When we last left the Cosmic Defenders, they had begun a quest to locate 4 Cosmo Spheres that could allow them to penetrate the barrier surrounding the Dark Nebula, the home system of Gingaku. Yuri led 6 of the Rangers to search for one on the planet Tategami, where he was marooned all those years ago. When they arrived on the planet, the presence within Yuri reasserted itself, locating its original body and revealing itself as Astral Leo, the progenitor of the Cosmo Spheres. Yuri also came face to face with the mysterious Dark Soul, facing him in a duel. However, during the duel, Dark Soul's mask was broken, revealing Yuri's friend Gregory, who he assumed lost, is the one who had tried to destroy him several times.

Planet Tategami, the Lion Galaxy.

The Rangers could only stare with stunned expressions at the reveal of their enemy's identity. "It can't be…", Mila gasped. "Yuri's friend… is also his worst enemy?"

"Former friend.", Gregory snarled. "I'm not one to forget things easily, especially with what he did to me."

"But Gregory and Dark Soul were in the same place at the same time.", Tarrant pointed out. "Yuri, Mila and Scales all saw it."

"No they didn't.", Myron pointed out. "They saw Gregory in chains, before Squideyasu teleported him away and then Dark Soul showed up, after enough time had elapsed to allow him to change back into his suit."

Heath then showed up, running out of the woods with something in his hands. "Guys, you won't believe what I've found out." He then took a good look at the scene that had elapsed. "I see that you've found out something even more unbelievable."

"'Unbelievable' is right.", the Pegasus Armour attached to Myron commented. "This is actually the second most shocking thing today."

"But we still don't know why.", Yuri asked, demorphing in an attempt to defuse the tension. "Why would you try and kill me, your friend?"

"'Friend'?", Gregory said scornfully. "You left me to rot on the shuttle. And I've been waiting for the moment where I would get to kill you." He punched Yuri to the ground and prepared to bash his head in with a rock. However, he was shot back by the arrival of the Shooting Star ship, which flew in overhead. Yuri summoned Astral Leo, taking the opportunity to transport everyone back up to the ship and take off. "This isn't the end, Yuri. I will get you!", Dark Soul growled. Then he noticed something glowing in the rubble, which he smiled at upon closer inspection.

The Shooting Star Ship.

The party from Tategami breathed a sigh of relief. "How did your mission go?", Drago asked, as he held up the Andromeda-40 Cosmo Sphere. "Because ours was pretty successful."

"At least one of our searches turned something out,", Myron said. "Sure, we found out the truth behind Yuri's other half, the fate of his friend Gregory and two Cosmo Spheres, one old, one new. But we weren't able to find what we set out to find."

Slash and Jiro recapped the events that had occurred on the planet. "My word.", Winda said with shock. "That does seem to be a lot of information to take in."

"So, Yuri's other half is the one who ensured we'd go on this quest.", was all Cobras had to say. "It would make sense of a lot of Yuri's unusual abilities."

"But how did he and Yuri come together in the first place?", Barry asked. "That's the thing I still can't get."

As if on cue, the Leo-77 Sphere flew into Yuri's Morpher, pushing itself forward. Yuri was filled with an aura, which caused him to transform into Astral Leo's armour. "Allow me to answer that, young one.", the lion's voice said.

Everyone was taken aback by this. "Fascinating.", Corvelia said. "Astral Leo can use his Cosmo Sphere to make the change of personas in Yuri more controllable."

Astral Leo ignored her and carried on. "I slept for thousands of years on the planet Tategami, waiting for the moment when I would be required. As I awoke, I sensed that one of the other twelve chosen warriors was nearby. I also sensed that his life was in danger. So I transformed into my truest form and prevented his falling to his doom. But in that opportunity, I was attacked by the Gingaku fleet, fragmenting my body and sending my energies into the nearest available container… Yuri's subconscious. I had to suppress his memories to install myself, and I used the last of my energy to make the Lion-01 appear and accept Yuri as it's host. Then I fell into dormancy, barely able to manifest except during moments where it was necessary."

"Well what will you do now?", Scales asked. "You've got your main body back."

"For now, Yuri will continue to use my power and I shall remain in his body.", came the answer. "But he will be able to call upon my power to aid him at any time." Then the Sphere removed itself from the Morpher, reverting Yuri to normal. "Well that was certainly a revelation.", Yuri said. "But we still need to know how Gregory became a fanatical Gingaku clansman who hates my guts."

"I think I can answer that.", Heath said as he pulled out a device covered in wires. "This is the black box from your ship. It could tell us something if we plug it in."

"Well what're we waiting for?", Slash asked. "Let's do it."

Planet Kaien, the Lion Galaxy.

Dark Soul, still without his mask and sword, stumbled into the throne room. "Well, look what the lion dragged in.", Coiloga said to him. "You've got a lot of nerve coming back here after that embarrassing performance."

"Not to mention costing me my second-in-command.", Balistas added. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just have you destroyed here and now."

"I have this.", Dark Soul said, holding out the Perseus-36 Cosmo Sphere. "It's one of the Cosmo Spheres the Rangers are seeking. That fool Tenticat was using it to power his translator, not realising its real value."

Coiloga perked up at this, taking the Sphere from his associate's hand. "This is satisfactory. How about I send you back to Planet Black to receive a boost? That way, you might have a chance against the Red Ranger next time."

Dark Soul nodded. "I can accept that." He turned and began to walk back to his ship.

"So what do we do with this thing?", Balistas asked. "Don't tell me you're planning to bottle and sell its energy."

"Oh I've got something better in mind.", Coiloga said, laughing slightly. "Do you still have that special skill of yours?"

"You know it. Why do you ask?"

Coiloga turned to his partner in crime. "Let's just say we need a message from the Princess."

The Shooting Star Ship.

The Rangers had plugged the black box into the central terminal. They had begun replaying its contents, having come to the point where Yuri had fled the ship, while Gregory was buried beneath rubble, begging for help. And then who should show up, but "Coiloga.", Yuri said disdainfully. "I should've known he had a hand in Gregory's corruption."

Heath saw looks of disdain coming from the faces of half the Rangers. "I assume you all have some bad blood with Coiloga.", he said.

"I can understand that.", Corvelia added. "He's a real scumbag." This caused Myron to eye her suspiciously. "Or so I've heard.", she said to cover herself.

Yuri ignored all this, instead focusing on the words said in the footage. "What's going on?", Gregory asked. "Who are you?"

"I'm the one who saved your life.", Coiloga said with all the honesty of a snake. "Especially after your friend abandoned you."

"You're lying.", Gregory insisted. "Yuri wouldn't do that. We've been close since kindergarten."

"If you're so close, then why did he just walk out on you?", Coiloga asked. "He deserted you to make for the planet below, while you stay here with no way to be rescued immediately. Except by me."

Gregory thought about this, before getting angry. "I can believe Yuri would just abandon me. Especially after all we've been through together. If I ever see him again, I'll kill him!"

"I can help you with that.", Coiloga informed him. "If you come with me back to my Master's home planet, you can become a powerful warrior. Your friend won't be able to overcome your revenge. Now then, what's your name?"

Gregory stood up, the rubble having been lifted. "My old name is of no consequence. When Yuri and I meet again, I want him to know that he left behind a very dark soul bent on his destruction." Then the image cut out.

"So Gregory decided to kill Yuri 'cause he was left behind.", Jiro summarised. "Seems kind of anticlimactic, when you think about it."

Then, before the conversation could continue further, a transmission appeared on the screen. When they turned it on, they were greeted by a young woman in a green dress with black gloves. "That's Viera.", Winda commented. "Princess of the Lion Galaxy. I wonder what she'll have to say."

"My people.", Viera stated. "Reports indicate that the terrorists known as the Power Rangers have breached our Lion Galaxy and hope to supplant our ruling class, replacing it with chaos. "Thus, I am issuing a challenge to these Rangers. If you do not appear to face me on my planet of Kaien in three Earth hours, then my beast will be dispatched to deal with you."

The image cut to a beast, that Yuri found familiar. "That's the thing I fought in the woods.", he realised. "It was under Viera's control the entire time?"

"More to the point, what would this Princess have against us?", Proton asked, not having said anything for a while.

"From all the data I can extrapolate, she shouldn't.", Winda answered. "Princess Viera once befriended a group of Power Rangers a few years ago. They inspired her to reform the Galaxy's corrupt policies. If anything, we should have a red carpet welcome."

"Something's up.", Tarrant recognised. "She must be under Gingaku's control somehow."

"If she is, then we need to get close to her and convince the people of this.", Scales said. "Then we can use their aid in overthrowing Gingaku."

Suddenly, Myron's device began beeping. "I'm detecting one of the Legendary Spheres on Kaien.", Myron said, as the machine pinged again. "Two of them, in fact."

"Well, that gives us two purposes in this Galaxy.", Drago said. "Find the two Legendary Cosmo Spheres and liberate the system from Gingaku's reign of terror. We just need to decide on an away team." He pulled out his roulette wheel. "Alright, let's do it."

Planet Kaien, Two Hours Later.

The Rangers landed on the planet, with the chosen away team - Yuri, Jiro, Scales, Cobras, Slash, Barry and Proton - disembarking the ship and walking into the city centre. "We're here, like you asked.", Yuri called out. "So you could do us the favour of showing yourself."

"How foolishly brave of you." Viera appeared atop a podium, accompanied by Coiloga, Balistas and the creature from the woods. "You walked right into our ambush."

"What ambush?", Proton asked. "It's 4 of you against 6 of us. We have you outnumbered, Princess."

As if on cue, an angry mob appeared, brandishing makeshift weapons. "Correction, they have US outnumbered.", Slash commented.

In the mob, Yuri took note of three cloaked figures, whom he nodded to. He then turned to the Princess. "It must be hard having to toady up to these invaders.", he said, before pointing an accusing finger at her. "Or maybe not, especially since you're not the real Viera." The whole crowd reacted with shock to this.

"Deception!", Viera claimed. "Who are you to make such incredible claims?"

Yuri held out his Cosmo Spheres, Lion-01 and Leo-77, before nodding for the others to do the same. "As you can see, we're the ones chosen to wield the powers of the Cosmo Spheres, which means that we're the ones destined to free the universe from evil. And I was chosen by the Cosmo Spheres of Astral Leo himself." The people immediately gasped and started bowing their heads. "Would someone like me really be evil, if I had that power."

Balistas seemed to be getting nervous. "That proves nothing.", Viera insisted. "You could've stolen them."

"Oh, forget this.", one of the hooded figures said, throwing off his cloak to reveal Tarrant.

"Indeed.", the second cloaked figure removed her cloak to reveal Winda. "This farce has gone on long enough."

"Let's end it.", the third figure revealed himself as Myron. Everyone took out and inserted Cosmo Spheres into their Morphers. "Water-28"

"Whale-37", Tarrant called out.

"Pump-17", Winda yelled.

"Activate!" Myron and Tarrant fired jets of water from their Morphers. While Tarrant's initially only shot upwards, Winda redirected it towards the same target as Myron's - the Princess, who dissolved into sand when hit. "You see, she's an impostor, an impostor created by Balistas."

As the crowd gasped in shock, Balistas stepped forward in anger. "Impossible! How could you know?", he growled.

"Oh it's simple really.", Yuri said.

Earlier.

"Ok, our away team has been decided.", Drago said. "Is everything in order?"

"Not yet.", Yuri replied, before turning towards Winda. "Winda, do you know who's in charge of the Lion Galaxy in Gingaku?"

"Checking… System Controller Balistas.", Winda responded. "Why?", she asked, before realising the answer. "My files says that he can recreate anything from sand stored in his missiles."

"I think I figured out why Viera was speaking against us.", Yuri stated. "We just need to get her wet."

"We've got at least two Cosmo Spheres that can handle that job.", Proton informed him. "But one of them has no chance of hitting its target on its own. And we'd have no way of getting them out without looking suspicious."

"We in the away team, yes.", Yuri said. "But I have a plan."

Right Now.

"So I had these three fly on ahead and infiltrate the crowd to pull off my little reveal.", Yuri finished. "Now then, where's the real Princess."

Coiloga and Balistas laughed at this. "Haven't you figured it out yet?", the former said mockingly. He then indicated the monster accompanying them. "She's had some work done, but the Princess has been among us the whole time. We felt her warrior's ferocity was a good substitute for her leadership, since that wasn't required anymore." Everyone gasped in shock at this.

"Plus, we took the time to gather these.", Balistas said, holding up two Cosmo Spheres. "Perseus-36 and Cepheus-54. I heard you were looking for them."

"You're right we are.", Yuri said, stepping forward with the other members chosen for the away team. Winda, Myron and Tarrant focused on getting the crowd to safety and confronting the corrupted Viera. "It's Morphing Time!"

"Galaxy Saber!", Proton called out, summoning his sword in shield.

The 7 Rangers all inserted their Cosmo Spheres into their Morphers. "Cosmic Energy, Unleash!/Rise! Change!" They ran forward to battle Balistas, who summoned Detainers using his missiles. Proton and Yuri went after Balistas, delivering a pair of slashes to him.

"I can do a lot more than Princesses and Detainers.", Balistas declared as he fired another shot into the air, which summoned a trio of Commanagas to join the battle.

"We neeed to stop him from making anymore.", Proton said as one of the Commanagas faced him down.

Yuri delivered another hit to Balistas, before being blocked by Coiloga. "It's time I had a talk with you.", Coiloga said as he crossed swords with his opponent.

Yuri could barely fight back as he fell down. "I won't let you manipulate me.", he said. "Not like you did to him."

"Ah yes, your friend.", Coiloga said as he stopped Yuri's next hit, before knocking him into a wall. "He was the perfect pawn. I stoked the idea that you'd betrayed him, so he'd become totally dedicated to destroying you." He then head butted his opponent and knocked him to the ground. "I intended for him to destroy you, in the ultimate act of delicious irony. But you had to get too powerful for him to handle in a fight. Guess I'll finish the job myself."

"Why you.", Yuri declared as he got up and pointed his Cosmo Saber at Coiloga.

Coiloga extended his cybernetic arm, pointing it at Yuri. "I'd say our little association has been fun, but I'd be lying.", he said.

Yuri, pulled out Leo-77 and inserted it into his Morpher. "I will stop you.", he said.

"Pfft, nothing you hit me with has hurt me in any significant way.", Coiloga stated. "What could you possibly have that I've not already shrugged off?"

"Nothing.", answered Yuri. "But let's see what my friend has." He pushed the Sphere forward, transforming into Astral Leo. "Let's go, you fiend.", he declared as he pulled out Yuri's Big Bang Sphere, activating it and inserting it into his Morpher, spinning it. His armour was upgraded, giving him longer protrusions on his shoulders and shins, a cape bellowing off his back and a large crest on his helmet. "Big Bang Astral Leo, ready!" He ran towards Coiloga, quickly getting the upper hand in a sword fight, where he knocked Coiloga's sword out of his hand and kicked him back.

Meanwhile, the others had knocked the three Commanagas down and prepared their finishers. "Burning Cosmic Blast!" The blasts hit the Commanagas, destroying them. "Now we just need to beat the big guy.", Proton said.

"That might be easier said then done.", Balistas declared as he pulled out the two Spheres, inserting them into his body and glowing with energy. "Let's see you try and stop me now." He pulled out a pair of miniature laser pistols from his hips, shooting them at the Rangers, who dodged out of the way.

"You think you're a big shot.", Barry stated, inserting his Bear-22 Sphere and activating it, growing to giant size. "Let's see how you like this." He slammed down on Balistas, crushing him.

Then Scales ran straight up to the System Controller with his Cosmo Rifle. "Let's give you an express delivery." He shot a series of blasts that knocked Balistas back.

"Make that two.", Cobras said, running forward and delivering a slash with his Cosmo Scythe.

Then Balistas was hit by the double team of Jiro and Slash. "Two again one? That's not fair.", he stated.

"You don't get to fight fair.", Proton said as he engaged in a fight with Balistas.

Meanwhile, Coiloga had been pushed back against the wall incredibly hard. "You've actually hurt me.", he said.

"And now Yuri will deliver the final blow.", Astral Leo declared as he pressed the top of the Big Bang Sphere and spun it, turning into the Big Bang Ranger. "Let's do it.", Yuri stated as he used his prehensile cape to slam Coiloga against various walls. He then dodged all of his hits, before summoning his Cosmo Saber from a portal. He managed to hit Coiloga twice more.

"That stings.", Coiloga growled. "Where does your power come from?"

"It comes from my friends.", Yuri told him, summoning up portals for all the Rangers, this time including the Dragon, Sky and Fire Ranger Weapons. "Astral Leo allowed me to tap into my full power.", he said as all the weapons flew at Coiloga, causing him to roll on the floor.

"'Friends'? Don't make me laugh.", Coiloga yelled. "I've managed to win countless times on my own." It was then that the defeated body of Balistas fell in front of him. "What happened to you?", he asked.

"We did.", Proton said as the other Rangers rejoined Yuri. "Like I told your friend Katseayor, friends can make you stronger than you ever could be on your own."

"Katseayor was a fool.", Coiloga responded. "As was Tricerodo. I am the only warrior Lord Orbis ever needed, even before he became Gingaku."

"That's your problem.", Yuri said, stepping forward. "You're so absorbed with being solitary that you drive people to stand against you. Well, that ends today." Everyone prepared their final attacks.

"Cosmic Big Bang Burning Strike!"

The seven beams hit the two Gingaku warriors, after overpowering a counter strike from Coiloga. While he managed to escape the blast alive, Balistas was not so fortunate. "I'm sorry, Lord Coiloga. I failed you. And the Clan.", he said as he fell down and exploded, leaving behind Perseus-36 and Cepheus-54.

Elsewhere, the monster Tarrant and Myron were fighting reverted back to Princess Viera. "What happened?", she asked. "Where am I?"

"He did it.", Myron said. "Yuri defeated Balistas."

Coiloga picked the two Spheres up. "You won't get these so long as I draw breath.", he said as he inserted them into himself. He absorbed the energy into his super growth implant, allowing him to become a giant. "Something you soon won't be doing."

"Astral Leo, Come Forth!", Yuri announced, prepping himself in the Zord summoning position.

"Voyager, Take Off!", Proton announced as he summoned his own Megazord.

Astral Leo combined with the Lion Zord, before Yuri imitated another combination. "Zords, combine!"

The Astral Leo Zord combined with Yellow becoming the right arm, Blue becoming the left arm, Silver becoming the right leg and Gold becoming the left leg. "Astral Leo Megazord, ready!"

"You ready for this, Astral Leo?", Yuri asked.

Mila and Drago appeared in the Shooting Star ship, turning it into the Shooting Star Megazord. "We're in on this too.", Drago stated from the secondary cockpit.

Finally, Proton's own Fire Voyager transformed into its Megazord mode. "We're all in on his.", he said. "Coiloga won't get away this time." He flew into space, dogfighting with a surface bound mothership.

On the ground, the other two faced down Coiloga himself. "Two against one? I can handle that.", Coiloga stated. The three charged at each other, delivering a few slashes, before being shot back by Astral Leo.

"You can't hope to take down two legendary powers.", Astral Leo declared as he fired once more at point blank range, blowing both of them back.

"Let's switch out.", Jiro said as he swapped with Barry's Bear Zord.

"Let's do this.", Barry said as he linked up.

Astral Leo knocked Coiloga back with a punch from its new appendage. Then the Shooting Star brought its club down on Coiloga, who blocked it. "I can still stand up to two of you.", he declared. Then he had to block a blow from Astral Leo.

"You're open.", Yuri said, detaching Astral Leo to attack Coiloga by breaking his claw. Then the Shooting Star bowed its head, blasting the enemy with heat from its thruster. Then Astral Leo reattached, summoning it's Astral Blaster.

In space, Proton flew backwards from the mothership, preparing his final attack. "Voyager Burning Double Calibur!" The Fire Voyager used its twin swords to destroy the ship.

Down on the planet, Yuri prepped Astral Leo's own final attack. "Astral Projection Blast!" They we're joined by the Shooting Star's own final attack, which proved to be more than Coiloga could absorb into himself.

"This can't be. I'm the strongest in the universe.", Coiloga growled. "I was meant to crush you, not the other way around." He fell to the ground, exploding.

The Fire Voyager landed as the Rangers all stated "This Space is ours!"

Planet Black, the Dark Nebula.

Gingaku watched all this occur from his chamber. "So, Coiloga has also fallen.", he noted, before turning towards the image of his spy in a hologram. "Make sure his remains are gathered. I want him repaired."

"Noted, my Lord.", the spy responded. "Now the Rangers will be only have one Legendary Sphere left to find. Cassiopeia-38. Is the trap on that planet set?"

"Our agent assured me its only in need of springing.", came the reply. "Soon, the Power Rangers will be no more." Gingaku closed the communication and turned towards the returning Dark Soul. "And now, my shadow. What will we do with you?"

"Please, give me another chance.", Dark Soul begged. "Next time, I will defeat the Red Ranger once and for all."

"Not in the sorry state he left you in.", Gingaku said mockingly. "But, I suppose that you could beat him, with a few upgrades." Dr. Cerebron entered the room in his new body. "Which Dr. Cerebron here will see to."

"It'll be my pleasure.", Dr. Cerebron laughed.

Planet Kaien, the Lion Galaxy.

The 10 Rangers returned to the ship, all wearing medals. "Well it seems someone got rewarded.", Mila said. "I kind of wish I'd come along."

"It was the least the Princess could've done to thanks us for freeing her, and her people.", Yuri said. "Plus, we came away with two of the Cosmo Spheres we're looking for."

"Plus, I can probe Coiloga's memories to try and find out if there are any traps for when we get to Planet Black.", Corvelia suggested.

"Good idea, I can help you.", Heath suggested.

"I work best alone.", Corvelia insisted. "Sorry."

"Nevertheless, we've had a good day.", Myron said. "Dramatic reveals notwithstanding. Now we only need to get one more Cosmo Sphere and we'll be able to launch an attack on Gingaku himself."

"So, what planet is it on?", Barry asked.

"According to my scanner, it's on the planet Niloas, a planet of warrior monks on the edge of known space. It's a long way from here."

"I'm sure we can make it there.", Yuri said. "After all like I told Coiloga, if we all put our minds towards a common goal, we can accomplish anything."

With that said, the Shooting Star ship took off, heading towards its next adventure.