The Phantom Princess
A Power Rangers In Space Fic
By: Malaizjan P.J. Shultz
***Since I normally write Batman Beyond and Young Justice fics, I had this fic collecting dust in a notebook. When my fellow DC co-author Reina Grayson decided to re-write her PR fic, I decided to take a break as well and get my own PR fic out. And she has helped me improve a few parts so it's way better than what I wrote WAAAAAAYYY back in 2000... I don't own Power Rangers or any of its seasons because if I did…it would have had at least a PG13 and above rating…As such, my fic is rated teen. And thanks to Reina Grayson for helping me fix chapter 4. ***
Chapter 4
Trini walked down the metallic walls to the bridge in hopes of finding Cerina. She had been acting funny since harvest the rock minerals...
Trini arrived on the bridge, only to find Beta at the helm. "Beta? Where's Cerina?"
The large, muscular android turned around and smiled at the lady from Earth. "Science Lab...Is there something wrong, Yellow Ranger?"
"No...well...yeah..." Trini sat in the chair next to Beta. "Cerina's...acting odd."
"Trini...this may be news to you...but Cerina is odd."
Trini chuckled.
"The young princess...feels such guilt over not seeing King Zordon before his passing... her guilt is pushing her to end this cat and mouse chase with these...Mercerites..."
Trini eyed Beta. "She knows who sent them after her?"
"She does."
"And she told me nothing?!" Trini stood up.
"She is not 100% sure though."
"Doesn't matter! I could've helped her learn the truth!"
"Please Trini...she has expressed...sadness about you getting caught up in her fight."
"Beta...I would like to go home...but not if it means Cerina's alone."
"Set course for Earth, Beta." Cerina stood at the opposite side of the bridge. "Wish granted, Trini."
"What?!" Trini walked over to Cerina. "Talk to me...what's going on?"
"I know who survived my father's...sacrifice. You need to return to your home, Trini. I was wrong. The Mercerites were only programmed to come after me. Not you."
"But...Cerina...you're just as homesick as me. I can still fight with you!"
"And you have. Earth still needs the Yellow Ranger; and I need to draw out this group. I'll be ok, Trini. I still have Beta and Omega."
Trini looked lost for words.
"Trini...your fight ends back on Earth. You are the Yellow Ranger-courageous and loyal. I...only wish you could've been a part of my royal court." Cerina's eyes were shining with tears.
"Beta, don't send us to Earth. I'm not going," Trini said determined.
"Trini..."
"No! You don't get to sacrifice yourself!"
"Trini...I know who sent these things after me. And this same person will target my older brothers..."
"Your brothers?!"
"Well yeah..."
"I can help."
"Space Rangers are different from...other Rangers...you are the exception..."
Trini smiled.
"Set course for Earth anyway..." Cerina directed.
"Why?"
"Something tells me there are some answers there."
"And who sent these after you?" Trini asked.
"Gasket and Archerina of the Machine Empire..."
"There's more to it...I can tell."
"These Mercerites...are more advanced than the rumored breed... based on my examination of the one we took, these are from the future."
Trini's jaw dropped.
Angel Grove
After the space rangers, Trey of Triforia and the Phantom Ranger left his house; Justin felt that he needed some relax time, so he headed out to The Surf Spot for a smoothie, and he knew that Adelle made the best in the city.
As the young boy walked in, he saw a familiar face.
"Tommy!" Justin shouted, and the man with long hair and a red shirt on turned around.
"Justin, what are you…"
"Needed a break from helping save the future, so who are your friends?" Justin asked.
Tommy looked around to make sure no one would be able to hear him then he sat down as Justin took the last available seat at the table.
"Justin, they are the original powers rangers." Tommy said, and that got shocked looks from the other four.
"Um….why did you just tell him that?" the girl in a pink shirt asked.
"It's alright Kim; this is Justin, he replaced Rocky as the blue Turbo ranger after that incident with his back," Tommy said as he gave the girl a reassuring smile.
"How is Rocky doing anyway?" Justin asked.
"He's good; can't do the martial arts at his best anymore, but he helps teach." Tommy said. "Anyway, let me introduce you to the others; this is Jason, Billy, Zach, and I just mentioned Kimberly's name. There was one other of the originals; Trini, but she's been missing for some time."
"It happened after the attack on the peace conference, and that strange girl that appeared." Zach remarked.
Justin logged away the information and then he was curious about which ranger each of these people had been. "Let me take a stab at your colors…..Jason was red ranger, but Tommy's wearing red because he was red turbo till TJ took over. Zach was black ranger, Billy blue and Kimberly was pink."
Tommy only smiled as the other four friends' jaws dropped.
"What…I'm no stranger to wearing your ranger color." Justin said with a smile.
"Justin; you said after you were asked what you were doing here that you needed a break from saving the future…what are you talking about?" Billy asked.
"I don't know if you'd believe me….but I was visited by a queen from the future, she said she was Zordon's daughter and the future queen of Eltar. She's being chased here in the present by assassins, and I have to find her and along with the Phantom Ranger and her other brother so they can reforge the sword of power. I've met with TJ and the space rangers, but it sounds like I'm the one that can help the most."
The original rangers were shocked.
"Sweetie, you can't be older than 13." Kimberly said.
"I was only 11 when I started helping Tommy and the Turbo Rangers; they needed someone after Rocky's accident…and I just happen to have listened in. I was hiding under Rocky's hospital bed when they came in to talk to him and Zordon called them all away." Justin said. "After they left….well except Rocky of course, I came out and after hitting my head Rocky figured out I was under there. He asked if I heard everything and I was surprised. Afterward, he said that the others needed him, but I told him he couldn't go and to let me. He gave me his communicator and I went to the power chamber. I knew I was taking on a huge honor, just like Zordon said, but I had to help out the rangers."
"He did a great job as the blue turbo Ranger, and even went on to help TJ and the others after Tanya, Adam, Kat and myself had to pass on our powers."
"After Divatox destroyed out powers; TJ and the others followed her into space to try and help Zordon…but I couldn't leave my dad alone."
"You did the right thing kid; I think if any of us were in your shoes, we'd stay behind." Jason said.
"Jason's right; your dad wouldn't have known what to do. You did the legacy proud." Zach said.
Kimberly had tears in her eyes; she couldn't believe that a 12 year old made that decision. "I'm sure Rocky was proud."
"He said he was sure that the power was in good hands." Justin said.
"You didn't disappoint; you know….Rocky was the one that replaced me when I was chosen to be an ambassador at the peace conference. You did a great job, kid; I'm proud of you as well." Jason said.
Justin just got a 'blessing' from the original red ranger; he couldn't keep his excitement contained as a big smile came to his face. "Well; I'd love to stay and talk, but I've got to help Andros and the others find Cerina."
With that, Kimberly hugged him and the guys patted him on the back. Justin then headed out to return to finding Zordon's daughter.
After Justin left, the ex-rangers headed out again; and went after some pizza. The smoothies at The Surf Spot were great, but nothing beat their favorite pizza.
Trini turned around as Cerina stood on the edge of the doorway. Trini had her stuff in a duffle bag and the two rangers stared at each other. "Cerina, I can still fight with you."
"Not this time Trini. You've helped me so much. And I thank you. Now, go be with your family. And drop me a line when you find out what happened to the other two."
"I will. Goodbye, Cerina." Trini didn't move from her spot.
Neither did Cerina. "Go on. I got this," Cerina urged.
Sighing, Trini turned and walked away.
Sighing, Cerina turned and closed the door to Omega as it went into invisible mode. She missed Trini already.
Trini made her way through the park and down a street that looked familiar to her. She stared at all of the houses and buildings that hadn't changed since she left. She turned left at the corner and swore she saw Kimberly and the others go into a building. She ran across the street and jogged down to that building. She could see them in the large window and saw the mats and martial arts gear.
Trini Kwan smiled. She had the feeling that at least Jason and Tommy had a dojo together. Then she saw the sign and chuckled. Jason and Zach? Wow, she had missed a lot. Taking a breath, Trini walked up to the door and paused as she considered knocking or ringing the bell. She debated for about 10 seconds and then opened the door without knocking.
Billy, Kim, Jason, Zach and Tommy looked at the doorway and jaws dropped.
Tommy couldn't believe it; Trini was alive, and right in front of him; in fact none of them could believe it.
"Miss me?" Trini remarked.
Kimberly ran and hugged her friend.
"Jason and Zach said they couldn't find you...where have you been!?"
"I'll explain later." Trini saw the pizza box that Tommy had. "Please tell me that's Hawaiian."
"What else."
"Tell us where you were!" Billy said rather anxiously.
"Let's sit down. I've got a story to tell."
"I'll be right back." Tommy said.
The ex-ranger then headed outside and used his new communicator to call an old friend.
Meanwhile back at Justin's house...
Justin was sitting in his room, when suddenly an all too familiar tune came from his desk drawer. He opened it and found that his old Turbo Ranger wrist comm was activating. The young ex ranger picked up the comm and activated the talk feature.
"Hello?" Justin said.
"Justin...I think that girl is here on Earth; Trini just came back." Tommy's voice said as it came through the comm.
"Really?!"
"She just appeared and said she has quite a story for us."
"Thanks for letting me know, Tommy!"
Justin then ran to his garage where Storm Blaster was and contacted TJ and the others.
Same Time
Trini savored the taste of genuine Hawaiian pizza for several minutes before clearing her mouth. "I was off Earth, Billy. I got to travel the universe."
"What happened to you?" Zach asked.
"Cerina, that's what; it was after that bombing at the peace conference. The conference got bombed because you, Jason and I were there. She had robot assassins after her."
"Cerina?" Kimberly asked.
"The Princess of Eltar," Billy answered. "Cestro told me about her."
"We were bait for her," Jason realized.
"She shielded me from the blast but got hurt really bad. She was too close to a bomb." Trini explained.
"Then what?" Tommy asked, returning to the table.
"I helped her get back to her cloaked ship. But those things were on us so I went onto her ship and it left Earth." Trini then let out a burp. "Excuse me."
Astro Megaship
"Alright, let's head back to KO-35, maybe we can get some answers," Andros said.
"We better." Zhane was still mad at Cerina and it showed in his voice.
"Justin calling Tej; you guys still in orbit around Earth?"
"Justin, yeah still here. Why?"
"Cerina's on Earth; Wind Rider's signal is coming from Angel Grove and Tommy just called and said that Trini was back."
"WHAT?!" Zhane was off the bridge before Andros could utter anything.
"Zhane wait..." Ashley remarked.
"We're on our way back." TJ said, and with that he looked to his teammates.
"Let's go before Zhane loses it with Cerina."
The Dance/Martial Arts Studio
Meanwhile, Trini was getting caught up on everything she missed while on her universal cruise.
She didn't even see the Silver Space Ranger open the door to walk into the dojo.
"Where...is...she?" Came the new ranger's voice.
Trini turned around and saw the Silver Ranger.
"Relax; what do you want with Trini." Tommy said as he stepped in front of Trini.
"This is Zhane?!" Trini said lowly, eyeing the blonde and recognizing him from the picture Cerina had. "Wow...she was right; you are cute," she remarked.
"So you HAVE been with her!" Zhane remarked.
Tommy saw Billy stand next to him, to give Trini more protection.
"You want to get to Trini; you'll have to go through us," Tommy said as he and Billy got ready to fight.
"She saved my life. And yours." Trini reached into her back pocket and pulled out a sealed letter. "She asked me to give this to you if I ever saw you." She held it out to him.
Zhane took it as the other Space Rangers, minus Cassie, appeared.
"It's alright, you must be Tommy; TJ spoke highly of you. My name is Andros from KO-35, and this is Zhane." Another new visitor said, this one had dark hair with thick blonde streaks going through it and was next to his best friend in a heartbeat. "Where's Cerina now?" he asked Trini.
"She didn't tell me."
Zhane opened it hastily.
"Then why is Wind Rider still here?" Andros asked Trini.
"Wind Rider bonded with me, not Cerina."
"What's a Wind Rider?" Zach asked.
"According to Cerina, there were two other vehicles, like Wind Rider, that are actually alive." Trini answered.
"She's right, Storm Blaster and Lightining Cruiser. They were retrieved from an asteroid by a monster but Justin and I tamed them." TJ finished as he came in behind them.
"Wait….tamed them?! Like wild horses?" Zach asked.
"Pretty much, they were wild when they first came to Earth."
"Was this Wind Rider wild too?"
Trini laughed. "Like you wouldn't believe." She chose not to tell them about her new morpher.
Zhane had tears in his eyes as he read the letter. He read it to himself and he learned what happened to them all 5 years ago.
"Zhane?" Ashley whispered.
"It's all here...Andros, Cerina saved our lives..."
"What?!" TJ cried.
"That's right. To keep you two, her brother and some guy named Trey from being vaporized, she got them to chase after her. She realized that the Mercerites were after her." Trini added.
"Mercerites... I've heard that name before." Tommy said out loud.
"What do you mean, Tommy?" Kimberly asked him.
Tommy paced so he could remember.
"Justin might know." Carlos offered.
"I'll call him," TJ said.