"Astronema, Princess of Evil, what is it you have to report?" Dark Specter asked, looming over Astronema from her position on the pillar, facing her master.
"I'm afraid that I have some bad news, my Lord," she replied, lowering her head in shame. "The attempt to take out KO-35 and the rebels led by the Power Rangers was a complete failure. They were overwhelmed, but somehow they still prevailed."
"What?" he was angered, there was no doubt about that, "That is unacceptable, especially from you, Astronema!"
"It wasn't a complete failure, though. They were able to take out the astro megaship named Maelstrom, and severely damaged the other two. In the ground we gained from the attack I was able to perfect the resurrection of one of my grand generals. One perhaps even stronger than Ecliptor."
"Another general?" he interrogated.
"Yes, the Bane of Arma."
"The Bane of Arma?" he seemed generally surprised, a trait that Astronema has never seen before.
"Yes, one of the most powerful ones, as well. We should be able to test out his abilities soon. I am sure Trey will enjoy the blast from the past."
Zhane stared at the ceiling of his quarters in the Astro Megaship. He was depressed. There was so much to do, but only so little that he could do. This war was not going in their favor, the attack on KO-35 only helped proved this point. If they knew all along that they were hiding out on KO-35, then perhaps some of their other hide-outs weren't as secret as they thought. Perhaps there is even a mole in their organization.
"Astronema— Karone— why? Why are you doing this?" he sat on the edge of the mattress, placing his head in the palms in his hands. "I need to clear my mind."
He stood up and left his room, grabbing only his jacket.
"Zhane, are you leaving?" it was the voice of DECA, the ship's computer.
"Uh, yeah, but don't tell anyone, ok? I want to be alone for awhile," he was caught off guard.
"Zhane I must request that you take your Digitizer with you, in case something drastic happens."
"Right," he felt the inside breast pocket of his jacket, and felt his Digitizer safely in the pocket.
"Take care, Zhane."
"I will, I will." he said as he continued walking down the corridor.
In a few hours time he was on his Silver Cycle, traveling up around a man-made mountain path. Soon he came to the peak, or at least the highest point the trail would allow him to go. In all reality the mountain continued up several hundred feet, but that was too high to enjoy the view. And it was, indeed, a spectacular view of the giant forest below. He often came here before the war to partake in the view, and he continued to do so, although on a very rare occasion. He powered down as he got off his cycle and leaned against the railing and sighed.
It gave him some solace to see that the beautiful scenery was unharmed despite the years of war.
He didn't know how long he stood there, staring at the horizon, and it really didn't bother him, either. The sudden tone of his communicator brought him back to reality. Shaking his head, he grabbed his Digitizer. He stared at it for a few seconds before putting it to his ear.
"Hello?"
In his previous trance-like state, he hadn't noticed four Quantrons teleport down behind him.
"Zhane, where are you? You are out of the reach of our scanners." it was Andros.
Zhane didn't have time to respond before he was knocked over the rail by the Quantrons behind him.
"Let's rocket!" he screamed, ignoring Andros to protect himself from the fall.
He landed on his left arm and screamed out in pain. He rolled over on his back and held up his Digitizer.
"Andros, I have been attacked, I don't know how many there are, requesting back up," he was met only with static, "Damn! I must be in Astronema's jamming zone." he spoke to himself as he got to his feet.
He turned around towards the mountain, trying to think of an easier way than to scale the entire mountain while fighting off whatever Astronema can throw at him.
"So you are suppose to be the strongest Power Ranger? Don't make me laugh!"
It was a voice unfamiliar to Zhane, and it induced fear, nonetheless. He slowly turned to face this new adversary. He saw what he thought was only in legend, a creature known throughout the universe as a centaur. He had the upper torso of a man, but the lower body of a horse. On either side of his head he had two horns, spiraled like that of a ram.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am the greatest of Astronema's generals! They call me Kubista!"
"Kubista? OK, then," he formed his Super Silverizer in his hand, "Take this!"
Zhane opened fire on Kubista. He galloped forward, the shots not seeming to even phase him. As Kubista came nearer, Zhane was made aware of long, pointed claws on his fingers. As Zhane's bolts detonated futilely on Kubista, his fear grew greater and greater. As the general galloped passed Zhane, he reached out and clawed Zhane across the chest. He fell back, and around and landed on his stomach. He looked up as Kubista reeled around and began a second charge towards the silver ranger.
Zhane, out of complete and utter fear, ran the other way, deeper and deeper into Astronema's jamming zone. No matter how fast Zhane ran, Kubista was close behind him. Kubista was soon on his heels. He reached down and grabbed Zhane's arm and lifted him up into the air. With his other arm he punched the ranger square in the chest, sending him flying into a nearby tree. The tree splintered and fell backward.
"Is this all the Power Rangers have to offer? Pathetic!" Kubista stood over Zhane's body, ready to deal the final blow.
He raised his clenched fist into the air. He was interrupted by the other five Space Rangers, hitting him simultaneously with their Astro Blaster. They jumped off their Galaxy Gliders and stood in front of their fallen friend.
"So, your friends finally found you? Good! Now I can take you all down together!"
"We'll see about that!" Carlos said, as they formed the Quadroblaster.
"FIRE" the four of them said in unison as the blaster, made from the weapons of the black, blue, yellow and pink rangers, unleashed its attack.
The blast hit Kubista and he was soon engulfed in an explosion.
"That should teach him to be so cocky!" Ashley said.
"What, what's that?" Cassie asked, pointing towards the huge cloud of smoke where Kubista once stood.
"Is that all you've got?" he asked, mockingly, tapping his front hoof in irritation.
"No, I'll take you on myself!" Andros produced his Spiral Saber and charged forward.
Kubista blocked Andros' first strike, then Andros ducked under his counterattack. Kubista reared and kicked Andros with both his front hooves, knocking him onto his back.
"This is pathetic!" between his cupped hands, Kubista formed a green orb of energy and threw it at the four standing Space Rangers. "So, this is what has been keeping Astronema and Dark Specter from controlling the galaxy? I simply don't understand."
"Well prepare to start!" Janet said, jumping from behind him and attacking with her Turbo Star Chargers.
Her attacks seemed to hardly phase him and struck back with his tail. Jon jumped up behind Janet, his Turbo Lightning Sword extended forward. Kubista knocked it out of the way and rammed him in the chest with his horns.
A hail of laser fire hit him and he was once again engulfed in a thick cloud of black smoke. One by one, the Zeo Rangers and the Mighty Morphin' Rangers jumped off their Galaxy Gliders and landed in front of their fallen comrades, most of whom where starting to get back up.
"Did I miss much?" Trey asked, being the last one to arrive at the scene.
"No, you're just in time for the true fight to begin," Zhane answered, staggering forward with the other Power Rangers.
Slowly the smoke started to lift, and the form of Kubista was seen, still standing. As the last of the smoke dissipated, Trey stepped forward in disbelief.
"What the— what the hell?" he spoke aloud.
"Trey? Trey of Triforia, it is you, isn't it?" Kubista asked, trotting forward.
"I killed you!" Trey said.
"Yet, here I am. The universe acts in strange ways, now doesn't it?" Kubista asked, unfolding his arms and preparing to fight.
Trey didn't answer, he only ran forward, despite the pleas from his fellow rangers, Kubista did the same. Trey jumped forward and kicked with both his feet. It struck Kubista while they were in mid air, and sent the centaur flying back. Trey quickly got to his feet and continued his attack. Kubista matched the young prince's attack move for move, indeed they were both very familiar with each other, and their fighting techniques.
"You've grown strong, Trey," Kubista remarked with a smile.
"You still have same old tricks, Kubista," Trey responded, "I, on the other hand, have learned some new ones."
He charged forward and jumped up in the air. His fist started to glow with an eerie golden sphere of light, and he punched his adversary. Sparks flew and it finally seemed to affect the centaur they once believed to be invincible. Kubista screamed in pain and clutched at his face, the point of impact.
"You bastard, Trey!" Kubista removed his hand, there didn't seem to be a scar, the only proof of any attack was the smoke rising from the point of impact, "I'll kill you!"
With that shout he fired several orbs of green energy towards the Gold Ranger. Using his super human speed, Trey easily dodged all of them while advancing towards Kubista. Trey drew his Golden Power Staff once he came within a few feet of Kubista. Trey soon started to glow with pure golden energy and jumped towards his adversary. Sparks flew as Trey's attack connected with the centaur. Trey reappeared behind Kubista, they turned to face each other.
"Ready to give up?" Trey asked.
"You know me better than that, Trey."
"I suppose I do," he entered into a battle stance.
Before either of them could attack, something fell from the sky and landed with an explosion not far from where they stood. Distracted, they both looked towards the explosion. Kubista's eyes grew wide as he saw what it was that was sent down to him. He laughed, hit the unsuspecting Trey with an energy blast, and galloped towards the object.
"No! Don't let him get it!" Trey shouted, not having the strength to stand.
Kim reacted immediately and shot an arrow at Kubista, the other rangers reacted similarly, firing at him with their own weapons. None of the shots seemed to affect him.
Before long, Kubista was standing in front of the article of his desire. A giant red sword was stuck in the ground, and Kubista stared at it with great desire. He reached out a hand to grasp the hilt of the sword. A lone Galaxy Glider flew overhead, its occupant jumped off and slashed with a sword of his own against the giant beast.
The blade slashed across Kubista's eye. Jason lifted his head to look into the eyes of Kubista, who now had a scar over his left eye. Kubista swung his tail into the red ranger's head, sending him flying.
"No!" Trey screamed, coming up behind Kubista as he grabbed his sword and lifted it out of the ground.
With the sword in his hand, he transformed and was now wearing a suit of red armor. Jason appeared in front of Kubista, sword in hand, vengeance in mind.
"Jason, don't!" Trey warned.
He didn't know if Jason heard him or not, but he if he did he didn't heed the warning. Jason struck once again with his sword over the helmeted head of Kubista, his blade shattering in the process. Jason stepped back, looking with disbelief at what was left of his sword. Trey grabbed him and moved him out of the way just as Kubista's blade struck where Jason was.
"We must go, now!" Trey shouted, running towards the other rangers, "He is too strong!"
They didn't need to be told twice. They all boarded their Galaxy Gliders and flew off. As they passed over the mountain, Zhane jumped off, and landed on his Silver Cycle, which was now transformed into its Galaxy Glider.