Disclaimer: I don't own power rangers. *Sigh* I only wish I did.
AN: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! Here's is chapter 8 for your enjoyment! Please read and review! Thank you.
Silver Hope: The Revised Edition
Chapter 8
Katherine looked at her reflection in the mirror. Today was going to be one of the hardest days of their lives. She was glad she had Billy. She wasn't sure if she could get through it without him.
She heard Billy honk the horn. She took a deep breath and left the house. She got into Billy's car and kissed him.
"Ready?" Billy asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied. Billy drove off for school. That particular day happened to be a half day, and classes would be over at noon. Billy kissed her and told her that he would meet her at her locker after classes were over.
The stares of people bore into their backs. Each ranger was extremely uncomfortable the whole day. Not too many people actually talked to them. They only starred and then whispered unheard things to their friends.
Even though classes were only for a half of a day, the end couldn't have come soon enough.
Kat put her books in her locker and sighed wearily. The gang approached her locker, where they were all meeting Billy.
"Hey guys," Kat said. They all exchanged greetings. But each had a similar weary look.
"Well, well, if it isn't the power rangers," Sean said sarcastically.
The five rangers, five former rangers, Bulk, and Skull cringed.
"What do you want Sean?" Adam asked irritably.
"Who would have thought that you guys are the power rangers. A lot of people don't like you," Sean said.
"Being a power ranger isn't all fun and games," Kat replied.
"Yea, I've seen you guys out there. Is there ever a fight where you don't need the silver ranger to save you?" Sean asked. Kat was taken aback.
"People seem to think that the pink ranger is a liability," Sean said.
"Get out of here Sean," Rocky said.
"Can't you stand up for yourself Kat? Or do you need Billy for that too?" Sean asked
"There's more to being a power ranger than knowing how to fight," Billy said as he approached the group.
"There must be, otherwise Kat couldn't be a power ranger," Sean replied sarcastically.
"That's enough," Billy almost growled.
"Poor pink ranger, everyone's picking on her. But don't worry, the silver ranger will save her," Sean said.
"Kat is a valuable part of the team. Each of us is strong individually, but we each have our strengths and weaknesses. But I know one thing, I get mad when one of my teammates is harassed. Just remember, when you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. And all of us might be more than you can handle," Billy said as he and the others left school for the day.
"All right Billy! You really told that jerk!" Rocky cheered. Kat smiled and hugged him.
"Yea, Sean needed to be told to take a hike!" Tanya said.
"You handled that nicely Billy," Tommy commented.
"Yea, well I hope he and everyone else will just leave us alone," Billy replied.
"Yea, we hope so too," Kimberly replied. The gang entered Ernie's juice bar. Ernie had smoothies and snacks ready for them.
"I thought you guys could use these," Ernie said as he set them down.
"Thanks Ernie, you're the best," Rocky told him.
"How you guys holding up?" Ernie asked.
"I think we're going to be okay Ernie," Billy replied.
"You guys always have a place here," Ernie told them as he went behind the bar again.
"Thanks Ernie," Tommy replied.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Cestria immersed herself in her work. She had to get him out of her head. But no matter what she did, the image of the handsome, human genius haunted her thoughts. He was her ideal. He had intelligence to rival an Aquitian, if not surpass it. And he was handsome, gentle, caring, and kind. His warm smile flashed itself in her mind. But then it was followed by the image of Katherine kissing his cheek. Cestria scowled deeply as she thought of the pink zeo ranger that held Billy's heart. She wanted to wrap her hands around that sweet neck and squeeze.
Cestro entered the lab, and saw the scowl on his teammates' face. He sighed heavily. He couldn't get through to Cestria, but maybe Delphine could. I think this is what they would call "girl business." Cestro left to get Delphine.
A few minutes later, Delphine entered the lab and approached Cestria.
"You are quite taken by William, are you not?" she asked.
"Yes, I think I love him Delphine, but he loves someone else. What does she have that I don't?" Cestria wondered angrily. Delphine set her hand on Cestria's shoulder.
"You know a relationship with him could never work. You cannot remain on earth, and our environment is inhospitable to humans as well," Delphine explained.
"I suppose you are right," Cestria relented.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tommy and Kimberly walked together by the lake. The last time they had been there together, was when Kimberly's power coin had been stolen.
"You don't know how great it is to have you back," Tommy told her.
"You don't know how great it is to be back," Kimberly replied.
"So what about gymnastics?" Tommy asked.
"I am still going to train. But I'm never leaving my friends again," Kimberly replied.
"That's good to hear," Tommy said with a smile.
"Things sure have changed though. I never thought red was your color, but you look pretty good in it," Kimberly said.
"Thanks, I love you Kimberly Ann Hart," Tommy said.
"I love you too Tommy Oliver," Kimberly replied as the their lips met in a passionate kiss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rocky and Aisha drove away from Trini's house. They had just dropped off Adam and Trini. Rocky glanced over at her. She was so beautiful.
'What could she see in a goof ball like me?' he wondered to himself. Aisha caught his glance and gave him a heart-melting smile.
"Do you want to stop in the park?" Rocky asked.
"Sure," Aisha smiled.
Rocky parked his car and they stepped out. They joined hands and walked toward a near by bench. They sat down. Rocky turned to her. He wanted to hold her and tell her how much he loved her. But the words refused to form in his mouth.
Aisha saw him struggling, and decided to end his pain.
"Rocky, since you're too chicken to say it, I will. I love you Rocky Desantos," she said with a smile. Rocky's breath was caught in his throat.
"You...love me? Aisha, do you have idea how long I've waited to hear that?" Rocky asked.
"I don't know, but I have been waiting a lifetime to hear it from you, and you still haven't given me that pleasure," Aisha replied.
"Oh Aisha, I'm madly in love with you. How's that for ya?" Rocky asked.
"That's good. Now, if you don't kiss me, I'm going to have to hurt you," Aisha said as they drew closer.
"You can hurt me all you want," Rocky said seductively.
"You are a bad boy Rockford David Desantos," Aisha replied.
"Yea, and you love it," Rocky said.
"Damn right," she whispered as captured his lips in a heated kiss. Both were lit on fire with love as they continued to express the love they had for each other.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Trini and Adam broke the passionate kiss. Adam flushed red and Trini smiled at him warmly.
"Wow," Adam uttered.
"I agree," Trini replied.
"It's getting late, we should probably call it a night," Adam said.
"Yea, I had a lot of fun tonight," Trini said.
"Me too Trini, goodnight," Adam replied. They kissed gently again, before Trini turned to open the door.
"Good night Trini," Adam said.
"Good night, my frog prince," Trini replied as she went inside her house. Adam's heart fluttered as he walked home with a goofy grin on his face.
~*~*~*~*~*
"Oh Zeddy pie! You're plan was absolutely wonderful! Half of Angel Grove hates those rainbow-colored rejects! Let's find a way to bring more misery to those miserable teenagers!" Rita suggested.
"Yes Rita, I think I have just the thing too," Zedd replied.
"What is it Zeddy?" she asked.
"Well it seems a certain pink Aquitian ranger is hung up on Billy," Zedd began.
"I see where you're going! Tell Cestria, if she works for us, she can have the silver ranger. It would just take a tiny little jealousy spell!" Rita said.
"Yes, she already has the jealousy, we just need to turn it into sinister jealousy!" Zedd replied.
"You're forgetting something you dolts!" Divatox yelled.
"Oh, and what is that?" Zedd asked.
"Duh radiator face! She's a fish! They don't last long down on that mud ball you call a planet!" Divatox yelled.
"No matter, we'll just offer to turn her human. That way she will be compatible with Billy," Zedd replied.
Zedd and Rita used their magic and sent a message to the planet Aquitar.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Katherine sat on the sandy beach, near Ernie's beach cafe. Everyone had gone home, but her and Billy. She watched on as a shirtless Billy swam in the lake. He finished and grabbed his towel, as he sat down beside her.
"What's the matter gorgeous?" he asked.
"I can't help but wonder if Sean is right. Maybe I am a liability to the team. Kim was always a better fighter than I was," Kat said.
"Hey Kat, I don't ever want you to think that. You are an important part of the team. We all are. But there is always going to be jerks like Sean that spend their time putting others down, to make himself feel better. And I don't care what he thinks, because you are the most important thing to me," Billy said.
Kat smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Billy cupped her cheek with his hand and guided her lips to meet his own. Their lips met softly. Billy pulled her closer and deepened the kiss. The tide came in and the waves began to hit the sand around them. They kissed hungrily as the sun set around them. Any worries that haunted them during the day were forgotten, as their only care was for each other at that moment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Cestria returned to her work after her talk with Delphine. Her talk with Delphine really hadn't doused any of the jealousy she felt. But she knew the white ranger was right. She couldn't last on earth very long. And although Aquitar had oxygen, the environment was very cold. It was not suited for a warm-blooded species. Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice startled her.
"Hello Cestria. It's nice to meet you, I'm Lord Zedd and this is my wife, Rita Repulsa," Zedd introduced.
"What do foul creatures like you want from me?" Cestria spat.
"Oh my dear, we have a proposition for you," Zedd replied.
"A proposition?" Cestria questioned.
"Yes deary, we know you have an interest in the one they call Billy Cranston. If you work for us, we'll see to it that Billy is all yours," Rita said.
"But Billy and I are not compatible. I will not last long on earth," Cestria said.
"What would you say if we told you that we could make you human?" Zedd asked.
"It doesn't matter. I took an oath when I became a power ranger. You are evil and I cannot ally myself to you," Cestria replied.
"Well okay, but why don't you take one last glance at Billy," Rita said with an evil glint.
A bubble screen appeared in front of Cestria's face. It was an image of Billy and Katherine kissing intensely. Cestria's blood boiled at the site.
"If you join us, you can wrap your hands around Kitty Kat's neck and squeeze!" Rita screeched.
"Yes, I will take you up on your offer," Cestria said.
Zedd zapped her with his staff. Her eyes glowed red with evil.
"That was just to make sure you are completely on our side," Zedd told her.
"Now, we make you human," Rita said as she raised her staff and zapped the girl. Her Aquitian features melted away and were replaced by human ones.
Cestria smiled evilly once the transformation was complete. She teleported to the moon palace to learn her place in Rita and Zedd's latest plan.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
It was memorial weekend. School was out for three whole days. And after that, only a week of school remained until summer vacation. Billy's uncle invited the whole gang up to his mountain lodge. Everyone agreed that getting away from Angel Grove was just what they needed. Billy's uncle sent two of his vans to transport the large group to his lodge.
Billy, Katherine, Adam, Trini, Rocky, Aisha, and Bulk were in the first van, while Tommy, Kimberly, Tanya, Zack, Jason, and Skull were in the second.
Everyone met at Billy's house, Saturday morning at nine. Each came packing a duffle bag, with the exception of Rocky, who came packing a duffle bag and a cooler.
"What's in the cooler?" Adam asked.
"Duh Adam, what do you usually put in a cooler?" Rocky asked.
"Um Rocky, it's only a two-hour drive. And knowing you, you already ate breakfast," Adam said.
"Two hours is long time to go without food ya know," Rocky replied.
"Whatever," Adam replied.
Around ten the vans hit the road.
"You know Rocky, my aunt is a fantastic cook. You might want to save your appetite," Billy said.
"You know I'll be hungry," Rocky replied.
"You never talk about your family much, Billy," Katherine mentioned.
Billy shrugged.
"There's not much to say. My aunt and uncle have run this mountain lodge as long as I can remember. My aunt and my mother were sisters. We used to go up there often before my mother died," Billy said.
"I'm sorry, it's probably hard for you to talk about your mother," Kat said.
"No actually, it feels good to talk about her," Billy replied.
"Well, what was she like?" Kat asked.
"She was great. She was so full of life and energy. She was beautiful and always made me feel like I was special," Billy said.
"You are special Billy," Kat said. Billy smiled at her.
"When she died, I withdrew into a shell. And I really didn't come out of it until I met Jason, Zack, Trini, and Kim," Billy said.
"How did she die Billy? If you don't mind telling us?" Aisha asked.
"I remember coming home one day. It was just after I had started kindergarten. I made a picture in school, and wanted to show my mom. I knew that she would have wanted to put it on the refrigerator.
But I came home that afternoon, and saw that my dad was already home. I saw that he had been crying. He sat down and told me that my mother had been in a car accident, and that she had gone to heaven," Billy said.
"We're sorry Billy," Kat said.
"It's okay guys. Thanks for listening to me," Billy said.
"Anytime pal," Bulk replied.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
The arrived at the lodge around noon. Billy's aunt and uncle greeted them.
"Billy, it's good to see you. You've gotten so tall and handsome too," Billy's aunt ranted. Billy blushed at his aunt's antics.
"I'm sure you all need a chance to unwind. Things sound like they've been hectic for you," Alan said
"Yea, they have. Aunt Sarah, Uncle Alan, these are my friends. This Adam, Trini, Rocky, Aisha, Tommy, Kimberly, Jason, Zack, Tanya, Bulk, Skull, and this is my girlfriend Katherine," Billy introduced.
"It's nice to meet you all," Alan said.
"Why don't you kids put your bags in the cabins, and wash up. Lunch is in fifteen minutes," Sarah said.
"All right, I'm starved!" Rocky said. The others just rolled their eyes.
Once they had settled in, the gang went back up to the main cabin for lunch. They ate the delicious meal, and then went on a nature hike. But while the rangers were having fun, Zedd was hatching his latest scheme.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Now Cestria, you know what to do," Zedd told her.
"Yes master," Cestria bowed as she teleported away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Cestria appeared in human form with the tengucogs to aid her.
The rangers jumped back, as they were startled by them.
"Uncle Alan, Aunt Sarah, get back!" Billy called. They did so, as did the non-rangers.
"Who are you?" Billy asked the girl.
"Oh Billy, I'm hurt. Don't you recognize me? I guess you wouldn't, since I used to be an Aquitian," Cestria said.
"Cestria?" Billy asked.
"You are a smart boy," Cestria replied.
"Why are you with the Tengucogs?" Billy asked.
"Because I work for Zedd now," she replied.
"But why?" Billy asked.
"Zedd and I have a little bargain. I help him destroy the power rangers, he gives me you as my compensation," Cestria said.
"It'll never happen!" Kat yelled.
"You'll be my first victim Kitty Kat! Pink Aquitian Ranger Power!" Cestria yelled.
"It's Morphin Time!" Billy yelled.
"Zeo Ranger 1-Pink, Power of Wind!" Kat called.
"Zeo Ranger 2- Yellow, Power of Sun!" Tanya called.
"Zeo Ranger 3- Blue, Power of Water!" Rocky called.
"Zeo Ranger 4- Green, Power of Earth!" Adam called.
"Zeo Ranger 5- Red, Power of Fire!" Tommy called.
"Zeo Ranger 6- Silver, Power of Thunder!" Billy called.
"Attack Tengucogs!" Cestria called. The rangers began to fight off the Tengucogs, while Cestria put her plan into motion.
"I will capture kitty Kat. And for her freedom, Billy must give himself up to me," Cestria said to herself.
Cestria opened her palm and a bubble appeared.
"I heard to that Kat's hate water!" Cestria called as the bubble expanded and hurled itself towards Katherine. Kat gasped.
"Oh no! Kat!" Billy called as he ran towards her. Billy intercepted the bubble's path. The bubble absorbed him and encased him inside. It then returned to palm size.
"Well, this is an interesting development. I was originally aiming to capture Kat and use her against you Billy. But this has just made my plan less complicated. I have what I want," Cestria said as she zapped him and forced him to demorph.
"Let him go!" Kat yelled.
"Sorry kitten, it's time for me to be going. Lord Zedd will be quite pleased with me. But here's a little token of my appreciation.
"Aquitian Hurricane Blast!" she called as she released the attack on the rangers. The rangers were blown back and thrown to the ground by the stormy attack. Cestria laughed as she teleported away with Billy in tow.
Kat and the others stood up after the attack subsided.
"NO! This can't be happening! We've got to get him back!" Kat yelled.
"Don't worry Kat, we will," Adam said.
"Sarah, Alan, thank you for your hospitality, but we need to get to our power chamber," Tommy said.
"Yes, of course. Please bring back our nephew," Sarah said sadly.
"Count on it," Rocky replied as he, the other rangers, non-rangers, Bulk and Skull teleported to the power chamber.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Billy struggled to break the chains that bound him.
"Save your energy, you can't break them," Cestria said as she approached him.
"Let me go!" Billy growled.
"No, I'm sorry Billy, you belong to me now," Cestria said as she began tracing the lines on his bare chest.
"I don't love you Cestria, I never will," Billy spat.
"Don't worry, you'll learn," Cestria replied as she forced her lips onto his. Billy struggled, but the neck brace held his head still.
Cestria broke the heated kiss and stepped away from him.
"Don't worry, I'll return later, and we'll have some fun," Cestria said as she left the dungeon for Lord Zedd's throne room.
"Excellent work Cestria, things are going better than we had originally planned," Zedd complimented.
"Thank you master, is there anything else you wish for me to do right now?" Cestria asked.
"No, you may go play with your toy," Zedd said with an amused tone.
Cestria smiled evilly.
"Yes master," Cestria replied as she left for the dungeon.
AN: Thanks for reading! Chapters 9 and 10 will be out soon. Please review! Later!
