Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. I think Saban owns them again. It was Disney for a while, but whoever owns them, it's definitely not me.

AN: Here's chapter 5! Thanks for all the great reviews. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

AN 2: Set in 2007 following the Operation Overdrive episode "Once a Ranger". Refer to the prologue and chapter 1 for other important author's notes. Everything is canon up until that episode. After that, it completely AU.

Crimson Rising

Chapter 5: Fix You

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Song: Fix You

Artist: Coldplay

Aquitar

"What happened then?" Trina asked, as she listened with avid interest to her father's story. It was a nighttime tradition for him to tell her of his exploits as a power ranger on his home planet of Earth, a planet she had visited only once a couple years ago. She didn't remember it, since she had only been two, but she frequently talked with her Grandpa Cranston over the video communication system that Billy had left with his father during the visit.

"Well, after walking through that jungle for hours, we finally found The Great Power. We became rangers again and returned to Earth to save it from Ivan Ooze. Then we had a big party to celebrate and fireworks lit up the skies of Angel Grove for hours," Billy told her.

"I wanna see fireworks," Trina said. Billy smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Maybe next summer, we'll take a trip to see Grandpa. On Earth, there's a holiday where we celebrate our freedom and one of the traditions is lighting up the sky all night with fireworks," Billy told her fondly.

"Can Mommy come?" Trina asked. He smiled.

"Well, Mommy can't last very long on Earth, but if you can convince your Aunt Delphine to let us use the teleportation system for the day, we might be able to swing it," Billy told her. Trina's eyes lit up at the possibility.

"But for now, it's time for little mermaid's like you to go to sleep," he insisted.

"Okay, but when is Mommy coming home?" she asked. He kissed her forehead.

"Mommy's working late in the lab, but she should be home anytime now and she'll come kiss you when she does," he promised. Trina nodded and snuggled down in her bed. Just as Billy was about to leave her room, the whole compound shuddered. The former blue ranger went rigid, as he listened for any commotion. When nothing happened, he relaxed and was about to leave his daughter's room again when a violent jarring of the compound threw him off his feet. He crashed to the floor and his four-year-old shot up in alarm.

"Daddy…what's happening?" she whimpered. Billy leapt to his feet and scooped her up.

"I'm not sure baby," he whispered, as he ran out into their living area and peeked out into the residence hallway. The walls were cracking and he sprinted through the corridor, clutching his daughter to his chest. The entire place was going to come down and he frantically ran to the labs to find Cestria. But nothing he had ever seen during his days as a ranger could have prepared him for the sight that met him. He felt bile in his throat, as he stared at the carnage of body parts and remains of scientists he had worked with on a daily basis. He looked up through the hole and saw the five Aquitian rangers fighting some alien invaders. He couldn't make out much, but the beings were equipped with obvious scuba type suits that were allowing them to battle the water breathing rangers.

"CESTRIA!" Billy cried, as he started to frantically search for his wife in the debris. There was no answer and he called again, trying to keep the panic out of his voice, for Trina was already sobbing against his chest.

"Billy…" he heard a faint whisper and found her pinned beneath a large beam.

"Oh God…" Billy cried, as he knelt beside her.

"Hang on, I'm going to get this off," he told his wife, as he set their tiny four-year-old beside her mother. Cestria smiled at her beautiful little mermaid, as they called her.

"Mommy…" Trina cried, as Cestria brushed her caramel hair from her face. Billy tried to get a good hold on the beam, but as he pulled his hand away, he noticed that it was covered in his wife's blue/green blood. He swallowed the lump in his throat and looked under it, finding that it was keeping pressure on the wound in her stomach. If he moved it, she would bleed out in seconds. As he watched his wife gaze at their daughter with tears in her eyes, he realized that she already knew. But he wasn't about to accept it.

"I'll get this beam off you as soon as Cestro gets back and we'll get you into surgery," he told her. Cestria smiled sadly at him.

"You know that I will bleed out before I can be saved and Cestro is already dead, my love," she said, as tears slid down her cheeks.

"What?" he asked in disbelief.

"Billy, you have to listen to me. Aquitar will fall. I was on my way to tell you when we were attacked," she said desperately, as she sought his hand. Billy took her hands and squeezed them tightly; unable to keep the tears at bay any longer.

"Triforia has fallen too. Prince Trey was murdered by the same beings that invade us now. They are a race of unknown warriors in the servitude of the Ooze Empire," Cestria explained. Billy gritted his teeth in anger at that name.

"Ivan Ooze is dead," he insisted.

"I am afraid that he is back and his vengeance has already claimed millions of lives. The Earth will be next and you must join the others," Cestria told him.

"I'm not leaving. The Aquitian rangers will deal with these monsters," Billy hissed, as he looked up at the raging battle. The black battle Borg was in two pieces, there was no sign of the blue and yellow ones, the white was missing an arm, and the red had sustained heavy fire.

"Cestro and Tideus are already dead. The others will not make it much longer," Cestria cried sadly.

"If this enemy is that strong, then the Earth rangers don't stand a chance either. Most don't even have their powers anymore. I'd rather die by your side then run only to die there," Billy whispered, so only she could hear. She shook her head.

"No…save our baby. The Earth rangers will not be so easily defeated. The prophecy says so, but they will need you too, my Wolf," she whispered.

"What prophecy?" he asked, confused by her words.

"You will know soon. Please Billy, save our baby. Leave Aquitar before it is too late. They have no use for a planet full of water. Triforia has only been taken over, but Aquitar will be destroyed…please go…save my baby…" Cestria pleaded. Hot tears poured down Billy's face.

"I…can't leave you…" Billy cried.

"I'm dying my love, there's nothing that can save me. Save Trina before it's too late. I love you," she choked.

"Mommy…" Trina sobbed.

"Be strong for your Daddy, my little one. I love you so much and Mommy will always be with you," Cestria said tiredly.

"Cestria…" Billy sobbed, shaking his head in disbelief that with all his knowledge and abilities that there was nothing he could do to keep the love of his life from slipping away.

"I'll always be in your heart, my Wolf. Promise me something?" she requested.

"Anything," he cried.

"You must go on…you must live, not only for Trina but for yourself. Mourn me, but do not remain alone forever," Cestria requested.

"I'll never love anyone the way I love you," he refused, as he kissed her hand.

"In time you will love again. My years with you were the most cherished times of my life…" Cestria said, as her eyes became glassy, cutting off anymore words. Her body stilled and her last breath left her. Sobbing, Billy gently closed her eyes and scooped his daughter up, as another violent explosion destroyed the last of the battle Borgs. He saw Delphine fall and knew Aurico would follow. Clutching their crying daughter, Billy made his way to the ship bay and after strapping his tiny little girl into a seat, the small ship made an unnoticed escape among the chaos. Sobs overtook father and daughter, as moments later, a bright flash could be seen behind them as their home was engulfed in a fiery explosion. Billy raised the shields, as debris peppered their small craft and he rocked his daughter gently, crying with her for all they had lost…

Angel Grove

"This is the place," Tori said, as they went in.

"You okay?" Hunter asked. She nodded.

"I just hate being the bearer of bad news," she answered.

"Me too, but if this Adam guy is anything like you described than he and Dr. Oliver will both know what to do," he replied, as they watched from the back of the dojo as Adam conducted his mostly adult class that he taught during the day, while his afternoon classes would be filled with mostly kids. Another man also instructed a group of novice white belts and both former rangers concluded that this was probably Rocky Desantos. They watched, as the students were bowed out and dismissed. Adam noticed them at that point and Rocky curiously joined him.

"Hey Tori, what brings you to Angel Grove?" he asked.

"I wish it was good news, but I'm afraid we have something to show you. The footage is pretty…sensitive," she said. Adam and Rocky exchanged glances.

"Let's go in back. Oh and this is Rocky Desantos. He's one of us," Adam said, winking at them. Tori smiled.

"Hunter Bradley," he said introducing himself.

"Nice to finally meet you, Hunter. Tori talked a lot about you," Adam snickered, enjoying her embarrassment. She elbowed her boyfriend in the ribs, as he grinned wolfishly.

"His ego doesn't need any help," she teased.

"Let's go in back and we won't have to talk in code," Rocky suggested. They nodded and followed him in back.

"Whoa, nice tech cave. Cam would love this," Hunter mentioned.

"Thanks. Tori, you remember Alpha," Adam said.

"Of course, he fixed the morphing grid. This is Hunter, former crimson thunder ranger," Tori said. Hunter nodded in acknowledgment.

"Crimson? Does that mean your team had two reds?" Rocky asked. Hunter smirked and nodded.

"It's a wonder that he and Shane are still alive," Tori teased. Hunter nodded.

"We're buds now though. As much as we wish this was a social call, it isn't. Something happened last night in Blue Bay Harbor. Cam took the footage to Reefside to show Dr. Oliver and we came here. We were attacked by these creatures and they just disappeared even though they were winning. I think they were testing us," Hunter explained.

"What kind of creatures are we talking?" Rocky asked.

"Really creepy and nasty," Tori grumbled.

"Yeah, there was purple goo all over our hands and shoes from fighting them," Hunter mentioned. The mood in the room changed immediately and both veteran rangers looked a little paler.

"Like purple ooze?" Adam asked begrudgingly.

"Yeah, do you know what they are?" Tori asked.

"Let's see that battle," Rocky said. Hunter handed the disc to Alpha and he fed it into the slot on the control console, bringing the footage on the screen.

"Shit…" Rocky cursed, as he watched the battle. Adam was silent and pensive while Rocky started pacing like a caged animal.

"What the hell…we killed him! We saw him explode when he hit Ryan's comet!" Rocky exclaimed.

"Calm down Rock," Adam chided.

"Then you have seen these things before," Hunter stated. Adam nodded.

"In 1995, our team faced a morphological being known as Ivan Ooze. At the time, we called on the power of the dinosaurs, but he destroyed our powers like they were nothing," Adam said.

"We had to teleport to a planet many galaxies away called Phaedos to seek the Great Power. The power of the Ninjetti," Rocky said.

"But even then, we were outmatched by his power. He put Rita and Zedd to shame. In our Megazord, we lured him into space and we were down to nine percent power," Adam said, pausing for a moment.

"We thought we were screwed. He had a hold on us and we couldn't break free. The cockpit was half caved in. I was just waiting for him to rip open the crane zord and send us floating off into space. But it just so happened that Ryan's comet was passing by Earth's orbit that weekend, like some damned after school special," Rocky mused, earning a smirk from Adam.

"So…what happened?" Hunter asked impatiently.

"Well none of us guys knew it, but Aisha found some random emergency button. She smashed it and the Megazord kneed Ivan in the balls," Rocky said.

"And he went floating straight into the path of the comet, destroying both. Or so we thought," Adam finished.

"So if he is alive, then why did he attack us and why did he wait twelve years? If he wants revenge, why didn't he go after you guys first?" Tori wondered.

"That's the million dollar question right now," Rocky asked.

"He may be studying all former rangers. He probably knows that we'll eventually all team up against him. You guys also still have your Ninja powers. He may have just wanted to test how much trouble you guys will pose to him," Adam suggested.

"But if you guys are Ninjas like us or Ninjetti, shouldn't you guys still have some of your Ninja powers?" Hunter asked. Rocky and Adam glanced at each other.

"I don't know. We thought all that was destroyed when the power coins were destroyed," Rocky said.

"We drew power from our given animal spirits when we were Ninjetti. Ninjas like your team draw from their respective elements. That could be the only real difference between us. I guess it stands to reason that we may have dormant abilities that we don't even know about," Adam theorized.

"Sensei may have some insight. We can ask him when we get back. But first we need to figure out where to go. If he's testing former rangers, we need to figure out who is next," Hunter said.

"Well, from what Tommy has told me, the Lightspeed team isn't active, but the morphers are still intact. The Wild Force morphers are kept safe in the Animarium. The Galaxy rangers are on Mirinoi, and the space morphers are still active. Other than that, I think most of the powers were destroyed or drained. Ours were only restored temporarily to help the Overdrive rangers," Adam said.

"Including ours and the Dino Thunder rangers. Kira and the other Dino rangers still have their abilities from their Dino gems though," Tori mentioned.

"Well, we know Tommy is still in Reefside, along with Hayley as well. What about the other Dino rangers?" Adam asked.

"Connor and Kira are in L.A. And I think she mentioned that Ethan was at MIT on the east coast. I'm not sure about Trent though," Tori informed.

"All right, Rocky and Aisha will start contacting the rest of the original twelve. I'll call Carlos and he can round up the space team and contact Andros. He'll have to warn the Galaxy rangers on Mirinoi. Tommy can warn his team," Adam listed off, before looking at the couple.

"Are you two up for another mission?" Adam asked. They nodded.

"Whatever you need," Hunter responded.

"Head to Silver Hills. It's about two more hours from here and go to the Silver Guardians headquarters. There you'll ask for Wes Collins and Eric Meyers, red Time Force and Quantum rangers. They'll know how to get in direct contact with the Wild Force rangers in neighboring Turtle Cove," Adam said.

"Before you head out, let's go back to my house. You can fuel up and I'll get you a few supplies for the trip," Rocky suggested. They nodded.

"Thanks," Tori responded.

Ivan Ooze's spaceship

In orbit of Earth's Moon

Xinshing walked into Ivan's Throne room and bowed respectfully to his risen Emperor and his heir, proudly laying the charred remains of the Golden power staff and burned, useless power ruby.

"Triforia belongs to you now, My Lord. Prince Trey and the Phantom ranger have been executed. I also just received word from my other generals that Aquitar is nothing more than a pile of space dust now. The Aquitians are all dead," Xin reported. Ivan chuckled evilly, as he swirled the wine in his goblet.

"Excellent. Proceed with our plan for Mariner Bay at once," Ivan ordered. Xin bowed deeply.

"It will be done, My Lord," Xin said, as he rose and went to gather his army for the teleportation to Earth.

"Toxa…it's time for the same fate to befall Briarwood as well," he urged. She rose from her Throne and nodded.

"Yes Father, I will take the rest of our army," Toxa said, as she got her mission underway. Meanwhile, Ivan took the lift on his massive cruiser down to the landing bay and observed the construction that was underway on his four new Ecto-Morphicons. Built in the likenesses of a serpent, a vulture, a hornet, and a scorpion, the latter two being remakes of his original designs, they would realize his plans of dominating not only the Earth, but the entire Universe…

Reefside

Home of Doctor Tommy Oliver

"Can't you just call Jason's cell phone?" Hayley asked, as she tapped away on the keys in the Dino cave.

"I could, but you know Jason is FBI. I don't want the government getting wind of any of this yet. They'll find out soon enough, but if he hears his old communicator go off, he'll know to take it alone," Tommy said. Hayley nodded. It was mid-morning already in Quantico so Jason would definitely already be working. She made the contact and they waited several moments. A few years ago, after the red ranger mission, Trini had successfully added a small screen Jason's communicator and the veteran ranger's face soon appeared.

"I really need to get my wife to change the damned tone on this thing," Jason complained.

"Hey Jase, I know you're at work, but we've got an emergency. Can you talk without someone hearing?" Tommy asked. The first red ranger of Earth sighed.

"Yeah, I'm alone, but you're not. Wanna tell me who I'm talking to?" he asked. Tommy nodded.

"This is Hayley. She was the Dino team's tech advisor a few years ago, this is Connor and Kira, former red and yellow Dino rangers, Cam Watanabe, former Green Samurai ranger from the Ninja team, and you know Tanya," Tommy introduced.

"Jason Lee Scott, first red ranger," he introduced himself.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"In short, Ivan Ooze is back," Tommy responded, getting right to the point. Jason frowned.

"No way…didn't you guys watch him get blown up when he hit that comet?" Jason asked. Tommy nodded.

"So we thought, but he's pulled himself back together. His goons attacked Connor and Kira last night in L.A. and Cam's team in Blue Bay Harbor," Tommy replied.

"Two of my teammates have gone to Angel Grove to inform Adam Park as well," Cam added. Jason nodded.

"So what's the plan?" he asked, as they heard a sudden beeping.

"We have an encoded incoming transmission from outer space," Hayley interrupted.

"Any idea who it's from?" Tommy asked. She shook her head.

"You don't think it's him, do you?" Connor asked, referring to Ivan Ooze.

"Not likely. What does the encryption say?" Tommy asked.

"Blue Wolf to White Falcon," Hayley read.

"Does that mean anything to you?" Hayley asked.

"Billy," Tommy and Jason said simultaneously.

"Patch it through on the 3-way," Tommy requested, as Billy's face appeared in a split screen next to Jason. He looked completely terrible.

"Billy…what's going on?" Jason asked.

"It's Aquitar…it's gone," Billy responded.

"Gone?" Tommy questioned.

"Ivan Ooze is back and his army blew it out of the sky. My daughter and I are the only survivors," Billy said, trying to calm the torrent of emotions in his voice.

"Billy…" Tanya gasped quietly.

"My wife told me before she…died that Triforia has fallen too. Trey is dead and Mirinoi and Earth are next," Billy replied.

"Oh my God," Tanya said, putting her hand over her mouth.

"Ivan's goons have started popping up here on Earth too. We've decided that the Ninja school in Blue Bay Harbor is our best option to start gathering former rangers," Tommy said. Billy nodded mutely.

"I'll be reaching Earth by tomorrow. Is there an inconspicuous place to set my craft down?" Billy asked. Cam nodded.

"Blue Bay Harbor is surrounded by wilderness and our school is hidden in it. Any place around the coordinates I'm sending you should be fine," Cam said, tapping the information into the computer and sending it over the transmission.

"Thanks…I'll see you guys soon," Billy said, quickly ending the transmission.

"This just got way worse. Poor Billy," Jason said, his voice cutting through the tension. Tommy sighed.

"Damn that monster," Tommy growled, as he balled his hands into fists. He remembered fighting alongside the humble Aquitian rangers who had come to their aid in their time of need, despite risking their health and lives.

"I'll take an emergency leave of absence and see that Trini does too. Hopefully, we can make it to Blue Bay Harbor. I'll get us on a direct flight out there and hopefully we can be there late tonight," Jason decided. Tommy nodded.

"In the meantime, I'll contact Zack and Kimberly too," Jason added.

"What about Kat? I have no idea how to get a hold of her. Do you Tanya?" Tommy asked. She shook her head.

"No, we lost contact years ago," Tanya replied sadly. Jason sighed and ran a hand through his closely cropped brown hair.

"Is this connection absolutely secure?" he asked.

"Yes," Hayley replied.

"I know where Kat is and strangely enough, it's in Blue Bay Harbor right now. But that information is classified and cannot go any further," Jason stressed.

"Classified?" Tommy questioned in confusion.

"I'll explain later, but she's…in witness protection with her son," Jason informed. Tommy's and Tanya's eyes widened.

"Witness protection?!" Tommy exclaimed. Jason sighed.

"It's a long story and I'll tell you in person later. Let's just say that her soon to be ex-husband is a very dangerous man," Jason said, leaving it at that for now. Tommy and Tanya were both stunned.

"All right, we'll see you in soon. Call me when you land at the airport," Tommy said. Jason nodded.

"Will do bro and May the power protect us all," Jason said somberly, as the transmission winked out. Tommy blew out a shaky breath and turned to the three younger former rangers and Hayley.

"All right, let's give Tori and Hunter a couple hours to make contact with Adam and then we'll call him," Tommy said.

"What now?" Kira asked. Tommy looked up at the pair.

"You two need to return to Los Angeles and make arrangements to get time away. Then pack your stuff and head to Blue Bay Harbor," Tommy said. Kira nodded. She was in between albums right now and didn't have a lot of media appearances or concerts currently.

"I'll cancel what few interviews and appearances you have in the next few weeks," Tanya assured her.

"Conner…I know it's the middle of the season, but do you think you can take leave?" he asked the red ranger, who had been silent since Billy's shocking revelation.

"That asshole sent his goons after Kira…after us last night and now he's killed billions of people on another planet. There's no place I need to be except finding a way to kill this bastard. The coach can go to hell or replace me if he has a problem with it. I don't care," Conner spat, as he gripped Kira's hand tightly. There was something the former red was never short on and that was passion. Passion for his sport was just one facet, but Conner's passion and love for Kira was another, along with his passion for saving lives as a ranger. When Ivan Ooze killed his first innocent person and attacked Kira, it became Conner McKnight's mission to stop him. Tommy nodded, proud of Conner's conviction and instant leadership. He remembered a time when the red Dino ranger had nearly quit the team, because it was interfering with his soccer ambitions. But that Conner had long since matured. His growth and change from the once conceded jock to the strong leader he was now was astounding at times. They were going to need a lot of red ranger leadership like this in the days ahead, of that he was certain…