Onboard their ship, Tann and his three subordinates prepared the robot known as Orpheus for departure. "Are the batteries secure in their prison?", the Emperor asked.

"All are unconscious in their cubicles.", the robotic Galvahex reported.

"And our estimated time to arrival?"

It was Algrin who answered this. "We should be on the planet's surface within one earth hour."

Tann smiled at this. "Good. Then we will depart within half that time. Then the Earth will be mine for the taking."

He then commenced laughing at his own assumed impending victory. While he was doing this, "Halatia" went over to a communications array and sent a coded message, directed on a frequency she knew that only the Flying Ranger team would get. She could only hope they received it in time.

Down on Earth, Carrie had decided to call her father, in the event that whatever the Dominion's latest scheme actually proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back. But as he was out at his business, she merely left him a message on his answering machine. "Father, it's me. We have been through some rough spots since I last spoke to you. The aliens have a new boss who is an even tougher enemy than the old boss. We have survived attempts by him to take our powers, but in the process, we have lost our secret base. Now they are up to something involving missing people and I am not sure if everyone will be coming back from this latest campaign alive. If I am indeed a casualty of this, then I wish you to know that you should not be grieving for my death. Just know that, like Mother, I will be going out satisfied with my life, knowing that I did my part to help protect this planet." With that said, she hung off.

Meanwhile, Wayne was sending a similar last message to his brother. "Hey, Ian, how're you? Me, I've been involved in what could possibly the end of the world. Hopefully I can stop it, so that you can live your dream of being a teacher. Anyway, I'm probably not gonna have time to say goodbye to Mom and Dad, so make sure to pass on this meassage to them."

As both finished their messages, they received the same alert on their communicators. It was a message from Gordon. "Everyone, come to the air base ASAP. We have something you should see."

As Wayne hung off and made his way to the location, he was watched by the mysterious figure that had appeared the previous night. "The Flying Rangers.", the figure said to himself. "Once I halt your timeline, my future will be restored."

At the air base, the Rangers and the Avions all gathered in the hangar. "Alright, Gordon. What did you call us here for?", Mark asked.

"We've received this message.", Gordon answered. "And it hails from behind the enemy lines." She played the message they had received. The voice was distorted, as to prevent any hint of their identity.

"Rangers. I'm risking everything to send you this message, so I'll be quick. Tann's taken the people from Winter Valley in order to power his own robot, known as Orpheus. He intends to deploy it to Earth shortly in order to crush you beneath his feet. Good luck in stopping this threat."

Everyone in the room was shocked by the message, but one thing stood out to Steven. "Someone on the Dominion's ship has our frequency. But who?"

"I think that should be obvious.", Mark said in response. "My girlfriend Mary, or rather the alternate persona possessing her." Mark was unaware that said alternate persona had been wiped away by Wayne about two weeks back.

"But the question is why?", Lulu brought up. "This is the second time she's helped us in as many days.", referring to "Halatia" having helped them escape from the cell in the Nest.

Before any further discussion could take place, everyone was rocked by a sudden tremor. "Was that an earthquake?", Carrie asked, before dismissing it. "It can't have been. That was too artificial."

Gordon went over and examined a monitor display. "Somethings appeared in the city, almost 100 meters tall."

"That would be 'Orpheus'", Wayne commented. "Looks like your girlfriend came through for us, Goodman. Glad to know she hasn't taken our attempts to kill her too seriously."

"This isn't the time for snide remarks.", Mark replied. "Let's get out there, team." The other 4 nodded and followed him.

"We should help them in the Falcon.", Gliderak suggested. Aluze nodded and they were about to leave, only to be stopped by the same mysterious man. "Sir, do you mind? We need to get through."

"No you don't.", the man insisted. "If you do, this world will be doomed to a horrible future."

In the city, a large obelisk had appeared. It glowed briefly before transforming into the robotic Orpheus. Inside the robot's upper body, Tann and his subordinates sat in a cockpit. "Now, to activate my instrument of destruction.", Tann declared, pressing a button. A set of eyes opened on the robot, as it began moving through the city, unleashing destruction with a laser that required a small steam valve to activate.

Take Off! Go, Go!

Orpheus was turned around to come faceplate to faceplate with the Icarus, which was manned by all 5 Rangers, fully morphed. Tann made his declaration, which he had decided to accentuate with a moving mouth. "Rangers. For too long have you interfered with our plans for your planet. But that ends today, as will you and your pathetic Icarus."

However, the Rangers were filled with laughter instead of fear. "Is that a moving mouth?", Lulu asked. "Was that really worth the materials the hydraulics require?"

"He couldn't even sync it up with his voice.", Carrie added. "Some terrifying weapon."

"Let's just see how tough this thing is.", Wayne stated. He then made the first move in the fight. "Flying Knuckle!" The Icarus' right hand detached from its arm and flew at Orpheus, knocking it back.

In their cockpit, the 4 commanders were buffeted by the hit. "What is the meaning of this, Tann?", Algrin called out. "You said this hunk of junk had none of the Icarus' weaknesses."

"Evidently their weaknesses do not include their own weaponry.", Galvahex commented.

"Will you two shut up?", Tann growled. "I just need to optimise the battle computer to effectively fight back. It should only take a few seconds."

But in the Icarus, Mark wasn't going to give them those seconds. "The old tricks are all good, but let's go with something newer. Wing Axe!" The Icarus summoned its axe and swung it down on the enemy multiple times, eventually knocking them down.

"Man, this is almost two easy.", Steven said as he rubbed his hands together.

The Icarus then launched its AviMace at the enemy, who had returned to standing position. But this time, Tann was able to counter their attack by having Orpheus karate chop the weapon, breaking it in two. "The battle computer is now functioning.", Tann announced. "NOW we will defeat them."

Back at the base, Gliderak and Aluze had watched the whole thing occur. "I know what you're thinking.", said the man. "But you can't go out there."

"Why should we listen to you?", Gliderak demanded. "We don't even know your name."

"Rushton. Yas Rushton."

"Well Yas Rushton, I have one thing to say to you." Gliderak walked up to Rushton and punched him in the face, knocking him down. "You're not the boss of us." He and Aluze then ran out to the Falcon Corde, leaving Gordon alone with Rushton.

"I think I should have you talk with some people I know.", Gordon said to him, before going over to a terminal and pressing a call button. "Captain Rolfe, I've got someone I think we should talk with."

Back in the city, Orpheus had begun pummelling the Icarus with its sword, getting in multiple hits and throwing its opponent to the ground, before shooting it with its beam. The Rangers were buffeted by the shock. "You can't defeat me, Rangers.", the Orpheus' moving mouth announced with Tann's voice. While still slightly silly, it seemed less so now.

F-F-F-Falcon!

The Falcon Megazord came flying down, piloted by the two Avions. "Activating Falcon Kick.", Aluze announced. The Falcon tried to attack Orpheus, only to be knocked down with the beam attack and wrapped by a tendril on the back of the enemy robot.

"What's happening?", Gliderak announced. "We were near unbeatable the last time we used the Falcon."

"Last time, there were three of us piloting.", Aluze pointed out. "If only Avior was here."

"Well he isn't.", Tann said mockingly. Orpheus then began throwing the Falcon back and forth, eventually crashing it on top of a building.

The Rangers, having been unmorphed by their last hit, saw the whole thing play out. "Gliderak.", Mark called out. "We can't beat him separately. We have to combine our powers."

"Okay.", Gliderak radioed back. "Let's do it."

The two robot stood up and made their way towards each other. They reached out to touch each other and begin the combination.

"Oh no.", Tann declared. "There's no retreat into your Ultrazord for you." Orpheus charged forward, grabbed the two before they could make contact and threw them back onto the ground. "And to make sure." He grabbed the Icarus with the tendril and lifted it into the air, before slashing at it with his sword.

In their cockpit, the Rangers felt the sparks from every blow. "We can't hold out much longer.", Carrie reported. "One more strong hit and we're done for."

"'One more strong hit'?", Tann said in response to this statement. "Why thank you for the idea."

Mary, realising that he was about to win once and for all, decided to say something in the spur of the moment. "Good work, my Emperor. Once you defeat the Rangers, the glory of victory will be yours." She said this, knowing that Algrin would want that honour for himself.

Algrin thought about how close to victory he had come and came to a decision. "I shall be he one to finish these fools, not you." He knocked Tann out of his seat and assumed the controls for himself. However, he had no idea of how to operate the systems and Tann wasn't knocked out.

"Algrin, you idiot.", Tann growled as he knocked his subordinate back. "You dare continue to defy me?"

With the pilot temporarily occupied, Orpheus shut down. "What's going on?", asked Lulu.

"Whatever it is," Mark said, pressing a button "I'm taking advantage of it. Icarus Saber!" The Icarus summoned its primary weapon and stabbed the enemy robot through the head, causing it to drop them.

In their control room, the 4 commanders were showered with sparks. "Curse you.", Tann growled. "We'll finish this later." He pressed a button, which caused Orpheus to fly away on invisible wings.

In their respective cockpits, the 7 protectors of Earth breathed a collective sigh of relief. "What do we do now?", Gliderak asked. "They're not just going to go away."

"We fall back for now.", Mark answered. "We make the necessary repairs and then we think of a way to stop that thing."

Back on their ship, Tann had chained Algrin to the wall and was now slashing him. "I can't risk you destroying my operation again. Until Earth is in our hands, I'm leaving you here. I'll decide your fate when we get back." He then walked over to "Halatia". "I know you put him up to this latest act of insubordination."

"Moi?", "Halatia" said sarcastically. "Why would you ever think that?"

"You've been acting strange since I arrived on your planet, 'Princess'. I don't know what that robot and my sister saw in using you, but I'm having my doubts about it." Tann then materialised his sword in his hand. "At the first hint of sabotage or betrayal, you won't be a problem to anyone anymore."

In the head of Orpheus, Galvahex finished fixing together severed wires. All the while he was thinking about the human Mary James. She was becoming more daring and openly rebellious against Algrin and Tann. He understood that she wished to go home, but would she be able to get there safely. "The repairs to Orpheus are now complete, my Emperor.", he reported.

"Good.", Tann said in response. "Then we can get back to attacking the Earth as soon as possible."

Back at the air base, the 5 Rangers returned to find Gordon, now joined by Ratcliffe, Caldwell and the various military personnel they all knew (other than the missing Corporal Jarvis) all waiting there with the captive Rushton. "This man says he has some words for you.", Captain Rolfe told them.

"We'll get to work on repairing the Icarus and the Falcon.", Caldwell said, as he and Ratcliffe left to do so.

"I'll only speak with these Rangers in confidence.", Rushton said, insistently.

Wayne grabbed a hold of him. "I can live with that." He then dragged the man outside, with the other 4 Rangers following him. After everyone had left the room and closed the door, Wayne began the questions. "Okay, buddy. What's your deal in being here?"

"I came back from the year 3020.", Rushton answered. "And in case you primitive savages doubt my story, then I still have his." He pulled out a small box, with buttons and blinking lights.

"It looks like a disco set controller.", Carrie said. "That doesn't prove anything."

"Oh really?", Rushton said, realising he had underestimated the people of this era. "Then perhaps this will prove it." He pressed a series of buttons, causing them to be hit with several ripples. When they had ceased, the Rangers saw that the environment had changed from the corridor of an air base to a plain forest. "What do you think now?"

"He's probably just invented a short-range teleport system.", Lulu suggested. "After all, its the same principle as what we use to beam up into our vehicles."

As she finished talking however, a band of men on horseback wearing 1870's apparel galloped past them. "I'm convinced.", Mark said. "Now how about you take us back to our time and explain what you're doing in our era. From what Gliderak said about you, Yas Rushton, you don't seem to want us to fight Orpheus."

Rushton complied with the first request, beaming them back into the corridor. "I'm a member of an organisation dedicated to preserving the flow of historical events. We detected a massive anomaly from this era, that was tearing our era apart and replacing it with a new one. When observing your era, we discovered your team."

"And that was a big deal why?", Steven asked.

"Because you shouldn't exist!", came the answer. "The Power Rangers aren't supposed to be known on Earth for another year. I figured your continued existence was creating the anomaly, so I went back in time to stop your existence. I would've had it erased entirely, but this was the earliest my machine would allow me to travel. So instead of stopping your existence, I've merely settled for stopping you in your tracks."

The whole group were flabbergasted at this explanation. "Hold on a minute, pal.", Wayne said, slightly annoyed. "You are aware we're kind of in the middle of a campaign that could decide the fate of the Earth. And you want us to simply give up and let them win?"

Rushton nodded. "If it means protecting my present, yes."

As he said this, an alarm sounded. "Alert! Alert! The enemy has reappeared in the city. Everyone prepare for immediate response."

Mark and the others looked at the siren, and then back at the time traveller. "You might be trying to save your present, but right now, we need to save ours.", Mark said to him. The 5 then ran off down the corridors to the hangar where the two robots were waiting for them.

"If that's your answer," Rushton said. "I'll have to take matters into my own hands." He pressed buttons on his device, vanishing once more.

In the city, Orpheus was once more on the rampage, this time with one empty seat. "Where are you, Rangers?", Tann demanded. "Come out and face me." Instead of the Rangers, he instead received greetings from Dash Boxer, who began running circles around him. After a while, Tann got bored and simply decided to trip his opponent up. "Do you really think you can escape me using your lowly minion as a distraction?", Tann declared. "Well think again." He used Orpheus' tendril to ensnare the emend robot and smash it down several times.

In their own cockpit, the Rangers watched the whole scene play out. "Poor Boxer.", Lulu said solemnly.

"He's doing his job in buying us time.", Mark assured her. "Now we can combine."

As Orpheus had crushed Dash Boxer literally beneath its heel, it looked up to see the Birdonic Ultrazord flying towards it. The Ultrazord launched a kick to its enemy's chest, only to be knocked down. "Well that wasn't very effective.", Steven offered.

"Don't give up hope.", Mark said. His monitor briefly flashed with an image of someone in the engine room, only to return to normal view a second later. As such, he ignored it. "We can still finish this."

The Ultrazord and the Orpheus grappled briefly, with neither side gaining the advantage. From the ground, Yas Rushton looked up. "Hopefully, if my plan succeeded, the future will soon be safe."

"Alright, let's finish this.", Mark declared, thrusting his levers forwards. "Black Hole Crusher!"

The Ultrazord fired its twin beams of matter and antimatter at the enemy. However, the attack had less power than normal, so the enemy robot came out unharmed. "Was that supposed to hurt?", Tann asked mockingly.

"What happened?", Mark asked. "Why didn't it work?"

"We've lost power to the main core.", Carrie said in response. "We're about to shut down entirely." Sure enough, the Ultrazord ended up frozen in place, unable to move.

"Oh dear, if only you'd checked to make sure your primary energy circuit was intact.", Rushton said, as he fingered the metal cylinder in his hand.

Taking advantage of its enemy's power loss, Orpheus launched a second tendril, which penetrated the metal skin of the Ultrazord's chest, forming a tunnel. Inside, Tann adressed a party of Bio-Roids. "Make sure to capture the Rangers alive.", the Emperor demanded. "I wish to make them suffer by watching the destruction of their planet."

Inside their cockpit, the Rnagers were knocked back to human form by the shock of the tendril's impact. "We can't keep defending anymore.", Wayne yelled.

"Then we won't.", Mark said in response. "We get out of here and return when the situation settles down."

"Ok.", everyone nodded as they all made their way out of the main cockpit and towards the nearest emergency exit. However en route, they were ambushed by the Bio-Roids, with only Mark and Wayne making it out safely.

"What happened?", asked Mark. "Where are the others?"

"I don't know.", replied Wayne. "We got separated after that ambush."

"Mark Goodman." The two looked up to see Tann standing on the chest of his robot, with Steven and the girls restrained by Bio-Roids. "I have taken three of your comrades, just as you have taken 3 of mine." He referred to his right and left hands Cannant and Equiptile and his sister Uuhcura. "The difference is that I am allowing yours to live for now. At least, until our next, decisive battle." With that speech delivered, he and his robot turned around and faded out, presumably teleporting back to their ship.

Wayne was worried at this turn of events. "What do we do now?"