A/N: Here's another chapter!
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It took all of the 8 days to recover and heal from the ordeal. Luckily, when it was time to move Angel Grove, Master Evil didn't bother to send anything down, so the process went relatively smoothly, or as smooth as could be moving 13,000+ people. Everything was good and quiet, until 2 days after...
" They're attacking the caves! We have to get down there now!" yelled Carter, as he tugged on his Lightspeed jacket. Carlos grabbed the bag full of flashlights and mountain climbing gear, just in case.
" Rangers! A monster is also attacking near Angel Grove High School!" shrieked Circuit, as Alpha ran in circles around the perch.
" Rocky! You, Carlos, Justin, and the Lightspeed team get to the caves! The others will back you up if you all need it. Circuit, you and Alpha have to CALM DOWN." Called Wes, as his team, along with Andros and Ashley, got ready to morph. Rocky nodded, and ran out to the Rescue Rover.
~*~
Penny sighed in discontent. Another boring day in the caves.
' Let's see. Today's Tuesday and it's about 10:00 am. So right now I'd have gotten my coffee, two creams and a sugar, spoken with the Editor-in-chief about the column, sat down in my swively chair, and would of already begun typing next week's article... but no. Instead, I get to sit on my rump, listening to the stalactites grow.' Feeling for the cavern wall, she got up and stretched.
" Hey Anna, what time is it?" Penny could hear her coworker/friend fumble for her watch before answering that it was 10:42.
" And how long is our shift?" It was decided that any capable person over 16 would take a turn guarding the entrance to the cavern that the citizens were all living in. Everyone said that Penny, being blind, would not be able to perform this task, but Penny was persistent, and finally she was able to help out.
" 3 hours."
'Another hour and eighteen before we're relieved. Maybe enough time for a quick nap...' groused Penny.
" Penny! Behind you!" Anna's voice screamed as a cold arm snaked around Penny's neck. With a loud 'He-ya!' she elbowed the thing in the stomach, and kicked its leg. It disappeared, only to be replaced by more unknown creatures around her.
" Anna! Can you tell me what the hell is attacking me??" Penny yelled, trying to concentrate on her surroundings and the sounds around her. This was definitely one of those times when she wished she had her eyesight!
" Well... well... I-I don't know!" Anna began to cry as the feeling of helplessness swept over her.
" Please Ann, get a hold of yourself and tell me! Unless you'd like to fight instead!" Penny shouted, as she stopped another's attack with an open palm thrust.
" No! They- they sort of look all creepy and- and SCARY!!!" Again, Anna burst into tears and clung to the cavern wall.
" That was SO descriptive!" Penny performed a roundhouse kick and knocked another one down. Then, noises filled the echoing caves, as the things fell down all around her.
" What is going on???" she questioned, as she kicked another one against the cave wall.
" Penny?" It was Rocky. She could never forget his voice.
" Rocky? What the heck are you doing here???"
" Helping you." He grunted, as he punched a thing in the nose.
" For once I'm glad you are!"
~*~
After about half an hour, it was over. Penny was exhausted and in pain, and she collapsed onto the ground.
" Penny, are you okay?" Rocky came and kneeled next to her.
" I guess. I think one of those creatures kicked my ribs. It kind of hurts to breathe. How's Anna doing?"
" My friend Ryan had is trying to calm her down." Penny chuckled.
" Is he hot?" Rocky burst out laughing.
" I don't know! I guess."
" Then he better watch out! Anna can be a bit of a man-eater, if you get my drift!"
" Really? Who would of guessed? Well, anyways, can you tell me what happened?"
" I don't know... I was about to try and get to sleep, when all of a sudden, Anna started screaming and one of those things tried to strangle me. I think they were trying to find everyone, but we were living farther in the caves and Anna and I were blocking the entrance. They came at us, and I didn't know what to do. Should I run or should stay and fight? So I fought, and then you came. What were those things?"
" They were Putties. Was anyone caught in the fighting?" Penny shook her head at his question.
" The closest to me was Anna, and she was clinging to the walls of the cave. Wait, what are Putties?" Penny attempted to get up, but the pains in her ribs made her sit back down.
" I'll tell you later, but maybe I should take you and get those ribs checked out first, okay?"
" Okay... will someone to cover me? My shift... not over..." Her breathing became halted, and the cave was slightly spinning.
" Yeah. I'll go ask Zack to cover for you, is that all right?" Penny nodded and moved to lean against the wall. Rocky hurried and told Zack, then came back to Penny and scooped her into his arms.
" What are you doing DeSantos?"
" Carrying you."
" No really? Hey... Where're we going?"
" I'm going to take you to my house instead of our headquarters. You'll be safer." Rocky gestured to Justin to come with them, and off the three went to Rocky and Carrie's house.
~*~
Back at Angel Grove High, the team arrived to a horrid smell.
" It's a good thing no one's here," Andros muttered to Ashley, as he stared at the destruction around them.
" Why can't we just all get along?" asked Wes, walking up to a large pile of blackish-green slime.
" Hmm... maybe because you're weak, and I'm not? If I, Oozemaker, was, then why would the wonderful council send me?" The blob replied, before tossing out splats of stinky goo. Jen hopped out of the way, just in time to see a car melt under the acidity.
" Great. Of course we have to get a slime monster... Quantum Defender!" Eric whipped out his gun and began shooting.
" Ha. You think that'll hurt me!" He aimed at Eric and chucked it. It began to burn through Eric's suit and soon Eric's skin began to sizzle.
" OH SHIT!" he unmorphed, but the acid still stayed on his skin, and with one final curse, he teleported out.
~*~
" Quick, give me toothpaste!" yelled Billy, as he scrutinized Eric's acid burns. Cassie handed him her tube of the minty stuff, and he immediately began slathering it on.
" Damn that feels good... how does toothpaste help?"
" It balances out the ph. level of the acid." Billy shrugged.
" Huh. I never would have guessed that. Can I get back into battle?"
" No point. It disappeared again. The council is toying with us." Reported Cole.
" Wow, there's a genius in our midst." Eric got up gingerly, before stalking off. Silence filled the room, until Cole ran after him.
" Hey! I think you just insulted me!"
~*~
" Hi Carrie," Rocky said breathlessly, struggling to hold the door open while carrying Penny, who had fallen asleep. Justin hurried up and held the door for the two.
" Hello Mr. 'Don't-tell-your-sister-that-you're-a-Power-Ranger'. I thought you were going to stay at your headquarters..." Carrie raised her eyes from her magazine and looked at the hot brunet holding the door open for her brother to the lifeless woman in Rocky's arms. Wait. Lifeless???
" What is going on?!" Carrie threw down the newspaper and rushed over to Rocky.
" Rockwell Esteban Jose DeSantos Jr., what happened??!!" Rocky winced at hearing his full name and walked over to the couch, where he put Penny down.
" Penny got attacked by Piranhatrons, so I thought I could bring her here. You remember Penny Andrews, right?" Rocky then put his hand on Justin's shoulder.
" And this is Justin Stewart, my Ranger successor. Justin, this is my younger sister, Carinita Josefina, but if you call her that, she'll kick your ass, so Carrie is fine." Rocky winked at his livid sister.
" Nice to meet you Carrie. How long have you known that Rocky was a Ranger?" Carrie eyed her brother and answered simply.
" Since your press conference, eh 'hermano'?" Rocky rubbed his head sheepishly.
" Sorry Care Bear," said Rocky, ignoring the glare he received at Carrie's baby nickname.
" So can you check Penny's ribs for me Carinita?" She nodded, and walked over to the sleeping woman.
" Could you guys leave? I have to remove her shirt." The guys left and Carrie prepared Penny for an examination.
" Where? What's going on?" Penny murmured as she came to. Feeling fingers on her stomach, she screamed and pulled away.
" Keep away from me creepo!" Penny went into a defensive stance, listening for any attackers as her head spun.
" Penny? Don't worry. It's me, Carrie DeSantos. I'm Rocky's little sister, and we met once when Rocky was in 12th grade. I was just checking to see how bad your ribs were." Penny relaxed, and came a little closer.
" Oh. Sorry Carrie. I can't be too safe you know."
" Yeah. Now if you don't mind, let me finish. I think you have some bruised ribs, but that's it."
" Oh. Good I guess."
A few minutes later, Carrie entered the kitchen where Justin and Rocky were talking, while Penny put on her shirt.
" She'll be okay, but she needs to take it easy for a while."
" I'll have her stay in the Command Center so she can heal."
" Uh huh. So then how come you don't invite all the sick or injured? Bruised ribs aren't that bad."
" Well..." Carrie looked at Justin and smirked.
" I sense a crush, huh?" Justin nodded mischievously.
" I do too."
" Don't even. You two wouldn't know about such things about anyways. You're both young'uns compared to me."
" What ever you say Grandpa." Chuckled Justin.
~*~
After hearing from Justin about where they were, Max decided to go searching for a little fun. Looking around the room, he spotted Danny, who was hunched over a table, reading the newspaper.
" Hey Dan," Max looked to see if anyone was near them, and then lightly kissed the broad man on the lips.
" Hi to you too. I thought you were helping Trip fix the laser guns?" Max grinned and shook his head.
" I was feeling weird, so he let me leave." Max winked. A little white lie is okay sometimes, right?
" Oh you!" Danny softly punched his boyfriend's arm, and then kissed his cheek.
" So we'll meet later?" Max quietly asked.
" Yeah, 11:00, in the gym." Max nodded then kissed him passionately.
" Max? DANNY???" Katie looked from one of the blushing men to the other.
" You guys are GAY??" Max nodded slowly, but Danny didn't.
" I think I'm more bisexual, but I guess you could call me gay. I'm in a relationship with Max, but I was attracted to Kendall..." Danny started babbling, until Max covered his mouth.
" Danny is confused about his sexuality, if ya couldn't tell. So are you going to tell anyone about us? We've been trying to keep this under wraps, if you get my drift." Katie just put her hand on her cheek and sat down.
" I won't tell if you don't want me to. I'm just getting over the whole gay thing. Not that that's a bad thing!" she said hastily.
" It's fine. So you won't tell?"
" I won't if you tell me about how you to got involved with each other."
" Okay, deal." The two men began to talk to the listening Katie, as rain began to drizzle outside.
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A/N: Heh heh. My views on why Max and Danny went around the world together, instead of doing other things with their lives. I hope you liked this chapter. Also, if you feel I'm ignoring one character over others or that I should focus a scene on a couple that I've established so far, please feel free to add that in your review or email me. ~Alli
P.S. If you ever get acid splashed on you, don't try toothpaste. It probably doesn't work. ^_^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took all of the 8 days to recover and heal from the ordeal. Luckily, when it was time to move Angel Grove, Master Evil didn't bother to send anything down, so the process went relatively smoothly, or as smooth as could be moving 13,000+ people. Everything was good and quiet, until 2 days after...
" They're attacking the caves! We have to get down there now!" yelled Carter, as he tugged on his Lightspeed jacket. Carlos grabbed the bag full of flashlights and mountain climbing gear, just in case.
" Rangers! A monster is also attacking near Angel Grove High School!" shrieked Circuit, as Alpha ran in circles around the perch.
" Rocky! You, Carlos, Justin, and the Lightspeed team get to the caves! The others will back you up if you all need it. Circuit, you and Alpha have to CALM DOWN." Called Wes, as his team, along with Andros and Ashley, got ready to morph. Rocky nodded, and ran out to the Rescue Rover.
~*~
Penny sighed in discontent. Another boring day in the caves.
' Let's see. Today's Tuesday and it's about 10:00 am. So right now I'd have gotten my coffee, two creams and a sugar, spoken with the Editor-in-chief about the column, sat down in my swively chair, and would of already begun typing next week's article... but no. Instead, I get to sit on my rump, listening to the stalactites grow.' Feeling for the cavern wall, she got up and stretched.
" Hey Anna, what time is it?" Penny could hear her coworker/friend fumble for her watch before answering that it was 10:42.
" And how long is our shift?" It was decided that any capable person over 16 would take a turn guarding the entrance to the cavern that the citizens were all living in. Everyone said that Penny, being blind, would not be able to perform this task, but Penny was persistent, and finally she was able to help out.
" 3 hours."
'Another hour and eighteen before we're relieved. Maybe enough time for a quick nap...' groused Penny.
" Penny! Behind you!" Anna's voice screamed as a cold arm snaked around Penny's neck. With a loud 'He-ya!' she elbowed the thing in the stomach, and kicked its leg. It disappeared, only to be replaced by more unknown creatures around her.
" Anna! Can you tell me what the hell is attacking me??" Penny yelled, trying to concentrate on her surroundings and the sounds around her. This was definitely one of those times when she wished she had her eyesight!
" Well... well... I-I don't know!" Anna began to cry as the feeling of helplessness swept over her.
" Please Ann, get a hold of yourself and tell me! Unless you'd like to fight instead!" Penny shouted, as she stopped another's attack with an open palm thrust.
" No! They- they sort of look all creepy and- and SCARY!!!" Again, Anna burst into tears and clung to the cavern wall.
" That was SO descriptive!" Penny performed a roundhouse kick and knocked another one down. Then, noises filled the echoing caves, as the things fell down all around her.
" What is going on???" she questioned, as she kicked another one against the cave wall.
" Penny?" It was Rocky. She could never forget his voice.
" Rocky? What the heck are you doing here???"
" Helping you." He grunted, as he punched a thing in the nose.
" For once I'm glad you are!"
~*~
After about half an hour, it was over. Penny was exhausted and in pain, and she collapsed onto the ground.
" Penny, are you okay?" Rocky came and kneeled next to her.
" I guess. I think one of those creatures kicked my ribs. It kind of hurts to breathe. How's Anna doing?"
" My friend Ryan had is trying to calm her down." Penny chuckled.
" Is he hot?" Rocky burst out laughing.
" I don't know! I guess."
" Then he better watch out! Anna can be a bit of a man-eater, if you get my drift!"
" Really? Who would of guessed? Well, anyways, can you tell me what happened?"
" I don't know... I was about to try and get to sleep, when all of a sudden, Anna started screaming and one of those things tried to strangle me. I think they were trying to find everyone, but we were living farther in the caves and Anna and I were blocking the entrance. They came at us, and I didn't know what to do. Should I run or should stay and fight? So I fought, and then you came. What were those things?"
" They were Putties. Was anyone caught in the fighting?" Penny shook her head at his question.
" The closest to me was Anna, and she was clinging to the walls of the cave. Wait, what are Putties?" Penny attempted to get up, but the pains in her ribs made her sit back down.
" I'll tell you later, but maybe I should take you and get those ribs checked out first, okay?"
" Okay... will someone to cover me? My shift... not over..." Her breathing became halted, and the cave was slightly spinning.
" Yeah. I'll go ask Zack to cover for you, is that all right?" Penny nodded and moved to lean against the wall. Rocky hurried and told Zack, then came back to Penny and scooped her into his arms.
" What are you doing DeSantos?"
" Carrying you."
" No really? Hey... Where're we going?"
" I'm going to take you to my house instead of our headquarters. You'll be safer." Rocky gestured to Justin to come with them, and off the three went to Rocky and Carrie's house.
~*~
Back at Angel Grove High, the team arrived to a horrid smell.
" It's a good thing no one's here," Andros muttered to Ashley, as he stared at the destruction around them.
" Why can't we just all get along?" asked Wes, walking up to a large pile of blackish-green slime.
" Hmm... maybe because you're weak, and I'm not? If I, Oozemaker, was, then why would the wonderful council send me?" The blob replied, before tossing out splats of stinky goo. Jen hopped out of the way, just in time to see a car melt under the acidity.
" Great. Of course we have to get a slime monster... Quantum Defender!" Eric whipped out his gun and began shooting.
" Ha. You think that'll hurt me!" He aimed at Eric and chucked it. It began to burn through Eric's suit and soon Eric's skin began to sizzle.
" OH SHIT!" he unmorphed, but the acid still stayed on his skin, and with one final curse, he teleported out.
~*~
" Quick, give me toothpaste!" yelled Billy, as he scrutinized Eric's acid burns. Cassie handed him her tube of the minty stuff, and he immediately began slathering it on.
" Damn that feels good... how does toothpaste help?"
" It balances out the ph. level of the acid." Billy shrugged.
" Huh. I never would have guessed that. Can I get back into battle?"
" No point. It disappeared again. The council is toying with us." Reported Cole.
" Wow, there's a genius in our midst." Eric got up gingerly, before stalking off. Silence filled the room, until Cole ran after him.
" Hey! I think you just insulted me!"
~*~
" Hi Carrie," Rocky said breathlessly, struggling to hold the door open while carrying Penny, who had fallen asleep. Justin hurried up and held the door for the two.
" Hello Mr. 'Don't-tell-your-sister-that-you're-a-Power-Ranger'. I thought you were going to stay at your headquarters..." Carrie raised her eyes from her magazine and looked at the hot brunet holding the door open for her brother to the lifeless woman in Rocky's arms. Wait. Lifeless???
" What is going on?!" Carrie threw down the newspaper and rushed over to Rocky.
" Rockwell Esteban Jose DeSantos Jr., what happened??!!" Rocky winced at hearing his full name and walked over to the couch, where he put Penny down.
" Penny got attacked by Piranhatrons, so I thought I could bring her here. You remember Penny Andrews, right?" Rocky then put his hand on Justin's shoulder.
" And this is Justin Stewart, my Ranger successor. Justin, this is my younger sister, Carinita Josefina, but if you call her that, she'll kick your ass, so Carrie is fine." Rocky winked at his livid sister.
" Nice to meet you Carrie. How long have you known that Rocky was a Ranger?" Carrie eyed her brother and answered simply.
" Since your press conference, eh 'hermano'?" Rocky rubbed his head sheepishly.
" Sorry Care Bear," said Rocky, ignoring the glare he received at Carrie's baby nickname.
" So can you check Penny's ribs for me Carinita?" She nodded, and walked over to the sleeping woman.
" Could you guys leave? I have to remove her shirt." The guys left and Carrie prepared Penny for an examination.
" Where? What's going on?" Penny murmured as she came to. Feeling fingers on her stomach, she screamed and pulled away.
" Keep away from me creepo!" Penny went into a defensive stance, listening for any attackers as her head spun.
" Penny? Don't worry. It's me, Carrie DeSantos. I'm Rocky's little sister, and we met once when Rocky was in 12th grade. I was just checking to see how bad your ribs were." Penny relaxed, and came a little closer.
" Oh. Sorry Carrie. I can't be too safe you know."
" Yeah. Now if you don't mind, let me finish. I think you have some bruised ribs, but that's it."
" Oh. Good I guess."
A few minutes later, Carrie entered the kitchen where Justin and Rocky were talking, while Penny put on her shirt.
" She'll be okay, but she needs to take it easy for a while."
" I'll have her stay in the Command Center so she can heal."
" Uh huh. So then how come you don't invite all the sick or injured? Bruised ribs aren't that bad."
" Well..." Carrie looked at Justin and smirked.
" I sense a crush, huh?" Justin nodded mischievously.
" I do too."
" Don't even. You two wouldn't know about such things about anyways. You're both young'uns compared to me."
" What ever you say Grandpa." Chuckled Justin.
~*~
After hearing from Justin about where they were, Max decided to go searching for a little fun. Looking around the room, he spotted Danny, who was hunched over a table, reading the newspaper.
" Hey Dan," Max looked to see if anyone was near them, and then lightly kissed the broad man on the lips.
" Hi to you too. I thought you were helping Trip fix the laser guns?" Max grinned and shook his head.
" I was feeling weird, so he let me leave." Max winked. A little white lie is okay sometimes, right?
" Oh you!" Danny softly punched his boyfriend's arm, and then kissed his cheek.
" So we'll meet later?" Max quietly asked.
" Yeah, 11:00, in the gym." Max nodded then kissed him passionately.
" Max? DANNY???" Katie looked from one of the blushing men to the other.
" You guys are GAY??" Max nodded slowly, but Danny didn't.
" I think I'm more bisexual, but I guess you could call me gay. I'm in a relationship with Max, but I was attracted to Kendall..." Danny started babbling, until Max covered his mouth.
" Danny is confused about his sexuality, if ya couldn't tell. So are you going to tell anyone about us? We've been trying to keep this under wraps, if you get my drift." Katie just put her hand on her cheek and sat down.
" I won't tell if you don't want me to. I'm just getting over the whole gay thing. Not that that's a bad thing!" she said hastily.
" It's fine. So you won't tell?"
" I won't if you tell me about how you to got involved with each other."
" Okay, deal." The two men began to talk to the listening Katie, as rain began to drizzle outside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Heh heh. My views on why Max and Danny went around the world together, instead of doing other things with their lives. I hope you liked this chapter. Also, if you feel I'm ignoring one character over others or that I should focus a scene on a couple that I've established so far, please feel free to add that in your review or email me. ~Alli
P.S. If you ever get acid splashed on you, don't try toothpaste. It probably doesn't work. ^_^