The 10th Ranger

A/N- This takes place when the rangers are in their mid 20's, and have had their powers about a year. This deviates from the original MMPR storyline very much, including their powers, but their personalities are very close to the series. Rated M for later chapters. I do not own the power rangers.

April 12 2010

JASON

Jason woke up to the sound of my communicator's familiar tone.

"I'm here Zordon"

"JASON PLEASE GET THE OTHERS AND COME TO THE COMMAND CENTER, I HAVE SOME NEWS FOR YOU" the booming voice of the ranger's leader and advisor said.

"We'll be there soon" Jason replied getting up quickly. He glanced at the clock that read 1130. Being up before noon was a feat for Jason in and of itself. Usually he cherished his sleep, there were too many sleepless nights after battles and early morning martial arts classes to teach. He quickly got dressed in a pair of black basketball shorts and a red muscle shirt before walking out of his room.

The rangers had two houses they rented, they were next door to each other, making assembling for battle easier, and it helped that they could keep an eye on each other. The homes seemed palacial and too much for the 20 somethings to be able to afford, but having a benefactor in Zordon made the rent very affordable for them all. Jason lived with Tommy the white ranger, Rocky the brown ranger, and Kimberly the pink ranger. Next door was Trini the yellow ranger, Zach the black ranger, Billy the blue ranger, Aiesha the purple ranger, and Adam the orange ranger. Jason, Tommy, Kimberly, Zach, Billy and Trini were the original rangers, and had recruited Aiesha, Adam and Rocky originally as back up, but they had become an integral part of the team. Their zords did not form with Megazord, instead, they formed the Magmazord, a zord that relied on the use of fire and magma to devastate their enemies.

The team had recently aquired new zords. The dinozord power did not have a place for Rocky, Aiesha and Adam. They now had powerful spirit animals that matched their personalities and abilities. Jason was the lion, powerful and a natural leader. Tommy was the arctic wolf, quick, cunning and loyal. Trini was the cobra, with immense concentration and a deadly strike. Zach was the rhinoceros, strong and aggressive. Billy was the gorilla, smart, observant, and dangerous. Kimberly, the hawk, known for grace and amazing accuracy. Rocky was the bear, protective and intimidating. Aiesha was the scorpion, small with a large painful sting. Adam was the elephant, level headed even in battle.

Jason walked into the living room to see Kim and Trini sitting on the couch watching TV. "We need to go to the command center, where is everyone else?" Jason asked.

"Zach, Billy and Aiesha are at home" Trini said rising to her feet. I'll get them and we'll be there.

" Tommy, Rocky and Adam are in the backyard sparring" Kim said running her fingers through her hair, a nervous habit she had for as long as Jason had known her. Kim and Jason had taken a big step in their 12 year friendship, and started dating at last weren't the only rangers dating each other, but they were very careful to keep their relationship seperate from the responsibilities that came with being a ranger. "Is it Zedd? Is there an attack?" She asked walking with Jason to the backyard.

"I don't think so, he said he had news" Jason replied. She is so cute when she's anxious for a fight. He thought watching her tell the guys the situation. They looked at Jason and then pressed the teleportation button on their communicators, Jason quickly followed suit.

They all gathered in front of Zordon's hovering face, curious to hear what he had to share with them. Jason stood behind Kim, close enough for her to feel his presence.

"RANGERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPTNESS, I HAVE DISCOVERED SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE YOU UNSTOPPABLE AGAINST LORD ZEDD AND HIS ARMY" Zordon began.

** A way to finally wipe out Zedd? Sweet.** Jason was frustrated that the evil emporer was still causing damage to Angel Grove. The rangers had never officially "lost" to him, but he had hurt them all at one point or another, and the sooner they defeated him, the sooner they could have their life back.

"IT IS THE 10TH RANGER, I HAVE DISCOVERED THEIR PRESENCE CLOSE TO ANGEL GROVE."

"10TH RANGER?" Kim said. "We only have one room open, at this rate we're gonna need another damn house!" Jason smiled at her bluntness but was eager for Zordon to continue.

"THERE IS A METAL KNOWN AS ADIVANTIUM THAT WAS FORGED BY GREAT WARRIORS. IT GAVE THEM EVEN GREATER POWERS, THEIR SPEED, GRACE AND STRENGTH WERE UNPARALLELED WHEN FIGHTING. THE METAL ALSO BROUGHT OUT HIDDEN POWERS IN THE WARRIORS, SOME HAD TELEKINIESIS, SOME HEALING POWERS, OTHERS THE POWER TO CONTROL ELEMENTS. THERE WERE MANY POWERS THAT WERE NEVER DOCUMENTED AS WELL. THE WARRIORS DESTROYED MOST OF THE JEWELRY THEY FORGED WHEN THEY BEGAN TO DIE OUT. THE 10TH RANGER IS THE LAST PERSON ON EARTH DESCENDED FROM THESE WARRIORS. THERE ARE ONLY TWO PIECES OF JEWELRY LEFT IN EXISTANCE, A NECKLACE HELD IN THE CAVE OF THE ANCESTORS AND A BRACELET, CURRENTLY IN LORD ZEDD'S POSSESSION. HE HAS CURSED IT TO MAKE THE WEARER DO HIS WILL."

"Oh great, Zedd has a powerful ancient metal? This is going to turn out well" Zach said sarcastically.

"THE 10TH RANGER MUST BE CONVINCED TO JOIN YOU. SHE CAN ONLY WEAR ONE PIECE OF ADIVANTIUM JEWELRY AT A TIME. IF ZEDD GETS TO HER BEFORE SHE CAN RETRIEVE THE NECKLACE, AND PUTS THE BRACELET ON HER, SHE WILL BE UNDER HIS SPELL, AND HE CAN USE HER TO HELP DESTROY YOU. I NEED TO GIVE HER THE 10TH POWER COIN AND RANGER POWERS TO HELP FIGHT ZEDD, RIGHT NOW SHE IS A STRONG FIGHTER, BUT ONLY HUMAN."

"Wait back the tape up... She? The all mighty 10th ranger is a chick?" Zach asked.

"What is wrong with that?" Kim said as Trini punched Zach in the arm.

"Shit stop! Alright!" He said running behind Tommy.

"Zordon where can we find her? What do we say to her? Does Zedd know she exists?" Jason asked. So many questions ran through his head as he tried to process the thought of this warrior that could finally tip the scales in their favor.

"LOOK IN THE VIEWING GLOBE RANGERS, SHE IS CURRENTLY IN RIDGE VALLEY, HOWEVER ALPHA HAS DISCOVERED THAT SHE RECENTLY TOOK A JOB AT ANGEL GROVE'S DANCE ACADEMY"

The rangers turned around and gathered around the globe. An image of a pretty auburn haired girl gracefully leaping across a rehearsal room came into view.

"Natalie?" Jason and Kim said together. Trini, Billy and Zach looked carefully at the image.

"Affirmative, it appears our ranger is our old friend" Billy said adjusting his glasses.

"Alright is it just me or did we miss something?" Tommy said.

"I have no idea what they are talking about" Aiesha said. Rocky and Adam looked at Tommy and shrugged.

"Natalie Coleman, she grew up with us, she was in karate class with the guys, and dance class with me. She was a good friend. After high school, her parents were in a car accident, Natalie was torn up about it, she left town and took a dance scholarship at a school in Texas... We lost touch, I always wondered if she would ever come back." Kimberly explained to the 4 rangers.

"Funny, I used to think about her when we first received our powers, I always wondered if she would have been a ranger, she was so talented." Trini said thoughtfully.

"RANGERS, THERE IS A SHOW FOR THE STUDIO SHE TEACHES AT TONIGHT, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO RECONNECT WITH HER BEFORE SHE GETS TO ANGEL GROVE. THE CLOSER SHE IS, THE MORE LIKELY ZEDD IS TO LOCATE HER." Zordon said, startling the rangers. They all turned around with the exception of Tommy, he was still staring at the girl in the globe. Adam tugged on his sleeve to get his attention back on their mentor.

"Zordon, we will go tonight, but I don't want to tell her about the rangers tonight, I don't know if we should bombard her with too much at once. We don't want to freak her out" Jason said.

" JASON I TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT, AND I KNOW YOU WILL DO WHAT YOU THINK IS RIGHT, GO NOW AND MAY THE POWER PROTECT YOU" The rangers all told Alpha and Zordon goodbye as they teleported back to their homes.

TOMMY

The rangers pulled into the theatre parking lot 30 minutes before the curtain was supposed to go up. They went in and purchased their tickets and then wandered around the lobby looking for someone that looked like they might work there. Billy spotted a disheveled woman carrying a clipboard and walkie talkie walk past them and rushed after her.

"Ma'am, we were wondering if you could get one of the dancers for us? We are old friends of hers and would like to tell her we are here before the show starts" He said politely to her.

"Who do you want to see?" she asked.

"Natalie Coleman" he replied.

The woman radioed to someone presumably backstage that Natalie was wanted out front. She nodded at the group and pointed at the side door the dancer would be coming from. Then she walked away going back to her duties. A few minutes later the side door opened. Tommy could not pull his eyes away when he saw Natalie for the first time in person. She was only about 5'4" barely taller than Kim, with her long auburn hair curled and down around her shoulder but clipped back so it wouldn't be in her face. She had bright green eyes, with yellow flecks, and while she had a lean dancer's body she still had at least a C cup and a small but curvy backside. She glanced around the lobby with confusion in her eyes before she settled them on the group. She stopped mid-stride and stared.

"Jason?" she said hesitantly. He burst into a wide grin and picked her up in a big bear hug. "Ugh don't crush me!" She said laughing. Tommy noticed a flash of jealousy in Kim's eyes, but it quickly dissipated as Natalie saw her. "Ah! Kimber!" She squealed happily.

"Nattie!" Kim said hugging her. Natalie looked at Zach Billy and Trini not knowing who to hug next.

How do I get a hug? Tommy thought to himself as he watched her greet her old friends. Natalie turned to the 4 unfamiliar faces and then to her friends.

"Oh Natalie, this is Adam, Aiesha, Rocky and Tommy. We all live together" Kim said. Natalie smiled and shook the hands of each person as they were introduced. Tommy smiled his famous grin and couldn't help but think maybe she held onto his hand a little longer than the others when she smiled shyly at him and said, nice to meet you.

"What are you guys doing here?" She asked.

"We heard it through the grapevine that you were coming back to Angel Grove, and wanted to see you." Jason explained. "Do you have a place to stay yet?"

"Not yet, I'm looking at apartments, but haven't found any that aren't either condemned from some epic attack, way out of my price range, or look like crack dens." She said. "Wait, Kim did you say you guys all live together?"

"Yeah, well, we have two house, so I guess some of us live NEXT to each other, its affordable, and its nice to have people around." Kim said.

"Hmm, sounds like a party" Natalie said with a slight smile. She then looked up at the lobby clock. "OH damn, I have to go, but I'd love to talk more, maybe after the show?"

"Of course" Zach said.

"Great, I hope you guys like the show" She said. She looked over at Tommy and said "It was nice to meet you all, I'm sorry I don't have more time to talk." She then rushed back through the stage door.

"Alright well let's go grab our seats" Jason said grabbing Kim's hand.

Adam looked at Tommy and scoffed "You might wanna close your mouth, I hear the squirrels are looking for a place to store their nuts for the winter"

"Oh fuck off, if anyone had nuts in his mouth it would be you" Tommy said, his cheeks turning slightly red. Was I that obvious? he thought.

The rangers sat down just as the lights dimmed. An older petite woman stepped out on stage. "Welcome to the Academy of Dance's exhibition. These are our most advanced students as well as our instructors. I would like to mention that this is one of our beloved instructors last nights. Natalie Coleman is moving on to Angel Grove's Dance Academy, where she will be a valuable asset to their instructor team. It is a highly competitive and lucrative job, we are so proud of her." The woman looked genuinely proud of her employee, but sad to be losing her. "Well enough of my chatter, time for the show" She walked quickly off stage as the lights changed to softer glow and the curtain rose. Tommy looked at his program noting that Natalie was in more dances than any other dance, and had choreographed or co choreographed a majority of them.

OneRepublic's "All the Right Moves" began to play as the dancers began a modern interesting dance. Natalie stood out, her leaps seemed effortless, her turns were perfect, and the emotions on her face were genuine. The night progressed quickly, Natalie performing in everything from a pointe dance to Leona Lewis's "Happy" to a hip hop dance featuring the song "bust a move" much to Zach's delight. Her duet with a muscular male dancer to "No Air" left tears in the girl's eyes. I wonder if he's gay Tommy thought, jealous of the male dancer's opportunity to be so close to Natalie. The solo she danced to "Decode" by Paramore showed off her range, there was no doubt she was strong, she showed of some gymnastics skills as well, doing a few flips and aerials in her dance, as well powerful jumps. By the finale, every ranger was captivated. When the lights came back on, the rangers sat for a minute discussing the show, while waiting for the crowd to clear out. After waiting for a while, the group got up to wait for Natalie in the lobby. She came out a few minutes later, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, in a pair of shorts and tank top.

"Holy crap Nattie I don't remember you being THAT good, and where did those flips come from, I'm supposed to be the gymnast remember?" Kim said, pushing her bottom lip into an exaggerated pout as Natalie let out a small laugh.

"Beam, Bars, Vault, and pretty much anything I didn't do on stage are still all yours Kimber, that junk's for the birds!" Natalie said to Kim.

"You really were great" Jason said to her. Natalie noticed that Jason and Kim were holding hands as were Trini and Adam. She raised one eyebrow while giving Jason a crooked half smile, a look that made Tommy's stomach do a flip flop, though he wasn't quite sure why.

"About damn time!" She said to the couple. Kimberly beamed at her friend's approval.

"So you know you have to do a couple hip hop moves with me now, these fools can't dance if their life depended on it. You were badass!" Zach said excitedly.

"You looked beautiful" Tommy said. He groaned inwardly. Smooth he thought. Thankfully, Natalie just smiled and thanked him. The way she looked in his eyes and looked away quickly drove him crazy, he wanted to stare into her green eyes until he knew exactly how many yellow flecks there were.

"So when are you coming to Angel Grove, we've gotta go get some drinks and catch up" Trini said.

"I'm going to get a hotel room this weekend, I start work Monday, so hopefully I'll be able to apartment hunt quickly." Natalie said.

"Hotel? Pffft, just stay with us, we've got room, and we can help you with the hunt" Jason said. Tommy had never been so happy with Jason in his life. Of course Jason was doing it to get her closer to the rangers, and Tommy didn't really care at that moment if she was the future 10th ranger, all he could think about were those green eyes.

"Oh, wow that would be great, but the rest of you don't mind? I don't want to impose..." Natalie said. The rangers shook their heads and assured her it was not an imposition. "Well ok, Kimber can I get your cell number? I'll call you tomorrow and see what time is good for me to come" Kimberly and Natalie exchanged numbers. "Alright I hate to be a downer, but I'm exhausted, and I know you guys have at least an hour drive back. I'll see you all tomorrow sometime though, thank you again for coming"

The group said their goodbyes, Jason, Kim, Trini, Billy and Zach giving Natalie hugs. Tommy decided that he had acted enough like a lovesick kid for one night and tried to play it cool as he smiled and said "see you tomorrow." Natalie looked at the ground before looking up at Tommy and nodding with a slight smile playing on her lips.

ZEDD

Lord Zedd watched through his telescope as the rangers led him straight to the girl who could wear his adivantium bracelet. "Idiot rangers, I can always depend on them to help make my life easier" He looked at the girl and thought about the possibilities of having a queen that equaled his power. Not to mention having his hands on that body, his hands in that hair, it was enough to make him excited. He decided that tomorrow he would show the rangers that it was too late, and she was going to be his.

*** Hope you all liked the first chapter, there are many more to come! Please Read and Review!***