DISCLAIMER: Storyline: Cinders. Rangers: Saban. JLA & Titans:DC A little explaining, there are 3 dimensions of Rangers running around here, so here it is...Cinders' Rangers are as you know them. Mine, when they are with hers(mine from the MMPR/JLA realm) are refered to as: Jason 2, Kimberly 2, Zack 2, Trini 2, and so on. from PRJLA, they are: Superman 2, Wonder Woman 2, Batman 2...You get the idea. And now...
ALTERNATE POWER PATHWAYS: MORPH INTO LIGHTSPEEDby: C.A. Turner
"Now what?" Hawkman frowned
Now, another group of otherdimensional heroes had arrived, just as Billy Cranston was about to use the Morphin Grid to restore the powers of this dimension's Rangers.
"Right now, our new visitors are going to have to wait. Time for the Power to be returned. Ready, guys?" Billy asked.
Everyone nodded in aggreement. Billy removed the containment field. His hand was wrapped in a blanket of tingling warmth. The feeling he had when his mother would tickle him, when he was little. The feeling began to bring back many of those, locked away, memories. Somewhere beyond his memories, he could hear someone calling his name. Looking up, he saw that all of the Rangers were watching him in stunned surprise.
"Ask Thomas to come forward."
Billy looked up to find his old friend in his usual place at the head of the group, standing next to Jason.
"Tommy, come and stand before me." He watched as Tommy looked around him at the others. Cautiously, he made his way to stand and face Billy.
"Are you sure about this?" Tommy asked a bit uncertain.
"More sure than anything I've ever done." Tommy could see the light in Billy's eyes, that told him that it was so. He took a look at Tommy 2. The look on his face said it all: This was for the best.
"Alright." He watched Billy hold out his hand, between them, palm up. Little sparks of green light danced among his fingertips.
"Take my hand, Tommy," taking a deep breath, he did as Billy had asked. He watched, as his hand drew closer to Billy's, little sparks of green reaching out from Billy's hand to his.
As the power enfolded him, he felt it move over his body like a tidal wave. It was a feeling that he'd been without for far too long. The power sang in his blood as it coursed through his veins. As the power rich blood reached his head, his vision was filled with a bright white light.
As if his hand had become detached from his body, Tommy felt Billy release his hand. Slowly his vision cleared and he turned to see a sea of astonished gazes locked on him. Carefully he looked down at himself, and in that moment, he wanted to cry.
He had been given back the powers of the White Ranger. Gone was the spandex uniform. His body was now covered in a flexible, metallic white armor. In the center of his chest was a medallion, emblazoned with the Tiger. Everyone watched as Tommy slowly removed his helmet.
"Wow! This is the most amazing thing. How..."
"The Grid told me what I needed to do. I'm a conductor for the power," Billy stated as he watched the green sparks dance from fingertip to fingertip.
"Then we'll finally be able to go after Zordon."
"There is more that I need to tell all of you, but first thing's first."
"All right." Tommy moved away, to join the Lightstar Rangers on the other side of the control panels.
"Call forth, Jason."
"Jason, it's your turn."
Jason was a bit concerned. He'd had problems with the Gold Ranger powers, and they'd nearly destroyed him. He only hoped that he'd be able to hold the powers again, without any incidents. Slowly, he strode forth to stand before Billy.
"I hope this works," Jason sighed.
"Trust me... bro," Jason smiled at Billy's assurance.
Carefully Jason took Billy's offered hand. He watched with the same amazement, as Tommy had, at the green sparks that leapt from Billy's hand to his when their hands met. For a brief moment, Jason felt like something was trying to fight the powers of the Grid, then as suddenly as it came, it was gone and the thrilling feeling of the Morphin Powers surged completely over him.
After the blinding, red light faded from his eyes, Jason looked down to find himself armored in the same type of armor as Tommy had been, the difference being, he was the Red Ranger once more. He looked down at the emblem that rested solidly against his chest. There, emblazoned on it's surface, was the familiar image of the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"Th-this is what I should have always been?"
"The Red Morphin powers have always belonged to you," Billy replied with a smile.
Jason moved back to stand with Tommy and the Lightstar Rangers as he removed his own helmet.
"Zack, it's your turn."
"Alright! I can't wait to get me one of those fancy new uniforms," everyone laughed at his obvious excitement. Zack hip-hoped up to Billy, becoming immediately serious as he watched those same sparks that Tommy and Jason had observed. He knew he wouldn't end up like Billy had, when he'd first touched the Grid. After all, Jason and Tommy were fine.
"Are you ready?" Billy asked.
"Yeah, man. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
Billy reached out to him, the sparks leaping around in his hand.
Taking a deep breath, Zack took the offered hand, watching the sparks wrap around his own hand. Within moments, the black light faded, Billy released the held hand, and Zack gazed down at himself.
He was home! He was armored in the uniform of the Black Morphin Ranger, the medallion on his chest reflecting the, much missed, Mastodon. "Amazing."
Everyone watched with smiles on their faces as he joined the others. Billy looked up at the awaiting group. All of them waiting patiently for their powers, wondering who would be the next to receive theirs. Listening carefully to the Grid, he wait for it to give him a name. Finally, he received one.
"Trini is next," he heard the voice say.
Billy let his eyes wonder over the crowd, coming to settle on Trini, "It's time."
Trini moved forward accepting the powers bestowed upon her, the fading of the yellow light, the return of the Yellow Morphin Ranger powers as well as the return of the Saber tooth Tiger. Then it was Kim's turn.
Everyone waited for Kim to step forward, but she held back, "I've got something to say. Even if I had never gotten my powers back, I realized what I have missed all this time. I love & miss you guys more than I can say, and, whatever else happens, I'm glad we're all back together." She then moved past the others to stand face to face with Billy.
Carefully, he brought his hand up between them. Kim tore her gaze away from his pale eyes to glance down at his offered hand. Her own hand trembled as she reached out for his. As she took it, she felt, more than saw, the green sparks take hold of her own hand. The feeling washed over her, adding to the loving feeling that filled her. Within seconds, the bright pink light that blinded her disappeared, replaced by Billy's smiling face. He winked at her as he released her gloved hand. And in that very moment, she knew that he was and always would be there for her, no matter what.
"Thank you," Billy nodded to Kim as he watched his newly armored friend join the others, the symbol of the Pterodactyl shining brightly. As he began to call the next person forward, he was stopped by the Grid. Carefully he listened, then gazed over the remaining former Rangers.
"The Grid has asked me to inform the rest of you that there will be some changes. A few of you will receive power that you have never held, because circumstances beyond any one's control changed the way the powers were suppose to be. For those of you who will receive the new powers, it will take some time to get use to them, but these are the powers that you were destined to hold. Aisha..."
Aisha moved forward, smiling. She had always thought that she had been doing the right thing by giving her powers to Tanya. But, for the years that followed there had been a large empty spot that she couldn't seem to fill. Willingly, she took Billy's offered hand. When the feeling passed and the green light faded, she stood armored in an unfamiliar uniform.
"Yours are the powers of Zeo Ranger 4, Green." Aisha gazed at the green uniform, surprised that the yellow had not been her chosen color after all. "Welcome back," Billy smiled.
"It's good to be back." Aisha joined the others as Billy called Tanya forward. Soon she was standing before everyone, armored in a very familiar uniform. The powers of Zeo Ranger 2, Yellow were hers once more.
Batman looked at Jason 2. "Almost like deja vu, wouldn't you say?"
"Yeah. I get the feeling for them, the wildest is yet to come."
Billy looked at the last six remaining teens as he called Adam forth. Without hesitation, Adam gripped his hand. A sense of elation filled him as the blinding, red light dissipated. He was now given the powers of Zeo Ranger 5, Red, leader of the Zeo team. Inwardly he was grateful that he wasn't the frog again, and he chuckled. But he did miss his animal spirit. As Billy prepared to call the next person forward, Adam took his place with the rest of the empowered Rangers.
"Rocky, are you ready?"
"I think so," Rocky moved to stand before Billy, releasing Kat's hand as he did so. He had been forced to give up his powers when he'd been hurt. It had never been his intention to give up Rangering that soon, and he'd always regretted his recklessness, which had caused the accident in the first place. But, the powers had been passed on to Justin, and he would have rather died than to ask the youngster to return the powers to him. The decision had been made, and he'd had to live with it.
Taking a deep breath, he took Billy's hand. A power, stronger than he'd ever felt, raced through him in that instant. He could feel it healing the damage that still remained from the foolish accident so long ago, as well as the ache in his heart. He was stunned by the explosion of blinding blue light, and then it was gone. When it was over, he found himself holding the powers of Zeo Ranger 3, Blue, are yours once again."
"Thank you."
Rocky joined the others as Billy turned to the last remaining former Ranger. "Are you alright?"
"I think so. It just seems so strange to find, that being a Ranger has always been my destiny, no matter that Rita had made me evil to begin with."
"The power always knows who is worthy of it," Billy cast a glance at Tommy. He had been evil when he was given the powers of the Green Ranger. Yet, when the evil had been removed, the powers still found him worthy."
"I guess you're right," Kat agreed. Glancing quickly at the others, she made her way to Billy's side, and before everyone, Kat was given the power once more. The power of Zeo Ranger 1, Pink.
3 more. "Karone." Billy suggested.
Karone walked nervously towards Billy, and gave him her hand. After the purple light faded, Karone found herself a member of the Lightstar Rangers.
Cindy is next.
Cindy repeated the process, becoming for the first time, the Purple Morphin Ranger, the symbol of the Stegosaurus proudly worn. Samantha, the Purple Morphin Ranger was amazed how little she had to do with Cindy's arrival.
Finally..."Jamie, hold aloft your sword and say "Zeo Ranger 6, Purple!"
Puzzled, Jamie did this, while Jamie 2 smiled knowingly. In seconds, she, too was ready for action.
Seeing all of his friends uniformed, Billy removed his hand from the Grid.
"Billy? What about your powers?" Trini asked, surprised when Billy approached them unmorphed.
"There is something important to be done first. Until it is completed, I cannot receive my powers. Andros should know, all too well, what happens to someone who already holds the Morphin Powers when they touch the Grid."
"All too well," Andros agreed.
"Well, what are you suppose to do?" Carlos wondered aloud.
"Let me start at the beginning." Billy moved around to the other side of the Grid, replacing the containment field. "I know how important it is for us to find Zordon, but something even more urgent needs to be dealt with first."
"There's nothing more important than finding Zordon, before Dark Specter..." everyone knew what was on Aisha's mind. It's something they were incapable of forgetting.
Would you still say that if I were to tell you that Earth is in jeopardy? I thought not," Billy said, when Aisha only gave him a blank stare in reply. "Arcus had taken over Wasington,DC. We need to take care of Earth first. That is, and always has been, the number one priority for us."
"How do you know this, and how are we suppose to protect Earth and still search for Zordon?" Tommy wondered.
"I think that's part of the reason why we're here. To protect Earth while the Lightstar Rangers of this dimension rescue Zordon." Isis ventured.
"That's one of the reasons. I believe there's more to it." Billy finished.
"I was able to pick up some scattered transmissions. I didn't want to tell you all until we were in a position to do something about it. For that, I'm sorry. And as for how we are suppose to protect Earth and still find Zordon... There are more powers being held within the Grid. Our job will be to find those who are worthy enough to hold them... on Earth. This is the reason why I cannot receive my own powers, yet."
"When do we leave for D.C.?" TJ asked, understanding Billy's decisions, and how urgent the situation was.
"Now. The Mega Ship is at 96% power, as are we. You all get prepared to go to D.C.. I have a few quick things to do, then I'll be back."
"Don't be long," Kim said, as Billy passed her to the exit.
"I won't."
They all watched in silence as Billy left the bridge. The silence was broken a moment later, as Rocky cracked, "Let's kick the tires and light the fires, and get this baby going." Moans were heard from everyone on the bridge, as they all prepared to leave.
* * *
"It's me." A bright light flashed in his eyes briefly, before the guns were lowered.
"Sorry," came a voice from beside him. "There have been a lot of Quantrons around tonight, and we couldn't take any chances."
"That's good. I ran into quite a few of them, myself. That's why I'm late. Is everyone here?"
"We've just been waiting for you."
"Good, let's get this meeting started."
* * *
A large crowd waited patiently, whispering silently among themselves, as they waited for the last of the resistance leaders, in the semi-lit room.
The first four resistance leaders stood before the crowd, waiting patiently themselves. When the door at the back of the room opened, everyone turned to see the last leader, followed by two armed men, enter. Smiling at everyone, he made his way to the head of the crowd and his friends.
"I'm sorry to keep everyone waiting. This is, perhaps, the most important meeting that any of you have attended so far. So, a bit more precaution was taken. As I'm sure that most of you have noticed, there are an unusual number of Quantrons in the city, and on patrol."
Sounds of agreement filled the room. A sign that it had not been just his own imagination. He motioned the rest of the leaders forward, the tallest taking the floor.
"As I look out over this crowd, I see a good number of you who were present at the base of the White House this morning, so you have seen first hand why this meeting is so important."
"Arcus is doing all that he can to assure his rule here. The President is alive, thanks to Superman, but we've been told that our only other hope of fighting Arcus, is gone as well. The Power Rangers," again sounds of denial filled the air in response to the young woman's words.
"But, as it turns out, they are alive, and still fighting, along with these new heroes, ready to put a stop to Arcus and his cronies. Also, we are prepared to do everything in our power, to end his rule, and end it quick," the young black man stated as he moved to stand next to the others.
"What we want to know is, who among you are willing to do all you can, to help us?" the young Asian man asked, looking over the crowd.
All five leaders watched in satisfaction, as hand after hand was raised in agreement. But the smiles faded quickly, as they heard an all too familiar voice coming from the back of the room. "How will any of these, pathetic humans, help you... if they're already dead?"
All eyes turned to find their worse nightmare staring back at them. Arcus, and a small unit of Quantrons stood at the back of the meeting room, slowly emerging from the darkness.
"You thought that I wouldn't find out about this place? You have to be more careful about who you confide in," Arcus stepped to the side to allow entrance to a young man who stood behind him.
They all knew the boy, and knew him well. He was always outspoken at the meetings, always willing to offer ideas on how they could defeat Arcus. They had never imagined that the boy would be a spy. He was well liked by everyone there.
As the boy stood staring at them, he didn't speak, only glared at the group, smiling his evil smile. He only stepped back when he felt Arcus' hand on his shoulder.
"Now, I'm willing to make a bargain. If all of you leave this place now, and I never hear about your association with these people," he spread his arm out, indicating the five figures at the head of the group, "I'll let you all live. But, you five will be taken to the Dark Fortress... for conditioning." Arcus casually lifted his hand to the metallic device attached to the side of his head. A hint, at the type of conditioning they would receive.
Arcus folded his arms over his chest, waiting for the crowd to make it's decision.
KA-WHOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!
Arcus screamed "Damn it! Not again! damn, damn,DAMN!
As the wall furthest from the proceedings exploded, six columns of light appeared before them. As they solidified, a number of voices were raised in cheers. Arcus, as well as the Quantrons soon found themselves confronted by five colorfully clad individuals and one human, all with blasters raised. Within seconds, that number grew to an outrageous level.
"This is impossible!" Arcus growled, reaching for his own blaster. What were they doing here? Couldn't they let him have just one measly little win? Just one?
"That's what you get for doing your own thinking," Cassie stated.
"...which apparently wasn't much. Cassie 2 finished.
"You've always been sloppy about making sure your work was done... Zhane." Andros moved a few feet ahead of the Rangers, to confront his old friend.
"Well, I'll make sure it's finished this time. Get them!"
"Both Zack & Zack 2 said it for everyone. "GET READY TO RUMBLE!"
The Quantrons rushed forward to attack the Rangers. Billy moved behind them, a black box held firmly in his hands.
"Everyone, out of here now! You five," Billy indicated the five leaders, "follow me." Confused, they followed the bearded man from the room. Watching from another doorway, they made sure that all of the other resistance members made it out of the building safely. As the last person left, they closed and blocked the door.
"Who are you?" one of the 2 young women asked.
"My name is Billy Cranston, and I have an offer for each of you."
"An offer?" the black man asked.
"What kind of offer?" the young man inquired suspiciously.
"An offer that will allow you to fight against Arcus and to protect this planet... if you accept." Billy looked at the faces of the confused group.
"You mean..." the Asian man began.
"I'm offering you the chance to become Power Rangers. You can accept or refuse, the choice is yours," Billy said, placing the box on a nearby crate.
"How do you know about the powers of the Power Rangers?" the tallest on asked, skeptically. He knew that no one knew who the Rangers where, or how they got their powers. How could this man know?
Billy looked the group over, a smile on his face. "I use to be a Power Ranger a couple of years ago," there was still a bit of skepticism in the man's eyes. "I wish I had more time to explain. You five have been chosen as the holders of the power, having been found worthy by the Morphin Grid. I need to know now, if you will accept these powers, or refuse them."
Billy opened the black box, filling the room with a mystical green light. The Morphin Grid pulsed and tendrils of green light reached out, as if testing the air. The group seemed concerned about the object before them, but noticed that Billy didn't seem to pay any attention to the tendrils of light that seemed to nearly caress him, at times.
The five figures looked at each other, silently discussing what it was that Billy was offering them. They had been extremely surprised to find that the Power Rangers were alive, let alone have the opportunity to become one themselves.
Reaching an agreement between them, the youngest turned to face Billy. "We accept. We'll do anything to protect Earth from Arcus. But, what happened to Astronema?"
"Astronema is no longer with the forces of evil. She has been freed from her brainwash, and is once again, Karone." Billy stated plainly. "I'll explain later."
They watched in astonishment as Billy reached a hand out to the green, glowing orb. Watched as the green tendrils of light wrapped around his hand and arm. When he looked at them, there seemed to be a barely discernible green light glowing at the back of his pale eyes. Holding out his hand, the green sparks dancing over the surface of his hand once more, Billy called forth the first recipient of the power.
"Carter Grayson, please come forth and take my hand." The youngest man didn't hesitate. He strode forward, gripping Billy's hand tightly.
He felt the tingling sensation of the power as it washed over him. Felt it in his mind as it shuffled through his memories. Then there was a flash of red light, then the sensation was gone. When he looked down at himself, he was dressed in red and white armor. His helmet was red, with a shield shaped eyeplate.
"Carter, you are the Red Lightspeed Ranger," Billy stated with pride.
"This is incredible."
"If you listen quietly, the powers will tell you everything you need to know about your new powers." Silently Carter listened, and from somewhere beyond all normal hearing he could hear a small, nearly silent, voice talking to him. Feeling a sense of hope that he'd never felt before, he smiled beneath his helmet and stepped back.
Billy was just as in awe as the others at the new powers. It was all amazing. But he'd have time, later, to wonder at it all. Time was short and he needed to finish his task.
"Joel Rawlings, it's your turn."
Joel hesitated only slightly as he moved to stand before Billy. Cautiously he took Billy's hand. The power surged over him as well, and after a flash of black, he found himself armored in a duplicate uniform as Carter's. But where Carter's had been white, his was black; his helmet's eyepiece a triangle.
"Joel, you are now the Black Lightspeed Ranger."
"Oh man, this is unbelievable. I have always wanted to be a Power Ranger." He smiled beneath his helmet and moved to join Carter, who had removed his helmet and was examining the details upon it.
"Kai Chen..." The young Asian man moved forward. His stance reminding him of Trini, and as well it should. Kai was her cousin. Billy smiled in assurance as the young man took his hand. After a few exhilarating minutes, Kai released Billy's hand. The blue light that had blinded him momentarily, was the brightest light he'd ever seen. Looking down at himself he found he was armored much like the other two. But, his was blue.
At the sound of Billy's voice he looked up.
"Kai, you now hold the powers of the Blue Lightspeed Ranger.
"Thank you," Kai responded in awe. Like the other two, he moved away so that the next recipient could come forward.
Billy looked at one of the 2 young women, reminded of days gone by. A day when he and his friends were chosen by Zordon to become the protectors of Earth.
"Dana Mitchell, are you prepared?" The young blond woman nodded and strode forth, pride shining in her eyes. She took Billy's hand, feeling the green sparks of power move from her hand, up her arm, to wash over her completely. After an intense bright pink light disappeared, she felt Billy release her hand. She too, stood armored as the others. Like Carter, Joel, and Kai, the upper part of her uniform was the same design, but pink, with a small skirt encircling her hips, ending at her upper thigh. Her helmet's eyepiece was an oval. When she heard Billy speak, she looked up to meet his gaze.
"Dana, you are now the Pink Lightspeed Ranger. Without a word, Dana stepped away.
Billy's eyes came upon the other young woman. "Kelsey Winslow, come forward, please."
Kelsey repeated this, and when the bright yellow light completely faded, Billy told her "You are the Yellow Lightspeed Ranger."
Billy's eyes settled on the last and final recipient. As he looked at him, he reminded Billy of a combination of both Tommy and Jason. He would do well as the leader of the Lightspeed Rangers.
"Are you ready to receive the power, Ryan Mitchell?" Billy asked. Ryan nodded sternly and moved to Billy's side, just as the others had before him. He felt the tingle of power, much as the others had, when he took Billy's hand. But something was different. As the power washed over him, images flashed in his mind of all the Power Ranger leaders who had gone before him. Leaders from thousands of years before to those most recent. From the images floated a voice, deep and commanding.
"Welcome, Ryan Mitchell. You have been found worthy to hold the mantle of Leader of the Lightspeed Rangers. Do you accept this role and all that it entails? To lead your team into battles to protect Earth and it's peoples, and render your services to other planets and peoples who would need your help and protection?"
"I do," Ryan stated with conviction. That's why he'd gone along with Carter and the others to form a resistance. He was doing it to protect the world he loved. He had already served two years in the corps., it was enough of a military background, that he could have helped those in the resistance fight successfully against Arcus.
All thoughts stopped when a flash of Titanium silver blinded him momentarily. When he opened his eyes, he was looking directly at Billy, the others behind him. Slowly he released Billy's hand and gazed down at himself.
His armor resembled the others', but the main body of his armor was Titanium.
"Ryan, you now hold the powers of the Titanium Lightspeed Ranger and leader of the Lightspeed Rangers."
In the silence following Billy's statements they could hear the sounds of battle on the other side of the cement wall. The sound having been silenced by the ritual that had been taking place. Then reality came crashing back, full force.
"It's time for action, Rangers. This will be the first of many battles you will have to fight. Listen to the Power within each of you, and it will tell you what to do," Billy explained, watching the Rangers replace their helmets. "Good luck, and may the Power protect you." Billy smiled as they teleported out of the room and into battle.
Finally alone, he turned to face the glowing orb of the Morphin Grid.
"It's time, Billy. Time to take your rightful place among your friends. To hold the powers of the Blue Morphin Ranger, and to be guided, once more, by the Triceratops."
"It's been a long time, and I've spent it regretting the decision I made to pass on the Zeo Powers to someone else."
"The Zeo Powers were never meant for you. These were the only powers you were destined to hold. Are you ready to accept the powers once more?"
Billy smiled, "I am ready."
"Very well, cub. Place your other hand into the light." Billy did as the Grid had instructed. He watched in awe as small tendrils of green light began to wrap around his arms, and flow up over his body.
As the feeling surged through him, the voice of the Grid came to him as a soft whisper, "Welcome home," then it was gone. With a burst of blue light, Billy pulled his gloved hands away from the orb. Gazing down, he found he was uniformed in armor, resembling that of his former uniform. The familiar Triceratops design on his helmet, and resting on his chest, a medallion with the head of the Wolf emblazoned on it's surface. He was truly home.
The end.
Now, It all begins.