Chapter 38: The Family Ties

(The Boarding House)

A week passed since the incident with Rosaline's possession by Namine, the incident at Stonehedge and Celeste's death. During that week, Kat and Jason made an unscheduled trip to Wales before heading back home to Angel Grove to break the news about Celeste's death to her family and Declan's disappearance. Celeste's in-laws, who loved Celeste like a daughter was heartbroken to hear the news of her sudden passing and her children didn't fare much either.

When the couple broke the news about Declan, Kat and Jason made a promise for Celeste's sake and in her honor to find him and bring him home. For Kat, honoring her promise to a longtime friend to save Declan became her mission and Jason reassured his wife that this wasn't her task alone. Meanwhile, once everyone got back to Angel Grove, Rosaline filled in her parents and the other veterans about their recent trip into the Twilight Realm and their connections to the original Denizens of Twilight.

"So what you told us…somehow we're tied in some weird way to the ancestry of the original Denizens of Twilight?" Tommy asked.

"The doppelganger line…between you and mom's ancestry, it was where it originated," Rosaline explained. "Somehow, Namine is sort of like our ancestor. What it means is that we weren't chosen to be Power Rangers by coincidence or chance, it was solely based on fate and destiny. It was in us the whole time. You said there were tallies on the wall you found in the Hallow?"

"Yeah it was what we assumed was the number of times they attempted to try to break the curse," Kimberly added. "They probably must have attempted it with or without a doppelganger."

"Namine was the original doppelganger. It was with her blood the original Denizens of Twilight cursed Cassius and imprisoned him in the Twilight Realm. However, doppelganger blood cast the spell and curse and it can only be undone by doppelganger blood. Anyone descendant from Namine's ancestry would be the new doppelganger. Every five hundred years, a new doppelganger would come into existence until 1492 was the last known case."

"She must have told you what they did to the last doppelganger did they?" Tommy asked.

"Namine quoted it was for the sanctity and safety of this planet that the doppelganger line should no longer cease to exist. However, they didn't anticipate that somehow Namine's bloodline would continue through either you or mom's family genology."

"So you're meaning to tell us that somehow either your dad or me might somehow be a descendant of Namine's?" Kimberly asked in shock as Rosaline nodded her head yes. "This thing keeps on going from weird to beyond unbelievable. So you're meaning to tell us, long before we were chosen by Zordon somehow we were already born to be Power Rangers?

"Okay come on Kim try to relax," Billy suggested.

"Relax? How can I relax knowing that there was this tiny possibility being Power Rangers, the whole power, all of it, this was actually part of our real life legacy and life outside of it? I'm trying to understand it, make some sense of it. Is it possible that it was by purpose we were truly meant to be chosen by Zordon? I know we altered the course of fate and destiny one too many times, but this?"

"Then it means you're the real deal then?" Tommy asked looking with worry, "You truly are the doppelganger of this generation they need? Rosaline…I'm not going to lose my daughter again and I'll be damned if they take you away from us. You maybe the doppelganger right now and the key to breaking Satsu's curse, but if they want to take you away from us, then it will be over my dead body."

"I know dad, I know and I will find a way to still change my fate," Rosaline slightly smiled giving both her parents a hug. "I will stop her no matter the cost. Satsu is not going to win. She's cause so much pain and misery to those around her. She doesn't care who gets hurt in the end as long as she gains more power and lavishes in the destruction she leaves in her path. We need to formulate a plan in order to stay one step ahead of her."

"We'll do that and you have us and the resources you need," Kimberly replied. "However, after the week you've had and all of us endured I need you do one favor for us?"

"What is it?" she asked.

"Take your parents' advice and ours…and just for the next few days or so spend it with your family and the people that matter," Billy smiled. "You need at least a few days to cool down and look, your friends decided to fly back home, thank God this time instead of teleporting to spend time with their family and friends."

"All with the exception of Christian, Aidan and Shi-Ann," Rosaline pointed out. "Though, I'm a bit concerned about Shi-Ann. She's been acting a little weird lately. I hope everything is alright with her."

(Downtown Angel Grove)

Meanwhile, Shi-Ann made her way to the Angel Grove Shopping Plaza as she sat down at a nearby coffee shop. She carefully turned around to make sure she wasn't followed. Moments later, she saw contact after reading text message off one of her disposal phones she carried. She casually and cautiously approached the man.

"Someone has been tailing him a couple days back," he replied giving her an envelope. "These were taken four days ago on the MIT campus where he currently goes to school. Apparently, Malcolm has been meeting with someone discussing the whereabouts of a particular individual."

"Malcolm contacted me two weeks ago telling me they've been tracked on their current whereabouts in Boston. Has McTeague and Li Mei been informed?"

"Li Mei relocated to London and has joined with Interpol working under McTeague and informed the FBI of potential international criminals in U.S jurisdiction. They put a 24/7 surveillance on both targets to keep them safe. Shi-Ann…I think it's best that you let them handle it before they track you in California because right now any former associates of either Doyle or Kuan Yin think you're still in Shanghai."

"No…you know I called you Keeno so I need it, the plane ticket I asked for." She demanded as he reluctantly handed it over. "Malcolm and I, we spent years trying to be shielded from this lifestyle and promise to look out for one another. I'd be damned if they cross the line and get her involved. Li Mei is probably shaking her head but tell her, I'll be careful, same with McTeague. I've taken on dangerous threats than the IRA or Triads, I can handle myself."

(The Juice Bar)

That afternoon Kat and Kimberly were at the Juice Bar at Zack's request running the place. They learned that Zack was taking Angela to her appointment with her doctor for her next ultrasound. Unfortunately, what Zack failed to mention to his partners was they were short staffed and the activities that was scheduled today was at risk of being cancelled especially the self-defense class for teens that was arranged. Luckily for Kim and Kat, they persuaded Tommy and Jason to teach the class after the original instructors dropped out due to a conflict of schedule. They watched as their husbands taught the class with their kids sitting at the bar.

"We owe Tommy and Jason for this big time," Kimberly replied looking over some cash receipts.

"Put it this way at least we don't have to refund a bunch of teenagers who paid for a week's worth of self defense classes," Kat added. "Not after the string of muggings that got reported. However, it was nice of Tommy and Jason to teach for the week the self-defense class for teens."

"Mommy! Mommy! Is it okay I sit at the bar with you?" Claire asked.

"Okay sure but why don't you want to sit at the table with your brother and the others?" Kat asked a bit confused.

"Please mommy? I want to see daddy more better and be near you," Claire replied as Kat helped her daughter up on the stool. Kimberly had a pincher of raspberry lemonade ready and served it to the twins and Aaron at the table. Aaron was reading his storybook noticing his little sister's behavior.

"She's been like that for weeks," Aaron said.

"What do you mean?" Kimberly asked.

"Claire wants to be near mom and dad a lot more than usual," he explained. "Last week when mom and dad went to Wales to talk to Aunt Celeste's family, Claire became frantic while we stayed at grandma and grandpa's place. She waited up all night and kept asking them to call mom and dad every hour. These days she doesn't want to be left alone at dance class and keeps asking mom to stay with her until she's done."

"Aaron...how long has this been going on for?" Kimberly asked with curiosity. "Claire's has been a bit more clingy than usual as of late with Jason and Kat."

"She doesn't really want to play with us these day too mommy," Elena added. "Claire always asks to be with her mommy and daddy."

"Is something wrong with your sister Aaron?" Hayden asked.

"I don't know what's wrong with my little sister but my mom and dad think that it's nothing to be worried about," Aaron replied. "She's been more needy for them ever since the kidnapping."

"Sweetie, remember we promised your daddy's parents we were going to bring you guys over to their place," they heard Kat said to Claire.

"But I want to be with you and daddy! Can't you come with us?" Claire started throwing a fit as she jumped down from the bar stool and wrapped her arms tightly around her mom. It was like she had a death grip on Kat and it was then she noticed something was up as she looked at Kim with confusion. "I don't want to go to grandma and grandpa's place without you and daddy! Come with us please mommy? Don't leave us please mommy?"

"I'm sure your mom and dad will figure out what is wrong with Claire," Kimberly replied.

(The Boarding House)

Shi-Ann paced in her bedroom as she got a small messenger bag packed up with a few documents, letters, and passports ready. She pulled out another disposal cellphone and dialed a phone number that was programed on the phone. After a few rings, she got in contact with the number, sighing with relief to hear a familiar voice on the other end.

"Someone is closing in on Sydney and Moira's location," she heard Malcolm on the other end. "Word has it that I've been followed by a guy named Douglas O'Shea, he used to be a former associate of my father's in the Irish mob. I can't compromise Moira and Sydney's identity Shi-Ann. We promised each other remember?"

"They don't know about Moira's past relationship with Liam Doyle or about Sydney's paternity? I kept my promise over the years with you that Sydney's paternity would remain a secret but those guys who were part of "Seifer" years ago are hellbent on retribution for how the thing went down. I'll be in Boston soon Malcolm. I'm not going to leave you alone to face this. We're figure out something."

"Be careful mo gaoithe," he replied before hanging up the phone.

"Watch your back god brother," she said hanging up and packing up the rest of her stuff.

Shi-Ann noticed that the house was boarding house was empty since most of her friends went back home for a few days, Tommy and Kimberly are currently at the Juice Bar with their kids and the others was out. She hoped it would be this way but the business she needed to deal with in Boston was far complicated and didn't want to put her friends at any risk. The last thing was she didn't want her friends to be put in any danger if they learned about her past. As she took off for the airport in a taxi, she left her morpher and communicator knowing that she could be tracked. A little after she departed, Aidan was unknowingly in the house overhearing her entire plan.

"Aidan, dude is everything alright?" Christian asked coming back from his run with Rosaline.

"It's Shi-Ann, she took off...again," Aidan said, "You remember how sometimes she would disappear for a few days and then come back without saying something? I think she's going to get herself into trouble."

"What do you mean Shi-Ann took off again?" Rosaline asked.

"I overheard her talking on the phone to a guy about making sure this person named Sydney isn't tracked down. She mentioned something about Boston and asking the person she was talking to to keep an eye on anyone working for the IRA, Irish Mob or Triads. She's trying to protect someone...or somebody."

Aidan went to Shi-Ann's bedroom trying to find some information as Christian and Rosaline try to get him to stop. They found a photo album of a young Chinese girl that they assumed was Shi-Ann smiling and standing next to a a little Irish Boy in front of what looked like a Tuscan Villa. They turned the picture over to see it written that the little Irish boy was her "brother" and read the name "Malcolm." There was more pictures including a young Shi-Ann standing next to Malcolm and a tall Irish man that looked like a relative, a picture with Shi-Ann and her father alongside a female woman.

"Malcolm...the picture is labelled that this guy is her brother and the other one is labelled "Uncle Liam." It looks like I've seen this guy's picture long ago," Christian replied until he realized it. "That man in the picture...I remember him seeing his picture on the news. That man, his name is Liam Doyle. He was an arm's dealer in Europe, a former member of the IRA, the Irish Republican Army. Anyways, over a decade ago when my family went on a trip to Italy this story broke out about a raid at a villa outside of Tuscany. That man, Liam Doyle was arrested by Interpol for an illegal international weapons ring he was in business with the Triads."

"So what does this have to do with Shi-Ann? Does she know this guy?" Rosaline said holding up the picture. "Obviously telling by these pictures these people must have history with her. We need to find out everything we know about Liam Doyle and how Shi-Ann is connected to this guy. Aidan, do you think you can put your computer hacking skills to the test and see if you can get some dirt on these guys?"

"I can hack like the wind besides, I'm really worried about Shi-Ann," Aidan replied. "Although we're about to hack into national and international personnel files we got to do this. Using the computers downstairs in the lab is our best bet as long as Rosaline's parents and their friends don't figure out what we're up to. Shi-Ann's life depends on this and whoever she is protecting."

(Boston, Massachusetts)

A few hours later, Shi-Ann arrived at Boston Airport as she only had in her possession a messenger bag. She was wearing black skinny jeans, a dark indigo shirt and a dark hooded leather jacket. She was on a mission and it wasn't one that involved fighting monsters or the Acadians. This one was a personal vendetta and personal matter. She looked at the charm necklace that contained a few charms: one of each that was given to her by the people she new in her complicated past.

FLASHBACK: 14 years ago- Tuscany, Italy

"...Seven, eight, nine, ten! Ready or not here I come," Li Mei counted as she spotted a young Shi-Ann and her god brother Malcolm hiding behind the tree. "Oh I'm going to come and get you two."

"You can't get us! You can't get us!" Shi-Ann and Malcolm laughed as Li Mei grabbed Shi-Ann and playfully spun the girl around tickling her. Malcolm came in and tried to rescue his god sister by tickling Li Mei as the three of them laughed. Moments later, Liam Doyle came in the garden and saw the three of them playing.

"Am I interrupting something?" Liam smiled looking at the two young children as one of Liam's housekeepers came. "Janine, come take your little boy and my goddaughter. Come on children, Janine has the lemonade and snacks at the table for you to eat." Janine quietly took the children and lead them away leaving Li Mei and Liam to talk. "Do you ever think about that?"

"You mean having children? With the line of work that Kuan Yin and I do...I don't think it's possible," Li Mei objected. "But Shi-Ann, she's so young how will she understand when she gets older what her dad does for a living?"

"Well maybe he needs the right woman to do that with. Natalie already has an admirer and a son who loves her," Liam said looking at Malcolm and Shi-Ann eating at the patio table. Li Mei made the connection about Malcolm's true paternity.

"Kuan Yin never told me...I assumed Malcolm was your housekeeper's son."

"Janine raises Malcolm so no one would use him against me, but he is my son and also Kuan Yin's godson. Him and I, we've been longtime friends and promised one another that if anything happened to either one of us, our children would be looked after. Shi-Ann, mo realta, I love that little girl as if she is one of my own. She too, needs a mother in her life. One day she'll grow up as a strong warrior like her god brother because she has has the heart."

"Kuan Yin wouldn't consider raising his daughter in this life and you wouldn't consider raising Malcolm in this life too. I can get them out, I can get you guys out. I have contacts, resources, they can have normal lives with their fathers by their sides. But to raise them, especially Kuan Yin's daughter to have his life...I don't know if I can do that." Moments later, Shi-Ann and Malcolm come running back to the adults as Malcolm runs over to Liam's side hugging his leg. Shi-Ann smiles hugging Li Mei.

"Why are you crying Li-Mei? Uncle Liam why is Li-Mei sad?" Shi-Ann asked as she turned to the young girl and replied to her.

"Shi-Ann sweetie, go to your godfather I'm sure he wants a hug from his favorite goddaughter in the world," Shi-Ann smiled running to Liam's side giving him a hug. "I'm going to call your daddy to see when he'll be back from his trip okay?"

END OF FLASHBACK

Shi-Ann was driving in the rental car she borrowed as she parked outside her destination spot. She shed a few tears thinking about some of the times in her complicated past and being obvious to what was happening around her. She wished for a lot of things, but the one thing she wanted most in this world was a family and to be part of one. She grew up living one ruse after another for the sake of her protection and her life. However, she couldn't let go of certain things from her complex life that mattered to her. She heard tapping on window and smiled as she got out of the car revealing her unarmed and safe god brother, Malcolm.

"You shouldn't have come, but somehow you're still stubborn and you risked it," Malcolm smiled hugging his god sister. "Are you alright mo gaolithe?"

"I'm fine and no even if you and everyone else told me to stay away I had to come," Shi-Ann replied. "Besides, I don't leave family behind. Malcolm, what is it?"

"Moira's in the hospital, she's in critical condition," Malcolm sighed. "Someone attacked her and two federal agents that were assigned to watch her house. The agents are dead, Moira was severely beaten. I had to contact Natalie McTeague about it. When I arrived at the house, they almost got to me, but I escaped."

"And what about Sydney? Is she alright? Does McTeague know about her?" Shi-Ann asked.

"It was a professional hit Shi-Ann. They...took Sydney. I don't know where they went but they left this at the house. Shi-Ann, someone knows who we are and about our true identities. This is a personal hit against Liam and Kuan Yin. Not knowing if our dads are alive or not or if they know if we're alive, Sydney is now part of this. I can't...let anything happen to my little sister." Malcolm sighed as to his surprise and shock Shi-Ann opened her bag and revealed a gun in her hand.

"We're not going to let anything happen to Sydney," Shi-Ann said as she clocked her gun. "It doesn't matter who we have to go through whether it be mobsters or our fathers load behold. I guarantee you, no one is going to harm my god sister! We're going to get her back and make those bastards pay for what they did."

(The Boarding House)

Back in Angel Grove, Rosaline, Aidan and Christian put Aidan's computer hacking skills to the test to find out dirt about Liam Doyle and his connection to Shi-Ann. It was then they uncovered 14 years of a complex history about Shi-Ann's life and coming to the understanding of what made her the person she is today. The files they unlocked on the computers in the basement lab spanned as far as looking into police records from Interpol, the Hong Kong Police Department, FBI profiles and criminal profile records on Kuan Yin and Liam Doyle. However, the veterans came home and they weren't too please with the trio hacking into national security files.

"Oh you got to kidding me," Tommy said looking with displeasure, "Please tell me Aidan you didn't hack into Interpol's international data base to look up on highly classified information. When Billy told Kim and I to head home because there was a breach in security I didn't expect this."

"So...where is Billy anyways?" Christian asked.

"He went to make a phone to someone of importance," Kimberly replied sternly. "What I like to know is how in the world did you three manage to pull this off? Do you have any idea that this is highly illegal, you broke the law, and possibly can go to jail for this! Jesus Christ, why is what I want to know?"

"It's for Shi-Ann because we're worried she's about to do something incredibly stupid to put her life in jeopardy!" Rosaline replied holding out Shi-Ann's morpher and communicator. "And we can't help her because she doesn't want us to find out. Mom, Shi-Ann is somewhere in Boston and there maybe a chance that people from her father's past are going to find her. She took off to try to save someone that was important to her. This isn't a normal Ranger duty mission, this is a personal vendetta and someone is luring her out in the open."

"Look we needed the 411 on Shi-Ann's life to understand it and hopefully find her," Aidan added. "We can't leave her out there, unless you knew about her history?"

"No...honestly Shi-Ann was still one of the mysteries we couldn't figure out when Trini and Billy first found her in Beijing," Tommy sighed. "They told us that they tracked her down in a training facility in Beijing living under the last name, Hue after her legal guardian, Jiang Li Hue. Shi-Ann's guardian worked as a coach for the Chinese Olympic team raised Shi-Ann and the two were provided by substantial financial support for over 10 years. She and her legal guardian rotated residences between Shanghai, Beijing, Bangkok and Hong Kong over the years."

"Someone must have been supporting them for over 10 years and constantly kept rotating their location so they wouldn't find her," Aidan said.

"Well that someone will be me," a voice said walking in with an Asian professional looking woman. It was a surprise to them that there was someone who was not Ranger related walking into the lab looking at the group. "Special Agent, Li Mei Wong, Interpol. I worked years ago with the Hong Kong Police Department before I was offered a position at Interpol for my assistance and help with JTF-12 and shutting down "Seifer." Mr. Cranston here filled me in about this whole little operation of yours and I can assure you, this is remain highly confidential."

"Shi-Ann had one contact over the years that she would call and it was Li Mei," Billy informed. "What I didn't anticipate was that Shi-Ann's contact worked in high ranks of Interpol. Apparently, Shi-Ann and this guy Malcolm, they're related to Interpol's top criminals."

"I spent years keeping that girl safe, gave her back her life and the promise that neither her or Malcolm would live their father's lives," Li Mei replied. "We took drastic procedures years ago to ensure their safeties and even tried to limit their contact with one another over the years. Somehow, those two always found a way to keep in touch despite the risk. They're like family but it seems like those two are in Boston for a reason."

"What can you tell us about Shi-Ann's life and how it relates to this Liam Doyle guy?" Rosaline asked. "Our friend may find herself in terrible danger and you're the only one who can shed light to give us the full story of Shi-Ann's life."

"Years ago Interpol put together called JTF-12 that profiled high powered terrorists. My associate, Natalie McTeague was part of that group and they were investigating Liam Doyle, a former IRA captain turned terrorist. He had ties to the Irish Mafia and when they negotiated a contract with codename "Seifer," a high rank weapons ring that was operating in China, Interpol then brought the Hong Kong Police Department into the investigation." Li Mei explained. "Interpol linked "Seifer" to Kuan Yin, Shi-Ann's father and a high ranking lieutenant in the Triads. It was then the operation then went in multiple jurisdictions because Doyle and Kuan Yin were longtime friends and godfathers to each of their children. They expanded "Seifer" into Ireland and was on the verge of expanding it in Europe after it was flagged in Asia. We knew we had to apprehend them and shut them down...by all means."

"Shi-Ann's father was part of the Triads and her godfather, Liam Doyle was a terrorist?" Aidan replied. "So you and your friend went undercover to bust these guys."

"I was undercover for over 10 months and it was there I learned about Doyle and Kuan Yin's connection," she continued. "My superiors in Hong Kong gave my name to Interpol and they had me be part of JTF-12 after I was following my leads in some investigations in some illegal arms dealings in Hong Kong. I posed as an arm's dealer and infiltrated Kuan Yin's operations. It was then we found out about Shi-Ann and Malcolm. Don't get me wrong, those guys love their kids, but they had the intention of raising them to live their lives. Things I will say got complicated over time and now I had Shi-Ann's wellbeing to worry about. The day came when they first moved in on Doyle in his villa in Tuscany. Doyle managed to sneak Janine and Malcolm out of Tuscany and a few of his trusted comrades rendezvous with Kuan Yin in Shanghai. Kuan Yin made a promise to Doyle to look after Malcolm and Shi-Ann but I knew he also had to be put away as it was part of my job."

"So all of this...it was to free them from the life their fathers wanted them to live?" Christian inquired.

"We obvious knew they weren't safe together and Natalie and I discussed what we needed to do in order to protect them," Li Mei continued. "Once we blew our cover, it was only a matter of time if either Doyle or Kuan Yin came after us and the team. They were sent to some political prison camp in North Korea. In order to give Malcolm and Shi-Ann their lives back, we staged their deaths to make their fathers believe their children died. I had some contacts who forged documentations and papers for them. By that time, we left them with their legal guardians and relocated them: Jiang Li took a job as an athletics trainer for the Chinese Olympic team and trained in facilities between Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Beijing. Natalie relocated Malcolm and his legal guardian Janine to Boston where she took a job as a caregiver for a family by the name of Donovan. Those two tried to keep contact with one another over the years despite our attempts to limit contact for their safeties but we came to an agreement that they see each other at least three times a year under our supervision."

"It didn't dawn upon you that when you sent Malcolm to Boston, he learned about family he had there and Shi-Ann also knew too?" Rosaline replied. "That's why she went to Boston. Someone is threatening Malcolm and are close to finding out about Sydney's identity. Since you two spent years trying to sever and limit contact between them, they made a pact when they learned Doyle's secret. If you were going to protect them from their father's lives, then they wouldn't follow in their protectors' mission to do the same for Sydney. I understand why one of my best friends is in Boston...she's there to help Malcolm protect Sydney, Liam's daughter."

"Natalie and I never anticipated it until now," Li Mei added, "So now you know the 14 year history of Shi-Ann. I know you all care about her, so do I and I devoted years of my life to make sure that young lady lives a normal life. Her, Malcolm and Sydney...this isn't the life we want for them. If you want my help on trying to save their lives before someone blows the lid and lets their murderous criminal fathers find out their children are alive, then we need everyone's full cooperation."

"She mentioned something about a man named Douglas O'Shea in a phone conversation before she left finding Moira and Sydney. I'm guessing Moira Donovan is Sydney's mother and a former lover of Doyle's?" Aidan said continuing to hack into the computer.

"None of us didn't know about Shi-Ann's past until now," Tommy replied.

"Well now we got the full story," Billy replied. "Agent Wong, is there some way to track down Moira's location before those guys find Sydney and her mother?"

"Douglas O'Shea was a former associate of Doyle's. If he knows about Sydney's paternity then it's going to go the cover for Shi-Ann and Malcolm. Oh my God, he's trying to lure them out," Li Mei sighed starting to dial her phone. "This isn't about Sydney, it's about Shi-Ann and Malcolm. This guy, Douglas O'Shea he had a grudge against Liam Doyle for a deal that went sour and when he turned to Kuan Yin and the Triads for a new contract, he was pissed. This is a vendetta against Kuan Yin and Doyle and he knows who Shi-Ann and Malcolm are. He's working with a partner and they're using Sydney as bait to lure them out."