Previously - after defeating the mighty Trakena, the rangers were met with the return of Divatox.

"So when they're weakened after the battle against Divatox, we'll strike them when they're least expecting it", Sledge added.

"Sharp as always Sledge", Astronema smiled, "now we need to prepare ourselves, tomorrow is going to be a special day". She gave Sledge a vicious smirk before retreating towards her room. Assisting the Power Rangers was a risky move but big risks usually brought big rewards. If this gamble paid off.

-Astro Megaship-

Around the breakfast table, the rangers plus Z ate a light breakfast. None of them had gotten much sleep as they waited for Divatox to make another appearance. "So that's the plan", Ariel stated as she poured some syrup on her pancakes. She was slowly acclimating to the different foods on Earth, it was a shame that he would be leaving the planet today, "Does anyone have any objections".

Everyone around the table shook their heads, "Is everyone ready to go?" Jessi asked.

Charlie nodded, she was just about to take a bite of her food when her communicator went off, "What is it Alpha?" She said.

"Divatox has been sighted in the park", the robot began, "head over there as soon as you can".

"Looks like the starting gun's been fired", Steven stated, dropping his fork onto his plate.

-Angel Grove Park-

Charlie's van turned off the main road and into the park. As it was still early in the morning there was no one around so Charlie took the most direct route toward Divatox. The rangers clung on for dear life as the Green Astro Ranger fought for control on the slippery grass. Spotting Divatox in the distance, she slammed on the brakes and put the car into a gentle skid. When the van came to a halt, the rangers jumped out as quickly as they could, "Remind me not to let you drive my car", Demi mumbled to the green Ranger.

Walking confidently towards Divatox, they could see that Maligore's powers were more dominant than they were yesterday. Other than the feminine body shape, pretty much every defining feature of the monster now matched Maligore. Standing in a line opposite the former pirate, the rangers almost felt sorry for Divatox, "Bitten off more than you can chew once again?" Steven called out. In response the creature they had christened Malitox last night simply roared.

"At least Divatox could talk yesterday", Jessi sighed, "it's like she's become a wild animal".

"And I had so many witty remarks to fire off as well", Demi smiled.

Ariel stepped forward and glanced over at Charlie and Z , "I believe it's customary to let the previous team go first".

"Gee thanks", Z replied and pulled out her SPD morpher "SPD Emergancy", she added and slammed activated her morpher.

"Let's Rocket", Ariel added and the park was filled with a bright light. Once it had cleared, the rangers stretched out their limbs and prepared for the fight to come. "Alright you remember the plan, hit Malitox hard and quickly. I don't want to use the MegaTech armour for longer than necessary".

"I think I've got that part down", Z began, "SPD Swat Mode" Activated the special mode. Firing off her blaster with her left hand, she used the barrel to try and deflect any fireballs that Malitox threw her way. Once again the yellow energy blasts hit the rocky skin of Malitox but this time they had a little more effect. The mutant was still showing signs of damage from the attack yesterday. Where the blasts were hitting damaged skin, it was causing little cracks to appear.

Knowing that her she wasn't doing much damage, Z made a final desperate move. Noticing that the only real weak spots on Malitox were the eyes and mouth, Z blasted into the mouth of the creature, "You should of stayed dead", she spat. The creature roared in pain as its lizard tongue fell out of its mouth. Malitox still had a powerful bite and it was able to snap the blaster in half.

Malitox was so distracted that she failed to notice that the Astro Rangers had assembled the Quadro Blaster. The black ranger fired into the weak spot of Malitox, sending the creature flying across the park. Large chunks of rock were left behind and when Malitox sat up, its lower jaw had been blown away. "That's so gross", Demi retched as a sticky brown liquid poured out of the wound.

"She's still not defeated though", Ariel began, "looks like we're going to need the MegaTech armour". The others nodded and their morphers appeared on their wrists. Entering a three digit code, their chest shone brightly as something slowly materialised. Covering their shoulders and torso was a thick golden armour that was its thickest around their chests. Their gloves now had golden metal plates to match their armour.

"Sweet armour guys", Z wheezed from the side.

"Take a rest Z ", Charlie began, "we'll take it from here". The five rangers jumped into action, with their armour they felt more powerful than ever. Ariel got the first blow in on Malitox, rocking the creature. Realising they were also stronger with the MegaTech armour, the rangers were soon raining blows down on the hard skinned Malitox. The creature was staggering around like a punch drunk boxer, walking straight into powerful blows.

"Alright Mega Punch", Ariel called. The rangers fist shone a bright golden colour and they punched Malitox in unison. They landed a second blow before charging up the killing shot. A powerful golden wave hit Malitox and threatened to turn her into a pile of pebbles. Unable to take the punishment anymore, Malitox collapsed to the ground.

"That was seriously cool", Jessi cheered, "shame we only get to use it once".

"Yeah I know, maybe we'll think of a way around it", Steven sighed.

"Is she finally gone this time?" Charlie asked. Almost on cue, Malitox slowly got to her feet but something was different this time. In several places her human skin was showing, giving a strange patchwork appearance. Before the rangers could pass comment, Malitox began to grow.

"Great this is all we need", Jessi groaned, "at least we'll get a chance to try out the new Megazord combination".

The rangers turned to the SPD yellow Ranger, "I guess this is goodbye, for now at least", Demi said.

Z nodded, "Take care of yourselves", she opened her arms and pulled all of the rangers, even a reluctant Ariel into a hug. Charlie hung on for the longest, placed her hands on either side of Z's helmet. After a few moments, she shook her off, "Go, save the galaxy", she sniffed. As the ranger's teleported into the Megazord, she gave them one last wave before teleporting away.

In the cockpit of the Astro Megazord, Ariel placed the Battlizer Gauntlet onto the control panel, "Let's see if this works", she began, "initiate Astro Delta Megazord". The Delta Megazord swooped through the sky and before detaching its arms and legs. They wrapped around the limbs of the Astro Megazord, just as the front part of the Delta Megazord attached like armour. The Delta Megazord's gattling guns fixed themselves into place on their shoulders of the Megazord.

"Awesome it worked", Demi said after checking her systems. They didn't get long to celebrate as Malitox immediately went on the offensive. Keeping the Megazord steady, the Astro Rangers noted that Malitox was nowhere near as strong as Maligore had been. Either that or this Megazord was much stronger than the Turbo or Rescue Megazords had been.

Due to the extra armour that had been added, the Astro Delta Megazord wasn't as quick as either of the two component Megazord's. This machine was built for strength and power instead and it showed this by unleashing its Flying Power Punch. The Megazord fist detached and slammed into the rocky arm of Malitox, shattered it with a single blow. Malitox was stunned and gazed down to where its left arm had been.

"Alright once more", Charlie called and fired off the other fist. This one impacted the right shoulder of Malitox, turning it instantly into dust. Its right arm fell off and shattered on impact with the ground below. Deciding it was time to put Malitox out of its misery, the Astro Delta Megazord fired its shoulder mounted gattling guns. The bullets went straight through the skin of Malitox and its body began to lose its structural integrity. A few seconds later it exploded in a shower of rocks and dust. Maligore and Divatox were finally gone.

-Dark Fortress-

Astronema had watched the entire battle and smile to herself when Malitox was finally defeated. Part one of her plan had been a success, now all she had to do was swoop in and attack as the rangers. She was about to instruct the nearest Quantrons to prepare for flight when she saw a couple of specks flash out of the Earth's atmosphere. Seconds after they did this, a golden light covered the Earth before fading back to normal. She checked the nearest console and gasped, the lights of Orion.

Looking back up at the viewing screen, she noticed that the Astro and Delta Megaships were coming straight at the Dark Fortress. They fired off a burst of laser fire that rocked the space station. Consoles sparked and the crew were thrown about on the bridge. Astronema struggled to get back on her feet, clawing at the nearest console for support. Suddenly the image on the viewing screen changed, it now showed the smiling faces of the Astro Rangers, "Merry Christmas Astronema", Charlie beamed, "did you really think you could fool us with that recording device".

"But I don't understand", Astronema fumed, "I heard your entire plan this morning".

"Yes that what we wanted you to think", Jessi replied.

"Now I don't know about you but I'd say that scores one for the good guys", Demi smirked, "oh and don't bother firing on us, we knocked out your weapons systems". The ranger gave one final sarcastic wave before shutting down communications.

Astronema snarled but deep inside, she was also a little impressed, "Well played rangers", she muttered, "finally you've decided to make this interesting". She stood up straight and smoothed out her hair. Kicking a Quantron she snarled, "Well don't just stand there, follow that ship". Firing the Fortress' engines into life, it set off in hot pursuit of the Astro Megaship. The rangers were going to search the galaxy for Zordon's back up plan, and Astronema was going to do everything in her power to stop them.