A Future In Ruins

[Darky]

The year is 2029. Emperor Grumm has been taken to trial and sentenced to life in prison. 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/barillian02.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/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 b