Return of Jetman: 9/12/10

NEW RETURN OF JETMAN

"Yesterday's Heroes"
(Episode 1)
by Christopher Elam
(based on the work of Lewis Smith)
© 2005 Christopher Elam

In the nothing realm between planes of reality, a solitary armored figure carefully studied a shimmering crystal that floated before him. He noted the small piece missing from it and wondered if that would affect its legendary powers. Of course, it really didn't matter. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and there were few beings in creation more desperate than this man called Nemesis.

Once, he had been a hero - one of the greatest heroes of his world. Then came the day when the whole universe went insane. Everything around him began to wink out of existence and Nemesis was powerless to stop it. All too quickly, it was over, and Nemesis looked around him to see...nothing. A void. It wasn't even space anymore. His entire universe had been blotted out. All that was left was Nemesis...and he wanted to know why.

Why had he been spared? A universe filled with every manner of lifeform, and he was the one chosen to remain? It wasn't a reward - it was the most hellish punishment imaginable. What had he done to deserve such a fate? He couldn't even begin to understand. There had to be an answer though, and he intended to find it.

Nemesis knew from his time as his world's champion that an infinite number of parallel universes and alternate timelines had co-existed with his own. Surely, at least some of them survived. He would use his armor's capabilities to travel to them and seek out those individuals his sensors indicated might hold the answer in their minds. He would force them to reveal why he had been forsaken or kill them in the attempt.

Some might have said that the trauma of losing an entire universe had driven Nemesis quite mad. He preferred to think of it as "committed," especially as his new mission was the only thing that kept him from ending his life. However, the quest would prove to be a long and fruitless one. Countless heroes and villains fell before him in countless different universes. Sometimes, the timelines diverged and he fell before them. Nemesis knew he had died dozens of deaths, and yet he was forever denied his final rest. He couldn't even find the answer to the question that gnawed at his soul.

Nemesis' odyssey might have gone on forever had one of his armor's power panels not shorted out during a dimension jump. He had found himself stranded in limbo as he worked to repair the panel's circuitry. As he fixed his armor, something odd caught his eye. Because time and space had no meaning in limbo, he had no way of knowing how far he had traveled or how long it took him to reach the object. But when he had, he realized immediately that he had discovered the legendary Omniversal Prism.

The Omniversal Prism was considered a myth by most of the few beings that had even heard of it. It was said to be the only constant in the omniverse of realities - the only thing that did not diverge. Some even whispered that it was a relic of the Ultimate Creation. Whatever it was, it was an object of tremendous power. And Nemesis had stumbled upon it by accident.

The problem, of course, was the missing piece. It might lessen the Prism's power or even cause untold damage to the fabric of reality. Nemesis weighed the pros and cons of his situation as he studied the mysterious object. Finally, he made his decision and grabbed the Prism.

Nemesis looked deeply into the Omniversal Prism's infinite facets, seeking his answers. There, he saw a world of color-splashed champions and giant robots dueling with villains of every stripe. Somehow, he sensed that this was the reality where he would learn the truth. One individual in particular seemed to hold the key, if the Prism could be believed.

Nemesis clutched the Omniversal Prism tightly in his fist. It would be a simple matter to finish the repairs to his suit's malfunctioning power panel. When he had, he would travel to this timeline and find the one who held the answer. Anyone who stood in his way would be destroyed. Now that his prey was within his sights, nothing would stop Nemesis from finding him.

Or her.

***

Shinsei Hinotori felt the memories washing over him as he entered the Skywatch control room. This had been the place where he had kept a solitary watch over the Earth for so many years. It had also been the room where, some 10 years before, he had sent his charges in Chojin Sentai Jetman out on their missions to protect the world from alien invaders. It seemed only fitting that it was one of those charges from a decade earlier who was manning the control board in his capacity as commander of the center.

"Good afternoon, Ken," Hinotori called, and Commander Tendo whirled around in his chair so fast that his long hair snapped like a whip. A broad smile crossed the young man's face when he realized the identity of his visitor. He rose to greet the man he had long considered his mentor.

"Phoenix, it's good to see you!" Ken said as he shook Hinotori's hand. "Still cracking the security codes, I see!"

"The least I can do," Hinotori responded. "And remember, it's not 'Jet Phoenix' anymore. That's just a memory now."

"Sorry about that," Ken apologized. "Old habits die hard."

"Understandable," Hinotori reassured. "Now, you said last week you wanted me to meet someone? Michiru is with Gohan and Reiko in Hawaii, so I thought this would be a good opportunity."

"Right, right," Ken almost absently confirmed. "Let's take a look around and see if we can find her."

Hinotori couldn't help but notice that his young friend seemed distracted as they roamed the hallways of Skywatch. "So, how have things been going here lately?" he ventured.

"Not good," Ken admitted. "When the Skyforce Supreme Council stepped down en masse three years ago, they were replaced by a collection of short-sighted generals and bureaucrats. Skywatch's budget has been slashed three times since then."

"But that's insane! Don't they realize Skywatch's importance to Earth's security?"

Ken paused in front of a display case containing a Neo-Jetman exo-skeleton. "I really don't think they do. All of the new super teams that have risen up have made them complacent. They're willing to let them do the work and leave Skyforce for mop-up operations."

Hinotori shook his head. "But what about your father? Ryu's the Supreme Commander; surely he can do something."

"Dad's pushed through what he could," Ken replied, "but even he has to answer to the Supreme Council. All I can do is keep things afloat the best I can."

Ken stared intently at a photo of his Jetman team. "I never thought the day would come when Skywatch was nothing more than a museum. All I am now is a glorified curator."

An uncomfortable silence filled the hallway for an interminable length of time. It was broken when a bubbly young girl in a sailor school uniform bounced up to the two men. She regarded them with a wide-eyed innocence that was unmistakably hero worship - at least for one of them.

"Thank you again for letting me spend so much time here, Commander Tendo!" the young girl enthused as she pressed a notebook tightly to her chest. "I'm learning so much about the heroes of the past!"

With those words, the girl bounded away, leaving Shinsei Hinotori hopelessly befuddled. "Who," he wondered aloud, "was that?"

"That was the person I wanted you to meet," Ken answered. "Mika Katsuragi - 15 years old and possibly the biggest Jetman fangirl on the planet. I thought a meeting with the one and only Jet Phoenix might give her a thrill."

Hinotori tried to keep his eye on the blur of motion as they followed her down the hallway. "Mika Katsu...wait, isn't she...?"

"One and the same."

Hinotori shook his head in amazement. "I never would've guessed she was only 15."

***

Tokyo Tower stood like a proud orange and white sentry amongst its surroundings. On the highest of its observatory levels, Kei Mizuno did her best to appear nonchalant. It wasn't an easy task, knowing as she did that an assassin was gunning for her.

Kei had first noticed the lean man with the eyepatch over his left eye while doing some shopping in Akihabara. At first, she had merely thought of him as a distinctive-looking character. Quickly, she realized he was following her. She had zig-zagged her way through the district trying to lose him and yet he dogged her heels. As she had finally boarded her train on the Yamanote Line, she saw him board through another entrance.

Making her way to Tokyo Tower had been a gamble. She had hoped such a public place would discourage her pursuer. Unfortunately, the crowds were sparse and offered her no chance to lose herself. All the while, the man stayed on her trail, just a few steps behind.

Kei looked out over the Tokyo skyline. Running clearly wasn't working. Besides, it wasn't really her style - just the path of least resistance. It was time for a change in tactics.

The assassin eased his way closer to her, trying to look inconspicuous. Of course, the hand he'd placed inside his jacket betrayed his intentions to anyone who bothered to notice. Thinking he was in the clear at last, he rapidly pulled out his gun and fired three shots.

There was no one there. He had missed! How was it possible? The few sightseers that had been around scattered as he investigated. She had been right there. Where could she have gone?

"Looking for someone?" a mocking voice asked from above. The assassin looked up just in time to see his quarry leaping down at him from the tower itself. Only she wasn't Kei Mizuno any longer. Now, she was Green Wyvern.

Green Wyvern landed on the gunman and snatched his weapon from his hand. Using her prodigious strength, she crushed it into scrap metal. "Care to tell me who hired you?" she questioned as she pressed her knee into the assassin's chest.

"Tadashi Takahara," he gasped. "He wants you dead so he can take over your company."

"Takahara?" Wyvern said in puzzlement as she loosened her hold. "But he was arrested two weeks ago!"

The assassin threw Green Wyvern off with a surprising amount of force. "Doesn't matter!" he spat. "When the Razor takes a job, he sees it through to the end!"

Green Wyvern didn't bother with any snappy repartee. This was an annoyance, nothing more, and she wanted it over. She threw a roundhouse left at the Razor, intending to put his lights out quickly. Amazingly, he blocked her and landed a punch of his own.

"Didn't you know that the Razor is renowned for his super strength?" he sneered.

So. This was going to be a little more interesting after all. The two adversaries traded punches with little effect. The Razor saw an opening and threw a kick at Green Wyvern that sent her staggering backward.

Damn it all! She had grown careless and rusty. Even with super strength, this thug was no match for her. Enraged, she drove her fist squarely into his face and followed that attack up with a devastating series of kicks. When it was over, the Razor was in a heap on the observation deck.

Green Wyvern picked her foe up by the collar and began to drag him away. As she did, she happened to see a shooting star flash across the Tokyo sky. There was something very odd about it. It seemed a bit too intense and its path seemed...well...it looked to her as if it were actually flying rather than letting gravity take its course. But that was absurd. Meteors didn't work that way.

So engrossed was Green Wyvern by the phenomenon that she didn't notice the Razor escape from her grip. He had begun to flee before she realized what had happened. Unsheathing her Wing Sword, she hurled the blunt end at the back of the assassin's head and knocked him out cold.

Green Wyvern pondered the shooting star as she hauled the Razor off to his date with the authorities. It was an intriguing mystery, but not a pressing one as far as she was concerned. Someone would look into it and find an explanation.

***

The Hall of Fallen Heroes was probably the most somber room in all of Skywatch. In it, those men and women who had made the supreme sacrifice were remembered for their heroism. There were memorials for Black Condor Gai Yuki, Red Hawk Gai Tendo, even the original Jetman's allies from the world of Dimensia. There was also a memorial for one hero that wasn't quite dead, though the general public didn't know that.

"A Jet Phoenix memorial?" Hinotori questioned incredulously. "Oh, this is just embarrassing."

"Come on, don't act like you're surprised," Ken said as the two of them stood in the doorway, watching as Mika dutifully took notes on the Jet Phoenix exhibit. "Jet Phoenix - missing, presumed dead. I'm supposed to tell people you retired to live with a tabloid reporter?"

"But still..."

"Hey, Mika-chan!" Ken called to his teenage guest as he and Hinotori entered the room. "I don't think you were paying very close attention to my friend here!"

Mika looked over her shoulder. "Commander Tendo, what do..." she began and then words failed her. That face! Could it really be him?

She approached the two men nervously. "Is this really Gai Yuki?"

It was all Ken could do not to chuckle. "Close. He's a sentient android based on Gai Yuki. Mika Katsuragi, please meet Shinsei Hinotori...better known as Jet Phoenix."

"JET PHOENIX???!!!???" Mika squealed with delight. "Oh, I love him! So bold, so authoritative, so mysterious! He made Jetman super great!"

Mika wrapped her arms around Hinotori and squeezed him for all she was worth. "I always thought you were still alive! I just never thought I'd really get to meet you!"

"A, ah, pleasure, Mika-san," Hinotori stammered. "Ken here was telling me that you're quite the Jetman fan."

"Oh, absolutely!" Mika confirmed as she released her hold on Shinsei Hinotori, much to his relief. "Jetman is the coolest super sentai, like, ever! Who cares what my stupid friends say?"

"Your friends? What do they say?" Hinotori asked, thinking he already knew the answer and not liking it at all.

Before Mika could reply, her strange wristband that Hinotori had failed to notice earlier began to emit an alarm that sounded vaguely like "wikki wikki." Mika's face was a mask of concern as she lifted it to her ear.

"Pink!" a harsh voice barked. "We have a suspicious meteor crash! It could be the enemy! Meet us at the coordinates I am sending!"

Mika took a look at the tiny monitor on her wristband and nodded. "Understood, Red," she acknowledged before realizing that the transmission had already been terminated.

"Think it might be trouble?" Ken wondered.

Mika shrugged. "Red seems to think so, and I always try to listen to what he says. He's so much smarter and braver than the rest of us."

"Red, Pink," Hinotori repeated. "Don't you call each other by name?"

"Well, I would," Mika responded, her bottom lip sticking out just a little, "but the others, they...well...they won't tell me their real names."

Ken Tendo and Shinsei Hinotori looked at each other dumbfounded. What could they say about that particular revelation that wouldn't sound impossibly cruel?

"Please, both of you wait for me to return!" Mika begged. "I shouldn't be too long and there's so much I want to know!"

"I won't be going anywhere," Ken reassured, "and I'm sure Phoenix here could be persuaded to hang around."

"Awesome!" Mika exulted. "Why don't you monitor our mission? That way, you might get to see me in action!"

Ken nodded. "We'll do that, just for you."

"Thank you, Commander Tendo!" Mika said as she gave Ken a peck on the cheek. "I'll try to make you proud of me!"

Mika was brimming with excitement as she ran toward the door. She turned and gave her heroes one final wave before she exited. They returned it, though not with as much gusto as she had mustered.

Hinotori leaned over to Ken. "Sweet girl. But I'm not going to enjoy this, am I?"

Ken laughed and put a hand on Hinotori's shoulder. "Nope. Not one bit."

***

Mika spotted the four men she called her friends standing in a circle in the area of what was presumably the meteor crash site. She ran all-out to join them, hoping she wasn't too late.

"Pink, where have you been?" the tousle-haired man asked Mika roughly.

"I'm sorry, Red," she answered meekly. "I got here as soon as I could."

"You should be more responsible!" the man with the green spiked hair sneered. "Always dreaming and studying, instead of fighting! Must you always be the weak link?"

"That's not fair, Green!" Mika protested. "I do my very best!"

"That's what scares me," the chubby man shivered as he did his best to avoid eye contact with anyone.

"We're never at full-strength, are we?" his effeminate teammate chimed in.

"Yellow, Blue - not you two, too!" Mika exclaimed, almost on the verge of tears.

"Shut up, all of you!" Red shouted. "We have to find this meteorite! This is the exact spot where it came down!"

Mika surveyed the area. "But I don't see anything. There's not even any scorch marks."

Green rolled his eyes. "That's what we were discussing. You'd know that if you paid attention."

"So you've found our base somehow!" a familiar voice called from the distance and the quartet instantly put up their guard. They knew exactly who was challenging them, even before the caped figure in the sparkly, multi-colored jumpsuit stepped from the shadows.

"Duke Disco!" Yellow cried.

"Obviously!" the outrageous-looking villain said. "I thought my Discotech Empire was perfectly hidden from your prying eyes here, but clearly I was wrong! So now, watch my Bubble Hell!"

Duke Disco released a stream of tiny bubbles from his fingertips. Each exploded when they came in contact with one of the heroes. They fought their way through the attack as best they could.

While the five youths weathered Duke Disco's Bubble Hell, the exotic emperor's underlings emerged from hiding - the slinky vixen Le Freak, the bulky powerhouse Autobahn, the bumbling solar-powered robot Kay C, and the baseball-sized robot bug Bee G. The quartet coolly regarded their foes.

"Mmmmm, four men," Le Freak purred. "Scrumptious."

"If there is anything left of them when I am finished beating on them!" Autobahn proclaimed in what sounded like a bad German accent as he cracked his knuckles.

"A battle - how exciting!" Kay C said. "Isn't that right, Bee G?"

"Yes!" the robot bee buzzed in response.

"You think you can scare us?" Red shouted. "Everyone! Macrophone Henshin!"

On Red's command, the five youths produced their wand-like Macrophones. "Get Down!" they shouted into the receivers and a burst of light enveloped them. When it subsided, they stood before the Discotech Empire in their heroic guises.

"Funky Red!"

"Funky Green!"

"Funky Blue!"

"Funky Yellow!"

"Funky Pink!"

"We're Yumei Sentai Funkyman, bitch!" they shouted as one.

***

Hinotori hid his face in his hands. He knew about Funkyman, of course, but it was another matter entirely to have to watch the trainwreck in action.

"I can't believe it's come to this," he sighed.

"Not exactly a shining moment in the history of super sentai, eh?" Ken concurred. "Actually, they're not that bad, but their style leaves a lot to be desired."

Hinotori uncovered his face. "That might be an understatement."

"Mika's a good kid with heart and fighting spirit," Ken continued. "I just wish she'd ended up with a group that was nicer to her."

Hinotori looked over at his companion. "She's also got a crush on you. I'm sure you've noticed that."

"Yes," Ken admitted a little sheepishly. "Yeah, I noticed. It's flattering, but I try not to encourage her. I just want to be something positive in her life."

Hinotori smiled. "Very noble. What does Etsuko think of that?"

Ken shifted in his seat. "You'd have to ask her yourself. We've sorta lost touch."

Hinotori arched an eyebrow. "What? I thought the two of you had mended fences long ago."

"So did I," Ken said with resignation. "Then, it seemed like she fell off the face of the Earth about eight months ago. She stopped returning my calls and her e-mail account started bouncing my messages. I don't know why, either."

The reunion with his former pupil was not going anything like Hinotori had imagined. How had things gone so wrong in such a short amount of time?

"Quite a fight they have going on there," Ken muttered, hoping to change the subject.

Hinotori returned his attention to the video screen. "Indeed. Someone should tell them that 'dance action' fighting went out of fashion in 1979 though."

***

Funky Red cast aside the last of the Discotech Empire's Boogie Men henchmen. "Duke Disco!" he exclaimed. "You'll have to do better than that to stop us!"

"And I shall!" Duke Disco exclaimed. "My newest Boogie Monster will test your mettle! Seven Spectrum Sphere!"

On the Duke's command, the Discotech Empire's ship materialized in the sky. Looking suspiciously like a giant disco ball, the Sphere flashed with colored lights as it rotated above the crowd. All seven colors combined into a single rainbow beam that blasted the ground in front of the Discotech Empire. A lone figure stepped out of the smoke to confront Funkyman.

"Boogie Burger!" the monster announced. He cut a dashing if ridiculous figure in his bellbottoms, white leisure suit, gold chains and feather boa. His hamburger head was topped with a large floppy hat that accented the outfit perfectly. He looked for all the world like Mayor McCheese crossed with the Avenging Disco Godfather.

"Oh no, another one!" Funky Blue moaned.

"Shut up and fight!" Funky Red admonished and the members of Funkyman launched themselves at their opponent. They peppered the burger-headed fiend with punches and kicks as they tried to finish him off as quickly as possible. Naturally, it didn't work, and Boogie Burger threw off the heroes and shook with rage.

"Have it my way!" Boogie Burger bellowed as he produced a giant tomato slice out of thin air. "Tomato Exploding Frisbee!"

Boogie Burger hurled the disc at the heroes and sparks flew as it struck each of them in turn. They were knocked from their feet, but made a speedy recovery. And unsurprisingly, Funky Red was even angrier than before.

"Funkyman!" he fumed. "F Bomber!"

"F Bomber!" the other members repeated.

With those words, an impossibly large gold-plated cannon appeared above Funkyman and dropped into their hands. Funky Pink peered through the cannon's sights.

"Got it!" she said.

"F YOU UP!" Funky Red proclaimed as the F Bomber fired at Boogie Burger and blasted the monster.

"My!" Le Freak gasped. "They've done it again!"

"Give me a chance, that's all I ask!" Autobahn grumbled.

Kay C raised up a metallic finger, as if having an idea for the first time ever. "First, we should let Boogie Burger get big! Right, Bee G?"

"Right!" Bee G agreed as he buzzed over to the smoldering remains of Boogie Burger. An unearthly glow emanated from Bee G's hindquarters as he "stung" Boogie Burger back to life. The monster popped back up and began to grow larger and larger until he towered over everyone.

"Big Bad Boogie Burger!" the monster thundered.

Funkyman scrambled to avoid the feet of the tremendous Boogie Burger. It was time to take the battle to the next level.

"Show your right - BOOM BOXER!" Funky Red called into his wristband.

Instantaneously, a giant robot appeared across from Boogie Burger. The twin speakers on its chest thumped with the rhythm of Funkyman's theme song. It was Boom Boxer, The Stereo That Walked Like A Man. Funkyman beamed themselves into the cockpit of their robot and took their battle stations.

"Kick it!" Funky Red shouted.

Unfazed by his enemy, Boogie Burger pulled off his boa and snared Boom Boxer with it. The monster pulled Boom Boxer closer, which wasn't exactly the best strategy.

"Super Pimp Hand!" Funkyman cried as Boom Boxer delivered a devastating backhand slap to Boogie Burger. The robot tossed aside the boa and took an action stance, waiting for Boogie Burger to rise.

At that moment, a hole in the sky opened up and a new figure dropped down from it. The newcomer resembled a demon from ancient Japanese legend, only with a sleek futuristic twist. The robot turned its head and dispassionately considered the two opponents whose battle had been interrupted.

"Inazumajin X!" a voice announced.

Boogie Burger did not take kindly to the intrusion. Deciding that the interloper was an ally of Funkyman, he attacked Inazumajin X. It would prove to be his last mistake, as a pair of eye beams vaporized the monster.

"Duke Disco-sama!" Le Freak entreated. "Is this a new robot of Funkyman's?"

"I do not know," Duke Disco admitted, totally bewildered. "We should retreat to the Seven Spectrum Sphere."

On the Duke's command, the court of the Discotech Empire teleported themselves aboard the Seven Spectrum Sphere. The globe ascended slowly, preparing for its exit. Inazumajin X had other plans. The robot shot it from the sky with its eye beams, punching a hole in the craft and engulfing it in flames.

"We're hit!" Autobahn exclaimed as the Sphere cracked upon hitting the ground. Inazumajin X strode slowly to the damaged vessel and picked it up methodically.

"Oh no!" Kay C screamed. "He woul..."

Those were the last words of the bumbling robot and any other member of the Discotech Empire. Inazumajin X crushed the Seven Spectrum Sphere to dust, destroying everyone aboard. There could be no survivors of his onslaught, because there was just nothing left.

Funkyman sat with their mouths agape. "How awful," Funky Pink whispered.

"What are you talking about?" Funky Green chided. "They got what they deserved!"

"Hey you!" Funky Red broadcast through Boom Boxer's speakers. "That was pretty good, even if you did steal our glory! Why'd you decide to help us?"

Inazumajin X answered with three ominous words : "I want Jetman."

***

"Who is this guy?" Ken Tendo asked in confusion. "I've got no record of him anywhere!"

Shinsei Hinotori inched closer to the screen. "I have no idea. I've never seen him before."

"Then what does he want with us?" Ken said. "Shinsei, take my seat. I'm going to get some readouts on this thing."

Hinotori sat down in the control chair as Ken busied himself at the computer bank. He had never even heard the name "Inazumajin X" before. Why would its pilot - whoever he was - want Jetman?

"You're not going to believe this," Ken said gravely as he hurried back with a fistful of papers, "but the analysis indicates that this robot is of Earth origin. The weird part is that the alloy is completely unknown."

"That's impossible! How can an unknown alloy be from Earth?"

"It doesn't necessarily have to be our Earth."

The two men turned their attention back to the monitor where Boom Boxer and Inazumajin X continued their face-off.

"Parallel Earths?" Hinotori asked. "Just what are we dealing with here?"

***

"I want Jetman," Inazumajin X repeated.

"Hey, why are you worrying about those fossils?" Funky Green laughed as he kicked back in his seat in Boom Boxer's cockpit. "They're yesterday's heroes! Funkyman is now!"

Beneath her Funky Pink helmet, Mika bit her lip. How could Green say such things? Didn't he have any respect for tradition?

"Bring me Jetman," Inazumajin X reiterated, "or you will all pay."

"Th-th-there's no need for threats!" Funky Yellow sniveled.

"Enough!" Funky Red snapped. "If you want a sentai, you've got one right here! We're Yumei Sentai Funkyman, and we'll kick it old school on you!"

For three seconds, there was silence. Then Inazumajin X began throwing electrical bolts at Boom Boxer and firings its eye lasers. Funkyman's robot was supposed to be invincible, but began to crumble under the devastating barrage.

Inside Boom Boxer, it was chaos. Funkyman worked to maintain control of their mecha as it fell apart around them. Sparks flew everywhere and a new fire seemed to spring up every second. It was becoming clear to all of them that theirs was a hopeless cause. Their robot had been outclassed.

Inazumajin X generated an incredibly large hammer and wielded it menacingly as the fearsome robot strode toward the defeated Boom Boxer. It was time to bring their one-sided duel to an end, and there would be no doubt as to the victor. Inazumajin X raised the hammer high above its head.

Funky Blue pointed out the imminent danger to his teammates. "It's coming right for us!" he cried.

"No, no, no..." Funky Pink muttered.

Inazumajin X's hammer came down and tore Boom Boxer's left arm off. A second blow smashed the robot's entire right side. Again and again, Inazumajin X brought its hammer down on its hapless enemy. The mysterious robot was merciless as it pulverized Boom Boxer.

When the smoke had cleared, Inazumajin X towered over the pile of scrap that was the remains of Funkyman's robot Boom Boxer.

***

Shinsei Hinotori was speechless. He wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it. Other sentai robots had fallen, but never in such a one-sided battle. Funkyman had been clearly outmatched.

"Ken, what are we going to do?" he asked. "Ken?"

Hinotori swiveled the chair around just in time to see the readouts Ken had been holding drift to the floor. His one-time student was long gone, barreling down the hallways of Skywatch to the hangar. There was only one thing Ken Tendo could do, and that was bring Jetman to this enemy.

"Cross Changer!" he shouted as he activated his henshin bracelet as he ran. The costume of Black Condor formed around him, but he had no time to enjoy the sensation. He was racing against time.

In the hangar, Black Condor ran a quick check of his new generation Jet Fighters. He had managed to squeeze their construction through before his funding had been cut, but they had never seen even simulated combat. He hoped they would be up to the task at hand. They had to be.

As he slid into the Condor Fighter's cockpit and flipped the switches that would give him control of all five Fighters, Black Condor said a silent prayer that he would be up to the task as well. It had been a long time since matters of life and death had been in his hands. He wasn't sure he still had what it took.

Condor pushed those thoughts to the side as the Jet Fighters took off. He had to do it. He had no other choice.

***

Mika Katsuragi opened her eyes. Through her Funky Pink helmet's visor, she stared up into the sunny, cloudless sky. She ran her gloved fingers through the dirt. Wait - she was lying on the ground?

Abruptly, she sat bolt upright. Inazumajin X! It had destroyed Boom Boxer! She and the other members of Funkyman had only barely bailed out in time. She scrambled to her feet, seeking out her comrades.

"Pink, you're awake," Red observed, seemingly having been standing over her the whole time. "Check on the others."

Mika, reassuming her role as Funky Pink, nodded silently and hoped that her helmet's visor disguised the harsh look she gave her leader. She quickly found Funky Yellow, who was uninjured but howling in agony nonetheless. As she tended to his phantom pain, a quiet voice whimpered plaintively to the others.

"I-it's Green," Funky Blue said as he carried the body of his teammate. "H-he must have fallen wrong. He's deARRRRRRRGH!"

A laser beam from the sky engulfed Funky Blue, incinerating both him and the remains of Funky Green. The eyes of the other Funkymen widened in horror as their two teammates were reduced to ash.

An armored figure floated silently to the ground, his eyes still glowing from the laser beams which had obliterated the two members of Funkyman. He was unnervingly mute, staring relentlessly at the remaining heroes. It was almost as if he was intent on intimidating them through sheer force of will.

Amazingly, it worked. "I'm getting out of here!" Funky Yellow screamed in terror as he abandoned his teammates.

The armored man materialized an ornate spear in his right hand. He hurled it with unerring precision at Funky Yellow, impaling the fleeing man and killing him instantly. Funky Red and Funky Pink watched helplessly as the spear unleashed an energy field that disintegrated Funky Yellow entirely. When the body was gone, the spear returned to its master's hand.

"Red, we need to get away!" Funky Pink implored as she tugged on the arm of her leader. "He's too much for us!"

"NEVER!" Funky Red yelled as he pushed Funky Pink to the ground. "I can never be beaten! The burning spirit of justice is part of me!"

"Bling Bling Cutter!" Funky Red called as he brandished his sword. He leapt at the armored man, who met his blade strike with his spear. Funky Pink watched as the two fighters clashed, their weapons touching off tiny eruptions of energy each time they slammed together.

Funky Red forced his sword against the armored man's spear with all his might. Stalemate. The two men taxed themselves to their limits, trying to find an opening to end their duel.

Finally, Funky Red felt he'd found one. "Funky Flash!" he exclaimed as he went for the killing blow.

The ensuing explosion was of such a magnitude that it rocked the area. Funky Pink tumbled backward and did her best to protect herself from the conflagration. As she regained her footing, she saw a solitary figure walking through the fire and smoke, weapons in hand. She couldn't make him out, but she was certain Funky Red had triumphed. He always did.

The armored man walked up to her wordlessly. He tossed the charred and broken remains of Funky Red's sword at her feet. Funky Pink swallowed hard. Funky Red was dead. She was the only one left.

"Bling Bling Capper!" she cried as she upholstered her laser gun and fired. The armored man raised his left hand and deflected the beam, sending it back at her. Funky Pink screamed in agony as her own weapon seared the flesh on her right arm. She dropped her gun and rolled to her left, maneuvering to avoid the armored man as he lunged for her.

Funky Pink chopped at the armored man's legs, doing her best to knock them out from under him. She popped back up and threw a series of kicks to his body. She followed them up with an uppercut to his jaw.

The armored man weathered Funky Pink's assault with no apparent difficulty. He drove one, two, three punches into the heroine, leaving her struggling for air. He reached down and wrenched her Macrophone from her belt. Using his suit's thermal packs, he melted the henshin device into so much slag. Without it, Funky Pink's uniform dissolved, leaving only Mika Katsuragi standing before the metal-plated killer.

In her heart, Mika knew she didn't have a chance. But she was a warrior, and courageously gave her all anyway. She continued to throw kicks and chops at her foe, even without the added strength and protection of her costume. Fighting back was all she had left.

In the end, Mika's valiant efforts were for naught. The armored man grabbed her by the throat and lifted her high into the air. Over his shoulder, Mika saw the Jet Fighters zoom into view as they fused into Jet Icarus.

"Commander...Tendo..." she gasped weakly.

The armored man twisted Mika's neck violently and there was a sickening snap. She jerked involuntarily, then sagged in his grip. He tossed her aside as he witnessed Jet Icarus landing in front of his robot. He pressed a button on his gauntlet and beamed back aboard Inazumajin X.

Jet Icarus stood across from Inazumajin X and Black Condor marvelled at the sheer size of his opponent. Inazumajin X easily dwarfed Jet Icarus - it wasn't even a contest. Black Condor had an awful feeling in his gut that he might not fare any better than Funkyman in a battle with the monstrous machine.

Inazumajin X lurched forward and Black Condor took that as his cue to react. Jet Icarus slammed its fists into the robot, but the blows glanced off with no apparent effect. Inazumajin X responded by throwing a single right cross that toppled Jet Icarus completely.

Black Condor shook his head as he righted Jet Icarus. One punch had brought him down. One punch! Was his opponent that strong? Or was he that far past his prime?

"Birdonic Saber!" Condor shouted as he materialized Jet Icarus' sword. He struck Inazumajin X with the full force of the blade, but the weapon merely bounced off the mighty robot's body. Gritting his teeth, Black Condor had Jet Icarus strike Inazumajin X with the Birdonic Saber again and again. The only noticeable result was the clanging of metal against metal. Though the Birdonic Saber was Jet Icarus' sure kill technique, it failed to even make a dent in Inazumajin X.

Suddenly, Inazumajin X vanished. The Birdonic Saber slashed through empty air and Black Condor looked around in confusion. The robot hadn't been destroyed; it was just gone.

A gigantic hologram appeared before Jet Icarus. "I am Nemesis," the hologram of the armored man intoned. "I have searched the multiverse for the answer to my continued existence. Now, the answer is within my grasp, and the only thing that stands in my way is Jetman."

Three more holograms came into view as Nemesis continued. "I have defeated innumerable heroes and villains in my quest. One was the original pilot of the robot you were unable to best. You see three others before you as I speak."

"Dirk Dixon - the man of tomorrow!"

"Hellvira Spitfire - mistress of mythical magick!"

"Silver Raven - the one-man Jetman!"

Nemesis continued his speech unabated. "Through my newfound powers, these three former opponents have been resurrected to serve as my Paradox Army. They obey my every command, and are dedicated to the defeat of Jetman."

"You have not won this round, Black Condor," Nemesis concluded. "I am giving you time to marshal your forces and give me a true test. So don't be a lone wolf - gather your team and meet me in Hell. When Jetman falls, the secret of the universe will be mine!"

The holograms blinked away, leaving a shocked Black Condor sitting at the controls of Jet Icarus. This Nemesis, whoever he was, had just challenged Jetman to a fight to the death? But why? How did they hold the secret of the universe?

Black Condor beamed down to the site of Nemesis' battle with Funkyman. He pulled off his helmet as he surveyed the scorched earth, hoping against hope he would find signs of life. A few meters away, he spotted something. He frantically ran towards what he soon discovered was Mika Katsuragi lying in the dirt.

He bent down and reached out for her. She was dead. Hours earlier, she had been full of joy and life. Now, her light had been snuffed out by Nemesis.

Ken Tendo gently closed Mika's eyes. He gingerly picked her up as he raised to his feet. Hot tears streamed down his cheeks as he bowed his head in rage and grief. When he looked up, all he could think was that he hoped Heaven would have mercy on Nemesis.

Because Jetman would not.

TO BE CONTINUED

NEXT TIME ON NEW RETURN OF JETMAN

The hunt is on! Can Ken Tendo and Shinsei Hinotori reunite Jetman in time? Will Nemesis' Paradox Army deal our heroes a crushing defeat before the battle even begins? For the answers, be here for NEW RETURN OF JETMAN Episode 2 - "Future Shock"!

Story © Christopher Elam, based on the TV series CHOJIN SENTAI JETMAN and the original "Return of Jetman" stories by Lewis Smith. JETMAN and all characters from the CHOJIN SENTAI JETMAN series © TV Asahi/Toei/Toei Agency. Original characters © Christopher Elam & Lewis Smith.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Clunk-O-Tron

Friday, September 17, 2010

Silver Raven

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hellvira Spitfire

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Dirk Dixon

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

New Return of Jetman Episode 1

NEW RETURN OF JETMAN

NEXT TIME ON NEW RETURN OF JETMAN

Monday, September 13, 2010

Jet Phoenix by Sean Moore (2009)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Cyborgpower Return of Jetman by Stephen Shuey

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Saturday, September 18, 2010

Clunk-O-Tron

Friday, September 17, 2010

Silver Raven

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hellvira Spitfire

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Dirk Dixon

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

New Return of Jetman Episode 1

NEW RETURN OF JETMAN

NEXT TIME ON NEW RETURN OF JETMAN

Monday, September 13, 2010

Jet Phoenix by Sean Moore (2009)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Cyborgpower Return of Jetman by Stephen Shuey

Pages

Creators & Contributors

Categories

Blog Archive

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