Power Rangers: Galactic Strike Force
Chapter 8: Memories Of The Past Pt 3
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: May 31, 2007
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: -- grins -- Another chapter, and we're closing in on the final battle, which began in the last chapter. Thanks for sticking by this story.
"He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so." -- Walter Lippmann --
"Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change." -- Stephen R. Covey --
"Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy." -- Unknown --
"Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better." -- Bill Bradley --
"For an instant, love can transform the world." -- Unknown --
--
"You're quiet," a voice whispered in her ear.
"Seems to be the only way to be these days," she whispered back. Sighing, she unfolded herself from her sitting position and looked to her teacher. "It's almost time, isn't it?"
The tall blonde nodded. "You're ready, Little Crane."
"I'm terrified."
"I know," Dulcea told her. "This journey will be far more perilous than your first, and you'll only have yourself to lean on."
"I won't be seeking the Great Power this time, will I?" Kim asked as the two strode to the edge of the Temple where, once, long ago, they'd stood with five others – a wolf, a bear, an ape, a frog, and a falcon.
Dulcea shook her head, her great mane of blonde bouncing around her face. "No, you're seeking the balance between good and evil, and a path far different than being a Ninjetti warrior."
Kim took a deep breath, raised her right arm across her chest, hand fisted over her heart. "Thank you, Master Warrior."
"May your agility, grace, compassion and determination aide you on our journey, Pink Crane."
Turning, Kim took the same route she had years before, in what seemed like another lifetime, toward the Neola Jungle.
--
She found she made better time through the jungle than the last time, knowing which area's to avoid. She tensed when she entered the clearing at the monolith. Memories assaulted her and she fought to push them back. She could hear Rocky and Tommy taunting the rock warriors while Aisha, Adam and Billy made sarcastic comments and tried to out run and out maneuver the guardians.
"Ninjetti Corkscrew Kick! Eight ball, corner pocket!"
The memory of Tommy's comment caused her to close her eyes against a wave of grief that threatened the tight hold she had on her emotions. "Love is the greatest joy, deepest sorrow, highest accomplishment and angriest regret anyone will ever find."
Kim's eyes opened to see a nebula of white and crystal blue particles in front of her. "Who are you?"
"One of the first," the being spoke. "Why have you come here, Earth's Pink Crane? You've already received the power of the monolith."
"I've come to find the balance to the power I carry," she explained, her tone betraying the embarrassment she felt at not being able to balance the power on her own.
"You already have the balance."
"No, I don't. I have a battle raging inside of me because I allowed Maligore to play off my jealousy and my fear and hurt over something that was done to me!" she spat at the cloud.
"Pink Crane, I say again, you already have the balance. Awareness of the war within you is one strand of it. Do you know the others?"
Kimberly slowly sank to her knees, her head in her hands. "I'm so tired of riddles, and of trying to make sense of what's happened to me."
"The balance you seek is made of four strands. Awareness is one. Name the other three," the being finally told her, spelling out her mission to her.
Kim's head came up. "I honestly don't know."
"How odd, when you've experienced them far more than most. What are the keys to your power? What holds you in check? You have the power to destroy worlds at your fingertips, should you choose to do so. What stops you from doing that?"
The former Pink Ranger's face was fierce. "I made a promise, a commitment to uphold justice and peace."
"Honor. Correct. You stand by your world. Those who can't keep the balance often don't know how to stay true to the promises they made, or their so-called ideals. Name the last two."
Kim looked thoughtful now before her eyes closed and a painful look crossed her features. Images of her family filtered through her mind. She hadn't contacted them in what seemed like forever, and missed them desperately. More images assaulted her, only these were of the friends she'd left behind and the teammates she currently shared her mission with. "Friends, family, teammates, even in memory they keep the balance for me when I can't do it myself."
"Leadership and friendship make one strand. Your teammates, past and present, look to you for guidance. Friends look to you for love and acceptance. Family holds pride and love. What is the last?"
The auburn haired former Ranger didn't have time to ponder that as the most important person in her life made themselves known. A shrill cry from a bird drew her attention to the sky. "Tommy!" she gasped as the familiar form of her beloved's animal spirit circled overhead.
"Crane?"
"The last strand is love."
The cloud-like being seemingly smiled. "Very good, Pink Crane. Love, above all others, balances power more successfully because it is as intense and all consuming as love."
"Awareness, honor, friendship and leadership, and love," Kim murmured.
"Remember them always, Zordon's chosen," the being told her before it disappeared.
Kim watched as the door to the monolith opened, and instead of the pyramid with the sacred animals emerging, a small crane appeared just inside, haloed in golden-pink light. "Congratulations, Kimberly Hart," a voice boomed. "You have finally attained the status of Master Warrior."
Kim gasped. "Who are you?"
"I am the original Pink Crane Ninjetti, Princess and ruler of the planet Phadoes."
The former Pink Ranger's eyes welled. "I am not worthy of the honor you bestowed on me so long ago," she murmured.
The Crane's head cocked to the side before the voice became soothing and filled with emotion. "You have always honored me, Kimberly. You were the Falcon's light in his most trying times, as he was yours."
"I destroyed that!" Kim cried out.
"You were hurt, scared, and you ran to protect what was left. In doing so, you lost your way. Now you've chosen the path of light once more."
Kimberly's soft weeping tore at the crane's heart. "I'm so tired."
"The journey ahead will be wrought with peril, and you have many more lessons to learn. Are you read for what lies before you?" the Crane asked, acting as though it hadn't heard her. She knew that if she gave into Kimberly's cries, the former Ranger wouldn't want to continue on.
A fierce look crossed Kimberly's features. Tired or not, she knew she wasn't about to give up, and it looked like the Crane wasn't going to give in to her pity party. "I'm ready."
"Good. Alongside the title of Master Warrior, I also bestow another on you – that of Ninjetti Princess, heir to Phadoes."
Kimberly's whole body trembled as she stared at the crane in disbelief. "I don't understand."
"You are the first person since Dulcea's appointment as Master Warrior, and the destruction of the Ninjetti, to attain this level of power. More importantly, you have done so under my banner. I can think of no higher honor than making you the new heir to Phadoes. There will be others, eventually, and you will be needed to lead them. Do you accept?"
Kimberly smiled through her tears, a ray of hope and light shinning into her soul for the first time in ages. "Yes."
"Good. Now, a few friends would like to say hello."
The former Pink Ranger gasped when five other animals walked out of the monolith. "Guys!" Kim cried out, her voice soft.
Each uttered their signature sound before all six stared to glow with the power of the Rangers that had represented them. "Good luck, Pink Crane of Earth," the Crane said before the six disappeared and Kimberly collapsed from exhaustion and grief.
--
"Congratulations," Dulcea's voice reached her ears.
"What?" Kim groaned, rolling over on her back. "Dulcea? How'd I get back here?"
"Your powers."
It took Kim a few minutes to decipher what Dulcea had said. "Well, they've never done that before."
The Master Warrior laughed. "You were never a Master Warrior or Ninjetti Princess before either."
Rolling her eyes, the former Pink Ranger allowed Dulcea to pull her up. "True. Now what?"
"You'll need to return home," Dulcea told her.
"Why?"
"Because I need your help," someone spoke up.
Kimberly let out a gasp. She hadn't seen the man before her in what seemed like forever. "Billy?"
"Hello Kim," he grinned. The former Pink Ranger was about to launch herself at him until he shook his head. "This is just a holographic projection, Kim. I'm still on Aquitar."
"What's wrong?"
"I need your help. Can you come back, meet me on Aquitar?"
Kimberly's face hardened. "I should be able to, why?"
"I'll explain when you get here. See you soon, and by the way, congratulations."
Kim blinked when the hologram winked off and Billy's image disappeared. "I guess I'm headed for Aquitar."
Dulcea smiled. "You're ready, Kimberly; there is nothing more I can teach you."
The former Pink Ranger gasped when Dulcea sunk to one knee before her, bowing. "Dulcea."
"Safe journey, Your Highness."
When Dulcea stood up she was awestruck by Kim throwing her arms around her. "Thank you."
"You are welcome, Little Crane."
