The Return of Braniac

Synopsis: Brainiac escapes from the Justice Rangers' holding cells and returns to his ship. He begins collecting new worlds left and right; one of them is Irk, so Zim vows vengeance. He asks for the help of the Justice Rangers, the Power Rangers Zeo, the Star Warriors, the Star Fox team and the G-Force team to help him bring Vril Dox to his knees.

Chapter 1—Begin the Extraction

Brainiac had grown tired of confinement.   With a covert transference of power, he zapped open the electric locks and freed himself.    He was more powerful than ever.  No sentry had been able to deter him.   Each one that tried to block him from freedom was sent flying via powerful telekinesis.

‘Yes, yes !  This is what I have been searching for.   The power here is vast and unending.   I can only grow more invincible.   I will tend to these puny peons much later to exact my revenge.   First I must begin my rule of the Universe with an iron fist…’, Brainiac thought to himself, blasting off with a crackle of pure hatred, violence and malice in his wake.   Everywhere he went, worlds began to fall.  

Zim had geared up with GIR for a new mission to conquer Earth.  Before he could, a fleet of ships and a gargantuan prison scow hovered overhead.  

‘I knew I should’ve stayed in my recuperation pod.’, he groused.  The other Irkens had huddled together to see the horror that hung above them, a gargantuan, overloaded galactic Sword of Damocles.  

Alu and her compatriots were irritated.   

‘Overtaken by a manic overlord.  The only one who should rightfully rule is YOU, Zim.’, she pouted.  

‘I think we’re vastly outnumbered, but your support is appreciated, Alu, my comrade.’  Zim said, giving the Irken salute.   GIR shimmied up to him and jostled himself about in a random sort of dance.   

‘We’ll be eatin’ tacos in no time.  You’ll see !’, he stated optimistically.   

‘I hope you’re right.’, Alu’s significant other said, grasping her hand and holding it tight.   Even though they were brave in the face of what they thought was oncoming doom, they were all petrified, wondering what their fate would be under their new malevolent Overlord.    

Chapter 2--Distress Signal

Before they could be sucked up by the massive warship, Starfox and his friends sent out a hailing frequency.   They were amongst the latest victims Brainiac had usurped.  

‘All too easy.’, Brainiac thought, feeling that perhaps he could celebrate a victory for himself.   He couldn’t become too cocky though.  Oh, but the temptation was ever present in the back of his mind, just like the celebratory liquor in his kitchen just waiting to be drunk.    

In the Hall of Justice...

Harleen Quinzel was monitoring the control consoles in the Hall of Justice, on watch for any and all evil activity. Her fellow Justice Rangers were nearby. Suddenly the radar screen began flashing and an alarm blared.

'Guys, guys, hurry ! We've just received a distress signal from the Star Fox team !', Harleen explained.

'Could it be Brainiac ?', Diana asked.

'Yes. They've been captured by him somehow. Must be his Skull Ship or one of his auxiliary extractor ships.', Harleen responded, nearly sobbing.

'We have to contact the Rangers, now !', Kelex piped up.  Without any further dilly dallying, Harley patched a frequency, immediately getting a response.

‘We’ve got a big problem !’, Blue Beetle piped up, looking nervous.   The Rangers and their friends had never seen the League looking as pent up nerve wise as they had before.   This was different than anything they had encountered.

‘The power readings for Brainiac are off the charts.’, Alpha said adding in his signature lament, ‘Ay, yi, yi, yi, yi !’  

It was most certainly horrible, but that didn’t mean that they wouldn’t try unconventional means of beating the Universal tyrant at his own game.  

Chapter 3--Thinking Outside Conventional Mechs

Billy had known for a while that Pee Wee was tired of sitting on the sidelines and wanted to help, especially in this instance.  

‘The Playhouse can now be used as a mech.’, he informed.

‘Cool !   Um, what’s a mech ?’, Pee Wee responded, clearly confused.   Billy explained, referencing Gundam Wing, Evangelion and the hit East meets West blockbuster Pacific Rim.   

‘That is AWESOME !’, Pee Wee said.  He had never been a mech pilot before but he figured now was a good of a time as ever.   The bots were weaponized themselves.   The artillery was pumped up now more than ever.   Brainiac didn’t even see them coming, so he had no idea the dogfight waiting for him would be his most arduous and exhausting yet.   

Chapter 4--The Epic Showdown

Right and left, Brainiac conquered world after world, adding them to his collection.   Little did they know Luke had gotten entry for he and his friends using the old Jedi mind trick.

‘Han, go over there, work your magic.  I’ll use my lightsaber to melt these manacles…’, Luke said.   Leia even used Force energy to assist.   Luke had never witnessed his sister use the Force before but he always knew she could.  Her true power was only becoming manifest now.  

On the outside of the warship, a melee had broken out.   Only flashes of light and color could be seen, especially from Voltron’s lions and Gatchaman’s mechs.   They were waiting for the opportune time to merge into their final form.  It seemed nothing they did would even put a dent in Brainiac though.  He kept on, undeterred, never succumbing to the barrage continuously cascading at him in all directions.  

‘Incredible !  Your machines are attacking in all directions...BUT I CANNOT BE DEFEATED SO EASILY !’, Brainiac exclaimed.   Using his mind he built a gargantuan mace to smash all the mechs into a nearby asteroid field.    

‘Physical attacks are doing damage, but we have to start using magic to retaliate.’, Somnibot said.   Pepper nodded.  

‘She’s right.   Magic is the only way.’, she agreed.   Thanks to the upgrades in HQ’s computer servers, the bots had been able to download their latest spells and incantations.  

‘Here goes nothing !’, Beta 1 said.   He initiated a tiger punch that nearly knocked Brainiac over but it was still not enough.  It only phased him momentarily.  

‘Come on !  While he’s still reeling !’, SICO cheered them on, while she formulated what bishoujo move she’d use.  

Chapter 5--Sparkling Defeat

One by one the magic attacks continued to weaken him to the point that hsi mental hold of the prisoners was broken.   He still wouldn’t be cowed by their retaliation.  Oh, no.  Brainiac was made of stronger stuff than that.   

‘Your attacks are pointless.  Give up while you still have a chance.’, he warned.

‘Not if we have anything to say about it.  I might have wanted to rule you all myself, but I want to knock that smug grin off your face, Brainiac.’, Zim vowed.   Rule of thumb here was, never make an Irken angry, especially when that Irken had a thousand Irken supporters.   

‘Not if we have anything to say about it. I might have wanted to rule you all myself, but I want to knock that smug grin off your face, Brainiac!’, Zim vowed. Rule of thumb here was, never make an Irken angry, especially when that Irken had a thousand Irken supporters.

'Ready at your command, Zim.', an Irken pilot said over his comlink.

'Yeah ! Let's roast 'em !', Harleen and Herman said simultaneously.

'Prepare to fire all weapons on my mark, Power Rangers !', Zim called.

Conky had never been in a mech before but he caught on quickly.   SICO piloted a different arm of the Playhouse Mech, or the Playmech, as Pee Wee had dubbed it.   

Magic attacks came from Somnibot, Pepper and the entire ‘Dreamer’ family.   

It was a barrage of ribbons, bells, rainbows, hearts and glitter as Brainiac began to feel his energy reserves flag.     He was actually growing stronger and increasingly overrun by heroes.  

‘Surrender now and the attacks stop.’, Superman offered.    Brainiac stared at him directly in the eyes and used what little energy he had left to fly away, completely out of range.  

Chapter 6--Restoring the Conquered Planets

Irkens returned to their homeworld to rebuild what had been broken.   Alpha 5, with assistance from friends, old and new, began to salvage what Brainiac had destroyed.   Endenoi was wrecked severely, but it wasn’t anything the Rangers couldn’t mend.    With the ease of superpowers, it happened in mere seconds rather than months.   The Flash was responsible for most of the rapid cleanup.   

Alpha heard a familiar voice and even saw an old friend, Kamen Rider, coming to thank him personally for all his hard work.  Endenoi was a brand new  world, fortified with new methods of retaliation.   If anyone even thought of attacking now, the planet would be defended against any enemies stupid enough to lay siege to it.  

Alpha was given the highest honor for the work he had accomplished.   He and his bot friends established Irk.   They were considered an ally even though their intentions were to conquer earth someday and rule it.   Knowing Brainiac would eventually try breaking out of prison again, they would be prepared for anything the maniac could throw at them.

‘It has been a real pleasure working with you.   Here’s to battles fought and won !’ Shiro said, giving Jason a high five.   Joe of Gatchaman bid them goodbye before the members of Voltron could make their exit through the rift that had brought them there.   One by one, every hero went their own way once Brainiac was secured and incarcerated.   He was none too happy about this unfortunate turn of events but he had another ace up his sleeve.   One day, his Legion of Doom would find him and at last the odds would be in his favor.  For the time being, he just had to bide his time and remain patient.   The spotlight would shine on him one day.

Epilogue

Pee Wee had begun to wax poetic about being a mech pilot for the first time.

‘You were great out there, Pee Wee !’, Conky complimented.  

‘I couldn’t even believe it at first, but there we all were, fighting against a huge horde of drones…’, Miss Yvonne recalled.

‘It was something of legend.’, Conky conquered.    They were all enervated, though.  The battle had taken a lot out of them.

‘If it is any consolation, you can all stay at HQ to recharge.’, Tommy offered.

‘Yeah, you won’t be a burden to us, we’re all friends after all.’, Billy agreed.   

That evening, all the bots and Rangers curled under their sleeping bags wondering what the future held.   Those thoughts soon gave way to deep, blessed sleep and joyous thoughts of celebrating Zack’s birthday party.    He’d never know until his friends surprised him with it.   

They all went to sleep knowing they had accomplished the freedom and restoration of the Cosmos itself was a pretty plush reward.   They knew they had misjudged Zim.  He and the Irkens weren’t so shabby when it came to fighting wars.   Sleep came like a tidal wave and blanketed them all in its comfort, warmth and clarity of mind.   Another day would come for them to shine.   Besides, it felt good doing something unbelievable and immortalizing in their young adult lives.   Saving others was their vocation and they would continue being heroes until their dying breath.   Someday their children would carry the Ranger flame but for now, the young adults with attitude slumbered peacefully through the night

The End