Chapter 5

Ninja Quest Part 2

Hi guys, just want to let you know, this chapter is going to be where the fic take a twist from the actual storyline and will affect how Zeo and Turbo played out. Enjoy.

"I can't believe it," said Aisha. "The zords..."

"They're completely destroyed," said Kim as they walked along the rubble that was once the Thunderzords.

"This is unbelievable." said Rocky.

"What are we going to do?" asked Jessica.

"We gotta get back to the Command Center," said Kim. "Maybe Alpha can fix them."

"If only it were that simple," said Billy.

"Oh man," said Tommy. "It looks like we lost more than our zords."

"We've lost our powers, completely," added Jill.

"It's going to be a long walk back to the Command Center," said Billy.

"Let's get going," said Tommy.

Meanwhile, up on the Moon, the occupants of the Moon Palace were celebrating the defeat of the Power Rangers.

"Ah my comrades," said Lord Zedd., "we have executed the ultimate plan. By destroying their zords, we have once and for all destroyed the Power Rangers!" All the monsters cheered.

"Rito, my brother, I'm so proud of you!" cried Rita.

"Yeah I'm proud of me too," said Rito with a smirk.

"Yeah with four monsters I could have beaten them too," complained Goldar.

"Sure you could have," snarked Rita.

"Silence!" cried Zedd. "Now that those meddlesome Rangers are permanently out of our way, there is nothing Zordon can do to stop us from conquering the world!" The monsters cheered again.

"Yeah!" cried Rita.

"Just like old time, eh, Rita?" asked Rito.

It had been a long walk back to the Command Center, but the Rangers finally reached it. The girls got so tired from walking that the guys each had to carry a girl when they got half-way to the Command Center. Jessica and Kim were the most exhausted of the rangers. Jill seemed to be okay, but Billy was concerned for the three of them because they had their power coins the longest of the girls and was afraid that their life forces were possibly being deprived of energy. The group was now surveying the damage at the Command Center.

"Oh man, what a mess," said Billy as he looked at the control panels.

"I'm not sure if even I would be able to fix this," said Jill. She looked over to Jessica and Kim, who had been laid down on makeshift sofas to rest.

"How are they, Alpha?" asked Jill.

"They should be fine in a few minutes," said Alpha.

"Come on Jill," said Tommy, "surely there could be a way to fix it."

"We're talking about the Command Center's power core," said Billy. "Even I don't know how to begin to repair it."

"So basically we're royally fucked," camed the voice of Jessica, who had just woken up.

"Jess," whispered Rocky as he rushed over to her, kissing her. "How are you feeling?"

"Refreshed," said Jessica. "That battle drained me more than I realized so the walk made it worse."

"Kim too," said Tommy. Just then Kim awoke and Tommy rushed to her.

"Hey beautiful," said Tommy. "You feeling better?"

"Much," said Kim, hugging him.

"As I was saying, I don't know how long it would take to repair it," said Billy.

"Ai yi yi, Billy that could centuries," said Alpha.

"We don't have centuries, Alpha," said Jill.

"What about our zords?" asked Adam. "Can you bring them back Zordon?"

"I'm afraid not," said Zordon. "Since the Command Center's power is nearly depleated, there is no way to revitalize your lost zords."

"There's gotta be something we can do," said Aisha.

"Where did our powers come from in the first place, Dad?" asked Jessica.

"Legend has it, that a lost temple is hidden beneath the Desert of Despair," said Zordon. "The keeper of the temple, Ninjor, forged the original power coins to be used by those battling the evil forces of the universe, but this may only be a myth."

"What about the map we found along with the Power Coins?" asked Alpha.

"Map?!" cried Jill. A map appeared in Alpha's hand.

"Hey, maybe it does exist! Maybe we can find the temple!" cried Jessica.

"And find the power!" said Jill.

"I'm sorry, Rangers, the Desert of Despair is much too dangerous," said Zordon.

"We faced danger before," said Tommy. "If there's even the slightest chance this temple exists, we have to take it."

"Tommy's right, Dad," said Jessica. "We can't just give up."

"Very well," said Zordon. "Although it's against my better judgement, I will let Alpha give you the map. But I must warn you, once Lord Zedd learns of your destination, he will try to thwart your every move. Without your powers, you will be at his mercy."

"Oh, Ai yi yi," sighed Alpha as he handed Billy the map.

"Powers or not, we don't have a choice," said Jessica. "Kim, Jill, and I don't have a choice. We need our powers, or we might die."

"Let's begin," said Zordon. "Gather in a circle and place your hands in the air, touching each other's hands."

The group did as directed and looked at Zordon.

"Remember, be prepared and ready to face the unexpected," said Zordon. "Alpha are you ready?"

"Ai yi yi, talk about your crude methods!" said Alpha as he fiddled with the transport core.

"Keep trying Alpha," said Zordon. "There should be just enough residual power to teleport the rangers safely to the desert."

"Either that or we're toast," said Aisha. The room started to flash brightly.

"Keep going Alpha, it's working!" said Billy.

"Good luck Rangers," said Zordon, "and return to us safely." Everyone's eyes were closed in concentration now.

"Everyone please be careful," said Alpha. There was another flash and the eight teens disappeared away in their respective colors.

"Oh Zordon, I hope we did the right thing," said Alpha again.

"Try not to worry, Alpha," said Zordon. "If the temple does exist, the rangers are the only ones who can find it."

The eight teens landed in the Desert of Despair, still in their circle.

"Guess this is it," said Kim.

"Not much to look at," said Jill.

"Well, according to the map Alpha gave us," started Billy, "we should start heading in that direction." he pointed to his left. "The temple is marked by a very distinctive rock formation."

There was a loud wail and the Rangers jumped and turned around.

"What the hell was that?" asked Jessica.

"What a horrible sound," said Kim. The wailing continued as they looked around.

"What is that?' asked Rocky as Jessica held on to him.

"Remember, Zordon called this the Desert of Despair," said Adam.

"Yeah, well it certainly lives up to its name," said Kim.

"Despair or not, this place gives me a major case of the heebie-jeebies," said Aisha.

Up on the moon, Rita was still looking at those eggs that Rito had buried.

"Rito, how long is this going to take?" asked Rita as her telescope set its view on the eggs. One of them poked a hole. "Oh I think it's starting to hatch!"

"Oh ho ho, what a deliciously ugly creature!" cried Rita gleefully. "This is fantastic! It's time! It's time! Oh I feel like a proud mother-to-be!"

"Score one for Baby Brother!" said Rito.

"Come on Rito, what's the deal?" asked Rita. "Tell me what they are!"

"Well, like I said before, I want to bring a special wedding present for you and Edd here..."

"ZEDD!" everyone cried.

"Yeah, whatever," said Rito. "So I thought..."

"Hey I thought I smelled something burning," said Goldar.

"Shh," said Rita.

"Oh would you be quiet!" said Zedd. "Continue Rito."

"Yeah, so, uh, what I was saying?" asked Rito and everyone groaned. "Oh yeah, the eggs!"

"What was in them..." started Rito. "Just can't remember..."

"Ohh you," said Rita walking up to Rito and grabbing him by the collarbone. "You've got ten seconds to tell me what's inside those eggs. One...two..."

"TEN!" cried Goldar.

"Ten! Ten! Tengas! That's what was in those eggs!"

"Tengas?" asked Zedd.

"Yep, for you and my favorite sister!" said Rito.

"Tenga warriors? You brought me Tenga warriors?" asked Rita excitedly.

"Sure did," grinned Rito.

"I could kiss you..." said Rita, "...if you weren't so ugly!" She turned to Zedd. "The Tenga warriors are absolutely the most ferocious creatures this side of the universe!"

"My very own army of Tenga warriors?" said Zedd. "Without the Power Rangers to stand in my way, imagine the possibilities!"

"Come on, let's see how many more Tenga eggs have hatched!" said Rita as she rushed back to her telescope. "Oh there goes another one! Oh, oh, oh this is so exciting!"

While Rito and Rita were looking at the eggs, one of them not hatching and Rito saying it was important but he forgot, Zedd had checked in on the rangers and found them in the Desert of Despair.

"Oh, will nothing stop those Power Brats?" asked Zedd. "OH, those troublesome teenagers are headed right through the Desert of Despair!"

"WHAT?!" cried Rita. "They must be looking for the lost temple! That means they are looking for the Ninja power! We have to stop them!"

"Now I remember about that egg!" cried Rito. "It's not a Tenga. It's a Vampirus monster!"

"Eww," said Baboo.

"Ugh, the Vampirus is such a nasty creature!" said Finster. "Not my cup of tea at all."

"Silence!" said Zedd. "We must stop those rangers before they find the temple and re-establish their power!"

"Eek, ooh," said Baboo as Rita furrowed her brow in thought.

"I got it!" cried Rita. "Send down the Tengas with the Vampirus egg! The Tengas can attack the Rangers after they find the temple entrance! And then they can bury the egg outside the temple!"

"Brilliant!" said Zedd. "Once the Vampirus egg hatches, it can seize the temple's power for our own!"

Kim and Tommy had split off from the others, yet still walked alongside them along the rocks.

"You okay, Kim, you seem distant," said Tommy.

"Yeah, I'm okay, I just..."

"What is it Kim?" asked Tommy.

"Tommy, I'm worried," she whispered. "I mean, it's probably just stress, or the fact we've been really busy fighting off monsters lately but..."

"Would this be why you were so exhausted after the battle?" asked Tommy. "Whatever it is you can tell me."

"Tommy, I'm late," said Kim. Tommy's eyes widened. "I'm usually right on schedule but..."

"When? When do you think?" asked Tommy, a look of concern on his face.

"When we were in Sydney," said Kim. "I'm sorry Tommy, we got so caught up in everything I must have forgotten to take a pill."

"Do you know for sure if your pregnant?" whispered Tommy.

"No, I was going to take a test tomorrow," said Kim. "But we may never know if we don't get our powers back."

"Have you told anyone else?" asked Tommy. Kim shook her head.

"No, but I know my mom is going to flip out if I am," said Kim.

"We'll figure something out," said Tommy. "Even if it means we have to elope."

Kim stopped and looked at him.

"Are you-" asked Kim.

"Yes," said Tommy. "I am. Would you?"

"Yes," whispered Kim. "What if I'm not pregnant though?"

"We could still get married if you wanted to," said Tommy. "Once we're done with school that is. We only have a year left, Kim."

"Then my answer is yes either way," whispered Kim. By now, two hadn't realized that the others had stopped and turned to see them talking and Jessica gasped at the sight of Tommy getting down on one knee as he went to make his proposal official.

"Oh my god, he's proposing!" cried Aisha.

"Kimberly Ann Hart, will you make me the happiest man on Earth? Will you marry me?" asked Tommy, taking the promise ring he got for her off of her right hand, and moving it to her left.

"Yes, yes I will marry you!" said Kim as he slid the ring on. She leaned down and kissed him as the other rangers cheered.

"Finally!" muttered Aisha in exasperation.

"Oy, lovebirds!" called Jessica and Tommy and Kim turned to find the group watching them. "Quit playing kissy face and get over here! We have a temple to find!" There was a hint of teasing in Jessica's face as she was grinning. As Tommy and Kim caught up to the group, the girls congratulated Kim with hugs while the guys grinned and clapped Tommy on the back.

"Congrats man, you're one lucky dude," said Rocky.

"Thanks," grinned Tommy and the group continued on their quest. The wailing from earlier continued.

"Man, I miss teleporting," said Kim. "I will never take it for granted."

"I hear that," said Tommy as the group all gathered near each other again. "Hey Billy, how much farther?"

"Let me take a look," said Billy, pulling out the map as they continued to walk. "Well, it's not really clear but uh," Billy jumped off the rock they were walking on and everyone followed.

"If I'm not mistaken, we should be coming up on a certain rock formation soon," said Billy. He pointed in front of him. "This way."

They walked some more and rounded a corner.

"This way," said Billy as they continued along another rock formation.

"Hey you guys, look at this rock!" said Kim. As she bent down to pick up what look like a silvery orb, Jessica let out a loud cry.

"Wait! It's a booby trap-"

"Ah!" cried Kim, dropping the orb. It burst into flames and Tommy, Jill, Adam and Aisha were separated from the other four, who were now trapped behind a ring of flames.

"Come on you guys jump!" said Tommy. Rocky and Jessica went first, followed by Kim, who clung to Tommy and burst into tears.

"Come on Billy!" cried Aisha. Billy jumped over the flames and landed near the others. As he stood up he let out a cry.

"Oh no! The map!" cried Billy. As he started to go after it, Aisha and Tommy held him back.

"It's gone, Billy," said Tommy.

"What are we going to do?" asked Aisha to Billy.

"I don't know," said Billy.

"I'm just glad we're all okay," said Jill. They continued on their path and kept walking.

"What sort of rock formation are we looking for?" asked Rocky.

"From what I can recall from the map, we'll know it when we see it..." said Billy.

"Well it's gotta be around here somewhere," said Adam. A scream came from Jill and the others turned to find that Jill had been caught in a swirling quicksand vortex.

"Jill!" cried Adam. "She's sinking!"

"Guys! Help!" cried Jill.

"Hang on!" cried Rocky as the others rushed over to her.

"Help, I can't hang on!" cried Jill.

"What do we do?!" panicked Kim.

"Form a chain!" said Tommy. The guys formed a long chain while Aisha, Kim and Jessica looked on in horror.

"Get her Tommy!" said Billy, panicking. The guys started walking towards Jill who was screaming.

"Tommy!" cried Jill. Tommy slowly crept his way towards Jill.

"Hurry! Hurry!" cried Adam.

"Hang on!" cried Jessica.

"Take my hand!" cried Tommy. Jill grabbed Tommy's hand.

"Pull!" cried Tommy. "Pull! Pull!"

"Jill, hang on!" cried Kim. The guys pulled back and Jill was free from the vortex.

"Whew, that was too close," said Jill, hugging Adam and then the others. "Thanks you guys."

"You alright?" asked Rocky to his future sister-in-law.

"Yeah," said Jill as Jessica sobbed into her. "I'm okay."

The group was still walking and had exited a foliaged area when Billy stopped them.

"Hey guys, check it out," he said.

"What is it, Billy?' asked Aisha.

"I think that's the formation we're looking for," he said with a nod. "Without the map, I can't be certain," he continued as the others hopefully looked at the formation, "but if I'm right, the entrance to the temple should be concealed somewhere near the base." Rocky sighed.

"We should check this out," said Rocky.

"Right," said Billy and the group headed for the formation.

"Look for any caves or crevices that would indicate an opening in the rock," said Billy as the approached the formation.

Everyone came to a stop and looked around.

"Billy, are you sure this is the formation?" asked Jessica.

"Maybe Zordon is right," said Rocky. "Maybe the temple is just a myth."

"HELLOOO RANGERS!"

The group looked up and gasped as they came face to face with the Tenga Warriors.

"Looks like Zedd found us," said Tommy.

"Good guess," squawked a Tenga as they surrounded the Rangers on the rocks.

"Man, could this get any worse?" asked Jessica.

"I don't know, let's try!" squawked the Tenga again and he raced towards the rangers. Everyone but Billy ducked out of the way and the Tenga kicked his foot in Billy's chest, sending him back into the grass. The other rangers rushed over to his aide.

"I think it just did," said Billy as Tommy helped him up.

"Stay close together, guys," said Tommy. "We've never seen these before. No telling what they can do."

The Tengas were all now squawking and had the rangers surrounded. A tenga flew towards the rangers and they ducked out of the way. Two chased Kim into a small crevice and she shrieked.

"Get off of me bird-brain!" cried Kim, kicking at the Tengas. Tommy and Billy yanked them away from the crevice and Kim crawled out, Tommy ushering her towards the rest of the rangers.

"Kimberly, run!" said Billy.

"Oh man, these things are serious!" cried Jessica.

"There's too many of them!" cried Rocky.

"They've got us cornered!" said Aisha as they were backed up against the rock formation. Tommy looked behind him and saw another opening in the crevice.

"Guys over here!" said Tommy. The rangers followed him into a long crevice and they turned back to see the Tengas couldn't follow them.

"They're too big for the opening!" said Jill. "That's right you big black pieces of-"

"Jill!" cried Jessica. "No time for name-calling! We need to find a way to get rid of these pests!"

"We can't stay here forever," said Adam, resting his hand on a rock and the rock moved back, causing the earth to shake.

"Whoa!" cried everyone. A rock swung forward to reveal a cave.

"Come on, this will put some distance between us and those giant crows," said Jessica as she led the way.

As they made their way inside the cave, they noticed they had come to a dead end.

"Everyone okay?' asked Tommy, but his comment had been directed more at Kim than the others.

"Yeah, I think so," said Kim.

"I don't believe this, a dead end," said Tommy.

"Man!" cried Jessica as she walked towards the cave wall. "After all we've been-"

As Jessica had gone to punch the wall, she disappeared through it.

"Jess!" cried Rocky.

"Where'd she go?" asked Kim.

"What happened to her?" asked Rocky.

"I don't know, looks like some sort of power vortex," said Billy as he threw a rock towards the wall and it sucked up the rock.

"We have to go after her!" said Jill.

"Yeah!" said Aisha.

"Let's do it," said Billy. Jill and Aisha went first, followed by Adam and Billy, then Tommy and Kim, with Rocky following from behind. All disappeared into the vortex.

TBC