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.
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Astro-Megaship escape shuttle IV
Charlie sat in the front of the controls of the shuttle, her arms folded firmly. The shuttle itself big enough for one person, maybe two, and had a very limited range. She hadn't really considered it when she hijacked the shuttle, and she hadn't really given any thought to the fuel reserves. There fuel cells were only at half, and the propulsion systems were only designed to go at impulse speeds, meaning she was going nowhere fast. Thinking things through had never been her strong point. If they had, things might have turned out differently for her.
It was her temper that originally made her betray SPD. Her commanding officer had given the order to secure a research station in New Tech City; the workers there were under attack by a rogue alien. At that point, she was the blue ranger, and her brother, Anthony, was the leader of the A-Squad. She and the other rangers stormed in, but it was a trap. Explosions went off, sealing them into the station. Chemicals in the station ran the risk of being exposed to the heat from the fire, making it imperative that they find a way out as soon as possible. Working together, they found an exit, and Anthony ordered that his team get out first. She pleaded with him to hurry, but before he could escape, there was a chemical explosion. Realizing it was too late for him, Anthony pushed her through the exit and out of harm's way, but as a result was trapped inside.
Back at SPD, Anthony was recognized for what he'd done for his team, and for SPD. He was awarded various medals and awards, and there was a grand funeral celebrating everything that he'd done, but knowing that some random mission cost her brother his life left a sour taste in Charlie's mouth. She was promoted to A-Squad red ranger, and put in command of her team, but by then, most of them were angry with SPD as well. It was that anger that led her and the others to seek out the First. They headed to the Terrell Ian sector, to the Utopian Mountains on KO-35, to the seal of Daphron. She thought that if she released the First, she and the others would be able to harness its powers, to control it. The plan was to overthrow SPD, but it didn't take them very long to realize that the First couldn't be controlled. It quickly took over their minds, bending them to its will. There was no mind control of any kind, no spells, simply manipulation. Assuming the appearance of her brother, the First instructed them who to align with, when and where to strike SPD. It promised to assist her with the destruction of SPD in exchange for being released.
Charlie couldn't have cared less about the consequences of her actions. All she knew was that she wanted SPD destroyed, and she was willing to do anything to see it happen. Of course, when she and the others returned to SPD ready to execute their plan, they were defeated by the B-Squad rangers and sentenced to containment. Her months in containment gave her time to think. Though she knew she was wrong, she took great comfort in knowing that the First hadn't been released. If it had the ability to control her and the other A-Squad members so easily, she knew that if it was released, there would be no one who would be able to resist its power. Commander Cruger released her from containment, offering her a deal…
"I want you to accompany the B-Squad red ranger to the Terrell Ian Sector and prevent this creature from being released," he said.
Charlie leaned up against the wall, folding her arms. "What makes you think I know how to stop it?"
"I know you and the other A-Squad rangers were in close contact with this being and its agents. If this mission is going to succeed, we'll need someone with extensive knowledge of what we're dealing with," he said.
"Hello? Remember me? I'm the bad guy here. What makes you think I even want to help SPD after everything you've done to me?" she asked.
"I know you blame SPD for your brother's death, but Officer Cambridge was one of the finest officers I ever had the honor to work with. He did what he thought was best for his unit, and his decision saved your life and the lives of your team. Any leader would have made the same decision."
"No, a real leader wouldn't have sent a team into a situation where someone can get killed. It's your fault he's gone, and you want to sugarcoat it by saying it was your honor to serve with him. It should have been YOU in that damn explosion, not him!" she snapped.
"Anthony knew the risks when he joined SPD, all of you did." He took a step towards her. "I watched you work your way up from D-Squad reserve unit to blue ranger on the A-Squad. You were given command of the A-Squad and the red morpher because your unit voted unanimously that you should be put in charge. I had faith in you, Charlie, I trusted you, but you let your anger get the best of you and you betrayed that trust. Personal issues aside, this mission stands a better chance of succeeding if you're part of it, so I'm prepared to make you an offer."
"What kind of offer?"
"You ensure that this mission is a success; you help prevent the release of this creature, and when you return, your memories will be erased and you'll be allowed to live out the rest of your life as a civilian," he told her.
"A civilian?"
"Yes. All memories of your time here at SPD was be erased. Your criminal record for your crimes against SPD will be considered priority one classified, and you'll be allowed to do what you want with you life."
"What about the others? My team?"
"I offered them similar deals, but none of them were willing. I hoped that you would be more understanding of the situation and be able to put any animosity you have against SPD aside for the greater good."
"So I'm like your Obi-Wan Kenobi, huh?"
"Excuse me?"
"I'm your only hope," she pointed out.
He sighed. "Yes, you're our last chance to stop this thing."
She cracked a smile. "Fine, I'll do it, but I have a few conditions."
"I assumed you might."
"When we get back, you can mind wipe me or whatever, but I don't want to forget my brother. All my memories of him should be left where they are," she said.
"Deal."
"And second, you'll release the others as well. Erase their memories and let them live their lives. They were only following my orders and shouldn't be blamed for what happened."
"Thinking of your team above yourself, Charlie?"
She nodded. "Yes, I am."
"You're more like your brother than you think. It's a deal," he said, extending his hand to her.
She reluctantly shook.
"Well, this is certainly going to be interesting," she sighed.
Up to this point, she'd held up her end of the deal. She'd given the rangers all the information she could on the First, told them everything she knew about it and how to stop it from being released. She knew she'd still be on the megaship if it weren't for Alex. "How the hell your superiors ever thought you were fit for the red morpher, I have no idea." The statement echoed through her mind. In retrospect, he was probably right. She wasn't a leader, at least not one worth following. Still, when he said it, it reminded her of her brother; how he'd done everything he could to save lives, and his statement was spit in the face to her brother and her family.
"Screw him, I don't need this shit!" she snapped, refolding her arms.
"You're doing the right thing, you know," a voice said.
She turned around only to see him standing there. He was exactly the way she remembered him; sandy brown hair, brown eyes, light complexion and a smile that could always get to her.
"Anthony?" she sighed.
"Yeah Lee-Lee, it's me." He walked over to her. "Leaving those guys was a good decision. I mean, its not like they had a chance to stop the First, and they'll likely all be destroyed in the attempt. There was no need for you to be here," he told her.
"I tried to tell them that, but…"
"You don't have to explain it to me, I know. This shuttle should get you back to Earth, and when you're there, you'll be able to use your knowledge of the future to make yourself a wealthy woman. And, since I haven't officially died yet in this point in time, you'll be able to save my life. We can be together again, and SPD will be gone," he said.
"Gone?"
"Yeah, there won't be a need for them anymore. After all, I'm going to be released soon enough, but I promise you I'll leave Earth untouched, and you'll have your run of the entire planet," he said.
She knew it was the First, she knew it wasn't really her brother, but it didn't matter. It sounded like him, it looked like him, it knew the nickname Anthony use to call her when they were kids. And even worse, it had a point. With her knowledge of what was to come, she would be in a position to change things, shape them to her liking. She'd be able to save Anthony from going on that mission. 'Hell, if there's no SPD, there won't be a mission for him to go on,' she thought. They'd be able to be together again, and in control of the entire Earth no less. She couldn't help but consider it; it was a tempting offer.
"The entire planet?"
He nodded. "All of it, I promise you."
"But what about the others?"
"Screw them, remember? After what that asshole from Time Force said about me, you're worried about him? Let them all burn in hell for what they did, and believe me, they will."
She unfolded her arms, turning to the controls. "Setting course to Earth, I should be there in less than five minutes," she told him.
"That's my girl, Lee-Lee. We'll be together soon," he said with a smile.
She nodded. "Yes, we're a lot more alike than you think," she sighed with a smirk on her face.
KO-35 2008 AD The Utopian Mountains
Jen surveyed the surroundings, hoping to find a way out. The walls themselves were solid rock, and though she was thorough in her investigation, there were no structural flaws that she could find. There were only three walls; the fourth was a force field of some kind, preventing them from leaving. Through the force field, she could see a group of Quantrons standing near what she assumed was the exit. There were no controls of any kind that powered the force field, at least none that she saw.
"Anything?" Ally asked, walking over to her.
"No, nothing. This place is locked up tight. Our only way out of here with the civilians will be to trick the guards into dropping the containment field," she said.
"Normally I'd say I would flirt with one of them, but robots don't usually go for that kind of thing."
Jen turned around, getting a look at the other captives. They were an unusual group, to say the least. She and Syd were from the future, only different points of the future. The remaining captives were from, as far as she knew, the present. She remembered Princess Shayla, and she was familiar with Cassie, Karone and Kendricks.
"What are we missing?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"The First is organized, there's a method to its madness. There's no way all of us were captured at random. Each of us must be a threat to it, and it wanted us out of the way," Jen brought up.
"How could Kimmy be a threat? She's only a kid," she mentioned.
"True." She walked over to the Princess, who was holding Kimmy in her arms. "Princess, is there anything you can tell us about the First?" she asked.
"I do know that over 3000 years ago, Merrick and the other ancient warriors fought agents of the First. Most of our finest warriors were defeated in the battle, but a warlock was able to trap it with a containment spell. The agents were eventually defeated, and the First swore revenge," she said.
"Are you able to perform the containment spell?"
She shook her head. "No, the mystical energy I have isn't nearly strong enough to contain the First," she said.
Jen turned her attention to Karone and Kendricks. "Have there been any reports of the First in your galaxy? Any clues on how we can stop this thing?"
"When I was Astronema, I was told about the First. They told me the First was the ultimate evil in the universe, and it was the only being I'd ever known that Dark Spector himself was afraid of. Most of the evil that exists today hopes to take over the universe, hoping to find an access point of the First so they can release it. From all the stories I ever heard, there was one thing everyone seemed to agree on; it cannot be defeated," she said.
"That isn't very encouraging," Kendricks said.
"No, but it's true."
"Even if we could find a way to defeat this thing, it won't do us any good if we're trapped in here," Cassie mentioned.
"That's the least of my concerns. If I know Captain Logan, Alex is already on his way. The other rangers will be coming as well, and when they do, we'll stand a better chance against this thing. As for getting out of here, I've already found a way, but I don't want to leave the civilians here at risk by leaving," Jen told her.
"You know a way out?"
"I may be a civilian, but I can take care of myself. If you have a plan, I say you go for it," Emily said, chiming into the conversation.
"We'd be fine on our own, if we had to," Ally added.
Krista stepped forward as well. "She's right. If you can get out of here, go. If help is on the way, we'll be fine until they get here."
"Dana, Cassie, do the two of you still have your morphers?" Jen asked.
"I do."
"Me too," Cassie said.
"Good, we're going to need them. Cadet Drew, I'm going to need you to…" She was cut short as the door the Quantrons were guarding opened, and she walked into the room. She headed over to the force field, staring inside with a slight smile. "Taylor?"
"Planning an escape, I see," she said.
"Yeah, but how did you…"
"That isn't Taylor, it's the First," Princess Shayla told them.
"I thought the First could only take the form of…" She paused. "Oh God, Taylor," Jen sighed. "What did you do to her?"
"Always blaming the bad guys for your troubles, aren't you Jen? If Eric hadn't been so busy proving his manhood, he might have been able to save me, but instead he let his temper get the best of him. He was too busy fighting to help me, but don't worry about me, I'm in a better place. No worries here, and soon, you can join me," Taylor said.
"You're not Taylor!" Jen snapped.
"Does it really matter at this point? You've lost, it's over. Soon I will be corporeal, and my reign over the world will be absolute," she said.
"The rangers are coming, they'll stop you!" Karone snapped.
"On the contrary, they're already here, but there's nothing they can do to stop my plan. You see, I've waited for this moment for over a hundred millennia. My plans to find a stable gateway from my temporal prison to this world have taken shape, and it's only a matter of time before it's complete," she said.
"Evil will never win, we will stop you," Dana said.
"Good luck with that, I mean it," Taylor told her.
Just then, the mysterious figure in the hood and cloak walked into the room, dropping to one knee in front of Taylor. "My lord, the rangers have arrived. No doubt they will be looking to rescue their friends."
"I know, which is why you will stand guard here and prevent them from even getting into this room. If they try to enter, destroy them."
"It will be my pleasure."
"As for the rest of you, I suggest you sit back and relax, kick your feet up. This will all be over soon, and you will bear witness to an evil the likes of which you can't even conceive," Taylor said with a sinister smirk on her face, walking out of the room.
The Astro megaship touched down on the surface of KO-35, and within seconds, the doors opened and the platform extended, allowing all of them to step off the ship. The suns were beginning to rise over the mountains, and there was a slight breeze in the air. All of them stood in a line as Andros, wearing his robe, walked down the line.
"This is going to be dangerous. I can't guarantee that all of us will come out of this in one piece, but we owe it to our loved ones to do our best. We've all had someone taken from us by the First, and I know you're all eager to get your friends, family and loved ones back, but we have to stick to the plan. Psycho Red, I want you to lead Carter, Eric, Jason and Shane in first. Your mission is to find The First and stop the ritual from taking place. Rocky, Cole, Leo, Alex and Tommy, your job is to hold off any resistance the others might come across. I won't lie to you; there will be hundreds of them, maybe thousands. Just hold them back long enough for Jason and the others to make their way through and stop the First. TJ, I need you to take Wes, Jack, Hunter and Kyle in to find our friends and get them back to the megaship. Aurico, Conner and I will remain here on the megaship and begin the auto destruct sequence. If all else fails, we'll set the ship for a collision course with the mountain and destroy it."
"You don't need my help with that, I should…" Conner was cut short.
"You're still not at 100 percent, and sending you into a battle like this could destroy you. Trust me, this is for the best," Andros explained.
"But I…"
"He's right. Don't worry, we'll find Krista and bring her back safe," Tommy said.
"Remember, try not to morph unless you have to. The charge won't last forever, and you don't want to waste any of the power," Aurico pointed out.
"Okay guys, let's do it!" Jason said.
Each of them nodded, making their way towards the mountains.
Psycho Red led the others into the cave, walking cautiously. "If I remember correctly, there should be a clearing about fifty meters in, I'm sure we'll find the Seal there," he said.
Before they could take another step, the walls began to shake. Carter, Eric, Jason and Shane stood back to back to prevent anyone from sneaking up behind them; all of them prepared for the worst. The walls of the cave began to shift, and rock-like creatures made their way towards them. Jason landed a kick, but hurt his foot in the process.
"Okay, we're going to need a plan," Shane said.
"I have one," Eric left the group, running towards one of the creatures and hitting a kick to the chest, knocking it backwards. It fell to the ground, but hit a backhand, sending Eric across the room and into the arms of another creature. "Um, time for a new plan," he groaned.
Carter reached for his weapon, aiming and firing at one of the creatures, but it had no effect at all.
Just then, Rocky and Tommy rushed into the cave, hitting a double kick to one of the rock creatures, taking it down and forcing it to let go of Eric. "You guys go, we'll handle these rock heads," Tommy told them.
"Good luck," Psycho Red said as he and the others continued into the cave.
"Oh sure, why couldn't I be on team one?" Leo asked as he grabbed his Quasar saber, charging in at one of the creatures. Before he could do any damage, the creature snatched the saber out of his hand, and then punched him in the chest, knocking him over.
"How the hell are we supposed to stop these things? They're solid rock," Alex pointed out.
One of the creatures leaned down, picking Tommy up and holding his arms behind his back. A second one approached him, cocking back and swinging at him. Tommy struggled free, and the second creature punched the first one in the chest, shattering it into a million pieces. "Like that," Tommy said, standing up and dusting himself off.
Another creature lunged at Cole, but Cole side-stepped him and pushed him, causing it to collide with another one of the creatures, and both exploded on impact. With only two left, Rocky and Leo went after them, positioning themselves behind one another.
"Come on you overgrown rock biter, come get me!" Rocky taunted.
The creature kicked towards him, but Rocky moved aside and force it to kick the other creature instead. One of the creatures fell apart on impact, but the other simply lost its leg. Rocky caught it with a sweep, taking it down, then stood up, and admiring his work. As he turned to walk away, he saw the others staring at him.
"What?"
"Rock biter?" Alex asked.
"You know, from the Never-ending Story," he said. "It's a classic."
"Come on, let's catch up with the others. There's no telling what's going to happen next," Alex said, continuing into the cave.
next time on Forever Red II: Jen continues to plan her escape, Charlie returns to Earth, and the red rangers get help from an old friend.