A/N: Story popped into my head after watching "Changing of the Zords" and seeing Tommy do his little speech in the park after Ninjor gets captured. Set during Countdown to Destruction Part 2. Again, PR isn't mine.
Time to Rest
Tommy wearily rubbed his eyes and stared at the screen. Racing cars hadn't really worked out for him and he had left soon after. One day, he had made a snap decision that started him down the road he was on now; he applied for – and was accepted into – a Bachelor of Science with a major in Paleontology. He didn't know what had compelled him to this path; but he had a vague nagging feeling that it would help him in the future. Unsuccessfully stifling a yawn, he looked back to the essay he was writing and rubbed his eyes. No matter how many links he made, he couldn't make the final connection of how a fully grown Spinosaurus could kill a . Maybe the scientific deconstruction of Jurassic Park 3 had been a bad choice, but it was too late to back out now.
Outside, it was a nightmare. Foot soldiers were everywhere, herding up the populace toward the city centre. Dark Spectre had been destroyed and some chick with red hair was in charge. He didn't really pay much attention to Ranger news these days. T.J would fill him in when he next saw him. All the names and faces of past Rangers had apparently been erased from the bad guy's minds. He knew this because he had to give directions to three Quantrons who were looking for the Mayor's office. That was the moment he decided to hole himself in his house and wait until everything blew over. He knew he should be out fighting…but the paper was due in two days.
Suddenly, he felt…relaxed. A second ago he had been tense as Hell, but now it was like everything had lifted off his shoulders. Stretching his arms above his head, he felt his jawbone crack as a massive yawn erupted from his mouth. Blinking his eyes, he saved his work, turned off the computer and crashed on the couch. He didn't see the rush of golden light, nor feel the warmth and love or even feel the tears spring to his eyes as the realization set in that Zordon had sacrificed himself for the Good of the Universe. The last thought that entered his sleep-deprived mind was a scene he had seen on the Viewing Globe of him after Ninjor had been captured all those years ago.
"I swear, I will not rest until Lord Zedd is defeated"