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. I also don't own any song lyrics used.

AN: Here's chapter 21! Enjoy and let me know what you think! Thanks to all the great reviews too and here's notes to those individuals:

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story. Here's the next chapter! :)

Harry2: Yep, Tommy and Kim are together again. As for Dr. C, we shall find out in coming chapters. ;)

badgal21: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story.

WideOpenSpacesGirl045: Yep, they've rescued Mack and the others. Billy's family is next coming in a few chapters. And sorry to disappoint you, but no, I did not get the name Carly from your story. This chapter has been written for a couple months actually and long before I read yours. Carly is becoming a fairly common name and just fit with Cranston well. We'll meet her in coming chapters and she is my own original character. Glad you're enjoying the story.

garnetred: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story. I didn't watch OO, except the Once a Ranger episodes, but from what I read, Mack found out he was an android later after the Once a Ranger team up. However, this story is completely AU after the events that took place during Once A Ranger, therefore, the rest of the OO season is nullified in this story. Hope that makes sense. :)

fallingstar22: Yeah, it was an emotional scene there with Shane, but I needed something like that to kick Tommy's butt and get him to stop avoiding his talk with Kim and it worked! T/K is back. And yes, Dr. C has got himself into a pickle. There will be more on that in coming chapters. ;)

White-Falcon-06: Wow, thanks, it's very nice and humbling to hear that. I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. :)

TommyOliverMMPRFan: Yep, they've been rescued, but as for Andrew and Mack being able to relax...I'm afraid not quite with what happens in this chapter. Enjoy. :)

MMPRFansince93: Yes, Dr. C works for the governement, but this was before they showed their true colors. He used to think he was doing good, but now he realizes the pickle he's in. Glad you're enjoying the story. :)

RHatch89: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story. :)

Crimson Rising

Chapter 21: Tearing Away

I'm tearing away, from all the pain

From all the things that make me feel that I can't dream

I'm tearing away, from all the pain

From all the things that make me feel that I can't…

Here's my chance to think up

All the things I wanna say

All the things that make me feel that I'm afraid

The clock is turning backwards

As my mind has gone astray

And the world before me simply peels away

Song: Tearing Away

Artist: Eyeshine

The Legacy Compound

Med Bay

Billy examined Mack, as the young, immobile red ranger lay on the medical table. Jason and Tommy had gone onto bed, but Adam elected to stay. He had grown fond of Mack during the time he and the others had taken over to fight Thrax. Spencer also refused to leave until Mack woke up.

"Thanks for doing this now. I know it's almost three in the morning," Andrew said nervously. Billy smiled.

"I'm a father myself. Believe me, I get it," the blue ranger replied.

"And I've got to say, I've seen a lot of sophisticated androids before, but I never would have even guessed that Mack was one," Billy added. Andrew sighed.

"That's because he doesn't know. He thinks he is human like everyone else and he's going to hate me when he finds out," Andrew fretted. Adam patted him on the shoulder.

"He won't hate you. He's a good kid and he had the courage to face his own team's betrayal, so he has the courage for just about anything," Adam assured him.

"I hope you're right. I made such huge mistakes with my team," Andrew said.

"All teams have had their problems. Yours is no different and they're not evil…not even Will. He's selfish and greedy maybe and I think the others are just scared right now. Trust me, sector nine will show them their true colors very soon and they'll be ready to rethink their decision," Billy stated.

"Billy's right and we'll welcome them back when they do," Adam assured.

"Even Will if he decides he wants to rejoin us?" Andrew asked. Billy and Adam exchanged glances.

"It will be more difficult to bring Will back and be able to trust him. A lot of us know what it's like to be under the influence of an evil spell or have our grief used to brainwash us, like the Bradley brothers, but Will acted on his own with this one," Adam said.

"If he asks for forgiveness, most of us will accept that, but as far as letting him back in, that's a different story," Billy added.

"Hunter would be dead right now thanks to Will's betrayal if not for his healing powers, so he'll be lucky if Tori or Blake ever speak to him again, let alone refrain from ripping him apart so I wouldn't count on that rift being mended even if he does come to his senses," Adam mentioned. Andrew nodded sadly.

"We don't mean to be harsh, but we're just warning you of things that could be ahead," Billy said. Andrew nodded gratefully.

"I just hope those four can handle it if Flurious or Moltor attacks," Andrew said with a sigh.

"If they can't, we'll still step in if it means protecting a city. With the twenty of us, we should be able to put an end to that whole operation and at least have one less big bad to worry about," Adam assured him.

"Yeah, but if Ooze decides those two are interfering with his own operation, he may do us a favor and take them out for us. He put Rita and Zedd out of commission years ago, because they interfered," Billy reminded.

"Chances are we won't get that lucky again twice," Adam quipped, earning a small smile from Billy, as he made his final adjustments to Mack's wiring. The young red ranger's eyes snapped open and he looked around in confusion, as he started to sit up.

"Easy son…" Andrew urged.

"What happened?" Mack asked.

"You got hit with some kind of electrode attack and it knocked you out," Billy provided.

"Oh…where are we?" Mack asked.

"The new ranger base. Your dad can explain it more to you. We'll give you two a little time," Adam replied, as he patted the young man on the shoulder.

"There are vacant rooms on the upper floors for the three of you. The girls put your names on them so you'll know which ones they are and there should be enough light in the halls to see them when you're ready," Billy added.

"Thank you both," Andrew said gratefully, as the two left.

"Sir, would you like me to leave?" Spencer asked.

"If you don't mind. We'll be up in a few minutes," Andrew replied. Spencer nodded and walked out.

"Dad…what's going on?" Mack asked.

"There's something that I have to tell you Mack and you're not going to be happy with me," Andrew said.

"Dad…what could be worse than being abandoned by own team?" Mack asked. Andrew sighed.

"Some red ranger I am," he mumbled.

"You're a great red ranger Mack…that's why you had the courage to stand up for what you believe in and I think the others will seriously regret letting Will scare them into working for sector nine. They'll come back to you, I'm almost sure of it," Andrew stated.

"What did you need tell me?" Mack asked. Andrew took a deep breath.

"Mack, I love you and you're my son in every sense of the word. I always wanted children, but I never seemed to be able to find the right woman. I feared running out of time so I decided to go the parenting thing alone," Andrew started.

"Dad…are you trying to tell me that I'm adopted?" Mack asked. Andrew shook his head.

"No son…I made you, but not in the traditional sense. I wanted a son and so I built one," Andrew clarified. Mack's eyes widened.

"What?" he asked in disbelief.

"You're an android," Andrew confessed. Mack gasped and stared at the man before him, eyes wide in disbelief.

"But I love you and I never told you, because I just wanted you to have a normal life," Andrew quickly added.

"I'm…a machine?" he asked.

"In a sense…yes, but you are just as human as anyone else," Andrew tried to assure him. Mack scoffed.

"How do you figure that?" Mack asked.

"You emotions and your personality make you human. Love makes you human and I know that you have the capacity to love deeply, more so than others have," Andrew explained.

"Why didn't you tell me? Mack asked.

"Like I said, I just wanted you to live a normal, happy life. Things obviously got way more complicated than I anticipated," Andrew stated. Mack nodded.

"So that's why Billy had to fix me instead of Dr. Scott," Mack concluded, referring to Trini. Andrew nodded.

"I need some air," Mack announced, as he hopped off the table.

"Mack…please…" Andrew pleaded.

"No Dad…I need some time to myself. He nodded.

"There's a garden out back or the beach if you go through the front door. We're on an island that you can only teleport to. When you're ready to come back in, you'll just need to allow the security sensor scan your retinas to gain access back inside," Andrew informed him. Mack nodded and fled the room, seeking some sort of solace or understanding. Andrew sighed and started up the stairs to his room, though he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep.

Residence level

Tori moaned sleepily, as sunlight began to peak through the blinds. It was still very early, but they were getting up to begin training soon. She snuggled deeper into Hunter's arms and inhaled his scent, which was an enticing musk. Memories of last night were fresh in her mind. Their lovemaking in the surf on the beach had been mind-blowing and their seemingly insatiable hunger and passion for each other had continued in their bedroom. They were still thoroughly entangled beneath the messy mass of bedclothes and she brushed his unruly bangs away from his eyes, placing a kiss on his forehead. She smiled, as his silvery blue eyes fluttered open.

"Morning handsome," she cooed. He smirked and turned on his side to face her.

"Morning yourself beautiful," he replied in a sleepy voice.

"Are you going to Phaedos to train later?" she asked. He nodded.

"Billy and Hayley came up with a way to cloak my teleportation signature once I leave the Earth's atmosphere. Then I can be teleported back right away if there's trouble," he explained. She nodded.

"I guess we all have a little training to do," she mentioned. He nodded and kissed her forehead.

"I'm going to take you with me soon though. I want you both to know each other," he said, referring to his mother. She nodded and smiled.

"I want that too and when you go to visit Ninjor to ask him how to free her, I want to go with you," she requested. He smirked.

"You want to go a place called the Desert of Despair?" he asked in amusement, though he wasn't surprised by her request.

"I'm not your typical girl," she replied teasingly.

"No, you're better," he agreed, as he kissed her hair. She smiled and snuggled against him.

"So…can I come?" she pressed. He rolled his eyes.

"Could I stop you if I even tried?" he answered. She grinned and kissed him tenderly, before getting out of bed. She fished for something to wear from the floor, choosing his crimson button down shirt that had been discarded last night. She wrapped it around her unclothed body, the large shirt sufficing to cover her to her thighs, as she opened the patio door stepped out onto the balcony to breathe in the fresh sea scented morning air. She noticed him staring at her and smiled coyly at him.

"You're staring again, handsome. Am I really that interesting?" she teased.

"You have no idea," he drawled.

"I keep wondering why you look way better in my clothes than I ever do," he added. She smirked, as she had put his shirt on purposely, knowing that he was always turned on by the sight of her in in one of his shirts.

"Come to think though, you look good in anything," he said, as he slipped his boxers on and joined her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"Especially nothing," he mumbled huskily, as he kissed her neck. His actions rewarded him with a soft humming sound from her throat, as his hands slid around her waist. She turned in his arms, as their lips met in a passionate kiss. She slid her hands sensually over his bare, muscular chest. His hands slid down from her hips to her thighs, which he gripped and lifted her effortlessly into his arms. She hooked her legs around his waist, as their lips met passionately and he stumbled back inside the bedroom.

Kitchen

Kimberly finished her run on the beach, panting heavily, and headed back inside the compound. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. It was still really early and seeing as no one had made coffee yet, she began to set up the economy sized makers and then turned them on, just as Tommy walked in.

"Should have known you'd be up at this ungodly hour," he quipped, shooting her a half smile, which she returned.

"Nothing has changed there, but since when do you get up this early?" she asked.

"I had to learn to embrace mornings when I became a teacher," he replied.

"Coffee?" she asked. He nodded. She went about searching through the cupboards until she found one that kept the mugs. Tommy reached up and helped her, being that someone had decided to place them on the second shelf.

"Don't even start with the short jokes," she warned, seeing his cheesy smirk. He chuckled and they noticed that their faces were only inches apart. Spurred on by their meeting last night, he leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Just as it would have become more heated, the moment was interrupted, as Conner walked in.

"Whoa…uh…sorry, I'll go," Conner stammered awkwardly. Their lips parted and Tommy shook his head.

"Relax Conner, you don't have to go," Tommy replied to his former student, as the red Dino ranger proceeded to go to the fridge. He grabbed a sports drink for himself and was pleasantly surprised to see that someone has stocked apple juice for Kira as well.

"So you're Conner," Kimberly stated. He nodded.

"And you're Kimberly," Conner replied.

"So tell me, what is it like to take Dr. Oliver's science class?" Kimberly asked in a teasing tone, as she watched Tommy roll his eyes. Conner grinned.

"Total snore fest," Conner replied.

"Hey!" Tommy called, offended, as the two chuckled.

"Kidding Dr. O, you were way cooler than most teachers," Conner assured.

"Thanks, I think. But I haven't been your teacher for three years. You can call me Tommy now, you know," the Falcon ranger replied.

"Okay Tommy…whoa, that's weird. I think I'll stick with Dr. O," Conner replied, with a chuckle. Tommy rolled his eyes, as Kimberly giggled.

"Don't be late for training later," Tommy called, as Conner left with his sports drink and apple juice for Kira. Kimberly started taking things out of the fridge to get breakfast going.

"Need any help?" Tommy asked.

"Do you still cook the way you did back in high school?" she asked. Tommy made a face and nodded.

"Pretty much," he replied. She smirked.

"I'm sure the others will be in to help soon," Kimberly said. She was right of course and soon the kitchen was buzzing with activity.

The Gardens

Carter swallowed the lump in his throat, as everyone gathered in the garden to pay tribute to the members of their ranger family that had been lost. Behind him on display were poster sized photos of Chad, Joel, Angela, Captain Mitchell, Prince Trey, the Phantom ranger, and an Aquitian woman that Carter knew to be Cestria, Billy's late wife, as well as the five Aquitian rangers. He felt Dana squeeze his hand and then kiss his cheek.

"I don't know if I can do this," he said, choking on the words.

"I'll stand with you. We'll do it together," she whispered, as they stepped to the podium.

"This is really hard, so bear with me," Carter stated.

"I'm not really sure what to say other than I wish none of this had happened. I wish I could bring them all back. I'm a red and it was my job to protect them. But I failed…" Carter said, as he broke down. Dana took him in her arms and hugged him tightly, whispering comforting things to him.

"You didn't fail Carter. None of us could have predicted this or saved everyone," Tommy said, as he stepped up.

"But we will avenge them…every single life that was taken will have justice in the end," Tommy continued.

"My father was very dedicated to his work, but he was even more dedicated to family. That's why we all have to stay together and love each other, just like Zordon said. It's what he would have wanted…what they all would want," Dana stated. Kimberly nodded, as she stood up.

"And we will. We aren't separate teams any more. This is one team, regardless of whether we're out on the battlefield or behind the scenes with the technical aspects, treating injuries, or even trying to feed this brood," Kimberly said, earning chuckles.

"Kim's right. We've got some rough times ahead, but we'll get through it together and make them all proud," Tommy added, referring to the deceased, as he took Kimberly's hand in his own.

"About damn time," Jason mumbled, seeing that things were finally mending between the "original power couple". Trini shared a smile with her husband, as they ended the ceremony. They would have liked to spend more time, but at the moment, with everything going on, training simply had to take priority.

Ranger Ops, bottom level of the Legacy compound

Tori hugged Hunter, as he prepared to teleport to Phaedos for the day.

"I'll see you tonight. Train hard," she said. He smiled and nodded.

"I just hope Ooze doesn't decide to launch another attack if he sees me leave," Hunter replied.

"If I haven't lost my edge, then he won't see you leave at all," Billy said, as he approached with a small chip.

"What's that?" Hunter asked.

"It's the cloaking chip I mentioned yesterday. If it works, then it will cloak your teleportation sequence. I'm hoping it does so I can make more for everyone. Just attach it to your morpher," Billy instructed, as Hunter did as he asked.

"Let's hope it works then," Hunter replied. Billy nodded, as he walked back to the console. Tori kissed him, before he stepped back and Billy initiated the teleportation sequence. Billy monitored the crimson ranger and watched as the cloak activated as soon as he left the island.

"Did it work?" Tori asked her fellow blue. He nodded.

"Seems like it. If he can truly get by Ivan's sensors, then we may have just found a huge advantage," Billy stated.

"Great job as usual, Bill," Tommy complimented.

"I'll get to work on more right away," Hayley stated.

"Yeah, guess we should get to training too," Blake suggested. Jason nodded.

"Everyone else is already at it, so let's get to it," the gold Dino ranger said, as the few that were not already training, followed him.

Phaedos

Hunter arrived at his mother's Temple on Phaedos with Zedd in tow. Dulcea wasted no time in hugging him tightly, surprising him a little, but he slowly put his arms around her too, finding himself relishing her presence. He would always think of Elizabeth Bradley as his mother, but he already felt a connection to Dulcea that had been almost instantaneous.

"I heard your voice during the battle the other night…how is that possible?" Hunter asked. She smiled.

"Eltarians and Phaedosans for that matter are natural telepaths. Once your Ninjetti powers were awakened, so were your telepathic abilities," Duclea explained. Hunter still looked confused.

"Humans and Eltarians are not so different in physiology. In fact, they, like Phaedosans, are simply like our cousin races. Humans are just a far younger race than Eltarians, but even they have the abilities for telepathy if they were to learn to make full use of the brains. Over the centuries, Eltarians learned and humans will too eventually," Zedd explained.

"Ranger powers usually heighten the senses of the bearer, which is why you picked up telepathy so naturally when your powers were awakened," Dulcea continued. Hunter nodded.

"Your other Uncle left you a complete history of our people and your mother's people, so you'll learn much from that. For now, it's time to get right to training," Zedd added. Hunter nodded and stood up, but was confused when his uncle sat down in a meditative position.

"I thought you said you were going to teach me to sword fight? I mean, I do okay, but I've never been properly trained with one. I got lucky the other night," Hunter admitted, referring to his battle with the Duronians. Zedd nodded.

"Very true, but focus and oneness with your Ninjetti spirit is required to appropriately wield the Phoenix saber and you can only get that from meditation," Zedd responded, as Dulcea sat down with him. Hunter groaned.

"Meditation is my least favorite thing to do," he grumbled. Zedd chuckled.

"Your father hated it too, always Mr. Action, running headlong into danger, but I think you'll be wishing you were only meditating when you start your physical training later," Zedd stated. Hunter sighed and listened to his mother's instructions, as he began his hard meditation.

Ivan Ooze's space cruiser

In orbit of Earth

"What is the meaning of this?!" Flurious hissed, as Toxa and Xerxes shoved him, Moltar, Kamdor and Miratrix forward into Ivan's Throne room.

"Stop pushing me!" Miratrix demanded.

"Kneel fools," Toxa ordered.

"I kneel to no one, little girl," Moltor hissed.

"Except me fool," Flurious chimed in.

"You'll all kneel to your new Master or be destroyed," Xerxes demanded.

"Do you have any idea who I am, you green faced freak?" Flurious questioned. Xerxes smirked and effortlessly lifted Flurious off the floor, holding him by the neck, as he flailed and struggled to breathe.

"Oh, I know exactly who you are and I could crush your windpipe with a very small amount of effort, ice breath. You're a peon compared to my Master and it's time you answer to the man that's really running the show around here," Xerxes spat, as he tossed Flurious to the floor and the cold blooded being gasped for air.

"Thank you General Xerxes and welcome to our guests," Ivan stated, his purple robes swirling, as he strode toward the four, as Flurious got to his feet.

"Who the hell are you?" Kamdor asked.

"You really haven't been paying attention, have you?" Ivan drawled, as a small jolt of purple electricity exited his fingers. It struck his four visitors in their knees, causing them all to fall into kneeling position.

"Better," he mused.

"What is the meaning of all this?! I demand to know why we've been brought to this place." Flurious demanded. Ivan rolled his eyes and zapped Flurious again. This time, a glob of hardened purple slime hit him in the face and sealed his mouth shut. Moltor and Miratrix couldn't help but chuckle a little.

"It's about time someone shut you up," Moltor goaded.

"Quiet swine," Toxa hissed, hitting him with her staff.

"Little bitch…" Moltor hissed. This earned him a kicked to his head, causing him to fall forward in pain. Toxa used her foot to flip him on his back, before she put the end of her glaive to his throat.

"Please father, allow me to gut this worthless fool. We don't need these nuisances," Toxa growled.

"Easy my daughter…save your rage for the rangers," Ivan ordered. The purple skinned woman pulled the blade of her weapon from his throat and allowed him to climb to his feet.

"If you dimwits haven't figured it out yet, I am Ivan Ooze and you have two choices," Ivan stated, as he faced them.

"You work for me or I kill you where you stand. It really makes no difference to me. After all, the three of you are weaker than the weakest member of my army and for your failure to handle even a few pathetic rookie rangers like Operation Overdrive should mean your automatic demise," Ivan stated.

"Then why are we still alive?" Flurious prompted.

"I've decided that you may be of minimal use to me. You're going to drum up one of your pathetic attacks or pitifully weak monsters to launch an attack on the Overdrive rangers as usual," Ivan stated.

"And how does that help you?" Miratrix asked.

"I will add my own soldiers to the battle and overwhelm the Overdrive rangers. Naturally, this will draw out the others that I'm really interested in and then we'll see if my little experiment works," Ivan continued.

"What experiment?" Flurious asked. Ivan rolled his eyes.

"You know, if you're going to try and conquer a planet, you should really pay more attention to the ones you're trying to destroy. Will Aston's betrayal has pitted the Overdrive rangers against the Ninjetti and Dino rangers. And when rangers fight each other, no one wins…except me," Ivan mused.

"Is this some game to you?" Kamdor demanded. Ivan chuckled.

"I do enjoy playing games and rangers are fun to torture. And people usually die when I play games, so yes, I would say so," Ivan joked. Kamdor snorted in disgust.

"I don't have time for your silly games, slime ball and I don't need you to destroy the power rangers," Kamdor refuted, as he prepared to fight his way out of the Throne room.

"Then you are refusing my offer?" Ivan questioned.

"Yeah, I'll be going now. I have a crown and jewels to find. Take your little circus freak show elsewhere, Ooze breath, cause I'm not interested in your cause," Kamdor spat. Ivan frowned.

"That's unfortunate," Ivan said. Kamdor huffed.

"So sorry, hope you don't cry about it," he teased.

"I meant that it was unfortunate for you!" Ivan roared, as purple lightning struck Kamdor and the other three watched in amazed horror, as Kamdor exploded, his ashes floating to the floor.

"Would anyone else like to refuse my offer?" Ivan asked. The three remaining questers for the Corona Aurora were dead silent.

"Perfect. Welcome to my army," Ivan stated evilly, his glowing purple eyes sending ripples of fear down the spines of his newest subordinates.