Darkness of the Mind - Trini and Kimberly one shot

Series: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

This story is owned by me, Mereel Skirata. Power Rangers, related concepts and characters are all owned by Saban and Disney. No copyright infringement is intended. This piece of work is purely for entertainment and no profit is being made from this. The character of MeiLi Kwan is my own creation and cannot be used without my permission.

Trini strolled across the juice bar, towel draped over her shoulders, her skin tingling with sweat. Funny how somethings never change isn't it. She hadn't been back here in years and yes, the decor and management had changed but it still feels the same.

So it seems more popular these days, attracting more than just high school students. Even without looking Trini can see more than a few undergrads here as well, mingling in with the younger students. More likely a sign of the way Angel Grove had changed while she was away.

The same could have been said for her too. But she still had the memories she made here. It was those memories Trini was lost in as she walked into the shower block, the light wash of conversation rippling over her ears. Not that it was that busy, only a couple of girls inside, standing and chatting by the lockers, thankfully not paying Trini much attention.

That didn't stop her picking a locker on the far side of the room, quickly pulling off her soaked gym clothes and tossing them on top of her small bag, thankful of the relative privacy the bank of lockers offered. Okay, she wasn't exactly self-conscious of her body but she didn't have the natural confidence of others in a communal setting like this. Her underwear removed as quickly, the towel wrapped around her torso the only covering her modesty, Trini made way to the shower.

Only once she was behind the frosted door did she let it drop, hanging it over the door. Without really thinking, Trini hit the button that started the shower and quickly stepped under the warm spray, tipping her head back to let it cascade over her hair, letting it wash away the sweat that clung to her skin.

She was already lost in her thoughts. It felt like yesterday since she was here. And like a lifetime too. Like she had been pulled back into a life she thought she was done with. Then again, things had been so crazy lately.

No one could have predicted what would happen. The Cataclysm of the Morphing Grid, that power that had lain dormant since Zordon's death suddenly active again. Like a volcano of power that would have erupted with dire consequences for the earth had they done nothing. Something only they had done. Trini would never forget that day she saw Tommy standing on her doorstep, saying he was bringing the team back together. At that moment, she hadn't given it a second thought, carried along with events she had gotten caught up in. But now, now she had time to think. And was maybe thinking differently. So much had happened. The restoration of her powers, Zordon's return and so much more. You would have thought she was happy. But she felt..out of place, unsettled in a way she couldn't put her finger on.

'Should have known you would be in here.' Trini jumped, the voice intruding on her thoughts in one quick movement. Not because she was embarrassed to see Kimberly leaning on the frosted door, only the rising clouds of steam between her eyes and her naked body. They had been friends too long for that to bother her. It was more that she had been caught thinking.

'We do have a reservation waiting for us.' Kimberly chided, filling the gap left by her silence.

'Okay, okay. I'll be right out.' Trini laughed, tipping her head back to let the water run through her hair again.

'You'd better.' Kimberly grinned wickedly. 'I've been waiting for this forever. And we are going even if I have to drag you there butt naked and covered in suds.'

'You think you could?' Trini smirked, flicking a little water at Kimberly who looked mock scandalised.

'Hey. I've been learning a lot.' Kimberly retorted softly. 'Maybe I should come in there and show you what I've learned.'

'And ruin your outfit? If you wanted to shower with me you could have said.' Trini smirked. Not like they hadn't when they were younger, they had been that comfortable with each other. 'Really. Give me two minutes. I'll be there.'

'You'd better be.' Kimberly turned and took a step towards the exit.

'Have I ever let you down?' Trini called after her.

Kimberly glanced back over her shoulder. 'Never. Friends forever, remember?'

'Friends forever.' Trini echoed with a sad smile that Kimberly didn't see.

Trini had no idea this place was even here. When Kimberly said she knew a great new place, this hadn't been exactly what she expected. Then again, she hadn't been back in Angel Grove that long. It didn't look like the kind of place you could just walk into off the street but Kimberly was greeted like an old friend, someone that is known to them. Having a little talk about how long it has been since they saw her here. And here with some very charming company too. Trini felt a little bit self-conscious about that. She was greeted very politely. Told that he hopes she will enjoy her time here.

Kimberly's eagerness had brought her to an area of Angel Grove she didn't recognise. Then again, she didn't recognise much of it these days. Guess that is what happens after over a decade, things move on. It might have been unknown to her but Kimberly lead her along like she walked this route everyday. And maybe she did. Trini was having a hard time not being bamboozled by the towering skyscrapers and the scattering of white marble fountains breaking up the square and the crowds of people. So much so that she hadn't even realised they had arrived until Kimberly stopped suddenly. Not that she really knew where they had been going.

'This is it?' Trini asked that question before she could think about, eyeing the building before her. Not critically but more with surprise. 'I'm not sure I'm dressed for this.' Okay, so Kimberly wasn't either. But that didn't stop her feeling out of place.

'It's not so formal as it looks.' Kimberly squeezed her shoulder. 'It's actually pretty relaxed inside. And they do a pasta to die for. Trust me.'

Kimberly had been soft selling it. It looked pretty fancy as soon as she stepped inside. Not that that seemed to phase her, even as the waiter greeted her. By name no less. It wasn't just the kind of place you could walk into off the street and Kimberly was being greeted like an old friend.

'It's been too long since we saw you in here.'

'I know.' Kimberly offered an apologetic smile. 'Competitions coming up, group practice, team practice, extra practice. Not enough days in the week.'

'Still, you are here now. That's what counts. And in such charming company too.'

Trini smiled a little nervously, suddenly thrown into the conversation. 'Think you.' She floundered a little, suddenly uncertain what she should say.

'Welcome to Pierre's.' The waiter said with a polite incline of his head, almost a small bow. 'If you will follow me, I have a table reserved for you. This way please.'

Trini didn't relax again until the waiter had shown them to the table, at the back of the restaurant but with a good view of the square. Discreet, but not isolated. Away from the scattering of other patrons. Which suited her perfectly. Right now, she felt the need for some privacy.

'You must come here a lot hmm?' Trini asked, sipped her water as she casually skimmed the menu. It really did look good, the choice of starters alone leaving her torn about what to order.

'Not as much as I would like.' Kimberly shrugged. 'I try to come along once a month. A little treat to myself. I stumbled onto it a few days after I got back. But there is no place to match it in the city.'

Trini envied that, even if she didn't say anything. Kimberly had a certainly she felt she was lacking. She had something to bring her back, her place on the Angel Grove regional gymnastic team with Olympic hopes. Not like her. She had just drifted back really, more carried along than aiming for something she wanted. Everyone else seemed to have something to keep them here. Beyond Kimberly and her team. Jason and Tommy had their dojo. Zach had expanded his dancing career working as a dance choreographer for a tv studio. Billy it was no surprise had gravitated towards research and academia. But her...

'Sort of like Angel Grove. It's the only place I think I've really thought of as home.' Trini paused, the truth of that suddenly hitting her. 'Did you ever think we would be back here again? After all the things we did? The battles we fought? To one day be right back in the middle of it again.'

'Did you?' Kimberly countered.

'That's not an answer.' Trini half laughed. 'But no. We took different paths from that.'

'Didn't you even think we took the wrong one?' Kimberly asked. 'That maybe we shouldn't have walked away from this?'

Do you?' Trini returned her question. 'We both made the choice Kimberly. We both choose to follow what we wanted to do. And we left our duty in capable hands. What else could we do?'

'Part of me always regretted it though, always wondered if I should come back.' Kimberly sighed. 'I wanted to. But I couldn't. I had to keep telling myself I had moved on. Are you saying you didn't miss people, places from this day?

'Of course I did.' Trini replied. 'You most of all Kimberly. Things are so different now. The team so much bigger. We aren't doing this alone now.'

She didn't have to say more than that. Kimberly knew what she meant as surely as she did. So many new teams had risen up in their absence that it almost didn't feel like they were needed anymore.

She thought on that more as the waiter too their order, about they were just a small cog in a huge machine. She didn't know half of them but they were all Power Rangers. That counted for something. She would just have to get to know them as time went on.'

'Like you said.' Trini nodded. 'A lot is different now.'

'Maybe with you too. Still no luck finding a job?' Kimberly asked softly.

'Nothing definite.' Trini said as casually as she could. 'Something my dad recommended to me. He hasn't said much about it. He wants me to make up my own mind before I say yes or not.'

Well, if you ever get tired of crashing with your folks you can crash with me.' Kimberly offered. 'Anytime. We could make a sleepover of it. Just like the old days.

Aren't we a bit old for that? Trini laughed.

A girl's night in.' Kimberly smiled. 'We can pig out and watch movies all night, and you can tell me about any cute guys you have your eye on.'

Like you and Tommy? If you guys are going to be getting back together.' Trini asked pointedly.

'I'm don't think we are.' Kimberly said casually. 'We both made that choice too. Okay, my choice didn't work out. But he and Kat have a good thing going on. I'm not going to get in the middle of that.'

The next hour passed talking about everything and nothing, chatting lightly as they enjoyed their meal, until that peaceful moment was shattered just as the waiter cleared away the plates that had held their desserts; a shrill, familiar tone cutting across the restaurant. One that Trini recognised instantly even though it had been years since she had heard it. She wasn't sure she would ever forget it, the very sound almost seared into her brain.

'Never fails, does it?' Kimberly sighed, already having grabbed a handful of notes and dropping them on the table.

'At least we got to enjoy desert.' Trini quipped, quickly following Kimberly out into the thankfully deserted square. That didn't stop Trini taking one careful glance around her as she raised the communicator up to her mouth.

'What's going on?' Trini asked, that question on both her and Kimberly's minds. She had been so busy thinking about that that she had almost expected to hear Zordon's voice on the other end not the martial and clipped voice of Captain Mitchell, something she wasn't sure she would ever get used to. It wasn't that she doubted or resented him being in charge. He had been doing this as long as they had if not longer. That just wasn't enough for her to say she knew him.

Trini still expected to hear Zordon on the other end. It was a old habit to get out of. It was still a bit disconcerting. She didn't know Captain Mitchell yet. Sure, he'd been doing this for a long time, almost as long as they had. That just wasn't enough for her to say she knew him. She hadn't been able to gauge the others reactions on this change yet.

'We have another Shade in downtown Angel Grove. Somewhere around the docks as far as we can tell. We don't have a firmer location at the moment.'

'Great. These things are becoming far too common around here.'

'I know. But let's just deal with this one. Then we can look at the bigger picture.' Captain Mitchell paused and Trini could hear a soft voice in the background. 'You two will be the first on the field. We are still trying to reach the others.'

'It's okay.' Trini nodded perfectly in time with Kimberly. 'We can take care of it. Tell the others if they don't hurry, the party will be over.'

'Copy that.' Captain Mitchell said before the link went dead.

'Are you ready for this?' Kimberly asked, resting a hand on her shoulder.

'Just like old times.' Trini already had her morpher in the hand. This was another instinct she had hung onto. Something she hadn't even thought about, her body reacted without any conscious thought from her.

'It's morphing time.' Trini spoke those words like they were second nature to her, barely having to think about them, bringing up memories with it.

Then Kimberly took over. If Kimberly was caught up in those memories she showed no outward sign of it as she raised her voice. 'Pterodactyl.'

'Sabre-tooth Tiger.' Trini finished, her own morpher extended, the perfectly timed touch splitting the device down the middle along the seam designed just for that, releasing the power within.

The familiar rush of the teleporter vanished, the crackling energy still tingling through her fingers and toes, oddly like pins and needles. Even through the armour that surrounded her body. The new costume didn't feel right yet, not familiar. Okay, she liked it. It certainly beat their old uniforms hands down, the armoured plates formed together seamlessly. Never mind the helmets. Was this what Zordon could do with modern technology? If so, she had to admit to being impressed. After she had adapted to the new helmet that was. The first time she had worn it, she had been disorientated by the confusing images and almost overwhelming information she could barely stand up let alone walk. Somehow she had adapted. And she couldn't deny it had its advantages.

'It has to be around here somewhere.' Trini turned her head slowly, using her scanners to try to pick up any movement around her, relying on them to pick out what her eyes couldn't.

Not that she needed much help with that, scanning the immediate area with her eyes as the helmet scanners went to work as well, dancing over the small groups of people crossing the square. Just normal people from what she could see, couples and families mostly, students and businessmen and women, hurrying from one class or meeting to another. Some were obviously caught up in their own business, but more than a couple were shooting her and Kimberly discreet looks before hurrying away with a greater sense of urgency. It wasn't exactly like they were subtle, their uniforms recognisable to most people in the city. A sure sign of how strong their legacy still is.

'I'm going to take a guess and say over there.' Kimberly nodded, that movement highlighted by her helmet. Even if she couldn't see her eyes, she was able to follow the angle of her head which was its own clue. Even more so was the crowd of people streaming towards them. Trini's helmet reacted instantly, zooming in on them. Even without the sudden magnification, it wasn't hard to see the panic that surrounded them.

'Good call.' Trini said barely a pause before she broke into a run, waving the crowd towards them. 'Everyone. This way.' Trini called out, glad at the same time of the anonymity of her helmet as well as the authority that came with it. Without seeing if it worked, she cut through the crowd with Kimberly at her side, using her hands to guide the near stampede around her.

As the crowd thinned, she caught sight of the Shade. And her heart froze instantly. Caught at the rear a mother with child had stumbled, her forward dash becoming a headlong fall, her daughter almost slipping from her grasp. But she somehow managed to hold onto her, holding her close as she struggled to climb to her feet.

'No.' That shout might have been Trini's alone, or Kimberley's might have added her own to it. Trini couldn't think on that, her hand dropping to her belt, grabbing and changing her blade blaster to gun without even any conscious thought.

All she could see was the Shade advancing on the helpless pair and the fact that she had a clear shot. The rest was instinct, barely before she could process all of that, she squeezed the trigger. The single blast she had expected was instead a double staccato of shots; Kimberly having fired at the same time as her.

The Shade screeched as the shots hit true, the double impact driving it back, changing it to the almost fluid form they had gotten used to. Before her eyes the Shade actually shrunk a little, maybe an effort to protect itself. It didn't stay staggered for long, reforming itself and charging with a more primal scream, racing towards Trini with claws extended like blades.

Daggers now in hand, Trini met that charge, leaping high and landing a true flying kick, her foot driven into its head. She landed before it recovered, slashing high and low, sparks flying from where she struck. Until the Shade changed again, the glowing cloud of shadow that lanced towards her with unerring purpose. Trini should have expected this but she was caught off guard, unprepared.

The next thing she knew she was flying backwards, her scream penetrating her helmet. She felt like a blade had been driven through her stomach, the pain of it almost overwhelming, her vision going black around the edges. The change was so sudden, the lance of pain draining her strength even through her armour, if it hadn't blunted the force of it.

She landed in a heap, every instinct screaming get up. Yet her body wouldn't respond. Kimberly was at her side in a second, helping her to stand even though every muscle screamed in complaint. She wasn't bleeding, she was pretty sure. But what her real condition she was in, she couldn't tell.

'Kimberly. Look out.' Trini called weakly, forcing her body to respond, to push her out of the way. Maybe having seen too late the electricity sparking around the Shades' claws, the flickering bolts flying towards them in slow motion, darting out like dozens of arrows. That never reached them.

Trini felt more then saw the flashes of blue, black and white that leapt over their heads, resolving into three figures that formed a seemingly impenetrable wall that the electricity just bounced off without any effect, the new armour holding up perfectly.

'Hey ugly.'

Trini knew that shout, her head turned to catch a blur of red launching at the shade. An attack it had no time to avoid, Jason's sword catching it square in the head, driving it back. Jason was quick to follow that up, not letting it recover.

With his usual skill and effortless speed, Jason lead the attack with Tommy at his back. Where one of them leapt away, the other was there to continue the attack. The pair of flashing blades too much for the Shade to deal with. Before Zach and Billy could even join in, the Shade vanished in a flash of light so dark to almost go beyond darkness to something on the other side of it.

'Man, how are we going to keep beating these things if they keep running all the time.' Zach punched his palm, his frustration mirroring the feelings of the others.

'We can figure something out.' Tommy sighed. 'Nothing much to do here. We'd better get back to Marina Base, figure something out.'

'Good work out there.' Captain Mitchel greeted them as the group appearing in the close corridors that still didn't feel as familiar as the Command Centre had. Something Trini guessed would come in time. Or at least she hoped it would.

'We didn't do much.' Tommy sighed, his voice full of the frustration Trini knew they were all feeling. 'We couldn't stop that thing.'

'No, but you did manage to prevent anyone from being hurt.' Mitchel pointed out. 'You are right though. I've had enough of being on the back foot here. The next time one of these Shades appears, I want to be able to stop it before it gets away. Of course, it would help if we knew where they are coming from of course.'

'Unfortunately it's not that simple.' Zordon said from the doorway, standing with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his robes. 'As you know, these Shades are coming from a breach in the Morphing Grid and the Dark Realm, a place those two powers have connected. With the Morphing Grid at its strongest around Angel Grove they could conceivably appear just about anywhere. Anywhere there is a breach, a fault line between the worlds, they can appear.'

'So, we have no way to stop them from appearing?' Mitchell asked.

'Not at present.' Zordon admitted. 'It is of course possible that the imbalance could restore itself.'

'How is that?' Mitchell pressed.

'We are dealing with fundamental forces of the universe here.' Zordon said evenly. 'Light and Dark. Although they never began that way. My people harnessed one and it became good through that intervention. The other was claimed by darkness and the balance twisted by external influence. Since those days, the two powers are in constant flux. One always surges above the other.'

'Right. Well, I hope you understand we can't just wait for that to happen. As of right now, your team and Lightspeed Rescue are on active status.' He raised his hand to forestal the questions. 'Which means you will be based here 24 hours a day for the next two days when another two teams will be rotated in. I realise this might be inconvenient for some of you, but it is the best we can do at the moment. And at least it gives us a chance to react a little quicker. Dismissed.'

'That means we are done.' The owner of that voice brushed a lock of her short blonde hair behind her ear as she approached. 'You'll get used to it around here.'

'Not too soon I fear.' Trini said smoothly. 'It's Dana, right?'

'Got it in one.' She smiled with genuine warmth. 'No need to ask who you two are. Since we are going to be spending a bit of time here, I figured I might as well show you where you can bunk down for the night.'

'Oh. That's very kind of you.' Trini said genuinely surprised.

'It's nothing. We girls have to stick together right?'

'You certainly seem at home here.' Trini said as she fell into step beside her. Trini was making a real effort to get to know them, to break down the barriers a bit. They are all on the same side after all. It was awkward for all of them, she supposed, thrown in like this.

'It's pretty much been home to me for the last few years.' Dana replied. 'Or sort of a home. With all the effort of rebuilding the team, we have all been spending a lot of time here.'

'Yeah, right. You just wanted to be with Carter.' Trini hadn't seen the brunette leaning casually on the corridor wall as casually as her loose jogging bottoms and tank top. Not until they walked passed where she had been waiting of course.

Dana wasn't phased at all. 'It's nothing to do with that, Kelsey. Maybe it's more about spending time with family. Dad has been so busy lately, I've hardly got to see him.'

'Wait. Isn't Carter your brother?' Trini tried to keep up, even if she would admit to being more than a little bamboozled by the new faces.

'No, that's Ryan you are thinking of.' Dana said easily. 'But he and Carter are pretty similar in their own way I suppose. Well, here we are.' Dana pushed open the door her hand had rested on, opening onto a drab grey room livened up a little by the sea blue drapes and bed clothes. 'This dorm and the one opposite are unoccupied. I figured you would like to be close together. Might make it a bit more comfortable. It's basic at first but it can be homely as well. Kelsey and I are just down the hall if you need anything.'

'Somehow I don't think being homely is going to matter too much. Trini looked around her. 'I think we are all going to be pretty shattered over these next few days. But thank you.'

'Speak for yourself.' Kimberly looked around her as the other two women left. 'I'm going to go and pick up a few things from home. Want to come with me?

'No, I'm okay. I might grab a couple of essentials then go for a look around.' Trini replied.

True to her word, Trini had only grabbed a few essentials. A change of clothes, some nightwear, toothbrush, hair brush and her one touch of home she hadn't been able to resist, the dual picture frame with one of her and her parents set opposite the picture of her and Kimberly that last summer in Angel Grove. With that set next to her bed, Trini peered to the room opposite. Seeing that Kimberly wasn't back, she decided to take that walk, just letting her feet carry her along the wide walk ways that connected one side of the base to the other. Despite having only a thin sheet of plexiglass between her and gallons of water, Trini was spellbound by the view. The blue ocean stretched on as far as she could see, broken only by the darting shapes of fish and larger sea creatures. A good place as anything to think, she mused.

'Something on your mind?' Zordon had approached without her noticing.

'Not really.' Trini said, more surprised by the newness of talking to him in person that his sudden appearance.

'Oh? Then the fish must be particularly fascinating around here then.' Zordon laughed.

'I never would have taken you for sarcastic.' Trini couldn't help laughing in return.

'As the universe is fond of reminding me, a lot has changed recently. So why not me?' Zordon replied.

Fair point.' Trini conceded, letting her eyes drift back to the rippling water, hoping it would soothe her. So far it hadn't.

'You haven't answered my question.' Zordon pressed.

Trini sighed, having hoped that he wasn't going to pick up on that. Even if it was a faint hope for her. Right now, that kind of hope was all the had. That didn't stop her taking a long moment to collect her answer. No easy fete to work all of what she was thinking about into one sentence. Especially since she wasn't sure about some of it herself. She could work it down to one key point however. 'Maybe I don't feel that I belong here.'

There. She said it. She had almost been afraid too, that she would give power to it. That she would make it bigger than it already was to her. Okay so it hadn't done that. But it didn't seem to have made it better either. It just was what it was. How she felt.

If get sudden admission surprised or shocked Zordon, he certainly didn't show it. Then again, she had never seen him surprised. But there was that tone is his voice, firm and understanding in equal measure. 'Where else would you be? You have the same right as the others to be here.'

'What is this isn't where I want to be anymore.' Trini said slowly. 'I'm not sure this is me now. Sure I can do this. But should I be doing this?'

'That has always been down to your own heart.' Zordon replied. 'But you will always have a place here. I hope that you can see that.

'Maybe. I don't know.' Trini sighed. 'This all happened so fast and we all got swept along with it. Maybe I'm just worrying over nothing.'

'Maybe you are.' Zordon said. 'Never forget you don't have to do this alone, that you have friends around you, both new and old. Friends that can carry you through this.'

Kimberly sat relaxed and at her ease around the edge of the group, both teams gathered in the mess at Carter's suggestion, to break the ice. Kimberly idly flicked through her magazine, only half listening to the conversation around her. Conversation wasn't really the word for it though. Play by play might be a better word.

'King, no help. Ten, no help. Six, possible straight. And an Ace for me. Appropriate really. So, who's in?'

'Who's winning might be a better question.' Kimberly turned her attention away from the card game and towards Dana as she sat down. 'Joel seems to be very sure of himself.'

'That's putting it mildly.' Dana grinned. 'Zach seems to be giving him a run for his money.'

'It's good to see them getting on so well.'

'It's not so surprising I suppose. We might come from different backgrounds but we all want the same thing at the end of the day.' Dana cracked open a soda, taking a soft sip.

'Can't argue with that.' Kimberly nodded. 'Still, I think you saw it differently to the rest of us.'

'How's that?' Dana asked, her voice full of nothing else than curiosity.

'Don't misunderstand me.' Kimberly said lightly. 'I mean no offence. It's..you signed up for this, you expected this. You all came from..rescue service backgrounds am I right? Protecting people was what you did. With us, we never expected this, nothing like this. We were all just kids picked up and dropped into something so much bigger than all of us.'

'Sounds like you resent it.' Carter joined in, having wandered over the grab a handful of chips.

Kimberly raised her head, looking him square in the eye. 'It was the best time of my life. I could never resent it. Stepping into something so..I can't even describe it..looking back I'm not sure how I would take it now. Being a teenager, I guess some stubbornness pulled me along with it, helped get me through it.'

'And you had friends around you.' Carter noted.

'Zordon too.' Kimberly added.

'Yes. He's an interesting one.' Carter's tone became a little guarded, like he wasn't sure what he should say. At least being cautious about it. 'Unlike anybody I've ever encountered. And you take it in your stride. I'm not even sure what he is. He just seems so..'

'Wise?' Kimberly finished, knowing exactly how he felt. That was her first reaction when she met him.

'I was going to say ancient.' Carter finished.

'I think he is that too.' Kimberly nodded.

Carter seemed to pause over that, thinking on it maybe. Or working out what to say next. Which ever it was going to be, Kimberly never found out as a voice suddenly piped out of the speakers above them 'Standby Teams to alert stations. Repeat, Standby Teams to alert stations.'

The Lightspeed team acted first, another sign of how used to this they are compared to them. She was glad to note the others were close behind them. Except Trini. Kimberly was looking around for her. She suddenly noticed that she wasn't here. Now that she thought on it, she couldn't remember actually seeing her here either.'

She still hadn't seen her by the time they all crowded into the Wardroom. It still didn't sit right with Kimberly, not like the Command Centre, the technology too human. That should have made her feel more comfortable, from a logical standpoint, but somehow it didn't. Hoping not to show that unease, Kimberly joined up with the others, just as Trini entered behind her.

'What's going on?' Trini asked as she moved to join her, her sudden presence reassuring Kimberly even in these strange surroundings.

Kimberly was on the verge of asking where she was but thought better of it. Now wasn't the time. 'Another Shade I'm guessing. We don't know much yet.'

'So where is it?' Carter said. Asking the question that had been on everybody's lips. Including hers. Kimberly just hoped it wasn't somewhere populated. This late at night, that was still likely. She just had to wait and see really.

'Downtown Marina Bay.' Captain Mitchel answered. 'The industrial area.'

'Why there?' Tommy asked.

'I have a better question, is it the same one?' Carter replied. 'And if so, why has it moved from Angel Grove.'

'Those are both very good questions.' Captain Mitchel said calmly. 'And right now, we don't have answers. Nor the time to get them. We just have to stop this thing before it gets anywhere near the population centres. Carter will be field leader for this mission.'

Kimberly looked to Tommy to see how he would take that. But far from seeming put out or even complaining, he just nodded. Seeing the sense in it maybe. Or just not wanting to waste time arguing over it. Both of which Kimberly agreed with.

The light of the teleporter faded to leave them surrounded by a darkness so deep Trini could barely pick out any details of the space around her, beyond the low ceiling crisscrosses with heavy metal beams and the shadowy shapes around her that just screamed industrial machinery of some kind. Machinery that sat unused and lifeless at the late out, that silence only adding to the eeriness of the whole place.

'Looks like a factory of some sort.' Billy said, his thoughts having clearly been following her own. For a second she followed the movement of his helmet, only having that to guide the direction of his eyes. 'At least that means there shouldn't be anyone here.'

'Also means a lot of places to hide.' Carter mused. 'Let's split up. Teams of two. Ashley, you're with Dana. Chad, try to keep Joel out of trouble.' He paused, ignoring Joel's soft 'hey' of lighthearted protest. 'Ryan and I will make up the third. Tommy, your team...'

'Knows what we are doing.' Tommy said, not even the slightest bristle in his voice. Carter didn't know this and maybe he couldn't see the way the team was already broken up into sub groups. It was something they had done almost instinctively. Until she thought about it, she hadn't even realised she had done it. As she was standing side by side with Kimberly, Tommy and Jason had already paired up, as had Billy and Zach. It was the way they were used to fighting. And she was glad that the years apart hadn't broken it up.

'I just can't see why it would come here.' Trini mused as they broke off from the others, letting her finger trail along the wall, leaving a finger trail in the dust that lingered there. 'It looks like no one has been here in a very, very long time.'

'Maybe we have been wrong about that.' Kimberly joined in. 'Maybe it doesn't go for where people are. Maybe it isn't looking for anything as logical as that. This isn't one of Rita's monsters. What if it's just appears randomly, without any real goal. A wolf that wanders into a town isn't necessarily looking for people.'

'That's one option.' Trini conceded. 'Another is that is has come here because it knew we would come after it.'

'That's a comforting thought.' Kimberly accepted. 'If so, it could have chosen a nicer place.'

'Could have been worse.' Trini smirked. 'Could have been another waste dump.'

'Urrgh.' Kimberly shuddered. 'One was enough for me thank you.'

'I know.' Trini grimaced. 'I don't think I'll ever forget that smell.'

'This waiting is worse though.' Kimberly said, casting another careful glance around them. 'This thing could be anywhere. And we might not be able to see it coming. Not in this darkness.'

'I know but...Look out.' Trini's shout came just in time, even if she didn't rely on that alone. Moving faster than conscious thought she dived to the ground, grabbing for Kimberly's waist. Only to find she too had reacted at the same instant, throwing herself to the ground.

Just in time as the Shade swooped through where they had been standing, all shadows and darkness. By the time they made it back to their feet it had vanished as quickly as it had appeared, lost again to the darkness that surrounded them.

'Tommy. Jason.' Trini was back on her feet in a second, already speaking into her communicator. 'It's here. We just saw it. It might be heading towards you guys.'

'It's al...dy here.' Jason's voice emerged with a crackle of static. 'Da...thing came out of nowhere.'

'Hang on. We are on our way.' Trini called, shutting the link quickly.

'That way.' Kimberly pointed, the sounds of Blade Blasters discharging reaching her ears. 'Come on.'

Trini didn't have anything better to go on, following Kimberly through the twisting maze of the factory until they emerged back in the main area, just in time to see the Shade leaping at Zach and Billy, having returned to its more physical form, all cruel scaly plates and face of writhing darkness that changed with each second.

Until sparks flew from it, a sudden impact driving it off. Kimberly had reacted faster than Trini, already having drawn her bow and lined up a shot that struck true in the Shade's back, sending it tumbling to the ground.

Zach was on it in a second, leaping over the kick it aimed at him, striking down with all the power his axe could deliver. Which was a lot. Trini could only watch as the Shade crumpled to its knees, barely having the time to recover before Billy launched a kick at its head. Followed up by a cross slash from Jason, sweeping his sword across its chest.

Trini couldn't deny that there plan seemed to be working, the constant attacks seeming to keep it off balance. It had been unable to defend itself against Jason's sword as against Saba, the shorter blade slashing in time with Jason's blade, the combination of attacks driving it even further back.

Gripping her daggers tighter, Trini decided she had stayed on the sidelines long enough. As Tommy and Jason withdrew to avoid a hasty strike from the Shade's claws, she took her moment. One dagger sailed as true as an arrow, striking hard from its armour to clatter away into the darkness. Trini would find that later. Her single dagger was enough for her here. Ducking low, Trini slashed even lower, rolling forward before the Shade could even think about attacking, leaping into a high kick that sent it staggering back. The next kick did more so. But it didn't come from her.

Kimberly had followed behind her, leaping into a flying kick aimed right for its chest. Her aim was perfect, the strike sending it flying again to land on its back, arms and legs spread around it weakly.
Something Kimberly and the others moved in to capitalise on. Something that proved to be a mistake.

The Shade must not have been as badly hurt as they thought, rasing itself up with hand extended, electricity flashing around it's cruel claws. There was no way to avoid it this time, the cracking wave of raw power flying towards them faster than sight. Throwing her arms up did no good, the Lightning running down her arms, her whole body gripped by pain. Being on the edge, Trini was not hit as bad as the others, the force of the attack knocking them all flying, leaving her standing alone. Or trying to stand, her legs on the verge of giving out. It was because of that she couldn't avoid the next attack.

She barely had a seconds warning as the Shade sped at her, the formless shadow not hitting her but passing through her. Trini wasn't sure if she screamed or not, the pain ripping out from her stomach unlike anything she had felt, her armour doing nothing to lessen it.

The armour held, Trini could feel that. But her stomach screamed like she had been stabbed, every breath a new level of agony, agony so strong she could barely lift her head but nothing else. That didn't stop her seeing the Shade reform itself, now advancing on Kimberly who like her was struggling to climb to her feet, to defend herself. Panic and terror gripped Trini as she willed her body to move. But she seemed frozen, her fear for her friend proving more paralysing than the pain she felt. Almost like she was afraid to try something, in case she failed and Kimberly got hurt because of her actions. It was almost like she could hear her voice in her head, speaking that very same thought.

Unaware of her, the Shade was still focused on Kimberly, advancing with one menacingly slow step after another. Something he quickly paid for, his focus proving to be a serious mistake.

'Spectrum Blast.'

Trini didn't even have time to find the source of that combined cry before her visor darkened to block out most of the light that shone like a miniature sun. Even with that it was still hard to see what was going on, to pick out any details of what happened. She heard the Shade scream, drawing out for a long second before fading away to silence. Silence being all that surrounded her until her vision returned to normal, letting her see Joel standing over her with his hand extended. A hand Trini grasped, accepting his help to climb back to her feet.

'Well, it's a good thing we are working with the experts here.' Joel said. 'And I heard you guys were good.'

'What is that supposed to mean?' Trini almost snapped, unable to keep the edge out of her voice entirely. She might not have been able to see his face but she didn't like the tone of his voice one little bit.

'Knock it off Joel.' Carter warned.

'No, I want to hear what he has to say.' Trini cut him off, her eyes never having left Joel's visor. 'Clearly he thinks he is better than us. So go on, enlighten us.'

'Trini, let's not..' Kimberly started to say.

'No, lets.' Trini said, mock calmly, cutting her off. 'I want to hear this.'

'We didn't just get our butts kicked. I know that.' Joel replied. Even through his helmet, Trini knew he was smirking. And that just made Trini even more angry, so much so that she knew she was going to do something she might regret. Scary thing was, that was almost satisfying. Luckily it didn't get that far.

'Both of you, cut it out.' Tommy stepped between Trini and Joel, his voice calm and cool. Didn't stop Trini looking right past him. 'This isn't going to help anything. So both of you calm down.'

'I'm done here anyway.' Trini stalked off without a backward glance.

'You..are sure about this?'

Trini couldn't avoid that question, the grotto under Marina Base that had become Zordon's Sanctum of sorts silent expect for the soft sound of lapping water. If she had hoped for some kind of peace from coming here, she was disappointed. But she had known it wouldn't be that easy. With a sigh, Trini raised her eyes from the Power Coin resting lightly in the palm of her hand. She had to look away or this might become too hard for her. With a great effort she met Zordon's gaze, passing him the coin before she could change her mind.

'I am. I...this is hard..but I never wanted this..never thought I would came back.' Trini said quickly, pausing to take a breath, gathering her thoughts before she continued. 'When the Cataclysm started, I couldn't walk away from that. Only we could fix that. But it's not just us anymore, is it?'

She wasn't sure how Zordon would react, disapproval, anger, disappointment, sorrow? She wasn't sure which would be worse. He didn't react, just nodded without a word or any censure in his eyes. And that quiet acceptance was the worst, somehow in a way she couldn't put her finger on. Maybe it was just her guilt. That he still placed trust in her she wasn't sure she had, was afraid she would let him down. He still believed in her. She just wasn't sure she could.

'It has always been your choice Trini.' Zordon said evenly. 'But you will always have a place here. You will tell the others won't you?'

Kimberly ran the brush through her hair, more from habit than anything. Right now she felt the need for the comforting ritual despite how tired she was, her body aching more than she expected, feeling bruised all over. Not that she was bruised, the white nightshirt she wore would have revealed any marks on her legs or arms. She just felt it. Like she really felt the need for some sleep despite the unfamiliarity of her surroundings, even with the things she brought from home to add a splash of colour to her otherwise drab surroundings. Apart from the pink blanket spread over the top of the thin sheets that covered the bed, Kimberly had enough time to grab the pictures of her parents (two now not one which still made her a little sad) and the picture of her and Trini that had taken pride of place beside her bed.

Didn't hurt that Trini is here either, Kimberly conceded with a smile. While they had kept in touch with email and phone calls when ever she could, she hadn't realised just how much she had missed spending time with her until the team got back together.

A quick glance up and she saw that Trini was still up. Well, that she still had her lights on anyway. The tiny sliver of light peeking from underneath the door was a giveaway really. Placing her brush down with a faint click, she stood, deciding to check on her before she went to sleep. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep soundly herself until she did.

Trini had her door ajar but Kimberly knocked anyway before she looked in. She wasn't entirely surprised to see Trini sitting on her bed, having changed into her loose pyjamas of yellow cotton but seemingly making no effort to climb under the covers.

It wasn't hard to see she had something on her mind, not with the way she sat with her head in her hands, a pose that screamed that something was bothering her. Even when she raised her head, the smile she got was troubled, lacking its usual warmth. It wasn't hard for Kimberly work out what it was that was bugging her either.

'Still thinking about what Joel said?' Kimberly asked, sitting on the bed even though Trini had said she could. She hadn't said she couldn't either. 'Guys like him are all mouth. I wouldn't give it a second thought.'

'Maybe I have been.' Trini sighed. 'I know I shouldn't, but he got under my skin I suppose. I'm just not sure why. I just..I don't know.' She trailed off.

Kimberly almost frowned but she held back, not quiet sure that Trini was telling her the truth there. Or that there was something she wanted to say but couldn't quite bring herself to say. Something in her voice had trickled into her brain, picking up on something she couldn't quiet put her finger on. She was on the verge of asking her about it, but some other voice in her head said that she should wait until morning to ask her questions. 'You could just be tired. Today has been pretty full on. I'd get some sleep, see how you feel in the morning.'

Kimberly paused, taking for Trini's hand in a comforting squeeze. 'I'm just across the hall if you need me, okay?'

That got a smile from Trini, even if Kimberly saw something sad under it just for a second. 'Thank you. Sleep tight Kimberly.'

'You too Trini.'

With only one look back, Kimberly closed the door behind her, not taking much longer than that for her to get into bed. Her worries about not getting any sleep seemed unfounded, her eyes drooping as soon as her head hit the pillow, the last thought on her mind the sad smile on Trini's face.

Kimberly had no idea how long she had been asleep when she was jerked awake, fighting an almost overpowering sense of disorientation as she tried to orient herself, struggling to see anything in the dark and unfamiliar room.

'All alert teams, report to Alert Stations.' The voice that had woken her dragged her from the last vestiges of sleep, filling all of them room around her.

'Not again.' Kimberly scowled, throwing off the covers as quickly as she could, staggering to grab the clothes she had dumped at the end of the bed just in case this happened, tossing her nightshirt to the floor and grabbing her slightly crumpled t-shirt from where she had dropped it.

Time seemed to race by for Kimberly as she hurried to get dressed, the ten minutes it took for her to do so and make her way to the Ready Room felt more like an hour. Never the less, Kimberly was understandably surprised to find that she was the third one here, having only been beaten by Tommy and Carter. Both of whom looked surprisingly alert despite having been woken like she had, if a little grave.

'Let me guess. Another Shade?' Kimberly asked, stifling a yawn. And slightly annoyed that neither of them seemed to be any the worse for being awoken this early. Not that Kimberly had any idea what time it actually was.

'The same one we think.' Carter said. 'Billy has at least managed to identify that each one has a unique energy signature that we can track.'

'Guess they are harder to defeat than we thought.'

That was Joel, entering the room just a little bit ahead of the rest of the team. Kimberly bristled, ready to leap to Trini's defence if he started up again. Then the oddity that had been nagging at her mind clicked into place. Trini wasn't here. And she should have been. Okay, she hadn't checked on her but.. She raised her head, realising Captain Mitchell had been taking and she had mortifyingly missed what he had said.

'...to deal with it this time. Get ready to move out.'

'Wait.' Kimberly said quickly, fighting down her shyness about speaking up, feeling eyes on her. 'Trini isn't here yet.'

Captain Mitchell and Tommy shared a look she couldn't read beyond that some understanding passed between them both, like they both knew something she didn't. But it was Tommy that answered.

'We will just have to go without her.' He said firmly.

'But..' Kimberly started.

'We have no time.' Tommy interjected. 'We have to go now.'

Kimberly didn't like that, but there wasn't the time to ask about it now. Not with another Shade on the loose. Tommy was right about that. Grudgingly but he was right. Trini would just have to catch them up. Any delay now could mean someone getting hurt.

Kimberly strode through the Marina Base, not really looking where she was going, slipping past technicians and day staff without really noticing they were there. Not that her beef was with them. She was just generally frustrated. Bad enough the mission had been a bust, the Shade managing to slip away again. But it was Trini's absence that rankled with her right now.

She took a breath outside Trini's room, steadying herself. Her beef wasn't with her either. Not in the sense of being angry with her. She just had questions that needed answering. After only a seconds hesitation, she pused the door open without bothering to knock. If Trini didn't want to talk to hey, that was too bad.

The wave of frustration that had carried her in her died instantly when she saw Trini standing by her bed, her overnight bag resting in front of her. It was up from that half packed bag that Trini looked as soon as she noticed her, looking almost guilty. Like she had been trying to sneak away and had been caught.

'Trini? What's going on?' Kimberly knew her voice was full of confusion.

'It's nothing.' Trini said.

'Nothing?' Kimberly stepped forward, her anger having completely dissipated to be replaced with an icy knot of worry. 'Are you hurt? Is that why you didn't come with us last night? You should have told me if..

'I'm fine Kimberly.' She rubbed a hand over her arm distractedly. 'I'm just seeing things more clearly now.'

'What is that supposed to mean?' Kimberly was genuinely confused now. This might make sense to Trini but not to her.

A hesitation followed that last question, Trini glancing down at her feet. Kimberly felt she couldn't meet her eyes at that moment, her eyes falling on her morpher lying almost haphazardly on the top of the bag, peeking out as if she had stuffed it in there hurriedly. Trini moved to hide it but Kimberly was faster.

Trini, where is..' Kimberly didn't have to finish, the empty holder speaking volumes her words couldn't.

Trini looked to the ground again. 'I don't need it. I gave it to Zordon. He can give it to someone else for all I care.'

What? You can't mean that?' Kimberly's mouth moved on its own, her mind unable to move beyond what her friend had said. 'Trini, we need you.'

No you don't. Not any more.' Trini took back the morpher, shoving it into her bag and zipping it closed firmly. 'I'm done here, Kimberly. I quit.'

'I..what..you can't just...' Kimberly trailed off.

'Why not? Look around you Kimberly. We aren't needed here. I'm done.' Having already lifted her bag onto her shoulder, Trini brushed passed Kimberly without even looking back.

'What about me?' She whispered, her voice feeling small in the empty room. 'What if I need you?'