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Disclaimer: Power Rangers and all its related logos are property of Disney Entertainment and/or Saban Entertainment and are being used with I am using them without permission on a non-profit basis. Any original characters belong to me.

A/N: This fic takes approximately thirty-five years after the end of PR: Dino Thunder or around fifteen years after the end of Power Rangers: SPD. Familiarity with both series is recommended but not essential.

The Shadow City was not a place to be visited lightly. Existing in perpetual darkness, its streets patrolled by hundreds of the Emperor's vampiric Batei Brigade, it was an object of fear throughout the Caligum Imperium. But there were a select few entities within the confines of the city that were feared by even the hardest denizen of the city itself and each could be found within the halls of the Black Tower - the seat of the Emperor's power and the barracks for his elite circle of Avatars.

If to live in the city was bad, to be summoned to the Black Tower was the stuff of nightmares, but this paled in comparison to the stuff of the populace's worst nightmares - an 'invitation' to visit the Inner Sanctum and attend the Emperor himself. A powerful dark sorcerer prone to terrible rages, an audience with him typically resulted in a slow and painful death. If you were lucky.

Fortunately, however, audiences were a rare event, as he tended to leave most of the day-to-day running of his empire and its expansion to his small group of generals led by his heir, the Lord Bossu. However, this did also mean that his rage was concentrated more keenly on those whom he did allow in his presence when things went wrong, which though they rarely did, tended to do so spectacularly when they did - a fact that was playing through Bossu's mind as he made his latest report.

"Let me see if I understand you correctly?" said the Emperor, his skull-like visage glowing with inky-black energy. "I gave you four of my best warriors and an entire Brigade of Bateis and yet not only is your task not complete... it approaches abject failure! You will explain this. Immediately. Or I will be in need of a new heir. Understood?"

"Yes, my lord," said Bossu. "It would appear that our seers did not fully report the nature of Earth's defense..."

"I see," replied the Emperor. "In what way was their information incomplete? They made it quite clear that there were small squads of champions in various locations but they would be helpless against our magicks."

"That is in fact the nature of the oversight, my lord," said Bossu. "Although the 'Power Rangers' who answer to the government of �Earth� are no match for us, and are indeed crippled by even the most basic of attacks, there is a rogue element that appears to tap a source of power more attuned to our own. This has allowed them some success in resisting us."

"So it is these �Rangers� that have thwarted you so far?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Defeat by a worthy enemy is an honorable one," conceded the Emperor. "I shall give you another chance. You may select a small number of replacements for my fallen Avatars and another Brigade will be placed at your disposal."

"Thank you, my lord."

"However, if these are not enough, I may consider handing the assignment to another of my circle. Such a decision would have... unfortunate, consequences for you."

"I understand perfectly, my lord. I shall not fail you."

"See that you do not," said the Emperor. "Now depart!"

"Yes, my lord," said Bossu, and then with a short bow, he disappeared in a nimbus of black energy.

***

"Where are they?" asked Kendrix asked as Jay as they walked along a derelict city street dressed in their ninja suits with the hoods pulled back. The other three Rangers were in another part of the city also searching for their hidden enemies.

"I don't know," her raven-haired friend admitted. "Let's keep searching. We'll find them." Just as he finished speaking, his keen ears picked up their foes' distinctive gibbering. "Here they come!" he warned.

Seconds later, the first group of foot soldiers appeared from a balcony overhead and dropped down.

Jay eyed them warily. These weren't their usual sparring partners. Although they had the usual gray skin, instead of the wings and contorted human features, they had an inhuman face with black, featureless eyes and a silver armored vest with a 'Z' etched on the front.

They were the Putties - the foot soldiers of Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. And there were over a dozen of them.

"There's a lot of them," said Kendrix.

"We can take them!" declared Jay. "Thunder Gem Power!"

At once, the headcloths of the two teens' costumes snapped back into place around their heads and the costumes glowed slightly.

Immediately, the first few Putties attacked. Jay ducked a punch from one and then spotting an opening, elbowed it in the chest causing it to shatter. Seconds later, he glanced to the side just in time to block a kick from a second Putty and flip it on to its back. However, before he could finish it off two more Putties grabbed him from behind.

When the Putties reached Kendrix, she pirouetted on one foot and snap-kicked one of them in the chest shattering it, then quickly righting herself she cartwheeled sideways to avoid a second, punching it hard in the chest as it swung around to face her.

"These guys aren't so tough!" she commented.

"You think so?" Jay asked, struggling with two Putties who were trying to pin his arms from behind.

"Yeah, I do," said Kendrix, as she blocked a punch from a Putty Patroller, then flipped it over onto its back and finished it off with a quick punch to the chest.

Following his partner's example, Jay dropped into a crouch, pulling his captors off balance, then he brought his arms together forcing them to head-butt each other. This forced them to release him and stagger backwards. Immediately, Jay leapt into the air and dispatched both with a devastating scissor-kick to their chests.

"You're right, Ken!" he concluded. "Piece of cake."

At that moment, another dozen Putties joined those remaining from the initial attack, swelling their numbers to slightly under twenty.

�Ready for Round Two?� asked Jay.

�You betcha,� confirmed Kendrix, dropping into a fighting stance again.

Six more Putties ran towards them and soon they were too caught up in fighting to talk.

***

When the last Putty shattered, the scenery began to change, reverting a large gray room with projectors set into the walls. The other three Rangers, who had been hidden by the �buildings� in the simulation, reappeared too. All three � Will in particular � showed similar wear and tear to Jay and Kendrix.

�Simudeck Training Program 'Putty Peril' complete,� intoned the computer.

�Thanks HIMO,� said Jay. �Deactivate the Simudeck and open the doors.�

�Acknowledged.�

The five teens filed out of the Simudeck, they kept their ninja suits on, but pushed back the hoods again.

A couple of minutes later, they arrived in the Hub�s central control room, where Sammy appeared to be about to start some major work.

Sammy looked up at them as they came in. �Have you finished your training session?� Jay nodded. �Do any of you have any time to help me? I�ve got sensitive upgrades to do to the computers and some the other systems and I�d like to get them done as soon as possible.�

Trini immediately agreed to help. Jay said he could help, but not until the afternoon as he had an appointment with one of the tutors at Reefside Tech to discuss his course options, and Kendrix said had some summer work that she needed to get back to. Tony and Will also had other plans, though they declined to go into them.

Sammy and Trini got back to work, while Alpha teleported Jay and the others back to Reefside. Once back in Reefside, the four teens split up, but not before agreeing to meet back at Cyberspace a few hours later.

***

The four met outside Cyberspace at about two o�clock. They were just about to head inside when they spotted a flash of light from the direction of the shoreline and an ominous wind began to blow. �Here we go again,� said Jay, leading the other three into a secluded corner. He raised his commlink to his mouth and activated it, �Sammy, do you read?� There was no response, only static. He paused, frowned, then tried again. �Sammy, Alpha, Trini... do you read?�

�I�ll try mine,� suggested Kendrix. �Sam, Alpha, Trini, please respond.�

Again there was no answer.

Jay�s frown had deepened considerably by this point. �Something�s wrong.� He slipped off his backpack and removed the small, but powerful, pocket computer his �uncle� Ethan James had given him for a graduation present a few weeks earlier. �I want to check something.� He pressed his thumb to the screen to activate it, and then hit several keys to open a browser, next he typed in a series of numbers and waited for a moment. �This looks bad, from what I can tell, all voice and data links to the Hub are down, and probably HIMO too.�

�What could have happened?� asked Kendrix. �Do you think they�re okay?�

�I hope so, it�s possible they�ve had to shut down the computers and communications as part of the upgrades,� Jay replied. �But I doubt it, Sammy would have told us if she expected to be out of contact.�

Kendrix nodded. �What should we do?�

�I think I can hack into the invisiportal network from here and reactivate the most recently used portal,� Jay told her, and started to do just that. �There�s an emergency back-door to that particular sub-processor.�

�What should we do?�

�Check out this storm, it still doesn�t feel right,� Jay replied. �I�d say it�s coming from Jackson�s Cove. Would you agree, Will?�

�I would.�

�Even if I can hack into �portal control, I won�t be able to be do a site-to-site,� Jay admitted. �So I suggest you get going. I�ll catch up as soon as I can.�

�You got it,� said Kendrix, and led the way towards their cars at a run.

A moment later, Jay�s efforts succeeded and an invisiportal opened up right in front of him and he was immediately pulled into it.

***

A fierce nausea gripped Jay as he came out of the invisiportal to a pitch-black Hub Control Center. He fought it back then released a quick burst of flame long enough to locate the Control Center's emergency locker. Another burst of flame allowed him to see long enough to get it open and pull out a flashlight. From the glow of the flashlight, Jay was spotted Trini lying near one of the nearby power nodes, which appeared to have ruptured. Jay rushed over and examined her, he was relieved to see that she had avoided most of the blast and had only minor injuries. A quick pass over her exposed skin with the dermal regenerator from the first aid kit healed her burns and she regained consciousness a moment later.

�Are you all right?� Jay asked as he helped her to her feet. �I couldn't see much, just some small burns. Do you hurt anywhere else?�

Trini paused for a moment. �I have a headache, but I do not believe i have suffered either compression or concussion.�

�You'll need checked over later,� Jay reminded her. Trini nodded in agreement. �What happened here anyway?� �Where are Sammy and Alpha?�

�The new sensor grid was more of a drain than we expected,� Trini explained. �Several of the power distribution nodes overloaded.�

A loud metallic groaning sound echoed through the walls.

�That doesn't sound good,� commented Jay. �Do you know if the emergency back-ups were affected?�

�No, however the fact that they are not on-line suggests it is a possibility.� Trini reminded him. �Alpha is down in Engineering now, Sam was installing the sensors.�

�I'll check Engineering,� Jay said, handing Trini another flash-light from the locker. �Can you check on Sammy, then find out what that sound is?�

�Of course,� said Trini, then after forcing the main door, they separated each heading a different way through the maze of dark corridors.

***

It didn't take long for Jay and Trini to locate the other two, and within ten minutes they were gathered around the main console in the control room.

�Well. I've got good news and bad news,� Sammy announced.

�What's the good news?� asked Jay.

�We're still here. And more or less intact.�

�That's it?� exclaimed Jay.

�Yep,� Sammy confirmed. �The power surge from the faulty sensor array knocked out the power grid and most of the primary systems - including HIMO and the shields. Without the shields, the temporal winds of the Vortex are tearing us apart.�

�Can we get them back on-line?� Jay asked.

�No, we'd need main power and HIMO.� Sammy replied. �The Mega Accelerator's Hellarium Crystal was shattered. Without that the Accelerator can't process the transmorphic energy needed to generate power. As for HIMO, his memory core's intact, but both the internal and external buses are badly damaged.�

�Can we repair them?�

�Not in the time we've got, and even if we could, HIMO needs the Mega Accelerator for power, and we haven't got a replacement crystal.�

�How long do we have?�

�Hard to be sure with most of the sensors off-line and limited computing power, but definitely less than an hour.�

�Options?�

�I believe we can get the invisiportals back on-line briefly,� Trini suggested. �However, that would mean losing the Zords.�

�Not an option,� said Jay. �Any other ideas?�

�There is one possibility,� said Sammy. �But it would still be extremely risky.�

�What is it?�

�The Hub possesses a temporal displacement engine. At the moment, it is used only to facilitate invisiportal connections between the Vortex and normal space. However, there is an emergency protocol that allows the system to be reconfigured to allow the Hub itself to enter normal space.�

�Risks?�

�The trip would cause severe stress on the already weakened hull, and I'm not sure whether the computer and power systems we've got will be enough. If either fails mid-flight we would be destroyed.�

�But there's a chance it could work?�

Sammy nodded.

�Then I think we should do it,� said Jay. �Unless either of you of you have a better idea?� he asked, looking at Trini and Alpha.

Trini shook her head, Alpha remained silent.

�Then let's do it.�

�Alpha,� said Sammy. �Prepare for protocol Karshtakavaar Theta Sigma.�

�Ai, ai, ai...� Alpha complained, as he waddled towards one of the computer banks. �We're doomed...�

The three humans ignored the robot and Jay and Trini moved other stations on the opposite side of the room.

�Ready?� asked Sammy after a moment.

�Ready,� confirmed Alpha. Jay and Trini nodded.

�Jay, re-route power from the Simudeck generators and the emergency reserve to the flux capacitor.�

�Re-routing power from the generators and emergency reserves to the flux capacitor,� confirmed Jay, as he input the instructions. � Re-routing power... now!�

�Alpha, status?�

�Ai ai ai... Flux capacitor is at 17 KAs and rising.�

�We need at least 77 KAs before we can break out of the Vortex.�

�26 KAs.�

�Trini?�

�Structural integrity is holding.�

�35 KAs.�

�Flux capacitor is at 43 KAs...� reported Alpha. �52 KAs.�

The creaking increased pitch to almost a howl. �Structural integrity is approaching red-line,� reported Trini. �Tying in emergency back-up.�

�Jay, increase generator output to 110 percent.�

�Is that safe?�

�Possibly not, but we need more power.�

�Increasingly output...�

�60 KAs.�

�Sam, the hull won't take much more this!� Trini added.

�I know that!� barked Sammy.�Jay, increase to 120 percent.�

�Increasing to 120 percent...�

�70 KAs.�

�I'm bringing the time rotor on-line.� reported Sammy. She tapped a few keys on her console and a transparent cylinder filled with electronics rose out of the top of the central console. �Calibrating entry vectors... checking dimensional stabilizers... All travel systems are nominal.�

�Flux capacitor is at 78 KAs, Samantha.� reported Alpha.

�Let's get out of here!� shouted Sammy. �Hang on to something, this could get rough!� The four scrambled to brace themselves as best they could. �Beginning dimensional jump... now!�

***

When Jay regained consciousness, he was pleased to see that other than a couple of burnt out monitors and a partly buckled support beam that still seemed to be holding up the ceiling, the control center didn't had have any additional damage. After inventorying his various aches and pains he decided that he didn't have anything worse than a nasty bruise or three. He reached for the edge of the Engineering console and pulled himself up, then looked around. Trini was already back on her feet and working at Operations and Safety console. Sammy got up a moment later and began checking the main control board. Jay went to look for Alpha and found him wedged into one of the storage cupboards, which have buckled under his weight. Once he was back on his feet, Alpha joined Sammy at the main console.

�Did we make it?� asked Jay.

�Yes, we did.� Sammy confirmed. �We've landed on Power Mountain, where Zordon and Dimitria's Command Center used to be. I've managed to get the Chameleon Circuit on-line so we're safe. Unfortunately, several systems including communications, sensors and invisiportal control are off-line.�

�The power cells are almost exhausted,� Jay reported after scanning several of the readouts on the Engineering monitors. �But I think we can get some systems back by re-routing life support. Now we're back in normal space we shouldn't need it.�

�Structural Integrity is in pretty much the same situation,� added Trini. �I've got the emergency back-up on-line at minimum power though, so I think we should be okay until we can make repairs.�

�I've got some of the sensors are back up,� said Sammy. �The other Rangers are engaged in a pitched battle with an Avatar and a platoon of Batei Brigaders. They need help.�

�Can you 'port us there?�

�No, after that jump I need to re-calibrate the network protocols. We don't have the time or power to spare.�

�So how do we get there?� asked Jay, leaving no doubt that he expected there to be a way, and a fast one.

�Construction of your Hovercraft Cycles was completed last night,� Alpha told him. �However, they haven't been tested yet.�

�No time like the present!� said Jay, running towards the door into the main corridor. �Let's go, Trini.�

�Right behind you!� replied the red-head.

�Ai ai ai!�

�Enough, Alpha,� said Sammy. �Help me with the calibrations. The Rangers may need the portals soon.�

�Right away, Samantha.�

***

�Quick, down this way!� yelled Tony, indicating a small thicket just over the headland. The two Rangers followed the Blue Ranger into the trees and crouch down to hide. All three had been forced to demorph into their ninja-suits which were after badly torn after thirty minutes of heavy fighting. �Are you two okay?� he asked in a low whisper.

�I'm no worse,� Kendrix replied in the same tone. �But I've been better.�

�Me too,� added Will.

�I'm worried about Jay,� said Kendrix. �It's not like him to be out of touch this long in a battle situation.�

�I know,� said Tony. �But we can't give up.�

�Agreed.� Kendrix said, then rose to her feet. �Ready?�

The two boys nodded, and followed her lead as they crept out of the trees, treading as stealthily as possible. But as soon they got onto open ground, a blurred form shot past them, knocking all three back with a crackle of electricity. Once they were down again, the blur slowed and reformed into Ichyn, the Avatar of Wind and Lightning. Seconds later, over a dozen Bateis materialized at his flanks. Kendrix began to draw in a deep breath for a scream, but she knew it was hopeless.

�There's nowhere to hide Rangers! Prepare to die!� crowed Ichyn as his hands began to glow again.

Then the first notes of her scream were drowned by the roar of two engines and a familiar voice. �Not if I can help it!�

A flood of emotion nearly overwhelmed Kendrix. �Jay!�

Jay and Trini, both riding what appeared to be some form of inverted gyrocopter in their signature colors appeared over the trees and streaked in the monsters direction.

�Go get him, bro!� exclaimed Tony.

�You bet!� said Jay. �Lasers fire!�

Ichyn blurred out again, but the speed, maneuverability and combined field of fire provided by the two Hovercraft Cycles eventually overwhelmed him and he flew backwards and lay still. Jay and Trini landed the Cycles in bike mode and finished off the Bateis then rode up to the three teens. �Are you three all right?� Jay asked, dismounting from his Cycle and demorphing into his mask-less ninja suit.

Before either Tony or Will could say anything, Kendrix threw herself onto him, hugged him, and gave him a long, hard, lingering kiss. After a moment or two, she broke away and blushed. �I was worried about you,� she said.

�Me too.�

�You should worry about ME!� said a voice from behind him.

�I think it's time to finish him,� said Jay, looking at Kendrix. �Don't you?�

�I do.�

�Dino Thunder, Power Up!� declared Jay.

�Drage!�

�Enhorn!�

�Griff!�

�Harka!�

�Fenix!�

�Power Rangers Dino Thunder!�

�Big deal!� sneered Ichyn. �The five of you won't do any better than three of you did!� Then he fired several bolts of lightning at the Rangers, which they dodged.

�Don't bet on it!� said Jay, then brought his Blaster up to waist height and fired two blasts, which knocked the Avatar to his knees. Then Jay summoned the Drage Shield and turned to face the others. "Bring them together, Rangers!"

�Right!� confirmed the other four teens, and drew their weapons.

The lower half of the Lance merged with the shaft of the Axe, then the Shield locked down on top of that and the upper half of the Lance flipped over the Shield so that the blade was pointing forward. Then the Talons split off and attached to the underside of the Shield, blades again facing forwards. Finally, the Whip - lash retracted - locked onto the top of the Shield forming the Striker's 'sight'. "T-Max Striker!"

"Ready!" said Trini.

"Fire!" ordered Jay.

Five streams of varicolored energy burst from the Striker, and burst towards the monster, hitting him square in the chest. He fell backwards, steaming heavily, but before either he or the Rangers could react, a wave of dark energy erupted from the portal, and Metatsu began to grow, within seconds he towered giant-like over the Rangers.

�Sammy, we need the Zords!� said Jay.

�We're not ready,� said Sammy. �You'll need to hold him off a minute or two.�

�How are we supposed to do that!� said Jay, then their conversation was cut off by a massive lightning strike from Ichyn. �Never mind. I've got an idea.� Then he ran for his Cycle. Trini, guessing what he had in mind, followed. �But make it quick!�

�Hovercraft Cycle, Hover Mode!� he cried as he leapt onto the vehicle. It immediately switched into its flying mode and took off. Trini's Cycle followed a moment later.

�What do you think you're doing!� demanded Ichyn as the two Rangers opened fire on him, bobbing and weaving as they did so.

�The best we can!� replied Jay. �Lasers fire!�

�Well, it won't be enough!� declared Ichyn, returning fire, but missing. Eventually, after about ninety seconds of strikes and counterstrikes, he tired of the 'game' and began to spin on his heels, unleashing a powerful whirlwind that knocked both Cycles to the ground.

�Are you all right, Jay?� Kendrix asked as she helped him out of the wreckage of the Cycle.

He nodded. �Sammy, we're out of options.�

�Just a few more seconds...�

Ichyn generated two massive lightning bolts and threw them at the Rangers. Fortunately, they missed, but they were still blown of their feet, and their suits were each scorched in places.

�Sammy, we can't take another hit like that!� yelled Jay into his Morpher.

�You won't have to,� Samantha replied. �Skids is on his way. And he's got a new Zord on board. I think you're going to need it.�

�Thanks.�

Seconds later, a massive invisiportal opened up near them, and Skidbladnir slid out of it. When the Zord came to rest, its front split down the middle and opened, exposing the inside of the vessel. A ramp extended out from the base of the ship and Enhornzord and Harkazord charged down it. Seconds later, Dragezord, Griffzord and Fenixzord took off and finally, two ramps � one from either side of the ship - descended and a single Zord ran down to join the charge, Oinazord from the left, and the new Zord from the right. As the seven Zords passed the Rangers, the five teens leapt up into their Zords' cockpits.

�Let's do it, Rangers!� said Jay.

�Right!�

�Thunderstrike Megazord Formation!� ordered Jay.

�Hjortizord, online!� Will added.

The new Zord, a deer, reared back on its hind legs. The flanks separated from the sides of the Zord, allowing the torso to contract and combine the front and rear legs into a single pair of thicker legs, then the neck collapsed down, bringing the Zords head into line with the top of the two legs, forming the waist. Next, the flanks rotated and locked onto the base of the legs forming the feet. Then the combined Dragezord-Oinazord-Enhornzord gestalt flew towards Hjortizord, locking on in much the same manner as with the Harkazord. Finally, the Fenixzord and Griffzord locked on, forming the head and wings respectively.

�Thunderstrike Megazord Battle Striker, online!� declared the quintet.

The Megazord was immediately rocked by two direct hits from Ichyn. The Rangers hung onto their consoles as the Zord lurched precariously for a moment, before righting itself.

�Return fire!� ordered Jay. �Drage First Burst!�A wide jet of flame burst from the Megazord�s chest, spiraling slightly as it surged towards the monster. Unfortunately, Ichyn dodged the blast and raced towards the Megazord, striking it several times in quick succession. The Megazord staggered, then dropped to its knees.

�Well, that went well!� observed Will as sparks flew around the Rangers.

�Main energizer is off-line!� reported Trini. �Switching to back-ups.�

�Jay, try and hit him with your new attack when he comes in close. That should knock him off balance.�

�Understood,� Jay replied, and after a moment or two of struggling he brought the Megazord onto its feet. Ichyn had retreated for a moment, but then he came in close for another attack. This time, Jay was ready for him, and caught him in the knee with a low kick from its glowing left foot. The monster howled and staggered backwards.

�Fury Strike!� ordered Jay.

The 'mouth' in the center of the Megazord's chest opened again, this time releasing a white-hot ball of flame. The Megazord launched itself into the air and struck the the fireball with its glowing right foot. This sent the fireball speeding towards Ichyn. The monster tried to get out of the way but he couldn't and the fireball hit him in the chest. Massive electrical sparks shot from the monster as it fell to the ground and exploded.

***

A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to update the fic, but I've been snowed under at work and it's only going to get worse from here on in. The Hammond Industries Mark One (HIMO) is a tribute to the Knight Industries Two Thousand from Glen Larson's Knight Rider (1982), several components of the Hub's time travel system and the Vortex itself are borrowed from Russell T Davies' Doctor Who (2005) and Robert Zemeckis' Back to the Future (1985). On another note, if anyone would be willing to help me with some information about US undergraduate schools I would appreciate it if you could e-mail me.

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