Ranger Tales
Chapter 7: Ranger Goodbyes
A/N: This story is set in an alternate universe where the Alien Rangers arc never happened, although the Alien Rangers do exist. Carri Hillard and all things relating to Carri belong to KJ with many thanks. I used Phaedos as the source of the Ninjetti Powers, but Ninjor exists and is the acknowledged creator of Ninjetti. Also, this story has nothing to do with my previous two. The episodes in which Billy went to Aquitar did not happen in this fic. In this fic, Tommy and Kim have not broken up. From here and on, it develops into a completely original story.
Also, let me know what you think, I appreciate the feedback. Thank you for reading.
The following Sunday the Ranger, and the three former Rangers, were gathered to spend one final day with Kat and Adam as they were to leave that Monday and finish high school in New York. The only one not present was Kim, as she had to get back to Florida for the time being, but she assured both them, Adam more so than Kat, that she would miss them. The eight teens were gathered out on a secluded part of the beach that the Rangers had found once. They had decided to spend the first half of the day out by the beach, then they woul split and the girls would go shopping while the guys went for a game of Basketball, afterwards they'd meet for a going away party.
Jason was the happiest he'd ever been, not only was he a Ranger again, but he no longer had to lie to Emily about where he was, because she would be right there with him. For a short while anyway, Kim would be back in a few months and would take over the role of the Pink Ranger once again. Being a Ranger was the biggest thing in his life, and now he could share that with the woman he loved. He often wondered what it was like to have a Ranger girlfriend, like Tommy and Rocky had. Now he knew, and he loved it, keeping her in the he knew that once Kim returned she'd most likely be out of the loop again, and that thought bummed him a little.
Emily on the other hand, while she was glad that Jason no longer had to make up lame excuses, she wasn't sure how she felt about being a temporary Ranger. Jason talked like it was the greatest job of all time, but she just didn't see it. They had had one Tenga attack since she became a temporary two days ago, and although the rush of battle felt amazing, like she was rejuvinated. But she didn't think she could do this all the time like he did, she just didn't think it possible. She'd be more than happy when Kimberly returned at the end of the Pan Globals.
Rocky and Carri were sitting next to each other, neither one was deep in thought like their friends, Jason and Emily. Rocky wrapped his arm around Carri's shoulders, pulling her into him as she prepared to take a bite of her sandwich. She had her mouth open, getting ready to bite down when he pulled her, she wound up biting air. She made a noise and glared up at him, he just looked at her and gave her a goody grin. She couldn't help but drop her glare and lean up to give him a kiss.
Nobody said a word as they ate, they just sat and enjoyed each others company. After they finished eating, the conversations began. "So," Carri began, looking at Emily, "how are you doing? With the whole Ranger deal I mean."
Emily thought for a moment before before answering, flashing Jason an apologetic smile. "Honestly?" Carri nodded her head. "I'll be glad when Kim gets back. Don't get me wrong, it's great and all, but it's not for me. I'm glad Jase enjoys it though."
Jason looked down at her, he had expected her to feel that way. He knew that Rangering wasn't for just anyone. He had figured that it wouldn't be for Emily, but he had been hopeful. He wrapped his arms around her unexpectedly and gave her a hug. She looked up and smiled at him in response.
Kat couldn't help but feel bad about what she had done while possessed, the things she said. She knew the demon had lied to them, about her settling for Adam anyway. Yes, she had loved Tommy at one point, but that was over and she knew it. At least, she thought it was. Ever since her possession she had been lost in her thoughts. The demon brought things to Tommy's attention that she never would have, and he had been acting differently around her, distant. It worried her, was he hoping to try and stay away from her so those feelings would go away? Or was he disgusted that she had been pawning for him while he was in a relationship? She sighed, only time would tell.
"You okay?" Adam asked, snapping Kat back to the world around her as he placed an arm around her shoulder.
She smiled and said "Yes. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"About New York," she lied "it's going to be wonderful. I hope the people will be as nice there as they are here." Carri snorted at that. "What?" Kat asked her.
Carri turned to face her cousin. "It depends on who you meet. Josh and his friends are okay, not the greatest, but they are okay. The one friend he has that's our age though is a total douche from what I hear. Oliver Queen is his name, I think." She paused and thought for a moment "Yeah, I believe it is Oliver Queen. Anyway, if you run into any of my mothers parents, or their kids, stay away from them. Definitely stay away."
Kat looked at her cousin for a moment before speaking. "Carri, I'm sure they can't be that bad." Carri raised her eyebrows at her. "I mean, you do over exagerrate." Carri made a disgusted sound.
"That's not true!" she shouted. Kat nodded her head, saying it was. Rocky and Adam were quick to jump in and put a stop to the arguement before it escalated into world war three, and knowing Carri it could amount to that.
"Okay, okay. That's enough you two," Rocky said, wrapping an arm around Carri and pulling her close.
"Yeah, this is supposed a day of fun, not arguements," Adam added, reaching down for Kat's hand and linking it with his.
"I think the picnic is at its end," Jason pointed out. He knew that shopping would keep the two cousins from fighting. At least he hoped it would. As they were packing up a pink light landed before them and materialized into Kim. Tommy was the first to greet her.
"Kim!" he said as he ran over and gave her a kiss "What're you doing here?"
She returned his kiss and replied "We have some down time today, actually the rest of the day. So I figured I'd surprise everyone. So what're we doing now?"
The girls there were about to go shopping, and we were going to play Basketball until the party. Take your pick," Jason replied, coming up to give his old friend a hug. At the mention of shopping Kim's face lit up and she ran over to join the girls. "Sorry bro, I tried," Jason said, turning to give Tommy a smile.
"Ah it's fine. I figured she'd want to go shopping," he replied. He wished she had chosen Basketball, he wanted to spend time with her now that she was here, but it was her choice and he wasn't going to get upset over it.
"Shall we go?" Kim asked, she was anxious. She hadn't been shopping in California in what felt like ages.
"Let's go," Carri said after she let Rocky go, followed by Kat letting go of Adam, and Emily of Jason. In three flashes of pink and one yellow they were gone.
"Wow, even in an all girl group she stands out," Jason joked, he and Carri had become quite close since he first returned to become the Gold Ranger. She told him stuff that she didn't want to tell Kat or Rocky. It was usually concerns about her relationships with the two. In a lot of ways Jason was more of a brother to her than Josh was. He hoped that he and Kim would still have that kind of relationship when she returned.
Rocky laughed, he knew Jason was right. He was glad that they were all friends, but he was also a bit jealous of Jason. He knew the two did an awful lot of talking, and he wasn't sure if he comfortable with it. But then again, Tommy had said he'd been that way with Kim too, and it didn't bother him.
"Alright," Jason said "so how are we going to do this? Three on two?" he asked, looking at Rocky, Tommy, Billy, and Adam.
Tommy shrugged "Sure why not. Me and Billy against you, Adam, and Rocky?"
"Sounds good to me," Jason replied.
"Only if you guys buy me lunch for a week when we cream you," Rocky laughed.
"Deal." Billy was certain they'd win.
Up on the moon a very familiar enemy was watching the Rangers have their fun. "So," Zedd said "the Rangers think they can have a peaceful day of fun do they? Goldar, I want you to go down there and attack them."
"Yes my Lord," Goldar said as he teleported out, followed by Rito.
"Finster!" Rita bellowed.
"Yes my Queen?" Finster asked as he came scurrying in.
"I want you to make us a monster, your best one yet."
"Right away," Finster scurried back to his lab.
Zedd turned away from the Earth to face his wife. "Do you have a plan my dear?"
"Why of course," Rita said with a grin. "Remember our Green Ranger clone?"
"Yes. I seem to recall the Rangers making him good as well."
"Yes, but what if we bring him here, well, not him him, another dimension him. One where he stayed evil."
Zedd tapped his chin as he thought, the plan sounded alright, but no matter how strong the Green Ranger was, he wouldn't be able to stand up against the powers of the Zeo Crystal. Then it hit him, he knew what they would do. "That is a brilliant plan my dear, but we'll do this along with it..."
Down on Earth the boys were in the middle of their game. Tommy and Billy were up by two points, which had the others puzzled as to how they were losing. "What do you say?" Tommy asked the other team "Next shot takes the win?"
"You're on," Jason agreed. Soon the game commenced again, and just as Jason was taking his shot their communicators beeped.
"Go ahead," Tommy said as they heard a swish, followed by a thud.
"Rangers, you must come to the Power Chamber immediately," Alpha sounded frantic.
"We're on our way," Tommy assured him, a few seconds later five steaks flew through the air.
When the Rangers arrived Alpha quickly had them view what was going on. Zeo V was attacking Angel Grove. The boys turned and looked at Tommy, who assured them he was him. "Rangers," Zordon said "the Zeo V that is attacking is the Wizard of Deceptions evil clone, but granted the Powers of a Zeo."
"How is that possible?" Rocky asked.
"Different dimensions," Billy explained "Rita and Zedd must have somehow pulled him through a dimensional warp, along with a the Zeo V shard from either that dimension or another."
"It would explain why he looks different," Jason commented. The outfit of the evil Zeo V was a bit different, the gold bands were black with red markings, rather than gold with black, his gloves and boots were red, his collar was black, as was his helmet, and finally his visor was red.
"His outfit has nothing to do with being from another dimension," Zordon explained "it looks like it does because of the evil energy flowing through the Zeo shard."
"How are we supposed to defeat him? We don't have the Wizards wand anymore," Rocky pointed out.
"You'll just have to stall him until I can send him back," Billy replied "With Adam here helping me it shoudn't take too long."
"Shouldn't we call Carri and Emily?" Tommy wondered, if this was indeed a clone of him then they'd need all the help they could get.
"No. Carri is a good Ranger, but I fear neither of them are ready to handle the evil Green Ranger. For now they will just continue on with their day," Zordon said. He knew how powerful Tommy had been when he was evil, and he wasn't about to send two new Rangers out there to face that evil.
"Agreed," Jason and Rocky both said. Neither one of them wanted to put their girlfriend in harms way, not against him. Rocky had only seen the clone, but he had heard the stories, and what he heard shook him to the bone.
"Ready?" Tommy asked, he did see Zordon's point, but he still thought they'd be able to help. The others nodded. "It's morphin' time!"
"Zeo Ranger III, Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger IV, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger V, Red!"
Together they quickly made their way to the evil Zeo Ranger, and not to their surprise Goldar and Rito were there too. "You guys take care of Goldar and Rito, I'll handle him," Tommy said, both boys nodded. They knew that this was Tommy's battle. He still felt like the evil Green Ranger was his responsibility to deal with. Rocky ran over to Rito and summoned his Zeo Power Hatchets and began blocking his sword with one, while he attacked with the other. He jumped over the skeletons head and kicked him in his back, sending him falling to his face.
Jason summoned his Zeo Power Axes and blocked Goldar's oncoming attack, he hit the golden monkey with one of them and sent a blast of energy at him with the other. "Come on Goldar, I thought you could do better than that!" Jason taunted his old enemy. Goldar snarled at him, defeating Jason had been something he'd been looking forward too ever since he first arrived on Earth with Rita. He was determined to make his dream a reality today.
The two Tommy's clashed Zeo Power Swords, neither backing down. Tommy was having a hard though, Tom wasn't afraid a little dirty. "Give it up," Tom snarled as he cut through a street sign and threw it at Tommy. "Your power will be as great as mine."
Tommy sliced through the oncoming street sign, letting each half of it fly by his sides as he spoke. "Yeah, you'd like that wouldn't you?" He jumped up and over the evil Zeo, quickly turning to bring his sword down. Tom turned just in time to catch it though, and he kicked Tommy into the nearest building.
"See how weak you are?" Tom growled as he leapt towards Tommy, only to be knocked back by four blades. Rocky and Jason had sent Goldar and Rito packing and were now ready to face Tom alongside Tommy.
"Billy, how much longer?" Jason questioned.
"Just hold him off for another minute, I'll seperate his Zeo Crystal from him then send him back," the former Blue Ranger replied. After another minute of two the trio watched as the Red Zeo Ranger powered down and disappeared. A few seconds later his Zeo Crystal vanished as well.
"Well that plan was a bust," Zedd grumbled, he was very unhappy with the way that plan had turned out. Fortunately Finster had just come to tell them that his monster was almost ready. A few minutes later a porcupine monster stepped out into the throne room.
"Greetings and salutations!" he said cheerily as he entered. He seemed a bit too cheery for Zedd's taste, but from what Finster had told him about the monster he sounded like he could get the job done.
"I want you go down to Earth and kill those meddlesome little brat!" Zedd commanded.
"Yes sir, right away sir!" the monster replied in his cheery tone.
"Zeddie, are you certain he can get the job done? He seems a bit, well he seems a bit blah," Rita commented. She didn't care for the monster anymore than Zedd did, and she didn't see the point in keeping it around.
"He'd better," Zedd growled, his visor flashing red.
The boys landed back in the Power Chamber to get Billy and Adam when the alarms sounded again. They turned to see a porcupine terrorizing people in the park. Tommy sighed, he really wanted to hurry and get to the party so he could see Kim. "Back to Action!"
The Rangers landed in the park and after some not-so-witty lines from the monster they began to attack. Once Rocky was close enough the monster puffed out his quills, a few of them stabbing Rocky and sending a surge of electricity through his body. The Blue Ranger cried out and took his Power Hatchets and cut the quills. Not long after he did he noticed them grow back, only they were purple instead of blue now. He didn't get any warning as the monster launched three of the quills at him. He managed to dodge two of them, but the third caught him in the arm. He groaned and pulled it out, quickly going to join the Red and Green Rangers in the battle.
Up on the moon Zedd was laughing. "The Blue Ranger has no clue that he's just been poisoned!" Zedd was the happiest he'd been in a while, the Blue Ranger would continue to fight, allowing the poison to spread through his body that much quicker and then he'd pass out, rendering the Rangers one short. What made it even sweeter was the he and Rita held the only antidote, and they would be damned if they gave it to the Rangers.
Rocky continued to fight, they weren't getting anywhere with this monster. Tommy and Jason's attacks just seemed to bounce right off, and his didn't even seem to be connecting. "Rocky look out!" Tommy shouted, before Rocky could even get a chance to move out of the way he just collapsed. Tommy quickly ran over to the lifeless Blue Ranger and blocked all of the monsters attacks while Jason teleported him out of there.
When they arrived at the Power Chamber they found the girls there, Carri looked like she was fighting back tears. Billy had called them up to the Power Chamber after he witness Rocky get stabbed and electrocuted. He informed them of what was going on, and what had happened. They turned to the viewing globe just in time to watch Rocky collapse. "Is he..." Carri didn't even want to finish her sentence.
"He's alive," Billy answered her unasked questioned as he put the sample of blood he drew in the machine. "But he's been poisoned, it seems as though the electricity works to weaken the body, to slow down its reaction time, so that the poison quills are guranteed to strike. He's lucky he only got hit by one."
"Can we help him?" Emily asked, this was her first Ranger crisis, and she was trying very hard not to freak out about it. For Jason to go through stuff like this on practically a daily basis... She didn't even want to think about it. She couldn't see how he did it, let alone continue to do it.
"I believe so, I put a sample of his blood in the machine earlier, and I just got the results back" Billy said, sighing.
"But..." Carri said, she knew that when Billy sighed it usually meant a but was coming.
"But unfortunately the antidote takes time to create, time we don't have. The only other known anti-" he was cut off by Zordon.
"Rangers, we have an incoming transmission,"
"Put it on the screen," Carri said, she figured that this had to be Zedd, and she had a bone to pick with him. Her guess was correct as Zedd's metal face came into view, along Rito standing behind him waving and giving Zedd bunny ears.
"Rangers, so unpleasant to see you," he greeted them.
"Like wise," Tommy said coldly. He was in no mood for games, he wanted to get straight to the point. "What do you want?"
"My, my, impatient are we?" Zedd said "I hold in my hands the antidote to cure your little smurf over there. Hand over your Zeo Crystals and it is yours," he lied.
"I'll give something even better," Tommy told him.
"Oh? And what would that be?" Zedd questioned, the Red Ranger had piqued his interest.
"Me," he replied calmly. He knew that Zedd wouldn't willingly hand them the antidote, not when he knew they could produce fake Zeo Crystals.
Zedd thought about that for a moment, if they could get their hands on just Tommy and his Zeo Crystal then they could reform him, turn him back to their side. Of course, now Zedd was considering giving them the antidote so that they could heal the Blue Ranger, only for Tommy to kill him. The idea made him giddy, he feltl like his wife for a moment. "Deal. Meet us in the woods in half an hour." With that Zedd ended the transmission. He looked down at the antidote he held, he made up his mind. He would give it to them, just so they could reverse the spell on Tommy afterwards and let him suffer emotionally before they killed him. The idea of it brought a smile to his face.
Back at the Power Chamber Tommy was slapped in the back of the back by three people, Jason was first, as he was closest, followed by Kim, and then finally Carri. "What the hell are you thinking?" Kim asked angrily as she glared at him.
"I have a plan," he replied simply.
"What is it? That you give yourself over to them in exchange for Rocky's life?" Carri asked "As much as I love him, I refuse to let anyone die in his place. He wouldn't want that!"
"Yeah bro, we're not handing you over to them!" Jason agreed with the others.
"No ones going to die," Tommy replied. He trying his best not to snap back at them, but they kept pushing his buttons. "Jase, some with me." He lead Jaosn to one of the back rooms and explained his plan to him carefully.
After thirty minutes passed the four Rangers, plus Kim, teleported down to the woods to meet with Zedd. They found the red alien leaning against his staff, Rita next to him, Goldar on his other side. "Ah, Tommy. So good of you to join us!" Rita siad gleefully.
"The antidote," Tommy said, ignoring the witch. Zedd held the antidote up for them to see. "Toss it over."
"After you start walking," Zedd replied. Tommy nodded and walked about over to them when Zedd tossed the antidote over to Carri. To keep his ploy in motion Tommy turned around and let them grab him and waited until Carri disappeared before enacting his plan.
"Jason, now!" Jason jumped the air, morphing as he did, and fired his blast at Zedd, keeping him from teleporting. It was an old device Billy had created at some point. Tommy had spotted it a little while back in one of the back storage rooms. He'd asked billy about it, and was told that it was intended to hold a person to a certain spot for a few minutes. He created for the fun of it, he never thought they'd ever use it.
"What's going on?" Zedd demanded as he tried to teleport back to the moon. He couldn't understand it, his power wasn't working. He was stuck, unable to even lift his feet off the ground. It had to be the work of the device the Green Ranger shot at him with. He looked up and noticed that the three remaining Rangers, and Kim, were engaged in battle with Rito and Goldar. Damn it! Tommy managed to escape, and it won't be long now until the smurf and they canary are back! he thought. "Ah finally!" he yelled as he teleported out. He arrived in the Lunar Palace, followed soon by Goldar and Rito. Rita left the first chance she got and beat them all back.
He went and sat on his throne. He was mad that his plan had gone so wrong. They were supposed to have Tommy captured, and he was supposed to be under their control by now. the thought of how his plans had gone south pissed him off. "Hey Ed, uh, oh no," Rito said. As soon as Ed left his mouth Zedd stood up and raised his staff, prepared to fire. Rito ran the first chance he got, and Zedd was quick to follow.
Zedd forgot about the monster, if I can destroy the Rangers with it, that'll perk his ugly face up, Rita thought as she smiled.
The Rangers arrived back in the Power Chamber and watched as Rocky opened his eyes and groaned. As soon as he sat up Carri embraced him in a hug. "What happened?" he asked.
"You were stupid," she replied, once again fighting tears. Rocky raised an eyebrow to the others and Jason offered an explanation.
"You were stabbed, electrocuted, and then poisoned. She was worried about you. Long story short, Zedd's deal back fired on him and we were able to save your ass."
Rocky started to say something, but he was cut off by the alarms sounding. "Ay yi yi! Rangers, Porcipus is back out in the park!"
"We're on it, Rocky are you okay?" Tommy asked, Rocky nodded. He knew that morphing should heal his stab wounds, not that they were great wounds, the quills really only punctured his skin, but it felt worse thanks to the shock. "It's morphin' time!"
"Zeo Ranger I, Pink!"
"Zeo Ranger II, Yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger III, Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger IV, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger V, Red!"
Kim, Adam, Kat, and Billy watched as the Rangers teleported down to the battle. They knew what they were up against this time, and wasted no time in using the Zeo Blaster, quickly destroying him. As always he grew to building size and they summoned the Zords, formed the MegaZord, and destroyed him for good.
Rita let out a sigh, so much for the plan.
Later that night the Rangers all gathered at the Youth Center, Ernie had been preparing for the two Rangers farewell party all day. He had a huge banner set up for them, black, green, and pink balloons everywhere. The party at the Youth Center was Rangers only and of course former Rangers. Everyone had a good time, they had some of Ernie's Angel Grove Famous Burgers, pizza, and cake. Afterwards they all moved over to the Hillard household and continued the party.
Adam leaned over and gave Kat a kiss, causing her to blush. Carri smiled over at her cousin, never in a million years did she think that she and Adam would hook up. Let alone move across the country together. But, they seemed happy together, Carri was glad for that. She always wanted for Kat to be happy, just not with Tommy. She'd seen how enthralled with Kim Tommy was and she could tell from that they were meant for each other, and that even if she and Tommy did date, their relationship wouldn't hold a candle to the one he and Kim had.
Jason pulled Emily down onto his lap and began kissing her. She threw her head back and then she quickly snapped it back up and told him to cut it out, that they were in public. "I don't care," he replied as he continued kissing her neck.
"Hey bro," Tommy said as he walked up on them.
"Yeah. Hey," Jason said flatly as Emily mouthed a thank you. Tommy chuckled at her. "So what's up?"
"Ah, nothin much. Kim just went back to Florida before anyone became suspicious."
"Her being gone all day wasn't enough to arouse to suspicion?" Emily asked.
"Nah. She said she'd be gone until late, she just figured she'd better get back before it got too late, y'know."
"Sorry bro. But hey, just another month or two before she returns," Jason pointed out.
"Yeah, and I finally transfer these Powers," Emily said happily. Jason looked up at her.
"You don't like being a Ranger?"
"Oh don't get me wrong. It's fun and all, I couldn't see doing it all the time like you guys do is all. It's not really my thing." Jason understood that, it had been the reason he couldn't talk Zack into coming back with him. Though Zack loved his time as a Ranger, he felt like it was time to move on. Jason didn't think that he would ever know that feeling, that it was his destiny to fight evil until he died. He could tell by the way Tommy acted that he felt the same way. It was understandable, Tommy wouldn't rest until he put a stop to Rita and Zedd, Rita definitely.
"I understand," he said as he gave her another kiss. "Come on, let's get back to the party." He lead Emily and Tommy back into the main room where the party was in full swing.
The next morning everyone drove Kat and Adam to the airport to say their goodbyes. Kat's parents were sad to see her go, as were Adam's with him, but they knew that their kids were going to try and fullfill their dreams, and they weren't going to keep them from that.
"Hey, I'll miss ya man. You better come back and visit soon," Rocky said as he hugged his friend, Adam.
"Count on it," he said as he moved over to hug everyone else.
"Remember," Carri teased "once a Ranger..." she let her voice trail off.
"I know, once a Ranger, always a Ranger," he replied as he gave her a hug. Ugh, don't remind me of that. I'm glad to get to get out of the Ranger world, it's done nothing but screw me over ever since I arrived in Angel Grove, Kat thought bitterly.
"Hey Kat," she said as she walked up to her cousin.
"Hey," Kat said sweetly "I'll miss you, you know."
"I know." The two cousins gave each other a hug and Kat and Adam said their goodbyes to everyone before walking off to board their plane. The Rangers watched as their plane took off and out of site. "There they go," Carri said with a sigh.