Chapter 11:Waiting

In the cell, Tommy had yet to stop his agitated pacing. At last Kat looked up from her place beside Billy, Zack, and Trini in annoyance. "Tommy, please sit down. You're driving me crazy."

Tommy ran a hand over his ponytail. "Sorry Kat," he muttered. "I just ... I can't sit still."

"You mean you never could," Zack pointed out.

Kat's expression softened a little. "Too used to something to do these days?"

He hesitated. "Not ... exactly," he hedged.

Trini looked at him in concern. "What do you mean?"

He sighed, at last moving to sit down with them. "I haven't been able to calm down or relax since June. I just keep getting this weird feeling that-"

"You need to be somewhere else," Zack interrupted. "That something's calling you."

"That someone needs you," Trini murmured.

"That this isn't where you're supposed to be," Kat added softly.

Tommy stared at them. "You mean you guys feel it too?"

"It's Zordon."

They turned to Billy in surprise. "What do you mean, Zordon?" Trini asked.

He sighed, looking troubled. "Rangers chosen by Zordon are called Zordon's Children. They are considered to be high in the ranks of Ranger Hierarchy because they are Bonded to Zordon. Because Zordon is in danger, we all feel the need to help him."

"Zordon's in danger?" Tommy demanded, leaning forward.

"What happened?" Kat asked anxiously.

"What can we do?" Zack wanted to know.

Billy shook his head. "All anyone knows at this point in time is that Zordon was kidnapped by the Alliance of Evil. I have tried to find him for some time now without success."

"How do you know all this?" Trini wanted to know.

He smiled faintly. "It's a long story. You see, while the Zeo Rangers were in service, it was discovered that I contracted a disease due to the period when Master Vile turned back time."

Instantly, she breathed a sigh of relief. "So we didn't imagine it."

Zack flashed her a grin. "Nah. I found out from Kat that it really did happen."

"You mean you guys knew time had reversed, too?" Tommy asked in surprise.

Trini nodded. "We tried to find out what had happened, but no one else seemed to have noticed."

"You knew because of your connections to the Power," Billy informed her. "Even though you were no longer Rangers, it allowed you to still sense the shifting of time. It was during this period that I was reverted to my true age, which created a problem when time returned to normal. The Aquitian Rangers who helped us during the shift offered a cure in the form of the Eternal Falls of Aquitar, and brought me to their planet. After they cured me, I decided to stay and explore the options opened to me on a APG planet. The Aquitian Rangers have been extremely kind in helping me to understand concepts Zordon never had the chance to explain to us."

Whatever Tommy had been about to say was caught off by the arrival of Jason and Andros as they were deposited by Quantrons. Instantly he and Zack were beside their former leader, Trini, Kat, Billy, and Rocky hovering around them. Ashley and Zhane hurried to inspect Andros while Cassie looked on worriedly.

"Jase," Tommy called softly. "Come on, Bro. Wake up."

Jason never so much as stirred.

"Andros!"

The group glanced over to find Andros' eyes open as he stared up at the ceiling. Ashley gasped softly at his dead, glassy-eyed expression. "Andros?" she whispered, kneeling and taking his hand.

He turned slowly to look at her. Everyone stared in horror at the blank, broken look on his face.

"Andros, talk to me," Zhane pleaded. "You're scaring me. That's my job."

Andros' gaze shifted to him. He stared for a long moment, then suddenly broke away from Ashley as he sat up. He threw his arms around Zhane, clutching the other tightly. Zhane looked stunned, arms coming up slowly to embrace his friend. "It ... it's okay, Andros," he said at last, squeezing him gently. "It's okay. I've got you."

Ashley looked away, fighting tears.

The older group looked at one another worriedly, their gazes drifting back down to the still unconscious Jason.

They'd been there for quite awhile when something unexpected happened. The air in front of their cell shimmered, revealing none other than the Phantom Ranger. Cassie's face lit up as she ran to greet him. "Phantom! You're here!"

The armored Ranger raised a hand to quiet her and began to open the door. He froze as Cassie faded and reappeared in front of him, a blade at her neck in an instant. Her eyes widened in fear as it pressed against her skin. "Remove your helmet, Phantom Ranger," Zeus informed him. "Or she dies right now."

Phantom stared at him, fists clenched. The knife pressed against Cassie again, and she held back a cry of pain. "All right!" he growled. "Just let her go." He reached up slowly and undid his helmet, lowering it to glare at Zeus, who blinked, then started to giggle.

Cassie stared as she saw the Phantom Ranger's face for the first time. "You're a girl?"

Phantom said nothing. She was very pretty, with pale skin and dark red hair and eyes, her hair pulled into a bun. The only thing marring her beauty was the scar on left cheek. Her expression was like stone, as though Cassie's words didn't even register.

"The mighty Phantom Ranger is ... is a girl!" Zeus chortled. He forced himself to calm, jerking his head at the cell as a few more giggles escaped. "Get in."

Phantom did as she was told, never saying a word. Her morph disappeared once she was inside, leaving her in a cropped sleeveless dark red turtleneck and black pants with black boots, another scar stretching along her abdomen. She caught Cassie when she was thrown back in as Zeus walked away, still laughing to himself. With a soft murmur of apology, she tore a strip from Cassie's shirt, using it to carefully wrap the wound on her neck. She nodded to her, then retreated to the corner opposite of Rocky. Cassie stared after her.

Abruptly a feeling of warmth and love swept through everyone. It was so powerful Tommy closed his eyes, a smile drifting across his face. He *knew* this feeling, knew the distinct energy signature of the person who'd sent it. "Kimberly ... " he sighed.

The feeling vanished with an almost audible snap, leaving them all suddenly empty.

Kat shivered, rubbing her arms. "Kim?" she asked aloud.

"Why would she just ... stop ... like that?" Zack wondered, trying not to cringe at the sudden coldness in his heart contrasting the powerful wave that had filled him only moments before.

No one answered him.

Zeus returned again at last, only to throw someone back into the cell. Trini's eyes widened, and she and Tommy ran to her. "Kimberly!"

"What did you do to her?" Tommy growled.

Zeus just smiled and had Quantrons shove T.J. in as well. "Now you all have someone else to worry over," he sneered, and walked away into the darkness.

Tommy cradled Kimberly in his arms, his heart clenching. He'd been hurt and angry at her before. But the sight of her bruised and battered body suddenly made everything he'd ever thought in anger vanish as if they'd never been apart. "Come on, Beautiful," he whispered, tears in his eyes. "Please wake up."

She stirred slightly. "Tommy?" she murmured.

"Yeah, Kim. It's me," he told her.

Her eyes flickered open, meeting his. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, tears welling up.

"Shh. Just rest. We'll work it out. Just get better." He couldn't resist the urge to kiss her forehead.

She smiled weakly as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Tommy ... " she sighed. Her eyes drifted closed again.

"T.J.?" Cassie asked gently, taking her friend's arm. "Teej?"

He looked at her, seeming lost. "Why would Justin do that to me?" he asked quietly. "I thought we were friends. Why would he make me see those things?"

She hugged him, biting back a wince. "I don't know."

Everyone looked up at a small grating noise. To their surprise, a hole opened up in the ceiling, and a Ranger they'd never seen before dropped down. He wore black with a gold star on his chest, with red gloves and boots lined in yellow. His belt was red, with a gold morpher on the front, and a red gun holster on his right hip. His helmet's face plate formed a sort of raccoon-like mask, and his neck cover was red.

He froze as someone applauded. He turned to see Zeus leaning against a wall with a smirk, barely visible in the shadows. "Well done, Black Star Ranger. I almost didn't detect you." The smirk vanished. "I suggest your teammate drop in before I'm forced to kill you."

There was a muffled noise in a foreign language, and another Ranger came through. This one was shorter, most definitely female, and wore a purple version of the same uniform. She folded her arms, obviously glaring at Zeus through her helmet.

Zeus seemed pleased. "Into the cell if you value your Soul Bonded."

The Purple Ranger seemed to want to disobey, but was stopped by a look from the Black Ranger. She muttered something under her breath, and the pair walked through the cell door. Their morphs faded the moment they were inside. The Black Ranger was a dark-skinned boy with silver hair pulled into a low ponytail that reached his mid-back and silver eyes, dressed in something that seemed to come straight out of Aladdin; a black vest, loose black pants, black wrist braces, and black slipper-like shoes. The Purple Ranger was dark-skinned as well, though lighter than her companion, and had curly blond hair to her waist, framing violet eyes. Her outfit was a complete contrast to his, with more of a 1970's disco style. Her lavender tank-topped bodysuit was cut low, coming to a point over her bellybutton and revealing a large amount of cleavage. A white belt was settled around her hips, matching her white stiletto-heeled boots.

Zeus smiled. "And as a reward for your good behavior ... " With a wave of his hand, Quantrons deposited Aisha and Tanya inside. He laughed merrily as he left.

Kat knelt between the two girls, checking each of them over. To her surprise, the Black Ranger joined her, seeming concerned. He frowned as he took in their injuries. "I suspect the worst wounds won't be physical," he murmured.

She looked at him, startled. "What do you mean?"

His answer was cut off as Aisha began to awaken, blinking slowly. Realization came in an instant, and she scrambled back. "No," she whispered. "Oh, no. No, no, no."

"Aisha?" Kat asked worriedly. "Aisha, what's wrong?"

"Oh, god," Aisha moaned in answer, burying her head in her hands.

"Aisha?" The soft whisper was the first thing Rocky had said in hours. He walked over hesitantly, crouching down beside her at last. After a moment, he put an arm around her.

Aisha just shook her head, rocking back and forth. "No," she whimpered again.

Kat looked down as the other girl stirred. "Tanya?"

Tanya remained where she was, staring up at the ceiling. After a moment, she rolled over onto her side, curling up.

"Tanya - " Kat tried again.

"Leave me alone," she muttered woodenly.

Kat looked up at Tommy helplessly. What was happening to their friends?

Tommy looked worried, glancing at Kimberly again. All he could do was shake his head to Kat's silent question. And that scared him more than anything.

Adam, like the others, returned in an unconscious heap. Carlos came back at the same time, his entire body shaking as the Quantrons shoved him inside. He flinched when Ashley approached.

"Carlos?" she asked, concerned. "What happened?"

He shook his head. "I'm not. I'm not ... I'm not like them. It's just coincidence. Isn't it?" His eyes pleaded with her to agree.

Ashley did the only thing she could. "Of course it is," she assured him, squeezing his hand.

He wasn't entirely reassured, but the shaking did seem to calm.

Rocky had bolted to Adam's side the moment he saw him, dropping to his knees at his side. "Adam!" he cried anxiously. Kat and Trini knelt beside him as they checked his vital signs. Kat paused only to give his shoulder a quick squeeze before returning to checking over their friend.

There was a soft chuckle near the door. "I can't believe no one noticed it."

Rocky paused, looking up at Zeus. "Justin ... ?" he asked cautiously.

"Told you not to call me that," came the idle reply. Zeus shook his head with a smile. "You guys must be blind, or really stupid."

"What is that meant to suggest?" Billy demanded.

Zeus looked amused. "It means you're an idiot. I mean seriously; Rocky is so obviously in love with Adam and none of you noticed!"

Rocky went white.

There was a long moment of silence.

" ... What?" Tommy asked at last.

Zack looked puzzled. "Rocky's gay?"

Rocky stood, backing away from them all slowly. The look he shot Zeus was full of pain and betrayal. "I ... "

Zeus grinned back. "Whoops."

"Rocky?"

He froze, turning to look at Aisha. She was watching him, frowning. Her frown deepened as he continued to stare at her.

A soft moan snapped his attention back to Adam. He crept closer to him, just enough to peer down at him without being close to Kat or Trini. Kat eyed him, but he refused to look at her.

"Lie still, Adam," Trini soothed, her attention completely focused on him once again.

"Rocky," he mumbled. "I gotta ... talk to Rocky."

"I'm right here, Adam," Rocky's voice was gentle, and now that they were paying attention, everyone could tell the subtle difference in his tone.

Adam's eyes flickered open, staring straight at him. "You ... you're ... ?"

he pain in Rocky's eyes was back now, and he looked away from him. "Yeah," he whispered.

"How cute," Zeus commented. He smiled when everyone still conscious jumped at the sound of his voice. "Next?"

Tommy and Zack disappeared without warning. Kat and Trini were next, followed by Rocky and Zhane. Cassie and Ashley followed, and the two new Rangers with them.

Zeus smiled with twisted cheerfulness that sent chills down the remaining Rangers' spines. "They'll be back soon!" He walked off, whistling.