Disclaimer: Power Rangers is the property of Buena Vista Entertainment. All characters, locations, objects and concepts are used without permission. No profit is being made.
Ghosts of the Past
A Billy Cranston Story
Chapter 1
Outskirts of Angel Grove, California 2007
Life was never meant to be simple. While the happy family did occur in the real world, it was a feat that required an enormous level of toil to ensure success. Even that scenario would have been less complicated than the life of Billy Cranston, first Blue Ranger of Earth, new Phantom Ranger and former resident of the water world of Aquitar. Even comic books failed to do justice for the man's trials.
Billy's marriage to Cestria ended with a villain's blade. Kingu's brood devastated Aquitar, transforming the once lush world into a wasteland. The former Phantom Ranger fell before Kingu's top general Hadrian, an act that permitted Billy to take power once again and battle the invaders alongside the Aquitian Rangers. But all the civilians and environments Billy saved, all the euphoria that should ride with him as a result of those victories, were nothing compared to his loss. Cestria was dead by Kingu's hand and there was nothing Billy could do.
Delphine attempted to plead with Billy in her mission to convince the human to remain on Aquitar to aid in reconstruction. Billy explained to the White Ranger that without Cestria, there was nothing keeping him on Aquitar. That was two weeks ago and Billy was riding on a modified black Indian Chief motorcycle away from his cloaked spaceship in the desert. Billy was only a few miles from Angel Grove, but his first stop would not be in the city, but outside it.
Billy pulled his motorcycle into the gates of the new cemetery outside Angel Grove. It was fast approaching nightfall and Billy's black leather jacket shielded him from the chill in the evening air. The Phantom Ranger stopped his bike and killed the engine. He dismounted the motorcycle and removed his black helmet. He set it down on the bike and freed his shoulder length blond mane. Billy walked towards a grave, instinctively knowing where it would be located.
Stopping before Trini Kwan's grave, Billy sighed. Andros informed Billy years ago that Trini was a victim of a freak automobile accident six years ago, but the reality of the situation did not impact the Phantom Ranger until he stared at the headstone. Trini was Billy's first friend, one who encouraged him to grow beyond being just the brains. She was the closest thing Billy had to a sibling, but now she was gone.
Billy reached for the rosary in his coat pocket, one of the few possessions he brought with him from Earth. He performed the sign of the cross and prayed the rosary for the first time in over a decade. After fifteen minutes of praying, night fell upon the cemetery.
"Goodbye, Trini," Billy said before walking back to his motorcycle. Even though the distance to Angel Grove was short, it felt like a long ride for the Phantom Ranger. He was lost in his thoughts as he traveled down the desert road. He could see Trini's smile as if she were just standing directly before him. Billy missed the days of never fearing death and fighting beside his friends.
Billy passed the Angel Grove city limit sign and continued to ride. With his father having moved to another city, he had few options. Billy learned from Andros that Adam still lived in Angel Grove and ran a dojo. The Phantom Ranger rode for miles before reaching the apartment complex. Billy parked his motorcycle and walked towards the stairs. He scaled the stairs and took a right turn to apartment 213.
After taking a deep breath, Billy knocked on Adam's door. He heard the sound of footsteps approaching before Adam opened the door. The Black Ranger was shocked to see Billy. "I was expecting pizza," he said. "What are you doing here?"
"It's a long story," Billy replied. "There's nothing for me on Aquitar anymore, so I decided to come home. Andros told me you were living here."
"Come in," Adam said. "Rocky and his wife are visiting for the weekend. I'd be glad to have you over."
Billy smiled. "Thanks," he told him before brushing past Adam. "How is Rocky doing these days?"
"Maybe you should ask me yourself," Rocky said after Adam closed the door. The front door to the apartment connected to the dining room and kitchen and Rocky sat at the table drinking a dark beer. "What brings you back here?"
"My wife was killed in an attack," Billy explained before walking to the dining room table. He set his helmet down and shook Rocky's hand.
"I'm sorry to hear that, bro," Rocky said to the Phantom Ranger. "I don't know what I'd do if my wife died."
"You getting married," Billy said before taking a seat. "I thought Tommy would have been first."
"Tommy was, but he and Kat got divorced," Rocky explained. "Tommy was too wrapped up in his research and Kat wanted children."
"Tommy was doing research?" Billy asked. "What was he studying?"
"Paleontology," Adam explained before joining the others at the table. "One of his students from Reefside told me that he got his Ph.D. in paleontology and ended up teaching high school. I hear he's interested in taking a faculty position at a university."
"Amazing," Billy remarked. "I figured that was what I was going to do with my life. I wanted to get a Ph.D. in physics and work at a university."
"Things don't always work out as planned," Rocky said to his friend. "I left Angel Grove after graduation and made a killing in the stock market. I made the right investments in technology and I can now spend more time with my new wife. We're talking about starting a family soon and I'm looking forward to that."
"That's great news," Billy said. "Where is your wife anyway?"
"Taking a shower," Rocky told him.
"Not anymore," came a female voice from the hallway. When she entered the dining room, Billy noticed that Rocky's wife was an absolute stunner. She had long blond hair, blue eyes and was tall. She was the classic trophy wife.
"Carrie, meet Billy," Rocky said to his wife. "He's a friend from high school."
"Oh hi, Billy," Carrie said to him. She had a light accent that betrayed her Southern origins. "How long will you be staying?"
"Hello," Billy replied. "I'm only here for the night. I'm heading into the mountains tomorrow."
"You mean our old spot?" Adam asked, indicating that he was speaking of the old Command Center.
"Precisely," answered Billy. "I need to see it for myself."
"What's in the mountains?" Carrie asked before sitting next to her husband. She eyed the men inquisitively, showing a genuine interest in learning about their past.
"An old hangout spot," Rocky told her. It was the truth from a certain point of view. Long after Zordon's death, no one was eager to divulge the secrets of their Power Ranger past.
"Why don't we all go out there?" Carrie asked. "I want to know what you did when you were a teenager, Rocky."
"I'd prefer to go alone," Billy said, saving Rocky from a discussion on the matter.
"See?" Rocky said in Billy's defense. "He's got things to do and he doesn't need us tagging along."
"I suppose you're right," Carrie said to her husband. Then to Billy, she explained, "I didn't mean to impose on you."
"Apology accepted," Billy said. He turned to Adam and asked, "Is there anyone else living in Angel Grove?"
Adam began to count on his fingers. "Zack owns a nightclub, Aisha has her own veterinary practice, Jason is a partner in my dojo and runs a motorcycle shop on the side, Bulk and Skull run the Youth Center and Kimberly has her own gymnastics studio."
"Interesting," Billy commented. "We've all grown up."
"Yeah," Rocky said. "If you're looking for work Billy, I'm sure Jason would hire you. You look like you ride these days."
"I can talk to Jason if you want," Adam offered. "I'm sure he'll be glad to hear you're back in Angel Grove."
"If you don't mind," Billy said before everyone heard a knock on the door.
"That must be the pizza!" Rocky exclaimed. "Get the door, Adam."
"It's nice to know some things never change," Billy said, making a joke about Rocky's appetite. It earned laughs from everyone before Adam answered the door.
The next morning, Billy was up at dawn tying his boots. He was wearing a pair of black jeans and an old black t-shirt. He wore his hair tied back in a ponytail and was ready for the trek to the mountains where the old Command Center was located. Adam told him after eating that Alpha was working to rebuild the place and would appreciate some help.
"Leaving so early?" Carrie asked as she entered Adam's living room. She was wearing a white robe, communicating to Billy that she was just waking.
"I apologize for interrupting your sleep," Billy told her. "I need to be on my way."
"You're so mysterious," Carrie said. "Rocky told me that you were a genius destined for great things. What happened to you that made you so sad?"
"It's none of your business," Billy replied as he stood to retrieve his leather jacket from the side of the couch. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Carrie said. "Most people look at me and think of me as a trophy wife for Rocky. I would have married the man even if he didn't have money. My life wasn't all roses either, Billy."
Billy sighed as he donned his leather jacket. "What's your point?" he asked.
"You're not the only one that's suffered," Carrie said. "My mother worked hard to support my sisters and me after dad died. I didn't have it so easy."
"My wife was murdered by a madman," Billy said as he walked towards the door. "I didn't just lose her, but the children we adopted and our home." He took a moment to face Carrie. "Until you experience something like that, don't you dare compare your pain to my pain. You have no clue."
Carrie was speechless. She just stared at Billy, unable to say anything. Even the empathetic apology remained dormant.
"Tell Adam I said thanks for his hospitality," Billy told her. "I need to hit the road." Billy grabbed his helmet, opened the front door and closed it behind him. The cool air of dawn assaulted his skin as he descended the stairs.
Within minutes, Billy was riding the nearly empty roads. A few vehicles passed him as he rode past the city limits sign and exited the city. It was Saturday morning and Billy had plenty of time to reach the mountains. The trail was still familiar to him after many years. By the time Billy stopped in front of the old structure, it was mid-morning.
"Here goes nothing," Billy said as he approached the secret entrance to the Command Center.
"What do you mean he's back in Angel Grove?" Kimberly asked as she drank coffee at her kitchen table. The former Pink Ranger was only dressed in her pink pajamas as it was still early in the morning. She held the cordless phone to her head as she conversed with Adam. "Wasn't he married to someone on Aquitar?"
"Cestria was killed," Adam explained. "Billy went to the Command Center to try to make sense of his life. With Trini dead, I don't know who can get through to him and help him in his grief."
"I'll do what I can," Kimberly told Adam. "But you know Billy. He always tries to handle things himself. He's more stubborn than one high school teacher I know."
"Just do what you can," Adam said to her. "I'll see you later."
"Bye," Kimberly said before ending the call. She set the phone down on her table and sighed. "How can he expect me to help Billy if I can't get my own shit together?"
After failing to make the Olympics twice, Kimberly Hart was just another burnout. She sacrificed relationships to make her dreams come true, but now she was approaching thirty and still a single woman. There was no reason for her to remain in Florida, so opening a gymnastics studio in Angel Grove with help from Rocky was instrumental in keeping her sane.
Kimberly set her cup of coffee down on the table and walked to her bedroom. She resolved to journey to the Command Center herself. One of the other instructors could handle her load. Her old friend needed her counsel and she could not refuse a request from Adam, even if they were no longer in a relationship.
Billy quietly entered the secret entrance, noting the lack of security system. He passed through a series of corridors before entering the main chamber. Alpha 5 was hard at work restoring computers. Billy smiled and set his helmet down atop a console. "Let me help you with that, Alpha," he offered.
"Billy?" Alpha asked before looking to his left. "It is you! Welcome home, Billy!" The sentient robot hugged his old friend.
"Adam told me you were shipped home in a crate," Billy said.
"Ay yi yi!" Alpha exclaimed. "It feels so good to be out of that crate and making myself useful again."
Adam related the story to Billy the night before about Alpha repairing the Morphing Grid to save Operation Overdrive from imminent destruction. Billy moved to Alpha's side to help him rewire a computer console.
"What brings you back to Earth?" Alpha inquired.
"Kingu and his forces attacked Aquitar," Billy explained, never looking up from his work. "We managed to fight him off, but not before his general Hadrian killed Cestria and our children. There was nothing left for me on Aquitar, so I decided to return to Earth and make myself useful."
"I'm sorry, Billy," Alpha said. "I've heard of Kingu. He is one cruel dude."
Billy smirked. Alpha had a way with words that could draw anyone out of sadness temporarily. "That he is," he agreed. "I have reason to believe he may attempt an assault on Earth, so it's imperative we prepare for the worst."
"Ay yi yi!" said Alpha. "The Overdrive Rangers will be pushed to their limits. What can we do?"
"Don't worry about that," Billy said. "You're looking at the new Phantom Ranger and I intend to fight solo."
"But Billy, you could be hurt fighting by yourself," said a female voice entering the Command Center's main chamber.
As the woman came into the light, Billy said, "Kimberly? What are you doing here? Don't you have work today?"
Kimberly was dressed in an old Staind t-shirt she got at a concert and a pair of pink sweat pants. She approached Billy, answering, "One of the other instructors is covering for me. Adam told me what happened."
"And you figured I needed someone to talk to and help me deal with my grief?" Billy asked her while making eye contact. Even in his disgust, he could not help but notice her beauty.
"Something like that," replied Kimberly. "But I did want to see you. I have trouble connecting with the others these days."
"Welcome to the club," Billy said before resuming his work. "Adam hasn't changed, but Rocky is married to a naïve trophy wife. I haven't seen any of the others yet."
Kimberly laughed at the mention of Rocky's wife. "She is a bit out of touch with reality," she admitted. "I dated Adam for a year before we mutually split. It wasn't working out."
"You and Adam?" Billy asked. He ceased working and walked towards his friend. "He didn't mention that."
"Oh, you know, I wasn't right for him," she said. "Adam wouldn't say anything because that's just not like him. He prefers to focus on the present."
"Yeah," Billy agreed. "I wish I could be like that."
After a moment of silence, Kimberly touched Billy's hair. "I never expected you to do this," she told him. "I like it."
"Cestria liked it too," Billy admitted with a smile.
"Kimberly, it's so good to see you again," Alpha interrupted. "I'm sorry for not greeting you sooner. I've been so busy here lately."
"That's okay, Alpha," she said to the robot. "This place looks almost as good as new."
"Aw shucks," Alpha said, tilting his head in the equivalent of a human blushing. "Thanks, Kimberly." Alpha returned to his work.
"I hear there are other Rangers you could be helping," Kimberly said to Billy. "Why fight a potential invasion alone?"
"Because I'm the only one who can," Billy told her. "With my knowledge, I can upgrade old weapons and produce new ones. I've also fought against Kingu's forces and survived. No one on this planet has my experience."
"You know, the old Power Coins work," Kimberly said before placing her hand on Billy's wrist. "You could always rely on us if you needed to."
"You all have lives," Billy said. "At least in high school, we didn't have that many worries. You have careers now and I can't interfere with that." He pulled away from Kimberly.
"Just know that we won't abandon you, Billy," she said before taking a few steps back. "You're not alone."
Billy watched Kimberly walk away, feeling the familiar stirring within him. He shook his head and returned to his work. He needed to be prepared for the worst.
"Billy, I don't like you fighting alone either," Alpha told him after Kimberly departed.
"But you understand my reasons?" Billy asked.
Alpha closed the panel and activated the console. "Of course I do, Billy," Alpha replied. He set his tool on the completed console and turned to his friend. "You can stay here as long as you'd like."
"Thanks, Alpha," Billy said before turning to his thoughts. He needed to gather his supplies from his spaceship so he could establish his residence in the Command Center. Even with Kimberly's offer, Billy felt there was no place for him on Earth. He just needed to protect the planet of his birth and have his revenge.