A/N I don't own the Power rangers, characters or plot but anything that is unrecognisable does belong to me. Copyright goes to Saban©.
Power Ranger: Shift in Time
Chapter 7 - The Strange Message
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Kendrix woke early in the morning, and her thoughts turned back to last night. How she was fine one minute, then collapsing the next. She rolled over to see Maya watching her closely.
"You sure you're okay? That was pretty scary last night?" She asked.
"Yeah, I think so. I'm not sure why it happened, though. I've kept up my fighting skills, so it's not being Rangers again, and it's not from the fight yesterday because that was several hours before. I just don't know," Kendrix sighed, and ran a hand through her hair.
Rising, Maya went to the window, pulling back the curtain to see the sun shining. There were a few cars going by on the street below, and a little flock of birds took off in the distance. Kendrix sat up and put on her glasses. Smiling, Maya turned around again.
"Hey, let's worry about it later. How about we enjoy the weather for a while, then we can go talk to Dimitria about it. Maybe she'll know what's happening," said Maya.
Kendrix considered this for a moment. She was concerned about why she was suddenly feeling weak, but at the same time, she had been spending a lot of time in the Power Chamber lately, and she could use a break.
"Okay, let's go," she said, smiling back at Maya.
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The girls walked through the mall, trying to find the right shade of pink to suit Kendrix's skin tone. They were walking down a long hallway, chatting and laughing, neither girl paying attention to where they were going, when suddenly Kendrix bumped into someone. There was a pink flash, and Kendrix collapsed, as did the person she'd walked into.
Startled, Maya darted forward to catch her friend, dropping her shopping bag as she did. Kendrix clutched at Maya, and the Yellow Ranger quickly helped her back up, looking back at the other person.
"Are you o—" Maya cut herself off with a gasp. A slightly younger version of Kendrix lay there. As Maya stared, the other Kendrix groaned, put a hand to her head, and looked over at the pair. Her eyes went wide.
"Outside," the older Kendrix said, and Maya quickly helped her up. Supporting her friend, she hurried out as someone else came to help the other Kendrix. The younger girl called out to them, but Kendrix just stumbled faster, pulling Maya along as the Yellow Ranger stared back. When they were safely out of sight, Kendrix stopped. She looked as white as a sheet.
"What on Earth…?" Asked Maya, frightened. She could tell Kendrix was thinking by the intent look on her face.
"So that's why I've been feeling so tired," whispered Kendrix breathlessly.
A pink light surrounded Kendrix as she teleported away, leaving Maya standing alone, wondering what was going on.
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Kendrix teleported into the Power Chamber, surprising Alpha, and rushed to the nearest computer. She started inputting some data, and Alpha came over to see what was going on.
"Yo, what's the rush?" Alpha asked her.
"The last few days I've been feeling drained for no reason, and last night I nearly collapsed. Today Maya and I were shopping in the mall and I bumped into my younger self. I need to run a few tests, but I think that there being two of us in the same time is making me weak," answered Kendrix, her eyes not leaving the screen.
"Yes, two versions of the same person cannot occupy the same time for long. It will have an adverse effect on one or both parties," said Dimitria.
Kendrix's hands flew across the keys as she typing in the data, and the computer beeped. As the page printed out, she ripped it from the panel and read. It confirmed what Dimitria had told her.
"I need to get Maya and me back to our own time, fast, before me being here starts to affect my younger self," said Kendrix, and sighed. She knew that she was no closer to finding out how to get them home then when she had first started, and she had no idea what to do next.
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Tommy and Adam were in the middle of teaching a class, and Rocky was eating at a table when Maya came rushing in: she was out of breath and looked very flustered.
"Maya what's wrong?" Asked Rocky. Tommy and Adam cut the lesson short, and walked over to join Maya and Rocky, as the Yellow Ranger explained what had happened to Kendrix. When she was finished, the three exchanged bewildered looks.
"She's probably at the Power Chamber," Adam said at last. Nodding, Tommy led them to the back room, and the four of them teleported to the Power Chamber. They found Kendrix staring at a piece of paper, completely absorbed in her work. Alpha 6 stood nearby, he and Dimitria watching in silence.
Maya walked up to Kendrix and laid a hand on her shoulder. Kendrix jumped at her touch and dropped the page she was holding. She bent down to retrieve the paper, but Tommy got there first, and he read the paper.
Before Tommy could ask her for an explanation, the ground began to shake, and the five of them had to catch themselves on the consoles. When the shaking stopped, Alpha began to search for what could have caused the earthquake. Adam joined him, as did Kendrix after a moment; Alpha flinched, but said nothing. Finally, he got a lock on what whatever it was, and an image appeared on the Viewing Globe.
"Hey, it's a spaceship, and it's heading for the Power Chamber," said Adam.
"Correctamundo, it just came out of an inter-dimensional warp inside the Earth's atmosphere, and dat could be dangerous," Alpha informed them. As they watched, the ship started to break up, and the pieces fell towards Angel Grove.
"Why would someone travel between galaxies at great risk to speak to us?" Asked Dimitria.
"Maybe they need our help," suggested Maya.
"Or maybe they've come to help us," replied. Tommy, "we have to find out who was on that ship."
"Dat's harder than it looks, Red, the pieces of dat ship are spread all over Angel Grove," said Alpha.
"Alright, we'll split up and look in different areas. If you find anything, contact the others," Tommy ordered. The others nodded.
The Rangers then teleported out into different parts of town to look for any signs of the mysterious ship and its pilot.
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Divatox and her minions were on the beach of Angel Grove Lake, the pirate moaning about her ruined afternoon. But then she found the wreckage of the ship, and saw something lying on the ground nearby. It looked like a man-shaped robot, blue and white, with traffic lights in its chest. It wasn't moving.
"What on Earth is that thing?" Asked Elgar.
"I don't know, but this thing interrupted my day at the beach," said Divatox. "Let's take him back with us and find out what he is doing here." With that, there was a flash of light, and they all disappeared.
Once on Divatox's ship, they stood there looking at the thing until Divatox ordered that it be turned on. Porto walked over to it, opened the back panel and pushed a button inside. Immediately it sprang to life.
"I am the Blue Senturion, an intergalactic officer of the peace. I have been sent from your future with an urgent message for Dimitria." Divatox pondered this for a moment.
"For Dimitria?"
"It may very change the balance of power in the universe," the Blue Senturion answered.
"I'm…" Divatox cleared her throat and imitated Dimitria's voice. "I'm Dimitria, what do you want to tell me?"
"Voice print matches Dimitria of Inquiris, proceeding with message," said the Blue Senturion, after a moment. An image came out of the Blue Senturion's visor, and he spoke as the message played. Holograms of all of the villains who had attacked Earth, and a few more, appeared, laughing silently.
"The universe's greatest evils will join forces to destroy the Earth and the entire universe. They will then divide its wealth."
"Divide? But I not sharing anything with those third rate tyrants. I, Di…determine to help. Is there more to this message?"
"There's only one force that stands in their way." Divatox watched the message in disgust.
"I can't believe it," she snarled.
"Message originates from the year 2000, the next Earth millennium," the Blue Senturion concluded.
"Div… uh, Dimitria, did you see that?" Elgar asked.
"I know what I have to do," Divatox answered. She snapped her fingers, and Porto opened up the back panel again, and began to rewire the Blue Senturion.
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Tommy was looking near the electric plant for a piece of the ship. Shaking his head, he held up his communicator.
"Alpha, you sure a piece fell around here?"
"Yo, a robot is only as good as his programming, keep looking," Alpha answered.
Tommy continued to look around, when he was attacked by several Piranhatrons. He began to fight them off. But as he tried to keep them back, they started to behave strangely leading him into a building instead of just attacking him. They avoided his hits, not trying to punch or kick him back.
"Shift into Turbo!" He called, and morphed into the Red Power Ranger.
He began toward the Piranhatrons, but they moved away from him like they were scared. Tommy heard a siren in the background, but didn't take much notice of it. As the sound got closer, he turned to see what it was coming from. Pulling his motorcycle up behind the Red Ranger, the Blue Senturion got off and approached Tommy. He switched off the siren.
"I am the Blue Senturion, protector of intergalactic law; halt your aggressive actions against these defenseless citizens at once." He stopped a few steps away from Tommy. Quickly, Tommy put up his hands to try and show the officer he meant no harm.
"Wait, you don't understand, I'm a Power Ranger."
"Good citizens, you may go," The Blue Senturion said past him. Tommy turned and watched as the Piranhatrons waved mockingly at him and disappeared.
"There's been a mistake, I—" The Blue Senturion cut him off
"You are under arrest."
"No we're on the same side," Tommy protested, but the Blue Senturion just continued.
"You should not attack innocent citizens…" Just then, Adam and the others teleported in behind the Blue Senturion.
"He's not going anywhere," Adam called. The Blue Senturion started and looked around.
"Huh, what? I see your friends have arrived. Unfortunately, I have other pressing matters to attend to. I will return," he said, and then disappeared.
The five Rangers looked around for any sign of the Blue Senturion, but he was gone. The others walked over to Tommy.
"Alpha told us you were in some kind of trouble or something, Tommy," said Adam.
"Yeah, about Divatox finding the crash site and capturing a robot," added Maya.
"He called himself the Blue Senturion," said Tommy.
"Zordon told me about them; they're the most reliable form of robotic law enforcement in eight galaxies," said Adam.
"Then why did he think we were evil?" Asked Tommy.
"It wouldn't surprise me if Divatox has something to do with it," muttered Kendrix. Then something began beeping madly nearby, and Rocky pulled a device out of his back pocket.
"Hey guys, check this out, it's detecting a detonator. Oh man, looks like our police officer might be a walking demolition site," said Rocky.
"We have to find him," said Tommy. "Split into teams."
Rocky, Adam and Maya ran off in one direction, while Tommy and Kendrix headed in the other. They were searching near the train tracks when they heard the sound of an engine behind them. They turned around to see the Blue Senturion heading in their direction.
"Halt!" Called the Blue Senturion, as he drew a handgun from his side.
"Look out!" Cried Kendrix, as she pushed Tommy out of the path of the rays. She was hit on the side, stumbled and fell. Tommy scrambled to her side
"Kendrix, are you all right?" He asked, kneeling down beside her.
"Yea, but I twisted my ankle," she told him, voice tight with pain. The robot was coming forward.
"Blue Senturion arrest mode activated."
"We're not criminals!" Cried Tommy as he swung at the Blue Senturion. The robot grabbed ahold of Tommy, twisting his clenched fist aside.
"We've got to talk…" said Tommy.
"Plea bargaining is not an option," answered the Blue Senturion.
Tommy tried to aim a few blows at the Blue Senturion, but he blocked them with ease. Quickly, the robot grabbed his hand and squeezed, almost crushing it, and pushed Tommy away with a punch him to the stomach. Tommy doubled over in pain. Grabbing Tommy by the throat, the Blue Senturion forced him up against a low wall. The Blue Senturion then threw Tommy over the wall.
Tommy landed on his feet and got ready for the next attack. The robot jumped the wall and grabbed Tommy again, throwing him back over the wall. Landing, Tommy pushed off the ground, launching himself at the robot and landing several flying kicks. On Tommy's third kick, the Blue Senturion crossed his arms in front of him, and Tommy fell to the ground.
"Stop, you don't understand!" Called Kendrix, trying to stand and failing.
Tommy and the Blue Senturion jumped and flew at each other, both landing a blow and falling to the ground together.
"Tommy!" called Kendrix, and she was about to run to his side when suddenly a monster appeared. It looked almost like a toad, but had an absurdly oversized mouth full of long, needle-like fangs. Laughing, it charged, snapping its jaws.
"Tommy, little help?" She called again, springing away from the monster's stomp. Tommy turned to see her being attacked.
"Look!" He said to the Blue Senturion, and he did.
Kendrix managed to push the monster away from her, and she tried to back away, but her ankle had started to swell. It wouldn't hold her weight, so she fell to the ground.
"Kendrix needs our help," said Tommy, and rushed to her side before the Blue Senturion could say anything.
Kendrix was pushing herself along the ground as the monster moved in closer to her. She drew her Turbo Blaster.
"Get back, I'm warning you!" She said to the monster. It laughed as she shot at it, the lasers bouncing off its thick, multicolored skin.
Suddenly, a burst of energy flew from behind her and hit the monster in the mouth. Kendrix turned to see Rocky and Adam running towards her, Power Weapons drawn and aimed at the monster. Then Tommy and Maya flew through the air and kicked the monster, which stumbled back away from Kendrix.
"Kendrix, you okay?" Asked Maya, as she helped the Pink Ranger to her feet.
"Yeah, enough to teach Fang-Face to keep his mouth shut," replied Kendrix, as she drew her bow. "Turbo Wind Fire!" The burst of pink energy hit the monster, and it exploded.
"All right! That's one problem down," said Tommy.
"And one to go," finished the Blue Senturion. "I am reporting your offence against that creature."
The Rangers turned and saw the Blue Senturion advancing on them. They moved in to attack him, but he knocked them away as if they were nothing. He seemed to be focusing more on Tommy than the others.
Tommy grabbed the Blue Senturion's sword and held it tight, while the others tried to get him from behind, but he was smarter than that. Spinning around, he knocked the Rangers away. He then flipped Tommy over and Tommy lost his grip on the sword. As Tommy prepared to fight him again, Rocky shouted.
"Now, Maya!"
Maya flipped onto some boxes, jumped and landed in front of the Blue Senturion. She wrestled with him for a moment, and then grabbed his sword arm and held on tight.
"I've got him," she called over her shoulder.
"Don't let him loose," replied Rocky, darting around and helping Kendrix up. They went around the struggling robot, and Kendrix opened up his back panel.
"Warning, you are unauthorized…" said the Blue Senturion as Kendrix hit a button in the panel, and then the Senturion shut down. Looking inside the robot's back, Kendrix found what Divatox had planted. Pulling it out, she touched something, and a message began to play.
"Dimitria, the universe's greatest evils will join forces to destroy the Earth and the entire universe. They will then divide its wealth."
Maya and Kendrix knew about this message, and they thought they knew what was coming next, so they got a shock as the rest of the message played perfectly.
"Only one force stands in their way…" As the girls watched, they saw themselves, Adam, Rocky and Andros all in Space Ranger out-of-morph uniforms, fighting the monsters. The other Turbo Rangers stared, but their helmets hid their reactions.
"That's not right," whispered Maya, horrified, and Kendrix nodded slowly. Tommy broke the bewildered silence.
"We'll worry about this later. Looks like he's on our side. Reactivate him, Kendrix," Tommy ordered. Nodding, Kendrix hit the switch, and the Blue Senturion raised his head.
"Memory modification corrected. Now, time to apprehend the true perpetrators for crimes against the universe."
"Wait," said Tommy quickly.
"Arrest mode activated!" Continued the Blue Senturion as he vanished.
Rocky pulled out the navigator again, and the Rangers followed the signal of the detonator. They found the Blue Senturion fighting the monster they had faced earlier. Running to his side, they pulled out their blasters. The Rangers and Blue Senturion fired at the monster together, but it disappeared before the lasers hit. The Piranhatrons that had been with the monster backed away and the Blue Senturion gave chase.
The Rangers called to him, but he didn't hear them so they ran after him, only to be met by a column of flames. Divatox appeared before them, looking very smug.
"Oh poor Rangers, your defender from another galaxy is gone, and so are you," she taunted, raising her hand and pointing. The Rangers turned to see that monster was again giant-sized.
"RAM Cannon!" They shouted, and fired at the monster as the gun appeared, but the lasers had no effect on it. The monster blasted them with eye lasers, and the Rangers fell to the ground. Raising a sword, the monster and swung at them, but the Rangers managed to roll out of the way.
Suddenly, they heard sirens, and sighed with relief. It was the Blue Senturion, driving a new police car which transformed into a humanoid Zord. As it finished forming, he attacked the monster, blasting it with the lasers on the front of his Zord.
"Alpha, the Blue Senturion still has the detonator in him. We need so wire cutters, now," ordered Tommy. Moments later, Alpha appeared wearing a belt filled with tools. Above them, the monster exploded, and the Senturion quickly joined them on the ground.
"Youse guys are lucky: last week I couldn't find these," Alpha told them, and he opened up the Senturion's back panel to be met by a nest of wires. "Yo, youse guys must be nuts, have you seen all da wires back here? How am I supposed to know which one to cut?"
"Please, Alpha," said Kendrix, leaning heavily on Maya as her ankle throbbed.
"Well, uh, it's probably dis one," said Alpha, as he cut one of the wires. The Blue Senturion's left arm rose.
"Not that one," said the Blue Senturion. Kendrix pulled another pair of wire cutters form Alpha's belt.
Here let me try, I'll show you how to do this," said Kendrix. Alpha started to protest, but everyone glared at him. The Pink Ranger looked in the back and cut a wire. The Blue Senturion's other arm rose.
"Afraid not."
"Only four seconds left" said Maya. Alpha and Kendrix looked at the wires. and then each other.
"Then it must be the purple one," they said together, and they cut it. The timer stopped counting down, and all the Rangers sighed with relief. Maya and Kendrix exchanged one final, worried glance. With them here, the past was already beginning to shift.
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To be continued…