PokéRangers: New World

Do-or-Die

"It's been a while" Tyrannox smirked as Xaikrou shifted uncomfortably

"Not long enough you needy psychopath!" Vinnie accosted from the basket

"Never saw a rat speak for a cat before" Tyrannox snickered in reply, his gaze remaining fixed on Xaikrou. "So how've you been?

Every fiber of Xaikrou was screaming at her to keep moving; but it was no use as her limbs remained locked in place - memories of the last time they'd met flooding back.

"You know, for someone who hates being around people, you certainly keep a lot of company as of late. I had no idea you were such the social butterfl-"

"Out of our way!" Xaikrou ordered, her foot digging into Tyrannox's face as she leapt over him in the blink of an eye and sped past as he fell to the ground.

Her heart was beating a mile a minute; but she continued to race forward in the direction Vinnie had previously pointed out.

"Sorry for the delay back there"

"Are you kidding", Vinnie cheered, "that was awesome!"

Tyrannox fumed as he began to get up, only to find his joints starting to lock up - a sign that Xaikrou's paralyzing touch was beginning to take affect. "I swear, when I'm done with her, she's going to beg –"

Though before he could finish his threat, something unseen knocked him into the air like a rag doll before he came crashing back down to the ground.

"Awww, don't be too sour about it... " a voice taunted back as a fin emerged from the stone and Xanatar burst forth, once again sending Tyrannox tumbling across the ground. "... I'll stay and play with you."

------

Back down below, the battle raged on as Macho and the remaining doppelgängers formed a protective circle around the others. Macho, Xammoth, and Skaraxia continued to keep the majority of the hordes at bay as they threw walls of ice, stone and blades in every direction, while Araxorn and Zekks cleaved through any enemies that trickled through.

"I thought you were powerless like the rest of us?" Houndoom asked.

"I am", Zekks smiled as he sliced a Tentibozu's tentacle off with a savage uppercut before decapitating the beast completely, "but powers or no powers, I'm still a master swordsman!

"You know," Greninja began, "I think I'm starting to see why Macho basically worships you!"

"'Worship' is kind of a strong term", Macho interjected between attacks.

"Macho, Xammoth, if you two start to get tired, focus solely on keeping the big ones at bay", Zekks ordered. "Without them, the smaller ones won't be able to breach as easily!"

"Yes, Senpai!"

"I wonder if Xaikrou ran into any problems" Bewear mused as she did her best to keep the staff of Palkex close and as far away from grabbing hands as possible. "Hope she's okay!"

"She'll be okay", Infernape assured. "Regardless of the universe, it's a bad idea to bet against you. And besides, she's got Vinnie to look after her!"

"True" she smiled back, appreciative of his words and attempt at lightening the mood

"I hate this!" Dawn interjected angrily, voicing the true feeling every ranger was experiencing at this moment – yet dared not acknowledge aloud. "I hate having to sit on the sidelines like this while everyone else is risking their lives for us!"

"Same" Mandibuzz admitted solemnly.

"We've been in bad situations before", Bewear admitted, "but I don't think it's ever been this out of our hands."