A/N: See Chapters 1, 15 and 16 for the information which does not belong to me.
A/N 2: Ashley Michelle Poteete, one of the sayings in this chapter is just for you! I'll let you figure out what it is!
Chapter 25: Pink is In Again
Saturday, June 8, 1997
10:10 a.m.
Somewhere near Angel Grove, CA
"OK. I'll go left, you go right," said Tommy.
Sabrina curtly nodded, and before long, the two were quickly engaged in battle.
Sabrina backflipped in front of three Tengas coming her way. She steadied herself, and shot her right fist at the middle Tenga, knocking it to the ground. No sooner did she land, than both feet shot out and nailed the Tengas coming at her from the side.
"Have to watch those feet, birdbrains," she smirked as she turned and dealt with a Tenga coming up from behind her.
Meanwhile, Tommy was dealing with a legion of six Tengas. He punched the first, sending it flying backwards, elbowed the second one, and shot his feet out at two more, knocking them down as well.
The other two ambushed him and dragged him a certain distance, before Sabrina flipped through the air and freed Tommy with a spinning kick.
"Thanks," said Tommy.
"Don't mention it," said the native Eltarian. She whispered something to Tommy, and they then both continued dealing with the bird creatures.
But meanwhile, Sabrina activated her telepathic link with her father and said, 'Daddy, do it now!'
'I WILL, DAUGHTER,' said Zordon.
Tommy saw three Tengas trying to come up from behind him, and turned around and delivered three quick punches to their chests.
"That'll teach you to mess with the White Ranger, bird-AGGGGHHHH!" shouted Tommy as he felt his link to the Power being severed. Sabrina was on her knees as she was going through the same thing.
Lunar Palace
Unknown Time
"YEAAAAAHHHH!" shouted Rita and Kimberly simultaneously. This was going even better than they had hoped. They'd found two Rangers, who couldn't call for help, who were getting their powers severed from them...the two who Maligore wanted, even!
"Rita, go!" shouted Kimberly. Rita knew what this meant, and teleported to Earth, beyond overjoyed. Master Vile, however, was also watching, and could sense something in the air...that someone knew something he didn't.
Meanwhile, Kimberly raced to go summon Maligore.
Nearby, Dulcea was standing next to Squatt and Baboo, and whispered an order.
"Sit tight," she told them. "I'll be right back."
"You got it!" said Baboo as quietly as he could. With that Dulcea disappeared through a portal, unnoticed by any of the villains in the Palace.
Angel Grove, CA
As the two Rangers continued to have their Ninjetti links severed, they never saw Rita come in behind them.
"Well, well, well, what have we here? Two Power-less Rangers, alone in the desert!" said Rita.
"Rita!" said Tommy.
"At long last, we have you right where we want you!" said Rita. "Do you have anything to say for yourselves before you suffer at Maligore's hand?"
"Maybe not for us...but there's something...you...ought to hear..." said Tommy.
"Well, spit it out!" said Rita.
"Lord Zedd...is planning...to wed another..." said Sabrina. The moment the words were out of Sabrina's mouth, Rita gasped in shock.
"It can't be! Impossible! You're lying, traitor!" said Rita.
"We are not, for once," said Tommy. "Zedd plans...to wed...Kimberly...he despises your entire family..."
"He would never divorce me!" said Rita. "He married with consent!"
"Do you really think so?" said Sabrina, who was growing weaker. "If so...then why...did he try for Kimberly after you went back in your dumpster? I was there...I saw it live!"
"He may have married you, but he has no loyalty to anyone," said Tommy.
"You're still lying," said Rita, but with less sureness this time. Something was definitely up and she wanted to find out what it was.
"Why don't you...go ask Zedd yourself?" said Tommy. "We speak the truth this time, Rita."
AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOO! ZEEEEEEDDDDDIIIIIIIEEEEE!" shouted Rita as she disappeared back to the moon in a flash.
At that moment, they felt their links being restored, thanks to Zordon.
"All right!" said Tommy. "Here's our chance! Let's get to the Chamber!"
With that, the two Rangers disappeared in flashes of white and gold.
10:30 a.m.
Underground Power Chamber
"Where are they? Oh, ay-yi-yi!" said Alpha as the two morphed Rangers landed in the Chamber. Dulcea, Auric, Archerina and Ninjor were already there, as were all the Ranger teams and Dex.
"Guys! You made it!" said Adam.
"We sure did," said Tommy. "But there is no time to lose. Is every one of the rest of you ready to morph?"
"We are," said Jason and Zack simultaneously.
"We'll be right back, Justin," said Adam. "Hopefully, you'll see a different side of Kimberly when we get back."
"It's now or never, Rangers," said Jason. "IT'S MORPHIN TIME!"
"Dragonzord!" shouted Jason
"Black Ranger Power!" shouted Adam.
"Blue Ranger Power!" shouted Billy.
"Yellow Ranger Power!" summoned Aisha.
"Red Ranger Power!" said Rocky.
"It's time to go save Kimberly, guys!" said Zack. "Let's do it! Shift into Turbo!"
With that, the Rangers brought their left wrists around, summoned their Turbo Keys, and inserted them into their Morphers.
"Mountain Blaster, Turbo Power!" said Trini, determination seeping into her beautiful Asian features.
"Desert Thunder, Turbo Power!" summoned David, the Power coursing through him again.
"Dune Star, Turbo Power!" shouted Tanya
"Wind Chaser, Turbo Power!" said Kat.
"Red Lightning, Turbo Power!" said Zack.
Once the Rangers were all morphed, Dulcea addressed everyone.
"I have created the portal right here with my magic," said Dulcea. "I have also made it that only those of the light of goodness will be allowed into the portal, so no one will come back and attack the Chamber. Is everyone ready?"
"We are," everyone answered in unison.
"Let's go guys," said Tommy as everyone save the Aquitian Rangers grimly stepped through the portal.
In the shadows, the five reborn monsters stood, as Dulcea and Zordon had let them into the Chamber earlier that morning.
"It's now or never for them," muttered Madame Woe.
"They will pull through," said Rhinoblaster, "just as they did so many times against us."
Lunar Palace
Unknown Time
"ZEDDIE! GOLDAR!" shouted Rita.
"Blasted woman!" Zedd muttered as he came into the throne room. "What?"
"What's this about you trying to wed another?" said Rita. Master Vile, who was listening, couldn't believe his ears. He didn't think much of Zedd, but he never thought Zedd would go so low as to try to divorce his daughter.
"That's right," said Zedd. "Your family is an abomination, and was useless against the Rangers. Once Kimberly is turned to my side, the entire universe will be at MY disposal!"
"Surprise, Rita," said Goldar. "Once and for all, you are useless."
"How dare you call my daughter useless, Goldar?" shouted Vile as he fired a pink bolt of lightning at Zedd and his henchman.
"Because she is, Vile!" said Goldar as he used his sword to block the blast. "And so are you, and so is your mother!"
"How dare you call me without use, monkey-brains????" shouted Lady Chaos as she hit Goldar with a lightning shot of her own.
"What the...what's going on here?" said Kimberly as she came running into the room and saw pure chaos ensuing amongst those she commanded.
"Don't worry, Kimberly," said Zedd. "Come with me, and I will give you powers unimaginable! It's time to leave this place!"
"GUESS AGAIN, YOU VILE CREATURES!" shouted several different voices. Zedd turned to his right, to see the Rangers and their allies standing 20 feet away, with their weapons drawn.
"Rangers, how did you and your despicable friends get in here?" said Zedd.
"That's for us to know and you to find out for eternity, chrome face!" said Ninjor.
"No matter, you won't survive anyways!" said Zedd. He raised his staff and shot lightning from it, and when he had finished, dozens of Zedd's famous Putty Patrollers were heading for the Rangers.
"Putties, get them!" said Goldar. "And don't let any of them get away!"
"What are these things?" said Tanya.
"Zedd's Putties," said Adam. "Hit the Z on their chest. That's all you need to know."
"Take care of the has-been claybrains, guys," muttered Tommy. "Dulcea and I are going to free Kimberly."
"Right!" said the rest of the Rangers and allies, who headed for the Putties.
No sooner were Dulcea, Kimberly and Tommy alone, than Dulcea had thrown up a barrier from which Kimberly could not escape.
"Only you two?" said Kimberly. "This ought to be a piece of cake!"
"Maybe it will be, unless you decide to listen to us," said Dulcea. "Kimberly, we have some news for you."
With that, Dulcea put on her headband, and activated her holographic projector.
As the projector turned on, Kimberly couldn't believe what she was seeing.
She was looking at her mother and stepfather, being dragged away from their beloved city of Paris by a group of metallic, evil henchmen.
"Yes, Kimberly, these are your parents," said Dulcea as Kimberly's eyes went wide with horror.
What she saw next, however, paled in comparison, as she saw her parents being beat to death by these metallic henchmen, and those who ran them.
"Yes, Beautiful, this being killed your parents," said Tommy.
"What the...how COULD he?" cried Kimberly. "MOMMMMMYYYYY!!!!!!!!"
"Yes, Kimberly. Your parents are dead," said Dulcea.
"The one who killed them is called Dark Specter, the ultimate Monarch of Evil. If you don't come with us, you'll eventually be working with him," said Tommy. "Do you really want that?"
"Remember the good times you had with your friends, Pink Crane," said Dulcea. "Lady Chaos broke you, Tommy, and your real friends apart so she could turn you evil to do her bidding. Dark Specter is trying to do the same thing to you now, and so is Lord Zedd. Please come back, Kimberly. Your gymnastics dreams may be over, but you can still have a life."
And as Dulcea and Tommy coaxed Kimberly to relent her anger, tears came streaming out of her eyes...and something else began to happen.
Lady Chaos' magic began to crack.
First it came out a little bit, then a little bit more after Kimberly was told about her parents. Now, after she had received the news that she was simply being used as a toy to destroy the Rangers, the evil magic which had enveloped her came gushing out.
Lady Chaos tried to blast the forcefield, but she was locked in battle with Zedd himself, and neither Goldar nor the Putties could break the forcefield, thanks to the Rangers and allies who were successfully taking care of them. Tommy and Dulcea had to shield their eyes at all the evil energy that was flowing out.
And as the last little bit of evil energy flew out of Kimberly and disintegrated, she continued to sob.
"Did it work?" said Tommy.
"Tommy..." said Kimberly as she ran towards him suddenly.
"YES!" said Tommy exuberantly. As soon as Tommy uttered that word, Dulcea lowered the forcefield, and the two star-crossed lovers embraced.
"Oh, my gosh," said Kimberly. "Never again will I leave your arms...never again..."
"It's OK, Beautiful," said Tommy. "I gotcha."
"NOOOOOOO!" shouted Lady Chaos. "My magic is broken! This is YOUR fault, and your fault alone, Zedd!"
"Save it, silver sissy," said Zedd, "unless you want to face my wrath."
Lady Chaos decided to retreat, thinking it would be better to call for some help.
Several minutes later, as the two star-crossed lovers embraced in one another's arms, Jason yelled, "You two, LOOK OUT!" and the two barely dove out of the way of a major lightning blast from Zedd's staff. By this time, most of Rita's family had gone to their rooms in defeat, leaving Zedd, Goldar, and the Rangers and Ranger allies.
"YOU SHALL PAY FOR THIS ACT, YOU DISGUSTING ROACHES!" roared Zedd, his body positively red with fury. "SHE WAS TO BE MINE...MINE FOR ALL TIME! YOU BRATS MAKE ME SICK! WHICH ONE OF YOU IS RESPONSIBLE?"
"Oh, what's the matter?" said Jason mockingly. "Did Radiator Face lose his bride all of a sudden? You should have watched your back for anything, chrome head!"
Kimberly looked at Jason and nodded approvingly.
'Big Brother Jason,' thought Kimberly. 'As dependable as he was when we were in diapers.'
"That's right, Lord Zedd!" said two voices who neither Zedd nor Kimberly thought they'd never hear from in this scenario...belonging to Squatt and Baboo.
'Unbelievable,' thought Kimberly. 'Squatt and Baboo are in the game, too. But why?'
"YOU TWO PINHEADS? I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" roared Zedd.
"Maybe if you'd have watched your surroundings, your plan would have gone better!" said Jason. "That's right, you forgot ALL about me! I destroyed the REAL Sword of Darkness after I first heard of your plans, and then I stayed here and spied. I also took Squatt and Baboo under my wing, and they becme the Rangers personal reporters!"
"And now, you just cost your precious UAE another three henchmen," said both of Rita's former henchmen, now completely purified through Dulcea's magic. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Hope you enjoyed the show!" said Tommy. "Let's go, guys!"
Tommy took Kimberly through the portal to the Chamber, and the rest were about to follow when lightning hit the ground in front of them. They turned to see Goldar and thirty Putties blocking their way.
"You and your disgusting friends are not going anywhere, you color-coded has-been high schoolers!" said Goldar.
"Excellent work, Goldar!" said Lord Zedd. "I'll kill you all if it means taking my precious Crane. Putties, attack!"
11:00 a.m.
Underground Power Chamber
Angel Grove, CA
As Tommy took an exhausted Kimberly through the portal to safety, Alpha 5 screamed with delight.
"KIMBERLY!" shouted Alpha. "Oh, aye-yi-yi, you're OK!"
"Yeah, I am, Alpha," said Kimberly, as she hugged her long-time robot friend.
"Where are the others?" said Alpha.
"They're back at the Palace...fighting Zedd's claybrains," said Kimberly.
"SO ZEDD HAS BROUGHT BACK HIS PUTTY PATROLLERS, AND HAS GOLDAR AS WELL. THEN THIS FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER," said the booming voice which Kimberly had come to know so well.
It snapped Kimberly to attention, and she smiled up at her mentor.
"WELCOME BACK, PINK CRANE," Zordon boomed. "WE HAVE MISSED YOU. I AM SORRY WE COULD NOT BE REUNITED UNDER BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES."
"And I have missed you too, Zordon," Kimberly smiled.
A short distance away, Sarah of Eltar and Dimitria of Inquiris smiled. The Rangers had finally freed the famous Pink Crane.
Seconds later, the portal opened again, and a horde of allies came flying through it.
"Well, look what the cat brought in," said Kimberly, before she turned and saw her beloved blue friend standing not far away.
"NINJOR!" said Kimberly, as the Ninja Master and his beloved Crane Ninja embraced.
"Finally, my Crane, you are safe," said Ninjor.
When the two finally pulled apart, Kimberly recognized a smorgasboard of other beings with Ninjor, most of whom she didn't know except for Squatt and Baboo, and she was still wondering how they'd been purified in the first place.
"Whoa," said Kimberly. "Who the hell are all of you?"
"You know these two," said a voice coming from a robot carrying a pink bow and arrow, as she pointed to Squatt and Baboo. "I am Archerina, formerly a princess of the Machine Empire. It is a pleasure to meet Zordon's first Pink Ranger."
"I am Auric the Conqueror, defender of all which is good and true. It is good to see you back on the side of light once again." After Auric had said this, a white veiled woman stepped forward.
"I am Dimitria of Inquiris. Finally, I get to meet Zordon's first Pink Ranger. It is quite an honor."
"I am Sarah of Eltar, Zordon's betrothed. I am also honored to meet you,, Kimberly."
"As am I, Kimberly. I am Dex, Prince of Edenoi. Yes, that's Alpha's home planet," said Dex. "I am also known as the Masked Rider."
"It's good to meet all of you," said Kimberly. "Now, I want to know how Squatt and Baboo got purified."
"Jase and Dulcea were behind that, Kim," said Tommy. "Maybe we should wait until those two get back."
"Yes, you should," came a high-pitched voice from the back of the room. "And you haven't even met everyone yet."
Kimberly turned, and saw Justin standing to her right.
"Oh, God," said Kimberly as she shuddered with horror, remembering all she'd tried to do to Justin.
Kimberly walked towards Justin, and pulled him into her arms, saying all the while, "Justin, I'm so sorry...so sorry..."
"It's not your fault," said Justin. "It was the fault of evil making you their pawn."
"I...I can't believe it...my mother is dead...and so is my stepfather..." sniffled Kimberly.
"I AM SO SORRY TO BREAK THAT NEWS TO YOU, KIMBERLY," Zordon said, "BUT IT WAS THE ONLY WAY WE COULD MAKE YOU SEE THAT YOU BELONGED HERE, AND NOT IN RITA AND ZEDD'S PALACE."
"You're right, Zordon," said Kimberly. "This IS where I belong. I just wish I didn't have to hear such sad news..."
"What horrifies me more, Kim," said Tommy, "is that Zedd seems to have an obsession with you. Has he really been after you this long?"
"Y-yes," said Kimberly. "But why?"
"BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT THE FALCON AND CRANE WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER," said Zordon. "THE NINJETTI POWER IS BINDED BY THE FALCON AND CRANE'S UNION, WHICH IS EXACTLY THE REASON GOLDAR AND RITO DESTROYED THE POWER COINS THE FIRST TIME. IT WOULD SEEM AT FIRST GLANCE THAT HE'S OBSESSED WITH YOU, BUT HE'S SIMPLY USING THAT AS ANOTHER WAY TO DESTROY ALL OF YOU OUTRIGHT."
"It seems pretty low, when he has Rita for a wife," said Kim. "But then again, evil has never followed the rules fairly. I just can't believe he's after me AGAIN!"
"Shhhh, Kim, he won't get you," said Tommy. "We'll make sure of it."
"How do you know, Tommy?" said Kimberly. "Don't make promises you can't keep. He won't give up until he has me."
Moon Palace
Unknown Time
Back at the Palace, the Ranger allies had gone through the portal, to assist in Kimberly's recovery.
The Rangers and Dulcea, meanwhile, stayed to take on the Putties, while Jason moved to face Goldar.
"So, I get to face the new Green Ranger!" said Goldar. "Ha! I destroyed the first one, and now I'll destroy you too!"
"Your mouth always hurt you the most, Goldar," said Jason, "and now is no different!" Jason drew the Dragon Dagger which once belonged to his best friend, and waited for the oncoming attack.
As the two dueled evenly, the rest of the Rangers, as well as Dulcea, used their intelligence to dispatch of Zedd's Putties, and whenever Zedd would try to throw more at them, the Rangers would simply go right back to work and do the same thing all over again.
Finally, the Rangers and Dulcea dispatched the last of the Putties, at the same time that Jason was kicking Goldar in the head, knocking him unconscious.
"I'm ready to get the hell out of here!" said Sabrina. "Let's go!"
"I'm with you!" said Jason. One by one, the Rangers went through the portal, leaving the Moon Palace throne room as if the Rangers had never been there.
As the portal was secured, Zedd's anger soared again.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!" roared Zedd. "ON THE DAY OF MY GREATEST VICTORY, I CAN'T BE FOILED AGAIN!"
"Calm yourself, my Lord," said Goldar. "You still have one thing that can destroy them all."
"Yes, Goldar, yes!" said Lord Zedd as his anger simmered.
If Zedd's face wasn't covered by a mask, he would have been seen smiling cruelly right there.
The Pink Crane would still be his when this day was through.
11:30 a.m.
Underground Power Chamber
Angel Grove, CA
"Come on Jase!" said Kimberly. "Beating Putties shouldn't take THIS long!"
As if on cue, the portal opened again, and the two groups of Rangers walked through.
"GUYS!" shouted Kimberly as she ran up to the Green Dragon Ranger, and embraced her 'big brother.'
"Little Sister," said Jason. "Finally, you're back where you belong." Jason was about to keep speaking, when he noticed a curious look on Kimberly's face.
"Oh yes. Them," said Jason, referring to Rita's two former henchmen. "I guess I have some explaining to do, huh?"
"OK," said Jason. "This started some time after chrome face started planning to wed you...again. I broke my evil spell right after I heard about his plan. Anyways, Zedd tried to kill them both at random, and I stopped him. He got really angry, and stormed out of the room. Anyways, I decided to use them as my personal spies because they'd become really tired of Zedd's act. Dulcea can take over from here."
"After I let Jason go free," said Dulcea, "I began working on purifying them. They were willing to accept, and I recently completed my work on them. I hope you Rangers will use them as much as you need. Jason was wise to use them."
"Unbelievable," said Kimberly. "Not only did Tommy free me, but the side of evil has been taking a number of hits lately."
"OK," said Rocky. "Who's up for some lunch?"
"Good to see some things never change," said Adam, as he looked up from the Golden Ninjetti's embrace. "Rocky's stomach's talking. That's REEEAL original."
Kimberly had a stunned look on her face, as she saw Adam and Sabrina in a tight embrace. That was something she never expected to see.
With that, the Rangers and allies left to go eat together. Once they were out of sight, Zordon spoke.
"I STILL SENSE A LACK OF SURENESS IN KIMBERLY, ALPHA. DID YOU?"
"I did, Zordon," said Alpha. "It's almost like she KNOWS Zedd's still planning something. What could he possibly be planning?"
"I KNOW NOT WHAT IT IS, ALPHA. I DO KNOW, THOUGH, THAT IT CAN'T BE GOOD."
On his way out, Tommy was holding Kimberly in his arms when he tripped.
"Tommy, are you OK?" said Kimberly. "Handsome?"
"I don't believe it!" said Tommy. "And it looks like it might function. How did it survive the blast from Goldar and Rito?"
"What?" Kimberly said as Tommy picked up an old Ranger device that looked like a miniature version of the Falconzord.
"This is an old device Billy used to control the Ninjazords and Shogunzords against Master Vile," said Tommy. "That way we could have both Megazords in battle. I need to save this and get it to Billy."
"Are you coming, you two?" said Jason.
"We'll be right there, bro," said Tommy as they hustled after their friends.
5:00 p.m.
Five and a half hours later, the Rangers and their allies were chatting, and their new monster allies still stood in the shadows, when suddenly, the alarms blared.
"Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi!" cried Alpha. "There's a major disturbance heading for Earth, and Angel Grove in particular!"
"What is it? Another of Radiator Face's cronies?" said Zack.
"No. Something MUCH worse," said Kimberly. "Look!"
The Rangers and their allies whipped their heads around, and saw Lord Zedd's famous flagship, Serpentera, on a direct course for Earth.
"Oh, MAN!" said Zack. "Worst nightmare! Not THAT thing!"
"That thing's more powerful than any Megazord we have..." said Tommy.
"Worse yet, I sense Serpentera is being fueled by an unlimited power source!" said Alpha, referring to the fact that Zedd was using Kimberly's evil energies that had just been dispatched hours ago, and somehow, through his magic, had generated a sufficient power source to fuel Serpentera.
"That means we're actually going to have to fight that thing," said Tommy. "This is not good."
"I TOLD you guys this wasn't over yet!" said Kimberly. "I TOLD you he wasn't going to give up until he has me!"
"Shhhh, Kim," said Tommy. "We've defeated Serpentera before, and can do it again." Inside, though, it was obvious he was expressing some doubts himself
"If we can somehow beat Serpentera," said Sabrina, "then Kimberly should be safe. If there was only a way..."
"It would indeed be bleak, Rangers, had I not been prepared for such a situation," Dulcea said. "Through my magic, I have revitalized five of your former opponents, and infused them with the light of Ninjetti. They are now exclusively yours to command. Rangers, behold, your brand new monster army!"
The Rangers turned to the shadows, and their jaws dropped when five of Rita's former creations...Rhinoblaster, Soccadillo, Lizzinator, Madame Woe, and Octoplant stepped out and stood before the Rangers.
"Greetings, Rangers!" said Rhinoblaster. "We meet again! This time, it's fourth and long for Zedd and HIS cronies!" Tommy laughed a bit, remembering he'd had to face that monster on his own when he first tried out for the high school football team.
"Dulcea, you're a pure genius," said Billy. "But what Zords are they going to control?"
"They already have powers, Billy," said Dulcea. "It's possible we could adjust the Zeo Megazord to adapt to these five. Until then, they will actually be fighting with you."
"YOU MUST HURRY AND DEVELOP A PLAN, ALL OF YOU," said Zordon. "SERPENTERA WILL BE ON EARTH IN APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS."
"Before we do," said Tommy, "I have something which I believe belongs to Billy, here."
With that, Tommy turned to his friend, and pulled out a device which Billy never expected to see again.
"The Falconzord energy reader," said a smiling Billy as he gave it to Alpha to check. "By George, it looks like it's fully operational! Dulcea, do the Shogunzords come with our new powers?"
"Yes, Blue Wolf," said Dulcea. "They were brought back the second Sabrina and I created your new Ninjetti Powers. If Sabrina were to control a Shogunzord, she would pilot the Black Shogunzord alongside Adam."
"What is that thing, Billy?" said Jason.
"Something to control both the Ninjazords and the Shogunzords with, before Master Vile turned back time." said Billy. "And against Serpentera, and a Lord Zedd that's awfully angry, we're going to need all the firepower we can throw at them."
Thirty minutes later, everyone involved in Ranger operations was sitting in a circle, kicking around ideas as to how to defeat Serpentera. Trey and the Aquitian Rangers had recently joined the horde of Rangers, allies and monsters.
"Man, I don't know what I was more scared of...that creepy spider, or Plant Girl's tentacle trapping sequence!" said Zack, referring to two past Ranger battles to try to lighten the mood.
"You were far more scared of spiders, Zack," said Tommy.
Inside, Jason's eyes were lighting up, and his face broke into a wide grin.
"That's IT!" said Jason.
"What's it, bro?" said Tommy.
"Zack just said it...that's the way we can beat Serpentera!" said Jason. "Octoplant, do you think you can get your tentacles around Serpentera's legs and immobilize that bad boy?"
"Well, I can try. It's not a bad plan, actually," said the female plant monster. "If I can get in behind him and get my trappers out quickly, I think it can get done. It'd take four, but I have an unlimited supply if needed."
"Yeah, but Serpentera's legs are more powerful than the Megazord, you two," said Tommy.
"Octoplant's trapping sequence is good, Tommy," said Jason. "Besides, the night factor could also work against Zedd. He won't be able to see from behind him while he's piloting Serpentera."
"Sneakiness is the name of my game, and it would especially work for me at night," said Octoplant.
"I'm not sure if it's going to work, but it may be the only shot we have," said Tommy. "It would also make Serpentera a sitting duck."
"Then, that would give us enough time to get in there and destroy whatever powers that thing!" Sabrina said. "And I propose...that Justin do it."
"NO!" said Rocky. "Sabrina, you've been great, but I can't bear for Justin to get hurt. No, I don't accept."
"Think about it, Rocky," said Archerina. "He'd be expecting one of us. He'd never expect Justin."
"I believe that's Sabrina's Ninjetti mentality coming out," said Kimberly, as she fiddled with her Morpher. "Ninjetti don't rush into attack...we wait for the perfect opportunity to take the other guy by surprise."
"That is the plan, Kimberly," said Sabrina, nodding at her one-time rival and appreciating for the very first time just how much battle savvy Kimberly had developed.
"I've built a laser pistol," said Sabrina, "specifically for this purpose. Not as powerful as, say, the Zeo Pistols, but still powerful enough to destroy a power source with a few blasts."
"I guess, if it's the only way, I say yes," said Rocky. "But Justin, you promise me you'll be careful."
"I will, Rocky," said Justin.
"Here's the pistol, Justin," said Sabrina. "You'll stay here at the Chamber until Zordon teleports you inside Serpentera. You'll have to move fast, understood?"
Justin nodded curtly.
"Now, the question is...how are we going to use our monster army?" said Tanya.
"I propose we send out the Zords and allies immediately and not show Zedd our surprise until it's time to spring it," said Tommy. "We make Zedd think he's going to take the Zords easily, then we spring our monster army upon them. Octoplant can get behind Serpentera, and the other four can stay right below the Zords until it's time."
"I approve of that plan, Tommy," said Soccadillo. "We'll definitely stand ready whenever you call for us. Plus, we don't know if Zedd's going to send any of HIS creations to try to trash Angel Grove."
"Plus, I have many more weapons than my Zord at my disposal," said the Gold Ninjetti, which reminded Tommy of a question he had been hoping to ask.
"In our first fight with Kimberly," said Tommy, "how in the world could you control the Megazord Power Sword, Sabrina?"
"It's quite simple, actually, Tommy," said Sabrina. "The Morphin Grid is such that anyone who happens to be an offspring of anyone who bestows power...can control the entire Morphin Grid. Since my father gave you all your powers, I can call on any of the weapons which you Rangers have posessed."
"OK," said Tommy. "Just don't be afraid to do it if Zedd tries to cheat."
Serpentera
Same Time
"Ah yes, Goldar," said Lord Zedd as he sat at the controls of his personal battle machine. "At long last, sweet victory will be mine. The Rangers may have found out about my plan...how I know not, but it doesn't matter. None of the fleet of Zords they have can stand up to Serpentera!"
"Yes, my Lord," said Goldar. "Victory is yours, at long last!"
"Full speed ahead, to Angel Grove, Goldar!" said Lord Zedd, as Serpentera continued to push towards Earth.
"Finally, a prime-time showdown, where the Rangers have to fight at night!" said Zedd. "And I will rule this night!"
Eltarian Capital City
Same Time
Inside and outside the palace where King Daran ran planet-wide operations, several thousands of people were gathering.
They had, just like the council had said, gotten wind of the return of their golden, planet-wide heroine, and were now intently following the battle several planets away through any means of communication they could find.
"This place," said Daran, to his wife, "is about ready to explode with excitement."
"But there's bad news. I've just received word that Lord Zedd is taking Serpentera to Earth."
Daran frowned and said, "Our heroine will survive this final showdown. She's been too hardshiped to lose now."
6:50 p.m
Underground Power Chamber.
Angel Grove, CA
"Zordon, I realize we may not make it out alive," said Tommy. "But we're going out there just the same. For the peace of the universe, for my princess, for our city...we are going out there to fight for all that is good and true. If this is the last time we ever see you again, I'd like to tell you it's been a pleasure to work with you."
"IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE FOR ME, AS WELL," said Zordon. "BUT I ALSO HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL PREVAIL. OCTOPLANT'S PLAN IS STRONG. SERPENTERA'S LEGS ARE STRONG, BUT NOT AS STRONG AS ONE MAY THINK. ONCE YOU IMMOBILIZE SERPENTERA, YOU WEAKEN IT GREATLY. GOOD LUCK, MY FRIENDS."
"One more thing, Rangers," said Alpha as he gave Billy his device. "The Falconzord reader is indeed fully operational after a couple of minor adjustments."
"Morphinominal," said Billy. "I never expected to see that again. Well, I guess we're all set."
"It's a shame I won't be out there with you, my friends," said Dex. "Give em one for me."
"Is everybody ready?" Tommy said. When everyone nodded, Tommy said for the second time that day, "IT'S MORPHIN TIME!" as Zack summoned, "SHIFT INTO TURBO!"
TBC...