Dino Thunder: Return of the Eclipse- Chapter 29: Thunder Storm: Part I
Disclaimer: Saban owns all Power Ranger lines.
Copyright: All unrecognizable parts and characters are under December's Phoenix's copyright.
Summary: Things get complicated when ninjas get involved.

"Well, that's it." A construction worker called, throwing his shovel into the ground and moving over to his superior. "Lines down here were fine. Couldn't find a problem." He announced, shucking off his gloves and stuffing them in his pockets.

The supervisor fell in line with him. "Well, that's weird. Let's knock out for today!" He called back, letting all his men go. "We'll call them back tomorrow."

The ground began to shake after everyone left. It split slowly, releasing purple smoke and hissing. It continued to crack open. A hand rose from the smoke, along with purple electricity. The former evil space ninja groaned. He pulled himself from the Abyss, breathing the fresh air of the world above him.

He laughed, finally free of the hell pit the Rangers placed him in all those months ago.

It was homework catch-up day for Kira. And luckily, Trent wanted to join. So, the two train-wrecked 'don't have a feeling for each other' lovebirds found themselves sitting on the couch at Hayley's. A voice distracted Kira from her homework to the two people who had just entered the cafe. "Trent, does that guy at the bar look familiar to you?" She asked, focusing on the guy. He had a navy blue shirt over a grey one and a navy blue baseball cap.

The White Ranger glanced up, seeing the two at the bar. "You mean the guy in the blue hat? Not really."

Kira squinted at him. "I'm sure I've seen him before."

"Well, go ask."

"I'm not just gonna go up to some guy I don't know."

"Okay, can we get back to studying?" Trent returned to his reading, but Kira still stared at the mysterious newcomer from his peripherals. "It's driving you crazy, isn't it?" Then, finally, he heard Kira make a noise of agreement. "Go ask."

Kira climbed to her feet, ditching the book in her lap and heading over to the guy in the blue baseball cap. She tapped on his shoulder, drawing his and his friend's attention. "Hi. Do I know you from somewhere?"

"I don't think so. I'm Blake." He shook her hand. "This is Jesse."

"How's it going?" Jesse asked.

"Blake, you just look so familiar to me."

Blake took his cap off, giving Kira a better look at his features. "Do you follow motocross?"

"No, why? Was that what you do?"

Some teenager came and interrupted them, asking for Blake's autograph. Blake signed the brim of his cap and gave it to the guy. "Here."

"Okay, do you're famous…for riding a motorcycle?"

Blake laughed, patting Kira and moving over to the foosball table. "Don't be so surprised."

Kira trailed them. "I just… didn't know you could be famous for that."

"Well, why don't you come to see for yourself?" Blake stated. "The nationals were this week at Reefside motocross park. Unfortunately, I don't have any more VIP passes. I gave them to my brother, his girlfriend, and some friends."

"Your brother lives here?"

Blake tilted his head. "No, his girlfriend and her younger sister do." He paused, turning to her. "You know her? Crystal and Lucy."

"Crystal and Lucy?" Kira questioned. "As in Crystal and Lucy Brewer?"

Blake laughed. "Yeah, how do you know her?"

"We're friends," Kira answered. "You know then?"

"Yeah," Blake stated. "But, ask her for a pass. Just come. It's going to be great."

"Are you asking me out?"

Blake shook his head, laughing. "No, I didn't mean it like that. Part of being a rider is getting people who won't come alone. Just ask the Brewers; they can tell you more."

"Okay, thanks." Kira nodded, walking away from Blake and back over to Trent.

In the forest between Blue Bay and Reefside, a group of masked ninjas raced through the trees. Each had a mask on, shrouding their features. The piping detail on the black suits was the only way to tell them apart. They were nearly silent when they reached a clearing. Standing before them were three older ninjas with masks and hoods over their faces. Instantly, the masks came off, and Shane Clarke, Dustin Brooks, and Tori Hanson fell in mirrored stances to their students. The former Ranges stare at their students, waiting for them to make the first move. Instead, the students fell into stances.

The students charge. Each sensei fought a mix of their students and the other two students. Each used their combination of skills and power to defeat their students. The three gather around each other, facing off against their now-dominated students. "Stand down," Shane ordered. The students fell out of stances. "All right, how do you guys think that went?"

"Dude, we totally kicked their butts." Dustin sang, cheering himself on.

"I believe he was talking to them, sensei Dustin," Tori said with a smile.

Dustin's smile dropped. "Oh, right. Sorry, proceed."

"Thank you," Shane muttered lowly to him. He turned to the students. "All right, before your next lesson, I want you guys to think about what happened here. You all need to consider your commitment to ninja training. Class dismissed."

They turned around to move through the forest. "Shane, you kind of sound like sensei back there." Tori smiled up at the former Red Ranger.

"Yeah, well, speaking of Sensei, wasn't he supposed to meet us here?" Shane asked.

"You think he forgot?" Dustin supplied.

"When has he ever forgotten anything?" Tori returned.

Dustin pointed to something. It's a scroll hanging from a tree branch. "Hey, check it out."

"Tori, Shane, Dustin. Go to the highest point in Blue Bay Harbor. Meet me there as the sun is setting." The former Red Ranger read.

"'Do not speak of this matter until I've spoken with you.'" Dustin continued.

It took an hour, but the three former Rangers found their sensei standing at the highest peak, overlooking the ocean. High above the four, the sun was making its ascent into the sky, flaring. The moon was high in the sky, a faint outline against the vibrant blue. The waves crashed against the large rocks. The wind swept the sand and wrinkled the waves. It was the perfect place where five of the former Ranger powers collided. Tori tucked a rogue piece of hair behind her ear, seeing the concern on Sensei's face before anyone else. "Sensei, is everything all right?"

Sensei turned to them; his lips pressed in a tight light. "No, Tori. I'm afraid it's not."

"Yeah, you don't look so hot…I mean, no offense." Dustin added, motioning to him.

Sensei smiled at the former Yellow Ranger. "None was taken, Dustin."

"So, what's up?" Shane asked.

Sensei seemed to hesitate, finally sighing. He realized he had to tell his former students. "He's back…Lothor is back."

The three ninjas froze. If Lothor were back, the sisters would be in trouble. The Rangers only left the battle because Zira turned on Lothor when he nearly ended her. If he returned, that meant the Guardians, their friends, were the first on his hit list. The three glanced at each other; wary looks marred their faces. "Lothor can't be back." Dustin fought.

Shane nodded. "Yeah, no way."

Tori shook her head, blonde hair whipping around. "We saw him disappear into the Abyss of Evil."

"If Lothor's back, how will we fight him with no powers?" Dustin returned.

"Cam has been saving these for such an occasion." Sensei had a case in his hands. He opened the lid with one hand, revealing identical Wind Ranger morphers to the original they had eight months ago. "Shane. Tori. Dustin. With a heavy heart, I must give you your new Wind Morphers." He watched the Rangers gingerly take them, examining them before wrapping them around their wrists. "A dark cloud has descended upon us. And it was time for you to resume your duties as Power Rangers."

"We won't let you down, Sensei," Shane stated, lifting the morpher.

Dustin and Tori followed, lifting theirs. All three pressed one of the buttons on their morphers, trying to activate the suits they once wore. But instead of the bright flash of power, a crackle of purple electricity rippled through them. They struggled against it, but the pain from the electricity was too powerful, and they succumbed to the effects of the morphers. They stopped moving seconds later, breathing deeply.

"Well, how do you feel?" Sensei asked roughly, developing an evil smirk on his face.

Shane narrowed his eyes, growling in the process. "Like Blue Bay Harbor must be destroyed,"

"Why stop there?" Tori smirked. "I want the whole country."

"And then the world," Dustin added.

Sensei threw the case away, smiling. "That's what I was hoping you'd say." Then, in a purple flash, Sensei transformed into Lothor. The evil space ninja was the same when the Rangers threw him in the pit. Long, black trench coat and mask. "I never thought I'd say this, but seeing y'all is a pleasure."

"And it's our pleasure to serve under you." Shane graced his ears.

"Music to my ears." Lothor cackled.

What the former Rangers missed, if they had looked, was Sensei over the side of the cliff, bound and gagged, just a few feet from them.

Cassidy and Devin made their way to the racers' area and the VIP section at the park entrance. Devin had all of Cassidy's things, including his camera gear and her purse, in his arms. "So, Cass, tell me why we're here again. I mean, I'm not complaining." He grinned.

"To get an interview with Blake Bradley. He's like the biggest thing in moto-toss." That earned the blonde a few odd looks from the riders walking by.

"Cross, Cass," Devin told her. "It's motocross."

"Whatever." Cassidy rolled her eyes. "Mr. Cormier said I have to be edgier, and this was as edgy as it gets."

"Yeah, well, that's true." Devin nodded.

The two came up in the riders' area where Blake would be. An older security guard smiled at them, stopping them. "Oh, hello," Cassidy smiled. She lifted her pass. "I have a press pass. I'm Cassidy Cornell. You might have seen me on the Reefside news."

The man quickly looked at the papers on a clipboard in his hands. He shook his head. "Well, your name was not on the list, and if your name was not on the list, you have to pay like everyone else." The man informed her.

Cassidy groaned, breathing out of her nose. She glanced past the man, spotting Lucy standing in the racer's area with Conner, Kira, and Ethan. Her mood immediately grew a little sour. How the hell did Lucy get into the area? The four chatted, not noticing the reporter not far from them. "Well, how did those four get in?" She asked, pointing to the group of four.

The man looked at the four, then back at Cassidy. "Now, they were on the list."

Nationals came faster than Lucy expected. Conner pulled into a parking spot in the middle of the lot, by the grace of the gods Lucy prayed to. She and Conner climbed out first, pushing the passenger seat forward for Kira and Ethan to climb out. She happily accepted the lanyard Conner produced for her from the pocket of his leather jacket. She had been excited to see her old teammate, laughing with Crystal and Hunter when Crystal read Blake's letter that came with the passes.

The group of Rangers moved through the riders, trying to see everything as Lucy led. She turned back, rolling her eyes at Conner when she found his hand tangled with hers, no doubt to keep her from losing them on accident. They stopped at the cliff overlooking the track. "It's so weird being here without the boys or Rys."

Ethan bumped shoulders with her, grinning as he took everything in. "You ride?" He seemed happier to be outside, doing something other than research on an obscure topic.

Lucy grinned back. "Somewhat." She answered. "I was more of a Tsunami Cycle rider than an actual Moto rider. I left the racing to Crystal. Instead, I was the timer when Crystal decided to race."

"She does?" Kira asked.

"One step below every single rider here." Lucy motioned around them. "If she didn't accept the position at the Academy, I'm convinced she would have ridden for Factory Blue like Blake." She turned, intending to head to the trucks, when she felt arms around her shoulders, tugging her back and preventing an oncoming rider from crashing into her. "Thanks." She muttered, turning her head up to see Conner nod.

"All right, folks, we were ready to start the first 125 motos."

Ethan turned to the team, grinning. "Let's get over there. I don't want to miss it."

The Rangers took spots near the start and finish line. Lucy and Kira are in front, with Conner and Ethan behind them. The Silver Guardian pointed out Blake again, seeing him in his navy gear. Home turf advantage, he wrote Crystal and Hunter in the letter.

"The 30-second board is up." The riders revved their engines, setting them against the barriers in front of their tires. The five-second board was lifted. The gates fell. The Riders were off. "And they're off. Blake Bradley's got the whole shot." One rider lost control of his bike, crashing into the hay bales surrounding the track's curves. The announcer kept track of each rider, announcing the moves of the essential riders and the front leaders. "Blake Bradley is tearing it up out there. And Blake Bradley wins again!"

Everyone cheered, watching Blake land after flying over the finish line. The Rangers celebrated, high-fiving and clapping. Blake celebrated his win, thrusting his helmet in the air and cheering with the crowd.

While the Rangers enjoyed Blake's victory, Crystal and Hunter weren't. They tried to make it, but another round of files and students interrupted their plans. So, currently, the two were spread out in Crystal's office.

The golden ninja sat in her chair, legs tucked under her, back hunched. She flipped through another file, her left hand sporting a black pen in case she had to sign something. Her hair was knotted on her head, and her glasses were shoved up her nose. She tilted her head down to read. Hunter sat across from her, feet resting on the edge of the desk. He was going through his stack of paperwork and files, his pen tucked between his fingers. He had significantly less, but they were tedious and lengthy, considering he was reading files that Sensei Omino had given him.

Crystal grunted, slapping the file on the desk and leaning back, her legs flying out to rest against the ground. She shoved her glasses up, digging the butts of her palms into her eyes. "Gods, I have never wanted to set so much paperwork on fire." She muttered, rubbing harshly at her face. "We need to start going paperless…or try to."

The crimson ninja chuckled, signing off on something and setting it to his left instead of right. His finished pile. He reached for the following file. "This is what our Senseis tried to warn us about." He plopped the file on his lap, opening it up. "The few times a year you wish you didn't run a Ninja Academy."

"I will shove you out on your ass, Bradley," Crystal grumbled, lifting her head to level a deadpan stare at her boyfriend.

"I would love to see you try, Brewer." Hunter returned, rising from his chair to round Crystal's desk. His hand brushed by the carved sun on the edge of the top. He pushed Crystal away from her spot, laughing when she crashed into the window.

"Hunter!" Crystal scolded, but there was nothing but laughter in her voice. "Gods, don't do that."

Hunter smiled down at her. "Why don't we go get lunch? You've been staring at the paperwork for three days straight."

"Yeah, our parents decided it was a wonderful time to take a sabbatical. Lucy's been trying to ease the load, but it's a lot that she doesn't understand yet." Crystal groaned again. "But, you're right. I need to get out of the Academy for a bit."

At that moment, the pendant both carried to stay in contact with the other former Rangers beeped. Hunter hung his head, laughing. "Can there be one moment when you were not rushing to save people or others who need us?"

Crystal laughed, letting Hunter pull her up from her chair. She bumped into his chest, looking up at him. "With great powers come great responsibility."

"You got that off the back of the cereal box this morning, didn't you?"

"No, a comic book." She happily accepted his kiss, smiling through it. "Ethan told Lucy to read a specific comic book for something, and she left it out, grumbling about something stupid."

"Nerd."

"Jerk."

"Probably should see what Cam wants."

"Yeah, probably."

Crystal and Hunter touched down simultaneously on opposite sides of Cam. The Gold and former Green Rangers stood in their master's suits while Hunter was in his sensei suit. Cam's uniform consists of an all-black suit with long tails, a white collar, and a green pin. "Sorry to pull you away for your students." Cam sighed, glancing between the two.

"You saved me from a mountain of paperwork," Crystal muttered, scratching at her scalp around her bun. "And Hunter, from hearing me complain about said paperwork."

Hunter nodded. "Figured it had to be important." He lifted his communicator. "I was hoping that we would never have to use these things. So you think it's Lothor?"

"Has to be." Cam glanced between the two. "Who else would leave purple slime in his wake."

Crystal winced. "Always forgot how gross that pit is." She commented. "Aside from Lu, have you contacted the others?"

"They aren't responding."

"Well, that's a problem."

"Blake!" Lucy called, breaking out into a run. She dodged riders and people, laughing when the former Navy Ranger glanced around in confusion, eyes darting around to find the source of the call. "Blake Bradley!" She hollered again, laughing.

Finally, Blake's eyes settled on the fast-moving Silver Guardian, smiling brightly. She practically collided with him. "Lucy Brewer!" He squeezed her tightly before releasing her, setting her back on her feet. "How are you?"

Lucy pulled back, shrugging. "Eh," She laughed when Conner reached over and bopped her shoulder. She glanced back at him, rolling her eyes. "Fine. I'm great. Perfectly great."

Blake turned to the Rangers, a fat grin on his face. "So, what'd you think?"

"It was awesome." Kira smiled.

"Told ya." Blake returned, an arm still around Lucy's shoulders.

"Thanks for hooking us up, man," Conner called from behind the two ninjas.

"No problems, guys. Always happy to see a friend." Blake nudged Lucy. "Little sad my big brother wasn't here. But, not surprised he's working. He and your sister probably are." He winked at Lucy, tossing his helmet to the mechanic near him. "What were you guys doing right now? You wanna grab a bite?" A beeping stopped him. He turned around, pulling a necklace from his bag. He glanced at the circular communicator, then at Lucy.

Sitting under her sweatshirt, the Guardian's communicator beeped at that moment. She hung her head, bumping Conner's arm. "This was about to get messy." She muttered to herself. She cleared her throat. "We're going to have to take a raincheck on that. Something's come up."

"Everything okay?" Kira glanced between the two.

"Yeah, I hope so." Blake squinted at Lucy. "Look, it was nice meeting you. I'll see you guys later." Then, he took off, running through the groups of motocross racers and into the forest.

The Rangers turned to Lucy. "Look, I will explain everything.…hold off, okay?" She squeezed Conner's hand, taking off in the same direction Blake did.

"That was kinda weird," Kira commented. "Even for Lucy."

Their morphers beeped. All three lifted their arms to see their gems. "That's not so weird," Ethan added.

Conner nodded. "Let's go."

The Rangers got to the Lab just in time for footage of the monsters to appear. Except…they weren't monsters. Walking in front of two ugly creatures were three… Rangers. Red, Yellow, and Blue. "Evil Power Rangers?" Kira asked. "How was that even possible?"

"Yeah, I thought we were the only ones left." Trent pointed out.

"So did we." Hayley breathed. "Look, there's been an evil energy surge over the past 24 hours. We think the Abyss of Evil has been opened."

Kira turned to the Black Ranger. "Dr. O, you think Lothor's back?"

"Unfortunately. It's unclear if he's going after the Guardian magic again, but there was only one way to find out." Dr. Oliver stated. "Where were the Brewers?"

"We haven't seen Crystal for a few days ago, and Lucy took off," Ethan reported.

"We can worry about them later. Let's deal with these fakes." Conner announced.

"Trent, you stay here with us. This was just the kind of opportunity Mesogog would take advantage of."

"Right." Trent nodded.

"All right, you guys ready?" Conner asked, calling on his morpher.

"Ready."

Dino Thunder, Power Up!

Dino Power!

The Rangers landed before the evil Rangers, taking in their suits and weapons. Conner remembered seeing a photo in Lucy's apartment with those suits. It was the Rangers from the year prior, all standing around with their helmets in their hands as they laughed with each other. Shane, Dustin, and Tori, as he recalled when he asked about them. "That's far enough," Conner called, rising from his crouch.

"You must be lost," The Red Ranger, Shane, poked. "Because I know we didn't invite you."

"Maybe, you forgot." Ethan pointed at him. "You're supposed to beat the bad guys, not be the bad guys."

"Good. Bad. What's the difference?" The Blue Ranger, Tori, snapped. "It's all about power."

"I guess we're just gonna have to fight them," Conner announced, pulling his saber from his belt. Kira and Ethan followed his lead, and the three entered a battle with the Kelzaks.

Kira kicked one, turning around and kicking the other. She stopped, seeing something coming at her. "Wait!" She yelled, looking right at Tori.

"I don't think so." Tori snarled, running right at Kira.

The Yellow Ranger dodged, skirting out of the way. Tori kicked the car, pushing back. She blocked a kick from Kira, avoided a punch, and aimed one of her own at Kira's ribs. The Yellow Ranger stumbled but caught the incoming arm of Tori. She flipped Tori to the ground, trying to get her with another kick. Instead, Tori flipped up, leaning right on her feet.

"I don't want to hurt you," Kira argued.

Tori pulled her sword from the sheath on her back. "Your mistake." She struck Kira once. Twice. It sent the Ranger flying to another pool of Kelzaks.

Dustin landed on the car's hood, turning around to find Ethan behind him. The Blue Ranger swung, missing Dustin. Instead, he aimed a high kick over Ethan and then another. Ethan went for a swing, only getting air. The Yellow Range jumped up and dodged it. Ethan tried to hit him, but Dustin was back-flipping to avoid all swings. Finally, Dustin blocked a swipe, kicking Ethan off the car and into the same pod of Kelzaks.

Conner was having a rough time against Shane. The two continually strike each other's swords. Finally, Conner turned around, aiming a well-powered kick at a Kelzak. Shane stabbed and swiped overhead. Conner dodged. The two met blades again, Conner pushing Shane down.

A blast of electricity sent the two apart. Conner rolled and stood, ready to defend himself. Shane charged him. Conner moved away. Shane hit the pillar behind him, causing sparks. The two blocked, paired, and attacked each other. Shane grabbed Conner's wrist, sending him into the air. He kicked the current Red Ranger back. Conner hit a hot dog stand, grunting when he landed. "Oh, man." Conner breathed, silently pleading that the Guardians would show up.

On top of an overpass overlooking the fight, Cam, Hunter, and Crystal stood out from the Rangers' view. The three were watching the battle. Finally, two streaks caused the Rangers to move. Hunter turned to the figure that landed near him. "Blake." He smiled, clapping hands with his little brother. "Am I glad to see you!"

"Lucy and I got here as fast as we could," Blake stated. "What's up?"

"We got trouble," Crystal stated, glancing at her younger sister. "Ugly trouble." She jerked her chin to the fight that ensued.

Lucy breathed out, her eyes finding the fight below them. She clenched her jaw, grinding her teeth together. "Figured." She muttered low enough that only Crystal caught it. The blonde immediately felt the rage ripple from her, reaching over to squeeze her shoulder. Her eyes focused on Conner, not moving when he got slammed into an abandoned car.

"They're too strong," Conner grunted, rising from his spot and watching his teammates regroup around him. "We need to regroup."

"Okay." Kira and Ethan nodded. The three began to move away before taking off.

"That's right. You better run." Shane laughed with the rest of the group, missing the five ninjas above them.

"The important thing was that you guys were okay." Dr. Oliver said, sitting in front of the Rangers. All three were still in their suits, helmets sitting on their laps. They came limping in, sitting down to recover before moving. "And we learned something."

Conner held his helmet in his hands. "What it's like having our butts kicked?"

"No. That will take a lot more than we have to defeat them."

"More?" Kira asked, defeat inching on her words. "Like what?"

"I don't know, Kira. That's what we need to figure out."

Conner shook his head, getting up. "Why don't we just use our dinozords and kick their ninja butts."

"I'm with Conner on this one," Ethan added.

"Yeah, me too." Kira joined in.

"You guys have to remember," Hayley spoke up from the monitors, turning around to see the Rangers staring at her. "That's the Brewer's original team."

The Rangers stopped. Conner glanced down at his helmet, looking at the silver dino marks on his helmet. He set his jaw, glancing at his team. "Didn't seem like they cared enough to help us…or even show up."

"Look, they were people who were once good. But something has happened to them; we defend ourselves until we figure that out. But we don't destroy them." Dr. Oliver advised. "If not the sake of good, for the sake of the Guardians."

Not even moments later, all three Rangers glanced at each other, letting the notion that Crystal and Lucy once fought with the crazy Rangers sink in completely. Then, finally, Hayley glided by the three Rangers. "You know there was something that we haven't considered," She mentioned, looking around at the Rangers.

"I'm way ahead of you." Dr. Oliver stated, a hand on his chin. "Mesogog."

"What if he found out about this?" Ethan asked. "Can you imagine the two of them on the same side?"

"Great, my day went bad to worse," Kira muttered.

Next Episode: Thunder Storm: Part II