I decided the hell with it and am posting the first four actual chapters onto here, im jut hoping there isnt a page limit...
Please leave a comment! Thanks!
~White Time Ranger
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A Picture's Worth 1000 Words
By: White Time Ranger
Chapter one:
Behind the Glass
Sky walked triumphantly out of the arcade. “See?” he told Jack. “Not only would I play Light ball, but I’d win it, too.”
The Red Ranger merely shook his head and turned to Bridge. “Thinks he know everything, doesn’t he?” Bridge merely shrugged.
As they rounded a corner, Sky walked into his room. “I’ll catch up with you guy later.”
Syd laughed. “Fine. We’ll be at Grail’s for lunch. We’ll save you a seat.”
Jack also hung back. “I’ll catch up later, too.”
Z shrugged. “Suit yourself.” The Pink, Yellow and Green rangers walked off to get a bite to eat.
Jack walked into Sky’s room to see him sitting on the bed, staring at that same picture as before. “Who’s that?” the asked curiously.
The Blue Ranger smiled. “My dad.”
Jack looked at the picture. A man with a soft face, dirty blonde hair and blue eyes was holding Sky up high. He was dressed in red attire with a patch of white in the chest. Sky held a ranger helmet, a wide smile on her face.
“Your dad was a Red Ranger?” Jack asked. Sky nodded.
“Ever hear of the Time Force Rangers?” Sky asked.
“Weren’t they in Silver Hills like twenty years ago?” Jack stated.
“Yup. My dad was the Red Ranger.” Sky said. “I’ve heard so many stories about his ranger days. Fighting mutants and what not.”
“Yes, I know his father very well.” Commander Cruger walked in to see the two rangers talking. “Wes Collins helped to get our station up and running.”
Jack’s eyes shrunk. “Wait, Sky…I thought your last name was Tate?”
“It’s my middle name.” Sky said. “Schuyler Tate Collins.”
“Then why not go by Collins?” Jack asked.
“Jack, my father’s a millionaire. Look around here. It costs a lot of money for me to get in here. Besides, if anyone found out my father helped build this place, they’d go through the roof. They’d think I’d be getting some special treatment or something.”
Jack looked at Commander Cruger. “It’s true.” Commander Cruger said. “Everyone knows that he helped fund this. If word were to get out that Sky’s father helped make Space Patrol Delta what it is today, he would indeed be checked up on, ask to why he was the blue ranger.”
Jack shrugged. Jack looked at the picture again. Sky was so happy. But a face was absent from this.
“Where’s your mother?” Jack asked. Sky’s face dropped.
“She died when I was one. Drunken driver slammed her car off of a bridge, and only a mountainside. The car exploded, with her in it.”
“I’m sorry, Sky.”
Sky sighed. “I never really knew her. I’ve heard stories from dad about her, but I never knew her.” But there was one memory that stuck out in his mind. “All though I do remember something, it happened when I was five. Someone came to our house and they started arguing. Then, it was over.”
He sat in his room playing video games. Yelling was heard from downstairs.
“Damn it, Wes!” someone yelled. “I told you, he’s not going to take any part of that Space Patrol Delta you’re helping fund!”
“Look. It’s his decision. I tried to talk it out of him, but he wants to take part in it. There’s nothing I can do! He wants to be a ranger, how can you take that away from him?”
“I’ve seen what being a ranger can do to you. I mean, look at us. We fought every day of our lives for this city, and it’s fine. There’s no more crazy renegade mutants or anything going around.” The female’s voice grew soft. “I just want the best for Sky.”
Their voices dropped below a whisper. Curiosity got the best of him and he slowly crawled out and looked down the stairs.
A woman in a white uniform and a strange thing strapped to her leg stood in his father’s arms, tears flowing from his face. Their voiced were low as they talked for a moment.
She then left a few minutes later. But he never saw her again after that point.
“That was the last thing that I remember of her. I’d seen pictures around my dad’s office a few times, but that was it. Every time I’d ask, he’d go off somewhere or to the office.” Sky said.
Cruger was gone by now, but Jack remained. “So you never knew your mom. Just like me and Z. Our parents died when we were young. Her mom treated me like her own son.” Jack said. He looked at Sky, his face was soft.
“We talk periodically. He’s gotten involved with Bio-Lab, my grandfather’s company. I got involved here. We never talk much anymore.”
“Then why don’t you give your old man a buzz?” Jack asked as he threw Sky the phone. “I’m sure he’d love to hear from you.”
“Cadet Tate, please report to Command. Cadet Tate, please report to Command.”
“Great. Cruger probably wants me to clean up the place.” Sky groaned. Jack merely laughed.
“Come on, I’ll go too.”
The two rangers made their way down to Command.
At Command
“Sir!” Sky and Jack called. Cruger nodded and turned to Kat.
“Cadet Tate, Cadet Landers. So nice of you to come so soon.” Kat said.
“Yes,” another voice said. “I am glad you could come.”
Sky recognized this voice to be familiar. “Dad?” he asked astonished. The man in a black uniform stood up, his red beret was removed from his head.
“Commander Collins is here with some troubling news.” Kat said. Sky watched his father walk over to a computer.
“Troubling, indeed.” Wes said. He pressed a button. “We’ve picked up signs of mutant DNA roaming around New Tech City. We’re not sure if it is mutants, but just to be on the safe side…”
The three other rangers walked in. Wes nodded to them.
“Rangers, this is Commander Wes Collins of the Silver Guardians in Silver Hills.” Cruger said. “Sydney Drew, pink ranger.”
“It’s an honor, sir.” Syd said.
“Bridge Carson, green ranger.” Cruger moved on.
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Bridge said.
“Last, but not least, Elizabeth Delgado, yellow ranger. You’ve met Jack all ready, and Sky you know.”
Z nodded. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Pleasure.”
Wes nodded. “Well Anubis. I see you chose some fine rangers.” He looked at his son. Sky gave him a stare. “As I was saying,” Kat dimmed the lights. A holographic map came up from the floor. “We have recently discovered some troubling news, Rangers. Mutants have been detected around the city.”
“Wait, mutants?” Bridge said. “I thought the Time Force Rangers destroyed them years ago.”
“We did, but apparently more have escaped back into our time.” Wes said solemnly.
“Into our time?” Syd echoed him. “What do you mean, our time?”
Wes sighed. “I see you haven’t told them everything.” He said to Anubis. “Back in my ranger days, the mutants we fought against were from the future, the year 3000. My fellow rangers came back in time to capture Ransik, the leader. We did capture him, only to have three more mutants escape back here a year later.” He looked at Sky.
Sky saw hurt in his father’s eyes as he remembered his ranger days. But there was something else behind his father’s eyes. Something that Sky never saw before. Loneliness, pain, and a broken heart.
“After the rangers came back, I never thought that we’d see mutants again. But just the other day, the scanner went off and surprise, mutants popped up. Commander Myers and myself are training ourselves back into shape so we can defeat these mutants, but we’ll need your help, rangers.”
He walked up and down the line and smiled at Sky. “How about it, son?”
Sky was taken back by his father’s question. He never needed help, let alone from Sky himself. But maybe this was a chance to catch up, and find more about his mother.
“What do you say, guys?” Sky asked. Each ranger smiled. He turned back to his father. “You’ve got yourself a team, Dad.”
Wes smiled and nodded. “All right, let’s get the rooming arrangements settled out. Eric is staying back in Silver Hills, so I’ll be needing a room.”
“Follow me, then.” Sky lead his father out of the room.
Later
Wes sat down on his bed. “Thanks, Sky. It’s perfect.”
Sky sat down next to his father. “I’m glad that we can talk again. I was going to call you before, but you came here.” He paused. “Dad, can you tell me about my mom? Why did she die?”
At the sound of his question, Wes’s smile faded. His face went pale as he began to sweat. “S-Sky, c-can we talk about this l-later?” Wes stuttered.
“Sure.” Sky got up. “Have a nice evening, Dad.”
Wes took a sip of water. “You too, son.”
Once the door was closed Wes went over to the window and looked out. The city was definitely an improvement of what it used to be, even a few cars were seen hovering. But he found himself staring out over the horizon and looking past it, to the beach were they said their final good-byes.
Her laugh, her smile, even the way she yelled at him when she was mad came back to him. A tear slipped down Wes’s face.
“Jennifer…” he whispered.
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Chapter two:
Wake Me Up
The Blue Ranger’s eyes opened slowly to feel a cool breeze against his face. “Where am I?” Sky asked himself. He was still in his uniform, but his blaster gone.
“Captain, we need to get going. Now!” a voice called.
“Captain?” Sky asked himself. He climbed a rock to find people standing on the sand, a large yellow object sat in the distance. A young woman with brown hair held a baby in her arms, but her face is something he couldn’t make out.
The woman in white spoke, her sweet voice reached the Blue Ranger’s ears.
“Sky, sweetie, remember. Mommy loves you so much.” The young woman held a small boy in her arms. The baby cooed slightly to feel his mother’s warm face, and see her smile. “Please, don’t get involved in anything that happens in the future.”
“Jen, we have to go, now.” A voice commanded.
This woman, Jen, looked into her infant boy’s eyes. “God, how can they do this?” she whispered into his ear.
“The portal will close in minutes.” That same voice was now annoying Sky as he watched the scene in astonishment.
Jen looked at that baby. “Sky, I love you. My son.”
A blonde man walked over. “Jen, I don’t know what to say. I mean, I can’t see why they’re making you do this. He’s only two months.”
Sky’s eyes opened wide. “Dad?” He was younger, maybe twenty or twenty-one.
“Wes,” this woman pleaded. “Protect him. His future isn’t written yet.”
“I will.” His father nodded. “Be safe, Jen.” The woman nodded as she hugged Wes.
“What is this?” Sky asked himself. The baby in her arms reminded him of someone…
A name echoed through his head.
Jennifer…
A loud crack of thunder shook the building as Sky bolted upright. Sky woke up to find himself in a cold sweat. He looked at the clock. 2:23am.
“Why am I having this dream?” he asked himself. Bridge let out a loud snore besides him.
Sky put his head back down, but couldn’t fall asleep. He lay awake for sometime, wondering about his dream. He had that same dream over and over again. People were standing on a beach, a yellow object behind them. A voice coming over a speaker.
His father stood in front of a young woman in a strange white uniform, a baby in her arms. She kept calling the baby Sky, like him. But his father was sad, and he saw him cry. This woman kept a tight hold of the baby, pleading his father to protect him. It had something to do with the baby’s future.
Another clash of thunder erupted his thoughts. Sky lay his head down and tried to focus on this woman’s face.
Instead he found himself drifting back to sleep. That same name echoed through his mind.
Jennifer…
Later on
Rain pounded against the roof of the gym as Wes pounded the heavy bag. He kept focus on his target, hitting it with an effective hit each time.
“Keep your eyes on your target, focus your energy.” Jen positioned him towards her. “Arms up.”
He obeyed. “Jen, I don’t want to hurt you.”
She rolled her eyes and threw her arms down. “How do you expect us to fight those mut-orgs if you’re afraid to hit me?”
He laughed as she put her hands back up. “Now, lets go!” Jen charged at him as they started yet another rigorous work out.
“Eyes focused.” Wes whispered. But he couldn’t focus. That one day after they defeated the mut-orgs was the happiest of all, and he found out something that changed his life forever.
Rain was heard outside of the house. Wes opened his eyes and he smiled.
Jen lay next to him sleeping peacefully. He moved a piece of hair away from her eyes as she sighed and rolled over. “Hi.” She said softly.
He smiled. “Hey. Have a good sleep?”
Jen nudged him playfully. “Of course. Even Time Force couldn’t keep me away.” Wes kissed her lovingly. They had made their love fly the previous night after finding out Jen was staying.
Wes laughed. “I can’t believe you’re actually staying. Why did Time Force let you stay anyway?”
Jen smiled and cocked her head. “I’m pregnant.”
Those two words changed his life forever. Jen was two months pregnant with their son. But she didn’t stay long after his birth. Time Force came back after Sky was born, and she left.
Baby Sky cooed in his mother’s arms. “I love you, Sky. Remember, Mommy loves you so much.” Her tears fell onto his tiny nose as she dried them.
“Why are they making you go back?” Wes whispered as he held her close.
“There’s a war about to break out and they need me. But I can’t come back, ever.” She said.
Wes shook his head. “That’s not fair. He’s only two months old.”
“Captain,” an officer called. “The portal will close in a few minutes we need to leave.”
Jen looked at Wes. “I’ll always love you, Wes.” She handed her son over. “Take care of him, his future isn’t written yet.”
Wes took hold of Sky. “I will. I love you, Jen.”
Their parting was sealed by a passionate kiss. Jen touched her son’s face again as he cooed. She hung her head low as she walked onto the time ship, her heart breaking.
Wes watched as the ship took off. Sky fell asleep in his arms. “It’s just us now, kiddo.”
Wes was left to raise his son alone.
But five years later, Jen came back again. Sky was seven, the year 2008. Time Force had permitted her a few minutes to go see Wes and see how Sky was doing. But it wasn’t the simple visit he had expected. Jen couldn’t interact with Sky at all, which was okay, since he was playing video games in his room.
“Master Collins, there is someone here to see you, sir.” Philips said. Wes sat in his office running over some things for both the Guardians and Bio-Lab.
Wes walked downstairs to see he standing there. “Jen?” Wes ran down the stairs and hugged her lovingly. “What are you doing here?”
“Time Force allowed me this one visit. Wes, we need to have a talk.” She said. “It’s about Sky.”
Her tone was all too serious. Wes’s smile faded. “What about him?”
“Wes, I don’t want him to get involved in that Space Patrol Delta thing you’re helping fund.” She said. Wes’s face shrunk.
“He wants to be a ranger, Jen.” Wes responded. Jen grew furious.
“Damn it, Wes!” Jen yelled. “I told you, he’s not going to take any part of that Space Patrol Delta you’re helping fund!”
“Look. It’s his decision. I tried to talk it out of him, but he wants to take part in it. There’s nothing I can do!” He lowered his voice. “He wants to be a ranger, how can you take that away from him?”
“I’ve seen what being a ranger can do to you. I mean, look at us. We fought every day of our lives for this city, and it’s fine. There’s no more crazy renegade mutants or anything going around.” Her voice grew soft. “I just want the best for Sky. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
Wes held her close. “Neither do I. I’ll talk with him, but I can’t guarantee anything.”
She sniffed as she touched his face. “I just wish it wasn’t like this. Why did I have to be born 1000 years away from you? Sky would have both his parents.”
Something beeped. “I have to go, Wes.” She stopped as she kissed him passionately. “I love you, Wes.”
He held her close. “I love you, too.”
That was the last time he’d seen or heard of her. Jen was gone out of his life. Sure, he’d seen a few women, but none captured his heart. At forty-one he wasn’t married, but that was okay. He had often wondered what Jen was up to. Did she miss Sky and Wes? Was she married by now?
Wes threw another punch into the bag.
“Need someone to work out with?” a voice asked. Wes turned around to see Sky standing behind him.
“That’s ok, son. You go work out.” Wes said. He threw another punch into the bag. Sky had always seen his father like this.
Sky had known something was on his father’s mind. Whenever he had something on his mind, he wanted to be alone. The Blue Ranger grabbed a set of free weights.
“You want to talk about it?” Sky asked. Wes shook his head and stopped.
“Not really.” He grabbed his water bottle. “Is there something you needed?”
Sky sighed. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” Wes nodded. “I’ve been having this dream.”
“Like what?” Wes asked. Sky shrugged.
“There are two people and a baby standing on a beach. There’s this large, space ship looking thing in the background.” Sky said. Wes looked at the ground. “There’s a young woman in white holding the baby, she keeps calling him Sky, like me.” He turned to his father. “And you’re in it.”
Wes didn’t pick up his head. “What’s it of?”
Sky shrugged. “I’m not too sure. But there’s a name that repeats over and over.”
“What name would that be?” Wes asked. Sky picked up something in his father’s voice and cocked his head.
“Jennifer.”
Wes let out a shaky breath. “Jennifer was the name of your mother.”
“And she died in a car crash.” Sky said sadly. Wes nodded.
“Yup.” His voice was monotone.
“So the woman in my dream is probably her, my mother.” Sky asked. Wes nodded again. “She’s dressed in a white uniform, her hair in a ponytail, but I can’t make out her face.”
“I don’t know why you’re seeing her. But I can assure you, she’s…” Wes couldn’t finish. “I’ll catch up with you later, Sky. I have some things to do.”
Sky watched his father walk off. Something was troubling him, and Sky was determined to find out what.
The next day
Bridge dodged a laser. “Whoa!” he yelled. Z caught the Green Ranger.
“Easy there Bridge!” she called.
“Commander Collins wasn’t kidding!” Jack said. “These guys are tough!”
The mutant snickered. “You haven’t seen tough yet!” He fired at the rangers, who fell back.
“We’re not through yet!” Sky jumped up and slashed the mutant. Syd joined him.
“Let’s finish him off!” The Pink Ranger called. Z, Bridge and Jack all stood up slowly and in pain.
“Fire!” They called out. Their weapons fired as the mutant shrunk.
“SIMULATION TERMINATED” the computer said. The holographic mutant was gone, and the rangers were left in a large white room.
“Good job, Rangers.” Wes said. He walked in. “That was excellent. My compliments to Syd and Sky for that last minute decision attack.”
Syd and Sky saluted. “Thank you, sir.” Syd said.
But Wes didn’t smile. “But what if that was the wrong decision, and cost your fellow rangers their lives?”
Sky’s expression faded. “Then it’d be all of our responsibility.”
“Correct.” Wes said. “If one if you fails, you all fail.” The Red Time Force Ranger walked out. “Run the simulation again.”
The room exploded into life. Jack sighed. “SPD…Emergency!” the rangers morphed.
Sky watched as the mutant materialized. “Let’s finish this!”
From behind the screen Wes watched intensely. His eyes followed Sky around. He and his son hadn’t always been close, ever since Jen came back and left. Wes had locked himself up in his office and worked. But when mutants popped up, things changed. He and Eric began to train themselves back into shape. But they weren’t enough. Wes needed help, and what better rangers to turn to then the Space Patrol Delta B-Squad.
Wes, however, hadn’t known Sky was chosen to be the blue ranger. He had only found out that day when Annubis contacted him. He watched Sky fight. He was so intense, so focused. Wes chuckled to himself.
“He’s just like his mother.” But the memory of Jen was still fresh in his mind.
“A little too much, I might add.” A voice said. Wes turned around to see a middle-aged man with growing gray hair.
The Red Ranger smiled. “Eric. What are you doing here?”
The Quantum Ranger stepped forward. “I came to see what you’re up to.” Eric also peered through the glass at the rangers. “You think they can withstand these mutants?”
Wes sighed. “I think so.”
Eric watched each ranger fight. “Which one’s Sky?” He searched for his godchild, but couldn’t find him.
“The Blue Ranger.”
Eric nodded and smiled. “He fights exactly like Jen, doesn’t he? Always focused and determined to get the job done.”
The rangers struck down the mutant for a second time, each coming up victorious.
They took off their helmets and left. Wes stood outside the door and clapped. “Well done, Rangers. You’ve done Time Force and the Silver Guardians proud.”
“Does that mean we’re ready?” Z asked excitedly. Wes gave an approving nod.
“We did it!” Bridge chanted. The four rangers jumped up and down happily. Sky walked over towards his father.
“Are we really ready?” He asked.
But Wes heard something else. “Yes,” he said. “You are ready.” Sky’s eyes opened wide. “You are all ready.”
“Thank you, Sir!” the Cadets cheered.
“You all did good today. Go out and celebrate, for now reality will begin.” Wes said. Eric watched the rangers walk out happily. Sky walked out slowly with Syd.
“What is it with Collin’s and pink rangers?” Eric shook his head. Wes chuckled.
“Come on, I’ll treat you to some lunch.” The Red Ranger said. He and Eric walked out of Headquarters.
Later
It had begun to rain again as Sky walked down the street. He had been thinking a lot of his father and his mother.
Sky really never knew his mother, only from his father’s memories of her. He was told a while ago that his mother never wanted him to be a ranger. But it was Sky’s dream. He wanted to be like his dad so much. Meet a beautiful woman and settle down. Watch his kids grow up in a crime-free city.
His father told him different. He said that the ranger business was tough, always having to leave something and risk getting killed. But Sky didn’t care. He wanted to make a difference, like this father. He wanted to be difference. Sky didn’t want to be known as a famous millionaire who found the cure for the common cold, but as someone who helped people for it.
He sighed as he leaned up against a shop window. “Mom, what happened to you?” he whispered. Sky wanted to meet her, to find out what she was really like.
“Son of a bitch, get back!” a woman called. Sky looked down an alley to see a woman fighting off something. She kicked it hard as it fell back onto a dumpster. “Damn mutants.” She grumbled. She began talking towards an object that lay on the ground.
But the mutant wasn’t down. It got up and darted off towards her. “Look out!” Sky yelled.
With one swift motion she turned to one knee and fired, hitting it directly between the eyes. Sky blinked. There was no one that he knew who could even shoot like that.
“Whoa…” Sky trailed off. The woman began walking down the alley when she saw him there. She turned on her heel and bolted off down the alley. Sky took after her. “Wait!”
But she was done around the corner. A she ran through a light, Sky saw a strange symbol on her back. He kicked a trashcan and made his way back to Headquarters.
He found himself asleep later, but that strange dream kept coming back, with that same name repeating.
Jennifer…
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Chapter three:
Confrontations
“You’re awfully quiet, Sky.” Z said. Sky hadn’t said anything or even touched his food.
“Sky?” Syd shook him. “Sky!” The Blue Ranger jumped.
“What?” he asked.
Bridge slapped his shoulder. “You’re still thinking about her, aren’t you?”
Sky sighed. “I can’t help it. I mean, you should have seen the saw she shot that…mutant. Right between the eyes.”
Jack laughed. “Are you sure she didn’t hit you?”
The Blue Ranger eyed Jack. “Well, aren’t you the funny one?”
“Come on Sky. Lighten up.” Syd said. “Have you talked to your father about it?”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid to approach him with the subject.”
“Why?” The Green Ranger quizzed.
“After I told him about my dream, he shut up like a clam again.” Sky sighed.
The rest of their lunch was quiet. After throwing out their trash, the Rangers made their way towards the common room.
Instead, the alarms started blaring.
“B-SQUAD RANGERS REPORT TO COMMAND IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT, B-SQUAD RANGERS REPORT TO COMMAND IMMEDIATELY!”
“Let’s move!” Jack called.
Moments later they arrived. “Rangers, we’ve got a serious emergency.” Cruger said.
“What’s up?” Sky asked after giving a crisp salute.
Wes immerged from a room. “Mutants have been detected around the city.”
“No,” Sky whispered.
Each ranger stiffened. “Listen closely, Rangers.” Wes paced in front of them. “This isn’t’ like any of the monsters you have heard, seen or faced before. He isn’t working for Gruumm either. Each mutant has a weakness, but you have to find it. I can tell you this: each mutant will shrink after they are defeated.” Wes handed Jack a small container. “Press this button and the mutant will be cryogenically detained, compliments of Time Force.” He paused. “Be careful, Rangers.” He eyed Sky uneasily. “Move out!” he commanded.
“Yes, sir!” they chanted. “SPD…Emergency!”
Butler Square
“Whoa!” Sky felt the concrete crack his back.
The mutant snickered. “I thought that the Power Rangers would have been more powerful then this.” He laughed. “You are pathetic. To think, Time Force always spoke highly of the Space Patrol Delta Rangers.” He laughed. “Especially the Blue Ranger.”
Sky's eyes narrowed. “Delta blasters!”Sky called. “Fire!”
The mutant merely laughed. “That tickled, do that again.” He taunted.
“Our weapons didn’t even scratch him” Bridge called.
Sky jumped up. “We can’t give up! RIC!”
The mechanical canine jumped. “Canine cannon, online!” Jack said.
“Lock on, fire!” Sky said. The mutant fell back.
“Yea! We got him!” Syd chanted.
“Think again!” the mutant fired a blast at Syd, who fell back and cried out in pain.
“Syd!” Sky ran to her. “Syd, are you okay?”
The Pink Ranger slowly got to her feet. “I’ll be okay.”
“You okay there, princess?” Z asked. Syd nodded.
The mutant threw another blast at them. Sparks flew from the Rangers uniforms. “You are wasting my time!”
Sky saw him jump up. “No! He can’t get away!” The Blue Ranger jumped up and chased after the mutant.
“I don’t think so!” the mutant snickered. He let out a powerful blast that struck Sky hard in the chest, causing him to fly back.
“Sky!” the rangers called. His suit couldn’t take the pressure and he demorphed, revealing a bloody cut across his forehead and cuts all over his body.
“We have to get him back to command!” Z stated.
“RIC, emergency transport mode!” Bridge called. RIC became a board and strapped Sky in.
Back at Command
Wes watched the sight with painful eyes. Sky was hurt trying to capture that mutant. “No…” he whispered. “Kat, call the infirmary, alert the doctors. We’ve…” he choked. “Sky’s been hurt.”
“Right, Commander. I’ll get right on it.” Kat said.
Moments later Sky arrived at the infirmary. Wes rushed out of the room and downstairs. That’s when he saw him.
Sky lay on the bed; IV lines were seen giving him fluid and medicine. “Sky.” The Red Ranger whispered. One of the doctors finally immerged. “Doctor, is he going to be okay?”
The doctor sighed. “He was hit pretty hard, Commander. But I think he’ll make a good recovery. You can come back later and see him.” Wes thanked the doctor and watched his son sleep. He sighed heavily. “Damn it, Sky. I promised Jen I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” A tear slipped down Wes’s face as he slowly made his way back to Command.
Wes silently walked back in. “Wes, is he going to be okay?” Eric asked. “I just arrived. Cruger told me what happened.
He nodded. “Yes, he’ll be okay.” Eric watched him sniff.
“What’s bothering you, Wes?” The Quantum Ranger asked.
Wes let out an unsteady breath. “I promised Jen I wouldn’t let anything happen to him, that’s all. I feel like I let both her and Sky down.”
Eric slapped him. “You did all you could. He’ll be okay, Wes. Have faith.” Wes nodded in thanks.
“We have found a trail for the mutant.” Cruger said. He handed Wes a CD. “I’ll have my best trackers on it.”
Wes nodded and went back to his room and began to make up a file. But he couldn’t concentrate. He had let both Sky and Jen down. With a sigh he lay down.
It was yet another sleepless night for the Red Ranger…
Two days later
Wes walked into Sky’s room to see the doctor removing an IV from his arm.
“Well, Cadet. You were lucky. That mutant hit you hard.” Sky winced at the needle. The doctor chuckled. “You can go now.”
Sky slowly got up from the bed. “Thanks, Doctor.” He saw his father standing in the doorway, his eyes tired.
“Sky, son. Are you okay?” the Red Ranger asked. Sky nodded.
“Yea, Dad. I’m fine.” He rubbed his lower back. “Sore, but fine.”
“Good.” Wes said relieved. “Come, Anubis is holding a meeting.” The rangers walked out and made their way towards command. But Sky’s mind was somewhere else.
Command
Wes and Sky walked into command. Wes had a reluctant smile on his face. Everything was in order.
“Sky!” Syd jumped into his arms. Wes smiled. “Oh my gosh, we were so worried! Are you okay?”
“Yes Syd, I’m okay.” Sky responded.
Cruger sighed. “But that mutant got away.” Wes walked over to where Kat and Boom stood.
“That disk you gave me of the mutant’s profile, I think the Rangers should see it.” Wes said. Kat put the disk into the computer, its projector shown as the images were cast upon the wall. “Commander Collins, it’s up.”
“We were able to profile the mutant with both your references and my data base.” Wes looked at Jack. “Good job, Jack. You planted that tracer perfectly.”
Jack smiled as saluted. “Thank you, sir.” Sky looked at Jack, envy burned in his eyes.
After another hour or so, the dinner bell rang. “All right, Rangers. Go get some dinner and rest up. You all did well.”
“Thank you, sir!” the rangers changed. Sky however, stayed behind.
“Um… Dad? Can I talk to you for a moment?” He asked. RIC followed the Blue Ranger over to his father.
Wes shook his head. “I have to get back to work, Sky.”
“Please, it’ll only take a moment.” Sky followed his father into a back room. “Why didn’t you tell me about the tracer?”
Wes sighed. “I left that in the hands of the Red Ranger. Jack pulled it off rather nicely.”
“Why couldn’t you tell me though? Why couldn’t you let me do it?” His voice steadly rose. “You’ve known Jack for a few days, now. I’m you son, Dad.”
“And the Blue Ranger.” Wes added. Sky’s eyes burned as his temper rose.
“So I’m the Blue Ranger! Does that mean I’m no good enough for you? Am I not trustworthy because I’m the Blue Ranger?”
Wes was now regretting mentioning anything about the tracer and sighed. “Look, Sky. It’s not that…”
“Then what is it?” Sky yelled.
“I was protecting you. That mutant could have killed you.” Wes’s voice was monotone.
“Bullshit!” Sky yelled. “You don’t trust me because I’m not the Red Ranger. I’m not the leader. For that, you think I’m a failure don’t you? A failure because I couldn’t take your place as the Red Ranger…isn’t it?”
Wes drew in a breath. “That’s not it, Sky.”
Sky turned and left. “Yea, sure.” He walked out, anger flashed behind his eyes. “He should have never come back.” He muttered.
But Wes wasn’t out of earshot. At the sound of this, he sighed. “He didn’t mean that, Wes.” Cruger said.
“No,” Wes whispered. “He’s right. I should have never come back here.” Wes walked towards the exit.
“Where are you going?” Cruger asked.
“Back to Silver Hills. The Rangers can handle the mutant by themselves.” Wes said sadly. A beep came from the canine robot. RIC followed him out the door and turned down the hallway.
Cruger watched him walk out, his friend’s head handing low. The Commander sighed and shook his head. “Jen,” he said. “They need you.”
The next evening
Sky had been replaying the fight with his father over and over. Did he really mean to have this happen? No…he didn’t. The Blue Ranger sighed as he got up and made his way towards Command to make amends with his father.
But his father wasn’t there. “Commander,” Sky saluted as Cruger turned around. “Where is my father?”
Boom sighed. “Gone, Sky. He left for Silver Hills just a few hours ago.”
“No.” Sky said. “Damn. I shouldn’t have said what I did.” Something flashed in his mind. “Sir, I am requesting the rest of the evening off. I need to talk with my father.”
“Then go.” Cruger said. Sky ran out of Command down to his motorcycle. After starting the engine, he sped off in haste towards a city he hadn’t been to in over ten years.
The city of Silver Hills.
Later: In an alleyway
RIC’s sensors spotted a figure crouched in a doorway. Cruger came up behind him.
“Good boy, RIC.” He said. “Captain.” The figure in the doorway moved out into the light.
“Anubis,” it said. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You as well. What can you tell me about this mutant?” the Commander asked.
“He’s dangerous, Anubis. I don’t know if the Rangers can handle him without the Silver Guardian’s help.” It said.
“There’s got to be some way to stop it.” Cruger pushed.
The figure nodded. “There is, indeed. But more will surface after Crockaton is captured. We have recently traced a whole gang of mutants, twenty at least, hiding beneath the city. We need both the Rangers, Wes and Eric to help capture them.”
“What about you?” Cruger asked curiously.
The figure chuckled. “Me? No, I can’t. The time line is in disarray as we speak. If I got involved,” it sighed. “there’s no telling what damage it could inflict.”
“But Captain, you are one of the best known fighters.” He sighed. “The Blue Ranger was injured a few days ago.”
It’s voice shrunk. “Sky.” It whispered. “Is he okay?”
Cruger smiled. “Of course. He and Wes, however, had a bit of a fight. Sky is going to Silver Hills as we speak to work things out with his father.” He paused. “I most go now. I have my rounds at 2300.”
“Then go.” It nodded.
“Captain, you must think about helping us with this. I don’t know if we have enough manpower to stop all of these mutants.”
“Anubis, you know I can’t get involved.” It paused. “But I will think about it.”
The Commander nodded. “Very well. I shall keep in touch.” The figure stepped back into the shadows and watched Cruger walk off.
“I wish I could get involved, Cruger. I truly do. But there are things that are preventing it.” It sighed. With a heavy step, it began its walk towards the city, a heavy fact coming to mind. “But he’s right. Wes and Eric will be needed for the next battle.” The figure hesitated at the last thought. “And so will I.”
_________________________________________________________________
Chapter four:
Blast from the Past
The streets of Silver Hills were quiet, expect for the humming of Sky’s motorcycle. He sped around the corner as a large house came into view. The Collins Estate was bigger then he remembered. Maybe it was just the fact that he hadn’t been there in almost ten years.
He parked his bike and slowly made his way up the steps of his childhood.
“Ready, son?” Wes called.
Seven-year-old Sky laughed. “Ready, Dad!”
Wes launched the football across the yard and Sky caught it. The boy charged towards his father and easily evaded him.
Phillips was seen bringing out a tray of lemonade as father and son played football. Sky pushed past Wes again and let out a happy cry as he ran into their end zone.
“Touchdown!” Sky threw down the football as Wes sat down, panting.
“I’m getting too old for this.” The Red Ranger muttered. Eric laughed besides him.
“You’re getting old period the end.” The Quantum Ranger retorted. Wes threw him a look.
“He’s a lively one, isn’t he?” Phillips offered Wes a glass as Wes nodded and smiled.
“Gets that from his mother.”
There were so many memories here. Sky’s birthday celebrations, Christmas, everything. There was one birthday that stuck out in memory, his eighth birthday.
“Master Sky! Come on. Your guests are here and awaiting you outside!” Phillips called from the bottom of the stairs.
Sky came careening down the stairs in a pair of jeans and a blue shirt. “Coming, Phillips!”
As he put his sneakers on, he noticed a young woman and his father standing outside talking. “Hey Phillips, who’s that?” he asked.
Phillips looked outside to see a young woman’s face whom he recognized plainly. Seeing that Wes and her were busy, he hurried the boy outside. But Sky’s curiosity got the best of him. He shied stealthy away from Phillips and went back to the door, to find that it was slightly open. He listened intensely onto the conversation.
“How is he, Wes?” a female asked.
His father smiled. “Fine, Jen. Just fine. We’re celebrating his eighth birthday today.”
The brunette, Jen, smiled. “Why do you think I came here?”
“I thought you had business to attend to?” Wes asked. She nodded.
“Admiral Marshall granted me a three hour stay, since we’re running a drill now.” Jen said. “But I can’t stay the full three hours. Just one.”
His father’s face shrunk. “Oh.”
Sky watched his father curiously. “Who’s she?” he asked himself. “She’s beautiful.”
“Master Sky.” Phillips rushed over to the door. “Come now, your father would be upset if he caught you eavesdropping on him and your—“ he cleared his throat. “and his guest.”
Sky gave one last look at the brunette, trying not to forget her face. “Phillips, what’s eavesdropping mean?”
He never did forget his face. He tried to think back to who she was. He’d seen her face somewhere before, but couldn’t pinpoint it. He meant to ask his father, but decided against it.
Sky turned the doorknob as the door opened. An elder man came walking over. “Sir, can I help you?” he asked. The butler quickly identified the man. “Master Sky!”
Sky smiled. “Phillips, long time no see.” He gave his old friend a hug. “What are you doing up at this hour?”
“Fetching a glass of water, but never mind that. How have you been, young sir?” the butler asked cheerfully.
The Blue Ranger nodded. “Fine. Is my father here?”
“No,” Phillips said. “He went to his office.”
Sky nodded. “Thank you. Give the staff my warm regards.”
“Will do, young sir. Be safe.” Phillips said. He watched the ranger run down the stairs and onto his bike. “Jennifer, you would love to see him now. He is just like you.” The butler sighed and closed the door. Memories of his past mistress came back into his mind.
At Wes’s office
Several guards stood outside doors as Sky walked past them.
“Mr. Collins.” One saluted him; Sky gave him a warm nod. He hadn’t been called ‘Collins’ in a long time.
Sky made his familiar travel down the hallway and into an elevator. He sighed as it traveled upwards. “I shouldn’t have said those things.” He said aloud. “He gave us useful information, and saved our asses from that mutant.”
The elevator stopped as Sky stepped out. He made the short walk from the elevator to his father’s office, where he saw a light shining from it. He knocked.
“Come in,” his father said.
“Dad?” Sky asked in a small voice. Wes turned around in his chair and smiled at his on.
“Have a seat, Sky.” Wes said. Sky closed the door behind him and slowly made his way to a seat in front of his father.
“I want to apologize for what I said. It was wrong, and mean and heartless.” Sky rambled on.
“Stop Sky. It’s okay. We all can make mistakes.” Wes said.
Sky sighed. “I have one question, though. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Wes also sighed. “Like I said before, I was protecting you, son. That mutant isn’t like anything I’ve even seen. Even in my Ranger days. I tried contacting Time Force, but Lucas, Katie nor Trip returned it.” Sky gave him a look. “My fellow Rangers.”
“Oh,” Sky said. “Dad, come back to New Tech with me, please. We need you.” Sky said this with a spark Wes couldn’t help smile at.
“Your mother said the same thing when I first got my morpher.”
Sky chuckled and sat down again. “Tell me about her, please. I’d like to know about her. If its something you’re not comfortable with, that’s okay.”
Wes laughed. “Your mother, there’s a love story for you. When I first met her I thought she was going to put me through the nearest brick wall.” Sky laughed. Wes sighed as he stared at a picture of Jen. “Your mother was beautiful. Strong, smart, stubborn. She was just as you saw her.” Wes handed his son an album.
Sky opened it curiously as she flipped through it. Picture after picture revealed a pretty brunette with bold eyes. “Is this her?” Sky showed his father a picture where she had jumped up into his arms as he twirled her around.
Wes looked at the picture that warm memory coming back to place. “Jennifer Scotts was one that captured my heart. Every day that we spent together was heaven. That was until Ransik was caught, and…”
“And what?” Sky flipped through another page.
“Well, she had to return to her home state. Her parents wouldn’t have us be together. She kept her powers, and a year later came back. Turns out some rogue mutants decided to attack. So after we captured them, she stayed for a few months.”
“Why?” the Blue Ranger asked.
Wes smiled. “Because we had you.” But his smile faded. “Then she had to return again. So I was left to raise you. It was just after your first birthday when I got that call, saying that she…” Again, Wes couldn’t get the courage to say that she was dead.
“Died in the car crash?” Sky suggested.
Wes sighed. “Yea. God, I miss her so much. What I wouldn’t give to just hold her again, to see her smile.” A low rumble of thunder was heard as the rain began to fall. “But no, she isn’t coming back. Nope, not in a thousand years.”
Sky heard the hurt in his father’s voice. “You really loved her, didn’t you?”
“More then you’ll ever know. She’d be proud of you, Sky. Never forget that. She told me once, that we each make our own destiny. That she did.”
The rain fell harder as father and son talked about Jen, and all the good she did.
But Wes never got up the courage to tell Sky the truth about his mother, that she was alive and well a thousand years from them.
The next day
A nearby building exploded as the Rangers rushed to get everyone out of it.
“Come on, run!” Jack yelled. The panicked civilians rushed out as the mutant blew another hole in it.
Wes watched in horror from command. “No…” He watched Sky fall, the mutant hitting him hard. “Sky!” He called. Wes ran over to the telecom. “Sky, son, are you all right?”
“Yea, Dad. I’m fine.”
“We’ve got to do something.” Wes said. Eric was all ready out the door.
“Then what the hell are we waiting for?” He said. The Time Force Rangers bolted out the door and down into their jeep.
Butler Square
“Syd!” Sky cried out. He watched the Pink Ranger fly across and slam into a light pole. “God, Syd, are you all right?”
She sighed. “I’ve been better.”
“Well, look here. Little blue ranger and his girlfriend.” The mutant taunted. Sky stepped protectively in front of Syd.
“You leave her alone.” He said darkly.
The mutant shook its head. “No, I think I’ll destroy you both!” He fired at them as they fell back.
“Sky!” Wes called. He and Erik ran over to where the Rangers surrounded their fallen comrades. “Syd, Sky, you two all right?”
“Yes, sir.” Syd said.
“Fine, Dad.” Sky muttered.
“Well, look who is it! The famed Red Ranger. We finally meet.” The mutant snickered. Eric walked besides Wes. “Ah, and the Quantum Ranger. Well, I shall have the pleasure of destroying seven rangers today! How wonderful!”
Wes and Eric stood side by side. “I’m sorry you won’t fulfill your wish.” Eric said.
“You want to get to the Rangers, you have to go through us.” Wes raised his left wrist, his chronomorpher shown in the sun. Eric’s quantum morpher also was seen.
“Dad, don’t! It’s been almost twenty years!” Sky called.
“Looks like the Time Force Rangers are back in action!” Wes stepped forward and changed out loud. “TIME FOR TIME FORCE!”
“QUANTUM POWER!” Eric called. Two flashed of light and Wes and Eric felt a sudden rush of energy surge through them.
The mutant’s smirk fell. Wes called for his weapon. “Chrono saber, online!”
“Quantum Defender, blade mode!” Eric said.
“It’ll take more then just you two to stop me.” The mutant snickered.
Sky jumped up next to his father. “Then how about us?” the other rangers stood besides the veterans.
“The more the merrier!” The mutant fired a blast, which caught the SPD Rangers off guard. Wes and Eric, however, returned the mutant’s attack with an expert shot.
“Lets show him how we do it, old school!” Eric said. Wes followed him.
“Right behind you!” Wes leapt up into the air. “Time strike!”
“Restrike mode!” Eric said. The SPD Rangers watched in amazement as Eric and Wes struck the mutant with a powerful blow.
“Nice!” the rangers slapped hands. “Give up!” Wes called.
“You can’t defeat us.” Eric followed. The mutant got up slowly.
“Just watch me.” He uttered under his breath. He threw a glowing ball at them, which exploded violently, sending Wes flying forward. He demorphed and coughed.
“Wes, no!” Eric watched as the mutant walked towards his friend.
“Well, Officer. Looks like you’ve met your maker.” It snickered.
“DAD!” Sky cried.
Wes watched the blade come down onto him, but the mutant stopped. It cried out in an agonizing pain as green ooze dripped from a new hole in its stomach. The mutant looked up to see a cloaked figure walking past the SPD rangers.
“Put the weapon down, Crockaton!” it commanded. A female voice was clearly audible, and it had a commanding tone.
The mutant, Crockaton, snickered. “I thought I killed you!”
Sky watched the figure chuckle. “They think they know everything, don’t they?”
He looked at her. “Who are you?” But she didn’t have time to respond, for Crockaton fired again.
The figure jumped with skill and went into a hand-on-hand on battle with the mutant. Wes and Eric had finally made their way back to where the Rangers stood.
They watched in amazement as this person fought Crockaton with amazing skill and profession. But he soon got the best of her, finally grasping the hood and choking the person.
She, however, was able to break free, her cape ripping to reveal a woman in white, whom Wes clearly recognized. “Jen!” he called.
She gave Crockaton one last kick, knocking him out. “Just try and do that again,” she said to its unconscious body.
Wes ran forward and held her close, feeling her return his embrace. Sky watched the look on his father’s face as he held the woman.
“Jen, I thought I’d never see you again.” Wes muttered. He ran a hand down her cheek, thinking he had just been imagining things. “Is—is it really you?” he asked, tears of joy began to fall down his cheeks. Jen looked at him, unable to find her words.
Sky watched his father’s face turn, the bright red color restored to its natural tone. But he watched the mutant rise.
“Too bad you won’t have time to enjoy yourself, Captain! Crockaton shouted. He pulled a sword and charged at the rangers.
“Look out!” Sky called. Wes felt Jen push him out of the way and dropped to one knee, expertly firing her weapon and hitting the mutant right between the eyes, shrinking him on impact.
Eric laughed hard. “Oh yea, that’s Jen all right.” Jen left his arms and put Crockaton in his respective quarters.
“Rangers, come back to base. I must have a meeting with you.” Cruger’s voice was heard over their morphers.
“Right, lets move out!” Jack said. Sky watched his father and this woman, Jen, fall behind slowly as they made their way back to headquarters.
“I’ve seen her face before,” the Blue Ranger stated.
Bridge shrugged. “Apparently your dad knows her pretty well.” Sky gave him a look as Bridge silently got on his bike, sorry he said anything.
The Rangers rode away as Wes and Jen were left behind.
At Command
Jen walked slowly through the halls of Space Patrol Delta’s headquarters. “Not bad, it seems like you invested in something pretty good.” She teased Wes.
The Red Ranger shrugged. “Guess so.” He pulled her aside and his voice dropped. “Jen, I…” he couldn’t find the right words.
But the Captain merely shushed him. “I know. I missed you, too.” Wes smiled and was about to open his mouth, but Cruger called them in.
The Rangers watched their Commander give a different salute, one like the Army officers did. “Captain Scotts, good to see you again.”
Jen smiled at him. “Anubis, you as well. First name basis, please.” He nodded. The Rangers were in line standing in front of her as she paced in front of them. “So, this is the esteemed Space Patrol Delta B-Squad we hear about, back in my time.”
“Your time?” Syd questioned. Jen turned, a smile on her face.
“I take it you’re Syd, the Pink Ranger. Wes had told me all about you.” Jen stepped back. “But, please, starting with the Red Ranger. Step forward and tell me your name.” Jen nodded towards Jack. Sky glanced at his father, who had a wide smile on his face.
“Jack Landers, SPD Red Ranger. A pleasure to meet you, Captain.” Jack said.
Bridge then stepped forward. “Bridge Carson, SPD Green Ranger.”
Next was Z. “Z Delgado, SPD Yellow Ranger.”
Syd followed. “Sydney Drew, SPD Pink Ranger.”
Jen looked at the last ranger, something shined in her eyes as Sky stepped forward. “Sky Tate, SPD Blue Ranger.”
Cruger smiled. “Rangers, this is…”
“Captain Jennifer Scotts,” Jen said. “Time Force Captain,” she smiled at Wes. “and Pink Ranger.”
Bridge jumped. “You’re a Power Ranger?”
“One of the best.” Wes followed.
Jen turned to him. “You flatter me to much, Wes.”
“Excuse me, Captain.” Sky stepped forward. “Before, you mentioned your time. I am curious…”
“As to what I meant by that.” Jen finished. He nodded. “My time, the year 3019. I am Captain of the most elite crime fighting force of all time, Time Force. We were here in the year 2001 to capture Ransik, since he escaped through time. This is where we met Wes and Eric, the commanders of the Silver Guardians.”
Wes walked towards her and sat down as Jen told them of her exploits with Ransik.
About forty-five minutes later, her tale was complete. A nearby clock blinked 10:00PM. “Get to bed early tonight, Rangers. We have a long day of training head of us, tomorrow.” Jen said.
The five rangers jumped up as each exited and separated. Sky watched the Captain, curiosity rang through his mind. He had definitely seen her somewhere before…
Later—In Jen’s room
Jen had finished unpacking her suitcase and walked out into the hallway and onto a balcony. There she stood in the moonlight, until someone else walked up besides her.
“Need some company?” Wes asked. Jen smiled.
“I could always use company.” She said softly. Again, words were a mountain Wes could not overcome.
“I had planned out so many things to say when I saw you again,” he whispered. Tears shined in his eyes. “Is it really you?”
Instead of an answer, he felt Jen’s lips caress his in a tender kiss, one that he had longed to have for so many years. Jen hugged him tightly and placed her head on his shoulder.
“Yes, Wes. It’s me.” She whispered. “I’m home.”
_________________________________________________________________
There you have it, folks! The First four chapters of my SPD/TF Fic....its up at FF.net as well.
Again, please leave a comment as so i can see where this story lies...
Thanks!
~Steph
(White Time Ranger)
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