Chapter Text
Chaos was abound in Cape De Leon, Florida. Civilians were screaming, running around like headless chickens. Understandable, considering there were what could only be described as extras from the Smooth Criminal music video shooting lasers at several establishments. Or using their axes to carve up parked cars that were in their way. During the chaos, a mother became separated from her child.
“Mom!” The young girl screamed, desperately reaching for her mother as she was grabbed by the arm and wrenched back.
“Livvy!” The mother shouted, fighting off the creatures that were attacking as best as she could. “No! Let me go!” She shrieked when two of the monsters managed to grab her and hold her back.
“Why don't you try that on me?!” A voice shouted and the two monsters holding the mother were shot in the back of the head. The one holding the daughter was shot in the head just as someone landed and rolled towards the little girl. They scooped her up and then spun to hand her back to her shocked mother just as the monster disappeared in a puff of smoke and flame. A Power Ranger, The mother thought with a bit of surprise and despair.
“Here you go ma'am,” The Ranger tilted his head, the sun glinting slightly off of his Pink Helmet. She couldn't see the Rangers face but the mother knew that he was staring at her in surprise if his body language was anything to go by.
“Mom!” Her daughter practically leapt at her from the rangers hold.
“Oh baby,” The mother let out a choked sob, firmly grasping her daughter. The Ranger spun and starting firing precise shots from his blaster, hitting the monsters in the head and destroying them. Suddenly, a train made out of shadow appeared and the monsters that weren't hit jumped on to it. The train sped off at an alarming speed.
“Oh no you don't,” The ranger snarled and gave chase, jumping into the air and landing on a flying bike that appeared out of a pink lighting trail. The mother tried to call out to the Ranger, to thank him, but thought better of it and ran for her car. I can't believe it, Kimberly Hart thought, this place was supposed to be safe. As she ran, she came up with a plan to leave the town she had been living in for the better part of a decade.
“....it was another Ranger,” Kim said tiredly. Her daughter Olivia wouldn't fall asleep easily, and only just went to bed so it was late as Kim took a video call with Trini and Aisha. “A pink Ranger to be exact – slightly darker shade than mine, male and definitely recognized me on sight.”
“I didn't even think there was a ranger team active,” Trini sounded puzzled, “The last one was Tommy's kids.” She grimaced slightly and gave Kim a apologetic glance.
Kim just waved it off though her heart throbbed with hurt, “They had no Pink Ranger among them. And before that it was the Ninja Storm Team, who also had no Pink Ranger among them.”
“Before that they had a White Ranger with Pink stripes for the Wild Force Team,” Aisha added, “But what you're describing Kim is definitely new. A dark Pink Ranger, with black sleeves and boots? No animal motif or any motif for that matter. Did the blaster they used look familiar at all?”
“No,” Kim shook her head, “At least, it didn't look like anything from when I was a ranger. Do you think Billy would be willing to hack any of the security footage in the area get a better look at what happened?”
Trini looked off to the side suddenly, “Actually, Jason might be willing to help on that front,” She gestured for her husband to join her on camera. Jason's large frame came into view, a slight smile on his face as he took in who was on the screen.
“Hey Aisha,” He greeted the yellow who replaced his wife with a warm smile. Aisha smiled back and nodded her head slightly. The two were only marginally close, since Aisha tended to gravitate towards her fellow yellow more than anything. That warm smile slipped from Jason's face as he looked to his old friend, “You alright Kim?” He looked genuinely worried for her.
“Yeah Jase, its just,” Kim shuddered as she thought about what happened, “Livvy almost got hurt and there was nothing I could do about it,” She choked out, trying her best to fight off the fresh tears that sprung to her eyes and was marginally successful.
“You want us to come out there?” Jason asked, gesturing to Trini as well.
Kimberly shook her head, “I'll come to you,” She sniffled, “I've been thinking of moving back to California for awhile now, and my dad wants to see Livvy more than he does currently.” She shook her head as memories flooded her mind then, “so why do you think you can help me get answers better than Billy can?”
“Well I still keep in touch with a couple of Reds,” Jason winced as Trini glared at him from his peripheral, “including Wes Collins and Eric Meyers. They might be able to get info from their team in the future.”
Kimberly hummed a little and then smirked, “I'm assuming that they were with you when you had your little excursion to the moon?” The smirk became a small laugh as Jason shifted in his seat and the glare intensified. Aisha had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing. Both could remember how Trini fumed and even kicked Jason out of their bedroom for months after she found out what he did.
“Uh, yeah,” Jason murmured, “They might be willing to help and that way we won't have to wait a couple of days for Billy to get back to us.”
“Okay,” Kim nodded, “that sounds good. In the meantime, I have a trip to plan.”
“Kim, I can fly out there to help you,” Aisha offered suddenly, “I have some time off from work, and Rocky wants to take the kids to see his parents this weekend.”
“I can join you,” Trini added after sharing a look with her husband, “We'll both help you deal with whatever you need to deal with.”
Kim wanted to say no, should have said no, but she slumped in her seat, “If it's not too much trouble,” She murmured quietly.
“We'll be there,” Trini said firmly.
“Just give us some time to get everything settled here, and we'll be right there,” Aisha added, sounding just as firm.
“Thank you,” Kim started crying again, “I'm so sorry -”
“Kim,” Jason interrupted softly, “You're our friend. There's very little that we wouldn't do for you.” Jason held back a grimace as he thought about what they were already doing for her....and what it would cost them down the road.
Kim swallowed and then nodded, “Thank you.”
Trini and Aisha actually got to Kim very quickly. Sure, it was a five hour flight between California and Florida, but Kim figured it would be at least two days before they came. They arrived just at dawn the following morning of the conference call. She was almost suspicious of this, until she saw how they got here so fast.
“I thought you were retired,” Kimberly grinned slightly as she embraced Dana Grayson. The two had met when Kim went to visit her dad a couple of years back, and they hit it off.
“You know how it is, always good to keep a finger on the pulse of Ranger life,” Dana grinned back and gave Kim a hug. “We'll help pack up whatever you need and take you and your daughter back to California today if that's okay with you.”
“We?” Kim murmured with confusion, then she saw the rest of the Lightspeed team including Dana's brother, Ryan. “All of you came?” She asked, sounding grateful and confused.
“After Tommy gathered us Reds to deal with Serpentera, I took on a notion,” Carter stepped forward to explain. Kim was proud of herself for not flinching at Tommy's name, “While going on with our everyday lives is vital to make sure we don't forget why we take up our powers if need be, we do need to keep connected so no one is left behind.”
“Phone calls and the like are great, but we should do more if possible-”
“What my husband is dramatically trying to say,” Dana interrupted Carter with rolled eyes and a fond smile, “is that there is a compound that Lightspeed owns outright for Rangers and their families to use if they ever need it. Your name is already down to have a house and you can stay there as long as you need. All Rangers are invited if they desire it.”
Kim gave her a wide eyed look and then frowned, “Isn't that dangerous – keeping us all in one place?”
“The defenses are top notch, and consistently updated,” Dana began, “Tommy gave up his Zeo Crystal as a power source and for us to study. It's been helpful in making sure the power never goes off. It's also been a great help in making sure that no one could just take the compound without a fight. Not that they could get to it so easily since its location is not easily tracked.”
“We teleport directly to the compound, after going to a separate location of course,” Dana continued as Kim, Trini and Aisha stared in disbelief, “Billy was able to help us deal with any imperfections that could spring up and is even close to figuring out a way for him to return from Aquitar without any issues.”
“If its up to Billy's standards, then I trust it,” Kim murmured. A foolish thing maybe, since she hadn't seen Billy in a long time. He could have changed, and not for the better. But, her heart told her that her friend would not so easily succumb change. Adaptation? Sure. Complete and utter change? No, Kim was sure that Billy was still the same kind and caring friend she had back in high school. Otherwise, why would he bother to help?
“We can always come back to get whatever you left behind, we even have a law firm on retainer than can help you deal with selling the house.” Dana offered when a beeping noise was heard.
“That's me,” Carter muttered, retrieving two antenna and what looked like a remote from his jacket pocket. “Chad, help me with this.” He handed one antenna to his friend. “Place it there,” Carter pointed and then placed his on the table at a certain distance. He then gripped the top of it, Chad mirroring the action, “Same time on three. One. Two. Three!” He pulled and the antenna extended up at the same time as Chad's.
Carter pressed a button on the remote and a screen made up of light flickered in the space between. After a moment the picture became clear and there was someone staring back at them.
“Lucas,” Carter smiled, “good to see you.”
“Likewise Carter,” Lucas grinned from where he sat. “Do you happen to be with the former Mighty Morphin Rangers?”
“I am,” Carter nodded and then gestured for the wide eyed former rangers to step forward which they did. “Ladies, this is Lucas Kendall, Time Force Blue.”
“Its an honor to meet you all,” Lucas his gave them all a warm smile, “Jen would have been here to explain, but she's currently getting everything ready for our trip to your time.”
“So what were you able to find out?” Carter asked and everyone moved in closer to hear the answer.
“The dossier's on the Rangers themselves – There are six of them – are being compiled as we speak. I can't tell you anything as I haven't read them myself,” Lucas admitted, “We're getting the information piece meal as it comes in. By the time we come to you, we should have enough information on this new team.”
“But shouldn't you already have this team on file?” Kelsey asked with a frown.
“We would.....if there was a Ranger team from the year 2005,” Lucas rubbed the back of his neck as at the looks he received, “We had no idea of this teams existence until recently and there's not supposed to be a ranger team until 06. But given recent events, obviously things have changed.”
“So what can you tell us?” Chad asked his fellow Blue.
“Luckily we have information on the creatures that attacked where Miss Hart lived – They're called Kuros. They're the foot soldiers for a group called The Shadow Line. They're meant to help monsters called Shadow Creeps spread Darkness and convert any town with life and light into something hospitable for them. So far as of this conversation, no Shadow Creeps, or even higher ups like Baron Nero and Madame Noir, have shown up.”
“But they'll show up none the less,” Ryan said grimly.
Lucas nodded seriously, “More than likely. Problems is we won't know for sure, as the Shadow Line, and their leader Dark Emperor Zet, are not supposed to arrive on Earth for another eight to nine years in your time. Also, they're attacking the wrong area. In your future, they invade parts of Japan. The team that fights them, the ToQger's, look nothing like the rangers who are currently battling them.”
“I won't lie, we're all flying blind here, but we're not going to leave you all to fend for yourselves if we can help it,” Lucas said firmly and then looked off to the side. A file was placed into his hand and he opened it. “Okay, I have some info on the Pink Ranger though its not a lot,” Lucas muttered as he read. “His name is Sonny Drew, no known address but he has a brother.....who worked for Bio-Lab and now is part of the Delta City project as an investor.”
“You mean the city being built as a sanctuary for Aliens and alien human hybrids?” Joel asked incredulously.
“Yeah,” Lucas frowned before shaking his head, “I can't tell you the rest because it might change something else but you have a lead now. When we get there, we'll help look for the rangers so we can coordinate together.”
“Thanks for the information Lucas, give our regards to the others,” Carter said this time.
“Will do, see you in a bit,” Lucas saluted and then ended the transmission.
“Well its nice to know that there is information we can use,” Kim murmured, “as little as it is. The city is trying its best to cover up what happened.”
“How?” Trini asked, baffled.
“Well, after the attack, all the damage was repaired. One of the local news stations showed security footage of a golden light shining over the damage in one frame and in the next everything was gone. They've since stopped showing anything about it and the Mayor declared it a misadventure involving rambunctious teenagers.”
“Well if the Mayor says that's what happened, who are we to contradict him,” Aisha said sarcastically, and with venom. The other rangers also looked irritated, Carter's mind flashing back to Heather when no one believed her about the monsters that took her parents.
“I have to call Livvy's school soon to keep her home,” Kim continued to murmur. She grimaced suddenly, “She's not going to be happy abut any of this.”
“It'll be okay Kim,” Trini reached out and squeezed her shoulder while Aisha took her hand. “We'll be with you to help.”
In the middle of Ohio
“You do not know what is coming!” A monster hissed from where there were trying crawl away. He shrieked in pain when he felt something stab into his leg. It looked back and snarled, “You dare to use my own weapon against me?!” His lance was now firmly in his leg and firmly in the ground, pinning him there.
“You were saying something about what was to come?” The pink ranger that intervened in Florida said coldly.
“You won't win Pink Ranger,” The monster continued to snarl, “Darkness is the beginning and end of the Universe. The Shadow Line will prevail!”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” The Pink Ranger aimed his blaster and shot the monster in the back of the head, destroying it in bursts of fire, spark and smoke. He demporhed, revealing a man with tan skin and dirty blonde hair. He raised his left arm, “Syndesus, I've dealt with Shadow Fence, and I have his weapon.”
“Good, bring it too me for purification at once,” His mentor responded, relived by the information. “And take some time to recuperate.”
“Acknowledged, Pink Ranger out,” Sonny grabbed the lance and then left in a shower of pink sparks.