Disclaimer- All MST3K characters and parodied theme song belong to Best Brains. All Rangers belong to Saban. The story belongs to April Richards, and no nastiness is intended. That said, on with the show!

Mystery Ranger Theater 3000 theme

In the not too distant future,
In Angel Grove, CA,
The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Were enjoying a quiet day.
Just sitting around in the park,
When suddenly the sky turned dark.
Lord Zedd ripped a hole in time and space,
And the putties came and kicked them all into another plaaaace!

Zedd: "I'll send them cheesy fanfics,
"The worst I can find,
"They'll have to sit and read them all,
"And it oughta blow their minds!"
Now Zordon and Alpha search and scan
For Tommy and his friends.
They'll have to keep their sanity
Until the fanfics end!

Ranger roll call!
Tommy! (I'm the leader!)
Billy! (Affirmative!)
The new guys! (HEY!)
Kiiiiiiiiiiiim!

If you're wondering why adults don't know,
And other plotline facts,
Repeat to your self, "It's just a show,
"I should really just relax!"
For Mystery Ranger Theater 3000!

As far as Billy could tell, it was morning in the dimension. Not because there were clocks, or windows, but because Tommy, Rocky, and Adam were sparring, while Kim and Aisha were talking about something over coffee. That meant it was morning.
The teen genius sighed, looking over the equipment he was fiddling with. The dimension Zedd had sent them to was designed for one purpose and one alone- to break the will of the inhabitants with cheesy fanfics. Periodically, the Rangers were forced into the theater by the sophisticated computer system, which Billy was currently trying to modify to contact Zordon and Alpha.
"Oh, what's the use?" he asked, throwing his hands up in the air. "Zedd has designed this thing to be quite impervious to my meddling."
"Well, we can't give up," Aisha replied, coming over to him. "I'm not sure how much longer I can stand these fanfics. That last Sailor Moon lemon..." She shivered.
Billy made a face. "It was rather- uh-oh. What's that?" "That" was a strange thrumming sound that echoed through the plush dimension, accompanied by a light that began to grow stronger.
"What's Zedd up to this time?" Tommy yelled, in order to be heard over the rapidly increasing thrum. Suddenly a blinding flash swept the room.
When it cleared, the Rangers quickly took stock of their situation. Immediately they noticed the difference- Aisha was gone! Where she had been standing lay two odd-looking robots. One appeared to have been made from a gumball machine, while the other was gold and vaguely birdlike. Slowly they looked around themselves.
"Crow, do you have any idea where we are?" the gumball machine asked. The gold thing shook its head.
"Not a clue. Maybe we should ask these people, huh?"
"Who are you, and what have you done with Aisha?" Rocky challenged.
The two robots looked at each other in confusion. "Aisha? Who's Aisha?" the gold robot asked.
"Yeah, I'm Tom Servo, and this is my buddy Crow, and we don't know- wait a minute. Did you say- Aisha?"
"Yeah," Kim replied. "We did."
"You wouldn't be named Kimberly, would you? And the guy with the long hair is Tommy?"
Tommy nodded. "That's right, we are."
"AARRGGH!" Tom screamed. "Crow, we're in a dimension with the POWER RANGERS!"
Before Crow could reply, the communications equipment began to flash.
"It'll have to wait, guys," Billy sighed. "Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dumber are calling." He pushed a button on the console, and a picture of Lord Zedd and Goldar coalesced on the monitor.
"Greetings, Rangers," Zedd chortled. "I hope that dimensional storm didn't shake you up TOO badly."
"Where's Aisha?" Adam broke in.
"I truly have no idea, Black Ranger. Perhaps in mortal peril, or back in your precious Command Center sobbing on Zordon's shoulder- or lack thereof. Perhaps she's even already destroyed." The villain laughed. "You, however, are not so lucky! Today, I have a fanfic sure to break your wills. It's a little gem by April Richards, and it's all about you! A crossover, no less!"
"Man, and I thought Dr. F was bad," Tom commented.
"_I_ am the supreme evil, robot! You will learn that soon enough! Goldar, send them the fic!"
"Yes, oh malevolent one!" the gold monkey replied, hitting a button on the terminal before him. Lights began to flash all throughout the dimension.
"AUGHHH!" The Rangers yelled. "We've got fanfic sign!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<The Rangers and the bots file into the theater>
 

>LOST AND FOUND: A SPEED RACER/MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS
> CROSSOVER

ALL: WHAT?
ROCKY: I'm gonna be sick...
TOM: Geez, Speed Racer makes your show look like Hamlet!
TOMMY: We're a show?

>By: April Michelle Richards (Hoshiko466@aol.com)

CROW: I remember her. She does dream sequences without capitals, and has Tommy and Kimberly fool around a lot.
KIM: I'm going to have a talk with this girl, if I ever get out of here.
TOMMY: You and me both.

>==============================================================
>****************WARNING!!**LEGAL STUFF!!*************************
> Yeah, MMPR is owned by Saban and SPEED RACER and related
>characters are owned by Tatsunoko Ltd. And, I know that I'm doing
>this story with out their permission, but hey, so what:P

ADAM: Go ahead and sue! I'm broke anyway!
BILLY: What's ten years in prison?

>==============================================================

> The stench of burnt oil and rubber hung over all of the race
>way and clung to the group of people who were huddled around a
>man in a black and white racing costume with a mask with an "X"
>on it.

ROCKY: Now that is a run-on sentence.
TOM: I have a very bad feeling about this.

> The group consisted of mainly teens or young adults in
>black and red racing jackets with Harlequin masks on the back and
>the words "Harlequin Racing Team" embroidered across the top.
>Much to the surprise of any outsider, a Putty Patroller was also
>a member; his gray mottled face sticking out in the crowd.

RANGERS: The HELL?
KIM: Show me a putty with the brains to SAY "car," let alone drive one.

> The Harlequin Racing Team watched as a white, three pronged
>car roared passed them, followed a few seconds later by a blue
>and silver, bullet shaped car. The masked man clicked on a stop
>watch and grinned.

ROCKY: Who WAS that Masked Man?

> "Well, Racer X, how did they do?" A young man with the name
>"Thumper" embroidered on his jacket asked.

CROW: It's sad how Disney treats its employees.

> "Speed beat Hacker by 1/1000 of a second. It was close.
>Those modifications Hacker made to the Blue Lightning really paid
>off." Racer X remarked.

BILLY: Kuno?
TOM: No, that's Blue THUNDER.

> At that moment, a teenage boy with black hair and bright
>blue eyes and a girl with hair dyed a bright, metallic purple and
>blue-gray eyes approached the group. The boy had on white jeans
>with brown loafers and a blue shirt with a golden "G" monogrammed
>on the chest. His white helmet with a red "M" on the front was
>cradled in his arm.

ADAM: And we have crossover!
TOMMY: May God have mercy on our souls.

> The girl had on a black and red spandex body
>suit that showed off her curves, and a hint of roundness in her
>belly, with white, high heeled boots. Her red and black helmet
>with a blue streak of lightning on it was resting on her hip.
> "So, how badly did Speedy here beat my pants off?" The girl
>asked with no malice in her voice.

TOMMY: Rocky, don't even think about it.
CROW: For once, they're not talking to me.

> "Another 1/1000 of a second and it would have been a tie,
>Hacker." Racer X told her.
> "Good job, Speedy." Thumper hit Speed on the back.
> "Oph! Thanks, Thumper." Speed stumbled under the weight of
>the blow. "So, where's the next race?" He asked.
> "Angel Grove, California." Racer X answered. Hacker paled.
>"Are you alright, Hacker?"
> "Home." She whispered.
> "What?" Thumper looked at her.
> "I haven't been home since that fight. Poor Billy, did
>Father pick on you after I left?" She mused out loud.
> "Who?" Speed asked.
> "Billy Mitchell, my baby brother.

TOM: I thought your name was Cranston.
BILLY: So did I.

> We lived in Angel Grove
>all our lives." Hacker whispered. "I haven't seen him since I
>left." She walked away from the group, lost in memories.
>*_*_*_* [THE SAME DAY, ANGEL GROVE, CALIFORNIA]

> In Angel Grove, a blonde haired boy stood in front of a
>battered door. He raised his hand to knock, then paused. From
>inside the apartment, he could hear people speaking in Japanese.
>One voice belonged to his friend and team mate, Tommy Oliver, the
>other he did not know.

KIM: You speak Japanese?
TOMMY: News to me.

>The boy couldn't speak Japanese, but he
>could tell that Tommy was upset about something. "...Buku no
>tomodachi-tachi!..." The boy heard clearly through the door.
> _My friends._ The boy translated in his head. He couldn't
>speak Japanese, but he could understand a few words here and
>there. Just then, a man in a black suit and sunglasses came out
>of Tommy's apartment, looking angry and frazzled.

ADAM: Agent Jay was having a rough morning.

> He looked the
>blonde boy over, then tipped his hat.
> "Good luck with him. You'll need it. He's in a fine temper
>today." The man said with a touch of dry humor in his voice then
>left.

ROCKY: So what else is new?
TOMMY: Watch it, Rocko.

> The boy shook his head, then entered his friend's apartment.
>He paused at the door to remove his shoes and place them on a
>near by rack. "Tommy, it's me, Billy!" Billy called out.
> "In here, Billy." Tommy answered from the bathroom.
> Tommy's apartment was done in the Japanese fashion, so there
>were no chairs or couches. Only cushions and a low table. In
>one corner of the apartment, there was a small shrine with a
>Buddha surrounded by candles and incense. A few scrolls
>decorated the other wise bland, cream colored walls.

KIM<Snorts>: I've seen your room. That is not it.

> On the low table, there was evidence of a meal eaten. Two
>porcelain bowls with chop sticks were in the middle of the table,
>with a tea set. In one bowl there were a few grains of rice
>left. In all the time Billy had known him, Tommy never used a
>knife or fork. He didn't know how. Where ever he had lived
>before moving to Angel Grove, Tommy had been raised in the
>Japanese culture.

TOM: I thought he was part Indian.
TOMMY: Huh?
TOM: Whoops, you're not to that season yet, are you?

> Billy looked around for his friend. He was about to call
>out again, when Tommy walked out of the bathroom with a towel in
>his hand. He was not wearing a shirt, something that Billy had
>never seen him with out before.

BILLY: Sooo- I missed the Team Ninja competition?
ADAM: Must be an alternate universe.

> "Hi, Billy." Tommy smiled.
> "Hi, um, who was that just left?" Billy asked.
> "Just a person." Tommy picked up the bowls and entered the
>kitchen. "I have some tea if you want it."
> "Thanks, but I, um, had something to drink before I came
>here." Billy said. He had tried green tea once before and spent
>an entire week on a caffeine buzz. He didn't want to go through
>that again if he could avoid it.

TOM: Ladies and gentlemen, an early form of the "Rocky on Jolt" joke.

> "I guess you don't want to rearrange the garage twenty times
>again, eh?" Tommy raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Um, I have
>sake, beer, soda, juice. Just help your self." Tommy slipped
>back into the bedroom and pulled on shirt.

KIM: No pronouns. Who's writing this thing, Bob Dole?

> Billy selected a soda can with Japanese writing on it. He
>noticed pots bubbling on the stove. What ever was cooking
>smelled good. "What are you cooking?" Billy sniffed a pot.
> "Yose nobe and onigiri. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
>Tommy smiled.

> "What?" Billy asked.

CROW: Would you like to stay for dinner? Jeez, and he's supposed to be the bright one.

> "Fish chowder and rice balls." Tommy translated.
> "OK. Um, arigatoo." Billy bowed.
> Tommy signaled for Billy to sit on one of the cushions. The
>Green Ranger studied his friend. "You seem troubled. Wanna talk
>about it?"
> Billy took a deep breath and his stomach growled. Tommy
>laughed and handed him a tray with food on it. "Some Takoyaki
>(author's note: Takoyaki is octopus dumplings. However, Billy
>will not learn this until later:)

ADAM: Ahh, the old "I don't know I'm eating sushi" routine.
BILLY: Considering my dislike of fish, this is actually plausible.

> to tide you over. You were
>about to say..." Tommy prompted.
> "Well, um, you know about that big charity race that's this
>week, right?" Tommy nodded. "Well, um, I have an older sister,
>Trystan Lee. Um, she calls herself..."

TOM: Lil, but everyone knew her as Nancy.
BILLY: Now THAT was obscure.

> "Hacker, right? With the Harlequin Racing Team." Tommy
>finished. "How come you never talked about her before?"
> "Yeah. Well, you see I haven't seen her since she was
>fifteen. I was thirteen. Dad kicked her out when she refused a
>scholarship to Harvard Law School. She wanted to go to Angel
>Grove Tech and study Auto-mechanics. She loved cars and racing.
>She used to build working models and race them for fun. One time
>she made some, um, "modifications" to Dad's car.

CROW: Specifically, she cut the brake line.

> When he went
>into fifth gear, he almost broke the sound barrier and Trystan's
>neck. Man, he was mad at her! It was shortly after that he
>kicked her out. She joined the Harlequins and became a racer,
>like she always wanted to do. I haven't heard from her since.
>Dad forbid me to have any contact with her. He destroyed all the
>pictures with her in it. It was like she was dead." Billy
>buried his head in his hands.

KIM: Whoa! When did we end up in General Hospital?
BILLY: I'd like to put this WRITER in the hospital. My Dad is NOT like that!

> "Gomen." Tommy whispered. "I'm sorry. And, lemme guess.
>Things at home are not too comfortable right now, right?"
> "Affirmative. Dad was always overbearing. Especially after
>Mother died. When Trystan left, it was awful. Several times I
>wanted to run away and be with Trystan, but I knew that Dad would
>track me down. I'm his "great, white hope."" Billy said in a
>bitter tone.

ROCKY: Gee, Billy, I didn't know you were into boxing.

> "Would you like to stay here until the race is over? My
>apartment is not big, but I do have an extra futon for you to
>sleep on. And, your father does not have my number, right?"
>Billy nodded, eating his takoyaki. "Then, he can not bother you.
>Let's go to your house and get your things." Tommy stood up. He
>pulled out a packet of cigarettes from his back pocket. They
>were Hoosaku brand. They didn't smell as nasty as most tobacco
>did and they were the only brand that Tommy would smoke.

TOMMY: The HELL! No martial artist in his right MIND smokes! Especially not one who spends his days getting trashed by monsters!

> Tommy
>lit up as they left the apartment.
> Tommy's car was a battered 1981 Honda Civic. It was old and
>beat up, but it still ran. Tommy didn't know what the original
>color had been. It was gray when he bought it and had changed
>color three times since: silver, black, and now it was a faded
>blue. The interior was maroon.

KIM <Ominously>: So the blood stains won't show.

> Once they were settled in, the boys rode in silence. Billy
>looked at the neighborhood. It was one of Angel Grove's
>projects. There were two: Carrion Ridge,

BILLY: I was under the impression that housing projects had more- optimistic names than that.

>which was near the
>mountains, and the one Tommy lived in, Salem Courts, on the east
>end of town, near the docks and warehouses. Like most city
>projects, Salem Courts was filled with tenant apartments, low
>rent houses, and abandoned buildings. Graffiti was scrawled
>across every flat surface. Crime was at its highest here. Most
>teens didn't go to school, but the few who did went to Salem
>Courts High School. Tommy was the only kid from the 'Courts to
>attend Angel Grove High School.

TOMMY: So- I live in a slum?
TOM: Makes me wonder how you afford all those color-changing clothes.
TOMMY: Let's not get into that.

> Billy lived on the west end of town in a small, split level
>house. It had a neatly trimmed lawn surrounded by a fence and
>fresh paint on the shutters. A swing graced the front porch.

ROCKY: Wally! Beaver! Time for dinner!

> Tommy parked in front of the house. "We're here." He said
>to Billy. The boys got out of the car and headed for the front
>porch. Tommy looked over to the living room window and saw Mr.
>Mitchell glaring out the window at his son.
> Billy unlocked the door with his key. He hadn't seen his
>father's angry face. As soon as he opened the door, a large,
>furry blur knocked the Blue Ranger off his feet.
> "Oof! Down, Jedi!" Billy laughed as his german sheopard,
>Jedi, licked his face. "Stop it, Jedi! I won't have a face
>left!" Tommy pulled the dog off Billy and scratched his ears. He
>and Jedi got along pretty well.

ADAM: Jedi? So your dog moves things with his mind?
BILLY: You oughta see him play "Fetch the Light Saber."

> Just then, Mr. Mitchell entered the main hall. "So, you're
>finally back, William." He said.
> "I'm just here to pick up some clothes." Billy said. "I'm
>staying with Tommy until the race is over."
> "Is that so? Did you ask for my permission to stay with you
>_friend_?" Mitchell asked icily.
> "Dad, it's only until the race is over." Billy started, but
>his father cut him off.
> "Is that so? Then, get all your things and leave my house.
>If I can't have obedient children, then I don't want any."
>Mitchell turned away.

BILLY: THAT'S IT! My dad is NOT a petty tyrant!
TOMMY: Yeah, the only time I've met him, he seemed like more of a wimp.
KIM: Very sensitive, Tommy, thank you.

> Billy's shoulders slumped and tears fell out of his blue
>eyes. He ran up the stairs. Tommy glared at Mitchell, but
>didn't say anything. Mitchell swallowed and backed away. Tommy
>snorted, muttered something in Japanese, then followed Billy up
>the stairs.
>*_*_*_*
>
> Billy was on his bed, crying. He had his suit case out, but
>hadn't started to pack. Tommy let his friend cry and did the
>packing for him.
> "Zordon, could you send down some card board boxes?" Tommy
>clicked on his communicator.
> -OF COURSE, BUT WHY DO YOU NEED THEM?
> "Long story, but basically Billy's father is an asshole and
>kicked Billy out. He's staying with me now. We need the boxes
>to pack his stuff in and we'll need to use some of that empty
>space in the Command Center for storage. Especially Billy's
>lab." Tommy answered.
> -I UNDERSTAND. I CAN HAVE ALPHA TELEPORT BILLY'S ENTIRE LAB
>NOW AND HAVE IT READY AS SOON AS HE WANTS TO USE IT.

ADAM: Sooo- what happened to not using the powers for personal gain?
ROCKY: First rule of fanfic- if you don't like it, ignore it.

> "OK." Tommy signed off. He went to Billy and put his arm
>around him. "It'll be OK. You can live with me." He whispered.
>As soon as he had enough of Billy's things packed to ally
>Mitchell's suspicion, Tommy asked Zordon to teleport everything
>else to the Command Center. It would all sorted out there.
>Grabbing several card board boxes, Tommy made Billy carry the
>large suitcase.
> Mitchell glared at the teens as they left. "Give me your
>key, William. I don't want you breaking in here." He held out
>his hand.

TOM: You don't want him breaking in, so you take away his key?
ROCKY: Intelligence must run on the mother's side of the family.

>
> Billy dropped the key into his father's hand. Then, he ran
>out of the house. Tommy had the car packed and running. The
>neighbors were watching the small drama from their windows and
>porches. An elderly lady shook her head and approached the boys.
> "What happened?" She demanded. "Did your father kick you
>out?" She took Billy's hand.
> "Yes." Tommy answered for his still stricken friend.
>"Billy's living with me now." Tommy continued.

KIM: Oh, good, Tommy. Spill the beans to the entire neigborhood.
TOMMY: I'm not THAT insensitive- am I?
<Silence>

> "Where do you live, child?" The lady continued her
>interrogation.
> "Salem Courts." Tommy answered, then all but shoved Billy
>through into the car and took off.
> The lady reached into her pocket and took out her cel phone.
>Soon, all the gossips of the neighborhood had the news of the
>latest atrocity committed by William Mitchell Senior.
>
>*_*_*_*
>
> Billy sighed as Tommy sped away from his old home. Tommy
>looked grim as he lit up another cigarette. Never in his life
>had he seen a defenseless child like Billy thrown to the wolves

BILLY: I like wolves.
TOM: Now why doesn't that surprise me?

>like that. He ground the gears and swore softly. Billy was
>sobbing when they pulled into the garage. Tommy gently lead his
>friend into the apartment and eased him onto a cushion.
> "Sit here. I'll get the stuff from the car." Tommy told
>his friend. Billy just nodded and continued to stare at a blank
>T.V.

ROCKY: It was a heck of a lot more interesting than the plot.

>It was a second hand black and white one Tommy picked up at
>a yard sale when he first moved to Angel Grove. It only got
>three stations, since Tommy couldn't afford cable.
>
> In the garage, Tommy piled up all of Billy's worldly goods.
>He had summoned Zordon to teleport the rest of Billy's things,
>except for the lab. There was no room for it. At that same
>time, Jason Lee Scott and Zach Taylor teleported into the garage.

ADAM: Didn't Zack spell his name with a K?
CROW: Listen, after Dr. Thinker, be grateful that's ALL that's wrong.

> "Zordon told us what happened." Jason said as he grabbed
>the nearest box. "How is Billy?"
> "Not too good. I think he's in shock, but I'm not sure."
>Tommy shook his head. "That man is a real asshole, you know."
>The Green Ranger sighed. Jason and Zach blushed. They were not
>used to someone trashing a parent, no matter how correct the
>observation was.

KIM: So Jason Lee Scott has never said anything bad about an adult in his life?

> "Oh, Kim and Trini are in your apartment." Jason said.
>"They teleported there so they can help Billy."

ROCKY: That'd bring me out of shock.
TOMMY: Rocko, I'm warning you.

> "Good. He'll need it. It's gonna be hard for him to adjust
>to living in this part of town." Tommy sighed. _And, I hope he
>never adjusts. He's too innocent. I don't want him to become
>hardened like me._ Tommy added to himself.

<Crow and Rocky shake their heads.>
CROW: Nahh. Even we have some standards.

>*_*_*_* [INSIDE RACER X AND HACKER'S TRAILER, LATE NIGHT.]

KIM: I don't want to know...

> Hacker sat on the bed she shared with Racer X. She sighed
>and patted the small bulge in her stomach. Just then, the
>mysterious Racer X came into the trailer. He looked over at a
>small girl with dark hair and blue-gray eyes playing with her
>dolls.
> "Hi, Daddee!" She chirped.
> "Hello, Tara." Racer X kissed the top of his daughter's
>head. Then, he turned to his young wife. "Are you OK?"
> "I guess so. I haven't been in Angel Grove since I...left."
>Hacker sighed. "I just hope Billy's OK."

TOM: _I_ hope he's been stomped to death by a monster.
BILLY: Hey!
TOM: Well, not YOU...

> Racer X sat by his wife and put his arms around her. "I
>know you tried to make your peace with your father, but he
>wouldn't listen, I was there, remember? Don't blame yourself."
>He hugged her. Hacker laid her head on his chest.
> "I know. I just worry about Billy, that's all. After
>Mother died, I became his mother, then I left him. He must have
>felt like he lost his mother again. But, then again, you know
>what it's like to leave a precious sibling behind." Hacker
>looked at Racer X.
> "Speed." Racer X whispered. (Another Author's note: For
>those of you who have never watched Speed Racer before, Racer X
>is Speed's older brother Rex, who ran away from home years ago.)

BILLY: Look out! Gratuitous info dump!

>"He really misses me. You know what he told me the other day?"
>Racer X laughed sadly.
> "What?"
> "He said that I remind him of his older brother Rex!" Racer
>X laughed. Hacker joined in the laughter than sobered.
> "Have you talked to Yoshi yet?" She asked.
> "No. I talked to Donald and he said that Yoshi doesn't want
>just to testify against those creeps. He wants revenge and he
>wants to die." Racer X sighed.

TOM: Man, I didn't think putting up with Baby Mario was THAT bad!

> "Are you still gonna take him to the trial?"
> "It's all going as planned, but I think when we put Yoshi in
>that apartment by himself, we made a mistake. He's had three
>years to brood over everything that happened. And, he's had no
>one to talk to about it." Racer X's shoulders slumped.
> "Yoshi is friends with Billy. Do you think that he knows
>anything?"

TOMMY: Oh, no... I know what's coming.

> "No. Yoshi doesn't talk about his past to his friends."
>Racer X said. Just then, the phone rang. Racer X answered it.
>"Hello?"
> <Racer X, we have a small problem.> A soft, and familiar,
>voice said.
> "Yoshi, what's wrong?"
> <Mitchell kicked Billy out of the house. He's living with
>me now.> Yoshi said, then hung up the phone.

TOMMY: AUGHH! <hides his face in his hands>
CROW: Oh yeah, we should have warned you.
TOM: She's got a thing for giving you dark and mysterious pasts.
CROW: Dark, mysterious, JAPANESE pasts.

> Racer X and Hacker looked at each other in concern.
>
>*_*_*_* [TOMMY'S APARTMENT, LATE NIGHT]
> Tommy frowned at the phone he had just hung up. It was late
>in the night and Billy had finally fallen asleep on his futon. A
>teddy bear, dressed like Einstein, was pressed close to his
>chest. His glasses were laying next to the futon. Billy's cover
>was crooked. Quietly, Tommy straightened the cover and brushed
>Billy's blonde bangs off his face. Then, he kneeled in front of
>his small shrine. "Please, watch over my friend." He whispered.
>
>*_*_*_*
>
> Bright sunlight hit Billy's closed eyes. He groaned and
>rolled over. A hand shook him awake.
> "Ohayoo, Birrii-kun!" A voice shouted.

TOMMY: And WHY would I be waking him up in Japanese?
CROW: She's an otaku. She's got to fit it in somewhere.

> _When did Father learn Japanese?_ Billy thought woozily.
>_Wait a minute! Japanese??_ Billy bolted upright, striking his
>head against Tommy's nose.
> "Ow! By dib dou do dab!" Tommy asked, covering his
>bleeding nose with his hands.
> "Oh, sorry." Billy blushed.
> "Daijoobu." Tommy responded.
> "What?" Billy looked at his friend.
> "That's OK." Tommy translated. "Did you sleep well last
>night?" He turned to finish setting the table.
> "I guess so." Billy watched his friend go about his morning
>routine. Tommy had tried to prepare the kind of breakfast Billy
>was used to. Unfortunately, Tommy had never tried to cook bacon
>and eggs and thought that the two were to be cooked together. He
>also wasn't sure where the cheese came into play, so he layered
>it on top, after it had been cooked. Billy kneeled at the low
>table, then picked up a fork that Tommy had bought for him. It
>had Mickey Mouse on it, but it was the only one he could find on
>such short notice. And, Billy was grateful for Tommy's efforts.
>
> "How are your eggs?" Tommy asked worriedly.
> "Fine. I never made them this way before." Billy added.
>Tommy blushed. "Aren't you going to have any eggs?" Billy asked
>when he saw that Tommy was only eating a bowl of brown rice with
>chop sticks.
> "No. This is what I always eat for breakfast." Tommy
>explained.

ROCKY: Unless you leggo my Eggo.

> The boys ate in silence. Just as they had finished their
>meals, a knock sounded at the door. Tommy stood up and strolled
>over to the door. He peered out the eye hole. Outside stood
>Racer X, Hacker, and little Tara. Tommy opened the door and
>bowed to his guests. "Agatte-kudasai." He stood back. Tara
>looked at her parents.
> "What did he say, Daddy?" She asked.

TOM: I'll tell you when you're older, dear.

> "He asked us to come in." Racer X translated for his
>daughter. Then, he slipped off his boots and placed them on the
>rack. Hacker followed suit with hers. Tara looked from her
>parents to their shoes, then tugged off her little pink high
>tops. By this time, Billy had risen to greet his sister.
> "Trystan." He whispered. His sister smiled at him and held
>out Tara for Billy to take.
> "Meet your niece, Tara Louisa Mitchell." Hacker said.
>Billy took the child into his arms. Tara threw her small, plump
>arms around Billy's neck.

BILLY: Choking him to death and ending the fanfic.
KIM: BILLY!
BILLY: Hey, he's my double, I can say that.

> "Hi-ya, Uncle Billy!" She chirped. Then, she squirmed out
>of Billy's grip and tottled over to Tommy. "Hey, Yogi!"

ALL: Hey, Boo Boo!

> She
>hugged Tommy's slender legs. The Green Ranger picked up the
>little girl, laughing.
> "It's Yoshi not Yogi, Tara." Racer X corrected. Billy
>stared at his friend.
> "That's OK, Racer X. She can call me Yogi if she wants."
>Tommy gave the little girl a toss and caught her. Tara squealed
>with delight. "Now, you guys sit and Tara and I will get
>drinks." Tommy put the little girl down. "Bet'cha I'm faster!"
>He raced Tara to the kitchen. Once he hit the slick linoleum of
>the kitchen, Tommy slipped and slid into the kitchen, catching
>Tara in the process. The two slid until they skidded to a stop
>at the far wall. Tara jumped up and down, clapping her hands.
> "Again, Yogi, again!" She begged.

CROW: Tommy gets that from ALL the girls.
TOMMY: Crow, if you don't wanna be a practice dummy, I suggest you shut up.

> "Later. I'm sure your mommy, daddy, and uncle Billy are
>thirsty." Tommy opened the fridge. "What is your favorite
>flavor of soda?" He asked.
> "Strawberry!" Tara exclaimed.

BOTS: ARGGGH! Ratliff flashback!
ADAM: Who?

> Tommy handed her a can of
>strawberry soda.
> "This is Tara's can." He said. Then, he gave her a regular
>one. "This is Uncle Billy's can." Then, he gave her a diet one.
>"And, this is Mommy's can."

TOM: Stephen Ratliff. We'll explain later.

> "OK!" She trotted back into the living room with her
>precious burden. Tommy retrieved a can of beer for Racer X and
>himself. Then, he joined his guests in the living room. After
>giving Racer X his beer, Tommy sat on a cushion farthest from the
>group. He wanted to give them their privacy. Tara curled up on
>his lap and drank her soda.

KIM: Wow, action, adventure, and drinks. I know I'M on the edge of my seat.

> "So, Trystan," Billy started. "What have you been doing
>since you left home?"
> "Well, I married Racer X shortly after I joined the
>Harlequins. And, I've been racing and raising Tara." Then, she
>patted her stomach. "And, we have another one on the way." She
>added proudly.
> "Oh. Um, how did you know that I was here?" Billy asked.
> "Yoshi, er, Tommy called us and told us what happened."
>Hacker answered. "Are you OK? Father didn't try to get a few
>licks in before he kicked out, did he?"

<Billy growls, Rocky and Adam restrain him.>
ADAM: It's okay, man. This was probably written before anybody saw your dad.

> Concern was etched on her
>face as she remembered how physically painful her leaving had
>been.
> "No. Tommy was there to prevent that. Father knew better
>than to beat me around a witness. Especially a witness that is an
>expert in seven styles of the Martial Arts."
> Billy answered in
>a wry voice. Hacker shook her head, then reached out to Billy.
>The siblings hugged each other. When Hacker pulled away, she was
>crying.
> "Will you write me now that you don't live with Father
>anymore?" She asked.

CROW: No, I still hate your guts.

> "Affirmative." Billy nodded. "I missed you." He
>whispered. Tommy quietly put the now sleeping Tara down and
>exited the living room. Racer X followed him with a worried look
>on his face. Once in the room he used for storage, Tommy pulled
>out his cigarettes and climbed onto the fire escape. He lit up
>and blew a ring of smoke over the city scape five stories below
>him. Seeing Billy and Hacker together had reopened wounds that
>had never fully healed. Tommy closed his eyes, resting his
>forehead against the cold steel railing. Images of a wall of
>fire and a fire fighter with bright blue eyes came unbidden into
>his mind. "Mama. Papa." Tommy whispered softly.

TOM: Look out, flashback alert!
ROCKY: Does that mean the screen's gonna go all wavy? Cause I get carsick.

> "Is this a private party?" Racer X asked. Tommy looked up.
>He shrugged his shoulders in a noncommittal gesture. Racer X
>sipped his beer, then sat next to Tommy. "So, Yoshi..." Racer X
>started, but Tommy cut him off.
> "Don't call me that! Yoshi is dead!" Tommy snapped.
>"Yoshi died three years ago!" He added.

CROW: Boy, he's sure made a lot of video games for a dead dinosaur.

> "Tommy, do you hate us?" Racer X asked in a gentle voice.
>"Do you?" Tommy looked away from the mysterious man. Racer X
>sighed and stood up. "The trial is next week. I'll pick you up
>around noon." He said, then left the Green Ranger musing on his
>fire escape. Tommy did not go into his apartment until Racer X
>and his family had left.
> "Tommy," Billy hesitated when he saw his friend enter the
>apartment. "Tommy, can I ask you a question?"

TOM: No.

> Tommy sighed. He knew this day would be coming. He turned
>to his friend. "You want to know why Hacker called me Yoshi,
>right?" Billy nodded yes. Tommy took off his T-shirt and turned
>his back to Billy. The Blue Ranger gasped with amazement when he
>saw the network of deep scars that covered Tommy's back. Billy
>hesitantly ran his hand over them.

ROCKY: You know where this scene led in Lethal Weapon 3.
<Tommy and Billy both punch him.>

> "What happened?"
> "I guess I should tell you that my name wasn't always Tommy
>Oliver. Up until three years ago, Tommy Oliver did not exist.
>My real name was Yoshi Kurukawa. I lived in the Shinjuku
>projects of San Fransico with my family. Yes, everyone was poor
>and we had a lot of the same problems that most slums have, but
>we still had our pride and a respect for hard work. The
>apartments we lived in our ancestors had built by hand. The land
>had been purchased from the city." Tommy got a far away look in
>his brown eyes.

TOM: And smoke began to pour from his ears.

> "These apartments were on prime land, next to a large, fancy
>restaurant and some expensive department stores. The man who
>owned the restaurant and the stores wanted our buildings torn
>down so he could make parking lots. We refused his offer of a
>buy out. That was when the threats started. Broken windows,
>racial graffiti spray painted on the walls. Simple stuff like
>that. Nothing different than what we encountered everyday, just
>for being Japanese.

ADAM: Uh-huh. He's six feet tall, with brown, curly hair, and he's Japanese? Ain't gonna happen.

> Well, I was fourteen at the time. I was in
>the basement, playing cards with a few friends. There was a
>major ice storm brewing outside, so we didn't chance going out
>for our fun. We saw several members of a gang, the Lord
>Gangstas, laying bundles around the central heater. They ran
>when they saw us looking at them. We reported it to the super of
>the building, but he ignored us. By that night, we had also
>dismissed the strange bundles from our minds. I wish we hadn't."
>Tommy paused in his story.
> "What happened?" Billy asked. "Were those bundles
>incendiary devices?"

TOM: Can you speak in words of one syllable?

> "Yes. Fire bombs. There were literarily a ton of them in
>the buildings. They went off that night. Killing everyone but
>me and a few others. I was found in my bedroom by this young
>fire fighter. He managed to get me out. But, I had third degree
>burns all over my back. I was almost dead from smoke inhalation.
>I later learned that the other survivors, there were three
>others, died later from their injuries. I was the only survivor
>and the only one who had seen the gang who did it." Tommy
>hesitated. "And, I also know who was behind it. Malcum
>Brewster."
> "Of Brewster's Industries?" Billy yelped incredulously.

TOM: AUUGHH! It's Karl Ziktor!
KIM: Who?
CROW: Different show.

>"The guy sponsoring the big race this week!" Billy exclaimed.
> "I saw his right hand man, Robert McNickles there. And, I
>heard him talking to Brewster."
> "But why would the nation's largest philanthropist commit mass
>murder?"

ADAM: Everybody's gotta have a hobby.

> "Greed. He wanted everything, and when the residents of the
>Shinjuku projects didn't give in, he did what he wanted anyways.
>After the fire, there was no one left to fight the sale of the
>land." Tommy slumped down in his cushion.
> "But, Tommy, that was three years ago! You've only lived in
>Angel Grove for a year! Where were you for two years?" Billy
>demanded.
> "I was in a coma for three months. After I recovered from
>my injuries, nine months later, I was sent to a rehab center for
>a year."

TOMMY: Yeah, I became a codeine addict.

> "So, after you were discharged from the center, you were
>sent to Angel Grove to live, right?" Billy said. "Why?"
> "Well, the Attorney General got word of who was behind the
>Shinjuku Projects Fire and started an in depth investigation.
>They wanted their only eye witness, me, in a witness protection
>program, but there had been some serious leaks in their program.
>That's when the fire fighter who had saved me stepped in. He had
>a friend who worked for an agency of some kind who could hide me.
>The fire fighter's name was Gregory Racer, better known as
>"Speed" Racer.

ADAM: Oh, yeah, Speed's got connections EVERYWHERE.

> And, Racer X, your sister's husband, was his
>friend. They gave me a new name and a new history. And, they
>got me enrolled in Angel Grove High. They setup this apartment
>for me. The man you saw leaving my apartment yesterday was in
>charge of guarding me and making sure that there was nothing that
>I needed. Like money, medical care, stuff like that." Tommy
>traced a scar on his leg.

TOM: Quaaludes, uppers, that sort of thing.

> "You lost everyone in that fire, didn't you." It wasn't a
>question. Tommy nodded.
> "Mama and Papa. Tomoko, my baby sister. Kennichi, my kid
>brother. My grandparents. My best friends. And, Shio." Tears
>were falling down his face.
> "Who was Shio?"
> "My girlfriend!" Tommy wailed. He buried his head in his
>hands and cried. Billy, still stinging from his own personal
>loss, wrapped his arms around his friend. Together, the boys
>cried, comforting each other.
>*_*_*_* [THE NEXT DAY, ANGEL GROVE RACE WAY]

KIM <Scully>: 10:13 PM. Mulder and I were in Ohio...

> All of Angel Grove was abuzz with the week long activities
>that would lead up to the big race. School had been canceled for
>the week, so the students could enjoy it. The student government
>even had a booth set up, one of many, selling cookies done in the
>shapes of race cars and home made chocolate candies done in a
>racing theme. Kimberly and Trini worked the booth, which was
>next to the one Ernie set up to sell his juice drinks and
>sandwhiches from.

CROW: Does that man own EVERY business in Angel Grove?
BILLY: There are days it seems like it.

> "Isn't this soo kewl!" Kimberly squealed as she laid out
>cookies on checkered flag napkins.

KIM: WHAT! How DARE she write me as a ditz!
TOMMY: Um- Kim? Back then, you _were_ a ditz.

> "Yeah! And, those cookies are adorable!" Trini agreed.
>She was laying out the candies in clear plastic, car shaped
>containers. "Who made them?"
> "Zach did!" Kimberly laughed.
> "Zach?? Our Zachary Taylor?" Trini's mouth dropped open.
>"The same Zach who failed Home Economcis in eighth grade! The
>same one who almost blew up the school when he tried to bake a
>cake!"

CROW: Yeah, right. Probably just a cover story.

> "Yeah, he learned by helping his mother! And, his cookies
>are the best!" Kimberly giggled. Then, she brushed a strand of
>her light brown hair out of her eyes. "I hope Tommy gets here
>soon. He promised to help us with the booth! I hope he didn't
>forget."
> Trini sighed. "Well, if he did, he does have an excuse. He
>has to get Billy settled into his apartment. And, it has to be
>culture shock for Billy. I mean, Tommy's way of life is very
>Japanese."
> "True, but I think Tommy is trying to make it easy for
>Billy. He called me this morning and wanted to know why bacon
>and eggs were called that if you didn't cook them together!"
>Kimberly laughed. Trini's eyes went wide.
> "He didn't?!" She gasped.
> "Yep. But, Billy ate them anyway. It was the thought that
>counts. Oh, there he is!" Kimberly pointed to her boyfriend.
>He and Billy were cutting through the milling crowds. Kimberly
>jumped up and waved. As soon as Tommy was within range, Kimberly
>ran up to him and nearly tackled him. "Hi-ya, Handsome!" She
>purred in his ear.

CROW: I thought Power Rangers needed 20-20 vision.
TOMMY: Don't make me hurt you, Crow.

> "Hey yourself." He kissed her check, then put her down.
> "How are ya doin', Billy?" Kimberly turned to her friend.
> "As well as can be expected." Billy answered. He smiled
>sadly. Tommy put his hand on Billy's shoulder and gave it a
>squeeze. The Green Ranger understood his friend's problem better
>than anyone on the team.

ROCKY: The heartbreak of psoriasis.
ALL: ROCKY! YUK!

> "Well, um, have you seen Jason and Zach around?" Trini
>asked to break the uncomfortable silence.
> "Yeah, they were gawking at the Senoritas Race team from New
>Mexico." Tommy pointed to a group of busty females in bikinis
>and racing helmets. A large group of unattached and lonely males
>were around them.

CROW & ROCKY: Whoo-hoo!
KIM: Baka! <Somehow manages to backhand both of them.>

> "Ew! What sluts!" Kimberly wrinkled her nose. Trini
>nodded in agreement.
> "I find this totally amazing, Billy." Tommy commented to
>his friend.
> "What?" Billy asked.
> "That when pretty girls see other pretty girls, they act
>like they are smelling onions!" Tommy laughed.

ALL: <Bored> Ha ha ha.

> Billy paused for
>a moment to consider the joke, then joined in the merriment with
>his Green friend. "I guess we should get those two before they
>get themselves and us into trouble." Tommy shook his head.
>Being a man with a steady girlfriend, he didn't understand the
>way his unattached friends behaved around women, or the needs
>that drove them to their erratic behavior.

<All fidget uncomfortably>
TOMMY: I hope that's not implying what I _think_ it's implying...

> Tommy and Billy
>strolled over to their drooling team mates. Tommy grabbed Jason
>by the collar while Zach recieved simular treatment from Billy.
> "Hey!" Zach protested.
> "We're supposed to be helpin' Kim and Trini at the both.
>Not hittin' on bikini bimbos!" Tommy growled. He hadn't slept
>well the night before and Jason was going to face the brunt of
>the Green Ranger's anger. Jason looked at Tommy. He was pale
>and his long hair was disheveled. Dark circles underscored his
>brown eyes.

BILLY: Must have been some party.

> "Sorry." Jason said meekly. He knew that this wasn't a
>time to pick a fight with Tommy. _What is wrong with him?_
>Jason thought to himself. _He's been moody since he learned
>about this charity race._ The leader of the Power Rangers made a
>promise to himself to take Tommy aside when all this was over and
>try to get him to talk about what ever was eating at his soul.
> The male Rangers joined Kimberly and Trini just as the
>Harliquen Racing Team strolled over to the booth. The putty
>waved to the Rangers, recongizing them from his days as a warrior
>for Rita Repulssa.
> "Droo! Woo!" He jumped up and down and waved.

TOM & CROW: Drew! AUUUGH! Beetleborgs!

> "Shit!" Tommy growled. The Rangers fell into defensive
>stances.
> "Trystan, get out of the way!" Billy yelled.
> "What's wrong, Billy?" Hacker asked her brother, puzzled by
>the sudden change in her little brother's temperment.
> "There's a putty behind you!" Kimberly shouted.
> Hacker turned around, then smiled. "That's only Miguel.
>He's a friend. He's on our team." She explained. The Rangers
>relaxed their guard slightly.
> "How did he get on your team?" Jason demanded.
> "We found him." Racer X said. "He was considered defective
>by Rita Repulssa and was marked to be destroyed. For some reason
>he escaped. He's inteligent and can speak a little bit."

ROCKY: Goldar can speak, but he's not intelligent.

>Hacker's mysterious husband added.
> "Heerroo!" Miguel chripped. The Rangers stared in
>amazement. "Um, Hello." Jason said. "I'm Jason Lee Scott."
>He held out his hand. _I never thought I'd see the day when I'd
>shake hands with a Putty!_ Jason thought to himself.
> "Tommy Oliver." Tommy whispered.
> "Billy Mitchell." Billy spoked up.
> "Miicherru? Haakerrr ssssiissstta?" The Putty asked.
> "Affirmative. Hacker is my older sister." Billy nodded his
>head.
> "Kimberly Harte." Kim stuck out her hand.
> "Trini Kwuan."

BILLY: That's Kwan.
ROCKY: It was almost Cranston.
<Billy swats him.>

> "Zachary Taylor. Pleased to meetcha!" Zach laughed. "Hey,
>Miguel, do you think you could introduce the Jase-man and myself
>to those lovely Senoritas?"
> "Ookee dookey!" Miguel scrambled off in the direction of the
>Senoritas. At the edge of the group, Miguel pointed to a set of
>identical twins. "Sarrahh Saannddee girrru furiiendus!" Jason
>and Zach looked at each other, wide eyed.
> "A putty has two girlfriends?" Jason whispered. Zach
>shrugged his shoulders. "What do they do with him?"

ALL: None of your business!

> "Dunno." Zach frowned. Then, he flashed his brightest
>smile at the nearest Senorita. "Hello, Ladies, I'm the Zach-
>man!" He twirled around and did a little dance. The bikini clad
>lady looked down her nose at Zach.
> Jason approached another Senorita. "You me tonight." He
>ordered. The lady pushed him aside.

TOMMY: Jason was NOT that much of a jerk.
TOM: Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you- she hates Jason almost as
much as she likes you.

> The Rangers and the Harliquens watched the Senoritas reject
>the two Rangers. Tommy winced at the thought of their bruised
>egos. However, he did not blame the Senoritas. _What is about
>females that make those two into horny jerks?_ Tommy asked
>himself. Then, he noticed who the Senoritas, _sans_ the twins,
>were staring at with unbridled passion in their eyes. "Billy,"
>Tommy whispered. "I think those Senoritas like you."

BILLY: If this was still in my overalls phase, this is the most unlikely thing to occur during the fics.

> Billy turned bright red. "Oh God no!" He whimpered. He
>hid behind Tommy as the six Senoritas advanced on them.
> "I'm Amazonia." The leader, an Amazon of at least six foot
>six inches tall, stuck out her hand. Tommy found himself
>straining his neck to see Amazonia's face. It had been a long
>time since Tommy, the tallest of the Rangers at six foot even,
>had to look up to a woman. Amazonia was pretty, not too little
>girlish or masculine, as was the case for some tall women, in her
>looks. She was not muscular, but had a nice tone to her long,
>lean body.

KIM: Didn't I see her in "Sailor Moon?"

> "I'm Tommy Oliver. These are my friends, Billy Mitchell and
>Trini Kwuan and my girlfriend, Kimberly Harte. The would be
>Romeos in red and black are my friends Jason Lee Scott and Zach
>Taylor, respectively." Tommy did the introductions. "And, I'm
>assuming that you know the Harliquens."

ADAM: Escapees from the Joker's gang.

> "Hacker, it's been a long time." Amazonia hugged her
>friend. "Too long. Maybe we can get together before the race
>this weekend, OK?" Hacker smiled.
> "Great. I know we have another baby shower to plan."
>Amazonia grinned. Then, she turned her dazzling smile to Billy.
>"Isn't he your little brother?" She asked Hacker.
> "Yes." Hacker laughed. "And, he's unattached right now."
>She added. Billy turned a brighter shade of red and used Tommy
>to deflect the intensity of Amazonia's smile and the unsettling
>effects she had on him.
> "What's wrong with you, Billy?" Tommy whispered.
> "I don't know. I have this tightness in my pants. I'm
>scared." He whispered back. "I didn't have this tightness until
>I saw Amazonia up close!"

RANGERS: WHAT?
BILLY: Oh, PLEASE! I AM a teenage male, lack of social development or NOT!

> Tommy grinned softly. He knew it would have to happen
>sometime in Billy's life. "We'll talk about this later, OK.
>When we go home, but for now, why don't you go and talk to her."
> Billy's eyes went wide. "What? Me talk to her? What would
>I talk to her about?" His hands went to his throat.
> "I dunno. Cars, the weather, the race next weekend." Tommy
>advised.
> "OK." Billy took a deep breath and stepped out from behind
>Tommy. He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. He smiled shily
>at Amazonia. "I'm Billy Mitchell, Trystan, er Hacker's little
>brother." He said. Nervously he fiddled with his glasses.
>Then, he stared at his shoes. Tommy tapped Amazonia on the
>shoulder, then, when she leaned down, he whispered something in
>her ear. Amazonia nodded her head and smiled softly at Billy.
>The Senorita's head driver held out her hand to Billy. The two
>strolled away. With their leader gone, the other Senoritas
>giggled.
> "What a bod he's got hidden under those overalls! I wonder
>what he can do with it!" One said.

TOMMY: Oh, God, I hope this doesn't turn into a lemon.
TOM: Hey, at least you've never had to read "Artemis' Lover." <Shudders.>

> "I love a smart man! Techno-babble is the ultimate turn
>on!" Another squealed.
> "His glasses are so cute!"
> "Amazonia's the lucky one! She should learn to share!"
> Jason and Zach shook their heads in amazement. "I can't
>believe it! A putty and a nerd get the girls! What do they have
>that we don't?" Jason growled. Then, he sighed. _Women are
>such funny creatures._ He thought.

KIM, BILLY, & TOMMY: <Yelling> JASON'S NOT THAT BAD!

> A half hour later, a rather shell-shocked Billy rejoined his
>friends. Amazonia kissed him on the cheek and went to rejoin her
>team for the festivities.
> "Are you OK?" Kimberly asked.
> "Fine. Just fine." Billy said in a dazed voice.

ROCKY: Looks like somebody scored.
ADAM: ROCKY!

> Then, he
>looked at Tommy. "Tommy, can we go someplace private to talk?"
> "Sure. C'mon." Tommy smiled.
> The two boys edged their way through the milling crowds.
>They waved to friends and teachers, but didn't stop to engage
>them in conversation. Once the boys were away from the worst of
>the crowds, they stopped.
> "Now, what do you want to talk about?" Tommy asked.
> Billy looked around to make sure no one was within hearing
>distance. "I think I have feelings for Amazonia." He
>whispered.
> "That's great!" Tommy whispered. "But, you look upset.
>Why? What's wrong?"
> "I've never felt like this before. I don't know what to
>do!" Billy wailed.
> Before Tommy could answer his friend, a group of gang
>bangers dressed in demin and leather surrounded them. They
>pulled out guns and aimed them at Tommy.
> "You Tommy Oliver?" One demanded.

TOM: His name is One? Any relation to Seven of Nine?

> "Yeah." Tommy said, a sinking feeling in his heart. A gang
>banger grabbed Tommy and jerked him away from Billy.
> "NO! Let him go!" Billy cried out. He gripped the man's
>arm and tried to break his hold on Tommy. Instead, the man swung
>his free arm and hit Billy in the face. His glasses flew off his
>face as Billy slammed into a wall. "Oh." He groaned.

BILLY: And- I've never been roughed up that badly by putties.

> "You bastard!" Tommy dug his elbow into the man's face,
>then kneed him in the groin. The man let Tommy go. The Green
>Ranger ran to his friend's side. "Billy, get out of here." He
>whispered. "It's me they want."
> "No. I'm not going to leave you." Billy clung to Tommy's
>sleeve.
> Tommy slipped off a chain with a ring on it from around his
>neck. He pulled the ring off and gave it to Billy. "Give this
>to Kimberly and tell her that I loved her." He whispered.

KIM: You're not that suicidal, are you?
TOMMY: Not anymore.

>Before Billy would respond, Tommy shoved Billy pass the gang
>bangers. "RUN, BILLY!" He screamed. Then, Tommy attacked the
>gang bangers to give his friend time to escape. One guy
>managed to get a few shots off and hit Billy in the right leg.
>Billy ignored the pain and kept running. He stopped when he
>heard two gun shots and Tommy's agonized scream. Billy spun
>around and saw his friend laying on the street in a growing pool
>of his own blood.

CROW: Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed in an episode of "Homicide."

> "NO!!" Billy screeched then attacked the man who had shot
>Tommy. Billy tackled him from behind and mercilessly pounded
>him. The gun fell from the man's hand and Billy scooped it up.
>"Get your lousy carcasses against the wall!" Billy growled at
>the gang bangers. There was a wild look in Billy's eyes that
>told them that the Blue Rangers was extremely unstable and
>unpredictable at the moment. He stood on the wounded gang
>banger, making sure to dig his heels into the man's back. Billy
>focused on Tommy. He was alive, but only barely so.

ADAM: He's only MOSTLY dead. All dead, there's usually only one thing you can do.
TOMMY: What's that?
ADAM: Go through his pockets and look for loose change.

> Tommy had
>suffered one gunshot wound to the left shoulder and another to
>the left side of the chest, far from the heart.
> Just then, a black limo pulled up behind Billy. Billy spun
>around. Out stepped a chubby, pink cheeked man. It was Malcum
>Brewster. A driver built like a gorilla followed close behind.
>Brewster made a gester to the driver and the driver punched Billy
>hard in the jaw. Billy fell back, striking his head on the
>cement of the sidewalk.
> "Load 'em both in the trunk." Brewster ordered the driver,
>then climbed back in his limo.

TOM: Hey, isn't that Jennifer Lopez?
BILLY & TOMMY: I wish.

> "Yes, sir." The driver saluted, then did his employer's
>bidding.
>
>*_*_*_*
>
> The Rangers were beginning to get worried about their
>friends. Jason excused himself, then tried to use the
>communicators to find Tommy and Billy. He heard only static,
>then the sound of gun shots. "Zordon, come in, this is Jason!
>It's urgent!" Jason called his mentor.
> -I AM AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED.

TOM: Then why didn't you DO something?

> ALPHA AND I ARE TRYING TO
>TRACK TOMMY AND BILLY RIGHT NOW. Zordon was slient for a moment.
>Then he said: -TOMMY AND BILLY ARE IN THE BREWSTER OIL STORAGE
>WAREHOUSE. HURRY, JASON, THEY ARE IN GREAT DANGER!
> Jason didn't take the time to sign off. He ran to his
>friends. "Guys, Tommy and Billy are in danger!" He panted.
>Then, he proceeded to tell a phony story about him seeing the
>abduction.
> "Where did they say they were going?" Racer X demanded.
> "Um, the Brewster Oil Storage Warehouse." Jason answered.

KIM: Right, they just said that in front of you.

> Just then, Speed spoke up. "Let's go. Trystan, stay here
>with the twins and Tara. The rest of us, let's get them!" The
>Rangers and members of the Harliquen and Senoritas racing teams
>ran towards the storage bays. There, they piled into the cars
>and sped to the warehouse.
>
>*_*_*_* [IN THE BREWSTER OIL STORAGE WAREHOUSE]
>
> Billy opened his eyes to find himself and Tommy tied up near
>several leaking barrels of oil. His head was throbbing and his
>vision was blurred. He squinted and was able to make out the
>image of Brewster tying several cords together.

ROCKY: Oh, sure, ALL these evil businessmen do their own dirty work.

> "Well, Mr. Mitchell, you are awake." Brewster said.
> "What do you want with us?" Billy asked.
> "It's not you that I want, Mr. Mitchell. It's your friend,
>Yoshi, or as you call him Tommy Oliver, that I want. You were in
>the way, that's all. Nothing personal." Brewster shrugged his
>shoulders.
> "How do you know my name?" Billy demanded.
> "Your stupid father told me at a social function. He was
>bragging about his inteligent son." Brewster sighed. "But the
>real surpise came when he showed me a picture of you and Yoshi
>together."

ADAM: I didn't know you played Nintendo.
TOMMY: All right, guys, I think we've run the "Yoshi" joke into the ground by now.

> "I'm sure you had quite a shock." Billy commented drily.
> "Yes. Seeing a boy alive that I knew was dead is quite
>disturbing. Especially with that silly trial in San Fransico
>coming up in a week." Brewster finished tying the cords. "So, I
>had my spies track down Yoshi. If you had only listened to him
>when he told you to run, you wouldn't be in this mess. But, now,
>you must die with your friend. Pleasent dreams, Mr. Mitchell."
>Brewster lit the cords, then left.
> A thick oily smoke quickly filled the warehouse, then an
>explosion knocked Billy over. He watched in total consternation
>as the flames quickly spread over the oil barrels.

TOM: <Samuel Jackson> Great. I get to be blown up with you and a billion dollars in gold.

>*_*_*_* [OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE]
>
> The race cars pulled up infront of the warehouse just as
>Brewster ran out. Kimberly jumped out of Amazonia's car and
>knocked the business man to the ground.
> "Where are my friends?" She growled. "What did you do to
>them! So help me, if you hurt them, especially Tommy, I'll kill
>you with my bare hands!"

ALL: Whoo hoo!
KIM: That's telling him.

> Racer X pulled the enraged Pink Ranger off Brewster. The
>other Rangers were searching the grounds for signs of their
>missing friends. Jason was on the other side when the explosion
>rocked the area.
> "Zordon, where are they?"
> -BILLY AND TOMMY ARE IN THE WAREHOUSE. MORPH AND GET IN
>THERE.

BILLY: <Zordon> Never mind that half of Angel Grove will hear you bellowing.

> "Right. IT'S MORPHIN TIME!"
> "TYRANNOSAURUS!"
>
> The Red Ranger teleported into the burning warehouse and
>found Billy semi-conscious and Tommy completely unconscious.
>Jason pulled Billy to his feet, then gently slung Tommy over his
>shoulder. Large, burning beams fell around the boys as Jason
>tried to get Billy to stand up. But, with the gun shot wound in
>his right leg, Billy was unable to stand on his own. Finally,
>Jason let Billy lean against him. With his friends close by,
>Jason teleported out of the warehouse, infront of Racer X and the
>rest of them. The Red Ranger laid Tommy on the ground. Zach came
>over and took Billy. Speed pushed him away and did a cursory
>exman.

TOMMY: Wolverine?

> "He's not breathing! And, his heart's not beating. Get an
>ambulance over here STAT!" Speed yelled. The Red Ranger kneeled
>by Tommy's chest and started pumping it. Speed counted the number
>of compressions, then forced air into Tommy's smoke filled lungs.
>The two worked together until the ambulance arrived and was able
>to finish resuscitating Tommy. Then, Tommy was placed on a
>stretcher and rushed to the hospital. A young, Korean paramedic
>stayed behind to treat Billy.

ADAM: I have a bad feeling about this.

> The Red Ranger teleported away.
> "I'd still go to the hospital, if I were you." The boy
>said. "I can take you and two others with me in my car."
> "Wait, where's Jason?" Trini asked.
> Jason landed behind the building and unMorphed. Then, he
>ran to join his friends. "The explosion knocked me down. I think
>I was knocked out for a while." He lied to Racer X.
> "OK. You, Kimberly and Billy go to with, um, what is your
>name, young man?" Racer X turned to the paramedic.
> "Adam Park. Let's go." He smiled. He lead the group to
>his car, pausing to wave to a Hispanic fire fighter. "Hey,
>Rocky!" He smiled. Rocky waved back, then went to work. Jason
>suppressed a shutter he felt go through him when he heard Rocky's
>name.

ADAM & ROCKY: AUGGHHH!
ROCKY: You leave us OUT of this fanfic!

>
>*_*_*_* [ANGEL GROVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, ICU WAITING ROOM]
>
> The Rangers huddled together as they waited for news on
>their friend and teammate, Tommy Oliver. The members of the two
>racing teams were near by. Racer X was talking on a cel phone a
>few feet away, while Speed had stayed behind at the fire to help.
>Billy limped down the hallway with Amazonia by his side. Billy's
>right leg was in a cast and he had a bandage around his forehead.
>He still did not have his glasses. Amazonia lead Billy to a
>chair and sat him down.

CROW: And then sat in his lap.
BILLY: CROW!

> "Have you heard anything?" Amazonia asked.
> "No." Kimberly sobbed. Just then, the doctor came out.
> "He's going to be OK." The doctor said. The Rangers wilted
>with relief. "He's awake and wants to talk to a Jason Lee Scott.
>Is he here?"

TOM: No, but we've got Jason Scott Lee!
CROW: Not with that budget.

> Jason stood up. "That's me."
> "Follow me, please." The doctor said.
> As Jason left, Billy handed Kimberly the ring. "Tommy told
>me to give this to you and to tell you that he loves you."
>Kimberly broke down crying again. Trixie, Speed Racer's
>girlfriend, wrapped her arms around her.
>*_*_*_*
>
> Jason slipped on a sterile, yellow gown at the enternce to
>the ICU rooms.

KIM: Does his butt hang out the back?
TOMMY: Why do you want to know?

> "You may have fifteen minutes, and don't upset him. He
>needs all his strength to get well." The doctor advised. "He's
>right over there."
> Jason walked over to the cubicle and pushed aside the
>curtain. "Tommy." He said quietly. The Green Ranger was pale
>with dark circles under his eyes. Machines, wires, and tubes
>surrounded the thin boy. Tommy looked up at his friend. His hair
>fell haphazardly over his face. Jason brushed Tommy's long hair
>out of his face. "You really had us worried." Jason smiled
>softly. His normally loud, commanding voice was lowered.
>"Especially Kimberly. She nearly killed Brewster herself, she
>was so upset." Jason laughed.

ADAM: Too bad she didn't. The fanfic would be over.

> "Why did you save me?" Tommy demanded, pushing Jason's hand
>away from his face.
> "What?" Jason looked incredulous.
> "Why the hell didn't you let me die!" Tommy started to sit
>up, but Jason pushed him back down.

BILLY: That's what we want to know. No offense, Tommy.

> "Why didn't I let you die?" Jason repeated. "Tommy, dammit,
>you're my best friend!" Jason looked around to make sure no one
>was listening. "And, you're a Power Ranger. One of us!" He
>added in a lower tone of voice.
> "Not for much longer." Tommy said. "I can feel my Powers
>fading away more and more every day."
> "Tommy, you've got so much to live for. You've got
>Kimberly, your Karate, your friends..." Jason said.
> "You don't know shit about me, Jason." Tommy growled. His
>chest was heaving with sobs. "You don't know shit!" He cried.
>Just then, an alarm went off. The nurses rushed into the
>cubicle.

KIM: Bo, you don't know diddly.

> "I'm sorry, but you'll have to leave now." A nurse said.
>Jason looked at Tommy, who was having trouble breathing.
> "I'm sorry, Tommy." Jason whispered, then left.
>
> TO BE CONTINUED

TOMMY: Let's go. <All rise and file out of the theater.>
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