Hey Gang.  Just wanted to send a quick shout out for the changes I made the last two days.  A brand new layout featuring my newest shipper couple - Summer and Dillon of RPM.

 

All of the Multi-chapter stories have Book Covers now (yes, I know, it took me FOREVER to get those done).

 

I also added a new link - Rapunzl's Fanfic Tower.

 

Animal Spirits, Old Layouts, and the Episode List have all been updated too.

 

That's it for now.

 

Check you later!
 

Wow, it feels like forever since I updated!  I apologize gang, the summer's been hectic and loaded with work and recovering from school.

 

 

Updated - Cast and Episode lists with RPM info.  Multi-chapter - Skin - Chapter 1

Added - Standalones - Thanks, You're Not Going Anywhere, and Flashpoint (all RPM)

Added - Multi-chapter - Turn Right (RPM)

 

And in other news, I got to meet Jason David Frank the weekend of my birthday *dreamy sigh* ....talk about childhood dreams come true.  He was super sweet and signed ALL of my stuff that I took with me, including my Shippy trading card of him and Amy Jo from MMPR:TM (the scene of them at the temple, standing at the ledge looking into the jungle).  I also got to meet fellow authors Shawn30, Rapunzl, Enigmaforum and Angel17712 (I run all their websites ;P) at the same event.  AnimeFestivalOrlando was a great experience!

 

 

If you have twitter, you can find me there now!  --  http://twitter.com/pinkgw4ever -- I haven't really made any posts about writing and stuff, but if you want to just see what I'm doing on the rare occasion I do post, there you go.  I do have facebook and myspace, but I don't share those with many people...I have stalkers, and it's not fun :(

 

Yes, I know people are looking for updates to other stories, and I do apologize for not having a lot out.  I burned out the last month of school and then the month following with family things, work things, and finally entering the non-school world again.  I'm trying, I promise.  With RPM being the last season of power rangers (it's all but been confirmed by disney), my focus once the new season is over is to finish stories that have been in progress for a while.  Also, my muse has been very busy with RPM ideas, so look for more stuff there.

 

I have a new graphics website I've opened in honor of PR in general (i have a pr couples and tommykim sydsky sites).  It can be found here - http://ag-museum.usagi-carter.org - it's got graphics for just about every team and I'm making more every day.  If you see something you like, go ahead and use it.  And don't forget to shoot me an email and let me know what you think!

 

Other than that, i hope all of you have wonderful end to your summer (or winter depending on which side of the equator you are!).  For those of you going back to school, I wish you all the success in the world, and for those of you in the business world, I wish you job security!

 

Kim
 

A small update!

Chapter 17 of Legacy Of Power is up.  The episode list has been updated to yesterday's RPM Episode.

 

As far as other things - I have the next chapter of Return of The Great Power about 1/3 written out.  I'm hoping to get into that some more later this summer.  The next chapter of Skin is being edited as we speak.  Land Of The Rising Sun, my special "Dark Horizons" one shot that took me into Shawn's sandbox is done and being edited and is waiting on Shawn to finish Comes The Darkness.  I'm actually working on finishing up Trusting Starlight (TK) and A Lifetime Of Love: Syd and Sky.  I think I have like half of the theme list left for TK and I have four left for Syd and Sky.  I have a few one shots in the works that are about ready for posting.

 

Also, a friend of mine, Chris, is working on a remix version of the two trailers I did for Legacy Of Power (MMPR and Zeo).  Not sure when those vids are going to be done, but I'll keep you posted.

 

School is finally over for me - as in, I graduated June 12th.  My focus right now is going to be trying to find a job in my field of study this summer, but now that school is overwith, I'm hoping to get back into writing more.

 

Also, don't be afraid to discuss Power Rangers on this list, I hardly think everyone just hangs around for me to update ;)

Have a great summer gang!

All my love
Kim
 

Skin

Prologue: Cruel News

By: Pink-Green-White-4ever

Started: February 16, 2008

Finished: September 26, 2008

 

Summary: What happens when one of the invincible SPD Rangers falls ill thanks to the genetic powers they’d been born with?

Rating: T

Ship: JA, BZ, eventual SS

 

AN: I was looking through my Rascal Flatts’ c.d.’s, trying to find something to listen to and I came across one of my favorite songs – Skin (Sarabeth).  It’s a song about a young girl who finds out she has cancer, and how she deals with it.  I happened to be talking to Enigmaforum and CathyD and the images started hitting me.  What would happen if SPD’s resident Pink Princess, the world famous model and pop star, suddenly had to deal with a very real disease?  What if the SPD Rangers finally came to the conclusion that their genetic powers had the ability to turn on them in a way none of them ever wanted to deal with?  This is my take on that story.

 

AN2: Research was done at the American Cancer Society website - http://www.cancer.org, so the information is as accurate as I can get it.  It’s called – Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).  Acute leukemia: In acute leukemia, the bone marrow cells don’t mature properly. These immature cells build up and crowd out normal cells. Without treatment, most patients with acute leukemia would live only a few months. Some types of acute leukemia respond well to treatment and many patients are cured. People with other types often do not do as well.  Myeloid leukemia: Myeloid leukemia mainly develops from white blood cells such as granulocytes or monocytes, but can also form from the cells that mature into platelets or red blood cells.

 

AN3: I’m not trying to turn cancer into a cartoon, cause let’s face it: it’s a reality that millions of people deal with every day.  It’s serious, and this story is meant to be serious.  Yes, it’s based off a song, but it’s a serious look at how the Rangers deal with something humanizing, something that doesn’t care what race, creed, ethnicity, skin color, age or gender you are.  It doesn’t care how much money you have, what social circles you move in, or where and when you were born.  This effects people of every background.

 

Dedication – Angel, Cat, Enigmaforum, Shawn and Rapunzl for helping me with the story, and for being supportive as I wrote it.  And to all the Syd and Sky fans out there, for the years of support, the enthusiasm, and for loving SS as much as I do!

 

 

--

 

Friday

September 16, 2033

Commander Sky Tate’s Office

SPD Academy

New Tech City, CA

 

“Commander Tate to the Command Center!”

 

Sky sat at his desk, his eyes focused on the picture in the silver metal frame staring back at him.  Today was the day he’d been dreading most this year.  The anniversary of his father’s passing was always hard, but today, the anniversary on today, was worse.  It had been one year since the death of the woman he loved beyond life itself.

 

The silver picture frame had been a wedding gift, and inside of it was his favorite picture from their wedding.  He was standing there in the black tuxedo, his arms around her waist, and his eyes on her face.  It was one of the brightest, happiest looks he knew anyone had ever seen on him.  Her head was tipped back, blond hair cascading behind her, her big blue eyes were locked on his, her teeth worrying her bottom lip.  Her hands were clinging tightly to his forearms, as if she was afraid he’d disappear.  The picture was his favorite, because they looked so happy, but it made him hurt.  They had four wonderful years together as husband and wife, and a year of falling in love before that, before her body had finally given out on them.  To say he missed her, this last year, was the biggest understatement of all time.  He felt like his heart had literally been ripped from his chest.  After all they’d been through together in their youth, all the years fighting monsters and training to be Power Rangers, one of Earth’s most hated diseases had done what no villain had ever been able to managed; cancer had stolen the tenacious Pink Ranger in her prime.

 

Shaking his head, he pushed away from his desk and headed for the Command Center, knowing Kat would want to see him about their plans for tonight’s memorial.  The door closed behind him with a ringing finality.

 

--

 

Sara Beth is scared to death
To hear what the doctor will say
She hasn't been well, since the day that she fell
And the bruise just won't go away

So she sits and she waits with her mother and dad
And flips through an old magazine
Till the nurse with the smile stands in the door
And says will you please come with me

--

 

Monday

January 5, 2026

Dr. Mick Morgan’s Office

New Tech City, CA

 

She sat worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, the magazine she’d been reading forgotten on the chair next to her.  She really didn’t want to be where she was, could think of a million things she could be doing on a Monday morning; chief among them would be training with her Squad.  By now they had to be worrying about her, because she knew that Commander Cruger hadn’t said anything to them yet.  She’d asked him not to.

 

Her eyes fell to her left leg, hidden beneath a demure black skirt.  Tears welled as she stared, knowing that something wasn’t right with her.  She’d taken a nasty tumble just after Thanksgiving, shortly after they’d defeated Gruumm last year, and the bruise she’d earned from it hadn’t healed.  In fact, it had only gotten worse.  She did her best to hide it while she’d been at the academy, but when she’d gone home for her two week Christmas vacation, she hadn’t been able to hide it, or the pain, from her parents.

 

Now she was sitting in her family’s doctor’s office, waiting to be seen by him.  “Honey, are you alright?” her mother softly asked, moving to sit next to her.  Big, watery blue eyes looked up at her mother, lip trembling as she did.  “Sydney?”

 

“I’m scared,” she whispered, looking back down at her leg.  “What if something’s wrong?”

 

She could tell her parents were hiding their own fears to sooth hers.  The tremble of her mother’s lips as she pressed them together was sign enough.  “Think positively, Sydney.  Whatever’s wrong with your leg, we’ll deal with it, alright?  I just think you probably bruised the bone, and it’s taking its own sweet time to heal.  It’s not like you’re having a whole lot of problems walking on it.”

 

She nodded, hoping, praying, her mother was right.  She wanted to get back to the academy and her duties as soon as possible.  It was strange, but after not being able to stand her teammates in the beginning of their tenure as Rangers, she’d come to love them all so much, and missed them even more.  Two weeks away from the academy felt like a lifetime.  She missed listening to Bridge go on and on about buttery toast, Z moaning and groaning about Sky’s training schedule, but most of all, she missed Sky harassing each of them in his own way.  They’d all grown up this last year, grown into adults who had survived one of the toughest challenges of their lives and still come out alive.

 

A nurse came through the waiting room door, a bright smile on her face.  “Sydney Drew?”

 

Looking up, she tried to smile back at the pretty nurse, but her whole body trembled.  “If you’ll come with me, I’ll take you back.”

 

--

 

Sara Beth is scared to death
Cause the doctor just told her the news
Between the red cells and white, something's not right
But we're gonna take care of you

Six chances in ten, it won't come back again
With the therapy we're gonna try
It's just been approved, it's the strongest there is
And I think that we caught it in time
And Sara Beth closes her eyes.

 

--

 

Monday

January 12, 2026

Syd and Z’s Room

SPD Academy

New Tech City, CA

 

The heart wrenching sobs were what caught his attention as he walked past the girls’ room.  It wasn’t the kind of crying a girl did unless something was seriously wrong, or at least that’s what he knew thanks to his limited experience with crying females.  Cautiously, he stopped by the door and just listened.  He knew it wasn’t Z, as the Yellow Ranger was on patrol with Bridge for another hour.  That left Sydney.  He debated for a whole minute what to do – give her privacy or go in and see what was wrong.  The harsh sounds of her cries tore at his heart; she was his best friend, he couldn’t stand to hear her cry.  He quickly keyed his clearance code into the pad at the door and strode in.  The sight before him stopped him dead in his tracks and damn near brought him to his knees.

 

Sydney was on her bed, leaning against the two walls.  Her knees were drawn to her chest, her face buried in her hands.  Her whole body shook with each cry issued from her throat.  Biting his tongue, he quietly moved to sit down on the edge of the bed, reaching his hand out to touch her arm as he did so.  When she looked up at him, startled, he watched her composure completely vanish.  Without thinking, he grabbed her arms and hauled her into his lap, holding her against his chest while she cried out her heartbreak.

 

He held her for a long, long time, one hand on the back of her head, the other soothing a caress across her back.  At one point, he felt the hot tears she cried against his skin, each one like a flame licking across his flesh.  He rocked her gently, trying to calm her down.  When she finally did, he felt her all but collapse against him, her strength finally gone.  “Syd, tell me what’s wrong.  Tell me what I can do to help, who I have to beat up for making you cry,” he whispered to her.

 

“You can’t help me, no one can,” she hiccupped, rubbing her face against his shoulder, enjoying the comfort he was giving without even realizing he was doing it.

 

“Come on Syd,” he murmured, drawing away from her.  He reached up and cupped her cheeks, wiping her tears away with the pads of his thumbs.

 

“I’m sick, Sky,” she struggled to tell him.

 

He looked at her, frowning, wondering why she was so upset about being sick.  “Then let me take you to Kat, she’ll figure out what’s wrong with you, give you some medicine.  There’s not reason to cry.”  Sky realized he’d said the wrong thing when her eyes filled with a fresh round of hot tears and she threw her arms around his waist, burying her face in his neck.

 

“Kat can’t help me, Sky,” she brokenly cried in his ear, her warm breath puffing against his skin.  “I have to go see a specialist.”

 

Sky stiffened at that, turning his head so he could look down into her eyes.  “What do you mean?” he croaked, his voice betraying the sudden fear that had taken root in the pit of his stomach and in his heart.  She couldn’t be sick; she was a Power Ranger for God’s sake.  Power Rangers didn’t get sick.  The power of the Morphin Grid, whether tapped into by man-made or mystical powers, all but guaranteed they were healthy as long as they were Rangers.  Or so he thought.

 

“Remember the bruise on my leg?  The one I had checked out?”   Sky just nodded.  “The doctor ran blood tests, just to be safe, because of how long I’d had the bruise.”

 

Pulling back, Sky looked down into her beloved blue eyes, his own reflecting the horror of realization that was swiftly flooding his senses.  “Syd?”

 

“They think I have cancer.”

 

Hey Gang.

 

It's been a few months since I updated, and I apologize for that.  Unfortunately, I've been sick, lost a family member, and struggled with school.

 

Here's what's been updated to the site in the last couple of months (forgive me if I've already mentioned this):

 

There's a new layout, featuring Sydney Drew from SPD.  Updated - Cast List (JF), Episode List (JF), Links - New Affiliate - Command Center: Earth, Fun Stuff - Old Layouts, Fun Stuff - Animal Spirits, Fun Stuff - Ranger Names & Meanings.  Removed - Fun Stuff - Survey
Added - Embedded Guestbook, Link To Us Page, and A Love Like This: A TK FanVideo.

 

Due to some mean, nasty, irritating people, I've removed all my videos from YouTube and am keeping them exclusively at my site and on Perfect Chemistry (there's a link to this site on the links page).

 

I've posted one story in the last couple of months, and that was Hidden Passions which can be found on the Standalones page.  Unfortunately real life has kept me from finishing any other stories, but I am working on them, I promise.

 

That's it for about now, have a healthy, happy and safe New Years if you're celebrating and I'll see all of you in 2009!

 

 

--

 

 

Legacy Of Power: At World�s End

Part 4 � Training

Chapter 15 � Training By Color

Written By Pink-Green-White-4ever

Story Ideas By: Pink-Green-White-4ever and Marcus

 

Last Revised: January 26, 2008

Summary: To get ready for the big battles ahead, the mentors decide it�s time to train by color�

Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance

Rating: T for now

 

AN: Sorry it�s been a while, things have been hectic!  Enjoy! 

 

�A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.� � Ogden Nash --

 

�Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good.� -- Vaclav Havel --

 

--

 

Mike couldn�t help but grin as he drove along the winding road into Briarwood.  Hannah had been utterly silent the entire trip.  The former member of the Lost Galaxy Rangers knew one thing for sure � Hannah was either going to hug the stuffing or kick the crap out of Kai when she got a hold of the Blue Ranger.  �You know, killing him isn�t going to be conducive to saving the universe,� he pointed out.

 

The young woman glared.  �I�m sure it wouldn�t be a problem for them to be one Ranger less,� she muttered.

 

�Hannah�� Mike started.

 

�Look, I understand his reasons, but I have every right to be upset.�

 

�You know it was sudden,� he told her.  �They didn�t have a clue what was happening until they got here, and by then it was too important for them to come all the way back to Mirinoi to tell us.�

 

�He could have called!� she hissed.  The tears that slipped down her cheeks broke Mike�s heart.  �I know it was sudden, honestly.  I understand, but I just want him to be okay.�  Mike let out a hearty chuckle.  �What?�

 

�Hannah, Kai�s one of the most capable Rangers I�ve ever seen.  He�s going to be just fine, promise.�

 

--

 

Kat Manx sighed as she escorted Fowler Birdie into the Command Center of the Deltabase.  The Supreme Commander was in a highly irritated state and it was starting to rub off on her.  One of the many underlying reasons she�d come back to Earth when she�d been offered the position at SPD H.Q. was because she couldn�t STAND Birdie and his archaic ideas.  He was stuck so far in the past it was almost a hindrance to be around him on the best of days.  �This is inexcusable!� he roared as they passed through the doors.

 

Since his arrival a few days before, Kat had to admit she was never as happy as she was at that moment to see Alex bent over a console with Boom.  The Time Force officer, like Birdie, had his own ideas of how things should be run, and she had butted heads with him more than a few times, but she also knew he was genuinely worried about the Rangers, all of them.

 

�Officer Drake.�

 

Birdie bristled as Alex stood from his position and moved toward them, a curious look on his face.  �Kat?�

 

�Alex, allow me to introduce SPD�s Supreme Commander, Fowler Birdie.  Sir, Officer Alex Drake of Time Force,� Kat introduced.  Alex had all but insisted she just call him Officer, simply because in this time, his rank didn�t truly matter, unless he decided to pull it on anyone, and since the only two people he�d be working closely with were Kat and Boom, Kat had gone along with it.

 

The two men nodded to one another.  �Officer Drake, how long will it take to pull my Rangers back to this time?�

 

�A matter of hours,� Alex responded.

 

�Excellent.  Get on that, immediately.�

 

Alex gave him a look.  �With all due respect, Supreme Commander, I can�t.�

 

Birdie looked at him in shock.  �What do you mean can�t?  Or should I say won�t?�

 

The former Red Ranger narrowed his eyes at the large bird.  �My team is also in the past.  If I pull your Rangers, my team dies.  As it is, five of your team�s past enemies are back in time and no one else has the knowledge to deal with them.  When this is all over, I�ll bring them back, but not until then.  Am I understood?�

 

�This is insubordination!�

 

�No, this is being a Ranger.  There is a war raging in 2007, and our Rangers must be there.  Deal with it.�

 

Kat stood off to the side, smirking.  Very few people could put Birdie in his place, and Alex apparently was one of them, if the expression on Birdie�s face was anything to go by.

 

--

 

Mike and Hannah sat in their vehicle, staring at the store across the street from them that was closed down for the night.  �It�s late, they�re probably wherever they�re staying,� Hannah pointed out.

 

�That�s true.  Now that we�re on Earth, I can contact them.�  Holding up a small device, he pressed a button and prayed that one of the others recognized the signal.  �Kendrix?  Kai?�

 

�Mike?� the Pink Ranger�s startled voice came out of the device.

 

�How�s my favorite butt-kicking sister-in-law?�

 

�Ha ha,� Kendrix deadpanned.  �What�s wrong?�

 

Mike and Hannah shared a grin.  �I�m sitting here with Hannah outside of the Rock Porium.  Will one of you come and get us?�

 

�Of course!  We�ll be there as soon as we can!�

 

�Thanks.  Mike out.� 

 

Hanna sighed and leaned against the seat, tired and yet anxious.  �Now we wait?�

 

Mike nodded.  �Now we wait.�

 

--

 

�Holy cow!� Aisha grinned when Adam pushed the door open to the house he and Tanya were renting for the team for the remainder of their stay in Briarwood.  Wes and Jen had rented a house not five blocks from them, and were even now settling Wild Force and Time Force into it.

 

�This place is huge!� Zack laughed.

 

Tanya, Adam and Justin smiled.  �Justin found it.  Four bedrooms, a den, big kitchen, four or five baths, it works,� Adam cracked.

 

�Zack, Justin and I will take the den,� Billy informed the group.  The Green and Blue Zeo Rangers nodded in agreement, knowing they were the odd men out.

 

�Is Angela coming to visit?� Kim worriedly asked Zack, her mind still racing from the days events.

 

�Only if I give her the go-ahead; I didn�t want her in the crossfire, and she agreed.  She wasn�t happy about it, but she understands that I just�I can�t have her here, not with knowing how things could go.�

 

The others nodded, all of them suddenly solemn.  �So, let�s get settled and get some sleep,� Jason suggested.

 

--

 

Anubis and Kanoi moved silently as they checked on the Rangers residing in Rootcore.  Dimitria had joined the Space and Lost Galaxy Rangers on the Megaship an hour before and Shayla had gone with the Time and Wild Force Rangers to the house Wes and Jen were renting for them, which wasn�t far from the house Tanya and Adam were renting for the Morphin and Zeo Rangers.  With the departures of the six teams, that left a lot more room for the Mystic, Dino Thunder, Lightspeed Rescue, Ninja Storm and SPD Rangers to spread out in the hallowed tree.

 

Ninjor had retreated to his new space in Daggeron and Jenji�s room, Udonna and Lianbow were down in the library with Daggeron, Itassis, Matumbo, Jenji and Leelee, discussing the day�s events, and all of the Rangers were supposedly fast asleep.  The two mentors had their doubts about that, which explained why neither had sought out their own beds.

 

�Do you think they adhered to their room assignments?� Kanoi asked, smiling.  The Ninja Master had a pretty good idea what the answer to that question already was but waited for the Sirian to answer.

 

�Our Rangers?� Anubis asked, watching Kanoi nod.  �Of course not,� he chuckled.  �They have more room now; my guess is they�ve spread out.�

 

Kanoi nodded.  They found Blake, Tori, Kira and Trent sharing one of the spare rooms while Carter, Dana, Chad and Kelsey shared another.  Dustin, Shane, Joel, Conner and Chip were all passed out in the Yellow Mystic Ranger�s room.  The pair chuckled when they realized most of the boys had fallen asleep still in their clothes.  In Xander�s room, they found him, Jack, Hunter, Cam, Ethan and Ryan all in their beds, most of them still in their clothes like their teammates.

 

In Vida and Madison�s room, Hayley and Vida were asleep on Vida�s bed while Bridge, Z, Sky and Syd were asleep on the air mattresses on the floor.  There was no sign of Madison, or Nick.

 

�They�re probably in Nick�s room,� Kanoi responded even as he tried to repress a chuckle.

 

�Has Daggeron mentioned the talk he and I had with you yet?�

 

Kanoi nodded.  �I agree.  It may be wise to remind them that those relationships must not interfere with their Ranger duties, but��

 

�It�s not so much that, I know.  I just don�t want them distracted, and hormones are a distraction they can�t afford,� Anubis sighed, his eyes on his four Rangers.  The dynamics of their relationships had changed, and therefore had changed their team chemistry, but he had to admit, it hadn�t been that bad.  If anything, they were more attuned to each other, but there in lie the problem � if something happened to one of them, the others were going to feel it.

 

�Those hormones have been known to be the deciding factor in more than a few battles.�

 

Anubis smiled.  �True.  We�ll discuss it later; for now, we should get to sleep too.�

 

--

 

Kai sat on the bridge, staring at the console, lost in thought.  Maya and Kendrix had all but forbid him from going when they�d left a half hour before to go and get Mike and Hannah.  Part of him was grateful for the time to compose himself while part of him was truly worried about whether or not Hannah would forgive him for not telling her the truth.  He was so lost in his thoughts he didn�t hear her walk onto the bridge.

 

Hannah watched him and was torn by what she saw.  Determination was eclipsed by uncertainty, fear drown out the courage Mike said was part of Kai the Ranger.  That�s when it hit her; she wasn�t looking at Kai the Ranger, she was looking at Kai the scared fianc�.  Walking over, Hannah stood in front of him.  Reaching out quickly, she slapped him once, her hand connecting solidly with his cheek.

 

�I deserved that,� he uttered, staring up at her.

 

�You�re right, you did,� she told him, staring down at him before she reached down and grabbed his hand.  Before Kai had time to blink, she was hauling him up and into her arms for a hug.

 

The Blue Ranger let out a breath and wrapped his arms around her, his heart constricting when he felt her shudder.  �I�m sorry, Hannah, really sorry.  I should have told you,� he whispered into her hair.

 

�As mad as I am, or was, I do understand why you didn�t tell me.�

 

When they pulled back, Kai cupped her face.  �Thank you, for being so understanding.�

 

She just nodded and swallowed.  �So how bad is it?�

 

Kai�s face hardened, the veteran Ranger replacing her fianc�.  �Bad.�

 

Hannah sighed.  �I want to help, Kai, any way I can.  I�m an experienced officer.�

 

�I know you are,� he grinned at her.  �We�ll talk to the others about it in the morning.�

 

�Good.  Let�s go to bed,� Hannah yawned, letting him lead her to his quarters.

 

--

 

�So, what kind of training are we going to do?� Chip curiously asked as the group gathered just outside of Rootcore.

 

�Physical, hand to hand,� Daggeron grinned at him, the Solaris Knight�s face taking on an impish look that had the Mystics cringing.  They knew once he got something into his head, especially training, he didn�t go easy on them.  �We�re going to have you grouped by color to start.�

 

Snickers and groans echoed among the group.  �What about those of us who don�t technically have a color designation?� Ryan called out.

 

�We have it all worked out,� Shayla smiled, holding up several sheets of paper.  �Dimitria, Ninjor, Udonna, Daggeron, Lianbow and myself are going to transport all of us there.  Itassis and Leelee are going to stay behind and alert us to anything happening here and if we�re needed.�

 

The six mentors positioned themselves around the perimeter of the large group and began to chant the spell Udonna had written for them, each of them adding as much of their magic as they could while keeping a balance with the others.  It was clear within minutes that they were taxing themselves on such a large group.

 

Out of nowhere, the five Mystic Rangers and Clare carefully moved to stand with them.  Maddy moved between Udonna and Dimitria, Xander move between Dimitria and Daggeron, Vida was between Daggeron and Shayla, Chip moved between Shayla and Lianbow, Clare moved between Lianbow and Ninjor, and Nick took up the last spot between Ninjor and Udonna.  Quietly, the six added their powers to their mentors, causing the ring to light up with their color designations.  In a flash, the group was transported to another dimension.

 

--

 

�Listen up!� Daggeron directed after they�d all warmed up.

 

Shayla cleared her throat and read from the papers in her hands.  �Tommy, Trent, Alyssa, Merrick, Clare and Karone will be with Udonna.�  The White Rangers, Lunar Wolf, Gatekeeper and the former Pink Ranger moved to stand with Udonna off to the side.

 

�All of the Pink Rangers are to go with Dimitria.�  The eight Pinks moved to stand with the ethereal looking woman.

 

�Ninjor is taking all the Blue Rangers, and that includes you Blake.�  Again, the group of Rangers shifted, the Blues separating from the others and moving to stand behind Ninjor.

 

Smiling, Shayla turned.  �Lianbow is talking all the Red Rangers, Eric and Hunter included.�

 

�Daggeron is taking the Yellow Rangers and Commander Cruger is taking the Black Rangers and Ryan.�

 

�What about me?� Mike grinned.

 

Shayla smiled.  �Why don�t you join them, Mike,� she told him softly.

 

Mike nodded and moved to stand with Ryan, who was grinning like a fool.  �Once a Ranger, huh?� Ryan snickered.

 

�Oh yeah,� Mike responded.

 

�Last but not least, Sensei Watanabe is taking the Green Rangers.�  With that announcement, the groups broke off.  There were mats set up along with sparring dummies and practice weapons.  Shayla moved over to Hannah, who was standing in the center of the clearing where they were training, looking lost.  �Are you alright?�

 

�I feel useless,� Hannah admitted.

 

Shayla looked thoughtful.  �Can you fight?�

 

Hannah grinned.  �I�ve been trained to fight, yes.  I�m in a military job, we all got proper training.  Plus, I spar with Kai all the time.�

 

�Why don�t you join Udonna?  I�m sure Karone and Clare would be grateful to have another non Ranger with them.�

 

Nodding, Hannah headed off to join the group under Udonna�s supervision while Shayla surveyed the group as a whole.  Her heart warmed at seeing the mentors and the Rangers bonding as well as sparring, each showing off what they could and learning what they didn�t know.  �Your legacy has been preserved, Zordon.  We couldn�t have picked a finer group of men and women to be Rangers, or to fight what is coming.  I know it�s going to be a hard battle, and I know not all of us may come out of this, but we�re prepared, thanks to you� she thought before she moved over to ask Udonna if she could do anything.

 

--

 

�Excuse me, but please explain again, why I have to face Mr. Legendary?� Clare whined to her aunt, using the nickname she�d heard Eric give Tommy just after they�d split into groups.

 

Udonna chuckled when she saw Tommy roll his eyes.  �Because, Clare.  You have the least amount of experience fighting, as Hannah has a military based career, and is therefore trained in martial arts.  Of all of us, Tommy has the most experience training students.  I�d prefer he worked with you.�

 

The Gate Keeper looked unconvinced.  �He�ll pummel me!� she pointed out indignantly.

 

Tommy chuckled.  �Clare, I promise, no pummeling.  I�m going to just help you learn to fight better.�

 

The blonde looked at him skeptically.  �Why does that not reassure me?�

 

�Clare, come on!� Alyssa called out even as she flipped Trent onto his back on the mat.  �See, it�s not so bad.�

 

�Speak for yourself,� Trent groaned from where he lay staring up at the sky.

 

�Those two look evenly matched,� Hannah nodded to where Merrick and Karone were sparring.  The pair looked like utter professionals as they traded blows, evenly matched in skill and intensity.

 

�You could say they understand each other,� Tommy commented, knowing exactly what was driving the two of them, since he�d been in their positions once before.  �Both were made Rangers after being in the fight against the Rangers.�

 

�Huh?� Clare asked even as she let Tommy correct her stance on a block he was showing her.

 

�Karone was Astronema, and then she joined Lost Galaxy when Psycho Pink kinda killed Kendrix,� Tommy started, wincing.  The subject of a Ranger dying, even if they had been brought back was a touchy one.  �Long story behind that, and with Merrick, he was cursed for 3000 years by a wolf mask before he was given the power to join Wild Force as the Lunar Wolf.  They understand each other, because they�ve both had that type of experience, looking for redemption.  Ready Clare?� Tommy asked.

 

�I suppose.�

 

--

 

�Why am I facing Taylor?� Dustin asked Daggeron.

 

The Solaris Knight chuckled.  �Because, Dustin, you�re the only Yellow Ranger who�s been actively training, whether as a Ranger or for work, other than Chip, Taylor and Katie, but if I put Taylor and Katie together, they would beat each other up because neither has qualms with sparring with the other.  Added to that, this is supposed to be a bonding experience,� Daggeron all but snickered.

 

�Right�..dude, you�re paying for my funeral, you know that right?�

 

Daggeron laughed and nodded before turning to face Kira, who looked slightly unsure of herself.  �I�m not above working hard, but I�ve only had the most basic training, so be nice to start,� she grinned.

 

�Dually noted; are you ready?�

 

Before Kira could respond, Taylor�s voice rang out.  �Hold still, damn you!� she shouted at Dustin, who danced around her, weaving past her, ducking her punches and blocking others.  Aisha and Z snickered from where they were sparring while Tanya, who was sitting up from where Katie had planted her on the mat, grinned along with the Time Force Ranger.  Ashley and Kelsey had stopped and were taking bets on whether or not Taylor would ever catch the fast moving Dustin.  The final pairing was Chip and Maya, the former having his arm wrapped around Maya�s neck from behind as they�d stopped in mid move to watch the Wild Force and Ninja Storm rangers.

 

�Come on Dustin!  She�s just a girl!� Chip cracked.

 

It took the Yellow Mystic approximately 1.5 seconds to realize he�d made a critical error in judgment by saying what he had.  Every female Ranger in the vicinity stood still, staring at him, or in Maya�s case, shaking her head.

 

�Maya!  Kick his ass on principle!� Vida called over, glaring at her teammate.

 

�Just a girl, huh?� Maya asked.  Chip grunted as the Yellow Galaxy Ranger elbowed him in the ribs before she grabbed his wrist, twisting it around so that she could use it as leverage to toss him over her shoulder.  He landed with a thud, causing the girls to applaud.  Maya bent down and glared at him, before she spoke in the calm, quiet voice she was best known for.  �Lesson number one, do not, ever call a female Ranger, no matter her color, �Just a girl�.  Am I understood?�

 

Chip blew out a breath and nodded.  �Got it.�

 

�You�re lucky it was Maya and not me,� Taylor hissed over at him.

 

�Either way I�d have ended up on my back,� Chip pointed out.

 

Taylor smirked. �Very true.  AHHH!�

 

Chip looked over and found Taylor laid out on the mat next to him thanks to Dustin.  �Never take your eyes off your opponent,� Dustin spoke in a tone of voice that Taylor instantly knew he used with his students.

 

The Yellow Eagle Ranger glared but then smiled.  �Yes Sensei.�

 

Dustin grinned and helped her up while Maya helped Chip to his feet.  Daggeron shook his head at them and kept his eyes on Kira.  The younger Ranger had been trained by Tommy, and despite her limited training, he still considered her a threat for simply knowing that the original White Ranger had trained her, not to mention he�d seen her fight before, she wasn�t as bad as she thought she was.

 

--

 

�Relax,� Adam murmured as Hayley stood in front of him, shaking like a leaf.

 

�Easy for you to say,� the newest Black Ranger grumbled.  �You�ve done this before.�

 

Adam shook his head at her.  �Hayley, the knowledge is there, all you have to do is access it.  Why do you think the rookie teams are generally so good?  The Morphin� Grid provides the knowledge and the skills that all Rangers use; all you have to do is hone it a little.�

 

Hayley nodded and brushed her long braid over her shoulder.  �Okay, I�m ready.�

 

�I�m going to call out the moves I want you to make, in response to how I move.  Ready?�

 

�Let�s do it.�

 

Quietly, Adam moved, called a counter move, and waited for Hayley to follow through.  When she got the move wrong or hesitated, they repeated the move several times over until she was more in control.  It took them a good twenty minutes, but finally, Adam got Hayley to move at a decent speed with the repetition of the moves, not to mention that her body seemed to be digging into the morphin� grid, pulling out the power she needed, allowing her muscles and her mind to start anticipating Adam�s moves.

 

Next to them, Carlos and Danny kept pace with each other.  The two had an easy rhythm going on, joking back and forth and discussing what they would be facing as a team while giving each other a work out.  �What do you think?� Danny finally asked.

 

Carlos looked resigned as he blocked one of Danny�s strikes.  �I don�t know; I honestly can�t fathom how much worse this could be than each of our individual team battles.�

 

Danny nodded.  He had an idea, but without evidence he wasn�t about to bring it up; all the personal demons, let alone the physical ones, were something each team was going to have to deal with, starting with acknowledging them.

 

On the other side of Adam and Hayley, Anubis was watching Ryan and Mike spar with a fierceness he had only ever seen in Sky.  The two didn�t talk or joke, they just fought; kicks, punches, blocks, swings, misses � they did it all in quiet, giving each other the workout Anubis hoped they could.  Knowing he could leave them be for the time being, his attention drifted to each of his Rangers, noting they were all working their hardest with the others of their colors.  Smiling, he moved over to help Adam with Hayley.

 

--

 

Not for the first time since he�d joined them, Ninjor was quiet while he watched the Rangers interact with one another.  Chad and Max had been paired together, the former helping the latter tighten his moves and stances.  Max was like a sponge, soaking up the Lightspeed Ranger�s martial arts knowledge and applying it to what they were doing.  Chad was a patient teacher, and even took Max getting the better of him with a grain of salt.  Next to them were Lucas and Ethan.  The Dino Thunder Ranger was, surprisingly enough, holding his own against the Time Force Officer, despite Lucas� extensive training as a police officer.  Ethan�s training with Tommy during his Ranger days obviously had been somewhat retained in the years since, which Ninjor knew would be a plus for the younger Ranger.  Lucas, he could tell, while still being very serious, was also starting to let his sense of humor show through every now and then when he teased Ethan about his sloppy form.

 

Off on another corner of the mat, Blake and Kai were putting their own training styles to good use, and seemed to be almost evenly matched.  The ancient ninja master could see that Blake�s training was edging out over Kai�s, but true to his title as sensei at the Thunder Academy, Blake would point what Kai was doing wrong out and then the Blue Galaxy Ranger would compensate and come at Blake.  It didn�t always mean his compensation was enough, as Blake was able to turn the tables on him, but Kai�s quick mind got sharper as the two sparred.  Beside them, T.J. and Tori were going back and forth, with Tori having the clear edge over T.J.  Even though the Blue Space Ranger had also been a Red, Tori was still actively teaching Ninja students, therefore her martial arts skills weren�t as rusty as T.J.�s, who was now a professional athlete, only in a different sport.  It took T.J. a few moments, but eventually he was able to make more than enough moves of his own to back Tori off a few times.

 

Turning, the Ninja Master�s attention shifted to where Billy and Sky were sparring.  The younger Blue Ranger was holding his own fairly well, but what surprised Ninjor was the intensity which his Blue prot�g� was fighting with.  Billy had never been the strongest fighter, by his own admission, but during the era of the Ninja Powers, he�d come into his own, as a Ranger and a martial artist.  Now, however, he could probably more than hold his own with Rocky, Zack, Adam, or even possibly Tommy or Jason.  Hearing commotion coming from the final pairing, Ninjor turned to see what was happening.

 

�I never thought I�d see the day when I�d see a female Blue Ranger,� Justin commented.  �I mean, Blues have always been guys, and have either been the jokesters or the quiet, serious brainiacs.�

 

�Excuse me?� Maddy piped up, her gaze narrowing at the taller Ranger.  Justin was only four years her senior, but she wasn�t about to be disrespected like that.  �I happen to be proud of being a female Blue Ranger!�

 

Ninjor winced, watching as Madison�s anger grew.  �Oh, that was so not smart,� he muttered to himself, resting his hands on his hips.  He wasn�t about to get in the middle of the argument, because, unfortunately, Justin had a lesson to learn, one that many of the younger male Rangers would probably learn before the war was over � never, ever, ever mess with a female Ranger, nor imply she shouldn�t be a Ranger.

 

�Maddy, come on, you got to admit, you�re more Pink than Blue.�

 

�I�LL SHOW YOU JUST HOW BLUE I AM!� Maddy�s voice rose, causing most everyone to stop what they were doing. 

 

Lianbow and Jason had to restrain Nick from heading over to the blue group.  �Kid, he asked for it, let her handle it,� Eric smirked from where he stood next to them.  �You�re girl won�t appreciate you going over there and stepping in, which means you�d be putting yourself in the line of fire.�

 

Nick looked toward Eric and saw most of the other Red Rangers nodding.  �Madison�s capable of handling Justin of all people, trust me,� Jason commented, his words ending in a hearty laugh.

 

�Maddy, you�re scaring me!� Justin yelped as the Mystic Blue Ranger began a complicated sequence of kicks, punches and loud ki-yah�s that had him back peddling.

 

�GOOD!�  Madison all but roared.  �NOT BLUE ENOUGH MY BUTT!� she cried out, spinning around and using a side kick to send Justin�s butt flying to the mat, where he landed directly at Tori�s feet.

 

�Since Madison�s already kicking your butt, I�ll spare you, but you may want to take back that comment about female Blue Rangers,� Tori advised, hands on her hips in a pose that was reminiscent of Tanya, Kat, Ashley and Cassie.

 

�Okay!  Damn!  I take it back!� Justin yelped.  �UNCLE!�

 

Madison stood glaring at him, her chest heaving, until she realized exactly what she�d done and looked mortified for having done it.  �Wow, and I thought Syd was scary when she was pissed,� Sky commented, coming up to stand behind Madison.  �Nice job.�

 

�Uh�.� Maddy stuttered, causing Sky to grin.

 

�Trust me, none of you girls have anything on Kat, Aisha, Tanya, Kim, or even Trini when she was alive,� Billy commented, moving over to help Justin up.  �You�re lucky, she went easy on you.  You know what would have happened if it had been one of the others, or heaven help you, Ashley or Cassie.�

 

Justin nodded and swallowed.  �Okay, wow, Maddy, you gotta teach me how you did that.�

 

�That was mortifying,� she uttered.  �I have never lost control like that, holy cow.�

 

Sky just snickered and patted Madison on the back.  �Don�t worry about it, happens to the best of us.�

 

�Hey Maddy, that was almost as scary as when you went off on Nick in November!� Chip called out, causing everyone to chuckle, except Nick, who blushed so bad his ears went red.

 

�If you are all quite finished, let�s get back to training,� Udonna ordered, her voice making the groups gravitate back to their areas.

 

--

 

Once the awkwardness from Madison�s attack on Justin had simmered, Kanoi refocused the Green Rangers and got them back to work.  He smiled to himself as he saw Zack watching him, unsure of why he wasn�t fighting like the others.  �All in due time, Zachary, all in due time.�

 

�Why don�t I like the way that sounds, Sensei?� Zack cracked, smiling at him.

 

�I want to observe the others before I get to you; I hope you do not mind.�

 

�Not at all.�

 

The pair moved around and watched the other six spar.  Damon and Trip, the two shiest of the seven Greens, were actually animatedly talking to each other as they sparred.  Their law enforcement and military backgrounds seemed to even them out in the skills area, which immensely pleased Kanoi.  He knew he would like to see either of them go against Zack or Cam, who were the more intensely trained of the seven in the area of martial arts.

 

�Do you understand why I paired you with myself?� Kanoi asked quietly as they moved from Trip and Damon to Joel and Xander.

 

�Not entirely, but I�m sure you�ll tell me,� Zack joked.

 

Kanoi nodded.  �Of all of them, you have the most experience, having served for a year and a half, but it�s more than that.  You have the balance I wish to teach each of them.  Take Joel and Xander for instance.  If what I have overheard from his teammates is true, Joel has become a serious, no non-sense person while Xander is young, impulsive, prone to acting before thinking.�

 

�WOULD YOU SHUT UP AND FIGHT ALREADY!� Joel yelled at Xander, who was attempting to initiate showing Joel how to use �Plan Xander�.

 

Zack brought a hand up to cover the snickering that Joel�s comment and Xander�s sudden pouting were bringing on.  �And then take Damon and Trip.  Damon is quiet and does not often speak his mind, yet, paired with Trip, he reverts to being a youth again.  Granted, that is not bad, but they do need balance.�

 

Moving along, the pair stopped to watch Cam and Bridge.  Surprisingly enough, Bridge was holding his own against Cam, who was pulling out every ninja technique he could think up and still coming up somewhat evenly matched by the future Green Ranger.  �How are you doing that?� Cam huffed when they broke apart.

 

Bridge grinned.  �Probably has something to do with the training I�ve done with the demo teams from the Wind Ninja Academy,� he supplied with a shrug.

 

Cam�s mouth dropped open in shock.  �Are you serious?�  The SPD Green Ranger nodded.

 

�Cam also must learn to not be so serious,� Kanoi pointed out.  �And Bridge must learn to be more serious.  It is all about balance.  You, who did not want to come back to this life, you know how to walk that thin line between the two far better than each of them.�

 

The Green Zeo Ranger still didn�t quite see what Kanoi was talking about but he humored the Ninja Master none the less.  Once Kanoi�s review of the others was finished, he and Zack found a less crowded section of the mats and Kanoi set down his staff.  �It has been a while since I did this, so you must forgive me if I go slowly.�

 

Zack swallowed when he realized Kanoi was going to spar with him.  �Sensei, are you sure this is a good idea?  I mean, I really am out of practice myself, and I don�t want to hurt you.�

 

�I do not think you will, or I would not be doing this,� Kanoi smiled as the two bowed to each other and then dropped back into their stances.  �Conner mentioned that you have your own style of martial arts, a Hip-Hop Kido?�

 

�Uh, yeah.  Hip hop dancing and Hop Kido moves,� Zack supplied.

 

�Show me,� Sensei told him as Zack began to move in a rhythm unlike any Kanoi had seen before.  Just a few minutes in and the others stopped and watched the two spar.  Each of the spectators likened Kanoi and Zack�s sparring to an elegant dance, albeit two different styles of that dance, that seemed to be perfect compliments to each other.

 

When they were done, they stopped where each was blocking the other, their chests heaving and smiles breaking out onto their faces.  �Dad, I had no idea you could still fight that well,� Cam uttered in shock.

 

Kanoi�s serene expression made the Green Samurai a little uneasy.  �There are a good many things about me that you do not know, Cam.  Yes, I may be old, and I may be out of shape, but the training is still ingrained, it only took someone of considerable skill to remind me of it.�  With that, Kanoi stepped back and bowed to Zack, who followed.  �Thank you, Zachary.�

 

�No, thank you, Sensei.�

 

--

 

Dimitria floated serenely around the area that had been unofficially cordoned off for the eight Pink Rangers.  The girls had certainly gaped at her when she�d told them who their sparring partners were going to be, particularly Vida and Sydney, the youngest of the eight.  Behind her veil, Dimitria couldn�t help but smile.  The two younger women were about to learn that age had nothing to do with being a Ranger; passion, skill, heart, and most of all experience were key, particularly in the area of those who wore Pink.

 

The first pairing her eyes landed on were Dana and Kat.  Dana had the added advantage of being a member of Lightspeed�s military operations as well has having trained with her husband on a daily basis, so strength wise she had Katherine.  However, the Pink Zeo Ranger was not without her own advantage, and being a dancer as well as having been trained by Tommy, Rocky, Adam and Jason was benefiting her more than Dana had probably anticipated.  Not to mention, Katherine�s own natural ability to size up the situation was quickly asserting itself.  Dimitria merely grinned when Dana let out a surprised shout and found herself flat on her back on the mats, with Katherine towering over her.

 

�You okay?� Kat asked, leaning down to help Dana up.

 

�Yeah�how�d you do that last move?� Dana asked standing and stretching.  �That was�I never saw it coming.�

 

Kat grinned.  �The years of living and training with a bunch of guys whose sole focus, sports wise, always seemed to center back into Martial Arts.  If I haven�t picked up a few things from them, there�d be something wrong.�

 

�Show me?� Dana asked, causing Kat to nod.  When they started on the move, Dimitria floated on to the next pairing, which were Jen and Cassie.

 

Dimitria�s eyes widened as she stopped to watch the two.  Cassie was quite literally letting Jen pound her into the ground.  The Pink Space Ranger barely blocked any of her Time Force counterpart�s attacks, let alone made any of her own.  Finally having had enough, Jen stepped back, brought her hands to her hips and glared at Cassie.  �Cassie, I know you can fight, why the hell aren�t you blocking any of my attacks?�

 

The Asian beauty shrugged and wiped what little sweat was on her forehead on her sleeve.  �I don�t know.�

 

�That�s bullshit, and we both know it.  Tell me why you aren�t fighting?  Do you seriously have a death wish?� Jen snapped at her.

 

Cassie�s eyes filled with tears, which caused Jen�s eyes to widen in shock.  The Pink Space Ranger began to shake all over, and Jen could only watch as she sank down on the mats.  The other six pinks stopped what they were doing and turned toward the two.  When Kendrix saw something was wrong, she immediately rushed over and knelt next to Cassie, who was rocking back and forth on the mat.

 

�Cassie,� Kendrix murmured, reaching out to brush her Pink teammate�s unruly bangs from her face.  �Come on Cassie, talk to me.�

 

�I shouldn�t be here!� Cassie cried, shrugging away from Kendrix�s hands.  �I don�t deserve to be here!�

 

Kendrix was confused by the comment until the meaning behind it sunk in.  �Cassie, don�t say that.  You more than deserve to be here.�

 

�NO I DON�T!� she cried out, her head snapping up.  �I got you killed!  Don�t you get it, Kendrix, I�m the reason you died!�

 

�Cass, I�m right here,� Kendrix tried to tell her, but the Pink Space Ranger was having none of it.  �Oh Cassie, can�t you see?  I did what I did against Psycho Pink because she�d have killed all of us.  You weren�t responsible for it, I made the choice.�

 

The Pink Galaxy Ranger could tell she wasn�t getting through to her friend.  Options were beginning to run thin until Kat and Kim knelt down next to Cassie.  �Cassie, look at me,� Katherine spoke, her voice filled with the soft lilting of her native country.

 

Almond colored eyes meet crystal blue ones as the Pink Space Ranger looked up at the woman who had chosen her once upon a time to be the Pink Turbo Ranger, to be her own replacement.  �Kat��

 

�I�m only going to say this once, so you�d better listen to me,� Katherine�s sternness surprised them all, except for Kimberly, who looked just as her successor did.  �You would not have been asked to come back, if you did not deserve to be here.  Trini would not have come to you, if you weren�t meant to be here.  All of us have things from our past, whether it�s from our normal lives or our days as Rangers, that we all wish we could forget.  You aren�t the only person who almost got a teammate killed.  Both Tommy and I did too.�

 

�I vowed I�d never come back to this, and yet, here I am,� Cassie whispered brokenly.

 

�A lot of us said the same thing,� Kim finally spoke up.  �Cassie, you know what I�ve gone through, you know how opposed I was to doing this again, but as Maddy so eloquently pointed out to me, if we don�t fight, we lose everything.  The guilt inside of you, you aren�t the only one who has that.  We all do, but I�m telling you this right now, that�s one of those things we all have to work past.  We all have something, especially Ranger related, that we still haven�t come to terms with.  I honestly think, until we all do, we won�t be ready to face this last battle.�

 

Jen knelt next to her and reached out, gasping her shoulder tightly.  �Inner demons are hard to face,� she whispered, her face scrunched up as she searched for the right words.  �But the one thing you have to remember is is that you�re not in this alone.  We�ve all been there; we�ve all got things we need to face.  Don�t bottle this up inside.�

 

�You have no reason to feel guilty,� Kendrix told her, reaching out to cup her face.  �I�m alive, I�m breathing, just ask Leo,� she joked, causing Cassie to laugh and cry at the same time.  �I was never dead, Cassie, just trapped in the Morphin� Grid, weaker than a baby.  You helped the other Galaxy Rangers stay alive long enough to find Karone, so that I could pass the saber on to her.  In a roundabout way, by you helping Andros rescue her, you ensured my own life.  If she hadn�t been there, I wouldn�t have been able to come back.�

 

�I just�.�

 

�I know, but you�re hurting my feelings,� Kendrix told her.  �You�re saying our friendship was a sham, and it wasn�t.  By turning your back on being a Ranger, you�re denying all the bad, but also all the good things, that come with being a Ranger.�

 

Cassie sat there and looked around at the other seven women who wore the same color she did.  In each of their faces, she saw all the things she�d been lacking the last few years � determination, faith, hope, understanding, conviction that what they were doing was right.  �You�re right,� she whispered, leaning against Kendrix�s shoulder for a moment.  �Can�t let the bad guys say a pink ever chickened out from the hard stuff, right?  I mean, we do have a reputation to keep.�

 

That got the girls smirking and laughing all at once.  �Cassie!� they laughed, all of them falling forward for a semi-awkward group hug.

 

�Do you not think you should return to your training?� Dimitria finally asked, causing the girls to sigh.

 

�I always hated it when she was right,� Cassie muttered.

 

�Amen to that,� Kat laughed as they all stood up and got back to what they�d been doing.

 

Dimitria was drawn to watching Vida and Kendrix begin to spar again.  The Pink Mystic was quite arguably the most aggressive of the eight, while Kendrix appeared the most docile.  She watched as Vida attacked relentlessly but started getting frustrated because Kendrix managed to block and deflect every strike.  �How the hell are you doing this?� Vida huffed.

 

�What do you mean?� Kendrix asked, trying to hide her smirk.

 

�Kendrix, you have to be the epitome of frail Pink Rangers,� Vida started.  �While I like to think I�m the model of aggressive, and yet, you�ve blocked every one of my moves.�

 

The Pink Galaxy Ranger looked insulted as she jumped back from Vida�s latest leg sweep.  �Well excuse me, LITTLE girl.  Being brawny and aggressive is not everything it�s cracked up to be.  You�ve got to learn to use your brain sometime too!� Kendrix cracked, spinning around with a roundhouse kicked that connected with Vida�s shoulder and sent the younger woman sprawling across the mat.

 

Vida lifted her head up, her eyes on Kendrix.  The Pink Mystic�s face was a mask of shock that she�d been taken down by someone she�d perceived as weaker than herself.  �How the hell��

 

�See, that�s why the bad guys get their butts kicked by us Pinks, they under estimate us.  Could explain why most of the guys around here are scared of us, because they�ve been on the receiving end of stuff like that for upsetting us.�

 

�I will definitely NOT make that mistake again.  Damn,� Vida uttered as Kendrix grinned and helped her up.

 

�Good.�

 

Seeing that Vida had been put in her place, Dimitria floated over to the final pairing, which was the youngest in the legacy, Sydney, and the oldest, Kimberly.  �Come on Syd, I know you can hit harder than that,� Kimberly teased as the two circled each other, Dimitria watching from a safe distance.

 

Syd pushed her bangs out of her face and brought her hands back in front of her. �I really don�t think that�s a good idea,� she responded, looking regretful.

 

Kim rolled her eyes.  �You can�t hurt me, trust me.  I�ve taken some harder hits than you�re capable of.�

 

�That�s just it, I probably could hurt you.  Besides, I wouldn�t want to hurt the original Pink Ranger, that�d be like beating up my grandma.�

 

Dimitria�s eyebrows shot up even as Kim�s screech of protest echoed out, drawing the attention of all the others. �Syd�s done it now,� Tommy muttered from a distance away.

 

�GRANDMA!� Kim asked.  �Exactly how old do you think I am?�

 

Syd grinned cheekily.  �Older than I am.�

 

�Not by much!  I�ll have you know Kendrix and Jen are both older than I am, age wise.�

 

The SPD Pink Ranger rolled her eyes. �Yes, but��

 

�No buts!  FIGHT!� Kim snapped, unleashing a deadly combo of flips, kicks, and punches that had Syd all but shrieking in an attempt to block them.  She�d never had anyone, not even Gruumm�s goons, come at her with such deadly accuracy.

 

The blonde haired Pink Ranger managed to grab hold of her Morphin counterpart�s arm and attempted to flip the brunette over her shoulder onto the mats.  Unfortunately for Syd, Kim used her gymnastics ability to keep herself from slamming into the mats before she used Syd�s grip and momentum to get the younger Pink Ranger on her back.

 

�Damn!� Syd uttered, staring up at Kim who looked down at her with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes.

 

�Don�t underestimate your opponent, whoever they may be, and don�t ever insult an older Ranger.�

 

Syd laughed and let Kim help her to her feet. �Think you can show me hot to use that move on Sky, for when he�s being a pain in my ass?� the blonde chirped.

 

Kim let out a twinkling of laughter and slung her arm around Syd�s shoulders. �You bet.�

 

--

 

Even as Lianbow sparred with Wes, his attention was also divided and centered on the other matches between the Red Rangers.  Leo and Cole weren�t taking their match too seriously, the pair opting instead to challenge each other, not kill each other.  Beside them were Carter and Hunter.  While they were trained differently, they seemed to each soak in the other�s moves.  When Hunter didn�t understand a move Carter made, the Lightspeed Ranger would explain and if Carter liked a move Hunter made, the Thunder Ninja would show him how it was done.  Off to one side of them were Andros and Conner.  Lianbow smiled as Conner absorbed Andros� fighting techniques and turned them around on the Red Space Ranger.  Andros seemed impressed with the Dino Ranger�s ability to reuse the moves.

 

�STOP DOING THAT!� Eric bellowed as he fought Jack.  Lianbow�s attention shifted to them, as did Wes�.

 

�Those two are going to kill each other,� Wes muttered, crossing his arms over his chest and shaking his head in disbelief.

 

Lianbow chuckled. �Not unless Eric can catch Jack.� The pair watched as Eric moved to round house kick Jack, only to have the SPD Ranger phase right through him using his genetic powers.

 

�Now see, Eric, if you�d started off fighting fair, I wouldn�t be using my powers,� Jack snickered as yet again Eric stumbled forward because he swung with all his might and went through his younger counterpart.

 

Wes grinned while Lianbow looked confused. �Eric was snippy with him when Jen first brought them to Silver Hills.�

 

�Ah,� Lianbow responded, watching Jack phase yet again.  �Mr. Landors, maybe you�d humor me and actually fight Mr. Meyers. You�re defeating the purpose of this training exercise.�

 

Lianbow�s tone stopped Jack cold, which gave Eric the opportunity he needed to go at him.  However, Jack reacted instinctively with all the skills he�d honed during his time as a Ranger and on the street and while Eric managed to flip Jack over his shoulder, the younger Ranger rebounded quickly and was facing him.  �Damn kid, I�ll give you credit - you�re fast.�

 

�Thanks, you�re not so bad for an old man,� Jack grinned, making Eric growl and lunge at him, wrapping his arms around Jack�s head in a head lock.  �OW!�

 

�Allow me to show you want an �OLD� man can do,� Eric laughed, the sound coming out pure evil.

 

As Jack struggled to get out of his hold, Lianbow and Wes turned their attention to the other side of the mats.  Their eyes landed on Rocky and Shane.  Lianbow noted with satisfaction that the two weren�t pulling any punches in their sparring.  Both were well trained ninjas, having both spent time as sensei�s and as ninja Rangers. They were also adept at joking around with each other while they sparred, the sweat beading on their foreheads as well as wetting their clothes telling Lianbow that they were getting quite the work out.

 

The final pairing was Nick and Jason.  Lianbow had done that particular pairing for a reason.  The first Red Ranger and the newest Red Ranger both had lessons to learn.  Jason needed to realize that the Mystic Force Rangers were capable of fighting without magic, while Nick needed to learn that the original Rangers had sacrificed so much more than any of the teams after them, had been through more than any other team, and had still survived.  They were the veterans of this war, and they were the ones who had to leave their normal lives to come back to this.  Most of all, they needed to learn to respect each other.

 

�Those two, I swear,� Wes muttered as he and Lianbow stopped sparring and watched Nick and Jason.  It seemed the elder Red Ranger had come to grips with the lessons he�d obviously needed to learn; he wasn�t pulling punches where Nick was concerned, and he was effectively blocking everything Nick threw at him, but Jason was also very much in control of the fight.  Nick wasn�t thinking before attacking, he was just rushing in head first and Jason was effectively putting him in his place.

 

�They needed to work this out of their systems, but still, Nick refuses to see what is before him.�

 

�That magic isn�t everything?� Wes asked.

 

Lianbow nodded.  �There�s that and the fact that the elder Rangers have much to teach the newer ones.  Unfortunately, Mystic Force never got the chance to team up with any of the teams that came before them, so I think that�s where some of the animosity stems from.�

 

�Well, they�ve got the chance now, and as much as I like your son, he�s going to get his ass kicked,� Wes chuckled.  �Jason�s one of the best martial artists I�ve ever seen.�

 

�If I used my magic, you�d be flat on your ass!� Nick hissed as Jason deflected another attack and set the younger male flying to the mat below.

 

�Well, guess what, you�re probably right, but this training session isn�t about magic, it�s about hand to hand combat, so get use to it,� Jason told him.  �You�ve got the skills, Nick, but you�re not using your brain.�

 

The Red Mystic Ranger charged forward, a swift series of kicks, spins, twists and punches flying at Jason in his attempt.  A few of the attacks landed, but they barely fazed the seasoned martial artist, who took it all in with a grain of salt and kept fighting.  Finally having had enough, and knowing Nick would hurt himself before he thought of giving up, Jason uttered a strong, firm ki-yah and sent Nick crashing to the mat with a round house kick.

 

When the young Mystic sat up, wiping his sweat, he glared at Jason.  �I�ll bet you couldn�t do that to my father!� Nick hissed, causing all the other matches to stop.  �My dad�s the best warrior and wizard.�

 

Jason refused to laugh in Nick�s face at the way those comments came out sounding.  The first Red Ranger had no doubt that Lianbow was a great warrior and wizard, but he was also older, and he wasn�t a martial artist, not to mention he�d just spent twenty years in the clutches of evil, which probably made his reflexes slow.  However, Jason admired the man and bore no ill will toward him.

 

�Nick, I�m sure your father is a great warrior, and from what I�ve seen, he can kick evil�s ass with the best of them.  As I�m not a wizard myself, I�m sure he�s great in that area too; I have nothing but respect for your dad.�

 

�You couldn�t beat my dad, no one can beat my dad, not even the Master himself,� Nick whispered, forgetting that the Master had indeed defeated Lianbow and if it hadn�t been for Necrolai, both the Red Wolf and Solaris Knights would be dead.

 

Lianbow shook his head and looked at Wes, who was surprised, to say the least.  �Do I want to ask what you�re going to do?� Wes asked.

 

�I�m about to prove my son wrong.  Jason knows, as well as I do, that while I may be fine fighting, in a true match against another Ranger, my reflexes and instincts may be entirely too slow.�

 

�You�re not going to do what I think you�re going to do, are you?�

 

�I�m not going to throw the match, if that�s what you�re asking, but Nick needs to be showed that I am not invincible.�  That said, Lianbow moved over to stand beside Jason and Nick.  �Jason, I would be honored if you�d spar with me.�

 

Nick�s eyes got big for a moment before he grinned at Jason.  �You�re so going down.�

 

Lianbow�s sharp glare had his son gulping slightly.  �Nick, I�m not invincible, and I can fight my own battles, thank you.�

 

With the shock of his father�s reprimand ringing in his ears, Nick backed up away from them, noticing that all the other Rangers, quite literally ALL the other Rangers, were now forming a ring around the pair that were about to spar.  He felt the firm grip of his mother�s hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her.  �Mom?�

 

�Your father is trying to prove a point to you,� she told him softly, nodding for him to look back at his father.

 

�I�m only going to say this once, so all of you had better listen,� Lianbow spoke as he and Jason bowed to one another before they began to circle.  Each had their hands up and their legs were constantly working as they stared at each other.  �Not one of us is invincible.  We can be hurt.  No one is better than any one at everything; we all have our strengths and weaknesses.  We must learn from each other, and we must learn to respect each other.�

 

Lianbow stopped talking then and struck out at Jason, who deflected the attack and spun around the older man.  The pair immediately faced each other again.  They reached out and let their forearms lock in a wrestling hold, each trying to toss the other over their hip.  Lianbow attempted to lock one of his legs around Jason�s, but unfortunately, his legs weren�t nearly as strong as the Red Rangers and Jason used the move against him, sending him sprawling onto the ground. 

 

Jason immediately helped him to his feet and the pair took up positions opposite each other again.  �Your powers won�t be enough to get your through this,� Lianbow spoke again.  �You must rely on all your senses, all your skills, and learn to rely on each other to succeed.  Magic, muscle, brains, and unity must be melded into one to form the most well trained army the darkness has every seen.  No one thing will win this war; it will be a combination of everything you bring to the table, alongside everyone else here that will win this war.  Am I understood?�

 

All of the Rangers unconsciously nodded in understanding.  Lianbow used his knight training in hopes of catching Jason off-guard, but the seasoned martial artist caught on and used Lianbow�s own momentum to send him to the mats again.  Once again, Jason leaned down and helped him up before they faced each other again.

 

�Are you sure you want to keep doing this?� Jason asked carefully, not wanting to insult Lianbow.

 

The Red Wolf gave a wry smile.  �My old bones can withstand one or two more take downs, but it�s becoming painfully obvious to me I won�t be able to keep up with you in the art of hand to hand.�

 

Jason grinned and nodded.  �I look forward to getting my butt handed to me during weapons.�

 

�I probably could, but as I hear, you�re quite the swordsman yourself,� Lianbow responded.

 

�Tommy�s better, trust me,� Jason grinned before a nod from Lianbow sent the two of them rushing at each other again.

 

Both of them knew the second they engaged each other this time that it would be the last for the day. Jason threw a punch that had Lianbow ducking and then immediately flipping backwards when Jason attempted a leg sweep. The elder warrior attempted to swing out with a backhand that would have knocked a normal man on his butt, but only succeeded in pushing Jason back a few steps and then wiping the blood from his mouth. With a deep breath, Jason closed his eyes, centered himself, and then lashed out with a series of Tornado kicks that had Lianbow stumbling back.  With his opponent off guard, Jason unleashed a series of punches and spins that had Lianbow attempting to duck only to finally be caught off guard by a power packed round house kick that sent him spinning to the mats.

 

Jason stood over Lianbow, panting heavily, a look of utter concentration on his face as he stared down at the fallen man.  Applause erupted around them, causing them both to jump in surprise.  A hiss of disappointment came from where Nick stood next to Udonna, causing them both to look up.  Nick shook off both his mother and girlfriend�s grips and stormed away from the group.  Jason and Lianbow shared a look before Jason helped the elder man up and then headed off after Nick.  �Class dismissed,� Lianbow uttered, leaning his hands on his knees when he bent over.

 

The Rangers dispersed while Udonna and Daggeron came over to see if he was okay.  �Give him time, I think his image of you was just shattered a bit,� Daggeron spoke up.

 

�I�m his hero, I understand that, but like I said before, I�m not invincible,� Lianbow sighed.  �I didn�t pull any punches, and neither did Jason, who in case Nick didn�t notice, now has a bloody lip.�

 

Udonna smoothed a hand down his back.  �Give him time, he�ll come around,� she murmured.  �Are you alright?�

 

�For an old man,� Lianbow cracked, causing her and Daggeron to chuckle.  �I can�t take much more this, that�s for sure.  I can�t keep up with them much longer.�

 

�They�re just about ready to go out on their own,� Daggeron told him.  �The three of us are just about ready to finally retire our powers and positions, to live normal lives.  When this war is over, we can do so with the knowledge that the five of them are ready.�

 

�We�re already one step there, Clare is all ready,� Udonna informed them.

 

--

 

Pushing through the foliage of the forest around Rootcore, Nick muttered under his breath, angry that his father had given up so easily against Jason.  It would have been one thing if it had been Daggeron, but to see his Dad let the mighty Red Ranger win was another thing.  With a curse, he kicked a log near the river, causing pain to shoot up his leg.

 

Sighing, he plopped down on the log and thought about what had happened.  He�d seen Jason�s bloody lip near the end, so in all honesty, he knew that his dad hadn�t let Jason win; the Zeo Ranger had won on his own merit.  It was yet another thing that Nick knew he had to acknowledge � his father wasn�t invincible.  The image of Lianbow�s broken body lying in Ancient Mystic mode while the Master laughed over head brought tears to his eyes.  He�d come so close to losing his father so many times in the months leading up to the Master�s destruction.  There had been times when he�d thought he�d never get the chance to know his father the way he wanted to, but thanks to Nikki, his father had lived, had thrived.

 

Ultimately what was eating at him was that he didn�t think Jason respected the Mystic Rangers much, simply because they were the newest team and had relied heavily on their magic.  They had survived so much, as had the Mystics who�d come before them, that he just wanted his team to get the same amount of respect as any of the others, especially from the original red himself.

 

The snapping of a twig behind him alerted him that someone had come looking for him.  When he turned to see who it was, he was surprised to see Jason standing behind him, arms folded over his chest as he leaned against a tree.  �You know, you�re pretty damn fast when you want to be,� Jason spoke up, a grin sliding onto his face.

 

�I had to learn how to be, out of necessity,� Nick muttered, turning back to stare at the river.

 

�Yeah, so did I; the first few months of being a Ranger I had a walking reject from the Wizard of Oz that liked to beat on me.  It�s the first lesson a Red learns � be quick, be fast, because you�re generally the ultimate target.�

 

Nick shrugged as if he didn�t care, but they both knew he could identify with what Jason was saying.  �What are you doing out here?�

 

�We need to talk, Red Ranger to Red Ranger,� Jason told him, the honesty and respect already in his voice.  �We got off to the wrong foot, and I don�t know about you, but I think we�ve got enough to worry about without having to tip toe around each other.  Besides, I really don�t want my baby sister on my case much longer for pulling the �I�m the original Red Ranger� card with you.�

 

The Mystic Ranger snickered at the shudder Jason let out at the thought of another verbal lashing from the original Pink Ranger.  �Yeah, she�s a bit scary,� Nick cracked.

 

�A bit?  You haven�t seen her pms-ing while she�s got the power, not to mention the fact that she�s still stressing about wedding details,� Jason quipped, coming over to sit on the log with Nick.  �I�ve known her since we were in diapers, and as small as she is, and even after all these years, she still packs a punch, literally and figuratively.�

 

Nick let out a laugh at that.  �She was the glue that held you guys together, wasn�t she?  Maddy reminds me so much of what little I�ve seen of Kim.�

 

Jason nodded, his face somber.  �Kim has always been the heart and soul of our team.  All of the rest of us were just doing our specified jobs, and in the beginning, she was the one who didn�t want anything to do with being a Ranger, but she grew into her role, and so did we.  When everything fell apart around us, including all the crap that went down with Tommy, she was still the one who made us all realize we had to keep fighting.�  Looking thoughtful, Jason spun what Nick had said about Madison around in his head.  �And yes, I think you�re right; Maddy�s more a pink than a blue, but don�t tell her I said that.�

 

Nick nodded somberly.  �How�s the lip feeling?�

 

�Hurts like a bitch; your dad�s got a wicked backhand,� Jason grinned causing Nick to crack up.  �Look, I want to apologize.  When I called you a newbie or rookie or whatever the hell it was I called you, it wasn�t a sign of disrespect.  I called Cole the same thing the first time I met him.  It�s just, after you�ve been doing this as long and as much as some of us, you learn that the power isn�t always going to save you, that you�ve got to be stronger, faster, smarter, better than you�ve ever been in your life, because there�s no telling when the power will be ripped from you.�

 

�I really do respect you, Jason, just so you know that,� Nick told him, looking over at his new friend.  �I mean, you�re one of the youngest Rangers in history, you had so much riding on your shoulders.�

 

�Good thing I�ve got strong shoulders and had five other sets of shoulders to hold up the weight, huh?� Jason smiled.  �Look, Nick, I�m not saying there aren�t going to be moments when we all want to just strangle each other, but your dad is right, we�ve got to seriously cut the shit and accept that we need to work together.�

 

Nick was about to open his mouth when the area around them suddenly got dark and grew cold.  �That�s not natural,� Nick muttered as he and Jason stood up and spun around, only to find their way back to Rootcore suddenly blocked by Cogs, Hidiacs, Putties and one Rito Revolto.

 

�Why the hell am I not surprised?� Jason muttered.

 

�Nice to see you again, Goldie,� Rito grinned.

 

�Not Gold anymore, bonehead, try Red.�

 

Rito snickered.  �Finally got rid of Tommy Locks huh?�

 

�Friends of yours?� Nick asked.

 

Jason rolled his eyes.  �He�s tougher than he looks, IF and WHEN he uses what little brain he has.�

 

�Gotcha,� Nick muttered seconds before he sped forward, Jason right behind him, to take on their adversaries.

 

--

 

�Explain to me again why you dragged the two of us along?� Taylor asked Aisha as she and Ryan followed the Yellow Ninja deeper into the forest outside of Rootcore.

 

�Because you two said you were bored, and I figured you�d be able to help me catch up to Cassie.  Kim said she needs someone to talk to,� Aisha shot back. 

 

The Yellow Eagle Ranger rolled her eyes while Ryan chuckled.  �Chill Taylor, enjoy the view,� he grinned.

 

Taylor shot him a glare then grinned.  �It�s not bad, too bad I can�t flirt with the view,� she cracked up, making Ryan blush.  �I don�t think I want Eric killing you though.�

 

�Thank you, you�re too kind,� Ryan dead panned.

 

�Aisha?� Taylor called out when the Yellow Ninja suddenly sank to one knee, her hands flat against the ground.  �Aisha?�

 

Before the Yellow Bear Ninjetti could answer, a familiar set of Ki-yahs ripped through the air.  �That�s Jason and Nick!� Ryan called out.

 

�MOVE YOUR ASSES!� Aisha growled as the trio took off running.

 

--

 

�Why does this idea not make me easy?� Trent asked as he, Damon, Lucas, Sky and Cam traipsed through the forest.  Cam had mentioned he wanted to get more familiar with the landscape, and since none of the others had anything they wanted to do, they�d volunteered.

 

�Would you guys seriously shut up?� Cam muttered.  �I figured you four to be the quiet ones, apparently I was wrong.�

 

Lucas just stared at him, eyebrow raised, while Damon and Trent cracked up laughing and Sky rolled his eyes.  �Gee, Cam, can that stick get any further up your butt?� Lucas asked before he smirked at the surprised expression on Cam�s face.  The other three started howling with laughter as the Green Samurai sputtered.

 

Once they had calmed down, they heard the sounds of battle filter through the quiet, followed by a distinctive voice.  �MOVE YOUR ASSES!�

 

�That was Aisha,� Trent pointed out.

 

�Let�s move!� Sky ordered as the group tore off toward where Aisha�s voice had come from.

 

--

 

Cassie had long since stopped moping and was darting through the trees, having heard both Jason and Aisha�s familiar voices shouting.   Something was wrong, she could feel it, and she only hoped she wasn�t too late.

 

As the river came into view, she saw Jason fighting Rito.  With a last burst of speed, the Pink Ranger threw herself into the air, making the leap from the hill she was on so that she could tackle Rito.

 

--

 

Jason jumped back in shock as a pink and black clad figured flew through the air, knocking Rito back several steps as a slim, beautiful woman stood where he had been.  �Damn Cassie,� Jason snickered, receiving a wink and a smile.

 

�That felt good,� she cracked.

 

�Not fair!� Rito whined.

 

�Tough, deal with it,� Cassie shot back, dropping back into a stance by Jason.  It was then that she saw Nick surrounded.  �What do you want me to do?�

 

Jason jerked his head in Nick�s direction.  �Help him; I have a bone to pick with this one.�

 

Nodding, Cassie turned and fairly flew toward Nick, who was starting to tire.  Jason turned his full attention back to Rito, knowing Nick was now safe, and concentrated on defeating the walking skeleton.  Rito swung out with his sword, only to be kicked from behind and sent sprawling.

 

�Need some help?� Taylor quipped at Jason, as Aisha stood up from where she�d landed after kicking Rito.

 

�Sha, perfect timing as usual,� Jason winked.

 

�Nobody messes with this bear�s family,� Aisha muttered, and then looked on in disgust at Rito.  �Why am I not surprised your nasty ass is back?�

 

�Little bear,� Rito mumbled, pushing to his feet.  �And you brought new friends?�

 

Ryan and Taylor flanked Aisha, who was smirking.  �Hey, the more the merrier, right?�

 

Rito said nothing, instead chose to whistle for some of his minions to attack.  Taylor and Ryan took off at Aisha�s nod, leaving the Red Zeo and Yellow Morphin Rangers to face Rito.  �I�m gonna beat you two to a bloody pulp!�

 

�Yeah, yeah, all talk no action!� Aisha murmured as she and Jason began to switch off against him.

 

Aisha, however, hadn�t expected Rito�s powers to have been improved and was so surprised that he�d grabbed her arm and spun her around his head before releasing her toward a tree that she screamed.

 

�Gotcha!� Damon called out, catching her easily before landing.

 

�My hero,� Aisha fluttered her eyelashes at him, causing him to crack up.  �Thanks.�

 

�My pleasure,� Damon smiled then nodded to Rito.  �Friend of yours?�

 

�More like minor annoyance from the good ol� days.�

 

Nodding, Damon motioned to the others.  Aisha could only grin as four more Rangers raced onto the scene.  �Come back here and fight!� Rito called to Aisha, whose grin grew wider.

 

�Oh, he�s just asking for it today, isn�t he?�

 

�Sounds like.  Ready?�

 

�Oh yeah!� Aisha laughed as the pair raced forward.

 

Sky, Cam, Trent and Lucas had gone to help Cassie and Nick, hoping to give the pair a break, while Damon and Aisha rejoined Jason against Rito.  With a combination of kicks and blocks from the three Rangers, Rito soon found himself standing near the younger Red Ranger.  �Well, well, lookie what I have here,� he laughed, raising his sword.  �Time for Red Ranger Kabob!�

 

�NICK!� Aisha cried out, eyes widening as the Red Ranger spun around to see Rito�s sword plunging toward him. 

 

Nick stumbled back in shock as he felt a swift push from a body that flew between him and Rito.  The Mystic Phoenix�s eyes widened and he was shaking his head back and forth as he looked on as Rito�s sword plunged into Jason�s side.  �JASON!�

 

Legacy Of Power: At World�s End

Part 3 � The Beginning

Chapter 14 � It�s Morphin Time

Written By Pink-Green-White-4ever

Story Ideas By: Pink-Green-White-4ever and Marcus

 

Last Revised: December 20, 2007

Summary: The return of some familiar foes to Angel Grove also brings with it some familiar looking heroes, while the Mystic Force Rangers get their butts handed to them

Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance

Rating: T for now

 

AN: First of all, to all of you who are celebrating this time of year, Happy Holidays � whether it�s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or something else.  Second, sorry it�s taken me two months to update, school and work have been�scary best describes it.  Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, I know I had fun writing it!

 

"And when man faces destiny, destiny ends and man comes into his own." -- Andr� Malraux �-

 

�Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.� -- Dale Carnegie --

 

 

--

 

�God,� Kim murmured as Aisha drove through downtown Angel Grove.  On their first visit home a few days before, there hadn�t been time to sight see.  Kim was amazed to see how much had changed in her time away.

 

�I know,� Aisha giggled at the look on Kim�s face.  She�d been the same way her first visit back to the place she�d come to consider home a few years before.

 

Shaking her head, Kim looked over at her best friend.  �Where are we going?�

 

�Tanya and I figured the team needed a pick-me-up.  We�re meeting up for lunch before we head back to Briarwood,� Aisha just grinned.

 

Kim perked up as Aisha drove past the park and turned down the road toward the high school and the Youth Center.  �The Youth Center?� Kim�s eyes were wide and a grin had spread across her face.

 

Aisha�s smile was wistful.  �Maybe.�

 

When the pair pulled into the parking lot, Kim instantly recognized most of the vehicles � Rocky and Jason�s trucks, Tommy�s jeep, her car, and Tanya and Adam�s rental.  There were also a few she didn�t recognize.  �Looks like Bulk�s here,� Aisha commented nonchalantly as she parked her truck.

 

�I don�t see Zack,� Kim responded.

 

�They drove Angela�s car, it�s over there,� Aisha pointed out a silver colored Taurus.  The two women quickly made their way into the building and were surprised to see it empty beyond their teammates and a few other familiar faces.

 

�Kim!  Aisha!� Justin called out in greeting.

 

�Oh my God,� Kim muttered.  When she and Rocky had gone to Bulkmeiers, Bulk hadn�t been anywhere in sight.  Kim saw him and Skull sitting at the bar, chatting with Justin, Tommy and Zack.

 

�Well, well look what the cat dragged in,� Bulk laughed, standing up to greet the girls.

 

�You grew up,� Kim quipped, giving both men a hug.

 

�We had to sometime, right?� Skull laughed.  �How are you?�

 

Kim gave him a tired but happy smile.  �Tired.�

 

�Well, if you weren�t rushing off to save the world day and night,� Bulk off-handedly told her, watching her go pale in the process.

 

�Don�t look so shocked, Kimberly,� Skull started.  �Bulkie and I have known for a while now.�

 

Kimberly approached her fianc�, who was grinning madly and asked, �Do I want to ask how that happened?�

 

Tommy chuckled and kissed her.  �They aren�t half bad detectives, believe it or not.  After discovering the identities of the Space team, and seeing me having lunch with T.J. and Jason after the Red Ranger mission, Bulk kinda put two and two together.  They�ve been sworn to secrecy.�

 

Kim just nodded and leaned against Tommy, wondering what other surprises were around the corner for the team.  �Is everyone hungry?� a voice called as a familiar body emerged from the back room.

 

Aisha and Kim let out happy chirps.  �ERNIE!� they called out.

 

�Look what we have here,� he laughed, walking out front to hug both women.  �When did you two get here?�

 

�A few minutes ago,� Aisha laughed.  �I heard from T.J. you�d sold the place, what brought you back?�

 

Ernie grinned.  �Adele�s mother got sick about two years ago, so I got back in the game.  Skull�s been managing the place for me and I come in when it suits me.�

 

Aisha looked to Skull, who smiled.  �Bulkie and I took business management courses at AGU a few years ago, so between this and my night gigs playing piano, I keep busy.�

 

�Nice,� Kim just laughed.  �You know what, I�m starving.�

 

�Food�s on the house!� Ernie called out.

 

--

 

Phineas scratched his head and stared at his five friends in wonder.  Nick sat in one of the over-stuffed chairs, with Madison curled against him on his lap.  Vida, Chip and Xander were sitting on the edge of the stage.  Chip had his head on one of Vida�s thighs while Vida and Xander were leaning against one another; Vida�s head on Xander�s shoulder and Xander�s head was leaning against Vida�s.  And all of them were sound asleep.

 

�I guess it�s a good thing they aren�t working today,� Clare giggled lightly.

 

�They�ve been really busy lately,� Phineas pointed out.  �But why are they sleeping here?�

 

Clare shook her head.  �I don�t think they intended to, Phineas.  They�ve got training with Ninjor and Sensei Watanabe this afternoon.�

 

Phineas made a face.  �Humans, I�ll never understand them,� he muttered.  Shaking his head, he turned and headed for Leelee at the cash register.

 

--

 

After lunch, the Ranger relayed some of their adventures to Ernie, Bilk, and Skull, filling in gaps for the trio who�d been through so much of those adventures with them.  Finally, the Rangers had to ask one question that had prayed on their minds for years.  �So, Ernie, how�d you find out?� Zack finally asked.

 

The Rangers gathered around, wanting to hear what Ernie would say.  Zack sat back in his chair, his hand holding Angela�s.  For her part, Angela wasn�t shocked or fazed in the least about Zack and his closest friends having been Power Rangers, or being back in the game.  There had been too many clues over the years, too many coincidences, for her to ignore the facts, but she�d kept quiet, knowing Zack would tell her if, and when, he could.  She was, however, mad that he hadn�t told her outright when he�d been called back to duty, but they�d discuss that when the situation had been dealt with and life was back to normal.  It wouldn�t do for him to worry about her being angry with him when he and his friends were about to risk their lives to save the world, yet again.

 

The jolly owner of the Gym and Juice bar chuckled.  �Would you believe I had suspicious to begin with but wasn�t absolutely sure until after the Green Ranger showed up?� he told them.

 

Those who�d been Rangers at that time blushed.  �How?� Jason asked.

 

�When the Green Ranger joined the team, Tommy began hanging out with you guys, and then when the Green Ranger wasn�t around, neither was Tommy.  Let�s not forget, of course, that when the White Ranger showed up��

 

�Tommy came home the same weekend,� Kim murmured.

 

Ernie nodded.  �It�s why I never gave you kids problems about your disappearing acts.  I knew you�d be back after putting Rita and Zedd in their places.�

 

Bulk shook his head.  �How many times did our schemes point right to the Rangers and we wouldn�t believe it because it was them?� he asked Skull while jerking his thumb in the Rangers� general direction.

 

�Too many to count Bulkie, too many to count,� Skull responded.  �It wasn�t until the Space Rangers incident that I think we accepted that goodie-two-shoes people could be Rangers.�

 

Billy let out a sarcastic laugh and shook his head.  �Did you think the Rangers weren�t law abiding citizens?�

 

�We thought you were aliens,� Skull corrected him.

 

As almost an after thought, Ernie spoke up.  �Trini was the original Yellow, wasn�t she?�  The Rangers grew quiet while Tommy nodded.  �I�m so sorry guys.  This must be so hard without her.�

 

Tanya was about to speak up when a familiar six tone chime startled them all.  Cautiously, Jason brought his communicator up.  �This is Jason, go ahead.�

 

�It�s Cam.  We�ve got the communication system up and running.�

 

Cheers went out from those gathered.  �Excellent.�

 

�Let Billy know that the communicators he gave Dana have been assigned to Time Force, for some reason, we couldn�t sync up their communicators with the system.  Everyone else�s communicators are working fine; Hayley, Kendrix, Kai and I have been testing them for the last hour or so.�

 

�Perfect Cam, I appreciate the help,� Billy spoke up.

 

�Uh guys, I wish I didn�t have to say this, but we have a problem.� Cam�s voice changed, tension filling it.  �Udonna says you�ve got something big and ugly in your area, some giant monkey with gold armor and a weird looking woman in a mini skirt.�

 

�Goldar!� Jason snapped.

 

�And Divatox,� Kim spoke up just seconds after.

 

�We�re heading out now, keep the others posted,� Jason ordered as the eleven Rangers rushed from the scene, knowing they�d be able to tell where the trouble was from the screams that always accompanied an attack.

 

--

 

A familiar chiming startled the five Rangers from their sleep.  �This is Nick, go ahead,� the red Ranger spoke into his communicator.

 

�Trouble at the city center,� Lianbow spoke through it.  �Daggeron will meet you there.�

 

�Got it!� they told him before rushing from the store.

 

--

 

�I don�t see a thing,� Justin muttered as the Rangers walked toward the park.

 

�Just keep your eyes open,� Rocky told him.  �The park was their favorite place to hit.�

 

A loud, powerful explosion happened just feet from the group, sending them flying in scattered directions.  Tommy, Jason, Rocky, and Adam were the first to recover, scrambling to their feet to find themselves face to face with Goldar, Divatox, and a horde of Tengas and Piranhatrons.

 

�Hello Rangers,� Divatox purred.

 

Kat, Tanya, and Kim shook their heads and rolled their eyes.  Aisha just crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow.  �Give me a break, at least Rita was comical, she�s just scary looking,� Aisha shot over to her fellow female Rangers, who tried not to laugh.

 

Rocky, Zack, and Justin just snickered, while the other guys just shook their heads.  �And just who might you be, little girl?� Divatox growled.

 

Aisha just smiled.  �Aisha Campbell, Yellow Ranger.�

 

�Uh huh�� Divatox mumbled.  �I�m not impressed.�

 

Kim laid a calming hand on Aisha�s arm.  �She�s not worth it, Sha,� the Pink Ranger spoke.

 

�Not worth it!� the space pirate screeched.  �How dare you!  I should have just killed you when I had the chance, power brat!�

 

The Pink Ranger smiled sweetly.  �Your mistake, cause you�ll find I�m not powerless, like I was last time.�

 

Justin cleared his throat then.  �As I recall, Kim, you and Jason kicked pretty good ass, even after Lerigot freed you.�

 

Divatox glared at the Blue Zeo Ranger.  �Well, well, little boy blue finally grew up, the normal way.�

 

�You don�t bother me in the least.�

 

�Enough talking!� Goldar bellowed.  �ATTACK!� he ordered.  The teams broke off quickly into groups as the Tengas and Piranhatrons rushed forward.

 

Justin joined Kat and Tanya again the Piranhatrons while Jason and Zack worked together in tandem.  Even though the five had only been teammates with some of the others on their team, they quickly developed an air of team unity as they switched out partners now and then, surprising Divatox and Goldar, not to mention the Piranhatrons.

 

Meanwhile, the others picked up as a team right where they left off when Kimberly had left.  The only difference in them was they were older and much more skilled than before.  Billy found himself with Aisha, the pair moving with a swiftness and ferocity that surpassed their original time as Rangers.  Both were more aggressive, and in Billy�s case, using more martial arts than sheer determination to overcome their enemy.  Aisha was surprised to see the level of skill Billy had obtained in his time away.

 

Rocky and Adam, as always, were feeding off each other�s energy.  Brisk snap-kicks, dizzying round house kicks, and some wickedly defensive punches were coming from the two as they duked it out with the Tengas.  The giant crows didn�t know if they were coming or going, as they found one of the pair disappearing only to have the other pop up in front of them on the attack.

 

The final two fighters, Tommy and Kim, went after Goldar and Divatox.  As the two engaged their opponents, Tommy couldn�t help but wonder how alike this battle with Goldar was when compared to some of his more recent battles against Zeltrax.  The White Ranger simply raised an eyebrow when Goldar suddenly took flight.

 

Meanwhile, Kim found herself dodging Divatox�s punches and kicks.  She kind of wished this had happened during her first meeting with the Space Pirate, instead of what actually had occurred then.  Just when the Pink Ranger was about to take a good swing at her opponent, Divatox shot her tongue out, grabbed Kim�s legs, and pulled them out from under her.

 

�Kim!� Billy called out to her, witnessing the sneak attack.

 

�Ew!  Gross!� Kim shuddered as Divatox drug her towards her then let her go so the Piranhatrons could grab her.

 

Divatox sucked her tongue back into her mouth before licking her lips.  �Mmmmm�tasty!�

 

Kim made a face.  �Sick�� she muttered.  The pair were startled when Tommy let out a surprised yelp after Goldar picked him up and tossed him through the air.  �TOMMY!�

 

�Nice!� Divatox grinned.

 

Kim let out a shriek as she too soon found herself airborne.  Lucky for her, Rocky managed to dash forward and catch her.  �Thanks Rocko!�

 

�No problem, but I think its time to break out the hardware!�

 

�I think you�re right,� Kim told him as the two teams regrouped.  �Jason?�

 

The Red Ranger grinned.  The two teams smirked and stood at the ready.  �It�s Morphin Time!�

 

�ZEO RANGER I, PINK!� Kat�s voice announced her designation, her lips curving up in a smile as she felt the familiar power fill her for the first time in years.

 

�ZEO RANGER II, YELLOW!�  Tanya wanted to jump for joy as her body filled with energy, filling a place in her heart that had sorely missed this.

 

�ZEO RANGER III, BLUE!�  Justin grinned.  It wasn�t like his Turbo powers, but the Zeo powers gave him a heady sensation, and he knew that his body would be more than able to withstand the power this time.

 

�ZEO RANGER IV, GREEN!�  Zack gasped as the rush of power shot through him.  Of them all, he�d been the one who�d not been a ranger the longest.  To finally have the power singing through his veins again was remarkable.  It also saddened him a bit that he wasn�t wearing his black uniform, but he knew one thing rang true � no matter what color uniform he was, he was still a ranger.

 

�ZEO RANGER V, RED!�  During his time as the Gold Ranger, Jason had often wondered what it would have felt like to be Zeo Ranger V, and now he knew.  The power of the Red Ranger was almost identical to his time as Morphin Red, but had a smack of something else underlying it, something he couldn�t quite name.

 

�WHITE RANGER POWER!� Tommy�s voice followed Jason�s by a mere three seconds.  For the first time in a long, long time, the man who had served longer than any other of Earth�s Rangers felt the power settle comfortably back into his soul.  Each time he�d been a Ranger, each mantle he�d held, had meant something different to him.  His Green Ranger days had meant striving for redemption as the lone, sixth Ranger.  His Zeo mantle had been his way of hiding from the loss of his beloved Crane, while the Turbo powers never brought a happy thought to him because he�d held those when Zordon had gone from Earth and had been what he�d figured would be his last.  The Dino Thunder powers meant he�d finally come full circle, being the mentor to a new team.  It was the White Ranger powers, even with all the pain associated with them, that he�d always felt most comfortable with.

 

�BLACK RANGER POWER!� Adam couldn�t help but sigh in relief.  While both his Zeo and Turbo mantles had been special in their own way, he�d always felt more comfortable in his Morphin� mantle, with his spirit animal backing him up.

 

�PINK RANGER POWER!�  Kimberly felt her spirit soar as she reconnected with the power that she�d given up so long ago to chase her dreams.  She closed her eyes as the power washed over her, tears pricking her eyes when she felt the Crane deep within her for the first time in what seemed like forever.

 

�BLUE RANGER POWER!�  With the howling of an old friend ringing in his ears, Billy felt the weight of his armor settle over him, even as his heart, mind and soul filled with the power that he�d carried for so long, a power no one else had held.  It was the best welcome home he could have ever had, because now he truly felt like he�d made the right decision to come back from Aquitar.

 

�YELLOW RANGER POWER!� Aisha�s happy-filled voice bounced as she called forth her power, the same power she�d shared with Trini.  Just as she had with every morph after receiving her power, Aisha�s thoughts shifted to Trini, a silent thankful prayer going to the original Yellow Ranger for believing in her enough to give up her place to her.

 

�RED RANGER POWER!� Rocky all but shouted, feeling the joy of being back in what he considered his color.  Yes, Jason had held the Red Morphin mantle before him, but as a Ninjetti, Rocky had made it his own, and he�d never felt as intimidated by the Red powers and Jason�s legacy as he had by being Blue Zeo and Billy�s legacy as Blue Ranger.

 

Goldar�s eyes widened while Divatox�s jaw dropped.  �How is that possible?� Divatox grunted.  �The Morphin powers were destroyed!�

 

�Tell me about it,� Goldar muttered.  �I think it�s time to up the stakes.�

 

Divatox nodded and pulled out a device, punched two buttons, and let out a laugh as she started to grow as big as a building.  Goldar let out an evil laugh before slamming the end of his sword into the ground.  His body, like Divatox�s, began to grow.

 

The Rangers looked up in momentary surprise.  �Oh wonderful,� Kim muttered.

 

�There goes the insurance on the studio,� Kat sighed.

 

Rocky cackled at that.  �I don�t know about the rest of you, but I�m itching to get back into my zord.�

 

�Let�s do it!� Tommy ordered.  The six Morphin Rangers stood together.

 

�WE NEED NINJA ZORD POWER, NOW!�

 

Jason nodded to the Zeo Rangers, who gathered together.  �WE NEED ZEO ZORD POWER, NOW!�

 

Goldar and Divatox growled when they saw the eleven Zords suddenly appear.  �Damn!  How�d they get those damn zords back?� the space pirate whined.

 

�Zordon.�

 

Divatox raised an eyebrow at Goldar�s one word answer.  �He�s dead.�

 

�Yeah?  No kidding, so was I until recently,� Goldar smarted off at her.  �It doesn�t matter, we must destroy them.�

 

�No?  Really?� she shot back, heading for the Zeo Megazord while Goldar advanced on the Ninja Mega Falcon Zord.

 

--

 

The five Mystic rangers flew onto the scene, finding Daggeron and Jenji already engaged in a fight with a group of Hidiacs and Imperious.  �Mind if we join the party?� Vida called to Daggeron as she and Xander slid in next to him and helped keep Imperious back.  Madison, Chip and Nick had joined Jenji in taking out the foot soldiers.

 

�Be my guest,� Daggeron smiled.  He let out a grunt of surprise when Imperious kicked him in the stomach and sent him stumbling back a few feet.

 

�Wrong move, big boy,� Vida all but snarled, bursting forward and meeting the former Mystic blow for blow.

 

�You won�t beat me, Pink Witch!�

 

�Right, which is why I�m not on my own!� she smirked, seconds before Xander kicked him toward her.  �TORNADO POWER!�

 

Imperious tried to counter the attack but was too busy trying not to fall on his face thanks to Xander.  The mummy-like creature roared and shot power out in all directions.  A beam struck Vida, another took out a Hidiac, and two hit Nick and Chip respectively.

 

Maddy whirled around then, her eyes narrowing in on Imperious.  �YOU�� she growled, stalking toward him.

 

�You think you can beat me, little Blue Witch?� he taunted.

 

�I don�t think, I know!�

 

�Maddy?� Daggeron questioned, worried by the Blue Ranger�s sudden forwardness.

 

�Let�s do this,� she told him.  Xander joined them, nodding to Maddy.  �Ready?�

 

�READY!�

 

�LEGENDARY SOURCE MYSTIC FORCE!�

 

Imperious loomed in the background, watching the three morph.  �You three can�t beat me, none of you can!�

 

�We�ll see about that,� Xander fired back, the three sprinting forward to fight him.

 

Vida, Nick and Chip were pushing themselves up when the sounds of battle reached their ears.  �Pull it together,� Nick ordered.  The three were injured, but willing to join the fight.

 

�LEGENDARY SOURCE MYSTIC FORCE!�

 

Daggeron spared a glance at the three and smiled.  Pride in his teammates and prot�g�s welled inside of him.  �Good job, Rangers� he thought.

 

�Mind if we cut in?� Nick asked, the three braving the laser fire to join the fray.

 

�Be our guests,� Xander joked, stepping back to take a breather.

 

�You will die!� Imperious bellowed.

 

�I highly doubt that,� Nick responded.

 

--

 

The Zeo Megazord was tossed a considerable ways away from the forty-story Divatox, causing the Zeo Rangers to slam around inside the cockpit.  �Damn!� Zack muttered as he and Justin worked to get the zord upright.  �Game plan, Jase?�

 

The Red Ranger shook his head.  �Been a while since I did this, I�m open to suggestions.�

 

The girls laughed.  �Let�s switch helmets and give her a taste of her own medicine,� Tanya cracked.

 

One by one, the five rotated their battle helmets on the Megazord, keeping Divatox on her toes before they went in with a physical hit.  Divatox crashed to the ground, unconscious, after a direct blow to her stomach.  �One down, one to go,� Justin quipped.

 

Not far away, the Ninja Mega Falcon Zord was taking on Goldar, who was proving to be a more formidable foe than Divatox.  The gold-plated titan sent the Morphin� Rangers crashing into the side of a mountain with one hit.  �Since when did he get so strong?� Rocky uttered as the team got their zord on its feet.

 

�Since his ass got brought back from the great beyond,� Kim countered, just as the zord took another hit.  �I�m so over this!  Aisha, you with me?�

 

The Yellow Ranger grinned under her helmet.  �Boys, allow us,� Aisha cracked, causing the boys to back off and man the secondary systems while Kim and Aisha moved in a grove, piloting the colossal zord.

 

�You will not defeat me!� Goldar raged, swinging his sword at them.

 

�Can it!� Kim hissed at him.  �Now Sha!�

 

Aisha leaned over and hit the button on the side panel, which brought the Megazord�s knee up and directly into contact with Goldar.  The golden warrior made a gasping sound as he stumbled back.

 

�Damn!  You know that had to hurt,� Rocky laughed.

 

A beep sounded just before Jason could be heard.  �Alright, which of you girls did that?�  The laughter in his voice was evident.

 

The Pink and Yellow Rangers laughed out loud.  �Combined effort.�

 

�SCORE!� Kat and Tanya�s voices sounded over the communications channel.

 

�Uh oh!� Kim squeaked when Goldar headed toward them, having recovered from the blow.

 

�Evasive maneuvers!� Tommy ordered.  Just as Goldar reached them, the Ninja Mega Falcon Zord took flight, causing Goldar to stumble back, this time right into one of the nearby mountains.

 

�Heads up!� Kat warned.  The Rangers noticed Divatox stirring and groaned.

 

However, the fight was soon interrupted by a vision in the sky.  �Goldar!  Divatox!  Return!�

 

The Rangers were shocked to see Master Vile�s face.  �But!� Divatox protested.

 

�No buts!  NOW!�

 

�We�ll finish this some other time,� Goldar warned before the two disappeared.

 

�Wonderful,� Tanya huffed.

 

�Let�s head back,� Jason semi-ordered as they left the scene.

 

--

 

�This isn�t working!� Vida�s voice rose above the sounds of fighting.  Nick, Maddy and Daggeron were fighting Imperious while Vida, Xander and Chip fought the Hidiacs.

 

�Allow me to even the odds,� a new voice rang out.  The Rangers smiled and then shivered as a blast of cold air came through and froze most of the Hidiacs.

 

�Udonna!� Imperious hissed, staring at the unmorphed White Ranger.

 

�Perfect timing, Mom,� Nick laughed.

 

The White Ranger nodded and then grinned, bringing her wand up.  �LEGENDARY SOUCE MYSTIC FORCE!�

 

It was the first time Udonna had called upon her Legend Warrior powers since she�d been given them.  Her suit looked like Maddy and Vida�s, only where theirs were colored with their Ranger color, hers was a light silver, and her snow staff was now a mutation between what it had been and the Lion staffs the Rangers carried in legend mode.

 

�Nice,� Maddy grinned as the group of eight gathered together.

 

Imperious and the Hidiacs that remained stood before them.  �I will destroy you!� the mummy-like warrior announced.  �I�ll be rewarded by the First for destroying the legendary Mystic Rangers!�

 

Daggeron finally had enough and stepped forward.  �Why don�t you quit talking and pit your skill against ours!�  The Rangers were in shock that their mentor had spoken up like that.

 

�Why Daggeron, impatience?  From you?� Imperious taunted.

 

The Solaris Knight narrowed his gaze under the helmet he wore.  �Even my patience has its limits, and your kind has finally found them.�

 

�Oooh, I�m so proud.  Mark your calendars, Kiddies.  I�ve finally upset the mighty Daggeron.�

 

Daggeron just shook his head.  �You couldn�t beat me in bound battle, what makes you think you can take eight of us on?�

 

�Because this time, I�m not alone!�

 

The Rangers and Jenji gasped when two figured emerged from behind Imperious out of thin air.  �Hello Rangers.�

 

�Sculpin!� Chip gasped.

 

�Now, now, don�t forget me,� the second smirked.

 

Udonna�s eyes narrowed at him.  �Morticon.�

 

--

 

Cam sighed in frustration as he, Kai, Kendrix and Bridge worked to realign the Megaship�s sensors so they could keep track of both battles.  As it was, they had to keep switching back and forth on the Crystal ball to see what was happening.  �Cam,� Hunter�s calm voice sounded.

 

The Green Samurai turned his head and found his teammate right over his shoulder.  �What?�

 

The Crimson Ranger gave him a silencing look.  �Relax,� he told him, resting his hands on Cam�s shoulders.  �The madder you get, the harder it�ll be to think.  Take a deep breath.  Do you want me to get you something to drink or eat?�

 

Cam let out a sigh.  �I�d love a sandwich and some tea, believe it or not.�

 

Hunter nodded.  �Relax, I can handle that.  Besides, Billy wouldn�t have put you in charge of this if he didn�t think you could handle it.�  That said, the Thunder Ninja headed for the kitchen.

 

Bridge was across the room, engrossed in the Mystics� computer, every so often muttering something to Kendrix or Kai on the screen, both of whom were on the Megaship outside.  Sensing his fellow Green Ranger was busy, Cam took a moment to relax and then his eyes took in the crystal ball that was finally starting to merge the two battles for them to see.  The Mentors had agreed to alert all the teams, but no one was to interfere unless it became a life or death situation.  Cam�s eyes widened when Sculpin and Morticon showed up.  �LIANBOW!� Cam yelled, causing the Red Wolf to rush into the room and he and Bridge met Cam at the Crystal ball.

 

�What�s wrong?� the older man asked.

 

�Look!� Cam pointed, drawing Lianbow and Bridge�s attention to the Crystal, where Mystic Force was battling Imperious, Morticon, and Sculpin.

 

�I knew Imperious wasn�t alone.�

 

�What do you want to do?�

 

�Alert everyone.�

 

Cam nodded.  �Bridge, get the word out!� the Samurai ordered.

 

�Already on it!� Bridge responded, even as he was sitting in the chair at the computer.

 

--

 

Jen grinned as she felt the heat on her right as she jogged along the trail Daggeron had set up for them to use to train outside on.  Wes was matching her step for step, his warmth next to her comforting.  They were almost back to Rootcore when her new communicator chimed.  �This is Jen, go ahead.�

 

�Lianbow wants you to come back, immediately.  We might have a problem,� Cam�s voice sounded.

 

Lucas, Katie, Trip, Eric and Taylor came up then.  �What�s wrong?� Trip asked when Jen unclipped her morpher from her belt.

 

�We have an emergency,� Jen informed him.

 

�Well, let�s morph,� Eric started.

 

Jen shook her head.  �We have to get back to Rootcore first.�

 

�Let�s move!� Wes ordered.

 

--

 

�Go ahead,� Jason spoke into his communicator as the group headed back for the Youth Center.

 

Cam�s voice came out of the device.  �Mystic Force is having a difficult time, if we need you, could you get here?�

 

�Give us a ten minute head start, but yeah,� Jason responded.

 

�Okay, Cam out.�

 

The eleven Rangers looked at each other in worry.  �Should we leave now?� Justin asked.

 

Kim shook her head.  �No, they�ll call us if they need us that bad.  There is how many other teams with them right there?  Besides, we have to trust them to finish this on their own.�

 

�Kim�s right,� Billy spoke up then.  All of the others looked to the Morphin Blue Ranger.  �They have something to prove to themselves, and to each other.  We�ll jump in if we have to.  Besides, at highest velocity, Tommy, Kim and Jason could be there in less than three minutes with the three aerial zords.�

 

�See,� Aisha pointed out.  �Now come on, I�m sure Angela wants to make sure Zack�s in one piece.�

 

�You know,� Rocky started.  �I�m surprised she hasn�t belted you one for not telling her,� he told Zack.

 

�Oh trust me, she wanted to, you could see it in her eyes.  I think, however, she hasn�t said anything because she didn�t want me to worry about dealing with her being pissed and trying to save the world.  I�ll hear it after we get done with this insane situation, trust me.�

 

--

 

Lianbow was tense as he watched the Mystic Rangers struggle against the Darkness� trio of warriors.  Cam stood next to him while Bridge was across the room informing the other teams of what was happening.

 

All of the teams were spread out across Briarwood � Time Force with the addition of Taylor had been outside training while the rest of Wild Force and four of the Lost Galaxy Rangers had gone out to scout around the city to acclimate themselves more with the area.  SPD, Dino Thunder and Ninja Storm were training with Kanoi, Anubis and Clare.  The Space team was on the Megaship with Kai and Kendrix and Lightspeed Rescue was milling about Rootcore.

 

�We came as soon as we could!� Katie called as the seven Rangers rushed in.  Right behind them was Andros, Jack, Conner, Leo, Cole, Carter and Shane. 

 

�The others have already headed over,� Leo spoke up.  He and Cole been with Wild Force and Lost Galaxy, but he had headed back early to spend some time with Kendrix and Cole had wanted to simply come back and rest.  They�d been on the edge of the forest when the distress signal had come through.

 

Lianbow nodded.  �Andros, Jack and Jen, without Jason and Kim here, this falls to your shoulders,� the Red Wolf told them.

 

The trio nodded in understanding.  �How are they holding up?� Jen asked.

 

�Lost Galaxy and Wild Force just got there,� Cam informed them as he gestured to the crystal where eight people had suddenly appeared.

 

�So not good,� Bridge muttered when Imperious, Morticon and Sculpin grew to forty stories.

 

�Zord time,� Conner responded, just as the Mystic Rangers began to call for their zords.

 

--

 

�Not good,� Chip uttered.

 

�You guys what help?� Maya asked, itching for a fight.

 

�Nope, we�ve got this,� Nick just grinned under his helmet.  �Let�s do it guys!�

 

�SOLAR STREAK MEGAZORD!� Daggeron called before he and Jenji jumped up into the cockpit.

 

�CODE 3! Legend Of The Sky, Mystic Firebird!� Nick called out as he used his Lion Staff to do his transformation.

 

�CODE 4! Legend of The Jungle, Mystic Lion!� the others called, swinging their staffs around until they united into their one zord.

 

�Code 5!  MANTICORE MEGAZORD!� they called once the two zords combined into one.

 

�Galwit-Mysto-Prifior!� Udonna called, growing as big as the Megazord, her snow staff in hand.  �Now, the odds are even.�

 

�You will not win!� Morticon growled.  �We�re going to destroy you once and for all!�

 

�Again, like we haven�t heard that before,� Vida quipped from inside the Megazord, causing her teammates to chuckle.  That chuckle soon turned into a gasp when Morticon darted forward and knocked the Manticore Megazord back ten full steps.

 

While that was going on, Daggeron and Jenji used the Solar Streak to go head to head with Imperious, and left Udonna to face Sculpin.  Imperious and the Solar Streak were locked in a dead fight while Udonna struggled against Sculpin.  The Rangers watched in horror as the former member of the Ten Terrors picked Udonna up and sent her flying into the side of a nearby mountain.

 

�MOM!� Nick called out.

 

�Udonna!� the others cried.

 

Sculpin was towering over Udonna, his sword at the read, while Morticon and Imperious kept the others at bay.  Just as he brought his weapon down, two beams of light � one black and one white � knocked the sword from his hands, startling all the fighters.  Looking to where the lights came from, the Rangers gasped when they saw two large horses had appeared.

 

�Catastros!� Nick gasped.

 

�Brightstar!� Maddy laughed.

 

�What are they doing here?� Chip asked.

 

�Better question is, what the heck are they doing?� Xander butted in.

 

The two horses had moved until they were between Udonna and Sculpin.  The Rangers watched on as Catastros pushed Sculpin back far enough, by pawing the air near Sculpin�s head, for Udonna to get to her feet.  �Brightstar?� Udonna murmured, reaching over to stroke the unicorn�s mane.

 

The beautiful mare bent her head toward Udonna before she began to glow as white as the White Ranger.  �Sombor-Unithos-Equestras!� Udonna spoke as if in a trance.

 

Everyone watched as Udonna and Brightstar merged, just as Nick once had.  �I didn�t know that was possible!� Xander let out.

 

Maddy shook her head.  �Xander, she�s a Power Ranger, and a formidable witch, anything�s possible.  Plus, both her son and husband can do it, why shouldn�t she?�

 

�SNOWSTAR UNIZORD!� Udonna cried out once she and the mare had combined.

 

Another interruption a second later drew their attention.  �Uthay-Mejor-Catastros!� Lianbow�s voice echoed, drawing Catastros to him.  �Sombor-Unithos-Equestras!�

 

�DAD!�

 

The Rangers watched as the Red Wolf and Catastros merged in a move reminiscent of a year before when Lianbow had still been Koragg.  �Fight someone your own size, Sculpin,� Lianbow growled.

 

�Ooooh, the big, bad Red Wolf wants to fight!� Morticon snickered until he was tossed off the Rangers� Megazord by Udonna.

 

�Do you believe your wife is incapable of facing me?� Sculpin asked Lianbow.

 

Lianbow chuckled.  �Your better chance at winning is to face me; she�d be more match for you than you�d ever believe.  Besides, you and I have a score to settle.�

 

�Then let�s settle it!�

 

--

 

�Itassis!� Clare called out when the former Terror entered the main room at Rootcore.

 

�So, he�s back,� Itassis asked, having heard the commotion in Woodland Village before she�d come straight to Rootcore.

 

Clare nodded.  �Lianbow�s facing him.�

 

Itassis sighed.  She knew, in her heart, why the Master had chosen Sculpin, and it wasn�t because he�d been the last of the Ten Terrors to fall.  �Clare, I know the reason he�s come back.  It�s because of Matumbo and me.�

 

The young sorceress looked confused.  �I don�t think I understand.�

 

�Why else would the Master bring him back?�

 

Jen, Andros and Jack turned and tuned into the conversation.  �I don�t get it either,� Jack started.

 

The former member of the Ten Terrors turned to him.  �Matumbo and I are the only two Ten Terrors to defect from the darkness.  The Master knew this.  The only reason he�s brought back Sculpin was to make both of us ineffective in this fight.�

 

�IF he�s going after you, he might go after Nikki too,� Clare surmised, bringing a hand to her chest.  �We�ve got to warn her.�

 

--

 

�Are you sure you can get that box, Mom?� Leelee called as she and Phineas carried a large shelf from the back of Toby�s van into the Rock Porium.

 

�Leelee, I�m not helpless,� Nikki laughed, waving her daughter off.  �I use to be the Queen of the Vampires, remember?�

 

Leelee grinned and nodded before she and Phineas headed inside.  Nikki turned to the van and was surprised by the alien standing behind her.  �Necrolai, I presume?� he grinned, his voice sending Nikki into fight mode.

 

The former member of the darkness felt her spine stiffen as she turned to him.  �I no longer go by that name.�

 

�Oh no?  That�s sad to hear.  You should never turn your back on who you really are,� he taunted.

 

�What do you want?� she asked, her body dropping into a fighting stance.

 

�To complete my mission.�

 

Nikki glared.  �And do I want to ask what that is?�

 

�The First wants you,� he laughed.

 

�The First?� Nick questioned, puzzlement on her face.

 

�The First.  Now come, we can�t keep him waiting!�

 

Nikki had two seconds to scream as he opened the plates on his chest before she disappeared.  �MOM!� Leelee screamed.

 

--

 

Udonna stumbled as she and Brightstar attempted to work in unison.  Morticon was proving a lot tougher for them than he�d been the first time the Rangers had faced him.  �I don�t get it!� Vida hissed as the Rangers struggled to right their zord.  �We didn�t have this much of a problem with him before!�

 

�Remember what Zordon said?  They�re more powerful now than before because they have the Master�s energy,� Maddy retorted.

 

�But still, it�s two on one, and he�s still kicking our butts,� Xander huffed.

 

�And we�re even in Legend mode!� Chip added.

 

�Daggeron�s having a hard time with Imperious as well,� Udonna looked over at them from her zord.

 

�Any ideas Mom?� Nick asked.

 

�Not at the moment, I�m afraid.�

 

Nick muttered something under his breath when Morticon swung out and knocked them out of Megazord mode and separated Udonna and Brightstar.  The second they hit the ground, all six unmorphed.  Morticon stood over them and was about to step on them when an ear-splitting cry echoed.  Turning their eyes to the horizon, they saw a large green and silver body flying toward them.

 

�What is that?� Vida asked.

 

Chip grinned under his helmet.  �That would be the Green Lost Galaxy Rangers� Condor Galacta Beast.�

 

The team watched as Daggeron and Jenji were tossed from their Zord, leaving Lianbow and Catastros still fighting.  As if from no where, several other zords suddenly appeared � Kai�s Gorilla, Maya�s Wolf, Alyssa�s Tiger, Danny�s Bison, Max�s Shark, and Merrick�s Lunar Wolf.  �Look at the zords!� Xander grinned as the Wild Force and Lost Galaxy zords joined Damon�s Condor and Lianbow.

 

Lianbow was momentarily startled to realize his teammates were no longer in their zord or morphed forms; that surprise turned into determination when he realized that the other Rangers were there to back him up; he wasn�t about to lose this fight.

 

�Don�t you think you can beat all of us on your own, mighty Lianbow?� Imperious taunted.

 

�You talk too much,� Lianbow told him fiercely.  �I remember you having a mouth, but I don�t ever remember you being such a pain in my butt.�

 

Imperious glared and swung out with his fan, only to be blocked by a slap from the tail of the Blue Shark.  �Listen here, mummy-man,� Max told him.  �Back off.�

 

�You will die, right alongside him!� Morticon growled, rushing forward, only to be barred from getting near Max�s shark by two hulking wolves.

 

�Back off,� Maya and Merrick warned in unison.

 

Sculpin pushed the Centaurs Wolf Megazord, sending it stumbling back, as he shook his head, hearing the voice echoing in his ears.  �Savor the reprieve, Lianbow.  This round goes to no one.  Retreat!�

 

The Rangers watched in tension filled silence as the three disappeared.  �Well, that was pretty stupid,� Damon grumbled.

 

�They�re testing you,� Shayla informed him.  �Every time one of them faces you, the others learn more about you.  It�s a good strategy, but it only prolongs the fighting, which isn�t good for them either.�

 

�We should return to Rootcore,� Udonna breathed, wincing as she felt a pain in her side.  �The others need to be informed of the situation.�

 

--

 

�Lt. Corbett, welcome back to Earth,� one of the men in the hanger spoke as Mike Corbett stepped off the shuttle he had ridden from Mirinoi to earth.

 

�Thank you.  Is the vehicle I requested waiting?� Mike asked, before he turned and extended his hand to the woman behind him, helping her off the shuttle.  �Hannah, you okay?�

 

The Asian woman nodded a fierce look on her face.  �When I get my hands on him�� she muttered.

 

Mike chuckled.  �Hannah, you know why he didn�t tell you; Captain Stanton explained it, and so did I.  No one was ever supposed to know.�

 

She glared at Mike.  �I�m his fianc�e, he should have told me.  You know.�

 

�Only because I was sort of one of them for a while,� he reminded her before turning back to the officer.  �Our vehicle?�

 

�Waiting for you outside of the hanger along with a GPS that will direct you to Briarwood.�

 

�Good, thanks.  Come on Hannah, I know you�re dying to see him.�

 

Her face softened as she nodded.  As upset as she was with Kai, she really did miss him.  He�d only been on Earth a week, but it felt like forever since she�d had his arms around her.

 

--

 

The Rangers were smiling and joking as they walked into Rootcore.  They had all been in awe of each other�s zords, as well as Udonna�s new ability to combine with Brightstar.  The air of happiness that surrounded them soon shredded to pieces when they walked in on Clare, Itassis and Sydney trying to calm down a hysterical Leelee while Toby and Phineas spoke with Anubis and Kanoi, who were trying to calm a frazzled looking Toby down.

 

�Leelee?� Maddy gasped, rushing forward to kneel before her.  �What�s wrong?  What happened?�

 

�Maddy!  They took her!� she cried, flinging herself into her friend�s embrace.

 

Xander, Chip and most of the other Rangers looked confused while realization dawned on the faces of the rest of the recently arrived group.  Nick and Vida kneeled down with their friend.  �Leelee, look at me,� Nick told her softly, his command instantly obeyed.  The look on her face made his heart constrict.  �Who took who?�

 

�MOM!  They took my mom!�

 

�We haven�t been able to get her to tell us who,� Sky spoke up handing Nick a box of tissues to hand to Leelee.

 

�Leelee, can you describe who took her?� Udonna asked, moving to kneel with her son.

 

�Some weird�I think he was an alien.  He opened this weird thing on his chest, like plates of glass�.�

 

The SPD Rangers all instantly looked to Sky, who then drew everyone else�s attention.  �Mirloc.�  Letting out a deep breath, Sky kneeled down so that he was face to face with Leelee.  �His name is Mirloc.�

 

The blonde blinked the tears from her eyes and turned her gaze to Sky�s face.  �Phineas said he killed your father.�

 

�He did, and he almost killed the six of us before we captured him.  We�ll get her back, Leelee.  I promise.�  She swallowed hard and nodded, believing the determination she saw burning in his eyes.

 

Udonna stood and turned to Cam.  �Cam, please alert everyone else, tell them to come back as soon as they can.�

 

The Green Ranger nodded, turning back to the computer he sat at before he sent out the signal.

 

--

 

The only sound in the packed library was the occasional sniffle out of Leelee, who was tucked on one of the couches between Maddy and Phineas.  All of the teams were present, each member lost in their own thoughts.  The Morphin and Zeo teams had returned to a somber atmosphere and the information that another of their allies was now gone.

 

�We�re going to need a play by play of the battle, so we know what we�re dealing with,� Jason finally spoke up.

 

�We got our asses handed to us,� Xander told him frankly.  �They knocked us, Udonna, and Daggeron out of our morphs.  If the others hadn�t been present, Lianbow could have gotten hurt.�

 

�One plus was Udonna merging with Brightstar,� Vida pointed out.  �But Xander�s right.  We aren�t strong enough, not even in Legend mode.�

 

All eyes moved to Alyssa who stood up from her spot on Cole�s lap.  �Then we need to make ourselves strong enough.  Like Madison said out there today, Zordon warned us they were stronger, their abilities were stronger.  If that�s true, the same should hold for us, we just have to figure out how to use that to our advantage.�

 

�For the time being, Itassis, you and Matumbo should stay here at Rootcore,� Udonna spoke up.  �If your theory is correct, they try to come after you.�

 

�And risk them finding all of you?  I think not,� Itassis responded.

 

�They could find us now, even if you weren�t here,� Kimberly retorted, drawing the others� attention.  �They have ways of knowing, it won�t matter if you�re here or not; if they want us that badly, they�ll come for us.�

 

�Kim�s right,� Jason spoke next.  �I say instead of us sitting back and letting them make all the moves, we start making a few of our own.�

 

�What do you have in mind, Jason?� Lucas asked.

 

The Red Zeo Ranger grinned, watching Kim nod.  �First things first, we start training, all of us, intensely.  Then we take the fight to them.�

 

--

 

*Brightstar Unizord is thanks to Marcus!