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; Where did I come up with the name Donnchadh? Well, I'm not very good at making up names, so I got it from the internet. This is the link where I got it from; ?ID4681, the site is a real help to me, it's where I got the names of most of the characters. The kids are in a cell, so they don't really need to be watched, but Sir Laughalot is guarding the prison, so in a way their being watched. The other questions will be answered in the chapter. (I hope) Oh, and action will be in the next chapter.

the-power-of-love; I know you HOPE, but even I don't know if they'll be home soon. They probably will, but nothing's for sure.

TF princess; Glad you liked it. Enjoy reading this chapter.

Protecting The Next Generation

Chapter 17

"Okay, so the transmitter didn't work. What do we do now?" Paige sighed.

"I say we bust out of here." Armin suggested.

"And how did you intent to do that. I know we're able to fight our way out of her, but we do have Brian to think of."

"We'll find a way."

"How will we open that door, smartass?" Paige asked smugly.

"Wait and see." Armin replied.

Paige and Brian watched their brother stand up and place his hand on the door, his eyes closed and face screwed up in concentration. Minutes passed and Paige was about to declare her brother crazy when a soft click was heard. Armin opened his eyes and turned around, a smirk on his face.

"See, no problem."

Paige wanted to jump with joy and hug her brother to death, but she knew there was no time for that. She got up and took Brian's hand, looking him straight in the eye.

"Now listen closely. Stay close to me and Armin and don't make a sound. If you need to say something, do it telepathically. Got it?"

Brian nodded and held her hand tightly.

Paige turned to Armin and nodded. Armin quietly opened the door and popped out is head, making sure nobody was around he stepped out and beckoned the other two to follow him. The three crept down the hall, staying close to the wall. When they reached the end Armin held up his hand, making Paige and Brian stop. A barred door was blocking their way.

'What do we do now?' Paige asked her brother.

'Just wait, I'll see if I can find the key.'

Armin looked through the door. He saw a small room and a set of stairs. A small table was placed in a corner together with a chair. At the moment they were occupied by Sir Laughalot. His feet were on the table and he was leaning back in the chair, causing it to stand on only two of its four legs. The low rumbling noise indicated he was fast asleep. On the wall next to him hang a set of keys on a nail.

Armin grinned. This was going to be too easy. He reached out his hand and telekinetically pulled the keys to him. When he held them securely in his hand, he turned around triumphant.

Paige flashed him a thumbs up and Brian smiled brightly. Armin turned around again and started trying the keys. It didn't take him long to find the right one and he was able to open the door. Shoving the keys in his pocket he looked back at his brother and sister. By now Paige had taken Brian into her arms so he didn't have to walk up the stairs, meaning they could move quicker.

They started walking again and ran up the stairs as silent as they could. At the top they found another hallway.

'What way now?' Paige asked.

'Let's go left.' Armin replied.

The turned left and walked down the hall. After what seemed like hours and to many corners to count they hear a voice that sent chills down their spine.

"Just a few more days and we'll move in for the next kid." The voice laughed.

'Donnchadh.' Armin and Paige said at the same time.

'We're in trouble if he finds us here.' Paige hissed. 'Let's get away from here.'

'Not yet. What if we get out of here. You heard he's going after one of us again soon. If we can find out who he's after this time we might be able to keep him or her safe.'

'You're right, but we can't stay here too long.'

On the Megaship

"If Donnchadh is in the Taton system, wouldn't he see us coming?" Rocky asked.

"I doubt it. The Karovans might have build the ship, but not all the technology is theirs." Saryn answered.

"What do you mean?" Eric asked.

"Saryn gave us the cloaking technology from the Phantom ranger powers and we used it in the Megaship. I don't think anyone will be able to see us coming." Andros smirked.

"Good, we don't need a welcoming comity waiting for us." Tommy sighed.

"So what do we do until we get there?" Cole asked.

"How long until we get there anyway?" Wes asked.

"ETA Taton system one hour." Deca replied.

"I think Cole is right, we have no plan for when we get there, so we better figure out what we're going to do if Donnchadh is really hiding out there." TJ suggested.

"Hey, somebody actually listened to you, kid." Eric joked and threw an arm around Cole's shoulders.

"That's more than you can say about yourself." Cole shot back, grinning.

Eric let out a laugh and ruffled Cole's hair. The other red rangers smiled at the display. After the Serpenterra mission they had kept in touch and Eric and Cole had become such good friends, they could be considered brothers. Rocky, Carlos and Saryn on the other hand, had no idea what the hell the two were talking about and looked at each other with blanc looks.

Earth

"Hey, Ash. What are you doing here? I figured you'd be keeping an eye on Wyatt." Emma greeted.

"Wyatt can take care of himself and I'm sure he's keeping an extra eye out for trouble. He might be a bit reckless most of the time, but if necessary he's careful and he's inside right now." Ashley answered, sighing.

"But still." Emma pressed.

"Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't. He'd go crazy if I watched him all the times. He's used to have his freedom and I don't want to take that way from him just because his brothers and sister are missing, for his freedom makes him who he is."

"I guess you're right."

"And anyway, he's checking in with me every fifteen minutes or something without me even asking him to."

"That's sweet of him."

"He's a darling. They all are. They only have a different way of showing it."

Emma smiled.

"I still hope Amy and Chris will take after your children, even if it's only a little bit."

"For you I hope they don't. You've never seen them when they are bored. Even Andros is glad they don't get bored so easily and that says a lot, seeing he practically grew up with Zhane."

Emma laughed and Ashley smiled a little. God, she already missed Andros and he wasn't even gone that long. Some days she didn't even see Andros, for he got up before here and returned home after she and the kids had gone to bed, luckily it didn't happen more than once a year, only the day before the festival celebrating the decolonisation of KO35, but it was enough to make you believe she was used to not having Andros around, but it was different. Those days when he helped out with the preparations for the festival he was at least on the same planet as she was and if something happened he'd be home in an instant, but now. Now he was somewhere out the in the universe and wouldn't be able to come to her that easily. Ever since he had appeared on her doorstep almost ten years ago, she couldn't live without him anymore. It was hard to admit, but true and she didn't even want to live without him anymore.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when Wyatt entered the room with Sheena in his arms.

"Mind if we play here?" He asked innocently.

"Of course not." Ashley smiled at her son, glad he let her keep an eye on him willingly.

Megaship

The hour had passed fast. They were entering the Taton system and Deca was trying to locate from what planet the distress signal was coming. Just then the alarm went off.

"Deca, what's going on?" Andros shouted over the noise of the alarm.

"Cloaking systems are failing." Deca replied. "Well, be visible in three, two..."

"Isn't there anything we can do?" Andros demanded.

"Nothing. One. We're visible. Distress signal is coming from the main planet."

"Great." Andros muttered. "Just great. Set course for the signal anyway. We came this far and I'm not willing to let a failing cloak interfere with this mission."

"Course set. Engaging."

Outside the throne room

"My Lord, we have spotted a ship appearing out of nowhere at the edge of the system and it's heading this way." A voice reported.

"Can it be identified?" Donnchadh's voice demanded.

"It's The Astro Megaship Mark 2, sir."

"What to do, what to do, what to do? They don't leave me much choice do they?"

"No sir."

"Blow them up."

'He can't blow them up!' Brian's metal voice ringed inside Armin and Paige's minds.

'Shut up, Brian.' Paige shot back. 'There's nothing we can do to stop him.'

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

Armin, Paige and Brain stiffened and slowly turned around to see who it was. Only one thing entered their minds right now. They were busted.

A/N: Faster finished than I expected, Sha. To the rest of you, I hope you liked it and please review.