Timeline: About a week after Lunar escape.

"I am at your command, my liege," Shane said, bowing.

"We're going to find a new Red Anti-Lantern Ranger," Zedd said. He raised his hand to cut off any protests from Shane. "We need one, because I am giving you a ring that will make you as powerful as Tommy. Behold the Gray Anti-Lantern Ranger power ring." He held up the ring that Finster had found using readings of Tommy's ring's energy output.

"You are too kind to me, my liege," Shane said. He quickly slipped off his ring and slid the ring that Zedd held out to him on instead.

"My liege, if I may make a suggestion," Aisha said, "I think I know the perfect person for the job of taking up the Red Anti-Lantern Ranger powers."

"Good," Zedd said, "Then bring him in immediately."

"Yes, my liege," Aisha said, "Adam, let's go."

The Black Anti-Lantern Ranger stepped forward, and the two of them teleported away. "Your end is at hand, Rangers," Zedd growled.

"Please contact the Rangers and have them teleport here, Alpha," Zordon said.

"Right away, Zordon," Alpha said, "Ay yi yi, the day's finally here."

The Rangers teleported to the Command Center. Instead of seeing Zordon in the tube and Alpha at the consoles, the place was empty. "Zordon?" Kim said, as they looked around the room.

All of a sudden, multi-colored lights appeared. "Please, follow the lights, Rangers," Alpha said.

The Rangers rather reluctantly did as Alpha told them to do. When they got to the end of the light "arrow", they found an amazing structure. "Wow, this place is amazing," Trini said.

"Affirmative," Billy said.

"Where are we?" Justin asked.

"Rangers, welcome to the new Command Cavern," Alpha said, "It's something we've been working on for some time now, before we even met you, really."

"We also have another surprise for you, Rangers," Zordon said. His tube wasn't against a wall. It was in the middle of a circular platform, which stretched all the way around the tube. "Morph."

"It's morphin' time," Tommy cried, "White Tiger."

"Dragonzord/Tor," Justin said.

"Tyrannosaurus/Red Dragon," Jason called.

"Pterodactyl/Firebird," Kim yelled.

"Mastadon/Lion," Zack screamed.

"Saber-Tooth Tiger/Griffin," Trini said.

"Triceratops/Unicorn," Billy affirmed.

In seconds, they were morphed. Instead of the usual spandex like UMF of their usual costumes, they had new, plastic like armor.

Aisha and Adam teleported back a few minutes later, with their old childhood friend, Rocky. "This is Rocky, my liege," Aisha said.

"Whoa, this is just too freaky," Rocky said.

"Rocky, you have been chosen to become the second Red Anti-Lantern Ranger," Zedd boomed, "Do you accept the honor?"

"No way," Rocky said, "You're the bad guy. There's no way in hell I'm joining you."

"Who said you had a choice?" Zedd gestured, and the entire Anti-Lantern Ranger team jumped Rocky. While the others held Adam slid a mind control collar around Rocky's neck.

"I'm here to do your bidding, my liege," Rocky said, bowing.

"Good," Zedd said, "Shane, give him the ring." Shane nodded and placed his former power ring onto Rocky's outstretched palm. "Rocky DeSantos, we are bestowing upon you the power of the Red Anti-Lantern Ranger. Do you accept?"

"If it is your will, my liege," Rocky said, bowing.

"It is my will, lowly," Zedd said, "Now go, and strike fear into the hearts of the Lantern Rangers.

"The plastic like substance is called Exotanium, an Eltarian plastimetallic alloy," Zordon said, "Your weapons, even including Saba, have been refitted with Exotanium, making them tougher and more dangerous to the enemy. Thanks to the Exotanium, the energy output of your respective rings has been nearly doubled."

"This is so cool," Justin said.

"You should be proud, Justin," Zordon said, "We used a slightly modified version of the costumes you made for the team."

"Yeah, I noticed," Justin said, glancing at the others.

All of a sudden, an alarm went off. "Rangers, we have a bad situation," Zordon said, "It seems that there is a mirror universe counterpart to your ring, Tommy, and Zedd has found it. Observe the viewing screen."

The Rangers turned. Instead of the old viewing globe, there was a big television like screen. On it, the Anti-Lantern Rangers were running amok in Angel Grove park. "Exercise utmost caution, Rangers," Zordon said, "Especially you, Tommy. The Anti-Lantern Rangers, as you know, are a force not to be taken lightly. And their newest addition..." A gray Ranger appeared on the viewing screen. "The Gray Anti-Lantern Ranger, is just as powerful as you are, White Ranger, even with the Exotanium. Hopefully, the Exotanium refit will work to your advantage."

"We're always careful with them, Zordon," Tommy said, "Ready guys?" The others nodded. "Back to action." With that, they teleported away to the battle field, where the Anti-Lantern Rangers were waiting for them.

"What in the world..." Zedd said, "The Rangers energy output is more powerful than ever." He used his mystical scanners to scan the Rangers. "Exotanium? NOOO!!!!"

"Let's go, guys," Tommy said, pulling out Saba.

Across the battle field, Shane pulled out Nega, Saba's mirror universe counterpart, which was almost identical, except Nega had a longer blade and it was gray instead of white. The Lantern and Anti-Lantern Rangers all pulled out their respective weapons, with Zack calling his superspeed gear.

Shane was the first to charge Tommy, who brought Saba up to block the new Gray Ranger's sword. "You're going down, White Ranger," Shane growled, "New look or no new look."

"Wrong, Gray Ranger," Tommy said, "You're the one going down." He somersaulted over Shane's head, and pulled out his laser pistol. He spun around and shot Shane in the side as the Gray Anti-Lantern Ranger turned to hit him.

While the other Lantern Rangers had no trouble with their counterparts, thanks to the Exotanium, Tommy and Shane eventually ended in a stalemate, neither being able to get the upper hand over the other.

Tommy was barely able to get the upper hand, after Shane slipped in some mud from when it was raining earlier. He knocked Shane for a loop. "You'll pay for this, White Ranger," Shane threatened, "But another day. We're leaving." With that, the entire Anti-Lantern Ranger team teleported away.

Tommy and his team teleported to the Command Cavern, where they demorphed and stood ready for Zordon's debriefing. "You did a wonderful job today, Rangers," Zordon said, "Now, I know you're all tired, so you can head on to your homes."

Nodding, the Rangers teleported out. Instead of going home, however, they went to the Youth Center. They went to their usual table and ordered some drinks. "Oh man," Tommy said, "I'm going to be sore for weeks. Whoever that Gray Anti-Lantern Ranger is, they're good."

Kim was standing behind Tommy, giving him a shoulder rub. "Well, that should show you that you're not invincible, Tommy," she said, "I hope you didn't get seriously injured."

"No, I didn't," Tommy said, "Mm, that feels good."

Kim beamed happily.

"Hey, can I go next?" Zack teased. Kim shot him a playful glare.

"Go get your own girlfriend to rub your shoulders," she shot back, meaning Angela of course.

"Whoa, I was just kidding, Kim," Zack said. He noticed that Tommy had leaned his head back, where it was resting slightly on Kim's chest. "I think Tommy's getting a little too into that shoulder rub."

Kim stopped, to both hers and Tommy's dismay.

Jason glanced at his watch. "I've got to head home," he said, "It's almost curfew." They said goodbye, and Jason headed to the back room, where he teleported home.

One by one, the Rangers left, until Kim, Tommy, and Justin were all that was left, and Justin was asleep. Tommy gently picked him up. "We'd better get this little guy to the orphanage," he said, "My truck's outside. Can I give you a lift, Kim?"

"Sure, sweetie," Kim said. They headed out to Tommy's truck, where Justin was gently laid down on the seat between the two, his head in Kim's lap, his feet right next to Tommy. "Tommy, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Shoot," Tommy said.

"This has been bugging me, ever since we were at Zedd's last week," Kim said, "Who was your first?" Tommy chuckled nervously. "You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to."

"No, you deserve to know," Tommy said, "My first experience with sex was with a girl who is now dead, and that's why I don't like to talk about it. She was my girlfriend before I moved here. Her name was Tina Guarro."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Tommy," Kim said, "I'm sorry, but you have my curiosity piqued. What happened to her?"

"Cancer, plain and simple," Tommy said, "One of those incurable kinds. I don't remember the type exactly. She died just before I moved here. In fact, that's why my parents wanted to move here, so that I could get away from the bad memories."

"Oh, sweetie," Kim said, "I'm sorry I asked."

They were silent the rest of the way to the shelter Justin was staying at. Tommy took him inside. When he came back out, he drove Kim home.

When they got to Kim's house, Tommy walked her up to the door. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful," Tommy said.

"Yeah, I guess so," Kim said, smiling. She gave him a kiss and then headed inside.

Tommy headed to his truck, started it up, and headed for his apartment.

The end... for now

Note from the author: I used Gray, because if you think about it, Gray is pretty much just a slightly dark shade of white. It's also a Ranger color I've neglected so far in my fanfics (meaning this series, Power Rangers: Virtuosity, and Power Rangers: Twilight Generation).