A/N: See Chapters 1, 15, 16 and 27 of Thirst for Revenge for that which does not belong to me.

Chapter 8-Zera, Specter's Forces Strike

Somewhere in space...

They had walked around the surface of a large moon for nearly 30 minutes, and Zera was sulking mad.

Somehow, her computers had been trashed, and subsequently her ship was utterly destroyed.

Yet a smile was beginning to form on her utterly black lips.

"By terrific fortune," she smirked. "That's Eltar right there."

"What?" Zedd said. "What can we do now with our ships destroyed?"

"Set up shop here," she responded. "That's Eltar right there. From here, we can launch our attacks."

Zedd only nodded - but could only wonder. How was she going to build a base good enough to launch attacks?

"Stand back," she told Zedd - as if she was reading his mind.

She thrust her hands forward, as red lightning bolts shot from them both. This went on for ten minutes.

When it was all done, a brand new base of operations stood before the famed Emperor of Evil, and his sister.

"Come, dear brother," she said. "Let's get used to our new base. We'll attack the Rangers soon."

Power Rangers' Underground Command Center

Angel Grove, CA

"Ah yes," Alpha 5 muttered as he continued checking scanners, to see if anything was happening on Earth. "Threats seem to be moving out. I see Master Vile still on the moon, but who knows after that."

"Interesting," Trini muttered as she sat meditating, over who knew what.

Suddenly, she could feel her necklace vibrating.

"Trini here."

"Good evening, Trini. I hope the evening on Earth suits you well."

"So far it has. What's up? Wait just a minute, Dulcea, Trey's here for some reason, I'll get back to you later."

With that, she shut off her necklace and turned to the Triforian who had just walked out of Pyramidas and into the Rangers' base.

"Hi, Trini," Trey said. "Do you know where Tanya is?"

"Back at her house, as far as I know," Trini said. "What's up?"

"I heard of the predicament she had been in, and from what I understand my planet is about to be attacked, so I took the time to get out while I could," Trey said. "Trini, I have a confession to make now that I can do it."

"What is it Trey?"

"I like Tanya - no wait, I love Tanya," Trey said. "I think she is truly a beautiful woman inside and out. My time previously spent here woke me up to that realization. Now that Adam has his girlfriend, I'd like to have the opportunity to take Tanya under my protective wing and show her how I feel about her."

"I'm sure she'd love to hear you say that. Would you like me to take you to her?"

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll set up shop here tonight, and see her in the morning. Thank you Trini."

With that, Trini turned back to her necklace and contacted Dulcea again.

"Sorry, Trey just got here. He wanted to tell me how he feels about Tanya and ask if he could protect her. I'm taking him to her in the morning."

"Oh, really? I hadn't heard Trey had left," Dulcea said.

"Yeah, his planet is about to be attacked," Trini said. "And come to think of it...I'm checking galaxy wide scanners and there are lots of places that are about to be under attack."

"Wow, Dark Specter's not fooling around," Dulcea said. "Tanya was in fact the reason I called - but if Trey came to get her then I won't bother. I'll just recall who I had sent. Thanks, Trini."

Eltar

"Thanks for coming, Tommy," Dulcea said - after the reactions to the latest news, she had decided to call a conference in which a few others were present on what to do next.

"Sure. What's up?" Tommy said.

"I'm cancelling the rest of the required training," Dulcea said.

"Why? I thought this could be the best thing to happen to the guys," Tommy said.

"The best thing HAS already happened," Dulcea said. "My concerns were that there would be a letdown after Serpentera was destroyed and Zera saved Zedd and began making her plans. With Sabrina's mother now under Zera's control and the reactions, I am convinced that everything is going to be OK with your team. I'm going to allow them to train at their own pace, since they now know how dangerous of an opponent she is. But I must warn you of one thing, Falcon."

"And that is?"

"You are far from out of danger. I am requiring you to be guarded by someone or something wherever you go - Zera will stop at nothing to seduce you if she can get you alone. If she seduces you and gets you to fall in love with her, we may not be able to bring you back."

"I can't let that happen, Dulcea. ANYTHING that keeps Kim and I together is a GOOD thing. We CANNOT be apart again."

All of a sudden, as Tommy lost his balance for a second, something he was carrying - something that looked like a piece of jewelry - came flying out of his hand and dropped to the carpet.

"Wait - what is that?" Dulcea said.

"Oh. That's supposed to be the wedding ring that I was going to give to Kim," Tommy said. "I was planning on waiting to give it to her till after the battle. Sabrina went and helped me pick it out right before you and I brought Kim back from Lady Chaos' control because she was sure I'd come through."

"Let me see that," Dulcea said. "Just because I'm a curious woman."

Tommy handed her the ring, and Dulcea looked it over for a few minutes. Then, one of the strangest things happened.

Moments after Tommy had uttered his words, the ring began glowing - one half white and one half pink. And it was vibrating.

"What the - what's going on?" Tommy said. "Why is that thing vibrating? And why the HELL is that thing glowing?"

"I need Zordon to look at this," Dulcea said. "This may be the key to our battle with Zera."

Meanwhile...

Rocky, still reeling from the news just a while ago, was lying down, trying to go to sleep.

And in his mind, he needed it. He just couldn't bear to see Sabrina, who had just been accepted into the Rangers' little bubble, become threatened again. For him, it hurt just as bad as it did for Adam.

He knew that if one of the leaders was lost, he and the rest of his team would be in big trouble.

"Mind if I jump in?" a sweet metallic voice said.

"Uh, Arch?" he said as he glanced up to see the female machine archer looking straight at him.

"Yeah, it's me," she said. "Can I come in?"

"Eh, sure," Rocky said. "Come on in. What's up?"

"Doing all right, Rocky," Archerina said. "I saw you walking earlier. You look kind of sore."

"Three hours against Plant Girl will do that for you," Rocky said. "That was a grueling experience. I thought it was great when I'd hit her with my sword and she would taunt me by saying 'Didn't hurt!' and then she'd whack me in the face and make me sore with a single punch. I respect her a LOT."

"It's odd," Archerina said. "I notice she's really nice, but she fights like she's angry. I don't fight like I'm angry - I fight like I'm better. Now Gasket - HE's angry. All the time."

"Uh, what are you doing?" Rocky said as he noticed her climbing onto him. "You do know Rangers and robots aren't supposed to interact THIS closely, right?"

"Who told you that?" Archerina said. "Last time I checked I'm not part of the Machine Empire anymore - in fact, I couldn't give a rat's behind what they think. You do know my father is human and not machine, right? Am I making you feel uncomfortable?"

"No, but I'd sure like to know why the hell you're pinning my whole damn body down with your own."

"Maybe it's because I can use someone to talk to, and everyone else is off doing their own damn thing - including my father, who is unavaliable at the moment as he's talking with Zordon," she said. "Or maybe it's because I like you."

"There's no way you could possibly have the hots for me! That's PREPOSTEROUS!" Rocky said, eyes wide. "There's just no way! The girls at Angel Grove High never liked me because they thought I was a nutjob! Aisha loved me as a person but REFUSED, flat out REFUSED to date me because of my class clown behavior!"

"Different situation, different glasses I'm looking through," she said. "I don't mind your nutty behavior, and I'm another one who believes you got an unfair shake - from having to follow up Jason, to being rejected by the rest of your team."

"If I asked you anything, would you answer it?" Rocky said.

"Yes," Archerina said.

"Dark Specter. What do you think his plans are?"

"You know, I was wondering when one of you would ask that," she responded. "If I know Dark Specter, he'll try to isolate you by attacking the planets which are most important to you. That way you have nowhere to run and he can simply travel here and outnumber you."

"Well, we're gonna need to evacuate at some point," Rocky said. "What do you think our best chances of getting out of here are?"

"Our best chance is if Specter and Zedd's sister clash," she said. "That way we sneak out of here while they fight, so they can't see us."

"What about the ship? Is it protected?" Rocky said.

"Yeah. They can't get in. I lodged one of my arrows into one of the steps leading up the ship. The bad guys can't get in without tripping over that arrow - and if they trip over it, they fall into my command and thus, our command."

"You know, before you go on, I have to say you're impressing me. You're very intelligent, you're fast and agile, your bow is just as good as Kim's if not better, and your kind attitude is a refreshing change from some of the people I've met outside the Ranger family."

Take a look at what's on my chin, right below my face," she said. "Tell me what that is."

"That's a pink heart," Rocky said.

"Yes, Rocky. When I was created, I was expected to do two things - be a sweetheart to everyone I met, and to defend the banner of all that is good and honorable. After I divorced Gasket and came home, my father told me that if I saw one of you that I liked that I could chase that dream. Now, do you have any more questions?"

"What about T and Kim? Are they gonna be all right?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure," Archerina said. "I'm honestly more worried about them against Zedd's sister than I am about our chances against Specter. I'm confident we can take Dark Specter and his forces. But unless there's some secret weapon out there, I fear Tommy is going to be seduced by Zedd's sister, and if we lose him it's going to be ten thousand times harder to get him back because she'll actually see that he's well-cared for. She doesn't NEED to use him to destroy you guys, and she realizes that - all she needs to do is show him she cares enough, and marry him and that will strip you of your powers. She's actually pretty smart, and her footmen are even more dangerous than Cogs. If those footmen touch you, your whole body will burn for hours."

"That is a nightmarish proposition," Rocky said.

Outside...

"Yes, Rocky, it is. A nightmarish proposition indeed," Zordon sighed as he watched from outside the room, knowing that the time was coming where he may never see his Rangers again.

"Hi, old friend," an elderly man in royal robes said as he walked up to Zordon. "It has been way too long."

"It has indeed, Aradon," Zordon said as the two shook hands. "I'm going to kill your daughter for flirting with my Red Ranger. She's been glancing at him slyly and he doesn't even know it."

"Arch is that way," Aradon said, "always has been. She'll come with some surprise that I don't see coming. I'm OK with it - I hope your Red Ranger warms up to her as he could use a friend like that. God, Zordon, I'm worried."

"Worried?" Zordon said. "I've never been more frightened for my team, not even when Lady Chaos had Kim under her power. Is there ANY way we can keep Zera away from Tommy?"

"I haven't the foggiest, Zordon," Aradon said. "Zera has been almost automatic when she tries to seduce the guys she rolls with. I just don't know."

"Hi Zordon," Dulcea said as she walked up to the two from behind. "Can I see you for a moment?"

"Hi Dulcea," Zordon said as he smiled at Dulcea, and nodded as she led him to a private area.

"What's that in your hand?" Zordon said as he pointed to an object which was glowing and vibrating.

"It's Tommy's wedding ring for Kimberly," Dulcea said. "I noticed it glowing and vibrating, and I thought I'd ask you to look at it and analyze it."

"Sure. Got to be something involved there," Zordon said.

With that, he took the ring, and analyzed it for a full 30 minutes, using every magical tool and spell in his posession.

After 30 minutes, he smiled and turned to Dulcea, saying, "We may have an answer to our problems."

"Huh?"

"That ring is glowing half-white, half-pink because it's the signal of the bond between our Crane and Falcon."

"But how does that provide an answer to our problems?"

"When Tommy puts on that ring, that ring will create forcefields which should protect Tommy and Kim from Zedd and his sister. As long as he's wearing that ring, Zera can't touch him, and Zedd can't touch Kim. That ring will also protect those two from any other evil spells that might be cast on them."

"Like the one which turned them against one another that one time?" Dulcea said.

"Yeah, that one. That was hard to watch," Zordon said.

"Do you think Tommy realizes how powerful of a weapon he has against Zera?" Dulcea said.

"No. But I want you to tell him to NEVER take that ring off until further notice," Zordon said.

"Yes, sir."

Angel Grove Park

Tanya was looking out at Angel Grove Lake when her necklace began to vibrate. She quickly reached for it and activated communications.

"Tanya here."

"Tanya, it's Trini. How are you this morning?"

"Doing well, Trini, how are you?"

"I'm doing well also. Listen, you have a visitor who would like to see you."

"Oh really?" Tanya said.

"Yes. In fact, I'm teleporting him to your location now."

With that, a golden beam landed in the park, and Tanya turned to see...

"Trey? Is that you? Aren't you supposed to be back home?"

"I only went back home to recharge Pyramidas - besides, my planet is about to be attacked by the Machine Empire so I felt I had to get out of there and come where I'm at least safe. Besides, I'm here for another reason."

"And that would be?"

"You."

Tanya's mouth fell open, flabbergasted.

"No way. You - like me?"

"Indeed I do, Tanya," Trey said. "And I can't hide it anymore. I privately admired you when I was first here after I learned how you became a Ranger, but because you were with Adam, I couldn't say anything aloud. Now that I have my opportunity, I want to say that I would like an opportunity to earn your love and respect because you have earned mine. I am not married, believe it or not, and I would like to have someone to lean on for the rest of my life after this is over."

"You don't need to earn my respect - you already have," Tanya said. "Without you we would not be here."

"That has been my duty for millennia," Trey said. "To help others when they are in need."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to bring my Rangers and I to Triforia to help defend her. If we're going to love each other, then we need to be here for each other," Tanya said.

"Would you do that? Could you do that?" Trey asked, almost hopefully.

"I would be willing to - and I'm sure Kat would like to as well," Tanya said.

"Oh man, if you could bring the Turbo team to help me, that would be unbelievably awesome," Trey said.

"I'll talk to my team, but I'd be willing to bet they'll do it," Tanya said, as she planted a kiss on his forehead. "And Trey, THAT's when you know what love is. Now, what do you say we get to know one another better?"

"I'd like that," Trey said.

Somewhere on one of Eltar's moons...

"Haha, this is WAY too easy!" Zera said. "He's out in the open, right there for me to snatch!"

"Would you like me to send Goldar to distract the other Rangers?" Zedd said.

"Yes, Goldie would be useful. Send him and some of my Blazes down to engage the Rangers. Tell Sabrina's mother to join you. I shall go introduce myself to Tommy."

Eltar

Adam was walking, arm-in-arm, with Sabrina through the courtyards of Eltar's capital city. Both of them seemed relieved to be removed from their training so suddenly.

"What was the reason Dulcea gave for taking away the training aspect?" Sabrina said.

"I think she thinks we understand the gravity of the situation now, and who wouldn't? Your mother is now under Zera's power, and as long as it's that way, she has a big advantage over us."

Suddenly, they heard some noises nearby.

"What do you think that was?" Sabrina said.

"Hang on, let me go check," Adam said.

After a few minutes of inspection, Adam returned to Sabrina with his report.

"It's Goldilocks with some flamed footsoldiers," Adam said. "And your mother."

"Good luck with them," Sabrina said. "I'm sorry to say, but I can't fight my mother head on."

"I understand. Go keep track of what Tommy's doing, and get a few monsters for backup. I'll call the guys and take care of things here."

"Be careful!" Sabrina said. "Don't let those footsoldiers touch you. If they so much as touch you, it's gonna burn like hell. You may want to call for the Metallic Armor."

"Will do," Adam said as his girlfriend ran off. After notifying his teammates of the situation, Adam was ready for action.

"It's Morphin Time!" Adam said. "Black Ranger Power!"

Elsewhere...

Tommy was on the south side of the capital city, admiring the picturesque neighborhood he was about to walk into.

Suddenly, he heard someone land behind him, and turned to face someone he had never seen before, but heard plenty about.

She was dressed in a red halter top, had midnight black hair halfway down her back, and had a weapon, that like Lord Zedd, had a 'Z' on the top of it. The only exception was that it was a sword, not a staff.

"Greetings, honey," she said in a sweet, seductive voice.

"You must be Zera!" Tommy growled. "I've heard a lot about you, and quite frankly I've heard about enough of you!"

"Now, now, White Ranger, that's no way to treat a woman. Especially a woman who means no harm to you. Now, why don't we play a little game?"

"A game? What kind of game is this?"

"Yes, a game. A game where I make the rules."

With that, the two disappeared and found themselves in an alternate dimension which was as black as the night itself. Once there, Zera decided to play with her target before bringing him under her wing - and bringing about the demise of the Rangers, so she took a defensive stance.

"Now, sugar, let's see if you can beat me straight up. In MY dimension. Good luck - you will need it."

"You want me, you got me the hard way! It's Morphin Time! White Ranger Power!" Tommy shouted.

"Nice little trick," Zera said, smiling. "And you do look great in white. But it still won't be enough to save you from me."

"Bring it on!" Tommy shouted.

Triforia

As numerous Quadrafighters rained laser after laser on Triforia's capital city, Mondo smiled.

"Ah yes. Triforia is ours for the taking, and not a Ranger in SIGHT!" Mondo said.

"Yeah, daddy! At least we can get ONE planet without those pesky Rangers interfering with us!"

"And then, I look forward to making the people of this planet MY slaves!" Mondo said. That way we can rule this planet so that if another puny Ranger team should ever try to free this planet, they'll have to be on the OFFENSIVE to do it!"

"Brilliant, daddy! Brilliant!" Sprocket said.

TBC...