Disclaimer:  The Power Rangers aren't ours.  ^_^

Authors' Notes:  This story deals with the speculations that Rocky made about the Gold Ranger before he was revealed to be Trey.  At one point, Rocky believed that Billy might be the Gold Ranger.  So, what if Rocky had been right?

The Secret Life of Billy Cranston

By: Jade Daniels and Cinders

All was quiet in the Power Chamber, home of Zordon of Eltar and Alpha 5, his robotic aide.  That quiet was shattered as a gold-coloured stream of light suddenly appeared, indicating that someone was teleporting in.  When the stream vanished, a Power Ranger was left behind.  This Ranger was dressed in black armour with gold highlights.  To any who recognized his markings, he was known as the Gold Zeo Ranger. 

As soon as he appeared, Alpha immediately began to run a scanner over the Ranger's body.  While the steady beeping of the scanner continued, the Ranger looked up at Zordon.  "You saw what happened?"

"Yes," answered the wizard, "But was everything alright with you?"

The Gold Ranger nodded.  "Everything was great!  I was a little tired near the end, but that was all.  These powers are truly amazing!  I've never experienced anything like this before!"

"That is to be expected," replied Zordon.  "For these powers are of an alien nature.  You must take caution when using the Gold powers.  There could be unexpected side effects."

Before the Gold Ranger could respond, Alpha interrupted.  "Scan completed."

"What are the results Alpha?" asked Zordon, his voice laced with concern.  He hadn't like this plan when it had been suggested, and he liked it even less now.  But he knew that his Rangers needed all the help they could get against the notorious Machine Empire.  Without the Gold Ranger, he wasn't sure that the Zeo Rangers would be able to defeat the Empire by themselves.

The robot went to check the readout from the computer console.  "There was very little power fluctuation.  The power was much more stable this time."  He looked over at the Gold Ranger.  "You should be able to last longer in the next battle."

"That is good news Alpha," said Zordon, before he looked back at the Gold Ranger.  "You should go home and get some rest.  You need to reserve your strength.  We do not know when Mondo plans on striking next."

"You're right Zordon," nodded the Gold Ranger.  "Mondo is certainly not going to let up anytime soon.  I'll need all the rest I can get.  But I think I'll check in on our guest first."  With those words, he powered down and walked out of the room.

"Ai yi yi yi Zordon," Alpha looked up at Zordon, "Are you sure this is the right thing to do, keeping this a secret from the rest of the Rangers?  They do want to know who the Gold Ranger is."

"I understand that Alpha," replied Zordon, "But this is his decision.  We kept the secret of the White Ranger from the other Rangers.  This is not that different.  We will respect his decision."

"Very well Zordon," said Alpha.  "I hope we are doing the right thing."

"I hope so too Alpha," sighed Zordon.  "I hope so too."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

In the Angel Grove Youth Centre, the Zeo Power Rangers were sitting at their usual table in the Juice Bar.  Currently there was a short lull in monster attacks, something that each of them was greatly appreciating.  None of them wanted Mondo to be attacking again any time soon.

Rocky DeSantos sipped his smoothie.  As he looked at his group of friends, he realized that someone was missing.  "Hey, has anyone seen Billy lately?"  The rest of his friends shook their heads. 

"He's probably cooped up in the Power Chamber, as usual," replied Katherine Hilliard, her voice kept low.

"Well that's just silly," said Tanya Sloan, slapping her hand on the table.  "He ought to be having some fun.  Or at the very least, he should be outside.  It can't be that much fun, or that healthy, even for him, to be repairing and inventing things all day."

"Why don't we all go out and do something tomorrow then?" suggested Tommy Oliver.  "I think we could all use a break.  Let's say, go to the beach or something?  And we'll make sure that Billy doesn't say no."  The other Rangers nodded, smiling in agreement with the idea.  With that matter settled, the conversation turned to a new topic.

"So, what do you guys think of the Gold Ranger?" asked Adam Park, looking at everyone.

"Well, he's really been helpful during battles," replied Tommy with a shrug.

"Yeah, especially during that stint when Mondo kept sending monster after monster against us," nodded Tanya.

"No kidding.  Mondo really pounded us then!" Kat agreed, shuddering a little at the memory.

"You know, I wonder who he really is?" asked Adam.

Rocky, who had been silent so far, spoke up.  "Well, have you ever seen Billy and the Gold Ranger together in the same place?"

"Oh no, you're not going to start with that again, are you?" groaned Adam.  "I'm sorry I brought the question up."

"What?" asked Tommy, looking from Adam to Rocky.

Tanya grinned as she nudged Rocky with her elbow.  "Rocky thinks that Billy is our mysterious Gold Ranger."

Tommy shook his head.  "No way!  He would have told us!"

"You really think so?" asked Rocky, raising an eyebrow.

Tommy nodded.  "Sure," he replied, "I'm definitely sure.  Billy isn't the type to keep secrets, especially not something as important as being the Gold Ranger.  And especially not from us."

The conversation came to a sudden halt as the familiar six-tone sound came from each of the Rangers' communicators.  Looking at each other they quickly nodded, knowing that they had to do.  They headed towards the secluded hallway just outside of the Juice Bar.  Once checking that the area was clear, Tommy spoke into his communicator.

"Yes Zordon?" he asked as the other Rangers gathered around him.

"Rangers, you must go to the park.  Mondo has sent a new monster there," ordered Zordon.  "Billy and Alpha are at the Power Chamber now, checking for any weaknesses.  We will contact you when we know something."

"Okay Zordon," answered Tommy.  "Alright guys, let's do it!  It's Morphin Time!"

Instantly, the Rangers morphed and teleported to the park.  But once they got there, they couldn't find any sign of the reported monster.  Tommy immediately signalled for the team to split up so that they could search.  But as they spread out, there was still no sighting of the monster.

"Well, where is it?" demanded Rocky.  Suddenly, an energy beam hit the Blue Ranger from behind.  He cried out as he fell hard to the ground.  Immediately the Rangers all gathered around him.

"Rocky, are you all right?" asked Adam, bending down to look at his friend.  Rocky could only groan in response.

"You looking for me Rangers?"  The Rangers all turned to see the monster jumping down from a tree, landing neatly on the ground.

To put it mildly, it was an ugly monster.  It looked as if Mondo had pieced it together from spare parts but hadn't cared where they should go.  Most of those spare parts looked like they came from different robotic animals that were all attached in the wrong places.  Horns were coming out of the knee area; hooves replaced hands despite the fact that there were hands, but those were placed where feet would normally be.

"Okay ugly, your days are numbered!" Tommy cried as he leapt into the air.  Performing a powerfully roundhouse kick, the Red Ranger managed to hit the monster in the head.  It barely seemed to faze him.

"Is that the best you can do Ranger?" sneered the monster.  "No one gets the better of Chimerabot!"  He shattered the air with more energy beams, each catching a Ranger, sending them crashing into the ground.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"The Gold Ranger is needed!" said Zordon, watching as the Chimerabot slowly decimated the Rangers.

Immediately, the sixth Zeo Ranger appeared in the room.  "I hope I can help them Zordon."  With those words, he then teleported out of the Power Chamber.  

As he appeared in the park, he knew that he hadn't arrived a moment too soon.  It was clear that Mondo's robot was beating the Rangers.  While the others were using their weapons against Chimerabot, Rocky was just recovering from another blast, this time to the chest.  Immediately, the Gold Ranger helped the Blue Ranger to his feet.

"Thanks," said Rocky, not having looked up to see who had come to help him.

"Glad to help."  From the quick turn of Rocky's head, the Gold Ranger could tell that the Blue Ranger was startled by his presence.  But before either of them could say anything more, the battle cries of the other Rangers caught their attention.

"I guess we should get over there and help," Rocky said.

"Right behind you."  Together, the Blue and Gold Rangers joined the others.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Tommy could feel the air trying to fight its way back into his lungs.  He couldn't understand why this monster was so hard to fight.  He could see Adam and Tanya trying to make a dent in the monster, but nothing seemed to be working.  Finally catching his breath, the Red Ranger pressed a button on his communicator.  "Billy, this is Tommy.  Have you found a weakness yet?"  Only silence greeted him.  "Billy?"

"Tommy," Alpha's voice came through, "Billy is trying to come up with a diagnostic on Chimerabot.  Just hold on and we'll have the information you need soon."

"Thanks Alpha, but please hurry!"  Tommy got to his feet just in time to see Chimerabot walk past the fallen Rangers and straight towards him.  Quickly Tommy brought his fist up to the star shaped visor of his helmet.  Suddenly his sword appeared in his hand.

"Bring it on!  Let's see how well you do against this!" Tommy challenged.  But before the robot even got close enough, there was a sudden flash to Tommy's right.  By the time he looked for the source, Tommy found Chimerabot on the ground.  Stunned, he saw Kat, Adam and Tanya just getting to their feet, while Rocky and the source of the energy, the Gold Ranger were coming up behind him.

Chimerabot roared as the Rangers scrambled behind their leader.  Suddenly, there were two more flashes as Klank and Orbus appeared.  Without warning the tall robot swung his partner around above his head.  "Round and round, and away you go!"  With one mighty swing, Orbus sailed through the air.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what would happen the moment Orbus landed on Chimerabot.  But just as Tommy was about to do something, Rocky was racing towards the small circular robot at top speed.  The Blue Ranger leapt up, intercepting Orbus in mid-air.

"No!" Klank yelled, watching as the Blue Ranger ran away with Orbus held like a football under his arm.

"It's time for a Gold Rush!"  Taking advantage of the situation, the Gold Ranger raised his staff in front of him.  Faster than anyone could see, the sixth Zeo Ranger rushed towards Chimerabot.  The robot was spinning around as sparks and flashes of black and gold surrounded him.  Then the Gold Ranger suddenly stopped before the group as the Chimerabot fell to the ground behind him, exploding in a shower of sparks and flames.

Rocky had by now stopped running, cheering as he heard the sound of the explosion.  That was when he noticed Orbus cursing, still under his arm.  He grinned to himself and looked for the little robot's partner.  The Blue Ranger spotted him still hiding beneath the trees near the battle.

"Hey Klank!  You forgot something!"  In one fluid motion, Rocky dropped Orbus, brought up his foot and sent Orbus flying through the air towards Klank.

"This is not over Rangers!" yelled Klank as he caught Orbus and teleported away.

Laughing to himself, Rocky ran back over to the others, who were gathering around the Gold Ranger, shaking his hand and thanking him.  He too, wanted to thank the mysterious Ranger, as well as find out, once and for all, the man behind the gold and black helmet.  Finally reaching the group, Rocky moved to the front.

"Thanks… Billy."  He just knew that the Gold Ranger was Billy.  He had to be!  Rocky hoped that by addressing the Gold Ranger as Billy, he would confuse him and perhaps he would betray his identity.  Unfortunately for Rocky, his plan didn't work.

"Uh, Billy?  Who is Billy?" asked the Gold Ranger, tilting his head in confusion.

"Rocky!" Adam hissed, slapping Rocky in the arm.

"I'm sorry.  He seems convinced that you're really a friend of ours," Kat explained.

"Look, it's just that our friend seems to be absent whenever you show up," Rocky said, not giving up.  "I'm sorry.  I just thought that you might be him."

The Gold Ranger nodded.  "I cannot explain your friend's absences during my appearances, but, apology accepted."

"I don't mean to be rude, but do you have a name, other than Gold Ranger I mean," asked Tommy.  He had to admit that Rocky's statement earlier had made him very curious. 

"I do have a name Red Ranger, but I cannot tell you yet.  But you will know who I am when the time is right.  For now, you may call me a friend.  Goodbye Rangers.  I will be here when you need me."  With that, the Gold Ranger disappeared in a streak of gold light.

"We should get back to the Power Chamber," Tommy said.  The others nodded as they teleported away from the park.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"I can't believe you did that Rocky!" declared Adam, shaking his head in exasperation as the Rangers reappeared in the main room of the Power Chamber.

Rocky only shrugged his shoulders in response.  "Look, I thought he was Billy, okay?  I still haven't seen anything to prove me wrong."

"Congratulations Rangers on your victory over Chimerabot," Zordon interrupted before the argument could get out of hand.

The five Rangers looked up and removed their helmets.  "Thanks Zordon.  That robot was certainly harder than anything Mondo has sent down before.  We were lucky that the Gold Ranger appeared when he did."  Tommy looked around, realizing that someone was missing.  "Where's Billy?"

Before Zordon or Alpha could answer, Rocky pumped his fist into the air.  "I knew it!  I knew it!  Billy is the Gold Ranger!"  The other Rangers looked at him and sighed.  Adam looked as if he was about to say something to the Blue Ranger.

"Billy's…" Alpha began to say when a door leading to the main chamber opened.

"Billy is right here."  Billy emerged from the doorway to the Zord holding bay.  "Sorry I couldn't help you guys.  I almost had the complete diagnostics on Chimerabot's weaknesses when the Gold Ranger showed up and destroyed him."

"Oh come on Billy," Rocky moved to stand in front of Billy.  "Why don't you tell us the truth?"

"Rocky…" Zordon warned.

"Rocky, that's enough," Tanya said, grabbing the Blue Ranger's arm.

"The truth?  About what?" Billy asked, looking very confused by Rocky's questions.

Kat sighed.  "He thinks you're the Gold Ranger."

"Me, the Gold Ranger?  I was that were true Rocky.  I do miss being in battle, but I'm not the Gold Ranger you're looking for."  Billy truly looked disappointed by his statement.  He shrugged his shoulders and Rocky seemed to deflate.

"Rangers."  They looked up at Zordon.  "It has been a tough battle.  You should all return to your homes and get some rest.  Mondo will not hold off on another fight for long."

"You're right Zordon," Tommy agreed.  "Some of us," he looked over at Rocky, "Really need to get their heads on straight.  We'll see you guys later."  The Rangers teleported out in their signature columns of light.

"Ai yi yi!" Alpha cried out soon as the Rangers were gone.  "That was close!"

"You're right Alpha," nodded Billy.  He looked up at Zordon.  "I don't know how much longer we can keep this a secret.  Rocky seems determined to find out who the Gold Ranger is and I don't think he's going to give up so easily.  You know, it almost reminds me of Bulk and Skull, when they were trying to find out who we were."

"Yes, Rocky does seem very determined.  Hopefully, this secret can be kept a secret until it is time," replied Zordon.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"I thought for sure that Billy was the Gold Ranger!" exclaimed Rocky as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. 

Adam sighed.  He was driving Rocky home from the Youth Centre.  Throughout the whole trip Rocky had been muttering increasingly impossible reasons why Billy would have to be the Gold Ranger.  "I still can't believe that you accused the Gold Ranger of being Billy.  Then you do the same to Billy!  What in the world is going on in your head man?"

"I don't know," answered Rocky, looking out of the window.  "It's just that, I don't like mysteries.  And you've got to admit, this is as mysterious as they come."

"Well right now, this is one mystery that is going to remain one," said Adam as he turned a corner.  "I don't like not knowing who the Gold Ranger is either, but there really isn't anything that we can do about it.  We've got to respect the guy's privacy.  Just let it go for now Rocky.  Besides, we've got bigger things to worry about."

Rocky nodded and sighed.  "Alright Adam.  You're right.  I ought to just let it go."  But even as he spoke those words, Rocky knew that he could hardly let this go.  He knew that Billy was the Gold Ranger.  He just had to be!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Rocky wasn't the only one unwilling to let go of the identity of the Gold Zeo Ranger.  The king of the Machine Empire was stomping around the Skybase, furious at the fact that the mysterious Ranger had thwarted yet another of his plans.  "Who is that Ranger?!?" he bellowed to his family.  "Klank, Orbus, have you made any progress yet in finding anything out about that Gold Ranger?"

The two robots looked at each other, then back at their king.  "We have learned very little yer Majesty," replied Klank.  "We know that the Gold Ranger only comes out when the Zeo Rangers really need help.  He doesn't stay for long, as once the Rangers look like they no longer require his help, he vanishes."

"So, all we need to do is find out where the Gold Ranger goes!" declared Machina triumphantly.  "From there, you will be able to discover his true identity!"

"Hmmm, I like your idea my dear," nodded Mondo.  "Klank, implement the Queen's plan at once!"  He smashed his fist upon the computer console that revealed what was happening on Earth.  The viewer showed that the Power Rangers and their friend were currently relaxing on the beach.

"Those Rangers won't be relaxing when I'm through with them!"  Mondo looked at the list of robots that Klank had chosen for him to use for this mission.  "Yes, I'll send Mecha Tuku down there to play ball with those Power Twerps.  When things get too hot to handle, the Gold Ranger will surely show up to help!  Then, we'll trap him and the Gold powers for good!"

A beam of light from the Machine Skybase headed down towards Angel Grove beach, landing with a thunderous crash in the sand.  When the smoke and dust cleared away, there was a mechanical witch doctor cackling away.  For a moment, all was silent except for the robot's eerie laughter.  Then, a scream was heard.  More screaming followed as the citizens of Angel Grove began to run away from the beach.  No one noticed, or even cared as six teenagers took fighting stances against the mechanical monster.

"He he," laughed Mecha Tuku, "I'm here to take down the Power Rangers!"

"You're taking down no one today, whatever you are!" shouted Tommy, as he quickly looked around to make sure the coast was clear.  "It's Morphin Time!"

Instantly, the Rangers morphed in a splash of colour.  Immediately they stood in battle formation, ready to fight.  Out of the corner of his eye, Rocky saw Billy teleport away.  He still couldn't get the thought out his mind that his friend was the Gold Ranger.  Too much led to that fact.  The Blue Ranger wouldn't let that thought go until he actually saw Billy and the Gold Ranger together. 

Vaguely, Rocky heard his name in the back of his mind.  But before he could respond, he felt a searing pain in his chest and felt his body falling through the air.  When he crashed into the ground, all of the air was knocked from his lungs.  Desperately, he tried to let it back in.  Hazily, he heard voices around him.  He tried to see whom the voices belong to, but his vision seemed blurred.

"Rocky!  You alright man?" Tommy asked while trying to keep an eye out for Mecha Tuku.  The other Rangers were busy fighting him, but without much luck.  "Billy!  Rocky's down and needs help."

"Right.  Teleporting, now."  Tommy watched as Rocky teleported away in a sparkling column of blue light.  Then he quickly turned back to the fight.

"He he," laughed Mecha Tuku, "You can't get through me!  I'll destroy you all!  Cogs!  Get down here!"  A legion of the foot soldiers appeared in a flash of light.  With battle cries, the Rangers charged at the metallic warriors.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Rocky appeared, unmorphed, on the diagnostic table in the Power Chamber.  The Blue Ranger had finally been able to get some air back into his lungs, but Rocky didn't know which hurt more, his lungs or his back.  He heard movement next to him and tried to rise up, but suddenly felt a hand on his chest, holding him down.

"Take it easy Rocky.  Alpha and I will have you fixed up in no time," assured Billy in a gentle voice.  Rocky was relieved to see him.

"How are the others doing?" he asked.  "I have to get back and help."  Billy glanced at the viewing globe and Rocky followed his gaze.  To them both, it was obvious that Mondo's creation was getting the better of their friends.  Lately the Machine Empire king was becoming all too adept at creating robots that could do that. 

"Billy and Alpha will be able to help you better, so that you may rejoin the Rangers and assist them in battle, if you would hold still Rocky," instructed Zordon. 

"Maybe you should hold off on the Jolt for awhile."  Billy smiled at the disappointed look on Rocky's face.

Suddenly Tommy's voice flooded the Power Chamber.  "How long until Rocky's ready?  We could sure use his help!"

"We are working on Rocky now," responded Zordon. 

"Huh, I wonder where the Gold Ranger is," Rocky commented.  "We could use his help about now."  He looked at Billy out of the corner of his eye, hoping for some sort of reaction.

Billy pushed a few more buttons on the console above Rocky's head.  "The last thing we have time for is to worry about the Gold Ranger.  I'm sure he'll come if he can.  He hasn't let us down before."  He put the scanner in Alpha's hands.  "Alpha, can you take over?  I need to finish analyzing Mecha Tuku's weaknesses."

"Yes Billy," replied the robot as Billy headed out of the room.

As Rocky watched Billy leave, he wished that he could get up, just to keep his friend in his sights.  He couldn't explain why he was so obsessed with finding out who the Gold Ranger, but he couldn't help but feel that Billy knew more about the mysterious Ranger than he was willing to admit.  Suddenly the battle caught his attention once more.  Tanya had just received a hard blow to her back from Mecha Tuku's staff, sending sparks flying off of her armour.  Tommy was trying to fend off Cog after Cog with his sword.  Adam had just leapt into the air, landing a kick on two of the foot soldiers and Kat was surrounded.

"Hurry Alpha!" Rocky encouraged.

"Ai yi yi.  I'm hurrying as fast as I can Rocky," replied Alpha.

"Be patient Rocky," Zordon said.

As Rocky began to reply, he caught a flash of black on the viewing globe.  Looking over, he saw the Gold Ranger taking out several Cogs at a time.  Quickly, he glanced back at the door Billy had left the Power Chamber through.  Now was his chance!

"You may rejoin the battle now," Zordon informed him.  Rocky jumped down from the table and headed for the door that Billy had used.

"Rocky!  You must join the battle.  Where are you going?" Alpha asked, a little panicked.

"I need to get the diagnostics from Billy before I go," replied Rocky, "He should be done with them by now."

"Do so quickly Rocky.  Your friends need your help."  Rocky nodded to Zordon, then passed through the door.

"Ai yi yi Zordon!" exclaimed Alpha.

"Do not worry Alpha," reassured Zordon, "Everything will be alright."

Meanwhile, Rocky had entered the Zord holding bay.  "Billy?" he called out as he gazed around the room.  He looked inside Billy's office.  sEmpty.  A smile began to spread across the Blue Ranger's face.

"Over here Rocky."  Rocky jumped at Billy's voice.  He looked over and saw Billy emerging from the darkness with a few pages of computer paper in his hands.  Disappointed did not even begin to describe how Rocky was feeling at the moment.  Quickly, he turned his gaze out the door to where he could see the viewing globe in the other room.  There was the Gold Ranger, in all of his glory, battling Mondo's creation.

Rocky finally began to speak.  "I… I was wondering if… if you had the information on Mecha Tuku's weaknesses?"

"I do."  Billy began to sort through the pages.  "There is a small spot beneath the headdress, on the back of his neck.  It's about the size of a quarter, but if you guys can all get your blaster shots to hit that spot at the same time, it will stop him."

Rocky nodded his head.  "Okay.  Back to action!"  He morphed and teleported out of the Power Chamber.  Just as he left, Alpha entered the room, only to find Billy standing by the computers with papers in his hands.  Doing a double take, Alpha looked at Billy.

"Billy?  I though…"

"I do.  There is a small spot beneath…" Billy continued to repeat the information he had just given to Rocky.

Perplexed, Alpha walked to Billy's side and reached out to pull the papers from his hands.  But, his hands passed right through them.  Immediately, Alpha walked back to the other room.  "Zordon?" he asked, looking up at the wizard.

"A hologram Alpha.  Billy thought that we would need it.  Rocky's curiosity was beginning to get the better of him," explained Zordon.

"Heh heh!  Heh heh!" Alpha laughed.  "It looks like the trickster has been tricked!"

"That he has Alpha, that he has," Zordon smiled.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Orbus and Klank watched from their hiding place on the sidelines, their patience wearing thin.  Mondo had charged them with finding out where the Gold Ranger teleported to after each battle.  Klank held up a teleportation scanner.  With it, they would be able to follow the Gold Ranger's signature to wherever he landed, unless he was residing within the Rangers' stronghold.  There were scanner blocks surrounding that place, stretching out for a radius of ten miles, obviously an invention of Billy Cranston.

"At this rate, that Gold Ranger is never going to make his departure," Orbus complained.  "I don't think either of us wants to be near Mondo when he sees that we've failed."

"We won't fail," Klank retorted, "We will sit here until the Gold Ranger departs."

Suddenly, there was a blip on the scanner.  Moments later, the Blue Zeo Ranger teleported in.  "Guys!" he called out, "Billy found the Mecha Tuku's weakness."

"Perfect!" said Klank.  "His Majesty is quite clever to suggest an easily detected weakness in Mecha Tuku.  Once the Rangers have defeated him, the Gold Ranger should be leaving momentarily."

The two robots did not have long to wait.  Mecha Tuku rushed at the group, but when he was within twenty feet of them, the Rangers began to split up and run.  Each of them took off in a different direction, except for the Gold one.  That Ranger stood still, facing the Mecha Tuku.  It was obvious that Mecha Tuku wanted to take care of the Gold Ranger first.  "Stay right there Gold boy!" the robot roared.

"And let you catch me?  I don't think so."  Suddenly, the Gold Ranger was gone.  Mecha Tuku skidded to a stop.  It looked confused, swivelling its head around to try and find any of the Rangers.  Klank thought it was obvious what was about to happen.  He wasn't disappointed. 

"Rangers, FIRE!"  Tommy's voice was loud and clear.

Before the Mecha Tuku could turn around, he felt the points of five blasters hit him in the back of the neck.  Paralysed, he screamed out in outrage.  Sinking to his knees, sparks began to fly out from within his body.  Then, with one final roar of rage, Mecha Tuku erupted into a huge fireball.  Klank cheered quietly.

"Now that pesky Gold Ranger should be leaving," said Orbus.  The little robot was right.  The other Rangers came to give their thanks again to the mysterious Ranger, but it wasn't long before he vanished in a stream of black and gold light.  The other Rangers soon followed.  But they weren't the ones that Klank and Orbus were interested in.

"Well, where did he go?" Orbus asked from Klank's shoulder.

Klank watched the red blip on his teleportation scanner.  "Just over that hill.  Hold on Orbus, we're going for a little ride."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Not far away, the Gold Ranger appeared in a flash of light, outside of a cave.  Slowly, he scanned the area for two particular metal flashes.  "Come on Klank, I saw you teleport to the battle site," he said quietly, "You didn't want Mecha Tuku to win.  You want to know where I'm going.  Well, it is time to play follow the leader."  With one more scan of the area, he found Mondo's flunkies already on their way.  He disappeared into the cave, but still close enough to hear what the two were saying.

"Yes!  His Majesty will praise me when I tell him I… uh, we found where the Gold Ranger hides!" exclaimed Klank as he continued to follow the signal on his scanner.

"Are you sure that he's in there?" Orbus asked, "Where does that cave lead to anyway?"

"Well we'll just go in and check," Klank replied, sounding as if he was getting tired of Orbus raining on his parades.  The two began to descend into the cave.

The Gold Ranger was already walking deeper into the cave.  Finding a good dark corner, he pressed his body into it as tightly as he could.  "Stealth mode," he whispered, very glad that this feature was included in the Gold powers.  Slowly, his form changed to match the wall he was standing against.  No scanners would be able to detect him now.  He could hear the heavy footsteps of Klank's metal feet on the ground.  Secretly, he smiled to himself.  Mondo wasn't going to get him today!

"It sure is dark in here," Orbus announced, as if it wasn't obvious.

"Glad you could point that out to me," muttered Klank.  "I don't see or hear a thing!  Blast!"  Klank was standing so close to the Gold Ranger now that he could have placed his hand on Klank's shoulder.  Slowly, he steadied his breathing and heart rate.  No point in giving anything away.

"I knew it was a trick," said Orbus.

"Would you be quiet?!?" snarled Klank.  "Maybe there's a secret door, or a hologram hiding the passage."  Klank brought out his own, rarely used sword.  It was somewhat tarnished and dinged. 

Before the Gold Ranger knew what was going to happen, the blade of the sword was thrust into the rock wall, within inches of his head.  Startled, he pressed himself tighter into the corner, trying not to make a sound.  Relief flooded through him when Klank moved away from him, thrusting the point of the sword into other parts of the cave wall.  With his other hand, he searched for a trigger to a door that wasn't there.  Finally, finished with his fruitless task and frustrated beyond belief, Klank gazed around the cave one more time.

"Mondo is going to disassemble both of us."  Klank's voice was a little shaky for a robot.

"You got that right," Orbus agreed.  In a flash of light, they were both gone.

The Gold Ranger let out a deep sigh.  "Stealth mode, deactivate."  Suddenly, where there once was nothing, now stood the Gold Ranger.  "That was close.  A little too close."  He chuckled to himself.  Raising his arm up, he pressed a button and vanished in a stream of golden light.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Is it just me, or are Mondo's creatures getting harder to defeat?" asked Kat as the Power Rangers stood in the Power Chamber.  They had powered down and were now dressed in their street clothes.

"Yeah, even though Billy found Mecha Tuku's weakness, without the Gold Ranger, we never would have been able to defeat Mecha Tuku," said Tommy.

"I just wish we knew who he was," Rocky chimed in.

"Rocky!" Adam and Tanya warned at the same time.

Holding up his hands in defence, Rocky said, "I know it isn't Billy.  I saw him here, with me, while the Gold Ranger was helping you guys.  I'm just saying though, that I wish I knew whom we're fighting with.  That's all."

"Perhaps now would be a good time for you to get some rest Rangers," said Zordon.

"Let's head to Ernie's.  I'm starved!"  All the Rangers broke out into laughter.  "Can I help it if fighting makes me hungry?"  Rocky rubbed his growling stomach.

"Actually, that's a great idea," Kat smiled.  "We should ask Billy to join us.  He was having such a good time at the beach, it'd be a shame to leave him in that dark Zord holding bay."

"I'll get him," volunteered Rocky, already heading for the doorway to the holding bay.  Everyone missed Alpha's quick glance at Zordon, and the wizard's responding nod. 

Rocky stopped a few feet into the bay, finding it empty once again.  "Billy?"

"Over here Rocky."  Rocky looked to where the voice had come from.  He watched as Billy emerged from the darkness once more.  He walked out with sheets of computer paper in his hands, just like when Rocky had approached him earlier.  An idea flickered into the Blue Ranger's mind.  Déjà vu?  He didn't think so.

"Do you have a minute?" he asked, waiting for Billy's response.

"I do," answered Billy.  Rocky quickly reached out for the papers, jerking them from the young genius' hands.  "Rocky!  Is there a problem?"  Rocky continued to turn the pages over and over in his hands, looking like he was very surprised that they were in his hands.

"Um, nothing," Rocky shoved the pages back into Billy's hands.  Looking curiously at Rocky, Billy took them.  "We… we're going to Ernie's.  You want to come?"

Billy nodded.  "Sure, you guys go ahead.  As soon as I finish up, I'll be right there."

"Okay, we'll see you then."  Billy watched with an amused smile on his face as Rocky left, looking more than a little dazed.

The Rangers were waiting for Rocky as he entered the main room.  Kat noticed that he seemed kind of pale and a little shook up.  "Are you all right Rocky?  You look like you've seen a ghost."

Rocky shook his head.  "I'm fine.  Billy just scared me, that's all."  The others laughed. 

"We'll see you later Zordon.  Bye Alpha!" Adam called as they teleported out.  Billy entered the main room just as the columns of light dissipated.

"You scared Rocky?" asked Alpha.

"Yeah, I think I did."  Billy smiled as he joined Alpha and Zordon in a good laugh.  He carefully turned a flat, circular, mirror-like disk in his hands.  "I never thought that the holographic device would come in handy again."  His face turned serious.  "I think that I've thrown both Mondo and Rocky off of the Gold Ranger's scent for now, but you know that they will keep trying.  I really don't know how much longer this can be kept a secret.  I'm starting to think that maybe the others should be told."

"Is that what you want?" asked the Eltarian.  He hadn't liked the idea of keeping the other Rangers in the dark about the Gold Ranger's identity.  He felt that if the Rangers were kept apprised, it would prevent such unnecessary tactics such as the one used on Rocky.  Even the one on Klank and Orbus wouldn't have been needed had the Gold Ranger been able to teleport to the Power Chamber like everyone else.

"I don't know anymore Zordon," Billy sighed.  "I thought that it would be better to keep this a secret from the others.  After all, the true identity of the Gold Ranger isn't something that we could just share with the others, not while he's still in there."  He paused for a moment.  "No, I still want to wait."

"Very well Billy," agreed Zordon, although a little reluctantly, "If that is what you wish."

"Thanks Zordon," said Billy, putting a hand to his communicator.  "I'll join the others now."  He teleported out in a stream of white-gold light.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"How could you fail?" demanded King Mondo, when he saw that Klank and Orbus had returned empty handed from their mission to capture the Gold Ranger.

"Yer majesty," pleaded Klank, "The Gold Ranger just vanished from the cave!"

"The scanner saw him go in, but we didn't see him come out," added Orbus.

Queen Machina slithered up to her husband.  "Perhaps the Gold Ranger has a few more abilities that we hadn't anticipated my love?"

"Perhaps," agreed Mondo, "Then more observation is needed on the Gold Ranger.  Add possible stealth modes to his list of abilities."  He turned to his wife.  "I really want that Ranger!  And I will find out who he is if it is the last thing that I do!"

"Of course you will dear," soothed Machina, "Of course you will.  No one escapes the grasp of the Machine Empire for long."

~ To Be Continued ~