Author's Note: So this is my first stab at actually writing Fan Fiction that I have the intention of actually publishing somewhere. Please don't be gentle. Be as relentless as you can in letting me know what you like and don't like about what's actually written so far. I appreciate any and all feedback I can get. I make no promises about the direction of the story, neither will I comment on the potential 'ships (though if anybody knows me from my profile or reviews, you should know at least one that's likely to show up before long). I have no idea if I can sustain an underlying plot (or if I even have a plot yet), but I figure it's best to plant a seed here or there and hope for the best. As I go along, if you have any ideas, please include them in a review, and I'd be happy to talk it over! And if I seem to have gotten a fact wrong here or there, please let me know. If it's not something I was already intending to change, well, I might just have to make a correction here or there. Full credit will be given to people that help me with errors and advice!
Disclaimer: Power Rangers is currently owned by Saban, and at the time of Dino Thunder was owned by Disney. At this time, the only thing I own is the story and the actual wording itself.
It was the final battle. His island was destroyed, his generals were defeated, and not even the power he was able to absorb from the Gems for the short time that he had them was able to help him seal his victory. The battle with Mesogog was messy and brutal. All conventional methods failed, from individual attacks, the combined Z-Rex Blaster, even Conner's Battlizer wasn't enough to topple the half-man, half-dinosaur creature. It took the combined power of the Dino Gems, washing over him with a wave of pure goodness to completely destroy the thoroughly evil monstrosity. Such a selfless act sacrificed the entire power of the Gems, causing those that harnessed the power to revert back to normal humans.
The Power Rangers of Reefside, California had just won a war, without anyone ever knowing who they really were. The only two neutral civilians to have learned their secret had just given up their proof of who they really were, another sacrifice for the greater good. Unbeknownst to Conner McKnight, Kira Ford, Ethan James, Trent Fernendez, and their teacher and mentor Doctor Tommy Oliver, this sacrifice in the name of friendship caused a spark which was imperceptible to all.
At this point, the five were left in a stunned, silent circle. Or rather, four of them were stunned, while one of them stood in silent contemplation, a thoughtful look splayed across his face. A soft, clear voice broke through the quiet, "Dr. O., I have a couple of questions."
Shaken by the suddenness of the previous statement, Tommy and the rest turned to the speaker, "What's on your mind, Conner?"
"Since you said the Gems are now powerless, no other evil should ever be after them, making it safe for us to keep them, right?"
Tommy's brow creased at this, wondering exactly where Conner was going with his question, "Yes, that's right. Why, what are you thinking about?"
"Well, I was just thinking that I could do something, something for the team, you know? As a kind of a way for us to remember each other, even if we don't stick together," Conner fidgeted for a second before continuing on, "I was thinking that if the Gems wouldn't stay in the bracelets any longer, I could make pendants out of them, as a memento of our time as Rangers."
"That… actually sounds like a good idea," Kira, who hadn't moved or said a word up to this point, adopted a thoughtful look of her own at Conner's rather sudden idea.
Tommy, realizing an opportunity when he saw it, saw fit to agree. "Alright, I can approve of that. What's your other question?"
Looking down at his own wrist, Conner took a deep breath to steady himself and gather his thoughts together. "Our bracelets… they can still be used as communicators without the Gems, right?"
"Conner, you know these aren't supposed to be for casual calls…"
"No, Dr. O., you don't understand, I'm not talking about using them for just anything. I'm talking about emergency situations, like in case we can't use a cell phone for some reason." Conner stared into Tommy's eyes with a determination rarely seen outside of the soccer field. "You have to admit, these bracelets are a little unconventional as a means of communication."
Nodding in understanding, Doctor Oliver, who already respected the young man's abilities as a leader and a Ranger, now saw him in a completely new light. These questions seemed to indicate an entirely new facet to the former Red Ranger that no one on the team had ever actually seen before. "You're right, Conner, the Gems aren't needed to power them, and I can see no reason to not continue to wear the bracelets. Just promise me you won't use them for social calls."
"No problem, Dr. O., we all promise. I'd better go. I'd like to get started on the pendants and necklaces tonight. Best to start early and get it out of the way. Would you come with me, Trent?"
Blinking at the sudden attention, Trent was slightly taken aback. "Wait, what? What do you want, Conner?"
"Your Dino Gem is shaped a little different from the rest of ours. I'd like to go ahead and get your pendant out of the way first, if that's alright with you."
"Oh, uh, no problem, I guess. Lead the way, fearless leader." Trent followed Conner away from the battle site, appearing to participate in small talk with his former leader. The three remaining teammates stood by watching the less than dramatic exit of the two, wonderment playing within their minds.
"What was that about?" Kira questioned.
"I don't know… was that really Conner? I've never heard him talk like that before." Ethan's reply was soft spoken, not entirely convinced that he'd even seen any of this.
"Well, I think I like this Conner better, besides, it's nice to see them working out their differences, finally."
Tommy slowly shook his head. "That has nothing to do with it. No, if anything, that's just Conner admitting defeat." A look of disappointment washed over Tommy's face when he said this. While Kira was confused by this, Ethan took a moment to come to a complete understanding. Looking up at her mentor, Kira regarded him questioningly, wondering what exactly he meant by that statement. "Sorry, Kira, it's not my place to elaborate. If Conner wants you to know, he'll tell you."
"Well, this has been great and all, but I've got to get back to the theater. I told you guys before, I've been waiting for this one for awhile. See you guys!" Ethan ran off to return to the waiting line, hoping beyond hope that his place was still saved.
"Guess we should get out of here, too. Let's head back to Hayley's, I'm sure she's wondering what happened to us. She'll be thrilled to hear that it's all over. Elsa, you want to come with us?" Tommy called to Elsa from where she had been hanging out off to the side.
"I… uh… okay. Sure, why not. But please, call me Elizabeth. Mesogog called me Elsa to separate me from my human side," Elizabeth replied, "If it's possible, I'd love to start over and try to forget everything I did as one of Mesogog's generals."
"Sounds good to me, let's go!" As the three of them left the site, no one noticed a slightly eerie wind starting to blow…