Ranger Tales

Chapter 13: Revenge of the Empire Part 1: Team of Three

This story is set in an alternate universe where the Alien Rangers arc never happened, although the Alien Rangers do exist. Carri Hillard and all things relating to Carri, including Jessica McClintock, belong to KJ with many thanks. Azazel belongs to Eric Kripke. Gol belongs to me. I used Phaedos as the source of the Ninjetti Powers, but Ninjor exists and is the acknowledged creator of Ninjetti. Also, this story has nothing to do with my previous two. The episodes in which Billy went to Aquitar did not happen in this fic. In this fic, Tommy and Kim have not broken up. From here and on, it develops into a completely original story. This chapter will be a bit shorter than the others, as I want this to be a multi-chapter mission, ending maybe around 15 or 16, maybe longer. I apologize in advance, updates for the next few will be slow. This will be the shortest chapter in the entire fic.

As always reviews are appreciated, enjoy!

The Rangers were having a tough time, Christmas break was coming up and they still had no word on Zordon's location. The Astro's had gotten clues here and there, but nothing substantial. Every time they went to check it out whatever they were told about had already been moved, or was never there. They knew Dark Specter couldn't keep him hidden forever, and that he would eventually slip up, they just hoped it was soon.

Tommy was grateful for one thing, Andy had been kicked out of the college. His slacking had been discovered when he was caught cheating on a test. The whole thing pissed Andy off, he swore he was just leaning over to pick his pencil up and that he was being falsely accused. When the Dean refused to listen to his excuses he pitched a fit and told Tommy he was moving back to New York. That had been the best news that Tommy had heard in a while, after Andy left Rocky moved in and Jason was right across the hall. The girls had their own dorm room together. School life was going okay, but not Ranger life.

Tommy teleported into the newly rebuilt Power Chamber. It still had a long way to go before it was fully functional again, but they had managed to build the building back, and get the computers up and running again. Billy had elected to move in until it was finished, he'd spend hours upon hours working in there. Tommy had to admit, Billy had done a great job in such a short time. They still needed to get about half the computers up and running. So far all they ahd were communications and the alarms. Billy and Andros took care of the computers, with Andros even offering to throw in some of the galaxies finest material. The others had all worked on getting the structure back up. They didn't know an whole lot about the computers systems and such, how to set them up.

"Anything?" Tommy asked as he finished materializing in front of Billy. The former blue Ranger shook his head.

"Not since you asked an hour ago." He sighed then continued "Tommy, you've been asking for days now. I will let you know the moment-"

"Second."

"Fine, the second that I receive any news. I promise you'll be the first one I tell." Tommy sighed, he knew waiting was all he could do. He said his goobyes and left again.

A few minutes after Tommy's departure came another red streak. Andros walked up to Billy and said "It's an emergency. Contact the others." Billy nodded and contacted the others. A few minutes later Carri's grumbling could be heard as she teleported in. It was two in the morning and she had been sleeping comfortably. As soon as everyone arrived Andros began. "As you know Zordon is being moved around the galaxy, each time he's just out of our grasp. But I've received word that as of the moment he's in the hands of King Mondo, who is attempting to rebuild his empire and take down Dark Specter. I figured that since you guys have dealt with Mondo before that I could use your help. I want two of you to go with Ashley. She said that she has had some experience with them as well. T.J, Carlos, Cassie, and myself will stay behind to fight Astronema. Three of you will need to be here to deal with Zedd and Rita."

The Zeo's nodded, understanding his logic. Ashley had faced off against one of Mondo's monsters before she became a Ranger, she helped the Rangers out in that battle without ever knowing who they were. And it made sense to send one Astro with two Zeo's, that way neither team would be hurt too badly. The Zeo's could always call on Trey, and the Astro's didn't need all five to pilot the MegaZord. After a short discussion they came to a conclusion. Jason and Tommy stepped forward.

"We'll go. We're the most qualified." Jason assured him. Besides, Kim knew Tommy could take care of himself and so she wouldn't worry too much, Rocky and Carri though, it'd be worry center twenty-four seven.

"What about Emily? She'll be worried. I should go." Carri said as she started to take a step forward, only to be held back by Rocky who was shaking his head.

"They're the senior Rangers-"

"Ahem."

"Excuse me, two of the three senior Rangers. But they are the best." Rocky finished, he noticed as Kim cut him a playful glare. She knew that both Tommy and Jason both were better Rangers than she was. They were the ones who usually had to battle alone to save everyone.

"Emily will be fine. This shouldn't take too long, I should be back before our next get together, right?" He looked over at Andros and watched as he nodded his head. "See? It'll be fine."

About thirty minutes later the two Zeo's and the yellow Astro were off on a specially made NASADA ship.

Jason looked around the ship, he missed travelling space with the Zeo's. Even though the trip hadn't produced any results, well, other than the Astro team forming in the wake of the Turbo's destruction, the journey had been fun. He sighed and looked out the window, watching as Earth disappeared from sight. He couldn't believe that anyone would want to destroy the planet, well he could, he did, but he didn't understand it. Perhaps they're overcompensating? He chuckled to himself, that sounded like Zedd.

Tommy looked over at his friend as he sighed, then chuckled. He couldn't help but wonder what was sigh worthy, and then all of a sudden laughable. It certainly couldn't be their mission, there was definitely nothing funny about it. He couldn't believe that someone had rebuilt Mondo after Zedd drestroyed him. It didn't matter though, this time they would put a stop to Mondo and Machina for good.

Ashley glanced over at the two Zeo's. It was weird not having Andros with her, she'd grown attached to him, he was growing attached to her as well, she could tell. His lessons in telekinesis were helping out as well, she was getting everything under control. That was good, she didn't want another random outburst, granted that outburst saved her friends life, but still. She wanted to be in control of it, and Andros was helping her gain that control.

"So," Tommy said, breaking the silence, "we are sure that Mondo has Zordon?"

Ashley nodded "Andros double and even triple checked. Zorodn's energy is resonating from the planet Geeta. It's the perfect planet actually, its uninhabitated. We were lucky to come across it, but Andros insisted on having a small group of people who had faced Mondo and his men before to go. He didn't want to take a group of inexperienced Rangers, in other words. I had to persuade him to let me come, explaining about my little encounter with his monster and Cogs that time."

"It makes sense. I mean, we've dealt with these guys before, the rest of the Astros, Andros included, haven't." Jason agreed. This wasn't a mission for rookies.

"Yeah." Tommy agreed, he wasn't sure why but something seemed off about Ashley. And had for a couple months now. He couldn't place his finger on it, but something was definitely different about her. And he didn't like it.

The team of three looked out into space, they should be at their destination in a few short days.

Andros and the remaining Zeo's and Astros all headed over to the Surf Spot. It was a relatively new place, it'd only been open for a few months and already Ernie was talking to its owner, Adell, about joining the place with his Youth Center. She seemed interested, his burgers and her fries would make for an excellent meal, plus it would attract more customers. "So this is where you guys hang out?" Kim questioned as she took the Surf Spot in. She liked it so far and could see why the Astros would want to hang out there.

"Yep!" Cassie said proudly as she lead them to their usual table.

"It looks nice." Rocky commented, and Carri nodded her head in approval.

The rest of the afternoon went by pretty uneventful, the two teams discussed battle strategies for a while, then Rocky offered to teach Andros how to surf on the water. Andros was hesistant at first, but he agreed to it. It didn't take long for T.J. and Rocky to start talking Baseball though, leaving everyone else out as they had no clue what any of what they were saying was. Well, Carri did, but she was talking to Kim and Cassie about going shopping later. Carlos and Andros went on to discuss Andros' sister, Karone, who Carlos had accidentally found out about while roaming the Megaship one night. After they ate their food the Rangers split, the boys went to the beach to teach Andros how to surf and the girls went shopping.

Up in the Lunar Palce Zedd was watching as the trio of Rangers made their way towards Zordon. It infuriated him that Mondo was intrusted with Zordon while Divatox was off helping Mama D with her latest conquest. Suddenly an idea came to him. A way he could destroy Dark Specter without that infernal demons help. Not only would Dark Specter be destroyed, but in theory so would Azazel. The thought made him so happy inside. "Rita!" he called.

"What?" she screeched, she had been sleeping and didn't appreciate being woke up.

"I'm headed out for a while, keep the Rangers busy!"

"Yeah yeah!" she waved him off, grumbling something as she went back to sleep.

Zedd boarded Serpentera and began to pursue the Rangers. He had his plan, now he needed to finish the fine details, such as how to protect himself from its after effects. He could work out those details along the way. "Yes," he said to himself, "this is going to be grand!"

A few days later Jason, Tommy, and Ashley were gathered on the bridge of their ship, looking out over the planet where Zordon was supposedly being held. Jason and Tommy were ready settle things with Mondo once and for and all, and save Zordon. Ashley simply wanted to save Zordon and save the universe. The trio looked out over the planet as thei ship came in for a landing.