SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks.

Kellybird: Yep, I did. Thanks. Yeah, they were a couple of my favorite characters, so I incorporated them. Well, keep on reading, later.

Romirola: Thanks.

Alex B. Goode: Thanks, I will.

Jeremy Shane: Thanks, I will.

DISCLAIMER

Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban and Nickelodeon. I only own the subplot of Mike and Leo's childhood and any characters you don't recognize.

No! Ryan! Captain Mitchell's mind screamed. He couldn't believe this was happening. He couldn't lose his son. Not again. Okay. Okay, calm down, Bill. Dana needs you, he reminded himself.

"Rangers, report back to the Aqua Base," Captain Mitchell instructed. Groaning, the Rangers stood up and did as they were told.

"Daddy, they've got Ryan," Dana reported fearfully. I can't believe this. What are we going to do? What if they do something to Ryan that makes him turn on us again, like a spell or something? she wondered.

"Don't worry, Dana. We're gonna get him back," Carter assured, placing his hands on her shoulders. I'm not going to let you guys down. We will get your brother back, he added silently. However, he didn't say it, not wanting to seem biased. She reached up and clutched his hand gratefully. Thank goodness for Carter. He'll get Ryan home safe and sound. I just know it, she thought to herself. Captain Mitchell watched the exchange and let a small smile grace his lips at Carter's protectiveness. Now then, if we could only get him to admit his feelings for her and vice-versa, he thought. But that would have to wait. Right now, they had to focus on getting Ryan back.

"But how?" Maya wondered. It's not like we can go storming into their base of operations. We'd be destroyed, she thought.

"I'll have to go to the Skull Cavern and get him out," Carter answered. There's no way I'm leaving him to Bansheera, he thought to himself. He was one of them, a Ranger. Plus, he couldn't stand the thought of Dana being upset.

"It's too dangerous for you to go by yourself. I'll go with you," Leo stated. He wouldn't stand a chance by himself, and two heads are better than one, he thought to himself.

"No. Absolutely not," Mike disagreed. There was no way he was going to let his little brother take such a big risk when he was there to do it himself.

"Mike-" Leo began.

"Leo, you know that the Lights can only be activated when the whole team's together. What happens if you get captured?" Mike pointed out. I'm expendable. I'm the one who should go, he thought to himself.

"Mike's right. It's too big of a risk," Kendrix agreed. Besides, I couldn't stand it if you got hurt, she thought to herself. She had just finally admitted to herself that she liked Leo as more than a friend, and she wasn't about to let him die before she got the chance to tell him that to his face.

"Well, he can't go alone," Leo insisted. He'd be destroyed, which would defeat the whole purpose of the rescue, he added silently.

"That's why I'm going with him," Mike said. He's going to need some backup, and even if I can no longer morph, I've got the training, he thought to himself.

"No! Mike, I just barely got you back!" Leo objected.

"Look Leo, it makes sense. You and the others-you're needed on Mirinoi. But if something happens to me-" Mike tried to continue.

"No! I'm not gonna stand here and watch you go to your death!" Leo interrupted. I don't believe this! He thinks I'd actually be okay with the thought of losing him again? he wondered. He couldn't handle this. He had to-he had to get out of here. He started to pass him, only to have his older brother wrap his arms around him.

"Okay. Okay, Little Brother. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," he said.

"You can't leave me again. I won't let you," the younger boy insisted. Man, I knew it had messed him up when I fell into the crevice, but I never realized it had been this bad, he thought to himself.

"Okay. It's okay, Little Brother. I'm not gonna leave," Mike soothed. Leo let out a shaky breath and pulled away, not saying anything, but mussing up his hair in embarrassment. I can't believe I threw such a dumb little tantrum. Some Ranger I must've looked like, he thought to himself.

"I'll go with him," Chad offered.

"Thanks, Chad," Captain Mitchell stated.

"Come on. Let's go," Carter said. The two morphed and then headed out. Meanwhile, at the Skull Cavern, Ryan had been dragged to what appeared to be a dungeon.

"You won't be needing this," Vypra sneered, yanking his morpher off his wrist, causing pain to flit across his face as the metal bit into his skin. Then, the boy grunted as he was unceremoniously thrown onto the floor.

"Vengeance…dispose of him," Vypra commanded. Finally, we'll be rid of the traitor and Queen Bansheera can rise and rule the universe…after we destroy Trakeena and her minions of course, she thought to herself. Which wouldn't be too hard. Trakeena was hardly a warrior.

"It'll be my pleasure," Vengeance cackled. Vypra walked back to the front of the base as Vengeance advanced on Ryan, who scrambled backwards, as he tried to find a way of escape. No! This can't be happening again! he thought to himself. He-he had to get out of here! He gasped as he was telekinetically lifted into the air. Then, with a jerk of his head, Vengeance threw Ryan across the room. The man grunted in pain. Vengeance telekinetically threw a young Ryan across the room.

"No, please! I'm sorry! I'll do better!" he insisted. Ryan shook his head, as if it would help drive the memory back. Then, something entered him and the young man tried to fight against the assault. However, the pain proved to be too much and he let out a low moan. Can't…let this…happen, he thought to himself. He had to-he had to fight. He couldn't let Bansheera and her demons win. He let out another grunt as he fought against the attack. Fourteen-year old Ryan gritted his teeth against the pain. He wasn't going to scream. It wouldn't do him any good. Vengeance would just get off on it, and besides, he deserved it. He had failed at his task. He'd take his punishment in silence, just like he had been taught. Ryan moaned. Come on…fight! he thought to himself. He knew he was stronger than this. He couldn't let them break him. Vengeance laughed as he concentrated on the traitor. This was why he was Bansheera's enforcer, because he could destroy anyone or anything just by thinking about it. Ryan gritted his teeth and struggled to his feet, only to fall to his knees. Come on. Get up! he coached himself. He just had to take the demon out, grab his morpher, and then make a break for it. Vengeance laughed harder and once more focused his attention on Ryan who was once more trying to rise. He visualized the human's right leg and pictured it twisting until it snapped. With a yelp of pain, Ryan fell back to ground, writhing and whimpering in pain. Dang! I can't fight an attack like this! his mind screamed. The demon pulled him closer with a wave of his hand so that they were eye-to-eye.

"I might be tempted to spare you, if you beg for mercy," he said.

"Never," the Ranger spat out. Not that he'd grant it anyway, but I'm not gonna play his game, he thought.

"Have it your way," the demon responded. "Choke." Immediately, Ryan felt his airway close. Desperately, he clutched at his throat. He had forgotten about the demon's mind control powers. No! Please! he thought. This wasn't how he wanted to go out. Heck, he didn't want to die at all. Vengeance's laughter grew as Ryan struggled to gain a breath. The Ranger was as good as dead. Bansheera would be extremely pleased. Ryan moaned and made a gasping sound.

"Choke," Vengeance commanded and twelve-year old Ryan's eyes widened as he felt his throat close up. Vengeance laughed as the boy let out sounds of distress. Ryan let out a strangled sound. Can't-can't-gotta-fight, he thought as his vision started to dim. What no one knew was that the Red and Blue Lightspeed Rangers had reached the Skull Cavern. Man, this place is freaky, the Blue Lightspeed Ranger thought to himself as he subtly checked for entrances and exits.

"Okay, we find Ryan, get him out, and they we all make a break for it," the Red Lightspeed Ranger said softly. Nice and easy now, and then we kick all of their butts later, he added.

"Not much of a plan," commented the Blue Lightspeed Ranger.

"You got a better one?"

"Unfortunately, no." They continued on their way. Without warning, Trakeena and a group of Ghouls appeared in front of them.

"And where do you think you're going?" she asked.