Episode #25 – “The Wrath of Nightshade” part 2
Written by: Tigerzilla
Act 1
Scene 1
Flashback. Hexuba is seen hovering before her enchanted crystal ball in her misty lair. Her fingers pass cryptically over the glass sphere as she meditates on her spells. All of a sudden, there is the sound of matter being displaced before her eyes, and in a flash of smoke, a second figure enters the scene. It is Noriko, in her guise as Impostra.
Impostra limps toward Hexuba, holding her chest, appearing to be wounded.
Impostra reaches out her hand: “Mother, help me … I … I need you …”
Hexuba speaks out in a harsh tone: “You! What in Hades are you doing here? I told you never to cross paths with me again!”
Impostra stumbles, falling to her hands and knees “Forgive me, Mother … I have failed you … disgraced our family name…”
Hexuba sighs: “Oh, blast it all…”
Hexuba casts out her hand, and Impostra finds herself levitated, although her limbs remain limp, head down. She is brought closer toward Hexuba until they are face-to-face.
Hexuba: “Now talk sense, you stuttering idiot. What do you mean you failed?”
Impostra, her voice raspy and weak: “Joined…Scorpius’ army … and helped Treacheron to … to find the Lights … of Orion…”
Hexuba seems to blink: “The Lights of Orion? One of the greatest sources of power in the entire universe? Where are they? Tell me now!”
Impostra: “Lost them … I tried to steal them from Treacheron’s monster, but … but …”
Hexuba mentally shakes her: “What? Tell me what happened! Where are the Lights?!”
Impostra slumps over, falling unconscious.
Scene 2
Flashback. Some time later. Noriko, her armor and mask having been removed, is laying down on a bizarre sort of bed, recuperating from her injuries.
Hexuba watches from nearby: “To think that she came so close to securing the greatest treasure in the known universe. How could she allow them to slip through her hands?”
Hexuba lowers her head, and it would appear that she is smiling: “No matter. Mother always knows best. If you disgrace one identity, you’ll simply have to create another.”
The wicked witch allows herself a small laughter as we get a close-up of her right hand. Her fingers are curled slightly around a small red locket.
Scene 3
The present. Terra Venture. Giant Nightshade blinks, shaking her head slightly as she sets her gaze on the Galaxy Megazord, still being throttled by her binding piece of cloth.
Nightshade: “No more unhappy memories. They mean nothing to me now. Only the present matters. Return to the graveyard where you belong, Noriko. Where Mikara … and the Power Rangers will soon join you…”
Her clenched fist tightens further, delivering even more pressure to the cloth bind.
((Opening Theme))
Act 2
Scene 1
Terra Venture. The giant sorceress Nightshade continues to throttle the very life out of the Galaxy Megazord with her cloth bind. It has practically ceased any and all means of resistance, unable to move even one of its confined limbs.
[Blue cockpit] Galaxy Blue tries to hold on: “The Megazord can’t take much more of this! If that clench gets any tighter, it’ll wrench both arms off!”
[Pink cockpit] Galaxy Pink: “Damon! Can’t you break us free with your wings?”
[Green cockpit] Galaxy Green: “I’ve been trying for the last five minutes! But I can’t move so much as a tail feather in this grip!”
[Red cockpit] Galaxy Red: “Keep trying, guys! I know we can do it! Hold on!”
Nightshade levitates herself just above ground level, slowly floating toward the trapped Galaxy Megazord: “Struggle all you like, heroes. But as you can see, resistance is quite pointless. Now I have you precisely where I want you.”
[Yellow cockpit] Galaxy Yellow: “She’s getting ready to attack again! What are we going to do?”
[Red cockpit] Galaxy Red: “Everybody brace yourselves. This is gonna be a rough one.”
[Green cockpit] Galaxy Green: “Like we need you to tell us that!”
Nightshade finally gets to where she is directly in front of the Galaxy Megazord. It groans and twitches a few times, but is generally unable to move a muscle.
Nightshade raises her right hand, and a large blue staff with a glowing crystal ball near the top appears in her palm. She then aims the tip at the Megazord, gathering her energy.
Nightshade: “So much torment. All a lifetime past. Now you’ll experience a taste of the afterlife I endured in the dwelling of the spirits. Prepare yourselves for the great beyond!”
But just before she can fire, a pointed black and bronze staff arcs in, knocking her staff away, followed by a powerful punch from a black fist that catches Nightshade off balance and stops her in her tracks.
Nightshade quickly regains her composure: “What in the name of…? You!”
Both the Galaxy Force and the sinister sorceress turn to see the Mega Defender standing at the right side of the Galaxy Megazord. With one clear swipe from the tip of his Lance, he cuts the Megazord free of the cloth bind. It staggers back a step, recovering slowly.
[Red cockpit] Galaxy Red, astonished: “Magna Defender? … Mike?”
[Pink cockpit] Galaxy Pink: “He came back to help us? But why?”
Nightshade is furious: “Once again, you interfere with my goals. I’m warning you for the last time. Leave now. This is none of your concern.”
Mega Defender: “My master tried to destroy you once before. This time, I’ll make sure the job is finished. Once and for all.”
[Red cockpit] Galaxy Red looks on in silence, clenched fists by his sides.
Nightshade sneers and spreads her snake-like fingernail tendrils wide, releasing a torrent of lightning energy. But Mega Defender brings his Lance up and absorbs the force of the attack. As Nightshade keeps firing, he stalks determinedly forward, inching toward her.
Mega Defender: “Defender Lance! Spinning Drill attack!”
Conducting the lightning energy, Mega Defender spins his Lance around and around until it becomes a whirling blur of black electricity. Lifting it over his head, he uses it like a helicopter’s propeller blades and rises into the sky, then just as quickly speeds down on a collision course with Nightshade. The spinning, electrically-charged Lance impacts her.
The Galaxy Rangers cover their visors as Nightshade is consumed in a huge explosion.
[Green cockpit] Galaxy Green: “Whoa. He did it! He stopped her!”
[Blue cockpit] Galaxy Blue: “I don’t think so. Look at that!”
Heavy streams of vaporous mist pour out from the fiery smoke cloud created from the explosion. Merging together in mid-air, they quickly reform into Nightshade.
Mega Defender grips his Lance: “What?”
Nightshade: “You have some clever tricks. Now let me show you one of mine!”
She raises her hands to the angry, stormy sky. Lightning bolts flash overhead as she calls forth a pounding hailstorm, with stones the size of wrecking balls cascading down from above. The mammoth hailstones crash against both the Mega Defender and the Galaxy Megazord, sending blinding sparks flying and driving the two titans steadily backwards.
[Yellow cockpit] Galaxy Yellow, her rotating column trembling: “I can’t see a thing!”
[Red cockpit] Galaxy Red: “Stand tough, guys. We have to get through to her! Go!”
Finally, with great difficulty, the Galaxy Megazord manages to fight its way through the furious storm of hail. However, even as it emerges in the clear, Nightshade has vanished.
[Green cockpit] Galaxy Green looks around: “What the heck…”
[Pink cockpit] Galaxy Pink: “That’s weird. Where did she go? She had the upper hand.”
[Blue cockpit] Galaxy Blue: “I have no idea. But one thing’s for sure. She’ll be back to finish what she started.”
With Nightshade gone, the freakish storm over Terra Venture gradually dissipates, and the sun and clear blue sky return. There is not even the faintest trace she was ever there.
Mega Defender lowers his Lance: “Hmph. If that conniving witch crosses my path again, she’ll wish she had stayed dead.”
[Yellow cockpit] Galaxy Yellow: “I don’t understand. Why did you try to help us?”
Mega Defender: “I won’t allow anyone the pleasure of destroying the five of you except my master. And when he returns, you will sorely regret the day you stood against him.”
With that, Mega Defender crosses his arms and disappears in a flash of red and black energy. The Galaxy Megazord stands there, just looking on in silence.
[Red cockpit] Galaxy Red, quietly: “Mike …”
Scene 2
An undisclosed location. Magna Defender is bowing on one knee in front of Deviot.
Deviot: “What have you to report, my faithful warrior?”
Magna Defender: “Master, the sorceress Nightshade has returned to the living world. She has sworn vengeance against the Galaxy Force.”
Deviot puts a finger to his chin: “Hmhm, haven’t we all? You confronted her, yes?”
Magna Defender nods: “We fought briefly, but she managed to escape. Forgive me.”
Deviot paces a bit: “Calm yourself, my apprentice. No apologies necessary. I too figured Nightshade to be dead when I snuck onto Massacre’s Black Raven and ambushed her in her quarters. Obviously, she is more resourceful than we gave her credit for.”
Magna Defender lifts his head: “But she will almost certainly return to Terra Venture. Shall I take up a post and await her arrival?”
Deviot wags a finger at him: “I think not. Nightshade may be a crafty little vixen, but even she has a soft spot. I do believe she’s still tortured by the painful memories of her past. A glaring weakness that our true enemies should be able to exploit.”
Magna Defender stands: “Then we allow them to finish her without further interference?”
Deviot nods: “Exactly. We don’t have time to waste on any petty distractions. For now, we’ve got bigger fish to fry. Now leave me.”
Magna Defender nods and stalks away: “As you wish, master.”
As the Magna Defender walks out of sight, a pair of burning yellow eyes appears just behind Deviot. Darkonda slowly walks into plain sight.
Darkonda: “You still have him firmly under your control?”
Deviot half-turns: “Don’t tell me you’re doubting my abilities, Darkonda. I’ve been at this game longer than you might think.”
Darkonda crosses his arms: “Heh heh. Oh, I’m not having doubts, friend. But still, it isn’t like your plans have met with success more often than failure in the past.”
Deviot moves to face him: “You worry too much, old boy. Have a little faith. You of all people should understand the complex ways of corrupting a human spirit.”
Darkonda smiles evily: “All too well. Heh heh. All too well, indeed. Hahahahahaha!!”
Darkonda gives a maniacal laugh, Deviot joining in a quieter, more subdued version.
((commercials))
Act 3
Scene 1
The Galaxy Skybase. The five unmorphed Rangers are gathered around the viewscreen, reviewing footage of the battle against Nightshade.
Leo shakes his head: “Man, she was a lot stronger this time around. It was like we were fighting Massacre all over again.”
Damon: “And considering how badly he kicked the tar out of us, that’s saying a lot.”
Maya, a pained look on her face: “I can’t believe she picked today to come back, though. Our tribal tours were bound to be ruined after all the work we poured into them.”
Kendrix puts a hand on her shoulder: “We can always reschedule at a later time, Maya. But right now, we’ve got bigger problems on our hands. Any ideas, Kai?”
Kai swivels around in his chair: “Well, from the way she talked during the fight, it’s a pretty safe bet she’s got a real grudge against us. One that goes back a good ways.”
Leo: “What do you mean by that?”
Kai: “I mean that we’ve faced Nightshade at least twice in the past. Back when we were fighting against Scorpius and Trakeena. She’d taken on different identities back then.”
Maya’s eyes widen: “Wait a minute! I think I see what you mean. Remember when we defeated her in the nightmare realm and she started changing back and forth between those other appearances?”
Leo: “Yeah! Impostra and Maronda! Those two and Nightshade were the same person?”
Kai: “From the looks of it, you’re right; those three people are actually one and the same. That means Nightshade was originally in the employ of Scorpius prior to Massacre.”
Kendrix: “Hmm. I wonder if it doesn’t go back even farther than that.”
Maya turns to Kendrix: “Farther? How?”
Kendrix: “Well, most of Scorpius’ forces were either skilled warriors or brutish monsters. Nightshade is different. She relies on things like witchcraft and illusion spells.”
Damon: “That and the way she dresses kinda remind me of…what’s her name? Hexuba?”
Kai snaps his fingers: “Good thinking, Damon. And if my hunch is right, the similarities between them run deeper than just their powers and abilities.”
Leo looks at him: “You think it’s possible they’re somehow blood related?”
Kai slowly nods: “Unfortunately, that’s pretty much what I was thinking.”
Maya: “But why does she hate us for whatever happened to her while she was growing up? We didn’t even know about her then; it doesn’t make any sense.”
Kai doesn’t answer, merely shaking his head. The teens collectively glance back toward the viewscreen and Nightshade ranting while battling the Galaxy Megazord.
Scene 2
The abandoned warehouse district of Terra Venture. Nightshade is observed staggering around in the relative darkness, holding her hands in front of her eyes, a soft moaning noise escaping her perched blue lips.
Nightshade, talking to herself: “Nnhh… nnnnhnnn… no… no… I don’t – don’t want to remember. Past … too painful. Lock it away…”
Nightshade tosses her head back and drops to her knees, panting. Slowly she lowers her hands and turns them palms up. Her eyes fall on her long fingernails, studying them.
Nightshade: “I thought I could forget. All the time I was in Massacre’s army, I had hoped the pain was finally behind me. I had finally created an identity worthy of respect.”
Her hands seep into her massy hair, eyes shutting closed: “So why … why are the memories of Noriko’s tortured existence coming back to haunt me? Why now? Why?”
Her face sinks down as her upper body bends over. She can’t help it. Her mind drifts on.
Scene 3
Flashback. Hexuba’s lair. A short time after Impostra’s confrontation with Destruxo and Magna Defender. This time, Noriko is seen dressed in her second guise as Maronda, except that both her mask and her signature locket are absent.
Hexuba steps toward Noriko, holding her mask. She slowly leans forward, permitting her to put it over her face. When she moves back, the upper portion of her face is concealed.
Hexuba admires her handiwork: “Excellent. I see I haven’t lost my fashion sense yet.”
Noriko fidgets slightly in her new attire.
Hexuba tilts her head: “What’s the matter with you? Aren’t you pleased?”
Noriko suddenly bursts with emotion: “This feels wrong, Mother. I feel as though I’m living a life that’s no longer mine. A life I have no control over.”
Hexuba turns: “That is the price beings like ourselves must pay in order to survive.”
Noriko, tears falling on her cheeks: “Well, what if I don’t want to survive anymore? All the memories of my former life are buried so deep, but they’re still my memories. How can I continue to exist living a life that’s based on a lie? I’m still your little Noriko…”
Hexuba’s anger flashes forth: “No! Enough! I’ll hear no more of this talk!”
With that, she seems to be directly in front of Noriko, slapping her across the face so hard she falls over on her side. Then she finds herself levitated to where she is facing Hexuba.
Hexuba: “Now get this through your head, because this is the last time I will say it. Noriko is dead! Noriko no longer exists! And neither does Mikara! They’re both dead!”
Noriko flinches, cowering in front of Hexuba.
Hexuba: “We can bury our identities, for they are only reflections of ourselves. But our spirits must not perish with them. Survival is our albatross. The will to live, to survive is the only thing that keeps us going. Your father perished because he lacked that drive to endure. In the end, he was weak. But you and I, we must be strong. In mind and body.”
Noriko’s courage returns to her, and she stands on both feet, a renewed sense of clarity flowing through her: “Yes, Mi – Hexuba. You are right. I must remain strong.”
Hexuba nods in approval: “That’s the spirit … Maronda.”
Noriko looks confused: “Maronda? Is that my new name?”
Hexuba: “Yes. It was originally your … Noriko’s sister who bore that name. Like her father, she was the victim of a weak, timid spirit that couldn’t survive in this universe.”
Maronda only blinks her eyes a couple times, the memory of her blood relative only seeming to dredge up a dim, remote sense of familiarity.
Hexuba turns away: “Now, you must leave here at once. I will soon be going someplace where you will no longer be able to reach me unless you are in the afterlife.”
Maronda advances a step: “Going? What do you mean?”
Hexuba lowers her head: “Recently, I have entered into the services of Captain Mutiny.”
Maronda’s eyes grow big: “… Captain Mutiny?! The space pirate who murdered my - - “
Hexuba turns sharply upon Maronda, narrowing her eyes behind her white veil. Maronda catches herself quickly and corrects: “… … N-Noriko’s father?”
Hexuba: “Desperate times call for desperate measures, little one. Mutiny might be a barberous slug, but he does have quite the impressive reputation in the Lost Galaxy.”
Hexuba’s eyes close behind her veil. A single teardrop can almost be seen falling: “And as you well know, in this God-forsaken environment reputation is everything.”
Maronda’s hesitation soon disappears: “I understand. No matter what, we must survive.”
Hexuba nods, turning and holding out the little red locket. Maronda reaches and takes it.
Scene 4
Back in the present, in the darkness of the warehouse. Nightshade spreads her hands apart, reeling as she tries to put the flood of memories in her mind into focus.
Nightshade: “Yes, that’s right. And Mother … didn’t survive. She allowed herself to be destroyed by the Galaxy Rangers. Because of that … she was weak. And … pathetic.”
An image flashes through her mind. Images of Hexuba meeting her destruction in battle against the Orion Galaxy Megazord, Centaurus Megazord, and Stratoforce Megazord.
The crafty sorceress gradually rises onto her feet. The fire returns to her eyes.
Nightshade: “No room for weakness in this universe. Only the strong survive. But before I can start a new life, I must discard all remnants of the former one. No trace must exist.”
She then glances down at her palm. Her long orb-tipped staff appears gripped between her fingers. Raising the little sphere at its end to her face, she peers into it intensely.
Scene 5
Flashback in Nightshade’s mind. We see Maronda riding on her green cobra-designed motorcycle toward Galaxy Red on the Red Capsular Cycle.
Scene 6
The present. Nightshade smiles a cheschiere smile.
Nightshade: “Ah, yes. The perfect diversion for the task…”
Lifting her staff high, she begins to cast a spell. Blue and white electricity dances around her staff, spreading in other directions and concentrating on the space in front of her. In the span of a few seconds, she re-creates the green cobra-inspired motorcycle she once used as Maronda. Only this time, the cycle itself begins to undergo a transformation.
The cycle wheels up on its back, sprouting green, scaly legs with three pointed toes and yellow-striped calves. The middle engine flips and morphs into a green and yellow chest, torso and midsection. The handlebars pop their rubber handles and grow into two bruly arms with three-clawed hands, venom dripping from them. Finally, the face and headlight shatter like glass, revealing a hideous cobra face with a garish yellow hood spring up on its sides. All traces of a motorcycle are gone, and in its place is a ghastly cobra monster.
The monster speaks with a hissing raspy voice: “I am at your command, my mistresssss.”
Nightshade steps toward him: “Cobraclaw, I want you to attack the city of Terra Venture. Lure the Galaxy Rangers into battle with you. I don’t want them to interfere with the final phase of my plan before it reaches fruition.”
Cobraclaw hisses in approval: “It will be done, Maronda.”
Nightshade narrows her eyes: “Oh, and one last thing…”
Cobraclaw arches his hood: “Yessssssss?”
Moving with incredible speed, she grabs the monster by its forked tongue and yanks hard on it, pulling him face-to-face with her menacing eyes. Cobraclaw twists in agony.
Nightshade: “Don’t … call me Maronda. I am Nightshade. Is that understood?”
Cobraclaw nods rapidly, although he can’t verbally respond with his tongue in her iron grip. Finally, she releases him and steps away, as he massages his tongue delicately.
Nightshade raises her gaze, drinking in the moment: “Soon every living being on this planet will experience their worst nightmare made reality.”
The light in the warehouse begins to fade into blackness, leaving only her searing eyes.
((commercials))
Act 4
Scene 1
The Galaxy Skybase. The five teens are still in deep discussion on their present situation.
Leo: “So let me get this straight. Nightshade’s targeted us for revenge because we destroyed her mother Hexuba, right?”
Kai: “Looks that way. In fact, by striking at us, she may well be striking back at everyone else she thinks has wronged her in the past.”
Damon shakes his head: “Nothin’ like living vicariously for revenge, huh?”
Kendrix: “But do you think she still remembers her life before she became Nightshade? No matter how deep you try to bury old wounds, they still have a tendency to open up.”
Damon cocks an eyebrow: “Spoken like a girl who’s been there before.”
Kendrix looks down. Kai turns to Damon, shaking his head in a ‘not now’ pantomime.
Maya: “Well, if those memories do still exist, they might be something we can use to our advantage. And against her power, we’re going to need every advantage we can get.”
Suddenly, the ship alarms begin to blare. The teens shift their gaze to the viewscreen as Kai punches up the coordinates of the disturbance. A shot of Cobraclaw appears causing havoc near the industrial center of Terra Venture.
Leo crooks his eyebrows, squinting closer at it: “That monster looks sort of familiar…”
Kai: “This is weird. I’ll lay odds Nightshade sent that monster, but what for? She’s already fought us by herself. Why send a monster to do her dirty work?”
Kendrix: “Maybe it’s not. It could just be a distraction so she can work undetected.”
Leo: “Then we better not take any chances. Damon and Maya, you two head down there and take care of that freak. The rest of us will keep a lookout for Nightshade. Call us for help if you need it.”
Damon nods: “Will do, Red. You ready to kick some scaly behind, girl?”
Maya sighs: “I can tell someone’s excited … ready!”
The two raise their morphers, and call out together: “Galaxy Force Transform!”
[Galaxy Green morph]
[Galaxy Yellow morph]
Scene 2
The industrial complex of Terra Venture. Cobraclaw raises his brawny arms, his claws spreading out as he fires twin beams of tremendous energy from his palms. A huge chunk of the street explodes into flames as the attack sends the citizens scattering in fright. The monster hisses with glee as he stalks onward, blowing up more property in his wake.
Suddenly, two energy blasts of green and yellow strike him from behind. Startled, the monster whirls to face his assailants, and there stand Galaxy Green and Yellow, their smoldering Quasar Sabers held at the ready.
Galaxy Green: “Playtime’s over, fang face. Time to send you back to the swamp.”
Cobraclaw hisses in defiance: “Issss that a fact? I’d like to ssssee you try it!”
Cobraclaw thrusts out both hands and fires his twin energy beams once again. The Rangers dive sideways out of their path and prepare to launch their attack. Galaxy Yellow charges forward and swings her Quasar Saber at Cobraclaw’s abdomen, but he blocks it with a raised knee, smashing her aside with a powerful backhand. She recovers quickly and retaliates with a spin kick to Cobraclaw’s midsection, then raises her Saber to slash him down the chest. But the monster’s deadly tongue flicks out like a long whip, cracking across her chest with the force of iron and sending her spiraling to the ground.
Galaxy Green performs a graceful reverse front flip and jumps into the fray. He brings his Saber down toward Cobraclaw’s face, but his hood contracts inward, shielding him. The two struggle for the advantage until his arms coil outward like the body of a real snake, wrapping around his arms and legs and forcing him to drop his Saber. He starts squeezing him in a vise-like grip, choking the air out of his lungs.
Galaxy Green, in between gasps: “Gack! … is it just me *choke*… or have we been in this position before?”
Cobraclaw sneers: “Joke all you like, but in a few moments, I’ll ssssilence you for good!”
Galaxy Yellow: “That’s easier said than done!”
Cobraclaw turns his gaze only to find Galaxy Yellow soaring through the air and coming down toward him at great speed. Her Quasar Saber hacks down into his arms, managing to cut Galaxy Green free. Cobraclaw cries out in pain as he pulls back his arms, folding them in close to his chest.
Galaxy Green, trying to get his wind back: “Y’know, Maya, somehow I get the feeling you meant that on more than one level.”
Galaxy Yellow: “What do you think?”
Galaxy Green turns his head: “I think we better be on guard. This creep’s a sneaky one.”
Scene 3
Central Command. In one of the main corridors leading to the lobby. Commander Stanton, High Councilor Renier, and Jera are walking down the hallway toward the entrance. Their clothes are still a little damp from getting caught in the violent storm.
Stanton, looking at Jera: “According to our meteorological instruments, the storm seems to have blown over by now. It should be safe to go back outside and resume the tours.”
Jera: “I’m not so certain, Commander. The same evil presence that caused this violent force of nature has not yet disappeared.”
Stanton: “Jera, with all due respect for your beliefs, I’ve never heard of anyone or anything being capable of controlling the weather before.”
Suddenly, there is a loud thunk overhead that rattles the entire structure. The hallway and computers shake and tremble. The lights flicker on and off. The people in the corridor rush to grab hold of something or each other to maintain their balance.
Renier gives Stanton a look: “You were saying?”
Stanton, trying to brace himself: “Then again, I could be wrong.”
Scene 4
The rooftop of Central Command. Nightshade, crackling with energy all over her body, her silky garments billowing in the wind, has alighted on the roof, the impact of her feet alone making a great impression.
Nightshade, to herself: “Yes. This structure will do quite nicely.”
She raises her hands high over her head, lightning energy crackling from her fingertips. A blue-white fountain of energy spills down and surrounds Central Command. Windows buckle and shatter from the force as the entire building blacks out completely.
Scene 5
Back to the monster battle. Cobraclaw has his left hand around Galaxy Yellow’s throat. She’s pinned against a cement block as he edges her farther back, his grip tightening.
Cobraclaw hisses: “It looksssss like it’s lightssssss out for you, Yellow Ranger.”
Galaxy Yellow, gasping: “I *gasp* beg to differ!”
Her Transdagger suddenly flashes into her right hand. Cobraclaw sees it too late as she jams the weapon up through his arm. The monster gives a shrill cry of pain as he releases Yellow from the hold. Yellow executes a forward flip and lands beside the recovering Galaxy Green.
Galaxy Green puts a hand on her shoulder: “You all right, girl?”
Galaxy Yellow rubs her throat a bit: “Never better. Now let’s finish this freak off!”
Cobraclaw hisses in indignation: “Urgh, thisssss is cruelty to reptilesssss!”
In two colorful flashes of light, Galaxy Green and Yellow whip out their Transdaggers.
Galaxy Yellow: “Delta Daggers!”
Galaxy Green: “Transblaster!”
Galaxy Yellow soars into the air and comes down with a double-dagger slash on Cobraclaw, sending sparks flying out. She follows through with a slash against his soft abdomen, then clangs them together and slams him in the face, driving him backward. Galaxy Green jumps sideways, his Transblaster firing off several shots of green energy that all find their target. Sparks burst all over the monster as he falls to the ground.
Galaxy Green and Yellow pull out new weapons: “Quasar Launchers! Lock on target!”
Galaxy Green: “Energy Launch!”
Two simultaneous bursts of energy erupt from the barrels of the Launchers. They merge together to become one single ball of power, slamming squarely into the chest of the monster. Galaxy Green and Yellow turn away as sparks burst all over Cobraclaw’s body and he slumps over, exploding!
Galaxy Green gives Yellow a clap on the back: “Nice job, Maya. Let’s get back to the Skybase and find that witch.”
Galaxy Yellow points behind him: “Damon, I don’t think our problems are over yet!”
Green turns and jumps back slightly as he sees a revived Cobraclaw, grown to giant-size. He opens his mouth, and a deadly forked tongue flicks out. It snares Green around the waist and pulls him up into the air. He flails helplessly and struggles to break loose.
Scene 6
The roof of Central Command. Nightshade’s arms are spread out, blue lightning dancing across her fingernails, stretching up into the air above her. Soon the familiar dark clouds return to the sky, along with driving wind, rain and lightning. Even worse is that in a matter of moments, a funnel appears in a small clearing between the clouds, except it’s not a tornado. It’s a cyclonic warp that steadily grows larger with every passing second.
Nightshade, smiling with glee: “The Creator said “Let their be light.” Well, when I’m finished, infinite darkness will prevail once again.”
Galaxy Red’s voice: “Not if we have anything to say about it!”
Nightshade’s pupils turn before her head follows suit. Standing in front of her are Galaxy Red, Blue, and Pink, their Quasar Sabers in hand.
Nightshade smirks: “You don’t. You are nothing more than pawns to be manipulated in my great game. And I’m tired of playing. Time to bring this to an end.”
At her mental command, lightning bolts shoot from the clouds and strike the roof in front of the Rangers. They are thrown backward by the force of the blast, falling to their knees.
Galaxy Blue: “What’s this charade all about, Nightshade? What are you planning to do?”
Nightshade: “Charade? For a long time, I thought my entire life was a charade. A ruse, nothing but a mask to hide who or what I truly was. But do you want to know the truth? It’s in the past. And the past no longer matters. My future is now!”
Galaxy Pink tries to stand, but the wind rips at her: “You don’t really believe that! If you did, you never would have tried to come back to this world! A world that corrupted you!”
Nightshade grins: “So you think I would have stayed dead? Left my withered spirit to rot in the realm of nightmares? Well, guess what? Soon, we’ll have the best of both worlds.”
Galaxy Red tries to move forward: “Both worlds? What are you talking about?”
Nightshade: “When you defeated me a second time, I lost myself in the dark magics of sorcery. I buried my former self so deep that I can no longer reach her even if I wanted to. The realm of nightmares houses our worst fears, our deepest, darkest imaginings. This portal is the gateway to that realm. When I open it, those nightmares will be unleashed!”
Galaxy Red: “No! You can’t do this!”
Nightshade tosses her head: “Can’t I now? Oh ye of little faith.”
Her eyes flash, and sparks explode from the Rangers’ suits, again throwing them back.
Scene 7
The other side of town. Cobraclaw has Galaxy Green wrapped around his huge tongue, squeezing the heck out of him. Green is trying to cut his way free with his Quasar Saber, but it’s having no effect. Cobraclaw hisses with triumph and starts to pull him in.
Suddenly, four yellow blasts of energy strike the tongue at the middle as Galaxy Yellow swoops in on her Light Speeder. Cobraclaw shrieks in anguish and drops Galaxy Green, sending him into a freefall. But not for long as Yellow shifts her Speeder into a power dive and stops his fall with a shoestring catch.
Galaxy Green, trying to regain his breath: “Whoa! That was way too close, girl. I thought he was about to have me for lunch.”
Galaxy Yellow, pushing her thrusters: “You’ve got a funny way of saying, ‘thank you.’”
Galaxy Green tenses, pointing: “How about heads up!”
Yellow turns too late as Cobraclaw opens his palm, a pale-green ray of energy exploding from it. The well-aimed shot nicks the rear thrusters of the Light Speeder, short-circuiting the engines and sending both Rangers tumbling toward the earth below. Their fall doesn’t last long as the Condor Galactabeast soars in and catches Galaxy Green on its head. The Wolf Galactabeast makes a running jump and does the same for Galaxy Yellow.
Galaxy Yellow, steadying herself: “Whew. Thank you, wolf. You got here just in time.”
The Wolf growls and charges forward in Cobraclaw’s direction, baring its teeth. The monster merely sneers and morphs its right arm into a snaky vine-like tentacle, whipping it forward and snaring the Galactabeast by its neck, stopping it cold. With a great thrust, the arm hurls the Wolf hard onto its stomach, shaking up both its body and the ground.
Cobraclaw: “Let’s ssssssee you break this grip, Yellow Ranger!”
Galaxy Green, from above: “Mind if I give it a go?”
Cobraclaw looks as the Condor Galactabeast dives down in a diagonal arc, slamming head-on into the monster’s belly. The impact isn’t strong enough to loosen his grip on the Wolf, but it does drive him back slightly. His other arm, however, reaches out swiftly and swipes at the Condor’s head, striking it on the forehead and knocking it backwards.
Scene 8
The rooftop. Nightshade has the three Rangers snared in the fingernail tentacles from her left hand, the other hand still raised, continuing to manipulate both the storm and the big black vortex in the sky. The warp is still growing in size, and the spirits from the dream realm are beginning to swirl around its epicenter.
Galaxy Blue struggles: “You have to stop this! If you open that hole, it could disrupt the fabric of time and space! Everyone on the planet will be sucked into that dream world!”
Nightshade merely smiles: “Perfect. Then you will all see how it feels to mourn the loss of your way of life.”
Galaxy Pink: “How do you think your mother would feel about that?”
Nightshade’s eyes flicker. For a moment, she seems taken aback. Galaxy Pink presses: “A mother always wants the best for her children! Even if your mother was Hexuba, I know she wouldve wanted no less for you! Do you think she’d want to see you like this?”
Nightshade shakes her head: “No! Mi – Hexuba was as evil and rotten to the core as I am! The only true life lesson she taught me was to survive no matter what the cost!”
Galaxy Pink: “You can’t survive if you aren’t alive to begin with!”
The words strike Nightshade like daggers. Her tentacles loosen their hold, and the Galaxy Rangers are at last freed.
Galaxy Pink steps forward slowly: “Listen to me. You told us earlier that you had to sacrifice everything because people ruined your life. But that life isn’t theirs to live! It’s yours! No one else can decide that for you! The rest of the universe can only deal with the consequences of the decisions you make!”
Nightshade blinks, her mind beginning to swim: “My life … are you saying … I’m the one to blame for everything? My father’s death … My mother throwing her life away?”
Galaxy Red steps up: “No. None of that was your fault. But the way you deal with the pain you experienced, by using it to hurt innocent people, that is your fault.”
Galaxy Blue: “We all experience pain. But the only real way to survive, to keep on going is by letting go of that pain and moving on. Not letting that pain consume us until there’s nothing left of ourselves.”
Nightshade begins to breathe hard. Her eyes close, and her concentration on the vortex starts to slip. Strangely enough, it stays the same size, and even grows a little bit more.
Scene 9
The industrial complex. Explosions erupt around the Wolf and Condor Galactabeasts as they are driven steadily back by the force of Cobraclaw’s energy beams. Even so, the dark clouds from the storm soon reach their portion of the city, rain beginning to come down in torrents, accompanied by bursts of wind and intense lightning bolts.
Cobraclaw: “Hey! Lookssss like my mistressss is starting the party a little early!”
Galaxy Green, atop the Condor: “I was afraid of that. The others are gonna need our help! We gotta high-tail it over there fast!”
Galaxy Yellow: “But we can’t just leave this creep on the rampage!”
Cobraclaw hisses: “Hahahaha! Sssso what’s it gonna be, puny little Rangerssss?”
The monster raises its arms to attack again, but before it can do so, a green blast of energy explodes in his face, startling him. The monster and the two Galactabeasts turn their heads to see the Nova Megazord standing father away, its left Energy Gauntlet steaming, having fired the blast.
Galaxy Green: “The Nova Megazord? Not that I’m ungrateful, but how did it know we were in trouble?”
Galaxy Yellow: “It must be connected to our powers just like the Bio Crystals.”
Cobraclaw growls angrily as the Nova Megazord takes a battle stance: “Bah! I’ll crush it like a tin can!”
The monster’s forked tongue flicks out, but the Nova Megazord thrusts out its right hand and grabs it by the edge. Clenching it tight, it holds up the other hand, and a jet of flame arcs through its fist, solidifying to form the Nova Saber. Raising it, the Nova Megazord brings its weapon down and slices off a good chunk of Cobraclaw’s tongue. The monster howls in pain as it pulls back what’s left, its hands flying to its mouth.
With Galaxy Green and Yellow cheering it on, the Nova Megazord ignites the Saber, winding it in a fiery circle. Then it delivers its finishing move, slashing down across the monster’s exposed chest cavity, nova fire coursing through the blade. Cobraclaw gasps out one final, agonized hiss as it falls over and explodes into flames!
Galaxy Green pumps his fist: “Awesome, we did it!”
Galaxy Yellow: “Thanks, Megazord. Now we’d better go find the others. Let’s hurry!”
A few seconds later, Galaxy Green and Yellow are flying through the worsening storm on Galaxy Green’s Light Speeder. Intense flashes of lightning pepper the sky as they go.
((commercials))
Act 5
Scene 1
The rooftop. Nightshade continues to be torn by conflicting impulses as the three Galaxy Rangers attempt to get through to her.
Nightshade: “I don’t … understand. How can I be wrong in what I’m doing? I’m trying to honor the memory of my heritage, do my namesake proud…”
Galaxy Red: “There’s no pride involved in torturing people who did you no harm. No matter what you went through as a child, it doesn’t justify revenge.”
Nightshade ponders this. She glances up at the ever-widening vortex in the stormy sky. Then she looks back at the Rangers. Her fists clench, the memories flooding her mind.
All at once she sees the vision of Hexuba’s demise at the hands of the Power Rangers.
Her eyes narrows, and her gaze becomes one of hatred again: “You killed my mother. Whether I am Noriko or Nightshade, I’ll never forgive you for that! Now DIE!!!”
She thrusts her free hand forward, unleashing a massive blue energy blast in their direction. Galaxy Red takes the worst of it, and the force is so powerful that it sends him flying clear over the edge of the roof!
Galaxy Pink reaches out for him on the ground: “Leo, no!!”
Just then, the Green Light Speeder rockets into view. Before Leo can even begin his descent toward the ground, Galaxy Yellow’s hand reaches out and grabs hold of his arm. The Speeder lands on the roof, and the three Rangers quickly rejoin their friends.
Galaxy Yellow: “Are you all right, Leo?”
Galaxy Red: “I’ll be fine. But we gotta shut down that portal, or we’ll be making a return trip to the nightmare world. Along with the whole city.”
Galaxy Blue: “I think this calls for some extra firepower. What do you say, Leo?”
Galaxy Red: “You read my mind, Kai. Let’s do it!”
The five Rangers raise their right hands, their Bio Crystals instantly appearing in their outstretched palms: “Bio Crystals Energize!”
[Super Galaxy Red transformation]
[Super Galaxy Blue transformation]
[Super Galaxy Yellow transformation]
[Super Galaxy Green transformation: Wind funnels pour down from the Bio Crystal and encircle Green’s wrists and ankles. Trailing sheets of white take their place, becoming as one with his gloves and boots. A gray and bronze-studded wing design forms on the sides of his helmet, aligning with his visor, and twin feathers appear on both ends of his feet. Patterns of white lightning streaks dazzle down his arms and legs. Finally, a lightweight breastplate clasps over his torso and back. Super Galaxy Green’s appearance vaguely resembles that of Hermes, the fleet-footed messenger of the Greek gods.]
[Super Galaxy Pink transformation: Pink-colored sparkles flow down from her Bio Crystal. Concentrating over her chest and shoulders, they solidify to form a shield of solid rock, with small yet durable shoulder blades. A long dark pink sash flows down from the left shoulder blade, ending at her belt, with a tail end sashaying outward. Knee pads of the same rock-like composition encircle her kneecaps, and her boots and gloves turn from white to dark brown, the color of the earth. Finally, a circular-shaped shield, lightweight yet no less durable, attaches itself to her right wrist by two grey bands. Super Galaxy Pink raises her shield level with her waist and drops one foot to the ground, and the earth shakes with great force from the impact]
The Super Galaxy Rangers take a defensive posture and stand together, multi-colored smoke rising up behind them: “Super Bio Power!”
Super Galaxy Green checks himself out: “Whoa … so this is how it feels. I wasn’t sure I’d be ready for this…”
Super Galaxy Pink: “I know the feeling. Believe me.”
Nightshade shrieks, both from the intensity of the vortex she’s unleashed and the wave of memories that continue to tear through her defenses: “I – I can’t do this. Not now. Need time … to think. Process everything…”
She raises her hands skyward again and tries to call the power of the warp back into her. But the hole doesn’t respond. Lightning flashes about it, as if in direct defiance.
Nightshade becomes concerned: “What is happening? This can’t be … why won’t it listen to me? I command you! Close!”
Despite her efforts, the warp hole refuses to shrink. Instead, it merely stretches in size, spinning rapidly like a cyclone, lifting debris and loose property into the air. Updrafts begin threatening to suck people still on the streets up into the sky like rag dolls.
Super Galaxy Blue looks up at the warp: “Nightshade’s losing it! She’s messing with powers so far beyond imagination that even she won’t be able to control it for long!”
Super Galaxy Red: “Then we’ve no time to lose. Let’s get up there and shut it down.”
Harnessing their Bio powers, the Super Galaxy Rangers take flight, as red, blue, green, yellow and pink auras encircle their armored bodies. Like a rainbow taking shape, they fly straight up, directly into the suction zone of the warp hole. The powerful updrafts begin tearing at them fervently, but their armor keeps them steady in mid-air. Slowly, they group together into a circle, cupping their hands. Bright balls of energy begin to build up within them as they concentrate, calling forth every iota of power they have.
Super Galaxy Yellow: “The warp’s intensifying! It’s going to suck the whole city in!”
Super Galaxy Green: “It could suck us in at this range! Even with our Bio armor, we can’t fight this gravity well forever!”
Super Galaxy Red: “That’s a risk we’ll just have to take. For Terra Venture, for Mirinoi, for the entire universe, we have to stop this. Let’s give it everything we’ve got! Ready?”
The other Rangers: “Ready!”
Pooling their energies, the Super Galaxy Rangers unleash their power, five streaks of bright light striking deep into the epicenter of the warp. The warp begins to contort and vibrate, as if actively resisting their attempts. The Rangers’s bodies strain with the effort.
Super Galaxy Red struggles, fiery energy pouring from his hands: “Don’t give up, guys! Hang in there!”
Super Galaxy Blue lowers his head: “It’s still growing! We’re not even slowing it down!”
Super Galaxy Pink: “The suction’s too strong! We’ll be pulled in before we can close it!”
Nightshade’s voice: “Only I can do that.”
The Rangers turn, looking down below as Nightshade floats up into the air, rising up in the middle of the circle they created. Her hands entwine in front of her face.
Super Galaxy Blue: “Nightshade?”
Nightshade’s tone is now different. The harsh edge is gone: “You were right. I have no identity. I was never truly alive. Not since the day I buried Noriko in the graveyard.”
The Rangers stare upon her, all of them not knowing what to say.
Nightshade gazes up into the portal: “Her spirit has haunted me ever since. It’s waiting for me up there. Along with Mikara. I just … couldn’t see them before. I was blind.”
For the first time, Nightshade’s voice rings with conviction: “But now I see.”
With that, she rises with the air of a spirit toward the vortex, gliding through the gravity well as if it held no sway over her. Within seconds, her body breaks into the black void, and the dark magic that is hers to command is emptied out in all its unspeakable glory, expanding into every corner, every fringe band of the warp hole.
Super Galaxy Pink: “She’ll never be able to escape! We have to do something!”
Super Galaxy Red: “She’s doing what she has to, Kendrix. It’s the way she wants it.”
Slowly, ever so slowly, the warp begins to shrink and contract. The spirits that swirled along its outer edges start to pull back toward the core. Inside the hole, Nightshade’s distinctive banshee wail can be heard as she pours out all the strength in her mind and body to close the hole. Abruptly, it stops at less than half its original size and refuses to shrink any further. Nightshade’s cry grows louder as she tries in vain to finish it.
Then her voice rings clearly: “Galaxy Force, I have done great evil. And I must do my penance, damned to spend eternity in this realm. Destroy me so the nightmare may end!”
Super Galaxy Yellow: “We have to destroy her to close the warp?”
Super Galaxy Red: “There’s no other way. Everyone bring your powers together!”
Once again, the Super Rangers pool their Bio energies, except this time, as if guided by instinctive impulses from the crystals, they merge them in the center of the circle. From the combination of energy, a new weapon is formed. It is a hybrid of all five Rangers’ armor and weapons, Red’s Blaze Missile, Blue’s Arctic Cannon, Green’s feathered wings on the sides, Yellow’s lightning bolts fixated near the middle barrel, and Pink’s shield attached to the bottom. The weapon sports five barrels, yet only one handle.
Super Galaxy Red grasps the weapon as the other four Rangers gather around closely behind him: “Bio Blaster!”
Nightshade’s shrieks become more inhuman, the intensity of the warp hole tearing her physical form to shreds from within: “No more masks … No more hiding. Impostra, Maronda, and Nightshade … they are now dead. I am Noriko! Noriko is who I am!!”
Her voice softens, almost to a whisper barely heard: “Let me finally be at peace.”
Super Galaxy Red: “Ready … aim … FIRE!”
A massive amount of power builds up at the bases of the cannon barrels, swirling rapidly. Then, it explodes outward in five streams of pure light, red, blue, green, yellow, and pink in color. They merge together at the apex to form one single ball of unstoppable energy. It smashes point blank into the epicenter of warp, and into what’s left of Nightshade also. A deafening explosion ripples through the air and sky, so powerful that it blows the Super Galaxy Rangers out of their flight, spilling them to the Central Command rooftop.
Then, as quickly as it began, the explosion seems to pull itself back inward, and the warp hole vanishes. The dark clouds fade away, and the sun shines through once again. All is quiet, as before, there remains not even the slightest trace that any struggle took place.
The citizens on the street slowly pick themselves up, casting bewildered, unbelieving looks up at the clear blue sky. Among them are Commander Stanton, Jera, and Renier.
The Super Galaxy Rangers collectively rise to their feet, unharmed, staring up into the sky. In five bursts of light, their Bio armor disappears, returning them to their normal states. But they don’t seem to notice. Their eyes remain on the sky, as though transfixed.
Galaxy Green: “Do you think … she’ll find peace in there? Somehow?”
Galaxy Yellow: “I have a feeling she will. She just lost her way in the world. I guess in a bizarre, twisted spin of fate … she had to die to live again.”
Galaxy Red: “Maybe we’ll see her again sometime. When we dream at night.”
Galaxy Blue: “Yeah. I hope she’ll have exorcised her persona and found herself again.”
Galaxy Pink: “She’ll go on living, as long as there’s a world of dreams, good or bad. After all, she’s a survivor.”
The scene pans up to a widespread view of the sky, with the sun in the upper right corner. A solitary black cloud momentarily passes over the sun, and then vanishes into thin air.
The End.