Chapter 9
The Aquitar Rangers, Telling the Truth, and the Zeo Crystal
"Zordon, I, Delphine, Leader of the Aquatian Rangers, answer your transmission," came Delphine's voice through the Viewing Globe.
"We are in dire need of your assistance," said Zordon. "The Earth has been regressed back in time, and has come under the attack of Master Vile."
"Yes, Master Vile, a most unwelcome visitor," replied Delphine.
"I am afraid your intervention would be a great risk to your physical well-being," said Zordon. "However, we have no choice but to humbly ask that you take that risk. My daughters were not affected by the Earth's regression, but cannot fight this battle alone."
"Does the planet Earth not host large bodies of water on it?" asked Delphine.
"Oh yes, lakes and oceans full of water, not to mention a few swimming pools," said Alpha.
"Hey, they can use ours!" said Jill.
"Great idea, sis!" said Jessica.
"I am not certain, whether your particular sources of water will sustain us," started Delphine. However, that can be determined when the need arises."
"What about zords?" asked Billy.
"Yeah, they'll need them if they stand a chance again Master Vile," said Tommy. Another Aquatian ranger came on the screen.
"I am Cestro," started the Aquatian ranger, "expert in engagement technologies. Our battle borgs were presented to us over a milennium ago by your great sage, Ninjor."
"We could really use him right now," said Adam.
"Yeah, unfortunately the rest of us won't find the temple for years," said Billy. "Jessica and Jill only still have their powers because they've had their power coins since birth."
"I was wondering about that," replied Jill as she looked at her power coin. The stegosaurus insignia gleamed in the light of the Command Center. "I'm surprised we could still morph."
"Our battle borgs possess similar ability to your own piloted zords," continued Cestro. "But unlike yours, we control ours telepathically. They will be at our disposal at a moment's notice."
"Cool!" cried Aisha.
"You will have control of our Rangers' Shogun Zords in cases of emergency," added Zordon.
"Yeah, and I bet you Jill and I can come up with a couple zords for ourselves to help out," said Jessica.
"I had a feeling you would say that," said Zordon. "That is why Alpha and I took the liberty of creating you two new zords from my Brain Power. They can talk and transform into multiple modes of transportation, so you can call upon them at a moment's notice."
"Do not worry Zordon," said Delphine. "You did right to call upon us. We shall make preparations and set a path to your nearest body of water. Until then." Delphine moved her arms and hands in what Jessica realized was their way of saying goodbye and the transmission ended.
"Totally awesome!" said Tommy.
"They're really coming!" exclaimed Kat.
"Dad, you said you made Jill and I new Zords," said Jessica. "What do they look like?"
"Jessica, Jill, Tigress the Tiger and Apollo the Owl's spirits were retrieved from your Ninjazords just moments before they were destroyed. I knew the day would come when Zedd would try to destroy the rangers by turning back time. I just didn't think it would be so soon. Behold, your new zords."
The rangers turned to the Viewing Globe again and saw the two brand new Zords.
"Jessica, Tigress can turn into a motorcycle, much like your Shark Cycle, but she can also use her super sonic roar to attack monsters. Jill, Apollo can also form into a motorcycle, but she can also, much like your Ninjazord, shoot missles from her talons and beak."
"They're amazing," said Jessica. "Can they merge with the Shogun megazord?"
"Yes, Tigress and Apollo will be the newest additions to Ultra Shogun Megazord. They will transform into cannons that will attach to the arms of the Megazord."
"Awesome!" said Jill.
"Rangers, it is time for you to go to the Angel Grove Beach to greet the Aquatian Rangers," said Zordon. "Lexie will be find here until you return. Alpha will teleport you there."
The six younger rangers and the twins stood on the beach waiting for the Aquatian Rangers to arrive.
"I guess all we can do now is wait," said Billy. At that moment, five colored beams of light appeared in front of the Rangers and soon then were face-to-face with the Aquatian rangers.
"Welcome, our father sent us here to greet you," said Jessica. "I'm Jessica, and this is my sister Jill. We're the Royal Princesses of Eltar. And these are our friends. We're the Power Rangers of Earth."
"Yes, of course you are. Your highnesseses," said Delphine, kneeling before Jessica and Jill. The other Aquatian rangers followed. They stood up.
"I am Delphine, leader of the Aquatian Rangers," Delphine continued. "This is Corcus, Cestro, Aurico, and Tideus."
"This is Aisha, Adam, Rocky, Billy, Katherine, and our leader, Tommy," said Jill.
The Aquatians came over to the Rangers, looking at their outfits.
"Let's get the Aquatians back to the Command Center," said Tommy. "Then we have to explain to Richard and Sharon what has happened."
"Dad? Sharon?" called Jessica as the eight Earth rangers and Lexie entered the Hartgrove residence.
"In here, Jess," replied Richard from the dining room. As the eight came into view, Richard and Sharon's jaws dropped.
"Rocky? Tommy? Is that you?" asked Richard. "What happened to you guys?!"
"Dad, everyone has been turned back into children except me, Jill, and Lexie," said Jessica.
"Are you serious?" asked Sharon.
"As a heart attack, Mom," said Tommy. "There's more."
"Dad, remember the woman who left us with you and Lisa?" asked Jessica.
"Yes, her name was Sarah," said Richard. "But how did you-"
"There is a reason why Jill, Lexie and I are not affected by the Time reverse," said Jessica. "Dad, this is the hardest thing I've had to do. You and Sharon must never tell anyone what we are about to tell you."
"We promise," said Sharon. "What is it, darling?"
"Jessica and I are not from this planet," said Jill. "Our birth parents Zordon and Sarah are from a distant planet called Eltar. It is lightyears away in another galaxy." Richard laughed.
"Oh that's funny, good one Jill, what's next, you have super powers?" asked Richard.
"Actually, we do," said Jessica. "We all do. Dad, Sharon, with the exception of Lexie, who will probably be a future generation, well, we're the Power Rangers."
There was a dead silence as Sharon and Richard's jaws dropped.
"The Power Rangers?!" cried Richard.
"Yes," said Aisha. "And Jessica and Jill are the only ones that can morph. We had to call on Rangers from another planet to come help protect the Earth from Zedd and Rita."
"We don't know if our parents were affected by the time-reversal," said Billy. "Zordon said a handful of the World's population were reverted to kids or teens, but you two were not affected."
"It's still 1996, but the damage has been done," said Adam. "For all we know, our parents might be kids themselves."
"Okay, let me get this straight," said Richard. "You guys are the Power Rangers, but everyone but Jill and Jess have been turned back into kids, and now some other rangers are protecting the Earth?"
"Pretty much," said Rocky.
"I think I need a Xanax," muttered Richard.
"Until we figure out if the Cranstons and Hilliards were changed or not, Billy and Kat should stay here since Aisha and Adam were already living here with Rocky, Jill, Tommy and me," said Jessica. "As far as the Parks and Campbells know, they still think Adam and Aisha are teenagers and aren't worried about them."
"Hopefully," said Adam. At that moment, the phone rang. Sharon got up to answer it.
"Hartgrove Residence, this is Sharon speaking," said Sharon. "Oh hello Mrs. Hilliard, why yes she's here. Yes I'll put her on. Katherine darling, it's for you."
Kat went up to the phone and took the reciever.
"Hi Mum," said Kat. "Can I ask you something?" There was a pause. "What year is it?" Another pause. "Of course I knew it was 1996. And my age Mum?" Another pause. "Okay, I just wanted to make sure you knew. It's a long story why I'm asking but I can't explain now. I'm spending the night here, okay? We have a giant final tomorrow. Okay bye." As Kat hung up the phone, she turned to the group.
"Well, we were right, my parents still think I'm 17," said Katherine. "I think we have to explain to our parents too."
Jessica groaned as she slumped into a chair.
"I'll contact Dad and tell him that the Cranstons and Hilliards are going to have to be made aware of the situation too. Maybe we should just invite all of our families over."
"Let's call our families and invite them over to explain," said Billy. "You first Kat."
The other rangers' families were confused when they gathered in the Hartgrove's living room an hour later to just Jessica, Jill, Lexie, Richard and Sharon in the living room. The others stood in the kitchen, waiting to reveal their younger selves to their families.
"Where is everyone?" asked David Cranston.
"In the kitchen," said Jessica. "But Jill and I need to tell you all something first. I'm sure you are all aware of the disturbances that happened in Angel Grove today."
"The monster attacks, yes," said Flora Hilliard. "Does this have something to do with it?"
"Yes," said Jill. "A giant orb of doom was placed in the desert less than a mile from the carnival."
"Once it was placed in the ground, the Earth's rotation reversed, changing a majority of the world's population back into children or teens depending on their age," said Jessica. "The majority of them being here in Angel Grove and the United States itself but there are other parts of the world affected."
"Everyone looks younger but it is still 1996,"said Jill.
"Wait are you saying..." started Kim Park.
"Come on in guys," said Jill. As the other rangers came into view, their parents sans Richard and Sharon, gasped.
"We're ten again, everyone," said Tommy.
"There's more," said Adam.
"Jill, Lexie and I weren't affected by the reversal for good reason," said Jessica. "What we are about to tell you is to stay amongst everyone here. You must swear not to tell another living soul."
"What is it, Jess?" asked Maria DeSantos. "Puedes decirme, querida."
"Jill and I are humans from another planet light years away, which makes Lexie half-alien as well," said Jessica. There was a quiet in the living room once again as the parents sat there. Some were shocked, some were confused.
"Our birth parents left us with Richard and Lisa, Dad's first wife, to protect us from evil. We are royalty on their home planet. If the forces of evil ever found out who we are, everyone is in serious danger. But I have a feeling Rita and Zedd already know. They realized we weren't affected by the time-reversal."
"Rita and Zedd are those monsters right?" asked Rebecca Cranston.
"Yes," said Tommy. "And Jessica and Jill are the Earth's only hopes now since the rest of us have been turned back into kids."
"Only hope?" asked Reba Campbell.
"Mom, Dad," started Aisha, "we're the Power Rangers."
"Well that went well," muttered Jessica as soon as the Cranstons and Hilliards bid everyone goodnight. The group wasn't sure how school was going to play out first thing in the morning, but Jessica had a feeling ninety-nine percent of AGHS' student population was going be the ages of fourteen and under, so the group decided to study for their finals normally.
"I can't believe they took it so well," said Aisha. The Parks and Campbells had left long ago, but Maria DeSantos was still in the dining room with Richard and Sharon having some more coffee and dessert.
"I thought for sure my dad was going to have a coronary right there," said Kat. "Oh my brain hurts from all this studying."
"Mine too," said Jill. "You know, we never ate dinner after all this commotion. I'll order a few pizzas."
Sharon, meanwhile, had brought out extra blankets and pillows for the group. The sleeping arrangements were going to be awkward. Usually Rocky and Jess shared a room, but since Rocky was ten years old again, well, Jessica thought it would be awkward. So Jessica suggested that Kat sleep in Aisha and Jill's room, Billy sleep in Tommy's, and Rocky bunk with Adam while the twins shared a room. That was only if the group didn't fall asleep in the living room studying. Jessica got up to put Lexie to bed, and she came back down with the baby monitor in hand just as the pizzas arrived.
"Great let's eat, I'm starved!" said Jessica, digging into the Veggie Pizza. After the group finished eating, Maria DeSantos came back into the living room.
"I'm heading home now, Rocky," said Maria.
"Okay Mom," said Rocky, getting up to give her a hug. "You okay?"
"Yeah, this is just all a shock to me," said Maria.
"Don't worry, Mrs. DeSantos," said Billy. "We'll find a way to change everyone back."
"I'll call you tomorrow," said Rocky. "I love you Mom."
"I love you too," said Maria. "Goodnight kids, good luck on your finals."
"Thanks," replied everyone.
Sure enough, when the eight rangers arrived at the high school the next morning, the high school seemed to be filled with kids aged eight to fourteen, looking around in confusion as to what to do. The staff was baffled when they realized all of their pupils were kids again. Thankfully, Principal Kaplan announced that because of the monster phenomenon, all finals were cancelled and anyone whose grades were suffering would get a reprieve. He then announced that school was cancelled for the rest of the school year and the graduating class would get their diplomas in the mail.
"Incredible, did you see the look on Mr. Kaplan's face when he saw us, and then you guys?" asked Jessica to Tommy. "He knew it was us because of Lexie."
"I just can't believe school is cancelled for the rest of the year!" exclaimed Rocky. "All that studying for nothing!"
At that moment, Jessica and Jill's communicators beeped. The group looked around and headed for a safe spot.
"Go ahead Dad, we read you," said Jill.
"Rangers, I am teleporting you to the Command Center," said Zordon. "Alpha and I have figured a way to return the Earth's rotation to normal. Stand by."
The group was teleported out in their respective colors of light and landed in the Command Center. The Aquatian Rangers were there as well.
"What is it Zordon?" asked Tommy. "What did you find?"
"Rangers," began Zordon, "There is only one thing strong enough to restore the Earth and your powers to their normal states. The Zeo Crystal."
"But Zordon, we scattered the pieces across the Earth, remember?" asked Tommy.
"Yeah, didn't you send them through a Time Hole Vortex so they'd be really hard to find?" asked Billy.
"I did, Billy," said Zordon. "However, through the powers they emanate, I have pinpointed the countries and time periods where each is located. You must seek them out seperately, for each one restores a particular ranger, and is a quest to discover your roots, during which you will potentially face fatal dangers." "If you succeed, your part of the crystal will restore your true age and powers greater than you ever imagined."
"But Zordon, theres six of us still kids, and only five crystal fragments," said Billy.
"Yeah, maybe Jessica and I should go," said Jill. "We're the only ones who are the right age."
"No my daughters, the crystals will only respond to those affected by the time-warp," said Zordon. "And one of you other six rangers will have to stay behind."
"I will," said Billy. "There has to be another way I can reverse the process."
"What if we build a device?" asked Jill.
"That is a good idea, Jillian," said Zordon. "Rocky, Tommy, Katherine, Aisha, and Adam, do you accept this quest?"
"We do," said the five rangers.
"Good, then let the Zeo Quest begin," said Zordon.
Jessica and Jill led Tommy, Kat, Aisha, Rocky and Adam, along with the Aquatian Rangers through the grassy knolls outside of Angel Grove. Billy was still back at the Command Center working on a device to restore him to his rightful age.
"Well guys, this is the spot," said Jessica. "Dad calculated this longitude and latitude as the beginning point for your Zeo Quests."
"Talk about traveling on a budget," quipped Aisha.
"But how do we know where to look for our Zeo crystals?" asked Tommy.
"And since Zordon put the crystals through a time hole, we don't know what year we're being sent to," said Adam.
"Look for a connection to your heritage," said Delphine. "The spirits of your ancestors will show you the way."
"Our heritage?" asked Rocky. "I don't understand."
"All things are revealed in proper time," said Aurico.
"Time is one thing we don't have," said Jessica. "You guys better get going."
Jessica put a mouth to her communicator.
"Dad, they're ready," said Jessica.
"Rangers, you will need all of your resourcefullness and strength for your journeys," said Zordon. "From this point, each of you will be propelled toward a different destiny, and will be entirely on your own."
As the group stood in front of the crater, a time hole appeared before the group.
"Embrace your inner strength and your sense of what is right and you shall succeed," continued Zordon. "Good luck, and may the power protect you."
"Be careful," said Jessica, hugging Rocky.
"I will, I love you," said Rocky.
"I love you too," said Jessica. She kissed her boyfriend, not caring that it looked weird. Same with Jill and Adam.
"Don't worry, we'll come back," said Adam to Jessica and Jill. "If anything there will be a double wedding in a year or two." The group laughed as Jessica and Jill high-fived each other. The Aquatian rangers spoke again.
"Act wisely, Rocky," said Cestro and Rocky jumped into the hole, disappearing in a flash of light.
"The strength lies within, Katherine," said Aurico as Kat jumped in next.
"May the power protect you Tommy," said Delphine as Tommy jumped in after Kat.
"Look to your heritage, Aisha," said Tideus as Aisha jumped into the hole.
"Let your spirit guide you, Adam," said Corcus. As Adam jumped into the hole, and he disappeared with a flash, Jessica sighed.
"Good luck guys," said Jessica. The time hole disappeared and Cestro fell to the ground.
"Cestro!" cried Jessica.
"I'm, alright," said Cestro.
"His hydration level is dangerously low," said Delphine. "We must find a pure source of water for him soon."