A/N: For those who really like Dimitria…I promise you, you won't like this. There weren't many characters I didn't like in Power Rangers but Dimitria is one of them. With that said, I present the following.

A/N 2: It's a "new era" as the last of Zordon's original Rangers are ushered out by Dimitria of Inquiris and four new Rangers are slated to take their places. But is this really a new era…or is it a diabolical conspiracy aimed at bringing down the Power Rangers? Remember folks…just like the title says, blood is thicker than water, always. Oh and I own nothing except Isabella of Phaedos.

A/N 3: The final battle arc of this story begins right here. Coming towards the end but several chapters to go. Some surprises await in this chapter.

Chapter 9 – Defectors

The Space Base

"Monsters, hear me now!" Divatox shouted as she gathered before her group of minions, foot soldiers and everyone else who served her. It was moments before the final battle was scheduled to take place and everyone in the Space Base (and in the entire universe for that matter) knew something huge was about to go down.

"Today is the day we achieve ultimate victory, at long last," Divatox said. "It is too bad those blasted older Ninja Geeks got in our way right when victory was ours, but that will be corrected today!"

"Today, we rain hell upon this pitiful mudball," Divatox said. "Today, we destroy everything that Zordon worked so hard to build on this backwater planet and we leave NOTHING left of his legacy."

"Today, we lay claim to our greatest victory," Rygog said. "And today, we show Rita, Zedd, Master Vile and those 'other' villains that WE are the greatest destructive force that the universe has ever seen!"

"Indeed," Divatox said. "Elgar, go to the Power Chamber and make sure that detonator goes off in there. Do not bother to come back unless this happens. Rygog, you man the Space Base. The rest of you I invite to join me, Syren and Dimitria in finally disposing of these color-coded do-gooders once and for all. Are you with me?"

Loud cheers erupted.

"ARE YOU WITH ME?" Divatox shouted in a louder voice.

Everyone cheered again and was whipped into a frenzy. However, amongst the cheering, unnoticed to anyone, a Chromite looked at Syren and nodded, who nodded back. This was going to be a battle no one would soon forget.

Phaedos

"I can't believe it all comes down to this," Kimberly said as she looked her teammates over. "All the hard work, all the blood, sweat and tears and it has to come down to one battle."

"We're not going to lose, beautiful," Tommy said. "We've got way too much life ahead of us to lose to that Madonna wannabe and her traitor of a sister."

"Remember, together they are very powerful," Dulcea said. "Do not be overconfident, however you must trust in your own abilities."

"All of you have matured greatly while on this planet," Andros said. "I have watched you all for years, and I always forgot how a fully functioned, well oiled team looks like because my first team from KO-35 was so long ago. You are what I always envisioned a true Power Team to be. I will go with you and will help in any way I can, but I am very confident that the sixteen of you by yourselves can attain victory."

"It's time, guys," Jason said grimly. "Divatox's forces will be outside Angel Grove any second now. Where is Blue Senturion?"

"Outside the Power Chamber, awaiting Dimitria's exit from the building. Alpha will be able to teleport him inside once she leaves the building," Trey said. "Do you mind if I come too? I want a front row seat for the demise of those two bitches."

"The more the merrier," Tommy said. "Everyone is welcome."

Suddenly, the siren wailed. The Rangers didn't need to be told what that meant. Andros and Trey morphed and nodded at Tommy.

"Let's do it guys," Tommy said. "IT'S MORPHIN TIME!"

"ORANGE RANGER POWER!"

"SILVER RANGER POWER!"

"PURPLE RANGER POWER!"

"GOLD RANGER POWER!"

"GREEN RANGER POWER!"

"WHITE RANGER POWER!"

"BLACK RANGER POWER!"

"PINK RANGER POWER!"

"BLUE RANGER POWER!"

"YELLOW RANGER POWER!"

"RED RANGER POWER!"

Angel Grove

"So you showed up huh?" Divatox taunted as the Ninja Rangers and Turbo Rangers landed at the same time before her, Dimitria and Syren.

"We wouldn't miss this for the world," Tommy growled as he stared a hole at both Divatox and Dimitria. "I'm glad the both of you came, we figured if anyone wasn't going to show it would be you two seeing as how you and the rest of the United Alliance of Evil run from fights every time it gets bad. Plus we all know you can't face us since Dimitria forced that stupid...letter. You both are cowards and you both are going down."

"Oh he did not just say that," Dimitria said as she looked at Divatox. "He did not just call us both wussies."

"I think he did," Divatox said.

"You're damn right we called the both of you wussies," Cassie said. "Are you gonna fight us or what?"

"We'll fight," Divatox said. "Attack them now!"

"We can attack," Syren said. "But I think I have a better idea in mind."

Before Divatox or Dimitria could react, Syren whirled around and fired a red blast from her dagger straight at Divatox, sending her crashing into a rock. Before anything else happened, suddenly, a Chromite fired a pink beam of light at Dimitria sending her crashing into Divatox.

The rest of the Piranhatrons and Chromites gathered around their leaders as the Chromite suddenly transformed into a beautiful raven-haired, pink clad woman in a Ranger costume. The costume looked much like Kimberly's except the armor was much more metallic and much tougher to break through. The woman took Syren's hand and both lined up on either side of TJ.

"No," Dimitria gasped as she and Divatox struggled to get to their feet. "It can't be. You were supposed to be dead many thousands of years ago, Valentina!"

"Or so you thought," Valentina smirked. "I think you both forgot that astral projection and shape-shifting are two of my powers that I've acquired over the years. It was nothing to make a clone of me and have her sacrificed."

"You didn't..." Dimitria growled.

"Oh yes I did," Valentina said as she held her ground. "I've been off the grid for several millennia, but it was easy enough to get on the ship, turn Syren back to who she was supposed to be and surprise all of you."

"I'll explain later," Valentina said as she turned to the others and took charge immediately. "Right now they're pissed off and they're going to try to rip our collective heads off. We have a battle to win."

"And TJ," Syren said as she looked at him hard, "know that I never wanted to hurt you. I knew the first time I laid eyes on you that I loved you, and the way I was around you was just an act. When those two told me the plans had changed and that I couldn't have you, I couldn't side with them anymore."

"You...you love me?" TJ said as he carefully allowed her to embrace him.

"Hopelessly," Syren said as they broke apart. "I'd rather win or die by your side than fight for those two. I'm not really their sister either. I'll explain later. By the way, my real name is Jade. I'm from Edenoi but Mama D stole me at a young age and forced me into Divatox's service and made me and everyone else think I was her sister. I'll explain later."

"And Justin," Valentina said as she turned to him, "I know we don't know each other at all, but I promise that what you did will not go in vain."

They barely had enough time for anything else because suddenly, a pissed off Divatox and Dimitria had sent a whole flood of Chromites, Piranhatrons and some of Divatox's best monsters from the past on the entire group of Rangers.

What followed could only be described as mass chaos as the Rangers dove headlong into the mass of monsters. Big Burpa headed straight for Justin, looking for revenge on him, but Valentina shape-shifted into a firebird and swiped her talons at Big Burpa causing her to screech in pain.

"You'll pay for that you little bitch!" Burpa shouted as she held her shoulder in agony.

"I don't think so. Justin, let us destroy her together," Valentina said as she transformed back into her human form.

"I'll distract her while you destroy her for good," Justin said. Justin rushed forward and did battle with Burpa. Meanwhile, Valentina let in a breath and then let out a supersonic scream which forced Justin to duck out of the way and cover his ears. The emitting waves struck Burpa head on and incinerated her into nothing more than ashes.

"Sorry about that," Valentina said. "That's one of my more powerful weapons and since I hadn't used it in a while it's more fierce than normal."

"It's OK. My ears are ringing but I'll be OK," Justin said. "Let's go help finish off the rest."

Meanwhile, Tommy and Kimberly were both taking on Dimitria, the person responsible for their breakup in the first place. Dimitria was a powerful sorceress no doubt, but Tommy and Kimberly's increasing powers were overwhelming her. Every time she mounted some offense, the combined powers of the winged lord and lady of the skies repulsed her attacks.

Meanwhile, Divatox had headed straight for Jade.

"You can't beat me, little girl," Divatox said. "Now you shall pay for your treachery."

"Bring it on, tramp," Jade said. "It was your mother Mama D that captured me from Edenoi and put that spell on me which forced me into your service, against my will might I add. Thank God for TJ that I remember who I was. You can't beat me now."

"We'll see about that," Divatox said. "Prepare to die, little weakling."

Suddenly, TJ did a jump kick right into Divatox knocking her over.

"She's not going to be facing you alone," TJ said. "If you want to pick on her, pick on me too."

"One on two? Fine," Divatox said. "You both will lose together."

"She is going to pay for that weakling comment," Jade said as she transformed into her true form; a woman nearly identical, but dressed now in jade blue. "I can fight better than she thinks."

"Together?" TJ said.

"Together," Jade said.

With surprising efficiency, the both of them took on the Pirate Queen and beat back her every attack. Finally, Jade flipped through the air and slammed both her high heels into Divatox's sending her flying into a boulder.

"Told you I could fight efficiently," Jade said.

"That was brilliant," TJ said. "Where did you learn how to fight like that?"

"I'm from Edenoi and Dex, known as the Masked Rider, is my older brother. He taught me everything I know about fighting, so I can take on most men."

"Think she's ready for round two?" TJ said, looking at Divatox who was getting up. "She looks pissed."

"Then let's piss her off even more," Jade said.

For thirty minutes this continued, and with their unexpected help from Valentina and Jade the Rangers continued to have the upper hand.

Finally, after a blast from the Sword of Light by Tommy that hit Dimitria, both sides regrouped. The Rangers had definitely gotten the better of this first round as every single one of Divatox's old monsters and been incinerated and most of the Piranhatrons and Chromites were gone too.

"No more minions to hide behind and we've all shown you we can hold our own against you both," Tommy said. "Ready to give up yet?"

"This battle is just beginning you little insolent punk," Dimitria snapped. "Rygog, now."

Suddenly, twin torpedoes landed with an explosion and both women grew to gigantic sizes. Dimitria's humanoid form changed too into more of an alien form; her alien form was a white fallen angel with wings, similar to Icy Angel from Lost Galaxy.

"Man. Just what we didn't need," Tommy said.

"And now for an extra special surprise," Divatox purred. "Don't think we didn't know that you power pukes had something up your sleeves, so we made a phone call. Say hello to an old friend, Rangers."

With a wave of her hand appeared a frightening sight for the original group of Morphin Rangers. It was Cyclopsis, piloted by Goldar himself.

"I thought we blew your toy to shreds Goldar!" Jason said.

"So you thought, but I'm back and better than ever, Jason," Goldar hissed, turning his attention to Tommy. "Hello, White Ranger. This time it is I who will be victorious."

"Overconfident as always, Goldilocks," Tommy said. "Time to call the Zords, guys."

"Can you stay down here and handle the remaining fish-heads?" TJ asked Jade.

"Not a problem at all," Jade said. "Please be careful."

"I've fallen hopelessly too, and yes, I'll be careful," TJ said. "I'll make sure we give them one just for you."

"You do that," she said as she skipped off to take on the remaining foot soldiers, with Andros, Trey and Ninjor suddenly jumping down to join her.

The rest of the heroes lined up facing Divatox, Dimitria and Cyclopsis and raised their hands to the sky.

"WE NEED NINJAMEGAFALCONZORD POWER NOW!"

"WE NEED NINJA MEGAZORD POWER NOW!"

"WE NEED RESCUE MEGAZORD POWER NOW!"

The Power Chamber

"Isabella, I've got a lock on the Zeo Crystal, I'm standing right next to it," Blue Senturion said. "Teleport out when you're ready."

"I see you," Isabella said over his communications. "There's a lot of interference but I'm breaking through it now. Got it. Teleporting now."

The Zeo Crystal disappeared in a flash of light. That done, Blue Senturion headed off to find the detonator.

He hoped for his sake that it wouldn't be he, or the Rangers, last battle.

He was able to get to the spot where the detonator was, but suddenly, was attacked from the side.

"Did you really think I was going to let you do that so easily?" Elgar said. "Auntie D will reward me greatly when I come back with your head on a platter while this piece of rubble gets blown out of the water!"

"I shall arrest you for your crimes against humanity," Blue Senturion said as he drew his Synergizer and the two charged each other.

TBC...