Bright Skies (Multi - Season Crossover/Power Rangers, prompt #87: Spring, T)
And another one ...
Author/: Tsukino Akume
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force moving into S.P.D., multiple Rangers from each season
Characters/: Wes (Time Force), multiple Rangers from other teams (Literally too many to list)
Pairings/: Post - Wes/Eric, Rocky/Adam, Shane/Dustin, Hunter/Cam, Carter/Dana, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, Carlos/Ronny, Jason/Taylor, Conner/Ethan, Justin/Rose, Tommy/Kimberly, Tyzonn/Mack, Cassie/OC, Nick/Maddison, Zack/Aisha, Trent/Kira, Post - Billy/Cestria. Future Ryan/Carter and Billy/Hayley. More couples will most likely be mentioned, but not shown.
prompt/: #87: Spring
Rating/: T (For non - graphic mentions of people having babies and being violent with one another)
Disclaimer/: I don't own the Power Rangers, but if Disney's hiring any new writers I volunteer.
Summary/: When Wes' life starts to fall apart, an accident gives him a chance at a fresh start in New Tech City, with Space Patrol Delta. But even a new life has its ups and downs - and weird friends. Meanwhile, Eric tries to move on.
Warnings/: A mentally handicapped person living in a medical facility, angst, male and female slash, non-cemented couples (In otherwords, pairings that will be separated), children created by scientific means, character death
Author's Notes/: I was mostly happy with the episode History except for two things: B Squad being all high-and-mighty towards the Dino Thunder Rangers, and the way the three of them just forked over their Dino Gems to Kat, someone they’d just met like, an hour ago. (Okay, so Kira and Ethan forked them over, and Conner hestitated for like, a split second.) So, I fixed at least part of that. And then, well, I couldn’t leave Rhythm out of this chapter now could I?
"I hate this," Kimberly murmured, staring out the window.
Wes sighed, knowing exactly what she meant. The moment Kat had detected foreign Ranger energy signatures in Newtech City, Justin and Nerina had run them through the archives to match them against any known Ranger teams who might possibly be on Earth. For all they knew, someone had come seeking help.
What they found was impossible.
The Dino Thunder Rangers, here, *alive*, in Newtech City, *right now*. Walking around the Command Center. Living, breathing. More than just a memorial statue in the main entryway or a memory Wes clung to of the friends he'd known once.
Ethan, who had been a member of S.P.D.‘s infamous Tech Lab, and Rose’s firm rival in everything she did. Conner, full of life and laughter, someone he used to see at the Red Ranger reunions they held every year or so, until they lost the energy and the time and the means to support them all. Man, he'd been at their *wedding reception*. Maybe he hadn't known Kira as well as the other two, but they'd fought together, and he'd always liked her. And now they were all in S.P.D. and he couldn't even *say* anything, for fear of disrupting the timeline anymore than it already had been.
It was torture, plain and simple.
There was a select group of former Rangers who had known the Dino Thunder team, and only a handful of those that knew them well. Once they'd been detected, it had been mutually agreed that those formers who knew them should stay out of the way. Honestly, it was less because they were afraid of scaring them with information about their future and more because it was really just too painful.
The handful of them that had known the trio best were gathered in the officer's common room with doors locked. Dustin was leaning against Shane on one couch, one hand playing idly with Shane's shirt as Shane ran a hand over his hair and stared into space. From what he knew, they had already known the three by the ages they were now. Adam didn't know them yet, but he would soon, through his connection to Kira. He couldn't be sure yet if Tommy had already brought Conner to a reunion to meet him, Eric, Rocky, and Carter or not. Kimberly would eventually met them through Tommy once their relationship was finally reformed and become another mentor for Kira; both women shared a passion for music and a certain prehistoric Zord. And Justin, who had build S.P.D. Newtech's computer systems from the ground up with Ethan and Rose by his side, constantly bickering with Ethan for 'flirting' with his girlfriend.
He sighed again, leaning his head back against the couch and trying not to think about what the three of them were doing right now.
Which was of course, when the alarms went off.
All eyes in the room went to Kimberly.
She hesitated, biting her lip. Finally she sighed and looked at Justin. "Can you hack into one of the Command Center's security screens from here?"
"Is Cruger blue?" the young man snorted, heading for a computer console.
There were several minutes of tense waiting as everyone waited, trying not to interrupt. "I'm in!" Justin cried suddenly, and instantly found himself surrounded.
"They've never encountered this many troops at once before."
"You gotta let us in on this!"
"No! I won't put your lives in danger. If anything happened to you in this time, the results could be catastrophic."
"Yeah, but if your cadets *lose*, none of that matters anyway."
Wes smiled faintly as Conner argued heatedly with Cruger. It was funny and nostalgic all at once, because that was Conner. And in all the years Wes had known the younger man, he never changed.
"Kat, dispatch Omega Ranger to the scene. This is not your battle. I'm going to help the others. You are to stay here, that's an order! S.P.D., Emergency!"
Once again, everyone in the room was suddenly looking at Kimberly. If Cruger was going into battle, that officially left her in charge of S.P.D. - and the Command Center. Whatever happened now was her call.
Kimberly was silent, her eyes watching the screen. After a moment, she closed them. "I'm going to the Command Center," she declared quietly.
The fact that she didn't order anyone to remain behind was immediately noted, and she wasn't the only one to head for the door.
****
"Let me guess. That's Grumm," they heard Ethan say as they rounded the corner.
"This is serious," came Kat's voice, sounding uncharacteristically worried.
"That's it. I say it's time to get prehistoric on Grumm and his goons."
"Cruger ordered us to stay here!" Kira protested.
"I don't care what happens in the past or the future. The others need us *now*!" Conner insisted.
"He's right," Kira admitted.
"Let's do it," Ethan agreed instantly.
"If you're gonna go out there, at least go prepared. Give me your Dino Gems."
"Uh ... " Conner hesitated, eyeing her warily, and Kira and Ethan immediately followed his lead. "No offense, but uh, I'm not so sure - "
"It's okay, dudes," Dustin called bouncing through the doorway with a bright smile on his face. "Kat's cool. You can trust her."
"Dustin?" Kira said incredulously. She moved to hug him, Ethan immediately following suit to bump fists as Shane made his way to grip Conner's hand with a grin. "What are you doing here? Did you get pulled forward too?"
Wes tried not to sigh at that, because of all of them, Dustin showed his age the least.
Dustin gave her a sheepish smile . "It's like, a seriously long story, and we don't really have the time, dude," he reminded her.
Kat stiffened as she caught sight of Kimberly. "Commander Oliver. I'm sorry to disobey orders, but the Rangers clearly - "
"Wait, did she just say Commander *Oliver*?" Ethan demanded. "As in like, Dr. O?"
"It's okay, Kat," Kimberly assured her with a warm smile. "You're not doing anything wrong." She gave Ethan a slight grin. "Don't you know knowing too much about your future is a bad thing?" she teased, winking at him.
Shane smiled reassuringly at Conner. "It's okay, man. They're on our side."
Kira and Ethan glanced at him, and Conner hesitated for another moment before begrudgingly removing his bracelet. "What did you have in mind?"
"A long time ago, someone proved to me that it's possible to re-fill the Power levels of a morpher that has been drained, but not destroyed," Kat explained as she worked. She didn't so much as glance at Justin as he moved to give her a hand.
"Which means ... " Conner demanded, looking annoyed.
"It *means* she can make us Rangers again, doofus," Ethan retorted, his eyes lit up eagerly.
"Which means you can go help B Squad," Kimberly affirmed.
Eric gave her an odd look. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, can't we just send - "
"We don't want Grumm to see all our resources until we absolutely have to," she reminded him. "And trust me, Eric. I know what I'm doing, okay?" Her expression softened a little.
He sighed. "As long as someone does," he grumbled.
"All right," Kat declared as she held out the Red and Yellow Dino Gems. "You're all set."
Ethan stared at Justin for a moment, frowning as their eyes met when the older man held out his Dino Gem. "Hey. Do I know you from somewhere?"
Justin smiled humorlessly. "Not yet."
Ethan's brow furrowed. "Oh. Right."
"I'll teleport you directly to the quarry site," Kat promised. "Ready?"
"Wait, teleport?" Conner demanded, moments before the three of them dissolved into columns of colored light.
"Dude, since when do we get to use teleportation for battle sites?" Dustin demanded.
"Since we don't want them to get a good look at Newtech City," Justin reminded him.
Carter glanced at Kimberly. "Are you sure about this, Kim? Letting them fight, I mean. Didn't Cruger say - "
"Cruger doesn't know what I know," she interrupted. She gave them all a faint smile. "I wasn't sure if I should, but ... Let's just say that Tommy told me once about something that hasn't happened yet. We need them here, and we need them fighting." She looked at Kat. "Just be sure to have the Delta Squad Megazord ready to help Sam when they call for it."
Kat nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."
****
B Squad and the Dino Thunder Rangers were laughing when they came into the Command Center again, and Wes smiled at the sound. At least the two teams were finally getting along now, from what Kat had told them about their first meeting. He'd have to remember to talk to Sky about that later.
Kira brightened as she saw her fellow Yellow Ranger, moving to stand beside Dustin and squeeze his arm. "Hey! Why didn't you guys come join us out there?"
"Yeah, seriously! We could have totally kicked butt!" Ethan agreed with a grin. He paused, frowning slightly, and glanced around the room. "Hey, where's Tori anyway? I haven't seen her yet."
Wes cringed, and it was impossible not to see the way Dustin winced as Shane stared at the ground.
"Dustin ... ?" Kira asked softly. "What's wrong?"
He swallowed. "We're ... we weren't brought forward, like you guys were, dude," he explained quietly. "This like, *is* our time. We both work at S.P.D. now. Tori ... " He hesitated, and the pain in his eyes was unbearable.
"Tori isn't with us anymore," Wes spoke up quietly. He owed it to them both at least; after all, he'd been there when she ... "She was destroyed, protecting Newtech City." His eyes burned at the memory, but for once he managed not to let the tears show.
Kira looked horrified, Ethan stunned. Conner stared at him blankly. "You mean she's ... "
"Gone," Shane said hollowly. "Nine years now."
There was a long moment of silence.
At last Conner swallowed. "The guy who did it. Is he ... "
"Trapped in a three by five containment card being held in a maximum security prison," Sky told him, and the fierce pride in his voice was unmistakable. "He won't be hurting anyone, ever again."
"Good," Kira said softly, squeezing Dustin's arm again.
"I said get your hands off me!" a voice snapped.
The older Rangers froze, and Wes struggled not to swear. The one person they'd tried desperately to keep from knowing what was going on, to keep from seeing them ...
Rhythm.
He strode into the room, glaring furiously back at the rest of his Squad. Sophie looked guilty, Ecliptor exasperated, while Marinda seemed to be near tears and the other two were glaring right back. "Don't *tell* me I don't have a right to be here!" he snarled, and it was disturbing to see the usually peaceful and somewhat shy cadet so furious. "I have more of a right to see them than *anyone* in this entire base!"
Then he turned around, and froze.
The three Dino Thunder Rangers blinked back at him, while the former Rangers tried not to look anxious at the unplanned meeting. It took a moment, then Sky, Syd, and Z winced in realization. Jack just frowned, not understanding what was wrong. Bridge was rubbing his temples, and out of the corner of his eye Wes could see Adam moving toward him.
"Hi," Rhythm managed at last, his voice soft.
Kira tilted her head as she offered him an uncertain smile. "Hi," she greeted. "Um ... do I know you?"
Rhythm flinched like she'd hit him.
"Hey ... Dude, now that you mention it, you look kinda like a guy we know," Conner said thoughtfully. "You wouldn't happen to be related to a Trent Fernandez, would you?"
He swallowed. "He's my father."
They stared.
"Seriously?" Ethan demanded, looking incredulous. "You're Trent's son?" He shook his head as Rhythm nodded uncertainly. "That's totally wacked."
"What's your name?" Kira asked, her smile warming a bit as she offered him a hand.
He stared down at it as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with it. "Rhythm," he said finally. "Rhythm Fernandez."
Conner snorted, and Ethan elbowed him, hard. "Dude, *Rhythm*?" he choked out. "Wow. That's uh, ... "
"My mother named me," Rhythm informed them, his eyes still on Kira's hand. "I have a twin sister named Melody."
"Rhythm and Melody? That's sweet."
He finally looked up as Kira smiled warmly at him. He smiled tentatively, and for just a moment, it wasn't an expression that Trent usually wore.
Strangely it was Conner who noticed. He was frowning, staring at Rhythm a little more intently now. "Hey, who's your mom then?"
"Conner!" Kira hissed, glaring at him. "That's a little rude, don't you - "
"Kira Fernandez."
She paused.
Conner and Ethan stared.
"My mother is Kira Fernandez," Rhythm continued quietly. He closed his eyes briefly. "She ... she, um .... "
But somehow, Kira seemed to understand. She moved forward to take his hand, giving him that same warm smile as their eyes met. "Hi, Rhythm," she said softly. "It's nice to meet you."
He just looked at her for a moment.
"How long has it been?" she prodded carefully. "Since you've seen her?"
He bit his lip, his eyes flickering over to Kimberly. "I ... "
But Kimberly wasn't telling him no, and she raised a hand when Cruger went to protest, shaking her head slightly.
Because Rhythm needed this, Wes realized.
"Nine years," the teen confessed quietly. "She's uh, the reason I joined S.P.D."
"I'm sure she's very proud of you then," Kira assured him, her smile softening.
He returned it shyly.
Something about the expression seemed to melt Kira's discomfort, and she pulled him into a hug. It was hard for those watching them who knew what had happened, what *would* happen, not to wince at the careful way Rhythm hugged her back, trying not to bury his face against her shoulder.
"But dude, how - " Conner whispered, followed by an "Ow!" as Ethan elbowed him again. "Dude, what?!"
"Hopeless," Ethan grumbled.
"I told you!" Sora hissed triumphantly to Casey in what was practically a stage-whisper in the silence. "Uncle Conner and Uncle Ethan *so* got together back when they were Rangers!"
The two in question spun around to reguard her in horror, instinctively backing away from each other several feet. "Say *what*?" Ethan demanded.
"You're kidding, right?" Conner sputtered.
Casey rolled her eyes. "Way to go, genius," she grumbled.
"Oh, like Rhythm didn't say something worse!" Sora retorted. "They were practically side-by-side earlier; what's the difference?"
Kira glanced up at Rhythm, seeming highly amused. He shrugged a little, and she laughed. "Oh, I can't *wait* to tell Dr. O!"
"He already knows," Kimberly murmured, grinning faintly.
"Where is he, anyway?" Conner asked hastily, in a rather obvious attempt to change the subject. "I mean, you'd think fighting off ugly aliens trying to take over Earth was totally his thing."
Kimberly laughed, giving him a fondly amused look. "He's our Ranger Commander, in charge of the Rangers at S.P.D. Newtech. Unfortunately he isn't here right now; he's off on a rescue mission."
"So ... who are you?" Ethan asked warily. "Kat called you Commander Oliver, didn't she?"
She smiled. "That's right. My name's Kimberly. I'm Tommy's wife."
"Dude, Dr. O. gets *married*?" Conner looked disturbed.
"So do you, man," Rocky told him with a grin.
Conner brightened at that. "To who?"
"You'd never believe me if I told you," he laughed.
Conner scowled at him. "We *have* to stick around at least long enough to meet the future Dr. O. when he gets back. I mean he's like, what? Sixty?"
"Try fifty," Kimberly smirked back. "And totally in denial."
"But you can't stay," Adam spoke up from the corner where he now had Bridge leaning against him. He shrugged his free shoulder. "You're needed in the past. There's still things you have to do."
Ethan frowned. "But do we have to go right now? I mean, I still think you guys need us here to deal with Grumm. He's gonna be madder than ever."
"Yeah, and what about Broodwing?" Kira put in as she finally released Rhythm. "He's still around slumming about somewhere."
"It's *obvious* we should stay," Conner declared. He flashed a flirty smile at Syd. "We work great together."
She smiled back sweetly. "Nice try. But I don't date older guys. And I have a girlfriend."
"Ooh!" Jack crowed as Conner stared at her in shock.
Z smirked and slipped an arm around Syd's shoulders possessively.
"We appreciate your offer to stay Rangers, but that's not possible," Cruger explained.
Syd tilted her head, leaning a little closer to Z. "Besides Kira, if you don't get back you'll never start your recording career."
Kira perked up slightly, glancing at her curiously. "My recording career?"
"Of *course*. You become a *huge* singing sensation. I grew up listening to your songs." Syd grinned.
"Yeah, and everyone knows about the Conner McKnight soccer camps," Sky put in. "They're all over the country."
He would, Wes reflected, amused. Vanessa had sent Sky to one when he was ten. Being Sky, he'd hated every minute of it - until he came home.
"For real?" Conner lit up, glancing excitedly at his teammates. "Wow!"
"And Ethan," Bridge spoke up, smiling a little now even as he continued to lean on his dad. "You *have* to go back. You develop some software that we still use here at S.P.D."
A sly grin slipped across Ethan's face. "You mean I'm a genius?" Like Conner, his eyes flickered to the other two. "Sweet."
"Relatively speaking," Wes heard Justin mutter, and he hid a grin as Kat elbowed him discreetly.
"Your lives as Rangers have made a difference," Cruger agreed. "But you go on to lead exciting and significant lives after you hang up your helmets."
Conner hesitated, looking at the other two.
Kira had forward to take Rhythm's hands. "Tell me one thing," she requested. "Is he happy?"
Rhythm nodded. "I think so. He misses you, but ... He has someone else to keep him company now."
"Good." She smiled warmly. "Tell him that's all I want for him, okay?"
"I will," he promised. He hesitated for a split second before leaning in to kiss her cheek. He was blushing when he pulled back.
Conner nodded as Kira stepped back between him and Ethan. "I think we're ready to go back, Commander."
Cruger nodded solemnly. "Your courage and dedication will live on in Ranger legend. Thank you all."
"Hey, wait a second," Ethan piped up, looking at Rhythm again. "What year were you born?"
Rhythm blinked at him. "2012. Dad says Mel and I were Spring babies."
He nodded. "So keep Kira from getting near Trent around July, 2011. Got it."
"Ethan!" she exclaimed, elbowing him. "Don't you dare!"
"Don't worry, Kira," Kimberly told her. She gave the younger woman a sympathetic smile. "First of all, he won't remember. To protect the timeline, we're going to have to erase your memories of what you saw here when we return you." She paused, and her smile turned mischievous. "Besides, Ethan's going to marry Conner one day."
Ethan's eyes went wide, while Conner looked horrified. "I am not!" they exclaimed in unison.
"Tell me they have kids," Kira begged.
Kimberly shook her head, smiling, as Kat spoke up softly. "Goodbye, Dino Rangers. We'll never forget you."
There was a sparkle of light from the three Dino Gems tucked into the center console, and then the three former Rangers were gone.
There was a long silence.
"The Dino Gems?" Cruger began.
"Will be locked in the vault with the Lightspeed and Blue Wind morphers, where they should have been all along," Kat assured him, gathering the three Gems together.
Cruger nodded. "Dismissed, everyone."
They scattered, but Wes glanced back as Kimberly lingered, her eyes on the spot were her husband's former students had stood.
"Besides," she continued quietly to no one in particular, a sad smile on her face. "They may not have had kids, but Eric McKnight named his daughter Conner Ethan McKnight in their memory."
Author/: Tsukino Akume
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force moving into S.P.D., multiple Rangers from each season
Characters/: Wes (Time Force), multiple Rangers from other teams (Literally too many to list)
Pairings/: Post - Wes/Eric, Rocky/Adam, Shane/Dustin, Hunter/Cam, Carter/Dana, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, Carlos/Ronny, Jason/Taylor, Conner/Ethan, Justin/Rose, Tommy/Kimberly, Tyzonn/Mack, Cassie/OC, Nick/Maddison, Zack/Aisha, Trent/Kira, Post - Billy/Cestria. Future Ryan/Carter and Billy/Hayley. More couples will most likely be mentioned, but not shown.
prompt/: #87: Spring
Rating/: T (For non - graphic mentions of people having babies and being violent with one another)
Disclaimer/: I don't own the Power Rangers, but if Disney's hiring any new writers I volunteer.
Summary/: When Wes' life starts to fall apart, an accident gives him a chance at a fresh start in New Tech City, with Space Patrol Delta. But even a new life has its ups and downs - and weird friends. Meanwhile, Eric tries to move on.
Warnings/: A mentally handicapped person living in a medical facility, angst, male and female slash, non-cemented couples (In otherwords, pairings that will be separated), children created by scientific means, character death
Author's Notes/: I was mostly happy with the episode History except for two things: B Squad being all high-and-mighty towards the Dino Thunder Rangers, and the way the three of them just forked over their Dino Gems to Kat, someone they’d just met like, an hour ago. (Okay, so Kira and Ethan forked them over, and Conner hestitated for like, a split second.) So, I fixed at least part of that. And then, well, I couldn’t leave Rhythm out of this chapter now could I?
"I hate this," Kimberly murmured, staring out the window.
Wes sighed, knowing exactly what she meant. The moment Kat had detected foreign Ranger energy signatures in Newtech City, Justin and Nerina had run them through the archives to match them against any known Ranger teams who might possibly be on Earth. For all they knew, someone had come seeking help.
What they found was impossible.
The Dino Thunder Rangers, here, *alive*, in Newtech City, *right now*. Walking around the Command Center. Living, breathing. More than just a memorial statue in the main entryway or a memory Wes clung to of the friends he'd known once.
Ethan, who had been a member of S.P.D.‘s infamous Tech Lab, and Rose’s firm rival in everything she did. Conner, full of life and laughter, someone he used to see at the Red Ranger reunions they held every year or so, until they lost the energy and the time and the means to support them all. Man, he'd been at their *wedding reception*. Maybe he hadn't known Kira as well as the other two, but they'd fought together, and he'd always liked her. And now they were all in S.P.D. and he couldn't even *say* anything, for fear of disrupting the timeline anymore than it already had been.
It was torture, plain and simple.
There was a select group of former Rangers who had known the Dino Thunder team, and only a handful of those that knew them well. Once they'd been detected, it had been mutually agreed that those formers who knew them should stay out of the way. Honestly, it was less because they were afraid of scaring them with information about their future and more because it was really just too painful.
The handful of them that had known the trio best were gathered in the officer's common room with doors locked. Dustin was leaning against Shane on one couch, one hand playing idly with Shane's shirt as Shane ran a hand over his hair and stared into space. From what he knew, they had already known the three by the ages they were now. Adam didn't know them yet, but he would soon, through his connection to Kira. He couldn't be sure yet if Tommy had already brought Conner to a reunion to meet him, Eric, Rocky, and Carter or not. Kimberly would eventually met them through Tommy once their relationship was finally reformed and become another mentor for Kira; both women shared a passion for music and a certain prehistoric Zord. And Justin, who had build S.P.D. Newtech's computer systems from the ground up with Ethan and Rose by his side, constantly bickering with Ethan for 'flirting' with his girlfriend.
He sighed again, leaning his head back against the couch and trying not to think about what the three of them were doing right now.
Which was of course, when the alarms went off.
All eyes in the room went to Kimberly.
She hesitated, biting her lip. Finally she sighed and looked at Justin. "Can you hack into one of the Command Center's security screens from here?"
"Is Cruger blue?" the young man snorted, heading for a computer console.
There were several minutes of tense waiting as everyone waited, trying not to interrupt. "I'm in!" Justin cried suddenly, and instantly found himself surrounded.
"They've never encountered this many troops at once before."
"You gotta let us in on this!"
"No! I won't put your lives in danger. If anything happened to you in this time, the results could be catastrophic."
"Yeah, but if your cadets *lose*, none of that matters anyway."
Wes smiled faintly as Conner argued heatedly with Cruger. It was funny and nostalgic all at once, because that was Conner. And in all the years Wes had known the younger man, he never changed.
"Kat, dispatch Omega Ranger to the scene. This is not your battle. I'm going to help the others. You are to stay here, that's an order! S.P.D., Emergency!"
Once again, everyone in the room was suddenly looking at Kimberly. If Cruger was going into battle, that officially left her in charge of S.P.D. - and the Command Center. Whatever happened now was her call.
Kimberly was silent, her eyes watching the screen. After a moment, she closed them. "I'm going to the Command Center," she declared quietly.
The fact that she didn't order anyone to remain behind was immediately noted, and she wasn't the only one to head for the door.
****
"Let me guess. That's Grumm," they heard Ethan say as they rounded the corner.
"This is serious," came Kat's voice, sounding uncharacteristically worried.
"That's it. I say it's time to get prehistoric on Grumm and his goons."
"Cruger ordered us to stay here!" Kira protested.
"I don't care what happens in the past or the future. The others need us *now*!" Conner insisted.
"He's right," Kira admitted.
"Let's do it," Ethan agreed instantly.
"If you're gonna go out there, at least go prepared. Give me your Dino Gems."
"Uh ... " Conner hesitated, eyeing her warily, and Kira and Ethan immediately followed his lead. "No offense, but uh, I'm not so sure - "
"It's okay, dudes," Dustin called bouncing through the doorway with a bright smile on his face. "Kat's cool. You can trust her."
"Dustin?" Kira said incredulously. She moved to hug him, Ethan immediately following suit to bump fists as Shane made his way to grip Conner's hand with a grin. "What are you doing here? Did you get pulled forward too?"
Wes tried not to sigh at that, because of all of them, Dustin showed his age the least.
Dustin gave her a sheepish smile . "It's like, a seriously long story, and we don't really have the time, dude," he reminded her.
Kat stiffened as she caught sight of Kimberly. "Commander Oliver. I'm sorry to disobey orders, but the Rangers clearly - "
"Wait, did she just say Commander *Oliver*?" Ethan demanded. "As in like, Dr. O?"
"It's okay, Kat," Kimberly assured her with a warm smile. "You're not doing anything wrong." She gave Ethan a slight grin. "Don't you know knowing too much about your future is a bad thing?" she teased, winking at him.
Shane smiled reassuringly at Conner. "It's okay, man. They're on our side."
Kira and Ethan glanced at him, and Conner hesitated for another moment before begrudgingly removing his bracelet. "What did you have in mind?"
"A long time ago, someone proved to me that it's possible to re-fill the Power levels of a morpher that has been drained, but not destroyed," Kat explained as she worked. She didn't so much as glance at Justin as he moved to give her a hand.
"Which means ... " Conner demanded, looking annoyed.
"It *means* she can make us Rangers again, doofus," Ethan retorted, his eyes lit up eagerly.
"Which means you can go help B Squad," Kimberly affirmed.
Eric gave her an odd look. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, can't we just send - "
"We don't want Grumm to see all our resources until we absolutely have to," she reminded him. "And trust me, Eric. I know what I'm doing, okay?" Her expression softened a little.
He sighed. "As long as someone does," he grumbled.
"All right," Kat declared as she held out the Red and Yellow Dino Gems. "You're all set."
Ethan stared at Justin for a moment, frowning as their eyes met when the older man held out his Dino Gem. "Hey. Do I know you from somewhere?"
Justin smiled humorlessly. "Not yet."
Ethan's brow furrowed. "Oh. Right."
"I'll teleport you directly to the quarry site," Kat promised. "Ready?"
"Wait, teleport?" Conner demanded, moments before the three of them dissolved into columns of colored light.
"Dude, since when do we get to use teleportation for battle sites?" Dustin demanded.
"Since we don't want them to get a good look at Newtech City," Justin reminded him.
Carter glanced at Kimberly. "Are you sure about this, Kim? Letting them fight, I mean. Didn't Cruger say - "
"Cruger doesn't know what I know," she interrupted. She gave them all a faint smile. "I wasn't sure if I should, but ... Let's just say that Tommy told me once about something that hasn't happened yet. We need them here, and we need them fighting." She looked at Kat. "Just be sure to have the Delta Squad Megazord ready to help Sam when they call for it."
Kat nodded. "Yes, Ma'am."
****
B Squad and the Dino Thunder Rangers were laughing when they came into the Command Center again, and Wes smiled at the sound. At least the two teams were finally getting along now, from what Kat had told them about their first meeting. He'd have to remember to talk to Sky about that later.
Kira brightened as she saw her fellow Yellow Ranger, moving to stand beside Dustin and squeeze his arm. "Hey! Why didn't you guys come join us out there?"
"Yeah, seriously! We could have totally kicked butt!" Ethan agreed with a grin. He paused, frowning slightly, and glanced around the room. "Hey, where's Tori anyway? I haven't seen her yet."
Wes cringed, and it was impossible not to see the way Dustin winced as Shane stared at the ground.
"Dustin ... ?" Kira asked softly. "What's wrong?"
He swallowed. "We're ... we weren't brought forward, like you guys were, dude," he explained quietly. "This like, *is* our time. We both work at S.P.D. now. Tori ... " He hesitated, and the pain in his eyes was unbearable.
"Tori isn't with us anymore," Wes spoke up quietly. He owed it to them both at least; after all, he'd been there when she ... "She was destroyed, protecting Newtech City." His eyes burned at the memory, but for once he managed not to let the tears show.
Kira looked horrified, Ethan stunned. Conner stared at him blankly. "You mean she's ... "
"Gone," Shane said hollowly. "Nine years now."
There was a long moment of silence.
At last Conner swallowed. "The guy who did it. Is he ... "
"Trapped in a three by five containment card being held in a maximum security prison," Sky told him, and the fierce pride in his voice was unmistakable. "He won't be hurting anyone, ever again."
"Good," Kira said softly, squeezing Dustin's arm again.
"I said get your hands off me!" a voice snapped.
The older Rangers froze, and Wes struggled not to swear. The one person they'd tried desperately to keep from knowing what was going on, to keep from seeing them ...
Rhythm.
He strode into the room, glaring furiously back at the rest of his Squad. Sophie looked guilty, Ecliptor exasperated, while Marinda seemed to be near tears and the other two were glaring right back. "Don't *tell* me I don't have a right to be here!" he snarled, and it was disturbing to see the usually peaceful and somewhat shy cadet so furious. "I have more of a right to see them than *anyone* in this entire base!"
Then he turned around, and froze.
The three Dino Thunder Rangers blinked back at him, while the former Rangers tried not to look anxious at the unplanned meeting. It took a moment, then Sky, Syd, and Z winced in realization. Jack just frowned, not understanding what was wrong. Bridge was rubbing his temples, and out of the corner of his eye Wes could see Adam moving toward him.
"Hi," Rhythm managed at last, his voice soft.
Kira tilted her head as she offered him an uncertain smile. "Hi," she greeted. "Um ... do I know you?"
Rhythm flinched like she'd hit him.
"Hey ... Dude, now that you mention it, you look kinda like a guy we know," Conner said thoughtfully. "You wouldn't happen to be related to a Trent Fernandez, would you?"
He swallowed. "He's my father."
They stared.
"Seriously?" Ethan demanded, looking incredulous. "You're Trent's son?" He shook his head as Rhythm nodded uncertainly. "That's totally wacked."
"What's your name?" Kira asked, her smile warming a bit as she offered him a hand.
He stared down at it as if he wasn't quite sure what to do with it. "Rhythm," he said finally. "Rhythm Fernandez."
Conner snorted, and Ethan elbowed him, hard. "Dude, *Rhythm*?" he choked out. "Wow. That's uh, ... "
"My mother named me," Rhythm informed them, his eyes still on Kira's hand. "I have a twin sister named Melody."
"Rhythm and Melody? That's sweet."
He finally looked up as Kira smiled warmly at him. He smiled tentatively, and for just a moment, it wasn't an expression that Trent usually wore.
Strangely it was Conner who noticed. He was frowning, staring at Rhythm a little more intently now. "Hey, who's your mom then?"
"Conner!" Kira hissed, glaring at him. "That's a little rude, don't you - "
"Kira Fernandez."
She paused.
Conner and Ethan stared.
"My mother is Kira Fernandez," Rhythm continued quietly. He closed his eyes briefly. "She ... she, um .... "
But somehow, Kira seemed to understand. She moved forward to take his hand, giving him that same warm smile as their eyes met. "Hi, Rhythm," she said softly. "It's nice to meet you."
He just looked at her for a moment.
"How long has it been?" she prodded carefully. "Since you've seen her?"
He bit his lip, his eyes flickering over to Kimberly. "I ... "
But Kimberly wasn't telling him no, and she raised a hand when Cruger went to protest, shaking her head slightly.
Because Rhythm needed this, Wes realized.
"Nine years," the teen confessed quietly. "She's uh, the reason I joined S.P.D."
"I'm sure she's very proud of you then," Kira assured him, her smile softening.
He returned it shyly.
Something about the expression seemed to melt Kira's discomfort, and she pulled him into a hug. It was hard for those watching them who knew what had happened, what *would* happen, not to wince at the careful way Rhythm hugged her back, trying not to bury his face against her shoulder.
"But dude, how - " Conner whispered, followed by an "Ow!" as Ethan elbowed him again. "Dude, what?!"
"Hopeless," Ethan grumbled.
"I told you!" Sora hissed triumphantly to Casey in what was practically a stage-whisper in the silence. "Uncle Conner and Uncle Ethan *so* got together back when they were Rangers!"
The two in question spun around to reguard her in horror, instinctively backing away from each other several feet. "Say *what*?" Ethan demanded.
"You're kidding, right?" Conner sputtered.
Casey rolled her eyes. "Way to go, genius," she grumbled.
"Oh, like Rhythm didn't say something worse!" Sora retorted. "They were practically side-by-side earlier; what's the difference?"
Kira glanced up at Rhythm, seeming highly amused. He shrugged a little, and she laughed. "Oh, I can't *wait* to tell Dr. O!"
"He already knows," Kimberly murmured, grinning faintly.
"Where is he, anyway?" Conner asked hastily, in a rather obvious attempt to change the subject. "I mean, you'd think fighting off ugly aliens trying to take over Earth was totally his thing."
Kimberly laughed, giving him a fondly amused look. "He's our Ranger Commander, in charge of the Rangers at S.P.D. Newtech. Unfortunately he isn't here right now; he's off on a rescue mission."
"So ... who are you?" Ethan asked warily. "Kat called you Commander Oliver, didn't she?"
She smiled. "That's right. My name's Kimberly. I'm Tommy's wife."
"Dude, Dr. O. gets *married*?" Conner looked disturbed.
"So do you, man," Rocky told him with a grin.
Conner brightened at that. "To who?"
"You'd never believe me if I told you," he laughed.
Conner scowled at him. "We *have* to stick around at least long enough to meet the future Dr. O. when he gets back. I mean he's like, what? Sixty?"
"Try fifty," Kimberly smirked back. "And totally in denial."
"But you can't stay," Adam spoke up from the corner where he now had Bridge leaning against him. He shrugged his free shoulder. "You're needed in the past. There's still things you have to do."
Ethan frowned. "But do we have to go right now? I mean, I still think you guys need us here to deal with Grumm. He's gonna be madder than ever."
"Yeah, and what about Broodwing?" Kira put in as she finally released Rhythm. "He's still around slumming about somewhere."
"It's *obvious* we should stay," Conner declared. He flashed a flirty smile at Syd. "We work great together."
She smiled back sweetly. "Nice try. But I don't date older guys. And I have a girlfriend."
"Ooh!" Jack crowed as Conner stared at her in shock.
Z smirked and slipped an arm around Syd's shoulders possessively.
"We appreciate your offer to stay Rangers, but that's not possible," Cruger explained.
Syd tilted her head, leaning a little closer to Z. "Besides Kira, if you don't get back you'll never start your recording career."
Kira perked up slightly, glancing at her curiously. "My recording career?"
"Of *course*. You become a *huge* singing sensation. I grew up listening to your songs." Syd grinned.
"Yeah, and everyone knows about the Conner McKnight soccer camps," Sky put in. "They're all over the country."
He would, Wes reflected, amused. Vanessa had sent Sky to one when he was ten. Being Sky, he'd hated every minute of it - until he came home.
"For real?" Conner lit up, glancing excitedly at his teammates. "Wow!"
"And Ethan," Bridge spoke up, smiling a little now even as he continued to lean on his dad. "You *have* to go back. You develop some software that we still use here at S.P.D."
A sly grin slipped across Ethan's face. "You mean I'm a genius?" Like Conner, his eyes flickered to the other two. "Sweet."
"Relatively speaking," Wes heard Justin mutter, and he hid a grin as Kat elbowed him discreetly.
"Your lives as Rangers have made a difference," Cruger agreed. "But you go on to lead exciting and significant lives after you hang up your helmets."
Conner hesitated, looking at the other two.
Kira had forward to take Rhythm's hands. "Tell me one thing," she requested. "Is he happy?"
Rhythm nodded. "I think so. He misses you, but ... He has someone else to keep him company now."
"Good." She smiled warmly. "Tell him that's all I want for him, okay?"
"I will," he promised. He hesitated for a split second before leaning in to kiss her cheek. He was blushing when he pulled back.
Conner nodded as Kira stepped back between him and Ethan. "I think we're ready to go back, Commander."
Cruger nodded solemnly. "Your courage and dedication will live on in Ranger legend. Thank you all."
"Hey, wait a second," Ethan piped up, looking at Rhythm again. "What year were you born?"
Rhythm blinked at him. "2012. Dad says Mel and I were Spring babies."
He nodded. "So keep Kira from getting near Trent around July, 2011. Got it."
"Ethan!" she exclaimed, elbowing him. "Don't you dare!"
"Don't worry, Kira," Kimberly told her. She gave the younger woman a sympathetic smile. "First of all, he won't remember. To protect the timeline, we're going to have to erase your memories of what you saw here when we return you." She paused, and her smile turned mischievous. "Besides, Ethan's going to marry Conner one day."
Ethan's eyes went wide, while Conner looked horrified. "I am not!" they exclaimed in unison.
"Tell me they have kids," Kira begged.
Kimberly shook her head, smiling, as Kat spoke up softly. "Goodbye, Dino Rangers. We'll never forget you."
There was a sparkle of light from the three Dino Gems tucked into the center console, and then the three former Rangers were gone.
There was a long silence.
"The Dino Gems?" Cruger began.
"Will be locked in the vault with the Lightspeed and Blue Wind morphers, where they should have been all along," Kat assured him, gathering the three Gems together.
Cruger nodded. "Dismissed, everyone."
They scattered, but Wes glanced back as Kimberly lingered, her eyes on the spot were her husband's former students had stood.
"Besides," she continued quietly to no one in particular, a sad smile on her face. "They may not have had kids, but Eric McKnight named his daughter Conner Ethan McKnight in their memory."