Many apologies for the delay. Been taking some time to go through everything and plan out the next few chapters in advance a bit. Here is Chapter 9, hope that you enjoy it and can't wait to read any comments/reviews :) Also a large thanks to all who have reviewed so far.
Chapter 9 – Shifting Views
Itassis fanned herself casually, watching as Clare and Udonna tended to the Snow Prince. The news he brought had shocked them all. She turned her attention to Xander as he rose from his seat with the other rangers.
"I'll be back in a few you guys, I think I need to go take a walk" he said quietly,
"Xander." Nick called after him, "Don't forget to check in with us later, at the Rockporium"
Xander stopped, turning to give them a grin, "Now have I ever let you down before? I won't be late" he gave one last wave as he headed into the forest.
Itassis frowned behind her fan as she was given a nudge, she turned her head slightly to acknowledge Matoombo beside her.
"Yes, Matoombo?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Do you think, that he's back? Is that what this means Itassis?" he quietly whispered.
"It could mean nothing. It could mean everything" she replied.
"But, what if he's back, the Master?" Matoombo persisted.
She turned to fully face him, "If the Master is back, it is not the Master you should worry about. It is what or who brought him back" she said grimly, snapping the fan shut.
Cimmerian Planet
He turned as Rita Repulsa approached him slowly, he waited until she curtsied before him before speaking to her.
"What news do you bring?" he asked, as she rose from her place.
Rita hesitated slightly, "Ransik and Frax have returned"
"Send them in" he commanded. "Let us see what they have brought for us"
She bowed, and quickly made her way to the chamber doors, ushering them, and several newcomers in. He watched as the man and golden robot approached, heading a small group of their new allies.
"We have done as you commanded" Frax said, giving a curt bow, he half turned motioning to several other robots and a woman bearing a visor over her face. As well to a second skeletal man, a batlike creature and a child.
"I present to you Venjix, and his generals. General Shifter, General Crunch and Tenaya 7" Frax nodded at each in turn, waiting a moment. Perhaps for praise, before continuing.
He then gestured at three others, "Also, I present Emperor Grumm, and his generals, Mora and Broodwing." the bat like creature seemed to frown at being labeled a general.
"They have brought a large army of their Grinders, as well a mass of assault vehicles" he finished, turning to bow again. "As well, an entire army of Krybots"
Ransik shoved a hooded figure forward, "This. Is a pitiful creature we came across, he lent aid to the rangers in the future. If it weren't for him we might have had a victory to celebrate"
He waved at the figure, "Remove the hood. Let me see the face of the one who would dare help them"
The humanoid gave a start, as his hood was yanked off by Ransik who thrust him to the floor.
"Bow before the new Master" he said with a grin.
"What is your name." He asked.
"P-Piggy, your lordship" the man said avoiding his gaze. "P-please...just let me go back to Newtech. I won't cause you any trouble"
He nodded at Piggy, "Indeed you will not."
He motioned at Tenaya 7, "That blade is hardly fit for a warrior as yourself. Choose yourself a new one from the table over there. I'm sure you know what to do with it. Frax, continue with your report"
He watched as she smiled, walking over to a table laden with various weapons, selecting carefully. He turned back to the window, staring out into space, paying close attention to the robot as he gave his report in full. Behind him, He could hear as the woman began to whistle Farmer in the Dell, the cheery tune stopped as the screams began.
Turtle Cove
Merrick surveyed the city he had once protected, along with the other rangers. The wind had lead him back here, for some reason. The sounds of quiet footsteps behind him was the only warning he had, Merrick spun around to face the person creeping up on him.
"Merrick! It's actually you" Alyssa closed the distance, gripping him in a hug. "I wasn't too sure at first, it's been so long, and the Princess! She will be so glad to see you" she rambled on.
"I...what? The Princess?" he asked, staring at her, "Shayla is awake?"
Alyssa looked down sadly, "She is. You know what that means right?" she looked up at him.
Merrick nodded slowly, the shock wearing off. "He's back. How many of the others are aware?" he asked.
"Well, Taylor is working on finding Cole. Danny and Max are with the Princess right now on the Animarium" she replied, taking his hand, "We should get back to them, see if Taylor is back yet"
Merrick hefted his bag, confident they would be able to handle Master Org again.
Mariner Bay
"You did well rangers" Captain Mitchell said, as he eyed the assembled rangers. "While you were out lending aid we received a call." he turned to Ms. Fairweather, as she stepped forward, clipboard in hand.
"Tommy Oliver, gave me a call. He and one of his old students, and teammates have been compiling rumors of various attacks and incidents that have been popping up lately."
"What do you want us to do Captain?" Carter asked.
Captain Mitchell gave a nod before issuing his order.
"Dana, you and Carter will head to Reefside and give Tommy a hand with things. The rest of you will remain here in case there is further need of your powers" she said. "Transport will be waiting for you, I suggest you leave soon."
Miss Fairweather faced the Captain giving him a smile, "Also, the work on the zords is going well, if there are no delays we should remain on schedule."
"Zords!" Kelsey exclaimed, "Do you really think we will need them again?"
She cleared her throat, "It will be best to have them up and ready as a precaution. I just hope we will have no need of them."
Newtech City
The command center was quite crowded with so many rangers standing inside. The respective leader of each time stood in front of their teammates, as they recounted the events leading up to them arriving in this time. Kat watched silently from her place off to the side, various thoughts running through her head on the situation before them.
"Commander Tate" Doggie spoke up, as Scott finished his story. "Perhaps it would be best if the B-Squad went back with the others to lend aid"
Sky gave a nod, "I agree. B-Squad, return to your quarters and prepare for the trip" he ordered "Meet back here as soon as possible" he watched as they saluted and all but ran to their quarters.
"If you'll excuse me a moment, I need to send word back to base" Doggie said, excusing himself. "However I wish to speak with you before you head off"
Kat watched as her old friend left, she turned once more as Sky spoke up again. "Kat, what do you have to report on things?"
She cleared her throat as she stepped forward. "In the five days since the attack, no sign of any of the escaped criminals, or their allies have been found. However another rift did open in industrial area, it would seem that they left quite quickly. Aside from that, Piggy has gone missing and is presumed to have gone with them based off what one witness has said." she took a step back.
Sky gave a nod "In that case, if you'll excuse me, I as well need to make preparations." he turned to head out the door.
She took a moment, reaching a decision perhaps already made. "Commander" she called out to him. "There is a chance my skills in technology will be needed. I request permission to go with you." Kat sucked in a breath as he stopped silently.
She felt Boom take a step forward, "I also request permission to go" he said, though his voice wavered at the thought.
"Granted" Sky said after a moment, "I just hope you both know what you might be getting into" he strode off quickly before anymore could be said.
An hour later the rangers gathered at the time ship that Jen and her friends had come in. Jen watched as Kat Manx and Boom finished going over the last of the gear they had brought. She perked up slightly, as the Supreme Commander approached them, the SPD rangers saluting him. He as well had a bag slung over his shoulder.
"After much debate. I have decided to step down as Supreme Commander, so that I may return to the past with you and still leave the chain of command intact here." he said.
Jen stepped forward giving him a smile, "And we will be glad to have all the help we can get in this. I suggest we board and be on our way."
Trip and Kat had gone to check on the second ship that the others had used, though found it was in too rough shape to make a safe attempt. They had salvaged what they could and set a patrol to keep anyone from getting too close to it. The rangers slowly boarded the ship one at a time, Circuit sat on his usual perch as he initiated the countdown.
"10...9....8....7....6.....5.....4....3....2....1" He chirped, as the ship began lifting into the air, disappearing suddenly no longer in this time.
Reefside
Connor approached the table he and the others had set up on in the empty Cyberspace. He took a seat, sliding his cell onto the table.
"Just got a call from Kira, she mentioned a friend of the Mystic rangers, a Snow Prince, was injured. The guy will be alright, just a bit banged up" Connor paused a moment for continuing, "They're getting ready to head into town and check on things there"
Tommy gave a nod, as Hayley looked up from the laptop her and Ethan were working on, "Angela Fairweather just sent a message. Two of the Lightspeed rangers will be coming out this way to lend a hand with things, she's also been working to get their zords back online. I suggest we begin repairs on the Dino Lab, things might look a bit odd if I'm closed all the time"
"I agree" Tommy said, he turned to flip on the news.
"This is Cassidy Cornell reporting live where another attack by the pig monster has occurred. Witnesses report that it devoured all the food in the area before disappearing in the woods"
Tommy shook his head as he lowered the volume, turning back to the others. "Ok, we should start there and see what we can do about stopping the Pudgy Pig, nobody's been hurt yet, but that could change in time if he ever moves into the city."
He looked over at Trent, "Trent, perhaps you and Connor should go check things out, see what you can find. Meanwhile we'll keep up work here, see what we can do with the lab."
He watched as they rose from their seats to head out the door, he gave a small sigh and pulled out his phone to continue making his calls.
Centaur B
Zhane studied the monitor before him intently as he scrolled through the names of the colonists. There was something about Dru that put him off, but he couldn't figure out what. He gave a small start as someone approached him, pushing a button he made the list disappear as he turned to face the person.
"Your a jumpy one aren't you" Cassie said cheerfully. "I thought I'd come see if I can lend a hand with anything?"
"I'm alright" he replied, "Just going over a few things, that's all" he watched as she eyed him a moment.
"What do you think made it happen Zhane?" she asked, "None of the monsters we ever fought could turn people into balls of metal, or feathers"
They both looked up as Andros walked into the room, "Pachinko balls to be exact" Andros said, as he approached the two. "I just finished contacting Billy on Aquitar, he and the other rangers faced a Pachinko machine monster that could do that."
He paused a moment before adding, "Since there's nothing more we can do here, I think we should head to Aquitar, see if they can help reverse the process"
Zhane and Cassie both gave their leader a nod, "Sooner the better" Cassie said, "I'll go fill in Dru, I'm sure he will want to know"
Zhane shared a look with his friends, "I don't know if we can trust him. How is it only he survived the attack and no others?"
Andros shook his head as he took a seat, setting in the coordinates "I'm not sure, but we will keep an eye on him for now, that's all we can do until we learn more"
Dru peered around the doorway at the rangers backs. So, he thought. They're going to keep an eye on me, I suppose I'll need to take matters in my own hands if they try anything...
Silver Hills
Wes and Eric stood on the beach. They had been there for Katie's arrival, with the others. The Captain had remained silent aside from introductions, saying it would be best to wait until Jen and the others arrived before going into full detail. For now, they waited on the beach patiently. Minutes seemed to drag on in the silence, Wes shared a smile with Katie. It was good to see his friend again, despite the situation.
As the wind picked up, everyone looked towards the sky as the second ship began lowering to the sandy beach. Wes broke into a grin as Jen appeared with a blink feet away from them, she moved closer, out of the way as Lucas joined her. His mouth dropped open as more people blinked onto the beach, one after another. He turned to look at Eric whose own face held open surprise.
"Captain, Wes, Eric" Jen said, acknowledging them, "We have much to discuss.
