The weird guy who had given her powers was north of town, Gemma could just feel it. She followed this sense, with Andraeus just behind. Together, the Blood Red Ranger and the Blue Ranger ran at high-speed through the fields, cutting cross-country.

Busby screamed in pain as Quinton, still in his Green Ranger suit, drove the point of the Yellow Key into his leg.

“How does this work?”

Sadler begged for him not to hurt his friend.

Quinton said, “okay,” and took another key off of the ring he’d stolen from the man in the bed in his secret bunk, and jabbed it into the wound on Sadler’s ankle, causing him to cry out.

The Green Ranger laughed cruelly as he tortured the two boys with the keys.

“I want you guys to try this. Maybe I won’t be able to kill you.”

“What’s wrong with you, man?”

“I don’t need to fear anything, anymore, man. I’m all out of enemies to fight, and you’re trespassers.”

Sadler and Busby each knew they were helpless before the power of the green monster who tormented them. At first they thought Quinton had saved their lives. Quite the opposite. Though it wasn’t quite evident, and both boys still held out hope for mercy, it seemed very likely they were about to be murdered in some cruel spectacle.

Quinton said, “Maybe you have to stab yourself? That’s what I had to do.”

The Green Ranger dropped the Black Key on Sadler’s chest.

“Do it.”

“Do what, dude?”

“Stab yourself with that thing. I promise you that it doesn’t hurt.”

“Trust me, it hurts.” Sadler was of course referring the prior torture.

“It won’t when you do it. Trust me.”

Sadler still refused to even touch the thing.

Busby said, “What happens when you do?”

Quinton laughed and said, “you get to be like me.”

Sadler challenged him. “Aren’t you afraid we could take you?”

The Green Ranger thought that was hilarious. He assured them that he would still be stronger than either of them apart, or both of them together.

This angered Busby.

“I bet I could take you without the suit, guy.”

“I’m not falling for that, dude,” he looked back to Sadler, “do it or I’ll bust up your friend.”

Quinton perked up suddenly, listening to the wind. He told the others to be quiet or he’d shut them up. A moment passed of his listening.

Sadler heard heavy footfalls and crashing branches. He almost hoped it was more angels, because then there’d be the chance of a distraction for at least Busby to get away.

The Blood Red Ranger and Blue Ranger breached the treeline at the edge of the small clearing at the same time.

Andraeus shouted, “Busby? Sadler!”

Gemma said, “What the fuck did you do to them, asshole?”

“I didn’t do shit to these babies.” Quinton gestured to bits and pieces of slain angels nearby, “those things did all that. Are you with them?”

“Fuck no!” Said Gemma.

Andraeus made a move towards Sadler, but Quinton blocked her way.

“They are mine now. They are on my land, and by saving them they owe me their lives. And I will choose what happens to them from now on.”

She replied, “That’s insane dude. Those are my friends.”

“I just see trespassers on my land who know my secrets. They brought calamity unto my little world here. And now it’s ruined. Am I just supposed to forgive that?”

Gemma said, “I don’t know what they fuck you’re talking about dickbag, but let them go or I’ll knock your fucking block off.”

Andreaus was ready to help Gemma back up her boast, but wasn’t confident about the sheer size and power of their Green counterpart.

Gemma yelled, “Where’s the old man?”

“The one with the keys? Dead, maybe? I don’t know. But I don’t owe you anything, because now you are my enemy. And I kill my enemies.”

The Green Ranger stomped the ground and completely disappeared into it, sinking like it was water. The earth began to rumble. Seconds went by, with all four others present unsure of what to do, but then the land beneath Gemma’s feet exploded into a shower of soil, and the Green Ranger was just there, having jumped up out of it like it was the shallow end of the pool. He rose from behind her and grabbed his arms around her smaller form. In the same action, she shouted in protest, but his body kept falling with her in his grasp, until both splashed down through the dirt like so much liquid.

Andraeus screamed and ran to the location, but a shower of dirt and rocks burst from the space and hit her all over. The Green Ranger’s armored hand emerged from the ground and grabbed at her ankle, but she saw it coming and stepped back. She stomped that hand, but the other arm snatched her other foot, and tried to drag her into the ground.

The Blue Ranger’s horn began to spin and increase in length. The unicorn horn became the tip of a short spear. Andreaus drew the polearm from her brow, its drillpoint head still spinning, and thrust it into the ground. Acting like a bore of far greater size, due to its incredible power, it cleared through the ground like it was nothing. It struck something hard.

Quinton erupted from the ground with a wounded cry. Andreus struck him across the helmet with the haft of her weapon, but the Green Ranger’s reprisal was to grab her and throw her into the air. Before she could hit the ground, Quinton stomped his foot, and the Blue Ranger was met by a sudden upheaval of ground that struck her body with enough force to send her flying again. The Green Ranger caught her mid-air and by one ankle, and swung her through several trees, until she hit one too thick to demolish. She bounced off of the large tree, and Quinton spun around, carrying the moment, and then let go of her foot, launching her off into the trees where she crashed somewhere out of sight.

Gemma tore out of the ground in a state of complete and total rage, but the effort had been exhausting. She grabbed a large stone from the ground, and it turned red. Gemma smashed it against the ground, making it rebound like a ball, where it struck the Green Ranger square in the faceplate.

Enraged, Quinton picked sticks up off the ground–probably a dozen. Gemma picked up a rock in each hand. She threw both, so charged vermillion, that ricocheted two or three times each, off of trees, the ground, anything, before reaching their target. The Green Ranger dodged one, but took the second hit, and retaliated by throwing a stick with each hand. Both twigs became massive deadly tomahawks after leaving his hands. Both struck Gemma hard enough that the friction from the impacts created sparks.

The Green Ranger continued his Gatling Tomahawk attack by ambidextrously throwing stick after stick that each transformed itself into a deadly ax. He pelted the Red Ranger with blade after blade, until she was knocked down. Quinton rose over her, manifesting another tomahawk in his hand, took the Red Ranger by one of the horns on her helmet, and lifted her up, coordinating a final blow.

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Sadler threw a stone and hit Quinton. The Green Ranger stopped, dropped Gemma. And charged the other boy.

“I’m done with you.”

Sadler was thrown high up into the air with a scream.

Busby cried out his friend’s name, but had lost sight of him.

The West Asian kid, Sadler, tumbled end over end as he was hurled up through the canopy, his body struck by myriad switches. As he cleared the treetops, his body’s momentum slowed, and at the apex of the throw, he got a really good, if brief, look at the sky. He had about two seconds to plan how to save Busby. So he stabbed himself with the Black Key and twisted it.

The Green Ranger surveyed the field of battle triumphantly, but was then startled when he was struck from behind and knocked down.

He rolled over and turned around, and flying in the air was another Ranger. Armored all in sleek black metal plates with taloned hands, the helmet bore a wing motif. He threw his last tomahawk at the Black Ranger, but the target spun around at high speed, and a wall of air pressure deflected it.

Gemma rose to her feet, glaring at Quinton, her rage unyielding. She clenched her fists, ready for another round. Andraeus, battered and bruised, emerged from the trees, determined to re-join the fight.

Meanwhile, the new Black Ranger landed with a powerful thud, creating a shockwave that rattled the surrounding area. Quinton, surprised by the unexpected entrance, momentarily lost focus.

The Black Ranger, equipped with newfound powers, faced Quinton with an air of determination. The wings on the Black Ranger's helmet twitched, and he launched himself at the Green Ranger, engaging in a fast-paced and acrobatic battle.

Gemma and Andraeus watched in awe as the two Rangers clashed. The Black Ranger's agility and control over air pressure provided a formidable challenge for Quinton. The battle became a blur of movement, with both Rangers showcasing their unique abilities.

Sadler, driven by the desire to protect his friends, fought with newfound strength. The Black Ranger unleashed a barrage of powerful strikes, creating gusts of wind with each movement. Quinton struggled to keep up with the Black Ranger's relentless assault.

Andraeus, recovering from her injuries, joined Gemma's side. The two watched the intense confrontation, unsure of the Black Ranger's identity but grateful for the unexpected assistance. Gemma, fueled by a mixture of anger and determination, shouted encouragement to the Black Ranger.

Together the three of them engaged the Green Ranger all at once. Gemma, the Blood Red Ranger, led the charge. With a powerful leap, she lunged at Quinton, boomerang horns at the ready. Andraeus, the Blue Ranger, followed suit, charging with her spinning horn poised for a strike. The Black Ranger, Sadler, flanked the others, using the wind to enhance his movements.

The Green Ranger, realizing the odds stacked against him, braced himself for the onslaught. Gemma unleashed her boomerang horns, sending them whirling through the air. Andraeus thrust her spinning horn forward, creating a vortex of energy. The Black Ranger manipulated the air pressure, adding a whirlwind effect to their combined assault.

Quinton, though formidable, struggled to defend against the coordinated attack. The boomerang horns struck him from one side, the spinning horn from another, and the controlled gusts of wind disoriented him.

Seizing the opportunity, the three Rangers closed in for a final blow. Gemma unleashed a devastating punch, Andraeus delivered a spinning strike, and Sadler executed a powerful kick. The Green Ranger, overwhelmed by their united strength, finally fell to the ground.

The Green Ranger rose to one knee.

Sadler said, “No.”

Quinton, the Green Ranger, groaned on the forest floor, slowly attempting to rise once again. Despite the fierce battle, his indomitable spirit refused to yield. Gemma, Andraeus, and Sadler, the Black Ranger, remained vigilant, knowing that they needed a decisive move to end the confrontation.

As Quinton struggled to stand, Sadler felt the power of the Black Ranger surging within him. Determined to bring an end to the conflict, he raised his hands, calling upon the elemental forces at his command. The air around Sadler began to swirl, creating a miniature tempest at his fingertips.

With a forceful gesture, Sadler directed the growing tornado toward Quinton. The wind roared, tearing through the forest and lifting debris into the air. The Green Ranger, now on his feet, found himself caught in the vortex, struggling against the powerful currents.

The tornado, under Sadler's control, intensified in strength and speed. Quinton fought against the relentless wind, but the Black Ranger's mastery over air proved overwhelming. The tempest wrapped around the Green Ranger, lifting him off the ground and rendering him temporarily incapacitated.

Gemma and Andraeus watched in awe as Sadler unleashed the full force of the Black Ranger's abilities. The tornado, a manifestation of his newfound powers, became a formidable weapon against their adversary. As the tornado reached its peak, Sadler released a burst of wind energy, causing the tempest to dissipate. Quinton, now battered and disoriented, fell to the ground once more.

Yet despite everything, the Green Ranger, driven by some unseen rage, stood defiantly amidst the debris and swirling winds.

Gemma, Andraeus, and Sadler regrouped, their determination unbroken despite the ongoing struggle. The Green Ranger's armor bore the scars of their attacks, yet he refused to yield. The trio launched another coordinated attack, each Ranger bringing their unique powers to bear.

Gemma's Boomerang Horns slashed through the air, leaving trails of red energy. Andraeus, in her Blue Ranger form, summoned the spinning unicorn horn, ready to strike. Sadler, the Black Ranger, harnessed the power of the wind, creating a cyclone that encircled the Green Ranger.

As the battle raged on, the Green Ranger's movements became erratic and unpredictable. Gemma felt the weight of each strike against her Boomerang Horns, Andraeus dodged with acrobatic finesse, and Sadler maintained the swirling cyclone, trying to disorient their adversary.

In a moment of desperation, the Green Ranger lunged forward, bypassing their defenses. Gemma narrowly avoided a devastating blow, but Andraeus was not as fortunate. The Green Ranger seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful strike that sent her sprawling across the uneven terrain.

The tide of the battle shifted as the Green Ranger, now consumed by an uncontrollable rage, pressed his advantage. Gemma and Sadler fought fiercely, but the relentless onslaught proved overwhelming. The Green Ranger, fueled by an otherworldly anger, seemed impervious to their attacks.

Andraeus struggled to rise from the ground, her unicorn-horned helmet now bearing a visible crack. The situation became dire as the Green Ranger, seizing the opportunity, charged toward Busby, who had been watching the battle unfold from a safe distance.

In a sudden and desperate move, the Green Ranger grabbed Busby, pulling him close as a makeshift shield. The threat of Busby's life hung in the balance, and Gemma shouted, "Let him go, you bitch!"

Quinton grinned behind his helmet, reveling in the chaos he had caused. He tightened his grip on Busby, the Yellow Key still in his possession. Busby, realizing the dire circumstances, made a bold decision. In an act of self-sacrifice, he swiftly withdrew the Yellow Key from his pocket and drove it into his own chest.

The transformation was immediate. Busby's form shimmered with golden light as the Yellow Ranger's armor materialized around him. Now clad in a barbaric suit of yellow, Busby stood ready to face the Green Ranger once more. He burst out of the Green Ranger’s grasp.

The Yellow Ranger wasted no time. His hand, now encased in a gauntlet of yellow energy, grasped at the surrounding debris. In an instant, the fragments coalesced into a colossal sword, its blade gleaming in the Martian sunlight.

With a fierce battle cry, the Yellow Ranger swung the enormous sword at the Green Ranger, connecting with a resounding impact. Quinton, caught off guard by Busby's sudden transformation and newfound strength, stumbled backward.

The Yellow Ranger pressed his advantage, launching a relentless assault. Each swing of the colossal sword sent shockwaves through the air, forcing the Green Ranger to retreat. In a final, powerful strike, the Yellow Ranger brought the sword down with unbridled force, and the Green Ranger collapsed beneath the weight of the blow.

As the Rangers caught their breath after the intense battle with the Green Ranger, a sudden disturbance in the air signaled the arrival of new adversaries. A group of angels descended upon the scene, their eyes fixed on the hidden chamber where Doctor Faust was presumably kept. The celestial beings moved swiftly, surrounding the entrance and preparing to retrieve their captive.

Two of the divine creatures, winged and radiant, emerged from the entrance with the fallen figure of Doctor Faust. In a surreal and chilling scene, the angels surrounded the captured man, their intentions unclear but undoubtedly malevolent.

Simultaneously, the distant thud of helicopter blades reverberated through the air. The Martian military, alerted to the chaos unfolding, approached with a swift and determined response. The Rangers glimpsed military helicopters converging on the battlefield, armed soldiers rappelling down to secure the area.

Among the chaos, the Green Ranger, Quinton, now in his human form, emerged from the aftermath of the battle. Battered and defeated, he stumbled, seemingly disoriented by the sudden turn of events. The military, efficient and relentless, swiftly moved to apprehend him.

Realizing that the odds were stacked against them, Gemma, Andraeus, Sadler, and Busby exchanged urgent glances. The military's presence posed a significant threat, and confronting both angels and armed forces simultaneously seemed unwise.

Gemma spoke decisively, "Fuck this. We can't take them all on. We need to cut our losses and find another way to stop this."

The angels, with Doctor Faust in their ethereal grasp, ascended into the Martian sky, their radiant forms disappearing into the celestial expanse. Simultaneously, the military closed in on Quinton, their weapons trained on the defeated Green Ranger.

Andraeus nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting between the angels and the approaching military helicopters. "We can't let them take that guy, but a direct confrontation here would be suicide. Let's retreat and regroup."

“Where do we go?” Asked Sadler.

Busby said, “I know a place."

Sadler, the Black Ranger, summoned the power of air once again, creating a gust that obscured their presence. The Rangers swiftly retreated from the chaotic scene, disappearing into the Martian landscape. The soldiers, focused on their mission, remained unaware of the Rangers' departure.

As they retreated, Gemma couldn't shake the feeling that the conflict had escalated beyond their control.