DISCLAIMER:Not mine: Saban's & DC's. Original storyline not mine either: Cinders', Thanks again, and here's the next chapter...
"Alright, Alpha, teleport away."
"You've got it." Billy watched as the box, containing the Grid, disappeared from before his very eyes. All too soon, the sounds of blaster fire replaced the silence of the room, reminding him of his duties.
"I guess it's back to work, as usual," a thought that he'd, at one time, grown weary of, now exhilarated him. In a streak of blue light, Billy teleported from the room to join his friends and the battle. * * *
As soon as the battle began, everyone separated into the following teams:
Jason, Jason 2, Superman, & Superman 2
Billy, Billy 2, Flash, & Flash 2
Trini, Trini 2, Isis, & Isis 2,
...and so forth.
"What are you doing here?" a shocked Pink Lightstar asked
"I-I..." Before he could respond, another blast exploded on the floor next to them.
"Never mind, we've got to get you out of here." Cassie grabbed his hand, blocking his body from the blaster fire with her own body. The boy hid his blaster behind his back, out of sight. As the Pink Ranger tugged on his hand, they darted out from behind the concrete wall. Carter saw her dash across the room, firing a shot into a group of Quantrons who happened to step in her way. Then he saw the boy. He tried to yell out to her, to warn her, but the sounds of battle were deafening and there was no way that he could get to her.
At a flash of blue beside him, he looked up to find a new Ranger joining the battle. Carter watched as the new Ranger battled off a couple of Quantrons with a pair of lances. It appeared that the new individual was quite skilled at battle, and something inside of him told him that this was Billy. Another Ranger joined, only this one shot off a barrage of shots from a ring. This had to be the other Billy.
2 blurs of red trashed as many Quantrons as they could. The Flash. Both of them.
Quickly, and as carefully as possible, he made his way to Billy's side, dodging a single blast that was fired in his direction. Reaching the Ranger's side, Carter reached out a hand, placing it on the individual's shoulder.
"Billy, is that you?" Carter yelled over the noise.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" Billy could tell by the tone of his voice that he wasn't there to exchange pleasantries. Everything else in the room was quite obvious as to what was wrong.
"Over there," Carter motioned to the form of the Pink Ranger who was heading for the door, a young boy in tow. "The boy who's with the Pink Ranger is a spy for Arcus. We've got to stop her, she's in danger."
"Right," quickly, Billy contacted Alpha. "Alpha, open a frequency between Cassie and myself. I've got to warn her that she's in danger. Hurry!"
"I'll take care of it!" The Flash shouted, and soon snatched Cassie from the boy, speeding her over to Billy & Carter, who told her everything. Her expression was disbelief. "Justin? A spy for Arcus? No way!"
"'Fraid so. Warn the others." Billy told her. They had all known Justin for nearly a year, as a part of their team, as a Power Ranger.
The only person more surprised than Cassie, was TJ. Just weeks ago, he'd been in Justin's garage with him, asking him to join them in fighting against Arcus, and now... he was standing at Arcus' side.
Billy watched the play of events from beside Carter. He should have been surprised by the young boy's actions, but after years of being a Ranger, and being around them, not much surprised him anymore.
In his headset, he could hear Tommy talking to him. -Which Tommy are you?- he thought to himself.
"Billy, man... are you there?" Gone were the communicators of the past. Communication was established using a system built into the helmets. Small adjustments in who could contact and here whom, were handled aboard the Mega Ship, by Alpha.
"I'm here, Tommy."
"We've got things wrapped up out here. How are you guys doing?"
"We seem to have hit a little snag. Seems that an old friend of yours has joined the wrong team." For a time communications between the two grew silent. Billy began to try an contact Alpha when he was stopped by Tommy's concerned voice. Billy knew then it was the Tommy he'd known.
"I'll see what we can do to help you guys out. Hold on tight."
"We're not going anywhere," Billy responded, closing the link.
Arcus, his arm around the boy's shoulder, moved to face the room. Quickly he moved down the steps to join the Rangers and Quantrons in the center of the room.
"I can tell that some of you are a little surprised. Good." As Arcus raised his own blaster, a flash of purple light appeared between Arcus and the Rangers, solidifying into the form of Karone, the new Purple Lightstar Ranger. Under her helmet,she leveled a glare at Arcus.
"I owe you this, you son of a bitch!" She then hauled off and slugged Arcus in the jaw.
* * *
He slowly solidified, feeling the remnants of the teleportation dissipate from around him. He found himself in a darkened, partially enclosed area. Before him was an exit off to the left where a dim light filtered in. Ahead of him he heard voices, some of them familiar. Across from the exit was a closed metal door. Gripping his sword tightly, he cautiously made his way toward the voices, his plan firmly in place.
As he neared the entrance he slowed his advance, inching his way up against the wall. Ever so slowly, he moved inch by inch along the wall until he was able to peer around it's edge into the room beyond. The room was filled with familiar Rangers and some unfamiliar ones as well. Mixed in with them were several armed Quantrons. Arcus was getting the daylights beaten out of him by an extremely pissed off Karone. He had one chance, and once chance only, to do this right. Any slip up now and his chance for surprise would be lost and there wouldn't be a second chance. Giving the room one more quick glance he gripped his sword, raising it to eye level then burst forth from the darkness of the small hallway.
* * *
As Arcus began to fight Karone off, he couldn't help but be sorry. It appeared that Astronema was indeed, gone. He smiled in satisfaction. -No one else in my way- Arcus whispered to himself.
As he pondered on the nights activities, the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Casually, he rubbed his hand across the back of his neck to comb them down. As he placed a hand on his neck he heard a shuffling sound behind him. Without thought, Arcus spun around in time to see his attacker approach, sword raised for attack. Acting swiftly, he dodged the blow that would have taken his head off. Spinning, he grabbed the attacker's arm, wedging it up under his own, wrestling the sword from his fingers.
Once the sword was wrenched from his assailant's hand, Arcus kicked out, planting his foot in the center of his attacker's chest, sending sparks cascading around them. Sword at his side, Arcus watched the intruder sink to his knees, then fall face forward, onto the cement floor, at his feet. Bad move.
A scream of anger filled the room behind him. Turning, he spotted the Purple Lightstar Ranger aiming with a well placed flying kick. As he raised his arm, sword in hand, to defend himself, a blast rang out knocking Karone to the floor. The instant healing factor kicked in, and she would soon be fine, but still, she was out of the fight for awhile. Beside him, Justin lowered the blaster to his side, once aimed in the same direction as the dark figure. Quickly, Arcus moved to the merely stunned woman.
"You'll get yours in 1 minute." she promised.
Rage instantly filled him. Turning, he yanked the blaster from Justin's surprised fingers.
"She's a traitor, just like him," Justin defended, pointing at the crumpled figure of Ecliptor laying in the entranceway.
"Shall we talk traitors, Justin?" Cassie bellowed.
The Rangers watched as Arcus approached the former Astronema. She glared at him, a growl of anger escaping from between her clenched teeth.
"If you've killed Ecliptor, you're dead!" She hauled off again, slugging him in the jaw, then kicking him in... "AAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE! Did Kat tell you about that?!?"
Gritting her teeth, she looked to see Arcus cowering in pain below her. From somewhere in the room she heard Andros call out.
"Get away from her, Zhane! She already cleaned your clock, and my ribs can't take that much laughter anymore." Andros chuckled.
"I won't tell you again, the name is Arcus!" Quickly he aimed the blaster he'd taken from Justin, at her. "You might get a shot or two off, you may even kill me, but she'll die too." Arcus started.
Karone just glared beneath her helmet. "Be careful what you wish for."
With all of the anger she had, she kicked up, knocking the blaster from his surprised fingers. She watched as he stumbled back a few feet, before a blast exploded against his shoulder, knocking him off of his feet.
Karone's eyes locked on Arcus' prone figure. Behind her she could hear footsteps, and a flash of red next to her told her that Andros was standing at her side. A growl from somewhere behind them caught their attention. Turning, they found that Ryan held a thrashing Justin, arms pinned behind the boy's back.
"I caught him trying to hide," Ryan stated, lowering the boy to his feet.
"We'll take him with us," Carlos said. "And when we get aboard the Mega Ship we'll try to deprogram him."
"It won't be that easy." Arcus found his feet, brushing dust from his clothes and examining the burn in his shirt. "Damn! This was my favorite shirt. You just can't find a shirt like this in the galaxy, anymore."
"Good thing, that has to be the ugliest thing I've seen in a long while!" Tommy snickered. He, Tommy 2, Green Lantern, GL2, and Andros 2 all came in. "They're just about finished." Tommy reported.
Grabbing the edge of his jacket, he straightened it on his shoulders then gazed back at the group surrounding him, starting with Tommy. "You have no taste in clothes! As for the rest of you,you actually thought you could get rid of me that easily? Wrong! Oh, and by the way, glad to see there are a few more Rangers for me to kill. Welcome to my party boys and... girls." Kelsey & Dana shifted uneasily, as Arcus cast a lustful glance at them. "See you later, party crashers." In a flash, Arcus disappeared, taking a struggling Justin with him, leaving Ryan staring at his empty hands.
Immediately, Karone dashed to Ecliptor's side, sliding a few feet on her knees.
"Ecliptor," she called out, lifting his head into her lap.
"My Princess, you are all right."
"Yes. What about you, are you..."
"I will live. The sword has cut through my wiring, so I will need some assistance." Karone wiped away the tears of relief, glancing up at the Rangers standing around her.
"We'll help him to get aboard the Mega Ship," Andros said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Adam, are you there?" Billy called, static filling his headset. Slowly the static began to fade and he could hear Adam clearly.
"I'm here. Are you guys alright?"
"Yeah. Thanks for sending in the cavalry."
"No problem, man. See you on the Mega Ship."
"We're right behind you." Billy closed the communications and found several helmeted heads looking his way.
"Cavalry? What cavalry?" Kai asked. Had he missed something? And why was everyone concerned about Ecliptor? He was the enemy.
"Tommy and Karone told me what was transpiring and I offered my help," Ecliptor said, getting painfully to his feet.
"Why would you help us? You and Arcus have been trying to destroy and take over our planet," Carter accused.
"Yes, Arcus did all of those things. At the time, I was in a personal battle with what I've known all of my life. The person I really am, and my programming," Karone tapped the cold metal device that was still attached to the side of her head, "at war with each other."
"I'll fill all of you in once we're aboard the Mega Ship," Billy informed them. * * *
"She what?!" Dark Specter growled in anger.
"She joined with the Power Rangers. A traitor, as I had begun to suspect. But, there's more," Arcus said, gazing up at the huge image of the lava creature that towered over him.
"More? More than the Rangers being alive and what you've just told me?"
"Yes. There are now five new Rangers and another of the former Rangers has been found and he has his former powers."
"What of the other former Rangers?"
"I would assume that if one of the former Rangers has his powers back, then they all do. Plus..."
"They're's more?!?"
"Another dimension has made itself known. Only in this one, The Rangers are The Justice League. This stinks on ice!"
"I need you to leave Earth immediately. I need your help in taking Zordon to the planet I've located in the ZR-12 galaxy. There you will help me successfully drain the remainder of his powers."
"What of the Rangers?" "I will send Darkonda to Earth and continue what you've been doing. I'm guessing that the new Rangers will remain on Earth to defend it. I hardly doubt that the others will stop their search for their former mentor. But, we'll make the chase a bit more interesting."
"I will join you as soon as I can. What about Astronema?"
"She is lost to us."
"As you say," Arcus bowed low before Dark Specter, the creature's image fading. Then soon, he too, disappeared from the cliff. * * *
"I need you to leave Earth immediately. I need your help in taking Zordon to the planet I've located in the ZR-12 galaxy. There you will help me successfully drain the remainder of his powers." A black gloved hand reached out, cutting off the transmission. He had been fortunate to have accidentally come across this specific transmission during his voyage to Earth. He'd heard of Earth's plight and had tried all that he could to prepare to depart from his planet, but a battle on a nearby planet had delayed him. When communications had reached him, informing him of Lord Trey's capture, he departed from the planet, immediately.
As he neared Earth he received communication signals indicating that the Power Rangers had recently arrived and were making plans for attack. As soon as he entered Earth's atmosphere, Phantom Ranger opened communications with the Astro Mega Ship which was waiting nearby. * * *
Cassie answered the call, opening the frequency. "This is the Astro Mega Ship, state your business."
"I wish that we were meeting again under better circumstances, but I have some vital information for you and the other Rangers," Phantom relayed.
"It's good to hear from you again, Phantom Ranger. What do you have for us?"
Upon hearing Phantom Ranger's name mentioned, Andros and Ashley turned toward Cassie. She smiled and signaled for them to come closer.
"Open the frequency for the bridge's com., Cassie," Andros instructed. "Bring up the visual."
The rest of the Rangers who were on the bridge turned in wonder at the black armored figure who appeared on the viewing screen before them.
"Phantom, you have news for us?" Andros asked, standing in front of the screen. The dark figure nodded.
"I have. I just picked up on a conversation between Arcus and Dark Specter. Dark Specter has located a planet in the ZR-12 galaxy where he plans to take Zordon. There they plan to drain the remainder of his powers." Gasps filled the bridge of the Mega Ship.
"Zordon..." Kim sighed. Happy to know that her old mentor was still alive, but terrified of what the news implied.
"Great Gaea. We've got to get him out of there." Wonder Woman finished.
"That is the same galaxy where KO-35 is located," Andros stated with surprise. "Thank you, Phantom Ranger."
"Anything I can do to help. May I be of assistance to you on Earth?"
"Thank you for your offer, but there has been a new team of Rangers appointed to it's protection," Andros indicated the six new members who stood at the back of the bridge, and who appeared to be having a hard time taking it all in.
"Carter Grayson; Red Lightspeed Ranger, Joel Rawlings; Black Lightspeed Ranger, Kai Chen; Blue Lightspeed Ranger, Dana Mitchell; Pink Lightspeed Ranger, Kelsey Winslow; Yellow Lightspeed Ranger, and finally, Ryan Mitchell; Titanium Lightspeed Ranger and leader of the team." The group nodded their hellos at Andros' introductions.
"Ah, a brother and sister within the team. I pray that you two will be as close as my brother and I. Welcome Rangers. Speaking of brothers, I must be on my way to Earth to retrieve mine."
"Your brother?" Carlos asked in confusion. Phantom Ranger had a brother on Earth? How did that bit of information get past them?
"Yes, Lord Trey of Triforia. My eldest brother."
"You don't have to go to Earth for him. He is here, safe on the Mega Ship, nursing a few wounds." Ashley finished.
Cassie quickly linked to the medical bay. "Billy, can you hear me?"
"Yes. What's wrong?"
"Trey's... brother is here to take him home. Can you prepare him for teleportation?"
"His brother?"
"Yes. Phantom Ranger." Phantom Ranger? Billy had heard of him quite often from the Aquitian Rangers. He was a kind of loner, if he wasn't mistaken. He'd also heard of the rumors that said that he'd been cast out of Triforia for the death of a diplomat. That he'd been roaming from galaxy to galaxy trying to atone for the death.
"I'll get him ready." Billy moved quickly through the medical bay. His hands were quite full, and he was thankful that Tanya was there to help out. He brushed past her as she helped Isis run a diagnostic on Karone; passed by the area where Alpha was helping to repair Ecliptor.
Standing at the side of the first med-bed, Billy turned off the stabilizing device. Raising the panel that arched over Trey's chest, he then moved to the others to do the same.
When all was ready he contacted Cassie. "They're ready." Billy watched as he disappeared in a black column of light, laced with gold.
"Billy, where is he going?" Tanya asked from her spot next to a sleeping Karone.
"Home. His brother came to get him."
"Good." Carefully, Billy reached into the pocket dimension at his back, and felt the familiar feeling of the Blue Morphin Morpher.
"Things are as they should be, now," he whispered to himself, smiling.
* * *
The Rangers said their 'good-byes' to Phantom, and turned to the task at hand.
"DECA, you take over the helm, all of us need to meet in the commons area and discuss a few things before we head to the ZR-12 galaxy."
"Everything is under control, Andros," DECA responded in her automated voice.
"Very well. If everyone will follow me to the commons area, I will answer a few questions. Cassie, have Billy and Tanya meet us there as well. Karone too, if she's able."
"Okay."
* * *
Tanya read Karone's diagnostic printout, slowly. She turned to look at the sleeping girl as Cassie's voice rang out in the medical bay. Quickly she looked to Billy who was helping Alpha with Ecliptor.
"Billy, Tanya, Andros has asked me to have the two of you meet us in the commons area for a meeting. He'd like Karone to attend as well, if she's able."
"We'll be right there," Billy responded.
"Karone, do you feel like you can go to the meeting with us?" Tanya asked, when she noticed that Karone was awake.
Karone's eyes opened slowly. When she'd heard her name she'd cringed inwardly. All of her known life she'd been Astronema, and she'd been evil. How was she suppose to face all of the Rangers, and what she had done? Earlier, contacting the Rangers and helping them, had been the beginning of atoning for everything she'd ever done. But, would it ever be enough to make up for all that she'd done?
Ever since they'd returned to the Mega Ship, everyone had been nice to her and she'd felt like she didn't deserve it. Though the newest members of the team had looked at her suspiciously. A look that she felt she did deserve. If she'd been in their place, she would have felt the same way. Could they really trust her? Did she deserve their trust?
And now, a meeting. She feared going to it, but she feared not going, more.
"I feel fine."
"Okay. Let's get you up and head up, then. I'm sure they won't wait for us for very long," Tanya said, lifting the panel from over Karone.
* * *
The group of Rangers waited in the commons area, watching as Tanya helped Karone to a seat while Billy found a spot next to Kim and Tommy. Once everyone was in place Andros stood at the front of the group.
"I know that a lot of things have been happening really fast, and there are some questions. We'll get to those in a few minutes. First, let me introduce our newest Rangers to everyone," Andros motioned the new Rangers forward. "These are the Lightspeed Rangers:Carter Grayson; Red Ranger, Joel Rawlings; Black Ranger, Kai Chen; Blue Ranger, Dana Mitchell;Pink Ranger, Kelsey Winslow; Yellow Ranger, and finally, Ryan Mitchell; Titanium Ranger and leader of the team. Billy, would you please explain our need for new Rangers?" Billy stood and moved to the front.
"Well, to begin with, all of us; Morphin, Zeo and Lightstar Rangers are needed to fight against Dark Specter's minions when we go after Zordon. That's why the Morphin Grid has empowered these five individuals with the Lightspeed powers. With all of us gone, the Earth is fair game for anyone, and will need to be protected. That's now the job of the Lightspeed Rangers, as well as our otherdimensional counterparts. Are all of you willing to accept this task?"
"You can count on all of us to protect Earth as all of you have," Ryan declared.
"We've all been willing to sacrifice our lives to protect Earth, and we always will," Dana said proudly.
"We'll do honor to the Ranger uniforms that we wear," Carter announced with pride.
Wonder Woman spoke for the Rangers, JLA, & Titans. "As long as you need us, we'll be here."
"Us, too." Superman 2 spoke up.
Cheers when up from the assembled group, all of them remembering the day when they had first been asked to take on the mantle of Power Ranger.
"Thank you, Billy," Andros said, watching the Blue Morphin Ranger take his seat with his friends. "I know that the new Rangers have questioned Karone's helping us." Andros gazed at his sister, her eyes cast down in shame. "When we arrived in Earth's orbit she contacted us with information that would lead us to Arcus. She'd been keeping up the guise of Astronema until a situation could present itself so that she could become the person she really is... my sister." The surprise among the group was unanimous. The only ones, until that time that knew, were the other Lightstar Rangers.
Andros quieted them immediately with a wave of his hand. He could see how it was effecting Karone. All eyes were on her. If only she could realized that no one held it against her. Andros was getting ready to speak when Karone got to her feet and moved slowly to join him before the group. Ringing her hands together, she gazed up at the group of Rangers.
"I-I'd... just like to tell all of you how sorry I am for everything that has happened. For all that I have allowed to happen. I was taken from my home, my family, when I was very young. I was raised in the hands of evil to become evil. I've never known anything else... until Andros. Sometime ago, I found out who I really was, and at that time I was trying to atone for the things that I had done, by sneaking back aboard the Dark Fortress. It was there that Darkonda found me.
"H-he reprogrammed me," she rubbed the side of her face where the device had been. Tanya and Billy had removed it a short time ago, "to be evil once again. They also captured Ecliptor and reprogrammed him as well.
"Ever since then, I've been fighting with myself as to what was the right thing to do. So, when the Mega Ship appeared in the Earth's orbit, I made a decision which I hoped would be the right one. I contacted you regarding Arcus' plans and location, conspiring to help you.
"Even as a Ranger,I don't know if I will ever be able to prove my worth to you, after all of the evil I've done." Karone bowed her head, her fingers laced together in front of her.
"For every evil thing that you've ever done," a voice began. Karone didn't want to look up and see the accusations in their eyes. But, she couldn't help it, she gazed up, and when she did, she spied a tall blond, her accent thick, moving forward from amongst the group. As Karone looked closer, there was no accusation in the woman's eyes just a smile.
As Kat came to stand at Karone's side, she continued to speak, "By doing good, it begins to erase all the bad things you've done. They won't disappear miraculously, but they will disappear."
"Kat's right. Good is worth so much more than evil." Tommy approached the two girls, the same smile on his face.
"I wish that I could believe you both. How could you know how hard it will be to redeem myself, you've never been evil."
"You can believe us. We have been where you are," Tommy added, remembering his first acts as the Green Ranger.
"Maybe not to the extent that you have. You were raised that way, we were created that way. You see, before we became Power Rangers, we were both used by Rita and Zedd for their evil purposes. But, eventually, we were able to prove our worth, and the evil we had done was eventually forgotten," Kat finished. Slowly, a smile curved Karone's down turned lips.
"Thanks." Kat and Tommy nodded, giving her a couple of gentle hugs, to keep from harming her wounds.
"Speaking of being evil...I've been down that road, too. If it wasn't for my friends in the JLA, who knows what would have happened. We're all willing to help you, Karone, and believe in you. You just have to believe in yourself." Hal Jordan told her. Karone hugged him.
"One thing concerns me, though," came Tanya's voice.
"Same with me," TJ added from her side.
"What has he done to Justin? What part could he possibly play in all of this? He didn't want to come with us, to get his powers back. He wanted to stay with his father, to have a normal, happy life," Tanya said.
"How else do you think that Arcus and I were able to locate all of you before your friends did? When Arcus saw that the boy had refused to go with all of you, he took the opportunity to bring him over to our side and use him to find all of you. Afterwards, he became a spy for him," Karone explained.
"Which brings to mind another point. A way to get Zhane back." Andros looked to Karone. "Is there a way to deprogram them both?"
"There is a way, but it won't be easy."
"I didn't expect that it would," Andros admitted.
* * *
Plans were made, and a team was chosen to go rescue Zordon...
Andros 3, Cassie 3, TJ 3, Carlos 3, Ashley 3, along with...
Superman 2 a/k/a Jason Lee Scott,
Batman 2 a/k/a Zack Taylor,
Wonder Woman 2 a/k/a Kimberly Hart,
Isis 2 a/k/a Trini Kwan,
Green Lantern 2 a/k/a Tommy Oliver,
Black Canary 2 a/k/a Kat Hilliard,
Flash 2 a/k/a Billy Cranston,
Hawkwoman 2 a/k/a Tanya Sloan,
Hawkman 2 a/k/a Adam Park,
Firestorm a/k/a Rocky De Santos,
and the Huntress a/k/a Aisha Campbell.
The fact that these Rangers had the same powers as the JLA shocked the teens.
"I gotta ask how they came to be the JLA there." Jason asked. While they were bailing Zordon out, the others will protect the Earth in their abscence.
As the ship took off, Trini 2 said it for everyone: "May the Power Protect You All.
The end
There will definitely be more to come.