(We pick up moments ago, outside what used to be the Youth Center. Trini awakens after being blindsided trying to enter the palace that has replaced hers and her friends' home away from home for the past several years.)

Trini: …

(Trying to reorient herself, she rises to a knee and finds that she's been placed center stage of the former parking lot. She's surrounded by an audience of monsters; effectively a barricade to her escape. She finds Archerina looking straight across from her. A chilling expressionless stare on her face.)

Archerina: Big man to throw his girl in harm's way.

(She refers to Robbie, Archerina's intended target.)

Archerina: Guess you didn't mean so much to him.

Trini: You don't know a thing about him.

Katherine: No, but I do.

Trini: (Gasps) …

(Before Trini's eyes, Archerina morphs into one of the teens, whose likenesses she's hijacked. She does it again.)

Tanya: I do too.

(And again…)

Kimberly: I consoled him when you broke his heart.

(And again…)

Aisha: And I could never measure up to you. So I became the object of ridicule. I just wanted to fit in. I just wanted to help people, you know?

(And again…)

Tommy: I saw him grow into a leader. Which he only did when you left. When you stopped holding him back.

(And again…)

Adam: Then I saw him throw it all away. When you came back.

Trini: Stop it! You're none of these people.

Rocky: I'm all of these people. I'm all of their anger and disappointment. Their heartache and suffering. I share all of their feelings and oh, there are many. You will face them as they exact revenge for what you've done.

Trini: I'm sorry! I let each of you down.

(She morphs once more…)

Jason: Sorry isn't good enough.

("Jason" marches over and grabs her by the throat.)

Jason: You will pay for what you've done to us. And with your spilled blood, he will pay for what he's done to me. You will die for his cowardice!

(In a swift motion, "Jason's" arms swing back as Prince Gasket's blade materializes, he then points it directly into her abdomen and motions to finish her without hesitation. Suddenly, a loud, unexpected mushroom cloud builds directly to their right in the crowd. It clears out several rows of monsters. Stunned, "Jason" puts Trini down, who immediately scurries away. Archerina returns to her original form.)

Archerina: What's going on?! Finster, what is wrong with your monsters?!

(The answer soon becomes apparent. The remaining monsters on that side step away, clearing the path forward for a team of party crashers: the Alien Rangers, followed by Trey.)

Archerina: What?! You're alive?! Rito?! Where's Rito?!

(Elsewhere...)

Rito: ...

(Rito is seen flying down the highway with a look of sheer terror in his eyes as he tries to get as far away as possible. After failing to confirm the deaths of his targets and obtain their powers, he zooms by a sign that reads "Welcome to Ohio." Back in Angel Grove…)

Trey: And that's not all.

(Then they step aside, down the middle, as a seventh figure enters. Without a clear view of who it is, the person walks down past the rangers and past any monsters without fear of them. The person then walks on stage. And stares down a stunned and visibly shaken Archerina.)

Robbie: If you want me Archerina, you got me.

Archerina: ...

Robbie: Zeo Zero. Brown.

Archerina: GET THEM!

(On cue, the swarm of monsters from Rita and Zedd's past rush the stage. Robbie and co. huddle quickly huddle together and brace themselves. Robbie gives a last second pep talk.)

Robbie: Alright guys. We hold the line at all costs. Hold nothing back.

"Right."

(They stand shoulder to shoulder as incoming traffic encircles them. Then simultaneously, they each answer back with a kick that sets off a domino effect of monsters falling backwards over one another. The rangers spring into action, spreading into different parts of the crowd.)

Trini: …

(Meanwhile, Trini who's run off, sets her eyes back to the side door of the palace. She finds her opening in the mayhem and starts briskly inching forward; stopped only when the Peckster soars by her and is drilled into a nearby tree. For good measure, she hits him with a kick of her own then continues for the door.)

Trini: (Sighs) It's locked...

(She pulls at a deadbolt chain around the hook of the door. Far too thick for her to break with her bare hands, she looks around for something to break the chains. She can barely make out the trees through the forest as all she finds are clusters of bodies throwing themselves around the tight parking lot. She is able to find Robbie, squaring off with an old friend.)

Monstermatician: Brown ranger!

(The corrupt "math teacher" throws an elbow that is caught. They jockey for leverage.)

Monstermatician: Been doing your homework?

Robbie: You bet. I'm even set to graduate.

Monstermatician: Tsk, tsk. Yet another failure of the public school system.

Robbie: Funny. But I'm not the person you met three years ago. You're gonna have to throw a lot more than math problems to stop me.

(Robbie uses all his force to create some space, then kicks him in the abdomen to push him back further. Monstermatician reaches for his magic ruler which emits energy.)

Monstermatician: Oh yeah? Then tell me, what's a lowly ranger divided by two? Hal-

(His body is yanked backwards. He finds Trini behind him as the wand misfires back toward the door. Robbie capitalizes and fires away at the distracted monster with his pistol until his target collapses lifelessly to the ground, bouncing off the pavement.)

Robbie: Trick question. I've never been alone.

(With merely a quick smile and a gentle wave at her fiancé, Trini ducks back through the crowd. She dodges a fumbling Pipe Brain who eats a kick from Delphine, avoids the attention of a sneering Snizzard, who gets intercepted by Corcus. And leaps over an Eye Guy helplessly feeling around for a pair of glasses. She finally makes it to the door and is able to rip the chains off before entering. She breathes a huge sigh of relieve, though she knows the hard part has just begun. She reaches for a communication device in her ear.)

Trini: Zordon, Zordon I've infiltrated the palace. I'm inside.

Zordon: Good. Now be very careful. My best guess is that the rangers are located in what used to be Baboo's laboratory. It is a large multi room space taking up an entire floor just below the main hall. It would be otherwise unused by the Empire.

Trini: Okay. Wait, Baboo had a laboratory. He was a scientist?

Zordon: It is critical that you remain undetected. Both on your way up and during extraction. Teleportation is blocked in the vicinity and unfortunately there is no help in here to override their shields.

Trini: ...right.

Zordon: I must now disconnect to avoid blowing your cover.

Trini: Okay. Wish me luck.

Zordon: I have faith in you, Trini Kwan. You are among the most resourceful and cunning people I've ever had the honor of meeting. You do not need luck.

(She exhales. Letting his words sink in.)

Trini: Thank you. Trini out.

(She disconnects, then looks up the flight of stairs ahead of her.)

Trini: I'm no Billy. Or Baboo, apparently.

(She starts up the spiral staircase that looks like it goes on forever.)

Trini: I hope you're okay, Billy. All of you.

(Meanwhile…)

Billy: ...

(Billy is seen, apparently alive but not awake, inside a large glass tube. A metal contraption wrapped around his mouth and over his head. His arms are secured with needles sticking into his forearms. His eyes twitch.)

"What's going on?"

(He seems to think aloud.)

Billy: I sense something going on. But I can't... I can't see anything.

"I think we're being rescued."

(Another voice calls, as if conversing with Billy.)

Katherine: I saw Trini. Which must mean Robbie's coming to save us.

Adam: I doubt it.

(Adam chimes in, telepathically.)

Adam: Don't put your faith in false prophets, Adam. He showed his true colors.

Rocky: He's gonna save us. Just watch. You're gonna look so stupid.

Adam: At least then we'll have something in common.

Tanya: I don't know, Rocky. For all we know, Trini could just be Archerina's next victim. She could be joining us in this room as we speak.

(The conversation quickly falls silent.)

Billy: Trini? You there?

Jason: She's not gonna be here, Billy.

(Jason speaks with a tone of certainty.)

Jason: I saw her. I-I nearly… I had her by the throat her with Gasket's sword in my hand. Things went dark after that. But… I don't think Archerina wants her in this room.

(The room again, falls silent.)

Kimberly: Um. I have a question.

(Kimberly eventually speaks up.)

Kimberly: Why is it that we can hear each other, but no one else in this room?

Billy: I've thought about that. I-I can only deduce that, everyone else has been captive so long. That they've been lost to time. They're likely not with us, because they're… no longer with us.

Kimberly: Oh.

(Once more, silence.)

Kimberly: I hate this place.

Jason: I just hope you're right, Rocky. I hope Robbie hasn't forgotten us. He's the only one of us left.

Adam: Don't you understand? He isn't one of us anymore. He left the team.

Tommy: With all due respect, Adam, that's a load of crap. You're saying then when I left the team I no longer mattered? I no longer cared?

(Tommy finally speaks up, with a surprising opinion and a change of heart. Adam doesn't reply.)

Tommy: He hasn't just forgotten about us. Being a ranger was everything to him. It's in his blood. I wouldn't have nominated him as leader otherwise. And you don't forget that, or the friendships you made, just because you hand in your morpher. He'll be here. I bet my life on it.

(The room again falls quiet, but this time, there's an air of reassurance.)

Katherine: Tommy...?

Tommy: Yeah, Katherine?

Katherine: I… don't mean to say this, in front of everyone. But, in case I don't get another chance. What you said to me… when you got captured. I just wanted to say… thank you. It really meant a lot to me.

(She waits for a reply that doesn't come.)

Katherine: …Tommy?

Billy: He's gone, Kat.

(Back outside, Robbie is surprisingly cleaning house quite handily. So effective, that a remix of a familiar musical tune plays in the background.)

"Go brown ranger, go."

(Riding the wave, he bursts through the line of monsters throwing themselves at him one by one. Channeling a level of swiftness and power he'd never felt before as he tears through them like a hot knife through butter.)

"Goldar's gonna get you, tonight. Don't let Archerina put a spell on your might."

(Dispatching Madame Woe, declawing Catty Cat, and out maneuvering the slow yet powerful Frankenstein monster, he rides the unstoppable wave until he's the last one at the center of the stage.)

"Sui-yaa!"

(Or so he thought. As his legs give out beneath, he looks up to find Zeo Ranger 5, red, staring back at him.)

"Go brown ranger, go, go!"

Robbie: Ugh…

Tommy: "Sui-yaa." Is that something I say?

Robbie: …

Tommy: Mwahaha. Now you'll finally know what I've known for four long years. Who would win if we got into a fight?

("Tommy" continues walking toward his target until Robbie finds himself directly staring up at him. Still dazed, and momentarily paralyzed from the preciseness of the strike that took him down, he's lifted up by the neck, like all of Archerina's other victims.)

Tommy: Though, I'm sure you already know the answer too.

Robbie: I do.

Tommy: ...

Robbie: I'd kick your ass.

(He lands a hard kick to the gut out of sheer desperation, freeing him from the chokehold. Back on his feet, Robbie lunges forward with a high kick. It's blocked with a forearm. He drops his left leg and raises the other for a roundhouse kick, but "Tommy" ducks backwards. The brown ranger then drops to a knee and throws his hardest jab, but gets swiped away. "Tommy" lifts his leg high and tries to respond by diving it into his spine, but Robbie rolls to safety at the last moment.)

Robbie: (Exhales) ...

(He looks down at the spot he was just standing on and sees her foot has cratered the earth beneath it.)

Robbie: …

(Robbie pulls out his laser pistol and begins blasting away at Archerina. Only every shot reflects off her.)

Tommy: You wanna use the grid energy to beat me? I AM THE GRID.

(Her voice echoes and sounds demonic by the end.)

Robbie: Now that's something Tommy might say.

(Robbie throws the pistol at his target, but it barely reaches he before it stops in midair. "Tommy" uses telekinetic powers to force it back the other way. Robbie ducks as it barely misses his head. He can feel it whizzing over him as it bursts into a ball of energy behind him.)

Robbie: …man.

Tommy: Your useless weapons and your uncoordinated strikes are no match for me. You rely too much on toys, brown ranger. You should've taken one of my karate classes. But you were too busy kissing up on bookworms with low self-esteem.

Robbie: ...

Tommy: Now you face justice. You will look in the eyes of each and every one of us, and you will answer for everything you've ever wronged us with. You will die at our hands.

Robbie: I've known them a lot longer than you. You'll excuse if that doesn't fill me with worry.

Tommy: THEN WORRY ABOUT THIS.

(A rush of energy pulls him into the air, and rips him over "Tommy's" head. He's slammed him into the ground on the opposite end. The air rushes from his lungs. The impact causes his knees of hyper-extend, but competes with a shooting, debilitating pain that enwraps his entire body.)

Robbie: Ah…

(Archerina drops the act and returns to her original form. Her tone, much more business-like than before.)

Archerina: I amuse you with the façade of a fair fight. But let it be known that I can finish you at any time. I simply wanted you to know why you needed to be extinguished like the vermin you are. But make no mistake, your moments are numbered.

(It dawns on him that "killing her" is not the straight forward task that he thought it would be. And so, he'll have to shift his priorities on the spot.)

Archerina: This isn't about world domination. I couldn't care less is the world burns the moment I'm finished with you. As long as I finish you. You took something away from me. You took my will to live. And so, I'll have to beat you until I take away yours.

(While on his knees facing the ground, she kicks him, digging her heels into his abdomen. Weak and short of breath, he rolls off the stage to helplessly get away.)

Archerina: You can run, but you can't hide from your sins.

Robbie: I just need to keep her busy… get the others out safe. Don't let me down Trini. Please.

(Meanwhile…)

Trini: Don't fall down, Trini. Please don't fall down.

(Trini clings to the wall of the now seemingly insurmountable staircase, that looks like it goes into the sky. No guardrail, and no break or plateau, just stairs. It dawns on her that she's climbing a big empty vessel of nothing but stairs. A tall and imposing structure for the sake of tall and imposing; a microcosm for the philosophy of villains like Rita and Zedd.)

Trini: Finally…

(At last, or at least she found something. A door. She's still a ways from the top but figures the only room so far is worth checking out. She peeks inside.)

Trini: It looks like a storage area. Or like an unused guest room.

(She quickly hushes up, as she hears voices from the other room.)

"(Giggling) They have no idea we're here."

"Shh. Let them all kill each other. You're what I'm celebrating tonight, honey."

"Oh baby!"

(While bemused, she figures there's nothing else here of any interest and heads for the door. Suddenly a familiar voice cries out from the stairs.)

"Did you pack everything?!"

Trini: (Gasps) …!

"Yes my dear."

(Panicked, Trini lunges into the nearest closet. Rita and Zedd enter the storage room. Luggage in hand.)

Rita: Did you pack Finster's special cream?

Lord Zedd: Yes. Though he wouldn't need the stupid cream if he'd stop messing with his stitches.

Rita: You try putting that cone on him. He turns into a rabid animal.

Lord Zedd: You have to roll him on his back when he does that. Show's him who's boss.

Rita: I keep telling you, that's abuse.

Trini: (Whispers) …they're leaving?

Lord Zedd: When is this taxi showing up?

Rita: Any minute now.

Lord Zedd: I can't believe this is what we've been reduced to. Fleeing. Our own party no less.

Rita: Face it, the world has passed us by. All this Archerina and crazy stalker stuff is just too much.

Lord Zedd: I remember the good old days when turning some meaningless personal item into a monster can fill up an entire afternoon.

Rita: That lighthearted nonsense doesn't cut it anymore. People don't want lighthearted. They want monsters with depth.

Lord Zedd: You're saying our monsters lack depth?!

(A loud explosion is heard.)

Trini: (Gasps) …!

(From the other room, the Lip Syncher wanders outside covered in ash. Looking dazed.)

Lip Syncher: He said he was close to blowing. I had no idea what he meant.

Rita: …

Lord Zedd: You're right, let's get out of here.

(Trini tries her best to remain perfectly still and perfectly silent. And awaits the first extended silence so that she can get out. She waits a little longer just to be sure, then finally opens the closet door.)

Rita: YOU.

(Greeting her on the other side is Rita, who eyes her down hard.)

Trini: (Gasps) …!

(Frozen still, unprepared for such a heavy duty confrontation as Rita simply tries to compute why she's even here. Then it suddenly clicks. A sadistic smile comes across her face.)

Rita: They're upstairs. Elevators in the back.

Trini: Wha-

(Rita points with her head behind her, then simply leaves.)

Rita: Dig the dominatrix suit, by the way. But you may want to save something for the honeymoon.

Trini: (Exhales) …

(Meanwhile...)

Archerina: You took the only thing that mattered to me. And in return, I've taken the painstaking effort of hunting down each and every one of your friends, using their weaknesses against them…

Robbie: …

(On the ground, Robbie drags himself towards cover, behind a stack of milk crates. While Archerina remains center stage, reciting her manifesto.)

Archerina: …then extracting and consuming an amount of energy that will no doubt destroy me. But it will all be worth it in the end, because I get to witness you in utter agony for their suffering. You get to face and lament every mistake you've ever made. It will all be worth it as it will result in sweet, sweet vengean-

Robbie: Oh, shut your damn mouth already.

Archerina: What?

Robbie: I'm so sick of hearing this garbage.

Archerina: H-How dare you?

Robbie: You're full of crap, Archerina. If that's even your real name.

Archerina: ...

Robbie: I've heard of your past work. You rule the Rose Bud galaxy? Is that some sort of gentleman's club?

Archerina: You know nothing.

Robbie: I know that those you get close to tend to disappear. Same goes for their loved ones. You're no jilted lover. You're an opportunistic drifter.

Archerina: That's not true.

Robbie: You use people. Then discard them when they're no longer any use to you. Gasket wrote his death sentence when he shacked up with you. I saved him the heartache of the inevitable.

Archerina: Shut your mouth.

Robbie: You didn't love any of those people. You didn't love Gasket. You probably don't even know what love means.

Archerina: SILENCE.

(Her voice again echoes demonically. This time, he can feel the ground quiver beneath him.)

Archerina: YOU DON'T KNOW ME. YOU DON'T KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT ME.

Robbie: ...

(Then, surprisingly, she stops momentarily. She pulls her head toward her chest and looks away shamefully.)

Archerina: The others. They were... mistakes.

Robbie: You made a lot of mistakes then.

Archerina: I have. I've hurt people. But Gasket. He was different. He made me different. He was my fresh start.

Robbie: ...

(A long silence ensues. Robbie, who's in disbelief, takes an ample amount of time to simply register what he just heard. Archerina continues.)

Archerina: Haven't you ever met someone? Who... answers all your questions? Who brings meaning to a meaningless existence? Who awakens you, from a lifelong slumber?

Robbie: ...

(He has.)

Archerina: I found mine. And you... You took him from me. You darkened the light, just as I was finally able to see.

(The sounds of fighting around them mysteriously pipe down. As if they've become the only ones in the parking lot.)

Robbie: …sorry.

Archerina: What?!

(He pulls himself up.)

Robbie: I'm… sorry. Archerina, I didn't know what he meant to you. And I'm honestly sorry my actions caused you so much pain. But I hope you understand, I was only protecting those I care about. You of all people should understand.

(She pauses. As if only considering that now for the first time. It doesn't last long however.)

Archerina: What you're doing... it won't work.

Robbie: What?

Archerina: You think with a few warm words you can somehow appeal to my good side. I have no good side. It died with Gasket.

Robbie: ...

Archerina: I lost the love of my life. The only person I will ever love again. You don't know me. And you will never understand my pain.

Robbie: I do. Know pain. I've lost loved ones. In fact, that's all I've ever known. And that's why I'm here. Because I can't bear the thought of losing more. That's why I can't let you have your way.

Archerina: …

Robbie: I lived in darkness. I lived with anger. At the world. At myself. I never knew I had anything to offer anybody, and I honestly didn't know why I was put on this earth. Or if anyone would notice if I left it.

Archerina: Until you met her?

Robbie: No. Until I met them.

(Meanwhile, Trini arrives inside the bright laboratory. Thus, beginning her search for the teens. Robbie continues.)

Robbie: They've each... filled me with life. And purpose. Each of them fit to take on the world. And they've inspired me to go out and do the same. When I'm in their company, I'm 12 feet tall and can slay dragons. I would do anything for each of them. I would lay down my life to protect them. Without hesitation. Even Adam.

Tommy: …

(From inside their pods, the teens have ceased twitching, seemingly intently. Almost as if they're each somehow tuned into what Archerina is hearing.)

Robbie: One of them turned out to be my soulmate. But all of them had a hand in making me good enough for her. But you, you threaten them. To spite me. So, with all due respect, I need to stop you. This can be peaceful or not. But you're not leaving today victorious. I'll give my life just to end your games. You may be out to ruin my happy ending. But I'll gladly re-write the story if I have to.

(Trini enters the large white sterile room. And is horrifyingly overwhelmed to find that her friends are lost among the sea of hundreds being treated lab specimen. Some of which, human.)

Archerina: How truly moving.

(As she creeps through the hauntingly empty space, Trini looks at each victim that was held captive and tries to apply a story to their faces. Many different species, most of whom likely innocent souls, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Others possibly jilted lovers, or trophies for eradicating an obstacle.)

Archerina: But I must disagree with your last statement. As a romantic, I'd never want to destroy somebody's happy ending. I simply value life, and more importantly, love, too much.

(Inside the laboratory, Trini stops. Something catches her eye. The customer. The girl who turned out to be Archerina in disguise. The girl in that dating show. Plucked straight out of medieval times by the looks of her clothing. Naturally, she would have died of natural causes a long time ago. But, Trini looks closely at the helmet over her head and finds a dark residue. That was the cause of death.

Trini: …

(As she looks around, she finds that each of pod has that one thing in common. They've all been fried. Robbed of their individuality. Forever an empty vessel in Archerina's arsenal. Suddenly, a muffled noise in the distance.)

Trini: Huh?!

(She rushes toward the sound to find Katherine groaning in distress. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head, her body convulsing as if trying to rip herself out of her own skin. The helmet begins emitting a troubling sound, sending Trini into a panic.)

Trini: Katherine!

(She throws herself against the glass, looking for a way to get Katherine out of it. She's sealed, with no visible opening. She tries banging on it, but it's no use. She hears other groans too, and is suddenly surrounded by it in the previously silent room.)

Trini: Hang on!

Archerina: But you, you're different. You affected me in a deeply personal level. I cannot let that go unpunished. And your willingness to sacrifice yourself, while poetic, doesn't change the fact that I still have them captive. I can simply take their lives when I'm done with you.

Robbie: …

(She runs up and down, frantic for something to break open the door. Finally, she comes across a fire hydrant hung on the wall. She grabs it and heads back to Katherine's pod and begins slamming it against the glass, repeatedly. Finally, it begins to crack. Her hands grow weak from the sudden impact, so she drops the hydrant and starts kicking the broken glass through. Finally she reaches Katherine on the other side. She reaches for Kat's arms and yanks the helmet off. It's hot to the touch, but isn't emitting any sort of voltage. Yet.)

Archerina: I would rob you of your honorable sacrifice. Wouldn't that be the ultimate revenge?

Robbie: (Shrugs) I'd be dead. You'd be doing it for nothing. But you'd become the savage you despise.

Archerina: ...

Robbie: But, it doesn't have to end this way. You can leave. Never come back.

(She pauses.)

Archerina: I can't allow that. You don't get your happy ending. Not when you've taken mine.

Robbie: (Sighs)...

(He turns his head and mutters to himself.)

Robbie: Worth a shot.

Archerina: You must –Ugh.

(She stops, mid-thought. She doubles over as if all her energy had rushed from her body.)

Robbie: Huh?

"Robbie."

(His communicator activates.)

Zordon: The rangers are free.

Robbie: You mean, Trini got them out?

Zordon: Some yes. The others, were released.

(He looks back at her. Could it be? Before him, he finds a discarded sword. He walks toward it and picks it up. And tries the logical next step.)

Robbie: Surrender.

(He carefully inches toward her. And a peaceful resolution. He gets close to Archerina; who looks defeated.)

Robbie: It's over, Archerina.

(Then, she looks up.)

Archerina: AND I'M TAKING YOU WITH ME.

(She raises her right hand and shoves it forward. A force lifts Robbie off the ground and throws him backwards. He collides, hard, into the unforgiving palace wall. His head bounces off the side, shattering the back of his helmet. He tumbles to the ground, leaving behind a human sized crack along the wall. Archerina gets back to her feet. And, as if she's found her groove again, walks her sultry walk toward him.)

Archerina: I guess you were right. You're the only one I ever wanted.

Robbie: …

Archerina: (Whispers seductively) You're all I need.

(Meanwhile…)

Kimberly: Trini… thank god. I'm so glad to see your face again.

(Grateful to be able to, Kimberly greets her old friend with a tight embrace.)

Trini: Me too, girl. I wish it were under better circumstances.

(Trini pulls back.)

Trini: I think we should talk about that "everyone loves the white girl" comment.

Kimberly: After we talk about your costume first.

(Embarrassed, she pulls the red jacket over her uncharacteristically exposed torso.)

Trini: It's what had to be done to save my friends.

Tommy: Thanks. I knew you and Rob wouldn't let us down.

Trini: I wasn't sure you did. Given the last time we saw you.

Tommy: Yeah. Sorry for what I said. I was taken off guard. I got a little emotional.

Trini: A little?

Tommy: Okay, I reacted poorly. I said some things about you that weren't fair. Can you forgive me?

Trini: Of course, Tommy. I forgive you.

Adam: Um. I hate to ruin the feel goods, but we kinda should get out of here.

Trini: You think there's anyone else in here we can rescue?

(Billy shakes his head.)

Billy: Doubtful.

Trini: …

Rocky: You guys!

(Rocky, whose has wandered, finds something to near a control panel.)

Rocky: Look, there's a book here.

Trini: What is it?

(Trini runs over.)

Trini: It's a spell book! Didn't Finster take your powers through a grid corrupting spell?

Billy: Well, maybe the trick to reversing it is inside.

Aisha: What does it say, Rocky?

(Rocky opens the book.)

Rocky: To my darling wife, Karen. You were alwa-

Aisha: Skip ahead, dufus!

"Hey!"

Jason: Oh no…

(From the front, Goldar appears, followed by an army of cogs.)

Goldar: You don't belong here…

Kimberly: Goldar? Are you serious? You mean he's still a thing?

Goldar: …

Billy: Yep. He just piggy backs from one villain to the next. Like some sad groupie, past her prime.

Jason: Remember his "promotion," where they gave him wings that didn't work?

Goldar: …

Kimberly: Oh my god, I forgot he had wings.

Aisha: (Laughs) So did everybody else.

Goldar: Silence. Nobody makes a mockery of Goldar. I will take great pride in crushing you powerless rangers. ATTAAAACK!

Aisha: What do we do?

Tanya: We don't have our powers…

(Trini steps forward boldly.)

Trini: We fight!

Tommy: Yeah. Once a ranger…

Jason: Always a ranger!

(They charge together, for one more battle.)

Archerina: For Gasket.

(Outside, Archerina stands over Robbie's lifeless body. Her blade in hand as she is knelled over him, ready to bury it into his chest.)

Robbie: …

(He kicks the blade away, stunning Archerina. The flailing leg comes back around and drills her straight across the face. She comes down as he wills himself to a knee. He finds one last gasp, as if channeling the energy of his friends. "Go, Go Power Rangers blare as they collectively clean house.)

Tommy: Sui-yaa!

(Tommy, like an unchained animal, begins ripping through a horde of enemies, floating through the air as he kicks down one monster to the next. Without every touching the ground.)

Tommy: Sui-yaa! (X10)

(He then drops to the ground and performs a marry-go-round with his left leg that topples anyone within his reach. All the while repeating his favorite phrase.)

Tommy: Sui-yaa! Yeah. Nobody says it better than he original. Huh?!

(He looks ahead and sees Katherine out-numbered. She wastes no breath in bee-lining toward her rescue. He grabs the enemy behind her, and slams their head into the side of a pod. Allowing Katherine to rebound and boot her enemy against the side of the control panel, setting off a small explosion.)

Tommy: Are you okay?

Katherine: Yeah. Thank you.

(It's their first moment alone since Tommy tried to open himself up to her and got captured. He didn't actually open up to her, but the moment weighs heavily in both their minds nonetheless.)

Tommy: No. Thank you Kat. For everything.

Katherine: (Smiles) …

(Meanwhile, Rocky lunges toward a row of cogs and drops them like pins. Aisha throws wild haymakers at anything that moves in front of her. Billy evades, then evades, then evades, until he's backed up against another enemy; a rock and a hard place. He then evades again, ducking a slash with a sharp object, that rips its partners head off. Billy capitalizes and drills the enemy in the abdomen before taking it down. Kimberly passes by, backflipping through the crowd as a swarm of cogs tail her. She stops before a favorable spot, then jumps out of the way, allowing the first one to leap headfirst into one of the pods.)

Kimberly: Just like old times.

(Adam and Tanya team up in their own corner, tossing enemies back and forth to one another like a ping pong game, giving them no quarter to breathe. Trini finds her form, landing stiff kicks in front of her, ducking any offense and coming back with her vintage chops. At the center of it all though, Goldar faces off against Jason.)

Goldar: I bet it's nice to see all your old ranger friends for this little reunion. Everyone is here. Well, almost everyone.

Jason: ...

Goldar: I just wish I could've poor Zacky's face from the ship when he knew his life was up. I bet you saw it, though.

Jason: ...

Goldar: I can help you see him again, if you just sit still. Hehehe.

Jason: Keep taking, Goldar. You're just writing yourself a check you won't be able to cash.

Goldar: Is that so? How do you expect that to be with the whole army of the empire and you and your friends without your powers?

Jason: You're about to find out.

(Goldar looks around. The room has been cleared of enemies and he's now surrounded by Billy, Adam, Rcoky, Katherine, Trini and Aisha, closing in.)

Goldar: Huh?! How... you don't have powers!

Rocky: We don't need no stinkin powers.

Jason: You're finished, Goldar.

Goldar: What do you expect to happen? You think I you'll finally be able to destroy me? Or do you think I'm gonna run away? Because Goldar runs from nobody.

Adam: Are you serious?

Kimberly: That's like, all you do.

Rocky: Yeah. It's like a running gag at this point.

Goldar: Har-har. You laugh at Goldar's expense. Let's see how much you'll be laughing when my friend just behind you gets through with you.

(They turn, but find nothing. They turn back around and find Goldar bolting for the exits.)

Jason: Get him!

Trini: Don't let him get away.

(Goldar darts up the back steps and into the main hall. He finds no reprieve as he hears the rangers tailing behind him, but sees daylight at the balcony. He runs toward it, his wings re-sprouted. But, before he can escape to freedom, he's stopped.)

Tanya: Hold it!

(Tanya and Tommy leap out of nowhere to grab him just as he takes off. He pulls them against the balcony with the momentum pulling them off their feet. They both glance down at what looks to be a fifty-story drop. Yet, they hang on, not wanting Goldar to get away. Finally, they feel Goldar being pulled back into the ground, and restrained.)

Jason: You're not going anywhere.

(Panting, the others catch up to Jason who pulled ahead.)

Katherine: Tommy!

Kimberly: Hey. That's... my line.

Goldar: Let go of me.

Jason: Not until you answer for what you've done.

Goldar: Arg. I was just following orders. I was working with Mondo. I didn't even know who I was attacking when I blasted the UN building.

(With his back against a wall, Goldar begins to grovel desperately, which both surprises and sickens the onlooking teens.)

Aisha: How pathetic.

Billy: He's got no true allegiance and never owns up when caught.

Goldar: It's true. I latch onto the winning team and have no true sense of identity. I'll join you if you let me. I'll help you stop Archerina.

Tommy: Wow.

Trini: Your cowardice is impressive.

Goldar: Thank you.

Jason: Sadly, I don't think we have room for you Goldar. You're gonna have to answer to Zordon.

(Jason grab his arms but Goldar resists.)

Goldar: NEVER!

(His blade rematerializes as he swings wildly. Just missing Jason who stumbles. Tommy jumps in his place and lands a roundhouse kick that knocks him back. Aisha throws her hardest punch to his lower back, pushing him back. He swings his leg arm at Tommy who skips backwards, but Goldar is too slow for Kimberly who front flips in front of him and floats in the air with a butterfly kick. He staggers. Adam and Tanya tack on, both running toward him with drop kicks from both sides. He wobbles toward the balcony. Defensively, he boots away Rocky to creates some space. But it starts to dawn on Goldar that he may not be able to simply flee this time around with some exiting quip. He may have stuck around for too long. He's grabbed by Katherine, and struggles to break free. )

Goldar: Let go.

Katherine: No.

Goldar: Grr. I never did like you. I always thought it was a mistake for Rita to recruit you.

Katherine: I'm sorry to prove you right. Trini, now!

Trini: Hi-ya!

(Out of nowhere, Trini lunges in like a missile and kicks him over the top of the balcony. As he clears it, every mistake he's ever made, every regret he's ever had from every sellout of an ally to hitch to another wagon comes back to him in a split second. They've all lead to this moment.)

Goldar: Huh?!

(He's stopped suddenly. He looks up, Jason is grabbing him, barely, with both hands. The rest of the team join him to look over the balcony, but don't help right away.)

Goldar: Why are you-?

Jason: We're not like you. We only kill those that put us in imminent threat.

Tommy: And you're clearly no threat.

(Those words. A fate worse than death to a warrior like Goldar.)

Jason: Last chance Goldar, surrender. Now.

Goldar: I'd rather die.

(As Jason begins to lose his grip. Goldar suddenly hears the voice of another, not in this room. But perhaps in his subconscious. It comes from behind the team. He looks up again, and he swears, he could see him there, whispering in Jason's ear.)

Zack: You heard the man.

(The grips loosens, and Goldar falls. He teens look over silently for several seconds before a loud boom, followed by an explosion. Jason backs away.)

Jason: Consider your debt paid.

Trini: We should get out of here. I'll call for our getaway.

Tommy: Right. Lead the way.

(Trini does so, and other follow behind.)

Kimberly: Couldn't he just fly?

(Outside, the fight between Robbie and Archerina is going less favorably than the others with Goldar.)

Robbie: She just too powerful…

(Robbie falls in and out of consciousness, following the impact against the castle wall, which no doubt has given him a severe head injury.)

Archerina: A valiant effort, I'll give you that. Perhaps you're not the selfish I pegged you to be after all. Maybe you do care about people other than yourself.

Robbie: …

(Standing over him, she picks up his limp body.)

Archerina: Still, it doesn't change what must be done before I can achieve inner peace. Whether you get a sense of honor out of it is irrelevant to me. The outcome must be the same.

(She draws the blade of her late husband. She leans in and whispers in his ear.)

Archerina: This is for Gasket.

(She cocks her arm back.)

"THEY'VE ESCAPED!"

Archerina: Huh?

(She turns to see the teens bursting out from the side door, she looks back and gets a punch to the face by Robbie, who awakens just in time to save his own life. With what remaining fight he has left he calls out for back up.)

Robbie: Look out! Trey! Aquitians! Protect them!

(A hail of gun fire is aimed in their direction as Trini leads the teens out of the palace. She calls for back up.)

Trini: Targets have been rescued. I repeat, targets have been recused. I need Evac, stat! Don't screw this up!

(Every monster suddenly stops what they're doing and tails them. They're shadowed by the gold and the alien rangers, followed by Robbie who somehow pulls ahead of the latter two. Unbelieving that this plan is actually gonna work, he's found a jolt of energy in spite of an empty gas tank. From his peripherals though, he sees a white glove grab him by the shoulders. He's pulled to the ground by the white Aquatian ranger.)

Robbie: Ahh! What are you doing?!

(A blast goes off between the teens and their cover; Robbie nearly missing the brunt of it.)

Delphine: You're welcome.

(Just ahead, the teens make it to the curb.)

Trini: Where are they?! Bulk?! Skull?!

Adam: Oh man. The fate of our lives is in her their hands? Talk about a tactical error.

(Infuriated by that comment, she unloads.)

Trini: We were kinda short on help, Adam. You were pretty busy needing your ass rescued.

Adam: ...

Trini: Another word about me, this plan, or the man risking his life who you supposedly don't like and I swear, I'll drag you right back where you would've ended up.

(With no one coming to his defense, he sheepishly throws up his arms.)

Adam: Never said I don't like him...

Tommy: Aw man. Company!

(From behind, Archerina approaches the group, staring through the crowd.)

Jason: Get her!

(The teens throw themselves at her, but she disposes of each of them swiftly and effortlessly. She gets through the group and stops before Trini, who looks up at her. Fearful, yet boldly.)

Trini: You lost.

Archerina: ...

Trini: So much for needing you to find the old Trini. Turns out, I never left.

(She puts her hand around Trini's throat but contemplates her next move. Trini doesn't move. After a while, Archerina let's go, then heads back.)

Trini: ...?

(Behind her, the van arrives.)

Bulk: Sorry we're late. Skull over here wanted to drop for fudge.

Skull: Right. Like any of them buy that it was my decision.

(From the power chamber...)

Zordon: Rangers, do you read me?

(Tommy accepts the call, but turns away from Bulk and Skull's earshot.)

Tommy: Tommy here.

Zordon: It is good to hear your voice again.

Tommy: (Exhales) Trust me, the feelings mutual.

Zordon: Our primary objective is complete. Return to the power chamber at once.

Tommy: You don't have to tell me twice.

(He disconnects.)

Tommy: Let's get out of here guys, while we still can.

Katherine: Wait, where's Robbie?! He was with us a moment ago.

Trini: (Gasps)...

Tommy: Robbie?!

Trini: Robbie!

(He walks from a distance, triumphantly, toward them. Helmet on his side. He collapses to a knee however just as he reaches the curb. Trini rushes to his side.)

Trini: Sweetie. You okay?

Robbie: I'm fine. Better now.

Trini: You're bleeding.

Robbie: Just internally.

Trini: I'm sorry…

(She softly runs her hands through his hair.)

Trini: She really did a number on you.

Robbie: You should see what I did to her.

(The others join in.)

Robbie: Surprised to see me?

Tommy: Not at all.

Robbie: Glad to see all my friends in one place. You too, Aisha.

Aisha: (Rolls eyes) Nice to see you too, Rob.

(He stops and eyes Trini. And finally takes in the outfit)

Robbie: You look…

(She turns away, almost ashamedly.)

Robbie: Gorgeous.

(She looks back, beaming. Then leans in and hugs him. The others join, and form a large group hug.)

Tommy: Hey Rob.

Robbie: Yeah?

Tommy: In what world do you think you can kick my ass?

Robbie: Try me, Oliver.

(They pull back. He gets back on his feet.)

Bulk: Y-y-y-you're the… brown ranger?!

(He slowly hobbles over and merrily puts his hands on both their shoulders.)

Robbie: I am.

Bulk: I can't believe it.

Skull: This whole time?

Robbie: (Nods) This whole time.

Skull: Uh… this is incredible.

Bulk: Uh… we'll keep your secret. It's safe with us!

Robbie: Oh, I know.

(He slams both their heads together. They collapse to the floor, unconscious.)

Katherine: Robbie!

Tanya: What are you doing?!

Robbie: Take them both back to the power chamber. Get their memories erased.

(They pause.)

Billy: That's… not a bad idea. To protect our identities?

Robbie: Sure. And so they don't charge me for finding you.

Billy: Right…

Robbie: Is anyone else fit to drive?

Trini: I can.

(Trini steps forward.)

Trini: C'mon. Let's get out of here.

(She enters. They all do, but Robbie doesn't. He turns back. In the distance, Archerina is back in the parking lot. Staring at him.)

Trini: Are you coming?

(After turning back, he shakes his head.)

Robbie: I can't.

Trini: What do you mean?

Robbie: I'm… not finished.

Trini: …

Robbie: It isn't over. Not until she's taken care of.

(She hops out.)

Trini: Then I'm going with you. Somebody else will have to dr-

Robbie: No. You need to leave.

(He stops her from moving any further.)

Trini: Absolutely not. No. I can't leave you. I can stay. I know I don't have my powers, but I can do this.

(He puts his hands softly at her waist, and holds her close to him.)

Robbie: I know you can. And that's why I love you. You're capable of such incredible things. I mean, look at you.

Trini: …

Robbie: And that's why you should stay behind.

(He caresses his hand across her cheek. Tears begin forming instantly. He hands over his helmet.)

Trini: I… love you too.

(She turns away. Kimberly has come out to console. He takes a couple more steps forward.)

Robbie: Hey guys. There's a… something I wanted to tell you guys. About what all of you mean to me...

Jason: Tell us when you get back.

(He doesn't reply. He just grins, nods and heads back.)

Zordon: Aquitian Rangers, Trey, disengage immediately. Archerina's power levels have become dangerously erratic. The Zeo Crystal's are destroying their host. An implosion is imminent if combat persists. I repeat, disengage.

Robbie: …

Zordon: Robbie, why are you heading back?

(Zordon's voice bellows through his communicator.)

Zordon: You must leave. You cannot defeat her on your own. You mus-

(He disconnects. Robbie hobbles back toward the stage across from Archerina. She's emitting sparks out of her exposed wiring. She's clearly unwell, but is unbothered by any of it. Instead, she looks impressed by Robbie's actions.)

Archerina: You didn't leave with your friends. What a surprise.

Robbie: About as much a surprise as you not killing my friends.

Archerina: ...

Robbie: They're not who you're after. They're props to get to me. They'll continue to be props as long as we continue to coexist. That needs to be fixed, right now.

Archerina: A strong, and smart man. You remind me of my ex-husband.

Robbie: A delusional, and manipulative harlot. You remind me of my ex-girlfriend.

Archerina: Ha! And he's funny too.

Robbie: Drop the act, Archerina. Let's finish this now.

(She places her hands to her face, summoning Gaskets blade once more.)

Archerina: As you wish.

(Archerina bolts for Robbie, who at this point is too weakened to defend himself, or jump out of the way, but knows there is no other place for him to be at this moment. So as the good soldier, he braces himself. Knowing by doing so he is holding the line for his friends to get to safety.)

Robbie: ...

(Robbie begins seeing flashes of his past as she approaches with her late husband's blade. Specifically, Robbie envisions the past four years and all the amazing people he's met that helped shape him into the man he's become. Those friends he's lost along the way, who he wasn't able to save. A swell of emotion rises to his chest as he pictures each of their faces. This is for them.)

Archerina: Haaarahhh!

(Robbie flinches. Archerina dives the sword deep into his abdomen. The taste of blood comes to his mouth, but surprisingly, it doesn't hurt. Instead a dull numbness takes over his entire body. She leans in and whispers in his ear.)

Archerina: See you in hell... huh? Ugh...

(She looks down, finding the brown Zeo crystal buried into her abdomen. She has walked right into his trap. Robbie leans in and whispers into her ear.)

Robbie: I'm taking you with me.

Archerina: ...

(The sudden spike in Zeo energy causes terminal instability. A bright ball of energy grows from the site of impalement, until it turns into a loud explosion. It engulfs both of them in a ball of light.)

Zordon: Rangers, the Zeo morphing grid is imploding. Disengage immediately. An explosion is imminent. I repeat disengage and get out of there.

(In the RV, Trini overhears the order while speeding down the highway.)

Trini: (Gasps) I have to go back.

Tommy: Trini, you can't.

Trini: I can't leave him!

Tommy: Trini... we have to go.

Trini: ...

(She continues down the southbound path. Unable to take her eyes off the rearview mirror. The ball of energy bursts up and outward and then quickly dissipates. But not before colliding with the Empire's palace. The home base of evil, once occupied by Rita and Zedd, completely crumbles at the base then collapses onto the pavement of the parking lot. Where Robbie stood.)

Trini: ...

(Sometime later…)

"This just in, the last of the rubble has just been cleared from the former site of the Youth Center."

(Inside a modest suburban home, Trini enters her bedroom in her pajamas. The TV is on in the background as she dries off her hair with a towel.)

"Officials believe studying the materials extracted may aid in efforts to understand and better combat future invasions."

Trini: ...

(She pays the Television little mind, and offers no expression to what she hears.)

"The area was overtaken by the Machine Empires forces, then destroyed in an explosion. Police believe Roberto Clemente, an Angel Grove youth who was found at the scene, was responsible. Clemente was said to have aspirations to join the military. In honor of his heroics. The US president has decided to award him with the Purple Heart. He will be the first private citizen to ever-"

(The TV is shut off. Trini throws the remote aside. She sits atop her bed and opens up her diary. She reaches for her pen to enter her first entry in some time.)

"The war is over. The Empire has been defeated. Rita and Zedd have retreated. And will never return. Against all odds, and in the face of the greatest threat we have ever known, we won. But, at what costs?

As we start to rebuild what we've lost, we must never forget what it took to give us this opportunity. We suffered many losses. Brave warriors, who cut their own stories short, so that our stories can have a happy ending. This future is paved by the sacrifices of those warriors, who will never get to see it."

(Cut to the power chamber, back to that day. The entire team, past, present, even Trey and the Aquitian rangers huddle toward the back. With somber looks in their eyes, they face a memorial that Alpha recently put up. Trini is at the front, holding something with both hands as she takes a few steps forward.)

"And while we will still face many challenges, new enemies ahead. We will face them, and we will defeat them. Together..."

(She stops just in front of the memorial. She looks down at her hands; a plaque that reads a new name: ROBERTO CLEMENTE.)

Trini: ...

(She looks back up at the memorial, then down at the plaque again. She then turns back, looking through the crowd, until she finds it: the brown ranger's helmet, resting atop the control panel. Badly damaged, but handed to her in victory. Then, without saying a word, she turns back and leaves the power chamber. )

Trini: ...in their honor.

(Cut to the present, in Angel Grove Park. Trini finishes a speech, taken straight from her diary. She's met with a warm applause from the city's residents. Amongst those in the crowd are her friends. All of those who have experienced the same loss she has, each visibly shaken and processing it in their own way. As Trini shakes the mayor's hand and slowly steps off the stage, they walk toward her without prompting. They greet her with a big hug. Katherine in front, she leans in and whispers in her ear.)

Katherine: He'll never be forgotten. We won't ever let that happen.

(Trini can barely contain her grief. This is the first time since it all took place that she has a moment to truly digest it. It's her first moment of calm in a very long time, and that's when it truly struck her that she'd be experiencing it without him. She can barely contain her quivering lip as she musters out a weak reply.)

Trini: Th-thank you.

(She returns to the embrace, and completely breaks down in Katherine's arms. The others join in again, a somber start to their happily ever after. Wishing some parts along the way went a little differently. Wishing some lines could be taken back. Wishing there were more of them here to enjoy this story's conclusion.)

THE END