A mechanical claw slashed at the Dino-Megazord.
Slash!!!
Sparks burst violently from the Megazord's armor as the entire machine staggered back several heavy steps. Deep claw marks carved across the Tyranno head, metal screeching from the impact.
Inside the cockpit, Connor and Ethan gritted their teeth as they tried everything to stabilize the Zord. They were doing their best to fight Trent, but with one person missing from their team, their Megazord simply wasn't at full power. They were fighting at a disadvantage from the very first second.
Before they could even process their next move, a giant goblin bomb materialized right in front of them.
"Oh no…" Connor muttered, despair coating every syllable.
BOOM!!!
The explosion detonated directly in the Megazord's faceplate.The impact launched the Megazord backwards like a kite with its strings cut, smashing through two skyscrapers before crashing into the ruins below.
Zzzztttt!!!
The damage was worse than before — much worse. Sparks danced violently along the Megazord's limbs, plates dented, hydraulics leaking. With the combined assault of the White Dino Ranger and the giant Green Goblin, there was simply no winning this fight.
And the worst part? They were intentionally trying not to hit Trent too hard. They were buying time for Kira. That meant they held back everything deadly or risky. They could've gone all-out on Green Goblin, but splitting focus, half on Trent, half on Goblin, left them unable to finish either quickly.
It was frustrating. It was hopeless. And it was only getting worse.
The white Dino Ranger noticed the goblin's attack on his "prey" and immediately bristled with irritation. He didn't like sharing. He hated sharing. And right now, somebody else was interfering with his fun.
"Hmph." The White Ranger snorted coldly, raising his fist and striking at Green Goblin without hesitation.
Goblin's mechanical eyes widened.
Aren't we supposed to be allies? Working together to take them down?
But he severely underestimated the pettiness and selfishness of the White Ranger. Someone who didn't even want to share the Power Grid would never share an enemy.
The Drago Megazord's fist rocketed forward, smashing directly into Goblin's jaw.
BANG!!!
The impact lifted the massive villain off the ground and sent him flying like a loose kite ripped from its string.
BOOM!!!
He crashed into the ruins below, cracking the ground even further. Several skyscrapers trembled and collapsed from the shockwave. Goblin didn't even twitch afterwards. He was out cold.
From inside his cockpit, the White Ranger clicked his tongue in disgust.
"Ant. Wanting to steal my prey… my glory. You're not worthy."
He turned back toward the battered, smoking Dino-Megazord. Looking at the devastation he'd inflicted made a grin curl beneath his helmet. He felt untouchable — invincible. These Rangers… these weaklings… they didn't deserve to share the same power as him. Only he was fit to wield the Dino Thunder power. Only he should stand alone on the grid.
While "Trent" reveled in his dominance, Connor and Ethan spiraled into panic. Their Megazord wasn't responding properly. And the madman who'd nearly destroyed them was now advancing for the finishing blow.
There was no strategy, no miracle, no backup they could rely on.
It was impossible.
Inside the cockpit, Connor's face twisted with pain, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Ethan wasn't any better. The psychic connection with the Megazord meant they felt a portion of its damage. Every strike, every impact — they felt it like a dull, crushing weight.
They were completely overpowered.
And the city around them? Devastated. The destruction stretched across multiple blocks. Civilians were safe in underground bunkers, but casualties still happened. Buildings fell. Streets shattered. Fires raged uncontrolled.
"We were chosen to protect Earth… now we can't even protect the city," Connor whispered, voice breaking. "He's right… We're ants."
Ethan lowered his head in silence. He couldn't deny it. They were Power Rangers. Heroes meant to defend the innocent. But now they were the ones being thrown around like rag dolls.
In Tommy's cockpit, he heard Connor's voice and closed his eyes briefly. This was the burden of Rangers across countless galaxies. Every Ranger had a moment like this — a moment where despair threatened to swallow them whole. But they always rose. They always survived.
He couldn't let his students lose hope.
"Connor, Ethan," Tommy said firmly. "Listen to me. You're not ants. You're strong — far stronger than most people your age."
"But Dr. O…" Connor's voice trembled. "Every time we fight him… every time we think we'll win… we're always defeated. Maybe he's right. Maybe we don't deserve to be Power Rangers."
Tommy shook his head in disappointment.
"Ethan, Connor… do you remember what I told you when you officially became Rangers? You asked me a question that day. What was my reply?"
A faint spark flickered in Connor's dim eyes.
He remembered.
He remembered everything about that day — the Morphers, the oath, the fear. He remembered holding his Morpher with trembling hands and asking:
"What if we aren't qualified to be Rangers? What if we fail?"
He remembered how Dr. O laughed softly, then became serious.
"You didn't choose to become Rangers," Tommy had said. "You didn't choose the gems. They chose you. They saw something in you."
Connor had protested back then, confused and insecure.
"Chose us? But we're just normal high school kids. We're not special. You picked the wrong guys."
Ethan and Kira had felt the same way — all of them just ordinary teenagers.
But Tommy shook his head.
"You don't have to be special to be chosen. Only the purest of heart can become Rangers. The gems chose you because you're worthy."
Then Tommy added something else — something Connor had never forgotten.
"Nobody was born special. Even the legendary Rangers. Even the greatest heroes in the galaxy. But they all knew two important truths."
Connor could still hear his voice now, echoing like a beacon in the dark.
"First: Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. You don't give up when things get hard or impossible. You stand firm and protect the world you were chosen to defend."
"Second: Good always wins over evil. No matter how strong the darkness seems."
Connor felt his heart pound as those memories surged through him. The hopelessness that suffocated him began to crack. Ethan felt it too — something rising inside him.
With a grunt of effort, Connor forced himself up. Ethan followed, matching his determination.
They stood facing each other.
Dap!
Their fists struck together — a silent bond reforged.
"Let's do this together."
Tommy smiled with pride, relief washing over him. His students weren't broken after all. They were rising.
Outside, the Dino-Megazord rose as well. Sparks still danced across its wounds, plates still bent, systems still damaged. But its eyes flared crimson again, and it stepped forward in a battle stance — defiant, resilient.
The White Dino Ranger blinked in mild astonishment.
But that was all.
He still planned to crush them.
Ruthlessly.
He raised the Ankylo-Drill, energy surging along its spiraling edge. The Drago Megazord lifted off the ground like a missile, drill spinning with lethal force.
It shot forward.
Connor and Ethan crossed the Megazord's massive arms in defense. But they knew — deep down — it wouldn't be enough. They knew the force behind that attack could tear through them like nothing.
But they didn't run. They didn't fold.
They were Rangers.
And then —
The drill slammed down.
BOOM!!!
Connor and Ethan shut their eyes, bracing for the end.
But…
No pain.
No destruction.
Just… silence.
A stunned voice rang out.
"What?!!!"
They opened their eyes — slowly — and froze.
Standing in front of their Megazord was a tiny figure in red.
One hand extended. Palm open.
Holding back the massive spinning drill with absolute ease.
Relaxed. Unmoving. Untouched.
Connor and Ethan stared in shock.
Trent had no idea who this red figure even was.
And then they heard the newcomer's cold voice:
"That's enough destruction for the day. I'll just end you myself."
It was the new ranger in New York. The Omni-Ranger.
--- ✦ ---
Guys, I have a question. Do you think side chapters like this are slowing down the story or giving the side characters more life and importance? Please advise guys. I'm a newbie. I'll need all the help I can get.