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"Mirror, Mirror: A Call to Arms" is the another chapter in the life of Andros, Zane, and Carlos and the first chapter in the "Mirror, Mirror" series. This installment takes place approximately a year after "Not in Kansas Anymore Toto".
Power Rangers, Power Rangers in Space, Power Rangers Turbo, AlienRangers, and all characters from the series are trademarks of and copyright by Saban Entertainment.
The song snippets in this chapter are from "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On you" by NSYNC. I claim no ownership of the song. It's a great song and I felt it fit just right into the story.
Thanks everybody who gave me feedback on the stories. Y'all are great.
Jim, hey buddy...this is for you sweetie.
I welcome comments and suggestions. Send to marik_jol@yahoo.com or marik_jol@hotmail.com .
If you want to be notified when new installments in the "More the Merrier" series are posted, send a blank email to the following address and you will be sent a verification, follow the instructions and i will email you when new chapters come out.
Thanks, Jolan Tru ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A Call To Arms
TJ was walking through the mega-ship heading to the simudeck. It was late evening, he had been unable to sleep. Carlos was slept. TJ loved Carlos dearly, but there was times that he needed to be by himself. So he would sneak off to the simudeck for some relaxation. TJ's need for being alone has increased since the rangers from another dimension showed up. Something had been bothering him since then. He could not place his finger on the reason for his feelings. He had a knack for sensing trouble, and his knack had been going off for weeks. TJ shook his head to toss out those thoughts.
"I can't start this again." He muttered to himself.
"DECA, activate TJ-scene 1." He called out to the ships on-board artificial intelligence.
The room shifted into a cozy den in a log cabin. A fire was burning in the hearth. There was a huge, plush chair with a worn quilt. TJ grinned at the scene. It was the one place, besides in Carlos' arms, that he felt completely happy and safe. He walked over to the chair and picked up the quilt and held it tight to his chest. It was an exact replica of the one his grandmother had given him years ago. He wrapped it around his shoulders. He sat in the chair and curled up. His eyes were on the fire. It was oddly meditative to watch the fire crackle and bend. He took a deep breathe and closed his eyes, trying to calm his fears.
He replayed the events of the last few months. The arrival of the other rangers were a surprise and having two Carlos' was indeed a surprise. TJ had wondered why he could not tell his Carlos from the other. He ought to have known. But he was a little guilty for feeling that way toward the other Carlos. But in essence he was the same Carlos. It was so confusing. He felt and knew that the rangers heralded a change, something that will change things here forever. The earth had just survived and all out assault by the combined forces of evil and won. Supposedly all evil was wiped out but that is not possible, at least to TJ it is. The others blindly believed that all evil was gone. TJ knew better. Oh well, TJ thought I am just paranoid. TJ took a deep breath and fell off to sleep in the chair.
Carlos turned over on his side expecting to be able to lay his arm over a sleeping TJ. When his arm met rumpled bed sheets, he opened one eye and felt for TJ. He was slightly alarmed. He sat up and looked around. He was not in his quarters at all. Where could he be Carlos thought to himself. He laid back down and looked at the ceiling. He knew TJ was acting strange. TJ was always a paranoid sort but up until they had a visit from some surprising guests, he had been fine. What happened that caused him to seem so distracted. Andros had even been distracted, but this was understandable. Zane standing there in the flesh when he was supposed to be dead, would shock any person.
He will be back to bed, Carlos thought. He grabbed TJ's pillow pulled it close. It smelled like him. It comforted Carlos to no end. Soon he was back to sleep. He slept a short while till he was needing to answer mother nature. He turned over and stood up to walk to the bathroom, when he realized he was still alone. TJ had not returned to bed. Carlos went to finish his business. When he returned he grabbed a pair of linen lounge pants. He grinned as he put them on. He loved how they felt on his bare legs. They were so thin and light, it felt like you were wearing nothing. He did not bother with a shirt. Everybody else was asleep.
In the hallway, he yelled at DECA. "DECA, where is TJ?"
"TJ is in simudeck one." She answered.
"Simudeck one." He muttered to himself.
He turned on his heel and headed back the way he came toward the simudeck. It was a short jaunt to the simudeck. He stood outside the door. He hesitated to go in. Stepping forward the door sensed he was there and opened with a swish. Carlos scanned the program that was running. It was a replica of TJ's grandmother's cabin in the mountains. TJ took him there once and it was so beautiful. TJ and him spent wonderful nights of passion and ecstasy. Rarely ever getting dressed. Carlos knew exactly where TJ would be. He would have curled up in a huge plush chair with a torn, aged quilt. Carlos was right on the money. Carlos moved over to the chair. TJ was curled up tight, breathing lightly and in a deep sleep. Carlos mused on how cute TJ was when he slept. Carlos did not want to wake him. Carlos admired his lover laying asleep, as a song popped in his head.
...Never knew that love could feel like this and you changed my world with just one kiss. How can it be that right here with me there's an angel? It's a miracle
Your love is like a river peaceful and deep your soul is like a secret That I could never keep When I look into your eyes I know that it's true God must of spent A little more time On you
In all of creation All things great and small You are the one that surpasses them all More precious than Any diamond or pearl They broke the mold When you came into this world...
Carlos smiled at the song and whispered to DECA. "Create a pillow and another quilt."
"Acknowledged." DECA responded.
At his feet, a pillow and a folded quilt formed. He leaned the pillow up against the chair and leaned up against. He ran a finger down TJ's cheek, smiling big. He sat next to the chair. He curled up and pulled the quilt up tight. Soon he drifted off to sleep.
===
Morning came quickly. TJ stirred slightly. He open one eye and then the other. It only took a second to realize he was not alone. He could hear the sounds of snoring coming from the floor next to his chair. He looked down to the mass of long black hair. He had to grin. He must have been worried. Lightly he ran his fingers though the dark, wavy hair. He felt him stir. He moved his hand away and watched his lover wake.
"Hey babe." TJ said.
"Huh?" Carlos said. He did not wake well. "Oh, hey Teej. Sleep well."
"Yeah. When did you come down." TJ asked.
"Oh middle of the night. I woke up and you were not in bed and I got worried. I finally found you and you looked so beautiful and calm. So I decided not to wake you. And you know I can not sleep without you, so I curled up and went to sleep." Carlos said standing and stretching. He could see that TJ was wearing a silly grin. "What?"
TJ pointed and Carlos looked down. His pants were noticeably tented. Remnants of his morning erection. "Oh my." Carlos said. "Look what happens when I am around you."
"Oh its my fault--" TJ said. "Well, I guess I need to take care of it." He finished as he sank to his knees in front of Carlos.
TJ reached up and started to massage the erect member. Carlos started to moan. TJ always enjoyed seeing Carlos in those pants. Rarely ever did Carlos wear any underwear, and you could see the outline of his dick so well. TJ popped the head out and started to chew lightly on the foreskin. Carlos shivered as he did that. TJ opened his mouth and engulfed it to the hilt. Carlos threw his head back. His hands went to the back of TJ's head. Rhythmically and slowly he started to fuck TJ's mouth. The head of his dick tickled the back of TJ's throat.
Carlos pulled out of his mouth and looked down at him. TJ knew that look. TJ got up and dropped his boxers. He climbed up in the chair and lifted his legs exposing his ass. Carlos kneeled and ran a finger over the exposed hole. He placed his hands on each side and spread the firm dark ass. TJ was always surprised at how long Carlos' tongue was. He could actually penetrate him with it. Carlos started to tease him. Carlos was pushing in deep. TJ was moaning and pushing back into Carlos. Carlos replaced his tongue with two fingers. He pushed them in and out and twisted them around. By now TJ was in the throws of pure animal lust. Carlos stood and lifted his ass to gain entry. He placed the head of his dick at TJ's hole. He lightly pushed the head in. Then a little more, then he drove it home. He was pumping in and out. He would come completely out and push in all at once. TJ held his legs in the air. Carlos grabbed hold of TJ's dick and started rubbing it. Up and down, taking his thumb and rubbing the sensitive underside of TJ dick. TJ tensed and felt the rush hit him. He came in a shower of spurts. His dark belly was covered in white puddles. He was breathing heavy.
When he regain himself he realized that Carlos was still working his ass. He reached up and pinched Carlos' nipples. TJ moved his hands to where the fresh cum still covered his stomach. He covered one finger with it and raised it to his mouth and cautiously licked it. He enjoyed the taste. He got another finger full and offered it to Carlos, who sucked it off his finger. Carlos leaned down and devoured TJ's mouth probing with his tongue. His thrusts were harder now. He threw his head back and screamed. Collapsing on TJ's chest, TJ wrapped his arms around Carlos.
Breathlessly he whispered to Carlos. "I love you so much. You don't know how much."
Carlos moaned and lifted his head. He put a crooked grin on. "I love you to."
They laid like that for a little longer. "Carlos we need to get up and get breakfast. We have a long day ahead of us."
"If we have to." He said giving me the puppy eyes.
"Now don't look at me that way. You know what that look does to me." TJ said.
They got dressed and turned the program off. TJ grabbed Carlos' hand and they walked out. Running right in to Cassie.
"Hey guys. Good morning." She said first looking at Carlos and eyeing his bare chest. Then she looked right at TJ. She gave TJ an odd look.
"Morning." Carlos said.
"Morning." TJ responded. "See ya at breakfast?"
"Yeah." She said giving me a stranger look. TJ and Carlos turned to leave and Cassie caught TJ arm.
"Carlos, I will catch up to ya." TJ said knowing something is up. As Carlos continued on TJ turned his attentions to the pink ranger. "What?"
She reached up and wiped something off the corner of my mouth. "Oh my." TJ knew exactly what it was. Thank goodness he was so dark or he would be beet red by now.
"Well, you look like the cat who ate the canary." She said breaking out laughing. "You already have had your protein, skip the bacon."
TJ slapped at her as she turned to head to the mess hall.
===
All the rangers were gathered at the table in the mess hall. They were chowing on their usual breakfast of bacon and eggs. Everytime TJ ate a piece of bacon he would glare at Cassie causing her to break up into laughter. The other rangers were looking at them as if they had lost their marbles.
"Ok what's up? What has you in stitches Cassie?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah give it up. What's up between you two?" Carlos said.
"Oh nothing. Nothing at all." TJ said not making eye contact with anybody and controlling the sudden urge to laugh.
"Cassie?" Andros asked.
"Oh long story -- long story." She said.
"Rangers there is a spacial disturbance forming on the outer edge of Angel Grove." DECA announced, breaking the reverie.
"What is forming it DECA?" Andros asked already up and heading to the door.
"Unknown at this time." The artificial intelligence replied.
"Ok everyone to the bridge. I knew this quiet life would not last." Andros said.
"You're right it is too good to be true." Cassie said.
Ever since their run in with their alternate selves, TJ felt that something bad was going to happen. That one single event was going to have a really major impact on their life. He could never put his finger on it. Could be pure and simple paranoia, TJ thought. TJ had reluctantly learned to trust his hunches. On the way out, Carlos caught TJ's arm. There was a look of fear and sudden comprehension in his eyes. Carlos turned to him.
"TJ. You okay." Carlos asked stopping TJ, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, just a little tired." He said covering his lapse.
"Bull." Carlos said. He crossed his arms. "Tyler Jordan Carter, now tell me the truth. You haven't been sleeping."
TJ chuckled. Every time Carlos used his full name he knew he was perturbed. And that any answer was not good enough. In fact when he got that way, arms crossed and him tapping his foot; he was so cute.
"You know when you look at me like that, I can't be mad with you. Now what's wrong." Carlos said grinning.
"It's nothing. I must be getting paranoid in my old age. That's all." TJ dismissed it.
"Oh really." Cassie said overhearing the conversation, she had been standing to the side. "Well old man what are you paranoid about."
"TJ, you have always had good instincts and we have come to trust your gut feelings." Ash said.
"Well, ever since we met the other Carlos, I felt that he heralded some dire consequences. Just his presence here spelled doom for us. And deep down we would be very sorry he ever showed up here." TJ said feeling an even darker cloud fall over him.
"So that's why you have been up all hours of the night." Carlos said. "Why didn't you talk to me about it?"
TJ shrugged. "Well last night was particularly bad. That's why I was at the simudeck." TJ said.
"Oh." Carlos responded.
"With it being that strong of a feeling and having you so perturbed, now I'm worried." Andros said.
Carlos regarded him for a second. "Come let's see what is up."
They all went to their respective stations and began their analysis. Each was unable to come up with anything. Nothing came up. Suddenly Alpha started to squeak and chirp frantically. He had his hands on his head.
"Ay, yi , yi. Rangers we really have a problem." Alpha said.
"Hey Alpha, what's wrong? What did you find?" Carlos asked.
But before the robot could finish alarms rang out on the bridge. DECA began to relay the findings. "Quantrons and pirhanatrons are converging on Angel Grove. Velocifighters heading north to Copperas Canyon." The artificial intelligence sounding surprised.
"Quantrons?!?!?!" Carlos queried. Carlos was watching the view screen. Suddenly he got sick to his stomach. "Guys, I am picking up quantrons all over the place.
"That can't be. Are you certain?" Andros asked.
"Yes." The computer stated simply.
"How could this be?" Cassie said with a look of fear in his eyes.
===
A dark, evil being sat back and watched all the comings and goings of the universe. Now the entity could rest on his laurels. The entire known galaxy was his to do with as he pleased. He controlled everything. There was no one left to oppose him. All the galaxies rangers were now space dust. He had dispatched Darkonda for his cunning ways. The creature laughed and laughed hard.
His ego was endless as was his power. The planet before him was a meager planet really not worth his work. His forces were quelling a minor uprising of the remaining populace. He got bored with these minor squabbles. As his boredom increased his patience lessened and with a wave of his massive hand, he vaporized the entire planet. Even his forces he sent down. He searched his mind for the name of the planet, oh yeah he thought, earth.
The entity was getting restless. It was boring now. No war or excitement in subjugating a defenseless worlds. He had conquered everything and he wanted more. This universe was not enough. He ran through his options and none seemed promising or game.
He felt something, a small shift in the balance of the universe. There was a disruption in the fabric of space time. He watched it. A small vortex appeared. Not a normal occurrence. As he probed it, he could feel another universe on the other side. He hadn't thought about alternate universes. He could conquer endless dimensions. He thought of that, his mind began to run through battle plans. And theoretically, he had a counterpart there, they could team up and wreak wonderful havoc. He called for his efficient right hand.
"I have a job for you." He said. "Astronema."
===
"Suit up, let's rocket." Andros said coming out of his surprise.
The rangers morphed. It felt strange to them. They hadn't morphed for months now and they thought that all the evil in the universe was gone. Or at least it should be. They had exited the ship leaving orders for Alpha to take the mega-ship into orbit and await further instructions. The galaxy gliders were speeding into the battle head first.
Destruction was everywhere. Half the city was laid to rubble, quickly and efficiently. TJ was shaking inside. His feeling was right. This is not good. Quantrons were herding people, cracking their energy whip at the people who were fighting back. TJ couldn't believe what was happening. His concentration faltered if only for a second. He felt a laser hit him square in the chest. He was knocked backward off the glider.
TJ landed with a hard thump. He was disoriented. He shook his head to clear his thoughts when a couple pairs of rough hands grabbed him. By instinct he started to fight. Throwing people left and right. Quantrons were laying in piles. One was getting lucky with quick shots to his side. One such hit made a sickening crunch. Pain shot through him. And a knife plunged deep into his leg. He collapsed from the pain. TJ was not scared to die. He just couldn't stand leaving his friends like this. He prepared himself for the final blow. The quantron lifted his sword over his head and then froze and fell forward on TJ. He attempted to roll the quantron off him. He felt a pair of hands grab the dead foot soldier.
A voice called out over the dirge of battle. "You alright."
Finally TJ could see his saviors face. He was strikingly handsome, smudges of dirt and scrapes covered his otherwise cherubic face. Well formed body, youthful face and a grim smile. His eyes shown with a hint of battle lust. Odd, TJ thought, but he seemed so familiar and he didn't know why. TJ froze for a second as a pirhantron raised a weapon behind the stranger.
"Behind you." TJ screamed.
The stranger brought himself down, lowering his center of gravity and swung around with a mean wheel kick. He pummeled the unsuspecting enemy with a series of punches and strikes. Soon it laid motionless on the ground before them.
"You alright." He said breathless.
"It seems like it. Thanks." TJ said.
"Anything for a ranger." The stranger said.
"You seem familiar. Who are you?" TJ asked.
"My name is Jason. I am one of the original rangers." He said drawing himself up in pride. "In fact the red ranger."
"Red ranger?" TJ was floored. He had never met any of the original rangers except Tommy.
"Yes." Jason answered.
"Well I'll be." TJ said as he tried to stand which was foolish because his injured leg could not support him right now.
"Hold on, let's dress your leg before you try to get up." He said as he bent down to examine the leg. "You are lucky, it didn't do much damage. But you need to stay off of it for a while."
"Well that would be great if we weren't in the middle of a battlefield." He said as explosions punctuated his declaration.
"Good point."
===
Carlos noticed his lover getting struck. "Carlos!!!!!!" Carlos swung his glider around.
Carlos was trying to make it to where TJ laid on the ground when he was broad sided by a fighter trying to ram him. He jumped off and rolled away. He rolled right into a foray of foot soldiers. He stood up and started wiping the floor with the ugly creatures.
He couldn't keep up. As he laid a group out more came his way. It seemed he was fighting a losing battle. He thought to himself that when they were fighting the battle of earth, they were never this outnumbered. He thought about calling everybody when he heard the sounds of keeyah's behind him. He turned to see a dark woman, smashing creatures left and right. She was short and kinda petit but one tough cookie. One pirhanatron managed to get hold of her. Alarmed Carlos headed toward her when a scream came out of nowhere and he saw a flash of green and a bunch of quantrons laying on the ground. Knocking creatures out of his way, Carlos got closer to the two individuals.
"Adam?" Carlos asked.
"Carlos?" The guy in green called out. He had a huge grin on his face. "My it's good to see you here.."
"Same here. Outrageous isn't it. I thought we could retire in peace." Carlos quipped.
"Never. Hey Carlos meet Aisha." Adam moved to the side turning to look at her. "Aisha, Carlos, the black ranger."
"Pleased to meet you." Aisha said extending her hand.
"What's going on? I thought all this was taken care of ." Adam said pulling his long hair back over his ear.
"Me too." Carlos said. "Me too. But this morning we were eating breakfast as a portal opened and quantrons came spilling out."
"Where are the other rangers?" Adam asked.
"They are a handling the quantrons in different areas." Carlos explained. "I need to find TJ. He was getting pummeled and I was going to help him when I was railroaded."
"TJ? I haven't met any of the current power team." Aisha said.
"Well, it seems you will get your chance." Adam said. "Let's go find them."
"I hope TJ is okay." Carlos said with a very worried expression. He lifted his arm and activated the communicator. "TJ, you read me." All he got was static. "TJ--TJ you there." His answer was a burst of static. "Oh god."
Adam looked at Carlos. He had a look of pure worry. He knows why. The way they looked at each other, they are real affectionate. Adam wrote it off at first as a deep friendship until he rounded a corner one day and hear some strange sounds coming from Carlos' quarters. Adam considered asking him about it. He decided not to. Carlos will tell him in his own time, he thought. But hasn't yet.
===
TJ and his new found companion walked along trying to find the others since his communicator was not working. It was damaged in one of the skirmishes. They seemed to run into batches of quantrons at every turn. Their exhaustion was showing. TJ knew they had to rest a bit. Besides it was getting dark.
"Hey Jason we need to rest. Let's find somewhere safe and take a break." TJ suggested.
Jason turned to look at him. Jason's faced was smeared with grime and blood from a cut near his right temple. "Sure I could use the rest. I forgot what it was like to be in full battle mode. And now without any powers. I am exhausted, Zedd never was this insistent."
"There is an alley. Let's just crash there for a bit." TJ said.
"That's fine." He said entering the alley.
They collapsed on some crates. "Man, what a day?" Jason said. He lifted his hand to move his hair out of his eyes. His hand grazed the sizeable cut on his forehead. "Yeow! Damn that hurt."
"How did you get that?" TJ asked.
"One of the quantrons smacked me with a pipe." Jason explained.
TJ looked at him. He had demorphed. "Hold on let me look at that." He said pulling out a handkerchief he had in his pocket.
Jason sat still as TJ blotted some of the blood away. Jason was surprised with how tender his touch was. As tender as--as Tommy. Jason could not help but hurt. He lost Tommy so long ago. And still he had not been able to move on. He had known for years since meeting Tommy, that he cared for him more than just a friend. But he never got up the courage to tell him. And there is no chance now. He had held Tommy's lifeless body in his arms. From that day on, Jason never was the same.
TJ noticed the change in Jason right away. He backed away and looked at the older man. "What's wrong?"
"Huh? what?" Jason asked finally coming back to the present.
"I asked what was wrong. You tensed and got a very hurt look on your face." TJ said.
"Oh it was nothing." Jason said.
"You know I haven't known you for long, but I can tell when I am being fed a line of bull. Did I hurt you or something?" TJ asked.
"Oh no! When you touched me reminded me of someone. You have such a gentle touch -- so much -- like--" He trailed off getting that blank look again.
TJ knew from the sound of it that it was somebody he cared for greatly. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Jason wondered whether he should resurrect those memories. It would hurt so much. "Well long ago, I cared for somebody. He had such a tender touch. Just like yours but stupid me never told him how I felt. And now I can't." Jason choked, fighting back tears.
"I am so sorry. I understand. But I am surprised." TJ said simply.
"Surprised by what?" Jason said casting his eyes toward the dark man that stood back giving him a look of pure wonder.
"I never knew you were gay." TJ said surprised and curious who it was that Jason loved so much. But something in the back of his mind told him who it was.
"Yeah, at the time I hadn't dealt with it. That was part of my problem." Jason said wiping a stray tear from his eye. "I was too scared to tell him. I was a coward and now he will never know how I felt about him."
"It is not cowardice. Being gay is not easy for anyone. Trust me I know. I am too." TJ said. He searched Jason's face for a hint of surprise and there was none.
Jason chuckled. "You are wondering why I am not surprised."
TJ nodded.
"I knew already. I am good at reading people." Jason said.
TJ shook his head and put his hand on Jason's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "It will be okay."
===
"Hey Carlos, he's okay man. If anybody could take care of himself, it is TJ." Adam said slapping Carlos on the shoulder.
"I hope so, I truly hope you are right. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to him." Carlos muttered under his breathe as Adam turned and scouted ahead.
Carlos turned and came face to face with Aisha. She had a strange look on her innocent face. She seemed to see right through him. "Hey Aisha."
"Hey Carlos." Aisha stood there a second more. "Carlos?" She paused for a second. "TJ means a lot to you doesn't he."
"More than you would ever know." He thought to himself. "It's difficult to explain, but yeah. He means the world to me." Carlos said sitting heavily on the rock.
"You love him. You love him a lot." Aisha said simply. "You two are lovers and Adam has no clue."
"No clue...what." Adam said from behind her.
"Nothing. You are being your usual self. Oblivious to everything." Aisha said poking him in the ribs.
"What?" He said confused.
Carlos snickered.
"Ask Carlos." Aisha said. "Guys I do not think it will be safe to stay in one place for very long."
They started walking. Adam kept glancing at Carlos. He saw such a dark look on his face. Adam was still perplexed as to what they were talking about. "Ask Carlos what?" He thought to himself.
Carlos saw him staring at him. Carlos thought it over and decided to tell Adam. He was long overdue to tell Adam, but they see so little of each other and it never seemed to come up. "Adam, there is something that you should know. About TJ and I."
"And that is?" Adam queried.
"Adam, I am gay." No matter how many times he uttered those words it never got any easier.
"You're what? With guys? Yuck ... gross ... blah..." He said making a face.
Carlos must have registered shock and hurt on his face. Aisha turned and gave Adam a look that would melt steel.
"Adam--?" Carlos muttered.
"Got ya--" Adam said laughing it up.
Aisha socked him a good one in the shoulder. "Ouch!!"
"You shit." She said.
"Carlos, I am cool with it. No problem. And to be honest I knew a long time ago." Adam said. "In fact I know that you and TJ are more than just friends."
"How?" Was all Carlos can mutter.
"Well remember when we last met up. I stayed on the mega-ship with you and the other Rangers. Well I was out in the hall way on my way to meet the other rangers for some basketball on the simudeck. And I heard some interesting sounds coming from your quarters. I thought to myself, `way to go Carlos'." Adam paused enjoying the embarrassed look on his friends face. "By process of elimination, I figured it out. And you proved me right by the way you looked at each other and worried for each other. I would have said something sooner but I figured if you wanted me to know you would tell me."
Carlos laughed. "We must not have been that discrete after all."
"Nope." Adam said.
Carlos' shook his head as his thoughts kept shifting back to TJ off and on. TJ would find this funny. He hoped nothing had happened to him. Adam and Aisha was right. He cared for him more than anything. And he did not care if they were discrete or not. He planned on spending the rest of his life with him.
===
The battle waged on. The rangers were split. Each trying to survive and find the others. Seems the enemy has been able to block all transmissions in and out. So they were cut off from the mega-ship and the others. The battle's hopeless. They were going to need help. Andros, Cassie and Ashley were looking for TJ and Carlos.
"Cassie, how's the shoulder?" Ash asked.
"Fine, the bleeding has stopped. But I am not in any battle condition what so ever." Cassie said looking over at Ashley.
"Take it easy, Cassie. There is no more we can do for now. We need to find away to find the others and regroup on the mega-ship. We are going to need help now." Andros said wrapping an arm around Ashley.
"Yes but how. We can't even contact TJ or Carlos. And we are sorrowfully outnumbered now. And we don't have Zordon to save the day." Cassie said.
"I know. But who else can help us." Andros sat heavily on a bench in the deserted end of the park.
"Cassie, you have any ideas." Ashley asked.
"No, wait a minute!" Cassie said with a big wide eye look. "Let's get the mirror rangers to help us. With them we may have a chance."
"All great and dandy. How are we gonna ask for help?" Ashley cried. "Go over and knock on their door!"
"Hold on. There may be a way to do that. They had some tachyon converters that let them move between dimensions.." Andros said thinking aloud.
"Yeah but we do not have any converters." Cassie said deflated.
"Yes we do." Ashley said excitedly.
"Where?"
"In the remains of the old Command Center." Ash said thoroughly pleased with herself. "And Cassie remember what we decided early on. If we were separated, that we would head to the Command Center and wait for the others."
"Yeah, do you think they are heading that way?" Cassie said.
"Either way we need to get there as soon as possible." Ash said.
It was agreed that they would head that way hoping that the others would remember that.
===
Carlos, Adam and Aisha had been able to dodge or fight their way out of some dire straits. They ran into a massive group of quantrons and only escaped by the skin of their teeth. They were battered and tired. They were creeping slowly , looking to find some shelter to rest in. So far everything has been destroyed. They rounded a bend and noticed an alley.
"Hey guys, that look like as good a place as any." Adam said.
"We'll rest here before heading to the Command Center, or what is left of it." Carlos said.
"Why the Command Center?" Aisha asked. "There is nothing left of it."
"Well, my team of rangers decided that anything happened and we were separated. We were to meet back at the command center." Carlos explained.
"Will they be there?" Aisha asked.
"I can only hope so." Carlos said finally after a bit of silence.
===
Jason and TJ were leaning against the wall of the alley behind some crates. They were allowing themselves some rest before they headed out. TJ had explained to Jason of their plan to meet at the Command Center in an emergency. He agreed that it is the best thing he could think of. He knew Carlos would be headstrong and search for him, by himself. TJ hoped Carlos would not do anything to get himself killed. TJ had nearly dozed off. When he heard the sounds of footsteps coming their way. He tapped Jason on the shoulder and motioned for him to be quiet. They positioned themselves so they could take their attackers swiftly and with minimal effort. In the distance he could see three figures just walking aimlessly. In the back of his mind the strangers were not Dark Spectre's henchman. Could it be?
To Jason's surprise TJ came out of his hiding place and yelled out. "Carlos--"
Carlos was surprised to hear the voice and on the other hand extremely overjoyed. "TJ." He exclaimed picking up the pace.
TJ ran up to him and threw his arms around Carlos' neck. "Oh, my it's good to see you." He took Carlos' face in his hands and kissed him deeply and fully. He felt Carlos' arms go around him and hug him close. TJ wrapped him similarly. He heard Carlos take a sharp breath.
"You okay." TJ said pulling back and raking his eyes over his lover assessing him for injuries.
"It's nothing. I think a few ribs are bruised and a few cracked." Carlos said laying a hand on his left side. "I could ask you the same thing." Pointing to TJ's leg.
"It's nothing." He said dismissing his injury. "Sit down and rest." TJ commanded. "Hey Adam. Hello?"
"Oh, TJ. This is Aisha, she is a former yellow ranger." Adam introduced the lady standing next to him.
"Pleased to meet you." He said nodding at her.
Adam and Aisha finally noticed the other figure in the room. "Jason!!" They said in unison.
"Hey guys." He said giving each a bear hug.
Something in his tone, made Aisha take pause. "Are you all right, Jason?"
"Yeah." He said putting on a fake smile.
"Yeah right." She muttered under her breath.
"Carlos have you seen any of the others?" TJ asked sitting beside him.
"No. I ran into Adam and Aisha. Besides Dark Spectre's henchman, nobody else. I take it you haven't either." Carlos answered.
Jason answered for him. "Nope, nobody."
"We need to find them and regroup. Where would they be if things got bad?" Adam said.
"Before we met up with Andros, we had a general understanding that if anything happened to separate us, we would meet back at the Power Chamber." Carlos explained.
"That seems to be the best idea yet. It's too dark to go now. Let's head that way early in the morning. Besides we need the rest." TJ said. He looked back at Carlos, who had a silly grin on his face. "What?"
"Oh, nothing, you just look so cute when you take charge." Carlos said ducking a swing from TJ.
"Let's get some rest guys." Jason said chuckling lightly. That couple is cute, Jason thought.
The five teens huddled in a dark corner of the alley. Hoping that would allow them to remain unseen while they rested. Aisha volunteered to be the first watch. Carlos started to argue but the look he got from her silenced him. Adam found a place near a wall opposite Carlos and TJ, while Jason curled up in a corner. You could tell that Jason was very upset and troubled. Carlos leaned against the wall and TJ sat between his legs. It was cool out, and TJ was thankful for having Carlos to snuggle with. Carlos wrapped his arms around TJ and pulled him close.
"I love you." Carlos whispered.
"I love you more." TJ said back. TJ could feel Carlos smile. "I was so worried about you."
Carlos kissed the back of TJ's neck. "I was worried about you too. I kept thinking that if I lost you--"
"Ssh." TJ said turning around in his arms and placing a finger against his lips. "I am here. Don't worry. I will never go anywhere. I promise."
Carlos squeezed him tighter. And sleep claimed them all.
===
In the ruins of the command center, the pink, red and yellow rangers were making their way to what was left of the power chamber. It was ever so dark in the ghostly place. There was debris lying everywhere. The bomb that Divatox used was rather efficient. The yellow ranger mused that with this damage how could the tachyon converters survive. She was beginning to lose hope.
"Andros." She called out.
"Yes, Ash." He called back.
"It's too dark. We may need to wait till morning to search further." Ashley said.
"She's right, Andros. I can barely see my hand in front of my face." Cassie added.
"Well, you may--" He paused in his answer. "I found it!!!!"
"Well I'll be damned." Cassie muttered.
"Does it work?" Ashley asked.
"Yes I think. But there is only one." Andros said.
"We can't do anything else tonight. Let's give the others time to meet us here and see what we want to do." Cassie said.
"Yeah." Ashley said. " I could use a little down time."
"Yes, let's hope the others are okay." Andros said as he headed over to Ashley.
===
TJ woke to the sound of battle. His senses and reflexes immediately throwing off the sluggishness of sleep. He immediately stood up and looked behind him. Carlos was not there. He panicked slightly. TJ made his way to where the noise was coming from. TJ was startled when he noticed where he was. He recognized it immediately, the power chamber. He was at a dead run and rounded a bend. He could see his friends in a heated battle with twice as many quantrons. They were fighting valiantly. Yet as one quantron fell another took it's place. Carlos was taking on two, Andros had three and the girls were tag teaming the others. And he came to a grinding halt as he saw himself battling two quantrons.
"What in the hell?" He muttered to himself. "What's going on?"
TJ continued on to help his friends. He was almost there when something knocked him on his ass. He looked up and could see nothing. He got to his feet and felt around. There was an invisible shield of a sort. He beat his fist on the shield. "Help!" He screamed pounding on it harder. But no one seemed to notice he was there. The scene was changing into pure chaos. Andros had something in his hand. It was knocked into the air, landing at Carlos's feet. Andros yelled for him to activate it. Carlos yelled back, refusing to leave.
Behind the invisible wall, TJ could see what his lover could not. There was a quantron raising a sabre, aimed right at Carlos' head. TJ banged on the wall and screamed at the top of his lungs. "Carlos! Behind you!!!!!!! Duck!!!" But he could not hear him. The sabre made contact. The piece of hardware he was holding clattered to the floor as the body of his lover followed. Tears were streaming down his face now. Wails could have been heard around the universe. "Nooooooo!!!!!" ===
"Nooooo!!!!! Carlos--" TJ woke screaming and fighting. A startled Carlos grabbed his lover and tried to calm him.
"TJ, calm down. Shh. Calm down. It was a dream." He said rocking his lover.
The screams jolted the others awake. Aisha was at their side in an instant. Adam was in an on-guard position.
"What's wrong?" Adam said.
"It's TJ. He woke screaming." Aisha said. "Is he alright?"
"Yeah." Carlos said still holding a sobbing TJ. "Here recently he has been plagued with them. And I do not know why." Just as soon as the sobbing started, it quieted.
"Carlos--?" TJ said looking up at the man holding him.
"Yes, TJ I am here. What happened?" Carlos said. "Was it a nightmare again?"
"Power chamber ... you ... quantron ... sabre ... you..." He broke off.
"Shh. It's alright." Carlos tried to soothe him.
TJ finally came to his senses. "I feel so foolish. But the dream was so real."
"I know, I know." Carlos said.
"Too real." Jason said from across the alley as he turned around .
Carlos raised an eyebrow. The sun started to filter through the alley. Carlos stood up and stretched.
"Everybody, let's head toward the Power Chamber. We need to hurry. While everything is quiet. Considering where we are we have a thirty to forty minute walk ahead of us." Carlos said grabbing TJ's hand.
"Stay alert. These quantrons can pop up anywhere. And these seem especially blood thirsty." Adam said. "Let's move out."
As a group they headed out. TJ was feeling better, and couldn't help but figure that the dream was some sort of omen. And he will be damned if he will let anything happen to Carlos. The walk was uneventful. Carlos and his troop made it to the command center or what was left of it, in their sights. He could only hope the others were here. He motioned for the others to enter quietly. They moved stealthily through the main chamber , toward the power chamber.
"Carlos, you need more practice trying to sneak up on us." Ashley said from the side behind a chunk of debris.
"Ash. It's so good to see you even if you were just criticizing my technique." Carlos said flashing her a smile.
"She's right you know." Andros said coming into the light. "Right Cassie."
"Yep." She said appearing out of know where.
There was many hugs and smiles. The other rangers did not fail to notice the other members of the party.
"It's good to see you again, Adam." Andros said hugging Adam.
"Hey Andros." Adam smiled and waved at the others. "Hey everybody meet. Aisha, the former yellow ranger and Jason the original red ranger.
"Hi."
"Hello."
"I thought Tanya was--" Ashley said giving Aisha a hug.
"Well she was but I transferred my power to her." Aisha explained.
Jason was looking around his mind was flitting about, memories popping up and images of Tommy as the green ranger and white flashed before him. He shook his head to ward them out. He still can't believe he was gone.
Andros got everybody's attention. "We are in trouble. This force is strong and this time we do not have Zordon to help us."
"Yeah, these quantrons seem twice as strong. And more vicious." Carlos said. "What are we gonna do? Any ideas?"
TJ shook his head. He was having a bad feeling about this. "None. I can not believe this is happening again."
"Well Andros had an idea. We are gonna need help, major help. It was suggested we get the alternative universe rangers to help us." Cassie explained.
"The alternative universe rangers but how?" TJ said.
"Whoa! Hold on a minute -- back the train up. Alternative rangers?" Aisha said wondering for the others sanity.
"Oh sorry. Yeah alternative rangers. Some time back we ran into an exact copy of Carlos, Zane and Tommy." Andros explained.
Jason suddenly blanched. "Tommy..?" He said softly.
TJ reached over and laid an arm on Jason's shoulder. "Yeah. It seemed the alternated Carlos was sucked into our universe by accident. And while my Carlos--" TJ said messing up Carlos' hair. "Was out of town at the time. We thought it was him but I soon found out it wasn't."
Cassie picked up the story. "Well Zane and Tommy came back to get him. It proved to be an interesting experience." Cassie noticed that Jason stiffened at the sound of Tommy's name.
Carlos saw Cassie's inquisitive stare. "Cassie, he was in love with Tommy." He whispered.
"How did you know?" Jason said giving her an incredulous look.
"The other Tommy and Jason were together and I figured the same was possibly true here too. When you reacted to the mention of his name proved it." Carlos said.
Jason was not sure how to respond instead he got quiet and walked away from the group. He must be extremely obvious in his grief. He should have been past this but the regrets kept coming back to him. He felt that he could have done something, anything. TJ started to walk after him. Carlos reached out and got his arm. "TJ let him go, he needs to deal with it. And he seems to need to be alone now." He explained. TJ just nodded watching after Jason.
"We'll need a tachyon converter." Adam said. "And a quantum flux inhibitor."
Jason laughed slightly. "Adam, you hung around with Billy too much."
"In fact we have everything ready to do it. We used the inhibitor from Zordon's time warp and a tachyon converter from the teleporter." Andros said. "But we only have one. So who's going."
From behind them a voice rang out. "You are going nowhere except to meet your maker."
The others turned and was looking at a ghost. The person standing there was supposed to be dead. She was killed in the last battle. They all saw it. Andros blanched and all the other rangers jaw hit the ground.
"Astronema, it can't be. You were destroyed." Cassie said.
"Well I am here aren't I. Quantrons attack." Thirty or so quantrons appeared and attacked.
TJ blocked and dodged punches and kicks. He knocked two over to the side. While three others dogpiled him. Carlos was beating the living daylights out of three more and Andros was doing his best to keep hold of the converter while fighting single-handed against his attackers. Cassie used the quantrons for batting practice using a pipe she found laying around.
TJ came out from under the pile making one of his own. He felt a kick catch him in the chest knocking him over near Carlos. He got up and saw a pirhanatron kick the converter out of his hand. Sending it sailing toward Carlos. It landed near his feet. Before he could get the device he had to block a few thrusts the quantron in front of him were throwing. With a swift punch kick combination, the quantron was history. He leaned down to pick it up the object. As he saw Carlos lean down, TJ had a sudden feeling of deja` vu . His dream!!!
"Carlos use it. Go get help." Andros yelled back.
"No." He screamed back knocking a quantron out of the way.
"Geez Carlos do it. Don't be hard-headed. We need help." TJ yelled making his way to Carlos. Knocking the foot soldiers out of his way. He was going to stop Carlos from getting killed. TJ could see the quantron moving up, ready to make the death blow. Carlos was unaware. TJ walked up to Carlos grabbed the converter turned it on. Stuffed it in Carlos' belt, kissed him soundly.
"What are you doing?" He said as TJ pushed him into the portal.
"I love you." TJ said as Carlos disappeared.
TJ's momentary lapse cost him. He felt a sharp pain as a spear caught him in the side. TJ looked down at the spear and the quantron. The spear was meant for Carlos but thanks to TJ's dream he didn't die. TJ was not worrying about dying since Carlos was still alive. Carlos will be mad at me when he gets back. TJ smiled a huge smile as he sank into oblivion.
Jason saw the spear plunge into TJ. "No!!!!" He yelled cart wheeling and catching the quantron deftly in the back of the head snapping its neck. Jason grabbed TJ as he crumpled.
"TJ, you okay." Jason said looking at the spear. Blood was going anywhere. Finally all the quantrons were taken care of or disappeared. "Andros! Adam!" Jason called to the others.
Andros looked over and saw Jason holding TJ. He knew what had happened. This battle was going to cost a lot of lives. And it seemed TJ was the first. Andros headed to his fallen comrade as the others were moving toward Jason.
"What happened?" Andros said inspecting the wound. He knew it was fatal by all the blood. The others were casting glances at Andros. He raised his head in answer to the questions around the room.
"Jason.." TJ whispered out.
"I am here. Relax, you'll be just fine." Jason said holding his hand.
"Bull--" He chuckled and grimaced. "Carlos ... should be getting help. I activated the converter and sent him through. When he gets back he will be very mad at me." He received smiles at that. "Don't let him be guilty about this. It was my decision." He grabbed Jason's hand. "Take care of him, Jason. Promise me."
"I promise." Jason was crying, flashbacks of holding Tommy as he died nearly paralyzed him.
"And tell him I love him." TJ said. It was the final thing he said as he darkness claimed him.
The rangers sat there shocked and numbed. TJ was still breathing lightly, but he knew it wasn't going to be for long. They were going to lose another of their own. First Zane and now TJ. Jason lost Tommy and now watched someone else die in his arms. Jason continued to mutter, `I promise' over and over again. And when Carlos came back, we may lose him Jason thought. He knew what goes through the mind of a lover who lost the other part of their heart.
To be continued...