Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a typical day in Angel Grove. Since yesterday Mondo had attacked, the rangers could count on at least a day or so until the next attack.

"Man, it really feels like Mondo had been pushing it lately," Tommy sighed as the gang sat down at their table in the youth center.

"Which makes me nervous that he is trying to exhaust you for a bigger plan," Billy voiced. Since graduating he hadn't spent much time with the gang outside of the Power Chamber, but Kat and Adam managed to convince him to come out.

"Well we still have plenty of energy," Jason said with a smirk.

"Speaking of exhausted…" Tanya started, her eyes on their tech specialist, "Billy? When was the last time you got any sleep?"

Billy looked at her with surprise on his face. The others were now looking pretty closely at him.

"Do I look that bad?" He gave a nervous laugh, and shook off her comment. "I only have had two late nights fixing up the zords."

"How late is late?" Rocky inquired.

"Til about 1am last night. The night before was 4am, but I simply lost time," the former ranger gave a shrug. "And it was a good thing too since there was an attack that day."

"Billy," the pink Ranger placed a hand on her friend's arm, "please don't make yourself sick."

Billy gave her a reassuring smile. "I'll be alright. The zords aren't going to fix themselves."

"Well we appreciate all that you do," Tommy told him. "Truly."

"I may not be able to fight by your side anymore, but I'll always do my best to support you guys," Billy said, looking down at his drink, watching the ice spin from the carbonation.

The other glanced at one another. "Billy, you know even though you're not out there with us, you are still very much a part of the team," Rocky reassured him.

"Oh…I know." Billy forced a smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable."

"No, you're good man," Tommy replied.

Billy stood up, "I should probably take advantage of this quiet time and catch up on some rest."

Kat glanced at Tommy, who gave her a subtle nod, and she stood up as well. "Do you mind if I walk with you? I have to head to the library."

Billy gave her a little smile, "Of course."

-PR-

The two walked quietly as they cut through the park towards their destinations.

"Billy," Kat said carefully, "do you ever regret the choice you made?"

Billy glanced at her, trying to read her expression. Was she asking because she was also debating stepping down? Or was she asking because he seemed to exude the emotion?

"I…" he sighed and then looked down to the pathway at their feet. "I will admit I don't feel like I'm doing as much anymore if I am not out there by your side…"

"But you do so much," Kat replied. "We wouldn't be able to defeat these monsters without you."

"I'm not so sure about that," he said, looking at her again with his small smile. "Alpha can do just about everything I can, and you're all more than capable of figuring things out." He stopped and she stopped as well. "Why do you ask?"

"Well," she took a breath, but kept her gaze on him, "since you have stepped down, you have been keeping your distance."

He opened his mouth as if to reply, but then closed it again.

Kat pressed on. "You need to know, we were all disappointed when you were unable to become the Gold Ranger, but you are still a member of our team… and our friend. We miss you. Tommy misses you…"

Billy looked down again. "I'm sorry if I seem to be keeping a distance. I know it's my own fault…"

Kat reached out to touch his arm again, "You don't have to apologize. We just want to be sure we aren't chasing you away…"

Billy hesitated, "it's just…"

His sentence was cut short as something caught his attention over Kat's shoulder.

"Cogs!"

Kat immediately spun around to Billy's side as they both brought their hands up in defense. Billy knew from experience, without the enhancement from the morphing grid, he wasn't in the best position to be fighting against cogs, but he did what he could to at least block their attacks and maneuver around them.

Kat kept an eye on the genius, while also making sure she wasn't taken by surprise by their assailants.

Suddenly she saw Billy drop forward. A cog stood over her unconscious companion as two others came forward to lift him up by his arms, his head dangling forward.

"Billy!" She ran towards them, only to be caught in the gut by the leg of a Cog. She dropped down, gasping for the air that was just knocked out of her. She lifted her head as she stood up, but the cogs all vanished.

And Billy along with them.

Kat's heart skipped a beat as she took in what had just happened. She brought her wrist up to her mouth as she activated the communicator.

"Everyone, meet me at the Power Chamber. Billy has been taken by Mondo."

-PR-

"It's not your fault Kat," Tanya reassured her, putting her hand on her shoulder.

"That's right," Tommy added. "This was clearly a planned attack."

Kat wrapped her arms around herself. "I still should have done something else. I should have gotten Billy to teleport out of there."

"Then it could have been you that was taken," Rocky pointed out.

Kat shook her head, "I think Billy was the target"

It is a possibility. Zordon's voice echoed through the chamber. However, Katherine, you mustn't place the blame on yourself. 

Kat took in a breath and nodded. She absent mindedly rubbed at the spot on her stomach where she was hit.

"Any ideas where Mondo could be keeping him?" Jason asked.

Adam and Alpha were at the consoles, pressing buttons and looking at screens that Jason didn't really understand.

"Not that we can figure at the moment," Alpha said, a tone of sadness in his voice.

"We'll keep looking," Adam promised.

-PR-

Billy opened his eyes and immediately winced at the light flooding into the room.

Where am I?

He turned to push himself into a sitting position to assess his surroundings. His head pounded at the motion and he had to take a moment to let the throbbing pain pass.

He was on the dirt floor of some sort of cell. The walls were stone, with one door made up of bars, and there was light coming from a high window that also had bars.

Everything looked…yellow.

"Oh, good you're awake," he heard a mechanical voice with a hint of youth. He turned to see a short robot looking at him through the door.

"Prince Sprocket," Billy addressed.

"You should bow," The Prince informed him.

Billy didn't move. "Why am I here?"

"Because I made a deal with Rita and Zedd so I could get something I want," The Prince informed him.

"You made a deal with Rita and Zedd?" Billy froze. "Do your parents know?"

"Not yet. They will know when they realize I have done what my father has been trying to do for too long…"

"And that is?"

"Take the Zeo Crystals and destroy the rangers. And you are the key to that."

Chapter Text

After hours of trying to get into the Machine Empire’s security system to try to be able to scan for Billy, the gang decided to take a quick break and grab some food to bring back to the Power Chamber.

“Kimberly?”

Tommy inhaled sharply as he whirled around when he heard Rocky say her name.

Sure enough, there she was in the doorway of the Youth Center, looking just as radiant as he has always known her to be.

Jason, Rocky and Adam all rushed to her, as she excitedly gave them hugs. Kat had a slight hesitation, but gave a smile and hug while Tanya stood back with Tommy.

“Kim, this is Tanya,” Kat introduced her. 

“Nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you,” Tanya said with a warm smile.

“Nice to meet you too,” Kim returned it, and then turned to Tommy. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” he gave a soft smile as he stepped closer to give a welcoming hug. She held him tightly and gave a little sigh.

“What are you doing here?” Rocky inquired.

“Well, I hurt myself during the last competition and was surprised that I felt relieved. The more time I stayed on the sidelines, the more I realized it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I missed home.”

“What about…” Kat caught herself and glanced at Tommy.

“John… right. He… wasn’t all I thought he was,” Kim looked down, ashamed. 

“But you’re here now,” Jason said cheerfully. 

“Yep. How are…things going,” Kim indicated her meaning with her tone.

“We are dealing with a problem right now,” Adam said, his own tone changing to the gravity of the situation.

Kim’s smile disappeared from her face as everyone’s happy demeanors faded.

“What’s wrong?” She lowered her voice.

“It’s Billy,” Tommy started, and Kimberly felt her heart clench. “He was captured by the Machine Empire.”

“They are the ones who have taken Zedd and Rita’s place?” Kim asked.

The team nodded back at her.

“So how do we get him back?” She inquired.

They all looked at each other and back to her. “Look, I may not be a ranger any more, but there is no way I’m not doing all I can to help.”

“We could always use an extra hand,” Rocky gave a nod to her.

“Let’s go let Zordon know that Kim is back to help,” Jason said.

They glanced around and went to the doorway.

Kim looked to Tommy for permission, and he gave a smile as she placed her hand on his shoulder to ride the teleporter with him.

“Just like old times,” he said.

And with beams of color, they vanished.

-PR-

Billy looked around at his cell. 

He just needed one point of weakness to be able to get out, or send a signal...

“Well well,” Billy froze as he heard the familiar voice. “There he is…”

He turned to see Rita and Zedd, along with Mondo and Machina looking into his cell. He felt like an animal at the zoo.

“Your son did well,” Zedd commended the mechanical royals. “And so our deal stands.”

“I am so glad we could come together,” Queen Machina voiced. “The only way to handle these pests is together.”

“Well since you have taken their genius, we will be able to send our newest general to earth for those pesky rangers to deal with,” Zedd said, as he eyed Billy, who didn’t shrink back. 

“What are you going to do with me?” Billy demanded.

“Don’t worry,” Rita reached her hand through the bars to touch Billy’s cheek, but he stepped away. “You are an important part to the end of your friends.”

Billy shook his head, “they’ll find me. They’ll come get me.”

“I have no doubt they will try,” Mondo said. “And maybe we’ll even let them.”

“In the meantime…” Zedd raised his staff, pointing the top of the “Z” towards Billy. 

The last thing Billy saw was a red beam of energy coming towards him.

The last thing he felt was almost a buzzing sensation over his entire body.

And then darkness.

-PR-

It is great to see you Kimberly, Zordon welcomed the former pink ranger back, I wish it was under better circumstances.

“Me too, Zordon,” Kim replied.

“Rangers, I have been getting closer to being able to get through the Machine Empires security system,” Alpha informed them. Adam stood next to him and squinted to look at one of the scanners. “Soon we should be able to scan the area and find Billy.”

“That’s good news,” Tanya said, peeking over Adam’s shoulder. 

Tommy looked at the rest of the team, noting that Kat was sitting on a step in the corner. Kim followed his gaze, seeing the pink ranger leaning her arms on her knees, head in her hands. Kim looked back to Tommy with a question in her eyes.

“Kat blames herself,” Tommy informed her softly, “She was with Billy when they were attacked and he was taken.”

Kim nodded, understanding what Kat may be feeling. She walked over to her successor and sat by her side.

“You wanna talk about it?” Kim asked her quietly,

“What’s to talk about?” Kat said, with a shrug. “I couldn’t save him.”

“But we can get him back,” Kim reassured her. “And you could have been taken too. It’s better for the team to have you here to help.”

Kat didn’t answer. Kim leaned back on her elbows and looked up at the ceiling of the Power Chamber.  

“It’s never easy,” Kim said. “We do our best to protect, but there are times our teammates get hurt. There are times they get captured. You and I have both been captured in the past. And we know it wasn’t anyone’s fault. And we always come through with the rescue.”

Kat lifted her head to look at Kim. She sighed, “you’re right… Billy and I were just talking about how he had been keeping us at a distance. Things have been harder for him since he stepped down, and I don’t want him to feel any worse. And who knows what they could be doing to him. They had a plan to take him, there must have been a reason why.”

Kim nodded. “Zedd and Rita would target Billy because of his intelligence, and how he played an important role in us defeating them… he still fills that spot on the team, I’m sure.”

Kat paused. “You’re right. That is a Rita and Zedd move…”

Kim frowned, following Kat’s line of thinking. “You don’t think…”

“I do, and I really hope I’m wrong…”

“What is it?” Jason had noticed the expression on their faces.

“What if Rita and Zedd have something to do with this,” Kat asked. She and Kim stood, and the team gave them their attention. “Mondo is always focusing on us. Because he wants the zeo crystals… the Machine Empire is strong, but has always attacked with blinders on.”

“Taking Billy sounds like a bigger scheme,” Kim added.

“Mondo and Zedd?” Rocky visibly shuddered. “That’s not who I would want teaming up…”

Alpha turned to them, “I’m afraid it may be so, rangers.”

Adam nodded to the viewing globe. 

“By expanding the view of the area, we are able to see a familiar outline,” Adam said, chewing at his lower lip. 

“Serpentera,” Tommy recognized.

Suddenly the alarm went off. 

Adam quickly hit a switch to change the view on the globe.

“Ay yi yi!” Alpha said. “There’s a collection of Tenga Warriors and Cogs attacking people at the park!”

“That’s an invitation if I ever saw one,” Kim observed. 

“And it’s one we are going to have to RSVP to,” Tommy replied. “Kim, stay here until we get back. We don’t need to lose another friend right now.”

Kim sighed, but nodded.

Tommy looked to the others, his eyes landing on Jason who gave him a nod.

“It’s morphin time!”

-PR-

The Rangers flipped into action, taking on the Tengas and Cogs as they rushed them.

One by one each foot soldier was subdued.

“Alright!” Jason called out. “You have our attention!”

“Come out and face us!”

“With pleasure,” Zedd appeared with Rita by his side. 

“Zedd! Do you have something to do with Billy being taken by Mondo?” Tommy demanded.

“He was needed for our treaty,” Zedd said.

“A treaty with you could never last very long,” Adam commented. 

“Well for now we are united,” Rita said with a smile. “With a new general to do our bidding!”

“New general?” Rocky tilted his head. “What about Rito and Goldar?”

“Those fools have been missing for months!” Zedd replied. “Clearly we needed someone more reliable.”

“And here he is!” Rita raised her wand. “Come my Midnight Ranger!”

“Midnight Ranger?” Tanya looked to the others. 

Suddenly there was a flash of a deep purple color rushing past the rangers. 

Sparks flew as they all went flying back from the impact.

They all struggled to rush back to their feet, glancing up to see a ranger in purple, with a silver shield protecting his chest. The symbol on his helmet looked like a multi-pointed star.

“I thought they would be a challenge,”  the voice from the ranger sounded slightly mechanical.

“We will be,” Tommy positioned himself into a fighting stance. 

The Midnight Ranger stepped into a defense mode that echoed the rangers fighting style. 

“Careful,” Adam warned. 

The rangers all rushed forward, this time on the attack. 

And each ranger was deflected by their opponent.

“Is that all you got?” The ranger said with a chuckle, which gave Kat chills. Something about a robot laughing seemed…wrong.

Suddenly the Midnight Ranger raised a hand to his head, stumbling slightly. 

“That seems to be enough for today,” Rita held up her wand and the Midnight Ranger disappeared. “Next time he will be fully charged Rangers! Just wait and see!”

Zedd joined in on her laugh as they vanished.

“A new Ranger opponent…” Tommy sighed.

“Let’s get back to the Power Chamber and see what Zordon has to say about this,” Tanya said.

Everyone voiced their agreement as they teleported back.

-PR-

Billy opened his eyes, being met with the sight of the wall of his cell.

He felt so tired.

Are they draining me? He wondered.

He remembered being zapped by Zedd…

He glanced down at his body, noticing his communicator was now gone, replaced by another type of device.

What it was… he didn’t know just yet.

But it probably wasn’t anything good.

Chapter Text

Kim frowned at the viewing globe, seeing Rita and Zedd’s new “pet” ranger. Suddenly the Purple Ranger showed a sign of faltering and the three took their leave.
Suddenly there were flashes of color as the team returned to the Power Chamber.
“Who is he, Zordon?” Jason asked.
The Midnight Ranger gets his power from a corrupted crystal.
“Much like how Rita corrupted the Dragon coin…” Tommy recalled.
Yes, but it seems the hold on this crystal is fairly strong. The Midnight Crystal is one that requires the partnership of another crystal to be balanced.
“Another crystal?” Rocky looked at the others.
“So there are two crystals.”
“The Midnight and Twilight Crystals were once united like the Zeo Crystal was and also hidden on the moon. After many years it was thought they were destroyed,” Alpha explained. “The original rangers were twins. A brother and sister known as the Gemini. Their connection linked the crystals together.”
“So the Midnight Crystal is a sub crystal,” Adam concluded. “And the Twilight Crystal is still out there.”
“Or Rita and Zedd already have it.” Rocky suggested.
“I don’t know,” Tommy said with a frown. “They like to flaunt what they have. And there was a reason why they called us out to show us that they have a new ranger…”
My thinking as well, Tommy. Zordon glanced over his “children.” There is a chance that the Twilight sub crystal is still out there.
“I can open a second scanner to search for the energy of the Twilight Crystal,” Alpha volunteered.
“This seems like a lot,” Kim voiced. “First they take Billy, then they introduce their new ranger…something big is being planned and they are trying to psych you guys out.”
“Speaking of Billy, we found him,” Adam took note of the first scanner. “But getting to him won’t be easy.”
“It never is,” Kat muttered.
Adam looked to the viewing globe as the Rangers were able to see Billy lying on the ground.
Asleep?
Unconscious?
Hurt?
“Oh Billy…” Kim whispered, pained at the sight of her oldest friend.
“Is he alright?” Tanya asked.
“It’s hard to tell…” Alpha admitted.
Suddenly there was static on the screen as the picture cut out.
“We know where he is,” Tommy said. “We need to start planning a rescue.”

-PR-

“Billy,” a voice started to rouse Billy from his sleep.
He was laying on something that wasn’t dirt…
But wasn’t he in a cell?
He opened his eyes slowly, seeing Rita above him, pressing a cooling cloth to his forehead.
He jerked awake at this, sitting up suddenly, his head pounding again from the motion. He looked at Rita with confusion, realizing that Machina was also in the room. He pressed himself up against the wall.
“What is this?” He demanded.
“Oh, Billy,” Rita said with a little pout. “You don’t need to be afraid. We just want to talk to you.”
Klank walked in, handing some sort of scroll to Machina, “the report, My Queen.”
Machine didn’t even acknowledge him as she opened it up.
“We will have to try something different, in order for it to last longer,” Machina told Rita.
“Try what?” Billy asked. He put his hand to his head, “What did you do to me?”
Rita shot a look at Billy, but caught herself before she could snap at him. Her voice softened again. “I think maybe we should mix some older techniques with some newer ones.”
She reached for her scepter, and Machina turned towards a computer that was set up besides the bed.
The scepter glowed as Billy heard Machina click a switch.
And then his mind was swimming…
He closed his eyes, trying to shake the dizziness.
“Don’t fight it Billy,” Rita commanded him. “Give in and everything will feel so much better.”
He didn’t want to do as she said, but the pain in his head was starting up again, and he found himself listening to her.
Anything to make it stop.
And it did.
“Good, Billy,” Rita must have noticed his body complying. “You don’t need to fight anymore. You will be rewarded with everything that you have been missing.”
Billy felt a slight tingle in his mind at her words. What she said made him want to know more. He’ll find out what they want with him if he just…
“Listen closely.”

-PR-

“I think we can figure out a way in,” Adam finally said. “And we have pinpointed where the Twilight Crystal is.”
“Should we wait for everyone?” Tommy asked.
Rocky had to go teach a class, Tanya had after school tutoring, and Jason went to go meet up with Emily, who was bringing him a bag of food from Ernie for the gang.
Adam looked to the others.
Kat stood, “we should at least start making plans. We can fill the others in when they get back.”
Tommy nodded and looked to Adam, “so what are we looking at?”
“From what we can see, Billy is being held in this area,” he pointed to a lit up area in the floor plans that was on the viewing globe.
“And the crystal?”
“Over here,” Adam pointed to a quiet area of the moon.
“We can do a double distraction… someone goes to retrieve the crystal, others will go to confront them about returning Billy while a couple of us are sneaking in to do just that.” Tommy suggested.
“I’ll go get the crystal,” Adam volunteered.
Actually Adam, it would be best for Kimberly to retrieve it, Zordon suggested.
Tommy glanced at Kim. “Is that a good idea, Zordon?”
Kimberly is capable of wielding the crystal, as a former ranger who has knowledge of the morphing grid.
“Also, if all of you are discovered, they will notice if one ranger is missing from the group,” Kim noted. “They won’t be looking for me.”
Tommy thinned his lips. “I’m not sure I like this. If you take possession of the crystal, doesn’t it tie you to the Midnight Ranger?”
“Which gives us an opportunity to pull the crystal towards good,” Alpha offered.
“Or it places Kim in danger of being captured.”
“Tommy,” Kim stepped up to him. This was as close as they have physically been since she got back, besides the awkward hug hello. “Do you trust me?”
Tommy looked at her closely. He could smell the fresh rose scent she always wore, which differed from the sweet vanilla one Kat wore. He sighed and gave her a nod.
“I trust you. But we know Zedd and Rita are involved… and a new ranger that they control.”
“They couldn’t control you,” Kim noted. “And they won’t control me.”
Tommy nodded.
“It’s settled then. Let’s start making plans.”

-PR-

Billy stood in a world of a dream.
“Where am I?” His voice seemed to echo.
“Where you belong,” came a familiar voice. “Far away from us.”
Billy turned to see Tommy, who stood before him with his arms crossed.
“What?” Billy looked at him in disbelief.
“You’re just in the way,” Jason said on the other side. “You’ve always been the weakest link.”
He turned to his side to see someone else step forward.
“No wonder you gave me your crystal,” Tanya shook her head.
“Blue is more my color anyway,” Rocky added, coming up from behind him.
“I can nearly do anything you can,” Adam interjected, “and we have Alpha.”
Billy felt his heart sinking.
“You…you can’t all mean that.”
“Are you really surprised?”
Billy turned to the last ranger.
Kat.
“You said it yourself, you have been distancing yourself from us. How long until we realized how much we don’t need you. How much better off we are if you’re not around.”
“I know I haven’t been as involved outside of the Power Chamber…” Billy looked down.
“And it’s been for the better.”
Billy stepped back.
“You gave up your power, why did you think you deserved any back?”
“It’s a good thing you couldn’t take the Gold Ranger power.”
“This can’t be true.” Billy placed his hands over his ears to block out the voices. “You are my friends.”
“Are we?” Someone’s voice mocked.
He couldn’t even tell who it was any more.
Suddenly everyone froze.
“Poor Billy,” came Rita’s voice. With it came the tingling sensation again, soothing the pain in his chest and head. “They don’t appreciate you. After everything you have done for them…”
He lowered his hands, turning to look at Rita, who stood before him. He glanced around at the faces of his “friends”.
“How could they…?” He glanced around at each one, his eyes lingering on Kat and Tommy. He turned back to Rita. “I…this must be some kind of trick.”
“Is it?” She challenged. “Or is the real trick the lies you have been telling yourself? That they are your friends? You’ve always been the one left behind. You’re the one who has to know and fix everything, but when you are in need? Where are they?”
She gestured around him. He glanced and realized the rangers had vanished.
“Adam is trying to be you, and put you down. Rocky has replaced you. Tanya doesn’t even put in the work. Jason is thankful you failed. And Kat is too busy pining over Tommy to care about anything else.”
Rita stepped a bit closer, her wand glowing slightly. “And Tommy uses you until you’re not needed any more.”
Billy felt angry.
This was what he feared, of course he was right in the end.
He felt the tingle sensation again, which made him feel good.
Strong.
“Zedd and I always knew there was something special about you.” Rita placed a hand to his cheek. “Let us give you what you want.”
Billy hesitated.

-PR-

Machina watched silently as the sound waves washed over Billy’s body, keeping him in a trance.
Rita opened her eyes and looked at the metal queen, giving her a nod.
Machina switched off the computer, and the sound waves stopped.
Billy’s eyes fluttered for a moment, then slowly blinked open. He glanced around at his surroundings and slowly sat up.
“How do you feel?” Rita asked him.
“I feel better,” he answered, “stronger.”
“What is your purpose?”
“To serve you, Mistress, and my Lord.”
Rita smiled and looked over to Machina.
“And your mission?”
Billy’s eyes flashed.
“To bring an end to the Power Rangers.”

Chapter Text

“Is everyone in place?”

Tommy leaned against the wall by a vent entrance with Kat and Adam. Adam knew the area where Billy was being kept, and Tommy remembered some of the layout from when he was brainwashed and kept here.

“ We’re set. ” Jason stood with Rocky and Tanya, preparing to stand before the front door of the Machine Empire’s base.

-PR-

“I’m making my way into the cavern,” Kim responded. She looked around with a flashlight, although some of the rocks in the wall gave off their own glow.

“ Kim, if there is any issue, contact us immediately, ” Adam told her. “ I have a lock on your location and can have Alpha pull you out. ”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Kim glanced around, sighing. “Alright crystal…where are you?”

-PR-

“Mondo!” Jason called. “We have come for our friend!”

Mondo looked down at them. 

“You are very brave to come here,” he told them. “Or very stupid.”

Without a word, Cogs started to funnel out of the gate.

“I’m beginning to feel more stupid,” Rocky said, lifting his arms in defense.

“We just have to last long enough for the others to reach Billy.” Jason reminded him.

“Let’s do this,” Tanya started to swing at the cog closest to her.

-PR-

“It should be this way,” Tommy led the way down the corridor. 

They reached the cell that they thought Billy would be in, but he was nowhere to be found.

“He’s not here,” Kat looked at Adam and Tommy. “Where else could he be?”

“Looking for someone?” Came Sprocket’s voice behind them.

The trio turned and lifted their hands. 

“Where is Billy?” Tommy demanded.

“Probably still undergoing some testing,” Sprocket said, his tone slightly annoyed. 

“Where?” Adam pressed.

“Like I would tell you,” the little Prince responded. “Cogs? Get them!”

“This is not good,” Adam said. “We can’t risk them pushing us back into the cell, or we are as good as caught.”

“We have to push to the outside,” Tommy replied. “Let’s go.”

-PR-

“ Billy isn’t in the cell, ” came Adam’s voice.

“Any idea where he may be?” Jason asked, flipping a cog into another.

“ Sprocket said he is being tested on, ” Kat informed them. “ But not where. ”

“Mondo, you forgot to invite us to the party!” Zedd’s voice came from above, as he made his way next to the King. 

Tengas were added to the mix.

“Zedd’s here!” Rocky called to the others. “We are in danger of being overwhelmed!”

“ We have some cogs on our heels, but we should be able to get to you… ” Tommy responded.

-PR- 

Kim heard the struggle of her friends and hesitated for a moment.

You can’t do anything to help them as you are, she reminded herself. You need the crystal.

“Come on. I need you to help everyone,” she said out loud, squeezing herself farther into the cavern.

“Then help, you will,” came a voice. 

Kim froze.

“Who’s there?”

“My name is Polla,” a young woman appeared, bathed in a warm light. “I am the original bearer of the Twilight Crystal. When there were those in need, I would answer their call with my brother, Castor, bearer of the Midnight Crystal. During a great battle we were weakened and split from each other, unable to continue on.”

“And you’ve been here all this time?” Kim asked.

“My brother fell and I could not revive him. I could not continue on without him. Our crystals cannot last long without the other…” Polla looked down, sad.

Kim had to restrain herself from stepping up to this stranger and pulling her into a hug.

“The Midnight Crystal has fallen into evil hands.”

Polla looked at Kim, “Then take comfort that the one who bears the crystal will never hold their strength for long.”

“Considering the one who has it is a machine, I don’t think it upsets them much. But they will come for this crystal too,” Kim bit at her lip. “Please. Let me and my friends protect it.”

Polla stepped closer to Kim, studying her.

“The crystals are linked. Once you become the guardian of this crystal, you will be connected to the other. I sense your compassion and believe you to be strong enough to pull the crystal back safely.”

Kim wasn’t sure how she should feel about that.

“Do the crystals only work together?”

“No. But the balance is needed to sustain the energy for a long period of time. If one should fall, the other can revive them…but there are limits,” Polla explained.

Kim didn’t need to ask what she meant by “ if one should fall.”

“My brother and I could reign each other in. We could lend our energy, and at times our balance was absolute and our energy untouchable.” Polla seemed to be reliving fond memories. Then her face turned sad again, but only for a moment. She looked into Kim’s eyes.

“Become the Twilight Ranger, and return the Midnight Crystal back to the light. Do you accept the challenge?”

Kim nodded.

“I accept the challenge.”

-PR-

The Rangers were now reunited on what had turned into the battlefield. Cogs and Tengas attacked from all sides.

“We are going to have to retreat!” Jason advised.

“Not without Billy!” Kat declared.

“Jason may be right,” Tommy told her, spinning a kick into the Cog that was coming from behind.

“We need to regroup!”

“Getting tired Rangers?” Zedd inquired from above. 

“We have to do something ,” Rocky said. 

“I think it’s time for round two,” The red lord declared. 

Mondo held up his hand, the cogs stopping and backing away, the Tenga’s following them.

The Rangers regrouped together and eyed the circle made up of the two kinds of foot soldiers that they were now in the center of.

A robotic voice came from behind them. 

“It’s my turn, Rangers.”

They turned to see the Midnight Ranger flipping over the cogs that were in his way.

The Rangers immediately went into a defensive stance.

“Take it from someone with experience,” Tommy informed the purple ranger, “‘evil’ rangers don’t last.”

The Midnight Ranger didn’t respond as he rushed through them, much like the first time, striking them as he raced past. They all fell as he turned to look at them. 

“You didn’t learn from the first time,” he tilted his head. “That’s unfortunate.”

They struggled to their feet, resuming their defensive poses.

He mirrored them. 

-PR-

Polla handed Kim the Twilight Crystal.

“May the power protect you,” she blessed her successor. 

“May you find peace with your brother,” Kim wished back.

She looked down at the crystal as a light purple light seemed to consume her. 

She felt a wave of warmth, and some slight dizziness.

She felt strength, but also a sense of unease. 

“The Midnight Ranger,” she realized. “I can sense him too.”

She closed her eyes, seeing her friends through the Midnight Rangers eyes.

Stop… she willed into him.

She could see that he had stopped moving. She tried to connect into his mind to figure out how to reach him. 

Stop him.

Help him.

Help… him.

“Guys, I have the crystal,” she communicated. “But there’s something you should know.”

-PR-

Their opponent had stopped, raising both hands to his head, and shaking it as if he was trying to clear it.

“Kim, are you alright?” Adam asked, taking advantage of the pause.

“ Yeah, I’m fine. But the Midnight Ranger… ”

“What are you doing?” Zedd demanded of his pawn. “Attack them!”

“There’s…someone else in my head,” the purple ranger replied. He clicked his helmet to open it.

A sound over the communicator indicated that Kim was struggling with something.

“Kimberly,” Tommy called through to her. “Are you ok?”

“ The Midnight Ranger is…”

“Billy!” Kat called.

The rangers watched as the Midnight Ranger lowered his helmet, revealing that Billy had been in the suit.

Chapter Text

“Well I guess the cat is out of the bag,” Mondo chuckled. 

Billy shook his head again, as if trying to focus, and brought his attention back to the rangers. 

“Billy, snap out of it!” Jason called to him. “We’re your friends!”

“Friends?” Billy scoffed at that. “No, I’m just a joke to you!”

“What are you talking about?” Tommy asked.

“You were all too happy to have me step aside and invite Tanya onto the team. Rocky, how you had no issues dropping red for blue. And how quickly did you think of Jason after I couldn’t take the Gold Power?” Billy threw at him. “I’m the weakest link, aren’t I? Always in the way? Adam, aren’t you looking to push me out of the Power Chamber as well?”

“I was trying to help you,” Adam protested. “You’ve been so tired and working so hard, I wanted to be of use…”

“Billy, you can’t really believe all of that,” Kat said quietly.

“It’s right in front of my face. Why shouldn’t I be able to see it?”

“Enough talk!” Rita’s voice demanded. “Billy. Attack them!”

Billy put his helmet back on. “Yes, my Empress.”

Tommy and Kat both winced, remembering their time under her control.

“What do we do?” Tanya asked. “We can’t fight Billy.”

“We’re going to have to,” Jason replied. 

“Set up the Zeo blaster to stun,” Tommy commanded.

“Won’t that just reinforce what he thinks of us?”

“Looks more like you need reinforcements,” Kim’s voice came clear. They turned to see a light purple ranger, a lavender color, appearing behind them, with a shape in the helmet that matched Billy’s Midnight suit.

“What’s this?” Zedd demanded- turning to Rita. 

Rita was uncertain. “Some kind of trick!” She cried. “Midnight Ranger! Attack them!”

Don’t Kim willed her thoughts into Billy.

Billy hesitated.

No, he argued. You attack them from behind. 

She felt an urge to listen, but only for a moment.

We will not hurt our friends.

Your friends, the thought was almost like a shot.

Our friends.

Kim thought back to what Polla said.

One cannot truly function without the other. They can bring each other up, to bring each other down. They could even revive each other.

It’s just a matter of whose will was stronger.

Her will is pure.

His has been tampered.

She refused to believe that Billy actually felt this way towards their friends. Which means there must be, at his core, his true feelings.

“Ok, Billy. We’ll do this the hard way.”

She rushed forward towards him, and he started towards her.

She zipped to the side of him and linked her energy with his. 

He found himself almost tied to her. 

“What?” He swung at her, and she blocked it.

“Kim, you’re too close,” Adam warned her.

Kim and Billy were locked in a quick hand to hand.

“Now!” She called out, dropping herself down and willing him to freeze, trying to hold onto him.

The Power Rangers took advantage of this and stunned Billy.

He let out a pained cry as he demorphed and collapsed to the ground.

“NO!” Came Rita’s shriek as the rangers rushed to Kim and Billy and teleported them all out of there.

“Consider this the end of our truce,” Mondo said to Zedd.

At that moment the Cogs turned on the Tengas.

-PR-

“The rangers are returning, Zordon,” Alpha informed him.

Suddenly there were multiple colors in the room. 

The rangers all powered down. Billy lay,unconscious, on the ground, Kim kneeling by his side.

“Is he going to be alright?” She asked Alpha.

“We will need to run some tests before we know for sure,” the little robot responded, honestly.

Kim stood up and felt a rush of dizziness wave over her.

“Kim!” Both Tommy and Jason called out, but it was Rocky who caught her as she swooned.

“Is it from the new power?” Tanya looked to Zordon. 

Either that, or it is the connection she now shares with Billy. If one weakens, the other may find themself feeling the effects. 

“We need to get them both in the med bay,” Kat said.

The others agreed. Rocky pulled Kim completely up into his arms as Jason and Tommy went to Billy’s side to lift him up.

Kat watched as they left the room.

“We got Billy back,” Tanya reassured her. 

Adam glanced over at them.

“Physically…” Kat reminded her. “Reversing the brainwashing is another challenge altogether.”

“But we have him here physically to help him,” Tanya pointed out.

“Tanya’s right,” Adam said to Kat. “He may not be ‘our’ Billy at the moment… but we’ll get through to him. And it helps that Kim is linked to him.”

Kat took his words into consideration and nodded.

-PR-

Kim looked around the dark room. Why was it so foggy here?

“Hello?” She called out, but stayed on her guard. 

“Kim?” Billy's voice almost startled her. She didn’t actually expect an answer. “Are you really here?”

She turned to see him down in the corner. She rushed over to him.

“Billy!”

“Shhh,” he pulled her to him, almost protectively. “They’ll hear you and come back.”

“Who?” She looked around and then back to him, frowning at the bruises she now spied on him. “Who did this?” She raised a hand to his cheek.

“The others…Tommy, Jason… all of them,” he said. “Something is wrong. I must have done something wrong. They turned on me.”

“No… Billy…” she tried to reason with him. “It’s a spell. This is your mind. It’s all in your mind.”

He looked at her trying to figure out if what she said was true. 

“Isn’t this touching,” Kat’s voice interrupted them. 

They turned to see Kat, Tommy and Adam standing before them. 

“Come on, Billy. Up for the next round? We need to train and you aren’t good for anything else,” Tommy practically spat.

Kim looked back at Billy.

“This isn’t real,” she repeated.

He looked from her to the shadows of the others.

“Then why does the pain feel so real?”

And then there was a bright light.

-PR-

Kim opened her eyes.

“You’re awake!” Tommy stood and walked over to the slab that they had placed her on.

Kim sat up and looked around the room. Billy was on the slab next to her, in restraints. Tanya and Alpha were running some sort of test on him.

“How is he?” Kim asked.

“His vitals are normal, though his energy seems to be wavering,” Alpha informed them.

Kim stood up.

“Woah,” Tommy told her. “Careful, not too fast.”

“I’m ok, Tommy,” she reassured him. She walked over to Billy and placed her hand on the strap that held his left wrist. She looked at the others, the question reading on her face.

“He woke up briefly,” Tanya told her quietly. “He tried to attack Alpha.”

“He’s still under the spell,” Tommy commented sadly.

“It’s more than that,” Kim said. “I was in his mind, I think. They rewrote the narrative in his mind. He’s trapped in a room in his mind and you guys are in there… hurting him…”

“So he sees us as enemies,” Tommy realized the picture that was being painted. “This is similar to what Rita did to me. It’s not straight hypnotism. It’s a reinforced story.”

“So how do we break it?” Tanya asked.

“I could be put back to sleep. I can try to help him see the truth.” Kim looked down at Billy, whose eyes were tracking under his kids. “Alpha, can you do it?”

“It could be dangerous… having you in his mind…” Alpha said carefully. 

“But I’m connected to his mind,” Kim reminded him. “As long as we hold the Twilight and Midnight Crystals, we will be connected.”

“That’s true.”

“Why don’t we ask Zordon?” Tommy suggested. 

“It’s either that or I wait until I fall asleep again,” Kim looked again at Billy, placing a hand to his cheek. “And with how he was when I left him, I don’t want to wait.”

-PR-

I believe we can induce you into a sleep so you can try to reach Billy , Zordon agreed with the plan. 

Kimberly thought.

“Is there any way that the others can come with me?”

“Into Billy’s mind?” Rocky asked.

“In his mind, you guys are attacking him. Hurting him,” Kim informed them. “If you guys come to his rescue against these…evil versions of yourselves, he’ll see that they are fake.”

“Alpha? Is there a way?” Kat asked.

“There is a way we can induce a sleep and use sound waves to match you all on a frequency that can guide your unconscious minds to cross,” Alpha answered.

“So we can?” Tommy gave a little smile.

“But do all of us go?” Adam asked. “This would be a terrible time for Angel Grove to be attacked…”

Mondo and Zedd are currently fighting with each other. This would be the best time to rescue Billy from Rita's brainwashing.

“So what are we waiting for?” Jason looked at his teammates.

“Let’s go save Billy.”

Chapter Text

“Are you sure you are ready, rangers?” Alpha asked them.

They had set up enough places to rest in the Zord Bay, and they relocated Billy there, laying him on the floor, so they can lay in a circle, and have him be a part of it.

He looked peaceful for the moment, even though a few minutes earlier he had winced and jerked his head to the side.

Kim stood next to him, almost protectively.

“Ready,” Tommy took his spot, as the others took theirs.

The group each looked at one another, confirming with each other the importance of this.

Kim took Billy’s hand, and looked to Kat who did the same on the other side. They both laid down and looked to their respective sides clasping hands with their next partner. Kat took Adam’s hand on her other hand, who then took Tanya’s. Tanya looked to confirm with Rocky on her other side as they clasped hands, and Rocky also had Jason.

Jason nodded to him and then looked at Tommy.

“We’ll get him back,” he reassured his friend.

Tommy looked between Jason and Kim. 

They needed to get Billy back.

“We can do this,” Tommy agreed, and both boys took one last glance at Kim.

“Yeah,” Kim confirmed, looking at Jason, who has known Billy for as long as her. She matched the Gold Rangers look of confidence and used it to reassure Tommy.

“It’s best to close your eyes, rangers,” Alpha instructed. “The effects can be dizzying.”

They all closed their eyes and heard a machine click and whir.

-PR-

Billy was exhausted. 

He was bruised.

He was trapped.

If he stepped outside this area, they would come for him again. Now it was just a matter of waiting for them to just come back for him.

Bang bang bang.

There was the warning.

“Billy!” Jason’s voice called.

“Don’t try to hide,” Tommy’s joined. “It’s only going to make things worse.”

Billy sighed and stood up. 

He might as well face it head on this time. Maybe he can get in a few more punches.

He stood in defense waiting, as the door busted open and the rangers came in.

“Look at that. He’s going to try to fight us,” Rocky said with a laugh.

Billy raised his hands.

“Ew. Do I really sound like that?” Came Rocky’s voice- but not from his mouth. “Please tell me that is an evil exaggeration.”

Billy felt a wave of confusion, but didn’t want to let down his guard.

Tommy stepped up and took a swing. Billy raised an arm to block, but it wasn’t necessary as Tommy’s hand was caught…by Tommy.

Billy stumbled back as the rest of the rangers filed in front of him, opposite themselves.

“This isn’t going to help you,” Bad Kat informed Billy.

“Actually it’s not going to help you,” Kat told her copy.

“You guys are just twisted ripoffs,” Rocky cracked.

“And you’re nothing compared to the real deal,” Tommy pushed Bad Tommy back.

And with that, there was chaos as the rangers fought themselves.

Billy looked around, bewildered, but was pulled back into the moment as Kim ran to his side.

“Kim…” he looked at her. “You came back.”

“With reinforcements,” she told him. “Alpha put us in a sleep and on some frequency so we could all come to help you.”

He glanced back around the room at his friends fighting the evil versions of themselves that had taken residence in his mind.

“It’s not real…” he said out loud.

“It’s part of a spell,” Kim confirmed. “Rita, Zedd, the Machine Empire… they showed you this in your mind,” she gestured to where they were and to the dark version of the others. “To keep your real consciousness trapped.”

Billy recognized the description. “To turn me against you,” he finished. Kim nodded.

“This is your mind, Billy,” She placed one hand on his shoulder, the other on his cheek. “You have the real power here. Take it back. Come back to us.”

Billy studied her closely, placing his hand on hers against his cheek. 

There was Kimberly.

No evil version of her fought him. She was here giving him strength and he felt it.

He turned Tanya and her “evil twin” coming the closest to them. 

He raised a hand, the evil version going flying and disappearing through the wall. 

Next was Rocky and Adam.

Then Kat, Jason and Tommy.

The Rangers took a moment to catch their breath, looking to Billy, whose face no longer showed any sign of bruising.

They made their way over to him. 

But then everything around them started to dissolve…

-PR-

Tommy opened his eyes. 

He was back on the floor of the Zord Bay. He glanced at Kim on one side of him and Jason on the other side, both of them were stirring.

Tommy pulled himself up into a sit as the rest of the team was doing the same.

“Welcome back Rangers,” Alpha said softly.

“Is everyone alright?” Tommy inquired. 

He was met by everyone’s positive responses.

He glanced at Kim, who was leaning over Billy, who had yet to wake up.

Kat was on the other side of him.

“Billy?” Kim placed her hand on his cheek again, running her thumb up and down, trying to stir him.

Kat looked from Kim to Billy with worry. The others had stood, but were careful not to crowd them.

After what felt like forever, Billy finally let out a soft moan. 

“Billy?” Jason had made his way to Kim’s side, as Tommy crossed to join Kat.

Billy opened his eyes, blinking from the light and taking a moment to process the worried faces looking down at him. He winced from the throbbing pain in his head, and looked up and around, recognizing his position on the Zord Bay floor.

“Did I fall off a Zord again?” He asked, furrowing his brow trying to think. “I don’t remember which one I was working on…”

“Billy,” Kim brought his attention back to her.

“Kimberly…” his mind finally processed that she was in front of him. “When did you… I…”

“Can you sit up?” Jason asked him.

Billy slowly started to pull himself to a sit, Tommy assisting him, and positioning himself so his friend could lean on him. 

“I’m confused,” the young genius admitted. 

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Kat asked him.

“I was…walking home from Ernie’s…with you, Kat,” Billy frowned. “I…it’s a little blurry. Were we attacked?”

Kat nodded, her eyes tearing up once more. 

“Prince Sprocket… and Rita…” Billy was beginning to put the pieces together. 

And then his face fell. 

He looked around at his friends. “What did I do?”

“You gave us a run for our money,” Jason admitted. “But you’re back now.”

Billy started to stand up, Tommy hurrying to stand as well. 

As expected, Billy got a little lightheaded due to his movements. The Red Ranger, gripped onto him. 

Kim echoed Billy’s motions, Jason grabbing her side.

“Billy, is that your headache?” Kimberly asked, looking at him concerned, as she raised a hand to her head.

“Yes…wait… how?”

“There is a lot that needs to be explained,” Alpha said. “We should go back to the Power Chamber and let Zordon know.”

The others started to follow Alpha out, each voiced their happiness that Billy was back. 

Kat wrapped her arms around Billy. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

He placed a hand around her back. “It’s not your fault,” he promised her.

He released her and looked at Jason, Tommy, and Kim.

“I don’t know what to say,” he confessed.

“There’s nothing to say,” Tommy informed him. “I know what it’s like.”

“I do too,” Kat reminded Billy. 

“We know the tricks they try to pull, you cannot blame yourself,” Jason added.

“Come on,” Kim said. “There’s a lot to catch Billy up on.”

Chapter Text

It is good to have you back, Billy , Zordon started. We must be sure to scan you for the effects of the Midnight Crystal, besides the connection it gave with with Kimberly.

“I never thought I could be a ranger again,” Billy admitted. 

“Maybe we should be a little grateful that Rita tried to turn you evil,” Rocky said, without thinking.

Tanya gave him a little snack on his shoulder.

“Ow! Sorry…”

“It’s alright. It is my understanding that I’m not completely at fault,” Billy looked down, pursing his lips. “I just wish I was stronger in resisting.”

“Hey man,” Tommy placed a hand on his shoulder. “It can happen to anyone.”

“We know you would never have done all of that if you were in control,” Kat comforted from his other side.

“And if you ever need to talk about it, Kat and I are here,” Tommy let him know. 

“Sort of an ‘former evil ranger’ support group?” Rocky asked, which only earned him another slap in the shoulder from Tanya. “Ow!”

Billy, Tommy and Kat all chuckled at that as they looked at one another.

“Yeah,” Tommy agreed with the name. “The important things is that we are here for each other.”

Billy smiled at them and nodded. Then he turned his attention back to Zordon as Alpha approached him to run a scan.

“The Midnight Crystal took to my body despite the negative proton energy my body absorbed…” He looked at Alpha, there was a question in his words.

The Midnight and Twilight Crystals are composed of different minerals than the Zeo Crystals. Zordon clarified.

“They differ from the other crystals in a few different ways,” Alpha continued. “For one, they bind those that wield them to each other.”

Kim stepped up next to Billy, “that’s how I was able to find you in your mind.”

Billy faced Kim, “when you all came…it felt like you were giving me some of your own strength.”

You and Kimberly can be a powerful duo, Zordon noted. Your crystals connect you to one another. 

“Well, I already know I can connect to your thoughts,” Kim told Billy. “I met the original owner of the Twilight Crystal, Polla. At least, I met her spirit. The Midnight Crystal belonged to her twin brother.”

One cannot truly function without the other , Zordon found himself repeating. Polla and Castor were “rescue” warriors. They appeared when they were needed most. Kimberly and Billy, as the new owners of these crystals you may fight a battle alone, and will be of considerable strength…but without the other you won’t last very long and begin to weaken. 

“A true Yin and Yang,” Jason commented. 

Exactly, Jason. 

“Polla said we could aid each other with our strength,” Kim told Billy. “That they have even ‘revived’ one another.”

“You mean..?” Kat looked nervously at her friends.

Kim nodded.

Billy found himself instinctively clasping Kim’s hand, “let’s hope we never have to test that ,” he said with a small smile.

Kim smiled back and nodded, the newly linked pair unaware of the looks they were receiving from some of the others.

“We should do some tests on both of you,” Alpha said.

“We could also test our limitations,” Billy suggested.

Kim nodded. “Better to get an idea of what we can do.”

-PR-

Tommy, Kat, Billy and Kim gathered around the bench in the Power Chamber’s training room.

Jason was off to see Emily, Adam and Tanya were out together and Rocky was needed at home.

Billy and Kim asked Tommy and Kat to stay-, in case they needed any type of assistance, or would be able to see something the two involved wouldn’t be able to.

“So how are you thinking of testing out your connection?” Kat asked them.

“Well… morphed we can hear each other's thoughts,” Kim said. “And I think that’s how I was able to get into your dream…well, your mind, when I was also unconscious.”

“Now the question remains if we can unmorphed.”

“What number am I thinking of?” Kim gave Billy a look.

“4… and I don’t have to read your mind for that, you always pick 4.” Billy gave a knowing smile with a tilt of his head.

Kat and Tommy glanced at each other.

Billy and Kim grew up together, and only a few houses down from each other, it’s expected that they would have this kind of banter.

“Ok…” Kim thought for a moment. “What am I thinking now?”

Billy took a moment and gave her a questioning look, “you’re wondering how we’ll look in our new shades of purple,” he chuckled. 

The other two turned to Kim waiting for her to confirm this.

She smiled. “This is kind of creepy. But then again, there was that time I was in your body for a day…”

Kat looked at Billy and then to Tommy, who had a smirk on his face, obviously familiar with this story.

“Wait, seriously?” Kat asked.

“Billy had a machine that went a little wonky on us. Switched us.”

“And she constantly reminds me,” Billy laughed.

“What about physically?” Tommy asked, changing the subject. “You guys can lend strength to each other, right?” 

Billy and Kim glanced at each other. 

“How can we test that?” Kim asked.

Billy thought for a moment. “Tommy and I could spar while morphed? He clearly has an advantage over me. We can see if you sense when I tire and maybe discover how we can lend strength.”

“Is that safe?” Kat asked.

“There’s a possibility that it isn’t,” Billy told her. “But it’s better to find out in a controlled environment, rather than during the next battle.”

“Let’s give it a try,” Kim agreed. She looked at Tommy. “Are you up for it?”

Tommy looked at Billy, “I don’t know. I would feel terrible if something happened.”

“It’s alright. In the end this could help Kim or myself.”

Tommy nodded and morphed.

Billy and Kim morphed as well.

“Don’t pull your punches,” Billy instructed Tommy.

Kim found herself anxiously watching, sure that her face under her helmet matched the nervous look Kat was wearing on her face. 

Tommy and Billy were keeping pace with each other, switching offense and defense. “I told you not to pull your punches,” Billy scolded Tommy.

“I’m not, man,” Tommy replied. “You’ve gotten really good.”

They kept the pace for a while, and Kim started to feel fatigue wash over her. She took a breath and focused on Billy, willing him to continue.

“I can feel it working,” Billy said outloud.

Suddenly his kick landed against Tommy’s lower back.

The red ranger dropped to his knees.

“Tommy!” Kat called out.

Billy and Kim rushed to his side. 

“Tommy, I’m so sorry,” Billy apologized.

Tommy took off his helmet, the other two doing the same.

“It’s alright,” Tommy reassured him. “No worse than when an opponent gets in a hit at a meet.”

Billy gave a smile and then looked to Kim. “How do you feel?”

“I’m ok,” she gave a little nod.

“Doing that didn’t make you feel weak?” He inquired. 

She shook her head. “I don’t think it was enough to. But doing it felt almost… natural.”

“Billy, Kimberly?” Alpha called to them from the doorway. “We got some results back from the scanner.”

“You guys go ahead,” Tommy said. “I’ll be right there.”

Billy and Kim headed back to the main room of the Power Chamber.

“Are you really alright?” Kat asked Tommy.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Tommy looked after where the others had gone.

“You still have feelings for her…” Kat said tentatively.

Tommy froze and then looked at Kat. “I don’t know…” he admitted. “I thought I was over her, and then seeing her here… working with her again. But…I don’t know if I still love her that way, or if I just love the memories we have.”

“I understand,” Kat nodded. She kept herself close to him for a moment, enough for him to catch her vanilla scent. 

“We should go catch up to them,” Tommy said after a beat. 

Kat nodded in agreement.

-PR-

“So Kim was able to help Billy in battle?” Tanya was asking Kat on the phone. 

“It seemed so. You could tell that the guys were getting tired because they were slowing down. Then Billy got the push from Kim and he was able to get a point on Tommy,” Kat was explaining, as she was running her brush through her hair. “Then Alpha called Kim and Billy out of the room.”

“Leaving you to tend to Tommy?” Tanya had a tone of suggestion.

“Nothing like that,” Kat sighed. “He’s not sure if he still loves Kim or the idea of what they had.”

“To be fair, you don’t know if you’re interested in him or Billy,” Tanya commented.

Kat bit her lower lip. “Billy has always been so comforting and welcoming, and he always takes the time to take note about something in my life…he’s caring and sweet.”

“And Tommy is Tommy,” Tanya threw out there. “Strong, compassionate, and a leader through and through.”

“I know I’m not the first person to feel completely confused when it comes to crushing on two people,” Kat glanced at a photos on her mirror. One had the whole group, one of her and Tommy, and another with her, Billy and Rocky. 

“Well just don’t make yourself sick over it,” Tanya told her.

Suddenly her communicator went off.

“Uh-oh,” Tanya gave a small huff.

“Guess I’ll see you in a moment,” Kat said.

-PR-

“Didn’t expect Mondo to be back so soon,” Adam complained. 

But sure enough there were cogs and a new monster attacking pedestrians in the park.

Then the Tengas appeared.

“Uh-oh,” Kat pointed out. “Looks like Zedd and Mondo made up.”

“Or they are fighting for our attention,” Jason suggested.

“They could just buy us flowers,” Rocky quipped as he flipped over a cog, spun around with a kick to another, then switched feet to kick the one he jumped.

“This is a bit overwhelming,” Tanya admitted.

The monster took this opportunity to shoot at the rangers- hitting Tanya, Kat and Rocky, while the other three managed to dodge.

“Are you alright?” Tommy rushed to Kat, as Adam helped Tanya and Jason checked on Rocky.

“Fine, but this is getting intense,” Kat replied.

Suddenly there was a zig zag of purple as Billy and Kim ran through the foot soldiers at a great speed- a gift that came with their new powers.

They ended up by their friends' sides.

“Sorry we’re a little late,” Kim apologized. 

“Nope, you’re right on time,” Tommy said.

And with that the monster grew.

“Well, let’s do this,” Jason said.

They created the Zeo Ultra Zord and went into battle.

“I guess this is as good a time as any,” came a voice behind Billy and Kim, who remained on the ground.

They turned to see another, unfamiliar, figure. She wore clothing that would make one think she was a Greek Goddess, armor and helmet with wisps of her black and purple hair flowing out. She had more of a presence than “the monster of the week” which led the Gemini Rangers to go back into their defense stance.

“Who are you?” Billy inquired.

“I am Clytemnestra, a rightful heir to the crystals you bear.”

“This Crystal was entrusted to me by Polla,” Kim argued. 

Clytemnestra turned her gaze to the Midnight Ranger, “but you have not proven yourself worthy of the one you now wield.”

Billy hesitated and looked at Kim then back to the warrior woman in front of him. “I may not have achieved it the traditional way…”

“No you haven’t. You must face the trial to be deemed worthy.”

“Trial?” Kim didn’t like the sound of that.

“Your trial will come soon, Midnight Soldier,” Billy was warned. “If you succeed you will hold onto the Crystal. If not, back to my family it goes… along with the Twilight Crystal,” Clytemnestra turned her gaze to Kim. “For one cannot be without the other.”

“I…will face the trial,” Billy swallowed hard.

“Then I will be seeing you soon,” and with a shock wave that sent the other two off of their feet, she was gone

Billy and Kim turned to look at each other. 

They heard a loud noise and they looked up as Mondo’s monster fell.

“As if we didn’t have enough to worry about,” Billy said.

He stood and held a hand to Kim, pulling her to her feet, 

She kept her arm clasped on his. “Billy,” she kept his focus, even though she couldn’t see his face through the helmet. “It’ll be alright. You are worthy of the Crystal and you can do anything.”

“But if I’m not, then you’ll lose your power too.” He let out a small sigh as he demorphed, Kim following after.

“There are worse things,” Kim said, giving him a reassuring smile that he could now see. “Whatever happens, we can get through it.”

“Hey guys… what’s going on?” Tommy asked as the other rangers met up with them, victorious from their battle.

But while they should be happy for another win, Tommy saw the look in Billy and Kim’s eyes as they stood close, as if to try to protect each other.

Billy let go of Kim and said to the others, “there’s

more to worry about than just Mondo and Zedd,” he told them. “We should get back to the Power Chamber.”

Chapter Text

“Do you know anything about Clytemnestra, Zordon?” Kim asked.

She is a sister to Polla and Castor. I’m afraid that’s all I know about her, Zordon replied.

“Well she is coming to test Billy at some point,” Kim crossed her arms with a sigh. Tommy stood next to her.

Billy sighed and leaned against a console. Kat walked over to him and put a hand on his back.

“It’ll be alright, Billy,” she tried to comfort him. “You can overcome anything.”

He turned and gave her a smile, “Thank you. There’s just something that doesn’t seem right.”

“What do you mean?” Tommy asked.

Billy stood and glanced around at his friends. “Well, she said she was a rightful heir to the crystal,” the young genius said. “Not ‘the’ rightful heir. ‘A’.”

“Which means there is more than one…” Adam realized.

“How many members are in this family?” Rocky asked.

“There were seven siblings,” Alpha 5 informed them. “Polla and Castor were twins, as were Clytemnestra and Helena, then Philonoe, Timandra and Phoebe.”

“Wait…” Tanya looked at Alpha and then to the others. “This was a family from Greek Mythology… except Polla was depicted as-“

“Pollux,” Jason finished. “I remember doing a report on them.”

“Zordon, is it them?” Tanya asked. “The stories of who was real and who was myth was a blurry line.”

The power of the Crystals has existed for thousands of years. It’s power has been woven into stories from different planets, the wizard informed them.

“So what does this mean?” Rocky asked.

“Clytemnestra may not be the only one wanting to demand a trial…” Billy answered.

Tommy walked over to Billy and placed a hand on his shoulder, “if there is anyone who could get through any trial thrown at them, it’s you.”

“Thanks Tommy, that means a lot coming from you.” Billy gave an appreciative smile.

“You won’t be alone,” Kim said firmly. “Even if I can’t physically be there…” she tapped her temple, “I’ll still be with you.”

“I’m lucky you’re the one I’m ‘tethered’ to,” Billy said with a laugh.

Kat tightened her lips and glanced at Tommy, trying to read his reaction to that.

If he felt anything negative towards the interaction, he didn’t show it.

“So what now?” Jason asked.

“We continue as usual,” Tommy said. “When the time comes, Billy will be able to handle it. No matter what, we'll be here for him.”

“Absolutely,” Adam promised.

Billy gave them each an appreciative smile.

-PR-

“Billy?”

At the sound of his name, the young genius glanced up from his college text.

He had gotten into a routine of early classes and studying in the youth center while waiting for the others.

But right now, Kat stood before him.

“Hey Kat,” he checked his watch. “You’re out of class early.”

“Math test. We were allowed to leave when it was done. I thought I would find you here,” she said softly.

“Well you were right,” he moved his bag so she could sit.

“How have you been feeling?” She inquired.

He looked around the cafe space and gave a little sigh, “I’m not going to lie, I’ve been feeling anxious. I just keep expecting someone to appear or to be dropped into some alternate dimension for some challenge…”

She studied him for a moment, “have you been sleeping?”

He didn’t look at her, “as well as I can be.”

Only Kim knows that I’ve been plagued by nightmares… at least, she probably does…

“What about your…connection? Do you find that affects you with distance?” Kat danced around carefully.

With this he looked at her and gave her a small smile, “well… distance doesn’t really seem to matter. There is this odd sense that there’s…a door open in my mind, I guess would be the best way to put it. I don’t always hear Kim… or even sense her, but sometimes I get a random wave that is clearly from her. It’s comforting to know that I’m not…alone.”

“You never were alone,” Kat placed a hand on his. “Please know that.”

“I know,” he amended. “This is just… different.”

“I’ve just been really worried about you,” Kat stated. “You expressed feeling isolated from us… and that was a perfect tool for Rita to use,” She looked down at their hands. “I know how it can linger. You know it’s not your fault…”

“…Yet you still feel like it is,” Billy finished.

Kat looked up at his crystal blue eyes and they both smiled.

“I know it’s hard, but try not to stress about the trial… you’ll only exhaust yourself beforehand,” Kat gave Billy’s hand a squeeze. “I know you’ll do great.”

“Thanks Kat, I really appreciate it,” Billy kept her gaze with his smile.

Kat felt her heart flutter a bit as she opened her mouth to ask him if he would want to go to a movie or to dinner with her. But she was stopped by the quick turn and tilt of Billy’s head, away from her, as if he was hearing something.

“Billy?” She squeezed his hand again, concerned.

He looked back at her, a look of concern in his own eyes.

“Kim is in trouble.”

-PR-

Kim was at the park, practicing some simple walkovers and stretches.

“Twilight Ranger,” came a voice. Kim turned to see a beautiful woman. She looked similar to Clytemnestra, but there was a clear difference. Where Clytemnestra’s features were more sharp, this woman’s was soft. She wore similar armor, however instead of a helmet, she had a gold diadem on her head, her blond curly hair with wisps of purple framed her face.

Kim raised her hands slightly in defense.

“Which sibling are you?” She asked.

“I am Helena,” The woman offered. “And I am here to make my claim for the Midnight Crystal.”

“Well it isn’t here right now,” Kim informed her.

Helena clicked her tongue and gave a small smile, “oh, I know. But instead of hunting it down, I figured it would be easier to bring it here.”

“How…” Kim’s question died. Of course she knew how. “Guess it’s morphin time” She placed her hands together, summoning her crystal. “Twilight Ranger Power!”

She stood at the ready.

Helena looked her up and down.

“Polla chose so well,” she said, almost sadly. “You stand just like her…”

“Look, I understand this is a family crystal thing, but Polla wouldn’t have given me the crystal if Billy wasn’t given his…” Kim started.

But she was interrupted by being hit on the side. She was flung down and turned to see, what appeared to be, soldiers standing in a battle ready stance.

They wore armor on their chests, arms and helmets on their heads. Their bodies looked like a human body, but their skin was purple and their eyes completely black.

Kim stood up and glanced at Helena, who appeared to be bored, checking her nails.

“Ok, rude,” Kim muttered and brought her attention back to the soldiers. She engaged with them, flipping over one and spinning a kick into another. She turned back to the first soldier and landed a kick on his back, where there was no armor. The soldier froze and disappeared.

“Oh… that’s your ‘z’ spot, huh?” Kim noted.

She landed a hit on another back, but felt herself feeling tired.

I can’t do this alone, she thought.

Suddenly she got a rush of energy.

Good thing you don’t have to, came Billy’s voice in her head.

She spun around, seeing the rest of the rangers flipping into action, and landing by her side.

“Thought you could use some help,” Billy said out loud.

“Are you alright?” Tommy asked.

“Better now,” Kim replied.

The rangers put up their hands and faces towards their new foe.

“So… who are your friends?” Rocky asked.

“They belong to her,” Kim pointed to Helena, whose attention was brought back to the action.

“Midnight Ranger,” she practically cooed. “I knew you would come.”

“Always when my partner needs me,” Billy replied firmly.

“Kim, any hints on these guys?” Tanya asked, as the soldiers were now advancing.

“Hit them on the back between the armor straps,” Kim told them.

“You heard her, let’s go!” Jason started forward, followed by the others.

With the tip on how to face their new opponents, the rangers made light work of them.

Soon it was only them and Helena.

“You’re outnumbered,” Tanya warned her.

Helena gave a sigh, “oh what am I to do?” She eyed the rangers. “Whose heart is untethered?”

She kissed her hand and leaned slightly blowing across the same hand, as dust seemed to sprinkle over the rangers.

They shook it off of themselves.

“What is this?” Adam asked.

“Smells of lilac,” Kim noted.

“Wow,” Rocky said, “she’s so beautiful…”

His words were slurred as he spoke.

“Rocky?” Billy inquired.

But the new blue ranger kept his eyes on Helena.

“Interesting,” she said. “Out of all of you, only one heart doesn’t yearn for someone else?”

She held out her hand towards Rocky and he started towards her, entranced.

“Oh no you don’t,” Tommy informed her.

“Rocky, snap out of it!” Adam demanded.

But Rocky kept moving towards Helena.

“Oh, sweet boy,” she said, in a flirtatious tone. “Do my heart's bidding.”

Rocky turned suddenly, unsheathing his Zeo Laser Blade and immediately aimed an attack towards Kim.

“Kim!” Kat cried.

The team made their moves.

Billy turned himself in front of Kim, placing his arms around her. He felt a swipe across his back, which caused him to cry out. Kim’s arms instinctively grabbed him, holding him up.

Tommy and Adam grabbed a hold of Rocky, as Jason turned towards Helena, glaring through his helmet.

They teleported away from there.

A smile crept onto Helena’s face.

“Interesting indeed.”

-PR-

They landed in the Power Chamber. Adam immediately turned towards a console, hitting two buttons which set a force field to surround Rocky. It caused him to demorph.

The others powered down as well.

“Billy, are you OK?” Kim held onto him as he slowly started to stand.

“I’ll be alright,” he assured her with a smile.

“We should check you over in the Medbay to be sure,” Tanya offered.

The three of them started out of the room, but were stopped by Rocky’s plea.

“I need to get back to her,” Rocky said. “Let me out.”

Alpha went over with a device to scan over Rocky.

“The effects of this spell will wear off shortly,” Alpha told the others.

“Good,” Kat said.

“Why wasn’t anyone else affected?” Tommy asked.

Helena is known for turning hearts, Zordon answered. But she cannot take control over someone who is in love with another…

“Well, that makes sense with us,” Tanya looked to Adam. “And Jason with Emily.”

“And clearly you all have someone you are crushing on,” Jason said to Tommy, Kat, Kim and Billy. There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment, as the four of them refused to look in any direction.

Billy winced, faltering slightly, which broke the still silence.

“Billy,” Kim gripped him a bit tighter, careful not to touch his back.

Kat looked from them to Tommy, whose lips were thinned with concern.

“You should get that looked at,” Tommy told Billy.

Billy gave a nod. Jason came to his other side and, along with Kim, helped him through the door, Tanya leading the way.

Kat went over to Tommy.

“Are…you alright?” She asked him.

“I’m frustrated,” he said honestly. “There’s so much madness going on, and I feel like I can’t do anything to help.”

She placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You’re doing the best you can,” she said firmly.

“How can I lead if I can’t protect my team?” he asked quietly. “Billy was hurt protecting Kim, who could have been hurt. I didn’t reach Rocky in time to stop him…”

“Tommy, that’s not on you,” Kat turned him to her. “We’re going to get hurt. We are going to face challenges. You lead us when we face them. You encourage us to continue on.”

She looked over at Rocky. “And he is going to need your encouragement when he snaps out of that spell. You know how it feels to realize you hurt someone you care for.”

Tommy looked over to their detained friend and then back to her.

He gave a nod and then a smile.

“Thanks Kat. You always know what I need to hear.”

She smiled and placed a hand to his cheek. “Don’t beat yourself up,” she said. “Or I’ll beat you up.”

He gave a laugh.

“Guys? Why am I in here?” Rocky asked, the spell dispersing.

Tommy took one last glance at Kat and gave a little sigh as they both turned to him.

“You got caught up in a spell,” Adam informed him. “It caused you to attack Kim.”

Rocky blanched at that.

“Is she…”

“She’s alright. Billy protected her…” Kat said slowly.

“And Billy?”

“Only a little hurt,” Tommy said quickly. “He’ll be fine.”

Rocky leaned over, placing his hands on his knees.

Adam released the forcefield. Kat and Tommy went over to comfort Rocky.

“I’m going to be sick.”

Kat rubbed her hand across Rocky’s back.

“It’s OK,” Tommy said.

He looked over at Kat.

“We’re all OK.”

Chapter Text

“It already seems to be almost healed,” Tanya put down the scanner and looked at Billy’s back. There was still a red mark slashed across his back, but any sign of blistering was gone. 

Thank goodness for the quick healing abilities of a ranger, Kim thought.

Billy looked over to her and gave a chuckle. Kim realized he could “hear” her. She returned the chuckle and looked down. 

I’m still getting used to that.

Me too, Billy kept his smile and gave a nod.

Tanya glanced between the two and raised an eyebrow in question. 

“Gemini mind reading?” She guessed.

The two laughed and nodded.

“Sorry,” Kim apologized.

“We aren’t used to it yet,” Billy added. 

Tanya gave a soft smile as she grabbed some burn gel and went over to apply it to Billy’s back.

“It’s nothing to apologize for. I couldn’t imagine hearing another teammate’s thoughts. Is there a limitation? I mean…is anything private?” 

Billy looked down at his shirt. It was only rolled off his body, but still on his arms, so he could easily (and quickly) put it back on. He had been very self conscious about having any part of his shirt off at all.

“I certainly hope some thoughts can’t be heard,” he said honestly. “Sometimes I forget that we are linked and she pops in my head with a thought.”

“I can hear “loud” thoughts,” Kim informed him. “When you are upset or frustrated about something…”

Like how you can’t seem to sleep.

Billy didn’t look at her, as he felt his cheeks and ears burn. 

“You are good to go,” Tanya said, closing the gel and walking over to wash the residue off her hands.

Billy quickly slid off the treatment table and pulled the shirt back over his head to cover himself, while being mindful of the treatment on his back. Tanya and Kim noticed something sharp in his movement and looked at one another. Kim shrugged.

“I guess there are some things we are able to hide from each other.” Kim said quietly.

Billy looked at the girls and then gave a reassuring smile as he turned to Tanya, “Thank you for your help.”

“Of course,” Tanya smiled at him. “There have been so many times I have been the one sitting on the slab, while you helped me. I’m glad to return the favor.”

“Hey…” 

The three turned to the doorway to see Rocky, accompanied by Tommy and Kat, in the doorway.

“Rocky, you’re back,” Billy approached him, and was stopped by his friend flinching away from him.

“Rocky?” Tanya asked, cautiously.

“Sorry… I…” Rocky mumbled out.

“You got this man,” Tommy encouraged him.

“We’re here for you.”

Rocky looked at Billy. “It’s not bad, is it?” He asked him. “Your back?”

Billy gave him a smile and shook his head, “it’s already almost all healed up.” He started, slowly, towards Rocky again. “I’m just glad you’re better.”

Rocky shook his head in disbelief. “ I hurt you and you’re concerned about me?”

“Of course,” Billy looked confused. “Just like you guys were worried about me when I was hurting you.”

Rocky took a moment and nodded. “Sorry, I’m just-“

“Angry with yourself?” Billy finished.

The blue zeo ranger nodded. 

“It was a quick moment,” Kat placed a hand on Rocky’s shoulder. “At least we were able to keep a hold on you, before you fell into the wrong hands.”

Rocky nodded.

Kat glanced up and locked eyes with Billy, who smiled and nodded at her. 

“You should get some rest,” Tanya told Rocky. She turned her attention to Billy. “You too.”

“I think we all could use some,” Tommy said.

The group nodded.

-PR-

“Mind some company?” Tommy asked Kim as she headed back through the park. 

“Depends on the company,” she said with a smirk.

He chuckled and fell into step with her and they quietly walked for a bit.

“Crazy handful of days,” Tommy finally broke the silence.

“Yeah… not quite the homecoming I was hoping for,” Kim said with a shrug of her shoulders. “But still a very fitting ‘welcome home’.”

Tommy shook his head with a smile, “what else could you expect from  Angel Grove?” He looked and studied her. “And how are things with you and Billy? Your connection.”

“I think we are alright. Before you guys came into the Medbay, we were talking about how we don’t always ‘hear’ each other, but we can’t always seem to control it.”

“When you ‘hear’ him, is it in his voice? Or do you just get a random thought that you need to realize is his.” 

“It’s in his voice,” Kim answered. “That would be even more confusing if it was just a random thought I was suddenly having.”

Tommy nodded and they walked again in silence for a bit.

“I’ve… missed you,” Tommy confessed. 

Kim looked at him and gave a smile. “I never really apologized for…everything.”

“You were following your heart. It must have been hard," he said.

“I never wanted to hurt you. It wasn’t easy. It just seemed like it was the right thing…at the time,” she bit at her lower lip.

“Look, I get it,” he gave a little shrug. “How many people truly end up with their high school sweetheart. You were out in the world, experiencing new things and meeting new people.”

There was something in the way that he said it that made her study him. 

“Is there someone..?” She let the question hang.

“I…don’t know,” he replied, honestly. 

“You know,” she turned her head to face the walkway, “I did suspect maybe you and Kat…”

“We…” he stopped giving his head a little shake. “I feel weird talking about this.”

“Don’t,” Kim said. “How else are we going to be a team if we can’t be open and honest with one another?”

Tommy stopped walking, which caused Kim to stop. 

“It’s confusing,” he told her. “It took a while to get over…us. And Kat was there every step of the way. I was afraid of being accused of just liking whoever was wearing pink, but she’s not you.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Kim tried to read his face.

“It’s a good thing, I think,” he answered. “You’re fire, she’s water. You’ve been there to pump me up, and she has been there to calm me down.”

Kim nodded, understanding. 

Tommy sighed and started walking again. “I just don’t want any of this to get in the way of our duty.”

Kim shook her head, keeping time with his stride, “we’re all friends, aren’t we?”

“What about how you feel?” Tommy asked her in return.

“I think… I feel the same,” Kim let the words come out with a heavy breath. “I don’t know if there are feelings there, or if it’s just me remembering the good times, without acknowledging any of the bad.”

“That’s funny, I said the same to Kat about us,” he gave a smile and a little chuckle.

“Really?” Kim almost felt relieved. 

“So when Helena tried to put that spell on us, do you think it was any affection for me that may have protected you?” Tommy asked hesitantly.

“Wow. You are nothing if not bold” Kim gave him a smile, and then laughed. “The thought crossed my mind…”

“But there’s someone else you have been thinking of,” Tommy realized. “Just like I wondered if it was Kat…”

Kim nodded. 

“You still feel for your ex?”

“Oh, no. Definitely not him,” Kim recoiled and shook her head. “Forget that jerk.”

Tommy was confused. “So…then who?”

Kim took in a breath and looked down.

“Someone on the team?” He gave her a nudge. “We’re all friends.”

“Billy,” she admitted, quietly. “Seeing him again after all this time and given our history…”

“And your new connection,” Tommy pointed out.

Kim nodded, “But that’s what makes me afraid that it might not be ‘real’. Ya know? This bond that we now have goes deep, but is it because of the power, or does our history make it strong?”

“Chicken or the egg situation,” Tommy related it. “Although, to be fair, he has had the biggest glow-up on this team.” He made light of the situation, which made her feel better.

“He sure has,” she agreed.

“You know,” Tommy said, thoughtfully. “He didn’t fall under Helena’s spell.”

“Neither did Kat,” Kim noted.

Tommy sighed, “Why does fighting seem easier than dealing with feelings? It used to seem easier. We were so natural. What changed?”

“ We did,” Kim considered. “We grew up, we discovered what we want from life and it wasn’t what it used to be.” She turned toward him again. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel for you,” Kim told him. “But I can’t deny that those feelings are in question.”

Tommy nodded.

“It’s OK, Kim. I feel the same.”

Kim smiled, having gotten everything out in the open. 

But the moment was cut short as she felt a sudden grasp on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She lurched forward, her hand going to her chest. Tommy rushed forward to grab onto her.

“Kim!” He searched over her, looking for some kind of wound or cause of her pain.

Kim focused, slowing her breathing so she could breathe through the sharp tightness.

“I’m OK,” she said, gritting her teeth.

Tommy’s eyes went wide with realization.

“Billy!” He steadied Kim onto her feet. “Can you ‘hear’ him?”

Kim shook her head, “we need to find him.”

-PR-

Billy had seen Kim walking toward the park, and almost hurried to join her, but then Tommy had approached her and Billy felt that they needed time together.

So he took a different path through the park, walking closer to the lake.

“Oh…why are you all alone?” 

He turned to see Helena, and instinctively moved into a defensive stance.

She held her hands up, “I am unarmed, Midnight Ranger. I only wish to talk.”

“Excuse my caution,” he raised an eyebrow. “You did just place my friend under a spell to attack us.”

“Oh, that,” she waved her hands dismissively. “Yes, I suppose that sends the wrong message.”

She turned to look toward the lake. Billy lowered his defense. “I know you must be busy… what with my sisters all demanding the crystal.”

“Actually you’re the second one to voice a claim to it,” he informed her. “I have only had the pleasure of meeting your twin, Clytemnestra.”

She turned towards him, clearly interested, “Really? I’m surprised. Philonoe is just as adamant about that crystal. And the other two…” a smile crept across her lips, “well… you’ll find out I’m sure. Unless you just want to hand it over right now.”

Billy shook his head. 

“If I am deemed unworthy, I will accept it. But I’m not going to just hand the crystal over.”

Helena gave a sigh and a roll of her eyes.

“That’s what I figured you would say.” She stepped closer to him. “You know I was a bit disappointed when I couldn’t turn your heart. But seeing you with your Twilight counterpart cleared that mystery up.” 

Billy took in a sharp breath, his cheeks flushing slightly at the accusation.

“You wouldn’t let anything happen to her…would you?” There was an unspoken threat in her question.

“Don’t bring her into this,” he warned.

“Ooh,” Helena cooed. “Protective. Strong. Intelligent. What a specimen you are. I wonder…”

She stepped closer to him.

He tensed, but didn’t raise his hands.

“I wonder if she would do anything to protect you…” She gently raised a hand to his cheek, but his eyes were set on her, not faltering. She dropped her hand to his chest and there was a pulse from her hand into him.

He felt a sudden burst of heat and pain flash into his chest, as if he had just pulled every muscle.

Stupid, I should have kept her at a distance.

It was hard to expand his chest to breathe. He let out a couple of coughs and dropped to his knees, leaning forward to try to relieve some of the pain.

Helena squatted down and placed her hand under his chin.

“This can go away if you give me the crystal,” she offered. “Your Twilight Ranger can balance your energy, but this pain will return…” She leaned her face towards his ear, so close he could feel her breath on it. “And you’re not the only one who feels it.”

He gasped at that, realizing this isn’t something only he has to suffer through. The pain weighed on his chest again as he looked at her, determination still in his eyes.

She stood and gave a little wave. “All you have to do is call me. I’ll be waiting…”

And with that she was gone.

Billy let out a few more gasps, trying to stand back up, but his head was getting fuzzy from the shortness of breath. 

He rolled onto his back, unsure of when he ended up laying on the ground, and reached for his communicator.

But he was too weak to press it.

-PR-

Kim’s chest was still burning, but it wasn’t as bad as when it first started.

She was careful with her breaths as she and Tommy waited on Alpha to lock onto Billy’s coordinates.

“How are you doing?” Tommy asked her, making sure she wouldn’t call over again.

“I’m OK,” she reassured him. “It hurts, though.”

“ Tommy, I found Billy! I’m sending you the coordinates now. ” Alpha’s voice came over the communicator.

“Got it, thanks Alpha,” Tommy and Kim both pressed their communicators to teleport.

-PR-

They appeared by the lake and looked around.

“Billy!” Tommy called out, grabbing a hold of Kim’s elbow to direct her towards their fallen friend.

They rushed over as Billy was clinging to consciousness. He was trying to focus his breathing past his chest and to his diaphragm, to minimize the chest movement.

“Is he hit?” Kim asked Tommy, who had dropped down by the Midnight Rangers side.

Tommy ran his hands over Billy, searching for any wound.

“Not that I see,” he leaned over Billy, to look him in the eye. He tapped his cheek slightly to try to get him to focus. “Stay with me, Buddy.”

Billy, can you focus? Kim tried to sort through the fog that she felt, trying to reach out to him.

Billy’s eyes looked at Tommy, who gave him a hopeful smile.

“Hey,” the red ranger said softly. 

Billy turned his head slightly, his eyes traveling to Kim.

Kim…Helena… I need…you.

Kim dropped to his other side and placed her hand onto his chest. She could feel the pain even more now, but breathed through it, as she closed her eyes.

The palm of her hand tingled as she focused her energy into Billy.

The pain subsided, and after a few moments, both of them started to breathe normally.

“Thank you,” he managed to get out.

“Come on,” Tommy said. “Let’s get you somewhere safe.”

Chapter Text

“Well?” Tommy asked.

Tanya looked at the scan and over to Billy, who was laying on the treatment table in the main chamber. It was hard to tell if he was just resting his eyes, or if he was actually asleep. The good news was, he didn’t seem to be in pain.

Kim was leaning against a console near him, her arms crossed as she kept her attention on Billy. She didn’t “hear” him, which made her realize he was asleep.

“There’s an energy showing here,” Tanya pointed to the screen in her hand.

Tommy glanced over her shoulder, seeing the image of Billy’s heart, and almost a glow outlining it.

Alpha made his way over to look at the image himself.

“There seems to be a magical constraint around his heart,” Alpha turned to a console and pressed a few buttons. “It is triggered by a rising heart rate that is related to emotions.

“So if he becomes upset, it’ll hurt him again?” Kim asked. 

“And you,” Tommy reminded.

THAT DOES SEEM TO BE THE CASE , Zordon confirmed.

Adam pressed a few more buttons, “the good news is by using the energy signature on this spell, we are actually able to help track Helena. If she shows up, we’ll be able to locate her immediately.”

“We’ll take the win where we can get it,” Tommy said with a sigh. He walked over to Billy, studying him.

“So,” Kim finally spoke up. “He has to stay calm?”

“He is the most level-headed person I know,” Adam voiced. 

“He is…” Tommy agreed, “But he’s still a passionate person.” Tommy thought back to all the times Billy had taken a stand, and how he always did what he could to protect the others.

Just then three flashes, in blue, pink and black, entered the chamber.

“We got here as soon as we could,” Jason said, apologetically.

“How is he?” Kat asked.

“He’s-” Tanya was cut off by Kim’s gasp. 

“He’s waking up,” the Twilight Ranger informed them.

Billy blinked and took in the scene around him. 

Where..?

Kim placed her hand in his. You’re safe , She reassured him. Back in the Power Chamber. 

Right…you and Tommy found me in the park.

He started to sit up, and Tommy grabbed a hold of him to help him.

“Slowly,” The Red Ranger advised.

“I’m alright,” Billy told him, and gave a smile to his friend.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING, BILLY? Zordon asked him.

“Rested…” Billy replied. 

“We found that Helena put a spell over your heart,” Tanya filled him in. “If your heart rate goes up, it’ll trigger a constraint.”

“Which is why it feels like my ribs will break if I breathe too deeply,” Billy placed a hand to his chest and rubbed it slightly. He stood up, and Tommy stepped aside to give him space, but kept an eye on him, just in case he wasn’t steady.

“What happened when she attacked you?” Jason asked.

Billy looked around at the team and bit at his lower lip. “Well, that’s just it. She didn’t attack me. I was on my guard when she showed up, but she just talked at first. I was hoping she would give some more information…”

“Did she?” Rocky asked. 

“Nothing we don’t already know. She mentioned her other sisters. She made some of the usual threats,” his eyes glanced quickly to Kim. “It was my own fault. I let my guard down and she got close enough. She said it would stop if I gave her my crystal.”

“So what now?” Jason asked.

DUE TO THE SPELL THAT HELENA CAST ON BILLY, WE ARE NOW ABLE TO TRACK HER ENERGY SIGNATURE, Zordon informed the others.

“And I just found her location,” Alpha told the group.

I ADVISE THAT BILLY AND TWO OF YOU GO TO CONFRONT HER. THIS WAY WE ARE PREPARED IN CASE MONDO ATTACKS.

“I’ll go,” Kim said quickly.

“No,” Billy said sharply. His hand suddenly went to his chest, rubbing a sharp pain away. 

“But-“ Kim couldn’t help but feel hurt.

“Helena made a point to threaten you,” Billy informed her. “She was doing what she could to get a rise from me. If you are there, she’ll be sure to target you.”

“She’ll use me against you,” Kim realized, angrily. “Either you hurt yourself protecting me, or the spell hurts you when you get upset about it.”

Billy nodded.

“I’ll go,” Kat volunteered. 

“Me too,” Rocky joined. Before anyone could say anything, he added, “I know there’s a risk. But I have an idea on how I can resist her this time.”

“I don’t know man,” Tommy still had his reservations. 

Rocky looked from Tommy to Billy. “I can do this,” he said, confidently. “Please.”

Tommy turned to Billy. “It’s your call,” he conceded.

Billy smiled and nodded to Rocky, “Alright,” he agreed.

VERY WELL, Zordon said. BILLY, KAT, AND ROCKY WILL GO TO CONFRONT HELENA. MAY THE POWER PROTECT YOU.

“Good luck guys,” Tanya said.

“We’ll hold down the fort,” Jason promised.

“Go kick that witch's butt,” Kim added.

They all gave a smile and a chuckle.

“Ready?” Billy asked the other two. They responded with a nod. 

“It’s morphin’ time!”

-PR-

Purple, pink and blue flashed into a garden filled with purple flowers.

“Maybe it’s a family color,” Rocky suggested, placing his hand on one of the flowers.

“It is a color that used to be worn by important families,” Billy noted.

“Well I think we have discovered how important this family is.” Kat added.

“You have no idea how important we are,” Helena said as she appeared. Her eyes landed on Billy, in his ranger form. She gave a smile, which appeared more like a sneer. “Did you come to give me my crystal?”

“No,” Billy said simply, but firmly. He was keeping his breathing steady.

“Ugh,” Helena let out a dramatic drop of her shoulders. “This is getting old.”

“Well, you would know about old” Rocky shot at her.

Helena straighten immediately, her eyes flaring at the insult. “Why you-!” She made a fist. 

“When I walk away today,” Billy addressed her, “you do not follow. This is for the crystal. Loser accepts defeat.” He walked closer to her and held out a hand. “Do we have an accord?”

Helena cocked her head in consideration. She took his hand, “we do.” She immediately raised her other hand to cast on him, but he caught her by the wrist and pushed her back.

“Nice try,” he stood in position. 

Helena looked to the other two. “This is hardly fair.”

“We are here to make sure you play fair,” Kat explained.

“Very well,” Helena turned to Billy. 

She rushed towards him at great speed, which caused Rock and Kat to tense, but Billy’s Midnight speed was a direct match for Helena.

They seemed to volley between blocks and both of them getting in hits. Helena letting out a spell and Billy dodging.

Finally it seems like one would land a hit, but Billy raised his hand and a shield seemed to appear. He looked at his hand.

That’s good to know.

Kat and Rocky looked at each other. This seemed like it would never end. 

Which Helena seemed to think as well, because she turned quickly sending out a blast of energy at Kat.

“Kat!” Rocky warned.

“No!” Billy called, the sharp pain in his chest indicating that he was no longer in control of his emotions. 

The blast caught Kat in the shoulder and she dropped down.

Billy and Rocky rushed towards her, Billy reaching her first and dropping down. He was ignoring the tightness in his ribs.

Rocky stood between his friends and Helena, raising his hands at the ready. 

“Are you OK?” Billy breathlessly asked Kat, pulling her into his arms. 

She felt tired and her shoulder hurt, but otherwise she felt fine.

“I think so,” she couldn’t help but lean a bit into him.

Helena eyed them, seeing Billy’s hand going to his own chest to rub at the soreness that he was feeling. A smile crept back onto her face. She stepped forward, but was stopped by Rocky, repositioning himself in front of her, blocking the other two.

“What a loyal friend you are,” she said mockingly, placing a hand to her heart. She kissed her hand and blew at him. “Too bad that’s going to change.”

Rocky turned and faced Billy and Kat, putting his hands up.

Billy’s chest tightened.

-PR-

“Kim, you’re going to wear a hole into the floor.”

The Twilight Ranger stopped her pacing, looking over to Tanya and Adam, who were sitting at a table, on the upper level in the youth center.

Jason and Tommy were sparring on the mats.

“I’m worried,” Kim said, simply, as she walked over to the little railing that separated the two levels, and her from the couple.

“It’s understandable,” Tanya comforted. “But you’re going to make yourself sick.”

Kim started to nod, when suddenly she gripped her chest quickly. She let out a pained gasp and leaned forward.

“Kim!” Adam stood, and used his chair as a stool to help him jump over the railing and to her side.

Jason and Tommy looked over at the commotion and rushed towards them.

“I’m OK,” she rasped out, leaning slightly into Adam. “Billy…”

“Is he-?” Tommy started, but was cut off by her hand raising for him to stop and the sharp shake of her head.

She needed to concentrate.

“He’s upset. And feeling overwhelmed,” she tried to focus.

“Do you know why?” Jason asked.

“This far I can’t hear him. Just feel him.”

Adam turned and lowered himself so he was at eye level with Kim.

“Can you focus enough to calm him?” Adam asked her softly. He saw hesitation in her eyes. “If you can feel him, there’s a chance he could feel you.”

“I’ll try.” She gave a nod and closed her eyes.

Billy I know you can’t hear me, but please… focus on your breathing and calm down.

-PR-

Billy held onto Kat, protectively, in his arms, as he waited to see what Rocky would do.

He was fighting through the screaming pain in his chest and could feel his arms begin to weaken, but he was determined to keep Kat safe.

“Billy…” Kat winced, she could feel the slight tremble in his arms.

Suddenly Billy got a warm feeling that seemed to sooth the pain in his chest.

Kim .

He let go of Kat and stood up facing Rocky.

“I really don’t want to fight you,” he told his friend.

“You don’t have to,” Rocky said quickly, before turning a kick into Helena.

She cried out in surprise and pain as his foot connected.

“What? How?” She back up, and looked at them.

Rocky now stood side by side with Billy.

“Because I focused on a different kind of love,” Rocky filled in the blanks. “The love I have for my friends.”

“No more tricks,” Billy demanded. “We finish this now.”

“Fine,” Helena said.

“Rocky stay with Kat,” Billy instructed as he rushed forward again.

Rocky went back to Kat, and worked to help her stand. She leaned into him.

Helena and Billy were back at blocks and exchanged hits.

Finally Billy swiped her leg and stood over her, a magic blade forming in his arm and pointing down at her.

“Alright!” Helena cried out. “I yield! The crystal is yours…” she stood up brushing off her outfit. “Until one of my sisters comes for it. But it’s more trouble than it is worth.”

“And the spell you placed on me?” He demanded.

She waved her hand, “gone.”

Billy walked back to his friends. Kat was now standing on his own.

“Well, Helena, I would say it’s been a pleasure… but it absolutely hasn’t been.” He told her as he turned.

“Bye,” Rocky gave a little wave and the three rangers teleported away.

Helena huffed and crossed her arms.

“Enjoy the parting gift,” she muttered out loud to no one. 

-PR-

Alpha had called the others, so when Billy, Kat and Rocky returned the whole team was waiting for them.

WELCOME BACK YOU THREE, Zordon acknowledged. I AM GLAD TO SED YOU VICTORIOUS.

“You did it!” Jason exclaimed.

The three demorphed and Kim rushed to give Billy a hug.

“One down, huh?” Tommy noted, giving Billy a pat on his shoulder when Kim released him.

Billy brought his hand up, resting it on Tommy’s for a moment, appreciatively.

He turned his attention back to Kim.

“I felt you… I think. Helping me focus and calming me down.”

Kim gave a little squeal and a clap. “Oh it worked! Thanks to Adam. He really helped me focus.”

Adam flushed a bit at the praise.

Billy nodded his gratitude to the green ranger. 

“So what happened?” Tommy asked.

“Helena started to play dirty,” Rocky said with a snort. 

“But two played that game,” Kat nudged Rocky’s shoulder. “Helena tried her control trick on Rocky, and he made us all think it worked for a moment.”

Rocky looked over at Billy, “sorry if that caused any pain.”

Billy shook his head and turned fully back to Rocky and Kat, “it’s alright it all worked in the end. I’m just glad I had you both there with me.”

They smiled back at him, but Billy caught Kat’s expression faltering slightly.

“Kat?” Tanya noticed it too.

“Sorry, I just feel really tired…” Kat brought a hand up to the bridge of her nose when her legs suddenly gave way.

Billy reached quickly to catch her, Tommy coming at her other side to help.

The red ranger lifted her up in his arms.

“Ai, ai, ai!” Alpha reacted. He grabbed the scanner and brought it over to check Kat. “Katherine’s energy is in a flux.”

BILLY, ROCKY, DID SOMETHING HAPPEN THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS? 

The two exchanged glances at each other. “When Helena started to lose, she shot some energy out at Kat first. She was hit,” Rocky said.

“In her left scapula,” Billy added.

“Let’s get her to the medbay,” Adam offered. 

Tommy followed them out.

Billy let out a sigh.

Don’t start beating yourself up, Kim’s voice sounded off in his head.

He looked at her.

  It’s hard not to. Is me being a ranger really worth all of this?

-PR-

The park was relatively quiet at dusk.

A portal opened and a woman, dressed as if for battle, stepped through.

“Alright,” she held a chain that held a stone at the end. “Where is the Midnight Crystal?”

The stone lifted up and pulled her in a direction.

“Perfect,” she smiled.

Chapter Text

“How is she?” Billy asked as he, Kim and Jason entered the Medbay. 

“I’m doing alright,” Kat spoke for herself from the treatment table.

“Her energy is fluctuating back and forth,” Tanya handed her scan to Billy, who looked it over. Tanya reached over and ran her finger to show the time lapse. “It seems like just as she starts to get energy back, it begins to deplete again.”

“Is it once it reaches a specific point?” Jason asked. 

Billy looked closely at the time lapse again. Kat’s energy dropped twice. “It doesn’t give an exact amount of energy,” He noted. “So there’s no way of monitoring it too closely.”

“Could resting help?” Tommy asked, still at Kat’s side.

“I don’t see how it could hurt.” Billy answered, putting down the scan.

Tommy turned back to Kat. “Come on,” held his hands out to help her. “It’ll probably be better for you to be back in your own bed.”

Kat took his hands as he helped her down, then he wrapped an arm around her to hold onto her. “I got you,” he promised.

She leaned comfortably against him. She glanced over at Billy. The genius shoved his hands into his pocket and looked down. 

“Billy?” Kat looked at him concerned. 

He glanced up at her and pursed his lips. “I’m sorry, Kat. You should never have gotten hurt. I should have done something. Been better…”

“Billy, it’s alright,” Kat said. “We knew Helena would fight dirty. That’s why Rocky and I were there.”

“It doesn’t make me feel any better,” Billy said, looking back down.

Tommy studied his friend and then felt Kat’s weight press against him more. 

“I’m going to get her home,” He told the others. He started to walk out with Kat, but he locked eyes with both Kim and Jason and gestured his head towards Billy.

Both silently nodded.

Once Tommy and Kat left, Jason placed a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “Why don’t we go for a burger?” He asked, looking at Kim.

Kim took the cue, stepping up to join them.

Billy looked between the two and nodded.

-PR-

“Billy… you’ve hardly touched your food.” Jason observed, as he looked to his own mostly eaten burger in comparison.

“I’m sorry Jason,” Billy gave a small shrug. “I don’t really seem to have an appetite.”

“Billy, don’t blame yourself,” Kim repeated.

“It’s hard not to,” the genius picked up a fry, but just used it to push around the others. He dropped it back down and leaned back in his chair. “I didn’t get this crystal fairly, and now I am fighting to keep it, from the family it ‘belongs’ to. And all it’s doing is putting all of you in danger.”

“But if you lose the crystal, Kim loses hers,” Jason pointed out. 

Billy looked over to his partner and thinned his lips.

And that’s the reason I fight.

Kim tensed at this.

Before Jason could say anything encouraging, a strong wind shook the windows as lighting and thunder caused the lights to flicker.

The three rangers stood up. 

“I don’t remember a storm being in the forecast today,” Kim looked confused to the boys.

“Because it wasn’t,” Jason said.

“Come on,” Billy glanced around at the other people in the room and then ran out with Kim and Jason.

Never thought I would think this, but please be Mondo, Billy thought.

Kim glanced at him as they ran out the door and into the parking lot.

There was a girl about their age, with brunette hair with purple streaks that was tied back. She wore an outfit that was of the same style as Clytemnestra and Helena’s, but no armor, besides the wrist braces and a solid pectoral. This sister was not styled for war. 

In her hand she held a chain. At the end of the chain was a pendulum stone that was pointed directly at Billy.

“Oh. There you are,” she said, her voice soft and almost had a melody to it. She tilted her head at him. “I have been looking for you.”

“Well, you found me,” he said, but not with any challenge in his voice. This sister seemed different, she looked almost like a curious child, but he reminded himself of when he left his guard down with Helena.

She now was walking towards them, calmly.

“…And you are?” Kim asked.

The sister turned her attention to Kim and whispered to her pendulum. It pointed towards Kim and then moved up and down, like it was nodding. The girl then smiled.

“Well chosen Polla,” the girl said with a fond smile. “You wear the crystal well.”

Kim looked confused to Billy and Jason.

“Thank you…” she responded carefully.

“I’m Phoebe,” the sister finally said. She directed herself back to Billy again, “and you are causing quite the stir.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I know,” she said with a shrug. Then she finally seemed to notice that they were tense, and ready to be in the defense. “Oh!” Phoebe almost gave a laugh. “I am so sorry. No… no I’m not here to try to take the crystal. I don’t want it.” She gestured to herself. 

The three relaxed a bit.

“Then why are you here?” Jason asked.

Phoebe looked at him and then studied him for a moment. She leaned in closer to him, peering at his face.

Jason glanced at the other two, unsure of what to do.

“You look like Achilles,” Phoebe seemed to settle on as she leaned back. “Same jaw line.”

“Thanks..?” 

Phoebe looked back to Billy. “I don’t want the crystal for my own, but I do want to be sure you are right for it.”

Billy hesitated.

Phoebe looked him up and down. “Oh… you don’t know if you're right for it…”

Billy started to open his mouth and then closed it.

Phoebe reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling it to her palm up. She then held her pendulum over it, letting it sway. She studied it closely and nodded with a “hmmm…”

Billy felt something warm in this and looked at her, waiting for her to fill them in.

“Alright then,” she said out loud, and the pendulum came up and pointed to her. She nodded to it as if it was sentient.

“Does it talk to her?” Kim whispered to Jason. He gave a shrug.

“You recently were trapped in your mind while an altered version of you walked free…” Phoebe raised her hand and seemed to play with the air around her.

Billy glanced at the other two.

“”That’s how I was given the Crystal.”

“But while you were brought back to the surface, there is still a battle within,” she then placed her hand on the top of his head.

I don’t think she is playing with a full deck here, Kim warned, tensing as Phoebe touched Billy.

But she’s not wrong, Billy thought back. And I can’t explain it. Something about her makes me feel safe and…welcomed.

“So what do I do?” Billy asked.

Phoebe lowered her hand to his cheek and leaned a bit closer, giving him a look as if to say ‘isn’t it obvious?’ 

“You go back in.”

-PR-

Tommy walked Kat to her room.

“When will your parents be home?” He asked her.

“Next week,” she answered as she sat on the bed. “The conference ends on Sunday, they were traveling back on Monday.”

Tommy thinned his lips. “I don’t like the idea of leaving you by yourself,” he told her. 

“I’ll just be resting. Tanya will probably be home in a bit.”

“I’d still rather stay. To be sure.”

Kat glanced over at the chair to her vanity. Tommy followed her gaze and grabbed it, pulling it closer to her.

Kat tried to read the look on his face, “Tommy… What is it?”

In response the red ranger rubbed a hand over his face.

“I feel lost,” he said to her. “I know the best thing I can do right now is be a leader and make sure the team is prepared for whenever we get an attack from Mondo,” he thought for a moment. “Or Zedd.”

“And you are doing a great job.” She placed her hand comfortingly on his.

“But I can’t help but feel frustrated when it comes to Billy. If I had been a better leader.. a better friend, he wouldn’t have been targeted to be captured… there wouldn’t have been any doubt for Rita to play her mind games with. He wouldn’t have gotten the Midnight Crystal and have to deal with these tests.” He sighed and leaned back, but not so far that he would lose grip on Kat’s hand. “I can see him beating himself up over it. Over Rocky’s moment with Helena, and now you…”

Kat squeezed his hand. “You are a wonderful friend. One that Billy knows he can rely on. He can’t blame himself for the challenges. He didn’t ask for the crystal, but at the same time- it is wonderful for him and Kim to be a part of the team again.”

“He does blame himself though. You should have seen his face when Tanya told him your diagnosis. He’s… struggling. And I-“ Tommy licked at his dry lips as he tried to find better words, “I don’t know how to help him. If I even can. He has done so much for me…now I feel like I’m failing him.”

“Tommy, stop,” Kat said sternly. “What Billy needs right now is not Tommy the white knight, or Tommy the leader. He needs Tommy, the supportive friend. And that is what you have been. Let him know that you are there whenever he may need you.”

He looked down at her hand and then at her, giving her a small smile as he nodded.

“Just with everything going on, I guess we all can’t help but to second guess.”

“The important thing is that no one is blaming Billy,” Kat noted.

Tommy recoiled at that thought. “How could anyone blame him?”

“Exactly,” she said with a shrug.

She started to close her eyes for a moment, feeling a wave of exhaustion.

“Kat,” Tommy jumped up as she started to slump forward and he caught her before she could fold in on herself. He cradled her back into a lying position.

She opened her eyes, slowly, looking up at him.

After Kim had sent the “dear John” letter, Kat and Tommy got closer. He always gave her energy.

“There you go again,” she said softly. “The white knight.”

He looked down at her, studying her face. Her deep blue eyes, her soft skin and pink lips.

He leaned his face towards hers.

And he gave her energy.

-PR-

Phoebe held up her pendulum in front of Billy’s face. He glanced at it and found himself not being able to look away from it.

The stone was a dark purple with flecks of lighter purple and gold, which seemed to move within it.

He studied it closer, feeling as if he was falling into it.

Jason and Kim stepped up next to him.

“Billy?” Jason tried to pull his attention to him. But Billy was in a trance.

“Let him go,” Kim told Phoebe. But it wasn’t a threat, or a demand. More of a plea.

“Let him do this,” Phoebe replied, her own voice almost a plea. “This is what he is asking for. He won’t be able to face my sisters if he is still fighting himself. I don’t believe my sisters deserve this crystal. But in order to have the best chance, the holder of the crystal must know that he does. You will still be able to be with him,” she tapped her temple.

Kim and Jason looked at each other.

Phoebe turned her attention back to Billy.

“He is waiting for you…” she told him. “Go find him.”

Billy’s eyes closed with a small sigh and he went limp, Jason jumping forward to catch him and ease him to the ground.

“Take him to safety,” Phoebe told them. “I will find you when he wakes.”

And with that she was gone.

“Let’s get him back to the Power Chamber,” Jason told Kim. 

Kim nodded.

She had to prepare herself to go back in as well.

Chapter Text

“Another attack?” Tanya asked as her and Adam met Kim and Jason (who were awkwardly carrying the unconscious Billy) back in the power chamber. 

“Not exactly,” Kim explained how Billy willingly was “put under” as Jason and Adam placed their sleeping teammate onto the medical table. Alpha started doing his usual dance around the table to look over Billy.

“Jeez,” Adam shook his head, looking at his friend. “I can only imagine how tiring this must be.”

“I am contacting the others,” Alpha told them.

Kimberly, I sense there are some reservations in you, Zordon acknowledged.

Kim sighed and looked at Billy. “I can feel his frustration and exhaustion… and I heard him. He said the only reason he was fighting to keep these powers was so I could keep mine…”

“Kim…” Jason started.

She turned to him, “he keeps asking if he is worth all of the trouble his crystal is causing the team, but am I worth the trouble he is constantly finding himself in?”

“We all believe that Billy deserves the crystal,” Adam told her. “He never thought he could be a ranger again because when the Command Center was blowing up, he threw himself onto a panel that was in the process of exploding to protect Alpha and us. That is why he couldn’t receive the Gold Power. Not because he wasn’t worthy.” The green ranger stepped closer to Kim and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Of course he is going to have doubts and frustrations. He has the great qualities of a leader. And you are passionate and strong, always ready to protect and do what is right. If you didn’t leave you would have still been a ranger. It’s only right that you are again.”

Kim let in a breath that staggered with her emotion. Adam pulled her into a hug as Jason and Tanya came to the other side of them.

“We’re Power Rangers,” Jason said firmly. “We are all here for a reason.”

Jason and Adam are right, Zordon reaffirmed. The battles and struggles you face are never easy, but it is the strength in your heart, your sense of what is right, and your care for your teammates that gives you the ability to wield the Power Crystals, just as you were able to wield the Power Coins.

Kim pulled away, nodding.

Suddenly blue, red, and pink flashed into the Power Chamber. 

“Kat!” Tanya smiled at her friend. “You seem better!”

Kat smiled and glanced at Tommy as she nodded, “Got a bit of energy and now I’m all good.”

It didn’t go completely unnoticed that Tommy had an arm around the small of Kat’s back, seemingly to steady her- but there was a comfort there. Kim gave Tommy a smile and a nod. 

He returned it and then brought his attention to Billy, stepping towards him.

“How is he?”

“In another deep sleep,” Alpha answered him. 

“He was placed under by Phoebe, another sister,” Jason told him. “But it was voluntarily. It was…she seemed to be helping him.”

“She told Billy that ‘he’ was waiting for him…” Kim realized.

Jason thought back, “She did…”

“‘He’?” Rocky asked. 

Kat came to Tommy’s side and looked down at Billy. “So what do we do?”

“I’m going back under with him,” Kim told her. “Just me, this time.”

The others glanced at one another, but Jason and Tommy both nodded.

Kat looked at Tanya and Adam, “Let’s get her set up.”

-PR-

Billy stood in what appeared to be a grove of purple cherry blossom trees.

“To be fair…I am not a botanist,” he muttered.

He glanced around. Just past the trees was nothing but a thick mist.

He took a step forward, when he realized he was wearing what appeared to be Grecian garb. A deep purple tunic trimmed with gold. He placed his hands on the chest plate that was engraved with the Gemini symbol and two horses. His arms were protected by bracers.

This was definitely a look…

He heard a loud sound steadily behind him. He turned trying to figure out the source. Some sort of …clacking?

A horse.

A white horse appeared and walked up to him calmly.

“Hello,” he said softly, raising his hand gently towards the creature. It moved itself to bump its forehead against his hand. He started to stroke the horse gently. “Hey…do you know where I need to go?”

The horse snorted and stomped his front foot a few times, walking past Billy and ahead.

“He doesn’t always have the best sense of direction,” came a calm, welcoming voice.

Billy turned his attention to see a young man, wearing a toga with a matching chest plate and bracers. He had some scruff on his face, and his hair was a honey color, with tips of purple. 

“Castor?” Billy inquired.

Castor gave him a small smile and a nod. Then he gestured to Billy’s armor. “So you are the new guardian of my crystal?”

“To most of your sisters dismay,” Billy answered.

Castor gave a small smirk that had a hint of sadness. “Are they tormenting you? They can be a handful.”

“Is one of them better suited for the Midnight Crystal?” Billy asked. 

Castor thought for a moment and shook his head. “The only sister who would be worthy spiritually and emotionally is not physically in the best shape to ever hold it…”

“Phoebe,” Billy guessed. 

Castor nodded again.

“She’s why I am here. Are you going to give me a trial?”

Castor shook his head, “I have no need for a trial. You ‘wear’ the crystal well.” He pointed past Billy.

Billy turned to see that the fog had cleared a bit, revealing what appeared to be a temple.

“This is your trial. The one you have demanded of yourself.” Castor informed him. “You have questions and feel unworthy. Until you know for sure, facing my other sisters may prove difficult.”

Billy studied the temple and took a breath.

“Well, I already won the trial against Helena. I’ve met Clytemnestra…”

“Then there is only Philonoe and Timandra left,” Castor noted.

Billy nodded.

“You can’t face them in battle while you are fighting a battle within,” Castor warned. “I struggled with it myself, during my time.”

“How did you get through it?” Billy asked.

“Polla,” the Grecian soldier said simply. “She got me through everything. And I was always there for her. The other half of my soul.”

Billy nodded, “your twin was a pillar for you.”

“Do you not have the same with your Twilight Guardian?”

“Well… she’s not my sister…” Billy started.

“But she’s someone important,” Castor studied him.

Billy gave a nod. “One of my oldest and dearest friends. I’d do anything for her.”

“It seems she would do anything for you, as well,” Castor said with a smile as he gestured with his head for Billy to look back toward the tree. 

There was Kim, standing under the tree, her own clothing changed to the Grecian style. Her tunic styled slightly longer in a lavender color, also trimmed with gold. Her hair was pulled back with a golden band, her chest plate and bracers matched Billy’s and Castor’s. She was looking at the change of clothing.

“Kim, what are you doing here?” He walked towards her.

She looked at him, and gave a little smile as she glanced over his own clothing.

“I had to come and make sure you were OK.” She looked over at Castor, noticing how he matched Billy. “Is that…”

“Kim, this is Castor,” Billy gestured to his predecessor.

“So, Polla gave you the crystal?” Castor raised an eyebrow, but the smile was still on his face, which kept Kim feeling at ease. He looked Kim over. “It suits you.”

“Speaking of suits, why are we dressed this way?” Kim asked.

Billy shrugged, “I’m not exactly sure…”

“This is your trial,” Castor said once more. He gestured to the temple. “And now you have your ‘pillar’.”

Billy looked at Kim and they shared a smile. 

“Ready to help me win this?” He asked, holding a hand out to her.

“I’m with you,” she said as she took his hand.

“Good luck,” Castor said.

And then he vanished.

Billy took a deep breath and they started toward the temple.

-PR-

“Rangers, it seems Mondo sent some cogs and a monster to attack downtown Angel Grove,” Alpha informed the team, as they stood around waiting for Billy and Kim to wake up.

“Well we can’t do anything here,” Jason said with a shrug.

They nodded and got into formation.

“It’s Morphin Time!”

-PR-

“So are we in some other dimension, or are we actually back in time?” Kim wondered.

“I’m guessing another dimension,” Billy said. “Our clothing changed, and there are arguments that moving through time wouldn’t physically alter your appearance in any way…”

“Right, mine didn’t change in the wild west…” She remembered.

Billy nodded, remembering the time hole she had fallen through. 

“So…how accurate are these clothes anyway?” She asked, giving him a humorous look, as her eyes traveled down his tunic.

Billy looked at her to understand her meaning and then flushed. He gave a shake of his head and continued forward.

Kim snickered at his reaction and followed.

They walked into the archway of the temple, keeping their guard up as they glanced around.

“Look at these statues,” Kim pointed out. 

Billy looked at them. “Clytemnestra, Helena, Phoebe, Castor… these other three must be the other sisters.”

“This one is Polla,” Kim pointed out. 

“So then these two are the ones we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting,” Billy commented, studying the other girls. 

One looked as “sharp” as Clytemnestra. The other appeared more like Helena.

“Billy…” Kim pointed ahead. 

Billy followed the direction of her finger to spot the other statues.

The Power Rangers. 

Jason, Zack, Trini, Kimberly, Tommy, then Aisha, Rocky, Adam, and Kat. Last Tanya.

“Where are you?” Kim looked around.

“I don’t know…”

“You think you belong among them?” Billy heard his own voice call out.

“I think we found what we were looking for,” Billy told Kim.

They followed the voice into an open area. 

It was almost arena-like.

And there stood Billy. 

As the Blue Ranger.

Billy stepped out into the opening, stopping about twenty feet from his other self. Kim stood behind him, knowing that this was his battle, but she was ready to help.

“You stepped down for a reason,” the Blue Ranger told him. He opened his arms, “This is the last ranger you were meant to be. How can you possibly think you could just step back into the power?”

“I…” Billy hesitated, but felt Kim’s hand on his wrist by his side. “I stepped down, yes, but it was out of necessity. But when the opportunity presented itself for the Gold Power, I was ready to step back in.”

“No you weren’t. Your bad choices made it so you couldn’t accept that power.”

“Yes, I couldn’t accept the Gold Power…but I could accept the Midnight Crystal.”

“Except you didn’t accept it,” the Blue Ranger reminded him with a sneer. He walked closer a few steps. “You weren’t even yourself when you received it. Not to mention the people you hurt once you got it.”

“That wasn’t my fault,” Billy said, but Kim could hear his voice wavering. “I was placed under a spell…”

“So you didn’t earn it, you didn’t go on any quest to find it, it was handed to you with dark intentions,” the Blue Ranger concluded.

“I…” Billy didn’t have any comebacks. After all, this was his own mental reasoning why he shouldn’t have the power. Then Castor’s sisters wouldn’t have shown up. Kat got hurt, Rocky struggled with the pain of hurting a teammate.

“All because of you…” the Blue Ranger read his thoughts. 

Billy’s shoulders sagged slightly.

“Why are you even here?” The Blue Ranger took another step. “You don’t even want to be here. Wasn’t it just easier to not be in the suit?”

Kim moved her hand from Billy’s wrist to his hand, giving it a squeeze.

She couldn’t hear his thoughts since they were in his mind, but she felt terrible hearing the Blue Ranger’s words, so she could only imagine how Billy felt.

“Yes…” Billy replied. “It would be easier . But it doesn’t mean that’s where I should be.”

He glanced back at Kim.

“The Midnight Crystal was given to me when I was under a spell. It was used with bad intentions, but it’s also through me that it will be used for good. Just as the Dragon Power Coin was used for evil and then redeemed.”

“You are putting yourself on Tommy’s level?” The Blue Ranger scoffed.

“He has every right to,” Kim spoke up. Then she backed down, remembering she wasn’t here to fight for Billy.

“You’ll have to keep fighting for the crystal,” the Blue Ranger reminded him. “Two more sisters. And Clytemnestra still hasn’t shown back up. Others may get hurt.”

Billy hesitated again, looking down.

Kim gave another squeeze of his hand.

Billy took a deep breath.

“That’s the life of a Ranger,” He looked back up at the Blue Ranger. “Remember? Many times we were hurt when another ranger was a target. But in the end, we were stronger together. The Gemini Crystals are a good addition to the team. We can use it to help them. That is the most important thing to me. It’s why I had stepped down. To take on a support role to help keep them safe. Now I can continue to do so. With Kim.”

He pulled her hand to direct her next to him.

The Blue Ranger stood quietly and looked at their clasped hands.

“That’s what you needed to realize for yourself,” came Castor’s voice, as the Blue Ranger vanished, revealing the original Midnight Ranger. Castor gave a warm smile to the two of them. “So no more doubts, alright?” 

Billy smiled and nodded.

“Thank you for all of your help,” Billy nodded to him.

“You’re a worthy successor,” Castor told him. “And I’m sorry, in advance, for my sisters.”

“We’ll manage,” Kim voiced, looking at Billy with a smile.

“I know you will,” Castor said firmly.

And everything around them started to vanish.

-PR-

Billy opened his eyes and found himself staring at the Power Chambers ceiling. He sat up, glancing around, finding Kim also waking up not far from him. She took in her own surroundings and then sat up, jumping off her table and rushing to him with her arms out.

He jumped down as well, catching her in his arms.

“Thank you,” He said softly into her hair.

She gave him a squeeze. “No more doubting,” She said in his ear. “We are here with you and ready for battle.”

“Speaking of ‘ready for battle’” Alpha voiced, interrupting them.

They broke apart and looked at him, and then to Zordon.

“What’s going on?”

The Rangers have been battling Mondo’s latest monster, Sahmasher, Zordon told them. 

Billy and Kim turned to the viewing globe.

The team was being pushed back by a monster that looked like it had massive hands. It shot its hands out at the rangers, only to hit them and then regenerate its hands.

“Well that doesn’t look like fun,” Billy said.

Kim took her attention off the globe and to her partner.

“Ready?” He nodded at her.

“It’s morphin’ time!”

-PR-

Tommy grabbed at Rocky’s arm to pick him back up after they were hit.

“Spread out!” Tommy called out. “He can only hit us two at a time.”

The rangers did as they were told, making Sahmasher choose who to target.

“Well then,” it turned, looking at them all. “If you change tactics, then so do I!”

His legs formed together like the bottom of a top, as he started to spin around and around.

Then he made his way towards the rangers.

They each dove and moved out of his way.

Adam got grazed and knocked to one side, but found himself steadied by lavender.

“I got you!”

“Thanks Kim.”

Jason grabbed Tanya out of the way as Sahmasher twirled past them.

“Kat!” Tommy called out, but his warning came too late.

She was hit in the stomach and sent flying, but found herself caught by Billy.

“Thanks for the save,” she said as he placed her down on her feet.

“Are you alright?” He placed a hand by her stomach where she was hit.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Looks like we got here just in time,” Kim called out as everyone fell into a group.

“We appreciate the assistance,” Rocky voiced as he joined the group.

“Kim, Jason and I will distract him,” Billy offered. “You guys plan the attack.”

“Alright!” Tommy signaled for the others to get into formation.

“Let’s do this!” Jason followed after Billy and Kim.

Kim

Used her speed to run around Sahmasher, causing him to stop, confused.

“What is this ?” The monster-of-the-week asked.

“Oh just a little something to slow you down,” Kim told him as she spun a kick into him.

Billy was right on the other side and kickdd him towards Jason.

Jason jumped into a front handspring- using the strength in his arms to propel his feet right into Sahmashers face.

“Ack! Why you…”

“Now!” Tommy commanded, as the rest of the team stood on either side- their weapons having formed the Zeo Blaster.

The three teammates got out of the way as the blast headed right for its target.

“Well that sucks…” Sahmasher commented, just before he was blasted away.

“Great work you guys!” Jason complimented.

“You too,” Tommy said.

“Good thing you woke up in time,” Tanya said to Billy and Kim.

The group took this moment to power down.

“It was definitely ideal timing,” Billy noted.

“Midnight Ranger!” Came a whimsical call.

The group turned to see Phoebe, her pendulum’s leash in her hand as it pointed towards them. She gave a big wave and ran over.

Adam and Rocky went into defense mode, which scared Phoebe as she reached for Jason and hid behind him.

“I’m the nice one!” She protested. “Tell them Achilles!”

“My name is Jason,” he corrected her.

“Stand down guys,” Kim told the others. “This is Phoebe. And she isn’t a threat.”

Phoebe peaked out from behind Jason giving a nod.

She then turned her attention to Billy.

“You did it!” She rejoiced. “I sense no battle within anymore.”

Billy smiled and gave her a nod.

“Thank you for your help.”

She jumped forward, wrapping her arms around him for a hug. 

Billy was completely off guard, but gave an awkward chuckle. Kim tensed slightly.

“I knew you could do it. Did you see him?” Phoebe pulled back and studied Billy’s face. “Did you see my brother?”

“I did.”

Phoebe clapped her hands in delight. Rocky looked around at the others and pointed at his own head, rolling his wrist, referencing the latest sister with his eyes.

The rangers glanced at each other and gave a nod.

“I am so glad,” Phoebe said, beaming through a smile. “Although my sisters won’t be too happy I did the opposite of what they are trying to do…they’ll come for me as well” She glanced around as if she almost expected another sister to appear at any moment.

“Why don’t you stay?” Billy offered. “We can protect you and you can help advise us when it comes to your sisters.”

Phoebe looked like a child who was just offered a toy.

“Really?” She asked. “I can be here with you?”

“I don’t see why not,” Billy gave a shrug. “My father is away and we have the guest room. If you are with us, then you are safe. And it would be nice to have an ally.”

Phoebe gave a squeal and hugged Billy once more.

Are you sure about this? Kim asked him.

She helped me. Us. I feel this is only right,  Billy looked at her and gave a shrug.

But for her to stay at your house? You put both targets in one spot.

Billy hesitated and then looked at Kim with a question in his eyes.

Then maybe you could stay as well?

Kim didn’t get a chance to think back as Phoebe hugged her, and made her way down the line, hugging and finding compliments for each ranger.

“We should introduce you to Zordon and Alpha,” Tommy said.

Everyone nodded.

They reached for their communicators, and Rocky offered his hand to Phoebe to take, as he pressed the button that would transport them back.

Chapter Text

“This is amazing!” Phoebe looked around the Power Chamber in awe.

“It is very nice to meet you,” Alpha told her.

She leaned in closely to look at him. 

“It’s nice to meet you too, little man of steel.”

The rangers chuckled.

Welcome to the Power Chamber, Zordon offered her. My name is Zordon of Eltar.

“I am Lady Phoebe of Pleuronia,” she gave Zordon a nod of her head.

“Phoebe will be staying with me for the time being,” Billy voiced.

Kat exchanged a glance with Tommy and then looked over to Kim.

“So Phoebe will be staying here so we can keep her safe,” Rocky said, “in return for help with her other sisters.”

“Well me and the last bit of Castor I have,” Phoebe added, her pendulum stone lifting as if acknowledging the presence of Castor.

“Is that what that is?” Kim asked.

Phoebe nodded, “my sweet, beloved brother. People don’t know this, but even though Polla was his twin and partner, we were always very close.”

“He did mention you would be the only one worthy of the Midnight Powers,” Billy recalled.

Phoebe immediately shook her head. “I can’t fight. I never could. It is not my calling.”

Billy, you must be safe while Phoebe is with you. You are both now targets, Zordon warned.

“You’re oracle is right,” Phoebe realized. “I didn’t think of that.”

“We did,” Kim stepped up. “I will be staying with you as well, for protection.”

“One of us can stay with you too,” Jason added. “Just to be sure?”

Billy thought about it and nodded, “it would make sense, but I don’t want anyone to stress.”

“It’s no stress,” Tommy said.

“Why don’t I join you,” Jason offered. “At least for a night or two. We can trade out.”

Billy nodded. 

“That would be ideal.”

“Then it’s settled. We’ll take turns. The more people you have to back you up, the better,” Tommy glanced around at the other rangers and they all nodded.

“We better get Phoebe settled,” Kim told them. “Jason and I have to go get our things.”

-PR-

“Here you go,” Rocky placed down the tray of smoothies for the group before taking a seat next to Phoebe. 

It had been a week, and Billy found himself falling into a brotherly role with Phoebe (even though they told anyone who asked that she was his cousin). Teaching Phoebe about basic modern technology was not as difficult as he thought it would have been. She spent most of the days hanging out with Billy in between his college classes and waiting for the rest of the team. 

Kim had let her borrow some clothes, but the day before the girls had all gone to the mall to get Phoebe her own stuff.

She was wearing blue jeans with a white and purple striped top. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She fit it perfectly with the group as a “normal” teenage girl.

She picked up one of the cups and eyed it. 

“Drink through here,” Billy demonstrated drinking through his straw.

Phoebe followed his example and drank. “This is delicious!” She exclaimed.

“Don’t drink too fast,” Tommy warned her. “You’ll get a brain freeze.”

Phoebe's eyes went wide. “It can freeze your brain?”

“No,” Adam chuckled. “They call it that when you drink something cold too fast. The roof of your mouth gets cold and it causes a temporary pain in your head.”

“Oh…” Phoebe sipped slowly.

“So how are you liking it here so far?” Kat asked.

“It’s…different. But very nice.” 

“We could go to the park after this,” Rocky suggested.

Suddenly there was a familiar beep coming across their communicators.

“Looks like the park may have to wait,” Tommy said. They glanced around and headed to the entrance back into the school. Phoebe grabbed her smoothie and followed.

“We’re here,” The Midnight Ranger patched in as the others surrounded him. 

Rangers, there are Tengus attacking downtown Angel Grove, Zordon informed them.

“If it’s not one…” Jason rolled his eyes.

“We’re on our way. Alpha, when we transport, lock onto Phoebe and bring her to you.”

“ You got it, Billy,” came the reply.

“Good luck,” Phoebe said to them, as they teleported out, her white signature diverging from the others.

-PR-

The rangers teleported into an alleyway, and right ahead could see people running and hear them crying out.

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“We should be prepared. Something tells me a monster is nearby,” Tommy said. “It’s morphin time!”

Now morphed, the rangers ran around the corner to view the scene.

Sure enough, Tengus were running around and making a mess, and there was what looked like a spotlight with arms and legs wearing a beret on its head.

“You know, when Finster was designing the monsters, they seemed to make more sense,” Tommy said to Billy, Jason and Kim.

The rangers each took on a few Tengus each and stood before the light-creature.

“Oh good, the Rangers! Let there be light!” It said as the light turned on in their faces.

The rangers reacted, covering their eyes from the brightness as they also felt a burning sensation.

“That’s one hot lamp,” Rocky complained as they jumped out of the way.

“Kim,” Billy called to her.

“Let’s go,” She knew what the plan was.

The Gemini Rangers used their enhanced speed to approach the monster, but he turned his gaze towards them and they couldn’t see, and the heat from the light was searing. 

“Just the pair I was hoping to put in the spotlight,” he said with a chuckle.

Kim and Billy cried out in pain and dropped down. Billy crawled over to Kim, covering her to try to protect her. Suddenly there was a purple forcefield that surrounded them.

“Oh come on,” the monster complained, keeping his light on them. “I was just getting to the finishing torches!”

“Oh no!” Tanya turned to the others. “We’ve got to do something!”

“Rangers!” Alpha called in.

“What is it, Alpha?” Adam placed a hand up to his helmet to hear better.

“I’m sending backup!”

“Backup?” Kat asked.

In a white flash stood Phoebe.

“Phoebe, it’s too dangerous for you here!” Tommy warned her.

“I can help though! It’s a Medusa situation!” Phoebe lifted her chain and the pendulum at the end transformed into a large mirror, framed in gold and purple. 

“Oh!” Kat realized. “Perfect!”

Tommy and Jason looked at each other and gave a nod. 

“Let’s do this!”

Billy felt his force field weakening. He didn’t even know he could create one, and he wasn’t sure he could hold out for much longer.

This monster was intent on trying to take down Kim and him.

Kim? Can you hear me?

There was no response and she was still beside him.

Suddenly the bright light was no longer on them, and Billy was able to drop the forcefield.

Tommy was doing some fancy jumping back and forth and the monster was doing his best to try to hit him.

Tommy then landed behind Jason, who was hiding behind the mirror he held.

The light reflected and hit the monster in return, knocking him down.

Once more the rangers managed to create their blaster to take on this monster, before it could even be given the chance to be enlarged by Zedd and Rita.

“Alright!” Rocky exclaimed. 

“That was some quick thinking,” Tommy told Phoebe.

The mirror transformed back into her pendulum and she put it back in her pocket.

“Billy, Kim!” Adam and Kat were rushing over to their friends. 

Billy was lifting Kim into his arms. “We need to get back to the Power Chamber,” he said.

Kat noted that he didn’t sound too great himself.

They all streamed out of the public area.

-PR-

“Ai yi yi,” Alpha said on their return. “That monster was tough.”

The group powered down and Tommy helped Billy place Kim down on the table that was waiting for them.

At this point, it was always in the main Power Chamber.

“I don’t remember Rita and Zedd being that strong,” Adam looked to Zordon. “And it was made to target Billy and Kim.”

It is concerning that they have returned with the means strong enough to challenge your current powers, Zordon admitted.

“But are they trying to take the powers back?” Kat asked. “Or destroy them?”

Phoebe walked up to Billy, whispering something to him and he nodded, taking Kim’s hand and closing his eyes, trying to concentrate.

Alpha was just getting the scanner, but Tanya stopped him.

“How is she?” the Yellow Ranger directly asked Billy.

“She’s weak…” Billy said, feeling the energy between them. “I’m going to try something.”

“Careful,” Jason warned. “You’re also not exactly in the best shape, at the moment.”

Billy opened his eyes and looked around at the others. “I’m better than she is. I need to try.”

He closed his eyes again, breathing out as he felt some of his own energy force concentrated and moving into Kim.

He could hear her stir and he opened his eyes, just as she did.

She immediately locked eyes with him and gave a small smile, “hey.”

He opened his mouth to reply to her, when he was overtaken by a rush of dizziness.

“Woah,” Tommy grabbed Billy’s arm, as Phoebe grabbed the other side as he started to falter and steadied him. “You alright, man?”

“Yeah,” Billy shook it off. “I’m OK. Just got a rush of exhaustion.”

“You gave some of your own energy to Kim,” Phoebe noted. “You are bound to feel the effects.”

Rocky and Kat helped Kim sit up.

“How long was I out for?” Kim asked.

“Not too long,” Kat assured her.

Both of you should take some time to recover from the battle , Zordon told them. 

“In the meantime, we should see if we can figure out what is making Rita and Zedd so strong,” Tommy looked to Jason and Adam.

It was Rocky’s turn staying at the Cranston household. He stepped next to Billy. Kat and Phoebe helped Kim stand and Phoebe held onto her.

“Get some rest you two,” Kat told them. Tommy came up next to her, placing an arm around the small of her back. 

“Let us know if you need anything,” he added.

“We should be alright,” Billy said.

“I’ll keep an eye on them,” Rocky promised.

“Me too,” Phoebe voiced.

The team smiled as the four teleported out of the Power Chamber.

-PR-

Billy and Kim were unstable as they came out of the teleport back at the Cranston house.

Rocky and Phoebe gripped onto them.

“You can recover your energy better if you are near each other,” Phoebe told them. “You need to be in the same room. That way it’ll go quicker, in case someone shows up trying to attack.”

Phoebe took Kim and led the way to the guest room, and Rocky helped Billy as they followed.

Phoebe placed Kim on the bed, and Billy knelt down onto the sleeping bag, covered with blankets and pillows on the floor.

Phoebe held up her pendulum which didn’t really move, but swung a little.

“If you require anything, please let me know,” she said.

“We’ll be downstairs,” Rocky told them. “Rest a bit and I’ll order pizza or something.”

Billy and Kim nodded as Phoebe shut the door on her way out.

“You promised to teach me the game with cards,” they heard her say to Rocky.

After a few moments, Kim turned over to look down at Billy.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

“Drained, but I’m alright,” he told her. “I don’t know how Phoebe sleeps in this…nest.”

“She insisted,” Kim laughed softly. “I tried to make her take the bed.”

Billy chuckled as well and shifted some of the pillows, trying to get comfortable..

“Why don’t you take the bed,” Kim offered to him.

He shook his head, “it’s alright.”

Kim thought for a moment. “This is a full size bed. We can share… We've done it before.

Billy sat up and studied her, trying to read her expression.

“When we were kids. The bed used to be much bigger.”

Kim sat up, then hesitated for a moment feeling lightheaded.

“You could join me up here, or I’ll come down there,” She gave him a look.

He let out a breathy, laugh in disbelief. But he cut it short when he saw the tone in her face. 

“Kim-”

She cut him off, “Billy. How long are we going to dance around this?” She held out her hand to him. “Come on. We are better when we are in sync, and you know that us physically being near each other helps.”

He stood up, without taking her hand, and sat next to her on the bed.

She looked into his eyes.

“Billy, it’s me .”

“Doesn’t make it any less awkward. I always thought of you as…”

“A sister?”

Unattainable. Someone else’s. Anyone else's. This feels like a line is being crossed.

Billy realized in Kim’s reaction that she heard that.

“What line?” She asked. “There’s no one else. I came back single and you’ve seen Tommy and Kat. Besides, how frustrating would it be for anyone right now to be with either of us?”

We are constantly connected, the other comes first.

Until…

“Don’t think that way,” Kim grabbed his hands.

They both took a moment as they felt the physical stress of the day.

“We don’t have to talk about this now,” Billy said. “Why don’t we get some rest so we can be ready for the rest of the team?”

“Cautious Cranston.”

“It’s been a while since you’ve called me that,” He gave her a small smile. Kim sat back to the other side of the bed and laid down, indicating the extra space to him with her eyes.

He sighed and laid down next to her on his back.

She quietly positioned herself at his side, resting her head on his chest. He placed a hand on her shoulder and inhaled her rose scent as he drifted to sleep.

After a few moments the door cracked open and Phoebe and Rocky peeked in.

Phoebe shut the door and looked at Rocky with a sad smile.

“What is it?” He asked with a whisper as they walked back to the living room.

“They will keep going through cycles until everyone with a claim on the Midnight Crystal concedes,” She said with a frown. “I wish I could help more.”

“We all do,” Rocky said. “It’s not fair that Billy has to go through all of this and Kim too.”

“I will do my best to help and protect them,” Phoebe turned to Rocky.

Rocky was taken aback by this declaration. Phoebe seemed as if she needed to prove herself.

He took her by her arms and spoke gently, “You have been very helpful. Continue to help. Let us protect them.”

She smiled at him and nodded.

“You are a wonderful family,” she told him.

“Darn right we are.”

Chapter Text

Kim opened her eyes, feeling pretty rested. She was laying on the bed, on her side…

Didn’t I start off laying against Billy?

At some point they must have shifted. She found herself on the same side that she started on, but with her head on her pillow, her forehead almost touching Billy’s. He was now on his side facing her, somewhat curled up.

Her hand was on his, keeping the physical connection.

Kim took in a breath, catching the scent of sandalwood that must have been from Billy’s shampoo.

Her eyes looked over his face. His face was peaceful. No sign of pain, stress or any indication that he may be dreaming. His breath was steady.

I wonder how long we have been sleeping?

She glanced out the window to see the sun was setting. Maybe an hour or so then?

She heard Billy take in a deep breath which brought her attention back to him.

His eyes were open, blinking through the dying light of the room.

“Sorry,” she spoke softly. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

His eyes rested on her and he shook his head. 

“No… at least, I don’t think so.”

He propped himself up on his elbow to take in their surroundings.

“I think we slept for about an hour,” she helped him fill in the blanks.

He looked down at her, caught for a moment by how her hair seemed to spill over the pillow, giving her almost a fairytale look in the sunsets glow. 

He could simply just lean down and…

“What?” She asked, puzzled by his look. She raised a hand to her hair. “Is my hair a mess?”

“No,” he said quickly. “I just…” he flushed.

Kim found herself blushing as well, not sure if it wasn’t just her feeling how he was.

“Oh!” She sat up. “I think we are fully charged…”

He stayed propped on his elbow, now looking up at her. “I do feel like I got adequate rest.”

“We should go let Phoebe and Rocky know we are awake,” Kim skootched herself to the foot of the bed to get up, readjusting her shirt, which twisted on her, and pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

Billy rolled back, swinging his legs off the bed to stand and making his way towards the door.

Which opened before he could touch the knob.

“Oh!” Phoebe jumped slightly on the other side when she saw them. “I was just coming to check on you. The pizza is here, if you are hungry?”

“Yeah,” Billy gave her a warm smile. “Pizza sounds good right now.”

“I’m excited to know what pizza is,” Phoebe said. “It smells very good.”

“Right…” Kim realized. “We’re just introducing you to all sorts of food, huh?”

Phoebe gave a smile and they all headed to the kitchen.

-PR-

“You’re going to tire yourself out,” Tanya scolded Adam, who was looking through energy sources that could have been tapped by Rita and Zedd.

“It’s just,” Adam sighed and thinned his lips. “When Billy was under the spell, he said that I was trying to push him out of the Power Chamber…”

“He was under the spell,” Tanya pointed out his own words. 

“A spell that used Billy’s insecurities and fears to play off of,” Adam pointed out. “Somewhere deep down he felt that I was trying to make him…” He searched for the right word. “Obsolete.”

Tanya tugged at his arm to make him face her. “Adam, he knows you are trying to help. You’re his best hope to help Alpha if he isn’t here.”

“I don’t want to leave him hanging. I don’t want him to stress that it has to be him. Especially now that he has all these targets on his back.”

Tanya stepped into him, giving him a hug. Adam wrapped his arms around her.

“We can’t protect all of our friends from everything,” she said practically. “And you especially can’t protect them if you aren’t taking care of yourself.”

Adam thought for a moment and then gave a small smile, nodding. 

She was right.

Suddenly the communicator beeped.

Adam looked at Tanya and hit the received button. 

“Adam and Tanya here.”

“Hey, it’s Billy. We have pizza at my house. Why don’t you guys come over?”

“His ears must have been ringing,” Tanya said with a smile. She gave a nod.

Adam smiled, “sounds great. We’ll be right over.”

-PR-

Kim walked over to Billy, who was separating more slices of pizza. She indicated to Phoebe and Rocky at the table, the Blue Zeo Ranger showing their new friend how to fold the pizza.

“I think we may have missed something while we were resting,” she said conspiratorially. 

He followed her gaze and smiled.

Ding dong.

“I’ll get it,” Kim said, heading over to the door with a skip.

Billy looked after her, remembering how she looked laying in the light of the sunset earlier. He shook his head back to focus as Kim re-entered with Adam and Tanya.

“We’re here for the pizza,” Tanya said demandingly, with a smile.

“Are the others coming?” Adam asked.

“Jason is with Emily and Tommy and Kat are on a date,” Billy filled them in.

Kim nodded over to Phoebe and Rocky, “Speaking of date, how long till Rocky asks Phoebe on one?”

Tanya’s eyes went wide as she looked over at the two at the table. She hushed her tone and leaned into Kim, “really?”

“They’re really cute,” Kim said back and the two girls giggled.

Billy and Adam looked at each other and laughed, both shaking their heads.

Girls.

“Billy,” Adam started, “we’ve yet to find any extra power source Rita and Zedd may have. I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”

“Don’t stress,” Billy told him. “We’ll figure it out. I appreciate you looking into it.”

Suddenly there was a pounding at the door.

It was so loud, it caused everyone to jump and look in its direction.

“No chance one of the others decided to come over after all?” Rocky asked.

Billy looked around and walked towards the door.

He had just turned the handle and started to pull it open when Phoebe got a chill.

“Billy!” She cried out. “Wait!”

The door was barely open when it flew open the rest of the way with a powerful energy wave, sending Billy back and onto the floor.

Phoebe and Rocky rushed to help him up, as the figure in the doorway stepped inside.

She was dressed in Grecian warrior clothing, no chest plate, but she had armor at her shoulders, bracers, and a thick metal belt that protected her midsection. She had red hair that had a slight curl to it, which was finished off with the purple strands. It was kept out of her face by a thick headband, made of the same plated material as her armor. She held a staff in one hand.

“Timandra…” Phoebe gasped.

“Little sister,” Timandra’s voice was somewhat raspy in comparison to the other siblings. “Here we were, wondering where you could have hidden, and you have been here with the crystal.” She tilted her head to try to understand the situation. “Are you seeing if you just have favor with anyone who holds our brother's crystal?”

Phoebe cowered behind Billy.

“She is my guest and under my protection here,” Billy informed Timandra.

Timandra turned her attention to him.

“New guardian of the Midnight Crystal,” she addressed him. “I will be taking it from you.”

“You’re not the first to tell me that,” he said simply to her. “And you won’t be the last.”

Timandra smiled. The sight of her doing so was unsettling.

“Who do I take care of first?” She looked between him and Phoebe. Her shadow on the floor split into 4 and started to grow up into corporeal beings.

Billy glanced towards his partner.

Kim, get Phoebe out of here.

But what about you?

She needs our protection. 

Kim grabbed Phoebe’s hand and pulled her. “Rocky!” She called to him as she rushed with  Phoebe to the back, sliding door, opening it and running into the backyard. He took the cue and followed after.

Two of the shadows chased after them. Before the other two shadows could follow, Tanya and Adam stepped up on either side of Billy, arms going up in defense.

Timandra looked at the other two and then landed on Billy.

“Shall we make this even?”

“Let’s try not to break anything,” Billy sighed as he mirrored his teammate’s stance.

-PR-

Kim and Phoebe stopped at the fence in Billy’s backyard, turning to face the shadow creatures that had followed them outside. Rocky was close on their tails, turning to stand in front of them, arms up.

Kim pulled Phoebe behind her and raised her own hands.

The shadow beings split, putting distance between each other. 

“They are trying to separate us…” Rocky realized.

“Don’t let them,” Kim said.

She stepped up to go back to back with Rocky.

This caused the shadow creatures to approach them.

The Rangers swung at their opponents, the shadows blocking them. They then spun around each other to attack the opposite shadow. The two made a dance of it, linking arms to swing each other around to gain momentum. Rocky ducked so Kim could roll over his back for a kick, then they clasped hands so Rocky could swing her back for another kick into the other one.

But the shadows just kept getting back up.

-PR-

Back inside the house, Billy, Tanya and Adam found themselves in a similar position.

No matter how many times they knocked down their opponents, they kept getting back up.

Timandra turned her attention on Adam, who was helping Tanya push back the shadow that had knocked her down.

Timandra took out a small dagger that was strapped to her thigh. There was a glowing flash of green over the blade as she stepped forward and reached to slash at the green ranger.

“Adam!” Billy called out.

Adam felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as the blade caught him. He hissed as he brought his hand to his shoulder.

The shadows disappeared.

Billy rushed between Adam and Timandra, allowing Tanya to run to the former's aid.

Timandra lashed out again, catching the side of Billy’s neck. 

More of a prick than a slice.

Billy brought his hand up and checked the damage, looking at the small drop of blood on his fingers.

Adam started to sway on his feet and dropped to his knees.

“Adam!” Tanya cried out, dropping down in front of him.

“I feel…” Adam slurred before slumping forward into her arms.

“Adam? Adam!” Tanya tried to shake him to stir him.

Billy glanced at them and turned on Timandra, advancing on her. “What did you do?” He demanded, fists clenched.

Timandra instinctively took a step back and observed him. She held up the dagger. 

“It’s poisoned,” she said simply. “I will give you the antidote if you come with me.”

She took the dagger and slashed at the air, the blade tearing into the fabric of their reality, creating some sort of portal.

“The antidote first,” Billy insisted. “I will only go if he is safe.”

“So noble,” Timandra’s lips curled into a smile. She held up a hand, a bottle appearing. She tossed it down at Tanya, who caught it in one hand before it could shatter. “You’ll want to keep a little,” she informed the yellow ranger, then indicated to Billy with a nod. “If he survives, he will need some.”

She grabbed Billy by the wrist and pulled him into the portal, just as Rocky, Kim and Phoebe ran into the room.

“Billy!” Kim called, rushing towards the portal.

But it closed.

They stood in silence and looked at each other.

“Rocky, help me,” Tanya indicated to Adam.

“Right,” Rocky grabbed his friend and looked him over.

Adam was pale, his lips turning nearly white.

“Let’s get him to the Power Chamber, we’ll figure things out from there.”

“Kim,” Phoebe placed a hand on the Twilight Rangers arm. “Billy will be victorious.”

Kim kept her eyes on where the portal was, but she nodded

They needed to take care of Adam.

Just come back to me, she thought before turning to teleport herself and Phoebe, along with the others, to the Power Chamber.

Chapter Text

Billy stumbled as he entered what looked liked the inside of his house, but everything was casted over with a blue and purple light.
He looked around seeing Phoebe, Rocky, Kim and Tanya crowding around Adam, all bathed in this new lighting.
Kim seems to turn and look right at Billy.
“Kim? What’s going on? I just went through a tear..” Kim didn’t react to him. Billy sighed, understanding. “And you can’t hear me because I’m in some sort of dimension…”
“Well aren’t you the smart one,” Timandra’s voice came. “You and Castor have that in common.”
Billy watched as the rest of the team teleported away, but even though there was a greenish flash, Adam was left behind on the floor.
“Wait!” Billy called out, instinctively running to him, “Adam!” As he reached him he discovered he could physically touch him, helping him into a sitting position and looking up at Timandra, “What’s this?”
“The game,” she said simply.
Adam opened his eyes and looked up at Billy and then around them, seeing (and feeling) the change in where they were.
“Where are we?” He asked Billy, sitting up more on his own.
“We are in another dimension… kind of like a shadow version of ours.”
“You are in the ‘in-between’,”Timandra informed them. “Between the living and the dead. Those whose fates are yet to be decided…”
“We’re dead?” Adam’s eyes went wide.
“No… but one of you will be,” she said with a smile. 
She gestured to the table, where two goblets now sat. “Please, have a seat…”
“Why should we?” Billy challenged.
“Because if you don’t, then neither of you will return,” she said, her voice dropping to a growl.
“You seemed more of a fighter,” the Midnight Ranger said, as he walked over to this version of his kitchen table, Adam mirroring him on the other side.
Clearly the goblets were for them.
“I am not as fierce as Clytemnestra or Philonoe,” Timandra admitted.
Billy and Adam locked eyes for that moment. They have met Clytemnestra, but not Philonoe. It had already been suggested that the latter was more of a threat than those they have come across.
The two young men sat. 
Timandra walked to stand between the two, aside the table.
“There is only one acceptable price to leave here,” she snapped her fingers and the goblets partially filled with, what appeared to be, wine. “In one of these cups is a poison…”  She picked up the goblets and switched them a few times before placing them back down. “Who will get it?”
Adam looked at the goblets and then to Billy, who was looking between the drinks as well. Then the genius looked to his friend, his forehead creased with concern.

-PR-

“Has there been any change?” Tommy asked as he and Kat entered the room.
Rocky sat next to where Adam was lying and Kim was on his other side. Phoebe was checking Adam over as Alpha and Tanya looked over the scans.
“His color has returned,” Phoebe informed him, “and he is warmer to the touch.”
“His vitals are looking good,” Tanya said. 
“What about Billy?” Kat glanced over at Kim.
The Twilight Ranger shook her head and tapped her temple, “I haven’t heard a thing.”
“We don’t know where he is, do we?” Tommy looked to Phoebe.
She glanced around nervously, “the only place she could have taken him is somewhere we cannot follow,” she lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry I cannot be of more help with this.”
“It’s OK,” Rocky reassured her. “Every bit helps.”
Kim was silent, keeping her eyes on Adam’s sleeping form.
Kat walked over to her.
“Are you alright?” She asked her predecessor.
“Physically? I’m fine. Emotionally? I’m frustrated,” Kim answered honestly. “I hate being stuck on the sidelines. I hate not knowing what is going on.” She turned and looked at Kat, “I hate being separated from him and waiting to feel a wave of pain or something as my only clue to what is going on.”
“I know,” Kat said firmly, grabbing Kim’s hand. “You are completely right to feel this way.”
Kim gave Kat’s hand a squeeze.
“Thank you.”
Kat glanced over at the others and locked eyes with Tommy, who gestured back to Kim and then towards the door.
Kat took a breath and turned back to Kim. “Why don’t we make a food run?”
Kim thought about it for a moment and nodded.

-PR-

Timandra stood, quietly, watching as the boys tried to reason their way through the situation.
“The others were given the antidote for the poison on the blade that cut you and were told to save some,” Billy looked from Adam to the sister that was hovering to the side of them. “Your body is still there, they are saving you. We  can’t take the risk of you getting the poison…”
“All the more reason for me to get the poison,” Adam argued. “Where’s your body? I’m only here in spirit.”
Billy looked at the two cups.
“If they have the antidote, we don’t have to worry…” Adam voiced. But his voice faltered and it was clear he was not certain.
Billy reached for a cup.
Adam reached to stop him. 
“Billy… this doesn’t just affect you…” Adam reminded him. 
“Kim will be alright,” Billy said firmly. “She’ll lose the power, but she will be alright.”
Timandra let out an impatient huff.
“Is that the cup you are going with?” Adam asked Billy.
Billy looked back and forth. He then looked up sharply towards Timandra, as if she was advancing.
Adam glanced towards her, raising his arms instinctively in defense.
Billy took the chance to take the other cup and pour its contents into the one he was holding.
Adam brought his attention back and realized what Billy did.
“Billy! No!” Adam reached his hand out in protest as the Midnight Ranger drank.

-PR-

The Pink Zeo Ranger and the Twilight Ranger walked quietly for a while on the way to Ernie’s.
“Kim,” Kat finally broke the silence. “I know this all hasn’t been easy for you…but-“
But what?
Kat just let the sentence die. She didn’t know what to say. 
“It’s funny,” Kim started. “When I came back, I didn’t know what to expect. Tommy and I… we had a great thing… we seemed so perfect. I had “Kimberly Oliver” and “Mrs. Oliver” written all over my notebooks. I accidentally wrote it on a quiz once!”
Kat laughed at that. “You want to know a secret?” She asked. Kim pressed her answer with a nod. “I tried out my name with Oliver… and Cranston…”
Kim stopped short, her jaw dropping, the back of her hand smacking against Kat’s arm. “Shut…up!” 
Kat blushed, but broke into a huge smile and started laughing, Kim joining her.
“I mean,” Kim started again, “when I was in 9th grade I wrote ‘Kim Scott’ a few times…”
“You and Jason?” They fell into step again.
“Nothing ever came of that. A bunch of people commented on how we should be together and what a cute couple we would make… but I didn’t really see it.” Kim looked back at Kat. “So…you and Billy?”
“Nothing ever happened there,” Kat said quickly. “It was a crush, and I think because I was so certain Tommy and I would never get together that I was keeping my mind open to other possibilities…but Kim… it’s clear what you two mean to each other.”
Kim hesitated. “It’s hard. I’m not sure if it’s our connection or not, but all I can think about is him.”
“Follow your heart, Miss Hart.” Kat bumped her shoulder into Kim, which conjured another smile.
Suddenly Kim started to dip forward and Kat grabbed onto her.
“Kim? Are you alright?”
Kim steadied herself and her smile was replaced with a mixture of annoyance and concern.
“Billy.”

-PR-

“I will admit,” Timandra said. “I was not expecting that…”
“I paid the price,” Billy informed her. “Now we leave here.”
Timandra walked forward and Billy found her at his eye level. 
Adam stepped up beside Billy, in case she would try something.
Timandra studied her brother's successor for a few moments and then knelt down, her arm to her chest.
“You are wise and brave,” she looked up at him. “With a large heart. You are very much like Castor, and I acknowledge your right to the crystal.” She stood, “Which means you have my allegiance when facing the last of my sisters.”
Adam let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
Billy looked at her confused.
“The drink..?”
“There was no poison,” Timandra shrugged. “I needed to see your mindset, and how you would handle the situation… you did it without a second thought of how to protect your friend.”
Billy glanced at Adam, who gave him a smile.
Then Billy felt the wave of dizziness, and Adam grabbed a hold of him.
“However,” Timandra continued, “you did get a cut in your cheek from my blade, which did have poison on it. And it seems like it’s finally having an affect on you.”
She turned and slashed at the air, opening a portal back to Billy’s house.
“Get back. Your friends have the antidote,” she grabbed Billy’s hand for a moment. “When you need me, summon me and I will be there.”
She withdrew her hand, and Billy looked down at the gem she left behind in his hand.
“Go,” she said sharply.
Billy and Adam stepped through the portal.
Billy collapsed down as Adam immediately vanished.

-PR-

Adam gasped awake in the Power Chamber.
“Adam!”
Tanya grabbed a hold of him and Rocky stepped forward.
“Billy,” Adam said breathlessly. “The house. He’s at the house. He needs help. Poison.”
Phoebe grabbed the vial, which still had some of the antidote in it, remembering her sister's words that Billy would need it.
“We’re on it,” Rocky turned towards Phoebe and they teleported out.

-PR-

When they arrived at the house, Kat and Kim were there.
“Tommy told us about Billy,” Kat explained.
They ran into the house, finding Billy on the floor.
Phoebe dropped down beside him and took the antidote, dribbling what was left into his mouth and holding his head so it would trickle down.
“Come on man,” Rocky said to Billy.
Kim held her hands together in a silent prayer on his other side.
Suddenly Billy coughed and stirred.
“It worked!” Rocky exclaimed.
“Thank goodness!” Kat sighed in relief.
Billy opened his eyes and saw his friends leaning over him.
He sat up, looking around.
“Adam..” he started.
“Is fine!” Phoebe informed him with a smile.
Billy looked around at each of them. 
His eyes landed on Kim.
She smacked him on his shoulder.
“What was that for?” He asked, confused.
In answer, she grabbed his cheeks and leaned forward to kiss him.

Chapter Text

Billy pulled back startled for a moment studying Kim, making sure that this was, indeed, what she wanted. 

Then he raised his hand to her cheek and pulled her in for another kiss.

The sensation was unlike anything. 

Soft lips, a bubbling from the stomach, and a warm feeling spreading in the chest. 

Finally the kiss broke, and they were reminded that they weren’t alone.

“It’s about time…” Rocky grinned. His hand was on Phoebe’s shoulder. The sister was also smiling, her hands clasped together against her chest.

Kat, on the other side with Kim, had a soft smile for the couple.

Billy started to stand, Kim holding onto one arm and Rocky stepping forward to help pull him up and steady him as he wobbled slightly. Rocky kept his arm around his friend just in case.

“So Adam is alright?” Billy asked.

“Yes, he woke up at the command center,” Rocky confirmed.

Billy nodded and smiled in relief.

“We should head back and check in on him,” Kat gave a knowing look to Rocky and Phoebe. “Kim can stay with Billy until we are sure he’s alright.”

Rocky gave an understanding nod, releasing Billy and taking Phoebe’s hand, the three teleporting out of Billy’s house, leaving the Gemini Rangers behind.

Billy walked over to the stool at the kitchen counter and sat, Kim following close behind him.

“Are you alright?” She ran a hand over his head, looking him over for any visual of a wound.

He caught her hand in his and brought it away from his face, holding it.

“I’m alright,” he promised.

They took a moment, both awkwardly looking down at their, now clasped, hands.

“I guess we need to talk…” Billy hesitated. 

“We definitely do,” Kim gave a little chuckle.

“Kim… I want to know that we can trust these feelings…” Billy said carefully. “I care for you, deeply. I…always have. There have been plenty of times I wondered…” he gave a sigh, frustrated that he couldn’t get the words out. “I just…”

“Want to be sure it’s us and not just our connection?” Kim asked.

Billy nodded.

“Billy, you have always been there for me,” Kim started. “You know me better than nearly anyone. There were times I could have seen us together, but I feel like they were never the right times.”

“Then there was Tommy,” Billy pointed out.

“Yes… there was . But not anymore. Him and Kat seem happy. Tommy and me, we ran our course and I’ll always care for him, just like any of our other friends.”

Billy nodded quietly. Kim took his hand.

“But you. You are my partner. Even before we were bound by the power of the Gemini crystals. We always had something special.”

Billy bit at his lower lip.

“Don’t get me wrong Kim. I want this. I want this so much. But can we take is slow so we know for sure?”

Kim took in a breath at his words, but nodded.

“Take all the time you need Billy,” she told him. “I’ll be here.”

-PR-

It had been a week since Billy and Adam faced Timandra’s challenge.

Phoebe was all smiles hearing how her red-headed sister had acknowledged their new “brother”.

But now there was another challenge they were facing…

“What is a ‘dance’?” Phoebe asked the girls at the juice bar.

“It’s a party,” Kat said. However, that answer only caused a tilt of the head to be added to the already confused look on their new friends face.

“It’s an evening where people go to the same place and there is music and couples take each other in their arms…” Tanya tried to simplify as best as she could.

“Oh…it is something like a symposium, ” Phoebe thought for a moment. “Rocky asked if I would go with him to the dance.”

She pointed up at the sign the dance committee had hung and the girls looked up. 

“Do you want to?” Kim asked her.

“Yes,” The little sister blushed. “I want to be wherever he is.”

“You two are so cute,” Emily mentioned as she dropped off their shake orders. The girls thanked her.

“You and Jason are going, right?” Kat asked their favorite waitress.

“Yes!” Emily beamed brightly.

Kim smiled, “Okay, we totally need to go shopping for dresses!”

The others hummed an agreement as they all looked over at the boys, who were sparring and lifting weights. Kat and Kim stood up to lean against the railing that separated the levels.

Jason and Billy were squaring off. Jason kicked, aiming for Billy’s side, but the genius used both hands to block, while stepping in with a turn to sweep Jason’s grounding leg.

The Midnight Ranger then leaned forward to help his friend up.

“Nice one!” Jason complimented.

“Thank you,” Billy got back into his stance.

Tommy and Rocky made their way over to the girls, grabbing their drinks. Rocky straddled a chair next to Phoebe, and Tommy found himself between Kat and Kim.

Phoebe felt a sleepy wave for a moment and a throb on the side of her head. She closed her eyes to let it pass and heard a small commotion.

She opened her eyes to see Tommy gripping Kim, one arm around her shoulder and his other hand on her elbow to keep her steady.

She glanced over on the mat to see Billy had dropped to one knee and Jason had both hands on his shoulders, keeping his attention. She realized Rocky had his arm around her and that she was leaning against him.

“Are you okay?” Rocky asked her.

“What was that?” Adam asked, having left the weight machine to check on his friends. 

“A warning,” Kim said. She looked at Phoebe, “I’m right aren’t I?”

Phoebe bit at her lower lip and nodded. “It would seem someone else has crossed into this plain.”

“Who’s left?” Kat asked. 

“Clytemnestra still hasn’t actually faced Billy,” Rocky noted.

“But she is already in this world,” Billy said as he and Jason came closer to the table, the Gold Ranger sticking close to his friend in case he should falter again.

“I’m afraid it must be Philinoe…” Phoebe said quietly.

“She’s the one you’re scared of…” Tanya recalled.

Whenever this last sister came up in conversation Phoebe would trail off, become quiet, or simply change the subject.

“Why?” Tommy asked, finally letting go of Kim as she steadied herself.

“She…she’s not in her right mind. She was betrayed by someone she cared for dearly and the heartbreak was so much…she lost her mind trying to make sense of it.”

“Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned,” Adam quoted.

“She might as well be a fury,” Phoebe said, not understanding the other use of the word.

“So what do we do?” Tommy asked, looking from Kim to Billy.

“We continue on,” Billy said, firmly. “I’m not going to keep looking over my shoulder waiting. We always manage any attack.” He gave a smile, but it seemed forced.

Beep beep beep beep beep beep.

“Speaking of attack,” Rocky groaned, glancing down at the communicators.

They looked around and headed to the side.

RANGERS. COGS HAVE APPEARED DOWNTOWN.

“We’re on it,” Jason confirmed.

“You go, we’ll be waiting in case you need us,” Billy told them.

The Zeo rangers nodded and teleported out.

“We should get to the Power Chamber,” Phoebe said and teleported out as well.

Before Billy could do the same, Kim’s hand fell on his communicator, stopping him.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” She asked, studying his face.

“I’m worried,” he admitted. “But we can’t stop everything waiting.”

Kim nodded.

“I’ll support whatever you want to do,” she reminded him.

Billy smiled and caught her hand as she started to pull it back.

“Wait,” he said, taking in a breath. “With everything going on, I never actually asked you…”

Kim raised an eyebrow at how nervous he seemed.

“Kim, would you go to the dance with me?”

-PR-

“Bets are on, gentlemen, which lady is the first down the stairs?” Jason joked as they sat in Billy’s living room.

With his father still away it was easier for the teens to meet there, and for the girls to take over the upstairs.

“Can I put a bet on who's going to be the last?” Tommy asked.

The guys all looked at each other and simultaneously said, “Kim.”

Billy chuckled, “there’s always a final touch she needs to do.”

“And a final final touch,” Tommy added.

Him and Billy shared a smile of understanding.

“Tanya will be the first down,” Adam said confidently.

Sure enough, Tanya came down the stairs in a lovely yellow chiffon a-line dress. 

Emily was close behind in a black dress, joining Jason.

Kat made her way down next in a pink spaghetti strap dress.

Rocky smiled wide as Phoebe came down the stairs in a lavender dress.

“Do I look alright?” She whispered to him.

“You look amazing,” he said with a smile.

Billy smiled and shook his head.

Are you going to keep me waiting for long? He sent the thought up the stairs.

You mustn’t rush perfection , came the reply.

However not even a moment later Kim stood at the top of the stairs in a soft lilac dress, her hair half up. 

Billy heard a soft, impulsive, “wow” next to him, but before his brain could register the voice he glanced up to see his partner standing at the top of the stairs, his breath catching.

Kim made her way down as Billy stepped forward to meet her at the bottom with her corsage.

“You look…” He tried to think of just one word he could use, but all the words rushed into his mind.

“Billy Cranston,” She said playfully, “You have the largest vocabulary I know and you can’t think of a word?”

He let out a soft laugh and shook his head. “No,” he said simply. “Of all the words I know, Kimberly, the list is too long of the words I could use that I simply find myself at a loss of them all.”

Kim smiled brightly and gave him a little peck on the cheek.

“We should go,” Kat said pressingly. “We don’t want to miss the dance!”

As they started to head out the door, Rocky sidled up behind Billy and clasped a hand onto his shoulder.

“Can you write down that line you said about being at a loss of words?” Rocky asked. “That was really good.”

-PR-

The dance was at the country club that was by the shore. Adam, Tanya, Jason, Emily, Rocky and Phoebe were on the dance floor (as Phoebe was getting used to dancing).

Kim and Kat had gone to the restroom, leaving Tommy with Billy at the table.

“Looks like she is a natural.” Tommy nodded to Phoebe, who was now dancing circles around Rocky.

Billy chuckled and nodded. “She has just as much energy as Rocky.”

“Which means we should hit the buffet before he eats everything to replenish his energy,” Tommy joked.

They laughed, but neither moved to get food. 

Then there was a lull and Tommy looked over at Billy, nodding him over to the door out onto the pier. Billy glanced around at the rest of the team and followed him out into the fresh saltwater air.

“Is something wrong?” Billy asked the Red Ranger.

“Billy…you have been one of my best friends for years and I feel like there is so much I need to apologize for.” Tommy turned to face him.

Billy looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “Tommy, we’ve been over this. I volunteered to step down as a ranger…”

“But you didn’t volunteer to step down as a friend. And I never wanted you to leave the group. You have always been just as much a part of us, whether in the battle or at the center.” Tommy rubbed the back of his neck, “As much as you deserved the Gold powers, I hate to admit that I was somewhat glad when you couldn’t have them.”

Billy’s head jerked up quickly to look at his leader.

“And I felt terrible that I even felt that way,” Tommy looked at him, apologetically. “You had every right to them. Things just moved so smoothly at the Power Chamber. But when you were taken by Mondo and got the Midnight Powers under Rita’s spell… I…”

Billy sighed and turned to , “It wasn’t your fault.”

“But wasn’t it? A little?” Tommy hesitated. “And now things still feel off and…with Kim back…”

Billy whirled his body towards Tommy, his voice angry, “What do you want me to say Tommy? Do you want me to tell you that it’s your fault? You abandoned me? Once I was no longer a ranger I felt like I didn’t exist to you unless you needed me or I was in front of your face?”

Billy took a breath and stepped back, feeling exhausted. “Part of me would like to blame you. But it was my own dark thoughts that made me such an easy target,” He looked down, ashamed.

 Tommy opened his mouth to say something, but simply sighed.

“Billy…I don’t want anything more to come between us…” He started.

“Like Kim?” Billy looked back up at him. 

Tommy recoiled slightly at that.

“I heard you before, Tommy,” the genius informed him. “When she came down the stairs. I know things have been weird…”

“Kim and I talked about it…and I thought I was okay. I don’t know. I think it’s more the good memories. And just because we stop dating doesn’t mean she suddenly turned ugly,” Tommy pointed out. 

“Is that really it?” Billy asked him sharply. “I’m going through enough battles trying to hold onto these powers for me and Kim…I can’t be battling you too.”

Billy felt another wave of exhaustion hitting him and he turned to grip the railing of the pier.

“Billy,” Tommy stepped forward, reaching out his hand, but the Midnight Ranger put up his own hand, stopping him.

“Don't, Tommy” Billy shook his head.

“What’s the matter, brother ?” Came a voice that had such a chill to it that Tommy felt cold to the bone. 

Instinctively he and Billy backed up, raising their hands, ready for the fight.

A woman floated up from below, suspending herself in the air above them. Her hair was white with streaks of purple, which flowed around her. She wore a purple outfit with armor that was worn with scratches, missing pieces and dents. Her face was also beautiful, but there were white scars all over it. The most striking one seemed to have been from a slash at her dark, practically black eyes.

“Philinoe?” Billy guessed.

“Yes, dear holder of the Midnight Crystal,” She smiled sweetly, but there was something about her eyes that just seemed off. “Won’t you come to me?”

She held out a hand and Billy suddenly felt a tight sensation over his entire body, as if he was frozen in place, as his body lifted off the ground. 

Suddenly a fork whistled past them and hit Philinoe’s exposed neck. She instinctively raised a hand to it, causing Billy to drop to the ground hard.

Tommy didn’t even look behind him for the source of the utensil as he rushed to Billy’s side.

“You ok?” He asked his friend. 

Billy winced as he accepted Tommy’s help to stand. “Better than I would have been, it would seem.”

Jason, Adam and Tanya stood by the door to the ballroom, Tanya holding another fork ready in her hand.

“Thought you could use some help,” Jason said. “The others are evacuating the ballroom.”

“You’ll pay for that!” Philinoe snapped her gaze towards Tanya. 

“Try me,” the Yellow Ranger spat back.

Philinoe lowered herself to the pier, as Billy and Tommy backed up to the others.

“I’m going to play with each and every one of you,” she gave a smile that made Adam feel sick to his stomach. 

“No,” Billy stepped forward, dropping his hands. “You deal with me , Philinoe. I am the keeper of the Midnight Crystal.”

“As you wish," Philinoe raised her hand again, sending Billy flying backwards. Jason grabbed a hold of him, but only got knocked with him through the glass doors and back into the ballroom.

"Jason! Billy!" The two fallen rangers heard from inside and outside the room. They struggled to their feet, feeling the sharp stings of the cuts and the glass that still sat in their skin.

Jason glanced around seeing glass shards circle around them. 

Kim and Kat both took a step forward towards them.

"Uh-uh-uh," Philinoe licked her lips at them with a warning. "I can make all these lovely sharp things fly right back into them tearing them to shreds..." 

Kim looked carefully and Billy gave her a look.

Don't. Don't risk  Jason. 

"I can't keep doing this.." Kim said, her eyes darkening. "I can't keep standing to the side."

"Kim," Kat placed a hand on her shoulder, but Kim shook it off.

"Let him go," Billy nodded to Jason as he spoke to the unhinged sister.

"All the more reason for him to stay," Philinoe walked right up to Billy. She studied him for a moment, her eyes almost softening. "I can see him in there..." She said. "The brother who should be standing in your place."

Billy became painfully aware of the floating glass shards coming closer as Philinoe raised her hand.

"But nothing can bring him back," her face melted into sorrow. "You can die like him too!"

Jason and Billy turned into each other to protect their fronts, bracing for the impact as the glass shards flew towards them.

Chapter Text

Jason closed his eyes bracing himself for the pain that he was about to feel from the glass.

But it never came. 

He opened his eyes seeing Billy looking around in a mix of wonder and confusion.

The Gold Ranger followed his friend's gaze, finding that they were in some sort of large room that seemed to be made of mirrors and glass.

“Where are we?” He asked the genius.

“I’m not sure,” Billy responded. “I can’t tell if we have been transported or if this is more in our minds…”

“What do you mean?”

“Well,” the Midnight Ranger rubbed the back of his neck, “The sisters all have different abilities. Most with illusions or something that can alter the mind. Phoebe’s ability to place someone in a trance and send them into their mind, and Helena’s manipulation of someone’s heart, and Timandra’s ability to walk in “the between”...I think it’s safe to assume this is not a physical place.”

“You figured that out pretty quick,” Philinoe reappeared before them. “You’re right. You are not physically here. But I can assure you, the pain you will feel is very, very real.”

Billy and Jason both stepped into a fighting stance, preparing for anything that  Philinoe may have in mind.

“I’m so glad you are prepared to fight,” She said, getting into a fighting stance that looked more like an animal preparing to pounce. She was hunched forward, her hands in front of her, fingers splayed out. Her nails had grown into 12 inch claws.

“I don’t want to fight,” Billy stated, calmly. “However, I won’t just take a beating.”

 Philinoe found that comment wildly funny and let out a laugh that sent shivers to the very bone. She raced forward, slashing her claws at Jason, who dodged away as she turned her attention to Billy. Jason tried to take advantage of this and kicked out, but found his ankle caught by her hand as she turned back, sweeping his other leg.

Jason landed on the ground, seeing  Philinoe lunging over him, her claws now coming down.

Billy knocked her off of him and they tumbled to the floor.

Jason took this opportunity to stand back up, as Billy also scrambled to his feet.  Philinoe simply floated to a stand. She looked between the two and smirked.

Then she turned her attention again on Jason, who summoned his staff, deflecting her claws off them, allowing him to be in a position to direct her weight away from him. She turned and swung again, almost catching him, but he flipped back, bringing the scepter up just in time to stop her from attacking straight down. He pushed up, knocking her back.

“Well, it’s nice to have an actual challenge,” She said with a smile as she caught her footing. “Has anyone ever told you, you look like Achilles?”

Jason sighed, “Yes…your sister. Let me guess, it’s the jaw line.”

“Yes…” She studied him.

Billy was thankful for the moment to breathe and started to come around the other side. Jason did his best to distract her, but  Philinoe turned, grasping Billy by the neck with both hands.

“Billy!”

Jason took a step forward, but was stopped by  Philinoe lifting Billy into the air. Billy let out a choked noise.

She turned her attention back to the ranger in her hands.  “You will surrender the crystal. Or you will die. It’s that simple.” She squeezed a bit harder. “Do you yield?”

Jason watched as Billy started to turn blue, clearly losing steam. He took another step forward and was stopped again, this time by glass rising up from the floor into points aimed right at him.

 Philinoe brought Billy closer to her, nearly nose to nose.

“Do. You. Yield?” She demanded again.

Billy looked at her defiantly and felt himself starting to drift. She relieved some of the pressure to keep him conscious.

Billy. We’re on our way.

A light began to shine between  Philinoe and Billy. It became brighter, shining off of the reflection of the glass that made their surroundings. Jason squinted his eyes closed and raised his hands to his eyes as well to cover from the light.

There was a pulse as Billy was flung out of Philinoe’s grasp, the sister falling in the opposite direction. 

As the light faded, Kim and Phoebe were revealed. They assessed the situation and Phoebe ran to Billy, her pendulum swinging over him. Kim stood in defense looking at Philinoe.

“That’s enough!” She demanded. 

“Don’t get in the way!” Philinoe stood once more. “I’m not after you, sister .”

“But you are after my partner,” Kim shot back. “Would Polla stand by while Castor fought?”

“It’s incredibly frustrating how like them, you both are,” Philinoe grumbled.

“Then why are you fighting us?” Kim challenged. “You’ve acknowledged that Billy is like Castor, why question his right to the crystal?”

“You know nothing,” Philinoe spat back. 

“And what do you know?” Phoebe asked. Her voice was not as soft as it usually was, but it wasn’t that demanding.

Philinoe turned her attention to Phoebe, who was still holding onto Billy after steadying him on his feet.

“You left,” Phoebe accused. “You just left. You were upset, that is fine. You had every right to be upset after your heart was broken. But you don’t get to come back to take it out on us. For a crystal that you know you don’t even want because of the responsibility that comes with it.”

Philinoe opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

Billy took advantage by stepping forward.

“Castor told me that the only sister who could take the crystal is not healthy enough to take the power that comes with it,” He glanced at Phoebe. “If I could give it to your family, I would. But I won’t put anyone in danger by doing so.”

“Castor said…” Philinoe’s eyes softened. “Where? When?”

Phoebe held up her pendulum. “They are not gone from us…” She told her sister. “They live on… in them.”

The two looked at Billy and Kim. 

Billy took another step forward to Philinoe, “I cannot replace Castor…I would never try to. I couldn’t imagine it. However, I accepted the responsibilities that came with this crystal. Being a good partner,” he glanced at Kim. Then he brought his attention back to Philinoe and Phoebe, “and a leader…”  he amended, “…a brother to the rest.”

Philinoe stepped forward, closing the distance between her and Billy.

Jason and Kim tensed up, but Phoebe looked relaxed, her pendulum stilling. 

“You were hurt,” Billy acknowledged, “you turned to your family for comfort and it’s not the same family that you knew.” He held out his hand. “Family isn’t always born. It can be found.”

Philinoe hesitated, looking down at his hand, clearly contemplating her last move. She then took his hand, disappearing in a bright light.

“ You win…brother. ”

Billy looked over to Kim with a relieved smile, which promptly started to fade as he noticed she was disappearing.

“Kim?”

Before he could say anything else, Kim and Phoebe both had vanished and the glass that surrounded him and Jason began to crack and shatter.

-PR-

In the dance room Tanya and Kat stood beside Phoebe and Kim, who seemed as if they were praying while holding onto Phoebe’s pendulum. 

Kim opened her eyes, her dark eyes catching Phoebe’s as hers opened.

“Did it work?” Kat asked them.

They all looked over at the glass egg that formed around Billy and Jason, where Tommy, Rocky, and Adam were standing guard. Inside the Midnight and Gold Rangers were both visible, both with their eyes closed, seeming to be floating in place. 

The glass of the egg suddenly shattered and the glass vanished as both young men fell to the ground. The Red, Green, and Blue rangers dropped beside them, as the girls hurried over.

Billy opened his eyes and, seeing Adam first, gave a smile.

“Your back,” Adam smiled back at him.

Billy then looked over at Jason, moving closer to him.

“Jase?”

In response to his name, Jason opened his eyes, squinting in the light and taking in his surroundings.

“We’re…”

“Back in the dance room,” Tommy filled in the blanks.

Jason sat up as Billy pulled himself to his knees. The girls had made their way over to them. Kim dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around Billy’s neck.

“You were great!” She told him.

He placed a hand on one of her arms, his other arm still holding him up.

Phoebe gave Jason a nudge, “You were a great friend, Achilles.”

“Thanks Phoebe…but please stop calling me that.”

The group laughed.

“Seriously,” Billy said to him, holding out his hand. “Thank you.”

Jason took it and pulled Billy into a hug. “You know I’ll always have your back.”

“Well, so much for the dance…” Kat said, looking around.

“We could have our own?” Tanya suggested. “At the Power Chamber? There’s the training room where we would just need to push the mats aside…”

“Hey, yeah, that’s a great idea,” Tommy said with a smile. “What do you guys say?”

Everyone voiced their agreement and started to teleport out.

Billy caught Kim’s wrist before she could hit to teleport.

“We can’t keep making a habit out of this,” she criticized.

He smiled.

“Thank you, Kim. For coming for me.”

“I don’t want to be left on the side any more,” She said firmly. “We’re partners. I don’t want to keep being separated from you.”

“I’m beginning to think it’s by design,” Billy bit at his lower lip. 

Kim nodded.

“Well…one more to go…”

Chapter Text

It had been a few days since Philinoe interrupted the dance. Phoebe seemed to be in higher spirits about everything, but Kim felt uneasy.

At the Youth Center she sat at a table with Kat, Tanya and Adam, who were going over some notes for a science test.

Rocky was running a class that Phoebe was watching closely, imitating the poses from the side, while Jason and Tommy lifted some weight.

Billy was in the library tutoring a freshman.

“Earth to Kimberly…” Kat called to her, waving a hand in front of her face.

“What?” Kim glanced over, to see the rangers eyeing her closely. “Sorry, what did I miss?”

“Is something wrong?” Adam asked her, leaning closer. 

“Yeah, you’ve been chewing your bottom lip,” Tanya pointed out to her. “Any Gemini vibe we should be looking out for?”

Kim thought for a moment and then shook her head.

“Kim,” Kat placed a hand on her friends arm, “we’re here. Something is clearly upsetting you…”

“I can’t put my finger on it,” Kim sighed and leaned back in her chair. “There’s something bothering Billy. And if something bothers him, it bothers me. He’s been on edge. I don’t know if it’s because of  the battle still to come with Clytemnestra… or…”

“Or what?” Kat pressed.

Kim didn’t know how to answer that. 

“Or if there is something else he is worried about,” she finally said, glancing over at Tommy. 

There was some clear tension between the two, and she didn’t know what to make of it. She also wasn’t sure what to say to Kat. 

Currently the Pink and Red Zeo Rangers were a couple, as were the Gemini Rangers. 

At the same time, there was the long history between her and Tommy- and Kat admitted to, at some point, having feelings for Billy. Kim thinned her lips as she realized that she never really questioned if Billy ever had feelings for Kat…

Somehow this all played a part in whatever discussion Billy and Tommy were having when Philinoe showed up at the dance. Since then, Billy and Tommy have kind of danced around each other. 

They didn’t share the same space for long, and avoided interacting with each other directly.

It couldn’t last, but waiting it out wasn’t exactly fun.

Especially since they were supposed to be best friends. At least they once were…

“Phoebe!”

Kim’s attention snapped back when she heard Rocky call out.

She and Kat rushed to the railing, as Adam and Tanya stood to get a better view.

Tommy and Jason had made their way over to Rocky, who was holding Phoebe in his arms.

She was unconscious.

“Oh no,” Kat let out softly, as she and Kim headed down to the lower level as well.

“Rocky, what happened?” Jason asked.

Kim dropped down next to Rocky and smoothed away Phoebe’s hair.

“She seemed fine a moment ago. Then she started swaying. She looked pale and like she was having problems breathing,” Rocky recounted. “She looked like she was trying to find something in her pockets before she fainted.”

“Should I call someone?” Ernie called over to them from the counter.

“We got it Ernie!” Tanya reassured him. “We’re going to take her to get checked out!”

Ernie nodded.

“Where’s her pendulum?”  Tanya asked. “That’s probably what she was looking for.”

Rocky stood up, holding Phoebe in his arms, as Kim and Kat checked the pockets of his girlfriend’s skirt. They looked at each other and shook their heads.

Adam turned and searched through Phoebe’s bag.

“I don’t see it here either.”

“Let’s get her to the Power Chamber,” Tommy suggested. 

“We should call Billy,” Jason said.

“I’ll get him,” Kim said, “and meet you guys there.”

Tommy confirmed her words with a nod and everyone glanced at each other concerned.

They made their way over to the lockers in the doorway, checking to make sure that they were clear.

The Zeo Rangers teleported out, and Kim made her way down the hall of the school to the library.

-PR-

“Just be sure to remember your order of classification,” Billy said to his student as they parted ways outside the library.

“Thanks Billy! This really helped!”

Billy gave a little smile and turned to head towards the Youth Center when he saw Kim heading towards him.

He frowned.

I didn’t sense that you were on your way… that troubled him.

“It’s Phoebe,” Kim responded out loud. “She collapsed. The others took her to the Power Chamber.”

Billy thinned his lips, looking around, “did anything seem off about her?”

“We couldn’t find her piece of Castor…” Kim twisted a strand of her hair in her finger. A nervous habit of hers.

“The pendulum?” Billy frowned deeply at this. Phoebe always had her talisman with her. It stayed with her always.

Kim nodded.

“She wouldn’t have dropped it…” he said with certainty.

“I know,” Kim replied.

“You think…” he locked eyes with his partner.

“Yeah… I do,” she nodded nervously.

This was a direct attack.

This was Clytemnestra.

-PR-

“Clytemnestra?” Tommy asked. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Kim winced at the sound of annoyance in Billy’s voice as he replied to the Red Zeo Ranger. The Midnight Ranger’s back was turned to them as he and Alpha were scanning for the pendulum.

“Why would she take Phoebe’s talisman?” Kat asked, trying to reason out loud. “Why attack Phoebe?”

“For helping us,” Jason answered.

“It’s more than that,” Kim added. “It’s Phoebe’s last connection to Castor. Ours too… when she used the pendulum sent Billy back into his mind, so he could clear it, Castor was there.”

“And we’ve seen how Phoebe talks to it and there are moments where it almost acts sentient,” Billy noted. “Bits of Castor’s essence are very much present in that stone and somehow it’s connected to Phoebe’s life force. She needs it.

“Castor said she wasn’t well… what if that was part of his last sacrifice?” Tommy asked.

There was silence for a moment but Billy nodded, “you could be right.”

“Either way, we have to get it back,” Kim said.

The door to the main chamber opened as Tanya and Adam walked in from the infirmary. 

It was no surprise that Rocky decided to stay with Phoebe for the moment.

“How is she?” Kat asked.

“Stable, but getting weaker,” Adam updated them.

“We found it!” Billy called out. The Rangers turned their attention to him.

“Ay yi yi yi!” Alpha recoiled from the console. “The readings are coming from the Dark Dimension!”

“Do you think Rita and Zedd are involved?” Tommy asked.

That seems like it may be the case, Zordon observed.

“It could be a trap…” Jason cautioned.

“It definitely is,” Billy confirmed. “But what other choice do I have? Phoebe’s life is draining away…”

“You can’t go alone,” Kim told him. “I know I have to stay here. If Phoebe starts to slip maybe I can stabilize her, but someone has to go with you.”

Billy nodded with a sigh as his eyes then rested on the Red Zeo Ranger.

“Tommy?”

Tommy looked surprised at this request. So did the others.

“Are you sure?” The leader of the Zeo rangers ran a hand through his hair.

“You know the Dark Dimension better than anyone,” Billy reasoned. 

Tommy nodded. He was the most logical choice. 

“You know I got your back.”

Billy gave him a small smile, which seemed to relieve the tension that had been sitting between them. 

When it came down to it, they were a team.

They were friends.

Kim just hoped that it would be enough and it would last.

“Kim,” Billy’s voice broke her from her thoughts, as his hand landed on her shoulder. “We might still be able to communicate while I’m in the Dark Dimension.”

“I’ll keep you posted on how Phoebe is doing,” Kim promised.

“Here is a padlock transporter,” Alpha handed a small device to Billy. “If you find the pendulum, you just need to attach this to it and lock it into place. It will immediately be sent back here.”

“Phoebe is the first priority,” Billy promised. “Facing Clytemnestra is secondary. I know it’s necessary, but I won’t waste time.”

“We know you’ll do what you can,” Jason said. “Both of you.”

Billy and Tommy looked at each other.

“Let’s do this,” Tommy nodded to Billy.

Billy held out his hand, summoning the midnight crystal.

“It’s morphin time!”

-PR-

The layout of the Dark Dimension was disrupted by a streak of dark purple and red.

Tommy and Billy looked around, not seeing anything beyond the usual, familiar, mist.

Tommy hesitated as the familiar musty scent flooded his nose, bringing back unpleasant memories.

“I suppose it was only a matter of time,” Clytemnestra’s voice filled the air around them.

Billy and Tommy turned back-to-back, but they couldn’t see their opponent.

“Phoebe is fading, Clytemnestra,” Billy said firmly. “She needs the stone. I’m here, I’ll stay here and we can have our face-off, but let us send it back to her.”

“No, you wouldn’t run, would you?” The voice of the eldest sister was clear now, the rangers turning to see her and Helena.

“No, I wouldn’t,” Billy agreed. “Helena…”

“Midnight Guardian,” came the velvet alto voice of the pretty sister.

“What? No ‘brother’?” Tommy asked.

It didn’t go unnoticed the way Helena flinched away from Clytemnestra when the word was spoken.

“You are not our brother,” Clytemnestra spat.

“No. I would never pretend to Castor,” Billy said, tired of having to repeat himself. “I am not him. But I still care about Phoebe. And we will be getting that stone back to her. I won’t let her die. It’s hard to believe you would. So either give us the stone so we can send it back to her and then fight, or let’s get to the fight so we can get the stone back to her.”

Billy and Tommy both squared up, preparing themselves to fight the sisters.

“Well then, let’s fight,” Clytemnestra gave a smile, “Helena, if you would?”

Helena glanced at Clytemnestra with concern. “What about Phoebe?”

“She’ll be fine… the Twilight Ranger is with her, I assume?”

Helena seemed to pale at this response, but turned her attention to the boys.

“Helena, we had a deal,” Billy told her, “you have no claim and can no longer interfere.”

“For her own gain,” Clytemnestra reminded him. “This is for mine.”

Helena started to send out a powder, but Tommy caught her wrist. “Well, let’s keep this fair.” The Red Ranger said.

Helena and Tommy started to struggle, but before they could become too much of a distraction, Clytemnestra turned and sent a whip out at Billy.

Sparks flew as it cracked at his chest, sending him onto his back.

He kicked up onto his feet, and immediately cartwheeled out of the way and she cracked the whip again.

“Do you only keep your distance?” He asked.

Tommy and Helena were doing the opposite, finding themselves very close. Helena was constantly trying to hit Tommy, meanwhile he was blocking and redirecting her efforts.

Billy happened to notice at one moment when he was avoiding the whip, when the eldest of the sisters was striking her arm out, he could see the pendulum at her belt.

He just needed to get close enough.

The crack of the whip came again, but this time Billy stepped into it, allowing it to wrap around his arm as he pulled Clytemnestra closer, yanking her off her feet and down.

He snatched the pendulum.

“Tommy!”

He tossed it over to the Red Zeo Ranger who pushed Helena away from him, her powder filling the air, as he jumped up to catch it, slapping the padlock transporter to the stone and sending it on its way.

“Now there’s nothing technically keeping me here,” Billy reminded his opponent. “Except to finish the challenge between us.”

“I’m afraid you’ll be dealing with a different challenge first,” Clytemnestra pointed over the Midnight Ranger’s shoulder.

Billy felt a chill go down his spine as he glanced back to see the Red Zeo Ranger in a fighting stance at the ready.

“Tommy?”

Billy looked back to Clytemnestra, “can’t fight me yourself?”

“But isn’t this your biggest challenge?” She questioned. “Facing your former leader?”

“What purpose does this serve?” He demanded. 

“It’s entertaining for one,” Clytemnestra stated.

“If there wasn’t tension between you, the spell wouldn’t have worked,” Helena stated.

Billy noted that she sounded uneasy, and not her usual, confident, self. 

In fact, she almost had a warning in her voice as she looked at him with a knowing look.

Billy sighed as he faced Tommy.

He did this to himself, and he knows that.

“Tommy…” he held up his hands.

Tommy didn’t respond as he advanced and let out his usual practiced sounds along with a kick. Billy blocked as he also rolled out of the way.

Tommy immediately moved back into his space, being precise in his movement, and Billy being quick to deflect every punch and kick.

The Midnight Ranger stumbled back from the force of the last block.

“I won’t fight you Tommy,” Billy told him. “Power down.”

It was a risk, but he needed his friend to see him for him.

The Red Ranger hesitated for a moment.

“Tommy,” Billy said sharply, trying to reach him, unable to see his eyes through his helmet. “I’m sorry. About avoiding you for the last week. About our talk at the dance. I chose you to come with me because I trust you. You have always been my leader and my best friend…”

“Gag…” Clytemnestra rolled her eyes. “But while you’re vulnerable…” she lifted her whip and cracked it towards Billy.

Tommy quickly positioned himself in front of Billy catching the other side.

“I don’t think so,” the Red Ranger said sharply. He looked back over his shoulder at his friend. “Sorry about that Billy. And I’m also sorry about everything.”

Billy smiled.

“Glad to have you back.”

“Me too. You better morph back though.”

Billy nodded, summoning his crystal again and changing back into the Midnight Ranger.

Billy? Kim’s voice was in his head. Not sure if you can hear me, but we got the pendulum back and Phoebe is awake!

Billy looked at the sisters, “just to let you know, Phoebe is awake and feeling better.”

Helena visibly looked pleased by this and stepped away from Clytemnestra, stepping down and towards Billy and Tommy.

“Midnight Ranger?” She said with a strength in her voice. 

“Helena, what are you doing?” Clytemnestra demanded.

“Following our sisters' lead,” Helena said to Clytemnestra, turning back to the Rangers. “Midnight Ranger,” she repeated, “I recognize your right to the crystal and give you my allegiance.”

Tommy could have sworn he saw smoke coming from Clytemnestra’s ears.

“How dare you turn against your own sister!” She shrieked.

Helena whirled on her. “You put Phoebe in danger!” She pointed a finger in accusation. “He gave you the option to help her sooner and gave his word that he would have stayed to finish this fight as long as Phoebe came first!”

“He would have run!” Clytemnestra scoffed.

“No he wouldn’t have,” Helena shook her head. “He is a man of honor. I know it. I’ve seen it. And he has taken Phoebe in. It is one of the reasons why our sisters wait to be summoned by him should they be needed. And it’s why I am staying.”

Billy and Tommy glanced at each other.

“Your fight is with me Clytemnestra,” Billy said firmly, walking around Helena, keeping his eye on the oldest sister.

He could feel the exhaustion starting to hit him though. He was going to need to call out to Kimberly for a boost. Or they were going to have to find a way out of this fight.

“This isn’t over Midnight Guardian,” Clytemnestra gritted her teeth.

“I think it is!” Came Lord Zedd’s voice.

Everyone turned their attention as Zedd and Rita appeared in the Dark Dimension.

“I knew they had a hand in this…” Tommy muttered.

“We had a deal!” Rita told the eldest sister. “You said you could get the Midnight Crystal, and then it would be ours!”

“I can get it,” Clytemnestra shot back.

“Oh really?” Zedd looked around the room. “Because from where we are standing, it looks like you were losing!”

“And we have had it with losers!” Rita practically spat. “So thanks, but no thanks! We’ll take care of this ourselves!”

Zedd and Rita put their wands together and shot out a burst of energy at Clytemnestra.

“Sister!” Helena shrieked out, as Tommy grabbed a hold of her.

“No wait!” He warned her. 

But it was Billy who grabbed a hold of Clytemnestra to shield her, taking the brunt of the blast which immediately caused him to power down.

The force sent him forward into her arms and she instinctively caught him and she tumbled back into the Red Zeo Ranger and her other sister.

Tommy grabbed onto them.

“Hold on!” He called out as he teleported them all out of the Dark Dimension.

“What?” Rita cried out. “No no no! They weren’t supposed to get away!”

“Back to the throne room,” Zedd turned away from his wife. “We’ll prepare some monsters to send out.”

-PR-

A red and three purple streaks landed in the Power Chamber.

Clytemnestra held onto Billy, cradling him as they both sank to the ground. She looked at him in a mix of surprise and a bit of horror. 

“Why did you do that?” She demanded of him as he looked up at her weakly. “Why did you take the hit?”

Billy was breathing heavily, and although he opened his mouth as if he was going to answer, he was clearly too drained to do so.

“Because that is who he is,” Kim’s voice answered  for him.

Clytemnestra glanced up at the Twilight Ranger who was being slightly supported by Jason.

When Billy got hit, Kim had felt it, but she was getting better at separating her strength and feelings from Billy’s.

She broke away and rushed over to them, dropping onto Billy’s other side.

Billy brought his attention to his partner.

He opened his mouth again, trying to speak, but it was clear it was painful to do do as he gasped.

“Shhh,” Kim clasped one hand in his and brought it up to her chest, as she placed the other on his chest. She breathed slowly as a glow seemed to connect from her heart to his.

Billy’s breathing slowed down as he finally closed his eyes to rest.

Tommy removed his helmet and knelt next to Clytemnestra to get a better look at his friend.

Tommy, what happened? Zordon inquired.

“It was Rita and Zedd. They were waiting for a moment to attack.” Tommy informed them.

“I was the intended target,” Clytemnestra said angrily. “We were fighting and when the villainous pair arrived they turned on me…and…he protected me.”

“You were fighting for your right to have the stone, which has been a part of your family,” Kim said quietly, focusing her energy still on Billy. “Not to the death.”

“Yeah,” Tommy agreed. “Billy would have never let anything happen to you. He was allowed to take on the power for a reason. Castor gave his blessing and Billy promised him that he would be there for all of you. No matter what.”

“That is what family does,” Helena chimed in.

Clytemnestra looked up at her sister and back down at Billy. Then she looked at Kim.

“Will he be alright?” She asked softly.

Kim looked at the eldest sister.

“I can feel his heart beating strong,” Kim told her. “He probably just needs to rest and recover. We have an area for that. Phoebe is there.”

“Do you want to see her?” Tommy offered.

Clytemnestra looked nervous for a moment and then looked at Helena, who looked hopeful at her.

She nodded.

“Let’s introduce you to everyone,” Tommy said, holding out his hand formally.

Clytemnestra gave a smile and took it.

Chapter Text

Billy awoke with a sharp inhale and opened his eyes to find himself looking up at the familiar ceiling of the med bay of the Power Chamber. 

“Welcome back,” Kimberly’s voice came softly next to him. He felt her hand in his and he looked over at her smiling face.

“Hey,” He smiled back. “How long was I asleep?”

“Only for about 40 minutes,” she told him. “Just a power nap.”

He sat up, still feeling a bit tired, swinging his legs over the side of the cot.

“Where is everyone else?” 

“Phoebe is feeling better and up, showing Helena and Clytemnestra around.”

Billy closed his eyes and let out a breath of relief, hanging his head in front of him. Kim smiled and stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around him, taking the weight of his head onto her shoulder.

“It’s done,” she reassured him. “The Midnight power is yours. No one is left to challenge it… and I think we have a new family.”

He chuckled, which was partially a sigh of relief.

“Then why does it feel like it’s not over?” He couldn’t help but feel something in the air. He pulled his head up and looked at her.

“You worry too much,” she gave him a reassuring smile.

He gave a nod.

The power was his. They were there to support the rangers.

What else was there to worry about?

-PR-

“This is not the outcome we were promised!” King Mondo whirled on Rita and Zedd. “Where is our midnight power? Where is our evil ranger?”

“We were not made aware of the other entities that would be competing for the Midnight Crystal!” Zedd snapped back. “You told us that the Midnight Warrior died years ago, not that there were others that would awaken and demand the power for themselves!”

“You’re just lucky this has worked in our favor,” Rita added.

“In our favor?” The mechanical monarch scoffed. “How do you figure that?”

“There are no more outside competitors to get in our way to fight to take the power, so it has completely taken root in Billy’s body. And he has been exhausted. He has been beaten down, and he has taken a hit from mine and my dear husband’s staff. A direct hit of pure darkness that will begin to drain him,” Rita took out a small orb and held it in her hand as it gave off a purple glow. “He will start to realize he is losing energy and that we can give him the power to survive. Either he will obey, or his energy will diminish and we will take the power back from his cold, dead, hands.”

“So cold and calculating,” Mondo said, almost gleefully. “One would almost speculate you were a machine.” He turned away from them and raised a hand dismissively, “I will leave this, once again, to you.”

And with that, he vanished.

Zedd turned to his wife, “do you think Billy would turn?”

Rita laughed, “humans will surprise you when they are desperate. But even if he doesn’t, it’s a win. One less genius to thwart our plans.”

-PR-

“Did you get enough stuff?” Rocky asked with a laugh as the girls approached the picnic table with their shopping bags. Him and Jason were finishing up the burgers and hotdogs.

“Well Nestra and Helena needed new clothing, now that they decided to stick around,” Phoebe bounced over to her boyfriend, giving him a kiss on the cheek. 

With Clytemnestra, now going by “Nestra” to the gang, and Helena making their choice to stay, the sisters moved into a spare apartment Adam’s family rented out, which was currently between tenants. His parents were more than sympathetic to the story of sisters who had lost their home and were just getting their bearings.

“Helena already found work,” Phoebe added, as Adam, and Tommy joined the girls.

“Oh?” Jason looked over at the pretty sister.

“Yeah, working in the makeup department at Hennedy’s,” Kim said. 

“The manager hired her on the spot when she fixed the sales lady’s makeup,” Tanya added.

“Well she couldn’t sell makeup when her own was a disaster,” Helena said with a shrug. “It was a crime.”

The group chuckled.

Kat glanced around, “where’s Billy?” 

Tommy pointed over to a tree that was a short distance from them, “the heat was getting to him while we were playing ball, so Adam thought it was best if he sat in the shade for a while.” The leader of the Zeo rangers turned his attention to Kim, “are you feeling OK?”

Kim shrugged and gave a little frown, “I feel fine. I didn’t feel him, if that’s what you mean.”

Phoebe and Nestra glanced at her and then at each other.

They looked over at Billy, who was sitting against the tree. His arms were crossed and his head was leaning back.

“It was probably just the sun,” Jason said, “He also mentioned he was really focused this morning at the Power Chamber and didn’t eat too much before heading out.”

“He has been working on a new project,” Phoebe confirmed. “A way to focus and harness our sister's abilities in the way that he and Kimberly can.”

“Ranger powers?” Kat looked at the youngest.

Phoebe nodded. 

“He said he wanted to have a way that they could armor up and better protect themselves against the Machine Empire and Rita and Zedd,” Adam added. “Especially after Rita and Zedd tried to attack Nestra.”

There was a hum of understanding among the group. If Billy hadn’t been there, and morphed, Nestra might not have survived the blast. But with armor powers of their own, the sisters could join the fight the way they have voiced they would like to.

“We are just about ready,” Rocky said, putting the last of the burgers onto a plate with buns.

“Let me give you a hand,” Kim grabbed the extra plate that was closest to her as the others started to sit around the table and Tommy grabbed the cooler to start to pass around drinks.

“I have chips in Tommy’s bag,” Kat started toward the backpacks near the shade.

“I’ll go get Billy,” Jason walked with Kat, as they headed over to where the Midnight Ranger was resting under the tree.

Kat split from Gold Ranger to grab the backpack, as Jason knelt next to Billy.

“Billy, it’s lunch time,” Jason said a little softly.

Billy didn’t stir from his rest.

“Billy,” Jason voiced a little louder. 

Kat walked over to them, studying the resting genius. 

“Billy, hey, come on buddy, time to wake up,” Jason placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

Suddenly Billy woke up with a gasp, his hand snapping up in defense, grabbing Jason’s wrist tightly.

“Woah…Hey. It’s just me, Billy,” Jason’s voice went soft again. “You’re safe.”

Kat dropped into a squat putting herself also in Billy’s eyeline as he seemed to start to recognize his surroundings. Billy looked at Kat first, and then at Jason, his eyes finally landing on his hand gripping the Gold Rangers wrist. 

He let it go in an instant as if it suddenly burned him and scrambled to his feet, pressing himself against the tree.

“Sorry Jason,” He looked between his friends in embarrassment.

“Hey…no worries,” Jason said, concerned. “You alright, man? You were really out of it.”

“Yeah…” Billy rubbed his eyes, “I must have been really tired.”

“You have been working yourself really hard lately. Phoebe just told us about trying to create the other Ranger Powers with Zordon” Kat said.

“And just a heads up, I don’t think Kim is happy  that she heard it from anyone other than you…” Jason thinned his lips and gave Billy a look.

The genius groaned.

“I was hoping I could keep it under wraps and make more of a ‘surprise’,” He admitted.

“Maybe if you word it that way, she won’t be as angry?” Jason said with a shrug.

“Fat chance,” Kat said with a chuckle, lightening the mood. 

“Come on, let's eat.” Jason leading the way back to the table.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Kat asked Billy quietly as they headed back.

Billy gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine.”

What concerned Kat was that his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

-PR-

Billy studied the readings on the screen in front of him.

“I think we did it, Zordon,” he looked up at his mentor. “The power looks stable.”

That’s fantastic news.

“This should do it,” Alpha gave the small crystal pieces the final touch. “I’m glad we were able to find the last of the power shards to use as a filter to create these new morphing devices.”

“Me too,” Billy nodded. “Now the other sisters can morph too. No more fighting to claim power when their own can be focused into these.”

He looked at the crystals and placed the tray of new wrist morphers down.

“This new way of morphing could come in handy…” Billy voiced. “Eventually the Zeo power may fail the rangers, we should be prepared.”

I had a similar fear, Zordon admitted. With this new knowledge of harnessing power, we can create new powers as backup to be prepared.

“I’d like to start designing something. I’d hate to ever imagine the rangers helpless like we have been in the past.” Billy thinned his lips thinking about the Ninja quest and the time before the rangers found the Zeo Crystals.

“That would be wonderful, Billy.” Alpha looked up from his task. “...Billy? Are you alright?”

“Yeah…I just had a thought.”

“Oh? What about?”

“About there being a time when I am no longer with the Rangers,” Billy turned and leaned against the console. “Not just no longer a ranger…but no longer here…”

It was a weird thing to think about. He had traveled away before to Aquitar. And Jason, Trini, Zack and Kim have left before. Granted, Jason and Kim both came back. 

Why was he getting this sudden feeling of being gone?

“Billy!” Suddenly he felt Alpha grip onto his arm as he snapped back to reality.  “You looked like you were about to fall over.”

“I’m fine, Alpha,” Billy reassured the robot. 

Billy, I am concerned for your wellbeing, his Mentor said gravely. 

Alpha grabbed a scanner and brought it over to Billy,

 Billy sighed. “Nothing is ever simple, is it?”

So you knew? 

“Ayi, ayi ayi,” Alpha looked at the scanner and then up at Billy and then finally to Zordon. “Billy’s energy readings keep dropping and returning.”

Suddenly Tommy and Jason appeared.

“Zordon. What’s wrong?” Tommy asked.

Billy looked at Zordon,” You called them?”

While I cannot make you share the news with the whole team, you cannot bear the weight of this alone, Zordon said. 

Jason and Tommy looked at each other and then over at Billy.

“If something is up, you gotta let us know,” Tommy told him. “Especially if it could affect the team.”

Billy hesitated and then relented with a nod. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing to be sorry about, man,”Jason said. “We’ve been there. It’s the struggle of being a leader. You don’t want to face your own struggles, because you want to be there for everyone else.”

Billy hung his head. Tommy placed his hand on his shoulder, “What is going on, Billy?”

“Does this have to do with the other day at the park?” Jason asked.

Tommy looked at Jason confused and then back to Billy concerned. “Oh man, if something is going on with you, let us help you.”

“My energy keeps declining and then returning at a rapid rate,” Billy admitted to his friends. “I find myself feeling moments of extreme exhaustion. I don’t know how this will affect me in morph.”

“There is a chance it may give you an energy boost,” Tommy said optimistically. “When did this begin?” 

“Ever since I was hit with the blast from Zedd and Rita’s attack. I think my body is still recovering.” Billy looked around at all the eyes on him. “What I’m thankful for, is that Kimberly hasn’t been feeling it. I’m also slightly concerned…”

“Do you think the blast could have severed your connection?” Jason asked.

“There were some moments before it even happened that I wasn’t able to feel her…when Phoebe lost her piece of Castor,” Billy informed them. “I’m not sure if that was connected at all.”

“You mean without the presence of Castor there is no connection?” Tommy asked.

Billy shrugged with a sigh, “I’m not sure. I feel like I’m grasping at straws. Sometimes I wonder if this was even worth it. Dragging Kim into this, summoning the sisters into this new world and taking their family power, being a target of the Machine Empire and Zedd and Rita just to have power again…just to have it drain me…” Billy felt Tommy’s hand squeeze his shoulder as Jason put his hand on his other shoulder. He looked up between his two friends. 

The two that have been his leaders.

And now he was a leader as well.

“Don’t let the others know just yet.” Billy looked at them, and then over to Alpha and Zordon. “I’ll let you know if I don’t feel well. But I don’t want to worry the others.”

“Billy…,” Jason said cautiously. “If they find out…if Kimberly…”

“She’ll be upset. I know,” Billy confirmed. “But if we tell them now-”

“They’ll treat you like you’re glass.” Tommy finished. “I get it.”

Jason thought about it for a moment and nodded. “We need to make sure we are monitoring you.”

“Of course,” Billy said. “And we’ll continue to run tests, to make sure it doesn’t affect Kim.”

“Billy,” Jason looked at him closely, “Are you in danger?”

“I don’t know…” Billy replied honestly. “It could fix itself? I could just be healing…”

But there is also a chance that the power could be withdrawing from your body,  Zordon warned. And we don’t know what else that could do to you as it is intertwined with your life force.

Billy dropped his gaze for a moment and Jason and Tommy took the opportunity to lock eyes with each other, exchanging a concerned look. They then looked back to their friend who had stood by their side through it all.

“For now we will keep it between us, until we can’t any more,” Tommy said. “As long as you let us know how you are feeling and we can make our moves on the battlefield accordingly.”

“But don’t mask how you feel for one moment,” Jason reminded. “If something is wrong, we need to know immediately. Don’t try to push through.”

Billy nodded.

Suddenly the alarm went off. Billy turned to the console and clicked for the viewer to turn on.

“What’s going on?” Tommy asked.

“Cogs attacking innocent people in Johnson Square,” Billy looked at the map on the console.

“They are drawing us out.” Jason predicted.

“Yeah, probably,” Tommy said. “But we are going to go. It’s morphing time! Zeo Ranger five, red!”

“Gold Ranger Power!”

“Midnight Ranger Power!”

Chapter Text

“Ok metal heads, let’s dance,” Jason flipped over the first Cog, kicking the second and turning back to kick the original one.

Tommy grabbed one and fan kicked into another, using the first as leverage, then spun it into another.

Billy did his signature three back handsprings and landed, turning a kick into a cog that landed it against a second, as he then ran over it and jumped and superpunched a third.

He felt a burst of energy when he had morphed, so he figured the morphing grid helps in healing his energy.

“This is beginning to feel a little lackluster,” Tommy called out to the other two. 

“I agree, it’s almost too easy,” Billy said, knocking his hip back into a cog who tried to grab around his arms from behind. It knocked the cog back and he gave another swift kick.

Jason knocked another cog away from Tommy as it tried to attack him from behind.

“They are just appetizers,” Said a deep voice with an exaggerated French accent. “I am the main course!”

Standing ahead of them was a mechanical monster, who looked like an old battery.

”Oh man,” Jason groaned, “these guys get more ridiculous every time.”

Tommy and Billy couldn’t help but chuckle ”Alright then, let’s serve you up!” Tommy ran in first with a kick.

The three danced around the monster, as it blocked their blows and took a few hits, hitting them back a few times.

Just as Jason distracted the monster one way, Tommy went in for a hit, but the monster caught him across the chest with a zap from a wire on his chest.

”Tommy!” Billy rushed forward to catch a hold of Tommy.

“I’m ok…but I feel a little drained,” Tommy admitted.

“We need the others.” Jason said.

“And we need to see what he did to you,” Billy told Tommy.

“Where are you going, Rangers? Aren’t we going to play?” The monster taunted them.

“Yeah. Let’s play hide and go seek.” Jason called back as they teleported back to the Power Chamber.

-PR-

Kim handed Tommy a Gatorade. “Here.”

“Thanks. Man, that zap really took a lot out of me.”

Billy stood nearby with the scanner checking Tommy’s readings and cross checked them with the computer.

“Anything Billy?” Kat asked.

“Looks like he was pulling your energy to use for himself,” Billy confirmed. “It wasn’t just zapping your energy. His own energy heightened.”

“So we need to be careful,” Jason thought for a moment. “I don’t know if there were any warning signs that he was going to take the energy from us. There were some hits that I don’t think did anything.”

Billy tried to think back on the fight and shook his head. “Nothing that stood out…” he tapped the monitor as it played back the readings, “except for this. Right before he zapped Tommy, he charged up from his core. The heat signature indicates the transfer of the energy.”

“Now that we know what he can do, we can look for it,” Tommy said, “but I don’t want to risk anyone else.”

“There’s nothing particular on the scanner that we can find to pinpoint where his energy source is centered,” Adam said with a shrug. 

“There’s a chance it may only show up right before he siphons our energy,” Tanya suggested.

“So some of us may have to be bait,” Jason offered.

“Well I’ve already taken a hit,” Tommy said, “I can draw him out again so no one else takes the risk.”

“I’ll go too,” Kim said.

“No, I’ll go,” Billy overruled, turning back to the console to put the scanner down.

“I’m faster,” Kim argued. 

“We have the same Gemini speed,” He countered, calmly, not looking at her.

 The others glanced around at each other, but Kat caught the look shared between Jason and Tommy.

Kim gave him a confused look and annoyed look.

Why does it feel like you are mentally blocking me? She accused him.

He turned towards her sharply, his eyes softer than she expected.

I’m not, I thought things were quiet on your end…that maybe we got used to how this worked and were able to not be constantly in each other's heads… He gave a half hearted excuse.

Kim thinned her lips at that. It wasn’t like him to lie, but something didn’t feel right. She knew something was changing, and they needed to talk.

“Let me go, Billy. If I’m hit you can replenish me…” She said with her ‘that’s final’ tone as she turned away, not giving him the opportunity to turn her down this time.

Kat knew she didn’t miss Billy’s look to Jason and Tommy. She glanced around at the others and saw a cautious look on Rocky’s face. Good, he saw it too.

Billy let out a sigh, “Alpha are the Aura shards synced to their morphers yet?”

“Almost Billy,” The mechanical helper responded.

The Midnight ranger nodded.

“Aura shards?” Tanya asked.

“I scanned the Midnight Crystal and was able to replicate a deposit from it. From there, with Zordon's help, we were able to grow new crystals of the same properties that the sisters will be able to focus their energy into,” Billy explained.  “By tapping into the morphing grid, they will be rangers as well.”

“You managed to do all of that?” Kim stepped closer. 

Billy nodded, “it was a little frustrating at times, but we figured it out.”

“That’s amazing, Billy,” Adam smiled.

“Any sign of our new monster?” Tanya asked Alpha.

“We haven’t been able to locate him,” Alpha replied.

“I guess that’s a good sign,” Tommy said, standing up from his spot on the steps. 

“How do you feel?” Jason asked him.

“Better. Ready to go again, if necessary.”

Jason glanced over to Billy and nodded him closer to them, eyeing Kim who was looking more closely at the Aura shards.

“Kim isn’t going to give up her spot so easily,” Jason lowered his voice.

“I know,” Billy thinned his lips.

“So what do we do?” Tommy asked.

“Tell her the truth?” Jason offered.

Billy sighed. He knew he should. It’s not going to make things easier.

“I…” he hummed off the word thinking.

“Billy if she gets hit and you need to replenish her, will you have the energy to do so?” Jason asked. “If you get hit, she stands a better chance of replenishing you.”

Billy hung his head thinking, “if she gets hit.”

“Billy” It came out in a hiss.

Billy suddenly had a thought and sharply looked up between them and then looked over at his partner.

“Kim,” he said. “Come with me…”

Kim turned at her name. Billy was very direct, almost commanding. She looked confused at Tommy and Jason as she walked past them and followed Billy out into the hallway.

“What’s up?” She asked.

Billy looked over her face. She looked confused and slightly concerned and he knew it was going to change in a moment. 

“It has to be me. I have to be the bait,” he told her.

Kim felt a pit in her stomach in the way that he worded it.

“Why?”

“You know…something isn’t right. With my power at least. We haven’t been connecting as well. My energy is fluctuating. It keeps dropping randomly…but then coming right back.” 

“Billy,” Kim reached her arm out, “then it shouldn’t be you-“

“No it should,” he swatted her arm aside, but grabbed both her shoulders and lowered himself to her height.

The movement startled her and she looked him in the eye, “Billy?”

“If you get hit, I don’t know how much energy I can replenish you with, or how fast. You’d be at risk,” he pulled her into his chest. “You’re faster and stronger, Tommy and I need you with Jason, in case things go wrong.”

She could hear his heart beating hard in his chest.

“But more than that, I have an idea that I think would help us get rid of the monster… but only if we can get him to attack me.”

She pulled back and looked at him, “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“I knew you wouldn’t…” he replied. “But it protects everyone else.”

She took a moment and nodded, then they turned and headed back to the main door. Suddenly Kim stopped before the entrance.

“Billy… how long has this been going on?” Kim asked him, quietly.

“Noticably? Since Rita and Zedd zapped me…” Billy confessed. “I thought it was something to heal from and go away. Maybe it still is.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

You didn’t tell me!” She turned back around on him. “What if it was happening to me and I was hiding it from you?”

“That’s different,” he started to get flustered.

“Why?”

“Because I could help you,” he knew his mistake the moment it left his mouth.

Kim stepped back away from him as if she had been physically slapped.

“And I can’t help you?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Billy tried to amend. “I just meant by the scanning and the…”

“I’m just ‘silly little Kimberly’, doing flips on the balance beam and going shopping. Nothing else to offer…” 

“That’s not fair…” Billy reached for her, “I just meant that I was waiting to tell you when…”

“When you’ve figured it out because I would only get in the way,” Kimberly bit back on the tears that were burning in her eyes, threatening to come down. “You’re always bouncing around me in the Power Chamber. Guess if I was smarter like Kat, or more helpful like Tanya, that would have made a difference.”

“They don’t know either.”

That did make Kim feel a little better, but not by much, she turned around so she could wipe a tear without Billy seeing. “Let’s go tell everyone the plan,” she hit the button for the main door to open before Billy could stop her again.

-PR-

“So that was why Jason had trouble waking you up at the park,” Kat stated after Billy told the others about his energy fluctuation.

Kim bristled next to Tommy.

Billy nodded.

“So what’s the plan?” Rocky asked.

“We use Tommy and me as the focus,” Billy told them, “but we have to make sure he targets me. Once we see that he is charging his core to zap me, I’ll send a portion of my energy over to Kim and demorph.”

“But if you do that, you’ll be really weak…”

Rocky said, concerned.

“Exactly,” Billy shrugged. “He won’t get any energy.”

“Which will weaken him enough for us to attack him,” Adam followed.

“I gotta say, I’m not a fan of this plan, but it’s a good one,” Tommy thinned his lips.

“Sometimes the best plan isn’t the easiest one,” Billy said. “You taught me that. It’s what being a leader is about.”

“So you get zapped and Kim replenishes your energy?” Rocky asks.

Billy looked over at Kim, who looked up at him with an unreadable expression. She was clearly still not happy from their early conversation.

“Of course,” she answered.

He gave a small smile, but he dropped his gaze.

“Alright, let’s prepare,” Tommy broke the tension.

Billy turned to go back to the panels, trying to locate their foe. Jason and Tommy walked over to him, and Adam joined.

Kat glanced at Tanya, who gave her a nod as they approached Kim.

“Are you alright?” Kat asked her predecessor.

Kim looked between the two girls hesitating and finally opened her mouth to answer.

“Just warning you- you’ve officially passed the time limit to make any version of ‘yes, I’m ok’ believable,” Tanya gave her a sassy smile.

Kim smiled and gave a laugh, but it was immediately replaced with tears filling her eyes again.

“I’m so frustrated,” she admitted in a hushed tone. “He hid this from me. I had no clue. No Gemini sixth sense…and if it wasn’t for this monster zapping energy, who knows how much longer he would have kept it a secret.”

“Mind if I join the girl talk?” Rocky asked.

“Sure Rocky,” Kim stepped aside, giving him room. “You’re an honorary girl.”

“I’ll take it,” he said with a toothy grin. “Sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear.” His face suddenly turned serious. “Kim, you know that Billy doesn’t like giving any information until he has all the details. He probably feels lost and confused and doesn’t want to give out anything without knowing everything, or else we could end up thinking it’s one thing when it’s actually another.”

Kim thought about it for a moment. That was very Billy-like.

She sighed. “It doesn’t make me feel much better that he kept it a secret. What if something had happened?”

“Don’t be too hard on him,” Kat put a hand on Kim’s shoulder. “He’s probably being hard enough on himself.”

Kim bit her lower lip from responding. Kat was much softer than she was, and possibly more understanding. 

So then was it her? Was she missing something?

“We got his location,” Adam interrupted her thoughts.

“Let’s put this plan into motion,” Tommy looked at Billy. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’m going to be.”

Tommy really wanted to ask him if he was sure, but he knew what his friend would say.

Billy was as much of a leader as he was.

“It’s morphing time!”

-PR-

“I’ve been so lonely without you, Rangers,” the monster practically crooned.

“Well we are here to keep you company,” Rocky quipped.

“Let’s make it a proper party!” The Battery creature raised his hand and summoned cogs to join them.

“Remember the plan guys,” Tommy called out. “Billy, let’s go!”

“Right.”

The Red Zeo Ranger and the Midnight Ranger made their way to face off with their main foe as the others handled the cogs.

“Didn’t get enough before, eh Rouge Ranger?” The monster laughed.

“I’m replenished now,” Tommy landed a kick.

“We’ll see how long that lasts!”

“You’ll never get me,” Billy taunted. “My power and speed is too much for you!”

“Is that so?” The creature turned towards him.

Tommy hoped the ego on the monster was big enough to fall for the bait, but he was also feeling the nerves in his stomach as the plan was falling into place.

The energy readings were starting to spike.

Billy had to make his move.

Kim flipped over a cog and suddenly felt a rush of energy as she then kicked it right into two others, knocking them away from Adam.

“Hey, thanks,” he laughed.

But Kim didn’t respond. She turned to see Billy power down just in time to get zapped by the “monster of the week” as they used to call them.

He immediately dropped down.

And she didn’t even feel it.