Title: Reclaiming His Crane
Author: Mykkila09
Chapter: 4 of 5
Chapter Title: The Dragon's 'Hart'
Settings: during ZEO and then TURBO; starts out with that atrocious episode, "There's No Business like Snow Business" and that God-awful letter and ends with T: APRM.
Story Summary: Tommy gets the letter and after thinking things over, he decides not to let things end that way and to follow his heart. This story is more like a series of connected one-shots.
Chapter Summary: After dealing with everything that happened with Danny, Tommy and Kim move on with their lives, but soon find out that a ranger's life, former or not, comes with its own set of problems as the Machine Empire makes a move against the rangers.
Chapter Word Count: 8,939
A/N: So sorry for the long wait you guys; I've been going through some medical problems and then, when I finally started getting better, my sister ended up in the hospital and gave birth to her baby (his name's Dionté), so time has been spent getting him settled. Two-three weeks ago I finally re-started on working on my stories. This chapter was supposed to be posted over the weekend gone, but it wasn't ready in time, but now it is. Again, so very sorry for the long wait and I hope you guys like it. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Power Rangers and all its affiliates belong to Haim Saban; no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. If you didn't get that...I do NOT own and I am NOTmaking any money off of this.
'Thinking'
"Speaking"
O.P.D.: Wednesday 17th August, '11
The next morning found Tommy in Kim's hospital room, his head resting on the side of the bed while his left hand was holding on to both of hers. A noise drew him out of his sleep and he looked up and saw a nurse at the other side of Kim's bed.
"Sorry to wake you," the nurse smiled apologetically. "I just need to check her vitals."
Tommy sat up with a yawn. "How is she doing?"
"She's doing good," the nurse smiled at him. "Her vitals are still stable, so it's safe to say she should be awakening soon."
"And brain damage?" Tommy asked.
"I doubt there's any," the nurse replied, "but when she wakes up, we'll know for sure."
"Alright," Tommy nodded. He watched as the nurse left the room before turning back to Kim. He bent over and kissed her forehead before getting up from his seat, grabbing the gym bag that was under the chair and headed to the bathroom. After they had brought Kim to her room, he had waited until the others had left before he teleported back home; he had let the others know what was going on and had told his parents he would be sleeping over at Billy's—which was perfect since Billy's dad was out of town for the next two weeks—and the others had done the same. After packing his gym bag, he had teleported back down.
Changing out of his clothes, Tommy took a quick shower before heading back to Kim's side. He had just sat down when she started groaning.
"Kim?" he grabbed her hand and leaned forward. "Come on Beautiful, it's time to wake up."
She groaned again, but this time, she opened her eyes and shifted her head to look at him. "T-Tommy?"
"Yeah Beautiful," Tommy smiled through his tears. "It's me."
Kim closed her eyes briefly before opening them. "What," she licked her lips and spoke slower. "What happened?"
"What do you remember?" Tommy asked instead on answering. "Do you know where you are?"
Kim looked at him, her eyes curious, as her mind searched through her memory. "I—the last thing I remember is Alex and shouting and you." She moved her gaze from him and looked around the room. "Am I in the hospital?"
"Yeah, you're in the hospital," Tommy nodded, "you were kidnapped by Danny and Alex. We found you yesterday. Alex took you to his house and had you in his basement."
Memories flew through Kim's mind and she closed her eyes as they assaulted her. After a few minutes, she reopened her eyes and looked at her boyfriend. "I remember. What about, what about Alex and D-Danny?"
"They were arrested," Tommy replied.
Kim's body relaxed in relief before she tensed once more and looked at Tommy with panicked eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Tommy laughed. "It's fine. My parents think I'm sleeping over at Billy's, because the others are sleeping over there as a cover. Luckily, his dad is out of town and won't be back for about two weeks."
"Oh, ok," Kim smiled at him.
"I am so glad you're ok Kim," Tommy said, becoming serious as he grabbed Kim's hand. "I was scared when I got the call from Denise telling me what happened."
"I was scared too," Kim admitted softly, shifting on the bed to face him better. "When Alex was taunting me about everything he was going to do to me..." she shivered as she remembered his words. "I knew you'd find me, but I wasn't sure how or what shape I would be in when you did."
"I almost killed him," Tommy reached out to brush her hair from her face. "Him and Danny; when I figured out that Danny was involved with your being kidnapped," he closed his eyes briefly, "Kim, I was so angry and full of rage; I haven't felt like that since—
"Since you were under Rita's spell," Kim finished for him.
"Yeah," Tommy nodded, "they had to pull me off of him—him and Alex."
Kim squeezed his hand as she listened to him; she could imagine how he had felt as she was sure she would've felt and reacted the same way.
"I think I could've killed them both," Tommy admitted softly. "I was so into my anger that I think I could've done it."
"No," Kim shook her head, "you wouldn't have."
"Kim—
"Tommy," she cut him off. "I get that you were beyond angry—green ranger pissed—but I know you and I know that no matter how angry you were, you wouldn't have killed either one of them." She reached out a hand to cup his cheek. "You're just not that kind of guy."
Tommy stared at her for a few seconds before he leaned into her touch and smiled. "I love you...so much."
"I love you too," Kim smiled in response.
The opening of the door drew their attention from each other. The doctor walked in and he smiled when he saw Kim awake.
"Ms. Hart," he walked over to her bed and checked her vitals. "It's good to see you awake. How do you feel?"
"Like I went a few rounds with Tyson," Kim said.
"Well," the doctor chuckled as he pulled a penlight from his pocket. "At least you still have your ears. Follow the light." He shined the light in her eyes and smiled in approval when he saw them dilate in response. "Good. Headache?"
"Not really," Kim answered, "just a slight pounding."
"Ok," the doctor nodded, "I'll have the nurse bring you some painkiller."
"So can she go home?" Tommy asked as he looked at the doctor.
"I want her to stay just for a couple of hours," the doctor said, "to make sure there isn't any problems and if everything looks ok in, say," he looked at his watch, "an hour or so, then yes, she's free to go."
"Thank you," Kim smiled.
"You're welcome," the doctor said before he left the room. The door had barely closed before it opened again to reveal Denise and Antonio.
"Kimberly," Denise smiled when she saw her friend and roommate. "You're awake."
"Hey Dee," Kim smiled as she relaxed against her pillow.
"How are you?" Denise asked as she sat on the bed near Tommy.
"I'm good," Kim answered, "the doctor said I'll be released in an hour or two."
"That's good," Antonio smiled. "I'm glad to hear it."
"Me too," Denise smiled, "I'm so glad you're ok Kim."
"So am I," Kim grinned, "so tell me, what have I missed?"
"Well," Denise started.
Tommy sat in his chair and watched the two girls interact. He knew he had to contact the others to let them know about Kim, but that would have to wait. He was content right now with just having Kim to himself.
~...~
Later that afternoon, after Kim was released from the hospital, she and Tommy made their way to the police station; they wanted to confront Danny and Alex and find out why they did what they did and what was going to happen to them.
"Officer Cain," Tommy called out when he spotted the man as he and Kim walked into the building.
"Mr. Oliver," Cain stopped and walked over to the two of them. "It's good to see you out of the hospital Ms. Hart."
"Thank you," Kim smiled, "it's good to be out."
"What are you guys doing here?" Cain asked as he led them over to his desk.
"Danny and Alex," Tommy answered. "What's going to happen to them?"
"Well," Cain sat down and gestured for them to take a seat. "They're going to be processed and then they're going to be locked away for a good while."
"Will there be a trial?" Kim asked; as bad as it sounded, she really hoped not. She didn't think she could deal with seeing either one again.
"Normally," Cain leaned forward, "yes, but both boys were caught red-handed. They'll be taken to court, but that'll be for sentencing and it won't require a jury or anything like that. It'll just be them and the judge."
"Did they say why they took Kim?" Tommy asked. "Did Alex say why he helped Danny? I mean, you'd have to be nuts to help someone do something like this."
Cain nodded. "Apparently, a few years ago, Alex was in some trouble and Danny helped him under the condition that'd he owe him, so Danny collected on his favour."
"But then Alex decided to betray Danny and took me for himself," Kim concluded with a shaky breath.
"But thanks to your boyfriend here," Cain nodded to Tommy, "we found you before he could do any permanent damage."
Kim looked at Tommy, silently wondering what he had done.
Interpreting the look correctly, Tommy smiled and lifted the wrist that held her communicator. "Your bracelet; I had our friends and mentor track you through it."
Her eyes lit up in understanding and she nodded and smiled at him. "I'm glad I decided to wear then." She turned back to Officer Cain. "So, there's nothing you need me to do?"
"No," Cain shook his head, "unless you want to see either one of them?"
Kim bit her lip and thought on his question. She felt Tommy squeeze her hand and squeezed his back in reply. "No, I don't. As far as I'm concerned, if I never see either one of them again, it's okay with me."
"Then the case is basically closed," Cain told her.
Kim closed her eyes in relief before she reopened them to smile gratefully at Cain. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Cain smiled back.
"Well we'll go then," Tommy said and stood up—Kim and Cain following suit—and he held out his free hand to the cop to shake. "Thanks for everything."
"No problem," Cain shook his hand. "Have a good day."
"You too," Kim replied, "bye."
The two turned and left the station, feeling lighter than when they had entered.
~...~
It was now August, three months since Kim's kidnapping and things had moved along. After much talking over with Tommy, she had decided to continue her training in Florida. Tommy had headed back to Angel Grove for good about two days after they had left the police station.
Kim found that she was much more relaxed and free than she had been before and that made her more focused and determined. Her gymnastics improved greatly and she was beyond happy for it.
As for the rangers, things had moved along for them as well; the rangers had gotten a new ranger. A being from Triforia—a distant planet—name King Trey had come to Earth to seek help from Zordon. What had shocked the rangers was that the man had been split into three parts and he needed to pass on his powers. To their surprise, Jason had been chosen and he had received the powers of the Gold Ranger.
Things were looking up for everybody and for once, things seem to be going well for the rangers...a little too well.
~...~
As was the norm, Tommy and the others were at the park; the boys were playing tag football, while Billy, Kat and Tanya sat on a bench a few feet away talking. It was early afternoon, but the temperature wasn't too high and the breeze blowing made the moment perfect. It was about to be ruined.
The guys had just finished up their game and were heading back to the table where the others were when the sky suddenly changed colours and cogs appeared.
"Shit!" Rocky exclaimed as he and the others dropped into a fighting stance even as the park occupants ran screaming.
"Today of all days," Kat groaned as she hurried from her seat to where the boys were, falling into her fighting stance next to Jason.
"Let's get rid of these guys!" Jason said and they took that as their cue to attack.
"IT'S MORPHIN TIME!" Tommy shouted.
"ZEO RANGER ONE: PINK!" Kat yelled as she morphed into her pink suit.
"ZEO RANGER TWO: YELLOW!" Tanya followed.
"ZEO RANGER THREE: BLUE!" Rocky shouted.
"ZEO RANGER FOUR: GREEN!" Adam shouted.
"ZEO RANGER FIVE: RED!" Tommy yelled.
"GOLD RANGER POWER!" Jason finished the morphing sequence and six rangers stood where the teens were.
Wasting no time, the rangers immediately got into the fight. The battle was as intense as it always was, but this time, there seemed to be something different, something off, about the cogs. This time, they seemed to have a purpose instead of the blind, fatal attacks they always did.
After being blasted away, the rangers rolled on the ground before moving to their feet and re-grouping.
"Something's different," Tommy panted out as he steadied himself.
"I can feel it too," Rocky said in agreement.
The cogs attacked again before either ranger could think anymore on the shift in the cogs. Soon, they found themselves separated from each and singled out.
Jason fought off the cogs surrounding him and looked around at the others, noticing that they were all fighting two or three cogs...except for Tommy, who seemed to be fighting a whole army.
Knowing his friend and teammate needed help, he quickly made his way to him, or he tried to but found his path blocked by more cogs.
Tommy grunted as he kicked a cog away before ducking a blow from another. He was surrounded, but he was determined not to let them defeat him. Destroying one cog, he turned to destroy another, but found himself thrown to the ground from a blow to the back. Groaning, he rolled over and got back to his feet.
"Damn," Adam growled out, "these stupid things seem a lot harder to destroy."
"I know," Kat agreed as she fought her own cogs.
"Guys," Jason, who had been able to get away from his own cogs, made his way to Kat and Adam. "Tommy needs help."
"What?" Kat tried looking around for their leader, but found her attention caught by the cog coming at her.
"He's surrounded," Tanya said as she and Rocky joined them. "We got to help him."
"If we could get away," Rocky grunted out as he kicked a cog away.
The rangers summoned their blasters, shooting at the cogs that came at them. They quickly made their way to Tommy, who was surrounded by even more cogs, but found their path blocked.
"Shit!" they all exclaimed. With renewed vigour, they fought the cogs, getting separated from each other once more. The rangers fought, but it seemed like the more they destroyed the cogs, the more showed up.
Jason was blasted back by one, shouting out in pain when he hit his shoulder as he landed.
"Jason!" Tommy's shout rang out and the red ranger tried to make his way to the fallen gold ranger. "Whoa!" gritting his teeth, he concentrated on fighting the cogs. He took a step forward, blaster at the ready, when he felt a blow to the back of his helmet. It was enough to send him to his knees. He felt the cogs grab his arms, but was too disoriented to fight. The last thing he saw was his friends fighting and a green light before his eyes fell close.
Jason shook his head, before getting back up, groaning as he did so. A cog raised its weapon to hit him, but he summoned his staff and brought it up, deflecting the blow, before kicking the cog away. He raised his blaster, but to his shock and surprise, the cog disappeared.
"What the..." he looked around and noticed that the others were just as surprised and confused.
"Where's Tommy?" Kat asked as she looked around for their leader.
The others did the same, powering down as they did so.
"They took him," Jason clenched his hands into fists and the realization slowly sank into the others. "It was trick. They wanted Tommy, that's why they separated us like that. It's him they were after."
"Oh God," Kat's hand flew to her mouth while the other reached out to grab Tanya's.
"Let's go to the Command Chamber," Adam said. "We need to talk to Zordon."
The others nodded before they teleported out.
~...~
Across town, a young girl smiled as she left the airport and stepped into a taxi. She gave the driver her directions and then relaxed back into her seat. As the taxi drove away from the airport and through the streets of Angel Grove, her gaze moved to the window and she smiled as she watched the familiar places pass by.
About an hour later, the taxi pulled into a driveway and after paying him, she got out, grabbed her bags from the trunk and headed up the walk to the house. Placing her bags on the ground, she bent down and removed the key from under the flower pot and unlocked the door.
Pocketing the key, she pushed the door open, picked up her bags and headed inside. Closing the door with her foot, she walked straight to the staircase and went upstairs. She went to the second door on the left just a few feet into the hallway and opened the door. Smiling, she walked into the bedroom and placed her bags into the closet and then moved to the bed and sat down, running her hands over the bedspread.
Sighing, she looked around the room. 'It's so good to be home.' Her eyes caught the picture on the bedside table and she leaned across the bed to pick it up. Her fingers traced the couple and she grinned at the obvious love between the two.
"You're going to be so surprised to see me Handsome," she laughed softly.
~...~
Prince Gasket, of the Machine Empire, stood in the throne room as he waited for news on the mission he had sent his servants on. He knew that it would be difficult as the troublesome rangers had been given him problems from the start, but the mission was too simple to mess up.
"My Prince." A voice behind him sounded and he turned to see his General standing there.
"General," Gasket said as he walked forward. "The mission?"
"A success My Liege," the General replied. "They were able to capture him and bring him back."
"Excellent," Gasket chuckled as he left the room and headed to where the ranger was held. He stepped into the room and looked down at Tommy's unconscious form. "Soon red ranger, you shall be my evil minion and the rangers shall be destroyed once and for all."
Evil chuckling filled the room and even in his unconscious state, Tommy's body twitched.
~...~
When the rangers landed in the Command Chamber, they were in front of Zordon's tube.
"Zordon," Kat started.
"I know Katherine," Zordon interrupted the pink ranger. "The Machine Empire has taken Tommy hostage."
"What are we going to do Zordon?" Tanya asked, "What do they want with him?"
"There's only one reason the Machine Empire would kidnap a ranger," Jason spoke up, "and the leader at that."
"What's that?" Tanya turned to Jason.
"He's going to turn him," Billy said. "Gasket is going to turn Tommy evil."
"Fuck," Rocky exhaled as he briefly closed his eyes.
"My sentiments exactly Rocky," Adam said.
~...~
Tommy moaned as he fought his way to consciousness. He blinked a few times, to clear the fog in front of his eyes, before he slowly opened them fully.
"Oh man," He groaned as he moved to his feet. "What hit me?"
Shaking his head, he looked around and noticed that he was in a dark cell and then he remembered; he was fighting with the others against cogs when one of them hit him. He also remembered that he had felt the cogs grab hold of him, which could only mean one thing. He was in the Machine Empire.
"Oh I'm in trouble," Tommy looked around before looking down at his wrist. His morpher was missing, but his communicator was still there. "Can't hurt to try." He raised his wrist to his lips. "Zordon, Billy, can you read me?" he paused, hoping he'd get a response, yet wasn't surprised when he didn't.
"Now what am I going to do?" Tommy muttered to himself.
A noise outside his cell drew his attention and he saw Gasket's General standing there.
"Prince Gasket demands your presence," the General spoke and used his staff to open the door.
"No," Tommy shook his head and fell into a fighting stance.
"Foolish red ranger," The General laughed before he summoned cogs and sent them in the cell.
Tommy tried fighting them, but soon realized he was still a bit drained from them knocking him out and was quickly overpowered.
"Let me go!" he shouted as he struggled to free himself.
The General laughed and led the way to where Gasket was. "The red ranger, my prince."
"Excellent," Gasket turned around and walked over to Tommy, who was still struggling.
"What do you want with me?" Tommy demanded.
"It's very simple red ranger," Gasket said, "you will become my evil soldier and you will destroy the rangers once and for all."
'Shit! Not again.' "Never!" Tommy shouted. "I'll never be evil again!"
"You have no choice," Gasket laughed. "Bring him here." He walked over to a table that had a machine hooked to it.
Tommy struggled even more as the cogs moved him to the table. They managed to get him on and the General strapped him down.
"No!" Tommy grunted. "Let me go!"
"Do it!" Gasket ordered.
His General rushed to do as he was told and soon enough, the room was filled with Tommy's screams. Gasket watched on as his machine worked on Tommy; he could feel the glee and anticipation build at the thought of finally having a victory over Zordon and the rangers.
Minutes later, Tommy's screams died down and Gasket made a motion for the machine to be turned off and for Tommy to be unstrapped and he waited.
Opening his eyes, Tommy turned to Gasket, got off the table and knelt down. "How may I serve my Emperor?" his eyes glowed green.
Gasket laughed. "Excellent!" he made a motion for Tommy to follow him and left the room. They came to the throne room and Gasket grabbed his staff and waved it at the wall, pictures of the rangers showing up.
"These are our enemies," Gasket said, "your enemies as well; they have tried to kill you before."
Tommy's dark gaze focused on the rangers and his eyes glowed green in rage. "What is it my emperor wishes me to do?"
"Destroy them," Gasket commanded as he held Tommy's morpher out to him. What the red ranger didn't know was, the morpher was infused with evil, so when he morphed, it would send a surge of evil through him, making their hold on him even stronger. The rangers wouldn't know what hit them.
Tommy stared at the image of the rangers; inside, he could feel rage and anger towards them and the urge to hurt them, but even then, he could feel something inside protest against hurting them.
Gasket could see the tiny struggle in the red ranger's eyes, so he gave him the morpher. "To access the power, just say 'Red Power Up'."
Tommy took the morpher and did as he was told. The moment he morphed, the evil soared through him and he threw his head back and groaned at the influx of evil. His ranger suit was a darker shade of red—almost blood red—than normal.
"Go now and destroy the rangers," Gasket commanded.
"Your will shall be done," Tommy chuckled darkly before he disappeared in the same beam of the light the cogs used.
"You are a true evil genius my liege," the General praised.
Gasket laughed and looked out to the Earth. Soon the rangers would be destroyed and it would be at the hands of one of their own.
~...~
The rangers were still at the Command Chamber wondering what they were going to do next when the alarms went off.
"Ai-yi-yi-yi-yi," Alpha cried as he went over to the console.
"What's going on?" Kat asked.
"Rangers," Alpha turned to them. "It's Tommy; he's attacking the city."
"Oh man," Jason swallowed, he remembered the days of the evil green ranger and knew he how powerful Tommy was then. 'And that was before he truly touched the powers; now, he's going to be even more powerful.'
The rangers looked at each other before they took up their positions. They morphed and teleported out of the Command Chamber, hoping that they could get through to their friend and break the hold the Machine Empire had on him before he did some serious damage.
"Zordon," Billy looked up at his mentor. "Do you think they'll be able to break him out of it? Last time, it was by Jason destroying the sword."
"The hold Gasket currently has on Tommy is stronger than the one Rita had on him," Zordon said. "The rangers will face difficulty in breaking Tommy free from the spell."
"And if they can't?" Billy turned to look at the viewing globe.
"Then I fear for the world," Zordon replied after a few seconds of silence.
~...~
When the rangers teleported into town, it was to the sight of Tommy standing in his ranger suit, his gun in his hand. They saw that his suit was a darker shade of red.
"Oh no," Kat whispered.
"Tommy!" Jason shouted. "Fight it! This isn't you."
"Shut up gold ranger," Tommy growled, "I am your enemy and you will pay for your crime."
The rangers exchanged confused looks and looked back to their friend.
"What are you talking about?" Rocky asked.
"What crime did we do?" Adam yelled out.
"Enough!" Tommy commanded. "You will not distract me with your questions. You know what crime you have done and now YOU SHALL PAY!"
He attacked, immediately putting the rangers on the defence. He was ruthless and relentless in fighting them and the rangers found their hands full with trying to keep him at bay.
After a powerful blast from Tommy knocked them to the ground, the rangers regrouped a few feet away.
"What...are we...going...to do?" Kat said between breaths. "How...how can we break...the spell...on him?"
"I don't know," Jason shook his head with a groan. "But we have to think of some way and fast."
"But what?" Rocky moaned out.
Before anyone could respond, Tommy was attacking them again. He punched Jason in his stomach before kicking the gold ranger away; Jason landed on his side with a pained groan, demorphing from the blow.
After attacking Jason, Tommy wasted no time in going after the others. They too soon found themselves once again overwhelmed and unable to land a single blow on their friend turned evil. A blast from Tommy's gun had them all landing on the ground next to Jason, demorphing as well.
~...~
Back in the Command Chamber, Billy winced as he watched his friends fight against Tommy and lose. He knew what fighting against the red ranger was like as he had fought against him when he was the green ranger, and knew that it would take a miracle to break the spell Gasket had over Tommy.
He looked up to his mentor. "Zordon, what are we going to do?"
"I'm afraid Billy," Zordon said, "that there is only one thing we can do." He turned to Alpha. "Alpha, lock on to the coordinates of Kimberly's communicator."
Billy's eyes lit up with hope. He knew that if there was anyone who could reach Tommy it would be Kim.
"Zordon," Alpha said, "the coordinates reveal that Kimberly is at Tommy's house."
"What?" Billy looked at the robot in shock and delight. 'What's Kim doing in Angel Grove?'
"Teleport her here," Zordon commanded.
"Teleporting," Alpha said.
~...~
Kim walked through the Oliver house, smiling at the thought of how surprised the family would be when they came home. She knew she could go to Ernie's or the park and meet up with the others, but she didn't want to; she wanted Tommy to see her first and she wanted to spend some time with him and his parents before their friends took up her time. She had just walked into the kitchen when she felt the familiar sensation of the teleportation beam and braced herself.
"Kimberly!" Billy's voice drew her attention and she looked up to see her childhood friend.
"Billy!" Kim laughed and walked over to him, throwing her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. "It's so good to see you."
"Same here," Billy smiled as he returned her hug. He hadn't realized just how much he had missed her until she was in his arms.
"Zordon," Kim pulled back from Billy to smile up at her former mentor.
"Hello my young crane," Zordon smiled. "It is good to see you."
"Not that I'm not happy to be here," Kim smiled, "but why am I here?"
"We need your help Kimberly," Alpha waved his robotic arms as he walked over to where Kim and Billy were standing.
"With what?" Kim turned to look at the robot before looking back at her mentor.
"Tommy," Billy answered as he gestured to the viewing globe.
Kim watched as the rangers fought against her boyfriend and couldn't stop the gasp from escaping. "How did he become evil?"
"I'm afraid the Machine Empire managed to capture him during a battle," Zordon answered.
"WHAT?" Kim turned wide eyes from the globe to her mentor. "Do we know how? I mean, is there something specific we have to do to break the spell?"
"I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that," Zordon told her. "As far as I can see, there is nothing specific to destroy."
"So, we'll have to break Tommy out of the spell another way," Kim finished with a sigh as she turned back to the viewing globe. "Do you have any ideas?"
"Actually," Billy glanced at Zordon before looking back at Kim. "We do. Zordon thinks—and I agree—that there may only be one way to help Tommy." He paused, "You."
"Me?" Kim was a bit shocked. "How can I help?"
"Tommy loves you Kim," Billy reached out to grab her hands in his, "more than anything and anyone. The two of you have a connection—a deep one—that I've never seen between anyone else. If anyone can help Tommy, it'll be you."
Kim became quiet; she bit her lip as she looked from the globe, to Billy, to Zordon and back. "You really think so?"
"Don't you?" Billy countered.
"What do I need to do?" Kim's voice held strong determination, reminding the three of Tommy and how he acted, especially when it came to her.
"Go to him," Zordon said.
"Alpha," Kim turned to the robot.
"Prepare for teleportation Kimberly," the robot told the former pink ranger.
Kim nodded and smiled in nostalgia when she once again felt the teleportation beam wash over her and she disappeared from the Command Chamber.
"I really hope she's able to get through to him," Billy sighed as he stared at the spot Kim had stood.
"So do I Billy," Zordon nodded.
~...~
Tommy laughed as he looked at the rangers on the ground and the dark sound of it had the rangers shivering as they lay on the ground; there was so much evil in that sound and it terrified them more than anything and that's when they knew, it would be hell to get Tommy back.
"Oh God," Kat felt her eyes fill with tears as she looked at her teammate. To see him like this was hurt her. She knew that she was once under the evil spell, but even then she knew that her time under Rita's control was nothing like this. Shaking her head, she looked at the others.
"What are we going to do?" Rocky grunted out as he struggled to his knees.
"What we always do," Adam coughed. "We fight and hope that something triggers Tommy's memories."
Forcing themselves to their feet despite their pain, the rangers prepared themselves to fight against their friend once more.
They managed to land some blows on Tommy, but his counterattacks were much worse as they were already hurt from earlier and so, the rangers' reflexes were becoming slower, leaving them unable to properly defend themselves.
When Tommy fired another beam at them, they were too hurt and tired to move themselves out of the way and were caught in the blast, sending them backwards to land on the ground.
~...~
When the beam cleared, Kim saw the rangers fighting Tommy; she noticed immediately that they were moving slower and knew that her friends were beyond hurt. She watched in growing horror as Tommy ruthlessly attacked them and watched as he fired at them; the rangers were too disoriented to move and they were caught in the blast.
Horrified, Kim watched as they landed with a thud. Swallowing briefly, she quickly made her way towards them.
"Jase," She knelt next to the one who was her brother in all but blood.
"Kim," Jason groaned and turned confused eyes to the voice. His eyes widened in shock when he noticed his childhood friend and little sister.
"Come on," Kim said as she helped him to his feet. The others, now noticing her, carefully eased their pained bodies to their feet as well.
"What are you...what are you doing here?" Rocky said between grunts of pain.
"Help," Kim said before she turned to where Tommy was standing.
"Kim, no," Kat coughed and tried to stop her friend.
"He won't hurt me," Kim assured the blonde.
Tanya and Adam looked at her but didn't say anything, knowing it would be futile.
"What's the matter rangers?" Tommy taunted as he walked over to them. "Finally given up?" he couldn't see Kim because the others had surrounded her when she had joined them, but he was still getting a very weird feeling.
The rangers looked at each other before stepping away, allowing Tommy to see Kim.
"Hi Handsome," Kim took a step towards her boyfriend.
Tommy froze. He knew that voice; feelings deep within him stirred, fighting against the evil that had a hold of his mind and confusion echoed throughout him. A voice was telling him she was his, but yet, she was with the rangers.
"Don't you remember me?" Kim said as she took another step forward; she heard Jason and the others telling her to be careful but she paid them no attention. She knew Tommy better than anyone and she knew that despite the fact that he was evil, he wouldn't hurt her. "Didn't think I was that easy to forget."
"Never," Tommy shook himself off and took a step towards her. The rangers looked on in shock.
"Why are you attacking your friends?" Kim asked, moving even closer.
"They are not my friends!" Tommy stopped and vehemently denied.
"Then why are you wearing the same uniform that they do?" Kim asked and she watched as Tommy looked down at his clothes.
"What?" Tommy took a jerky step backwards. "This can't be."
"It is," Kim walked towards him. "You're one of them Tommy...one of us. Please, fight the hold that Gasket has over you. You're not evil."
"No," Tommy's hand flew to his head as he dropped his gun. "You're trying to trick me."
"No I'm not," Kim said as tears filled her eyes; her heart was breaking to see Tommy trapped under the spell like he was. "You know me Tommy. I would never trick you."
"You're lying!" Tommy roared and the rangers jumped but Kim didn't even flinch. "Gasket told me the truth. They deserve to be punished."
"What truth did he tell you?" Kim asked.
"They tried to kill me," Tommy told her. "And you're one of them. You're lying to me too." He bent down to grab his gun and pointed it at her, but even as he did so, he found he couldn't shoot her.
~...~
Up in his palace, Gasket watched what was happening in shock. He could see the strands of evil in the red ranger weakening and knew he was soon to losing him. His gaze focused on the girl in pink and knew that she was the reason. Enraged, he summoned his General.
"Yes my Prince?" the General kneeled.
"That girl," Gasket growled out. "Destroy her. She is turning the red ranger back to the side of good and that cannot happen."
"Yes my Prince," the General nodded before he disappeared from the palace.
~...~
The rangers looked at Kim and Tommy; they could see that Kim was getting through to their leader and silently encouraged her.
They looked at each other before starting towards the two, before they could reach however, Gasket's General showed up directly behind Kim.
"Kim!" Jason shouted. "Behind you!"
Kim turned and saw Gasket's General behind; before she could move, he grabbed her.
"Let me go!" Kim struggled in his arms.
"I can't allow you to turn him back," the General chuckled. "You must be destroyed."
"No!" Kim's struggles increase and the others hurried to help her but they were blasted back from a blast by the General.
Kim turned to the frozen red ranger. "TOMMY! HELP!"
Tommy, who had frozen when Gasket's General had shown and grabbed Kim, jolted out of it when Kim's scream sounded; it resonated in his entire being and he found himself being filled swiftly with pure, white-hot rage. He may not remember the rangers, but he remembered her and the fact that someone was hurting her, it enraged him.
Beneath his helmet, his eyes glowed a dark green. His powers responded and a menacing green glow surrounded his body.
Everyone stopped what they were doing when they felt the pure power Tommy was unleashing.
"What the hell?" Adam looked at his friend in shock.
"What's going on?" Tanya asked as she held on to Kat.
"Tommy may not remember us," Jason said, "but he definitely remembers Kim."
"What's happening to him?" Rocky asked.
"I don't know," Jason shook his head.
Before anyone else could say anything, Tommy moved. He appeared in front of Kim and punched the General in his face, making him stumble, pulling Kim away at the same time and pushing her behind him.
"Touch her again and die," Tommy growled.
"Fool," the General hissed. He couldn't believe the power that was coming from Tommy or that the girl had been able to break the spell over him.
"Fool I may be," Tommy snarled, "I will not hesitate to destroy you if you go after her again."
The rangers looked at each other and started walking to their friends, believing that the spell was broken. That notion was destroyed when Tommy pointed his gun at them.
"Don't think I forgot about you," He smirked beneath his helmet.
"What?" the rangers stared in shock.
"Tommy," Kim clutched the back of her boyfriend's suit. She knew, unlike the others, that Tommy wasn't out of the spell's hold as yet. She had to get him back. Getting an idea, she let him go and took a step back, allowing him to turn to her.
"What is it?" Tommy near growled; he had to protect her...from everyone. He almost lost her before and he was damned if he was going to let someone else try to take her again.
"What did they do to you?" Kim asked. "Why do you think they're your enemies?"
"I was told the truth," Tommy answered, "they tried to kill me and for that, they must pay."
"And who told you that?" Kim scoffed and pointed to the General. "Him? Or was it Gasket? They lied to you Tommy. The rangers are your friends."
"No," Tommy shook his head as he felt the war going on inside. He trusted her and wanted to believe Kim's words, but it was clashing with everything else he was told, everything else he thought he knew.
"You can trust me Tommy," Kim reached up and unclipped his helmet, slowly pulling it off until she was looking into the glowing green eyes of her boyfriend. The helmet fell from her fingers as her hand reached up to cup his cheek. "Listen to me; I wouldn't lie to you or hurt you. Trust me; Gasket lied to you...they never tried to kill you. He's the bad guy; he's the one that wants you to be destroyed. You're a power ranger and he wants you gone."
"Lies!" the General hissed and pointed his gun at the couple. "She lies to you; she's one of them and will say anything to make you not hurt them."
Kim glared at the General before looking back at Tommy. "He's right. I am one of them, or I used to be. Can you imagine hurting me? Because if you hurt them, you'll have to hurt me too."
"No," Tommy shook his head and his hands flew up to grab his head while his eyes fell close. Inside, he could feel the evil trying to take over again and he could feel himself fighting it. The evil wanted him to hurt her, to destroy her...but he couldn't...she was his everything.
"If you won't fight for yourself," Kim whispered as she captured his lips in a short kiss before she continued, "then fight for me."
Her words seemed to sink as Tommy started glowing green then red then green before the shifting of the colours speeded up, telling them one thing; he was fighting.
"She's doing it," Kat whispered, her voice filled with awe and joy, "she's breaking the spell."
"Come on bro," Jason muttered, not even trying to push back the hope rising in him. He knew of the bond between Kim and Tommy. He was, after all, there when it first began taking shape. "You can do this...just listen to Kim."
The General could not believe what he was seeing. The girl, that slip of a girl, was actually managing to break the spell over the ranger's leader. 'But how...how is she doing this? What power does she have that allows her to interfere with my master's hold on the boy? She has to be destroyed.'
The General raised his gun towards Kim and Tommy and before anyone could even react, he had fired.
"NO!" Jason and the others shouted as they started towards their two friends, each knowing they'd never be able to get there in time or to stop the blast.
Since Tommy's back was towards the others, he didn't see what was happening, but Kim did. She saw the blast coming towards them and she heard her friends' shouts of warning, but ignored them and shoved Tommy out of the way, taking the blast head on. The force of it lifted her off her feet and sent her flying backwards and she landed on the ground with a thud a few feet away, her body lying still.
The General chuckled and believed that he had finally eliminated all threats to his master's plan and that now, the evil would regain a hold on the red ranger...he was wrong.
Tommy, had stumbled and fell from the push, rolled to his feet and looked to where the General was standing. He was angry at the man for attacking him, but before he could do anything, he saw the rangers heading his way. He looked at them before looking to see where they were staring at and the scene made him stop in shock.
Kim was lying on the ground and she wasn't moving. His heart cracked at the image and a rage unlike anything he ever felt before filled him. Rather than fuelling the evil inside of him, it worked instead to end the fight, giving Tommy control over his body once more as his suit changed from green to red.
Knowing his friends were with Kim, he turned back to the General. "You will pay for that. ZEO RANGER V: RED!"
~...~
The rangers, who had just reached Kim's side, turned to where Tommy stood when they heard the shout. They saw their friend and leader once again in his ZEO suit, but this time, it was different. The colour was no longer blood red, but the normal shade that it was supposed to be.
"He broke the spell," Tanya shook her head in amazement.
"He broke it because of her," Rocky said as he knelt next to Kim. "Kim...can you hear me? Come on sis...wake up." He touched her head, smoothing back her hair, eyes in shock when he moved his hand away to see it coated in blood. "Guys..."
"Oh no," Kat's hands flew to her mouth.
"Kimberly," Adam swallowed.
"Get her to the Command Centre," Jason commanded, "I'll stay here with Tommy."
"Jason," Tanya looked to her fellow teammate.
"Go," Jason stopped whatever she was going to say. "She needs help...go."
They nodded and each held on to Kim and teleported out, leaving Jason, who stood up and turned back to see what was going on. He saw Tommy attacking the General. He knew his friend was filled with a ferocious rage right now, and wasn't thinking about anything except destroying the General.
"He's going to kill him, isn't he?" Rocky asked as he appeared next to Jason, who turned to him. "The others are with Kim, so I came back."
"Ok," Jason nodded, "and yeah he is...and I won't stop him."
"Good," Rocky nodded and the two stayed where they were, ready and waiting in case Tommy needed help, but they knew he wouldn't.
~...~
All Tommy could feel was the rage at Kim being hurt. The spell was broken and he was thinking clearly. He knew that Gasket lied to him and he thanked God that he had done any real damage to his friends. Dodging a blow from the General, he countered with one of his own, satisfaction rolling through him when the being stumbled from it.
He fought and fought, landing blow after blow, hurting the being that had hurt the most important person in his life. As he fought, all the anger he had felt over the last few months came out; the anger over the letter, over hearing of how Danny had played on Kim's fears and insecurities, of Kim getting kidnapped, being beaten, ending up in the hospital, Kim getting hurt just now...everything came out as he fought the General.
The General couldn't believe what was happening; he had never thought the boy had it in him. He was a formidable warrior, one of the best, in the Machine Empire and he couldn't land a blow on his opponent. He had thought that by destroying the girl, it would have stopped her influence on him and allow Gasket's evil to regain control, but instead, it had not only destroyed Gasket's hold, but it had empowered the red ranger and now, he was fighting against an opponent more deadly than any other he's ever faced. He knew his end was coming soon, he could feel and he knew there was nothing he could do to stop it.
After delivering a blow that sent the General to his knees, Tommy glared down at the man and gathered all his anger and rage which turned into a ball of power coming from his chest. When it was big enough, he brought his hands up and around it before throwing it at the General, destroying him.
Up in the Machine Empire, Gasket howled with rage and disbelief.
With his rage finally expelled, Tommy de-morphed and fell to the ground, falling forward to brace his hands on the ground.
"Tommy," Rocky and Jason ran over to him.
"You ok, bro?" Jason knelt next to his friend.
"Kimberly," Tommy panted out as he shifted his head to look at his friend.
"Come on," Rocky knelt on his other side and gently placed a hand on Tommy's arm. "She's at the Command Chamber...let's go."
Jason grabbed Tommy's other arm and pressed the teleportation button on his communicator and the three disappeared.
~...~
When the three boys reappeared in the Command Chamber, their three other teammates rushed to them.
"Tommy!" Kat reached him first. "Are you ok?"
Tommy shook his head and pulled slightly away from his friends, moving to his feet and looking around the room. "Where's—where's Kimberly?"
"Medical Bay," Adam answered as he looked over his friend. He was beyond happy to see that Tommy was out of the spell, he was just sad that it had taken something like this for that to happen. "She hit her head pretty hard when she landed and there was some bleeding. Billy and Alpha are with her."
Tommy said nothing but he turned from them and headed to the Med Bay, the others following after him after looking at their mentor.
When Tommy entered the Med Bay, he stopped the moment he saw Kim lying on the bed, a monitor connected to her. It threw him back to Florida when she was in the hospital. Shaking himself off, he hurried to her bedside and pulled up the chair to sit beside her.
"Tommy," Billy said when he saw his friend. Knowing that the red ranger was back with them, he smiled briefly. "She's ok. Despite the bleeding, it was anything that required stitches. She's going to have a headache when she wakes up and a slight concussion."
Tommy nodded, barely hearing Billy, or the others entering the room, and turned to his girlfriend. "Hey Kim," he whispered as he grabbed her hand in his. "I'm here now...you're ok...it's time to wake up Beautiful."
Kim groaned and her head turned to where Tommy was; her lids fluttered and seconds later, they opened slowly, doe-brown peeking out to lock on to chocolate-brown.
"There you are," Tommy smiled. "Welcome back."
"Tommy," Kim whispered, "you're back."
"In the flesh," Tommy grinned, as did Billy and Jason. "Everything's gonna be fine." He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you."
"I-I love you too," Kim whispered before a small smile came on her face as she stifled a yawn.
"Sleep," Tommy gently commanded, "I'll be here when you wake up."
"Hmmk," Kim mumbled, already drifting back off, secure in the knowledge that her boyfriend was by her side.
~...~
It's been a few days since the attack from the Machine Empire and the rangers, along with Billy and Kim, were at the lake, enjoying the day. Kat and Tanya were in the water, playing a little volleyball while Rocky, Adam, Billy and Jason were throwing a Frisbee around and Kim and Tommy sat underneath a tree, looking at their friends.
"I still can't believe you're here," Tommy said as he pulled Kim to sit in front of him, wrapping his arms around her.
"Believe it," Kim giggled as she leaned into his embrace. She felt so safe and loved and at peace in his arms...she always did and she suspected she always would.
"How are you feeling?" Tommy asked, referring to what happened a few days ago.
"I'm fine," Kim shifted slightly so that she could see his face. "Really, I am. I'm done with my Gymnastics, I'm home with you and our friends and we managed to seriously hurt Gasket and the Machine Empire when you destroyed the General. The only thing that's left is the small scar on my neck and considering how much worse it could be, I'm ok with that."
"I just..." Tommy trailed off and looked away briefly before looking back at her. "I really can't lose you Kim, and I've almost did too many times."
"Yes," Kim nodded, "you have, and I've almost lost you as well, but we've overcome each of those times and we're stronger because of it."
"I love you so much, you know that?" Tommy grinned at her.
"You better," Kim gave a smile full of mischief and love. "I didn't go through a lot of crap for you not to. And I love you too."
"You guys done being all lovey-dovey?" Rocky asked with a teasing grin as he and the other boys dropped to sit in front of them.
"Shut up Rocky," Kim laughed as she kicked at him.
"Now Kim," Rocky grinned as he grabbed her foot, "you know you love me."
"Yeah, yeah," Kim giggled.
"Leave them alone," Kat chastised as she and Tanya walked up to the group and sat down next to Tommy. The blonde turned to her friend. "How are you feeling?"
"You guys," Kim rolled her eyes with a smile, "I'm fine, honest."
"Alright," Jason nodded, "just making sure."
"Hmmm," Kim sighed and snuggled back into Tommy's arms.
"So Kim," Tanya looked over at the petite brunette, "Have you registered back at AGHS?"
"Yep," Kim nodded, "I did that before I came home. I sent over all my transcripts when I was still in Florida."
"So," Adam grinned at his "sister". "We're gonna have you with us our senior year?"
"Oh yeah," Kim grinned and then laughed when the others cheered. A comfortable silence soon settled over the friends and they spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the fact that for once—even if it was just for today—everything was working out just fine.
A/N 2: the end of chapter four. Hope you guys liked it. As for Gasket's general, I really didn't remember his name and honestly, I was just too lazy to look it up or make up a name, so I left at the General. Next chapter is the final chapter. Now that you've reached this point, all that's left is to review so that I can know what you thought.
Reviewers:
Nightwing 509; hopelessromanticgurl; sabina21; brankel1; andyg2525; RFK22; red lighting; general-joseph-dickson; Falcon4Crane; Jeremy Shane; Pinkrangerfan; mae-E; VampDGurl; hansongirl14; oldtvlover; Belle Paris; coolgal13; Young at Heart21; O'MiaLove