advanced, extended, additional chapters & alternate endings of this story can be found on rangerfiction . net

Disclaimer: Power Rangers and all its related logos are property of Disney Entertainment and/or Saban Entertainment. I am using them without permission, but I do not expect to make a profit. If I do, I promise to split it 50/50 with the Disney people. I swear, I do. All original characters are mine, and I do have permission to use them.

A/N: This takes place a few years after Dino Thunder, and is loosely based in the "Future Imperfect" universe. Don't worry; you shouldn't have to read that one to understand this one. Kyle, the new Quantum Ranger, does appear in "Future Imperfect" as well.

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Alex and Kyle - New Silver Hills, California 3001 AD

His relationship with Jen was like something out of a fairy tale. They met, and almost instantly both of them knew they were meant to be together. They knew that working together and attempting to have a relationship would make things difficult; even Captain Logan warned them of the unnecessary complications of attempting to date a co-worker, but they both felt it was worth the struggle.

When Alex was chosen to be the red ranger and track down Ransik, he became obsessed with his work. Ransik single-handedly killed his parents, and he wanted revenge for their senseless deaths. Soon, Jen was no longer his top priority; stopping Ransik was the only thing that concerned him. There were times when he was gone for days at a time, tracking him, hunting him down. Jen laid in bed a nervous wreck, hoping everything was okay. He promised her that once he captured Ransik, once he was behind bars for good, he'd step down as red ranger, get a desk job and be with her. She understood his frustrations, and waited for him.

He finally tracked Ransik down to an abandoned warehouse, and after an all-out war, was able to capture him. Ransik would stand trail for his crimes, and more than likely be sentenced to containment for the rest of his life. Things were finally looking up for them. At the trial, he proposed, and she eagerly accepted. Ransik was sentenced, and Jen's team was given the task of taking him to containment.

But the unthinkable happened…

Ransik escaped, and was able to get his hands on a time travel device. His plan was to go to the past to a point when there was no Time Force, and rule the world. Alex, hoping to be done with his duties as red ranger, assumed control of it one more time, and went after Ransik. They fought, but this time, Alex wasn't so lucky. With his last breath, he gave his morpher to Jen and told her to stop Ransik at all costs. Jen, with tears in her eyes, promised him she would, and just like that, he was gone.

Alex awoke in a hospital, unsure of where he was or how he'd gotten there. Captain Logan explained to him that Alex had officially died in his last battle against Ransik, and that Ransik traveled to the past to take over the city. Jen and a group of rangers had gone back to stop him, and as a result, the time line was beginning to shift. Reality was changing, and if it didn't stop soon, Time Force as they knew it would be gone. One of the side effects in the time line shifting was Alex being resurrected, and he vowed to go back and put a stop to the changes in the time line. It was his second chance to set things right, to capture Ransik, to be with Jen.

He went to the past to help, only to discover that the time line wasn't the only thing that had changed. Jen's feelings for him were gone, and replaced with feelings for someone else, Wesley Collins. It hurt him more than he could ever tell her, but the mission was the top priority. He focused on his goal, which was to preserve the time line, and though it cost his relationship with Jen, time was as it should have been.

When Jen finally returned to the present, things between them were different. For months, they avoided one another. He took a deep cover assignment, and Jen took a mission to track a group of renegade mutants. When they both returned, they had a chance to talk. Each of them expressed their concerns, got everything out in the open, and they were finally on their way to becoming friends again. It didn't take them long to rekindle the flame, and the two of them were together again within a year. He still had the ring, the same ring she'd given back to him years ago, and he was finally ready to propose to her again.

He'd scheduled a meeting with Captain Logan, and was prepared to hand over the red Chrono morpher, step down and take a desk job to be with Jen. It would be just like he promised her it would be, but before he could call the captain, Logan called him. From the tone in his voice, he knew it had to be something important. It was with a reluctant sigh that he headed into the main control room, where the Captain was waiting for him. Along with the Captain was Kyle Riley, Alex's long time friend. The two of them had gone through the academy together, and Kyle was one of the very few people in his life who he trusted unconditionally.

"Sir!" Alex said, standing at attention.

"At ease, Commander." Alex put his arms behind his back. "I called you here because there is a serious problem in the space/time continuum." He motioned for both Alex and Kyle to follow him. They all stopped in front of one of the computer stations. "There is an unusual power build up in the past. There is a huge amount of energy, all of it converging at one point in the Terrell Ian sector."

"At what point in time?" Kyle asked.

"We can't get a precise time or date, but it's the early 21st century. I've checked the astrometrics readouts, and all this energy is converging in the exact spot where he was contained," he said.

"He?"

The Captain sighed. "He is called many things in many different cultures and religions, but we all agree that it was the first evil, the original evil in the universe. He is, quite simply, the evil that evil fears. For countless generations, he had been contained in the Terrell Ian sector, trapped in a sort of void, a space between worlds. It was created by the combined forces of every being in the universe, and designed so that it could be opened only by a source of unspeakable power. It was believed that no known power in the universe would ever be able to open it, but from the looks of these readings, someone is about to try."

"Come on boss, there have been plenty of guys who claimed to be the big bad of the universe, I'm sure this guy is no different," Kyle said.

"Make no mistake about it, Commander Riley, this being is the very first evil in the universe, the be all and end all of evil. Legend tells of this being, and there are documents going as far back as the beginning of time itself," he said. "The last report of it being on Earth was the early 21st century in California, but it was contained."

"Are you trying to say this thing is…"

"The original evil, the only evil. We've had beings that claimed to be evil, some said they were the king or queen of evil, this thing is actual evil, the embodiment of every negative and impure thought in the universe," he told him.

"So what do you want us to do?"

"According to reports, there has been a time jump, originating from the year 2025. Whoever it is, I suspect they're on their way to Terrell Ian sector as well. I need the two of you to investigate this and report back. If something isn't done, this could shift the balance of power in the universe, and in one stroke eliminate Time Force once and for all."

"Wait? The two of us?"

He nodded. "Yes. Alex, the new Chrono morpher has been working fine for you, so I want you to lead the mission. I would have you take the other rangers, but if something does happen, they will be needed here. Kyle has been the Quantum ranger for years now, so he is the ideal choice for this mission," he said. "Besides, the two of you recently went on a mission to the 21st century, so I thought you two would be eager to work together again."

"I am, sir, it's not Kyle. It's just that I…"

"I know, you were ready to put all this behind you, Alex, but if this thing isn't stopped before it's too late, life as you know it will be over. Countless billions will cease to exist in the blink of an eye. Do this for us, Alex, and you'll be done. You can retire from Time Force as one of the most decorated and honored officers of all time," Captain Logan told him.

"Sir, I…"

"Oh come on, Al, let's go stop the big evil guy and get it over with. People are counting on us, we have to do this," Kyle said.

Alex sighed. "I'm sorry, sir, but with all due respect, I'm going to have to decline. I've done everything Time Force asked of me and more, but this time, I can't accept this mission. Jen and I are…"

"I was afraid you'd feel that way, and I didn't want this to be your motivation for going, but…" He paused, handing Alex a vanilla folder. Alex quickly opened it, reading over the files. "I sent Jen on a mission to investigate this incursion, but she failed to check in almost twelve hours ago. As far as we can tell, her morpher is offline, and we fear the worst," Captain Logan told him.

"Oh God, Jen," he sighed.

Kyle walked over to Alex, putting his hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her and bring her back, I promise."

"When do we leave?" Alex asked with a look of determination on his face.

Jack and Charlie - New Tech City, California 2025 AD

It was still a little disconcerting for him. Every now and then, he'd turn on the news and hear something about the Space Partol Delta rangers were successful in capturing another criminal, or how they prevented some kind of disaster. He was proud of them all, and knew that SPD wouldn't shut down the moment he left, but it was still strange for him to see the red ranger in battle. After all, he'd spent a year of his life as the red ranger, the leader of the group, going into battle after battle and always coming out on top.

His time in SPD was, to say the least, informative. He discovered that his parents were part of the original SPD, and that thanks to their research on the morphers, they're DNA had been altered on a cellular level. That gave him an explanation as to why he had the ability to pass through solid objects, and it explained why his parents were always so secretive about what they did. Though he missed his time as a ranger; just being with the group, going into battle with him, he was glad that part of his life was over. From time to time, Z and the others came to visit him, and they'd head over to Piggy's restaurant just to harass him. He'd even gotten a visit from Commander Cruger a few times, but the conversation was always felt a little awkward. Still, it was nice that the others stopped by to see him every now and then.

His life was Ally had been nothing had been everything he could have hoped for and more. Because her family owned a business, it was easy for him to donate clothes to the needy. He often wondered how many times he'd stolen clothes from her father's shop and passed them out the homeless. Even beyond that, it was nice for him to finally be doing something that didn't involve helping other people. So dedicated to ensuring that everyone else got what they needed, he often neglected to pursue the things he wanted. Ally gave him the chance to do that, and while he missed being with the others, he couldn't imagine a happier time in his life that at that moment.

Though he'd only been with Ally a short time, he found himself considering asking her to marry him. They made each other happy, and it was a feeling he wanted to hold onto the rest of his life.

His thoughts were interrupted as Ally walked into the room, flopping down on his lap and wrapping her arms around him. "Watching the news again I see," she said, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek.

He grabbed the control, putting the television on mute. "Not really," he lied.

"You're good at so many things, but lying isn't one of them."

"Sorry, it's just…"

"I get it, you were with the rangers for a year, its hard to let that part of your life go, but…"

He cut her short. "There's no where else I'd rather be, I promise you."

"You can be so sweet sometimes," she sighed.

"I try my best."

"I was thinking we could go fly fishing later on. I have to stop by the store and do inventory, but after that, I'm free for the rest of the day. After that, he could grab something to eat, maybe rent a video disc," Ally suggested.

"Sounds good, maybe we could even…" he paused as something on television caught his attention. He quickly grabbed the control, turning the television up.

"… Seriously injured in the battle. A full investigation has been put into motion to discover who was behind the attacks, but officials are trying to keep the incident under wraps. There has been no word as to who could have sent the robots, or what they were looking for. Preliminary reports indicate that there were no causalities in the attack, but several SPD officers were injured, and one has been declared missing. We will keep you up to date as…"

He turned the TV off, standing up with a look of concern on his face. "I have to know what happened," he said.

She sighed with disappointment. "Jack, you're not thinking about going…"

"I have to. Ally, my friends are there. I need to know if they're okay," he told her.

"I understand that, but if they're not, then what? This isn't your fight anymore Jack, you have to learn to let this…" she was interrupted as a robot crashed through the window of the house.

Jack quickly stood in front of Ally, standing in-between her and the robot. It wasn't like any robot he'd ever seen before. He'd normally dealt with orange heads and blue heads, maybe a crybot every now and then, but this was altogether different. It was predominately black, but was wearing silver armor of some kind, and had a blade in its hand. It seemed as though it was speaking, but it sounded more like squeaking and squealing.

"I don't know who you are or what you want, but…"

He was cut short as the robot attacked him. It swung the blade at him, but Jack pushed Ally aside, then sidestepped the blade himself. He went for a sweep, but he didn't have enough force to knock the robot over. It cocked back with its blade, trying to stab Jack with it, but he caught the blade between his hands, stopping it inches away from his chest. The robot began to apply more pressure, pushing down even more, but Jack refused to let go. In the distance, he head another crash, and within moments, there were four more robots in the house. Two of them grabbed Ally, and she screamed to Jack for help.

Jack mustered up all the strength he had, finally pushing the robot away from him. He landed a kick, knocking the blade out the robots hands, caught it and stabbed it in the chest. Sparks shot out of its chest before it collapsed to the floor.

"Ally, duck!" he screamed.

Follow instructions, Ally ducked as Jack swung the blade, slicing off one of the robot's heads. As it fell to the floor, Ally struggled free from the grip of the other, running behind Jack. Now, Jack had a blade in each hand with a look of contempt in his eyes. He was ready to make his move, but before he could, at least a dozen more robots charged into the house, surrounding them.

"Jack, what's going on?" Ally cried.

At that moment, there was another crash, but this time, it was…

"Shadow Ranger!" Jack said.

Shadow nodded at him, and then went to work on the robots. Sword in hand, he swung, taking down three of the robots almost instantly. Jack followed suit, using the blade to go after the others. One of the robots grabbed Jack from behind, but he dropped to his knees and flipped the robot over, then sliced it in half. Within moments, there was a pile of robots at their feet as Jack and Shadow Ranger glanced around.

"Commander, what in the world is…" he paused. "Ally? ALLY?" he screamed, looking around.

"I fear they've taken her Jack, but we can get her back. You have to come with me now," Shadow Ranger said.

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on here!"

"Something is coming, something evil. The rangers were attacked to prevent them from being able to stop it, SPD is almost all but crippled because of it, and you may be the only hope we have to stopping it," he said.

"What is it? What's coming? And where have they taken Ally?"

"I will answer all your questions, but time is of the essence. You have to come with me now," he said.

Reluctantly, Jack nodded.

The doors to the command center opened as Jack and Commander Cruger walked in. It was strange for Jack, being back there. It had only been a few months since he left, but while it all felt familiar to him, there were things that still felt out of place.

"Jack, its good to see you again," Kat said, walking over to him. "I just wish it was under better circumstances."

"Nice to see you again, too."

Commander Cruger walked over to the control panel, pulling up some information. "A little over twenty years ago, there was a being on Earth known only as The First. It attempted to take over a small city in California, and was almost successful, but thanks to the efforts of a young woman and a group of friends, it was contained. The only other information we have on The First is only speculation, but it is believed that this being in trapped between worlds, unable to take corporal form until it is fully released. There are only a few access points where this being can be released, two are on Earth but one of them has been completely sealed. The other is in Ohio, and I have dispatched the rangers there in the event something were to happen," he explained.

"So if the access points are protected, why am I here?"

"It is our belief that this being isn't attempting to use any access point on Earth. There is a set of coordinates in the Terrell Ian sector; it's rumored to have a gateway that leads from this world to others. We believe this being is going to make its escape from there," he said.

"What's the big deal Commander? We've defeated Grumm, what else could there…"

"Rest assured Jack, the being in question is the definitive evil, the dominant evil in this universe and any other. Its very essence is evil; we believe it to be the First evil in the universe. We believe that Grumm, Onmi, and every other being we've ever faced are in some way connected to this being, merely servants to the ultimate evil," he told him.

"How was it contained last time? Was it rangers?"

"The records are unclear, but clearly technology is not the answer. This being was contained by alternate means," he paused, turning to Jack. "Jack, you should know that Cadet Drew was sent on a surveillance mission to the Terrell Ian sector, but she has failed to report back. Sky was seriously injured in the attack earlier, and the remaining rangers have been dispatched to the final access point. I need you to go to the Terrell Ian sector, find Syd and do whatever you can to stop this being from being released," he said.

"But there's a catch," Kat chimed in, walking over to them. "These sets of coordinates in the Terrell Ian sector, at this point in time, are dormant. Commander Cruger wants to send you to the past."

"The past?"

"The year 2008 to be precise. There is huge power build up in that sector in that point in time. We're sure that whatever is going to happen, it's going to be in the past. The consequences of a being with that much power being released will effect not only that time, but ours and the rest of future history. Whatever it is, it has to be stopped," she said.

"With all due respect Commander, what do you expect me to do?"

The Commander reached in his pocket, pulling out a morpher and handed it to him. "You'll be needing this," he said.

Jack shook his head. "No, I retired, remember? I don't do this anymore," he said, heading for the exit.

"Whoever is behind this kidnapped Ally, and are using her as bail to lure you out. If you don't go, there is no telling what might happen to her," the Commander told him.

The statement was enough to stop Jack dead in his tracks.

"Even if I do this, I'd be alone. What will I be able to do by myself?" he asked, never turning around.

"You wouldn't be going alone. I want you to take Officer Cambridge with you," he said.

"Officer Cam…" he turned around. "Charlie? The A-Squad leader, but she's…"

"Probably your best bet to understanding The First. The shuttle that you originally found the A-Squad in months ago came from the Terrell Ian sector. We believe that Charlie and the others were influenced by The First or by agents of The First. If that's the case, she may be able to give you insight on how to defeat it," he said.

"What makes you think she'll be willing to help?"

"Because it sure beats being trapped in a damn containment card for twenty five years," Charlie said as the doors slid open and she walked into the room.

"You released her?"

"Officer Cambridge has agreed to help us. If you are successful in your mission, she will have her memories erased and allowed to live out the rest of her life as a civilian. If she shows any signs of betrayal, you are authorized to contain her again," the Commander told him.

"Don't worry, I'm a team player. Besides, it'll be cool to team up with the guy who brought me down. You're a good fighter Jack, now lets see what you do when you go up against real evil," she said.

"I'm not sure about this Commander," Jack sighed, voicing his concerns.

"Your reluctance is understandable, but we're running out of time. This needs to be taken care of immediately. If not, everything we've done, all that we've fought for will be erased from history. Evil will rule this world and every other, and there will be no one to stop it," he said.

"Sounds like a job for super red ranger," Charlie laughed.

"This is no laughing matter Officer Cambridge," Kat said.

"Geez, you guys never had a sense of humor, did you? Lighten up."

"Dr. Manx has managed to open a stable wormhole to the year 2008, but we won't be able to transport you all the way to the Terrell Ian sector. You'll have to find your own way there," she said.

"No problem, I'm sure the past has flights to the Terrell Ian sector leaving every thirty minutes. That shouldn't be a problem," Charlie mocked.

"We can transport you to the NASADA space port. You should be able to find suitable transportation there," the Commander said.

Jack looked at Charlie, who had a girlish grin on her face, then over at the Commander, who looked more concerned than anything else. Finally, he sighed, realizing what had to be done. "I'll do it," he sighed.

"Excellent. Kat, prepare the wormhole," he said.

Jack turned to Charlie. "If you turn on me, I'll…"

"Relax Jackie boy, I might be one of the bad guys, but I don't want the world destroyed. I kinda like it the way it is," she said.

"I have the coordinates locked in, we're ready here," Kat announced.

"When you get there, we will have no way of contacting you. Cadet Drew was given specific instructions on how to return home. You'll need to find her, and the three of you can return together once the mission is complete," he said.

Within moments, a wormhole opened.

"Good luck rangers," Commander Cruger said.

"Well, you ready to go save the world Jackie boy?" Charlie asked, not even giving him a chance to respond as she jumped through the wormhole, disappearing.

"I'll do my best Commander," Jack said.

"I'm sure you will."

Jack nodded, stepping through the wormhole and disappearing.

"Do you think they can do it Commander? After all, its only the two of them," Kat brought up.

"If I know my history, they won't be alone. They'll have help," he sighed.

next time on Forever Red II: Emily is kidnapped, forcing Jason out of retirement to find her. Meanwhile, Wes is ready to step down as red ranger.