Chronicles of Atlantis: Children of the Gods

Title: Chronicles of Atlantis: Children of the Gods
Author: kazeko
Chapters: 22
Show: Power Rangers
Rating: R
Series: yes
Time: 1.5-2 years after Turbo, moved to January 2001, all of the original rangers are about 20 (except Kimberly & Tommy), Dulcea was the one who gave the rangers their Ninjetti powers, and no PRDT, whenever it was supposed to happen.
Disclaimer: Saban & Disney own the Power Rangers and they really oughta' consider releasing MMPR on DVD boxed sets so some of us can actually see all of the episodes instead of having to read online summaries.
Disclaimer 2: Everything that isn't Power Rangers (the crystals, the people of Uranus and Atlantis, and the history of Atlantis) belong to me and me alone. No stealing.

Chapter 2: Reunions

"Billy!" The former Blue Ranger groaned as his friends mobbed him, acting for all the world like teenagers again. Jason and Rocky pounced, the former coming to Billy's house from a session of training kids at Rocky's dojo, Tommy walking quietly behind them. After his short-lived racing career, Tommy became a karate instructor and toured dojos near Angel Grove and Stone Canyon, sometimes going as far away as Colorado, working for anyone he felt like, including Jason and Rocky, moving on when he got bored. Kat had been shocked to learn that the man who had once been her boyfriend was a freelance karate instructor, but she supposed that a lot had changed since graduation. A lot had changed since they ceased to be Power Rangers.

Her thoughts flew to Kim as Jason and Rocky greeted her, both former Red Rangers grinning like fools. The third ex-Red shook her hand, his brown eyes glazed and lacking the warmth and emotion she had come to associate with the leader of the Power Rangers. She glanced at Billy, but the genius shook his head. He'd explain later.

A soft cough spun the five rangers around, and Jason leapt forward to embrace Trini and Zack. "I missed you guys! How's Switzerland?"

"It hasn't changed since you left," Trini laughed as Jason moved to Zack, the latter of which raised his hands.

"Whoa, Jase. Hold on there. No need to be so enthusiastic. It's nice to see you guys again." His eyes searched the crowd as he smiled at Billy, Tommy, and Rocky. He smiled kindly at Kat, but he had no idea who she was, despite the remains of pink in her clothing that she had never been able to shake. "Um, Billy, is everyone here?"

"Except Adam and Tanya, yes."

"Aisha?"

"She went to Africa and stayed there when we found the shards of the Zeo Crystal," Rocky answered. "As of four days ago when Tanya and Adam called me and said that they spoke to Aisha, she hadn't been summoned. Zordon and Alpha have this theory that none of the Power Rangers power residue remains with her, so she wasn't identified in this quest. She's happy there, though. If she is suddenly called, she'll come."

"Kimberly was a Power Ranger longer than any of us except Billy and maybe Tommy. Why isn't she here?"

Billy hung his head as all eyes turned to him, expectant. "I don't know," he whispered. "None of us have talked to her since the Christmas after she left. We sent letters . . . but I have no idea if she was even called. Neither does Zordon."

Silence reigned in the yard, none of them able to meet anyone else's eyes. Trini spoke first, breaking the tension. "I'm sure she'll come if she's needed. She was always there when we needed her, whether we deserved her love or not." She walked up to Kat, a smile lighting her face. "You must be Katherine. Billy mentioned you when I called. I hear you were the second Pink Ranger."

Katherine nodded, taking Trini's hand. "Call me Kat. It's nice to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you from these guys."

Zack stepped forward and quickly introduced himself, unwilling to be left out. As the rest of the group swarmed around the new arrivals and old friends from Switzerland, Jason pulled Tommy to one side. "What's wrong, Tommy? You were a little off today when I watched you in Rocky's dojo, and you don't seem to be the same person I knew a few years ago."

Tommy shook his head. "It's nothing, bro. I've been wandering for a long time now, and it's a little strange to come back here. I never planned on returning."

"None of us did, but that can't be the reason. What have you been up to?"

"I was just wandering. I visited David's tribe, but I didn't belong there. I visited my adopted parents' families, but I didn't belong there. I've been to dozens of cities and towns in thirteen states, doing whatever, but I don't belong anywhere. It's like I'm not even from this planet." Tommy sighed and ran his fingers through his long hair, staring at it as the color stirred a memory. "I was camping in the woods not far from Stone Canyon when this man walked into the firelight, dressed in traditional Native American garb. He had long hair so dark brown it almost looked black, save for the mahogany highlights. His eyes were amber gold, which I remember thinking was very strange and very cat-like. He just sat down, staring at me, and he smiled. He called himself Warrior of the Lion, and his headdress was made of long orange and gold feathers hanging to his shoulders. He told me that the time had come for me to return to my friends and discover my true home. He said that I would find where I belong if I would embrace my spirit guide and become the warrior I ceased to be long, long ago. Then I blinked and he was gone. The only thing he left behind was this." Tommy reached into his pocket and pulled out a quarter-sized black opal carved in the shape of a heart, glinting in the light. It was flawless, perfect, reminding both men of the night sky, and it was obviously very valuable. "The only friends I could find were Rocky and Billy, here in Angel Grove. So I came."

Jason's eyes were wide. "I met a man with long, dark hair highlighted by mahogany and cat-like amber eyes. He walked into the dojo where I work wearing regular street clothes. He watched me until I finished, then he followed me outside and introduced himself as a friend of the Power Rangers. He told me that all of the warriors of Zordon were needed and that I had to return to Angel Grove without delay. He told me that the first Red Ranger and the only human Gold Ranger had to be there. So I came, wondering if I would see any of you guys."

"Gold eyes?" Jason suddenly realized that all eyes had turned to him as silence filled the yard. He gestured for everyone to enter Billy's house, refusing to answer Zack's question until they were all seated in the living room, drinks and light snacks in their hands.

Jason looked around the circle of ex-Rangers, taking charge as he had long, long ago. Tommy wasn't ready yet to lead. "Who here met a man with long, dark brown hair highlighted in mahogany and gold eyes?" Every hand went up. "Okay. Tommy met him in the woods near Stone Canyon and I met him in my friend's dojo. Rocky?"

"He was at this tree planting project the High School was sponsoring. I was helping out a little, and I saw him with the newly planted saplings. It was weird—I could have sworn I saw him talking to them. I think his ears were pointed, just a bit. I introduced myself when we stopped to eat, and he just smiled. 'I already know you, Rocky DeSantos, second Red and Blue Ranger,' he said. I was sure somebody heard, but I guess not. He pointed at the sun, which was overhead at the time, and told me that in five sun-passes my life would return to the pace to which I was accustomed. He told me to expect the signs and be ready to put my mundane life on hold for the sake of the Rangers. Before I could say anything or even ask his name, he disappeared into the grove of trees. There were little plants growing where he had walked. The next day, Tanya called me from Africa and said she met an African chief dressed in traditional lion spirit garb who told her to come back to Angel Grove. She didn't seem surprised that he knew about her life as a Ranger."

Trini decided to speak for herself and Zack. "We were at this reception for the newest ambassador and Zack and I ran into a young man who fits the description of your guide leaning against the wall in the garden, seemingly waiting for us. He was wearing a gem-heavy suit that vaguely reminded me of Indian dress clothes. We started a conversation about flowers, and he mentioned that every flower blooms and dies, but some of them return after the passing of seasons. He said that the Power Rangers were like that, and that even the first ones might be needed in Angel Grove. Before we could ask what he meant, he left, and I called Billy to ask what we should do. He said that Tanya and Adam had already called from Africa and were returning to California, so we decided to come, too. And here we are."

Billy and Kat were the only ones left, so Kat decided to take her turn. "I was doing a ballet in Vienna, and I always try to meet the audience afterwards. It helps my German. Anyway, one of the men was tall with long brown hair and gold eyes. The way he moved reminded me of Kimberly. I think he was a gymnast." The other Rangers nodded at her observation, having sensed the similarity but having failed to place it. "He congratulated me, saying that agility and grace were qualities of a fine warrior. He told me that all of the Warriors of Power had returned to the Home of my Spirit and that I should, too. So here I am."

"This man dressed in a business suit came to my house about the same time he visited Jason, Tommy, and Rocky. He had a briefcase with him, and he talked about a few of my inventions. I didn't think there was anything strange, but when he left, he said 'once a Ninjetti, always a Ninjetti. Good luck, Warrior of the Wolf.' Then he walked away, and I realized that he had left his case. It contained files on each of the Rangers through Ninja, even Aisha, though there was a note about the time difference, and an animal picture was on each one. Many of them had a few animals, as if there was doubt, and there were colors on each file. The colors also seemed to be a guess. I showed them to Zordon, and he told me to wait until the Rangers return. He has the case now, and we'll go see them when Tanya and Adam arrive."

"Until then?"

"Until then, Zack, I suggest we catch up on old times. What have you guys been up to?"

As the friends began to relate the tale of their lives over the past few years, they noticed the absence of Tanya, Aisha, and Adam, but something more seemed to drain the energy from the room until all conversation ceased. While the others were sitting beside each other on the couches, Tommy sat alone on the smallest couch, the loveseat Billy's father had given him in hopes that he would one day have a girlfriend. The former White Ranger stared at the empty seat beside him, eyes filled with emotion. "I miss her," he whispered. "I wish she had been called."

"She has been my best friend since we were little kids," Billy murmured. "No one else would talk to me, but she didn't care that I was a geek. She liked me for who I was."

Jason and Zack nodded as Trini wiped her eyes. "She was my best friend, and becoming Power Rangers just brought us closer. One of the hardest things about going to the Peace Conference was seeing the tears in Kim's eyes as she said goodbye."

"She always made you feel welcome," Rocky whispered. "I don't know a guy in High School who didn't want to date her."

Kat smiled and shook her head, tears in her blue eyes. "I came here evil, Rita's servant, and all Kim ever wanted to do was be my friend. I stole her powers, almost got her killed, and she handed her Power Coin to me, entrusted me with her powers and her friends. She never thought twice about making me the second Pink Ranger. I could never have forgiven me if our positions were reversed, but she was incapable of hate. She never held a grudge. I didn't deserve her friendship."

"I was evil, too, and she never cared. I tried to kill her and all of the Rangers as well as Zordon, and she never cared. When I was free of Rita's spell, she was there to welcome me to the team. When I lost my powers, she was there, offering me her love and helping me through one of the toughest times of my life. When I lost my powers the second time, I almost gave in to the depression, but she saved me again. I still remember the day Zordon made me the White Ranger and you five were gathered to meet me. I couldn't wait to see the expression on Kim's face. When she fainted, it was priceless."

"She fainted when she found out that you were the White Ranger? This I gotta hear."

Rocky nodded in agreement as the Rangers who hadn't been there leaned forward, eager for the story. They spent the rest of the night talking about the pink ranger who should have been there.

To be continued