Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ever since Billy moved to Turtle Cove for his first semester in college things have taken a odd turn for him. It was rather foreign to be in another place without the familiar faces of his friends but the former ranger managed.

Thought it wasn't without its mishaps. No friends meant a lack of guidance and it's not that Billy couldn't handle himself it's just...he felt a bit lost in life. First, he was the blue ranger, then he gave up his powers, and now what? Twenty years old without a clear path and only himself to lead it.

During the first few months, he bumped into Taylor on accident, she could tell the guy was having a hard time on campus and decided to give Billy some tips. Eventually, they hit it off and he finally found a friend, things were looking up for him.

Something about Taylor was just so welcoming. It's like she had the caring nature of Trini as well as Kimberly's tough and protective attitude, honestly, he felt at home in a sense with this new friend.

"Is everything alright?" Taylor looked at Billy worriedly, they sat together by the beach watching the sunrise from afar.

"Of course..."

"You know lying seems fine at first but it never leads anywhere Cranston."

The blonde offered.

"It's August 28th, not that it's really much of a day to celebrate but my friends..well this is like a special day and sorts for us and I miss them." Billy rested his head up to his knees sadly, he didn't even care for the sun rays beaming through his lenses.

"Maybe we can give them a call?" She suggested.

"Couldn't reach them, I lost track of a few after moving. Zack went upstate somewhere, Trini moved to Europe, and Jason well...he wouldn't want to see me anyway." Jason, yes him. Billy has told her about this infamous group of his a few times before, but this Jason guy just always stuck out.

She didn't want to intrude or say anything out of pocket but curiosity got the best of Taylor.

"Did you have feelings for him, Jason I mean." Taylor questioned.

Billy's head shot up quickly as he stared intently at the blonde, he was unsure of what to do with the accusation. She was right after all but he was still under wraps with his orientation, Turtle Cove had filled itself with kind individuals but being prone to outcasting in in his youth didn't exactly give Billy the edge in wanting to just air out his thoughts.

Being alone on the anniversary of becoming a ranger was hard enough but now possibly facing the loss of his only friend at the moment made Billy tear up. He anticipated leaving but instead was pulled into a tight hug by Taylor.

"Hey, look I'm sorry for asking like that. I didn't mean to freak you out." Billy nodded slowly as he tried to calm himself.

"You know I'm here for you if you ever need to talk about things, you're like a little brother to me and nothing will ever change that dude." Taylor smiled at the former ranger making him feel better, they decided to sit there for a while as the morning blue and orange hues began to blend through the sky.

"You wanna talk about him? Only if you're comfortable and such of course."

"Hm? Oh, Jason. Well, it was near the end of senior year. I wanted to celebrate with the group before going our separate ways, but everyone was already prepared to move on. Jason was different, he's been there for me since 1st grade." Billy smiled to himself as he reminisced on those times.

"I set up a party and everything but the others didn't show up, Jason did. We were having some fun and well...I thought he felt the same way. He didn't..."

~~~ Flashback ~~~

"Can't believe the team decided to miss out on this, you're like the perfect party planner." Jason chuckled as he sat on the grass with Billy, the light hung up from decorations shimmered in the starry night.

"I-I hope it was adequate enough for your liking." Billy looked away to hide his flustered face.

He was really hoping for the others to see the work he put into this but Jason's praise was enough to keep Billy upbeat.

"Not sure what I'm going to do for a major in college but hey life works mysteriously right. What are your plans, assuming you're not about to ranger up again." The red ranger glanced over to his friend in curiosity.

"Perhaps something in the stellar field, Cestria offered me a position to explore a nebula cluster near Aquitar but I turned it down." Billy admitted as he stared at the sky, he wondered how his alien friend was doing at the moment.

"That's sound too cool to turn down, why pass that up?"

"Well, I-I've already got everything here. Sure space is vast and filled with wonders beyond my comprehension but in the grand scheme of things the time I spend with you and the others is what keeps me bound here." He moved closer to Jason and the red ranger couldn't help but feel glad inside that Billy went with that choice. To stay here on earth, he was his best friend and to see Billy go away would crush him.

"Plus I need to make sure you don't end up in trouble, if I'm gone then who will?" They both laughed softly ending in Jason fake punching Billy's shoulder.

Billy did the same and then the two ended up tussling around on the grass. While Jason was strong the blue ranger kept up with him during the kerfuffle, Billy was still smaller than him but fighting evil and training did allow him to keep up to an extent.

It ended in Jason keeping Billy pinned to the ground and the two yet again laughed with each other.

"Still got you, bro." Jason smirked down at Billy.

"Y-Yeah." Billy stared up at Jason and feeling as if he couldn't help himself he ended up kissing the red ranger. His first friend and first crush, it felt good to take charge for once.

However, things don't always go as you want it to be. Jason broke off quickly, not in an angered fashion but with a confused and surprised demeanor, he stood up.

"Woah." Jason said astonished.

"I'm sorry I-I...I've kinda felt that way for a long time. Since life's about to direct us on a new path I thought of telling you this, I really like you, Jason." Billy tugged slightly on his sleeve as he looked up to his friend, his face was red in embarrassment but also filled with slight confidence in the situation.

Jason looked down at his friend with a bit of a sad but reassuring look.

"Oh...Look, Billy, I'm very flattered but I just don't like you like that. You're one of the greatest guys I know but I see you more as a little brother."

Little brother...little brother...little brother

Those two words hit Billy like a speeding car, the jolt of bold confidence was singed away by devastation as Jason didn't reciprocate.

~~~

"We didn't speak for two weeks, by the time I mustered up the courage to confront Jason again he left. He decided to transfer to another college so I gave up on trying to apologize...I just, why does love have to be so endearing yet agonizing." The former blue ranger stared out to the ocean as dawn began to fade into the morning.

Taylor didn't know what to say, if anything she just wanted to pull Billy back into a hug. Jason sounded like a reasonable guy but he wasn't the one for her friend, though hearing that from the first person you have feelings for can crush you.

"I just...I just hope he's alright, it's almost been 2 years since we've talked. If the radar for affection is going to mislead me again then I'd rather not pursue love outright, no one ever looks at me like that." Taylor wrapped her arm around his shoulder and stared out to sea with Billy.

"Don't ever say that, Billy Cranston I think you're one of the most loveable and considerate guys I know. You're perceptive and are always looking out for those around you, any guy would be lucky to date you small fry." She pulled him into another hug causing Billy to melt into the embrace.

"In fact, I'm going to do it. I'll find you somebody."

"You're just saying things." Billy said in denial.

"Nope, I had a friend in a similar situation. He was more angry than calm like you, but I set him up with this guy he had known since high school. Trust me I'm like the perfect matchmaker." Billy rolled his eyes playfully at the thought of Tyaloe doing something like that for him. There's not going to be someone for him anytime soon, maybe even ever but who knows?

---

Taylor kept her word, the guys came rolling in like flies, however Billy turned down the offers each time. It's not that he disliked any of them, after all, he didn't have a preference let alone experience in the dating department but instead, it stemmed from a rooted feeling inside.

The feeling of rejection, being thrown to the side and forgotten. Before Billy had the other rangers and Jason he was a huge target for bullies and labeling, perhaps that transitioned into those feelings he had inside.

Plus with Jason letting him down it threw his confidence in a hole. He longed for that feeling the red ranger gave him, to be protected, to be understood...to feel loved again.

Those are things that Cole Evans made him feel, one day when Taylor planned on introducing some of her friends Billy ended up cramming for a huge exam. She told Cole and Sheyla to come to campus but the red ranger had gotten lost upon arrival.

~~~ (Flashback) ~~~

Billy couldn't fail this test, the professor told the close it was 40% of their grade and that he needed to perfect every part. He hadn't slept in hours and everything anticipating toward that day kept him anxious.

"Time dilation, in theory, is so fascinating, if only Zordon was around to see this." Billy was deep in reading this encyclopedia. He walked through the halls ignoring the world around him but tripped on the floor, he nearly stumbled into a window when someone caught him midfall.

The former ranger looked up to see clear blue eyes gazing down at him, he held onto the man's arms taking a liking to how they felt.

"That was a close one, should watch where you're going, dude." Billy blushed in embarrassment but all the guy did was smile down at him.

"You remind me of a friend, Max has a tendency for these things."

"S-Sorry for the inconvenience. I hope I didn't deter you." The former ranger spoke apologetically.

"No worries, but do you happen to know a woman around here? Blonde, loves yellow a lot. Kind of a bird whisperer." Taylor? Perhaps an associate of sorts.

"Taylor you mean, I was supposed to meet her later but I'm busy at the moment." The man helped Billy with getting his books and put the pieces together soon after.

"Wait you're Billy? Oh my god, it's so nice to meet you!" He announced happily, the man took the books from Billy so he wouldn't have to carry anything.

"Thank you? Sorry it's been a busy morning, yes I'm Billy Cranston. Didn't know Taylor talked about me that much."

"Yeah she's a hoot, but she didn't mention how cute you are. I'm Cole Evans at your service." Cole beamed, Billy looked up to the guy feeling dumbfounded. Did he just call him cute?

It took the former ranger by surprise but he didn't mind the compliment, it felt...nice. Taylor and Sheyla found the two in the hall and shortly after the group would go out for lunch.

~~~

Seven weeks after meeting each other Cole decided to ask Billy out. The former ranger tried assessing the situation in its entirety but there wasn't really much to take from it, Cole seemed to have a thing for him.

Initially, he turned him down but that didn't stop the red ranger from trying again, he even tried some fancy pickup lines with physics terms but Billy just laughed them off. After some thought the former ranger finally took Cole up on his offer, the two planned to hang out for the day to see where it took them and things went well.

Billy didn't know what to think of it but something about Cole just stood out, his smiles, his enthusiasm, everything just made Billy dance around inside. He hadn't felt this way since Jason and to be honest it was amazing to be in this position again.

It's been months since the start of their relationship and Billy wanted to celebrate, both he and Taylor were able to put some money aside and get an apartment together. The yellow ranger was out for the evening allowing her friend to have some quality time with Cole.

The two sat on Billy's bed watching a movie, it's been rather chilly lately so the former ranger wore a thin blue sweater. Though it didn't matter as Cole kept him close and warm, throughout the film Billy kept sneaking glances at his boyfriend.

"Everything alright?" Cole asked as he kept up with the TV.

"O-Of course, why do you ask?" Billy pushed his glasses up slightly.

"That look you have, it usually means something."

"Just making sure you're happy is all."
The red ranger smirked and leaned closer to Billy in an attempt to close the gap between them.

The former ranger felt a blush creeping up his face as Cole cupped his chin.

"You're so considerate, honestly I'm having a really good time tonight."

"R-Really!" Billy practically squealed at the compliment.

"Mhm, in fact, I've actually got something to celebrate the occasion." Reaching over from his side of the bed Cole took out a box, he handed it to Billy anticipating the other man to open it.

The former ranger did as such and it was revealed to be a pendant of sorts. The azure crystal within it shined brightly through the dark room and Billy could do was stare in awe at the gift. "Cole it's..it's beautiful, this must've cost a fortune."

"I found the crystal in the anima-I mean..animal sanctuary that Taylor and I volunteer at. Alyssa took a look at it and had some people piece the thing together. It reminded me of you." Cole's face slowly turned red in embarrassment and nearly close to the same shade as his headband.

"This is honestly the kindest thing a person has ever done for me...I feel bad for not getting you anything." Billy held the pendant tightly in his hands feeling nothing but warm thumps all around, this was just too precious to get over.

"The time we're sharing with each other is plenty for me dude." The red ranger admitted happily and then proceeded to hug Billy.

"You know, for some reason, I feel like I'm not deserving of this." The former ranger rested in his boyfriend's grasp.

"I've never had luck in the love department before, usually when it comes to things like this I tend to take the backseat approach." He began fiddling with the ends of his sleeves, Cole knew where this was leading. Billy was getting anxious in his thoughts.

"Guess it's usually best for those around me to have everything figured out for themselves, let me fall in line right?" Billy began to pout as doubt filled him.

"Hey, don't ever say that!" Cole objected to that conclusion and looked down into Billy's eyes.

"Your feelings are just as important as anyone else's, if anyone ever says otherwise then I'll...look Billy, you're amazing and that's all that matters. I love you." The red ranger pulled him into a deep kiss, Billy's head practically short-circuited from the sudden move. Various feelings swirled around within his mind, he didn't know how to take in the moment but to be honest it felt good.

"C-cole.." Billy stuttered as both he and Cole broke away, they were breathing heavily as the red ranger held Billy's body closer to his.

"Maybe I should show you how amazing you are." The red ranger began kissing his boyfriend again, he'd been dying to do this for the longest time. Billy's lips were pretty soft, made up for the inexperience the former ranger had with this but Cole had to admit the sloppy kisses were adorable.

He felt a hint of dominance rising as they continued but didn't want to overwhelm Billy that much. Patience was the key here, Cole placed Billy in his lap gently, it helped that his boyfriend was a little smaller than him so it all worked out in his favor. He moved his arms around so that way he could hold the back of Billy's neck and keep the lower one around his waist.

Cole chuckled into the last kiss as he felt Billy's hands roaming around his body. The former ranger didn't exactly have a sense of where to really place himself but his boyfriend's torso just felt really nice to explore, the broad shoulders, his chest, everything had something he liked.

"Handsy little thing are you?" Cole growled.

"Y-You take g-good care of yourself." Out of shyness, Billy hid his face in Cole's shoulder, this prompted the red ranger to do the same but instead, he began to nibble at Billy's neck playfully.

"Mmmph!" With that response, Cole smirked deviously as he craved more noise from Billy. He took his hand from the smaller man's neck and positioned it lower down, he moved it under Billy's shirt and began thumbing the former ranger's left nipple.

"Hnnrgh!" The red ranger started biting his boyfriend's neck with abrupt moans echoing through the room. Billy felt shocked to hear himself like that but with Cole toying at him there wasn't much to really dabble on.

"Getting off at this are we? My my Billy Cranston you're full of surprises." Cole gently kissed the bite marks and stared humorously at Billy as his boyfriend held onto him desperately.

"In fact, I feel a bit overdressed myself." Cole laid Billy down as he took off his undershirt, Billy ogled at Cole in all of his glory still trying to process that this happening to him.

"This bed have room for two?"

Billy giggled shyly at the joke as Cole lowered himself over him. They began kissing again with the former ranger's arms roaming around red's body yet again.

He had to admit it felt a bit overwhelming to not have any experience with this department but here he was, being under the red ranger, guided around with every movement. It was a bit much but very satisfying in the end, Billy helped Cole in removing his shirt allowing for both of them to be half-naked.

"Wow, Cranston where have you been hiding all this?" Cole smiled as he saw Billy's face flustered from the praise. The former ranger even tried using his arms to cover up, sure he wasn't as big as his boyfriend but again ranger antics kept him up. All these compliments were...so foreign.

"S-Stop." Billy yelped at the compliment.

"Seriously you're perfect, my special little guy." Cole yet again nibbled at the junction between Billy's neck and shoulder but started moving his hips against Billy's.

"O-oh gosh, C-Cole~!" He moved downward from the former ranger's neck with kisses trailing across his chest. Deciding to be a tease the red ranger started licking at Billy's nipple, his hands journeying slowly down Blue's body taking stops to toy with him even more.

"Please Cole aHHhh~!!"

"Eager are we? Well, you've earned it." Cole smirked as he placed himself near Billy's shorts. The former ranger felt his face warming up with an extreme blush all over, The red ranger chuckled as he slid the shorts off revealing his boyfriend's member standing tall and about.

"Guess someone couldn't wait any longer, what are we going to do with you huh?" He chuckled, Billy stiffened as Cole held his cock in place, no one's ever touched him like this before. His eyes met Cole's for a moment as red started to play with it, Billy attempted to keep his breathing in check but that all went out the window once Cole's fingers gripped firmly into motion.

He tried his best to conceal any embarrassing moans but his body was betraying him.

"H-ha!"

"Just getting started." The red ranger started tracing his tongue on the tip to get more reactions out of him.

"Nnnhg!" As expected, Cole thought of something for a second and smirked as his free hand reached for Billy's chest again. As he played with the former ranger's nipple he began to sink his mouth fully down on his boyfriend's member.

"Gahh~!" Billy's head fell back in pleasure as Cole relentlessly toyed with him. The ranger smiled momentarily at his progress, he even took the liberty of stopping for a while to peck his lips across Billy's inner thigh to keep up with the teasing.

"You're so adorable Bills." Cole continued to praise the former ranger before sinking his teeth into Billy's thighs.

"O-oHH-" With this the former ranger shielded his face with his arms out of pure embarrassment, he was too flustered to face Cole like this.

"Ah ah ah no hiding." The red ranger nibbled around the teeth markings as his hand toyed with Billy's cock, he upped the pacing gradually and enjoyed seeing his boyfriend unravel even more.

"W-waithnnrg~" God...now Billy wanted to hide his face away in a pillow.

"Does that feel good?" Cole chuckled.

"I..I-I-"

"That's not a clear answer Billiam, come on man." He tightened the grip slightly and trailed more kisses down Billy's thigh, Cole was fully trying to tease him at this point.

"Y-Yes!"

"Good job, knew you could do it

After a while Cole took his other hand and pulled it back, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a small bottle of liquid. Billy was unsure what he planned to do with it but saw Cole lathering some of his fingers in it. "Get ready bro."

Cole smirked as he had a finger travel under Billy, the former ranger looked confused until he felt the finger passing through a ring of muscle slowly.

"Wait, w-what are you about to?" Billy was cut off as he felt Cole adding another inside, then shortly after they nudged against something sending jolts through his body.

"Cole~~!" The former ranger moaned as his boyfriend kept this up, Cole shook his head in satisfaction and enjoyed the show playing for him. Damn, Billy was so adorable like this, begging and pleading for him.

He sped up a bit to watch the former ranger claw at the bed sheets

"C-Cole I t-think I'm~!" The red ranger looked up and noticed Billy's hitched breathing and stopped, Billy looked disappointed as Cole ceased the fun. He chuckled to himself and looked at his boyfriend lovingly.

"Wouldn't be fair to leave you hanging, all clothed like this." Cole took his shorts and underwear off to join Billy, the former ranger couldn't muster up the urge to look at him.

"It's alright, I don't mind you staring. It's cute when you look." Billy rose slowly taking in the view, he still didn't want to seem weird for looking downward at...but yeah.

"Want to try something else?" Cole's hand cupped Billy's chin, he stared lovingly into the man's eyes.

"Y-you mean.."

"Only if you're sure about it, heck I'll even let you be the top if you want."

This night was about Billy and Cole wanted to make sure he was okay with this before continuing. It's always important to have consent from both sides. "Yes, please."

The red ranger traced his thumb across Billy's bottom lip and gazed at his eyes. He took off the former ranger's glasses to get a better look at them.

"Hey, why did yoummph!" Cole cut him off as their lips met again.

"Just wanted a good look at your face, anyone ever told you you're pretty?" The red ranger purred.

"And you're large...in various places." Billy's gaze moved downward and he started to blush when Cole laughed.

"So I've been told."

"You um, well I-I wouldn't mind you being on t-the receiving end..." Cole's eyes widened from hearing this, Billy looked up at him in concern but was only met with a devious smile on the red ranger's face.

"Well Billy Cranston, you're full of surprises. Trying to get me riled up are we." Billy shyly looked away but shuddered when he felt the red ranger kissing his neck yet again.

"Gonna take good care of you, you're so amazing aren't you?" Cole growled as he gently pulled Billy into a deep kiss, he held his boyfriend closely in embrace and laughed a bit as Billy pawed at his back softly.

He reached for the bottle of lube as he began to lay on his back, pulling Billy down with him gently. The red ranger placed a fair amount on his fingers and began to prep himself

Once he was good and loose Cole pulled out of the kiss and smirked at Billy. "You ready?"

"Mhm."

The former ranger nodded rapidly. Billy gasped as he felt something cold in the red ranger's hands when he started to massage his member.

"There we go, now time for the best part." Cole moved his legs upward for Billy and guided the former ranger closer to him. He couldn't help but chuckle at his boyfriend's face, all shrouded in a red shade from his nervousness.

"Ready when you are, no rush." Billy nodded as he leaned in and guided his member to the ring of muscle. He pushed in slowly until it was fully in and felt Cole pulling him into the embrace.

"Y-you can move whenever you want." Cole gasped out, Billy hid his face in his shoulder and the red ranger felt the man holding one of his arms against the bed.

Billy began moving slowly after but only kept up at a gentle pace. He took the time to let his hand roam around Cole's arm muscles, the former ranger enjoyed how big his boyfriend was. He even tried biting down on Cole's neck but wasn't really able to pull it off.

"Enjoying yourself there pal?" The red ranger teased.

"J-Just like holding you is all." He began to pick up the pace a bit and ended up thrusting against something inside Cole making the red ranger stiffen up.

Of course, Billy's concern sparked at the sight of this and he was afraid that he hurt his boyfriend.

"Cole! Should I stop, a-are yo-"

"Billy Cranston don't you dare~" He pulled the former ranger into a deep kiss and with that out the way, he felt Billy picking up some speed as he went on. He kept hitting that spot dead on and it made Cole go crazy. He ended up flexing a bit in reaction prompting Billy to trace kisses down the red ranger's neck, even leading to his shoulder. He managed to bite down making Cole moan out.

"Again! D-do that again~!" Billy obliged and continued with such, He left a few marks and hickeys leaving Cole satisfied with his work. As the former ranger moved faster he rested his head over his boyfriend's shoulder and breathed heavily.

"You're so good, look at you, Billy." Cole purred into the man's ear causing him to whine shyly. He felt the former ranger's grip on his arm tighten from the praise and smirked.

"Yeah? Say it." Cole bit into Billy's neck and clawed a little at his back. This only prompted the former ranger to go faster.

"I-I'm good~!"

"Yeah, you are, so perfect for me."Cole moaned out as Billy nudged that spot again.

"Cole~!" Billy's breathing began to hitch up as both he and Cole neared their climax.

"Y-Yeah, you're going to finish?" The red ranger kept whispering in his ear.

Billy yelped when he felt his boyfriend smiling against his neck, added with all the buildup and praise he was a nervous wreck waiting to finish. The grips his hands had on Cole tightened in anticipation.

"Cum for me Billy!"

"Cole aah~!" Billy moaned out as they both finished, when done he ended up practically collapsing on the red ranger. Both looked at each other out of breath and with loving gazes.

"Wooo." Cole panted as began patting Billy's hair, he felt Billy relaxing followed up by him curling up into the red ranger's grasp.

"How was that?" Billy asked in fearful worry, throughout all of it he was still unsure if he did everything right.

His blue eyes were dilated and practically lit up, Cole couldn't help it...Billy was giving him a scared puppy stare. Cole smiled and pulled Billy into a hug.

"Better than good, you did amazing man. You sure you haven't done this before? Could've fooled me." Billy blushed as he returned the smile, he enjoyed himself tonight.

"Well…I know of stuff but…never took the time to try it out." He yelped before taking a silent yawn.

"Mmm, tired.." The former ranger spoke softly in Cole's grasp.

"Guess we can get cleaned up later." Cole chuckled as he too felt himself getting tired.

"Uhm...can…we d-do it again?" As Billy asked this he had to hide his face away into the red ranger's neck, god he felt like a weirdo even considering it.

"Wow...didn't expect you to be so dirty, even more surprises I'm finding out about you. Maybe when you're not so tired." Billy felt Cole smiling into a kiss on his neck and the former ranger blushed happily.

"Wonder what you'll be like when I'm topping, bet you're a screamer. It's always the quiet ones~" The red ranger nibbled across Billy's shoulder gaining a laugh from the former ranger.

"Hey, t-that tickles Cole!"

---

Billy was in the living room the next morning, he watched a show while Cole was busy showering from the night before.

Taylor came barging in from the front door with bags of food. "Eagle express at your service."

"You didn't need to bring all this for food, certainly a surprise." Billy smiled.

"Seems like you had a bunch of those last night." Taylor joked as she pointed to the bite marks and hickeys across Billy's neck. The former ranger blushed.

"Come on, I'll fix you guys a plate. I don't know what Danny puts in these pancakes but man they are the bomb." Taylor began setting up breakfast, the phone on the counter rang up and the yellow ranger answered.

"Earhardt and Cranston residence who's calling? Oh, Billy, it's for you." The former ranger looked confused but decided to take the phone into another room.

"Billy Cranston on the line, who's speaking?"

"Billy is that you, it's Jason" The former ranger's eyes widened but felt relieved to actually be hearing his voice again.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Gosh, it's been nearly 2 years right? Sorry for not contacting you." They stayed on the line together in silence for a bit, Billy was happy to call Jason but the old memories of what happened senior year came rushing in.

"Look, I'm sorry about the whole thing that happened. It's my fault if I made things uncomfortable between us."

"What? No Billy I didn't...you're my best friend I could never get upset with you, It's just been a bit of a few rough months that's all. It's been a bit hard to keep track of the group ever since we graduated." Hearing this made the former ranger relieved, he was just glad that nothing between the two of them was damaged.

"That's good to hear." Billy smiled.

"Hey um, I'm going to be in town with the group in a few weeks. I managed to get everyone on a free day so think about it as lost time." Jason chuckled through the phone.

"Jason, that sounds amazing. You can meet some people I met here in Turtle Cove as well, there's Taylor, Sheyla, ooh, and even Cole." Billy felt excited to hear his friends finally seeing each other.

"Oh? Who's Cole?"

"He's my boyfriend, Taylor set us up and he makes me pretty happy." Billy blushed.

"Oooh Billy's got a boyfriend. Zack's never going to let you live this down." Jason teased, Billy rolled his eyes at this.

"Kimberly and Katherine are going to send him death stares, well that's most of the team. I think Tommy and Adam will be fine with him, but you know any guy would be lucky to have you right Billy?"

"Y-yeah." Billy nodded happily.

"Okay, you keep in there bud. Have to study for a test but I promise to call you again, maybe tomorrow we can get a group call in?"

Jason offered up.

"Definitely." They both said their goodbyes and hung up. Billy held the phone tightly as he felt tears falling from his eyes. He felt good to be here, everything was falling into place again.

Billy wiped his tears away and went back to the living room noticing Taylor and Cole waiting for him. He sat next to Cole and glanced at both rangers.

"Everything alright?" Cole asked curiously, he felt Billy reaching for his hand.

"I'm just really happy to be here, I love you so much."

This is it, Billy was finally content with life.

Chapter Text

"Is this necessary."
Billy chuckles.

"I don't know, how's this for an answer."
Cole smirks as he hugs Billy, he tickles him a bit causing the former ranger to writhe around happily. The red ranger had the young man in his lap as they watched Naruto, a bowl of chips resting in Billy's lap.

"Who do you think is going to win?"
Cole wondered.

"It's hard to say, Rock Lee is good but Gaara's sand gourd is proving to be a tough factor here."
The former ranger stared at the screen with deep focus. This wasn't the first time he had binged an anime, Aisha's been blowing up his phone for the past few weeks to watch a few and he eventually got hooked.

"Plus with it being the chunin exams everyone is in high alert, kind of like class right now."

"Oh? Is Bluey projecting his studies on our show?"
Red teased.

"Well no, but maybe. I've been keeping track of everything since we've gotten to the end of this quarter."
Billy felt when his boyfriend rested his head on his shoulder to listen in even more.

"Dr. Ruidred has us studying about some gemstone, didn't think anthropology could take such an interesting turn but I'm enjoying it. Said that the stone was stated to provide so called powers from the beyond but the kingdom mysteriously vanished."

"Sounds to me like they got into some freaky stuff, cause those crystal people have odd ways of seeing the world. Though that's what makes it fun right, after all I've got myself a little weirdo."
Red wrapped his hands around Billy's, enjoying when the guy squealed.

"W-Will you help me look for clues, I know it's spring break and there aren't any assignments for my classes but I'd love to look into it more."
Billy blushed.

"How could I say no to that face, you know Taylor and the others have been asking about you. Maybe we can see them, get to know you more as well?"
Cole offered, Taylor had been such a good friend even before the relationship started. Though the others have only seen Billy on a few occasions, he'd like to fully introduce him.

"That sounds really lovely."
The former ranger hummed in agreement, he's definitely on board with the idea.

"Great! Alyssa would love to see how the necklace looks on you, oh Max has got to show you his pictures from New York. Danny puked from the statue of liberty, it was gross but not to a full extent, crap and I almost forgot Merrick. He's been a part of our group for a little bit but I'm sure he'd love you."
Cole felt giddy inside at the idea.

"And let's not forget our little search of yours, finding answers, seeking closure, unraveling stuff~"
He purred into Billy's ear.

"Coole!"
The former ranger squirmed around from the insinuations his boyfriend made.

"I still have yet to be top, though you're cute when you're taking charge. Isn't that right blue~"
The red ranger began to slowly nibble at Billy's neck.

"The s-show is still on! We h-haven't even finished the ep-"
His head was moved by Cole's hand as he began to kiss him deeply.

"Reruns start later."

Oh boy, what an odd start to their spring break.

---

"Alright, no progress at all here."
Taylor moved her fingers through her hair in frustration.

The team was trying to decipher an old map on the Animarium. Shayla herself kept supplying them with any records left within their base, she was trying the best she could.

"Thank you Princess."
The yellow ranger smiled.

"Just call for me if you guys need anything else."
Their mentor retreated away.

"So, where's this artifact?"
Alyssa spoke with intense focus on the map, analyzing every path, pinpointing every small detail aligned throughout it.

"Don't try too hard or you're going to get a headache again."
Cole chuckled.

"That was cause Cooper over there blared music from his room at two in the morning."
Alyssa glared in Max's direction, he was lying over Danny's lap on a couch pulled up to the table.

"Hey! I like my music..."

"Sure, jamming to it that late at night was EXACTLY what you were doing."
The white ranger's eyes peered to Danny causing the black ranger to blush.

"Can we focus!"
Taylor shouted alerting everyone's attention.

"Thank you, so as of now we have not found any leads on the qil prism. I say going outside the city could work but I'm not sure."
Yellow sighed.

"Dont worry Taytay no org sightings have been happening lately. If anything the only threats around here are muffled moans through loud music!"
White made a gesture aimed at Max and Danny.

"Don't call me that."
Taylor cringed a bit.

"That didn't happen, please stop Alyssa."
Danny lowered his head in shame, Max groaned.

"Harder daddy, please Danny right there!"
Alyssa teased in an impression of Max, Cole coughed with surprise while Taylor took a sip of coffee to conceal her own laugher.

Merrick on the other hand leaned near the wall unfazed and out of the loop from such predicaments. He wasn't interested in jokes when their overall task was at hand.

"So does Max shift from using daddy or does he alterna-"

"For Animus sake can you all focus for one minute!"
Alyssa and the others went silent at Merrick's outburst.

"Don't you all grasp the understanding that if we obtain this relic then Master Org can finally be killed."
The lunar ranger fumed.

"What's the big deal about this prism again?"
Max asked curiously, he sat up next to the black ranger.

"Long ago there was a horned shape crystal that was said to transcend worlds, a vector in plain sight. With access like that Animus thought of seeking it out to seal away the Nexus or even destroying the orgs, I couldn't wait that long for some fable when the masses were being slaughtered..."
Merrick gritted his teeth at the thought, he pulled on his sleeve tightly in regret.

"Maybe if this is real then we can finish him off...avenge the others. Maybe I wouldn't have used that mask...or endured Nayzor and Zen-I just can't wait anymore."
The rangers looked at their newest member with pity, knowing of the hell he experienced over those years. They know there wasn't anything close in their lives to fully compare with Merrick.

He felt oddly secluded, aside from the princess no one really got him, well...everyone but Cole.

"Don't worry, we're going to find it and shove it down that psycho's throat if we need too. Give him a big jab from me."
Cole approached the lunar ranger and patted him on the shoulder.

Merrick couldn't help himself and he went for it, he hugged the red ranger. Obviously it surprised Cole but the red ranger just returned the embrace, seeing nothing more than a normal way of comfort.

"Hey, how about we put down all this research and head over to the roadhouse, does that sound nice?"
Merrick practically whimpered like a dog in response.

"That's the spirit, alright guys you heard me. I'm ready to start this break off with some fun, I'll even bring Billy this time."
Cole let go of Merrick and cheered with the others as they left....the lunar ranger stayed here alone.

"Billy..."
He placed his hand on the table and stared at the map, silver masses of energy spiraled around his hands in anger.

"Everything alright Merrick?"
Shayla startled the man.

"Sorry I didn't mean-"

"No, thank you for checking on me. I just..."
Merrick felt her hand on his cheek, if soothed the ranger.

"He does look a lot like Leil. Acts like him too, though Cole's spoken for, it's best to let things take it's course and move on."
Hearing this cause the ranger to shut his eyes with pain, he knocked Shayla's hand away in a panic but looked apologetic once realizing what he had done.

"I-I'm sorry...I cant, Leil may have fallen in the past but I'm convinced that's him. He's come back for me."
Before Shayla could protest the lunar ranger took his leave to join the rangers. She put out a silver fire on the table and sighed, the princess really wanted her friend to be happy.

"Merrick please..."

---

"Ancient dirt from the fallen kingdom."
Billy examined the pouch his professor gave him, it had dried dirt from an age long forgotten. He sat on the balcony of the apartment he shared with Taylor.

"Come on Cranston let's get to work."
He spoke to himself and really got down and dirty with...well dirt, no pun intended.

The former ranger placed the samples on a tray with another pile of soil from the nearby area.

"Alright, kingdom's soil has less weight to it. Mainly from the weathering but also being exposed to other properties."
There were micro bits of grass blades and salt levels were at an all time high compared to the local dirt that he found.

It still bugged the former ranger that his eyesight was this good enough to point out such intricate details. Made him reminisce on those days with helping Jason and the other rangers, though of course he enjoyed just having some peace and quiet like this.

"Kingdom mysteriously vanished around 3000 to 4000 years ago, however the plant factor being wilted this badly while all the salt has built up must've meant there had to have been some sea based occurrences upon their demise."
The former ranger finally took out a scale and placed both piles on each side.

"Let's not get anything on Taylor's carpet out here. She likes to read on it."
Billy hummed to himself and watched as the scale balanced out

"Odd."
Both samples seemed to stagnate in weight, it made Billy think a bit.

"So the kingdom must've been located nearby, that or a big storm brought the soil here. Fascinating to say the leas-"

"Guess who."
The red ranger whispered.

Billy jumped from the floor, his ranger instinct kicked in and he nearly struck Cole before realizing it was him.

"Woah there, seemed like you saw a ghost. Finding everything okay?"
Cole smiled and examined his boyfriend's experiment.

"Nothing much but there's always a hidden factor within these things. When did you get here?"
The former ranger began to pack up his tools.

"Just now, you want to head over to the roadhouse?"

"I'd love too."
And with that the two were off, Billy's only heard a few things about Willie's Roadhouse. Apparently it's a big deal for Cole and his friends so he decided maybe it could be fun. Just like the youth center back in Angel Grove.

---

Billy stared in awe at the roadhouse, he's never been to a bar or casual establishment like this but the idea of being in one did make his mind wander a bit.

"Guess who's here!"
Cole blurted out to the team, the turned to see the ranger looping his arm around Billy's shoulder.

"Aye Cranston's here"
Taylor walked over to the couple, she fluffed Billy's hair with her hand.

"See you're still using that shampoo I recommended, want a drink? We got a lot of opt-ALYSSA DON'T EAT THOSE!"
The yellow ranger pointed aggressively in her teammate's direction. Alyssa scurried away from the counter leaving the tray of fries to itself.

"No thank you, are there any small appetizers here?"

"What are you say, did you not appreciate the apple fritters I made you last night?"
Taylor joked.

"N-No I did I just...oh you're playing with me."
Billy's still a bit behind on fully understanding some forms of humor, his roommate laughed along with him and she proceeded to show the young man around.

"This is Alyssa, she's a hoot but I'd keep my distance."
The white ranger's smile fell from hearing Taylor lousy description of her.

"How dare you...please ignore Taylor, it's nice to actually meet you Billy."
She began sneaking a few fries from her pocket and when yellow wasn't looking the other ranger offered a few to Billy.

"I'm alright, oh I forgot to tell you I really love the necklace."

"I've heard, I've also been told about the event that followed after~"
Alyssa teased causing Billy's face to turn red."

"Oh don't worry, Max and Danny have their fair share of-"

"Alright moving on here, speak of the devil there they are. I'll go get some fruit punch for you and Cole, how about you chat them up Billiam?"
Taylor cut off Alyssa allowing for her friend to head over to the other two rangers. She shook her head in disappointment and glared at Alyssa with judgement.

"You're unbelievable, you know I could talk to Shayla and discuss demotion"

"Taytay you may be leader of our team but there's no getting rid of me"
Alyssa had a playful look on her face.

"What's makes you say that?"

"Cause you love me and there's no getting rid of perfection."
Taylor rolled her eyes as Alyssa hugged the leader.

"You're not wrong, and stop call me Taytay."

---

"Honestly if I had one of the eye techniques it would be the byakugan."
The former ranger drank his glass of juice.

"Same! Though the sharingan has it's benefits. I've been trying to see if I could attempt something similar with my shark-Hey!"
Max felt the black ranger pinching him arm, blue realized he was stopped from telling Billy about his ranger identity.

"Shark?"
Billy looked confused.

"Shaaark uh, drawing yeah. Sorry I meant my shark drawing, it's like this oc of mine I've been working on and the sharingan ability was going to be a basis for him."
Blue tried his best to convince Billy.

"It's still in work but he tries his best, stays up all night working on. Best way of getting stuff done is with blaring the music up high, helps throw away distractions."
Danny joked, he could feel Max's glare piercing him from the side.

"Alright, I'd love to see it when you're finished."
The two rangers scrambling with each other reminded him of Jason and Zack...and oddly of Skull and Bulk. Wonder what those two are up to at the moment.

From the other side of the bar was the lunar ranger playing pool, he shot the billiards in a hole near Billy's direction. The standoffish demeanor held a flaming jealousy inside, he couldn't enjoy himself knowing that guy was here...conversing with his team, drinking happily...keeping Cole to himself.

"Honestly what does he see in him?"
Merrick spoke internally, he began getting the balls from bottom of the table.

"He's small..."
One by one the billiards were positioned in the middle.

"Lacking any flare."
The lunar ranger positioned his pool cue.

"And most of all."
Three..two....one

Unknowing to everyone else the cue was imbued with moon like energy before Merrick shot the stick precisely into the pile. The billiards raced throughout the table rapidly in a blur, however one began flying off the table while the others went into the holes perfectly. Merrick caught the ball in his hand and glared at Billy.

"He's not me."
Merrick saw Cole sitting at the table next to him, the ranger was messing with one of the cue sticks which made silver smile. Both him and Cole still had a bit to learn about this modern world but honestly it was adorable to see the dude trying his best.

What was the word Taylor called him the other day, himbo? Alyssa typed it up for him on the...screen like mechanism and hearing the meaning made Merrick's heart flutter. Obviously it was Leil, they were both the same.

"Damn thing."
Cole decided to place the pool cue on the table for the time being.

"Having trouble?"
Silver made his way over to him.

"A bit, but I'll try later. The stick needs a time out."
Red crossed his arm.

"You know, maybe we should get a change of scenery. Heard the private beach nearby is really beautiful, the locals haven't discovered it yet so perhaps we can spend time there?"
The lunar ranger leaned in a bit and placed his hand his friend's thigh for comfort.

"Sure!"
Cole said happily, he was clueless to what Merrick was implying and got off the table to face everyone else.

"Hey guys why don't we hit the beach?"
Oh god...he wanted to spend time with him not..argh!

The team made their agreement evident in cheers and began wrapping things up here.

"Get your swim trunks everyone, I'm going to make a cannonball!"
Alyssa danced around like some surfer.

"She's got the right idea."
Cole made his way towards Billy held his hand.

"Want to go swimming? Weather's nice for the both of us."

"Let's see where the day takes us."
Billy approved of this and felt his boyfriend picking him up bridal style as the team walked through the door.

Merrick was fuming from this, but no worry. Things just take time, Cole will understand.

"Oh I forgot my drink."
Danny walked back into the bar to get his glass of blue juice but the lunar ranger had took one of the billiards and threw it at the cup shattering the dish in an instant.

"Hey I was going t-"

"PISS OFF!"
Merrick practically growled like a hound causing Danny to scurry away, before joining the others Merrick cleaned up the mess.

---

"Kiss you fruitcakes!"
Alyssa whistled from the shore, blue and black were holding each other as a shark swam near them. However due to Max's position on the team it recognized him as a fellow member of the sea and didn't bother them.

"It's going to kill us!"
Max shrieked.

"No I'm not..."
The shark tried to speak but only bubbles emerged from the water, he swam away disappointed

"It's gone."
The black ranger calmed himself.

"Good, but no big deal cause I could've showed it some moves. Oh hey sharky you want some of this!"
The blue ranger summoned one of his fighting fins and slashed upward watching as a wave of water was sent away from him and Danny.

Danny stared at Max puzzling the young man, he sent the weapon away cause of concealing himself from Billy.

"Dude."

"I know, Im-"

"That was kinda hot."
The black ranger smirked as he pulled his boyfriend inward.

"Ugh Daniel not here!"

Taylor sat next to Cole who began building a sand castle, putting intricate details throughout the sturcture.

She saw Billy nearby reading a book, he wore a jacket with his trunks. Probably a bit too warm of an option but yellow's sure that he'll be fine, Merrick on the other hand sat afar from the others in shallow water.

"You know, I've been thinking a bit."
Taylor fiddled around with a seashell she found.

"Really, on what?"
Red continued to focus on his castle.

"Now that Billy's fully met everyone, like actually and stuff I think maybe we can tell him our secret?"
She went right for it, Cole stopped for a second causing one of the towers to fall over.

"No."

"Cole he needs to know."

"Sorry but I'd like to keep him out of that part of me."
The red ranger kept his persistence up about the idea, definitely not the best idea in his head.

"The qil horn isn't going anywhere and face it, Org hasn't planned anything for a bit. We could at least do this for the time being."
The one thing that Taylor knew Billy never enjoyed was being led on or lied too. There's always been occurrences through his life resulting in the people around the guy to make him feel secluded or bad about his own self worth.

He's been overcoming such trepidations lately but Taylor feels as if this had to be said soon.

"And that day may or may not come now, I just...what if he finds out and gets involved or worse. We've already seen what Zen Aku did to Merrick and frankly I'd like it if we kept things in control for now."
Cole tried his best to reason with Taylor, for now all she could do was sigh in defeat and watch the waves crashing around.

"Tch!"
Merrick overheard the conversation from afar, his hearing was good in some places and luckily this was enough information for the ranger. Great now everyone likes the little punk, Silver rose from the water and began walking over to Cole but not before kicking some sand into Billy's book.

The former ranger didn't think much of it, perhaps it was an accident. It has been a bit windy of late, now thinking about it maybe he could get some stuff to make this trip even better.

There was a boardwalk a few walks away from the secluded beach, he could sneak over there and grab some ice cream for Cole and himself. Billy went over to his boyfriend who showed Merrick the basics of building a sand structure.

"Hey Blueman how's it going?"
Cole welcomed him in with a smile, the lunar ranger however passed on a look of disapproval while scooting in closer to red.

"I was thinking of getting some ice cream for us, you gave any flavors in mind?"

"I'll take caramel, ooh I wonder if they have toppings."
The red ranger got excited at the thought and made Billy laugh a bit.

"Don't worry I'll check."
The former ranger went on the path to the to the boardwalk. Merrick rolled his eyes and continued building...a pile of mushy sand?

"Not the best but still a long way to go."
Cole offered.

"It needs time, I've got time to spare..."

---

"Vanilla and caramel with sprinkles."

"Thank you so much!"
Billy payed the man and got his ice cream, as he walked through the boardwalk to venture back onto the secret path he was stopped by Merrick.

"Oh hello Merrick, did Cole send you?"
Silver eyed the ranger all over, that smile and the sincerity was just...ew!

"No, I came here myself. To see how the denominator of the trip is doing."
Merrick spoked smugly.

"Okay?"
The former ranger didn't understand what he meant and just decided to go about his way but Merrick stopped him.

"You're holding that dingy book with you, perhaps I should bring the ice cream back instead. Wouldn't be much of a hassle, Cole wouldn't mind my assistance."

"That sounds nice, thanks for helping."
He hated the way Billy looked when happy, the look was sweet enough to light up the world. All the more reason to keep him away from Cole, he's like some plague and Leil incarnate didn't need any exposure to such.

The young man handed the cones to Merrick and began flipping through his book.

"Cole will appreciate the gesture, sweets are his favorite. You're too much out of the loop to get that, and he'll realize that soon enough."
Merrick deadpanned as he went ahead on the path. Billy didn't pay mind to it, whatever Merrick meant by that. Maybe about his books?

"Now where were we, ah yes the air current."
The book from class described the area from onlooker accounts.

"Ruins scattered to the wind in cardinal sections each, winds gloom with murky sadness. As if a baby howled from the sky. Interesting."
Billy felt the wind nearby getting a bit harsh for a second before it seized. Odd, but normal for these parts.

"Probably a storm led up to the kingdom's demise, Cole will be excited to hear this-what the?"
The former ranger accidentally stepped on something. It was some green sludge stuck to the ground, probably a buildup of snail or frog mucus, he shrugged and shook the stuff off his sandal before making it back to the group.

However the sludge began to move on it's own, slowly by an inch along the path.

Billy returned to the others and placed his book down, however he saw Merrick and Cole looking out to sea together.

"Hey Cole did you guys the ice cream I sent you?"

"Billiam you're back! Thanks for getting us some treats, been dying to have some ice cream lately, Merrick is enjoying his as well."
Cole ate the dessert with appreciation, Billy witnessed at Silver ate his vanilla ice cream with a devious smile. He even leaned into the red ranger while staring down Billy.

"His?"
He still didn't understand what Merrick was doing, though again Billy mainly passed it off.

"Ohhh I'm sorry I didn't know, guess it slipped into my mouth. Though you can always get another by yourself."
Merrick apologized sarcastically.

"No worries, we can share."
Cole went over to his boyfriend and offered his ice cream to Billy. Merrick cursed under his breath, Danny and Max came back from the water and saw their friends eating the food.

"Ooh ice cream! Can we get some?"
Danny was craving the dessert now.

"Billy knows where it is, he can come with us."
Alyssa looked to her new friend but Cole shook his head at the offer.

"He's already walked a bit, though Merrick followed him so maybe he can help out."
The red ranger sat down with Billy.

"I don't think that's the best ide-"

"Come on let's get some!"
Taylor ignored the lunar ranger and grabbed him by the arm to lead the others to the boardwalk, they left Cole and Billy alone to share the cone.

---

The sky got cloudy and air near the water rose in temperature leaving a more humid atmosphere for the beach. Billy stared out to the ocean with slight frustration, it wasn't much to deter him but Cole eventually caught on.

"That expression of yours, I know it."

"What look?"
Cole gave Billy the "Really?" look on his face, red held his hand wanting to show that he was ready to listen.

"I'm ready when you are bluey."
The former ranger rested his head on Cole's shoulder and kept watching the waves crash around.

"Merrick likes me right?"

"Of course he does, Merrick is...well he's not used to new things. It takes time with him to fully understand people, though I'm sure he'll open up to you."
Cole consoled the former ranger. He just wanted everyone to love each other, sometimes the team getting into a few situations reminds him of his him in the jungle.

Easier times, but that's in the past. He can make more memories here with his teammates and Billy, Merrick will come through eventually.

"It'll come to pass, don't worry. And if it doesn't well that's his loss, cause you're a riot."
Cole shook his boyfriend's hand around playfully causing him to laugh.

"Guess you're right."
Billy agreed, he pushed his glasses up.

As the clouds passed by he decided to continue eating the ice cream but the dessert melted away into his fingers.

"Crud, it's gone."
Cole looked over and saw the mess...this made him think, the team is gone after all. He held the hand up and examined it, oh this is going to be great.

"Looks like there's a mess here."
The red ranger smirked as he began to trace his tongue over Billy's fingers.

He blushed at the sensation, it felt odd but seeing Cole doing such things...it made Billy feel weird.

"C-Cole stop, Taylor can grab some wipes for us!"
His other hand gripped the sand tightly. When finishing up with the fingers Cole began sucking on Billy's thumb slowly. Even tracing it over his lips, getting yelps out of a flustered Billy.

"I um I-I.."

"Didn't think you were into such little thing, swear you get riled up from the small tricks."
Red purred, moved further into Billy's space, tracing his thumb over the former ranger's inner thigh.

"Haammph!"
Billy began to writhe around but Cole held him from the back of his neck to keep him in place.

"Guess you've made a mess here too."
He smashed his lips against Billy's, he could still pick up the hint of caramel. A very pleasant taste, man it was nice to have some quality time with him.

He wanted to overwhelm the young man a bit more so eventually Cole held their body's together, muffled moans filled red's ears as he held Billy in his lap. Moving his hips upward to really get him going.

"Colmmph!"
Billy took a hold of the red ranger's pecs with his hand, his nails accidentally dug into the skin leaving marks. Though Cole groaned excitingly from that.

The red ranger let his tongue explore the other's mouth for a little bit more before finally letting go. He bit down on Billy's lower lip getting a pleased hum out of on his boyfriend.

"God he looks so good like this."
Cole admired the former ranger internally, he then sank his teeth into Billy's neck.

"H-HOO!"
Billy cried out as his boyfriend kept on, he even left hickies and other markings to stain the pale flesh. A bit of a habit of Cole's, marking what was his. Billy didn't fully understand it but enjoyed the praise, admiration and love that red showed him.

Cole retracted and stared at his eyes, he traced his own thumb over Billy's lips. The little guy looked spent out of his mind.

"Damn he's sensitive. Maybe we can play a bit with this."
Red thought deviously.

He placed Billy down on one of the beach towels they brought and got on top of him, cowgirl style to really get a nice view of the former ranger.

"Howdy partner."
Cole winked.

"H-Hi"
Billy yelped.
Red began to unzip his boyfriend's jacket and began teasing the man's nipples slowly. Watching Billy like this, unraveling like putty in his hands was so satisfying, he wanted to please him, take care of it.

Billy tried his best to conceal the moans coming from his mouth, why was this exciting him so much? Maybe cause of Cole guiding him? The chance of someone catching them? Nothing in his brain could lead him to an answer all of it was just too mu-

"Cole pleeaase~"
His train of thought was lost when the red ranger pinched his nipple.

"Heh, getting off on this?"

Billy tried looking elsewhere to save himself from embarrassment, this is so unlike him...

"Now now don't be like that, let's get wild."
Cole began to plan and tapping into his ranger powers he was able to heat up his hands a bit, now he can really get down and dirty with foreplay.

Red started tracing his finger down Billy's exposed chest. He was able to fully keep himself from igniting any flames, just the right amount of warmth to mess around with Billy.

"Ngh!"

The stimulation danced around Billy's skin, it puzzled him. Though he can't think straight with Cole doing such things to him, how was he even..

Red excited himself from this and used his free hand to palm his shorts, breathing heavily from the sensation.

"God you're amazing Cranston!"
The red ranger praised, he really needed to wrap this up before the others arrived. Though there might be a line forming by the boardwalk, doesn't matter right now.

He felt Billy's clothed erection poking his ass and thought of something. He moved his free hand back and grabbed onto it causing the former ranger to jolt up a bit....and that's when the idea hit him.

"Cole wh-what are you going to do?"

"Relax baby, I think I'm going to take myself for a ride. Not what I was expecting of being at the top but oh you're in for it now~"

---

Unbelievable, Merrick left as the rangers stayed in line. He was walking back on the path, this trip was supposed to be for him and Cole. Now that damn leech had to slither his way in.

"Ice cream wasn't even good, can't believe people of this age eat that shit. No worries, as long as Cole likes it then-"

"O-Oh fuck!"
Merrick heard the muffled cried belonging to Cole and in a rush he ended up running towards the beach.

"Crap did that jerk do something to him."
Merrick thought, he ran until his eyes nearly bulged out of his head...there it was.

Swim trunks set aside and the two of them....

"You're so such a good boy for me Billy, s-so amazing."

"H-Ha you r-really mean t-that!"

The lunar ranger had behind a rock angrily, tears through his rage began to fall down his face. How could he, no!

That bitch had Cole snared in his grasp and it hurt, this can't be true...

Drop

"What now."
Merrick wiped his tears away and saw as rain began trickling from the sky. It began pouring harshly, he stared at a puddle near him and watched silver flames literally glowing through his eyes...Leil.

"It's r-raining."
Billy panted.

"Damn weather, cockblocking us."
Cole got off Billy and grabbed their swim trunks. He helped the former ranger up who struggled to stand, jelly legs were common after...intimacy.

"Let's pack up, and then pick up where we started at your place. Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
Cole purred into Billy's ear.

"I-I didn't mind what happened, c-can we d-do it again?"
Billy stared at the ground in embarrassment. He felt when Cole lifted him up on his back.

"So direct, didn't know you liked it rough. Billy Cranston you're a hoot."
Cole chuckled and saw Taylor and the other returning, they decided to get frozen yogurt instead. Easier to contain and won't melt fully, he joined up with them as they prepared to leave the beach.

Merrick's eyes pierced through the rain, silver fury flaming brightly like the headlights of a speeding car. He concealed his feelings away for the trip home but decided to not say a word to the group.

As the lunar ranger left the beach he didn't noticed the green sludge scurrying around the ground. It stopped dead in it's track and turned aggressively at Merrick before making it to the ocean.

The storm raged on with waves flailing about vigorously, tides began pulling each other apart like the ground tearing during an earthquake. However this was because of a whirlpool, a huge one to be exact.

In the center formed a red entrance, some portal of sorts to who knows where...the sludge swam quickly to the center and dark pulses of light began chiming it like a bell. After a while the green sludge began to take shape, stretching out arms, wing like appendages and hooked legs.

The creature flew through the tides and splashed angrily on the shore.

"You wolf bastard..."
Oh no..Nayzor has returned, with his new form he shot up through the sky and flew elsewhere leaving the beach to carry on through the storm.

---

The next day came by pretty fast, well...for the rangers it's been a bit of a hassle.

"Savage Slash!"
The six of them said in unison as a beaming veil engulfed their jungle sword. They proceeded to destroy the putrids and fell to the ground.

"That's the third batch today..."
Danny groaned.

"Jinxed it, thinking Master Org wouldn't strike soon."
Taylor demorphed and took in the cool breeze, this wave of putrids led them to the beach from yesterday. Luckily no one was around.

"They've gotten..stronger, somethings off."
Max stared at his morpher for a bit trying to access their situation.

"Alyssa any thoughts, I know it's odd to ask but perhaps it'd be best to keep an eye out incase."
Blue called out to her as he went over to the black ranger for comfort.

"Aside from their strength the only thing that I've noticed is the locations. The canyon outside of town, some grasslands and finally the beach. Perhaps it's some trap."
Alyssa stared out to the ocean for any clues, she was persistent in solving this issue however nothing came to her.

"The air felt a bit thick and murky, not that that's a problem for me but honestly imagine breathing through that helmet in such weather. I could've sworn I saw something flying in the air earlier.."
Danny felt skeptical.

"Hey it's alright, we're fine now."
Max held the black ranger's hand and began to build some sand shapes with him.

"...He has something planned I can feel it..."
Ever since yesterday Merrick's been on edge, like a shadow watching him. I didn't help that they were back here, after seeing Billy and Cole...oh that little demon was going to regret taking his Leil away.

He made his way over to Cole who was checking texts on his morpher. The lunar ranger rested his head on red's shoulder, Cole looked at him weirdly but brushed it off.

"How are you holding up?"

"I don't know, I'm just very concerned that's all. We're not close to finding the prism and even then this fight of ours is getting even tougher...I think something is going to hit us unexpectedly."
Merrick had a sad look forming on his face.

"Hey don't say that, we'll be fine."
Cole patted his teammate on the shoulder.

"You know there's this feeling I've been having lately, usually it can be brushed off with no problem but...I don't know, if anything happened to the others, to you..I'd never forgive myself. You guys mean a lot to me, you really do."
The lunar ranger consoled himself in the red ranger like some lost puppy. Cole couldn't help himself and brought his friendn for a hug to comfort him.

"We'll get through this together. Whenever Billy and I are in a tricky situation we look to it like a jagged road, there's the pavement and any damages can always be taken out. Easy right?"
Merrick really didn't want to hear about Billy at the moment but took the metaphor to heart, an issue that just needs to be thrown away.

"Cole I need to chat."
Taylor had pulled the red ranger aside before Merrick could say anything but unfortunately he dropped his morpher in the sand, Silver didn't think much and pulled it off the ground.

"What the?"
He saw the text, they were to Billy about some searching trip later..Merrick's blood boiled and he finally understood what Cole meant.

"Damages can always be taken out"

---

"Snacks and provisions for hiking check, Cole's bag check. Alright this should be it."
Billy smiled as he began putting a few books into hid backpack, he heard his phone buzzing and decided to open it.

It must be from Cole, maybe he had to run late. Not too bad, the weather is way nicer than it was yesterday.

[Cole]: Can't make it.

Damn, well maybe rescheduling could work.

[Billy]: Oh that's fine, tomorrow works even better. Fridays are said to be very lucky.

[Cole]: This isnt funny, I don't want to hang out with you anymore.

What, is this a weird joke Taylor made for him?

[Billy]: I don't follow?

[Cole]: We're done, all of it alright. I didn't like last night and you're just not the guy for me, we're threw. I don't want to see you again.

...Why would he send that, d-did he actually mean...

[Cole]: I finally realized that I like someone else, I'm better off without you so do me a favor and screw off.

Okay that hurt, Billy didn't know what to think of the messages. If that's how Cole felt then...he might as well be better off alone, he held his phone tightly and grabbed his backpack before departing.

Just when things were looking bright after Jason someone else turns out to just throw Billy to the side like a piece of meat.

..He'll be fine on this trip and with life, right?

The forest was pretty spacious to say the least, he's had his fair share of encounters with such. If anything at least the former ranger can cry a bit without any interruptions, oh what was he going to say to Taylor?

Would she still want to be his friend? Did he hurt Cole enough to warrant hatred from his companions?

Eventually after wandering through the endless trees the former ranger spotted a cavern, it would've made Billy run and hide a few years back from seeing something so intimidating but he committed himself to finding some answers.

"Here we go.."
The former ranger told himself.

The dark space became a bit narrow as Billy traversed the cave, it felt as if he stumbled down a flight of stairs. Well...it did feel a bit like that soon after the thought crossed his mind.

Hard ground eventually turned into bricked formations, Billy couldn't think much of it. He's seen weird places throughout his time as a ranger, to be honest small part of him through the sad determination felt fired up to keep going and do more...but why though?

He kept going down the path and was led to a huge corridor with a skylight, around the room were various other paths leading to who knows where else. Finally within the middle rested...oh my god it was the gemstone, cyan in color and shaped in a drill like horn fashion.

One odd thing though is how it was levitating from the pedestal and spinning rapidly throughout each direction. The anticipation was eating at Billy, he couldn't wait any longer. Finally the former ranger took the prism in hand and admired it's beauty.

The shades and sparkles, as if it was brand new. Oh wait till Cole sees...right...wait till he shows the professor. All the excitement from a second ago drained from his being as Billy felt a chill on his neck, he had a bad feeling, all proven right in the end as Nayzor flew from one of the dark paths trying to swoop at the former ranger.

Billy dodged the attempt and held onto the gemstone as the green org glared at him with malice.

"Hand over the qil horn, or I can gut that body until you oblige!"
Nayzor threatened, As Billy reached for his phone the monster send a sharp laser causing him to drop the burnt device.

"Perhaps both can happen, I'll have my fun in torturing you to death."
Billy needed to act fast, he began running through the room dodging various blasts from Nayzor but from what he could tell the ruins wouldn't hold up any longer.

He reached into his backpack and threw a flare at the org to which Nayzor parried with four consecutive lasers. The smoke from the explosion was enough to give Billy an opportunity to run away.

Nazyor cursed the human and decided to pick him up by smell. He went into his flight mode and soared through the ruins looking for the former ranger.

"I'll experiment on you when I have the chance."

---

Cole was pacing around, the team was on the animarium with Shayla trying to help him look for his morpher.

"I know I had it with me when we were at the beach. Oh god do you think the tide took it?"
Red panicked, it's been a while and he hadn't texted Billy back. What if he thought the ranger had stood him up.

"Relax, perhaps we'll search the sea for it."
Shayla offered.

"You know how long that'd be? Days, weeks probably."
Taylor shook her head.

Merrick on the other had tried to conceal his guilt, he actually had it in his pocket but wanted no part in this mindless issue. He'll just return it to the red ranger and said he went to find it earlier.

"Relax, if I just send out a signal it should glow depending on our colors. Can easily be traced with the signal there."
Alyssa explained cheerfully, she got out one of the laptops they had and hooked her own morpher to the device. Cole loved how his friend always had a nick for this type of stuff, he was only good with sending messages and calling things but surfing the web was one he had a long way to go with.

"In three two one!"
Alyssa pressed the button on her laptop and the morpher sent out the signal, Merrick didn't trust that modern device she had and decided to take his leave but his pocket began to buzz with red lights sparking out.

He stopped dead in his tracks feeling the team's eyes on him...dammit.

"Oh wolf boy has it."
Max chimed in. Taylor went over to Merrick and gave the morpher back to Cole

"Merrick. Why do you have my morpher?"
Cole asked in a confused tone.

"I...you dropped it earlier, meant to tell you eventually."

Red hummed in response as he checked his text, new ones from him popped up...stuff he wouldn't say or ever think of uttering to Billy were spread throughout the screen. He looked very puzzled alerting Taylor's attention and she peered over his shoulder to read them.

"Wow dude that's really low"
Taylor looked at Cole with a weird face.

"I didn't send any of that to him, wait...he stopped sending after the last one."
The red ranger began trying to clear this all up through his messages but nothing came through, he decided to try and call Billy but the line went shut with no answer.

"Alright Cole maybe we can just-"

"Calm down? Danny I'm far from alright right now, I need to clear this up with Billy."
Cole ran his hand through his hair and tied to breathe a bit, he gave his morpher to Alyssa.

"If you can track mine maybe you can use the texts to find Billy's?"

"Of course, if anything they could be recorded on his memory card. That might also allow me to track the location."
The other rangers looked to Alyssa with odd stares.

"What? I'm good with this stuff, if anything just be prepared if you're in danger."
She shrugged it off.

"I just don't know how those messages could've ended up on my phone. Didn't send any after the beach."
Cole had a hard time trying to come to a conclusion.

"Unless...whoever had your phone, had access to stuff."
The white ranger began to piece some things together and looked in Merrick's direction. Taylor and the others all followed suit.

"Merrick, did you send those to him?"
Yellow asked the lunar ranger, with everything going on from the putrids and Merrick being on edge this wasn't the best time to be fooling around. She was really concerned for Billy.

"I um."
Everyone waited for him to finished.

"Okay admit it, yes I did send those..."
Merrick backed up to a wall in defeat like some guilty dog being apprehended. He caved in and did something terrible yes, but this all could be sorted out.

"Why would you put those things in Billy's head?!"
Cole sought out a direct answer from his companion, perhaps it was a misunderstanding. Billy already felt as if the sixth ranger didn't like him but why though?

"Guys, the location is still loading but a voicemail not too long ago has loaded."
Alyssa played the message through her laptop, it consisted of Billy struggling to get a call to Cole, rocks and debris could be heard falling.

"Perhaps both can happen, I'll have my fun torturing you to death."
That voice...it sent chills down the rangers spine. Merrick was scared...Nayzor had returned and he's targeting Billy, the voicemail cut off right after.

Cole turned to Merrick, his face covered in anger with watery eyes about to pour.

"Why...why would you, he already has issues with feeling alone and you had to send that to him..."
No one on the team has ever seen red like this, sure he's had his fair share of frustration every now and then but this was new.

"We'll get him back I-"
Taylor tried to calm Cole but he swatted his leader's hand away.

"Get him back, get him back?! FOR ALL WE KNOW HE COULD BE DEAD BY NOW AND THE LAST THE HE SAW WAS A MESSAGE OF ME SAYING I'M BETTER OF WITHOUT HIM!"
The yellow ranger felt herself getting a bit emotional at the thought of her friend being killed. Cole got closer to Merrick and demanded something, anything to give him an answer.

"Why did you do it.."
Merrick didn't budge, his eyes were sealed shut with hurt filling his being.

He couldn't bare to see Cole like this, it pained the lunar ranger so much. Worse than the wolf mask overtaking him, worse that Nayzor and Zen Aku combined.

"WHY DID Y-"

"BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO GET TAKEN AWAY FROM ME AGAIN LEIL!"
Merrick poured his feelings out by accident, the team stood their shocked. Confused on who Leil was but more on the fact that the ranger had affection for Cole?

Shayla stared at the team and then to Merrick in sadness, all of this was ripping them apart and if anything she'd wished for all of it to go away...for her friend's to be happy, for Merrick to be happy.

"I-I.."

"Location found."
Alyssa announced as the coordinates popped up on the screen.

"Let's pay that son of a bitch a visit..."
Taylor's hand formed an vengeful fist as she lead the rangers out.

Before Cole could go Merrick grabbed his hand in an attempt to to fix things.

"Cole please...forgive me."

"Right now you'd be lucky if I ever consider looking at you again..!"
The red ranger yanked his arm away and left with the rangers.

Before Shayla could say anything to Merrick he too took his leave.

---

"Down!"
The green org twisted his body releasing a wave of red lightning. Billy held his backpack up but the sharp energy was strong enough to rip through it with ease. He was sent back with a bruise on his chest.

The former ranger fell to the ground, coughing up small droplets of blood. They both found their way to a rocky field, a cliff standing tall in the background.

"Didn't think humans could be so pathetic, I mistook them all as parasites. Constantly creeping through my affairs on wits end."
Nayzor scowled as he swiftly made his way to Bill, he lifted him from his throat.

"But this, this observation is proving me wrong. How interesting."
As he egged himself on Billy screamed when a purple claw stabbed the side of his abdomen. The sharp edge wasn't fully embedded in but Nayzor transfered small amounts of jolts through them to irritate the former ranger's skin.

"Stop...!"
But the pleas from the young man only gave the org satisfaction.

"How idiotic does one have to be to mess with MY plans."
Nazyor sneered and threw Billy to the ground, his jacket wrapped as the monster pulled his claw away. He grabbed the qil horn and and melded the artifact into his body.

"Getting in MY way."
The org began the jab Billy around in the face."

"Dismantling all MY hard work."
Every punch got harder with each impact, the former ranger's glasses were knocked away. The org grinning evily from the blood.

"Not...anymore."
Nayzor raised his hand up and projected a luminescent sickle of energy from his hands. However before he could strike Billy a barrage of feathered daggers blitzed Nayzor and send the org flying back.

"Don't you ever lay a finger on him again..."
Taylor was seething through her words.

The former ranger turned his head weakly to see Taylor and the other rangers arriving. Cole rushed over to Billy in a panic, holding a kit of supplies.

"Billy! Ohmygodohmygod are you alright?!"
He knelt down and held up his companion, Billy's nose was in tact but he had some cuts on his cheek, his left eye was bruised a bit though nothing close enough to giving the little guy a black eye.

He began to patch him up a bit, bandaging the wounds and even getting the small gauche on Billy's abdomen taken care of...Cole couldn't imagine what would've lied infront of him had the team arrived a minute too late...

Billy wondered why Cole was here of all things, he thought the guy hated him. Didn't matter, for now all he could do was sob in embrace, it felt calming to hold the red ranger after everything.

"It's okay, it's okay..I'm here now."
Cole held onto his boyfriend for as long as he needed the time.

Merrick looked at the two with regret, everything he did...all the blinding jealousy did was hurt the one he loved the most. Now Le-no..now Cole nearly lost the one factor that made him happy, the lunar ranger hoped that they'd both be able to find it in their hearts to forgive him. Well the entire team to be exact.

However their rescue was cut short as the wall from afar began to crack open revealing Nayzor, his red eyes glaring in fury at both Merrick and the team.

"Billy, stay back...I um, I didn't want to you to find our this way. Let alone be put in any danger but just keep back for now."
Billy witnessed as Cole and the others pulled out a gold flip phone. Merrick prepared himself with his wolf like wristband.

"Wild Acess, HA!"
The six rangers spoke in unison and were engulfed in a blinding glare of colors. Billy looked on in surprise to see Cole and the others suited up, holy crap...they were power rangers!

To think that this secret was kept from him for so long, though he'd understand why Cole would hesitate on it. The sheer fact of telling someone can lead to unexpected things...this being one of them. Max waved his hand and a veil of moisture surrounded Billy like a forcefield, the former ranger stared in confusion

"For precaution."
Blue stated, Billy nodded.

"To think I'd be ambushed by your presence yet again. I should've killed that dreadful bitch when I had the chance."
Cole growled at Nayzor insulting Billy.

"How the hell did you manage even scurry back into our lives?"
Alyssa demanded an answer both her and the others summoned their respective weapons.

"It was difficult to come to terms with the circumstances but everything fell right into my hands!"
The org leaped back releasing devasting shrills of thunderbolts into the ranger's vicinity. Taylor and Alyssa engaged him in the sky, yellow's eagle sword providing grand strikes to occupy Nayzor. White used both her crystal saber and baton in a rapid pummel but their enemy did not falter due to his new form.

"Before the maimed pup down there took a hold of my mask I used it on myself. That relic had much more power than any of you could imagine."
The ranger slammed Nayzor inward causing him to crash to the ground, he was unscathed but Danny swooped from behind with his Bison axe and collided the blade harshly into the monster's wing.

"With enough evil siphoned from the mask it stayed dormant until-"
While Danny barely scratched Nayzor it was enough of a distraction to let Max charge in with his fighting fins scissoring away at the org's torso. Blue radiance cutting around rapidly, the two kept him subdued as an angry lunar ranger rushed in with rounds shooting consecutively at Nayzor's face and finally ending as Merrick turned his lunar cue into break mode and striking his enemy aggressively.

Nayzor yet again was sent flying and Cole soared momentarily at him snaring his lion fanged gauntlets within the org's sides. The one gripping down flared extreme blazes causing his enemy to screech in pain. Red then took his other hand and kept bashing the evil bastard in his face until he dropped him on the ground.

Billy watched in a hidden satisfaction of the sight. The team had good coordination, and to see the org getting what he deserved was soothing for some reason.

The rangers regrouped and watched as Nayzor writhed in annoyance. He rose angrily and exposed the qil horn shocking all of them.

"Forget about the mask, it's energy kept me alive even after that demise. But that thing's worthless in the eyes of the kirin."
Nayzor smirked and began harnessing energy from the gemstone. Like a beacon of sorts calling out to the beyond.

"How did you.."
Merrick was fuming, from seeing this monster still breathing and their one hope of destroying the orgs in that demon's grasp.

"His truly found it for me, all I had to do was pinpoint the horn by the storming winds. This belonged to the fabelled kirin, a beast that transcends even Animus and with it I was able to draw power from the spirit world."
Nayzor bragged, Danny came to a scared realization and stared at Alyssa.

"You were the flying thing I saw earlier, he must've boosted the putrids as well."
The black ranger shook his head.

"I-I didn't know this would happen!"
Billy cried out, did he aid Nayzor?

"This isn't your fault Cranston!"
Taylor reassured.

"Enough bickering! Kirin left this horn in search of a being to match his strength and I'll dispose of every last one of you in celebration."
The org was angered at the presence of those rangers and the qil horn lit up in a bright blue shade as he unleashed a furious onslaught of explosions.

The rangers were blasted around and fell in agony, before they could rise up Nazyor flew at them with blurring speeds striking each individually. Billy knocked on the forcefield wanting their suffering to stop but he couldn't do anything...no morpher, no power coin, just nothing but useless to them.

Nayzor giggled loudly and ended his attack by holding Max by the head. He jumped to the top of the cliff ignoring the blue ranger's resistance.

"Max!"
Everyone yelled in unison.

"Get off me!"
The blue ranger continued to slash at the org's body but it was no use, none of his attempts dented the skin.

"Lament in your failures rangers."
From the palm of Nayzor's hand formed a laser edge and it slowly etched through Max's helmet visor. The ranger shook around with wails of pain as the blade pierced his eye, it went deeper allowing for the rangers to hear the bone chilling screams. Finally the blade burst out in an explosion, leaving a hole from both sides of blue's head.

"NOO!"
Danny cried out as he fell to his knees.

Nayzor tossed the lifeless body of the blue ranger from the cliff and watched as it reached his team. Black stumbled in defeat as he approached his boyfriend's body, Max had demorphed shortly after with his animal crystals rolling out of his hands.

"Please...Maxwell wake up, I-I swear to christ if you don't-"

"Danny.."
Alyssa tried to console him, Taylor and Cole joined the two struggling to fully accept what was happening.

"No!"

"He's gone.."

"Shut up Alyssa!"

"HE'S GONE!"
The white ranger pulled him away with a saddened hug, allowing for her friend to cry into embrace.

Merrick stood there speechless, everything had sunk even further than expected. Billy didn't have anything to say, in a sense they both felt guilty for what transpired. The former ranger's search for the qil horn, silver's anger pushing the team into this, now Max is dead and there's nothing to say for it.

"Heh, the fishling was overdue for a flaying. Honestly never understood how such a naive princess would huddle her trust in something so weak."
Danny was overwhelmed in aggression, Taylor  herself couldn't sit there allowing for such a piece of trash to disrespect her little friend, the black ranger held onto his axe and looked to his lifeless partner and in a blind rage he darted at the green org with the yellow ranger following after.

"Yes, satisfy me even more."
Nayzor egged them on as he stabbed the ground with his claws unveiling pillars of giant rocks in the duo's direction. They maneuvered throughout the attack and came flying down with their weapons.

Danny's axe engulfed in purple energy while Taylor's sword sharpened in a similar hue with yellow lights. Both rangers went in for their strikes, rushing around simultaneously for any angles to really disorient Nayzor, maybe even cutting him open to cause him suffering.

Though none of their attacks went through, the green org scattered into small darts and stormed around the duo cutting them up. Taylor and Danny tried their best to keep up but were overwhelmed easily.

"A quicker death is what you seek so allow me to glady hand it over!"
Nayzor then pieced himself together and extended his arms out capturing both rangers. Yellow and Black yelled out when they felt their bones cracking slowly from the pressure. The org's claws grew further out and when he flew closer to them he swerved his arms inward allowing for the snared rangers to be ripped open by their abdomens and up to their chests.

Nayzor dropped the rangers watching as their blood and entrails were exposed to the world.

"Taylor!"
Billy pleaded for her to be alright but deep down he knew...it was too late.

"No...Danny please no..."
Cole couldn't lose anyone else...Alyssa held Max's animal crystal. Watching as a crack formed within the jewels..was there a chance. No it couldn't be, for now they needed to regroup but there's no use if it's only three rangers.

"This isn't happening, not on my watch."
The white ranger took out the deer crystal, swirls of white and green energy surrounded her like an aura as she placed the jewel in her saber.

"Alyssa what are-"
Before Cole could finish a single burst of wind filled the area, the white ranger focused a her power for a while.

"Don't worry, if the deer wildzord has healing properties then maybe we can bring them back.."

Nayzor glared with a panic, he couldn't allow for her to do such a thing. Not when the org's gotten so close to success.

"I'll fix everything Taylor, please hang in t-"
The red ranger stared in horror as Nayzor's claw stretched out and stabbed Alyssa through her chest. She coughed up blood and turned her head to the rangers and Billy, feeling tears as they fell down her face under her helmet.

"T-Taylor..?"
Nayzor lifted white into the air as she was hooked by the blades and channeled enough force from the qil horn to released a scorching napalm of blue flames at Alyssa.

The remaining onlookers could only hear as Alyssa wailed out in a gut wrenching cry, it was worse than Max's sending even worse chills through her friend's ears. She tried with the last amounts of life in her being to punch the claws, anything to release her but it was no use. Nayzor retracted the bladed and happily watched as the white ranger's burning body fell to the rangers.

"Tay...l-lor.."
Her scorched hand gripped onto the deer crystal before letting it roll to Cole. Merrick and the red ranger were at a loss of words, their comrades fallen and nothing to show for it.

The lunar ranger questioned how was this even allowed to transpire, Animus always had his trust, his devotion for aiding in their fight against evil but where was he...where was he when his team was being slaughtered, silver had brought them here through an angered view and now look. He couldn't repent for this, nothing the lunar ranger could do would ever make up for their deaths.

Cole failed as the red ranger, he may not have been the leader but it was by this role for him to blaze on and triumph when the team needed him the most. Now there's nothing to show for it, he stared back at his boyfriend who hadn't the clue on what to do himself. He hoped there was something above to give him an edge here, the red ranger conjured the falcon summoner bow and glanced at Merrick for a second.

"Merrick, if anything happens...please protect Billy, please have my back."
Red pleaded with the lunar ranger, even after what he did Cole trusted that Merrick could help no matter what.

"I swear to you that I'll do that."
Merrick looked back at a frantic Billy and stayed back near the forcefield.

Cole kept the weapon in it's blaster mode and held his own crystal saber in the other hand. Nayzor chuckled at this poor excuse of a team.

"That's the spirit, throw everything away."
The org felt a seering round piercing his shoulder, what the hell was that about?

Looking back up Nayzor noticed that Cole was nowhere to be found. Another shot along with a slash aimed for the monster's torso. He turned everywhere but alas the org was only met by annoying fire.

Cole was using the red falcon wildzord's power to bounce around freely, constantly giving Nayzor a taste of his own medicine. The org was not amused, as he fell with smoke dispersing from his wounds a red blur circled in on him.

"You'll fall again by my hand and that's final!"
The red ranger kept gunning and striking down Nayzor with an angered fury, it was actually working as his enemy couldn't keep up with the mirage.

"I promised someone that I'd take that horn and shove it down Master Org's throat, and I don't hold back on deals!"
Cole kept closing the space so he can zero in on Nayzor and snatch the qil horn out of his chest.

"Dying like this...no! I refuse, this is not my fate."
Nayzor staggered as a green shade of darkness built up within his body, he released a grand explosion catching Cole off guard and the red ranger flew into the cliff. Shadowy waves aimed for Billy but Merrick caught them in time, the lunar ranger was overtaken by it and fell when they sparked out into bolts.

The lunar ranger was demorphed and fell to the ground next to Billy, Cole pleaded for hope as Nayzor rose up.

"You two, well then. He wasn't much of a challenge but I'm alright with ending defenseless prey."
The org raged on as his claws extended in the direction of Merrick and Billy.

"No!"
Cole screamed out frantically and sped across the field to try and parry the attack, smoke and a red haze flew around rapidly. When it finally cleared the two companions of red could only witness in horror at what they dreaded from the start of this madness

Cole was breathing heavily as the blades pierced his stomach. Billy covered his mouth and began sobbing even more, Merrick was at a loss of words himself.

"How did you-no matter."
Nayzor grew tendrils out of his body and when the red ranger skewered himself angrily trying to get closer to the org he sent the appendages to stab rapidly through Cole's body.

"RAAAH!"
Cole yelled out in determination. No matter what, no matter how painful this was he needed to persist, keep on and get close...

"COLE STOP, PLEASE!"
Billy pleaded

"DON'T THROW YOURSELF AWAY!"
Merrick held his hand out in pain.

"I...have to m-make this right.."
The red ranger's energy began to deplete and his morphed state vanished, he spat out blood but continued.

"Why won't you just fall over!"
Nayzor felt puzzled and kept on with his assault, watching as holes bombarded the red anger's body. Red essence trickling down the wounds, once Cole was close enough he struggled to hold up the falcon summoner and aimed it directly at the qil horn, he put it in bow mode and pulled the lever back with all his might.

"No! I'm not letting some viper like you take this away from me!"

"Then we'll just have to go together won't we!"

"NO!"
Billy and Merrick yelled out in unison. The org and red ranger struggled as they released two powerful lasers, though Nayzor was able take the upper hand and shot through Cole throwing him aside.

Everything felt like rushing water to the ranger, aside from all the other wounds his chest was now open with a huge hole. Ribs, parts of his lungs and heart were missing, he saw the former ranger leaving from the forcefield and rushing towards him, a ringing noise chimed in Cole's ears.

At least he tried, passing on while being beside his boyfriend put a weak smile on his face.

"Oh gosh, look we can fix this. I-I can g-get Tommy or A-Alpha I-"
Billy held the dying ranger up, his hands shaking all around with now clue on what to do.

"B-Billy...look, I-I didn't forget about our....trip."
He stared into the former ranger's eyes lovingly and cupped his chin with his hands.

Shortly after the hand fell with a limp Cole resting in Billy's grasp...he's dead.

"Cole? COLE STAY WITH ME! COME ON OPEN THOSE EYES I-please no..."
The former ranger wept as he held red tightly, everyone was leaving him...Jason, Taylor and now the joy of his life.

Merrick stayed slack on the ground, witnessing his Leil taken away again. He tried scrambling with his arms in their direction, weak cries pouring out of him. He's beyond heartbroken to see the ranger had perished

All for what, none of this should've happened but it did. Nayzor gazed upon the scene with glee, his work had finally payed off, being scorned by this team had served as an impasse for far too long and now with only his former minion left he can finally get the job done.

"Perish."
The green org smirked before sending a ray of azure flames in Merrick and Billy's direction. The wave rushed quickly over but when reaching the two it mysteriously dispelled itself.

"How the hell.."
Nayzor stepped back and looked just as puzzled and Merrick did, the org felt a sharp pain within his chest as the qil horn began cracking. Winds from all over started billowing in a constant rush, Billy held onto Cole as he glared with deep hatred spiting Nayzor.

The former ranger's eyes lit up in a bright turquoise hue, tears still trickled down his eyes but Billy was boiling with retribution and hatred for Nayzor in his mind. He's never felt this way before, not ever but that didn't matter...he wanted that vile pest dead by his hands.

"Argh!"
Nayzor scowled as the horn shattered into light took the shape of a scaled horse like creature, it's mane danced around the body elegantly like fire. Two antlers pointed from the side of it's head with a main horn in the middle. It was the Kirin!

"uoy fo ecivres ni reven saw rewop eht tub ,nroh eht deets yam uoY."
The kirin spoke in an odd tone, resembling that of crashing water and storming air.

"W-What is this?"
Billy stared at his hand as a bright aura in similar color to the being surrounded him. Merrick had managed to find his way to the former ranger and began thinking on what transpired, the lunar ranger gazed in awe at the Kirin and eyed Billy carefully.

"...It wasn't looking for someone with great power but one who's heart aligned with it, an individual who basked within the kirin's righteousness."
Silver came to a realization, Billy thought back to when he found the horn. The relic floated on an endless rotation, as if it was searching rapidly like a compass...him?

"This, this can't be...I followed every intricate factor within those records. You've made a mista-"

"gnihton nekatsim ev'I."
The deity like being galloped instantly at Nayzor like a bolt of lightning clapping down to the Earth. Constantly barraging the org with it's scales adorning it's body, sending acrid slashes with every rush around Nayzor.

"GRAA!"
The green org was thrashed in endlessly by Kirin, his skin felt as if it was being pulled around violently. Merrick and Billy watched with angered contentment, feeling no pity for Nayzor...he's taken too much from them and now was the time for payback.

Kirin stopped momentarily and brought down a gleaming blaze from the sky above, enveloping itself with a sparkling radiance. With Nayzor down it charged to Billy and dispelled into bits of light, the glowing spheres formed a turquoise morpher in his hand with a wristband adorning a circular shape holding some holster in the middle.

"I̷̔ͅ ̸͇̓a̶͎͛m̴͚̈́ ̴̭͋T̶̯̉h̴͖̉ò̶͉u̵̙̓,̶̧́ ̸̘͘T̶̹͑h̴̖̍o̶͓̒u̵͉̎ ̵͓̽ä̵̝́r̶͍̀ṭ̷͑ ̶̛̲I̷̧̛."
The muffled rumblings of Kirin's voice echoed in Billy's mind, he felt the animal spirit surging through him. A familiar sensation from his past has returned, however right here, right now the will of determination fully melded with his eagerness for vengeance...he knew exactly what he had to do.

"You've done your part, now let me be the one to protect you Cole."
Billy hugged the lifeless red ranger tightly and kissed his forehead before placing him peacefully next to Merrick.

The org scrambled to get off the ground, his teeth gritted from frustration and humiliation. He glowered at Billy sensing a familiar occurrence about to go down.

"Wild Access, HA!"
Billy took his morpher and placed it in the wrist holster causing a jolt of teal sparks to release, he then spun the holster upward unveiling four arrows on the compass with a horn pointing out of his morpher. Particles of electricity and wind orbited the young man until they formed a turquoise suit around him.

"Kirin Lux Ranger!"
The suit was beautiful, there were partial scale patterns throughout it. A wolf like shoulder pad rested atop his left arm with a ripped cape from the back and a cream pink fur strand sticking out of it's mouth. Billy's helmet had pointed edges at the back that lead to the front with a singular teal horn directed outward.

"Another one?!"
As Nayzor spoke up the kirin ranger faded into strands of light. Next thing you know Billy was behind the panicked org.

"What th-"
Billy stopped him dead in his tracks with a nimble combo of harsh punches, Nayzor had no chance of combating the ambush and felt as the ranger clawed him around with those gloves.

"Shut up!"
The ranger sneered as he finished his assault by grazing the air causing ten illuminated slices to skewer Nayzor sending the org flying in screams.

Merrick witness the ordeal go down, how was Billy so skilled at this...while all silver could do was uselessly lie here.

A trail of rapid thunder followed a raging Billy as he kicked Nayzor in midair, before the org could fully react all he felt was endless strikes in every direction. Billy practically warped around like a tornado.

"Uni Drill!"
A glass like revolver with the barrel being a drill was summoned into the kirin ranger's hand. Now with cowardice filling his being the org attempted to fly elsewhere. He released a concentrated beam from his wings in an attempt to disperse of Billy.

"Inversion."
The ranger uttered allowing for the drill barrel to rotate briskly as he unleashed eight consecutive lasers, all dancing crazily through the air and ripping apart the opposing beam, they began seeking around until every one of them jumped Nayzor constantly.

Billy smirked and formed another weapon in his hand, a blade with an almost glass like appearance. A qilin head as the hand blocker and a drill shape within the middle of the sword.

"Eclipse Saber!"
The last of the lasers propelled a screaming Nayzor within Billy's vicinity and he was struck down in a tiger grip like hold as Billy shot the two of them to the ground. His sword stabbed into the org nonstop warranting howls of pain from Nayzor, though in secret the ranger felt joyful to listen in on such.

The impact left a giant crater in the ground, the lunar ranger gasped at the sight of lightning shackles holding Nayzor down by his arms and hands. Billy kept his foot over the green org's neck and pulled Nayzor's head up in a hurtful position.

"What was that about me being pathetic earlier..you know, how about we try out an experiment to your liking..."
Venom shot out of the kirin ranger's tone as his eclipse saber pointed in on Nayzor's horn. He could sense a beacon of power coming from it and the org continued to struggle in his grasp.

"You little-"
Nayzor was cut off as Billy's sword embedded slowly into the appendage. This brought out a high pitched wail of agony that shocked Merrick from afar.

"So that's what the orgs are like when losing their horns..."
Silver consoled himself in Cole, he didn't want to watch this go down...Billy had everything under control and he was, well there wasn't anything to offer in this moment..

"Lament.."
Billy mimicked Nayzor from earlier when the horn was chopped off. He was pushed away by a burst of dark energy when the org raged in suffering, he convulsed around with displeasure.

The kirin ranger landed safely near Merrick, silver felt frustration in his mind. Staring up at Billy in a his glory only increased the guilt inside him, this person who he hated was giving it his all to protect him. Tears fell down his face in regret, Taylor, Danny, Max and Alyssa...Cole, He failed-no, he disappointed all of them.

"I-I can't.."
Merrick sobbed.

"What?"
The kirin ranger eyed silver.

"There's nothing keeping me going, it's because of my disarray that we've ended up here."
Billy held a feeling inside, he sensed the similar lost emotions plaguing Merrick. Although lacking a full picture of what played out before their arrival here he knew the lunar ranger was stuck, unable to grasp a moment of peace like he did months ago.

"Well that's not enough."
Merrick felt confused in what the ranger was trying to imply.

"We can't just sit here like this, that monster took Cole and everyone away...if anything, I'd get up and would stop at nothing until he's dead. Can't let them die in vein."
The lunar ranger was at a loss of words, Billy actually offered his support after the way he treated him. A gloved hand offering Merrick a hand, he was right after all...no use in sulking around when there's the opportunity to actually kill Nayzor, for Cole.

Merrick rose up with Billy's aid and held onto the falcon summoner next to the red ranger. He reached for his lunar caller.

"Let's rid this world of Nayzor!"
Merrick shouted with determination.

"Gladly."
Billy nodded.

"Wild Access, HA!"
Merrick fully morphed into the lunar wold ranger, summoning the lunar cue in his other hand.

"I'll make this right."
The two rangers said in unison as they stood together, Nayzor staggered upward and glared with hatred brewing for Billy and Merrick.

"I-I...am not falling here."

"No, but we'll send you straight to Hell.."
Merrick sneered, Nayzor hollered out as beams of dark lightning raged out of his body. Both rangers dashed throughout the field, avoiding every beam with great speed.

Merrick made his way behind Nayzor while Billy kept himself in front, they took their respective blades and started mowing him down with slashes.

Flickers of silver and turquoise rained throughout the enclosed space with Nayzor feeling like he was being knocked around like a bell. Where Billy struck the org is where Merrick added extra force, during the onslaught he uppercuted Nayzor with his uni drill while silver took the blunt part of the falcon summoner and bludgeoned said org's face downward.

"All in!"
The kirin ranger exclaimed as he struck the heel of his shoe harshly into the org's jaw, causing it to go slack and strange blood to leak from his mouth.

"And back around!"
Silver yelled, when Billy struck Nayzor near Merrick the lunar ranger used his clawed gloves to sink deeply into the org's head. He began to knee the bastard in his face repeatedly and finished it up by kicking him to Billy.

Both rangers continued beating the shit out of Nayzor, their strikes echoing throughout the field. As the green org felt disoriented Billy swerved his eclipse saber and pierced Nayzor through his right eye.

"GYAH!"
The org screamed, with the lodged blade in his socket the kirin ranger then slashed inward to Nayzor's other eye causing it to fall out.

"For Max."
Billy uttered in memory of the fallen blue ranger. He kept striking around as a blinded Nayzor tried attacking without his lost sense, Merrick imbued his lunar cue with shining luminescence and sliced off the org's left wing and arm.

"For Danny."
Merrick growled in memory of the black ranger, he waved his lunar cue around with frantic slashes unleashing crescent projectiles to butcher the org even more, skewering Nayzor through his pained cries.

"For Tayor."
Billy leaped in the air, uni drill and eclipse saber in hand as he spun down like a falling star, the razor-sharp energy cut through Nayzor's right wing and arm angrily.

For Alyssa."
They both spoke in unison using their swords and blasters, firing a downpour of flaring bursts. Each seering into Nayzor just as his attacks did to the fallen white ranger, they finished this up with an X like slash down the org's back and abdomen exposing his insides.

"H-How..!"
The green org couldn't comprehend what went wrong, this was supposed to be his moment and like last time he ended up being dispersed of. Merrick had turned the falcon summoner into it's archer mode and loaded the weapon with his lunar cue as an arrow, Billy fused both his eclipse saber and uni drill together into a gunblade mode and joined the other ranger as they both stabbed Nayzor upward in the chest.

"FOR COLE!"
The rangers shouted and were engulfed in blazing lights of silver and turquoise, they jabbed him into the sky and began clashing with the org. Sounds of high pitched light and cracking thunder echoed around as Billy and Merrick struck Nayzor relentlessly leaving holes throughout his body.

"T-This can't be...I'm bet-"

"YOU'RE NOTHING!"
The rangers cut him off and loaded their weapons yet again building up an enormous amount of power together, nodding at each other as they stared down the parasite that ravaged their team.

"Midnight Carom!"
Pulling the lever on the bow Merrick shot his lunar cue as it phased into moonlight. Winged particles resembling flames aligned with the arrows as it turned into the shape of a wolf.

"Empyrean Napalm!"
Billy aimed the gunblade at Nayzor watching as the drill spun rapidly and released a burst of rotating stars, they collided in with each other forming the shape of the kirin.

Both silhouettes of the animals merged together in a single shot vaporizing Nayzor slowly, The two rangers landed to the ground perfectly and turned away as the org fell to his demise exploding into oblivion.

"It's over..finally."
Merrick uttered. He felt the shadow of his guilt softening, Billy on the other hand smiled softly at the defeat of...no, the kirin ranger didn't even want to think of that stain.

But...the shocking realization hit them both as they gazed upon Cole and the other dead rangers. This wasn't a victory as their team hadn't survived, how could they stand there fully knowing they couldn't come back.

"W-What do we d-do.."
Billy stammered, his angered motivation faded away into the unsure sadness he felt when holding his lifeless boyfriend.

"I'll, um I don't know.."
The lunar ranger didn't have any idea on what to do, he took the falcon animal crystal and summoned the wildzord from the sky. Both rangers took their time recovering the bodies and animal crystals that have fell from their teammates within the carnage, after finishing this the majestic creative hoisted them into it's being and flew off to the Animarium.

---

There wasn't time for Billy to fully process the existence of their base, a floating turtle like island couldn't mask over death in the air.

Princess Shayla tried her best but nothing she knew could bring the rangers back, even calling to the deer wildzord had no avail. It went in a dormant state upon Alyssa's death.

"I'm sorry..."
She stated in disappointment, within her failure the princess ended up embalming the fallen rangers. Best thing they could do was at least keep them safely here, Billy and Merrick were patched up by Shayla upon their arrival.

Night had fallen, stars peered through the luscious trees of the base. The five rangers had been placed in glass like coffins, embedded in place with shallow water moving around in the room.

An old custom of Animaria, to leave one's mortal self with the mundane world as their soul pierces through the flow of life and enters the afterlife. Neither of the two rangers were allowed to wear shoes in the pure waters as it would be deemed an insult to the resting.

Allow for nothing to disturb the spirits from the beyond. Billy rested his head on the red ranger's coffin.

"Cole..."
Billy gazed at the resting corpse of his boyfriend, Merrick had wandered around to pay his own respects to the others.

In a sense this was eerily similar to how the lunar ranger was sealed away due to the evil mask, but instead of his own sacrifice Merrick's new companions were the ones that died trying to fight for him. None of this was right at all, what would Leil think of him from the beyond?

"Lives lost, all too soon."
Shayla mourned with them placing flowers in the water.

"It's a shame yes."
A voice echoed within the room putting Billy and Merrick on alert. Orbs of light descend from the sky opening and phased together revealing a boy, adorning white clothing similar to Shayla's attire.

"Kite?"
The princess questioned.

"No it's Animus, he's back of all things."
Merrick grimaced.

"Are you here to help up?"
Billy asked sadly.

"I've passed by to pay my respects, to see my warriors taken before their time is..nothing but a shame."
The god like being looked around the room at the coffins, it was pretty hard to decipher his emotions fully from that look but he shared the remorse they felt.

Merrick placed his hand on Cole's coffin trying his best to ignore the presence of the deity he looked up to throughout the ages.

From the first org attacks, to losing Leil, being trapped for 3000 years. Silver prayed that he'd be heard over and over again..but nothing ever came, the rangers dying was his last straw.

Merrick's other hand gripped tightly into a fist, Animus dared to show himself after everything?!

"I see you bare the mark of kirin, if I may-"

"Are you serious."
Before Animus could engage Billy the lunar ranger sneered at the deity.

"Merrick-"

"No princess, how can he stand there without a care in the world at the fact that everyone's dead! Not just the rangers...I remember the first night, the screams and terrors as Master Org attacked. You didn't do shit for us until it was nearly too late, so don't think for a second you can waltz back here all innocently."
The lunar ranger spouted angrily, Billy placed his head down on the coffin trying to keep himself calm.

Animus stared down in disappointment, Merrick approached the deity prompting Shayla to get between the two.

"Their blood is on your hands just as much as it is on mine, AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO, IF ANYTHING YOU SHOULD'VE STAYED DEA-"

"MERRICK ENOUGH!"
Billy cried out startling the other three in the room.

"..I-I'm sorry Billy."
Silver took a seat next to the other ranger in defeat, leaning on Cole coffin. Hopeless silence filled the room.

"Besides, there's nothing we can do anyway."

"Oh my friends.."
The princess pulled the two rangers into a hug, they didn't bother rejecting her embrace in this time of need.

"There is a way."
The god spoke up causing Merrick to rise eagerly.

"What? I thought you denied assistance to us."
He was still rather skeptical and distrusting of Animus, faith of him had dissolved away but anything that would help right now caught the lunar ranger's attention.

"Denying a method that could work but may prove to be reckless upon attempt."
The god released an illusion of the qil horn, clouds stormed throughout the spell displaying lights from above that began billowing around.

"Nayzor was right, his powers were derived from the spirit world itself. Because the kirin lacked a being who could coexist with it the qil horn was made as a sort of arrow, the power must've ran rampant causing portals to open."
The horn in the illusion burst into kirin with Billy in the center.

"Though now that the kirin has sought out his equal the lingering will of the horn is dwindling. I can sense the portal faraway on a beach, and it's closing soon."
Animus finished as the illusion disappeared. The rangers came to the realization of where the deity was referring to.

"So we have to go there to find it?"
Billy questioned Animus as he stared at Cole and the other rangers.

"Venturing into the spirit world is highly frowned upon in my eyes, there's a chance that you'll end up lost and unable to return."

"And that's supposed to deter us."
Merrick scoffed.

"Merrick, if this goes south then you and Billy will die."
Shayla tried to reason with her friend.

"But if we don't attempt to do so then the others will stay dead. There's no in-between here Shayla, sometimes these things happen."
The kirin ranger added.

All Shayla could do was hold both of the ranger's hands. She knew there wasn't any amounts of convincing enough to deter them, so all she could do was wish them well, she kissed them both on their foreheads.
"If this is what you seek then I'll be hoping for your return, good luck rangers.

"I'll try to enter myself and aid as much as I can, for now here."
Animus walked up to Billy and Merrick with his hands blasting out a gleam of light. When it faded away both rangers were covered in new clothing, Billy's having blue and black assorted in the design and Merrick's resembling his ancient attire.

"Enchanted garmets for the journey, going into that realm unprotected would allow the negative forces to tear you apart."
The rangers nodded as Animus warped away, they looked upon their friends one last time.

"Hang in there."
Shayla spoke before leading them to the falcon wildzord.

---

"So that's it?"
Merrick looked out of the cockpit window, the wildzord was docked on a hill allowing for the rangers to stare out to the beach and sea. A whirlpool covered in dark clouds and lightning held red shades from below.

"Yes, I can sense it."
Billy nodded, with the kirin in his being he felt the power of countless souls from the spirit world.

"You've got everything ready right? Cole is the one who has the best handle on this zord, just cautious."

"Merrick I've helped pilot three megazords and created a few in the past, a sentient one is...still new to me but I'm sure we can figure it out."
Billy reassured the lunar ranger who smiled softly, he took out these odd looking animal crystals. It fascinated Billy to think that they could hold so much power.

"We can only use the predazords and specific components for the isis megazord so let's try and utilize them well down there."
Merrick explained this while helping Billy with a few more preparations, he stared at the ranger who kept up effortlessly with all the new information. No wonder why Cole liked him, the guy had this odd factor of his to keep going.

"Hey, I really want to apologize...I know we're in too deep but I'm very sorry for how I treated you, when this is over can we start over?"

"Our actions are even better indications of making up to the people we've hurt, as long as you can show that then I accept your apology."
Billy rested his hand on the lunar ranger's shoulder with both of the smiling at each other. It was time for them to rescue their friends and make this right...to save Cole.

"Wildzord move on!"
They spoke in unison commanding the falcon wildzord to ascend in the air and through the storm it descended into the portal to the spirit world.

---

"So they've broken through the veil, interesting."
A mysterious individual spoke from their chair, red and black hues littered the sky constantly changing as an influx of souls fell around the place.

"Let the fun begin."
A scythe rose from the ground with winds pulsing around the area rapidly.

"I'll be waiting."

To Be Continued