White Time Ranger
10-13-2008, 06:45 PM
I’m back! And this time with a story that I think you all will enjoy just as much as Black Water. I’ve scrapped Fire Storm for now but will attempt to mix the idea in with this one that I had. I’ve put together another four way crossover dealing with the battles of everyday life in the Ranger world, and a few more battles that may not be even remotely possible to win.
The teams that I’ve thrown together are: In Space, Lightspeed Rescue, Time Force (as always), and SPD. Not all Rangers will make an appearance; however, some may make a few cameos.
Summary: The walls of Troy couldn't be breached, as the story goes, except for a smart Spartan who found the Trojan Achilles heal. When an old enemy surfaces the Rangers unite to stop a war that could force the human race into permanent extinction..
Timeline: Present day 2008, and 3007. However, I ask that you not get used to the idea of this fic taking place in the modern age, because I’ll be throwing together in a bit of a twist as later chapters develop. To make this even more interesting, this takes place before the crossover of Time Force and Wild Force, and no Forever Red. It's going to seem slighty AU, but everything will tie together soon.
Enjoy, and as always, please review. )
The Burning of Troy
By: Stephanie
White Time Ranger
Chapter 1: Distant Memories
There was nothing surrounding him but mountains of sand. A harsh wind whipped at his face, blowing sand in every direction possible. The sun stood high in the afternoon, looking down on him from overhead, yet no heat was felt radiating from it. Where on Earth was he… or rather, was this even Earth at all? Air moved quickly past his ears once again, as if the atmosphere was breathing, deep and even. He tried to see past the curtain of sand and wind, but with no avail. From somewhere in the distance a gentle voice floated past his ear.
Turning towards the voice he fought once again to find the voice that whispered so close to his ear. Then, just past the curtain he saw her, a delicate figure with a face carved by angels. She smiled at him, wearing nothing but a pure white dress, complimenting her hazel eyes- those eyes he longed to see once again. Walking towards her he tried to speak, only to realize he could not. She held a hand out to him gracefully with a smile on her face. Eager, he reached for her hand.
Sand blew around them once again yet her skin was soft compared to the grains flying around them. A smile came to his face to touch her again, to smell the vanilla on her skin to see the joy in her eyes. She said nothing, but stared deeply into his eyes. He let his hands trace the outline of her body, a joy he had long since forgotten. Raising a hand to her face he traced her lips with his, only to find them course and grainy.
With a sudden sadness he watched as her smile disintegrated into the sand particles that flew around them. He tried to reach for her, but like before, she slipped through his fingers into nothingness. She smiled at him as he tried to protest as her hands slipped away, fading into the wind and sand. He swallowed, his throat filled with sand, and his hand still outstretched to where her figure was. How could he have let her slip away once again? Sinking down to his knees he choked back the tears that swelled in his eyes and fell onto the sand, and finally found his voice, whispering her sweet, sweet name…
*****
Alexander Drake awakened and stared at the blinking numbers on the clock. Five minutes later and his alarm would sound a day that he had not been looking forward to for the past seven years; for the past three-hundred and seventy-four days. It was a day that made his heart ache for her smile, for her touch, for her love. Sure, he had moved on- that is what he told everyone when they asked. It’s what he wanted to believe.
How could you just push someone out of your life that made you who you are today? This question plagued his mind each time he was asked who the latest woman in his life was. He buried his face in his pillow and waited for the screeching sound of his alarm. Reaching over, he switched off the clock, preventing that God-awful sound from filling his mind.
Another sound caught his attention, the pitter-patter of rain hitting the windows outside his apartment and a gentle rumble of thunder in the back ground. A wonderful way to start out a wonderful day, he thought. Just what he needed. The clock blinked 3:30am as he threw his feet over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He always thought people that took the 5:00am shift were crazy, which he decided, would accurately describe him. Walking into the kitchen he pressed the start button on the coffee pot and headed to the bathroom where a hot shower awaited him.
Discarding his clothes in the hamper he pulled the shower curtain aside and turned the knob, a warm jet of water fell from the wall. Taking a deep breath he submerged his face under the water and let it wash away the sleep from his eyes. He stretched slowly and yawned. A few moments later he shut the water off, grabbed a towel and exited the bathroom in search of fresh clothes.
Alex stood dressed in front of the mirror and combed his jet black hair. His eyes fell upon a picture on his dresser- his favorite picture of her and a message on the back that he knew by heart. Still, he flipped it over and read the text.
Alex-
Happy one year anniversary! I love you with all my heart. Thank you for everything, and so much more.
Always,
Jen
September 21, 2999
He did this same routine for the past seven years, now. He looked at the same picture, read the same message, and had the same heartbreak. Seven years that she was now out of his life. Sure, she was still there, and she was still his best friend but it was nowhere near the same relationship anymore- the relationship that he wanted.
The fresh scent of coffee drew him into the kitchen as he poured himself a cup and savored the flavor. Like her, coffee was his drug. He needed it to function and would be lost without it. Pouring it into a mug he grabbed his cell phone and headed out to his car in every effort to avoid the raindrops, but to no avail. He hopped into his car and began the fifteen minute drive towards Headquarters while the thunder echoed loudly overhead.
~*~
2028
A heavy, hot rain rapped against the windows in his office and added to the headache he already had- and it was only ten in the morning. Not the beginning to a good day whatsoever. As an added bonus, he had about ten cases to write up. Stripping off his jacket, he threw it carelessly onto the couch. A sudden clap of thunder made him jump, and trawled his pen off the line he was writing.
“Great,” he muttered, “Just great.” Crumpling the paper into a ball he threw it into the trash can and grabbed a new sheet.
“Sir,” came a knock at his door and a young cadet opened it cautiously. “Sorry for the interruption, but you’re being requested in Sector twelve.”
“Send a patrol car out to investigate and report back, Cadet, and report back to me.”
The young Cadet bit his lip. “Central want you, Commander. You and no one else.”
The Commander raised an eyebrow carefully. “By whose request?”
“I believe it is being called in by a third party, Sir,” the cadet answered. “He gave no identification on who he was. The call was dropped long before we could trace it.”
Commander Schuyler Tate rose slowly from his chair and closed the file he had been working on, rather trying to work on. This had been the third call like this in two weeks, and as always it turned out to be a wild goose chase, some kids playing a prank or something. Why was it no one understood what they were doing here, trying to protect a city and sift through the crap they were delt?
Grabbing his jacket and umbrella Sky made his way towards the door, and down to where his patrol car sat awaiting the trip to the infamous Sector twelve. Or, the old McBride house as it was known around the city. Years ago, some grouchy old man got drunk, passed out and choked on his own vomit, and now haunts the place, as the old story goes. For Sky, he stopped believing in ghost stories a long time ago.
A streak of lightning ran across the heavens as Sky ran through the pouring rain and into his car, started the engine and pulled away from Space Patrol Delta. Rain stuck to the window as he drove through the familiar path in order to get to the house. All the while his mind wondered on to what this mischief could be this time. Probably some stupid kid got stuck in the ancient ventilation system again. That was a classic call, he remembered. Minus the fact the kid was stoned cold, Sky found his situation rather amusing. Stupid, but amusing.
Pulling up to the house he grabbed his umbrella once again and stumbled through the mud to the front porch, muttering curses as the mud leapt onto his clean pants. Well, they were clean pants ten minutes ago. Sky opened the door slowly and was hit with the distinct smell of mold and mildew.
“Hello,” he called and was answered with an echo. “SPD. If there is anyone on the premises, you are to leave now without facing penalties.” Again, no one answered him. He was just about to leave when suddenly he heard a sound of something clattering against the floor upstairs, followed by two voices, making his heart jump. “What the hell was that?” he muttered to himself and slowly made his way the two sets of stairs to the third flood, his hand gripping his blaster tight.
Tip-toeing up the stairs, he inched his way closer to the master bedroom and drew his weapon. Peaking around the corner, he held his breath at the site he was witnessing, and it was truly unbelievable at that.
“When you get there, contact me via the satellite phone, and I will give you further instructions, understand? This is a vital part of my mission. If you screw this up, I will personally turn you into scrap metal” one metallic said. The fellow besides him spoke in a more mechanical voice, both faces hidden by a cloak.
“Yes, Master. I understand.” He slipped a bag over his shoulders and turned towards the fireplace, sticky with cobwebs and mold.
The Master, as it was put, let out a pleasing grin. “They won’t know what hit them. Begin time shift!”
“Freeze!” Sky said leaped away from the door frame, his weapon drawn. “SPD, you’re under arrest, put your hands where I can see them!”
The Master turned and gasped, his gray face twisting. “How did you get in here?” At the same moment the fireplace erupted into an inferno of blue, black and green and shook the house. The Master turned back to his puppet and threw a large sac in his hands. “Complete your mission, do you understand me, or I will have your head!”
From where Sky fell, he reached for his weapon to fire at the masked man, but to no avail. In seconds the Master was on top of him, a knife at his throat. “Foolish boy, you have no idea who you are dealing with!” He raised the knife high as a large crack of thunder echoed overhead.
“Enlighten me, then,” challenged Sky. With what power he could muster up Sky kicked the Master off him and rolled. “Unit One to Central, I need back up at the McBride ho-” he was thrown hard against a wall as the fireplace erupted again and grew brighter. Raising his hands, a blue shield projected from his palms, protecting his face, but still, he felt the heat.
Shaking off remnants of the wall and ceiling, Sky stood and spit a mouthful of blood on the floor. “No!” he cried as the figure leapt into the opening and disappeared instantly. The Master stood and grabbed Sky by the collar of his uniform, then looked joyfully into the swirling vortex.
“Fair thee well, my creation, and destroy them all!” He laughed and looked at Sky who stood struggling in his grip. “You shall be the first to witness my power.”
“Yea, same you too, pal.” With a free hand Sky reached for his belt, “SPD, Emergency!”
A flash of red surrounded Sky and sent the Master flying backward against a wall. Footsteps echoed the approaching sirens as Z came flying up the stairs weapon in hand.
“Sky, you alright?” she asked through her helmet. Sky stood abruptly.
“We need to whatever he sent through that vortex, Z, before it closes!” He jumped up and ran towards the fireplace. “He’s planning something and we need to stop it. I’m going.”
Sky leapt forward into the vortex as Z tried to stop him but found herself caught in the suction it created. A loud buzz surrounded Z and Sky as the tumbled through the blackening vortex. Minutes later a light appeared as they sped up and began falling faster and faster until they came in hard contact with what felt like a concrete floor.
“What the hell was that?” Z groaned and held her side where a sharp pain pushed against her rips, broken.
Sky rolled over and groaned in pain as well. “I have no clue. But wherever we are, it’s night.” They helped each other stand and made their way over to where a window portrayed the night sky filled with stars and the sound of sirens in the distance.
~*~
2008
With a wave of his baton, the conductor sent the band into frenzy and gave life back into the Collins’ mansion. The lively jazz ensemble brought couples to the dance floor and put a bounce in their step, smiles on their faces and wine in their glasses. The annual Fall Solace that Alan Collins, head of Bio-Lab threw was a party that was to not be missed by the big-wigs all around the country. Bright lights, festive dresses and music filled the house as the waiters and maids happily carried trays of appetizers and champagne through the thick crowds that gathered around the grounds gossiping about the latest events on Wall Street and the progress Bio-Lab has made over the last few years.
From his bedroom on the third story Wesley Collins watched the sea of dresses and tuxedos rise and fall with the alcoholic tide, like he always had done for the past twenty-seven years of his life. When he was younger he used to marvel at the grown men and the gorgeous women that would surround his father and his house, and he waited anxiously for the day when he would sit next to his father. He waited for the day he would be one of those powerful men who could gain anything with the snap of his fingers.
But seven years ago that all changed. Seven years ago, on this very night he met someone that had changed his life forever. For a few brief months he felt as if he was a real person. He forgot about the ways of business deals, about the ways money transacted between continents, and who he was before he met… her.
For months after Jen Scotts left, she was all he could think about. She was every dream, every woman he met, every girl he kissed. Her face haunted his thoughts and kept his mind awake at night. She was his everything, and he kept the promise he made, that he would never forget her. But seven years later, Jen broke the promise she made to him, a small note attached to the badge she gave him- a promise that she would return. Her loss, he told himself and moved on. Seven years later and she was non-existent, yet he could not stop thinking about her.
Reaching for his bedside drawer, he shifted some of the junk around and found the small object he was looking for- the badge she gave him. Running his fingers over the sides and around the back, he saw in the faded silver her face reflecting back at him, smiling.
“Let’s get a move on, Wes! The alcohol isn’t going to be free all night,” Eric banged loudly on his door and opened it just in time for Wes to return the badge back in the drawer. “What the hell is taking you so long?”
Wes’s eyes did not avert from the window. “Just watching all the seven o’clock drunks. It’s quite entertaining if you just sit and watch.”
Eric rolled his eyes. “C’mon buddy boy. You’re twenty-seven, and single and I am determined to get you a girlfriend this evening.” Eric swashed a mouthful of wine down his throat. “Or get laid if you’re lucky.”
Wes let out a hearty laugh. “How much have you had to drink already, because I may have to cut you off.” The Quantum Ranger huffed. “Or I’ll get Taylor over here to take your drunken ass home.”
“The one woman I’m afraid of could not draw me away from a party like this,” Eric said, “and I am not even remotely tipsy.”
“Just a jerk,” Wes added and Eric threw Wes’s coat to him and grinned. Reaching for the light switch, Wes glanced once more at the night sky through his window, sighed, and closed the door.
~*~
“I… I can’t do it.” He said and laid his Spiral saber on the floor. “Zordon, I can’t. Destroying you would mean losing you.”
Zordon spoke quickly and eagerly to the Red Space Ranger. “Andros, you must. The energy given off by my wave will be enough to destroy what evil remains. I will always live in those who believe in me and my teachings.”
“We lose you, Zordon,” Andros stated again and picked up his fallen weapon. “But it’s for the good of Earth,” Zordon nodded and closed his eyes. With a heavy heart Andros raised his saber high and aimed for the tube, firing a heavy blast of ammunition and shattering the tube and Zordon instantly. Golden beams of light radiated throughout the ship, and around the city destroying any evil that lay in its path.
Andros opened his eyes to find himself not in Astronema’s ship but in a vast desert with sand in every direction. He looked around in search of another being, but none came to site.
“Where am I?” he asked, his voice swallowed by the swirling sand. There was nothing around him but mounds, and taking the first step he began to climb to the top to get a better bearing of where he was. After a few minutes he arrived at his destination and gasped. What looked like the remnants of a city lay before him. Wrecked buildings rested quietly against the sand, and cars sat still. Around the small portion he saw the silent bodies of the people who he guessed once inhabited this city.
Walking down the mound he made his way towards a street and looked around. Men, women and children slept against the grainy sand bed, their skin pale and cold. What kind of destruction occurred here? Gazing around at the destruction he saw a familiar face, a face he had not seen in years, and his heart stopped.
“Ashley,” he whispered and ran to where she lay quiet. “Jesus, Ashley, wake up, what happened here?” but she gave no response and sat limp in his arms, her skin cold.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” a metallic voice said from behind him. Andros felt his legs give out as he was thrown hard to the ground, putting him in a disorientated state. “At last, I shall have my revenge!”
Andros felt his body turn around and his eyes widened at the being above him, a dark sword pressing against his throat and a voice that did nothing but laugh. As he raised the sword higher Andros held his breath and waited for impact…
“No!” Andros sat up straight and found himself covered in a cold sweat, his heart beating rapidly. He swallowed hard and controlled his breathing. Wiping the sweat from his face he turned as the door opened to reveal Zhane standing there.
“Hey, you okay? I thought I heard you scream.” The Silver Ranger asked, but Andros gave no returning answer, just stared off into the darkness. “Andros…” he trailed off.
Andros suddenly turned to him. “I- I need to get to Earth, Zhane. I had a dream… Psycho Red.” He stuttered and threw off the sheets. “I saw Zordon, Psycho Red, a city that lay in ruins. People, bodies if women, children, and I… I saw her, Zhane.” His voice trembled. “I saw Ashley and held her in my arms. She didn’t move.”
Zhane stared at Andros as he gathered his clothes and tried to offer some comfort. “Andros, if anything happened on Earth we would have known about it. If anything happened to Ashley, you would have been the first to know.”
He moved slower. “I just need to make sure she’s okay, Zhane. I’ve had dreams like this before, but not this real. I felt everything, I heard everything.” Andros disappeared into his closet and came out minutes later clad in his uniform.
Zhane stared at his best friend, his brother. He knew Andros well enough that something was truly bothered him about this dream. He knew nothing could stop him from checking up on Ashley, whom he had not seen in five years since they left Earth and returned to KO-35 to help rebuild it to its former glory. “I’m coming with you, then. I’ll meet you in thirty minutes.”
Andros nodded as Zhane left, and a cool wind swept through the room, sending shivers down Andros’ spine. What did this dream mean? It felt all too real. Between Zordon, and Psycho Red, what would it signal? His stomach twisted into a knot as he thought more into it. Was this a sign of something that was coming, or was he just completely paranoid?
Locking up his room Andros left and met Zhane in the hanger only down the road where his newly build ship rested quietly. To Andros’ surprise a third person gave him a warming smile.
“Be careful, Andros,” Karone smiled and kissed her brother’s cheek. “You know that those Earth girls are crazy,” he offered her a small smile. “Say hi to everyone for me.” The baby in her arms let out a delighted squeal as Karone handed Zhane his daughter to say good bye to.
Andros glanced around his planet once again. It was amazing to see the progress that had happened in the past few years, rebuilding everything from the ground up. So far, everything was looking like he remembered it to be. After their final good byes Andros and Zhane boarded the small ship and launched, leaving their home planet behind them, and headed for a planet Andros knew too well.
Planet Earth…
~*~
Please comment :)
~Steph
White Time Ranger
The teams that I’ve thrown together are: In Space, Lightspeed Rescue, Time Force (as always), and SPD. Not all Rangers will make an appearance; however, some may make a few cameos.
Summary: The walls of Troy couldn't be breached, as the story goes, except for a smart Spartan who found the Trojan Achilles heal. When an old enemy surfaces the Rangers unite to stop a war that could force the human race into permanent extinction..
Timeline: Present day 2008, and 3007. However, I ask that you not get used to the idea of this fic taking place in the modern age, because I’ll be throwing together in a bit of a twist as later chapters develop. To make this even more interesting, this takes place before the crossover of Time Force and Wild Force, and no Forever Red. It's going to seem slighty AU, but everything will tie together soon.
Enjoy, and as always, please review. )
The Burning of Troy
By: Stephanie
White Time Ranger
Chapter 1: Distant Memories
There was nothing surrounding him but mountains of sand. A harsh wind whipped at his face, blowing sand in every direction possible. The sun stood high in the afternoon, looking down on him from overhead, yet no heat was felt radiating from it. Where on Earth was he… or rather, was this even Earth at all? Air moved quickly past his ears once again, as if the atmosphere was breathing, deep and even. He tried to see past the curtain of sand and wind, but with no avail. From somewhere in the distance a gentle voice floated past his ear.
Turning towards the voice he fought once again to find the voice that whispered so close to his ear. Then, just past the curtain he saw her, a delicate figure with a face carved by angels. She smiled at him, wearing nothing but a pure white dress, complimenting her hazel eyes- those eyes he longed to see once again. Walking towards her he tried to speak, only to realize he could not. She held a hand out to him gracefully with a smile on her face. Eager, he reached for her hand.
Sand blew around them once again yet her skin was soft compared to the grains flying around them. A smile came to his face to touch her again, to smell the vanilla on her skin to see the joy in her eyes. She said nothing, but stared deeply into his eyes. He let his hands trace the outline of her body, a joy he had long since forgotten. Raising a hand to her face he traced her lips with his, only to find them course and grainy.
With a sudden sadness he watched as her smile disintegrated into the sand particles that flew around them. He tried to reach for her, but like before, she slipped through his fingers into nothingness. She smiled at him as he tried to protest as her hands slipped away, fading into the wind and sand. He swallowed, his throat filled with sand, and his hand still outstretched to where her figure was. How could he have let her slip away once again? Sinking down to his knees he choked back the tears that swelled in his eyes and fell onto the sand, and finally found his voice, whispering her sweet, sweet name…
*****
Alexander Drake awakened and stared at the blinking numbers on the clock. Five minutes later and his alarm would sound a day that he had not been looking forward to for the past seven years; for the past three-hundred and seventy-four days. It was a day that made his heart ache for her smile, for her touch, for her love. Sure, he had moved on- that is what he told everyone when they asked. It’s what he wanted to believe.
How could you just push someone out of your life that made you who you are today? This question plagued his mind each time he was asked who the latest woman in his life was. He buried his face in his pillow and waited for the screeching sound of his alarm. Reaching over, he switched off the clock, preventing that God-awful sound from filling his mind.
Another sound caught his attention, the pitter-patter of rain hitting the windows outside his apartment and a gentle rumble of thunder in the back ground. A wonderful way to start out a wonderful day, he thought. Just what he needed. The clock blinked 3:30am as he threw his feet over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He always thought people that took the 5:00am shift were crazy, which he decided, would accurately describe him. Walking into the kitchen he pressed the start button on the coffee pot and headed to the bathroom where a hot shower awaited him.
Discarding his clothes in the hamper he pulled the shower curtain aside and turned the knob, a warm jet of water fell from the wall. Taking a deep breath he submerged his face under the water and let it wash away the sleep from his eyes. He stretched slowly and yawned. A few moments later he shut the water off, grabbed a towel and exited the bathroom in search of fresh clothes.
Alex stood dressed in front of the mirror and combed his jet black hair. His eyes fell upon a picture on his dresser- his favorite picture of her and a message on the back that he knew by heart. Still, he flipped it over and read the text.
Alex-
Happy one year anniversary! I love you with all my heart. Thank you for everything, and so much more.
Always,
Jen
September 21, 2999
He did this same routine for the past seven years, now. He looked at the same picture, read the same message, and had the same heartbreak. Seven years that she was now out of his life. Sure, she was still there, and she was still his best friend but it was nowhere near the same relationship anymore- the relationship that he wanted.
The fresh scent of coffee drew him into the kitchen as he poured himself a cup and savored the flavor. Like her, coffee was his drug. He needed it to function and would be lost without it. Pouring it into a mug he grabbed his cell phone and headed out to his car in every effort to avoid the raindrops, but to no avail. He hopped into his car and began the fifteen minute drive towards Headquarters while the thunder echoed loudly overhead.
~*~
2028
A heavy, hot rain rapped against the windows in his office and added to the headache he already had- and it was only ten in the morning. Not the beginning to a good day whatsoever. As an added bonus, he had about ten cases to write up. Stripping off his jacket, he threw it carelessly onto the couch. A sudden clap of thunder made him jump, and trawled his pen off the line he was writing.
“Great,” he muttered, “Just great.” Crumpling the paper into a ball he threw it into the trash can and grabbed a new sheet.
“Sir,” came a knock at his door and a young cadet opened it cautiously. “Sorry for the interruption, but you’re being requested in Sector twelve.”
“Send a patrol car out to investigate and report back, Cadet, and report back to me.”
The young Cadet bit his lip. “Central want you, Commander. You and no one else.”
The Commander raised an eyebrow carefully. “By whose request?”
“I believe it is being called in by a third party, Sir,” the cadet answered. “He gave no identification on who he was. The call was dropped long before we could trace it.”
Commander Schuyler Tate rose slowly from his chair and closed the file he had been working on, rather trying to work on. This had been the third call like this in two weeks, and as always it turned out to be a wild goose chase, some kids playing a prank or something. Why was it no one understood what they were doing here, trying to protect a city and sift through the crap they were delt?
Grabbing his jacket and umbrella Sky made his way towards the door, and down to where his patrol car sat awaiting the trip to the infamous Sector twelve. Or, the old McBride house as it was known around the city. Years ago, some grouchy old man got drunk, passed out and choked on his own vomit, and now haunts the place, as the old story goes. For Sky, he stopped believing in ghost stories a long time ago.
A streak of lightning ran across the heavens as Sky ran through the pouring rain and into his car, started the engine and pulled away from Space Patrol Delta. Rain stuck to the window as he drove through the familiar path in order to get to the house. All the while his mind wondered on to what this mischief could be this time. Probably some stupid kid got stuck in the ancient ventilation system again. That was a classic call, he remembered. Minus the fact the kid was stoned cold, Sky found his situation rather amusing. Stupid, but amusing.
Pulling up to the house he grabbed his umbrella once again and stumbled through the mud to the front porch, muttering curses as the mud leapt onto his clean pants. Well, they were clean pants ten minutes ago. Sky opened the door slowly and was hit with the distinct smell of mold and mildew.
“Hello,” he called and was answered with an echo. “SPD. If there is anyone on the premises, you are to leave now without facing penalties.” Again, no one answered him. He was just about to leave when suddenly he heard a sound of something clattering against the floor upstairs, followed by two voices, making his heart jump. “What the hell was that?” he muttered to himself and slowly made his way the two sets of stairs to the third flood, his hand gripping his blaster tight.
Tip-toeing up the stairs, he inched his way closer to the master bedroom and drew his weapon. Peaking around the corner, he held his breath at the site he was witnessing, and it was truly unbelievable at that.
“When you get there, contact me via the satellite phone, and I will give you further instructions, understand? This is a vital part of my mission. If you screw this up, I will personally turn you into scrap metal” one metallic said. The fellow besides him spoke in a more mechanical voice, both faces hidden by a cloak.
“Yes, Master. I understand.” He slipped a bag over his shoulders and turned towards the fireplace, sticky with cobwebs and mold.
The Master, as it was put, let out a pleasing grin. “They won’t know what hit them. Begin time shift!”
“Freeze!” Sky said leaped away from the door frame, his weapon drawn. “SPD, you’re under arrest, put your hands where I can see them!”
The Master turned and gasped, his gray face twisting. “How did you get in here?” At the same moment the fireplace erupted into an inferno of blue, black and green and shook the house. The Master turned back to his puppet and threw a large sac in his hands. “Complete your mission, do you understand me, or I will have your head!”
From where Sky fell, he reached for his weapon to fire at the masked man, but to no avail. In seconds the Master was on top of him, a knife at his throat. “Foolish boy, you have no idea who you are dealing with!” He raised the knife high as a large crack of thunder echoed overhead.
“Enlighten me, then,” challenged Sky. With what power he could muster up Sky kicked the Master off him and rolled. “Unit One to Central, I need back up at the McBride ho-” he was thrown hard against a wall as the fireplace erupted again and grew brighter. Raising his hands, a blue shield projected from his palms, protecting his face, but still, he felt the heat.
Shaking off remnants of the wall and ceiling, Sky stood and spit a mouthful of blood on the floor. “No!” he cried as the figure leapt into the opening and disappeared instantly. The Master stood and grabbed Sky by the collar of his uniform, then looked joyfully into the swirling vortex.
“Fair thee well, my creation, and destroy them all!” He laughed and looked at Sky who stood struggling in his grip. “You shall be the first to witness my power.”
“Yea, same you too, pal.” With a free hand Sky reached for his belt, “SPD, Emergency!”
A flash of red surrounded Sky and sent the Master flying backward against a wall. Footsteps echoed the approaching sirens as Z came flying up the stairs weapon in hand.
“Sky, you alright?” she asked through her helmet. Sky stood abruptly.
“We need to whatever he sent through that vortex, Z, before it closes!” He jumped up and ran towards the fireplace. “He’s planning something and we need to stop it. I’m going.”
Sky leapt forward into the vortex as Z tried to stop him but found herself caught in the suction it created. A loud buzz surrounded Z and Sky as the tumbled through the blackening vortex. Minutes later a light appeared as they sped up and began falling faster and faster until they came in hard contact with what felt like a concrete floor.
“What the hell was that?” Z groaned and held her side where a sharp pain pushed against her rips, broken.
Sky rolled over and groaned in pain as well. “I have no clue. But wherever we are, it’s night.” They helped each other stand and made their way over to where a window portrayed the night sky filled with stars and the sound of sirens in the distance.
~*~
2008
With a wave of his baton, the conductor sent the band into frenzy and gave life back into the Collins’ mansion. The lively jazz ensemble brought couples to the dance floor and put a bounce in their step, smiles on their faces and wine in their glasses. The annual Fall Solace that Alan Collins, head of Bio-Lab threw was a party that was to not be missed by the big-wigs all around the country. Bright lights, festive dresses and music filled the house as the waiters and maids happily carried trays of appetizers and champagne through the thick crowds that gathered around the grounds gossiping about the latest events on Wall Street and the progress Bio-Lab has made over the last few years.
From his bedroom on the third story Wesley Collins watched the sea of dresses and tuxedos rise and fall with the alcoholic tide, like he always had done for the past twenty-seven years of his life. When he was younger he used to marvel at the grown men and the gorgeous women that would surround his father and his house, and he waited anxiously for the day when he would sit next to his father. He waited for the day he would be one of those powerful men who could gain anything with the snap of his fingers.
But seven years ago that all changed. Seven years ago, on this very night he met someone that had changed his life forever. For a few brief months he felt as if he was a real person. He forgot about the ways of business deals, about the ways money transacted between continents, and who he was before he met… her.
For months after Jen Scotts left, she was all he could think about. She was every dream, every woman he met, every girl he kissed. Her face haunted his thoughts and kept his mind awake at night. She was his everything, and he kept the promise he made, that he would never forget her. But seven years later, Jen broke the promise she made to him, a small note attached to the badge she gave him- a promise that she would return. Her loss, he told himself and moved on. Seven years later and she was non-existent, yet he could not stop thinking about her.
Reaching for his bedside drawer, he shifted some of the junk around and found the small object he was looking for- the badge she gave him. Running his fingers over the sides and around the back, he saw in the faded silver her face reflecting back at him, smiling.
“Let’s get a move on, Wes! The alcohol isn’t going to be free all night,” Eric banged loudly on his door and opened it just in time for Wes to return the badge back in the drawer. “What the hell is taking you so long?”
Wes’s eyes did not avert from the window. “Just watching all the seven o’clock drunks. It’s quite entertaining if you just sit and watch.”
Eric rolled his eyes. “C’mon buddy boy. You’re twenty-seven, and single and I am determined to get you a girlfriend this evening.” Eric swashed a mouthful of wine down his throat. “Or get laid if you’re lucky.”
Wes let out a hearty laugh. “How much have you had to drink already, because I may have to cut you off.” The Quantum Ranger huffed. “Or I’ll get Taylor over here to take your drunken ass home.”
“The one woman I’m afraid of could not draw me away from a party like this,” Eric said, “and I am not even remotely tipsy.”
“Just a jerk,” Wes added and Eric threw Wes’s coat to him and grinned. Reaching for the light switch, Wes glanced once more at the night sky through his window, sighed, and closed the door.
~*~
“I… I can’t do it.” He said and laid his Spiral saber on the floor. “Zordon, I can’t. Destroying you would mean losing you.”
Zordon spoke quickly and eagerly to the Red Space Ranger. “Andros, you must. The energy given off by my wave will be enough to destroy what evil remains. I will always live in those who believe in me and my teachings.”
“We lose you, Zordon,” Andros stated again and picked up his fallen weapon. “But it’s for the good of Earth,” Zordon nodded and closed his eyes. With a heavy heart Andros raised his saber high and aimed for the tube, firing a heavy blast of ammunition and shattering the tube and Zordon instantly. Golden beams of light radiated throughout the ship, and around the city destroying any evil that lay in its path.
Andros opened his eyes to find himself not in Astronema’s ship but in a vast desert with sand in every direction. He looked around in search of another being, but none came to site.
“Where am I?” he asked, his voice swallowed by the swirling sand. There was nothing around him but mounds, and taking the first step he began to climb to the top to get a better bearing of where he was. After a few minutes he arrived at his destination and gasped. What looked like the remnants of a city lay before him. Wrecked buildings rested quietly against the sand, and cars sat still. Around the small portion he saw the silent bodies of the people who he guessed once inhabited this city.
Walking down the mound he made his way towards a street and looked around. Men, women and children slept against the grainy sand bed, their skin pale and cold. What kind of destruction occurred here? Gazing around at the destruction he saw a familiar face, a face he had not seen in years, and his heart stopped.
“Ashley,” he whispered and ran to where she lay quiet. “Jesus, Ashley, wake up, what happened here?” but she gave no response and sat limp in his arms, her skin cold.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” a metallic voice said from behind him. Andros felt his legs give out as he was thrown hard to the ground, putting him in a disorientated state. “At last, I shall have my revenge!”
Andros felt his body turn around and his eyes widened at the being above him, a dark sword pressing against his throat and a voice that did nothing but laugh. As he raised the sword higher Andros held his breath and waited for impact…
“No!” Andros sat up straight and found himself covered in a cold sweat, his heart beating rapidly. He swallowed hard and controlled his breathing. Wiping the sweat from his face he turned as the door opened to reveal Zhane standing there.
“Hey, you okay? I thought I heard you scream.” The Silver Ranger asked, but Andros gave no returning answer, just stared off into the darkness. “Andros…” he trailed off.
Andros suddenly turned to him. “I- I need to get to Earth, Zhane. I had a dream… Psycho Red.” He stuttered and threw off the sheets. “I saw Zordon, Psycho Red, a city that lay in ruins. People, bodies if women, children, and I… I saw her, Zhane.” His voice trembled. “I saw Ashley and held her in my arms. She didn’t move.”
Zhane stared at Andros as he gathered his clothes and tried to offer some comfort. “Andros, if anything happened on Earth we would have known about it. If anything happened to Ashley, you would have been the first to know.”
He moved slower. “I just need to make sure she’s okay, Zhane. I’ve had dreams like this before, but not this real. I felt everything, I heard everything.” Andros disappeared into his closet and came out minutes later clad in his uniform.
Zhane stared at his best friend, his brother. He knew Andros well enough that something was truly bothered him about this dream. He knew nothing could stop him from checking up on Ashley, whom he had not seen in five years since they left Earth and returned to KO-35 to help rebuild it to its former glory. “I’m coming with you, then. I’ll meet you in thirty minutes.”
Andros nodded as Zhane left, and a cool wind swept through the room, sending shivers down Andros’ spine. What did this dream mean? It felt all too real. Between Zordon, and Psycho Red, what would it signal? His stomach twisted into a knot as he thought more into it. Was this a sign of something that was coming, or was he just completely paranoid?
Locking up his room Andros left and met Zhane in the hanger only down the road where his newly build ship rested quietly. To Andros’ surprise a third person gave him a warming smile.
“Be careful, Andros,” Karone smiled and kissed her brother’s cheek. “You know that those Earth girls are crazy,” he offered her a small smile. “Say hi to everyone for me.” The baby in her arms let out a delighted squeal as Karone handed Zhane his daughter to say good bye to.
Andros glanced around his planet once again. It was amazing to see the progress that had happened in the past few years, rebuilding everything from the ground up. So far, everything was looking like he remembered it to be. After their final good byes Andros and Zhane boarded the small ship and launched, leaving their home planet behind them, and headed for a planet Andros knew too well.
Planet Earth…
~*~
Please comment :)
~Steph
White Time Ranger