By Angel Mouse
The morning sunshine and sounds of animals greeting the new day finally awoke Zaron. Pushing back the furs he had been sleeping under, he made his way out side Dulcea's cave and glanced around, smiling at how beautiful the morning was. He walked over to where Dulcea was sitting on a rock, a wooden bowl in her hand.
"Good morning Dulcea." Dulcea smiled warmly at him and handed him the bowl.
"Good morning Zaron, you are rested I trust?"
"Yes, thank you." Zaron took the bowl and it was filled with fruits, nuts and berries. He began to absently eat as he sat down next to her and looked out over the jungle. It was a beautiful site in the early morning sun, fresh and new, filled with the promise of another glorious day. They sat there, eating and drinking the water Dulcea had gotten for them earlier. After about half an hour, Zaron finished eating and sighed, leaning back, breathing in the fresh, crisp air and just generally enjoying the morning. Dulcea gave a tiny smile as she put away the bowls and cups they had been using and came out of the cave, a small leather pouch in her hand.
"Well Zaron, are you ready to begin assembling your Rangers? Hopefully, we will be able to gather two or three of them today." Zaron pushed himself off the rock he had been leaning against and came over to her side near the fire pit.
"Why only that few? Can't we all get them at once?" Dulcea smiled as she took her staff and began to trace some symbols into the dirt surrounding the fire pit.
"Do not disturb the symbols. We can only get a few at a time Zaron because the energy required to create the temporal portal that we will be using is enormous, and will require a lot of energy from the both of us to control it. If possible, we will try and create three portals today. If not, we can do the rest tomorrow. Now, all of the rangers bar one know me or know off me, so I will do the talking through the portal and explain the situation to the Rangers, if that is okay with you?" Zaron nodded.
"Yes, somehow a voice from a strange portal saying they are from the future won't go down too well I don't think." Dulcea gave a tiny laugh as she finished drawing the symbols in the ground. She then proceeded to remove some powder from the leather pouch and sprinkle it in some of the various symbols. After a moment she was done and looked up at him.
"Your more like Zordon than you know Zaron. He could always surprise me with his understated sense of humour. Now, join your hand with mine and concentrate on the past. I will do the rest. Now, this will not be easy, are you sure you want to go through with this?" Zaron nodded as he took her hand.
"Yes, it's the only way to save the universe from an eternity of darkness." Dulcea smiled gently and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she did.
"Alright then, let's begin."
Angel Grove Park, 1996
Adam and Billy were walking through the park, discussing their plans for the forthcoming weekend. They had decided to go camping with the others and were debating what to take with them. These two young men were the objects of many an admiring stare as they walked along, talking softly. The first one was dressed in black t-shirt and jeans, which went well with his dark hair and good looks. The second young man was dressed in blue jeans and a white and blue stripped t-shirt. His blonde hair reflecting the sunlight off his glasses as he continued a discussion they had been having.
"So, we can take my car up to car park at the base of Mt Gordon and hike from there to the camping area?"
"Sounds good Billy. How long do you think it'd take us to walk to the camping area?" Billy thought a moment and then grinned.
"Well, if we leave the heavy work to Rocky and Tommy, since they'll be turning up late, I reckon shouldn't take us more than a couple of hours." Adam laughed heartily and clapped Billy on the back.
"That's just mean. Funny though."
"I know." Billy's face was straight and that caused Adam to laugh harder. Billy had a quiet, understated dry sense of humour that he rarely showed to any one. Adam was glad that Billy felt comfortable enough in his presence now to show the real him. When they had first joined the team and began to know the others, he was amazed to discover what such a kind and sensitive soul the blue ranger had. They were much alike and after awhile had discovered they had a lot in common. Billy on the other hand, was pleased to have made a friend that shared common interests with him and that he could spend time with and be himself. They had rounded the path and were walking towards the pond when suddenly there was a flash of light and a swirling pool of grey and white cloud appeared in front of them. Reacting instinctively, they glanced at each other and making sure they weren't seen called out as one.
"Ninjetti!" They were in their ninjetti uniforms and began to look around frantically for an attack. After a few seconds one wasn't forth coming but suddenly they heard a voice.
"Billy, this is Dulcea. Please, I need you to trust me now and step through the portal. We need your help in the distant future." Billy pushed the hood of his ninjetti uniform down and frowned, it was Dulcea's voice. He looked at Adam who just shrugged.
"How do I know this is really Dulcea?" Soft laughter greeted his words.
"Trust your instincts my young wolf." Just then their communicators beeped and Billy raised his and spoke softly; his eye's not leaving the portal.
"This is Billy."
"Billy, our sensors are showing a temporal portal in your location. Are you alright?" Billy smiled gently and Adam grinned.
"Yes, we're fine Zordon. We're hearing Dulcea's voice and she's asking me to step through the portal, she's saying she's calling for me from the future."
"Our sensor's do show that the portal is originated from Phaedos, and if Dulcea is saying she needs your help in some future time, then you must go." Adam stepped forward and spoke into the communicator.
"Zordon, can we both go?"
"I'm afraid my young frog prince it is Billy's presence that I urgently need. He will only be gone five minutes of your time. I give you my word on that. Please, step though, it is hard to keep this portal open." Billy took a deep breath and smiled at Adam.
"Thanks for the offer Adam, I'll be fine. Wait here for me okay?"
"Sure." Billy nodded and raised his communicator again.
"Okay Zordon, I'm going. I'll be back soon."
"We'll be watching. May the Power protect you." Billy closed the channel and smiled warmly at Adam, clasping hands with him.
"I'll be back soon."
"Watch yourself." Billy grinned.
"Always." And with that, he took a running leap through the vortex.
Phaedos, present day
The vortex seemed to solidify a moment and then a figure in blue came flying out. Billy landed somewhat less than gracefully on the ground near Dulcea and Zaron. Dulcea smiled and let Zaron's hand go as the vortex dissipated. She walked over and helped Billy to stand up, taking in his appearance. He hadn't changed one bit, but then again, she hadn't expected him to as for him, and only a few months had passed. He grinned widely as he saw her.
"Dulcea, nice to see you again."
"And you Billy. Billy, this is Zaron, an Eltaran who has come for my assistance in gathering Rangers from the past together. You are the first one we have brought forward." Billy nodded to the Eltaran, not really surprised to see one in the flesh and blood so to speak.
"Nice to meet you." Billy looked at Dulcea. "Just how far in the future am I?" Dulcea smiled slightly.
"Now you know I'm not going to tell you specifically. Let's just say quite a few thousand years shall we?" Billy swallowed and then smiled ruefully.
"Remind me not to ask you about your age then okay?" Dulcea laughed gently.
"As if you would. Now, please wait here, we have to get the next couple of Rangers we will require. It is a hard and dangerous task, opening these portals at different times in the past. When they come through the portal, it will help having you already here." Billy nodded and stepped back.
"I'm not going anywhere for a while." Dulcea smiled, glad that he was here. Having Billy here, who had dealt with her before and was also a legend in his own right, would help them no end with the other Rangers. Dulcea and Zaron linked hands again and a portal began to form.
Turtle Cove, 2002
The sounds of the song faded on the wind and the Deer Zord nodded its head in thanks and moved away. Merrick lowered the flute from his lips and smiled at the woman whose back was to him. When he was being totally honest with himself, Merrick knew that it wasn't just for the Deer Zord that he was here. The woman who stood in front of him, singing with such a lovely voice, had a hold on his heart that time, distance and Org's couldn't break. Suddenly she spoke as she turned, catching the warm smile on his face.
"You're doing it again Merrick." The corner of his mouth turned up slightly and his eyes held warmth that was reserved only for her.
"Doing what Princess?" Shayla smiled and without thinking, reached out and took his free hand in both of hers.
"Giving me your special smile. The one I know is only for me." Shayla reached up with one hand and gently placed it against his cheek, knowing that he was allowing this close contact for a change. Normally, he would pull away, duty and his sworn oath to protect her usually coming to the fore. But for some reason today, he wasn't. Merrick leaned his face gently against her warm hand, needing this contact with her today.
"You are plenty of reason to smile Princess. My only reason in fact. I just wish sometimes, sometimes, things could be different." Shayla nodded, understanding where he was going.
"I know. I wish it to. I wish we could forget our positions, our oaths, our duties and just follow our hearts." They stood there for a few moments, staring into each other's eyes. Merrick opened his mouth to speak when suddenly behind Shayla a grey, swirling mass of cloud appeared. He immediately grabbed Shayla, pushing her behind him.
"What's that?" Shayla looked at it, studying it a moment and then she just instinctively knew it meant them no harm. And then the grey mass spoke.
"Princess Shayla, Merrick, please, do not be alarmed. I am Master Warrior Dulcea, from the planet Phaedos. We need Merricks help in the distant future. He, along with some fellow Rangers, are urgently required to fight the greatest of evils." Merrick frowned, still not moving from in front of the Princess.
"How do I know that this isn't some Org trick?"
"The Princess knows this is no trick, don't you child?" Shayla nodded.
"She's right Merrick, it's no trick. I can tell. It's taking a great power and strength to open this portal, and it feels that it is safe. If they need your help, you must go." Merrick turned and looked at her.
"But I can't leave you. It's my sworn duty to protect you."
"Merrick, in your time, you will only be gone no more than five minutes. At this end of the portal, we are even many more thousands of years into the future, please, you must make your decision and hurry. We can't keep this portal open much longer." Merrick looked at Shayla and she smiled at him. Reaching up she put her hand gently against his cheek.
"My stern and loving protector. I will be fine for five minutes. Go with her, I'll be waiting here for when you return." Merrick studied her for a moment and then nodded. With surprising gentleness he handed her his flute.
"Please, hold this until I return." Shayla clasped her hands around the flute and smiled, stepping back.
"I'll be here." Nodding, Merrick turned and leaped through the vortex.
Phaedos, present day
The figure came flying through, landing squarely on his feet. He looked up at saw a pair of booted blue feet and a hand in front of him to help him up. He took it and got to his feet. He stared into the blue eyes behind the glasses of the man that helped him stand. He was dressed in some sort of uniform with the emblem of a wolf on his chest. He smiled and spoke first, having not released Merrick's hand just yet.
"Hi. I'm Billy Cranston, Blue Wolf Ninjetti Ranger. Welcome to heaven's knows how far into the future and to Phaedos." Merrick returned the handshake and nodded.
"Merrick. Luna Wolf Wild Force Ranger." Billy let go of his hand and pointed to just behind and one side of them both.
"That's Dulcea, Master Warrior of Phaedos and Zaron, an Eltaran who's gathering all of us here. Can I ask, what year did they pluck you from?" Merrick frowned a moment, studying the two beings who where still concentrating on the portal.
"Um, I think Cole said it was 2002." Billy gave a low whistle.
"I'm from 1996. They really must be getting us from all over the place. I wonder who's going to come through next." Merrick looked at him sharply.
"What do you mean?"
"Dulcea said they were gathering all different Rangers from the past to bring here. It'll be strange to see Rangers from what will be the future for me. It makes me wonder how I'll have lost my powers and how these guys got theirs." Merrick just nodded, moving and standing next to the younger man. With a muffled sigh he glanced at Billy and then gave a tiny smile when the other Ranger noticed it.
"It feels weird to have another Wolf Ranger around." Billy grinned suddenly.
"Tell me about it."
Blue Bay Harbour, 2003
Training was over for the day, all repair work had been carried out on the Zords and Cyber Cam was monitoring for Lothor's attacks. The Wind Rangers had gone home for the day and the two Thunder Rangers were outside getting ready to take their bikes to the track in the morning. His father having suggested that some fresh air might be good for him, Cam found himself outside sitting on a rock near the hidden door, absently watching the Thunders load the bikes onto the trailer, ready for Tori to drive them to the track in the morning. He was thinking hard about the recent upheavals in his life - becoming a ranger, meeting his mother and so forth when he felt rather than saw two people standing over him. He glanced up to find the Thunder brothers watching him, identical smiles on their faces.
"It's sad isn't it bro?" Blake's voice was anything but.
"And what would that be little brother?" Hunter's tone had the same superior, big brother so I know what's best tone he always employed when he was about to get Cam to do something he normally wouldn't - like relax for five minutes. Cam sighed and raised his eyebrow.
"Why do I get the feeling that I'm about to be hi-jacked for something or other." The two Thunder Rangers just grinned and as one, reached out and hauled Cam to his feet.
"Because you are. The last few days have been pretty trying on you, you need to relax and get used to the idea of being a Ranger. So, you get the patented Bradley brother's cure for major life upheavals." The two Thunder brothers began walking him towards the exit of the hidden Ninja grounds, neither of them letting him go of him.
"And dare I ask what that would be?" Hunter grinned at him and Cam found himself suddenly inexplicably glad that the two Thunders cared enough to make an effort.
"Pizza, a movie and lots of ice cream." Blake opened his mouth to say something when suddenly a vortex of grey swirling clouds opened in front of them. The two Ninja's and one Samurai took up fighting positions, the black leather of their uniforms reflecting back the light from the vortex. Suddenly their morphers beeped and Cam raised his, his eyes never leaving the swirling in front of them.
"Go for Cam."
"Cam, dude, that's a temporal vortex leading off planet to a place called Phaedos. It's in the data banks as being a Ranger friendly planet." Cam was suddenly glad he'd investigated more the history of the Power Rangers on Earth, mainly to get idea's for Zords but also to stop Dustin from hassling him about this and that.
"Right, do we know what it wants?"
"Cameron, I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of Phaedos. I have opened this vortex from the distant future. We need your help in a mission of vital importance. I can promise you that in your time, no more than five minutes will have passed when we return you." Cam frowned and Hunter copied the expression.
"No way is Cam going through that alone!"
"Do not worry Thunder Ranger, two other Power Rangers await him already, and more will be joining him. He will not be alone." Cam smiled slightly at Hunter's words and the thought behind them.
"It's okay Hunter. Cyber Cam, tell Dad I'll be back."
"Good luck dude." The morpher turned silent and Cam glanced at the Bradley brothers.
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon. Wait for me here? That pizza sounds good." Hunter grinned slightly at him and stepped back, Blake did as well.
"Be careful bro." Cam nodded and taking a deep breath leaped through the portal.
Phaedos, present day.
The portal solidified a moment and then a figure came flying out. The portal closed and Dulcea and Zaron both staggered back, leaning against the nearby rocks, breathing heavily. Billy and Merrick both moved forward and helped the new comer to his feet. He was in a black Ninja type uniform with green stripes. Billy smiled and held out his hand.
"Billy Cranston, blue wolf Ninjetti Ranger, circa 1996." Cam shook it absently and glanced at the other man. Merrick held out his hand but didn't smile.
"Merrick. Luna Wolf Wild Force Ranger, 2002." Cam swallowed and sighed, shaking his hand as well and then straightening his glasses.
"Cameron Wantabe, Green Samurai Ranger, circa 2003." Billy nodded and smiled, gesturing behind him and Cam turned to see who was there.
"That's Dulcea, Master Warrior of Phaedos and Zaron of Eltare. He's the one that's asked Dulcea to help gather us together." Dulcea had managed to regain control of her breathing and pushed herself up and walked over.
"Welcome Merrick and Cameron. Tomorrow, when I have regained some of my strength, we will gather the three other Rangers that are needed for the Prophecy to be fulfilled." Almost as one, Billy and Cam spoke.
"What prophecy?" Dulcea smiled and gestured at Zaron.
"We will fill you all in tomorrow. Now, I have to rest, as gathering you all has been difficult and tiring. Billy, you have been here before, you know where everything is located. Gather food and water for yourself. Again, welcome." Dulcea moved away and helping Zaron to his feet made their way to the cave where she lived. The two other rangers looked at Billy who just smiled and pushed his sleeves up.
"Come on guys, we're going to need a place to eat and sleep. Last time I was here we made ourselves comfortable in a nearby cave. It'll need cleaning out and then food would be good. Hope you guys don't mind caves?" Billy began to walk towards the exit of the temple and the two other rangers followed him. Cam answered first.
"Nope, I don't mind. And please, call me Cam." Merrick brought up the rear and spoke softly.
"Caves kind of remind me of home, so I don't mind either." Billy smiled.
"Great. Come on, lots of work to do."
Tbc…