Power Rangers: CPU

Ep. 26: CPU Red, Part II

Episode 26: CPU Red, Part II

"...Josie was my best friend," Griffin shakily revealed to Wendy, who scrunched up her nose as she processed this new information.

"Was...? You mean-?"

Griffin's gaze wandered, and a lone tear rolled down his cheek as he nodded in confirmation. "She died...when we were in the 11th grade. Leukemia..."

His lip quivered, and he finally broke down. Wendy pulled him into a hug as Quincy and ALPHA hovered overhead. The pair exchanged a wordless glance, then returned their attention to their friend.

The silence that engulfed the room was deafening, broken only by Griffin's sobs and the whispers Wendy attempted to soothe him with. Quincy's lips creased into a frown...

~~~

Meanwhile...

"It's getting c-c-closer!" Apex sputtered, and the lights on his face filled the Gorilla Hauler's cockpit with a green glow. As the countdown timer continued to tick, he continued, "Ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...one! A-Attack Zord inc-coming!"

"RAHHH!" The Syringe Attack Zord bellowed as it burst from the portal and went on the offensive. It raised its arms above its head as it plummeted from the sky, then brought its fists crashing into the Gorilla Hauler once it landed on the bridge.

"Aw, crap...!" Kenny shouted. He fumbled with the controls and retained his Zord's grip on the bridge as the Syringe Attack Zord reeled back its arms for another strike. "I know you're busy guys, but I could really use some backup!"

~~~

The other four exchanged worried glances, but none of them spoke up. This prompted the Blue Ranger to sarcastically exclaim, "Well, don't everybody volunteer all at once!"

"I understand this is an emotional moment for all of you, but Ranger Blue needs an assist now!" Doctor K chimed in via the comm link. "He'll never get to that Energon if you don't help get that Attack Zord off his back!"

"...I'll go," ALPHA said after a long pause. "I can provide air support while Kenny makes a break for the Energon."

"I'm coming with you; I've got a feeling he'll need all the help he can get," Quincy told him. ALPHA looked at Wendy expectantly, but Quincy held out his hand and cut him off before he could speak. "Don't worry Wendy, we'll manage. Hold down the fort for us, yeah?"

Wendy nodded, and Quincy and ALPHA turned and insta-morphed as they sprinted back to the elevator. She helped Griffin back up, then watched as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

"You're not hurt, are you...?"

"...I'm fine," Griffin blinked, shook his head, and trudged further into the basement. "C'mon, we're burning daylight."

Wendy frowned, but she followed him anyway.

~~~

"T-This is b-bad...!" Apex's wails mingled with the sound of blaring klaxons as the Syringe Attack Zord repeatedly slammed its fists into the Gorilla Hauler, which struggled to maintain its grip on the bridge's support beams. Red alarm lights pulsed in sync with each strike as Kenny grit his teeth inside his helmet. "We're gonna f-fall!"

"Like hell we are!" Kenny pulled a lever on his dash, then willed his Zord to tighten its grip on the beams. The Gorilla Hauler let its feet dangle, swung its body, and built up momentum for a few moments before suddenly letting go. The Syringe Attack Zord gurgled and growled as the Gorilla Hauler propelled itself forward and delivered a double kick to its torso. It stumbled backward, then retaliated by pelting the Gorilla Hauler with lasers from its syringe arm. The Blue Ranger's Zord was sent careening towards the edge of the bridge, and Kenny's hasty attempts to right it failed. "WOAHHH!"