Chapter Seven: Phaedos and Edenoi

"Dude... your dad's gonna be ticked!" Lobo said as the group watched the soldiers prepare for their next trip.

Leon grunted. "Yeah, but when isn't he? Ever since he took over from Animus, he's been super careful and rigid about everything."

"He has to, though." Nago said, conjuring a banana through his tap to the Morphing Grid. "If he's gonna be the big boss man, he needs respect. It's hard for politicians to have respect if their family's all crazy and rebellious."

"So I'm rebellious? I'm just doing my part to help!" Leon growled. "I'm not going to be like Lionel and do everything my dad says..."

He turned around when he heard Ingat laughing.

"What's so funny?" Leon asked.

She shrugged. "I think it's funny you two try so hard to be different. Just relax!"

"Uh... guys... we should probably be getting back home. The Overlords were preparing a fireside for the youth and I don't want to miss it..." Galcon said.

Lobo groaned. "I'm sick of those three. They rub me the wrong way, man. I really don't want to go."

"If we get back in time, maybe no one will notice we left..." Ingat said.

"Hmph. Fat chance!" Faor said, running up to the group. "I just heard Master Lope over the comm telling those humans that Black Lion is furious."

"Busted!" Lobo said, hiding his nose under his front paw.

"You got that right." Faor said.

Ave swooped down, just as he finished his final patrol of the area. "I don't know why I let you guys talk me into these things. I swore you all are going to get me into a bad situation! Seriously!"

Leon chuckled. "Not any worse than the tongue lashing my dad's going to give me once we get back to Earth..."

Nago walked up and placed his hand on Leon's mane. "Don't worry, man. No matter what, we know we did the right thing. If we hadn't shown up, that creepy yellow eyed dude would've had his entire army destroy those humans. We're heroes!"

Leon grunted again. "I just hope these humans were worth it. They better contribute something super important to the universe if it's going to mean me getting grounded!"

A ways away, Magnus was saying his goodbyes to Zordon and his group.

"Zordon, I am glad I was able to see you again." Magnus said. "My guilt for not having saved you during the Final Siege has been great. You prove to me there are still miracles to be had for the side of justice."

"I'm glad you are alive as well, Magnus. May the Power protect you on your journey." Zordon said.

Tria placed his hand in hers. "Magnus, let us come with you, please! Magna needs us."

Zordon frowned as she offered for what he thought was the umpteenth time. Magnus shook his head and placed his hand on his shoulder. He smiled at her.

"You have a mission to find Master Ivicar. That is important. I must protect my planet. Those two conflict. I will not have the universe suffer for my planet. In the grand scheme of things, I am insignificant."

Zordon agreed with Magnus and was glad he had someone who understood the way things should work. He wasn't in the mood to argue with "Team Victory".

"Besides," Magnus said, pointing behind him. "I have help. The beast who helped me earlier has agreed to come with me to Magna. It seems he would rather come with me than return to Earth."

"You understand that thing?" Yoral said, scratching his head.

"Yes. If you but just listen with your heart," Magnus said, placing his index finger on Yoral's chest. "You can hear many things. Please, young man... remember this. Listen with your heart."

Yoral gave him a weird look. "Okay... fine..." He looked at Trinity and gave her a look saying, "what's up with this guy?", to which Trinity winked and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Good luck, old friend." Tria said to Magnus. He nodded and began walking away.

"Wait, your ship's that way!" Trinity said.

"I'm leaving it to the soldier who fought here, to help what remains of The Alliance." Magnus said, continuing to walk toward Toro. "I have a new mode of transportation. Toro, charge!"

And with that, Magnus pulled on his helmet and leapt into the air. His cape flapped in the wind as he landed on Toro. He sat on his head, holding onto a small saddle like object he had placed on his head earlier.

"To the coordinates I gave you earlier, Toro." Magnus said.

"Right, Magnus." Toro replied as he leapt up into the sky and started run/flying to space. The other animals stared as they flew away.

"You know... it's termed 'lone wolf' for a reason... not lone bull!" Lobo said as they began to leave themselves.

"Everyone ready?" Ryl asked as Lobo jumped onto his back. Galcon and Ave were already ahead, flying into space as the last beast ended up on the massive shark's back.

"Yes, sir!" Ingat replied.

"Okay, so I'm just heading back to the wormhole and back to Earth! We should be there shortly!" Ryl said as they began flying into space.

"My dad's gonna destroy me when he finds out Toro left..." Leon said, looking as the bull began to disappear into space.

"Your dad will understand!" Faor said. "Everyone knows Toro always goes against the grain. Seriously, he's the least of your worries!"

"Ugh! I'm dead lion meat!" Leon said as they left Mirioni's atmosphere, his friends laughing at him.

While the animals left, Zordon looked at the Ragnarok. He was contemplating everything he learned in the Hall of Legends. He thought of what Orion had just said to him before he passed onto the next stage of his life. The weight of the universe felt as if it were on his shoulders.

"Zordon?" Trinity said, breaking his concentration. Not knowing she was next to him, he jumped almost out of his skin from the surprise. She placed a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Frustrated, Zordon frowned. "Yes?"

Trinity tried to stop laughing. "We're getting... ready... to go to Phaedos..."

Pretending to ignore her, Zordon asked, "Phaedos? That wasteland? Why? Is Ivicar there?"

"No. Gosei just sent us a message saying he tracked down an energy signature heading toward that planet. He said he believes it belongs to someone named Zedd." She said, unsure what that meant.

Zordon looked down. Normally, he would have been upset over going off course from his mission again, but this one was different. This could mean him being able to fulfill his promise and save Zedd.

"When do we leave?" Zordon said, beginning his walk to the ship.

This made Trinity smile. She was hoping he wasn't going to put up a fuss over going, so this reaction was better than she could have hoped for.

"As soon as you are ready!" She said as she caught up to him.

He looked up at the sky and sighed. Although the weight of the universe rested on him, he knew he would save Zedd. He knew he would force Fate's hand and make it his destiny.

. . .

"My queen, I have news." Maligore said, approaching her throne.

"Yes?" The Queen said, smiling in the shadows.

"The power source you asked me to get and I failed to procure on Earth... I have found its energy signature." Maligore said, bowing to a knee.

She smiled. What she had wanted for so long was finally within her grasp.

"Well... will you keep me waiting, or must I rip it out of you?" She said, smiling.

"Liaria, my queen. They attempted to mask the signature, but I found a small trace."

"What are those key wielders doing with it...? Interesting... Well, have the planet scouted for defenses and return and submit your report."

"At your command!" Maligore said, leaving the room.

The Queen began talking to herself about her plan.

"Oh, Dai Shi... If only you knew that the Greatest Treasure was no longer on Earth... you are wasting your time! I knew not joining your dumb little band was for the best! They were so stupid to team up. I knew if I made my own way, I'd get to the artifact first! Once I get it, getting the Orb of Doom and theZeo Crystal will be simple! Then... I can destroy Tid... I mean Sentinel Knight, take the Corona Aurora and create the Extreme Crystal. At that point, I know I will be able to rule supreme. All that will be left is to find the Power Eggs, then I can do what Lothor dreamed of so long ago!"

Smiling to herself, The Queen stood up and made her way to her private chambers.

. . .

"Ahim... you don't need to do this..." Luka said, sitting next to the former princess.

"I have no reason to not. You heard what Villamax said: there was no way to stop Rashon's destruction. He said the Alliance Rangers would have most likely been destroyed by Vile's army had we not interfered. You saw how they couldn't even fight Guy." Ahim said matter of factly.

"Ahim, this isn't the life for you." Luka said.

Ahim looked Luka in the eyes. "Then what life do I have? I survived Rashon because I was a pirate. Marvelous said all of us would always be together as pirates. I'm going to trust him."

"Ready?" Villamax said, entering the room.

"Yes." Ahim said quickly.

They made their way to the top deck, staring down at the planet from in space.

"This planet should be easy." Villamax said, pointing down. "As long as we stay away from the natives, Dregon will not bother us. There are many abandoned cities on Edenoi. Just go down and gather. That's all."

Marvelous avoided looking at Ahim as she walked onto the deck. "We're here and ready. Let's get treasure."

"Alright!" Guy said, jumping into the air with his fist up high.

"Not you. I don't trust you. You stay here and train with me." Villamax said.

Guy's face fell. "What!? That's not...!"

"It's more than fair! You don't need to even be here. Would you wish to walk the plank?"

"No! Okay! Okay! I'll stay and train!" Guy replied.

"Well?" Villamax said, turning to the others. "What are you waiting for?"

And with that, Marvelous made his way to the main cockpit to steer the Galleon down to Edenoi. Villamax and Guy went to a separate part of the ship, Luka begin taking her spot on the deck to watch, and the other three went below deck to be an extra set of eyes and ears for Marvelous on Doc's console.

As Marvelous went to steer the ship, he had a thought. In case they got attacked, he figured he would need to be able to continue piloting, no matter what. He decided to pilot morphed.

"Gokai Change!" He said, pulling out his morpher and dilithium crystal. As he inserted to crystal, he felt the change happen, becoming Gokai Red. He then grabbed the wheel and began piloting toward Edenoi's surface.

As they approached, one of the techs for the hidden base where King Lexian and his family were being kept saw a ping on his console.

"Kamen... we have company..." The tech said to his commander.

Kamen walked over and frowned. "Is it another attack by Dregon? I swear they're getting to be more constant."

"No, it looks different... oh, well, never mind. It seems civilian in nature, but I do see the monitor pinging like mad now with Dregon's ships starting to encroach on this new ship's location."

"Shame. Hopefully I can at least save the survivors of the crash. Please tell me where it crashes so I can teleport there ASAP." Kamen said, weary of the constant heroics which were now part of his daily life.

As the Galleon flew through the sky, their pirate flag flapped in the breeze. Luka stood in the crow's nest looking for cities they could plunder.

"How's it looking from your end, Luka?" Doc asked over a small comm device.

"Hmm... it suddenly became really cloudy..." She coughed as she inhaled. "It's noxious, almost!"

"Aw man..." Doc said from his computer panel. Ahim walked up next to him to see what he was doing. "If it doesn't clear soon, the ship can't proceed!"

Villamax appeared in the room suddenly, Guy straggling behind. Guy had a towel and was mopping sweat from his forehead.

"This happens because you all pick destinations by guessing." Villamax said.

Joe was leaning against a pillar next to the scene and rolled his eyes. "It's your fault for giving us improper navigation."

"My fault!?" Villamax said, indignant.

"Yes. You didn't tell us anything about Edenoi but 'go get treasure'. That doesn't tell us where to navigate. I don't know where their populations were concentrated." Joe said smugly.

"What is this?" Joe said, looking down at the console. "This is the first time I have ever seen anything like this..." The clouds were being shown to have high levels of toxicity.

"Do you think this is Vile trying to run interference on our ship?" Ahim asked.

"I doubt they have such free time." Gokai Red said from his spot at the steering wheel.

"Ah! It's hopeless! I can't see a thing." Luka said over her comm. Then, she heard a sound. "Wait... Something's coming..."

"What is it?" Ahim asked.

Luka turned to see one of Vile's ships heading straight for their hull.

Gokai Red spun his wheel and the ship missed the hull, clipping on of the ship's thrusters instead.

"What was that!?" Guy yelled as everyone fell to the floor. Due to her Alliance training, Luka was able to rush down and keep her balance.

"It's one of Vile's battleships!" Luka declared to her comrades.

"What!?" Joe said, concerned.

Gokai Red had already seen the ping and had dodged the ship as best he could. He then saw more approaching. The ships started firing at the pirates.

"Just what are they trying to do? Hit me? Get real!" Gokai Red said, oozing with confidence. "Galleon Cannons!"

And with that, they started auto aiming and blasting the enemy ships. Many fell and exploded as they went. Eventually Gokai Red's luck ran out and the Galleon got hit. The ship spiraled down and crashed. Clouds of gas poured out from the crash site, released by the Galleon's impact.

Villamax turned to everyone but Guy. "Go out and see the damage to my ship."

As the four trekked out Doc said, falling to his knees, "Well that was a sudden bit of dreadfulness..."

"Are you alright?" Ahim asked him.

"I bet this happened because we incurred Vile's wrath!" He said, standing up in a fit. Explosions could be heard from downed ships in the distance. Doc turned to the Galleon and said, "Thankfully, the Galleon appears unscathed. Maybe we should just quietly retreat for toda-"

As he said this, explosions erupted around them. They looked over to see a group of Tengas surrounding a monster. Through the smoke, Joe looked at them in anger.

"How dare you get in our way!" The monster general complained. "I'm General Yuki-Onna. I serve Master Vile and you crashed into my vessel!"

"That's ridiculous, considering you're the ones who ran into us." Joe said with a sneer.

Placing her hands on her hips, Luka said, "Yeah, consider also how we don't want anything to do with you guys!"

At that instant, Gokai Red leaped out from the Galleon. He landed in between the two parties and flicked his collar.

"I don't know what's going on, but if you want a fight, you've got one." Gokai Red said. He had a lot of rage pent up from Rashon's destruction and was ready to let loose. He, like the other pirates, were doing what they could to not think about what their role had been on Rashon. Gokai Red knew if he could do battle, he could forget for a moment.

"Gokai Change!" The four behind him yelled as he cracked his knuckles.

"Gokai Blue."

"Gokai Yellow."

"Gokai Green."

"Gokai Pink."

They pulled out their guns to fire when suddenly they heard a noise. When both parties looked up, they saw a man in long white robes jump down from a mountain to where they were.

"Hmph. The pirates I have heard so much about have finally made their way to my home." Kamen said, shaking his head in disappointment. He had been hoping some help from Orion and The Alliance had come. He then looked at Yuki-Onna and her posse.

"Sorry, general. You're not getting out of this fight. I'll deal with you first. It looks like you're not getting to meet my brother after all." He said, pointing at her.

She cackled violently. "Oh, Kamen. You'll never be half the man Dregon is. Give up now. You've never beaten me and you never will."

With his back turned to the Gokaiger, he didn't change the look of disappointment on his face as he spoke with Yuki-Onna. He just threw open his robes slightly to reveal his Decade Morpher.

"Ecto-Phase: Activate!" Kamen yelled, triggering the morphing process. Suddenly, an armored warrior stood in the midst of the soon to be battlefield.

"To honor the ten years I served as as a Morphing Master...Kamen Rider: Decade!"

. . .

As they walked out of the ship, Zordon heard an explosion in the distance. His eyes began glowing white as he charged power into his hands. He looked to Tria and she nodded to him.

Looking back to Trinity and Yoral, Tria said, "Stay here and keep your comm devices on. If we need you we will tell you and you gotta get yourselves over to us quick."

"Aye-aye, captain!" Yoral said, winking.

"Let's go see what's going on." Tria said. They ran toward the explosions, Tria summoning her Power Staff as they did.

"It's morphin' time! Gold Ranger power!" She yelled as she crossed her arms in front of her while her hands glowed with gold Zeo energy.

They arrived on the scene as the morph finished. They instantly tensed when they saw the situation.

"Leave now, Zedd. You cannot beat me while I am here." Dulcea said, swinging her staff around.

Zedd laughed, gripping his Z Staff. "You're just lucky I'm... dehydrated. Next time, you and your little pet won't be so lucky!" Then, feeling a familiar energy in the area, Lord Zedd turned to see the Gold Ranger.

"Ah... my Zeo counterpart... how is the power treating you, deary?" Zedd said, menacingly.

Zordon looked at her. She shrugged, not knowing what he meant by counterpart.

"Toodles." He said as he teleported into space.

"Zordon!? Zordon of Eltar!?" Dulcea said, running over to the duo.

"It's a long story. I will explain later." Zordon said, pre-empting the inevitable question.

Tria demorphed and ran to Dulcea, happy to see her. It had been a very long time and there were only rumors that she had survived her fall during the Final Siege against the Fake Gold Ranger.

"I missed you very much, Dulcea!" Tria said.

Dulcea wiped a tear from her eye. "And I, too, my dear friend!"

"What was Zedd doing here?" Zordon asked, more upset he missed his opportunity to get to him than actually caring about Zedd's purpose on Phaedos.

"He was after the Greater Power of the Nathadians." Dulcea said, suddenly serious.

"So it's true... you are Nathadian... It was never confirmed." Tria said, looking at Dulcea as she nodded.

"I'm not familiar with Nathadians..." Zordon said, awaiting an explanation.

"I will explain, then. The story says that many, many centuries ago, a dark force entered this dimension. He wished to have the ability to suck our universe dry of all of its power. What he did not know was that warriors from his dimension followed him here and helped bring him down. Due to the advanced nature of these people, the Nathadians, they went into hiding in the universe after they defeated him, not wanting to involve themselves in the politics of this universe but without the ability to return to their home. One of them was pregnant, and apparently I was that child." Dulcea said succinctly.

"Where are they now?" Tria asked. As a former historian, she had always been curious about the possibility that the Nathadians were real. This was a most unexpected time for her to find out it was.

"My people did not want me longing for a world I could never get to, so Sentinel Knight said I was given to him to raise. He gave me to a kind family within the budding Alliance and only heard about my heritage from him a couple of centuries ago." Dulcea answered.

Continuing, she said, "I came here to Phaedos after I had awoken at the bottom of the chasm. I found out about what had been happening through my wrist tech. I decided, with my new companion, that I would go to Phaedos and see if I could find evidence of my people being alive still."

"Companion?" Tria asked.

"Zordon... is it really you?" Saba said, poking his head out from behind a tree.

Zordon looked surprised. "Saba!? Why didn't you say anything earlier!?" He said, not sure whether to be happy or angry.

Saba smiled. "I didn't know whether it was really you. I was trying to feel your power. Once I confirmed it... I awaited for a proper opening. These sorts of moments need drama."

Zordon could not stop himself from smiling. "You'll pay for that."

"Dulcea... you mentioned the Greater Power... what is that?" Tria asked, interrupting the reunion.

"I see Zordon has been rubbing off on you." Saba said, chuckling. Zordon threw a rock at him.

Dulcea smiled as well. Saba had been good company for the past six months. She had found him in the Morphing Masters' main room, staring almost as if in shock at the spot where Zordon had been blasted by the Orb of Doom. He agreed to accompany her and they had been living on Phaedos until that point. In all that time, Dulcea never saw Saba smile or make a joke. She was glad he was happy again.

"When a group fights together and creates a bond, fighting with the same energy frequency as each other, a manifestation of their power transcends the Morphing Grid and becomes a source of energy called their Greater Power. It was knowledge the Nathadians passed down to Sentinel Knight. He passed it on to me so I would know. I have found it here on Phaedos." Dulcea said.

"Where is it?" Zordon asked.

"Embedded into a mountain a ways from here. We believe the Nathadians placed it there to hide it." Saba answered.

"How did Zedd find out about it?" Tria asked.

"No clue." Dulcea said.

"Wait... do the Morphing Masters have a Greater Power?" Tria asked.

"It doubt it." Saba answered. Zordon nodded, thinking along the same lines his friend had been.

"Each member of the Morphing Masters tapped a different section of the Morphing Grid. They didn't have much in common, really." Zordon said.

"Good point." Dulcea said. "Okay, a question for you guys: how did you find me?"

"Gosei tracked Zedd here." Tria answered.

Dulcea smiled. "I am glad to hear there are still many of you still around."

Zordon frowned and looked down, thinking of Orion. Looking back up, he said, "We are currently searching for Master Ivicar."

"Let me come with you, then!" Dulcea said.

"What about the Greater Power of the Nathadians?" Zordon asked.

"I placed many enchantments along the way to protect it. I also placed a spell of deception on it, like I did for the Zeo Crystal under the Moon Palace. Although that won't affect Zedd..." She said, remembering how Zedd was able to mysteriously go through the Caves of Deception unaffected.

"...although that won't affect him, he should have his hands full with my other traps and the deception spell should stop any henchmen he may have. Now... have I provided enough reasons I can join you?"

Tria smiled. "Of course! Trinity?"

"Yes?" Trinity answered over the comm device.

"Come pick us up. And make some room: we have new members to our crew."