A Future In Ruins

[Darky]

The year is 2028. Emperor Grumm has been taken to trial and sentenced to life in prison. The Venjix Network has collapsed. As the SPD police monitor to make sure the people are safe, they're finding their jobs becoming more difficult. There is much unrest in the GSA because of food shortages on other worlds, civil wars have erupted as democratically elected figures of key worlds, including Earth, are being assassinated by a mysterious terrorist group known as The Skull.
--------
It was another bright and sunny day in New Tech City. The air was crisp and fresh, as the sun rose to make another beautiful morning. The chirp of the birds made it seem great, almost distracting from the problems that have just arisen in the last few months.

At their store, Jack Landors and Ally are working to load up another truck of supplies to take to the needy. Their jobs have become more hectic as well, with the food shortages making just about everyone needy.

"Everything checks out" Jack said as he checked off his papers.

Today they were to head down to Stone Canyon to deliver the supplies. He was exhausted, working each day to go to a new city to help out the poor and needy. He was finding himself more exhausted than he was being the Red Ranger.

"Okay, let's get going" Ally commented as they climbed into the cab of the truck, their partners in the back watching the supplies.

The truck left and within minutes, was near the exit ramp to the major highway. As they approached the ramp, gunfire sprayed down on the truck, sparks flew, and the truck veered out of control, as Ally tried to regain control. As the truck flew off the road and landed in the ditches, everyone inside was hurled around like rag dolls. They looked around quickly to find the source, just in time to see a dozen robots leaping toward the truck.

http://www.japanhero.com/Graphics/monsters/fiveman/monster-15.jpg
Sickles

Solid black with one red eye in the center of their head, these robots had never been seen before. Silver stripes streaked the torso of the machines, and their hands had large sickles over top their hands. Quickly, the attackers opened up the truck, and threw all the occupants out. Jack charged the thugs and tried to grapple one of the robots, but it was too strong. The robot simply brushed him off, like he was nothing. As the robot buzzed something in an alien language, it raised its sickle in the air to strike down the former Red Ranger.

Leaping to her fiancee's defense, Ally jumped in front of the sickle, taking the stab right to the heart. Howls of agony left Ally's lips as she fell to the ground in Jack's arms. Catching her, he looked into her eyes, as his began to flow. He looked to the robots with the fury he now held, and before he could do anything, they vanished with the truck. He looked around. His comrades were dead too, stabbed by the mysterious robots.

"D-Don't..." Ally began, her words being choked out by her blood. Jack cradled her in his arms, trying to keep her calm.

"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP! I NEED AN AMBULANCE!" he tried to hold back the tears, but now they flowed freely like a river.

"Don't let it stop you, Jack. I did what I did for you, my love. You were always my beacon of light, my heart beat. Please....do-don't forget who you ARE. I take nothing back, I died for a cause, but you Jack, must continue the job we started. I..I lo...ve y..ou.." Ally went limp in Jack's arms. No more, no more holding back, Jack threw his head back and screamed in grief and rage, the sounds of the sirens being drowned out by the yells.

Elsewhere downtown, a young man in a suit sat in his car in an abandoned warehouse. 6'4, with a beard, and icy blue eyes to match his stone cold expression. Thunder crackled on this clear day, Lutler knew his partner was coming. A lightning bolt struck the ground near the car as Lutler got out. A crooked smile corrupted his face, as he saw his business partner materialize out of the lightning.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/ohgask02.jpg

"Good morning, Prince Gasket. I trust all is well?" The two shook hands as Gasket grunted.

"Fine! I have the Elite Project well underway. Archerina is back home overseeing the project."

"Good", the man declared as he approached the trunk of his car, and pulling out a small briefcase. He handed the case to the Machine Prince, who opened it and was pleased with the amount of galactic currency inside.

"This better work. I'm not bailing you out this time. I don't even like humans!" Gasket snapped

"In times of need, unlikely enemies become great allies. The GSA is one concern for both of us. So don't worry, my friend. The false information I've given to SPD will lead them well away from our plan. Just be prepared to rig that election next week, I'll make sure SyntCorp and OmTech keep that little secret of ours quiet" the man cooly explained. Still unsure, Gasket just grunted in reply before leaving in a flash of light. Lutler walked back to his car, all the while whistling.

"Fool", was the only thing on the man's mind

http://spd.powerrangersgateway.com/library/popupim4y.php?image=248.jpg
The Ranger's New Enemy

[Angelfox]

Glad to see you didnt wait to start a new fic..will read this indepth later and comment appropriatly...good work with the Prophecies

[Darky]

Thanks, this one will be more dramatic, more tragic, to say the least, though.
-----
William Frey walked through the solid grey corridors of the base. Lost in thought, he remembered his past life before SPD. Before the hit was put on him. His brown eyes lost in sadness as he remembered the life he lost to OmTech. His wife, his two young children.

"DADDY!"

He snapped out of it. It wasn't the time to mourn. He had a job to do right now as the new Green SPD Ranger. He was reporting to the docking bay for further instructions from Commander Cruger. As he arrived, he met his fellow teammates who smiled to him. Sky in particular, noticed something was wrong. Before he could say anything, the metallic doors on the other end hissed open as the Commander stepped inside.

"Rangers, we've recieved word from Commander Fowler that there is a small band of pirates located on the planet of Onyx wanted for the raidings on Camelot 4. As you are well aware, these men are armed and to be considered extremely dangerous. We need them alive, we have reason to believe they were taking orders from a higher threat." Doggie instructed.

The Rangers glanced to one another in assurance of each other. As the Rangers stood there, the Sirian looked to his team for a moment in amusement.

"Dismissed!" The Ranger quickly left for their shuttles as Doggie shook his head. "Humans."

Elsewhere on the space station of Raydon 2, the Galactic Council met in the Meeting Chambers for the third time in the last week. The Council was made up of leaders from each sector, as well as leaders on Earth, and former Rangers to give their opinions on various issues at hand. The Councilman in charge, an elderly Aquitian male banged the gavel at his desk. Silence filled the room.

"During the last meeting the other day, we discussed ways to solve the problem of the food shortage. I have just been informed by Councilman Wesley Collins, that Biolab is quickly in the process of developing new foods at a fast rate in pill form, correct?". Wes nodded.

"Yes sir. We've had some problems lately, however. Though the work seems to be a success, my father and I have come under several terrorist attempts to stop us. We both think OmTech might be the source of these attacks." Wes replied.

The Council quieted down for a moment. OmTech had become a great goliath of a corporation in 27 galaxies in the last fifteen years.

"Do you have any proof of said accusations, Mr Collins?" the Councilman from Freia inquired.

"Well, no, but-"

"Then how can you make that assumption?" the Freian Councilman, Wreyr, asked. Freians were well known to be bureaucratic throughout the galaxies. Though friends, many wished it wasn't that way. One could hardly blame them, however. Rules were needed, and without them, another UA was possible.

"It's just a gut feeling I have, sir. As you know, when my father sold it from BioLab years ago, Jacob Russel bought it and called my father a fool. Since then, Russel has used every reason possible to hound my father for higher profits. He's...well, he's a shark".

"Gut feelings do not pass for evidence, Mr. Collins, and I would suggest you keep that in mind, former Red Ranger or not. Understood?" Wreyr stated.

Wes was dumbfounded. There was no investigation going on, how can assassinations just be swept under the bureaucratic rug? Why were the Power Rangers being used in such a way? He wasn't alone. He knew other Rangers on the Council, such as Tommy Oliver, Kai Chen, Ryan Mitchell, Delphine, Trey, Ethan, and other Rangers in the universe felt the same way. Before letting his frustrations loose, Wes calmly nodded.

"Good. Now, onto another thing, we have been getting help from Alan Lutler on Earth. He has devised some new policies that may be good to implement into the SPD police forces throughout the galaxy to stop the rioting on other starved worlds. He also has a plan to help feed those who are starved..."

The voice of Wreyr went on as Wes faded out. Bureaucracy was not him. He hated it and what it stood for. They needed action NOW to help the people, not to just sit around and talk. They knew the problem, they knew what had to be done, yet they looked for the cheapest way out. His father's work for the poor and starved didn't matter to many of the politicians. Even after the Great War. A storm was brewing, the Rangers knew it, and the leaders didn't care because of what the elite rich would say and want. All he could have in his mind, was the quote Edmund Burke passed down over a hundred years before:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil was for good men to do nothing."

[Darky]

Peaceful, the skies of Oro 12 was clear and sunny. The people of the medieval-esque planet went about their ways. The crisp air was fresh, as birds sang clearly. Children ran about, flying kites. Oro 12 was a member of the GSA, though it did not use technology, it had accepted the GSA into its world, and was happy with its Prime Directive to not interfere with another world's culture.

Just then, a loud sonic boom was heard. As the humanoid people looked around, startled, they then saw the cause. Gear Ships, the Machine Empire had been reborn. Sickles, the same robots that killed Ally days before, teleported down to the surface.

The women gathered the children to run to a hiding ground, as the men formed a protective line and began to fire their blasters at the metal assailants. Sickles began to drop, however, as they approached more and more, the blasters began to do nothing. Shields began to pop-up on the Sickles to absorb the blasts. They can adapt, the men realized. As the armies approached the lines, the men turned to see the women and children grabbed by number of other mysterious robots. Two meters tall, these new robots wore black and red camouflage-style armor over their circuits. But to their horror even more, were the faces. They were not robotic faces. Their faces seemed to be partly human, others were partly Aquitian, partly Troobian, partly of many species. The faces were smashed together with robotic circuitry and other horrific gadgets to add to the horror.

As the men ran to their wives and children, they saw the new cyborgs grab ahold of many of the women and all of a sudden, a needle popped out of each eye socket and began to drain the blood of the women as they screamed for mercy. The men stopped, just as more of the cyborgs teleported down behind them, and began to do the same surgery on them. High in the skies, Prince Gasket and Archerina watched on the View Sceen the successful attack.

"Fear the Elites, Escape Is Useless!", Gasket screamed.
----

Elsewhere on Earth, Doggie Cruger walked to the Command Center of the SPD base. Lurching forward, his walk was slow, eyes red from a lack of sleep. He finally came to the View Screen. Punching up a code, Doggie brought up Senator Alan Lutler on the monitor.

"Not a good night's sleep, huh, Cruger?" Lutler smirked.

"DAMNIT, LUTLER!! You told us the people we sought for the raids were on Onyx! My Rangers have found them, they were just space travellers! I just got word from High Command that Oro 12 has now fallen! What the hell is going on here, Senator?!"

"Listen to me, you flea-bitten son of a bitch", Lutler began, his eyes narrowing in a show of hatred. "I don't answer to you, YOU answer to ME. If anything is wrong, its probably your STUPID RANGERS! You ever talk to me like that again, and I'll bust your ass down to Cadet, you hear me?!"

Doggie growled. Politicians and bureaucrats were the number one group of people he despised most.

"Yes Sir."

"Good", Lutler began, "Now I had my sources right, your Rangers probably picked up the right people. They're just lying. Get information from them, NOW!"

"With all due respect, Senator, there is no evidence the travellers from Onyx are even the terrorists we're looking for. May I see your trans-scripts to know what to go with?"

"Absolutely NOT!" Lutler exclaimed, his tone becoming more hateful. "You have your orders, SIRIAN, now follow them!"

The transmission ended. Doggie yelled in frustration. How can he conduct a proper investigation without any evidence? This was nothing more than a fishing expedition to violate the rights of others. Lutler had been a controversial figure in Earth politics for years now. Spitting on the idea of the Power Rangers helping the governments, space colonization, alien residents on Earth, he was nothing more than a xenophobe. One who had great ties to the rich and powerful, and adored by the stupid and close-minded. Was Earth even ready to be part of the intergalactic community?

[Angelfox]

SPD is in deep shit with this asshole runnin around....fuckin politics never changes

[The_LastGuardian]

oh man!!!! what the hell are the Elites???

i am new here and just read both this thread and your last and have to say it was pretty good. can't wait to see what happens next.

[Darky]

Thanks for the compliments, guys. I hope this one is able to reach you all emotionally as I'm trying to get it to. I'll need some music later on though for certain scenes, I know what I want, but is there anyone who knows how to upload it to here? I also need some drawn pics of Rangers, I'd like to add a new team, so if anyone can help with that too, it'd be great. I'd be grateful so much.
-----
The SPD shuttle shot through hyperspace back to Earth. Inside the control cockpit on board, the Rangers were exhausted. Another mission being a waste of time. Whoever or whatever this "Skull" was, it was obviously very good at staying under SPD's scopes. The only thing they had were a handful of delirious patients from a hospital on Raxus Prime. By the time the GSA found the hospital mentioned, it appeared to have been abandoned for years. Medical experiments and torture were among the things mentioned by the victims. The whole operation was overseen by a person called Dark Venom. Whoever that was. None of the patients had seen him, they said. You only saw him when the final test was done, at least that's what the guards said. No one knew what he could do, rumor had it he could control the mind of any sentient being. So far, however, the investigation has been nothing but a cold case.

"Transmission from the Commander", Bridge stated. The crew sighed, not wanting anymore missions for now. The only one they hoped for was, as Bridge put it, "Operation Sleep".

"Rangers!" Doggie exclaimed, smiling to his Cadets. That smile, however turned into a frown.

"So much for turning that frown upside down", Bridge quietly said to himself.

"Rangers, I have some bad news. I just got a call from Washington, Senator Lutler wants those drifters you found arrested now and taken back to Headquarters." Mixed exclamations came from the crew. Doggie sighed, he knew they were under the same pressure he was, the same kind that made you feel like your head would pop like a balloon.

"Sir, those people were innocent, there is no evidence of them linked to The Skull! We checked their backgrounds and everything, they were just hapless explorers", Sky exclaimed.

"I understand Sky, but my orders have been given. I do trust you, and know you're telling me the truth. That's why I'm asking you to do a little...fibbing for me."

"Commander?", Syd asked.

"If you are questioned by Lutler's goons, and I know you probably will, just say you tried to find them again, and could not find them. There may be evidence of a supposed malfunction aboard their ship, and they drifted into a wormhole somewhere." The Rangers looked at each other, confused. The Commander never blatantly told them to disobey a superior officer, especially a Senator.

"I'll take this one if it comes back on us, Rangers. Lutler's only trying to win this election next week, and election or not, his agenda does not concern me, nor does it justify a violation of the GSA Constitution." The Rangers now knew the problem must have been big if Doggie had to be this nervous about Lutler.

"I do have a new assignment however, one that may shed some light on The Skull. The planet of Oro 12 has just suffered a great attack a few hours ago by an unknown assaliant. I need you guys to check it out and report it back to me for full evaluation." The Rangers just groaned silently as the transmission ended. Stopping in mid-flight, the shuttle was turned around and flown back to Oro 12.
----

Hours would pass by before the team arrived on Oro 12. The shuttle landed right outside the communal gates of the Oro kingdom. As the Rangers disembarked, they took along with them a few bags of medical supplies and a few blasters for protection. As they approached the gates, the Rangers were surprised to see the gates open. The sounds of the birds no longer chirped in the air. Dead silence.

Z shivered, "I don't like this." she muttered.

As the team went through the towns, nothing was seen unordinary, for the most part. The people were gone, no trace of them. No men, women, or children. The buildings and huts and small homes still stood, no sign of an attack.

"No life signs on my scanner guys, how about you?" Will asked. Nothing showed up. Just then, Syd stopped.

"What, what is it?" Will asked. RIC began to bark. As the Rangers began to look around, they saw the Oroans begin to come out from behind some of the huts, and other hiding places.

"Is everyone ok?" Sky asked. "Was there an attack here, we got reports of-"

"Sky, look at them!" Z yelled.

The people just lumbered forward, pale. It looked as though the blood had been drained from their bodies. The eyes were now lifeless and glazed, as saliva and foam dripped from their mouths.

"What in the hell?" Sky asked.

"I'm not getting any life signs from them, Sky!" Bridge screamed as he waved his scanner around to each person now approaching them. The people began to form a circle around the Rangers, groaning.

"Kill, kill!"

"Move, move, move!" Sky yelled.

The Rangers quickly darted back to the shuttle beyond the gates. As they ran, the people, began to run after them at ferocious speed. The Rangers and RIC quickly got back on board, and sealed the hatch. Z and Will sat at the controls to prepare for take off, as the other three stood at the door, listening to the banging on the doors from outside. It was beginning to scare the Rangers.

"What the hell are those things?!" Sky yelled.

"SKY!" Syd screamed.

The other Rangers looked to each other as they ran into the cockpit. The people began to climb up the shuttle, clawing at it to get inside. The loud pitched squeak of the others from outside climbing the hull was enough to make the police team cover their ears. As the people outside desperately tried to climb up, the only thing on their mind was the flesh. Warm flesh that needed to be made cold. Cold as ice, cold as death itself. Their fingernails tore as they climbed up. To their surprise, however, the engines lit up and the shuttle took off for space, throwing the crazed people off the hull.

Streaking through space, Sky began to punch in the code to reach Doggie. "Commander! You won't believe what we found on Oro 12!" Sky began...

[Angelfox]

Zombie time....

[Darky]

Later in the day, the planet of Hazard had now come under fire again. The crevices into the planet that housed the Hazardians was now being pelted by Gear Ships. Sickles and Elites roamed the cavernous streets as people ran to escape them. GSA troops in their Starship Troopers uniforms, led by the Phantom Ranger, charged past the fleeing citizens and ran to the invaders, blasters firing.

*cue We Need A Hero

The Phantom ran and jumped at the invaders, becoming invisible. Sickles began tripping, as Elites began to be thrown around to the GSA troops, who shot them on sight. The Phantom dived to the ground and spun with his foot out, knocking three enemy Elites down. A Sickle ran to the Phantom and swung its sickles down on the Phantom, who jumped and spun through the air avoiding the slash.

"Strange, they can see me even when I'm cloaked", the Phantom mused.

Pulling out his blaster, he charged it up and opened fire on a dozen Sickles and Elites charging to the hero, sending the cyborgs flying through the air in a great fireball. As he turned, he saw a team of Sickles running down the intersection streets to his home. Charging forward to stop them, several Elites tried to run at him to intercept him, jumping backwards into the air, the Phantom delivered a kick to the chest of the lead Elite, an energy wave rippling out of it as it flew back and knocking down the others.

As the Phantom turned to see how many more were left, he was glad to see the GSA troops finishing them off. Maybe Hazard would not fall again afterall. As he ran to his home, he saw the door broken off and ran inside. To his surprise, he saw the Sickles holding a book, just before they teleported away.

"What was the purpose of that?"

Meanwhile on Raxus Prime, Dark Venom was meeting Prince Gasket in a small factory run by the Machines.

"All is well, Prince Gasket. We got what we needed from the Phantom Ranger, and we can soon begin the next phase of the Elite Project, and the next part of the overall plan. Are your agents ready?"

"Yes, Lord Venom. Braska and General Petrofski are standing by for futher instructions." Gasket noted.

Dark Venom, standing at 6'4, wore a red, horned mask over his face. All that was visible was his glowing red and yellow hateful eyes. A black cape flowed around him, and provided a hood to the warlord. Shining red and gold armor covered the rest of his body, black boots on the feet clicked as he walked across the floor.

http://www.rovang.org/sentai/mask-oyobur.jpg
Dark Venom (without cloak)

"Good, send them to Malacore to spread the words of hatred. This time, the GSA will die!"

[Angelfox]

Was that the Galaxy Book???

[Darky]

"Commander Cruger, I have a big problem!" The Phantom Ranger declared over the View Screen at the SPD Base.

"Earlier this morning, Hazard came under attack. I believe it may be the same group responsible for the attacks on Oro 12 and Gratha. The Machine Empire is back!" Doggie's eyebrows furrowed,

"Are you sure, Phantom? The Red Rangers supposedly wiped out the last group of them 27 years ago."

"I'm sure, Commander. Quadrafighters and Gear Ships attacked in the skies, along with Sickle ground forces. I suppose someone could have built new models, but they seemed very much like the originals down to the core components."

The Sickles were the foot soldiers of King Aradon, Archerina's father and Mondo's nemesis.

"That's not all, Commander. The Sickles have adapted. They can see me while cloaked, and it appears they have a new ally, a group of cybernetic beings the Machines called the 'Elites'. They look as though they're mostly Machine with some organic features of various alien species."

"Phantom, how is Hazard now?"

"We're doing good, Commander, thank you. We've had light casualties, but it doesn't appear as though they were so much as interested in the planet as they were in the Book of Legacies."

"The book the Morphing Masters gave you to harness the ruby's power and connect with the spirits of fallen Rangers and loved ones?!" Doggie asked, his eyes widening.

"The only one. It takes great skill to master, but I fear it may be used for evil purposes. Be wary Commander, Birdie is well aware and all systems are on high alert." The transmission ended. If that book was being used by the Machine Empire, who knew what they would do, or what they'd conjure up from Hell.
----
On the grassy world of Malacore, riots have erupted in the villages. A new citizen by the name of Lord Braska had broadcasted a message of hatred over the satellite systems of the planet. The food shortage had been declared to be a stage by the Malacorian government to control its people. The people were then given the option of either standing down and allowing the government to do what it pleased, or stand up and take Malacore back in a fury of war and hate, and swear alleigance to the corrupt intergalactic community.

"A new government is needed! One of free enterprise and capitalism, one that will end the tyranny of our forefathers and allow a strong central government that will not allow these things to occur again!" Braska was quoted to say.

The elders fought back against the younger citizens who were now trying to overthrow the Malacorian government, but they were no match. The young had aid coming in from the Machine Empire. Could the Malacorian government really be that corrupt? No one knew, and within hours, the planet fell to the Machine Empire and the Malacorian young again. The stage was set for another war.

[Darky]

"Thanks to our rigged elections, bribes and small uprisings, we've recieved thousands of loyalty oaths from at least 12,000 worlds, my lord. All are ready to take up arms against the GSA and form the new government." Braska informed Dark Venom over a hologram. Venom smiled, his hideous, rotting teeth barred for all to see as his demented smile went from ear to ear.

"Good, good, my friend. All is well ahead of schedule, and the final phases of Earth are drawing near..."
----
In Earth's orbit, the Raydon 2 circulated at a slow pace. Inside, the GSA guards stood by to protect all the galactic ambassadors. It was a sad day. After the Great War, all the planets formed a new alliance to protect themselves and better each other. Now that hope dwindled, as the leaders from certain worlds left to form the United Worlds.

The Rangers from each team were assembled to listen to the options to handle the crisis. Representing the first MMPR team was Billy Cranston and Jason Lee, Zeo was represented by Tommy Oliver, Kat Hillard, and Adam. Turbo and the Space team were reprsented by TJ, Ashley, Zhane and Andros. Kai, Kendrix, and Leo were representing the Galaxy Rangers, as Dana Mitchell and Carter Grayson stepped in for Lightspeed. Wes Collins and Eric Meyers represented the Silver Guardians naturally, while Taylor Earhart and Merrick represented the Wild Force. Each Ranger was available for Ninja Storm's, and Ethan was there for his DT comrades. Nick, Daggeron, Udonna and Lianbow represented the Mystics, with Mack there for Overdrive.

Stepping forward, Doggie Cruger began to speak before the assembled leaders in the vast, round chamber.

"Fellow Rangers, honorable delegates, friends and comrades. I stand before you today to speak on the crisis at hand. As you all know, the United World members just delivered an ultimatum to us just two days ago to join them or face the consequences. I know it is the policy of this great council to not negotiate with terrorist threats, but this cannot be tolerated. As per the request of Commander Birdie and the Council, I have sent my Rangers to try and negotiate a peace treaty with the United Worlds. I understand it is in the best concern for all us to avoid another intergalactic war at all costs. So far, negotiations have been met with great results. The United Worlds are speaking with us, and no arms have been raised. Whilst this continues, I have my reasons to suspect The Skull terrorist group to be at the center of this current turmoil. The Phantom Ranger had informed me a few days ago of the attack on Hazard, and we believe there may be more going on here than this Cold War stand off." The Council murmured with each other in consideration. The newly elected president, Alan Lutler stepped up to his podium.

"That's a very interesting theory you have there, Commander. Do you have any evidence right now to lead us to the Skull leadership?"

Doggie shook his head as he sighed.

"No sir, all we know is of the leader himself that they call Dark Venom. The victims from the hospital on Raxus Prime are still delirious and seem to exhibit patterns of paranoia and insanity. Those were the words of Doctor Manx after each examination."

"Then," Lutler sighed, "We must keep our eyes open for this Dark Venom. Have your Rangers be looking for ANY evidence on this man Commander."

"You know I will, sir" Doggie replied. He looked to the section of Rangers who all looked to him with concern. He knew they would want a piece of this wretched creature as well.

Days passed by, and still no progress with negotiations. On the watery world of Manta, the mermaids and fish people swam through the clear, crisp waters on this fine, sunny day. A loud shrieking sound then ripped through the waters and air. Aquatic Quadrafighters had just landed in the water, and began to open fire on the emerald cities of Manta. From the depths of space, one could easily see the explosions ripping the watery world to shreds. Gear Ships, and the newly designed warships of the United Worlds, the Juggernaughts, began to enter the orbit of Manta. During this time, a transmission was being sent out to every television set across the universe, so every citizen could see the face of their new ruler.

"Imbeciles, peons, insects. I am Lord Braska, leader of the United Worlds. We gave you an option to join us or face the consequences. You tried to talk with us, but you did not convince us. Now you must pay the price. Right now, an attack on your luxiourious world Manta is commencing that began two hours ago. The death rates are skyrocketing. If you wish to not be harmed, you WILL bow down before me and my forces. Among them, are your old oppressors, the Machine Empire. We are back to finish the job they started years ago, and this time no idealistic Rangers will stop us. Fear the United Worlds, escape is useless!"

[Darky]

On many of the United World member planets, mass exoduses had begun. Many of the citizens who refused to accept the United Worlds and denounce the GSA have now been forced to leave their homes by the UW government.

Homeless, millions of refugees sought a new home onboard the shuttles leaving. Crying infants were held by their mothers, who wept silently, the men looking outside to the homes they built with their spouses now gone forever. All for money and power. Many just returned home and started anew again after the Great War ended, now all of that hard work seemed for nothing. Money and power. That's all that mattered to the UW leadership.

The de facto leader of course was Dark Venom, who was in hiding from SPD and GSA officials. Lord Braska was the official leader of the new outlaw nation. General Petrofski, a former Russian officer, was now the leader of the UW armed forces. Tall and bald, Petrofski had burns covering his entire face from a car accident years ago, his nose melted into his face.

Prince Gasket and Archerina, with their Cogs and Sickles, were in charge of reconnaisance and intelligence. Jacob Russel, the CEO of OmTech, and Neroy of the planet Dealia, was the CEO of SyntCorp. They have recently signed a pact with the UW for supply of arms and medicines, with the promise that they would be the ruling corporate body of the UW when the war ends. Together, they made the leadership of the UW.

On Earth, GSA troops from every member world were boarding ships and beginning to head out to other worlds to combat the threat. Wes Collins and Eric Meyers were among the leaders of the troops, being as many of them were former Silver Guardians.

"This is going to be on hell of a war." Wes noted to Eric as they put on their Guardian uniforms and morphers. Their first mission would be to Manta to take it back from UW forces. Within hours of launch, the team made it to Manta. Arriving out of hyperspace, the fleet was ambushed by UW forces. Quickly making their way to the fighters, the pilots disembarked to engage the enemy over Manta's orbit.

Eric quickly hopped in and took off. He was a good pilot, having much training with the Q-Rex, which was the basis of design for each fighter craft. As Wes hopped into his fighter, he took off and began to follow Eric to provide support.

"Enemy V-Wingers coming in!" Eric yelled. His fighter swerved to avoid several missiles flying his way. Doing an uppercut spin, Eric flew head first to the wave of V-Wingers heading towards him, firing as he went. Flying by, each V-Winger exploded in a massive fireball.

"I'm going for the Juggernaught, cover me" Wes said over his communicator. Eric and three GSA fighters flew behind Wes as he swerved between the hellish laser blasts. Boom!

"One wingman down!" Eric yelled back, but Wes kept steady. He flew to the long, oval-sized warship and flew for the bridge, which jutted out of the center of it. The hailfire intensified as he did so, and in retaliation, he activated the bomb release, dropping dozens of proton bombs on the bridge, destroying it. Drifting away, the GSA fighter pilots saw their chance and headed for Manta while the V-Wingers retreated.

"Red Group, head to the northeast tower and destroy the communication satellite, Blue and Yellow Group, stick with us. The rest of you, head to the camps and free the slaves" Wes calmly stated over his communicator as they entered the atmosphere. As the teams split up, Wes and Eric led Blue and Yellow Groups forward to the airbase.

Minutes passed by until the two Rangers got the message they needed,

"The satellite's down sir, you may proceed." The two groups began the bombing raid on the small islands and rock formations where the UW camps were located. Raining fire down on the criminals, the UW troops scattered as they gena to fire AA guns off to no avail. Within moments, the bases were destroyed.

"Commander Collins, we've reached the slave camps and have begun the liberation assault."

"Good work, Lieutenant, we're on our way. You heard the man everybody, head for the slave camps!" As the teams approached the camps, Wes and Eric jumped out of their fighters and morphed in mid-air and landed on the ground safely.

"Chrono Sabers!"

The two Time Force Rangers began to slash down prison guards and Cogs, while other GSA ground troops began to break the cages and letting the sea-inhabitants out. As the prisoners scattered and the last Cogs were falling, a loud, maniacal laugh pierced the skies. Everyone stopped and looking around, just in time to see lightning rip through the skies as it darkened.

"What the hell was that?" a GSA trooper yelled.

They got their answer when a moment later the lightning intensified into a large ball of energy and solidified into a horrific image. Wes couldn't believe his eyes, that monster was supposed to be dead. Fear overcame him when he remembered the lessons he learned from the past Rangers. The name slipped out of his mouth, like a whisper.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/zyulokar.jpg

"Lokar!"

[Darky]

So, can I get everyone's opinions so far?

[The_LastGuardian]

Great fic, i wait dillengently for every installment.

[Darky]

"What the hell is that ugly thing?!" Eric yelled.

"Lokar, Rita Repulsa's demon ally in her conflict against Zordon. Don't you remember Tommy telling us about him, how Lord Zedd sent him?" Wes yelled back.

"That ugly son of a bitch is LOKAR? All pilots, concentrate all fire on that ugly floating head!"

"No, wait Eric!" Wes yelled, but it was too late.

The GSA fighters swormed around Lokar, like flies against an adult human. Lokar laughed as the blasts hit him and did nothing. In retalitation, Lokar lowered his head and fired bolts of fire and lightning from his horns at the fighters, disintegrating them upon impact, just before turning to the oceans. Inhaling, the waters began to dry up, the Manta citizens suffocating from the lack of water they lived in. Thunder roared as Cogs dropped from the skies, lances ready for action.

"We stand no chance against Lokar, we have to regroup and come back later with more firepower!" Wes exclaimed.

"Bullshit, Wes, let's get him now!" Eric yelled back.

"DO YOU WANT TO DIE?! MOVE!!!" The troops began running back to the transport shuttles, firing at Cogs as they ran, Lokar continued to laugh. Boarding the shuttles, the Cogs tried to jump on board, but failed as they lifted off.

"Yes, fly away little Rangers. Tell your friends the final hour for you is upon them. By nightfall you will see Lord Venom truely owns the universe now!" Lokar yelled to the fleeing shuttles.

On board his shuttle, Wes slumped against the wall in his quarters. Sighing, he knew he failed the citizens of Manta. More people had died, more of his own troops. He hanged his head, wondering how Lokar could have returned. The door hissed open, he didn't need to lift his head to know who it was, Eric of course.

"We should've stayed." Wes grunted, he didn't need this now, he already had the burden on him enough.

"Stop it, Eric."

"We could've won, we already lost enough troops down there, and those people will have to suffer for it." Wes stood up, not able to take anymore,

"DAMNIT ERIC, I SAID STOP IT! DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT?! If we stayed then the rest of us would've died! You saw our fighters did nothing to Lokar, what do you suggest we do, throw rocks at him and ask him to go away?! We had NOTHING else to stop him. NOTHING." Wes fell back down to the floor in a whimper, as Eric stood there, quietly. The two had grown to become best friends, but even still they were both hard-headed and stubborn.

"I'm sorry, Wes. I...I just thought we'd have done enough to save the planet. We almost HAD it."

"I know." Wes' eyes than lit up, like a star shining in his eyes, it all made sense now.

"The Phantom Ranger." Eric looked confused. "Remember, we heard about it in the briefing, the Phantom's Book of Legacies was stolen, we were told to be on the look-out for anything weird, this would have to fit it!"

"You think that's what the Machines were doing, stealing his book to get in touch with demons and fallen monsters in Hell?"

Wes jumped up "If it can be used to speak with fallen Rangers and the Light, could it not be possible to REVERSE it, and use it to speak with the Dark?"

"Well we better inform the Council than." Eric confided.
----
Elsewhere on Rabaga, the plains were under heavy fire from the war. The citizens had already fled their homes from the hills as the fire blasts lit up the plains. Tommy Oliver, morphed as the Red Zeo Ranger, led three garrisons of GSA troops against Cogs and Elites.

"Don't let them inject you!" Tommy yelled out. Tommy leapt through the air with grace, summoning his Zeo Sword, and landing down in the middle of a circle of Elites, driving the sword into the ground and shooting red lightning into all the Elites around him, short-circuiting them.

Laser blasts erupted between both sides, there were no lines, each enemy soldier was gathered in the big field, just killing any enemy they saw. Smoke darkened the sky, gagging the GSA troops, as fire rained down from the multiple explosions in the skies. Lightning surronded each soldier on the ground, killing many on both sides, just as the lightning came together to form Darkonda.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/megadark02.jpg

"Hello, Red Ranger" Darkonda yelled, as he unsheathed his sword and ran for Tommy, striking down GSA troops as he went. Tommy leapt for the bounty hunter and slashed his saber against the mutant's. Darkonda pushed back, sending Tommy flipping backwards, only to land on his feet.

Darkonda snarled as Tommy ran for him and began to slash at his foe. The panging of the metallic swords echoed throughout the plains as the battle between the opposing armies continued. Darkonda swung for Tommy's knee, who only leapt over him, stomping Darkonda in the head.

Stunned, the mutant was surprised when Tommy landed behind him and slashed at his back, sparking him. Darkonda stumbbled forward, and turned, just in time to see Tommy run at him as a red flash of light. Screaming in pain, Darkonda began to shake and twitch as Tommy slashed away at the mutant with his sword in a fury never before seen. Two seconds later, Tommy ran past Darkonda, who only fell and exploded in a great fireball, sending a triple ring shockwave out in all directions. The shockwave than began to hit every soldier, and electrocute each Elite, destroying them.

The GSA troops stood in silence, than yelled in victory. The battle was won, and Rabaga was saved.

"Take some of these Elites on board, Private. I want to know everything about these things." Tommy told a nearby trooper.

"Yes sir!" The troops began to gather several Elites together for research as Tommy looked around. What was the meaning of Darkonda's return?

[Angelfox]

OH SHIT.....Darkonda's back....thats fuckin awesome LOL update soon, lovin this

[Matt Lawless]

This is the f*ckin sh*t I can't wait to read more.

[The_LastGuardian]

now that was cool!!!! Don't mess with Tommy, Darkonda didn't stand a chance.

[Darky]

"Commander Oliver, we have some news you may find interesting." A solider said as he walked into Tommy's quarters on the Justice.

"What is it, Corporal?" Tommy asked as he stood up from his bed.

"Well we ran all the tests on the captured Elites you asked us to do, but we found something incredible. It seems many of the Elites are clones."

"Clones?"

"Yes sir, the DNA we obtained from each Elite after the battle seems to be very much similar. Many are clones of each other, and I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't more." Tommy pondered for a moment.

The Elites did drain the blood of their victims and turn them into zombies afterwards because of the infections on the syringes that were used as the hands of the cyborgs.

"Well we at least now know how the United Worlds gained an army so quickly. Keep me posted, Corporal, I'm going to have to report this to the High Council."
---
On Triforia, the desert world has become a battlefield. An army of Cogs led by three mutated Barillian bugs have launched an assault on the capital city of Thile. The skies have become darkened as the twin suns are blocked out by the hull of GSA and UW warcraft attacking each other in orbit. Trey, morphed as the Gold Ranger, leads the defense of GSA troops against the invaders.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/mega19.jpg

"They're heading for the town square. Commander La'Dia, take your teams and cut them off, te rest of you, stick with me and help me to push the Machines back", Trey yelled. As Trey led the squad into the battle, gunfire blazes back and forth over the heads of troops on both sides.

"Gold Rush!" Trey fires the famous attack from his staff, gold balls of light shoot at the Cogs and Sickles, disintegrating them upon impact. One Barillian bug rushes forward and begins firing rounds from its machine gun hand. Sparks fly as a few GSA troops fall, though Trey continues to run at the leading insects. The bugs grunt, just before merging together as one giant Barillian bug and growing to skyscraper size.

"Pyramidus!" Within moments, the pyramid zord teleported to the battle field, as Trey hops aboard to command it.

Up in orbit, The GSA fighters are being overrun by the V-Wingers, as the Juggernaught's heavy cannons coninues to pound the GSA flagship, the Moscow. On board, alarms blare as personnel began to abandon ship via escape pods and head down to Triforia.

"Admiral, we've gotten too critical for us to stay! We need to abandon ship now before its too late!" an aide to the Admiral yells to his boss on the command bridge. The Octavian frog-like admiral knew it was over, the computers sparked, as lights hanged from the ceiling. The power lights were flashing off and on, as bodies littered the floor from the constant barrage of fire.

"Get out of here, Cadet. A good captain always goes down with his ship."

"Sir!"

"That's an order, Cadet, now move it!" The Cadet silenced as he stared at the proud admiral who trained him. He knew this day could come, but never thought it actually would. The day he bid farewell to the man who trained him right after he left the Academy in the Helix Nebula.

"Goodbye, sir, and....thanks for everything." The Cadet almost whispered. The admiral gave a reassuring smile and nodded, as the Cadet ran off the bridge. The ship still shook violently.

"Escape pods away" the designated DECA on board the ship stated.

"DECA, set a course for the Juggernaught warship, set for ramming speed."

"Aye, sir." The admiral stared out of the port view as the enemy ship got larger and larger. The Octavian silently said a quick prayer to the Octavian gods, just before it rammed right into the hull.

"What is he doing?!" the Captain aboard the UW ship yelled.

Cogs and other hired thugs on board stood up from their seats as the Moscow sped towards them. Screams began to fill the bridge as the UW personnel began to flee to the escape pods to no avail. The GSA flagship rammed right into the bridge of the Juggernaught, fire shooting out in both directions of each ship.

In the engine rooms of the Juggernaught, the engine cells began to overload and explode, sending engineers flying in various directions. One falls over as the power cell behind him explodes, and another standing next to him goes over the guardrail and into the engine depths. The hallways of the ship begin to be consumed by fire, ripping apart the entire hallway and sending running crewmen out into space as they screamed.

The massive fireball that consumed both ships could be seen from Triforia's surface as the two capital ships disappear in a flash of light and sparks, debris shooting in every direction.

"Admiral Teyla!" Trey yelled from the Pyramidus cockpit.

Teyla was one of the resitance leaders against the United Alliance of Evil during the Great War years ago, and it was he who helped Triforia during various attacks.

"Thanks for everything, my friend. You will not have died in vain!" Trey yelled out as he fired the main guns from Pyramidus at the Mega Barillian bug.

The Barillian bug yells in pain as the heavy artillery blast rip apart its outer shell. Seconds later, the Barillian bug exploded in a great fireball, sending out a triple ring shockwave in all directions.

[Darky]

Hours later on the Raydon 2, the galactic leaders and Rangers met to view a press conference with the President. Many more seats are now empty, the delegates from certain worlds that have been conquered are assumed dead, or in hiding. In their fears, they watched President Alan Lutler in the center of the meeting chambers, as he gave a speech on CNN.

"My friends, in this time of darkness where our alliances and friends become enemies in a false idea of saving our universe, we have been harmed by the very ideals that we hold. As a result, in order to protect the soverignity of our world, I have spoken with many of the Earth leaders, and it has been agreed on, that to save our world, we must resort to what many consider to be....unorthodox procedures. New powers have been bestowed upon me to deal accordingly with these issues, and it is my deepest regret that it must come down to this. Phone lines, email, all electronic communications, will hearby be used to monitor all citizens of Earth, along with other GSA worlds. Checkpoints have been made in every city of every member in the UN and GNC. Soldiers will be required to see identification, know what your purpose in the area is, and so forth. Freedom of speech and the press, will hearby be limited to prevent giving the enemy any comfort. Any breach of this new law, now known as the New Galactic Decree, will be dealt with as an act of treason and suspicion of sedition. Violaters will be held in prisons without due process, or any attorney. The time for this will end when the UW is defeated and the threat is removed."

Lutler left the stand and went to his quarters, as reporters from every major news outlet throughout the galaxies began to boo. The Power Rangers in the council chambers sighed in disbelief. Ethan turned to Billy as he whispered,

"How can they do this? How can they just give up their rights like this to Lutler and not complain or address it accordingly?"

Billy shook his head, "Doesn't look like they had much choice. Each world has come under attack, and most of them are afraid. Others are just ignorant or corrupt. Democracies have turned into police states before, I'm just hoping the end of the war will end this." Commander Birdie listened in as he turned to the former Rangers.

"I must agree with Ethan here. Someone must stand up and voice the concerns of the people. It's not our position to limit the freedoms of the Galactic Constituton." The war had finally crippled the GSA, just as Dark Venom wanted.
---
On the capital UW world of Saitaro, the UW leaders spoke with the horrific Dark Venom via hologram.

"Everything is going according to plan," Dark Venom stated to his minions. "The GSA has fallen into fear, and the GNC has passed a law restricting the rights of all of its citizens. General Petrofski, what is the progress of the Eurolean galaxy?"

Petrofski stood up, matting his military uniform as he did so. "Going as planned, my lord. The Euroleans never knew what hit them. The SPD Rangers tried to lead a counter-assault but failed. We managed to destroy all the power planets, military bases, water facilities, and major crop fields. Furio has informed me that the last bits of it will be taken by tomorrow morning, and his legions of dead monsters are making much progress."

"Good, good," Dark Venom stated coldly, his mouth sneering. "Prince Gasket, I want you and Archerina to lead the vicious attack on Aquitar, Eltar, and Edenoi in a few hours. Are your armies ready, young prince?"

"They are" Gasket chirped back.

"Good. I have got a new friend I want you to meet. Some of you I believe know him from the Great War. He should be ready to help you in your conquest, Gasket."

"Who, Master?" Archerina piped, standing up excitedly.

"You'll see soon enough, my dear. Let's just say your fathers were well acquainted with him, and he put the VILE into your old UAE."

[Darky]

It was the next day, and the SPD base was on high alert. Commander Cruger went about his daily duties, until Boom approached him in the Command Center.

"Sir, I was working with Doctor Manx in the communication room, when we got this email from the UW command," Boom said as he handed a paper to the Commander. Doggie looked it over and grunted.

"Get the Rangers in here immediately, I'll need help for this mission." Minutes later, the B-Squad assembled in the Command Center.

"Rangers, I've just gotten word from one of the UW leaders, Jacob Russel of OmTech is requesting a meeting with the SPD Rangers to discuss a ceasefire with his corporation." Doggie stated.

"It's a trick!" Will yelled out before even thinking.

"Perhaps Will, but this may be a chance to gain an ally and possibly inside information to get the UW to agree to a ceasefire, or even better, Dark Venom himself." Doggie said matter-of-factly.

"I can't believe this!" Will yelled as he turned and stormed out of the Command Center.

"Will!" Sky yelled as his Green comrade left.

"Let him go, Sky. Just give him his space." Doggie commented.

"Why is he so sensitive about OmTech?" Syd asked.

"You may recall how closed off I was about Sirius being destroyed by Emperor Gruumm, well he has a similar problem. I'm not even sure if I should speak of this without his permission, but perhaps it is for the best. Years ago when OmTech was a subsidiary company for BioLabs under Mr. Collins, it was one of the biggest companies in the United States. Needless to say, of course when Mr. Collins changed for the better due to his son being the Red Ranger," Sky in particular looked interested in this part, knowing how Wes had trained his father during his time as a Silver Guardian.

"Collins sold most of his stocks and businesses to use the money to help various charity groups. The man who bought OmTech, of course, was Jacob Russel. Cut-throat lawyer and a ruthless businessman, rumors circulated about Russel's ties to organized crime families. When it was spilt by insider police agents, Will was going to be the star witness at trial to put Russel away for life. Naturally it didn't happen. His wife and two children were gunned down by mobsters one evening whie he was at the store, as a threat to keep him silent. Will was put in protective custody, and there was no solid evidence tying Russel to the killings, and because of this, Russel walked. Will has held it with him since, and joined SPD to stop people like him. Now he faces the same man both he and I believe responsible for the murder of his family" Doggie finished.

The Rangers were silent. Thoughts ran through their heads. How could this happen? Even in such a moral society, how can greedy bureaucrats still be allowed to run amock unchecked, even in a system that supposedly discouraged it?

"So now you understand." The Rangers broke from their sad thoughts and turned to see Will in the doorway, calmed now.

"I just needed some air, but I couldn't help but hear you, Doggie. Thanks for being there when I needed it. Thanks for telling them when I blocked it out."

"You must understand, Will. I sympathize with your plight, you know this, both Aisniya and I. But this war needs to end, and if we do get help from OmTech, maybe we can get close enough to Russel to put him away where he belongs. It can be a double-bladed saber for Russel."

"I know sir, I just...I really want Jacob torn apart for what he has done. But I will trust and work with you. Please, just help me, Doggie." Will pleaded.

Doggie felt the sadness overcome him as he stared into the lost eyes of the broken Green Ranger standing before him. He knew that same feeling. Memories of his Sirian friends and neighbors overcame him as he related to it.

"I will do what I can Will. You know that. Trust me." Doggie said, as Will perked up and nodded.

Hours passed by as the SPD shuttle was cleared for launch by the GNC, as the SPD Rangers were to head for Ceti 8 for the meeting. As the shuttle launched, Sky couldn't help but go to his friend, who sat at one of the window seats, staring outside of it like he was lost.

"You wanna talk?" Will looked to Sky, temporairly awake now.

"Oh, sure. About what?"

"You know. Look, when I heard my father was murdered, I felt the same as you do now. I almost felt like I could've killed Mirloc when I faced him years ago. But I kept my head straight to focus on the job at hand. Do you feel like you can handle this?" Will just stared Sky in the eyes. For the first time, Will didn't know the answer. He dreamt of the moment he'd get ahold of Russel, to strangle him, for revenge.

"I..I don't know. I've wanted to kill him for so long, that I-"

"You don't know if you can truely look into his face and not become the type of monster we put away in those cards." Sky finished.

"Yes." Sky looked down at his hands, trying to find the right words. "Facing what you fear doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger. I know you have a good heart, and in the end it will triumph. Just try to keep that in mind and get calm for the meeting. Remember, we're here for you buddy." Sky slapped Will on the back who smirked.

"Thanks, Sky."

[Darky]

Dark, the purple skies of Ceti 8 roared to life with thunder and lightning. The SPD shuttle began to enter the atmosphere. In the command cockpit, a voice buzzed over the comlink.

"SPD Shuttle 943, state your purpose for your coming here." Doggie spoke back,

"Ground control, this is Commander Anubis Doggie Cruger, requesting landing permission for a meeting with Jacob Russel." Static went over the comlink as the shuttle kept flying. Moments seemed like minutes. If no answer was given soon, they knew the auto turrets on the ground would open fire.

"They don't seem too friendly for a peace talk." Bridge stated.

"Request granted, follow the escorts to docking bay and await further instructions." The Rangers looked to each other in anticipation, as two V-Wingers pulled up alongside the shuttle and followed it. The team flew for two miles over small camping sites, and large amounts of land, where it seemed slaves worked dilligently to dig large holes.

"Bastards" Will said through his teeth. Sky turned to give Will a comforting look to silent him. Minutes later they were taken to a small military base that poked slightly out of the ground, large chimnies pointed out like arrows from the rooftop.

Minutes would pass by as the Rangers left their seats and began to gather their supplies.

"Remember Rangers," Doggie began, "we're here for peace, not a riot."

"Russel is approaching." DECA stated over the computer systems. As Z looked out the window, indeed the devious lawyer was walking out of the base onto the platform with a small handful of half a dozen troops as guards.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/kakudoc.jpg
Jacob Russel

"Ok, here goes everything." Doggie said. The ramp lowered to the ground, steam pouring out of the ducts as it did so. The six Rangers stepped out to meet Russel and his entourage, as Russel smiled his confident smile, showing off his pearly white teeth.

"I'd love to knock those down his throat." Will thought silently. At that moment, Russel and his troops looked at Will, as if they read his mind. Tall with wavy white hair and blue eyes, Russel definitly looked as handsome as he was evil.

"Welcome, Rangers!" Russel yelled to his guests as he extended his hand, Doggie taking it.

"An honor, sir" Doggie replied.

"Well, we all know why we're here, shall we get the talks underway?" Russel inquired. The Rangers looked to each other and shrugged nonchalantly as they followed the UW crew inside. They followed Russel and his men down a small flight of stairs that led to the inner bunker of the base. Stone walls reflected the coldness of the owners, as the footsteps echoed throughout the stairwell.

"It was never my intention to allow this to become as violent as it has become, please believe me. Lord Braska is a madman, as is Dark Venom."

"Venom?! You know Venom?" Syd yelled.

"Only that he's the true leader of the United Worlds, nothing else, I'm afraid." Russel commented.

The group finally came to the bottom of the stairwell, where a larg steel door awaited. Opening it up, the Rangers followed Russel inside to a large banquet table made of fine oak.

"Please, sit." The Rangers did so, and Russel sat at the opposite end of the table.

"Now, I know you must have some grudge against me, even wondering if you can trust me."

"Pfft!" the group looked around to see who made it, to no avail.

"As I was saying, I know you may not trust me, and that was probably warranted. If I can give you information, however on Braska and General Petrofski, I believe it can be mutual to us both."

"How so, Mr. Russel?" Doggie asked, his eyebrows furring at the idea.

"Immunity, of course. I want you all to know how much I never intended for this to occur. Dark Venom threatened my life! He's insane!" Russel shouted.

"And, what pretell, do you have that can help us?" Will asked.

"Top secret information, my young friend. Imagine a weapon that can be used to create the best soldiers the universe had seen. The Elites. You've wondered what they are, here it is. An old ruler of the Machine Empire is seeking revenge against the GSA and the Power Rangers for stopping him decades ago. His name is Prince Gasket, and his wife Archerina. Years ago, some of his generals tried to uncover Lord Zedd's top weapon; the warzord known as Serpenterra. The Red Rangers stopped them, thankfully, but some of the Cogs survived the onslaught and stowed away into Rita and Zedd's old palace." Z in particular looked interested. This was information about her parents' former lives.

"Rita's scientist, Finster, had a machine to create monsters and conjure up demons", Russel continued. "They called it the Monster-Matic. The Cogs managed to steal it and head back to Machine space with it for development of the Elites. Using old computers of King Aradon and Mondo, the heirs created the Elites to drain the blood of their victims. Every drop was to be taken, as you all have seen. But, the purpose was to use it to create clones, without a conscience, and to use the Monster-Matic to help create them at a fast rate."

Russel stopped to take a sip of water. "Incidentally, the clones would have parts of the Monster-Matic imposed in them, and when injected into the victim, the victim becomes a zombie, controlled by the Machine Empire. With each drop taken, up to seven clones of each person could be made, multiplying the army to vast records in no time. And so, the cycle continues, to turn every sentient being in the universe into a soulless, heartless monster that obeys the UW leadership."

The Rangers gulped, trying to take all this information in.

"I-I must thank you, Mr. Russel, for this information." Doggie said.

"No....thank YOU."

The doors slammed shut, as the guards raised their arms at the Rangers. As they jumped up from their seats, the lights went out, only to come back on a moment later, dimmed. Maniacal cackling ripped the air, as a yellow beam of energy solidified into the main room beside Russel's seat.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/kakuvile03.jpg

"Master Vile!" Doggie yelled.

"Hello, Anubis, still kicking it, I see. Ah, Z, my lovely granddaughter, how have you been?" The guards flanked the Rangers, grabbing them and holding them down.

"I am NOT your granddaughter, you wretched beast!" Z retorted.

"That's it, give into your anger and hate!" Vile snapped back before cackling some more.

"Scum!" Will spat, glaring at Jacob Russel.

"Come now, Mr. Frey, surely it wouldn't be very noble to inform my guests of what else awaited them. Your DNA holds the key to great power, and it will belong to us for the next Elites. The United Alliance fell into small, mere remnants, now it is time for us to take back what is ours! The universe is ours now!"

[Angelfox]

Damm, that was straight outta star wars LOL.....lovin it lovin it

[Darky]

Damm, that was straight outta star wars LOL.....lovin it lovin it

LOL, how so?

[Angelfox]

LOL, how so?
the way the one dude gets the laws set up just the way palpatine did, i figuere that guy is really dark venom

Lutler left the stand and went to his quarters, as reporters from every major news outlet throughout the galaxies began to boo. The Power Rangers in the council chambers sighed in disbelief. Ethan turned to Billy as he whispered, "How can they do this? How can they just give up their rights like this to Lutler and not complain or address it accordingly?" Billy shook his head, "doesn't look like they had much choice. Each world has come under attack, and most of them are afraid. Others are just ignorant or corrupt. Democracies have turned into police states before, I'm just hoping the end of the war will end this." Commander Birdie listened in as he turned to the former Rangers. "I must agree with Ethan here. Someone must stand up and voice the concerns of the people. It's not our position to limit the freedoms of the Galactic Constituton." The war had finally crippled the GSA, just as Dark Venom wanted.

[Darky]

the way the one dude gets the laws set up just the way palpatine did, i figuere that guy is really dark venom.

Ah, is he? ;) I like how I got everyone guessing now, makes me feel like I got it right

[Darky]

Hours later, the SPD Rangers were being laid down on separate tables, chained up. UW troops in shining silver armor and helmets tended to them, moving equipment around to prepare for the procedures. Watching amused, Master Vile and Jacob Russel snickered silently.

"We're going to harvest all of your blood, every drop. I hope you don't mind needles", Russel said.

"Look, you want me, just let the rest of them go. Grandpa, if you really want me, just take me." Z pleaded. Master Vile smirked and shook a finger.

"Nice try. Rita tried something similar before I turned her, and look at how she ended up. A disgrace to my family. You'll be a useful drone." Vile quipped.

"All systems are clear sir, which one shall we begin with?" a UW trooper asked.

"It's always nice to start with the leader and break the followers' will. Start with the Red Ranger, and save Cruger for last. Say goodbye to your friends, Doggie." Russel said through his teeth, eyes shining like a madman.

As Sky readied himself for death, the wall exploded in a loud boom, smoke and rock flew into the room, sending UW troopers to the floor.

"Who dares interrupt me?!" Russel yelled. The smoke cleared, and there stood a Gold Ranger, designed just like the other SPD Rangers, with an 'X' on it.

http://www.supersentai.com/database/2004_dekaranger/images/deka-rg-dekagold.jpg

"Delta Blasters!" The Gold Ranger yelled, firing several blasts at the captive tables and releasing the other six Rangers. Doggie smiled,

"Welcome back, Jack!". The other Rangers looked to the Gold Ranger, astonished.

"Jack?!"

"The one and only." Jack replied.

"Well it's nice to have a reunion, but too bad it's so short. Kill them!" Master Vile yelled, as he grabbed Russel and teleported away.

"SPD Emergency!", within a second, the light engulfed the other six Rangers and morphed them. The seven Rangers charged the UW troops, firing blasts at the hordes of troopers running into the destroyed room.

"Shadow Saber!" Doggie unsheathed his famous Sirian sword, and began to swiftly strike down enemy troopers with ease. Nine, ten, eleven, twelve, more and more fell to Doggie's sword. Jack and Sky were back to back, firing their blasters, sparks falling off the chests of more advancing troops, causing them to go down in a blaze of false glory. Just then, the roof exploded into a large hole, as GSA troops began dropping in on cable lines, firing rounds at the enemies.

"Come on!" the commander yelled. As the Rangers ran out of the base, firing along the way, they were surprised to find the sky was now filled with starships of both sides, troops attacked each other on the ground.

"We've already broken down the camps to liberate the slaves, what is your next order, Commander Cruger?" a trooper asked the Shadow Ranger outside.

"Begin a bombing raid on this base, destroy all of their equipment and computers, and salvage what we can. Form a defensive perimeter around the surviving enemies and force them to surrender." Cruger replied.

The rescue mission went as planned, casualties for the GSA was light, and Ceti 8 was liberated. On board, the team was asking Jack about his return to duty.

"Things were great with Ally", he explained, as the ship was leaving orbit and heading back for Earth. "A few months ago during a routine trip to Stone Canyon to deliver supplies, we were attacked by those Sickles I've seen on TV lately. Ally...Ally didn't make it. I have a good reason to think the whole thing of the food shortage on Earth and in other systems has to be connected to Dark Venom."

"Well how did you know to arrive when you did?" Bridge asked.

"Ah, that was me," Doggie begun. "I knew of the possibility of it being a trap, so I asked Doctor Manx and Jack, who had just come back to us, to listen in while I wore a wire. Naturally, we were right, they heard it, and so reinforcements arrived."

"Sly dog", Will commented, smiling.

"Distress call from Edenoi" DECA chirped in suddenly.

"Patch it through" Sky commanded, as the transmission came over the comlinks.

"This is Dex of Edenoi, we're under heavy attack! Cogs and Elites everywhere! New enemy..General Petro...Nigh...Rang...!"

"Dex, come in Dex! Dex...Dex do you copy?" Sky yelled back.

On Edenoi, the rebuilt planet has been reduced to a wasteland again. Debris of old homes and hospitals littered the ground, the crops have been burnt into ash, as the ground has been cracked open into caves and volcanoes now.

Dead GSA troops littered the ground. Dex ran the rocky surface, morphed as the Masked Rider, gasping for air as he ran. He had already dropped his communicator. A pang of thunder clapped, and Dex stopped. Fear began to fill him, as he raised his saber. Just then, a black bolt of lightning hit the ground and formed a new Power Ranger.

Dressed in all black, with a jagged square like visor trimmed with gold, a gold shield covered his chest and upper back. Red stripes lined the sides of his pant legs, as he flexed his silver gloved hands. The mysterious assailant then raised a large four foot long jagged sword, that divided up into three blades at the very top.

"Silly Masked Rider, you should know you couldn't outrun the Nightmare Ranger!"

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/bf/bf33.jpg
Nightmare Ranger

[Angelfox]

DAM, now that was a twist i didnt see comin..

[Darky]

"Petrofski, damn you!" Dex yelled. "You'll pay for what you did to my people!"

Dex charged up his Electro Saber and charged the Nightmare Ranger, who only laughed. Petrofski's Nightmare shield than began to fire plasmatic dark energy bursts at the Masked Rider, explosions rocked all around him, as Dex fell to the ground, debris from the soil raining down on him.

"All you had to do was bow and join Dark Venom, and Edenoi wouldn't have suffered. This is your fault Dex, now wallow in your pity and die!" Petrofski said, as he leapt through the air, bringing his sword down on Dex, who raised his and slashed off the advance.

Grunting, Petrofski fell back, and glared at Masked Rider, just before slashing at him. Ducking and rolling, Dex rolled behind the Nightmare Ranger, and jumped to his feet to bring his sword down on the UW general. Spinning around on his heels,

Petrofski caught Dex by surprise, and stabbed him right through the stomach, sparks and blood spraying onto the Nightmare Ranger. Dex stood there, helpless as he gasped for air just before falling over, dead.

"Fool. Never mess with the Dark Side!" Petrofski laughed, as the UW warships in the sky took full control of the planet.

The sky buzzed as Quadrafighters and V-Wingers filled the air, bombing the last resource buildings. UW tanks and zords roamed the destroyed streets, firing at other buildings, banks and hospitals especially. Gear Ships and drop ships began to lower to drop off Cogs, Sickles, Elites, and other UW troopers to take the last Edenoites.
---
On Earth, the elementary schools of Angel Grove went about their normal routine. As the children played on the playground during recess, the teachers watched with caution.

One particular teacher, a Drovian warthog-like alien monitored with happiness. Teaching was his life, the Drovian species loved all life, children especially. They were young, full of life and curiousity, and the future. No doubt Mr. Be'Laa was a student favorite. As he watched the children run the mile, he saw some students begin to slow down. The awareness began to kick in, just as he saw several students begin dropping in the middle of the run.

"Greg, call 911!" Mr. Be'Laa yelled to his assistant as he ran out to the students.

Hours would pass by, the media and frantic families were sworming the schools, trying to ask teachers and the principals what was going on. EMTs trained by Lightspeed years before, tended the students as they were rushed out into Joel's old Lightspeed Rescue helicopter. As they were being carried away into the helicopter, Dana Mitchell was the tending MD on board as it lifted off for the hospital in Mariner Bay.

"What are the life signs?" Dana asked as she walked to a Triforian medic on board who tended a young boy.

"Faint, he's sweating, heart rate is out of control, his breathing is labored, it's like a damn heart attack!" a paramedic replied. Dana looked grim as she surveyed the other patients on board.

"Like all of them. Any vomitting or foaming?" she asked.

"Some, not much. It stopped a few minutes ago, I've never seen anything like this!" The chopper went along on its way.

A half-hour away in Stone Canyon, more reports were breaking out of similar occurances at grocery stores, parks, pools, and various other establishments. Panic was breaking out, as the media tried to cover all the grounds of reported incidents to no avail.

At the White House, President Alan Lutler was speaking over the hologram with other representatives on the Raydon 2.

"What the hell is going on?! I'm getting reports of people dying by the hundreds of some mysterious illness. Does anyone know of anything like this, some kind of galactic virus?" Other representatives shook their heads in fear and sadness.

"Sir," Billy began over the hologram. "I have gotten reports from Dana Mitchell and Lightspeed that they are doing autoposies on the deceased right now. We won't know what's causing this for several hours, 24 at the most. You must try and stay calm and urge that to the people of Earth, or panic will take over."

"Shut the hell up, Cranston! What do you know about what to do in crisises? Because you were a Power Ranger?! Fuck you and your calm talk, you have any idea what this can do to my presidency?!"

Billy sighed and sat back in his chair, taking it. There was no point in arguing with an angry politician, especially when he's quoting his approval rating.

"I'm just trying to help, sir, and yes I do have that experience. I've seen what happens when you let fear overcome your senses, now if you stop complaining about your political successes and do your damn JOB, maybe something can be done to save Earth!" Billy yelled back.

All the other representatives on the Raydon 2 sunk in their seats, even the other Power Rangers. No one had ever stood up to Lutler like that before.

"Cranston, you might want to watch your mouth and who you mouth off to. You may be a good man, but even the slightest words can dirty the speaker." Lutler said as he cut off the transmission. Once it was over, he growled to himself, rubbing his chin as he did so.

Hours would go by before President Alan Lutler was forced to give a message for a state of emergency. Twelve hours into the emergency, reporters and cameras filled the Oval Office of the White House, seeing the calmed face of Lutler. His soft blue eyes giving a sense of safety to all the people who watched and listened to the speech;

"My friends, I understand the fear and tensions you now hold in the rise of this new virus. But we must not let fear overcome our senses! My associates in Lightspeed are currently running a diagnosis on the bodies as we speak. I reassure you, things will look up. We will endure, we will rise up, and shine in the dawn of a new day. To ensure the stability of our land, and so the government may work efficiently, martial law will now be in effect. A curfew will hearby be imposed that lasts from 7 PM, to 8 AM. All violaters will be held without due process for any length of time deemed necessary. Surveillance cameras will now be installed on every street corner in the United States, and...I KNOW the police forces of SPD and its branches WILL comply."

[Darky]

And in case anyone is wondering, no I didn't really want to write that about the schools, but I had to do something that would garter attention for the plot later. I actually felt bad writing it, but it is fiction

[Angelfox]

Talk about declaring martial law....

[Darky]

"Martial law, what is that bastard doing?!" Sky yelled after hearing the press conference on board the ship that was still on its route to Earth.

"Something is amiss here" Doggie began as he rubbed his chin. "There was a similar outbreak of a similar virus on Sirius before Emperor Grumm launched his final assault and took Sirius down."

"Are you suggesting Grumm is behind this? I thought he was still in his prison card with no outside communications?" Bridge asked, his eyes narrowing.

"He is," Doggie began, "But that doesn't mean he doesn't know something. Besides, the only people that knew about your DNA conditions were us, your parents, the government and Mora. Mora HAD to have spoken with Grumm at one point about it. DECA, set a course for Viridian 2, looks like we're paying an old friend a little visit." Doggie said with a sigh, as the shuttle veared off course and headed for Viridian 2.
---
In the Desert of Despair, Tommy, Kat, Adam, Tanya, Rocky, and Billy walked through the middle of the heat ridden desert, the sun baking them as they sweat.

"Tommy, what makes you think Ninjor's still here?" Kat asked, after taking a quick sip from her water bottle.

"He was here after the Zeo Crystal was restored, with the Ninja zords, he may still have them, and if he does, we'll need them." Billy walked at the head of the group with a holographic map of the area in the palm of his hand.

"It looks like the Temple is straight ahead, less than 500 kilometers. It's probably among the rock mounds ahead." Billy stated.

The group of former Rangers followed Billy as he walked forward to the familiar rocky mounds. As he walked through the cramped walkway of the mounds, nostalgia filled his head. Memories of being the Blue Ranger flowed freely through his head, as it did so the others. Once clearing the rocks, they came upon the old small cave. As they walked towards it, Tanya pulled out a small flashlight, and shined it inside. Screeches came from inside, just as bats flew out, startling the Rangers.

"They won't harm us as long as you don't disturb their sleep" Billy stated to his startled colleagues. As he walked in, the others regained their composure and followed. All but Rocky, who stayed out and looked around in anxiety.

"Rocky, come on!" Adam yelled out from inside the cave, snapping Rocky back to reality. As he went inside, he saw the group huddled nearby an old wall.

"This is where we fell in to meet him" Tommy commented. He leaned down and picked up a rock, then lightly chucking it towards the wall. A small charge of light covered the wall as it disappeared. The Rangers smiled, knowing Ninjor must still be inside. Running through, they charged the wall and vanished inside. Once inside, they came upon the familiar waterfall beside the golden temple. Tommy then took the lead, as he led the Rangers to the gates, which opened automatically for them.

"Ninjor! Ninjor are you here?!" Adam yelled out, the voice echoing off the walls. Small tables held old urns and the old scrolls remained rolled up as before.

"Someone call?" Ninjor asked as he stepped out of the shadows.

"Ninjor!" Kat yelled, as the Rangers ran up and hugged their old mentor, who stood in shock, but quickly returned the gesture.

"Hmm, not very often I get a hug, but not something I pass up" Ninjor said with a chuckle. "Rangers, it's been years, why are you here?"

"It's been a long time, but we need your help again. The United Alliance has fallen, but a new threat has emerged."

"Really" Ninjor retorted. "Hmm, and I was hoping for just a friendly visit!"

"Hey come on, Ninjor, you know we never forgot you!" Tommy yelled back with a smirk.

"Uh huh, so, what is this new problem you have? Why not ask Zordon, is he okay?" The Rangers looked to each other, their faces spelt grim fortunes to Ninjor's senses. "Oh...oh...when?"

"Right when the UA fell. He gave his life for everyone else" Rocky said quietly as he hanged his head.

"Always like Zordon, thinking of others instead of himself. That's why he made a great Morphing Master. Well, tell me everything and we'll see what I can do." Ninjor said.

As requested, the Rangers sat with Ninjor telling him everything. King Mondo, Divatox and Astronema. The UA's fall and Zordon's death, the GSA and Terra Venture's voyage, and the era of intergalactic peace. Then came the UW events of recent. Ninjor listened intensely, following every bit and detail.

"So you wanted to see if I could help out and bring back the Ninja and Shogun zords to save the universe from this...Dark Venom and his goons?" Ninjor asked. The Rangers nodded. "You have a lot of gall to think I would," Ninjor began, as the Rangers looked to each other in concern of defeat "...because you know I would!"

The Rangers smiled form ear to ear, remembering the good old days with Ninjor made it all the greater to be back with him.

"Don't worry, Rangers, I've got your back, so you humans say. I'll get in touch with a few old friends, and we'll save the day!" The Rangers cheered, as Billy began to laugh,

"Lutler won't have to keep his police state up for much longer!" Ninjor nodded, chuckling lightly.

"Good to see you're doing so good, even at an older age." Ninjor added.

"Hey, we ain't that old!" Rocky quipped.

"Gotcha!" Ninjor responded, pointing his finger at Rocky in a joking tone.
---
Within hours, the Ninja Megazord was launched, piloted by the old Ranger team. The first stop was to take back Manta and send Lokar back to the Shadow World. As they arrived, Lokar laughed, seeing the old megazord fly through the skies.

"Ninja Ultrazord!" Tommy, Billy and Kat yelled, as Titanus quickly appeared, and Lokar looked scared, his laughing stopped for once.

que Go go Power Rangers

The Ninja Megazord joined with Titanus and fired all weapons at Lokar, blasting him. Sparks flew from Lokar, as he screamed in rage and agony, just before exploding in a triple ring shockwave.

They've got, a power and a force you've never seen before. They've got the ability to morph and even up the score

The Shogun Megazord was on Malacore, piloted by Adam, Rocky, and Tanya. Furio and a small army of seven LG and LR monsters were grown full size, and laughed as the Shogun stood there.

"You think that block of metal can stop me?!" Furio yelled.

"Let's find out!" Adam yelled back.

No one can ever take them down, the power lies on their side!

The Shogun Megazord charges up its flame sword, as Furio and his team of monsters charge.

"Fire!" The Shogun Megazord swings its saber at all of the demons, Furio and his team scream, electricity surge all over them, just before all eight monsters explode into one massive fireball, shooting out shockwaves in all directions.

Go go Power Rangers! They know the fate of the world is lying in their hands! They know, to use their weapons only for defense!

Ninjor was full grown as he charged into battle against Amphibidor, two Chromites, Demon Racer, Barbed Wire Org, and Retinaxe.

"It's over scumbags, and here's the reason why!" Ninjor yelled, as three fireballs shoot from his chest and hit the Chromites, who drop and explode automatically.

"Slice him!" Retinaxe yelled. A fireball then hits Retinaxe from the skies, destroying him upon impact.

"Thanks, Auric!" Ninjor yelled as his old friend came up from the now smoldering crater.

No one will ever take them down, the power lies on their side!

"Any time Ninjor, shall we?" Auric asked his old friend.

The remaining monsters charged, roaring in rage as they waved their weapons around like madmen. Auric unsheathed his sword and charged at his foes, Ninjor following. Running past each, they unleashed an energized slash of energy from their swords, slashing apart each monster. Howling, Amphibidor, Demon Racer and Barbed Wire Org burst into flames and exploded. The two Morphing Masters stood side-by-side, victorious, as the people and citizens on the ground cheered, their freedom was restored.

Go go Power Rangers!

[Angelfox]

Nice to see some old friends back in action...but Dark Venom would have thought of that and maybe even planned on it....

[Darky]

"What?! How the hell did you lose two galaxies, and seven independent systems in one day?!" Dark Venom roared over the hologram. The UW leadership looked around sheepishly, trying not to make eye contact with their master. Neroy's purple face was flushed as he began to stutter.

"I..it was Ninjor, and Auric! They're back, they got the Ninja, Shogun, even the Zeo zords back in operation!"

"You imbeciles, how could you not stop them?! Braska, I am holding you personally responsible for this, either you mobilize the troops enough to kill them all, or I'll kill you!" The hologram faded out, as Braska's cybernetic face showed no emotion. It couldn't, it was made to look like a normal face, without any emotion or movement. But his steady gazing around the room and steady and quick body movements indicated fear.

"Get me Petrofski...NOW! We need to accelarate our plans!" Braska announced.

*cue Trade Federation March Theme

Gear Ships began moving through the skies of worlds such as Eemon-Tate, Claydoious, Pongy, Zoina, and many more. Cogs, Sickles, Elites and UW troops march across the cities, towns, plains, artifical islands, deserts, swamps, forests and jungles of each world, enslaving all in their path.

On the watery world of Vrenom, UW submarines launch off aquatic V-Wingers and Quadrafighters, which quickly desimate the underwater cities, explosions ripping the oceans like tides.

The city world of Cimmeria 1 is being bombed aerialy by Juggernaughts, as GSA ships crash into the surface, destroying buildings and killing thousands. Within hours, the whole Cimmerian system is taken.

On Horus, the bird-like people are taken away on Gear Ships in chains for new slave labor. Many citizens watch in horror as their friends, neighbors, relatives, and others are taken away by Cogs. Their homes now destroyed in the constant orbital bombardment.

Commander Birdie is among one of the new hostages. Tears fell from his eyes as he was dragged away, looking out at the destroyed landscapes of what was their home, now nothing more than the remains of a cruel attack. He knew what awaited his people, and all the others. But what hurt the most, was the fact he blamed himself for it. Maybe if SPD didn't become so caught up in politics, maybe they could have stopped Gasket's armies...

On Mirinoi, the Galaxy Rangers lead a defense with the help of GSA troops, the Galactabeasts, and Mirinoan resistance fighters, as the Nightmare Ranger leads a vicious ground assault, killing any person in front of him; solider or civilian, woman or child, young or old. Carving a legacy of terror, Petrofski was quickly becoming the face of the GSA enemy.
---
On the Raydon 2, heated debates and yelling was now becoming more and more common. Though the Power Rangers and their allies have definitly become more public heroes again with their liberation missions. But with every world liberated, another was taken. A task force made up of Ninjor, Lerigot, the Phantom Ranger, the Space Rangers, and Wes and Eric have been organized to exclusively hunt down Petrofski, and were now away going to each world that had been victimized by the mass murderer.

As the debates continued, President Alan Lutler took the center podium, as everyone else quieted down.

"Well, I have recently spoken with Commander Cruger of SPD, and he has informed me of the virus that has recently broken out." Mutters between representatives whispered the various rumors that had been in the media in the last few days of the virus. Lutler loudly cleared his throat, getting their attention again.

"As I was saying, he had informed me of a similar outbreak on Sirius just before Grumm's initial invasion. I confided with Aisniya, who confirmed it, and gave me the reports of it, and incidentally they matched up entirely with the reports given to me by Lightspeed. It is as I suspected; bioterrorism." Lutler announced.

Gasps and screams of fear began to fill the Main Chamber, as everyone began to panic. How did the United Worlds get such a deadly virus? Wasn't Grumm locked up in a card?

"My friends, calm yourselves. A cure is being worked on by Aisynia and Lightspeed to quickly stop the spread of this contagium."

"But what about other worlds?" asked the frantic female Twi representative, Gerla. In Twi's customs, it was not the men who had the seat of power like on some worlds, nor was it a shared partnership like others. On Twi, the females were the power, and were allowed to up to at least six husbands at a time.

"I have thought of that," Lutler began. "It has come to my attention that the United Worlds has recently exiled many of its peoples, who, so they say, did not agree with their ideas and wanted to remain with us in the GSA. The CIA has informed me of possible undercover agents that were sent here to deliver the virus. As a precaution, I have now authorized with other leaders on Earth to immediatly begin background searches on all aliens from conquered and member worlds. We will find the culprits who carried out this heinous crime, and by God, they will be punished!" Lutler screamed as he pounded the desk of the podium. Cheers erupted from all representatives, as the Rangers in the upper booth where they resided, looked to each other.

Billy's face became hard stoned as he shook his head, eyes glowering with anger. "I can't belive this man!" he said through gritted teeth.

"Billy, shut up", Aurico quickly said in a harsh whisper. "If you say anything, ANYTHING AT ALL, Lutler will accuse YOU next." Billy just sighed in defeat as he lowered his face into his hands.

[Angelfox]

and the exodus continues...the GSA is now poised to fall from the inside out....

[Darky]

It was a warm day on Earth in Reefside. The temperature is a nice 78 degrees, the sun was out, with only a few clouds in the skies, as birds chirped a beautiful song of love. And it was for the right day.

At the Reefside Baptist Church, the room was filled with friends and family, from all worlds. Devin was at the front of the ceremony room, as "Here Comes the Bride" is played on the organ. Cassidy begins her walk from the back room, as the croud turns to look to her. Wearing a fully purple gown, Cassidy is being guided down the aisle by her elderly father. Smiles were on the faces of all people attending. Connor, Tommy, and Ethan were Devin's best men, as the stood back to allow Devin back, when Cassidy came up to the stage. The preacher cleared his throat as he begun.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two in Holy Matrimony. I understand that Devin has written his own vows, Devin?" Devin stepped forward, as Cassidy's eyes lit up, biting her lower lip as Devin began.

"Cass, I've known you for all these years, but I fell for you the moment I first saw you. You are my heart, my soul, my very fibers of life. My heart beats with yours, and you are my future. I will love you until I die and when we meet again in the next life."

Tears came to Cassidy's eyes as her lips quivered.

"Devin," she began, gasping, "I am very thankful for you coming into my life. You are my soulmate and I will gladly stand by you until we turn old and grey."

"Then if there is nothing else, do you, Devin DelValle, take Cassidy, to honor and hold her, to cherish her in sickness and in health, for rich or poor, till death do you part?" Devin looked to Cassidy and smiled.

"I do" he said.

"And you, Cassidy Cornell, do you-"

"I do!" Cassidy quickly yelled.

"Then if anyone objects, please speak now or forever hold your peace." Silence filled the room as anticipation covered everyone's faces. "Then by the power invested in me by the state of California, I declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The married couple than kissed each other, as cheers filled the room.

Hours later, the reception was being held. People danced about to the rock music blaring over the sound boxes provided by the music band. Devin sat with Tommy and Ethan, while Connor was off talking to some of Cassidy's relatives.

"Congratulations, Devin. How's it feel to finally tie the knot?" Ethan asked.

"I'm the happiest I've been in all my years" Devin replied with a wide grin and a nod.

"I've been reading your columns, Devin, and I have to say I'm impressed." Tommy stated while clinking glasses with his former student.

"Thanks, but it's not what I want to write about. These new laws made by Lutler have greatly decreased the productivity and rights of the papers. I'm actually thinking of writing my own memoirs for the newspaper."

Tommy and Ethan looked to each other in fear. "Devin, are you nuts, that's grounds for an entire investigation of you, your family, your workplace, everything!" Ethan yelled.

"What is the point of me being silent when everything I've worked for is turning into an illusion in front of me? Sympathizer of the UW if you criticize the American president, ridiculous. Lutler's using his own money and trying to shove his own ideals on the rest of the world and the other GSA members. Isn't this supposed to be a free country, isn't the GSA supposed to be an 'alliance', like it says? Then why are we dominating it?" For once neither of the two Rangers had an answer. Tommy put his hand on Devin's shoulder in a comforting manner.

"Devin, I'll let you in on something, but you have to be quiet about it. The other Rangers and I agree with you, and so do many of the GSA representatives. We're going to try to play along for now, but should things get worse, we will act accordingly and petition it for Lutler to stop. We've actually talked behind closed doors about presenting a petition."

"Yeah, maybe that'll work. Either way, I'm still doing it. I've already got Bridge and Billy to go with me to one of Lutler's rallies next week after Bridge gets back from his trip to Veridian 2."

"Just be careful, you've got a wife now too." Ethan said, Devin nodded knowingly.

In the asteroid field outside the Crula Galaxy, the GSA battleships Gavel and the Equality faced off against a super UW warship named the Execution. Plasma laser blasts buzzed in every direction as fighter ships on both sides flew around both ships and fired in every direction possible. On board the Gavel, Wes and Eric were heading to their respective Allied fighters.

"Just be careful out there Eric" Wes cautioned as he climbed into his cockpit.

"Man, what are you, my partner or my babysitter?" Eric asked.

"Sometimes I think I'm both!" Wes yelled back with a huge smirk. The two Rangers quickly secured themselves just as they launched out of the hangar. As they cleared the energy beams of the hangar, heavy enemy fire began to surround them both, flashes of fire bursting all around them.

"Damn, Wes, try to divert their attention, I've got an idea!" Eric yelled out, as Wes hauled off into one direction, leading the V-Wingers away.

With his chance, Eric flew to the Execution, performing graceful barrel rolls to avoid the turret fire. On board the UW ship's hull, Cogs stayed firmly planeted where they were and fired the turrets with a fury.

"573gun turrets on this thing, and all aimed for me." Eric thought to himself. Of course, all the other pilots were trying to defend the GSA battleships from the legions of V-Wingers that swormed over the hulls.

Eric began to fly higher to avoid being shot down. As he did so, he pressed the automatic release, and dropped a carryload of proton bombs, each one that landed sent rippling effects over the hull, destroying turrets. More and more fell from Eric's fighter as he flew over it, sending the chaos of his assult over each Cog and turret. Quickly veering away from the top of the ship, Eric proceeded to the side of the the ship, and hit the accelarator. Eric gasped in surprise as he was thrown back into his seat as the fighter flew to velocities he never knew it had. Coming up the back side of the ship, he saw the satellite dish, and fired proton bombs at it as he flew over it, and turning away to head back.

"Their shields are down, commence with the bombardment!" Eric announced.

"Copy that, Eric" Wes said over his communicator. Wes turned his fighter from the GSA ships and led two dozen allied fighters in the direction of the super ship. With its turrets down, they had no problem as they flew over, droping bombs, firing torpedoes, and shooting the laser cannons at each sensitive part of the ship. Fires began to burst out of the hull, as they knew they got it done. Veering away, they joined the two GSA battleships that were leaving, just before the UW super ship exploded in a massive fireball. Debris and fireworks, pieces of Cogs, all shot in every direction.

In Triforian space, Trey was aboard his diplomatic ship as it left his world to head for the next meeting aboard the Raydon 2. On board the small, tube-like ship, Trey sat quietly in his chambers on his bed, exhausted. All these battles were taking their toll on the legendary Gold Ranger.

"Estimated time arrival until we reach the Raydon 2 will be 4.5 hours sir."

"Thank you, Sergeant, I'll just be resting here until we arrive. Just be sure to awaken me before we pull out of hypserspace" Trey replied.

"Yes sir" came the reply over the comlink in his room. Trey sighed and stretched out on his bed, closing his eyes. As he began to drift to sleep, he felt the ship jolt like thunder, as though it just suddenly stopped. Trey leapt from his bed, only to fall back down in it as the ship shook violently, the lights flickering. Trey quickly accessed his communicator in the wall, "Sergeant, what's going on?!"

"I don't know sir!", the ship shook some more.

"Who's firing at us?!" Trey responded.

"I don't know sir, it looks like a freighter ship." the sergeant said.

"Pirates" Trey whispered with dread.

[Angelfox]

Its on like donkey kong...

[Darky]

Doggie walked down the halls of the prison of Veridian 2. Escorted by two alien SPD guards, he carefully eyed each doorway, each holding three drawers, packed with criminals. The one he was going for was at the far end of the hallway.

Arriving at the large steel bolted door, one guard stood at the doorway as the second led Doggie inside to the room. It was a small room, to say the least. Three drawers covered the back wall, with a small table in front of it. With this new method of imprisonment, most prisons didn't need to be as big, and they were reduced in size. The room, so small, it was like a closet. On the small wooden table laid the card of Doggie's desire. As he nodded to the officer to leave, he approached it with disdain.

"Hello, Grumm, prison going well for you?" Doggie asked with a chuckle.

"Cruger! What are you doing here? Here to see me suffer in this wretched card YOU put me in?!"

"Don't flatter yourself, 'Emperor'. I'm here to get some information from you" Doggie torted.

"Information? Hmph, why should I help you? You took my throne from me, my people! You had to stick your nose where it didn't belong!" Gruumm snapped.

"I did my job, since you were trying to relive the Great War with yourself as the lead oppressor. I didn't take your throne from you, the Troobian people did. They got sick of your charades. But I can make it better for me, help me out and maybe I can get you moved to a regular prison. You know, better food, an exercise room, maybe even a window with a force field on it." Doggie stated.

"How about you just spring me out, cause I'm not giving you anything. I'd rather see you twist and die like you should have on Sirius," Grumm stated firmly in his card. As small as he was, he still tried to put up a fight, no matter how meaningless. Doggie was respectful of that much, he'd have been a great leader had he not been so evil.

"Fine, have it your way. Enjoy the card." Doggie turned to leave, but to his surprise Grumm started to yell for him.

"Wait, Doggie! Ok, if I help you, do you PROMISE to get me a better arrangement?"

"I'll see, I need to see how credible it is first."

"Then how am I supposed-"

"You don't have a choice! Either you help and hope it's good enough for me to help you, or you don't get anything from us. That's the deal, take it or leave it, and this is your last chance!" Doggie stood firm, as he glared at Gruumm's card on the table. Looking about inside, Gruumm saw he had no choice and finally nodded.

"Good. Now, you remember years ago on Sirius before your final attack, you remember the Noon Virus?"

"Ah yes, great weapon. What about it?"

"I need to know more about it, how did you acquire it?" Doggie asked.

"Biological testings of course. I made it with a poisonous sap on Troobia, why?"

"Because there's a new outbreak of it, I want to know everything you can recall on the subject"

"Well, I don't know, maybe-" Grumm stopped in midsentence when he saw the glowering look on the Sirian's face. "Uh..well..I made it with the sap, and mixed various chemicals with it to give it that 'suffering' feel to it. When it was done, some of my Krybots injected it into the water supplies on Sirius, and let it go from there" Gruumm stated.

"Water-based?!" Doggie yelled as Grumm smirked.

"Yes, quiet effective, huh Commander? It was amusing you actually found a cure for it, but by then all your water was tainted, and THAT is what led to the defeat of your people. Not my armies, not your lack of sleep, but the poisons. That is what slowly killed your troops in battle, before the drop ships even landed." Doggie hanged his head as he sighed in sorrow, Gruumm cackled lightly.

"Anything else, Doggie?"

"Just one other thing, Dark Venom, who is he?" Doggie asked.

"Dark Venom, he's alive? After all this time, I thought he was dead."

"Who is he?!" Doggie yelled back.

"Well..as you may recall Commander, General Benaag attacked your beloved Earth years ago. To contact him, I went to Earth to speak with Broodwing at Piggy's small, pathetic resturant. To do so, I needed a disguise so your Rangers wouldn't get me. I needed a human disguise, and I lucked out. As soon as I arrived on Earth, I found an adult human male named Ray Talons going to his car. I captured him, and took a sample of his DNA and merged it with my own to transform into an identical twin, so to speak. On board my ship where he remained, he told me he was interested in my power, what I could do. I trained him in the dark arts over the months, and he took the name of Dark Venom. He stayed with me loyally until you and your SPD captured me and destroyed Omni." Gruumm replied.

"He was aboard the Magnificence?" Doggie asked, worry coming over him.

"Yes, but he survived as I did. What can I say, Troobian DNA makes strong warriors. Now, what about me?" Doggie turned to leave the room.

"I said I MIGHT be able to help you. But you've shown me no remorse for what you've done, and for that, you're staying in here." Doggie quickly left the room to rush back to his shuttle and get back to Earth.

"Cruger, Cruger, get back here! We had a deal! Cruger, CRUGER!" Grumm's anger echoed his voice, as it bounced off the walls of the closeted room, just as the guard stepped inside to put the card away in one of the drawers.

[Angelfox]

he he he, awesome...

[Darky]

Thanks. Was that a good twist?

[Angelfox]

yup yup

[Darky]

Yeah, I thought it'd be a good idea to use the human character Rene Naufaru played when Grumm came to Earth in Shadow pt 1, so thanks

[Angelfox]

smart move, i dont think anyone has ever used that character before

[Darky]

"Gold Ranger Power!" Trey yelled aboard his shuttle. Within a split second, the golden light sprayed down on him from the Morphing Grid itself, and transformed him into the Gold Ranger. As he ran outside of his quarters and into the hallway, he noticed three Triforian bodyguards in front of his door, firing at two alien pirates. The pirates dressed in ragged clothes and trench coats, and were two different species. The one on the left was a human, the other was a Nox, tall with green dry scales like an alligator.

"No wait!" Trey yelled, but the guards had just gunned the attackers down.

"We need to keep the blasters on stun. Take them alive so we can find out who sent them, and we can't risk the fact we may hit a fragile computer on board. Lieutenant, take some of your people up to the third decks, I'll cover it here, and Sergeant, call your men up and tell them to head to the first deck and cover the engines. Move out!" The Triforians split up and went to their assigned places. The Gold Ranger ran down the hall, past the twists and turns, ready for anything. Silent, that's all it was, silent.

"Not good" Trey thought. As he walked down the now dim-lit hallway, sparks fell from the flickering lights onto him. Trey approached the small cockpit cabin ahead, from which he heard snickering. As he silently made his way inside, he saw a group of Noxes inside, decimating a Triforian flag over the wall, which proudly displayed the three-barred symbol of his people, which also was the visor of his helmet.

"Gold Rush!" Trey leapt into the room and blasted the small group of pirates, who just laughed as they dissintegrated in a flash of light.

"It was set on stun, what happened?!" Trey yelled.

"Sir, we need your help!" a call came over the comlink on the dashboard. "Mechanizer's back, he's tearing us apart down here!"

"Sergeant, where are you?" Trey yelled back.

"I'm in the engine room, he's slaughtered most of us. I got the doors shut, but he's banging it up pretty good, I need help!"

"I'm on my way!" Trey turned and ran down the second hallway adjoining the cockpit, and ran to the stairwell and jumped down the flight of stairs.

Landing gracefully, Trey got himself together and charged down the hallway, now littered with the bodies of his crew. Gasping and panting, Trey tried to keep his breath calm as he ran to the large solid steel door ahead. True enough, a new Mechanizer was pounding on the door. It grunted and turned around, blasting several plasma balls of energy from its top horn at Trey. The blasts hit, and Trey screamed as he was thrown into another room, blowing apart the hallway. Debris of metal and glass fell onto the Gold Ranger, covering him, as Mechanizer approached, chuckling.

"Remember me, Trey? Remember how much fun we had on Earth all those years ago?!" Mechanizer taunted, stomping on Trey.

Grunting, Trey tried to throw the mechanical monster off him, to no avail.

"Time for me to repay the debt!" Mechanizer's metallic jaws opened up, and he was about to bite Trey, before blue electricity surged over the monster's body. Flailing, Mechanizer fell back, howling in pain and anger. Confused, he knew he couldn't waste any time, and Trey jumped up from the debris.

"Gold Rush!" the three golden spheres hit Mechanizer, disintegrating him into a mere memory. Running up to the door, he opened it with the security clearance code, and the Sergeant fell out, unconscious. As Trey grabbed him, he heard the explosions outside.

"Back up" he whispered.

Indeed, in space, the Astro Megaship Mark 2 began to fly over the pirate vessel.

"Lower your shields and surrender. We will not harm you!" Andros yelled aboard the Megaship, as the other five Space Rangers manned the weapons. Andros stared down the the Nox captain on his view screen, who only smirked.

"It's only the beginning, Rangers! Fire the proton torpedoes!" the captain yelled. As some of the humans began to do so aboard, the computers began to spark and explode. Fire broke out on the pirate bridge, as the crewmen began to scream and run amock on fire.

"TJ, get them out of there!" Andros yelled. As soon as TJ began to push some buttons on the telportation computer, a final horrific scream blared over the Megaship's monitors, as the connection cut off, and the entire Megaship was rocked by the pirate ship's explosion. Minor damage was sustained by the blast. The Rangers looked on in disbelief, what just happened? Shaky, Andros connected to Trey's ship.

"Trey, you hanging in there?"

On board Trey's ship, the Gold Ranger carried the surviving members of his crew to the cockpit,

"Yeah, most of my crew is dead though. What happened out there?"

"Sabotage, it looks like. Someone's covering their tracks."

"Why, have you found anything on Petrofski yet?"

"Nothing, he's still on the run. We got your back, though. We'll escort you back to the Raydon 2, follow us."

And so, the Triforian counsellor ship did just that.

[Angelfox]

Trey always get the worst of it lol

[Darky]

Trey always get the worst of it lol

Worse than Dex? He got stabbed in the gut!

[Darky]

It was two days later after the attack on Trey's ship, and things it seemed were taking a turn for the worse. For one, SPD was now bogged down in the investigation of the pirates and who hired them. Another was the steadfast rise of panic on all worlds. If the UW could attack so easily, what was their ultimate plan? Was it just a game to them?

"And so, I fear Dark Venom is much more dangerous than we realize. If he was aboard the Magnificence at its destruction, even after all of its crew was killed, surely he must be more powerful than we realize." Doggie concluded his statements to the Raydon 2 council.

"And, what about this Noon Virus, Commander?" President Lutler asked.

"That, I fear is multiplying. The cure can help those infected, thanks to Lightspeed and Mr. Collins' help, we can save those who are still alive. But it is in the water supply, still, and that can cause even more panic than what already exists." The room was silenced, as every delegate began to think of a solution.

"Wait a minute," Billy began. Everyone looked up to the Ranger booth above, as Billy stood up from his recliner. "Years ago I headed for Aquitar to work out a peace treaty with the Hydro Contaminators, and now they are one of our best allies. What if we got them to service the water treatment facilities on Earth, and have them provide some of their new chemicals that keep them fresh? That may be able to draw the poison out and than we can contain it with the help of the Alien Rangers."

The delegates murmured with each other in delight. A solution to one problem had finally arisen.

"Alien Rangers, do you think you'd be able to get the Hydro Contaminators to help us?" Lutler asked.

"It will be easy, Mr. President, as Billy pointed out, they have become great allies. They were able to help fend off Prince Gasket's armies a few months ago with great success." Delphine stated.

"Get to it then, please. We need this cure ASAP." Lutler finished, as Delphine nodded before teleporting away to her homeworld to gather the Hydro Contaminators.

"And now for the other point of business on our agenda today, the recent attack on the Gold Ranger, and his guards. An attack on a counsellor ship. I have heard from many of you how worried each of you are about this recent development. I can assure you, SPD is doing their best, and I want to thank you Commander Cruger for steping up to the plate."

"It's my honor, sir." Doggie said, bowing with respect. Lutler nodded as he continued,

"That is why this is of deepest regret to me. With request from several of my associates...I have decided to reintroduce the Enhanced Security Act, and pass it with my own approval. With this, the police will be able to search any home, business, any vehicle in the member GSA worlds. Schools all over each world will now be all merged into the new program called the Sub-Age Groups, to train all children in the ways of our government and to fight for us. Security cameras will hearby be in place all over the Raydon 2, all homes owned by council members, WITHOUT interference from the owners. And to prevent the further threat of another Noon Virus, or assault on one of our own, all aliens from member or conquered UW worlds will be immediatly be deported back after background checks are done, along with the development of our own Elites from the captured ones we took from Rubaga with the help of Tommy Oliver. Now, if no one objects..."

"I object!" Billy stood back up. Lutler growled lightly, and as his Secretary of State, Neil Jackson began to step forward to hush the Blue Ranger, Lutler put his hand up to allow the Ranger to speak.

"What you are proposing, Mr. President, is the blatant violation of the civil rights that all of us agreed on decades ago. Even before that, it violates the Human Rights Act of the UN. These are the rights of the people, the people who VOTED for YOU. I've stayed silent long enough, but I can't be anymore. You've taken away too many rights, Lutler, too many problems. Now I understand how you, and so many in here are afraid. But we must not throw away everything the GSA has built to succumb to it. We can't live in fear and act in anger, or it will destroy us. If we do this now, if we continue, we will be no better than the United Worlds, and they will win. We cannot destroy ourselves. The very idea that we can even send people, who were thrown out of their homes and off their worlds and came here to live, back to the hellhole that evicted them, is entirely against this noble council and its original purpose. We know this. We can't do this anymore, not everyone is trying to kill us, Mr. President, Alan, you MUST see this!"

Murmurs of agreement and disagreement stirred the silence that Billy interrupted.

"While I respect your opinion, Mr. Cranston, remember, the council here has voted me the overruling power, and I believe this is necessary. It is only for the time being, as soon as Dark Venom, Petrofski and Braska are in SPD's cards, this will be over." Cheers erupted from the committee, as Billy fell back into his seat, overcome with grief. It was all over.

An hour later after the meeting, the delegates were leaving for their shuttles. As the Rangers all spoke with each other, they could hear the whispers of certain delegates walking by accusing them of treason.

"I want to thank you for that passionate speech you gave in there earlier, Billy." Lutler said as he approached the Rangers. His guards flanked him, emotionless faces, as Jackson glared out of his beady eyes at the Rangers. "It's good to know that when the occassion arises, people can still stand strong. We'll talk some more later, however, I've got to get back home." Lutler left the enraged Rangers, goons in tow behind him. After they left, Tommy clapped his hands to get his comrades' attention.

"Ok, we don't have much choice, so we know what to do now. It's time for action."

[Angelfox]

This guy reminds me so much of Darth Sidious it aint funny, there becoming the very thing they would destroy.....

[Darky]

Well Sidious was based off of Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, various other tyrants that used fear to turn a democracy into a police state. That's why I gave Billy that quote earlier. Then there was Wes' quote at the end of the second part about good and evil. I've already established Venom is another man, so Lutler is NOT involved with them. Is Billy right, is it fear? Is it pride, or is it arrogance?

[Darky]

It was a week later after the new act was made into law. Since then, many protests turned riots have broken out on GSA worlds, Earth especially. Anti-Lutler campaigns were becoming just as common in the streets and on TV as the pro-Lutler campaigns. Civil rights groups, aliens, poor people, humble people, rich good people, all protested Lutler's tactics. Many on TV claimed he was insane. Never before had an American president been surrounded by so much controversy in their first year.

The Secretary of Defense, Rick Nolan, went on TV for a press conference, and even stated those who opposed Lutler were giving comfort to the enemy and were like the appeasement of the Nazis. This of course drew more fire from opponents, especially in other countries, all the while they were deemed UW fighters themselves, and were monitored deeply, like a cheetah eyeing an antelope.

Later in the second week, Billy drove his blue Chevrolet with Bridge and Devin in it to the South Side Docks, where he knew Lutler was going to be giving a rally. As he pulled up, Billy got a sinking feeling in his gut. Something was wrong. He kept it in mind for later to watch out. As they got out, it was early evening. The sky a dark blue, as the sun set.

"You sure about this?" Billy asked as he got his tape recorder.

"Positive. You said it yourself, the way to solve a problem is with education. The people need to be educated further in the problems Lutler is causing." Devin said.

"Alright, it's down this way" Billy pointed down a rocky trail leading into the woods. As the three men slowly walked down the trail to the docks, they heard the chanting of the people nearby. Coming upon the docks, they saw the entire gallery filled with people. People of all ages, men and women. They were cheering as Lutler stood on the stage, ranting, his eyes alit like fire. Veins pulsing from his neck like powerful engine hoses. Billy motioned for them to duck into the underwood brush, as he turned on his tape recorder, and Devin began filming.

"Tonight, I know I need not assure you of the dangers in front of us. We are surrounded by enemies from space who wish us harm...but also people here among us. Yes...our own neighbors, your coworkers, those who protest my actions on TV and in the streets. They know nothing!" Lutler yelled, and the people screamed with delight.

"People call me insane, is it insane to envision a new world? A world, where the loyal humans dominate, and not cowardly, false idealists are the people in charge?! I ask you, is it right for our troops to fight and for me to be deemed insane? NO!" The people roar as they stood and applauded their hero.

"I tell you this, they are our ENEMIES! They are the real threat, not the United Worlds, not General Petrofski, not even this Dark Venom the media has made up to make you afraid. Friends, I tell you, it is the businesses that refuse to accept our new laws. The new laws, designed to protect YOU! Why? Because they want you DEAD! Now who do I speak of? The news companies that complain of my deeds, they reported things like my new laws, though they were top secret! That's treason! But I have people nagging me at all meetings telling me not to abuse my power? How am I? I swore to protect you, how is that harmful? If anything, they are the abusers of power, using their fame to print lies to defame me. ME!" The people roar like lions.

"Now who do I really speak of? I speak of the so called, 'patriots', who want me out of office. I speak of the cowardly ACLU and Geneva Convention and Galactic Constitution ass-kissers! But most of all, I blame the ones who truely hold the power in our medias, in our businesses...the Jews and Catholics! The religious people who tell me what I can and cannot do! But by God, they will see punishment for their treason! We will destroy them all! We will triumph! We will triumph! We will triumph!" The people continued the chanting, as Billy, Bridge and Devin watched in horror.

"Strange," Bridge began, "after thousands of years, my religion is still the target of criticism and hate."

"It's like the freakin Nazis down there!" Devin whispered aloud.

"We better get back, Devin be ready to show that tomorrow night. I gotta check in with the other Rangers first." Billy said, as he led the group back up the trail, the chantings continuing into the night.

Hours later, Billy arrived at Tommy's large house. As he walked inside, he saw dozens of volunteers on the phone, speaking with various people all over the world. As he looked on, he saw Jason, who smiled and waved him over.

"Hey Billy, what's up?"

"A lot. I just caught Lutler giving a hate-filled speech to a bunch of idiots down at the docks. How's the petitioning going?"

"Not so good. You'd think people would care, but most don't. I've had people cuss me out, calling me a traitor for even THINKING of defying Lutler. It's bad, we've only gotten 6,000 complete petitions from the US, most are done from other countries who want Lutler impeached."

"How can't people care, what about what he's doing?"

"Blind stupidity, most are angry because we interrupted their TV time."

"Fuck that, most people out there can't even watch TV, let alone enjoy their lives because Dark Venom's goons are hounding them!"

"And I agree bro, but that's the truth. 6000 isn't much of a petition, Lutler will just laugh it off."

"That ain't all he'll do." Billy said, looking on at the frustrated callers.
----

Ok, for the record, I do not condone the hate of religions, Judaism and Catholicism especially. So for those who may feel that way, I do apologize, but I am trying to make this as realistic as possible, and a hate monger does normally focus all his hate on a few select groups for no reason. This is just as I said, fiction, and a comparison to Sidious, Hitler, and Lutler.

[Angelfox]

i can see where you would be concerned..just be careful of the line your walkin when it comes to race and religion...this is a good fic and i'd hate to see you go down for flaming or racism or anything like that....

[Darky]

Well that's the only chapter that deals with religion in and of itself. This was pretty much to establish the continuing descent Lutler is taking into insanity

[Darky]

Devin walked into his office at the Reefside Bugle days later. Ever since his witnessing of the rally, he's been printing most of the criticisms of Lutler and his policies, and becoming the target of harassing phone calls day and night.

"Devin, my office!" his boss, Mr. Hemming yelled as Devin put his stuff on his desk. Devin complied and quickly walked in, as Hemming shut the door.

"I need you to stop printing this crap about Lutler, now. No more." Devin's mouth dropped. How can he when Lutler is committing illegal acts against the people and giving hate rallies?

"Why sir?"

"I've been getting too many phone calls from Lutler's goons telling us we need to stop, that this is a time of war, blah blah blah." Mr Hemming's soft brown eyes met Devin's, as he lowered his voice to a whisper.

"Look, I like you DelValle. You seem like a good guy, you got a talent for this job, and hell you just got married. I don't want them coming after you for being a UW spy or something." Devin nodded as he looked away, not able to look his boss in the eye.

"I understand"

"I'm sorry, Devin. You can go now, there's a car crash on the highway I want you to cover now."
-----
In the farthest end of the Crula Galaxy, the Astro Megaship Mark 2 was engaging General Petrofski's warship, the Vengeance. The alarms on the Vengeance's ship blared, signifying the amount of damage done to the hull of the ship. Violently shaking, Petrofski remained in his command chair, strapped in, as his crew tried desperately to stablize the ship.

"Fire again!" Andros yelled, and Cassie fired two proton torpedoes at the ruthless general. Hitting the upper side of the bridge, Petrofski yelled out in surprise as he was thrown out of his chair. Computer consoles began to explode greatly, raining sparks down all over the bridge. It was over for Petrofski, finally.

"Stablize the engines, we need to retreat!" Petrofski yelled.

"Engines will take a few moments, General", one of the engineers said over the comlink.

"We don't have a few moments! Those Rangers are about to kill us!"

"Fire!" Andros yelled again, Petrofski wasn't escaping this time, he guaranteed it. One proton torpedo hit the underside of the ship, knocking out parts of the engines, power cells exploding and raining chemicals and fuel down on the engineers, who ran to avoid the chaos.

"Sir, I found something that may distract them!" one of Petrofski's men on the bridge said, new hope arising in him. As the general leapt up from the floor, blood pouring down his face as he did, he lumbered over to what his officer said, as he pointed on the screen.

"Nicely done, fire at it!" The Venegance turned to the left a little, as it fired one proton torpedo out at an angeled projectory.

"What is he doing?" Ashley asked.

The Rangers watched in horror, not knowing what's happening. Just then, they saw the torpedo hit, a small refugee freighter from Earth was passing by through hyperspace when it got hit. Jolted out of its speed, it stopped, as flames broke out all over its hull.

"Goodbye Rangers, have fun!" Petrofski yelled over the view screen as the Vengeance sped off into hyperspace.

"Carlos, get them out of there! Cassie, Alpha, go get the med bay ready for when Carlos teleports them to us." Andros yelled. Cassie and Alpha quickly hopped onto the elevator, as Carlos began pushing buttons.

"Andros!" Ashley yelled, as Andros turned around to the view screen, he saw the freighter explode. Silence filled the bridge. Looking to Carlos, the other Rangers needed to hear it.

"I got 67....out of 458" Carlos said, he eyes narrowed, sorrow written over his face. The other Rangers sighed and hanged their heads, as Andros fell into his seat, covering his face. It was too much like KO-35, the evacuation, the pursuit by Dark Specter's goons. He knew what those people felt. They lost their homes when it started, than betrayed by the very officials who took them in. Now they were murdered by one of the men who started it all.

"Rest in Peace, my friends. I may not have known you, but I did know you very well." Andros said as he covered his eyes to hide the tears.

[Angelfox]

Shits gettin heated now....hee hee hee

[Darky]

Angel Grove hasn't changed much. The Juice Bar was still there, with the Surf Spot as well. The park remained clean with the help of Angel Grove High. It was another normal day as people went about, doing their normal things. All of a sudden, black clouds filled the bright blue sky, red lightning filling the air. The people began to run for cover, knowing this from decades before. All of a sudden, the clouds parted, and UW drop ships, Gear Ships, V-Wingers, Quadrafighters and Juggernaughts filled the skies. Monsters from the past, such as Centiback, Shrinkasect, Wolfbanes, and other monsters teleported to the surface, and started running after the frightened citizens.

Alarms rung throughout the SPD base, as officers ran about trying to prepare.

"Kat, contact all available Rangers, have them meet me in Angel Grove!" Doggie yelled as he teleported away, morphing just before he did. Moments later, he arrived in downtown Angel Grove, which was now in ruins again. Fires lit the sidewalks, as buildings had been blown apart by the attacking ships in the skies. As the Shadow Ranger landed on the ground, the White Terrorsaurus charged and jumped the Shadow Ranger.

"Dinner!" Doggie unsheathed the Shadow Saber and slashed the beast, sparks coming from the Terrorsaurus' wound, as it flipped back onto the ground. He looked up just in time to see the SWAT Fliers take the skies with an army of GSA fighters.

On board the lead Gear Ship, Prince Gasket and Archerina looked out with amusement, Archerina giggling like a school girl.

"Look at them, darling. Fighting so hard to protect a world that doesn't even deserve to live", Archerina stated as she patted Gasket on his shoulder.

"It is entertaining, I admit. Captain, when shall we reach the deserts?"

"One hour, Your Majesty." the captain responded.

"Good, than Earth will shall soon see the full wrath of the Machine Empire!" Gasket yelled.

On the surface, Doggie charged his sword and ran at an army of Elites and monsters. Just then, two blasts came over his head, causing Doggie to duck. Spinning around, he saw just in time his help arrived. The Zeo Rangers, the Phantom Ranger, Ninjor and Auric ran up to help Doggie, weapons raised.

"Need some help?" Tommy asked.

"Gladly!" Doggie responded, and so the allies ran to attack the invaders, blasts firing back and forth over the destroyed streets.

"SWAT Megazord formation!" Sky yelled, as he pressed some buttons, and the SWAT Fliers came together as the Megazord, it flew its thrusters towards two drop ships that were coming their direction.

The drop ships began firing all weapons, as the Megazord batted the blasts away with its sword. Flying at full speed, the SWAT Megazord flew past both drop ships, slashing away at them as they did so, causing them to crash into each other and explode. A specialized GSA fighter piloted by Jack led a handful of fighters to an incoming Juggenaught, flying past the Megazord.

"Guys, I need your help to cover the turrets so we can take down the shields!" Jack yelled over his communicator.

"Gotcha, Jack!" Sky responded. As the SWAT Megazord pulled up alongside the fighters, they flew towards one of the Juggernaughts, leaving the atmosphere and heading into the orbits of space, where all hell has broken loose. Battleships on both sides are exploding, as they fly next to each other to fire their cannons like the Spanish galleons. The first Juggernaught in their path began firing all weapons at the incoming Megazord, as it batted away the blasts, shaking as it did so.

"Shields holding at 78%!" Will yelled.

"We'll make it!" Sky yelled back.

As it flew overhead to draw attention, some of the turrets stayed on Jack and his squad, as they flew below to hit the shield transmitter.

"Megazord formation!" Jack yelled, as his fighter extended, the legs coming from the underbelly of his fighter. The cockpit becoming the head, as arms extended out of small portholes by the wings.

"Shuttlezord Complete!" Jack yelled, as he hit the thrusters, causing all the power to charge up into the thrusters, it became as bright as a fireball, ad the Shuttlezord flew at the shield transmitter, barreling right through it, causing it to explode, taking out the back half of the Juggernaught. Crewmen flew out into space screaming, just before their shields went back online. As it sparked, the GSA fighters swarmed the bridge, dropping bombs and making it implode upon itself within seconds. One down, a lot more to go.

"Zig-tuah!" Tommy yelled as he jump kicked Angor right in the head, sending the mutant backwards.

"RIC!" Doggie yelled for his robotic companion, and the robotic dog teleported in front of him. "Zeo Rangers, help me hold him up, Go RIC!" Doggie threw the metal bone up into the air, as RIC transformed into cannon mode, the Zeo Rangers holding him steady.

"Fire!" they all screamed, as the multiple blasts flew at a small group of NS monsters running their way. The blasts hit the demonic ninjas, fire and smoke rising up from the shots behind them, sending the monsters into the air. Arms flailing, howling in pain, it was over for that group as they landed and exploded.

"Back to the Shadow World for them" Adam yelled.

[Angelfox]

hee hee hee....lots of suprises, why would the machine empire go to the desert????

[Darky]

As a small army of Cogs advance on the Rangers, they steady their weapons, just then, shots rain down from the skies above. Looking up, the Rangers all see the Space Rangers arriving on their Galaxy Gliders, followed by Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster.

"Hey guys, we too late to join the party?" TJ asked as they dropped off the Gliders.

"No, just in time!" Auric responded. In orbit, Zhane pilots the Mgea Winger along the hull of the GSA flagship, the Integrity.

"Stay in attack formation, follow my moves and protect the flagship!" Zhane yelled.

"Yes, Sir" the commanding pilot replied.

The Mega Winger transformed into zord mode, and flew alongside the other two Megazords into battle.

"Guys, I've analyzed the battle readouts, it looks like their command ship is dead ahead, but it's too big and powerful for our zords. We need to split up and go inside of it and destroy the central core. I'm uploading everything to you guys now" Zhane said.

As he did so, the other six Rangers got the readout. The hull of the Super Juggernaught ahead was built like a large city on top of the actual ship itself. Part of the central core was built on top of the city structure, while the reserve was inside, deep in the chambers.

"He's right, we'll have to split up" Sky said.

"Ok Sky. Will you come with me on the inside, the rest of you stay out here and cover our buddies. When we give the word, we'll have destroyed the inside reactor so you can take out the outer one. Jack, your zord is the smallest and fastest, you stay in charge out here" Zhane said.

"Copy that, Silver Ranger!" Jack said with a light chuckle.

Hitting the thrusters, Zhane sped towards the Super Juggernaught, turning back into Shuttle mode, as the SWAT Megazord separated. Speeding to catch up, Sky and Will followed the Silver Ranger, ducking and diving enemy blasts and incoming V-Wingers. As they got close to the Super Juggernaught, turrets on the side rim activated and began firing heavily at the Rangers. As they neared, one shot clipped the left wing of the Mgea Winger, shaking it.

"You ok up there?" Will yelled.

"I'm hit, but not bad. They can fix it after I send them the bill." Zhane quipped. Flying towards the hangar, Zhane fired several shots from the cannons of the Mega Winger's underside, the blasts hitting the two major turrets and destroying them, as it flew inside the enrgy field and into the hangar bay, followed by the other two Rangers. Leaping out, the Rangers landed on their feet and looked around, and saw Elites storm into the hangar after them.

"Let's take these fools," Sky yelled.

"Super Silveriser!" Zhane slashes his famous weapon, taking down three Elites, who surge with energy before falling over.

"Delta Blasters!" Will pulled out both blasters and ran at the incoming wave of Elites, shooting down each like a pro. Running past each one through the wave, all the other Rangers saw was Will running past each one and the one he passed a split second before shake from the sparks breaking up their chests and falling.

"Saber Mode!" Sky leapt at the last wave coming in from the left end of the hangar. Coming down from the air, Sky brought the saber down on the small squad of Elites, destroying each one in a blaze of fire before they even had a chance to attack. Within seconds, the hangar was empty again, and Zhane began to punch up the coordinates to the central core from a computer on the wall by the right door.

"It's four decks beneath us, let's get going!" Zhane ordered.

[Angelfox]

let the fun begin

[Darky]

"Quadro Blaster Online!" Carlos and the other three Rangers combined their weapons, as Andros got the Spiral Saber's Booster Mode ready.

"Fire!" They all fired simultaneously at a group of Cogs, the blast ripping them apart and destroying them before they even hit the ground. A wave of UW troopers run up in their place, firing M-16 style blasters. The blasts hit the Space Rangers, knocking them down in a blaze of fire and smoke. Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster than sped up and drove past the downed Space Rangers as they grunted and tried to get up. The UW troopers continue firing, as the two sentient cars drive towards them, as they both then open fire from the small cannons on each one. The UW troopers all fly in separate directions in a way that would make Superman jealous, as the blasts lit them on fire.

"Phantom, shall we?" Doggie asked as they were being surrounded by Elites. the Phantom nodded,

"We shall" Phantom Ranger answered.

Leaping in different directions, the Phantom's blaster rifle materialized in his hand as he came down on the group of grunting zombie-like cyborgs. Blasting the powerful automatic blaster, round after round disspersed the Elites blew apart into pieces and fell. As he landed, he rolled, and shot more shots at advancing Elites, killing them before they got him. Jumping up onto one knee, an Elite ran to his left side and swung its weapon-arm, only as the Phantom ducked down to the ground, and shot the Elite in the stomach, sending it flying 50 feet backwards and into a pile of debris from a nearby building.

"Shadow Saber!" Doggie slamed the sword into the ground, lightning shooting all around him, as he shook his head. The incoming twelve Elites stopped as the ground shook, and cracked open. Before they could do anything, they fell into the widening cracks and into the Earth's surface, just as it shut again.

"Zeo 5 Power Kick!" Tommy leapt into the air as red lightning surged his body as he kicked the White Terrorsaurus, knocking it back.

"You're dead!" The Terrorsaurus yelled back, it than charged the Zeo Rangers.

"Zeo 2 Double Clubs!" Tanya's weapons appeared, as she spun around, causing yellow energy to swirl all about her like a tornado. Before Terrorsaurus had any time to think, the attack hit him full on, knocking him stright down.

"Zeo 1 Power Disc!" Kat began to do the same attack, she flew at the mutant with her Zeo disc, the blasts cutting him on all sides, sparks flying all over the Terrorsaurus.

"Let's end this, guys!" Rocky yelled.

"Right, Zeo Cannon!" the Zeo Rangers exclaimed. The Rangers grabbed ahold of the Zeo Cannon as it teleported in front of them. Loading it up with their crystals, they aimed it at the charging Terrorsaurus.

"Back to the cemetary for you, fire!" Tommy said.

The Rangers were sent back a step from the powerful blast. Five balls of energy, one of each color was unloaded, before combining into one massive fireball that then hit the Terrorsaurus. Before he could scream, the blast went right through him, shredding him down to small pieces of light that then shot in every direction.

"You'll pay for that!" The Rangers turned and saw the Wolfbanes, Centiback and Shrinkasect.

"Fire again!" Tommy yelled. The blasts disspersed, and became one, as it hit all five monsters, causing them to spark before becoming limp and falling in diferent directions, exploding as they hit the ground.

"When do they learn?" Rocky asked.

In orbit, Jack led the defense of the Integrity. There were three GSA battleships left, and the Super Juggernaught.

"Bridge, you and Syd lead them away from the Integrity, and try to draw as many of them away as you can. Z, help me defend it from who's left. Divide and conquer!" Bridge and Syd complied with their order, and followed a group of Allied fighters away from the Integrity, leading a group of V-Wingers and Quadrafighters away.

"Come on guys, hit that reactor!" Jack thought to himself.

[Darky]

Climbing down the ladder in the air vents, Zhane, Will and Sky climbed down to the next level, which they hoped had the reactor on its floor. It wasn't long after they started to leave the hangar that they were being chased by Cogs, Sickles, monsters, troopers, just about everybody on board. The battleship had been put on high alert for the Ranger intruders.

Dropping down to the floor, Zhane was the first, followed by Will and Sky. As they looked around, they noticed they were in a small room filled with repair equipment. Scanning with his helmet visor's x-vision, Zhane looked around, and saw the door in the shadows in the far right corner. Zhane pointed, and the two Rangers followed quietly, not wanting anyone to hear. They walked to it, it was a small door in the wall, only one could go in at a time, much like the doors on a submarine. As they walked through, they came onto a large catwalk that extended all the way around the room, with ladders leading down into the depths. The large energy reactor was in the middle, glowing blue light.

"Got it, let's set up the detonators", Zhane remarked.

The other Rangers reached into their belts and pulled out the small golf ball-sized bombs. Three each.

"Ok, I'll take the upper level, Will you take the middle,Sky you take the bottom" Zhane stated, and as each Ranger began to head for the ladders, a laser blast shot the floor at their feet, making them jump.

"Don't even think about it, Rangers", Jacob Russel said with a stern authority to his voice, wearing a long black trenchcoat while pointing the blaster at the Rangers.

"Sky, take my bombs and get them ready, I'll hold him off" Will whispered. Sky gave a small nod as Will handed his bombs to Sky quickly before jumping at the corporate tycoon.

cue Battle Of The Heroes

"Hurry up, Sky!" Zhane yelled as he ran up the ladder to the upper deck. Will swung at Russel, who ducked and shot a blast at the Green Ranger at point-blank-range. Flying backwards, Will landed on his face, but jumped up. It wasn't over, Russel was his now.

"Saber Mode!" Will activated his Delta Blaster to saber mode, and jumped at the tyrant, who merely laughed before disappearing.

"What...where'd he go?! How'd he do that?" Will yelled. Just then, Russel appeared behind Will, slashing him down with an axe. As Will fell forward, he turned around and saw it-a pendant around Russel's neck.

"Nightmares can be a good thing. Just a gift from Petrofski a few weeks ago for me helping him." Russel kicked the downed Ranger.

"You see, when you screwed me, you screwed him over by nearly costing him a valuable client and weapon dealer" Russel yelled as he started to stomp Will's head. Dazed, Will was trying to get his head together, but with every effort Russel knocked him down some more.

"So, I had to protect myself, by killing you!" Another stomp.

"It was so good planned out, I almost killed you, but my boys were a little late and only got that bitch you called a wife and your brat kids!" Russel kicked the Green Ranger again, and now the fire was beginning to burn.

"They told me they screamed like stuck pigs...I hope you can too!" Russel stated with a deviant smile coming across his face as he lifted Will up by the throat.

"Yeah....and I hope you can fly!" Will butted his head into Russel's, causing no damage to Will, his Ranger helmet doing the work. Russel's forehead busted open and began to bleed profoundly as he dropped Will.

"I got mine, how's yours Sky? Zhane yelled down the ladder.

"Only two more!" Sky yelled back. Regaining himself, Russel wiped the blood from his head, and looked at the Green SPD Ranger before him. He opened his mouth to yell as he began to charge, but Will met him first, kicking him in the gut, and sending the tycoon and murderer backwards over the guardrail and down the pits into the very bottom of the energy pool that powered the generator. Will ran over and looked down, seeing Russel scream as he fell down....down.....down the depths into the blue light, becoming a dot in Will's eyesight, just before disappearing, his screams faded out.

"Got them, let's go!" Sky yelled as he ran up the ladder to Will and Zhane, who came back down from his platform. The trio began to run out of the room and up the ladder through the air vents to the hangar bay area.

"Damn Will, you knocked him out!" Zhane said with a chuckle as they still ran.

"Self-defense" Will replied. As they climbed out into the hangars, the detonators went off, blasting the power cells of the inner reactor apart. The fire ripping apart all the surrounding structures.

"Come on, let's go!" Will yelled to his teammates. They quickly boarded their respective SWAT Fliers, and Zhane to his Mega Winger, and they flew out of the hangar bay, past the energy beam.

"We got it, guys, blast it to pieces!" Will yelled over his comlink.

"Let's take them down! All fighters follow me!" Jack yelled as he gunned the Shuttlezord in its direction.

cue SPD Theme

The Shuttlezord spun with its sword out dodging blasts, as the SWAT Fliers rejoined into the Megazord, as the Mega Winger took back into zord mode. Storming towards the reactor in the city-like structure, turrets went off all around them, but the Shuttlezord kept going.

"Locked onto defense turret, sector 1!" the pilot commander yelled as his team flew up to help.

"Do it, Commander!" Syd replied. The GSA fighters fired all torpedoes and missiles at the first sector of turrets, clearing the path for the Shuttlezord as the explosions went off all around the SPD Gold Ranger.

"Taking out 2-4!" Sky said, the SWAT Megazord powering up its laser cannons and firing at the defense grid.

"My turn!" Zhane yelled back, the large Wing Guns going into the Mega Winger's hands.

"Yee-ha!" Zhane cheered, firing at the last group of turrets. With the outer core now visible, Jack charged up the Shuttlezord's saber and roared to it, slashing it apart, the explosions rocking the entire Super Juggernaught.

"Let's go, we need to get away from here!" Jack said.

The GSA fighters and the Rangers all flew away back to Earth, as the fires broke out all over the ship. The city on top began to cave in on itself, fire consuming it as it dropped into the inside bowels of the ship. Within moments, it finally erupted into a massive firework display that could be seen the world over.

[Angelfox]

gonna be away for a month..wont be able to post comments here, but i will still get emails when you update, i'll give ya a big kudos when i get back ok...hope to see more sooon

[Darky]

It's ok, I'll be leaving for a week this Saturday and won't be back till next Saturday, but I should be able to do some more soon. Have fun :)

[Matt Lawless]

Oh my god this is one of if not THE most exciting fanfic I've ever read.

[Darky]

Thanks for the compliment. Well I'm back from my trip, so I am starting again, and I've got some new ideas.
----
Hours later, the moon of Jupiter, known as Titan was in full on battle. The home of the deceased UA general, Goldar, was alight in the night, as the underground caverns that led into the main city had been breached by the retreating invasion force from Earth. They may have failed to take Earth, but they could at least try to establish a foot hold in the solar system. The Blue Senturions and Mystic Force Rangers led a counter-assault with the help of GSA troops and SPD officers. The aerial assault defenses of the caverns had been decimated by the attack, and now with Cogs and Elites storming down the runways of the caves to the city, the GSA was trying to hold its ground. Titanian GSA troops stood back in trenches, firing plasma rifles at the advancing Cogs, but with each one shot down, another would run up and take its place.

"Fire Heart!" Nick yelled as he jumped into the air and leapt over the trench. With the armor solidifying on the Red Ranger, Nick landed and charged the Cogs, as the other MF Rangers followed in Legend Mode.

"Crossbow Mode!" Chip unleashed his Magi Staff and fired several shots at the ceiling of the caves, destroying parts of it as chunks of debris fell down upon the invasion force.

With them distracted, Xander unsheathed his Magi Ax, and charged with Nick towards a group of advancing Elites. Slashes, cuts, fire blasts, the Rangers were quickly taking down the intruders.

"They got them, troops, fire at will, I repeat, fire at will and send those things back to Gasket in pieces!" the Titanian commander yelled. As the Rangers leapt into the air in a flash of light, the GSA troops opened fire on the remaining stunned invaders, taking them down in a blaze of sparks and fire.
---
In the Dark Galaxy, the Aquitian Rangers were in a meeting on the beach of the capital world of the galaxy with the galaxy's king, Axel. A large, ten-foot moth-like creature, King Axel was the son of the last king who ruled before the Dark Galaxy had been taken over by Lord Zedd. When news came that the United Worlds was coming for them next, the Aquitian Rangers quickly left to help out their old friends. As the Vampiranoids, Moth people, and other species gather together supplies for the battle ahead, Cestro pulled King Axel to the side with the other Rangers.

"Your Highness, this might not be the best place for you to be. You should probably let us take care of this and get to safety with your people in the safety zones", King Axel nodded as he patted the Blue Ranger on his shoulder with an understanding look in his eyes.

"My friend, I understand your concern, but my place is with my people here. My friends will take over should I die. My parents were hidden when Zedd took over, but he still managed to kill them. I have the burning passion to help, how can I do that if I hide? We suffered badly under Zedd, you know this, now it is my turn to fight back and prevent the same horrors from coming back" The Aquitians looked to Delphine for advice, who only nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Your Highness. If that is your wish", Cestro pointed out as he turned to leave with the other Rangers.

"May the Power protect you!" King Axel yelled to his old friends as he went with some troops to a nearby hill with two cannons set up.

"And may it protect you as well, my old friend" Cestro replied, a look of uncertainty and worry in the Ranger's eyes reflected the worries of all the Rangers.

"Here they come!" an Owler yelled as he looked out of his binoculars in the watch tower.

"Places, everyone!" King Axel yelled. Within moments, boats rode up on the shore, as the GSA troops stood up and howled their battlecry with a fierce emotion.

"Aquitar Ranger Power!" The Aquitians quickly morphed and led the troops to the waters, as the boats began unloading Elites and UW troopers.

On the high cliffs above, a dozen Owlers began to fly off in the direction of the invasion force, and as they did, ropes with large boulders tied up into them began to follow, being held by the talons of the aliens. As they flew overhead to the boats, the auto-turrets activated, firing at the advancing Owlers. Screaming a horrific cry of pain, two Owlers are shot down and fall to the battle below, as troops on both sides scatter, just as the bodies crash into the sands. Undeterred, but now more determined, the remaining Owlers went on, dodging blasts, just as they began to drop the ropes, the boulders falling down on the small fleet of UW boats below, smashing into the hulls and ripping them to shreds, as UW personnel jump overboard as the boats begin to sink, as various parts explode. With the boats now sinking, the Owlers in the back flew forward, and began to drop their boulders on the UW troopers running to the beach, splashing and crushing troopers and knocking them in every direction.

Jumping in the air, Tideus and Aurico began to attack the See Monster and Plug Org, as Delphine led the others to attack Mad Magnet, Goldwinger and Fossiliador. Lifting up Aurico, Aurico extended his sword as he was thrown at the monsters, slashing them both. Charging up his sword, Cestro swung at Mad Magnet, who tried to block, but failed as the Blue Ranger chopped off the monster's magnetic horns. Roaring, Mad Magnet threw his arms around trying to ignore the pain, as he knocked Corcus down and began to stomp him. As Mad Magnet yelled at the downed Ranger, a blast came from afar, hitting the Mad Magnet, and sent him over Cestro, destroying him as he hit the sands and exploded. As he looked up, he saw King Axel on the nearby hills manning the cannons, as he waved to the Aquitian.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Cestro hollered back. Grabbing See Monster by the flaps of his coat, Tideus lifted the monster up, and spun around just before throwing him to Aurico, who fired several rounds from his blaster, destroying the mutant in mid-air.

"I grow tired of these games!" Plug Org announced, as he, Goldwinger and Fossilador grew to zord size. The monsters than began to advance on the GSA stronghold, as the GSA troops began to retreat for cover, followed by UW troopers.

"Powers of Water, powers of Light, powers unite!" the Aquitians thrusted their hands to the sky, as the Battle Borgs materialized in front of the three monsters. Plug Org got into a defensive position as he led the other two monsters to attack the Battle Borgs. The Red Borg pulled out its shuriken, and threw it at the advancing monsters, just before Goldwinger caught it. "Give up, Rangers!" Goldwinger yelled as he threw it back at the Battle Borgs, each one getting hit by their own weapon. Fossilador cocked his head back before spitting a jet of fire at the Battle Borgs, who doged it. As Fossilador focused his assault on the Yellow Borg, the other four jumped the mutant from all sides, who only pushed them off of him.

"Guys, I've got a plan", Tideus began as the other Rangers huddled around him on the ground. "Let Fossilador come after my Borg while you two get Plug Org to get near the bone-head. Then when they're ready, I'll take them."

"How?" Corcus responded.

"Leave that to me, fire and electricity don't go together well with water, do they?" Aurico replied.

The other Aquitian Rangers telepathically led the Borgs to attack Plug Org, hitting him, just before they turned away. Frustrated, the Org charged after them, just in time to see them run past Fossilador, who was still shooting at the Yellow Borg, which had gotten into the water. Putting its hands up, the Yellow Borg concentrated the water around him into a jet stream, and launched it at Fossilador, putting out the flames he spit along the way. Before he could stop, the water shot down its throat, lighting him up. Sparks flew from the mutant as it fell into Plug Org, some of the sparks hit the plug on his hands, lighting both up, just before they both exploded in a massive blast.

With Goldwinger stunned at the downfall of his comrades, Aurico sent the Red Borg running at the last monster.

"This is for using my own weapon!" Aurico yelled, as the Red Borg slashed apart Goldwinger with the shuriken, destroying his wings. Going past him, the Battle Borgs turned their backs away from Goldwinger, as he gave one last sigh before collapsing to the ground and exploding.

[Matt Lawless]

Good.....real good.

[Darky]

The Rangers that were not away were gathered in their booth getting ready for the next meeting aboard the Raydon 2. This was it, this was the day they were going to present the petition to Alan Lutler to end his changes. As they were putting the final touches on themselves and gathering their notes, Billy ran into the booth with a terrified look on his face.

"Guys, have you seen Elmar?"

"The Titanian representative?" Carter asked.

"Yeah, he was going to speak to Lutler with us, he was going to be the rallying politician for our side, but he's gone! The invasion on Titan already ended days ago and he was fine!"

"Whoa, slow down, maybe he's just gotten a little behind today", Tommy said.

"Yeah, you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" Kat said with a light smirk as Tommy gave her a sarcastic look.

"I don't think so, I spoke with him earlier today over the phone, and he said he'd be....the phone. They tapped the phones a few months ago, didn't they?" Billy asked, as the other Rangers looked to each other and then around with a nervous look.

"You think Lutler knows something?" Adam questioned.

"I wouldn't doubt it" Billy said. The lights in the main chamber activated, signaling the meeting was about to start. The Rangers sighed as they filed out into their meeting booth as Lutler stood in the center with a stack of papers.

"The assault on Earth and Titan were indeed tragedies. Though the invaders were defeated by our brave Rangers, it is even more tragic that I must present this new bit of evidence. It appears that the representative of Titan, Elmar, was nothing more than a traitor!" Gasps filled the room, as friends of Elmar and the Rangers began to shout angrily at the President.

"I know you must feel hurt by this revelation, but I assure you it is true. Here in my hands are documents that show that Elmar had recent conversations with some of General Petrofski's aides. It goes on to list plans that reveal in detail exactly what happened on Earth and Titan. It was all a ploy to gather sympathy so he could try and overthrow our fair government, but no more! Elmar has been arrested and detained to await trial for sedition and treason."

Silence filled the room, as everyone tried to understand all of this, than came the shocker as Lutler continued; "In light of this betrayal, I have commissioned the furthering of martial law to enable the GSA government to investigate all planetary, state and local government matters, with the aide of military generals appointed by me personally, to oversee the end of this corruption."

That was it, Billy stood up and took the papers from Tommy's hands and threw them down to Lutler's feet.

"Look at that, Alan! That is a petition of more than 10,000 Americans who believe you are going too far with this. The people have spoken!" Cheers erupted for Billy's defiance, as Lutler shrugged.

"Ten thousand, huh? Well, there are more than 300 million Americans in our country, where is their signature? No, it does not look like the people have spoken in the way you seem to suggest they have. It looks more like the minority trying to complain about something. No, this is denied." Lutler looked back down to his own papers as Billy started again.

"Excuse me, but what about the protests in other countries, on other worlds?"

"I answer to my people, which I am doing. Now if there is nothing further, Mr. Cranston, leave me alone." Lutler said as he began to straighten himself up for his next round of statements.

"I'm sorry, Billy" Jason whispered as Billy sat back down, the other Rangers gathering in a huddle to figure out the next plan.

"Don't worry about it, maybe we can use this as an advantage." Billy answered.

"How?" Kim asked.

"We still got some friends in the media who can help us. Devin has his news, and Bulk and Skull have their own show thanks to Tommy. Maybe we can win this afterall" Billy stated.

[Darky]

At the SPD Base, Doggie worked feverishly to type up a command on the view screen console. Once the numbers were dialed in, Trey's image appeared on the view screen.

"Commander, I understand you've gotten some news on the pirates who attacked my ship a few days ago" Trey said.

"We have Trey, yes. It looks to be the work of the Crimson Syndicate, we were able to trace some of the transmissions from the ship to Syndicate fronts" Doggie answered.

"But why sabotage their own ship?" Trey asked.

"That is what we're working on right now. I'm about to brief the Rangers on the severity of this issue. You know as well as I do the threat the Crimson Syndicate poses, especially if it's working with the UW." Doggie stated.

"That would explain how Dark Venom was able to so easily influence other politicians on other worlds, not to mention the food shortage and the weapons build-up the UW had assembled in such a short time." Trey remarked.

The transmission ended as the six Rangers walked into the Command Center and stood in their respective positions in line. As they awaited, Kat and Boom walked into the room to stand with Doggie.

"Okay Rangers, we've got a real problem on our hands. As you all are well aware, the Triforian ambassador ship was attacked a few days ago, and we've been able to follow up on some leads, especially with the gun residue on board the ship. Kat was able to lead us straight to the Frelya system, which is a known Crimson Syndicate stronghold."

"Question", Bridge begun, "who is the Crimson Syndicate?"

"Glad you asked, Bridge", Kat began. "It is a criminal network that broke away from the Troobian underworld just after Gruumm was captured. Drug and illegal arms smuggling, slave trades, extortion, bribery, assassinations, terrorism, murder, rape, espionage, all of these are things the Syndicate runs. Within the last few years, they have been able to establish themselves as the ruling body of the underworld. Recruits range from Troobian deserters, pirates, street gangs, drug lords and assassins, and many more scumbags." The Rangers looked to each other with a look of disbelief.

Doggie quickly walked over to the hologram projector and activated it, bringing up a tall, yet husky Octavian frog-like alien, wearing blue and yellow body armor, with a belt around its waist that carried several pistols and knives.

"This is Don Pluto, the leader of the Crimson Syndicate. He's been in and out of the justice system his whole life. Wanted in connection for over 288 unsolved murders, but that's all we have evidence linking him to, at the moment at least." Another hologram was brought up of a tall pale alien wearing yellow and red robes, with a brown bandanna around his mouth.

http://www.rovang.org/wg/pics/skygantor.jpg

"This is Skygantor, Pluto's second-in-command. He was a bounty hunter and assassin for Dark Specter, and even was a field commander for the UA's assault on Eltar over 30 years ago. After they fell, remnants of the UA scattered to avoid justice, and he ended up with Don Pluto, now working as the strong arm for the Crimson Syndicate."

The holograms ended as Doggie walked back in front of the Rangers to look them in the eye.

"I know this is a dangerous mission for you all, but I need you to investigate these people and find their connection to the United Worlds. We have reason to believe Dark Venom may be an ally to these thugs." Doggie commented softly.

The Rangers nodded. "You can count on us, sir" Sky replied.

"I knew I could. The shuttle is preparing for launch, get ready to leave immediately." The Rangers turned and ran out of the Command Center to gather what they needed for the mission.

"And be careful", Doggie whispered to himself.
---
Out in the deserts of California, the Gear Ship flew cloaked through the night, silently. In side Gasket's throne room on board, Archerina was massasging Gasket's back as he had his hands to his robotic temple.

"How much longer?! This is becoming a waste of time I could be using to kill things!" Gasket exclaimed.

"Relax darling, you're oil is burning, we can't let you blow a fuse before the final fight" Archerina cooed. Gasket groaned some more in frustration, just as the UW commander aboard walked into the throne room.

"Your Highness, we have managed to track down the energy source and I am sending out the Cogs for excavation" the commander said, as Gasket leaped from his throne excitedly.

"Good work, Commander, took you long enough though! I want it ready within the hour."

"As you wish, Your Highness." the commander left the throne room in a hurry. Within minutes, Cogs teleported down to the surface from the blue beams underneath the ship. Armed with drills, they quickly got to work.

The shuttle had already departed from SPD's base when the alarms went off. Boom quickly brought up the images on the view screen displaying the Cogs in the desert.

"Boom, I need you to call some of the other Rangers, have them meet me in the desert, we need to find out what Gasket's doing!"

"Yes sir!" Boom stated as he turned to dial up some of the other Rangers, Doggie dashing out of the room in a blur.
...
In the desert, the Cogs had finally gotten what they need, a large treasure chest was pulled out of the sands and rock. Gasket and Archerina had just teleported down to the surface from the hovering Gear Ship, and they walked with a great eagerness.

"Is this it?" Archerina asked.

"Indeed, they won't know what-" the Machine Prince was cut off, as laser blasts shot past them and hit the sands around them, sparks and dust flying around as the Machines staggered. As the dust cleared and Gasket regained visuals, he saw the Shadow Ranger and Zeo Rangers pull up on their motorbikes.

"Get away from the chest, Gasket!" Rocky yelled.

"That's no way to talk to your Master! I'll teach you to fear the Royal House of Gadgetry!" Gasket raised his sword into the sky, lightning spraying from the tip as it rained down on the Rangers, knocking them down. "You'll never survive the Gems of Damocles!" Gasket excalimed, Archerina laughed as they teleported back aboard the Gear Ship, before it sped away into the night sky.

"Gems of Damocles?" Doggie asked.

"Oh no" Tommy said.

"What?" Doggie asked again.

"The Gems of Damocles...the Sword of Damocles...it was a weapon King Mondo had that granted him extreme power that made him stronger with each passing minute." Adam stated.

"And now Gasket has it, and so does the United Worlds" Tommy said with a sigh.

[Darky]

"It's as I feared", Billy said at the SPD command base. The Rangers had gathered together to look over the archives for information relating to the Gems of Damocles.

"It appears the gems were mined with minerals that were used to make the sword of Damocles on a Machine Empire controlled world. The gems were designed to be placed into the hilt of the sword itself, but due to the massive power levels of both objects, the combination was unstable and destructive of itself. King Mondo of course tried to use it over a thousand years ago shortly after the Orgs were sealed away, but it backfired and destroyed him for a temporary time." Billy concluded.

"Of course, that would explain why Mondo attacked Zedd all those years ago. Zedd succeeded where he failed, and it hurt his pride. He didn't want to give up Earth's resources he wanted to gather for his own agenda in the UAE" Kat said.

"Precisely, but attacking another ally is a punishable offense, no matter the organization, even though the dark side's way is of betrayal", Billy replied.

"Like the mob" Ethan stated.

"Okay, so Gasket has these now, what does the United Worlds want with them, and what's our next move?" Adam asked.

"We don't know anything yet. Unfortunately, Gasket and Archerina have slipped away and we can't find them" Doggie said.

"So until then, we're sitting ducks" Rocky said with a sigh, as the other Rangers looked at each other with frustration. Though they were trained to handle such situations, the war was eating away at the confidence the Rangers had.
---
The shuttle pulled out of hyperspace in the Graga system, as it headed for the capital world, Graga 1. Graga had been a long known frontal planet of Crimson Syndicate activity, the SPD Rangers knew they had to be undercover for this mission.

"All systems stable, we're pulling up now to the docking bay of the city" Sky stated.

The marvelous city on Graga 1 shined like a diamond in the night sky, lights from every building gave it that special glow of importance and rush. Approaching, the shuttle had to dock in the hangar bay docks, which mostly looked like a large warehouse. The rooftop opened, and as the shuttle landed, the rooftop closed shut like a trap door. Inside, the Rangers changed into civilian clothing to blend in more.

"Okay guys, our target is the local bar two blocks from here, we're to go inside and look for anyone suspicious and offer our services after starting a conversation" Sky said.

"Works for me", Jack said.

Within minutes, all six Rangers wore casual rags and robes as they disembarked from the shuttle into the dimly-lit hangar bay. Various alien technicians ran about with tools to inspect the ship and offer their services. Stepping outside of the hangar bay, the smell of rotting garbage filled the air, as well as the sight of poor, homeless people filled the streets, lying and walking in despair.

"How did this happen?" Z asked. The sight of this very tragedy filled her head with memories of her childhood on Earth.

"I read up on Graga, apparently the Crimson Syndicate rules with an iron fist. All competing businesses were put out of work, homes were taken away by the thugs and they attack anyone, rich or poor, for money" Sky replied.

"That's sick" Will grunted.

"Yeah well, it gets worse, to pay off the debts, people who are in debt normally get killed or sold into slavery, depending on their status of work and use. Those who are killed, the debt is left to their family. The government here is rumored to be tied to the Syndicate, that's why the Commander knew so much about this place. It's been under investigation by the GSA and SPD for months now, but every lead winds up to more bodies." Sky said.

"There's the bar up ahead" Syd whispered.

"All right, we know what to do, and be careful guys" Sky warned as they headed for the loud booming bar up ahead.

[Angelfox]

awesome...keep it comin

[Matt Lawless]

Yeah man keep it comin I'm lovin it.

[Darky]

Devin walked into the office at the Reefside Bugle, and to his surprise saw all of his co-workers waiting in the main room. "What's going on?"

"I"ll tell you what's going on", Devin's boss, Mr. Hemming walked in, scowling. "Ever since you all started this crap on Lutler again, the phone calls started back up. Hell they're threatening to shut us down and send us all to prison!"

"They can't, what about freedom of the press?" Cassidy yelled out, the others nodding and agreeing.

"And what about the GSA's new Elites? They just took the dead bodies of GSA soldiers killed in the war and used the same technology to return them to the battlefield, how sick is that?" Devin yelled back.

"I understand that, but Lutler said it himself to me on the phone, he's not playing games, and he'll do it quietly if he has to, or lie about us. If we-" Mr. Hemming was cut off mid-sentence as a hand held grenade shattered the back window and landed in the office. Screaming, everyone jumped up and ran out of the office, just before it exploded, tearing the entire office building to bits. As everyone got themselves together and checked each other for any harm, Mr. Hemming cleared his throat. "That's it, no more Lutler protests!"
---
On Graga, the SPD Rangers had just walked into the bar, looking around they saw various poor people trying to get what little food they could salvage, space travellers, and other aliens that looked to fit the description of Crimson Syndicate thugs. Sky quietly motioned with his head to the bar itself, where Skygantor sat drinking ale. As the other Rangers split up to fit in, Sky casually walked up to Skygantor and took a seat beside him at the bar.

"I'll have what he's having" Sky commented to the bartender, who was a Dreg from the Dregla system. As the bartender got Sky a glass of ale, he nonchalantly looked to Skygantor who didn't notice. When the bartender brought back the full glass, Sky stood up, reaching into his pocket to get some money, but doing so, he dropped a small ziplock bag of drugs onto the counter.

"Damnit!" Sky yelled as he quickly grabbed it and got the money for the bartender. Skygantor glanced at Sky, raising an eyebrow in amusement, as Sky glared to the bartender. "Yeah, so what?! Just give me that!", he yelled as he yanked the glass from the Dreg, who quickly cowered in fear. Living on Graga, he knew when to stay quiet, if he wanted to live that is.

"Nice bag you got there, how's the quality?" Skygantor asked.

"Very fine, cut real sharp, you know how it is" Sky responded.

"I hear that, where you sell?" Skygantor asked.

"Use to sell near Onyx, before the GSA and their SPD puppets came in and shut down the majority of the other dealers a year ago" Sky stated.

"You uh... you, hate SPD too?" Skygantor mused.

"No...I LOATHE them. They can talk all this crap about freedom and respect for cultures, but they strike down the minority who do drugs and sell them. Nothing but a bunch of hypocrisy and bull. Then they wondered why I killed a few cops a few months ago" Sky said. Skygantor chuckled lightly under his bandanna.

"I like you, kid. What's your name?"

"I'm not a kid, and my name is Sky"

"Ok, easy. Maybe I came off as too disrespectful, I'm sorry about that. The name's Skygantor, how would you like to get some help restarting yourself?"

"Skygantor, the right hand of the Crimson Syndicate? You'd help me?" Sky asked, his eyes played the trick of amazement.

"Of course, we're all entrepreneaurs in one way or another."

'Got him' Sky thought. "Yeah, I've heard all about you guys and wanted to join for years. I'd love to be a member."

"Good, get yourself together, I got to meet up with Pluto soon anyway."

"Gotcha, but..I gotta get my slaves first." Sky said.

"Slaves?" Skygantor asked.

He watched bewildered as Sky stood up and motioned for the other SPD Rangers came over.

"That's all of them." he said.

"Wow, a cop killer and the owner of five slaves, and you're not even a ganglord. I'm impressed" Skygantor said. Sky couldn't help but notice the shocked look on his friends' faces at the word 'slave'.

"Yes, and they do whatever I say, and don't speak UNTIL I say so" Sky replied. The other Rangers looked to each other, each wondering if Sky was getting them into more than they could handle.

"Fine, let's get going, my speeder is outside" Skygantor said, walking past the Rangers as he headed to the door. The other Rangers nudged Sky real quick,

"Slaves?!" Syd whispered.

"It's just a role, just play along" Sky retorted.
...
Quickly heading out of town in the speeder, Skygantor zoomed past all the other air speeders to his destination. The other Rangers sat crowded into the back of the small speeder. He never said it was such a small speeder, but they knew he didn't care, they were just slaves in his eyes. The other Rangers were actually thinking about hitting Sky when everything was said and done.

Within an hour, the speeder came up into the business district, and flew towards a large mansion ahead, the home of Don Pluto. Flying past the force field generators, Skygantor landed his speeder on the small platform in front of the large doors leading inside. Getting out, Skygantor quickly ushered the Rangers out of the speeder, and motioned for them to follow him.

Leading up the large flight of stairs, they noticed all the other gangsters walking in and out. Various aliens and humans walked about, carrying different blasters and melee weapons in their belts. Heading up to the doors finally, Skygantor nodded to the guards on either side who let him in, as the Rangers followed him into the crime house.

[Darky]

The sight amazed the Rangers. Looking around, breathtaken, the Rangers couldn't believe the size of the living room. Large sofas made from fine leather lined the walls, as chandaliers made of fine crystal dangled from above. A large fountain of clean, crisp water stood in the center of the living room, with hallways on either side of the room. The hologram television sets blared as a group of gangsters watched different shows. Quickly, the Rangers gathered themselves. This was all paid for with blood money, they knew it.

"Skygantor, welcome home!" The Rangers quickly turned to the left hallway and saw Don Pluto walk in, waving a fan in front of his face as he walked up to Skygantor and shook his hands. He then looked to the Rangers with disgust.

"Who are THEY?" he quipped.

"The taller brunette guy is a drug dealer, those are his slaves. Apparently, he's killed quite a few cops that worked for SPD near Onyx." Skygantor said.

"You fool, they could be undercover!" Don Pluto whispered to him.

"I assure we aren't, Sir. I have these photos as trophies to prove my worth" Sky said, stepping forward and flashing a hologram of him killing different SPD officers. Skygantor chuckled as Pluto just hummed with interest.

"Nice, very nice" Pluto commented.

'For a simulator' Sky thought quietly.

"So, where'd you get these slaves?" Don Pluto asked.

"Mirinoi, I bought them off that gentleman...what's his name...Pet...Pet.."

"Ahh, General Petrofski, you've met him?" Pluto asked.

"Only for a moment, Sir. It was just to get these pathetic insects after he took Mirinoi" Sky replied.

"Hmm...it would've been better if we had gotten those Galaxy Rangers instead" Pluto commented, just before laughing. His rolls of fat jiggled like a snail worm.

'Good, then Leo and the others got away..for now' Sky thought again. All the other Rangers were considering giving up the disguises now if Pluto really wanted some Rangers.

"Yes, Petrofski has been a dear friend for years. Good businessman, great fighter. Mean kid, bad seed, hurt people. My kind of man!" Pluto yelled, everyone else laughing, as the Rangers quickly began to laugh in very convincing manner. Taking Sky by the arm, Don Pluto guided the Ranger to the couch to sit down, the gangsters quickly jumping up to make way for their boss.

"Tell you what, you seem like a bright guy, maybe you can help us out. I'm having a meeting tonight with the Master of the star system, and I needed to gather some of my men together for a little...surprise for the GSA. All I need you to do, is gather my men together from across the galaxies to meet here, I want you to check them and make sure they aren't armed for this meeting." Don Pluto muttered in Sjy's ear.

"I saw quite a few guys here earlier with weapons, why are they allowed in here then?" Sky asked.

"My boy, you need security if the SPD starts sniffing around! Maybe that's why your friends got caught in cards on Onyx!" Pluto laughed again, as Sky nodded sheepishly.

'And I thought Piggy's food was bad, Pluto's fat is even worse!" Sky thought again.

"So can you do that for me, my friend?" Pluto asked. Sky looked to the other Rangers, who stayed quiet.

"I can, I'll take my slaves to the communication booth and send out the transmissions" Sky responded.

"Good, then off you go!" The Red Ranger got up and walked to his friends, as they were pointed down the right hallway to the communication booths by Skygantor. As they headed down the hallway, Pluto walked up to Skygantor.

"Watch them, I don't like new guys" Pluto whispered, Skygantor just nodded to his boss.
....

Within hours, the large arena styled conference room was filled with gangsters in person, as well as holograms of other goons who couldn't make it while they were away on missions. The Rangers stayed in the far back, where new members were positioned. The loud yelling finally came to a halt as Don Pluto beside Skygantor, took the stage and began to speak into the microphone. His wife, Momma D, stood next to the two criminals, as the SPD Rangers looked to each other to remind each other of the familiar fugitive.

"Comrades, I want to thank you for your hard work these last few months to throw the GSA off our trails, our plan is almost complete!" Cheers erupted from all the gangsters, as Pluto motioned for them to silence.

"The attack on Trey's counsellor ship was a success, SPD has not found anything, and our ship was destroyed before the Space Rangers even got the chance to link us!" Cheers erupted again as the Rangers glanced to each other.

"He's in for a surprise later" Will whispered to his comrades.

"Our greatest ally in this conflict, Dark Venom, was not able to be here tonight, but he sends his wishes and congratulations to all of you. He said you all remind him of his children, if he hadn't lost them to the Power Rangers!" Boos and applaudes erupted from the crowd again. This time the Rangers were confused.

"Did we take in one of Dark Venom's children?" Jack whispered, Sky looked confused as he shrugged.

"The GSA is falling apart with fear, and to help pave the way to our final hour of greatness, here is the true Master of Graga, Master Vile!" Don Pluto exclaimed with glee.

The criminals roared, as the Rangers looked to each other in disbelief. They realized then, that that was how Master Vile knew of their secret DNA mutations, that was how he knew Jacob Russel. Vile ran the home system of the Crimson Syndicate. The blue and yellow energy snakes appeared on the stage as it solidified into Master Vile, who cackled maniacally. Momma D walked up to the warlord and gave him a kiss, as he shook Skygantor and Don Pluto's hands.

"This is getting out of hand" Z stated quietly, as the Rangers tried to sink in their seats to avoid the sight of the terrible tyrant. They were trapped.

[Matt Lawless]

Oh shit, they're goose is cooked lol.....keep it comin I've never enjoyed a fic this much.

[Darky]

Sunken in the front row, Jack began to punch up the commands on his communicator to get ahold of Doggie back on Earth.

"Jack, what's wrong?" Doggie asked, but not before the other Rangers shushed him.

"Commander, Master Vile's here, he's taken control of the Graga system, that's why SPD couldn't pin anything on the system government" Jack whispered into his wrist-communicator.

"Turn up the volume, let me hear" Doggie said, as he motioned Boom and a few other technicians over to listen in and pinpoint a few things on the star map.

"My vision, is that of a universe held in the grip of our powerful hands!" Master Vile continued, the rally roaring with life. "That is why, your great leader and my dear friend, Don Pluto, will hold the meeting with Dark Venom at Venom's warehouse tomorrow night to end the GSA, once and for all!" The crowd applauded as they stood up to chant the names of the tyrants on the stage.

"Jack, get the hell out of there, sneak out NOW" Doggie whispered. The Rangers stuck low as the crept out of their seats and left, hunched over as they went to the doors and ran out.
---
Meanwhile in Angel Grove's business district, the studio used downtown was buzzing as Bulk and Skull were preparing for their next comedy show. With Tommy's fame as a Ranger, they were easily able to get a show, dubbed The Ranger Sidekicks.

Inside their prep room, the two men were freshening up for the next show they were about to film. Just then, the door opened quietly, as Billy, Mike Corbett and Devin walked into the room, Billy quietly shutting the door.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Skull asked, laughing off his now famous quirky laugh, as Bulk smiled and waved to his old friends.

"Guys, I don't think you should do the next show about Lutler" Mike said.

"What, why?" Bulk asked.

"My office was bombed after we started getting threatening phone calls from Lutler when we were making articles against him" Devin replied.

"Couldn't it have been some nut trying to scare you?" Skull asked. Worry was starting to spread across both actors' faces, Billy remembered those looks. He definitely hadn't seem them like this since Angel Grove was still a main target by the bad guys.

"I doubt that, I was able to do some digging I shouldn't have, but I found out these things" Mike said as he showed them two papers. The two looked them over, and to their surprise saw they were birth certificates.

"What are they doing here?" Bulk asked.

"Look at them closely. Both are issued to Lutler. In the United States, one needs to be 35 years old to be President, one of those places him at being 4, while another at 38, not to mention other government documents say he worked as a lawyer in Florida before becoming Senator of California. Lutler's never even stepped foot into Florida!" Billy exclaimed.

"Someone's really trying to hide something from us, and it's freaking me out" Devin said. The group of five just looked to each other in fear.
---
Hours later, in downtown of New Tech City, the B Squad Rangers run down the streets behind the alleys as they approached Piggy's old restaurant, where various alien species ate and hung out in peace. Seeing the Rangers, the guests all screamed as they got up and ran in various directions, much to the Rangers' surprise. Tensions had cooled down between SPD and other aliens over the last few years before Gruumm was taken down, so the Rangers were caught off guard.

Coming from behind the booth to see what was the reason for all the screaming Piggy came out, just before screaming and putting his hands up.

"Please, please, I just own a small restaurant, please don't kill me, please!" Piggy got down on his knees as he began to cry.

"Piggy, relax, it's just us, what's gotten into you?" Z said.

"You know what it is! Go back and tell Lutler I know nothing, I'll...I'll give him free food, how about that?! Yeah, free food, everyone loves free food" Piggy began to stammer as he jumped up and ran into the back to get some food. "It may not be the best according to humans, but hey, he might like it!" Piggy said as he brought out a few trays of food.

"Piggy we don't want free food. Come on, you know me better than that" Jack said. Piggy didn't stop trembling, his lips quivering.

"Wh...what do you want then?" Piggy stammered.

"Well first, tell us about Dark Venom and Raxus Prime" Will said.

"What do you mean?"

"Piggy, we may have found a way to end the war and bring all the UW leaders down, but we need to know where to go on Raxus Prime. We saw Master Vile, and he said something about a meeting of the leaders on Raxus Prime. You've met a lot of travellers, maybe you heard something. What's going on?" Jack answered.

"I only heard something a few weeks ago, before that attack on the Gold Ranger's ship. Something about the final phase and the Lambardi warehouse in the ninth sector of Raxus Prime's surface" Piggy said.

"That would put them close to the hospital where those patients were" Syd stated.

"Just before the Elites rose up" Sky said.

"Why didn't you tell us before?" Z asked.

"Are you kidding me? You can stop the UW leaders if you want, but you can't stop Dark Venom, he's way too powerful. Stronger than Grumm, Mora, Broodwing and Omni combined!" Piggy exclaimed.

"We have to try" Jack yelled.

"He's got too much anger, and harnessed too much of the Dark Side to be stopped by all of you" Piggy muttered, huddling close to the Rangers for the feeling of some form of privacy.

"Which is why we were going to get back up" Sky replied.

"Piggy, you know anything about Dark Venom's children?" Will asked. Piggy looked confused as he shook his head.

"No, he never had kids as far as I knew. But there is another reason I didn't come forward earlier. Dark Venom has goons all over the place on Earth watching everyone, calculating. The new laws did nothing but harm the innocent people who came here and others who were considered to be dangerous. I should know, quite a few friends of mine were tortured to death before my very eyes"

"TORTURE?!" Jack yelled out.

"His goons did it right here in front of all us, made us watch as our friends over the years were beaten down, torn apart, and eventually shot, just for fun. It's that Crimson Syndicate" Piggy finished, his eyes were still a bright red from all the crying he had been doing. He sniffed as he wiped away some of the tears, but couldn't get them all.

"Piggy....how do you know the exodus laws failed?" Sky asked.

"Because", Piggy started again, sniffiling some more. "Would you get rid of your allies? Don't you see? Dark Venom IS Alan Lutler!"

[Darky]

Jason, Zack, Billy, Trini and Kim walked into the Command Center of the SPD Base with their old morphers. Behind them, Tommy, Kat, Tanya, Adam and Rocky followed in with their Zeonizers. Justin was already inside with his Turbo key, as was Trey, the Phantom Ranger, the Blue Senturion, Auric, Ninjor, Lerigot, the Space Rangers, and every Ranger team.

They all knew what it was for, the war was about to be ended, and they needed all the help they could get to stop Dark Venom's forces. Doggie, Kat, Boom, Mike and Karone briefed the Rangers and allies as they stood in front of a holoprojector map of Raxus Prime.

"Ok, as Piggy said, we are to head for the Lambardi warehouse in the ninth sector. As we now know, Lutler is our main opponent, we need him alive to present to the council so they can decide his fate. Should he be killed, chaos could be spelt for everything" Kat stated, while the other Rangers nodded as they watched in anticipation.

"I think there's more going on than we know" Jack said, the other Rangers turning to him. "Think about it, his birth certificate was re-issued, one placing him at FOUR years old. And Lutler wasn't on our wanted list, so why would Dark Venom, who we know to be named Ray Talons, change his name? I learned a lot from you, Bridge", Jack continued as Bridge smiled and nodded to his teammate, "and one thing that I learned was to trust my instincts. And what about this child that Master Vile spoke of? We can't brush off all these coincidences as nothing more than coincidences" Jack concluded.

"Are you suggesting Lutler is a Manchurian candidate?" Shane inquired.

"I don't know, it just seems to odd for me" Jack replied.

"I see where you're going Jack, and I do also fear the same thing, which is another reason why we want him alive" Doggie said. The lights on the main consule beeped, drawing everyone's attention, as Boom went over to investigate, nodded.

"The shuttle's ready guys, you all ready?" The Rangers stood up, firmness shined their faces, as the determination glowed in their eyes.

"We're ready" Jason stated.

"Protectors of the Earth!" Cole yelled.

"Defenders of the universe!" Cam yelled.

"Guardians of justice and peace!" Ninjor yelled back.

"POWER RANGERS!" the whole group yelled as they ran out of the Command Center to the docking bay to load up into the shuttle. Boom, Kat, Mike and Karone were to stay behind to coordinate the assault and watch on the View Screen. Within minutes, the shuttle was ready for take off, and the ground control motioned for the final procedures, just as they got away, and the shuttle took off into the bright blue sky. As soon as the shuttle got past the atmosphere, it went into hyperspace, and headed straight for Raxus Prime...

[Darky]

Pulling up alongside the shuttle, Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster followed with Justin and the Space Rangers guiding them to Raxus Prime.

"We're nearing now, guys" Billy said in the shuttle cockpit.

"Let's get ready to get some justice done!" Kira yelled out.

"Ya-hoo!" Zhane yelled as they pulled out of hyperspace and in front of Raxus Prime.

In the Lambardi warehouse, Don Pluto, Skygantor, Lord Braska, General Petrofski, Neroy, Master Vile, Gasket, Archerina, Momma D, Alan Lutler and Dark Venom sat at a large conference table discussing their next plans.

"And now with the Gems of Damocles, we can finally go into the building of the master weapon, then the universe will have no choice but to grovel before us" Dark Venom said, the other leaders applauding. Outside on the rooftop, the SPD Rangers looked inside from the skyroof.

"Jack was right, Commander, Lutler's here, but so is Dark Venom" Sky whispered.

"Go for it, Rangers, we're right behind you" Doggie said.

"And as we-" Dark Venom's words were cut off as the SPD Rangers smashed in through the skyroof, morphed into their SWAT armor. The Dino Rangers jumped through the windows with their Super Dino Modes activated, as the Legend Mode Mystic Rangers smashed through another series of windows on the opposite end of the room. The tyrants yelled out in anger as they jumped up from their seats, the glass raining down on them. Just then, the far end wall on the right blew apart, as Storm Blaster and Lightning Cruiser blasted their way inside, the rest of the Rangers following in, all with what upgrades they had.

"In the name of the Galactic Constitution of the GSA, you're all under arrest" Doggie yelled out, morphed now.

"Foolish Rangers, did you think we'd go quietly?" Master Vile yelled out, as he raised his staff, comet sized fireballs shooting in every direction, blasting the Rangers to the ground.

"Take them!" Doggie yelled, as each Ranger team and ally split up to take a different villain.

*cue Duel of Fates*

The Zeo Rangers and Blue Senturion attacked Gasket and Archerina, as they charged the two Machine heirs and leapt over the tables. Gasket quickly raised his sword and started slashing away at the Rangers, while Archerina turned her crossbow into sword mode, and took charge against the Pink and Yellow Zeo Rangers.

In another corner, the Space Rangers, Trey and the Phantom Ranger fought viciously against Don Pluto and Skygantor.

"Spiral Saber Booster Mode!" Andros combined his weapons and fired at the two lethal criminals, the blast sending the two down for a moment.

Beside the now destroyed wall, the SPD Rangers and Mystic Force Rangers took on Dark Venom and Alan Lutler, who both now had energy swords materialize in their hands. Swinging his Shadow Saber at Lutler, Doggie came face to face with the traitor.

"I always knew there was something about you I didn't like!" Doggie spat.

"Stupid Sirian, you'll pay for defying ME!" Lutler yelled, as he pushed Doggie off of him, and slashed at the Shadow Ranger's armored chest three times, just before spin kicking Doggie to the ground.

"V-Lancers!" The Lightspeed Rangers worked with Wes and Eric, along with Lerigot to take down General Petrofski, who had just morphed into the Nightmare Ranger. The combined laser shot streaked to the war criminal, as he put his gloved hands up, catching the shot, and to the surprise of the Rangers, threw it back at the whole team, the fireball blasting away parts of the floor as all nine heroes were sent hurdling through the air.

"I got him guys!" Justin yelled as he tackled Master Vile, with his Turbo blasters firing rounds at the M-51 despot. Now stunned, the original Rangers saw their chance.

"Power Axe!" Zack yelled as he threw his weapon into the air.

"Power Bow!" Kim threw hers up as well.

"Power Daggers!"

"Power Lance!" Trini and Billy combined their weapons, as Jason took to the air,

"Power Sword!" Jason combined his sword, as they held the Power Blaster, for the first time in years. Master Vile looked on in disbelief, just before they fired. The combined colored shot hit Master Vile in the chest, roaring with rage, Vile was sent flying to the back end wall of the warehouse, breaking the wall apart and landing outside in a smoking, grunting heap.

"Quasar Sabers!" the Galaxy Rangers unsheathed their legendary weapons and charged Neroy and Lord Braska.

"Time to pay for your crimes!" Kai yelled out, as he leapt at Neroy, slashing him apart with his saber, just before Neroy punched Kai in the head, knocking him back.

"Back off, Ranger!" Neroy yelled, as two long chains appaeared in his hands. Lord Braska laughed, as Neroy flung his chains around, slashing the Galaxy Rangers, fire and electricity consuming them and taking them down.

Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster revved into action, speeding towards Alan Lutler from behind as he stood over Doggie, Dark Venom thrashing the other six Rangers. Before they could hit Lutler, he jumped over backwards, flying over the two sentient cars, who both stopped before they hit Doggie, still down on the ground.

"You can't kill me fools, I'm invincible!" Lutler yelled out, but to everyone's surprise, all of a sudden he gasped for air as a sword went right through his back and out of his stomach. Looking down at the blade, he turned around and saw Dark Venom standing behind him, smiling.

"You fulfilled your part, I need you no more" Dark Venom whispered coldly. The battles around them had stopped, everyone watched in surprise as Lutler fell forward to the ground, now dead. Dark Venom cackled maniacally, as he removed his mask to the great surprise of all.

"Another Alan Lutler?!" the Rangers yelled out.

[Darky]

"No, Ray Talons" Dark Venom yelled out. Everyone stared on in amazement, his own allies were flabbergasted by the revelation.

"Four years ago, Emperor Grumm came to Earth, and taken some of my DNA to mirror my looks to blend in. Little did the fool know he was helping me. Billy Cranston, I know about how you got the birth certificates about Alan Lutler, thanks for ruining my dear little surprise that I had for your friends here."

"So who was Lutler than?" Billy yelled back.

"Just a clone of myself I made years ago, right after the Magnificence fell to be specific. I knew if I wanted to destroy the GSA, I'd need an insider loyal only to me, so I cloned myself. Who better to serve me, than a mirror of myself? I implemented hormones and chemicals into his body to grow him at a fast rate within four years, although it cost him his sanity. I had always hated the GSA, for what it stood for, it rose from the ashes of the fallen United Alliance of Evil. It stood for justice, equality, peace, compassion and freedom. I had studied fighting skills for years before my little...'operation' in Angel Grove and Cimmeria, but that was before Grumm got me. Idiot, he thought he was training another foolish human, all he did was add to my knowledge so I could fully restore my Master" Dark Venom said.

"What Master?!" Taylor yelled back.

Dark Venom smirked, barring his disgusting yellow teeth again, as he lowered his head for a moment, and raised it up, now with a more sadistic smile on his face, his eyes began to shine bright red.

"Me" he than said, his voice a deep booming thunderous roar.

Watching on the View Screen at the Command Center, Karone gasped as she covered her mouth and fell to the floor in a whimper. Running to her, Mike grabbed ahold of her and held her.

"What, what is it?" he asked.

"That voice...I remember it from my nightmares....DARK SPECTER!"

"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled out in unison as they faced Dark Venom, who again laughed with Dark Specter's voice coming from his mouth.

"Foolish little Karone, you had so much that I wanted to offer you. You were on the threshold of an entire empire that would follow your every whim and command! Even now I can hear your thoughts from across the galaxies, as I can also hear everyone else's! You gave it up, and now Dark Venom will be my new heir!"

"How the hell did you come back?!" Andros yelled as he raised his Spiral Saber.

"So naive, little Red Ranger. What's wrong Andros, think you're the only one who has secrets about life and death? Think back for a moment, remember how Lord Zedd and Astronema were so easily able to resurrect dead monsters and other demons? I had my own covenant of Dark Siders who dabbled into the mysticism of the afterlife. After Zordon's wave destroyed my armies, my Dark Covenant was on the verge of collapse, and to avenge me and restore me, they performed a ritual, resurrecting my spirit from the Shadow World, and Ray here, volunteered himself to be the host of my spirit until I was strong enough again. He survived an attack by the GSA, led by the Phantom Ranger in late 2000, where most of the Covenant was crushed. All the secrets to the Shadow World were lost for the most part, but they reunited in the last few years, allowing me to grow."

"And so, you stole the Book of Legacies from me, to perform your twisted agenda and bring back an army to follow you" the Phantom Ranger stepped forward and exclaimed.

"Correct. All I needed was the universe to tremble in fear and hate again, as it did during my reign, hence the war. I fed from it and grew to full power again. You lousy, stupid, cowardly, worthless, little PEON Rangers, you took my empire, my glory, my wife, my children from me. You took my throne, and now, it is my time...for REVENGE!" Dark Venom opened his mouth, spraying fire at all the Rangers, as they leapt about trying to avoid the blasts. Dark Venom regained himself as he pointed at the Rangers,

"Kill them, I need to release the Master!" Dark Venom yelled, the other UW leaders springing back into action against the Rangers.

"No way!" Auric yelled out, he leapt towards Dark Venom with his sword raised, seeing the ancient warrior come down, Dark Venom quickly grabbed ahold of the sword, breaking it in half. Before Auric could yell out in surprise, Dark Venom punched Auric, making a loud clang, as the warrior yelled out, falling to the ground, his chest torn open with a huge hole. The other Rangers screamed out as they ran towards their fallen friend, forming a defensive circle around their comrade.

"Auric, get up!" Ninjor yelled, as he kneeled to his old friend.

"I...I can't. Ninjor...it's over for me...you've got to stop them. Stop Dark Specter!" Auric coughed.

"But Auric!-"

"Ninjor...it is time for me...to join the Light" Auric said in a whisper, just before his head fell back, body limp. Auric's body transformed into tiny particles of light and flew up before dissipitating into nothing. Tears began to flow freely from all the Rangers, as the UW leaders began to laugh.

"Aww, what's wrong Rangers? Sad you lost a friend?" Don Pluto yelled before chuckling some more.

The Rangers had had enough, gritting their teeth, they yelled in fury as they charged their enemies.

"Lights of Orion, activate!" the Galaxy Rangers activated their power-up as they charged Lord Braska, who steadily fired shots from the gauntlets on his hand to stop them.

"Power-Up Mode!" Leo yelled, the five Rangers combining into a massive fireball that flew right into Lord Braska, and blasted right out of his back, before returning to normal. The Galaxy Rangers watched as Lord Braska yelled out in pain form the sparks flying from his body, just before falling over face forward and exploding into a massive shower of sparks and smoke.

As the battle raged inside the warehouse, Dark Venom stood by the destroyed wall, chanting a spell. Revving up, Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster wheeled up onto either side of the maniac. Firing round after round, the two cars sped towards Dark Venom. Sparks flying from his body, Dark Venom quaked from the blasts, as the two cars were about to crush him. Before they collided, he jumped out of the way, hoping the cars would hit each other, but they didn't.

"You're next for your treason!" Dark Venom yelled, raising his hands, causing both cars to raise up into the sky. The engines revved, as the lights on both cars flashed repeatedly, the tires spinning as they tried to escape.

"TJ!" Justin yelled out, Master Vile holding him back.

"Venom, stop!" TJ yelled, he charged forward to save his friends, but before he could reach, one of Archerina's arrows hit the ground in front of TJ, knocking him down.

"NO!" TJ yelled out, as he watched the two cars shake, their engines revving to sound like screams. Just than, both cars exploded in mid-air, only a small amount of colored light particles of both cars rising up into the night sky to join Auric on the other side. Dark Venom cackled maniacally, as he turned to face the Rangers.

"Revenge is so bitter sweet, isn't it?" he asked.

"Now, his time has come, show yourself, Dark Specter!" Dark Venom yelled out. Bright yellow light shined over his body, as everyone watched and covered their eyes. Black fog poured out of his mouth, which than began to circulate around the room. Red lightning shot about from the fog, just before it came together in the center of the room, as the deranged, former Grand Monarch of Evil.

"I'm back, insects!" Dark Specter yelled out, his twisted smile sending chills down all the Rangers' backs.

[Matt Lawless]

Oh damn, not this fugly son of a bitch again......still lovin it though, good twist by the way.

[Darky]

Thanks, DS had always been a favorite villain of mine, though I was sorry we never saw his full power on screen, so this is a way for me to express what I think he could do. Not to mention, the resurrection was the original plot for Forever Red, and since I already referenced it earlier, I thought I'd use it again

[Darky]

Dark Specter's mouth let loose a dragon's roar, as he threw his head back and fired energy beams from his claws in each direction, creating a force field inside the entire warehouse and trapping everyone inside.

"What now?!" Tori yelled.

"DIE, THAT'S WHAT!" Dark Specter responded, as the ten foot giant demon sank into the floor disappearing, just before shooting up again in front of the original Rangers, moving in a black and red blur, slashing apart each of the five Rangers to the ground. Zig-zagging in a colored blur, Dark Specter zoomed the entire warehouse room, slashing and biting each Ranger and their allies. Landing on his feet in the center of the room again, he looked around and saw every Ranger down, groaning as they tried to get up.

"DID I SAY YOU CAN MOVE?!?!" he yelled, thrusting his hands into the sky, lightning shooting in every direction, blasting the heroes back to the ground. Laughing maniacally, he then jumped into the air and landed on the ground, sending out vicious shockwaves rippling into every direction. The Rangers were stuck helpless to the floor as they felt the electricity run through them, over 450 volts.

"Good work, My Lord" Momma D stated with a satisfied look on her face. Dark Specter growled as he turned to her and Master Vile, just as he grabbed them by their throats and pulled them to his snarling face.

"What are you doing, Master?!" Momma D yelled out, as Master Vile struggled in vain to break free.

"What do you think?!", he yelled back, just before 200 volts of electricity surged down his shoulders into both Momma D and Master Vile, as they thrashed in pain to get away. Everyone in the room; Rangers and enemies alike stared in horror at the acts before them.

"Your Highness, we have been loyal to you, why are you doing this?" Vile screamed back in terror. Dark Specter saw the look of fear in both of his subject's eyes, and he enjoyed it, the fear was feeding him more and more.

"LOYAL?! You let Zordon destroy my armies, you let Darkonda blast me! Why?! So you could conquer the last few star systems that we hadn't hit yet, just to gain my approval?! Do I look happy to YOU?!" Dark Specter threw Master Vile off to the side like a rag doll, as he grabbed ahold of Momma D with both claws.

"Master!" Momma D shrieked, as Dark Specter's tail grew from behind him, a large claw-like pincer on the end of it. Whipping it into the air, he let Momma D see it before he stabbed her in the side of her ribs with it, causing her to scream out. Shuddering, the Rangers watched on, unable to look away.

"Stop it!" Master Vile yelled, as he ran to save Momma D. Turning to face him, Dark Specter responded by firing two laser blasts from his eyes right into Master Vile's chest, burning a deep hole into the warlord, who fell screaming to the floor.

"You failed to properly train Divatox into a great dictator, and look what it cost me! So, what's next for your punishment? Show me your deepest fears!" Dark Specter yelled.

"NO, PLEASE, NOT THAT!!!" she yelled back, trembling in Dark Specter's grip.

"Oh yes!" he yelled back, just as a plasmatic, almost clear, red beam shot from his horns into Momma D's head, causing her to shake and scream, twisting as her mind flashed her hallucinations of her deepest, most horrific fears. Letting loose his deep cackling laugh, Dark Specter threw her off to the side to let her wallow, just as he teleported from his position to the other end of the warehouse to get Archerina and Gasket.

"THE TWO OF YOU! YOU BETRAYED ME AS WELL, ABANDONING YOUR FATHERS FOR THE LETTA GALAXY AND YOUR OWN GREED!!!" Dark Specter yelled back.

"OH MY, GOD!" Tanya yelled out, falling to her knees.

"Your Majesty, we can explain, we didn't abandon you, we had you in our minds, but-!"

"BUT NOTHING!" Dark Specter responded. "YOUR STUPIDITY COST THE MACHINE EMPIRE TO FALL INTO DESPAIR, WHICH THAN LED TO MY DESPAIR! HOW DARE YOU?!?!"

Dark Specter opened his mouth, and took in a deep inhale, as Gasket and Archerina struggled in pain, red energy flowed from them and into Dark Specter's mouth. He was absorbing their power. Within seconds, he threw them off to the side beside the still thrashing Momma D, they laid there, weak and limp, groaning in pain.

"This ends now, and to think I honored you!" Master Vile yelled, standing up and charging his former employer.

"Play time is OVER!", Dark Specter yelled, thrusting his claws out, stunning Vile in place, stopping him.

"I..I can't move!" Vile yelled out. Inhaling deeply again, more red energy flowed from Master Vile, just before he batted Vile back to the three other downed leaders. As they groaned, Master Vile, Archerina, Gasket and Momma D laid there, weak and incapacitated.

"Time to die!" Dark Specter yelled, spitting a large jet of flame from his mouth, which than hit his four former associates. Howling in pain, Momma D, Master Vile, Gasket and Archerina couldn't move as the fire engulfed them all, and within seconds, exploded into a massive fireball that shot up into the roof, blasting it away and sending out tremors into the air. The fire calmed within moments, and it was clear that he had destroyed all four of them. So easily.

"Andros?!" Damon yelled out. Andros said nothing, he just stood there in horror, the fear taking his mind over. He couldn't move. No one could. Just then, Boom's voice came over their communicators;

"Guys, you got to get out of there, he's too strong for you! Lerigot's key can break the force field, and we can teleport you, but you gotta go now!"

"I'll peel the flesh from your bones!" Dark Specter yelled out as he charged the Rangers, knocking everyone out of the way to get to Lerigot.

Raising his key, Lerigot's key shined bright, as it sprayed a golden dust around them , breaking the force field. Dark Specter was unphased by the light, as he grabbed Lerigot, just as the teleportation system activated, getting everyone out of there and away from the Grand Monarch. Looking around, he screamed in fury and stomped the floor with his left foot, breaking it. Turning back to Dark Venom, Neroy, General Petrofski, Don Pluto and Skygantor, he saw the same fear on their faces as they were huddled up against the farthest wall.

"Come here my friends, you've done nothing wrong. I just had to eliminate some worthless people, you understand. Now is the time, now we can move in for the final strike. Dark Venom, you know what to do..."

[Darky]

The SPD base was under heavy alert. The Rangers had returned, but many of them, including Jason, Kat, Adam, TJ, Kai, Damon, Maya, Ryan, Kelsey, Wes, Eric, Taylor, Merrick, Danny, Max, Shane, Tori, Hunter, Ethan, Kira, Trent, Will, Bridge and Syd, were all unconscious and in the medical bay getting treatment for their injuries. Hurt, the other Rangers only had some cuts and bruises, while a few limped, as they stayed just outside the med bay to hear some news from Dr. Felix.

"What was that?!" Kendrix yelled out.

"The Grand Monarch of Evil, himself" Karone stated, as she and Mike walked into the med bay.

"Dark Specter?" Connor asked.

"And I thought some of the other guys we got rid of were ugly, but that dude takes the cake" Dustin said as he shook his head.

"Karone, what can you tell us about him", Rocky asked.

"Not much, he's pure evil. No conscience. He gets more and more powerful with each passing minute, and with him back from the Shadow World, he's more dangerous than before. He has virtually no weaknesses, and what you saw was just the tip of the iceberg of what his full power is" Karone said. The other Rangers sighed as they hanged their heads.

"Aww man" Tommy said.

"Jeez" Kim whispered.

"We need to rest them up and try again. You know he'll head for the Raydon 2to get vengeance" Doggie said.

Just then, alarms rang throughout the base, as the remaining Rangers jumped up and looked around, Boom running down the hall to meet them

"Looks like he already has come back for revenge!" Boom yelled to them. "Our cameras just picked it up, Skygantor's coming up the front steps with an entire army of Elites and Crimson thugs!"

"RED ALERT, ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS! TRY TO CUT THEM OFF!" Doggie yelled, as officers and cadets ran about in every direction, as the Rangers split up. Before running off, Doggie peeked inside the med bay and saw Kat Manx, Dr. Felix and nurses pushing the beds out of the back doors.

"We got them, go Doggie, we'll get them to a shuttle!" Kat yelled. Turning around, Doggie grunted in frustration as he ran down the hall, morphing as he ran.

*cue John Williams' March on the Jedi Temple

Skygantor walked confidently up the steps, carrying an axe in his hands. Behind him, walked rows of thousands of Elites and gangsters, all carrying different guns, melee weapons, even bombs. Storming up to the door, Skygantor seemed excited, walking a fast pace in anticipation. Quickly raising his axe, he slashed the doors apart and stormed inside, as the alarms rang his ears.

Gunfire opened, as SPD officers stormed the front doors with automatic blasters, Skygantor knocking away each blast with his axe. Raising his hand, he began to shoot laser beams from his hands at each officer, sparking them and sending them down. Laughing, he walked down a different hallway, as the troops behind him ran inside and began to shoot at remaining officers and more personnel who had just run in to take the front lines.

[Matt Lawless]

OMFG!!! this just keeps gettin better and better(The storyline I mean).

[Darky]

"Legend Mode!" the Mystic Rangers cried out as they ran down the north hallway. A handful of SPD officers were at the end by the corner, shooting their blasters, but as they ran to give back-up, the officer hollered out in pain, sparks flying from their bodies as they fell to the floor, dead. A dozen Elites came around the corner, their emotionless faces made it hard to believe these people were once their allies in the war before they died and were made into cybernetic zombies.

"Get em!" Nick yelled.

"Go Jenji!" Daggeron yelled as he rubbed the lamp. Firing out, Jenji shot past the Elites, slashing each one apart with his claws, leaving them in ruins.

"Split up, we can cover more ground that way, and stay alert!" Nick ordered, the Rangers ran down different corridors.

*cue Battle Of The Heroes

Skygantor rushed through the archives, slashing students and cadets alike about with his axe. Twelve large shelves of discs lined the room, like a library.

"No more Power Rangers!" Skygantor yelled, thrusting his hands out and blasting the shelves to bits, fire and sparks consuming the discs as he ran about blasting everything in sight to eliminate the history of the Power Rangers and the Morphing Grid. Just then, his comlink beeped, and he brought it up to his face, and saw another Elite over his hologram, only this one had minor technological implants and had the body armor and the cybernetic eyes.

"Yes, Alacore?" Skygantor asked.

"Are the archives gone? Dark Specter wants nothing to remain"

"Almost, I just need to destroy the last computers in the Command Center" Skygantor replied.

"Good, hurry up, Dark Venom will make his final speech before the Raydon 2 in an hour" Alacore said as the transmission ended.
...
In the docking bay, the Crimson Syndicate thugs set up auto turrets on the ground and began to fire at the zord holding bay of the base. Quickly blasting the steel doors apart, the thugs ran inside and began to place detonators on the zords, setting them for two minutes, running out and heading for cover, they came upon more SPD officers and cadets, quickly gaging them in a fire fight.

"Hurry up kids, come on, we'll get you to safety!" Boom yelled as he and Rocky led the kids that had come there for a school field trip down the busy hallways, alarms still blaring and the sounds of gunfire all around them. Crying and screaming, the kids followed with Rocky staying behind the group with his blaster ready to take down any incoming threats.

In the lobby, the SPD Rangers and Lightspeed Rangers jumped off the second floor balcony and landed amidst the crowd of more Elites and thugs running inside.

"SWAT Armor, activate!" the SPD Rangers' SWAT armor flashed onto them as they charged the inturders, firing their charging-double-barrel blasters.

"V Lancers!" the Lightspeed Rangers held out their hands as the Morphing Grid teleported their weapons to them as they charged into the mosh pit of enemies. Chad leapt over two Elites, slashing them in half from head to toe as he did so. Quickly landing on his feet, he fired at the roof at the same time the other LR Rangers did so, uniting a weaker blast than normal and letting it fire at a group of a dozen thugs charging them, dissintegrating them.

"There's too many!" Sky yelled out as he was getting pulled to the ground by some more Elites.
...
Heading through the training room, Leo, Kendrix and Lerigot ran through the simulators as they were running from a group of gangsters. Quickly realizing where they were, Leo whistled, and showed his two friends the computer console. As the group of gangsters ran in and looked for them, they were surprised to see it empty. Looking around, they then heard a noise, quickly turning to fire, they saw Auric.

"Hey, you're dead!" one yelled as he shot, the blast going through the hologram.

"Quasar Sabers!", the gangsters looked around in shock, and before they could react, a red blast and a pink blast hit them from both sides, causing them to spark and yell, just before collapsing to the ground.

"Yeah, you are" Leo said with a smirk under his helmet.
...
"Super Silveriser!"

"Spiral Saber!" the two Rangers from KO-35 leapt at a group of Elites, slashing and twirling their sabers around, the handful of Elites lost in the flash of colored energy as they fell apart in a shower of sparks.

Turning around, they saw another horde of Elites running into the room they were in.

"I got them" Andros said, combining his blaster with his Spiral Saber. "Spiral Saber, fire!" he let loose the charged blast at the horde of Elites, who threw their heads back in silent pain as the energy ripped right through them and caused them to explode, giving way to the floor. The building shook some more, nearly knocking the Rangers off their feet.

"This building's falling apart, we've got to hurry up and finish them off!" Zhane yelled to his partner, as they ran down the hallways to head for the West part of the base.
...
At the Command Center, the room was in lock down, as twenty officers stood by with their blasters. Clanging came from the door, and as the guards began to stand up right, aim, bite their lips, inhale deeply, they prepared.

Quickly the door opened, and Skygantor rushed in and wasted no time as he shot blast after blast at the officers, knocking them about into the computer consoles, destroying them and unlocking all the remaining doors. Hacking through the survivors, Skygantor waved his bloody axe about, decapitating his enemies. Soon, all of them were dead, and he ran about, smashing each computer console into a rain of sparks and metal. The View Screen went dead with static as all visuals were lost.

"Goodbye Power Rangers!"

[Darky]

The battle continued to rage just outside the zord hangar bay, the detonators inside began to beep very fast, as the red light atop of it began to flash rapidly. Before anyone could stop, the bombs went off, destorying the zords, as the fires blasted away the roof and walls, and shooting outside into the docking bay, killing all of the SPD officers and Crimson Syndicate thugs in a blaze of fire and agony. In the back entrance, the shuttles began to take off with Boom and the children, as Kat Manx finished loading up the patients.

"That's all of them, go" Kat yelled to Dr. Felix as she began to leave, but the doctor grabbed her arm.

"Dr. Manx, where are you going?" Felix yelled back.

"To help my comrades, I made a new morpher from the databanks" she said, as she flashed a newer version of the Cat morpher. Dr. Felix nodded in acknowledgement as he let her go.

"Be careful, Kat" he whispered.

"You too, Snow" she whispered while stepping down the loading ramp. She ran over to Rocky who's face was hidden behind his helmet, but she could feel his emotions; fear, sadness, anger of betrayal. She waved goodbye to the shuttle crews, knowing that they couldn't see her anyway, as the three last shuttles took off out of the hangar bay rooftop.

"SPD Emergency!" Kat yelled, her morpher flashing as she transformed once again into the Cat Ranger, as she ran out of the hangar and down the silent corridors with Rocky, still morphed as Zeo Blue.
...
"Just a few more" Skygantor said to his henchmen, as they planted bombs in the Command Center and other key points of the base.

"Captain, what is your progress?" Skygantor asked a field commander over his comlink.

"We got the last few down here, sir. My men have already gotten the zords destroyed, and the front and back entrances are now laced with explosives" the captain replied.

"Good, we'll be done here shortly, then we can go to the rooftop, set off the last few, and it's over for SPD here!" Skygantor laughed maniacally, until he was cut off by a loud barking. Quickly turning around, he and his goons saw RIC charging them, shooting blaster bolts from his eyes at the few henchmen that tried to grab him. As RIC neared Skygantor, he pulled out his blaster, and fired just as RIC leapt for his face, the shot ripping apart RIC's robotic body. Falling to the ground, RIC let out a final whimper, as Skygantor kicked him in the face.

"Stupid robots!"
...
"Battleizer Armor!" Sky yelled as he was getting pinned down by some more gangsters, but nothing happened.

"Battleizer Armor, NOW!" Sky repeated, as he ducked a diving gangster that jumped for him.

"Where's RIC?" Jack yelled out as he was struggling with two Elites, before pushing them off of him, and spin-kicking them to the ground.

"They must have gotten him!" Z yelled back as she carved away three Elites with his SPD short saber.

"I've had it with these fools!" Sky yelled out, whipping out his blaster, he set it for maximum, and spun around shooting every gangster and Elite in the room. Jack and Z ducked as several shots whizzed past them and hit their attackers, killing them. Yelling furiously, he jumped up to the second floor balcony, where he saw the other Lightspeed Rangers shoot their way past the last Elites in the room. Charging and yelling, he ran past the now stunned LR Rangers, firing at the last few gangsters and Elites, leaving none standing. Within seconds, the whole lobby was a mess of bodies and wreckage, as the Rangers looked around, than back to Sky.

".....Damn, Sky" Jack said out of the silence.
...
"Star Slinger!" Ashley flew through the air with grace firing her Space weapon at a legion of gangsters heading her way, blasting them into nothing.

"Satellite Stunner!" Cassie had her back to Ashley as she sprayed down some more Elites charging into the cafeteria.

"That got them!" Ashley yelled back to her best friend. Just then, a loud booming noise erupted from beneath them that nearly shook the two Rangers off their feet. Quickly regaining themselves, Cassie punched a number into her communicator,

"Andros, what's going on?" she screamed.

"They're blowing the whole place up! We're on our way to get the other Rangers so we can leave here, hurry up!" Andros yelled back to his comrade before the transmission ended. Following orders, Cassie ran out of the back door of the cafeteria to meet up with the other Rangers with Ashley in pursuit.

The detonators at the front and back doors of the building began to beep, as the bombs went off, blasting apart the doorways in a fiery explosion. Debris from the ceiling of the first floor gave way and fell apart in front of the doors, blocking all entrances and exits, trapping the Rangers and any other gangsters inside.

[Darky]

Gently placing the last bombs onto the rooftop, Skygantor chuckled as he motioned for his remaining minions to follow him, teleporting away to the rendezvous. Inside, the Space Rangers had managed to catch up with the other Rangers and were running to the front doors to escape. Within minutes they arrived on the scene, and were at a dismay to see the doors destroyed.

"Now what?" Madison asked, the building quaking some more from the blasts inside. Looking around, Leo motioned to the now cracking roof, as he raised his Transdagger and shot two blasts at it, breaking it apart.

"Go guys!" Leo screamed, as the Rangers all tapped into the Morphing Grid and leapt up onto the second floor, just before charging the windows and smashing their way through it.

Leaping out, fire from the explosions shot after them, as the SPD base collapsed to the ground, covering the Rangers and all of New Tech City in dust and rubble.
--------------------

Aboard the Raydon 2, Dark Venom was out of his disguise and showing his natural face, making everyone think he was Alan Lutler. Standing in the center of the room, he paced about, as the delegates watched in fear, Elites standing behind all of them with guns.

"The war is over with the United Worlds, but a new threat now stands before us. That new threat, is your beloved Power Rangers!" Silence filled the room, many representatives wanted to challenge this remark, but were afraid to speak out because of the guns behind their heads. Rick Nolan, the Secretary of Defense and Neil Jackson, the Secretary of State applauded Dark Venom, knowing his true agenda.

"As I've said all along, those who oppose us have a secret to hide, my intelligence agencies had just informed me of this betrayal hours ago, and when I called for a meeting, they attacked me!" Dark Venom yelled with an obviously fake look of fear embedded onto his face.

King Axel of the Dark Galaxy looked down his aisle to Tiar, the Prime Minister of Aquitar, who looked over to her right to some other delegates who blinked twice.

"It seems, the Power Rangers, with the help of SPD's High Command, orchestrated the whole war to overthrow us and plunge the universe into a dictatorship" Dark Venom continued.

As he did so, at the Galaxy Command post on Jerak, Elites and Crimson Syndicate gangsters attacked in full fledge numbers, gunning down all SPD officers in the process.

"There are dark times ahead of us, but we will survive, I promise" Dark Venom went on.

*cue John Willaims' Anakin's Betrayal, other voices drowned out by the music and Dark Venom*

On Zentor's SPD base, Sergent Silverback led a battalion of troops and officers against an army of Elites, taken in surprise by their very own allies attacking them. Troops fell down left and right beside Sergent Silverback, who charged his former friends with the Bulldog RIC, just before getting blasted to the ground. Giving out a loud cry for help, a few Elites stood over their bodies, still blasting away, as other Elites charged the last SPD officers to finish them.

"Treason will not be tolerated" Dark Venom said in a whisper.
------------
On the Cimmerian Planet, Juggernaughts proceeded to bomb the entire planet to rubble.
------------
"The Power Rangers and anyone who helps them, will be hunted down and will face the justice of the law at the fullest extent!"
----------
Triforia's capital city is being shot to rubble by an upgraded Cyclopsis.

"And so.." Dark Venom continued.
-----------
At his mansion, Mr. Collins awoke to a loud banging, just in time to see two Crimson Syndicate gangsters standing before him with blasters, just as they opened fire on the elderly millionaire.
------------
"...I will prove to you, that my resolve is as strong, as it HAS EVER BEEN!" Dark Venom threw his head back and screamed, his voice echoing off the solid steel walls of the space station.
------------
Angel Grove citizens stood beside the monument of the Power Rangers, in honor of the holiday made years ago by the mayor. As they stood to comment and reflect on their heroes, gunfire got their attention, and before the people could run, a car drove by and blasted every person in front of the Ranger statue down, just before throwing grenades at it to blow it up.

In the Eurolean Galaxy, the Galaxy Command at the capital world was being blasted to rubble, along with the city around it by an upgraded Serpenterra.

On Gratha, the Aquitian Rangers led a group of GSA Elites to a nearby UW compound, but as they continued to walk forward, they heard the sound of guns being loaded up. Turning aorund, the five Aquitian Rangers gasped just before the Elites opened fire on their Ranger commanders, killing all of them.
---------------------
Just outside the SPD base in New Tech City, feeling the pain and death of his friends and allies through the Morphing Grid, Ninjor collapsed in front of the other Rangers, who ran to check him, as he clutched his chest.
------------
"We have survived a lot" Dark Venom went on.
------------
In Reefside, Devin and Cassidy ate dinner quietly on the couch, just as they door busted open, and Elites ran in and knocked both of them to the ground, stomping them both before slapping cuffs on both of them, and placing black bags over their heads before dragging them outside to a waiting government van.
-----------
"So much..." Dark Venom whispered, his voice cracking with excitement.
-----------
In South Africa, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Israel, China, and Switzerland, members from the World Peace Summit that started in Angel Grove years ago with help from the Power Rangers, were all arrested, along with their families, by more Elites.

"...that we have become like one nation" Dark Venom said with a laugh in his voice.
-----------
In Brazil, Ernie ran a small company that helped the GSA and Rangers out with his donations. As he stocked up in the evening, he heard a loud bang, as the doors were busted down by Elites, who ran in and opened fire on all the patrons and Ernie himself.
-------------
"So, I think we should become one!" Dark Venom went on.
---------------
At their house, Bulk slept in his bed, but was suddenly awaken by Skull who ran inside his bedroom, slamming the bedroom door and standing up against it to block it, while panting and gasping.

"Bulky!" he yelled, just as the door broke off the hinges, knocking Skull down. Elites stormed inside, as Bulk jumped out of bed to help his friend. Hitting him in the stomach, one Elite knocked Bulk down, as two more began to kick and stomp Skull, who was screaming for mercy. Bringing Bulk up, the Elites bashed the butts of their guns into Bulk's face, nearly knocking him unconscious, just before throwing black bags over both their heads and dragging them outside to a government van in cuffs.
-----------
Piggy served up some drinks to his customers, who sat in quiet talk and ate foods from their homeworlds. Hearing yells, Piggy and the customers he just served turned and stared, just in time to see Elites running into the alley, blasters firing round after round, and taking any survivor away into a government van.
------------
Coming out of the back of the store, Toby brought out a box of CDs to put up on the display rack, but was surprised to see two Elites standing in the doorway. Before he could say anything as he opened his mouth, he was hit in the face by one of the Elites.
-------------
"I say, in order for us to survive, we must rebuild. So, from this day forward, the GSA will be reorganized, into the GRAND GALACTIC NATION!" Dark Venom screamed out, "WITH ONE CHOSEN LEADER SELECTED....FOR LIFE!" Dark Venom spread his arms out into victory, as all the representatives applauded in forced happiness, the Elites behind them still armed.

"Ah, but it isn't me my friends, I'm just the messenger. No, the new ruler is one you know very well. Please welcome him back, say hello to the Grand Monarch, and true ruler of the universe, Dark Specter, himself!" Dark Venom pointed to a spot next to him, as black fog and red lightning billowed into the meeting chambers.

Solidifying, Dark Specter took his form, and bellowed into a deep laugh, as all the representatives screamed out in terror at the sight of their old tormentor.

"I just want to start by saying, you're all morons, and your punishment for that and your treason of living without me is death!" Dark Specter yelled out.

[Matt Lawless]

This is indeed a future in ruins....damn this just keeps gettin better and better hope you update again VERY soon lol.

[Darky]

Yeah, I liked the title. I wanted to get a sad song for the series of events that took place in this chapter, the best I could come up with was the theme from Star Wars Episode 3 when the Jedi were being betrayed by the clone troopers. You can really see the path Dark Specter's taking, and his killing spree has just started!

[Matt Lawless]

Damn...I knew there was a reason I nomminated(sp?) this for fic of the month.

[Darky]

Well thanks for the nom :D
-----
"You're all morons, here I was the whole time, Dark Venom, Lutler being my clone. You idiots really should do better background checks" Dark Venom said.

Dark Specter than roared, and leapt into the arena-like aisles for the representatives, spitting fire at some, lighting them in a blaze, causing many to run and scream, as Dark Venom watched and laughed hysterically.

The doors slid open, and Skygantor, Don Pluto, General Petrofski, Alacore and Neroy stepped in to watch in amusement, as their master slayed the last opposition. Quickly turning around and attacking the Elites behind him, King Axel head-butted one, as he threw another down the stairs beside him, as he ran away to escape the slaughter, with Tiar in hot pursuit with a few other delegates behind her. Laughing, Dark Specter didn't notice, as he fired lightning bolts at the delegates on the other side of the chamber as they tried to head for another exit. The lightning bore right through them, moaning in horrid pain, the delegates fell to the ground with large holes in their chests. Turning around, Dark Specter picked up two delegates who were crawling away, lifting them with all his strength, he turned around and hurled them through the steel wall, shattering it to bits.

Three delegates ran to the doorway where the other terrorist leaders stood, not seeing them until it was too late, Don Pluto pulled out his blaster rifle and shot all three dead. Stomping down the next aisle, Dark Specter saw a group of more delegates cowering under their desks. Pushing them aside, they began to whimper and plead for their lives, as the Grand Monarch laughed, enjoying this little display of cowardice. Shooting a telepathic beam from his horns, all the delegates began to scream, their fears being made into a flase reality before them.

"You want pain, I'll give you pain!" Dark Specter yelled to the frantic delegates, as he shot another beam at them, this time, the delegates stood up while still screaming, as they began to jump over the guardrail of the aisle and fall to their deaths, while the last two turned and began choking each other to Dark Specter's delight. Within minutes, the entire council was killed, the last few escaping onto their shuttles unnoticed.

"Victory is mine!" Dark Specter yelled out as he threw his arms up and laughed.

"Not yet, rock head!" Andros yelled, the Rangers running in to the meeting chambers from the door on the opposite end of the other villains, morphed and ready.

"How the hell did you get here?!" Skygantor yelled.

"After Ninjor got a glimpse of what was happening, we boarded the shuttle from the Astro Megaship on the other end of the planet" Jason yelled back.

"You like picking on other smaller creatures, freak, let's see you try it on someone who's your own size and up to power!" Nick yelled to Dark Specter, raising his Mystic Sword, while the previous injured Rangers stepped in, morphed as well.

"You will not stop me. I'm becoming more powerful than you can possibly imagine!" Dark Specter yelled, raising his large claws, glowing bright red.

"Ever so arrogant and ever so ignorant, just the way of the Dark Side" Billy yelled, raising his Power Lances.

"Slaughter them ALL!" Dark Specter yelled out.

*cue Final Battle With Bowser from Super Mario 64

Charging, both sides ran at each other hollering their war cries, just before colliding and the battle began again. Fighting SPD, Alacore fought off Jack and Doggie with one hand, while standing on top of Sky's head and choking Z. Lunging from behind, Will brought his short saber down on Alacore's back, slashing him to the ground and letting the others go. As Will strode over to deliver the final blow, Alacore jumped up, seemingly unharmed, as he stabbed Will in the gut with his pincer-like metallic arm, sending the Green Ranger down. As the other SPDs charged him with their sabers, Will shook his head in disbelief as he stared at the cyborg figure of Alacore.

"It can't be..." Will whispered to himself.

"Hyah!" Andros and the Space Rangers dived for Dark Specter in the aisles, smashing apart desks and sending wooden debris all around as they fought the Grand Monarch. Throwing his head back, DS unleashed a wave of fire at the Rangers that sent them flying backwards over the guardrail, sparks following them to the floor below.

Charging up their special weapons, Kat and Tanya flew at a group of the Elites from the aisles, who had now come down to protect Don Pluto. The combined energy wave of the Pink and Yellow Zeo Rangers shredded the Elites to pieces before they reduced to sand in the energy afterwave of the attack. Swinging for the crime lord's head, Tommy and Trey focused their attention on Don Pluto, while Rocky, Adam, Justin and the MMPR focused on Skygantor.

"Lights of Orion, activate!" the Galaxy Rangers glowed with golden energy, as they ran to attack General Petrofski, who had now morphed into the Nightmare Ranger.

"Power-up Mode!", the Rangers came together as a shining ball of light and charged the General, who only did a spin kick, sending the energy ball backwards into the lower aisle of the delegate seats, shattering apart more desks and the lower walls. Grunting, the Galaxy Rangers tried to bring themselves back up, as Petrofski raised his sword above his head.

"My turn!" he yelled, bring it down to his chest, and unleashing a wave of rippling black Dark Side energy, that hit the Galaxy Rangers, exploding upon impact. Screaming, the Galaxy Rangers fell to the ground and exploded, demorphing them as they laid in the fading fire, weak, but alive.

[Darky]

*cue Duel of Fates

Laughing maniacally, Dark Specter raised his hands into the air, as debris from the destroyed walls and desks circulated around him, the Rangers staring on in anticipation, as the debris began to fly at them. Diving in different directions, the debris slammed into the ground, shattering to smaller bits. Pointing to the floor, Dark Specter cackled in glee, as rays of fire began to spray out of the floor for split seconds in various spots, the Rangers jumping about to avoid getting cooked.

Just then, the lights flickered as electricity shot out of the lights and began to zoom after the Rangers like snakes. Waves of energy shook the floor like water, as Dark Specter waved his hands before the floors, knocking the Rangers down, allowing the electricity to hit them, zapping them with over 500 volts.

"Finish them!" Dark Specter yelled to his minions. Charging up their attacks, Petrofski charged up his saber, and let loose a wave of dark energy, as Alacore fired laser balls from his hands at the downed Rangers, the resulting explosion sending all of them flipping through the air and landing on the ground demorphed.

"Looks like your joint experiment with Russel on Alacore worked better than I had hoped, Neroy" Dark Specter cackled with delight, as he stomped down the stairs from the delegate aisles to the floor to confront his enemies. Gasping for air, the Rangers all struggled to get up, unable to believe Dark Specter was really THIS powerful. Turning to Alacore, it dawned on Will,

"Matt?!" he yelled. Alacore narrowed his cybernetic red eyes in hatred, his face emotionless and showing no remorse.

"Who's Matt?" Kelsey yelled to Will.

"..He's my son!" Will shrieked as tears began to flow freely, the other Rangers looking to the cyborg in disbelief.

"Hello....father. I'm surprised you even remember me" Alacore spat.

"How could I not? You're my son, I love you!"

"Bullshit!" Alacore yelled, as he stepped over to Dark Specter, who only grinned as he put his large claw on Alacore's shoulder.

"I thought Will's children died?" Jack asked.

"You'd think that, huh?" Alacore said, his tone hard as stone. "Why don't you tell them father, about how you spent so much time working at OmTech and not much time with us" Alacore said firmly.

"I did that to put food on the table for us, I had to work so much because the mortgages were going up, you remember how it was from 2005 to 2015" Will said as he shook his head, trying to clear his eyes.

"Yeah, well we needed you too. Mom was alone, me and sis were just kids and didn't know. Then came your testimony. Being placed in witness protection, being someone I'm not and losing all my friends!" Alacore yelled, his voice a booming thunder.

"Russel wanted us dead, you know this, that's why he sent the Crimson Syndicate goons to our house that night!"

"Liar! I know that after all this time, all you cared about was money, and your fucking promotions, and thinking your family held you back. You weren't going to testify, you left because Russel's men were going to fix up the place with some gunfire"

"NO! That's not true Matt, I always loved you! I loved you when you were even in your mother's womb before you were born, how can you say these things?!" Will pleaded, the other Rangers looking back and forth from father and son, wondering if the man they knew as an ally really was an agent for Dark Specter.

"I saw mom and Carrie die that night, Will. I almost did too, but Russel knew of my intelligence and strength and spared me" Alacore continued.

"How do you think they knew? I complimented my family EVERY day at work!" Will stated.

"They knew because they followed us, and Russel actually cared. He never had children and wanted one. So, he took me under Dark Venom's wing, and to help me survive, I became the first Elite, the prototype for the others to come years later. They had experimented for years with making such cyborgs without dark magic since the UA had fallen, and the Dark Siders were split up, Finster's old monster machine from the moon battle was just the instrument needed to perfect the technique" Alacore said.

"He's been a great boy, Will. You should've been there more for him" Dark Specter said, his grin making Will ball his fist up.

"SHUT UP YOU OLD FUCK! FUCK YOU, I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!" Will yelled, trying to stand up, but falling back down to the floor in his attempt, the villains laughing.

"Aww, is the little Green Ranger hurt?" Dark Venom cooed.

"I thought you'd be happy to see your son again, what's with you?" Neroy asked with a smirk on his left side of the mouth. Turning around, Dark Specter picked up some debris from the battle, and handed a few pieces to each of his followers.

"Beat their asses!" Dark Specter yelled.

*cue Fast Imperial March

Pulling off his belt, Don Pluto began to chuckle, as he proceeded to whip Jason and Zack, causing them to flinch and roll in pain while screaming. Picking up a broken piece from a flag pole, Skygantor began to beat Tommy, Ethan, Cassie, Ryan, Ashley, Joel and Chad. Raising his hands up some, Dark Venom shot lightning at Wes and Eric, sending them sliding further away from him on the floor.

"How does it feel, Rangers? How does my revenge feel? Does it burn yet?" Dark Specter taunted, as he then turned and began to kick and stomp Andros and Zhane.

Unleashing his chain from his sleeves, Neroy cackled, as he cracked it at Justin, TJ, Maya and Kai, who screamed as the chain tore apart their skin in various small spots. General Petrofski went up the aisles and pulled out a cord from one of the destroyed desks, as he jumped off and landed in front of Doggie. Hitting the downed Sirian in the face, Doggie whimpered, as the cord went around his neck, Petrofski pulling with all his might.

"I've waited, a long time for this moment, my little blue friend" Petrofski seethed through his teeth.

Picking up Madison and Daggeron, Jackson and Nolan threw them up into the air and stood back, allowing them to fall, hurting their backs greatly, while the two deviants laughed. Grabbing Danny and Max, Dark Specter cackled as they began to plead, blood pouring from their foreheads, as their pleads were garbled and unnoticed by the Grand Monarch, who then threw both into the air, and leaping up, he hit both in the stomach, sending both to the ground in agony. Slamming Nick and Xander's faces into the wall closest to him, Don Pluto laughed some more, as he repeatedly bashed their faces into the steel wall, the sound of the bangs echoing throughout the meeting chamber.

"Payback time, Rangers!" Skygantor whispered to the other downed Rangers, as some Crimson gangsters walked into the room.

Giggling, the gangsters pulled out tazers, as they went over to Kat and Billy, struggling to get back up, the thugs zapped them with small charges that knocked them down to the ground again. Bending over his father, Alacore picked Will up, and began to punch and kick Will in the face and stomach, blood spitting out of his mouth.

"Matt!" Will groaned. "Matt's dead, fool. My name is Alacore, and Dark Specter is my father now!" Alacore said, as he threw the Green Ranger back to the floor, and started to stomp him, unleashing all the years of rage from within.

Writhing in pain on the floor, the physical pain didn't do much to keep his mind off the betrayal and hurt he felt in his mind and spirit at the loss of his son.

"Maybe Matt is dead" Will thought to himself, taking the abuse from the cyborg he thought was his son. It didn't matter anymore to him, why fight it?

The words Billy had spoken so many times were indeed true, he realized. Dark Specter killing his own minions who he thought betrayed him, Astronema trying to kill Dark Specter, Deviot and Scorpius, Dark Specter and Bansheera, Zedd and Mondo's rivalry, and now his son.

Betrayal was the way of the Dark Side.

[Darky]

Groaning, Merrick awoke to find himself in a small stone cell, electro bars blocking the exit. His left eye was swollen from the abuse he had taken from Dark Specter and his goons earlier. The last thing he remembered was his vision blurring out, and hearing Skygantor yelling about an escape from the Raydon 2.

'There was still hope left' Merrick thought silently.

Cold and wet, Merrick stood up and looked out beyond the bars to see more jail cells, occupied by more political prisoners. A faint sound caught his attention, as he looked down a bit, he saw a young African American in a cell two cells down from his across the dimly lit hallway, playing a harmonica.

The sweet melody taking Merrick's mind back to those great days with Shayla on the mountains, when war wasn't real, the Orgs didn't exist, Dark Specter wasn't heard of. Sighing with peace as he laid up against the wall, Merrick closed his eyes and began to listen, until some banging caught his attention as the harmonica stopped.

"I've told you several times, to shut the fuck UP!" a human guard wearing a gray uniform with a black stripe across his chest from the top of his left shoulder yelled to the inmate.

His black boots pounding the floor, as he opened the cage. Pulling out his baton, he began to beat the whimpering man senseless, as Merrick stood back up to full height.

"Hey! You wanna try that again on someone your own size?" Merrick yelled to the guard.

Snickering, the guard turned and started to walk towards Merrick's cell, the electro bars staying in place.

"You wanna talk to me that way, Lunar Wolf?" Merrick looked confused at the mention of his Ranger name.

"Yeah, the boss told me about all of you. Here, take this, maybe this'll shut you up" the guard sneered, as he raised a blaster, and fired a stun shot at Merrick, knocking the Animarian down to the ground.

Giggling, the guard cocked an eyebrow.

"What's that? Oh, you can't talk now? Good riddance anyway, stupid Ranger. You're in my house now, boy. Get used to that. If you had shut up and stayed out of our business and let us run our practices the way we want, you wouldn't be in this position"

"LET you run it?" Merrick spat as he regained some control and lumbered up some more to the guard in front of the bars. "Your way is oppression and fear! You brutalize anyone who doesn't go along with your alledged 'perfection' to fit into your corrupted corporate society!"

"That maybe true", the guard began, "but we have the power, and you don't. So we have the right to distinguish ourselves from the idiots and peasants of society, and that includes YOU!" the guard yelled, firing another stun at Merrick, knocking him down.

"You've only been here a week, Ranger, but that's enough to know the rules" the guard spat, Merrick shaking his head.

'A week? How long have I been out?' Merrick asked himself mentally. The guard laughed as he walked down the hallway.

"Good night, sweet prince" the guard said.
---------
Meanwhile at her home in Angel Grove, Adelle, the former owner of the Surf Spot, looked over her grandson's letter from the school. She was disgusted with what she read,

"Charlie, get in here!" Adelle yelled up the stairs, as she walked in the doorway and headed for the couch. Flopping down, she was disturbed greatly by the letter.

"Yeah grandma?" Charlie asked as he came down the stairs. Roughly seven years old, Charlie had definitely gotten his height from his father, already growing to be taller than his other classmates. It always surprised Adelle, as she smiled weakly to him.

"Sit down" she said, and Charlie obeyed, plopping up beside his grandma. Staring into his big brown eyes, she couldn't imagine the horrors the schools were doing now.

"I heard you didn't want to participate in the ritual sacrifice at school today" Adelle whispered, Charlie lowering his head. "Look, I know you may not like Dark Specter, I don't either but-"

"But what?" Charlie interrupted, Adelle taken by surprise. "He's mean and bad to us in school, grandma" Charlie complained. "We have to give ritual sacrifices to feed the Dark Side so he gets stronger, while he robs everyone else of what little they have? Why? Why is that ok? And we have to bow to a new statue in front of the school made in his honor, and practice fighting skills so we can become 'the next generation of great warriors'. Then they arrested some of our teachers for teaching about the Morphing Grid? Where are the Power Rangers?" Charlie asked.

Adelle stared into his questioning eyes, trying to break it to him easily, but the words wouldn't come

"Charlie, I know you liked the Power Rangers, I do too, but...I'm sorry Charlie!" Adelle couldn't hold it back anymore, as she grabbed ahold of her grandson, the tears running freely now between both of them.

*cue Imperial March

A rally in the Stone Canyon town square was being held by people who had been protesting the changes Dark Specter had made, especially against the Power Rangers. The Power Rangers had been there and of the sacrifices and help they'd given to protecting them and helping the poor and sick over the years, they felt they owed the Rangers something.

Signs that read "RANGERS=HEROES!" and "POWER RANGERS COME BACK!" were being waved around by protesters, as Nightmare Troopers, the new divison for the Grand Nation to aid the Elites, began to approach.

Comprised of corrupt GSA soldiers and other criminals from the street gangs and mob who had gotten a deal with Dark Specter, they wore sleek black body armor and faceless black masks, with glowing red eyes to haunt their victims. Turning backwards, they made a motion, the protesters stopping and staring.

Just then, the three old Diva Zords began to approach from the horizon, firing off their missiles and laser cannons at the crowd, disspersing them. Running in separate directions, people of all ages, races, and even species, scattered, the Nightmare Troopers opened fire with their blaster rifles, killing anyone in sight.

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Similar incidents were occuring in Silver Hills, Turtle Cove, Mariner Bay, New Tech City, Reefside and Blue Bay Harbor. The new Serpenterra flew over Turtle Cove, blasting buildings and homes apart to silence the supporters of the Power Rangers.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/daiserp.jpg

Stomping through Mariner Bay, Cyclopsis was piloted by a crew of Nightmare Troopers and Elites, as it unleashed a charged blast from its horns which smashed through the city, devastating it all, and sending fire into the clear evening sky, darkening it red with the blood of the innocents.

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/zyu47.jpg

The Zelzord spun on its heels in New Tech City, blasting its upgraded gattling guns and turrets throughout the town, destroying buildings, homes, hospitals, banks, schools, anything it could find. The Terrorzord zoomed over Blue Bay Harbor, unleashing its bladed gauntlets and slashing apart other buildings, including Kelly's old sports store.

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----------------------------

"And an act of treason was stopped today by the bravery of the Nightmare Troopers in their new zords. Officials claim terrorists had been hiding and working with the city officials of each city to overthrow the Grand Nation" a newsreporter said on the radio, as Billy listened deeply in his old garage.

Jason, Tanya, Justin, Zhane, Damon, Chad, Alyssa, Dustin and Chip listened nearby as well, resting up from the abuse last week, staying hidden in Billy's home until they could come up with a plan.

"This is my fault" Billy whispered. Looking to him in surprise, Alyssa walked up to him and put her hand gently on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault, how can you even say that?"

"I knew Lutler was no good, yet I didn't get rid of him when I knew we should have" Billy replied.

"No one did, man" Chad said shrugging.

"This is Dark Specter's fault!" Tanya exclaimed to the saddened Billy.

"We could've fought him sooner" Billy said again.

"No one did because he was the president" Jason began, "None of us knew until it was too late. We tried to petition, but he was Dark Specter's puppet, and-"

"I still say we could've gotten him sooner. If I had looked at his records sooner, we could've arrested him" Billy said.

"You can't change the past, it's no point to beat yourself up over something you didn't know about. We'll win this, I promise" Chip whispered.

The other Rangers looked to each other, everyone hoping the other could give that moral support and hope they needed. As Billy sat there, he could still remember Edmund Burke's famous quote:

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"

[Darky]

Nightfall, London, England was the site of a rally by Dark Specter's minions. Citizens who fully supported the Grand Monarch stood back, waving and cheering, as Dark Specter walked through the crowd with Dark Venom and Alacore behind him. In the center, Cogs under General Petrofski, were throwing books into a burning pile.

How To books, religious books, novels, text books, math books, biographies, human books, Aquitian books, Owler books, books of every type were all being thrown into the pile, especially those about the Morphing Grid.

All burning to ashes, as the smoke rose into the dark night sky, giving it a grayish orange tint of tragedy. Waving to his admirers, Dark Specter smiled with glee, his plan a success.

With no books, people could not read, and hence become stupid, and hence easier to control. Libraries had been made illegal the day before, and all librarians were put out of jobs onto the streets for not conforming to the Grand Nation.
---
The next day at his prison cell, Merrick awoke as the guards started yelling, the bars going off-line. Stepping out, Merrick followed the other inmates, looking around for any of the other Rangers with no luck. Being shoved outside the doors to the back entrance, he was immediately hit by the desolate heat and humidity catching his throat. Desert.

Looking around, all he saw was sand and inmates digging with Sickles standing by to watch the inmates, carrying assault rifles as they walked. Merrick stood and looked in despair at his fellow inmates suffering, just as he was pushed by a guard behind him to get to work, being handed a bucket and a picket. Walking to his designated spot, he got to work, slowly picking at the sands.

This wasn't right, he knew it.

"What you in for?" the man beside him asked. Merrick looked over, and saw it was the young African-American man who was playing the harmonica days before.

"Treason, for being a Power Ranger. You?"

"Treason, for being homeless" the man replied, as he went back to work, a Sickle walking by aiming its gun at their backs to keep them silent, just before moving on.

Regaining himself, Merrick looked out of the corner of his eye to the man.

"Being homeless is treason now?" Merrick asked.

"Yeah, since we supposedly didn't contribute to the Grand Nation, Dark Specter told us to serve as Nightmare Troopers, or go to prison. I chose prison, he's against my ethics of robbing everyone since I was born poor, you get me?" the man said.

"I'm Merrick" Merrick stated

"Reggie", the man replied.

"Hey, you!" a guard yelled out, as he stormed over with two Sickles by his side.

"Uh oh" Reggie whispered.

"No talking! You lost that right when you betrayed the Grand Monarch!" the guard snapped.

"How about you go join the line to kiss Dark Specter's ass" Merrick whispered.

"What did you say to me, Ranger?" the guard yelled back, as he pulled out his baton and stepped behind Merrick.

Before the Lunar Wolf Ranger could do anything, he was knocked to the ground by the guard hitting him in the back of the head with the baton.

"You wanna get smart, pretty boy? How's this?" Kicking him in the gut, Merrick yelled in pain as he rolled around, other inmates watching in terror, as the other guards nodded and laughed.

"That goes for all of you. You're all here because Dark Specter deemed you useless to society and his grand plan, so you must face the price of being a mistake to being born!" the guard yelled out over the desert plains to all inmates.

"No one is an accident, sir" Reggie said. Gazing back to Reggie, the guard turned back around and backhanded his baton across Reggie's face, knocking him down.

"Says who? Your God? Dark Specter IS a god, he is your master now, and you WILL pay the price for defying him! Lock them up in solitary confinement for the next three days" the guard quipped to the Sickles standing beside him, who only nodded and grabbed the two men and dragged them away to a small cellar underneath the prison floors.

"Anyone else got anything to say?" the guard yelled out, no one speaking. Total silence.

"Good, now back to work, peasants!" the guard yelled, going back to his post, as the masters began to whip the inmates to make them work harder. "Faster! Dig faster!" were the only words heard over the screams of the inmates being beaten.
---
On the moon, Rita's old atmospherical force field had been reactivated, as Kim and Zack were tied up in chains, being led by a Nightmare Trooper.

Carrying a large metallic beam, they walked down a small hill into a crevice where other prisoners worked around the clock, placing metallic structural support beams together into a large ship like structure. Overseeing the operation above the crater, stood Dark Specter's new palace, a large golden brick layered ziggarut, with a small pyramid-esque temple standing atop the center of the roof, with four large towers on each corner.

[Darky]

Onyx, it was a normal day at the saloon, aliens of all species were socializing, playing card games, drinking, or just relaxing and listening to the music the nearby Pirhanatron played on the piano. At a table by the door, Soccadillo played a game of poker with Oysterizer, Kegler, Sinister Simian and Marvo the Meanie. The sounds of gunfire outside interrupted the game, as patrons in the bar ran and hid under their tables, fearing the worst. Glancing out beyond the wooden doors of the saloon, Oysterizer shrieked, as he turned to his gaming friends.

"Elites, Dark Specter's here!" he yelled out, causing many of the aliens to run out from their tables and up stairs, other running in the back rooms of the saloon. Oysterizer turned to run, but was stopped by Soccadillo.

"Where you going?" Soccadillo asked in surprise.

"Away from here, you know what he wants!" Oysterizer yelled back, trembling as he did.

"What's gotten into you Soccy?" Marvo asked.

"I'm tired of running. We did what we did years ago, and now it's upon us to face it. We can't run anymore, Dark Specter has it all now, where can we go?" The aliens looked to each other with fear and uncertainity.

"I'm going out to fight back, you coming or what? The Rangers didn't back down" Soccadillo reminded them.

Grunting and murmuring, the other aliens shrugged and followed Soccadillo outside. In the old-styled western buildings, aliens watched out of their windows with anticipation and dread, as the five aliens walked up to a large crew of Elites, General Petrofski stood in the front line, morphed and ready.

"I'm surprised you came out, little cowards. Realize you can't escape your master anymore?" he taunted.

"Dark Specter isn't our master, not anymore!" Soccadillo yelled back.

"Fine. I have no problems with killing you" Petrofski whispered, the Elites charging the five aliens.

Rolling up into his ball mode, Soccadillo flew at a horde of Elites, smashing through each one, bouncing and hopping on the downed ones. Hopping wildly to face her enemies, Sinister Simian began to slash Elites apart with her bare claws, knocking one down right after the other, Petrofksi staring on in shock, as aliens watching from the windows began to cheer.

"Eat these!" Kegler yelled, pulling out sticks of dynamite from within his barrel and throwing them at some more Elites, sending them flying in all directions. Oysterizer began to spray down the last of the Elites with stomach acid, frying the circuitry of the cyborgs. Charging Petrofski, he than pulled out his pearl chain and waved it about as he ran to the General.

Swinging his Nightmare axe, he blocked Oysterizer's swing, and knocked Oysterizer to the ground with a quick spinning slash from the axe. Jumping into the air, Sinister Simian and Marvo landed on either side of the Nightmare Ranger, grabbing ahold of him, as Soccadillo flew right at him in ball mode, striking the General, and sending him flying across the street in a fury of sparks. The aliens watching from above cheered even more, hollering and firing blasters into the air, while applauding and screaming praises.

"You're dead" Petrofski whispered as he pulled himself up off the ground.

Standing for a quick second, he charged all five aliens in a blur, spinning about with his axe, slashing and cutting each alien apart in a rain of sparks. Quickly pulling off, Petrofski nodded his head, as the five aliens sparked and fell to the ground, exploding. Looking about, he saw all the other aliens looking out of their windows retract and hide.

"This planet belongs to the Grand Monarch now. Bow down before the greatness of Dark Specter!" Petrofski yelled, as Juggernaughts began to fill the air, Petrofski teleporting away on board to the capital attack ship. The fires cleared, Sinister Simian sat up, groaning and shaking her head, while Oysterizer and Kegler stood up, holding their sides.

"Guys, Soccy!" Marvo yelled out. Looking over, they all saw the downed Soccadillo, and ran over to their friend, Marvo holding him as he coughed.

"You guys okay?" Soccadillo asked in a weak voice.

"Yeah, thanks Soccy" Kegler replied.

"Guys, I'm done for" Soccadillo said, his body going limp in Marvo's arms.

"No! Don't say that Soccy! We'll get you help, hang in there. Remember what you taught us!" Sinister Simian yelled back, as tears began to stain her furry face.

"Yeah" Soccadillo responded, coughing some more. "Remember that, and you will find true peace and happiness. It's not what Dark Specter said, it's what you find in yourself and others that brings about the true peace and enlightenment. Don't cry for me, I'm going to a better place, and I'll see you again someday" Soccadillo whispered, just before finally going limp in Marvo's arms.

"Soccy? Soccy, wake up!" Oysterizer began to yell, as he shoved Marvo away and began to shake Soccadillo's body, his friends clamoring to calm him down and pull him away. Just as Oysterizer let go, Soccadillo's body dissintegrated into bits of light that swirled up into the sky and vanished into the Morphing Grid. Falling over on his face, Kegler began to kick and scream, as Sinister Simian began to sob quietly.

Throwing his head back, Oysterizer let it all out, "NNNNNNNNOOOOOO!!!!" the sound echoing throughout the streets, as more aliens came out and stood beside Soccadillo's broken-hearted friends.

[Darky]

Darkened by storm clouds created by his new weather machine, the city of Siberia was the new capital of the Grand Galactic Nation. He wanted Siberia to be in a constant eternal night, just as his soul was, to live in darkness while blocking the sun and killing the crops and plant life of the city. Dark Specter had palaces built on the moon and Cimmeria as resorts, the slaves on the moon having their life forces drained slowly by the tyrant to extend his life and grow more powerful as he was before death.

Inside the large ziggurat in Siberia, Dark Specter sat at a conference table with his twelve generals and a few lawyers, as they signed a few last papers. Each general was appointed to a sector of the universe divided up into equal portions, while reporting their activites to General Petrofski. Dark Venom was tasked with running the daily government operations, while Don Pluto ran the underworld for Dark Specter, and Alacore as the enforcer of the new regime.

"Th-there you go,...my..My Lord" one of the lawyers shakingly replied, as he passed down the forms to Dark Specter. Looking it over, Dark Specter mused, pleased.

"Thank you, sir, your services are no longer required" he said, before the lawyers could say anything, the general standing beside them both stood up and shot them in the head with his blaster pistol.

"Thank you, General Maloney" Dark Specter nodded to the 55 year old human male from England.

"Hail to the Grand Monarch!" General Maloney yelled, giving a hand salute to his forehead before sitting back down.

"This makes it final, OmTech, BioLabs and SyntCorp all belong to me now. As you know, SyntCorp makes most medicines and medical treatments in the universe, while OmTech was responsible for computers and technology. How goes the progress with other business fronts?" Dark Specter asked.

"Fine, My Lord. The top ten business oil and energy producers, bankers and vehicle manufacturers have already sworn an alliance to you, saying they'll follow you to every corner of existance. They promise to only deal for you, Sir" General Domas, a cheetah-esque creature known as a Helio, replied.

"Excellent! Reward them for their loyalty. I've got a few slaves I can loan out. Now that we have this settled, I want any small business that is not with them hunted down and dismantled piece by piece. Don Pluto is already working on that, but I want you to help enforce it, from a 'legal' standpoint, understand?" Dark Specter asked.

"I can send out the last Varoxes that we have employed" General Unda, a Eurolean, replied.

"Good. Say they were connected to espionage and gang lords, that should keep the stupid people of society in line" Dark Specter answered with a twisted smile.
---
Slowly driving through the ruins of Angel Grove late in the night, the escaped Rangers came upon the old Juice Bar, still intact to their surprise. It wasn't easy to do, Dark Specter has had audio trucks driving the streets with special hearing computers to listen into homes and buildings for any anti-National talk. Walking inside, they found it wasn't so clean as it was outside.

"What a mess" Jason murmured. Lights hanged from the fixtures, tables overturned, as the bar itself was shot to pieces by blaster fire. The video games in the arcade were smashed to bits and thrown about. The gym was a mess, windows shattered, doors leading to the locker room hanged off the hinges, while debris from the exercise equipment layed across the floor, destroyed.

"Looks like they got Jerome before we could" Justin stated.

"He might be in one of the detention centers" Billy replied.

"Any idea how we could find them?" Damon asked.

"I might be able to. Ethan showed me some of the designs he did for SPD before it was disbanded. They haven't had enough time to change all the systems, so I can try to hack into their computers and find something out" Billy said with a shrug.

"It's worth a shot, go for it" Dustin said, as the group quickly left for Billy's garage again. Into the darkness they went, twice in one move.

[Darky]

So, any thoughts on the last few chapters?

[Matt Lawless]

Yeah my thoughts are that this is a little better with each chapter but there are small problems that I have with it......how are these monsters that rangers already destroyed back?......Some of these last few chapters sound exactly like Star Wars Episode III(unless that was your intention?), and heres the last problem I got.....NO ONES KICKED DARK SPECTOR'S ASS YET!!!!! lmao other than that I still think its fantastic.

[Enigma Ranger]

This is great fic Draky. I was wondering, have you garnered inspiration from the Bible. I may be remembering wrong, but wasn't Dark Spectre in Lutler? That reminds me alot of Biblical prophecy. Also, in these recent chapters, the level of control DS is trying to achieve. There are a few other things, but I won't take the time to list them. I know that alot of stories have similiar elements, but I was wondering if you looked specifically to prophetic books, like Revelations?

[Darky]

Star Wars 3 was an inspiration, so with that, yes some Biblical things may have been put in. I didn't intend to. Right now I'm just trying to let DS concentrate all his might into aking the universe totaltarian again. It's good to see how people want DS to get his ass beaten, that was one thing I hoped for when doing his character, since we didn't see much but hear of his crimes. Now that you see it and hear more in detail, it gives more a reason to boo him.

The monsters you saw will be explained soon, most of them were seen in LG after C2D, but never explained, so I'm trying to bridge that gap and give them some humanism to relate to, it's one underlying moral of the story.

[Darky]

Oh, forgot to say, no DS wasn't in Lutler. Ray Talons, aka Dark Venom, resurrected DS with some dark side priests, which was the original plot for Forever Red before it became the Machine Empire. Ray Talons, I had used the human character of Rene Naufahu in Shadow pt 1, where Grumm comes to Earth with General Benaag, so I had him trained by Grumm, who knew nothing of his secret. After Grumm fell, he wanted to destroy SPD and the GSA, but cloned himself, but accelerated it, making Lutler, the clone, insane.

[Enigma Ranger]

Yeah, I can see alot of SW3 in it. Thanks for explaining things, apartently I got a little turned around. In case you were wondering about my thinking Lutler would be the anti-Christ, DS would of course be satan. DS inhabiting/possessing lutlers body would be satan possesing the anti-christ which is prophecy. In any case, whatever your inspiration it's great fic and I look forward to the rest of it.

[Darky]

Hmm, I didn't think of that. I didn't intend to allude to DS being Satan, nice idea though, but I can't use it for obvious reasons. SW3 did inspire some of it, but not all. Like I had Billy say, democracies have turned into police states before, and Lucas even said that about the Republic becoming the Empire.
-----
Heading for the truck, the Rangers quickly ran to jump into it before they could be seen.

"Guys?" a voice called out, a friendly one. Turning around, they saw Curtis, Zack's cousin they met in high school all those years ago.

"Curtis, thank God you're alive!" Alyssa whispered.

"What are you doing here?" Curtis asked, as the Rangers got out of the truck and hunched behind it, in the darkness of the parking lot. Audio trucks drove by, making Curtis quickly dive to the truck with them.

"We were looking for Lt. Stone since he was an old friend, you seen him, did they get him?" Tanya asked.

"No, he's safe, that's how I've stayed hidden since the takeover. Dark Specter's goons are gathering anybody who is related to the Rangers, friends of them, or even supporters of them, and sending them away to slave camps" Curtis replied.

"Yeah we know, Billy was going to hack their systems and find a location of a camp so we can raid it. Hopefully we can save those people before Dark Specter hurts them too badly" Jason replied.

"Go downtown to the abandoned business district. Jerome made a refuge underground for all of the Nation's targets. Just tell them I sent you" Curtis said as he stayed hunched over and began to leave.

"Wait, where you going?" Zhane asked.

"I was making a food run when I saw you guys, I gotta hurry up and get back, just go without me, I'll be there soon!" Curtis whispered aloud as he ran off into the night.

"Okay, here's what we do" Jason whispered. "You guys go downtown and find Jerome, me and Billy will head back for the garage and hack into their computers and we'll find a camp. Once we do, we'll come back for you" Jason said.

"Gotcha" Damon said. The Rangers split up, and all went their separate ways.
---
Siberia, Dark Specter looked out the window of his throne room as slaves outside worked feverishly in the darkness of the day to build another bronze statue of Dark Specter. The large metallic door slid open, as Dark Venom walked in. Three large pillars of stone lined both sides of the throne room, which was floored with a fine marble tiling, red carpet in the center of the floor leading up to the large golden throne with a black leather seating for the Grand Monarch. Five torches on all four walls were lit, held up by human skulls, as a large crystal chandalier hanged from the ceiling, giving a faint light that Dark Specter basked in.

"My Lord" Dark Venom said as he approached his master. "General Petrofski has just alerted me that Alacore and his men are very close to finding the underwater city off the coast of Mariner Bay" Dark Venom stated. Dark Specter only nodded.

"Good work, my apprentice. Make sure to get King Neptune's trident for me before you blast it all to hell" Dark Specter replied.

"Yes, My Lord" Dark Venom said, giving a slight bow before turning to leave.

"Dark Venom?" Dark Specter asked, as Venom stopped and turned to his master.

"Yes?" he asked.

"How goes the work on the Claw on the moon?" Dark Specter asked, not breaking his stare outside to the construction.

"It's going well, My Lord, but I'm afraid the Gems of Damocles are not strong enough to sustain the amount of power that we are looking for the Claw to produce" Dark Venom replied somberly.

"Perhaps the slaves could be of more use to me" Dark Specter stated.

"My Lord?" Dark Venom asked, stepping forward eagerly.

"You know I can drain life. I want you to use the machines inside the Claw to drain the life energy of all of the weakest slaves, the oldest and the most feeble slaves. Their weakness can be an advantage afterall." Dark Specter said with a disgusting smile forming across his face.

"I will tell Petrofski to inform the generals immediately" Dark Venom chirped.

"One more thing", Dark Specter began again, "After you do that and finish off King Neptune, attack Eltar. I want Zordon's family dead for their acts. Then attack the Vica Galaxy. Their pacifism and the fact they survived my final attack years ago thanks to Trey has stayed with me all of these years. Make them pay, and show them NO mercy!"

[Darky]

Finally getting back to his garage, Billy pulled up in his driveway with Jason in the passenger seat. Quickly getting out, they walked quietly with a fast pace to Billy's computer, turning it on.

"You sure you know what to do?" Jason asked.

"Hey, how many times did I rig up Rita and Zedd's plans with my computer?" Billy replied with a smirk as he glanced to Jason who only shrugged.

Within minutes, Billy brought up the program files for SPD, and typed in a few codes.
............................
Downtown, Zhane led the others into the still and silent darkness through the abandoned business district. Glancing around, they saw nobody, not even any of the homeless people who lingered around the nearby buildings for shelter.

"I don't like this" Chad said quietly.

Damon quickly nudged Chad's shoulder to keep him quiet, putting his finger to his lips to silence him. Walking around as they looked around in the dark, the only light coming from a few street lights on the corner of the street sidewalk.

"Stop them!" a voice yelled out without warning.

Looking around real fast, the Rangers saw three street thugs jump out of the shadows with brass knuckles on.

"You gotta be kidding me" Justin said with a look of disbelief.

"Let's end this!" one of the thugs yelled, as he lunged for Zhane, who only flipped backwards onto his hands and while on the ground, quickly threw his feet around as he spun in a circle, knocking his attacker down.

Striking Damon in the face, another thug attacked the Galaxy Green Ranger, and dived at him, both going to the ground. As the third assailant lunged for Tanya and Alyssa, they jumped away as the attacker met air, and to his surprise, got kicked in the back by both Rangers.

Rolling over, Damon got on top of his attacker, and began to hit him, to his surprise, making the thug cry out for mercy. As he stopped and stared on in disbelief, the thug laughed before headbutting Damon in the head, knocking him off. Zhane was quickly being kicked in the gut and punched in the face by his attacker, as Justin ran over to help, the thug turned around and grabbed Justin by the arm, throwing him over his head and down onto the ground in a groaning heap.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called out, as everyone stopped fighting and looked towards the shadows as a man stepped into the dim lights.

"Jerome Stone?!" Justin yelled out, as Lt. Stone only nodded in acknowledgement.
...................................
Back at his garage, Billy yelled with glee as he punched the air while jumping out of his seat.

"Got it!" Billy yelled, as he saved the copies to a floppy disc he had in the computer, just before calming himself and sitting back down, another audio truck driving by outside.

"What'd you do Billy?" Jason asked.

"I accessed the SPD mainframe, and I was right. Dark Specter hasn't changed everything yet, and using the transmission communications, I was able to lock onto several of the slave camps on Earth, as well as the galaxy onto a map. There are more throughout the universe, but we can take them after we free the ones here first. I've saved the files onto this disc" Billy said, as he stood up and ejected the floppy from the hard drive.

As he waved it, Jason looked to the disc and smiled before nodding back to Billy, "My man, great job bro! Let's get back with the others downtown and we can save the slaves soon" Jason said while running back outside to Billy's truck.

"And hopefully the other Rangers too" Billy replied as he got into the driver seat and started it up.
......................................
"They're hiding, just like you and I" Lt. Stone said as he led the Rangers through his underground solitude.

Humans and aliens form many worlds dressed in rags sat on the floor and in the few available chairs, trying to eat what little food was available. It was dark with a few lights on the wall, but nothing very bright.

"Most of them are homeless, others are GSA troopers who abandoned their posts after Dark Specter revealed himself" Lt Stone continued, the Rangers looking everything over with sadness. "You must understand, with everything Angel Grove suffered, it wasn't nearly as bad as what the UA did to all these other people's worlds. When news surfaced Dark Specter was back, it was like an exodus" Lt Stone said.

"I know that feeling" Zhane replied as he looked over the lost people, deep in thought about his own people on KO-35.

"I feel I must apologize for some of my friends attacking you earlier" Stone went on, "They've been scared with the audio trucks going by, we all thought it was some Elites, or a Nightmare trooper or even the Crimson Syndicate" Lt Stone said.

"We understand entirely" Alyssa mentioned.

"Yeah it's cool, dude" Dustin said with a smirk as he slapped Lt. Stone's shoulder.

"So how'd you get here?" Justin asked.

"Well, when I heard Dark Specter was back, I immediately knew he'd want revenge on you guys and whoever knew you. I hoped for the best, but when we heard the Rangers were gone and considered traitors, well, I had no other choice. I remembered some of my skills from the police academy years ago, and went into hiding. While down here, other people who were running came through, I couldn't turn them away, so I began to hide so called 'terrorists'. Soon, friends of the Power Rangers were hearing about it as rumors in the streets, so here we are" Lt. Stone said.

"That's all well and good, but the Nation is probably looking for you right now" Chip said.

"Yeah...I know" Lt Stone said somberly. "It won't be long, but at least I can help make it easier for them during this time. Maybe we can run, I don't know" Lt Stone said.

Some of the people talked quietly, as a female alien held her baby and tried to keep him quiet. Others curled up on the floor as they slept, while two mouse-like aliens picked at a small piece of food that was barely enough to feed them both. An adult male yellow alien gave his children his bowl of soup to let them eat, as he sighed with despair. Crying, a Eurolean family huddled with each other in a small blanket.

"I can't let this go on" Zhane said firmly. Looking to him, the other Rangers stared. "Jerome, Billy and Jason are working right now to get a location for the slave camps. Once we get it, we'll bust them out and get them to safety, and when we do, I want you, and all of these people here, to come with us" Zhane said as he patted the former police lieutenant.

"Where can we go? We have nothing it seems" Stone replied.

"Hope. We always have hope. The Light Side of the Morphing Grid has stuck with us before, it'll be with us now. I know Kinwon has a safety bunker on KO-35. The people there rebelled with success against Dark Specter before, we can do it again. We can get food, medicine and supplies" Zhane said.

Stone just nodded with a tear in his eye, "I hope you're right. Just come on Billy..."

[Darky]

Slowly driving through the night, it was early morning, around 2 AM. Billy drove with Jason, neither saying anything, but both anxious for the battle ahead. Soon coming upon the business district, Billy turned off his headlights as he drove to a vacant parking lot, just before getting out.

"This is Jason, where are you guys?" Jason whispered into his communicator.

"This is Justin, we're at the housing factory underground, come on guys, the others are waiting" Justin replied back through the communicator.

Motioning to his friend, Jason led Billy down the street and into the vacant parking garage that led into the abandoned factory. Stumbling past broke down cars and motorcycles, the two men saw Justin approach from the farthest end, waving. Billy and Jason ran to Justin as he led them to the secret doors in the ground behind a parked tractor trailer.

"Lt. Stone's been hiding refugees from Dark Specter's goons here for a little while now, a few can fight, maybe we can have backup" Justin said as he opened the doors and led them down a small ladder into the underground caverns.

"I don't think so" Jason replied.

"Jason, these people have nothing, we have nothing. If some want to rise up with us, don't you think they should be with us and not become a separate army?" Billy asked. As the two Rangers followed Justin into the main chambers of the solitude, Jason began to shake his head

"I know that Billy, but I'm saying that maybe these people should hide and run while we fight. We're the Power Rangers, we have to protect the people, not enlist them" Jason said firmly.

"This is it" Justin said as he waved his friends into the main chamber.

Billy and Jason stared out in disbelief at the despair before them. People barely fully clothed as they shook with the cold, Curtis handing out small bags of fruits, the only thing they could get while SyntCorp, and its business ally, SaleMart, were raiding and shutting down all the other businesses to run a monopoly and put all the universal money into the pockets of the National leaders. Children of various species tried throwing a ball around, but it was deflated and no good. A Glimer from Glime, sat in the corner reading a hymnal book for prayer and guidance. The mice-people were alseep, curled up together to keep each other warm. Nearby a wall, an elderly Triforian woman was crying herself to sleep.

"All these people, are supposedly criminals?" Billy asked in disbelief.

"Not all of them, no" Lt Stone said as he approached the two Rangers. Patting them both on the backs, he began to explain; "Some were homeless because of mental illness, bad luck, born into poverty, or just living off the grid. Others lost their homes during the war and were sent back and forth by the GSA and the UW. Imagine their emotions when they found out the war was a sham by the bad guys. Some are disabled and targets by Dark Specter because he says they don't do enough, just like he claims the homeless are a pest in society and dirty his streets, while the non-conformists are dirtying his image of the perfect society. Dark Specter has issued a statement calling for one language that is a mix of all languages, and only one culture. A culture where all serve in his military, worship him, and the ideals of the almighty dollar. In the last few days, they've banned religions and books, and shut down all worship sites and libraries. Most of these people don't want to change, or can't change their ideas and are hiding so they won't be arrested for treason. Others just don't like Dark Specter" Stone concluded.

"Now you see why Jason?" Billy asked, Jason sighing as he fell to the ground on his bottom, not able to stand this anymore.

"Billy?" a female voice called out. Billy turned and saw Cestria run up to him and hug him real quick, Billy laughing out in surprise.

"Cestria! I thought you, well....that-"

"I died?" Cestria finished.

"Yeah. I heard about your friends on Aquitar. I'm so sorry about it, we'll get them justice" Billy replied.

"I know you will" Cestria said with a small smile. "The Grand Nation is using Aquitar as a dumping site for its fuel wastes. I left after I couldn't defeat them, I was all alone, that and I needed you to know something" Cestria went on.

A loud boom lit up the darkness for a second, as debris and smoke rolled into the main chamber, the refugees coughing and jumping up in fear. Jumping from the ground, Jason turned around, as the other Rangers stood by his side, as Nightmare Troopers and Elites charged down the ramps into the main chamber.

"Jerome, get them to safety!" Jason yelled to Lt Stone, as Stone turned around and waved for everyone to run into the back.

"Let's get them!" Billy yelled as he was about to charge with his friends against the enemy, but Cestria grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Billy, you might die!" she yelled.

"I know, but my friends might too if I don't help!" Billy yelled back as he tried to wrestle his arm away from her.

"But I need to tell you something!" she yelled, tears coming to her eyes, as she looked down and then back up into Billy's gentle eyes. "I need you to know something" she whispered.

"What?" Billy asked, the sounds of punches, gunfire, slashing, stomping and wall pounding echoed behind him as he tried to listen in.

"Billy," Cestria began. "I'm pregnant"

[Enigma Ranger]

Awesome. That last chapter makes me change a few of my earlier comments. DS seems alot like the anti-christ in that chapter. One language, himself as an object of worship. I like religious allegory, even if it's not intetional. Looking forward to the rest of it.

[Darky]

Well, Hitler did the same thing, and so did Palpatine in Star Wars. Like I said, it wasn't intentionally religious based, but I am using pieces of history to help tell the story. Then again, Lucas did use Hitler, Iago, Stalin and the Anti-Christ as the basis of Palpatine. Especially with tyrants, there have been so many, so I chose from a select few that people remembered as the worst people in history.

From what I gathered in PRiS, DS had command of all of the villains from the beginning, and was always this big threat and cruel figure of evil. We knew he enslaved just about every world except the few that still had Rangers, but we never got details, just statements, so I'm trying to put some of the Hitler/Sidious stuff in to give more development to the villain. To me, the villain is one of the key essentials because it is he that makes the challenge for the heroes to overcome, and when they do, it's so much sweeter, and it's kinda fun to make him this hardcore evil villain we never saw the full side of in PR because of its ratings. But in reality, if the villains were as evil as they say they are in PR, these are the kinds of things you'd see, if it were real. That's another reason I have had the Rangers see the victims in the homeless shelter, to give you more pity for the victims and outcasts, and to really get you revved up to want DS dead again.

[Darky]

"Pregnant?!" Billy asked aloud in disbelief.

"Billy, we need your help!" Chad yelled as he was being thrown back and forth between two Nightmare troopers.

"Seven months, I've got another seven to go" Cestria replied. Billy stared at her in disbelief, trying to grasp the situation. He almost lost his train of thought about the fight behind him.

"I'm gonna be a father?" Billy asked, his eyes widening with happiness, a short smile coming to his face.

"Yes, but you have got to fight, I needed to tell you since it may be our last time together" Cestria said.

"It's not the last time" Billy said, as he cupped her chin and gave her a quick kiss. "The code to the Astro Megaship teleportation system is 3356" Billy said as he broke the kiss. "Get them out of here and head for KO-35, we'll meet up with you shortly" Billy said as he turned around and ran for the fight.

"It's Morphing Time!" Billy yelled, and within an instant, he transformed into the Blue MMPR Ranger.

"Billy!" Cestria yelled back to him.

"Go, get them out of here!" Billy yelled to Cestria, just as he jump kicked two Elites to the ground, and spinning on his heel, Power Lances out and ripping apart two more charging Elites. Cestria looked on with fear, as she turned around and began to help the last refugees outside to where Lt Stone waited.

"3356" Cestria said as she ran outside with the last refugees in front of her.

"What?" Stone asked.

"It's the teleportation code for the Astro Megaship, they told us to head for KO-35, they'll be with us shortly" Cestria replied.

"Okay, looks like we're taking a quick trip!" Stone commented, as Cestria typed in the code to her communicator. Within seconds, the group of people felt the tingling rush of the teleporter system, just before they turned into white light, and streaked off into the night sky to the Megaship in orbit.
...
"Trans-Dagger!" Damon yelled as he rolled on the ground, his Trans-Dagger opened, as he fired several green plasma shots at a handful of Nightmare troopers, the blasts incinerating them all upon impact in a howling glaze of light and sparks. Jumping from wall to wall, Chad leapt about with speedful grace, shooting his Lightspeed blaster at some Elites on the ground, dispatching them.

"Power Sword!" Jason yelled, as his legendary weapon appeared in his hand. Stabbing it into the ground, a thin wave of earthquake tremors shot out at a charging group of Elites and Nightmare troopers, the blast knocking them down in a shower of sparks.

"Let's finish them!" Tanya yelled, just as she shot past another handful of Elites, the blast knocking them to the ground in a daze.

"Form a circle!" Jason yelled out.

The Rangers leapt over their enemies, as they stared on, confused. The ten Rangers formed a circle around the last Elites and Nightmare troopers, who looked around. They were surrounded, they knew it.

"You're dead!" a Nightmare trooper yelled, as he raised his blaster.

"Not yet" Jason said, as he stabbed the ground again, Damon firing his Trans-Dagger, Justin shot off his Twin Turbo blasters, while Zhane and Billy charged up their lances and sent a laser-swipe into the center of the circle. Tanya threw her boomerangs as they charged up, Alyssa shooting her baton, as Dustin and Chip fired their blasters. The attacks all hit simultaneously, the group of Nationals screaming, as sparks ripped through their bodies, shaking as electricity surged through them. The Rangers turned around, and when they turned their backs, the last of the Elites and Nightmare troopers fell to the ground in a marvelous explosion that rocked the factory.

"Nice job, guys!" Jason yelled out, cheering with his friends.

"So Billy, any luck on the camps?" Chip asked.

"Yeah, I got the location to several camps in the galaxy, and I figured, now that we got the refugees out of here, and we were just found out, let's pay the camp owners a little visit. The nearest one is in the desert near the old Command Center" Billy said with a light nod.

"Sounds good to me!" Tanya yelled.

"Let's go then!" Zhane yelled out, as the Rangers ran outside to save their people.

[Enigma Ranger]

I agree, the villian is one of the most important elements. It's nice to see a truly evil villian. I like that none of the villians have reffered to themselves as evil. At leasy I don't think they have. I've always hated that Rita and Zedd and all the rest called themselves evil. No one ever call themselves evil. In fact, the most evil think themselves gods or saviours and call those who try to stop them evil. I also enjoy the fact that the Rangers are really struggling to beat DS. I like that he's winning, that many have gone along with him of their own free will. Who has brainwashed/mind controlled people as part of their inner circle anyway. I could see using them as cannon fodder, suicide bombers, or spies. I wouldn't put one in a place of trust though, that's just asking for trouble. Well that kind of got off track. Anyway, I've said it before I'll say it again, it's a great fic, I look forward to the rest.

P.S. I would like to point out that some people believed that Hitler was the anti-christ. I'm like broken record ain't I. Nah, I know it's not intetional allegory, but I guess some aspects are inherent in all the truely evil. keep up the good work Darky.

[Darky]

I like that none of the villians have reffered to themselves as evil. At leasy I don't think they have. I've always hated that Rita and Zedd and all the rest called themselves evil. No one ever call themselves evil. In fact, the most evil think themselves gods or saviours and call those who try to stop them evil.

Well there are sociopaths who know what they do when committing a crime is wrong, but they do it anyway for fun. Then you have the thrill-killers, the people who do drugs for fun. Even serial killers like Ramirez and Bundy admitted they knew what they did was wrong, but they did it for fun. So in a way, if it were real, you could put Zedd and them in that category, which is actually just as dangerous. But Mesogog was different, he actually saw himself as a hero. But thank you for the compliments, I enjoy the idea that I'm making a truely entertaining story for the audiences to enjoy.

[Enigma Ranger]

I didn't think about that. You could put Rita and Zedd and alot of the others in that category. Mesogog was different, that's what I liked about him. He was one of the better villians. Scorpius was a nice change of pace as well but in a different way.

[Darky]

Morphed, the Rangers silently approached the slave camp in the middle of the night. Quietly looking over his shoulder, Jason motioned for the others to wait for him, as he went to the front of the base. Quickly using his power, he leapt up into the guard tower where a guard sat quietly with his assault rifle. Landing behind him in silence, he proceeded to smash his elbow into the head of the gray uniformed guard, knocking him out. With him down, Jason than hit the button to the high command office down below.

"Hey guys, how you all doing down there?" Jason stood there for a moment, smirking to himself.

"Who is this?" a response came over the comlink.

"My name's Jason Scott, got that?!" Jason yelled, just as he pulled out his Blade Blaster and shot the comlink controls, blowing them to pieces. Alarms began to sound, as troops and guards began to pile out of one of the camp offices and run for the guard tower. Leaping out of the window, Jason fired several shots at the guards while falling, the blasts taking a few out. Landing with grace, he began to run off into a deeper part of the outer camp.

"You can't stop me, punk ass National bitch!" Jason yelled out while running, the guards giving pursuit.

"That's it, go for it!" Billy yelled, as he and the other Rangers jumped and flew over the tall barbed-wire fence, landing and running for the holding cells.

*cue 541

Charging through the deserts of the outside, the Rangers ran to the large door that led into a crevice below. As they ran, two Elites ran up to stop them, before Justin turned and shot both of them with his twin Turbo blasters.

You'll come calling, slowly crawling, slowly crawling
Attitude defined

Blasting the chain locks on the doors, Zhane led the group down the narrow staircase into the lower bunkers. Coming to the bottom, four National officers turned around and saw the Rangers. As they pulled their guns out, Billy and Alyssa leapt at them, he swinging his Power Lance, and her swinging her baton, knocking them down in a rain of sparks.

"Guys!" Merrick yelled out with deep gratitude.

Take and conquer, is your honor
Weak of soul and mind

"Stand back, everyone!" Damon yelled to the slaves in the cages, just as the Rangers turned their backs to each other, each one firing on the cage doors of the cells and opening them up. The slaves ran out, crying and hugging the Rangers, thanking them and cheering.

Call on the five
Keep hope alllll-iiiiii-ve

"Come on, let's get you out of here!" Billy said, as the Rangers stayed with the escaped slaves, running up to the stairwell, and up it, Billy blasting a Sickle out of his way with the Blade Blaster.

Call the 541!
Anytime you say you want us

The Rangers ran out to the surface, just as Elites and Nightmare troopers.

"Stay here!" Dustin turned and said to the escaped slaves, as the Rangers charged to take on the Nationals, Merrick staying in front of the slaves, wanting to join, but he still didn't have his morpher.

Elsewhere in the camp, Jason ran through the headquarters, shooting computers and more cages as he ran, escaped slaves following him.

"Get them!" a guard was heard from behind. Jason stopped and turned around, returning more blaster fire at two more incoming guards, as more followed into the room.

"I ain't backing down, bitch!" Jason yelled out as he turned and ran with the slaves to the battle outside beyond the doors.

[Darky]

"I ain't your bitch!" Jason yelled back to the guards, as he led the slaves outside, the guards and troops in hot pursuit. He was glad to see his comrades already taking on the other troopers, Elites and guards fighting back against the Rangers.

"Merrick, catch!" Jason yelled, as he ran to join the fight, throwing the Lunar Morpher to Merrick, who quickly transformed into the Lunar Wolf Ranger.

"Yeah, time for some payback!" Merrick yelled, as he called forth the Lunar Cue and charged at a rallying force of the gray-uniformed guards.

Swinging his Cue, it formed the green energy field reminiscient of a pool table, trapping the guards. Struggling and grunting, the guards tried to break free to no avail. Lining up his Animal Crystals, he shot them off, down the field to the guards they went, hitting them and exploding on impact.

Looking around while helping Chip take down some Nightmare troopers, Tanya saw out of the corner of her eye a handful of Elites charging to the escaped slaves.

"No you don't!" Tanya yelled, leaping into the air, her Zeo pistol firing round after round at the cyborgs, who turned and tried to return fire from their cybernetic eyes, the blasts bouncing off her Zeo armor, as Tanya fell to the ground on her feet, blasting the last ones down.

"You all okay?" Tanya asked the startled escapees.

"Yes, thank you!" Reggie, now in the front of the slave group, yelled out. But as he did so, they yelled out and backed away, as Tanya spun around to avoid a slashing hit by another Elite's cybernetic arm. As she struggled to push it off of her, Reggie bent down and picked up a rock, charging and bashing it into the skull of the cyborg. Sparks flew, and circuits fizzed, as the Elite let Tanya go, and stumbled on his foot before falling down.

"Guess it's my turn to thank you" Tanya quipped. Leaning down, Reggie picked up a blaster rifle from a downed guard and held it into the air.

"Long live liberty!" he yelled loudly in triumph. The battle stopped, as everyone turned to see Reggie holding the National blaster rifle.

"If you want to live your life to the full extent your God made for you, if you want to get justice for all these wrongings, my friends, now is the time to seek it. I will fight for the Light! I will fight with Merrick, who stood with us! The Power Rangers are our friends, now and forever. Join me now, and we can overthrow the Dark Specter!" Reggie yelled.

The Nationals looked on in terror, as the escaped slaves cheered. United once again, people from all worlds who had lost everything, had hope, as they charged the fledgling guards and troops, who only stared on in horror, just as the slaves tackled them to the ground, beating and bashing them. Looking to Merrick, the other Rangers stood in disbelief.

"What did you do with them?" Chad asked, the bewilderment evident in his tone.

"Nothing! I just told the guards off and listened to their stories of how Dark Specter took everything away from them" Merrick replied. Just then, the ground shook, and the slaves leapt off the guards and troops, who sat up, beaten and bloody, as a sergeant smirked.

"The camp master is here!" he yelled out.

"Camp master?" Justin asked.

The ground tore apart, smoke and steam billowing out and blocking all visuals. A deep laugh echoed over the plains of the desert camp, as a large claw grabbed ahold of the ground and came out of the cracks.

The Dramole jumped out, and glared at the Rangers, stomping the ground, and moving his feet back and forth like a bull, just before charging. The startled Rangers had no advanced time to move, as Dramole stormed past them, slashing his claws and sending the Rangers off to the side, down to the ground, flipping into the air, to and fro, as he ran past them all. As the Rangers tried to get up, Dramole snorted, smoke blasting out of his nostrils, as he charged them again, jumping on each one in a stomping manner to keep them down. As he went for Zhane after stomping Tanya and Jason, he grabbed ahold of the demon's foot, and held him in mid-air.

"Didn't your mother tell you that wasn't nice?" Zhane asked, as he threw the beast off to the side, Dramole going to the ground and rolling, making dust and sand rise up around him as he stood up and shook himself with anger.

Jumping off the ground, Zhane ran at the Dramole, firing the Super Silveriser blaster mode. Each step, more blasts went off, as Dramole shook in pain, growling as sparks shook his body. When he was two steps away from him, Zhane turned it into saber mode, slashing silver Light energy into the darkened monster, blue electricity surging Dramole.

Spreading his arms, Zhane stood still as Billy and Jason jumped off his shoulders, bring their Power Weapons down onto him, Dramole stumbling back in agony. Justin and Chip followed, firing their blaster guns at the monster, as Alyssa dived overhead and impaled Dramole with her baton. Sparks flew from his injury, as Dramole shook and cursed in an alien language, just before being thrown over her head. Sailing in the sky, he yelled out, just as Dustin summoned the Ninja Hammer, and jumping into the air in Dramole's direction. Bringing the hammer down in mid-flight, the Dramole dissapeared in a great explosion that lit the night sky, debris and fireballs falling back to the earth beside Dustin.

[Matt Lawless]

Awesome chapter dude.....its nice to see the rangers get a victory lol....I was listening to AFI - Miseria Cantare and hearing that and readin the part where Reggie was hypin up the slaves gave me goosebumps man.

I think when the Rangers finally take on Dark Specter the music that should be cued up is One Winged Angel the song playin when Cloud was fighting Sephiroth in FF7: Advent Children IMO lol.

[Darky]

Another Elite went down as Chad blasted it in the chest, while waving the slaves and the other Rangers in his direction. Dramole was dead, but now they had to escape, and it wouldn't be long until National reinforcements arrived, not if Dramole was needed.

"This way!" Merrick yelled as he pointed to the far back of the camp where the underground hangar laid behind the offices.

Staying behind the Rangers, the slaves ran silently, constantly looking over their shoulders, as Reggie stayed in the back with his blaster rifle while looking out for any more troops. Running in between several office buildings, the Rangers led the way, looking beyond each wall. While coming upon another small office, the Rangers looked to see the slaves were okay, alarms still ringing throughout the camp. "Look out!" Jason yelled from the front, as two Nightmare troopers leapt out from the side of a building with blaster pistols. Squeezing off a few shots, Jason was hit in the shoulder and fell back in a shock, as Dustin ran up and fired his Ninja Blaster at the two Nightmare troopers, the blasts hitting both in the head and making them spark as they fell.

"You okay?" Tanya asked.

"I'm good, let's just keep it up!" Jason responded, regaining himself and leading the group again. Coming upon the narrow ramp which led down to a large steel door, the Rangers raised their blasters and opened fire, the shots blowing the door in half. The Rangers ran down the ramp with the slaves in pursuit. As they neared the door, two blaster shots whizzed right over the Rangers' helmets. As they turned, they saw legions of Elites coming out of the darkness, their cybernetic red eyes glowing, as their needles began to eject from their eyeballs. No more slavery for them, they wanted to assimilate and clone them.

"Damnit!" Reggie yelled, raising his blaster rifle and blasting one down, sparks making the Elite twitch as it fell. The horde of cybernetic zombies kept coming, not noticing or caring one of their own fell.

"GO!" Reggie yelled as he turned to the Rangers. The slaves went past the Rangers and ran inside the hangar bay area, as Merrick waved him over.

"Reggie, come on! It's too many of them!" Merric yelled.

"Go, they won't stop until they kill us, or we're dead! Just go!" Reggie yelled back.

"I'll stay here than, guys go!" Merrick yelled to his comrades.

"Merrick, what are you doing?" Damon asked, firing a shot from his Trans-Dagger and taking another down. The horde was now at the top of the ramp, and began to come down slowly.

"We'll make it, just go! We'll cover you guys! Get those escapees out of here!" Merrick yelled back. Jason hesitated, never leaving another Ranger behind before.

"Okay...but hurry up!" he yelled, as he and the Rangers ran inside the hangar and down the long, twisting stone hallway to the shuttles ahead.

*cue 2004 Dawn Of The Dead's Escape

Merrick and Reggie stayed behind, blasting more and more Elites down, but every one they took down was replaced by two more. Slowly stepping back, the two men kept their eyes on their enemy while heading into the broken doorway. An Elite at the front of the advancing line fired a shot from its eye, hitting Reggie in the ankle, knocking him down. Merrick quickly turned to grab his friend, as the Elites were just a few feet away from them.

"Merrick, I can't walk, just go with the others. They need you more than I do" Reggie groaned in pain. The sight brought back old pains as Merrick looked to his downed friend.

Remembering the final battles of Animaria, how Dark Specter's Orgs killed his people and friends. How the city burned, as people ran while being gunned down by Putrids and Putties.

"Not this time, Dark Specter" Merrick whispered. As he leaned down to help Reggie, he saw out of the top of his eyes that the Elites were a few footsteps away, their hands reaching out to grab them prematurely. He couldn't fight them all, and Reggie couldn't walk.

"Take it" Merrick whispered, as he handed his blaster to Reggie while grabbing him by the back of his shirt and dragging him away. As Merrick struggled to pull Reggie away, the young man fired shot after shot at the advancing Elites, no end in sight for the line of monsters. Hopping and slowly charging, more Elites came, as Merrick prayed against hope the hangar wasn't far behind.

"Hurry up, Merrick!" Reggie yelled, as the Elites were getting closer, inches near his feet, as Merrick groaned as he pulled. Nearly giving up hope as he looked around, he saw it; a bright light behind him. The hangar.

Pulling Reggie inside the hangar, he saw the National shuttle the Rangers were stealing, or as he recalled Max saying, 'borrowing for an unlimited amount of time'. He hadn't felt this great since Master Org perished.

Yelling frantically, he pulled Reggie inside with Elites in pursuit. Aboard the shuttle, Jason looked out the window of the cockpit and saw his friend.

"Justin, get the doors open, Billy and Alyssa, man those turrets and take those things out!" Jason yelled over his shoulder. Running to the back of the shuttle, Justin punched in the buttons for the door to open, as Merrick dragged Reggie up to it and up the ramp, as Reggie blasted away the last few Elites.

"Got them, Jason!" Justin yelled into his communicator. Punching the air, Jason cheered, as he looked to Zhane in the pilot seat.

"Do it, Zhane!" he yelled, Zhane punching the liftoff commands, as the shuttle turned around and sank on the launch pad, as the nose aimed for the skylight roof. The turrets still blasting apart the charging Elites.

"Hold on!" Zhane yelled back, as he hit the final button, launching the shuttle out of the hangar and into the early morning sky.

"Blast it, guys" Jason said to Billy and Alyssa. The two Rangers locked onto the old slave camp, and opened fire, shooting torpedoes and turret fire at the camp, blasting apart the fences, the offices collapsing into fire and debris.

Nightmare troopers, Sickles, guards, officers, Cogs and Elites shot through the air on fire, as the ground exploded around them from the aerial assault. The ground caved in, and crushed apart the slave quarters and the hangar bay, as the last shots hit the ruins to make sure.

"Setting course for KO-35" Zhane said, as he punched in the coordinates and took off into hyperspace. In the back, Merrick sat with Reggie in the hallway. It was a small shuttle, so most people were packed into the hallway for the trip. It didn't matter to them. They knew the Rangers would protect them. That was all that mattered, and they were eternally grateful.

"We'll get you some help once we get to KO-35" Merrick whispered to Reggie, who only smiled.

"Thanks. Thanks for everything. You could've left, you know" Reggie responded. Merrick smirked and shook his head.

"Yeah, but I don't like to leave friends behind" he said, as he looked Reggie in the eyes, the feeling being mutual.

As Reggie took a deep breath, he looked at his watch and saw it was now around 6:00 in the morning. "What a great day to be alive and free" Reggie said to Merrick, who only nodded with a grin.

"That it is, my friend. That it is"

[Darky]

Dark Specter sat with his generals, Alacore, Dark Venom, Skygantor, Don Pluto, Neroy, Neil Jackson, Rick Nolan and VP Harold Kennington at a large conference table in the moon palace. Nightmare Troopers stood guard at the two large doors on either end of the room, as the large window outside gave a clear view of the slaves' hard work while building The Claw, beaten as they did so.

"I understand General Petrofski has taken control of Onyx and killed most of the traitors. How goes the hunt for the missing?" Dark Specter inquired.

"It's under way, My Lord. The Varoxes are following behind them in deep pursuit" Petrofksi replied.

"Excellent!" Dark Specter yelled in delight, as he relaxed some more in his chair. "And you, Don Pluto, have you signed the last deals?" he asked.

"Yes, My Lord. Every mob and organized criminal empire, the drug cartels, all of them are now with us. We now have full share of the profits, and they will extend all their resources to keeping us in power" Don Pluto said with a smile.

"Perfect! And no Power Rangers to stop me!" Dark Specter exclaimed.

"My Lord", Neil Jackson began. "It appears that the Elite factories on both Raxus Prime and the former GSA Elite world of Crill are now defying orders"

"Defying orders?!" Dark Specter asked, slamming the table with his clawed fist in such might that almost shook it apart, making his allies jump in startled fear.

"What have they done?!" Dark Specter asked. Rick Nolan straightened himself up enough to respond;

"They are claiming the Elites were designed to help stop rogue governments and liberate worlds, not conquer them. They say you have betrayed them"

Dark Specter laughed in amusement. "Those idiots think I care about their feelings?! They should be happy to just be in my graces! Tell them to straighten up and make more Elites, or we'll send the very troops they built up their asses!" Dark Specter replied. Neil Jackson only nodded in agreement, his slimy bureaucratic smile giving Dark Specter a more heinous glow, as he continued;

"I thought you would say so, My Lord, and I did. They cut off communications right afterwards. I think they're both trying to build an army out of the last Elites they were putting together. Volunteers too, perhaps." Jackson replied.

Dark Specter sat still for a moment, lowering his head in silence and deep thought. After a few seconds, he lifted his head again with a deviant smile forming across his lava-like face.

"Alacore! I want you to go with Skygantor and Dark Venom. Eliminate these traitors, immediately! I will not allow such acts to go without punishment!" Dark Specter yelled in fury as he jumped out of his seat with such might, the table was forced to standing above the occupants on either side, as it rose up and fell over upside down.

[Darky]

Speeding through hyperspace, the Juggernaught led a fleet of five freighters, twelve carriers, and two battleships to its location of Crill. Aboard the bridge, pilots and officers worked feverishly at their computers in the small, narrow trenches that held them alongside the wall.

Atop the larger ramp that oversaw the work, Dark Venom fastened his demonic mask to his face, as he placed the deactivated sword hilts onto his belt. Beside him, Skygantor polished up his axe, while Alacore stood silently at the command deck of the bridge, staring out the port window into space as the ship flew through space, the stars a long tunnel of white light.

"Okay, here's the plan" Skygantor began, as he finished the work on his axe. "Dark Specter wants us to get in and out quick. We go into the labs, steal the Elite blueprints and technology, we kill the Prime Minister and her aides, and we leave in the ships, just before we blast the planet into space dust, then off to Raxus Prime we go" Skygantor said with a chuckle.

"Sounds good to me. The boy over there doesn't seem too thrilled though. Maybe still human?" Dark Venom whispered back to Skygantor as he motioned his head to Alacore by the window.

"I have no problem with killing, Venom. I just don't like you tagging along" Alacore stated through his gritted teeth, the statement surprising Skygantor and Dark Venom at the precision of his hearing.

"What, you think I'm still the young boy you met all those years ago, Venom? You're a fool" Alacore said cooly, never breaking his gaze into space.

"You little bastard, I'll-!"

"What was that?" Alacore asked in a taunting tone as the corner of his mouth formed a smirk. Skygantor placed his hand on Dark Venom's shoulder, who was shaking with rage.

"Let it go, Venom. Let the boy learn he needs us" Skygantor quipped.

Just then, the green-gem world of Crill caught the bridge's sight as the Juggernaught and its fleet pulled out of hyperspace in orbit above the world.

"Show time" Alacore emotionlessly said, as he calmly turned and left the bridge to meet his command force. Dark Venom stood still, still seething at the disrespect the boy had just given him. Finally taking a deep breath, he turned to Skygantor and nodded.

"Get your Varoxes ready. It's time for some punishment"

[Darky]

The small city was the only one on Crill, and it was now under siege. A technological wonder, the city was made from iron and diamonds and floated above the large oceans, from where the Crillians came from. They were an intelligent species that held science and the Light Side of the Morphing Grid as the top two values in the society.

The fish-like people came out of their apartment homes and stared into the sky, as V-Wingers and Quadrafighters filled the sky. They knew why, they didn't want any part of Dark Specter's plans. Not in the Great War, and not now.

Laser blasts streaked across the skies as enemy fighters flew overhead, such a wave of evil steel and metals, no one knew which fighters were firing. It didn't matter, as the Crillians began to scatter, many going for the railings of the city and diving into the oceans from which they came. Parts of the ground exploded all around them, killing many people as they ran for dear life. Buildings began to collapse all around them, total chaos.
...
In the farthest backs of the city, the Crillian Palace sat, turbolaser cannons and turrets online, as Crillian soldiers fired round after round at the advancing Quadrafighters and V-Wingers, the heavy shots taking only a few out at a time, as the Juggernaughts and frigate ships came into view. On the outskirts of the city, landing crafts began to land by the city gates, where Crillian soldiers stood in their blue uniforms. Many had the Crillian flag on their shoulder as patches, while others had the GSA ensignia as well, wishing for the old peaceful days.

Elites and Varox bounty hunters charged out of the landing crafts before the ramps even finished lowering. Laser fire hit the incoming Nationals, as the Crillians backed away in fear. The blasts bouncing off of the Elites' energy shields, the Varoxes not even caring as their armor was substanital to stop the blasts. Backing away, the Crillians turned to retreat, as another group of landing craft had just disembarked another crew of Elites. The Crillian soldiers panicked, as the Elites surrounded them on all sides, dragging them to the ground and injecting them all. Many began to scream in pain, as they turned their guns on themselves, blasting themselves to not endure the pain of being another short-lived zombie.

Two landing craft ships with fighter escorts zoomed across the city, dropping bombs and blasting away high buildings, as they flew towards the palace. The Crillian gunmen manning the palace turrets saw the incoming enemies, and began to concentrate all fire on them. Heavy blasts from all nine cannons hit the landing crafts, the sparks and fire lighting up the sky, but no debris was seen.

They were still coming, shields were up on the landing craft even. Finally landing beyond the palace gates, Dark Venom, Skygantor and Alacore stepped out of one of the landing crafts, as more Elites and Cogs followed from behind. The palace doors opened and two dozen Crillian troops came out with blaster rifles, firing at the intruders. The blasts aimed for the Elites bounced off of them, as the ones aimed for the Cogs shattered the robot troops to pieces of rubble. Before they could say anything, Dark Venom and Skygantor watched in surprise as Alacore leapt into the air, flipping with grace, just as he landed right in the center of the 24 guards.

Grunts and screams filled the air, as the Crillian guards fell in moments, Alacore twirling his saber and cutting each one down, beheading more. Within seconds, all 24 guards were dead, and Alacore charged into the palace alone.

"I can see two reasons why Dark Specter holds him in high regards, and it's not just because he's the Green Ranger's son" Skygantor said in amusement, as Dark Venom flashed him a glare before charging into the palace with the rest of his troops.

[Darky]

"You're dead, motherfucker!" Alacore screamed with fury, charging the incoming wave of Crillian soldiers as he ran into the room next to the throne room. His sword a blur as he spun on the heel of his foot, swinging and twirling his saber as he cut down each advancing soldier.

Within seconds, the floor was littered with limbs and bodies, as more soldiers came into the room, and made a circle around him. Two soldiers swung their javelins at him, but Alacore quickly blocked each blow, pushing them off and decapitating both soldiers. Another charged and swung his javelin for his head, Alacore raised his dual sabers, blocking. Kicking the soldier in the gut, he twirled his crossed sabers and brought them down on the attacking soldier's head, slicing him in half from head to toe. As he parried a melee attack from an incoming soldier, he dived into the air and allowed the soldier to hit one of his comrades. Landing on his feet, he raised his hand into the air, as lightning shot from his fingertips like a storm, shocking and burning the last soldiers.

Screaming, the Crillians twitched as the electricity fried their bodies, smoke coming off their bodies as they fell to the floor. Alacore continued his assault, as he ran into the throne room where the Prime Minister awaited, Skygantor and Dark Venom running up from behind.

"Looks like the kid's got some skill" Skygantor mused, as Dark Venom grunted in frustration.

As they ran into the throne room, they saw the bodies of all the aides scattered about on the floor, Alacore holding the Prime Minister in a headlock, just as he put all his strength into it and twisted his arms, snapping her neck. The Prime Minister gasped a quick breath before falling to the ground, now dead. Alacore stood over her dead body, breathing deeply and looking at his work, Skygantor and Dark Venom watching in a daze. Alacore looked up from the floor to his two allies and smirked,

"I told you - I have no problem with killing!" he yelled out.

"Well good for you, than you can order the orbital bombardment. The Commander has already informed me that we got the technology and the lab was in ruins. Let's go!" Dark Venom yelled out, as he, Skygantor and Alacore teleported away.
...
Outside in the cities, Crillian-made-Elites battle the National Elites in a gunfire in the townsquare. The Crillians had all evacuated the city, many dead or missing, others escaped into the oceans. High above in the skies, the Juggernaught capital ship lingered like the eternal hand of death waiting to strike.

Aboard the bridge, Alacore, Dark Venom and Skygantor stared out the window onto the landscape, as the ship's captain stood by for further instructions. Turning to face the captain, Alacore smiled with glee.

"Captain, prepare the final punishment. Wipe this pathetic planet off the face of the universe!" Alacore screamed as he shook his fist.

"Yes Sir" the captain said emotionlessly, as he turned and nodded to the pilots and officers at the trench computers.

*cue Imperial March

The Juggernaught and its freighter ships opened fire on the city. The blasts tearing apart buildings, homes, hospitals, government buildings, schools, stores, everything. The sky alight with the red of the fire from below, as the turrets continued their bombardment, the grounds exploding and debris flying everywhere with the sparks and falling rubble.

The town square lit up, as the statues of Crillian ancestors blew apart, Elites on both sides still shooting at each other as the blasts rained down on them and dissintegrated them. People in the high rising apartments scream in terror, as the buildings around them are blasted in half, as their homes are shot as well. The apartments all around are being shot in the center by the Juggernaught turrets, as the apartments fall into the city streets where more debris and fire awaited. The collapsing buildings spread fire, dust and smoke over the entire island city.

Crillians running from the massacre blocks away could not escape, as the smoke from every building followed them and came from all sides, smashing and suffocating them. High above on the bridge, Alacore smiled with pride as he stared out at the destruction.

"All hail Dark Specter" he whispered.

[Darky]

Battered and beaten, Will sat alone in the solitary confinement of his cell. He talked back to the guards and was beaten before being placed in this small, cold, darkened cell. A puddle of water by the door reflected some small light coming in from the window in the door. Curled up, he didn't care about the abuse he had taken. Nothing hurt as much as the revelation he got weeks ago that his son, Matt, betrayed him and became Alacore. The images still fresh in his mind, he went over and over it as he tried to reason with how his son could fall down such a path.

*cue My Immortal

He hanged his head, remembering holding his son with his wife when she gave birth.

I'm so tired of being here
Supressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave, I wish you would just leave

That bright and sunny day in the middle of April when he was teaching Matt, now 4, how to ride a bike.

Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
These wounds won't seem to heal

Will holding his crying son after he fell off the bike and scraped his knee

This pain is just too real
There's just too much time cannot erase
When you'd cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears

Will hugging his wife and two children, Matt being the oldest, in front of the Christmas tree on the cool wintery morning of Christmas.

When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years

Running into his son's bedroom in the night, as he awoke and screamed from nightmares.

But you still have
All of me

Playing baseball with Matt and his younger son.

You used to captivate me by your resonating life
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Screaming, Will tried to break his memories from his head to no avail, thrashing and screaming, he fought himself on the floor.

Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away, all the sanity in me

Unable to hold it, Will threw his head back and roared like an injured animal, the tears bawling as he grabbed at the hair on his head.

These wounds just won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

Walking by Will's cell, a guard hit the door with his baton, "Hey, shut up in there!" he yelled out. "FUCK YOU!" Will yelled back, his tears and crying making his throat lock up.

When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have, all of me

"Don't talk back to me that way, asshole!" the guard yelled, as he fired a stun gun through the window, zapping Will with 25 volts. Cringing, he screamed out more, as he visualized the new image of his son, Matt, as Alacore.

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along

"That'll teach you to not piss us off. Stupid Ranger" the guard muttered, leaving Will's cell, as he continued to cry, his breaths strong, almost hyperventilating.

When you cried, I wiped away all of your tears
When you screamed, I'd fight away all of your tears
I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have

One thought began to pop into Will's head, as he slowly started to regain control of his breath, his body going limp as he began to fall asleep.

All of me

"I just want to go" Will whispered to himself. "Please, let me die" Will continued to say.

Me

[Darky]

Arriving in KO-35's orbit, the stolen National shuttle began to head for the remote location in the mountains outside of the city. Within minutes, the Rangers flew the shuttle to the base of the highest mountain in the entire Karova system, Mount Yotoba.

Disembarking from the shuttle, the Rangers led the way out with the slaves coming from behind, staring around in wonder at the beauty of the alien world. So alive with nature, birds chirping as small woodland animals skimpered about doing their little chores. The warm air a comfort to the freed slaves, the slightly cloudy blue sky giving a hint of the wonders of the universe. Carrying him out, Merrick was scared, as Reggie fell to his knees. He was still injured, but Reggie didn't care. He clasped his hands into the soil, pulling out a handful and kissing it, just before taking a deep breath.

"Freedom!" he yelled out, laughing like a small child during their birthday party. The escaped slaves cheered once more, throwing their hands into the air, as the Rangers looked to each other, proud of their good deed.

"Power Rangers! Power Rangers! Power Rangers!" the slaves started chanting, as Jason's eyes grew, his mouth forming an all-too-familiar smile. Billy patted his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Remember those days?" he asked.

"Definitely" Jason replied while nodding. As he began to get back up, Reggie groaned as he fell back to the ground, Merrick catching him and holding him up.

"How far is it, Billy?" Merrick asked.

"Not far, just beyond these hills" Billy replied, as he began to lead the way around the mountin's trail into the plains that surrounded it. As the group followed, Chip perked his eyes up, as he shouted out from the back;

"Hey Billy, how do you know where to go?" he asked.

"It's the famous landsite where the Rebels had their last battle with Dark Specter's forces thirty years ago during the Great War. After drifting about, they knew the war was close to ending, so they came back here and overthrew what little UA forces remained and took to the hills for guerilla attacks" Billy replied, stepping over some tall grass.

"And this is where Jerome took the refugees? Isn't that a bit obvious?" Alyssa threw out.

"Yes, but that's the point. Dark Specter thinks the same thing, hence he wouldn't try it, knowing we ARE smart enough to not use it again. The perfect hiding spot, he'll be looking everywhere else BUT here" Billy replied.

Hiking through the plains, they saw a clear end to the ground ahead. Walking forward, they came upon a large crevice, where deep inside sat many small tents and office buildings. A large bunker sized door made of Titanian metals sat in the far back beyond the small buildings sat, wedged into the side of a mountain.

"That's it" Billy said, as he led the crew down the small, rocky trail of the crevice into the camp, the Rangers and escaped slaves following. As they neared the bottom, two armed soldiers ran out of the nearest mid-right tent, blasters aimed at the group.

"Stop! Hands up!"

[Angelfox]

LOL, guess they made a wrong turn...

[Darky]

Leave it to Billy ;) The next part's going up tomorrow, sorry been a little tied down

[Darky]

Sorry about the delay, schools' kept me busy. So here's the next part
-----
The Rangers quickly raised their hands, as the two armed and masked soldiers approached them.

"Stand up straight, keep your hands where I can see them!" the left one yelled.

"Karovan soldiers?" Zhane whispered. The soldiers stopped, as they looked to him.

"Zhane? Zhane that you?" the one on the right asked. Nodding, the Rangers sighed in relief, as the soldiers lowered their guns and waved them over with a friendly aura around them now.

"Sorry about that, ever since the Nation's come into power, we've been fearing Dark Specter's wrath coming back on us" the left soldier said, as they began to lead the Rangers to the large bunker sized door.

"It's okay, not exactly the first time we've been attacked by friends lately" Damon said with a look of concern.

Arriving upon the doors, the two soldiers waved an electronic card at the scanner that hid in the mountain side, disgusied as a rock formation. Leading the Rangers inside past the hissing open doors, the Rangers walked behind the Karovans, as they saw more Karovan troops carrying supplies, or just going about their duties. Going past them, each Karovan soldier stopped and gave a salute to the Rangers, as they walked down the long corridor to the main base.

Minutes passed, as the group walked down the sloping grated floor into the base. A light shined ahead of the tunnel, and as they approached, awe overcame all the Rangers but Zhane, as they came upon a large underground city.

GSA energy-powered carts buzzed across the dirt-ridden streets, as small buildings lined up for what seemed to be miles. Birds flew through the air, as small holes in the mountain gave way to sunlight. Bright, clear and crisp water ran freely in the streams that went along the grounds in the middle of the streets. Frogs leapt in and out of the streams, as fish swam through it, no garbage or oil in it. The Karovans were well known as environmentalists, and thus had great knowledge on the beauties of nature. Aliens of many worlds walked about, greeting each other in their native tongues. Aquitians, Bookala, Eltarians, Drovians, Troobians, Liarians and more.

"It's still here!" Zhane exclaimed. The Rangers looked to him, as they continued forward to follow the soldiers.

"Zhane, what is this place?" Alyssa asked.

"This is the inner sanctuary the Rebels built after we took KO-35 back from Divatox's forces before the final battle. This was where the Mega Winger saw her first fight. We pretty much used it to house our people from the threats outside during the battles" Zhane replied.

"Held good against the Velocifighter's bombings too. We're pretty much using it to house the runaway slaves and fugitives Dark Specter has a price on" the left soldier replied, as they led them to a small shed-looking building.

Karovan soldiers stood outside, armed with assault rifles. Passing by, the troops stopped and saluted the Rangers as well.

"Kinwon's okay?" Zhane asked.

"Better than ever. He's anxious to take Dark Specter down again" the soldier on the right replied. As they walked into the shed base, they saw how small it was. One large desk sat in the far back, where Kinwon sat. But it wasn't that that disturbed them. Standing around him, were Marvo the Meanie, Sinister Simian, Kegler and Oysterizer. Quickly pushing the soldiers aside, Zhane led the Rangers inside as they leapt for the monsters, who screamed out in startled surprise as the Rangers knocked them down.

"Stop it, now!" Kinwon yelled, jumping out of his seat as the soldiers regained themselves. Standing back up, the Rangers glared at the cowering monsters.

"Kinwon! What are you doing?! Those are Dark Specter's goons!" Zhane yelled out.

"No....they're my friends" Kinwon replied.

[Darky]

"Friends?!" Jason yelled out, as he eyed the whimpering Oysterizer.

"It's a long story" Marvo replied.

"I'd say we got time! And why are you here, ain't you dead?" Damon asked as he eyed Kegler.

"Rangers, just please calm down and sit, I'll explain it all" Kinwon stated with a soft tone, as he nodded to the Karovan soldiers by the door, giving them the order to step outside. Sighing, Kinwon sat back in his chair, the Rangers still eyeing the monsters.

"Years ago," Kinwon began, "When the Great War was in its early days, Dark Specter needed to increase the ranks of his soldiers. So, he took DNA samples from previous monsters that had been created through mutations. But in order to make them stronger, they would need altercations to their DNA strands. This created an imbalance and caused them to rebel against Dark Specter, having formed independent thoughts" Sinister Simian patted her hand on Kinwon's shoulder as she continued;

"We knew what each other was thinking, and we didn't like what Dark Specter was doing, or what he had planned for us. We ran away, hiding from Darkonda and the Varox bounty hunters. Hopping from planet to planet, we tried to avoid capture with Zordon aiding us, while we gave inside information when we could so Rangers on other worlds would be ready. We knew Dark Specter would have us tortured to death for treason. When we heard of the final fight and Dark Specter's death, we knew we were safe, so we stayed on Onyx, with other mutants and aliens trying to find their way" Simian concluded.

"Then Scorpius and Trakeena came along" Kegler began. "Villamax and I did some minor work for them after they broke out of the Lost Galaxy. I just wanted to be left alone and hang out with Villamax who took me in as an orphan. He wasn't too fond of Scorpius either, he didn't have the honor. For a while, it seemed as though Trakeena had honor, until she went mad with power. I lost Villamax, and as the Scorpion Stinger crashed on Mirinoi's moon, I escaped and hooked up with these guys back on Onyx. They were afraid of Scorpius and Trakeena as well, mostly because of their prior association with the UAE" Kegler said, motioning to the other monsters.

"Betrayal is the way of the Dark Side" Billy commented again.

"You must understand" Oysterizer began, "We didn't ask to be born. We were made from original evils that we are only linked to by body and blood. We ran everytime we heard about another Varox near Onyx. We rejected the dark teachings, unlike our siblings. We are outcasts of our own people, and your people as well. It was Soccadillo who took charge and tried to lead us and give us hope again, citing you guys as a reason to go on."

"Where's he at now, than?" Tanya asked.

"Petrofski killed him, along with many of the people on Onyx" Kegler replied with a sniffle.

"I'm...I'm sorry" Zhane said quietly, almost in awe at the words coming from his mouth.

"I never thought we'd be apologizing to monsters" Jason said.

"Doggie was right though when he explained something" Billy began, as the other Rangers glanced in his direction, "We can all be monsters. It takes the hope and light inside of us though, to stop that monster from becoming fully grown" the Rangers all nodded quietly, glancing back to the four monsters.

Jason stepped forward, his hand extended. The monsters looked down at it, confused. Jason eyed Oysterizer as he nodded, giving Oysterizer the courage to take the Red Ranger's hand in friendship. Kinwon smiled with a look of hope shining in his eyes as he stood up.

"It's good to see us becoming a full family, now. But we still have a problem. Jerome Stone, a man from Earth, arrived a short while ago with some refugees, saying you knew him?"

"Yes, Sir. Why is that a problem?" Billy replied.

"It's not, it's why they ran. I have reports from Kerovan spies on Earth who claim Dark Specter has launched an assault on Crill, Eltar, the Vica Galaxy, Raxus Prime and the lost city of Atlantis off the coast of Mariner Bay. He's killing by the thousands, and all resistance cells on each world has fallen" Kinwon replied.

"Atlantis?" Chad asked, his eyes darting, his body going limp as he heard the news, his thoughts going back to Marina.

"Why, what does he want with Atlantis?" Chip asked.

"When Bansheera launched her first invasion during the time of the Roman Empire and the times of the Egyptians, Atlantis was a powerful city continent" Kinwon began.

"King Neptune was a great king, wise and strong. He had a powerful trident that could control the very elements of Earth, Bansheera wanted it. She sent an army of demons after it, but the Rangers of then stopped them from getting it, at a great price. Atlantis sunk after all the damages to the Earth's crust and tectonic plates done by the demons, who perished as the city sank into the water. Both Bansheera and Dark Specter believed them to be dead, but they didn't know the trident's full power. As it could manipulate the elements, it allowed the surviving Atlantians to evolve into your legendary mermaids" Kinwon finished.

"Okay, so if Dark Specter gets this trident, what happens?" Alyssa asks, as the Rangers turned to Kinwon with a look of dread.

"If you thought he was bad now" Kinwon began again, "Then imagine what he could do if he controls the weathers and the soils themselves. Though some of his monsters can do that, no one has been able to harness all this power. He could become invincible"

[Darky]

A slave camp on Pluto, slaves worked around the clock to build the plasmatic energy cores for Dark Specter's Claw weapon. The oxygen machines and artificial atmospheric pressures of the former Edenoite colony made it possible for the slaves to work. A large machine structure had been built already with plasma energy flowing through it. Slaves in rags from all across existance worked feverishly under the whips, as they carried construction pieces about, while others dug a large hole for where transport ships would land to connect other pieces that had been built.

Falling to the ground, a weakened Tenga whimpered for mercy, as the National officer stood over him with a whip.

"I told you! GET BACK TO WORK!" the officer screamed. As he proceeded to whip him, Eric leapt in front of the whip, catching it as it wrapped around his wrist.

"Maybe someone should use this on you for a while, asshole" Eric gritted.

Many slaves stopped working as they turned around and watched with fear at what they knew would happen. The very sounds of angry officers and the whips, though not on them, was able to produce a chilling effect on all slaves who heard it.

"Maybe you should mind your own business, Ranger!" the officer yelled, as he let the whip drop and charge Eric, hitting him right in the chest with his shoulder blade.

Eric fell to the dust and rock ridden ground, weak. The only food they had was some bread and salad twice a day, with very little water. Most of the money was being horded for the military and National leaders. The officer's mouth formed an angry frown, as he pulled out his blaster pistol and put it right up to Eric's forehead.

"You wanna piss me off? Go ahead, say something else. I dare you. I fucking dare you, Meyers". Eric kept silent, as he stared at the barrel of the pistol.

"That's what I thought" the officer commented, as he motioned behind him to two Elites, who ran over to the sides of the Silver Guardian.

Weak, his legs couldn't move, he was too tired. A voice in his head told him to sit there. The Elites bent down and grabbed him, tearing at his arms as they dragged him away to another small crater where more slaves worked. Thinking he couldn't move anymore, the Elites threw Eric down the rocky trail into the crater. Tossing and rolling, Eric yelled in pain as the rocks cut away at him before he landed at the feet of a pair of Cogs. Grabbing him by the throat, they dragged him to a small line of slaves who were processing some tubes and chips for the machines that were to be implemented to control the engines. As he was pushed to a small pile of chips, another slave turned to him.

"Meyers, you gonna get killed" the Noxian whispered.

"Fine by me" Eric replied.

"Some of the new guys said your friends really ticked off the Monarch. Apparently some Rangers liberated a camp and destroyed a few of his forces" the slave replied.

Eric glanced in obvious hope at the news. Maybe he didn't need to die afterall, maybe his friends were still out there. As he looked around, he saw a large National Juggernaught land just above the crater, it's ramp doors opening, as a large line of slaves were being escorted aboard by a team of Elites. As he stared on, the slave turned to Eric;

"Death awaits them, they say" the Noxian whispered.

Eric stared, mesmerized, as the lines of hundreds of slaves were forced aboard the Juggernaught.

[Angelfox]

Whoa...........

[Darky]

Secluded in his Temple, Ninjor sat silently on the floor of the main chambers, the same room where his old urn awaited. He was lucky to escape Dark Specter's violent assault on the Raydon 2, but he got separated from the others in the escape pods, as his was launched and got caught in a turbulence wave.

He knew he needed the Rangers' help to defeat the Nation, so he sat and meditated. The Light of the Morphing Grid filled him, as his spiritual essence zoomed across the universe to find them. Ninjor began to groan in pain and disgust at the visions he saw as he flew. Twisting his body about, Ninjor urged himself to keep going.

*cue Phil Collins' Another Day In Paradise

Starving people on the streets in the midst of the night, hounded by Nightmare Troopers who were attacking and assaulting them. The children taken from schools, now a part of the Specter Youth, watch in horror, as they are forced to march by a Syndicate thug.

She calls out to the man on the street
Sir can you help me?

Nightmare Troopers, carrying barrels of depleted uranium, dumped the waste into the waters of Japan, which would go on to poison the citizens.

It's cold and I have nowhere to sleep
Is there somewhere you can tell me?

Zooming further over the planets, he saw crime boss Don Pluto in his mansion with Skygantor and other leading Syndicate members, as they cheered and howled at the enslaved female Eltarians, chained by their necks to the wall as they were forced to dance on a stage, gangsters standing by with tazers.

He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her

Laughing, Nightmare Troopers threw grenades at running stray dogs and cats in the streets of Paris.

Starts to whistle as he crosses the streets
She's embarrassed to be there

Siberia, Dark Specter sat in the large gladitorial booth outside of his new palace. Watching with delight with armies of his minions, slaves below were forced to fight to the death, an electronic ring around their neck forcing them to combat.

Oh, think twice
Because it's another day for you and me in Paradise,
Oh, think twice, because it's another day for you,
You and me in Paradise

Africa, rich with gold, oil and diamonds, now the gangs there have allied with the Dark Specter. Public shootings occur. Ninjor's spirit flies past a factory, where inside, children are forced around the clock to manufacture clothes and weapons for the military. Unable to hold it anymore, Ninjor wept at the sight.

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she's been crying[i]

A Bellsavvan, Beevor's species, sits on the doorstep of her ruined home. The dream of starting a new life on the GSA's Emerald World of Earth, now in ruins.

[i]She's got blisters on the soles of her feet
Cant walk but shes trying

Troops march down the streets of various planets in the Vica Galaxy, as scared citizens gaze at them. Their hopes, now been crushed.

Dyleria, the beach-like planet and its villages have been razed to the ground. The large, horse-like Dylerians are being rounded up for slave labor, due to their massive height and strength.

Oh think twice,
Because it's another day for you and me in Paradise

A slum on Earth, several dead bodies lay in the dirt roads, as Nightmare Troopers walk by,not stopping to care.

Oh think twice, its just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

Billboards on the city streets of Cimmeria now bear the words "DON'T GIVE TO THE BEGGARS, THEY CONTRIBUTE NOTHING", as the Cimmerians rushed about in between Cogs and Sickles standing watch over them.

Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh Lord, there must be something you can say

A slave camp, Ninjor sees many slaves digging up ores and diamonds to help power the Claw. More are ushered aboard Juggernaughts to be taken to their deaths.

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she's been there

A death camp, where many prisoners worked around the clock to their deaths under the supervision of Cogs and Sickles.

Probably been moved on from every place
cause she didn't fit in there

He sees them! Some of the Rangers are in a slave camp on Aleor 4. They worked tirelessly under the iron grip of the officers behind them. The small towns outside of the camp carried streams through, now filled with dirt and poisons from the work in the mountains above. Elites walked about, attacking people at random with their fists, as others went in and out of homes and small businesses to look for 'evidence'.

Oh think twice,
Because it's just another day for you and me in Paradise
Oh, think twice, because it's another day for you,
You and me in Paradise

He knew what had to be done. Sitting up, Ninjor made an oath, and would save his friends. He had to, for all those victims he just saw...get them away from Dark Specter's 'paradise'.

It's just another day, for you and me,
In Paradise
Para...Paradise
Paradise!
It's just another day...

[Darky]

Sorry about the delay, but my computer crashed. Got a new one, so here we go again
------

Ninjor knew what must be done. Standing to his full height, he sheathed his sword to his back. Relaxing his body and mind, he began to concentrate. He knew where one camp would be, in the Dark Dimension, where the UA held prisoners before.

The tingle of teleporting covered the Morphing Master's body under the ancient blue armor. His surroundings of the Temple chambers wavered around him like water. Finally, it melted away, and he now stood in the darkness. Opening his eyes, he noticed the all too-familiar foggy ground, the dark sky of the eternal night created by the dark side.

A large factory laid a few yards before him, two Elites standing guard beside the doorway. The Elite on the left looked up and saw the elder sage and motioned to his comrade. Ninjor quickly reached for his sword on his back, unsheathing it and holding it out to full length.

"I'd back down and leave if I were you" Ninjor said softly.

The cyborgs did not listen, as they raised their deadly prosthetic arms and began to walk toward Ninjor.

With a quick fluid motion, Ninjor sliced the two cyborgs in half, letting the smoldering remains of shrapnel fall to the foggy ground in heated piles. Walking to the factory, he looked around. Seven stories high, the main building stood upon the mists like a deadly creature. It definitely stood out, being the only building inside the dimension, its smoke stacks adding more smoke to the already clouded world. Behind it, laid a small bunker.

'Probably the sleeping quarters of the prisoners' Ninjor mused quietly. Voices of Cogs caught his attention, they were coming from around the building.

Quickly tapping into the Light Side, he drew the Morphing Grid around him and leapt up towards the rooftop of the factory, just as the Cogs turned the corner, never knowing how close they came to the enemy.

Once on the roof, Ninjor looked about in silence for a way in. The smoke stacks would be too obvious an entrance, and he'd be melted quicker than a Wraig on Javar's desert surface.

Creeping silently, he drew upon the Grid to ease his pace, hoping no one would hear him. Walking to the other end of the roof, he noticed a small vent in the roof, a tasty aroma rising from it.

'Kitchen works too' Ninjor amused to himself in thought. Quietly prying the crate off the ventilator shaft, he leapt down the darkened, cold, steel tube to his destination.

Inside the kitchen, Cogs dressed in ridiculous chef clothes hurried about, fixing the next meal for the factory boss. A large kitchen, tables set about, as the team of Cogs worked on a cake. A loud rumbling sound caught their attention, as they looked around in alarm. Just then, Ninjor fell from the vent on the other end of the kitchen, the grate shattering to the floor in a loud bang. The Cogs dropped their tools and quickly ran to attack the Master, just as Ninjor charged them, sword ready. Flipping into the air with agility, he hacked away at two of the charging Cogs in mid-air, leaving them in a heap as he landed before the remaining Cog chefs.

"Fighters AND cooks? You guys can't dress for anything, you know that?" Ninjor taunted the remaining robots, as they began to surround him.

One charged him, Ninjor anticipated it and turned and grabbed the machine by its arm and flung it across the kitchen into the refrigerator, knocking it over. Two more ran from behind him, as Ninjor spun on his heels and slashed them apart with his saber, before flipping backwards over another charging Cog, landing behind another. The charged Cog ahead of him turned, its eye mask lifting up to shoot blaster bolts at the Master. Ninjor just as easily grabbed the Cog in front of him, and held it before him, allowing it to take the blast to the chest. Flinging the destroyed Cog away, Ninjor then shot a blast from his symbolized chest, destroying the last one.

"Come on guys, you can do better than that" Ninjor said with a shrug. With that he crept into the shadows and out the door.

Outside, he found himself in the main processing plant of the factory. Slaves worked over small desks. Dirty and ragged, the slaves looked as though they hadn't eaten in years. National officers paced the floors with a steady eye and their blasters drawn.

Looking around, he saw a flight of stairs nearby that led up to a room with a light on. He knew it had to be the boss's chambers. The shadows concealed him for the moment, but it wouldn't last. He knew that much, he just needed to get to that office and get the keys and hurry out. Maybe then, blast the factory to ruin.

An idea popped to his head. Raising his hand a little, he began to focus. The main machine which sent out weapon pieces for the slaves to assemble, lurched and coughed in the corner. Focusing on it, smoke began to billow from it, as sparks flew from it and the machine died. Officers began to swarm over to the broken machine, cursing.

His opportunity now, Ninjor ran up the small flight of stairs. Inside the office, Quagernon gazed over the Dino morphers with glee. Looking up, he saw Ninjor charge in. Before he could say anything, Ninjor blasted Quagernon to the ground, Ninjor jumping over the table and grabbing the morphers.

"These don't belong to you" he said, as he also grabbed the set of keys on the desk. "But these do, but I'll take them too anyway for the trouble" Ninjor said. Running back outside to the set of stairs, Quagernon followed.

"It's Ninjor, kill him!" the demon yelled, as the officers turned their attention away from the assembly machine and opened fire. Leaping over the startled and excited slaves, Ninjor slashed apart the gun barrels of the officers, as he turned and threw the keys to the slaves.

"Go! Get to the bunker out back and free the others. I got them! Go!" he yelled.

Chaos erupted as the slaves scattered in every direction to the different exits. Quagernon cursed as he saw Ninjor striking down officer after officer, all who now had unsheathed their own short ranged sabers.

[Darky]

The officers parried at Ninjor, but they were no match for a skilled swordsman who's trained for thousands of years. Ninjor simply swatted them away with each parry.

Just then, his focus was broken, as a laser blast hit him from the side and sent him flying through the wall. Ninjor landed outside on the misty ground, chunks of brick and asbestos fall around him, the dust and fog blinding him momentariliy. As he sat up, he realized it - he dropped the Dino morphers!

Quickly jumping up, Quagernon walked slowly through the gaping hole in the wall, officers behind him. "Looking for these?" Quagernon implied, holding out the morphers. As he jumped for them, an officer batted him back to the ground with the hilt of his sword.

"Get to the bunker and stop them from leaving, or you can explain it to Dark Specter" Quagernon stated coldly, as the officers ran to the nearby bunker. Stomping his foot into Ninjor's chest, he struggled to push the heavy demon off of him.

"Poor Ninjor, such a shame your talent will go to a waste" Quagernon said, his claws now raised and ready for a death strike. Blaster bolts rang about, stunning Quagrnon's train of thought. Looking up, he saw the slaves breaking out of the bunker, all now armed with the officers' blaster rifles.

"Kill them!" Quagernon yelled, as Cogs and Elites teleported to the sight in a flash of red light.

Ninjor went for it, pushing Quagernon off of him, the demon lost his balance and fell, dropping the morphers. Rolling for them, Ninjor picked them up and scanned the rioting crowd for the owners. He then saw Ethan's face in the battlefield.

"ETHAN!" Ninjor called out, throwing the morphers to the nearby Ranger. Catching them in mid-air, Ethan morphed instantly into the Blue Dino Ranger, as he threw the other three to his nearby comrades.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Quagernon screamed as he leapt from the ground and charged Ninjor. Swinging his sword, he was surprised when the demon caught the blade of his sword and shoved the sage back. Two laser blasts came from either side of Ninjor that struck Quagernon, sending him into a quick daze. Ethan and Connor ran to the battle, morphed into Super Dino Mode, blaster pistols unloading energized blasts of crystalline energy particles.

"What are you doing?" Ninjor asked.

"Helping you" Connor retorted.

"You need to use your powers and make a gateway to the real universe, get these people out of here!" Ninjor yelled. Quagernon charged full speed and batted both Rangers away, grabbing Ninjor and running with him, his body stuck as though he got hit by a bus.

"What about you?!" Ethan yelled back, turning momentarily to shoot an incoming Cog in the chest.

"I got him!" Ninjor yelled back, as he planted his feet firmly into the ground and stopped Quagernon's charge. Grabbing him by his upper horns, Ninjor lifted the beast up and swung him aside.

"Go, get to KO-35, more of the Rangers are there to help!" he yelled back, as Quagernon came from behind and slashed his back with his jagged claws.

"Thanks for the heads-up, I'll be getting a promotion for this!" Quagernon chuckled.

Stunned, Ninjor was down on one knee. Shaking his head, he quickly raised his sword back up and cut a slash across the beast's torso, sending him down in a small shower of sparks. "You're not going anywhere!" Ninjor yelled back.

"Trent!" Ethan yelled out to the White Dino Ranger, as he slashed apart two more Cogs with his Drago Sword, Trent looked his way.

"Make a portal with your sword to KO-35, get the runaways out of here!" Connor yelled.

Kira ran to stand by Trent, as he stabbed his sword into the air, and with a quick swipe, make a glowing green gateway.

"Come on, forget them!" Kira yelled as she waved the runaways to the portal. The slaves broke free from the battle and ran to the portal, diving in. The Cogs were giving pursuit, as Kira raised her Ptera Grips and threw charged versions of her weapon at the robots, keeping them back. Looking back, Trent saw the Dino Rangers helping Ninjor battle Quagernon in a losing battle.

"Go, help them. I got the gate open, but I can only keep it ready for a few more moments" Trent whispered to Kira, who only nodded. Running to help her friends, she activated her Super Dino Mode and leapt into the air, wings spreading from her arms, as she flew in their direction. Grabbing Quagernon, she flew the screeching demon through the air as he struggled to get free.

"Wanna be let go? Okay." Kira replied calmly, dropping the demon to the ground. Sitting up, he was then rammed by Ethan, who ran across the dead foggy plains, dragging the monster with him.

"Don't mess with the Power Rangers" Ethan smirked, throwing Quagernon in a spinning twirl towards Connor, who stood ready with his Tyranno Staff, as he impaled the monster with it, who only howled with pain and fury.

Dropped to the ground, Ninjor stepped forward and motioned to the Rangers to make it to the portal. As the three Dino Rangers ran to Trent, the looked over their shoulders just in time to see Ninjor fire blast after blast from his symbolized chest at Quagernon, the monster lighting up. Leaping into the portal, Kira, Connor and Ethan were sent to KO-35, Trent struggling to hold it open a little longer for Ninjor.

As Quagernon shook in pain, Ninjor unleashed another wave of shots on the factory, blasting it to pieces. Debris and chunks and metals and brick fell everywhere and on to Quagernon, who was now falling to the ground. Turning and running Ninjor bolted for the gateway, as Trent leapt into it, followed by Ninjor. The gateway closed, just as the falling factory debris and Quagernon erupted into a massive explosion, obliterating the Dark Dimension.

[Angelfox]

very nice, good to see Ninjor finally getting involved again....

[Darky]

"GODDAMNIT!" Dark Specter howled in his throne room, jumping out of his throne and throwing a ball of fire from his claw at the window, shattering it.

"Now look what they made me do!" he yelled. Dark Venom stood at the bottom of the blood-red carpeted stairs separating him from his master. He was alone with him, other than the two Elite guards at the front door 15 yards behind him. Most would be afraid of the Monarch if such a display of anger flashed before them, but not Venom. He'd seen it before when he was the leader of the Dark Covenant when the UAE was at its peak.

Growling further, Dark Specter reached out with his telekinesis and grabbed a vase from its resting spot on a stand nearby the stairs. He then quickly threw the old artifact from Bookala across the room into the wall above the door, shattering the masterpiece of art.

"Did anyone survive?" Dark Specter asked.

"No one. Quagernon and everything else in the Dark Dimension was obliterated" Dark Venom replied.

"I need you to find these Rangers and kill them!" Dark Specter screamed out, as he turned and put his clawed fist through the brick wall behind the throne, shattering a large chunk of brick and cement to the floor.

"I would, if I knew where they are!" Dark Venom replied with a sarcastic tone.

"What was that?!" Dark Specter exclaimed, as he turned to view his right-hand man, eyes widened.

"I said, I don't know where they are. The military and every monster is out looking for evidence to find them. I've got Vulture Bots scouring every world we can find, but the universe is big. I need time!"

"You need to hope they are found, before I punish you!" Dark Specter replied.

"I'm doing what I can! Don't you think I know what I'm doing?!" Venom retorted.

"Apparently not" Dark Specter growled.

"Hey, I told you before, the Light Side is starting to block my premonitions. It was the same way before you got blasted to pieces. I told you Darkonda was dangerous, you didn't listen because you thought it could increase the darkness to feed you. Now you want me to do the same thing, and you're STILL getting an attitude with me? Who the hell do you think you are?!" Venom screamed, his red and yellow eyes now shining with anger and hate.

Dark Specter lifted his head and nodded to the Elites, who opened the bronze doors and left the throne room.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I should listen to you more" Dark Specter said, the Elites returning within moments, followed by a tall man in a suit. Dark Venom's eyes shifted nervously.

"You are the seer, but I'm the master. I make the calls, and you obey" Dark Specter continued, now nodding.

The two Elites grabbed Dark Venom from either side by his arms. Venom sturggled to break free, but his physical strength was lower than that of the cyborgs who had heavy metal arms. The suited man walked in front of Venom, punching him in the gut. Keeling over, Dark Venom gasped for air as the Elites threw him to the floor.

"You're a seer, afterall, right? Did you see this in your future?" Dark Specter taunted, the man pulling out a meat cleaver from the inside of his suit jacket.

Dark Venom kicked and struggled, the Elites pressing him down harder. His breathing going faster and faster as he tried to move, body going numb from the pressure.

"Don't piss me off" Dark Specter whispered, Venom's eyes widened as the suited man, a doctor raised the meat cleaver and brought it down on the shoulder of the left arm of the second-in-command.

The scream ripped throughout the palace.

[Angelfox]

remind us not to admit we are seers to that guy

[Darky]

"The Claw?" Kinwon asked with a shaky tone in his voice. The regrouped Rangers, cloned monsters, Kinwon and Ninjor stood hudled inside of the small shed-sized administration office of KO-35's hidden city.

"I'm afraid so, it looks like Dark Specter wasted no time getting the slaves to work. I saw it during meditation. That was before I broke into the Dark Dimension" Ninjor concluded.

"Question", Justin began, raising his hand, "What is this Claw?" he asked. Ninjor cleared his throat to begin; "Thousands of years ago when Dark Specter was still building his armies, one of his first most horrific weapons of mass destruction was the Claw."

"It was a large space station that had a factory inside of it. It could absorb every mineral and natural resource on the planet, turning whole planets into barren rocks" Kinwon continued.

"That wasn't even the worst of it" Ninjor went on. "To use the survivors, Dark Specter also had the Claw equipped with reverse vents that would release a biological nerve gas that would affect the very biochemistry of the victims. All victims would be turned into mindless zombies, attacking any living thing and turning them into zombies as well. Each one would mindlessly obey Dark Specter's commands" Ninjor finished.

"So what happened?" Jason asked with a shrug.

Ninjor sighed with grief, "My old friend, Shen Jolyas led a strike team of eight early Rangers, known as the Digital Reality Troopers into enemy territory to shut it down while it was docked on UA controlled P'ferta. Jolyas was a Kadixian from Kadix, and using her natural ability to camouflage her movements and those of the people next to her, knowing coming out to attack the zombies would just make them protect the Claw much more."

"P'ferta had already been turned into a zombie world, and from what we learned from our spies in the UA ranks, they had soon-to-be-executed plans to take the Claw to a neighboring galaxy that had no weapons or defenses, but plenty of resources. They snuck aboard and fought off every Quantron and Chromite aboard, and Digital Trooper 3 took the Claw into orbit, all of us hoping that the Claw's destruction would be able to cure the victims."

Ninjor stopped and leaned against the wall, huffing. "Jolyas had the other Troopers arm detonators in each sensitive spot of the space station, they got off and headed back down to P'ferta aboard an escape pod, but they never survived. The Claw's destruction blew apart the other twelve planets along with P'ferta into nothing but rubble before the explosion turned into a blackhole and sucked everything in." The Rangers looked to each other in disbelief.

"How did a few detonators destroy an entire solar system?" Damon asked.

"We found out later that Dark Specter powered the Claw with newly found powerful crystals on a planet controlled by Scorpius, known as Trixiriyua. The Trixiyrium crystals were unstable, and with everything going haywire, they destroyed every inhabitated planet in the system. He knew that we would try to stop him, so he used our own compassion for others against us. We didn't know how to stop him. One of our first battles, and it was a great loss." Ninjor said, Billy patting Ninjor on the shoulder for some comfort.

"The Masters than destroyed all information relating to Trixyrium crystals to prevent another power-hungry maniac from using them for greed. We even went as far as burying the crystals and destroying the caves that held their secrets to hide them away from the population" Ninjor stated.

"So he had the idea of the Elites beforehand" Tanya whispered.

"Yes, but unlike the zombies of now, they didn't die off after 37 hours. These things stayed alive......or undead, I suppose." Kinwon replied.

"Biological weapons were one of Dark Specter's favorites" Marvo mentioned.

"What else did he make?" Alyssa asked.

"You recall the Black Plague of long ago on your world?" Kinwon asked.

"He made the Black Plague?" Billy asked with widened eyes.

"Yes", Kinwon replied.

"He had Zedd, who was still trying to get Earth for his tally, send disguised Putties to China and infect rats and let them aboard trade ships. They caused Mount Vesuvius to erupt. Burned London to the ground. Large tsunamis that ripped apart the Pacific islands, typhus, polio, measels, smallpox, all of them created by UA scientists and used on multiple worlds. We were lucky Zordon was able to watch over the planet and help out whenever possible" Ninjor said.

"The Barillian bugs were mutated insects from Barillia" Kinwon added.

TBC

[Darky]

"Okay, so what do we do, attack it?" Chad asked with a bewildered look on his face.

"We don't even know where all the pieces are that are being constructed, let alone the fact that we're down quite a few Rangers still. Then what do we do with it? We can't blow up another system" Merrick added.

"Dark Specter has camps all over the universe, it'll take time to go in and free the slaves" Kinwon noted, as he rubbed his chin. "But, there may be another way. Ninjor, did you see how far along they were on construction?"

"Almost complete. The engines looked to be complete, the transportation of various pieces to rendevous points in numerous sectors indicates to me that Dark Specter is well aware of our attempts to stop the construction." Ninjor replied.

"So we're stuck" Tanya muttered.

"Not necessarily" Kinwon said with a hint of hope to his voice as the group looked to him.

"The Vica galaxy is in a state of poverty from what I have heard from numerous refugees, and I know there are survivors bound to be around in the oceans near Atlantis and on Eltar. Maybe we can get their help and form an alliance. Strike and run hits on small outposts and carriers run by the Nation. Then we can free the camps more and more and be more prepared for the Claw when it reveals itself."

Marvo stepped forward and raised his hand slightly. "Uhh...I got an idea. There were others with us, Pirhanatron and Tengas who left for varying reasons. Maybe they can join us and help out too. All we need is to meet with everybody."

"Well that's good, but what about the Claw? How do we stop its attacks when it's done and in the open?" Dustin asked.

"There may be a way, and without risking another massacre. But, I'll need some help. Damon?" Ninjor said, as everyone turned to look at Damon, his eyes wide.

"Me?" he asked.

[Darky]

Hunched over a lab table, Dark Venom worked feversihly on his new cybernetic arm to accomadate his loss.

"Fool! I give him my aid, and this is how I'm paid back?" Dark Venom questioned in a seething tone.

Thick and heavy, his new arm had no feeling to it, almost like it was a shell cutting off the flow of blood in his real arm, which he had hoped was still there inside the alloys, but knew it wasn't. Grunting, he stood to his full height and heaved a deep breath of frustration.

"Lord Venom" Alacore stated as he walked into the cluttered lab, stepping over broken equipment pieces.

"Yes, Alacore?" Dark Venom spat, not looking the cyborg in the eyes. He was beginning to feel like the monster behind him. This was not him at all.

"We found him, Dark Specter is meeting him in the throne room. He thought you may want to say hello to your old friend" Alacore said with a smirk. Dark Venom grunted with rage as he turned and shoved Alacore aside and stormed out of the lab and paced down the hall to the throne room.

Stepping past the Elites guarding the door, he walked in and saw Dark Specter sitting on the throne, his old 'friend' standing beside the throne speaking with him.

Tall, this humanoid alien wore a purple elegant robe that matched his skin. He appeared to be some of the same species that Neroy was of. Dark Specter motioned to the purple being to silence, as he looked to the fuming Dark Venom.

"Ah Venom, come in" Dark Specter said with a smile, "I trust you remember your old friend and rival from the Dark Covenant; Ivan Ooze?"

http://www.rovang.org/wg/pics/ivanooze-ls.jpg

[mariescott]

Is this the end of the story or is there more?

[Angelfox]

Dunno i hope not....

[Darky]

No, I just got busy with a few things. I'll be posting the next part sometime this week, just laying out a few more phases for the story in my notes. That and I wanted a cliffhanger after bringing Ivan in

[Darky]

KO-35, a wide array of people and aliens of various worlds met with Kinwon in the shed-like building administration office of the underground city.

"Welcome friends" Kinwon said with a faint smile as he raised his hands. Aquitian, Triforian, Bookala, Tirnan, and dinosuar-like Vicans all stood around and applauded. "My friends, as you know, Dark Specter has gravely ravaged our worlds again, and destroyed the very peace we and our beloved Power Rangers helped to create"

"That is true, but why are we here?" The Aquitian female delegate asked.

"Yes, some of your agents slipped onto our world and asked our government to send an ambassador to meet here. Do you know how hard it was to get here?" the Vican triceratops-esque creature asked.

"As hard as it was when we faced Dark Specter the first time." Kinwon replied.

"It was our very concerns on the matter of Dark Specter's return and abuse of power that made me and the Rangers realize we cannot stand alone, nor can we allow ourselves to fall into the disorganized mess we were in last time. I have read many reports about the genocides continuing out amongst the stars against worlds that stood against the UA years ago. Worlds that were key to the United Worlds are being punished for crimes they were pulled into by his greed. Tricearow," Tricearow, the Vican looked to Kinwon with fear. "They already attacked and devastated the Vica galaxy. Dark Specter's only been in power for a month, a MONTH! It took him less than that to devastate an entire galaxy...your galaxy. Your people." Tricearow looked away as a tear ran down his cheek.

"I remember what happened to my people when the UA attacked KO-35 in 1996. People butchered in the streets, prisoners taken as slaves to camps with other people across the universe"

Kinwon's eyes began to glaze, as the memories resurfaced. "Camps....where they were beaten, fed off of for life power, dissected alive, starved, shaved, fed to Dark Specter's pet tarantulas, put into ionization chambers, gassed, had biological and chemical weapons tested on them, our children put into labor shops and forced to work under blaster barrels to make finely woven suits of rich material. And how KO-35 fell. Before we left, the agents were everywhere. Speech, religion, parties, art and music, everything was made illegal. It's only a matter of time before we see it again on each world. How long will we stand before the Nightmare Troopers and Elites land on our soils, or the Triforian soils?" the Triforian ambassador, Halo, looked up into Kinwon's eyes with grim expectations.

"Or, on Bookala's snow fields? Aquitar's oceans becoming polluted all over again? I've got the Rangers with us, and many defectors are willing to fight. But I need you guys too, I...WE...need help. We need to work together and spread the news of revolt to all worlds. Are you with us? Kinwon pleaded.

The ambassadors looked to each other, then back to Kinwon. Tricerarow stepped forward. "Sir...yes Sir!"

[Darky]

"Why is he here?!" Dark Venom bellowed, storming up to Ivan Ooze in a fury, Ivan raising his hands as purple electricity began to crackle between his fingertips.

"Stop!" Dark Specter exclaimed, jumping from his throne.

"Why is he here? I thought the Rangers killed him years ago!" Dark Venom yelled back.

"Merely a setback. They can't destroy what they cannot see or understand. You of all people should know that" Ivan retorted. Dark Venom just growled in response, as Dark Specter calmly put a hand on Venom's cybernetic shoulder.

"I need him. With the Rangers still on the loose and half of the Earth's public against me, I'll need his mind reading techniques to root out any possible rebels and sympathizers." Dark Specter responded.

"You couldn't ask me?" Dark Venom sneered.

"You haven't been doing so hot lately, at least that's what I hear" Ivan replied.

"I'm good enough to kill you!" Dark Venom yelled, unsheathing his sword as Ivan raised his arms again as Dark Specter pushed Dark Venom aside, letting loose a dragon's roar.

"His job is to find the Rangers, yours for now will be to tend the palace and run the government on a daily basis. I trust you can at least handle that?" Dark Specter asked.

"I can....for now" Dark Venom replied, as he turned and stormed out of the throne room, the two monsters watching as he left.

[Darky]

I said I'd restart it, so here we go again:
---

Billy walked into the small tent in KO-35's hidden city where Cestria laid asleep under a small blanket. Crouching on the ground by her, Billy smiled softly as he rubbed her stomach, trying to feel his unborn baby kick.

"You won't have to be afraid, my child. We'll make the universe safe again so you can grow up as a normal child" Billy whispered.

"I know" the voice said inside of his head, causing Billy to stumble back in surprise and land on his bottom. Aquitians weren't telepathic, and he knew Cestria enough to know she wouldn't cheat on him. Aquitians were a very loyal species to their friends and loved ones.

"Dark Specter will meet his end soon enough, as will his allies" the voice said to Billy mentally.

"I KNOW that voice....it can't be...can it?" Billy questioned.

"Yes, it is me, my good friend" the voice replied.

Before Billy could answer anything, his communicator went off. As Billy held his wrist up, he looked around. He wasn't around anywhere, and the voice had stopped.

"It's Billy" Billy muttered into his communicator.

"Billy, it's Zhane. We just got reports of a...purple madman working for Dark Specter on a killing spree in Beijing. We got to get going" Zhane said before the transmission ended.

"Copy that" Billy replied before telporting away in a pillar of blue light.
---
Minutes later, the Rangers teleported in front of the monster, fully morphed. The streets were empty, the sky darkened with red lightning flashing occasionally.

"Ugh, what is that dude's problem?" Dustin groaned in disgust at the sight and smell.

"I've seen him before, somewhere. In my dreams?" Billy said, as the Rangers cringed in disgust at the cloaked purple man's appearance.

"Forgot me so much, have you Rangers? Ivan Ooze is back!" Ooze exclaimed, as he hovered into the air, flaming daggers shooting from the inside of his sleeves.

The Rangers backflipped from the burning weapons as they hit the ground and ignited a series of flashing sparks that created small fires around the Rangers in the street.

"I got him!" Alyssa yelled, her Tiger Baton materializing in her hands as she leapt for the Dark Covenant master, who merely shot a web of ooze at the tip of the baton. Quickly bringing her down, Ooze sprayed her with a purple flash of electricity and sent the White Ranger flying back into the others.

"Any other takers?" Ivan Ooze said with a grin, as the Rangers formed a circle around Alyssa to let her recuperate.

"It's Hammer Time!" Dustin yelled out, running for Ooze with his Lion Hammer out and ready. Ooze laughed and vanished in a spalsh of purple slime as Dustin swung the hammer where Ooze once stood.

Just then, Ivan Ooze reappeared in the sky, forming a ball of energy before crash landing on his feet. The ball of energy broke apart and scattered, blasting each Ranger to the ground in a shower of sparks.

"This is your best? Dark Venom makes it seem impossible!" Ooze taunted.

"Super Dino Mode!" the Dino Rangers exclaimed, their power-ups glaring a shine from the nearby fires. Ooze laughed softly as the four Rangers charged him before he shot four orange balls of light from his hands at them. The spheres made contact with each Dino Ranger, knocking them down to the ground. The other Rangers watched, gasping in shock as the Dino Rangers thrashed before they powered down.

The Dino Gems, each color matching the Ranger they came from, rose quickly from the down and demorphed Dino Rangers before shooting over into Ivan Ooze's slimy hands.

"Lost something, have you?" Ivan quipped.

"We gotta go. Let's get out of here, now!" Zhane yelled out.

Billy and Jason ran over and picked up the Dino Rangers and held them up, as all the Rangers quickly turned and teleported away, leaving the cackling Ooze behind. He watched in glee, the flashes of light beamed into the sky and leave Earth again.

[Darky]

"The Rangers are on the run, My Lord" Ivan Ooze said to the hologram of Dark Specter. Ivan Ooze was now situated in the throne room of his new palace in New Delhi, India.

Each member of the Inner Circle to Dark Specter had earned their own palaces, packed with slaves, luscious foods for eating, and an army of troops to protect their masters.

"Excellent, keep on their trail Ooze. I want them exterminated before the Claw is ready" Dark Specter replied.

"When shall it be finished?" Ooze asked.

"Within a few days. I have selected Saberius to be the first target for zombification in retaliation for their defiance millenia ago" Dark Specter commented.

"Don't worry. My agents are on their tails. Soon the Rangers and their hosts will pay for their treason" Ooze replied.

"See to it. If you succeed, YOU will become my new right-hand" Dark Specter replied, the transmission ending as Ivan Ooze cracked a smirk.
---
"That should be my position!" Dark Venom spat to himself, overhearing the conversation outside of the throne room of Dark Specter's palace.

Dark Venom began to walk away from the doors leading inside, pondering to himself. He needed this position, the power it brought. He knew he deserved it, he was Dark Specter's vessal to recover from his death! The fact Dark Specter had his arm severed and now was planning usurp his position in the Nation had his blood boiling. He could kill Dark Specter...if he was strong enough.

The Evil.

"Of course" Dark Venom hummed to himself, sneering in delight. The United Alliance sought it out for centuries and battled other Rangers to the death before Zordon's wave eliminated their armies. It was the perfect weapon. All he needed was the proper help to find it, destroy the Rangers, get close to Dark Specter's admirable side...and kill him.

"But how?" This was the question Dark Venom was now pondering as he entered his private chambers, sitting on the pod-like throne. The gold room reflected every bit of fine art from all parts of the universe the Nation had stolen and plundered from museums and cultural exhibits during its short time in power.

Realization dawned on him. It was perfect. Follow Ooze's agents with his own. Let them track down the Rangers and their companions. Surely one of the Rangers knew where Baskin was with that damned stone.

Ooze, Dark Specter, the Rangers. All of them could be wiped out instantly. The mechanical doors slid open, as Skygantor and Don Pluto walked into the room, stunning Dark Venom out of his deep thoughts.

"What do you want?" Dark Venom snapped.

"Has the Master given any new orders lately? We're bored to death here" Skygantor whined.

"No, nothing" Dark Venom said quickly.

"Figures, everything is for his Ivan Ooze to handle now" Don Pluto huffed.

"You...don't like Ooze?" Dark Venom asked with a growing grin.
---
"I swear, I saw him in a dream!" Billy exclaimed to his friends. They were meeting with the Rebel leaders in Kinwon's new shed bunker. The old shed was added onto in order to make room for the other leaders.

"But how is that possible?" Chip asked.

"It is, through the Dark Covenant's dabbling into the Dark Side" Ninjor replied. "Billy, what was in this dream?" Ninjor asked.

"It was different. Our suits, the Command Center, even Zedd and Rita were all looking different. It turns out the other Rangers at that time dreamt the same dream just before we gained our Ninja powers" Billy said.

"And you saw Ooze in your dream?" Ninjor asked.

"Yes" Billy replied.

"What does it mean?" Jason asked.

"It means that Ooze took an order to try and kill you all years ago in your sleep. Dream demons are no new thing to the Dark Covenant" Ninjor answered.

"You got that right" Damon quipped, remembering his dream battle against Hexuba's monster, Nightmare while stuck in the Lost Galaxy aboard Terra Venture.

"The fact is, when you defeated him the first time, you only knocked him out of the dream realm. Now Ooze is back for revenge, this time in the real world. It will take everything we've got to stop him" Ninjor said.

"Than we need to free the other Rangers from the slave camps. We can get the slaves to safety, and track down Ooze and stop him. He's already got our powers" Connor said.

"Are our armies ready?" Kinwon asked Tricerow, the Vican sitting silently next to him.

"We're ready when you are. Marvo has already united the Tengas and the last Pirhanatrons, and all we need is the go ahead" Tricerow admitted.

"Than let's get these guys!" Jason exclaimed.

"POWER RANGERS!" the entire group yelled in unison.

[Darky]

The Shogun Megazord piloted by Jason and Billy landed on the outside of the slave camp on Gob, battling the giant Birdbane, as Rebel troops were on the ground in Kerovan and Eltarian tanks, blasting their way past the gated fences, a slave riot breaking out.

Go, Go Power Rangers

Birdbane howled as he charged the Shogun Megazord, only to be hit by the flame sword and explode on impact.

Power Rangers!

National troops and Elites opened fire on the Mega Winger as it flew overhead of the camp on Pluto. The blasts were returned by the Mega Winger shooting back with the cannons on its wings, blasting apart the smaller troops and destroying the camp's administration office.

They've got a power and a force that you've never seen before
They've got the ability to morph that should even up the score

The Predazord battled the giant Radster outside the gates of the slave camp on Camelot 4. The Nightmare Troopers and Elites were being overrun, as slaves were being led by the captive Rangers into battle. Radster howled in agony as the Predazord drove its spear through his stomach, causing him to explode while still impaled.

No one can ever take them down
The power lies on their side

With each world liberated, the other Rangers were joining in the battle. The Super Zeo Megazord combined its sabers and brought it down on the head of the Copyotter monster. Withdrawing the saber and clanging them together, Copyotter let loose a farewell howl as he exploded in mid-collapse.

Go, go Power Rangers
Go, go Power Rangers

Nightmare Troopers charged Rebel forces, firing their M-16 blaster rifles at the advancing Rebels. The Wild Zords came up from behind the Rebels and spit their fire blasts at the Nationals, blasting away half of them, leaving the others to surrender.

Go, go Power Rangers
Go, go Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!

Ninjor put his hands to either side of the emblem on his chest plate, firing a charged fireball at Spydex, the blast freeing other slaves from the sack on his back. Spydex growled and charged Ninjor, who reverted to his power-up mode, and with two quick slashes of his double-bladed sword, Spydex vaporized in a flash of white light that sprayed from his insides.

The know the fate of the world is lyin in their hands
They know to only use their weapons for defense

The Q-Rex raised its gatling gun arms and opened fire on the giant Vilevine, who exploded in a great blast that sent shockwaves through the evacuating slave camp.

No one will ever take them down
The power lies on their side

Ninja Megazord flew with the Falconzord on its back. Aquafiend sprayed goo from his mouth at the incoming Megazord, as the Ninja Megafalconzord spun and swerved to avoid the attack. Getting close, the Wolf and Ape fists were used and the punched Aquafiend flew backwards, landing on the administration office, exploding on impact.

Go, go Power Rangers
Go, go Power Rangers

The Phantom Ranger drove Artillatron to the outside gates of a prison on Gamma Orion. The powerful machine guns came to life and sprayed the advancing Worm Tanks that were being piloted by Nightmare Troopers in a massive hellfire.

Go, go Power Rangers
Go, go Power Rangers
You Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!

The Galaxy Megazord, powered with the Lights of Orion, led a campaign in Moscow. Deviot, Infinitor and Voltage Hog surrounded the Megazord, as the head looked back and forth to its opponents.

No one can ever take them down
The power lies on their side

"Let's end this, guys!" the freed Leo exclaimed.

The Galaxy Megazord leapt into the air and out of the deadly circle. The three enemies glanced upward, as the Galaxy Megazord came back down with the Condorzord in its hand. Aiming and locking on, the Galaxy Megazord fired the missile straight into the center, blasting Deviot, Infinitor and Voltage Hog into a fiery rubble and debris from the blast.

Go, go Power Rangers
Go, go Power Rangers

The Samurai Starzord swatted away the V-Wingers that swarmed it. Down below, the Rebels led the escapees away as the Samurai Starzord charged up its red chestplate and shot at the incoming Torch Tiger. The blast tore through Torch Tiger, leaving the monster pyro maniac in a pile of ashes.

Go, go Power Rangers
Go, go Power Rangers
You Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!

In a defiance of Dark Specter's Nation and a show of will, the Megazords, the grown Ninjor and an army of Rebel troops on the ground stood together, broadcasting this image to every corner of the universe. The Power Rangers were back, and with more help than ever before.

Go, go Power Rangers!

[Darky]

Ivan Ooze smiled a wide grin, flashing his disgusting, decayed teeth. An Oozeman before him spoke in an alien language, confirming what he wanted to know.

The Power Rangers' location.

During one of the battles, an Oozeman was at one of the battle sights and was able to overhear the name of the planet the escaped fugitives went to.

KO-35.

Ivan Ooze knew ahead of time that the Rangers would try to save their comrades and the prisoners to gain enough power to overwhelm him. Ooze had convinced Dark Specter to allow it. It was all a part of his plan. The Nation would allow the slaves to escape, let them think they were safe, and then attack after finding out their hiding place.

Dark Specter had passed the order to his inner circle to allow the riots and not to interfere. Now, Ooze had his information that he needed. With access to SPD's prisons, the worst of the worst were to be freed from their cards and let loose to participate in the attack.

"A nice, big surprise for the Rangers" Dark Specter had said in his notes to each of his commanders.
---
Ooze didn't know it either, but Dark Venom was aware of it too now. Having grown frustrated with Dark Specter's favoritism towards Ooze lately, Don Pluto and Skygantor were gathering their criminal forces together for an assault on KO-35. They would outdo Ooze in brutality and regain their respect from Dark Specter.

At least, that's what Dark Venom wanted Don Pluto and Skygantor to think.

As they prepared for the invasion, the re-designed zords being prepared, Dark Venom had chosen his commander personally. One the Rangers had met before.

Emperor Gruumm was back.

[Darky]

The sound of children playing caught Billy’s attention. Sitting atop of a small slope and looking down, the sight of children from varying alien species and human races were playing. School for the day had been cancelled to allow the children time to reunite with their friends and family in a more celebratory tone.

Many were recently freed no less than twelve hours ago. Though the entire city was made of simple tents and rundown shacks, the people were happier than they had been under Dark Specter's supervision. Billy smiled softly as he watched three Ozzorian children playing hopscotch with an Aquitian and two Gamma children.

“I’m going to be a father soon” Billy thought to himself. "At least, in a way I'll be..." his thoughts trailing off

"It's so good to be free!" Toby exclaimed, the exclamation bringing Billy back to reality. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed several of his freed friends were walking with some of the Rangers.

"So what's next?" Bulk asked Jason, who stood beside him as the group continued to walk to Kinwon's shack. Billy got up from his sitting position on the slope and walked to the group.

"Guys, I have something I need to talk to you all about" Billy said to the other Rangers.

"Is it important?" Tommy asked, "We were about to go talk about our next move with Kinwon and the other Rebel leaders"

"It is, but maybe it's best if I tell everyone at once" Billy noted.

Just then, yells of terror caught the attention of all the Rangers. Turning to look in the direction, they quickly realized that the screams were coming from the entrance to the underground city. People of different species ran from the entrance into the deeper parts of the city.

Sitting atop the hill that led from the surface into the underground was Ivan Ooze. Oozemen and criminal agents stood atop the hill. Serial killers, rapists, mobsters, drug cartels, revolutionaries from other parts of Earth, terrorist agents, mercenaries, assassins, gangbangers all brought in by SPD made up the lines of foes that stood before Ooze.

Halloween masks were adorning the faces of many of the criminals to add to the fear factor. Others were painted with war paint. Machetes, spiked balls and chains, whips, swords, axes, sub-machine guns, knives and other weapons were each held by the threatening thugs.

"Lord, be merciful" Reggie shouted as he ran past the Rangers to hide, followed by Bulk, Skull, Phenomunus, Adelle and other friends of the Rangers.

"Get the children and protect them!" Wes announced to some of the other Rangers, as Cole, Billy, Danny and Tori broke away from the group to run down the slope to get the children, now frozen in terror.

"Bring me some hostages" Ivan Ooze noted to an Oozeman beside him. "The rest you can kill for all I care"

The Oozeman yelled an alien roar and pointed. The criminals ran into the hidden city, led by the Oozeman that took Ivan's command. Standing back and watching, Ivan Ooze watched. His eyes narrowed and firm, mouth tight as he gritted his teeth together. The sounds of incoming people behind him made Ooze look over his shoulder just as Dark Venom and Emperor Gruumm led an army of Crimson Syndicate thugs with Don Pluto and Skygantor in tow.

"What are you doing here?!" Ooze snapped at his rival.

"Just gaining some prestige with our master" Dark Venom replied, taking his position beside Ooze.

"We'll see. Just stay out of my way" Ooze said with a glaring hatred.

Dark Venom merely smirked as he looked to Don Pluto and Skygantor, handing them both a small vial red liquid goo.

"Here's the strength potion. It'll make you both stronger than his forces. Just remember, find the location of Baskin from the Rebel leaders and we can get the Evil and elevate ourselves in Dark Specter's eyes" Dark Venom whispered to his conspirators.

"Time for revenge!" Emperor Gruumm yelled, aiming his staff into the chaos below and leading the Crimson Syndicate into the battle below, as the Power Rangers and other Rebels spread out to meet their enemies.

[Darky]

Zack charged forward amidst the fleeing civilians and aimed his Power Axe. In blaster mode, it charged to life and shot a blast at an incoming thug on a motorcycle. The small explosion shook the motorcycle slightly, the rider still on. Aiming his blaster at the Black Ranger, Zack aimed and fired again. The shot tore through the cycle this time and sent the rider yelling into the air and down on his back.

"Come on kids!" Danny yelled as he waved the crying kids to him. Billy and Tori kept the kids in between them as Cole provided cover, firing his Red Lion Fang at incoming Oozemen.

Riding through the dirt streets, two thugs on motorcycles swung their maces and hit fleeing people in their faces and in the backs of their heads, wherever they could hit. With the fear and chaos, so many people were zigzagging and crossing paths with the invaders.

Skygantor laughed ruthlessly as he hacked his way past Rebel troops. A line of Rebels formed a barrier between the criminal and the inner city. Leaping into the center of the parting troops, Skygantor swung his axe madly, beheading and severing each Rebel as they tried to squeeze a shot off at him.

Charging into battle, Jason and Tommy were fully morphed. Blocking an attack by an axe wielding thug, Tommy parried the strike and slashed the Zeo Sword through the thug's body armor and cut his torso in half.

Jason was next to him fighting off two Oozemen with his Power Sword. Each strike and parry was met with goo spraying from the aliens' wounds. Bringing it above his head, he brought it down on the Oozeman to his left and destroyed it before spinning on his heel and cutting the head off of the Oozeman on the right.

As Crimson Syndicate thugs made their way to the tents and shacks that made up the city, residents were throwing whatever they could at the advancing killers. As the fear began to overtake the people, their weapons not harming the armored goons, Hunter jumped in between the criminals and the people. Armed with his Crimson Blaster, Hunter fired off three shots that blasted the thugs to the ground in a small shower of sparks.

"Come on! Let's get to the trees!" Hunter yelled to the people after the thugs were downed. As the people began to crawl out of their tents, Hunter squeezed off two more shots at Oozemen that were coming from behind nearby tents before him. The intertwining mazing street of tents and shacks were quickly become a deathtrap, as more Nationals made their way in.

Doggie Cruger and Emperor Gruumm charged one another, the Shadow Saber meeting Gruumm's staff.

"I knew they'd let you out!" Doggie spat.

"What's wrong, didn't miss me?" Gruumm torted, dropping to the ground and spin-kicking at Doggie and missing, as the Shadow Ranger jumped into the air at the right moment.

As an army of Oozemen ran to attack the first Rangers, Zack and Trini were joined by Kim, Billy and Jason who all nodded to one another. Their Power Weapons in hands, they threw them into the air together and formed the Power Blaster.

"Fire!" the five Rangers yelled. The charged blast of the Rangers' weapons streaked past the small tents and shacks and collided with the Oozeman army. Purple goo sprayed down on everything around the immediate explosion.

Many of the Crimson Syndicate and hired thugs ran back to the entrance where Ooze and Dark Venom awaited. As everyone in the city began to cheer, the low rumbling cut the celebration short. The thugs at the entrance began to wheel catapults toward the hill of the entrance. Flaming rocks were in the launcher.

"Okay...I'd say we should run further now" Rocky admitted softly, as he led the terrified citizens with him to the inner city.

"I want to hear them scream. Make it land perfectly" Ivan Ooze ordered.

With that command, the catapults were launched. The National-made comets streaked forth into the city. Intersecting each other, the burning rocks landed on shacks and tents, blowing them into fiery debris, as Ooze and Dark Venom began to laugh maniacally.

"Everyone to the tree shelters!" Tommy ordered to the other Rangers, as they began to lead the fleeing citizens into the trees. Adam approached Tommy and shook his head.

"I don't think that's a good idea Tommy. Those rocks would destroy the trees!" Adam said before ducking as more debris from a nearby shack exploded.

"Where else can we go?!" Tommy replied before grabbing Adam and running further into the small city.

As Kat helped some of the alien people up the ladder into the trees that lined the city, an armored criminal took aim with a sub-machine gun. As he was about to shoot, a fist-sized rock slammed into the back of his head, knocking him unconscious. Putting his slingshot back into his pocket, Charlie, Adelle's grandson ran to meet with Kat just before an Oozeman ran from a nearby bush and grabbed him.

"Kat! HELP!" Charlie yelled out as the Oozeman carried him off.

The Pink Zeo Ranger turned and saw the monster carrying him. Raising her blaster pistol, she fired several shots at the Oozeman, who merely shrugged them off and kept running with Charlie in his grip. As she was about to run to save him, a group of Oozeman jumped out of nowhere and began to attack her and the people.

Now within the Rebel leadership's vicinity, Skygantor and Don Pluto smashed down the door of Kinwon's shed. Charging inside, they began to throw everything around to find whatever may be of use. Coughing, Skygantor stopped his ransacking and began to bend over to catch his breath while still coughing. Don Pluto looked over to his lieutenant with a raised eyebrow.

"Not feeling too hot?" Don Pluto questioned.

"No" Skygantor gasped. "I feel terrible all of a sudden. All of my joints are hurting and my chest is tight"

"Yeah, I know. I've been feeling that way too for a little while here now myself. Must be a cold or something, all these damned trees and all" Don Pluto said as he went through the drawers at Kinwon's desk.

"Got it!" Don Pluto announced, holding up a binder. Inside was a list of Rebel supporters and allies with locations and contact information was inside. With that, the two coughing thugs staggered outside to meet up with Dark Venom.

Within hours, the trees were destroyed. The entire city was in ruins. Many Rebel troops and civilians were dead. Charlie, along with a few Rangers and other civilians were taken as hostages. Dark Venom and Ivan Ooze led their forces away. The damage was done, and they had nothing left now.

[Darky]

Throwing some pictures out here of our villains;

http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/bf33.JPG
Nightmare Ranger
http://www.japanhero.com/Graphics/monsters/fiveman/monster-15.jpg
Sickles
http://www.grnrngr.com/monsters/pictures/kakudoc.jpg
Jacob Russel
http://www.rovang.org/sentai/mask-oyobur.jpg
Dark Venom (without cloak)

[Darky]

"I have the hostages, My Lord" Ivan Ooze said to Dark Specter over the holographic transmission.

Ivan Ooze had just returned to his palace in New Delhi, and had just dialed the information into his communications as soon as he arrived in the throne room.

Throughout the universe, the members of the Inner Circle watched the same transmission. Each member appeared as a hologram to the one watching. Dark Venom watched in his throne room of Dark Specter's Siberian palace, as Neroy was silently watching from his Moon Base overseeing the final stages of the Claw's construction.

General Petrofski and the other top generals of the Nation's military forces aboard Master Vile's old flying Space Skull base listened as they sat around a large marble table situated in front of the transmission screen. The smoky room of the bridge was accompanied by units of Elites and National Officers.

http://www.rovang.org/wg/pics/spaceskull.jpg

"Good work Ooze. Who did you take captive?" Dark Specter asked Ooze.

"The boy known as Charlie, Doggie Cruger and his wife, Kimberly Hart, Ashley Hammond. That...human from Briarwood, Toby I think his name is. A few nobodies. They all look the same to me; weak and pathetic, not worth being kept alive" Ooze replied.

The congregation of Nation leaders broke into fits of chuckles and smirks.

"My thoughts exactly" Dark Specter hissed. "I want them brought to my palace by tomorrow morning. By noon tomorrow, I want them executed for treason. I will prepare all the media outlets to broadcast this as a warning to all who dare challenge me" Dark Specter declared.

"There's a problem, however, My Lord" one of the generals put forth.

"What is it, General Keed?" Dark Specter bellowed with his eyes narrowing.

"The Power Rangers are relentless. Should they interfere-" Keed, an older Italian man, began.

"They won't! We have shown them what happens!" Dark Specter exclaimed, his teeth and fangs bared, as his mouth twitched.

"But, if they do" Keed went on, the nervous tone becoming more obvious.

"If they do, instead of a public execution of traitors, I will read Dark Venom's resignation and then hang him on the live telefeed for not stopping them!" Dark Specter roared.

Dark Venom's eyes widened with shock, his eyes darting as he shook his head momentarily before leaning forward from his throne. "My Lord, I am doing everything I can to stop these Rangers and the Rebels!" Dark Venom pleaded, mouth agape.

"While you may be, your new position was to regulate the government. You also are in charge of the police and military forces, hence it will be you who dies. I want these people to see what happens when I am defied! What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this universe. This message must be read in every newspaper, heard on every radio and seen on every television. This message must resound throughout the interlink! I want this universe to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion thanks to these Rangers! I want every man, woman and child to understand how close we are to chaos. I want everyone to remember WHY THEY NEED US! OUR GREATNESS!" Dark Specter bellowed before the transmission ended.
...
"He's afraid of them" Dark Venom mused to himself with a light smirk. The thought of his death than came back to him. He knew that Kadixian spies were in the palace, cloaking themselves to prevent detection. He could smell them, even if Dark Specter couldn't.

'Let them tell the Rangers, they can fight each other' Dark Venom mused to himself in his thoughts. The dominoes were falling in the right places for the right time for the betrayal.

Quickly pushing the button on his left armrest of the throne, his communicator came to life.

"Skygantor, any news yet?" Dark Venom asked.

"We found him, Dark Venom. He's located in a cave complex in Mexico." Skygantor managed to get out amidst his coughing and choking.

"Maybe you should see a doctor about that" Dark Venom said, smiling to himself.

"I'm good. You want us to go get Baskin now?" Skygantor replied.

"...Yes...let's pay our old friend a little visit" Dark Venom chuckled as he ended the communication and teleported away in a flash of purple light.
---
"Now what do we do?" Bulk asked. The entire city was in ruins underground of KO-35's surface. Fires continued to eat away the remains of the broken shacks and tents. Surviving civilians staggered around, helping each other, while the remaining Rangers and Rebel leaders sat around in a large crowd with their friends.

"What can we do?" Dax spat.

"We've lost. Everytime we do something, Dark Specter hits back harder than before" Taylor replied with a sigh before resting her chin in her hands.

"I'm not accepting that!" Billy yelled to his friends as he jumped up from his seat on the ground.

"Billy, man what can we do? He has more weapons, more goons. He beat us and won" Zack stated.

"What can we do?" Cestria reiterated.

"Zordon, your mentors, none of them would want to hear this" Kinwon replied softly.

"Zordon's gone" TJ whispered.

"So is everyone else" Trey stated.

"No...they're not" Billy began, getting everyone's attention. "That's what I wanted to talk about. Dark Specter was reborn through Dark Venom to renew his dream of the universe controlled by a dictator. The Light Side of the Morphing Grid knows this, and knows of how dangerous and powerful he is. How he came back when he shouldn't have. Help is coming from the afterlife" Billy said.

"What are you saying?" Eric asked, as each one in the group slowly looked to Billy with concerned eyes.

"Zordon. Zordon's coming back to help us" Billy replied.

"WHAT?" Cassie yelled out in surprise, her eyes widened as she jumped from the ground and grabbed Billy by the collar of his shirt. "Tell me you're serious! TELL ME!" Cassie screamed.

"I heard his voice when I touched Cestria's stomach while she slept a few days ago. He's coming back. He had the most experience with the Grand Monarch, he can handle him" Billy said with a confident sigh.

"So...we're not having a baby?" Cestria asked with saddened eyes.

"Yes, we are. His spirit is just gaining strength as the baby develops. Just as Dark Specter did with Dark Venom. The spirits from the Light need a pure and innocent vessal before coming back into our realm" Billy replied.

"I believe you" Jason said, standing tall and nodding.

"Me too" Wes answered. "I've got too many friends in the future to give up now. I haven't been able to speak with them since the war broke out, but God knows I'd love to speak to Lucas, Katie, Trip, Nadira, Ransik, especially Jen again. We all have too much riding on the future to let that demon tear it all up" Wes said firmly.

"So, you guys are still in?" Ninjor said, looking back and forth to his friends. Each Ranger looked to each other, as their friends looked expectantly at them.

"Forever" Xander stated.

"Once a Ranger, always a Ranger" Will Frey stated.

Just then, Kinwon's wrist communicator beeped. Bringing it to his ear, Kinwon listened to the alien language momentarily before nodding and cutting it off.

"What happened?" Trey asked.

"Bad news. That was one of our spies. Dark Specter plans to execute the prisoners tomorrow afternoon. And he wants to do it over the media" Kinwon said softly.

"We can stop them" Tanya said, her eyes now fierce as she stood up and went to stand beside Billy and Jason.

"We won't lose them" Tommy said firmly. "We can get a Kerovan shuttle and get to Dark Specter's palace in Siberia. We'll get there...even if we have to take on the entire Nation"

[Darky]

The afternoon was a harsh cold in the mountains of Siberia. Dark Specter's palace was alive with media reporters who were being escorted around by a team of Elites. The courtyard was deathly silent, as the reporters knew what was soon to happen. The balcony above the hanging gallows that led into the palace served as an observation deck for Dark Specter and his leading minions.

Ivan Ooze, Emperor Gruumm, Alacore, Neroy, Petrofski and the main generals, along with top crime bosses of varying Mobs were standing around the Grand Monarch, as he awaited his moment of triumph before the people of the universe.

As Dark Specter stood before the railing to oversee the final stages to prepare the execution, slaves down below tilled the frozen soil and readied the gallows with a team of Elites watching. Neroy approached Dark Specter from behind to whisper into his ear.

"Sir, the final touches are being put on the Claw. We'll be ready within a few days" Neroy whispered.

"Good work. Keep it up, and I will reward you accordingly" Dark Specter muttered over his shoulder.

Nightmare Troopers guarded the front entrance gates that led into the massive courtyard. Citizens from neighboring villages were being rounded up by Nightmare Troopers and brought to the execution to give the slaves and any potential helping parties to escaping slaves a first-hand glimpse of their punishment. As the villagers were pushed and shoved beyond the gates by their kidnappers, a blind older man in rags and sunglasses and a dirty hat staggered and fell into the Nightmare Trooper on the left of the gate.

"Ugh, disgusting peasant! Get off of me!" the Nightmare Trooper yelled as he shoved the blind man off of him.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm just a blinded man" the blind man whimpered.

"Damn, you stink! Get in there!" the Nightmare Trooper yelled, kicking the blind man past him and into the narrow corridor that led into the courtyard. Following the people in, the small earpiece in his right ear echoed silently.

"You in Ryan?" Dana's voice whispered.

"In, they bought the whole deal" Ryan whispered to himself.

The pushing and shoving of the Nightmare Troopers continued, Ryan bumping into each villager as he continued past the armed guards and into the open space of the courtyard. Outside the walls of the palace, Dana nodded to the remaining morphed Lightspeed Rangers.

Aiming their grappling guns at the tower that connected the two walls of the courtyard. Shooting and pulling, the five Lightspeed Rangers flew into the air and landed on the rooftop where other Rangers waited.
....
"Bring out the condemned!" Dark Specter bellowed down below.

The executioner waved to the officer that stood on the far left end of the courtyard. Turning and opening the wooden doors in the ground, the officer went down into the dungeons below. Coming back momentarily, the officer led the prisoners in chains to the gallows.

"Ashley!" Andros yelled to himself from the tower's rooftop, about to stand up and jump down below before Carlos grabbed and pulled him back down.

The prisoners were led up the few steps to the gallows. Standing them before each noose, the executioner readied the ropes to prepare the Rangers and Rebel villagers for their deaths. As he got close to Charlie, the executioner looked him up and down and noted he was too short.

"You can make it a special case for him!" Dark Specter yelled from above.

Charlie began to scream and plead, as the executioner pulled Charlie to the side and lead him to the opposite end of the gallows where a stump sat.

"He's just a kid! Leave him alone, you bastards!" Doggie yelled out, as the guarding officer took a swing and punched the Sirian in the stomach.

"Charlie!" Adelle, dressed in rags moaned out in terror, as Tanya struggled to hold her tight, also dressed in rags.

Bending Charlie over and pushing him down onto the stump, Charlie's head lay on the stump as the executioner reached down and grabbed ahold of his axe. Charlie's eyes were shut tightly, as the tears squeezed their way through. His mouth twitched as he prayed, breaths coming out as gasps as the axe was raised above the executioner's head. Every thought went through Charlie's head.

Never to love.

Never to graduate.

Never to have a family.

Dark Specter's greed.

"...NOW!" Tommy exclaimed from within the crowd of villagers, throwing the rags off of him with the other Rangers and allies around him. As the rags flew off, a flash of light, and each Ranger was morphed and armed, their allies holding small blaster pistols.

"TOMMY!" Kim yelled from the gallows.

"POWER RANGERS!" Dark Specter exclaimed through his teeth.

"KILL THEM!" General Petrofski ordered his troops, as he turned to leave the balcony, his armies pouring out of the palace into the courtyard.

Raising her blaster pistol, Adelle took aim and fired. The green plasma blast surged forth and blew apart the executioner's head in a shower of sparks and red goo. In retaliation, the officer on the gallows quickly turned and hit the lever, making the floor open and dropping the prisoners...

[Darky]

Justin was morphed as the Blue Turbo Ranger as he leapt atop the gallows and aimed his Hand Blasters at the ropes and took fire. The ropes ripped in half and dropped the prisoners with a loud grunt to the ground. Jumping back to the ground, Justin ran the aid of the freed captives with Charlie in tow, as they coughed and regained themselves, the battle raging all around them.

"Everyone okay, can everyone breath?" Justin asked.

"I'm good" Doggie coughed as he threw the noose off of him and helped Aisniya with hers.

"Did you get our morphers?" Kim asked.

"Not yet. I was going to tell you to stay here. I'll -" Justin stops momentarily to shoot a Cog with his blaster. "I'll keep an eye open for you" Justin said as he motioned to Charlie to stay with them. Standing up to his full height, he fired several shots at passing by Cogs.

"Adelle!" he yelled out, seeing his older friend blasting apart an Elite. Adelle stopped shooting and looked to the Blue Turbo Ranger and ran over to the freed prisoners and grabbed Charlie and held him tight with Justin looking out for any nearing enemies.
...
"They truely love each other" Alacore said softly as he watched Charlie and Adelle hold each other.

"Don't focus on it. Love is nothing but a misery in disguise" Dark Specter replied to his warrior.

"You call this order?!" the lead Russian mobster bellowed to Dark Specter.

Growling, Dark Specter turned and threw his claw through the mobster's chest and pulled out his heart with ease. The Russian boss' eyes widened with shock as Dark Specter took a bite out of the heart before slamming it into the boss' face, knocking him over now dead.

"Anyone else want to question me?!" Dark Specter yelled to the human mob bosses. The bosses all shook their heads in unison and backed away.

"Good, now get to the hangar bay, you can take them out that way!" Dark Specter ordered, the mob bosses turning and leaving the wide balcony, as Alacore watched silently in sadness.
...
The Lightspeed Rangers aimed their V-Lancers at a nearby tower on the other end of the wall they stood atop on. Nightmare Troopers and Cogs began to pour out, as the tower exploded, throwing the National thugs to the floor of the palace wall, as others screamed while flying off the wall and falling to the snowy plains below.
...
"Red Battlizer Armor!" Andros yelled, as the armor materialized all over his body. Flying into the air, Andros fired the missiles from his jetpack into an advancing crowd of Cogs and Sickles down below, exploding and sending the robotic soldiers scattering on fire.
...
Wes and the Ninja Storm Rangers with Ninjor and Trey charged the large door leading into the palace. Aiming their weapons, the Rangers and Ninjor took fire and began to slowly blast the door away.
...
Billy ran after the media reporters who were fleeing the scene of the battle.

"Hey, wait! Wait!" the media reporters stopped and looked to the Blue Ranger. "Can you give an older Ranger some time on TV?" Tommy asked. The reporters quickly turned their cameras back on and aimed them at Billy, the battle still raging behind him as the Mystic Force and Overdrive Rangers began to blast away the chains that held the slaves in place.

"Good evening, everyone" Billy began. "Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. But I feel it is time that for us to take some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat"

"There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this so called, GRAND GALACTIC NATION, isn't there?" Billy continued, as all throughout the universe, people of all species and genders watched from many places; schools, homes, bars, gaming arenas, street screens, etc.

"Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable" Billy went on, as a Nightmare Trooper and Cog flew over Billy's head, causing him to duck momentarily.

"But again truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to the now deceased president, Alan Lutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. As it turns out, he was nothing more than a clone of Dark Specter's right-hand, Dark Venom, another tyrant" Billy added.

So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you then I would suggest you allow this day to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside us now, as we fight back. Together we shall give them a day that they shall never, ever forget" Billy concluded, ending his speech.

Minutes later, the message sank into the minds of all listeners. Everywhere, people began to take up arms, whatever they could grab, and began to go out and attack every Cog, Nightmare Trooper, Sickle and Elite they could come across.
....
"It's a full rebellion, My Lord!" Neroy yelled to Dark Specter. Alacore stood with Neroy away from the balcony, and Neroy was now taking calls from command posts throught the universe.

"What's going on?!" Dark Specter bellowed.

"It's the same everywhere! People of all sizes and species are uniting. Our positions are being lost in many places, while others are standing and pushing back! Those Rangers have started an overthrow!" Neroy whimpered as he shuddered in fear.

"Damnit, Dark Venom!" Dark Specter roared, as he shoved his way past them and stood in the great Dining Room that led to the balcony. "Alacore, come with me. Neroy, lock everything up and get your supplies. We'll meet up at the rendezvous point" Dark Specter ordered, as he grabbed Alacore and teleported away in a flash of purple light, leaving the terrified tycoon behind.
...
Emperor Gruumm and Ivan Ooze charged the SPD Rangers, shooting fireballs at the heroes. Diving away, Jack morphed as the Gold SPD Ranger, dove at Gruumm and threw him to the ground, rolled and threw the Troobian tyrant off of him.

"You need to stop interfering!" Ivan Ooze exclaimed, hovering into the air and shooting a clear sphere of crackling electricity at the Rangers, blasting them a few yards away. Ivan chuckled, just before a laser blast hit him from behind. The slimy wizard turn and saw the Mystic Rangers shooting blasts at him from their Mystic Staffs.

"Legend Mode!" the Mystic Rangers ordered, a flash of golden light, and the Mystic Rangers charged Ooze with their power-up
...
"I think we almost got it!" Blake yelled, just before the door finally flew off its hinges in a shower of sparks. The Rangers ran into the palace through the light puff of smoke and dust, fighting off Nightmare Troopers as they went in.
...
Nightmare Troopers and Cogs fled from the courtyard as the freed slaves ran after them with varying objects they could find. The Zeo and original Rangers followed with them, chasing the retreating National forces.
...
In the Dining Room, Neroy was taking some jewels out of a nearby chest by the end of the dining table. Walking into the room, the morphed Red Time Force Ranger approached Neroy in silence. Sensing the presence, the SyntCorp CEO turned and faced the Ranger, dropping his bag of jewels.

"You...Collins" Neroy sneered through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing with hate.

"You....you took my father's business and turned it into an instrument of evil. You charged innocent people with treason and watched them die so you could profit. You even murdered my father!" Wes shouted, approaching Neroy.

"Wes...you must understand" Neroy began to plead, his face softening as he walked to the Red Ranger, reaching into the back folds of his trenchcoat. "It's....all...BUSINESS!" Neroy yelled, pulling a three pointed dagger with electricity flowing through it from his cloak and stabbing at Wes.

Wes jumped back, the Chrono Saber materializing in his hand, as the two blades of the two opponents met in a clash of sparks. Neroy swung his foot forward and kicked Wes in the stomach and sent him falling back to the floor. Jumping for Wes, Neroy stabbed the dagger down before Wes quickly rolled away, the dagger stabbing into the stone floor.

"You're mine, boy!" Neroy exclaimed, pulling the dagger out of the ground and swiped at Wes stomach, the sparks sending the Red Ranger back. Standing over him and putting his foot on Wes' chest, Neroy aimed the dagger down to Wes' visor.

"I have waited, so long for this!" Neroy muttered.

Wes kicked his feet to the side and threw Neroy off of him and rolled away. Neroy staggered backwards near the balcony, as Wes grabbed the dropped bag of jewels.

"Here, you like money so much?!" Wes yelled to Neroy, throwing the bag of jewels into Neroy's face and causing him to stagger back to the guardrail. "You'll need it to pay off the Devil on your way to Hell!" Wes exclaimed, jump kicking a direct hit into Neroy's chest and sending the greedy businessman backward over the railing of the balcony.

Screaming, Neroy vanished from Wes' sight, and a few seconds later, the loud thud confirmed it. Glancing over the guardrail, Wes saw some of the freed slaves run to the dead body of Neroy, taking the jewels off of his body. Turning back to the chest where the jewels were in, Wes ran over and looked down into it. The sight made his eyes widen with surprise and relief. Reaching down into it, Wes pulled out the missing morphers and ran back to the guardrail.

"Justin!" Wes yelled out, diving over the guardrail and landing gracefully on the ground on his feet. As he landed, he threw the morphers to Justin, who in turn, faced the prisoners and threw the morphers to the freed Rangers, who morphed instantly.

"Hey, what's that?" Maya asked, slashing down another Elite.

A loud boom like thunder, and the new Cyclopsis, Zelzord, the Divazords and the Terrorzord landed outside the courtyard.

"Good work!" Petrofski yelled to the mob bosses piloting the zords.

"Let's join them, these Rangers need a lesson" Ivan Ooze commented to his ally, as both Nationals grew to zord size, the Rangers looking on in.

[Darky]

Okay, so what do yuo guys think? There hasn't been any comments since I restarted, and was wondering

[Darky]

Just wanted to say that I'll be going on vacation this Saturday, and I won't be able to do an update for a week. So, I'll do what I can from here until than.

[Darky]

The Rangers ran from the stomping giants and zords overhead, as the giant Nightmare Ranger and Ivan Ooze stood together with the newly constructed zords of old. Running to the other end of the courtyard, the Rangers got into a crowd with the fleeing prisoners and reporters.

"The Dino Rangers are back on KO-35. If we send you out of here and provide you cover, do you think you can safely protect these people and get them teleported to safety?" Tommy asked the Ninja Storm, Lightspeed and SPD Rangers, who had no zords anyway as they had all been destroyed.

"We got them taken care of, Tommy!" Shane replied.

"You're not going anywhere!" Gruumm yelled, running to attack the Rangers,

"You guys get the people out of here, I can handle him while the others take on these hotheads" Doggie grunted, readying his Shadow Saber before charging the overthrown Troobian tyrant.

"Let's go, guys!" Tommy commanded, as he and the other Rangers took a step forward and raised their hands into the sky, the escaping NS and SPD Rangers leading the fleeing people past the Rangers and out the gates of the courtyard to freedom.

"WE NEED MEGAZORD POWER, NOW!" all Rangers exclaimed.

Activated by the voices programmed into its remotes, the Ninja and Shogun zords launched from their hidden hangar bay in Angel Grove, the Zeo zords following. In orbit, the Astro and Delta Megaships led the Mega Winger to Earth, transforming into zord mode, as the Wild Zords and Galactabeasts stormed from their hideouts with the Q-Rex leading the charge. The Mystic Rangers transformed into their Titan Modes and came together, as the Overdrive zords launched from another hidden bay.
---
The morphed Shadow Ranger charged Gruumm, their sabers clashing in the courtyard.

"Give it up Cruger, your Rangers are dead!" Gruumm yelled in Doggie's helmeted face.

"You're the one who needs to give up! When will you ever learn that you can't beat the Light?" Doggie grunted, pushing Gruumm's sword off of his before doing a spin kick at the Troobian's head. Ducking, Gruumm kicked Doggie in the shin of his left leg and knocked him to the ground and stood over him.
---
"Time to face up, Rangers!" one of the leading Chinese Triad lords yelled, pushing a button from the cockpit of Cyclopsis, activating a panel on the chest that opened and sprayed machine gunfire at the Ninja Megazord.

"I got me a new pet! Check him out!" an international slaver from Africa exclaimed, as he pressed a few buttons and the Cat Divazord shot rockets from its fingertips, blasting the incoming Red Battlezord to the ground.

"These guys are getting on my nerves!" Maya yelled as the Galaxy Megazord was being ganged up on by the Zelzord and Zurgzord, both piloted by international drug lords, as they were jumping over each other while hitting and slashing the Galaxy Megazord with its wrist gauntlet blades.

"Q-Rex, fire!" Eric ordered into his communicator. The Q-Rex in zord mode, opened fire with its gattling guns at Cyclopsis, which was looming over the Ninja Megazord. Cyclopsis staggered back at the shots, nearly stepping on a part of the palace, sparks bursting all over it.

"Not so smart, Meyers!" the Chinese Triad remarked, as Cyclopsis fired a charged blast from its horn on the top of its head. The Q-Rex shook as the fires and sparks from the resulting explosion rattled the yelling Quantum Ranger before it toppled over, landing in the snow of the frozen wastelands.
---
Swords clashing, the sound of iron clanging and the occasional spark was proof enough to anyone who had just stepped foot into the battle between Doggie and Gruumm to know it was to the death. Doggie was pushing his way against the Emperor, going up the stairs alongside the tower that led to the main part of the palace, they headed to the rooftop. Both combatants shook with the palace, as the zord battle outside raged.
---
"Zeo Helmet 2, ready!" Tanya yelled from the Zeo Megazord cockpit, as the special helmet lowered on the Megazord's head. Firing several yellow bursts of energy at the Marahzord, the oil tycoon pilot of the zord staggered back to avoid the deadly shots.

"Back off!" the oil tycoon pilot exclaimed, the Marahzord going into a deadly spin with its swords out, slashing and cutting deep into the Zeo Megazord. Sparks and wires flashed from the Zeo Megazord as it steadily fell back, the Marahzord spinning a few yards away.

"Abandon it, we need the Super Zeo Megazord!" Adam ordered to the other Rangers, as they leapt from the cockpit.

Piloted by Trey, the Pyramidus thundred forward with the Phantom Ranger's Artillatron and Blue Senturion's Robo Racer. All three zords opened fire on Zurgzord, which quickly jumped back and transformed into its more slim and agile form before leaping at the attacking zords.

"We need some help out here!" Trey yelled out, as the Zurgzord quickly jumped back and forth between all three of the Rangers' zords. Cutting and slashing, punching and kicking, the Zurgzord's pilots showed no fear.

"I'm coming Trey, get yourself ready!" Tommy replied back.

[Darky]

Pyramidus went into Ultrazord formation as the Red Battlezord soared towards it. Robo Racer took is position within the holding bay of Pyramidus, as the Red Battlezord took its position on the platform on Pyramidus' back.

"You don't scare us!" one the Italian crime lords that piloted the Zurgzord exclaimed.

"No? Maybe we should" Tommy retorted.

"Ready?" Trey asked.

"Ready. FIRE!" Tommy and Blue Senturion replied, as all the cannons and weapons on Pyramidus came to life.

Fueled by the combined power of all three zords, the orange and red streak of energy collided with the Zurgzord. Yelling out in pain as sparks flew all around them, the Italian crime lords had no time to react as the Zurgzord fell backwards and exploded as it hit the ground. A red shockwave of back energy shot into the sky and spread out over the distance, as sparks fell to the small fire on the ground from the cloud of smoke and fire that rose into the sky.

"Got one!" Blue Senturion exclaimed.
---
Doggie Cruger now held Gruumm off on the rooftop of the palace. As Gruumm swung for the Shadow Ranger, Doggie dodged the Troobian's blade before bringing the Shadow Saber down on Gruumm's hand, severing it entirely. Gruumm let loose a horrid scream of agony, as Doggie stepped back.

"I took your horns and now your hand. Keep it up, I'll take you a piece at a time if need be" Doggie said.

"THIS ISN'T OVER CRUGER!" Gruumm exclaimed before vanishing in a flash of green light. His battle over, Doggie quickly teleported away back to KO-35.
---
"It's over for you!" Ninjor said, his sword unsheathing as he charged the Shark Divazord.

*cue Invincible
The time has come to stand our ground,
We have the power inside us.
They think they won, but look around,
We won't let evil inside us.

The drug cartels piloting the Shark Divazord began to fire their energized shark fins at the charging Kakuyan warrior. Deflecting each shot with his double-bladed sword, Ninjor leapt at the Shark Divazord and stabbed its chest with his sword.

And we won't see another day,
And you won't see another day,
If we don't take them on today...

The Shark Divazord exploded instantly, as Ninjor yelled in defiance, turning his back from the explosion.

We are strong, we are tough, we're invincible.
We are here, we are now, we're invincible.
We are strong, we are tough, we're invincible.
We are here, and as one, we're invincible

The Eagle Sharkzord piloted by arms dealers from Europe and Asia soared towards the Galaxy Megazord to help the Zelzord.

"Lights of Orion!" Leo commanded.

The Lights of the power gleamed over the Megazord before solidifying into armor. Now fully armed, the Galaxy Megazord swung its fully energized saber at the incoming Divazord, causing it to explode in mid-flight instantly.

They send their best, we will not run,
They set their aims to destroy us.
We can not rest until they're done,
I'm sure they love to annoy us.

"It's not going to be that easy!" Ivan Ooze spat, shooting purple tentacles from his hands at the Astro Megazord.

"Gyro Blasters online!" Andros ordered into his Battlizer.

With that, the Delta Megazord flew over Ooze and sprayed the wizard with gunfire from its gattling gun hands. Startled, Ooze staggered back and let go of the Astro Megazord.

And I don't see another day,
And you don't see another day,
If we don't take down on today...

"Guys, I think I have it figured out!" Cassie proclaimed.

"What?" Carlos asked.

"Ooze's body keeps absorbing our hits. What if we use the Blaster to freeze him as we did Termitus?" Cassie replied.

"He could just reassemble" TJ replied, as the Astro Megazord batted away another hit from Ivan Ooze's ooze tentacles.

"This zord can fly, right?" Cassie replied with a hint of guessing in her voice.

We are strong, we are tough, we're invincible.
We are here, we are now, we're invincible.
We are strong, we are tough, we're invincible.
We are here, and as one, we're invincible!

With that, the Astro Megazord threw Ooze off of it, just as the Blaster appeared in its hands.

"That can't stop me!" Ooze yelled, approaching the Astro Megazord slowly with his hands out.

"Let's test that theory" Andros yelled back.

The Astro Megazord raised the Blaster and fired a jet stream of coolant at Ivan Ooze, who screamed in anger as his body froze instantly.

And we won't see another day,
And you won't see another day,
If we don't take them on today...

"This time, there's no comet for you!" Andros said, as the Astro Megazord was piloted to grab Ivan Ooze and fly off into the sky, Ooze mumbled yelling heard slightly from within his icy casket.

Let's go!
We are strong, and we are tough, and we're invincible.
Let's go!

The Zelzord and Cat Divazord were side by side, being pushed back by the Mystic Megazord and Lianbow riding with Catastros.

"Let's take them down!" Nick ordered.

The Mystic Megazord and Lianbow, with Catastros, both unleashed their finisher attacks. The two zords surged with blue energy as they shook and trembled. The drug lords and slavers piloting the zords screamed in fear as their zords fell sideays against each other, exploding together in unison.

"Checkmate!" the Mystic Rangers declared.

We are here, and we are now, and we're invincible.
Let's go!
We are strong, and we are tough, and we're invincible.
Let's go!
We are here, and as one, we're invincible!

Cyclopsis stood still, looking back and forth at the Ninja Megazord and Shogun Megazord.

"Shogun Saber!" Jason declared from the cockpit.

The Shogun Megazord's flame saber ignited, as the burning blade was raised and brought down on Cyclopsis. With it stunned, the Ninja Megazord, aided by the Falconzord, took to the sky and combined. The Ninja Megafalconzord flew inwards to the ground.

"NO!" the Chinese Triads yelled in fear, as the Power Punches from the Ninja Megazord hit Cyclopsis. Flying through the air, Cyclopsis was sent flying directly over Dark Specter's empty palace before landing and exploding, taking a massive chunk out of the center. Brick, metal, glass and debris from the zord and the palace rained down over the entire snowy terrain, as Cyclopsis was destroyed again.

"Now that's funny!" Zack commented with a chuckle.

The time has come to stand our ground,
We have the power inside us.
They think they won, but look around,
We won't let evil inside us.

Now in space, the Astro Megazord carried the frozen Ivan Ooze away from Earth to its destination. Nearing it more and more, the sun's rays and heat began to burn at the Rangers and Ooze.

"Almost there!" Andros stated.

"You can't do this to me! Power Pukes!" Ooze murmered from within the ice.

"Bye, Ooze!" Ashley yelled over the intercom, as the Astro Megazord threw Ivan Ooze down towards the sun, kicking him to send him faster.

Ivan Ooze screamed in anger and fear as his frozen body began to melt away from the sun. Pulled in by the gravity, Ooze landed on the surface of the sun, exploding instantly, sending a small tremoring wave out into space in the form of a white cloud, the Astro Megazord flying back to Earth.

Ah ah ah ah ah

The last of the evil zords, the Marahzord, Kaprizord and Shimazuzord, along with Nightmare Ranger stood surrounded on all sides by the Megazords.

"Time to take them down! Zhane, will you help me on this?" the Phantom Ranger asked.

"You bet!" Zhane replied.

Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah

"Worthless Rangers!" Petrofski yelled from under his helmet, as the Mega Winger aimed its dual blaster wings, and Phantom Ranger readied Artillatron's artillery cannons at their enemies.

"FIRE!" both Rangers ordered.

With that, Artillatron and Mega Winger fired heavy firepower at the four adversaries. To make an equal amount, the Shogun Megazord and Super Zeo Megazord stepped on either side of the zords, slashing the ammo being fired to make it go in all directions.

A flaming impact, the three zords and the giant General Petrofski, surged with blue electricity. The tycoon pilots and the Nightmare Ranger all screamed in pain and loss, as all four fell over each other and exploded in a massive fireball. Several smaller explosions ricocheted from its center, as energized fireballs shot in every direction, sparks raining down.

AH AH AH AH AH

[Ag Phoenix]

This story is great. I've really enjoyed reading AFIR along with Prophecies of the Morphing Grid...great stuff. I do have a question though. Have the rangers aged in real time over the past twenty years leading to this point in time or no?

[Darky]

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it. I'm glad people are still enjoying this and having fun with it.

The Rangers have aged, but I would think they've aged fine over the years. Looking at the cast of the older seasons, they look fine. It's only been 20 years, and at most, the MMPR team is in their late 30's or near 40 at the most.

With good exercise and training, as would be expected, aging wouldn't be a big factor. I'd like to think they haven't aged that bad to the point they look like they need to retire.

[Ag Phoenix]

Thats what I thought as well. I was also wondering why Trini but no Aisha? lol. Aisha was my favorite yellow ranger. What does GSA stand for?

I love how this follows the flow and mentions characters from Prophecies of the Morphing Grid. Great stuff.

[Darky]

Thats what I thought as well. I was also wondering why Trini but no Aisha? lol. Aisha was my favorite yellow ranger. What does GSA stand for?

I love how this follows the flow and mentions characters from Prophecies of the Morphing Grid. Great stuff.

I'm glad you're enjoying it, I've enjoyed writing it :) . I wanted to at least try and make it a continuous flow, rather than several alternate universes. Then, the prequal itself would be meaningless. To me, at least, I don't know about everyone else.

According to Rovang.org, after Aisha got the Zeo Crystal and time was saved, history was altered so that Aisha and her family lived in Africa and hence, doesn't even remember being a Ranger.

GSA stands for Galactic Space Alliance, they were the ones that built Terra Venture in Lost Galaxy. I always thought, since after C2D and the UAE fell, that Earth went out into space and knew more about the Rangers and their allies, and the intro to GSA, and with SPD coming along a few years ago, I had thought that the universe was still rebuilding. It would be expected after such a long and terrible war that, according to Zordon, lasted millions of years before C2D.

In my eyes, taking a page from Star Wars, the GSA in Prophecies is like the Old Republic, while the UAE is the Galactic Empire. The GSA in PRLG and SPD being its police force, I saw that as the New Republic. Of course, there are still problems which led to Dark Venom's rise to power, which will be addressed later.

[Darky]

The sky around the hidden Temple on Thoros was filled with V-Wingers and Jet Fighters. Dark Specter and his Inner Circle had relocated here for the time being. In case of an emergency, the Nation leaders were to be taken here for protection. In the throne room, Dark Specter growled with hate as he eyed the view screen, his remaining associates surrounding him.

"Over and over again! They keep showing the same damned footage!" Dark Specter yelled before punching the view screen and shattering it.

Sparks shot from the Monarch's fist where it hit the screen momentarily. It had been less than twelve hours since the defeat in Siberia, and all across the universe, footage of the Power Rangers' victory was being played on every news outlet. The Cyclopsis landing on the palace and destroying it, Ivan Ooze being frozen, while the Nightmare Ranger fell with the last three zords in a fiery end.

"Ooze is dead, Neroy is dead, Petrofski is dead, the palace has been destroyed, our zords have been destroyed, what next?!" Gruumm exclaimed with fury.

"Petrofski isn't dead, not by a long shot" Dark Specter answered. "The Nightmare Morpher was a gift from the depths of the Shadow World. It'll take more than those zords to destroy it and its wearer. Petrofski is healing up right now in one of our medical wards. Besides...they didn't destroy EACH zord."

"Serpenterra is still functioning and hidden" General Maloney answered with a smirk.

"Correct" Dark Specter replied, a look of excitement coming back over his face. "This was but a temporary loss. Our soldiers still hold a majority of the universe. The Claw is complete, and Serpenterra is on standby. General Domas, I want you and Rick Nolan to take full charge of the Claw. You are to be the commanders of it and lead its crew"

"What planet should we hit first, My Lord? Do you still wish to hit Saberius first?" Nolan asked.

"I want a lot hit. Hit the ones that have managed to liberate themselves first. I'll send out Serpenterra to aide the Claw's destruction. With both of those weapons on the loose, the death toll will be higher than the Rangers could ever hope to cope with" Dark Specter cackled.

"Who is to be in charge of Serpenterra?" Neil Jackson asked.

"You of course. Alacore, have you found Dark Venom yet?" Dark Specter yelled to the young cyborg.

Alacore seemed to be deep in his thoughts, lost in another world momentarily before shaking his head slightly and looking at his boss.

"I'm sorry, My Lord, what was the question?" Alacore asked.

"You dare tune me out?!" Dark Specter bellowed, standing from his throne and slowly advancing Alacore.

"No...I'm sorry, My Lord, I was just thinking...of a way to find Dark Venom for you" Alacore stammered.

"I take it, you haven't found him yet?" Dark Specter asked with a hint of obvious disgust.

"No My Lord, not yet" Alacore whimpered.

"See to it then, and don't show your face around here until you DO find him" Dark Specter said.

With that, he waved his hand and dismissed his Inner Circle from the throne room.
---
Mexico City had been enslaved by Dark Specter's forces, the entire culture being made illegal by the Nation. The caves of Mexico City were deep and dank. They laid near the old Aztec ruins and provided a perfect hiding ground for Baskin and his new friends.

"So when do we meet up with the others?" Jindrax asked.

"Soon enough, old friend" Baskin replied.

Approaching his group with a pot of water and pouring a small amount into some cups and passing them out to his company, Baskin and the others sat down on the rocky ground in a circle. Jindrax, Toxica and Zenaku, having been separated from Merrick during the staged war with the UW, were on the run from Dark Specter's forces for their numerous betrayals. Kapri and Marah, along with Sensei Watanabe and Sensei Omino had fled from their Ninja Academies months ago when Dark Specter came to power and began his revenge assaults. Since then, none of them had been able to get in touch with any of the Ninja Rangers. A more recent group and the final one, was the Ninja Turtles. Having been under Astronema's influence and breaking it, thereby offending Dark Specter, the Turtles and Splinter became enemies of the state and were on the run after Petrofski led a raid on the New York sewer systems.

"I'd like to see my son again, Baskin. When can we go?" Watanabe asked.

"As soon as our transport arrives" Baskin said sincerely. "Cam is fine, I know it. He's strong and wise, he knows what he's doing"

"I sympathize with your plight, Master Watanabe" Splinter put forth, "I don't know how I could cope with the fact that I had not seen my own children after so long during battle" Splinter said eyeing the Turtles.

"We would have been in space had Dark Venom not remobilized the Foot" Donatello added.

"So when's our ride going to be here?" Toxica asked.

"Within a few hours. He's a good pilot, I worked with him years ago when I came to Earth the first time. He'll get us to the other Rangers. Then we can deliver to Kinwon and the other Rebel leaders the Evil" Baskin answered as he placed a protective hand over the small box that carried the stone from Hades itself.

"Then we can join the fight" Marah stated.

"Man, I'd love to get ahold of that Dark Venom guy. I'd love to beat him down into a pulp!" Raphael spat.

"Really?" a voice from behind the group asked, making Baskin and his friends jump up in startled surprise.

Before them