Dark Powers Unleashed

Dark Powers Unleashed is the 10th episode of Power Rangers Astral Knights.

Episode
One day, Kiana is helping Camden Galilei shelve books at the observatory. While working, she finds the first book about constellations that she ever read. She asks Camden what his favorite constellation is. He struggles to answer, but he eventually chooses Crux, also known as the Southern Cross. It’s a small constellation that’s only visible in the southern hemisphere, but because of how bright it is, old sailors used it as a compass. Additionally, the Southern Cross is part of many southern countries’ flags. Kiana thinks this is amazing and wants to see it someday.

Later, Kiana tells the rest of the Ranger Gang that she wants to go see Crux in the rocket. However, Drago says that they should only use the rocket for serious things like finding the Constellation Keys. Zariel adds that last time they rode the rocket into space, it was spotted. Luke counters that every member of the Gang has free time for once and that they can search for the Constellation Keys while in space. This convinces the others, and they take the rocket into space. As it launches, Jinhao Lin (Amy's father) and some of his associates see it flying.

Once Kiana is in space, she's disappointed to be unable to find Crux. There are so many stars visible outside of the atmosphere that it's impossible to tell which ones make up the constellation. Before Kiana can become too upset, though, Niaki’s Astral KeyTector glows yellow ochre and displays the Crux symbol. This prompts Nova to activate a portal, and Zariel pilots the Naavik into it.

Meanwhile, in the Exiles headquarters, Miasma scolds Thrash, Valkera, Noirart, and Darctra for losing Constellation Keys to the Rangers and failing to gain any to compensate for it. Then, the jewel containing their dormant leader emits dark energy that courses around Thrash, Valkera, and Noirart, causing them great pain but also imbuing them with power. Miasma interprets this as their leader wanting the three to go forth and fight together.

The team finds themselves back in space, this time approaching a planet named Coumarin. Drago uses the Astralette to select the Ranger team, and it selects Luke, Spark, Nate, Kiana and Niaki.

Nate goes to greet the Coumarinian, but when he steps out of the rocket, he’s shocked to find that his body is heavy and he falls to the ground. Spark explains that gravity on Coumarin is 2 times as strong as gravity on Earth. It’s so strong that Nova can’t fly as she usually can.

“Wait, shoot! I forgot a space suit!”

The Coumarinian introduces himself as Kumu, and Luke introduces himself back. The group explains that they’re on Coumarin to search for something, so Kumu leads them on a tour. While Kumu's legs allow him to traverse the gravity-laden Coumarin at a reasonable speed, the others struggle to keep up, and Luke eventually collapses due to forgetting to wear a spacesuit, and is unable to continue. (Niaki remembered to wear a space suit because her planet’s gravity is 6/7 as strong as Earth’s) The group stops for a picnic and Kumu berates them for taking a break when they’re still quite close to the rocket. After their break, Kumu leads them on again. As they walk, Spark explains that there are animals on Earth that are as tough as Coumarinians. The AI says that these animals are water bears, and Spark elaborates that they can withstand hot and cold temperatures and survive underwater and in space. The others are amazed by this, but the fun quickly ends when a blizzard suddenly starts. Shortly afterwards, it becomes incredibly hot. Spark says that due to the severe conditions on Coumarin, all of the life there developed to be tough, and even the plants are as hard as gems.

Niaki’s Astral KeyTector lights up again. In the direction it’s pointing, Niaki finds a huge field filled with gems. She wonders how much money these gems are worth and Spark says that on Coumarin, they’re so common that they’re worth nothing. Spark says that this isn’t uncommon; some planets near Earth have surfaces covered in diamonds. Kiana wonders how they’re going to find the Constellation Key among all of these gems. This is the least of their problems, however, as the conversation is interrupted by Noirart, who is accompanied by Thrash, Valkera, and Darctra. Valkera orders Noirart to find the Constellation Key, and Thrash is excited to fight the Rangers.

After the teens morph, Valkera summons a troop of Darkdrones. Spark notes that due to Exarite technology in their Ranger suits, double gravity doesn’t affect them. As Noirart throws a fit about how difficult it is to find the Constellation Key, Thrash charges in with his water sword and Valkera extends the dark energy powering them up to the Darkdrones. This energy makes the Darkdrones and their commanders too fast to fight. It also increases the range of Thrash’s sword. Niaki/Purple Ranger scolds Thrash and Valkera for destroying the environment around them, but Thrash brushes this off, saying that a planet as inhospitable as Coumarin has no value and that nobody will care if it disappears. Spark/Blue Ranger retaliates that the planet would not be nearly as beautiful if it wasn’t as hard to live on.

Valkera orders her Darkdrones forth. Luke/Red Ranger tries to use Leo Star Impact, but Thrash dodges it and slashes Luke with his water sword. The Darkdrones shoot en masse at the five Rangers, and Thrash uses his sword to blast them with water. They're hit so hard that they involuntarily de-morph.

As the Naavik returns to Earth, the group, especially Luke, is upset about their defeat.