Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, and for what I've done with them throughout this story, I'm sorry, I am so, so sorry.

Finally, there are LARGE INCIDENTS. These change the direction of your story, something you can't just hit the reset button for, so go all-out, no retconning. If you're ready to finish (read: bored), a few may even serve as a CLIMAX for your story.

Large Incidents

BIG TWIST. This usually manifests as a MAJOR CHARACTER REVELATION, such as a part of your GARY STU's DARK BACKSTORY suddenly coming to light. Try to make them related to unusual people whenever possible, for dramatic purposes, because being related to an awesome person automatically makes you awesome. This MAJOR CHARACTER REVELATION will change how the rest of the characters see the GARY STU, at least in theory. Feel free to move past the shock and awe as soon as you grow bored of it.

PROPOSAL. At some point, since this is true love, your GARY STU should pop the question to the HOT LOVE INTEREST, and of course be accepted with tears of joy.

MASSIVE UPGRADE. A BATTLIZER, a new set of ZORDS, anything, give your POWER RANGER TEAM, and specifically your GARY STU, some cool new toys.

NEW CHARACTER. Perhaps, heaven forbid, you've grown a little weary of your GARY STU. Not to worry! Rather than developing any of the characters you already have, simply add a NEW CHARACTER to the group, preferably another GARY STU or MARY SUE.

VILLAINOUS REDEMPTION. No, not your OBSESSIVE VILLAIN, don't be silly! Take someone you like, probably a potential HOT LOVE INTEREST, and make them turn good. The best way to do this is with the POWER OF LOVE. If you don't want to create a new LOVE TRIANGLE here, then kill the villain off and give them a dramatic death scene.

Wesley landed in a crouch on a rocky shore. Gravel rolling under his feet, he started to walk around. A few rocks stood in odd piles here and there, and all around him, the Sanzu River rippled murky red. The sky was full of bloodred clouds. In the distance, Wesley could see a boat rocking on the waves.

"So here you are," Deker's voice rang out behind Wesley. He spun around, and saw Deker in full Nighlok form standing a few feet away. For a second, Wesley didn't see Mia. Then a chill shot through him as he took in the Pink Ranger standing behind Deker, her back to him. Completely forgetting about the half-Nighlok, Wesley dashed past him, catching Mia by the shoulder. She looked up at him blankly, and then smiled. In a flash of pink fire, she transformed into a rubbery, twisted version of her Ranger suit, and laughed. Wesley recoiled in horror.

"Mia…"

"She transformed as soon as she stepped into this place," Deker said. "I'd thought you would do the same. At every step a new riddle to be unraveled."

"What do you want from me? A fight?" Wesley demanded, facing him.

"No. I've already fought you, and it did nothing for my curse. I doubt it would work again with you in the same state," Deker replied.

Wesley's eyes narrowed. "The same state?"

"Give up your humanity and face me as a fellow Nighlok." Wesley stiffened, and Deker chuckled darkly. "That's what I thought. Nobody's forcing you. Turn around and leave, if you want—I'll simply do battle with her instead, or send her to face her former friends. I'm sure they'll be surprised to see her."

Wesley looked from Deker to the transformed Mia. There was no sound but the crash of waves on the rocks, or faint rumbles that might have been thunder or just Master Xandred in a temper tantrum. At last, Wesley's shoulders slumped. He drew his sword, and dropped it to the shingle with a clang.

"Then take me instead. Do whatever you want, just let her go."

Deker laughed, perfectly in time with a thunderclap, and drew Urumasa. The demonic sword thrummed as he raised it, then whirled on the Nighlok version of Mia. Before she could react, he'd stabbed her in the chest. Red-pink energy swirled up the sword as she swayed, taking her monstrous Nighlok form with it. The restored Pink Ranger staggered, looking battered and dirty, but human once more.

The energy whirled around Urumasa as Deker raised it, facing Wesley. He didn't look at the Nighlok, just Mia. She stared from one to the other in helpless bewilderment.

"Wesley?"

"It's okay," he said. Deker raised the sword with a yell, and stabbed Wesley through the heart. Dark energy exploded across his body as he fell back, hearing Mia scream as everything went dark. Gleaming black armor morphed from his skin, edged with silver. As the energy traveled up his body, he focused on his memories of Mia. Whatever happened, he was not going to forget her—or hate her. His vision darkened as a skull-shaped silver mask closed over it. Mia on the date, Mia nearly killed by Deker, Mia kissing him—that one was particularly easy to think about, he focused on it. But it slipped away, after the others.

The Nighlok was barely even aware of the change, until he realized he was on his feet. Startled, he looked around. He was back in the human world, standing in an empty street. At least, he'd thought it was empty, until he heard a whoosh and thump nearby. Turning, he saw a young woman lying on the pavement. He sensed Samurai about her, to his distaste. She picked herself up, staring at him in shock and horror. He gazed back dispassionately, watching to see if she would act.

"Wesley?" She managed at last. The name stirred something deep inside the Nighlok, something that disturbed him. He reached for his sword. Running footsteps rang out, and the Nighlok heard a shout.

"Mia, look out!" As the Nighlok turned towards the voice, a Spin Sword slashed him across the chest. It burned, and he staggered back with a growl. Sishima came out of her sheath with a deadly whistle, catching the following blow. He forced the Green Ranger back.

"Mia, are you okay?" The Yellow Ranger cried, helping her teammate up. Mia didn't pay attention.

"Mike, stop, that's Wesley!" She cried, staggering forward.

Mike was distracted. Taking advantage of the moment, the Nighlok knocked him aside, catching his Spin Sword as he fell. The Blue and Red Rangers were right behind him, and the Nighlok took each one with a single blow. They crumpled, suits scored and smoking. The Yellow Ranger hurled a giant shuriken, but the Nighlok knocked it back at her, throwing her flat.

"Stop!" Mia yelled, running up to the Nighlok. He paused. She pulled out her Samuraizer, but instead of morphing, threw it aside. The Nighlok was confused. "Wesley, I know you're in there, please, stop this now," she begged.

"Mia," Kevin wheezed, pushing up on an elbow, "It's not what you think."

"He isn't who he said he is," Mike added.

Mia just fixed the Nighlok with puppy eyes. "Wesley, please, I love you."

The Nighlok swung Sishima up over his head, and Mia flinched. But he couldn't bring it down. In an abrupt montage of romantic moments (albeit a short one, given the whirlwind speed of the relationship), he remembered. His Nighlok body glowed silver-white and vanished, and Wesley dropped to one knee, Sishima clanging to the ground. Mia caught him by the shoulders, and they embraced.

Then he felt a surge of energy in his hand, and looked down. A silvery Samuraizer materialized there. With an incredulous laugh, he gripped it, not sure if it was even real.

"You broke the spell," Wesley said, a little breathless.

"Actually, there was no spell," Antonio's voice rang out. Everyone looked up to see a morphed Antonio holding Deker in a headlock at the end of the street. "At least, not from Deker. As far as I can figure, the real Deker's been gone since you turned him into sushi. This guy's a fake. Watch."

Antonio shoved Deker forward, and in a flash of light, the half-Nighlok transformed into a black-clad young woman.

"Deirdre?" Wesley got up, staring in disbelief. The woman got up, a little unsteadily, and grinned at the group.

"Her again?" Mia's voice had an edge of suspicion to it.

"Who is she?" Mike asked.

"My sister," Wesley replied. Mia turned pink, and he smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I tried to tell you, but you ran off before I could explain. What were you doing pretending to be Deker?"

"Let's just say, if you get a gig for a shady guy with tentacles, and you change your mind, leave without telling him," Deirdre said. She dusted herself off. "By the way, Pinkie, sorry for underestimating you."

"It's okay," Mia said, though she still sounded a little off-put.

"Can we go back to Shiba House to work all this out? I'm seriously confused," Mike said.

Wesley and Mia were outside, again, sitting in the middle of the practice area for no particular reason. Wesley heard footsteps, but didn't open his eyes. Mentor Ji came out, and stood beside him. A breeze picked up, and a cloud drifted across the moon. Wesley could tell despite having his eyes shut; he detected the faint change in light through his lids. Mia's hair blew across his face.

"The others told me everything," the older man said. The other Samurai and Deirdre talked inside, their voices a background mumble.

"They would. I'm sorry about ruining the floor," Wesley replied.

"Don't worry about it." Wesley was starting to smile when Mentor added, "We've got much bigger issues to worry about like two Nighloks getting past this house's defenses. We've been spied on before, but not actually invaded."

"What?" Wesley and Mia sprang up, and saw Mentor's Samuraizer gleaming in his hand. With a grim expression, Mentor Ji raised it, drew a symbol in the air and sent it at the pair. It hit Wesley with a jolt, throwing him across the practice ground. Mia staggered a little and blinked, breathless.

"…Mentor?" She stared at him in confusion, hand rising to her head. "What happened? How did..." Her eyes widened as she remembered, and she looked sick. Inside Shiba House, the previously-happy voices of the Samurai became louder and confused.

Wesley sat up. Memories poured back into his head, awful ones. Him and Deirdre—that couldn't be her real name, no more than his was Wesley—aboard Master Xandred's boat, in Nighlok form offering him their services.

Mentor Ji addressed Wesley in a hard tone. "I didn't realize until you brought your sister home just who you were. The Illusion Twins: Heartache, deceiving the mind, and Mirage, cheating the eye. You've been very careless. Did you think you could show up, impress everyone with your powers, actually go in and out of the Sanzu River with no trouble, and nobody would notice? You might as well have broken your own spell."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Wesley snarled, struggling to his feet. But he did. The memories got stronger and stronger. He'd had a brilliant idea—put himself under his own spell, to make himself really convincing to the Rangers. His sister had thought it was hilarious. Octoroo hadn't been so crazy about it, but they'd weaseled him into agreeing.

"What did you do to me?" Mia exclaimed, staring at Wesley. She touched her mouth, looking queasy. "I kissed you! After a couple of days and one date! That's low, even for a Nighlok!"

Wesley—Heartache—giggled hysterically, and with a snap of his fingers, morphed into the Silver Ranger. Banishing the lingering remains of the spell to the back of his mind, he drew Sishima. The sword practically leaped from her sheath, recognizing that her true master was back once and for all.

"Mirage!" He yelled, twirling the sword. "I think it's time to turn the tables on these Samurai!" A crash from inside Shiba House signaled that his sister had heard him.

Mia drew her Samuraizer. Her expression was ice cold.

"Go go Samurai."

In a flash, she transformed, and summoned her Spin Sword. Heartache ran to meet her, laughing, and brought Sishima down with a whistle. The blades locked. From the house came a wooden crash, followed by Jayden shouting orders.

"You used me," Mia hissed.

"You think you're the first?" Heartache broke the lock, feinting to the left then switching to a low right sweep. Mia blocked it, and the three following strikes. "I've left a broken heart in every city in the nation."

"Not this time!" Mia twisted her sword around and gashed Heartache across the stomach. As he retreated, she pressed on, attacking from all sides. Sishima took a few nicks from the fierce attack. The Pink Ranger's Spin Sword came down on his helmet with a burst of sparks, and he screamed.

The door was smashed down, and Mirage rolled out. She looked a lot like her brother's old Nighlok form, but her armor was trimmed with gold, and black dreadlocks hung down her back from under her helmet. As she got up, Jayden leaped out and kicked her flat.

"Guys, this is the real one!" He shouted. The other four rushed out after him.

Mia brought her Spin Sword down towards Heartache's head, but he caught it between his hands and threw her back. Springing to his feet, he limped to Mirage, and the twins faced the Rangers.

"I think it's Mia's turn again," Mike said, as the Rangers gathered.

"Right," Jayden said, and tossed the Pink Ranger the Black Box.

"Thanks," Mia said, opening the box and inserting the disk. She shut it and stepped forward, holding the box out. "Super Samurai Mode!" In a flash, she transformed, and raised her Spin Sword.

"Mia," Heartache panted, pulling off his helmet and dropping it. His human-looking face was battered and bloody. "I-I didn't mean it, I was under a spell—"

"You know, you really suck at dealing with women without mind control," Mia said. "Super Air Wave!"

In real time, the Pink Ranger leaped into the air and spun into a sideways cyclone, then shot through the two Nighlok. They fell apart from each other and exploded in a massive fireball. She landed lightly, and posed in front of the blast.

"And that's why you never break up with a lady Power Ranger," Emily said.

Nobody said anything for a second. The explosion died down to a few flickering embers. The practice area was completely trashed.

"...Nice try, but you need to work on your quips," Mike said. Emily elbowed him in the ribs.

I'm never quite sure how to feel about this fic. The strongest fans are also the ones I suspect don't actually get the joke. I suppose that's kind of subversive, and at least it's a different angle than "How to Write Bad Fanfiction," so I'm not just copying myself in a different fandom.