Novi walked back into the Rock Porium after taking her lunch break, listening to a new CD she had picked up, and was startled when Chip jumped out at her banishing a plunger in her face like a sword. She pushed her headphone off and hung them around her neck.

"Hyah! I say there fair lady, you're standing in my moat. You will most likely be devoured by crocodiles,"

"Saltwater or Freshwater?" she asked.

"Uh, freshwater I think…?" said Chip but he sounded unsure in his answer. It was clear he didn't know the difference between the two.

"Well, in that case, I am perfectly safe," she said knocking the plunger out of Chip's hand. She caught it and flipped it around, so it was pointed at him. "For you see, it is the Saltwater crocodiles that are more dangerous to man. So, I'll just swim on through," She laughed and handed Chip back the plunger as she passed him.

She walked to the back of the store to where Vida was on the DJ tables, her headphones on her body moving to the sound of whatever she had played that only she could hear. Novi studied her for a moment as Vida swayed her hips to the beat of the music, Novi for a moment was hypothesized but then she realized she was staring at her and shook her head to clear it. She climbed the steps to tap Vida on the shoulder.

"Hey V…V," she said louder and grabbed her shoulder again. "Check out this CD, it's really cool and…"

"Not now Novi, I'm in a groove," interrupted Vida.

Novi sighed as she checked to make sure no one happened to be looking in their direction and took out her morpher. She flipped it open and pointed it at the CD in her hands. It vanished and reappeared in the player in front of Vida and started playing. Vida looked at her with a smile as the CD started to play.

"Whoa," she breathed then turned to Novi. "Whoa this bumps," she said approvingly.

"I was thinking maybe we could work it into the set for my show," said Novi. Vida nodded in response as she continued to listen to the CD.

"Hey Xander come check this out, it bumps," said Novi using air quotes on the word bumps.

"No can do, doing the cash for Toby," said Xander and he tucked a stack of bills into an envelope and sealed it. "He asked moi to do the bank drop for him," said Xander turning and crashing right into Nick and the envelope dropped from his hands.

"Looks like you already dropped it and not even at the bank," said Nick as he bent down and picked up the envelope. He turned it over in his hands. "Thousand dollars sure could use that kinda cash." Nick handed the envelope back to Xander.

"We all could," said Xander tucking the envelope back in the box and heading back to the front of the store.

"Hey Nick, come check this out," said Novi.

Nick came back to join them as Vida took off the headphone and handed them to Nick. He put them on and listen to the music playing.

"Ooh, nice. Cool beat," he said his voice louder than he meant it to be. "It kinda makes you want to— "he cut off and his eyes grew wide. He yanked the headphone off his ears and roughly handed them back to Novi. "Real funny guys. I got work to do."

Novi and Vida looked at each other confused as to what had just happened. Novi shrugged and handed the headphones back to Vida. Just then a man came in with a clipboard.

"I have a delivery for you, who wants to sign for it," he asked holding out the clipboard.

"Me," said Novi walking over to him. She took the clipboard from his hands and scribbled her signature before joining Nick outside to help unload the van. Once outside she saw Leelee trying once again to flirt with Nick.

"…check out my new leather jacket. 500 bucks, so me, right?"

"Yeah," Nick replied absentmindedly casting a glance in her direction.

"Hey, I know, I'll let you take me for a ride on your bike so you can show me off," she said but Nick gave her a look and she quickly corrected herself. "I mean so I can show off my jacket" Novi rolled her eyes and set the last box on the trolley and dragged it inside. She took the trolley to the backroom to unload it. She came from the backroom as Xander suddenly grabbed the bank dropbox to check its content and a look of horror crossed his face.

"I just hope they catch him in the Nick of time," said Leelee. She turned and walked proudly out of the store.

Novi had a feeling she was up to something, but she wasn't sure what it was yet. She turned her attention back to Xander who was frantically searching around the tills for something.

"What's the matter?"

"The envelope is gone. Someone must have taken it," said Xander.

"Who? Only the seven of us knew about it. You sure you didn't just misplace it?"

"I'm sure," said Xander casting a glance behind him.

~~~xXx~~~

All the rangers apart from Nick arrived at Rootcore and after a bit of studying the topic of the missing money came up.

"Look I'm not saying for sure its Nick, but I know I didn't take the money and I know you probably didn't take the money— "

"What do you mean probably?" interrupted Vida.

"Yeah, I don't like the hint of an accusation there Xander," agreed Novi.

"I don't mean anything. I…I just know I didn't take it," said Xander.

"And we probably didn't take it," snapped Vida.

"Hey, hey hey. Cool it V. Xander knows we wouldn't steal from Toby or anyone," said Maddie trying to defuse the rising tension. "Are you sure you didn't just misplace it?"

"I put the envelope into the box and then it was gone. Trust me, someone took it. I mean it can't just fly away," Xander said then looked up at Chip who was currently floating above them.

"Oh, so just because I can fly, you think I stole the money?" Chip demanded.

"No no, look I've most of you guys ever since I moved from the states. I know none of you would ever steal from Toby. I'm not saying it was any of you," said Xander.

"Well that only leaves Nick, but I don't think he would take it either," said Novi. "He doesn't seem the type."

"Yeah, but he did say he could really use the money," said Xander.

"That doesn't necessarily mean he took it. Look I think we should head back to the shop and check every nook and cranny before we play the blame game," said Novi.

~~~xXx~~~

Back at Rock Porium the five teens searched high and low for the missing envelope but found nothing.

"Okay guys, look everywhere," said Xander as he dumped the bank drop box over to make sure he hadn't missed it earlier. "We have to make really sure it isn't here before we call the police and arrest him."

Just then Toby came out of the office and looked around at them and the mess they had caused in their search.

"Hey there, my under-qualified, overpaid, favorite employees ever," started Toby as Chip hovered behind him. "What are you all looking for?"

"Does it look like we are looking for something? Because we're not," said Xander, and Maddie shook her head.

"Okay well continue not looking for whatever it is you not looking for," said Toby as he started to head back to the office.

As he did Chip lower himself to the ground right as Toby spun around and almost saw him.

"Chip…ugh did you just?" Toby started as he pointed towards the ceiling where Chip had been floating a moment ago.

"I was just practicing my ballet," said Chip nervously and he started to prance about hoping to convince Toby.

"Uh right. Xander did you make that bank drop for me?" he asked turning to Xander.

"I said I would didn't I boss?" he asked trying not to outright lie to Toby.

"Yes, you did," said Toby and he headed back into the office.

"Oh, man. I can't believe I just lied to Toby," sighed Xander.

"Well technically you didn't lie, you just answered his question with a question," said Novi trying to reassure him.

"Look the money is not here, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together," said Vida.

"I don't know, I still don't believe Nick is the type," said Novi but the others just headed out the door and she followed reluctantly.

Once outside she saw Nick working on his bike again, he didn't see them approach until Xander spoke to him.

"Hey, Nick."

"Hey man," said Nick glancing up at Xander.

"Look, Nick- a thousand dollars are missing from the store…" Maddie trailed off as Nick looked up at her before he rose to his feet.

Novi hung back not comfortable with the idea of just blaming Nick without any proof. Nick looked at all of them and Novi saw the hurt in his eyes as he spoke.

"Oh, I get it. I'm the new guy. I must have stolen it, right?" he said as he started to mount his bike. "I charmed my way into your lives, just so I could rip you off. Is that it?" he snapped which made Novi wince.

"Yeah well, that just about covers what we are thinking," said Chip bluntly.

"Great-and I thought you guys were my friends. I can't believe I actually thought…never mind. Nice knowing you,"

With that, Nick put on his helmet and started his bike as Xander moved aside so Nick could leave. Novi sighed again that hadn't gone well, not that she had expected it to.

"Maybe we made a mistake," said Maddie.

"Well, he just took off, he didn't even deny it," said Xander.

"Well can you blame him? I wouldn't want to stick around if I were him. Betrayal isn't fun and by people you believed to be your friends…is even worse," said Novi sadly.

"Sounds like you had experience with that," said Vida turning to her.

"I have and believe me I pretty much wanted to react the same way, so I don't blame him for just leaving. Anything he could have said in his defense wouldn't have mattered because you have already decided he is guilty," said Novi walking in the direction that Nick had gone.

"Where are you going?" asked Xander.

"I'm going after Nick. He needs to know that at least someone is on his side," Novi called back at them, but she didn't turn around.

She had no idea where Nick had gone but she couldn't stand by and watch someone go through what she had when she had been at the Academy. Yes, the circumstances were different, but the feelings were the same and she'd wished that even one person would have had her back and come to her defense and that's exactly what she was going to do for Nick.

~~~xXx~~~

Once she was clear of the busier part of the city, she felt a pull and while she didn't know what it was, something inside her told her to follow it so after a glance to make sure no one else was around she started to run and picked up speed until with was just a blur of scarlet. She followed the feeling until she found herself on the beach. She saw Nick's motorcycle parking on the edge of the sand and footprints heading onto the sand, in the distance, she could hear the sounds of voices. Her eyes widened as she recognized the voices of Nick and Koragg then she heard Nick cry out in pain.

"Hold on Nick, I'm coming!" she called out.

Novi followed the footprints and found Nick fighting against Koragg.

"Your powers are weak. You have not learned to harness your magic. Your defeat will be swift," said Koragg.

"I'm not as weak as you think pal. Watch this!"

"Power of the Phoenix!" Nick roared as the flames surrounded him.

He focused that energy into his sword and swung his blade at Koragg. Novi watched in awe as the blast hit Koragg and knocked him back into the side of the cliff which left an impression in the stone.

"You are more powerful than I expected," said Koragg touching his sword to his shield and the eye opened.

"Nick, look out!" Novi warned as she leaped in front of him of taking the brunt of Koragg's wolf attack, which allowed Nick an opening to attack.

Nick charged at Koragg slashing at him with his blade, but Koragg blocked it. Novi got shakily to her feet and joined Nick.

She pulled her staff from her belts and conjured several small boulders which she fired in Koragg's' direction knocking him back.

"What are you doing here?" asked Nick.

"Now really isn't the time for explanations," said Novi as Koragg charged at them.

Nick blocked Koragg's sword and held it with his own.

"You will be defeated this day, that I promise you," said Koragg and he freed this sword and dragged it across nick's chest. Nick cried out in pain as his suit sparked.

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" said Novi as she kicked out at Koragg, but he turned to grab her foot and threw her to the ground bringing his sword down on her unprotected side.

"This fight doesn't concern you, Scarlet Ranger," Koragg warned her.

"It does when you attack one of my friends," said Novi weakly trying to get up but Koragg kicked her forcing her back down. He then turned his attention back to Nick.

"And now young ranger, you will meet your destiny!"

"NO!" called out Novi as she watched Koragg bring down his blade to strike Nick.

However, before he could strike Nick a blast of yellow energy hit Koragg causing him to drop his arm. Novi looked and saw the others rushing towards them and Xander raised his ax slamming it hard into the ground creating a shock wave that knocked Koragg away from Nick.

"Nick, Novi you both alright?" asked Vida and she helped Novi to her feet.

"We know you didn't steal the money, Nick," said Xander.

"We're sorry we jumped to conclusions," said Vida.

"Actually, it was Xander's fault," said Chip patting Nick on the helmet.

"We let our imaginations run away with us, it was all of our faults," said Maddie.

"Yeah, it was. Maybe you should have thought of that before— "started Nick but Xander interrupted him.

"Hey look out!"

"Now that you are all together, it's time to finish this!" said Koragg.

"Ethe Major Catastros, Sumbol unithos equestras"

"Oh no, that's what he used to defeat Udonna," said Maddie.

"Let's Zord up!" said Xander as he pulled out his morpher. The others followed suit.

"Galwit Mystio Provior!"

"Mystic Titan's Dragon formation!"

"Fire!"

They charged at Koragg with Nick locking swords with Koragg.

"You will never defeat me!" he said as he landed back on the ground.

The eye opened on his shield as he fired repeated blasts from its eye about the dragon was able to easily dodge the blasts and they charged up to one of their own as the dragon spat out three streams of fire at Koragg they charged at Koragg but pulled away at the last second flying high up into the air.

"We've got you right where we want you," Nick jeered.

"Now I have a new power," said Koragg.

"Uthe Mejor Ultimas!"

"Centaurus Wolf Megazord!"

They watched as Koragg changed to a new formation and once he finished changing, he overshadowed them in their titan's form.

"No!"

"The time has come to take this fight to the next level," said Koragg and he touched the eye on his chest.

"Dark Source, Evil Force!"

As he spoke the words there was a pull of energy that was drained from their Zords, and it lowered to the ground.

"Guys, we can't combine," said Nick realizing what Koragg had done.

"I shall use your own magical powers against you as I summon the evil Morticon from the underworld. Rise!"

The rangers watched as a blue spell seal appeared on the ground and a hand come from inside it, then a giant being rose from its depths and stood before them. Morticon was a part robot and part something else. He towered over them.

"Free at last. Now that I am released from the evil cell, I shall run this dimension as the most powerful warrior of all time!" said Morticon.

"This is bad," said Nick.

"Let's finish this Koragg. Destroy them!" Morticon ordered.

Morticon rushed forward grabbing the dragon by the neck and throwing it towards Koragg the Dragon Zord and Nick's Zord landing on the ground at Koragg's feet. Novi and the others tried to get the Dragon Zord to respond but nothing was happening Nick was on his own for this fight. Morticon laughed at their predicament as he relished their upcoming defeat. He grabbed Nick and held him in front of him a sword at his back.

"This will be my finest hour, the day I destroy the leader of the Mystic rangers! Koragg join me for the final strike!"

"My work is done. The master will be pleased," said Koragg.

"Have it your way, Koragg," said Morticon. He then raised his sword to strike Nick down when suddenly the eyes of Nick's titan form flashed as he seemed to draw on new power.

"Red Mystic Ranger!" he called out as the His titan powered up and he broke out of Morticon's grasp and flipped into the air. "Counter spell!"

A red spell seal appeared from his hands and landed around Morticon. It glowed brighter and Morticon seemed to be trapped inside of it.

"Koragg! Do something!" Morticon ordered.

"Impossible! How could he counter my spell?"

As he watched Morticon was sucked back down into the underworld.

"I don't know how you did that Mystic ranger, but I have your Megazord power now," said Koragg and with that, he was gone.

~~~xXx~~~

Novi and Nick arrived to work about the same time and found the others waiting for them outside.

"Hey," said Xander, Maddie, and Vida.

"Ho," Chip added.

"Look, Nick, we just…No, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I really am," started Xander.

"You are our friend Nick and you deserved better," said Maddie.

"We should have listened to Novi about not jumping to conclusions," said Vida looking over at Novi.

"It was Xander's fault," said Chip making them all laugh. "It was!"

"Thanks, guys and I owe you an apology too. I should have come to you when I started hearing Koragg's voice. So, I guess we all learned a lesson about trust and friendship," said Nick.

"No more secrets?" said Xander offering a hand to Nick.

Nick took his hand and shook it. Novi nodded but she bit the corner of her lip.

No more secrets. She thought to top herself. She had already broken that one in the first minute. She still hadn't told them her dark secret and it wasn't one she was ready to share with anyone let alone her friends she was afraid if they knew she would lose them. Maddie's voice broke her from her thoughts.

"Well, this is nice, but we are late for work!"

"Oh no…work," groaned Vida.

Novi laughed and followed them inside, her arm linked through Vida's as she helped Maddie half drag her inside laughing. They failed to notice that Nick had not followed them in.