Chapter 12

Tommy watched as the Rangers climbed back up the cliff to him, his own still packed away climbing gear resting securely in Jason's Suburban. He would use it when needed but he was leery of letting the other Rangers see it since the magical aspects were all too visible. Sure, it all had notice me not charms on it and muggle repellant but Tommy doubted those would work against Rangers - or more importantly, their enemies.

"Not bad," Tommy said when the others finally reached him. He nodded to the already assembled tents and the burning camp fire. "You want to rest, maybe cook dinner? Jas, how much cash do you have on you?"

"I don't know. I usually just use the credit card." Jason pulled out his wallet and counted. "Only six hundred. Why?"

Tommy suppressed a sigh. "You guys need new clothes. If you'll give me the cash, I'll get them while you rest."

"Shopping!" Kim exclaimed and Tommy gave her a wary look. "Can I come?"

Jason handed him the cash then offered, "You can use the card if-"

"No. Cash only where I'm going." Tommy threw Kim a grin and said, "Alone. Sorry. They don't like strangers."

While Kim pouted, Jason asked, "Why do you think we need new clothes anyway, bro?"

"You looked at yourselves recently? Jas, you're in red. Completely. Even your socks are red. You think anyone could ever miss spotting you like that? You look like a fucking bulls-eye." He shook his head. "All of you do that, wear your color from head to toe. You won't ever blend in anywhere. That works for you in a few positions but mostly it'll work against you."

"We're usually morphed for battle anyway," Jason said, shrugging it off. "What would it matter unless -" He broke off, Tommy's smirk telling him everything he needed to know. "Okay. Is six hundred enough?"

"It's more than I'd hoped for," Tommy responded. "Rest. I'll be back in a few." He teleported out in a flash of white.

Jason thought a moment then asked, "Is our White Knight wearing anything white?"

"I didn't notice," Billy admitted. "I assume so as the color is necessary. At least that is my conclusion based upon the files within the Command Centre concerning the Morphing Grid and the symbiotic relationship between a Power barer and the Power."

Jason looked a bit lost at Billy's comment but said, "So he wasn't?"

Kim said, "He's in a loose dark emerald green button up shirt, faded blue jeans and dark brown hiking boots. The tie holding his hair back is also brown. I didn't see anything white."

"Perhaps an undershirt or his socks?" Trini suggested, giggling slightly at the very detailed description.

"Or underwear," Zack added, causing both girls to blush at the thought.

888

Tommy teleported into the magical shopping center in LA. He'd first been there with Mrs. Oliver when he was little, since then he'd found ways to sneak in and do a bit of shopping himself. The local Gringotts wasn't busy so he changed the money quickly.

Reaching the clothier, he explained what he needed, finishing with, "Could you set it so they size to the person I hand the package to and then stay that size?"

"It's a bit of a complicated charm but I can do it," the girl promised. "They'll be ready in three hours."

Tommy nodded in thanks and made his way to the book store. He was well known there as he often hid out there. The owner, an elderly woman, smiled at his entrance and suggested a few books he might find interesting. Tommy looked them over and picked three hours worth of reading before disappearing into a backroom. The woman's smile fell once Tommy was out of sight. She only allowed Tommy to borrow books like that since she knew his situation. The Olivers were terrible people to keep a child from his education, though she also knew Tommy had managed to learn enough to protect himself despite their attempts. Partly from those fighting arts he studied so diligently and partly from his reading. The boy didn't have a wand but he'd figured out an amazing amount of wandless magic. Something felt different about him now though. There was an aura of great power around him, fully controlled power. It didn't seem possible. Sure, she'd always felt his potential for great power but he'd never managed such levels of control. Yet here he was, barely a month since she last saw him and in full control?

Just under three hours later, Tommy returned to the front room and handed the books back. "Thanks, Mrs. Stanton."

"You're always welcome, Tommy," she assured as always. "Tell me, where are you living now?"

"Angel Grove."

"Angel Grove," she breathed softly. Then it clicked. That was the home of the Power Rangers, that obviously magical team of defenders that no one knew anything about. The ones the magical government was so interested in since they used magic so blatantly before muggles. And just this month, a new Power Ranger showed. "Does white give you the control I feel in you?"

Tommy grinned. "There's knowledge in it like you wouldn't believe but it's different. It's not like ours at all really." He shrugged. "But I think holding it does make my magical core easier to access. - I'm staying out of sight of the Olivers."

"Good. Take care of yourself, child. And watch who you let know that little secret."

"I will."

888

Tommy teleported into the middle of their camp and quickly handed out the packages. Kim opened hers immediately. She held up a long sleeved shirt, trying to decide on a color to describe it. Finally, she settled on 'shadowed'.

"Try the stuff on," Tommy suggested and watched as everyone disappeared in their tents. One by one each returned dressed in long sleeved shirts, pants, gloves, boots, and head coverings that blended into the shadows around them.

"Hey, it fits perfectly!" Kim exclaimed as she finally joined the others. "How did you do that?"

Tommy smirked, a hint of humor in his eyes as he said simply, "I know what I'm doing." He sat down directly in front of his tent, motioned for the others to join him. "You'll wear that 'climbing' tomorrow. Be ready."

Continued - Sorry for the delay on updating. Work's been busy. Review, let me know what you think!