Chapter 21: Deep Down Under

"I know you were all set to come back, but it's vital you stay in New Zealand until we find the Plesio Zord," Kendall told the Rangers.

"We're trying, but even after he bonded with the Energem, Tanner never saw the Plesio Zord," Riley pointed out.

"Fact: Tanner became the Purple Ranger. Fact: The Plesio Zord must be awake," Kendall shook her head, certain that the Plesio Zord was awake.

"I'm on my way out there to meet you," Ari spoke up in the background, tugging on her jacket. The Rangers frowned, wondering why she was joining them. "I'll explain when I get there," she told them, seeing the confusion.

"We're gonna talk to some scientist named Dr. Runga. Shelby thinks he can tell us where to start looking for the Zord," Tyler spoke up.

"Dr. Runga? Really?" Kendall seemed surprised. "If anyone knows about Plesiosaurs, it's him. Keep me informed," Kendall instructed them, ending the link.

"Why's Ari coming out here?" Riley wondered.

"No idea. Maybe it's something to do with what she's been up to lately," Teddie suggested.

"Oh, is that the guy?" Chase indicated.

"Wow, that's really him!" Shelby gasped, looking star struck. "I've only seen him on TV and in books," she breathed, before turning to the others. "Look guys, Dr. Runga has hundreds of fossil discoveries in his name," the Pink Ranger fixed Ivan's jacket, making him arch an eyebrow. Shelby then had Riley stand up straighter, but as soon as she turned away, he moved. She then fixed Tyler's hair, making him grunt, and adjusted Olivia's hoody before snatching Chase's hat off. "We have to be professional," she told the group firmly, making Teddie pull off her jacket and put it back in the car. "Huh? Koda! I thought we agreed you were gonna wear shoes today!" she scolded the caveman.

"But shoes squish toes! It very much pain," Koda complained as the others didn't even bother to hide their laughter. With a groan, Shelby walked off.

"Come on," Chase put his hat back on as Tyler fixed his hair, and even Koda couldn't help but laugh as well.

"Oh, Compy!" Teddie gasped, lifting a piece of paper on her dinosaur. The man in the dirt who had been posing with a fossil for a photo looked around, and Shelby waved awkwardly.

"Why do you have to call it a compy?" Tyler laughed as the man walked over.

"Because Compsognathus is too much of a mouthful," Teddie shrugged back innocently.

"Hey! Excuse me!" the man stormed over, looking annoyed. He snatched the paper from Teddie's hands, making her jump. "This is a restricted area," he scolded them, fixing his desk.

"Hi, Dr. Runga, I'm Shelby Watkins, I called you earlier," Shelby introduced herself, but the man just frowned, not recognising her. "From the Amber Beach Dinosaur Museum? In the United States?" she tried when he still looked blank.

"Oh yes!" he finally seemed to remember. "You're my competition," he accused.

"Competition? No! We're huge fans!" Shelby defended quickly as the others frowned at his attitude. "I've read all your books, twice!" she held out his book quickly.

"You and three million other people," the man rolled his eyes. "Now, please, I'm a very busy man. What is it that you want?" Dr. Runga demanded, looking to Riley instead. Shelby looked down, trying not to look hurt.

"Well, to be blunt, if Plesiosaurs were still alive, where would they live?" Riley managed to ask, stumbling over his words a little.

"Let me understand," the man gave a small laugh. "You're looking for a living dinosaur?" he asked.

"No," Olivia folded her arms, not liking the man's attitude at all. "What he's saying is that we're looking for the sort of habitat that would suit a Plesiosaur," she elaborated. The man shot her an amused look, making her bristle. His eyes then narrowed.

"Wait, I know what this is," he realised. "You're hunting for Taniwha, aren't you?" Dr. Runga accused.

"What's a Taniwha?" Tyler frowned.

"Uh, Taniwha is a New Zealand myth," Chase explained. "Like the Loch Ness Monster," he told them.

"It's an ancient creature that lurked in oceans and rivers," Teddie added. Dr. Runga rolled his eyes impatiently.

"Experts, like myself," he spoke up as he rolled up his sleeve. "Suspect that if Taniwha actually existed, they were really Plesiosaurs," he showed off the Plesiosaur tattoo up his bicep.

"Oh, pretty cool bro," Chase smiled.

"That's a Taniwha?" Koda turned the man's arm to examine it more closely.

"It does rather resemble a Plesiosaur," Ivan agreed.

"So...Plesiosaurs would have lived where...did you say?" Shelby asked him, trying to sound casual.

"Coastlines, islands, sea caves," Dr. Runga listed as he rolled his sleeve back down, and laughed. "Good luck," he spoke sarcastically, walking away. "Let's get one of me in the dig," he called to the photographer, clearly done with the group.

"Wow, what a nice guy," Teddie's voice dripped with sarcasm as she turned and walked away.

"So coastlines, islands, sea caves," Tyler listed as the others followed. "That's where we'll look," he told them.

"Man, can you believe what a jerk that guy was?" Olivia huffed as the Rangers walked along the beach together. "I'd love to stick his book right up his-"

"Have fun with Dr. Runga?" Olivia jumped, whirling around as Ari and Spencer approached.

"Hey guys," Tyler smiled as they stopped. "What brings you here?" he asked.

"Yeah, why'd you come all the way out here?" Chase asked, curious as to why Ari had decided to join them.

"I think I can help locate the Plesio Zord," Ari admitted, taking them by surprise.

"What? How? Did you make some kind of tracking device?" Shelby asked her, wondering why she'd arrived empty handed.

"Nope," Ari shook her head, walking past them and towards the tide.

"Do you want to share with the class?" Teddie asked her as they followed.

"The Dino Gem," Ari started as she spoke, looking out at the sea. "The ones that turned me and the others into the Dino Thunder Rangers, they were found in a meteor that was one of the ones that wiped out the dinosaurs," she told them. "Doctor O never figured out just how they got their powers, but I've had a suspicion for a while. And it only raised my suspicions when you found the Gold Energem," Ari glanced to Ivan, who frowned.

"What are you talking about?" Riley asked, not understanding.

"I think I get it," Shelby commented, folding her arms. "You think the Energems somehow gave your Dino Gems their powers," she considered.

"Got it in one Shelby," Ari nodded, turning to them. "Before the dinosaurs went extinct, 12 bonded with Energems. So I believe that the power passed from them, to the Dino Gems. Hence why I felt a pull towards the Gold Energem," she gestured as Ivan removed it from under his shirt.

"But then why do you think you'll be able to find the Plesio Zord?" Olivia asked, tilting her head.

"Because the Gold Dino Gem had the spirit of the Plesio," Ari explained.

"But then why would it be connected to the Energems, when the Gold Energem has the spirit of the Pterodactyl, and the Purple Energem has the spirit of the Plesiosaur?" Teddie asked, not understanding.

"Well, there weren't as many Dino Gems as there were Energems. So I think some of the powers merged or changed, like how the Blue Dino Gem had the spirit of the Tricera, and that there was a Yellow Dino Gem with the Ptera Zord, maybe some of the power that went to the Gold Dino Gem meant that the power of the Ptera went to a yellow stone? And that there were Brachio and the Tupuxuara/Drago Zords? To be honest, I'm still trying to figure it all out," Ari admitted, running a hand through her hair.

"It does make a lot of sense though," Spencer agreed.

"Yeah it does. So that's what you've been working on," Tyler commented.

"Yup. Working with Doctor O and Ethan when I can," Ari shrugged, and looked out at the sea again. She closed her eyes, and took in a breath. "I can sense something out there, but what...I'm not too sure if it's the Plesio or not. Though we'd be closer from that beach," she told the Rangers, gesturing to the beach on the far horizon.

"How's the search going?" Kendall contacted the group as Ivan and Koda searched from the sky in the Ptera Zord. Riley and Chase were speeding down the beach further away on their Dino Cycles.

"Come on...come on..." Tyler scanned the sea with his binoculars.

"We're at Takapuna Beach, but there's no sign of-"

"Something's coming guys!" Ari's warning came just as the Purple Energem began to glow in Shelby's pocket.

"Guys!" Shelby lifted it as the Energem shone as brightly as it had done when it was bonded with Tanner.

"Get here fast," Tyler contacted the others.

"What's going on? Is it the Plesio?" Teddie questioned as she approached Shelby and Tyler. They heard a massive splash, followed by a roar, and looked up to see the Plesio Zord bursting out from under the water.

"That's awesome!" Olivia laughed as Shelby filmed the Zord on her phone.

"Uh, problem!" Spencer yelled, pointing up. They looked to the sky, and their eyes widened as they saw meteors flying down from the sky. One hit the Plesio Zord, and it roared in pain as Ari stumbled, a hand to her head.

"It's being attacked!" she shook it off, before they heard a laugh and looked around. Fury and Meteor stood on a hill nearby.

"Destroy the Zord, before it can escape!" Fury ordered.

"Oh come on, again?" Teddie complained. "Can't you monsters stay destroyed?" she demanded. More meteors flew from the sky, but the Plesio dove underwater to avoid them.

"You missed again!" Fury huffed.

"Well, it slipped away," Meteor defended himself.

"We came as fast as we could!" the rest of the Rangers arrived Morphed.

"The Zord was right out there in the water," Shelby gestured to the water.

"We'll find it again, right now, you need to focus on getting these two away before they destroy it," Ari warned.

"Sledge keeps sending monsters we already defeated," Riley shook his head. "He must be out of ideas," he mocked.

"I'll promise, you'll never get control of that Zord," Fury vowed.

"You really shouldn't make promises you can't keep!" Shelby warned, furious that they'd attack the Zord. "It's Morphing Time! Dino Charger!"

"Ready!"

"ENERGISE, HA! UNLEASH THE POWER!" the rest of the Rangers Morphed, and they stood against the two.

"You won't defeat me this time!" Meteor growled.

"Oh yeah?" Tyler scoffed.

"Vivix! Fire!" Meteor ordered, and the Vivix all attacked. However, their blasts bounced off shields raised by Ari, Spencer and Chase, landing harmlessly away from the ground.

"Attack!" the fighting broke out, and Tyler smashed the meteors that shot down towards them easily. As Ivan faced Fury, the others defeated the Vivix easily and stood together.

"Let's use the Dino Spike to finish him off!" Shelby suggested.

"Great idea! Dino Charger, ready!" Tyler called. "Weapons combine!" he tossed the Dino Charger into the air, and the Dino Spike formed for him to grab onto. "Dino Spike, Final Strike!" Tyler slammed into the monster, but it didn't destroy him, simply tossing him to the ground where his rocky armour smoked dangerously.

"Fine, I'll protect you," Fury rolled his eyes as he stood in front of Meteor.

"Watch out!" Ivan warned, but Fury's blast knocked them all off their feet.

"We have to beat the Rangers to the Plesio," Fury then turned to Meteor, hauling him back up.

"But how? We have no idea where it's hiding," the monster complained. Fury just gave a small laugh.

"I know who can help us. Come on," he ordered, and they walked off.

"Where did they go?" Tyler questioned as they got back up.

"They've seen the Plesio Zord," Shelby gulped.

"Oh dear, if they find it before we do, they could destroy it," Ivan warned.

"Then we'll have to get there first and protect it!" Teddie shook her head, not about to let them win.

"I've analysed Shelby's video," Kendall told the team. "Judging from the sounds the Zord made...I think it may be sick," she warned them.

"Why would it be sick?" Riley asked as they filled up, regaining the energy they'd need to fight Fury and Meteor.

"Once awakened, some Zords need to be in contact with their Energems. I noticed it with Teddie's, and Tyler's," Kendall said, and the Red and White Rangers exchanged surprised looks. "This one hasn't been near the Purple Energem since Tanner bonded with it. It may be too weak to survive much longer," Kendall admitted worriedly.

"That's why it appeared for Shelby. You were holding onto the Purple Energem," Chase pointed out. "It needed energy," he said.

"Kendall and Chase are right," Ari agreed. "I could only get a faint connection to the Plesio Zord, since it's not really something I'm bonded with, and the Dino Gem's lost their powers a long time ago. But from that faint connection, I could tell, it's only got about two days left in it, before it's lost forever," Ari warned them.

"Then we better get going," Tyler nodded as they all stood, except for Shelby.

"I'll meet you back at the car," she told them.

After searching a cave, the group gathered together again.

"No sign over there," Riley shook his head.

"I've not found any kind of energy," Ari told them.

"There's nothing down the way either," Tyler confirmed as Ivan and Chase approached.

"'Twas a dead end, no Zord," Ivan told them when they looked at him hopefully.

"We got nothing either. There's no Zord near here," Teddie and Olivia reached them. Spencer's Morpher suddenly beeped, and he answered it quickly.

"What's up?" he asked as he walked away from the group. "What?!" his voice echoed around the cave, and he looked at the group as they glanced up curiously. "Can you send it to my phone please? Thanks Kat," Spencer sighed, returning his Morpher to his side.

"What's wrong?" Chase asked.

"We might not have found anything, but Kat has. A news report is going viral. It says that 'a living Plesiosaur has been found in New Zealand'," Spencer announced, and glanced to Shelby apologetically. "It's Dr. Runga," he told her.

"Dr. Runga?" the Pink Ranger repeated in disbelief as Spencer's phone beeped.

"There's proof too," he opened the message from Kat, and their eyes widened as they saw a picture of the Plesio in the water.

"That's from my video! He stole it!" Shelby realised, shaking in her anger.

"He's holding a press conference today at his dig site. He's going to show off the full video," Spencer warned them.

"We'll see about that," Shelby growled, storming past him out of the cave.

"Just how did this creep get Shelby's video?" Spencer asked as they let Shelby talk with the man by herself.

"She said he approached her to apologise," Tyler told the others, frowning. "He offered her his autograph, but when she came back with a pen, he was gone," he glared at the man, who didn't look remotely apologetic as Shelby confronted him.

"He must have grabbed her phone...but how would he have known she had it?" Teddie wondered.

"Right now, we need to hope that this guy will call off the conference," Chase shook his head, folding his arms. "Mum's still out looking for the Plesio, so we need to hope she can find it before anyone else," he told them.

"He's going to tell the world," Shelby warned as she returned, tears lingering in her eyes.

"What shall we do?" Ivan worried.

"We need to find the Plesio Zord. Fast," Shelby told them as they got back into the car and started driving.

"Contact Ms. Morgan, she might have more info for us," Spencer suggested. Tyler nodded, and lifted his Dino Comm.

"When you last saw the Plesio Zord, it went underwater. It was travelling south, from what I could tell. There are two sea caves approximately six miles south of where you spotted her," Kendall informed them as she looked between her tablet and the console. "I've sent Ari the co-ordinates as well," she told them.

"We're on our way," Tyler nodded, ending the call. They pulled up on the beach, and got out as Ari ran over.

"No luck so far," she told them as Shelby pulled the Purple Energem from her pocket.

"It's glowing," she called out as it began to shine again.

"Then we must be close," Chase realised. Their Comms began to beep again, and Koda grabbed his.

"I've narrowed it down to one cave big enough to hold a Zord. Go north," Kendall instructed.

"Okay, we go North," Koda nodded. As most began to run North, Ivan stopped as he saw Koda running in the opposite direction.

"Koda! We're in New Zealand!" he reminded the caveman as Teddie giggled, standing beside him. "North's this way," he pointed out. Koda smiled in embarrassment, jogging back over.

"Don't worry. Ivan still can't get over that the Earth isn't flat," Teddie told the Blue Ranger.

"It's a lot to process when that's what you're taught!" Ivan defended, going red.

"Oh yes, why they change that?" Koda wondered.

They ran towards a cave, slowing to a stop outside it. "This must be it," Koda looked around, seeing no other caves. The Purple Energem started to shine again.

"Yeah, she's here alright," Ari nodded. They heard a roar inside, but as most were distracted, Ari turned to the man who stood behind them.

"A living dinosaur," Dr. Runga breathed in awe. "I need to see it," he decided, walking towards the cave. Ari grabbed his wrist, twisting it behind his back.

"This isn't a get famous quick scheme. We're not here for the publicity. So back off," she pushed him back away from the cave.

"You're right. It's not about press conferences, or magazine covers," Dr. Runga sighed, rubbing his wrist. "I've been digging for fossils my whole life, because when I was a kid, all I ever dreamed about was meeting a real dinosaur. And Shelby reminded me of that," he smiled at Shelby, who couldn't help but smile back.

"Doesn't change the fact he was a total jerk," Olivia muttered, and Chase elbowed her. "Well it's true," she grumbled as he couldn't help but smile, agreeing with her.

"Thanks to you, I finally get to meet one," Dr. Runga didn't seem to hear her.

"But..." he paused as Shelby spoke up. "It's not a Dinosaur," she admitted hesitantly. Dr. Runga frowned.

"Yes it is, I've seen the video," he argued. They all exchanged looks, and sighed.

"Shelby, we gotta tell him," Tyler told her softly as Shelby hesitated.

"Yeah, cause once he sees it, he's gonna know it's not a real dino," Teddie nodded with a small smile. "It's a Zord," she told the confused man.

"The Plesio Zord to be precise," Riley nodded.

"Wait, I don't understand," Dr. Runga frowned. "Only Power Rangers use Zords," he pointed out, and they exchanged amused smiles.

"That's correct," Chase nodded.

"Only Rangers use Zords," Olivia repeated.

"Only Rangers," Spencer chuckled. Catching on, Dr. Runga's eyes then widened.

"So, if you're after the Zord, then you must be-"

"The Zord is very weak," Shelby cut him off. "We're here to heal her with this," she held up the Purple Energem.

"But he said you'd discovered a living dinosaur," Dr. Runga frowned, and they blinked, not understanding what he meant.

"What scoundrel told you that?" Ivan demanded.

"Let me guess. Looks kinda like a sabretooth tiger wearing a loincloth with a big jagged sword?" Ari guessed, and the others glanced to her. "Cause unfortunately, he's right behind us," she sighed, turning around to see Fury approach with Meteor.

"Fools!" Fury mocked. "Thanks Doc, we can take it from here!" he laughed.

"I'm so sorry, I've led him right to you," Dr. Runga groaned. "I didn't know he was following me," he insisted.

"Let's destroy the Zord and get outta here!" Meteor decided. "Vivix! Attack!" he summoned the creatures, and the Rangers fell into a fighting stance.

"Come on, let's get away from this," Ari grabbed Dr. Runga's wrist and pulled him towards the cave, away from the fighting.

"Who are you?" Dr. Runga asked as she stopped by a rock, pushing him behind it.

"A concerned party," Ari replied shortly, glancing to the cave as she felt a pull not unlike when she was in contact with the Gold Energem.

"For who?" Dr. Runga frowned, but Ari didn't answer.

"It's Morphin' Time!" Shelby shouted. "Dino Charger!"

"Ready!"

"ENERGISE, HA! UNLEASH THE POWER!"

"SPD, EMERGENCY!" the Rangers all Morphed, and Shelby gasped as the Purple Energem began to glow again.

"Go, get it it to the Plesio Zord!" Tyler told her. Shelby nodded and ran to the cave, following Ari as she stepped into the cave. Chase and Riley blocked the path of the Vivix that tried to stop Shelby, allowing her to reach the cave.

"This way," Ari led Shelby through the cave, before they were blasted off their feet. Meteor laughed as he walked in, and the two looked up.

"I'm going to destroy that Zord, get the Purple Energem, and the Pink one too," Meteor declared.

"Not a chance," Ari stood up, falling into a fighting stance.

"I won't let him get it!" Dr. Runga called, running into view and grabbing the Purple Energem.

"You!" Meteor snarled. "Give it to me, or I'll roast you!" he threatened.

"Throw it into that cavern," Ari instructed the man, standing in front of him as Shelby struggled to get to her feet. "The Zord needs it. Trust us," she told him, and he nodded. Hurling it through the air, Dr. Runga watched as it flashed, and a powerful roar echoed through the cave. Ari stumbled as she felt the pull again, feeling the energy behind it.

"The Zord's re-energising!" Meteor gulped in horror.

"It's fantastic," Dr. Runga breathed.

"You did it, Dr. Runga," Shelby smiled as Ari helped her up. "I'm proud of you," she told him, and he nodded, smiling back. Hearing a crash, they looked around as the Zord began to charge up, and Meteor ran from the cave shrieking. Shelby, Ari and Dr. Runga ran out after him as the cave began to glow purple.

"They did it!" Teddie realised as she looked up, having been shoved to the ground by Meteor. The Plesio Zord roared as it flew out of the cave, blasting Meteor into the air and into the distance.

"That hot-head's a failure once again!" Fury snarled. "But I'll get the blame!" he growled.

"Plesio Zord all better now," Koda said as they watched the Zord flying around.

"It's so cool. I want a Dino Zord," Spencer complained, before pausing. "Not that there's anything wrong with my Zord, nope," he shook his head quickly, laughing nervously.

"What's with you?" Olivia asked, frowning.

"You never know when Kat's watching," he whispered.

"I heard that, Spencer," the feline alien spoke through his communicator, making him gulp.

"It might not have been a real dinosaur, but it was..."

"Awesome?" Tyler suggested with a grin.

"Exactly," the man laughed. Their comms suddenly beeped, making them look down.

"Meteor is attacking the city," Kendall warned.

"We've got trouble," Chase told the others. "Let's try catching a ride on the Plesio Zord," he suggested. The Dino Charge Rangers ran off, leaving Dr. Runga with Ari and Spencer, who demorphed and stretched.

"Dr. Runga!" Shelby suddenly ran back. "It was so great to meet you," she told him. The man smiled back.

"You too Shelby. Your secret's safe with me," he promised, making her smile. "And thanks, for reminding me what really matters," Dr. Runga told her, making Shelby laugh slightly, blushing.

"See ya," she waved, turning and running off to join the others.

"You better come with us to somewhere safe," Spencer told him as he watched Shelby run off.

"Right," he nodded, and frowned as they were walking away. "You're SPD. Why are you here?" he asked curiously. Spencer sighed heavily, not looking forward to the explanation.

"Dino Drive, Activate!" the Rangers called on their enhanced powers as they leapt into the Plesio Zord. "Battle mode!"

"Plesio Zord! Great to finally meet you," Shelby smiled, and the Zord roared in agreement.

"I think she likes you," Teddie told the Pink Ranger, who smiled excitedly at the thought.

"You can't stop me!" Meteor roared as he spotted the Zord flying towards him.

"Shoot him into space where he belongs!" Shelby cheered. Meteor let out a cry as he was tossed up through the air and into space, and they followed him.

"Nice job, but he's not done yet," Tyler warned.

"Activate Plesio Charge Megazord!" the Zord changed forms, becoming a Megazord.

"Whoa, this is awesome!" Teddie cheered.

"Steady..."

"Brace yourselves!" Tyler called. They slammed into Meteor and punched him repeatedly, shoving him back further.

"Deal with this! Spiral Galaxy Blast!" Meteor fired multiple meteors at them.

"Plesio Rocket Punch!" they tossed a fist at Meteor, destroying the comets flying towards them before slamming into the monster and making him stagger, sparking.

"Let's make space his final frontier!"

"Three...two...one..." the Rangers charged up the blaster.

"Galactic Blast!" Shelby yelled as they fired a powerful finishing attack. Meteor screamed as it slammed into him, destroying him, and the Rangers cheered at another victory.

The Rangers flew through the air in the Plesio Zord, leaving New Zealand behind as they flew back to Amber Beach.

"Sad to say goodbye to New Zealand?" Shelby asked Chase and Teddie.

"Yeah, but it's okay. We'll come back soon," Chase shrugged.

"We gotta go see Tanner again," Teddie nodded in agreement.

"Then we're heading home!" Tyler cheered.

"Nice work Rangers, I'm very impressed you retrieved both the Purple Energem, and the Plesio Zord," Kendall smiled.

"We get stronger every day!" Riley grinned.

"Soon, we make Sledge extinct too!" Koda spoke up, and the rest cheered loudly.

As the Plesio Zord flew overhead, the figure in the tree whistled.

"Now that's some firepower," he commented in a light voice, sounding impressed. Pushing his blond hair from his face, he revealed his long, pointed ears, and smirked. "And did you see who was helping the Rangers?" he glanced down to the other, who was leaning against the trunk of the tree with his arms folded. His hair was bright red and stood up, and his expression was indifferent.

"The Golden Warrior and her son," he spoke quietly, his voice deep and rumbling.

"Exactly. How about we gain some extra power, and exactly what we've been waiting for for almost twenty years?" the Elf in the tree asked, leaping down. His companion simply nodded. "Good, let's go," he chuckled, leading him away.

Oh, so what's gonna be happening next?

Hope you liked it!

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