And I'm back!

Posting AT midnight (EST)

Sorry. I feel like these keep getting posted later and later- and it doesn't help that I have two other stories in my head.

ANYWAY- did anyone watch Once and Always?

I thought it was a lot of fun!

But I digress- On to the story!


"Another attack?" Tanya asked as her and Adam met Kim and Jason (who were awkwardly carrying the unconscious Billy) back in the power chamber.

"Not exactly," Kim explained how Billy willingly was "put under" as Jason and Adam placed their sleeping teammate onto the medical table. Alpha started doing his usual dance around the table to look over Billy.

"Jeez," Adam shook his head, looking at his friend. "I can only imagine how tiring this must be."

"I am contacting the others," Alpha told them.

Kimberly, I sense there are some reservations in you, Zordon acknowledged.

Kim sighed and looked at Billy. "I can feel his frustration and exhaustion… and I heard him. He said the only reason he was fighting to keep these powers was so I could keep mine…"

"Kim…" Jason started.

She turned to him, "he keeps asking if he is worth all of the trouble his crystal is causing the team, but am I worth the trouble he is constantly finding himself in?"

"We all believe that Billy deserves the crystal," Adam told her. "He never thought he could be a ranger again because when the Command Center was blowing up, he threw himself onto a panel that was in the process of exploding to protect Alpha and us. That is why he couldn't receive the Gold Power. Not because he wasn't worthy." The green ranger stepped closer to Kim and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Of course he is going to have doubts and frustrations. He has the great qualities of a leader. And you are passionate and strong, always ready to protect and do what is right. If you didn't leave you would have still been a ranger. It's only right that you are again."

Kim let in a breath that staggered with her emotion. Adam pulled her into a hug as Jason and Tanya came to the other side of them.

"We're Power Rangers," Jason said firmly. "We are all here for a reason."

Jason and Adam are right, Zordon reaffirmed. The battles and struggles you face are never easy, but it is the strength in your heart, your sense of what is right, and your care for your teammates that gives you the ability to wield the Power Crystals, just as you were able to wield the Power Coins.

Kim pulled away, nodding.

Suddenly blue, red, and pink flashed into the Power Chamber.

"Kat!" Tanya smiled at her friend. "You seem better!"

Kat smiled and glanced at Tommy as she nodded, "Got a bit of energy and now I'm all good."

It didn't go completely unnoticed that Tommy had an arm around the small of Kat's back, seemingly to steady her- but there was a comfort there. Kim gave Tommy a smile and a nod.

He returned it and then brought his attention to Billy, stepping towards him.

"How is he?"

"In another deep sleep," Alpha answered him.

"He was placed under by Phoebe, another sister," Jason told him. "But it was voluntarily. It was…she seemed to be helping him."

"She told Billy that 'he' was waiting for him…" Kim realized.

Jason thought back, "She did…"

"'He'?" Rocky asked.

Kat came to Tommy's side and looked down at Billy. "So what do we do?"

"I'm going back under with him," Kim told her. "Just me, this time."

The others glanced at one another, but Jason and Tommy both nodded.

Kat looked at Tanya and Adam, "Let's get her set up."

-PR-

Billy stood in what appeared to be a grove of purple cherry blossom trees.

"To be fair…I am not a botanist," he muttered.

He glanced around. Just past the trees was nothing but a thick mist.

He took a step forward, when he realized he was wearing what appeared to be Grecian garb. A deep purple tunic trimmed with gold. He placed his hands on the chest plate that was engraved with the Gemini symbol and two horses. His arms were protected by bracers.

This was definitely a look…

He heard a loud sound steadily behind him. He turned trying to figure out the source. Some sort of …clacking?

A horse.

A white horse appeared and walked up to him calmly.

"Hello," he said softly, raising his hand gently towards the creature. It moved itself to bump its forehead against his hand. He started to stroke the horse gently. "Hey…do you know where I need to go?"

The horse snorted and stomped his front foot a few times, walking past Billy and ahead.

"He doesn't always have the best sense of direction," came a calm, welcoming voice.

Billy turned his attention to see a young man, wearing a toga with a matching chest plate and bracers. He had some scruff on his face, and his hair was a honey color, with tips of purple.

"Castor?" Billy inquired.

Castor gave him a small smile and a nod. Then he gestured to Billy's armor. "So you are the new guardian of my crystal?"

"To most of your sisters dismay," Billy answered.

Castor gave a small smirk that had a hint of sadness. "Are they tormenting you? They can be a handful."

"Is one of them better suited for the Midnight Crystal?" Billy asked.

Castor thought for a moment and shook his head. "The only sister who would be worthy spiritually and emotionally is not physically in the best shape to ever hold it…"

"Phoebe," Billy guessed.

Castor nodded again.

"She's why I am here. Are you going to give me a trial?"

Castor shook his head, "I have no need for a trial. You 'wear' the crystal well." He pointed past Billy.

Billy turned to see that the fog had cleared a bit, revealing what appeared to be a temple.

"This is your trial. The one you have demanded of yourself." Castor informed him. "You have questions and feel unworthy. Until you know for sure, facing my other sisters may prove difficult."

Billy studied the temple and took a breath.

"Well, I already won the trial against Helena. I've met Clytemnestra…"

"Then there is only Philonoe and Timandra left," Castor noted.

Billy nodded.

"You can't face them in battle while you are fighting a battle within," Castor warned. "I struggled with it myself, during my time."

"How did you get through it?" Billy asked.

"Polla," the Grecian soldier said simply. "She got me through everything. And I was always there for her. The other half of my soul."

Billy nodded, "your twin was a pillar for you."

"Do you not have the same with your Twilight Guardian?"

"Well… she's not my sister…" Billy started.

"But she's someone important," Castor studied him.

Billy gave a nod. "One of my oldest and dearest friends. I'd do anything for her."

"It seems she would do anything for you, as well," Castor said with a smile as he gestured with his head for Billy to look back toward the tree.

There was Kim, standing under the tree, her own clothing changed to the Grecian style. Her tunic styled slightly longer in a lavender color, also trimmed with gold. Her hair was pulled back with a golden band, her chest plate and bracers matched Billy's and Castor's. She was looking at the change of clothing.

"Kim, what are you doing here?" He walked towards her.

She looked at him, and gave a little smile as she glanced over his own clothing.

"I had to come and make sure you were OK." She looked over at Castor, noticing how he matched Billy. "Is that…"

"Kim, this is Castor," Billy gestured to his predecessor.

"So, Polla gave you the crystal?" Castor raised an eyebrow, but the smile was still on his face, which kept Kim feeling at ease. He looked Kim over. "It suits you."

"Speaking of suits, why are we dressed this way?" Kim asked.

Billy shrugged, "I'm not exactly sure…"

"This is your trial," Castor said once more. He gestured to the temple. "And now you have your 'pillar'."

Billy looked at Kim and they shared a smile.

"Ready to help me win this?" He asked, holding a hand out to her.

"I'm with you," she said as she took his hand.

"Good luck," Castor said.

And then he vanished.

Billy took a deep breath and they started toward the temple.

-PR-

"Rangers, it seems Mondo sent some cogs and a monster to attack downtown Angel Grove," Alpha informed the team, as they stood around waiting for Billy and Kim to wake up.

"Well we can't do anything here," Jason said with a shrug.

They nodded and got into formation.

"It's Morphin Time!"

-PR-

"So are we in some other dimension, or are we actually back in time?" Kim wondered.

"I'm guessing another dimension," Billy said. "Our clothing changed, and there are arguments that moving through time wouldn't physically alter your appearance in any way…"

"Right, mine didn't change in the wild west…" She remembered.

Billy nodded, remembering the time hole she had fallen through.

"So…how accurate are these clothes anyway?" She asked, giving him a humorous look, as her eyes traveled down his tunic.

Billy looked at her to understand her meaning and then flushed. He gave a shake of his head and continued forward.

Kim snickered at his reaction and followed.

They walked into the archway of the temple, keeping their guard up as they glanced around.

"Look at these statues," Kim pointed out.

Billy looked at them. "Clytemnestra, Helena, Phoebe, Castor… these other three must be the other sisters."

"This one is Polla," Kim pointed out.

"So then these two are the ones we haven't had the pleasure of meeting," Billy commented, studying the other girls.

One looked as "sharp" as Clytemnestra. The other appeared more like Helena.

"Billy…" Kim pointed ahead.

Billy followed the direction of her finger to spot the other statues.

The Power Rangers.

Jason, Zack, Trini, Kimberly, Tommy, then Aisha, Rocky, Adam, and Kat. Last Tanya.

"Where are you?" Kim looked around.

"I don't know…"

"You think you belong among them?" Billy heard his own voice call out.

"I think we found what we were looking for," Billy told Kim.

They followed the voice into an open area.

It was almost arena-like.

And there stood Billy.

As the Blue Ranger.

Billy stepped out into the opening, stopping about twenty feet from his other self. Kim stood behind him, knowing that this was his battle, but she was ready to help.

"You stepped down for a reason," the Blue Ranger told him. He opened his arms, "This is the last ranger you were meant to be. How can you possibly think you could just step back into the power?"

"I…" Billy hesitated, but felt Kim's hand on his wrist by his side. "I stepped down, yes, but it was out of necessity. But when the opportunity presented itself for the Gold Power, I was ready to step back in."

"No you weren't. Your bad choices made it so you couldn't accept that power."

"Yes, I couldn't accept the Gold Power…but I could accept the Midnight Crystal."

"Except you didn't accept it," the Blue Ranger reminded him with a sneer. He walked closer a few steps. "You weren't even yourself when you received it. Not to mention the people you hurt once you got it."

"That wasn't my fault," Billy said, but Kim could hear his voice wavering. "I was placed under a spell…"

"So you didn't earn it, you didn't go on any quest to find it, it was handed to you with dark intentions," the Blue Ranger concluded.

"I…" Billy didn't have any comebacks. After all, this was his own mental reasoning why he shouldn't have the power. Then Castor's sisters wouldn't have shown up. Kat got hurt, Rocky struggled with the pain of hurting a teammate.

"All because of you…" the Blue Ranger read his thoughts.

Billy's shoulders sagged slightly.

"Why are you even here?" The Blue Ranger took another step. "You don't even want to be here. Wasn't it just easier to not be in the suit?"

Kim moved her hand from Billy's wrist to his hand, giving it a squeeze.

She couldn't hear his thoughts since they were in his mind, but she felt terrible hearing the Blue Ranger's words, so she could only imagine how Billy felt.

"Yes…" Billy replied. "It would be easier. But it doesn't mean that's where I should be."

He glanced back at Kim.

"The Midnight Crystal was given to me when I was under a spell. It was used with bad intentions, but it's also through me that it will be used for good. Just as the Dragon Power Coin was used for evil and then redeemed."

"You are putting yourself on Tommy's level?" The Blue Ranger scoffed.

"He has every right to," Kim spoke up. Then she backed down, remembering she wasn't here to fight for Billy.

"You'll have to keep fighting for the crystal," the Blue Ranger reminded him. "Two more sisters. And Clytemnestra still hasn't shown back up. Others may get hurt."

Billy hesitated again, looking down.

Kim gave another squeeze of his hand.

Billy took a deep breath.

"That's the life of a Ranger," He looked back up at the Blue Ranger. "Remember? Many times we were hurt when another ranger was a target. But in the end, we were stronger together. The Gemini Crystals are a good addition to the team. We can use it to help them. That is the most important thing to me. It's why I had stepped down. To take on a support role to help keep them safe. Now I can continue to do so. With Kim."

He pulled her hand to direct her next to him.

The Blue Ranger stood quietly and looked at their clasped hands.

"That's what you needed to realize for yourself," came Castor's voice, as the Blue Ranger vanished, revealing the original Midnight Ranger. Castor gave a warm smile to the two of them. "So no more doubts, alright?"

Billy smiled and nodded.

"Thank you for all of your help," Billy nodded to him.

"You're a worthy successor," Castor told him. "And I'm sorry, in advance, for my sisters."

"We'll manage," Kim voiced, looking at Billy with a smile.

"I know you will," Castor said firmly.

And everything around them started to vanish.

-PR-

Billy opened his eyes and found himself staring at the Power Chambers ceiling. He sat up, glancing around, finding Kim also waking up not far from him. She took in her own surroundings and then sat up, jumping off her table and rushing to him with her arms out.

He jumped down as well, catching her in his arms.

"Thank you," He said softly into her hair.

She gave him a squeeze. "No more doubting," She said in his ear. "We are here with you and ready for battle."

"Speaking of 'ready for battle'" Alpha voiced, interrupting them.

They broke apart and looked at him, and then to Zordon.

"What's going on?"

The Rangers have been battling Mondo's latest monster, Sahmasher, Zordon told them.

Billy and Kim turned to the viewing globe.

The team was being pushed back by a monster that looked like it had massive hands. It shot its hands out at the rangers, only to hit them and then regenerate its hands.

"Well that doesn't look like fun," Billy said.

Kim took her attention off the globe and to her partner.

"Ready?" He nodded at her.

"It's morphin' time!"

-PR-

Tommy grabbed at Rocky's arm to pick him back up after they were hit.

"Spread out!" Tommy called out. "He can only hit us two at a time."

The rangers did as they were told, making Sahmasher choose who to target.

"Well then," it turned, looking at them all. "If you change tactics, then so do I!"

His legs formed together like the bottom of a top, as he started to spin around and around.

Then he made his way towards the rangers.

They each dove and moved out of his way.

Adam got grazed and knocked to one side, but found himself steadied by lavender.

"I got you!"

"Thanks Kim."

Jason grabbed Tanya out of the way as Sahmasher twirled past them.

"Kat!" Tommy called out, but his warning came too late.

She was hit in the stomach and sent flying, but found herself caught by Billy.

"Thanks for the save," she said as he placed her down on her feet.

"Are you alright?" He placed a hand by her stomach where she was hit.

"I'll be fine."

"Looks like we got here just in time," Kim called out as everyone fell into a group.

"We appreciate the assistance," Rocky voiced as he joined the group.

"Kim, Jason and I will distract him," Billy offered. "You guys plan the attack."

"Alright!" Tommy signaled for the others to get into formation.

"Let's do this!" Jason followed after Billy and Kim.

Kim

Used her speed to run around Sahmasher, causing him to stop, confused.

"What is this?" The monster-of-the-week asked.

"Oh just a little something to slow you down," Kim told him as she spun a kick into him.

Billy was right on the other side and kickdd him towards Jason.

Jason jumped into a front handspring- using the strength in his arms to propel his feet right into Sahmashers face.

"Ack! Why you…"

"Now!" Tommy commanded, as the rest of the team stood on either side- their weapons having formed the Zeo Blaster.

The three teammates got out of the way as the blast headed right for its target.

"Well that sucks…" Sahmasher commented, just before he was blasted away.

"Great work you guys!" Jason complimented.

"You too," Tommy said.

"Good thing you woke up in time," Tanya said to Billy and Kim.

The group took this moment to power down.

"It was definitely ideal timing," Billy noted.

"Midnight Ranger!" Came a whimsical call.

The group turned to see Phoebe, her pendulum's leash in her hand as it pointed towards them. She gave a big wave and ran over.

Adam and Rocky went into defense mode, which scared Phoebe as she reached for Jason and hid behind him.

"I'm the nice one!" She protested. "Tell them Achilles!"

"My name is Jason," he corrected her.

"Stand down guys," Kim told the others. "This is Phoebe. And she isn't a threat."

Phoebe peaked out from behind Jason giving a nod.

She then turned her attention to Billy.

"You did it!" She rejoiced. "I sense no battle within anymore."

Billy smiled and gave her a nod.

"Thank you for your help."

She jumped forward, wrapping her arms around him for a hug.

Billy was completely off guard, but gave an awkward chuckle. Kim tensed slightly.

"I knew you could do it. Did you see him?" Phoebe pulled back and studied Billy's face. "Did you see my brother?"

"I did."

Phoebe clapped her hands in delight. Rocky looked around at the others and pointed at his own head, rolling his wrist, referencing the latest sister with his eyes.

The rangers glanced at each other and gave a nod.

"I am so glad," Phoebe said, beaming through a smile. "Although my sisters won't be too happy I did the opposite of what they are trying to do…they'll come for me as well" She glanced around as if she almost expected another sister to appear at any moment.

"Why don't you stay?" Billy offered. "We can protect you and you can help advise us when it comes to your sisters."

Phoebe looked like a child who was just offered a toy.

"Really?" She asked. "I can be here with you?"

"I don't see why not," Billy gave a shrug. "My father is away and we have the guest room. If you are with us, then you are safe. And it would be nice to have an ally."

Phoebe gave a squeal and hugged Billy once more.

Are you sure about this? Kim asked him.

She helped me. Us. I feel this is only right, Billy looked at her and gave a shrug.

But for her to stay at your house? You put both targets in one spot.

Billy hesitated and then looked at Kim with a question in his eyes.

Then maybe you could stay as well?

Kim didn't get a chance to think back as Phoebe hugged her, and made her way down the line, hugging and finding compliments for each ranger.

"We should introduce you to Zordon and Alpha," Tommy said.

Everyone nodded.

They reached for their communicators, and Rocky offered his hand to Phoebe to take, as he pressed the button that would transport them back.


So YAY! An ally!

I liked the idea of one sister not (intentionally) causing problems.

But will there be problems?

Dun dun dun

(I'm really tired)

I'll try to update soon!