Return of an Old Evil

Disclaimer: Same as before, see beginning chapters.

A/N: Here is Chapter 9. I hope everyone enjoys reading it, because I enjoyed writing it.


Chapter 9

"Billy, you made it!"

"It's wonderful to see you, Billy!"

"We've missed you so much, Billy!"

"How are things with you and Cestria?"

"My main brain, how've you been?"

Everyone was crowding around Billy and talking at once and trying to hug him in their excitement at seeing him again after so long, except for the Astro Rangers, who hung back a little uncertainly. They certainly knew who he was but had never met him before.

After trying unsuccessfully for several minutes to keep up with all the questions and comments, Billy finally threw his hands in the air. "Guys! Alright, slow down! One at a time, please. Yes, I made it, and yes I've missed you guys very much and it's wonderful to see you all, too, and I've been great as well. As for how things are going with Cestria and me, they're really wonderful. I'm really happy with her, but I am also really glad to help you guys out. I just hope that I can give you all the assistance you need." He then turned to the Astro Rangers, who had been hanging back from all the commotion and excitement, as they had never met him before now. "You guys must be the Astro Rangers I've heard so much about. I'm Billy Cranston and was the original blue ranger as well as the blue Ninjetti ranger. I was also the technical advisor to the Zeo rangers until I went to Aquitar."

Andros stepped forward. "Yes we are. We've also heard a lot about you. I'm Andros, and these are my teammates, Zhane, Ashley, Cassie, TJ, and Carlos," He pointed to each one as he introduced them and then shook Billy's hand. The others then followed suit.

"Okay, now that Billy knows everyone, we need to get down to business," Tommy spoke up.

Billy nodded. "Right," he said. He bent down and opened one of the two large suitcases he's brought. "I'm pretty sure I can bring the Zeo Zords back online, along with the Super Zeo Zords and the Red Battlezord." Gasps were heard at this statement.

"Are you serious, Billy? That's incredible!" Tommy cried excitedly.

"But I didn't even think they still existed. I mean, Divatox destroyed the Command Center and all," Kat spoke up, sounding completely confused.

"It's true that Divatox destroyed the Command Center, but if you remember, the Zord Holding Bay was buried deep within the mountains, completely separate from the Command Center. And I have confirmed that the zord are still there and in one piece. They just need to be reactivated.

"Awesome," Rocky said. "But what about the Ninja and Shogun Zords, any chance of getting those back as well?"

"Honestly, I have no idea, Rocky. But I do know that Jason, Kim, Trini, and Zack's power can be restored."

"Huh? What?" Jason was completely baffled at this.

"But our powers were destroyed. How is this possible?" Trini asked.

"The Zeo Crystal," Billy answered simply.

"Okay, now I am completely lost," Zack said. "How in the world can the Zeo Crystal restore our powers?"

"Wait a minute. Just what exactly is the Zeo Crystal?" Zhane interrupted.

"The Zeo Crystal is the most powerful known thing in the universe," Billy explained. "According to Zordon, It can never be destroyed and it is the source of the Zeo Rangers' power."

"Also, according to Zordon, it was what made Lord Zedd look the way he does. He tried to touch it and only those who are pure of heart can do so," Tommy added.

"But how can it restore our powers?" Zack asked again.

"Well, Zack, it's like this," Billy began but was cut off as the bridge alarms began to wail loudly.

"There is a big disturbance in downtown Angel Grove," DECA informed them. "I am bringing it up on the monitor now."

They all immediately turned to the monitor and saw dozens of Tengus and Oozemen causing complete chaos, attacking people and trashing cars as well as anything else that was around. The people were screaming in terror and running in all different directions, trying to get away from their attackers.

"We've got to get down there, now, and stop them," Tommy said in a no-nonsense tone of voice.

"But it could be a trap. Ivan could be trying to lure us out in the open around innocent people," Rocky put in.

"Doesn't matter," Andros spoke up. "It's time to go to work, rangers."

"What about Tanya and Adam?" Kat asked.

"We'll get Tanya, Adam will have to stay behind and finish healing," Tommy told her.

"No, Adam's coming with you," said a male voice from the doorway to the bridge. They all watched Adam come in followed by Tanya.

Tommy shook his head. "It's too dangerous, Adam, you could be hurt worse than you already are," he said apologetically.

"Bullcrap!" Adam spat. "I'm just about back to normal and when I morph, I'll be fine. I'm coming with you," he repeated firmly.

"Adam, it's just not a good idea," Tommy insisted. You're extra vulnerable not being a hundred percent, and more susceptible to further injury, and we just can't risk that."

"To hell with that, Tommy!" Adam retorted angrily. "I'm a ranger and it's my duty, so I'm going. End of argument."

Tommy started to speak again but was cut off by Rocky. "If Adam says he good to go, then he's good to go; and anyway we don't have time to argue this any more," he stated, starting to get angry.

"Rocky's right," Andros put in. "Let's go destroy some Tengus and Oozemen!"

"While you guys stop Ivan's henchmen, I'll finish filling the rest in on how the Zeo crystal can restore their powers and see if I can reactivate the Zeo Zords from here," Billy said.

"Good, Billy," Tommy replied. "It's Morphin' time!" They all then morphed and teleported to downtown Angel Grove to stop Ivan's henchmen.

As soon as they were gone, Trini turned to Billy. "You were saying that the Zeo Crystal can restore our powers," she reminded him.

Billy nodded. "Yes, I was," he replied.

"But how can it?" Zack asked for the third time.

"By reenergizing your Power Coins," he answered.

"Awesome!" Jason yelled excitedly. He turned to Zack. "Just think, bro, that we be back in action together again!"

"Oh, yeah!" Zack shouted and he and Jason high-fived.

Trini giggled at their display. "You guys are just like a couple of children. Always ready for adventure and excitement," she said wryly.

"That's us, all right," Zack replied. "Forever hungry for adventure and excitement."

"Hey," Jason protested and wrapped his arms around Trini. "I have all the excitement and adventure I need right here." Trini blushed as Jason kissed her tenderly on the lips, but it didn't keep her from putting her arm around Jason as well and kiss him back, just as tenderly.

"Aw, come on you two, get a room already," Zack told them. We don't need to see all that."

"You're just jealous because single," Jason said, giggling.

"Anyway, this is what happens when you're in love," Trini added, stroking his hair.

Jason nodded. "Damn straight," he replied and kissed her again.

"While you guys are occupied, I'm going to work on reactivating the Zeo Zords," Billy spoke up.

"You do that, Billy," Jason murmured. "AS for Trini and me, I think we'll take Zack's advice." With that, the two of them left the bridge as Billy got to work. Kim and Zack decided to get something to eat, and they too, left the bridge.

Meanwhile, in downtown Angel Grove, the battle was going nowhere fast. Oh, sure the rangers had destroyed some Tengus and Oozemen, but it seemed like for every one they destroyed, two more took its place. The one good thing was that all the civilians had gotten away and as far as they knew, no one had been killed or seriously hurt.

"Man, there's got to be and to these guys!" Rocky exclaimed after a while.

"Yeah, Rocky's right. There has to be a limit to how many he can make in a given period of time," Tanya added as she kicked a Tengu away from her and to the ground.

"Well, if he does, we haven't seen it yet," Zhane replied, fending off two Oozemen with his Super Silverizer.

"Well, I sincerely hope we do," Andros put in. "Because we can't do this forever." He proceeded to destroy an Oozeman with his Spiral Saber. Just then, Zhane took a blow to the back of the head from a Tengu that had snuck up behind him and sprawled face first on the ground. "Zhane!" Andros yelled, rushing over to his best friend.

"It's okay, Andros," Zhane said, grunting, as he pulled himself to his feet. "I'm all right."

"Are you sure?" Andros asked worriedly.

"I'm sure. I promise," Zhane reassured him. "Come on; let's get back in the fight."

On the Dark Fortress, Astronema was watching the battle on her monitors in her office. Ecliptor was with her, watching the battle as well. When she saw Zhane go down, she gasped.

"My Princess," Ecliptor said quickly. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," she replied, pushing her feelings to the side and refocusing on the battle.

Both were silent for several minutes until Ecliptor spoke again. "This battle doesn't look like it's going anywhere, My Princess," he stated.

Astronema nodded. "I know," she responded.

"Maybe we should take advantage of the rangers being tired and in a weakened state," Ecliptor said. "We could wipe them out easily."

Astronema whirled around to face him. "No! We will do nothing except keep watching the battle," she told him sharply.

"Ecliptor sighed. "As you wish, My Princess," he said.

"I do," she told him and turned back to watch the battle again. Silence reigned once again until Zhane got viciously thrown into a brick wall by a pair of Tengus. Andros screamed Zhane's name in terror and ran right over to him. Unlike before, this time he showed no sign of getting back up. Astronema felt her breath catch in her throat as he continued to lie there in obvious pain.

"Zhane, you're going to be all right. I'm not going to leave you," Andros was saying in a voice filled with emotion.

Astronema felt tears well up in her eyes as she continued to watch Zhane on the ground and in pain.

Ecliptor noticed her discomfort. "Are you all right, My Princess?" He asked her anxiously.

Suddenly, she knew just what she had to do. "Yes, Ecliptor," she told him in as normal a voice as she could manage. "But I have to go." She turned and walked out of the room before Ecliptor could say anything else.

Back in Angel Grove, the rangers were still fighting the Tengus and Oozemen, minus Zhane and Andros.

"Something has to give here," TJ cried, after he destroyed a Tengu and Carlos took a hit. "We can't do this much longer! We're already down one ranger and the rest of us are banged up and tiring fast."

"You won't have to, rangers," a new feminine voice spoke up. "Because this ends now!"

All the rangers looked in the direction from which the voice had come from and couldn't believe who they saw beginning to blast Tengus and Oozemen relentlessly.


A/N: What do you'll think? Is there an unlikely alliance in the near future? Will a certain woman give in to her feelings? Stay tuned for more chapters and don't forget to review and tell me what you think! Your feedback really means a lot to me!