The Dark Side of the Moon

Something Fishy, Part II

Rune cried out in pain as she was thrown into the air and crashed back down hard, landing in a crumpled heap between Mike and Mia. She took a few seconds to catch her breath, listening intently to the sounds around her - the flickering of leaves in the wind, the heavy breathing of her teammates, and the crunch of gravel as Serrator approached.

Reaching down, Serrator wrapped his fingers around Rune's upper arm and hauled her to her feet. He shook her a little, earning a groan from her and smirked. "You're not the one I want," he said. "But you're covered in its scent. So, little Ranger, where is the Hellhound?"

"Go to hell," said Rune.

Serrator laughed and tossed Rune aside. She hit a tree and slid down to the base, her body protesting as pain rattled through her. She tightened her grip around her spin sword as Serrator turned his attention to the rest of her team.

Rune watched as Serrator threw out his hand, his serrated talons extending and cutting through her friends, dividing them even more from one another. She watched as Jayden separated himself from the others, launching at Serrator and slicing down with his spin sword.

Serrator blocked with his free hand. He shoved Jayden back, slicing from left to right and then up Jayden's check, propelling the red ranger off his feet and flipping him over.

"No, Jayden!" Rune called, struggling to her feet.

Serrator laughed and turned back to her. "Tell me where the Hellhound is, Little Ranger, or watch me destroy your team," he said.

"I don't know!" Rune said. It wasn't entirely the truth. Rune knew that Kali wasn't on this plane now, but she also didn't know how to get to the Spirit World without the Hellhound to open the gate.

His gaze still locked on Rune, Serrator blocked Mia and Mike as they rushed him from behind. Followed by a twirl and slash as he cracked his sword against Emily and Kevin.

"It's been a long time since I've had a good fight," said Serrator, ducking and side-stepping to avoid the determined Rangers. He dispatched Kevin and Mike fairy easily, before sweeping Emily over his shoulder and grabbing Mia's head in his hand. He shoved her backward, and she hit the ground with a tumble.

Stumbling over to Rune, Jayden gripped her arm and pulled her up. "Come on," he said, urging her forward. The pair took a running leap at Serrator, raised their swords above their heads and struck down...

"Where did he go?" Rune asked, looking around bewildered. One-minute Serrator had been in front of them, and the next he had gone, their swords swinging harmlessly through the air.

"Look out!" said Jayden, shoving Rune aside as Serrator appeared behind them. He swung his sword around, the new and powerful Nighlok blocking with his arm and swiping right with his own blade.

Jayden blocked. While Serrator merely laughed, nicking him with the tip of his fan. He slashed, shoulder to shoulder, then pulled back.

"Enough!" said Rune, rushing forward and sliding her sword between Jayden and Serrator. She stopped his blade as it swooped down, poised to strike upward over Jayden's chest. She twisted the blade and shoved with as much strength as she could muster, and shoved Serrator back.

"What's this?" Serrator asked, staring at Rune in amusement. "The little Ranger has a spine, after all. Too bad it won't do you much good."

Rune rolled her spin sowed over in her hands. "I wouldn't be so sure about that," she said. She removed her power disc from her belt and attached it to the handle. "Spin Sword! Celestial Whip!"

Serrator watched, his eyes alike with amusement.

"Celestial Chasm!" Rune called, flicking her wrist, and snapping the whip against the ground. "Moon Shower!"