A/N: Plot bunny that I haven't seen specifically explored. Some guidelines here. In this story, Kimberly is technically born on M-51 and is Master Vile's youngest daughter but is whisked away to Phaedos, then Earth at birth before she can be fully corrupted. As such, in this story she is adopted.

A/N 2: Also, Dulcea is evil in this story - the Ninjetti and Phaedos is under different leadership in this story as Dulcea betrayed the Ninjetti once to join Master Vile. Phaedos doesn't come into play until Kimberly leaves the team. Dulcea is Kimberly's mother and Master Vile's wife. More mature version of this is on AO3. One word for this chapter: Rematch!

A/N 3: It's been a few days since the awful passing of JDF, and I still can't find the words for how awful this is. A very sad week for the Ranger fandom, and community. May he rest in power. This account isn't going anywhere.

A/N 4: Usual disclaimer. Power Rangers does not belong to me. Changed to M rated to cover my derriere.

Chapter 22 – Road to Nowhere IV: Rematch

Phaedos

The Vigilante Dimension

Dulcea had gone back into her chambers to do some research on the Rangers who had landed in this dimension – obviously a place they did not want to be in.

To say the visiting Rangers were restless was an…understatement.

"You guys are ready to face this…wanderlusting…monster again aren't you?" a dirty blonde asked. The visiting Rangers recognized her as the Kira from this dimension, and prison had not been very kind to her either.

"And me…Master Vile's daughter," the Kimberly of this dimension said as well. "I cannot even imagine."

"And he's just as awful in our dimension as I am sure he was in yours," Aisha said.

"In this dimension, he goes away for good as far as I know," the Kat of this dimension said. "We don't face him again. Though, I would not put it past him to pull the bloody bullshit that Lothor does. Lothor rules with an iron fist."

The visiting Tori then took a good hard look at her compatriots who had been dumped in this hellish place and said, "Guys, I'm going to say something I didn't think I'd have to say."

"Say it," Rocky goaded.

"When we get back and win this, IF we win this, we're going to have to go public with our identities," Tori said. "The Princess as well."

She noticed she was already being given cold looks. Clearly, this was not going over well.

"Guys, you know that the public is going to find out one way or another. It happened in this dimension with dire consequences. Pretty much every Ranger team was thrown in prison. This is the big leagues, guys," Tori said. "The public will find out some day. I'd rather it be on our terms."

"All of you guys, your Tori is right," Jason suddenly said. "I was fired from law enforcement the day I was arrested for being a vigilante. Do NOT let it happen in your home."

"Concur," Kimberly and Tommy quickly added. "Guys, as far as I know Zordon is dead in your dimension just as he is here. We aren't playing by his rules anymore and this is adult stuff."

"He is," the visiting Rocky said. "And I am warming to Tori's idea. All it takes is one dirty, rotten public servant to make life very difficult for us unless it's on our terms."

Their attention was drawn to the entrance to Dulcea's quarters, where she was emerging from. This discussion would have to continue another time.

"Visiting Rangers," Dulcea said.

With quiet trepidation, the visiting Ninja Storm and Ninjetti Rangers fixed their gaze on the Master Warrior.

"While you all were discussing your current predicament and your futures, I was researching how you were brought here and the events that led to it," Dulcea said, her voice somber. "All of what you have said is indeed true and it makes me very sad – and quite a bit perturbed – that there is another version of me married to that three headed snake."

"The alliance you face is quite dreadful indeed. I am not surprised you were defeated the first time by the Wanderlustress – it is not your fault. The Princess, I will say, is quite resilient even with everything she has been through," Dulcea continued.

"The truth of the matter is that your powers, as currently constituted, are not strong enough to beat the Wanderlustress, or the Psycho ninja clones Lothor has created. Nor are your dimension's Dino Thunder Rangers."

The visiting Rangers grimaced. That meant they were in a race against the clock. It also answered a question about whether a different power source could defeat the Psychos. Apparently Vile and Lothor had left nothing to chance.

"Do not be dismayed, for in my view you have earned your trip back home, with your powers…and some of you will be getting an upgrade," Dulcea said. "This power upgrade will complete the power team necessary to beat her as well as the fake Rangers."

"Which is?" Rocky asked.

"The Ninja Storm and current Ninjetti Rangers, all Ninjetti, together as one," Dulcea said. "The Ninja Storm powers, though they were enough to defeat Lothor last time, are not near strong enough against the Wanderlustress, Vile, Lothor and your dimension's Dulcea."

"That being said, please stand and gather around the fire, visiting Rangers," Dulcea said. "Inside of each of us, there is an animal spirit waiting to be released. Close your eyes, look deep inside, and find it. I will start with the Ninja Storm team of six."

A few minutes later, the fire roared, and the six Ninja Storm Rangers took in their new powers.

Even the older Rangers could feel a new surge of strength in their young teammates. This version was far more powerful than any they'd had as well as more durable.

"Older Rangers, you shall receive your powers in a second," Dulcea said, "and you will not find much change to your powers, except that your attacks will carry much more force and strength. And William."

"Yes?" Billy said.

"With this upgrade, you will be able to use your elemental weather powers at your discretion. You will not have to worry about a power drain from here on."

"Ninja Storm Rangers, behold your new powers," Dulcea said.

The Ninja Storm Rangers could only wonder, 'if only we had these powers in the first fight.'

The Wind and Thunder morphers and Samurai amulet had tremendous power, but they were small time compared to this.

"Shane, fearless and true, you will possess the power of the golden eagle," Dulcea said. Dulcea shot a glare at Taylor, who was sniggering from the pack of formerly captive Rangers who were watching.

"Victoria, a true hero, unlike this dimension's Tori," Dulcea said. "Accurate and stealth, you will have the power of the turquoise shark."

"Dustin," Dulcea said, "quick and loyal, you will carry the power of the tan Puma at your disposal."

"Blake," she said next, "fast and aggressive, you shall be the purple tiger beetle."

"Hunter," Dulcea said next, "passionate and opportunistic, you will be the maroon scorpion."

"And Cameron," Dulcea finished, "powerful and deadly, you shall be the green python."

"Together, with the Rangers who will be going back with you, the Psycho ninjas and the Wanderlustress monster shall meet their match."

"Elder Rangers, come stand next to your teammates," Dulcea said.

Tendrils of power shot forward from her and it struck the five elder Rangers who did not want to be there. They felt their connections to the Grid restored, and their powers returned.

But the Rangers were not the only ones who felt their powers come back. Back in their own dimension, where it was still Saturday (what took a day in this dimension only took hours in their home), someone else felt it too.

"I cannot wait to take on those Psycho freaks again," Tori said. "And travel girl. This time we're going to kick their asses."

Saturday, June 5, 2004

Lothor's Private Lair

"CURSES!" Master Vile roared angrily. No one else could feel the shift in the Grid quite like him and Dulcea could. It was as if his rage had come out of nowhere. "Those Ninja Storm pukes and their older friends are going to be back with new powers!"

"You're kidding, right?" Wanderlustress whined. "That dimension destroys everyone in it!"

"Usually it does," Master Vile mused, suddenly remembering what Rita, when she was still on his side, had told him about the Island of Illusions and how it illustrated just how tough it was to get rid of these guys.

Again, he should have listened to his daughter. Because his other daughter and her friends had basically fought him to a stalemate at every turn when anyone else up against his power would have been defeated in no time flat.

The urgency of the moment was now at hand.

"Lothor, Melantha, you had better have something that can help us!" Dulcea snapped.

"Actually, we do, and we've been saving it for when you asked," Lothor said. "Remember, we also have the Psycho ninjas, and we also have this. Vintner, come forth!"

A space ninja emerged from the shadows that looked like an insanely tall bottle of wine.

"You're joking, right?" Wanderlustress said. "This is your grand solution?"

"He is much more than he looks," Lothor commented. "He can turn anything, human or otherwise, into a bottle of Eltarian wine which he can then drink out of."

"And I'm thinking of one particular Ranger who we can do that to which would mess up the timeline. Irrevocably," Melantha suggested.

Vile then realized who they were talking about. It was perfect.

Kill Tommy, capture Kimberly and turn Jen into a bottle of wine and drink her.

They could then rule the entire universe if they did those three things.

"I like your plan," Vile said. "Now is the time to destroy the Rangers, capture Kamara, kill Tommy and capture Jen with the help of Lothor's newest monster!"

"And I know the first part of how we are going to do it," Vile said. "Wanderlustress, you said you have the power to destroy the lair Tommy and Kamara hide from us in?"

"I do indeed," she said with a mischievous smirk, "with the same power that incapacitated their Zords."

1492 Valencia Drive

Reefside, CA, mid afternoon

The alarm suddenly sounded. The Rangers that remained were all dreading that but were hoping it wouldn't come this soon.

They also groaned when they saw another monster attacking the forest near Tommy's house with not just Wanderlustress and the Psycho Ninjas, but a new monster as well. As usual, Vile and Dulcea were overseeing the carnage as the goons scared off any animals nearby.

"Oh goodness," Sabrina shivered. "That's the Vintner monster. This is one of Lothor's deadliest monsters – he can turn any being, human or otherwise, into cheap Eltarian wine. I know of friends that fell to his power and never came back."

"You should not go out there, Jennifer," Sabrina finished.

"Nonsense," Jen said. "If I go down, I am going down swinging."

"A true Power Ranger, but be warned, Jennifer, if he turns you into a bottle of wine and then drinks you, it will put the timeline as we know it in grave danger," Fienna said.

"While I disagree with her going out there, I actually think it may help our cause," Rita said. "I have a gut feeling. This reminds me of when Astronema invaded in 1998…and I was there."

"You're saying, then, that this feels like we need every Ranger we can get," Jason said.

"That is correct," Rita said. "And I sense Daddy Dearest is desperate because your friends have regained their powers."

"WHAT?" Tommy and Kim shrieked simultaneously.

"I sense that that dimension's Dulcea is good and she gave them back their powers because they believed in themselves, and the Ninja Storm team Ninjetti powers," Fienna added.

"And they did it all without being captured," Tommy said. "Because they believed in themselves. They passed the test."

"Now we have to get out there and pass our test," Kim said. "We have to hang on long enough and stop Daddy until they get back."

"They're counting on destroying you all and capturing Kim before your friends get back," Rita said. "Be careful, dear sister."

"It's Morphin Time!"

"White Ranger Power!"

"Pink Ranger Power!"

"Dino Thunder, Power Up, Ha!"

"Silver!"

"White!"

"Black!"

"Orange!"

"Purple!"

"Green!"

"Cyan Ranger Dino Power!"

Hayley looked at her screen then froze.

"Guys, everybody out of here!" she said frantically. "Wanderlustress has activated her train powers and it's heading right for the lair. It's gonna blow!"

"Everybody teleport, now!" Tommy shouted.

They did, right as the unsuspecting attack rolled right through the entrance to Tommy's lair. What followed was a massive explosion.

The Rangers landed outside, knowing they escaped, but knew they had lost the lab. And those who had been in it likely didn't get out. As it turned out, if Jen hadn't come with them, she would have been captured or killed.

"It's gone. It's all gone," Kira said sadly.

"And soon you all will be too," Wanderlustress said gleefully as she admired her handiwork, "thanks to me and my friends!"

"Hello, Rangers," a smooth voice hailed Vintner's arrival, "soon you will be a part of my wine tasting collection!"

"We'll see about that," Tommy said, turning to the Dino Thunder team. "You guys handle the Psycho ninjas and Vintner. Kim and I will take on travel girl."

"Let's go!" Conner said.

As the fight began, no one noticed a glowing portal open up nearby in the woods. From it, eleven Rangers stepped through and surveyed their surroundings.

The first thing they smelled was burning smoke.

"Why does it smell so horrible out here?" Rocky whispered.

"Because of that," Tori said, tugging his arm. "Look!"

"Oh God," Aisha said, covering her helmet with her hand in horror. "They destroyed the base."

"They've gone way too far," Adam mumbled. "Anyone in there who didn't get out probably got captured immediately."

"Look, there are Kelzaks and Tengas trying to get to the Rangers," Rocky said. "Let's intercept them so the guys don't have more of a problem."

Meanwhile, on the actual battle site, things were already going south and quickly. Wanderlustress was overwhelming Tommy and Kim, again, and to make matters worse, Vile had joined the fight.

This was actually the first time Kim had faced her father in battle and while she wasn't doing terrible, he was still older and wiser in magic than Kim was. In the first five to ten minutes, she had yet to lay one good strike on him…he either dodged it completely or any contact was weak and minimal.

The Dino Thunder Rangers weren't faring much better…their hypothesis that the Dino Thunder team could handle the Psycho ninjas was way off base. They were as outmatched as the Ninja Storm team was. That was even though the newer Dino Thunder Rangers were using their new enhanced abilities for the first time.

Jen had the ability to clone herself but the green Psycho Ninja had destroyed her clone and was more than a match for her. Justin had tried a whirling dervish attack that had come with his dino gem (similar to the Turbo Megazord), but both Blue Psychos had put an end to that and Justin was lucky he wasn't hurt worse.

Kat was trying to use a shield attack as her new ability to defend herself from the yellow Psycho and Kira was trying to help her, but the Psycho was easily able to burrow through Kat's shield and handled Kira easily too.

And poor Tanya was having her own problems with the Crimson, and frequent times blue, Psychos, as well. Her ability was rapid fire punches like the Red Battlezord did once but it wasn't making a dent.

The Rangers regrouped after getting beat down. They were in trouble and they knew it.

"I think it's time some of you became a part of my wine tasting collection," Vintner smirked. "I think I'll start with you, Green."

"And as for you, daughter, you are coming with me and we are going home," Master Vile said. "But don't worry, you can share your torture with your sister."

There was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.

That was, until heavy laser fire hit the ground in front of the villains, sending them tumbling to the grass.

They picked themselves up and turned to see something they wished they were only dreaming.

From the shadows came eleven figures. Five of them didn't look much different, but it was the other six that made Vile and his associates nervous. Power teemed from them as they walked onto the scene of battle, prepared for a fight.

"How the hell did you freaks survive that dimension?" Vile roared.

"Because our will to survive is stronger than your will to kill, you slimy snake," Hunter said, from behind a maroon helmet. "Now you're about to learn the hard way."

"You have to deal with us first, and we're still better than you, Bradley," Psycho Crimson said.

"Don't get too cocky over there," Blake said. "You've never faced us like this before."

"Bring it on," Psycho Navy said.

"Attack!"

But from the onset of the rematch, the Psychos realized they were in trouble. Even though they successfully cornered the Rangers they faced last time and were programmed to know their moves, these Rangers were far different and their powers had more oomph than their Ninja Storm power counterparts and Vile hadn't had enough time to adjust.

Psycho Red met Shane again, but this time dressed in gold. About ten seconds in, after Shane disarmed the fake Hawk Blaster, Psycho Red knew he was in a lot of trouble. In desperation, he tried to use his air attacks to slow Shane down, but it wasn't working as Shane met him in the sky, dodged laser fire and then knocked the fake ninja out of the sky.

Finally, after a few more minutes, Shane swooped down from the sky and hurtled towards the red ninja.

"Uh oh," the fake ninja said. Shane's eagle katana hit dead on and, along with a ferocious water attack from Tori, the attack burnt the red ninja to ashes.

The rest of the fake ninjas fell quickly as well, with their opponents from the past successfully cornering them, beating them, and along with an attack from another Ranger, destroyed their opponents completely.

Fittingly, after what happened to Tori's emotions in the past dimension, her double was the last one standing.

"I think you and I should do this one Tor," Hunter said.

"Shark Jaws!"

"Scorpion Sting!"

A maroon colored energy stinger and several sharp turquoise energy teeth flew forward and tore through the light blue ninja easily. What resulted was a huge explosion. The Psycho Ninjas were no more.

At the same time, the energy from the new/old arrivals had changed the battlefield everywhere too as the rest of the Rangers, energized by the return of their friends, had gained the advantage as well. One final tornado kick from Kim sent Wanderlustress barreling into Master Vile.

"Welcome back, guys," Tommy said.

"So glad to be back, and so glad to be out of that hellhole," Tori said. "You have no idea what that place did to me emotionally."

"I can imagine," Kim said.

"You may have escaped the vigilante dimension and defeated the Ninja clones, but this isn't over yet!" Vile snarled as he and Dulcea sent waves of energy towards Vintner and Wanderlustress. Both were suddenly fifty stories tall.

"Dino Thunder team...guys," Tommy said. "You guys are gonna have to sit this one out. Especially you, Jen."

"But Tommy..."

"No buts, Jen. If they get you everything changes. Go with our friends."

"Besides, there was a good Dulcea where we went and she told us your Zords are useless against these monsters. Only the Ninjetti, with the Ninja Storm team involved, can beat Wanderlustress once and for all," Rocky said.

"Galaxy Glider, hang ten!" another voice suddenly said.

"Hi, Andros," Tommy said as the six Space Rangers suddenly appeared before them. "Good to see you."

"We told you we would be there for the Princess if she needed it," Ashley said. "Come with us please, Jen, Dino Rangers."

Jen sighed and said, "Fine. But you guys better win."

"We will win. Absolutely," Kim said.

Once the Dino Thunder team was safely ensconced in the Astro Megaship, the remaining Ninjas raised their hands to the sky.

"Ninjetti Zords, activate!"

"Falcon!"

"Crane!"

"Wolf!"

"Bear!"

"Frog!"

"Ape!"

"Gazelle!"

"Shark!"

"Eagle!"

"Puma!"

"Scorpion!"

"Tiger Beetle!"

"Python!"

"Power Up!"

A few minutes later, the Ninjetti Mega-Falconzord, Ninjetti Megazord and Gazelle Zord in warrior mode stood ready to fight, cracking with power.

"Now those Ninja Storm twerps have new Zords too?" Wanderlustress whined. "Oh this is just great."

"Less whining. More destroying," Vintner said.

"You guys take on Vintner. We'll handle Wanderlustress," Tommy said.

Inside, the Ninja Storm team grunted as they wanted to take on Wanderlustress themselves, but they were a team so they relented. "What he said," Shane said. "Let's go!"

"Oh goody, the same Rangers I beat up last time?" Wanderlustress said. "Piece of cake."

"Don't get too cocky over there, missy," Kim said. "We're not the same team."

As if to prove her point, the right leg of the Ninjetti Mega-Falconzord kicked her in the abdomen ferociously. She was still fast and could hold her own, but she knew she was in trouble. With the Ninja Storm Rangers receiving Ninjetti powers also, their attacks had more oomph behind them. Plus, Kim was still channeling some of Maligore's residual powers, adding more force to the attacks.

Vintner was in no less trouble. Five seconds into the attack, the Ninjetti Megazord had punched Vintner in his glass head with a right hand chock full of razor sharp Shark jaws, which broke his head into a million pieces.

To the Rangers shock, he had rebuilt himself immediately, but the gauntlet had been thrown down.

Immediately after reforming, he fired a beam from his chest, which narrowly missed the Megazord.

"Watch out," Shane said. "We do not want to get hit by that beam."

"I'd bet a million bucks that's the beam that can turn anything it hits into wine," Dustin said.

"For once, I think the dork is right," Tori said. "Look out!"

The monster had fired another beam at them and it was closer that time.

"OK, this guy is starting to piss me off," Blake said.

"I got something," Cam suddenly said. "His power is in his cork. I think if we destroy his cork, at the top of his head, he's a goner."

"Great," Shane said. "Can anyone immobilize him? I need one shot and his cork is kaput."

"I can," Cam said. The left arm of the Ninjetti Megazord was the mouth of a huge python and two snakes shot forth from it, wrapping tightly around the monster. He was just firing his beam again, this time at the Ninja-Falcon Megazord, but Cam's attack hit just in time and the attack missed the mark harmlessly. The snakes pinned the monster's arms to his side.

"Let me go you freaks," the monster snarled.

"I don't think so," Shane said. "Ninjetti Megazord Saber!"

The Zord produced a long katana and aimed it not at the monster, but at its cork. The attack hit dead on, blowing the cork into a million pieces. Then, the saber slashed again, glowing with power, and hit its target. Vintner screamed in frustration as he was defeated in a fiery explosion.

This happened at the same time that the Ninjetti Mega-Falconzord kicked Wanderlustress in the side, sending her careening to the highway.

"Looks like you're next, lady," Shane said.

"I don't think so, Rangers," she said. "You may have defeated the Psychos and my friend, but I shall not be beaten that easily. Oh and Princess, I think you may want to check on your sister."

With that, Wanderlustress teleported out in a sea of energy globes.

"Fienna," Kim said, "send the Zords some place where they are safe."

"Done, Princess," came Fienna's voice. The Rangers leapt to the ground. Kim's face was still under her helmet, but she was clearly concerned.

"Fienna, please don't tell me my sister is captive to Vile again," Kim said.

"I hate to say it, but she indeed is. Unfortunately, she, Sabrina and Sensei Watanabe were taken captive when the lab was destroyed."

Tommy heard it too, and his face fell. All that work they had done to seemingly fight out of a disastrous predicament...and they were still right back where they started from.

"Marah and Kapri?" Dustin said, worry under his helmet.

"They are fine. They ninja streaked out right before the blast hit."

"That's something. But we're still going to have to rescue Sensei and the rest at some point," Tori said.

"And that won't be easy to accomplish," Hunter said. "They're gonna use those three for blackmail. I just know they will."

"And we will be ready when they do," Kim said. "We don't leave anyone behind, but we won't surrender either."

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