Disclaimer: Ranger concept is Haim Saban’s. WE though are using them in conjunction with our own characters. This is part of the Battle for Minosian Liberation subseries. When this series will end I’m not sure. I want to acknowledge the help Unicron gave in getting this series going

The Tide Turns
By Robert Gutheim

A couple days after their humiliating defeat at the Youth Center the Demona Rangers were in the Lower Level lounge of the Command Bunker looking over a tape of their defeat.

"I think the Xeno Empire might be our toughest opponent yet. Here we are caretakers for the planet and it looks like we will be returning it to Amelia and the others in a sorry state," Fran said.

"Real sorry state. WE have to find something that will give us an edge," Kim said as the tech crew came in. Christine walked over to her twin sister with a necklace in her hand.

"I looked at Amelia’s old notes and she said how crystals of a purity of 40-50% are useful in jewelry. With that info I made you a necklace with a Zordoniam Crystal that has a purity of roughly 43%," Christine said as she placed the necklace around Candi’s neck. Right then the alarm went off.

"Rangers, The Elementary School in Settlement 4 is under attack by Gold Xenonites," Professor Damon said.

"Professor, Is there anything in Settlement 4 of major importance?" Candi asked.

"Yes your Zordonian counterpart has family there," Professor Damon said.

"What are we waiting for," Kim said. "Ranger Power Eclipsed. White Ranger Power." A Whitish Aura Formed around Kim and then the snake merged with her to form her White Armor.

"Red Ranger Power." Kelly was seethed in a red aura and the Dolphin swam up to her. When they were fully merged she was in her Red Armor.

"Yellow Ranger Power." Candi’s Aura was Yellow and her Spirit Animal a leaping lemur. When the mixing was complete she was the Yellow Ranger.

"Purple Ranger Power." Janet was intermixed with a Purple Aura and a Mystical Owl ended up flying into her. Her purple Armor appeared after the Intermixing.

"Green Ranger Power." For Jake a Mystical Dark Green Aura formed around him but allowed the Bull to Charge into him. The Combination of Aura and Spirit formed his Green Armor.

"Brown Ranger Power." Sam stood by thinking of Grant as the Brownish Aura washed him over and the Mighty Hawk flew into his body. The sudden collision caused his brown armor to appear.

"Orange Ranger Power." Fran was strong as she once again felt the combination of the Orange aura and the Noble Horse Forming around her body to become her Orange Armor.

The Rangers then Teleported to the School. Two girls of around seven were standing scared until the Rangers arrived. One girl had her long hair in pinned up braids.

"Randi, go make sure Jasmine is ok while I help out the rangers," the girl with the braids said.

"Hillary, I doubt they need us. We’re better off staying somewhere safe," Randi said.

"I’d prefer to show Marsha that we can battle the baddies just as easily as she can," Hillary said as the rangers started attacking the Xenonites.

"It’s your funeral," Randi said as she left and Hillary went into action.

"That young girl is helping some," Kelly noticed as Hillary caused a Xenonite to trip over her.

"Think we should try the Lights Ploy?" Sam asked.

"We can’t, we need Kenya and Teri to do it," Kelly reminded him. Yet both are on Rangero," Kelly said.

"Teri is leaving Rangero," Kim said.

"Why?" Fran asked.

"She and Prince Goldarean are getting married," Kim said.

The battle continued on for an good hour when Candi noticed something strange glowing through her Yellow Armor. Suddenly a Yellow Exoskeletal Frame Moved in and Encased her in a Super Enhanced Armor. Her normal helmet was shielded within a Frame supporting a clear canopy like frame.

Meanwhile in the War Room Christine and Tyra were monitoring the Battle.

"Chris, your sister’s power level just spiked," Tyra informed her younger companion.

"What?" Christine asked shock appearing in her tone.

"Look at this," Tyra said as she indicated an energy reading.

"Candi, our sensors show you as having just had a power spike. What’s wrong?" Christine asked over the comm system.

"We just started winning that’s what’s wrong. Somehow a new armor just came in place around me. Were you tinkering again?" Candi asked since her sister tended to make changes in their powers without warning.

"It wasn’t me," Christine said. "WE better check it out after the battle."

"Agreed, if we can figure out what happened we can duplicate it with the other rangers," Candi said as one final turbo blast sent the other Gold Xenonites packing.

"Whoa, that was cool," Hillary said as Randi caught up with a five year old girl in tow.

"Who are you three girls?" Candi asked.

"I’m Hillary Kent, these are my sisters Randi and Jasmine, Marsha White one of the Zordonian Rangers is our sister."

"We’ll try to let Marsha know how brave you were. If anything you helped make a difference," Kim said.

The Rangers then teleported back to the Bunker.

"Your new look isn’t bad," Professor Damon said when he saw Candi’s Exosuit.

"What I want to know is how I ended up with it," Candi said. The Rangers then demorphed.

"Do you remember anything prior to the suit appearing?" Dr. Cummings asked.

"Just a weird glow in this area," Candi said as she felt an area of her chest. Her hand came across something hard. She felt it for a minute before she figured out what it was and pulled the necklace out from under her shirt. "I bet it came from this," she added indicating the crystal.

"It could be. We will have to run some scans. I want to examine you to make sure it didn’t cause any physical changes to your body," Dr. Cummings said.

"I just hope it was involved in giving us an edge," Kim said. Christine meanwhile took Candi’s necklace into the lab and ran a composition scan.

"I found two clues," Christine said. "A the fact that it is 43% pure. B. Its full composition is Zordoniam 43%, Normal Inert Quartzes 36%, Zeo, 21%."

"So what does it mean?" Kelly asked.

"It means this Crystal easily could have caused the spike in Candi’s powers. Soon as Doc finishes with Candi and we know the full situation I’ll see about developing some kind of enhancer for the others. For you Kim and Fran probably a necklace will do. I doubt Sam and Jake would go for Necklaces so I may make them rings," Christine said.

Lord Xenon meanwhile was in a mood so foul that Galactex was afraid to enter the main chamber but Nightshade was brave enough to face her lord.

"Blast those Rangers. I figured with the cats away this mouse could easily play only another cat got in the way," Lord Xenon said as he picked up a deep dark red crystal and threw it at Nightshade who caught it.

"Those weaklings. It’s a wonder they survived Lord Wieskoph’s attempt," Nightshade pointed out. "What is this silly thing."

"Oh that I stole it from Aphrealle a long time ago. It’s the Scarlet Zordoniam Crystal. I stole it so long ago that she probably forgot it even exists. It’s highly unstable though," Lord Xenon said.

Nightshade meanwhile was changing into her disguised form of Nina.

"If you ask me my lord we have a first class weapon to use against the Rangers," Nina said before departing. She came into being at the Youth Center. Matt was working that day since Kim was busy with stuff for Rangertech. Nina walked over to where a fifteen year old Vietnamese girl was consuming a bowl of rice with some bits of chicken and pork added.

"Hi there," Nina said. "I’m Nina."

"I’m Tara Rimyard. You can sit down if you want."

"Tara, want to do something crazy?" Nina asked.

"Like what?" Tara asked.

"Like stealing two morpher halves from the War Room at Rangertech," Nina said.

"Nina, that would be illegal. My sister Sarah is friends with Bobby Zhang who is connected with Rangertech and only people directly connected with Rangertech are even allowed in the War Room," Tara said.

"Tara, if you do this I will give you a present that will give you power over your sisters," Nina said.

"I don’t know they are a good bunch," Tara said.

"Even though they are alive and your parents, brother, and baby sister aren’t," Nina said.

"So I have a nice family, Why give that up," Tara said.

"Yeah but they are different enough to make you seem to be an outsider," Nina said. "Besides, not only is your sister’s best friend a ranger but your sister as well."

"That explains why she left suddenly right after getting suspended from school," Tara said. "I’ll have to wait until tonight. Meet me behind the Storage shed by the Track at Settlement 14 high school tomorrow about 730 in the morning."

That night Tara rode her bike to the Bunker and slipped into building stopping by the med lab to grab an injector of sedative. Tyra and Christine were working late but no one else looked to be awake not even Alpha. Tara slipped into the Laboratory and used the sedative on the two Lab jockeys before grabbing the morpher halves from a tray were the Violet Crystal was resting next to them waiting to be merged with the crystal. Tara then slipped out and returned home. At the appointed time she met Nina behind the Storage Shed.

"You got the morpher halves?" Nina asked.

"Had to knock a couple lab techs out but I managed to get them," Tara said as Nina took the Scarlet Crystal out and broke it cleanly into two pieces. The longer piece went into the left side which had a cylinder sticking out and the shorter piece into the right half. Nina then started to hand the completed morphers to Tara.

"I don’t feel right carrying them around," Tara said.

"But this is your present," Nina said.

"Some present, Colonial security along with the IGPF will realize I stole them if I keep them with me," Tara said.

"My biology is such that I can’t accept ranger powers but you easily could," Nina said as Tara took the morphers finally and Nina’s disguise fell away.

"You work with Lord Xenon," Tara realized.

"That I do," Nightshade said.

"Zordonian Ranger Power," Tara said. "Scarlet." Tara was bathed in a Deep Scarlet Light. When it faded she was dressed in a Scarlet colored Suit with Black boots and gloves. Her helmet was almost solid Scarlet except for two black eyeholes.

"Well Nightshade, let’s give the Rangers a pounding they won’t forget," Tara said not realizing that the crystal’s unstable nature had made her evil.

Tyra meanwhile was just waking up from her unplanned nap.

"Oh no, the morphers intended for the Violet Ranger are gone. I was going to try to get the morpher ready today so it could be used," she said as she looked at the tray. She then ran for the War Room where Professor Damon was just arriving for the day from his own quarters.

"Professor, we’ve been robbed. Last night someone stole two morpher halves from the lab. Amelia before the rangers left asked me to get the Violet Morpher ready. I was going to do it today but the morphers were stolen overnight."

"Not good and Kistra is enroute with Linoka. They could arrive anytime between now and a week from now. Did either you or Christine notice anything?" Professor Damon asked.

"My back was turned when I thought I felt an injector at my neck. Christine is still asleep so I don’t know if she saw anything. What about the Sensor Log?"

"Lets take a look," the professor said as he checked the log. About 1130 the log showed Tyra and Christine still working away. Then it showed the weekly reboot of the sensors starting. When the reboot ended at 1145 it showed Tyra and Christine already asleep.

"Talk about excellent timing. The thief struck during the time that the sensors were rebooting and as a result offline. Almost has the workings of an inside job Professor. After all only people directly connected with Rangertech would know when the reboot took place," Tyra said as a very sleepy Christine walked in.

"God what hit me last night?" Christine asked.

"We don’t know it was well timed," Tyra said. "Someone stole Kistra’s morpher. The Crystal hasn’t been installed yet."

"NG to the max we better scramble Candi and the others. Luckily I finished the crystal enhancers yesterday. The new zord enhancements ready yet?" Christine asked.

"Janet was going to work on those from her house," Tyra said. "She generally does those anyway."

Meanwhile Nightshade and Tara were in Myrra’s Cave next to the Infamous Deathzord was another plane of similar Style but of a real Dark Gray with a few scarlet highlights.

"Behold Our Primary Weapons. Myrra the Deathzord and Catherine the Warzord," Nightshade said.

"SO which of these will I get to use to destroy the rangers?" Tara asked her demeanor hidden by her helmet.

"Catherine is yours," Nightshade said. "Time to get to work."

"Well Then what are we waiting for?" Tara asked. "Let’s fly."

They took off right then and headed for Settlement 9.

Meanwhile the other rangers were discussing the problem while Janet uploaded a program to the computer system. By this time the crystal enhancers were already distributed. The Alarm went off two minutes later.

"This is not good. Myrra the infamous Deathzord is back. It figures that Myrra would return when Cleopatra isn’t around," Professor Damon said.

"Who is with her?" Tyra asked.

"It looks like the Warzord Catherine. Both of them are bad news," Professor Damon said.

"We better use the zords then," Kelly said.

"Which means I’m out of this battle," Kim said.

"How should we call upon our enhanced armor?" Janet asked.

"Exomorph. Our enhanced morph does resemble an exosuit after all," Candi said.

"Sounds good," Kelly said. "Demona Ranger Exomorph Red." Kelly’s Eclipsed Armor then appeared shortly before her red exosuit appeared. (The exosuits are the same for each ranger except for color).

"Yellow."

"Purple."

"Green."

"Brown."

"Orange."

"Thankfully I just uploaded the enhancements for the zords," Janet said.

The Rangers were soon in their Zords. Fran flew off with Candi on her wing while Janet held back so as to provide air cover for Kelly, Jake, and Sam.

"Greetings Rangers. Meet my new ally the Scarlet Ranger," Nightshade sneered over the comm system.

"This will prove interesting. Here we are fighting another ranger," Fran said.

Soon as Jake was in range he started firing on Myrra and Catherine. Both evil zords managed to dodge his blasts. Sam of course kept them busy in the hopes that they couldn’t fire on both of them at once especially with Fran and Candi doing a ton of Air Combat Maneuvering.

"Janet, looks like the new enhancements are working. We’re really handing them a defeat," Kelly said as she fired a few shots from the Commandzord’s weapons.

"I agree," Janet said as Catherine fired a shot at the Chopzord. "Time to port," Janet said as her zord was starting to break up.

Janet arrived back at the bunker just as the last bit of debris landed on the ground.

"That was close," Janet said as she saw a blast head for the Airzord. Just as it was reaching the zord she saw Candi land next to her.

"Those two are tough," Candi said.

Fran thankfully managed to slip around and take a parting shot at Catherine that shattered a tail fin. Myrra and Catherine then retreated. The other rangers then returned to the Bunker.

"Well I guess we can forget about using the Megazord next battle," Kelly said. "Notice how everytime we get the slightest edge something happens."

"Our Exosuits should still be useful for battles against Xenonites. We just have to make sure that if we go up against monsters that we defeat them before they grow," Kim said.

"Agreed," Tyra said.

Meanwhile a small two seated craft was coming into orbit of a mystical Green Planet. The pilot then landed on the planet in a special spot. Dulcea was ready and started to attack the two people from the ship then double teamed her. One of them had Reddish Blond Hair and she turned to her Black Haired companion.

"Looks like teamwork works again Lynn," the reddish blond haired pilot said.

"You bet Kistra," her dark haired companion named Linoka said.

"What brings you two here?" Dulcea asked.

"We are enroute to Capsilon IX to join the War and our well my orders said to detour here for special assistance while enroute," Kistra said.

"Come with me then," Dulcea said as she prepared for the ceremony

Kistra and Linoka went into the trance as Dulcea did her things with the fire and the powders and dusts. After a few minutes they came out of the Trance.

"Kistra, mighty and Powerful you are the Fearsome Osprey. Linoka, graceful and strong you are the gull," Dulcea said.

They then returned to the ship and took off Kistra still handling the controls.

"Personally sis I’m surprised this old Rust Bucket got us between Mirinoi and Phaedos. Where did the inhabitants ever find this piece of junk?" Linoka asked.

"Lynn, stop dissing our ride at least until we reach Capsilon IX," Kistra said.

This next part started out while Roxanne and the Minosian Cadets were close to leaving the Megaplex.

"Sereia, Michelle, we’ve got trouble," Katina said.

"Kat, I thought you went to the movies with the others," Michelle said.

"I chickened out," Katina said.

"I should say so," Sereia said. "All Rangers and other support personnel, report to briefing."

"Fairly soon, Michelle, Sereia, Aphrealle, Vanessa, Amelia, Marsha, Tyrone, Greg who was spotted as he was getting ready to slip a whoopee cushion on Setea’s chair, Katina, Bobby, Mitsu, Sarah, and Rayno sat down around the table.

"Morgana is getting very annoying. She sent legions of Wraiths and Damox to a few sites around Reagle Valley. It looks like one group of Wraiths are disguised inside the Reagle Valley Megaplex as movie goers," Katina said. "Thankfully the Minosian Cadets along with the White Ranger Roxanne are in that area. There are a few other spots to tackle though."

"Vanessa, when Roxie and the Minosian Cadets are clear of the Megaplex if they get attacked I want you to take Robin Hood with Freedom in non AI mode and on remote. Bobby, you Mitsu, and Sara take the waterfront, Amelia, take Greg, and your mother cover the main spaceport for the city. Marsha, you Tyrone and I will cover the embassies," Michelle said.

"Rayno, you, Setea, Katina and I will cover the Palace. You can bet Morgana will try to take our base given a chance," Sereia said.

"Sereia, before everyone leaves have somebody recall Andrea and Plastica from Diatles. We will probably need everyone we can get," Michelle said. "Ranger Power Eclipsed."

"Red Zordonian Power" A Red Light Covered Michelle before forming into a Red Cybernetic Armor which was Forty Percent Stronger then the basic armor and was also shinier. Her Helmet Resembled a Raven. There wasn’t a Color Difference in her gloves and boots.

"Pink Zordonian Power" Amelia was bathed in Pink light before it formed her cybernetically enhanced armor. Like Michelle her gloves and boots had stayed the same color as her basic morph. Her helmet though resembled a Jaguar.

"Blue Zordonian Power" The Blue Light flowed over Bobby and when it went off His Helmet resembled an Owl and everything else was the same except for the basic color.

"Green Zordonian Power" Greg held back the shock as the Green Light encompassed him. HE was pleased when the Hyena appeared on his helmet and was glad he still had his silver gloves and boots.

"Yellow Zordonian Power" Marsha felt the Yellow Light bath her in glory as her Rattlesnake helmet appeared and then her Yellow cybernetic armor flowed down ending with her silver boots.

"Purple Zordonian Power" Vanessa relaxed as she was bathed in Purple Light. The Horse appearing on her helmet and her purple cybernetically enhanced armor flowing down to turn into purple boots and her gloves white.

"Orange Zordonian Power" Mitsu held on as Orange Light bathed her as it formed her cybernetically enhanced armor and her helmet took on the appearance of a cheetah.

"Platinum Zordonian Power" Sarah had a slight smile as she was bathed in a Grayish White Light. Her helmet taking on the look of a fox. The cybernetic enhancements even helped her be ready for action.

"Mahogany Zordonian Power" The Warrior peered into space as a Mahogany Light surrounded him. His Armor looked like Normal Ranger armor right down to Condor appearance of his helmet. His gloves and boots had a whitish look.

Right after that the Sereia, Rayno, Setea, and Geraldina transformed into the Pink, Red, Plum, and Brown Guardians respectively. Katina since she was too weak to transform stayed behind. Her first move was to send the message to Diatles. She then went into the Healing Chamber and checked on the Guardians, her final move was to visit a somewhat dark and unadorned room with the exception of a single crystal within which was a young looking girl.

"Naru, we are lucky and have assistance only I doubt it will be enough. Man I wish I could transform we need everyone we can get," Katara said.

The individual battles ended quickly only they were mere distractions as Morgana was preparing to send out her toughest Monster. This one was pure monster. Every piece of Artillery was out there. Even their newest weapons the Spectral Viper and the Spectral Enforcer. After lightly burning the left leg of the Zordonian Megazord the Monster prepped to see about cause damage to the Spectral Viper.

"There is no way I’m letting this creep damage more zords," Bobby said as he caused the Zordonian Megazord to undergo the Tidal Wave Overdrive attack. It managed to put out the flame that was about to attack the Spectral Viper.

"No fair," the monster said.

"Hey we can’t risk Damage to all our zords," Bobby growled.

"IF anything we need the Titan Megazord," Sarah said as she looked over the scene.

"Yeah but without Andrea we can’t form the Titan Megazord," Roxanne said as Freedom and Robin Hood were forming into Paladin. At that moment down about twelve feet off the ground a portal opened and a small hover car came flying through almost slamming into the Spectral Enforcer.

"Whoa, Debbie either you are the worst driver in the Universe, or my ring needs some tuning but I think we are as close to the battlefield as we can get," the only male occupant of the car said.

"Must be your ring because I’m an extremely safe driver," Debbie said.

"Electra, Maximum Burn," the final occupant in a Greenish Blue Ranger Uniform said.

The Sleek F-8 soon arrived on the Scene.

"Sarah, looks like Electra is arriving," Isis said as she looked over the Scene.

"So," Sarah said.

"Electra is the Teal Ranger’s zord. The Teal Ranger must have been in that small craft that almost collided with Aphrealle’s battle wagon," Isis pointed out.

"Hey gang, listen I was lucky and your call came right after I got done with a funeral so I’m not fully ready for battle," Andrea explained as the hover car got out to the Battle site as fast as Debbie who was a crazier driver then she gave herself credit for could make it. Plastica took the low road with the Senshi while Electra Once Again went to Battle Warrior Mode.

"We need Titan, Spectral Enforcer Megazord Now," Sarah, Roxanne, Mitsu, Andrea, Vanessa, and Aphrealle who was at the Controls of the Spectral Enforcer Called out. The Five Rangers then formed their Zords into the Titan Megazord where it quickly merged with the Spectral Enforcer. Hercules went to Battle Warrior Mode and the Zordonian Megazord did its best to merge with the Spectral Viper. Plastica down below got a little nostalgic and sent out an old call.

"I hereby call for the Armatron and Super Sized Battle Armor," Plastica called out.

Down within the hold of Airtron a familiar sleek craft took off and headed for the Battle field There IT changed into a Tall zordlike Robot that was Dark in Color although in a Way it almost resembled a large version of a protocol droid from Star Wars.

"Let’s extinguish this pile of Flame," Plastica said. "What we need is a Giant Fire Extinguisher."

"I think I can deliver," Bobby said. "I’ll need you and Hercules though to hold his Arms while the Titan Spectral Enforcer Megazord keeps him from going backward."

"Not a problem Bobbo," Tyrone said.

"I think I can handle this move," Plastica said.

They quickly went into battle Bobby put every bit of Power he could from the Combined Megazord to Form a Huge Tidal Wave which weakened the monster enough that the Zordonian Spectral Viper Megazord was able to send him packing back where the sun don’t shine. The Gang then returned to the Crystal Palace.

"Man you sure know how to make an entrance," Setea said.

"If Debbie wasn’t such a crazy driver we might have been able to keep a lower profile," Robert stated.

"The accelerator was stuck. It wasn’t meant to fly through one of your stupid portals," Debbie said.

"AS you know they wouldn’t book us a flight on a shuttle here so we had to do something. Besides Debbie you didn’t have to come along," Andrea said.

"I know but somehow I thought maybe Fucilla was wrong and I could make a difference," Debbie said.

"Wrong about what?" Michelle asked especially since she had no idea who Debbie was.

"Your Space Case buddy and his cronies picked up some signs that I might be a natural conduit for Powereon Abilities. Well further tests show that I’m not a natural conduit. The tests were thrown off by a factor," Debbie said.

"What factor is that Debbie?" Aphrealle asked.

"It isn’t Debbie actually that is the conduit. The actual conduit is her unborn child. I have a feeling that her child could be similar to Megan Collins," Robert said.

"Sue’s cousin the Leader of the Brakenien Wind Guardian," Andrew said.

"The very same. Only difference is this child will be born with Powereon Abilities. I already sent the necessary notifications to Fucilla along with Powermatic," Robert said.

"What are you talking about?" Rei asked.

"Megan Collins is human born on Capsilon IX only she was born with powers native to Brakenous Four. Sue refers to Sue Collington the First Red Demona Ranger Megan’s Cousin. Sue more then Megan but both girls could be looked at as being my grandchildren. I remember the first time I saw either girl it was on Terra Venture after my ring brought them along with the other seven original Demona Rangers. My daughter Stephanie and I needed all the help we could get," Robert said.

"What connection is there between you and Sue and Megan?" Vanessa asked.

"My adopted daughter Stephanie is Sue’s mother. Megan’s mother is Stephanie’s twin sister Wang Chung. Only we didn’t know Stephanie and Wang Chung were sisters at first because they were separated at birth," Robert Explained.

Robert spent a couple hours explaining his life story.

To be Continued.