Disclaimer: Okay, once more for the record. Amy, Amber, Cora, the White Space Ranger powers, and the Wizard are mine. Alexis Darling is Rachael's and is used with her permission, and this series does not impact the "Streaks of Purple" series. The rest of the Power Rangers are owned by Saban.

The Rangers were relieved when they learned that Alexis had woken up and was on her way to the bridge for the next strategy session. Likewise, Alexis had been relieved to know that her efforts had allowed them to take back the astral powers.

Once she showed up and sat down, silence followed for a few moments until Andros said, "The Wizard won't like this turn of events. Chances are he won't wait to see if Darkconda really is dead. We need to figure out his next move.

"That's easier said than done." Jason replied. "Unless you know the Wizard."

Andros shook his head. "I don't. But I'm sure we won't have to wait long for him to strike."

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The Wizard watched the battle through the small clear orb the Teller had used to observe the Rangers and read their minds. Several things stuck out in particular, but the most telling was the White Ranger.

"She seems uncomfortable with her position." The Teller pointed out to him. "I would surmise it has to do with her powers, though I do not understand why."

The Wizard nodded. "It must be because of the position her powers should put her in. Being the leader of the Power Rangers. She must feel she is not capable of being their leader, despite the fact all evidence would seem to indicate that the Red Ranger is the leader regardless of powers." He said, then smiled and stood. "So I must exploit this weakness of hers. Bring me the Brain Drain monster and send out the probe."

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"Okay," Tommy started as he put his arm around Kat. "The first thing we need to do would be to find out information about him. Maybe someone we know has heard of him."

"Maybe." Ashley started but was interrupted by an alarm. They all turned as DECA stated, "A monster has been sent to Earth. I am also detecting a probe heading toward the M51 galaxy."

Kat tensed up. "Isn't that Master Vile's realm?" She asked.

Andros nodded. "It is. The Wizard might be allied with Master Vile. If he is then the Wizard may be seeking his help. We can't let that probe go."

Jason stood up. "The Essence Rangers will go take out the monster, you guys go destroy that probe." He instructed. When no one argued his plan the rangers got up and left, Jason calling, "It's Morphin Time!"

"Orange Ranger Power!" "Purple Ranger Power!" "White Ranger Power!" "Green Ranger Power!" "Black Ranger Power!" "Pink Ranger Power!" "Blue Ranger Power!" "Yellow Ranger Power!" "Red Ranger Power!"

Carlos took the navigation controls as Andros stood up and said, "Set course to intercept that probe. We can't lose it."

"Course set." Carlos confirmed.

Andros turned to see TJ take the weapons control, Cassie over by sensors. Having nothing to do, Ashley and Zhane just stood by and waited.

"We will intercept the probe in fifteen minutes." Carlos said, not turning from the main viewer.

Amber stood at the console that linked to engineering, but something bothered her. Why would the Wizard send a probe he knew we would detect and intercept, while only sending a monster that Amy and the others can probably destroy easily? She asked herself.

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The nine rangers showed up, but didn't see the monster anywhere. After looking around the area for a moment Rocky said, "Maybe DECA was mistaken."

No one responded, but they couldn't help but agree to the possibility. Which was when the monster jumped out and hit Zack and Kimberly in the back. The other rangers ran to their sided and turned to look at the monster.

It was essentially a six foot tall, muscled lizard, except his head was entirely encompassed, looking like a giant entrapped brain. Jason could hear Kimberly say, "Eew." And couldn't agree more.

"Rangers, welcome to your doom." The monster said and then charged the Rangers. It struck first Tommy and Jason, then Kat and Kimberly, followed by Cora and Rocky, and was about to hit Amy and Zack when Alexis stepped forward and kicked it in the stomach, then delivering a flying kick that sent the monster hurtling into a tree. "Everyone okay?" Alexis asked.

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, we're all okay. But that thing is strong."

The Brain Drain Monster recovered immediately and shot out at the nine Rangers. The blast hit them and sent them scattering. He jumped up and intercepted Rocky, putting both his hands on his helmet. A moment later green rays went from his arms into his hands and through his helmet. Then he dropped them.

"Rocky!" called out Cora, and then looked at the monster. "What did you do to him?"

"Same thing I'll do to you." The monster responded and then rushed forward to snag Cora, but Jason and Tommy leapt out, striking the monster backwards. The other Rangers ran toward Rocky.

Brain Drain smiled suddenly and rushed out to intercept Amy, flinging her high into the hair and causing her to land on the ground hard, slightly winded.

"Amy!" Kimberly called out as she rose to go help her. The other Rangers knelt beside Rocky, except for Jason and Tommy, who stood guard up front, waiting for Brain Drain to make a move.

"If you've hurt her." Jason started as he drew his Power Sword.

"I would be more concerned with yourselves, she's the one I want to remain." Brain Drain told them, then brought both of his hands forward and shot out a massive ray at the Essence Rangers.

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"I have a lock on the probe." TJ told Andros.

Andros nodded. "Fire the Megalasers." He ordered

He complied and several burst shot from the underside of the Megaship and at the probe. Somehow the probe avoided them all.

'Try again." Andros told him, and then turned to Cassie. "Does that thing have sensors or something?" he asked.

Cassie pressed a few buttons and some data came up. "It has sensors. It can track are weapons and adjust accordingly." She reported to them.

Something still bothered Amber. She looked at Cassie. "Can you gat a link into the probe?" she asked.

"I'll try." Cassie said and then set about to do just that. Andros turned to look at her. "Do you suspect something?" he asked her.

"It bothers me that only one monster was sent down, weapon evasion sensors or not." She admitted. "I'm thinking the Wizard isn't attempting to contact Master Vile but instead sent this probe as a diversion."

"For what?" TJ asked her.

"I may have the answer." Said a voice from behind them. They turned to see Alpha walk in and go over to a mini screen. He pressed a few buttons and brought up the battle the Essence Rangers fought against Darkconda. "Something seemed wrong to me, how easily the Wizard allowed him to be destroyed so easily. So I scanned the battle and found this." He showed them the image of the Teller, watching them from the sidelines.

"What is that?" Ashley asked him.

"The Teller." Andros answered. "He's a hired mercenary. He records battles and can read minds. He must have recorded this battle for the Wizard, but I don't understand why.

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Amy came to just as her friends fell from Brain Drain's laser beam. She stood to face him. "What did you do to them?" she asked him.

"I have drained all of the Ranger knowledge they possess, they now have no recollection about how their powers work." He explained to the White Ranger.

"No way you're going to do that to me." Amy warned him as she withdrew Saba.

"Not at all." Brain Drain agreed and folded his arms onto his chest. "It's your move now, leader of the Power Rangers."

Amy seemed stunned. "What? What are you talking about?"

"I mean that you are the only one who knows what she's up against. They are relying on you for strategy." He explained to her.

She ran over to the Rangers as they were recovering. To her surprise Tommy looked over at her and asked her, "What's going on? What do we do now?"

Amy looked shocked. "I.I don't know what you mean. You should ask Jason what to do." She said.

The Red Ranger looked at her. "I don't know what to do. We don't even know what this monster is capable of." He said.

"He just erased your minds." Amy said. "How can you not know what he." she then stopped, realizing what had just happened. Brain Drain had incapacitated the Rangers, and was they were not relying on her to lead them.

"Better think fast, girl." Brain Drain said as she shot out at the Rangers. It struck them all and they all fell back.

"What do we do?" Kat asked Amy.

I'm not sure. I'm no leader; there is no way I can tell them what to do. Shot through her mind, reminding her of why she felt she should not have been selected to become the Whit Ranger.

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"I don't know why either." Amber said. "But I'm sure that probe is a diversion. It doesn't have anything on it we need to worry about."

Cassie turned toward them all. "She's right It's an empty shell. We've been had." She said.

Andros tensed up as he turned to Carlos. "Head back to Earth at maximum speed. We need to get to the Essence Rangers," He said.

"Hang in there guys." Amber whispered.

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"Amy, what do we do?" Zack asked her, repeating Kat's question of moments ago.

Amy closed her eyes for just a moment, and then took a deep breath. She was not capable of leading, but she had to try just that until the Space Rangers could stop the probe and come to their aid. "Jason, give your sword to Alexis. Alexis, follow my lead. We need to distract Brain Drain until." then she stopped, realizing she was needed to use the Power Cannon, and yet they needed the Power Sword to form the Power Blaster.

"Go on." Cora said.

"It won't work." Amy said, slamming her fists on the ground. "I don't know what to do."

"You can die, you and all of your friends." Brain Drain stated as he rushed again to the Rangers.

Wait! Shot through her mind. "Tommy, take Saba. You used him once and I'm sure you can figure out how to do it again." She said and then looked at Jason. "Give Alexis your sword. Alexis and Tommy will keep Brain Drain distracted until we can form the Power Cannon."

Jason handed his sword to Alexis as Amy handed Saba to Tommy. Without hesitation both the Green and Purple Ranger rushed to meet the monster before he got to close to them. Tommy kicked the Brain Drain monster in the chest to send him flying, giving his friends the time they needed.

Amy quickly instructed the Rangers on the position they needed. Zack beside her. Kat in the middle on her side, Kimberly on Zack's side. Then Jason behind Kimberly and Rocky behind Kat.

Tommy and Alexis swung their swords at the monster. He caught both of them by the tips.

"Aim and fire!" Amy commanded.

The monster released the two rangers to catch the cannon blast and send it back at the six rangers. It struck them and they dropped the Power Cannon.

"You were able to lead them, but they don't have the experience. But I have their experiences inside of me. I know how to deflect anything you have. Including your bomb." Brain Drain informed them.

Tommy and Alexis ran to their sides. The ricochet and even managed to strike Cora down. The monster powered up another stronger beam and aimed it at the Rangers. They were all surprised when an arrow shot the monster, slashing his arms and causing him to lose the energy.

"Who dares?" Brain Drain questioned and turned to face the new opposition at the same time as the Essence Rangers.

A White Ranger stood there. The suit looked like Zhane's except for the fact that this particular suit was white. The figure lowered a crossbow to the side, pressed a button to make it now a small blaster and placed it into the holster. Then the figure withdrew a sword.

"What's this?" Brain Drain questioned curiously

"I won't let you hurt them." The White Space Ranger told him in a feminine voice, and took a fighting stance.

Then the Space Rangers showed up behind the Essence Rangers, and were also shocked to see the new Ranger. "Who is that?" Zhane asked. "I wasn't aware there were any more powers." Ashley said.

"Neither was I." Andros replied.

The White Ranger jumped up and kicked the monster in the chest. Before he could recover she slashed at him several times with the sword. She then kicked him again, this time into a tree. She then looked at the Space Rangers. "Andros, try the Spiral Saber in booster mode. And the Qudrablaster."

"How does she know who you are?" Zhane asked his best friend.

"I'll have to ask her." Andros said. "After we take out this brain drain monster. You heard her, let's do it."

Andros pulled out his Spiral Saber while the other rangers pulled out their respective weapons. The four Rangers brought them together to form the Quadrablaster while Andros attached the his Astro Blaster to the Spiral Saber. They all took aim and fired, destroying the monster. Eight beams of color flew out and into the Essence Rangers, minus Amy.

"Are you guys okay?" Cassie asked the rangers.

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, we're fine."

"I'm sorry." Amy told them all. "I should have done better. I'm not a very good leader, or a good ranger."

The White Space Ranger came to them now. "I think you make an excellent Ranger. And a good leader." She replied.

Jason looked at her. "You deserve to have the white ranger powers. And you could be the leader no matter how bad you think you are at that." He backed up.

"I can't be the leader. I almost cost us our lives, if not for.whoever she is." Amy said.

Jason smiled. "Like I said, you are capable of it, and a fine White Ranger. But regardless of what it meant then, now being the White Ranger doesn't mean being the leader. Just part of the team." He said.

"Yeah." Zack agreed. "Let the experts handle it." He nodded toward Jason and Tommy. "Any one of us can do it, they're just simply more adept at it than any of us."

` Amber came over to her friend. "Someone thinks you can do it or you never would have been selected. And I know you can do it. If you like I can work with you on the fighting." She said. Amy nodded. "That'd be great." She assured. She looked at the White Space Ranger. "Thank you for your help today.

"No problem." She replied.

"Who are you? How do you know us? Or me?" Andros asked her.

"Isn't it obvious?" she asked. A moment later she removed her helmet, letting her blonde hair flow behind her. "It's me, Andros. I'm back." Karone said.

The Space Rangers went over to hug her, and she embraced them, glad to be back home. "I thought you were on Terra Venture, taking Kendrix's place after Psycho Pink killed her." Cassie asked.

"I was." Karone explained. "They made it safely to Minori, Maya's home world. Kendrix came back and we put the sabers back in their places. Maya gave me this, saying that her world had held this, unsure of what it was. She made the connection when you guys went to help them fight the Psycho Rangers. She said they didn't need it but maybe you guys did."

"It's great to have you back, Karone." Zhane said easily.

"Great to be back." Karone assured him and then looked at her brother. "I see you rebuilt the Megaship, Andros. Can I see it?"

Andros smiled. "Come on, sis. Guys. Let's go home."

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The Wizard hadn't expected Karone, who was Astronema for years, to show up and ruin his fun. Although he was willing to admit the Space Rangers would have shown in enough time to fight Brain Drain and the White Ranger would have warned them of his abilities.

"Fear not." The Teller told him. "We have many more weaknesses to exploit."

The Wizard smiled and said, "Next time, rangers. You will be mine."

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` "So this Wizard is the one responsible for all of this?" Karone asked her brother as he showed her the new Megaship.

Andros nodded. "Yeah, my guess is he didn't plan on you showing up though. But he'll probably find a way to take advantage of it." He told her.

"Let him, we can take him." Karone said. Then she paused. "We should know more about him before we can fight him. I never heard of him, even as Astronema. But I think I know where to look."

Karone has rejoined her team. But where is she going to go to get her information? What will the Wizard do now that she has shown? What other weaknesses can he use against the Essence Ranger? Stay tuned.