Ryan and Alia's Destiny

Back at Lightspeed, there had been several attempts to find Ryan and Alia. But all was quiet in Mariner Bay. There was no sign of the demons or anything else. Dana was especially worried, having regained and lost her brother all in one day. Some were still shocked that Ryan and Alia were married.

Ryan's Morpher lay idle in his father's office. Sometimes, Captain Mitchell would hold it and look at it, wishing desperately he could find out his son's whereabouts. But for three days following the day on the cliff, there was nothing, until on the morning of the fourth day when intruder alarms went off in the Aquabase.

Alia and Ryan used the secret entrance to the Aquabase and were immediately surrounded by guards that tried to arrest them.

"It's okay. Let them go," said Ms. Fairweather.

Ryan and Alia each gave her a stiff nod of thanks as they went down the halls and down to Captain Mitchell's office, ignoring the looks and stares they got from the Aquabase's staff. Captain Mitchell emerged from his office just as they arrived.

"Ryan, Alia," said Captain Mitchell, sounding relieved. "Please, come in."

They entered his office as he smiled.

"I knew you'd come back."

"We're not here to stay," said Ryan. "We came to say good-bye."

"Good-bye?" repeated Captain Mitchell, shocked. "But now that you know who you really are, there's a place for you right here at Lightspeed."

"We fail to agree with you, Captain. You were right about Diabolico's lies," said Alia, softly. "I didn't remember the truth about my past until I did some digging. My father was the one who trapped the demons in the first place. He died sealing me in a chamber that kept me from dying to try to protect me from the demons when I was three. He never abandoned me. But even though I was misled, it was still my choice to do what I did. I don't deserve your trust, Captain. I don't have a place at Lightspeed anymore."

"You kept my son safe and you make him happy, of course you do, Alia," said Captain Mitchell. "You know who you are now."

"That's just it," said Ryan, sighing in frustration. "We don't know who we are anymore. For years, our minds have been poisoned with hate and fear." He sighed and faced his father. "We don't know if there's any good left in us. We're leaving Mariner Bay. We have to find out who we are."

He took Alia's hand in his and then they left the office.

"Ryan, Alia!"

They sighed, stopped in the tracks and turned to face him.

"You may not know who you are, but trust me, I do," said Captain Mitchell. "You're not evil."

Ryan hung his head as Alia averted her eyes.

"Somewhere inside you both, there's an ocean of goodness. The day you realize you are truly good, I want you to open this." He held out a little silver box which Ryan took.

"Thanks, Dad," said Ryan.

"Good-bye, Captain," said Alia.

Without looking back, Ryan and Alia left the Aquabase, passing Dana in the hall.

"Ryan? Alia?" said Dana, sounding surprised. She ran after them, but neither of them paid her any attention, ignoring the pangs of guilt in their hearts. The elevator closed on Dana just she yelled out their names once more.

Ryan squeezed Alia's hand, silently wondering where Fate would take them and what lay ahead of them.

XXX

Deep within the Skull Cavern, the spirit form of a demon Ryan and Alia had long since believed to be destroyed was talking to Diabolico. They had no idea that the demon's spirit form had survived. It was Queen Bansheera and she was not happy about the events of late, particularly the loss of Alia and Ryan to the Rangers' side.

"Your failure to destroy the Power Rangers and lose our best warriors to their side is pathetic and disappointing!" she said. "Perhaps my son Impus can do better!"

"Impus?" Diabolico repeated. "But he's just an infant!"

"Finish your mission or I shall give Impus your Star Power!" she warned, before she diappeared.

Diabolico angrily glared at Impus who lay cooing in his sleep on the table. "My Star Power will never belong to this worm!"

Vypra, Loki and Jinxer then entered the room.

"How cute," said Vypra. "He's probably dreaming of the day he grows up and takes over."

"Forget that!" said Loki. "There's no way I'm taking orders from that little squirt! Anyway, we have other business to deal with. Diabolico, how mad was the Queen when she found out that we lost her—"

"Enough to threaten taking away my Star Power," interrupted Diabolico. "And you're right about Impus. I'm the only leader around here. Now it's time to finish those Rangers once and for all, and the traitors will go with them if need be. I have just the thing to bring them to their knees."

He summoned three Monster Cards.

"But Diabolico, those are all the monsters you have left!" protested Jinxer.

"With these, my three most powerful monsters, there's no way that I can fail!" said Diabolico. "Come forth, my warriors!"

The cards flew from his hands and then transformed into the demons, Demonite, Thunderon and Falkar. Vypra and Loki gasped in awe and shock.

"I have an important mission for you three, destroy the Power Rangers and the traitors if you have to," said Diabolico.

Falkar laughed. "That's all you ask? It'll be a pleasure!"

The three of them began enacting their plan—spreading white feathers that would explode after sunset all over Mariner Bay.

XXX

Ryan and Alia went on their way; each had a bag slung over their shoulder filled with what little possessions and supplies they had. Instead of teleporting, they walked to their destination, the bus station, wanting to forget magic and demons for a while. On the way, Ryan picked up one of the feathers, not knowing the danger it possessed and held it in mild curiosity.

"Ryan, look," said Alia.

Ryan followed her gaze and saw they were at a playground where young children were playing with their friends and family. The sight of a little girl playing with her father brought a small tear to Alia's eye before she wiped it away, replacing it with a small smile.

Ryan couldn't help but chuckle and smile as he watched a boy play catch with his little sister, remembering fondly how he and Dana used to play together as young children. The little girl then threw the ball too far and it landed at Ryan and Alia's feet. Ryan picked it up as the girl's brother—whose name was Jimmy came to get it.

"Sorry, my sister, Katie, he can't throw very well," said Jimmy.

"Maybe you could teach her to throw better," said Alia.

"Well, she's always tagging along and bugging me."

"You guys should stick together," said Ryan, kneeling down to the boy's height. "Believe me, if she wasn't around, you'd miss her."

"Nah," said Jimmy.

Ryan chuckled. "It's true."

"My dad says that too," said Jimmy. "He also says I have to be her protector when he can't be around and that he loves us a lot."

"Your dad's right," said Alia. She took the feather from Ryan's hand. "Here, why don't you give your sister this?"

"Okay. Thanks," said Jimmy. He took the feather and gave it to his sister.

Ryan and Alia smiled as they watched little Katie play with the feather and then continued playing with Jimmy. They watched for a few moments before they continued on their journey, eventually arriving at the bus station.

Despite checking the map and bus routes, they were unable to decide what bus ticket to get. So, they sat down on a bench and took a few deep breaths with their eyes closed. They opened their eyes when an old woman gently poked at them.

"Where are you, two headed?" she asked.

"We wish we knew," said Ryan.

"Follow your hearts," she advised, smiling. "You'll end up right where you're meant to be."

"Thank you," said Alia, as the old woman left for her bus. Alia turned to Ryan. "I think she's right, but the problem is, my heart is with you."

"Likewise," said Ryan. He sighed. "I don't know what to do, Lia. Have you ever felt like this, before?"

"Felt like what? Lost? No, not until the other day," she said, squeezing his hand. "But, maybe it's like you said, we'll figure this out together, one way or another."

"Yeah," he said, smiling.

They turned their attention to the map and bus routes again and finally chose a destination. They were boarding the six o'clock bus to Silver Hills at Gate Five when a T.V. with an important bulletin hit their ears.

"We interrupt this program to bring you a breaking story," said the anchorman. "Feathers have been scattered throughout Mariner Bay by Diabolico."

At the mention of their former guardian's name, the two of them stopped in their tracks and turned to the news report.

"Lightspeed has declared a city-wide emergency. These feathers are said to be explosive and should be avoided at all costs. Rescue teams around Mariner Bay have been mobilized to try and contain the situation as much as possible…"

Ryan stopped listening at that point as he recalled the little boy and sister he'd given a feather to. He glanced at Alia and saw that she too, was looking alarmed with great fear.

"Ryan," she said. "The kids…"

He hesitated and glanced up at the impatient bus driver, who was waiting for them and then he made his choice. He grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's go!"

They teleported back to the park, but in spite of their frantic search efforts, there was no sign of Jimmy or Katie, so they started running in what they thought was the most likely path until they found the kids with their parents.

"Hey, wait up!" yelled Alia.

Jimmy, unaware of the situation, just pointed and said, "Hey Mom, Dad, there's that nice man and lady."

Ryan and Alia ran towards them, dropping their bags in the process and causing the little silver box to fall out of Ryan's luggage. Ryan grabbed the feather and tossed it over the bridge as he covered the family protectively, shouting, "Get down!"

Alia quickly projected a shield to protect them all just as the sun went down and every feather in the city started going off. When the explosions ceased, she lowered the shield and helped the family stand up.

"Thank you," said the father. "Both of you, thank you so much."

"You saved us," said Katie, smiling.

"You're my heroes," said Jimmy.

Ryan and Alia smiled as the kids waved good-bye as they headed home. Captain Mitchell's words rang in their heads. "Somewhere inside you both, there's an ocean of goodness. The day you realize you are truly good, I want you to open this."

Ryan and Alia went back to their bags. Ryan picked up the silver box which had fallen out of his bag and opened it.

Inside was the Titanium Morpher and Morlock's missing magic sapphire and silver ring. How the Captain had obtained it, they didn't know. But they did know this: they knew who they were and where they were meant to be. Alia put on her father's ring and Ryan put on the Titanium Morpher.

"You up for a battle?" asked Ryan.

"Always am," said Alia.

He slipped his hand in hers and then they teleported outside a warehouse where the Rangers had been fighting Falkar, Demonite and Thunderon. They were losing badly and were so badly hurt that they'd de-morphed.

"Yah!" shouted Ryan, as he and Alia leapt in and knocked all three demons down, much to the shock of the others.

"Ryan?" said Kelsey, in disbelief. "Alia?"

Ryan and Alia stood between the demons and the Rangers, fierce determination on their faces.

"Look who we have here, it's the traitors!" said Falkar.

"Still playing games, are we?" said Demonite.

"This is no game," said Ryan. He held up the Titanium Morpher. "TITANIUM POWER!" and then he morphed into the Titanium Ranger.

"You're history!" said Thunderon.

"That's what you think," said Alia. She held up a few feathers she'd conjured. "It's time for a taste of your own medicine! Finte zenoro hepmshu!"

She began throwing the now explosive feathers to the demons causing them to be injured as Ryan began attacking them with punches and kicks, throwing them across the warehouse, and even managing to sweep one under the feet and disarm it.

"Is that all you've got?" challenged Ryan.

The three demons staggered to their feet.

"We have more tricks up our sleeves than just feathers!" said Demonite.

"You haven't seen the last of us!" said Falkar, as they disappeared.

Ryan powered down and Alia relaxed as the other Rangers smiled and hugged them tight. Ryan found himself in his sister's arms for the first time in fifteen years and relished it.

"I hope neither of you ever leave again," said Dana.

Ryan smiled and then broke out of his sister's embrace to look at her. "We won't, little sister. This is exactly where we need to be."

"If you don't mind having a witch/demon hybrid for a sister-in-law, that is," said Alia, smiling as Dana hugged her too.

Dana smiled. "Welcome to the family, Alia."

XXX

When they went back to the Aquabase, there was a celebration in place in honor of Alia and Ryan. Despite a few stumbling-blocks, everyone was glad to have them back on the team. Captain Mitchell was especially happy.

"I knew it," he said, when they arrived. He embraced them. "I knew there was still good in you both."

"We know that now," said Ryan. "Thanks, Dad."

"Thank you, for everything," said Alia. "It made a huge difference knowing you had such faith in us."

Captain Mitchell smiled. "I'm glad."

Ryan and Alia were then dragged into the cafeteria where the party was happening and where Dana had some gifts for them.

"Hey, guys, try these on for size," she said.

Dana and Captain Mitchell placed on Ryan and Alia their own Lightspeed Rescue jackets, the same ones the Rangers wore. Alia had her job back, but with a bonus—she could work in the field when she was needed.

"They fit perfectly," said Carter, admiring the jackets. Ryan's jacket had a silver patch with the number six on it, and Alia's patch was blue and silver with the number seven on it, even though she wasn't a Power Ranger.

"Take it from me, girls love a man in uniform," said Joel.

Ryan smirked as he wrapped an arm around Alia's waist, pulling her in closer. "I don't know about that. My girl loved me before I had a uniform."

This made everyone laugh as Joel mock-pouted.

"We really don't know what to say," said Alia.

"Thanks," said Ryan.

"Diabolico can't touch either of you now," said Dana. "Not with us around."

"Absolutely," said Carter.

"Welcome to Lightspeed," said Chad, as everyone clapped.

Ryan and Alia couldn't stop smiling. For the first time in their lives, they felt like they finally had a home where they belonged, friends and family that loved them and that made truly happy.

After the celebrations were over, Ryan's stuff was moved into Alia's quarters which she made slightly bigger to accommodate them and then they went to get some sleep. They were not expecting what came next for them. Ryan's dreams were shared by Alia and the dream was far from a pleasant one at all.

They were back at the Skull Cavern, running as fast as they could, but they could not outrun their pursuers.

Diabolico stood on top of one the many pillars of the Cavern. "You dare to turn against me?" he demanded. "Even you, Alia, when you're—" he was cut off when Alia shot a spell at him, forcing him to leap to another pillar.

"Don't ever try to call me that again," she growled.

"Queen Bansheera is destroyed and we want nothing more to do with her, or you!" shouted Ryan.

"That's where you're wrong," said Diabolico. "Now you must face the consequences for betraying me!"

He shot out a powerful surge of energy that forced them to their own pillar with their backs turned. They couldn't move, it was as if they were bound, yet there were no bonds in sight.

"You'll pay for your insolence!" said Diabolico.

Suddenly, Ryan's shirt came off, Alia's jacket slid off and the back of her shirt started to burn before it fell to the ground. Diabolico aimed a golden beam at Alia's back that curved for a few moments until it ceased.

"Here is my permanent gift to you both!" said Diabolico.

On Alia's back was a tattoo of a cobra and Ryan's old whip-made scars on his back began to burn.

"Ryan's wounds will reopen or burn at any time—not just every full moon—and henceforth every time you use your magic, the cobra will move up your body closer and closer until it reaches your neck and destroys you. And without your magic to heal him, Ryan's wounds will continue to reopen or burn until it destroys him!"

The other demons started laughing as Ryan and Alia withered in pain and shock.

"NO!" shouted Ryan.

"You can't do this!" yelled Alia.

Ryan woke up with a start, breathing hard and sweating as his heart pounded. He looked around, glad he was still in his and Alia's quarters and not the Cavern, even if it was dark. He heard a whimper and saw Alia was still in the dream.

He shook her. "Lia, Lia, wake up! Wake up!"

Alia's eyes shot open and she sat up. "Ryan." She immediately buried her face in his chest, shaking as he held her.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm here," he said. "Lights, on."

The lights came on; easing the fear they felt which slowly ebbed away.

"I really hope that was just a dream," said Ryan, stroking her hair.

"I don't think it was," said Alia. She got of his embrace and out of bed. "Help me."

Ryan got out of bed too and pulled out the full-length mirror on the closet door. Alia lifted up her tank-top and their eyes widened as they saw the black cobra shining on her lower back.

"Oh, gall," said Alia, looking as if she might faint. "Ryan, what're we going to? If I can't use magic, you'll be destroyed. But if I do use magic, we'll both be destroyed."

"Calm down. We'll figure this out, Lia," he said. "Don't worry, we'll figure this out somehow, trust me."

Alia nodded. "I'm sorry I'm so hysterical. I'm just so scared and tired."

"Then we'll get some sleep and figure this out in the morning," said Ryan. He cupped her face. "I vowed that I'd protect you and I never go back on my word. I'll save you, I promise."

"And I promise I'll save you," said Alia, as she gently kissed him. "We'd better hope I'm not needed in the field. Until we figure this out, I'm only using my power on your back."

"Okay," said Ryan. He didn't like the idea of Alia using her magic when it could destroy her, but he knew to argue or force her to do otherwise wouldn't be good either. "Come on, let's get back to bed."

He carried her bridal style and tucked her back into bed where they eventually fell into a deep sleep, holding each other close.