Disclaimer – If this spell works right I just may own them soon. gives Evil Willow laugh of destruction and…evilness.

Author's Notes – Horses on the moon, Jase putten on a touch of weight, the producers using old Beetlebog costumes for the villains?! Let's just admit it people, Forever Red sucked. But despite all that the worst, and I mean worst travesty was giving the ending glory to that rookie Cole. He didn't earn it! If anyone should have stopped Serpentera it should have been Tommy, Jason, or Andros in a stretch.

Summary –The way Forever Read should have gone down and ended.

-o-

The Meeting

Tommy

-o-

I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this. I really don't want to do this.

Changing out my mix CD and sliding in Nickelback, I really don't want to do this. Did I say that already? I think I did. "Why am I doing this?"

Zipping down the stretch of desert rode and not the least concerned about my speed as a cop would have to be nuts to be sitting out in this heat, on this stretch of nothing, I crank it up to eighty five. I'm running late. I'm always running late. You'd think that'd have changed over all these years. Think I'd learn how to use a watch. Think I'd know better than to only bring my debit card when traveling through these nowhere towns that don't even know what an ATM is. Nope, never learn.

"Have to do this. My fault after all isn't it?" And yep, talking to myself is so very helpful. "Should have destroyed it. Should have learned. Never learn." I don't either. I don't learn from my mistakes nor from those of others. What was I thinking? All that trouble with Ivan Ooze. Why did those Rangers bury his Zords right by him? Why didn't they destroy them? I spent weeks cursing them for it. For being so stupid and careless. For nearly getting my team killed. And what do I do? I go and do the same damn thing with Serpentera. "Hypocrite."

Accelerating a bit more, I can't be late, despite how much I don't want to do this, because they're counting on me. They need me to lead them. Need me to go back into battle. Need me to keep them alive. God who am I kidding, I'm going to get them killed. "Damn it Oliver, stop it! It's been how many years since she stole your powers? Stole your life…selfish bitch."

Cracking a small smile as I remember Andros informing me of what'd happened to her when the council found out, I know I shouldn't take pleasure in others misfortune, but she had it coming. Stripped me and my team of our powers, of our lives, of my destiny. You don't strip a Ranger Destined and despite what she said I know I am. I know because you don't make a new set of powers for an ordinary human. I know because you don't let one continue to serve as a Ranger through what was it four, five sets of powers? I know because you sure as hell don't let one remain a Ranger after causing a scandal like I caused as the Evil Green Ranger. And finally I know because Zordon told me.

Which is why I'm here; driving down some deserted strip of road, sun beating down on me, running late, Rangers depending on me as I revel in the knowledge that Dimitria is now powerless and stripped of any and all council position. I'm a very bad man. A very bad, very late man.

-ooooooo-

(Dagrach, Arizona)

Pulling up to the hanger and killing the engine I don't see anyone. This can't be good. Either they've already left, Andros considering me a lost cause or they're inside waiting to leave, Andros threatening to shoot me. You'd think we'd get along better then we do, what with both of us being Destineds, but no. After all things get kind of tense when I don't eat, breath, and live Rangering like he does, and he, well he killed Zordon. And really don't think I didn't consider killing him right after I found that out.

Moving to the entrance I pause as I hear him in the middle of some sort of pep talk. Problems already?

"You guys are all Red Rangers too? What's going on here?" Clearly we have a newbie if he's asking stupid question like that. Didn't I tell him no rookies? I'm pretty sure I made that good and clear during our last meeting. They're too over zealous, too reckless, too much of a liability to themselves and others when placed on missions like this. I bet you anything he did it just to tick me off. That's what I get for pointing out his roots were showing.

Glancing around the corner and getting a good look at the group, I'm instantly torn between relief and disappointment. Jason isn't here. I suppose that's good as I'm not the last one to arrive, but I can't however shake my worry as Jason is never late. Did he change his mind? He sounded weary when I mentioned it on the phone, but I just assumed he was tired. After all it's not easy having a toddler running you ragged.

"We were all assembled by a veteran Ranger." Veteran? I'm not that old. I'm definitely insulting his hair in front of Zhane next time. See how he likes that. "Our leader for this mission." He looks a little miffed. Hey I asked if you wanted to be the leader Andros, don't give me attitude when you turned it down. Don't even know why he turned it down either, must have had something to do with me being one of Zordon's. Some sort of loyalty thing. Or maybe he just doesn't want to take the blame if any of them get slaughtered. Either way.

Seeming rather put off by this, I can see this newbie is just going to be trouble, and not in a fun way. "Leader?" Yeah rookie leader. Aw did he think he was going to lead this thing? Isn't that cute. Time to knock him down a peg or two. God I'm gonna get Andros for this.

Almost feeling as if some sort of lame music score should be playing as I stroll too casually into the room, I need to stop watching so much TV. Okay breath, don't squirm, just look calm and cool and like you have a clue as to what you're doing.

"Who is that?" Ouch, my ego.

"That's Tommy." Well at least TJ remembers me. Not that I'm on very good terms with him. Well let's rephrase that, he's not on good terms with me. Not after the stunt he pulled a few years back. What was the point of morphing in front of hundreds of people? Please tell me that? There are less detrimental ways to be dramatic you know.

"Okay…" Still looking completely unimpressed the kid continues to wear my patience. "Why the awed looks?"

Suddenly laughing and slapping him the chest, less then gently, TJ isn't pleased by this question. "Are you serious? Man you are wet behind the ears. Tommy's the one and only evil Power Ranger turned good. He was the Green Ranger. The White Ranger. And the Red Zeo and Turbo Rangers. He's a legend." How flattering, you're still in trouble for revealing your identity to the public though so don't think that little speech gets you off the hook in my eyes.

Suddenly realizing they're all staring at me expectantly, I guess this is the part where I make my grand speech. "Thank you all for coming, especially on such short notice." I should have worked on that in the car instead of singing off key to rock songs.

All business Eric takes the stage. That is Eric right? Yeah he looks military, must be him. "So what's going on? The call sounded urgent." Oh nothing much, I just may have doomed us all, hope you kissed your loved ones goodbye this morning.

"Right, to business it is then." Walking over to them but still keeping a bit of space between us all so I can pace, I really wish Jason was here. He'd know what to say and how to say it. He was always giving me those little reassuring talks when I was still new. He was very good at them if I recall. "Several years ago the Evil Alliance built a force called the Machine Empire. These machines were ruthless, they had no sense of loyalty or honor and they were by far the toughest group I've ever faced or even seen. The Zeo Rangers managed to destroy them, mostly due to luck and Dark Spector refusing to come to their aid as even he felt they were too ruthless and too much of a liability. However some managed to escape. General Kan being the worst one that did."

"Who's Dark Spector?" You have got to be kidding me.

Swallowing the urge to sigh at the rookie's question I keep my voice level with a little effort. "Someone you don't ever want to meet. General Kan has over the years gathered up other warriors, rebuilding and improving them until they were strong enough to raise a full army. From what Andros says it's not an enormous one, but with it being machines it is a merciless and efficient one, not to be underestimated. They've over the last few months moved back into this galaxy and have been working on the moon. We didn't know why at first, but after a time we realized they were attempting to unearth Serpentera, a powerful Zord used by Lord Zedd. It was unfortunately abandoned on the moon after his defeat. Andros and myself were going to attempt to stop them before they completely unearthed it but that time's past. They're too close now and it's too risky for just the two of us at this point. Which is why we called you all."

"We have to go up there and stop them before it gets put into use." That's the plan Wes. "Okay, so what are we waiting for, let's get up there and dismantle those junk heaps." He's got some fire in him. Starting to see why he was one of us. I'll admit didn't see it before when I first learned of him, but I do now and it's reassuring to say the least.

"Go where? The moon? Okay so how exactly are we supposed to get there to stop them?" I really don't like this kid.

"In this." Holding up a remote and flipping on the lights in the back of the hanger that have been shadowing his prize, Andros looks very pleased. "I present the Astro Megaship, fresh off the construction line from KO-39, it's the fastest spaceship in this galaxy." Snazzy. Just hope it has what I need on board.

"Guys this is going to be a very dangerous mission. I can't force you to go. This is something you have to decide on your own." Though if you don't go and they get Serpentera working, I'm not to be held responsible if they come destroy you. Just so we're all clear on that.

"I don't know much about spaceships, or the machine empire." Then why are you here? You were not on my call list and I swear I'm gonna get Andros for this. "But I will go wherever I must to protect the earth. It's my destiny, my calling, I am-"

"That's great, everyone else in?"

As a round of 'yes', 'count on it', 'let's go', and 'like I'd pass up a battle' is given I can't say I'm too surprised. I didn't really expect any too back out, they're all fighters, all warriors in their own way, and if they're wearing red they're all adrenalin junkies like me. Just a little shared trait I've come to notice that belongs to all the blood colored Rangers.

"Hey isn't there supposed to be another Ranger from Earth?" Two actually, but couldn't find Rocky, and Jason…well he said he'd be here. If he'd changed his mind he would have called me right? Or Kat would have.

"Tom I don't think he's coming and we need to head out as soon as possible." Looking unsure, not wanting to leave our second best fighter, Andros seems to want my confirmation that time overrides his importance. Crud.

"I guess we-"

"Hey what's that?!" Hi was talking here. Little respect? Just a little, rookie? Dashing past me and out of the hanger we all quickly follow to see what caught his attention. Aha, knew he'd be here. Wasn't worried for a second. Nope, not me.

Riding the motorcycle into a smooth stop, Jason easily dismounts and removes his helmet. Oh look at that smile, someone got lucky before he left home. I wonder how Kat's handling this, knowing her husband nearly died due to his last set of powers, she can't be feeling very good about him going off to use his original set and fight the big bad again. Can't say I blame her in the least.

"Jason."

Smiling and all the more, he gives me a wink. Yep definitely got a proper send off from Kat. Lucky jerk. "You all weren't gonna do this without me now were you?" Naw, I would have found some way to stall. Steal the keys to the ship maybe. Eyes roaming over everyone, his gaze finally rests on me as he shakes his head.

Suddenly realizing they're all in a line up of some sort, no doubt unintentional, I share an amused smirk with my friend. I didn't tell them to do that, Jase. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Moving nonchalantly to the end of their line, he gives me another look which I can read perfectly, 'this one's new'. When I offer a casual nod to confirm his suspicions along with a small head shake to show my displeasure with the kid, he gets it easily. Amazing we can still do that after all these years. "So, you must be the new guy."

Fidgeting but looking pleased as he apparently knows who Jason is, the rookie wipes his sweaty hand on his jeans before offering it. No fair, he's no clue who I am despite my evil days and several costume changes but here comes Jason and he's practically salivating. Does he have a fan club I don't know about? "Hi, it's an honor to meet you. The original Red Ranger. The great warrior who stopped the Evil Green Ranger and then reformed him." Hey! Oh I definitely don't like this kid. "I'm Cole."

Looking at the offered hand and then to me, I can tell he's torn between laughing or hitting him. Forcing his smile to remain in place, he absently slaps Cole's arm and moves along. "Good for you." Moving past each Ranger in turn, I can see he's trying to place each one. "I recognize some of you guys. Some more than others." What does that mean? Hm, I'll ask him later.

As he finally comes to a stop in front of me I give him a mock angry glare. "I was starting to wonder if you were gonna show up."

Grinning but having the decency to blush as we both know why he's late, we both let it pass without joke or banter in the end though because of the others. "You didn't think I'd let you do this without me, did ya? Come on bro, couldn't let you have all the fun."

To be continued………