"No I won't." Titanus quickly responded with his trademark snark. "After fighting Eddie's damn dragon and nearly being blasted to Spirit World, my magic tank is on E so I'm afraid you'll have to heal the natural way for now with getting patched up the old fashioned way."
With groans of disappointment mixed with triumphant laughter, the six Aura Strikers enjoyed the fruits of victory against Zaron, the Dark Wizard of DRAGO. After getting patched up, Dr. Connor pulled out some champagne both alcoholic and non-alcoholic and for the first time in a long time, everyone was able to relax and enjoy one another's company albeit with bruises and broken limbs. The next phase of their lives was about to begin and even though their paths may differ, one thing remains true, Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger!
*****
At the DRAGO fortress, Lord Drago stood, casually awaiting his newest captive. "Ah there he is!" Valentine entered Lord Drago's throne room. He stepped to the side, revealing two Raizers dragging in a kicking and screaming Jacob who was terrified and whose pants were still stained after his... accident.
"Lord Drago, please! I beg you! Just one more chance I was so close to killing those Rangers!"
"That you were, Jacob. But there's no telling what trouble you caused opening that portal." Lord Drago slowly walked towards Jacob, circling him like a shark smelling blood in the water. "You see, while my organization is powerful and reached far and wide on this planet but there are still those who are not under my influence. Yomi and Mukuro, two of the three former demon kings but I can handle them. That brute Prometheus and that whore Suduri, I can deal with those issues because I have a network that allows me to see and hear all. But when you open a portal that leads to a large amount of life forms that I have no knowledge of, that can prove to be problematic. For that reason, I cannot condone such stupidity amongst my ranks." He crouched down in front of Jacob, not meeting him eye to eye.
"In fact, I must apologize to Lady Beryl. Because of your ineptitude, the enemy has more knowledge of our network and she wasted her precious magic on you. I also owe young Valentine an apology. He urged me many times to allow him to handle those Rangers so that I may claim the power of the Aura Crystals but I had faith in you until you betrayed my trust."
"But....but...."
"Enough buts! I am going to kill you very slowly." Lord Drago stood up then dismissively waved his hand. "Take him away."
"NO!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Raizers dragged Jacob away where he would never see the light of day again.
"Lord Drago, what's our next move?" Valentine asked, eager to get back to work.
"For you, it is back to Synchro City. SPD still has their part to play."
"And play they shall..." With a sly smile, Valentine vanished.
Once Valentine was gone, Lady Beryl emerged from the shadows, carrying with her an aura of darkness. "Drago, If Titanus has emerged then Methos likely won't be far behind. He is still a horseman."
"And that's not all. Where Methos goes, his prized student won't be far behind. Perhaps this is an opportunity for both of us." Lord Drago smiled, feeling that the future was bright for him and the DRAGO organization.
******
As the Rangers were enjoying the fruits of their victory, six large
beasts could be see looking on at the rock formation housing the Bunker from a distance. The beasts all let out a mighty roar, signaling that this battle was won but there was an even greater battle on the horizon.
TO BE CONCLUDED in Aura Striker 3 - Origins!