Author: BashfulC
Story: La Familia
Disclaimer: Don't own anyone except Olivia, Sean and Alison Grayson.
Time Frame: Still in between Good Will Hunter and All About Beevil.
Pairings: Blake/Tori, Zack/Kat, Aisha/Rocky, Wes/Jen, Lucas/Nadira, Cole/Alyssa, Eric/Taylor, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, TJ/Cassie and Carter/Dana (for now)
Indicates the couples are married.
Summary: What if Kelly, owner of Storm Chargers, was Kim's cousin who was kidnapped by Rita all those years ago?
Author Notes: Enjoy!
Chapter Seven
The figure in the outside hall eavesdropped on the group inside. Hearing something behind him, he gave the signal to be quiet to his friends. He and his team listened intently.
The group proceeded to introduce themselves, and the figure had to snicker when Tommy spoke.
"Tommy Oliver, Green and White Morphin, White Falcon Ninjette, Red Zeo, and Red Turbo."
"He's our Christmas Ranger." Laughs and snickers were heard. Another couple minutes and more introductions later, the group was finished and a woman's voice spoke.
"Rangers. We must begin." Various murmurs of assent were heard and the figure dared to peek.
The room looked as though a rainbow of people had hit it. In one corner sat Tommy, Jason, Zack, a woman in pink and green, a woman in yellow, and a man in red. In another corner were Wes, Eric, Jen, and two men in blue and green and a woman in yellow. Near the Time Force rangers were Cole and four others, two men in blue, another man in black, and a woman in white. Sitting on a bednext tothe wall were Adam, Kim, Billy, and a woman in a green bikini. Finally, standing next to a computer was a group completely unfamiliar to the hiding figure. Two men in red, a guy in yellow, a girl and guy both in blue, and an older guy in green, not to mention a small white and brown rodent.
"Rangers, with the help of the Elements and the Time Force and Wild Force Rangers, we should be able to do this."
"Um…We can't help. Princess Shayla took our powers after we defeated Master Org." Cole spoke up hesitantly. Wes and Eric exchanged looks as Trip spoke up.
"We have our powers but they're powered by the timeline. According to Alex, we can't directly help either." The woman in the green bikini looked stricken.
"Oh dear." Kim bit her lip anxiously.
"Dulcea is that a problem?" The woman in the green bikini nodded.
"Yes, we must have two fully powered ranger teams as well as the elements for the ritual, otherwise it will not work. The powers of Ninjette Rangers are temporary. They cannot be used." Kim bit her lip, tears coming to her eyes.
"We'll never get Olivia back." She murmured. The figure watched as Tommy walked over to the brunette. He wrapped her in a hug as she began crying again. The figure sighed, knowing what he had to do. Looking over his shoulder, his wife was glaring at him, as was his sister and their four teammates.
Well, what are you waiting for? She's going through the same thing you went through looking for me. His sister's voice spoke in his mind. He smiled softly, nodding. He stepped into the room, his brown and blonde streaked hair half tied back.
"Maybe we can help." Everyone froze as the rest of his team stepped up behind him. The unknown group immediately went into fighting stances. Tommy shook his head and held up a hand.
"It's okay guys." he told them. They relaxed slightly. Tommy walked over. Standing in front of the red-clad Kerovian, he hugged him.
"You have no idea how good it is to see you, Andros." He told the young man. Andros laughed softly, noticing the sniffling woman slowly making her way over. Tommy stepped back to let Kim face him. Andros looked down at her. Her eyes reminded him strongly of his mother in the immediate weeks following Karone's kidnap. Something inside broke and he wrapped her in a hug. She returned it full force, knowing that out of all of them, he understood her position the most. She started crying into his chest and he bent down to whisper reassurances in her ear, mentally going back to when he had been the one crying on her shoulder…
Five Years Before
"Andros, there's someone here to see you." Ashley's timid voice barely penetrated his grief clouded mind. Neither did the closing of the door to his quarters on the Astro Mega ship.
In his mind he replayed Zordon's final moments, his begging Andros to kill him to save the universe. He replayed the vision of himself striking the final blow, tears clouding his eyes; the resulting explosion of ice cold energy washing over him, bringing with it the feeling of gratitude. He replayed telling Tommy, his grief stricken expression and the subsequent yelling by Billy and Jason, the coldness from Zack and Trini, and the shock from Kimberly.
He didn't know how long it was before he looked up to see the small petite brunette in question sitting in his desk chair. She looked comfortable, even though he knew from experience those seats were killer on the back. He wiped his eyes, looking her over.
"What are you doing here?" he croaked. She smiled thinly.
"I heard that you hadn't spoken a word since the day after C2D." she told him, shifting. Andros stood up. Wearing red sweatpants, no shirt, and his hair tangled around his head, he looked like he hadn't had a good nights sleep in weeks, which he hadn't. He took Kim under the crook of her arm and moved her over into the bed next to him. Laying a hand over her massive stomach, she smiled her thanks. He averted his eyes.
"Andros, do you know how far along I am?" she asked quietly. He shook his head, still staring out the veiwport.
"I'm eight months. According to Tykwa, coming probably wasn't the smartest thing to do so don't you dare make me have risked the health of my child to get your lame ass into shape." She told him in a no nonsense tone. He looked up at her in surprise.
"What…" he started but then stopped when she wrapped her arms around him. He sat stock still.
"Andros, do you know what Zordon's only wish was?" she asked into his shoulder. He shook his head no. She lifted her head and looked up at him.
"He only wanted peace. He wanted his family, those he cared about, to be safe." She let that hang in the air. He didn't respond. She sighed.
"Andros? Stand up." she instructed. Like a robot, he did.
"Turn around." He did so, barely registering. Kim leaned back and kicked his ass. He let out a yelp. Turning around, he rubbed his backside.
"Why did you do that?" he asked annoyed. She smiled mischievously.
"I told you I came here to kick your lame ass into shape and that's what I'm doing. So, turn around, I'm not finished." She instructed. He frowned at her.
"I'm not going to let you hit me in the behind again." he told her firmly. She sighed.
"Fine, if you're not going to turn around…" she lifted her foot and at the last second he realized what she meant to do and stepped away. He frowned down at her. She sighed.
"Boy, in no way, shape or form am I going to allow you to become a dad with that attitude." She told him firmly. His lips twitched. She grinned.
"Ha! I knew there was a guy still in there." He blew air through his teeth and shook his head.
"Kim, I don't need to be kicked into shape. I'm fine." He told her. She raised an eyebrow.
"Look me in the eye and say that." she told him softly. He looked her in the eye and…couldn't do it. She smiled in understanding as he sat down heavily next to her. She wrapped her arms around him and he simply broke down. The tears he had been holding in for the last month poured out.
For five minutes he cried, asking why he had to do it, why couldn't they had thought of another way? She didn't say anything, letting him answer the questions himself. There had been no other way. He was the only one who could. Another five minutes of silence lasted before Andros pulled away. As he did so, he saw her grimace. He looked at her in concern.
"What is it?" he asked. She smiled at him.
"She's restless." Andros swallowed, staring at her tummy. She laughed.
"Here." She gently took his hand and placed it on her stomach. He stared until he felt something against his hand. He pulled back in surprise. She laughed softly and he gently placed it back. A smile broke out on his face at the life within.
"Andros, everyone dies. It's a fact of life. And sometimes new life can grow from that. My doctor told me at three months ago that there might be something wrong with my baby girl. This was before C2D. He said the tests had shown an unusual growth on the side of her stomach. A week after the wave, I went back to the doctor for a check-up. The growth was gone Andros. The doctors didn't know how it happened, but it was gone. She's perfectly healthy. Zordon ensured new life would come from his death, not just for my baby girl but for everyone. Zordon lives on through her and the generations to come." Her voice so full of compassion and love, Andros started crying again. A few minutes later, he wiped his eyes dry, smiling sheepishly at her.
"I'm sorry for breaking down on you like that." he told her. She held up a hand.
"Don't apologize. Everyone needs a good cry every now and then. Besides," she added ruefully, "I need to get use to it."
He laughed softly as the door opened and Ashley, Cassie, Karone, Zhane, TJ, and Carlos looked in. He smiled at them. They smiled back. Kim wrinkled her nose, pushing him towards the bathroom.
"Andros, go take a shower." She ordered. He laughed aloud, startling his friends. He gave her a small kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you." he told her. She nodded. He walked over to the bathroom, listening to Kimberly order his teammates around.
"Okay, boys. Help me up. This bed is way too comfortable and if I stay in it one moment longer I'm going to fall asleep." He heard footsteps and then a small touch on his back. Turning around, he stared down into Karone's relieved face. His conscience prickled as he realized how he had made them worry.
"Welcome back." She said softly. He smiled, kissed her forehead, and then caught Ashley's eye.
"It's good to be back." He told them. Both women smiled happily. He turned to Kim who was being helped by Carlos, Zhane, and TJ.
"Hey Kim?" he called. She looked over her shoulder.
"Yeah?" she asked breathlessly. He smiled.
"If you ever need anything, just let me know." he told her. She waved her hand.
"Don't worry about it. But if you could please inform your teammates I do not need to be carried to the transporter room, that'd be great." Andros, Ashley, Karone, and Cassie all laughed as the three boys gently and sheepishly lowered her to the floor.
Present Day
"I always keep my promises Kim." He whispered into her ear. She nodded through her tears as Ashley smiled at the duo. Someone cleared their throat.
"Uh, who are they?" Shane asked. Tommy smiled over at the "newbie's."
"This is TJ Johnson, second Red Turbo Ranger after me and current Blue Space Ranger; Cassie Chan-Johnson, second Pink Turbo Ranger after Kat and current Pink Space Ranger; Carlos Valente, second Green Turbo Ranger after Adam and current Black Space Ranger; Ashley Hammond-Dante, second Yellow Space Ranger after Tanya Sloan and current Yellow Space Ranger; Zhane Thoel of KO-35, current Silver Space Ranger; Karone Dante-Thoel of KO-35, formerly Astronema, Princess of Evil, and second Pink Galaxy Ranger. She took over after Kendrix died. Finally, Andros Dante of KO-35, Red Space Ranger, leader of the Space Rangers, Karone's twin brother, and Ashley's husband. He's also Olivia's second godfather." Tommy introduced the team.
Shane nodded, Dustin got a glint in his eyes and Tori smiled in understanding. Hunter and Blake were looking at Karone kinda oddly, and Cam was just typing at the computer. Tommy wasn't even sure he had heard the introductions.
"How'd you get here?" Adam asked. TJ stepped forward as Andros and Kim moved off to the side to talk quietly.
"The Astro Megaship Mark 2 picked up the communication from Kim. The ships computers checked the source and apparently someone made sure the Astro 2 would record it. When DECA 2 told Andros, we all knew where we were coming." He said lightly. The group nodded.
"The six of us will lend whatever we need to in order to get Olivia back." Zhane promised. Karone smiled at the group.
"I sent a message to Kendrix. Hopefully we'll hear from them soon." she informed everyone. Dustin looked her over.
"Uh, didn't Tommy say you took over for Kendrix after she died?" he asked confused. Karone nodded. Dustin scratched his head.
"If she's dead, how'd you send her a message? She's not a ghost is she?" He asked suspiciously as Shane, Tori, Hunter, and Blake all shuddered. Karone's eyes widened and shook her head vehemently.
"Oh, no. See, Kendrix died when she destroyed the Savage Sword which was endangering Terra Venture. The source of our powers were our Galaxy Sabers that Kendrix, Maya, Damon, Kai, and Mike King Arthured out of a rock, as Leo liked to say. When Leo, Kai, Damon, Maya, and I put the sabers back into the stone, the power gave Kendrix back a physical form in this world. That's how she's alive." Karone explained. Tori, Shane, Hunter, and Blake all seemed to get the gist of it and were nodding so Dustin let the subject drop even though he was still confused. Karone smiled at him.
"When we get the chance, I'll give you the full detailed story." She promised. Seeing an opportunity to learn more about ranger history, he enthusiastically agreed. Andros broke his conversation with Kim to call out over his shoulder,
"I left a message on Carter and Dana's answering machine. Told them to call my cell once they get in." with that, he turned back to the small petite gymnast. Tommy and Ashley shook their heads in amusement. Jason was nodding to himself.
"Okay, that means we have the Ninjette Rangers, the Ninja Storm Rangers, the Time Force Rangers, the Space Rangers, and the Ninjette Warriors all with powers and in Blue Bay Harbor. We also have the five of the Wild Force Rangers with one on the way and Zack in Blue Bay but without powers. Additionally, we have the Lightspeed Rescue and Galaxy Rangers on standby, so to speak, and Tanya in Angel Grove and Justin in Colorado if we need them. Do any of them not have powers besides Tanya, Zack, Justin and our animal friends over here?" he asked Tommy. Tommy bit his lip as he went through it in his head but Karone answered first.
"Mike and I don't. That's it." she told them. Jason nodded.
"We're going to have to bring one of those teams in. With the Ninja Storm Rangers working on the elements portion and Space as one of the teams, we're still one team short." He pointed out. Tommy nodded.
"I know Kendrix and the others would be more than willing to help." Karone spoke up. Jason shook his head.
"Dulcea, how much time do you think we can afford in waiting for another team?" he asked the green clad warrior. Dulcea pursed her lips.
"No more than a day, maybe two." She answered. Jason nodded.
"We have to bring in Lightspeed. They're closer; they can get here in a couple hours. It'll take the Galaxy Rangers a couple days since they're probably have to go through the civilian transportation. They can claim an emergency, but it'll still take them a while." Jason reasoned. The group nodded. A cell phone range. Andros fumbled with his cell phone, took one look at the caller ID and gave Jason the thumbs up.
"Hey Carter, good timing. How soon can you and Dana gather Kelsey, Joel, Ryan, and Chad and get over to Blue Bay Harbor?" he asked. He listened for a few minutes and then smiled.
"Good. See you in a few hours then. Bye." He closed the phone.
"Carter was on his cell phone while Dana was already calling the others. They'll leave Sean, Alison, Monica, and Keith with Dana's father and be here in two hours, max." he informed the others. The group nodded.
"In that case, let's figure out what were going to do once Kim, Adam, and Billy have there powers and what Zack's going to do." Aisha spoke up. The group nodded. Tommy cast his eyes over the room.
"I know I'm not in charge, but I don't think this many people are needed. How about all the red rangers decide on the plan of attack. The pink and yellow rangers can figure out living arrangements, and the blue rangers can…"he cast his mind around but before he came up with something, Billy spoke up.
"I have some Aquatain computers at my house. Adam and I have been modifying them to be used by any future rangers that need them. The Blue rangers can come with me to get them." Tommy nodded. Tori lifted her hand.
"Um, can Dustin and I switch? I can help with the sleeping arrangements and Dustin can lug around heavy computer equipment." Dustin frowned at his teammate but Tommy nodded.
"Sure. I didn't mean everyone had to split off into his own color. Just as long as we organize everything in smaller groups so it'll go faster." Tommy explained and the group dispersed.
Tommy, Jason, Andros, TJ, Cole, Wes, and Eric were led by Hunter and Shane to a small training room. They'd figure out a plan of attack once the Ninjette Warriors were powered up. Aisha, Kat, Zack, Alyssa, and Ashley were led by Tori into her emergency bedroom. Karone, Cassie, Rocky and Kim were shown to the kitchen where the four rangers were going to make lunch. Karone and Cassie also took it upon themselves to keep Kim's mind off the mission as much as possible. Rocky went because he was a good cook and Kim trusted him. Cam took Max, Trip, and Lucas to the entrance computer so Cam could add all the rangers to the mainframe, making it easier for them to gain entrance to Ninja Ops. Merrick, Danny, Katie, Blake, Jen, Carlos, and Zhane used the wrist teleporters (many of them borrowed) to teleport with Billy and Adam to get the computer equipment. Finally, Sensei led Dulcea to a small sacred clearing that could be used for the ritual. To Dustin's confusion, Dulcea requested his presence for she would need his particular talents.
My Reviews of the Reviews
Jorgitosbabe, Silver Warrior, huntress, and Kim, thanks so much for your reviews. Hope you liked this chappy!
Triple L: I'm not gonna say. snaps mouth closed
Harry2: accepts TNT Thank you! I have chapters...um...up to ten...I think. But my computer went wonky followed quickly by my disks and without disks I can't upload chapters. sighs
CamFan4Ever: Ya'll can't make me tell you before it's time for you to know! You can guess though.zips mouth closed
Jessica Black1: You seem very positive about that. Unfortunatly, you'll just have to wait and see. padlocks zipper on mouth
And of course, Weesta! What would I do without you in my life? (Sorry, just got finished with a choir performance tour thingy). Seriously though, you are a great beta. Thank you! Everyone give Weesta a hand! hand mysteriously appears in Weesta's arms Uh...okay!
Anyway, THANK YOU for all the reviews! You guys ROCK!