Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. Saban and Nickelodeon do.

AN: Welcome to the sequel to Endangered Legacy. When we left off, the rangers were celebrating Christmas 2005 together and now, nine months have passed and it is now September 2006. Enjoy and here are notes to a few individuals:

Harry2: Yep, things are back to normal...for now. ;)

Alex B. Goode: Thanks, glad you're enjoying it.

Green-Extreme-Ninjetti13: Glad you're enjoying it. I haven't made any decisions on Blake/Kapri yet, but it's definitely a possibility. As for your OC, I don't know who that is and I'm not huge on overly involving OC's, especially when I'm already working with such a large cast. Thanks though.

MF 22: Yeah, that a typo on the bo. And you're right, they only took out one of the snakes babies, because this is far from over.

TommyOliverMMPRFan: Thanks, but unfortunately this battle may come back to haunt them later. Time will tell. ;)

Pinkrangerfan: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story.

MMPRFansince93: Glad you enjoyed it. :)

garnetred: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. :)

Secrets

Sequel to Endangered Legacy

Part 4/4

"Endings and Beginnings"

"I feel fine. This isn't really necessary," Hunter complained, as Trini used her light tool to check his eyes.

"You took a serious hit to the head and Tori says you were experiencing symptoms of a concussion. I need to make sure you're okay," Trini said, as Tori stood beside him. They were all dressed and ready for a fun evening of dinner and dancing, a much needed release after the harrowing day they had experienced.

"The symptoms passed though," Hunter assured her. Trini nodded.

"Amazing ranger recuperative abilities, no doubt. If not for that, you'd probably be laid up in bed. But it seems that you're concussion free and fine," Trini said.

"All right, let's go! I'm starving!" Dustin called.

"I think we all are. Thanks again for all this Wes. I think it's exactly what we all need right now," Kat said. Wes nodded, as they started filing out.

"Don't mention it. Now let's party," he said. Hunter stood up and slid his arms around Tori's waist. She noticed his dazed look and she smirked.

"Is this dress really affecting you that much?" she asked. He nodded.

"You look incredible...though you always do. You look gorgeous when you come out of the ocean. You look amazing after a workout. You even look beautiful when you wake up in the morning. I didn't know people could wake up looking as good as you do. I know I don't," he said. She slid her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him.

"Your hair is a mess in the morning...but then it's always a mess," she teased. He rolled his eyes.

"Thanks," he said, as she ran her fingers through his shaggy mane.

"It's a compliment, thunder boy. I like it messy," she said sultrily. Her lips beckoned his and they met in a passionate coupling. She gasped, as he gripped her hips and trailed hot kisses down her neck.

"Um...babe, I think we need to save this for later," she warned. He smirked wolfishly.

"Or we could be late," he tempted, his stormy blue gaze searing through her. Their lips met again and she struggled to keep her own control. One thing she had discovered in their year together is that he was an amazing, passionate lover.

"I thought you liked this dress? All you're doing right now is trying to get me out of it," she teased, her eyes filled with laughter. He smirked.

"We both know that my favorite thing for you to be wearing is nothing," he retorted with a sexy edge in his voice that made her shiver in desire.

"Down thunder boy...there will be time for that later tonight," she replied, as she took his hand and led him out.


"And that's the whole story," Tori finished, as she and Hunter sat with her parents. They had told them everything, the Academies, their tenure as rangers, Lothor's return a year later, and their battle with Goldar in the dark dimension.

"And I thought your mother and I led exciting lives," Jack responded, as he took a drink of his beer.

"Believe me, we're more than happy for it to calm down a bit," Hunter replied.

"I'll bet, teaching the future defenders of the planet probably is anything but boring," Alana mused. Tori smiled.

"Never boring and never without drama it seems," she mentioned.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"She's talking about the rivalry that existed between our Academies before Lothor came onto the scene. We as rangers put that rivalry aside and joined forces to destroy our common enemy. In the process we became friends and we defeated Lothor, which freed everyone. After going through that, there was no rivalry left between us," Hunter explained.

"But the same can't be said for everyone else. They don't like the allied relationship that has come about between our schools so you can imagine how they feel about the joining of the schools," Tori added.

"Joining?" Jack asked. Hunter nodded.

"Cam, who you know now is Sensei Watanabe's son and Leann, who is Sensei Omino's daughter, are getting married in a couple months. We're in the process of building onto the Wind Academy, because the schools are going to soon be one entity. Some ninjas have already left in protest and others are plenty against it," Hunter explained.

"But it really is in the best interest of everyone and I know most will eventually see that," Tori reasoned.

"Not that I really care what any of the Alumni think. They're not going to tell me who I can or can't love," he added and she smiled at him and squeezed his hand. Jack sighed.

"I guess it just goes to show you that the governments of the world likes people to think they know everything that goes down on this planet, but we don't have an inkling about your schools," Jack stated.

"And it has to stay that way, dad," Tori said.

"Don't worry honey, your secret is safe with us," he replied.

"Thanks dad," she said, as she stood up.

"Where are you going?" Hunter asked.

"We are going to dance," she replied, as she tugged him along with her. Jack sighed.

"What?" Alana asked, eyeing her husband's pensive look.

"Nothing...our baby girl is all grown up," he said. Alana nodded.

"She is. Don't tell me you're going to give Hunter a hard time," she replied. Jack chuckled.

"Don't worry, he's a good man, obviously. He was willing to die for our little girl, so I can't ask for more. Plus, Tori can take care of herself and I actually like him. I never thought I'd ever like anyone she introduced to us," Jack admitted. Alana chuckled.

"I like him too and he's so handsome. She got my good taste in men," she replied, smiling warmly at her husband. He smiled back.

"I just wish I felt like this was over," Jack mentioned.

"It's never over in our business. For every one drug lord we take down, it seems like fifteen more pop up in their place," Alana replied.

"We don't mean to eavesdrop, but Billy and I find ourselves saying that very thing everyday," Jason mentioned, as he and Billy approached with Trini and Katherine.

"Jack and Alana, this is my wife Trini," Jason introduced, as they shook hands.

"It's nice to meet you," Alana said, as she shook Katherine's hand too.

"This is my wife Katherine," Billy introduced.

"Please join us, because it's not everyday that we get to say that we had drinks with the power rangers," Jack said quietly. They shared a laugh.

"That's kind of actually the reason we came over to talk to you. Word of your impressive take down has already made its way to the top of the food chain at the Bureau," Jason said.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"Well, it seems that Palo Vasquez is only the tip of the iceberg. The F.B.I. thinks that Palo was really small potatoes compared to the real beast behind not only drugs, but human trafficking rings, illegal arms dealing, and more we don't even know about," Billy replied.

"What does that have to do with us?" Alana asked.

"It seems our offices have decided they want to form a join task force between F.B.I. and DEA. Billy and I were chosen, because we are familiar with the hotbeds, which seem to oddly enough be towns that also have had ranger teams at one time or another," Jason explained.

"You think there is a connection?" Jack asked.

"We wish there wasn't, but Goldar was effectively running a muck in human form for years. We think he involved others out there in case his ultimate plan didn't succeed," Billy answered.

"So you want a team that is clued in on everything so you won't risk your identities?" Jack asked. Jason nodded.

"Our supervisor is also allowing us to choose two more to join the task force, so we of course chose Detectives Desantos and Skullovich. In addition, we'll often collaborate with the Silver Guardians as well, though we're going to limit their involvement to Wes, Jen, and Eric," Jason said.

"You and Alana would work out of Blue Bay Harbor, Rocky and Skull would keep their post in Angel Grove, and Jason and I would take Reefside. Coincidentally, they are the three closest towns," Billy added. Jack and Alana shared a glance.

"Well, we're definitely in. But doesn't that mean you'll both need to relocate your families back to California?" Jack asked. The two couples smiled.

"Yeah, but we're okay with that. Our jobs are the only reason we ever stayed on the east coast and we're more than ready to come home," Jason replied.

"Yeah, my dad is going to be over the moon," Billy mentioned fondly.

"A toast then to a new team," Jack said, as he raised his glass. The others joined him and drank.


"And more news out of Mexico tonight. The story first broke early this morning that one of Mexico's most notorious drug lord's and his top operatives have been arrested. Palo Vasquez has been linked to drug dealing, smuggling, and related murders in various cities all over California in the past several years. Thanks to two undercover government agents, who are not being named, his operation has suffered a serious blow," the reporter said, as the man turned the television in his large office off.

He turned in his chair and stood up to gaze over the pristine cityscape from his corner office. Gridiron Industries was the leading supplier of energy in the country and a front runner in the world. They also manufactured weapons, having several contracts with the U.S. Government, in their weapons division. They also had an extensive interest in technology and manufactured the latest tech gear and devices and even energy efficient appliances. CEO Jesse Zimmerman had built his company from the ground up, founding it in 1998 with his first energy efficient appliances, marketing them as the future in home convenience of the 21st century. Entrance into the world of technology had further catapulted his business into a million dollar company. But it was his weapons division and contracts with the government, as well as his constant research into various forms of alternative energy sources and advancements in clean, affordable energy that sprang his company into the now multibillion dollar conglomerate that it was. Gridiron Industries also donated millions per year to charities and employed thousands. But Jesse Zimmerman was not everything he appeared to be on the outside. With his weapons and technology factions came the allure of the drug underbelly that was rampant in the country. Everything from the illegal ones to the legal pharmaceuticals that were supposed to be prescribed only by physicians. The face of the drug world had faces like Palo Vasquez's, the self proclaimed Top Dog. But he was a small working part in a much bigger machine. Men like Jesse Zimmerman, dressed in their fifteen hundred dollar Armani suits and didn't get their hands dirty, nor were they the face of evil. But Jesse's ambitions went far behind the drug network. He practically owned the criminal underworld and knew things that he wasn't supposed to know. And he knew for certain that two government agents didn't take down Palo's operation alone. He would meet with his underlings and discover exactly what had gone on, though he had a pretty good idea. But first, he had a meeting to tend to, as his intercom beeped.

"Yes Karla?" he asked.

"Your one o'clock is here, Mr. Zimmerman," she answered.

"Send them in. You may take your lunch break now," he said.

"Thank you Sir," she replied. A few seconds later, a woman dressed in an expensive looking pantsuit walked in. She was beautiful Caucasian woman with raven colored hair and a slim, fit figure.

"Ms. Shay, thank you for coming. Please have a seat," he said. She did so and he sat across from her behind his desk.

"Do you have any leads?" he asked.

"The team you have provided seems to be competent enough, but it will still take time and resources," she replied.

"Money is not an issue, as long as you get the objects I seek," he replied.

"That we both seek. Don't forget our agreement. You wouldn't even know the existence of these artifacts if not for me," she corrected. He smirked.

"Of course, just make sure you keep other treasure hunters like Andrew Hartford off your trail," he warned.

"Andrew Hartford is consumed by finding the jewels of the Corona Aurora. He has no clue that something more powerful exists. The ancient scroll that speaks of the Storm prisms has been lost for centuries. My husband found it a few years ago by pure chance, hidden on the mountain of lost ninjas," she replied.

"Then I hope you put my money to good use and find them," he insisted.

"I will, but I need time. They have been lost for centuries and this is a very big planet, but I will find them. The air, water, earth, light and thunder prisms are yours, which will allow you to control the entire planet's energy supply. And I will keep the dark prism for my purposes," she replied.

"Mind if I ask what those purposes are?" Jesse asked.

"That's for me to know, but trust me, my side is the one you want to be on when I get that prism," she replied.

"Duly noted," he stated, as she rose from her seat.

"I am assuming for the check I'm writing you that you have the information I asked for?" he questioned. She smirked and tossed a folder onto his desk. The contents partially spilled out, revealing photos of several young people and information about them. He handed her the check.

"Happy hunting, keep me informed," Jesse called, as she saw herself out.


A few days later

"You wanted to see us, Captain?" Jack asked, as he and Alana peeked inside their superior's office. They had a very good idea, seeing as Jason Scott and Billy Cranston, as well as Rocky Desantos and Eugene Skullovich sat in the office, but they played their part perfectly, acting as if they didn't know the other four men.

"Yes, Jack and Alana, please come in," Captain Donovan said, as he motioned them in.

"Jack and Alana, this is SSA Jason Lee Scott of the F.B.I., and his partner, Dr. William Cranston," he introduced, as they shook hands.

"And these are Detectives Rocky Desantos and Eugene Skullovich of the Angel Grove Police Department," he continued.

"Nice to meet all of you," Jack said.

"Sir, is this about the special task force briefing we received?" Alana asked, cutting to the chase.

"Yes, we've chosen the two of you to join this specialized task force, with Agent Scott as your team leader, if you accept, that is," Donovan replied.

"We talked about it this morning and we've decided that we'd like to accept the offer," Jack answered.

"Excellent," Donovan said.

"We'll start meeting regularly in a couple weeks. Dr. Cranston and I are taking time off to move our families," Jason said, as they shook hands. Jack nodded.

"We've also taken some time in the next two weeks to spend with our daughter," Jack mentioned.

"Perfect, we'll meet again in two weeks," Jason replied, as they filed out of the office.


Hunter put down the wrench, as he tightened the final bolt. He was helping Kelly out today since he had a light class load at the Academy.

"Hey, how's that repair coming?" Kelly asked, as she popped into the back room.

"Just finished. That repair guy that you hired doesn't know what he's doing, you know," Hunter mentioned.

"You don't have to worry about Joe anymore. He lied on his resume about his experience mechanic so I fired him yesterday," Kelly replied. Hunter shook his head.

"Who applies for a job they can't possibly know how to do?" he asked rhetorically.

"Oh dear sweet naive Hunter, you'd be surprised at how many people embellish their resumes and boast about all their supposed qualifications," she mused. He smirked and then saw her sorting through the mail.

"Hey...did anything from Blake come for me?" Hunter asked.

"You mean your mother's ring?" Kelly asked. Hunter sighed.

"Who told you? It was Dustin, wasn't it?" Hunter asked. Kelly smirked.

"Relax...Blake called me and told me to be looking for it since it's a very valuable piece of mail," Kelly replied, as she handed him the small box.

"Thanks Kel," he said, as he tore it open and dug out the small blue velvet ring case.

"Well...let's see the rock you're going to be putting on Tori's finger," Kelly said eagerly.

"If she says yes," Hunter mentioned. Kelly smacked his arm.

"She's crazy about you, so stop worrying," she scolded, as he opened the case and showed her.

"Wow...what a rock!" Kelly said, admiring the blue diamond set among a border of smaller white diamonds on a band of a silver gold.

"It's been passed down for several generations in the Bradley family, which is good for me, because I'd never be able to afford a ring even half this size," Hunter replied. Kelly tilted her head.

"You know that Tori wouldn't care if you got her a ring out of a gumball machine, right?" Kelly asked. Hunter smiled and nodded.

"I know...but I want her to have this ring. My parents had a very strong marriage and I want us to have that too," he replied. Kelly squeezed his arm.

"You will, believe me, what you two have is so special, it's obvious to everyone," she assured him. He nodded.

"Thanks Kel, I'm gonna go unless you need anything else?" he asked. She shook her head.

"No, get out of here. I need to interview some new candidates and hope I can find a mechanic that's half as good as you," Kelly replied, as she shooed him out.


Secluded in the woods behind the Thunder Academy, Zara secretly practiced the forbidden dark ninja arts. It was twilight and most students were eating dinner, Sensei Omino was secluded in his study, and Leann and Hunter were gone for the evening, so it made for the perfect time to practice without getting caught. Her eyes were solid black, as purple lightning crackled from her body and an orb of dark energy hovered between her palms. She poured all her anger and hate into the energy, before releasing it into the sky. She watched it disappear and suddenly sensed that she was being watched.

"Whoever is there...you had better show yourselves," she snapped.

"Temper, temper darling," a woman scolded, as she appeared from behind the trees in a similar uniform, though hers bore the dark symbol that those belonging to her husband's sect of ninjas wore.

"Mom...you're back," Zara replied.

"For the moment. I was actually on my way to Hawaii, but I needed to see you first," Tamara Shay said, as she hugged her daughter.

"What's in Hawaii? Have you found a prism?" Zara asked in a hushed whisper. Tamara shook her head, but was beaming a smile.

"No, but it's better than that. He's alive, sweetheart," Tamara said in excitement.

"You mean...father? But how?" she exclaimed. Tamara shook her head.

"I don't know...but he is still recovering from what my source tells me. He's not even awake yet, but I must confirm that it's the truth," she replied.

"I want to go with you!" Zara pleaded.

"No darling, I need you here. You must prepare for the coming alignment in one year's time and having you on the inside watching these traitors will be very useful. Your father will be so proud," Tamara replied. Zara nodded.

"If it means helping Father finally come to power, then I will do what I must. I just can't wait to crush them all!" Zara exclaimed.

"Patience my dear, as your Father was always fond of saying, revenge is a dish best served cold," she reminded. Zara smirked.

"And one to be savored while the blood of our enemies stains our hands," she recited.

"Keep preparing. Our plans haven't changed. We must be ready," she reminded. Zara nodded.

"Safe trip mom. In one year's time, we will rule this world and those that have crossed us will pay," Zara said. Tamara smiled.

"You are your father's daughter," Tamara replied proudly, as she ninja streaked away, leaving Zara alone again. She knew dinner hour would soon be over, so she gathered her things and headed back to school grounds.


Hunter found her where he usually did at sunset and he sat down, watching as she trekked in from the water. He saw her sketchbook and idly leafed through it. He knew she wouldn't care and he loved looking at her talent. She wanted to design surfboards and he was behind her all the way. Even Kelly offered to let her sell them in her store for a fair cut until they saved enough money to buy her a small shop. He turned the page to one that he hadn't seen before, obviously something she had only recently drawn. It was a board with tendrils of lightning.

"Do you like it?" she asked, as she sat down beside him, while scrunching a towel through her wet hair.

"Yeah...a lot. You're really talented. If surfers don't buy boards from you, then they're morons," he replied, as he put his arm around her.

"You have such a way with words," she teased. He smirked.

"It's a gift," he joked, as he stood up and pulled her up.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Just for a walk in the surf," he replied, as he tossed his shoes off and they padded through the wet sand and let the water lap around their feet. Tori sighed, as she looked at the sun dipping below the horizon and she smiled, as she felt his arms around around her waist. The breeze gently stirred their hair and she felt tingles go down her spine, as he pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss.

I'll never get tired of moments like this...watching the sunset with your arms around me," she mentioned. He smiled.

"That's really good to hear, because it makes what I'm about to do pretty easy," Hunter replied. She looked at him with questioning eyes and then gasped, as he got down on one knee.

"I'm probably the least traditional guy ever, but the guys made me promise to do this when I asked you," he said.

"There was a time when I thought I'd be terrified to ask a girl to marry me. It used to seem like married life was the most un-Hunter-like thing to do. But now that I'm asking the woman I love to marry me, I'm not scared at all. The only thing that scares me is not spending the rest of my life with you, because you're the best thing that ever happened to me," Hunter said, as he paused and opened the ring case.

"Don't worry...I didn't steal the ring," he joked, making her shake her head in amusement.

"It's been passed down for generations in the Bradley family and I know that if they were here, my parents would be ecstatic that I'm putting it on your finger," Hunter told her. A tear slipped down her cheek.

"This was your mother's?" she asked in awe. He nodded.

"So...Victoria Leah Hanson, will you make me the envy of every guy in the world and marry me?" he asked. She eagerly shook her head, as more tears came.

"Yes..." she uttered, as he slipped it on her finger. As he stood up, he caught her, as she threw her arms around him. Their lips met passionately, and her feet dangled off the ground, as he spun her around. Their lips finally parted several moments later and she smiled at him.

"Let's go home, thunder boy," she said, giving him a sultry look. He smirked and they gathered their things, before heading to her blue van...


That's the end of this story, but not the end of this series. In the next series, nearly a year has passed and Operation Overdrive is well into their hunt for the jewels of the Corona Aurora. But forces far larger and more sinister than Flurious and Moltor are ready to make their move. Overdrive will need the help of those that came before them to save the world this time. Coming soon in 2014