Commander Ruris, dressed in his normal uniform of black and gold, stared at Earth and snorted in disgust. The sheer idea that this planet and its genetic gene pool could turn out to be their salvation was unsettling.
No matter, he thought. Once we have properly engineered their DNA to accept ours, we will conquer this puny world. And I will rule once again.
An alarm cut through his thoughts. He turned towards the command center, filled with monitors and brightly lit panels of buttons and controls. Two ensigns worked on and began to press buttons when the alarm sounded.
(*)“Report,” Ruris commanded, coming up behind them and looking at a monitor.
“Identify.”
The other ensign, Chino, pressed more buttons before announcing his findings.
“Serial 74063060. Subject: Morissette, Sean.” Chino turned completely around to face his commanding officer. “It is the strange human that we’ve been conducting tests on, sir. The one with the alien DNA patterns.”
“Pinpoint.”
“Working, sir,” Gorta said. “Found. He is located at Convergence 147 mark 78. A short distance from the Terran city of Angel Grove.”
Ruris nodded. “The Command Center. Zordon.” The Command Center’s image began to enlarge, even as he was speaking. “Time to pay a visit to
The electricity inched its way along Billy’s arm, but Billy still held on to the small device. He pulled and twisted slightly, and felt the device detach. A small beep echoed from Sean’s nasal cavity as it was removed. Billy pulled it out slowly and placed it on a small square of gauze, where it oozed with blood and mucus. Sean put a small handkerchief over his nose to stop the bleeding.
"Eww…" Kimberly echoed, wrinkling her nose.
Billy wiped off the fluids with a cotton ball doused with alcohol. After he cleaned it up, he held it up to the light.
"What is it?" Aisha asked.
"I would say, from the data that we have and Sean’s testimony, that this is some sort of marker or tag," Billy deduced.
"Like what zoologists and biologists do to conduct research on animals?" Adam asked, incredulously.
"Yes, but this is far more sophisticated."
Zordon, who had remained suspiciously quiet throughout this whole situation, began to mumble to himself. It was caught by the ears of Sean who cast him a look.
"Zordon?" Sean asked. "You know what this is about, don’t you?"
The interdimensional being gazed at Sean before returning, "I have a theory."
"What is it?"
"I believe that the Hykranians have returned for you."
"What?" Aisha asked, not sure if she heard correctly.
"Why?" Sean questioned.
"After the destruction of Hykrania, the inhabitants felt that they needed to strengthen themselves. If you will recall, the Hykranians were not violent people. However, physical strength could not, necessarily, be passed on to the next generation of offspring. One of the things that the Hykranians excelled at was genetic engineering. They used it to create better quality crops to sell to passing merchant ships who needed to replenish their food stocks. An unscrupulous plan was developed by a diabolical man named Ruris, who suggested that Hykranians seek out a race of beings who were genetically identical, or close to it, as possible. Humans were that species.
"However, I would not allow the Hykranians to conduct experiments that could lead to hideously deformed creations that would be shunned and possibly killed. I argued my case before the Intergalactic Tribunal of Order, a peacekeeping organization of planets. But the Hykranians argued that they had a right to find someway to further their species – to avoid extinction. Reluctantly, the Tribunal agreed, but one condition had to be met: The Hykranians were forbidden to perform any sort of experiment on any member of the Power Rangers or else face the Tribunal again."
Billy scratched his chin. "That’s why the ‘aliens’ have been picky with their choices of humans. They have to make sure."
"But I must’ve intrigued them," Sean said, "I have alien DNA – their DNA within me."
"And you knew that Sean was going to become a Power Ranger, didn't you, Zordon?" Kimberly entered.
Alpha shuffled over to the group. "Ay-yi-yi, that’s why we had hoped to keep them at bay. Long enough for Sean to realize his potential."
"Correct, however…" but the mentor of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers was cut off by a transmission coming in on the Viewing Globe.
The Pink Ranger gasped with the other Rangers staring with sheer amazement at the view. Sean squinted his eyes and gritted his teeth with anger and fear.
On the Viewing globe, seven small gray figures stood. They were all dressed in small uniforms, five in red with one in white trimmed with gold and one in black trimmed with gold. It seemed to have a gold pin attached to its right shoulder. Each one possessed the characteristics that Sean had described to the others: large bulbous head, eyes of black that seemed to wrap around their heads, the slit orifices. None could be over four feet tall, but it was hard to tell by viewing them on the viewing globe.
"Alpha, activate the universal translator," Zordon commanded. The little red and black android did as he was instructed to do.
"I am…" the one in black began before the booming voice of Zordon interrupted.
"You are Commander Ruris," Zordon said, "No need to be dramatic with your entrances."
"I was just going to introduce myself to your small comrades, Zordon."
Rocky chuckled, "Small?"
"I did not think you would be so bold as to abduct a Power Ranger, Ruris," Zordon continued. "You know that is a direct violation of the agreement laid down by the Intergalactic Tribunal."
"But you knew that the genetic material to save our people resided within the human populace!" Ruris screamed. "This Sean Morissette’s DNA provided us with much insight and research! He could be our salvation!"
"No!" Zordon returned, growing angrier. "The agreement states that you were not to harm a member of the Power Team! You have violated the agreement! In accordance with the terms set forth, you and your crew are to turn yourselves over to the Intergalactic Space Police!"
"We will not!" the little man screamed. "Turn him over! By right, he is our savior! We must have him!"
"Savior?" Sean whispered. Apparently, the other Rangers were thinking the same thing when they looked over at him.
"It is his decision to make whether or not he wishes to go with you!" Zordon said, in no uncertain terms.
The Gold Ranger looked up at Zordon. When the being nodded, he turned back to the Viewing Globe. "Who are you?"
"Vinlai (*), I am Commander Ruris, Supreme Commander of the Hykranian Defense Force," the small alien said, bowing his head slightly.
"Why did you abduct me?"
"We meant you no harm, Vinlai. We only wanted to find out if you were who we thought you were."
"So you couldn’t just knock on the door?" Sean said, sarcasm dripping off of every word. "Contact the Command Center? Do something other than taking me out of my bed and whisking me away on your ship?!"
"We…"
"I’m not finished!" Sean yelled, anger replacing his fear. "Why did you operate on me?! Why did you gut me like a pig and stick this thing up my nose?!"
Ruris was visibly shook by the sound of Sean’s voice. All of them jumped slightly. "We had to make sure that the genetic material of our people had advanced your bodily systems enough to withstand the long journey through space."
"Liar!" Sean shouted. "With current teleport technology, we could’ve easily have teleported to and from Hykrania!"
"Not to mention that with your advanced medical techniques, you could have ascertained Sean advanced body makeup from a distance," Billy interjected. "Although our equipment isn’t too shabby, we knew that Sean’s body was different."
"So the question remains: what do you want?"
The commander looked at Sean then turned his attention to Zordon. "You’ve poisoned his mind! You’re lies have eaten away at his reason and turned him into a man bereft of logic!"
"He’s done no such thing, Ruris!" Sean returned. "I was like this a long time before I met Zordon. I always believed in the fundamental principles of truth and justice. Apparently, you’re lacking in the truth part."
"Vinlai…"
"Stop calling me that!"
Ruris began, frantic, "You are our future!"
"And you’re full of crap!" Sean said. "It’s Morphin’ Time! Gold Rhino Power!"
Sean morphed into the uniform of the Gold Ranger and stood before the aliens. Sean’s outfit bore a striking resemblance to the uniform worn by Commander Ruris. He stepped up to the globe and un-holstered his main weapon.
"Let the power of the Hammer of Hykrania reveal the truth! Show me their true forms!" Bolts of pure cosmic energy enveloped the globe, transcending space and traveled along the ethereal realms of the Morphin’ Grid. The energy traveled on the microwave transmission beam to their ship. There, it coalesced into a ball of bright light. Tendrils of power snaked out and enveloped them. The gray forms of the aliens began to smoke and convulse as the Hammer of Hykrania peeled away their cloaking shields.
Sean stepped back from the globe and observed with anger, for when the smoke cleared, the Rangers gazed again at the new bodies the aliens possessed. Powerful bodies, as if they were cut from pure marble, bulged beneath the threads of their uniforms. Commander Ruris, with a squared jaw and ice blue eyes, stared into the room and bared his teeth.
"You miserable ingrate! We promised you power beyond belief! Riches! Subjects that would have followed your every command!" Ruris screamed.
"What subjects?!" Sean shouted back. "What riches?!"
"You are delusional!" Zordon returned.
"NO! Not this close! NOT THIS CLOSE!" The commander got up and ran out of screen. The six other that were there just stood and waited for him to return. He didn’t.
Several seconds later, Alpha perked up, "Ay-yi-yi! The defense shields just snapped up!"
A sharp whine filled the Rangers’ ears. Rocky shouted, "Incoming!"—Right before the first torpedo hit the shields.
"We’re under attack!" Kim screamed.
"It’s Morphin’ Time!" Tommy shouted over the din of another incoming torpedo. "White Ranger Power!"
"Black Ranger Power!"
"Pink Ranger Power!"
"Blue Ranger Power!"
"Yellow Ranger Power!"
"Red Ranger Power!"
The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers launched themselves out and into the desert surrounding the Command Center. Calling up a heads-up display, the Rangers pinpointed the ship in orbit. The shields around the Command Center absorbed another proton torpedo blast.
"We need ShogunZord and NinjaZord Power, NOW!" they shouted in unison.
"I call upon the Power of Thundarus, the Gold RhinoZord." Sean called.
From their hidden places, the powerful ShogunZords burst forth followed by the NinjaZords. Thundarus made a crashing entrance onto the desert.
"Going up!" Tommy, the White Ranger, exclaimed as he jumped into the FalconZord’s cockpit. The other Rangers followed suit as they settled into their ShogunZords.
"Ready to ride!" Adam exclaimed.
"Now I know how Mulder and Scully feel!" Aisha grumbled.
"All systems go!" Billy shouted.
"Let’s send E.T. back home!" Kimberly yelled.
"Let’s give them a welcome to Earth they’ll never forget!" Rocky hollered.
"The Gold and Black Attack is back, jack!" Sean concluded.
"Rangers, prepare to initiate the ShogunMegaFalconZord sequence. Bring together the NinjaMegaZord." Tommy shouted.
The Zords went through their usual movements. The Frog NinjaZord stood up on its hind legs and attached its forward legs to the upper portion of its hinds. The Bear NinjaZord retracted all four of its limbs to hidden compartments in its body and attached to the top of the Frog’s head. The Ape NinjaZord retracted its arms into hidden compartments on its back. From some unknown place, a robotic cover attached itself over his head, turning the Ape into an arm and fist. The Wolf NinjaZord retracted its legs to its sides while another robotic cover attached over its head. The Crane NinjaZord lifted its head and flipped its upper portion over and around, revealing a metal face of white and gold. Initiating their mag-locks, the Zords came together into the NinjaMegaZord.
The ShogunMegaFalconZord came together a short while later with Thundarus switching to Warrior Mode at Sean’s command.
"Reconfigure the Zords for short space flight and battle conditions," Tommy ordered.
A simple flipping of several switches and the Zords were ready to go. Turbo jets ignited beneath them and launched their massive bodies into the upper atmosphere. They managed to intercept another proton torpedo before it could cause damage to the Command Center.
"There it is!" Kimberly pointed out.
"Let’s take it to ‘em, Rangers," Tommy commanded and veered the ShogunMegaFalconZord towards the ship. Twin turbolasers on top of the vessel discharged mighty bolts of crimson energy at the approaching Zords. Striking the NinjaMegaZord, the turbolasers concentrated on Thundarus Warrior.
Sean brought Thundarus into a kamikaze maneuver, firing his pulse cannon and micro rocket launchers. Thundarus absorbed and dispersed the energy of the turbolasers into its systems, effectively powering Thundarus’s weapons.
Billy typed his control board and frowned beneath his helmet. "I’m detecting a power surge within the alien vessel. Also, heightened mechanical activity from its internal workings."
Suddenly, before the eyes of the astonished Rangers, the ship turned on its Z-axis and began to transform. The lower portion of the ship detached from the top, reconfiguring themselves. The remaining half split itself and out. A large sleek framework from the inside of the ship began to shimmer and take form. In a matter of seconds, the ship had become a large robot. Sean noticed it had to be at least three times the size of the ShogunMegaZord. He was sure that Tommy noticed it as well.
"My god…" Aisha gasped as the form filled up the entire screen.
From his own Zord, Sean shook his head in disbelief. He pressed the Zord-to-Zord communicator panel. "It’s…It’s like an…uh, AstroMegaZord."
From the other cockpit, Adam nodded at Sean’s statement. "Will we be able to stop it?"
"Only one way to find out," Rocky commented.
"Hit ‘em hard!" Tommy ordered.
The ShogunMegaFalconZord opened up all eight of its cannons onto this AstroMegaZord, as Sean had called it. Thundarus fired a force ball to try and cave in the metallic framework of the machine. The AstroMegaZord floated forward and rammed a fist into the back of the RhinoZord. Mentally commanding the Zord to roll, Sean shifted Thundarus weight and caught hold of the metal hand. Momentarily distracted, the AstroMegaZord did not see the ShogunMegaFalconZord as it threw a punch into the side of its face. Nor did it see the NinjaMegaZord sneak up from underneath and smack it with a wicked uppercut.
From hidden ports, the NinjaMegaZord fired yellow and red bolts of laser fire into the AstroMegaZord. Thundarus opened up its wrist gauntlets and launched spinning laser blades at the alien vessel. The blades began to split the skin of the Zord. It punched Thundarus and Sean began to careen out of control into the swelling darkness of the cosmos.
"I…could use a little help here," Sean said into the communicator.
"NinjaMegaZord is on its way," Tommy responded and typed in the sequence. He opened up the special weapons control paneling, preparing the alternate weapons that the ShogunZords possessed. "Calling up the Shogun Crossbow!"
On the outside, a large metallic crossbow made of gleaming steel and shining gold appeared. Tommy expertly controlled the electromagnetic arrows as they entered through the pocks that the laser blades from Thundarus had cut open. Not even the aliens’ self-repair programs were fast enough to contain the damage.
An auric bolt of energy slammed into the back of the AstroMegaZord. The Rangers knew that Sean was back in the game. The NinjaMegaZord accompanied a rushing Thundarus.
"All right, let’s take ‘em, down!" Sean exclaimed.
"Hit ‘em with everything you got!" Tommy commanded. The ShogunMegaFalconZord stood upright again and fired the Falcon Cannons again. Sean opened the energy reserves and, combining them into a singular beam, launched his Thunderbolt at the AstroMegaZord.
Apparently, the force from the blast ruptured a fuel line because a portion of the AstroMegaZord exploded. It convulsed in a highly mechanical fashion, as if something was trying to escape from it. The NinjaMegaZord flew directly in front of the ship and rushed at it, charging up its fists.
"You have caused much destruction and despair," Sean chanted. "We send you back into the eternal darkness from whence you came."
The NinjaMegaZord slammed into the chest of the AstroMegaZord, ripping open panels of metal and spurting crimson sparks of energy. From the back, the mighty robot burst forth, rolling slightly and halted – a few hundred meters from it.
Tommy tapped the communications panel, "Commander Ruris, your ship is heavily damaged and reaching critical mass! We are prepared to teleport you and your crew out!"
No response came from the comm.
"Commander Ruris?! Respond please!"
"Tommy, the AstroMegaZord is in the red!" Billy reported.
A blip from Aisha’s panel and she pressed buttons, bringing up a readout on her screen. "I’m detecting a microwave transmission from the Hykranians."
"Intercept!" Sean said.
"WARNING!" The computer droned. "WARNING! ALIEN VESSEL REACHING CRITICAL MASS! PROBABLE COURSE OF ACTION: IMMEDIATE VACANCY OF THIS AREA OF SPACE!"
"Let’s get out of here!" Tommy commanded already preparing the ShogunMegaFalconZord for the return home.
The three mighty Zords began to float away from the alien spacecraft as it exploded in a fiery pyrotechnic display of reds and yellows.