Author's Note: Co-written with SunsetBabe17! Italics in this chapter are Kim's memories.
Disclaimer: Don't anything belonging to PR!
THUD! The five teens all landed on their butts on some plateau that appeared to be in the middle of nowhere.
"Whoa…" Andy exclaimed as he stood up and helped Melissa up who had fallen on top of him.
"Sorry," she blushed a little, embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it. We didn't exactly plan our landing," Andy smiled and brushed it off.
"Where are we?" Rachel asked, biting her lip, nervous.
Charissa brushed herself off and looked around, they appeared to be in the middle of a jungle.
"Your team," Dulcea declared to Kim, who just gave the teens a once over and muttered,
"Oh boy."
Upon hearing this the teens jumped and spun around startled, even more puzzled by the woman's strange get up.
"Who are you and where are we?" Jace demanded.
Kim looked to Dulcea, wondering if she was going to explain or if the task would fall on her shoulders.
"Welcome to Phaedos," Dulcea started, "I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of the Ninjetti."
"What?!" Rachel exclaimed.
"That's one hefty title…" Jace muttered to Andy, who elbowed him.
"Are we still on Earth?" Melissa asked.
"Quiet!" Dulcea commanded, regaining their attention, "let me finish. An evil warlord, King Scion, is looking to take over Earth. He and his army have taken over many planets and galaxies and he is looking to add Earth to that list."
"Point?" Andy questioned.
"So what are we doing here?" Jace wanted tol know.
"You need to become Power Rangers and protect your planet," Dulcea explained.
"Power Rangers!" Charissa exclaimed in shock.
"Who's she?" Jace asked, indicating the silent woman.
Kim stepped forward, "I'll be your leader and pink ranger. I"d rather not tell you my identity until you agree to become rangers."
"Wait, we have a choice?" Andy asked, puzzled.
"Of course," Kim said, astonished that they would think that they would force them to be rangers. "We wouldn't just thrust the power onto you. Being a ranger and saving the world is a huge responsibility that comes with many hardships. I'm not gonna lie to you, being a Power Ranger isn't easy. So it's your choice: do you want the responsibility of saving the world to be in your hands or someone else's?" Kim finished, hoping they would just say yes so she wouldn't have to go through this process again.
"Why us?" Rachel asked, curious.
"Well you could say you were in the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the wrong time. You know, whichever you prefer," Kim laughed.
"Can we have a minute to think about this?" Jace asked.
"Yes, take all the time you need," Dulcea smiled encouragingly. Kim and Dulcea went to the edge of the plateau and looked out upon the vast jungle that held the many dangers and great power, to give the teens some privacy.
"What do ya think, man?" Andy asked Jace.
"I dunno. I mean, do we really want that burden?" Jace sighed and ran his hand through his brown hair.
"Come on, I think it'll be fun," Andy stated with a gleam in his eyes. "Plus, do we really want to leave the world's fate in someone else's hands?" He got a little more serious now.
That won Jace over, "Alright. I'm in if you are."
"Alright," Andy stuck out his fist and Jace met him halfway and they bumped fists.
In the meantime, the three girls were having a conversation of their own. Melissa began, "Whatever we decide, we do it together, okay?"
"Right," Charissa nodded.
"Definitely," Rachel agreed.
"So…" Melissa trailed off, not sure what to say.
"I say we do it," Rachel started, "We must have been chosen for a reason, like fate or maybe it's our destiny."
"Shut up, Rachel," Charissa smacked her on the arm.
"Ow, what was that for?" Rachel asked, rubbing her arm where Charissa had smacked her.
"Enough of that nonsense," Charissa exclaimed and Melissa rolled her eyes at the two.
"Whatever, back to the subject at hand; do we save Earth from total destruction or die in the process and have Earth conquered anyway or just stay out of it?"
"Well, when you put it that way," Charissa glared at Melissa.
"On the other hand, how many people do you know that can say they've saved the world? Don't you think this is something worth fighting for?" Rachel argued.
After some more conversing, the teens walked up to Kim and Dulcea. Kim cut them off before they had a chance to speak, "Before you say anything, just know that we won't think any less of you if you decide to walk away." They all nodded their understanding.
"We'll do it," Jace spoke for Andy and himself.
The three girls looked at each other, and then Charissa spoke up, "We're in too."
Following the teens' agreement, Dulcea led the group of six over to the unlit pit of fire in the middle of the clearing.
"So, when do we get our awesome ranger powers?" Asked Jace, anxiously. Dulcea walked over to the pit and set it ablaze. Retrieving a small pouch she spoke.
"First, we must awaken your guides." Rachel threw Charissa a quizzical glance, who just shrugged in return.
"Guides?" Questioned Melissa.
"Come, come, stand before me," Dulcea gestured in front of the fire. The teens followed Kim, as she stood where she once stood years ago to first awaken her ninjetti animal spirit. As Dulcea spoke familiar words, Kim was awash with memories.
"Buried deep within each of us is an animal spirit, waiting to be released. Close your eyes and look deep inside." Kim remembered being skeptical at first, all those years ago. She had glanced at Billy for reassurance. Being the last two remaining members of the original team it seemed fitting that they stood by each others side. This time around she did not need any reassurance. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, ready to once again embrace the crane.
Andy threw Jace a skeptical look, and the blondes all looked at each other, but taking one look at Kim, who stood there serenely with her eyes all ready closed, they followed her lead.
Dulcea took the, what Rocky had once affectionately labeled, "magic dust," from her pouch and gently blew a handful into the fire, watching as it blazed blue. A warm glow enveloped those who stood before her.
Kim opened her eyes, comforted to see the familiar pink of her ninja suit. She gingerly caressed the crane etched on her gold emblem. She took in the sight of the rest of her team, gazing in wonder at their new outfits. She remembered doing the same thing the first time around.
"Whoa," breathed Rachel, looking up from her white gloves to smile at her best friends and take in their new suits, wondering what the pictures on them stood for.
They all stood to attention as Dulcea came to stand before them. As Dulcea went down the ranks, Kim remembered the team that had once stood in their places. Dulcea approached the girl in blue first.
"Charissa," she gazed at the young girl whose bright eyes shone with wonder, "clever and playful, but with a hidden fierceness, you are the dolphin."
***
Stopping in front of the yellow clad girl, Dulcea spoke. "Aisha, you are the bear. Fierce and unstoppable." The young girl smiled shyly.
***
Dulcea then moved on to Rachel. "Young Rachel. Full of innocent strength, you are the powerful polar bear." The blonde beamed at the older woman, clutching at the emblem on her chest.
***
Moving on to the boy in red, Dulcea addressed the teen. "Rocky. Powerful, smart. You are the mighty ape." He grinned and looked across to his best friend, who didn't look so happy.
***
"Melissa," Dulcea eyed the teen in yellow, "curious about the world around you and full of energy, you are the jubilant kangaroo." Melissa chuckled quietly, blue eyes sparkling.
***
Dulcea came to a standstill in front of one of Kim's oldest friends. "Billy, you are the wolf, cunning and swift." He smiled widely, and turned to look at Kim.
***
Dulcea came now to Andy, who donned the color black. "Brave Andy. You are the panther, the hidden threat of the jungle." Andy smirked. Kim remembered that that was where she once stood.
***
Dulcea came up to the petite brunette. "Agile Kimberly. Light as a feather, you are the crane." Kim touched her emblem and smiled up at the warrior.
***
"Jace." Dulcea chuckled as she watched the boy grab at his red robes, trying to see the gold emblem.
"Sorry, I just can't tell what my animal is…" he said sheepishly. She smiled softly at the young boy.
"It's a coyote. Jace, you are the coyote, courageous and cunning."
***
Dulcea stepped over to the somber boy in black. "Adam, Adam, what's wrong?"
"I'm a frog," he grumbled. She laughed.
"Yes, like the one you kiss," she leaned forward to kiss him on the forehead, "to get a handsome prince." The Korean blushed, turning to look at their leader.
***
"As graceful and as beautiful as ever, Kimberly," Dulcea began as she came to the veteran Pink Ranger, "you have come back stronger and wiser than before. You are no longer that naïve little girl. May the crane guide you and help you find what it is you seek." With those words came the memory of the man she once held so dear.
***
Dulcea stood before the White Ranger. "And you, Tommy, are the falcon, winged lord of the skies." He sent a small smile Kim's way.
***
Kim smiled at the fond memories, a little sad about the distance that had grown between her and the friends she was once so close with.
Dulcea stepped back to address the group as a whole.
"To be in harmony with the sacred animal spirits is to have the force of the ninjetti. To those who are Ninjetti, anything is possible." She turned away from them to point out the monolith in the distance. "Now you must travel through the jungle to the monolith, where you will find the great power." The five teens stared in fear. Dulcea smiled. "The strength is inside you, trust it." Kim smiled, drawing comfort from the familiar words. "Your sacred animals will be your guide."
As the teens left the plateau, following behind Kimberly, Dulcea prayed for them.
"May your animal spirits watch over you."