Voyage: Part I Chapter III

Disclaimer: You know the drill; I own the story, not the characters.

Thomas Oliver was just about to sit down and start grading some of the tests that he had given his students on the previous day, when his doorbell rang. Silently cursing to himself, he walked to the door and opened it. When he saw who it was, his jaw dropped. Even though she had cut her hair, and had a more mature aura surrounding her, he instantly recognized the girl that was now standing before him.

"So, Doctor Thomas Oliver. You're the last person that I expected to become a doctor." Tommy gave a wry smile before saying, "well, you should have known better. Didn't all the years of being a power ranger to teach you to 'expect the unexpected?' So, what brings you all the way out here Trini?" Although they had not been the closest of friends, there was always a close bond with rangers of your own team. Trini smiled brightly at Tommy and enfolded him in a hug. "Well, I'm on my way back to Angel Grove. Jason's been telling me that you had received your doctorate. I didn't believe him, so here I am."

After untangling himself from her hug, he invited her inside. A little more quietly Trini began to speak once again, "he also told me that you're back in action." Tommy responded by holding up his bracelet. "Yeah, I'm now the Black Dino Ranger." She raised her eyebrow. Tommy held up his hands defensively, "I know, I know, four colors. But it's not my fault, these powers just get handed to me."

He studied her closely for a moment then said, "Trini, what's really going on?" Trini sighed and braced herself. "I'm here to tell you that Kimberly, is missing." At those words, Tommy's eyes widened and he collapsed onto his coach. "Oh my God. What happened?" Trini had observed his reaction to this revelation. She saw nothing change on his face, but she saw that his eyes looked noticeably different. 'He still cares for her, he just won't admit that he does.'

"Kimberly was to be one of the judges at the Olympics. The day before the opening ceremony, she was seen walking around the Olympic Village. She met up with her fiancé," Tommy's eyes hardened for a moment, but gestured for her to continue, "and shortly after was attacked by eight hooded figures. Being who she is, Kimberly fought back, but was quickly overwhelmed. Her fiancé was stabbed and died during the battle, leaving Kimberly facing even worse odds. That's where the eyewitness account ends, because he was injured during the fight, and had blacked out. But before passing out, he swore that he saw a pair of red eyes, and the cackle of laughter nearby. As the police arrived, they made the necessary calls to Kimberly's parents, who in turn, called Jason."

While telling the story, Trini had noticed his front begin to vanish. By the end of the story, he wasn't even trying to hide it anymore. He was seething, and was just about to explode in anger. The only thing that probably kept him in check was his experiences as a ranger. But even with all of that, she couldn't be sure that he wouldn't explode into action regardless.

He was just about to say something when his bracelet beeped. "It's Tommy." Trini couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, but she saw his eyes widen in shock, then he said, "we're on our way." Trini looked at him in surprise. "We?" he simply nodded, "yeah, you may want to see this. Come on, we'll take my jeep."

It didn't take them long to get to Hayley's Cyberspace. As they entered the closed café, Trini saw a small crowd of people, gathering around what looked to be a single smaller person. As the group turned around to see who had walked in, she took the time to study the small gathering. Beginning to her left was a young teenager wearing completely blue. The way he was studying her, reminded her of Billy. To his immediate left, stood a woman wearing a brown blouse with blue jeans, and red wavy hair. To her left stood a boy wearing a white over shirt with black pants and a gray shirt. A girl wearing a yellow shirt and blue skirt stood next to him, obviously trying to relieve the tension between the boy in white and the boy in red to her right.

As she observed all of this, she immediately knew that she was looking at the newest team of rangers, there was not one doubt in her mind. When she finally reached the center of the gathering, she was completely astonished. Quickly sprinting past the group of teens, she wrapped her arms around the red frame of Alpha

Five. As the other teens watched Trini and Tommy embrace the robot, they failed to notice the three figures that had quietly entered the room. When everyone finally noticed their presence, the sight they saw brought a smile to everyone, save Tommy. What they saw was Billy with an outstretched hand, while Cam and Tori were counting some money and grumbling about being cheated. When he finally noticed the amused stares, he smiled goofily and said, "it's not my fault they didn't listen to me." Then he saw Alpha, and his smile was replaced with a look of astonishment. "What are you doing here Alpha?"

The robot paused before responding. "I have in my memory banks, two messages, saved by Zordon, for right here and now. One of the messages, I cannot play until all six original power rangers are present." Alpha stood still for a moment as he prepared to play the message left for the rangers. When he began speaking again, the voice that came from him was no longer his, but Zordon's.

"Power Rangers, both new and old, I am here to guide you to the lost ranger. She is in extreme danger, you must hurry. The origin of your search must begin on my home planet Eltar." At these words, Billy's eyes widened. As if seeing this, the message continued. "Yes Billy, it is there that you must solve the puzzle that was left for you. I know this will be a very difficult mission for all of you, but I have the greatest confidence in your abilities as power rangers. I tell you this now, not as your mentor, but as your friend. May the power protect you."

With the last part of the message ringing through their ears, Tommy said, "we have to find Andros." He sighed, "that means we have to go to Angel Grove." Conner spoke up, "we're with you all the way Doctor O. You can count on us." Tommy nodded. "Okay, now it's time to plan."

After all of the necessary introductions were made, the planning started. "We have to make sure," Tommy was saying, "that there are at least two active rangers per city, just in case." Everyone nodded in agreement. "I've got to head back to Angel Grove anyway, so I'll get a hold of Jason and Zack." Trini volunteered. She looked at everyone in turn, and landed on Billy last. She gave him a quick smile, then turned away. "That sounds like a good idea," Billy said smiling at Trini.

"So who's going?" Cam asked. Tommy thought quietly for a moment before saying, "it has to be a small, but powerful group." Billy made eye contact with him and nodded, "I agree," he said. Tommy looked around the table before asking, "so who wants to go?"

There were only two people who didn't volunteer, Ethan and Trent. He looked at each in turn. Ethan stared straight into Tommy's eyes, "it's not that I don't want to go, it's just that someone has to stay here to keep an eye on things." He then looked at Trent. Trent just held up his hands, "I want to make sure I'm here for my dad," he said evenly.

Tommy then looked at Conner and Kira. "I think I speak for both of us," Kira said, "when I say, we're here for you and want to help. Conner nodded. "Thanks guys," he said. Then he looked at Hayley. "Are you sure about this Hayley?" She nodded without hesitation. "It can't hurt to have another brain on board." She also threw a smile at Billy, who returned it with one of his own.

"So," Tommy said, "this is our team. I'll talk to Andros right now."