Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, but I bet everyone already knew that.
AN: Hey readers! Here's chapter 4 of SH2! I need to give credit to my thirteen-year-old brother Michael for some of this chapter. I have started to let him help me with this one so he could get some experience writing. He wrote most of the battle scene between the Arachnids and the Wild Force and Space rangers. I have edited it of course, but he did a very good job. He also contributed quite a few ideas for this chapter. Thanks Mikey! Enjoy and please leave a review!
Silver Hope 2: Enemies Return
Chapter 4: Things Become Clearer
Turtle Cove California
Date: Friday February 28, 2003
It was turning out to be a normal day in Turtle Cove. Normal was something the Wild Force rangers were getting used to, since the defeat of the orgs. But they had heard about the disruptions in Angel Grove. Cole, Taylor, Alyssa, Max, Danny, Merrick, and Princess Shayla were meeting Wes and the others this morning before taking a trip to Angel Grove.
They could feel something brewing, and they had a feeling it would take all available rangers to go up against it.
Wes had been incredibly honored when Billy Cranston himself had asked him and Time Force to come to Angel Grove. Wes had asked the legendary Pegasus ranger if he wanted Wild Force to come. Billy had agreed that it would be a good idea. He could hear some uneasiness in the older man's voice. The red Time Force ranger knew that whatever this threat was, it was going to be a tough battle. Wes had contacted Jen and the others in future and they would be arriving soon. And Wes couldn't wait to see Jen. Wes glanced over at Eric, who was driving. He also knew that the Quantum ranger was excited to see Taylor, though he would never admit it.
Location: Cranston Residence
February 28, 2003; 7 am
Wesley Cranston tiptoed into his parent's room. He climbed onto the bed and crawled up next to his mother. Billy and Kat smiled, as they opened their eyes.
"I'm hungry mommy," Wesley said. Kat smiled, already knowing that he was going to say that.
"All right sweetie, give mommy and daddy a few minutes and we'll be down," Kat said sleepily. Wesley hopped off the bed and went downstairs.
"Is it seven already?" Billy mumbled. Kat kissed him, before they both got up.
"I'm afraid so love," Kat replied, as she put her robe on. Billy went to shower, while Kat went to give Wesley his breakfast.
Kat giggled, as she met up with Kim and Aisha in the hallway.
"Yours wants fed too huh?" Aisha asked.
"Yep," Kat replied. The girls giggled.
After breakfast, Rocky went to the station and Jason, Tommy, and Dulcea left to teach their classes. Aisha readied Steve and dropped him off at school on the way to the Clinic and Kim left for the gymnastics studio. Kat told Kim that it wasn't necessary for Kelly to go to daycare, since she was home. Trini and Adam left for the firm shortly after the others and Billy had also left, promising that he was going to be home in a couple hours to greet the arriving rangers. The only ones left at the house were Kat, Wesley, Tanya, Zack, and the Space rangers. Tanya and the other girls were watching Kelly, while Kat bathed Wesley and took him to school. She then came home and waited with the others.
About noon, Wes, Eric, and the Wild Force rangers arrived at the Cranston residence. The rest of the Time Force rangers would be arriving later that day. Billy had already arrived home about a half hour earlier.
"Whoa, this place is a mansion," Alyssa said.
"Yeah, nice place," Cole commented. They knocked on the door and waited for Billy to come to the door. Billy knew who it was, and went to answer the door.
"Hey guys," Billy greeted.
"Hey, how are you?" Wes commented.
"Good, come on in, I assume that the rest of the Time Force rangers will be coming later," Billy replied.
"Yeah," Cole answered.
"Well, make yourselves at home," Billy said, as he ushered them in to sit down.
"We can start introductions even though half of us aren't here yet," Billy said.
"I'm Wes Collins, and this is Eric Meyers. I guess we'll have to introduce the rest of time force later," Wes said. Cole took that as his cue.
"I'm Cole Evans, and this is my team. Alyssa Enrile, Taylor Earhardt, Max Cooper, Danny Delgado, Merrick Bailtou, and Princess Shayla," Cole introduced. Billy nodded and let Andros take over.
"I'm Andros and this is my team. Cassie Chan, Ashley Hammond, Carlos Valerte, and T.J. Johnson," Andros said, turning to Billy.
"As you know, I'm Billy Cranston. This is Zack and Tanya Taylor, and this is my wife Kat," Billy said, as he gestured to Kat.
"Is anyone thirsty? Let me get some beverages," Kat said.
"I'll help you," Alyssa said, as she followed the older woman into the kitchen.
While the girls had meandered into the kitchen, the boys began to discuss the situation.
"So, they could be standing right in front of us and we wouldn't even know it was them?" Wes asked.
"Yeah, and we're all in danger, especially Kat," Billy replied, as he looked toward the kitchen with a fearful, but calm expression. Alyssa had heard what Billy had said, and turned to Kat.
"Kat, what did Billy mean when he said that you were especially in danger?" Alyssa asked.
"Well it's a long story but there was a different race of people called the Aquitians, and they were from a water planet," Kat told her.
"They were rangers too, only different and could only survive on Earth for a short time. They helped us when Rita and Zedd turned us into children," Kat said but stopped when Billy came over. Kat paused for a moment, collecting the painful thoughts.
"Anyway, Cestria, the pink Aquitian ranger, developed a very big crush on Billy. Rita and Zedd used it to their advantage by casting a jealousy spell on her. They turned her human so that she could remain on earth, destroy us, and take Billy as her own.
Kat said. Cestria wants Billy, but I've always been in her way. She almost succeeded in killing me, but Zordon trapped her in a space canister and locked her away. But now I'm afraid Zedd has released her and she's after revenge. She will do anything to kill me; she wants me dead," Kat said.
"Oh Kat I didn't know, I'm sorry that I asked," Alyssa replied.
"Don't worry about it, besides, I know my silver knight won't let anything happen to me," Kat said smiling.
"Well, we're here to help too," Alyssa said putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks Alyssa," Kat replied, as she and the younger girl carried a tray of sodas into the living room.
"So how exactly do we identify them?" Taylor wondered.
"I don't know, that's what I've been trying to figure out," Billy said, as he ran his hand through his thick, wavy hair.
"Well, they have to be watching us. Have you noticed any suspicious people lately? Like new employees, clients?" Wes asked. Then it hit Billy Cranston like a ton of bricks. His eyes became wide with fear, as he realized their foe's identities.
"That's it...Rocky has a new partner that arrived about a week ago," Billy said.
"Chris?" Zack questioned.
"Chris Gold," Billy said.
"Goldar!" Tanya exclaimed.
"Zack, call Rocky on his cell. Tell him to get home right now. Don't tell him about Goldar over the phone, someone could be listening in," Billy said.
"Your new secretary Billy," Kat whispered, as she sunk onto the couch. Tanya and Alyssa sat down with her to comfort her.
"Cestria, I should have known," Billy said.
"OH NO!" Kat cried, as another realization hit her.
"Kat, what is it?" Billy asked, as he stared into her fearful expression. Kat's bottom lip quivered as she spoke.
"Wesley's teacher came down with appendicitis. He's had a substitute for about a week..." Kat said in a hoarse whisper. Billy's eyes widened.
"Scorpina...Kat where is Wesley?" Billy asked, knowing that his son was usually home by this time of day.
"His class went on a field trip to the desert museum today. Billy, she's after our baby," Kat cried. Billy pulled her into a hug and kissed her lips softly.
"Don't worry, I'm going after him," Billy said.
"Hey Billy, come over here quick! Look what's on the news," Andros called to him. Billy and the others turned to the television.
The Arachnids had appeared and were spraying people with their webs.
"Okay Cole, Andros, you guys handle the menace in the park. Eric and Wes, I need you guys to come with me. Zack, hold things down here and get everyone back here," Billy ordered.
"Will do," Zack said, as he hopped to the phone.
"Be careful," Kat said, as she kissed him lightly.
"I will, and Wesley will be fine," Billy replied, as he, Wes, and Eric left.
"Wild Access!" The wild force rangers called out in unison.
"Let's Rocket!" Andros called.
Location: Angel Grove Park
They teleported to the park where the arachnids where attacking the people.
They all split up and started taking on the arachnids. Cole did a spin side roundhouse and kicked the arachnid hard in the abdomen and sent him flying to the ground. Then he back flipped and landed on another ones head but was stopped short when he was grabbed by the feet and hurled to the ground.
Merrick spun a half circle with his staff tripping the arachnid and turned and struck it in the chest. As soon as it disappeared, Merrick rushed to help Cole who was ganged up on by four arachnids.
Max and Danny double teamed an arachnid and defeated it quickly then rushed to take on two more.
Alyssa and Taylor took out three more arachnids then went to join the others who were facing the last six arachnids.
"All right, now spread out and let's take out the last of the arachnids and get back to the others," Cole said.
Then they attacked the arachnids and Merrick took out the first arachnid with an axe kick to the head and a knife hand to the chest.
Andros, Cassie, Ashley, Carlos, and T.J. finished off their set of Arachnids like quickly, and joined the Wild Force rangers.
Location: The Angel Grove Desert Museum
"Stop squirming you little brat," Scorpina growled, as she dragged little Wesley Cranston toward her car. She knew Zedd would be ecstatic when he saw that she had captured a very precious thing to hold over the rangers' heads. She had ditched the other kids and the pesky high school helpers and made off with the little boy.
"Let me go...you...you mean lady!" Wesley yelled.
"Shut up brat," Scorpina growled again.
"Let my son go Scorpina!" Billy called. Scorpina looked up, only to see Billy and two other men she didn't recognize with him.
"So, you figured it out Billy," Scorpina said smugly.
"Yeah, guess that ruins your plans," Billy replied.
"On the contrary. We knew you'd figure it out, you always figured out our ploys. We've been expecting it," Scorpina replied.
"You won't take my son," Billy growled. Scorpina laughed.
"You can't attack me; I'm just a defenseless human female," Scorpina replied.
"You're trying to kidnap my son," Billy replied angrily.
"You're right and I guess I'm not all that defenseless," Scorpina said, as a hoard of Tengucogs swarmed around her.
"We'll take care of them, you get your kid Billy," Eric said. Billy nodded.
"Time Force! Time Force!" Wes called.
"Red Time Force!" Wes called.
"Quantum Power!" Eric called.
"Power of Pegasus, Power of the Wolf, Silver Ranger Power!" Billy called.
Billy began fighting his way through the Tengucogs, but Scorpina kept pulling Wesley farther and farther away.
Location: The Angel Grove Desert; just outside the museum
"Why did you set the ship down in the middle of the desert?" Jen asked.
"Because, it shows that Wes and Eric are close by," Trip said.
"They must be in trouble, let's go," Lucas replied.
"Time Force! Time Force!" Jen called. The four time force rangers morphed and headed for the battle with Ransik and Nadira behind them.
"Say goodbye to your brat silver ranger," Scorpina said, as she picked the child up.
"Put me down! Let me go!" Wesley screamed, as he kicked.
Scorpina was about to toss him in the car when someone stopped her.
"I believe the child wishes to be put down," said a woman with bright pink hair.
"Who the hell are you?" Scorpina growled.
"I suggest you listen to her and let the child go," said a very tall, dark haired man. Scorpina saw her peril and dropped Wesley, who was caught by Nadira.
"A minor delay in our plans, but Zedd will not see it as defeat. Watch your backs," Scorpina said, before a teleportation beam snatched her up.
Nadira put down the squirming little boy, who then ran to his father. Billy removed his helmet and scooped his son up.
"Why did that scary lady wanna take me away from you and mommy?" Wesley asked.
"Remember when I told you about Lord Zedd?" Billy asked. The little boy nodded.
"Well, she works for Lord Zedd, and he doesn't like the power rangers," Billy explained to the innocent child.
"But he can't beat the power rangers, right?" Wesley said. Billy chuckled.
"No, he can't. Now let's get you home, you're mom is worried sick," Billy replied.
"Thank you all," Billy said, as he shook hands with Ransik, Nadira, and the rest of the Time Force rangers.
"It was our pleasure," Ransik replied.
"Billy to base," Billy said into his communicator.
"Hey Billy, are you guys okay?" Adam asked.
"We're okay Adam. Ten to teleport," Billy said. A few seconds later, the ten of them were teleported away.
They arrived in the basement chamber a few moments later. Kat rushed to her husband and embraced him and their son.
"Hi mommy," Wesley said, as he hugged her.
"Hi baby, I was so worried about you," Kat said, as she cuddled him, and kissed his cheek.
Billy saw Rocky sitting in the corner, where Aisha was cleaning a cut on his arm.
"What happened Rocky?" Billy asked.
"Just after Zack told me I needed to come home, "Chris" tried to slice and dice me," Rocky replied.
"We know who Goldar, Scorpina, and Cestria are. And Rito is probably around dispatching the Tengus, since Zedd would never trust him not to blow his cover," Tommy stated.
"And I'm sure Wil is lurking around somewhere," Billy said.
"Who's Wil?" Cassie asked.
"My evil clone," Billy replied.
"Man, that's crazy," Max exclaimed.
"Yea, and we still haven't figured out who Rita and Zedd are," Cole mentioned.
"Adam, any unusual clients?" Billy asked.
"We have a lot of new clients, but nothing out of the ordinary," Adam replied. Billy nodded.
"Well, I think everyone's probably hungry, so let's think about getting something to eat," Kat said.
"You read my mind; I'll fire up the grill!" Rocky said, as he ran upstairs at top speed. Everyone stared for a moment, before breaking out into laughter. With that, they headed upstairs.
While the guys were outside grilling and being goofballs, the girls were in the kitchen gossiping.
"Men, what animals," Taylor said, as she came into the kitchen.
"What? Are Rocky and Adam arm wrestling again," Aisha said.
"Yea, and they're all huddled around the table cheering them on. I thought Max and Danny were goof offs," Taylor replied.
"They'll get a real education from Adam and Rocky," Trini said, as the girls paused to watch another one of Rocky and Adam's antics.
"I beat you!" Adam called.
"You distracted me! It wasn't fair!" Rocky replied.
"I BEAT YOU!" Adam called again.
"DID NOT!" Rocky replied.
"Someone's a sour loser. Loser with a capital L," Adam said.
"Leap off frog boy!" Rocky retorted.
"Go climb a tree ape man!" Adam replied.
"And they're how old?" Cassie asked with a laugh. The girls laughed, as Taylor, Alyssa, Cassie, Ashley, Dulcea, Trini, and Tanya left to take things outside, which left Aisha, Kim, and Kat.
"You're quiet Kat, you okay?" Kim asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Kat replied.
"Are you worried about Cestria?" Trini asked.
"Well, I am worried, but that's not what I was thinking about," Kat replied.
"What is it?" Aisha asked.
"Well, Billy and I are trying to have another baby," Kat announced.
"That's wonderful Kat!" Kim said, but stopped when she noticed a distraught look on Kat's face.
"Honey what's wrong," Aisha asked.
"We've been trying for almost six months. What if my time as a ranger has effected my ability to have children? My pregnancy with Wesley was rough," Kat said.
"Kat, I'm sure that it has nothing to do with that. It will happen when the time is right," Aisha assured her. Kat nodded.
"Yea, and besides, trying is always fun," Kim said in an attempt to lighten the mood. The three girls erupted into giggles as they joined the others.
Kat walked up to Billy and kissed him deeply.
"Wow, what was that for?" Billy asked.
"Because I love you," Kat replied.
"I love you too gorgeous," he replied, as he kissed her again.
"Our plan is progressing nicely," Zedd told them.
"Zeddy, why can't we just pulverize them now," Rita said.
"I've been over this Rita. A hasty attack will only result in our defeat," Zedd.
"Oh, I can't wait to finally wrap my hands around that pretty little neck. She already has one brat, and now she wants another one," Cestria growled.
"There is no question. If Kat conceives, the child must be destroyed. And we must destroy the boy as well," Zedd explained.
"And how are we supposed to do this by sitting around on our duffs?" Rita snapped.
"Patience everyone, my plan is beginning to take shape," Zedd replied, with a deep, throaty laugh.
AN: Hope you liked it! Thanks for reading and please leave a review! Look for chapter 5, coming soon! Later!