Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. Saban and Nickelodeon own them. I also don't own any song lyrics used.

AN: Here's chapter 42! Enjoy and let me know what you think! Thanks to all the great reviews too and here's notes to those individuals:

Alex B. Goode: Glad you're enjoying the story!

Harry2: Yep, it's almost zeo time. Thanks for reading. :)

Jokermask18: Glad you're enjoying it!

TommyOliverMMPRFan: Yep, gossip, a human ugliness. But you're right, some bigger fish get fried in this chapter ;)

fallingstar22: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the romance. Yes, it's sad how people are gossiping, but I thought it was realistically how many would react and we know in our reality, the media usually blows things out of proportion and loves to tear people down so that was the main reason I put that in there. We would like to hope that things were like they were in the show where almost everyone loved the power rangers, but I don't think that would likely be the case in reality. Glad you're enjoying the story though. :)

foreverawildandbeautifulmess: Thanks, so glad you're enjoying it so much. Yep, Billy and Kat are together. As for the battle...this chapter will have you on the edge of your seat! :)

Pinkrangerfan: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story!

MMPRFansince93: Yep...the fight is on! Enjoy!

Guest: Glad you're enjoying the story.

garnetred: Thank you! Glad you're enjoying the story. :)

Crimson Rising

Chapter 42:Seeing Red

All my life, I've been right here waiting for you...
Ah! Fight beside me
Ah! Hope for glory
This is where we started
And this is where we'll end
Seeing red...

Song: Seeing Red

Artist: Eyeshine

Los Angeles, California

Raymond Henderson sighed and turned off the television in his large corner office. The mud slinging they had resorted to was unbelievable. He couldn't believe that they actually had the nerve to try and negate all the good the power rangers had done by digging up a few exes and scorned people that claimed to know more about the rangers than the general public. But Raymond had known a few of them too, particularly Adam Park and Tanya Sloan. Raymond had his own software business these days and was very successful. He had always been good with computers and had once helped the zeo rangers get rid of a massive computer virus that had taken down every computer in Angel Grove. Their confidence in his skills had boosted his own confidence and led him to pursue a career in all things computers. They had done more for him than even they realized so he didn't take kindly to this mid slinging campaign the media seemed determined to carry out. But fortunately he knew those out there that didn't feel that way about the rangers. And thanks to the Internet, he could get that message out there. He had friends in journalism that weren't participating in the war or words against the people that had protected them for fifteen years. And fortunately he knew others that would be willing to speak in favor of the rangers. He smiled, as he got an amazing idea. He picked up the phone and dialed a number.

KO-35

Andros' battlizer armor failed and disappeared, as he hit the ground hard. The red zeo crystal lay forgotten in the sand, where Xinshing had intercepted him. He and Zhane had successfully sneaked into the city and retrieved the artifact from its hiding place in the guarded vault beneath the Kerovian museum. But that was where their luck had run out. Xinshing and his men had chased them into the desert where their shuttle awaited them, But the skilled General had caught up to them and now they were fighting for their lives. Leo and the Galaxy rangers had arrived, but they were still severally outnumbered against the army before them. Suddenly, a large shadow covered their briefly and the red Space ranger looked up to find his other four teammates descending from the large zord. They landed, already morphed and quickly joined the fight. Six more colored streaks also descended from the ship and the six ninjas landed before them, still unmorphed.

"Good to see you," Zhane said, as he caught up to them, having disposed of two Burlot Generals and their minions already.

"Are there innocent people in the city?" Hunter asked. Zhane shook his helmeted head.

"No, we managed to evacuate everyone to the caves. They've resisted up till now, but Ivan's goons have completely taken over the capital," Zhane replied.

"What are you thinking?" Shane asked.

"I'm thinking that Xinshing probably has more of his minions on the way and we should cut them off first," Hunter replied.

"And how do you plan to do that?" Cam asked, quirking an eyebrow. The crimson ranger smirked.

"By creating a storm and maybe a rock slide or two," Hunter replied.

"Sounds fun and it should even the playing field a bit," Shane said, as he took point position. Closing his eyes, he concentrated his powers and willed them into existence. Red colored air swirled into his hands and using his training he had received from Vida, he expanded the attack until a massive red twister swirled before them. With a huge push, the storm sailed toward the city. Dustin stepped up next to him, as yellow energy swirled between his palms. When it was concentrated enough, he thrust it into the ground and pushed it forward. The ground began to shake violently under the city and the rocky outcroppings that surrounded it started to roll down the cliffs and into the city.

Tori was next, as she unleashed a massive tidal wave, while Hunter and Blake stood side by side, each crackling with crimson and navy thunder. They shot their thunderbolts into the sky and combined with Shane's attack, creating an even more destructive twister that now moved through the city with electric purpose. The city's power source died and the city went dark, as Xin's top Duronian Generals charged them.

"Thunder Shield!" Hunter called, protecting them and striking the Generals, throwing them back, convulsing in pain.

"I think it's time to ranger up," Dustin suggested. Shane nodded.

"Ninja Storm!"

"Thunder Storm!"

"Samurai Storm!"

"Phoenix Storm!"

"RANGER FORM, HA!"

They spread out and began giving aide to the other rangers, while Hunter stared down Xinshing. The General met his stare and drew his sword, as Hunter unsheathed his own. They charged at each other and their blades connected in a deadlock, as each fought for control with superior strength.

"Impressive little storm, fledgling, but it will take much more than that to defeat me," Xin warned.

"Good thing I'm just getting started then," Hunter growled, as their blades clashed in a series of lightning fast strikes and parries.

Phaedos

"No way...no way in bloody hell," Zedd refuted, as he turned away from his sister-in-law. Dulcea and Rita shared a look, while Ninjor grumbled in the background, while watching the battles through Dulcea's viewing pond. The rangers were holding their own, but they would soon start to tire.

"Zeddy..." Rita tried to reason with him.

"I drained that coin for a reason, you know that!" Zedd spat.

"I know...you let the rangers think that it was your hatred of Tommy that made you do it, but we all know you did it, because it reminded you of everything you had lost," Rita consoled.

"It also corrupted me," Zedd replied.

"No it didn't...the power is good! Vile's evil brainwashing corrupted the power, but the coin has been cleansed and restored," Dulcea tried to explain.

"Which makes me wonder how the hell you talked blue boy into restoring it," Zedd snapped.

"I didn't do it for you...I did it for the rangers. They need all the help they can get right now, so stop with your damn pity party, get the suit on, and get your ass to KO-35, before General Xin captures your nephew and tosses him into the Fire Pits!" Ninjor roared.

"I don't deserve the power," Zedd refuted.

"Ah...something we agree on, but for some reason, it still chooses you. As much as I hate it, the coin would have rejected you if you weren't worthy, but apparently the stubborn dragonzord is welcoming you back," Ninjor stated, as Zedd stared at his old coin, as it flashed with green light.

"Please Zedd...you know what Zander hid on KO-35, but the elders need ranger help in getting it to Hunter. You know this is what he would want," Dulcea pleaded. Zedd closed his eyes and felt the coin pulse in his palm. He could hear his old friend, Dragonzord, speaking to him through the power. He clenched it in his fist and raised his Z staff to the sky. With a flash of green light, he disappeared into a streak of teleportation.

KO-35

Toxa growled, as she smacked Cassie away angrily, after the pink space ranger had landed a painful blow. Tori slashed her daggers at the evil daughter of Ooze glared at the blue water ninja with contempt.

"You want a fight, little dolphin?" she hissed.

"Actually I do, because this isn't much of one so far," Tori hissed back. Toxa smirked evilly.

"Oh I'm going to make you choke on those words little fishy," she replied, as she kicked her in the chest. Tori fell to the sand, but quickly twisted and leapt to her feet again. Toxa slashed at her and Tori back flipped away. Water swirled in her palms and she shot it at Toxa, who was caught off guard by the strength of the attack. When she had first encountered the blue ranger on Phaedos, she had easily nullified her elemental attacks, but the power behind it now made Toxa livid. How dare this little human think she was any match for her? Toxa screamed in rage, as she launched purple electricity, which met with Tori's water, causing a violent explosion to throw them both back. Tori's visor opened momentarily, as she coughed. Kendrix and Maya helped her to her feet.

"Are you all right?" Kendrix asked. Tori regained her composure and nodded, as Toxa stalked toward them.

"I think so, but she's pissed about something," Tori replied.

"Let's see if we can cool her off a bit," Kendrix said. Maya nodded.

"Lights of Orion...activate!" they called, as they charged her, while Tori charged the fresh ooze creatures she had created.

Earth

"Brachio Staff...Energy Orb!" Jason called fiercely, as his attack struck the Sharkanian. Sparks spewed violently and it struggled to get to its feet. Kimberly sailed through the air and struck the creature with three arrows, before flipping over his head. The alien growled and managed to catch her foot. She cried out, as he threw her to the ground and she rolled painfully. But he didn't have a chance to inflict more damage, as Tommy intercepted him with a volley of fierce kicks and punches, which he struggled to meet. Trini joined him and brought her glaive down on his sword and then landed a spin kick.

"Spirit Orbs!" Tommy called, as his white energy orbs pummeled the creature.

"Ankylo Strike!" Trini called, as her silver lightning struck him, delivering a devastating blow.

"Smells like burnt fish again," Rocky joked, as he used his super strength and lifted the alien over his head.

"Put me down, ranger scum!" he hissed.

"You heard him, babe," Aisha said, as her husband threw the foe into a tree.

"You'll pay for that...all of you!" the Sharkanian screamed maniacally, as his saber glowed with blue energy and he powered up for an energy attack.

"Let's roast us a fish," Adam said, as he provided the base of the power blaster with his power axe. Kim, Billy, Aisha, and Rocky joined their weapons with his and met the Sharkanian's blast head on. The Sharkanian barely had any time to scream, as the ranger's blast engulfed and destroyed him.

"Ugh...more fish guts," Kimberly complained.

"Let's go find the rest of the Dinos and wrap this party up," Tommy suggested.

KO-35

Hunter's muscles burned, as he clashed swords furiously with General Xin.

"You're weak brat..." Xin spat, as he swept the young fighter's legs out from under him. The crimson ranger landed on his back, but quickly rolled away from Xin's blade as it tried to pierce him.

"Let's see you stop this..." the warrior hissed, as he powered up an energy sphere and launched it. Hunter barely saw it, as he got to his feet and it was too late to evade it. The energy struck him in the abdomen and threw him back several yards. The Phoenix ranger felt the energy burn through his armor and he cried out, as it went through him. Xin chuckled darkly, as he watched his enemy clutch his wound and he approached slowly like a predator stalking its prey.

"HUNTER!" Tori screamed, but the others stopped her from charging, while Hunter struggled to regain his bearings.

"Elder Kerr...you can't go out there!" a young woman protested. The elderly woman clutched the ornate box and looked back.

"You know I must. We were entrusted with what's in this box centuries ago by a man that once saved our planet. I must see that the contents get into the hands of his sire so that he may save us again," she replied with wisdom.

"But you could die!" another man protested.

"And if I do not, we could all perish," she replied, as she emerged with the cave and stumbled slightly. Using her walking stick for balance, she allowed her eyes to adjust to the blaring sun for a moment, before she began her trek to the battle that raged in the near distance. As she got closer, a shadow suddenly loomed over her. The elder woman looked startled, as Thrax glared evilly at her. He noticed the box in arms that bore the symbol of the Phoenix and raised his staff. His lightning struck her and she was dead before she hit the sand. Thrax reached for the box and he could feel it pulsing with power, but strikes of deadly lightning struck the sand around him and the box flew from his hand, landing nearby in the sand. He recovered from the attack and looked up, glaring at the man that now stood before him.

"Hello Father..." Thrax hissed.

"Thrax..." Zedd replied, making no attempt to claim him, further infuriating him.

"So that's how it is? You can't even bring yourself to call me son?" Thrax growled.

"You had the chance to be my son, but you chose to continue on the path of evil and destruction," Zedd replied.

"I learned from you," Thrax accused. Zedd looked down for a moment.

"I suppose that's true and I'm sorry it has to be this way, but I can't allow you to have what's in that box, for it belongs to Hunter," Zedd replied. Thrax snarled.

"Of course...it's always about him with you now. He's the son you wish you had," Thrax hissed, as he circled with his creator.

"You really don't think you're a match for my power, do you Father?" Thrax taunted. Zedd smirked and surprised him by drawing the dragon dagger with his free hand.

"Let's find out," he stated, as raised weapon as it crackled with green lightning.

"Ninjetti...the dragon!" he called, as the familiar green armor molded around his body and his chest glowed with golden light, as the dragon shield appeared. Thrax screamed in anger, as he charged and Zedd met him head on.

Earth

Miratrix growled, as she batted the violet ranger away and blocked an uppercut from the green ranger. Tanya cried out, as she was kicked away and Kat helped her up.

"What's the matter girls? Getting a little old for this, are we?" Miratrix goaded sarcastically.

"Oh she didn't just call us old," Kat growled.

"Speaking of old, 1995 called and it wants it's bad haircut back, bitch," Tanya retorted hotly. Miratrix rolled her eyes.

"So funny," she said sarcastically.

"Let's show her what a little old school can do, T," Kat suggested. Tanya smiled beneath her helmet. Kat's twin Stego blades appeared in her hands, just as Tanya's Para bow appeared in hers. Kat charged her and clashed her blades against Miratrix's, while Tanya fired several arrows. They all missed and Miratrix scoffed in amusement, as she kicked Kat away.

"You're the worst shot I've ever seen," she poked fun, until she noticed that the arrows were surrounding her on the ground and glowing green. They sparked and exploded around her, throwing her back several feet. Miratrix started picking herself up off the ground when a sonic scream tossed her back there. She growled and glared at the yellow Ptera ranger, as she landed next to the violet Stego ranger.

"You're way out of your league, honey. This isn't our first rodeo," Tanya quipped, as Miratrix got up and angrily fired a blast at them.

"Stego shield!" Kat called, as her shield blocked the attack and deflected it back at her.

"Hit with your own attack? Someone is not having a good day," Ethan joked, as Miratrix tried to recover.

"I think she's had enough, so we'll leave her with her defeat," Jason stated, as they started to leave, when suddenly they were pelted with laser blasts. Conner groaned in pain, as he pulled himself to his feet.

"What the hell was that?" he wondered. Their question was answered, as a figure emerged from the smoke. His armor and mask were a frightening sight, reminding them all of some sort of demon, though it was obvious to Jason that the costume was meant to strike fear into his opponents.

"That's the problem with power rangers. You follow that silly code and fail to eliminate you adversaries," the foe said snidely.

"Rangers have honor and we don't kill unless we have to," Jason retorted. But the mercenary wasn't paying attention, as he glared down at Miratrix.

"You have failed Lord Ooze...and you're no longer of any used to him," the new villain hissed, as he fired a blast from the gauntlet on his wrist at point blank range. Miratrix barely had time to scream, before she was incinerated into nothing, leaving the rangers shocked at such ruthlessness.

"Who the hell are you?" Tommy demanded to know.

"Syrus Cho'lak, bounty hunter for hire and the best in the business. Lord Ooze has hired me to collect your helmets and I never fail a paying mission," he boasted.

"Then prepare for your first loss," Rocky retorted, as they all sank into fighting stance.

"Little me against all of you?" he joked.

"That hardly seems fair," he added, as a wave of sophisticated looking robots appeared, all identical, and reminiscent of cogs.

"Great...more minions..." Ethan groaned.

"Well, we have giant birds, giant Ooze thingies, giant sharks, bugs, and snakes, so why not robots too?" Trent added sarcastically.

"Oh, these aren't your average minions. They're powerful and they're not as stupid as their predecessors, I believe you called them Cogs," Syrus goaded.

"Where the hell did you get cogs?" Adam asked.

"When you're the top sought after bounty hunter in the galaxy, you'd be amazed at what you can acquire, like the black market Machine Empire technology that I bought years ago. Ivan Ooze's lovely daughter and top General were only too happy to fund their creation with the stipulation that they be used to hunt and kill rangers," he explained.

"Be careful guys...we don't know what these things can do yet," Tommy warned, as the mechanical monstrosities charged and the battle engaged.

KO-35

Hunter groaned in pain, as he fell the ground after another attempt to get up failed. His hands were stained in his own blood, as he clutched the virtual hole in his abdomen that the evil warrior had created with an energy blast. In the distance, he saw Shane and Dustin struggling to keep Tori from running to him. In the distance on the other side lay the small ornate box in the sand next to the deceased elderly Kerovian woman who had been so adamant that he have it. He shook his head, as the blood loss was causing him to see black spots in his vision. His body was healing the mortal wound, but it was taking longer since the damage to his organs was significant. He cried out in agony, as Xin grabbed him around the neck and then kneed him in the chest. He tossed the Phoenix ranger to the sand again and he rolled several feet, leaving a trail of blood in his wake. Hunter's visor opened and he coughed and spat blood on the sand. The fighting between the others had mostly stopped. The other rangers had defeated all the minions and they had stopped to watch, as had Toxa.

"Let go of me guys..." Tori pleaded, as her two best friends held her back.

"Do you really think you're going to help Hunter by getting yourself killed?!" Shane yelled, as his visor opened and he stared at her tear stained face.

"He's right Tori," Dustin reasoned in a defeated tone. None of them liked watching and they could tell Blake could barely contain himself from rushing to his brother. But even he knew it would only make things worse. Even Zedd was trying to get to him, but Thrax was relentless in his attacks and successfully thwarted his attempts. They could only look on now with bated breath, as the General approached their fallen leader.

"My Master has ordered you be taken to the Fire pits on my home planet. But before we go, he has ordered that I execute your teammates," Xin stated coldly, as he started walking toward the rest of the rangers.

"That box Hunter...by the elder woman. You must get that box," Dulcea pleaded telepathically to her son.

"And by the time your injuries are healed, you'll be too late to stop me. I'll save the blue ranger for last though. I want to make sure you're coherent for that," Xin said callously, as his palms became lit with energy.

"No..." Hunter cried, as he struggled to get to his knees. The box that his Mother was talking about was still too far away and he would never make it in time.

"This can't be happening," he cried, as he watched the people he loved most fight a fresh wave of Tengu warriors. A gleam caught his eye and he looked down, gasping in surprise. The struggle over the zeo crystal earlier between Andros and Xin had seen the object cast into the sand, forgotten as they fought for their lives. A shimmer of hope pulsed through him as he grasped the powerful artifact in his hand. It seared him slightly, sensing his brief brush with darkness years ago, but his goodness quickly overwhelmed that and it glowed powerfully with red energy. He drew his arm back and putting every ounce of strength he had, he threw it, sending it shooting through the air like a spear.

"Say goodbye rangers...Lord Ooze has won!" Xin called, but his laugh was cut short, as he felt something stab him in the back. He looked down and found the red zeo shard protruding from his abdomen. He screamed in agony, as his body lit on fire, the crystal immediately reacting to his evil. The other rangers, Hunter included, gaped in amazed horror, as the crystal, at one fifth of its true power, delivered a devastating defeat to one of the most powerful warrior's any of them had ever encountered.

"Sweetheart...you must get to that box," Dulcea's voice told him telepathically, snapping him out of his trance. Mostly healed now, Hunter willed his visor closed and scrambled to the ornate container. He opened it and the contents nearly blinded him at first, before the light slowly dimmed. Inside was the most unique power disc he had ever seen. It glowed with crimson fire and Hunter took it in his hand.

"Your father's battle armor. After his death, Zordon entrusted its safety to the Kerovian elders until the day came that it could be passed to you," Dulcea told him.

"Liberate KO-35 my son," she added. Hunter took the disc and inserted it into his morpher, before activating it. Crimson fire engulfed him and swirled around his entire body. His ranger armor hardened even more, taking on a metallic appearance, expansive wings locked into place on his back. Twin gauntlets slid onto his hands, one free, allowing him to wield the Phoenix saber, while the other gauntlet was armed with a powerful blaster. The Phoenix eyes on his helmet glowed with golden light and crimson thunder crackled wildly from his armor. And for the first time since they had seen him, Xinshing showed an emotion other than hate or contempt. There was fear in his eyes, as the Phoenix ranger walked toward him. Pain also twisted his features, as he was now burned on one hundred percent of his body. Hunter believed it was fitting fate for one that had ruthlessly taken so many lives under the blind orders of Ivan Ooze. The evil General quickly sobered.

"Don't think that I can't still defeat you, brat," he hissed. But the hole in his torso and the burns said otherwise, but Hunter would wait for him to attack before he finished him. It was the law of the power and unlike the crimson ranger, Xin's injuries would not heal so quickly. Xin's usual calm exterior was gone and as he suspected, the Duronian powered up twin energy blasts in his hands. In a true move of cowardice, he turned at the last minute and fired the deadly blasts at his team. With lightning quick speed, Hunter launched into the air, his flight power carrying him over the alien's head. He landed in front of his team and his wings folded around, creating a shield. Xin growled, as he pumped more power into his blasts. But Hunter chose that moment to go on the offensive. His shield pushed the General's energy right back at him. Xinshing cried out in terror, as his own attack blew up in his face...literally. Hunter powered up the blaster canon on his right gauntlet and the Phoenix saber lit on fire in his other hand. The Phoenix eyes on his helmet glowed golden, almost blinding the injured General and he could almost see the young ranger's blue eyes piercing right through him. Xin knew it was over, Hunter could see the realization in his eyes. But since he wasn't one to go out quietly, he fired what would be his final energy blast. Hunter fired his energy beam from his gauntlet and joined it with a fire blast from the Phoenix saber. The beams met, but the crimson ranger's quickly overwhelmed the weakened warrior's. There was an agonizing scream, as Hunter's attack engulfed the once unbeatable foe. A huge explosion rocked the landscape and when the smoke cleared, nothing but ash remained of Ivan Ooze's right hand man.

"You...YOU KILLED HIM!" Toxa screamed, as the man that had raised her in her father's absence was gone forever.

"I'm going to make you pay for this!" she hissed.

"Let's be real...you're no match for me and you know it. I suggest you run back to your father and tell him that he's next on my list," Hunter retorted.

"I may not be a match for you, but you're deluded if you think that you can defeat my father. He won't let this go lightly. He'll make you pay...HE'LL MAKE YOU ALL PAY!" Toxa screamed in rage, as she, Thrax, and their minions were teleported away. The rangers breathed a sigh of relief and canceled their morph.

"Dude...that was awesome!" Dustin called.

"Welcome to the battleizer club," Shane congratulated.

"Bro...that was sick!" Blake exclaimed. Hunter shook his head in amusement, as Tori rolled her eyes.

"Where did that armor come from?" Cam asked curiously.

"It belonged to my father," Hunter replied. Andros nodded.

"That power disc was entrusted to the people of KO-35 for safekeeping centuries ago," Andros confirmed.

"I hate to break up the celebration, but Ivan Ooze is going to retaliate when he finds out Xin is dead," Tori said with worry in her voice.

"She's right...he'll probably throw even more at Earth," Leo agreed.

"We'll return to help if we're needed, but for now, we're needed here to pick up the pieces," Andros said.

"That storm we created should have taken care of most of Ivan's lackeys in the city," Cam mentioned. Zhane nodded.

"We'll be able to take it from here. Thanks to your help, we can take our planet back. If things get too crazy on Earth, we're just a comm call away," Zhane said, as he shook hands with Hunter.

"Thanks," Hunter replied, as they hurried back onto the Phoenix carrier zord, while the Galaxy rangers boarded the Astro Megaship and both headed for Earth.

Angel Grove, California

The Youth Center

Raymond got out of his car and smiled at the portly man that waited for him outside the old Youth Center in Angel Grove.

"Raymond...good to see you!" Ernie called, as they shook hands.

"You too Ernie. I've got to say, I was a little surprised to hear that you bought back the old place," Raymond replied, as they went inside. The heavyset man shrugged.

"When I came back to the states, it was up for sale again and it's what I really loved doing, so I bought it back. It's never been quite the same though," Ernie replied.

"You mean since they've been gone?" Raymond asked. Ernie nodded.

"I always knew there was something special about them, and not just the first six of them, but even those that came along later," Ernie replied. He nodded.

"I'm surprised you of all people didn't put it together back then," Raymond mentioned.

"Mmmhmm...you're telling me honey. I can't believe I didn't see it sooner. Of course, we've known who the space rangers were for a while now. I can't understand why these jerks are dragging the rest of them through the mud," a sassy black woman said, as she turned around at the bar. Raymond smiled and hugged her.

"It's great to see you, Adele," he said.

"You too honey. This was one hell of a great idea you had too," she mentioned. He nodded.

"I just don't think it's fair that they're in hiding when they're the ones really protecting this planet. We should be celebrating our heroes...not tearing them down," Raymond said.

"I agree and I know a lot of others do too," Ernie said.

"Well, my reporter friend should be here soon and then we can get our own message out there," Raymond said.

"Well, if my message got out there, then I'm hoping for a few more as well. But until then, how about a couple of smoothies?" Ernie asked. They nodded and he went back behind the counter.

Los Angeles, California

The battle was going fairly well, though Syrus wasn't expecting them to hold up quite this well against him.

"Maybe this will actually be a challenge," he mused, as he observed his minions and several other breeds of Ooze's minions battling the rangers. They were holding up well, but they were tiring, he could tell. They had been fighting for a little over two hours, after all. Tiring wasn't something that was an issue for his cogs and he was certain they would soon turn the tide of the battle.

"Return to the ship at once," Ooze ordered through his comm.

"I'm just getting started. I thought you wanted ranger helmets on your mantle by breakfast?" Syrus asked.

"Things have changed...get back here now!" Ooze growled. Syrus sighed. He wasn't used to taking orders. Usually he was paid money to do a job...but a continued salary was very appealing, especially for how much Ooze was paying him. He snapped his fingers and his minions retreated.

"It's been fun rangers and we'll meet again soon," the bounty hunter said, as he and all the minions disappeared suddenly.

"What the...why did he just leave?" Rocky asked.

"Who cares...he's gone," Kira grumbled, as she picked herself up.

"We weren't winning though, which means something bigger must be up," Jason said, as they canceled their morph.

"It's got to be the others...it's got to mean they have the last crystal," Trent realized, as Tommy's comm chimed.

"What's going on Hayley?" he asked.

"I just got word from the others. They're on their way back with the crystal," Hayley announced. They cheered.

"Is that why they pulled back?" Tommy asked.

"Maybe...but there's more that went down on KO-35. I'm teleporting you back," Hayley replied, as they disappeared in colored streaks...