Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers at all.

Dangerous Times

By: four-some

The cliff face hung over Carlos's head as he and Cassie attempted to enter a cave at its base. They had been searching for the past two hours for anything that could lead them to Zordan. So far, none of the teams had found anything, but there was still ground to cover. Cassie turned on a high-powered flashlight and shown it towards the entrance as they neared it. The Black Ranger stepped inside first and looked over the walls. Water dripped down the green covered rock as they went deeper into the cave.

Beeping signaled them to turn on their communicators. "Cassie," the Pink Ranger said into the device.

"I'm just checking in with all of the teams," Andros's voice returned to her.

"Well, we're exploring a cave for a couple of moments and then we'll continue looking outside," Cassie said.

"Sounds good. Why don't you meet up with Ashley and T.J. after you get out, then Zhane and I will finish up what we're doing and everyone can head back to the Megaship," Andros suggested.

"I like that," said Carlos and Cassie agreed.

"Good, see you guys in a few. Andros out."

The channel closed and Carlos looked at Cassie with a confused expression. "See you guys in a few," he echoed their leader. "He's has been around us way too much." Cassie laughed and continued to examine the cave.

Meanwhile, Ashley and T.J. were entering a forest where several creatures were running around in little circles trying to catch each other as in a game of tag. The Yellow Ranger couldn't help but watch for a few minutes while T.J. scanned the area for unusual energy readings. "So far so good," the Blue Ranger told his companion.

She smiled at him and said," That's good, I guess. I mean, any energy could be an evil presence."

He nodded remembering a resent ambush that the Quantrons had laid for them on another planet that had been exploring. "Still, it would be nice if he was here so we didn't have to look much longer," said T.J.

At that moment, her communicator went off. "What's up?" Ashley asked into it.

"I'm checking up on everyone," Andros said to her.

"That's nice. We haven't found anything, end of story," she said frustrated.

"Calm down, something will turn up. Listen, Carlos and Cassie are in a cave not too far from you. When they're done with what they're doing, can you meet up with them?" Andros requested.

"Yeah, that will work. What are you up to?" asked Ashley.

"Zhane is swimming in this lake that he says is filled with powerful forces or something like that. I've been trying to get him out, but so far no luck," replied Andros.

"I didn't think Kerovans believed in luck," called T.J. from where he was standing a few feet away.

"We do if it benefits us," Andros said with a smile in his voice. "I need to go. We'll meet you guys back on the Megaship."

"Sounds good," said Ashley and T.J. nodded.

"Great, Andros out." The channel went dead and the Yellow and Blue Rangers went back to work. On the other side of a clearing that separated the forest, rocks and the water area, Zhane was in a small pond while Andros sat on the edge with his feet in the water.

"I never ever said that there were powerful forces or whatever you said in here," complained Zhane as he swam farther away from his best friend.

"Like I need them knowing about our little break," returned Andros with a smile.

"You have a real problem, you do realize that," said Zhane.

"What are you talking about?" asked Andros as he looked at his best friend for an answer.

"Man, you are one of the best liars I have ever heard. Everyone thinks we're like working on something and you never do," Zhane stated.

"How can I work when you're around?" Andros asked.

"Let's see. You could stop watching me and jump in a search for something useful," said Zhane.

"Okay," Andros said and jumped in without warning.

Water splashed onto the Silver Ranger who was not really phased by it. "What's that?" he asked when he noticed something on the sand at the bottom of the pool.

"Huh?" asked Andros.

"Those," Zhane said pointing to something shinny. He drove down to pick up whatever they were. Coming back up, he put it in front of his face and looked at Andros.

The Red Ranger shrugged at the objects before him. They were golden orbs handing from a silver chain. "Whoever put them together did not know color scheme," said Andros. Zhane grinned before they started to glow brightly.

The light became so intense that the two Rangers were blinding for a moment before being thrown into the water. It died down and Andros sat up in the waist deep water. "What was that?" he asked.

Zhane stood and turned his back to Andros for a moment. He turned back and Andros breathed in sharply. His best friend's eyes had turned gold.

To be continued…