Death

by AJP

A Ranger dies and the others must deal with the aftermath and the return

1. Death

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Power Rangers and all related characters are the property of Saban Entertainment. S Club 7 and all of their songs are the property of S Club Ltd and 19 Management. I am not a member of S Club 7 although I wish I could have been. (I also wish I were six foot and really good-looking, but ah well). My character is my property and can be used without my permission, but if you could ask I'd be grateful. The Night Rangers characters are the property of John Chubb. Also any criticism good or bad is welcome, you can contact me at adampearlmans@yahoo.co.uk Also I've brought in the Time Force Rangers and given Kim and Wes a family connection of cousins. The songs used are Reach and Never Had A Dream Come True by S Club 7. The quotes in the battle between the Emperor and Adam are from Transformers The Movie.

H3 align=centerDeathBr

By: Adam Pearlman/h3

PPreviously

PThe four Rangers having returned safely to the present found that their return was less than peaceful as the Emperor started to launch a full-scale assault on the Rangers and Earth. Not a day has gone by when a monster has attacked and the Rangers have responded and defeated the monster. The victories have not come without the Rangers suffering though. Zack, Leo, Kelsey and Ashley have all suffered serious injuries in the past few weeks. The fight is getting worse and it's only a matter of time before the final assault begins. Now the story continues

PShe shivers as she recollects what awoke her once more. For the past week she has been haunted by dreams so horrible that each night she has awoken screaming and each night her lover has reassured her that it was just a dream. However, as she tries to return to sleeps embrace, she can't shake the feeling of unease, the feeling of cold dread that something terrible is going to happen. This time her lover had not awoken or if he had, he had just decided to go back to sleep. Making a decision she carefully extracts herself from his arms and grabbing a T-shirt and a pair of jeans she teleports out of the room leaving her lover to sleep.

PShe appears inside the Power Chamber and is surprised to find that it is occupied by two people. "Jason, Emily what are you doing here?" She asks.

P"Jason is just familiarising me with the Power Chamber systems. I felt I should know how things work if it becomes necessary" Emily explained.

PThe girl remembered that Emily had joined the team in the last few days when the Emperor's attacks had increased in ferocity. Zordon and Zedd had pooled their resources and created a new power coin for Emily the gold power coin and she was now the Gold Morphin Ranger. Although having literally been thrown in at the deep end she was already proving to be a capable Ranger.

P"The question is what are you doing here? I mean it's just after ten here, but back in England it's almost four in the morning" Jason inquired.

P"I couldn't sleep and thought I'd come and use the gym for a workout" She replies knowing her explanation is pretty lame.

PThe look on Jason face is one of concern and his tone he uses in his next sentence is the one she has heard people refer to as his leader voice. "I can expect that from your other half, but not you. What's the matter?" he asks.

PThe girl is about to reply when there is a sound and Zordon appears in his tube and alongside the tube is the holographic image of Dimitria who is in the other universe. Striding into the main chamber is a man who looks unhappy at being disturbed, but takes up a position by Zordon's tube.

PZordon looks down at three of his students and speaks. "Rangers what are you doing here, it is late and you should be resting, we do not know when the Emperor will attack again".

P"I was just giving Emily a crash course in the Power Chamber systems. With everything that's been going on we really haven't had chance to show her how things work. We were actually just about to head home when she showed up" Jason explained.

P"Turning his attention to the other girl Zordon said. "Rachel the hour is even later for you and you should be asleep".

P"I wish I was, but every time I close my eyes and try to sleep I dream of death" Rachel said.

PHer statement seemed to hang in the air for a long time and there was only silence except for Alpha. "Ay, Yi. Yi. Rachel what do you mean?"

P"The last week and ever since we came back from the past, also since the attacks increased I've been going to bed and drifting off to sleep and at first its all peaceful and then it just turns into a nightmare. We're fighting a battle and someone dies and all we can do is watch it happen" Rachel says quietly.

P"Alpha please scan Rachel for anything odd" Zordon asked.

PAlpha quickly proceeded as Zordon had asked and he quickly finished his scan and said. "The scans are negative, except for a bit of stress and lack of sleep Rachel is fine".

P"Well I don't feel fine" Rachel snapped.

P"Perhaps your telepathic abilities are sensing something and are relaying it to you through your dreams" Zedd said.

P"Zedd maybe correct, these dreams maybe premonitions. With your permission I would like to temporarily meld minds with you and see what you are dreaming" Zordon asked.

PRachel nodded somewhat reluctantly. For a second there was silence as the two entered into a telepathic link and then Zordon's face relaxed and his eye's opened.

P"Alpha contact the Rangers at once, tell them to drop whatever they are doing at come here on the double" Zordon ordered.

P"Zordon what is it? What did you see?" Jason asked.

PZordon's reply was one word. "Death".

PBoth Emily and Jason looked thunderstruck by what Zordon said and Rachel just looked miserable. Then in teleportation beams of red, blue, black, pink, yellow, green, purple, gold, silver and white the Rangers arrived in various states. While the other Rangers were still dressed the Rangers of the other universe where dressed in basically what they had been wearing when they had been awoken from sleep.

P"This had better be important I was asleep" Jo moaned as she pulled her dressing gown tighter around herself.

P"It is Joanne" Zordon said.

P"What's going on?" Kendrix asked.

P"I believe Rachel can offer an explanation and then I will speak" Zordon answered.

P"Rachel what's going on?" I asked concerned as I saw her expression.

PI reached over to her and she pulled away and then turned away from the assembled Rangers before she turned and explained. "Since I came back from the past I've been having nightmares and each night they've seemed real and then each night I've had the same nightmare again".

P"You woke us up, because your having a nightmare" Jon muttered.

P"It is not a nightmare I believe, but a premonition of what is to come" Zordon said.

P"A premonition" Kim asked.

P"Yes at some point all humans have them. Except they interpret them as dreams and don't really recall when the actual event happens to them" Zedd explained.

P"In the case of Rachel being a telepath, she is actually experiencing the coming event and remembering. From what I saw, something is going to happen and I fear for your very safety Rangers" Zordon said.

P"Zordon we've been in danger before and we've dealt with it, we can handle this" Tommy said confidently.

PAround him there were a few nods from other Rangers. However while Zordon looked relieved, Rachel still looked concerned.

P"There is also another matter which I intended to discuss with you in the morning, but since you are here now I will explain" Zordon said.

P"What's up Zordon?" TJ asked.

P"I have detected monster activity in the nearby city of Silver Hills" Zordon said.

P"Why weren't we alerted" Carter said.

P"The danger was dealt with" Dimitria answered.

P"By who, I can't imagine that the police could handle it" I said.

P"No, but a team of Rangers could" Zedd said.

P"A new team of Rangers" Paul asked.

P"I believe so and from what we have been able to determine, they are not from this time period" Zordon said.

P"What do you mean?" Skull asked.

P"They appear to be time travellers. The reason I bring them up, is I want to initiate contact with them" Zordon said.

P"You mean get another team of Rangers to help us with our problems and we'll help them with there's" I asked.

P"Exactly, five or six more Rangers may tip the balance in our favour and with four of our number hurt, we need all the help we can get. I would suggest that only two of you should go while the rest remain on alert here and in the other universe" Zordon said.

P"I'll go, Kim don't you have relatives in the Silver Hills area" I asked.

P"Yeah my cousin Wes and my Uncle live there" Kim said.

P"Good, it might be nice to have somewhere to base our search from" I replied.

P"Adam you can't go" Rachel suddenly blurted out.

PPulling her to one side I said. "Rach. I'm the best person to go, as the leader it's my responsibility" Then I paused and looked at her again and I suddenly knew. "This is about your premonition isn't it?"

P"Yes, I'd just feel better if you weren't off where I can't find you" Rachel explained.

P"I can take care of myself, nothing will happen" I said.

P"Okay that's settled, me and Kim will go to Silver Hills in the morning. Now, I suggest we all get some rest as tomorrow is going to be a busy day" I said.

P"Agreed, meet here about 9 in the morning" Kim said.

PI nodded and then we all teleported out to get some sleep. Returning to our flat Rachel and I quickly returned to bed and even as I tried to sleep I could see that Rachel was still wide awake. Reaching out I pulled her close to me and at first she seemed reluctant to take comfort in me and then she gave in and wrapped her arms around me and buried her head in my chest and fell into a troubled sleep.

PIn the nexus where time has no meaning the Emperor plotted. "So two of the Rangers are going to contact another team of Rangers in Silver Hills, this is perfect" The Emperor said.

P"How my lord?" Devastator asked.

P"Hold on where's the fire? That's what I like about you my friend, you're always rushing into things. It's like when I captured you and made you more than you were. Remember how you were rushing into that building, even though it was burning down" The Emperor said.

PDevastator remained silent, memories of his past life were difficult and few and those he did remember made no sense at all.

P"Still having seen your counterpart it's not difficult to see that rashness. Anyway tomorrow when those Rangers go to Silver Hills, you and the Wizard will launch a full-scale assault on the Power Chamber" The Emperor said.

P"But what about the defences" Devastator protested.

P"No problem, after all I designed those defences in our own reality, breaking them down should be no problem for me" Wizard said.

P"My counterpart and the Pink Ranger will return from a successful mission to find total destruction and defeat upon them" The Emperor said.

PThe Emperor began to laugh and the two monsters did also, but deep inside both of them the people they had once been screamed in horror.

PThe morning soon came and I met up with Kim at the Power Chamber to get hold of some gear to track down these new Rangers. As I arrived Kim was trying some sunglasses on.

P"Nice shades Kim, I mean it is awfully bright in here" I said.

P"Ha, Ha. Alpha designed them take a look" Kim said as she passed a pair to me.

P"Don't tell me they are really X-ray specs" I said.

P"Ay, Yi. Yi. No they are not" Alpha cried.

P"I was joking Alpha, now let see what they do" I said.

PPlacing them over my eyes I immediately was rewarded with a computer screen and some kind of scanner. Looking around I looked at Kim and it produced a pink hue around her body, while round Alpha was no hue.

P"Cool, useful and fashionable, definitely the way to go. Nice one Alpha" I said.

P"Glad you like them" Alpha said.

P"Rangers these scanners will allow you to locate the Rangers. They have been specifically tuned to allow you to locate any temporal anomalies. Since we believe the Rangers are from another time, they should be easy to locate" Zordon said.

P"Easy to locate, how many people are there in Silver Hills" I said.

P"Too many" Kim said.

P"Well, then you should get started" Zordon said.

P"Right we're out here. We'll contact you when we've found them" I said.

PThen the two of us teleported out. Suddenly an alarm started to beep.

P"Alpha?" Zedd asked.

P"Oh no, we've got Torachian Warriors, Putties, Tengas, Cogs, Piranhatrons and Quantrons in Angel Grove and lots of them" Alpha said.

P"Alpha contact all of the Rangers and inform them to morph and meet this threat at once" Zordon ordered.

PAlpha didn't reply and instead got to work and over two universe's 40 communicators beeped and 40 people ducked into a private spot and morphed into battle.

PThe group all arrived simultaneously and each one echoed more or less the same thought and it was Rocky who voiced. "Oh shit".

P"Guys we're outnumbered, like by several hundred" Joel said.

P"Whether there is 100 hundred or a hundred thousand we have to stop them" Tommy said.

P"But Tommy, we're really outnumbered" Chris said.

P"Anyone who wants to leave can, but I'm staying if we don't stop them now, there's no telling what might happen" Tommy said.

PTo their credit not a single Ranger left, each one said a little prayer and then dropped into a fighting stance.

P"There are a couple of words that are just appropriate right about now" Jon said.

P"And what are they?" Trini asked.

PJon just looked out at the army of foot soldiers and raised his hand and in an imitation of the Rock used his gesture and said. "Just bring it".

PAnd they did the assembled lackey's charged at that gathered Rangers and the battle was joined. There was no time for strategy or preparation, it was simple, brutal hit out and hope for the best. Experienced Rangers fought alongside the not so experienced, giving them the benefit of their knowledge and the battle continued.

PIf you had been an observer from a great height, all you would have seen is specks of colour lost in a mass of grey and brown. From his position in the nexus the Emperor watched in delight. "Predictable as always Rangers".

P"Master?" Wizard said.

P"Simple I knew that the Rangers would rush into battle with my forces, not even taking time to think if there is a strategy behind it all. Now, you and Devastator will take more of our forces and attack the Power Chamber" The Emperor commanded.

P"May I point out that even though I understand and can disarm the defences, some of them I may not be able to" Wizard explained.

P"That's what the Cogs are for, if you need some one to destroy a weapon that you can't disable, use them as cannon fodder" Emperor replied simply.

P"As you command Emperor, so it shall be done" Wizard said simply.

PThen he and Devastator along with dozen more Cogs and Piranhatrons teleported away.

PMeanwhile in Silver Hills blissfully unaware of the carnage going on back in Angel Grove, Kim and I began our search.

P"You seem to be taking it quite well" Kim suddenly said.

P"Huh, what!" I replied not sure what she meant.

P"I mean, the fact that Rachel had a premonition that you're going to die" Kim explained.

P"She didn't have that premonition and she didn't say who was going to die" I replied.

P"Come on Adam are you seriously telling me that Rachel wouldn't have been that worked up if it wasn't you" Kim said.

PAt that I stopped and Kim also came to a halt. "You're right of course, I know that it has to be me. The way she's been acting around me the last week since the dreams started. It's like she can't bear to be more than a few metres from me or something was going to happen" I said.

P"She's just worried and trying to protect you" Kim answered.

P"I don't need protecting, I'm capable of taking care of myself" I snapped.

P"Really, come on don't tell me that you don't enjoy it, the feeling of someone fussing over you and looking after you" Kim asked.

P"Okay I admit, Rachel looking after me does have its perks, but I don't want to be wrapped in cotton wool. Besides these premonitions may not come true or if they do, not for years anyway" I said.

P"I hope you're right, none of us want to lose you" Kim said.

P"Come on if I died, you could easily find a new White Ranger to take my place" I said.

PKim's reply was quiet, but I heard it. "No one can take your place Adam".

P"Thanks that means a lot Kim" I said.

P"I'm serious, your like part of the furniture, you've been a Ranger for so long, its hard to imagine the Rangers without you" Kim said.

P"Thanks again, but enough getting nostalgic and we have work to do" I said.

PKim nodded and placed the shades that Alpha had given her over her eyes and began scanning people for temporal signatures.

PMeanwhile at the Power Chamber Zordon monitored the battle. "Alpha the situation is collapsing and I don't think the Rangers can handle this amount of enemies".

P"We're going to help, its time for us to make a difference and make up for what we've done" Goldar said.

P"Yeah I just love teleporting into the middle of battle where we're outnumbered by hundreds, a lot of fun" Rito said sarcastically.

PA look from Goldar silenced him and then the two turned and where about to teleport away when the alarms went off again.

PNow what, if that keeps going off I'm going to have a headache" Rita muttered.

P"Devastator and another monster along with more Cogs, Piranhatrons and Warriors and heading this way" Alpha said.

P"Alpha activate the outer defences" Zordon commanded.

PAlpha nodded and out in the desert near the Power Chamber from hidden positions dozens of laser cannons appeared and started to fire at the approaching enemy.

PThe first shots took out a row of the enemy, but still they came. Inside the Power Chamber Zedd said. "Good shooting, but we need to hit them again before they can have chance to recover".

P"Right, preparing to fire again" Alpha said.

PEven as he hit the sequence on the console, the lights in the Power Chamber and indeed all sounds went out. There was as flicker and then Zordon's tube lit up once more.

P"Er what's happened to the lights" Rito asked.

P"We've lost all power" Alpha cried.

P"What's the source Alpha?" Zordon asked.

P"Without the computers I couldn't tell you Zordon, but it appears that everything has been shutdown" Alpha said.

P"There are only two people who have the knowledge to shut down the Power Chamber and both of them are fighting at the moment" Zordon said.

P"You don't mean its one of the Rangers" Goldar said.

P"Indeed, Billy once under the influence of one of Zedd's spells shut down the Command Centre. He is extremely familiar with the Power Chamber system as is Justin. However it was not either of them" Zordon said.

P"Then who did it" Rita demanded.

P"Devastator's companion is called the Wizard, like Devastator and his master he is from the other universe and he also has intimate knowledge of the Power Chamber systems" Zordon said.

P"Ay, Yi. Yi. That would only be possible if he had been in the Power Chamber before, but he could have only done that if he was a Ranger" Alpha said.

P"Are you saying that the Wizard is one of the Rangers from the other universe, but mutated into that form" Zedd angrily demanded.

PZordon seemed reluctant but then he said. "Yes, both he and Devastator and possibly others are in fact former Rangers mutated in some way. Devastator is or was Carter Grayson and Wizard is either Billy or Justin".

P"Why didn't you tell us, tell the Rangers" Zedd asked.

P"I wanted to spare them pain, it was better that they believed their other selves dead, rather than in a fate worse than dead" Zordon said.

P"I really hate to point this out, but we still have two monsters and the goon squad heading this way" Rita said.

P"Rito and I will go out and face them" Goldar suggested.

P"The two of you against an army, you'll be slaughtered" Alpha said.

P"They will be not alone. Blue Centurion reporting for duty" the robot said.

P"Where the hell did you come from?" Zedd asked.

P"Zordon contacted me yesterday and arrived early this morning. I was recharging when my cycle was interrupted and I knew something was wrong" Blue Centurion said.

P"We're glad for your help" Rito said.

P"It's still three against a hundred or so" Alpha protested.

P"It doesn't matter, if this place falls then this entire universe may fall as well and we have to prevent that from happening. Hopefully we can delay them until the Rangers can assist us. Now we must go" Goldar said.

PThen they three teleported out and Rita said. "Well, there goes three really brave people or are just they stupid.

PZedd chuckled and said. "Alpha help me work on restoring the power".

P"Please work on the communication systems, that is the most important priority. The sooner it is operation we can contact the Rangers, while you work on it I will telepathically contact Ninjor and Auric the Conqueror and ask them to assist Goldar and the others" Zordon said.

PAlpha didn't bother reply and instead set to work on the systems. Meanwhile back in Silver Hills still unaware of what was transpiring Kim and I had tracked a temporal signature to the park. The signature was coming from a young girl who was possibly our age or within our age range. She seemed to notice we were following her as several times when we followed she stopped and looked around and then continued.

P"Either this girl knows we're following or she just thinks we're going the same way" Kim said.

P"I don't think so, I think she might know that we're follow her, there is something about her manner, it's almost as if she's leading us somewhere" I said.

PI didn't finish my sentence as she turned around and placed her hands on her hips and looked at us. We both came to halt as we realised that there were four other people also around us. The girl walked up to us and said. "Okay, now that we have the advantage, why are you following me?"

PLooking at Kim who shrugged helpless I was about to reply when one of the others spoke. "Kim!"

PThe speaker was a young man wearing blue jeans, a red T-shirt and a black jacket and I saw from Kim's face that she recognised the speaker and she said. "Hi Wes".

P"Kim what are you doing here and why are you following Jen?" Wes asked.

P"It's a bit complicated Wes, Adam and I are here looking for" Kim started to explain.

PShe was cut off by the youngster with the green hair who pointed at Adam and then at her and said. "Don't you recognise them?" He said excitedly.

P"Should I Trip?" the yellow clad female.

P"Of course Katie, the girl is Kimberly Hart, Olympic Gymnast from the year 2000 and the original Pink Ranger. And the guy is Adam Pearlman the first Silver Ranger and the White Ranger who was there at the day they call the Countdown at the end of the twentieth century" Trip explained.

P"Of course I knew you looked familiar, what are you doing here?" Jen asked.

P"We're looking for the Time Force Rangers" I explained.

P"Guys we can trust them, we're the Time Force Rangers" the guy in blue said.

P"Lucas!" Jen cried.

P"She's right you know, just because we look like them doesn't me we are, but we are who we appear to be. Sorry that gets confusing, look we've come from Angel Grove because we need your help" I said.

P"Why, what's happened?" Wes asked.

P"If we could talk somewhere less public" Kim said.

P"Sure, we can talk at the Clock Tower" Jen suggested.

PThe girl started to walk off and I started to follow with Kim walking next to Wes and the others bring up the rear. As I walked I noticed from the way Jen carried herself that she was the leader of this team.

PMeanwhile back in Angel Grove the Rangers were continuing their fight with the forces of evil. Whilst some still fought hand to hand, others had resorted to pulling out there weapons and striking anything that moved towards them and wasn't a Ranger. Kendrix had found herself the ideal position and beside her stood Cassie and Hannah and the three fired their different weapons into the mass of enemies before them.

P"This is like too easy" Kendrix said.

P"I wish it were that easy, but we're still outnumbered and they're not all going to stand around and let us pick them off like this" Cassie remarked.

P"Yeah and here come some of those grey goons" Hannah yelled

PTurning the three saw a group of Putties had broken from the mass and headed for the three who quickly disappeared their weapons and defended themselves. All over the battlefield Rangers adopted a similar strategy until the area became too crowded for the usage of long range weapons and many resorted using their bladeblaster or Zeo swords.

PSeveral of the less experienced Rangers had found themselves backed into a corner. "Guys we have nowhere to go" Emily said as a hint of panic creeped into her voice. The reason for the panic was she, Alison and Trianna were backed up against a wall and had nowhere to go.

P"Patience, we have them right were we want them" Trianna said.

P"Err, from my point of view they have us right where they want us, I mean we have nowhere to go" Alison yelled.

PTrianna didn't reply and instead extended her hand and in it appeared her Silver Power Staff.

P"Hey that's a good idea, give them your weapon and maybe they won't kill us" Alison said.

P"I have a plan, don't worry" Trianna said calmly.

P"Well, can you hurry up and reveal it or we're going to be dead" Emily shouted.

PThen the three heard a voice which shouted. "It's time for a Gold Rush". Extending the staff in his hand the Gold Ranger Farcus Bulkmeier otherwise known as Bulk flew into the midst of the Cogs and in seconds there was only Rangers standing.

P"Looks like you ladies needed a little help" he commented.

P"Was this your plan?" Alison asked.

PYes, the powers of the Silver and Gold Zeo Rangers are linked and allow for telepathic communication between each other. These powers are only available when the crystal is in use, but it still comes in handy. I was able to communicate to Bulk our need for assistance" Trianna explained.

P"And I was only too happy to assist you" Bulk said.

P"When we've finished patting each other on the back, shouldn't we get back to the fight" Emily asked.

PThe three nodded and they dived back into the fight. Meanwhile outside the Power Chamber three warriors fought valiantly against the hordes of enemy intent on gaining entry into the Chamber.

P"Isn't this fun, boy I'm sure glad we became good" Rito mumbled sarcastically.

P"Less talk, more fighting" Goldar remarked as he decapitated several Cogs with a swing of his sword.

PThe three continued to fight, but even with their skills they were soon beginning to fight a losing battle. Goldar left arm hung limply at his side while he held his sword in his right and continued to swing it around him. Rito was bleeding from several cuts on his face and arms, while the Blue Centurion was looking rather dented. Just as it looked like the three were done for.

P"Never fear Auric the Conqueror is here" a voice said.

PHalf turning Goldar was relieved to see Auric stood there and alongside him was Ninjor.

P"Zordon managed to contact us and we are here to help" Ninjor explained.

P"Now sit back and rest for a moment while Ninjor and I deal with these ruffians" Auric said.

PThen the two new arrivals dived into the fight while the others took a moment to regain their composure and their breath before diving into the fighting again as well.

PMeanwhile in Silver Hills we had arrived at the Clock Tower and I was beginning to explain the reason for our arrival. "So you see we're in a lot of trouble and we need your help".

P"Our mission is to capture Ransik and nothing else" Jen stated.

P"Jen! These are fellow Rangers and they came to us for help" Katie said.

P"Exactly, we're not asking you to abandon your own mission, just to assist us with our battle and in return we'll help you complete your own" Kim mentioned.

P"Sounds like a good deal, I mean with backup from other Rangers we can take down Ransik in no time" Lucas commented.

P"But why do you need our help, surely the Rangers who defeated Dark Spectre can stop this threat" Wes asked.

P"The Emperor possess the combined powers of Dark Spectre, Zordon and a whole host of Ranger powers. He also has the resources of an entire universe at his fingertips" Kim explained.

P"I remember reading about him in the history books, if I remember right he was a former Ranger in fact he was you" Jen said.

P"I do so hate it when people remember that fact" I said sarcastically.

P"Don't mention that his counterpart is the Emperor it's kind of a sore point" Kim said.

P"Thanks for that Kim, so do you know our futures?" I asked.

P"Yeah, according to our history there was a big battle that involved Rangers from the future and the White Ranger died" Trip said.

P"Trip!" Jen shouted.

PKim looked over at me and I looked back at her. "Well I guess that lends credence to theory that I'm going to die today" I said.

P"Just because it's a White Ranger doesn't mean it's you, it could be Tommy he is still the White Power Ranger" Kim said.

P"Yes, but you're ignoring the premonitions that Rachel had, well we all got to go sometime and I thought it might be in my sixties surrounded by children and grandchildren but when you got to go you got to go" I said.

P"I'm really sorry, Trip never meant to reveal that" Jen said.

P"It's okay, look we need your help, will you give it to us?" I asked.

P"On the condition that you agree to help us capture Ransik" Jen asked.

P"Done" I said.

PTo seal the deal Jen and I shook hands. Kim smiled and reached for her communicator. "Zordon this is Kim we've found the Rangers and they've agreed to help us".

PThe reply was very distorted and scrambled. "Excellent…. Return to the Power…. At once" Zordon said.

P"That was odd" I said.

P"Something must be wrong" Kim suggested.

PGuys, grab on to us, we're teleporting back home now" I ordered.

PEach of the Time Rangers grabbed onto either Kim or me while the little robotic owl landed on Trip's shoulder. Without hesitation we activated teleportation and teleported back to the Power Chamber and straight into hell.

P"Oh my god what happened?" Kim said shocked.

PHer shock was understandable, one wall of the Power Chamber was now a smoking ruin and several of the consoles were now in pieces. Both Rito and Goldar were unconscious and looked in a bad way while Blue Centurion, Ninjor and Auric didn't look that good either.

P"Zordon what the hell happened?" I demanded.

P"While the other Rangers dealt with an army of the Emperor's foot soldiers we were attacked by Devastator, Wizard and more foot-soldiers. Although we were able to slow them down we were not able to stop them and this is the result" Zordon explained.

P"Are you and Alpha okay?" Kim asked.

P"We're fine Kimberly and so are all the others, just a little battered. The Rangers are teleporting in" Alpha said.

PAs he said that the other Rangers teleported in and removed their helmets and looked equally shocked at the devastation. Looking around I found Rachel and ran to her side even as Kim found Rocky.

P"Are you okay?" I asked.

P"I'm fine Adam. 'Are you okay, you seem a little on edge'" Rachel asked.

P"'I'm fine, just a little distressed over the destruction that's all'" I answered.

P"'You are an awful liar'" Rachel replied.

P"Rangers as you can see while you have been fighting and Adam and Kimberly where finding the other Rangers we have been attacked. The damage is not serious and I suspect it was meant to rattle us" Zordon said.

P"It's certainly done that, I mean if they can attack here then nowhere is safe" Bradley said.

P"I agree, I mean the Power Chamber has always been our one safe haven and twice now its been destroyed and now this" Tommy said.

P"Rangers, this is just a thing and can be rebuilt, the main thing is no- one was killed" Rita said.

PAgreed and now I welcome our new friends, I am Zordon of Eltare and this is the Power Rangers base of operations the Power Chamber and I assure you that it has seen better days" Zordon said.

P"I can't tell you what an honour this is. To meet Zordon of Eltare and his Rangers, in our time you are all legends" Lucas said.

P"Good to know that we won't be forgot" Rocky remarked.

P"You could never be forgotten, your accomplishments as Rangers and ordinary people are well-known" Katie said.

P"Rangers the time has come for me to tell you some truths about the monsters you have faced" Zordon said.

P"What do you mean Zordon?" Carter asked.

P"Devastator and the Wizard who attacked here earlier are not what they seem" Zordon replied.

P"What do you mean?" Jason said.

P"They are from the Emperor's home universe and they were transformed into their current state by him" Zordon answered.

P"They're human" Dana asked.

P"Yes, I'm afraid so" Zordon answered.

P"Look do you know who they are?" Andros demanded.

P"I do, the Wizard is or was Billy and Devastator is or again was Carter Grayson" Zordon said.

PI was stunned and so where the others, but it was Dana whom I looked at first and I saw that she had turned white as a sheet and was moving away from our Carter who was already taking steps towards her.

PStepping towards them I stepped between Carter and Dana and turning to Carter whispered. "Leave it, she needs some time I'll talk to her".

PCarter nodded and despite his obvious reluctance he backed off and I walked over to Dana who had stopped her backward motion as she had finally hit a wall and then she collapsed to the floor in heap.

P"Dana are you okay?" I asked quietly.

PLooking up at me with eyes that were already welling up with tears she said. "Does it look like I'm okay?" She said angrily.

P"Sorry dumb question, look this is what the Emperor wants. He knew you would react like this when you found out. I don't know Carter very well, but I do think that if he were in any sort of control of himself now he would not have done that to you. Don't think it was Carter that raped you, because it wasn't it was Devastator. Now there is a Carter over there who I believe would rather die than hurt you like that and he needs you, now more than ever" I said.

P"I guess so, it was just a shock that's all" Dana said.

P"I know, look I know this hurts and the Emperor keeps finding ways for you to not forget it, but I do promise you this, he won't get away with this and I will make him pay for everything he has done to you" I said.

P"Is that the White Ranger or Big brother talking" Dana asked.

P"Both, now wipe those tears and show them what we Pearlman's are made of" I said lightly.

PDana laughed and I extended my hand helped her up and we walked back to the others. I smiled and watched as Dana went over and drew Carter into a hug.

PMeanwhile as the others recovered from the battle and we prepared for the next battle Devastator made his way through the Emperor's castle. He stopped at a room and at first he hesitated and then he entered the room. There is not much furniture in the room and on the walls are photo's and pictures of Dana Mitchell. Some are ordinary pictures and others are of her but not her dressed as the Glitz girl whom the Dana of the universe they are attacking was. And there in the centre of a room sat bound to a chair is the Dana Mitchell of the Emperor's universe dressed as her counterpart had been in photo's of taken of her as the Glitz girl. But unlike the other Dana she is catatonic and not aware of someone else being in the room.

PBack at the Power Chamber, Zordon had decided that there would be no more attacks today and suggested that the Rangers retire to their homes and rest. I was about to teleport out with the other S Clubbers when I saw Kat motioning to me and Rachel. Walking over to her I said. "What's up?"

P"I've been meaning to ask you this for the last couple of days. I was wondering if you and Rachel would come to dinner tonight with me and Tommy and my parents" Kat asked.

P"Really, or is this your Mother prodding you into asking" I said sarcastically.

P"Okay my Mom suggested it, I told her that I had told you about Alex and she said it was time that you met your daughter and we finally cleared the air" Kat said.

P"Does she know that you're a Ranger" Rachel asked.

P"She doesn't, all she knows is that Adam is a Ranger. I can't tell you the reaction when she found out that the father of her Grandchild was the White Astro Ranger" Kat said.

P"Wait until she finds out that her daughter and future son-in-law are also Rangers" I said lightly.

P"She'll probably hit the roof, look are you going to come, I really think you should meet Alex" Kat asked.

P"I don't know, I mean she's four years old. I've missed all of her life so far, its not like I know her" I said.

P"We'll be there, what time do you want us there?" Rachel butted in.

PKat smiled and gave us a time before she joined Tommy and teleported out leaving me and Rachel behind.

P"What did you do that for?" I demanded.

P"I think you should meet Alex, she's your daughter and she deserves to know her Father and you deserve to know her as well" Rachel explained.

P"You're a very smart woman" I said.

PRachel smiled and giving me a quick peck on the cheek she said. "Well, that's why you're marrying me".

P"Actually I'm marrying you for your looks" I said cheekily.

PRachel swatted at my head and I attempted to duck but not too much and then the two of us teleported out.

PSeveral hours passed and the time had come to go to dinner and after knocking on the door Kat showed us into the sitting room. Her parents where there and I nodded in greeting to them, but it was the little girl stood next to them that caught my attention and I leaned down towards and started to say. "Hi Alex I'm.."

PInterrupting me in only the way a small child can she said. "Are you my Daddy?"

PAt that I hesitated and I saw Alex turn to Kat who gently leaned down and said. "Yes he is".

PAt that very instant I saw a hint of the passion and fire that I had seen in Kat pass through Alex's eyes and then she ran out of the room and up the stairs and slammed the door behind her.

P"I knew I shouldn't have come, I knew this was only going to upset her" I said.

P"Adam why don't you go and talk to her" Rachel suggested.

P"Yeah, I mean it could help and if it fails it can only make things worse" Tommy said.

PI glared at Tommy who merely looked innocent and I turned and slowly walked up the stairs to Alex's room. I hesitated at the door and wondered what could I say to make it better and then banishing the hesitation I knocked and entered.

P"Go away" Alex screamed.

P"No, I'm not going away" I insisted.

P"Why you did already before" the little girl screamed again tears streaming down her cheeks.

PI started to speak, but the words caught in my throat. What could I say I hadn't been here for any of her life so far and then I spoke. "Look I know, I haven't been here for you before now, but I'm here now. Your Mom decided that she didn't want to be with me anymore and that I had my own life and she didn't want to make me give up my life. If I had known about you, if she'd told me she was pregnant I would have stayed I would have been involved in your life".

PAt first the tears continued and I wasn't even sure if she had been listening and then slowly she looked at me and asked. "Do you want to be my Daddy?"

PKneeling down to her level I reached out and brushed away the tears that still remained on her cheeks and said. "Yes, I want to be there for you, I want to look after you and I want you to be able to come to me for advice and I don't know what I'm talking about, but I want to be there when you need me".

PFor the first time the little girl smiled and she reached out and hugged me and I enfolded her with my own arms and we stood like that for a long while. Then picking her up I said. "Come on we'd better go down or else dinner will be ruined".

PAlex laughed and I turned to leave the room when I heard something like the sound of crashing and then my head exploded in pain as I felt Rachel scream my name. "'ADAM!".

PI moved towards the stairs almost without touching the floor when I smelt it. "Ah hell, gas". I didn't even have time to react as I flung myself and Alex back up the landing the kitchen erupted in flames and I fell to the floor with Alex clutching onto me even more tightly.

PStanding up I started for the stairs only to see Tommy and Kat stood there and I started to call out to them when I stopped in horror. Tommy was holding a can of something in his hand and he was pouring it on the bottom of the stairs and floor and in Kat's hand was a lit match. Looking up at me Tommy spoke and as he did I felt a chill as I recognised the tone of voice. "We'll see you soon Ranger". Then he and Kat teleported away and as Kat did the match in her hand dropped to the floor and the stairs erupted in flames and I backed away again.

PIn panic I looked around and then I remembered that Kat's bedroom was at the front of the house. Gripping Alex closer to me I ran for the bedroom. Gently putting Alex down I grabbed the nearest object and smashed the window. Grabbing Alex I climbed out of the window and jumped down into the garden below where I was relieved to see both of Kat's parents and Rachel stood there coughing and covered in soot and dirt and with a small bruise already starting form on her face, but otherwise okay.

P"Rachel are you okay?" I asked.

P"I'm fine, are you and Alex okay" Rachel asked.

P"What the hell is going on?" Mr. Hillard demanded.

P"I wish I knew, Tommy and Kat set the entrance hall and stairs on fire. If I hadn't remembered Kat had a front facing room, we might have been toast" I said.

P"Kat hit me and put out the pilot light on the stove and lit a match" Mrs. Hillard screamed hysterically.

P"We heard a crash and when I turned to investigate Tommy called out my name and I turned and he punched me. Mr. Hillard intervened but Tommy was faster, if I hadn't used my telepathic abilities to make him think I was unconscious it could have been a lot worse" Rachel said.

P"Did you sense anything when you used your telepathy?" I asked.

P"Darkness from both of them and great evil" Rachel said.

P"Evil, but why and how?" Mr. Hillard asked.

P"I guess since this has happened I should tell you the truth. How much did Kat tell you about me?" I asked.

PBy now Mrs. Hillard had calmed a great deal and said. "Just that you were a student on an exchange program at the High School".

P"The truth of the matter is I come from another dimension and as you know I'm a Ranger and so are Kat and Tommy" I said.

PBoth parents looked thunderstruck and Rachel said. "Perhaps we should continue this at the Power Chamber, before a crowd turns up".

PNodding I motioned to Rachel who took hold of Mrs. Hillard while I grabbed onto Mr. Hillard and we teleported to the Power Chamber. Arriving I was relieved to see that much of the damage had been repaired and then I saw others were already there.

P"Kincaid what are you doing here?" I asked startled.

P"We heard that you were having a little trouble and Zordon asked us to come and help" Kincaid replied.

P"Couldn't have come at a better time" Rachel replied.

P"Ay, Yi. Yi. Rachel what happened to your face" Alpha asked.

P"I had a run in with Tommy's fist" Rachel answered.

P"Sit down on the diagnostic bed and let me examine the blow" Alpha said.

PAs she did I turned to Zordon and said. "I brought the Hillards here to explain what's going on, but I think you should call in the others. Tommy and Kat have turned to the dark side".

P"Then that is what I felt earlier" Zedd replied and I looked at him questioningly. "I felt a darkness about twenty minutes ago, but couldn't tell where it was coming from".

P"Will someone please tell me what is going on?" Mr. Hillard demanded.

P"Mr and Mrs Hillard, I am Zordon the mentor of the Power Rangers. Your daughter Katherine and future son in law Tommy are both Rangers. The Pink Zeo and the Red Zeo Rangers to be precise. If Zedd is correct then they have been made to serve evil. I will return you to your street where you can speak to the fire department, I would ask that you do not tell anyone what you have just found out as it may jeopardise your daughter".

PThe two nodded and I started to hand Alex over to them intending to let her go with them when she refused to let go of me. "Alex you have to go with them, it will be safer".

P"Don't wanna, I wanna stay with you Daddy" Alex said stubbornly.

P"I know honey, but it's not safe here and I need you to look after your Grandparents while I'm gone" I said gently.

P"Okay" Alex said reluctantly.

P"Good girl, now I'll be back shortly with your Mom" I said.

P"Promise" Alex asked.

P"I promise" I said as I handed Alex to her Grandmother and Alpha teleported them out.

PAs they teleported out the others teleported in and saw the Night Rangers had returned. Hesitating I turned and quickly with input from Rachel explained what had transpired.

P"What is it with Tommy? Does he have a sign on his back that only evil people can see saying make me evil" Jason shouted.

P"I don't know, but he does seem to have a bit of bullseye on his back for this one, but we'll get him back like always" I said.

P"Lucieferian" a quiet voice said.

PEveryone turned and looked at Veronica and she started explain. "For the Time Force Rangers who probably wonder why there are three of the same people. I am from another universe as well, I was Astronema until a couple of weeks ago until I was able to escape and I've settled in this universe because I'm unable to go back to my universe. But what I meant is that Luciferian technology has been used on Tommy".

P"I knew it, that's one of the reasons we came back" Kincaid said.

P"What do you mean?" Rocky asked.

P"Back in our universe we started to hear things that remnants of the Luciferian Empire had set up shop in another universe and that they had a Ranger under their control" Sarah said.

P"Doesn't take a genius to work out that they meant Tommy" TJ said.

P"The question is, how long has he been under their control and how did they manage to get to Kat" Andros asked.

P"They captured remember, just before we found out about the Emperor's true identity" Zack said.

P"Of course, when they captured him, they must have placed a spell or used some technology on him and made him work for them, but still appear to be the normal Tommy" Billy suggested.

P"I wish it were then, but he was captured before the end of last year. The Emperor brought him to the nexus and had the device implanted inside of his brain. The Emperor was about to make his move and he wanted to know exactly what was going on. That's how he was able to concoct his plans, he had inside information and knew just where to strike. The implant made him act normally, but for short periods he would be under the Emperor's control" Veronica explained.

P"So that's how the Emperor knew about Rachel?" I said.

P"Yes, from Tommy he learnt all about your current status and life and he decided that he would seek to cause you misery and pain by taking something that was important from you like Rachel" Veronica said.

P"Fortunatley for me, I had friends who were willing to help me go to another universe to find her. Now that we know what's happened to Tommy, the question remains what about Kat" I said.

P"I don't know, over the last few months the Emperor began to trust me less, I think he suspected that his control over me was failing and he began to trust Darkonda more and confide in him" Veronica said miserably.

PJon placed a comforting hand on the girls shoulder and said gently. "Don't blame yourself, you've been able to help us find out what happened to one of them and all we have to do is find a way to reverse it".

PI looked over at Veronica and then at the way she was looking at Jon and gave a small smile.

P"I think it's easy to guess what happened to Kat. Probably the Emperor decided that two Rangers under his control was better than one and got Tommy to implant her with a similar device" Kincaid suggested.

P"It does sound a reasonable hypothesis, Alpha begin scanning for Tommy and Katherine" Zordon said.

PAlpha nodded and set to work at one of the consoles and as the other Rangers broke into groups to discuss this situation Rachel leaned over to me and whispered. "What you said to Alex that was very Father like".

P"You think so, I mean tonight is the first night I've been a Father and I'm just trying to do the best" I said.

P"You did great, I think when we have kids you're going to be a great Father" Rachel said as she kissed me on the cheek.

PMeanwhile as we talked a pensive Kincaid watched the others talk and joke and try to maintain a positive outlook and as he did he spoke softly to himself. "The evil has been revealed. A darkness from my own reality has shown its face again. Only this time it's spread it's touch into another reality. Rangers had been corrupted and violated in the worst ways, and a dark force looks to spread its hand and drown out the lights of goodness forever. I must prepare the Rangers here...for the Second Coming."

P"I thought we'd cured you of that antisocial behaviour" Sorrero said.

PKincaid wrapped up in his thoughts hadn't heard the approach of the other Night Ranger and turned at his arrival. "Sorry, just thinking about some things, like how an evil from our universe we thought was almost gone is back and raising more trouble for others".

P"We'll beat them and don't worry so turn that frown upside down" Sorrero said jokingly.

PKincaid didn't smile but started to move towards the group with Sorrero at his side and then Kincaid reached up and swatted Sorrero around the head who stopped and said. "What was that for?"

P"No reason, just for you being you" Kincaid said and as he walked away Sorrero swore he could see a small smile on his lips.

PInside the Emperor's castle Tommy and Kat knelt before their lord. "We are here to serve you Emperor" Kat said her voice as expressionless as her face.

P"Of course you are, I mean you are my loyal servants not like that bitch Astronema" the Emperor snarled.

P"If you want master I will kill her slowly for you" Tommy suggested.

P"As nice as that sounds, I have more interesting plans for Astronema and by the time I'm finished with her she will either be back by my side or dead. Either way no great loss if she is dead then I don't have to worry about sharing my power with anyone" The Emperor said.

P"Well, if not dead at least let me hurt her for you" Tommy suggested.

P"No, I think I want Kat to do it for me. It's been a while since I've seen a good catfight and I can't think of anyone better than Kat to teach Astronema a lesson or two" The Emperor said.

PKat moved towards the Emperor and purring seductively she said. "My lord is wise and by the time I'm finished Astronema will be my bitch".

PThe Emperor looked suitably impressed and said. "Tommy return to your chambers and prepare for combat tomorrow, Katherine I would like to discuss your plans for Astronema in private".

PTommy nodded and started to leave as Kat said. "Whatever my Lord desires".

P"What I desire now is you" the Emperor said as he pulled the enspelled Pink Ranger into a rough embrace.

PWhile the Emperor had his way with Kat, the rest of us unaware, of all of this were trying to find a way to rescue them.

P"No, No, No that won't work again. The only reason it worked last time, was because we had help on the inside, this time we don't have that and I don't want to go in blind. For all we know there could be a hundred monsters waiting for us" I snapped.

P"Whatever happened to Mr. Let's jump straight in without looking" Jason remarked to Kim.

PHearing that I relaxed a little and said quietly. "He grew up and started to think before doing".

P"Adam is right on this one, we can't risk going in blind, we have to either find out clearly where they are and go and get them or wait for them to come looking for us" Kincaid said.

P"So you suggest we do nothing" Jen snapped.

P"Exactly, it's late and we're all tired I suggest we get some sleep. This problem isn't going to be solved tonight and I don't think the Emperor will harm two of his assets" Kincaid said.

P"Indeed the Emperor has in his possession the Pink Zeo Ranger and the White Morphin and Red Zeo Ranger, that gives him more power and I don't think he will want to lose that" Zordon said.

P"Agreed, look lets get some sleep and deal with this in the morning" I said.

PThough they were reluctant everyone teleported to their homes with the exception of the leaders of the teams and Rachel. "Guys I suggest we meet up here tomorrow morning as soon as possible and decide what we're going to do".

PThen they nodded and teleported away and I turned to tell Rachel I was ready to go and I stopped. She was talking quietly to Alpha and she had an expression on her face that I couldn't read and I wondered what was going on. Seeing me look over at her she moved away from Alpha and we teleported home. I was so exhausted from the night events that I was asleep before my head hit the pillow and I forgot all about Rachel and her conversation with Alpha.

PDespite the troublesome situation I slept well and woke feeling refreshed and ready for action. Along with the S Clubbers we began our normal routine of late preparing for the tour which would begin in just under a months time. This normal routine kept me from dwelling on the current situation regarding Tommy and Kat. It was only near lunch time when I left to meet up with some of the Rangers did I realise that Rachel was acting very oddly.

PTeleporting into the Power Chamber I found that Jason and the others were already there. Jason was stood with an impatient look in his eyes and his face and I knew why, of all of the Rangers is was Tommy who he was probably closest to.

P"Sorry I'm late, we didn't finish rehearsals until later than we anticipated" I said apologetically.

P"It's okay, we've only been here a few minutes ourselves" Andros answered.

P"So anyone come up with anything" Leo asked.

P"Not really, I mean we can't just go charging into the Emperor's castle and attempt to rescue them, I mean we know how many foot-soldiers and monsters should be there thanks to Veronica, but that could have changed since her defection to our side" Carter replied.

P"I say we do it anyway" Jason stated.

P"A little gung-ho aren't we?" I asked raising an eyebrow at the same time.

P"No more than usual" Jason replied.

P"Just straightforward attacking is not the answer, what we need is guile and general down right sneakiness" Kincaid suggested.

P"What do you have in mind" I asked.

P"Like any good castle there is always the front door and the back door. Create a distraction at one entrance and when the guards go to investigate the rest of us can enter through the back gate" Kincaid explained.

P"Wasn't that from a film or something" I asked.

P"More than likely" Kincaid replied.

P"It's crazy and following a plan from a film is absolutely stupid, but what the hell" I said.

PWe began to discuss ideas for how we were going to proceed and had settled on the Night Rangers going in the front door while the Turbo Rangers went in the back way.

P"I think that Kim should come with the Turbo Team, the more of us there are, the better I'll feel" I said.

P"Agreed. So when do we do the plan?" Jason asked.

P"Later, I know I don't feel any better about leaving them in his clutches any longer than we have to, but I've got my life to lead" I said.

PBefore anyone could reply I felt a tingle at the back of my head and then I heard Rachel speak. "'Adam we need you back here, we're going to start rehearsing again'".

P"'On my way'. I'll be back later, be seeing you soon guys".

PReturning to my home dimension we began to rehearse 'Reach'

PWhen the world leaves you feeling blue

PYou can count on me

PI will be there for you

PWhen it seems all your hopes and dreams

PAre a million miles away

PI will reassure you

PWe got to all stick together

PGood friends there for each other

PNever ever forget that I got you

PAnd you got me

PChorus

PSo….

PReach for the stars

PClimb every mountain higher

PReach for the stars

PFollow your hearts desire

PReach for the stars

PAnd when that rainbow's shining over you

PThat's when your dreams will all come true

PThere's a place waiting just for you

PIt's a special place

PWhere your dreams all come true

PFly away

PSwim the ocean blue

PDrive that open road

PLeave the past behind you

PDon't stop

PGotta keep movin'

PYour hopes gotta keep buildin'

PNever ever forget that I got you and you got me

PChorus

PSo….

PReach for the stars

PClimb every mountain higher

PReach for the stars

PFollow your hearts desire

PReach for the stars

PAnd when that rainbow's shining over you

PThat's when your dreams will all come true

PDon't believe in all that you've been told

PThe sky's the limit

PYou can reach your goal

PNo-one knows just what the future holds

PThere ain't nothin' you can't beat

PThere's the whole world at your feet

PI said reach

PClimb every mountain

PReach

PReach for the moon

PReach

PFollow that rainbow

PAnd your dreams will all come true

PChorus x 4

PThe track ended and after that we continued to rehearse and practise and then taking aside the four Turbo Rangers I alerted them to the plan we had made up.

PTime passed and we teleported to the Power Chamber where the Night Rangers were already waiting along with Kim.

P"Is everyone ready?" I asked.

PNot really, this plan sounds a bit like walking into the lions den with no protection" Kim moaned.

P"It does, but you're ready" I said laughing.

P"I am, I'd walk into the lions den for my friends, so lets do this" Kim said.

P"We'll give you five minutes and then we'll come in weapons blazing" Kincaid said.

P"Just don't forget" I said.

P"We won't, good luck" Kincaid said.

P"Let's do it. Shift into Turbo" I yelled.

PThe seven of us morphed and reappearing outside the castle we made our way to the entrance. Taking up a position just outside and under cover from several Quantrons we made ready to attack.

P"Okay on my signal" I said. "Go" I shouted.

PThen without hesitation the Turbo Team launched itself into battle against the Quantrons.

PInside the castle Darkonda entered the throne room and spoke to his master. "Emperor the Turbo Rangers are attacking the back of the castle".

P"Excellent, alert me when someone attacks the front" The Emperor said.

P"Master what do you mean?" Darkonda asked.

P"This attack is a diversion, another team will teleport in and attack from the front of the castle. They're here to rescue Kat and Tommy, well they are in for a surprise. Alert my army as soon as the other Ranger team gets here we go to Angel Grove and destroy it" The Emperor commanded.

PDarkonda bowed and left to obey the Emperor's commands and as the Emperor predicted a second team teleported in and Darkonda once again spoke to his master. "They're here and master it's the Night Rangers".

PThere was a muttered curse from the Emperor who then spoke. "I wasn't expecting them, but my plan still stands, we begin now".

POutside the front of the castle the Night Rangers began their attack and as they did Kyle muttered. "It looks like the Order of Destruction base".

P"It does have that evil quality to it" Alison said.

P"Are you going to discuss the castle exterior or fight I mean we're Rangers not Designers you know" David said.

P"Well they might need some designers when we're finished with this place I don't think much of it will be left standing" Sorrero jokingly said.

PAs the Night Rangers continued to battle the Quantrons they soon found that they were into the castle quite easily and met little in the way of resistance. Soon the Night Rangers had reached the inside of the castle and met up with a group of very confused Turbo Rangers.

P"Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't we be facing like hundreds of the enemy. Cos, if we are were are they?" Jo asked.

P"Maybe they've gone on holiday" Sorrero said.

P"Don't be stupid" Hannah said as she swatted Sorrero's helmet and then added. "We've gone to the wrong castle".

P"Hannah can the jokes, something is obviously wrong" I said.

PThat's blatantly obvious and I think I know what's wrong" Kincaid said.

PAnd then it dawned on me and I realised what was wrong and I was pretty vocal about it. "Ah fucking hell, I cannot believe how stupid I am".

P"Do we have to answer that or should we just remain silent" Tina asked.

P"Shut up, we'd better get back and fast" Adam muttered.

PThen the Night and Turbo Rangers teleported back to Angel Grove.

PBack on Earth the rest of the Rangers had gone into battle the moment the Emperor's forces had appeared and begun destroying things. As the Rangers fought monsters and foot soldiers the Emperor surveyed everything from his vantage point.

P"This is the end Power Rangers you will fall and then two more universes will be at my fingertips. I think its time for my Rangers to attack" The Emperor said.

POn the battlefield two beams of light one of pink and one of red teleported onto the scene. The two looked at each other and though their helmets hid their expression they both shared the same look of hate for all that was good.

P"To the destruction of the Power Rangers and all that is good" Tommy snarled.

P"And to dominance over the universe" Kat sneered.

PThen the two split up and headed into battle. Ranger fought alongside Ranger. The Zeo's fought together while the Morphin's also did so. As they did there was an explosion and Karone and Tanya who had been stood close to each other were thrown off their feet and a short distance from each other. Clearing the cobwebs from her head Karone looked up and saw the Pink Zeo Ranger stood there her hands raised in the position that allowed her to call upon her Pink Firecloud.

P"Kat you're here" Karone shouted.

P"Of course I'm here Ranger, you don't think I would miss the end of good" Kat coldly stated.

P"Kat you have to fight this, you're not evil" Karone pleaded.

P"Evil is as evil does and sweetie your dead" Kat snarled.

PKarone so convinced that she could reach Kat didn't react in time and first Kat fired several shots at her from her laser pistol and then several more into Tanya who had been attempting to sneak up behind Kat. As both Rangers fell the ground in a heap Kat turned to look at her friend and said. "Naughty, naughty you shouldn't sneak up on people or you might get hurt". To emphasis her point Kat pulled Tanya to her feet and while Tanya tried to regain her bearings. She then pulled out her power shield from it's pocket dimension and first slashed it hard into Tanya and with such venom that it cut straight through the armour and pierced her skin leaving blood on the edge of the disk. Then Kat took a step back and cried out. "Pink Firecloud".

PChris who had seen this too late yelled out a piercing no but was too late as the full force of the Firecloud hit Tanya and she was lifted off of her feet and flung half a dozen metres away where she crashed to the ground and lay still. Kat shrugged and turned back towards Karone intending to finish her off as well.

PKat turned and she did their was a purple flash and suddenly she felt a sharp impact in her face as Karone mustered all of her power into one punch. Startled Kat took several steps back.

P"If you won't listen to reason, then I'll beat some into you" Karone spat.

P"Just so you know this isn't personal Karone, if I were still good I'm sure we'd still be friends. But you see my master wants Astronema to suffer for betraying him, now your not her, but you were Astronema and like I always say one Astronema is just as good" Kat said almost with a sense of humour.

P"Gee I'm so honoured, but you'll find I won't go down easily" Karone yelled.

P"Foolish child, I'm more powerful than you realise" Kat said.

PThen Kat charged at Karone and instead of striking the girl simply grabbed the girl and continued running until Karone felt her spine impact on solid ground. Even as she tried to rise she felt a sharp kick to her ribs and then a second. Feeling a rib break Karone acted and attempted to knock Kat's feet away and then she mistimed a kick and Karone grabbed her foot with both hands and then looking at Kat she said. "Hold on, you'll get a twist out of this".

PWith no hint of her earlier reluctance Karone grasped Kat's left foot and twisted it until she heard the bone crack and ligaments snap and Kat fell back to the floor snarling and screaming in pain. Karone staggered back to her feet and walked over to the fallen Pink Zeo Ranger and even as Kat attempted to bat her hands away Karone removed the girls helmet. Karone reached back and with one punch struck the girl in her face and watched with satisfaction as Kat's eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed to the floor unconscious. Then Karone spoke into her communicator. "Zordon this is Karone, I've knocked out Katherine you might want to teleport her back to the Power Chamber and encase her in a forcefield".

P"Well done Karone, we observed the fight from here are you okay?" Zordon asked.

PKarone replied as Kat was teleported away. "Nothing that a vacation wouldn't cure".

PEven as Karone bruised ribs and all picked herself up and began to gather her wits she was smashed to the floor by someone and rolling over she looked into the face of the Emperor.

PLooking down at Karone he snarled. "Never send a woman to do man's job".

PKarone laughed and then winced in pain from her broken ribs. "Well, where is the man and get him here?"

PHolding his temper in check the Emperor replied in an even tone. "From where I'm standing you're in no position to make jokes. Since you wouldn't join me you will die".

PBefore Karone could react lightning bolts struck the girl and she fell to the ground. Swaggering over to her prone body the Emperor laughed and that was when he was whirled around and punched right in the face.

PMinutes earlier the Turbo and Night Rangers teleported into chaos and quickly went into battle. Assessing the situation I quickly saw that Rangers had paired off and where fighting a mixture of foot soldiers and monsters. Despite all the action I went to locate one person and I felt relief as I saw that Rachel was fighting alongside Kimberly, Billy and Andros and she was safe.

PThen as I started to head towards battle intent on finding a couple of monsters to beat and then I heard a shout of panic from Chris and turned to see Kat firing her Pink Firecloud at Tanya who was sent flying across the battlefield where she lay still. Then I turned to see Kat was now fighting Karone and winning. Then before I could do anything to help I was set up on by several Cogs.

PDespite their numbers I was able to get rid of them and come face to face with the White Morphin Ranger.

P"Tommy, before we start fighting there is one thing I just want to say" I said.

P"And what's that?" Tommy asked.

P"I'm sorry if I hurt you" I said.

P"Hurt me, you could never beat me" Tommy snarled.

P"Well then you'll forgive me for taking my left boot and shoving it straight up your candy ass" I said.

PWhile Tommy hesitated for but a moment I leapt forward and attacked. Knowing that Tommy was probably ready for me and knew my moves I quickly turned my charge into a flying kick and even as Tommy reacted to that I stopped my kick dropped to the floor and knocked Tommy's feet from underneath him.

PTommy staggered back to his feet and said. "Nice move, but I've already beaten two superior fighters than you".

PLooking over I saw the Red Morphin Ranger laid in a heap and not moving and then beside him I saw Andros also down on the floor, but he appeared still to be alert and aware of his surroundings. Then I realised my mistake and I turned my attention back to Tommy too late who first struck me with Saba and then as I reeled from the blows I was hit by the eye beams and I fell back to the ground where my uniform lay smoking.

PTommy swaggered over to me and his walk seemed to say that he knew he had won. "So White Ranger it ends".

P"I don't think so old friend" I yelled and then before Tommy could react I struck out and with a glancing blow sent Tommy staggering back long enough to get back on my feet.

PRecovering Tommy charged at me once more and this time I met his charge with my own Turbo weapon. As we clashed Tommy managed to get his sword past my defences and his sabre sliced through my armour and I felt it draw blood. Ignoring the pain I continued to fight. As we did Tommy spoke. "I've drawn first blood and when I finish you off, I'll take your little girlfriend and show her what a real man is like".

PThen as if a fog had been burnt from my mind I lost focus and all the rage and hate I felt towards Tommy for his past actions welled up and was focussed into my sword and in one blow Tommy fell to the ground motionless. Breathing heavily I reached down and as Tommy demorphed I checked his pulse and sighed in relief as I found a weak but steady pulse.

P"Nice work Adam, you certainly did better than us" Andros said weakly.

P"Thanks I had good teachers, look I'd better contact Zordon and have you teleported back to the Power Chamber" I said.

PAndros nodded and as I started to speak to Zordon Andros interrupted. "Karone!"

PTurning around I saw Andros reason for crying out as I saw the Emperor standing over Karone, speaking into my communicator I told Zordon to teleport Andros and Jason away. As Alpha did I heard strong protests from Andros.

PIgnoring them and the rest of the battle I turned my attention to the one person I wanted to fight. As I arrived on the scene I saw the Emperor walking towards the prone Karone and I did the only thing I could, I reached out whirled him around and struck the Emperor in the face.

PNow. The Emperor took a step back from the blow and then he saw who his attacker was and under his helmet he smiled. "Adam so good to see you, so are you here to try and stop me".

PI hesitated and then I said. "At first I was willing to try and talk some sense into you, but everything you have done has gone beyond talking and now there is only fighting. And if I have to beat some sense into you then I will".

P"Fat chance you can't beat me" The Emperor said.

P"Perhaps not, but I don't intend to let you get away with this. To quote an old movie favourite of mine 'One shall stand and one shall fall'" I said.

P"It was a good movie and to reply to that, 'why throw your life away so recklessly'" the Emperor said.

P"I won't bother quoting the next line and instead just bring it" I called out.

PThe Emperor let an inhuman howl escape his lips and he charged towards me with no strategy at all. Surprised by his actions I was knocked to the floor and then I felt his hands aiming for my throat intent on trying to strangle me.

PI didn't hesitate and instead I brought my knees up into his abdomen and he let go and rolled off of me and got back to his feet. I rose back to my feet as well and prepared to face his next charge.

PAcross the battlefield the Red Lightspeed Ranger came face to face with Devastator. "Ah Red Ranger so glad I found you" Devastator said.

P"And why is that?" Carter asked.

P"So I can destroy you in person" Devastator stated.

P"You're welcome to try, but you won't succeed. I don't know how you were once me, but I'm going to take you out for good and make you pay for what you have done" Carter shouted.

PThen Carter didn't waste a second and charged towards his opponent who was rushing forward with equal fury. However all along the battlefield Rangers were slowly finding their opponents either being beaten or just leaving and most turned to watch the conflict between the Emperor and the White Ranger.

POne Ranger in particular decided that he wanted to help and raced off even as another yelled out. "Justin stop" Rocky cried.

PJustin turned briefly and replied. "No way, you guys can stay here and watch Adam if you want, but I'm going to help him". Then he was gone racing towards the fight.

PAnother Ranger stood and watched the battle but with a cold sense of dread as she stood there and so intent she almost jumped out of her boots when someone put their hand on her shoulder and she turned to see Karone stood there.

P"Don't do that!" Rachel screamed.

P"Sorry, didn't mean to make you jump" Karone said sheepishly.

P"I know, I guess I was a bit distracted by the battle and all" Rachel explained.

P"Not surprising the way those two are going at it" Karone agreed.

P"There is something else, my premonitions have all been about this moment I think this is the moment someone dies" Rachel said.

P"It's Adam isn't it" Karone asked.

P"Yes and he knows it's him. I mean I know how he thinks and he knows I wouldn't get this worked up if it was one of the others and it couldn't have come at a worse time" Rachel said.

P"Worse time, what's wrong?" Karone asked.

P"I'm pregnant" Rachel said flatly.

PLooking away from an open mouthed Karone, Rachel turned her attention back to the battle and prayed she was wrong.

PEven as I continued my fight with myself Carter and Devastator continued their own battle. Pausing for a moment Devastator turned to Carter and said. "You are a brave and powerful warrior, why don't you join me and together we can help the Emperor rule the universe".

PCarter's reply was quick and to the point. "Not on your life, after the things you've done I could never fight alongside you. I mean your me in some twisted way and you hurt Dana".

PThe last was snarled and then Devastator said. "So you know the truth, that I am or was a weak pathetic human being".

P"I know that you were once another version of me" Carter replied.

P"I was idealistic once, but then I met the Emperor showed me power and I seized it with both hands. The Emperor used Luciferian technology to merge my mind and body into a more powerful form and I became Devastator. My girlfriend and friends tried to stop me and they failed and well my girlfriend she is still around, but she's not exactly the woman she was" Devastator said chuckling as he thought of the catatonic Dana, but inside Carter Grayson was screaming in rage at this all.

PCarter let out a bellow of rage and attacked Devastator again with such ferocity that Devastator was pushed back and struggled to defend himself from an enraged Red Lightspeed Ranger.

PAcross the battlefield I was finding it tough going in the battle. Already the Emperor had managed to get past my defences several times and one of his strikes had broken several ribs and another had reopened the wound Saba had caused when I had been fighting Tommy.

P"Why don't you give up Adam, I'm better than you" The Emperor said.

P"Oh of course I'm going to do that, since you asked so nicely I think I will… NOT!" I yelled.

P"Don't say I didn't give you a fair chance, now I will kill you" the Emperor said.

P"Gee what have you been doing for the last five minutes" I said sarcastically.

PThe Emperor snarled again and I attacked and this time I managed to draw some blood as my Turbo Blade slipped in between a gap in his armour and into his chest. The Emperor pulled back and his hand immediately went to the spot where I had struck and I looked own at my blade now covered in blood.

P"So care to give up or shall I stab you a few more times" I asked.

PThe Emperor removed his mask and looked at me and then I saw what I feared there was no humanity in his eyes and I knew that this Adam Pearlman was beyond help. Before I could react he started to fire the lightning from his fingertips and I dodged to the side to avoid and then I leaped into the air and dropped down metres in front of him and before he could react I had knocked him onto his back.

PEven as I attempted to finish the fight he kicked out and I stumbled back giving him the opportunity to get back to his feet. The lightning came from his hand again and this time I wasn't as fast and I was hurled several feet in the air and I crashed to the ground. Then the Emperor was in front of me again and this time I ducked out of his punch and kick and pulling out my Turbo Blade again I struck the Emperor repeatedly.

PThen the fight paused for a second as we seemed to check ourselves out. The Emperor was bleeding from several deep cuts. While I was bleeding from several cuts as well, and I could feel it was getting harder to breath and in that second I knew that Rachel's premonitions was coming true and I knew I had to finish the fight now before it was too late.

PThe Emperor seemed to sense the same thing and then with that we both charged intent on finishing the fight. Then one final time we clashed and I struck the Emperor and he fell to the floor while I remained standing.

PLooking down at the Emperor I put my Turbo Blade at his heart and said. "So much for the all powerful Emperor".

POut of the corner of my eye I saw the Emperor reaching for something and then Justin was there, struggling with the Emperor and I yelled at him to get out of the way. Then Justin was knocked away and in the Emperor's hand was my Auto Blaster and before I could react he fired several shots which hit me and he yelled. "Fall! Fall!". And then I felt intense pain and I fell to the floor gasping for breath.

PThe Emperor stood over me and also breathing heavily said. "To quote that movie 'I would have waited an eternity for this, it's over White Ranger'".

PLooking up at him and then down again I didn't say anything and then I saw it and screaming the next line from that movie I stabbed the Emperor through his heart with my blade. "'Never'"

PThen as he collapsed to the floor I felt my strength leave me and I collapsed to the floor morphing back into my normal clothes. Looking over I saw Justin I called out to him. "Are you okay?"

PJustin nodded as though he could barely believe what was happening. Looking around I saw Devastator grab the fallen Emperor and teleport away. I also saw other Rangers running towards me with Rachel in the front and then I felt the end coming.

P"Justin.. come here" Justin moved closer and I struggled to say. "Don't blame yourself.. tell Rachel I love her and I never.. had a dream.. come true until I found her and to take care of our…"

PJustin stood there and waited for more to come and then he slowly realised what had happened and he just collapsed to the floor in shock. Rachel finally reached Adam's body and started to try and shake my body and attempt to bring some life back to Adam.

P"Rachel.. he's gone" Justin said haltingly.

PRachel looked briefly at Justin and then continued to administer CPR to Adam and then Dana placed a hand on Rachel and shook her head having checked his pulse.

P"He said.. that he loves you and never had a dream come true until he found you" Justin said.

PRachel looked at Justin and then back down at Adam and screamed a scream that everyone could hear. It was a scream of pure agony and grief and of a girl who had seen her hopes and dreams shatter in an instant.

PEverybody's got something,

PThey had to leave behind,

POne regret from yesterday,

PThat seems to grow with time

PThere's no use looking back or wondering

PHow it could be now or might have been

PAll this, I know, but still I cant find ways to let you go

PI never had a dream come true

P'Til the day that I found you

PEven though, I pretend that I've moved on

PYou'll always be my baby

PI've never found the words to say

PYou're the one I think about each day

PAnd I know no matter where love takes me to

PA part of me will always be with you

PSomewhere in my memory I've lost all sense of time

PAnd tomorrow could never be

PCos yesterday is all that fills my mind

PThere's no use looking back or wondering

PHow it should be now or might have been

PAll this, I know, but still I cant find ways to let you go

PI never had a dream come true

P'Til the day that I found you

PEven though, I pretend that I've moved on

PYou'll always be my baby

PI've never found the words to say

PYou're the one I think about each day

PAnd I know no matter where love takes me to

PA part of me will always be

PYou'll always be the dream that fills my head

PYes, you will, say you will, you know you will, oh baby

PYou'll always be the one I know I'll never forget

PThere's no use looking back or wondering

PBecause love is a strange and funny thing

PNo matter how I try and try I just can't say goodbye

PNo, no, no, no

PI never had a dream come true

P'Til the day that I found you

PEven though, I pretend that I've moved on

PYou'll always be my baby

PI've never found the words to say

PYou're the one I think about each day

PAnd I know no matter where love takes me to

PA part of me will always be with you

PA part of me will always be with you

THE END