Disclaimer: I don't own power rangers…I only own Lina, Zeek, all the Storm Callers and anything you don't recognize. I changed the plot of this episode a little. Leo and Aurico meet the other rangers on Earth. Also, big thanks so everyone who suggested "Forever Red" be a part of my story because I originally wasn't going to. Props to you. God Bless! –Storm2003

CHAPTER 25

Forever Bonded

Lina opened her eyes after feeling the warmth of the portal disappear from around here, signaling her arrival into what was supposed to be the Wild Force realm. However, when she opened her eyes, she didn't see anyone around what appeared to be an almost deserted air strip/hanger base.

"Zeek?" she called.

"Yes?" he asked from out of nowhere. Lina was so used to this that she didn't even turn around.

"Where am I?" she asked, still a little confused.

"The Wild Force realm," he answered simply. Lina finally turned to him with an annoyed sneer.

"Then why am I in a deserted airplane hanger base?" she asked, a little attitude radiating from her voice.

"It's not as deserted as you may think," Zeek said before disappearing. Lina tried to stop him but he of course got out of the way before she could stop him.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" she asked sarcastically before turning to the hanger she was nearest to. She heard a bunch of excited shouting and carefully inched her way towards the open hanger door. What she saw made her jaw drop but a smile come upon her face. There were eight really familiar faces and then two semi-familiar faces of Cole, the Red Wild Force Ranger, and Aurico, the Red Alien Ranger. She recognized Jason, a little bit older than when she saw him last, when he looked up in her direction. She knew because of the time traveling she probably looked a little bit older to him too, but not as much in years.

"Lina?" he asked, shocked beyond belief. Lina's face broke out into a smile bigger than one she had worn for a long time. She ran up to the original red ranger, who had realized that it was her and put out his arms to engulf her in a hug. The second she was in his arms, he lifted her up and spun her around, laughing in happiness as he had thought he would never see the mysterious Inferno Ranger again. The affectionate display caught the attention of all the other rangers, especially Tommy, TJ, Andros, Leo, Carter, Wes, and Eric. Cole and Aurico stood back as the other male red rangers exchanged hugs and occasional friendly kisses on the cheek with the lone female red ranger. After all the displays were exchanged, the smiling Lina turned to Cole and Aurico.

"I'm Lina Baxter, Red Inferno Ranger," she said, smiling and putting her hand out. Aurico and Cole were slightly confused, but seeing the others smiling and nodding that she was all right put them at ease. Aurico shook her hand and Cole smiled his heart melting smile and shook her hand excitedly. Lina smiled and turned to Tommy.

"Got room for one more on this mission?" she asked, realizing that she had been launched into the "Forever Red" saga of the Wild Force series. Tommy smiled.

"You know it," he replied. A short time later, Lina found herself back on the Astro Megaship. After being briefed on the mission and what was at stake, she wandered around, refamiliarizing herself with the beautiful sights of space. Surprisingly enough, as she was wandering the halls, she found a stray puppy sniffing around the windows.

"Hey little guy, what are you doing here?" she asked, picking up the small dalmation. The puppy wagged it's tail and licked Lina's face lovingly. Lina giggled just as Cole came around the corner.

"Oh there you are Copper," he said, walking up to pet the dog that was in Lina's arms. Lina smiled and gently handed the dog over.

"You're good with animals," Cole said while giving her that trademark smile of his. Lina blushed and tucked a hair behind shyly.

"Are you nervous about the mission?" Lina asked, trying to change the subject so she wouldn't be as nervous.

"No actually I'm thrilled. I'm among red ranger alumni and they wanted me along," Cole said. Lina tried to hold in a giggle and Cole child-like playfulness. A short bit of silence ensued before it was gratefully disrupted. Tommy came jogging around the corner and stopped when he saw the two.

"Hey Cole, we need you on the bridge for a second," he said.

"Okay, coming," Cole said, smiling at Lina as he walked off with Copper. Tommy gave Lina a brotherly wink and walked back towards the bridge with Cole. Lina smiled, took in a deep breath, and glanced out the window one more time, taking in the beautiful sights of the space. Then she turned to follow the guys to the bridge only to run right into Zeek. The smacked so hard into him, she fell back on her butt.

"Argh," she growled at him.

"I would've thought you'd be more graceful by now," Zeek stated simply. Lina glared at him.

"I would've thought I'd have killed you by now. Why don't you wear a bell or something man? I can't handle you sneaking up on my like this," Lina said as she got up from the floor.

"And I need you to step down from fighting as much as possible in this mission," Zeek said suddenly. Lina looked at him as if he was nuts.

"Why? The whole point of this mission is for red rangers to fight against what's left of the machine empire," Lina stated.

"That's true but as the episode shows, they are successful without you," Zeek points out.

"But everything has shifted with me traveling through the realms so they may need me with this," Lina countered.

"They'll need you but not in the destruction of Serpentera. Cole will take care of that. What I need you to do is to pay attention to what happens after Serpentera," Zeek explains.

"Why? What's so significant about that?" Lina asked. Zeek sighed, getting a little irritated.

"I'm not exactly sure but whatever happens will be essential to the fight you will have on Earth once you return and fight with Cole and the rest of the Wild Force Rangers," Zeek explains. Lina cocked on eyebrow.

"Wait, this doesn't count as my Wild Force fight?" Lina asked. Zeek rolled his eyes.

"No, this is one step towards your Wild Force fight, so technically you have to do two realms to get one stone even though you aren't really going to jump realms, you'll be here a while longer than normal," Zeek said.

"LINA!" cried a familiar voice, she turned around to see Andros.

"We're approaching our destination," he said before running back to the bridge.

"Okay, I'm coming," Lina said, trailing off as she turned around to talk to Zeek, only to find that he's gone. She dropped her arms in frustration.

"Great, and the wheels keep turning," she said sarcastically as she walked off to meet the other red rangers, wondering what this adventure had in store for her and also wondering how she could get Zeek off her back.