The Lore of Auric

The next few weeks were tiring, monitoring Jessica's nightmares and her extremely unplanned pregnancy. Sarah's suspicions were confirmed the previous week. Jessica had gone from ten weeks to almost twenty in the two weeks since the discovery and now Jessica was at thirty weeks. The next week would be the big day and the DeSantos and Hartgrove families would be welcoming yet another new arrival. Jessica was lying to everyone about her extreme weight gain, saying it was an issue with her thyroid and that she would be having surgery the following week. Since she had never lost the weight from her pregnancy with the twins, people just assumed she still looked pregnant.

The group was gathered at the beach club, having lunch when Tanya came up to them excitedly.

"Hey guys! I got a package in the mail from Billy and Aisha!" said Tanya excitedly.

"Excellent!" said Adam as she sat at the table.

"Have you opened it yet?" asked Jessica, placing a hand discreetly on her belly.

"No, I wanted to wait and open it here," said Tanya. She tore the manila envelope open and pulled out a letter.

"It says, Hey gang, we miss you!" started Tanya. "All is well here in the tribal community. Billy and I are working hard to find a cure for the animals. As soon as Billy arrived, I do admit I jumped on him and planted a big wet one on his face." The group hooted and hollered as Jessica and Jill laughed. "And yes, Billy asked me to marry him and I said yes of course!" The group cheered and clapped.

"Our wedding is going to be later this fall once everyone is done with school and Rocky, Jessie, for god's sake, stop fornicating like rabbits!"

The group howled with laughter as Jessica and Rocky slid down in their seats embarrassed. Tanya continued to read.

"We want everyone to be a part of our wedding," continued Tanya. "We've written to Trini, Zack and Kimberley and invited them to be in the wedding too. We're not going with anything in terms of African tradition for you guys, but Billy and I have been asked by the chief if we would consider wearing the tribal outfits. They are, let's say, a bit interesting. We told him we would think about it, but honestly we just want to be married in front of our friends and families in regular clothing. The Cranstons are more than excited as are my parents and both are helping out with plans. So our date is set for October 11th. Mark your calendars! Oh, Tanya, I also stumbled upon something that belongs to you. It was your parents'. It's a map and a giant gold key. We think they were searching for something related to it when they went missing. See you all in a few months. Love, Billy and Aisha."

"Aww," chorused the girls as Tanya folded up the letter. She looked again in the envelope and pulled out the map and the key.

"Mysterio Island," Jessica read off the map. "I've heard of that place. It's somewhere in the Tropics."

"What is the Lost Tiki of Auric?" asked Kat as she studied the map.

"It's what my parents were looking for," said Tanya. "They were explorers and their plane went down somewhere near the island."

"Maybe they landed on the island and are alive!" said Jason.

"Maybe," said Tanya.

"You should ask Mom and Dad if they can send you there to look for your parents!" said Jill.

"Yeah, I wouldn't give up hope Babe," said Adam, rubbing her back.

"What do you have to lose?" Tommy added.

"Mom and Dad saying no, that it's too dangerous," said Jessica.

"Let's go ask them," said Rocky.

"Dad, Mom, is there anyway we can see if Tanya's parents are on Mysterio Island?" Jessica asked as they stood in the Power Chamber a while later.

"Unfortunately no," said Sarah. "Mysterio Island is filled with too much evil magic for anyone to locate a person or thing unless you were evil."

"Ai-Yi-Yi!" cried Alpha as the alarms blared.

"Great, now what?" asked Adam.

"Mondo's forces are heading for the island! The island is under attack!" said Alpha.

"They have to be after this Lost Tiki of Auric!" said Tanya. "What if my parents are on the island? They could be in danger!"

"Tanya's right, we need to go look for her parents and stop Mondo from destroying the island and getting his hands on that tiki!" said Tommy.

"Alright, I'll teleport you all there," said Sarah.

"I think I'm going to sit this one out," said Jessica as she sat down in a chair.

"Are you alright?" Rocky asked as he put a comforting hand on her shoulder. The others looked concerned.

"Braxton-Hicks," said Jessica. "It's not worth the risk."

"She's right, we can take care of Mondo," said Kat.

"You should stay here, Bro," Jason said to Rocky. "Just in case."

"Okay," said Rocky as Jessica nodded.

"Let's do it guys!" said Tommy. As the others morphed and teleported away, Rocky turned to Jessica as Sarah started to monitor the false labor.

"Well?" Rocky asked a moment later.

"She's ahead of schedule," said Sarah. "At the rate she's going, the baby will arrive by tomorrow or Monday."

"Oh boy," said Rocky.

"No, Mom, you're wrong," said Jessica, shaking her head. "It's happening now."

"You sure?" Rocky asked fearfully. Jessica nodded.

"Yeah, my water just broke," said Jessica. Rocky and Sarah looked down to see a puddle surrounding Jessica's feet, her pants soaked.

"Crap," said Rocky as Sarah hurried to prepare for the birth. "Are we still doing the water birth?"

"Don't see why not," murmured Jessica.

"I will get everything ready," said Sarah.

The rangers arrived on Mysterio Island to find themselves in the midst of fire power.

"Let's get the zords!" said Jason. The group called on the Super Zeo Zords, Pyramidas and Apollo. Jill also called for Tigress and she gladly joined.

"Hey you toss buckets!" cried Tanya. "Pick on someone else!" The Super Zeo Megazord stood in front of the machines that were attacking the island.

"I'm detecting two human signatures down by that cave," said Jill as she scanned the island. "Tanya I think it's your folks!"

"I'm heading down there!" said Tanya.

"No, it's too dangerous!" said Adam.

"Babe, I have to!" said Tanya.

"Then I'm going with you!" said Adam.

"We'll take it from here you guys, go get the Sloans to safety!" said Tommy. Adam and Tanya headed out of the Megazord and landed down near the cave.

"We need to tell them," said Adam. "It would explain how we got here."

"And Zordon and Sarah are aware of it," said Tanya as they headed into the cave.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sloan?" called Adam. "Are you in here?"

"Yes! Help us! We're trapped!" came Mrs. Sloan's voice. Adam and Tanya raced into the cave to find the Sloans literally standing between a rock and a hard place. There had been a cave-in.

"Don't worry, we'll get you out!" said Tanya.

"Who are you?" asked Mr. Sloan as Tanya and Adam cleared the rubble.

"We're the Power Rangers, we protect the earth from evil forces," said Adam.

"Hang on we've almost cleared the rubble," said Tanya. As the last rock was moved, the Sloans were freed from their prison.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" said Mr. Sloan.

"There's something else you need to know," said Tanya. "Zeo Ranger 2, power down!" As Tanya demorphed, the Sloans gasped.

"Tanya?" cried Mrs. Sloan.

"Is it really you?" asked Mr. Sloan.

"Hi Mom, hi Dad," said Tanya. The three cried and hugged as Adam watched with a smile.

"Guys, the Sloans are safe and reunited," Adam said into his communicator.

"Good work, Adam, make sure you get them back to the Power Chamber, we're almost done here," came Tommy's reply.

"Mom, Dad, this is Adam, my boyfriend," said Tanya as Adam demorphed.

"Oh thank you Adam, and thank you so much for taking good care of our little girl," said Mr. Sloan.

"Of course," said Adam as they shook hands. "Tanya, we need to get them out of here."

"Okay," said Tanya. "What about the Tiki?"

"We have it here in my pack," said Mr. Sloan.

"Good, we can't let Mondo get it," said Adam. "Both of you hold tight to us, it's going to be a weird ride."

The Sloans held tight to Adam and Tanya and the four disappeared into the sky.

They landed moments later at the Power Chamber. Jessica and Rocky were in a far corner with Sarah, Jessica sitting in an inflatable pool filled with water.

"You're back!" said Rocky gleefully. "And you've got the Sloans!"

"Welcome to the Power Chamber, Mr. and Mrs. Sloan," said Sarah. "You are in a good place, the home of the Power Rangers."

"And just in time to witness the Miracle of Life," muttered Jessica through a contraction. "Shit."

"Oh my goodness," said Mrs. Sloan. "I can help if you need me to."

"Let's get you two checked out and cleaned up first," said Tanya. "By the way, that Rocky, and the one muttering profanities is Jessica. This is their fourth baby."

"Oh my word," said Mrs. Sloan as Sarah and Alpha checked the Sloans over.

"I am Sarah of Eltar, I am Jessica's mother," said Sarah.

"I'm Alpha 5," said Alpha.

"And I am Zordon of Eltar," said Zordon from his tube. "I am Jessica's father."

"It's a long story," said Adam as he noticed the puzzled looks on the Sloans' faces.

"Rocky, I need to push!" cried Jessica.

"Okay Babe, go for it," said Rocky. He grinned as he saw a dark tuft of hair emerging.

"I can see it's head!" continued Rocky as the others gathered around.

"This is so amazing," said Tanya.

"Yeah, I was there for Lexie's but not for the twins," said Adam to Sarah. "I'd almost forgotten what the experience was like."

Just as the baby was crowning, the other rangers had landed back in the Power Chamber.

"You guys made it just in time!" said Tanya. "The baby's coming!"

"Really?" asked Jill gleefully as the others hurried over to the pool.

"Wow," said Jason in awe. As the head fully emerged, Rocky caught it.

"One more Babe, and it's here," he said with a grin. As Jessica gave one final push, the group looked in awe as Rocky and Jessica lifted the newborn onto her chest.

"Oh, oh," cried Jessica as the infant wailed. "Hi sweetie, oh, you are just so precious." She looked down to see what it was.

"Another boy," said Rocky with a grin as the guys congratulated him and the girls cooed over the baby boy.

"I knew it," whispered Jessica. "Oh, this is definitely a gift from Patrick. I know it is."

"Hi buddy, I'm your daddy," said Rocky as the baby boy stared up at his parents in wonder.

"I'm your mommy and we love you so much and are so glad you are here," said Jessica. "You're our precious gift from your Uncle Patrick, I know you are. He's our guardian angel."

"So, how about a name?" asked Kat as Rocky cut the cord and Jill draped a blanket over the infant.

"Patrick Michael DeSantos," murmured Jessica. "It's only fitting."

"Beautiful," replied Tanya.

"While I hate to interrupt an amazing moment, time is of the essence," said Zordon.

"What is it, Dad?" asked Jessica as she looked up from nursing Baby Patrick.

"Mondo's forces have returned to Angel Grove and they are seeking out the Tiki," Zordon replied.

"What's so special about this tiki?" Jason asked.

"It holds magical powers beyond anyone's wild imagination," said Mr. Sloan. "The key unlocks what ever is inside."

"And if my assumptions are correct, if the tiki is unlocked, our friend will be released from his prison," said Zordon.

"Your friend?!" cried the Rangers and the Sloans.

"Our friend Auric the Conqueror, he is very good but very dim-witted," scowled Sarah.

Tanya handed the key to her parents and they unlocked the tiki. Sure enough, there was a flash of light and an eight-foot humanoid like being emerged from the tiki.

"It's about time!" cried Auric. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be squished in a stone for ten thousand years?"

"Hello Auric, it is good to see you again," said Sarah, giving him a hug.

"Sarah of Eltar? And my dear friend Zordon! Oh my, I have been in there too long!" said Auric.

"Welcome to the Power Chamber, Auric, it is good to see you again," said Zordon.

"Likewise, my friend," said Auric. He noticed the rangers and the Sloans staring at him. "And who are these young warriors?"

"Auric, may I present to you, the Power Rangers of Earth," said Sarah. "The adults are the Sloans, they found your Tiki on the Island and the Key in Africa and kept you safe for the last ten years."

"And the two look-alikes are the Royal Princesses of Eltar, our daughters Jessica and Jillian," added Zordon.

"Your highnesses," said Auric, bowing to Jill and a now cleaned up and clothed Jessica. "Rangers, I thank you for your loyalty to protecting the world from evil."

"Likewise, Auric," said Tommy.

"And I thank you, Sloan Family for guarding me from evil for the last ten years," said Auric, bowing. "You are a good family."

"You're welcome," said Mrs. Sloan, who seemed to be a bit frazzled.

"Auric will be a great asset to our team," said Zordon. "He can assist you in battle at a moment's notice."

"Excellent," said Rocky. "We can use him since Jess is out of commission for a few weeks."

"Babies do that to you," laughed Jessica as she continued to rock Patrick in the rocking chair that Alpha had procured for her. Just the alarms blared, startling Patrick and he wailed. As Jessica comforted him, Jill checked the computer.

"What is it?" asked Mrs. Sloan.

"Mondo's sent cogs down to the Power Plant," said Jill.

"Oh man, not again!" said Tommy.

"We better take care of it," said Jason.

"I am at your assistance, Power Rangers," said Auric.

"Let's do it guys!" said Tommy.

As the seven rangers morphed and teleported to the power plant with Auric, the Sloans turned to Jessica.

"I have a feeling there's more to the story than we know," said Mr. Sloan.

"Oh yes, there is," said Jessica. "I would be more than happy to explain."

"Please, sit," said Sarah a moment later as she brought some chairs up to the Sloans and Alpha brought them some food.

"Okay, long ago, my father Zordon did battle with the evil witch Rita Repulsa. After long years of battle, he managed to defeat her using five magical power coins. As punishment for her loss, she was sealed in a canister on the Earth's moon. However, before being sealed away, Rita trapped Dad in a time warp. Mom and Dad came to Earth just before Dad was trapped in his time warp. Eighteen years ago, Mom returned to our home planet to have IVF done. Six months later, Jill and I were born. We were placed with our adoptive father when we were a month old when Mother returned to Earth briefly. Around our necks, Mom placed two other magical coins around our necks. Three years ago, Rita and her minions escaped their prison and set out to conquer Earth. Dad was desperate to stop her, and had Alpha 5 recruit five "teenagers with attitude". They ended up being our friends Jason, Trini, Kimberly, Zack, and Billy. Granted the powers of prehistoric animals in the form of Power Coins, they become the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers."

"Wait, you mean you're not human?" asked Mrs. Sloan.

"Oh no, we are very much human," said Sarah. "Our planet is a sister planet to Earth, which is why we can sustain life. We give birth the same way, eat the same way, breathe the same way. Some of our planet's inhabitants actually came to Earth and settled in Africa, Wales, and France thousands of years ago after the Ice Age."

"I see, so we may be descendants of the inhabitants?" asked Mr. Sloan in wonder.

"It's a possibility, although you probably don't have any magic in you since it was years ago," said Zordon.

"Anyways, a few months later, Rita had selected a young boy and turned him into a evil ranger," continued Jessica. "Rita had stolen the Green Ranger coin from Mom and Dad in the battle and planned to use the evil ranger to destroy the Power Rangers. However, Jason managed to reverse the brainwashed Ranger and he became good and joined our side. You know him now as the Red Zeo Ranger 5."

"Oh my goodness," said Mrs. Sloan. "That's terrible, at least he's good now."

"Tommy is also my adopted step-brother, but more on that later," said Jessica. "After Tommy joined the team, things were the usual, trying to fight Rita. Then at the beginning of Sophomore year, an evil lord named Lord Zedd showed up. Rita had worked for him. She had failed to complete her mission, so he banished her back into her metal dumpster and threw her into space. Now that the rangers had to deal with Zedd, Dad strengthened their powers to the power of Thunder. Zedd managed to cause Tommy to lose the Green Ranger powers, and several weeks later, Tommy was back as the White Tigerzord Ranger. And then a month after he came back, the group stumbled upon me, Jill, Rocky, Adam and Aisha. That was when Jill and I learned who were really were and she and I became the seventh and eighth Power Rangers."

"And then what?" asked Mr. Sloan.

"A few weeks later, Trini, Zack and Jason were selected to represent the United States in the Teen World Peace Conference," continued Jessica. "It was then that Dad selected, Rocky, Adam, and Aisha to replace them as the Red, Black, and Yellow Power Rangers. A few weeks after that, Rita returned to the moon and married Lord Zedd and they combined forces. In the summer between Sophomore and Junior Year, we lost our powers and had to travel to a hidden temple to receive new ones. We were now powered by the Spirit Animals of the Ninja. Then after Christmas, Kimberley was picked to train for the Pan-Global Games. So I recruited Katherine to replace her. All was going smoothly until Rita's father unleased an Orb of Doom and reverted the majority of the world's population to children or teens. Jill and I were the only rangers unaffected because of our Eltarian genes. It was then we called upon Rangers from another planet called Aquitar to assist us."

"What is Aquitar?" asked Mrs. Sloan.

"Aquitar is a planet completely made up of water, and the Aquatians rely on water to live," said Alpha.

"While the Aquatian Rangers, Jill, and myself would fight any monsters, Kat, Tommy, Rocky, Adam and Aisha were sent on a quest to find pieces of the Zeo Crystal, a crystal that we had broken up to keep from Master Vile, Rita's father, from accquiring. Billy stayed behind to create a device to restore himself and the others to their rightful age in case the Zeo Crystal didn't work. Everyone was successful in getting their crystal, however, one person did not come back. Instead, Tanya returned in Aisha's place. Aisha had landed in Africa and stumbled across Tanya, who was tracking a sick lion."

"Ah yes, Ashala had said before we left that a plague was sickening the animals in the area," said Mr. Sloan.

"Ashala is Aisha's great-aunt," said Jessica. "So I believe it was fate that Aisha stayed in Africa and Tanya came here."

"That is a small world," said Mrs. Sloan.

"Aisha gave Tanya her crystal and sent her back here," continued Jessica. "The world was returned to its normal time and Tanya has been staying with Kat's family. The rest is pretty much history with the Machine Empire overthrowing Rita and Zedd, but they too have returned so now we are dealing with double the trouble. The Zeo Crystal gave everyone but Billy new powers. Billy stepped down as a ranger and helped from the sidelines. Then, a week and a half ago, Billy started experiencing rapid aging. So we sent him to Aquitar where their Eternal Falls made him young again. Now he's living at the camp in Africa with Aisha and they're going to get married!"

"Oh how wonderful!" said Mrs. Sloan.

"Ashala is thrilled, they have been helping with the cure for the animals," said Jessica. Just then, the rangers and Auric had returned to the Power Chamber.

"We're back!" said Tommy. "Mondo's retreated for the day and I don't think he's going to be bothering Auric anytime soon."

"Excellent," said Jessica. "I just gave the Sloans our entire Ranger History in the last half-hour or so."

"How are you feeling?" Tanya asked Jessica.

"Pretty good, just hoping I can lose this weight soon," said Jessica. "It was bad enough I never lost the weight from the twins."

"Don't worry, we'll help you as much as we can," said Jill, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"How about you Mom and Dad, are you two okay?" asked Tanya as she came over to her parents.

"It's a lot to process, but yes, we are okay," said Mrs. Sloan.

"I think I'm done exploring for now," said Mr. Sloan.

"I'm pretty sure my adoptive dad would be happy to help you guys get a place to live in Angel Grove," said Jessica.

"Yeah, in fact, the house next door to us is for sale," said Katherine.

"Hey, great! I'll ask Dad to make a call later!" said Jessica.

"Speaking of which, we should all get home and get some sleep," said Tommy. "We have a long week ahead of us."

"Rangers, thank you so much for your help today," said Auric. "You truly are heroes."

"Thanks Auric, you were pretty awesome out there too," said Rocky.

"I shall remain here in the Power Chamber with Zordon and Sarah," continued Auric. "We have much to catch up on."

"Here's his key, Sarah," said Tanya as she handed her the key.

"Thank you Tanya, and thank you Mr. and Mrs. Sloan for helping us return our friend," said Sarah.

"No problem," said Mr. Sloan.