Disclaimer: once again I own nothing except for Alice and Ink.. sighs how frustrating
Important Author's Note: this chapter contains references to past Ranger series and takes place pretty much directly after the last chapter. Thanks for great reviews and emails guys. Individual shout-outs at the end.
BEFORE TIME BEGAN THERE WAS GOOD
When the Rangers arrived at the Clock Tower and made their way up the endless stairs impatiently, they found the top room empty.
"That's strange," murmured Wes as he looked around.
Then they heard a sigh from the balcony and the woman walked in from it with Alice striding behind her. The woman bowed her head at the Rangers. They could now see that her dress was made of rich dark velvet which seemed like an odd choice for such a hot day.
"Thank you for your trust Rangers......" she began.
Suddenly she crumpled, a look of pain in her eyes as she tried to stay staggeringly on her feet. Alice was immediately beside her, holding her fragile frame as upright as she could. The Rangers clustered closer, unsure what was happening and how they could help.
"Sister, that teleport took a lot out of your powers. Remember they've been weakened greatly after the Quantum Ranger was activated," Alice scolded gently though worry clearly showed on her face. "you must rest until you are replenished again."
The woman nodded and allowed herself to be led to a chair at the head of the table. The Rangers didn't know what to say. How was Eric's new identity as the Quantum Ranger affecting this strange woman's powers? Also Alice's attitude confused them. She had appeared a hard and unrelenting person when they'd met her earlier but now all they saw was sisterly concern on her face as she watched the older woman settle herself in her chair. Slowly they each took a seat at the table, watching as the sorceress took deep breaths and shook a little.
"Because you have shown such trust in me, I will reveal myself to you," she said finally.
With a shaking hand, she tore the scarf from her face and pulled the hood of her cloak down. Her hair was long and wild, mostly brown but with long streaks of grey characterising it (the only indication of her age). Her face was thin with a wide smiling mouth and it was only now that the Rangers realised her eyes were a pale purple. Although it was nothing extraordinary, there was a nobility and peace that seemed to radiate from her. They could all sense a wisdom inside of her.
"My name is Ink and I come from a time which none of you can comprehend," she began quietly, hands folded on the table before her. "I was born to Zordon; the great space sage who discovered the first power coins which were given to the very first power rangers."
"You were born to him? You mean you're his daughter?" gasped Jen.
She, like the other Rangers, knew about Zordon. He was always talked of highly; the amazing inter dimensional being who breathed life into the first Power Rangers. There had never been any mention of his background, except that he was from the planet Eltar. Not much else was known about him.
"Not in an Earthly sense," Ink replied with a smile. "I was not born of flesh, I was created by him using his powers for a specific goodly purpose. He considered me his daughter as he was unable to have children of his own. He also created my sisters. Alice is one of them; she is my loyal protector and charged to be with me wherever I go."
Alice nodded and offered a small half smile.
"We're not as powerful as we were when we were created, in human form our power is really reduced," Alice picked up the thread. "Zordon gave us each different gifts. Here on Earth, we can't show our pure form."
"Why not?" asked Lucas interested.
"You wouldn't be able to handle it," laughed Alice.
"From the moment our lives began we knew of the battle between good and evil. My sisters and I were each created for a purpose in the future which Zordon saw clearly," Ink continued, her tone becoming darker. "we knew he would eventually summon the first Rangers when Rita Repulsa, his great rival, awakened and was freed. We also knew we or our powers would not be needed for a very long time; I could forsee this."
"You could forsee it? You mean you can see the future?" gasped Katie in astonished comprehension.
"I can see everything" Ink replied simply.
"You mean....you can tell us how to defeat Ransik? That's great...." began Jen excitedly.
"No Pink Ranger, I cannot tell you what lies ahead, that would be tampering with the natural flow of the future," cut in Ink. "I do not see everything clearly laid out. I do not know how every life or mission or situation ends. There are no certainties in what I see."
"So what do you see?" asked a confused Katie.
"Paths mostly," smiled Ink. "the decisions you each will face in your mission. Everything I see is liquid not solid. Your destiny is not predetermined, it is chosen by you. I know what choices lie ahead and see what the outcome of each decision leads to. But in the end, you make the decisions yourselves."
"So that's why you're here? The future?" guessed Wes.
"In some ways yes Red Ranger. I cannot stop what I see before me unless it results in great unmitigated disaster and negates all existence. The future is therefore entirely out of my hands and in yours," answered Ink. "my sisters and I are connected to the great powers which grant the Ranger teams their abilities and powers and each of us have a role as protectors and guardians."
"Guardians? To who?" asked Trip intrigued.
"My oldest sister Dulcea was guardian to the oft-forgotten Ninjetti Rangers for example and Dimitria, a close friend was the Turbo Rangers guardian after Zordon's departure," Ink replied. "and I myself am the Quantum Ranger's spiritual guardian, or the Quantum Keeper to give me my rightful title."
"His guardian? What does that mean?" asked Wes confused.
"I am deeply connected to his Quantum Powers; a companion created to be paired with it as a guide and helper. Literally I am attached to his Morpher so when it was accessed......"
"You were affected by it," finished Jen, slowly beginning to piece together the story.
"Correct Pink Ranger," smiled Ink. "myself and my sisters remain in a deep sleep until our powers are either needed or activated. It is our way of conserving our powers and remaining safe and I was asleep for a very long time before Eric accessed the Quantum Powers."
"But if you're Eric's guardian, why did you come to us and not him?" asked Katie.
"Because I need your help to save my Quantum Ranger....." Ink began again.
Her reply was cut short by another spasm of pain. She clutched at her chest and staggered out of her seat, visually severely winded by something unseen to the human eye. Immediately Alice took hold of her, steadily supporting her pain-wracked frame. Ink gave a defeated smile.
"It seems we must finish this discussion at another time," she said. "Rangers, please inform the Red Ranger of the history of the other teams. It will prove useful for when I return."
"We can do that," promised Trip, worry etched over his face at Ink's condition.
Ink nodded wearily at his words and began to lift her tired arms but Alice firmly pushed them down again.
"You are too weak to teleport us both sister," she declared. "I will do it this time."
"But yours were not forged for teleportation, mine are safest," Ink protested weakly.
"And yours may also drain you completely," countered Alice. "I know I do not have your powers but allow me to do this. Rangers, we will return soon to finish our story. I am sure there is much you wish to know but until my sister has recovered, I will not allow it."
With a flash of silver light, a long silver staff appeared in Alice's hand. Ink looked at the Rangers, all with such worried looks on their faces. Her gaze lingered on Jen's face.
"You are a good strong leader Pink Ranger," she said softly. "Alex would be very proud. He told me he would be."
Jen gasped and got to her feet but before she could approach Ink, Alice slammed the staff onto the floor and cried something in a strange foreign tongue. In a blazing flash of silver light that enveloped the pair, they disappeared. They left five very confused Rangers behind.
"Blakesten to Commander Myers come in!........Blakesten to Commander Myers do you read me?"
The static filled words in Eric's ear woke him with an unwelcome start. Then he felt the startling splitting headache with a groan. His body felt wrecked. He found his limbs were stiff and sore as he untangled them from the jumbled position he lay in. That was when he realised he was lying on the cold hard concrete. God knows for how long. The voice in his headset persisted so with a grimace Eric forced himself to sit up and rasped into it.
"Commander Myers receiving, report"
"Sir you've been out of contact for some time, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, I'll be back to base shortly, out"
Eric cracked his neck as he tried to remember what had happened. He and the Time Rangers had beaten another mutant; well they'd began and he'd finished the job. Then he'd had argument with Wes, the usual - Collins wanting him to work as a part of a team with the rest of the Time Rangers. Then.......that woman, the one all in purple, she'd shown up with that blonde bitch of an accomplice. He remembered their powers; the way the purple one had used some sort of purple energy paired with telekinesis to stop him from morphing and how the blonde one had made weapons appear out of thin air. Even if he couldn't arrest them, maybe he could get them to work for the Silver Guardians. Abilities like that shouldn't be squandered.
But there had been something more when the purple one had hit him with her powers. He'd felt something respond inside of him. Something inside him felt connected, complete. It didn't make sense but it was true. He got to his feet and awkwardly stretched out his tired limbs. Something felt different. There was a tingling sensation throughout his body. He inspected his body curiously. The wounds from the mutant battle (which now seemed like years ago) were beginning to heal already. Eric frowned
"That doesn't make sense"
He almost felt stronger, more together, more whole. It was a similar feeling to when he'd first put on the Quantum Morpher, this feeling of power filling him up. If possible he felt even more powerful now, like the mutant had energised him. He stared at his hands. They suddenly sparked with purple energy, causing his head to snap back a little in shock. He looked at his Morpher and saw that now the outer rim had turned deep purple.
"So they are connected" he murmured, a smile growing on his face "she can give me more power"
As he got to his feet and made his way over to his Silver Guardians SUV parked nearby, a plan formed in his mind. He'd command the Silver Guardians to track down this mutant and detain her so he could question her, maybe even tap her power. Meanwhile he'd root out Wes and the other Rangers. They must know something - after all they and the mutant had all disappeared, they were probably together planning something. He couldn't let that happen.
"You're not getting my power up Collins" he muttered as he pulled away.
AUTHOR SHOUT OUTS
The Fink: Thanks for the punctuation email. I hope this chapter is better punctuation-wise, I've worked hard to get it right. I also hope that this is not turning out too Mary Sue for you. I have no plans for any characters to fall in love with either Ink or Alice lol. Please keep reading and reviewing, it means the world that u do :- )
Cmar: Thanks for the compliments. I'm glad this story is creative, different and interesting; its what I was aiming for. As for Wes's and Eric's personalities, I'm glad u think I've got them down well. Its hard to write making them sound 'right' if u know what I mean. I hope u find the punctuation in this chapter better than before. Rach has been a great help.
White Time Force Ranger: great work on ur other stories, love reading them. Thanks for updating me and reading mine, it's an honour to know u like it. Past Ranger stuff will be continually included so I hope it won't get boring for people. Thanks for ur interest and reviews!