Disclaimer: We don't own the Power Rangers.
Authors' Notes: As mentioned before, this is a rewrite of a previous story done by us. Hope you likes.
The Secret of Billy Cranston #2
By: Jade Daniels and CindersBilly Cranston teleported into the Power Chamber, much more rested than he had been the day before. "How's he doing?"
"He is still recovering," answered Zordon, "The healing process will take much time, as we do not possess Triforian equipment."
"Yeah, I understand," Billy nodded. "But, I'm still surprised that his government wouldn't want him transported back to his home planet."
"They realize that it would be too dangerous for him," Zordon reminded him. "If he is to be in optimal condition, he must remain here. Although our equipment is slower, it will have the same effect. After that…"
"After that, he will be the Gold Ranger," finished Billy, sounding a little sad.
"Billy…" Zordon started.
"Don't worry Zordon," Billy interrupted his mentor, "I knew what I was getting into when he gave them to me." He paused for a moment. "I'm going to go look in on him." With that, he walked out to the Zord holding bay. Bypassing the first door that led to Billy's office, he stopped at an almost hidden door right beside it. He palmed the nearly invisible access panel, allowing him to go inside. The door slid closed behind him.
The room was not very large, only lit by overhead white-blue lights. Beeping and flashing machines were set along the walls on either side of the room, with wires strung towards the back. Billy walked forward, following the path of wires. He soon came upon a large clear tube, to which all the wires were connected. The tube itself was lit with its own light, shining upon the humanoid that lay inside.
The humanoid was male, and looked as though he was just sleeping. He had short dark brown hair, with the bangs slightly swept across his face. There was a black mark over his left eye, like a strange tattoo. His tunic and pants were black, along with his boots. His arms were crossed across his chest, showing off his golden gauntlets.
"Hello Trey," Billy greeted the silent figure softly. The former Blue Ranger had come in here everyday to check up on the Triforian prince. "Zordon says that you're going to get better real soon. I'm sure your people are anxious to get you back. I'm sure you're anxious to go back home too. I guess it was lucky that Zordon and I found you when we did, before the Machine Empire got you that is."
Billy knew that he was babbling, something that he rarely ever did. But it was hard not to babble when you were nervous. "I do want to thank you again. I know I've said this everyday, but thank you. Thanks for giving me the chance to be a real part of the team again, no matter how temporary. It's nice to feel the Power flow through me again. Sometimes, I do regret giving up the Yellow Crystal, but somehow, I know that it was for the greater good. Tanya really is a great Ranger, and sometimes I do better work behind the scenes. But like I said, it's great having this chance to be a Ranger again."
Billy remembered the day that he and Zordon had found the Gold Triforian Ranger, laying bloodied and bruised nearby his crashed Zord. They had managed to teleport Trey to this hidden medical chamber, where, just before he had lost consciousness, he had transferred his Gold powers to Billy. Then, Billy and Alpha had set Trey up in the healing tube, where he could recuperate. Since Billy knew that his power infusion was temporary, he had asked Zordon and Alpha not to tell the others that he held the Gold Ranger powers.
"It may seem selfish, but it'll just be another disappointment when I give the powers back to Trey," he had said. "Whether they realize it or not, the others already pity me for not having any Zeo powers. I don't want to make this any tougher on them."
With a quick shake of his head, Billy brought his thoughts back to the present. He looked upon the warrior lying in the tube. "I hope that I've been making myself worthy of the Gold powers Trey. And I do promise to keep them away from the Machine Empire."
"You are worthy of the Gold powers Billy," came a voice from the door. Billy turned to see Alpha standing in the doorway. "You were one of the first Rangers that Zordon chose to defend the Earth against Rita. How could you not be worthy? Why would you think that?"
Billy sighed slightly before answering. "I suppose it's the fact that I'm not really a Power Ranger anymore Alpha. Rocky is the one wearing blue now, not me. I mean, I willingly gave up the Yellow Crystal. But unlike Jason, Trini and Zack, I have to stay here and watch day after day as the others go off to fight. Sometimes, I think that they think that I don't want to be out there with them."
He shook his head. "And as for the Gold powers, they aren't really mine. I'm just holding them for Trey until he gets better." Billy ran a hand through his dirty blond hair, wondering how he had managed to dig himself into such a pit of self-pity.
Alpha shook his metallic head. "You are a true Ranger. It is not the uniform, the morphers or even the Power they draw from. It is what is inside you, the Rangers themselves. It always has been, and it always will be. Do you think that Zordon just grabbed the first human teenagers that he set his eyes on?"
Billy remained silent as Alpha continued. "No Billy. He and I were watching, waiting, knowing that when the time came, we would choose the right ones. You all were chosen because of that special Power within you. It was this Power that helped to decide who your guides would be, as well as your colours."
By now, Alpha had walked further into the room. Gently, he rested a mechanical hand upon Billy's shoulder. "Blue for intelligence. The Triceratops, Unicorn and the Wolf to represent the protectiveness and cleverness that you've shown in defending your friends and family."
"Never doubt that you are a Power Ranger Billy, or assume that you are not worthy of that power because you no longer wear the uniform. The Gold powers obviously found you worthy, or else they never would have joined with you." If Alpha could have smiled just then, he would have.
Billy smiled and looked at Trey. He didn't know what to say. Alpha's words had truly touched his heart, opening up something within himself that he hadn't had in a little while: self-confidence. Having been treated badly as a teenager for being smart, Billy realized that he had started going back to his old ways, when he thought that no one wanted him around. Being a Power Ranger had given him the perceived acceptance he had always wanted from his friends; losing those powers had meant being alone once again.
"Thanks Alpha," he said. His voice faltered as a wave of dizziness suddenly washed over him. Billy stumbled forward, leaning against Trey's tube for support.
"Billy! Oh, ai yi yi yi!" Alpha cried out, lending his support to Billy.
"What is wrong Alpha?" came Zordon's voice.
"It's nothing Zordon," Billy said, knowing that Alpha would overreact. "It's just a small dizzy spell. I'm okay now." He slowly stood up, wiping away the thin sheen of sweat that covered his face.
"Has this happened before?" asked Zordon.
Billy looked at Alpha, wanting with every fibre of his body to deny that it had. But he knew that he couldn't lie to Zordon. "Yes. A few times before." Already he knew what Zordon's next question would be.
"When did this start?"
Billy already knew when they had started. He had hoped to keep them from Zordon and Alpha, especially since the others still needed his help. "About a week after I received the Gold powers from Trey."
There was an unsettling moment of silence before Zordon spoke once more. "Alpha, run some tests on Billy. We do not know how the Triforian powers affect the human body, but we need to be sure."
"I understand Zordon," replied Alpha. As Billy looked at Trey, the thought of being unworthy again crossed his mind. Then he felt Alpha's hand on his arm. Gazing at Alpha, he remembered the robot's words. The small automaton was obviously wiser than he appeared. "Come on Billy. We can get those tests out of the way now." Billy followed Alpha out of the room.
It was a few days later that Alpha had the results of Billy's tests. It turned out that Billy's body was having an adverse reaction to the Triforian powers within him. The Gold power was slowly weakening him, which was why he continued to have the dizzy spells. Zordon immediately decided that since it wasn't possible for Billy not to have the Gold powers, and the Rangers continued to need his help, that he would have to continue to battle as the Gold Ranger. However, he would only be called upon in the direst of emergencies.
Billy found himself sitting alone in the Juice Bar. Things had become very quiet over the last couple of days, at least, where the Machine Empire was concerned. As usual, the Rangers were glad for the respite. Rocky had, for now, ceased in his outward obsession with the Gold Ranger. But now, instead of concealing that fact from his friends, Billy now had to hide his dizzy spells. Unfortunately, this wasn't as easy for him to do. His friends were idiots. Twice already they had asked him about his health. Having gritted his teeth against his nausea, he had continually told them that he was fine.
The Rangers had decided to go on a picnic on the beach today, and had tried to get him to come along. As had been the usual lately, he had refused, asking for a rain check. He couldn't risk them finding out about his real condition. Besides, he also needed some time to himself to think things over in his mind. Billy couldn't do that in the Power Chamber now; ever since his condition had been discovered, the Zordon and Alpha had been hovering over him like nursemaids.
"Hey Billy," greeted Ernie, producing a second smoothie for the Ranger. "Here, on the house. You look like you could use someone to talk to."
Billy smiled. "No thanks Ernie. I just really need to be by myself." So, leaving a concerned Ernie behind, Billy left the Youth Centre, deciding to go for a walk in the park.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"It is time yer Majesty," Klank said as he observed Billy walk alone into Angel Grove Park.
"Very good Klank," Mondo replied. "We will have that Gold Ranger in our grasp this very day. I swear it!"
"Yes dear," Machina agreed as she waved her fan. "And the Rangers' brainy friend will be just the bait we need for him!"
"Get going Klank. Take Bindatron with you, as well as a dozen Cogs. I doubt that you will need them, but if the Rangers show up to help their friend, you'll have the back up." Mondo looked at his minions.
Klank bowed. "Yes yer Majesty. Let's go Bindatron."
"Right behind you." Bindatron was a huge robotic creature made up of iron bars. Chains feel from the top of his head like hair. Another chain wrapped around his waist, holding several dangling, clanking handcuffs as well as a wicked looking weapon that could shoot chains. Well-built arms and legs carried him through the throne room as he followed Klank and Orbus. A huge steel cage was slung over his back. And sharp, long metal teeth created a jaggedly evil smile.
Mondo was proud of this newest creation. His son had done well. This was an excellent monster, just what was needed for this task to be carried out. He looked at his son, who was jumping up and down happily. "Well done son. I'll have to let you create monsters a bit more often."
"Oh goody!" Sprocket continued to jump excitedly. Machina watched, waving her fan happily.
Mondo chuckled. Life was good when his family was happy. Now, if Klank and Bindatron could finish their job, his life would be perfect.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Billy met up with very few people during his walk in the park. This had seemed strange to him, until he remembered the reason for his friends' picnic. It was a holiday weekend. To top it off, there was a big event happening at the beach. Most of the people in Angel Grove would have headed there today.
Feeling more at ease, he continued walking until he found himself at the edge of a very familiar pond. It brought back some happy memories. He and Kim had come here for a picnic, instead of going with their friends to go scuba diving. It was during that time that he had begun to get rid of his fish phobia. Billy laughed to himself. It seemed like such a silly thing now, especially after the time he had spent on Aquitar.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he never heard the machines coming. "Get him!" came the voice with the Scottish brogue from behind him. Quickly, Billy took a fighting stance. The thought of morphing crossed his mind, but Billy knew that would give himself away to the people he wanted least to know about his dual identity.
Billy was quickly grabbed by a couple of Cogs as Klank and Orbus watched from their usual sideline seats. With quick and easy movements, Billy tossed both Cogs over his shoulder and into the pond where they proceeded to short out. Another Cog soon joined them as Billy kicked yet another one, sending it tumbling into its cohorts.
"What's the matter Klank?" taunted Billy. "You afraid to do your own dirty work?" He stepped aside to avoid a collision between two more Cogs.
"I wouldn'a dirty my hands with the likes of you. Bindatron! It's time!" Billy quickly looked around for the creature Klank was calling.
A huge jangling mass of metal emerged from the trees to his left. With a shrug of its shoulders, it sent a large cage crashing into the ground, causing a slight tremor beneath Billy's feet. As it advanced, its jagged metal teeth gnashing, it aimed a large gun-shaped weapon at Billy.
This was not a creature that Billy could handle alone. Where were the other Rangers? Quickly he raised his wrist. But before he could touch the buttons, his communicator was ripped from his arm and savagely smashed into the ground by the nearest Cog. Nothing else could be done as still more other Cogs held onto his arms tightly. But having learned from their comrades' earlier mistake, they dragged him away from the water's edge. Billy struggled against them, this time to no avail. As he watched Bindatron approach, he felt the familiar wash of dizziness begin to come over him. Mondo and his cohorts were about to take him, and he was incapacitated!
"Let him go!" Klank spun around to find five Power Rangers in their fighting stances facing the group.
"Hmmm, only five?" sneered Klank. He motioned for Bindratron to continue. "Where's the Gold one?"
"That's none of your business," Tommy replied. "Now let Billy go!"
"I don't think so," Klank snarled. "Cogs, finish them!" More Cogs teleported into the battle. Suddenly there seemed to be a sea of Cogs. The Rangers could barely see Klank, the monster or Billy, let alone get to them. They had to go through the foot soldiers first.
Billy found himself being dragged further and further away from the battle by Klank, Bindatron and some Cogs. He tried unsuccessfully to pull away from the mechanical henchmen, but only succeeded in bruising himself. He wanted to morph. His friends needed his help and he needed the power to get away from Mondo's people.
But even as he was considering morphing, he remembered that the Machine Empire really wanted the Gold Ranger. A sudden deduction made him realize that if he morphed, he might have a chance against one monster and a few Cogs. But in his current fragile state, if they overtook him, the Empire would have exactly what they wanted. Billy laughed silently at the irony of the situation. The Machine Empire already had what they wanted. They just didn't know it.
A sudden kick to Billy's abdomen brought him to his knees. He gasped for breath as the Cogs held his arms back painfully. Glancing up, he saw Bindatron standing over him with a weapon pointed at his head. There was a blast from the weapon and Billy found himself tightly bound in chains and thrown upon the ground.
Holstering his weapon, Bindatron then reached down to Billy with hands the size of car tires. The monster grasped Billy by the shoulders, lifting him off of the ground. Billy suddenly found himself eye to eye with the monster, his feet dangling several feet from the ground. It was not a pleasant experience.
"We have the bait, now we just have to wait for the golden prey." An evil laugh filled the air, the pitch echoing painfully in Billy's ears.
"You might have the bait, metal breath, but the prey isn't stupid enough to fall into your trap!" Billy said.
Klank shrugged. "If he doesn't, in two days time, your time will be up." Billy was speechless. There was no way around it; he was both bait and prey. There was no chance of Trey being able to help and the other Rangers wouldn't be able to save him this time without actually getting onto the Skybase. This seemed to be the toughest situation he had ever come across.
Billy was tossed unceremoniously into the cage. Once that was accomplished, Bindatron spun around, only to find the Zeo Rangers making their way towards them. Broken Cogs lay around them, having obviously lost the battle against the heros. Immediately Bindatron grabbed Orbus off of Klank's shoulder.
"Make me grow Orbus, and make it snappy!"
"Sure thing," Orbus injected Bindtron with the growth serum. Within moments, Bindatron towered over the Zeo Rangers. But that advantage was soon taken away as the Zeo MegaZord appeared. The air rang with the sound of clashing metal and the ground trembled beneath the two sets of metal feet.
Meanwhile, Klank, Orbus and the remaining Cogs decided to take no chances with their newly acquired prize. The sky opened up into a giant black hold, sucking them into its inky depths.
Billy thought that the vortex would last forever. It was unlike anything he had experienced before. The walls of the swirling mass seemed to pulse at him, almost overcoming him with dizziness. Suddenly, the vortex was gone; in its place were the cold metal walls of the Skybase. But the scene began to blur before his eyes. There were voices that seemed to be coming from the end of some unseen tunnel. Then, the sounds echoed all around him. Finally, silence, darkness, then nothing.
The Machine King gazed into the cage as Billy began to sway, and then collapse onto the ground. "He'd better not be dead, at least not yet. He won't be of any good to me if he is."
"He's still alive Pops," Prince Sprocket announced. "See, his chest is moving up and down. Funny how a human body does that when they breathe."
"Very good son!" praised the proud Queen Machina.
"Good, good! It's time to talk to Zordon about making our little trade." He turned to Klank. "Open a link to the Power Chamber and be quick about it!"
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
With one final blow of the Zeo Sword, Bindatron exploded into a ball of flame. Their enemy destroyed, the Zeo Rangers quickly disembarked from their Zords, only to find that the park had become deserted. Even the defeated Cogs were long gone.
"Oh no!" Kat cried out.
"Why would Mondo take Billy? He's not a Ranger," wondered Adam.
Tommy shook his head. "It's probably because he's a genius. I'll give you two guesses why they took him, and the first doesn't count.
"If Mondo does use Billy's intelligence against us, we're done for." Tanya's statement was an alarming possibility.
"But, what happened to the Gold Ranger? Why wasn't he here to help us this time? He could've saved Billy while we tangled with the robot." Rocky looked at the others, but no one had any answers.
"We'd better get back to the Power Chamber and start thinking of a way to get Billy back… before it's too late." The Rangers grouped together quickly and teleported out of the park.
In the wake of the battle, the sun broke through the clouds of smoke, once more lighting the park and dappling it in leafy shadows. As the leaves in the trees waved in the slight breeze, a small ray of sunlight fell upon the thick green grass, only to glint magically off of the unnoticed object sitting amongst the blades of grass. There, unnoticed lay a broken communicator. Then, in a blink of an eye, it too, was gone.
Once again, the Power Rangers were in the Power Chamber. Already Alpha was "Ai yi yiiing" while working frantically at a console in front of him. Zordon was trying unsuccessfully to calm him.
"Zordon, why wasn't Billy teleported from the battle?" asked Tommy as he took off his helmet.
It was Alpha who answered as he rushed past the group. "Billy lost his communicator and we couldn't lock onto him. There was too much interference!!"
"And now that Mondo had taken Billy to the Skybase, there is less that we can do," Zordon added. "There is no way to teleport in, or teleport Billy out. There is an energy block surrounding it. Alpha is working on a way around it right now."
"We have to get Billy back," Rocky paced the floor. "I know he won't cooperate with them. But there is no telling what they will do to him to try and get him to break!"
"I agree Rocky," Zordon said, "We are doing what…"
"Doing what Zordon?" All eyes turned towards the viewing globe. There they found Mondo's hideous metal face glaring at them. "There is only one way to get your boy genius back."
"And what is that Mondo?" Zordon's head was reeling with the different things that Mondo could possibly want.
"The Gold Ranger, in exchange for the boy." With a flourish of his hand, Mondo stepped aside to allow the Rangers a view of the cage, and the still form inside of it.
"What did you do to him?!?" Rocky yelled.
"Me?" laughed Mondo, "I've done nothing, yet! Maybe teleporting through the vortex was too much for him? He fainted shortly after arriving here. You humans are so weak. Rangers, you have exactly two days to hand over the Gold Ranger, or you will never see your friend alive again." With those last words, communications were cut.
The Rangers stood quietly, gazing at each other. What were they going to do? Billy was hurt and out of their reach. The Gold Ranger hadn't made his usual appearance and they had no clue as to his identity or where they could find him. How did Mondo expect them to make any sort of bargain even in a week, let alone two days?
"I don't believe Mondo." Kat's Australian accent was thick in her anger. "He's done something to Billy; I know it. Billy has teleported so many times, that I can't even count them anymore. And I know of at least two times he's been through one of those vortexes. There is no way it could have done that to him."
"Rangers, Mondo has not done anything to harm Billy, this I can assure you. But the need to get Billy back is greater than you could imagine." The Rangers looked up at Zordon in confusion. Why would he believe Mondo at a time like this? And what greater reason could there be to bring Billy back, other than the fact that he was their friend?
"Before any of you say anything, there is something that you should know." Zordon's voice held a tinge of regret, as if he didn't want to say was he seemingly had to. "Rangers, please follow Alpha into the Zord holding bay."
The Rangers, confusion evident in their faces, glanced at one another. Following Zordon's instructions, they followed the little robot into the bay. They watched, mystified, as Alpha palmed a nearly invisible side panel in the wall. A door none of them had known about slid open, awaiting their entrance. Tommy entered the alcove first, soon followed by Tanya, Adam, Kat and finally Rocky.
A series of blue and white lights immediately lit the room as Alpha continued to guide them inside. The room itself wasn't small, although the amount of machinery within made it seem so. Finally, Alpha stopped in front of a large clear tube. All the Rangers were shocked as they saw that there was someone lying inside.
"Who is this Alpha?" asked Tommy.
Zordon's voice came over the speakers. "Rangers, I present to you Lord Trey of Triforia. The Gold Zeo Ranger."
"Wait a minute, I don't understand," Adam said with a frown. "What happened to him? How long has he been like this?"
"He has been recuperating in this chamber since the day that Billy and I located him, and his ship, that had crashed here on Earth approximately a month ago," answered Zordon.
"Wait, that can't be right Zordon," Tommy shook his head. "The Gold ranger has been fighting with us for almost a month now."
A light had gone on in Rocky's mind. "Billy."
Tanya frowned, "Rocky, now is not the time to start…"
"No Tanya," interrupted Zordon, "Rocky is correct. Before Trey slipped into his coma, he was able to transfer the Gold powers to Billy."
"But why didn't you or Billy tell us? Why all the secrecy?" asked Adam.
"Billy asked us not to tell," Alpha replied quietly. "He knew that the powers were only temporary, and saw no point in informing you of what had happened. He didn't want you to be disappointed again."
Tommy looked a little guilty, knowing that Alpha was right. He hadn't like the fact that his friend hadn't taken on the Yellow Zeo Powers. It reminded him too much of when the Green Moprhin' Powers had been taken away from him. There were even times when he had felt that Billy was more deserving of the Powers than he was, having been chosen by Zordon in the first place. Being a Ranger meant too much to Tommy for him to throw away an opportunity like that and he had never been able to understand why Billy had done it.
"We have to get him back," the Red Ranger decided. "Mondo wants the Gold Ranger, and if he finds out that Billy is the Gold Ranger…"
"You are right Tommy," agreed Zordon, "But there is an even more important reason to get Billy back as soon as possible. The Gold Powers are slowly killing him. They must be transferred back to Trey as soon as possible, or Billy will die."
Rocky stood where he was, beside Trey's healing tube. He had heard everything that had been said, but stayed where he was. "I don't know if you can hear me, but thank you. Thanks for giving Billy the chance to be a Ranger again. I guess that I wanted Billy to be the Gold Ranger all this time, because I felt guilty that I became the Blue Ranger instead of him."
Rocky's words were caught in his throat as Trey's eyes suddenly opened, gazing right into his own. The Blue Ranger watched as the Triforian Lord slowly lifted his hand to the wall of the tube, pressing his open palm against the glass. Trey's eyes then looked down at Rocky's own hand. Taking a chance, Rocky placed his palm against Trey's on the opposite side of the tube.
Bright blue light began to form around the Blue Ranger's hand, slowly penetrating the glass between the two men. Rocky felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. Then, as quickly as it had started, it ended. Rocky stumbled back from the tube and into Tommy. Startled, Alpha gazed over at Rocky, and then noticed that Trey was looking out at all of them.
"Ai yi yi yi! Zordon, Lord Trey is awake!"
In response, the tube suddenly slid open and the black and gold clad man sat up. All eyes were trained on him as he stepped out of the tube and made his way towards Rocky. Tommy moved to intervene, but was delayed by Adam's hand on his arm. The Rangers watched as Trey extended his hand to Rocky. The Blue Ranger took the offered hand and stood up straight.
Trey's voice was slightly rough, as it was obvious that he hadn't used it in some time. "Thank you Rocky. That small essence of your power that you gave to me, helped to restore me. I am not strong enough yet to accept my powers, but it won't be long before I am able to be the Gold Ranger once again. But now, we must concentrate on getting your friend Billy away from the Machine Empire."
Zordon's voice came through the speakers again. "Lord Trey, we will gladly help you in any way that we can."
"Thank you Zordon," bowed the Triforian.
"Wait, how did you know Rocky's name? Or that Billy is a prisoner of the Machine Empire?" asked Tanya.
"When I received that little bit of Rocky's essence, I also had a glimpse into his thoughts and memories," answered Trey. He laid a comforting hand upon the Blue Ranger's shoulder, but his eyes were sad as he looked at the Zeo Rangers. "I know that you know that I had infused your friend with the Gold powers, and that they are now slowly killing him. I am sorry; I did not know what effect the Gold powers would have on a human being."
Tommy shook his head. "You couldn't have known. And Rocky was right; we owe you thanks for giving our friend the chance to be a Power Ranger again. But now, we do have to figure out a way to save him."
"Actually, I may have a way to help you with that," Trey said.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Darkness surrounded him, but it slowly began to vanish. He was cold and uncomfortable. Slowly opening his eyes, Billy found that he was lying on the cold metal floor of his cage. It didn't take him long to realize that he was still on the Skybase. Groaning slightly, he managed to sit himself up so that he was now leaning against the cage wall. As he reoriented himself, the memories of the past few hours flooded his mind. He was bait; bait for the Gold Ranger. Unfortunately for him, he was the Gold Ranger.
"So, you're finally awake." Billy looked up to see Sprocket looking down at him. "Pops was beginning to wonder if you had really died or not."
"I wouldn't give either of you the pleasure," snarled Billy. Already his mind was racing, trying to come up with an escape plan.
The young prince just laughed. "No, you wouldn't would you? Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Your friends are going to trade the Gold Ranger for you!"
"I don't think so Sprocket," Billy shook his head. "There's no way that they would sacrifice him for me."
"Just wait and see," threatened Sprocket. "He'll come. I know he will." With that, the mechanical prince trotted off.
Billy frowned, letting out a sigh. He couldn't help but think that Sprocket could be right. His friends would have to try and find the Gold ranger in order to save him. There really wasn't anything else that they could do. As he shifted on the cold floor, he felt something in his back pocket.
Reaching inside, he took out his hologram disk. It was then that he remembered that he had absent-mindedly put it into his pocket that morning. An idea began to form in his mind. If he could program it to his advantage, perhaps he had a way out of here after all. Now, if only the dizzy spells stayed away, Billy could get to work.
As the hours slipped past, the only signs of life outside of his cage was the roaming of Billy's Cog guards. Finding him seemingly doing nothing, they only periodically glanced inside. Billy was pleased, knowing that as long as he didn't alert the tin cans, he would be able to finish his plan. Now, all he had to do was wait for the exchange.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"All right Trey, what's your plan?" asked Tommy, looking at their new ally.
The Triforian looked at the Red Ranger. "I was thinking that you could use me to convince Mondo that the Gold Ranger is willing to meet with him."
"Wait, you?" exclaimed Kat. "No way, it's too dangerous! You have no powers, and you're not fully recovered yet from your injuries!"
"I know what I am doing," replied the Triforian with a look of determination upon his face. It was clear that he was someone that was used to leading. "The Machine Empire wants the Gold Ranger. Even without powers, I am a Gold Ranger. Mondo knows that I am a member of the Triforian royal family. I should be a tasty enough bait for him, once he learns that I am also the Gold Ranger."
Rocky shook his head. "I don't like this. Too many things might go wrong. What if Mondo decides to keep both you and Billy? Or he might not even believe that you are the Gold Ranger if you don't morph."
"You shall be my backup," Trey decided. "You do have powers and can handle anything that goes wrong." He held up his hand, stopping any other arguments. "Look, if any of you have any better ideas, I would be all for it. Unfortunately, I do not believe that we have any other choice."
The Rangers looked at each other, all having a sinking feeling that Trey was right. None of them could think of any better alternatives, at least ones that had a marginal chance of success. There looked to be only one way out of this mess, and that was to use Trey as their bait.
"Looks like we don't have a choice," agreed Tommy. He turned to Alpha, who had remained silent throughout the conversation. "Alpha, send a message to the Skybase. Tell them we'll meet them in the abandoned warehouse district in an hour." He glanced at Trey, who nodded. "That will give us enough time to set up."
"Done Tommy," replied Alpha as he sent the message.
"Now, let's hope that this works."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The abandoned warehouse district was exactly that, an area of Angel Grove filled with old buildings that no one lived in or even used anymore. It was a convenient place to have when the Rangers needed to battle monsters without innocent bystanders getting hurt. It was even more convenient now as a place to make their exchange with the Machine Empire.
"What's this Rangers?" demanded Mondo has he saw Trey step forward. "I wanted the Gold Ranger, not Triforia's resident warrior prince!"
Billy gasped as he realized whom Mondo was talking about. He peered through his cage, seeing for himself the familiar figure of the Triforian Lord. How was he here? It took Billy a moment to realize that Trey's healing process must have finished earlier than he had estimated. That also meant that the others had been told of his secret. But he couldn't think of that now, with Trey here, Billy had to set his own plan in motion now!
"We brought you the Gold Ranger!" shouted Tommy, standing morphed beside Trey. The other four had scattered themselves around the area, looking for a chance to free Billy without sacrificing their new friend.
"That is right Mondo," Trey added. "I have been holder of the Gold Zeo Powers for the past five years on Triforia. For the past month I have been here on Earth, helping out the Zeo Rangers."
"Do you expect me to believe that?" sneered Mondo. "How can you be the Gold Ranger? You hardly look able to pick up a sword! And you're not even morphed!"
Trey lifted his head, his eyes shining bright. "I am not morphed because I believe in being honourable. You wish to take me in exchange for Billy Cranston. By not being morphed, it is my guarantee to you that I will not be able to escape."
Billy looked up at the rooftops of the buildings surrounding the two groups. When he had saw only Tommy with Trey, he knew that the others had to be nearby, waiting for a chance to free him. He too could use those rooftops to his advantage. Taking the hologram disk out of his pocket, he projected his desired hologram onto one of the rooftops.
"Hey tin cans!" All heads turned to see the Gold Ranger standing on the rooftops of one of the buildings. He waved down at King Mondo and his group. "If you want me, come and get me!" With that, the Gold Ranger ran off of the rooftops.
"So, you thought you could trick me?" Mondo shouted. "Cogs, go after the Gold Ranger!" The foot soldiers immediately followed their king's orders, scrambling to get to the rooftops, leaving Billy all alone, except for Klank and Orbus. "You two, keep an eye on him!" With that, Mondo summoned a vortex and vanished into the swirling mass.
"Don't think that you'll be able to escape by yourself," sneered Klank as he peered into the cage.
"Oh, he won't be by himself," answered a female voice. Klank whirled to see that the Pink and Yellow Rangers had snuck up on him, ready and willing to break out their friend. The Blue and Green ones were already back with Tommy, ready to protect Trey from any retaliation.
"Uh…uh, I think it would be good to say goodbye!" Klank and Orbus beat a hasty retreat away from the Rangers, jumping into the vortex Mondo had created moments ago.
It was on the Skybase that they found King Mondo waiting for them. He did not look happy. "How could you let him get away?" he bellowed, pacing around his throne room. "We had him trapped and you let him get away!"
"Well, um," stammered Klank, trying to avoid his king's wrath.
Machina stepped in. "Now husband dear, you do not want your oil pressure to go up again. Calm down and we'll think of a way around this unfortunate obstacle."
"What?" demanded her husband, "What can we do now? We had that Billy in our hands! We almost had the Gold Ranger! It was a perfect trap for those Rangers! And these…idiots mess it up!"
"Do not worry," assured Machina, "We can and will do better next time."
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"There, it is finished." Trey spoke quietly, taking the Golden Power staff. It was two weeks since Billy's capture and Trey had now fully regained his health. The Triforian looked over at Billy, who was now dressed in his regular clothing. "How do you feel?"
Billy took a breath. "Oddly enough, better. I suppose I should be feeling weak from the exchange, but I don't. I think I'm even a bit stronger now." He smiled sadly. He hadn't wanted the others around when the transfer took place. None of the others had really understood why, but had respected his decision. The discovery of him being the Gold Ranger had prompted some discussion, but not much, although Rocky couldn't help but gloat that he had been right all along.
"The Golden Powers are no longer having a draining effect upon you," Zordon said, "Your energy has been renewed."
"All of your vital signs are normal," reported Alpha, having just finished scanning Billy.
"Thanks Alpha," nodded Billy. He looked over at Trey. "So, what do you plan on doing now?"
"Your planet still requires help against the Machine Empire," replied Trey thoughtfully. "My healing here has been complete, and I am not urgently required back on my planet. I believe that I will continue to stay here, until such time is that I am not needed anymore."
"You're welcome to stay with me," offered Billy.
"Thank you for the offer Billy," smiled Trey, "But I have already decided that I will live in Pyramidus as that will be the easiest." He turned to look up at Zordon. "Is it ready?"
"Yes," replied the wizard, "You may take it when you see fit."
"Then I will leave immediately." Trey bowed to all of them. "Thank you Billy. Without you, I would have died here. Your courage helped to keep your planet safe and me alive. You truly are worthy of bearing the Ranger powers. May the Power protect you always." With that, the Gold Ranger vanished in a stream of black-gold light.
"Zord bay doors are opening Zordon," reported Alpha. Billy watched on the viewing globe as the large pyramid Zord left the bay, flying high up into the atmosphere. He lifted one hand up; his own quiet way of saying what he could not express in words.
"Thank you."
Billy couldn't describe how he felt at that moment. He had tasted the feeling of being a Power Ranger again. And like before, it was gone now. Billy sighed deeply as Pyramidus disappeared from view. He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, and turned to see Alpha standing next to him.
"Always a Power Ranger," Alpha said quietly. Billy smiled, knowing that Alpha was right.
It wasn't the uniform, or the Powers. It was whom he was inside, who he always would be:
A Power Ranger.
~ The End ~