**This story jumps past the original Turbo Rangers. All the original Rangers (except for Justin) have passed their powers on to the new Rangers and Alex (unable to pass along her power) has headed into retirement.**
"WACHOOO!" Cassie sneezes violently into her tissue. She looks up into her bathroom mirror. "I look like crap."
Cassie's usually bright brown eyes are puffy and watery. Her nose is a raw red color. Cassie groans when she hears the doorbell ring.
"Aw man, that's probably Justin and Carlos." Cassie tightens her robe around herself and puts on her fuzzy slippers. She pads down the stairs slowly and opens the door.
"How come you aren't ready to go?" Justin says when Cassie opens the door.
"Yeah, we got extra equipment for you," Carlos says.
"Guys, I know I need the extra credit for Billings' class, but I feel lousy," Cassie says, sneezing for emphasis. "You'll have to go spelunking without me."
"Hey, it's okay Cassie. You should stay home and rest," Carlos says.
"What if Carlos and I do all the measurements but one. Then later, near the end of Spring Break, you can go do the last one. That way you can get full extra credit, too," Justin suggests.
"You guys would let me do that? Isn't that kind of cheating?" Cassie says.
"You can type up the report after you get the last measurement. That will be a lot of work in itself," Carlos says.
"Deal," Cassie says with another sneeze.
Carlos digs the lantern out of his backpack as Justin finds the clipboard and pencil. Carlos places his hard hat on and flips on the light.
"Ready to go?" Carlos asks.
"Yep." Justin flips the light on on his hard hat.
The pair enter the opening of the cave and look around.
"Mr. Billings' directions say, 'Follow the cave to the right for about 100 yards. Find the stalagmite nicknamed _The Leaning Tower of Pisa_. How tall is it from tip to base? At approximately what angle is it leaning?'" Justin reads.
The pair wander through the cave.
Carlos keeps muttering "stalactite, stalagmite, stalactite, stalagmite."
"Stalagmites come up from the ground and stalactites grow from the ceiling," Justin clarifies.
"I knew that," Carlos says. "There it is. You measure and I'll get an approximate angle."
Justin digs the measuring tape and plastic protractor out of his backpack. With their calculations done, Justin reads their next set of directions.
"Follow the cave back another 100 yards. Take the fork to the right. Continue for another 100 yards. Find the stalactites nicknamed 'Dragon's Claws.' How many claws does the dragon have? What compound probably makes up the majority of the claws?" Justin says.
Carlos shines the lantern in front of them and the pair take off for their next assignment.
"Well, well, well," Divatox says, looking through her periscope at Cassie who is curled up in her bed. "Looks like one of the Rangers is under the weather."
"Ooh, ooh, want me to take some Piranhatrons to Cassie's house and really ruin her day, Auntie D?" Elgar suggests, jumping up and down while waving his hand.
"No, I have an even better idea," Divatox says with an evil grin. "What if ALL the Rangers suddenly became ill? Then the Earth would be mine for the taking."
"You want Porto to whip up a batch of the flu?" Elgar says.
"The flu? No, that's far too tame. I want something sinister. Something extremely contagious. Something...fatal." Divatox laughs wickedly. "Marshmallow!"
"Yes, my Queen?" Porto waddles into the control room of the Space Station.
"Look through the _Book of Spells_ that we stole from that asinine Rita Repulsa. Find me a good disease. I want those Rangers put out of commission for good."
"Yes, my Queen," Porto says and then waddles over to their mountain of treasure. He digs through piles of gold coins and elaborate jewelry until he finds an ancient, leather-bound book.
"Ooh! This is getting even better," Divatox croons, looking through her periscope again. She sees Carlos and Justin wandering around in the caves. "I think I found our first victims."
"Ooh, ooh, want me to take some Piranhatrons to the cave and start a cave in?" Elgar suggests, again jumping up and down, desperately wanting to be useful.
Divatox sighs in annoyance. "No, you idiot. Now get out of my sight before you wreck my delightfully diabolical plan."
"Here you go, my Queen." Porto hands Divatox the dilapidated book. He points to a chapter entitled "Fatal Diseases" and continues, "Might I suggest one of these...."
"Small pox--eradicated on Earth already, Porto. The Bubonic Plague--been done already." Divatox flips the page and runs her finger down it. "Ooh, this one sounds promising. Go get the necessary equipment for the spell, Porto. This is the one I want."
Divatox places the book on a table, it lays open to the page entitled "Summoning a Disease from the Ancient Past--Apollo's Revenge."
An hour passes and the guys decide to take a lunch break. They sit down on "Triceratops' Head" and pull out their lunch.
"So how many more do we have to go?" Justin says with his mouth full of PB & J.
Carlos swallows and answers, "Three. Maybe we'll be home by 5:00 pm."
"Oh, good."
"Why? You got a hot date tonight or something?" Carlos teases.
Justin turns beet red and stammers, "Uh, no. I just wanted to do a couple of things tonight."
Carlos contains a laugh the best that he can. He knew that Justin was in between phases. Justin hadn't quite decided if girls still had cooties or not.
"The assignment does the cave in a U-shaped pattern," Justin says to change the subject. "Why don't we leave the very last one for Cassie. That way she can enter the cave from the exit and work backwards. It will save her time."
"Plus, I don't know if I'll have a chance to come back with her," Carlos adds.
"I know, me neither," Justin says.
"She really shouldn't spelunk alone."
"Maybe Ashley could come with her or TJ?"
"Maybe. Are you finished? Let's get back to work." Carlos dusts the crumbs from his sandwich off his shirt and begins packing up the remains of their lunch.
As the guys head down another of the cave's expansive corridors, a time portal opens out of their view. Out of the portal steps a ragged looking human-like monster dressed in dirty leather armor. Soiled and bloodied bandages wrap its head and one arm. Its eyes are blood-shot and its skin is jaundiced. The monster recites an incantation in an ancient tongue and begins to incinerate. Soon all that is left is a hanging mist in the area.
Justin and Carlos round the corner to where the portal has just disappeared.
"Do we go right or left here?" Carlos says, waving the mist to clear his line of sight.
"The directions say 'right until you reach a set of formations called Houses of Gnomes.'" Justin bats at the mist, too.
The mist doesn't dissipate at their gestures. Instead, it becomes more concentrated. The guys breathe in the particles until their entire repiratory systems are coated with the mist. Justin sneezes and Carlos coughs, but the guys continue along their way. Once out of the misty area, their breathing returns to normal.
"PORTO!" Divatox yells as she watches the guys walk through the mist.
"Yes, my Queen?"
"Why aren't the Rangers dropping like flies already?" Divatox whines.
"Please be patient, oh Great One. The incubation period is approximately 24 hours."
"Twenty-four hours?!?! But I want them to be sick now!" Divatox whines.
"But if they were to die in the cave, they wouldn't have a chance to infect all the other Rangers," Porto answers, cringing in case Divatox decided to whack him.
"True. Of course, I knew that," Divatox says, readjusting her mask. "I want all the Rangers to get a good healthy dose of the virus and then we'll hit them when they're defenseless!"
"That's the last one for us," Carlos says, putting away the tape measure. "It's only 4:30. You want to stop by the Youth Center on the way home and get a drink?"
"Sure. My throat's a little scratchy." Justin places the clipboard in his back pack and zips it up.
"I told Ashley that I'd give her a ride home."
"Giving Ashley a ride home, huh? Sounds like things are getting serious."
"C'mon Justin. We've only gone out a couple of times," Carlos says with a shrug.
"I know, but Ranger Romances have a tendency to lead to Ranger Engagements. Take Alex and Adam for example."
"They're older than us. Besides, Ashley and I are just going to the movies tonight. That's all."
"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you."
Finished spelunking, the guys go to the Youth Center to hang out with TJ and Ashley. Unbeknownst to them, the virus is quickly replicating in their bodies.
Carlos and Justin walk through the Youth Center door to see TJ taking a beating from Ashley.
"Look, Ashley," TJ says, sprawled out on the mat. "The guys are back. Why don't we take a break?"
Ashley gives TJ a hand off the floor and the pair join the guys at their favorite table.
"Hey! That's my smoothie," Justin says as TJ takes a large slurp.
"I'll give you a slurp of mine later, okay?" TJ says, lightly punching Justin in the arm. "Where's Cassie?"
"She's got a really rotten cold, so she ended up bailing," Carlos says.
"She's been sick for the last two days. She should go to the doctor and get some antibiotics," Ashley says, sitting down closely to Carlos.
"Won't do much good," Justin says. "Antibiotics only kill bacteria, and what Cassie has is a virus."
"Thank you, Dr. Stewart," Carlos says sarcastically. "Hey, Ashley, guess who's got two front row tickets for the Spice Girls show next Saturday?"
Ashley's face lights up and she stammers, "Really?! You got great tickets?!?!"
Ashley calms down immediately, realizing that Carlos technically hasn't asked her to go with him yet.
"Cassie and TJ love the Spice Girls too," Ashley thinks more humbly.
"Are you free next Saturday to go with me?" Carlos asks shyly.
"Am I?!" Ashley squeals. "You bet!"
"Great, I'll pick you up at seven."
Overwhelmed by the moment, Ashley plants a big kiss on Carlos. TJ looks away awkwardly, and Justin begins humming the "Wedding March." His rendition abruptly stops when Carlos rams his foot into Justin's chair.
The Rangers meet again the next day at the Youth Center for more martial arts practice.
"Still no Cassie?" TJ asks, as Carlos and Ashley come through the door hand-in-hand.
"She's still under the weather," Ashley answers.
"Where's Justin?" Carlos asks.
"He's sitting down over there," TJ says. "He said he wasn't feeling too well."
"I hope he hasn't picked up Cassie's bug," Ashley says.
Justin sits quietly at their favorite table, watching his friends spar. He rubs his temples and the back of his neck, trying to loosen up his vise-like headache. Justin closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. Upon opening them, the scenery is even worse. Now he sees two of everything.
"I'm going to kill Cassie for giving me her virus," Justin grumbles under his breath. "I might as well give it up for the day."
Justin packs up his belongings. It takes him several tries to zip his bookbag because his hands are shaking so badly. Justin pulls his jean jacket closely around himself though the Youth Center is a balmy 75 degrees. The room spins when Justin stands up. He blinks several times and then heads to the door without even telling his friends goodbye.
"Oh, it looks like Justin has caught Cassie's cold," Ashley says, noticing Justin pulling his coat around himself tighter.
"Wow, he looks really pale," TJ says. "I better walk him home. I'll meet you guys back here later, okay?"
Carlos and Ashley nod.
"Justin! Wait up!" TJ grabs his gear and rushes out the door.
Less than fifteen minutes later, Carlos and Ashley's communicators go off.
"Should have figured. This day was going too well," Ashley says, removing her fist from in front of Carlos' face.
The teens slink off to the side of the Youth Center.
"This is Carlos. What's up, Alpha?"
"Yo, yo, yo, Rangers. We got us a big problem. Justin is down for the count. You guys better get here quick!" Alpha's tinny voice sounds worried.
"We're on our way."
Within an instant, all the Rangers congregate in the Power Chamber.
"Dimitria, what happened to Justin?" Ashley says, her brows furrowing.
"Did I give him my cold?" Cassie asks in a congested voice, purposefully keeping a distance between herself and the other Rangers.
Dimitria lights up her tube. "We are unsure at this time, Cassie. It appears that Justin's body has been overtaken by a virus."
"Oh, man," Carlos says. He massages the back of his increasingly sore neck.
"I was walking Justin home and then all of the sudden he just fell out," TJ says and then adds remorsefully, "I panicked. He started moaning and twitching. I didn't know what to do. So, I teleported us directly to the Power Chamber."
"You did the right thing, TJ," Dimitria says gently.
"Yeah," Ashley places a protective arm around TJ's shoulders. "Who has a better medical facility than the Power Chamber?"
TJ allows a small smile to replace his chagrined look, but deep down inside, the self-doubt continues.
"How do the rest of you feel?" Alpha asks.
"Great," says TJ.
"Ditto," says Ashley.
"Lousy--as expected," Cassie jokes and then breaks into a dry, hacking cough.
"Okay," Carlos says and then adds, "My neck is a little sore. I think I may have strained a muscle while we were sparring. I did hit the mat really hard one time. I'll go home and take some asprin. I'll be fine."
"Rangers, there is nothing more that you can do here for now. Go home and rest. If any of you begin feeling worse, come back immediately. Try to limit your contact with others as much as possible until we are sure that Justin's virus isn't contagious," Dimitria says.
"Wait, Cassie," Alpha says. "Can you stay for a little while so that we can take some blood samples?"
"Uh, is that going to require you poking needles into my body?" Cassie says, visibly shrinking at the thought.
"How else are we going to get a blood sample, doll?"
Cassie stands silently for a few moments contemplating the idea. She reluctantly agrees, "If it will help Justin get better."
The other Rangers return to their homes and hole-up in their rooms. TJ lays on his bed tossing his baseball up and down. Ashley tries to read a book. Carlos takes some asprin and lays down trying to get rid of the splitting headache that has suddenly come on.
TJ glances at his alarm clock and sighs. Only one hour has passed. He grabs his baseball glove and begins oiling it. When his communicator goes off, TJ jumps to his feet, glad for something to do.
"This is TJ."
"Rangers, we have some bad news. Please come to the Power Chamber immediately," Alpha says.
"On my way." TJ tosses his baseball mit on his desk and teleports out in a streak of red light.
Ashley and TJ materialize at the same time. The look on Cassie's face tells them immediately that things are getting worse.
"Rangers, please come to the Medical Unit." Dimitria vanishes from her tube.
"Oh, man!" TJ says, when they arrive at the Medical Unit.
Justin lies on a gurney, covered with a blue sheet. A clear plastic curtain tents the area. Justin is pale and listless.
"We have given Justin a sedative to allow his body to rest and fight the infection," Dimitria says.
Carlos teleports into the Medical Center. He walks towards the other Rangers, weaving slightly.
"They did a blood analysis of Justin and me," Cassie says. "We don't have the same disease."
"Then what is it?" Ashley asks.
"That's the problem. We don't know," Alpha says.
"We are currently searching all of the Earth's medical data bases. But it will take time," Dimitria says.
"If he didn't get it from Cassie, then where did he get it?" TJ asks.
"We don't know that either. Justin hasn't been lucid enough to answer our questions," Dimitria says.
Throughout the conversation, Carlos has stayed silent. He blinks his eyes again, trying to get rid of his double vision.
"I'm afraid that there is nothing else that we can do right now," Dimitria says sadly. "Let us return to the Power Chamber. Maybe our computers have found something."
"Right," TJ says. "You tell us what to do, and we'll be glad to do it."
The others agree. They follow Alpha out of the Medical Center, Carlos trailing far behind.
"How's the neck, Carlos?" Ashley says and then turns around. "CARLOS!"
Carlos' knees give way and he crumples to the floor. The Rangers rush back to him and help Carlos onto another gurney. Alpha returns with a needle.
"I suspect that we may have another victim." Alpha draws a long tube full of blood.
"Rangers, I am afraid that I must quarantine you until we have been able to find out what is going on. Obviously, this virus _is_ contagious, but we do not know how it is transmitted. We cannot take a chance of spreading it to the rest of Angel Grove," Dimitria says gravely.
"But what if Divatox attacks?" Cassie asks quietly.
"We will cross that bridge when we get to it," Dimitria answers. "Alpha, meet me in the Power Chamber after you run the blood sample."
"You got it, Dimitria," Alpha answers, already typing away at a computer.
Alpha waddles into the Power Chamber a short while later. Dimitria floats silently in her tube.
"Alpha, the computer scan is complete. There were no matches for Justin's virus," Dimitria says.
"Do you think it's an alien virus?" Alpha asks.
"I'm not sure. I have contacted other alien races to ask, but it will take time. Time, I'm afraid, that Carlos--and especially Justin--may not have."
"What are we going to do?"
"We will continue to search. Our body forms greatly limit us in a physical search. I have called for human help."
"Human help? Who? A former Ranger?"
"You will see," Dimitria says.
A white teleportation light begins to glow in the Power Chamber.
The teleportation beam focuses, and a young woman forms. She is dressed in navy and white polka-dotted pajamas. Her hair is piled recklessly on top of her head. She stoops over brushing her teeth.
"What in the...," Trini mumbles, her mouth full of toothpaste.
"Trini Kwan," Dimitria says. "I am Dimitria of Inquiris. I apologize for bringing you here without any warning, but we are in a most difficult state."
"What?" Trini says, looking around for somewhere to spit.
"Alpha, please," Dimitria says and then continues, "I am afraid that three of our Rangers are ill. One is in grave condition. After searching all of the medical data listed on Earth, we have not been able to come up with the source of the virus, nor a cure."
Alpha procures two cups for Trini, one filled with water. Trini abruptly haults her hygiene routine.
"I don't mean to be uncaring, but why me? I turned in my life-time Ranger membership when I walked out the door over a year ago," Trini says, her brown eyes still flashing with hurt as she sees the old Power Ranger outfits in their chambers. The Triceratops armor triggers a painful memory.
"That was the last time Billy and I ever spoke to each other," Trini thinks. "That was the last time I spoke to any of the Zeo Rangers, either."
"We needed someone with knowledge in medicine, but who could also keep our Rangers' identities in confidence. You were our first choice."
"I'm not sure if I will be able to help you, but I'll give it a try," Trini says reluctantly. "Who's ill? Adam? Kat?"
"Trini, since your departure, our team has changed. Zordon and Alpha have returned to Eltar, and the older Turbo Rangers have passed their powers on to new members."
"Even Alex?" Trini felt a stab of guilt for not keeping up with her friend. "Has she returned from Aquitar?"
"Yes, but Alex is no longer a Ranger either. It was time for her to move on, too. We keep her Turbo armor enshrined here in our vaults with the original Power Rangers' armor. You will recall that Alex was mostly psi-powered and her Ranger powers made up the rest. This power wasn't strong enough by itself to be passed along to a new Ranger. Instead, her Turbo key remains here within our care."
Trini stands silently for a moment trying to absorb all the information and to sort out her own emotions. The betrayal of the Rangers hurt her more deeply than anything she'd ever known. Trini had spent the last year working through her anger and resentment over the incident, but it still came back to haunt her occasionally. She still couldn't bring herself to contact any of her former friends, even Alex. And she doubted if she could ever forgive Billy.
"Can you help us?" Dimitria continues.
"Can you give me a run down on all the information we have on the virus?" Trini asks and thinks, "It's my duty as a future doctor to at least try."
"Please, come with me to the Medical Center. All of the Rangers are currently quarantined there," Alpha says.
After a round of introductions and a quick history lesson, Trini is ready to get down to business. She takes a large stack of print outs from Alpha. She stares at the charts.
"The left one is Justin's viral load, and the right one is Carlos'. The one in the center is Cassie's," Alpha informs Trini.
"They are all high levels, but obviously the virus isn't treating them the same," Trini says. "I'm not even sure they all have the same thing."
"That is what we think also. Alpha ran tests on blood samples from all three Rangers. The RNA sequences on the outer coats of the virus were similar only in Carlos and Justin. Cassie's virus had a completely different RNA sequence," Dimitria says.
"So I just have a cold, like I've been telling you all along," Cassie says. "Now can I go home?"
"Not yet, Cassie. Not until we've figured out what this virus is."
"Okay, let's start from the beginning," Trini says, scratching her head. "What is its vector?"
"We are not sure what the vector is. We have not been able to identify the source. We are presuming it is human," Dimitria says.
"It could possibly be an alien virus introduced to Earth by Divatox," Alpha says and then clarifies, "the Rangers' latest foe."
Trini nods.
"This is also a possibility," Dimitria says.
"What about an incubation period?" Trini asks.
"We also do not know this."
Trini rubs her temples in frustration. "So basically we've got absolutely nothing to work with."
"I'm afraid so."
"Can I talk to Justin?"
"Yes, but I'm afraid that he may not be of much help. We have a biohazard suit that I must insist that you put on."
"No argument from me. I don't want this bug." Trini follows Alpha to a special area within the Medical Center. She dons a protective suit--complete with two layers of thick surgical gloves and a contained air supply.
"I feel like an astronaut," Trini thinks, trying to move gracefully in the clunky suit.
Trini shuffles up to Justin's bedside. His face is flushed and beads of perspiration dot his brow.
"Justin, can you hear me?" Trini says, leaning over to look into his face. "Justin, my name is Trini. I'm a friend of Zordon's. Can you talk to me?"
Justin groans and shakes his head back and forth in delirium. Trini waits a few minutes and then decides to try Carlos instead. She shuffles over to Carlos' bed and asks again. Carlos remains completely unresponsive.
"Is he going to be okay?" Ashley asks, standing on the outside of the force field.
"I don't know," Trini answers honestly. "So far we are batting a big fat zero. We can't treat what we don't know. We've got to work backwards and find out where the infection began."
"Yesterday, TJ, Carlos, Justin and I were all at the Youth Center," Ashley says, rubbing the back of her increasingly painful neck.
"Anything unusual happen there? Any monster run-ins?"
"No, it's been quiet for the last week," TJ says.
"Go back farther." Trini paces back and forth, flipping her pencil against the clipboard.
"Before coming to the Youth Center, Justin and Carlos went spelunking. Before that, they came by my house," Cassie says.
"We were all in school before that," TJ says.
"Our most recent battle was last Wednesday," Ashley says, kneading her temples with her fingers trying to get rid of her headache. "It was an easy, run-of-the-mill battle, though. We did the spin out, and poof, it was gone."
"Let me get Alpha to run an analysis of your last fight," Trini says, making a note for herself.
"Dragon's claws...five dragon's claws...," Justin mumbles.
"What? What, Justin?" Trini rushes to his side.
"Dragon's claws...mist...."
"Does this make sense to anybody?"
"Yeah!" Cassie perks up. "Dragon's claws is a formation in Angel Grove's caves. I don't remember anything listed as 'mist' though."
"Caves...caves...CAVES!" A light flashes in Trini's mind. "Of course!"
The other Rangers look at each other and shrug as Trini rushes off mumbling to herself. A few minutes later, Trini returns without her biohazard suit. She still keeps her distance from the rest of the Rangers, though.
"What's so exciting about caves?" Cassie asks.
"There is a theory circulating presently that the Ebola virus originated in a cave in Kenya," Trini explains.
"They have Ebola?!?" Ashley gasps.
"No, thank God. No, this isn't Ebola. We'd be screwed if it was," Trini says bluntly.
"We might be screwed still," Cassie says.
Trini smirks at Cassie's spunk. "She's definitely different from Kat," Trini thinks, beginning to like the new Pink Ranger.
"What kind of contact have you three had with Carlos and Justin? Did you have any contact with their blood?" Trini asks.
The Rangers shake their heads.
"Did they sneeze or cough on you?"
The Rangers shake their heads again.
"I doubt you guys would be swapping spit with each other," Trini says and picks her brain for other modes of transmission.
"I kissed Carlos," Ashley sheepishly confesses.
"It wasn't that big of a kiss, Ashley," TJ says.
"TJ is probably right. A friendly kiss on the lips is probably no big deal," Trini says, returning to her thoughts.
"That one wasn't, but later at the movies...," Ashley's voice trails off. The pain in her head intensifies causing Ashley to grab her head in her hands.
Trini jerks to attention. "Alpha, let's get a viral load on Ashley."
"What about you, TJ?" Ashley says. "You drank after Justin. Could Justin's straw and smoothie be contaminated, Trini?"
"Alpha, let's get a viral load on both of them," Trini says and shooes the pair towards Alpha. She looks Cassie square in the eye. "What about you Cassie? Did you drink after any of them?"
"No," Cassie answers.
"What about you and TJ?"
"Me and TJ, what?"
Trini raises an eyebrow.
"N-n-no, absolutely not. We're just friends," Cassie stammers.
"We should get a new viral load on you too, to be safe." Trini sends Cassie on her way and then leaves the Medical Center.
"Dimitria?" Trini says, returning to the Power Chamber.
"It is as we feared," Dimitria says, lighting up her chamber. "Ashley's blood sample shows a rapidly growing viral count. TJ's level is still low, but I'm sure that soon he will be in the same state as Carlos and Justin. Only Cassie is still virus free."
"That's what I figured. That's why I came in here to talk to you," Trini says with a sigh. "Dimitria, maybe you should consider putting the infected Rangers into suspended animation. If no one else at least, Carlos and Justin."
"I concur. The fever is beginning to cause brain damage in Justin. With their permission, I will suspend Ashley and TJ when we suspend the other two. Cassie will be left alone to defend the Earth from Divatox's attacks," Dimitria says.
"Can she do that by herself?" Trini asks.
"I will call on the Blue Senturion to assist her and the Phantom Ranger."
"It will have to do. I want to go explore the caves. Can Alpha equip me with a high-powered scanner?"
"Yes, we will design one that can detect both viruses and abnormal ion patterns."
"You think that something came from a different dimension?"
"Yes, we are now positive," Alpha says, returning with a bunch of print outs. "There is a definite ion residue in the innermost chamber of the caves."
"Then I know where I'm going," Trini says.
"Wait, do not be hasty, Trini," Dimitria warns. "We need time to gather supplies and modify your scanner for this expedition."
"When will I be able to go?"
"Approximately, five hours," Alpha answers.
"Trini, you cannot make this trip alone. Though you still have a slight power signature running through your body, you need the assistance of someone with a stronger signature. We will most likely lose you if you travel between dimensions. You need to take a Turbo Ranger with you," Dimitria says.
"No offense, but they're all sick. How are we going to swing this?" Trini says.
"Call upon one of the former Turbo Rangers. They can reclaim their powers from their ill counterpart. The choice is yours."
Trini looks at the glass case behind them. It still contained the now seemingly ancient uniforms of the original Power Rangers, plus the Zeo Ranger uniforms and Alex's uniform.
"Who can I trust?" Trini thinks, looking down the rows. "Kat? No, she blindly followed Tommy. Tanya? No, she caved in to Billy's pressuring. Tommy is definitely out and Billy was never a Turbo Ranger. Adam?"
"Dimitria, I'm going to go home to Florida to take care of some things. I'll be back in a few hours," Trini says. "I know which Ranger I want...."
Three hours later, two white lights materialize in the Power Chamber.
"Wow, this place has really changed," Kimberly says, placing her backpack on the floor.
"You aren't kidding," Trini says to her roommate and then notices that one of the chambers is empty.
The door of the Power Chamber wooshes open.
"Life has been too quiet lately. I'm ready for an adventure," a voice says.
Trini and Kim turn around to see Alex walking cockily through the door in her Turbo Ranger garb, her helmet tucked under her arm.
"Alexandra Jamison, this is my roommate and the original Pink Ranger, Kimberly Hart," Trini makes the introductions.
"Yep, I know who she is," Alex says, shaking Kim's hand. "I had to listen to Tommy whine about your leaving him for what seemed like eternity."
"So you're the infamous Purple Ranger," Kim says.
"The one and only," Alex says with a shrug.
"I see you haven't lost any of your self confidence," Trini says.
"_We_ have a lot to talk about, Miss Kwan," Alex says, poking Trini in the chest with her index finger. "For starters, how come you didn't answer any of my letters when I got back from Aquitar?"
"Can we discuss this later?" Trini says, not ready to reopen that can of worms. "We have more pressing things at hand than the history of my dismal love life."
"Don't worry, I won't let you forget," Alex says, still feeling sore that Trini had shut her out of her life for the past year. "No offense, but why are you here, Kim?"
"My best friend and roommate is risking her life hunting a mysterious virus. Do you think I could sit by and watch her go?" Kim says and then adds nonchalantly, "Plus, it's Spring Break and I don't have anything else better to do."
"Can we get down to business?" Trini interrupts. "Let me bring you two up to speed."
An hour later, the three girls stand in their biohazard outfits in the middle of the Power Chamber. Their helmets sit on a nearby console.
"Here is your scanner, Trini." Alpha hands Trini a modfied version of the Turbo Rangers' scanners.
"This little thing is going to pick up an ion trail?" Trini asks skeptically.
"Yes, our technology has greatly improved since you were a Ranger," Dimitria says.
"Now let me get this straight," Alex says. "I'm the anchor of the team."
"A colorful way to put it, yes," Dimitria answers. "Kimberly and Trini must be touching you when we teleport you home. Their signals may be too weak if you must travel interdimensionally. Yours is still strong from your days as a Turbo Ranger."
"Here's the medical kit." Alpha returns with another small box and hands it to Trini.
"Inside the kit, you will find a syringe, 2 vials for blood storage, a tourniquet, gloves and a special cryogenic container with enough freezing liquid to last 24 hours once activiated," Dimitria says.
"If you possibly can, bring the virus' host back with you. If this is impossible, get a blood sample. It will take longer to make a batch of anti-serum, but at least it can be done," Alpha adds.
Trini marvels at her new toys. She picks up a tiny silver cube with lights on the front. "What's this?"
"Your way home," Dimitria says. "It only has enough energy to open the portal back to the Power Chamber once, so please use it with extreme caution."
"But I thought that's what I was coming along for?" Alex says.
"Alexandra, you act as the proverbial needle in a hay stack. Your power signature tells us which hay stack to look for you in, but not exactly where you are at. Only the cube can bring you home though. It works with the technology in your communicator to bring you back to the Power Chamber."
"So DON'T lose your communicator, again," Trini says to Alex.
Alex winces. "I only lost it once...okay, twice."
"Remember, you must be touching Alex to return home," Dimitria warns.
Kim and Trini nod.
"While you guys are gone, we'll start deconstructing the virus' RNA strand base by base," Alpha says.
"That could take months!" Trini says.
"If you don't succeed, at least we'll have a back up plan."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Alpha," Alex says.
"I know we can do it," Kim says emphatically.
"Ready to begin your mission, Rangers?" Dimitria asks.
Trini places the thin, brick-sized medical kit into the front pocket of her jump suit. Affirmative."
Kim folds up the scanner and places it in her pocket. She grabs her helmet and then tosses the other girls theirs. "Ready for action."
"I've got the water and powerbars in my backpack." Alex pulls the biohazard suit overtop of her leather backpack and zips up the front. "SHIFT INTO TURBO!" Alex turns her wrists to make her key and Turbo morpher appear, but doesn't complete the transformation. "Are you getting a reading?"
"Affirmative," Alpha says as a strong purple blip appears on the screen.
"Then we're set," Alex says, placing her biohazard helmet on and sealing it. "Prepare to teleport us to Angel Grove Caves."
The girls materialize in the middle of Angel Grove caves. Kim removes the scanner from her pocket and surveys the area. Kim circles slowly in her spot until the scanner begins to blip. The girls walk towards the increasing signal.
"Alpha, are you getting this?" Alex's muffled voice says into her communicator.
"Affirmative, Alex," Alpha answers. "We are analyzing the ion trail. We may be able to reopen the portal within a matter of minutes."
Trini continues to explore the cave, running her gloved hands over a smooth, icicle-shaped lime deposit hanging from the ceiling of the cave.
"Rangers, we've done it!" Alpha blasts a minute later. "We've locked onto the coordinates and are preparing to open the portal."
"Great!" Trini returns to the other girls. "Where does it lead to?"
"That we don't know."
"So we're doing a blind leap?"
"I'm afraid so."
"I hope this is a dry, oxygenated atmosphere or this is going to be a very short trip," Alex says.
"Our scans of your biohazard suits show that you have approximately 15 minutes of contained air left. If the outcome of the portal proves inhospitable or unable to support human life, immediately activate the homing beacon. You should have enough contained air to last you until we can bring you back to the Power Chamber," Dimitria says.
"We should or we do?" Alex asks, concerned.
"Should. It depends on which dimension or galaxy that you end up in."
The girls look warily at each other. Trini nods and the other girls repeat her gesture.
"Open the portal, Alpha," Trini says, her shaking hands betraying her confident demeanor. "We're ready to go."
"Opening portal," Alpha says.
"Good luck, Rangers," Dimitria adds.
A sparkling begins in the cave and an interdimensional door opens. The girls stand silently staring at it. Finally, Trini walks confidently through it. Kim follows immediately after her.
"Here goes nothing," Alex says, and fakes a confident stride through.
Trini can hear the discord of their mixed screams: Kim's high-pitched shrieks, Alex's lower-pitched screech, and finally an unfamiliar wail. Trini realizes that the final voice is her own. She'd never screamed in pure terror like she was now, and she couldn't stop herself.
The girls plummet through the pitch-black darkness, only the lights on their biohazard helmets occasionally illuminating each other.
"When will this free fall end?" Trini thinks frantically. It was like being stuck on a diving rollercoaster that never seemed to bottom out. Her stomach was rapidly preparing to empty its contents.
A sharp pain in her backbone causes Trini to yelp and then lose her breath as the rest of her body hits earth. Her head still swimming from the free fall, Trini doesn't notice Alex and Kim crumpled on the grass nearby. With a groan, Trini sits up and surveys her situation.
Grass and trees," Trini thinks. "A good bet that we are on an oxygenated planet."
"Do you think it is safe to take off our helmets?" Alex asks softly from behind Trini.
"I'm gonna yak!" A green Kimberly is the first to break the seal on her helmet.
"Kim, stop!" Trini says sharply. "You could get contaminated."
"Too late," Kim says, throwing her helmet aside.
"EEewww!" Trini and Alex say in unison.
"I guess this means the air's okay to breathe," Alex says, breaking the seal on her helmet. "I'm boiling in my own juices in that suit."
"This is so much better." Soon Kim completely sheds her biohazard suit and retucks her short-sleeved pink T-shirt into her shorts.
"What if this whole field is contaminated?" Trini continues.
Alex unzips her biohazard suit, too. "Face it Trini, we're probably okay."
"We promise to wear gloves when we locate the virus source," Kim says.
"And I'll even morph for extra protection if you want," Alex adds.
Reluctantly, Trini removes her biohazard suit. "I guess they would make us stick out."
"Not to mention that they are totally a fashion don't," Kim says.
"Which way do we go?" Alex asks, retying her hiking boots.
Trini turns slowly around in a circle and then points east. "I see several small clouds of smoke. Maybe it's a village or camp."
Alex readjusts the leather straps of the backpack over her shoulders, and the girls start off towards the smoke. After an hour's hike, the girls arrive on the outskirts of town.
"I can't believe we just did that," Trini says chagrined.
"We can't blend in with a crowd in jean shorts and t-shirts," Alex says.
"But stealing the wash off someone's clothes line?" Trini says.
"I didn't hear you coming up with a better solution," Alex replies.
"I know. I just feel...bad, that's all."
"Trini, we swiped cheap cotton togas, not some expensive silk gowns. Get over it. We're on a mission, and we need to blend in with the natives."
Kim interrupts the argument when she grabs both of the girls by their arms.
"Where _are_ we?" Kim asks.
"_When_ are we?" Alex asks.
"That must be the town's main street or market district," Trini decides, spotting small patches of smoke rising and the occasional chicken flying briefly in the air.
"I'm starving. Let's get something to eat," Kim says.
"Alex has power bars and water in her backpack," Trini says.
"No, I mean something _good_." Kim sniffs the air and reports, "I smell fresh-baked bread."
"I could 'lift' us a couple of things if you guys could provide a distraction," Alex suggests.
"Alex?!?! We are NOT going to resort to shoplifting. It's bad enough that we had to steal our clothes," Trini says.
"Oh, stop being so high and mighty, Trini. Desperate times call for desperate measures."
"Absolutely not!" Trini crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"Then pass me one of those stupid-dry-tasteless power bars. I'm starving," Alex grumbles.
"Wait," Kim says, fingering her necklace. "What if I hocked my necklace?"
"Kim, we couldn't ask you to do that," Trini says.
"Yes we could," Alex replies, stifling a stomach growl.
"Trevor gave it to me," Kim says, rolling her eyes.
"Who's Trevor?" Alex asks.
"My boyfriend. No, my _ex_-boyfriend," Kim clarifies. "Wonder if this thing is even real gold, the jerk."
"Alright! No power bars!" Alex says.
"Let's haggle, girls!" Kim removes the thick gold chain with the solid gold heart pendant on it from around her neck.
"Hey," Alex grabs Kim's elbow. "That guy looks like a money changer or something."
A richly dressed man, dripping in gold jewelry leaves the gates of the marketplace and heads down the road towards the girls.
"Yeah, he's got scales and what looks like bags of gold coins." Kim jiggles the necklace in the palm of her hand.
Soon the man stops pushing his large cart and stares at the strangers wearing ill-fitting togas with hiking boots.
"I'll handle this," Kim whispers to the other girls. She fluffs out her hair and gives the man a big smile. She walks confidently up to his cart.
"You..trade..with..me?" Kim says in a loud, slow, exaggerated voice to the silk-clad man. She holds up the necklace and then points to a small pile of coins beside the scales.
"Yes, lady. I'm the village's money changer. Where else are you planning to go?" the silk-clad man snaps in perfect English.
"He speaks English!" Alex exclaims.
"English? No, I only speak Greek, Roman, Phoenecian and Persian," he says.
"But you understand me?" Kim asks.
"Yes," the man answers with an annoyed sigh. "So do you want to do business or not?"
"How can he understand us, Trini?" Kim asks.
"How should I know?" Trini says with a shrug. "Chalk one up to the portal."
"I will give you 10 dinar for the necklace," the man offers.
"Ten dinar?" Alex asks.
"Okay, 12 dinar. And I'll give you 50 for the servant girl."
"Servant girl? What servant girl?" Alex asks.
"_Your_ servant girl." The man nods at Trini appreciatively. "A beautiful, exotic Mongolian like her will fetch a high price in Athens."
Trini's jaw drops.
"She is NOT for sale," Alex snaps. "C'mon girls. We don't need this turkey."
"Okay, okay. You drive a hard bargin. I'll give you 20 dinar for the necklace, but no more. And reconsider my offer on your servant."
Before Alex can break the man's neck, Kim hands over the necklace and snatches the money. She grabs a still fuming Alex and a dumb-founded Trini by their elbows and drags them away from the money changer.
"Now, let's eat!" Kim says.
The girls release a collective gasp as they enter the gates of the city. The main street is cluttered with everything and anything a shopper could want: bolts of satin cloth, iron cooking utensils, exotic fruits, and live stock to name but a few. The girls wander through the market until they locate the bread vendor. Trini spots a vendor selling kabobs near by, and soon the girls are enjoying a meal.
"This is _so_ good," Kim says, juice dribbling down her chin.
All Alex and Trini can manage are affirmative "hmm-mmm"s. Trini's attention is suddenly distracted by a young woman brushing roughly past her. Several men whistle at the black-cloaked young woman, and several women begin whispering.
"Look, I don't want any trouble," a local shop keeper says. "Here, take your dagger and go. We don't like your kind around here."
"Her kind?" Trini thinks.
The young woman's hood falls backwards as she holds the dagger up to the sunlight to inspect its new binding. Several jet-black braids decorated with beads and feathers tumble out. Her face is tan from obvious long hours in the sun. Her cloak covers her outfit, but thick, tall leather boots peek out from underneath. She rests a bo staff against the man's table during the inspection.
"That'll be 2 dinar for the new binding," the shop keeper says.
"Two dinar? I've seen apprentices do a better job," the high voice of a teenage girl answers. "I'll give you 1 dinar. That's it."
"Two dinar, as agreed."
The girl carefully runs her finger over the sharp blade. The crowd is silent wondering what will happen. Trini watches intently. Alex and Kim happily munch away, ever unobservant.
"Two dinar then," the girl gives in finally and throws two coins into the dirt in front of the old man.
The girl shoves through the crowd.
"They always come to make trouble," Trini overhears an old woman say.
"I wish they'd stay away," another crone adds.
"That's a pretty big knife for a little girl," a young man taunts as the cloaked girl walks by.
"Are you talking to me, little worm?" the girl defiantly turns around, brandishing her bo staff.
The young man and his friends laugh and taunt her. They circle around the girl, stepping closer and closer to her. The girl turns around frantically, wondering from which direction they are going to attack first. A roar from the group makes Trini jump to her feet.
"I'm warning you," the girl says. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into."
"Get her!" the young man says, grabbing her cloak.
The girl squirms out of the cloak and jumps up onto a nearby table. Her knife blade gleams in the afternoon sun. The men laugh as the girl slashes at her attackers. Their amusement ends when the girl slices open an attacker's deltoid. The howling man inspects his bleeding wound and then takes a swing at her. The girl stumbles backwards over some chickens and falls off the table. The men crowd in around her.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Trini yells at the top of her lungs.
The men stop briefly and turn around. Their looks of confusion soon melt into laughter at the site.
"Two little girls and their Mongolian slave. Oh the fear it strikes in our hearts," a balding, chubby man taunts.
"I think the neanderthal needs an attitude adjustment," Alex growls, cracking her knuckles.
Trini hushes Alex and then walks calmly towards the girl. She gives the girl a hand off the ground and prepares to return to her friends. The man with the cut deltoid suddenly blocks their path.
"I don't want to fight," Trini says softly. "Please, let us be about our business."
"Slaves don't tell soldiers of Titus's army what to do. We take what we want when we want." The man grabs Trini's arm.
"Remove your hand and leave us alone."
"I think this one will fetch a high price in Corinth. Bring me some rope."
Trini sighs in annoyance and then slams her fist into the man's solar plexus. He stumbles backwards from the unexpected blow. The soldier lunges at Trini. Trini darts out of his way and sends a series of kicks that cause the soldier to crumple to the ground.
"We're going now!" Trini grabs the girl's arm and leads her away from the crowd.
"Get me the rope!" the soldier bellows. "Grab them!"
Trini breaks into a run, dragging the girl behind her.
"Stop being such a coward," the girl hisses, pulling her knife back out.
"Put that away before you make things worse."
"Too late," the girl says as three more soldiers rapidly approach them.
"HIYAH!" Kimberly yells as she vaults over one of the tables, slamming her foot into the chest of a soldier.
"HIYAH!" Alex yells, flipping over top of another table. She catches the girl's discarded bo staff with the tip of her foot and flips it up to her hands. Alex swings the staff around dramatically and adds, "Back off!"
"Ah, man," Trini says remorsefully and then shrugs, "Oh, well."
"HIYAH! HIYAH!" Trini elbows one soldier in the chest and knocks the knife out the hand of another.
Several soldiers go flying as Alex "pushes" a cart into them. Kim's whirling display of backflips confuses a pair of soldiers long enough for her to complete a straddle kick, catching the two underneath their chins with a solid crack.
"Ooh, that gotta hurt," Kim says, dusting off her hands.
Trini's elaborate kata of kicks and punches pushes her attackers back into a crowded pottery stall. Vases and plates rain down on the soldiers until they lose consciousness.
Meanwhile the teenaged girl slashes at the soldier with the bleeding deltoid, determined to finish what she started. She is no match for the physically larger and more experienced fighter. The girl gasps as he grabs her wrist and knocks the knife from her hand. He wraps his other giant hand around her neck and squeezes firmly. The girl chokes and strains for a breath, her face quickly turning red.
A warrior's cry and a crack suddenly break his vise-like grip. As both parties sink to the ground, a blond woman brandishing a bo staff appears behind him.
"Ephanine!" the girl chokes out.
"Come, sister. We need to leave the city before we are stoned." Ephanine gives the girl a hand off the ground and hands her the bo staff. The older woman with a halo of blond curls removes a sword from its sheath on her back and walks towards the Rangers.
Meanwhile, Trini, Kim and Alex surround the remaining guards, each girl in a defensive stance. Ephanine walks into the center of the circle without a glance to the girls. She brandishes her sword in front of her. The young girl in black dutifully follows along.
"Graken, so we meet again," Ephanine says with a snarl. "You should know better than to attack one of my sisters in a public place."
"Where there are one, there are others," Graken hisses.
"Exactly," Ephanine says, grazing the soldier's cheek with the edge of her sword. "Do take a message to Titus for me, though. Tell him that if he sets one foot on our summer hunting ground that we have the right to kill him. It's the law, and we plan to carry it out to the letter--warlord or no warlord."
"Now get out of here before we decide to send you back to Titus in little pieces," the young girl threatens.
Graken stares down at the girl and smirks. He gestures at his soldiers, and the injured group limps away.
Once the soldiers are gone, Ephanine resheathes her sword and grabs the smug girl by her cloak.
"Let's go, Damiana, before they call our bluff," Ephanine says gruffly and heads out of the marketplace.
Several of the villiagers spit and curse at them.
"Keep away. We don't want your kind here," an elderly man hisses.
Ephanine pushes Damiana forward before she has a chance to respond. The pair walk swiftly out the other gate of the city.
"Wait! Wait!" Kim says as the Rangers rush to catch up with the strange warriors.
Townspeople continue to grumble as the Rangers pass.
"That's okay. We accept your gratitude," Alex mumbles sarcastically under her breath as a townswoman makes a rude hand gesture at her.
"Wait!" Kim says again as they arrive outside of the city gates. She grabs the young girl by the shoulder. Kim is rewarded with a whack across her arm. "OW! Hey! What was that for?"
"We saved your butt back there, girlfriend. I think the least we deserve is to have some questions answered," Alex says sharply.
"What my friends are trying to say," Trini steps in, ever diplomatic, "is that we are lost and we would appreciate some advice."
"Of course," Ephanine says. "But first we need to get into the forest. It won't take Titus's army long to figure out we were bluffing about our numbers."
The group walks quickly into the nearby forest. Once the lush greenery has sufficiently disguised their numbers, Ephanine slows the pace to a leisurely walk.
"So, what exactly happened back there?" Kim tries again.
"Damiana?" Ephanine asks in an authoritarian tone.
The girl withers. "Well, I was there minding my own business, and Titus's soldiers picked a fight."
Alex snorts and mumbles under her breath, "Yeah, right."
Damiana gives Alex a dirty look.
"Regardless of who started it, you should have walked away, Damiana," Ephanine continues. "You knew that we were outnumbered. These warriors saved your neck today. We owe you our thanks."
A chagrined Damiana mumbles a "thanks" to the Rangers. Ephanine elbows Damiana until she chokes out a more audible "thank you."
"No problem," Alex says. "I haven't had that much fun in a long time."
"Alex?! We weren't fighting Cogs," Trini says. "We hurt those men."
"So they ate a little dirt," Alex says with a shrug. "Seems like they needed a good helping of Humble Pie."
"Your fighting style is very unique. What band are you from?" Ephanine asks.
"Band? What band?" Kim asks.
"Of Amazons, stupid," Damiana snaps.
"Somebody should really teach this _child_ some manners. She's plucking my very last nerve today," Alex grumbles under her breath to Trini.
"Did you train with our sisters around the Thermodon? I've heard that they have Mongolian sisters in their ranks," Ephanine continues after giving Damiana a harsh look.
"The Thermodon?" Alex asks.
"The southeastern Black Sea area historically," Trini explains and then gently adds, "Please stop referring to me as 'Mongolian.'"
"It's not P.C.," Kim adds.
"You're ticking her off," Alex clarifies for the confused looking Amazons.
"My name is Trini Kwan, and I'm Korean." Trini holds out her hand to Ephanine.
"I am Ephanine, and this is Damiana." Ephanine grasps Trini's forearm with her own.
"Hi, Kimberly Hart, but you can call me Kim." Kim grabs Damiana's forearm and pumps it up and down. "And this is Alexandra Jamison. Don't let the scowl fool you, Alex is really a big softy."
Alex gives Kim a perturbed look and then clasps forearms with Ephanine.
"We are returning to our summer hunting grounds in Thracia. You are welcomed to join us," Ephanine says. "Though I'm afraid that we will have to set up camp soon. Damiana's little distraction back there cost us valuable travelling time."
"You talked about bluffing about your numbers back there. How come you are travelling alone?" Kim asks, ever curious.
"It was my duty to return my son to Amphypolis, and Damiana came for the experience. Our stop in the marketplace back there was unplanned originally, but we needed some provisions...which I had to leave behind, thanks to your scuffle, Damiana," Ephanine says.
"Return your son?" Kim says perplexed. "In America, where we're from, the child usually stays with the mother when the parents split up."
Damiana sighs thinking that Kim has to be the biggest imbecile on the face of the planet.
The light comes on for Trini. "Kim, all male children over the age of two must be returned to their father. Only females are allowed to remain in camp."
"You are correct about our customs," Ephanine says.
"One of my hobbies is...Greek...mythology," Trini slowly finishes her sentence.
"Well, now we know approximately when and where we are," Alex says.
"Wow!" Kim giggles. "So, do you think we'll see any centaurs or Pegasus or water nymphs...."
"Your friend really needs a better grip on reality," Damiana says to Alex.
"I'll take that as a no," Kim says. "Darn. Dragons?"
Damiana shakes her head.
"Let's walk until the sun begins to set. Then we will make camp," Ephanine says.
"So what about...." Kim continues her rapid-fire questions until the group stops for the night. The Rangers' mission is completely forgotten as the girls learn more about the strange world that they've landed in. Trini is especially awe-struck as her childhood passion becomes real life.
After a hastily pulled together dinner, the women relax around the fire. Trini finally remembers their mission.
"And that's why we're here," Trini finishes up the story on how they came to this strange land. However, she leaves out the part about them being former Power Rangers. "It would be just too hard to explain," Trini thinks.
"Hmm," Ephanine says, picking a piece of meat out of her teeth with the edge of her dagger. "Often sisters become ill in the winter, but we haven't had any sickness like you've described."
"Maybe the scouts would know," Damiana suggests.
"True. Not everyone comes to the summer hunting ground. Some stay home on our ancestral lands and others travel around exchanging news with other bands of Amazons. We will ask the scouts when we arrive at camp," Ephanine says.
Even though it is summer, a crisp breeze causes Kim to shiver.
"Our new friends must be cold in their thin attire," Ephanine says.
"You do realize that you are wearing men's togas," Damiana says.
"Oooh!" Kim says in horror. "What a fashion faux pas!"
"No wonder the money changer looked at us so weirdly," Alex adds. "I'm sure the hiking boots really make the outfit, too."
"We have plenty of skins at the summer hunting ground. I'm sure that we could find something more appropriate for you," Ephanine says.
The breeze picks up again, this time causing both Alex and Kim to shiver.
"Come, Damiana. Let's go gather more firewood to bank the fire for the night. Grab the water skins, too. We will refill them at the same time," Ephanine instructs the young woman.
Damiana opens her mouth to complain but quickly shuts it after receiving a withering look from Ephanine. Still not completely out of the dog house after her earlier stunt, Damiana dutifully complies.
"Wait for me," Kim says, hopping up off her log. "So, Ephanine, do the Amazons...."
"They're going to ditch us if your roommate doesn't stop pestering them," Alex says as the three leave the fire circle.
"She's just inquisitive," Trini says, stoking the fire.
That's an understatement. I'll be back in a minute. Mother Nature is calling." Alex stands up and heads off into the forest.
Trini sits silently for a while, gazing into the fire.
"It's been a while since I last went camping," Trini thinks.
A sudden noise in the woods startles Trini and she jumps.
"Wonder if there are any bears out here?" she thinks and chuckles at herself. "That's what I said last time...."
"I think I heard something," Alex said, glancing around in the darkness outside their fire circle.
"Pass me another marshmallow, will ya, Billy?" Adam said.
"Wonder if there are any bears out there?" Trini said, glancing around anxiously.
"Nah." Billy tossed Adam a marshmallow and then poked his stick through one of his own. "Besides, that's why Adam and I are here--to protect you."
"How _convenient_ that we just happened to run into each other out here," Adam said facetiously.
"Adam? Adam, who? Nope, just me and Trini--two girls roughing it for the weekend," Alex said, knowing the trouble she'd be in if her dad ever caught wind.
"Seriously," Trini pressed. "Bears like marshmallows. I wonder if our beef stew dinner attracted them."
"Don't worry, fair lady. I shall protect you," Billy hammed, taking an exaggerated bow with his invisible plumed hat.
"That bear wouldn't stand a chance. I'd go...ha and ha-ha...." Adam used his cooking stick topped with a still flaming marshmallow as his sword.
"Then I'd thrust and parry...." Billy joined the imaginary fencing bout. He whacked at Adam.
Soon Alex and Trini were in tears from laughing so hard....
A log breaks and settles into the fire, breaking Trini's revelry. She watches sparks and bits of cinder illuminate the night. Her gaze follows them up into the night sky.
"I wonder where Aquitar is among them....."
Trini laid down on top of her sleeping bag and gazed up to the stars.
"There's the Big Dipper and Orion's Belt," Trini whispered, pointing into the cloudless sky.
"Now, move over a little, and what's that constellation?" Billy pushed her hand over.
"Cassiopeia?" Trini guessed.
"Yep and what's that one?" Billy turned over on his side and watched as Trini wrinkled her forehead in concentration.
A minute passed and Trini continued to pick her memory. "Pegasus? No. Hercules? No." She looked over at Billy, who had been staring at her the whole time. "I give up. What is it?"
"Trini's Heart."
"What? You're making that one up." Trini tilted her head to look at Billy who was still gazing at her.
"That's what it looks like to me. A heart."
"Somehow I doubt that Professor Watkins is going to buy that answer on my next astronomy test."
"The point of the heart is where Aquitar is."
"That's Aquitar?"
"No," Billy chuckled. "Aquitar is in another solar system. But if you could draw an imaginary line back from that point a few light years, that's where Aquitar is."
Trini turned over to her side and propped an elbow under her head. "Why name it after me?"
"Because I thought it was fitting. I found the constellation a while ago, before I went to Aquitar for the first time with Cestro. Before you came back from Europe. I noticed that it looked like a heart. What could have been a more perfect name than Trini for it?"
"That's really sweet. I didn't realize that you were such a romantic."
Light from the embers of the fire danced in Trini's chocolate-colored eyes and warmed her tanned face. Billy reached over and brushed Trini's hair back. Then he leaned over and kissed her lightly. Trini slowly opened her eyes and smiled. Trini scooted closer to Billy and kissed him back. This time Billy smiled. He pulled Trini to him and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
She didn't mean to. She didn't want to, but Trini couldn't help herself. She started to giggle. With so many thoughts and emotions rushing through her mind, she became flustered. And that always prompted giggling in Trini. Her laughter was contagious, and soon Billy was giggling too, in between kisses.
"Would you two knock it off," Alex grumbled from across the fire. Adam snored as if on cue. Alex snuggled back up against him and went to sleep.
Trini looked up, over at Alex, and then back at Billy. She buried her head against Billy's chest to muffle her giggles, and he hugged her tighter against him....
A stick snaps behind Trini causing her to leap to her feet.
"Who's there?" Trini says, taking a fighting stance.
"Are we a little jumpy tonight?" Alex says, coming back into the light of the fire and adjusting her toga.
"Sorry," Trini says, relaxing her posture. "Thought you might be a bear."
"Nah. That reminds me of the last time we went camping though. Boy, has it been that long. We had such a great weekend, though I was sure my dad was going to find out."
Trini smiles and sits back down on her log. She and Alex were so much alike sometimes that it was frightening.
"Hey, you never filled me in on what exactly happened to you and Billy," Alex says and adds, "The rest of the Rangers refused to fill me in, and all Billy said on Aquitar was, 'Trini and I just aren't going the same way anymore.' What the hell kind of answer is that?"
Trini's smile slips away. "I really don't want to talk about it."
"Too bad, girlfriend." Alex sits down beside Trini and throws a supportive arm around her shoulder. "C'mon, tell me. You used to confide in me all the time. What happened?"
"Remember all the slumber parties we had after I first got back from Europe," Trini says.
"Yes, but you're changing the subject," Alex says.
"Remember how we'd stay up all night talking about guys?"
"And dishing on Kat and Tommy," Alex says with a laugh. "And we made all those elaborate and totally impractical plans on how to get Billy to really sit up and notice you."
"Oh, please. I used to have to listen to you go on and on about Adam for hours," Trini says. "So is he still the greatest thing since sliced bread?"
"Yeah," Alex says weakly.
"That didn't sound very convincing. Did I tell you that Kim got a postcard from Adam recently? The stunt show was performing in Hong Kong, and he was so excited about meeting Jade. Half the postcard was about her."
"Don't even mention her name," Alex says, her eyebrows furrowing.
"What? You guys love Jade. You two used to be first in line at all her movies. You'd spend weeks trying to replicate some of her martial arts moves."
"It's one thing for your fiance to drool over super woman when she's on the movie screen. It's quite another when she asks him out for dinner."
"I thought it was a business dinner," Trini says.
"Yeah, supposedly. Adam said that Jade was so impressed with his section in the stunt show that she invited him out to dinner to discuss 'his future.' Jade gave Adam her agent's number and promised to set up an audition with her motion picture company after his contract was up with the stunt show," Alex says.
"That's great!" Trini says enthusiastically. She notices Alex's expression looking worse. "Okay, maybe not. Why not? Wouldn't your dad finally cut Adam some slack if he was Jade's leading man in her next movie?"
Alex releases a sigh of desperation.
"Oooh, I see. You're not so concerned about Adam becoming famous. You're afraid that Jade or some other woman is going to take him away from you," Trini realizes.
"No, I'm not _that_ petty," Alex says, trying to be convincing. "I'm excited for Adam. He gets to travel all over the world and meet famous people. Each month he's on the road brings us one step closer to being financially independent from our parents, so that we can get married sooner."
"But...," Trini says, knowing that there's more to the story than Alex is telling.
"I'm afraid that he's going to change his mind about me. I mean, come on, he calls to tell me about visiting the Great Wall of China and all I can come up with is that I made an A on my frog dissection lab. Whoopee!"
Trini throws her arms around her depressed friend. "Sounds like someone is having a Pity Party for herself. C'mon Alex, Adam is the greatest guy I know. You don't have to worry about him. He'll be coming home to you soon."
Alex rests her head on Trini's shoulder and mumbles, "I know...but I still wish Adam would end his big solo by giving the heroine a big handshake. I saw her. She just looks too into their big kiss."
Trini can't help but laugh at her friend.
"So what happened between you and Billy, then?" Alex asks.
Trini's laughter ends, and she sighs. She knew she wasn't going to be able to talk her way out of it this time.
"Time to come clean," Trini thinks.
"Things looked fine when I left," Alex says. "But then again, I was kind of self-absorbed at that point with Mrs. Petrosky's death."
"Honestly, things started getting weird around the Power Chamber before then, but I didn't say anything. It wasn't until after you left that the fit hit the shan and _some_ people really showed their true colors...."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Trini's voice began to rise in volume.
"Nothing," Tanya said, putting a comforting hand on Trini's shoulder. "Everyone's edgy lately. Billy's aging is putting a strain on everyone."
"You haven't even left the Power Chamber in the last two days," Adam added softly.
"Trini, go home," Tommy said authoritatively. "Get something to eat and rest. You can't help Billy's problem in your present zombie state."
"I can't," Trini said, tears of frustration welling up in her eyes. "Every hour that passes Billy gets older and older. I've got to keep trying to find an antidote."
"Trini, you've done all you can. It's time to call in the professionals," Rocky said.
"Billy suggested going to Aquitar for water therapy. He said that Cestria could probably cure him," Kat said.
"Not yet," Trini pleaded. "I think I've found something. I just need more time."
"The guy's going to decompose soon. How much longer are you going to play doctor on him? Let him go to Aquitar where he can get some _real_ help," Rocky said point blank.
Adam elbows Rocky in the ribs and the other Rangers give him withering looks.
"I've already talked to Cestria," Tommy said decisively. "Billy is going to Aquitar tonight."
"Who died and left you in charge?" Trini said.
"I'm the leader of the Power Rangers."
"So? Billy and I are no longer Rangers, as you have been so quick to remind me lately."
"What's the _real_ reason you are so against Billy returning to Aquitar?" Rocky asked.
"It wouldn't have to do with the fact that he'd be under Cestria's care, would it?" Tommy said.
Trini was dumbfounded. Tommy had hit a nerve and everybody knew it. She couldn't find the words to express her rage and humiliation. As Trini stood silently brewing, Tommy got back to business.
"Adam, I think you should be the one to explain the situation to Billy's parents. You know the Mitchells the best. Tanya, you draft the letter to Angel Grove University explaining Billy's withdrawal from his classes. Tell them that he had to go to.... Where are you telling them that Alex went, Adam?" Tommy said calmly as if he were planning a vacation. Tommy turned his back to Trini and continued making plans.
With a sudden burst of energy, Trini marched over to Tommy. She grabbed his shoulders with a vice-like grip and sharply turned him to face her.
"DON'T turn your back on me! This is not resolved!" Trini yelled into Tommy's face. "I love Billy. Billy loves me. I know what's best for him."
"What's best for him or what's best for you?" Tommy hissed back at her. "You're hysterical and you're letting your emotions cloud your judgement. Someone else, someone calm and rational, needs to make these decisions. If you could put your pride and your jealousy of Cestria away, you would realize that this is the best decision for Billy."
"He's staying here," Trini growled.
"He's going to Aquitar," Tommy growled back.
"Trini, we all care for Billy," Kat said, trying to pry Trini's fingers off of Tommy. "We only want what's best for him. He should go to Aquitar."
"Am I being out voted?" Trini whipped her head around to stare at the remaining Rangers.
"Billy has always looked out for me." Rocky shrugged. "He should go to Aquitar."
"Things just aren't going well here," Tanya justified her vote.
"What about you, Adam?" Trini said, staring at one of her closest friends.
Adam shifted from foot to foot anxiously and stared into the floor. "I...I wish Alex was here to help you out through this difficult time," he stammered.
Trini's face turned from red to fuscia. She'd never been so angry in her entire life. "Thanks for your vote of confidence, _Rangers_." She couldn't call them friends anymore. "I'm going to tell Billy goodbye and then I'll leave. I know when I'm not wanted."
Trini turned sharply on her heel and headed towards the door. A greying, stooping Billy emerged in the door frame.
"What about my opinion?" Billy asked. "I might be aged, but I'm not incompetent."
Trini clenched her fists and bit her lip upon seeing Billy's aging features.
"Trini," Billy said, gently taking her fists in his wrinkled, arthritic hands. "You've tried and I appreciate it, but you can't help me. This is beyond your talents and our technology. I've made up my mind. I'm leaving for Aquitar tonight."
Trini jerked her hands from Billy's and spat, "So you're giving up on me, too." In a slow, controlled voice punctuated by gulps of air Trini continued, "I hope Cestria won't fail you too."
"Trini, I'm sorry," said Tommy. "But I know it's for the best. Why don't you take a little vacation and pull yourself together. Don't worry about us--we'll be fine without you."
Adam grimaced at Tommy's good intention but poor choice of words.
"I'm sure you will," Trini said acrimoniously.
"Ah, c'mon, Trini," Rocky said trying to be helpful. "He didn't mean it that way. We're just saying you spend all your free time here. You should really get a life."
Adam groaned and put his hand to his head. "Oh, Rocky."
"Get a life?!?!" Trini retorted.
"Bu..bu..but...," Rocky sputtered trying to correct his gaffe.
"Fine! As of today I am getting a life," Trini shouted.
Trini unhooked her communicator from around her wrist and threw it. It clattered onto the floor at Tommy's feet.
"As of today, I resign as a Power Ranger. Don't ever call me or talk to me again. Goodbye Billy," Trini said and rushed out of the door before they could see her cry....
Trini wipes her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Oh, man, Trini. I'm so sorry that I wasn't there to help you out," Alex says, putting an arm around her friend.
"It's okay, Alex. Living with Kim has been therapeutic. I've forgiven Adam and Tanya and I know that Rocky wasn't being malicious. Kat, I've almost forgiven, but Tommy and Billy.... Maybe one day," Trini says, the wound still too fresh.
They hear Kim before they see her. She continues to shoot questions at Damiana and Ephanine.
"Good thing we aren't trying to hide from anybody," Damiana says as the trio walks into the fire circle.
"Kim, enough already," Alex says firmly.
Kim sits down on the ground and takes a deep breath.
"I think that's the first breath she's taken since we left," Damiana says snidely.
"We should get some sleep," Ephanine suggests. "We've got a good half day's walk ahead of us and we start at sunrise."
Alex and Damiana groan.
"Alex isn't exactly a morning person," Trini explains.
"Neither is Damiana," Ephanine says with a laugh.
"Well, that's one thing the two of you have in common," Kim says.
Alex and Damiana roll their eyes at each other.
"Welcome to Istria," Ephanine says, pushing back the lush foilage at the edge of the forest to reveal a green valley spotted with tents and smoking fires. Several pens hold horses of varying degrees of domesticity. Skins of deer are stretched, curing in the sun. A group of young teens practice their combat skills. Several older women sit on a nearby log sharpening their swords with whetstones.
"I thought the Amazons lived in the city of Thermiscyra on the Thermodon," Trini asks.
"Some do, Trini," Ephanine replies. "The Amazon nation is more spread out than it used to be, but there are still Amazons at our birthplace. We are the band furthest to the west. Our band's queen and eldest women fought in the campaign against Theseus to rescue Antiope."
"Excuse me, but who's Antiope?" Kim asks.
"Oh, I remember," says Trini. "When Theseus came to Thermiscyra, Antiope fell in love with him and decided to elope."
"Not exactly," Ephanine says tactfully.
"More like the bastard seduced her onto his ship and then betrayed her," Damiana snorts. "She did not willingly leave the Amazons. He abducted her."
Ephanine shoots Damiana a perturbed "are you finished yet" look and then continues, "We'll never know for sure whether she chose to leave or not. But the fact remains, she ultimately betrayed her sisters. After the massacre that resulted at Athens, they felt betrayed by Antiope who fought along side her lover. Those few who survived felt they no longer were part of the mother tribe. They had failed in their duty to protect their queen. Some would say they should have sacrificed themselves rather than retreated. And yet their queen had failed them. She, who was supposed to epitomize the Amazon way of life, had betrayed her bonds of sisterhood all for the love of one man."
"Who ultimately betrayed her, don't forget," pipes in Damiana. "He had her killed when he decided to marry someone else. Had her killed _at_ the wedding ceremony."
"Ooh...harsh," mutters Alex.
"And so the massacre survivors decided to form their own bands. Queen Cyrene formed a new band here, near the western edge of the Black Sea. They kept many of the old customs, but have tried to form peaceful alliances with their neighbors in order to establish trade. They knew that bringing peace would allow them to rebuild their numbers and their pride."
"So that we can rise up and crush the Athenians once and for all." Damiana slaps her bo staff in her hand, her eyes flashing with blood lust.
"That's it!" Ephanine barks, snatching the bo staff out of Damiana's hand. "Move!" she orders, poking Damiana in the back. "I'm telling Aella you're not ready to be initiated."
"But...," Damiana whines.
"I said move!" Ephanine orders, smacking Damiana across the behind with her bo staff like scolding a small child. "You obviously are still too immature for 'the passage.'"
"Aw, c'mon, Ephanine," Damiana says, rubbing her sore behind. "I'm ready. I remember Aella's lessons: Diplomacy first, fighting last. I just got caught up in the moment, that's all."
"Well, that kind of behavior will get you killed, and others, too," reprimands Ephanine.
"That's not what Oreithyia would say," Damiana mutters under her breath.
"My dogs are barkin'," Alex complains, sitting down heavily on the nearest skin inside Ephanine's tent. She unties her hiking boots and gingerly slides them off. "Anybody got a bandaid? I've got major blisters here."
Trini digs through the medical kit and hands Alex a bandaid. She inspects the rest of their medical kit.
"We've really got to get a move on, ladies. I'm not sure how much longer this coolant is going to last, especially in this heat," Trini says.
"Maybe Alpha messed up," Kim says, wiping beads of perspiration off her brow. "We've seen a lot of weird stuff since we got here, but nobody with the creeping crud that the Rangers have."
"I agree," Alex says. "Maybe we should activate the homing device and go home."
"No, let's wait a little while longer." Trini takes one more look at the vials and then repacks the medical kit. "Uncoding the virus and synthesizing an antidote will take months. We can't leave the Earth unprotected for that long."
"It's not _totally_ unprotected," Kim says, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "We could always be re-enlisted."
"We're too old," Alex says, massaging her right foot.
"Speak for yourself." Kim flexes her biceps. "I've never been in better shape."
"They already have a functioning Pink Ranger," Alex jabs.
"I could be a different color. I always thought I'd look good in blue or maybe red...."
Trini shakes her head, refusing to join in the discussion.
"These should suit you better," Ephanine says, returning to the tent. She hands each girl an armful of folded leather.
"Cool," Kim says fingering the soft, chocolate-colored suede-like skirt.
"I'm afraid these are only very simple, but speed was of the essence. Forgive me, but the boots will have to be second hand. Alex, these are a pair of mine I was going to retire once I got back from Amphipolis. Well worn but comfortable. Kimberly, these were my blood sister Alcippe's. Trini, your feet look about the same size as Damiana's. Damiana...," Ephanine prompts the girl with a nod. Noticing that Damiana isn't budging, Ephanine clarifies, "Please go fetch the pair I recently gave you."
"But they were a gift! I was going to wear them tonight at the initiation," Damiana whines.
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. I will replace them," Ephanine says scooting Damiana towards the entrance of the tent.
"I couldn't...," Trini says and suggests, "Perhaps there's another pair I could wear."
"No, _we_ insist," Ephanine says, squeezing Damiana around the shoulders. She scoots Damiana out the door. "Surely, someone as _mature_ as you could lend your boots to the person who saved your life."
Damiana sulks away to retrieve the boots.
"Okay girls, check me out." Kim struts out the flap of the tent to where Alex and Trini are waiting. Kim snaps her fingers and sticks out her hip.
"It's refreshing to see you in something that's not pink," Trini says, adjusting the wide belt holding her knee-length skirt securely around her waist.
"Can you put these owl feathers in my braids like that girl's hair over there?" Alex asks, holding the feathers out to Kim.
"What an improvement," Damiana says, appearing suddenly behind the girls.
"What a great 'do," Kim says, fingering the intricate beaded and feathered braids on Damiana's head.
Damiana slaps Kim's hand away with a sigh of annoyance. "It's time to go. Ephanine will have my head if we're late."
The Rangers and Damiana join the crowd around the ceremonial fire. Close to the fire, seven women wearing masks perform an elaborate dance to the beat of the drums. Alex taps her feet to the rhythm as she studies the dancers circling the fire.
"Are you taking some mental notes for your next 'ethnic dance' session, Alex?" Trini asks, nudging her.
"You bet," Alex answers.
"Damiana, I thought Amazons wore cropped tops," bubbles Kim, fingering her own leather top which fits more like a full vest.
"No," answers Damiana. "Why would you want to expose your most vulnerable parts, stupid. Might as well run around naked."
"Well, excuse me for asking," Kim says and then mumbles to Alex, "_Some_body sure has a burr up her behind."
The drums crescendo to a finale, and the dancers drop to the ground in respect--and exhaustion.
A woman in her late twenties steps onto the dais. Her ceremonial mantle of exotic hides and mask of rare bird feathers can only partially hide the countless scars that cover her body.
"That's Oreithyia," Ephanine whispers to the girls, "the queen's sister. She rules in the queen's place while Cyrene is away."
"Where is the queen?" Trini asks.
"She is in Athens meeting with King Krokus to try to...."
"Today," Oreithyia's voice booms, "is a special day as we begin the rite of passage. When you first became young women, you began your quest for sisterhood with the rite of blood. Since then, you have been instructed in the art of war and the art of life. Who presents these initiates?"
"I, Aella," an older woman says, stepping out to stand in front of Damiana and the row of other young women. She makes a gesture of respect to the queen's sister.
"And I, Ephanine." Ephanine makes the same gesture and joins Aella.
"Why have you brought these three strangers here, Ephanine?" commands Oreithyia.
Kim gulps and shrinks back against Trini and Alex.
"Because Kimberly, Alex, and Trini of America have proven themselves to be worthy Amazons. We may teach our daughters our laws and our legends, but that which is most important they must learn on their own. These three young women have already proven themselves to be mighty warriors. When Damiana was in danger...."
Damiana cringes in embarrassment as her fellow initiates stare at her.
"Trini tried to negotiate with the agressor to let Damiana, a stranger to her, pass in peace. We could have passed peacefully if not for the pride of the people involved."
Ephanine was trying to "save face" for Damiana as much as she could, but Damiana's face still flushed red.
"When the men attacked," Ephanine continues, "only then did Trini resort to fighting--and it was clear her actions were in defense and well controlled. Her American sisters also came to the aid of Damiana. Their combat style is unusual but very effective. Their camaradrie surely saved Damiana's life...and mine."
"How many did they kill?" Oreithyia asks.
"That's just it. Being superior warriors, they bested all Titus's men without killing any of them. Their wisdom prevailed as surely even one death would have given the warlord reason to attack us. This American Amazon way was much more devastating as they damaged the attackers' reputations and pride."
"I see," Oreithyia says absorbing it all in. After a moment of silence she concludes, "Include them in the ceremony."
Kim looks excitedly at Trini and Alex, but their anxious expressions sober her considerably. Kim realizes she's not sure what the initiation entails.
"I remember something about mastectomies...," Alex recalls in horror. She looks around quickly and notices that everyone still has a matching set. She breathes a sigh of relief. "Glad Bullfinch got one detail wrong."
Noting Alex and Trini's unease, Ephanine turns to them and whispers, "Relax, tonight is just a symbolic ritual, that's all."
"May these bracelets remind you of our ancestors' enslavement to men," Aella says as she puts the last Amazon girl's bracelets on her.
Trini stands respectfully still. Kim keeps turning her wrists to and fro watching the fire light bounce off her bronze metal cuff bracelets. Alex stifles a giggle. If it weren't such a reverent moment, she'd really like to jump in front of Trini and yell, "Wonder Woman! Ping! Bing!" with matching deflective movements. But she manages to contain herself.
Turning to face all the new warriors, Aella continues, "May the great goddess Athena guide and protect you."
The Ranger girls look at one another uncomfortably.
"May her wisdom flow through you at all times." Aella paces in front of them and stops. "And when you must, may her battle prowess make you victorious. Congratulations. We now recognize you as full...."
"Wait!" yells Oreithyia. "Young Amazons, you have proven in your tutoring that you can fight, but I here reinstate the ancient law to full passage."
The young Amazons look at one another in confusion. Aella and Ephanine share concerned stares.
"By ancient law," Oreithyia continues, "a young woman must kill a man to become a full Amazon."
Some of the Amazons roar approval; others whisper conspiratorially.
The Rangers look horrified. Kim starts tugging at her bracelets.
"Umm...Ephanine? I really appreciate the thought, but I...uh...I just don't think I'm going to be able to live up to your expectations," stammers Kim.
"With due respect, Oreithyia." Ephanine approaches the queen's sister and bows down on one knee. "I do not believe that Queen Cyrene would approve of such a measure."
"I agree," Aella adds, also taking the submissive posture. "I have known Cyrene longer than anyone here, including yourself. The Queen would never permit the reinstatement of the law that she herself abolished at the beginning of her reign."
"Times have changed, warriors. My sister's outdated ideas no longer serve our ultimate goal--to defeat King Krokus," Oreithyia says, her voice bellowing at the end.
Oreithyia's supporters roar in approval and draw their weapons. The conservative Amazons grumble and retreat into small groups. The Rangers look at each other, unsure of what to do.
"Oh great, we've walked into a civil war," Alex says.
"Look!" Damiana shouts. "The scouts return!"
The grumbling momentarily ceases as a party of ten Amazons and one man return to camp. The warriors drag the bruised and beaten man in front of the dais. The leader of the party pushes the richly dressed, but blood-stained, man to his knees.
"Well, what do we have here?" Oreithyia says wickedly. "Where did you find him, Aria?"
"Prince Triton was trespassing on our land, sister," Aria answers. "He is the only one left of his hunting party."
"We warned King Krokus, Triton. The law is the law." Oreithyia draws a silver dagger from her waist. "The penalty for blatant trespassing on Amazon land is immediate death."
His nose broken and his mouth swollen from repeated blows, all Prince Triton can mutter is a growl. Oreithyia grabs the Prince's wavy brown hair and yanks it back to expose his neck.
"Let this serve as a warning to King Krokus!" Oreithyia yells.
Oreithyia's supporters roar in approval. The Ranger girls look horrified, and Kim turns her head away.
"Who wants to become a full Amazon tonight?" Oreithyia says, eyeing the new warriors.
The young women look at each other anxiously, no one saying a word.
"I'll do it," Damiana finally breaks the silence.
"Damiana, you don't have to do this," Ephanine says softly.
"Silence!" Oreithyia barks. "Come, Damiana. Prove yourself to these cowards who call themselves warriors. Come, become a full sister tonight."
Damiana slowly walks towards Oreithyia and takes the dagger. Her hand wavers as she prepares to slice the man's throat. Damiana's heart pounds loudly in her ears as all the Amazons stare at her. Ephanine and Aella shake their heads disapprovingly. Damiana takes a deep breath and prepares to slice.
"Hail, Queen Cyrene!" a lone Amazon on the fringe of the crowd breaks the silence.
"What are you waiting for? Do it!" Oreithyia urges Damiana.
"Wait!" Ephanine says, quickly grabbing Damiana's wrist before the girl can make the kill. She adds sharply to Oreithyia, "The Queen must be informed of our recent events before your order is carried out. Portia and Lete, take this man to the stables and secure him."
The entire tribe turns to face the outermost edge of the firelight. They bow as one and shout, "Hail, Queen Cyrene!"
The Rangers look awkwardly at one another for a moment. Trini kneels out of respect. Kim looks confused, and Alex stands her ground. Damiana's well-aimed chop to the back of Alex's knees sends Alex into submission. Alex grabs at Kim for balance but brings them both down instead.
"Rise, sisters," Cyrene says, the glow of the fire flashing in her eyes and on her few pieces of functional, although mostly ceremonial, armor. The 30-something-year-old woman dismounts her horse with prowess but notable stiffness.
Cyrene hands the horse's reins to a member of her entourage and approaches the dais.
"I'm disappointed that you began the initiation before I returned," Cyrene says to Oreithyia.
"That's not all she's going to be 'disappointed' about," Alex mutters. Damiana shoots her a mean look.
"You are alive, Cyrene. When you were late to return, I feared for your safety, dear sister," Oreithyia says, taking off her ceremonial headpiece and handing it to its rightful owner.
"Odd, she doesn't sound that concerned," Trini thinks suspiciously.
"I felt we might need the extra soldiers to launch a campaign against Krokus," Oreithyia explains slickly and adds, "in case your mission with King Krokus was unsuccessful."
"A campaign won't be necessary," says Cyrene and then announces to the tribe, "Good news, sisters. Our peace envoy to Athens has been successful. We have formed a peace agreement. Krokus's people will be permitted to hunt on our westernmost border and in return King Krokus has given up his attempted claim on the Wells of Artemis."
"You gave them our western hunting ground?!" Oreithyia flames.
"No, the land is still ours. We will permit them to cross temporarily onto our land, however, to follow game. King Krokus has given his word that he will not advance his borders onto our territory."
"His word?!" Oreithyia snarls in contempt. "Since when did a man's promise mean anything?"
Oreithyia's comment strikes a chord in the Rangers.
**"Will you stop worrying, Alex?" Adam had said, "I promise I'll only be gone a month, two months at the most, and I'll come see you every break I get.... No, you don't have to worry about me. There's no room in my heart for anyone else but you...."
And then...
"The tour has been so successful that they asked me to sign on for six more months. Isn't that great?" Adam had said and added, "That's the good news. The bad news is that I'll have to miss Christmas with you and your birthday. But don't worry, there's no room in my heart for anyone else but you.... Hey, you'll never guess who asked _me_ for an autograph, Jade! Isn't that cool?!"**
**"Kimberly," Trevor had said, "if you want to win at the Pan-American games, you're going to have to trust me completely. I know what's best for you at this stage of your life, so you'll need to follow my every instruction. I'll make you a gold medalist. That's what you want, don't you? ...First off, you need to clear your mind and your life of all distractions. Let's start with the biggest one: that Tommy guy...."
But whatever she did, it was never good enough for Trevor. Nothing short of a perfect "10" pleased him. "You're such an airhead!" Trevor had yelled at her after one meet. "You let your mind wander while on the beam. You were thinking about that Tommy guy again, weren't you? That little wobble cost you first place. All my hard work, and you just flush it down the toilet with one split second of stupidity!"
"You didn't make me better," Kimberly thinks. "You made me worse. You destroyed my confidence. Tommy was my balance. Even when I fell off the beam during a competition he still treated me like I had just won a gold medal in the Olympics."**
**The fire crackled, and Adam snored loudly. Billy snickered. The movement of his chest brought Trini back from the verge of sleep.
"You're not asleep yet?" Trini said groggily, folding her arm beneath her chin and propping herself up on Billy's chest.
"No," he sighed and smoothed her hair.
"And _why_ not," she teased and tickled his face with her bangs.
"Because I've been thinking," Billy answered noncommittally.
"About...," she prodded.
"You," he whispered.
As ridiculous as it seemed, Trini still couldn't resist the temptation to bury her blushing cheeks in Billy's neck.
"I...I love you, Trini Kwan," Billy stammered with all the courage he could muster.
"I know that, silly," Trini said with a smile. "You told me that in the Docking Bay last week when we were fighting Lampry/Skull."
"I'm serious. That was a hormone-surging, heat-of-the-moment, say-it-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace confession. Now my brain is telling me how much it loves you, not just my heart."
Billy sighed in relief when Trini answered, "I love you too, Billy. And that's not just my heart talking."
"I feel like we're soulmates," Billy continued. "You're the only one who truly understands me. When I'm with you, I feel like I can take on the world...the universe. Promise me that we'll always be a team -- come what may."
Trini sensed the awkwardness Billy felt in his self-disclosure. She raised herself up on her elbow and looked him in the eye.
"I promise," she said and kissed him -- without giggling.
"But you didn't seem to need me after all," Trini thinks. "When push came to shove, you wanted Cestria in your corner. Oh why didn't you let me keep trying to save you?"**
"The Scouts caught Prince Triton trespassing on our land," Ephanine says, bringing the Rangers back from their thoughts. "Oreithyia has ordered his execution and asked Damiana to kill him."
"Kill him?" Queen Cyrene looks at her sister with surprise and disappointment.
"Oreithyia has reinstated the ancient law for passage to full sisterhood." Ephanine can't wait to see the Queen's reaction to that one.
"We will have words about this matter later, dear sister," Cyrene says coldly. "For now, do not kill the Prince. What happened to his entourage? Someone of his importance would never be permitted to travel alone."
"They were all killed by our scouts," Aria answers proudly.
Cyrene shakes her head disapprovingly wondering how this will affect their treaty with King Korkus.
"The Warlord, Titus, was with them," Aria continues.
Oreithyia and Cyrene both look surprised.
"I'm afraid that he escaped, my Queen." Aria lowers her head in shame. "I will lead a hunting party immediately to recapture him. Titus was headed towards the Wells of Artemis. He will probably stop there to clean his wounds."
"No, he's mine. I will lead the hunting party," Oreithyia says with a wicked smile. "Glauce, Clete, you will come with me."
"Oreithyia's favorites," Damiana thinks, feeling dejected.
"And...Damiana," Oreithyia adds, snatching her dagger back from Ephanine.
"ME?!" Damiana pipes up.
Ephanine's expression is grim, causing Oreithyia to smile even more.
"Yes, unless you don't think you are ready to handle such a dangerous mission. A mission for a _real_ warrior," Oreithyia goads.
"I'll get the horses ready." Damiana bounds off.
Ephanine scowls and the Rangers shake their heads in worry.
"Stop here," Oreithyia pulls her foaming black stallion's reins up sharply.
Damiana pulls up so sharply to avoid running into Oreithyia that her roan mare rears. Damiana struggles to get her wild horse under control as the other Amazons look at her disapprovingly.
"I look like such a novice," Damiana silently chastizes herself.
"Let's split up," Oreithyia says after Damiana is finally back in control. "Glauce, Clete, you two wait here, but spread out in case that weasel, Titus, decides to double back. Give the signal if you see him. Damiana, come with me."
Damiana gulps, still wondering why Oreithyia has suddenly favored her. Damiana snaps back to attention as Oreithyia suddenly takes off, leaving her in the dust. Damiana pushes her horse faster to catch up with Oreithyia.
"The Wells of Artemis are over that rise," Damiana thinks, trying to quickly survey the scenery as it whizzes by her.
At the top of the hill, Oreithyia sits silently, the sun glinting off her brass breast-plate. She peers down into the valley where the Wells of Artemis reside. Oreithyia silences Damiana with a single gesture as soon as the girl finally arrives.
"The Warlord is at the Wells of Artemis," Oreithyia says softly, pointing to a riderless horse grazing within the 100-yard diameter of the area.
Tall firs and pines encircle the moon-shaped grassy area. Many years before, the Amazons had carved this sacred area out of the wilderness to pay hommage to the goddess of the hunt.
Behind the well sits a disheveled man. All Damiana can see of the battered warlord is the top of his head. Damiana cups her hands together to send the signal to the other Amazons. Orethyia grabs Damiana's arm so sharply that the girl lets out a small yelp.
"Not yet," Oreithyia hisses. "I'm going to come around behind him and flush him back your way. Then signal the others. You can rough him up a bit, but just don't kill him. _I_ want that privilege."
Oreithyia kicks her horse and races down the side of the hill back into the forest. Soon Damiana loses sight of Oreithyia, but always keeps one eye on the warlord.
"Oreithyia would never let me live it down if I lost him." Damiana winces as she remembers the time that Oreithyia humilated and berated her in front of all the other Amazons. Damiana had left her shield at home the day they launched a mock campaign during her training. Damiana had desperately wanted the ground to suddenly open up and swallow her. She was determined not to mess up again.
Damiana sees the warlord stand up and move off to one side. "Now where is he going. If he goes in front of the temple to Artemis, I'll lose him."
Damiana quickly slides off her horse, runs down the hill and slinks into the forest surrounding the Wells. She carefully and quietly makes her way down the slope through the forest until she can see Titus sitting on the steps of the temple. Damiana throws herself behind a large bush only a hundred feet from where Titus is. The battered, bleeding man suddenly stands up. Damiana quits breathing, fearing that he has seen her or heard her. To Damiana's relief, Titus turns away from her hiding spot and steps into the temple.
Damiana sees the warlord lift up a small, ornately decorated dagger off the alter. She gasps as Titus places the dagger into the sheath on his belt. Titus roots around through the other offerings: a bow, some arrows, a gold statue of a deer, a helmet. He smiles and lifts a small silver ring into the sunlight streaming through the temple's door. A moon stone glows in its intricate setting. Titus drops the ring into his money pouch along with a few other pieces of ornate jewelry. Then he helps himself to a slice of dried venison and tosses a few figs into his mouth. Damiana steams silently, waiting for Artemis to strike him down at any moment for his blasphemy.
"Now he's going to get it," Damiana thinks smugly as she sees Oreithyia sneaking silently up behind the warlord. "Why isn't she pulling her sword or at least her dagger?"
Instead of killing him, Oreithyia wraps her arms around Titus.
"Must be a new technique," Damiana thinks, still confused.
The warlord turns around and gives Oreithyia an empassioned kiss. Damiana's jaw drops.
"I saw your signal from the hill." Titus traces the design on Oreithyia's brass breast-plate and then whispers into her ear, "Your scouts ruined our plan."
"We have bigger problems," Oreithyia snarls back, never one to take the blame. "My sister is back. I was this close to killing the prince, and then Cyrene showed up."
Damiana strains to hear the muffled conversation. She leans closer and closer to the bush until the branch breaks. Damiana gasps as she falls forward. She quickly flattens herself against the earth. Oreithyia and Titus glance warily around for several moments.
"It must have been my horse," Titus finally concludes, but leads Oreithyia further in doors in case someone is out there.
"I have a new plan," Oreithyia continues, a wicked smile spreading across her face. "As soon as I get to the giant oak at the edge of the thicket, I will give the Amazon war cry. You start running back up the hill. Don't worry about your horse, I'll bring him along with me. Let the girl with the long, black hair at the top of the hill capture you. Go ahead and put up a little fight, but let her catch you. She is under strict orders, however, not to kill you."
"I hope she follows orders," Titus says, doubting the plan.
"Oh that little idiot would jump off a cliff if I told her to," Oreithyia says conceitedly.
Damiana tries peeking under the bush, between the last branches and the ground, trying to get the jist of the conversation. She still isn't successful. "I wish they'd speak up!"
"We'll bring you back to camp with a lot of commotion. 'Oh, we caught the Warlord Titus.' Ignore pretty much everything I say. Remember that it is just one big charade," Oreithyia continues. "While we are holding you captive, I will sneak a dagger in to you so that you can finish the job that you were supposed to do."
"Good-bye, Prince Triton." Titus pretends to slice Oreithyia's throat with his index finger. "But will the Prince's death by my hand be enough to start the war?"
"The fact that Triton was killed anywhere on Amazon land will be enough to incite King Krokus to war. Our numbers are strong. We may lose a few sisters during the war, perhaps Ephanine and Aella and... of course, Cyrene, but eventually we will be victorious. No longer will the Amazons of Greece bow down to bordering kings just to keep our homeland. With me the Amazons will make their mark in history. Eventually, all of Greece will bow down to me and my loyal sisters."
"Huh?" Damiana says quietly, as she hears only the last sentence of Oreithyia's, increasing in volume by the sentence, diatribe.
"Go now," Oreithyia orders Titus. "And this time, stick to the plan."
Oreithyia gives Titus a parting kiss and then races off back into the forest after locating Titus' horse. But Titus disobeys. Instead he walks back to the alter and grabs another handful of figs and a strip of venison. To Damiana's surprise, Titus heads over to the the well and leans over it.
"Great Apollo, patron god of Phylene. I beseech you in our campaign to reclaim your kingdom. When the Amazons claimed this land, they destroyed your temple and erected this temple to your sister Artemis," Titus says, dipping his hands into the well and then raising them up to the sun.
Damiana's eyebrows furrow in concern. Sun glinting off metal in the distance causes Damiana to glance over to the trees. Oreithyia is already half way back to Damiana's horse. Though hesitant to leave, she rushes back into the forest.
"Help me punish these aberrations of womanhood who refuse to pay homage to us and thus to you," Titus continues. "Help me set the balance straight, mighty Apollo. Allow me to enact your revenge and punish the Amazons for their arrogance."
A ray of sunshine pierces through the forest's canopy and shines upon the well. The well's water starts to steam and bubble and then turns from clear to bloody red to clear again. Titus starts to laugh. Suddenly, the sky turns momentarily dark and a foul wind blows across the Wells. The putrid fumes roll over Titus, causing him to choke on his laughter. But as quickly as the darkness came, the light returns. Titus heads toward his rendevous point.
Damiana rushes frantically back to her horse. She hurls herself into the saddle just as Oreithyia steps into view. Damiana struggles to slow her breathing and heart rate to a more appropriate pace. Suddenly the sky turns black. Looking up through a clearing in the trees, Damiana and Oreithyia see the sun become momentarily blocked out by the moon.
"A sign from the great goddess Artemis," Oreithyia whispers in concern, more concerned than Damiana has ever seen Oreithyia act.
But Damiana shrugs the thought off and thinks, "Now, you're going to get it, Titus, for defiling Artemis's temple."
"Hiyah! Hiyah!" Trini demonstrates her favorite Praying Mantis kung fu to a crowd of Amazons back at camp. "Thanks, Alex."
Alex pulls herself out of the dirt, rubbing her behind gingerly. "I thought the point was to miss me during that series of kicks?"
"Sorry." Trini throws an arm around her friend. "Guess I got caught up in the moment."
"Look who's back," Kim says, gesturing over her shoulder.
Damiana walks over to Trini's audience as Clete and Glauce escort Titus into the stables. Damiana beams at her accomplishment.
"Let me guess. That's the warlord, Titus," Alex says when Damiana arrives.
"He's kinda cute," Kim says and then adds, "In a rough kind of way."
Trini and Alex shake their heads.
"That's right. I caught him. He put up a good fight, but he was no match for a highly trained Amazon," Damiana boasts.
"What's going to happen now?" Kim asks.
"Oreithyia says she's going to kill him," Damiana says, though still troubled by the friendly exchange she witnessed earlier. "It must be part of Oreithyia's bigger plan," Damiana thinks.
"Not yet," Queen Cyrene suddenly appears behind Damiana. "Sometimes my sister says things out of the heat of the moment. I will talk to Titus. The Amazons don't want trouble. I will find a peaceful solution to our current problem."
"Titus looked pretty bad," Trini says to Cyrene. "I have some medicine in my kit. Would you like for me to tend to him and the prince?"
"Thank you, Trini," Cyrene answers. "I have already asked Ephanine to tend to our _guests_, but I'm sure that she would appreciate any medical knowledge that you may offer."
"I'll help too," Damiana volunteers enthusiastically.
Cyrene raises an eyebrow at the sister who routinely skipped Ephanine's lectures on first aid on the battle field. She nods anyway, hoping that Damiana's sudden interest is due to her maturation.
Trini grabs her medical kit, double-checking that the homing beacon is still there. They meet Ephanine heading towards the stables.
"How badly injured did you say Titus was, Damiana?" Ephanine asks, also surprised at Damiana's sudden interest in medicine.
"He has a gash to the head and some scratches, but other than that he was unharmed," Damiana answers and adds boastfully, "Oreithyia wouldn't let me kill him, though I had the chance and the reason to do it. He was trespassing and he defiled Artemis's temple!"
"What were you doing at the temple? Clete said that you caught Titus above the Wells," Ephanine says suspiciously.
Damiana looks at the ground trying to quickly come up with a good excuse. While waiting for an answer, Ephanine digs around in her large satchel. She stops suddenly and digs around more deliberately.
"Damiana?" Ephanine scolds. "Where is my sage**?"
Damiana looks sheepish, though she's glad that Ephanine has forgotten her previous train of thought.
"I was gonna replace it. Honest. I was going to go pick some more right after we got back from Amphypolis. But then there was the initiation. Then I had to capture Titus, and then...but doesn't my hair look great?" Damiana tries to joke.
Ephanine's scowl doesn't abate.
"Go bring me some sage, now," Ephanine says. "We'll need it to make poultices for Titus's wounds."
"But Ephanine, I can't. Oreithyia said I couldn't leave camp. Queen Cyrene...," Damiana gloats, "or Oreithyia might need me."
Ephanine sighs in annoyance. "Then I guess _I'll_ be going to pick the sage."
"I'll go ahead and get started on Titus," Damiana says a little too eagerly.
"No," Ephanine says sharply.
"But...I could start tending his wounds. Besides, I can take care of myself. Afterall, I _was_ the top of my initiate class."
"I said no. He's a caged, wounded animal. It's hard to tell what he'll do. Wait until I get back, and we will do it together."
"Um, Ephanine," Trini asks, "if it wouldn't inconvenience you, could I go along and help pick sage. I've heard that ancient peoples...er..people sometimes use it for cleaning and healing wounds, but I've never seen it practiced."
"Sure, we're going to need a lot to _replace_...," Ephanine glowers at Damiana, "what Damiana used on her hair."
With that, Trini and Ephanine walk toward the woods.
"If it wouldn't inconvenience you...," Damiana mocks. Once Ephanine and Trini are out of sight, Damiana makes a bee line back to the stables.
"Let me by, Clete," Damiana says carrying some water and bandage material. "Ephanine asked _me_ to see to the prisoners' wounds until she got back."
Clete begrudgingly lets Damiana go in alone.
"Where _is_ that girl?" Ephanine says testily as she and Trini return to camp with a basket full of fresh sage leaves. "She has just about plucked my very last nerve today. Forget it. We'll just start without her."
Trini smiles, noticing that Alex's lexicon is rubbing off on Ephanine.
"Clete," Ephanine nods acknowledgement as she and Trini reach the stables. Ephanine throws open the heavy stable door. The stream of light bounces off a pair of metal wrist cuffs.
"Damiana," Ephanine says in irritation.
Damiana proceeds with her examination, overexaggerating her movements as if they'll be more convincing.
"Oh, glad you're back. I just started. Besides some scrapes and some bruising, the prisoner's chest appears okay. He does have a nasty gash on his head, though, that will need some immediate attention," says Damiana.
Ephanine grumbles as she pulls her supplies out of her bag.
"Go tell Queen Cyrene that I am attending to the prisoners then come straight back," Ephanine says to Damiana.
Damiana stops her poke and prod session with Titus and heads for the door. As she passes by Ephanine, Ephanine grabs her cuff bracelet firmly but discretely.
"We _will_ talk," Ephanine says in a low, stern voice.
After another sigh of irritation, Ephanine gets back to work. Trini grinds the sage in a crude mortar and pestle, trying to ignore the situation.
"The sage should help take Prince Triton's swelling down. Hopefully, he will regain consciousness soon," says Ephanine, finishing with Triton and then addressing Titus.
Titus begrudgingly lets Ephanine wrap bandage after bandage around his wounds. His sudden violent coughing interrupts her work.
"I thought you said he only had a few scratches," Ephanine says to Damiana.
"He did. But they seem to have gotten a lot worse," Damiana replies.
Ephanine presses down with a bandage on one of Titus's sores which continues to ooze blood.
"OW!" Titus yells, swatting at Ephanine's hand. The motion causes her hand to richochet off a piece of his armor. The edge of the armor catches and grazes Ephanine's knuckles.
"Hey! I'm trying to help you here! Unless you'd rather let your wounds fester!" Ephanine shouts and then adds calmly, "Trini will you please hand me _two_ cloths."
Ephanine dabs at the trickles of blood forming where the armor took chunks of skin off four of her knuckles.
"This is soaked already?" Ephanine says with concern as she removes Titus's head bandage. Exposed to the air, the blood oozes profusely. "I don't understand why. It's not a deep wound."
The sopping bandage and increase in fresh blood cause the fluid to squeeze through and flow down Ephanine's outstretched fingers. She covers his wound with another bandage, then wipes her own hand which is drenched in a combination of hers and Titus' bloods.
"Hail, Queen Cyrene!" Clete shouts through the doorway.
Trini and the Amazons quickly stand.
"Continue with your work, sister," Queen Cyrene instructs Ephanine.
Ephanine applies a poultice to Titus' wounds.
"Lord Titus, you are treading on very dangerous ground," Queen Cyrene warns. "Why have you invaded Amazon land?"
"I like to hunt," he answers in a surly tone.
"And what quarry were you following at the Wells of Artemis? They are far from the border," asks Cyrene.
"_Triton_ and I were hunting...Amazons," Titus sneers.
Ephanine deliberately presses firmly on one of Titus's wounds. He yelps before regaining composure.
"Our quarrel with Prince Triton and his father is over," continues Queen Cyrene. "I arranged the treaty myself. The Amazons and King Krokus's people now live in peace. I have dispatched a messenger to King Krokus to explain the unfortunate...situation...you have caused. His envoy should be here within a few days to escort Prince Triton safely home. Home. Where _you_ should go and give up this petty grudge of yours."
"Never!" Titus snarls. He jumps up to get in the queen's face, but Ephanine stops him short.
"Krokus is a fool. To Tartarus with all of you," Titus shouts. With that, he spits in Queen Cyrene's face. The women are shocked and disgusted. Ephanine knocks Titus's feet out from under him to prevent anything more.
"I'll let Krokus deal with a traitor like you," Queen Cyrene says. "Unless my _sister_ gets to you first. I'm afraid that Oreithyia is not quite as forgiving as I am."
Trini hands the queen a clean cloth. Cyrene exits, cooly wiping the spittle out of her eye.
**MINI AUTHORS' NOTE: SAGE HAS BEEN USED SINCE ANTIQUITY AS BOTH A HEALING AND BEAUTY HERB. THE MEDITERRANEAN HERB HAS ANTISEPTIC PROPERTIES. IT IS USED TO STOP BLEEDING AND ENCOURAGE HEALING. IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR STIMULATING AND CLEANSING THE SCALP. IT IS USED IN SHAMPOOS, SOAPS AND HAIR RINSES, ESPECIALLY FOR DARK-HAIRED PEOPLE.**
The Rangers sit around a small campfire near their circle of tents. Alex pokes at the base of the fire absent-mindedly.
"You know, guys," Alex says looking up from the fire, "as much fun as I've been having here, we really need to get back to our mission. We're wasting crucial time, time the other Rangers just don't have. Obviously, the virus isn't here. Maybe the Amazons will allow us to have some horses and some supplies so we can move on."
"As much as I hate to leave, I think you're right. We should try to leave by mid-day tomorrow if possible," Trini says.
"Ephanine!" Glauce shouts as she enters the firelight. She looks shaken and concerned.
"What's wrong, Glauce?" Trini asks. "Ephanine said she was tired so she went to sleep early."
"The queen's ill. She collapsed while giving instructions to her elite guard. The last thing she said was your name and Ephanine's."
"Tell Queen Cyrene we'll be right there," Trini says standing. "Kim, will you grab my medical kit?"
"Ephanine?" Trini says softly outside of Ephanine's tent. When she gets no response, Trini pulls back the tent flap and calls again.
"Yes," a weak voice replies.
"Queen Cyrene has called for us. She's ill."
"Tell my queen I'm coming. Go on ahead."
"All right."
Trini exits the tent.
"Thanks, Kim," Trini says taking her medicine bag. "Alex, will you wait for Ephanine and see if she needs anything? Kim, can you assist me until Ephanine comes?"
Kim and Alex nod in agreement.
"Here comes Alex with Ephanine," Kim informs Trini who is engrossed in checking Cyrene's vital signs. Cyrene sits slumped on a pile of skins, holding her head in one hand and massaging her own temples.
Without looking up, Trini says, "Alex, I think we may have a problem."
Alex and Damiana enter Queen Cyrene's tent with Ephanine leaning heavily upon them.
"No, Trini, we _do_ have a problem," Alex says.
Trini stops her examination and turns to face them.
"Okay, Okay," Ephanine shakes the girls off her, "I can manage now."
She walks over to the queen's side and sit-falls next to her. "Are you hurt, my queen?"
"No, but my head feels like it is being pounded like Hephaestus's mighty anvil. It caused me to lose my balance earlier and frightened Glauce."
"I know what you're feeling. I feel it too. I think I know what has caused our ordeal. Artemis is unhappy with us. You saw how she blanketed out the sun earlier today. With all respect, Queen Cyrene, I think we should call the council and seek instruction from Artemis. Otherwise she may inflict all our sisters with this curse."
"I agree," says the queen. "Glauce, have Oreithyia call the council together and have the sisters begin preparation for the lodge."
"Ask Aella to get the ceremonial water and herbs," adds Ephanine.
"Damiana," the queen says, "help Oreithyia in any way you can."
"I'll go help with the preparations," volunteers Alex.
"Kim, can you stay and help me?" asks Trini.
The Amazon camp is a buzz with preparations for the ceremonial sweat lodge. As she helps one of the Amazons affix another skin to the frame of the small lodging, Alex sees Damiana out of the corner of her eye. Oreithyia seems to be giving Damiana some sort of instruction and then hands her a small skin-wrapped package. Damiana then heads toward the stables.
"Watch your hands," the Amazon warns, bringing Alex's attention back to the task.
A short while later, Aella returns to the campsite holding a large earthenware urn before her on her horse. Damiana, also returning, comes to Aella's aid. Seeing Damiana struggling under the weight of the urn, Alex comes to her side.
"Here, let me help," Alex says and takes up part of the urn before Damiana can protest.
The awkwardness of the urn and the situation makes Alex's brain reel for allieviation. Damiana finds that the urn becomes immediately lighter as soon as Alex takes hold of it. Alex struggles, putting on a good show, but the urn's weight is only slightly taxing on her mental abililities.
"Nice ring," Alex finally says in hopes of making small talk. "Is it new? I hadn't noticed you wearing one before now. What kind of stone is that? Opal?"
Damiana glances at her hand hugging the urn. "What? Oh, that. Uh, yeah,...I..uh...bought it in Amphipolis. It's a moonstone." She quickly repositions her hand so that it is hidden underneath the urn.
"Queen Cyrene," Glauce says entering the queen's tent, "Aella says the ceremonial lodge is ready, and the council is assembled."
"Thank you, Glauce."
Trini assists the queen, and Kim helps Ephanine to stand. They walk to the ceremonial lodge. A cloud of steam pours from the tent as Aella opens its flap.
"We'll help them from here," Aella offers. She and Oreithyia take Queen Cyrene by the arm. Trini releases Queen Cyrene's arm and goes to help Kim while they wait. Cyrene pauses at the tent's opening. She looks at Ephanine and then at Trini. She then steps inside.
"Trini, as a shaman for the American Amazons, Queen Cyrene believes it is appropriate for you to join us in the ceremony," says Ephanine.
Trini doesn't know what to think. She's flattered but concerned. She looks at Kim for advice. Kim just shrugs.
"Come," Ephanine says, releasing Kim's shoulder and taking Trini's. They step inside the tent.
"Where is Trini going?" Alex and Damiana ask in unison, although with different tones, as they approach the lodge.
Ephanine begins the ceremony with its ritualistic chants and hums, but a coughing fit causes her to waver. Aella picks up the chant, laying a sympathetic hand on Ephanine's arm. She finishes the chant and then shakes a smoldering bunch of herbs in a rhythmic pattern around the circle.
"Great Artemis..." Aella begins.
"What are they doing in there?" a curious Kim asks Damiana as the chanting sounds filter out into the night.
"Shhh!" Damiana warns, and then explains, "They just finished invoking Artemis. Now they'll offer up their prayer for guidance and deliverance."
Trini feels awkward listening to the supplication of a goddess but tries to be polite. She notices how pale Ephanine has become and how the queen keeps rubbing the back of her neck.
"And so, mighty Artemis, we ask for your restorative power for Queen Cyrene and Ephanine and your protection for all our sisters," Aella concludes and ladles a decorative gourd into the urn. She passes it directly to the queen who takes a sip. Queen Cyrene then passes it to Ephanine who takes a draught and passes it back to the queen. Cyrene raises the gourd with both hands as an offering and then passes it to Oreithyia.
"That can't be very hygienic," Trini thinks, "sharing a gourd with sick people...."
Trini jumps to her feet.
"Now, to close, they'll share the water," Damiana whispers over her shoulder to Alex and Kim.
Damiana walks back over to the Ranger girls after peeking through a small crack in the tent and giving them the play-by-play.
"Share the water?" Kim asks confused.
"That's what we brought in, right?" Alex asks.
"Yes, its healing properties come from the Wells...." Damiana stops and then charges through the tent flap. She and Trini almost collide. Trini backhands the gourd out of Oreithyia's hand just as Oreithyia raises the vessel to her lips. Damiana shoulders the urn so that it tips and spills its contents onto the ground.
"What is the meaning of this sacrilege?!" Oreithyia bellows, standing up.
"The water is poisoned!" Damiana exclaims.
"Nonsense," Aella chastizes, "I pulled it from the Wells of Artemis myself."
"I can't tell you how I know, but you've got to believe me," pleads Damiana. "If we drink it, it will kill us all."
"Damiana's right," Trini says. Neither one of them can believe they're agreeing. "The gourd is...tainted. If you were to drink after Queen Cyrene and Ephanine, you too would become sick."
The council of Amazon elders and leaders mutter among themselves. Aella shouting, "My queen!" interrupts them. Cyrene has slumped to the side, her eyes rolling back in her head.
"Quick!" shouts Trini. "Take Queen Cyrene and Ephanine to the queen's tent."
"Oreithyia, help me with your sister," Trini says. "Kim, Alex!"
Oreithyia stands her ground, not use to receiving orders, much less from underlings.
"Oh, stop standing there and just do it for once," Aella uncharacteristically snaps at Oreithyia and gives her a little shove. Aella quickly recomposes herself and says, "I'll get my herbs."
The girls push past Damiana who has fallen to her knees in the entry way looking dazed.
"Artemis, what have I done?" Damiana mutters. She then gets up and runs toward the stables.
"Where is _she_ going?" Alex complains but is quickly sidetracked by the situation at hand.
As they carry the sick to the queen's tent, two Amazon warriors race into camp. A third warrior slumps across the shoulders of one of the horses. As the warriors slide the wounded woman off the horse, a trail of blood is left behind.
"Thalla!" Ephanine says before drifting off into a fevered daze.
The warrior bleeds heavily from several slashings. The other two warriors help the injured woman over to Oreithyia.
"The Warlord...," Thalla moans. She takes a shallow, obviously painful breath and continues. "Titus has escaped."
"Clete is dead," one of the warriors informs Oreithyia. "She died by Titus's hand. He must have somehow gotten Clete's knife away from her. Damiana got there just in time to save Prince Triton from Titus."
Oreithyia growls in displeasure and thinks, "IDIOT! He thinks he can double-cross me. I'll take care of him and Prince Triton myself!"
"Where is Damiana now?" Oreithyia asks.
"Titus bested Thalla and stole her horse. After helping us with Thalla, Damiana took off after the warlord," the warrior says.
"Take care of Thalla's wounds," Oreithyia orders and then yells to the assembling crowd, "Prepare for WAR, sisters!"
Kim gulps and Alex bites her lip, each girl thinking the same thing, "Do we help them or the Rangers?"
"Well, the fit has hit the shan now," Alex says as Trini rushes by them.
"C'mon!" Trini yells over her shoulder. "I think we've found the virus!"
Kim and Alex look at each other and then race off after Trini.
Trini has already unpacked her medical kit by the time the other Rangers arrive. Trini's outstretched arm is the only thing that keeps Alex from accidentally stepping on the homing beacon.
"Remember what Dimitria said," Trini says to the Rangers. "If we can't bring back the host, at least bring back a blood sample. And voila, we're bringing back not one but three blood samples. I have a hunch that Titus is the source of the virus. If he's not, he must be pretty close. We'll give Dimitria samples from the infection cycle as we know it. Titus to Ephanine and Cyrene. Let's just pray that there aren't any more links in this chain. Alex, go 'lift' one of the bloody rags that Ephanine used on Titus. That will be exhibit #1. I will draw samples from Cyrene and Ephanine, and then we are out of here."
"We can't really leave now though," Alex says. "Queen Cyrene and Ephanine are on Death's door, and war is about to break out."
"But our Rangers are dying at home," Kim says.
Trini looks from her old friends to her new friends, troubled. Ephanine moans in pain.
"You two go back. I'm staying," Trini says matter-of-factly and then prepares to draw the sample.
"What?! You can't be serious," Kim says, shocked.
"With all the new gadgets and technology the Power Chamber has, I'm sure that you all will be able to find me again...eventually," Trini says, never taking her eyes off the syringe rapidly filling with Ephanine's blood.
"No, they won't," Kim argues. "You could die of old age before they could find you. You have to come back with us. Alex is our only way home. Dimitria said so, remember?"
"Not necessarily," Alex says, obviously deep in thought. "You need me to act as your anchor. Not me physically, just my power signature. I could try an 'ellaria.'"
"A what?" Kim says.
"'Ellaria.' I'm not sure what its English equivlent is. It was one of the last psi tricks I learned on Aquitar before coming back to Earth. I've done it across a room and across the pod unmorphed, I wonder...." Alex drifts back into thought for a moment. Then she snaps to attention, "Morphed, I bet I could do it to the Power Chamber."
"What _are_ you babbling about?" Kim says, beginning to get annoyed.
"The homing beacon will be taking you back to the Power Chamber with the sample," Alex says and further explains, "My psychic aura will accompany you while my physical body stays here. Once you are safely in the Power Chamber, I will come back here. That way, Dimitria can find Trini faster later. In a sense, I will be in two places at the same time."
"I don't know. It sounds kind of risky," Trini says, her eyebrows furrowing in concern.
"It's got to work. We've met Titus's gang--they're brutal. I could help the Amazons even up the fight a little by flexing some brain," Alex says.
"I don't want to lose you," Kim says, kneeling next to Trini--her oldest and best friend.
"It's the best way," Alex says, hoping to change Trini's mind.
With a sigh, Trini nods. "Kim, prepare to go home."
"I'll have them get Billy on the horn as soon as we arrive in the Power Chamber. If anybody would know how to find you both, he would," Kim says.
Trini winces knowing that Kim is correct but still not wanting to open up such fresh wounds. She says maturely, "You're right. Billy is the man for the job."
Several minutes later, Kim returns with their backpack stuffed. Alex sits fiddling with the homing beacon. Trini bathes Ephanine's then Cyrene's brows with a damp cloth.
"I'm ready," Kim says, sliding the backpack on.
Alex closes the flap to the tent. "Don't want my secret getting out quite yet," she says.
"The samples are frozen and ready to go. The bloody rag is sealed in a plastic bag. Be careful," Trini says and then gives Alex and Kim a combined hug.
"Stop, or I'm going to start bawlin' like a big ole baby," Alex says, joining in the group hug.
Kim sniffles a reply and gives them both a hug.
"Stand back, Trini. Here we go," Alex says, pulling out her morpher. "SHIFT INTO TURBO! STAR RUNNER TURBO POWER!"
Kim whistles. "I'm impressed. How come we didn't get cool helmets like that? I had that big blind spot right down the middle of mine where the pterodactyl beak hung down and...."
"Let's go," Alex interrupts her. "The Amazons may need my help soon."
In case they encounter the same type of turbulence on the route back home, Kim hugs the medical case containing the blood samples and the rag close to her chest with one hand. With the other hand, she does a death grip on Alex's bicep.
"OW! Easy, Kim!" Alex complains.
Alex pushes the button on the homing beacon and then places her free hand up to the temple of her helmet, hoping to channel the psi energy. Trini gasps as Kimberly begins to disappear. An apparition of Alex disappears with Kim. A moment later all that is left of Kim are her foot prints. Alex stands like a statue--unresponsive. Trini isn't sure that Alex is even breathing, but she's afraid to disturb the physical shell of Alex. Afraid that one touch would doom her two best friends to a life in limbo for eternity.
Blaring sirens and flashing lights disturb the peace in the Power Chamber. Phantom Ranger jolts to attention, quickly pulling his helmet back on before Cassie stumbles through the door.
"Noooooo, not another monster. I can't take any more battles," Cassie whines, weaving towards the Viewing Globe. "I'm tired, I'm sick, and I haven't had a real shower in three days! I can't stand myself anymore."
"Be strong, Pink Ranger," Phantom Ranger says.
Cassie gives the mysterious man a weak smile and admits silently to herself, "At least _one_ good thing has come of this disaster."
"It may just be Blue Centurion," Phantom Ranger explains as the Power Chamber's computers whiz trying to identify the disturbance in the Morphing Grid. "He should be returning from checking out that disturbance. It was probably nothing, but you can never be too careful."
Cassie sneezes.
"I am concerned about your health status, Cassie," Phantom Ranger says and gently brushes down some of Cassie's wayward hair.
"I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all," Cassie lies, trying to pull herself together.
"WOAH! What is that?" Alpha says at a rapidly expanding glowing light.
"Which one?" Cassie says incredulously, as two more lights begin to shine on her side of the room.
The lights beside Cassie are the first to materialize. Dimitria lights up her tube simultaneously.
"Welcome, Rangers," Dimitria says.
"Wow, this place has really changed since the last time I was here," Tommy Oliver says, surveying the surroundings.
"Hey, man, it's good to see you again. I didn't know that you'd been given the call too," Adam Park says.,br.
"Tommy, Adam, I am glad that you accepted our offer," Dimitria begins. "The last three days have been very difficult on Cassie, even with the Phantom Ranger and Blue Centurion's help. Thank you for agreeing to restore your powers to help her until the new Rangers are well."
"Not a problem," Tommy says, "I had some vacation time saved up. What's the best way I could spend it? I've missed being a Power Ranger."
"Me too," Adam admits. "Though I'm going to have some serious explaining to do when I get back. I told them that I had to return home because my fiance was missing and possibly abducted. They were very understanding, but I just don't know how I'm going to explain it all."
"You may not have to explain much of anything!" Alpha says, redirecting everyone's attention back to the increasing orb of light. The light intensifies and soon two silouettes begin to materialize.
"Kimberly!?" Tommy gasps.
Kim, still dressed in her Amazon garb, completely rematerializes in the Power Chamber. She lets out a sigh of relief when she sees familiar surroundings.
"Alex!" Adam says, the weight on his chest suddenly lifting. His enthusiasm dampens as the Purple Turbo Ranger fails to completely rematerialize. "Alex? What's happening? Why aren't you completely here?"
"Adam, I can't stay," Alex says remorsefully. "Trini, the other Amazons, they need me here. Please, find us. Find me. I want to come home to you."
Kim steps away from the ellaria and towards Alpha. Adam races to Alex's projection until he is standing directly in front of her.
"Where are you? Tell me how to find you," Adam pleads.
"I'm in Ancient Greece. I don't know how you will find me, but please hurry." Though it puts a huge burden on Alex's brain, she unhooks her helmet so that she can look at Adam face to face. She reaches out to touch him, but the projection passes right through him.
"I won't rest until I find you," Adam says, reaching his hand out. He gently caresses the side of Alex's face without actually touching her.
"I know you will," Alex says, as she slowly dematerializes once again.
Trini gasps as Alex's helmet suddenly drops from her hands and rolls onto the floor. Trini starts to reach out to Alex but stops when she sees an expression of severe pain pass over Alex's face. A moment later, Alex's eyes roll back into her head, and she collapses to one knee inside the tent. Alex gasps for air as if she had been holding her breath the entire journey. Then again, maybe she had.
"Alex? Are you okay?" Trini says, kneeling into the dirt next to her friend. She grabs Alex's wrist to take her pulse.
The panicked look on Trini's face is enough to start Alex giggling. "Great party trick, eh?" Alex teases. "Are you okay? You look a little freaked out."
Trini sighs in relief. "I see that you are no worse for wear."
"Kim is there, and guess who else?" Alex says, pulling herself to a standing position. "Power down! Adam and Tommy."
"Really?" Trini says. "Well, then I know that they will find a way to bring us back."
"So, here are the samples." Kim brings everyone up-to-date very quickly in the Power Chamber. "Trini and Alex need our help back at the Amazon camp. We've got to find them again quickly."
"Right. Adam, take the samples down to Medical Center and help Alpha any way you can," Tommy immediately takes charge. "Kim, go home, change and get some rest."
"I'm fine," Kim says. "I want to help out."
"That's okay, Kim. We can handle it," Tommy says, taking Kim's wrist and gently guiding her towards the door. "I'll contact you the minute Adam or I find something out. Don't worry. I'll save Alex...and Trini."
Tommy's powerful hands inadvertantly press Kim's cuff bracelet into her arm. The pain triggers a flood of memories that ricohet through Kim's brain. There were so many times that she relied on Tommy to save her when she was a Ranger. Tommy was her leader as well as her boyfriend. She dutifully followed his orders. Tommy's face was soon replaced by Trevor's. She could hear all the put-downs and sarcastic comments Trevor used to say to "keep her in her place." The cold metal against her skin flashed one last memory through her brain. The day she became an offical Amazon sister. She had never felt so empowered in her life. It was her duty to protect her sisters--to find them and bring them home--no matter what the cost to herself.
"No," Kim says firmly, pulling her wrist out of Tommy's grasp and walking back towards the console. "I have another plan. Cassie, work on contacting Billy. Combining his intellect with his Aquitian experiences will allow us to find Alex and Trini faster."
"Right," Cassie says and begins flipping some switches.
"Tommy," Kim continues, grabbing Tommy's wrist and leading him over to another console. She slaps a device into his palm. "Start analyzing the ion trail that Alex's ellaria left behind. See if we can use it as a map back into the past."
Speechless, Tommy just shakes his head affirmatively.
Kim stifles a smile, amused at Tommy's surprised look. She puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder and adds sweetly, "Please."
"Ellaria, hmmm," Phantom Ranger says and suddenly wanders out of the Power Chamber.
"Adam, go help Alpha with the samples and update me on the status of the Turbo Rangers," Kim says and adds, "Cassie, be on alert. Divatox may try to pull a fast one, so you'll need to be ready for battle."
Everyone stares at the new and assertively-improved version of Kimberly.
"What are we waiting for people, let's go!" Kim says firmly but encouragingly.
The warning horn echoes through the Amazon camp. Trini looks up from mopping Ephanine's brow. The Rangers hear feet rush past the queen's tent towards the center of camp.
"Sisters!" Aella bursts into the tent.
Alex instinctively jumps to her feet, assuming a fighting stance. She relaxes a little when she recognizes Aella.
"Titus's army has arrived," Aella says. "We need every sister available to fight them."
"Damiana?" Ephanine moans in a delirious state.
"No one has seen her since she took off after Titus," Aella says.
"Find her. Please find her," Ephanine whispers before losing consciousness.
"Trini, can you tend to the wounded with me?" Aella asks.
"How many?" Trini asks.
"Seven wounded--two seriously--and three dead."
"Dead," Alex says in disbelief.
"Glauce, Aria and Portia. Their bodies are lying beside the stables. Leave them for now. We will give them a proper funeral pyre later," Aella says stoically though her face is etched with grief.
Trini fights the tears welling up in her eyes, and even Alex begins to feel a little misty.
"Nobody ever dies. They were always just clay or metal. The monsters we fought were never human," Trini says gravely.
"I know." Alex kneels down and wraps a comforting arm around Trini.
"Alex, morph. I don't want you to become another statistic," Trini says.
"I will, if I have to. I don't want to play all my cards at once," Alex says.
The clanging of swords and men's voices from outside grab everyone's attention. Alex jumps to her feet again and double-checks her morpher.
"Tell the others to bring the injured in here. The queen's tent is the largest," Aella says, pulling salves and bandages out of her bag.
"This will be a safe haven. I won't allow Titus's men to get in here," Alex tells them.
"You? Only one against so many?" Aella asks.
"Don't worry," Trini says with a small smile. "Alex can hold her own. Go kick some butt for me, Alex!"
"We've got it!" Adam announces triumphantly to everyone as he returns to the Power Chamber.
"Thanks, Billy. Kim out," Kim says into the Viewing Globe before turning around to see Adam.
"Alpha cracked the virus's code," Adam says and holds up three small test tubes. "This serum will stop the virus's replication. It can't repair the damage already done by the virus, but at least it will allow the victims' bodies to mount their own offensive. Alpha predicts that the Rangers will be as good as new in a few days to a week."
"That's fantastic," Kim says, with a sigh of relief.
"Was that middle-aged man on the Viewing Globe really Billy?" Adam asks.
"Yes. The hydrotherapy is working, but slowly as you can see. Billy has analyzed all of our data and thinks he can help us."
"Billy is coming here? Great! I haven't seen him in eons! We have a lot of catching up to do after this is all over," Adam says.
"I'm afraid not," Phantom Ranger says. "With Dimitria's help, Billy will come here as an ellaria. The strain on a non-psi-enhanced person will be great. He won't be able to stay long."
"Unfortunately, Billy's stay will only be long enough to bring us back home," Kim says, wishing that she could spend more time with Billy too. "Using the coordinates that Tommy's scanners found, Phantom Ranger is going to reopen the portal to Ancient Greece."
"Who's up for a challenge?" Cassie dangles two Turbo morphers from her hands.
"Count me in," Tommy says, reclaiming his old red morpher.
"You know I'm going." Adam takes the other morpher. "Alex needs me."
"Ready when you are, Phantom," Kim says, fingering the borrowed morpher already strapped to her wrist.
"Ooph!"
"OW!"
"Get off my leg, lead butt," Adam says, pushing Tommy off.
"Soon as Cassie gets her elbow out of my stomach," Tommy says, trying to get untangled from the group.
"Sorry." Cassie pushes herself off the ground clumsily. "That was definitely not a textbook landing."
"Hey, any landing you can walk away from is a good one in my book." Adam groans and pulls his bruised body out of the dirt. He gives Tommy a hand off the ground.
"What in the world?" Tommy says as the sound of pounding hooves increases.
A billow of dust rises up from beyond the hill.
"Watch out!" Cassie yells, knocking them all back into the dirt.
A maniac on a froth-soaked black stallion zips by the trio barely missing them. Only seconds behind him a girl, with black braids whipping in the wind, races by them.
"IDIOTS!" Cassie yells as the trio pull themselves back together.
They look down into the valley below. A collective gasp escapes their lips as they witness a bloody battle going on.
"Oh, no. What has Alex gotten herself into now?" Adam says worriedly.
"WHOOOOOOAHHHH! Oomph!" Kim says, finally tumbling through the porthole. "I really gotta work on my form."
"I was beginning to think that you'd changed your mind," Tommy teases.
"My sisters need me," Kim says seriously. "Let's go. Phantom Ranger said to go on, that he would catch up with us once Billy's ellaria arrives safely in the Power Chamber."
The Rangers take off down the hill. Kimberly protects the case carrying the precious serum and two new syringes by holding it close to her body.
Kim gasps when they get to the edge of the Amazon camp. The scene is much worse than their previous view. The carnage causes Cassie's stomach to almost turn over. She reaches down to activate her Turbo morpher and realizes that it is gone.
"My morpher!" Cassie says, looking around on the ground. "I must have lost it along the way."
"I hope it isn't lost in the portal," Adam says. "We'll never find it then."
"Maybe it fell off when we were all in a heap?" Tommy suggests.
"I've got to go back and check." Cassie doesn't wait for a reply. She immediately begins back-tracking to the portal, surveying the ground at the same time.
"There it is," Cassie says with a sigh of relief. Her communicator lies at the base of a thick cluster of bushes not far from the portal. "It must have snagged and come off when I was bending that limb back out of the way for Adam."
Cassie bends down behind the bushes to pick up her communicator and brush the dirt off it.
"Woooah...ooof..ow!" Cassie hears. Without standing up, she peers through the bushes.
After rolling out of the portal, the Phantom Ranger lies in an ungraceful heap at the base of a tree. The edge of his helmet has become lodged in between two tree roots. He tugs at his helmet for a moment and then says quietly, "Oh, how embarrassing. Power down."
A trim but athletically built humanoid in a black jumpsuit of sorts appears on all fours with his head between the two tree roots. He stands to a more dignified position, running his hand through his silvery white hair.
Cassie, who had managed not to laugh out loud, can't control her gasp of wonder as Phantom turns in her direction. Upon hearing a noise, Phantom immediately assumes a fighting position.
"Whoa, sorry, it's just me," Cassie says emerging from the bushes. "I...uh..lost my communicator and came back to...wow...."
A pinkish tint colors Phantom's alabaster white skin. A lock of hair hangs down covering his left eye and partially shielding him from his embarrassment.
"Not quite what you were expecting?" Phantom asks as Cassie's jaw continues to drop.
"No...I mean yes..I mean I was hoping...," Cassie stammers.
"You were hoping...that I wasn't a giant brain or an extraterrestrial slug or something encased in a human-shaped shell?" Phantom tries to joke.
Cassie just continues to stare.
"Cassie?" Phantom asks as he walks toward her.
"I'm sorry," Cassie says as she pulls herself together. "It's just that I've been wondering what you looked like for so long. Why haven't you showed us your face before now? You have the most incredible violet eyes."
"Thank you. I've wanted to see you through them...without the helmet...for some time. But I was afraid that you would recoil in horror if you saw me."
"Recoil in horror? Why? You're a hotty!" Cassie blurts out and then wishes she could censor her last remark.
Phantom smiles at her discomfort, but his smile fades as he pushes the hair away from his face.
"Because of this," he says somberly.
A wide, long, magenta scar runs from his forehead above his left eye to his left temple. Though the skin is not broken, the scar tissue is visibly grotesque, uneven in texture and sometimes stretched. Only Cassie's eyes telegraph her reaction to the sight.
"Does it hurt?" Cassie asks stepping closer.
"No, the laser wound finished healing a few months ago, but the planet I was assigned to was fairly primitive. They healed me to the best of their ability, but the damage was extensive. Believe it or not, it used to look much worse. The worst part was that the laser blast damaged part of my brain. I need the suit of armor to help make up the deficiencies in my psi powers. I was on my way back to my home planet for reconstructive surgery when Dimitria called me," Phantom explains. "Now that you know my secret. can I trust you to keep it until I'm ready to face the other Rangers?"
"Yes," Cassie says reaching out her fingertips to touch Phantom's face. She gently runs them from the side of his forehead down his cheek and onto his chest. Phantom gently pins her hand against his chest and leans toward her.
"HIYAH! HIYAH!" Alex yells, striking her attackers with powerful tornado kicks.
Trini hears the escalating battle from inside the Queen's tent. Trini takes Ephanine's pulse again and shakes her head worriedly.
"I wish Aella would hurry back with those supplies," Trini thinks. "I hope she hasn't been captured."
A sudden ripping sound interrupts Trini's thoughts. A moment later, a burly man, who Trini recognizes from their previous battle with Titus's army, pushes through the now gaping hole in the back of the Queen's tent. Trini jumps to her feet, quickly surveying the area for anything to use as a weapon.
"Oh, look, it's that little Mongolian girl again. Let's finish what we started last time," the man growls, drawing his dagger and slashing it around menacingly.
"Didn't learn your lesson last time, did ya?" Trini baits him, trying to draw him away from the injured. She knows that killing Cyrene must be #1 on his agenda. Trini hops lightly around the tent like a boxer, her hands held up high to protect herself.
The man lunges at Trini, slashing his knife back and forth. Trini ducks and darts away, still leading him away from the injured. The soldier growls and lunges again. Trini slides to her left allowing the man to stumble past her.
"Adam?!" Trini hears Alex's voice say loudly outside the tent.
Trini looks towards the flap. The moment of distraction is all it takes for the soldier to overpower Trini. He knocks Trini into the dirt floor and pushes the dagger towards the straining muscles in her neck. Trini thrashes around wildly trying to get her leg free. She quickly pulls her leg up under the soldier's chest and with a groaning "HIYAH!" flips him off her. The point of the dagger rakes across Trini's stomach as the man crashes into the water urns to the side of the tent. Trini glances down. Her Amazon top now has a slice through it. Luckily, Trini is able to walk away with only a minor graze. She touches her fingers to the graze and then looks at the small amount of blood wetting her fingers.
"I've never been wounded like this before. Putties and Cogs only produced soft tissue injuries. The Rangers never bled," Trini thinks.
The soldier groans, pushing broken pieces of pottery off of himself.
"I've got to put this guy out of commission!" Trini thinks as the soldier struggles to stand.
"Hiyah!" Trini does a hitch-kick, slamming the soldier in the solar plexus.
The soldier gasps as the air leaves his lungs. Trini follows the move with a hammer fist to his groin. The soldier collapses back into the floor, howling in pain.
"That should do it," Trini thinks smugly. "He'll be out of commission for a while, but not permanently damaged."
"The cavalry has arrived!" Kim shouts a few minutes later, throwing back the flap to the Queen's tent.
"Looks like you've been busy," Alex says, nodding at the soldier. "What happened to him?"
Trini checks the knot securing the soldier's hands once more and then jumps up to hug her friends.
"Let's just say that he was on the receiving end of Hephaestus's mighty hammer," Trini says, acting out her move again.
The girls cringe.
"Painful," Alex says.
"What happened to your vest?" Kim says, inspecting Trini's top closely.
"It's nothing. See, it's already beginning to clot," Trini says, though the graze is beginning to sting and the leather rubbing against it makes it hurt even worse.
"I knew you would find us," Trini says to change the topic.
"What are sisters for?" Kim says taking hold of one of Trini's and one of Alex's cuffed wrists.
"Guess who decided to tag along?" Alex says lifting the tent flap again. She gestures at the guys to come in from where she asked them to wait.
"Trini!" Adam rushes to give his old friend a hug. Trini's breath catches as she locks eyes with Tommy over Adam's shoulder.
"Trini," Tommy acknowledges her cautiously.
"Tommy," she returns, also cautiously. "Thank you all for coming."
"Trini," Kim interrupts the awkwardness, "we brought the antidote."
She hands Trini the box. Everyone circles around Cyrene and Ephanine as Trini prepares the injections.
"I hope this works," Trini says and then completes her task.
Suddenly, Aella crashes through the tent flap out of breath.
"Trini, prepare the Queen and Ephanine for travel," she pants. "We're going to have to retreat. Titus's full army is close to the edge of camp. We can't hold them back for much longer -- they outnumber us two to one."
The visitors catch Aella's eye for the first time. She immediately draws her sword and circles Tommy and Adam. They put their hands up in a defensive position.
"Aella, wait!" Kim yells.
"These are our...friends," Trini says reluctantly after catching Tommy's eye.
Aella looks skeptically at the guys. She drops her sword but doesn't put it away. She still isn't convinced that the strangers aren't actually kidnappers. Aella puts herself between the guys and the Queen, just to be on the safe side.
"It looked really bad out there," Adam says soberly.
"We've faced worse though," Tommy says. "All we need to do is a quick regroup. Adam and I will go take out the leader. Just tell me who he is. First we need to...." "What is your plan, Trini?" Aella completely cuts Tommy off, turning her back on him to face Trini.
"How are we on supplies?" Trini says. "I'm not sure that Cyrene and Ephanine are ready for a long journey. It will take time for the antidote to work. We need...."
"We are _not_ going to retreat," Tommy interrupts. "We can take these guys. All we need to do...."
Aella whips around to face Tommy, raising the point of her sword to right below Tommy's nose. "Silence! You will speak when the shaman asks for your opinion. Until then, you will be silent!"
"Shaman?" Adam turns to ask Alex. A withering look from Aella causes Adam to quickly close his mouth.
"I'll explain later," Alex whispers.
"He means no disrespect, Aella." Trini can't help but smirk at the look on Tommy's face. Nobody had ever shut him up so fast before. "Tommy--this man--means well. In our culture, men frequently assume...."
"Not to mention, _presume_," Alex adds sarcastically.
"They frequently assume the leadership position during crisis situations," Trini continues.
"Men?!" Aella snorts. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Men are too hot-headed during war. Their blood lust makes them unpredictable. They lose reason and act haphazardly. Sisters, your culture is a strange one. I would like to hear more about it at a later time. I always enjoy a good laugh."
"Hey!" Adam says, his feathers getting ruffled.
Alex puts a calming hand on his shoulder. Tommy continues to scowl.
"Tommy means well. He has a lot of experience as a leader. I will listen to his suggestions. Continue Tommy," Trini says.
Tommy clears his throat, having to remind himself that a good leader is a team player.
"We need to find the person giving the orders and cut him off," Tommy says. "Let Adam and I go--unmorphed--and take him out. Once he's down, it won't be hard to get the rest to surrender or retreat."
Alex remembers what Trini said about her last encounter with the former Red Ranger. Her blood begins to boil and she snaps at Tommy, "Nice plan, hot shot. Except you forgot one important thing...you two LOOK like the enemy."
"She's right," Trini says. "I'm afraid that the other sisters would attack you."
"You could explain to them that we're the good guys," Adam suggests.
"It would be hard to get them to _trust_ you, much less get them to _follow_ you," Trini says. "No, let Kim and Alex take out the leader. You and Adam stay here and protect the Queen."
Tommy grumbles and starts to protest.
Trini pacifies him by asking, "So how do you suggest Kim and Alex take out the leader?"
Everyone crouches down to the floor to see Tommy's crude line drawings in the dirt. They nod, everyone understanding his or her particular role in the operation.
"Father Ares!" Aella says suddenly and immediately bows down.
The others look over their shoulders to see Phantom Ranger--back in uniform--and Cassie materializing in the tent.
"No, Aella. This is our friend, Phantom Ranger. He's an ali...oh, never mind...he's a good friend," Kim says.
"Hmmmmmm," Alex and Trini say in unison, each thinking the same thing.
"Scrap that idea." Alex leans over and completely erases Tommy's detailed plan in the dirt with one swoop of her hand.
"This is what we are going to do...," Trini says matter-of-factly.
"Here are the bow and arrows you needed, Trini." Aella hands them to Trini who passes them to Cassie.
"Is everyone clear on the plan?" Trini asks into Cassie's communicator.
"Affirmative," Adam's voice replies. "Tommy and I are hanging out in the largest tree to the left side of the camp's entry way. I can see Kim and the other girls...I mean...warriors. They are beginning to move this way, back into camp."
"It's working. Titus's army is following us," they hear Kim say, her sentences punctuated with hiyahs! "Lete says the guy on the gray horse is Titus's second in command."
"Then we'd better make sure he gets a front row seat for the show," Trini says.
"You got it," Kim answers.
"Damiana...," Ephanine groans from the corner of the tent and tries to sit up. "Get my horse. I have to find her."
Aella and Alex rush to Ephanine's side. Alex gently presses her back down. "Rest, Ephanine. I'm going now to find Damiana. I won't come back without her. I promise," Alex says, but silently thinks, "I just hope Damiana is still alive and in one piece."
"Trini, you better give the command performance of a lifetime, because if this doesn't work, we're screwed," Alex says and then begins, "Shift into Turbo! Star Runner Turbo Power!"
Aella's eyes widen in disbelief as the purple armor envelopes Alex. Once the transformation is complete, Alex slips out the gaping hole in the back of the tent.
"Phantom, Cassie, give me two minutes to get to the dais in the center of camp and then let the show begin." Trini removes the royal horn from its ceremonial position on Queen Cyrene's throne. Aella hands Trini the royal mask--a heavy wooden mask ornamented with leather, feathers, and long dried grasses.
"Please God, let this work," Trini adds silently as she rushes out the front of the tent.
Kim grabs a bow and arrows from a fallen Amazon and prepares to shoot. Within seconds, three shots are fired. Arrows rain down around Graken, Titus's second in command. Graken's horse rears in fright. Once Graken is able to calm his horse, he looks for the culprit. He sees one petite Amazon--Kimberly. He kicks his horse and comes charging after her. Kimberly stands poised to fire another arrow. She stands valiantly until she's positive that he's coming after her, then she takes off for the entrance to camp. Running at top speed, Kim can hear thundering hooves behind her.
"He's going to mow me down!" Kim's mind screams in terror.
"KIMBERLYYYYYYYYY!" Tommy's voice echoes through camp.
With Graken so close that Kim can almost feel his horse's hot breath on her back, Kim makes a daring jump towards the Rangers' tree. With no chance for a mistake, Kim throws herself into the air, grabbing blindly for the Rangers' hands. All of Kim's gymnastic training pays off. She feels strong hands grasp hers. She uses the momentum and her upper body strength to flip herself up and over the lowest branch as if it was an uneven bar in the gym. Kim hangs gasping over the tree limb as Graken rushes underneath and into camp.
"I'd give that move a 10!" Adam says, breaking into a big grin.
"Please, Kim," Tommy says, leaning back against the base of the tree and taking a deep breath. "Don't ever pull a stunt like that again. My heart can't take it."
Meanwhile, Alex sneaks away from camp and the battle.
"Initiate scan," Alex says.
Her helmet visor lights up. A vertical, red bar makes a repeating path across her vision. Alex turns slowly in a circle.
"Nothing!" Alex thinks. "It's going to be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The trail is too cold now. Which way do I even start?"
Alex begins walking north. The scan continues.
"This thing is giving me a migraine. Cease scanning." The regular visor returns. "Wait a minute! I wonder...."
Alex stops dead in her tracks. She brings her hands up to her temples and focuses her concentration.
**Artemis...Artemis...Artemis...can you hear me?** Alex says slowly, projecting her thoughts skyward. **Artemis, I need you. Can you come here? Can you travel through the portal that Billy and the Phantom Ranger have created?**
Alex stands in silence, her fingers still resting on the temples of her Turbo helmet. A distant roar causes Alex to look up towards the hill. The reving sound increases and soon tearing over the hill is Artemis in her Turbo motorcycle form.
"Alright!" Alex says, jumping up and down.
Artemis skids to a stop beside Alex, covering her with dust.
"Boy, am I glad to see you!" Alex says, stroking Artemis' handle bars.
**You beckon, and I come. It does not matter where in the universe that you summon me. I will always come,** Artemis replies.
"That a girl!" Alex slides onto the motorcycle seat. "Now let's go catch us a bad guy."
With another roar of her engine, Artemis peels off.
**Artemis, scan the area for two people riding horseback at a high rate of speed,** Alex projects.
The screen between the handle bars lights up. Soon on the grid, two purple blips begin pulsing.
**The object is on the far side of the rise in front of us and continuing at a high rate of speed,** Artemis answers back. **At our current rate of speed, we will intersect their path in approximately 10 minutes.**
**Ten minutes! We're going to have to get the lead out. Let's take this to the max.**
With a sudden shift, Artemis accelerates into overdrive taking Alex to speeds that she had never been to before. Terrified, Alex clings to Artemis as tightly as she can. The scenery is one continuous blur to Alex.
"WHHHHOOOOAAAAAAA! OOMPH!" Alex yells as the pair fly over a ditch and land roughly on the otherside. **A little warning next time, Artemis, please.**
**Duck, Purple Ranger,** Artemis replies.
Alex barely ducks in time to miss a low-lying branch as Artemis whips through a dense grove of trees. **I'm just going to close my eyes now. Tell me when my life is no longer in danger.**
**I would never allow anything to harm you, Purple Ranger,** Artemis answers matter of factly. **Look, I believe we have found the people you search for.**
Alex strains her eyes looking ahead. Sure enough, Damiana and Titus are on a wild ride through the dense forest.
**Hold on, Purple Ranger. We will intersect their present path faster if we take a short cut over the dry river bed coming up presently,** Artemis says.
Titus's horse struggles up the steep, rocky side of the river bed. Only a few lengths behind him, Damiana kicks her sweat-soaked horse faster trying to make up the distance between them. A roaring sound through the air causes both of them to look skyward. All they see is a metallic object hurtling through the air and landing on the other side of the river bank.
Titus's horse arrives on the grassy otherside just as Alex makes a sharp turn to face him. Alex revs Artemis's engines. The sudden noise spooks Titus's horse causing it to rear repeatedly. Titus struggles to keep his diseased-ravaged body in his seat. A sudden ku-thunk echoes through the air, and Titus falls heavily into the grass. His horse immediately takes off for shelter in the forest. An arrow sticks out of Titus's upper back. Alex looks up to see Damiana sitting proudly on her horse, her bow still perched in the air. Damiana cautiously knocks another arrow and aims it towards the strange purple creature coming her way.
"Don't shoot, Damiana! It's me...Alex. Power down!" the purple armored person says, transforming back into the Amazon-attired girl.
"Alex? What? How?" Damiana stammers, her jaw continuing to drop.
"No time to explain," Alex says, jogging up to Titus. "The other Amazons need us. Titus's army is giving them a serious beating."
"Is he dead?" Damiana asks as Alex leans over the crumpled man.
"No, I think he's still alive, but I don't know for how much longer. Looks like your arrow passed all the way through. We'll have to get Trini to look at it, but I don't think it's a mortal wound," Alex says, carefully surveying Titus's injuries.
"Then move out of the way." Damiana aims her bow at Titus. "Let me finish what I started."
"No, you can't kill him," Alex says, blocking Damiana's shot.
"I have to. _He_ is responsible for the sickness in camp. I must avenge Queen Cyrene and Ephanine's deaths," Damiana says, tears of anger welling up in her eyes.
"But they aren't dead. Trini has a cure! They will recover."
"Really? Still, he defiled Artemis's temple. I heard him call upon Apollo and I saw him dip his hands into the Wells of Artemis. He _must_ have something to do with the illness. For that, he deserves to die."
"What are you talking about?"
Damiana reluctantly tells what else she saw at the well, including Oreithyia's part in the plot against the Queen.
"Oreithyia...," Alex growls. "We should have known. That means Queen Cyrene's life is still in danger. You have to tell the others what you saw before Oreithyia finishes off the job Titus started. Find Titus's horse. We're going back to camp!"
Meanwhile, Phantom Ranger and Cassie slip out the back of the Queen's tent. Phantom turns to Cassie.
"Remember, Cassie. You may slip a little in the air when I let go of your hand so we can reappear, but I won't let you fall," Phantom says, taking Cassie's left hand gently. "I promise."
"I know you won't," Cassie says confidently, breaking his grip. She takes his hand again, lacing her fingers through his.
The pair disappear as Phantom Ranger activates his invisibility power.
Aella stands silently after all of the Rangers are gone. She surveys Ephanine and Cyrene's conditions one more time and then spots the small metal case that Kim had brought the serum in. She inspects the two empty syringes carefully, amazed at the technology of the American Amazons. She gently tips the final and still filled syringe back and forth. She places all the syringes back in the case and snaps it closed. Aella places the box back down, on top of her bulging medicine bag next to Ephanine. The stream of light provided by the large hole in the back of the tent suddenly becomes blocked. Aella grabs her sword and whips around defensively. She relaxes when she sees Oreithyia standing there, a large gash across her thigh.
"Sister, come. Let me bind your wound," Aella says, resheathing her sword.
"I've come for the royal horn and mask," Oreithyia says, not even inquiring about the Queen's health.
"But Cyrene is...," Aella says.
"Silence! It's time to call a retreat. Give me what rightfully belongs to me," Oreithyia snarls and then adds as an after thought, "I'll send a search party later to come back to get Cyrene and Ephanine and the other wounded."
"_If_ there is anything left of them," Oreithyia thinks coldly.
"Give me just a little time. I can prepare them for travel. Why don't you let me tend to your wound first," Aella says, trying to buy some more time.
Aella bends over at the waist to inspect Oreithyia's wound closer. Oreithyia jerks the older woman to a standing position and hisses into Aella's face.
"I said where are the royal horn and mask!?"
"Trini has them," Aella says.
Both Amazons look over their shoulders as they hear the royal horn echoing through camp.
"You're a fool, Aella!" Oreithyia growls and violently backhands the older woman.
Caught completely off guard, Aella takes the full blow and crumples to her knees. Aella grabs her now broken and bleeding nose protectively.
"Cyrene's reign is finally over, and I have no place for you. Stay here and die with the rest of these cowardly fools," Oreithyia says icily.
Oreithyia pulls her dagger and lunges for Cyrene. In a vain attempt to save her Queen, Aella throws herself at Oreithyia. The pair struggle. Because of her superior strength, Oreithyia is able to break Aella's vice-like grasp. Oreithyia backhands Aella a second time, sending the injured woman to her knees. Oreithyia kicks Aella right on the base of the chin causing Aella to lose consciousness.
"I'll deal with you later," Oreithyia snarls, wiping the blood off of her cheek from where Aella's nails had raked across it. She picks up the dagger, determined to finish what she started. Oreithyia raises her arm above her head and aims the dagger at Cyrene's chest.
Ku-thunk! The metal serum box bounces off the back of Oreithyia's head. She collapses to one knee, grabbing the back of her head protectively. Her vision temporarily disturbed from the blow, Oreithyia doesn't see the water urn headed towards her temple. Intricately decorated pottery rains down on Ephanine, but she continues to throw whatever she can get her hands on at Oreithyia, hoping for another direct hit.
"That was for Damiana. And this one is for Alcippe." Ephanine cracks a still dazed Oreithyia up side the head with Aella's medicine bag.
Oreithyia crashes face down into the dirt floor where she remains.
Trini has to duck several attackers as she makes her way to the dais.
"C'mon! Get out of my way!" Trini grumbles under her breath. She flings herself onto the dais. Trini brings the royal horn to her lips and blows. The sound echoes throughout camp, but no one stops fighting. Trini blows the horn again. Nothing.
"Cassie, can you help me out here?" Trini says to the thin air behind her, hoping that Cassie and Phantom are up there.
"Stand back. This could get ugly," Cassie's voice says.
A hail of laser fire rains down from the sky without a visible source. The ground in front of the dais lights up like a great pyrotechnic rock show. Trini stumbles backwards in spite of herself. The explosion causes everyone to stop fighting for an instant. Trini blows the horn a third time. She stands tall and reaches her arms upward.
"Now let the show begin!" Trini thinks and then bellows, "Oh Father Ares! Why have you foresaken your favorite daughters?"
Trini falls dramatically to her knees and continues, "Artemis! Artemis! Your warriors need you. Please help us!"
Trini kowtows dramatically up and down.
"Shift into Turbo. Wind Chaser Turbo...," an invisible Cassie whispers and then adds in a booming voice "POWER!"
Just as Cassie's transformation is complete, Phantom Ranger releases Cassie's hand and she becomes visible in flash of pink light. Everyone in camp looks up as the pink-armored woman hangs effortlessly in the air.
There is an audible gasp as Phantom Ranger suddenly appears also, the sun glinting off his black shiny armor. Phantom adjusts the microphone in his helmet to produce a booming, deep voice.
"Ares! Artemis!" Trini says loudly, in case anybody was confused.
"Who dares attack my sacred daughters?!" Phantom/Ares booms. "Bring that leader forward!"
"It's _Graken_, father," Trini says, turning to point at Graken. "He follows Titus's orders to attack us."
Graken gulps nervously.
"Graken, leave now and never return," Phantom/Ares continues.
"But Ares, this was our land first," Graken says. "We've been loyal followers of yours. You helped us during our campaign against Draco. Why are you turning your back on us now?"
"I..uh..I..," Phantom fumbles around for a good excuse and then says quickly, "Silence! I don't have to justify myself to a mere mortal!"
Graken doesn't look convinced.
"Titus defiled MY temple," Cassie/Artemis jumps in. "He should be punished for his sacrilege. I should strike you all down without a second thought! Only Ares tempers my wrath today."
A collective gasp escapes from the audience as the sun is suddenly covered by the moon. Cassie jumps a little at the eclipse herself, not realizing that that was part of Phantom's plan.
"Leave, Graken! Before I lose my patience," Phantom/Ares says.
"But Ares, we were promised...," Graken begins again.
"Silence! My mind is made up. Leave Thracia now or prepare to die, Graken." Phantom/Ares releases several laser blasts from his laser gun.
Titus's troops begin to get ancy. Cassie/Artemis draws her bow and sends down an arrow at Graken's feet. Cassie is just as startled as Graken is when the arrow suddenly bursts into flame.
"Thank you again, Phantom," Cassie says quietly under her breath.
Titus's army now begins to break rank. Several men drop their weapons and start running.
"Let's keep these turkeys running," Kim says triumphantly from their tree.
"Shift into Turbo! Desert Thunder Turbo Power!" Adam yells.
"Red Lightning Turbo Power!" Tommy yells.
"Mountain Blaster Turbo Power!" Kim yells.
The trio leap down from the tree in brilliant streaks of light.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" One of Titus's soldiers runs at the Rangers, swinging his sword menacingly.
"Oh, please!" Kim says, whipping out her turboblaster and firing several shots in front of the guy.
She purposefully misses him, but sends the shots close enough to change the soldier's direction and send him scurrying out of camp. Adam and Tommy begin firing too, corralling the fleeing soldiers out of Istria and back into the forest.
"Your arrogance, Graken, annoys me," Cassie/Artemis booms. "I curse you and all of Titus's followers. If you ever set foot on Amazon land again, you will immediately die. And so will all your male children."
Graken has heard enough. He kicks his horse and makes a beeline for the forest, not stopping to help any of his fellow soldiers. When the camp is empty of invaders, a triumphant cry echoes through the air.
"Very impressive," Adam says to Kimberly, eyeing her new Turbo outfit.
"You definitely look better in it than Justin did," Tommy adds.
Kim just laughs and guides the guys towards camp. The Amazons' jaws drop in wonderment as Cassie/Artemis and Phantom/Ares land gracefully on the dais. The Amazons drop to their knees in respect.
"Please, sisters. Stand," Trini says to them. "We played a little trick on Titus's army. These are my friends--Cassie and the Phantom Ranger."
"Power down!" Cassie says.
The Amazons gasp in amazement when they see a young woman standing in Artemis's place. Phantom Ranger continues to hide his identity. The crowd parts as Kim and the guys pass through. The Amazons continue to hold their weapons tightly, unsure of the newcomers. The trio comes to the front of the dais. Trini looks down at them and gives them a smile.
"Sisters, it's me, Kimberly. Power down!" Kim says.
The Amazons visibily relax some when an Amazon-attired Kim reappears.
"You American Amazons truly have wondrous armor. I would swear that mighty Hephaestus forged your armor himself," an older Amazon says.
"Not exactly. But that's a whole 'nother story," Kim says. "Let me introduce you to our friends--Tommy and Adam."
"Power down!" Tommy and Adam say in unison.
The collective gasp is even louder than before. Some of the younger warriors whisper and giggle. Tommy stands proudly, but Adam looks a little self-conscious. A warrior in her twenties walks boldly up to the pair, circling them and looking them up and down appreciatively.
"I think Lete likes your outfits," Kim says quietly over her shoulder to Tommy and Adam.
Tommy suddenly wishes that he had put another shirt over top of his red tank top that morning, and Adam wishes that he had selected a looser fitting pair of blue jeans. Adam jumps when another warrior reaches out to touch his curls.
"Has anyone seen Alex?" he asks nervously.
A thunderous roar at the end of the camp makes everyone quickly turn around. The Amazons draw their weapons.
The thunderous roar crescendos until Alex and Artemis burst into camp. Alex slides Artemis to an abrupt stop, unhooking and removing her helmet in one motion. Again the Amazons gasp in surprise.
"Alex, you're back. How did Artemis get here?" Adam asks, reaching out his hand to take hers.
"No time!" Alex says briskly as she rushes past them towards the Queen's tent.
Alex draws her turboblaster and charges into the Queen's tent, praying that she's not too late.
"Ephanine?" Alex says in shock.
"Damiana!" Kim says, as Damiana rides into camp, leading Titus's horse. Titus is strapped unceremoniously over the horse's back. Blood seeps down his arm from his wound. Alex had telekinetically broken off the arrow and pulled it out before placing Titus on his horse. The girls' makeshift first aid was somewhat successful--Titus's wound wasn't bleeding quite as heavily any more.
"Don't touch him!" Trini warns, hopping off the dais and racing towards the pair. "He's still contagious. Rangers, can you give me a hand? We can disinfect your gloves when we return home."
"No need," Phantom Ranger says "lifting" Titus off his horse and moving him through the crowd. The Amazons' jaws drop. Phantom gently places Titus on the dais, wounded shoulder side up. Trini crawls back onto the dais and carefully inspects Titus's wounds.
"Sisters!" Alex's voice causes everyone to turn.
With Alex's help, Ephanine hobbles through the tent flap and into the open. She shades her eyes from the sun's harsh glare. Soon the sisters drop to one knee as a bruised Aella helps Queen Cyrene limp into the open.
Trini rushes in front of the Queen and drops to one knee.
"My Queen, good news. The enemy has been defeated. Titus's army will never return to Istria."
"Thank you, Trini," Cyrene says and then notices a shamefaced Damiana. "Damiana, I am glad to see that you are not hurt."
"My Queen," Damiana collapses to her knees in front of Cyrene. "Oreithyia and I have betrayed you."
"What?!" Oreithyia snaps, a panicked look on her face. "She doesn't know what she's talking about, sister."
"No, I do," Damiana continues. "Your sickness, the attack on Istria...it's all our fault."
Oreithyia continues to stammer a rebuttal. Cyrene looks suspiciously at her sister.
"Guards, seize them!" Cyrene announces.
"Wait! You can't do this," Oreithyia protests.
"If even half of what Damiana says is true, dear sister, I most certainly can," Cyrene says coldly. "Bind Oreithyia, Damiana, and Titus and take them to the stables. Aella, Trini, you may tend to their wounds. When you are finished, I will hear their case."
"Alex, did you see the syringe box in the Queen's tent?" Trini asks and Alex nods. "Bring that and Aella's medicine bag to the stables. I'm going to need your help to tend to Titus without getting infected myself."
A few hours later Queen Cyrene sits on her throne, her face still pale but the color starting to come back into her lips. The Queen's mask is pushed back on her head so Cyrene's face is exposed.
"My Queen," Lete says, "Prince Triton's envoy has arrived."
"Tell the envoy's commander that he may set up camp in the southern field. We need Prince Triton for a short time more. They are free to rest and garner fresh supplies from us. We will be sending the Prince home tomorrow."
Lete nods and scoots back out the door.
"Now, bring the traitors forward," Cyrene says sternly.
Two Amazon guards escort a hobbling Titus, his hands bound with rope. Trini had managed to patch Titus up and revive him. After careful consideration, Trini administered the third and final syringe of antidote--the spare--to Titus. The guards push Titus roughly to his knees. Two more guards follow bringing Oreithyia, also bound, and do the same to her. She snorts in indignation. Finally, Damiana walks into the tent, bound but not guarded. Trini and Aella break off from behind her and join Ephanine and the other Rangers several feet behind the traitors. Damiana drops to her knees at her own choosing and hangs her head. Finally, Prince Triton enters the tent, flanked by two of his high-ranking officers. The trio wait off to the side.
"Titus," glares Cyrene, "I advised you earlier to give up your petty feud and go home. You didn't heed my advice, therefore you will accept our punishment. Under Amazon law, immediate death is prescribed. However, a quick death would be too kind. So I hearby release you to Prince Triton's care. You may have attacked my people, but there is someone else you have affronted more. No doubt King Krokus will have special plans for a traitor like you -- _if_ you make it back to Athens."
Titus snarls but then breaks into a coughing fit.
"Oreithyia, you and Damiana have committed the ultimate treason. You betrayed your own sisters--and with the help of a man no less," Cyrene looks at them in disgust.
"Sister," Oreithyia says slyly, "I think there has been a misunderstanding. I was just trying to broker a peace deal with Titus after I learned of his intention to betray Triton and harm us. Surely, I did it in your...our best interest."
"You said, 'Cyrene's reign is finally over, and I have no place for you. Stay here and die with the rest of these cowardly fools,' when you came to get the mask and horn," Aella accuses.
"You know I am hot-headed, Cyrene, and sometimes speak without thinking," oozes Oreithyia. "Trust me, those words were said while I was in battle spirit and not totally in control of my tongue."
"Your majesty!" Ephanine shouts and stops leaning on Trini for the moment, "She was standing over your sickbed with a dagger poised to kill you!"
Oreithyia scowls at Ephanine and then says sweetly, "Look, Cyrene, Ephanine is still ill. Surely, she was hallucinating. I would never hurt you, my own blood sister."
"Oh, shut up, Oreithyia! Neither one of us believes that," snaps Cyrene. "You've been after the throne since we first came to Thracia, and we both know it. I just didn't think you'd stoop so low as to betray your own sisters."
Oreithyia struggles in rage to get up, but her captors hold her fast.
"And what do _you_ have to say for yourself?" Cyrene glares at Damiana.
"I will carry the souls of our fallen sisters on my heart forever because my stupidity cost them their lives," Damiana says quietly. "I beg your and the other Amazons' forgiveness. Please understand that if I'd known fully of the treacherous plot, I would have never been a part of it. Instead, I would have alerted you immediately."
"Oh, please," Oreithyia sneers. "You don't actually believe that, do you Cyrene? Damiana knew exactly what she was doing and even approached Titus on her own. I think the little minx fancied him. She is, afterall,'of age' now."
Damiana blushes in embarrassment.
"You're just jealous, Oreithyia, that I shunned your favors for hers," sneers Titus.
"You...," Oreithyia snarls and tries to lash out at him. Titus just laughs and begins to cough in her face.
"Enough!" Cyrene shouts. "Damiana, is this true? Did you seek out Titus on your own accord?"
"Yes," Damiana says regretfully.
"And what did you mean by 'if you'd known _fully_ of the treacherous plot'? Does that mean you knew about Titus's plan?"
"No...I mean yes..I mean...I should have known."
"Did you help Oreithyia with her plan?"
"Yes."
"Then you are just as guilty of treason as she is. Under ancient Amazon law--which you are so eager to cling to, Oreithyia--the punishment for treason, the ultimate crime, is death."
Damiana gulps. The Ranger girls gasp. Kim grabs Trini's arm in horror.
"But as you know, I follow the new Amazon law. So since you are so keen on living in the past, to our past is where I send you. We have no place for you here. You are hereby banished from Istria and from Thracia. You and your followers may go back to the Thermodon and the old ways. You want to be queen so badly, Oreithyia. Fine, form your own tribe of Amazons. But, I will send messengers to all the other tribes letting them know of your treason. If you try to join another band of Amazons, they have my permission--no, my _order_--to kill you on sight. That applies to you too, Damiana."
"Queen Cyrene," Alex says, "may I speak?"
"Yes, Alex, come forward."
"Your majesty, in our country when someone unknowingly becomes involved in a crime, the court often gives that person a lesser punishment."
"This is NOT your country," Cyrene says more sharply than Alex is comfortable with.
"No, it's not," Alex tries to check her temper. "But although Damiana isn't completely innocent, she's not completely guilty either. She was duped. Oreithyia had her thinking she was just being helpful...just being loyal. Damiana did what any dutiful Amazon would do when asked by her superior."
"She should've realized she was committing treason."
"Should've? My queen, we didn't realize Oreithyia was planning on committing treason until she shot her mouth off at Aella. How could Damiana know when Oreithyia only asked her to do seemingly normal things, and usually in front of other people? Damiana didn't realize Oreithyia and Titus were lovers. She thought it was all some strange technique to trap him."
"In that situation, who could've been so foolish as to NOT see and recognize Oreithyia's plan?" Cyrene asks.
"Alcippe," Ephanine says and comes forward. "And she ended up dead. My little blood sister also dutifully followed Oreithyia once. She carried out Oreithyia's wishes without question, believing that it would make her a better warrior. Instead, Oreithyia's blood lust poisoned Alcippe's mind."
Kim looks down at her boots. A shiver runs up her spine when she realizes that she is wearing the boots of someone deceased.
"Alcippe knew exactly what she was doing," laughs Oreithyia.
"Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. All I know was that she was young and impressionable. So when you provoked that scuffle with Graken two summers ago, she followed you and your blood lust dutifully. She was about Damiana's age and a lot like her in spirit. I swore the day I lay her on the funeral pyre that I wouldn't let you do the same to my niece Damiana."
Ephanine walks over and hugs Damiana's slumped shoulders.
"I'm sorry I failed you," Ephanine says quietly, fighting to restrain her tears.
Damiana is so dumbfounded by Ephanine's admission and comment that she can't manage to say anything at all.
"Queen Cyrene," Prince Triton says, "if I may...."
The Queen nods approval.
"I have to admit I was doing some pretending while I was in your 'care'. Though I do have quite a large lump on my head, it actually didn't keep me knocked out quite as long as I led you to believe."
Queen Cyrene gives him an "Oh?" expression.
"I heard the girl come into the stable to see Titus the day he was brought in," Prince Triton says. "I think the girl did somewhat fancy him. Obviously, she hasn't had much experience in dealing with men."
Damiana cringes.
"Titus," Triton says to him, "your attempt to woo this young woman was quite possibly the worst I've ever heard. It's a good thing for you that she was naive enough to believe you. You gave her something--a ring perhaps--a small token of your affection. Knowing you, probably stolen. Then you went to kiss her. Why she'd want to kiss _you_ I'll never know, but fortunately Ephanine and her friend arrived before you could."
"Fortunate, indeed," Trini thinks, reminded of Carlos and Ashley.
"What about the knife that killed Clete?" Cyrene asks.
"Damiana definitely brought it in, but I don't think she realized what it was. It was wrapped. She said it was a package from Oreithyia and that Oreithyia said he should wait to open it until nightfall. Which, of course, he didn't."
Oreithyia and Titus look at one another with venomous stares.
"He waited until most of the Amazons were occupied with your ritual. We overheard the sentry tell another Amazon that was what you were doing. Then Titus attacked me. The Amazon sentry heard us scuffling and came in. The two grappled for a while. Titus stabbed her just as Damiana got to the stable door. Then Titus came after me again. He would have stabbed me as well if Damiana hadn't hit him with two feed buckets. It was enough to stun him and make him momentarily lose his grip on the knife. I guess he wanted to escape before the rest of the Amazons were alerted. He bowled right over top of Damiana, knocking her to the ground. Another Amazon on a horse came. He slashed her with the knife and dragged her off her horse. Titus then used the horse to escape. Damiana alerted others of Titus's escape and the Amazon's wounds. Then she grabbed a horse and took off after Titus."
"I see," says Cyrene. "Prince Triton, it is good of you to speak on Damiana's behalf, especially since this whole incident has left you with fewer kinsman than you came to Thracia with. We regret this unfortunate incident and offer our apologies for the loss of your soldiers."
"Yes, it is a regretable situation," says Triton. "However, as my father told me, forming peace treaties often requires patience and understanding. Titus duped us all. It would be easy to end the alliance based on the circumstances, but I believe our kingdoms would both benefit by maintaining the relationship. So I will advise my father to keep his peace agreement with you, and hold Titus accountable for our losses."
"That is good of you. To celebrate our renewed relationship with King Krokus's kingdom--and to celebrate our victory with the help of our American Amazon sisters and their friends," Cyrene smiles at the Ranger girls, "we would like to invite you and your soldiers to a feast this evening. We will also supply you with provisions for your journey home."
"Thank you," says Prince Triton, "We gladly accept."
"Take the prisoners away," Cyrene says to the guards. "We will deal with them after the celebration."
The guards drag the three captives to their feet. Damiana chokes back her fear and sadness. The look on Oreithyia's face causes chills to run up Damiana's spine. She has no doubt what will happen once Oreithyia and her sword encounter Damiana alone.
"Queen Cyrene," Prince Triton says, "in a gesture of friendship and cooperation, I would like to suggest two of your Amazons return with me to Athens. There, they can act as ambassadors for Istria and help us further our peace accord and trade agreement between our kingdoms."
"Agreed," Cyrene replies and then turns to Ephanine. "Ephanine, once you have fully recovered, I would like for you to be our ambassador. Please choose another sister worthy of such a great honor to accompany you."
Ephanine looks at Aella and then at Trini and then turns to face Cyrene.
"I choose...Damiana."
Damiana looks up in shock.
"Ephanine!" Cyrene says in exasperation.
"Queen Cyrene," Triton jumps in, "I would be pleased to have Damiana as an ambassador. She saved my life."
"And her bravery brought Titus to justice," Alex adds.
"She truly was first in her class," Aella adds finally, giving Cyrene, her oldest and closest friend, a compassionate look.
Cyrene sits silently for a few moments and then says, "So be it. Release Damiana. Take the others away."
Oreithyia and Titus grumble and struggle as they are led away.
Ephanine cuts the binds from Damiana's hands and gives her a tearful hug. Aella does the same. Afterwards Trini, Kim, and Alex join together to give Damiana a group hug.
"Prince Triton, please tell your men to join us at sundown for the celebration." Cyrene smiles.
"We are looking forward to it," Triton replies with a smile.
"I bet they are," Ephanine says knowingly under her breath to the small group that surrounds Damiana.
One of the Amazon guards catches the eye of one of Triton's entourage. She smiles coyly at him and then winks.
A roaring bonfire burns in the background, its light bouncing off Cyrene's ceremonial armor and cuffs. She has the royal mask pushed back on her head so she can speak clearly. Kim, Trini, and Alex stand before her with Cassie and the guys slightly behind them.
"...And so we honor our American Amazon sisters and their friends for saving our lives not once, but twice. First from the dreaded disease and secondly from Titus's treachery," Cyrene proclaims. She steps down from her throne and approaches the girls. Cyrene takes off her left cuff and places it on Kim's forearm. She then grips both of Kim's forearms in the Amazon greeting gesture.
"Kimberly, you put your own life in danger and faced fear head-on to lead our sisters in the assault against Titus. Your act of bravery and cunning will be remembered and retold as a teaching story to young Amazon initiates for generations to come."
Cyrene releases Kim, passes over Trini, and faces Alex. Cyrene places her other cuff on Alex and grasps her forearms.
"Alex, no one could ask for a more loyal friend than you. Even after Damiana treated you unkindly, you came to her aid, found the good in her, and defended her. You embody the ideal of sisterhood, and we will forever consider you our greatest ally."
Cyrene releases Alex and turns to face Trini. She grasps Trini's forearms.
"Trini, to you I am most indebted for your wisdom and skill not only saved my life but the life of my people. Truly, Athena has blessed you with her knowledge and the Fates have woven an important future for you. I understand your need to return to your people--the absence of their powerful shaman must be sorely felt. But know that there is always a place for you here--for all of you," Cyrene adds looking at Kim and Alex as well.
"Please take this with you, Trini, to show your sisters," Cyrene says removing her mask and placing it on Trini's head. "Let it signify your permanent place in our tribe and our everlasting debt to you three."
Cyrene steps back from the girls and smiles.
"Now, let the celebration begin!" Cyrene shouts jovially.
The ceremonial drums begin and some of the Amazons begin chanting and dancing around the fire. Alex taps her feet.
"Oh, Alex, just go for it." Kim laughs.
"You'll regret it if you don't," Trini says and gently pushes Alex toward the dancers.
Alex walks hesitantly over to the fire. Seeing her uncertainty, a dancing Lete grabs Alex's hand and pulls her into the circle. After a moment or two of shuffling while observing, Alex gets her groove on and performs the dance uninhibited.
Standing off to the side, Kim and Trini whoop with laughter at their friend's enthusiasm.
"Your friend is quite the dancer," Aella says to the girls.
"That she is." Trini smiles.
"There must be some heck of a party over at Prince Triton's camp," Kim says, spotting an Amazon and a soldier linking arms and heading off into the woods. Kim recognizes the Amazon as the one from the Queen's tent earlier who had winked at one of Triton's entourage. "That's the third couple I've seen take off."
Ephanine and Aella look at one another knowingly and roar with laughter.
"What did I say?" Kim asks innocently.
Adam and Tommy laugh politely but awkwardly. Trini throws her arm around her friend's shoulder and laughs.
"You know, Damiana," Ephanine says quietly to the girl, "you're 'of age' now. You too could find a new friend and go to Triton's 'party.'"
Damiana shifts from foot to foot in discomfort.
"Uh, no, I don't believe I need to make any new friends tonight," Damiana says twisting the moonstone ring around her finger. "In fact, I don't need to be making any new friends at all until I make ammends with Artemis."
"Suit yourself," Ephanine says, catching the eye of a muscular Athenian guard and smiling.
"Woo!" Alex pants, stumbling up to the circle with Lete in tow. "Wow, what fun!"
The young Amazon who fingered Adam's curls earlier appears on the edge of the circle. She smiles at him, looks away to the woods, and turns to smile at him again. Alex's smile quickly dissipates when she witnesses the action. Adam fidgets under the circumstances. Her smile returning, Alex decides to let him off the hook. She wraps her arms arund his waist and gives him an empassioned kiss. She hears Kim tell an incredulous Damiana, "Yes, in our culture, we usually try to pairbond for life. Like Alex and Adam--they hope to get married pretty soon."
"Are you and Trini pairbonded with men too?" Damiana asks.
"Uh, no. At least not presently," Kim says, looking awkwardly at Tommy, though she didn't really mean to.
Lete sidles up to Tommy, running her hand appreciatively across his chest and down his bicep. "I hope you aren't pairbonded."
Tommy stammers some nonsensical syllables. Kim stifles a giggle. Tommy steps closer to Adam to escape Lete's pawing.
"Wow, look at the time," Tommy says looking at his watch, though it is the wrong time. "We really need to head home, guys. Dimitria is under a lot of strain. We shouldn't let her suffer any longer."
"You're right. We'd better head back," Trini says, looking around. "Has anyone seen Cassie and Phantom?"
"I hope they're not 'doing as the Romans do'," Alex says mischieviously. "Ohhhh...Caaaaassie...," Alex croons into her communicator. No answer. Alex tries again. "Caaaasssie, don't make me have to get Artemis to locate you and Phantom on her viewing screen...."
"You called?" Cassie says emerging from the woods. Phantom emerges behind her straightening his helmet.
The Rangers say their final goodbyes as Phantom contacts Billy about opening up the portal again.
"You better take Artemis through first, Alex," Phantom says. "Wouldn't want her to run over anybody."
"Oooo!" Adam shouts at Alex, "Can I drive?"
"No, you can't," Alex replies firmly.
"Aw, c'mon, Alex. I let you drive my motorcycle even though it was against my better judgement."
"What do you mean 'against your better judgement'?!" Alex looks miffed.
"Remember? You dinged my bike and Zordon chewed my butt out for it," Adam reminds her. "But being the loving fiance that I am, I still let you drive it any way."
"Well, _somebody_ drive it or send Artemis on her own. The portal is now open," Phantom says, his hands up to his temples.
"Alright, alright," Alex capitulates.
With an enthusiastic whoop, Adam jumps onto Artemis and revs the engine. Alex slides on behind him. Her final wave to the Amazons ends abruptly as she grasps frantically for Adam. They enter the portal doing a wheelie.
"Easy!" the Rangers hear Alex yell.
Kim and Trini finish their final round of hugs.
"I hear a double-decker, bacon cheeseburger calling me. Let's go home." Kim links her arm in Tommy's and pulls him into the portal.
Trini smiles at her new friends and then puts the royal mask on proudly. She walks confidently into the portal.
"I'll be waiting for you," Cassie says, her hands resting gently on Phantom's metal chest plate.
With obvious mental effort, Phantom lowers one hand from his temple and gently caresses Cassie's cheek.
"I'll hurry," he says, and returns his hand to his temple.
Cassie turns, looks back at Phantom, and then enters the portal.
**Billy, Dimitria,** Phantom Ranger projects back to the Power Chamber, **I'm coming through now, then we can close the portal.**
Phantom takes one last look at the Amazon camp and then steps inside the portal.
The ride back to the Power Chamber is much smoother than the one to Ancient Greece. Alex can feel the portal pulling them. She *grasps* onto the pulling force allowing Artemis to make a straight shot back to the Power Chamber. Alex wraps her arms tighter around Adam's waist as they see the end of the swirling time portal. Like bursting through the surface of a tranquil, silent ocean into the loud, air-filled surroundings, Artemis bursts through the gateway of the portal and into the Power Chamber.
"Brakes!!!!" Alex yells both verbally and mentally.
Artemis skids to a stop, sliding sideways to break her momentum. Alex and Adam both drop their left legs to keep the motorcycle from completely going horizontal. They hear Alpha gasp.
"That was too close," Adam says, taking a gulp of air. He uses his right hand to measure the distance between Artemis and some of the irreplaceable machinery in the Power Chamber.
"Another 2 inches and that computer would have been history," Alex says.
"I am always in control of my power, Purple Ranger," Artemis answers indignantly.
"Billy! Man, I'm so glad to see you!" Adam slides off Artemis and rushes to Billy's ellaria.
"You too. I wish that I was in a more concrete form. I would love to stay and catch up with everybody," a still slightly graying Billy says. "Unfortunately, my time is almost up. I know that I'm taxing to Dimitria. Plus, I've got to get back to the problems here on Aquitar."
"You can't leave yet, Billy." Alex walks up to stand beside Adam. "There is someone you need to talk to."
"I know," Billy says seriously.
"BILLLLLYYY!" Kim's perky voice shrieks as she and Tommy step through the portal and into the Power Chamber.
Cassie follows only seconds behind them. She has a pleasantly distracted look on her face. A moment later Phantom Ranger passes through. Dimitria lights up her tube as soon as Phantom Ranger arrives.
"The mission was a success?" an obviously tired Dimitria says to Phantom Ranger.
"Yes, we have restored peace to the area, cured the sick, and brought our Rangers safely home," Phantom Ranger informs her. "We will release Billy shortly. I know that maintaining the ellaria is difficult for you."
"Thank you, Phantom Ranger. Yes, I can feel my powers weakening. I need to release the ellaria and recharge some," Dimitria says.
Billy's image begins to flicker. "Wait. Where's Trini?" he says.
"She was right behind us," Alex says. "Did you pass her, Kim?"
"No, I didn't see her. Cassie?" Kim asks.
"Nope, me neither," Cassie answers.
"Please, find Trini quickly. I can't keep the portal open for much longer," Dimitria says, concern slipping into her voice.
Billy's image disappears for a moment and then reappears. Then the warning sirens go off.
"Dammit!" Alex swears. "We don't need this now."
"Rangers," Dimitria says weakly. "Divatox must know that I am weak and has decided to take advantage of the situation."
"I'll go get TJ and the gang," Cassie says and heads toward the door.
"Cassie, wait," Dimitria says. "Though the Rangers are healing quickly, I do not believe that they are ready for battle yet. Former Rangers, can you defeat Divatox's Piranhatrons in the park?"
"Can we defeat some Piranhatrons?" Tommy says cockily.
"Let's go kick some lousy fish tail!" Adam says and then quickly adds, "No offense, Billy."
"None taken," Billy says, disappearing again.
"Shift into Turbo! Desert Thunder Turbo Power!" Adam begins.
"Wind Chaser Turbo Power!"
"Red Lightning Turbo Power!"
"Guys, I can't leave while Trini is still missing," Kim says regretfully. "She's my best friend."
"Mine too," Alex adds. "We'll be there as soon as we can."
"I will contact Blue Centurion for you, Rangers. He will join you shortly," Alpha says.
"Let's go then," Cassie says, and the trio disappear in streaks of brilliant light.
"I will return into the portal to search for Trini," Phantom tells them. "Dimitria, just a moment longer please."
Dimitria nods, her eyebrows furrowing from the strain. Billy has been gone for over a minute now. Alex wonders if Billy will still be there when Trini arrives. Alex and Kim stand silently at the edge of the portal as Phantom Ranger steps back in. They unknowingly hold their breaths during the wait.
"What if Trini is lost forever? What if she ended up somewhere else?" Kim says.
"How would we ever find her again without her Power signature?" Alex adds.
Dimitria groans from the strain. The time portal begins to shrink.
"Hold on, Dimitria. Just a few more minutes," Kim says, peering into the black hole anxiously.
Suddenly an arm with a cuff bracelet shoots out of the center of the portal. Kim gasps. The fingers wiggle, trying to grasp onto something. Relieved that the arm seems to still be attached to a body, Alex mentally and physically grabs Trini's hand and yanks her through the portal.
"Trini! Thank God you are okay!" Kim gushes, giving Trini a big hug.
"What happened?" Alex asks.
"I guess I lost my way. I had second thoughts about leaving Istria. Maybe I should have stayed there. I'm not sure that I am really needed here, at least not right now," Trini answers honestly, fingering the Queen's mask still perched on her head.
"What are you talking about?" Alex asks in shock. "We need you. _I_ need you. Being shut out of your life was the worst punishment I've ever received."
"I wasn't punishing you, Alex," Trini answers. "You weren't even on Earth for part of the time. I just needed some space from the Rangers. You are so close to Adam, and he just reminded me of the pain the Rangers caused me. I'm sorry. I won't ever do it again."
"You better not." Alex gives Trini a playful punch in the arm.
Phantom Ranger steps out of the rapidly shrinking hole.
"Dimitria, you may close the portal now," Phantom Ranger says and then turns to the girls. "Ladies, we must go help the others in battle."
"Battle? Oh no, not Divatox already," Trini groans.
"Yep, she never learns," Alex says and then turns to Dimitria, "Can Trini take Ashley's powers for a little while?"
"Alex, I think I want to pass. I mean, if you really need me, of course, but otherwise, I'm ready to put my crime fighting days behind me. I want to have a normal--albeit boring--life," Trini says soberly.
"Then so be it," Alex says sadly but not in anger. "SHIFT INTO TURBO! STAR RUNNER TURBO POWER!"
"MOUNTAIN BLASTER TURBO POWER!" Kim suits up again.
"Let's go!" Phantom Ranger says, and the trio disappear.
With a sigh of relief, Dimitria releases the portal. It rapidly shrinks and then completely disappears. Trini hears the door whoosh as Alpha leaves to check on the sick Rangers. Trini walks around the Power Chamber silently, pretending to look at the computer monitors. She removes the mask from her head and places it down on an empty table. She fingers the decorative feathers, her mind slipping back to her recent adventure.
"Trini?"
Trini jumps and quickly turns around. Dimitria's tube is dark, Alpha is gone, and the whole Power Chamber feels dead. A light intensifies and soon a middle-aged version of Billy appears.
"Billy?!" Trini gasps.
"Trini, I can only stay a moment longer. I have to return to Aquitar. They need me," Billy says with pain crossing his face. "But I had to tell you....I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I hope that one day you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. I never meant to hurt you."
"I'm sorry too, Billy. I realize now that I didn't want to let you go to Aquitar because that would mean admitting my defeat. My pride stood in the way of my better judgement. I'm sorry. I just couldn't let you go. I didn't want you to leave me."
"I know. Even with the best treatments here on Aquitar, my recovery is going slowly. I'm so sorry, but I just had to go. I apologize for being so callous about it though. I didn't mean to rip the team apart. I'm sorry I ruined your friendship with the other Rangers," Billy says remorsefully.
"I'm trying to repair it. It's just going to take a while," Trini says, looking up at Billy's ellaria, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.
Billy's image begins to fade.
"Billy, wait!" Trini says, coming closer to the ellaria.
"Trini, I'm sorry. I have to go. Please, try to heal the rift between you and the other Rangers. We were all so close once. Don't let a wonderful friendship end over this unfortunate situation. You'll never find better, more loyal friends than the Power Rangers." Billy disappears. A moment later he reappears one last time. "Goodbye, Trini. I don't know when we will meet again, if ever. If not, please know that you were the first love of my life. And I wouldn't change that for anything. We made a great team. Together we could accomplish anything. Hey, who else deserved a constellation named after her? Thank you for caring about me."
Billy disappears, and the Power Chamber is empty. Trini walks to a nearby computer and fiddles with the knobs. Soon a view of space appears on the Viewing Globe. Trini rotates the view until she finds the constellation she was looking for. _Trini's Heart._
"The point of the heart is where Aquitar is," Billy's voice echoes in Trini's mind as if he were still laying beside her during their camping trip.
Trini's sobs echo through the Power Chamber.
Ten minutes later Dimitria lights up her tube again. Trini wipes her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffs.
"The Rangers are returning," Dimitria tells her gently.
Trini sniffs again, trying to pull herself back together quickly.
Colorful lights stream into the Power Chamber followed by a huge ruckus. Everyone, except Phantom, removes his/her helmet.
"Whooohoo!" Tommy whoops. "Man, that felt good. I haven't had that much fun in a long time."
Trini plasters a smile on her face though her eyes are still red from crying. She says cheerfully, "So Divatox was defeated?"
"Easily," Adam answers.
"Same crap, different day," Cassie adds. "Divatox never changes. Send in the Piranhatrons, plant a detonator, make a monster grow, yadda, yadda, yadda....Kaboom! Rangers go home victorious and Divatox sulks."
"Now, that's not totally true," Kim says. "Divatox did actually show up today and attempt to plant the detonator herself. She should at least get an 'A' for effort."
"But the Life Ring...or whatever-in-the-hell that monster was...was so LAME," Cassie argues. "She deserves a 'C-', and I'm being very generous."
"I did bring home a little souvenir this time." Alex giggles. From behind her back, Alex pulls out Divatox's crown/eyepiece. "What do you think? Is it me?" Alex puts it on and does her best Divatox snarl.
Trini smiles in spite of herself.
"Hey, look who's here!" Adam says.
Everyone turns to face the door. The Turbo Rangers hobble through the doorway. Justin leans heavily on TJ, and Carlos has an arm wrapped tightly around Ashley's waist for support.
"We watched the whole fight from the monitor in the Medical Center. Too cool!" Justin says.
"I think I have something that belongs to you," Kimberly says, taking off her Turbo morpher. She immediately morphs back into her Amazon attire. She hands the morpher back to Justin. "Thanks for letting me borrow it. We couldn't have defeated Titus's army without it."
The rest of the Rangers power down. Adam and Tommy hand over their borrowed morphers.
"Thanks for the thrill ride, TJ," Tommy says, clasping TJ's hand.
"Any time. You know all you have to do is ask," TJ says.
"So, did we ever find out what the virus was?" Carlos asks.
"Not really." Trini shrugs. "We know that Titus was the host, and he had been at the Wells of Artemis. Maybe it was something in the water. But then again, the Amazons had been using the Wells for a long time as a water supply without a problem."
"Maybe Artemis hexed him for defiling her temple," Alex adds smugly.
"C'mon, don't tell me you buy all that gods and goddesses stuff," Tommy says.
"Nah, not really. But Phantom's tricks were very impressive," Alex says. "How'd you manage the eclipse?"
"I didn't do it," Phantom answers. "A lucky coincidence, I guess."
"I liked when my arrow burst into flames right at Graken's feet," Cassie says. "How'd you do that?"
"Uh, I didn't do that either," Phantom says with a shrug.
"Spooky!" Kim says, glancing nervously from Alex to Trini.
"How about we name the virus in Artemis's honor?" Alex suggests.
"Good idea," Trini says. "Alpha, catalog the Rangers' blood samples under 'A' for Artemis's Revenge."
"You got it, doll," Alpha answers.
"Well, this has possibly been the most eventful Spring Break that I've ever had," Cassie says and then sneezes. "Ah, man! I thought I was over this stupid cold."
"Now that your body is coming down off its adrenalin-high, your body will need to finish healing itself," Phantom Ranger says.
"Well, at least now you can go back to your original plan," Justin reminds Cassie. "Go sleep the rest of Spring Break."
"Maybe later," Cassie says, but thinks, "I'm not going to waste any of my valuable 'Phantom Time' asleep."
"I want to go home," Justin says.
"Let's all go home," Ashley suggests.
"Well, _I'm_ going to the Youth Center for a burger and a Cherry Pepsi," Alex announces. "And you all are welcomed to join me--though I'll need about five minutes to get changed first. I don't think the Youth Center is quite ready for this outfit."
Several of the Rangers decide to take Alex up on her offer. Only Trini is silent.
"Aren't you coming, Trini?" Adam asks.
"I think I'm going to go back to Florida now," Trini answers.
"Yeah, to get some clothes. And then we'll be right back," Kim says, swinging an arm around Trini's shoulders.
"No, I think I'll just stay there. I want to go to the library and look up some ancient Greek history."
"Why would you want to do that?" Justin asks.
"Yeah, like been there, done that," Kim adds.
"I'm just curious to see if any of our escapade leaked over into ancient Greek history," Trini says.
"Kind of gives you a big head, huh, to think that you are a legend now?" Alex teases.
Trini shrugs.
"C'mon, Trini! We're still on Spring Break. Let's live a little. Let's go visit some of our old haunts in Angel Grove. It'll be a blast. Plus, you and Alex have to help me figure out the best way to dump Trevor when we finally go back to Florida." Kim holds a cuffed wrist in the air. "Trevor is history."
"Wachooo!" Phantom Ranger sneezes.
"Looks like somebody has caught Cassie's cold," TJ says.
"How could he have caught it? Unless....noooo. Maybe?" Alex says.
Cassie blushes.
"Oh! Excuse me for a moment. I am going to have to go clean out my helmet," Phantom Ranger says sheepishly.
"Eww!" Several of the Rangers say in unison and then head for the door.
"Here's the plan," Kim announces, grabbing Alex and Trini and pulling them back a few steps. "Dinner with the gang, then sleep over at Trini's. We have details to discuss, you know. Then tomorrow, we shop!"
"Can I steal Alex for a while?" Adam asks, putting a possessive hand on Alex's shoulder. "I haven't seen her in over a month."
"I guess," Kim says with a mock exasperated sigh.
"Alex, what are you doing?" Trini asks as Alex drops to her knees and crawls around the Power Chamber floor on all fours.
"Have you seen my communicator? I think it fell off?" Alex sticks her hand underneath one of the consules and fishes around.
"Alex!?" Trini says exasperated. "How many is that now, 10?"
"Try 3," Alex corrects Trini. "I only lost my communicator twice before now. The catches on them just aren't secure."
"Yeah, sure. It's amazing that you are the only one who ever loses her communicator," Adam teases.
Alex shrugs. "Can you make me a new one, Trini?"
"Not my job. I don't know who is in charge of doing repairs and replacements now a days," Trini says.
"Yeah, that was always Billy's job. He was forever fiddling with our communicators," Kim says.
Trini bites her lip, her last few moments with Billy replaying in her mind.
"Are you guys coming?" Tommy says, coming back through the door.
Tommy locks eyes with Trini. She immediately drops her eyes to the floor and then over to Cyrene's mask. With a deep breath for encouragement, Trini removes the mask from the table and walks over to Tommy. She places a hand on his shoulder.
"Tommy, can we talk sometime?" Trini says, gathering all the courage she can muster. "Billy wanted us...I mean...I want us to be friends again. Can we sit down and iron some things out?"
"Yeah, I'd like to," Tommy says with a small smile.
Trini visibily relaxes.
"What are we waiting for then? Let's go!" Kim walks up behind the pair and throws an arm around each of their shoulders.
"Trini, I want you to know that I think your and Alex's plan back there was really great. I think it worked much better than mine would have," Tommy admits humbly.
"Thanks," Trini beams, placing the mask on the top of her head.
Kim leads them out the door. Alex can't stop from snickering as she sees Tommy suddenly leap into the air--Kim had goosed him. The door wooshes closed.
"It's gone. I must have lost it in Greece or in the portal." Alex stands back up and brushes the dirt off her hands. "Let's get going too."
"Wait a minute," Adam says, pulling Alex backwards and into a strong embrace.
"I've missed you," Adam whispers into Alex's ear.
"I've missed you too." Alex looks up into Adam's warm, brown eyes.
"It's hard being out on the road all the time. You're lucky to still be in Angel Grove with all your friends," Adam says wistfully and then leans down to kiss Alex.
It is like kissing a statue. Adam looks up with a confused expression.
"I'm in trouble, aren't I?" Adam says, picking his brain. "I missed your birthday. No, that was earlier. Our anniversary? That's it. I forgot our anniversary, right?"
Alex pushes away from Adam angrily and turns her back on him. "No."
"Are you still mad about me cancelling our last visit together at the last moment? I said I was sorry. I didn't have a choice. They added an extra week of shows. I couldn't just leave. I thought we were finished with this argument," Adam says, trying to turn Alex around.
"You just don't get it, do you?" Alex says angrily. "Being stuck in Angel Grove by myself isn't exactly fun. My classes are boring. My dad spends more time in Washington, D.C., than at home anymore. Our Rangers are all on their own now. I don't really even know the new Rangers. My best friend lives in Florida, and I haven't really made any new friends. And to top it off, I get to see my fiance once every couple of months when it is convenient with his schedule! My life sucks presently. If the portal back to the Amazons were to open up again, I think I'd jump back through and stay there!"
"So this isn't about our Engagement Anniversary," Adam asks.
"Damn it, Adam. Our anniversary is next month!"
"I'll make a mental note," Adam says. "C'mon, Alex. Have a seat."
Adam drags a reluctant Alex over to a table and pulls out a chair for her. Alex sits stiffly in the chair, her arms firmly folded across her chest. Adam stands closely beside her though Alex is presently trying to ignore him.
"My second guess was going to be Jade, but obviously that wasn't the issue either," Adam says.
"Miss Thing IS part of the problem," Alex snaps, trying not to be too immature.
"What about her?" Adam asks, genuinely perplexed.
Alex rolls her eyes and lets out a "hmpf".
"Are you jealous of Jade? You are, aren't you?" Adam realizes as Alex squirms around. Then he begins to laugh. "Alex, trust me. She isn't interested in me. I'm not going to lie. She did flirt with me when we went out for dinner, but it was just because she was trying to butter me up. When I told her that I wouldn't break my contract with the stunt show, she immediately cooled off. Besides, she only dates the big players, not little company peons. Why would she be interested in me?"
"Because you have more talent than the rest of the company peons combined," Alex says, still pouting. "And you're smart. And you're incredibly handsome."
Alex bites her lip to keep from smiling and then adds, "And you're a hotty in your little Egyptian outfit."
Adam laughs loudly and kneels down so that he can look Alex in the eye.
"If anything, Alex, you should thank Jade," Adam says, tilting her head up gently with his hand so that she will look him in the eye. "When upper management caught wind of her propostion, they made a counter offer. Legally, I could have broken my contract right there because of a minor technicality, but I chose to honor it instead. They were afraid to lose me. They are 'grooming' me, they said, to be their next star. Plus they are hoping that I will join their new tour starting next summer--as a headliner. They raised my salary to that of a principle actor. I still don't make as much as the headliners, but now I make double what the company does."
"The next tour?" Alex says sadly.
"We'll be married by then. You can come with me. I'll be important. I'll try to talk them into giving you a choreography job or dance job of sorts in the show," Adam says excitedly.
"I don't know," Alex says seriously. "I don't really know what I want. I just want you though. I'm tired of seeing you only a few days here and there."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know that you were so lonely here." Adam gently brushes Alex's cheek with his hand. "I thought you were really busy. Mom said that she only sees you once a month max."
"Don't get me wrong, Adam. I really like your parents and all, but I feel really awkward at their house having dinner with them. I'm just waiting for them to say, 'So, how come when Adam comes home, we rarely get to see our son? Matter of fact, how come he insists on keeping his own apartment when he only sleeps there a month probably out of the year?'"
Adam laughs heartily. "Alex, they know why. It's one of those I-know-that-you-know-but-let's-pretend-otherwise kind of deals. You're just lucky I don't have any nosey siblings to embarrass you in front of my grandparents."
"Do your parents know that you are here now?" Alex asks.
"Heck no. They still don't know that we were Power Rangers. How would I explain this little escapade of yours? The stunt show gave me a week off, more if I need it," Adam says.
Alex does a mental calculation. "That means we have 5 full days left. Dad knows that I'm 'moonlighting.' He's off to D.C. again this afternoon for a week. Long as I check in with him to let him know I'm safe, I'm free for the rest of the week."
"Do you think we could hide from the world in my apartment for the rest of the week?" Adam asks slyly.
"Only if you wear the Egyptian outfit," Alex says with a wicked smile crossing her face.
Adam leans forward to kiss Alex and this time she kisses him back.
Damiana wipes the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, accidentally adding another dirt smear to her face. She grumbles under her breath as she carries another pile of horse manure to the heaping pile already accumulated in the wagon.
"I knew I wasn't going to get off that easy," Damiana mumbles. "I'd better work faster. Queen Cyrene isn't going to let me leave with Ephanine for Athens tomorrow if this stable isn't spotless. And I've GOT to have a bath before we go."
Sunlight suddenly bounces off a metallic object behind the Queen's tent. Damiana drops her pitchfork/rake and goes to investigate. She kneels down in the grass to inspect the object. Using her fingernails, Damiana pries the object out of the soft ground. She wipes the object off and holds it up the light.
"It's some sort of bracelet or maybe an anklet," Damiana thinks of the metal watch-like contraption with the purple detailing. Damiana shines the bracelet up on her tunic and admires it.
Damiana looks up to hear Lete clearing her throat. Lete peeks through the back of Queen Cyrene's tent--where she is currently repairing the rip.
"You better not let Queen Cyrene or Ephanine see you loafing, Damiana," Lete chastizes.
"I'm not loafing! Oh, never mind," Damiana says, seeing Ephanine out the corner of her eye.
Damiana puts the bracelet on her wrist--above her Amazon cuff--and walks briskly back to the stables and her pitchfork/rake.