The Cobra Strikes

When morning came, Ryan and Alia were able to leave the medical bay after Ms. Fairweather gave them the OK, but warned them not to use magic or go into battle as it could be for the last time.

The timing couldn't have been worse as a powerful storm hit Mariner Bay and Diabolico appeared.

Ryan and Alia watched from the monitors as the Rangers blasted Diabolico, but their weapons didn't affect him and then he vanished before reappearing and attacking them. Then he did the worst—he used three crystals to combine Demonite, Falkar and Thunderon together, calling themselves Trika.

Trika attacked, spinning like a top at mach five that hit him quicker than they could react. The Rangers even tried their V-Lancers, but Trikar just dodged it and blasted them like there was no tomorrow. The damage was bad enough to cause the Rangers to de-morph and retreat to the Aquabase.

"Is everybody alright?" asked Captain Mitchell, when they arrived.

"Yeah, we're okay," said Kelsey.

"But we just got our butts kicked out there," said Joel, rubbing his arm. "We were barely able to stop those three separately!"

"I don't know how we're going to do with all their powers combined," said Carter.

Just then, Ryan and Alia came into the hall.

"Dana!" said Ryan. He hugged her. "I was so worried about you."

"Are you guys okay?" asked Alia.

"Yeah, don't worry about us," said Dana. "You two need to get some rest."

She left them alone.

Ryan let out a growl of frustration. "Ah! We're useless like this! And don't say we're not, Lia."

"I wasn't going to say that," said Alia. "You're right. We need a solution to the problem now or else everything we've been fighting will be for nothing."

"I agree," said Ryan. "Somehow, we've got to at least stop the cobra on your back by ourselves. But how?"

Alia paused and frowned in thought and then it hit her. "I think I have an idea. Come on!"

They went back to their quarters and Alia searched through all of her spell books until she found she was looking for. "'The best way to end a spell, curse or hex is to destroy the source of the magic.'"

"'The source of the magic,'" mused Ryan. Then it hit him. "The cobra statue back in the desert! If we can destroy that, you'll be free!"

"Whoa, whoa, there's no 'we'here. I am going alone," said Alia. "I don't want to risk you getting hurt out there."

"Need I remind you, that I vowed to protect and never leave you, ever?" said Ryan. "I'm coming with you and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Alia sighed, knowing how stubborn her husband was. "Okay," she said. "Let's just drop this off and head out."

They left a bag and note in Dana's room and then snuck the Solar Megazord out of the base and out to the desert.

XXX

Meanwhile, back at the Skull Cavern…

"Queen Bansheera, I'm happy to report that the Rangers' destruction is near," said Diabolico.

"It had better be, Diabolico," said Queen Bansheera. "This is your last chance."

"I won't fail you," said Diabolico.

"If you do, it'll be the last time," she warned.

XXX

The Rangers were having a meeting with the Captain and Ms. Fairweather regarding Trika and its powers.

"That monster is as strong as three combined," said Kelsey.

"Even the V-Lancers bounced right off it!" said Joel.

"What about the Battle Boosters?" suggest Captain Mitchell.

"That's a possibility," said Ms. Fairweather. "They're nearly finished."

"How do we know they'll be strong enough?" asked Chad.

"We don't," she admitted. "They're only experimental."

Dana then came in looked worried. "Hey, has anyone seen Ryan or Alia?"

"They're supposed to be resting," said Captain Mitchell.

"They're not," said Dana. "I've looked everywhere. According to the security cameras, they left their quarters and never went back in, the Solarzord is missing and I found this in my room." She held up the bag of tricks and the note, which read the following:

Dana,

In case you need assistance, use these to fight against Trika. They were enchanted months ago, but the spells will still be strong. Just toss them at Trika, and the magic will do the rest. It may not be much, but it should help a little. DON'T WORRY ABOUT US. We'll back soon.

A&R

Just then the alarm went off. Trika was back.

"We'll have to find Ryan and Alia later," said Captain Mitchell. "Get those Battle Boosters ready, use the stuff in that bag and protect the city as best you can."

Everyone nodded and headed out.

The Rangers fought against Trika. The Blasters weren't that effective, but once they began tossing the enchanted objects they'd been given, the odds of the battle began turning in their favor as the spells were powerful and damaged Trika badly.

They then energized the Battle Boosters which enhanced their physical strength as well as their weapon power.

XXX

Meanwhile, Ryan and Alia were in the desert, at the entrance of the cobra's lair. Ryan's back was acting up again, causing him to stagger slightly as Alia helped him walk and climb down the rope into the crypt.

"Diabolico told me of the cobra's lair during the first year he took care of me," said Alia. "It's dangerous, but then again, what isn't in our line of work?"

"True enough. If we destroy it, the curse will be broken and you can use your magic again without risking yourself," said Ryan.

When they were inside, the torches lit themselves. Alia lowered Ryan to the ground.

"Stay here, beloved," she said. "I have to do this myself."

Ryan just nodded. Although she knew he wouldn't admit it, she could tell he was in pain from his wounds and it was getting worse. She placed her hand on his cheek and then kissed his head.

"Just hang on a little while longer," she whispered.

Alia then stood up and cautiously stepped forward to the cobra statue at the end of the room. Cobra Incarnate, read the name under the statue.

"You want to destroy me?" yelled Alia. "Well, here I am!"

Suddenly, the statue's eyes glowed and the Cobra came to life and then it began fighting Alia.

The Cobra was stronger than it looked as it kept blocking her blows. It was faster than she was, preventing her from blocking its blows or stopping it from knocking her down by sweeping its tail under her feet. Finally, it flung her into the wall and she clutched her ribs in agony.

"You're no match for me!" it hissed.

Alia glanced at her back and could see the cobra tattoo glowing. It was mere inches from her neck. Filled with new determination and deciding to risk it, she raised her hand and shouted, "Glacius blizzaro!"

Blasts of ice and snow burst from her hands, weakening the cobra until it was on the ground, shaking.

"It stinks being cold-blooded, doesn't it?" said Alia. She leapt into the air and performed a multiple spinning kick that sent it flying across the room.

With the cobra weakened by the cold, Alia had the advantage. Every punch and kick she delivered, the cobra was unable to block her moves until the Freezing Spell wore off and then the heat returned as the cobra tattoo caused Alia more pain.

"You've used up all your energy and time!" hissed the Cobra, as it flung her across the room. "And now my sibling on your back will finish the job!"

Alia got up and glanced at the tattoo, which was barely half an inch away from her neck now. Suddenly, the cobra aimed two powerful blasts at her, but before she could move, she was shoved out of the way by Ryan, who took the blasts for her in the form of the Titanium Ranger.

"Ryan!" cried Alia. She ran to his side as he de-morphed.

He was badly burned and his breathing was shallow.

"Ryan, you shouldn't have done that. I wouldn't have asked you to," she said.

"I know, but I couldn't let him take you," he said, faintly. "I love you so much. I'll find a way back to you." His eyes then closed and his hand fell limp to his side.

"Ryan? RYAN!" She shook him, but he didn't move. New anger filled her as she stood up. "You've just made a huge mistake." She grabbed Ryan's Titanium Laser and flung it at the pillar, causing it to collapse onto the Cobra and destroy it.

The Cobra tattoo on her back faded as the source of its power was gone, but at the moment, Alia could've cared less. Tears streamed down her face as she cradled Ryan's lifeless body in her arms. She couldn't believe he was gone.

"I love you, beloved," she whispered. "Please, please don't leave me." She kissed his cold lips, not noticing how her father's ring was glowing. Then suddenly, she felt the warmth return to his lips and she was being kissed back. Her eyes shot open as she pulled back in shock and then she saw that Ryan was alive and his back was almost healed.

"Beloved…?" she murmured.

He smiled. "Told you I'd find a way back to you."

Alia couldn't take it anymore. She ran into Ryan's arms and began kissing him passionately before relaxing in his arms.

"Don't scare me like that," she said. "I thought I'd lost you."

"That'll never happen," he murmured, as he stroked her hair.

"But how is this possible?" she asked. "You were…"

"I don't know. Maybe it was your magic or something," Ryan interrupted. "But right now, I really don't care. I'm just glad half this nightmare is over and I'm still with you." He kissed her again. "I love you so much, Lia."

"And I love you," she murmured. "So much I can't begin to tell you."

Ryan hugged her, and then they got back into the Solarzord and headed to the battle in Mariner Bay to help.

XXX

In Mariner Bay, after having destroyed Trika, the Rangers were fighting an enlarged version of Diabolico and losing badly, until Ryan and Alia came swooping in with the Solarzord, powered by some of Alia's strongest spells.

It began firing at Diabolico and stopped him from destroying the Rangers.

"What was that?" asked Carter.

"Solarzord back online and ready for battle!" said Ryan. He was in his Titanium Ranger form.

"We're here for you, guys," said Alia.

"Ryan? Alia?" said Carter, shocked.

"Ryan, Alia!" said Captain Mitchell. "You can't be up there, the cobra—"

"It's alright, Dad," interrupted Ryan. "The cobra's history and so is Alia's curse. And Alia's magic has my back healed enough for us to fight!"

"Excellent," said Dana.

"Carter, grab a hold of our zord!" said Alia.

Carter did as she said, and the Solarzord carried the Megazord high in the air and then Carter engaged the Battle Boosters, causing the two zords to become one powerful zord.

"Enough!" said Diabolico. "I'll destroy you all!"

He fired, but Alia was able to power a shield that protected them from the blasts and they rebounded on Diabolico as the Rangers then fired on him. For a moment, Diabolico seemed to be finished, but then he reappeared.

"How could he have survived that?" asked Joel.

"I told you, I'm invincible," said Diabolico. "But you're not!" He fired all his power on them, but something miraculous happened.

The blasts from his Star Power were just absorbed, much to Diabolico's shock. The zord's power levels were off the charts as Ryan diverted the power to the weapons and then Alia juiced it up further with her magic and then they fired it all on Diabolico.

Diabolico was able to swear his return and his defeat would be avenged a thousand fold just before the energy blasts destroyed him forever.

The Rangers were glad of their victory and there was another cause for celebration as Ryan's scars were now gone forever. His back looked as if it'd never been scarred in the first place.

"My back, it's healed completely!" said Ryan, smiling. "I'm free. It's over."

"It's a miracle," said Alia, smiling as they kissed again.

XXX

At the Skull Cavern, Loki and Vypra were shocked and distraught at Diabolico's destruction.

"I don't believe it!" said Loki.

"Oh, Diabolico!" cried Vypra. She fell to the ground, clutching her stomach as if she was going to be ill. "He's gone. That's not possible!"

Loki was so angry and distraught at losing his best friend that he fired at one of the pillars before dropping his weapon.

"The Rangers and that girl will pay for this dearly!" he swore.

Just then, Diabolico's Star Power flew in and touched Impus's head, making the little infant's eyes widen with awe.

Vypra rose to her feet. "Impus has the Star Power?"

A cocoon then formed around Impus and then everything changed.

XXX

At the Aquabase, everyone was celebrating the destruction of Diabolico and the removal of the curses on Ryan and Alia. There was junk food and drinks and music playing as everyone talked and joked together.

"I can't believe it, no more Diabolico," said Kelsey.

"And no more of his demons," said Chad.

"And best of all—" said Dana.

"No more curses!" said Ryan and Alia in unison.

"I can't tell you how glad I am that's all over," said Joel.

"We hear you there," said Ryan. He had his arm around Alia's waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Yeah," said Alia. She was happy to be free to use her magic again and she even happier she hadn't lost Ryan.

Just then, Captain Mitchell and Ms. Fairweather came in and all fell silent.

"I'd like to propose a toast," said Captain Mitchell, raising his glass. "To our Rangers and my family, and to Mariner Bay. Mariner Bay, as of right now, is the safest city in the—"

The alarm went off, cutting him off.

"That's a drill, right?" asked Carter.

"We don't have drills," said Captain Mitchell.

Everyone dropped what they were doing and ran to their positions. Alia, Ryan and the Rangers drove out into the city as a dark storm was taking place. As they gathered in the center of the city, Queen Bansheera's spirit form appeared.

"Hello, Rangers and traitor," said Queen Bansheera.

"This is impossible," said Alia, as a new kind of fear coursed through her. "My father destroyed her five thousand years ago!"

Everyone turned to look at her and Ryan.

"Who is she?" asked Kelsey.

"Queen Bansheera," said Ryan. "She's worse than ten Diabolicos."

"Diabolico proved himself unworthy," said Queen Bansheera. "But I assure you, my son will not!"

"Her son?" questioned Carter.

"Impus," said Ryan.

"Behold my heir and your destructor!" said Queen Bansheera.

An enormous red and black cocoon fell from the thunderclouds and landed in Mariner Bay as Queen Bansheera disappeared.