Disclaimer: Power Rangers does not belong to me...period.

Note: So those who guessed which Yellow Ranger would be the next to appear, well that time is here. Anyway…enjoy as the story deepens…

Into The Darkness

"Whoa, what was that!?" T. J. scanned the distance in front of him.

"You don't honestly expect the wild to be animal free do you?" Elsa snidely replied.

"No I expect that much, but whatever that was…well that was huge, at least huge sounding," T. J. responded to the black-haired woman.

"Then we should probably avoid it," was Elsa's reply.

Either she was trying to be funny, or she was just being blunt…the Space Ranger wasn't sure. So he did what any sensible male would do, he merely smiled and nodded.

Elsa waved for him to follow her as she headed directly into the wooded area that the really large sounding animal had shrieked from. The two moved swiftly and quietly, to the best of their abilities. The path, or lack of path, they ere more or less following seemed to move deeper and deeper into the thick foliage.

"Are you sure we're not being followed? I keep hearing something," T. J. whispered in Elsa's direction.

"Probably, that's why we need to keep moving, we shouldn't have too much further to go.

By, 'too much further,' she meant an indefinite time. The night seemed to fade into dawn rapidly. The bleak sun of this planet hardly seemed to drastically change the appearance of things. Elsa moved in silence, T. J. moved right behind her…ultimately ending in a clearing.

"Yes, this is the place," Elsa whispered, finally breaking the silence.

"Not the liveliest place on Earth…or wherever this is…is it?" T. J. looked around the clearing.

"Not for much longer anyway…" Elsa smiled as she spoke.

"What's that supposed to me…" T. J. started.

"Now!!" Elsa screamed at the top of her lungs.

A dark hole seemed to open in the mid-air. A huge, lumbering creature appeared from the hole, crashing violently to the ground. It was easily 10 feet tall, its hide was thick and jagged, its face, elongated with two prominent, downwards canine teeth. It was like nothing T. J. had ever seen…and he'd seen a lot…the creature seemed to have no eyes, yet it seemed to be able to see, or sense its surroundings. It focused immediately on T. J., and wasted no time in heading for him, slamming its fists strongly and fiercely into the ground, flailing rock and debris into the air. T. J. barely was able to dodge the attack.

"You tricked me," T. J. realized that Elsa had led him directly into a trap.

Elsa smiled and laughed as the massive creature attempted to attack the Space Ranger again, "You think? General Goldar will be pleased," she laughed wickedly as her appearance began to change.

"This is not good," T. J. dodged another attack, but knew that he wouldn't be able to dodge many more, the creatures was slow, but eventually if it didn't score a hit the flying debris would.

The attacks continued, and the creature seemed to not tire. T. J. on the other hand wasn't as lucky, without his powers working he was tiring much faster, and in an unlucky moment he found himself tripping over something, then being blasted upside the head with a flying rock. He was on his back, and could barely move, and in his last moments he saw one of the creature's massive fists flying right towards him.

The blow never came…

A strong shrieking noise echoed throughout the surrounding forests as a large, bipedal creature leapt in front of the falling fist. The creature was only about seven and half feet in height, but its musculature was very apparent. It had long arms, and a long tail…its legs seemed to be shorter, but equally powerful. The appearance of the creature, even apart from its size, was shocking. It looked like a type of massive ape, but it seemed only partially organic, and partially mechanical. It was an amalgamation of technology and biology. The creature had a gray coloration to it, and moved with large amounts of speed and agility.

"What in the world?!" Elsa screamed as her well-planned trap was falling to pieces in front of her.

T. J. was equally confused as he watched the massive ape creature fighting against his monster attacker. He wasn't sure what was going on, but needless to say he wasn't complaining. The two titans continued to battle, more of the land was destroyed, but neither seemed to be giving in to the other. The ape, despite its size disadvantage seemed to be making the most progress; it was as if the larger creature couldn't get his hands onto the ape.

In the confusion, Elsa thought it best to disappear before she got caught up in the aftermath of the battle. She leapt in to the dark portal in the sky, vanishing into its blackness. The portal sealed itself, and vanished.

T. J. remained watching the two monsters fighting, though from a safer locale. Yet some reason he was unable to turn away from the events. Finally after several more minutes things changed. The ape managed to get onto the larger creature's shoulders, wrapping his legs around the neck and his tail around the broadness of the creature's shoulders (it was as if the tail had grown longer) the ape raised both it massive arms into the air, howled loudly and crashed both fists into the creature's head.

The creature let out an agonizing cry, as the ape repeated the attack. Once again the creature cried out, this time falling to its knees. Again the blow came, the creature fell forward, face first to the ground. The ape broke free its lock on the larger being and retreated backwards. The larger creature lay still on the ground…occasionally twitching, but for the most part unmoving.

T. J. stood silently watching, expecting the ape to return to the forest. Instead the ape came towards the Ranger, but T. J. was not afraid, in fact he felt calm as the ape approached. Stopping in front of the human, the two locked eyes.

"Thank you," T. J. spoke, feeling a type of connection with the ape.

The ape grunted a reply; it then seemed to nod its head in response to the appreciative comment. In a sudden change of attitude it raised back his head, howling loudly and pounding its chest. The breath of the creature covered T. J., but he was not afraid.

Quite the opposite, he felt stronger. Closing his eyes T. J. saw a massive battle, two opposing sides in conflict, and then he saw five figures standing amidst the chaos. When he opened his eyes he felt different. Then he saw why. He stood before the ape not in the muddy and tattered clothing he had been in, but in clean, grey uniform with black sleeves, and an odd marking on the front of the uniform. At his sides were two daggers, one longer than the other, and about his head was a headband, adorned with a grey stone.

The ape turned his back to the newly awoken Grey Ranger and walked away slowly. Though T. J. somehow knew that if the need ever came the ape wouldn't be far away.

(A dark cement cell in an unknown location)

Maya was afraid, no she was terrified. Each day was the same thing…uncertainty whether you would be chosen or not. Those that were had a 50 chance of surviving, and those that survived were usually scarred for life. Her mind was the first to go, though sometimes she recalled past events of humanity, but they were soon replaced by the reality that she could very well die in the next match.

The only choice she had was to revert to her more feral roots, to the ferocity she once possessed before her home had been saved. Her home…sometimes she remembered it, but it had been a so long ago that it was merely a vague memory. After her mind had left her body took the beating.

She had been beaten badly, scars covered her body. Many places were still roughly stitched up, barely even having time to heal. The entire left side of her face bore a four pronged claw mark, she had been lucky it hadn't blinded her.

The guards walked the halls, tapping on random doors. It was ultimately a mind game; the denizens of the cell never knew whether or not they were the next being called. Sure there were some who lived for the fight, reveled in its pure savagery, but more often than not they were just people who were forced into the situation. Many just hoping to survive the eventual battle they would face, but most rarely lasted more than a couple of battles. Maya had been one of the luckiest ones; she had survived countless fights, all the worse for the wear.

The guard approached her door. He knocked three times, and then slid a plate of some type of food substance through a small opening in the door.

"Eat up wild woman, you're up next," the guards harsh voice hissed through the opening.

Maya devoured the substance. She knew that she would need the energy to survive. After eating she began to prep herself, praying in her own method that she could survive.

It wasn't long before the guard returned to open the cell door. Oftentimes they had to forcefully take the participant into the arena, but Maya didn't fight it...she would face her opponents head on, and if she died, she would die fighting.

The walk was terrifying to say the least, but one couldn't let that affect them, or else they were dead walking. The arena itself was massive, and cluttered with fallen armor, weapons and sometimes bodies, it was a familiar sight to Maya, though she strongly wished otherwise. She looked into the bloodthirsty crowd and knew what was next.

On the opposite side of the arena her opponent approached. He was over six feet tall, clad in red and gold armor. His blue skin contrasting with his yellow hair, his face was stern, he was ready to fight. He withdrew his jagged sword and approached the female opponent. Maya's opponent then stopped, a smile across his face, "Well, well it seems the fates destined us to meet again."

Maya didn't respond she just narrowed her eyes at the figure before her.

"But it seems you don't remember me, you don't even know who you are do wild woman," he taunted her, "but I remember you, Yellow Ranger. Maybe the name Furio will ring a bell. No? Ah well, I'm still going to enjoy this."

The opponent, who called himself Furio, raised his sword to strike as he ran towards the wild woman.

Somewhere in her mind the name Furio rang a bell, but she just wasn't sure why. It didn't matter though, the fight had begun.

Furio's sword came towards Maya, but she managed to evade the attack as the sword crashed into the ground. Maya searched frantically for her own weapon, it didn't take long though. In one of the piles of discarded items she found a gold-hilted sword with a white blade. Something was vaguely familiar about the sword; images came to her mind, flashes of partial memories. The sword wasn't the same, but it was close.

Furio's sword met with Maya's sword in a strong clash. Both fighters refused to give way to the other. The crowd was taking in the battle for all it was worth, reveling in the ferocity of it all. Furio managed to knock the woman to her back, causing her to release her sword. He raised his own again, thrusting it forward, burying it in the side of the former Ranger. Maya let out a surprised scream, as she coughed up a small amount of blood, but she wasn't done yet. The pain fueled her, she forgot about her own humanity and the instinct to survive kicked in. Managing a hard kick into the midsection of her opponent, in his surprise he released his own sword.

Standing up, clutching her side she made her way towards Furio, who had managed to get back to his feet. Her eyes focused on her rival as she steadily moved for the attack. She head-butted the blue-skinned creature, and leapt onto him, the pain in her side seemed to subside as a new ferocity awoke. In her fury she forgot all about what humanity she possessed, and reached for Furio's fallen sword.

Furio looked shocked as the woman raised the sword, "you don't have it in you. Heroes never do."

"I…am…not…a…hero," Maya spoke; it was the first time she had spoken in a long time, the words sounded foreign to her.

"Then wh…" Furio couldn't finish his sentence, he saw the tip of his own sword coming between his eyes, but he never felt the pain as the blade impaled his skull. He died instantly, a look of shock still frozen on his face.

The crowd cheered at the violence. Maya couldn't hear their words; she collapsed to the ground as one of the guards came back to her, lifted her motionless body and carried her back to her cell. She wasn't dead, so they'd fix her up to the best of their ability, she'd be ready for another fight soon.

(The Domain of the Dark One)

"So you're little protégé failed didn't she Goldie?" Trakeena approached the black armored warrior.

"She did her part," Goldar responded, "it was Thrax's Titan that failed."

"Because I knew about your cousin out there," Thrax defended himself.

"All of you have failed to prevent these Rangers from forming," the Dark One's voice spoke.

"Yes lord," Goldar kneeled before his master, "it will not happen again."

"I've heard that before," Trakeena whispered to Thrax, "yet somehow it always happens again."

"Haha, good call insect, but don't let the monkey hear you. He may tattle," Thrax replied.

"You two show respect to out master," Goldar hissed towards the other two generals.

"Of course," both Trakeena and Thrax kneeled.

"See to it that no more of these Rangers appear," the Dark One continued, "they will not prevent my reawakening in the world again."

"It shall be master," Goldar rose from his kneeling, "you two come with me, we have plans to make."

Thrax was busy making mocking faces behind Goldar's back as he and Trakeena followed the armored warrior. Trakeena tried to keep her laughs minimal.

(Foil's City, Trini's village)

"So what exactly is this place?" Hayley asked the older Foil who had introduced the others to the food of this world.

"It's our world," he replied.

"Yeah, but what is it? Why are there creatures here from Ranger's past?" Hayley continued.

"I wish I could tell you, but in all honesty I have no idea," the old man replied.

Hayley laughed at the old man's response, "well anyway you have been a lot of help the past days, and I feel awful, I don't even know your name."

"You can call me Deus," he answered.

"Well Deus, it's been a pleasure. Anyway, I think its time for me to meet back up with Trini, I'm sure I'll see you again," Hayley excused herself from the table the two were sitting at, and exited the building.

Outside a commotion was being caused, the armed Foils surrounding someone, or something. Hayley noticed the goings on as she exited the building, swiftly approaching the crowd.

"We told you, you're not welcome here," one of the guards spoke.

"Trust me, I would love to not be here, but I must speak with Trini. It's rather important, so if you could oblige me that honor I will be out of your hair as soon as possible," a female voice spoke.

"Is that Necrolai?" Hayley fought her way forward, "here let me through."

The guards did as Hayley requested, the elders had told them to work with Trini and Hayley's requests, provided it did not mess with the order of the city.

"Well that was easier than I thought," Necrolai dusted herself off and walked forward, straightening the pouch she had been wearing on her waist.

"What's up?" Hayley asked the approaching Vampire.

"Have you seen Trini?" Necrolai asked the red-haired woman.

"Someone looking for me?" Trini appeared from the crowd, in her non-Ranger apparel.

"Actually yes, I found something that you may find of interest," Necrolai spoke to the Ranger.

"Really?" Trini responded.

"I'm not really sure what it is, but somehow I thought you may recognize this," Necrolai withdrew a wrapped parcel from somewhere on her pouch.

Trini took the parcel and began to unwrap it, Hayley came close to see what it was. When the parcel was completely unwrapped both women's eyes grew large.

"Is that?" Hayley began.

"The Dragon Dagger, how did it get here?" Trini examined the weapon of the former Green Ranger, the weapon that controlled the mighty Dragonzord.

"So this is familiar…maybe you should try it out," Necrolai suggested, "I mean somehow I think that's why it's here."

Trini lifted the musical end of the weapon to her mouth, and pressed her lips to it, "Wait a moment, somehow I think I'm dressed wrong for this." Trini reached to her forehead and touched the stone on her headband. Closing her eyes she focused her thoughts and in an instant the transformation began, and the Crimson Ranger appeared.

"Well that's just neat," Necrolai suggested.

"Okay," Trini placed the instrument/weapon to her mouth again, and blew the hauntingly familiar music, nothing happened.

"That was less than exciting," Necrolai spoke up.

The Dragon Dagger then began to glow, a crimson light engulfing it. The dagger then began to transform into a longer, and leaner from, taking on an altered appearance, and altered coloration to match the newly Ranger-ed form of Trini Kwan.

"Well that's interesting…try again," Hayley suggested.

Once again Trini placed the Dagger to her mouth, and once again she blew the notes, the music was the same, but the sound was deeper.

A sound echoed in the distance, as the shrieking sound of the Dragonzord filled the City. Somewhere outside of the city a rockslide occurred as the green and black figure arose, shaking the debris from its metallic hide. This time the crimson light engulfed the bulky machine, it cried out again as it to began to change. The Zord became leaner, as its appearance took on a more streamlined body…the coloration also changed as well. One could tell that it was the still Dragonzord, but at the same time different. The Crimson Dragonzord had been born.

TBC