Setting: Dino Thunder; starts with the 'Moon Mission' and continues on through DT.
Story Summary: Through unexpected situations, some of the former rangers are called back to action. They did their duty and life went on, but trouble stirs as a former ranger stumbles across a new power source. With the help of friends—near and far—they will create and mentor three teens into becoming the newest members of the ranger family. This is the story of the Dino Thunder Rangers.
Chapter: 11: To Fight is to Live
Episode Counterpart: 27: The Fighting Spirit
Chapter Word Count: 9,035
A/N: the wait is over the chapter is here. No long speeches…just enjoy! And thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed and pretty much loved this story so far! You guys are awesome!
Disclaimer: Power Rangers and all its affiliates belong to Haim Saban. I am not making any money from this story and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
"Speaking"
"Speaking over the phone"
'Thinking'
O.P.D.: Sunday 8th June, '14.
-the Astro rangers stay to help fix Tommy's invisibility problem
-Andros and the others decide not to return to KO-35
-Mesogog threatens Elsa and Zeltrax to figure out how to destroy the rangers
-Trent experiences trouble with the white Dino gem
-Anton Mercer takes the students to a museum where Kira falls under a villain's mind control
-under the influence of the mind control, Kira breaks up with Conner and steals a bone, bringing a dinosaur back to life
-Billy and Andros figure out how to break Tommy's invisibility
-Kira gets into a fight with her parents and the results are disastrous
-Tommy is now visible, but there is a problem
-both Tommy and Kira are admitted to the hospital, where the others converge
-doctors come out to talk to the group and the news isn't good
Melissa was the first to speak in the silence left by the doctor's words. "What does that mean exactly?"
"Who are you?" the doctor asked.
"Melissa and James Oliver," Melissa answered. "We're Tommy's parents." She then gestured to Kim. "And this is his fiancée Kimberly Hart."
"My name is Dr Winters," the doctor said, "I worked on Dr Oliver."
"How is he?" Kim asked.
"Well, we ran a multitude of tests on Dr Oliver," Dr Winters explained, "and all of them came back normal. There's no physical injury, no internal injuries, no brain damage whatsoever."
The room seemed to let off a sigh of relief.
"So he's ok?" James asked. "Can we see him? Is he awake?"
Dr Winters shook his head, "Yes, you can see him, but I'm afraid he's not awake. He's in a coma."
The news stunned the room.
"But," Kim paused, and swallowed heavily before continuing, "you just said that everything was normal."
"And all the tests did come back normal," Dr Winters sighed, "Which makes the coma so puzzling. There is no medical reason for it."
Still stunned by the news about his mentor, Conner turned to the other doctor. "What about Kira?"
"My name is Dr Williamson," the doctor said. "And you are?"
"Conner McKnight," Conner answered, "her boyfriend."
Dr Williamson shook his head, "I'm afraid I can only give out information to family members."
That made Conner snap. "Her fucking family is the reason she's here in the first place!"
Dr Williamson was taken aback not just by Conner's tone, but his words as well.
"We are her family!" Conner continued.
Kim stepped away from Melissa and James and moved to the teen's side, wrapping a comforting arm around his waist. "Just please tell us; what's wrong with Kira?"
At the doctor's hesitance, Kim shook her head, "I know it's probably against protocol, but Conner's right; Kira's family is all of us here. Her parents are the ones that did this to her. So please…tell us."
Dr Williamson sighed. Inside, his heart was breaking for the female teen he just worked on. "Maybe you should sit down."
Conner paled and almost seemed to sag in Kim's arms. "Oh God."
Jason and Rocky came up and guided both Kim and Conner to the seats and the others crowded around them, leaving an empty seat on the other side of Conner for the doctor to sit.
When the doctor sat down, Conner didn't turn to face him. Instead, he kept his eyes down as he leaned into Kim. "Just tell me…please."
"Ms Ford's injuries are extensive," Dr Williamson explained gently, "She was kicked repeatedly, and with such a force that it broke a rib and the continued kicking ended up causing that broken rib to shift and pierce her lung, hence the reason she was coughing up blood; she had head contusions, including a blow to the temple that resulted in heavy blood loss; multiple non-fatal lacerations; a bruised back; a twisted ankle; her right cheekbone is bruised, almost broken."
He stopped talking when he took in the reactions to his words. He could understand their reactions, he himself was having a hard time dealing with it. Yes he was a doctor, and yes, he has dealt with a lot worse, but it never got easier to deal with cases like this; cases where a teen, or young child was in the hospital, suffering from a severe beating from their parents.
Kim's hands were clenched tight between Conner's own, but she didn't mind. She knew he must be going through hell to hear all of this and if this was the way she could offer comfort to him, a way for him to hear this, then she'd do it.
"Continue please," Kim said softly.
"She was also whipped," Dr Williamson continued.
At the words, Conner let out a sob and clenched his eyes tightly shut as he squeezed Kim's hands.
Trini buried her face in Jason's shoulder, as the other girls did the same with the partners.
Both Melissa and Jessica had horrified looks on their faces.
Dr Williamson looked down. It was obvious that whatever else he was about to tell them, he didn't want to.
"And?" TJ questioned, noticing the doctor's hesitance.
"There's bruising around her throat," Dr Williamson told them.
"Are you saying she was choked?" Ashley interrupted, voice thick with tears.
Dr Williamson nodded. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
"Oh God," Someone whispered, but it was a sentiment that was shared by everyone.
"Due to her multitude of injuries," the doctor continued, "surgery was touch and go. Her heart stopped once, but we were able to get her back."
"But she's ok now, right?" Conner whispered. "She's gonna be fine?"
"That's up to her," Dr Williamson said.
"What does that mean?" Ethan demanded.
"I'm afraid to say that Ms Ford is in a coma," Dr Williamson revealed.
"When do you think she'll come out of it?" Kat asked.
It was Melissa who answered. "Comas are a tricky thing. Both Kira and Tommy could come out tomorrow, next week or even a few hours from now. Or it could be weeks or months," she paused. "Or never."
Kim let out a whimper and squeezed Conner's hand.
"She's right," Dr Winters added on. "And especially with Ms Ford's injuries; we just don't know when, or even if, either one of them will come out of their coma."
"Thank you doctors," Jason nodded, trying to stay strong. "When can we see them?"
"Well they're being moved to their rooms right now," Dr Williamson said, "Ms Ford will be in ICU until she's ok to go to a regular room and Mr Oliver will be moved to a room on the third floor."
"I know this might seem weird," Tanya spoke up, "but is it possible to have Kira move to Tommy's room when she's ok to move?"
The two doctors exchanged looks and then turned their attention back to the group. It was easy to see that their two patients were very important to all of these people and with everything both they were all going through, doing this one favour didn't seem like such a big deal.
"We can do that," Dr Winters nodded. "A nurse will be here shortly to show you to both Ms Ford's and Mr Oliver's rooms."
"Thank you," James gave a nod.
The two doctors left the room after that. Deep down, neither one wanted to be around the group any longer, unable to fathom the pain they must be in to have two people they deeply cared for in the hospital; one by the hand of her own parents, and the other for reasons unknown.
All was quiet in the waiting room as it seemed as if no one was in the mood to talk. And really, who could blame them?
A short time later, two nurses showed up and led them to where Kira and Tommy were. Conner, along with his parents and brother, and Ethan stopped off at the floor where Kira was, while the others continued on to the above floor where Tommy's room was.
(Tommy's Room)
Tommy's parents and friends got to his room, and as they made to go inside, Kim stood frozen in the doorway.
Her eyes filled with tears as she took in the sight of her fiancé lying motionless on the bed, with wires connected to him and machines beeping.
"Kim?" James prodded gently as he stood next to his daughter.
"I-," Kim started, "look at him."
"I know honey," James sighed as he pulled her into a hug, "It's scary to see him lying there, but it's ok. He's going to be ok. You said so, remember? And if I know my son, and I do, he's never been one to disappointment you or let you down, and he's not going to start now. Just have faith."
Kim took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right. I have to keep believing that everything will be fine."
Giving James a smile, she stepped out of his embrace and walked over to Tommy's bedside.
Rocky grabbed one of the chairs and pushed it towards his friend.
"Thanks Rocky," Kim smiled up at him as she took the seat. She reached over and grabbed Tommy's hand, holding it tightly between hers. "Hey Handsome. I don't know what's going on with you, but I'm here, ok? I'm right here waiting for you. So just hang in there and come back to me."
The room was quiet after that. Really, there was nothing else anyone could say as Kim had pretty much said everything. Instead, they all settled around his room.
The silence in the room didn't last long. Since it had been early evening when Tommy had been brought to the hospital, and they had been here for hours, it was just before midnight, and no one had had anything to eat.
"I think I'll go find a vending machine or something," Adam said. He looked around the room. "Does anyone want anything?"
'Yes' echoed around the room.
Kim stood up, surprising the group. "Actually, I think I'll go down and check in on Conner and Kira." She paused and bit her lip. "I need to make sure they're ok."
"We'll go with you," Trini smiled at her best friend.
"You guys can go check on them," Melissa smiled at the group of friends. "Ranger duty and all that. James and I will stay with Tommy."
Throwing a smile and the older woman, Kim turned back to her fiancé and leaned over his bed, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "I'll be right back Handsome."
After various goodbyes from the others, the group left the room, leaving James and Melissa to sit with their son.
(Kira's Room)
"Oh my God," Ethan whispered as he and the others stopped outside Kira's room. Because she was in ICU, they couldn't just all go in. But what they saw through the window was what had caused Ethan to whisper the words and the others to gasp.
Kira had a bandage wrapped around her head, a tube going down her throat, the bruise around her throat was visible and there were machines (seemingly too much to the observing teens and parents) connected to her. Her face was a myriad of bruises, and based on what the doctor had told them, they knew that bruises and bandages were beneath her hospital gown, littering her body. It was a shocking sight.
Conner's eyes took in the sight of his girlfriend and he swallowed hard. He couldn't believe that what he was seeing was actually real.
He needed to be close to her, to touch her, to reassure himself that she was there, and while she may not be ok, she was still there.
Without saying anything to his best friend or his family, he entered her room, letting the door close behind him. With slow steps, he made his way to her bedside and sat in the chair that was next to it.
Slowly, he reached out and grabbed her hand, and gently held it with his own.
"Hey superstar," Conner whispered as tears filled his eyes. "I'm here. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm so sorry I couldn't stop it and that I got there too late."
His tears slipping free, rolling down his cheeks, Conner bowed his head until his forehead was resting on his and Kira's joined hands.
Outside the room, Jessica leaned into Matthew, her heart aching as she looked in at her son at his girlfriend's bedside.
"This sucks," Eric grouched as he watched his twin.
"I just can't believe it," Ethan shook his head, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight of his two best friends; especially Kira.
"Neither can we," Kat said as she and the others walked up to the group.
"How is he?" Kim asked as she came to a stop next to Ethan. She turned to look in the room and her broke for the two teens.
"As good as can be I guess," Ethan answered. "I don't think he'll be ok, until she is."
"None of us will be," Zack sighed.
"How's Dr O doing?" Ethan asked, looking away from Conner and Kira to Kim.
Kim shrugged. "He looks like he's sleeping, but I know he's not."
"I wish I had listened to him," Jessica spoke up, drawing the attention of everyone.
"What do you mean?" Ashley asked.
"When he came home earlier," Jessica explained, "he tried to tell me, or at least, he tried to explain, but I dismissed him."
"Mrs McKnight," Trini stepped forward. "You can't blame yourself for this. What happened to Kira is not your fault."
Jessica bit her lip, her eyes filling with tears, "But if I hadn't dismissed Conner's concerns, maybe he would've been over there earlier…he could've had a chance to help her."
"Or both of them could be in here right now," Zhane countered.
"He's right hon," Matthew said, shifting his wife so he could look at her face. "If Conner had gone over there, then both of them might have ended up hurt. I'm sorry Kira is, but it's better that it was just one, instead of two teens fighting for their lives."
Jessica still didn't look convinced, but she was reassured by the others, or she was going to be, but they were interrupted.
"Excuse me?"
The group looked up to see two cops heading towards them.
"Is there something we can help you with officers?" Billy asked.
"I'm Officer Dillon Hanley," the man said. "This is my partner, Officer Ainsley Franklin."
"We were called in because of what happened to Kira Ford," Ainsley said, "and we were wondering if we could ask you some questions?"
"I hope you're here to tell us you're arresting her parents?" Conner asked as he stood in the doorway.
"We need to know what happened first," Ainsley said.
Kim shook her head and headed towards the door. "I think I'll go in and sit with Kira."
"We might need a statement from you," Dillon stopped her.
"Honestly," Kim replied without turning around. "What they'll tell you is exactly what I would. I've already heard what happened from the person who found her and I don't want to hear it again." She paused. "I am so worried about both of them, especially her, that I haven't allowed myself to get angry over the circumstances and I'm afraid that if I hear what happened one more time, I am going to snap. So please, let me visit with her."
She entered the room, squeezing Conner's arm as she passed him, and said nothing else to the cops, letting the door swing shut behind her.
"We'll tell you everything," Adam sighed.
Ainsley nodded. "Let's start with what happened tonight."
Conner let out a deep breath as he recounted, once more, the events that took place as well as he knew them.
When he was done, the others gave their own input of the suspicions they've had since meeting Kira.
"And there's no doubt in your mind that her parents are the ones responsible?" Ainsley asked, looking at each of them. "What about a boyfriend?"
Conner stepped forward and glared at the cop, as the others bristled.
Ainsley actually took a slight step back at the hostility she could feel radiating from the group.
"I am her boyfriend!" Conner snapped. "And I wasn't the one to do this to her! Her fucking parents did!"
"I'm sorry," Dillon said, holding up his hands in a placating gesture, "but we had to ask; if only to eliminate the boyfriend—you—as a suspect."
"It's ok," Jessica said, "We understand." She didn't like the fact that they questioned her son; that they thought even for a moment that he had had something to do with Kira getting hurt, but she could understand that they had to ask.
"So what will happen to Kira's parents?" Trini asked.
"We'll put out an APB for them," Ainsley replied. "They'll be arrested and criminal charges will brought against them."
"Will this go to trial?" Matthew asked.
"I'll be honest," Dillon was the one to answer, "Based on the information from you and from the doctors, this could be an open and shut case. However, there is the very strong possibility that her parents could deny the charges. They could plead not guilty, claim their innocence, and if they do that, then it'll go to trial and it'll be up to a judge and jury to decide."
"Alright," Rocky nodded, "thank you."
"No problem," Dillon said. "We'll be in touch." With another goodbye, the two cops left.
Jessica then turned to her son. "You look tired sweetie. Maybe I should take you home? You've been here for hours and sun's gonna come up soon."
Conner immediately shook his head. "I am tired mom, but I'm not going home. I can't leave her."
Knowing her son, she knew she wouldn't be able to change his mind. Conner was just as stubborn as her, if not more. So, all she could do was give a resigned sigh.
"Alright," Jessica said, her reluctance obvious. "We'll go home and get some rest and we'll be back later with a change of clothes for you, and food."
"Ok," Conner gave her a hug, holding her tightly for a few seconds. "Thanks mom."
"You're welcome sweetie," Jessica replied as she returned the hug.
Matthew and Eric gave Conner their own hugs and then the rest of the McKnight clan left.
Soon enough, the others left as well; they knew that like Conner, Kim wouldn't leave, so they didn't even bother trying. Instead, they said their goodbyes to her, and then headed down to Tommy's room to do the same with Melissa and James.
~…~
Patrick and Elizabeth were having the time of their lives. They'd spent the Friday night going from club to club, dancing, eating, drinking, just enjoying themselves and had ended up at a hotel as neither of them had wanted to go back to their house. Not with that brat of a daughter and the mess she had to clean up.
'And it better be clean,' Elizabeth thought to herself as she sat in the restaurant of the hotel, 'I hate the smell of blood and I really hate having a mess in my home.' She sighed. 'Patrick could've been more careful with disciplining the girl. All that blood…ugh…whatever. At least now, she'll learn her lesson about talking back to me and understanding her place in the home.'
"You ok there doll?" Patrick asked as he took the seat next to his wife. Elizabeth smiled up at the man she loved.
"Oh yes," her smiled turned into a grin. "Just peachy."
"Good," Patrick nodded and leaned over, giving her a quick kiss. "So what do you say we get out of here? Spend the day on the town, do a little shopping for you and then maybe go to Danville for the night?"
"Sounds like a brilliant plan," Elizabeth said as she stood, grabbing her purse. "And hopefully, when we return home tomorrow, the house will be spotless."
Patrick shrugged, "If it's not, I have no problem disciplining Kira again. She'll learn eventually."
"You'd think the hard-headed brat would've by now," Elizabeth snorted, "Anyways, enough about her; I don't want to ruin my mood. Let's go have fun."
Exchanging smiles, the couple left the restaurant and headed towards the parking lot, to their car.
They had no idea their Saturday plans were about to be cancelled.
Patrick has just opened the door for his wife, when they were stopped.
"Patrick and Elizabeth Ford?"
The two turned and saw two cops standing behind them.
"Yes?" Patrick nodded, brows pulling together in a frown.
"I'm Officer Ainsley Franklin and this is partner Officer Dillon Hanley," the female cop spoke.
"Is there something we can help you with officers?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah," one of the cops said, "You can step away from the vehicle and turn around."
"What?" Elizabeth looked at the man in confusion.
"You're both under arrest," Ainsley said as he stepped forward to cuff them.
"What?" Elizabeth screeched.
Patrick spared a glance at his wife. "Calm down Lizzie." He turned back to the cops. "What the hell is going on? Why are we being arrested?"
"For the attack on Kira Ford," Dillon told them. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will, be used in a court of law against you."
Both Patrick and Elizabeth protested as Officer Dillon continued to read their rights and led over to the squad cars, where they were deposited to the back.
They were taken to the police station, where they were fingerprinted and jailed. Throughout the entire thing, both were still protesting of any wrong doing and holding their innocence.
~…~
Later that Saturday evening, the cops had returned to the hospital to tell the group that Kira's parents had been arrested and charged and that based on Kira's medical report and the statements from the group, they were sent to jail, bail set at five hundred thousand, and would be going to trial in a few weeks.
On Sunday afternoon, Kira—though she had remained unconscious—had become stable enough to move from the ICU and was able to be placed in Tommy's room. It made it easier for the rangers to visit between their two friends.
Sunday night, Conner had fought with his mother about going back to school the next morning, and with the others as well. In the end, Kim had been the one that had managed to convince him to return.
The two had been the only ones in the hospital as the others had given them space, the former rangers knowing that Kim would talk to Conner and that if anyone could get through to him, it would be her.
"You have to go back you know," Kim spoke, breaking the silence between the two of them.
Conner groaned and shook his head. "Not you too. I'm not going Kim. There's no way I'd be able to concentrate knowing that she's here, and I'd rather be here than in school. She needs me."
Kim sighed and stood up, walking from Tommy's bedside around to where Conner was sitting. "I know; trust me, if there's anyone who knows explicitly how you feel, it's me. No one is forcing me to leave Tommy's side and I don't think anyone could either. After everything he and I have been through, and especially after junior year, they know better than to even try. I can't leave him."
Conner looked up at her, his brown eyes shining with tears. "So you understand why I can't just leave her."
"I do," Kim nodded, her heart aching for him, and for herself. "But, I also know that if Kira knew you were skipping school, as much as she would love it, the situation she's in right now, she'd just feel extremely guilty and would blame herself. And I know you don't want that."
Conner ducked his head briefly. "Wouldn't Dr O feel the same way about you? Wouldn't he want you to be going about your normal routine and not just sitting here at his bedside?"
"He would," Kim agreed, "but he also knows that even if it is what he wanted, I wouldn't—and I'm not going to—do it. Because he'd understand why I have to be here; why I can't leave."
She stepped closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, hugging him to her body. "I know you love her Con, but you and I both know that you sacrificing school for her would not make her happy. Go to school, and then, come back here as soon as you can. Because God knows no one is gonna be able to stop you then."
Conner let out a choked laugh, his tears finally spilling over as he clung to Kim. "And you'll stay with her?"
Kim gave him a squeeze. "I'm not going anywhere. She won't be alone…neither of them will. I'll stay and keep watch over them." She kissed his head. "So please go to school."
Conner really wanted to appease Kim, he really did, as he didn't want to let her down, but there was still a bigger part of him that wanted to stay next to his girlfriend. How could he go to school and concentrate, when he knew that Kira was here, fighting to stay?
Kim could sense that although he was wavering, the teen was still reluctant. "How about this? I know you're not going to be able to fully concentrate in school because you'll be too worried, so, instead of staying the whole day, can you try to at least make it to lunch?"
Conner thought about it for a few minutes. He could do that, couldn't he? "Alright, I'll try to do that."
Kim hugged him. "Thank you."
Conner hugged her back in return, but said nothing. The two remained quiet as they watched over their loved ones.
Time Skip
It's been just over a week since Kira and Tommy were admitted to the hospital and things hadn't really improved. As was the situation the Sunday afternoon Kira had been moved to Tommy's room, their vitals remained stable and strong, yet neither one showed any signs of waking.
But waiting on Kira and Tommy to wake weren't the only things they had to deal with. By now, the entire town seemed to know that Patrick and Elizabeth were arrested for child abuse and for almost killing their daughter, so the entire situation was a topic among everyone.
At school, the students seemed to constantly be staring at Conner and Ethan, but no one approached. Not after Monday when Cassidy had dared to go up to Conner and demand answers in the name of journalism and the teen had responded so harshly, tears had filled the blonde girl's eyes and she had fled, wanting to hide from the humiliation of being spoken to like that in front of everyone.
And add on to that, Mesogog had decided to take advantage of the fact that the rangers were down another team member. Tyrannodrones were sent down almost daily, testing them, pushing their limits, wearing them out, until yesterday when he sent a monster instead.
Conner had gone on a rant, letting out his frustrations on the lack of break they were getting from their villains. In the end, both he and Ethan had gone out to fight—with some convincing from the others—with Billy and Andros commandeering the Pterodactyl zord from the Command Centre.
Now, the gang was at the hospital, visiting Tommy and Kira, along with Melissa and James, both of whom had taken familial leave from their jobs.
"I wonder if they can hear us?" Ethan asked as he sat in a chair next to Conner on Kira's left side.
"They can," Melissa answered. "Science might say no, but it's been proven over the years that people in a coma can actually hear; at least most cases."
"They're not in a coma," Kim spoke up, drawing everyone's attention, though her eyes remained firmly fixed on Tommy's face.
Her statement drew confused looks from the others before sudden realization hit the original former rangers and Tommy's parents.
"What do you mean?" Cassie asked, looking at the shorter brunet for clarification.
"Where are they sis?" Trini asked instead.
"It took me a while to get it," Kim answered, "but I think I do now." This time, she looked over at Trini. "Do you remember Rita's Island of Illusion?"
Jason, Billy, Trini and Zack's eyes widened with recognition.
"You think that's where they are?" Zack asked, eyes dancing from Kira to Tommy.
"No not exactly," Kim shook her head, her gaze returning to her fiancé. "I think it's someplace similar. Or maybe it is, I'm not too sure because it doesn't really work like it did back then."
"What do you mean?" Jason asked.
"I don't know," Kim let out a frustrated grunt. It was really bugging her that she couldn't really tell where Tommy and Kira were. "All I can get is that, they have to fight to survive."
Conner grabbed Kira's hand and brought it to his lips. "You hear that superstar? You have to fight. So do that and come back to me. Please."
Kim glanced over at him before looking back at Tommy. She heard Carlos asking what the Island of Illusions was, but she paid it no mind; all her thoughts were on her fiancé.
'Whatever you're fighting Handsome, stay strong and don't give up. Come back to me.'
Mindscape/Spirit World
He walked through the trees cautiously, keeping his eyes peeled for anything. He had no idea where he was, but somehow, the place felt familiar.
He kept walking, hoping he'd figure out where exactly he was, how he got there and how he was going to get back.
He hadn't walked very far when a blast came out of nowhere, heading directly towards him.
"Whoa!" he ducked out of the way and when he settled, he automatically fell into a fighting stance. "Whoever you are, come out and fight me!"
To his shock, the person that stepped forward was the White Ranger; more specifically, his White Ranger, the one he was when he had come back to the team as their leader.
"What the hell?"
The appearance of his former colour had him so startled that he relaxed his stance.
"Where did you come—shit!"
The White Ranger attacked without saying anything and he was forced to defend himself. As they were fighting, the place around them blurred and it was like they were thrown back in time.
Just a few feet away, the White Ranger fighting against one of Rita's monsters. And he was losing.
The image distracted him enough that he caught a powerful blow from the White Ranger in front of him and it sent him sprawling on the ground.
"What the?" he questioned as he slowly stood up, his eyes never leaving the fight.
"You're weak," the White Ranger that was just fighting him spoke. "And pathetic. Look at you; you couldn't even beat this monster."
He watched the fight, watching how time after time, his past self was thrown to the ground. He couldn't stop watching.
'But I'm not weak…am I?' he thought to himself.
"Yes you are," the White Ranger spoke, drawing his attention. "You couldn't beat that monster and you can't beat me."
He looked back towards the ranger and the monster fighting. The colour that really started it for him; that was the colour when he felt truly secure and stable as a part of the team, the colour that gave him his confidence and the colour that was the start of him and Kimberly.
Kimberly.
He was never weak for her. Even when he was tired, when it came to her, he always found the strength to go on. To be there for her when she needed him; like when her power coin got stolen, or when Zedd had kidnapped her and had drained her life force, almost killing her or when she had fallen off the beam or when he went to Florida for her and found the dark truth behind the letter and the months following; even during those times, he had never given up…ever.
And he wasn't going to now. If not for himself, then for Kimberly, because she needed him and he loved her.
So, he stood up, determination filling him, and he glared at his counterpart in front of him.
The White Ranger attacked, but this time, he fought back and he fought back hard. He didn't give an inch and soon enough, he had the Ranger on the ground.
"I am not weak," he said firmly.
The White Ranger stood up and gave him a nod. "Good. Hold on to that strength and determination."
He was confused, but before he could see anything, the White Ranger disappeared and the scene around him shimmered until he was back in the place he had originally arrived at.
"Well that was weird," he murmured as he looked around.
He stumbled forward from a push to his back. He regained his footing and when he turned around, the red ZEO ranger was standing there.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me?!" he cursed as he stared at another of his former selves.
"There's no kidding around," the ZEO ranger stated. And that was all the warning he gave before he attacked.
Initially caught off guard by the suddenness, he quickly got his bearings and fought back. He couldn't help but wonder if this ranger thought he was weak as well, but it didn't matter; he was going to prove that he wasn't.
So caught up in fighting back that he didn't even realize at first that the scene around him had changed once again. He tried not to let it distract him, but he couldn't help but to look at the scene and it caused him to stumble, allowing the ZEO ranger to land a solid blow.
This time, the scene was of Kimberly and even though he hadn't been there at the time, he recognized what was going on.
"You weren't even strong enough to protect her," the ZEO ranger taunted. "She suffered months in silence and you couldn't even do anything. If you had been there…"
The words were some that had been served his deepest fears and guilt; that somehow he should've known what had been wrong with his girlfriend; that he should've been there to protect her.
The thoughts bring him to his knees and he couldn't stop the tears from filling his eyes.
"What? You're not even going to get up and fight me?" the ZEO ranger taunted. "What kind of a man are you?" a scoff. "I always knew you were weak."
As the despair threatened to fill him, something stopped him. It sounded like Kimberly's voice.
He could hear her clear in his head telling him that it wasn't his fault; that he couldn't have known what was going to happen to her in Florida; that even though he wasn't there initially, it was his actions after that counted; how he came and got her; how he realized, when no one else did, that something was wrong; how he protected and shielded her afterwards; how he knew when to push and when to back off.
The scene around changed once again and this time, it was of what had happened after he had gotten to Florida; everything he had just heard in his mind, it was reflected around him.
Kim's voice echoed in his head once more. 'You might not have been there to stop it from happening Handsome, but you had been there afterwards, providing me with love and comfort…'
The scene changed to that day in the Youth Centre when he had forced Kimberly to fight against him.
'…and giving me the strength to overcome my own fears and my demons. You gave me the strength to move on…so get up Handsome…and you fight to come back to me…'
Gaining strength from the thoughts and the scene, he got back to his feet. "I will always feel some guilt for not being there to stop it from happening, but that's normal because I love her so much. But I understand that there was nothing I could've done to stop it because I didn't know it was going to happen, not even she did. What matters is what I did after and I proved myself then and I'm going to do it again now."
"People talk all the time," the ZEO ranger said. "Why don't you prove it to me? Prove that have the fight and strength within you."
The fighting continued and just as with the White Ranger, he won the fight.
"You have proven that you do have the strength and the fight to continue," the ZEO ranger said. "Hold on to it."
With that, he disappeared and the scene changed back to its original form.
"What is up with all this cryptic business?" he muttered to himself. He looked around. "So, I've been visited by two former colours. And there's just one more to go. Great."
Just as he finished speaking, he heard a very familiar tune. Looking to where it was coming from, he saw the Green Ranger standing there.
"I knew I'd see you," he told the ranger. "And let me guess; you're going to be difficult, aren't you?"
The Green Ranger chuckled. "That depends entirely on you."
"Alright," he said, dropping into the very familiar stance. "Bring it on. I don't care what past images you try to throw at, I am not giving in or up."
"We'll see," the Green Ranger chuckled and then he attacked.
Unlike with the other, this fight was tougher, but it was nothing he didn't expect. This part of his past was always the most dangerous because it was when he had started out as Rita's evil Green Ranger.
Just like with the previous two, during the fight, the scene around them changed; this time, it reflected what he had just thought about, the first time he became a ranger.
"You know why she chose you?" the Green Ranger taunted. "It wasn't because you were strong or special. It was because you were weak. You were easy to take control of."
He knew what the other ranger was trying to do and he wouldn't let it get to him this time. No, he was going to fight and show that he was strong and that he wasn't so easy to take control of.
"I know what you're doing," he said, "and you're wrong. It wasn't because I was weak or easy to control. It was because of my strength…my ability to keep fighting no matter. And unlike the first time around, this time, I have something-no, someone, to fight for. You will not win."
A forceful blow and a powerful kick later, and the Green Ranger was on the ground.
"I'm glad to see you've proven me wrong," the Green Ranger chuckled as he stood up. "Good. Hold on to that fire and determination. You'll need it."
With that he disappeared, and the moment he did, the Black Dino Ranger appeared.
"I suppose I have to fight you too?" he questioned, already preparing himself.
"Not I," the Black Dino shakes his head. "I'm here to take you where you're needed."
Frowning, he straightened out of his fighting stance. "Where I'm needed?"
"Yes," the Black Dino nodded. "She's in serious trouble and she needs your help."
"Let's go," he said. He didn't even care to hear anymore. It could only be one of two people.
The Black Dino walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. The two blurred and disappeared, only to reappear in a house.
"Where am I?" he asked, looking around.
"Where you're needed," the Black Dino replied and then he disappeared.
Before he could question the ranger's disappearance, he heard a scream, a very familiar one, and took off towards it.
When he got to where the scream came from, he stopped suddenly, shocked at not only what he was seeing, but who as well. "Kira?"
~…~
She slowly opened her eyes and sat up, looking around the place as she did so; she was in a forest of some kind. She could hear rushing water and knew somehow that a river was nearby. She couldn't help but to wonder exactly where the hell she was as she didn't recognize anything.
"Hello?"
She started walking, hoping she'd see something familiar, or someone. But no luck. The more she walked, the less familiar the place looked.
"Is there anyone here?" she called out, hoping that she would get an answer, but somehow, knowing she wouldn't.
"Where the hell am I?" she muttered as she continued walking around.
She kept walking, still hoping she'd see someone or something to let her know where she was and what was going on.
She walked and walked until she felt like she was walking for days and not just minutes.
Suddenly, just a short distance away from her, a doorway appeared between some trees.
"What the hell?" she muttered as she took slow steps towards it.
When she finally stood in front of it, she looked around once more, before opening the door and stepping through.
She was shocked to see where it led her; she was in her house.
In an instant, fear overtakes her and she freezes, unable to move.
A low growl from her left drew her attention and she turned her head slightly, letting out a whimper when she saw a monster standing there.
Her ranger instincts kicking in, she dropped into a fighting stance, and when the monster attacked, she was ready.
The fight went on, and despite the fact that it was tough, as tough as any battle she had fought as a ranger, she knew she was winning. She was just about to deliver a final blow when she was struck from behind.
She cried out and fell to the floor, but immediately got up back up. When she turned around, ready to defend herself, she stopped in shock when she noticed that not one, but two more monsters had shown up.
"Oh God," she whispered, taking in all three. "What the hell is going on? Where did these things come from?"
No answer was forthcoming and she didn't have time to think as the monsters all attacked.
"Whoa!" immediately, she started defending herself, giving as good as she got.
The house shimmered for a few short minutes and when it stopped, the scene that presented itself was enough to freeze her in her tracks.
It was like she was thrown back in time.
The scene was of her as a young child, and she was being punished for something her parents had deemed to be wrong and her fault entirely.
"No," tears filled her eyes and spilled over as she watched the scene around her.
She was knocked out of her stupor by one of the monsters and it was enough to get her to start, or at least try to defend herself. But the scenes playing around, like a film, had jolted her too much for her focus to be really in the fight.
She kept trying to fight the monsters, she really did, but the house kept shimmering and every time it did, it brought a new scene; from the beating she had received after Kylee had broken her mother's vase, to the verbal abuse and the punches, slaps and kicks she'd experience over the years.
All of those scenes brought back all the emotions—all the fear, the hopelessness, helplessness, the despair—that she had felt throughout the years.
And as all those emotions filled her, she felt herself getting weaker, losing the battle against the monsters.
"Someone help me…please," she whispered the words, and yet they seemed to echo nevertheless.
The scene changed again and this time, it was the night she had gotten home after she had overcome the effects of the mind control. The night of the worst beating she'd ever received.
It was as if she really was reliving that night instead of seeing it happen around her. She could feel the phantom kicks and punches and the pain of her body slamming into the ground or the wall.
And she couldn't help but to let out a scream when she felt, what seemingly was, a rib getting broken.
The force of it all sent her to the ground and she knew the monsters were coming after her, but she couldn't get up and fight. She just couldn't.
She was so tired. She just wanted to give up.
"Kira!"
The voice was familiar but she pushed it away. There was no one here but her and her memories and the monsters. No one was coming to help.
"Kira!" the voice shouted again. "I need you to focus Kira. I need you to get up and fight."
"No," she shook her head. "I can't. I can't."
"Yes you can. Look at me. Kira, look at me."
She obeyed and when she looked up, she recognized the person and saw him fighting the monsters.
"Dr O?" she whispered.
"Yeah it's me," he assured her, "and I need you to get up and help me, ok? I need you to fight."
"No." she couldn't do it. She couldn't fight. She didn't have the strength. Her parents were right; she was worthless, she was weak.
He pleaded with her. "Kira…"
"I can't," she whimpered. "They were right; I'm weak…and worthless…"
Fighting away one of the monsters, he turns to the teen. "You are not weak Kira. You're strong, stronger than you think you are. How many other people, teens especially, would've survived what you did? Others would've given up by now."
Another monster came at him and shifted his focus, but he still kept talking to her.
"Do you think if you were weak or worthless you'd be a ranger?" he asked. "If the gem hadn't found you worthy of it, if it hadn't think you were strong enough to handle the power, it never would've chosen you. But it did."
"It chose me?" she questioned softly.
"Yes," he encouraged. "It chose you. So you see, you are strong Kira. You're a fighter. If you weren't, you would've given up by now. You wouldn't be a ranger. Remember when Fossilador took over your mind? How you reacted after? You didn't give in then; you fought back. So fight back now."
She focused on his words, letting them wash over her. She was a ranger. The gem chose her to bond with because it found her worthy; it found her to be strong.
Thoughts of Conner immediately filtered in and with them, memories of their time together. The way he looked at her, the way he touched her, how when they first got together how careful and gentle he was with her, and so patient as well.
Out of every girl in school, Conner had chosen her to be with.
Not because she was weak.
Not because she was worthless.
But because he saw something more.
And suddenly it hit her. It was the same as the gem; he saw her as being worthy, as being loveable, as someone he was proud to have at his side.
And it wasn't just Conner; it was the others as well. She wasn't worthless to them either. They believed in her.
She slowly got to her feet.
Her parents were wrong; she wasn't worthless, she wasn't unlovable, and most of all, she wasn't weak.
She was strong.
She took a step forward and when she felt her feet were steady and no longer trembling, she took another and another until she was in the fight.
She quickly got into it, helping her mentor to fight against the monsters.
He turned towards her, surprise and pleasure on his face. *"Are you with me Kira?"
She didn't even hesitate in her reply. "I'm with you."
Together, the two overpower the monsters and within no time, had destroyed them completely.
The moment the monsters disappeared, the Black and Yellow Dino rangers appeared.
"What's going on?" she asked her teacher.
"I'm not sure," he replied.
The Black Dino stepped in front of his counterpart. "You were always the strong; always the leader. You never once gave up, even when the odds were against you. But your greatest strength comes not from your powers, but from her. Her love for you will always be your greatest strength." He opened his hand, revealing the black dino gem. "Take this; reclaim your power and go back to her."
He wanted to, but he wasn't leaving the place—wherever it was—without his student.
The Yellow Dino mirrored her teammate's moves and stood in front of her counterpart. "You are not who your parents said you are. You always have been, and always will be found worthy. You are the pterodactyl, and like it, you will soar above those who will try to bring you down." The ranger opened her hand, revealing the yellow dino gem. "Remember, it chose you. No one else."
They both exchanged looks.
"Same time?" she asked, wanting to do it with him.
"Same time," he nodded in agreement.
Sharing another look, they both reached out and grabbed their gems.
~…~
It's been two weeks since Kira and Tommy had both been admitted to the hospital and either of them had yet to regain consciousness; something that left the doctors puzzled and worried.
But neither Kim nor Conner nor any of the others were worried, at least, not anymore. It had been Aisha, whose memory had been triggered by Kim's words that day in the hospital five days ago that had reminded them of something. The former Ninjetti had brought up what had happened to Kim in high school and how Kim's spirit animal had reached out to her before she had even known what was wrong.
And if there was one thing the past rangers understood, and Conner and Ethan were realizing the same, was that when it came to the ranger world, anything was possible. So it was entirely possible that the reason neither Tommy nor Kira was awake as of yet was because they were, as Kim said, fighting somewhere to come back to them.
So even though they were worried, it wasn't on the same scale as the doctors.
Now, Kim and Conner were sitting in the hospital room talking quietly to each other; it was early morning, so they were the only ones at the hospital. The others would be by later.
They were sharing childhood stories with each other when a groan came from Tommy's bed.
Kim and Conner stopped talking immediately and both set of eyes flew over to where the sound came from.
"You heard that right?" Kim muttered to the teen without taking her eyes from her fiancé.
"I did," Conner nodded.
Taking that as encouragement, Kim stood and made her way to Tommy's side. "Tommy? Can you hear me?"
Tommy let out another groan and slowly opened his eyes. He squinted, letting his eyes adjust to the level of brightness in the room, low as it was and then gave a tired smile when his gaze fell on his fiancée.
"Hi," Tommy said, his voice hoarse from disuse.
"Oh my God!" Kim cried as she reached out and grabbed his hand tightly in hers. She bent over and pressed kisses to his face as her tears fell.
Conner moved to go to his teacher's bedside when movement from Kira's bed drew his attention. He turned around fully around to face his girlfriend's bed and his eyes moved immediately to her form, praying he wasn't just seeing things.
When he saw the way her lids fluttered rapidly before slowly blinking open, he quickly made his way to her side.
"Kira?" he called softly as to not startle her. He could already feel the tears building and knew he wouldn't do anything to stop them from falling.
Kira slowly turned her head to Conner's voice and fully opened her eyes. Seconds later, she felt the need to cough, but couldn't.
"Kim! Get the doctor!" Conner called out as he tried, and failed, to help her.
Kim did as he asked and hurried to the door. She spotted Dr Williamson heading towards the room and called out to him.
"Dr Williamson! Come quick! It's Kira!"
Dr Williamson looked up at the first shout, and by the third, he was already running to the room, calling for the nurse at the desk to page Dr Winters, and a couple of nurses following.
As they entered, Dr Williamson quickly hurried over to Kira and Conner immediately got out of the way.
"Kira, listen to me," Dr Williamson said, "I need you to give me a huge cough and keep coughing so we can get the tube out properly."
It took a few minutes, but they managed to get the tube removed without damage. They then checked her over, before going to check over Tommy.
In the background, Kim and Conner stood together, holding each other tightly as they watched the team work on Kira and Tommy.
Sniffling, Kim pulled out her cell, and sent a mass text to the others, letting them know the good news, before snuggling back into Conner's embrace.
Fifteen minutes later, the doctors—Dr Winters had shown up just five minutes after being paged—were done with their check-up and had given their prognosis.
Ten minutes later, the others rushed into the room and they each took in the sight of their friends being truly awake for themselves. Not that they hadn't believed Kim's text, but actually seeing the truth was better.
Exclamations of joy echoed in the room, and spilled out into the hall, but they didn't care. Their friends were awake and that deserved a loud celebration.
A/N 2: not too sure about the ending, but I still hope it's ok. Anyways, you know the drill by now; tell me what you think
*I got this part when I was watching Chronicles of Riddick
Kila