DISCLAIMER: Original storyline: Cinders. Rangers: Saban. JLA & Titans:DC. That's all.
ALTERNATE POWER PATHWAYS: 4 MORE SAVEDby: C.A. TURNER
At the last count: 6 rescued. 4 more to go.
Chapter Seven: Zack and Tanya
New Wave Dance Club, New York, NY Zack Taylor stood outside of the New Wave, dance club. He watched the lights of the New York traffic pass along the streets. And the blare of car horns, seemed to drown out the should of the cool evening rain. His job as a dance instructor left little time for himself, so when he did have some time, this is where he went.
Zack let his mind drift back to the past. To a time when fighting monsters left him little time for anything else. But, he didn't mind. He was saving the world.
He laughed silently to himself, remembering the baggy pants, colorful shirts, and the dreadlocks. Though still there, the dreadlocks were now neater and more manageable, plus a goatee. He now wore loose fitting, black dress slacks, and a black shirt with white trim, topped off with a shiny pair of loafers and matching belt.
The sound of a door closing next to him, brought his mind back to the present. Zack looked up at the beautiful young woman who had just come out of the, now closed, dance club.
She wore a thigh skimming, yellow, slip dress and a black pair of high heels. Her long black hair, was now placed in rings, atop of her head, a few loose strands falling to frame her face. The only accents she wore, were the bright yellow butterflies she'd clipped into her hair.
"It's been a long night." Zack said to her, as she took his offered arm.
"Yeah, but it's a nice break from my DJ job at the local station." Tanya Sloane, also a former member of the Ranger team, had left for New York shortly after she gave up her position on the team, and now did a little after hour DJing at the New Wave, when she wasn't working at her full time job at the local radio station.
It was here at the New Wave, that she'd met Zack, and they'd become fast friends. Then about two months after they met, it came out that they'd both been Rangers. They would spend hours together. Zack would reminisce about his time on the team, and Tanya would reminisce about her's. The friendship, only became stronger after that day. The stress of secrecy was gone, now that they had each other to talk to, and the secret was still being kept.
Tanya felt like Zack did about the team. She missed being a Ranger, but she understood the reasoning for the need to have a new team. "Are you ready to go?" Zack asked, stepping onto the sidewalk.
Tanya gazed up at the black sky. She knew that from the slight drizzle, that there were clouds up there, somewhere. But, the multitude of city lights, kept her from seeing them, just as they kept her from seeing her precious stars. She suddenly found herself wondering if she'd made the wrong decision after all.
Pulling a yellow and black shall up, around her shoulders, she again took Zack's offered arm, and together, they headed down the street.
Red, glowing eyes, watched the pair as they headed down the street, arm in arm. And evil smile curved the lips, as an idea began to stir in it's mind.
Zack and Tanya were deep in conversation, as they passed the alley. So it was a wonder that they were able to hear the child's cry, coming from the darkness. "Did you hear that?" Tanya asked, the old instincts kicking in.
"Yeah. You stay here, and I'll go and check it out." "Oh, no you don't. I'd rather take my chances, with you, in the alley, then to stay out here on the New York City street alone. Besides, I was a Power Ranger once, too."
"We still are."
Zack & Tanya soon found themselves facing the Black Morphin & Yellow Zeo Rangers. "This is really a lot to take in, but we're asking you to trust us. We'll explain everything later.
"Okay."
***
Again, they heard the cry. It was low, and more like a cry that said, "I'm afraid.", than one that meant the child was being harmed. Carefully, they made their way down the alley, until they came to an eight foot, brick wall, graffiti marring it's side.
"I didn't see anything, did you?" Tanya asked, scanning the darkness around them, the best she could.
"Nothing. I didn't even hea..." Just then, the cry came to them again, from where they had already passed. As they began to turn back, a dark figure dropped down infront of them, barring their way.
Zack quickly pushed Tanya behind him, as the shadowy silhouette, made it's way toward them, both taking up the once familiar, fighting stances.
"Well, well, well. Two ex-Rangers, with one stone. Hey, Zack. You're a Taylor, right? I think I need a new uniform, do you think you could fit me with a new one?" The form stepped forward into the small patch of light that was between them, when an even darker form dropped behind him, menacing in stature. He then said 3 words:
"You're tresspassing, ratbreath."
"The Silver Ranger froze...and turned to face the newcomer. He then screamed...then fainted.
Zack 2 remorphed, and smirked "You know, they just don't make bad guys the way they used to."
Tanya 2 agreed. "Yeah, they're just a bunch of superstitious, cowardly chickens."
"Oh, yeah? We'll see who's chicken!" Arcus had just woke up from his little fright nap. "Quantrons, nail 'em. All of 'em!" He turned his eyes on Tanya, who stood behind Zack. "Yo! Tanyyyya!"
"What?" Tanya asked in total confusion.
"You know, 'Yo! Adriaaan! Sloane?"
"That's STallone, you moron!"
"Oh. My bad?"
"No, you STUPID! That's all there is to that!" the man in nightblack spoke up again, this time advancing on the rogue Ranger. The Silver Ranger, suddenly launched himself at them, mainly out of fear.
Meanwhile, up out of the way, Zack & Tanya were safe & sound, on the roof with Hawkman & Hawkwoman. "Think we can get a few punches in?" Tanya asked the winged duo.
"Since you used to be Rangers, I don't see why not. Zack?" Hawkwoman asked.
"Let's do it!"
"In that case, people...hold on tight, and as a certain pack of turtles used to say...COWABUNGA, DUDES!" Hawkman shouted.
***
Arms unexpectedly closed around Tanya 2, pinning her arms to her chest. But, with a backward kick, the Silver Ranger immediately released her. Tanya 2 quickly gained her feet, and, grabbing her leg, she pulled it back; as she has so many times before. And like she had before, she released her hold. But, this time, it wasn't a barrel she kicked, it was the Silver Ranger's head.
As the Silver Ranger rolled to a stand, Batman took over. The Dark Knight then proceeded to punch, slam, and beat the Silver Ranger into submission. Cocky before, his tone changed, screaming "DON'T KILL ME!, DON'T KILL ME, PLEASE!"
"I'm not going to kill you. I want you to do me a favor. I want you to tell Dark Spectre about me.
"What are you?"
Jerking the Silver Ranger close, he whispered menacingly "I'm fear itself. I am darkness. I am the night. I'm Batman." he then just tossed him away.
Both the Hawks, along with Zack & Tanya, had taken care of a lot of the Quantrons,but there were still a few left, when a yellow column of light appeared between them, and took the form of the Yellow Ranger. As soon as the Yellow Ranger became solid, she pulled out two blasters, and was firing, driving back the remaining Quantrons. Each hit sending sparks flying around them, and angry roars from the mechanical henchmen.
Regaining some control, the Silver Ranger managed to eke out a little bravado, saying "Your time's coming Ranger. It won't be long now!" The Silver Ranger squeaked, then disappeared in a flash of silver light.
"Are you all right?" The Yellow Ranger asked Tanya 2, as the Hawks, along with Zack & Tanya joined everyone.
"Yeah. Your bat-friend here seemed to put the fear of God into that guy." Tanya spoke up.
"Yeah, he has that kind of effect on certain people." came Zack's voice, as he joined everyone. "Who was that guy? And why was he after us?"
Zack and Tanya listened quietly, as their doubles spoke, along with Batman, and the Hawks. Ashley unmorphed, and added to the news. There wasn't any shock on their faces, but only happy smiles. Tanya remembered choosing Ashley to take her place on the team.
"That was Zhane, the Silver Ranger. He used to be on our side, until recently. And the reason he's after you, is because he's trying to keep us from gathering together all of the former Rangers."
"But, why are you trying to get us all together?" Tanya asked, as she brushed the dirt from her dress.
"Yeah, what could we possibly do to help? We're not Rangers anymore. Not for a long time." Zack asked.
"But, if we can get you all together, find Billy, and he can access it, the Morphin Grid will be able to give you back your powers, and you can help us defeat Astronema and Zhane. Will you help us?"
Tanya and Zack looked at each other. Another chance. Isn't that what they've wanted since they gave up their powers?
"I gather, from what you've said, that Billy's not with you. Are we the first?" Zack asked.
"Actually, no. We've already found: Adam, Rocky, Trini, Jason, Tommy and Kim." To the both of them, the names brought back so many happy memories. How long had it been since either one of them had spoken to the others?
"That's quite a list. Who else do we need?" Zack asked, looking between Ashley and Tanya.
"Just Kat, Aisha and Billy. Have either of you heard from, or seen Billy lately?"
"No. Last I knew, he was on Aquitar." Tanya stated. Ashley nodded. "I noticed that Justin wasn't listed on the 'haves' or 'have not' lists."
"Justin didn't want to leave his dad. He's happy being just a normal kid."
"I'm happy for him."
"So, what's it going to be guys?" Ashley inquired.
"We need to know right now." Batman stated.
"Do you even have to ask?" Zack questioned, with a bright smile. "I'm in. All the way."
"Me, too." Came Tanya's happy reply.
* * *
Soon, Tanya and Zack joined the others aboard the Astro Mega Ship. Familiar faces were greeted with hugs, and introduced them to the new team.
But, to everyone on board, there was something missing, though no one was brave enough to ask. The answers to the many questions would be given, when everyone was gathered together, and on their way to Aquitar. Andros had promised.
* * *
The Morphin Grid could feel them all around it. It wanted to join with these familiar hosts once again. But, it couldn't reach them, no matter how strong it was, and how hard it tried.
But, it wasn't time yet. Not yet. There were three more, and one would become the link between the hosts and the Grid, and give it freedom to become one with those around it.
It could wait. It had no choice. * * *
Chapter Eight: Kat
Ballet Theater: London, England
Kat could hear the roar of the crowd, as she and the rest of the performers took their bows. The translucent butterfly wings on her back, falling open, to brush slightly against her arms.
It was in the euphoric. This was her fourth performance in as many nights, and she still felt exhilarated. When she had come to England, to train at the Royal Academy, she wasn't sure she was doing the right thing. Would she be good enough? Would the Rangers be alright without her? Then she had to remind herself that there was a new team, who were more than capable of taking care of things. And that she had even helped to find someone to take her place on the team.
The past seemed to pass before her like a movie. All the happy times and the bad. It wasn't until a single, white rose, came to a sliding stop at her feet. Slowly she reached out to pick up the fragile blossom, among the many red ones. As she stood, she caught sight of a handsome young man in the front row.
His hair, nearly as white as the blossom she held, and deep blue eyes. He was dressed in a black suit with, an eye catching, silver and black bow tie.
A wink from him, made her smile feel more genuine. Kat kept her eye on him, until the curtains slid closed between them. Then it was another moment before she realized that the other performers were leaving the stage, and the applause had died away.
"Katherine...are you all right?" A young woman with dark, brown hair, pulled back into a tight bun, and wearing a pink tutu with silver trim, came up to stand next to her.
"Yeah, fine." Kat said, looking at the rose in her hands, and thinking about the young man in the audience who had thrown it to her.
"A white rose? Someone really thought your performance was good. I don't see to many white roses."
"Jennifer, don't be silly." Jennifer just shrugged her shoulders, pecked Kat on the cheek, and took off toward the dressing room.
"It's not silly." Kat spun, heart hammering in her chest. Out of the shadows stepped the young man from the audience.
"I'm sorry, you startled me..."
"Jacob. Jacob Roberts. I've caught your performances, and I've been dazzled. You are really good."
"Thank you." Kat didn't know what to say, but she could feel a blush creeping to her cheeks.
"Would you care to join me for a cup of tea, after you've changed? There is this great little restaurant just around the corner." His English accent was a little different from the other accents she'd become accustomed to, but she liked it.
"Sure. I shouldn't be long."
"I'll await you outside."
"Okay." Kat quickly left the stage, excited about the impromptu date. It had been a long time since she and Tommy, for various reasons; distance being one of them, decided to go their separate ways. And she loved Tommy, very much. Enough to let him go.
Quickly, she entered the dressing room, brushed past all the other, half dressed girls, to her dressing table. Gently placing the delicate bloom on the table, and humming a tune, began to prepare for her date.
* * *
Kat watched nervously, through the beveled glass of the theater doors, at the young man pacing back and forth, at the bottom of the steps. Gently she pulled her jacket on, and pushed open the door, to step into the cool London evening.
Jacob turned to face her, his face lighting up in a smile. Kat returned the smile, as she descended the steps.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"I don't mind." As soon as Kat reached his side, he pulled from behind his back, a bouquet of matching white roses.
"I had hoped to be able to give you all of these tonight." Kat took the bouquet and held them to her, inhaling the sweet sent of the fresh flowers. "They are beautiful, like you."
"Oh, please, stop! Enough already, you're starting to make me sick."
Kat gasped at the unfamiliar voice. She had thought that she and Jacob were alone. She felt Jacob grab her arm to pull her behind him.
As Jacob raised his fists, like the boxer he had been, the shadowy figure emerged from the shadows, laughing.
"If he really knew, he wouldn't be protecting you, you'd be protecting him." Kat gulped. The man looked disturbingly like Jacob, but that's where the similarities ended. And could this stranger possibly know her past? Know that she had been a Ranger? No. He couldn't.
"I don't know who you are, or where you came from, sir, but I would strongly suggest that you leave us be." Jacob said, keeping Kat at his back, and an eye on the stranger before him, who's similarities to himself, was disturbing.
"If he knows what's good for him, he'll leave you two alone!" Another female voice bellowed.
Kat turned, and found herself facing the Pink Zeo Ranger. "Quickly, both of you, back inside. I'll explain later." Both hurried back in. Once they were safely inside, Kat 2 shouted "OK, Black Canary, let's teach this jerk some manners!"
"Fine with me. Hey, Arcus!" Black Canary followed the yell with a kick to the jaw, while Kat 2 kicked him in the stomach.
"You know..." Arcus snarled "...I'm getting sick and tired of you Justice League Rangers spoiling my fun!"
"Well, slimebag, we're even. We're getting tired of YOU!" Black Canary frowned.
***
Safely inside with Jacob, Kat desperately tried to figure out how he could have known about her past. She watched as Arcus lashed out at the 2 with a sweeping sidekick. She then made a descision. "Jacob, please trust me. Stay here. I'll explain everything when I get back. Grabbing a spear, she then dashed outside.
"Mmm...I think I've got Kat scratch fever." He liked this one. Like how her accent became thicker in her rage, the fire in her eyes, and her spirit. Yeah, he liked this one a lot.
"You like duplicates, how about the real thing?" Kat shouted, her strength slowly rising. Charging with the spear, she had Arcus' attention on that, never knowing what her true target was.
While Kat 2 & Black Canary were fighting off Quantrons, Kat distracted him with the spear, and kicked him in his...family jewels.
The scream Arcus gave was, well, pretty painful, but given what he was planning to do to Kat, well deserved, and frankly, delicious.
"YIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"
Arcus was still screaming, dropping to his knees, desperately trying to stand. Suddenly, a flash of light spun Arcus sideways, enough so that Kat could see past him. With relief, she watched as the Blue and Black Rangers approached, blasters at the ready. Kat quickly raced back into the building, and explained everything to Jacob in record time.
"EWWWWWWWWWWW!" The Black Ranger said, as he came to stand between Arcus and Kat. The Blue Ranger remained opposite, on the other side of the still prostrate Arcus.
"You Rangers have stopped me at every turn,but...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Damn, that HURTS!" He then took his leave, in the traditional flash of light. Once he was gone, the Rangers went to Kat's side. "Are you all right?" The Black Ranger asked.
"Yeah, but I think Jacob's wondering if he walked into a episode of 'The X Files'. Thanks for your help."
"I'll talk to him." The Black Ranger said, walking into the building.
Once he was certain that he and Kat were alone, TJ unmorphed, and smiled as Kat hugged him tightly. "It's so good to see you TJ. What's happening?" Kat released her hold on him, and stood back to let him explain."First, who are...
"They're helping us find you guys. They're from another dimension, where the Justice League and the Titans are real."
TJ then continued "Astronema is becoming too strong for us. Especially now that she has one of our own, under her control."
"The guy..."
"Right." Kat sighed, and remembered how it felt to be under the control of evil. "We've found the Morphin Grid, and we need help fighting her. We're gathering together all of the former Rangers, and if Billy can be found, and can access the Grid's power, you'll all be Rangers again."
"You don't know how long I've waited to here those words. When do we start?"
"Right now."
"Let's go." * * *
The Morphin Grid could feel them all around it. It wanted to reach out, to become one with them again, but it wasn't time yet. There were still two more. And it still needed the One. * * *
Chapter Nine: Aisha
African Plains: Central Africa
The dust swirled around her, with each step that she took. There wouldn't be any rain for another two months, and already, the ground was beginning to look like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Aisha Campbell was beginning to hate it here. And everything about it.
For the last few years, she'd lived with two distinct memories of her past. One, a memory of growing up in Africa, and another of a happier time. A time of colorfully uniformed heroes, of which she had imagined she had been one, and battling monsters and aliens, for the safety of the Earth.
And she was finding, that as time moved on, it was becoming more and more difficult to remember which memory was real.
Angrily, she wiped the sweat from her forehead. Her long braided hair, pulled back into a ponytail. Today, she was inspecting the local lion prides. They had been successful in stopping the plague, but there had been reports of something new, that might be bringing harm to the lions.
As Aisha's foot caught on one of the many dry cracks in the dirt, she stumbled, but righted herself before she fell. Saying a silent curse under her breath, she adjusted the pack she carried, and continued on.
After a few more miles, she could hear the roars of the lions, and the higher pitched ones of the cubs. Quietly, she approached a large rock outcropping, slipping the straps of the pack off of her shoulders. Gently, she dug inside of the pack, searching the contents, and pulled from within it, a medium sized pair of binoculars. Aisha began her observations, every now and then, moving only to take down notes on a nearby clipboard.
"What are they doing?" Asked a voice next to her. So caught up in her observations, was she, that she didn't even realize that she should be alone. And it wasn't unusual for one of the locals to sneak up on her as she worked. So she answered, never taking her eyes off of the lions.
"The lions are grooming the cubs, and a few other cubs are playing. The lioness' are apparently hunting, because none of them are with the pride right now." It wasn't until she felt the clipboard pulled away from her, that she finally realized that she wasn't alone.
A scream passed her lips, before she could stop. And in that instant, she knew that they were in more trouble than before.
"Who..who are you?" Aisha stammered out, surprised to see a Silver Ranger with her.
"Um...I don't think now's the time to ask questions. I think we're in a bit of a soup here." The Silver Ranger quickly climbed to the top of the rocks, watching as several of the male lions slowly made their way to their position.
Aisha scrambled up the rocks, her sandals slipping on the weather smoothened sides. A roar behind her made her turn in terror. One of the largest males in the prides, was staring her in the eyes, as it advanced toward her.
As the lion roared out in anger, gloved hands closed around Aisha's arms, pulling her up onto the rocks. Quickly, she scrambled up the rest of the way. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, for now. But, you won't be thanking me later."
"What?" Aisha looked at the Ranger infront of her, and she knew in that moment, that he wasn't there to help her, he was there to kill her. "You're here to kill me?" The Silver Ranger nodded his answer.
"So why didn't you just let the lion have me?"
"What, and spoil my fun?"
"BACK OFF, ARCUS! LAST FREE WARNING!"
"Why doesn't this suprise me anymore?"
Aisha soon found herself riding to safety on a hovering spaceboard, piloted by a Purple Ranger. "Have I got a lot to tell you." the Purple Lightstar Ranger explained.
Arcus, in the meantime, had his hands full. Not with just the lions, but also the 2 heroines that were standing right in front of him. "Troia & Starfire, right? I read almost all DC comics."
"I assure you, right now, on this realm, we're real. Back off, or get roasted!" Starfire shouted.
"After the beatings I've been getting from the rest of you people? Take on any more of you? I'm evil, not suicidal."
"Smart boy. Goodbye." Troia finished, and the 2 disappeared, along with Aisha, and the Purple Lightstar, leaving Arcus to the lions, who were now all around him, trying with all of their might, to get to the intruding human. * * *
Aisha couldn't believe it. They were flying away from Africa at a remarkable speed. Then there was a tingling sensation, and soon found herself aboard a spaceship. She noticed how cool she felt, and it was unusually quiet, except for a vague, familiar voice asking if she was all right.
Startled, Aisha looked up, into a face she thought had only been a dream for so long. "Adam?" Carefully, he helped her to her feet, wrapping her up in his arms. Pulling away, she looked around at all of the familiar, and unfamiliar faces looking at her. Then the lights went out. Rocky barely realized what was happening as her approached her, and Aisha swayed toward him. Quickly, he grabbed for her, holding her in his arms, keeping her from hitting the floor.
"Told you...the girls are always falling for me."
Aisha 2 removed her helmet, just as Troia & Starfire teleported onto the ship. "That's almost as bad as our Rocky's stuff." she groaned. * * *
Again Arcus tried to teleport, but nothing happened. He watched the lions, as they tried to reach him, the others licking their lips.
"You don't want to eat me. I'd give you indigestion." Again he tried, then with every fiber of his body, he yelled out the one name that he want now, to kill, more than the Rangers. "Astronema!" He watched as a lion lunged toward him, and then suddenly, it was gone.
No sooner was he aboard the Dark Fortress, then Arcus unmorphed, and went in search of Astronema. As usual, he found her in her private chambers.
"You did that on purpose. I almost became cat food."
"I doubt that. One bite out of you, and they'd have become vegetarians." She spun on him, moving to stand as close to him as possible. "Why didn't you let the lions have her? We, at least, would have been rid of one Ranger."
"What fun is that?"
"I think you had a moment of kindness." Her smile was smug, and he wanted to...kiss it right off of her face.
"You thought I'd gone away. You couldn't be more wrong. Why do you think you've been so unsuccessful in destroying the former Rangers?" A voice asked, in the back of Arcus' mind. He ignored it.
"No, way."
"Well, it doesn't matter. Now they're all together on that ship of theirs, and they'll be heading toward Aquitar. Now will be the perfect time to destroy them all at once." Astronema stated.
"I love it when you're vicious." Arcus pulled her into his arms.
*** *** ***
However, unknown to both of the badguys, the alternate MegaShip was already halfway towards Aquitar. Andros asked "Billy, do you think you'll be able to convince him to help us?
"I have to. If I can't, this dimension is done for."
"Aquitar dead ahead!" Cyborg shouted.
"Couldn't you have found a better way to phrase that?" Supergirl groaned.
"Well, people, time to go to work." Green Lantern Kyle Rayner spoke.
THE END