Disclaimer: Power Rangers and its associated characters do not belong to me. The characters of Marie Fox and Cyndra belong to Greeneyes.
Author's Notes: Nothing much to say, other than thank you to everyone who has commented and reviewed. I'm glad you like the story! ^_^
Closing The Circle
By: Jade Daniels
Three pairs of eyes stared at the looming mass on the screen of the Astro Megaship. Against the darkness of space, the leviathan that was the Black Nova, Dark Specter's ship, glowed with pulsating lights. The Megaship was dwarfed against the mass of the Black Nova. This was no David and Goliath match. Only a fool would try and take on this giant. There was no chance that the Megaship would be a match for Dark Specter's ship. It was outgunned, outclassed, out-everything. There was no way to attack and the three humans on board knew it.
"Zordon's signal has been located," reported DECA, startling the three former Rangers.
Alpha looked up from his computations. "The signal is coming from the Black Nova, not Divatox's ship."
Trini frowned at that piece of news. "So what do we do now? The Megaship can't stop that thing!"
Katherine shook her head. "That thing is bloody impenetrable. It'd take ten times what the Megaship has in order to even make a dent in that ship."
"Okay, then we've got to let everyone else know what's going on," Jason said, quickly making his decision. "I've got a feeling that a change of plans is in order." He looked at the other two. "Despite the odds, we may get a chance to rescue Zordon."
"Alright, I'll get on the comm," Trini said, already heading towards the station. "Let's just hope that you're right about those odds Jason."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"So, this is Earth." Dark Specter's gravelly voice could be heard nearby. Through the fog of his weakness, Zordon, Morphin Master of Eltar, could detect a note of disgust in the lava monster's comment. "Pathetic little rock."
"But one strong enough to push back even your forces," Zordon said, forcing his voice to sound stronger than he really felt. His show of strength was rewarded with a fierce lance of pain shooting through his body. With a groan, he fell to his knees.
"You forget who is your master now Zordon," the lava monster growled, stepping towards the tube which held Zordon prisoner. "You will speak only when you are spoken to. I need not touch you to inflict pain. Remember that."
As if Zordon could ever forget. The weakness he was forced to endure was a constant reminder of what Dark Specter had done to him. With the psychic link that had been placed between them, Dark Specter was able to siphon off Zordon's life energy, something which Zordon had in abundance. Without that link, the lava monster would have been able to do nothing except keep Zordon trapped within the confines of the time warp.
If he had been able to break free of that time warp, Zordon was sure that he would be able to break the connection and regain his strength. As it was, the time warp was what amplified Dark Specter's abilities and thus, the link. But the time was coming closer when the possibility of Zordon escaping his prison was becoming a certainty. When he had been previously trapped in a time warp, Zordon had learned to manipulate the temporal energies within to his benefit. He had been able to come up with some fairly accurate predictions for his Rangers, when he had still been their mentor. Dimitria had ended up learning the same ability for use with the Turbo Rangers.
Now, he was again able to use the temporal energies to glimpse into possible futures. He knew that Dark Specter knew nothing of this, or else he would have been moved into another type of cell long ago. And what Zordon had been seeing lately would have sent Dark Specter into a rage. Zordon knew that the time for the end of his entrapment was coming very soon. Now, all he had to do was wait, and make certain that the possibility became a reality.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Here pretty Pink Cassie. A few steps more. Then, we can finally play."
From her place on top of the skyscraper, Ashley Hammond, the Yellow Psycho Ranger, watched as the Pink Astro Ranger made her way past Quantrons, coming ever so closer to the Yellow Psycho's specially reserved 'play' area. Ashley had the square below her cleared out so that she could have some fun with the Pink Ranger. She had ordered all her Quantrons to surround the area so that it wouldn't look like a trap, but to allow the Ranger through with minimal fuss.
Ashley smiled as the Pink Ranger finally stepped into the square. Cassie looked confused, whipping her head around, looking for any signs of enemies. In a flash of dark yellow light, Ashley morphed herself into the Yellow Psycho Ranger. As Cassie stopped in the middle of the cleared area, Ashley knew it was time to make her move. With a graceful leap from the top of the building, she landed in front of the Pink Astro Ranger.
"Hello, old friend," Ashley purred, whipping out her daggers. The sunlight reflected brightly off of the newly polished and sharpened blades. Her weapons were sharp enough to cut through anything. Just a little slice here and there, would turn that pretty pink body suit into a glorious shade of red. Not exactly a Red Ranger, but certainly close enough. It had been much too long since she had gotten to play with her Red Ranger. It would be fun to make up another one.
Cassie moved cautiously, matching the Yellow Psycho step for step. "Hello Ashley. I was expecting to face you."
Ashley laughed. "It wouldn't have been fun to go against anyone else." She tilted her head, her tone becoming a sneer. "So, you came in search of me, did you? Trying to save me again?"
Cassie shook her head. In response, her tone was quiet. "No, not this time. There are bigger things going on now."
"Yes, Mistress Cyndra's plans have finally come to fruition. Isn't it wonderful?" Ashley giggled, stretching her arms wide. She decided to drop a bit of information she had just learned, just to see what Cassie's reaction would be. "Now that Master Specter is here, she'll soon have this world under her control. And I'll be by her side."
"What do you mean that Dark Specter is here?" demanded Cassie. Ashley was pleased to note the slight panic in the Pink Ranger's voice.
"Exactly what I said Cassie dear," replied Ashley. "He's finally come. And with his power, Mistress Cyndra will be able to take over the world, once and for all!"
"This is your world too!" Cassie exclaimed, shock evident in her voice. "Don't you care about it at all?"
"Hmmm, no." Ashley tossed the dagger into the air. Catching it, she tapped the blade against her helmet. "Why should I? This place will be better under the control of Cyndra, and Dark Specter."
"I can't believe you'd say that!" Cassie said. "You...."
Ashley pointed a dagger at Cassie. "Remember, you said you weren't going to try to save me."
"I wasn't," Cassie replied softly, shaking her head. "I was just surprised to hear that you don't care about Earth anymore. You really don't, do you?"
"Of course not," snorted Ashley. "This miserable mudball means nothing to me. I live for the glory of Cyndra and Dark Specter. It's all I need. If they decide to move me to another planet, I'll be just fine there too." She chuckled. "This is what true freedom is Cassie. I don't have to worry about being hung up by restrictive emotions anymore."
Cassie shook her head. "You just believe that because that's what your 'Mistress' wants you to believe Ashley. Don't you have any thoughts anymore that don't come from Cyndra? Or are you too much her lapdog now to even think for yourself?"
Ashley frowned. She did not like where this conversation was going. The time for talking was over. "No more talking!" she snarled, positioning herself into a fighting stance. "It's time to play."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Aboard the Dark Fortress, Cyndra, High Mage and Dark Specter's granddaughter, watched the various fights that were happening in the cities across Earth. A frown crossed her face; the battle was not going as well as she had expected. With the number of monsters and Quantrons she had sent down to the planet, Earth's defenses should have been overwhelmed. Even with the help of the Power Rangers, there shouldn't have been any question of her victory. Unfortunately, Cyndra hadn't counted on the Rangers receiving additional help. Where those extra Power Rangers had come from, Cyndra had no idea. But all this really meant was a delay in her plans. There wasn't any reason why, with a few changes, Cyndra couldn't continue with her invasion of Earth. She wasn't about to let a few measly humans get in her way.
Suddenly, an insistent beeping caught Cyndra's attention. Turning her sapphire eyes towards one of the battles, she smiled as she spotted one Ranger, dressed in a black uniform, similar to the Phantom Ranger's, except this one had purple highlights. The Ranger was carrying a weapon very familiar to Cyndra and she automatically knew who this Ranger had to be. Making a swift decision, she immediately left the bridge, heading towards the inner recesses of the Dark Fortress.
It was in one of the inner alcoves that she found what she was looking for. Standing together like statues were Ecliptor and the Red Ranger. Cyndra knew that they would make the perfect bait for her old enemy. She looked over Ecliptor, making sure that there wasn't any damage from the last time she had used him as a toy soldier. He was a disappointment, unable to cope with the fact that she was his master. All he was good for was being a glorified Quantron.
"Too bad," murmured Cyndra, "It would have been fun watching Astronema's reaction if you had been willing to work for me."
Now she looked over the Red Ranger. He too was a disappointment. Cyndra had worked for days, trying to find the cause of his insanity. All he had kept mumbling about was 'silver' and 'red'. Since she hadn't known what he was talking about, there had been nothing that she could do. His insanity had made the Red Ranger extremely unstable and almost impossible to work with. With him being so unstable, there hadn't been any choice but to take away his mind, like she had done with Ecliptor.
"Now we'll see if I can finally get some proper use out of you," she said, a smile on her face. "I think its time that I send a little invitation to my old friend Astronema...."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Divatox, the Space Pirate Queen, walked down the dark hallways, making her way to the throne room of Dark Specter's ship, the Black Nova. She had no idea why she had been summoned here. She had already delivered the imprisoned Zordon to the lava monster, so there should have been no reason for him to summon her. The Pirate Queen quickly went through all possibilities in her mind, but was unable to come up with anything. There was nothing that she had done recently that would warrant a summons of any kind. Dark Specter was not known for personally addressing his subjects, least of all, lowly soldiers that had no better use than carrying out simple tasks like guarding prisoners.
She entered the huge throne room, trying not to let the immense size of the place disturb her. Dark Specter was a large being, even more so than his late brother, Maligore. If she hadn't been thrown by Maligore's size and presence, there shouldn't be any reason why Dark Specter would have any affect on her. At least, that's what the Pirate Queen kept telling herself as she approached the large altar, which held the throne in which sat the large figure of the leader of the United Alliance of Evil.
"Divatox."
His voice sent a shiver through her, which she was determined not to show. Dark Specter was a much different being than his brother, a fact that she had ignored until now. There was a reason why Dark Specter had been able to control so many evil beings under the banner of the U.A.E., and that reason was showing itself very clearly to her now. Dark Specter was truly evil incarnate; an evil being more powerful than any other in the universe. Combine that with the fact that he was now using Zordon's also immense power, one could not help but fear this lava monster.
She fell to one knee, knowing that subservience was the only thing that Dark Specter would tolerate. "Yes my Lord? You summoned me?"
"Yes."
It was the only word he spoke before a sudden, sharp bolt of pain sliced through her. If she hadn't already been on bent knee, she certainly would have fallen. As it was, she fought fiercely not to collapse onto the floor. She could barely lift her head up. "Why.... why are you doing this to me?" she gasped, struggling against the pain, "I... I have always been a loyal solider...."
"What you've always been Divatox, is a fool." Dark Specter laughed, an odd sound from him. "Do you really think I would keep you around once I no longer had need of you? You are pathetic. When I found you.... you were just a little girl playing at being a villainess. You knew nothing about what it meant to be a true evil being. I took you, molded you into the perfect warrior, even let you have my brother. But what did you do with it all? You wasted it! Now, you are the same laughingstock that you once were."
"But, it wasn't my fault!" protested the Pirate Queen, her entire body shaking. "It was those Rangers! I did managed to destroy their base and take away their powers!"
"Yet you didn't finish the job Divatox," Dark Specter pointed out. "You are just like the others before you, Rita, Zedd, Mondo.... Despite their previous successes, none of them had what it took to conquer this planet, much less the rest of the universe. Very few have that knowledge. Even fewer have the skill." He shook his head, "It was too much to think that you would be one of those few. So now, you will be eliminated like the rest."
Divatox looked up at Dark Specter. His image swam before her eyes. "You.... you killed them?" She thought of the villains who had been here before her. None of them would have been powerful enough to withstand any attack from Dark Specter.
The lava monster grunted. "That would have been a waste of my time and energy. What I did to them was far more amusing. You, like the rest, shall truly become my slave. What will be eliminated is your incompetent personality. In place, I will have someone perfectly capable of leading a charge against a planet."
Divatox knew that Dark Specter was telling the truth. It felt as if she was being pushed into a dark corner of her mind, while something else was being layered over her. The pain of the process was almost unbearable; it was all Divatox could do not to scream. Suddenly, agony stopped. Wondering what Dark Specter was up to, she tried to look at him, but found that she couldn't. Her body wasn't responding!
"Stand," Dark Specter ordered. Unwillingly, Divatox found her body obeying the command. "You are to go to Aquitar and begin laying siege to that planet. Zordon is to be left here with me. Is that understood?"
"Yes Master," Divatox found herself saying.
Dark Specter chuckled. "Good. You see Divatox, this is what I meant by competence. I'm sure you'll be learning many valuable things, watching how your betters actually conquer a planet. You may go."
Divatox's body bowed towards Dark Specter. Then, with all the precision of a soldier, marched smartly out of the room. If she could have, Divatox would have immediately slit Dark Specter's throat for doing this to her. As it was, all she could was watch as her body was used as a tool for Dark Specter's campaign. But while watching, she would also wait. Because, sooner or later, there would be a chance for her to free herself. And once she did, Dark Specter would no longer be safe from her wrath.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Katherine Hilliard sighed as she watched the viewing monitor of the Astro Megaship. On the screen were the various battles that were happening on Earth. The trap that Trini had sent down to the Rangers; the number of Quantrons and monsters was going down visibly. But it was hard to stay optimistic when all you could do was stand around and wait. Katherine drummed her fingers against the computer panel.
She looked over at Jason and Trini, who were talking together in low voices. She envied them; they had each other to rely on during this crisis. There wasn't anyone like that in her life anymore. Katherine shook her head, refusing to let herself get into a depressed state. She knew how easy it was to fall into that trap, and how hard it was to get out once in.
She had to stay busy. Even if it was something small, she could keep herself busy with whatever needed to be done. It was easier to do that, rather than think. It was what she had continued to do these last few months, ever since her breakup with Tommy. There I go again, thinking about that. I have to stop thinking about it! There's got to be something for me to do! But, there really wasn't much left to do here, was there? Katherine realized that whatever was left, Trini and Jason could easily take care of, without her help. In fact, they had everything under control. But why was she thinking of these things? Didn't she want to stay on board, where she could stay busy?
No, I don't want to stay here anymore. Katherine's blue eyes wandered across the viewing monitor, watching as her friends fought. Sooner or later, the Morphin' powers will give out. Then, they'll have nothing more than their own skills to rely on. I should be down there too. I can fight. I can help. What I can't do, is stay here. Finally, Katherine saw a familiar place, somewhere she wanted to go: Angel Grove. Without another thought, she headed towards the exit.
"Kat! Where are you going?" Katherine turned around to see that Jason and Trini were looking at her strangely. She winced inwardly; she had forgotten about them.
"You guys have things well in hand here," she said, "I'm going to help with things down in Angel Grove." Trini and Jason looked shocked.
"Are you sure?" asked Trini, a frown forming on her face.
Katherine nodded. "I'm sure." She paused, unsure how to say her next words. "Look, we really don't need the three of us up here. And... I'll feel more useful down there. Please, just let me go."
Jason and Trini glanced at each other, then back at her. Jason sighed. "We obviously can't stop you if you want to go."
"Thank you," Katherine said. With that, she tapped two fingers to her communicator, allowing it to teleport her in a stream of pink-white light.
"Good luck Kat."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Where am I?
It was a question Astronema had to ask as she found herself surrounded by darkness and echoing silence. The Amethyst Ranger had been battling Quantrons on Earth when she had suddenly been teleported away. She knew of only one person who want to do that to her: Cyndra. But why the mage wanted her now, Astronema had no idea.
Quickly, Astronema lit herself a ball of magelight, letting it glow a few centimeters away from her. Unfortunately, the light revealed nothing, only an empty room, with seemingly no way out. But the walls looked familiar. As Astronema stepped forward to touch them, she realized that they felt familiar too. Now, she knew where she was. She had spent a good portion of her life living in this place. She was inside the Dark Fortress. Astronema wasn't sure which of the rooms she had been placed in, but it looked like one of the prisoner cells. From the energy that was being emitted from the walls, there was a magical shield around the cell, preventing her from escaping.
"Hello Astronema, my old friend." The voice was silken, like an angel, but with a deadly, harsh edge. As it spoke, the room was suddenly flood with bright light.
Astronema turned around to look at Cyndra. She almost gasped as she saw who was standing beside the mage: Ecliptor and Zhane. But she couldn't let them distract her. She turned her focus back upon Cyndra. "I was never your friend Cyndra. Even when I worked for your grandfather, you were hardly my favorite person."
"Aw, I'm hurt," Cyndra mock pouted. She sneered at the Amethyst Ranger, her sapphire eyes taking in the uniform. "So, you're a pretty little Ranger now. How pathetic. I always told grandfather that you didn't have a drop of evil in your veins. And seeing as how you so quickly assimilated to the other side, it's obvious that I was right."
Astronema shook her head. "Maybe I never was evil to begin with. Do you really think I care about that anymore?" She pointed her staff, which had appeared in her hands the moment Cyndra had spoken, at Ecliptor and Zhane. "All I care about right now, is them. Release them Cyndra, or else."
Cyndra laughed. "Or else what? You're no match for me!"
"Why don't we find out?" Astronema challenged, her staff now glowing with an ethereal purple light.
"You know, on second thought..." Cyndra's voice trailed off as she looked at Ecliptor. She gazed back at Astronema. "Why not let you have him? I certainly don't need him anymore. He isn't anything more than a glorified Quantron."
"What? You'll actually release him?" Astronema was confused. Cyndra was never generous. What the hell was the mage up to?
Cyndra shrugged. "Yes." She made a flicking motion at the black warrior. Slowly, Ecliptor began walking towards Astronema. "There you go, happy? I'll release him from the compulsion once he reaches you."
Astronema was speechless. She truly had never thought that Cyndra was allow any of her 'possessions' to leave her hands willingly. She reached out a hand towards Ecliptor, hoping to touch him sooner. This was the moment that she had been dreaming about ever since Cyndra had taken over the Dark Fortress. All she had ever really wanted was to have Ecliptor free of Cyndra's spells. Now, that moment was slowly drawing near....
Suddenly, Ecliptor stopped. Before Astronema realized what was happening, his body began to shake. Before she could do anything, Ecliptor's body crumbled into dust. With a wordless sound of horror, Astronema looked at Cyndra. The mage-bitch was laughing.
"Did I forget to mention that the spell I put on him was a leash spell?" Cyndra's sapphire eyes were full of amusement. "That, once he got a certain distance away from me, he would die?" She looked down at the pile of dust that was now between her and Astronema. "Oops, I guess I forgot."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The call had been sent out to all of the Rangers: the Earth's forces were winning. Thanks to Billy's trapping device, and the help of the world militaries, the number of Quantrons and monsters on Earth was going down at a magnificent rate. Some cities had already been cleared out completely. The Power Rangers had even managed to double up in some areas, where the concentration of foot soldiers had been especially high.
It's amazing what the people of this planet can do. Carlos smiled to himself as he pounded another Quantron to the ground. With all the animosity humans can display at times, it surprises me when they come togther in this show of solidarity. You almost wouldn't recognize them..... That thought made Carlos think of his father, the monster now known as Darkonda.
Amazingly, Darkonda was currently fighting against the Black Psycho Ranger. Never once, had Carlos thought that his father, of all people, would be helping to fight creations of evil. Darkonda was a con, a murderer and an agent of Dark Specter's; there was no advantage for him to be fighting alongside the Rangers. At least, there wasn't any advantage that Carlos could see. He still couldn't help but think that maybe there was some ulterior motive that he hadn't yet spotted. After all, why else would Darkonda be here. It certainly couldn't be for some father-son bonding thing.....
He used his Lunar Lance to whip some Quantrons away from him. It had been over a millennia since he had last seen his father. Why did Darkonda choose now to appear? The questions continued to plague Carlos' mind. He didn't have an answer to any of them. The only person who could give them those answers was Darkonda himself.
Finally, with the last Quantron destroyed, he made his way to where Darkonda was fighting against the Black Psycho. Neither looked good, having obviously pounded hard each other. Carlos quickly stepped into the fray, using all his skill and energy against Cyndra's creature. The Black Psycho was no match against the father-son team, soon falling to his knees, and exploding.
Carlos sighed as he watched the Black Psycho destroyed. "Well, that's another one down." He looked over at Darkonda. "Thanks for your help." He turned to leave.
"Wait Solrac!" Darkonda gasped out, holding his chest.
Carlos turned around. "What? I don't have time for this Darkonda. There are other places on this planet that need my help."
"I know.... I know," Darkonda answered quietly. "Please, all I'm asking for is some time. I didn't know that Dark Specter's forces were going to move so quickly. After all this is over... can we talk?"
Carlos laughed incredulously. "You came here, just to ask me that? Are you insane? This is a war zone, and all you want to have is a father-son bonding talk? I don't believe it.... You think I'll fall for the same trick twice?" Carlos shook his head. "Stay the hell away from me old man. I mean it." With that, the Black Ranger held up his hand. "Galaxy Glider, Hang Ten!" The black hoverboard appeared in the air. Carlos jumped on it.
"Solrac!" Darkonda shouted.
Carlos ignored the plea. Darkonda had tricked him once, and it had nearly destroyed his family. There was no way that he would talk to that monster ever again. He heard the voice grow faint as he flew away. Carlos closed his eyes, for a moment wondering if he had done the right thing. But the memories of what had been done to his family resurfaced, having been buried for so many years. But now they were as vivid as if the event had happened yesterday.
"No, I will not be tricked again," Carlos murmured to himself. As he continued to fly away, he knew that he had seen the last of his father, forever.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Astronema couldn't let herself think of what Cyndra had just done. There was no time, not now. Later. Much later. She shoved her emotions aside, as she had always done, and stood up to face her enemy. "Release Zhane and Ashley," she commanded, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
Cyndra tilted her head, regarding the Ranger as if she was some sort of insect. "I wonder what your tin man would think if he knew you had so little regard for him. After all, here he was, destroyed before your very eyes, and yet, all you care about two people you hardly even know." She smirked. "I didn't think you had it in you to be so... cold. Maybe you truly have the heart of evil after all."
"Shut up!" Astronema shouted, wishing that she could just blast the mage with her staff. But she couldn't, not until she got Cyndra to remove her control over the Red and Yellow Psycho Rangers. She was glad of the helmet that covered her face; it kept hidden the hot tears that threaten to spill over from her eyes. "Just shut the hell up!" She pointed her staff at Cyndra. "All I want, is for you to let them go."
"Really, is that all?" asked Cyndra, looking at her curiously. She smirked. "You willing to risk them, just like you risked the life of your precious tin man?"
"You used a different spell on them," Astronema explained, having detected the energies in Zhane. "I might not be a High Mage, but I'm a mage all the same. I already had those two under my control before you stole them away. I know you had to use a different spell on them to take away my control. My spell no longer holds them, so its only yours that is left. And I can tell you don't have any others on Zhane."
"Smart girl," Cyndra sneered.
"What, is it all too much for you to do old hag?" Astronema asked, in her most condescending tone.
Cyndra narrowed her eyes. "Do not think of challenging me Astronema dear. You've already seen exactly what I can do." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Are you really certain that you want this?"
"Of course I am," Astronema answered. She pointed her staff at Astronema. "Release them now, or I turn you to dust."
"Please," laughed Cyndra, "If you were going to 'turn me to dust', you would have already done it. But you know that my spell won't be released with my death, which is why you need me to release the two Rangers first. Do think before you make threats Astronema dear. After all, its really best to know exactly what you are asking for....."
In a sudden fluid motion, Cyndra raised her hands towards the ceiling. A glowing blue ball formed between her palms, creating a glowing aura around her. She looked at Astronema with a knowing smile on her face, as if she knew something that the Amethyst Ranger didn't. It worried Astronema, that Cyndra was complying so neatly like this, especially considering how quickly she had killed off......
"Iriala!" shouted Cyndra. Astronema recognized the word from an ancient language; it's meaning somewhere along the lines of freedom.
The blue light left Cyndra's hands, splitting into two. One of the balls of light vanished, presumably it was heading in Ashley's direction on Earth. The other sped towards Zhane, completely surrounding him. The Red Psycho Ranger screamed as the shadows within him were sucked out by the light. As suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Zhane was now silent. He remained standing where he was. Slowly, he reached up to his helmet. Undoing the clasps, he removed the headgear and threw it aside.
He didn't look like the man Astronema remembered. His dark hair had become white-blond. His black eyes had now lightened to a remarkable blue. For a moment, Astronema saw herself, Andros and Zhane, as children, playing together on Kerova. They had all looked so happy and peaceful together.
And we will be together once again. In a sudden realization, Astronema realized that was what she now wanted. She wanted to know this man, the one that she had corrupted without thought. She wanted to spend a lifetime making up for what she had done, not only to him, but to all of the people she had harmed. It was time for her to come to terms with her life when she had been the Princess of Evil, and repay her sins as the Amethyst Ranger.
Zhane looked wildy at the two women. Astronema immediately saw that he didn't recognize her in her Amethyst Ranger suit. Instead, his eyes focused on Cyndra. The look in his eyes told Astronema that he was not sane.
He wouldn't be sane, not with the sudden loss of Cyndra's control. It was too much of a shock, combined with the power drains from the Red and Silver Astro Powers, and the Red Psycho ones! He's been attached to the three different powers for too long. And... Cyndra knew it! She knew what this would do to him! Astronema couldn't believe the bitch had tricked her again.... How could I have been so naive?
"You!" Zhane screamed. A savage cry ripped from his throat. He ran towards her, his blade poised to strike.
Astronema and Cyndra both made moves to stop him. The Amethyst Ranger knew very well what was going to happen if she didn't stop him first. But it was too late. With a mere gesture from Cyndra, the Red Psycho Ranger stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes now stared blankly at them. Astromena looked at Cyndra; a fear growing within her as she saw the amused expression on the other woman's face.
"You wouldn't..." Astronema whispered, her hands clenching her staff. But in the back of her mind, she knew very well what Cyndra could do.
Cyndra turned to look at her, almost as if she had forgotten that the Amethyst Ranger had been there. She smirked. "Remember what I used to do with your toys Astronema?" Cyndra's eyes glowed as she looked back at the Red Psycho Ranger. She held her hand out, closing it into a tight fist. In response, the blade dropped from Zhane's hands, as he clawed wildly at his throat.
Astronema didn't stop to think. All she knew was that she had to save Zhane. She couldn't let what had happened to Ecliptor, happen to Zhane. She pointed her staff at Cyndra, and let loose with an energy beam, more powerful than anything she had ever done before. But just before the purple stream hit the mage, Cyndra whispered one word. Zhane immediately crumpled to the floor.
"No!" Astronema cried out, watching as Zhane's life aura floated from the body. In a desperate attempt, she tried using her magic to summon back the spirit. But she was out of power, having already used it all in that one blast. The life aura continued its journey up through the ceiling, into space, hopefully on its way to a peaceful place.
There was a quiet chuckle nearby. Barely able to move her head, Astronema turned to look at the source of the offending sound. In a pile of debris was Cyndra, looking more broken and beaten than Astronema had ever seen her. Yet, the bitch was still managing to laugh.
"I win," Cyndra said through her chuckles, "I win." She closed her eyes and smiled. "One less Ranger to plague me. One of your toys gone."
"You're pretty much near death yourself, you old hag," Astronema replied, using her staff to prop herself up. "So why don't you just shut the hell up."
Cyndra opened her eyes. The sapphire pools stared at Astronema. "Death? Me?" She laughed quietly once again, "Do you really think that one little blast would have done anything to me? This is just a temporary setback Astronema dear. Don't worry, I will be back." With a snap of her fingers, Cyndra suddenly vanished. All that remained was her taunting laughter echoing around Astronema.
"Damn you Cyndra!" she shouted, finally falling to her knees in exhaustion. Her eyes fell upon Zhane's body. Slowly, she crawled to it. Once she reached it, she cradled his head in her lap. "I'm sorry Zhane. I'm sorry...."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"No.... No!!" Those were the words that TJ heard when he came to the area where Marie was fighting. He stared in shock as he watched Marie use her blaster to destroy all the Quantrons in sight. He had never seen the Gold Ranger act with such ferocity. Even without his help, the number of foot soldiers was dropping rapidly. By now, the metallic minions were getting the idea that running away was a good idea. What usually would have been amusement turned to worry as he watched the last of the Quantrons leave the area. He was about to go after them, but was stopped as he watched Marie suddenly fall to her knees. Her hands grasped wildly at the clasps on her helmet as she tried to force them apart.
"Marie? What's going on?" he asked, coming beside her.
"Zhane...." she whispered, finally getting her helmet off. "He's gone!"
TJ was shocked. "What? What do you mean he's gone?"
Marie looked up at the Blue Ranger. "I felt him die. He.... He's dead TJ. He's dead."
"I'm sorry." TJ couldn't think of anything else to say. "Marie....."
Marie suddenly looked up at the Blue Ranger, tears in her eyes. "Just what the hell was this all for? Zhane is dead!!" She looked away from TJ. "It.... It was all for nothing."
"No, it wasn't," TJ replied, "We're fighting evil. We're helping to save the world."
"I don't give a damn about the world!!" Marie shouted, her emerald eyes blazing. "I don't care anymore!! I don't!! I...." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I just want Zhane back...."
"And do you really think that Zhane would want to see you like this?" TJ demanded. He knew he had to get Marie out of this bout of self-pity immediately. Later she would be able to mourn, but there wasn't time for it, not now. "He was a Ranger, just like us. He knew the risks. If he hadn't, he never would have fought with you on Kerova!"
"This is just too much," Marie said, not really hearing what TJ was saying. "I've mourned them too often." Her voice was breaking. "I can't do it again. We were all supposed to be together. But we can't, not anymore."
"Damn," muttered TJ. Marie wasn't going to be a help to anyone in this state. He slapped his hand on his communicator. "Megaship! Alpha, anyone, please respond!"
"Yes TJ?" Alpha's voice came through.
"I need you to teleport Marie to the med bay right away," TJ said.
"Right away, but why?" asked Alpha.
"She's in shock. I think she had some sort of connection to Zhane. Says she felt him die." The last words came out in a whisper.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Alpha, "Ay, yi, yi!"
"Have someone ready in the med bay with something to sedate her," TJ advised, "I think she'll need it."
"Yes TJ," replied Alpha, "Teleporting, now." TJ saw the Gold Ranger vanish away in a stream of gold-colored light.
"Thanks Alpha," the Blue Ranger said. "How are the others doing?" TJ hoped that everything was going well. Right now, all the Rangers were doing was playing catch up to Cyndra's forces. It was taking everything the Rangers had in order to keep the battle from being truly spread across the globe. If they didn't stop Cyndra and her grandfather now, TJ knew that they never would.
"The battles are going as well as can be expected TJ," Trini's voice answered. "The number of Quantrons has gone down, and some of the monsters have now been destroyed too. We've been able to do a bit more doubling up for some of the major areas. But even with the militaries helping, there still aren't enough people free to make any sort of strike against Dark Specter's ship."
TJ sighed. He knew that he couldn't have expected any other news. "At least no more monsters have been sent down."
"Yes, that's true," Trini replied, her voice sounding as tired as TJ's. "Jason went to the med bay when we heard about Marie. I'm checking up on Andros now too. There's also another thing. We still haven't been able to track down Astronema. I don't think she's on Earth anymore."
"Dammit," TJ said. "Then she's either on Dark Specter's ship, or...."
"The Dark Fortress," supplied Trini. There was a pause, as there was beeping going on in the background. "This is weird. DECA just registered some sort of explosion coming from the Dark Fortress."
"Was it Astronema?" asked TJ, hoping that if it was, the Amethyst Ranger was alright.
"I don't know," Trini answered. "Wait, I'm receiving a message.... Oh my God! This is it!" Trini's voice became high with excitement. "This is it!"
"Trini, calm down," TJ said, "What are you talking about?"
"The message, it was from Astronema," Trini reported, her voice by no means calm. "She's somehow taken over the Dark Fortress. She's reporting that... Zhane is dead, but everyone, and everything in there is now under her command. TJ, she says that we can use the Dark Fortress to infiltrate Dark Specter's ship."
"We can?" TJ asked, not believing what he had just heard. "This means...."
"This means, that we actually have a chance of rescuing Zordon."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The time was drawing near. His heavy eyelids fluttered open. Yes, as he looked upon the shadows that surrounded him, he could see that many possibilities had vanished, leaving only a few behind. Those few told him what his destiny would be. All showed that he would escape this time trap. Only one showed that he would leave this ship alive. But he had beaten the odds before. He would simply bide his time, as he had for so long. When the time came, he would do what he had to do. Even if it meant, his death.