A Dark Merchant
Young Ryuuta walked into the lair to visit Moku and Boku, and to his surprise, he saw the rangers scattered about at small tables. They chiseled wood, beaded string, and made other crafts. When Ryuuta asked what they were doing, Hyuuga explained they were preparing for the Star Festival.
"The Star Festival?" Ryuuta asked.
Hyuuga smiled and nodded. "It's a tradition back home. We celebrate every year by getting together. Praying for peace…"
Saya nodded. "Everyone would gather and send their prayers to the stars."
"Sounds…fun?" Ryuuta asked with uncertainty.
"It is," Gouki said as he held up a string of beads. "We hang these on trees, start a bonfire, eat great food, sing and dance, eat more great food…"
"When is it?" Ryuuta asked.
"Tomorrow night," Ryouma said. "I know it won't be the same without being home. But it's an important festival…we don't want to pass it up."
"That does sound fun," Ryuuta said. "I'll help!"
He moved next to Saya at a table and started to help her string beads.
"Hey Ryuuta," Hikaru said. "If you're going to be in the festival, you'll need to memorize the Warrior's Oath."
"There's an oath?" Ryuuta asked.
Ryouma nodded. "Before the festival starts, each chosen warrior swears an oath."
Ryuuta's eyes opened wide with wonder at the thought of taking this warrior's oath.
"So Hikaru…" Hayate said as he strung a pair of feathers together. "You have it memorized, right? Say some of it for Ryuuta. 'If a warrior…'"
Hikaru hesitated. "Um…the festival's not tonight; it wouldn't be right to say it now."
Hayate grinned. "That's what I thought."
"'If a warrior falls into battle or despair,'" Hyuuga said, "'their spirit will not forget peace. Nor will their soul forget their friends. The power they have, is all that they have. But their friendships give power to contain misery and sorrow. To protect this forest. This planet. And all planets. To protect the stars.'"
Ryuuta wrinkled his nose. "That sounds tough to remember…"
Hayate looked to Hikaru. "That's only part of it, too. Hikaru, you need to memorize the whole thing by tomorrow."
Hikaru shrugged. "We don't need to bother swearing that much. We're already fighting the good fight the way we should, and that's more important than words."
"Hikaru…" Hayate started to chide, but Hyuuga interrupted.
"It's fine," Hyuuga said. "The words of the oath are just words. Once you're out in battle for the first time…you understand the meaning of those words. Right, Hikaru?"
Hikaru hesitated. "Um, right. That's what I meant. I know the meaning of the words."
Hayate sighed. "It would be nice if you actually did."
General Batbos stormed onto the deck of the Balban ship, where Bukarates gathered with Iresia, Sherinda, and Capt. Zaihabu. The general nearly stumbled and fell at the overwhelming stench of incense.
"What the hell is that?" he grumbled. "Iresia…your magick smells like shit."
"Batbos…" Iresia said. "You weren't even summoned, so why are you here?"
"Move!" he shouted as he shrugged Iresia aside to stand before the captain. "Capt. Zaihabu…he is coming."
Capt. Zaihabu grumbled thoughtfully. "I see…he must have heard of our awakening. Took the bastard long enough…"
"Who is this you speak of?" Iresia asked.
"The Dark Merchant," Sherinda said. "Bezunera."
Bukarates stumbled backward with surprise. "What? Deviot?! That weapons merchant is coming here? How could he possibly still be alive after 3,000 years?"
"He's a resourceful bastard," Zaihabu said. "He ran the greatest black market in the quadrant. If he acquired something I'd like, he'd contact me through Batbos."
"What could he possibly have?" Bukarates asked.
A rugged freighter swooped into Earth's atmosphere while dragging a massive carrier with a pair of grappling chains. The freighter released the chains, and the carrier skid to a landing in the mountains outside Stone Canyon.
The freighter left the carrier and flew towards the ocean castle of the Balban.
The Dark Merchant Bezunera walked onto the bridge of the Balban ship and opened his arms wide with a greetings. "My friends! It has been too long…"
Batbos tilted his head, taken aback at the sight of the merchant's cybernetic appearance. "Bezunera?"
"Batbos!" the merchant said as he walked to the general and grabbed his hand with a shake. "Yes, I suppose I look different. These enhancements have kept me alive for centuries!"
Sherinda shifted impatiently. "Hurry up and state your business."
"Yes, well…of course, of course," Bezunera said. "Let me see…3,000 years ago, it was the Seijuu that sealed you away, correct?"
Bukarates nodded. "And they're still in the way…"
"Good, good," Bezunera said. "As I heard. Captain…I have a wonderful weapon that will let you kill all the Seijuu, all at once."
Sherinda narrowed her eyes with doubt. "What sort of weapon could you possibly have that would do that?"
"Something powerful and ancient," Bezunera said.
"Show me…" Zaihabu said.
"Of course, my fearsome captain," Bezunera said. "But before I do…I'd ask you to lend me some of your Yattato. You see…I still need to complete the weapon's control device."
Iresia scoffed. "So it's incomplete, is it?"
"No need to worry, beautiful sorceress," Bezunera said. "I will complete the device very soon. The weapon itself is in sound shape."
Moku felt the earth for miles and miles in every direction. He felt one with every blade of grass and every tree. He even felt attuned to the roots and plants that sprawled beneath the cities.
He felt those plants stir, and he snapped open his eyes.
"Rangers, the Balban are attacking the city's people!"
A group of Yattato chased citizens through the streets of Stone Canyon. People ran and screamed with panic at the sight of the orange grunts.
A businessman stumbled over his own feet and fell. A Yattato leapt at the fallen man and chopped its blade. But a saber blocked the blow, and a boot kicked the grunt back.
The Galaxy Rangers had arrived; they spread through the plaza to attack.
KuroKishi armed his rifle and fired green energy bursts that blasted through grunts with bursts of spark.
Nearby, Galaxy Red parried a sword and swung downward with a powerful slash that tore a grunt open with bursts of spark.
Meanwhile Galaxy Green leapt through the air with a corkscrew kick that bashed a soldier off its feet.
Galaxy Blue swung powerful punches and elbow strikes that smashed Yattato to the ground before they could come close to striking him.
Galaxy Pink kicked the legs out from a Yattato and clawed the soldier's face with bursts of spark.
Galaxy Yellow somersaulted underneath a sword swing, rolled into a crouched position, and snapped his leg up to kick a soldier backward.
None of the Rangers noticed Bezunera watch from the cover of a nearby pillar, at the base of a building.
"Now then…" he said quietly as he activated a button on his left gauntlet. "Let's make this worthwhile…"
The button triggered a massive energy wave that moved across the plaza like a giant slinky.
The Rangers spotted the massive vortex and dove aside. But Galaxy Yellow and Black Knight didn't leap far enough in time. The vortex slid over them, teleporting them away, and then vanished.
"Hyuuga!" Galaxy Red shouted. "Hikaru!"
Galaxy Green activated his communicator. "Moku…what happened?"
"I'm uncertain," Moku said. "I cannot sense their position."
"That can't be," Galaxy Pink said.
"Don't worry," Galaxy Blue said as he laid a hand on her shoulder. "We can still start looking, right? We'll find them."
Boku didn't share Galaxy Blue's confidence. He hovered anxiously through the lair. "What will we do, Boku?"
Ryuuta plucked the acorn from the air and held him close. "They'll be okay, Boku…You've gotta believe in them."
The sun burned bright ion the mountains outside of Angel Grove and Stone Canyon.
Hikaru's vision blurred slowly back into focus. He found himself in a transparent cylinder, wrapped with red wires. He climbed to his feet and looked out to see Hyuuga chained between two posts nearby.
"Hyuuga!" he shouted. "Hyuuga, wake up!"
Hyuuga lifted his head as he returned to consciousness. "Hikaru?"
"Hyuuga!" he shouted as he tried to push his way through the cylinder. But the tube electrocuted him, knocking him back. "Damn…"
"You okay?" Hyuuga asked.
"Yeah," Hikaru said. He shook his head and rolled his hands into fists. "I'm sorry I got us into this mess. I acted too cocky. I didn't move fast enough."
"Now's not the time to be hard on yourself," Hyuuga said. "The fight's just started."
"Right," Hikaru said as he started to arm his bracer — but he noticed the morpher missing from his wrist. He opened his eyes wide with shock. "They took my morpher!"
Hyuuga looked to his belt and noticed the Bull Saber missing. "They have my sword too."
Laughter came from nearby. They looked to see Bezunera walk towards them with a group of Yattato.
"Looking for these?" the villain asked as he held a sack containing the Ginga Brace and Bull Sword.
"Balban!" Hikaru shouted. "Let us go! Now!"
"Do you really expect me to say yes?" Bezunera said. "Wouldn't that be amusing? Besides, shouldn't you be asking who I am? Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Dark Merchant, Bezunera."
"I don't care about your name!" Hikaru shouted. The teen thrust his hand forward. "Ha!"
He fired a burst of lightning from his palm. But the lightning struck the tube and spread across its wires, collecting at the top of the prison. The prison siphoned the energy and fired a burst of power into a remote Bezunera held above his head.
"Thank you for that," Bezunera said as he waked towards his prisoner. "This cage is special, Ranger. If you use your Aasu, the cage absorbs it, and uses its power to energize my remote."
Bezunera turned to Hyuuga. "Hurt him. Badly."
Yattato started kicking Hyuuga and bashing the pommels of their swords across his head.
"Stop it!" Hikaru shouted.
Bezunera laughed at the teen's distress. "You want to help him? Then by all means, use your Aasu. Try to break from your prison."
Hikaru narrowed his eyes as he watched the Yattato beat Hyuuga. He shifted anxiously, wanting to break free to help. But he didn't want to give in to the villain's demands.
Bezunera lifted the remote. "Go on…" he told the Ranger. "Just a few more bursts should do it. Escape and help your comrade…"
"Hikaru, don't!" Hyuuga shouted as the grunts pommeled him.
Hikaru gritted his teeth. He faced Bezunera and glared. "I won't…There's no way I'll cooperate with you."
"Very well, very well," Bezunera said. He looked to the Yattato. "The Yellow Ranger here is far too good and noble to give into our demands. Beat his friend to death."
The Yattato smashed the pommel of their sabers against Hyuuga, kicked him, and smashed their hilts across his head.
"Hyuuga!" Hikaru shouted.
The yellow GingaWolf stomped through the city streets, followed by GingaLion. The Red Ranger stood on top of his giant Star Beast's head.
"No trace of them…" he whispered. He opened up a commline to his teammates. "What about you guys?"
The other Rangers reported from their own Star Beasts, fanned out in a search pattern. They reported no luck.
Hyuuga slumped in his chains, barely conscious. The Yattato beat him nearly to death but stopped, and then left, to let Hikaru see the results of their handiwork.
Hikaru sat in his cell and leaned back. He felt completely helpless. And lost. He didn't know what to do. Not at all.
Bezunera stomped towards the ranger's cell and kicked dirt at it. "You're becoming quite annoying, Ranger." The villain looked to Hyuuga, and then back to Hikaru. "Very well…I will leave you to sit here and listen to the dying moans of your friend…I hope you enjoy.
The villain walked off, leaving Hyuuga and Hikaru alone.
Hyuuga waited until Bezunera left to lift his head, ever so slightly.
"Hikaru…" he said with a raspy voice. "You did a good job staying patient…Just hang in there…a little longer."
Hikaru shook his head. "I can't watch them do that to you again."
"Hikaru…" Hyuuga whispered.
"No…" Hikaru said as he stood. "No! I let them beat you! You almost died…I can't sit through that again. We don't even know what that stupid remote does. It's not worth it. Next time, if they lay a hand on you, I'm using my Aasu and getting us out of here!"
"Hikaru, calm down," Hyuuga pleaded. "Ryouma and the other will find you. Did you already forget the oath?" Hyuuga looked up into the cloudy sky and thought of his friends. "'If a warrior falls into battle or despair, their spirit will not forget peace. Nor will their soul forget their friends. The power they have, is all that they have. But their friendships give power to contain misery and sorrow.' Believe in your friends."
Hikaru breathed deeply to calm himself. "Misery and sorrow…"
"That's right…" Hyuuga said, his voice weakening. "To protect this planet. And all planets."
Hyuuga's head slumped as drifted from consciousness.
"Hyuuga," Hikaru called. He rolled his hands into fists and looked down.
He remembered Hyuuga's words from earlier: "The words of the oath are just words. Once you're out in battle for the first time…you understand the meaning of those words. Right, Hikaru?"
Hikaru knitted his brow with determination. "Hyuuga…"
He looked around his small prison and glanced up at the top of the cylinder. He reached upward.
Hours passed.
Bezunera walked towards Hikaru's prison, where the ranger sat with his head against his cell.
"I trust you're well rested," Bezunera said. "Have you come to your senses now?" He looked to Hyuuga, who stirred awake. "If you let us hurt your friend again…aren't you afraid that would tarnish the good name of the Gingaman?"
"Yeah…" Hikaru said quietly. "I guess it would."
"Wonderful," Bezunera said. "It sounds like you're finally willing to cooperate."
Hyuuga struggled against his chains. "Hikaru…"
"No…" Hikaru said to Bezunera. "I won't cooperate."
"So you'll abandon your friend?"
"I won't do that either," Hikaru said.
Hikaru stood and glared at Bezunera. "I found another solution…I can die instead. With my own Aasu."
"Try to kill yourself with the Aasu, and the prison will simply absorb the energy…" Bezunera said.
Hikaru thrust his hand forward and fired a burst of lightning from his palm. The lightning thrashed inside the cage and backfired against Hikaru, knocking him off his feet.
Bezunera looked up to the top of the cage — which didn't absorb any energy. "What?! The device is broken!"
Hikaru climbed to his feet and hurled another bolt of lightning, which ricocheted within the cage and splashed against his chest, knocking him down.
"Clever, clever, Ranger…" Bezunera said. "You're planning on me to open the cage to stop you. That won't be happening…"
"Ha!" Hikaru climbed to his feet and hurled another bolt of lightning. The lightning sparked within the cage and knocked Hikaru back.
"Hikaru, stop!" Hyuuga shouted.
"Sorry, Hyuuga…" Hikaru said as he climbed to his feet. "This was the best I could come up with."
He thrust his hands forward and fired a stream of lightning that thrashed around the prison with bursts of spark and secondary discharges. He gritted his teeth and intensified the lightning, letting his Aasu pour through his veins and through his palms.
The discharges knocked the ranger back off his feet.
Hikaru felt weak and burnt out. His body burned with fatigue. But he knitted his brow with determination and started to push himself slowly to his feet. "'If a warrior falls into battle or despair…their spirit will not forget peace…"
The teen collapsed, and his eyes closed. Yellow energy ebbed from his body pulsed within the prison capsule.
Bezunera grumbled with annoyance. "All that wasted energy…!"
The villain opened the prison.
Hikaru immediately pounced to his feet and kicked Bezunera backward. The impact knocked the villain off his feet, and he dropped the sack containing the Ginga Brace and Bull Sword.
Hikaru lifted the sack with one hand, and lifted his other hand towards the sky. He fired a massive bolt of lightning from his palm, and the lightning lit the sky like a signal flare.
Galaxy Red spotted the bolt of yellow lightning streak upward in the far off distance. He opened a commline to his teammates.
"I found him!"
Hikaru strapped his Ginga Brace onto his wrist. He thrust his hand towards Bezunera and fired a bolt of lightning that knocked him off his feet with bursts of spark.
The teen stepped forward and armed his morpher.
"Galaxy transform! Ha!" Columns of lightning circled around him as he morphed into his Ranger form.
Galaxy Yellow ran to Hyuuga and pulled his chains free. The Yellow Ranger handed Hyuuga the Bull Sword.
"Believe in your friends. Right, Hyuuga?"
Hyuuga nodded and took his sword. "Well done…"
Hyuuga snapped his sword open and lifted the blade towards the sky.
"Knight Rebirth!" Strands of green energy lashed from the sword's hilt and circled around him, morphing him into the black armor of KuroKishi with a burst of flame.
Bezunera climbed to his feet near the prison capsule. "My perfect plan…ruined!"
"Far from perfect," KuroKishi said.
The Black Knight switched his sword and scabbard to blaster mode and opened fire. Energy bursts exploded through the prison, scattering it to pieces with a shockwave that knocked Bezunera off his feet.
"Brother! Hikaru!" a voice shouted from nearby.
Galaxy Yellow looked to see Galaxy Red and the other Rangers run onto the scene.
"Guys…just in time for the big finish," Galaxy Yellow said as he playfully slapped Galaxy Green on the chest. "I learned the oath, by the way."
Bezunera climbed to his feet as smoke sizzled from his armor. "All five of you?" The villain snapped his fingers. "Yattato!"
A group of grunts dropped to the grunt and charged towards the Rangers to attack.
Galaxy Red armed his Seijuukin in his main hand and his Kiba Cutter in his offhand. He leapt through the air and landed while slashing both weapons through a grunt's chest with bursts of spark. He swung the blades as one, slashing left and right through the Yattato.
Galaxy Green leapt over two Yattato while stomping their collar bones, driving them to the ground. While in midair, he kicked two grunts and used the footing to flip backward.
Galaxy Blue grabbed a Yattato by the neck and kneed the grunt in the chest. He slammed a back kick against a grunt that tried to sneak up from behind.
Galaxy Pink dove through the air and tackled a Yattato to the ground. Staying low, she swept the legs out from a second grunt and clawed him across the face with bursts of spark.
The Black Knight and Yellow Ranger charged at Bezunera. KuroKishi chopped his sword, but the villain used his gauntlet to parry the blow.
Galaxy Yellow chopped his blade through a diagonal arc. But Bezunera parried and bashed the back of his fist across the Yellow Ranger's head, whipping him backward.
KuroKishi moved in from behind and swung his sword. But the villain used two hands to block, holding the weapon high. Bezunera smashed a flurry of knife-hand strikes against the Black Knight's chest that sparked on impact and knocked him to the ground.
The Black Knight tumbled aside and rose to his feet as the other Rangers regrouped around him.
The Red Ranger held his blade forward. "Let's power up!"
The Rangers quickly clawed the ground and then reached their hands towards the skies.
"Shine! Lights of Orion!" Golden energy enveloped them as they morphed into their powered-up armor.
KuroKishi somersaulted through the air as his blade chopped through a streak of black energy.
"Black slash!" The energized blade slashed through Bezunera with a massive burst of spark.
The Rangers leaned forward in animal-like postures as they dashed towards the villain. They held their swords forward, blades pointed upward.
"Power up mode!" Galaxy Red shouted.
The Rangers flashed and transformed into five globes of energy that combined into a single comet of golden power that shot towards Bezunera. The comet punctured through the monster with a burst of spark, blasted behind the villain, and flashed as the five Rangers rematerialized in mid-air. They twisted to face the villain as they dropped to the ground and landed in animal-like fighting stances.
Secondary explosions of energy sparked across the villain's body. But he reached upward and grasped his remote. The energy from the Lights of Orion attack ebbed from his body and flowed into the remote, fully energizing it.
Bezunera laughed as he turned to face the Galaxy Rangers. "Thank you, Rangers. Thank you. Now…my remote is charged. Prepare to be the first to see my amazing machines of destruction!"
The villain placed the remote near his mouthpiece. "Zenith CarrierZord!"
In the distance, the massive carrier rumbled to life. The carrier arose upright, revealing several launch bays.
"Stratoforce! Centaurus! Launch!"
The carrier launched two groups of five zords. The first group combined to form a blue-armored Megazord: Stratoforce. The second group combined to form a red-armored Megazord: Centaurus.
Bezunera spoke into his remote. "Stratoforce! Centaurus! Attack the Rangers!"
The two enemy Megazords leaned downward and fired pulses of energy that exploded around the Rangers with massive bursts of flame, hurling them through the air.
The Rangers quickly rolled to their feet.
"Star Beasts, arise!" Galaxy Red shouted.
The five giant Seijuu appeared, and the Rangers leapt onto their companions. Galaxy Red armed his Kiba Dagger and held the blade towards the skies. "
"Zord transform!" The Star Beasts transformed into mystical suits of armor as the Rangers dropped into their cockpits.
"Star Beast fusion!" Galaxy Red commanded. "Gingaiou!"
The zords rushed forward and combined into an armored warrior: The GalaxyMegazord, Gingaiou.
The Red Ranger placed his hand over his control console. "Arm up! Gingaiou!"
Golden light pulsed across the Megazord as it transformed into its powered-up armor.
Below, the Black Knight summoned his Star Beast. "Taurozord, charge!"
GoTaurus stomped onto the scene. The zord's eyebeams shot down and enveloped KuroKishi. The Black Knight's body started to expand and grow giant, and heavy plates of armor wrapped around his body.
KuroKishi turned towards his zord. "GoTaurus! Armor merge!"
The Taurozord crackled with energy and rose onto its hind legs. The zord shifted shape and formed a bulky suit of armor. The Black Knight leapt through the air and slid into the zord. The zord clamped shut around KuroKishi.
"Armored Black Knight!" KuroKishi shouted. "BullTaurus!"
The four Megazords faced off with one another. But suddenly, Gingaiou and BullTaurus lowered their weapons. And the Rangers' control consoles stopped spinning.
"What's happening…?" Galaxy Pink asked.
KuroKishi couldn't will his zord to move.
"GoTaurus doesn't want to fight…" he said.
Galaxy Red kept thrusting his hand over his control console. But the console wouldn't respond.
"Neither do GingaLion or the others!" Galaxy Red shouted.
Bezunera watched from below. "Of course they won't fight, Rangers," the villain said. "That's because Centaurus and Stratoforce are the same as your Star Beasts!"
"What?" Galaxy Blue shouted with disbelief.
"It can't be," Galaxy Pink said.
Centaurus stomped forward and bashed its fists against BullTaurus with massive bursts of spark. Stratoforce charged at Gingaiou and slashed the Megazord. The GalaxyMegazord and Armored Black Knight did not fight back.
Centaurus and Stratoforce fired bursts of energy that exploded against the Megazords and knocked them to the ground.
Galaxy Yellow climbed to his feet within his cockpit. "Are those things really Seijuu?"
Bezunera laughed from below. "They're obviously Seijuu. But only in their original forms."
"Original forms?" Galaxy Red asked.
"Count the number of planets destroyed by the Balban," Bezunera said. "Among them was a planet of Star Beasts. All of them, wiped out, their corpses floating aimlessly for hundreds of years. I took these Seijuu, resurrected them, and turned them into machines."
"You bastard…" Galaxy Red said.
"The former Seijuu who fought the Balban to protect their planet are now my puppets," Bezunera said. The villain lifted his controller to his mouthpiece. "GingaRhino. GingaPhoenix. Show your power."
Centaurus armed a rifle, and Stratoforce armed a boomerang.
The GalaxyMegazord and BullTaurus climbed to their feet.
"Stop!" Galaxy Red shouted.
Stratoforce ignited its boomerang with blue energy. The zord hurled the weapon, which slashed the Megazords with massive bursts of spark and electricity.
Centaurus aimed its rifle and fired beams of red power. The beams blasted the Megazords with bursts of spark that whipped them off their feet.
Bezunera laughed with amusement. "Alright. I think the Star Beasts have enjoyed their reunion quite enough." He lifted his control. "Stratoforce. Centaurus. Fall back. We need to tell the Balban the wonderful news…"
The Dark Merchant walked onto the deck of the Balban ship. "So how did you like them? My giant machines, GingaShark, GingaRhino and GingaPhoenix."
Bukarates waddled towards the merchant. "You still haven't mentioned your pay…"
"I'm sure we can come to an arrangement," Bezunera said. "The Rangers' Star Beasts won't fight…They'll be destroyed at once. Unless you miss the opportunity for this bargain."
"Very well…" Capt. Zaihabu said. "Name your price."
"Five boxes of gold coins should do," Bezunera said.
"Five boxes?" Iresia asked. "That's a ludicrous price…"
"Is it?" Bezunera asked. "The captain doesn't seem to think so."
Yattato carried five boxes of coins and laid them at the captain's feet. Capt. Zaihabu flipped open the lids to show the coins.
"There," the captain grunted. "Your payment."
"Perfect," the Dark Merchant said. "Our negation is over."
Iresia took a step back. "Captain!"
Sherinda glared at the general. "Don't be selfish, Iresia."
"Selfish?" Iresia asked defensively.
"Iresia," Zaihabu said. "I will leave you as the general in charge."
He took the remote from the Dark Merchant and handed it to Iresia. "Use this to crush those Star Beasts. You will have our own reward for reviving Daitanix."
Iresia smiled beneath her veil as she took the remote. "Very well, my captain." She looked towards the crew-quarters doors. "Baruki! Come!"
She summoned a bulky monster with a burst of green mist. The creature looked like a yeti, covered with thick green scales, a red face and black chest. Massive claws extended from its hands.
"Baruki…" the monster growled.
Iresia handed the remote to her monster. "Baruki…I'm counting on you."
The rangers regrouped with Moku, Boku and Ryuuta. Even in their lair, they heard the Star Beasts roar aboveground.
"The Seijuu are angry…" Moku said.
Gouki punched the wall. "Kidnapping Star Beasts. Turning them into weapons…and forcing them to fight their friends!"
Saya shook her head. "Is there any way to reach them?"
"It will be difficult," Moku said. "They are completely under the Balban's control."
Ryuuta shook his head with disbelief. "So if they attack again…what will you do?"
Ryouma looked aside.
Hyuuga walked to the nearest table and lifted a string of beads. "Tonight was supposed to be the Star Festival…" he said. "The Star Beasts were born from the stars…to protect the planet. A lot of Seijuu may have died over the years…but the hearts of the Seijuu won't die…"
He lifted the beads and clutched his hand into a fist. "Believe that. And turn all your hearts, your feelings for this planet, into one. That's what the Star Festival is about."
Ryuuta wrinkled his nose. "Turn your hearts into one?"
"That decoration is the symbol of the relationship between the hearts of the Seijuu and the Legendary Warriors," Moku explained.
Ryuuta looked to the decorations. "On a day like that…you can't hurt them. The other Star Beasts…I'm sure they're sad. They have to be."
Ryouma knitted his brow with determination. "Let's save them. Let's turn them back into a force for good."
Hyuuga nodded. "The hearts of the Seijuu won't die."
Baruki stood on a skyscraper in Stone Canyon. He rolled his shoulders and clutched his remote.
"It's been a while since I've been on the battlefield…" he grunted. "I'm going to go all out now…"
The monster lifted the remote. "Zenith CarrierZord!"
The zord drove onto the scene, skid to a halt, and arose upright.
"Stratoforce! Centaurus!" Baruki shouted into the remote.
The carrier launched two groups of five zords. The first group combined to form the blue-armored Stratoforce. The second group combined to form the red-armored Centaurus.
"Destroy the city!" the monster shouted. "And lure out those Star Beasts!"
The Megazords extended their arms and powered up their chest cannons. Centaurus fired pulses of red energy, and Stratoforce fired beams of blue energy. The blasts tore through the city with massive bursts of flame and explosions.
Moku snapped open his eyes within the lair. "The lost Star Beasts are attacking the city!"
"Let's go," Ryouma said to the others as they started to run from the lair.
"Ryouma!" Ryuuta shouted.
Ryouma stopped and looked over his shoulder. He smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. We'll be back in time for the Star Festival. And those other Star Beasts will join us."
Explosions tore through Stone Canyon. Ryouma and the others ran to the scene, and they looked through the smoke to see Centaurus and Stratoforce towering over the city.
Hayate narrowed his eyes and looked around. "Someone has to be controlling them."
Hyuuga nodded. "We'll grab the remote, and break the Seijuu free."
Suddenly, the rangers heard a roar in the distance. They looked to see their own Star Beasts stomp onto the streets.
Gouki smiled at the sight of them. "Seijuu!"
"GingaLion!" Ryouma called to his Star Beast.
The Seijuu faced off with Centaurus and Stratoforce. The lion roared, shaking the streets.
Baruki laughed mockingly. "So, Seijuu. You've come…" He activated his remote. "Centaurus! Stratoforce! Kill them!"
The Seijuu stepped into defenses stances and roared, calling out to their lost companions. They stood steadfast and strong, and pleaded. But the enemy Star Beasts didn't listen.
Centaurus armed his cannon and fired beams of red energy. The blasts exploded around the Seijuu with bursts of spark.
Moku spoke to the rangers through their communicators. "The only way to stop those Star Beasts is to find the controller."
Ryouma nodded. "Let's go."
The rangers split up, ran across the streets and searched for the controller. Ryouma ran with his brother, Gouki paired with Hikaru and Saya joined Hayate.
Above, Baruki shouted into his remote. "Don't hold back! Go all out!"
The evil Star Beasts charged. Centaurus bashed Gingarilla to the ground. And Stratoforce grabbed GingaCondor by the wings, pulled him off his feet and hurled him through the air.
Nearby, Ryouma and Hyuuga hurried up a fire escape and ran onto a rooftop. There, they faced off with Baruki.
"Balban!" Hyuuga shouted.
"We won't let you keep controlling the Star Beasts!" Ryouma shouted. "Hand over that remote!"
"You want it? Come and get it!" Baruki shouted. "Yattato!"
The monster summoned a group of orange-skinned grunts, which landed on the rooftop. The grunts charged to attack.
Ryouma dove aside, rolled to his feet, and flipped a grunt aside. Hyuuga round-kicked a grunt and punched another Yattato off his feet.
Below, the other rangers ran up the fire escape to join their teammates. But Yattato ran down the stairs and ambushed the warriors. They clashed with punches and kicks, bashing the grunts off the stairwell.
They bashed through the last of the soldiers and joined Ryouma and Hyuuga on the rooftop.
Baruki faced the teens after the last Yattato fell. "So…you've gathered. All of you…Come at me at once!"
The rangers armed their morphers.
"Galaxy transform! Ha!" They slapped their bracers. Columns of elemental energy circled around them as they morphed into their armor.
Hyuuga unsheathed his sword and held the blade high.
"Knight Rebirth!" Strands of green energy lashed from the sword's hilt and circled around him. He morphed into the black armor of KuroKishi with a burst of flame.
The Rangers stepped into fighting stances.
"The Sword of Legend cuts through the galaxy!" Galaxy Red shouted. "Star Beast Task Force!" Together, they called out: "Galaxy Rangers!"
"Ginga Break!" Galaxy Red shouted as he pounced like a lion.
The Red Ranger tackled the monster, and they plummeted off the rooftop. They crashed against the plaza below, and Galaxy Red rolled quickly to his feet. His teammates leapt to the ground to join him, and they regrouped to face Baruki.
They charged to attack. But Baruki thrust his hand and fired strands of green energy. The blasts thrashed the Rangers with bursts of spark that whipped them backward.
Above, Stratoforce twisted Gingarilla into an arm lock and held him in place. Centaurus aimed and opened fire, blasting the gorilla with bursts of spark.
The evil zord swung his weapon and fired again, blasting GingaLion, GingaWolf and GingaWildcat.
Moku spoke to the Rangers through their communicators. "Rangers, you must hurry. The Seijuu won't last for long."
Baruki and a group of Yattato charged at the Rangers and split them up with a fierce attack.
The monster targeted Galaxy Red and slashed his claws. Galaxy Red unsheathed his Seijuukin and parried. Baruki clawed again; Galaxy Red dove beneath the blow and rolled to his feet.
Galaxy Green leapt through the air and landed while grabbing the monster's chest. But Baruki swatted the Ranger aside.
Galaxy Yellow and Galaxy Blue dove at the monster's legs, grabbed his ankles, and flipped him off his feet. Baruki crashed, and the remote dropped from his hand and bounced across the ground.
Galaxy Red rolled across the ground and grabbed the remote. He rose into a couched stance, and the other rangers regrouped around him.
"It's ours!" Galaxy Red shouted.
"If you're going to have it, then take it like this!" Baruki shouted.
He thrust his hand with a burst of energy that blasted the remote to pieces.
"With that broken, you'll never be able to control the Star Beasts!" Baruki shouted. "They will carry out their final orders…until they die."
Galaxy Red tightened his grip on his sword. "You bastard…"
The Rangers clawed the ground and reached towards the skies.
"Shine! Lights of Orion!" Golden energy enveloped them as they morphed into their powered-up armor.
The Rangers and Black Knight charged to attack.
KuroKishi somersaulted through the air as his blade chopped through a streak of black energy.
"Black Slash!" The energized blade slashed through Baruki with a massive burst of spark.
The Rangers leaned forward in animal-like postures and dashed towards the monster. They held their swords forward, blades pointed upward.
"Power Up Mode!" Galaxy Red shouted.
The Rangers flashed and transformed into five globes of energy that combined into a single comet of golden power that shot towards Baruki. The comet punctured through the monster with a burst of spark, blasted behind the villain, and flashed as the five Rangers rematerialized in mid-air. They twisted to face the monster as they dropped to the ground and landed in animal-like fighting stances.
Baruki crashed as explosions tore through his body. But before he died, he drank from elixir that coursed through his veins, repaired his wounds, and caused him to grow giant.
The monster wasted no time joining the attack. He kicked GingaWolf, hurling the Star Beast off its feet.
Below, Galaxy Red tightened his hands into fists.
"We have to fight with them. Come on!" he shouted.
The Rangers leapt onto their Star Beasts.
Galaxy Red armed his Kiba Dagger and held the blade towards the skies.
"Zord transform!" The Star Beasts transformed into mystical suits of armor as the Rangers dropped into their cockpits.
"Star Beast fusion!" Galaxy Red commanded. "Gingaiou!"
The zords rushed forward and combined into an armored warrior: The GalaxyMegazord, Gingaiou.
The Red Ranger placed his hand over his control console. "Arm up! Gingaiou!"
Golden light pulsed across the Megazord as it transformed into its powered-up armor.
Below, the Black Knight summoned his Star Beast. "Taurozord, charge!"
GoTaurus stomped onto the scene. The zord's eyebeams shot down and enveloped KuroKishi. The Black Knight's body started to expand and grow giant, and heavy plates of armor wrapped around his body.
KuroKishi turned towards his zord. "GoTaurus! Armor merge!"
The Taurozord crackled with energy and rose onto its hind legs. The zord shifted shape and formed a bulky suit of armor. The Black Knight leapt through the air and slid into the zord. The zord clamped shut around KuroKishi.
"Armored Black Knight!" KuroKishi shouted. "BullTaurus!"
Baruki stood alongside Centaurus and Stratoforce. The monster glared at the Rangers' Megazords.
"Do you really think you can stand up against us?" Baruki taunted.
Centaurus aimed his cannon and fired beams of energy that exploded against the Megazords with bursts of spark.
Galaxy Red staggered within his cockpit. "GingaRhino! GingaPhoenix! You're Star Beasts! You have to remember!"
Stratoforce lunged with swings of his boomerang blade. He slashed the GalaxyMegazord and Armored Black Knight with bursts of spark.
Centaurus charged, swung his fists, and bashed the Megazords off their feet. The zords crashed and skid across the street.
Baruki thrust his hand with bolts of energy that thrashed the Megazords, tearing their armor with bursts of spark.
Slowly, the GalaxyMegazord and Armored Black Knight climbed to their feet. Stratoforce and Centaurus stomped towards the zords.
"GingaRhino!" Galaxy Red shouted. "GingaPhoenix! Stop!"
Stratoforce slashed Gingaiou with bursts of spark. And Centaurus blasted the Megazord, knocking it back several steps.
"We're your allies!" Galaxy Yellow shouted.
"We should be fighting together!" Galaxy Blue shouted.
Galaxy Green placed his hand on his chest. "Your hearts haven't died! Wake up!"
Baruki laughed at the Rangers pleas. "They are just mere puppets now."
"You're wrong!" Galaxy Red shouted. "The hearts of the Star Beasts are still alive!"
"Give it up!" Baruki shouted. He thrust his hand with bursts of green energy that blasted the Megazord off its feet. "Now…the final blow!"
Stratoforce lifted his blade, and Centaurus aimed his blaster.
Gingaiou rolled onto his side, and the Star Beasts roared, pleading with their lost allies.
"GingaRhino! GingaPhoenix!" Galaxy Red shouted. "You're Star Beasts! Star Beasts that protect the planet!"
Gingaiou roared, the combined plea of his five components.
Stratoforce and Centaurus hesitated. Gingaiou's pleas stirred something deep inside of them. And those feeling erupted, exploding into righteous anger.
The two zords turned on Baruki. Their faces glowed with light and reverted to normal, and they howled at the Balban monster.
"It can't be…" Baruki said.
Centaurus fired beams of energy that exploded against the monster.
Stratoforce energized his blade and hurled the weapon; it slashed through Baruki with massive bursts of spark, and he dropped to his knees.
Centaurus and Stratoforce helped the GalaxyMegazord and BullTaurus to their feet.
"GingaRhino…GingaPhoenix…" Galaxy Red said with relief.
The Star Beasts roared in unison, reunited at last.
Baruki growled. "You traitors! I'll destroy you all!"
The monster charged to attack. And Centaurus returned the charge. The Megazord bashed its fists against the monster with bursts of spark, knocking him several steps backward.
Stratoforce leapt through the air with a flying side-kick that bashed Baruki off his feet, hurling him through the air.
Slowly, Baruki climbed to his feet. But before he could attack, explosions blasted his body. He looked to his left to see the Zenith Carrier drive to the scene. The zord roared, free from the Balban's control.
The zord opened fire, blasting the monster with bursts of spark.
The GalaxyMegazord armed its sword.
"GalaxyMegazord Saber!" Galaxy Red shouted. "Blazing Slash!"
GalaxyMegazord held its sword back; golden energy washed along the blade until the entire saber pulsed with light. Gingaiou chopped the sword through a streak of energy that slashed Baruki and tore a gaping hole through the monster's body. The villain stumbled backward as his energy overloaded and exploded.
Bezunera sat on his treasure chests within the Balban ship. "It can't be…to think that the Star Beasts could reclaim their hearts…"
Yattato rushed into the room and pushed the villain off the treasure. They started taking the chests away.
"Bezunera…" Capt. Zaihabu said. "You failed. We'll be taking your payment. And…your ship."
"My ship?" Bezunera said. "But, my captain-"
"Stop groveling, Dark Merchant," the captain said. "You work for me now…"
The rangers started the Star Festival that night. They set up a tree decorated with beads, and tables stacked with plates of fruits.
"The Warrior's Oath…" Hyuuga said.
The rangers placed their right fists against their left palms. Ryuuta joined them: "'If a warrior falls into battle or despair, their spirit will not forget peace. Nor will their soul forget their friends. The power they have, is all that they have. But their friendships give power to contain misery and sorrow. To protect this forest. This planet. And all planets. To protect the stars.'"
Behind them, the Star Beasts, Centaurus, Stratoforce and Zenith towered above the trees and roared with renewed determination.
Ryuuta looked up at them and smiled. "I'm glad they could come…that we could all be here together."
Ryouma placed a hand on his shoulder. "Me too, Ryuuta. Me too…"
To be continued…