Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.

Chapter 41 – United We Roar

Christmas came and went with little fanfare as the Rangers had planned. They'd spent their time together as one big family at Thanksgiving a month ago, and it was good that they had for in that month alone three new, or rather old, villains had shown up. Although no big plans were made to celebrate Christmas, it still ended up being a large affair, with everyone still ending up at the Youth Centre. The usual party wasn't planned, but with the upcoming battle no one knew exactly what was going to happen or what Christmas would be like next year and so they all were of a similar mind and went to the Youth Centre, no plans necessary. The New Year of 2014 arrived and along with it the next summons from the next team of Rangers, in the form of a very frantic Taylor, and you knew it had to be bad when Taylor was hysterical.

"What is it?" Kira asked from the Dino Lab, having accepted the frantic call from Taylor over the comm channel, though she was far from the only one in the Dino Lab at that moment.

"Zen-Aku's kidnapped Princess Shayla and Annabelle!" Taylor rushed out. "We can't find them, have no idea where they are or what he's doing to them!"

"Taylor calm down." Tommy tried, unsuccessfully.

"He might hand them over to Master Org or worse! If he hurts them Merrick will never forgive himself whenever we finally get him back!"

"Taylor!" Tommy half yelled, gaining her attention. "You need to calm down, I doubt Zen-Aku's going to do anything to them but keep them close."

"How can you-"

"Say that? Because I was in Merrick's spot once, more then once, or have you forgotten?" True to how the future shifted after the Dino Rangers' journey to 2025 eight years ago, the family of Originals to Space Rangers had grown to include Lightspeed and Time Force, Eric, Bridge and Sky having become best friends along with Spike, while Wild Force wasn't far behind, Jack now being included in that group more often then not while young Z and Syd were becoming fast friends along with other female Ranger children; their age group still split up by gender believing the other to have cooties. As such, they all had become privy to multiple aspects of the Rangers' lives that they didn't necessarily broadcast around, including the main points of Tommy's time as the Evil Green Ranger. While there were, and always had been, parts of that they would never share, Tom wanting Kimberly and Kira close, deeming them his love and child just as they were Tommy's, and knowing he could never hurt them, was one of the things they were willing to share. "Taylor, you know that the one thing evil can't destroy is love. It can block it, twist it even, but not destroy it. Zen-Aku is Merrick, and Merrick loves Shayla and Annabelle with all his heart. Zen-Aku would never destroy them, or hurt them; he'd protect them with everything he has and is. I have no doubt about that."

"We still have to get them back." Taylor whispered after a moment, this whole thing taking a toll on her. Taylor was a lot like her husband the Quantum Ranger in that emotions and chaos weren't her strong suit. She liked order in her life, and too many emotions saw that order fly out the window so she often avoided it, though not nearly as much as she did when she was an active Ranger. Her family, largely her extended family, aka the Power Ranger Family, was also really good at seeing that order disappear, especially when it came to the Wild Force Rangers like in this instance, meaning Taylor was freaking out.

"Of course we do." Kim said. "Zen-Aku may not hurt them but Master Org wouldn't hesitate to, and the more they're with him the bigger chance there is of Master Org getting his hands on them."

"Connor and I are on our way." Said Kira. "We'll meet you at Turtle Cove park." Taylor nodded and signed off, leaving the two to say goodbye and teleport out of there, arriving at the park moments later. It wasn't long before Taylor showed up, seemingly out of nowhere, and motioned for them to follow her. She led them to the secret entrance to the Animarium, and the next thing either of them knew they were on a floating island in the sky, though you couldn't tell from their vantage point.

"Welcome to the Animarium." Taylor muttered as she began walking, making her way to the Temple. The two had never actually been to the Animarium before, nor had they seen the Wild Zords, which were now in abundance across the Animarium, many having returned after the final fight against Master Org. They made it to the Temple in no time and were greeted by the other Wild Force Rangers and their children and significant others. Shayla and Merrick weren't the only two to keep it within the Wild Force family, Cole and Alyssa having eventually gotten together and going on to have two children, a son, Darien, and daughter, Leia, aged five and three respectively, both of whom had seemed to inherit their father's ability to speak to animals, their favourites, naturally, being Red Lion and White Tiger. Taylor had, of course, also married a Ranger and had had a daughter named Jane who was now four. The two had been talking, and basically decided, to try for another child, when Thrax had made his appearance, putting any plans to expand their family on hold. Eric and Jane were also on the Animarium this day, wanting to be there for Taylor, as well as their family. Danny had married Kendall, having been thrilled that she'd liked him as much as he did her and had waited for him to finish his term as an active Ranger. They'd, of course, had Z who alongside Jack was seven, Jack's father Max having married a lovely woman named Amy he'd met at the bowling alley he frequented as a champion bowler. All of them, Rangers, significant others, and children alike were sitting around the Temple, none looking very happy, although the parents tried for their kids, or rather the younger kids, the older ones like Z and Jack knowing as much as Kira's brother did of the Ranger universe and so things weren't really hidden from them.

"Z, Jack, Jane." Kira greeted the three she knew best, them being friends with her brother. "Eric says hi, oh and Jack, he wanted me to tell you that he's real close to finally beating Bowser. Like the final Bowser in the final level, not one of the ones that come earlier in the game."

"Aw man!" Jack groaned making Kira smile. Eric had not told her any such thing, though being the observant person she was, and the good big sister who sat for hours as her little brother showed her how good he was at Super Mario, she knew exactly how far he was in that game and had hoped that bringing up something so normal at a time like this would ease the tension, at least for the kids. "Dad I gotta get home!" Jack then rounded on his father. Ranger business being the reason they'd come to the Animarium today, his father was the one to plead his case to. "I gotta beat Bowser before Eric does! I bet him the big bag of twizzlers I got for my birthday a couple weeks ago that I'd beat the game first!" Max hung his head as he tried not to laugh. Oh the problems of a child. What he'd do for the loss of a bag of twizzlers to be his biggest worry.

"Alright fine." Max agreed for there was really no reason not to allow them to go home. They'd brought their families here in the first place for, like Taylor, they'd been in rather a panic upon Shayla and Annabelle's kidnapping.

"Why don't we all head back to our place?" Eric offered, looking to his wife and seeing the thanks in her eyes that her friends' families would have a Ranger for protection right now even though it was probably not necessary. "We can stop by your place, Jack, and pick up your game console." Eric and Taylor had made their home in Turtle Cove, Taylor loving her hometown while Eric had never really had a home, certainly not a place he'd felt at home, until the Silver Guardians, but then it was the team and the part he played in it, not the town they operated out of. Jack eagerly nodded and led the way out of the Temple, Z close behind him while Darien tried to keep up. Eric took three year old Leia from her father, silently promising Cole and Alyssa to keep their kids safe, before following Kendall and Amy out.

"That kid and Super Mario." Max muttered as their family disappeared into the thick foliage.

"I'd rather Super Mario then the Barbies Elizabeth is in to right now." Danny muttered right back. "Though now that I think about it, Sydney was the one to get her into Barbies, she didn't do it on her own."

"Dude, you know you're the only one to call her Elizabeth right?" Max retorted. "Even Kendall calls her Z unless she's mad."

"Hey cut the guy a break, that's his daughter." Said Kira. "Every daughter is a daddy's girl and even if there comes a day she doesn't let a single person call her Elizabeth I promise she'll not only allow Danny to do so, but she'll love that he does. Even something as small as that will be something special her and her dad share." Danny shot Max a smug look the shorter man merely rolled his eyes.

"Alright guys that's enough." Alyssa chided gently. "Princess Shayla and Annabelle are missing and we need to figure out how to get them back." The reminder of their missing friend and niece sobered them up pretty quickly. They'd all been there when Taylor had called the Olivers, and so had heard what Tommy had said, but they were still understandably worried.

"So how do we get them back without hurting Merrick?" Cole asked Kira and Connor, for that was the reason they were there. Kira and Connor shared a look that clearly said they had no true idea, but starting with a standard, time tested technique, couldn't hurt.

"We'll get Alpha to locate Shayla's energy signature." Said Connor. "Then you'll draw Zen-Aku out and Kira and I will go in and rescue Shayla and Annabelle. He won't be expecting us."

-C/K-

Across town, an unexpected scene was playing out in a small house that had been built in the empty lot across from Willy's Road House about eight or nine years ago: Zen-Aku, arguably the most powerful Duke Org to ever exist, was cooking.

"I hope you're hungry." He shot over his shoulder to the woman and little girl sitting at the table.

"Yes, thank you." Shayla, Princess of the Animarium and guardian of the Wild Zords, said with very little tenseness in her voice; she knew Zen-Aku wouldn't hurt them.

"Mom where's daddy?" Annabelle asked for what must have been the fiftieth time since Zen-Aku kidnapped them. The Wolf Duke Org had taken them out of the house and away into the woods for awhile until he was sure that the Rangers had finished their search of the house before doubling back. The house had been built for Shayla and Merrick and would be the last place the Rangers expected them to be. While Shayla knew Zen-Aku wouldn't hurt them, Annabelle had no such assurances. She knew nothing of her father's past as the evil Duke Org and as far as she was concerned, Orgs were evil and bad, and she was scared. Although Merrick had gone missing nearly two months ago, they'd been able to explain it away as an extended trip somewhere, while distracting the young girl, the young princess, with teaching her about her future role as guardian of the Wild Zords. While the magic of the Animarium had kept Shayla alive for three thousand years, and would continue to do so, she'd willingly given up her immortality to live as a regular human on Earth with Merrick. This meant she would eventually die, and Annabelle, carrying the blood of old Animaria royalty, was the only one who could protect the Wild Zords and the Animarium once Shayla was gone. Annabelle knew of her future and fully embraced it, loving the Wild Zords as her mother did, but until her father disappeared and a very big distraction had been necessary, Shayla and Merrick had decided to allow Annabelle a normal childhood instead of grooming her from a young age for her future. The distraction had worked, until the bad Org came, then Annabelle wanted dad to come save her, as he always had, even if only from nightmares.

"He'll be home soon Anna." Shayla answered. "Why don't you go play in your room for a bit?" Although hesitant to leave her mother, Annabelle took another look at Zen-Aku and nodded, rushing out of there.

"She cannot escape." Zen-Aku said once Annabelle's bedroom door had slammed shut. "My power protects this house. It will keep intruders out, and you two in."

"I didn't send her away so she could escape."

"She is afraid of me." It wasn't a question.

"She's a child who's grown up listening to stories of the Animarium Warriors' battles against the Orgs. She believes all Orgs to be evil." Shayla paused before continuing. "It doesn't help that you've hid from her all these years." This was the first time Zen-Aku had appeared, and the first time Shayla had truly had a chance to speak freely to him; she wanted to know how much he remembered of his past, more importantly, if he remembered being Merrick.

"Like you said, I am an evil Org…I did not want to frighten her…"

"I didn't say you were evil." Shayla insisted. "I said Annabelle believed all Orgs were evil, not that they actually were. You're proof that that's not true." That was certainly the truth. When Wild Force had first disbanded, Merrick had gone off on a journey, not with any specific destination in mind, and Zen-Aku had followed him, keeping his former host company. The two had formed a friendship, having been one for three thousand years they understood each other, and Merrick quickly saw that Zen-Aku really wasn't evil, that he had a heart, and that the kindness he'd shown when they'd first been released from the tomb had not just been Merrick's influence. Zen-Aku had been evil, he ensured Merrick understood that, but just as a being could learn to be evil, another could learn to love, and Zen-Aku had taken those lessons to heart. As little as three months into their journey, Merrick decided to return to the Animarium, not wanting to live without Shayla. Zen-Aku had followed him there as well, and upon discovering the Princess awake, for some reason not having fallen into her deep sleep, had remained on the Animarium at the Princess' insistence. She instantly believed Merrick when he said Zen-Aku wasn't evil and could sense the goodness in him. The Wild Zords too could sense it, and so in a feat never thought possible, Wild Zords and an Org lived peacefully together. When Annabelle had come along, Zen-Aku had hidden from her, never allowing her to see him for the exact reason he gave Shayla this day. But, although she didn't see him, he was certainly there. He had taken it upon himself to watch out for her, and had on more then one occasion helped her out, even if she didn't know it was him.

"You're not evil, Zen. Not really. Whatever Thrax did to bind you and Merrick together again can be reversed. Just let me contact the Rangers-"

"No!" Zen-Aku snapped. "No Rangers." Shayla sighed and remained silent for a moment, but not for long.

"Why did you appear now, Zen? After years of hiding, why reveal yourself to Anna now?" She asked. "Or is this Merrick that is doing this? Merrick wanting to be closer to his daughter?"

"Is there a difference between us?"

"Yes. But I suppose it is not truly a difference that matters. I was just curious if the reason you showed yourself after years of hiding was because of Merrick's influence."

"Perhaps it is. He certainly won't shut up about the two of you." The Duke Org said, finishing the omelette and bringing it over to the table, taking the vacant seat across from Shayla.

"Thank you." Shayla accepted the food with a smile. "We love each other. And we love our daughter more then anything else."

"I've known that for a long time. But I'm beginning to see exactly what that means." If Merrick and Shayla had Animal Spirits, there was no doubt they'd share a true mate bond. It was what allowed Merrick to stay away for only so long, what kept Shayla from going back to sleep, and it only allowed them that separation for they only had dormant Spirits like most beings in the universe.

"What now, Zen?" Shayla asked once she'd finished her omelette. "What happens now?"

"I…I'm not…I don't…know…" Truthfully he hadn't thought of what was next. He had really just been following his instincts. Merrick wanted to be with his family, and so Zen as a result felt a need to be close to them. Add in the fact that Shayla was his friend, and he'd always been protective of Annabelle and you had him kidnapping them for he saw no other way. Shayla smiled softly and reached across the table to grasp Zen-Aku's hand.

"Zen, you-" She was cut off as a cry from outside was heard, rather it was more like a roar, and it came from five very recognizable voices.

"How did they find us?" Zen-Aku growled as he jumped up and went to the window.

"They're Power Rangers, there's nothing they can't do." Shayla said, joining him by the window. "Zen let me go talk to them. I'm sure we can work something out so you and Merrick don't have to stay away from us while still giving the Rangers peace of mind for mine and Annabelle's safety." Zen-Aku clearly warred with himself, the good in him joining forces with Merrick to convince him this was a good idea, while the evil Thrax had infused him with told him to go destroy the Rangers and not let them take what was his. Eventually the good won out and Zen-Aku nodded, though he followed Shayla outside.

"Princess Shayla!" They all cried happily seeing her unharmed.

"We're here to take you home Princess." Said Cole. "You and Annabelle."

"This is my home Cole."

"He means to the Animarium where Orgs can't hurt you." Said Danny.

"Zen hasn't hurt me, or Anna. And he never would." Shayla said with a tone of finality. "You know that. You know him."

"But Thrax has turned him evil again…" Max said, though he sounded unsure, seeing a completely docile Zen-Aku just standing there, not even having drawn a weapon.

"Evil can only go so far, Max. Especially when it's not just up against Zen's goodness, but Merrick's as well."

"So then…we don't need to rescue you?" Asked Taylor. Shayla smiled at her friends and shook her head, glad that things were staying calm and that no fight had broken out. At least it hadn't, until Kira and Connor did exactly what they said they'd do and got Annabelle out of the house, the little girl running ahead of them from around the back of the house towards the Rangers.

"Uncle Cole!" She cried, the Blazing Lion being the first one she saw. They all spun around towards her and Cole dropped down to his knee, ready to catch his niece, glad to see she was alright.

"No! Belle!" Zen-Aku yelled, unable to stop himself as the part of him that was convinced the Rangers were here to tear them apart came front and centre seeing Annabelle running towards the Rangers. At Zen-Aku's words, Annabelle stopped in her tracks, a look of shock on her face. There was only one person in the entire world who called her Belle and that was her father. He'd called her that for as long as she could remember, having told her upon her asking that belle meant beautiful, and he called her that because she was the most beautiful girl in the world; words any loving father would say. No one else, not even her mother, called her that and hearing it come from this Org made her pause. Annabelle wasn't stupid or naïve, she knew that not all supposedly evil beings were really evil, that some didn't have a choice and were actually good people forced to do bad things. She didn't know of her dad's past as Zen-Aku, nor did she have any reason to think this Org wasn't like all the others, but hearing him call her Belle got her mind going, remembering that things weren't always what they seemed. Annabelle slowly turned towards the Org and seeing her mother standing calmly beside him instead of telling her to run told her that things here weren't what she thought they were. She let her eyes roam over Zen-Aku, taking in his appearance, his horn, his wolf mask and the lack of facial expression it gave. But when she got to his eyes that facial expression was rendered unnecessary for it was all there. The eyes she looked into were the glowing yellow that belonged to the Duke Org, but they lacked hate and coldness, they lacked the evil one would expect to see and instead were filled to the brim with emotion from fear, to compassion, even to love. Still not entirely sure, but deciding to take a chance, and knowing her aunts and uncles would protect her if needed, Annabelle took a step forward, and slowly made her way over to Zen-Aku, who bent to her level as she got closer.

"Daddy…?" She whispered, somehow knowing she was right.

"Belle…" he whispered back after a moment, not knowing what else to say. Annabelle's eyes went wide at the confirmation

"Daddy…but…how?"

"I…it's a long story." He rasped. "But I am not really your father, I am Zen-Aku…former Duke Org." He called himself a former Duke Org for in this moment that was what he was once again, the evil inside him having receded further and further.

"Not so former I think!" A voice called from off to the side, bringing everyone's attention to the head Org himself.

"Master Org!" Cole cried as he and the other Rangers ran forward and placed themselves in front of Annabelle and Shayla. Kira and Connor silently came to stand next to the two princesses, knowing that getting them out of harms way if it came to a battle was their first priority, even more so with Zen-Aku so close to them; who knew what Master Org would do and how it would affect Zen-Aku? If the evil in him suddenly came forward, Annabelle and Shayla were right in his path.

"I will not let you hurt them!" Zen-Aku growled standing and pushing Annabelle behind him.

"I won't have to." Master Org cackled with a sinister smile. "You'll do it yourself!" He raised his staff and a beam of energy shot out of it hitting Zen-Aku dead on and causing him to fall to the ground.

"Daddy!" Annabelle shrieked, seeing him grasp his head in pain. "Zen-Aku!" Connor quickly grabbed hold of her before she could run forward, knowing she'd run right to him and get hit by the energy flowing over Zen-Aku as well.

"Merrick! Zen!" Shayla too cried alongside her daughter though no one stopped her from rushing to his side; she knew enough not to touch him.

"I have…to get him out…" Zen-Aku growled.

"Who? Merrick?" Shayla asked.

"Yes. Master Org's energy is combining with Thrax's. I can't fight it! I have to release Merrick. He can't turn evil with me. He must protect Annabelle!"

"But if you separate Thrax's power will take hold!" Shayla protested. "Together you two are strong enough to fight it!"

"Perhaps, but it's a risk I can't take." Using all his strength, Zen-Aku blocked everything else out and joined with Merrick, their two consciousness's melding even further to achieve their mutual goal. It took some time, and the Rangers had to prevent Master Org from hitting Zen-Aku with anymore evil energy, but eventually they succeeded and a black mist rose from Zen-Aku, moving a few feet away and solidifying into Merrick.

"Daddy!" Annabelle cried, fighting Connor who let her go upon seeing Shayla rush to her husband's side and wrap her arms around him with absolutely no consequences.

"Belle." Merrick murmured when his daughter joined the family hug, being safely held in between her parents. The moment, however, could not last. With a loud roar, Zen-Aku lost his battle against Thrax's power. He spun to face the Rangers and the coldness in his eyes that had been there when they'd fist fought him over ten years ago was back.

"Zen…" Merrick muttered as he stood and faced the no longer former Duke Org. "Thank you, my friend. I will return the favour. We will bring you back."

"You can try." Zen-Aku growled, his voice taking on a more guttural tone, as he readied his weapon and went to stand beside Master Org.

"This will be the end of you, Wild Force Rangers!" Master Org laughed. "Toxica, Jindrax!" He summoned two more Duke Orgs who brought with them a not entirely small group of Putrids.

"I thought you were on our side!" Said Max, referring to the last time they'd seen Toxica and Jindrax and they'd helped destroy Master Org.

"Your side? Ha! We have never been, and will never be, on your side. We're Duke Orgs!" said Toxica.

"Yeah, one horned orgs and proud of it!" Jindrax added.

"Last time we trust them." Taylor muttered.

"Go to the Animarium." Merrick pleaded with his wife, knowing the others were preparing to morph. "Please." Shayla nodded and gave him a quick kiss before she grabbed her daughter's hand and they ran off, Kira and Connor following close behind. When they were safely away, Merrick joined the others, falling in to line behind Cole.

"Ready guys?" Cole asked as they all pulled out their Growl Phones.

"Ready!"

"Wild Access!"

"Blazing Lion!"

"Soaring Eagle!"

"Surging Shark!"

"Iron Bison!"

"Noble Tiger!"

"Howling Wolf!"

"Guardians of the Earth, united we roar!"

"Power Rangers Wild Force!"

Master Org didn't even give a command, he merely raised his staff slightly and the Putrids charged them with Zen-Aku, Toxica and Jindrax right behind them.

"Red Lion Fang!"

"Golden Eagle Sword!"

"Blue Shark Fighting Fins!"

"Black Bison Axe!"

"White Tiger Baton!"

"Lunar Cue!" The Rangers didn't hesitate in summoning their weapons, knowing that Zen-Aku alone was going to make it a tough battle. They split up into groups of two, alternating between fighting the Putrids, and fighting one of the Duke Orgs, thankful that Master Org was just standing there, though that didn't last long. He didn't join the battle himself, but instead raised his staff again and summoned another Org.

"What the hell is that supposed to be?" Asked Taylor.

"Uh…Mirror Org?" Danny guessed, though it was a pretty good guess for the Org did indeed look like it was made out of a mirror. His guess was proved correct as when Cole attacked the Org, the first of them in a good position to do so, the Org mirrored his movements and even his attack.

"Aw man." Cole muttered as he allowed Alyssa to help him up from where the Org had sent him flying. Believing the Org to be capable of copying any of their attacks, the Rangers didn't waste too much time on individual attacks, settling for two more just to test their theory.

"How are we gonna beat it?" Asked Max.

"No idea." Merrick muttered back as he hit a Putrid that was trying to sneak up on Max.

"If we combine our weapons it'll just copy that attack too." Taylor joined in. A little ways away, Alyssa was fighting Toxica when the answer came to her, or rather was given to her.

"Combine your weapons." Toxica hissed.

"What?" Alyssa snapped, not having expected that.

"This is the end for you White Ranger! Hiyah!" Toxica shrieked with a look to Master Org. She swung her staff wide, an easily dodged attack, but one that brought the two closer together. "The Mirror Org isn't infused with enough of Master Org's energy to be able to copy such a powerful attack. Combine your weapons!" She then purposefully got in the way of a swing of Alyssa's White Tiger Baton, letting it hit her and knock her to the ground. With a meaningful look, she let Alyssa get away. Not entirely sure if she was crazy for thinking of trusting Toxica, Alyssa nevertheless did just that.

"Guys!" She called, bringing them all together. "Let's combine our weapons!"

"But Mirror Org will just copy the attack!" Taylor shot back, having already said this, though conceding Alyssa hadn't heard her.

"He's not strong enough. I'll explain later, just trust me!" That wasn't hard to do at all, and so with Alyssa's assurance, the Rangers did as instructed.

"Jungle Sword!" Cole cried once their weapons were combined and the others fell in line behind him.

"Lunar Cue, Break Mode!" Merrick called. Being the only one unable to combine his weapon with the others didn't mean he wasn't going to fire off his own attack. "Laser Pool!" He swiped his Lunar Cue in a wide arch, bringing forth the laser table that immobilized their opponent. "Ready Cole?" He asked, wanting to hit this Org as one.

"Oh yeah!"

"Lunar Break!"

"Savage Slash!" Just as Toxica said, the powerful attacks were too much for this monster, though she'd truthfully forgotten about the Lunar Wolf Ranger and his own powerful attack; the two together being twice as effective as she'd anticipated.

"Toxica." Master Org snarled seeing his monster destroyed.

"Uh…right." She said, picking up her staff and pointing it at the pile of green, foamy goo that the Orgs became when destroyed for the first time. "Evil spirits of toil and strife, give this fallen Org new life!" The Org Seeds flew out of her staff and landed in the goo, making the monster grow big.

"I'll let Mirror Org deal with you. But I will be back!" Master Org said to the Rangers as he disappeared, taking the three Duke Orgs with him.

"Let's go it guys! Wild Zords descend!" The Rangers summoned their personal Wild Zords for the first time in many years. They naturally visited them all the time, but there'd been no need to summon them from the Animarium, or have them form the Megazords, until now.

"Wild Zords combine! Soul Bird!"

"Wild Force Megazord!"

"Predazord!" Their tactic for dealing with the giant Mirror Org was exactly the same as with the smaller one, simply to overpower it and use an attack it couldn't copy, and it proved just as effective. With that threat gone, the Rangers dismantled the Wild Zords and sent them all back to the Animarium, joining them not long after. They headed straight for the Temple, knowing that's where the others would be, and sure enough they found Kira and Connor sitting at the picnic table they'd placed there when they'd first become Rangers, but it wasn't those two who drew their attention, but rather the two Princesses of Animaria; there was certainly no other word to use for them.

"It still fits." Shayla said, mainly to Merrick, though she did not cut out the others. Ever since leaving the Animarium to live a life on Earth with Merrick, Shayla had discarded the dress she'd worn for over three thousand years, even if most of that was spent in a deep sleep. It had taken some time for the Rangers to get used to seeing their princess in jeans, but after over ten years of it, the sight of her once again looking as she did when they'd first met her was a little disconcerting. "With Master Org having returned, I must remain here to guard the Animarium and the Wild Zords. It is my sworn duty as Princess of Animaria to see to its survival."

"But she's not alone." The almost ten year old spoke up, stepping forward to stand next to her mother. "I will be the guardian of the Wild Zords one day. And as the rightful heir to Animaria, I will stay and protect it as well."

"You have school." Shayla scolded her daughter. "You can help protect the Animarium but even princesses need to go to school. And go out and have fun with their friends." Shayla could not be prouder of her daughter, but she would not let her give up her childhood.

"Then I guess we're moving up here for a bit." Merrick said, coming over to his two girls. He kissed Shayla quickly, knowing there'd be time later for more, before bending to his daughter's level. "You were so brave today. Thank you for all your help. I promise we'll tell you about Zen-Aku." Annabelle nodded before practically leaping forward and wrapping her arms around her father.

"I missed you daddy."

"I missed you too, Belle." He murmured. When they pulled apart, Merrick truly looked at his daughter in her entirety, and couldn't help but smile. "You look beautiful, Belle." Annabelle smiled shyly.

"Mom said it was hers when she was my age. She thought that with Master Org returning, and our roles changing that it was appropriate to wear them." Annabelle did indeed wear a frilly, flowy dress like her mother, in fact she looked like a miniature Shayla, though with Merrick's piercing eyes and wearing a soft pink dress instead of white.

"I couldn't agree more." Merrick said with a smile. "Maybe I'll even dig out my old armour."

"Why don't we leave the ancient robes alone." Shayla suggested, reaching over to the table and lifting up a pile of easily recognized vests. "I have something better." Each of the Wild Force Rangers happily came forward and accepted their respective vests, not believing how much they'd missed them, having decided not to wear them anymore once they were no longer active Rangers. Shayla then handed Merrick his jacket and he happily slipped it on, zipping it up and looking down at the wolf design on the front. "Much better then some ancient robes." Shayla said. Having been thoroughly forgotten as their own little family got reacquainted again, the Wild Force Rangers joined Kira and Connor, who themselves had pretty much been forgotten after having been called in specially.

"I'm glad Merrick's back." Alyssa said. "Even if it means we have to face Zen-Aku again."

"Yeah, can't really argue with you there." Cole agreed, wrapping an arm around his wife.

"Oh, hey, Alyssa?" Called Taylor, being the one to remember Alyssa's words on the battlefield. "How did you know combining our weapons would destroy Mirror Org?"

"Yeah, you said you'd explain." Danny added.

"Toxica told me." Alyssa admitted a little hesitantly, not entirely sure how her team would take it.

"And you believed her?" Taylor asked. "After she and Jindrax joined with Master Org against us?" Taylor's question wasn't one of disbelief, but rather one of pure curiosity.

"Yeah, I did." Alyssa answered. "You know how horrible Toxica and Jindrax are at acting, and she told me quietly while we were fighting, playing up my supposed destruction for Master Org."

"Oh when she very obviously yelled it was the end for you." Max said, all of them having heard Toxica's shriek. "Now that you say you were having a private discussion, it's pretty obvious that was a cover up."

"So they're on our side?" Cole asked.

"I don't know." Alyssa admitted. "I believed Toxica about Mirror Org, and she was right, but who knows about next time. She just, didn't seem evil. Not like Zen-Aku or Master Org. it was as if none of Thrax's power was inside her making her evil."

"But then why did she fight for Master Org?" Taylor asked.

"To keep up appearances." Kira spoke up for the first time in awhile. "Toxica and Jindrax are Orgs, even if they've turned good like Zen-Aku did, they're still Orgs. Thrax would probably assume they were on Master Org's side just because they were Orgs."

"Unless they proved otherwise, like Zen-Aku did." Connor added. "It wouldn't exactly be a secret to Thrax, or Master Org, that Zen-Aku had become good. All they'd have to do was search for Org energy and Zen-Aku's would show up around you guys."

"And without us being dead it's pretty obvious he's not there to kill us." Max concluded.

"Exactly." Kira agreed. "But you haven't heard from Toxica or Jindrax in ten years right? So for all Thrax knew they were still loyal to Master Org. By pretending to be so, they save themselves from truly becoming evil, and if they're truly good, they're in a position to help you guys."

"Let's hope that's what it is." Alyssa said. "We'll find out soon enough at any rate."

"Yeah, and when they show up next time, Cole can use his super power to determine if their hearts are pure." Max joked, though he was entirely serious. They joked about Cole's ability to just know when someone was lying or not, but it was certainly an ability that came in handy.

"So what now?" Danny asked.

"Now we go home." Taylor said. "I have a daughter and a husband to get back to. And you all do as well. Princess Shayla will call us if we're needed."

"Connor and I will come with you." Kira told Taylor. "We're working backwards so no doubt we'll end up in Silver Hills fighting Ransik next. Might as well get a head start."

"And you and Eric get your two favourite babysitters on call." Connor added with a smile. "You and the other Time Force Rangers. It's been far too long since I've kicked Sky's butt at Mario Kart." With a smile of her own, though hers having a mocking tone to it, Kira turned to Max.

"You're not alone Max, it's not just Jack that's obsessed. Mario has a firm grasp on kids of all ages."

A/N - It's certainly not just Tom who still loves his family and still wants them around even though he's evil. No matter how overused and cheesy it is, evil cannot destroy love, whether parent love or true love.

I know this chapter was kind of Shayla/Merrick heavy and not spread out as equally between all the Wild Force Rangers, but this was the direction it went when I wrote it and I actually quite like this chapter.

On another note, we're down to like the last ten chapters of this story, this chapter included. And it's legit the last ten chapters, not me saying that and then deciding to write another twenty chapters.

Review please!