Chapter 1: Pandora's Box
Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Power Rangers, Saban, or Disney.
Author's note: First fanfic here. I'm mainly grew up with the original MMPR so forgive me if the facts on any of the other series are not accurate. I tried to look up as much as I could. This takes place right after the end of the Dino Thunder Series.
You can still turn back, Kimberly Hart thought as she found Dr. Tommy Oliver's house. She had been able to get this far by distracting her thoughts from the bigger picture to more little things like: At what point was Tommy able to make it to class on time to get a Doctorate's degree? How is he managing teaching a class when he couldn't even remember his book bag half the time in high school? These questions were much easier to ponder than others such as: Will he even want to see me? Will he believe me? Do we even know each other anymore? It's these questions that made Kimberly almost pull a U-ee and get out before Tommy could even have a clue she was in Reefside. But something kept her foot on the gas and pushed her towards his house, up his driveway. Something made her turn off the ignition, open the door and walk those few steps to the confrontation she had been dreading, yet yearned for, for the past eight years.
Tommy came up from his underground command center, having finished entering a lengthy recap of the latest group of retired rangers, their last battle being two months ago defeating Mesagog. Sometimes he wondered how in the world did he end up here? eight years ago, if you asked him where he saw himself, being a high school teacher in Reefside while donning yet another ranger uniform would not have entered his mind. I seriously hope Jason takes the next group, thought Tommy. I am getting too old for this. There were upsides to this life: fulfilling job, great students, still kept in touch with most of his closest friends, and even being the Black Dino Thunder Ranger, he had to admit, was still an honor- being able to defend the world, be a superhero. But aside from all that he saw the bonds that developed between Kira, Connor, Ethan, and Trent. Even with their different backgrounds and their rangers days now a thing of the past, they were still joined at the hip. Still hanging out, and bickering, all the time. Still a team. Tommy missed his team. The team that saved him, took him in. The team who he used to be inseparable from. And of course he missed Kimberly. He couldn't think of the old team without thinking of his first love. The girl he thought he would marry. And the team he thought he'd always have. Looking around at this life of contentment, but void of love and kinship, he couldn't help but wonder how everything had changed. Then like a mirage dreamed up from his memory, he thought he caught a familiar petite figure outside of his window. He would've sworn Kimberly was just a figment of his imagination if it weren't for a couple of things. One- Kimberly wasn't in all pink like she usually was in his daydreams and two- just then the doorbell rang.
No turning back, Kim. Just do it quick like a band aid, the former pink ranger told herself as she heard the locks being undone. And just like that she was face to face with Tommy. She didn't know what to expect when she saw him for the first time in so long. The last time was so much easier because they were in a life and death situation. And when the Turbo Rangers escaped Muranthias, Kimberly knew she had done the right thing. It was easier to act okay at that point. But now with no threat looming over their head, both Tommy and Kimberly sank in the moment of seeing this familiar stranger in front of them. The first thing Kimberly noticed was that Tommy cut off his beautiful long hair. She loved his long hair, but this worked too. It worked on the wiser, slightly older ranger, now a teacher and a mentor. He wore all black and even underneath his black sweater Kim could see he was just as much in shape, if not more, as the first day she saw him. Tommy took in Kimberly who looked like she hadn't aged a bit since he last saw her. In fact she looked just like he imagined when he caught himself thinking about what might have been. Her frame was as tiny as ever, her body lean and strong from years of training. Her hair fell just below her shoulder in soft waves. Did it look a little lighter? Strangely what Tommy noticed most was that she wore light jeans, brown boots, and a grey v-neck. Tommy couldn't recall a single day that he didn't see Kim all clad in pink, and it was a little bitter-sweet for him to see her out of it. So far they were from that time, when he could remember being happiest. But amazingly, she looked more beautiful than Tommy thought possible.
Kim couldn't stop staring at Tommy. He just looks beautiful... was all she could think. Uh-oh weird silence. Say something. "Hi Tommy. How are you?"
Tommy looked stunned, like he just saw Lord Zedd recite a Shakespeare sonnet.
"Kim. Hi. I'm good. What are you doing here?" Kimberly flinched slightly, perhaps a little surprised by his frankness. Great Tommy, he thought to himself, way to be calm and collected. "I mean how are you?" Kim bit her lip as she looked to the ground trying to gather her next thoughts. Tommy noted this as one of many little details he forgot about her.
"I've been good, content" she amended. Tommy was not oblivious to the irony that "content" was just how he was describing his life only a minute ago. Better not to think too much of that, Tommy scolded himself. " Um, would you like to come in?" he said opening the door further while motioning with his hand.
" Yeah that'd be great, thank you." This is just plain surreal, she thought as she sat in the living room and took in the first floor. Tommy seemed to have taken on a minimalist type of decor, aside from his office space which looked exactly like the Tommy she remembered. He had matching black and lightwood furniture over light hard wood floors. No pictures except for a chinese proverb painting hanging over a chest and what looked to be rolled up mat, and some fossil replicas. Here I am at the house of my first love, the boy I thought I'd marry. This could have been our house, our kitchen, our living room, Kim started to realize. Woah there girl, calm down. You will never get through this thinking this way. Besides, wouldn't have ended up here either way.
Uh Oh another awkward silence. "Tommy I'm sorry for barging in unannounced like this. I thought about calling you over the phone, but I wanted to talk to you in person and wasn't sure if you'd want to meet with me."
Tommy's gut reaction was to say "maybe you should have written me another letter." But Tommy knew that would be unfair and unpleasant for both of them if he turned the conversation in that direction so soon. So he tried to make the most peaceful remark he could convey: "Kim of course I would have agreed to meet with you if you had called and asked. But it's fine, you are here, and we're face to face, so what's up?"
Tommy was being so understanding it was making this harder for Kim to conjure up the courage to tell him the truth. Okay well maybe we'll start with the easiest thing to say. " Well, um, hey congratulations on your new Ranger Team. I heard you guys did some serious clean up a couple of months ago."
" Oh yeah thanks. The kids are kind of bummed about losing their powers but I keep telling them it feels much better not having your powers when its actually safe rather than losing them right after a purple slime ball invades earth." Kimberly smiled and both she and Tommy felt some type of ease for the first time in their encounter. Reliving those days reminded them of the camaraderie and the history they shared not as a couple but as a team. They were talking about their adventure against Ivan Ooze for a little bit when Kim said "I can imagine Connor would have loved to make a big mess with those ooze creatures."
I never told her any of their names, Tommy realized. Let alone the fact that Conner was a big goon. " So how did you know about the new Ranger team?" Tommy asked innocently enough. "Jason tell you?" That's a very logical explanation as Tommy did keep Jason up to date on stuff like that. However he was pretty sure he didn't talk about Conner that much.
Kimberly's face showed that she had slipped and had been caught. Choosing her words carefully to answer his question she replied, " Um yeah I talked to Jason a little bit and he mentioned something about the Dino Rangers."
Kim was still enough of the Kim Tommy knew, that he could see she was holding something back. " But that's not how you know about them, and about Connor."
Oh crap, he knows something's up. Kim's heart started beating faster...out of fear, or from the way he stared right into her, she didn't know. Oh well, this is what I came to do anyways. " Not exactly," she drawled out. Tommy didn't bother asking anything more. She came here to tell me something. If she's still Kimberly, she won't leave without doing what she came here to do. Kimberly watched as Tommy dared her to speak without saying a word. Okay here it goes. Kimberly took a deep breathe and as she exhaled she let out the few words neither of them wanted to hear her say: "It's about the letter."
It's about the letter. This cannot be happening, thought Tommy. He didn't realize it until those words came about, but Kim's behavior had Tommy thinking that maybe this was just purely Ranger business. That this would have nothing to do with that horrible letter that Tommy tried to repress for so many years. But of course. This has been a test and you failed Dr. Oliver. You let your guard down for one second, and here you are forced to face the girl who broke your heart and about to do it all over again.
"The letter," was all Tommy said after about thirty more seconds of excruciating silence.
"Yeah" was all Kim could respond ten more torturing seconds later.
" Kim no offense, but I don't know if we should go there. I thought whatever this was had to do with Ranger business. That letter was years ago. We've moved on." Well okay that's kind of a big fat lie thought Tommy. But two out of three were true.
" I know Tommy. But I really need to get this off my chest. You have no idea how long I've waited-"
" - So is this just to clear your conscious or something?" Tommy interjected. He couldn't keep some of the frustration and hurt from creeping into his tone.
" No, I mean, maybe. Tommy I realize that I don't deserve this from you. But I'm asking you to just hear what I have to say. It may not change anything. But at least you'll know the truth."
" The truth. Which is?"
" A huge part of me just knows that you aren't even going to believe this. But here it is. Zordon told me about the Dino Rangers a long time ago." And pandora's box has been opened, thought Kim. Now there really is no turning back. Not with all the questions she just planted into Tommy's head. Questions he'd want, and deserved, to be answered. Kim still had no idea what would come of all this. But underneath all her mental preparation for the worst, there was a tiny part of her that couldn't help but hope.
How could have Zordon told Kim about the Dino Rangers, thought Tommy. He was...he still couldn't say it really...gone way before they had ever found the Dino Gems. Could Zordon have been saved somehow? Is this what Kim came to tell me. How in the world would that have to do with the letter though? Too many questions had been formed in light of this new information. "When?" was the only one Tommy could afford to utter.
Kim realized she had awakened something in Tommy. And once she felt what that hope was she had to clear it up. She answered "before he passed." Kim's assumption was confirmed when Tommy's faced turned into a solemn disappointment.
" Shortly after I left for Florida actually, he contacted me and teleported me back to the command center." Each time Kim let out a little more information she felt her body sigh in relief and tense up at the same time. On one hand, telling the truth, even a little bit of the truth, took some great weight off her shoulder. She had never lied to Tommy and knowing she had to for so many years pained her more than he'd ever know. But giving away these details also were scary for they were to lead her to the decision she'd made for both of them, and she wasn't sure if he'd forgive her for it.
" Tommy I know you have a complete history of every team of Rangers there are. And a team of Time Force Rangers traveled back to 2001. But it wasn't the first time they traveled to this time." She checked to see how Tommy was keeping up so far. He stayed silent and waited for her to continue. He's going to hear me out, she thought with a mix of fear and joy. " They came to Zordon and gave him a timeline of events that would lead us here to this universe of time. But it would only turn out the way it did if certain events happened a certain way. I don't know if I'm explaining this well but basically. Had things turned out differently, the world as we know would not exist. It would be very different." Kimberly felt her stomach drop at the thought of what the future could be have been like. And she knew she would have to tell this story to Tommy. She started out with something that cut both of them very deep into a wound both thought would heal over time.
" Tommy I loved you. I would have stayed with you throughout the Pan Global Games. I would have come back to Angel Grove and the team would have welcomed me back as if nothing changed. But things did change. I gave my power up to Kat. She was part of the team. And she became a friend, and a confidante to you and the others. You can't help who you love, and she would have developed stronger feelings for you whether I came back or not."
This was too much to take in, and it didn't even make any sense. Tommy just wanted to climb into his shell the way he had when Kimberly first sent the letter. But now there was no where to hide. She was there, forcing him to relive the way things had panned out. But now she offered a different future, one he'd deny ever wishing would actually happened.
"Remember when Divatox offered Jason and me to that evil pit monster thing?" Tommy couldn't help but give a small smile to Kimberly's vague recollection of all the monsters and evil they'd fought.
" You mean Maligore?"
"Yeah him. If I had come back as a ranger, who do you think Divatox would have offered up instead?"
" I'm guessing with our luck someone close to us like Jason and..."
" Kat," Kimberly finished for him, " She'd still be a part of our lives, however, you would push her to the sidelines for me. But she'd still have her Zeo power. When Divatox captured me, I didn't have my powers because they had been destroyed and replaced with Zeo. But in this alternate universe I wouldn't come back to Angel Grove until after you guys got the Zeo Crystals so Kat would still have some of her powers." This was such a crazy truth with so many twists and turns that even Kim had trouble keeping up. She figured this might be a good time to let Tommy sink this all in. " So in short: New future. I'm with you, a ranger still. Kat is left alone, with some little tingly Zeo energy to burn and sent to go evil again. But this isn't some spell of Rita's and Zedd's. I know Tommy because in this reality I lived it. But Kat would have been something different."
" I don't understand. Why? Kat would still have been our friend."
" But she would have been wounded. Taking that purity away from her, all that's left there is resentment and hurt. I didn't have that when I was sent under. And remember how strong Jason and I became? How you barely escaped Jason. Kat would have been that strong, if not stronger, with double the hatred for you and me."
" So when you lost all your purity and goodness, you still weren't as bad as Kat." Tommy said. Kimberly knew what he was alluding to. "The difference was I already knew that me making that sacrifice was going to change things for the better. I knew that you would save me. I still had hope. So yes, it made it much easier for me to break out of the spell than Kat would have. In fact, Kat wouldn't have."
" Kim, how would you know all this? You said the Time Force Rangers told this to Zordon, and him to you. But how could you know if any of this would have come true? And WHAT does this have to do with the letter?"
Kimberly took a deep breath. "I know because when I had a decision to make, I almost backed out. Then they took me with them. They took me into the near future to show me what had happened. Kat wouldn't break free. While the real Kat could put away her feelings for you when we were happy together, a Kat without any good and with some super strong powers was too much. In that world, you couldn't save Jason. and you couldn't save me." Kim's eyes started to water up at the thought of it, but reminded herself, that is not what happened. It changed. I'm here, and amazingly with Tommy even if for a moment. "I died that day, and Maligore rose. You guys eventually defeated him but not without much more lives being taken. Tommy they showed me what you became after that day, and if weren't for the lifeless defeated Tommy I had to see in the future I wouldn't have done what I did."
He couldn't figure out when in Kimberly's story did he realize where this was going but he had an idea he now knew. But still he asked, "What did you do Kimberly."
" I talked to Zordon. And we decided that the way to change this history with as few lives at stake as possible was for Katherine to stay on the team. And for you to be with her. I also knew that you wouldn't hear of it if I broke up with you for no reason. You would have fought for me, cause you were my knight on a white tiger. I had to give you a reason to give us up. So I wrote the letter. And I made sure I was with Jason when he got kidnapped. And I knew that you and Kat would be together when you'd come to rescue me, yet again."
So many questions and feelings started to pour through Tommy. But there was only one missing piece that he cared about. "So you're saying there was never another guy. You didn't stop caring for me."
Kimberly smiled. "No. Not for a second Tommy. There was only you. But I had to let you go." They sat in silence for a little bit. When he looked like he had taken in everything she had told him this far, Kim let it all out. " The truth is Tommy, I would have taken the chance. Even knowing my fate I would have chanced it, until they showed me what happened to you. I know I put you in pain when I wrote you that letter and I hate myself for that. But it doesn't even compare to what it was like seeing you afterwards. You couldn't forgive yourself Tommy, you felt you failed me and the team. You didn't feel worthy of being a ranger. And I couldn't ever let you believe that for a second. But this whole thing. It was even bigger than us. Those events would alter the history of every other ranger team and battle that would take place. I mean who could believe that our happiness could cost the destruction of the power rangers?"
Who could indeed, thought Tommy. How could something so right and pure as the bond he and Kim shared lead to something so disastrous? It was almost unfathomable. " Why couldn't you have told me, Kim? " asked Tommy.
" What would you have done? " countered Kimberly.
They both knew what he would have done. He would have found a way to keep Kimberly and still change the future. But Tommy also couldn't help but wonder, would he have risked her life and the life of other rangers to keep them together? He knew he would if he thought he could save her. In that sense, he could almost forgive her for not telling him.
Tommy tried to recap all that she had just told him. " So if you and I had stayed together, it would have basically placed a seed of resentment in Katherine which would have resulted in her turning into the evil one who would ultimately kill you and lead to my failure out on Muranthias. This would in turn alter the history of the Power Rangers. So you broke up with me to alter our future so that Kat would stay pure allowing the sequence that actually happened take place?" Kimberly just nodded. There were parts of him that wanted to believe this, and were almost relieved. The thought that she didn't stop caring for him all those years ago made his heart do flips he didn't think were possible anymore. But that didn't erase the mess that the letter had left. " I still don't understand how you could make this decision without telling anyone. Without telling me."
Kimberly sighed. " Telling you would have jeopardized the future. You knowing could have resulted in us trying something that would have led to Kat still turning evil or even worse. The course that we decided on was decided because the Time Force rangers said that this is the future that was suppose to happen. This would ensure the safety and continuity of the power rangers. And I didn't decide on my own. Zordon knew what this would do us. But he supported this decision. When have you ever doubted Zordon?" Kimberly had him there. He couldn't deny that if Zordon was part of this plan, he had to trust there was a reason behind it. Zordon would have found another solution if there was one. "Who else knew?"
Kimberly stalled for a second then admitted, "Jason."
" What?"
" I needed someone to understand."
" He fought along side me."
" I knew you all must have hated me because of my actions"
" And never said a word."
" Tommy stop it. It's not his fault." Kimberly expected Tommy to be angry at her. She did not expect to see him so much angrier at this new piece of information. But had the tables been turned, she would have absolutely hated to see Tommy confide in someone that wasn't her. But he did, she thought with a sting. Cause you made him. "I'm so sorry. But I needed someone to remind me that this was for the good of the power rangers, for the good of the world. That I couldn't possibly be selfish enough to sacrifice that to keep you with me."
" Why now, then?"
"Huh?"
" You went to all this great lengths to keep this from me. Why is the cat suddenly out of the bag?"
Well this is actually somewhat easier to deal with. " We were given a timeline of all the events that were to happen after Divatox and Muranthias. What would have been altered had... I stuck around. It all came around to this time where the future could be stable. When you and your ranger's gave up your power to defeat Mesagog, it scared the begeezes out of other evil goers out there. This is the most peaceful we'll be for quite some time since Rita came out of her trash bin. This universe of time is set in place. Zordon told me that if and when this time would come and all that was suppose to take place had, I had the decision of whether or not to tell you about all this.
" So you've been monitoring every power ranger all this time?"
" Well you know how I am with that. Billy helped"
" So Billy knows too?" Tommy was ready to ask if Kat knew, if the whole world knew but him."
"No Billy doesn't know. At least not why I was tracking the rangers, including you. Just that I had to, and that I needed help." Kimberly looked down. If you don't say it now, when can you Kim? " I wasn't sure whether I should tell you. When I pushed you towards Kat, it killed me that our plan worked so well. You seemed like you could be happy with her. At that time, I told myself that when it was all said and done, and if you two stayed together or if you found someone else, I would stay out of it."
Part of Tommy's mind wondered as Kim talked about that she just wanted him to be happy with whoever he may end up with. Tommy started to feel like a pawn as he thought about how Kim and Zordon's plan worked. Just as they had wanted, he gave up on Kimberly and found refuge in Kat. It was easy to be attracted to her. She was beautiful, kind, and part of the group. He could be himself around her. But when you have truly been in love, you know how amazing and horrible it felt. And Tommy didn't feel it with Kat. Or any other girl that he had been with for that matter. Tommy felt an anger simmer deep inside him. He was mad at himself for giving up so easily. Not fighting like Kim had said he would. But he was also mad at Kimberly for manipulating him. Basically repositioning him toward a new fate without any say from him. Kim pulled him out of those thoughts but he still felt the anger building up.
" I know in my heart that what I did was for everyone in the long run. But I also know that the way I had to treat you was horrible. Not just the letter itself, which I am still ashamed of. But what it did. I basically gave you no choice in your future Tommy. I forced you into one you didn't ask for, but it was one I didn't ask for either. I would have done anything else to keep what we had. I've tried to move on and accept this reality. I've tried finding another great love out there but it doesn't exist. And I guess that's why I was selfish enough to bring this on you. I know the chances of you and I...are very slim. I broke a trust and hurt you in so many ways. But I know that I wouldn't have any chance if I didn't tell you the truth. So here I am." Kimberly sat in silence, wishing Tommy to say something, anything. Put me in my place, yell at me, kick me out! Tell me you love me, forgive me, take me back.
Tommy struggled to concentrate as Kim stared at him with those beautiful brown eyes. In those eyes lied unspoken questions he didn't think he'd ever have to answer. But now here she was, basically asking if they could start over again. Eight years ago, when Tommy led with his heart, without a question Kim would be in his arms right now. He'd tell her that he never stopped loving her, that they would figure out a way through this. He'd take her back and relish in the fact that he could kiss her again whenever he wanted. But time, growing up, the letter itself stopped him. Over the years he had stopped wearing his heart on his sleeve. Instead he wore a thin layer of glass to protect himself. And the only way he could keep himself safe was to think with his head. And while he could certainly appreciate Kim's honestly, logic told Tommy that too much has happened. Too many years gone by. Kim did a service to them all but in the process she did break their trust. Maybe their time had passed.
" Kimberly, I believe everything you told me. In fact once I can process it there are so many things I'd love learn about, about other rangers and the events that took place." He was so calm, so reasonable, it was almost robotic, thought Kim. So its a no. Well what did I expect? Kimberly sat through the rest in quiet reserve while inside every next word he said ripped at her heart all over again. " I can't imagine what it must have been like for you, I admire that you had the courage to do it. I don't know if I would have. Which is why I can understand why they chose you. But Kim, I've spent the last eight years thinking you completed chucked me away for some other guy. I was hurt, betrayed. Feelings like those don't disappear with a rewrite of the plot. And it was all a lie. We've never lied to each other."
" I know and-" Kim started but Tommy gently held his hand.
" I'm not angry at what you did Kim. I could never be angry with something you did as a duty as a ranger and under Zordon's guidance. But look at us. We've had no contact for years and have ended up in completely different places in our lives. No one will know the hero you are Kim. I'm glad I will and its an honor to call you a friend." The last word created a dull ache in them both. " But I think that's where it needs to stay. We need to move on, like you intended. This is the future that was suppose to happen, and we're both alive and content." Oh there's that word again thought Tommy. " That's pretty good considering what you said could have been."
Kim nodded and looked down at her hands which were trembling. " I can live with that... Listen Tommy I need to get going. I kind of got lost trying to get here and want to get back on the road before it gets dark. I just needed to tell you this and now I have. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. I hope you can forgive me for all I have put you through."
" Of course I do Kimberly. You'll always be important to me. Listen you don't have to go. Can I get you a drink or-"
" No, thank you. I really should get going before it gets dark. We can keep in touch now at least and I promise I'll answer all your questions and Jason can as well. Thank you." Kim hurriedly got up and advanced to the door. Tommy felt a faint yell in his mind saying "don't let her leave" but she was too quick. He quickly followed her to the door and before he could contemplate saying something else, Kim opened the door then spun around for a quick hug and whispered "It will always be you Tommy Oliver" before kissing him softly on the cheek and leaving. It was so fast, Tommy cursed himself for being so slow. As her car pulled out of the driveway, Tommy felt a little piece of his glass armor crack. He closed the door and sat back on the couch. If felt like they had talked all day and hoped she would gain enough ground before it was too dark. He checked his watch to see how much time had gone by. It was 2:00 in the afternoon.
Kimberly drove for about ten minutes, concentrating on the road before her. When she was far enough away from Tommy's house she found a forest reserve and pulled over. She just needed to get away. She couldn't look at Tommy's face knowing he'd never look back at her the way he use to. He use to smile at her like she was perfect the way she was, flaws and all. Now all he'd see is someone who had lied to him, hurt him in the process, and manipulated him. She knew a part of him understood and even admired what she had done to save the other Rangers. And someday that would have to be enough. But today it felt like the hollow part she'd been carrying around for the past eight years just doubled, and Kimberly started to cry.
An hour later and Tommy was still sitting on the couch. What am I supposed to do after a conversation like that? Tommy asked himself. Do I call the other Rangers, call Jason, go on and about like this never happened, mope around in realization that the girl of my dreams just walked out of my life again- basically because I told her to?Tommy just couldn't decide how he felt about the whole thing...no not felt. What he thought, he reminded himself. What you did was the right thing to do. It wasn't easy that much was true. But Kim basically said it herself, even if its not easy and you don't want to sometimes you have to do things for the greater good, that is our everlasting job as a Ranger. But who was in trouble here? What greater service was there to his turning her away? Me thought Tommy's logical side. Remember me, the glass wall you built up. If you go back there Oliver you might as well smash me with a hammer. Then the phone rang. Tommy picked it up, too exhausted to look at who was calling. "Hello?"
"Hey Dr. O. How's it going?"
" Connor?"
" Yeah. It's me. Look I was just wondering if all looked okay on your radar. Nothing to go out and investigate?"
" What? Are you a detective now Connor?"
" No but I mean if there was like a blip on your map or whatever, we were thinking maybe there were some other dino gems or something out there."
"Connor. I get that you miss it. But it's done. And if anything fishy were going on I'd be calling the police now, not you. There are no more monsters around, and I have on good authority that there won't be any for a while."
" Really? Who?"
" Goodbye Connor"
"Awe come Dr. O. It's just that if felt good protecting people. I got use to it. Plus it was kind of fun beating the snot out of ugly slime balls."
Well, Kimberly sure did do her homework there. " You would enjoy that wouldn't you? I'm hanging up now Connor. Stay out of trouble."
"But-"
" Bye." He hit end and lied back on his couch. He suddenly felt completely drained. On top of Kim showing up, telling him about this crazy future he never knew, the thought of losing her forever only to send her away. Connor was just one too many things to deal with. The phone rang again.
" Connor, I'm serious. There are no more dino crystals, there are no more monsters. Go play a soccer video game or something."
"Wow, I really hope that's not how you answer all your phone calls. Otherwise the identities of all the other rangers are really in danger."
" Who's this?"
"Hello, Tommy Oliver. This is Andros"
Seriously? Two months of complete quiet is all I'm gonna get? And now its just one hit after the other. Andros still waited on the other line. "Hello?"
"Andros. I'm sorry man. It's just been a day of unexpected calls. And sorry about earlier. I'm usually a little more discreet than that."
Andros chuckled. " I certainly hope so. I am sorry to bother you. But there has been some important developments since you and your Dino Thunder Rangers defeated Mesagog that we wanted to inform you on."
Here we go. Well maybe a distraction couldn't hurt right now. "What's up Andros, who do we got now?"
" Nothing. And no one."
" Huh?"
" Tommy your latest victory as sent many of our enemies running for the hills. The last two months have been the quietest we've seen. And it's possible that the protectors of earth may be looking at a well deserved vacation."
" This is what you called to tell me? That there's nothing to worry about?"
Andros laughed again, something unusual for the serious loner. " In a way. Tommy we will be holding some meetings with the many generations of rangers. We are going to discuss our experiences so that we may create an encyclopedia of the history of the Power Rangers, one even bigger than you have I'd imagine. We feel this will serve as guidance to future generations of Power Rangers should earth come under attack once again. Many of the leaders and some of their team mates will be meeting just outside of Angel Grove, where the original Command Center once stood. I am inviting you to join us, as you represent not only the latest Ranger team but also the Original team."
" You're having a Ranger Convention?"
" Well... it's much more scientific than that. We need all the data we can get. And you along with a few other key people probably have the most data to contribute."
Tommy rubbed his temple with the hand not holding his phone. This is something he would be up for any other time. Right now he was a little overload on Ranger information. But despite himself he said, " When's the party?"