Power Rangers: Galactic Strike Force
Chapter 3: Memories Of The Past Pt. 1
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: October 30, 2005
Genre: Action/Romance
Ships: Tommy/Kim, Billy/Cestria, Pallaton/Rhiannon, Peta/Kaia, Chogan/Kimana, Ashley/Andros, Cassie/T.J, Kendrix/Leo, Maya/Damon, Conner/Kira, and Zhane/Karone with mention of Tommy/Kat
Timeframe: AU, 1 year after Dino Thunder
Setting: Earth, Eltar, Aquitar
Disclaimer: I don't own Tommy, Kim, Billy or any of the characters from the series Power Rangers. I do own the Strike Force characters. PLEASE DON'T SUE!
AN: Ok, just a little back story here. Rhiannon, Kaia, Kimana, Chogan and Pallaton ARE NOT the original bearers of their Ranger colors on their team. There were 2 previous Yellow Rangers, and 1 previous Green, Black, Red and Silver Ranger on the Strike Force team. The original Yellow Ranger died of natural causes. The original Red, Silver, Black and Green Rangers and the second Yellow Ranger were killed by Venjix mere weeks before Andros gathered the Red Rangers for the Forever Red Mission.
"I've learned that things change, people change, and it doesn't mean you forget the past or try to cover it up; it simply means that you move on and treasure the memories. Letting go doesn't mean giving up, it means accepting that some things weren't meant to be." -- Unknown --
January 2003
Eltar
Eltarian Capital Residence
Ranger Wing
"Good morning."
She couldn't help but scowl at him as she entered the dinning room on the lower level of the Ranger Wing of the Capital Residence. Even after years of having a routine of being up at the crack of dawn, she still wasn't a morning person at heart.
"What's so good about it?" she asked, promptly plopping down in her chair. She bit her lip to hide her smile when the blue haired man simply raised an eyebrow at her. "What time did Billy say they'd be arriving, Sani?" she asked the natural born Eltarian.
In the five years they'd been on the Strike Force team together, he had become much more than teammate and friend – he had become like a mentor, a confidant, and a surrogate father, just like Zordon had been.
The maid set down a plate of food in front of her, poured her a glass of juice, and then handed her the data pad that Sani passed over.
"Later this afternoon. Are you ready for the ceremony?" Sani questioned softly, knowing he himself didn't feel ready for what they were about to do.
"No, but I have no choice," she spoke, looking up into Sani's white eyes. "If I'm to stay in the council's good graces, I can't show my emotions on this matter; they aren't like Zordon, they don't understand what the loss of one teammate, let alone five, means to us, to me."
The Blue Ranger nodded. It had been hard on them the last year; the three remaining Strike Force Rangers had had to overcome the grief of losing five teammates – Mika the second Yellow Ranger, Huslu the Red Ranger, Tocho the Green Ranger, Kanga the Black Ranger, and Wauna the Silver Ranger - during the fight with Venjix when they'd found out he'd uncovered the location of Lord Zedd's Zord, Serpentara, not to mention that those deaths had reopened the wounds of the loss of the original Yellow Ranger, Niabi, who had passed away some years before from natural causes.
"Peta and I are with you, Taregan, no matter what you decide to do," Sani told her. She nodded and picked at her breakfast.
"Speaking of Peta, where is he?" she asked, looking for the twenty year old Gold Ranger.
"I believe he took his Ninjetti cycle out to the Temple," Sani told her. "Kimberly?" he asked when her shoulders shook a few times. It wasn't often they used their real names anymore, but he knew that calling her Crane now wouldn't be the best option; she needed a link to her humanity and her life before being a Power Ranger to ground her in the present, to give her strength.
Wiping the tears from doe brown eyes, the Pink Ranger smiled. "I think I'm gonna go join him in a bit, this place is getting too stuffy for me too."
The Gold Ranger, Sani knew, loved the Morphin' Masters Temple grounds almost as much as he did, and so did their Pink Ranger. It was as if they were all brought closer to each other, the morphin' grid, and by extension, Zordon, which is what they needed now more than every.
"May I come with?"
Kimberly smiled. "Of course."
Gardens
Morphin' Masters Main Temple
Eltar
She smiled as she entered the gardens of the Morphin' Master Temple on the outskirts of the capital city. It was serene, stunning, and reminded her of another beloved place – the Temple Of Power.
She knew that Peta was probably near the bird sanctuary; the kid had developed a weird fascination with birds ever since he'd learned his Ninjetti Animal Spirit was an Eagle.
Sani had come with her to the temple, but he'd gone on inside to attend to business he'd been putting off since they had learned the council had chosen new Rangers to join their team. Kimberly was amazed, even to this day, how Sani managed to keep up with not only his duties as the Blue Ranger but his duties as a Morphin' Master Priest.
Taking a deep breath, she moved forward over the bridge that covered the pond surrounding the outside of the temple and walked along the stone path toward a spot near and dear to her heart.
It was like taking a trip back in time for the Pink Ranger; the path she'd chosen took her to the back of the gardens, to a hidden alcove. This alcove was nearly identical to the steps in which she, Billy, and the other original Earth Ninjetti had stood on when Ninjor had told them what their animals spirits were years before.
She closed her eyes as she stepped onto the stone ledge she favored most; it was in the same position as the one she'd first stood on. For a moment, her heart lurched into her throat. Memories of times long past surged forward, making her choke back a small sob and tears. She'd lost so many teammates, more so than any living Ranger to date, whether it be to death, or simply to having to give up their powers.
Carefully, she used her training and opened herself to the others she shared a bond with. She readily felt Billy; she knew he was hurt and worried about her and the others. That was expected. She could kinda feel Aisha, Rocky and Adam; they were so far away though, so it was very faint. She didn't even try to feel the White Falcon, she knew better than to go there. However, she did feel the slight tug on her powers from the only other person to have had Ninjetti powers – Katherine. Like Rocky, Adam and Aisha, it was a faint tug, but it was there just the same. They were sisters in spirit, even after all this time.
"Taregan?" Peta's strong voice called out.
Quickly and quietly, the Pink Ranger dashed from her personal haven and headed for the path. She found Peta standing not far from the entrance to this part of the garden, looking for her.
"What?"
"It's time."
Capital Residence
Ranger Wing
Billy and Cestria's Quarters
Billy wasn't looking forward to the following ceremony any more than the Strike Force Rangers were. It was a hard lesson to learn – never before had a Ranger died in battle, and in the course of one single battle, five of them had perished. Billy remembered the anguish in her voice when she ordered the others to retreat; the last time he'd heard that much emotion in her had been during the loss of her Morphin' powers some years before.
"Billy?" Cestria asked, coming to stand with him at the window of their shared quarters in the Ranger Wing.
"Hmm?"
"It is going to be alright," she whispered, wrapping her arm around his waist and laying her head on his shoulder. In public, Aquitians were known not to show much emotion, but behind closed doors was another matter, especially when your significant other was human, one of the most emotional of all humanoid beings.
The former Blue Morphin' Ranger didn't respond verbally, he merely moved his arm to wrap around her shoulders and leaned his head on hers. "I'm worried about her."
"She is fine," Cestria told him, her faith in the Pink Ranger stronger than in almost any other. "I have never known a stronger, more capable woman than your Kimberly. If any could overcome what she has, with the strength, faith, and perseverance she has shown, then I know not of them." Billy turned his head a bit and smiled at her, which told her it was alright to continue what she had to say. "They will get through this, because there is nothing more trying than what they are experiencing. It will make them better people for having gone through it."
"Being a Ranger is a lifetime commitment, Cestria," Billy started, only to be shushed by her fingers touching his lips.
"I know that. I have grown up with, trained with, and lived with a group of Rangers my entire life. I know the sacrifices that must be made, I know the hard work, the sweat, the tears that must be put forth and aside to accomplish what they accomplish on a daily bases," she told him, fire in her eyes. She remembered all too keenly the deaths of many of the Aquitian Rangers before the current team had taken over. "Loosing a teammate is never easy, especially when you are emotionally close to that teammate. They have each other, and us, to lean on. They will survive this, and welcome their new teammates with open arms, for that is the way all Zordon's Rangers have been."
Billy laughed softly and pecked a kiss to her cheek. "You cease to amaze me, you know that?"
The sudden chiming that rang out from the halls startled both of them. "Come, it is time." With one last hug, the two parted and then made their way out into the hall and down to the main level of the wing.
Eltarian Capital City
Parliament Building
The royal family of Eltar sat at the head of the council meeting room, on a makeshift stage, to preside over the ceremony that was about to take place.
Every member of the Alliance of Peace Council sat in their assigned positions, to watch the proceedings. The Space, Aquitian, and Lost Galaxy Rangers sat in a special section reserved for them, while the families of the five people about to become the newest Strike Force Rangers sat near the Eltarian Royal Family.
One of the guards thumped his staff three times and then began. "Announcing the arrival of the Morphin' Masters Council!" he bellowed, quieting everyone as the double doors swung open and a group of ten priests and priestesses entered, each wearing a navy colored robe that covered their identities. They gathered before the royal family and each sank to a knee.
"Announcing the arrival of the Galactic Strike Force Power Rangers!" the guard roared again, this time four figures dressed in black entering. Each individual was covered by a ninja uniform, the only significant difference was in the piping of their suits – one was gold, one was a light blue, one was a dark blue, and the last was pink. The four converged at the head of the room where the Morphin' Masters and Royal Family stood or sat. Quickly and quietly, the four took up positions opposite the Morphin' Masters and waited.
"Announcing the arrival of Ninjor, Keeper of the Temple of Power, and his novice Ninjetti!" the guard announced. Ninjor and his five, black dressed ninjas moved as one unit toward the front of the room.
The King of Eltar stood, his voice ringing out to start the ceremony. "We are gathered here today to welcome these five individuals into the legacy that was started by Zordon of Eltar eons ago. Ninjor, you have trained these five individuals for the last six months, are they ready?"
Ninjor bowed, and when he stood he replied, "Yes your Majesty; they are trained in the way of the Ninjetti, and are fully aware of the roles they are being asked to take."
"Very well. Morphin' Masters," the King prompted.
The ten began to chant in a language that no one save Sani understood, and began to gesture for the Strike Force team, which included Billy, to move to join the five newcomers. They all gathered in a circle, two of the new Rangers between each of the originals while a priest or priestess stood behind each Ranger, and then in the center of the circle stood one Priest, one Priestess, Ninjor and Billy, who was wearing the black suit with light blue piping.
As the chant went on and on, rings of light began to appear around the assembled group, causing many of the spectators to gasp softly. The rings became colored – dark blue, gold, silver, red, green, black, yellow, light blue, pink, and white – and then each of the rings of light began to loop around a specific person. Kimberly was soon surrounded by a ribbon of pink and white, Sani by dark blue and white, Peta by gold and white, Billy by light blue and white, and each of the others by one color and the white.
The Morphin' Masters stopped chanting and Ninjor continued, repeating the same chant he had when he'd first given Billy and Kimberly their ninja powers. When the Master Warrior was finished, each of the figures in black soon had colored piping on their suits. The Morphin' Masters Council exited the circle and stepped back, while Kimberly, Sani and Peta joined Billy and Ninjor, each taking the hands of those next to them so that they were joined together. Peta stood between Ninjor and Billy, Sani between Ninjor and Kimberly, and Kimberly and Billy next to one another.
The five began to chant in the ancient language, and suddenly a burst of light flared and then revealed an ancient, carved, wooden chest floating in the middle of their circle. They dropped hands and Ninjor stepped forward and took possession of the chest. He opened it, and moved to each of the four around him, allowing them to lift a silver object from the velvet cushion. When Ninjor had passed all but one out, he lifted the last out then allowed the chest to disappear. Nodding, the five turned in unison and neared the newest Ranger close to them.
Ninjor spoke first, as he stood in front of the female dressed in black and yellow. "Inquisitive and eager, you are the yYellow Butterfly, and shall be known from now on as Kimana."
The young lady dipped her head slightly and accepted the silver object from Ninjor. Turning, Ninjor neared Peta as he stood with the young man in black and green.
"Protective and strong, you are the Green Ram, and from now on will be known as Pallaton." The young man in green accepted the silver object that Peta handed him.
Again, Ninjor moved, only this time to where Sani and another young woman stood. "Regal and wise, you are the Silver Lioness, and from here on out will be known as Rhiannon." The young woman gingerly accepted the object Sani handed her before moving to join the two who had already been spoken to.
This time, Ninjor stopped in front of the young man Billy was standing in front of. "Carefree and energetic, you are the Black Hawk, and will be known as Chogan."
Last but not least, the attention shifted to Kimberly and the young woman wearing black and red. Ninjor stopped before them, and stood quietly for a few moments. "Lithe and majestic, you are the Red Fox, and you will be known as Kaia from now on."
Kimberly's stance was unaffected, but both, the newly named fox, Kaia, and Ninjor, saw the look of shock that jumped into Kimberly's eyes when a spark ran between her and Kaia as she handed the new Ranger the silver object.
"The objects you have been presented with are your power morphers, which will allow you to morph into your Ranger uniforms," Ninjor instructed the five new Rangers. "To call on your powers, merely say your planet name, your Ranger color, and your animal spirit, followed by the words Ranger and Power. Please, follow Taregan's lead."
Nodding, Kimberly waited until she, Sani and Peta were standing in a small pyramid before their new teammates. "EARTH PINK CRANE RANGER POWER!"
"ELTAR BLUE ELEPHANT RANGER POWER!"
"ALPHA CENTARI GOLD EAGLE RANGER POWER!"
The five new Rangers gasped when their new teammates suddenly suited up. Quietly, the five grouped together, Kaia taking the lead with Chogan and Pallaton flanking her and Rhiannon and Kimana flanking them.
"EDENOIR RED FOX RANGER POWER!"
"KO-35 BLACK HAWK RANGER POWER!"
"MIRINOI GREEN RAM RANGER POWER!"
"LIARIA YELLOW BUTTERFLY RANGER POWER!"
"TRIFORIA SILVER LIONESS RANGER POWER!"
There was thunderous applause as the five were instantly suited up in colored uniforms that matched that of other three Rangers.
The helmets were all the same basic shape, except the visors displayed each Ranger's specific animal spirit. The suits were very similar to those of the Morphin' Rangers, except instead of white diamonds they were adorned with white stars. They each wore gloves and boots that were white with stars adorning them in their Ranger color, and on their belts were their morphers, each equipped with a tiny, colored crystal that was embossed with their animal spirit.
"Congratulations, Rangers," the King of Eltar spoke, standing from his sitting position. "You have now become a part of a great legacy, and we expect to see great things out of you. But remember, others have come before you, and they have done great things, you must remember the sacrifices they made so that you could become part of the Power Ranger legacy."
The five new Rangers nodded and bowed to the King and his family before turning to Ninjor. "Your leader is the Pink Crane. She shall see to your training, but for now, go with your new teammates and get acquainted."
Turning as one, the eight Strike Force Rangers and Billy moved from the room, the Space, Aquitian, and Lost Galaxy Rangers and Triforia's Gold Ranger following.
I just wanted to give you a quick look into the past of the Strike Force Rangers, and how their current incarnation came to be. There will be other chapters, as the name of this one implies, where we take a quick trip back to see how the team bonded after getting their powers. The next chapter will be more in the present with Tommy and the others planning to rescue Kim and Jason, plus a few surprises!
