson MegaZord only proved to tighten its hold over the tyrannical beast.

Well, Tommy thought to himself, it was a tail after all.

"Steady guys!" Tommy heard Cole shout out, as he grasped the controls. Hoping that this hurt Serpentera as much as it possibly could, he bent the MegaZord's elbow joint. The giant battle machine slowly began to regain it's vertical base, as it pulled itself upright once again.

The movement did appear to put an added strain on Serpentera, as the evil Zord's roars only got louder. Until finally, the MegaZord was back on its feet. Tommy yanked back with the Zord's right arm, attempting to uncurl the sword from the serpent's neck.

But the tail of the Q-Rex did not release it's captor. The MegaZord pulled again, but there was still no response. A third try failed as well.

Suddenly, Serpentera's claw tipped digits began to crackle with electricity once again.

"Tommy…!!!" Wes cried nervously, looking up at the Red Zeo Ranger.

But he and the others could only watch as the serpent Zord latched its ignited claws on to the saber.

The Crimson MegaZord twisted and twitched as the unwanted energy flowed into its body, flooding its inner workings with unwanted energy. Desperately trying to free the giant battle machine, Tommy gave the sword one last powerful yank.

The resulting screech made the Rangers' skin crawl as the Crimson MegaZord Saber jerked itself free. Thankfully relieved of the attack, the Rangers watched as the saber straightened itself once again into a straightened sword position.

"Okay…" an out of breath Jason said. "Let's not do that again."

"Look out!" Leo shouted, motioning toward Serpentera. The serpent Zord's eyes were once again glowing, preparing for yet another blast.

"Sheilds at maximum!" the Red Zeo Ranger shouted as he turned the MegaZord's body, attempting to dodge the blow.

Just then, the gargantuan serpent abruptly fell forward, as a blaze of sparks erupted from it's artificially scaled back. Although it maintained it's vertical base, the six Rangers were nonetheless able to look beyond it, and see the Astro MegaZord standing upright. In it's metallic fist was the Astro MegaZord Saber.

"That my friends," T.J.'s voice came over the com. "Is how you handle a sword!"

Taking full advantage of the situation, the Crimson MegaZord sliced horizontally with it's own saber, letting the tail's razor sharp tip, along with it's own artificial scales slice across the serpent Zord's body. The shot forcefully turned Serpentera back toward the Astro MegaZord.

But Venjix's mechanical mind worked quickly. As the serpent Zord twisted around, it's massive tail spun upward, knocking the Crimson MegaZord in its side. There was no saving the six Rangers now, as the MegaZord lost its balance, and tumbled down to the ground.

However, even as the fresh clouds of dust, rocks, and debris began to form around the Crimson MegaZord, the Astro MegaZord Saber had already ignited in a bright golden blaze.

With their gloved fingers crossed, Andros and T.J. brought the sword down. Instantly, the bright golden energy was sent flying from the tip of the blade, toward their targeted opponent.

In the split second that the beam blazed toward it, Serpentera spread its jaws apart…

"No!" Andros screamed, pounding his fist on the controls. Somehow, in some uncanny way, Serpentera managed to catch the beam between its jaws. It held it there now…just as it had with its own.

But not for long.

The impact was far greater this time, as the Astro MegaZord's own energy exploded off its body, sending it flat on it's back once again.

Andros shook his head furiously, refusing to believe this was happening. They had tried everything. They had used every bit of energy they could muster up. They had summoned all the power within the Astro MegaZord, in hopes of taking down General Venjix and Serpentera. And yet, it just wasn't good enough. What was it going to take to bring down this giant behemoth?

Under his helmet, the Kerovan forced himself to open his eyes. They would find a way. They had to. There was no other option.

As the Astro MegaZord lay motionless on the moon floor, Serpentera remained still. At its knees, Tommy and the others had forced the Crimson MegaZord on its metallic hands and knees. The giant battle machine had been reduced from its once proud, tall standing position, to a pitiful crawl at the feet of its opposition. With its own saber still clutched in its fist, the Crimson MegaZord forced itself toward its fallen partner. It stretched its saber out to protect the Andros and T.J. from whatever might come next.

But even they knew, that wouldn't be enough. As Serpentera's jaws began to crackle with a deadly electric current once again, reality sank in. The battle was over.

Venjix had won.

In that moment, Andros could only think of Ashley. His beloved, his one true love, whom he'd foolishly left behind because he was too scared to face reality for what it was. He clenched his fists on the control panel, and desperately tried to fight back the tears, but to no avail.

The others were going to die too, he knew. A part of him felt guilty now, for bringing them all into the arms of the grim reaper.

But at least they would have the pleasure of dying with honor. And for that, Andros was happy for them.

Looking around at his fellow Rangers, Cole let out a shaky sigh. There was only silence in the cockpit, as the team prepared to face the inevitable.

Taking a deep breath, and staring into the morbid jaws of Serpentera, Cole reminded himself of what one of the amazon tribe leaders had told him long ago. Death was not failure, it was not shameful, it was not a sin. Death was merely a passageway into the next life, a life among the gods, a life among paradise. Death is merely the second phase of life. A phase we all must pass through.

Cole thought of his Mother and Father.

He only wished he could have left his beautiful mother Earth behind under better circumstances…

Looking to his right, Tommy reached out his hand to the Red Morphin Ranger. Jason accepted it, as the two old friends shook hands, for what they knew would be the last time.

Jason and Tommy were not afraid to die. They had looked death in the face before. Many times together as a team. Each time they'd put on the helmet, they'd known failure was always a possibility. And yet, somehow they had never feared for their own lives. It had never been about whether they lived or died. It had always been about the people, the innocent lives that lay at stake when you put the helmet on. That was what had always truly mattered.

And at that moment, it was the only thought that registered in the minds of the two young men.

"I want you to know," Jason said, just loud enough for only Tommy to hear. "I'm proud to stand next to you right now."

Tommy nodded, as a tear dropped from his eyes. Just then, he allowed himself one selfish thought. He tried to resist it, as he knew it was selfish, but he couldn't. He could never ignore his heart.

His mind flashed back to his conversation with Jason on the Megaship, when they'd been talking about their families. It now suddenly occurred to him, that he'd never see them again. He'd never see his own wife again, he'd never get to hold her, love her, hold her embrace her ever again.

And then, came the worst thought of all, his son. He'd never see his son grow up, and become a man…

Just then, a blinding light blazed into the cockpit.

The Rangers closed their eyes, accepting their fate without fear, bitterness, or regret…

And there was silence.

It was dark, dark as the pitch-black shroud of a night sky with no stars. From what they had heard, it was supposed to start out with a bright light shining down upon you from the heavens, as God accepted you into his kingdom.

But the Power Rangers only saw darkness.

Then, they realized they had their eyes closed. Slowly, they opened them…

Then, as they sat, still in the cockpits of the MegaZords, looking through their viewports, what they saw might as well have been heaven.

Serpentera's eyes had gone dark. It's metallic body, now burned and scratched from battle, was stiff, and motionless. From its mouth, came a cloud of exhaust fumes.

Serpentera was out of power.

T.J. was the first to break the silence. "Uhhhhh, Tommy?"

"Right here T.J.." the veteran Ranger replied. "You guys okay?"

"We're fine…" Andros replied, making T.J. jump. "What about you guys?"

"We're good." he said. His voice was noticeably lacking enthusiasm.

For a moment, the silence returned…

"So um," Cole intruded. "What do you say we…kick some ass?"

Both MegaZords roared with laughter.

"Let's do this." Jason called.

The Crimson and Astro MegaZords creaked and groaned as they slowly rose to their feet. Their automated bodies were stiff, broken, and barely able to move. Their respective viewports were soiled with dust and grime, and their once spotless metallic skin was now scratched, scraped, and burned.

Yet they were still operational…barely.

Serpentera remained motionless, it's jaw still hanging open. Its arms remained outstretched before its torso. It was almost as if the satanic serpent Zord had been frozen in time.

"What happened to it?" asked Wes.

"The Neo Plutonium Reactor." Andros answered over the com. Without it, Serpentera could only run on its own power."

"And with all that energy it was channeling into its offense…" Carter let his sentence go unfinished, as the Rangers simply stared at their frozen adversary.

"Oh, this is priceless." Jason said with a grin.

In the cockpit of the Astro MegaZord, the Red Space Ranger turned to his partner. "Alright," he said. "Give me all the power that's left. I'm going to channel it into the Astro MegaZord Saber. Let's see what happens when Venjix doesn't have that fancy catching trick."

The Red Turbo Ranger nodded. Moments later, the saber flickered to life once again, a golden glow illuminating the dull gray surface of the moon.

"For Ashley…" Andros told himself, as he brought the sword down.

The resulting explosion that engulfed the serpent Zord was disturbingly satisfying. Serpentera remained motionless. Like a desecrated statue, it simply stood as the flames began to char its body.

"Okay Tommy," T.J. spoke into the com. "Take the stage."

Getting the nod from the other Rangers, Tommy placed his gloved hands on the controls. "Crimson MegaZord Saber! Ignite!"

At the command of the Red Zeo Ranger, a fiery red glow shot up the Crimson MegaZord Saber.

Under his helmet, Tommy smiled. "This is what happens when you mess with the Power Rangers."

Punching in a key on the control panel, a pair of jets under the MegaZord's feet instantly ignited, sending the giant battle machine rocketing toward its adversary. The Crimson MegaZord brought its illuminated saber up, behind its head, and around, in a spectacular swing…

The explosion was unparalleled as the sliced through Serpentera's neck, sending its head falling from its body, into the flames below.

Tommy could almost see General Venjix's cold, lifeless, metallic face in his mind as the MegaZord landed behind its defeated adversary. The seismic blasts continued, as the decapitated serpent Zord's body slowly exploded and burned into nothingness. The eight Rangers stood in their seats and cheered as the satanic Serpentera, was at long last sentenced to a fiery grave.

It was finally over…