Last To Leave

Disclaimer: I own nothing but what you see here. A little something I've been thinking about off and on for a short while now and finally decided to get it out to y'all so its not on my mind a lot. Since they haven't really stated what grade the Rangers are in in 2017 film, I'm going with Junior year and this will be set a little bit after Senior year ends for them.

William 'Billy' Cranston was pretty much the only original Ranger left on the team after nearly 2 years of being in action and saving the world from various threats. Sure, he understood why his friends had all left at various points around Senior year, but he still hated it. And his newer team mates were okay and all but he just didn't feel that connection with them like he did Jason, Zack, Trini, and Kim. Trini had left the planet after her family finally find out about her being a lesbian and her mother tried to force her into conversion therapy. Causing her to run away as she refused to take part in that and hiding away in the Command Center for a short time til Zordon offered her a better solution. Said solution being a planet he knew of and still was in contact with that boasted open mindedness on a great scale. She'd thought about it a great deal but eventually came to accept the offer and promised to be back when she was 21 so that way her family couldn't try and force her into anything. None of the team had been happy but they understood and had even thrown her a huge party before she left. Trini had also given her Coin to a friend of her's named Aisha as she felt she would be a great choice for the team.

Zack unfortunately had been the next to leave due to his mother's illness getting worse. Thankfully, Zordon and Alpha Five had a solution for that. But it required leaving Earth for the planet of Aquitar where they had powerful healing waters that could help his mother out. It had been a surprise that she even knew their secret but all Ms. Taylor would say is that it was a feeling she had. She had also tried to get Zack to remain behind to aide his fellow warriors but he refused to do so and passed his spot on to a kid named Adam. Who was quieter in comparison to Zack's not so quietness. Jason was the next one to leave much to his and Kim's great surprise. Both were pretty upset about it as Billy had come to see him as an older brother while Jason and Kim had gone from friends to boyfriend and girlfriend over time. A few schemes on Lord Zedd's part had caused Mr. Scott to end up with a few wrong impressions. And because of those wrong impressions, decided to send his son off to Military School much to Jason's immense displeasure. Zordon would also be fairly displeased by the action as well but told him that like the others, he was welcomed back when the time came. Something Jason was thankful for as he passed his Coin on to a kid named Rocky.

Causing Kim to take up the mantle of leader since Rocky, Billy, Tommy, Adam, and Aisha weren't really suitable for the role at the time. Which suited Billy just fine as he didn't want that kind of responsibility on his shoulders. However, sometime after Graduation saw Kim facing a choice about her choice of College where Gymnastics and Dancing was concerned. Some serious chats with Billy, Jason, and Zordon saw her eventually choosing to leave for Florida since it had a great school that offered both of those things. Passing on her Coin to an Australian girl named Kat and allowing for Adam to take over as the new leader of the Rangers surprisingly enough. All Zordon would say is that he sensed the potential within him and felt this was the ideal time for him to bring it out. That, and their Mentor was privately worried about the position possibly going to Tommy's head since the centuries old Alien was of the belief the Dragon Coin was warped after having been used by Rita so many years ago. And instead of going off to a College of his choice, Billy had chosen to go to a local one in order to be with the team since he was technically the oldest of them in terms of being a Ranger.

But for him, it just felt weird and not right at all. It didn't help that he also felt like the new team didn't really need or want him around. Adam had cottoned on to the Blue Ranger's line of thinking and had even tried to convince him that wasn't the case to no avail as any attempted group hang outs just felt a little awkward and the like and Billy hated it. Leading to him to eventually make a life changing decision about 4 months after Kim had left for Florida. "Are you certain this is what you wish to do, Billy?" Asked Zordon gently after Billy had come to him with his decision of choosing to step down and leave.

Something Alpha Five hated a lot and let it be known! "I am, Zordon. I… I just don't feel like I fit in anymore… These guys just aren't my team, you know?"

Zordon sighed at that. "Unfortunately, I have some familiarity with this sort of feeling so I do understand where you are coming from. It has saddened me to see that it has come to this decision you've chosen to make. But I will abide by it as it is your choice to make. I thank you for your service, William Cranston, and all that it has provided in your time serving as a Power Ranger."

Billy gave him a crooked smile with a watery sheen in his eyes. "Th-Thanks, Zordon… I, I appreciate hearin' that." Replied Billy and getting a smile from his mentor and father figure of sorts.

"You are most welcome, Billy. Now, I must ask, do you have anyone in mind to replace you?"

Unfortunately, Billy didn't as no one around him seemed quite right in his mind. And even said as much. "Hmm… Understandable. Perhaps in time the Power will find a new bearer for the Triceratops Coin. Or perhaps it will not. Only the Power knows what will happen. Now… May the Power protect you, Billy, as you begin your next journey in life. And do not hesitate to call if need be. Or if you just wish to do so as I have enjoyed some of the talks we've had in the past. Just as I know Alpha has as well."

"Got that right!"

A choked laugh escaped Billy after hearing that from Alpha. "I, I definitely will, I promise. Thanks you two, for everything." He told the two and with a heavy sigh, handed over his Coin to Alpha Five.

Who more then likely would have been crying his eyes out if it was possible. And with one last look around the Command Center, Billy teleported out to begin his journey to MIT in Boston. His decision to leave wouldn't please the second generation Rangers too much and make them all realize in painful clarity that they simply hadn't tried harder in being his friend. And hoped that he would be able to forgive them for their actions and hoped he did extremely well in the days to come.

Author's Notes: Glad to finally have written this out and I will be doing a second part to this.