disclaimer: I don't own the power rangers. Also I don't own Zeri, Saryn, Aura and Cetaci and any other ranger from Aquintar, I read their names on Starhawk's website and thought they were kool.
timeline: Nine years after 'Better Late Than Never'.
summary: Something has it's eyes set on ranger children. Every ranger is scared of losing his or her family, especially Andros.
Jeanka; A hover? That's a flying car. And everybody else? They returned home, they'll return to the story, some will in this chapter.
Silver; Thank you for pointing that out to me. I've never seen any Dino Thunder episodes, for they aren't featured her, at least, not to my knowing. I guess I'll just have to think of another excuse to why the Ninja Storm Rangers weren't at the ranger meeting, but I'll put them in the story. I guess I'll do it through Conner, since his brother went to the Ninja Academy.
TF Princess; Well, this is what happens next.
Protecting The Next Generation
Chapter 11
Tommy was grading pop quizzes when the com chimed. Tommy sighed and got up. Kimberly was upstairs changing Keith's diaper, so he would have to get it. Not that he minded, grading wasn't really the most fun part of teaching.
Opening a channel a familiar face appeared on the screen.
"Andros." Tommy smiled, but his smile disappeared when he took a closer look a Andros' face. "Why the dark look?"
"Donnchadh decided to show himself." Andros answered.
"Where? When? How?"
"On KO35. Not long ago. He kidnapped Brian."
"Do you know where he's holding him?"
"No, he contacted us, but Deca couldn't trace the signal." Andros sighed.
"Has Eltar been informed?"
"I talked to them just before I called you."
"I'll contact the other's, but what can we do?"
"I don't know. He wants to exchange Brian for the other five."
"What you will never do."
"That's right."
"Well then we need to free him." Tommy replied.
"But we don't know where he is held."
"Then we'll have to find out. You can count on my help and that of the Dino Thunder rangers."
"Thanks, we appreciate it." Andros smiled sadly.
"So what are you going to do now?"
"Probably come to Earth for a while."
"Let me know when you arrive. I'm going to make a few calls, see if the other rangers want to help."
"Thanks, I'll talk to you later. I'm going to inform the others."
"One question before you hang up. You said you just talked to Eltar before you called me. I conclude I'm the first you contacted after that. Why didn't you call the others fist?"
"I don't know." Andros admitted. "I guess it just needs to sink in before I call the others."
"Well, good luck. I still need to grade some quizzes." Tommy sighed.
"Thanks, I'll call you and good luck to you too."
Cutting the signal Tommy turned around. Kimberly was leaning against the doorpost with Keith on her arm. The little boy reached out to Tommy, silently asking to be held.
"How long have you been standing there?" Tommy asked as he walked over and took Keith into his arms.
"Long enough to know there's trouble, not long enough to know what it's about." Kim replied.
"Brian." Tommy answered. "He's been kidnapped."
"Oh my God." Kimberly breathed, unconsciously putting her hand on her belly.
"Don't worry, beautiful. He won't target Earth for some time, it's to close to Aquintar."
"I know, but still."
"I promise you I won't let anyone hurt you or our children. I lost you once, Kim, I'm not going to lose you again." Tommy assured, holding out his hand.
Kimberly smiled weakly and stepped into his embrace.
"You're right. Nobody will be able to hurt us as long as you're around, handsome."
Two hours later, Megaship
Paige sat on the lower bunk in one of the guestrooms. She still couldn't believe Brian was kidnapped. She didn't want to believe it. She was staring at a holo-picture of Armin giving Brian a piggy bag ride. Armin and Brian were clearly enjoying themselves. The picture had been made no too long ago, 30 April, Brian's birthday.
A knock on the door broke her train of thoughts.
"Who is it?"
"It's me." Armin's voice replied. "I'm going to beat up some Craterites on the Simudeck to vent some anger, care to join me?"
"Got a minute? I'm not really dressed to kick ass."
"Always."
Paige grinned and quickly changed into her workout cloths and pulled her hair into a ponytail, for she had let it down today. Once that was done she opened the door and stepped out.
Armin was leaning against the wall next to the door. He was wearing the same kind of workout cloths as his sister, only hers were yellow and his were red. He smiled when Paige stepped into the hallway.
"Ready to kick some ass?" He asked.
"Now more than ever." Paige replied.
"Well then, race ya." He grinned and ran off.
"Not fair." Paige yelled after him and started to chase him.
It didn't take them long to reach the Simudeck. When Paige caught up with Armin at the entrance he had already set the workout program stand-by. When Armin saw his sister he opened the door and bowed.
"Lady's first."
Paige stepped inside and smirked.
"I win."
"Only because I let you." Armin replied as the doors slid shut behind him. "Deca, activate simulation."
The light on the Simudeck faded and was replaced by the green gridlines. A dozen Craterites appeared out of nowhere. Armin and Paige took their battle stances, ready to attack. The Craterites launched at them and they both took on six at a time, when one was beaten another one would take its place.
Bridge
Andros sat in his chair staring at the viewing screen. Ashley walked onto the bridge and smiled at the images on it.
"You taught them well." She smiled.
"They shouldn't have to be doing this." Andros sighed.
Ashley wrapped her arms around him from behind, much like she had done all those years ago.
"They want to do this." Ashley said, placing a kiss on his cheek. "They just need vent some anger and this is their way of doing it. They got that from you, you know."
"Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Good, now please, just relax a little. We're going to get Brian back, no matter what."
"You sound very sure of that." Andros replied.
"I know, because I am sure we'll get him back. We have to, Andros. I don't want to lose him."
Andros took hold of her arms and broke her hold on him, then he turned around and pulled her into his arms.
"We're not going to lose him. I won't allow it."
Ashley eased into his embrace.
"Thanks."
Andros smiled and gave her a kiss.
"We're going to stay with Jeff right?"
"Yeah, it would be best and Jeff would love to see his nephews and niece again and I'm sure the kids would love to see their cousins."
"You're right, it has been way too long since they've seen Sheena and Rafe."
Ashley looked back up at the viewing screen.
"They are good, you know. You did a great job."
Andros looked over his shoulder. Paige just kicked one Craterite, making it stumble into another one, taking them both out.
"Yeah, you're right, they are good." He grinned. "Deca set course to Earth, hyper rush nine."
"Hyper rush nine." Deca replied.
"Are the others going to be there too?" Ashley asked.
"Saryn said he wouldn't be able to stop Cassie from coming and Carlos said he'd see if he could persuade Cetaci." Andros answered.
"I think it would be better if he let Delphinius persuade Cetaci, but it's his problem."
Andros grinned.
"You'd think he'd learn, wouldn't you?"
"Nah, he wouldn't be Carlos if he did."
Andros laughed and got up.
"Come on, let's find something else to do." He said, taking Ashley's hand.
"Like?"
"This ship has four Simudecks remember?"
"And what did you have in mind?"
"You'll see."
With that they left the bridge. On the viewing screen the Craterites had multiplied to eighteen, nine for Paige and nine for Armin. The two children were taking out one after another. If Andros and Ashley hadn't decided the two wouldn't get their morphers until they're at least twelve, Donnchadh would be in big trouble right now.
A/N: Sorry I didn't update earlier. Please check out my ID for the reason. Hope you like it. Please review.