Disclaimer: I own nothing, except Ink and Alice who I created myself. The rest belongs to Disney in some strange way!
Ranger References: Contains the end scenes from 'Time for Lightspeed' and references earlier scenes in the episode. I think I've stretched this one episode out long enough! The Eltarian gesture Ink and Alice do at the end is borrowed from the film 'Masters of the Universe', very bad film but I happened to like that bit and I expect I got it wrong coz I saw it a while ago but it's my interpretation! Shout-outs at the end. Enjoy!
PARTNERS IN POWER
The Clock Tower was not the most welcoming place in the world with cold winds blowing in through the cracks and the dim unflattering light pouring in through the windows. The bedrooms were cramped and uncomfortable at times and the bathroom facilities left a lot to be desired but that day as both teams of Rangers filled the big empty space with laughter and happiness, Wes didn't want to be anywhere else. There was a palatable sense of relief from both teams; the Lightspeed team because they'd been able to be involved in another mission and had been up to scratch and the Time Force team because they'd gelled so well with another team. For Wes it was exciting meeting other Rangers, people who knew the ups and downs, the burdens and joys of carrying the Power but for the other Time Force Rangers it was a completely different experience, meeting people they'd learnt about in training. For them, it was surreal seeing the people they'd learnt about actually come to life.
Wes grinned as they reached the main room and spread out his arms as he led the way in.
"C'mon guys, check it out!" he encouraged.
The two teams mixed together and wandered into the room, Trip gesturing to where the bell was kept. Seeing Jen laughing and giggling with Dana, her Pink Lightspeed counterpart, made Wes feel especially happy. He could count the times on one hand that Jen was this relaxed. He also noticed the way Carter stayed near to Dana though she didn't encourage or discourage him. Wes wondered if there was something about Pink and Red Power that drew their Rangers towards each other and if it'd happened frequently in the past. He decided he'd ask Ink about that later.
Ink herself was walking beside Ryan who had an arm casually slung around Alice. That was surprisingly in itself, that Alice hadn't tried killing him for invading her personal space. Ink had a serene look on her face, despite Eric's absence. When the Rangers had decided to go back to the Clock Tower, Eric had opted out as usual, telling Wes he had to report the battle to HQ so that they knew the demon threat was gone and that squadrons would have to be dispatched to sweep the area in case any stragglers were found or in case Ransik used the quiet of the aftermath to launch an attack of his own.
"I thought you guys came from the future? This place looks kinda old!" voiced Joel as he looked around the room.
Wes turned in time to see Kelsey give her inconsiderate team-mate a sharp elbow in the ribs and then Circuit sail in through the window, narrowly missing both Kelsey and Chad before he found his perch.
"Some old things are good and anyway, we like it!" the robot owl said determinedly.
At the sound of Jen's laugh, Wes's eyes automatically sought her out. She was walking with Dana over to Ryan and touched the Titanium Ranger's back gently to get his attention. For a second, hot irrational jealousy fired through Wes. Then he shook his head. He was jealous of Ryan? It was obvious the man preferred to be alone though with looks like that it was unlikely women took the hint (and Wes noticed that Kelsey kept glancing Ryan's way, her wide eyes shining with something he didn't think Ryan had noticed yet). Besides, Dana, Ryan's sister Wes had discovered from Carter, was pretty protective of him anyway. Wes was glad that Jen had found people which made her glow the way she was as he looked at her now. These Rangers she'd learnt about as part of the past who she'd helped win a battle and now could consider friends. It was a strange situation. At that thought, Wes remembered something he and Jen had decided on earlier.
He crossed the room to where Carter was looking in interest at Circuit and with a smile, led his Red counterpart to where the rest of his team-mates were gathered.
"We wanted to give you something to remember us by," Wes told Carter in answer to his confused look.
The Time Force Rangers gathered on one side of the others in the room and produced from behind their backs six folded Time Force officer jackets. Jen held two and handed the pair to Dana and Ryan, glancing over to see Carter accept his with a chuckle of surprise. She saw the way he looked at Chad and Kelsey raising his eyebrows and immediately her excitement deflated. She and Wes had thought that the Rangers would appreciate such unique gifts but it seemed they were distinctly underwelmed.
"What's wrong? Don't you like them?" she ventured; sounding the closest to timid Wes had ever heard her.
"No! They're great! It's just that….." Chad trailed off leaving Kelsey to finish his sentence for him.
"We had something to give you guys too!"
At Carter's nod, the six Lightspeed Rescue Rangers removed their identical red and black Lightspeed jackets and handed them to their counterparts.
"This is excellent!" laughed Wes as the others took their jackets with equal enthusiasm.
"See how it fits," encouraged Carter, helping Wes shrug into it.
"Perfect," affirmed Wes, feeling the way the jacket hugged his frame.
He looked at his friends, watching as they chattered with their colour counterparts and looked at their new jackets with astonishment. They now owned a part of history. Just a little way off Alice and Ink stood watching their Rangers fondly. Alice had her foot propped up on a nearby chair and her elbow rested on her leg, watching the scene with an animated look of interest, more than he'd seen before while Ink had her hands clasped, serenity seeming to glow from her. Ryan also stood alone, a little lost as to what to do with his Lightspeed jacket which was obviously intended for Eric.
"Should I just leave it here?" he asked Alice quietly.
"He never comes here so he'd never get it," his Protector replied with a grin.
"I will take it, Titanium Ranger," answered Ink.
Ryan laid the jacket in her offered arms. Ink threw it up into the air and with a snatch of her hand and flash of violet sparkles, the jacket disappeared completely. Ryan and Alice weren't fazed at all but Wes, the only Ranger who'd noticed the magic, was slack-jawed. Ink, recognising his astonishment, smiled his way and winked a purple eye.
"When do you guys need to get back?" he heard Trip ask.
"I need to get back soon," replied Carter regretfully. "I've got the day off from the fire station but I hate leaving the guys."
"I should get going soon too. I've left Marjorie in charge of the surgery and she tends to panic under pressure," added Dana with a rueful smile.
"I wish you could stay for longer," sighed Katie sadly. "It's been great to get to know all of you and fight with you. The Officers back home won't believe us when we tell them we helped the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers!"
The Lightspeed Rangers chuckled at this.
"I can't get used to being part of history," admitted Chad.
"I can't believe you guys are from the future!" enthused Kelsey with wide eyes. "And you're here with us now! What's it like? Do you have flying cars?"
"Be careful what you say, Rangers," interjected Ink. "You can change your time with a simple sentence."
"We know Ink," answered Jen with hints of affection as she turned her head to smile at the purple-clad sorceress. "Its different that's all, advanced in a lot of ways like technology but just the same as this time too."
"Didn't you guys have one more Ranger?" asked Dana suddenly, looking around. "The Quantum guy that Ryan fought with."
"Oh you mean Eric. He never comes to the Clock Tower, he hates being part of a team," explained Katie casually. "But at least he's stopped trying to kill us now."
"Sounds like you, Ryan," spoke up Joel cheerfully.
"Eric's alright," replied Ryan with a smile at Joel. "He's got a spiky personality but he's an ok guy. Ink got him to pick me up from the bus depo to get me to the battle so without him I might not have been here today."
"Well then I'm grateful," declared Dana, linking arms with Ryan and smiling up at him. "It's been a long time, little brother. You have gotta keep in better contact with us!"
"I keep in contact with Alice!"
"But I don't have time to pass on the news. I was asleep underground guarding Ink in between visiting Titanium here on his travels and helping out when he needed it," pointed out Alice.
"You live in a cave?" Chad sounded astonished and disbelieving.
"It's the best place to hide out where no one can find us," shrugged Alice in reply.
"As much as this conversation is thrilling me and believe me it is, I've got a honeymoon to get back to," interrupted Joel loudly.
"Say hi to Angela for me," asked Alice pleasantly enough though there was a twinkle of something else in her eyes.
"She always did like you," Joel regarded the blonde girl before him with a critical gaze. "I never could guess why. You were always a pain in the ass."
"And I always liked you least, Joel Rawlings. Be careful when addressing the Navy Titanium Protector."
"That is enough, Alice," added Ink, smoothing over the friendly banter spiked with dislike.
Alice shrugged, her expression making her appear like an insolent teenager. It was a widely known secret within the Lightspeed Rescue Ranger team that Alice and Joel clashed constantly. Joel hated something as irrational and illogical as magic which he couldn't combat or control; he also hated the fact that Alice had saved his life several times. They'd forced their differences aside to work as a team for the greater good, Alice for her mission and Joel because he knew Ryan would kill him if he fought openly with his Protector. Ink had obviously decided that her Time Force Rangers didn't need to be exposed to this squabbling and the look she gave Alice confirmed it and sealed Alice's lips on the matter.
Wes, sensing that a storm could break out if someone didn't react to change the awkward silence, quickly picked up the thread of the previous conversation.
"How bout we escort you back to Mariner Bay?" he asked Carter.
"Great!"
For a brief moment, the two Red Rangers slapped a high five and clutched fists. They'd enjoyed working together. Then Carter turned to the other Time Force Rangers with a smile.
"You got the jackets, now try the dance," he offered with a laugh.
The other Lightspeed Ranger broke into laughter and Ink's lips curved into a smile as the Time Force Rangers moved into the middle of the room. Wes looked at the rest of his team. The jackets did suit them and would be a great memento of the mission.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Sure," replied Jen with a shrug and was that another giggle?
As one the Time Force Rangers moved uncertainly in the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers morphing sequence arm movements which activated the Rescue Morphers.
"Lightspeed Rescue!"
"Awesome guys!" called Kelsey excitedly before turning to Chad. "What time is it, Chad? I've gotta see if I can get back to enter that rollerblade meet. Some of my sponsors were counting on me being there."
"How many times have I told you to buy a watch?" sighed Chad, checking his own black and blue waterproof one. "It's a little after four, there'll be time for you to get back if we leave now. I'll come with you if you like; I'm on duty again at the beach in an hour."
"He's a lifeguard," Alice explained to Wes when he sent her a questioning look.
"Well if you all need to get back now, we can accompany you on our cycles," said Jen.
"That'd be great, we've got to get these Morphers back to the Aqua Base and Commander Mitchell," replied Carter.
"You have to give them back?" asked Lucas.
"Once the demons were all destroyed, we didn't think we'd ever need them again but Dad kept a hold of them just in case," laughed Dana. "He'll keep them safe in case we ever need them."
"Except mine. I keep mine since I travel so much," cut in Ryan. "Dad hates the idea of me being out in places like India totally defenceless so he let me keep my Morpher."
"Yeah where are you heading next, Ryan?" asked Kelsey interested. "We haven't seen you in ages; want to come hang out in Mariner Bay for a bit?"
"I owe Dad a visit and I think Dana would drag me back even if I didn't want to go," laughed Ryan. "I'll stay for a week ok? Then I've got to move on. I heard about this place in Taiwan that might need my help."
"My brother, still saving the world," stated Dana with a roll of her eyes. "You don't have to do that anymore you know."
"I know. I just want to do it. It's what I want to do with my life."
"Let's get a move on," interrupted Joel impatiently. "My wife is waiting for me you know. We're heading for Hawaii."
"Not far away enough," muttered Alice, earning a reproving nudge from Ink.
The Rangers walked down and out of the Clock Tower; reaching the yellow Humvee which Wes had been told by Carter was called the Rescue Rover. Trip quickly set the yellow case he'd brought down from the Tower on the ground and pulled the miniature cycles from it much to the amusement of the Lightspeed Rangers.
"Aren't they a little small to ride?" asked Chad.
"But watch this," replied Trip with a knowing grin.
He set them on the ground and moments later, five fully sized Vector cycles appeared in their place. Trip looked proud when he turned back to the gobsmacked Lightspeed Rangers.
"The year 3000's finest technology especially for its Rangers," the Green Ranger stated, snapping the empty yellow case shut.
"So that's how advanced you guys are," said Kelsey in amazement. "I don't think Miss Fairweather ever created anything like that for us."
"Hey she's Mrs Fairweather-Rawlings now," corrected Joel with good humour, slinging an arm around his Yellow team mate.
"How can we forget? You've been bragging about it since you got engaged," groaned Chad. "The quicker we get you back on your honeymoon, the better!"
Kesley laughed, ducking away from Joel's arm to clamber into the Rover followed by Joel and Chad. As Dana and Ryan eased their way in, Wes looked doubtfully at the small space they were squashing everyone into.
"Are you sure there's room in there for all of you?" he asked Carter as the Red Lightspeed Rescue Ranger was about to swing into the driver's seat.
"We'll fit in somehow," Carter replied with a laugh.
Ink and Alice approached the Rover as the Time Force Rangers got onto their cycles.
"It was good to meet you all at last," Ink said with a bow of her head. "I have heard much about you from Alice and seen a lot in my visions of the past. Your work as Rangers was truly admirable. Thank you for your time served."
"It was no problem," chirped up Kelsey.
"Yeah we had a blast, most of the time," added Chad.
"It's been great to catch up with you guys," stated Alice, leaning on the Rover as she spoke. "I'll try and come visit you in Mariner Bay while Ink's still awake for her time as the Quantum Keeper."
"Alice, say hey to Eric for me ok?" asked Ryan, leaning forward from where he was packed into the back of the Rover. "I'll try and come back to Silver Hills before I leave for Taiwan. He's a pretty cool guy when you get past the unfriendliness."
"He's ok when he's doing what he's told," amended Alice darkly. "He just hates taking orders, even from his Guardian."
"But Eric does do his job as a Ranger and he has achieved much in his time holding the Power," reminded Ink with a smile. "He may be rough around the edges and not as clean-cut as many former Rangers but he is skilled and sharp with a natural knack for leadership paired with a very blunt way of expressing himself and doing his job. He has always fought for himself, now he is learning to fight for others."
"Sounds familiar," laughed Ryan as he settled back into his seat. "You gonna join me in Taiwan, Alice? Extra pair of hands is always needed out there."
"When my duty protecting Ink's done, I'll be there," confirmed Alice.
"You guys want to morph?" yelled Wes from his cycle. "It'll stop people knowing who we are, civilians'll recognise our cycles."
"You have secret identities?" asked Joel surprised.
"Yeah, don't you?" replied Lucas.
"No, we were a public service team. We helped out as Rangers in any uncontrollable situation the authorities couldn't handle. People knew who we were." Carter answered. "But we understand your problem, we'll morph with you."
With bright flashes of light and two loud morphing calls, the Ranger uniforms cloaked the teams. Ink smiled and turned to find Alice smiling back.
"Be well, Lightspeed Rescue Rangers," Ink called lightly. She pressed a fist to her heart and then unclenched it as she brought it away in a rapid movement.
"Take care guys, I'll see you soon. You made me proud," added Alice. She mimicked Ink's gesture and Ryan mimicked it immediately back.
"What does that mean?" asked Wes, doing the gesture uncertainly.
"It is an Eltarian blessing said when friends part," replied Ink. "It means good journey. I doubt I will see these Rangers again so that is why I say it. Instead of saying goodbye, we wish you well instead."
There was a small moment of silence and then the rest of the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers did the gesture together. Ink bowed her head politely and Alice bowed from the waist up, arms straight at her side. Then they both did the 'good journey' gesture together. In each of their own hands, a symbol appeared. In Ink's the Time Force symbol shimmered in purple and in Alice's the Lightspeed Rescue symbol appeared in silver. Then they faded away.
"Let's head off!" called Carter, started the Rover's engine.
The Rover peeled away from the Clock Tower, the Rangers inside calling goodbye to the sisters waving them off. The Time Force Rangers quickly flanked the yellow vehicle on either side and then sped ahead to lead the way. The setting sun made the machines shine and all Ink and Alice could see as the Rover and cycles disappeared on a long stretch of road was the merging of bright shimmering colours.
"It was good to see them again, Alice?" asked Ink as her eyes stayed fastened on the receding colours.
"Yeah it was, always good to see Ryan and even better to see the rest of them," replied her Protector, hands stuffed in her Lightspeed Rescue jacket pockets. "I do wish I could see them more often but Protector duty keeps me here."
"I am sorry, Alice, that your loyalties are split between two teams. I will never make you choose and if Ryan is ever in trouble, you must go to him."
"Try and stop me."
"I do not think that is an option I want to take," replied Ink with a mock serious look on her face. "Now, I am going to see Eric. He has made a friend in Ryan today, someone who truly does understand him and someone who he will have a connection with long after you and I are gone. It was a big step for him to open himself up for friendship. I could also do with some food. Would you like to join me?"
"Where else would I go, sister?" answered Alice affectionately. "Ryan is my charge and a dear friend but you're my sister. Let's go find Eric."
AUTHOR SHOUT-OUTS
White Time Ranger: LOL, I so did not mean for you to stop working of your English assignment! Hope you got it done when you were finished reading. Yeah, I thought it was right that Eric wouldn't go to the Clock Tower – he'd be very out of place there! Thanks for your continuing loyalty, its muchly appreciated! Hope you liked this chapter
Blooming Violets: Thanks for the comment on the Eric/Ryan dynamic – I just really pictured them as good friends since their backgrounds are quite similar. I'm glad you found my story too as your great comments are always welcome! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Mag Cat: I didn't expect Alice to morph either but it just popped into my head and totally fitted her character so I went with it and it worked out real well. I'm glad you think the battle scene was well written, I find fights hard to write. Thanks for reading :- )
TF Princess: Ryan strikes me as a very cool guys, I've only seen one episode with him in so his voice is basically guess-work so I'm hoping I got it right! I think he and Eric would get on very well and I hope this is believable! Yeah poor Eric has no idea how to act in really social situations, bless! I'm hoping my muse will let it all work out in the end! Thanks again for reading and reviewing:- )
Kokuryu: Thanks for your insightful comments; I'm glad you can see the connection I did between Ryan and Eric. I figured they'd fit very well as friends due to their similar backgrounds. I hope you continue to enjoy this story and my Eric characterisation, he's tough to write! Thanks again:- )