Chapter Ten: Liaria - Strange Tides
Gerlit looked at the small pyramid on the table. The energy it exuded made him nervous. He remembered how he felt when App and Orion had reported in, almost a year prior, with information that they had found what App called the Zeo Crystal. App, Ivicar, and Sentinel Knight were looking very nervous at the time. Sentinel Knight had revealed during that council meeting that, at times, the Morphing Grid would go through a phenomenon when it would crystallize and make itself occupy space in the universe proper. Ever since he and Gosei had discovered the Greatest Treasure, Gerlit wondered if there was any connection between the two.
"Gerlit..." Barkow, Gerlit's brother, said while waddling over to him. He wore a worried look on his face. "I don't know what we are to do... our sensors say there is commotion above ground right over us. They are getting closer!"
Gerlit smiled and placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Barkow, we will be okay. I promise. Gosei informed me the Alliance is here. I know they will protect us."
Over their heads, Meledon Ranger felt the Spell of the Nathadians coursing through his body. He felt it flowing into his red saber, as well. Information was in his head he hadn't known before. He tried wrapping his mind around some of the facts, but realized he could only read the information when it was pertinent: it was almost as if it were a new muscle added to his mind, one that wasn't a voluntary muscle. It seemed to react more on reflex. Zordon knew the power was to become his and Saba's next research subject.
Azazel backed away slowly. The three eyes on the blade of his scythe blinked rapidly, almost as if the weapon itself was nervous. Azazel hadn't felt a power like what was in front of him in many millenia.
Meledon nodded his head as he "read" the pertinent information on Azazel. He saw designs on walls and doors, iron, salt, bones, and water. The information was fast, then slowly focused on iron. He then knew what he had to do.
"Power of Meledon: Convert!" The red ranger proclaimed. "Iron!"
The Meledon Energy coursed through his body. His suit's composition changed to be a malleable iron. It looked identical to anyone observing his suit before it went through its conversion. Meledon Ranger observed the metal on his saber also changed its composition to iron.
"Impossible!" Azazel screamed. He began turning into a cloud of smoke to disappear.
"Not on my watch!" Meledon Ranger yelled. His mind landed on one of the designs he had seen earlier.
"Demon's Trap!" He declared. A five point star appeared under the Demon. Around it was a circle with various symbols Meledon Ranger didn't understand. Once it appeared, Azazel was pinned down and unable to escape.
"His power is amazing!" Dulcea said as she finished pulling Tria to the side, away from the battle.
Tria cradled her arm. She was in quite a bit of pain. Azazel was able to significantly damage her with his awesome power, even when she was morphed. She shook her head in response to Duclea.
"How did Zordon get such power? I mean, he says he's the Meledon Ranger. How is that possible?" Tria inquired.
"I don't know. I have very little knowledge of the Nathadians. I... just don't know." Dulcea replied.
"How do you know of such practices!?" Azazel demanded.
"Say goodbye, Demon." Meledon said as his answer.
Meledon Ranger planned on running toward Azazel, first destroying his staff to destroy his power source, then slashing him with his iron infused attacks. As he began to charge himself for the final attack, he heard something behind him.
"Ready? Aim! Fire!" Alliance Red ordered. The troops at his side dropped to a knee and began firing.
"No!" Meledon Ranger cried out.
As they fired, the blasts hit Azazel and didn't seem to do anything but force him to stand his ground. The blasts also scorched the ground around him, breaking the sealing spell holding him down.
Azazel laughed. "I thank you for freeing me from my captivity, Meledon Ranger. Your Demon Trap overrode the spell binding me to The Queen. And as a thank you to those who freed me from the ranger..."
Suddenly, Azazel began glowing. A yellow cloud formed around him until he became a part of the cloud himself. The cloud began swirling and then rushed toward Alliance Red and his platoon.
Meledon stopped in his tracks. He didn't need the information in his head to tell him what was happening. He'd seen that just moments before. Meledon Ranger shot a blast toward the Alliance soldiers, hoping to create a similar barrier that had protected his trio when Azazel had shot Demons toward them a few moments earlier. The yellow cloud made its way to the group before the barrier could protect them.
"Oh, no..." Dulcea said. She, Tria, and Zordon had all been present during the incident on Mirinoi a few months earlier. When Commander Zedd had met with the Dark Cloud and had become possessed, which led him to become the Lord Zedd who they had come to know by that time.
Tria pulled herself up and, breathing in slowly, said, "It's morphin' time... Gold Ranger power..." The power flowed over her, creating the suit. She was glad to see she had recuperated enough energy to become her super powered persona once again.
"Power Staff!" She ordered. It appeared in her hand as she rushed to Meledon Ranger.
"What now?" Gold Ranger asked.
"We wait." Meledon said, apprehensively.
"Everyone separate now!" Alliance Red ordered. Everyone backed away from each other, trying to determine what their next step would be.
Rahp had also been at the scene when Zedd was possessed. He knew what to expect. "One of you is now housing a parasite. I will found out who it is."
One man stepped forward. He smiled as his eyes turned yellow.
"Commander 17!?" Alliance Red said, shocked.
"My name is Azazel. Commander 17 is gone, tucked inside my head. So... now that you know who I am... what are you going to do about it?"
The Meledon and Gold Rangers ran up to Alliance Red at that point. They stared at the Demon before them.
Meledon Ranger provided the answer to the Demon's question: "We will get rid of you."
"Ha! I have plans. I won't let your ragtag team stop me. Soon, my true master will be released, and the universe will once again belong to Demons!" And with that, Azazel vanished into the sky, using Commander 17's body.
"No!" Alliance Red screamed, feeling as if he once again failed a friend.
"There was nothing we could do. Demons are very... tricky." Meledon Ranger said. "I have information, though, that can help us against them so they lose their ability to possess us."
"Who are you?" Alliance Red questioned.
Meledon Ranger then focused on his base state and demorphed into Zordon. "I am Zordon."
"Power down!" Alliance Red said, becoming Paul Rahp. "So it was you back at the old Alliance base! My grandest apologies! But sir... you have allied yourself with a traitor!" He said this as he stuck a finger in Gold Ranger's face.
"She is no traitor. She was framed." Zordon said.
Raph stared at Zordon. His men were tense, ready to fire on the Triforian if needed.
"Can you provide proof of that?" Rahp asked.
Zordon sensed something and looked into the distance. Taking advantage of the coincidence, he pointed behind Rahp. "Is that enough evidence?"
As Rahp turned around, he saw another Gold Ranger walking toward them.
"What in the...?" Rahp began.
The real Gold Ranger scoffed. "I've been waiting for this for a long time." She said, racing forward.
"Stop!" Fake Gold said, putting forth a hand.
"Or what?" The Triforian Ranger asked.
"Or your sister will be destroyed. I'm here on an errand from The Queen! She demands the Greatest Treasure in the Universe! Give it to me or your sister and her boyfriend are goners!"
The Gold Ranger swallowed hard. She thought Trinity would have been safe in the Ragnarok.
"Let her go!" Gold Ranger demanded.
"Give me the treasure!" Fake Gold countered.
"I'm the only one who gets treasure!" Someone said, falling from the sky.
Everyone looked up to see Gokai Yellow land on top of the Fake Gold Ranger, using the villain to break her fall.
"Should I fire, sir?" One of the soldiers, Private BJ Lovel, asked.
"No." Alliance Red ordered. "The pirates are on our side."
The other five Gokaigers landed, encircling the Fake Gold Ranger.
"Gokai Red."
"Gokai Blue."
"Gokai Yellow."
"Gokai Green."
"Gokai Pink."
"GOOOKAI SIIIILVEEEER!" The last pirate said, spinning in place and throwing his hands out as if he were presenting himself to the world for the first time.
"Too showy." Gokai Red said simply.
"We have to do this enthusiastically!" Gokai Silver said.
Gokai Blue nodded. "Right. Let's show them the fighting spirit we have!"
"If you touch me again, I will destroy the Ragnarok!" Fake Gold said, showing a detonator in hand.
Everyone gasped.
"Nice try!" Saba said, running up with Trinity and Yoral.
"What!?" Fake Gold demanded.
"I always carry a sensor on me, just in case." Saba said. "I had received a report that someone was trying to break into the Ragnarok. I returned and saw you placing some chargers in and around the ship. After you left, I simply took them off and untied these two lovebirds."
"Lovebirds!?" Gold and Meledon Rangers said simultaneously. Trinity blushed and Yoral gave a large grin.
"Now excuse us as we secure Gerlit for Master Gosei." Saba said, gesturing for Yoral and Trinity to follow him.
As his troops prepared to fire on the three Team Victory members running away, Alliance Red motioned them to stop. "Zordon was telling the truth. We have nothing to worry from them. Let them secure the artifact.
"Change of plans, everyone!" Alliance Red said to those around him and into his communicator. "The Alliance team is to ensure no one on Liaria gets hurt. Understood? We only attack Vile's forces. Triforians and the pirate rangers are off limits. That is a direct order!"
Alliance Blue, nearby, cocked his head. "We don't attack Triforians!? How many meters under is your mind?"
The last phrase he mentioned was a code, with a specific response attached to denote whether someone had been placed under mind control. It was one of the things Master Ivicar had introduced into the Alliance shortly after becoming its presiding member, shortly before he vanished after the attack on his ship.
"My mind is not under anything. This is legit. I'll explain later." Alliance Red replied.
From up in space, Burai smiled. He was glad things were working themselves out.
Soon, the United Alliance will be back up and running, with Power Rangers as the elite guard of the civilized universe. And I will finally be able to take my place as a Morphing Master... Burai thought.
"Sir, we have a problem." An officer said to Burai.
"What is it, Private Ubi?" Burai said to the officer.
"I am picking up evidence of more ships approaching from space. They don't seem friendly..." Ayame Ubi said, trying to hide her intonation of worry.
Burai's face began to show fear as he saw the ships getting closer. There was a healthy amount of them.
"Alliance Rangers!" Burai shouted into his comm piece. "Get ready. I'm going to need you guys to stand your ground. You have company!"
He looked out into space as the ships broke through Liaria's atmosphere. He wanted to help, but he knew everyone had their role to play, and if he wasn't in the ship, there was no one else who could play his part. He reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a gold coin. A beast's footprint was etched into it. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
Not yet... Burai said, pocketing his coin.
Back underground, Saba finally pinpointed Gerlit's location using Gosei's information. He then typed into his own wrist tech the code he had received to tap Gerlit's communication line.
"This is a secure line: who is this?" Demanded Gerlit over his wrist tech.
"I am Saba, friend of Zordon. Gosei has sent me and my team here to save you."
"Your team?" Yoral said.
At that moment, a hole appeared in the wall next to them. It had been sealed by Liarian Magic. Out of the hole climbed out Gerlit, Barkow, and three other Liarians. In a small box Gerlit carried, similar to a treasure box, the Greatest Treasure in the Universe was stored.
"Thank you for coming." Gerlit said in his gurgly voice. "The universe is in your debt."
"Not yet it ain't." Yoral said. "We gotta get you outta here first!"
Gerlit nodded and they all began to race through the underground tunnels. Saba led the way, reading his wrist tech as they went to try and make their way back to the Ragnarok.
. . .
"Watsaw!" The Gold Ranger cried above ground as she tried to strike her fake counterpart.
"Face it, sister! There's only room for one Gold Ranger, and it's not you!" Fake Gold said.
Meledon Ranger took a step back and began to look at the Fake Gold Ranger. Small snippets of information flooded his mind. He observed how Fake Gold was tapped into the Morphing Grid, and how Tria was indeed linked to the Zeo Crystal housed within her Power Staff. He saw circuits and wiring all throughout the body of the Fake Gold Ranger, scattered amongst the living tissue.
"A cyborg..." Meledon Ranger said to himself.
"Alliance, fire on the Gold Ranger who doesn't have a badge on her shield, got it?" Alliance Red commanded as he ran to the fight. Meledon Ranger joined him.
Fake Gold was able to effortlessly block Alliance Red and Gold Ranger's attacks. When Meledon Ranger began attacking, though, things began to tip in favor of the good guys.
Frustrated he couldn't find any weak points on the fake ranger, Meledon began to simply fight the villain one on one as Gold Ranger and Alliance Red picked themselves up from being defeated. He swung with precision his red saber. He was so skilled and quick with his body language, he tricked the fake ranger into getting into several precarious positions several times, allowing him to slash several times. Falling backward, the Alliance soldiers opened fire before the Fake Gold Ranger could get back up. With every last ounce of strength, the Fake Gold Ranger was able to touch a button on the suit's belt between shots and get teleported out of the fight.
"She got away!" Gold Ranger said, frustrated.
"For now, Tria. We'll get her." Meledon Ranger said.
"Ahh!" Alliance Yellow screamed over her communicator.
"What is it?" Alliance Red demanded.
"We're getting handled by this Maligore guy over here. I don't know how much more we can handle it!"
Overhearing due to his new ability to eavesdrop communications nearby, Meledon Ranger nodded. "Don't worry, Red Ranger. I will go help her. Just send me the coordinates." He pulled up one of his gloves to reveal a wrist tech. Rahp gave him the access code to the Alliance Ranger frequency. Now tapped into their network, Meledon Ranger went into his own version of Shadow Mode and bounded away.
"He's overpowered like Guy, isn't he?" Gokai Pink asked as they battled Tenga Warriors a few feet away.
Gokai Silver looked down. They didn't know his powers were waning.
"Yeah!" He said. "Just like me! Hi-ya!" He swung his spear and slashed three Tengas simultaneously.
"Gokaigers?" A voice said over their communicators.
"Who is this?" Gokai Red demanded.
"It's me, Burai. I hacked into your systems. I can now help you guys out, too."
"We don't need help." Gokai Blue said.
"Nice to hear from you again, Burai." Gokai Yellow said, ignoring Gokai Blue.
"You too, Luka. Now, we have a problem. On the other side of the city a massive army is gathering their forces. I'm going to teleport you guys over there to help out."
"Sounds good." Gokai Green said. They all nodded in agreement.
"What about these guys here?" Gokai Pink asked.
"I'll get Alliance Red and the Gold Ranger to take care of them." Burai answered. And with that, the Gokaigers were teleported away.
After receiving instructions from Burai, Alliance Red and the Gold Ranger charged the Tengas.
"Hi-ya!" Alliance Red said, elbowing one in the gut. He proceeded to kicking another as it charged him.
"It's time for a gold rush!" Gold Ranger said as she rushed through several Tengas.
"Stand back, everyone." Dulcea said, walking forward. She had spent the last few moments collecting herself, preparing for what she was about to do.
She looked at the Tengas around her. "During my time studying the universe and its history," She began. "I have found many different forms of fighting. The one I loved the most was the stealth of the ninja. They are able to hide in trees and attack their enemies before their enemies can strike back. In the hands of justice, the stealth of a ninja can be a mighty tool."
She continued focusing. Green Morphing Energy started appearing around her. Once the fighting had begun, Dulcea had ducked away, focusing. She had seen what was occurring in the universe, and what kinds of problems could arise if many threats happened simultaneously. She knew she had to help up the stakes for the side of good.
When she was younger, she had loved hearing stories of warriors who tapped into their inner Animal Spirit. They were said to have originated on Earth and have great abilities. When she learned of the Order of the Claw on Earth, she realized the stories had some basis. They may not have been fairy tales. The power of the Ninjetti may be real.
"Ninjetti Power: Spirit unleashed!" Dulcea cried out. A golden owl appeared soaring before her. It flew up and dived into her. Her body was then clothed in green ninja-like attire. Her head had a hood upon it with her face covered. Only her eyes were left for others to see.
"Another one?" Alliance Red asked, amazed.
"Wow!" Gold Ranger announced.
"Green Owl Ninja!" Dulcea declared. Her Spirit Animal rested on a large gold coin in the center of her costume. She grabbed her staff and began hitting the Tengas around her. She then broke the staff in half and began twirling them, activating what had once been an emergency signal.
"Ahhh! Let's get outta here!" One Tenga yelled. They turned and all began to fly away.
The Green Ninja ran over to the two rangers looking at her in shock. She gave the Gold Ranger a hug.
"Welcome to the club!" Gold Ranger said.
"Sorry to break the happy moment, but I have my soldiers scattered throughout the planet who also need our help." Alliance Red said.
"Right." Green Ninja replied. "Let's head on out then."
While the Green Ninja, Gold Ranger, and Red Alliance Ranger headed out to help the scattered troops, Meledon Ranger stood atop a building, looking down on Maligore battling three of the Alliance Rangers single handedly. He stood there for the moment, merely studying the beast.
"Mini V-Formation!" Alliance Yellow ordered.
Alliance Green and Alliance Pink lined up behind her, ready to do a tiny sync of their energies. They rushed forward and began attacking Maligore. Maligore did get hurt, but nothing life threatening. He continued slashing at the rangers, causing them to fly backward, sparks flying.
Meledon Ranger finished scanning Maligore from his spot outside the battle. "Hmph. Another Demon…" He focused and converted his suit to iron and dropped down.
"Power of the ancients: Meledon Ranger!"
"I'll rip you apart as well, little red man!" Maligore threatened.
"Meledon Slash!" The Meledon Ranger said as he hit Maligore with his red tiger saber.
Maligore looked down shocked. His arm lay on the ground, lava spewing from the stump where his arm once was.
"Impossible!"
Maligore was confused. Unlike the incredibly charged attack he had received from Gokai Silver, that had been an ordinary slash. "Are you using sanctified water!?"
"No. Iron. Now prepare to meet your doom, Demon." Meledon Ranger proclaimed.
"This changes things. I must report to my queen." And with that, Maligore vanished.
"Thank you! Who are you, anyway?" Alliance Pink asked.
"I'll explain later. There are more monsters to fight." Meledon Ranger said, gesturing for the Alliance Rangers to follow him.
All the while, the Gokaigers were fighting their way through masses of Piranhatrons. No matter how many they destroyed, it seemed more appeared.
"Don't give up, guys! We got this!" Gokai Yellow screamed.
"I wasn't thinking of giving up. I was just wondering what we're having for dinner tonight. It was supposed to be Villamax's turn to cook." Gokai Blue said.
"Oh, no! You're right!" Gokai Green exclaimed. "We should have kicked him out tomorrow!"
"We'll order something." Gokai Red said.
"I can cook…" Gokai Pink offered.
"NO!" The other five Gokaigers said in unison as they continued battling.
"What's wrong with my cooking!?" Gokai Pink asked as she shot a Piranhatron in the chest.
"We'll talk." Gokai Red said.
"You call yourselves pirates!?" A woman yelled from afar.
The Gokaigers turned as the Piranhatrons stopped attacking. They encircled the marauders, not letting them walk forward. They made their way so the woman could make her way to the rangers.
"I'm a pirate! You're a bunch of silly kids in spandex!" Divatox yelled, pointing at each of the rangers.
"Seriously? Is this seriously happening?" Gokai Red asked with exasperation.
"Oh, this is happening, baby! I've come here on a mission to get treasure and I'm gonna get it! If you were real pirates, then you'd join me and get the treasure with me! Then The Queen will reward you handsomely!"
"Not this Queen character again. Listen, we don't work for anyone, understood?" Gokai Blue said.
"Then fine!" Divatox yelled, stomping her feet. "I don't need you! Brother!"
Appearing behind her, General Havoc took his place next to his sister. "Yes, Divatox?"
"Make sure these vermin are destroyed!" Divatox said happily.
As she walked away toward her ship, she heard her brother giving commands to attack the Gokaigers. What she didn't hear was Meledon Ranger appearing on the scene, starting a riot as he began fighting his way through the Piranhatrons, quickly freeing the Gokaigers. From there, they had begun eliminating the Piranhatrons with ease while General Havoc ran to make his way back to the ship. Blissfully unaware, Divatox smiled as she entered the ship. She looked at her companion.
"Oh, Rita!"
Rita, smiling, entered the room. "Yes, Diva dear?"
Divatox smiled. "My sensors say the last place we had activity from the Greatest Treasure was around here." She said, pointing to a map. "It's near a river. I'm sure we'll cut off whoever has it before they can flee."
"Perfect!" Rita said. "I'm going to relish handing The Queen the Greatest Treasure!" Rita declared.
"It will be a grand event. We'll be the princesses of her empire!" Divatox said, twirling around.
The ship began shaking.
"What was that?" Rita said. Divatox shrugged and they ran up to the top of the ship, onto the deck. They looked at a looming ship next to them. Burai stood at the deck of his ship as well, staring at them.
"I may be stuck on this ship, but I still have a role to play. Hello, Margaret. May I be so forward as to ask you to dance?" Burai asked smugly.
"Ah, the little boy who was smitten with me. Sorry, I don't date losers." Rita said.
"I guess I'm going to have to force the issue!" Burai said, leaping onto her vessel. He pulled out the Dragon Dagger and played a tune, summoning the Dragon Shield. He shot an orb of Green Energy from his dagger. It flew toward Divatox and hit her in the stomach.
"Ah!" She screamed.
"You're going down!" Rita cried. Her eyes were blue. She was getting ready to cast a spell.
"Not this time!" Burai cried. He flipped backward and while in midair pulled a blaster out from his belt holster. He fired at her and hit her in the shoulder.
"Argh!" Rita said, clutching her shoulder.
"You're both under arrest in the name of the Alliance!" Burai said, staring them down.
"IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN, YOU ARE ALL TO RETURN TO YOUR SECTORS IMMEDIATELY!"
Everyone on Liaria looked up, seeing Maligore's face in the sky. Upon finishing his order, he promptly vanished.
"What!? But we're so close!" Divatox said.
"Looks like we were too much for you." Burai said smugly. "Now, come with me now and there won't be any problems."
"Ha! Like we'd just go with you voluntarily!" Rita said, cackling.
Burai then charged toward them, his dagger glowing a bright green color. Divatox looked over to Rita with a frightened look. The two had been friends for quite some time. They had gone through The Queen's training program together when they were small children. They had teamed up early on and had a budding relationship ever since. Taking all of that into consideration, in Divatox's mind, what she was about to do was very hard. In the end, though, it was what she was trained to do and she knew The Queen would approve of it.
"Sorry, Rita darling. Survival of the fittest." Divatox said sadly.
"Huh?" Rita replied.
Caught off guard and still injured, Rita lost her balance as Divatox kicked her overboard.
"Margaret!" Burai cried out, stopping his attack as he saw Rita fly off the ship.
Divatox had calculated well. When she heard Burai call Rita by her undercover name she had gone by at the Morphing Academy, she guessed Burai still had some sort of relationship with her, at least in his own head. She knew she could tug at his heart strings and use that to get away from him.
"See ya later, dragon boy!" Divatox said as Burai jumped off the ship after Rita.
"Everyone, you heard that big ugly lug. The Queen wants us out! Now go!" Divatox commanded over her communicator. As her ship began to change its course to go back into space, Divatox looked over the edge to see Burai grabbing Rita as he sped to her. She smiled.
"I'm glad you're okay, my friend. I guess this is goodbye…" She sighed. "Such is the life of a villain… It looks like to get ahead, somehow you will always end up alone…"
Back on the ground, many of the troops were left behind, seeing their masters leave the planet. Diabolico stood there, confused and upset. He turned to Loki.
"Why would The Queen do this!? We were so close to getting the Greatest Treasure. This makes no sense!"
"Orders are orders, Diabolico. We just need to keep our chin up! Project White Genesis isn't over yet. We'll get our blank slate and restart the universe in our own way still. You'll see! We just need to have faith in The Queen!" Loki said.
Diabolico nodded. "I guess you're right, Loki. She hasn't steered us wrong yet. But… what if we leave some of our ground forces here, while we go? I don't suppose that would be bad."
Loki shrugged. "I guess not. Who are you going to use? The Mythical Master? The AM Dragon?"
"No. I have someone else in mind for this battle. Goresakubo!" Diabolico yelled.
"Yes, Diabolico?" The Demon said as he appeared where he had been summoned.
"I wish for you to stay behind. Search out and find the Greatest Treasure. Bring it to me once you find it. Understood?"
"Yes, sir." Goresakubo said, not questioning the contradictory order between Diabolico and Maligore.
"Now, let's return to our base. I am curious to find The Queen's reasoning…" Diabolico said as he and his best friend disappeared onto their ship in orbit.
Burai landed, Rita in his arms. They were safe.
Rita smiled at him. "My hero!"
Burai smiled back. "Well, I—"
"Fool!" She yelled as she punched him in the face. He fell down. The gold coin in his pocket rolled out onto the ground.
Rita felt immense power emanating from it. She felt it connected to the Morphing Grid, and something else she couldn't describe. This other energy was unknown to her, but now that the coin had shown her this energy's existence, she could perceive that it had been there all along. Her curiosity was eating away at her. She wanted that coin, and she wanted to know more about the energy she had felt that was similar to the Morphing Grid. She ran over to grab the coin when suddenly the earth around her exploded. Chunks of dirt flew into the air.
"No you don't, Repulsa." Meledon Ranger said as he ran forward. He waved his saber in the air as if it were his index finger wagging "no" to her. "Step away from the coin and put your hands in the air."
Rita sneered at the ranger. "You Power Rangers keep showing up, making things difficult. You're all giving me a headache!"
"You really need to get those migraines checked out. I can do a consult for you, if you want." Gokai Green said as the Gokaigers approached the scene.
"I'd be happy to help, Dr. Goier." Alliance Pink said as the Alliance Rangers appeared as well.
"You had such potential, dear. What a shame." The Green Owl Ninja said as she and the Gold Ranger joined up, standing on either side of Meledon Ranger.
"It's true." Gold Ranger agreed. "You had potential. It's not too late, though. Come back. We can help you."
Burai stood up. "We can be there for you. We won't backstab you like your lot do. I've never kicked my own teammate out of a moving ship and I never will. You'll be safe with us. Come back." He extended a hand, ready to have Rita take it. Rita looked at him, thinking it ironic he was extending a hand to help her as blood trickled down his mouth from the blow to the face she herself had given him.
Suddenly, the visions she had been having since her stint in the Caves of Deception came back. She had been having them periodically, and they were making her headaches worse. It was always the same thing: a man and woman screaming, pointing at a young girl by a stream as countless numbers of people ran around, terrified. The vision always ended when a shadow descended on the little girl. Rita shook her head as the vision ended. Her eyes came back into focus as she saw the Gokaigers, Alliance Rangers, and Team Victory standing before her.
"You're all fools. Your dependence on each other will be your doom. And I will be there, ready to destroy each and every one of you. Goldar! Get me out of here." Rita said.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Goldar swooped down from the sky and picked Rita up. Flying away, Rita looked back and laughed at the three teams of rangers down below.
"Do you think we'll ever get through to her?" Gold Ranger asked.
Meledon Ranger nodded. "I do. I don't know why, but I have a strong feeling we'll eventually get her back. By the way… Dulcea is that you?"
Green Owl looked at him and nodded.
He looked at her and some words popped into his head. "Ninjetti powers, I see. They're not just kid stories?"
"I guess not." Green Owl replied. Then, to everyone, she asked, "Why do you guys think whoever this Queen character is evacuated everyone?"
Alliance Yellow stepped forward. "I don't know. All I know is I'm glad they did. Both sides were losing ground and I couldn't stand to hear that another one of our men had been taken."
Alliance Red looked down, thinking of Commander 17. "We lost some good men today. We need to keep fighting to ensure their sacrifice wasn't in vain. Pirates?" He said, turning to the Gokaigers.
"Yep?" Gokai Red asked, folding his arms.
"Thank you. You saved many lives today." Burai said, standing next to his team of Alliance Rangers.
"We know." Gokai Blue said matter of factly.
"You know… humility is a great trait to have…" Alliance Green said, laughing.
"Aside from all of this, wasn't all of this about some treasure?" Gokai Silver said. Shrugging, he then said, "If that was the case, then where is it!?"
Looking around, they realized they had no idea. Meledon Ranger began focusing on his connection to Saba.
"They're nearby. I can feel Saba." Meledon Ranger said.
"Great! Let's go get them!" Gold Ranger cried out.
"Grrr…" The band of rangers heard from something nearby.
"Huh? What was that?" Gokai Yellow asked.
"It sounds close but I don't see anything…" Green Owl said.
Meledon Ranger looked over the area. Suddenly, his eyes landed on something materializing. Only he could see it.
"Guys… we have a problem…" Meledon said.
"What is it?" Gokai Red asked.
Two words came to his mind. He said them aloud to inform his band of rangers. The intonation of his voice was enough to let them know the gravity of the situation. As he said the words and their impact was felt, each fighter tensed and was ready for battle.
The two words Meledon Ranger had said were: "Demon Hound."