Ranger in Gotham
NightWatcher666
1
Kimberly Ann Hart stood at the front of her class. She normally only taught gymnastics, but twice a week she held a martial arts class for kids whose parents could not afford a more notable school. She bowed the class out for the evening and grabbed her towel as her students made their way off the mats. Once the last one had left she made her way to her office and caught the breaking news of a monster attack there in Miami on the small TV she kept by her desk. Luckily for the city the Power Rangers arrived in town with their colossal Zords to deal with the situation. Kimberly felt mixed emotions as she watched the news coverage and wished not for the first time that she was back in the fight.
Opening her desk drawer she pulled out the cracked and charred power coin and touched it to her old morpher. There was a brief pink spark and a small jolt of energy ran through her before like always, but as always she felt empty afterwards.
She stepped out of her office just in time to hear a crash and dive back in as the building began to come down around her. "Christ!" she shouted as the putrid giant foot lifted and began to move off. "Great," she muttered as she crawled out from under her desk and surveyed the wreckage, "My insurance company is going to love this."
As she made her way through the rubble that used to be her business she noticed something sparking under a beam. She smirked as she easily pushed the heavy steel beam out of the way, "The good thing about being a former hero is I get to keep some of the perks," she muttered as she picked up a small, purple, energy filled gem. "And what are you?" As she studied the item she noticed that it had begun to pulse and it was getting faster and faster. Not knowing what else to do Kim dropped it and ran for cover as the gem exploded.
It was a quiet night in Gotham; much too quiet for its protector's liking. Perched like a gargoyle on the rooftop of the city's tallest cathedral Batman surveyed his domain. "Batgirl to Batman," echoed Barbara's voice through his cowl, "Not even so much as a drunk out tonight." Batman's lips curled down as he considered what was going on. It always seemed to go quiet before the world exploded around him, "Understood Batgirl," he responded, "Go home and get some rest, I have a feeling you'll need it in the nights to come." After a few moments of silence he heard a crackle come from the commlink, "Understood boss." He was just going back to watching his city when a brilliant purple flash caught his trained eye. "Figures," he muttered as he fired off his bat line and dove from the roof.
Kim groaned as she came to. The last thing she remembered was a bright purple flash. "I don't even remember the last hangover I had that was this bad," she muttered as she picked herself off the ground. Once she stood up she heard the telltale noise of a switchblade opening. With a roll of her eyes she turned to face four would be attackers. "Wrong place to sleep it off," the one with the knife said. Kim sized him up first; five foot ten, scar over right eye, and bleach blonde hair, easy pickings. "Look guys," she said with open hands, "Something really weird happened and I'm not in the mood for games right now. So how about you go mug somebody else tonight and I won't break your arms."
"Look boys, this one's got spunk, what do you say we have a little fun with her before we move on?" There were smirks and nods of agreement before they moved towards her. "Fine," she said as she assumed a fighting stance, "We'll do it your way." The one with the knife lunged trying to grab her, but true to her word she whipped around his arm and brought it down onto her knee. She released him when she heard his arm snap. "Take her out!" he yelled from the ground as he cradled his freshly broken arm. The other three surrounded her and startled circling like sharks. Kim prepared herself for the imminent attack, but instead she felt barbs pierce her back followed by a shock that knocked her clean to the ground.
As she attempted to catch her breath she swore that she saw a black mass move across the sky. She was about to get up but heard the cocking of a gun. Slowly she grabbed her morpher and slid the damaged coin into the front of it, "Pterodactyl!" In a pink blur she spun and knocked her three attackers off their feet and the gun went skittering, "Enough," she said. The three she knocked to the ground ran off as the first attacker grabbed the gun and fired. He visible paled when the bullet ricocheted off the outfit she was wearing and he too ran off cradling his wounded arm.
That'll teach them, "She said as she turned around and bumped into the black figure she saw before. He was tall and wore dark armor and a cowl with pointed ears on it. She noticed a bat symbol on his chest and fell back into a fighting stance, "I don't know who you are, but I'm not looking for a fight." He stood there silently as if sizing her up. Kim grabbed her stomach as her armor began to fade and reappear. She screamed in agony before passing out in the alley and demorphing at the feet of Batman. "Alfred," he said as he knelt down to pick up the small framed girl, "Prep the med bay…. We'll be having company."
Slowly Kim felt the fog began to lift in her mind as consciousness returned to her, and shivered slightly as a cool wind blew across her skin. The last thing she remembered was a giant bat. Slowly she sat up as someone stepped into the dim room using the shadows to conceal his face. "You're awake," he said in a prim and proper British accent. "Where am I?" Kim asked as she looked around noticing the stone walls and figuring somewhere underground. "Somewhere safe," he responded with a reassuring smile. "I'm here to treat you," he said extending his hand, "Kim," she said giving his a light shake.
The door opened and the giant bat stepped into the room with them, "That'll be all." It said. The man bowed slightly and made his way out the door. As the figure stepped into the light Kim saw that it wasn't a bat at all, it was a man in a costume. "What are you going to do with me?" She asked realizing that in her condition he could probably over power her if she tried to run. "That depends on you," he replied, "If you're not dangerous I'll let you go once you're rested, but if you are, I'll send you to the police to deal with." With everything that had happened Kim decided that Honesty was probably the best policy, "Where do we start?" He looked down at her, "Name?" She swallowed, "Kimberly Hart." He dropped her morpher and coin on the table, "My computer can't make heads or tails of these. The coin is largely gold, but has unidentified trace metals in it which appear to contain energy and the device has circuitry that baffles the imagination."
Kim realized how crazy she was about to sound but as she looked at him decided to say anyway, "They're alien." Batman looked down upon her, "That much I already guessed." Kim sighed, "They're Eltarian; the coin doesn't contain energy, it channels it and through use of this I can morph into a Power Ranger." Batman looked at her for a moment and moved on, "Your finger prints and DNA aren't on record. Where are you from?" Kim picked up the coin and started moving it around her fingers, Miami, but I'm originally from Angel Grove, California." Batman bent down slightly, "You're lying. There is no such place."
Kim gasped at the news, "That's impossible. I grew up there, went to school there, and defended the world there." After a moment Batman stood up, "Follow me," he said in a tone the registered as not a request." As she followed him out into the cave she saw a world that Billy would drool over. Massive computers, vehicles, and what she guessed were mementos of previous battles, but she had no idea how he got the giant penny in here. Finally they stopped at a large computer screen that showed several graphs and numbers, "These markers in your blood indicate a dimensional shift. You're not from around here and there is no Angel Grove." Kim's eyes were wide, "Oh crap," she muttered, "How will I get home?" Batman typed a few keys on the computer and a flashing red message "Dimensional coordinates unknown," came on the screen. "For the time being it appears that you don't," he said coolly, "I'll get you an identity and a place to stay, and when I find out more I will contact you." Kim stood up tall, "Fine, but in the meantime what am I supposed to do?" Batman turned back to the computer, "Build a life Ms. Hart; you may be here for a while, and don't use that coin again. It's damaged and unstable. I can't guarantee you'll survive it malfunctioning again."
Before she could speak again a dart appeared in her shoulder and as she fell all she could think was "Three times in one night."
(Three Weeks Later)
Kim was drying herself off after her morning workout routine. In the weeks that she had been in Gotham she had learned many things; the Power Rangers weren't here, there were other superheroes, and Gotham was a great city by day but incredible dangerous at night which was why Batman patrolled. She had still not heard anything about her predicament, but he had come through on his word. After that night she woke up in a hotel and found an envelope with keys to an apartment as well as a full Identity and enough money to get her started. Today she was headed to the mall to find clothes that she could wear to a job interview. With a skip she went to her bags and pulled out a pink tank top and a pair of white comfortable pants.
Bruce Wayne sat in his limo reading the paper and watching as Kimberly entered the department store. Over the last few weeks he had been keeping an eye on the displaced girl both in and out of costume. "If I may sir," Alfred said from the driver seat, "She's all alone in this world. Perhaps a friend would be in order." Bruce stared at the back of his butler's head, "You're right as usual Alfred," he said before exiting the car. He made his way into the store and before found Kim at the perfume counter. Thinking quickly he walked by as she turned around. She ran right into him causing him to douse both of them in the coffee that he had been holding. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Kim said as she picked herself up off the floor and tried to assist the man she ran into. "It's quite alright Miss," Bruce replied as he looked at her, "These things happen." Kim looked up at the man and was awestruck. His face was angular, but not too much so, he had a strong chin, and the deepest eyes that she had ever seen, "It should be a crime to be that good looking," she muttered. Bruce smirked inwardly, "Excuse me?" in a panic Kim realized that he may have heard her, "Oh, um, I said it should be a crime to let my clumsy butt into public." He held up his hand, "Bruce Wayne." Kim took it as she tried desperately to remember her own name, "Kim… Kim Hart." Bruce smiled at her, "Well it looks like I'm going to need another coffee; would you join me?"
Bruce sat Kim down at a table and went to gather their coffee. She couldn't help but stare as he got in line. There was something familiar about him. The way he carried himself was familiar, but she couldn't place it to save her life. "So are you from around here?" he asked as he sat down. Kim thought for a moment of telling the truth, "I'm new in town. I'm from Miami." Bruce had to admit to himself that the girl knew how to keep a secret. She was honest without giving away the truth of where she really came from. He had to admit that she impressed him, and she was gorgeous to boot.
They spent a few minutes talking and she told him how until recently she taught gymnastics and martial arts, and about her friends from high school. He listened to everything she told him putting a picture of her life together. After a few minutes he stood up and looked at his stained shirt. "If you'll excuse me, I have an important meeting this afternoon and I need to get a new shirt." Kim blushed and nodded, "It was nice meeting you." Bruce smiled, "I would love to see you again tonight." Kim should have known better but she found herself agreeing before her brain processed the request. "Good," said Bruce, "Be ready at eight and wear something comfortable."
Kim sat with her legs dangling from a cliff as Bruce leaned against a tree watching the sun set over the city. "It's beautiful," Kim said, "Almost like a dream." Bruce came and sat beside her, "So what really brought you to Gotham? The look in your eyes says that you'd rather be somewhere else." Kim looked down, "Would you believe me if I told you I was sucked through a black hole?" She chuckled slightly when Bruce raised an eyebrow, "At least it feels that way. It was all kind of a blur really. My studio went under and the next thing I know I'm here. As the sun dipped below the horizon Kim felt Bruce slide an arm around her. Her first though was to squirm away, but she found herself scooting closer into him. After a few minutes of silence he released her and stood up, "I should get you home." With a nod she stood up and took his hand in hers.
Not long after Bruce had dropped her off Kim stood on her balcony. She was a bit frustrated that she had heard nothing from the bat. Upon seeing the Bat-signal light up the sky she decided to confront the vigilante. "I hope this works," she said, "Ninja ranger power!" There were a few pink sparks but she did not morph, "I must be too far separated from my animal spirit. Oh well plan B." She pulled out a black leotard from her old gym bag; failing to notice a small gust of wind as she turned around and bumped into Batman. "I told you not you use that coin," he said in a gravelly voice. Kim had had enough; she looked the dark knight straight in the eye, "I didn't. I tried to connect with my animal spirit… apparently this dimension is too far." Batman looked down on the girl, "Or maybe you need to reconnect." Kim's eyes lit up, "You're right!" she shouted as she went back to her gym bag. She pulled out her morpher, coin and a watch. After putting the coin in the morpher and wrapping the watch around her wrist, she began playing with small dials until a quick beeping filled the room. "Yes!" she said as she pushed a button and vanished in a bright pink light leaving Batman in the room alone. "Be careful Kim," he whispered as he slipped out.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed Chapter one. I've been hit with severe writer's block so I started something new. ENJOY! Please read and review.
