Disclaimer: the usual…………….

CHAPTER 7

Ultimatum

A couple of days passed and Lina settled into a routine with the Zeo Rangers. She didn't go to school at the risk of any familiar faces becoming suspicious so she helped out Billy during the day and the rangers all hung out together in the afternoons after school let out. Lina, again, became close to the other rangers very fast while the others couldn't get over how happy Billy was around the realm traveling ranger.

"I'm serious Lina, I don't think I've seen Billy this happy since he was a ranger himself," Katherine said. Lina just blushed.

"But I still don't get it, you two have known each other a total of a week and a half from the other realm you were in, and you are this serious," Tanya said. Lina just smiled at the yellow ranger.

"In some ways, time is faster with everything and everyone I'm involved in. You aren't aging faster or something, but the reason Billy and I are so close is because time seems to speed up and we feel like we've known each other longer," Lina explained, being patient despite feeling like it was her one hundredth time explaining herself. The girls would have continued talking but their communicators went off. They made sure the coast was clear and went outside.

"We read you Billy," Kat said.

"The guys are being attacked by cogs in the park, they need your help," Billy said.

"We're on it…It's Morphin Time!" Kat said.

"Storm Callers, Go!"

"Zeo Ranger 1, Pink!"

"Zeo Ranger 2, Yellow!"

"Power of the Inferno!" In a flash of light, the girls found themselves running to the aid of their male comrades. The fight was oddly way too easy. It only lasted for a few moments once the girls joined the fight. They were all very confused when the cogs just disappeared.

"Okay, what was that?" Rocky asked.

"Beats me, maybe Billy picked up on something," Tommy said. They took the hint and teleported back to the Command Center, not noticing the dark figure in the bushes.

"Gotcha rangers," he growled. The six rangers arrived at the Command Center.

"Did you get anything on that fight Billy?" Adam asked.

"There was definitely something odd going on the area where you were fighting, but I haven't been able to find out anything specific," Billy said.

"I suggest you all go home and rest for the time being. We will contact you as soon as something comes up," Zordon said.

"Sounds like a plan to me, I've got a test tomorrow anyway," Tanya said.

"Right behind you," Katherine said.

"We'll be at the Youth Center Billy," Rocky said as he followed Adam and Tommy. Billy waved goodbye to his friends, then turn and smiled at Lina, who just smirked back at him. Zordon and Alpha just chuckled at the two.

"Go on Billy, I'll watch the monitors," Alpha said.

"Thanks Alpha," Billy said walking over to Lina and playfully chasing her into the hallway.

"Billy..stop," she said while laughing, being tortured by him tickling her.

"Hey, you're a ranger and I'm not, make me stop," he said teasingly. Lina gave him a surprised smile and they started to wrestle as Lina deactivated her ranger suit. She would've been able to beat him but Lina couldn't stop laughing, causing Billy to grab her in a tight bundle.

"Got ya," he taunted. They just laughed as they walked out the back way of the Command Center, hand in hand.

"I know it's selfish, but I wish you could stay here," Billy said.

"It's okay, sometimes I wish I could too. I REALLY wish I could but it would mess up time among other things," Lina said as the couple sat beneath one of few trees in the area. Lina looked up to find Billy just staring at her. She got kind of caught off guard.

"What?" she asked. Billy just smirked and leaned in, planting a deep kiss on her lips. Lina just laughed and returned the kiss whole heartedly. Billy's tongue pried open her mouth and the kiss deepened. Lina felt Billy's hand gently run over her waist while her's clutched his back. Lina wasn't sure where this was leading but as a ranger, she had enough to worry about. She wasn't about to worry about her and Billy.

Meanwhile, Tommy, Adam, and Rocky were sparring at the Youth Center when their communicators went off. They headed off to their usual hidden corner.

"We read you Zordon," Tommy said.

"Report to the Command Center," they heard from Zordon.

"We're on our way," Rocky said. The three male zeo rangers pressed their usual buttons to teleport but did not end up in the Command Center. Their lights died down and they found themselves in a cage in some kind of dark dimension.

"What is this?" Adam said.

"Ha, it worked!" Prince Sprocket declared.

"Welcome rangers, to the last place you will ever see," King Mondo said. The three male rangers did not know what to think.

Back at the Command Center, Billy was gently massaging Lina's neck with his lips. Lina giggled a little when he hit one of her ticklish spots. Billy stopped and smirked evilly at her.

"I didn't know you were that ticklish," he said.

"Don't you dare take advantage of this knowledge," she warned. Billy just responded by continuing to kiss her.

"Hey guys, we need you back in the Command Center," Tanya's voice said over the communicators. The two sighed.

"To be continued?" Billy asked.

"Why not?" Lina replied sarcastically. They made their way back to the main part of the Command Center to find Katherine and Tanya looking worried.

"What's up?" Lina asked.

"We haven't been able to reach the guys for the last twenty minutes and they aren't at the Youth Center," Katherine explained.

"Aiyiyiyiyiyiyiyi, rangers, we're getting a message on the viewing globe," Alpha said. Billy pressed in a few codes. King Mondo appeared on the screen.

"Ah rangers, as you may well know by now, I have your friends. And I am giving you an ultimatum, either give up the Red Inferno Ranger, or you will never see your precious Zeo Rangers 3, 4, and 5 again!" King Mondo declared before cutting the message. Katherine, Tanya, Billy, and Lina were stunned.

"Most evil guys want to destroy rangers, what does he want with me?" Lina asked. The others were silent, for they did not know. However, Zordon hesitated to answer for he knew something about Lina's powers that possibly only Zeek knew the true answer to.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO TOMMY, ADAM, AND ROCKY! WHAT ABOUT LINA AND BILLY? Please RR.