Disclaimer: Saban owns the lot, you know the drill. Okay, so I'm sitting there listening to Savage Garden on the stereo, just thinking about everyday stuff and then I realized that I never really finished off my Broken Dreams mini-series. I could seriously sit here and do another dozen or so stories or I could just do one last one to finish the series up. On a personal note, the response and support from everyone at board about my recent surgery and situation has been fantastic. This one's for you guys. Mouse.
Set three years after Countdown to Destruction.
Broken Dreams 4- The Gathering of Heroes.
By Mouse.
It was time.
Every year since the invasion by Dark Spectre's forces, all the former Rangers of Earth got together to remember the good times, and the bad. Mainly they got together to remember the ultimate sacrifice that Zordon had made for them.
His life.
*~*
I believe that the sun should not set upon an argument
I believe that we place our happiness in other people's hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you
I believe that your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self-esteem
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone.
The blue and white Mac trucked turned into the car park and found a spot where it didn't block any other traffic. It's trailer being left behind so that it would be easier to park. Two figures hopped down out of the cab, the later making sure it was locked before picking up the basket he had with him.
Will Cranston, former Blue Ranger, smiled at Kim Hart as she brought another basket around to him. Since her return to Angel Grove some months ago they had been seeing each other as much as Will's schedule would allow. It was becoming a forgone conclusion amongst their friends that they were going to start seriously dating soon. Smiling they waved back at the enthusiastic greeting Tanya was giving them. They quickly walked over and joined all the other former rangers. Jason walked over to the pair, grinning like an idiot.
"About time you two got here, what took you so long?" He glanced from one to the other and was rewarded with a blush from Will and he decided to spare his friend. "Never mind. You're here now, let's get this picnic underway." They laughed and walked over to everyone else, returning greetings and hugs galore.
*~*
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got unitl you say goodbye.
I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe that your most attractive features and your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold.
Will Cranston looked around at his friends as he sipped his coke. He laughed with the others as they watched Rocky, Zhane and Zack all try to out do one another in pulling the most outrageous stunt. The three former pink rangers –Kim, Kat and Cassie were all making sure that the food was put out and ready for them. Kat looked well despite her recent surgery and was, on all accounts, adjusting to what had happened. Jason, Tom and Andros were all talking shop – ranger business thought Will as he watched Jason describe with his hand what looked like one of his early battles. Adam was taking Carlos and TJ through what looked like a difficult kata but the three of them looked like they were enjoying themselves. Trini, Ashley and Karone were busy bringing extra refreshments and some sports gear from Trini's car. Every year they usually ended up playing a friendly game of volleyball, to see who would win. Just then Will felt a familiar presence behind him and turned to find Aisha watching him.
"Penny for your thoughts" he grinned at her and patted the bench for her to join him.
"When did you get in?"
"About an hour ago, came straight here."
"You should have called, I would have come and picked you up."
"I know. I wanted to surprise you all. How are you?"
"Good. You?"
"Good. What were you thinking about just then? You looked pretty out of it."
"Just thinking how life turns out you know. I mean, look at me. Here everyone thought I was going into computers and be a scientist or something, and here I am, driving a rig."
"Well, you only have to ask yourself one thing Will,"
"And that would be?"
"Are you happy?" He thought about that for a moment and then smiled at his friend.
"Yeah, you know what. I am."
*~*
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones to disagree are millionaires.
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye.
It was twilight and all the former rangers had gathered around the fire they had built on the small bit of beach in the park by the lake. Every year at this time they came together to remember Zordon and his sacrifice, and more importantly, the came together to rejoice in the just plain happiness of being alive. Everyone looked to the three former Red Rangers. Tom, Jason and Andros – three leaders that had seen and done just about everything a Ranger could do. As one they stepped forward, Jason going first. It was fast becoming a tradition that each former ranger shared what they had learned from Zordon.
"Zordon chose all of us to be Rangers. He choose well and wisely. You have all turned out to be the best friends and companions I could have. We never let one another down; we were always there for one another, as was Zordon. He taught me that I can always rely on my friends, that no matter what, they will be there for me." Tom placed his hand on Jason's shoulder and smiled as he stepped forward.
"Zordon taught me that I have inner strength, that I can overcome any obstacle, because I was on the side of good. He taught me the value of being at peace with oneself and never refusing help when it was offered." He stepped back and Andros walked forward.
"Zordon told me once that I wasn't alone, that I would always have someone as long as I had him. He showed me that I could accept help from outsiders and that I could trust again. That wasn't easy for me but I always knew he would be there for me." TJ and Rocky stepped forward as one. They were former Red Rangers as well, but hadn't been them as long as the others. They looked at one another and then grinned. TJ went first.
"Zordon showed me that I can believe in myself. I can be a hero and always be there for my friends."
"He showed me that no matter what I showed on the outside, it was the inside that counted. No matter how many pranks I pulled on him." This brought a round of laughter, as Rocky's pranks were legendary among the Rangers. Adam stepped forward.
"He taught me that Honor and Friendship are the two things that a person should never be without." He stepped back and Carlos stepped forward.
"He showed me that I can learn to trust my fellow man, and sometimes, they will surprise you in the most unexpected ways." Justin stepped forward and looked around at the older rangers. He had arrived just in time for the fire.
"He taught me age and size doesn't matter, it's what's inside that counts." He received hearty nods and words of encouragement. Cassie stepped forward and looked around at her friends.
"Above all, friendship and trust are what makes a Ranger strong." With those words she stepped back and Ashley stepped forward. The former yellow space ranger walked with a small limp, having broken her ankle a couple of weeks before.
"No matter what the odds, or the situation. He was there for us, no matter what." Trini stepped forward and looked around at her friends.
"When I was chosen to go to Switzerland with Jason and Zack, it was the hardest thing I had ever had to do. Not only was I leaving my friends, and my fellow rangers. But I was leaving the one person who I had come to look up to as a surrogate father, someone who, no matter what, would always be there for me." She stepped back and Tanya stepped forward.
"He greeted a stranger with a kind word and then made her feel like a daughter. Anyone would have been proud to have a father like him." They all smiled at her and then Kat stepped forward. Her pronounced accent ringing out.
"He took someone who had tried to destroy him and made her feel welcome. A stranger in a strange land and he forgave me, you all did. That meant more to me than anything else that happened to me." She stepped back and Tom gave her a hug, he was proud of his Australian wife. Aisha stepped forward and smiled at everyone.
"He taught me, that above all else, what makes a hero is someone who is willing to put it all on the line for what they believe in, that's also what makes a great friendship." She stepped back as murmurs of agreement went around the circle. Zhane and Karone stepped forward together and looked around.
"I speak for both of us when I say that no matter what, he taught us never to give up hope." Stepping back they were greeted with nods of understanding. Zack stepped forward for his turn.
"You can never know how deep a friendship is until someone puts his life on the line for you. Zordon taught me that I could do that without hesitation, and know that my friends would do the same for me." Kim stepped forward and gave him a quick hug.
"No matter what, we were always there for one another, and always will be. Come hell or high water." She stepped back and everyone looked expectantly at Will, waiting for him to say the words that signaled it was time to have a moments silence in respect.
*~*
I believe that forgiveness is the key to your unhappiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorsee TV Evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye
Will stepped forward and smiled at his friends. He looked at each in turn and understood that each of them would always be there for one another, no matter what life threw at them. Be it major health problems, financial, emotional or anything else. Scattered around the country as they were, they were all united in the one fact that, whether they wanted to believe it or not, they were heroes. Each and every one of them.
"We are one. We are united here because we believe in what we fought for those many years. Zordon taught us that. He taught us all, that hope, faith and friendship are what keep us going. No matter where we go, what we do. We are Power Rangers." He stuck out his hand and everyone else stepped forward and did the same. As one they looked at each other and with a smile they all shouted as they jumped in the air
"POWER RANGERS!"
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye
The End.
Author's Note: The song is Affirmation, by that great Australian Group, Savage Garden. As before, if you would like copies of any of the songs I have used, please email me and I'll only be too happy to send you a copy. Mouse.
