Up on the Warrior Dome, Madame Odious was in her throne room, with Badonna by her side, while Wrench and Cosmo put on a slide show, presenting to her the applicants who had responded to her casting call. There was something of a mixed bag to say the least. Odious slumped back in her seat, sighing deeply as she rested the right side of her face on her left hand. She had already watched what felt like a veritable who's who of some of the most deluded and idiotic creatures in existence. From the kid, the literal child who appeared on screen wearing armour that was clearly made from his mother's kitchenware through a woman that boasted she was the most agile creature in existence as she tripped over her own cape to…well…

"I am the master of all explosives! I can destroy anything with my bombs!" He boasted. "I shall demonstrate on this adamantium safe!"

They all snapped back from the screen as the bomb went off, leaving the safe completely unscratched. Of course, he had managed to destroy something…as evidenced by the smoking pair of boots left where he had been standing.

"Turn it off!" She groaned. "For pity's sake turn it off! I can't watch this a moment longer!"

"Those are the best you have to offer?" Badonna scoffed.

"The advert's only been running a few hours, you have to expect to get a few duds." Cosmo answered with a shrug. "Many of the real contenders still think we're off the air. It'll take a while for us to get the real heavy hitters to start applying."

"Not to mention it'll take a while for a lot of people to take our prize seriously." Wrench added. "I mean, you are promising ANYTHING they want before we even put on our first show! You've all heard the saying about 'if something sounds too good to be true'."

Badonna pulled out a poster and showed it to Odious.

"You know, we could always get Brax." She said, showing her the poster. She looked at it in a rather sickening way. "I mean, he's so strong and handsome and…um…he's the most powerful creature in existence and…"

"Hm…I've heard of Brax." Cosmo admitted, stroking his chin. "I tried to get him on the show a few times but I could never quite iron out the details with his manager General Tietamon. Can you believe that crook wanted FIFTEEN percent of the t-shirt sales?"

"He can have a hundred percent for all I care if he does the job!" Odious said, waving him off. "Where is he?"

"Last time he was seen on a broadcast he was in…" Wrench said, punching up the details. "Oh, he's on this fifth fight of a fifteen-match deal in the Regulus Sector."

"Even if he left immediately it would take weeks for him to get here." Cosmo told them. "Not to mention we'd likely have to pay a fortune in legal fees for him to break that contract…"

"I don't care, we should bring him here NOW!" Badonna screamed, stomping her foot. They all stared at her. "Um…I mean…who cares what it costs if he does the job right?"

"We'll keep him in mind, but I need someone now." Odious grumbled. "That asteroid those humans hit us with may have caused all of this, but we were dragging it here for a reason. It contained Super Ninja Steel. No doubt the Rangers are already searching for it, if they don't have it already."

"We destroyed most of their arsenal, they're weakened." Wrench surmised. "If we get the Super Ninja Steel before them, we can stop them making more weapons!"

"Exactly!" Odious agreed. "I need someone that can track the Super Ninja Steel."

"Well, there is ONE candidate I can think of." Cosmo answered. "The best part is, he's already on the ship!"

"Wait, there was a warrior here ready to go and you didn't tell me?" Odious demanded. "Why not?"

"Well, he's um…" Cosmo started to say. "Let's just say that he was on the D-list for last season so when the Rangers started bringing out the big toys…"

"Oh, never mind, just bring him here!" Odious demanded. "NOW!"

Cosmo bowed and turned, leaving the room with Wrench. Odious turned to Badonna.

"If he is D-list, he might need a little backup." She answered. "Go with this warrior. It's about time you saw what we're up against."

"As you wish Madame Odious." Badonna replied respectfully.

At Summer Cove Police Station, Grace and Trevor went into her office. The office was pretty much exactly as he remembered it with one notable exception. The glass case which had housed Psycho Green's dagger was sitting on her desk instead of the shelf. He could feel something stirring inside him looking to it, but it wasn't just rage, it was tinged with a little fear as well. Psycho Green could remember being shut up in that case for almost seventy years. Grace went behind her desk.

"Please, take a seat." She beckoned him as she sat down, reaching under the desk. She flipped the safety catch off a blaster that was sitting in a cradle under the desk, its barrel pointed out towards the chair on the other side of the desk. Trevor felt uneasy in this place, not just because of Psycho Green, but also because the last time he'd been in that office was when he had stolen the dagger. Although he knew that the cameras had been down when he entered the office and so far, the investigation, he was certain Grace would have launched into who stole the dagger hadn't caught up with him, it still made him nervous to think what might happen if there was something, he hadn't thought of that would lead back to him.

"I'd prefer to stand." Trevor told her. Grace seemed a little put out by his answer, but just waved him off, indicating he could stand if he wished. Long before he was a cop, Trevor had been in the military and knew it was best to be ready to act in tense situations…though he wasn't exactly sure what he would do even if she had discovered him as he feared.

"I heard about your wife's accident." She told him. "I'm sorry."

"Did you have anything to do with it?" He asked her.

"Well, no but…"

"Then why are you sorry?" He interrupted her. Grace gave him a little smirk. She wasn't exactly patient with smart-asses, but she appreciated his answer.

"I can't say I've met her, but I know what it's like to lose those you care about." She replied, gesturing to some pictures on the wall. Trevor had seen them before, three people he hadn't known, but who according to the inscriptions all died on the same day back in 1969. It had been the date of their death that had unlocked the case that gave him access to Psycho Green's dagger. He could feel Psycho Green stirring again, and something in his mind now knew them as enemies. The date, it was familiar to him too. Was it possible? No, surely…surely there was another reason Grace had Psycho Green's dagger, wasn't there? "Even the thought of losing a loved one, the possibility is terrifying."

"Laura's going to be fine." Trevor answered. "In fact, she's being released today so if you don't mind, I'd really like…"

"I'll try not to keep you too long." She interrupted him. "I'll level with you, I didn't bring you in here to talk about your wife. That was just small talk."

"I figured as much." Trevor answered. "So, since I'm in a hurry, what is it you do want to talk about?"

"William Tracker." She told him. Trevor shifted a little uncomfortably just hearing the name.

"The senatorial candidate that was killed." He responded. "What about him?"

"I was wondering what you knew about him." She pressed on.

"She knows." Psycho Green whispered to him. Trevor tried to ignore him.

"I know I was no fan of his policies." Trevor answered. "He was killed by Psycho Green, wasn't he?"

"That's all?" Grace asked him. "That's all you know about him?"

"I…guess I know he rubbed some people the wrong way lately." Trevor answered, thinking about what she might know. Often the biggest mistake people made was trying to deny all knowledge or lying about things that were then brought up later and tripping themselves up explaining them. If Grace did want to accuse him of something, then it was up to her to prove it. "I was at one of his rallies where people were getting a little riled up. I ran into him at a diner after that where one of his security guys complained about us leaving once, we believed things were peaceful."

"By 'we' I presume you mean you and Skullovitch." Grace continued. He nodded. "That was it?"

"You don't believe me?" He asked her. Grace just sighed.

"OK, all cards on the table." She replied, pulling out a file and putting it on the table. It had the word 'Classified' stamped across it, and as she opened it, he saw his own picture, along with numerous others. He stumbled a little seeing them.

"Where did you get that?" He asked.

"There's little I can't get my hands on with some time." Grace told him. "I believe you knew Tracker back when he was General Tracker."

"She knows." Psycho Green whispered again.

"I can't believe you got your hands on…" Trevor said, his voice cracking a little. "I have no idea how you got your hands on this, but clearly you know about what he did, so yes, I knew him back then. The only reason I didn't tell you was because this was all sealed and we were told in no uncertain terms that none of us were ever to discuss it again."

"For what it's worth, I can understand why you did what you did." Grace told him. "I mean, all those innocent people, what you did was a service to humanity."

"You could say that." Trevor said. He could already recognise one of the most basic forms of interrogation technique, trying to empathise and create a bond with the person being interviewed. People tended to be more inclined to speak if they thought the other person was on their side. Reminding himself she was likely fishing for him to say something that incriminated himself, he was trying to say as little as possible.

"I'll bet seeing him again after all this time was a shock." She suggested.

"It wasn't pleasant, no." Trevor replied. "I'd have been happier never seeing him again."

"Now you never will." Grace stated. Trevor couldn't believe he walked into that one.

"She knows!" Psycho Green said a little more forcefully. "You must silence her!"

"Are you trying to suggest I had something to do with this?" Trevor asked her angrily.

"I'm just saying that it would be understandable." Grace replied. "I mean, the things he did, the man was a monster! It would be easy to see why…"

"You saw the same reports I did!" Trevor snapped. "Was Tracker a piece of shit? Yes, he was! Is the world a better place without him in it? Maybe. I admit I'm not exactly going to be shedding any tears over the fact he's gone, but you saw the same reports I did. Psycho Green killed him! I had nothing to do with it!"

Just then, there was a knock at the door and Spike came in.

"Um…sorry to interrupt." Spike told her. "Trevor, the hospital called, they couldn't reach your cell. They say that Laura's ready to be discharged."

"Are we done here?" Trevor asked. "If it's quite alright with you I'd like to take my wife home."

"Of course." Grace responded, gesturing to the door. Trevor turned and left with Spike, closing the door behind him. Grace pulled out the blaster and flipped on the safety catch.

Meanwhile, in the mountains just outside the city, the Rangers parked up the trucks and got out on the beginning of the trail. They had changed into their ninja uniforms for the occasion, as much out of desire to not ruin their own clothes as any form of sentiment at being back on Ranger missions. Sarah checked her Ninja Comm, which she had set to track the map on the main computer back at the Command Centre.

"Alright, I think this is about as close as we're likely to get in the trucks. The path gets pretty treacherous up ahead." She stated. "According to the scans, the asteroid shouldn't be too much further."

"I think that's probably a good call." Brody agreed, pointing to a mountaintop with a rather unnaturally smooth curved top. "I don't think it got that way naturally."

"The asteroid probably smashed through it on its way down." Hayley agreed.

"Guys, you might want to speed things up a bit." Mick told them. "A whole bunch of guys just appeared on the scanner not far from your position."

"Why do I strongly doubt we're just going to run into a Boy Scouts' convention?" Levi asked.

"You'd be right about that assumption. The energy signature is definitely alien." Mick told them. "I'm picking up a huge ship that just moved into Earth's orbit."

"Damn. I was hoping we'd have a little more time before Odious and her goons showed up." Brody commented. "Alright, we knew this probably wasn't going to be easy, let's morph and…"

"Whoa there Captain Blitzkrieg, what's with Operation Sledgehammer?" Dane asked as he got on the communications link. "The scans are showing anything up to fifty opponents up ahead."

"Fifty kudabots? That's not exactly the biggest odds we've faced." Calvin reminded him.

"No, but there's no guarantee they're all kudabots." Dane reminded him. "Maybe you should play this subtle until you thin out the odds a little."

"Dad, we have been doing this a while and…"

"And by the sounds of things you've forgotten that you're meant to be a ninja." Dane responded. Brody thought about it for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"I guess we don't have the firepower we used to." He commented. "Maybe it would be worth playing this quiet for a little while first."

"Definitely." Preston agreed. "Pairs?"

"Pairs." Brody agreed. "Levi, you're with me. Hayley, you and Calvin stick to the path. Sarah, Preston, you head to the right around that ridge. If you encounter anything, try and keep it quiet."

"Oh, I've so missed this!" Calvin said excitedly, pulling up his mask. "Last one to take down a kudabot buys the ice cream!"

In another area of the city, Trevor brought Laura back home after picking her up from the hospital. Getting into the living room, he helped her ease down onto the couch.

"Trevor, this really isn't necessary." She told him. "The doctors said I was fine."

"The doctors recommended that you rest up for at least a week." He corrected her. "That isn't the same as saying you're fine."

"I'm not made of glass you know, I can take care of myself." She reminded him. He just looked to her and smiled.

"I'm sure you can." He responded. "But I'd still be happier if there was someone here. I could always call Hayley and ask her to spend a little longer here or I could take some personal days…"

"Your personal days are YOUR time, don't waste them looking after me. Save them up so we can go on a proper holiday later." She told him. "And Aaron's been at sea for ages. He hasn't seen Hayley for a long time, I can't exactly ask him to give up his turn with her now he's back."

"I know, but it's just…"

"Trevor, it's just bruising! I'll be fine!" She put down bluntly in an almost irritated tone. "If you want to do something to take care of me, then you can bring something home for dinner."

"I think I can manage that." Trevor said with a little smile. "Any preferences?"

"It's been a while since I had crispy duck." She told him. Trevor just nodded.

"Your wish is my command." He told her. As he started to head outside, he paused for a second in the hallway, feeling Psycho Green stirring once again.

"It's only a matter of time before she figures it out." Psycho Green told him. "Grace Sterling will never rest until she brings us down!"

"Hey, Trevor, we've got a call!" Spike said as he came into the hallway. "It's a domestic over at the college."

He noticed the spacey look on Trevor's face and started to become concerned.

"Hey, is everything OK?" He asked.

"Um…yeah, just…I think I might be getting a headache." Trevor told him. "There's only so much of Sterling someone can take."

"I guess." Spike answered, looking a little less than convinced. "So…maybe we should get this call?"

"Sure." Trevor said, nodding in agreement. "Sure, let's go."

Back in the mountains, the Rangers closed in on the asteroid's final location. Calvin dropped down on a kudabot from the trees, tearing its head off with a quick twist as he landed.

"Alright, that makes the score 12 for team Calley!" He stated.

"What's keeping you guys? We're up to 15!" Brody called through as he tore the power cell out of another kudabot while Levi dragged the body into some bushes. "How's team Sarton?"

"Um…I'm not so sure I like the idea of us using a portmanteau name." Preston said as he and Sarah dumped one behind a rock. "It sounds a little shippy."

"But we're up to 15 too." Sarah informed them.

"Alright, that makes 42, so we only have eight left." Brody answered as he got into position. "Hey, are you guys seeing this?"

"Woman in a robe and an elephant watching some Basherbots hit a big rock with pick axes?" Preston asked. "Just think, there was a time if I said that it would seem odd."

"They don't look too strong." Brody stated. "What do you say we remind them whose planet this is?"

Badonna was standing with the newest monster, a strange elephant-like creature as the Basherbots mined the asteroid. One of them brought him a chunk of material, which he sniffed, before tossing aside.

"That's not Super Ninja Steel, that's just worthless platinum!" He yelled at him. "Keep working you worthless tin cans, I can still smell at least another pound of Super Ninja Steel in that rock!"

Another Basherbot handed them a chunk, which he sniffed, before showing it to the other.

"THAT'S more like it!" You're looking for this!" He yelled, placing it into a case in Badonna's hands. "I'll give it another sniff to be sure but I think that's all of it!"

"Excellent! Now we have all the Super Ninja Steel." Badonna declared.

"Thanks for digging it out for us!" Brody called out. Badonna snapped the case shut, locking it and clutching it close defensively.

"Where did you come from?" She demanded in shock as she looked them up and down. "We had kudabots keeping guard…"

"Oh, you mean these guys?" Calvin asked, pulling out a kudabot's head, before dropping it and kicking it to where it came to rest by Badonna's feet. "Yeah, we met them. It was a brief meeting."

"Now, since all we're after is the Super Ninja Steel, how about we play nice and let you go home without a fight?" Hayley asked her. "You know, just because we're nice like that."

"Yeah, put the case down and walk away and no one needs to get hurt." Sarah told her. Badonna just started laughing.

"You insolent children!" She screamed as she cast out a power wave from her fan. The Rangers were all thrown several feet, landing hard on the ground some way off. "I was going to be nice and just take the Super Ninja Steel, but if you insist, I come through you to get it, then so be it!"

"Why can the bad guys never take the easy way?" Levi grumbled as they got to their feet.

"Alright, hard way it is." Brody replied. "NINJA SPIN!"