Summary: Anton Mercer meets the most unlikely person in prison and the Rangers receive an unusual suprirse…

A/N: Don't let the summary fool you, this will be more then just from Anton's "perspective."

XXXXXX

Anton hit the cold, cement floors as the metal bar's of the door rattled shut. Terrorsaurus hissed in laughter and walked away. Brushing off his suit, he stood up casually and turned towards the chair. He stopped cold in his tracks seeing another standing there. The woman…well, she couldn't be any older then 21 or 22 and she was the definition of beautiful. Her dirty, golden blonde hair covered her back and shoulder's and her blue eyes sparkled in the dim lightly. The shoulder of her shirt was torn, revealing a healed over scar. It looked as if she was wearing a white blouse and blue jeans, but were torn and dirtied.

"Ah…" Anton stuttered, trying to find his voice. He smacked his forehead and groaned. Great first impression, Anton! He looked up at her again and then bowed respectfully. "Ah, my name is Anton Mercer, and you are?"

She was silent for a moment, looking him over. "So you're the one Darius babbled about?" Her smiled softened a bit. "So I guess his Master plan is going to come true, eh?"

Anton shrugged and then shook his head. "Nah, even if does the Power Rangers will stop him." He heard her scoff and turned to see her shake her head. "You don't believe me?"

"Didn't you practically decimate them the last time?" She shrugged and looked away. "I was kidnapped about the time you fought them…"

Anton blinked, staring at the wall for a moment. "Yeah, that happened six years ago…abducted?" He looked at the cell door, his brow arching. "Darius came to Earth…six years ago? How was it I never sensed him…"

"Is something wrong, Anton?" She asked, leaning forward slightly.

He shook his head and glanced at the floor. "If Darius was here six years ago, why is it did I not sense him?" He rubbed his chin and frowned deeper. "Anyway, I didn't catch your name?"

"I didn't give it." She answered without missing a beat.

"Ah…yes…" Anton felt stupid as he looked away. "Ahem…so what is it?"

"Amanda…" She said and looked at the floor. "Amanda Diego…"

Anton could on stare…

XXXXXX

Next Day…

The door to Hayley's Cyberspace opened and Hayden strolled in slowly. His eyes met Hayley's for a moment and he sighed. He slipped into the bar stool and the two friends exchanged a long glance. Hayden shrugged and shook his head as he looked down at the counter as he clasped his hands against his forehead. The past few days had been complete and utter hell – the emergence of a new evil, Anton's kidnapping and his gem's power drain.

He just wished thing's would mellow out for a while. Ever since he'd gotten the gem's, thing's had gone completely and utterly wrong. All the emotional weight and stress was baring down on him and every passing day was becoming a struggle to stay sane.

He jumped lightly, feeling the cool glass against his forearm and looked at the Peach shake. He looked up at the smile Hayley and then smiled in himself. Yes, sometimes the most insignificant things could help. He gripped the straw lightly and began to drink.

"How are you holding up, Hayden?" Hayley asked, setting out the glasses in preparation for the day. "You look…exhausted. Sleepless night?"

Hayden nodded and sighed. "Nightmares." He said, rubbing his forehead. "Vague and opaque nightmares…but nightmares none-the-less."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hayley asked, leaning on the counter. Hayden sighed and glanced at her, smiling. She was like a mother; so concerned about everyone, even if she doesn't know you well. The Gold One ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath.

"They're about Amanda." Hayden said, staring at the drink. "It starts off as a good dream…thinking about the time I had with her, and then I can suddenly see her screaming, being attacked…by something." He paused for a moment, thinking of what else to add. He blinked and then blinked again before looking over to her. "But…she was here."

"Here? You mean in the café?" Hayley questioned, arching a brow.

He nodded. "Yeah, here, in the café. She was…curled up in the corner, crying and shaking as the shadow descended upon her." He shook his head and squeezed the glass angrily. "And then…I wake up. It's the same dream night after night…"

"Have you been thinking about Amanda a lot, lately?" Hayley questioned with a smile. But it was a sad smile. Amanda had been Hayden's girlfriend and he had expressed how much he really loved her. Or at least he had to Conner. She watched him nod and then sighed heavily, closing his eyes. She felt sorry for him, knowing the pain he had to be going through. Glancing at the wind, her own mind wandered to Billy. Over the past couple of years they had gotten to know each other well and even had formed a bond between each other. Hell, they were going out as well and she could see herself starting a family with him down the road.

She looked at Hayden and sighed.

He had that chance and it was stripped away. In the most vicious way too, mind you. She could never imagine losing someone she loved like he had. One minute you're on cloud nine, deep in love and the next you're crashing to Earth in a fiery wreckage. "Oh, what he must have done the day he got word." She sighed just thinking about it.

"I miss her, Hayley…" Hayden whispered, holding his head. She could see the tears trick down his cheek's. "I miss her so much…"

Hayley moved to him and rested her hands on his. "I know you do…" She whispered and then lifted his head. "But you can't dwell on it forever. You have to move on, Hayden." She smiled lightly at him and then slapped his cheek softly. "I'm sure Amanda wouldn't want you to be like this; constantly tearing yourself up."

"Why are you crying?" Hayden mentally belittled himself and furiously wiped away the tears from his eyes. "Yes…yes, I suppose you are right." He said quickly and looked down, trying to hide the blush. Hayley smiled and laughed lightly before turning to her work. Hayden sat there, staring at the counter. Why did she have to die? Had he done something wrong then to deserve such harsh punishment? And why, why now, was he having these dreams? More importantly, why now? Why after six years was he getting these dreams and why not sooner?

So many unanswered question's he feared that would never be answered. He sighed softly and shook his head as he grabbed his drink and moved to the couch near the wall. He stopped suddenly seeing a figure move past the window. Hayden's mouth fell open slightly, seeing the man glance in at him.

"Well all be damned." Hayden said and glanced at Hayley. "You'll never guess who's about to walk in."

Hayley looked up from the sink and arched a brow. "Who?"

The door shot open and the arrogant, blonde haired rich kid strolled into the café. He slipped into the chair and smiled vibrantly at Hayley, gazing into his eyes. "Whatcha got to drink, babe?"

Hayden sighed and then chuckled. "Wesley Collins." He said and glanced at the fuming Hayley.

This day was definitely off to an interesting start.

XXXXXX

Fifteen Minute's Ago:

Wes Collin's felt the wind slap against his coat and neck as his motorcycle screamed across the road. His eyes flashed for a brief instant to the green-white sign that friendly welcomed him. Welcome to Reefside, California! Wes smiled as he revved up his cycle again and narrowed his eyes to slits.

Not to long ago, about a month ago, he had called Tommy and said he was stopping by for a little a chat. In fact, Wes had been so persuasive, he even managed to clear Tommy's schedule that day. Wes shot a worried glance over his shoulder and swallowed hard.

He had to get to Tommy's place and soon. He still couldn't figure out what was going on. One minute, he was leader of the Silver Guardian's with his best friend Eric and the next he was being attacked by a freak in a black cloak with a sword. In fact, the little game had gone as far as to force them to morph and it didn't get any easier, either. Whoever it was they fought was powerful and skilled; both of them together couldn't stop him.

He gripped his bar's tighter and lowered himself. The edge of the city came into view and he let out a relaxed breath. He'd stop at a diner and get some food and the head up into the forest to see Tommy. He made a silent prayer to himself as he screamed past the second sign.

"Tommy…I hope you can help…" Wes thought, rounding the corner. "You may be the only one who can."

Wes sighed and picked the first diner he saw and brought the motorcycle to a halt in front of it. He moved into the widened alley and glanced at the window, seeing a somewhat awh-struck golden haired kid staring at him. "Weird people here…" He shoved the door's open and put on his best arrogant posture and slipped into the bar stool.

"Whatcha got to drink, babe?" He asked with a grin. He heard the kid behind him sigh and chuckle then say something that made his blood freeze.

"Wesley Collins." He said.

XXXXXX

Present:

Wes gulped hard and rubbed his wrist. He put on his best "cool guy" look and spun in his chair. "Yeah, what do you want?" Wes asked, arching a blonde brow.

"Oh, nothing at all, Wes. I'm just kind of curious why the red Time Force ranger is in Reefside and not in Silver Hills?" Hayden stated and took a drink of his smoothie. Wes looked genuinely horrified and about ready to piss his pants. "What's wrong?"

Wes sprang out of his seat and into fighting stance as he glared at the man. "Are you one of them?" He said, his knuckles a ghostly white. He swallowed hard against his sandpapery throat and licked his lips. The kid looked genuinely confused.

"Am I one of them? If you refer to the Power Rangers, then yes." He said and took another drink of his smoothie. "Hayley, get this guy something hard. It looks like he needs it." Wes let out a breath and slipped back into his seat again. Hayden jumped up onto the counter beside him and tucked his knee's close as they rested on the stool. "So what happened? You look…frightened?"

Wes sighed and nodded, rubbing his forehead. "A lot of shit has happened lately." Wes began smiling as Hayley slid him some whiskey. Hayden frowned and looked back at Hayley with the I'm just kidding look. Hayley shrugged and blushed as she went back to work. "You're a power ranger?"

Hayden nodded as he finished off the last of his drink and held up his arm. The Dragon roared and its red eyes flashed. "Wesley Collins." The morpher greeted. Wes stared dumbfounded at the morpher and then looked down at his. His face contorted into a sad but questioningly look.

"How come my morpher doesn't do that? All mine does is…flash." Wes said and looked up at Hayden. "So what color are you?"

"Gold." He said and accepted the refill of his drink. "Enough about me and more on the reason why you're here."

Wes looked away, glancing down at the counter. He took a greedily gulp of the whiskey and winced, feeling it burn on the way down. For a long moment he was silent, just staring at the counter. Hayley and Hayden watched as his face turned into one of sadness to horror. His body shock hard as he choked the glass. It cried under the pressure and Hayden looked up to Hayley with wide eyes.

"Dude." Hayden said, smacking his arm. Wes jumped and looked up at him with wide eyes. Hayden stared back with concern and shook him again. "Dude, what the hell is wrong?"

"T-They…" He stuttered and looked down at the counter. "They killed E-Eric…"

Hayden looked at Hayley and she nodded, picking up the phone. Hayden reached over the counter and poured a little bit more whiskey into the glass. He sat down beside him and shook him out of another trance.

"Who, Wes, who?" Hayden bit out, gazing hard into Wes' wide, fearful eyes.

"M-Monsters with b-black cloaks…" He said and turned away, gripping the whiskey. "F-Frightening b-black cloaked ghosts…w-with swords."

"Wes…what happened." Hayden said sternly, staring intently at him.

Wes gulped and then sighed heavily, trying to stop his shaking. "A-ah…w-we got a 9-1-1 call t-that there was s-some freak down t-town destroying things. E-Eric and I arrived on the s-scene and t-thought we could apprehend him." She shook his head, wiping the sweat off his brow. "T-The guy w-was fast…r-relentless…we had to morph. H-He…h-he…h-he…d-dispatched E-Eric with a-almost no effort…h-he…h-he c-cut him down in c-cold blood…"

Hayden licked his lips and sighed, leaning back against the counter. That was another Ranger dead; Jason and now Eric.

"I r-ran when he killed E-Eric…I-If Eric couldn't kill h-him, then I s-stood no chance e-either…" Wes stuttered, wiping his lips and took another gulp of the whiskey. He coughed and rubbed his throat with one hand and held his head with the other. Hayden sighed, looking away from Wes and to the floor.

Yes, indeed, this day was about to get much more interesting…

XXXXXX

A/N: Hey everyone " Oh no's! Dah Eric's has died TT Sorry if you're a fan of Eric but I didn't care for the Time Force season. In fact, I thought it was crap compared to Dino Thunder or Ninja Storm O.o Anyway, that's besides the point. Had to weigh the options; who do I kill off? The under developed Quantum Ranger or the hero of the season, Wes Collin's? I decided I really didn't feel like developing Eric anymore then he was and offed him XP

The Next chapter will come eventually!

May the Powers Protect You.