Back in Tommy's basement lab, the Rangers watched as Haley put the finishing touches on the hastily-built laser she had created. Trent was securely strapped down to a table, and still unconscious.

Everyone had looks of hope on their faces, but Cassidy noticed Kira was hoping a little more than everyone else. She smiled to herself. It looked like the Kira of this universe had a strong attraction to Trent, too. Maybe I can do something about that, she thought.

Just then, a groggy Trent awoke. "Wha…? What's going on!?" he said, struggling against his bonds.

"Sorry, Trent," Tommy said kindly but firmly, in what was (although the DinoThunders didn't know it) his "leader voice". "It's for your own good."

Haley decided to move quickly, before the Gem could try to morph him again. She flipped the switch, and ruby-red light shot out of the long rod mounted above Trent. The boy flinched instinctively, but the laser hit its' target dead-on. After a few seconds, an ugly black cloud rose from the contaminated Gem and quickly dissipated.

Haley kept the beam on for a few more seconds just to be sure, then turned it off. She checked the energy readings on the scanner, then looked at the Rangers and grinned.

"The dark energy is completely gone!" she announced, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Trent looked at Haley with disbelief and desperate hope. "You mean…it's over?"

It was Tommy who answered. "Actually, Trent, it's just beginning. You're still a Ranger…but now you can fight on the right side."

Trent looked away. "How can I, after…"

"Trent," Tommy said, his voice leaving no room for doubt, "It's not your fault! Believe me, I've been where you are, and I know how you feel…but you can make up for everything Mesogog made you do. Besides," he added, realizing that Trent didn't know much about the true nature of his powers, "The White Gem has bonded with your DNA. Only your death can break that bond, so Mesogog isn't going to leave you alone until either you're dead or he is!"

Trent swallowed. Hard. Then, with a shaky voice: "Okay. I'm in."

Tommy smiled and held out his hand. "Welcome aboard!"

Cassidy couldn't help but think that Connor and Ethan looked a lot less welcoming. Of course, that was understandable, after everything Trent put them—and the team in general—through. Even Kira, though obviously happy, had a certain amount of wariness in her expression.

Trent clearly sensed this, since he remained quite sober. After shaking Tommy's hand, he extended one to Cassidy. "Cassidy…I owe you more than I can ever repay! When I had the White Ranger in my head, I could sense what he—or it, or whatever it was—was thinking, and he considered you to be the weakest Ranger on the team." The no-longer-evil White Ranger lowered his eyes in shame. "I'm sorry to say I agreed with him. I suppose it's fitting, then, that you were the one to take him down."

The Pink Ranger grasped the proffered hand firmly, and offered a genuine smile. "I just did what had to be done, Trent. That's what being a Ranger is all about!" She then gave a mental blink. Whoa, where did THAT come from!? Maybe having the Power is affecting me more than I thought! Shaking off her surprise, she continued, "I have full confidence that you'll make a great Ranger!"

Trent gave her a grateful smile.

Haley was reluctant to interrupt this touching moment, but she realized that Trent was unaware of Cassidy's "problem". Clearing her throat, she started, "Trent, there's something you should know about Cassidy…"

(SCENE CHANGE)

It was a dog-tired Ms. Cornell who walked through the front door of her parents' house that evening. It had been a long day: the shock of finding herself in a strange universe; being back in high school; her first (at least THIS Cassidy's first) Ranger battle; freeing Trent from the control of the corrupted Gem…all the blonde wanted was to grab a bite to eat and go to bed!

She walked into the living room…and was horrified when she was her parents lying on the floor!

"Mom! Dad!" She couldn't tell if they were alive or not. She rushed forward to check on them…which proved to be a serious tactical mistake, since she hadn't bothered to check if anyone else was in the room.

Something hard and metal slammed into the back of her head, and the world faded to black.

To Be Continued…

NEXT CHAPTER: Cassidy's arrival in this universe was no accident…and the being behind it will be revealed! Mesogog gets a new ally…one who has come up with a VERY effective way to get the Rangers, and Cassidy in particular, to do what they want!

Who's the mystery character? Well, that's intended to be a surprise. But I will say this: it's a canon character!

What's the diabolical plan? Also a surprise! This time I'll give you TWO hints: 1) It's a plan used before in a previous Ranger series. 2) It came within an ace of succeeding!