Double Act

Chapter 10: Truth and Consequences

A/N: So it's been far longer than a month since I updated this, but hey, that's what happens when life catches up to you. I still have a shitload of scholarships to write and submit and I got grades to keep up, so updates won't really be as often as I used to have them. Anyway, last time, the rangers once more fought off the two evil ones. Kira has suspicions about who the orange ranger is, but she doesn't want to say anything until she knows for certain. What'll happen now?

Also, I decided to have a couple former rangers appear in this one.

Disclaimer: I only own things not originally in the show.

All the rangers, Hayley, and two former rangers stood in the lab later that same night. Conner and Ethan were in shock at the two women in front of them who used to be rangers. Kira wasn't as fazed by it, since she grew up around them. The younger rangers were home when Kira had gotten a call from Trini, asking where Jason was. Kira explained what she knew, and then not long after that she and the others got a call from Hayley saying she found Tommy and Jason, but there was a problem. When they entered the lab, they saw why.

Sitting in front of them was an unmorphed Jason and a morphed Tommy, frozen inside an amber rock.

"Are they okay?" Ethan asked as Hayley was running a few scans over the boys.

"This internal scan should be able to tell us more," Hayley answered.

"What's the deal?" Kira wondered. "Are they like, frozen or something?"

"Not exactly," the red head sighed. "It's more like they're fossilized. Fused into this amber like substance."

"Can you get them out?" Conner questioned.

Hayley shook her head. "Too risky. They're able to stay alive in there, but I'd hate to think what would happen if I broke them out."

"They're gonna wish they weren't kept alive," Trini muttered, glaring at the rock and her husband. Kim could only agree.

"A paleontologist turned into a fossil," Ethan mused. "The white ranger's got a great sense of humor."

"Well, personally, I've had enough of him," Kira agreed.

"Let's find out who he and the orange ranger are and deal with them," Conner added. "Now."

While the boys headed back home, Kira decided to make a trek through the woods. It was the same journey she had made earlier, but she needed answers and she needed them now. So far her journey was going great. Nothing had jumped out at her or tried to attack her. All she was concerned with now was her suspicions about the orange ranger's identity. She wanted to tell the boys what was going on, but she didn't want to say anything until she was absolutely sure. When she reached the entrance to where she was going, she was able to walk inside with ease.

Kira found her sister's sensei right away. The older woman seemed to notice her as well and stood to greet her. "I believe you are here for an answer to your question."

"Yes sensei," Kira nodded. The look on the Sensei's face told her all she needed to know. "I was hoping I was wrong."

"There is no need to worry," Sensei Huron wrapped an arm around Kira's shoulders. She began leading her toward a storage room in the temple, where they kept all the scrolls of information. "Your sister is not in any immediate danger. You see, there is an ancient scroll that tells of this happening."

"So you're saying her becoming an evil ranger was going to happen no matter what?" Kira frowned.

Sensei Huron nodded. "Kira, you must understand that everything happens for a reason. It is no mistake that I chose Kennedi to be the ninja ranger from this academy. I knew she was more than capable of being one, and there was no one else better for the job. However, her life is being kept track of on this scroll." She pulled one off the shelf and handed it to Kira. It was a scroll with a slight orange tint.

"I don't understand what is says," Kira remarked, opening it and seeing a bunch of pictures and words she didn't know.

"You and your sister's lives have been documented on here," Sensei Huron explained. "It covers everything that happened to you two up until now. It goes on to explain a few things that will happen in the future, but does not show the outcome of those situations until they actually happen and have passed."

"So this is a scroll that magically records everything me and my sister do with regards to being rangers?" Kira raised an eyebrow. "That's…kind of creepy."

Sensei Huron gave her a small smile. "It seems it, but this is helpful in certain situations."

"How"? the singer wondered. The older woman pointed to a picture of a stone that resembled the dino gems, but had a small flame in the center.

"That is called the Stone of Resistance. Its powers can only be used by a fire ninja and the person closest to them. However, it is designed specifically for a situation like this. The power it holds is very similar to the power of the gems you wear. It can help your sister resist the evil encoding in hers and turn her back to good…when the time is right."

"And when will that be?" Kira frowned.

"You will know when," the ninja responded. "But first, you must find it. It is hidden somewhere in the woods of Ocean Bluff."

"I won't let you or Kennedi down, Sensei," Kira assured.

Sensei Huron smiled a little bit. "I know you won't. However, I must ask that you promise to keep this between us, your sister, and her teammates. The less people who know about it, at least until the time is right, the higher chance it will have to succeed."

Kira wasted no time in making her decision. "I promise, Sensei."

The next morning, Kira found herself running late. She had promised to meet Conner and Ethan at the Cybercafé to try and find the white and orange rangers. While she knew who the orange ranger was now, she couldn't reveal anything due to the promise she made the previous night. By the time she was up and ready and out the door, the boys had already been at the café for a while. She figured she would walk around town instead and head toward the lake to think and process what she learned. However, she was unable to make it there until she and the others dealt with the white ranger once more.

When she reached the bench under the tree near the lake, she noticed a familiar boy sitting there. "Trent?" she called. "Is that you?" She saw him pick up his sketchbook and she took a seat. "Hey."

"Hey," he greeted.

"Where'd you go?" she asked.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I shouldn't have taken off like that."

"Look," Kira sighed. "I can't help you if I don't know what's going on." Trent, deciding he could trust her, opened his sketchbook to the last few sketches he did. "Trent, if you're going to dream about being a superhero, the white ranger's not who you want to be."

"I kinda wish I had a choice," he replied.

Kira looked at him skeptically. "What are you saying?" Trent brought his wrist up and showed her the bracelet with the white dino gem. "You? But you almost annihilated me!"

"But I didn't," Trent pointed out. "Look, once I knew it was you…" Kira stood, not wanting to hear the rest of it. Trent tried to grab her hand to stop her from leaving.

"Let go of me," she yanked it free.

"Kira, I couldn't help it," Trent explained. "The gem…it's changed me. I can't take it off or control what I'm doing. You gotta believe me."

"Why should I?" Kira demanded.

"Because I would never intentionally hurt someone, Kira," Trent answered. "Especially you."

Kira looked at him for a moment, trying to find out if he was lying. "Okay. I think I know some people who can help. I'm going to get Conner and Ethan."

"Why them?" Trent frowned. Kira bit her lip, which gave him the answer he needed. "Wait a minute, them too?"

"Hard to believe, but true," she nodded. "Look, I need you to wait here until I come back."

After hearing his confirmation, Kira took off.

Over in Blue Bay Harbor, Kennedi was walking around town with Tori. The blonde was supposed to be watching her today to make sure she didn't disappear randomly. Ever since the ninjas found out about Kennedi being an evil ranger and having no control over the source, they had all agreed to take turns monitoring her to make sure nothing bad happened before they could figure out how to solve this. While they had no doubts the dino rangers were trying to get the two evil rangers onto their side, no one aside from the ninjas knew that Kennedi was one of them.

"At least you look like you're feeling better," Tori commented. "I mean, compared to a few days ago."

"I don't feel any better," Kennedi sighed. "It's killing me to keep this secret from Kira."

"Well, she figured out we were rangers," Tori pointed out. "So maybe she'll be able to figure out you're fighting against her, temporarily."

"But how will she react when she realizes I nearly killed her?" Kennedi stated. "I'm never going to forget that." Before Tori could respond, an odd wind blew by. Out of habit, the two girls fell defensive. Moments later, an invisaportal opened up and spit out a few tyranodrones with a net. Tori began to fight them off but Kennedi didn't have a chance to as the net was thrown over her and she was dragged through the portal.

When it was closed, Tori looked around. "Damn it."

When they landed, Kennedi found herself being held captive in Mesogog's lair. Beside her was a boy she recognized as Trent, also trapped in a net. Tyranodrones took the nets off but continued to hold the two back. At the moment, Kennedi was glad Trent had no real idea who she was. Before they could do anything, Mesogog stepped in. "So…the white and orange rangers pay us a visit at last. Let's finally see who the men behind the masks are."

"You," Elsa snarled.

"Impossible!" Zeltrax agreed.

"Well, well," Mesogog smirked. "Anton Mercer's son and the yellow ranger. How deliciously…perfect."

"What are you talking about, freak?" Trent snapped. "What do you want with us?"

"I want you to fight by my side," Mesogog explained. "As we bring the world back to the magnificent era of the dinosaurs."

"You're out of your mind," Kennedi growled. "We'll never help you fight."

"Oh, but you will," Mesogog stepped uncomfortably close to her. "Think of it, yellow ranger. With our combined powers, the modern world doesn't stand a chance. We'll crush them like ants."

"Anyone ever tell you that you act like a pervert?" Kennedi scoffed. Mesogog backed away. "We'll never help you."

Mesogog smirked a bit. "You don't have a choice. Now that the gems have bonded with you, it's only a matter of time before you turn completely evil."

"We won't," Trent argued. "We'll fight it."

"For a while, maybe," the dinosaur continued. "But your will is no match for the gem's power. In fact, you can feel it changing you already, can't you?" Neither ranger responded. "I thought so. It would be so much easier just to give into it. Don't fight it. Embrace your new found power. Join me."

"No!" the two shouted as the gems on their wrists glowed. They were able to throw the tyranodrones off of them before morphing. Trent drew a portal with his sword and the two rangers hopped through it.

After escaping Mesogog's clutches, the two rangers, still morphed, formed their megazord. They were looking for a fight and they wanted one now. Kennedi could feel her head starting to get heavy, almost as if she was fighting herself. As predicted, it wasn't long before the other rangers showed up. They were ready to fight in their own megazord. A new zord was added to their collection. It came marching onto the scene.

"A new dinozord, eh?" Trent smirked. "We'll add it to our collection."

"I don't think so!" Conner retorted. Each megazord grabbed a different end on the smaller zord. A tug of war began between the two. The zord broke itself free by using its tail against the evil rangers and biting the others. Both megazords fell down. They recovered quickly and headed to attack each other. The new zord was attacking the evil rangers.

Unfortunately for the two evil rangers, the others managed to utilize the new zord to their advantage. "Lasers, fire!" Kennedi directed. The attack failed as the others managed to deflect the blast and send the lasers right back at the evil duo. With one final move, the rangers managed to take down the two evil rangers.

"Don't think this is over," Trent spoke.

The megazord vanished, leaving only the good rangers on the field.

After the fight, Kira had headed to the lake to see if she could find Trent and get some answers. She didn't tell her team where she was going and they seemed to know nothing so far. They believed her when she said Trent was the white ranger, but she refused to answer them when they asked about the orange ranger. Conner and Ethan were back at the Cybercafé, relaxing from a long day. When Kira arrived at the lake, Trent was nowhere to be seen yet. She had found his sketchbook and was holding it when he approached.

"I thought you might be here," he spoke.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" she asked, unaware that he had seen her sister earlier.

"I did," he stated. "You know I did. You know, it's funny. I always thought it'd be cool to be a superhero. This isn't how I'd draw myself."

"Look, let us help you," Kira pleaded.

"No, it's too late," Trent denied. "You were there. The gem's already taking over like he said." Kira frowned in confusion, wondering what he was trying to say.

"Trent, I only saw at the lake and in the fight," Kira pointed out. "I don't know where else you think you saw me, but I assure you I wasn't there."

"It doesn't matter," Trent continued, ignoring her comment. "I have to go away. It's not safe to be around me."

"But…"

Trent cut her off. "Look, I said no!" he took the sketchbook and tossed it in the lake before walking away.

Kira was left standing there alone and confused.

A/N: So sorry it took a while for me to get this chapter out. I still have a lot of work to do (work, schoolwork, homework, 10 page research paper, fundraisers, and scholarships) so updates will still be slow. I have a new boss at work who keeps giving me 20-25 hours a week and I usually have to work late into the night. Anyway, hopefully I'll have a new chapter for this and my other stories soon.

Thank you for your patience! Thanks for reading and/or reviewing!